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by RICHARD MUPONDE MDC ALLIANCE secretary-general Chalton Hwende yesterday accused the ruling Zanu PF party of trying to create a wedge between him and party leader Nelson Chamisa as a part of a grand plot to decimate the opposition party. Hwende was responding to allegations raised by former MDC Alliance senator for Midlands Lilian Timveos who accused him of single-handedly destroying the opposition party by abusing senior party members. Timveos, who was the opposition party’s deputy treasurer-general and former senator, officially defected to Zanu PF together with MDC-T secretary for local government, Blessing Chebundo on Wednesday. Timveos claimed that Hwende was in the habit of bullying senior party members during standing committee meetings in the presence of Chamisa, who remained tight-lipped. But Hwende denied the allegations and instead, accused Zanu PF of using the opposition’s “renegades” to destabilise the party. “I know that the current spate of attacks is orchestrated by Zanu PF to put a wedge between the SG and the office of the president,” Hwende said. “It is not surprising as most regimes born out of a coup entrench themselves through co-optation of opposition elements and systematic targeting of their legitimate opponents. We are a natural target since our president (Chamisa) won the 2018 election whose victory the regime stole from us.” He also denied allegations of abuse of party funds claiming the opposition party had “tried and tested systems of deploying financial resources in the party which leave no room for misappropriation of funds”. “I take pride in the systems we have put in place which cannot be manipulated in the manner suggested,” Hwende said. He said allegations that he tormented top executives during meetings to the point of tears and even drove a few to the “absurd, deplorable and treacherous act of joining Zanu PF”, were laughable. “The organ that was singled out by Zanu PF speaking through the renegades, the standing committee, is chaired by the party president,” he added. “For the record, those who have left the MDC Alliance have done so voluntarily without any undue pressure from any quarter. No one was pushed out of the MDC Alliance,” Hwende said. “It must astonish any right-thinking citizen that those who claim to be running away from being insulted in private in the MDC Alliance are joining Zanu PF, a party which has not only insulted them publicly in the past, but has maimed and killed thousands of MDC Alliance supporters. That kind of duplicity and treachery is shocking.” The MDC Alliance has always accused Zanu PF of spending millions of dollars as well as abusing State institutions to destroy the opposition party, allegations the ruling party denies. Follow Richard on Twitter @muponderichard
Nationwide protests have taken place since October 7 despite the disbanding of the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) police unit.
The demonstrators have been accused of attacking police stations and personnel.
The rallies which are mostly attended by young people have become avenues to vent against corruption and unemployment.
Rights groups say at least 15 people have been killed the demonstrations began in early October.
WASHINGTON DC –Today, former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris announced their support of Congresswoman Maxine Waters who...
Democrats are seizing on Republican Sen. David Perdue’s comments at a recent rally in which he made a spectacle of struggling to pronounce the name of Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, with critics accusing Georgia’s senior senator of mocking her and being out of touch with the rapidly diversifying state. Blowback to Perdue’s comments has provided a […]
Take Style Out (TSO), the Jamaica Observer's annual initiative to push retail sales islandwide and give shoppers value for money, is scheduled for three days this year - October 29 to 31.
A RECORD 10 Zanu PF candidates have submitted CVs to contest in party primary elections scheduled for this weekend for the Marondera East seat. BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA The seat fell vacant following the death of Patrick Chidakwa. This is the second time Zanu PF has had a huge number of candidates battling it out in primaries. Goromonzi South recorded 13 candidates in 2018. Last weekend, Zanu PF convened a provincial elections committee meeting in Marondera where it was announced that 10 candidates had shown interest in contesting in the primaries. Provincial secretary for administration Kudzai Majuru said all was set for the vetting process. “We are waiting for the vetting process to be concluded before we get a final date for the primary elections,” he said. Those who submitted their CVs include Paradzai Bhasikoro, Tatenda Watambwa, Farai Mabvuwe, Taurai Chikukwa-Songore, Harold Gamu, Jeremiah Chiwetu, Sami Mahufe, Fiona Tangawashe, Richmond Chikowore and Ngonidzashe Mandaza. The late Chidakwa took over from Chiwetu in the primary elections held in 2018 after having been a councillor in Marondera Rural District Council. Meanwhile, Zanu PF has invited CVs from party members interested in contesting for the Marondera Central seat that fell vacant after the recall of MDC Alliance legislator Caston Matewu.
FORMER Zanu PF youth league political commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu (pictured) arrested last week on allegations of inciting public violence and attempting to unseat President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has been freed on $10 000 bail by High Court judge Justice Davison Foroma. BY HARRIET CHIKANDIWA/FAITH CHAPFIKA In granting bail, Justice Foroma said magistrate Ngoni Nduna had failed to substantiate claims that Tsenengamu was a flight risk and no evidence was provided by the State that his life was in danger. “The magistrate did not show how locking him up would make him safe,” Justice Foroma ruled. He ordered Tsenengamu to surrender his passport to the clerk at Harare Magistrate Court, reside at his given address and report twice a week at Waterfalls Police Station. The former youth league kingpin was expelled from Zanu PF after he accused senior party officials of being corrupt. Since being kicked out of Zanu PF, Tsenengamu has been involved in an anti-corruption crusade and has joined hands with civil society to push for an end to corruption.
As if the mishandling of COVID-19 wasn't enough of a public relations nightmare, it's now been reported that the Trump... View Article
The post White House may cut virus relief funds, newborn screenings in Democratic cities appeared first on TheGrio.
Barack Obama took the gloves off and excoriated Donald Trump during his drive-in rally speech in Philadelphia on Wednesday (Oct.22). After his speech, Waka Flocka claimed that Donald Trump is a better president than Obama.
Former Burundian President Pierre Buyoya, who is the current High Representative of the African Union for Mali and the Sahel, \"rejected\" Wednesday his conviction in absentia in Burundi to life imprisonment for the murder of his predecessor Melchior Ndadaye in 1993.
\"We reject these judgements, which can in no way commit us,\" a statement from him signed by co-defendants says.
\"Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the new government has just proved to the world that it follows this line of lawlessness,\" they said.
Melchior Ndadaye, Burundi's first democratically elected president and the first Hutu to come to power, was assassinated in October 1993 in a military coup that would lead the country into a civil war between the army, dominated by the Tutsi minority, and Hutu rebel groups. It will result in 300,000 deaths until 2006.
Mr. Ndadaye had succeeded Mr. Buyoya, carried by the army in power in 1987 and who became president again in a new coup between 1996 and 2003, before handing over power to Domitien Ndayizeye, a Hutu, under a peace agreement signed in 2000 in Arusha (Tanzania).
Mr. Buyoya was convicted of \"attack against the head of state, attack against the authority of the state and attack tending to bring about massacre and devastation\", according to the text which only contains the operative part (conviction and sentence) of the decision handed down by the Supreme Court.
The name of Pierre Buyoya had already been cited in connection with this assassination, without the beginning of any proof being provided.
Eighteen senior military and civilian officials close to the former head of state were sentenced to the same sentence, three others to 20 years in prison for \"complicity\" in the same crimes and only one, the former transitional Prime Minister, Antoine Nduwayo, was acquitted.
Only five defendants, four retired Tutsi high-ranking officers and a serving police general, Ildephonse Mushwabure, were present at the trial.
According to Mr. Buyoya, the trial was conducted \"in violation of the Arusha Accords\" and was neither \"fair\" nor \"equitable\" as the rights of the defence were allegedly violated.
Amin Kef Sesay: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 22 October 2020: Sierra Leone's National Electoral Commission (NEC) has finally published the date for the conduct of the controversial Parliamentary re-run bye election in constituency 110 which was marred by violence. It comes over a year after the last polling results were cancelled. [Read More]
By The Associated Press undefined Do I need to wear a mask if I'm 6 feet away from others? Health experts recommend wearing masks in public and keeping your distance from others in most cases, but whether you should do both could depend on the situation. 'There's no invisible force field at 6 feet,' said Saskia Popescu, an infectious disease expert at George Mason University. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says spread of the virus beyond 6 feet is uncommon but more likely in poorly ventilated spaces. Some health experts say the virus can spread more easily […]
The post Do I need to wear a mask if I'm 6 feet away from others? appeared first on Black News Channel.
Netflix just dropped some first-look photos for the highly anticipated special from comedian Sarah Cooper. The internet sensation, who has... View Article
The post Netflix reveals celeb guests, photos for 'Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine' appeared first on TheGrio.
Adidas Is Reportedly Looking To Sell Reebok
After Guinea's opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo's self-proclaimed victory in the first round of the presidential vote, his supporters flooded the streets of the capital Conakry
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, a day after the vote, Diallo said he had emerged \"victorious\" despite \"anomalies which marred the ballot\".
\"I invite all my fellow citizens who love peace and justice to stay vigilant and committed to defend this democratic victory,\" he said.
Soon after, his supporters chanted \"president\", despite no official result being published and the electoral body saying his claim was \"void\".
\"It is a great joy, we are proud that our president has been elected. All the people of Guinea are behind him,\" said Fatoumata Bineta Diallo, member of the UFDG executive board.
\"It was many citizens, outraged by the misgovernance, who joined us to give the final victory. We are very proud of him.\"
\"I think that the Ceni (electoral body) will only publish the results coming out of the ballot boxes... and the results coming out of the ballot boxes will give Cellou Dalein Diallo victory,\" said Amadou Diallo, UFDG activist.
But for all the scenes of jubilation, there were also tense moments in the city with security forces firing tear gas canisters at crowds of supporters.
By The Associated Press undefined Q: HOW WILL THE ELECTION AFFECT CONTROL OF CONGRESS? The makeup of Congress will be determined by the general election, with both parties needing a majority to control the House or Senate. Democrats seem to have a good chance at winning a Senate majority, while their control of the House is not in serious doubt. Republicans hold the Senate 53-47. Democrats must gain at least three seats to win control, or four if President Donald Trump is reelected and Vice President Mike Pence can break a tie. Only one-third of the 100 Senate seats up […]
The post How will the 2020 election affect control of Congress? appeared first on Black News Channel.
1. Last Chance: The Second and Final Presidential Debate Tonight What You Need To Know: The second and final Presidential Debate is scheduled to be held tonight on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville, TN. With new changes in place, the 90-minute debate will begin at 9 PM ET/8 PM CT/6 PM PT. 2. […]
Hundreds of people took to the streets in South Africa on Wednesday to voice outrage at the shooting of peaceful demonstrators in Nigeria.
Africa's most populous country has faced growing unrest as a protest over brutality by a Nigerian police unit known as SARS ballooned into wider grievances against the government.
Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people in the main city of Lagos on Tuesday, with Amnesty International reporting that several people were killed.
On Wednesday, demonstrators draped in the national flag of Nigeria and chanting liberation slogans marched to Abuja's embassy in Pretoria carrying banners reading \"End police brutality\".
Another group of about 400 people in Cape Town, mostly Nigerian nationals, vowed to continue picketing until there was change in Nigeria.
Well-known South African rap star AKA voiced solidarity with the people of Nigeria, saying: \"How can people shoot to KILL their own countrymen and women?\"
\"This is insane... Sending love and strength to Naija,\" AKA tweeted to his 4.6 million followers.
South African opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), pledged its \"moral and political solidarity\" with Nigerians and called on the government to rein in its army and security services.
\"The EFF salutes the young lions of Nigeria in their resolve to graduate their successful fight against police brutality under the banner of #ENDSARS,\" it said in a statement.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions condemned the crackdown, saying the accumulated anger of citizens over decades of failure in the delivery of basic social services and endemic corruption, was \"visible in the pent-up anger, which has been boiling over in mass street protests in cities across the country\".
Both groups called on the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States to send a strong message to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately end crackdown on protesters.
South Africa and Nigeria are the economic giants of Africa, competing for sporting prowess, cultural dominance and economic strength.
A team of journalists built a database to track President Donald Trump's claims and as of August 2020, they find... View Article
The post Trump's documented lies and misleading statements average over 50 per day, database says appeared first on TheGrio.
CASSIUS Gems: Doja Cat's Hottest Instagram Moments To Celebrate Her Birthday
Jamaica’s employed labour force suffered a six per cent decline at the end of July in comparison with July 2019, according to the latest data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) Labour Force Survey (LFS). At as July 2020, there were...
Naomi Campbell graces the November 2020 issue of Vogue magazine and opens up about experiencing racism and advocating for Black women.
BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) insists the quality of its potable water is 94% compliant with the benchmarks set by the Standard Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) despite the rise in diarrhoea in the city. BY NQOBANI NDLOVU Several suburbs have recorded diarrhoeal cases at a time residents are subjected to water-rationing following the decommissioning of the city’s three supply dams. Recently, residents complained that they were receiving foul-smelling water, but council blamed it on ageing pipes. A recent report by the council’s water supplies and action committee said quality tests conducted by the local authority showed that they were compliant with SAZ standards. “The percentage chemical quality compliance for potable water at Criterion, Ncema and Cowdray Park treatment plants was at 100% on average for all plants according to Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) prescribed limits for water suitable for human consumption,” the report read. “Overall bacteriological quality of potable water from Cowdray Park, Ncema, Criterion and consumer points was at 94,38% compliance to SAZ standards.” The SAZ is the national standards body for Zimbabwe. Formed in 1957 and incorporated in 1960, the association is a non-profit entity charged with the responsibility of certifying the quality of most non-medical goods. Meanwhile, the same report shows that city's sewage effluent disposal did not meet the Environmental Management Agency (Ema) requirements. “During the month of August 2020, wastewater discharged from municipal sewage treatment plants to the natural environment did not meet the Ema effluent disposal requirements,” the report read. “Constant breakdowns of infrastructure and low inflows at most of the treatment plants continued to compromise the quality of final effluent disposed of in the environment. Removal of organic pollutants and nutrients (phosphate and ammonia) remain a big challenge for the majority of the treatment plants.”
#EndSARSNow: NGO SAYS JUSTICE \"NEEDS TO BE SERVED\" IN NIGERIA
The anti-police brutality movement #EndSARSNow that has seen Nigerian youth take to the streets over the last two weeks, erupted Tuesday evening when armed security forces opened fire on a group of demonstrators in Lekki, Lagos city.
The exact number of resulting wounded and fatalities is still unconfirmed.
Amnesty International is currently taking steps to get official figures - according to Director in Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, who gives insight into the incident based on the human rights organisation's credible sources on the ground.
Osai Ojigho : The eyewitness accounts that we received last night and the views that we got and various other sources that were shared point to the fact that they were military officers. So it is important that they actually investigate this and find out what happened. What were they doing there? Were they there to protect the protesters? Were they there to stop something from happening? Were they given orders to shoot at unarmed people? It would be important for the authorities to give that information today. But for us where we sit, people have died, people have been injured and justice needs to be served.
In order to attain a just conclusion to these events, the human rights lawyer outlines the necessary legal avenues to take.
Osai Ojigho : So the first thing is the individual culpability of officers and commanders who have actually perpetrated these acts of violence against protesters and the populace. because it is not only protesters who have been affected. Earlier on in the protests, there were also individuals who were not part of the protesters who were hit by stray bullets. That is 1.
The second is Nigeria needs to recognise that it has an international obligation under international human rights law to ensure that the safety and security of people within its territory are protected.
President Muhammadu Buhari had previously issued a statement last week denouncing excessive force used by the police - and also acknowledged officers in the country who are upright. Many now speculate on his stance since Tuesday's shootings and many others question the silence from other Africa leaders.
Osai Ojigho : It would be good to see the political leadership in the African Union and ECOWAS actually come out to say, \"Nigeria, we are seeing what is happening. You need to preach nonviolence.\" This is not a time to be silent.
Not at all silent and still raising their voices - undeterred by the very same police brutality they seek to end in the country, are Nigerian youth and the NGO Director applauds their resilience.
Osai Ojigho : The events of the last two weeks, on the one hand, have been inspiring to see people come out to express themselves. The overwhelming support they've received all over the world has been an eye-opener and it was a positive feeling - you know, that Nigerians are coming out and they are speaking truth to power.
