Yesterday marked a paradigm shift in the history of the University of Zimbabwe.
Since the formation of the University of Zimbabwe, in 1952 when it was still the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, the University of Zimbabwe has never declared a female president.
However the courageous, fearless Madam President, Miss Abiona Mataranyika rose beyond the limitations, patriarchy, and societal views of Women’s leadership, which I am so proud of. She made a resounding victory with 2511 votes which were more than twice the votes of the Vice President , more than thrice the votes of the third contestant, and more than million the votes of the fourth contestant. We do not only celebrate the victory of Abiona Mataranyika, we also celebrate the Victory of our Secretaries Alfred Gucci Ndlovu and Watson Mavura.
The campaign was not easy at all, false character deformation, cyber bullying and Madam President receiving various labels as a women. The chauvinistic ZANU PF on campus also tried hard to manipulate our votes by inciting violence upon the students and the institution at large, some were hurt due to the violence, stones thrown and riot chasing students, but still we managed to safeguard the students voice; they could shout that “hatingambotongwe nemukadzi vamwe vachiti ZICOSU ndiyo ichatonga”
I would like to thank the campaign team, the students who came in numbers to vote for Abiona, the team that worked tirelessly for the victory, the former and current student leaders always there for us, on the pictures and not on the pictures, for giving us solidarity, I am so proud that ZINASU nurtures good leaders, I am so thankful for the continuous support, you stood by us through thick and thin.
I am proud of you Abiona Mataranyika, you rose above the influence, you change the moderus operandi and set a peace for all future young women. May you continue to shine and impact. I give this duty to every women out there, its our duty to nurture and advise Abiona in a good way, we don’t only want her to make history as the first female president, but we want her to have the best leadership, serve well as well as making history for the future female presidents.
Long live Zinasu Long Live
Women Emancipation at Empowerment at the Centre
When She Rise We all Rise
Women can Lead
Farai Dziva|Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi has claimed the G-40 faction wants to use house maids to eliminate Government Ministers.
“Team G40 is back again with dirty tactics this time using house maids to administer poison, explosives and other harmful substances including ambushes.
Ministers be warned,” wrote Mutodi on Twitter.
However former Higher and Tertiary Education Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo has said Mutodi is afraid of his own shadow.
“This coming from a deputy minister of
@InfoMinZW
? Paranoia has hit town as things fall apart for the embattled regime. Next they’ll start suspecting their spouses to be in bed with the enemy…”
Farai Dziva|Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi has claimed the G-40 faction wants to use house maids to eliminate Government Ministers.
“Team G40 is back again with dirty tactics this time using house maids to administer poison, explosives and other harmful substances including ambushes.
Ministers be warned,” wrote Mutodi on Twitter.
However former Higher and Tertiary Education Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo has said Mutodi is afraid of his own shadow.
“This coming from a deputy minister of
@InfoMinZW
? Paranoia has hit town as things fall apart for the embattled regime. Next they’ll start suspecting their spouses to be in bed with the enemy…”
The first symptoms of breast cancer usually appear as an area of thickened tissue in the breast or a lump in the breast or an armpit.
Other symptoms include:
pain in the armpits or breast that does not change with the monthly cycle
pitting or redness of the skin of the breast, similar to the surface of an orange
a rash around or on one of the nipples
discharge from a nipple, possibly containing blood
a sunken or inverted nipple
a change in the size or shape of the breast
peeling, flaking, or scaling of the skin on the breast or nipple
Most breast lumps are not cancerous.
However, women should visit a doctor for an examination if they notice a lump on the breast.
A doctor stages cancer according to the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
There are different ways of staging breast cancer. One way is from stage 0–4, with subdivided categories at each numbered stage.
Descriptions of the four main stages are listed below, though the specific substage of a cancer may also depend on other specific characteristics of the tumor, such as HER2 receptor status.
Stage 0: Known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the cells are limited to within the ducts and have not invaded surrounding tissues.
Stage 1: At this stage, the tumor measures up to 2 centimeters (cm) across. It has not affected any lymph nodes, or there are small groups of cancer cells in the lymph nodes.
Stage 2: The tumor is 2 cm across, and it has started to spread to nearby nodes, or is 2–5 cm across and has not spread to the lymph nodes.
Stage 3: The tumor is up to 5 cm across, and it has spread to several lymph nodes or the tumor is larger than 5 cm and has spread to a few lymph nodes.
Stage 4: The cancer has spread to distant organs, most often the bones, liver, brain, or lungs.
After puberty , a woman’s breast consists of fat, connective tissue, and thousands of lobules.
These are tiny glands that produce milk for breastfeeding. Tiny tubes, or ducts, carry the milk toward the nipple.
Cancer causes the cells to multiply uncontrollably. They do not die at the usual point in their life cycle.
This excessive cell growth causes cancer because the tumor uses nutrients and energy and deprives the cells around it.
Breast cancer usually starts in the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply them with milk. From there, it can spread to other parts of the body.
A Zimbabwean living in the diaspora has castigated government’s move to fire nearly 300 medical doctors from their jobs.
Netsai Makarichi, a Zimbabwean based in the United Kingdom, said the move vindicated their demonstration against Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo in July this year.
“When we demonstrated against SB Moyo, people thought otherwise,” she said.
“The firing of the doctors shows the regime is not for the people. Instead of talking with the life savers, the government is busy firing them from their jobs. The government is worsening the situation in hospitals. What is happening is a soft genocide.”
In July, Moyo, who was in the company of Information permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana and other officials, scurried for cover into their waiting vehicle as protesters, some carrying Zimbabwean flags, hurled insults and pelted them with various items while others, sprayed water.
The visibly-shaken delegation was coming out of Chatham House, where Moyo had just given a presentation.
Makarichi said President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration had committed murder against its citizens and, therefore, should be tried at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
“They shot and killed innocent civilians last year and this year, they have done more. They should be tried at the Hague,” she said.
“We love our country, but when leaders turn against their own people, then there is a problem. I am a victim of Zanu PF, which claims to be democratic. I had to find a new home here in the UK after Zanu PF activists hounded me.”
Doctors have been on strike for more than 60 days citing incapacitation owing to poor salaries and working conditions.
Government last week fired over 200 doctors on allegations that they failed to report for duty. Zimbabwe has about 1 600 doctors, and at least 516 of them face the axe in a country with a population of 15 million.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association has alleged that student doctors were forced to sit for examinations unprepared as their supervisors have not been reporting for duty for over 60 days after declaring incapacitation.
In a statement, the association accused government of trying to replace the fired and striking doctors with this batch of students.
“We believe this is a well-thought-out move by government to fast-track the release of our juniors into the field,” the striking doctors said.
The doctors argued that this would bring out half-baked graduates with inadequate training to deal with the lives of the people.
“This also affects the credibility of the degree programme, the quality of doctors produced and subsequently the quality of care provided to the patients,” the doctors added.
Student doctors have not had lectures since September when the senior doctors downed tools demanding an increase in salaries.
It is against this background that the association says the student doctors are not ready for the examinations.
“The juniors last week stressed that they had not received enough training due to the ongoing impasse which has resulted in them not having seniors to teach them and patients to learn from,” ZHDA said.
The association urged the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe and the University of Zimbabwe to guard against the “terrible” practice.
Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights board spokesperson Fortune Nyamande urged government to reconsider its decision to fire doctors.
“Both parties must be alive to the need for dialogue over escalation, and achieving a functional health delivery system in the shortest time framework possible. The right to health and sanctity of life must be the guiding principles in this dialogue,” he said.
#PostCabinetPressBriefing Cabinet remains seized with the current power outages that are adversely impacting on production across all sectors of the economy. More power augmentation projects are being implemented countrywide. pic.twitter.com/zEUgqFcf5S
— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) November 12, 2019
#PostCabinetPressBriefing Cabinet remains seized with the current power outages that are adversely impacting on production across all sectors of the economy. More power augmentation projects are being implemented countrywide. pic.twitter.com/zEUgqFcf5S
— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) November 12, 2019
Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer.
Advances in screening and treatment for breast cancer have improved survival rates dramatically since 1989.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), there are more than 3.1 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
The chance of any woman dying from breast cancer is around 1 in 38 (2.6%).
The ACS estimate that 268,600 women will receive a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer, and 62,930 people will receive a diagnosis of noninvasive cancer in 2019.
In the same year, the ACS report that 41,760 women will die as a result of breast cancer. However, due to advances in treatment, death rates from breast cancer have been decreasing since 1989.
Awareness of the symptoms and the need for screening are important ways of reducing the risk.
In rare instances, breast cancer can also affect men, but this article will focus on breast cancer in women.Medical News Today
Farai Dziva|
The leader of Divine Alliance for Vitalisation of Inspired Development (DAVID) opposition political party,
Melbah Dzapasi has declared that individuals who are convicted of corruption should be sentenced to death.
In an interview with The Herald, the leader of the little known opposition party called for deterrent sentences to eradicate corruption.
“If we had it our way as a means of fighting corruption, we would take the radical action of bringing back the death sentence for all those who partake in corruption.
… In my opinion, corruption has become a moral deficiency among Zimbabweans as it has now spilt to the private sector and even the Judiciary,” said Dzapasi .
Farai Dziva|
The leader of Divine Alliance for Vitalisation of Inspired Development (DAVID) opposition political party,
Melbah Dzapasi has declared that if she assumes power, she will impose the death sentence on those convicted of corruption.
In an interview with The Herald, the leader of the little known opposition party called for deterrent sentences to eradicate corruption.
“If we had it our way(implying that if she assumes power) as a means of fighting corruption, we would take the radical action of bringing back the death sentence for all those who partake in corruption.
… In my opinion, corruption has become a moral deficiency among Zimbabweans as it has now spilt to the private sector and even the Judiciary,” said Dzapasi .
By A Correspondent- There was drama at the Harare Magistrates Courts on Tuesday after tempers flared between the State counsel, Nelson Mutsonziwa, and former Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko’s defence lawyer, Zibusiso Ncube over accusations of trial ambush.
The verbal exchange came after Mutsonziwa alleged Mphoko’s lawyer was involved in shenanigans meant to stall the start of trial.
The pair squared off in court before regional magistrate Hosea Mujaya after Ncube had filed an application of exception of the charges shortly after serving the State with the application two minutes before the start of the trial.
Initially, Ncube had indicated that he was going to apply for a postponement of the trial to which the State had advised that it would oppose and had prepared the arguments.
However, Mutsonziwa, who was being assisted by three other State counsels was caught unawares when Ncube served him with the application of exception of the charges.
After the court had adjourned, Mutsonziwa registered his displeasure with Ncube’s conduct while walking in the court gallery.
“What you have done is unethical. You are indirectly trying to postpone the matter after I told you we were going to oppose your application. I don’t do such shenanigans,” Mutsonziwa said.
However, Ncube was not amused and warned Mutsonziwa to take cognisance that besides him being Mphoko’s lawyer he was also an official of the court.
“Don’t talk to me like that. You should not tell me that I am involved in shenanigans. You should understand that I am also an officer of the court, you should not use such language talking to me,” Ncube said as they walked out of the courtroom.
Earlier in court Ncube filed an application of an exception to the charges and Mutsonziwa advised the court that although the State had been “ambushed” they were going to respond at 2pm. The matter was postponed to today for hearing.
Mphoko faces abuse of office charges after he allegedly instructed junior officers at Avondale Police Station in Harare to release former Zimbabwe National Road Administration acting chief executive Moses Juma and former board member Davison Norupiri from the cells.
However, both have since been jailed for the offence.
By A Correspondent- Bulawayo city fathers have advised ratepayers to engage private plumbers to attend to leaking and burst pipes because the local authority is battling manpower shortages.
This came to light yesterday during a water crisis meeting held at the Small City Hall, where residents hit out at council for failing to timely attend to leaking pipes, among other problems.
“We encourage community-based workers to engage private local plumbers to repair leaking pipes to save water,” said council engineering director Simela Dube, who pleaded incapacitation on the part of the council.
After the introduction of a 72-hour water-rationing regime, there has been an upsurge in burst pipes, blamed on ageing reticulation infrastructure.
According to council, as much as 90 water leak faults were received daily by the local authority.
Residents at the meeting were adamant that council had poor rapid response mechanisms to attend to water leaks, claiming for example BCC’s faults telephone numbers were always engaged.
Dube denied the charges before claiming that council was planning to launch an application that could make reporting water leaks easy for residents.
Residents advised council to adopt water conservation strategies in the face of dwindling levels at supply dams — and to embark on water harvesting projects and recycling of waste water.
BCC recently introduced a 72-hour water-rationing schedule after Upper Ncema Dam was decommissioned in July 2019, leaving the city with five out of six supply dams.
By A Correspondent- Independent election watchdog, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) has urged electoral stakeholders to support voter education campaigns in the face of an increasing trend of voter apathy in by-elections.
Zesn cited by-elections held on Saturday in Tsholotsho South ward 16 and 20 and in Hwedza that showed a marked decrease in the number of people that cast their vote in the polls compared to the 2018 harmonised elections. Zanu PF won the by-elections. A Zesn analysis of the by-elections shows that Hwedza registered 62% of the votes (947) cast against 86,01% (1 322) in the 2018 polls. In Tsholotsho’s ward 16, there was a drop from 79% of the votes (1 117) registered in 2018 against 55% (777) on Saturday.
In Tsholotsho’s ward 20, there was a 60% (441 votes cast) voter turnout. Zanu PF won the seat uncontested in 2018.
“The turnout in the by-elections is indicative of apathy that has become characteristic of by-elections in Zimbabwe. Nevertheless Zesn commends the political contestants, their parties and supporters for engaging in peaceful campaigns during the by-election,” Zesn said in its report.
“Based on its observations, Zesn proffers the following recommendations: Civil society organisations should continue supporting civic and voter education initiatives, emphasising the importance of voting in by-elections and the correct identification documents that are required on polling day. Political parties should do more to encourage the participation of women as electoral candidates.”
According to Section 67 of the Constitution, “every Zimbabwean has the right to vote”, but Zesn notes that there is a low uptake particularly among the youth in exercising this constitutional right. This is more prevalent in by-elections.
Zesn argues that voter apathy dilutes the value of democracy, noting that the trend has been ongoing from as far back as the 1980s as noted in its report on the July 31, 2013 harmonised elections.
By A Correspondent- Two MDC activists in Mashonaland East died in a road accident on Sunday night when their vehicle collided head-on with another near Ruwa while on their way from Harare, where they had gone for a rally.
Paul Chikuni (34), a Marondera ward 1 branch chairman, died on the spot while Admire Takawira, who was driving the Honda Fit vehicle they were travelling in, was pronounced dead on arrival at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. Another party supporter, who was in the vehicle, Moreblessing Maradza, escaped with minor injuries.
Marondera Central legislator Caston Matewu (MDC) said the trio had gone to Harare to attend the rally which was banned by the police at the last minute.
Takawira, a former police officer, who was leading the opposition party’s security and intelligence portfolio in Marondera district, will be buried in Masvingo today while funeral arrangements for Chikuni are still in progress.
Chikuni had a pending case of obstructing course of justice before the courts after he and an MDC councillor, Charles Ngwena, allegedly barred three police officers from arresting a banana vendor.
The two allegedly told the police officers to arrest President Emmerson Mnangagwa for organising an anti-sanctions march on October 25.
MDC Marondera district secretary spokesperson, Farai Nyandoro, said the opposition party had lost dedicated cadres.
“We are saddened as a party because of the demise of our comrades who sacrificed their all for the attainment of a better Zimbabwe,” he said.
“The most worrying thing is that their vision had been cut short courtesy of our roads which are in bad state. We have also lost four members within a short space of time, but their death is going to make our resolve even stronger in our quest to see to it that the (Zanu PF) regime is removed.”
By Jane Mlambo| A Durban South Africa based Zimbabwean, Adell Rumbidzai Chivasa and friends have donated four bales of various clothing to victims of the Cyclone Idai in Chipinge.
Cyclone Idai left a trail of destruction in Chipinge and Chimanimani, leaving thousands without shelter, access to clean water and other basic necessities including identification documents.
The donations were sourced by Wellington Mugwagwa, the secretary of Harare-based Sports Excellence Trust (SET) who travelled from the capital over the weekend to handover the donated goodies to Platform for Youth and Community Development (PYCD) for distribution.
The donations were received amid ululation by villagers who gathered at Takwirira Secondary school for a match pitting Katanga and Takwirira schools finals on Sunday.
PYCD, who documented the affected victims of cyclone, together with the local leadership, will then distribute the clothes in accordance with the needs of the various people in affected areas, ranging from children, grandmothers and widows.
Mugwagwa expressed joy at the donation.
“We, as a Trust, are grateful for the donation by our brother in South Africa. Yes, we understand things are not well that side but he has gone to great lengths to source clothing for the affected victims.
“We are grateful for this gesture and we believe that more partners will come to support these people who are in serious need of psycho-social support. We will be holding another football tournament in Chimanimani very soon and with the kind of support we got for this one, I am sure, more businesses will partner us,” Mugwagwa said.
Mugwagwa was accompanied Dynamos legend July Sharara, who promised to grace the next event in Chimanimani.
SET is chaired by businessman Albert Kamhunga deputized by former Dynamos and Warriors international leftback Harlington Shereni.
By A Correspondent- Urban local authorities are set to brief President Mnangagwa on how they are embracing Government programmes, while working to ensure that the nation attains an upper middle-income status by 2030, an official has said.
The Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) will from today to Friday, hold its annual conference at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo where President Mnangagwa and some ministers are expected to attend.
In an interview yesterday, UCAZ president and Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe said the President was set to address the urban local authorities gathering on Friday.
The conference will be running under the theme: “Urban local authorities embracing devolution with the mantra of an upper middle income by 2030.”
“As local authorities, we feel that there are some challenges that the President must know personally not just get reports so that he can also proffer solutions,” said Mr Makombe.
“The President has already met councillors from rural authorities and likewise we would also want him to meet councillors from urban authorities.”
Mr Makombe said their conference will also bring out how they are embracing devolution.
He said urban local authorities provide services to a lot of people hence it would be critical for the President and Government to have first-hand information on some of their pressing issues.
He said several Government officials will address guests during the three-day conference as their responsibilities are in sync with operations of urban local authorities.
“It will be ideal for us to share information on those challenges and come up with solutions and how we can tackle the challenges that local authorities are facing,” said Mr Makombe.
By A Correspondent- Government, which is on record through the Finance minister Mthuli Ncube boasted of a huge surplus, is reportedly broke and has been forced to fire 286 doctors because it cannot afford to pay them what used to be their United States dollar salaries at the prevailing interbank rate.
Health minister Obadiah Moyo, speaking at a post-Cabinet briefing Tuesday said through the Finance ministry, government had tried to show the striking doctors that their pockets were empty.
Watch the live video loading below for the full text of the post cabinet statement….
“The issue of dialoguing never stopped. As a ministry, we have been talking to the junior doctors. We have been talking to the senior doctors. The other time, I had junior doctors who came to my office.
We made each other see the reality that there is no money. We even invited personnel from the Ministry of Finance who explained to them in detail and they were left without any doubt that there was no money in government coffers,” Moyo said.
This comes after government announced that it had fired 286 doctors, with 95 others who are yet to appear before the Health Services Board still facing the guillotine.
“A total of 322 disciplinary cases have so far been heard and the 286 doctors who were found guilty have been discharged. A further 93 doctors from central hospitals and 55 from provincial hospitals will have their disciplinary hearings concluded by November 15 and 22, 2019, respectively. Government is still committed to dialogue,” a government brief on the bloodbath in the health sector read.
Moyo said there was no going back in dealing with government workers refusing to report for duty. Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said government was also seized with reports that Harare City Council nurses had also downed tools and there was also a drive to get them fired.
By A Correspondent- More than 22 cattle in Rushinga’s Chimandau village have died while several goats got stuck in muddy pools while searching for water.
Rushinga legislator Tendai Nyabani said the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) was in the process of rescuing villagers, scooping mud from three dams and drilling boreholes.
“We visited Chimandau village last week and more than 22 cattle died due to lack of water. Several goats got stuck in the mud in search of water, hence we sought for help from Zinwa,” Nyabani said.
“They are currently on the ground to remove mud from the dams and drilling boreholes to help mitigate water shortages in Rushinga.”
Three dams in Rushinga — Nyamakuni in Chimandau village, Nyaukurungo in Chitangi village and Nyanhewe in Nyanhewe village — have been severely affected by silt, leaving villagers in serious shortage of water.
“We are suffering from a serious drought as our cattle are dying daily due to water shortage.
The situation is really bad and we hope this programme by Zinwa will not take long as we are counting our losses daily,” a villager, Janet Chitangi, said.
Paul Nyathi| The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association has revealed that the Emmerson Mnangagwa led government is pushing the University of Zimbabwe to fast trek the production of new Junior Doctors by getting the students to sit for their examinations way ahead of time.
The Association claims that the students are being made to sit for examinations on content they have not covered which is a serious risk to their would be patients.
The full revelation by the doctors posted on the ZHDA Twitter account reads as follows:
We have been following closely the developments concerning the training of medical students. They are being forced to sit for exams they have not received enough teaching on. We believe this is a well thought out move by GVT to fast track the release of our juniors into the field.
The juniors last week stressed that they had not received enough training due to the ongoing impasee which has resulted in them not having seniors to teach them and patients to learn from. Sitting for exams under this situation goes against the University of Zimbabwe regulations.
This also affects the credibility of the degree programme, the quality of doctors produced and subsequently the quality of care provided to the patients.
We Urge all the responsible authorities, including MDPCZ and UZ to safe guard the profession and the general safety of the public as it is evident that the silent genocide is being escalated!!!!!!!
By A Correspondent- A 37-YEAR-OLD woman has been struck and killed by lightning in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb, the third person reported to have died in the suburb due to a lightning strike since January this year.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the incident which occurred on Sunday at around 2PM near Caravan Police Base.
Chief Insp Simango said the woman, whose name was not released, was going home with two others when they were struck by lightning and they all fell to the ground.
The woman died on the spot and two of the people she had been with reported the matter to the police.
Police did not say where the three were coming from when the incident occurred.
“Circumstances are that at around 1400hours, the now deceased was accompanied back home by the informant and one other person. Upon arrival near caravan police base, they were struck by a bolt of lightning and they all fell to the ground,” said Chief Insp Simango.
She said the woman died and the two survivors rushed and reported the matter at ZRP Cowdray Park Caravan Base.
Chief Insp Simango urged members of the public to observe laws of nature.
“We are appealing to members of the public to observe the laws of nature so as to spare lives, they must stay indoors during heavy rains especially those that come with a high magnitude of thunder and lightning,” she said.
By A Correspondent- The woman who snatched a four-year-old girl from her home in Bulawayo and took her to Tsholotsho wanted to hand over the child to a cross border transport operator (umalayitsha) in a human trafficking ring where she was to be paid R500.
This emerged when Cynthia Tshuma (19), who used an alias of Simpiwe Mlilo, appeared in court for kidnapping the girl from her home in Emganwini suburb before keeping her captive in Tsholotsho for nine days.
Tshuma pleaded guilty to a kidnapping charge before Western Commonage magistrate, Ms Sibongile Marondedze.
She was remanded in custody to today for sentencing.
Prosecuting, Ms Samantha Gubede on October 30 at a round 1PM, Tshuma allegedly visited the girl’s home and found her in the custody of her grandmother.
“The accused person said she needed to buy airtime to call the complainant’s mother who was in Gwanda and requested the complainant to accompany her to buy airtime at the shops near Emganwini Secondary School,” she said.
“The accused person together with the complainant, however, boarded a commuter omnibus to Bulawayo city centre where they proceeded to Tsholotsho without the knowledge of the complainant’s guardians.”
Testifying in court, the girl’s mother, Ms Simelinkosi Ncube, said she did not suspect that Tshuma could steal her child.
“I found Tshuma stranded in town and then I took her home. We stayed with her for two weeks and helped her look for a job. She worked for two days and came back home saying she was no longer interested. I told her that I can’t provide her with shelter anymore since she didn’t want to work and she left. She then came back after a month and stole my child,” she said.
The court heard that Tshuma was arrested on Friday last week when police received an anonymous tip-off that she was in Tsholotsho with the girl.
NON-MANAGERIAL staff at the National Building Society (NBS) has resolved to sleep at the company premises together with their families until their concerns are addressed as economic hardships deepen.
The workers said they could no longer afford to commute to work, hence the decision to camp at company premises.
“In response to your email, NBS non-managerial staff met and the fact on the ground is that we are now incapacitated and are no longer able to go home and report back to work tomorrow (today) going forward,” the notice to management read.
“As staff, we love our jobs and to fulfil that mandate, we thus need to stay at work and not go home so that we are ready to serve and do our duties tomorrow morning.”
The workers said they asked their families to join them and had already brought blankets and other materials.
“We have also asked our family members to join us at the end of today (yesterday) so that we do not have problems at home and thus our family members will be joining us,” the notice read.
The NBS workers have joined many across the country, including lecturers, health practitioners, teachers and others, who have declared incapacitation due to the biting economic crisis that has hit the country.
By A Correspondent- Controversial preacher, Talent Madungwe has claimed he had a meeting with God and they agreed to ban all bibles except the King James Version.
Said Madungwe:
“I was in heaven in October, from the meetings I had with God, political opposition parties must be banned not only in Zimbabwe but worldwide because they are rebel parties causing the suffering of people.
So long there is opposition parties, nations won’t prosper because there must be a one party state just like China has been.”
“God is also not happy with WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.
“The social media platforms are causing people to do all sorts of evils such as pornography, gossiping and other bad things but God also said if it’s used for business, its ok”.
Madungwe further spoke of his controversial encounters with God in heaven.
“I go there in heaven for meetings since I am the deputy commander of the army just behind Michael.
“Sometimes we meet here on earth but many times I just prefer to go there. I can even summon the almighty to come.
“We decided to ban all the bibles except the King James Version because other bibles were not correctly translated.
“At first I was very disturbed by what people thought of me being delusional or mad but I have since gotten over it,” concluded Madungwe.
The RBZ has released $30 million of new notes and coins to commercial banks, with account holders accessing their cash from banks starting from today (Tuesday).
RBZ governor John Mangudya on Monday addressed reports that the central bank had failed to release cash to banks on Monday.
Mangudya said: “It’s not true that there is no money (released to the market). The banks are collecting the money, so today (Monday) is the day for collection of the money. Those ones that were able to be served in the morning should be able to give their customers.”
Individuals will be able to withdraw a maximum of $300 per week as the RBZ said it has put measures in place to counter the channelling of cash from banks to the black market.
A 37-YEAR-OLD woman has been struck and killed by lightning in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb, the third person reported to have died in the suburb due to a lightning strike since January this year.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the incident which occurred on Sunday at around 2PM near Caravan Police Base.
Chief Insp Simango said the woman, whose name was not released, was going home with two others when they were struck by lightning and they all fell to the ground.
The woman died on the spot and two of the people she had been with reported the matter to the police.
Police did not say where the three were coming from when the incident occurred.
“Circumstances are that at around 1400hours, the now deceased was accompanied back home by the informant and one other person. Upon arrival near caravan police base, they were struck by a bolt of lightning and they all fell to the ground,” said Chief Insp Simango.
She said the woman died and the two survivors rushed and reported the matter at ZRP Cowdray Park Caravan Base.
Chief Insp Simango urged members of the public to observe laws of nature.
“We are appealing to members of the public to observe the laws of nature so as to spare lives, they must stay indoors during heavy rains especially those that come with a high magnitude of thunder and lightning,” she said.
By A Correspondent- Government and striking doctors will meet Thursday to discuss a proposed package of improved working conditions that includes accommodation, transport and food,, it has emerged.
The development comes amid revelations that more doctors had been sacked by their employer for the ongoing strike which has crippled the already ailing health delivery system.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare yesterday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said the Government was working to address the doctors’ concerns and had allocated money for the procurement of medicines to restock hospitals.
Dr Moyo said they were reviewing conditions of service with special focus on the provision of accommodation and transport for junior doctors.
“Government is still committed to dialogue with the striking doctors and a meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, 14th November, 2019,” he said.
“Government is working flat out to ensure availability of resources in health institutions and to improve the conditions of service for all health personnel.
“I want to assure them that we have ordered more medicines and Government has allocated money towards restocking of medicines at public hospitals to ensure proper health care service is provided to the people.”
Dr Moyo said the provision of institutional accommodation was being pursued to alleviate service delivery challenges in the short and long-term.
It was important for doctors to be accommodated at their work stations to cut transport costs.
“Government is in the process of identifying flats to ease accommodation challenges facing junior doctors and Zupco buses will be availed to ferry them to and from their work stations,” said Minister Moyo.
“Food will also be provided at their work stations while all the surgical materials will be availed in all the health institutions as required.
“We shall continue dialoguing and make sure we talk from the same direction. We have to talk to find solution.”
The strike by doctors over conditions of service has gone on for more than two months and a total of 322 disciplinary cases have so far been heard, with 286 doctors being fired for absenteeism.
The doctors insist that they are incapacitated to report for duty and are further demanding to have salaries set in US dollars with any payments in RTGS dollars to be done at the prevailing interbank rate.
Dr Moyo said the situation at Harare City Council clinics remained constrained after nurses went on strike citing “incapacitation”.
Only 35 out of the 104 nurses turned up for duty at the city’s five polyclinics.
“The nurses withdrew their labour over delayed salary payments and are refusing to resume duty even after receiving their salaries,” said Dr Moyo.
“The action by the nurses is illegal and the employer has been advised to commence disciplinary processes on the striking nurses in line with the country’s laws.
“Only those nurses reporting for duty will be paid while their conditions of service are being looked into.”
Council is offering limited services at polyclinics in Mabvuku, Tafara, Kuwadzana, Mufakose, Hatfield and Glen View.
THERE was drama at the Harare Magistrates Courts yesterday after tempers flared between the State counsel, Nelson Mutsonziwa, and former Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko’s defence lawyer, Zibusiso Ncube over accusations of trial ambush.
The verbal exchange came after Mutsonziwa alleged Mphoko’s lawyer was involved in shenanigans meant to stall the start of trial.
The pair squared off in court before regional magistrate Hosea Mujaya after Ncube had filed an application of exception of the charges shortly after serving the State with the application two minutes before the start of the trial.
Initially, Ncube had indicated that he was going to apply for a postponement of the trial to which the State had advised that it would oppose and had prepared the arguments.
However, Mutsonziwa, who was being assisted by three other State counsels was caught unawares when Ncube served him with the application of exception of the charges.
After the court had adjourned, Mutsonziwa registered his displeasure with Ncube’s conduct while walking in the court gallery.
“What you have done is unethical. You are indirectly trying to postpone the matter after I told you we were going to oppose your application. I don’t do such shenanigans,” Mutsonziwa said.
However, Ncube was not amused and warned Mutsonziwa to take cognisance that besides him being Mphoko’s lawyer he was also an official of the court.
“Don’t talk to me like that. You should not tell me that I am involved in shenanigans. You should understand that I am also an officer of the court, you should not use such language talking to me,” Ncube said as they walked out of the courtroom.
Earlier in court Ncube filed an application of an exception to the charges and Mutsonziwa advised the court that although the State had been “ambushed” they were going to respond at 2pm. The matter was postponed to today for hearing.
Mphoko faces abuse of office charges after he allegedly instructed junior officers at Avondale Police Station in Harare to release former Zimbabwe National Road Administration acting chief executive Moses Juma and former board member Davison Norupiri from the cells.
However, both have since been jailed for the offence.
Two MDC activists in Mashonaland East died in a road accident on Sunday night when their vehicle collided head-on with another near Ruwa while on their way from Harare, where they had gone for a rally.
Paul Chikuni (34), a Marondera ward 1 branch chairman, died on the spot while Admire Takawira, who was driving the Honda Fit vehicle they were travelling in, was pronounced dead on arrival at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. Another party supporter, who was in the vehicle, Moreblessing Maradza, escaped with minor injuries.
Marondera Central legislator Caston Matewu (MDC) said the trio had gone to Harare to attend the rally which was banned by the police at the last minute.
Takawira, a former police officer, who was leading the opposition party’s security and intelligence portfolio in Marondera district, will be buried in Masvingo today while funeral arrangements for Chikuni are still in progress.
Chikuni had a pending case of obstructing course of justice before the courts after he and an MDC councillor, Charles Ngwena, allegedly barred three police officers from arresting a banana vendor.
The two allegedly told the police officers to arrest President Emmerson Mnangagwa for organising an anti-sanctions march on October 25.
MDC Marondera district secretary spokesperson, Farai Nyandoro, said the opposition party had lost dedicated cadres.
“We are saddened as a party because of the demise of our comrades who sacrificed their all for the attainment of a better Zimbabwe,” he said.
“The most worrying thing is that their vision had been cut short courtesy of our roads which are in bad state. We have also lost four members within a short space of time, but their death is going to make our resolve even stronger in our quest to see to it that the (Zanu PF) regime is removed.”
TWO war veterans in Chivhu were recently suspended from their association on allegations of selling State land without following procedure, resulting in fights among land seekers.
Justice Munhapa, who was the secretary for lands in the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association’s Chikomba district, and John Chinakidzwa, who heads the association’s administration, were suspended following an executive meeting held on October 22, which they snubbed.
Chikomba district war veterans association chairperson Joachim Chivandire could not confirm the development as he repeatedly said he was attending meetings.
But according to documents seen by NewsDay, Munhapa and Chinakidzwa have since been served with suspension letters pending investigations.
“The executive committee has resolved to suspend you with immediate effect on allegations of corruptly issuing, signing recommendation letters and allocating land without the authority of the executive committee and not following correct procedures,” the letters read.
The allegations also include misconduct and bringing the war veterans association’s name into disrepute.
Munhapa confirmed that he was on suspension, but refuted the allegations saying he had the necessary documents to exonerate himself.
Chinakidzwa could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was not reachable.
Last year at the Chivhu Magistrates Courts, a local white farmer, Craig Kenneth Campbell, was granted a peace order against Munhapa, whom he accused of harassing him in an attempt to grab Constantia Estate Farm from him.
The newly enacted Zimbabwean currency is now costing much of the local stork markets due to it’s unsteadiness.
The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) has so far lost a total of US$18bn in value since the government decided to drop a parity peg to the US dollar in February this year.
In January 2019 before the drop of the parity peg, the ZSE was valued at US$20.8 billion which was an all time high.
At the end of October this year, the ZSE’s market capitalisation was valued at US$1.9 billion. Since 2009, Zimbabwean stocks had been trading in US dollars. It therefore, offered limited currency risk to foreign investors as the parity peg kept the exchange rate between the local currency and the US dollar at an equal value of 1:1.
Lloyd Mlotshwa, head of equities at IH Securities cried foul on the repercussions of the local currency, “the massive devaluation of the currency has caused a dislocation in stock market valuations.
Some firms are trading below the replacement values of their plants. At the same time, sentiment is so negative that this isn’t necessarily being interpreted as a buy signal.”
Zimbabwe Stock Exchange chief executive officer Justin Bgon also shared the same sentiments, “we are really down on foreign investors and we almost have no new money coming in.
We want foreign investors, especially when you have a devaluation of this sort, because they would be able to see bargains and bring up the prices, but then, they can’t take their money out, due to foreign exchange controls and other Treasury regulations.”
As part of the currency reforms, the use of foreign currency was banned for all local transactions. This meant stock market investors lost value in real terms due to the depraciation of the local currency.0
EFF MP Floyd Shivambu and general secretary Godrich Gardee. Picture: African News Agency (ANA)
Johannesburg – As the EFF elective conference draws closer, it has emerged that party deputy president Floyd Shivambu and secretary-general Godrich Gardee might find themselves out in the cold as there is a growing call for them to be removed from the executive.
Sources within the EFF said Shivambu might be replaced by national chairperson Dali Mpofu and Gardee by either national executive committee member Marshal Dlamini or party spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
Independent Media has learnt that there was growing discontent about Shivambu and Gardee’s performance, including failure to sell the party throughout the continent.
A senior EFF leader who declined to be named said party president Julius Malema was the only one who was secure in holding on to his position.
The EFF is due to hold its conference at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Joburg between December 13 and 16.
State Media|The trial of former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko on criminal abuse of office charges hit a brick wall yesterday after his lawyer Mr Zibusiso Ncube applied for exception without notice.
It is the State’s case that Mphoko allegedly instructed junior officers at Avondale Police Station in Harare to release former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive Moses Juma and former board member Davison Norupiri, who was Zinara’s finance committee chairperson from the cells.
The matter, which was scheduled to commence at 9am started around 11am, with Mr Ncube telling the court that he had a tyre puncture.
Acting Prosecutor-General Nelson Mutsonziwa told the court that Mr Ncube’s application without notice was an ambush to the State, which is unlawful.
Harare regional magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya criticised Mr Ncube for not giving the State notice.
Mr Mujaya deferred the matter to today for continuation.
According to the State papers, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) received a case in which Juma and Norupiri were being accused of fraud and criminal abuse of office on May 6, 2016.
Investigations resulted in the arrest of the two for criminal abuse of office.
Warned and cautioned statements were recorded on July 12, 2016.
The two were detained at Avondale Police Station pending court appearance on July 14, 2016.
“On the same date at around 6pm, Mphoko, who was then Acting President of Zimbabwe, went to Avondale Police Station where on arrival, he abused his duty by ordering the immediate release of the two accused persons from police custody,” read part of the request for remand form.
“The officer-in-charge stood his ground, challenging the unlawful instruction, but eventually succumbed to pressure from the accused and released the two accused persons from police cells. The accused then drove away in his vehicle.”
This was done without ZACC’s knowledge.
On July 14, ZACC officers went to Avondale Police Station to pick up the accused persons for court appearance, but discovered that Mphoko had ordered the pair’s unlawful release.
“Section 106 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe clearly spells out the conduct of Vice Presidents, ministers and deputy ministers and subsection (1) states that every VP must act in accordance with this Constitution,” reads the State papers.
“Subsection 2 (b) (c) of Section 106 also states that Vice Presidents shall not act in any way that is inconsistent with their office or use their position to improperly benefit any other person.”
The State contends that Mphoko acted inconsistent with his duties in releasing the duo and that he also showed favour tothem.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba, said that families of deceased people should quickly bury their dead rather burden the state by keeping the bodies in morgues.
Charamba made the comments using his Twitter handle @jamwanda2 in an apparent reference to a statement by Beitbridge District Hospital in which it said that it had temporarily suspended mortuary services due to power cuts. Said Charamba:
Why should corpses be kept? Bury them! Keep your corpse at your house if you love the bizarre. Just don’t burden the state with corpses.
In a memo dated November 9, the Hospital blamed lengthy power cuts and high temperatures being experienced in the area for its decision to immediately halt mortuary services.
Rolling power cuts that have been ongoing for several months have negatively affected every sector of the country’s economy – mining, farming, retail, telecommunications, health – and households.
The MDC is set to initiate disciplinary proceedings against its former secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora after the party’s youths accused him of hobnobbing with the ruling ZANU PF party to derail the opposition and its president Nelson Chamisa.
This was revealed by the party’s secretary-general Chalton Hwende in an interview with the Daily News on Monday. Said Hwende:
Yes, we have received the youth assembly statement and we are taking action because if an organ of the party launches a complaint against any person, the secretary-general is duty-bound to initiate disciplinary action through the appropriate channels.
As of today (yesterday), I will forward the case to the relevant organs so that due process is pursued. This is not a witch-hunt, but a fair and formal process that applies to everyone, and in this case Douglas Mwonzora.
Reports suggest that Mwonzora may be expelled from the party, with some Chamisa loyalists having never forgiven him for challenging for the party presidency ahead of the congress which was held in Gweru in May this year.
Chamisa was eventually elected party president uncontested while Mwonzora received a single nomination but was soundly beaten by Hwende to the post of secretary-general.
The new notes are a precursor to the return of the local currency which was discarded in 2009
A man shows a wad of new Z$2 banknotes he received from a bank in Harare, November 12 2019.
It seems like the Zimbabwe government cannot get anything right as far as its cash problems are concerned.
On Tuesday, the much-vaunted new Zimdollar notes were finally introduced to cash-starved citizens but there was little joy for citizens as the notes ran out at most banks soon after they were released.
The new bank notes were seen as a precursor to the return of the local currency, which was withdrawn in 2009 due to hyperinflation that peaked at a record 89,7 sextillion percent. A Z$100-trillion note, the highest denomination at the time, could buy just a handful of groceries.
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya played down renewed fears that the new notes will further fuel the country’s galloping inflation, at 300% it is the second highest in the world after Venezuela.
It was also hoped that the new banknotes would help alleviate Zimbabwe’s reliance on US dollars, which are also in short supply. Zimbabwe ended the US dollar as its official reference currency in June and said it would introduction new notes to back up the reintroduced local currency from November.
On Monday, Mangudya said an initial Z$30m (ZWL) would be injected into the banking system from Tuesday with the central bank expected to continue “drip-feeding” the notes for the next six months.
The new Z$2 and Z$5 notes and coins were slated to start circulating on Monday but the central bank brought forward the release date to Tuesday.
Early on Tuesday morning, long queues formed at most banks in Harare as people jostled to get hold of the new notes.
Many were left disappointed as the majority of the banks issued withdrawal limits of Z$100 Zimbabwean dollar (ZWL) equivalent to just US$5.
Cash at most banks ran out in the morning and by the afternoon there were hardly any automated teller machines still dispensing the new notes in Harare.
Bank managers told Business Day that depositors needed to queue from as early as 5am in the days ahead to get cash, in a sign that the familiar woes of spending hours and nights queuing for cash are not over yet.
Harare-based economist Christopher Mugaga said the new notes would not solve the country’s deep-seated economic problems.
“There is nothing much that will change, expect maybe a reduction in the practice of selling cash,” he said in reference to the rampant exchanging of cash for mobile money, often at a premium of up to 60%.
“Our economic problems will still remain because we have a huge trade deficit that results in shortage of foreign currency. There is also a lack of investor confidence so these big problems will not go away just because we have new notes in circulation,” said Mugaga.
Two MDC activists in Mashonaland East died in a road accident on Sunday night when their vehicle collided head-on with another near Ruwa while on their way from Harare, where they had gone for a rally.
Paul Chikuni (34), a Marondera ward 1 branch chairman, died on the spot while Admire Takawira, who was driving the Honda Fit vehicle they were travelling in, was pronounced dead on arrival at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. Another party supporter, who was in the vehicle, Moreblessing Maradza, escaped with minor injuries.
Marondera Central legislator Caston Matewu (MDC) said the trio had gone to Harare to attend the rally which was banned by the police at the last minute.
Takawira, a former police officer, who was leading the opposition party’s security and intelligence portfolio in Marondera district, will be buried in Masvingo today while funeral arrangements for Chikuni are still in progress.
Chikuni had a pending case of obstructing course of justice before the courts after he and an MDC councillor, Charles Ngwena, allegedly barred three police officers from arresting a banana vendor.
The two allegedly told the police officers to arrest President Emmerson Mnangagwa for organising an anti-sanctions march on October 25.
MDC Marondera district secretary spokesperson, Farai Nyandoro, said the opposition party had lost dedicated cadres.
“We are saddened as a party because of the demise of our comrades who sacrificed their all for the attainment of a better Zimbabwe,” he said.
“The most worrying thing is that their vision had been cut short courtesy of our roads which are in bad state. We have also lost four members within a short space of time, but their death is going to make our resolve even stronger in our quest to see to it that the (Zanu PF) regime is removed.”
At least 12 top executives have resigned from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) in protest over alleged interference, endemic corruption, harassment and threats from some board members.
The officials, from different departments including finance and tolling, administration, information communication technology, audit, among others, have joined several others who have resigned from the organisation citing interference, among other problems.
Sources said those who resigned include Simpson Mandizha (administration), Tanyaradzwa Mandisodza (finance), Wilfred Chiroodza, Anyway Mudodo (finance manager), Hazel Tlou (finance tolling) and Daphne Charamba (finance tolling).
Others are Vikani Lulamani (finance tolling) Muthetheleli Mpofu (finance tolling, engineer G Kufa (management), Gift Kanotangudza an ICT manager, Shadreck Matengabadza (audit manager) and company secretary Mathlene Mujokoro.
“Morale is at its lowest. The environment is bad. People are resigning every day and you wonder what kind of a company is run like that. Hearings were done and the committees found the involved people not guilty. The CEO, claiming to be working under instruction from the board, overrides that. What is that?” the source privy to the details asked rhetorically.
“Quite a number have resigned and it is now an everyday thing. People are frustrated and there is a feeling that things can’t continue like this. They know that if they are accused of anything, processes are manipulated and they will not win so they are opting out. The situation is bad.”
Zinara board chairman Michael Madanha was not answering calls last night, but is on record accusing those making all sorts of allegations against his board of being “thieves” unhappy with the cleansing process.
The Zimbabwe Revenue and Allied Workers Trade Union yesterday said the situation at the roads authority was worrying and accused Zinara acting CEO Saston Muzenda of overriding decisions of a disciplinary committee comprising three managers and two workers representatives.
“Information at hand shows that Muzenda has a clear instruction from his board to dismiss employees regardless of disciplinary hearing outcomes. We are aware of the plot to dismiss long-serving workers and replace them with new employees. In this regard, ZIMRATU will not let Zinara cruise on the arbitrary path. We are going to defend our members and expose all the lies and misrepresentation,” ZIMRATU general secretary Lovemore Ngwarati alleged.
NewsDay has it on good authority that the committee found most of the workers not guilty and ruled that they should return to work.
But Muzenda allegedly refused to budge.
“One of the reasons why some of the workers were fired was based on reports from Univern, but it was established that, for example, some government vehicles have two number plates. This was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police after their vehicle was captured passing at a tollgate,” the source said.
“During the hearings, it was also established that one of the vehicles was part of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s motorcade and the committee found the accused person not guilty. The acting CEO, however, wrote that the workers should be found guilty regardless.”
State Media|The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) from which former Minister Prisca Mupfumira looted over $95 million, has finally decided to increase its minimum pensions from $80 to $200 a month, while workers’ compensation scheme minimum pensions have been tripled from $80 to $240.
The meagre increases have been backdated to October 1 with the payments due from today.
By the way, $200 can only buy 20kgs of Mealie Meal and two loaves of bread, while Mupfumira bought luxuries and funded weddings for her family members.
NSSA funeral grants on all schemes have been pushed up from $300 to $2 000.
In a statement yesterday, NSSA board chairman Dr Cuthbert Chidoori said the reviews followed an actuarial valuation in consultation with the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Prof MthuliNcube.
“Following a mid-term actuarial evaluation that was necessitated by the need to review NSSA benefits in response to prevailing economic fundamentals, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, with effect from 1 October, 2019, reviewed benefits payable under the authority’s two schemes,” he said.
“Earlier in July 2019, the ministry in consultation with the NSSA board, awarded NSSA pensioners a once off discretionary bonus equivalent to a month’s pension to cushion them from the general increase in the cost of living.
“The decision was taken as a stop-gap measure while waiting for the conclusion of the mid-term actuarial review.
“The new benefits are: “Pension and Other Benefits Scheme (POBS), minimum monthly retirement pension increased to $200 from $80. In addition, all pensions have been increased by 65 percent across the board.
“Accident Prevention and Workers Compensation Scheme (APWCS) minimum monthly worker’s pension increased to $240 from $80. All monthly pensions for APWCS have been increased by 200 percent across the board.”
Mr Chidoori said arrears for October will be paid together with monthly payouts that are due on November 13, 2019.
“Payments will be done via the usual channels, such as banks and mobile money platforms,” he said.
“Going forward, NSSA, in consultation with all its key stakeholders and the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, will continue to monitor economic developments and the general cost of living to assess the level of social impact to pensioners and align the level of benefits reviews, taking into account the long term sustainability of the schemes.”
The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) has more than doubled its minimum pensions from $80 to $200 a month, while workers’ compensation scheme minimum pensions have been tripled from $80 to $240.
The increases have been backdated to October 1 with the payments due from today.
NSSA funeral grants on all schemes have been pushed up from $300 to $2 000.
In a statement yesterday, NSSA board chairman Dr Cuthbert Chidoori said the reviews followed an actuarial valuation in consultation with the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Prof MthuliNcube.
“Following a mid-term actuarial evaluation that was necessitated by the need to review NSSA benefits in response to prevailing economic fundamentals, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, with effect from 1 October, 2019, reviewed benefits payable under the authority’s two schemes,” he said.
“Earlier in July 2019, the ministry in consultation with the NSSA board, awarded NSSA pensioners a once off discretionary bonus equivalent to a month’s pension to cushion them from the general increase in the cost of living.
“The decision was taken as a stop-gap measure while waiting for the conclusion of the mid-term actuarial review.
“The new benefits are: “Pension and Other Benefits Scheme (POBS), minimum monthly retirement pension increased to $200 from $80. In addition, all pensions have been increased by 65 percent across the board.
“Accident Prevention and Workers Compensation Scheme (APWCS) minimum monthly worker’s pension increased to $240 from $80. All monthly pensions for APWCS have been increased by 200 percent across the board.”
Mr Chidoori said arrears for October will be paid together with monthly payouts that are due on November 13, 2019.
“Payments will be done via the usual channels, such as banks and mobile money platforms,” he said.
“Going forward, NSSA, in consultation with all its key stakeholders and the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, will continue to monitor economic developments and the general cost of living to assess the level of social impact to pensioners and align the level of benefits reviews, taking into account the long term sustainability of the schemes.”
“Going forward, NSSA, in consultation with all its key stakeholders and the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, will continue to monitor economic developments and the general cost of living to assess the level of social impact to pensioners and align the level of benefits reviews, taking into account the long term sustainability of the schemes.”
By Own Correspondent| A Daily News article alleging former First Lady Grace Mugabe has insulted her husband’s usurper, Emmerson Mnangagwa has been challenged for facts.
The Daily News article republished in Newsday, does not have a comment from the other side (Mrs Mugabe), and the journalist appears to have not cared a moment to grant the former First Lady a right to reply to the allegation.
An impeccable source who requested anonymity told ZimEye the supposed attack against farmers allegedly by Mrs Grace Mugabe is not true.
“Amai will soon offload her recorded evidence and the nation will see for themselves,” they said.
“How could Daily News rush to write an article on a person who is not in the country?” they asked.
The farm involved belongs to the former president’s son, Bellamine.
“This is not the first time the Daily News has done this. Ever since the family refused President Mugabe’s body to be buried at Heroes Acre this has been the norm.
“The only meeting that took place involved a group of men who descended onto the farm and they announced saying they have been sent by president Mnangagwa and (Agriculture Minister) Perrence Shiri.
“She simply replied them saying let us then go back to vaMnangagwa. Upon that moment they turned back and never returned,” the source said.
The Central Intelligence Organisation’s Director General Isaac Moyo reportedly knows the true story and he is “not fooled.”
Could the development be a direct attack on Bellamine so to punish him for recent statements he made on the instagram website saying, I will never invest a dollar in Zimbabwe for 5 years” ?
State Media|Government and striking doctors will meet tomorrow to discuss a proposed package of improved working conditions that includes accommodation, transport and food, as authorities seek to bring normalcy to public hospitals where patients have endured poor service delivery for over 70 days.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare yesterday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said the Government was working tirelessly to address the doctors’ concerns and had allocated money for the procurement of medicines to restock hospitals.
Dr Moyo said they were reviewing conditions of service with special focus on the provision of accommodation and transport for junior doctors.
“Government is still committed to dialogue with the striking doctors and a meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, 14th November, 2019,” he said.
“Government is working flat out to ensure availability of resources in health institutions and to improve the conditions of service for all health personnel.
“I want to assure them that we have ordered more medicines and Government has allocated money towards restocking of medicines at public hospitals to ensure proper health care service is provided to the people.”
Dr Moyo said the provision of institutional accommodation was being pursued to alleviate service delivery challenges in the short and long-term.
It was important for doctors to be accommodated at their work stations to cut transport costs.
“Government is in the process of identifying flats to ease accommodation challenges facing junior doctors and Zupco buses will be availed to ferry them to and from their work stations,” said Minister Moyo.
“Food will also be provided at their work stations while all the surgical materials will be availed in all the health institutions as required.
“We shall continue dialoguing and make sure we talk from the same direction. We have to talk to find solution.”
The strike by doctors over conditions of service has gone on for more than two months and a total of 322 disciplinary cases have so far been heard, with 286 doctors being fired for absenteeism.
The doctors insist that they are incapacitated to report for duty and are further demanding to have salaries set in US dollars with any payments in RTGS dollars to be done at the prevailing interbank rate.
Dr Moyo said the situation at Harare City Council clinics remained constrained after nurses went on strike citing “incapacitation”.
Only 35 out of the 104 nurses turned up for duty at the city’s five polyclinics.
“The nurses withdrew their labour over delayed salary payments and are refusing to resume duty even after receiving their salaries,” said Dr Moyo.
“The action by the nurses is illegal and the employer has been advised to commence disciplinary processes on the striking nurses in line with the country’s laws.
“Only those nurses reporting for duty will be paid while their conditions of service are being looked into.”
Council is offering limited services at polyclinics in Mabvuku, Tafara, Kuwadzana, Mufakose, Hatfield and Glen View.
Wing Commander Frank Dube confirmed as Group Captain
State Media|President Mnangagwa has promoted Wing Commander Frank Dube to the rank of substantive Group Captain as he retires.
The effective date of promotion was May 9, 2019, and the new rank was conferred to him by Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) Commander Air Marshal Elson Moyo at AFZ Headquarters in Harare yesterday.
Air Marshal Moyo applauded the senior AFZ officer for being exemplary, dedicated to duty and loyal during execution of national duties. “Promotion in the AFZ comes with hard work, and this promotion is a clear indication that you fought a good fight that requires reward,” he said.
“You were supposed to have been conferred your new rank in May, but this did not happen due to other commitments on national duties. May I take this opportunity to congratulate you for a job well done and wish you a pleasant retirement. I am reliably informed that you are going into farming, but, however, my words to you is to remain supportive to your fellow comrades who are still in active service.
“Remember a war veteran will not fully retire. Even as you go, be prepared to be assigned to other tasks that may arise in the nation, and you will be required to render your assistance in areas of need.”
Group Captain (Retired) Dube applauded President Mnangagwa and AFZ for showing confidence in him and promised to continue rendering his service in the air force and to the nation whenever need arises.
Opinion By Tom Rogan | Following Israel’s overnight killing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander Baha Abu al Ata, nearly 200 rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel. So why did Israel kill al Ata, and what happens next?
The answer to the first question is quite simple. The head of the PIJ’s military wing, the Jerusalem Brigades, al Ata had made a name for himself as an increasingly aggressive, charismatic, and independently minded commander. Acting outside of the influence and intent of Hamas, the terrorist group in nominal control of the Gaza Strip, al Ata was determined to wage his own little war against Israel. Except, over the past 12 months, al Ata’s little war has become a lot bigger. Launching unprovoked rocket attacks on Israel against Hamas’ wishes, al Ata earned himself adoration as a bold leader unafraid to take the fight to the enemy. His ambition was significant and his threat commensurate.
It is possible that al Ata was even breaking against the directives of his own PIJ leadership. Notably, while another PIJ hard-liner in Damascus, Akram al Ajouri, was unsuccessfully targeted near simultaneously to the strike on al Ata, PIJ’s Secretary General Ziyad al Nakhalah was not targeted. Had Israel intended for this to be a full-scale war, they would have wanted to eliminate al Nakhalah with his subordinates. That they did not is suggestive of an Israeli intelligence assessment that the PIJ will gradually moderate once the current breakout of violence ends. Also indicating Israel’s desire to contain the violence is its reluctance, thus far, to launch major strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza. In addition, the Israelis seem to be targeting PIJ rocket teams more than fixed command facilities. Again, that is not war strategy.
What comes next?
The Egyptian government is once again embracing the role of mediator here. Having achieved its primary objective, Israel will be happy to return to a relative ceasefire. This interest will be further emphasized on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s part as he jockeys with the center-left’s Benny Gantz over which leader will form the next government. While Gantz appears to be making progress toward forming a new government in the aftermath of September elections, nothing is yet certain. And war makes everything uncertain.
Hamas has its own reasons to want to avoid further escalation. While it is obviously no fan of Israel, many of the group’s leaders will be quite (albeit very quietly) thankful for Israel. Getting rid of al Ata, the Israelis have served to consolidate Hamas’ narrative mantle as the supreme masters of the Palestinian resistance. They no longer have to deal with a charismatic upstart who made them look hesitant and too deferential to Israeli threats.
There is one final complication here: Iran. The PIJ’s patron, Iran now may decide to escalate against Israel with its other major proxy, the Lebanese Hezbollah. While this escalation is unlikely and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah doesn’t want it, the risk cannot be ruled out. Iran’s recent behavior suggests it is ready to roll the dice against its adversaries.
Tom Rogan
Tom Rogan is a foreign policy focused commentary writer for the Washington Examiner. He holds a BA in War Studies from King’s College London, an MSc in Middle East Politics from SOAS, and a GDL in law from the University of Law. Among others, he has previously written for National Review, The Telegraph, and The Guardian.
Paul Nyathi|Egyptian officials said Cairo is attempting to de-escalate tensions in the Gaza Strip amid the worst bout of fighting there in recent months.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media, said Egypt’s general intelligence agency has stepped up communications and has “opened channels” with the US and the European Union.
Egypt often acts as a mediator between Israel and Palestinian factions, and brokered a ceasefire deal in May.
Germany calls for end to violence
Germany condemned the bombardment of cities in Israel by rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, calling for de-escalation and saying there could be no justification for violence against innocent civilians.
“We condemn this rocket fire in the severest terms,” the German foreign ministry said in a statement.
“We call for restraint and for an end to the violence. We strongly support Egypt’s and the United Nations’ mediation efforts.”
Analysis: ‘Neither side wants a full-scale war’ Is That So?
Yonah Jeremy Bob, an intelligence, terrorism and legal analyst for The Jerusalem Post, said neither Israel nor the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad “will actually want a full-scale war at this point”.
“If both sides operate according to some unwritten rule about not striking beyond a certain amount, probably after a few days things will settle down as has happened a few times over the last year,” he told Al Jazeera via Skype from Modiin in central Israel.
Israel under heavy bombardment over night on Tuesday.
Paul Nyathi|On Tuesday, Israel was pounded by close to 200 rockets following the predawn targeted killing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) Leader Bahaa Abu Al-Ata at his home in the Gaza Strip. His wife was killed in the assassination, as well.
The IDF struck several terror targets in the Gaza Strip overnight, following a day of rocket fire from the terrorist enclave toward Israel.
“The IDF attacked several underground rocket launchers and elite launching stations, underground terrorist infrastructure and military forces of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization,” an IDF statement explained.
Earlier in the evening, IDF aircraft attacked three terrorist operatives in the northern Gaza Strip after they launched rockets from Gaza into Israel.
“We are not interested in an escalation but we are ready – on the ground, in the air and at sea,” Kochavi said.
The military said that all the airstrikes in the first wave targeted PIJ underground facilities used for storage and manufacturing of weapons and training camps. These sites were critical facilities for the group which invested large sums of money to construct.
The second wave targeted training compounds, including one used by PIJ’s naval commando unit, the shaft of a cross-border attack tunnel and a tunnel digging site.
IDF tanks struck also two outposts and IAF jets also struck several PIJ militants preparing to launch long-range rockets.
Palestinian Wafa news agency said five Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in the retaliatory airstikes.
None of the retaliatory strikes carried out by Israel targeted Hamas, the group the IDF tends to strike following violence from the Strip. Earlier in the day defense officials said that if Islamic Jihad restrained itself and Hamas did not join the rocket fire, Israel would also hold back from escalating and carry out retaliatory strikes against Hamas.
Israel said that it targeted Al-Ata to stop his plans to carry out a series of attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops, including preparations for sniper and kidnapping attacks, armed drone attacks, and rocket fire throughout Israel.
“Terrorists think they can hit civilians and hide behind civilians,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “We showed that we can hit the terrorist with minimal damage to civilians. Anyone who thinks they can hit our civilians and get away with it is wrong. If you hit us we will hit you.”
Al-Ata, Kochavi said, was the man “who undermined the quiet in southern Israel” and who “acted in every way to sabotage attempts for calm with Hamas. He was a living ticking bomb, and up until today worked and planned attacks. He was responsible for the majority of attacks that took place over the past year.”
Norton MP Temba Mliiswa is holding a ChillOut lecture on Thursday at Girls High, Harare. The function is for age groups 16 to 35 and will commence 8am and end at 5pm. Details below:
The South African Parliament yesterday paid tribute to the late former President Robert Mugabe, describing him as an icon of the liberation of Africa.
The legislators said Zimbabwe should be allowed to solve its problems without the interference of external forces and illegal sanctions imposed on it by Western countries should be lifted.
Paying tribute to Mugabe, African National Congress (ANC) MP Joseph Maswanganyi said sanctions had done harm to the economy and people of Zimbabwe.
Mugabe died in Singapore on September 6 at the age of 95 and was declared a national hero before burial at his rural home in Zvimba, Mashonaland West Province, in line with his family’s wishes.
“Today we join the people of Zimbabwe under President Mnangagwa to call for the lifting of sanctions on Zimbabwe which have done more harm to the people and the economy of Zimbabwe,” Maswanganyi said.
“Our approach to this again would be guided by our principle that the problems of Zimbabwe will be solved by Zimbabweans themselves and through multilateral platforms like SADC and the African Union.”
Maswanganyi said the late former President Mugabe would be remembered for his bold step on land redistribution, which Zimbabwe is still severely paying for through Western-imposed sanctions.
EcoCash, which totally dominates mobile transactions, will go offline from 9pm on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday, due to a major upgrade.
EcoCash said the upgrade was meant to improve the mobile money platform’s performance by increasing capacity, enhancing security and offering more automated self-care services for its clients.
“The EcoCash system upgrade, for which critical work has been going on over the past several months, will commence on Saturday evening, and is scheduled to be completed on Sunday evening,” said a company spokesman.
“The upgrade will result in improved platform performance, increased system capacity, enhanced transaction security and many other enhancements to the current system.”
EcoCash handles millions of transactions per day, and is the largest mobile transacting platform in the country.
It is a part of Cassava Smartech Zimbabwe, the fintech and digital smartech company listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange.State media
ZIMBABWE international Khama Billiat yesterday gave back to his former primary school, Gwinyiro, in Mufakose, when he donated a consignment worth R100 000.
The donation was made through his recently-launched Khama Billiat Foundation.
The goods contained soccer and netball kits, cones as well as sanitary pads.
The vision of the Foundation is “to contribute to society by positively impacting on the lives that matter.’’
Billiat, who flew in from Johannesburg with the members of his Foundation, first presented the goods to the school before joining the Warriors at their first session in the afternoon.
The diminutive forward started Grade 2 at Gwinyiro in 1998 having been at Marimba Primary in Grade One.
By the time he was in Grade Three, he was already playing for the school team.
In Grade 5, his brilliance caught Marc Duvillard’s attention who sent his manager from Lord Malvern to the parents with the offer to cater for Billiat’s school needs and fees.
And, by the time he was in Grade Six, Billiat was already boarding planes to feature in football tournaments with Aces Academy.
He was born at Mufakose Clinic on August 19 in 1990.
“I was giving back to the school that l went to. I brought some sanitary pads, soccer kits, netball kits,’’ said Billiat.
“It took long for me to do it, I don’t know why but I thought, maybe, I would do it with the Khama Billiat Foundation.
“It’s still new and we started it not so long ago.
“I found it proper for my team to fly this side and do it here while I am in camp. It is not about soccer only, we just want to try and help as much as we can.
“And, that includes the disadvantaged people and the disabled people.
“Everyone needs help but we should be honest with ourselves that there are some people who need help more than others.’’State media
Unfortunate comments laced with mendacity attributed to a 57 year old Pupurai Togarepi who happens to be a youth leader for a dying political party clearly shows that the old man is not in sync with realities of poverty and starvation facing the underpaid civil servants.
Without shame, Togarepi claims that industrial action by the poorly paid government workers stems from a hidden third hand that sponsors strikes.
Such a blue lie by a man who ideally is supposed to represent youths, of which 90% of workers are youths is quite regrettable, detestable and shameful.
It is crystal clear that Togarepi is lost.
There is an Eritrean proverb that says “if you don’t know where you are going, you are always on course” and the saying aptly fits Togarepi’s mental illusions as far as the national question is concerned.
The biggest tragedy facing Togarepi is that he is lost and is going to remain as such since he believes Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is on the right course as far as issues to do with politics and economy are concerned.
Here is a man whose party officials had the audacity to even lie with a straight face that 01 August 2018 military killings were a result of a third force when in reality we saw soldiers in balaclavas firing live bullets on citizens in broad daylight.
Togarepi is the same man who made reckless utterances that there is a third hand in abductions when we all know that state agents were behind such ills!
Pupurai is the same man who gave false evidence to the effect that the MDC demonstrations are violent when we all know that the merchants of violence are ZANU PF implants!
Togarepi is a youth leader whose party deployee, Anslem Sanyatwe lied under oath that soldiers who butchered civilians on 01 August 2018 where shooting at 45% angle!
For avoidance of doubt Togarepi is the same man whose President moves around wearing a scarf in scotching heat wanting us to believe that it is cold when in actual sense the country is burning literally and metaphorically.
Now the same man want us to believe we are that gullible to extend of buying a narrative that civil servants are being sponsored by a third hand to undertake industrial action when we all know these hard working citizens are getting peanuts from government.
What is very clear is that Togarepi’s party and President have failed and the most unfortunate part is that they believe their own lies.
Simply put, Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship thrives on serial lies and blame shifting!
The greatest revolutionary of all time, Jesus Christ taught us that a barren fig tree must be destroyed and cast into fire and rightly so Zimbabweans have a duty send this military dictatorship into political dustbins.
#NoToCommandLies!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
Farai Dziva|MDC Youth Assembly spokesperson, Stephen Chuma has described Zanu PF’ s Pupurai Togarepi as a serial liar.
Chuma also said Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship thrives on serial lies and blame shifting.
Read full statement :
Unfortunate comments laced with mendacity attributed to a 57 year old Pupurai Togarepi who happens to be a youth leader for a dying political party clearly shows that the old man is not in sync with realities of poverty and starvation facing the underpaid civil servants.
Without shame, Togarepi claims that industrial action by the poorly paid government workers stems from a hidden third hand that sponsors strikes.
Such a blue lie by a man who ideally is supposed to represent youths, of which 90% of workers are youths is quite regrettable, detestable and shameful.
It is crystal clear that Togarepi is lost.
There is an Eritrean proverb that says “if you don’t know where you are going, you are always on course” and the saying aptly fits Togarepi’s mental illusions as far as the national question is concerned.
The biggest tragedy facing Togarepi is that he is lost and is going to remain as such since he believes Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is on the right course as far as issues to do with politics and economy are concerned.
Here is a man whose party officials had the audacity to even lie with a straight face that 01 August 2018 military killings were a result of a third force when in reality we saw soldiers in balaclavas firing live bullets on citizens in broad daylight.
Togarepi is the same man who made reckless utterances that there is a third hand in abductions when we all know that state agents were behind such ills!
Pupurai is the same man who gave false evidence to the effect that the MDC demonstrations are violent when we all know that the merchants of violence are ZANU PF implants!
Togarepi is a youth leader whose party deployee, Anslem Sanyatwe lied under oath that soldiers who butchered civilians on 01 August 2018 where shooting at 45% angle!
For avoidance of doubt Togarepi is the same man whose President moves around wearing a scarf in scotching heat wanting us to believe that it is cold when in actual sense the country is burning literally and metaphorically.
Now the same man want us to believe we are that gullible to extend of buying a narrative that civil servants are being sponsored by a third hand to undertake industrial action when we all know these hard working citizens are getting peanuts from government.
What is very clear is that Togarepi’s party and President have failed and the most unfortunate part is that they believe their own lies.
Simply put, Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship thrives on serial lies and blame shifting!
The greatest revolutionary of all time, Jesus Christ taught us that a barren fig tree must be destroyed and cast into fire and rightly so Zimbabweans have a duty send this military dictatorship into political dustbins.
#NoToCommandLies!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
Masvingo Province held it’s provincial executive which was addressed by the party’s national organising secretary Hon Amos Chibaya. Wherever there are two or three people there are definitely bound to be perceived conflicts.
The national organiser using vast experience in politics navigated the terrain of conflict resolution to try and mend relations emanating from perceived post congress conflicts.
It was indeed an open discussion between the executive and the national organiser and the meeting come up with solutions which are meant to move the province forward.
The organiser reiterated the need to call ‘again’ for those still outside the provincial executive to be given another chance for the sake of moving the Province forward.
Soon after the Provincial congress the Provincial chair and his top called upon those who had contested and fail to make it to join the provincial executive so that they could serve in various capacities. Some headed the call but others thought otherwise.
A second call has been made today for those still outside to reconsider their earlier position.
Congress entails contestation and there are bound to be conflicts. As a way forward the province was mandated to address problems in some districts which still have structural problems.
The need for respect was clearly spelt out. Leaders were encouraged to address each other as leaders rather than calling each by names.
The province through the able provincial chair reiterated it’s unwavering support to President no matter what the courts decide in the Mashavira vs MDC case.
After the executive the national organiser had a chance to meet the 26 triple C chairs and organisers and clarified a lot of issues surrounding the branch formation.
The supremacy of branches was very clear from his address which should go a long way in terms of the integration process as there is no longer need whatsoever to fight for just 10 coordinating positions in the CCC. Power has indeed been decentralized which is a plus in terms of winning state power.
The dissolving of wards and district executives generated a lot of debate and emotions and the national organiser was up to the task in demystifying some of the lies that were making rounds. He explained the strategy behind the new direction being taken by the party structural wise.
BUHERA – A man from Maunze Village under Chief Nyashanu in Buhera has appeared at the local courts after he bashed his wife for borrowing mealie meal from a neighbour.
The angry Gift Chingosi (26) also used a log to destroy his hut after his wife breached his rule that the family shall not borrow mealie meal.
The court heard that Chingosi threw away the mealie meal.
Chingosi assaulted Yevai Makamure (21) using a switch.
Lovemore Chamunoita representing the State said on September 1, 2019 at 6pm the complainant told the accused that there was no mealie meal in the house. The complainant then borrowed the commodity from a neighbour.
This did not go down well with the accused. He took the borrowed mealie meal and spewed it all over the house.
Magistrate Dennis Mangosi heard the case.Masvingo Mirror
INCESSANT power cuts have forced Beitbridge District Hospital to shut down its mortuary leaving members of the public at the mercy of private players who are offering the services at exorbitant prices.
Residents in the border town will also be forced to do quick burials of their loved ones given the rising temperatures.
In a notice on Monday, the hospital said it was suspending mortuary operations with immediate effect.
“Notice is hereby given that Beitbridge District Hospital has temporarily suspended mortuary operations with immediate effect.
This decision has been brought about as a result of the lengthy power cuts and high temperatures being experienced hence rendering the mortuary equipment non-functional,” read the notice.
Matabeleland South provincial medical director Dr Rudo Chikodzore said the Beitbridge situation was beyond their control as Zesa was also the sole reason why some hospitals had no access to running water.
“The situation is beyond our control. We have failed to offer X-rays and conduct surgeries because of power cuts and costs associated with using generators.
The mortuary refrigerators are no longer working so we cannot contain the bodies in the mortuary,” said Dr Chikodzore.
She said they were also conducting awareness campaigns to ensure communities bury their dead quickly as there are no mortuary services at the moment.
“We are engaging the community leadership to sensitise residents so that at least burials are quickened because of the issues of temperatures and the possible costs of using private mortuaries.
We also have unclaimed bodies which need paupers’ burials and local authorities are helping to fast track the process of burying them,” said Dr Chikodzore.
She said the medium-long term situation would be to invest in solar power especially for health institutions.
“In the long term we would like to push for solar as the main source of energy for our institutions. Quite a number of our rural institutions have solar systems in place but they may need to upgraded.
However, our hospitals are behind as far as solar power is concerned,” Dr Chikodzore said.
Zesa Holdings on Monday said it was implementing a prolonged load shedding schedule following a technical fault at Hwange Power Station.
The power utility said it was moving to Stage 2 load shedding that has previously seen customers going for up to 18 hours per day without electricity.State media
A Domboshava man who appeared in court for axing his uncle to death has been described as a juju man who urina_tes on his subjects after committing a crime.
There are also revelations that Killian Shoniwa Tagarira, 47, is known for having his shirt washed by a relative whenever he is arrested and when the shirt dries up, his juju would have worked to have him released.
Villagers are even convinced Tagarira would find his way back and commit more crimes.
Killian, members of the community said, lived with a brother who is on the run and they kept around 20 dogs.
“These brothers are known for committing crime but they always find their way back and the community fears them because they use juju,” said a villager who preferred anonymity saying he feared for his life.
Family members claimed the brothers get juju from a local sangoma for ritual purposes and get away with crimes easily.
A relative Kudakwashe Shonhiwa who escaped when his father was struck to death said Killian had urina_ted on his father after hitting him with an axe.
“Killian urina_ted on his uncle after he had hit him with an axe; it is common with juju users after beating people.
“He has got his sangoma who gives him juju to wash his shirt and whenever the shirt dries, all his cases disappear from the police and are just brushed away.
“We suspect that Killian uses juju because every time he commits a crime it is taken lightly and he walks scot-free,” he said.
Kudakwashe said it was very unusual for an individual to always urina_te on someone after beating them.
“The brothers stay with more than 20 dogs at their home and force old women to have unprotected sex with them which is unusual.
“Even the man who feeds his dogs does not get paid but does it because he is also in fear of being murdered if he fails to do so.
“Killian is said to be suspecting his family members of bewitching him; that is why he uses juju, murdering people and getting away with it.”
People are now afraid of him in our society, added Kudakwashe.
“Hatichakwanisa kugara takasununguka nevakadzi nevana vedu nguva dzose,” said Kudakwashe.
“He went to jail some other time but he came back earlier than people expected because everyone is afraid of him and nothing is done to him; even the police are also afraid of his juju.”
Another victim only identified as Mazvita said Killian once tried to rap_e and kill her but she managed to escape death because Killian’s brother came late with the axe which was supposed to be used for the ritual murder.
– HMetro
The opposition MDC led by Nelson Chamisa has attributed its poor performance in recently held rural by-elections to a number of variables including the absence of sound party structures in the areas.
Speaking to News Day following the defeat at the hands of the ruling ZANU PF in recently held by-elections in Tsholotsho Rural District Council wards 16 and 20, and Hwedza Rural District Council ward 4, party spokesperson, Daniel Molokele said:
We don’t have structures in the area, no, not yet.
In line with our recent congress resolution, we will be setting up polling station-based branches there soon.
Rural areas have been ZANU PF’s hunting grounds and the MDC has so far failed to find strategies to penetrate the rural electorate.
Meanwhile, Molokele says that the by-elections were a learning curve and the party has now learnt what it needs to do to win the rural vote.
News Day
The opposition MDC led by Nelson Chamisa has attributed its poor performance in recently held rural by-elections to a number of variables including the absence of sound party structures in the areas.
Speaking to News Day following the defeat at the hands of the ruling ZANU PF in recently held by-elections in Tsholotsho Rural District Council wards 16 and 20, and Hwedza Rural District Council ward 4, party spokesperson, Daniel Molokele said:
We don’t have structures in the area, no, not yet.
In line with our recent congress resolution, we will be setting up polling station-based branches there soon.
Rural areas have been ZANU PF’s hunting grounds and the MDC has so far failed to find strategies to penetrate the rural electorate.
Meanwhile, Molokele says that the by-elections were a learning curve and the party has now learnt what it needs to do to win the rural vote.
News Day
The opposition MDC led by Nelson Chamisa has attributed its poor performance in recently held rural by-elections to a number of variables including the absence of sound party structures in the areas.
Speaking to News Day following the defeat at the hands of the ruling ZANU PF in recently held by-elections in Tsholotsho Rural District Council wards 16 and 20, and Hwedza Rural District Council ward 4, party spokesperson, Daniel Molokele said:
We don’t have structures in the area, no, not yet.
In line with our recent congress resolution, we will be setting up polling station-based branches there soon.
Rural areas have been ZANU PF’s hunting grounds and the MDC has so far failed to find strategies to penetrate the rural electorate.
Meanwhile, Molokele says that the by-elections were a learning curve and the party has now learnt what it needs to do to win the rural vote.
News Day
By Own Correspondent| A Daily News article alleging former First Lady Grace Mugabe has insulted her husband’s usurper, Emmerson Mnangagwa has been challenged for facts.
The Daily News article republished in Newsday, does not have a comment from the other side (Mrs Mugabe), and the journalist appears to have not cared a moment to grant the former First Lady a right to reply to the allegation.
An impeccable source who requested anonymity told ZimEye the supposed attack against farmers allegedly by Mrs Grace Mugabe is not true.
“Amai will soon offload her recorded evidence and the nation will see for themselves,” they said.
“How could Daily News rush to write an article on a person who is not in the country?” they asked.
The farm involved belongs to the former president’s son, Bellamine.
“This is not the first time the Daily News has done this. Ever since the family refused President Mugabe’s body to be buried at Heroes Acre this has been the norm.
“The only meeting that took place involved a group of men who descended onto the farm and they announced saying they have been sent by president Mnangagwa and (Agriculture Minister) Perrence Shiri.
“She simply replied them saying let us then go back to vaMnangagwa. Upon that moment they turned back and never returned,” the source said.
The Central Intelligence Organisation’s Director General Isaac Moyo reportedly knows the true story and he is “not fooled.”
Could the development be a direct attack on Bellamine so to punish him for recent statements he made on the instagram website saying, I will never invest a dollar in Zimbabwe for 5 years” ?
Dr Clarence analyses social media allegations that suggest Foreign Affairs Minister SB Moyo is in South Africa for a sevret meeting. VIDEO LOADING BELOW
By A Correspondent- Frank Buyanga’s ex-girlfriend Chantelle Muteswa has approached the first family, president Emmerson Mnangagwa and first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa over custody her minor child Daniel Sadiqi.
Muteswa is seeking the first family’s assistance in having the boy back after the High Court awarded Buyanga temporary guardianship in July saying that the 31-year-old mother had accommodation issues.
The development was confirmed by Muteswa’s lawyer, Munyaradzi Bwanya who told the Daily News at the weekend that the cases are still ongoing at the courts.
He said:
As her lawyer, l have never met the first lady (Auxillia Mnangagwa), but l know (that) she independently wrote a letter to the president (Mnangagwa) and copied it to the first lady.
The cases are still on-going… and we are waiting for the outcomes. However, my client filed a separate police report at Avondale (police station) and copied the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) after Buyanga took the child to South Africa (SA) without her consent, and a passport.
Muteswa and Buyanga have been fighting over the custody of the child since April and each of them has even sought to have the other imprisoned.
By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo has said that the ruling party will convene its Ordinary Session of the Politburo this Wednesday at the party headquarters.
In a statement, Moyo said that all members should be seated by exactly 0945 hours.
He said:
The Secretary for Administration Cde Dr Obert Mpofu wishes to advise all members that there shall be a Politburo meeting to be held on Wednesday 13 November 2019 at the Party Headquarters commencing 1000 hours.
The state media reports that the Politburo is expected to discuss preparations of the party’s National Annual People’s conference to be held in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East, the fate of former Minister of Environment and Tourism Prisca Mupfumira among other issues.
The meeting comes when the country is facing a huge power deficit due to faults at Hwange Power Station. It also comes when the health sector is grounded due to inadequacy of equipment and the situation is exacerbated by the prolonged health caregivers’ strike.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has revealed its plans to come up with an economic policy that will replace the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act.
Speaking to the state media, the party’s Secretary for Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Dr Mike Bimha said that the party shall consult as widely as possible to come up with a national Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment policy.
He said:
The party, which is supreme to Government, wanted to get perspectives of various groups of people, including the private sector, parastatals and small and medium enterprises, regards the proposed review of the empowerment policy.
What we want is to come up with a policy as a party, but it will have a national outlook. As you know, Government comes from the party, but Government should get input from the party.
The Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act has over the years been criticised for its demands which others deem too high thereby scaring potential investors away.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration amended the Act but some observers say the amendments were not enough.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sibusiso Moyo has been admitted to a South African Hospital for a “scheduled operation”.
The development was confirmed by George Charamba, the spokesman for the presidency, who posted on Twitter saying:
This is a scheduled operation. I can’t vouch that he is now admitted. But I am aware this was a pending event, after Mauritius.
Moyo’s flight to South Africa comes as the government is retrenching doctors who have been on industrial action since the 3rd of September this year over unsustainable salaries and poor working conditions.
As a result of the industrial action, the health sector that was already in the red as hospitals had inadequate medicines and equipment, is now grounded as there are insufficient health caregivers to attend to patients.
Meanwhile, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is still in China where he has been for the past four months been receiving medical attention. He had previously spent six months getting treatment from India before being airlifted to South Africa when his health rapidly deteriorated.
The Beitbridge District Hospital mortuary has stopped accepting corpses due to long spells of power cuts and the rising temperatures in the border town.
The hospital, in a notice, said their machinery has been rendered useless due to the cuts and heat.
“Notice is hereby given that Beitbridge District Hospital has temporarily suspended mortuary operations with immediate effect.
“This decision has been brought about as a result of the lengthy power cuts and high temperatures being experienced hence rendering the mortuary equipment non-functional,” read the notice.
“As a result of this no new bodies will be accepted for storage in the mortuary.”
The government has struggled to provide adequate power to the people due to dwindling water lavels at the Kariba dam and failure to pay South Africa and Mozambique who supply the country with power.
Due to a major planned system upgrade, Ecocash subscribers will not be able to use the mobile money platform from 9 PM on Saturday 16 November to 9 PM Sunday 17 November.
This was revealed in a customer public notice by Ecocash and during the period all Ecocash services will be unavailable.
In July this year, Ecocash customers across the nation experienced an outage and failed to transact leaving some stranded as it is the widely used mobile money platform in the nation.
This was due to a power cut which was then later fixed.
As they say, foretold is forewarned to make sure that if you are planning on doing any transaction during the said period, you will have an alternative payment platform.
Highlanders technical manager Hendrikus Pieter De Jongh says Prince Dube will be available for national duty on Thursday after their match against Ngezi scheduled for Barbourfields tomorrow.
“Prince will go for national duty after Wednesday’s match – in the evening or Thursday morning.”
De Jongh blamed the local league for not following the Fifa rules as he is going to miss the services of his striker on Saturday.
“One thing that makes things strange is why do this local league not following the Fifa rules. The rules states that when there’s a match on the Fifa calendar there’s no league. ”
“It’s an official Afcon qualifying match on Saturday and league is on Wednesday and Saturday how? We are the only league in the world playing. ”
“Next Saturday I will miss my top striker because of this organization ignoring rules. It’s abnormal. Next time we need to do things professional way and follow rules.” he said.
A Kenyan man sentenced to death has inspired many by getting a law degree and representing himself in court, earning his freedom.
William Okumu, who spent 10 years at the Kamiti Maximum Prison for robbery with violence and possession of stolen property was set free in May 2019.
Recently speaking to the BBC, Okumu expressed his joy at being freed saying, “there’s no English word that can express how I feel.”
Okumu was among 15 prisoners from Uganda and Kenya who completed his law degree from the University of London in 2018, under African Prisons Project’s (APP) Justice Changemaker Programme.
Representing himself
In 2017, after the Supreme Court declared Section 204 of the Penal Code which stipulated mandatory death sentence as unconstitutional, Okumu saw an opportunity to appeal his sentence.
According to APP, Okumu’s petition was supported by the prosecution as he had ‘performed exceptionally well in custody and had made good use of his time in prison.’
Kibera Chief Magistrate Hon. William Okumu, reduced his sentence to 10 years in jail from the day of his arrest. Having already served 10 years, 7 months in jail, he was immediately set free.
Speaking to APP at the time of his release, an excited Okumu said that he was looking forward to being reunited with his son as he was arrested when he was just 3 days old.
“I look forward to meeting my 10-year-old son. I want to go and surprise him in school. I want to play with him in the mud, hoping that it is raining back home. I want to make up for our lost time,” he said.
Uplifting others
Okumu also expressed his desire to represent inmates who are victims of wrongful convictions because of a lack of basic knowledge of the law.
“For me, there is no greater motivation than serving others and uplifting the weak and marginalized among us.”
“I have realised that my dreams are bigger than my fears.”
By Own Correspondent| Seasoned Journalist and former Editor of The Daily News Stanley Gama has tweeted that Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo is currently in a South African hospital where he is undergoing a complicated procedure.
Gama said his source told him the famous November 17 coup announcer was in an Intensive Care Unit.
SB Moyo has been in and out of hospital since he suffered a reported heart failure sometime last year.
I’m reliably informed that Min of Foreign Affairs SB Moyo is admitted at a South African hospital where he is undergoing a complicated procedure. The source says he is in ICU. This is not officially verified yet. @Jamwanda2 and @nickmangwana please help on this one. Where is he?
So it’s confirmed that SB Moyo is in SA for an op. I obviously pray he gets well. SB and Zanu PF bigwigs can be flown to SA for treatment, but does this govt ever think of the thousands dying due to lack of medical care. @edmnangagwa pple are dying like rats in Zim.
Government of Zimbabwe is currently embroiled in a long battle with junior doctors who have gone for over 70 days without reporting for duty, demanding to be paid salaries commensurate with the skyrocketing cost of living.
The situation has crippled the country’s health delivery system with patients being turned away while the number of deaths recorded during the strike has been kept a secret by the government.
MDC Youth Assembly official Discent Collins Bajila has announced that he has launched a program that is aimed at developing a database of qualified citizens of Matabeleland and Midlands who will be assisted to get placements at the nursing schools in the Southern region.
Speaking to this reporter, Bajila said his program was influenced by the recent recruitment process that saw people from the region being sidelined.
The former Youth Assembly Secretary General said he is building a team of volunteers to assist him inpushing the project.
Read his full statement below:
Let us look into the future and be more practical about our advocacy.
In 2020 the things that happened at Mpilo Hospital School of nursing must not happen. We must help our people in Bulawayo to apply in numbers. We must have physical and tangible evidence that they applied. We must help them FREE OF CHARGE.
So I have taken the first step in that direction. Spread the word.
Tell the young people of Bulawayo who have attained the age of 17 and from at most 2 sittings have at least 5 O Levels including Maths, Ndebele, English and a Science subject, (excluding Wood Work, Fashion and Fabrics or Food and Nutrition) to send applications to [email protected]. The application should include certified and scanned copies of ID, Birth Certificate and Academic certificates.
We will ensure that Mpilo Hospital and UBH receive the applications. No one will be charged for the delivery.
Those willing to join Team 2020 may send ideas to the same email. There is UCE, Hillside Teachers College, Bulawayo Polytechnic, School of Mines and so forth that need the same assistance.
By Own Correspondent| A suspected opposition party sympathizer was recently arrested upon arrival at the Robert Mugabe International Airport by security agencies.
According to sources privy to the matter, the victim Joshua Chimuti is thought to have unsuccessfully sought asylum in one of the European countries and is suspected by the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisations to be among a group of opposition party sympathizers who have been wedging a cyber-war with the ZANU PF administration.
“He was arrested upon disembarking from a plane as security authorities immediately seized him and interrogated him for several hours,” aid the source.
They then threatened to charge him with contravening sections of the Immigration Act after they accused him of allegedly leaving the country at an undesignated point of exit without proper documentation.
“He said they demanded to know who was funding him and the identities of other opposition party sympathizers based abroad who were being paid to demonize the country on the social media platforms”.
Said the source,” They then strongly warned him to desist from such behaviour is he was going to be under surveillance for 24 hours a day”.
Millions in Zimbabwe have turned to social media for news as the state continues its stranglehold on the media space.
Thus, the state apparatus has mainly targeted those who are perceived as hostile to the present administration on social media sites such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter.
Recently, access to the internet and popular social media apps were intermittently blocked as the country’s largest telecom company, Econet, sends customers text messages relaying the government’s orders and calling the situation “beyond our reasonable control.”
President Mnangagwa’s government has taken giant steps to stifle the social media by drafting the Computer Crime and Cyber Crime Bills.
The proposed law would target Zimbabweans accused of abusing social media to instigate violence, banditry, sabotage and general instability in the country.
The main purpose of the Bill is to punish those behind computer and network-related crimes, said the government.
Paul Nyathi|Banks in Harare today started issuing the new notes as promised by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr. John Mangudya, yesterday.
A snap ZimEye.com survey in Harare Central business district revealed that banks were issuing few of the new notes and mostly coins to customers.
The withdrawal caps however, remain stuck at $ 50 at most banks in line with RBZ drip-feed strategy of the new cash to monitor new money effects in the market.
“I have just received the new cash in $2 coins. I’m however saddened that we came here with high hopes of securing all our money but they still restrict us to just $ 50. What tangible thing can I buy with $ 50?,” said Allan Kodzaimaoko to journalists, who had just come out of one banking hall.
The new notes are expected to go a long way in addressing cash challenges which has been affecting the banking public for quite sometime.
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr. John Mangudya, is on record saying the central bank will drip-feed the economy with new money as a way of addressing cash challenges and there is no likelihood of causing inflationary pressures.
Long queues were witnessed at all financial institutions as people sort to withdraw their money that has been stuck in banks for a long time.
Some unscrupulous economic agents had taken advantage of the situation by hoarding cash before selling it to desperate members of the public at exorbitant rates, as high as 50 percent, in a clear case of daylight robbery.
Own Correspondent|Six people have died on the spot after a commuter omnibus and a haulage truck collided this morning along Beitbridge road in Mwenezi.
ZBC News reports that the accident happened at Sosonye Bridge, 174 km peg along Beitbridge road.
Mwenezi District Development Coordinator, Mrs Rosemary Chingwe confirmed the accident adding that bodies of the diseased have been taken to Neshuro Hospital.
The Harare-Beitbridge highway which is in a poor state has recorded several accidents which claimed many lives.
The rehabilitation of the Beitbridge-Harare Highway has been on the cards for now with the government continuously postponing it citing inadequacy of resources.
The sorry state of the road has resulted in various accidents and eventual deaths of countless motorists and passengers.
Authorities have been postponing the rehabilitation of the road citing lack of financial legroom.
Recently, the Minister of Transport, Joel Biggie Matiza announced that the rehabilitation of the road was now underway after reaching an agreement with local contractors.
The late Gift Dube and his mother Thobekile on the right.
State Media|A prophet (19) at 12 Apostolic Faith Mission Church drowned on Sunday morning during a baptism ceremony while trying to save a congregant who had slipped into the water.
Gift Dube, who was in Form Three at Amhlophe High School in Bulawayo, had moments earlier, prophesied that someone was going to die in the water on the day. He drowned in the presence of his mother who is also a member of the same church. The tragedy occurred in a sewer-filled stream that runs into Khami Dam.
In an interview at home in Old Pumula suburb yesterday, the deceased’s mother, Mrs Thobekile Dube, said her son died a painful death.
Mrs Dube said his son had prophesied that if congregants were not vigilant in prayer someone was going to die.
“He was an evangelist in the church and a prophet who used to guide us during church proceedings. We had gone there for the baptism of three new converts. He led the prayer session until he said each and every one of us should find their place where they should pray alone, telling God what is in their hearts. He also warned that the waters had dark spirits hence they should pray because someone could remain (die) in the water,” said Mrs Dube.
She said as he was praying, one of his cousins slipped into the water and Gift drowned while attempting to rescue him.
Mrs Dube said other church members fell in a trance and only recovered when Gift had drowned.
“The boy whom my son tried to rescue was saved by another congregant who threw a stick towards him and ordered him to grab it while she pulled. I’ts not clear what happened before that, it’s as if we had lost our memories. I saw my son drowning in the water with his arms stretched open. That’s how he drowned,” said Mrs Dube.
“What is shocking to me even up to now is that the police sub-aqua unit retrieved him from the shallow end of the stream. His body was still upright instead of floating sideways. His feet were still warm as if he was still alive. Police even suggested that I rub him under the feet. He had no water in his stomach, the only visible change is that he was now dark on his forehead. My son was gone just like that.”
“We received a report whereby a 19-year-old boy who was doing Form Three at Amhlophe High School drowned during a church service. He was a prophet and was in the company of church members intending to conduct a baptism ceremony. He was the first to get into the water intending to anoint it and while in the water he lost control and drowned instantly.”
She warned members of the public against risking their lives in water bodies.
“We are saddened about such carelessness and we urge religious leaders to ensure they do not endanger the lives of people in water sources. Now that the rainy season has started, members of the public should desist from attempting to get into water sources for whatever reason as they risk drowning especially if not monitored by professionals,” she added.
Paul Nyathi|Former Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Tinashe Kambarami and Councillor Silas Chigora have been acquitted by magistrate Shepherd Mjanji on a charge of malicious damage to Bulawayo City Council property.
The court said the state did not provide enough evidence to obtain a conviction.
State witnesses Tobias Dube and Richard Ndlovu who are said to be employed by the City Council under the security department are reported to have testified that they did not see the two accused persons break the alleged property.
Another witness who is a police officer Golden Sibanda testified that he and other police officers were only called in to rescue the two councillors who had hidden in the mayor’s box after a mob wanted to lynch them.
The pair were arrested in July this year after a fight with the Town Clerk Christopher Dube.
The game which was scheduled to take place at National Sports Stadium has been shifted to Rufaro Stadium.
The date and kick-off time remain the same.
Here are the amended fixtures for Match-day 30.
Wednesday, November 13
Bulawayo Chiefs vs Hwange (Luveve Stadium)
Mushowani Stars vs Chicken Inn (Trojan Stadium)
Harare City vs TelOne (Rufaro Stadium)
Chapungu vs Dynamos (Ascot Stadium)
Manica Diamonds vs FC Platinum (Vengere Stadium)
Triangle Unite vs Herentals (Gibbo Stadium)
Black Rhinos vs Yadah (NSS)
Highlanders vs Ngezi Platinum (Barbourfields Stadium)
Thursday, November 14
CAPS United vs ZPC Kariba (Rufaro Stadium).Soccer 24
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has denied sarcastically congratulating referee Michael Oliver after their controversial 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
The gaffer was caught on camera shouting “Thank you so much” in sarcastic fashion as he shook hands with the match official and his assistants.
The result saw City falling nine points behind the Reds at the top of the table.
Speaking at his presser after the match, Guardiola dismissed any suggestion he was being ironic despite getting incensed by referee’s decisions a couple of times during the game.
“It was not sarcastic, I say thank you so much all the time,” he said.
“I said the same at the Tottenham game at home. All the time I go to referees I say thank you so much.”
Guardiola was seen thrusting two fingers in the 82nd minute to denote what he felt was the denial of a second penalty after Trent Alexander-Arnold appeared to handle for the second time in the match.
The first handball incident happened moments before Liverpool scored the opening goal through Fabinho in the 7th minute.Soccer 24
Warriors caretaker coach Joey Antipas believes he still has good players in his national team squad for the Afcon Qualifiers after a couple of stars pulled out due to varying reasons.
The gaffer lost strikers Tinotenda Kadewere and Macauley Bonne due to injury issues.
Kadewere suffered a hamstring injury while on duty for his French Ligue 2 side Le Havre last Friday.
Bonne who was expected to make his competitive debut for the country after receiving his Zimbabwean passport last week also pulled out on medical grounds.
Adam Chicksen requested to be excused so that he can concentrate on getting a new contract at his club.
Speaking to the Herald, Antipas said: “I believe we have some good players in the squad and the likes of Knox Mutizwa have been enjoying a good form of late. I am sure they will be able to stand up and get the job done.”
Meanwhile, several players started reporting for camp yesterday and these include Khama Billiat, Elvis Chipezeze, Alec Mudimu, Marshall Munetsi, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Kuda Mahachi and Thabani Kamusoko.Soccer 24
Mambo Dhuterere dominates the Permican Awards nominees list after his songs were nominated in five different categories, ahead of other renowned musicians.
Mambo Dhuterere was nominated in the Best Song Writer, Best Traditional Song, Best Newcomer, Best Collaboration and Song of the Year categories.
He is rocking the entertainment scene with his latest album “Dare Guru”.
The Permican Gospel Awards were last held in 2016 and will mark their return this year with the ceremony slated for November 22 at the City Sports Centre in Harare.
Running under the theme “Creatively Touching Souls” the awards are aimed at motivating and promoting local gospel musicians.
Also on the nominees list is Michael Mahendere, Janet Manyowa, Tembalami and Spirit Praise Choir.
Awards director Courage Ted Lazaro said preparations for the ceremony were at an advanced stage.
“We want to push gospel music to step out of the ordinary,” he said.
“There is a tendency of saying gospel musicians do mediocre things because they have an audience which is mostly church people.
“We want them to push the boundaries and to be creative while touching souls.”
Lazaro said they failed to hold the awards ceremony in the past two years because of financial constraints.
“The Permican Awards are a corporate funded event so our main sponsors failed to come through, but we are happy that this year it is bigger and better,” he said. “We have old and new sponsors who have also came on board. We want to push the awards because artistes were complaining about not having awards.
“Now I can promise to maintain the standard and we hope to continue working with our sponsors so that we do it annually.”
Lazaro said there were not many changes to the awards planning and programming, adding that they stayed with the regular 17 awards categories.State media
The opposition MDC led by Nelson Chamisa has attributed its poor performance in recently held rural by-elections to a number of variables including the absence of sound party structures in the areas.
Speaking to News Day following the defeat at the hands of the ruling ZANU PF in recently held by-elections in Tsholotsho Rural District Council wards 16 and 20, and Hwedza Rural District Council ward 4, party spokesperson, Daniel Molokele said:
We don’t have structures in the area, no, not yet.
In line with our recent congress resolution, we will be setting up polling station-based branches there soon.
Rural areas have been ZANU PF’s hunting grounds and the MDC has so far failed to find strategies to penetrate the rural electorate.
Meanwhile, Molokele says that the by-elections were a learning curve and the party has now learnt what it needs to do to win the rural vote.
News Day
ZIM hip hop man of the moment Tinashe “Ti Gonzi” Gonzara was involved in a car accident on his way to Masvingo where he was set to perform.
The Zvenyu singer survived the car crash with some injuries and he was attended to at Beatrice Rural hospital.
Ti Gonzi
Ti Gonzi said his brother was the one driving when they had an accident along the Beatrice-Masvingo road.
“My brother was driving me to Masvingo and the car reared off the road, when he tried to get back on track, he hit the oncoming car.
“So, paipesana mota aiwandira kuleft apa the road is narrow,” said Ti Gonzi.
Ti Gonzi who survived an attack earlier this year said he was okay and grateful to have come out of the accident alive as his.
“I am so grateful to God no one died but, my producer sustained a head injury on his forehead and I have injuries on the neck but it’s not that bad,” he added.
The rapper said his car was damaged beyond repair.
Fellow musicians and public figures have since taken to social media wishing Ti Gonzi a speedy recovery with his team as well.
A Domboshava man who appeared in court for axing his uncle to death has been described as a juju man who urina_tes on his subjects after committing a crime.
There are also revelations that Killian Shoniwa Tagarira, 47, is known for having his shirt washed by a relative whenever he is arrested and when the shirt dries up, his juju would have worked to have him released.
Villagers are even convinced Tagarira would find his way back and commit more crimes.
Killian, members of the community said, lived with a brother who is on the run and they kept around 20 dogs.
“These brothers are known for committing crime but they always find their way back and the community fears them because they use juju,” said a villager who preferred anonymity saying he feared for his life.
Family members claimed the brothers get juju from a local sangoma for ritual purposes and get away with crimes easily.
A relative Kudakwashe Shonhiwa who escaped when his father was struck to death said Killian had urina_ted on his father after hitting him with an axe.
“Killian urina_ted on his uncle after he had hit him with an axe; it is common with juju users after beating people.
“He has got his sangoma who gives him juju to wash his shirt and whenever the shirt dries, all his cases disappear from the police and are just brushed away.
“We suspect that Killian uses juju because every time he commits a crime it is taken lightly and he walks scot-free,” he said.
Kudakwashe said it was very unusual for an individual to always urina_te on someone after beating them.
“The brothers stay with more than 20 dogs at their home and force old women to have unprotected sex with them which is unusual.
“Even the man who feeds his dogs does not get paid but does it because he is also in fear of being murdered if he fails to do so.
“Killian is said to be suspecting his family members of bewitching him; that is why he uses juju, murdering people and getting away with it.”
People are now afraid of him in our society, added Kudakwashe.
“Hatichakwanisa kugara takasununguka nevakadzi nevana vedu nguva dzose,” said Kudakwashe.
“He went to jail some other time but he came back earlier than people expected because everyone is afraid of him and nothing is done to him; even the police are also afraid of his juju.”
Another victim only identified as Mazvita said Killian once tried to rap_e and kill her but she managed to escape death because Killian’s brother came late with the axe which was supposed to be used for the ritual murder.
– HMetro
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has send the newly appointed Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe as his special envoy to meet Guinea President Alpha Conde.
According to ZBC, Kazembe delivered Mnangagwa’s message to Conde though there were no details on what the two discussed.
“Zimbabwe’s Special Envoy, Kazembe Kazembe, has met Guinea President, Alpha Conde, and delivered a special message from President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Kazembe discussed matters of mutual interest with President Conde,” noted ZBC.
Six people are said to have died on the spot when a commuter omnibus they were traveling in collided with a haulage truck this morning along Beitbridge road in Mwenezi.
BUHERA – A man from Maunze Village under Chief Nyashanu in Buhera has appeared at the local courts after he bashed his wife for borrowing mealie meal from a neighbour.
The angry Gift Chingosi (26) also used a log to destroy his hut after his wife breached his rule that the family shall not borrow mealie meal.
The court heard that Chingosi threw away the mealie meal.
Chingosi assaulted Yevai Makamure (21) using a switch.
Lovemore Chamunoita representing the State said on September 1, 2019 at 6pm the complainant told the accused that there was no mealie meal in the house. The complainant then borrowed the commodity from a neighbour.
This did not go down well with the accused. He took the borrowed mealie meal and spewed it all over the house.
Magistrate Dennis Mangosi heard the case.Masvingo Mirror
Masvingo Province held it’s provincial executive which was addressed by the party’s national organising secretary Hon Amos Chibaya.
Wherever there are two or three people there are definitely bound to be perceived conflicts.
The national organiser using vast experience in politics navigated the terrain of conflict resolution to try and mend relations emanating from perceived post congress conflicts.
It was indeed an open discussion between the executive and the national organiser and the meeting come up with solutions which are meant to move the province forward.
The organiser reiterated the need to call ‘again’ for those still outside the provincial executive to be given another chance for the sake of moving the Province forward.
Soon after the Provincial congress the Provincial chair and his top called upon those who had contested and fail to make it to join the provincial executive so that they could serve in various capacities. Some headed the call but others thought otherwise.
A second call has been made today for those still outside to reconsider their earlier position.
Congress entails contestation and there are bound to be conflicts. As a way forward the province was mandated to address problems in some districts which still have structural problems.
The need for respect was clearly spelt out. Leaders were encouraged to address each other as leaders rather than calling each by names.
The province through the able provincial chair reiterated it’s unwavering support to President no matter what the courts decide in the Mashavira vs MDC case.
After the executive the national organiser had a chance to meet the 26 triple C chairs and organisers and clarified a lot of issues surrounding the branch formation.
The supremacy of branches was very clear from his address which should go a long way in terms of the integration process as there is no longer need whatsoever to fight for just 10 coordinating positions in the CCC. Power has indeed been decentralized which is a plus in terms of winning state power.
The dissolving of wards and district executives generated a lot of debate and emotions and the national organiser was up to the task in demystifying some of the lies that were making rounds. He explained the strategy behind the new direction being taken by the party structural wise.
Farai Dziva|MDC Youth Assembly spokesperson, Stephen Chuma has described Zanu PF’ s Pupurai Togarepi as a serial liar.
Chuma also said Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship thrives on serial lies and blame shifting.
Read full statement :
Unfortunate comments laced with mendacity attributed to a 57 year old Pupurai Togarepi who happens to be a youth leader for a dying political party clearly shows that the old man is not in sync with realities of poverty and starvation facing the underpaid civil servants.
Without shame, Togarepi claims that industrial action by the poorly paid government workers stems from a hidden third hand that sponsors strikes.
Such a blue lie by a man who ideally is supposed to represent youths, of which 90% of workers are youths is quite regrettable, detestable and shameful.
It is crystal clear that Togarepi is lost.
There is an Eritrean proverb that says “if you don’t know where you are going, you are always on course” and the saying aptly fits Togarepi’s mental illusions as far as the national question is concerned.
The biggest tragedy facing Togarepi is that he is lost and is going to remain as such since he believes Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is on the right course as far as issues to do with politics and economy are concerned.
Here is a man whose party officials had the audacity to even lie with a straight face that 01 August 2018 military killings were a result of a third force when in reality we saw soldiers in balaclavas firing live bullets on citizens in broad daylight.
Togarepi is the same man who made reckless utterances that there is a third hand in abductions when we all know that state agents were behind such ills!
Pupurai is the same man who gave false evidence to the effect that the MDC demonstrations are violent when we all know that the merchants of violence are ZANU PF implants!
Togarepi is a youth leader whose party deployee, Anslem Sanyatwe lied under oath that soldiers who butchered civilians on 01 August 2018 where shooting at 45% angle!
For avoidance of doubt Togarepi is the same man whose President moves around wearing a scarf in scotching heat wanting us to believe that it is cold when in actual sense the country is burning literally and metaphorically.
Now the same man want us to believe we are that gullible to extend of buying a narrative that civil servants are being sponsored by a third hand to undertake industrial action when we all know these hard working citizens are getting peanuts from government.
What is very clear is that Togarepi’s party and President have failed and the most unfortunate part is that they believe their own lies.
Simply put, Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship thrives on serial lies and blame shifting!
The greatest revolutionary of all time, Jesus Christ taught us that a barren fig tree must be destroyed and cast into fire and rightly so Zimbabweans have a duty send this military dictatorship into political dustbins.
#NoToCommandLies!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
Unfortunate comments laced with mendacity attributed to a 57 year old Pupurai Togarepi who happens to be a youth leader for a dying political party clearly shows that the old man is not in sync with realities of poverty and starvation facing the underpaid civil servants.
Without shame, Togarepi claims that industrial action by the poorly paid government workers stems from a hidden third hand that sponsors strikes.
Such a blue lie by a man who ideally is supposed to represent youths, of which 90% of workers are youths is quite regrettable, detestable and shameful.
It is crystal clear that Togarepi is lost.
There is an Eritrean proverb that says “if you don’t know where you are going, you are always on course” and the saying aptly fits Togarepi’s mental illusions as far as the national question is concerned.
The biggest tragedy facing Togarepi is that he is lost and is going to remain as such since he believes Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is on the right course as far as issues to do with politics and economy are concerned.
Here is a man whose party officials had the audacity to even lie with a straight face that 01 August 2018 military killings were a result of a third force when in reality we saw soldiers in balaclavas firing live bullets on citizens in broad daylight.
Togarepi is the same man who made reckless utterances that there is a third hand in abductions when we all know that state agents were behind such ills!
Pupurai is the same man who gave false evidence to the effect that the MDC demonstrations are violent when we all know that the merchants of violence are ZANU PF implants!
Togarepi is a youth leader whose party deployee, Anslem Sanyatwe lied under oath that soldiers who butchered civilians on 01 August 2018 where shooting at 45% angle!
For avoidance of doubt Togarepi is the same man whose President moves around wearing a scarf in scotching heat wanting us to believe that it is cold when in actual sense the country is burning literally and metaphorically.
Now the same man want us to believe we are that gullible to extend of buying a narrative that civil servants are being sponsored by a third hand to undertake industrial action when we all know these hard working citizens are getting peanuts from government.
What is very clear is that Togarepi’s party and President have failed and the most unfortunate part is that they believe their own lies.
Simply put, Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship thrives on serial lies and blame shifting!
The greatest revolutionary of all time, Jesus Christ taught us that a barren fig tree must be destroyed and cast into fire and rightly so Zimbabweans have a duty send this military dictatorship into political dustbins.
#NoToCommandLies!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
THE Supreme Court has reserved a judgement in a case in which a Harare businessman is challenging a High Court ruling clearing United Family International Church (UFIC) leader Emmanuel Makandiwa and his wife, Ruth in a $6,5 million defamation suit he filed against the couple.
Upenyu Mashangwa and his wife Blessing, both ex-UFIC members, claimed they lost a fortune after being misled by Makandiwa’s false prophecies.
The couple raised six claims against the church leaders and alleged that Makandiwa in 2012 misrepresented that they would encounter a “debt cancellation miracle” and encouraged them to continue “seeding”.
However, the Mashangwas’ house in Marlborough, Harare, according to the claim, was later attached and sold for $500 000 instead of $700 000 by ZB Bank.
The couple has demanded nearly $7 million from the tycoon preacher.
They wanted him to pay them $1,7 million for recommending a de-registered lawyer, Tichaona Mawere who was to dupe them, among other claims.
Earlier this year, the High Court cleared Makandiwa of any wrongdoing and Mashangwa took the case to the Supreme Court arguing that a ruling by justice David Mangota was frivolous and vexacious.
The case was heard Monday morning and Mashangwa’s lawyer, Advocate Sylvester Hashiti said Mangota passed a wrong judgement.
“When I say a wrong judgement, I mean that it’s a judgement not supported by the law. It is wrong in that it attacks the procedure.
“His judgement only dealt with the issue of vagueness and embarrassment,” said Hashiti.
However, Makandiwa’s attorney, Advocate Lewis Uriri argued that Mashangwa’s arguments were baseless.
“The application is groundless that no reasonable court will consider it,” he said.
Uriri said Mashangwa did not place any evidence proving his case before the court.
“They said they were sued but there is no evidence to prove this. They did not place before the court a version of their video. They simply refused to do so.
“The bank (ZB) never sued them. The property they are talking about was sold, never attached for execution.
“Ownership has not changed. The truth is the property was sold to one Jemina Gumbo and also to Walter Magaya and there are pending cases regarding this case,” he argued.
Uriri further questioned why Mashangwa was failing to provide the court with writ of execution documents if the property was attached as claimed.
“The whole case is riddled with falsehoods,” he said before the judgement was reserved.
Justices Elizabeth Gwaunza, Lavender Makoni and Francis Bere heard the case.
Before the High Court, Makandiwa successfully argued that the lawsuit was an abuse of the court process and that it should be thrown out.
Regarding the debt cancellation claim, Makandiwa denied ever misleading the couple, saying no prophecy can command the congregants to stop repaying their debts.
He said the leaders at UFIC only deliver sermons and teachings based on the word of God and video evidence of all services can confirm that.
Makandiwa argued that the Mashangwas never owed ZB Bank as alleged and that the Marlborough property was never attached over a $500 000 debt as alleged.
In February 2012, the property in question, was sold to someone for $800 000 and later on to a third party.
Makandiwa denied ever prophesying that Mawere was a great lawyer who would never lose a case.
He attached a digital video disc (DVD) showing the events of the day in question showing that the prophecy was targeting Mawere’s wife who had problems with her husband.
Makandiwa stated in his papers that the couple never engaged Mawere as alleged.
On the claim related to payment of tithes and offerings, Makandiwa said they are biblical, and no one is compelled to pay them.
Makandiwa also denied knowledge of the $1,1 million that the Mashangwa claimed to have contributed to the church.
It was also dismissed as false that the Mashangwas shut down Oceane Perfumes business after the church leader communicated that the products were cancerous.
