Archive for category: Africa

HARARE, Zimbabwe — In a very surprise turn of events, a court in Zimbabwe has freed pastor Evan who organized the largest nationwide strike against the government in nearly a decade, ruling that police violated his rights.

Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe told a packed courtroom that the decision to bring new charges in court against Evan Mawarire was unconstitutional.

Pastor Evan was charged with inciting violence when he was arrested on Tuesday the 12th of July, but prosecutors shortly before his court appearance Wednesday changed it to more serious charges of treason for attempting to overthrow a constitutionally elected government.

After what has been regarded as the biggest protest to ever occur in Zimbabwe in well over a decade, Pastor Evans Mawarire has been set free and all charges have been dropped. This has marked one of the most historic moments in Zimbabwe. Normally, the Government would throw the accused in a jail cell and throw the key away or worse would meet an untimely death in a car accident. Normally where the person in the back seat being the only casualty.

Zimbabweans all over the world are celebrating and those at the court house present at the time were singing and praising God for setting the man behind the campaign free.

Police keep guard outside the Harare Magistrates Court in Harare, Wednesday, July 13, 2016. Zimbabwean pastor Evan Mawarire was charged Wednesday with attempting to overthrow a constitutionally elected government for organizing a nationwide strike which shut the country down last week. Water cannons and riot police surrounded the Harare Magistrates Court to prevent protests over Mawarire’s court appearance. (AP Photo)

Pastor Evan’s lawyer protested that the last-minute change of the charges was unconstitutional, and incredibly the magistrate agreed.

Hundreds of singing supporters greeted the release of Pastor Evan Mawarire, who has rallied Zimbabweans with a social media campaign called #ThisFlag, encouraging them to reclaim their flag by urging President Robert Mugabe’s government to properly manage the country’s battered economy. This despite Whatsapp being shutdown last week.

“We will not relent until our demands are met. Corruption must end,” Pastor Evan Mawarire told the raucous crowd outside the court room with a Zimbabwe flag draped around his neck. Supporters, standing in the dark, held up candles and mobile phones to light him.

Dozens of supporters in the courtroom’s public gallery had laughed in derision when the prosecutor announced the new charges, which could have brought Mawarire at least 20 years in prison.

During the day, hundreds of supporters outside the Harare Magistrates Court, many wearing the Zimbabwe flag, sang in defiance. Activists chanted slogans and prayed. Riot police with water cannons surrounded the court house in Harare.

Many people last week answered Mawarire’s call on social media for a stay away on the 6th of July to protest dismal economic conditions. It was the largest such boycott in Zimbabwe in nearly a decade.

Another boycott had been called for Wednesday, but the response appeared muted. The government has warned organizers of further protests that “they will face the full wrath of the law.”

Protesters draped in Zimbabwean flags stand outside Harare Magistrates Court in Harare, Wednesday, July 13, 2016. Zimbabwean pastor Evan Mawarire was charged Wednesday with attempting to overthrow a constitutionally elected government for organizing a nationwide strike which shut the country down last week. Water cannons and riot police surrounded the Harare Magistrates Court to prevent protests over Mawarire’s court appearance. (AP Photo)

FILE – In this Tuesday May 3, 2016 file photo, shows Evans Mawarire, a young pastor, posing with a Zimbabwean flag in Harare, Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe police have charged Mawarire on Tuesday July 12, 2016, with inciting violence and disturbing the peace. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, File)

I have just seen this message:

Dear Patrons of beautiful Zimbabwe it has come to our attention that the following schools and companies are refusing to close for our stay away peaceful campaign.  We understand there are negative comments been made by the heads of these establishments. They are stating their schools in suburbs and private business they don’t need to take action and will, therefore remain open.

Parents of the following schools St John St Georges Chisipiti Gateway Westridge and others who private establishments you may be in suburbs but we will be checking on you to make sure your schools are closed.  Bear in mind the safety of your children first. These schools need to be taught a lesson as they feel they in the suburbs. Your heads feel they white and have the right to do as they want. Keep your children at home for yours and their safety. Teachers those who choose to put their lives at risk because you teach in the suburbs rethink what your heads are requesting from you.

St John’s College

Fruit & Veg and Pick n Pay close your businesses tomorrow. This is for the safety of your staff and buildings.  Stay away tomorrow and keep the peace please. Let’s be a peaceful nation as we demonstrate.

Epworth

Those watching the news keep others informed of what is happening around you.  We are aware people are been informed there is no such activities of violence taking place. As we speak people are getting beaten up and tortured in Mabvuku and Epworth.

Let’s pray for peace in our country as we take to the streets tomorrow 6 July.

Harare hit by Rioters

HARARE’s eastern suburbs have been rocked by violent protests that have left hundreds of city-bound commuters stranded as commuter omnibus drivers fought running battles with police over the increasing number of roadblocks,

Although there has no been much specific detail, initial reports indicate business in the agricultural town of Marondera, 70 kilometers east of Harare has also been brought to a halt.

Most affected places are Ruwa, Mabvuku/Tafara, Hatfield and Epworth in the south-east of the capital.

Minibus Taxi Drivers Clash with Police

Running battles with Police in Epworth

The drivers are protesting against heavy police presence on the roads. There are currently running battles with the police in Epworth leaving hundreds of commuters stranded and without transport.

Police are using tear gas while the drivers are retaliating with missiles and blocking the roads.

One of the vehicles that was smashed. Picture by Tendai Mugabe

Parts of the Harare-Mutare Highway has been blocked. Picture by Felex Share

A 3-day-old orphaned elephant calf — so vulnerable his umbilicus has not yet been sealed — has been rescued after being found nearly unconscious in Zimbabwe.

Zuwa with ZEN manager Moses Nzou. (Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery)

The tiny newborn, now under 24-hour surveillance at a local elephant nursery, is the youngest calf the Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery (ZEN) has ever rescued. They named the newborn Zuwa, which means “Sun” or “Light” in Shona [native language to Shona people in Zimbabwe].

ZEN says the youngster is exceedingly fragile, and with the help of veterinarians from Aware Trust, the group has already had to pull the little one “back from the brink” Friday morning.

The baby was found in the Save Valley conservancy area of Zimbabwe by local parks rangers, says Jos Danckwerts, who works at ZEN along with his mother and ZEN founder, Roxy Danckwerts.

“When we arrived [to rescue him], he was very hot and weak,” Jos Danckwerts told The Dodo. He retrieved Zuma on October 14. “His legs were a bit wobbly but he could still walk,” says Danckwerts. “He was quite vocal when we got him standing. His hydration was ok as the team who found him managed to get some fluids into him with a bottle, which was very fortunate.”

Zuwa being loaded for transport to ZEN along with assistance of Moses Nzou and Zim Parks rangers. (Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery)

Zuwa with ZEN manager Moses Nzou. (Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery)

Roxy Danckwerts told The Dodo that, unlike many cases of orphaned elephants, she does not think the baby’s mother was poached: “We think that due to the soaring temps and lack of water in that area, she and the calf gave up.”

He was found alone and reportedly unconscious, she says, “in a dry pan that was 25 km from water.”

“We know that we have a huge challenge on our hands, but will fight hard for this little man’s life,” she adds.

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a drought, explains Jos, “though it is too early to tell the extremity of it. However, it is almost every year now that the seasons are unusual, so it’s more correct to say we are seeing and feeling the severe effects of climate change here.”

Zuwa with ZEN elephant keeper Paradzai Mutize. (Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery)

ZEN currently has five other elephants in its care. The elephants, says Jos, were very aware of Zuwa’s arrival. “We believe they were calling to him using infrasound in the night,” he adds, “as Zuwa was evidently agitated and looking and sensing in that direction.”

Zuwa being cared for by Aware Trust and overlooked by the other orphan, Moyo. (Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery)

All the elephants, he adds, eventually faced the intensive care room, where Zuwa is being tended to round-the-clock by the ZEN team.

Zuwa with Benson Mudede. (Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery)

The immediate goal is to encourage the baby to drink the nursery milk formula, so he receives energy and nutrients vital for his survival. One of Zuwa’s caretakers is Benson Mudede. When asked what he thinks is the biggest challenge in caring for these vulnerable orphans — beyond their feeding — Mudede replied: “[These elephants] are like my children. I fear I do not know enough how to save them, and that makes my heart very sore.”

To quickly donate to the care of Zuwa at ZEN, please go here.