Saturday, October 03

Mnangagwa Told No Chamisa No Deal By Europe & America

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s re-engagement efforts with the United States and European countries has hit a brick wall with the diplomats engaged by his emissaries in the Political Actors’ Dialogue (Polad) insisting that MDC leader Nelson Chamisa should be involved in the negotiations.

Polad is a dialogue series initiated by Mnangagwa and leaders of fringe parties who participated in the 2018 presidential elections. Chamisa, who refused to endorse Mnangagwa’s July 2018 electoral victory, has refused to be part of Polad.

Mnangagwa’s grouping has been trying to engage the international community to end the country’s years of isolation through its sub-committee on international relations and re-engagement led by MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe.It has, however, emerged that most of the diplomats and organisations engaged by Polad so far asked tough questions about Chamisa not being part of the dialogue process, to which no answer was given.

A report by the Khupe-led committee presented by Kwanele Hlabangana and gleaned by NewsDay Weekender revealed that the team met British ambassador to Zimbabwe Melanie Robinson, US ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols, European Union ambassador Timo Olkkonen among others, and the issue of Chamisa not being part of the process kept coming up.

“In key issues raised by the diplomatic community in our recent engagements, although they applaud and appreciate the great initiative taken by His Excellency ED Mnangagwa and the political leaders that participated as presidential candidates in the 2018 harmonised elections, that of coming together to establish Polad, they are all of the view that the on-going dialogue process should rather be broad-based, with key stakeholders that include the MDC Alliance, civic society, religious groups, white commercial farmers and business,” the report read in part.

“Both the US and EU ambassadors emphasised their desire to have South Africa play a leading role in the dialogue process with former President Thabo Mbeki as the mediator.” Sources who attended a meeting with the United Nations Development Programme team that was on a fact-finding mission, said the UN team also raised concern over the absence of the MDC in Polad.

Chamisa has refused to be part of Polad, saying it was “Mnangagwa’s choir” insisting on the need for genuine dialogue preferably led by a South African mediator. The opposition leader had warmed up to Mbeki following his December visit where he met the two Zimbabwean political nemesis and promised to come back for more engagements.Mbeki has not returned since then. The Mnangagwa administration has, however, insisted there will be no dialogue outside Polad.

Addressing journalists after yesterday’s Polad meeting at State House, Mnangagwa said the platform had been forced to cancel its engagements due to the coronavirus outbreak that has become a global crisis. Mnangagwa was set to dispatch a re-engagement team to US, Europe and other parts of Africa.Mnangagwa said though he was pleased with the ground covered by the Khupe-led committee, their efforts had been dragged by the coronavirus that started in Wuhan, China and is now spreading across the world.

Several countries, including the US, where the Zimbabwean delegation had targeted have closed their borders in the wake of the scourge that has so far killed 5 111 people with more than 138 941 infected.

“The re-engagement committee, they are doing fantastic work and I wasn’t aware. They have done a lot and they had made plans to travel outside Africa, but of course, because of the coronavirus, they are likely not to proceed until they are cleared,” Mnangagwa said. Khupe confirmed the dilemma, saying they had lined up important meetings in and outside Africa, including the US, but they have been forced to put that on hold because of the deadly virus that has been confirmed as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation.

“It is still on but unfortunately because of COVID-19, our trips had to be rescheduled otherwise we had secured meetings in America, in all these countries in Sadc region and others so that we engage collectively to say we are asking for a second chance to go back to the family of nations,” Khupe said.

On the Lovemore Madhuku-chaired committee on governance and legislative agenda sub-committee, Mnangagwa said the report was well-received, but there were some disagreements with government on other aspects.Madhuku said they will meet Mnangagwa next week as Polad leaders after he has presented the reports to Cabinet.

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Mesothelioma Lawyer: Asbestos Compensation Guide

Mesothelioma Lawyer: Asbestos Compensation Guide

Mesothelioma is a serious cancer often linked to asbestos exposure. Many people were exposed to asbestos at work, in military service, in construction, in factories, or through old building materials. A mesothelioma lawyer helps victims and families seek compensation from companies responsible for asbestos exposure.

An experienced asbestos attorney understands how to investigate exposure history. Many asbestos cases involve events that happened decades ago. A lawyer may review employment records, military service records, job sites, product history, and medical records to identify where exposure occurred.

What Is Mesothelioma Compensation?

Mesothelioma compensation may come from lawsuits, settlements, asbestos trust funds, or veterans’ benefits. Compensation may help cover medical bills, cancer treatment, lost income, travel expenses, pain and suffering, and family financial support.

Many companies that used asbestos created trust funds for victims. A mesothelioma lawyer can help determine whether you qualify for an asbestos exposure claim or trust fund payment.

Why Legal Help Matters

Asbestos cases are complex. Different states may have different deadlines for filing a claim. A lawyer can help file paperwork correctly and make sure important deadlines are not missed.

Final Thoughts

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, speaking with a mesothelioma lawyer may help you understand your rights and possible compensation options.

First Offense DUI Lawyer: What Happens After a First DUI Charge?

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First Offense DUI Lawyer: What Happens After a First DUI Charge?

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A first DUI arrest can be frightening, especially if you have never been in trouble before. You may worry about jail, losing your license, your job, your insurance, and whether you will have a permanent criminal record.

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A first offense DUI lawyer can explain what happens next and help you avoid mistakes that may make the situation worse.

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Even a first DUI can carry serious consequences. Do not assume the court will automatically go easy because it is your first arrest.

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Is a First DUI a Criminal Charge?

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In many states, a first DUI is a misdemeanor, but that does not mean it is minor.

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A conviction may lead to:

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Fines
rnCourt costs
rnProbation
rnAlcohol education classes
rnLicense suspension
rnIgnition interlock device
rnCommunity service
rnJail exposure
rnCriminal record
rnHigher insurance premiums

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Penalties vary by state and by facts such as blood alcohol level, accident involvement, refusal to test, injuries, minors in the vehicle, and prior history.

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What Happens After the Arrest?

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A first DUI case may involve two separate tracks.

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Criminal Court Case

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This is where the DUI charge is handled. The court may address guilt, innocence, plea options, sentencing, probation, and other penalties.

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Driver’s License Case

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The license issue may be handled separately through the motor vehicle agency or administrative hearing process.

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This is important because you may have a short deadline to request a license hearing.

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Why You Should Act Quickly

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After a DUI arrest, deadlines may come fast.

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You may need to:

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Request an administrative hearing
rnAppear in court
rnPreserve video evidence
rnObtain police reports
rnReview test results
rnEnroll in required programs
rnAvoid license suspension mistakes

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Missing a deadline can limit your options.

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Can a First DUI Be Dismissed?

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Sometimes charges are dismissed, reduced, or resolved in a different way, but it depends on the facts and the law.

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Possible defense issues include:

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Illegal traffic stop
rnNo probable cause for arrest
rnImproper field sobriety testing
rnBreath test problems
rnBlood test chain-of-custody issues
rnMedical conditions affecting results
rnOfficer procedure errors
rnLack of proof of impairment

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A lawyer must review the evidence before giving realistic guidance.

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What About Breath Test Results?

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Breath test evidence can be important, but it is not always perfect.

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A DUI lawyer may review:

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Machine calibration
rnMaintenance records
rnOfficer certification
rnObservation period
rnMouth alcohol issues
rnTesting procedure
rnTiming of the test
rnBreath sample quality

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The legal blood alcohol concentration limit is commonly .08 in many U.S. jurisdictions, but state law can vary and additional rules may apply for commercial drivers, underage drivers, and high-BAC cases. NHTSA provides national drunk-driving safety resources and state-focused impaired-driving guidance.

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What If You Refused a Breath or Blood Test?

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Refusal can create additional consequences, especially for your license.

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Many states have implied consent laws. That means drivers may face license penalties for refusing chemical testing after a lawful DUI arrest.

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A lawyer can help review whether the refusal was legally valid and what defenses may apply.

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Will You Need an Ignition Interlock?

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An ignition interlock device may be required in some DUI cases. NHTSA explains that an alcohol ignition interlock prevents a vehicle from starting or operating unless the driver provides a breath sample below a preset level, often used as a condition for driving after alcohol-related offenses.

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Rules vary by state, offense level, and court order.

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Can You Drive After a First DUI?

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Maybe, but it depends on your state, license status, administrative deadlines, and whether you qualify for restricted driving privileges.

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A lawyer can help you understand:

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Whether your license is suspended
rnWhether you can request a hearing
rnWhether temporary driving privileges apply
rnWhether you need an interlock
rnWhether you qualify for a hardship license

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Do not guess. Driving on a suspended license can create new charges.

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Final Thoughts

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A first DUI is serious, but it is also a situation where early action matters.

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A first offense DUI lawyer can review the stop, test results, police reports, license deadlines, and court options. The goal is to protect your rights and reduce avoidable damage to your future.

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