Thursday, 4 July 2013

Zim Elections on July 31 - Court

Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku on Thursday ruled that elections should proceed on July 31. In a unanimous decision by a panel of nine Constitutional Court judges.

 Both President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai had asked for the elections to be postponed.

Chidyausiku dismissed Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s application, which had been consolidated with that of Welshman Ncube, Nixon Nyikadzino and Maria Phiri. Enter the three characters from the image on the right.

"For the avoidance of doubt, elections should proceed on the 31st of July in terms of the proclamation by the president of Zimbabwe in compliance with the order of this court," Chief Justice Godfrey 

Chidyausiku said. Mr Tsvangirai accepted the ruling, his spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka said, 

"Since the court has ruled, it means we have to go by that date" said Tamborinyoka

Last month, MDC said the voters  roll was in a shambles and the  votes could be rigged 



unplugging Mandela's life support- Doctors

 Doctors who are  treating former South African president  Nelson Mandela have advised government and his family to release Madiba by switching off his life support machine.
According to court documents doctors are quoted to have said that the 94 year old global icon is  in a "permanent vegetative state" and his family must turn off his life support machine.
"He is in a permanent vegetative state and is assisted in breathing by a life support machine," revealed a legal filing related to a family dispute over reburying the remains of Mandela's three children. "The Mandela family have been advised by the medical practitioners that his life support machine should be switched off."
Recently the family members and some village elders met in Qunu to decide on whether they should go ahead with the doctors request.
Mandela who suffered for a long time fighting for democracy is now fighting for his life at MEDICLINIC Heart Hospital for lung infection.

Mandla Mandela briefing: As it happened

BY NEWS 24
Mandla Mandela
11:40 - Mandla : I still refuse to be associated with the squabble over my grandfather's money. Real agenda will be revealed.


11:40 - Tokyo Sexwale says "our job is to protectMadiba's legacy, not trample on it. It must live for a 1000 years".


11:39 - Mandla : Mbuso [brother] impregnated my wife.


11:38 - Mandla: As for my remaining two brothers: They are not my father's children. Proof is there in the birth of my own child....


11:36 - Mandla: [My father] impregnated a married woman and he [Ndaba] is a product of that. He should be careful when insulting my mother.


11:36 - Mandla: I'm highly disappointed in my brother Ndaba who told the media Mandla was born out of wedlock.


11:35 - Mandla: The Mandelas are in the lower "left-hand house" and have no claim whatsoever to the Thembu kingship.


11:34 - Mandla: I will continue to do this with the help of the Mvezo traditional council and development trust


11:33 - Mandla: Mvezo is still bedeviled by excessive poverty. My focus, with the help of ANC govt, is to address these challenges here.


11:33 - Mandla: He would laugh and smile at me. He would ask if anyone opposed me becoming the Mvezo chief. None of them challenged it.


11:32 - Mandla: Back then my grandfather prophesied about these days. He would ask 'who of you will live in rural areas?' All my brothers said no


11:31 - Mandla: Nelson Mandela was there when I became chief. Now individuals opportunistically question my legitimacy as chief.


11:31 - Mandla: Grandfather asked me to take responsibility after my father died


11:30 - Mandla: Nelson Mandela said he could not assume chieftanship. He asked me to take it on. He reminded me of my 1st responsibility: service.


11:30 - Mandla says the timing of the family's decision to urgently do the exhumations is "curious".


11:29 - Mandla: I have a right to determine where my father (Makgato) will be buried. I am the chief...


11:29 -



11:28 - Mandla: Issue not so much moving bones, but timing as bones were moved two years ago


11:28 - Mandla: The issue of the family remains: we repatriated in 2011 after following protocol. For two years the applicants have said nothing.


11:27 - Mandla: It seems like anyone can come and claim to be a Mandela and jump on the band wagon.


11:26 - Mandla: And Kweku Amuah also has no business in Mandela family matters, like most other applicants, according to our customs


11:26 - Mandla : Tokoziwe Mandela is belongs to her own family [maternal]. Has no business in Mandela family matters.


11:25 - Mandla attacks legitimacy of several family members involved in court case against him. 


11:25 - Mandla says Makaziwe should focus on her own family and marriage. But so far all she does is sow divisions in the family.


11:24 - Mandla:Many people parading as Mandelas.


11:24 -



11:23 - Mandla: They're targeting a soft target like myself


11:23 -  Mandla: Having stood against my family in the case brought by Makaziwe et al, when they tried to remove George Bizos etc as trustees...


11:21 - Mandla: The real root of why this emerged and the entire family turned against me - this same family took their grandfather to court for his money.


11:21 -  Mandla: I committed my life to development of this community. Now I'm the subject of attacks in the media. Disappointed at High Court... but I will not challenge this further. It will serve no purpose. Will now address the real reason my family turned against me.


11:19 - The life I led in Johannesburg was that of an individual not a servant to the people, saysMandla.


11:18 - Mandla: Madiba moulded me for this very moment.


11:17 - Mandla explains how his grandfather Nelson Mandela prepared him to lead the family.


11:16 - Mandla explains his background. [My grandfather] has always been there for me."


11:13 -



11:13 -



11:12 -



11:10 -



11:09 -



11:05 - Regan Thaw tweeted earlier: Distinct lack of preparation prior to Mandla's briefing. Reporters laying out chairs themselves. No one here to help. 


11:02 - There's no sign of Mandla Mandela at the Mvezo briefing except journalists, tweets EWN'sRegan Thaw.


11:01 -



10:53 -



10:28 -



10:20 - For background on the saga involving Mandla Mandela an the reburial of Nelson Mandela's children's remains, read here
10:20 - Forensic tests are currently being done to identify the remains of three of Nelson Mandela's children, tweets eNCA's Gareth Edwards.


09:47 - Mandla Mandela has confirmed that he will hold a media briefing and journalists can ask "whatever they want", tweets the PE Herald's Michael Kimberley. 


Zuma speaks on Mandela's health

South Africa former president Nelson Mandela remains in critical but stable condition after spending 27 days in hospital battling for lung infection, the presidency said on Thursday
The update  followed a visit to MEDICLINIC Heart Hospital  by President Jacob Zuma to check on Madiba's health condition who is reported to be on coma
In a statement Zuma also thanked the South Africans and the international community for their continued support.
"We appreciate all the love and compassion. Madiba is receiving the best medical care from a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals who are at his bedside around the clock". He is well looked. said Zuma


Tuesday, 2 July 2013

Former South Africa FW de Klerk in hospital for pacemaker

The FW de Klerk Foundation says the hospital admission of t De Klerk  is not a cause for concern.

The 77-year former South Africa leader is having a pacemaker installed at a Cape Town hospital on Tuesday after he suffered dizzy spells following his return to South Africa from a trip abroad.

He visited a specialist on Monday after complaining about dizzy spells and it was recommended he get pacemaker.

The foundation's David Steward said, "He’ll be going into hospital later on Tuesday. It’s a routine procedure and doesn’t require a general anaesthetic."

De Klerk and his wife Elita returned home from abroad on Sunday because of concerns over fellow former President Nelson Mandela's health.

It’s believed he felt it would be appropriate to cancel his holiday in Greece and return to South Africa to await developments.

Mandela was admitted to the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria on 8 June for a recurring lung infection.

In a statement released on Monday afternoon, the Presidency said Madiba remained in a critical but stable condition.

Steward said de Klerk had been monitoring Madiba's situation very closely.

It is still unclear if de Klerk will visit Mandela in hospital.

In 1993, Mandela and de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

De Klerk is expected to be discharged from hospital on Wednesday. 

Criminal charges laid against Mandela's grandson

South Africa police in the Eastern Cape confirmed on Tuesday that criminal charges have been laid against Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla over the exhumation and reburial of the former president’s three children.
Sixteen members of the Mandela family were granted a draft order against Mandla  in the Mthatha High Court last week.
The family are demanding for the remains of Madiba's children to be reburied in Qunu after Mandla moved them to his homestead in Mvezo two years ago.
According to an amendment to the order made on Tuesday, Madiba's grandson  has been given until 3pm on Wednesday to remove the remains from Mveso.
 On Tuesday, Mandla’s lawyer Phillip Zilwa said there should never have been a court order granted against his client and called the case frivolous.
He said Mandla did not even have an opportunity to defend himself against the allegations.
Mandela's eldest  daughters Makaziwe  Mandela, her nephew Mdaba and nice  Ndileka and all applicants in the case were present during proceedings.attended the court hearing.
Their advocate, David Smith, referring to the charges now laid against Mandla, said the way in which the remains were exhumed was illegal.
Meanwhile, Madiba remains hospitalised at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria where he was admitted on 8 June due to a reoccurring lung infection.
ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe who described Mandela's family as boring   said on Tuesday morning that it is worrying that the family were fighting while Mandela was in hospital.
During a prayer service outside Luthuli House for the former president in Johannesburg, Mantashe admitted he was concerned.
“The family must look at Mandela and see that he was a unifier. They must reconcile. They must talk to each other and find a common goal.”

Monday, 1 July 2013

NEW MALAWI CABINET


Malawi president Joyce Banda on Monday made a minor cabinet reshuffle were she axed professor Peter Mwaza as minister of Agriculture, Ritchie Muheya and Jeniffer Chilunga.

The  new cabinet is as follows  

  Her Excellency Dr. Joyce Banda, President of the Republic of Malawi, Commander-in-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force and the Malawi Police Service, Minister Responsible for Statutory Corporations, Civil Service Administration,Nutrition, HIV and AIDS, National Registration Programme, and the Green Belt Initiative.

Right Honourable Khumbo Kachali, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi and Responsible for National Relief and Disaster Management, National Public Events Office, Central Government Stores, and Department ofPrinting Services.

Honourable Sosten Gwengwe, M.P. – Minister of Industry and Trade

Honourable Mrs. Grace Zinenani Maseko, M.P. - Minister of Local Government and Rural Development

Honourable Dr. Ken Lipenga, M.P. - Minister of Finance

Honourable Dr. James Munthali - Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

Honourable Henry Duncan Phoya, SC, M.P. – Minister of Lands and Housing

Honourable Ephraim Mganda Chiume, M.P. - Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Honourable Mohammed Sidik Mia, M.P. - Minister of Transport and Public Works

Honourable Mrs. Eunice Kazembe, M.P. - Minister of Education, Science and Technology

Honourable Mrs. Catherine Gotani Hara, M.P. – Minister of Health

Honourable Mrs. Eunice Makangala, M.P. – Minister of Labour

Honourable Ralph Kasambara, SC, - Minister of Justice

Hnourable Mrs. Anita Kalinde, M.P. - Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare

Honourable Ken Edward Kandodo, M.P. - Minister of Defence

Honourable Uladi Mussa, M.P. - Minister of Home Affairs

Honourable John Bande, M.P. – Minister of Mining

Honourable Ibrahim Matola, M.P. - Minister of Energy

Honourable Ralph Pachalo Jooma, M.P. – Minister of Economic Planning and Development

Honourable Moses Kunkuyu Kalongashawa, M.P. - Minister of Information

Honourable Mrs. Rachel Patience Mazombwe Zulu, M.P. – Minister of Tourism

Honourable Mrs. Halima Daud, M.P. – Minister of Environment and Climate Change Management

Honourable Enock Chakufwa K. Chihana, M.P. –Minister of Youth and Sports

Honourable Mrs. Reen Kachere, M.P. – Minister of Disability and Elderly Affairs

Honourable Brown Mpinganjira – Minister of Water Development and Irrigation

Honourable Sam Sem Ganda, M.P. – Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade

Honourable Godfrey Jeff Kamanya, M.P. – Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development

Honourable Dr. Cornelius Mwalwanda, M.P. – Deputy Minister of Finance

Honourable Jermoth Ulemu Chilapondwa, M.P. – Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

Honourable Ephraim Abel Kayembe, M.P. – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Honourable Chikumbutso John Hiwa, M.P. - Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology

Honourable Mrs. Agness Mandebvu Chatipwa, M.P. - Deputy of Health