HARARE - MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai is set to address the “mother of all rallies” in Gweru, which he will jointly hold with other opposition parties and civic organisations.

According to MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu, the rally has been cleared by the police.

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He said the long-time President Robert Mugabe rival has invited members of other opposition political parties in the grand coalition — set to take Mugabe head-on in next year’s elections.

“...Tsvangirai...will give an insight into the progress made so far in the process of forming a coalition and he will also reiterate our call for electoral reforms as advanced by (National Electoral Reform Agenda) Nera,” Gutu said.

Tsvangirai, who is tipped to lead the grand coalition, is also expected to touch on the roadmap to next year’s elections and the need for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to expeditiously roll out the Biometric Voter Registration process.

“We expect the rally to be graced by some leading members of civil society who are also calling for a free and fair election next year as well as the urgent push for the formation of a grand coalition that will defeat the Zanu PF dictatorship in next year’s elections,” Gutu said.

“...other opposition political parties...will grace the rally in the spirit of solidarity.”

Tsvangirai — the only politician to beat Mugabe in an election hands down — is also expected to address another rally at White City Stadium in Bulawayo on June 21.

The rally is going to be attended by among other opposition political leaders Joice Mujuru, leader of the National People’s Party (NPP) and Welshman Ncube – president of the smaller MDC.

The resurgent MDC leader is currently involved in coalition talks with these opposition players as he makes another determined bid to topple Mugabe and his warring Zanu PF from power in the watershed 2018 polls.

He has since signed Memoranda of Understanding with Mujuru and Ncube in anticipation of the grand coalition.

Analysts have also consistently said Mujuru, whose liberation struggle nom de guerre was Teurai Ropa (Spill Blood), and whose late husband Solomon was the first black post-independence army commander, could provide the much-needed bridge that opposition parties have been missing to ensure the smooth transfer of power if they win the 2018 elections like they did in 2008.

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HARARE - First  Lady Grace Mugabe and Zanu PF youth league leader Kudzanai Chipanga yesterday castigated Marondera council for fixing potholed roads only because President Robert Mugabe was holding a rally in the town.

Speaking at the Zanu PF youth rally in Marondera, Grace said rehabilitation of the town’s roads was supposed to be done, even when Mugabe was not visiting the town.

She warned the local authority, which falls under Saviour Kasukuwere’s Local Government ministry, to refrain from covering up its shortcomings by window dressing when the president is holding events.

Ahead of Mugabe’s rally yesterday, Marondera Town Council embarked on an extensive road rehabilitation and maintenance exercise.

“This business of fixing roads when the president is being expected in a city should stop,” the first lady said.

“Roads should be fixed all the time and not when Mugabe is coming. We should be seen to deliver on that not only when we are meeting,” she said, adding that ”when people voted for us we made numerous promises to deliver on their expectations. We do not want to be seen to act only when we want votes. It should be happening daily and not on occasions”.

Youth league chairperson Chipanga weighed in saying when word got around that the rally had been moved by one day, the town council worked day and night to create an impression that the roads were well maintained, yet that was not the case.

“There were so any potholes in Marondera, however, when we said ... Mugabe is coming here they were patched immediately. People worked day and night,” he said.

“However, my argument is where were these people all this time? Did they not see the potholes before the rally was scheduled for Marondera? That should not happen,” Chipanga said, adding “that is why we are saying in the next council the youths are coming for those positions in council. No councillor is safe”.

Meanwhile, local authorities have been complaining that since Zinara took over road management funds collection, it has not been remitting enough money to them, resulting in the poor state of the infrastructure.

Most of Zimbabwe’s roads have become unnavigable due to the heavy rains that the country received in the 2016/17 season, prompting the Transport ministry to declare a state of disaster.

In response to the plight, government — through the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme — has so far raised $35 million to rehabilitate the roads damaged by the rains.

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HARARE - Zanu PF youth league leader Kudzanai Chipanga has expressed disappointment in the acquisition of Barclays Bank Zimbabwe (BBZ) by a foreign bank, questioning government’s sincerity in empowering locals.

BBZ was this week acquired by a Malawian financial institution — First Merchant (FMB) Bank — from Barclays PLC, despite efforts by local management to snap up the asset.

The deal comes as President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF government has been fiercely pushing its indigenisation policy, which compels foreigners to cede majority shareholding to black locals.

Barclays PLC held a 67, 68 percent stake in BBZ, which had been operating in Zimbabwe for decades.

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Speaking at a Zanu PF youth rally —addressed by 93-year-old Mugabe – in Marondera yesterday, Chipanga said they were unhappy with the takeover of the strategic asset by foreigners.

“We are very saddened to read in the press that Barclays Bank is being sold and the people buying that bank are Malawians,” he said.

“The money we are hearing that the bank is being sold for is in the region of $30 million. We are worried. How can a bank be bought by people from outside our country. Have we failed as Zimbabweans?

“Have we failed as government? Have we failed to find people with money to buy a bank like Barclays Bank to assist Zimbabweans?” he questioned.

“We are talking of indigenisation. We can’t have a bank that is being controlled by people from far away, that’s where we have problems of sabotage.”

Chipanga’s remarks come as Saviour Kasukuwere, during his tenure as Indigenisation minister, threatened foreign banks over non-compliance with the empowerment policy.

He even gave them an ultimatum in 2012.

Meanwhile, pro-democracy activist Moses Chamboko also slammed government for its sudden silence on the indigenisation matter.

“The unusual silence from the ‘indigenisation brigade’ gives it away,” he said.

He questioned why the BBZ’s acquisition failed to attract the attention of those “who claim to be champions of indigenisation, including Mugabe’s nephew, Patrick Zhuwao”.

“Was this not a perfect opportunity to go for not only 51 percent but at least 68 percent ownership? Why was it not perfect sense to acquire BBZ,” Chamboko asked.

“Is it not a shame or at least a challenge when a Malawian bank buys BBZ while Zimbabweans watch without doing anything? Why didn’t we invest in this decent business?

“And yet, we have the guts to stand on roof tops and shout that Zimbabweans are the smartest people in southern Africa.”

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HARARE - President Robert Mugabe and his powerful wife, Grace — yesterday belted the warring Zanu PF factions before calling them to unite ahead of the much-anticipated next year’s elections.

The wily nonagenarian skirted other hot issues devouring his party and went straight to the heart of yesterday’s rally  — unity, deciding to park the  hot succession issue which he said would be decided at the party’s congress when the time comes.

Addressing thousands of party youths who crammed into Marondera’s Rudhaka Stadium, Mugabe chided the party’s bigwigs who hold secret meetings with youths to try and influence them in the party’s rumbling succession debate.

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“There are those who meetings at night, visiting witchdoctors and that is why we are saying to (Zanu PF youth league secretary) Kudzanai Chipanga, you are the youths they come to seek your support, we don’t want that because it destabilises the party.

“If you are a senior official who is doing that I say Stop it! Stop It! Stop it, if I may borrow Mai Mugabe’s phrase.

“It also destroys you as a leader because people will be seeing that you only talk about your faction, you think I don’t know but I know a lot,” Mugabe said to loud cheers from the youths.

“However, I want us to be united and it’s not difficult. There is congress which has the mandate in line with the Zanu PF constitution. We cannot start fighting before the time comes. Be at peace, the time will come.”

Mugabe, 93, is the world’s oldest leader but is bidding for another five-year term in next year’s elections in which the opposition is expected to contest as a coalition.

The veteran Zanu PF leader is banking on the youths to deliver him the vote after he ditched his long-time storm troopers – the war veterans who issued him with a damning communiqué a year ago – after they got fed up with his government’s failure to improve their welfare.

“I have come here to thank you for the respect that you have always shown me including when you organised the million man march. The nation was shocked by the support and even some Sadc countries as well as the West.

“Of course I was boasting because of the support that you give me and even today I am shocked there are so many people when I thought I was merely going to address people from this province but I realised that other provinces are also here,” said Mugabe.

Meanwhile, Grace slammed the party’s factional tribal and succession wars which she said had become like a cancer devouring the party instead of growing it.

“Factionalism is one of our weaknesses as a party and it does not help us. We have to wait for the time to elect new leaders in an orderly manner otherwise we are confusing the people when we throw around several names as potential leaders.

“We must build Zanu PF into a big brand,” said Grace.

Mugabe and Grace’s calls for unity were made as there are growing fissures within Zanu PF, fuelled by bigwigs fighting to succeed him who have in recent weeks escalated their mindless bloodletting.

Zanu PF is currently deeply divided, with the camp which is rabidly opposed to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa succeeding Mugabe, the Generation 40 (G40) faction, involved in a life-and-death tussle with the VP’s backers, Team Lacoste.

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HARARE - Zanu PF politburo member and Higher Education minister, Jonathan Moyo, may have added fuel to the ruling party’s burning tribal, factional and succession wars after he warned that a faction backing Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa could plunge the country into chaos if the VP fails to succeed President Robert Mugabe.

This comes as the party’s infighting has escalated in recent months — a development that saw both Mugabe and his powerful wife, Grace, making fervent calls for party unity at yesterday’s mega Zanu PF rally in Marondera, ahead of next year’s eagerly-anticipated national elections.

Moyo, who Zanu PF insiders claim is one of the kingpins of the Generation 40 (G40) faction which is fiercely opposed to Mnangagwa succeeding Mugabe, said on Thursday that the VP’s backers — known as Team Lacoste — could trigger chaos in the country if the Midlands godfather failed to land the presidency.

“It is notable that the political position taken by Team Lacoste runs against the grain of the nationalist agenda largely because they are divisive ... but of greater concern to me about the threat to peace and order posed by the so-called Team Lacoste are the issues contained in a document called Blue Ocean that started circulating in 2015 and in an interview that ... Mnangagwa gave to the elitist British magazine, the New Statesman, entitled the Last days of Robert Mugabe.

“These two sinister documents tell a very sad story of capturing State institutions and targeting certain individuals for extra judicial attacks, in as much as they threaten peace and order in the country,” Moyo said in a presentation at Sapes Trust.

“The Team Lacoste faction is presenting itself in general and the Vice President Mnangagwa as a shoo-in ... if you read things, talk to people, look at their behaviour, the message is, the balance of forces has shifted and what we are going to see going forward is the assumption of power by the Team Lacoste faction.

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“They are masters of whispers and you find them saying tapinda tapinda (we are in), and the refrain, when you develop an interest is mudhara achauya (a song by Jah Prayzah whose literal translation means the old man is coming).

“The so-called Team Lacoste poses a serious threat to the nationalist programme ... the time has come for the silent majority to stand up and speak up.

“Silence must not be an option for those who support the President otherwise you will wake-up to something tomorrow and you will regret. People who say they are on the verge of taking power must be subjected to scrutiny,” Moyo added.

Not for the first time, the stunning remarks by a senior Zanu PF official — publicly warning about the dangers of the ruling party's worsening succession wars — caught many by surprise, and may serve to harden boiling intra-party emotions.

In February, the country's opposition also warned that Zanu PF’s worsening factional, tribal and succession wars could plunge the country into a civil war.

Former Finance minister and now leader of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Tendai Biti, said then that Mugabe’s unwillingness to groom a successor, was a ticking time bomb which could destroy the country.

This was after Mugabe had said pointedly in his birthday interview with the ZBC that no one in his warring ruling party was worthy of succeeding him, while at the same time praising Grace.

“Mugabe’s recent utterances in which he denigrated his deputies, defining them as unfit to hold office if he leaves is not only reckless but should not have been said at this volatile stage. If all this is not managed carefully, the country's delicate transition will result in chaos,” Biti warned then.

“The current environment is volatile and contains many ingredients for a civil war. The toxic hate speech that is being exchanged every day across the Zanu PF factions is at the same level with that witnessed before the genocide in Rwanda.

“The fact that the Lacoste faction includes the military makes it dangerous for Mugabe to try and impose his wife in a process which must normally be determined by a democratic election. Mugabe has always deprived the people of Zimbabwe their right to freely choose,” Biti added.

Moyo on Thursday exposed the extent to which Zanu PF is being devoured by its deepening infighting, confirming what the Daily News has been writing about accurately for more than two years, that the ruling party had now split into two distinctive camps.

“There are two parties in Zanu PF, the first is successionists who are a minority in the ruling party but who are very vocal and now openly say they are backing (Vice President Emmerson) Mnangagwa to succeed ... Mugabe and they would like to see this happening before the next elections and they would like to see the vice president as the party candidate.

“The loyalists are the silent majority who support...Mugabe to serve his full term in accordance with the Constitution,” said Moyo.

Yesterday, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC said it was now even more concerned by Zanu PF’s worsening infighting, which it said needed to be checked urgently.

“As the country's largest and most popular political party, we are very concerned by the threat to national security that is posed by the deadly factional fights that are taking place within the collapsing Zanu PF regime.

“Mugabe should have sorted out the succession politics in his crumbling party several years ago. Now, he has left it too late. Things are falling apart within the Zanu PF regime and the centre can no longer hold,” MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu said.

“It’s now dog eat dog in the collapsing Zanu PF dictatorship. It is actually possible that the country will degenerate into a very bloody civil war if the factionalism that is tearing the regime apart is not attended to urgently.

“Both factions have got access to arms of war and the security of the state is put in grave danger should the factional fighting boil over into a physical confrontation which is quite possible,” Gutu warned.

Since the images of Mnangagwa holding a coffee mug written (I Am The Boss) emerged in the public domain in January, the G40 faction has been interpreting this as the VP's open statement that he has unbridled presidential ambitions.

Zanu PF insiders have consistently told the Daily News that underlying the former liberation movement's deadly and seemingly unstoppable tribal and factional wars is its unresolved succession question, with the G40 faction doing everything possible to torpedo Mnangagwa’s mooted presidential ambitions.

Mugabe has studiously refused to name a successor, arguing that his party should rather follow what he sees as a more democratic process, to manage his succession via a congress.

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HARARE - There is bound to be thrills and spills during this evening’s Mr and Ms Ironman Fitness contest to be held at the Bulawayo Theatre in the City of Kings.

National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness (NFZBBF) spokesperson Quiet Shangai said: “It is going to be a balanced event in terms of competition because nowadays most athletes are now able to bring on podium winning physiques.

“Last year, our two national events (Ironman and Mr Zim) were won by rank outsiders especially in the senior men bodybuilding. We expect the same trend going into this Ironman competition that is being sponsored by Clarion, Muscle Rage, Karg Media and Tinashe Charandura.”

Other categories to be contested apart from the senior men bodybuilding open include junior men under 23 bodybuilding, men’s physique, men’s fitness, women bikini fitness, women body fitness and wheelchair men bodybuilding.

Some of the athletes that have confirmed their participation in their various categories this evening include Tinotenda Gumbo, Nigel Simango, Gideon Teguru, Lovemore Munyamana, Lorraine Moyo and Ndumiso Dhlodlo.

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HARARE - Zimbabwe rugby plunged deeper into crisis this week after the Sables failed to train for a single session ahead of this afternoon’s international friendly against Zambia at Harare Sports Club.

The Sables are using the match, a World Rugby-sanctioned friendly, to prepare for the 2017 Africa Cup competition — which acts as a qualifier for the 2019 World Cup.

Three games are lined up for this afternoon —  first the men’s Zimbabwe A is scheduled to take on Zambia A at 3pm while the Lady Sables side will take on their Zambian counterparts at 5pm.

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The Sables’ clash with Zambia is the main event and is scheduled to kick off at 7pm under floodlights. Zim A and the Lady Sables had no issues during their preparations for today’s matches as both teams were made available by yesterday afternoon.

It is in the Sables camp were things were not in order after the side failed to hold a single training session in the run-up to this afternoon’s match.

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) is weighed down by funding and they failed to pay for the team to train under floodlights at Prince Edward School. Another ZRU insider told the Daily News that the players were also threatening to boycott the match as they feel they are being ill-treated by the union.

It was only around 6pm last night that coach Cyprian Mandenge’s squad for the match against the Zambians was announced. 

The Zambians were on their way to Harare yesterday as ZRU officials frantically tried to contain the crisis.

However, the chaotic preparations in the run up to this match spell more problems for the Sables since they begin their 2017 Africa Cup campaign against Kenya at Hartsfield in Bulawayo on July 15.

Last year, Zimbabwe had a dismal Africa Cup campaign losing all matches to Kenya, Uganda and Namibia. If Rugby Afrique had not expanded the tournament this year, Zimbabwe should have been playing in the second tier.

It will be interesting to see what team runs onto the pitch this afternoon considering off-field problems that have dogged the side this week.

Zim A Squad - Forwards: Dean Makoni, Edwin Nxumalo, Austin Sulubani, Basil Dube, Reginald Rutsvara, Samuel Mhoro, Rodney Ncube, Tinashe Ganyau, Wilfred Office, Emmanuel Zangari, Dlelo Velempini, Pride Nyameni.

Backs: Benson Chiripanhari, Takudzwa Gamanya, Victor Mushayahama, James Vambe, Takudzwa Franscisco, Walter Gode, Rodney Chikami, Theo Goredema, Theo Chiremba, Tatenda Ngomashe, Vincent Chasiya, Anesu Ngwerume, Blessing Washayabuna.

Lady Sables Starting XV: 15. Precious Marange, 14. Rachel Tembo, 13. Lovelight Fusire, 12. Delight Mukomondo, 11. Wadzanai Chidawa, 10. Thubeluhle Tshuma, 9. Sicelumusa Nyoni, 8. Lissy Wasarirevu, 7. Rumbidzai Chigumbu, 6. Debra Teterai, 5. Peace Sithole, 4. Precious Mikazhu, 3. Faith Mhungira, 2. Patience Harubereki,  1.Patience Marima.

Reserves: Mitchell Mutumbi, Mercy Nyakanda, Tatenda Chitewe, Getrude Masora, Tariroyashe Marufu, Llona Dzikiti Chelsea vMushoweshiri, Nicole Chigwedere

Sables Squad - Forwards: Denfords Mutamangira (Capt), Lawrence Cleminson, Irvine Nduwa, Takudzwa Bvunzawabaya, Tolerance Zishe, Brian Nyaude, Fortune Chipendo, Graham Cochrane, Osborne Muhambi, Witness Mandizha, Lucky Sithole, Kingsley Lang, Takudzwa Mandiwanza, Simbarashe Muza, Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa.

Backs: Scotty Jones, Hilton Mudariki, Joshua Gando, Prince Ncube, Tichafara Makwanya, Boyd Rouse, Dan Capsopoulos, Stephan Hunduza, Tinashe Gwisai, Tafadzwa Mhende, Itai Nyamoto, Tarisai Mugaviri, Tadius Hwata, Lloyd Machanjaira, Takudzwa Kumadiro.

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JOHANNESBURG - Whether Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid win or lose the Uefa Champions League tonight against Juventus is immaterial, the bottom line is the Frenchman will go down in history as a rare football animal that completed both tasks; first as a player of note and then a shrewd coach.

Very few top players have gone the route of coaching after their playing days and achieve the same success they had during their playing days.

But one Zidane is living that dream, imparting to his charges what he used to do during his iconic playing days.

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Since taking over as Real Madrid coach after serving his apprentice under Carlo Ancelotti, Zizou has had a dream start as the coach; winning the Champions League last year in his first season with Madrid.

After sealing the LaLiga title last month, Zidane can complete a historic double by retaining the Champions League title, something that has never happened in the tournament’s history.

Now here is one player who is defying the football norm that you can’t be the best in all forms of football — playing and coaching.

The likes of Maradona and Pele tried without much success but Zidane, considered one of the best players of all time is showing the world that history can repeat itself.

Madrid has been the most inform side throughout Europe and at the pace they are going, will take some beating even against the immovable Juventus defence. Led by Portuguese great Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid are in irresistible form and favourites to win this one.

And it’s all pointing to the 45-year-old Zidane who was born of Algerian immigrant workers but opted to play for his adopted country.

To say he has done a wonderful job for Madrid, is an understatement. He has transformed the capital side into the most-feared side in Europe if not the whole world.

Just for history’s sake, Zidane single-handedly led France to winning the Fifa World Cup in 1998 with his two great headers, something that catapulted him to stardom around the world.

Having played for Bordeaux for most of his youth, Zidane moved to Italian giants Juventus where he won two league titles.

It was while he was in Turin that he developed into a player with elegance, vision, ball control and great technique forcing some commentators to argue he was probably the greatest midfielder ever.

In 2001, he was transferred from the Turin side to Real Madrid for the then record 75 million Euros and instantly became a favourite with Madrid supporters around the globe.

He won the La Liga and Champions League title and his left-foot volleyed winner in the final against Juventus in 2002 is still considered one of the greatest goals in the Champions League history.

He was voted the best player in 1998, 2000 and 2003 and was also a Ballon d’Or winner in 1998.

If Madrid overcomes Juventus as per most bookmakers’ prediction, Zidane will have been engaged in most Champions League encounters both as a player and manager — a rare feat for any footballer.

Ironically, what stands in the path of the great French is his former club Juventus. If history is to happen to Zidane, it could not have happened to a greater human being.

Football fans around the world idolise Zidane!

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HARARE - Harare City are desperate to maintain their winning form when they take on former champions Chicken Inn during this afternoon’s Castle Lager Premiership match.

After 11 rounds of matches, the Sunshine Boys find themselves in unfamiliar territory lying fourth from bottom with just 10 points raising fears of another relegation dog fight.

That poor run forced the team’s executive to hire former How Mine coach Philani Ncube while relegating Mike Madzivanyika to the position of assistant.

Ncube’s first game in charge ended in a 0-1 defeat to Dynamos before they bounced back to beat struggling Bantu Rovers 2-0 last weekend in his second match in charge. The win was City’s second of the season.

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“I hope the win against Bantu Rovers is the foundation for more good things to come. I’m sure if we can continue the way we did against Bantu Rovers, I have no doubt that we can collect maximum points against Chicken Inn,” Ncube said.

“There are a lot of positives though from training. The intensity is marvellous and if we can take that to our games, trust me, a lot of teams will fall.”

On their game against Chicken Inn, Ncube said: “We know it’s going to be a different ball altogether. We are playing one of the best teams in the country with one of the most experienced coaches. But as a club we have done our homework and we are looking forward to the match.”

Ncube said they have since started the process of bringing in new players and are currently assessing Victor Kamhuka and Felix Kuswatuka.

“At the present moment we don’t have depth but we have players who can push us to the next transfer window,” he said.

“What I am doing now is giving everybody a chance to prove themselves and if they are the kind of stuff that I need there are no two ways we will bring in new players.”

In other matches, rejuvenated Dynamos will be hoping to continue with their newly found form when they face struggling Tsholotsho at Dulivhadzimu Stadium this afternoon.

The Glamour Boys are moving with a spring in their step having picked up back-to-back wins against Harare City and ZPC Kariba in their previous two matches.

DeMbare will, however, be without the services of Cameroonian striker Christian Ntouba and midfielder Masimba Mambare, who are down with injuries.

Fixtures:

Today: Yadah FC v Hwange (NSS, 1pm SS), Harare City v Chicken Inn (NSS, 3pm SS), Bulawayo City v How Mine (Barbourfields), ZPC Kariba v Bantu Rovers (Nyamhunga), Tsholotsho v Dynamos (Dulivhadzimu)

Tomorrow: Highlanders v Triangle (Barbourfields), Ngezi Platinum v Chapungu (Baobab, SS), Shabanie Mine v FC Platinum (Maglas).

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HARARE - CAPS United put in a pathetic first half performance during yesterday’s humiliating defeat 2-4 to Al –Ahli Tripoli to leave their chances of qualifying for the African Champions League quarter-finals slim.

Having started their campaign with a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Egyptian giants Zamalek last month, the Green Machine appeared to have resurrected their hopes of making it to the knockout stages with a home victory over Algerian side USM Alger 2-1 a fortnight ago.

But a brace by Sameh Derbali and a goal each by man-of-the-match Muaid Salam and Salem Ablo left the Green Machine with a mammoth task of progressing to the next round with three matches still to play.

Even late goals by defenders Ronald Pfumbidzai and Hardlife Zvirekwi were not enough as the Green Machine remained stuck on three points after three matches.

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CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe felt the heavy defeat was a result of congested fixture as they are fighting from two fronts both in Africa and on the local scene.

“Rules are rules, we are only allowed to register 25 players. I am sure it has a lot to do with the number of games we have played within the short space of time,” Chitembwe said.

“We are playing three games in less than five days so I think it’s now showing and these are the repercussions.”

Chitembwe also noted that their matters were made worse by several injuries to key players in the run up to yesterday’s game.

Goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda had briefly trained this week and was included in the starting XI but aggravated his injury during the warm-up before the game.

In the end, United had to make an 11th hour change by bringing in Jorum Muchambo into the starting XI.

Regular defender Dennis Dauda also missed the match forcing Chitembwe to start with a makeshift centre back pairing of Zvirekwi and Justice Jangano.

“We are not looking for excuses, we are very proud of our achievements and no one can take that away from us but the honest truth is when you lose some of your best players in games of this magnitude, you risk losing a lot of cohesion in the team,” Chitembwe said.

“I’m sure we lost cohesion and in the first 20-30 minutes, I am sure we conceded in my view goals that we could have avoided and once you concede that way, it will be very difficult to come back.

He added: “Basically I am very disappointed with the result but I am sure we learnt some lessons along the way.

“It’s good to something but like they have always say that competition is a measurement of preparation. And this game we didn’t prepare as much as we should have considering the fact that quite a number of our players were out injured.”

It was always difficult afternoon for the home side as they went behind in the 16th minute after Jangano had brought down Ahli forward Ablo inside the box.

Derbali stepped up to take the spot kick and sent Muchambo the wrong way from 12 yards out.

The visitors were menacing in attack every time they came forward with Salam running rings around the bamboozled Makepekepe defence.

Ahli did not wait long to increase their lead as Ablo scored the visitors’ second in the 20th minute with a neat finish inside the box after some poor marking by the Makepekepe defence.

After having been the Green Machine tormentor in chief, Salam finally got onto the score sheet five minutes later when he raced past the home defence to side foot a low finish past Muchambo.

Once again it was poor marking from the Makepekepe defence as the goal came from a route one clearance by Ahli goalkeeper Mohamed Fathi.

Although United came back a much stronger side in the second half as they created a couple of chances, it was the visitors however, who went on to get the fourth nine minutes from full time when Derbali completed his brace.

Makepekepe pulled one back four minutes from full time when Pfumbidzai converted from the penalty spot after an Ahli defender had handled inside the box.

Zvirekwi got the second after heading home a Pfumbidzai cross from the left side right on 90 minutes.

Teams:

CAPS United: Jorum Muchambo, Hardlife Zvi0rekwi, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Justice Jangano, Devon Chafa, Moses Muchenje, Phinias Bamusi, Ronald Chitiyo, Abbas Amidu, Tafadzwa Rusike, Kudzai Nyamupfukudza

Al-Ahli Tripoli: Mohamed Fathi, Sameh Derbali, Vivien Mabide, Muadi Salem Ali, Ali Ramdan Salam, Mohamed Aleyat, Salem Ablo, Abdulrhman Ramad, Anis Mohamed, Mohamed Yones, Mouad Aboud.

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HARARE - Turkish flautist Bulent Evcil and Zimbabwean pianist Eren Levendoglu’s concerts, that had been scheduled to take place on June 30 and July, have been postponed due to the unavailability of the latter.

The two performances had been organised as part of the “Twelve — Music Every Month” series created by Levendoglu, a Turkish-Zimbabwean pianist and violinist, who also created the Gümüslük International Classical Music Festival that has run annually in Gümüslük, Bodrum, on the south west coast of Turkey since 2004.

According to a statement from the organisers, Evcil will now come to Zimbabwe in July.

“Bulent Evcil is … able to be in Harare as scheduled on 7 and 9 July to perform as a member of the “Twelve Trio” with French cellist David Pinoit and Zimbabwe pianist Jeanette Micklem.

“A highlight of this concert, which will be at St. John’s College, will be the premiere of a work for cello and flute by Paul Renan which has been sponsored for “Twelve” by the Austrian Honorary Consulate in Harare,” read part of the statement.

To compensate for the postponement of Evcil and Levendoglu’s concerts, organisers have lined up an additional show set for August 29 featuring London-based Irish/Israeli piano trio, Fidelio.

A few months ago, the main organiser of the concert series — Levendoglu — revealed that learning is at the centre of her Zimbabwean concert series, with bursaries available to those performers who excelled in the recently ended Vocal and Instrumental Eisteddfod to attend masterclasses.

“The “Twelve — Music Every Month” aims to appeal to a broad audience and hopes through its educational component to motivate and encourage young music students,” says Levendoglu.

With various season and corporate tickets available, and with the astonishing line up of internationally renowned musicians coming to perform, teach, and collaborate, Twelve Festival is set to become a momentous event on Harare’s cultural calendar.

The concert series is being sponsored by Optinova Eyecare, Hifa, Turkish Embassy, Austrian Honorary Consulate, MBCA Bank, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Zimbabwe German Society/Goethe Zentrum Harare, St John’s College, Chapungu Sculpture Park and Harare News.

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HARARE - Award-winning songstress, Selmor Mtukudzi, will launch a new single titled Hangasa on Monday.

On the imminent single, the daughter of music legend Oliver Mtukudzi, who was signed up by Gallo Records of South Africa last year, collaborated with popular producer Macdonald “MacDee’ Chidavaenzi and her husband Tendai Manatsa.

Interestingly, Selmor and MacDee also teamed up on the hit Nguva Yangu — arguably the lanky songstress’ most popular song to date.

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Selmor is confident her new single will reach the heights scaled by the monster hit Nguva Yangu.

“Hangasa in vernacular is a delicious meal, hence I, Mac Dee and Tendai came together to prepare a delicious meal in the form of a song that fans have been waiting for.

“I last worked with Mac Dee on Nguva Yangu and that was four years ago. We have come back together again on the forthcoming project as we believe it’s the right time to bring out another gem,” Selmor said.

Hangasa is being released exactly a year after she dropped a nine-track album titled I am Woman.

Tracks on the album are Ndinaye Wangu, Remember Girls, Sorry Babe featuring Buffalo Soldier, Mwana Asingacheme, I Am Woman, Ndinochengetwa featuring Mathias Mhere, Zvidikidiki, Baba Vevana and Butterflies.

Selmor’s other albums are Shungu and Expressions which carries the hit song Nguva Yangu that was nominated in the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama).

Hangasa is expected to fortify her position as one of the most recognised Zimbabwean female singers at home and beyond the country’s borders.

Two years ago, the 2015 National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) Outstanding Female Musician winner was part of 10 musicians from all over Africa who collaborated on a song titled Strong Girl that seeks to campaign for the empowerment of women and girls.

Artistes, who collaborated with Selmor on the song facilitated by an anti-poverty organisation called ONE, were Waje (Nigeria), Victoria Kimani (Kenya), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania), Arielle T (Gabon, Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Judith Sepuma (South Africa), Blessin (South Africa) and Gabriela (Mozambique).

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LONDON - The death toll has risen to seven, with 48 others injured, after the London terror attack in which three suspects were shot dead by police.

A white van hit pedestrians on London Bridge at about 22:00 BST on Saturday, then three men got out and stabbed people in nearby Borough Market.

Police said the three men were wearing fake bomb vests.

One of those hurt is a police officer who was stabbed after going to help. His injuries are not life-threatening.

Most political parties have suspended national general election campaigning in light of the attack, but UKIP leader Paul Nuttall said he would carry on because that was "precisely what extremists would want us to do".

The prime minister has chaired a meeting of the government's Cobra emergency committee and is expected to make a statement shortly.

Borough Market is an area known for its bars and restaurants which were busy on a warm summer evening.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick praised the "extraordinary bravery" of her officers, on and off duty, who risked their lives by rushing to confront the attackers.

The three suspects were shot dead within eight minutes of the first 999 call being received.

It is the third terror attack in the UK in three months following the car and knife attack in Westminster in March, which left five people dead, and the Manchester bombing less than two weeks ago, in which 22 people were killed.

Commissioner Dick said she understood there could be a certain amount of "fear" among Londoners, but added: "The last thing we need is people over-reacting or taking out their frustrations on people in other communities or in their own communities."

Eyewitnesses to the attack described seeing a white van travelling at high speed along London Bridge before crashing close to the Barrowboy and Banker pub.

BBC reporter Holly Jones, who was on the bridge at the time of the attack, said the van was "probably travelling at about 50 miles an hour".

"He swerved right round me and then hit about five or six people. He hit about two people in front of me and then three behind," she said.

Three men then got out and began attacking people in the nearby market - one witness, Gerard, told the BBC they were shouting "This is for Allah".

Steven Gibbs, who was drinking in St Christopher's Inn, just metres from the scene, told the BBC: "A black cab drove past and the driver shouted, 'Terrorist attack, run!'

"I stood up to take a look and then all of a sudden there were gunshots. Lots of people were screaming."

Steven was taken into the basement of the bar before the police came in and told everyone inside to run.

"I've never been so scared in my life," he said.

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EDITOR — The recent call by the Health ministry  to the National Blood Services of Zimbabwe to find ways of reducing the price of blood, which is considered too high compared to other countries in the region, is very noble.

Many people have been complaining about the high cost of blood in this country especially looking at the state of our economy. Most people find it difficult to pay for the supply of blood.

Currently, the life saving commodity costs $100 a pint in Zimbabwe, compared to around $50 in countries such as Zambia.

To make matters worse, most of the blood that some of these organisations sell is donated by well-wishers.

I appreciate that there might be some cost involved in making sure that the donated blood is safe for use but charging such exorbitant prices is just not right.

It is sad that in our health situations, there are many cases that require blood transfusion but most people realise that they cannot afford it. 

As long as the price of blood remains beyond the reach of many lives will could be lost.

Government should go beyond calling for blood price slash but peg the cost of blood in relation to other neighbouring countries.

According to press reports the cost of blood was revised downwards late last year  from $135 a pint  to $100 in a bid ti make it affordable.

But still how many people can afford to buy the blood for that much.

Government should act on this issue and save the lives of its citizens.

Nomatter

HARARE - Zanu PF secretary for youth league in the politburo —Kudzanai Chipanga — has a right to lavish praise on President Robert Mugabe because it is his democratic right.

Being a leader of the next generation of politicians — the youths — it is also expected that Chipanga should inspire confidence not only in Zanu PF but also other political parties and ordinary people — that tomorrow’s future is safe with people like him.

But his fawning sycophancy at Mugabe’s rally in Marondera on Friday sadly has people expressing disappointment and shock at the level of his nauseating bootlicking.

“Truly speaking, in heaven there is God and here on earth there is an angel called Robert Gabriel Mugabe. You are representing God here on earth.

“I promise you, people, that when we go to heaven don’t be surprised to see Robert Gabriel Mugabe standing beside God vetting people into heaven. Gushungo, you are an angel.

“Amai Mugabe, you are a wife of an angel so when people enter heaven and when it’s Zimbabwe’s turn, you will be seated there, with secretary for administration (Ignatius) Chombo having names, while you will be vetting those whom you know,” Chipanga gushed.

No one had been prepared for this over-effusive praise by someone who should inspire confidence among the millions of jobless youths that have been brought to bear the brunt of Zanu PF’s ruinous policies.

Chipanga by being a youth leader should be representing an alternative narrative to arouse belief and hope in his colleagues, regardless of political affiliation.

On Friday, he failed thousands of Zanu PF youths whose own thinking and construction of ideas needed to transform Zimbabwe, were sullied by his sycophancy.

Chipanga missed an opportunity to show cause why youths should register and vote in next year’s elections and more importantly, why they must vote for his party.

Instead, his praises betrayed the kind of plans he has for Zanu PF youths — bootlicking and projecting Mugabe as the only capable leader in his party — despite obvious evidence of factionalism caused by failing to have a succession plan.

It is not harsh to say Chipanga doesn’t seem to appreciate that whatever he does mirrors the youths in his party and on Friday’s evidence, it would be difficult to find those who agree with him.

On the evidence of his blasphemous praises, one can conclude that youths looking for a political home are better served elsewhere!

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HARARE - While Robert Mugabe and opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai may be oceans apart, they both believe the youths’ vote is crucial to winning next year’s Presidency.

For long used as instruments of political violence and repression, the country’s youths, who constitute 60 percent of the population, have emerged as the potential kingmakers ahead of the crucial polls, never mind the age differences that exist between them and their potential leaders.

Next year, Mugabe will be 94. Tsvangirai is not getting any younger as well, he will be 66.

Addressing MDC youths in the dormitory town of Chitungwiza last month, Tsvangirai said young people must go out in full force and register to vote if they are to determine their destiny while on Friday in the dying town of Marondera his bitter rival Mugabe was also selling the same message, his coated with promises of empowerment and jobs.

Political analysts and young politicians canvassed by the Daily News on Sunday said the political parties have to package their message to the youths so that it is acceptable and offers hope.

Former student leader and politician Zechariah Mushawatu, who has tried to stand as independent candidate albeit unsuccessfully in Harare East, said there is need to sweet talk the country’s youths into getting involved.

“The youth vote has the potential to decide the winner of not only the 2018 elections but future elections in the next couple of decades. However, the youth vote is currently in a state of demobilisation.

“Furthermore, youths are not a homogenous group which means it might prove costly to treat them as such and assume that they will all vote along the same lines courtesy of belonging to the same age group.

“Nonetheless, youths across Zimbabwe face many similar challenges that make it possible for political players to identify electoral promises that can lure. When all is said and done, if political players spend a lot of time and resources on campaigning for youths to vote for them without coming up with clear mechanisms to ensure that youths register to vote they will certainly be disappointed,” said Mushawetu.

An analysis of the 2013 voter’s roll by the Research Advocacy Unit (RAU) showed that only 8,8 percent of youths aged between 18 and 19 were registered to vote while only 19 percent of those aged 19-24 were registered voters. Of those aged between 25 and 29 51 percent were on the voter’s roll.

“Youths are the biggest demographic group of voting age but they are also the most apathetic to the voting process. The youth vote is like a hidden treasure locked away in a vault. It is of great value but no political player can benefit from it unless and until they find the key that unlocks the vault.

“That key is a sound strategy that will push youths to register and vote. In past elections political players have failed to find that key, only time will tell if they will do so this time around,” said Mushawatu.

But how do political parties, particularly Zanu PF, which promised the youths 2.2 million jobs reach out to the young people who are now more hooked to drugs and the social media than issues around them.

Despite an ever increasing housing back-long, an unemployment rate of 90 percent and company closures, Zanu PF youth secretary Kudzanai Chipanga claimed that the ruling party has been able to meet its electoral promises and will do even more.

“The youths will benefit from several projects that the party has lined up, in Mashonaland East, I was told Udicorp that they are almost ready, they told me that residential stands for the youths are 97 percent complete and they have done the numbering, they are producing 6 700 stands that are ready in Manyame near Chitungwiza and that will benefit the youths,” said Chipanga.

However, Afghanistan-based political analyst Maxwell Saungweme said there is need to elevate the youths than just to extend to them piecemeal concessions such as housing stands.

“All significant political parties have less than 3 percent of youths in senior positions in their parties. Regardless of youth being about 53 percent of the electorate, very few in all parties are supported by party structures to be electoral candidates.

“The patriarchal system in all political parties, literally reduce youth to young children undeserving of being voted in as councillors, MPs or president.

“All parties are complicity in their sneering of role of youth in elections. They craft barriers to youth participation in elections and limit them to campaigns, demonstrations and violence.

“Is it not a shame that average age in Zimbabwe is around 20 years, yet the average politician is 60 years?

“A country like Zimbabwe seems to have a future if you have about 53 percent of the electorate being youth, but the future is stolen by the antediluvian, as you can see our president is 93,” said Saungweme.

However, for opposition leaders like Tsvangirai, the problem lies with the apathetic youths who do not want to be involved in electoral processes.

“In our last election, only five percent of those between the age of 18 and 35 voted. I am now challenging you because you are allowing us the old people to define your future. You are outsourcing your future to the old, even to your grandfathers like Mugabe. You are outsourcing your future to that old man, what does that mean?

“Let’s not lose heart, let’s go and register to vote. On the voting day, we are not supposed to go home without casting our votes. Simply going to vote is not good enough, we must also defend our vote, we must not leave this duty to only a few, ” Tsvangirai said.

But marshalling the youths to register to vote alone could prove to be an exercise in futility for any political party, according to Dewa Mavhinga the director for Human Rights Watch for Southern Africa unless if electoral reforms are put in place before the crunch 2018 polls.

“What is crucial in the next election, as in previous elections, is the full independence, autonomy, and effectiveness of the elections management body, ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission). If, as was in past elections, there is Zanu PF partisan control of a highly militarised ZEC, then the youth vote alone with not ensure a free, fair, and credible election. In Zimbabwe it is not the number of votes that count,

“The youth vote hype must be put in the Zimbabwe context of capture electoral institutions, it cannot be analysed in a political vacuum,” said Mavhinga.

On his part, Tsvangirai along with other opposition parties has been pushing for electoral reforms but to Mugabe, the ground is level and there is no need for any reforms ahead of the elections.

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HARARE - Harare City Council (HCC)’s top executives have been slammed for stifling investigations in which they are accused of awarding themselves hefty salaries and allowances.

Resident associations raised the red flag after the tribunal set up to investigate the matter asked for an extension amid allegations that those implicated in the matter are refusing to release the requisite documents for the exercise.

Last year, the Daily News broke the story of how HCC bureaucrats were still paying themselves above the government approved salary cap.

Among those implicated in the salary scandal were former town clerk Tendai Mahachi, acting town clerk Josephine Ncube and finance director Tendai Kwenda.

According to a ministry of Local Government audit on the local authority, nine executives were overpaid their retrenchment packages by $1,2 million while also receiving unbudgeted bonuses amounting to more than $600 000.

It also indicated that 40 executives received education allowances of more than $800 000 as well as holiday leave allowances of more than $300 000.

Furthermore, the report also revealed that $282 000 was transferred into retrenched executive managers bank accounts from HCC’s Beer Levy and Estates account outside of employment costs.

Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni tried to suspend Ncube but the decision was rescinded by Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere who argued that the suspension was malicious.

Combined Harare Residents Association chief executive Mfundo Mlilo said the continued defiance by the top management to cooperate with the tribunal will cost HCC more than what was budgeted.

He said the law must be allowed to take its course and members of the tribunal should be allowed to carry out their mandate without being cowed.

“Such open defiance by the city top executives points to organised crime at the Harare City Council which should be thoroughly investigated after which the law should take its course.

“Corruption, financial mismanagement and abuse of office have become the norm at the Harare City Council and the development has cost the city millions of dollars at a time effective service delivery is at its low.”

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HARARE - Call it changing times. Unlike yester years, Zimbabweans have come to witness more and more women being arrested and prosecuted for committing third schedule offences which were previously common with their male counterparts.

Pre-meditated murders, armed robberies, attempted murders and a number of other heinous crimes have now become easy bed fellows with women who, once, had the trust of the public for being better law abiding citizens.

Even the country’s jurisdictions guarantee lenient sentences to women than men to the extent that the Constitution exempts them from getting the death penalty.

The surge in crime and drug abuse has according to award winning human rights lawyer Obey Shava, a reflection of the country’s worsening economic situation.

“…as Aristotle observed, poverty and crime are associated. They have a very intimate relationship. To be a woman in Zimbabwe, for majority, is to be workless, poorly paid or just plain poor. Worse still, most of these women are married to highly educated but extremely impoverished men due to man-made problems that we are enduring in Zimbabwe .

“Having less wealth puts a strain on individuals and families but most importantly, on a woman. When this woman lacks means of fulfilling these onerous obligations, she becomes increasingly emotional, stressful and negatively affected in many ways.

“The solution is in the revival of the economy. Our government must address basic socio economic issues. These women lack basic things which any country, even those at war, should provide to their female citizens,” said Shava.

Just last week, two women in their early 20s who were part of a six-member gang were arraigned before the Harare magistrates’ courts on suspicion of killing four people and brutally attacking eight others during armed robberies.

The gang appeared before Harare magistrate Barbra Chimboza charged with four counts of murder and eight of attempted murder.

The group is among countless others that employ various tricks to lure and pounce on their targets and it seems having a woman in the gang makes work much easier for them.

Zimbabwe Republic Police issued a statement warning the public.

“Armed robbers are on the prowl and members of the public are therefore discouraged from keeping large sums of cash in person, cars or business premises. In most cases they are armed with pistols and dangerous weapons.

“Members of the public are also warned to desist from travelling in the night especially in isolated places,” police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said.

Arshiel Mugiya a legal practitioner at Mugiya and Macharaga said commercial sex workers were the most involved in perpetuating such crimes but echoed the same sentiments as Shava’s that it was a reflection of the country’s ailing economy.

“Women of questionable morals are on record turning their clients into victims of well-orchestrated rackets of extortion using threats and violence. They are working in cahoots with men who major in drug dealing and some known thieves.

“The most disheartening part about the whole issue is that the victims of commercial sex workers’ orchestrated robberies are too ashamed to stand trial and end up having the accused persons off the hook. They rarely get prosecuted.

“I feel these women must be prosecuted in camera to protect their victims otherwise they will continue indulging in crime knowing their cases will not take off,” Mugiya said.

Human rights lawyer Kudzai Kadzere said it was high time the Constitution treated women and men equally whenever such heinous crimes were committed.

“I think the Constitution is self-defeating in differentiating between men and women when it comes to the death penalty. If we are equal before the law then capital punishment should be meted out to all regardless of gender.

“In fact the special treatment given to female offenders may actually be fuelling the spike in violent murders by women. The contradiction in the law is hard to miss and I am yet to fully grasp the reasoning behind exempting rogue female murderers from the hangman’s noose.”

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HARARE - President Robert Mugabe yesterday told Zanu PF supporters of his heartache at witnessing the high number of deaths that the former liberation movement has had to contend with this year — including having to preside over their burials at the National Heroes Acre.

Speaking at the burial of the late Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu yesterday, Mugabe lamented the number of times that he and his colleagues had gathered at the national shrine to bury a fallen comrade.

“This year has been a sad year, probably the saddest for our party and our nation because we have gathered here in the same way as we are doing today four times before, this now being our fifth…and that was all to bury our national heroes,” a sorrowful Mugabe told mourners and Zanu PF supporters.

“Diseases do not attack people on the basis of their positions, their cleverness or richness, it’s a visitor, that ugly visitor that afflicts everyone regardless of that state that you hold in life.

“So all of us get affected and we are forced to move onto the same chartered road towards destiny, all of you, us, got ill, get ill…the road is the same now for us.

“Death is our destiny, we all die…, it’s the way for all of us but we are human beings, we always would have wanted to live longer than the prescribed days for us on this earth. He who gives the life is the one who takes it, that’s what our Bible says,” he added.

Since the beginning of the year, Mugabe has buried former Mashonaland West provincial governor and resident minister Peter Chanetsa, who passed away in January, former CIO boss Zenzo Ntuliki, who died in April, Brigadier General James Murozvi, who also died in the same month and former chief justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, last month.

Mugabe said the late Ndlovu was the only remaining cadre of his generation whom he used to interact with.

Born in 1930, Ndlovu was six years junior to Mugabe.

“He was a friend, we called him NK, that shall not be again. I called him babazala (father-in-law)…for those who have remained; none of them is fit for me to call babazala.

“They are all youngsters. We, the two of us were their elders,” Mugabe said, adding that he used to interact with Ndlovu, because they were of the same age.

Ndlovu, who died nearly 87 years-old, was Bulawayo’s first black mayor in post-independent Zimbabwe and former deputy president of the Senate.

He died in Bulawayo in the early hours of Monday last week after a long battle with prostate cancer.

A veteran member of PF-Zapu, Ndlovu was the liberation movement’s representative at the 1979 all-party Rhodesia conference at Lancaster House in London after escalation of the independence war, helping to broker a peace agreement and constitution for an independent Zimbabwe.

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HARARE - As the ugly Zanu PF war to succeed President Robert Mugabe continues to escalate, former freedom fighters have warned introverted Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi — saying he risks ending his political career if he allows himself to be “used” by the ruling party’s “confusion” mongers.

This comes as Sekeramayi — who together with Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is the longest serving minister in Mugabe’s Cabinet — last week received effusive praise from Zanu PF politburo member and Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo, in a move which has further fuelled the ruling party’s deadly tribal, factional and succession wars.

Moyo — who Zanu PF insiders claim is one of the kingpins of the Generation 40 (G40) faction which is fiercely opposed to Mnangagwa succeeding Mugabe — threw the cat among the pigeons in the warring former liberation movement after he threw Sekeramayi’s name into the party’s life-and-death succession brawl.

But the disgruntled war veterans warned Sekeramayi yesterday that it would be a “big mistake and miscalculation” on his part if he “ever allowed his head to be turned by the unusual praise” that he received from Moyo.

“He (Moyo) knows very well that once confirmed that Sekeramayi now leads the so-called G40 faction which has been abandoned by the first family, then attacks from the so-called Team Lacoste camp will now be targeting Sekeramayi.

“If that happens, it will be a great achievement for Jonathan Moyo and his masters, who will once more watch ‘real comrades’ fighting each other.

“Sekeramayi should be wary of the G40 faction, whose idea is to isolate the president from former liberation war comrades.

“They (G40) have attacked ED (Mnangagwa) before, and now they are setting up Sekeramayi for failure,” the secretary general of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), Victor Matemadanda, told the Daily News on Sunday yesterday.

“But the big question is: Are leaders in Zanu PF so weak that they don’t see this threat that Jonathan Moyo poses in the party and to the revolution?

“Or is it that someone is using him for some personal aggrandisement? Is there any benefit for the revolution knowing his (Moyo’s) history and his record as a minister to keep him in the party?

“About Sekeramayi’s seniority, Jonathan wants to use those who know, so that it works against him ... people should not accept to be used by Jonso again.

“How do you have a whole professor who never talks about real problems facing the country or developmental issues, but only about confusion and hate among people?” Matemadanda added.

Speaking at Sapes Trust in Harare on Thursday, Moyo had appeared to endorse Sekeramayi as Mugabe’s more acceptable successor compared to Mnangagwa.

“The notion peddled by the so-called Team Lacoste that its leader is the only one who is above or senior to everyone else below President Mugabe is false and that falsehood should stop. There are others that are senior to the leader of the so-called Team Lacoste,” Moyo said.

“One of them, by way of an important example, is Dr Sydney Sekeramayi whose loyalty to President Mugabe, the party and country; whose liberation credentials, experience, consensus-style of leadership, stature, commitment to the nationalist project and humility have no match.”

This prompted political analysts to say the G40 faction appeared to have settled for Sekeramayi as its preferred candidate, after realising that it didn’t have anyone within its ranks who could match Mnangagwa.

“The selection of Sekeramayi by Moyo and allies owes more to the forces of political expediency — probably what they are calling ‘practical politics’ — than principle. It can only be explained by the argument that the group opposed to Mnangagwa had to find someone who could match him pound for pound.

“These factors include liberation credentials, political experience, influence in the security sector, international stature and ethnicity. Sekeramayi ticks most, if not all the boxes just like Mnangagwa does,” UK-based law lecturer Alex Magaisa wrote on his blog yesterday.

Matemadanda said further yesterday that Moyo had “no right” to set the succession agenda in Zanu PF.

“Jonathan Moyo is not in any way qualified to talk about succession in Zanu PF because he deserted the critical stages of the development of what he calls his Zanu PF today.

“However it must be known that Jonathan created G40 and Lacoste, not because he wanted either of the two factions, but just because he wanted to pit party members against each other and this he has managed to do successfully.

“This time he has brought in the usually quiet Sekeramayi. I don’t know how Sekeramayi will receive it, but his miscalculation will unnecessarily bring him into these fights and Jonathan will have achieved what he wants to destroy ...  any likely presidential material from the war,” Matemadanda claimed.

Zanu PF is being ripped apart by serious infighting which has worsened in recent months as party bigwigs have escalated their mindless bloodletting.

Moyo also exposed the extent to which Zanu PF is being devoured by its deepening infighting on Thursday, confirming what the Daily News on Sunday and the Daily News have been writing about accurately for many years, that the ruling party has now split into two distinctive camps.

“There are two parties in Zanu PF, the first is successionists who are a minority in the ruling party but who are very vocal and now openly say they are backing Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa to succeed ... Mugabe and they would like to see this happening before the next elections and they would like to see the vice president as the party candidate.

“The loyalists are the silent majority who support ... Mugabe to serve his full term in accordance with the constitution,” Moyo said.

Zanu PF insiders have consistently said that underlying the former liberation movement’s deadly and seemingly unstoppable tribal and factional wars is its unresolved succession question.

Mugabe has studiously refused to name a successor, arguing that his party should rather follow what he sees as a more democratic process, to manage his succession via a congress.

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