Emmerson Mnangagwa - The African Mirror

Aug

2020

Zimbabwe Catholic bishops, lawyers criticise alleged government abuses

ZIMBABWE’s Catholic bishops and the law society have criticised the government for alleged human rights abuses and a crackdown on dissent, adding to growing concerns over authorities' treatment of opponents amid a worsening economic crisis. President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government swiftly hit back, saying the "evil" accusations were baseless. Inflation running at more than 800% is the clearest sign of the worst economic crisis in over a decade and has evoked memories of hyperinflation under Robert Mugabe, whose 37-year rule was ended by an army coup in 2017. The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference said in a pastoral letter that the country…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Repression in Zimbabwe exposes South Africa’s weakness

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

ROGER SOUTHALL, University of the Witwatersrand SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s despatch of envoys to Zimbabwe in a bid to defuse the latest crisis, in which the government has engaged in a vicious crackdown on opponents, journalists and the freedoms of speech, association and protest, has been widely welcomed. Such has been the brutality of the latest assault on human rights by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime that something had to be done. And, as the big brother neighbour next door, South Africa is the obvious actor to do it. It may be guaranteed that Ramaphosa’s envoys – Sydney Mufamadi, a…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Zimbabwe president decries “divisive falsehoods” over rights abuse claims

NEWS

ZIMBABWE's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called criticism of human rights abuses by his government "divisive falsehoods" and said his administration was under renewed attack from domestic and foreign opponents. Mnangagwa, during a Heroes Day speech in Harare, said the allegations were "unjustified attacks by our perennial detractors, both inside and outside our border". "The divisive falsehoods and concoctions by renegades and supremacists who want to pounce on our natural resources will never win the day. Truth shall triumph over lies, and good over evil," said Mnangagwa, who replaced Robert Mugabe after a 2017 coup. Hopes that Mnangagwa would unite a…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Zimbabwe again denies bail to journalist in protest case; government denies crisis

NEWS

ZIMBABWE's High Court has denied bail to a journalist who was arrested last month for supporting anti-government protests, in a case that has sparked an outcry over muzzling of the press. Hopewell Chin'ono, a freelance journalist and critic of the government, was charged with inciting violence last month, together with opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume. Hopewell Chin'ono Security forces deployed last Friday to thwart protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government's record on corruption and a worsening economic crisis. South Africa said it was concerned by reports of rights violations in Zimbabwe and its international relations minister had spoken to Zimbabwean foreign…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

U.S. imposes sanctions on Zimbabwe businessman, company

NEWS

THE United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Zimbabwean Kudakwashe Tagwirei, an adviser to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, accusing the prominent businessman of being corrupt and helping support the government of Zimbabwe. The U.S. Treasury Department in a statement said it blacklisted Tagwirei and Zimbabwe-based Sakunda Holdings, of which he is chief executive, accusing the businessman of using "opaque business dealings and his ongoing relationship with President Mnangagwa to grow his business empire dramatically and rake in millions of U.S. dollars." "Tagwirei and other Zimbabwean elites have derailed economic development and harmed the Zimbabwean people through corruption," said Deputy Treasury Secretary…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

After arrest, Zimbabwean novelist decries state “chokehold”

NEWS

MacDONALD DZIRUTWE A prize-winning Zimbabwean novelist and filmmaker arrested at recent protests accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government of holding its people in a repressive "chokehold" as they endured an economic emergency. Tsitsi Dangarembga, whose latest book "This Mournable Body" has been nominated for a Booker Prize, was bundled into a police truck while holding placards on Friday and charged with breaking the COVID-19 lockdown to hold an illegal gathering. Bailed pending trial after a night in jail, the 61-year-old said she could not keep quiet while neglect and mismanagement left Zimbabweans unable to afford a decent meal and healthcare. "These…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Zimbabwe’s‌ ‌president‌ ‌names‌ ‌his‌ ‌deputy‌ ‌as‌ ‌new‌ ‌health‌ ‌ minister‌

NEWS

ZIMBABWE President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed his deputy Constantino Chiwenga as the new health minister, tasking him with reforming a decaying health sector amid a rise in COVID-19 infections and strikes by health workers. Chiwenga replaces Obaddiah Moyo who was removed from the post last month after allegations of corruption. In his new role, Chiwenga will be required to "stabilise, restructure and reform" the national healthcare system, the government said in a statement. The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) immediately criticised the appointment, saying Chiwenga was not the right man for the job in a time of the…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Security forces head off anti-government protests in Zimbabwe

NEWS

MACDONALD DZIRUTWE STREETS were deserted and businesses shut in Zimbabwe's two main cities on Friday after security forces were deployed to prevent anti-government marches called by activists over corruption and economic hardship. Protesters stayed away. Job Sikhala, an opposition lawmaker and one of the protest organisers, said the heavy security presence showed a state afraid of its citizens. He added: "Protracted demonstrations will be the way forward." He is among more than a dozen activists who are in hiding and who police say they are seeking for promoting Friday's protests. In Bulawayo and central Harare, the capital, businesses were shut…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

Zimbabwe government minister died from COVID-19

COVID-19

ZIMBABWE's agriculture minister Perrance Shiri died from the COVID-19 infection, becoming the first senior government official to succumb to the pandemic, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has revealed. Shiri, a retired general who helped plot a coup that ousted Robert Mugabe in 2017, died on Wednesday. The late liberation war veteran was declared a national hero and will be buried on Friday during a closed ceremony. "Now that it is confirmed that Minister Shiri died of COVID-19, we will follow World Health Organisation regulations on how the funeral should proceed," Mnangagwa said during a funeral wake at Shiri's home in Harare. Zimbabwe…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

Zimbabwe businesses closed, streets deserted on day of protests

NEWS

ZIMBABWE's businesses were shut and streets deserted in the capital Harare early on Friday as security forces increased patrols to stop anti-government protests called by activists over corruption and economic hardship. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is under pressure to revive a stricken economy, has said the protests constitute an "insurrection" by the opposition. In central Harare and nearby Mbare township - a hotbed of past protests - businesses, including banks and supermarkets, were shut as police and soldiers patrolled the streets. "Workers were told not to come today just in case there was trouble," said a security guard, who identified…