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.

A 31 year old bus driver has been fatally shot in Redcliffe, Kwazulu Natal on Tuesday morning 12 November 2019.

Reaction Unit South Africa received the call of a shooting in progress at 07:03 on the Buffelsdraai Road in Redcliffe. Reaction Officers converged on the scene and found a male slumped on the drivers seat with three gunshot wounds to his head.

Paramedics declared him deceased a short while later.

According to witnesses that were on the Siza Baba Bus Service, a passenger entered the bus, drew a handgun and shot the driver in the head. The suspect had been picked up as a passenger a short distance from the scene. Witnesses informed Reaction Officers that the bus was in motion when the driver was attacked. The vehicle then rolled back for a short distance before coming to a a standstill in the center of the road.

According to Prem Balram, director of Reaction Unit SA they received a call of a shooting in progress at 07:03am this morning on the Buffelsdraai Road in Redcliffe.

“Reaction Officers converged on the scene and found a male slump on the drivers seat with three gunshot wounds to his head. Paramedics declared him deceased a short while later,” said Balram.

The suspect then fled the scene on foot. According to a witness, he was picked up in a white VW Polo. This has not been confirmed. Three spent 9mm cartridges were recovered inside the bus.

Balram said according to witnesses a passenger entered the bus, drew a handgun and shot the driver in the head.

“The suspect had been picked up as a passenger a short distance from the scene.

“Witnesses informed Reaction Officers that the bus was in motion when the driver was attacked. The vehicle then rolled back for a short distance before coming to a a standstill in the center of the road.

According to family members who arrived on scene, the driver is a resident of Buffelsdale in Tongaat, KZN. The transport business belonged to the family of the deceased. This has not been confirmed.

A case of Murder is being investigated. KZN police had not yet responded to queries for comment.

In September a Translux bus driver has been killed and another critically wounded after two drive-by shootings minutes apart on the R56 near Ixopo.

The buses were en route to Johannesburg from the Eastern Cape when they came under fire.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa wants to be succeeded by a fairly young leader compared to those that have ruled the country before , a senior government official has said.

Ndavaningi Nick Mangwana the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services said, “President Mnangagwa believes that the next President and leadership of Zimbabwe should be a younger in age compared to the leadership the country has had so far.”

“President Mnangagwa believes that the next President & leadership of Zim should be a younger in age compared to the leadership the country has had so far. It is with this in mind that he has taken the bold step of infusing young leadership in Govt as deputies to learn the ropes,” said Mangwana.

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa is Thursday headed for yet another potential confrontation with MDC MPs when he returns to parliament for Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube 2020 national budget presentation.

MDC national spokesperson Daniel Molokele, in an interview, set the record straight the main opposition still did not recognise Mnangagwa as legitimately elected national leader.

Molokele said the stance was not spontaneous but was a party policy not to grant Mnangagwa the respect of national President.

“We do not recognise ED, full stop! The decision we made is based on the party resolution. So, neither the Standing Rules and Orders of Parliament nor the Speaker Jacob Mudenda can challenge the party decision,” he told NewZimbabwe Monday.

The main opposition insists the Zanu PF leader stole his way to victory in the 2018 presidential poll in which he escaped with a narrow 50.6% victory, enough to grant him passage to State House.

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa polled 44.3% of the national vote, according to ZEC official results.

The main opposition has almost made it occupational to dispute the victory even 15 months into Mnangagwa’s new mandate.

Mudenda was last year forced to summon some police officers into the legislative chamber to drag out MDC MPs one by one during live television coverage on national broadcaster, ZBC-TV.

He was reacting to the defiant legislators’ failure to join their Zanu PF counterparts in standing up in recognition of Mnangagwa who had entered the house of assembly for the 2019 budget presentation.

Some of the MPs were injured in the process.

September this year during official opening of parliament by Mnangagwa, MDC had another trick up their sleeves; walking out on Mnangagwa as he presented his address.

The action elicited a backlash from Mudenda who decreed the withholding of five months of their allowances.

Mudenda has further blocked MDC MPs from directing any questions to cabinet ministers during parliament’s question and answer sessions.

Thursday’s national budget presentation presents an opportunity for yet another MDC stunt which the party has kept a secret.

Said Molokele, “Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda does not have the powers to victimise our members in the House and if he decides to do so, we will take him to court.”

Mudenda, on his part, chose to play his cards close to his chest when reached for comment on what he had in store for Mnangagwa-disrespecting MPs.

“I cannot predict anything on assumptions, that is the long and short of it,” Mudenda said.

Meanwhile, MDC will this Tuesday hold its caucus to deliberate on whether or not to attend Thursday’s budget presentation.

-Newzimbabwe

By A Correspondent- A man from Bulawayo has been fined $50 for cutting his wife’s fingers with a pair of scissors in anger after she refused to give him money for bus fare.

Nqobile Ncube (34) from Nkulumane suburb attacked Ms Prisca Dube at their home.

A court heard how Ncube, who was abusive, was in the habit of spending his money on beer and then ask for bus fare to go to work from his unemployed wife. Ncube pleaded guilty to physical abuse before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube.

The magistrate fined him $50 or two months imprisonment.

Ncube said: “Icala ngiyalivuma kodwa ngakwenza nge mistake, ngangifuna ukumthathela isigelo ayesiphethe, (I admit the charges levelled against me. However, I hurt her unintentionally).

For the State, Mr Chief Muteve said Ncube committed the crime on October 25 this year at around 9PM.

“The accused person asked for a laptop to charge his cell phone from the complainant and she refused. The complainant told the accused person to charge his phone on the socket and he got angry.

“He later asked for bus fare and the complainant refused. The accused person took a pair of scissors on top of the chest of drawers and cut the complainant’s two fingers on her right hand,” he said.

Mr Muteve said Ms Dube sustained deep cuts and was referred to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for treatment.

Ms Dube, who had a bandage on her hand, said she refused with the laptop because her children were using it. The matter was reported to the police leading to Ncube’s arrest. It was not mentioned how much Ncube had asked for.

-StateMedia

ORDINARY citizens whose pockets are not deep enough to afford private medical care continue to bear the brunt of the ongoing stand-off between medical doctors — who have been on industrial action for over two months now — and government.

People with various ailments are gambling with death as many have since stopped going to seek medical attention at public hospitals, where they are routinely turned away due to the unavailability of doctors.

Hope in the public health system recuperating and going back on its feet has been lost and the pain has been worst felt by chronically ill patients who rely on the doctors’ services from time to time.

Faina Guruuswa (not her real name), has suffered from anal cancer for 11 years, having been in and out of hospital since 2008, seeking services to at least ease her recurring ailment.

The growth is often cut, but it grows again at a slightly different spot. She has had to become a permanent resident at one of the country’s biggest health institutions, where she is being attended to.

When NewsDay visited her, she was fearful that speaking to the media would attract severe backlash from hospital authorities.

Sometime in September soon after the doctors downed their tools, she had to go for an incomplete chemotherapy treatment.

Chemotherapy treatment may be a single drug or a combination of drugs. The drugs may all be given on a single day, several consecutive days, or continuously.

Guruuswa was given three doses, instead of five, and was told it was just a favour being accorded her since doctors were on strike.

Such is the case for many in her situation. Scheduled treatment is no longer guaranteed, further worsening their situation as cancers are bound to spread rapidly.More in Home

Guruuswa said she was now living in uncertainty over how long she would be stuck at the hospital awaiting services in the face of the doctors’ prolonged strike.

“My condition started in 2008 soon after I started anti-retroviral treatment. I developed small pimples in my anal area and I sought treatment which was not entirely successful,” she said.

Five years down the line, she said it started growing again and she received medical attention, but it recurred again in 2015 and she had to go to Karoi General Hospital to have it removed.

“The growth started again and in 2016, I went to a bigger provincial hospital for another operation, but the growth wasn’t completely healed and I was in excruciating pain. I have had to live on painkillers until now. I am on morphine to help ease the pain,” she said, barely being able to conceal the pain gnawing at her as she narrated her ordeal.

She came to Harare in winter this year because she felt she was now being a burden to her sister, who had accommodated her in Chiredzi, but was also struggling.

Things turned for the worst when the doctors’ strike began and her dream of ever getting better have been shattered.

“Things have changed. Before this, we did not have problems getting treated. It was timely and straight-forward,” she recalled.

Guruuswa has had to endure the harsh economic conditions and is living off the hospital after authorities availed a shelter for those in her situation at the Annex Psychiatric Unit.

She, however, keeps holding on to the last straw of hope that the doctors will return to work and she gets her scheduled treatment before things turn for the worst.

A visit to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on Thursday evening last week proved that things were far from normal.

As the NewsDay crew sat in the casualty area trying to figure out how people were being served in the wake of the ongoing doctors’ strike, one of the senior doctors finally came after close to two hours of waiting.

“Doctors are on strike, but I am here to assist you with your next step,” the doctor said.

He told one woman who had brought a young man who had drunk poison, to take him back home and force him to drink lots of water because there was no doctor to deal with his condition.

Two women who had a baby with an ulcer on the thumb were told to rush to a private practice as their case was an emergency, which, under normal circumstances, would have been quickly dealt with at the hospital.

Several others were told to go back home.

Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association spokesperson Masimba Ndoro told NewsDay that while they drew no pleasure in seeing their patients suffering, the onus was on government to ensure that the basic right to health was upheld.

“We really want to be with our patients. We don’t draw any pleasure from their suffering. It is quite sad that people are being deprived of their right to health as a result of the impasse.

“It is the government’s responsibility to make sure that people are accorded quality health. The government should quickly come to terms with regards to accepting that we have a problem,” he said.

Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) executive director Itai Rusike said the ongoing impasse between government and the doctors was taking its toll on patients and there was need to resolve the crisis urgently.

“CWGH is greatly worried by the incapacitation crisis and prolonged impasse between the doctors and their employer, which has resulted in untold suffering of patients and even deaths that could have been avoided under normal circumstances,” he said.

“While we acknowledge the genuine grievances of the doctors and the financial position of government, we would like to urge the two parties to put patients first and at the centre of their dialogue to save lives and stop the suffering.”

The doctors have remained adamant and have vowed not to return to work until government offered a meaningful remuneration, among other things.

Government has already fired 211 striking doctors after conducting disciplinary hearings, albeit boycotted by the medical practitioners.

At least 516 doctors face the axe as the disciplinary hearings continue.

Meanwhile, Guruuswa’s life, and that of other patients in critical conditions, remain in the balance.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Newly appointed minister of the new Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, Daniel Garwe, said his ministry will push to fulfil the interests and manifestos set by Zanu PF ahead of the 2018 general elections.

Speaking soon after his swearing in at State House along with Information Communications and Technologies minister Janfen Muswere, Garwe said he was ready for his new role.

“We are here to further the interests of our party Zanu PF, if Zanu PF says we are going to build houses, we are here to therefore take it up to build those houses for the people of Zimbabwe,” Garwe said.

Ahead of the polls, Zanu PF promised to build five million houses by 2023, to date no significant milestones has been made.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa in a Cabinet reshuffle whittled the powers of Local Government and Public Works minister July Moyo, who was in charge of housing, to bring in Garwe.

He also trimmed Perrance Shiri’s Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlements ministry to expand Mangaliso Ndlovu’s Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry.

The new minister said while the construction industry was dormant owing to a declining economy, he was up for the challenge.

“The construction industry right now is dormant because of the economic hardships that the country is going through,” Garwe said.

“We all know that it is a service industry, people would want money to buy food to get in the stomach first before they think of building houses. The industry is waiting for me now, it is a collective responsibility, it is not the minister’s job alone, stakeholders must be involved. It’s a key result area for government, it is a key result area for me, it is a key result area for my party Zanu PF.”

He added: “Local Government is no longer constructing houses; that responsibility has been taken to National Housing. However, this is my first day; I have to sit down with my colleagues, and see how best we can work in harmony. It is about inter-connectedness of responsibilities.”

Muswere, who is the former ICT deputy, said his immediate task would be to strike a balance between affordability of data and sustainability of service providers.

“The basis of the entire mobile network operators and the fixed network operators is to ensure that their businesses are viable but also to ensure that we protect the consumers of Zimbabwe,” he said.

Muswere said he would ensure an acceleration of connectivity and prioritise access to modern technologies.

“Generally, what we are expecting is an acceleration of a knowledge-based society, through ubiquitous connectivity,” Muswere said.

“If you are looking at the pre-budget seminar, we are covering mainly the infrastructure sectors, which is in line with the Transitional Stabilisation Programme … we are going to be more about results.”

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo man, who was sentenced to four years in jail for looting during the January protests, has approached the High Court appealing both his conviction and sentencing.

Future Banda was arrested on January 25 at the instigation of Mlungu Supermarket owner, Prayford Sibanda, who alleged that Banda was part of the protesters that looted his shop on January 15.

Banda was convicted of stealing a pig carcass and 6×2 litre containers of Chibuku beer.

The court ordered him to pay restitution of $18 000.

During trial, Banda insisted that he was not part of the looters as he was attending a funeral on the day in question, with witnesses testifying to that effect.

Banda was sentenced to four years at Khami Prison. Six months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while another six months were suspended on condition he restitutes his victim.

Banda’s lawyer Sifelani Mlambo told a local publication yesterday that they had approached the High Court seeking repeal.

“Yes, we have already appealed to the High Court and the case has already been filed and we are waiting for the date, which is most likely to be early next year,” he said.

Mlambo said there was proof that the convict had attended the funeral in Makokoba.

The State is being accused of having relied on two untrustworthy witnesses who gave contradicting testimonies.

“The witnesses that gave the account contradicted themselves. One of them said Banda was the ring leader in the looting and had organised it. The other one said that he (Banda) was among the group that looted in the shop,” Mlambo said.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The Former First Lady promised war veterans and farmers in the area she’ll be back in three years and they’ll kneel in front of her.

Flanked by Simba Chikoore, Gushungo diary security, and Bouncers, Grace Mugabe arrived at a farm and locked the gates, while her security guards, told everyone to lie down, and pointed guns menacingly at the families.

Six families who live at the farm were told to leave.

This is in spite of the fact that the six families on the farm have offer letters given during the Mugabe days.

During her rampage, Grace Mugabe also called police at Borrowdale Police station who came to the scene to assist with the eviction. However, when the Police saw the offer letters, they left and refused to be involved in a political matter.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Applied Genetics Testing Centre director Zephaniah Dlamini says the institution’s DNA testing has been focused on human identification.

To date, AGTC has rendered its services to over 2 000 families seeking paternity tests.

Said Dhlamini:

Our DNA testing has been focused on human identification including individual DNA profiling and databasing, the establishment of parentage and other biological relationships as well as forensic applications including sexual assault (rape) cases.

DNA-based paternity testing has been the most popular service, to date we have tested over 2000 families coming from all corners of Zimbabwe.

AGTC has been operational since 2015 and according to Dhlamini, the institution’s DNA lab has brought genetics testing to people who previously could not access the services.

-StateMedia

You wanna know why zanupf enjoys the situation in Zim?
They keep enriching themselves
Gvt mortuary has been suspended

Corpse will be redirected to private mortuary

The owner is Marema

He owns SA largest security company called Mafoko Security

He is very close to VP Mohadi pic.twitter.com/WY5faHHoI5

— Alice Tsungu (@TsunguAlice) November 12, 2019

By A Correspondent- A faith healer from Redcliff died after a mob meted ‘instant justice’ on him after he had failed to heal a man suffering from runyoka/lunyoka.

According to local tradition, runyoka is a condition which affects a man who would have slept with a woman, who husband or partner had ‘centrally locked her’ and can result in the death of the man affected.

The faith healer, Tapiwa Mubaiwa, was beaten to death by an angry mob after he had failed to treat one Tony Siziba who was allegedly suffering from runyoka after he had bedded a married woman.

Siziba’s relatives and friends had taken him to Mubaiwa who promised to treat the matter within minutes and demanded a cow upfront as his payment.

Unfortunately for Mubaiwa, he failed to deliver on his promise and the mob which was incensed at having paid the cow quickly descended on him and beat him up severely until he lost consciousness. He later died while he was being transported to a hospital.

After realising what they had done the perpetrators, Edmore Mpofu, Anderson Tshuma, Tony Siziba, and a Denford went into hiding.

Mpofu was later apprehended and appeared before Kwekwe Magistrate Miss Vimbai Mtukwa facing a murder charge. He was denied bail and remanded in custody to May 7.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- The water crisis bedevilling urban settlements has seen a 17-year-old-girl from Mucheke Suburb in Masvingo being rap_ed at knife point after going to fetch water at around midnight last week.

The girl reported the case at Chikato Police Station and a medical examination has confirmed the rap_e.

Masvingo Acting Police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said that investigations are underway and advised people to walk in groups when they have errands at night.

Women’s Coalition in Zimbabwe Masvingo branch chairperson, Joyce Mhungu said council must quickly address water shortage as it spells more disaster for women and girls.

Dhewa said that the girl was on her way back home from fetching water at Yeukai Business Centre when a man armed with a knife suddenly clutched her from behind. The girl screamed but the suspect pulled out a kitchen knife and threatened to kill her.

The rap_ist allegedly dragged the girl into a secluded area near the Presbyterian Church and rap_ed the girl once before he sped away.

Masvingo is facing a water crisis that has seen few areas receiving the precious liquid, but this only comes after midnight. Women and children have to wake up early every morning to collect water from boreholes and public tapes.

This has left the vulnerable exposed to thugs that loiter at night.

“Parents and guardians must accompany juveniles when going out, even when they are running errands especially during the evening,” said Dhewa.

-Mirror

By A Correspondent- Newly appointed National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe said his ministry would focus on construction of houses.

“The construction industry has been dormant because of the economic hardships the country is going through,” he said.

“This is a service industry. People would first want food before they think of building.

“Our mandate is to turn around the economy and the construction industry plays a critical role in turning around the economy. Construction provided instant job creation and instant wealth creation and the employment was less reliant on technology and more on hard work. 

“It is a hard-hat industry. It creates a massive amount of jobs. That is what we are going to push to ensure that our youths, women and everybody else gets employment.”

Minister Garwe said he would strive to bring order into housing cooperatives that have been building houses on sites without social amenities.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Warren Park Polyclinic has effectively closed due to the ongoing strike by nurses at most of the clinics owned by Harare City Council.

The development has left mainly expecting women and infants in need of vaccination in a quandary.

On Monday, expecting and nursing mothers were being turned away by a security guard manning the gate at the institution.

A security guard told a local publication that some doctors had left business cards so that those in need of medical care could consult them.

Nurses at council clinics declared incapacitation on 4 November and despite council authorities declaring that the strike was illegal, the nurses have vowed not to report for duty until they are given a living wage.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The former wife of Ignatius Chombo, Marian, says she is looking forward to tackling corruption following her appointment as deputy minister on Local Government on Friday.

Chombo was speaking after she was sworn in at State House on Monday where she pledged to deal with corruption in local authorities. She said:

Every politician has a journey and this was my journey and at least, there is light. I still have to prove to Zimbabweans that I can deliver.

We were in a meeting with the President and he said we shouldn’t tolerate corruption and I will make sure I will do my best in that regard.

Marian divorced the short-lived Finance Minister in acrimonious circumstances. During the divorce process, she exposed Ignatius’ obscene wealth, which made observers view him as one of the most corrupt government officials of all time.

After she was attacked by the then President Robert Mugabe in 2013 for standing as an independent candidate in parliamentary elections, Marian joined former Vice-President Joice Mujuru’s National People’s Party and later re-joined Zanu PF.

-Newsday

Jenfan Muswere, the ICT minister. It's prize giving day with @edmnangagwa. Two Weeks in November @ZimEye @GKMwa @mawarirej @BitiTendai @energymutodi @LynneStactia @NzouJnr @zanupf_patriots @fortunechasi @TTMambeu @D_Nyambiya #ZimbabweYadzoka #MayibuyeiZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/pFXdezeZJZ

— Victor Chimhutu (@DrVChimhutu) November 11, 2019

By A Correspondent- 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 the Old Purnula 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 dear 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?’ Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango said: “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.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Two men from Bulawayo have each been sentenced to 60 months in prison for stabbing a police officer seven times all over the body with an okapi knife before robbing him of his wallet and a cellphone.

Mthabisi Sibanda (33), Prince Moyo (33) and Brian Moyo (29) of Entumbane suburb robbed Mr Collin Gono who is stationed at Ross Camp Police Station of $450, a police identity card, a national identity card, a PSMAS medical aid card, two FBC bank cards and a Samsung cellphone.

The trio pleaded not guilty to robbery when they appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Mr Tinashe Tashaya.

The magistrate convicted Sibanda and Prince and acquitted Brian.

He sentenced each of them to 60 months in prison and suspended six months for five years on condition that they do not commit any offence involving dishonesty and violence within that period.

“The first and second accused person are each sentenced to 60 months in prison. Six months have been suspended for each accused person for five years on condition that they do not commit any offence involving violence and dishonesty within that period,” said the magistrate.

He suspended a further six months on condition that they each restitute Mr Gono $295 before November 30.

The men will serve an effective 48 months in prison.

Brian was acquitted after the magistrate ruled that the State had failed to provide overwhelming evidence linking him to the offence.

According to court papers, on September 18 this year at around 7PM, Mr Gono was crossing a foot bridge at Mazai River in Makokoba suburb when he was approached by Sibanda and his accomplices.

The papers stated that the trio demanded his cellphone and wallet.

“One of the accused persons produced a knife and stabbed the complainant as he tried to run away,” read the court papers.

“The accused person further stabbed the complainant until he fell down and robbed him of his phone and wallet before disappearing into the darkness towards Mashumba Shopping Centre in Makokoba.”

The court heard that one of Sibanda’s accomplices sold the phone to Ms Nomthandazo Tshuma and it was later recovered.

The matter was reported to the police leading to the trio’s arrest.

The total value of stolen goods is RTGS$6 590 and RTGS$6 000 was recovered.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- The ruling ZANU PF party says its preparations for the forthcoming annual conference are 95 per cent complete.

Mashonaland East provincial chairperson Joel Biggie Matiza said that after the crushing victory over the MDC Alliance in a by-election held in Hwedza last weekend, the party was now focused on its indaba. He said:

We are past the election mode as we redirect our energy towards preparations for the annual conference to be held next month.

We are 95% through with the final preparations and on Wednesday (tomorrow), Rooneys will be on site to deal with the issue of pegging tents among other facilities.

ZANU PF will hold its annual conference at Goromonzi High School in Mashonaland East province.

The venue has been changed twice as it was initially set to for Murape Secondary School, then later at Mandedza High School, both in Seke District.

-Newsday

NewsDay|WARREN Park Polyclinic has effectively shut down following the industrial action by City of Harare nurses on November 4, leaving mainly expecting women and infants in need of vaccination in dire straits, NewsDay can reveal.

NewsDay yesterday observed that the clinic, which is usually a hive of activity, was deserted, with expecting and nursing mothers being turned away by the security guard manning the closed gates.

Ethel Mugadzaweta told NewsDay that after being turned away from the clinic, where she had taken her 10-week-old infant for diphtheria, polio and tetanus vaccination, she was going to Chitungwiza Central Hospital where she heard services were being provided.

“My child will die if I sit around and wait for this clinic, I am going to Chitungwiza Hospital. I hear they have not joined the strike yet,” she said.

The security guard at the premises, who refused to be identified, said the doctors had left their business cards for private consultations.

“I have with me business cards left by doctors who work here so that those in need of medical attention can consult because no one is reporting for work,” the security guard said.

The nurses have declared that they would not go back until their employer gives them a living wage.

Speaking to NewsDay, ward 15 councillor Tichavaona Mhetu argued that the clinic was operating, but only attending to critical issues.

“I spent the better part of Thursday at the clinic and they said they are attending serious cases like women who are already experiencing labour pains,” he said.

Other polyclinics in high-density areas such as Kuwadzana and Glen View are reportedly taking serious cases only.

Ordinary citizens, who have been flocking to council clinics after doctors at major referral centres downed tools two months ago, have been left with no primary health care alternative.

Dangwe News|With a pressing economy back home most Zimbabwean ladies are turning to high level prostitution in United Arab Emirates. It is believed the ladies are offered huge money by the rich Arab men in the Arabian country. Most of the trips are organised by South African based brokers who in turn get paid a commission for the services.

In 2018 two South African girls made headlines when they posted videos on social media bragging about how they made millions in a week after Dubai trip.

Speaking to Dangwe News Grace (not real name) who is based in Avondale Harare described the culture as satanic.

‘I went there four times on these sex trips after a friend introduced me, the money is good but it is dirty money. On my first trip three men would poop on me for more than four days, it was never about sex but more of being treated like an animal’. Grace said she made over U$15,000 on her first trip while all her expenses were catered for.

The trips are so popular that most girls fail to make the cut. On her last trip Grace told us how she was made to have sex with teenage boys.

‘The boys were virgins and the dads wanted them to have sex and teach them how it is done, it all happened in a packed room it is good none of them were recording the session. The so called girls trips to Dubai are all about this’. So bad is the practice that even married ladies are doing it while some girls as young as 17 years are being forced to join by other family members.

The economic situation in Zimbabwe has forced many into deep poverty with some men based in Cape Town South Africa turning to homosexuality in order to make ends meet. The tourist rich city has seen many Zimbabwean men sell their bodies to foreigners.

Masimba who once stayed in the mother city opened up about the dirty game ‘these are normal guys that need the extra money and it all starts after one is given a huge tip at a restaurant, many of them do it for money and are not even gays’.

There are risks Zimbabwe’s fight against HIV will be lost if the economy continues to melt as is the case now. Locally the prices of condoms have gone beyond the reach of many a situation that will force many to have unprotected sex. The country had recorded good gains on the fight against HIV with new infections going down and almost 90% of those infected being put on treatment.

The government last week inadvertently dismissed doctors who were on maternity leave and some who were training outside the country even though they did not take part in the ongoing strike.

This was revealed by Senior Hospital Doctors Association (SHDA) president Shingai Nyaguse in a statement. He said:

Junior and middle-level doctors have been dismissed from work for not being able to report for duty due to incapacitation.

Some on maternity leave and some who are training outside the country have also been served with letters accusing them of absenteeism.

Hundreds of doctors were served with dismissal letters for failing to report for duty without leave, with 500 more expected to be sacked when the disciplinary hearings are concluded.

The Minister of Health and Child Care, Obadiah Moyo, defended the dismissals claiming that the doctors, who have cited incapacitation, were in breach of the law.

A project by Bulawayo-based war veterans to produce “affordable” bread using Dutch ovens has been described as a waste of time since it has no capacity to meet the city’s demand for the commodity.

On Tuesday, the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) Bulawayo commissioned their “bread bakery”, which is located at their Entumbane high-density suburb offices.

ZNLWVA Bulawayo spokesperson Christopher Sibanda said they started producing bread on the day of the launch after receiving a donation of wheat from Provincial Affairs minister Judith Ncube.

“We have already started baking bread and we have groups of 10 people who work, so they take turns in working… on the day of launch bread was being sold for ZW$ 5,” Sibanda told Southern Eye on Sunday on Thursday.

“We have the capacity to produce cheap bread compared to what other confectionary companies are charging,” Sibanda said.

He was, however, evasive on the number of loaves they intend to produce per day from their bakery.

The price of bread, like other basic commodities and services, has been skyrocketing as producers cite inflation and a harsh operating environment.

A fortnight ago one of the confectionary giants, Bakers Inn reduced the price of the commodity from $15 to between $14 and $14,50.

Bulawayo commentator Reginald Shoko doubted that the war veterans’ project will be a solution to the ever rising cost of bread..

“Bulawayo needs over 10 000 loaves of bread a day, their oven is operated manually so this won’t help the community because their production will be too low,” he said.

“Even if their bread is cheaper, the demand will be high. Can they meet a demand of more than 10 000 a day?” Shoko questioned.

Shoko said the oven did not have the capacity to meet the demands of the Bulawayo community and likened it to a teaspoon in an ocean..

The project comes two months after more than 100 residents including war veterans underwent training on how to make bread in Bulawayo using Dutch ovens as part of Zanu PF’s empowerment projects.

Party supporters also underwent training in confectionery, petroleum jelly making, shoe polish making, floor polish making, building of Dutch ovens and the making of dust ovens.

The trainings were held at Zanu PF’s Bulawayo Davies Hall offices.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the party wants to construct makeshift traditional bakery ovens in every ward in the country to compete against “profiteering” bread companies.

NewsDay

Correspondent|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa will be in parliament yet again on Thursday for Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube 2020 national budget presentation, will MDC Parliamentarians walk out on him?

MDC national spokesperson Daniel Molokele, in an interview, set the record straight the main opposition still did not recognise Mnangagwa as legitimately elected national leader.

Molokele said the stance was not spontaneous but was a party policy not to grant Mnangagwa the respect of national President.

“We do not recognise ED, full stop. The decision we made is based on the party resolution so neither the Standing Rules and Orders of Parliament nor the Speaker Jacob Mudenda can challenge the party decision,” he told reporters on Monday.

Mudenda was last year forced to summon some police officers into the legislative chamber to drag out MDC MPs one after the other in front of live television coverage on national broadcaster, ZBC-TV.

He was reacting to the defiant legislators’ failure to join their Zanu PF counterparts in standing up in recognition of Mnangagwa who had entered the house of assembly for the 2019 budget presentation.

Some of the MPs were injured in the process.

September this year during official opening of parliament by Mnangagwa, MDC had another trick up their sleeves; walking out on Mnangagwa as he presented his address.

The action elicited a backlash from Mudenda who decreed the withholding of five months of their allowances.

Mudenda has further blocked MDC MPs from directing any questions to cabinet ministers during parliament’s question and answer session.

Meanwhile, MDC will this Tuesday hold its caucus to deliberate on Thursday’s budget presentation on whether to attend the event or not.

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

Own Correspondent|ZANU PF Youth League Secretary for Administration Tendai Chirau has launched an attack on former First Lady Grace Ntombizodwa Mugabe over reports that she hired thugs to invade a farm allegedly owned by 6 farmers who were allocated the farm some years back.

Writing on Facebook Chirau said, “Grace Marufu Mugabe Marufu reportedly hired some hoodlums in a bid to invade a farm owned by six farmers who were allocated the land some years back. During the old dispensation she tormented the people of Mazhou in Mash Central.”

Chirau said Grace Mugabe’s bid to own multiple farms will not succeed.

“In the new dispensation, she is destined to fail and her insatiable appetite for owning multiple farms will be brought to end. The farm in question is in Pomona.”

Grace Mugabe’s accusers have offer letters that are stamped and dated 2007, and were signed by former Minister Didymus Mutasa.

Commenting on the matter political analyst Shephard Dube said the move by the ZANU PF Youths was aimed at seeking revenge on Grace Mugabe for burying former President Mugabe in Zvimba in line with his wishes.

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s people are vindictive and are targeting a widow who refused to have her husband buried at the heroes acre and presided over by ZANU PF people. After failing to defeat her plans they are now moving after her assets. If grace Mugabe did any wrong let her be taken to court and let the court do its role. We must not have people who are law unto themselves and threatening other citizens.” Dube said.

MWENEZI – Pupils at Turf Primary School in Ward 15 has over the past 17 years ran without even a single classroom block and has recorded a zero percent pass rate in grade seven examinations ever since.

During lessons, many pupils sit on the ground under makeshift structures built of wooden poles and dagga with thatched roof.

Turf Primary School Teacher-in-Charge (TIC) Bernard Mahutse said the school was facing some of the worst conditions a school could ever face in the country.

“Grade seven classes use these facilities during their final examinations. We have a total enrolment of 368 pupils and we have few pieces of furniture such that some of our pupils learn seated on the ground,” said Mahutse.

Teachers do not stay longer at the school as there are no houses for them, and none of them is motivated to stay at the school for a long time.

“There are five teachers here and that shows you how understaffed we are. Different grades are combined into one single class to make it easier for teachers to cope. Teachers do not stay for long and pupils are taught by new faces all the time,” said Mahutse.

Local parents also lamented the conditions at the school which they described as good as a play centre for their children to pass their time.

“Nothing is learnt at Turf as our children just go there to grow up and socialise with their age-mates. During the rainy season, many parents would rather have their children herding cattle and goats than to going to school where they benefit nothing except to come back home with dirt uniforms,” said female parent.

Ward 15 Cllr Edson Chauke said the school faced a serious predicament as the Ministry of Lands was yet to officially authorise the school’s location.

“Conditions there are really bad and that is tragic to the future of our children there. The Ministry of Land is backtracking on pegging the school to make its siting permanent.

“We briefed our MP (Priscilla Moyo) about the state of affairs at the school and she promised to assist in that regard. We will keep pushing to ensure that a way out is found and conditions there are improved,” said Chauke.

Mwenezi Rural District Council (RDC), which is the responsible authority, through the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Albert Chivanga acknowledged the state of affairs at the school.

Chivanga told TellZim News in a telephone interview that schools which were unpegged and are on private properties are difficult to develop until certain issues got clarified.

The entire Mwenezi district has a total of 172 schools, 102 of which are satellites, having been born out of the often chaotic Land Reform Programme.

Most satellite schools in the district are in a sorry state, with Turf Primary being just but an epitome of worse things going on.

TellZim News

Former Zipra fighters have dismissed Jonathan Moyo’s protest over the removal of Cain Mathema by President Emmerson Mnangagwa from the Home Affairs Ministry as spitting on the 1987 Unity Accord.

The Unity Accord brought together Zapu and Zanu then under Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe respectively and ended the Gukurahundi massacres targeted at Nkomo’s supporters in the Matabeleland region and Midlands province.

In a cabinet reshuffle last Friday, Moyo said the removal of Mathema whom he claimed was an ex Zapu for the first time saw ex Zapu members in Zanu-PF shut out from security portfolios.

But the Zipra veterans said Mathema joined Zanu before the unity accord.

“When Mathema was sent to school after he and his friends staged a mutiny during the war, he joined Zanu and ceased being Zapu. It is wrong for Moyo to say Mathema represents ex Zapu/Zipra cadres. Mathema just like Obert Mpofu defected to Zanu long before the unity accord was signed so technically, they are Zanu people,” said a Zipra veteran.

“He is right when he says ex Zapu people are no longer in the security ministries but that basis should not be on the recent removal of Mathema from the Home Affairs ministry.”

Mathema was removed from Home Affairs and was assigned to the ministry of education as Mnangagwa replaced him with Kazembe Kazembe.

State Media|Commercial banks were collecting $30 million new notes and coins yesterday from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and account holders should be able to start accessing their $300 weekly cash withdrawal rations starting today. With the weekly cash withdrawal limit at $300, at least 100 000 account holders should be able to withdraw cash this week, unless there is another injection from RBZ.

As bank vans started congregating at RBZ to collect the new $2 and $5 notes and the new $2 bond coins, RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya said measures had been put in place to counter the channelling of cash from banks to the black market and the locking up of the new cash into the informal sector.

He did not go into detail, but the withdrawal limits, the small change-denominations, monitoring to ensure businesses bank cash and general checking are all likely to be part of that process.

Dr Mangudya said he expected all banks to start dispensing the new notes and coins today.

While withdrawal limits remain at a maximum of $300 a week, the authorities intend to review them when the situation improves in line with the thrust of restoring normalcy in the economy.

Banks are also expected to start feeding money into automated teller machines (ATMs) soon.

Dr Mangudya said the RBZ will closely monitor the movement of cash from banks to depositors to prevent the channelling of money to illegal cash dealers who have been selling notes and coins to desperate people at premiums of up to 50 percent.

Most of the premiums are paid by people needing kombi fares as other purchases are normally only cheaper for cash if no premiums are paid.

“Money moves from formal to informal sector; it gets trapped there,” said Dr Mangudya.

“So, it means we need to make sure that the economy is formalised. We need to improve production to grow the circle of the formal sector. We need to address the structural challenges.”

On enforcement of legal instruments to preserve cash in the formal system, Dr Mangudya said: “It’s a must; our teams will be on the ground to ensure that compliance is done. We also need to ensure that shops that receive cash bank it in line with the Bank Use Promotion Act. Big outlets will be monitored.”

Dr Mangudya said reports that the RBZ had not released cash to banks yesterday were incorrect.

“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.”

His remarks followed long queues of seemingly frustrated depositors at most banking halls.

The RBZ chief said cash supply will keep improving in the next few days as monetary authorities continue to drip-feed the market.

The introduction of new notes and coins is expected to increase the amount of cash in circulation from about $855 million to almost $1,9 billion.

Dr Mangudya has said the RBZ aims to increase the amount of cash in circulation to 10 percent of total money supply, which is close to the standard global thresholds.

Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ) vice president Mr Ralph Watungwa confirmed that banks started receiving cash from the RBZ yesterday.

“I can confirm that the new notes are being taken from the central bank and normal processes for takeover of the notes are underway,” he said.

“Some banks have already collected the notes while others are still in the process. The public was expecting to hold the cash today, but it’s a process. As BAZ we are confirming that the banks will start dispensing the new notes tomorrow (today).”

A lot of arbitrage has been in progress for some months.

Yesterday, there was still around a 35 percent premium on notes and coins sold for mobile money and foreign currency dealers were giving a similar discount on US dollars bought for cash.

Prices of many goods at the tuckshops and street vendors level are also around a third lower for cash.

Many informal traders then sell the cash they get as they buy their goods in the formal sector for digital money.

It is expected that as more cash circulates, these arbitrage gaps will diminish.

Premiums for cash payouts should fall, the gap between the cash and mobile money price of a US dollar banknote on the black market should narrow and the prices charged by informal traders for cash should start approaching the prices charged by formal traders regardless of the payment system.

Paul Nyathi|ZESA is implementing prolonged load-shedding of up to 18 hours a day following a fault at Hwange Power Station yesterday afternoon.

The power utility said it was moving to Stage 2 load-shedding.

According to Zesa, Stage 1 load-shedding happens to the first group of customers as listed on its schedule and these are switched off as the power shortfall will be within planned limits.

In the event that the power shortfall increases beyond the planned limits, load shedding will move to Stage 2.

Zesa said while it was importing electricity to augment national supplies, power would remain constrained.

“While all efforts are being made to improve the power supply availability through imports, the supply situation remains fragile,” said Zesa.

“Customers are advised to use the available power very sparingly and will be updated as the situation improves. The inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted.”

The first two stages at Hwange Power Station suffer frequent breakdowns because of skipped and skimped maintenance and refurbishment over the past 35 years.

Hwange and modest imports from South Africa and Mozambique have to carry the Zimbabwean load because the regional drought has severely limited output from Kariba South, the largest station.

Kariba, Zimbabwe’s largest power plant with a capacity of 1 050MW, is churning out less than 10 percent of its capacity as water levels at the lake, where neighbouring Zambia also draws water for its power plant on the northern bank, are fast dwindling.

At peak periods of demand, the country requires about 1 800MW, but is currently able to produce an average of 500MW, at best, due to the effect of drought on Kariba water levels and the antiquated equipment at Hwange Power Station.

Given that water levels in the Kariba dam only reach peak inflows around middle of each calendar year when plains up north where the river originates will have saturated, the dam may not supply power for more than half the year in 2020.

Two brand new large boiler-turbine-generator units are being commissioned at Hwange, but the extra 600MW will not start coming on stream until mid-2021.

Hwange is also operating with critically low stocks of coal due to reduced feedstock supplies from the miners amid concerns that the situation could also trigger stoppages of power production.

Recently, Zesa claimed that it was not getting enough supplies from the coal miners — Hwange Colliery, Makomo Resources and Zambezi Gas.

Its target stock is 300 000 tonnes, which is equivalent to 45 days of power generation at 600MW. But ZESA is only receiving an average of 85 000 tonnes, enough for only 11 days.

Importing power is also a challenge as some of the regional suppliers, particularly Eskom of South Africa, are struggling to keep generating units in service. A scarcity of foreign currency has also resulted in Zimbabwe struggling to pay for power imports.

Additional reporting: State Media

Paul Nyathi|President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday signed into office his newly appointed Ministers at a ceremony at the State House. Amongst those was the new Minister Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Dr Jenfan Muswere.

Dr Muswere was previously a completely unknown Deputy Minister in the same ministry.

His promotion to head up this crucial ministry clearly tells that President Mnangagwa doesn’t know the importance of technology or that he doesn’t care or both. Muswere should not be anywhere near his position.

Here is a video of Muswere being interviewed about Artificial Intelligence at the AI for Good Conference in Geneva in May this year. It will make you look for a rock to crawl under… What did we ever do to deserve this?

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) yesterday announced fuel price increases of 11 cents and 10 cents for petrol and diesel, respectively.

The price of petrol which was at $16,66 per litre is now $16,77, while diesel is now $17,53, up from $17,43 per litre.

The price changes are due to the FOB (Free on Board) price movement and the revised duty regime.

Zera said operators may, however, sell at prices below the cap depending on their trading advantages.State media

Farai Dziva|Controversial preacher, Talent Madungwe has claimed that God condemned WhatsApp and Facebook -among other social media platforms.

“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,” he told H-Metro.

“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.

Political commentator Ken Mufuka, has advised Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo against picking up a needless fight with United States of America President Donald Trump.

The remarks come after Moyo used language towards the US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Brian Nichols, that “has been associated with Zanu PF apparatchiks, who visit opponents by night”.

Wrote Mufuka:
Trump loves a fight. If Moyo lives on planet earth, he would know that the world does not owe Zimbabwe anything and that Trump is a street fighter.
Trump’s reaction is unpredictable.

Trump is like a drunken Irishman, who joins a street fight without knowing what the fight was for. Trump can easily cut off food aid to the eight million starving Zimbabweans.

There is really nothing called illegal sanctions. If the US refuses to trade with Zimbabwe and cuts off Visa, MasterCard and American Express Services, there is nothing we can do about it.

Minister Moyo issued a strong-worded statement railing Nichols for blaming Zimbabwe’s economic crisis on a kleptocratic ruling elite rather than the so-called illegal sanctions. Credit :The Standard

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa has said political actors who are not unwilling to join POLAD should wait for the 2023 polls.

Addressing a Rally in Tshovhani Stadium in Chiredzi saluted political actors who are part of the dialogue.

Mnangagwa said those who were not part of the dialogue should wait for 2023 elections.

“We said all parties should come on the table for dialogue.

There are some who did not come on the table for the dialogue.

Most parties have come on board and we discuss with them on how we can move forward.

Elections are held once in every five years. After five years, we go back to our political parties and seek a new mandate from the people,” declared Mnangagwa.

Farai Dziva| Zimbabwean opposition leader Pastor Timothy Chiguvare of the People’s Progressive Party says God has anointed him to rescue the African continent from perennial misery.

Said Pastor Chiguvare in a statement:

GOD HAS ANOINTED ME TO STOP THE TEARS OF MANKIND AND TO PUT A QUALITY SMILE ON THE FACES OF THE MOST SUFFERING NOT ONLY IN ZIMBABWE BUT THROUGHOUT THE AFRICAN CONTINENT.

If you all Zimbabweans have also witnessed what I have seen so far , this entitles us all as a nation to take the most appropriate action against the offenders – ZANU PF must go yesterday! TOGETHER WE CAN TURN OUR CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES.

As an apostle of peace ; love ; forgiveness ; reconciliation ; justice and democracy I am here to warn the entire African continent that :- “A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims but accomplices. An accomplice is a person who helps another in a crime etc.”

“Yes! I have a dream that one day Zimbabwe, a nation sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression; will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed to have all corrupt councillors removed from their positions.

Speaking at the commissioning of 76 Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) buses in Bulawayo last week, Mnangagwa said that the treasury was disbursing funds to promote and enhance devolution.

He added:

However, I warn those running RDCs and urban councils to shun corruption. If you shun corruption, I will shun removing you. Those who commit corruption and I will part ways.

His remarks come when his critics have often opined that his anti-corruption campaign is only rhetoric which lacks concrete action to back it.

Meanwhile, a number of prominent government officials including former Tourism Minister, Priscah Mupfumira, former Local government Minister, Ignatius Chombo and former Transport Minister, Joram Gumbo were recently arrested over corruption with some saying they will soon be released, as is always the case.

-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) Bulawayo has said that its bakery situated at the association’s offices at Entumbane high-density suburb has already started producing cheap bread.

ZNLWVA Bulawayo spokesperson, Christopher Sibanda told Southern Eye that they started producing bread on Tuesday, the day of the launch, after receiving a donation of wheat from Provincial Affairs minister Judith Ncube. Sibanda added:

We have already started baking bread and we have groups of 10 people who work, so they take turns in working…on the day of launch, bread was being sold for ZW$ 5.

We have the capacity to produce cheap bread compared to what other confectionary companies are charging.

The development comes after the ruling party this year also launched community bakeries to head off the huge shortage of bread grounding the country due to the depletion of wheat reserves.

Meanwhile, some observers believe that the war veterans’ project will not meet a demand of more than 10 000 a day in the City of Queens and Kings considering that their ovens are operated manually._Newsday

By A Correspondent- Advocate Thabani Mpofu of the “fulcrum”, the “pith” fame who is representing opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa in his leadership wrangle with Thokzani Khupe has said the alleged break-in into his house was not enough to warrant his silence.

The defiant lawyer said he had “every reason to believe” that the raid was carried out by State agents looking for information.

He added:

They took my laptop, my wife’s phone and cash. They had all the time to even re-arrange stuff. I think we had passed out.

So far there are a number of incidents which are puzzling which have been experienced by the lawyer. In June, Mpofu sustained minor injuries as his vehicle where he was a passenger overturned in Muzarabani days after he had been roped in by Chamisa to represent him again in the above-mentioned matter.

A few weeks later, some “mysterious” men were photographically captured red-handed, fiddling with the right left-wheel of Advocate Thabani Mpofu’s car.

Some analysts opined that this spate of unfortunate incidents was artificial, designed by Chamisa’s opponents to silence the lawyer.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) chief executive, Patrick Mavhura and ex-head Finance, Administration and Human Resources, Benenia Shumba were this Monday back in court facing new corruption charges.

Mavhura and Shumba are alleged to have connived with ZBC’s former manager of Administration and Human Resources, Stephen Kundishora to facilitate a change of ownership of a vehicle from ZBC into Shumba’s name at no cost.

Magistrate Hoseah Mujaya remanded them to November 25 on $1500 bail each also ordering them to report twice a week to the police and not to interfere with state witnesses.

The duo also have a pending corruption case before the same court in which they allegedly siphoned more than US$340 000 in advertising revenue from the national broadcaster

-StateMedia

BULAWAYO City are now 90 minutes away from making a quick return into the Premier Soccer League after grinding a result against a determined Mosi Rovers in a Zifa Southern Region Division One match played at Chinotimba Stadium yesterday.

An eighth minute scrambled goal by on fire Cannan Nkomo was all that fans witnessed although both teams had some goal scoring opportunities. Watched by club board members Horace Ndubiwa and Ernest ”Maphepha” Sibanda as well as five Zifa councillors, Amakhosi gallantly defended their slender lead with the defence of experienced Zephania Ngodzo and Zibusiso Sibanda standing firm.

“As we have always said, we are playing each game as a cup final and grinding results which is what we did today. We played a very tactical game and the boys stuck to our game plan. We now need to wrap up the campaign with a win next week, we remain fully focused to achieve that,” said Try Ncube.

His opposite number Mandlenkosi Moyo expressed his disappointment at the loss as his boys played extremely well.

“Look, football is about goals and that lucky goal was all that made the difference. It’s unfortunate that we had to lose like this,” said Moyo.

City’s closest rivals, Talen Vision won 2-1, taking the race to the final game of the season, with City at the top of the log.

Outspoken Zanu PF Buhera South MP, Joseph Chinotimba has attended the installation of the new Mufundirwa headman in Bikita amid loud whispers that he was eyeing the position at the next opportune time.

Chinotimba belongs to the Mufundirwa clan and his house is the next in line of the headmanship. There are eight houses with a claim to the headmanship of the Mufundirwa which is of the Shumba totem.
Traditional chiefs from all over Bikita gathered at Madziire Primary School where the installation of Shayamano Jiri who becomes Headman Mufundirwa took place.

Jiri is under Chief Budzi and he succeeds Chipapa Muchara who died in 2015.
Headman Mufundirwa told The Mirror that his appointment took him by surprise as there are many houses with a claim to the chieftainship and any of them could have landed the post.

“I’m honored to be the new Headman Mufundirwa. There are eight households and I am in the third household. Our people are scattered all over including in Buhera, Chimanimani and Bikita. They migrated to different places after our land was turned into a conservancy”, he said.
The area under Mufundirwa is in Ward 24 and it stretches from Dewure River to Save Valley Conservancy.

Chief Budzi said one of Headman Mufundirwa’s key tasks is to stop deforestation that is rampant in the area.
The event was attended by MP Anna Ranganai, Bikita District Development Coordinator (DDC) Bernard Hadzirambwi and Masvingo Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC) Fungai Samuel Mbetsa.

mirror

President Mnangagwa has sworn in two Cabinet Ministers and six deputies at State House this afternoon after he announced a Cabinet reshuffle on Friday where he re-assigned others and created new portfolios.

The two Ministers and deputies took oath of loyalty to the Constitution and their office. The new Ministers are Dr Jenfan Muswere who assumed the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services while Cde Daniel Garwe became the Minister of newly created portfolio of National Housing and Social Amenities portfolio.

Deputy Ministers who were sworn include Cde Marian Chombo who was appointed Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Cde Dingimuzi Phuti, (ICT, Postal and Courier Services), Cde David Musabayana, a former Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province, is the new Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Other Deputy Ministers include Cde Tinoda Machakaire, (Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation), Cde Clemence Chiduwa (Finance and Economic Development,) and Cde Raymore Machingura (Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation and Science and Technology Development.)

Paul Nyathi|The High Court has removed from the court roll a case involving the late former President Robert Mugabe in which three Mazowe farmers are challenging their eviction from Teviotdale Farm in 2009.

The case will only resume once the late former President’s estate is registered. High Court Judge Justice Owen Tagu said an application for substitution of Cde Mugabe as a respondent with another party is not yet before the court because selection of an executor of his estate is not yet complete. There was no order as to costs.

The farmers, Adonia Makombe, Sahungwe Hungwe and Nyika Chifamba, claim that they were evicted from the farm to pave way for the former first family’s company, Gushungo Holdings (Private) Limited.

Meanwhile, former First Lady Grace Mugabe earlier today pounced on the three farms in Mazowe in the company of her daughter Bona and son-in-law Simba Chikore and caused havoc, threatening to shoot workers while also shouting that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was running the country like a tuck-shop.

The Former First Lady also told farmers in Mazowe that in three years’ time, both the farmers and the current government of President Mnangagwa will be “history”, as she went about trying to evict farmers who have offer letters which they got when her husband was still in power.

“When we showed her the offer letters we got in 2006 when her husband was still in power, she shouted obscenities at the current President and said she wanted nothing to do with his government and just wanted the farm.

The opposition Movement for Democratic change will be launching a fully-fledged media empire soon.

The Secretary General of the MDC Charlton Hwende announced that the party is recruiting media practitioners to be employed by the project.

Said Hwende, “Vacancy for media personnel MDC Changing Times newspaper , MDC online Radio and MDC TV. Journalists interested please email your CV to [email protected].”

The spokesperson of the MDC Daniel Molokele confirmed that the party will be applying to the relevant authorities to get media house licences.

The MDC has always complained that the state owned media is not covering the party in a fair anad balanced manner.

FORMER First Lady Grace Mugabe pounced on three farms in Mazowe in the company of her daughter Bona and son-in-law Simba Chikore and caused havoc, threatening to shoot workers while also shouting that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was running the country like a tuck-shop.

The Former First Lady also told farmers in Mazowe that in three years’ time, both the farmers and the current government of President Mnangagwa will be “history”, as she went about trying to evict farmers who have offer letters which they got when her husband was still in power.

“When we showed her the offer letters we got in 2006 when her husband was still in power, she shouted obscenities at the current President and said she wanted nothing to do with his government and just wanted the farm.

The farms in question are under the ownership of Sahungwe Hungwe, Adonia Makombe and former Dynamos executive member Nyika Chifamba, all of whom got their offer letters from former Minister Didymus Mutasa in 2006.

“She invaded my farm and wants to take it over but I am the one with offer letter. She came with her security team and Simba Chikore and locked the gate and threatened to shoot my gate keepers,” Hungwe told Zimbabwe Voice on Monday.

“She hired bouncers from Mbare and Gushungo Diary security guards who came and tormented our farm employees. What happened first is that Simba Chikore came alone on Saturday morning and threatened us out. When we showed him offer letters, he calmed down but proceeded to call Grace Mugabe who came in less than an hour in the company of Bona.”

Bona, the only daughter of Grace and the late former President Robert Mugabe, is married to Simba.

Hungwe said Grace has previously shown interest in the farms even when her husband was still in power, but Mugabe specifically told Didymus Mutasa not to give in on Grace’s demands to out-muscle the indigenous farmers who got the offer letters in 2006.

“She came with her daughter in tow, and caused pandemonium. She said lots and attacking His Excellency (President Mnangagwa), yet the farms were given to us by Mugabe’s administration. Akati majaira ku runner nyika se tuckshop (Mnangagwa is running Zimbabwe like his tuckshop). I will call my son right now, and in three years’ time you will all have left this farm,” Grace is quoted as having said.

By “son”, she meant Saviour Kasukuwere, a former Zanu-PF politcal commissar who is now in self-imposed exile following the removal of power of Mugabe.

“She tried calling Kasukuwere, but the phine would not get through. She made threats that in three years’ time we will all be history.

“We got the offer letter in 2006, when her husband was the President,” Hungwe narrated his ordeal. “We did not fight or insult

them back; we need to prepare for farming on our farm, but Grace continues disrupting our activities and she wants to own and control all farms in Mazowe.”

The offer letters, which Zimbabwe Voice is in possession of, was issued on 3 July 2006 by Didymus Mutasa, who then was Minister of State for National Security, Lands, Land Reform and Resettlement in President Robert Mugabe’s office.

“Where is Grace Mugabe getting those powers from? She has been allowed free reign and has been bullying the whole of Mazowe even when she has no offer letters for some of the land she claims is hers. We have the offer letter and she doesn’t have papers.

“We have been there since 2006 but she has been eyeing this farm. She called Borrowdale police and when I showed them farm offer letters. They went back vakatoti hatidi kubatiswa madhaka. They locked us out; they removed our farm security and replaced with 28 guards from Gushungo Diary.

“She was clearly spoiling for a physical fight but we respected her; hatina kudzorera (we did not fight back despite the provocation) even though she clearly wanted to cause a scene,” Hungwe said.

Grace Mugabe is also said to have gone to a gold mining claim in Mazowe and told a consortium of war veterans mining there that in three years, they will kneel down to her.

Sources told Zimbabwe Voice that after Grace failed to nudge Didymus Mutasa into pushing the three farmers out, she somehow managed to seize the farms in 2011 under controversial circumstances.

Hungwe says the three – him, Makombe and Chifamba – then approached the High Court in 2018 to settle the ownership issue once and for all. According to the High Court ruling, which cited as respondents Grace Mugabe, her late husband, police commissioner Godwin Matanga and the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

The High Court ruling, under case number HC 5860/18, ordered Grace and her proxies to vacate the property and not to interfere with activities at the 104 hectares farms.

“Whereupon, after reading all documents… it is ordered that… eviction of all persons claiming possession of subdivision 1, 2, 3 of Lot A of Teviotdale Farm, Mazowe District, Mashonaland Central province,” reads part of the ruling delivered in February this year.

Sources say Grace Mugabe also tried to reach out to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office for help with evicting the three farmers, but has met no assistance. The police also refused to help when Simba Chikore tried to enlist them to assist with the eviction, as they said the High Court ruling was clear who owned the farm.

Zimbabwe Voice

Political commentator Ken Mufuka, has advised Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo against picking up a needless fight with United States of America President Donald Trump.

The remarks come after Moyo used language towards the US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Brian Nichols, that “has been associated with Zanu PF apparatchiks, who visit opponents by night”.

Wrote Mufuka:
Trump loves a fight. If Moyo lives on planet earth, he would know that the world does not owe Zimbabwe anything and that Trump is a street fighter.
Trump’s reaction is unpredictable.

Trump is like a drunken Irishman, who joins a street fight without knowing what the fight was for. Trump can easily cut off food aid to the eight million starving Zimbabweans.

There is really nothing called illegal sanctions. If the US refuses to trade with Zimbabwe and cuts off Visa, MasterCard and American Express Services, there is nothing we can do about it.

Minister Moyo issued a strong-worded statement railing Nichols for blaming Zimbabwe’s economic crisis on a kleptocratic ruling elite rather than the so-called illegal sanctions. Credit :The Standard

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) insists that polystyrene material known as kaylite remains banned according to the Statutory Instrument 84 of 2012.

The agency has since arrested 80 kaylite distributors within Harare since last month.

Speaking during a tour at Planas Pvt Ltf, a Polythylene Telephthalate (PET) and Polypropylene Plastic (PP) manufacturer and distributor, EMA Inspector Gilbert Mugunzva said:
“According to the SI 84 of 2012, manufacturing and commercial distribution of polystyrene known as kaylite remains banned.

“As a result Planas which used to be the major producer of kaylite have since changed their production lines, machines and they are now producing a packaging material which is called PP and PET.

“These are the packaging material according to legislation.”

Added Mugunzva:
“We are here to try and publicise that kaylite is still banned in Zimbabwe.

“The manufacturing, distribution is prohibited and people who are still using the product are doing it against the law.”

As an agency, Mugunzva said they have arrested 80 people within Harare.

“Those who are still using kaylites risk being arrested and the public should desist from buying food packed in kaylites for health reasons.”H-Metro

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa has said political actors who are not unwilling to join POLAD should wait for the 2023 polls.

Addressing a Rally in Tshovhani Stadium in Chiredzi saluted political actors who are part of the dialogue.

Mnangagwa said those who were not part of the dialogue should wait for 2023 elections.

“We said all parties should come on the table for dialogue.

There are some who did not come on the table for the dialogue.

Most parties have come on board and we discuss with them on how we can move forward.

Elections are held once in every five years. After five years, we go back to our political parties and seek a new mandate from the people,” declared Mnangagwa.

Farai Dziva| Zimbabwean opposition leader Pastor Timothy Chiguvare of the People’s Progressive Party says God has anointed him to rescue the African continent from perennial misery.

Said Pastor Chiguvare in a statement:

GOD HAS ANOINTED ME TO STOP THE TEARS OF MANKIND AND TO PUT A QUALITY SMILE ON THE FACES OF THE MOST SUFFERING NOT ONLY IN ZIMBABWE BUT THROUGHOUT THE AFRICAN CONTINENT.

If you all Zimbabweans have also witnessed what I have seen so far , this entitles us all as a nation to take the most appropriate action against the offenders – ZANU PF must go yesterday! TOGETHER WE CAN TURN OUR CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES.

As an apostle of peace ; love ; forgiveness ; reconciliation ; justice and democracy I am here to warn the entire African continent that :- “A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims but accomplices. An accomplice is a person who helps another in a crime etc.”

“Yes! I have a dream that one day Zimbabwe, a nation sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression; will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.”

Farai Dziva|Controversial clergyman, Talent Madungwe has claimed God revealed that opposition parties should be banned.

“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,” he told H-Metro.

“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.

Controversial Prophet Talent Madungwe is at it again as he delved into divisive Prophet Passion Java and took a swipe at Apostle Talent Chiwenga saying “he is not a preacher but studies errors in people and churches”.

In an interview with H-Metro, the astonishing prophet waded into flashy Prophet Java saying only God is perfect.

“Some prophets are in it for the money, they’re open for business.

“God is not happy with some prophets who concentrate on earthly things which are benefiting them and not the word.
“They have realized how desperate and ignorant people of Africa are, that’s why you’ll never see them in America doing what they do here in Zimbabwe
“It’s bad, but no one is perfect expect God alone, so people shouldn’t put much faith into these kind of prophets as if they are angels and start worshipping them,” he said.

Prophet Madungwe also dug into controversial Harare pastor, Apostle Talent Chiwenga whom he lambasted as a provocative church leader.

“That one, he does not preach but he studies errors in various churches and in other pastors and prophets.
“That is what he always does.
“He must preach the word of God and not to concentrate on other people’s errors.

“As a pastor or prophet whose job is to preach the word of God, you would wonder if he is really what he claims to be,” said Madungwe.H-Metro

By A Correspondent- A self styled prophet from Johanne Marange Apostolic Church has sent his sixth wife packing because she breached church rules by delivering her fifth baby at hospital.

The woman had complications and had to deliver by caesarean.

Cuthbert Masembure (45) said he had to part ways with his wife because she breached church rules which do not allow members to get treatment from hospitals.

On Tuesday last week Masembure was dragged to court by his wife Nyaradzo Makuvari (37), who now stays at her parents’ home for maintenance.

However, Murambinda Resident Magistrate Dennis Mangosi was left in a dilemma after he found himself dealing with a maintenance case where the defendant has five different wives and a total of 18 children.

Masembure told Mangosi that paying maintenance for three children involved in the claim is difficult as he has 15 other children sired with five different wives. He left the court in stitches when he said he looked forward to more children.

Masembure married Makuvari who was the wife of his late brother.

Makuvari was claiming $100 dollars per child and Mangosi ordered that Masembure pays $95 for each child.

-Mirror

By A Correspondent- The government last week inadvertently dismissed doctors who were on maternity leave and some who were training outside the country even though they did not take part in the ongoing strike.

This was revealed by Senior Hospital Doctors Association (SHDA) president Shingai Nyaguse in a statement.

He said:

“Junior and middle-level doctors have been dismissed from work for not being able to report for duty due to incapacitation.

Some on maternity leave and some who are training outside the country have also been served with letters accusing them of absenteeism.

Hundreds of doctors were served with dismissal letters for failing to report for duty without leave, with 500 more expected to be sacked when the disciplinary hearings are concluded.

The Minister of Health and Child Care, Obadiah Moyo, defended the dismissals claiming that the doctors, who have cited incapacitation, were in breach of the law.

-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- Addressing a Rally in Tshovhani Stadium in Chiredzi the president thanked the political actors who are part of the dialogue and said those who were not part of the dialogue should wait for 2023 elections.

Said the President:

“We said all parties should come on the table for dialogue.There are some who did not come on the table for the dialogue. Most parties have come on board and we discuss with them on how we can move forward. Elections are held once in every five years. After five years, we go back to our political parties and seek a new mandate from the people.”

POLAD last week headlined for resolving to take the anti-sanctions calls to the western community and the UN and setting aside an $88 Million budget.

-StateMedia

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By A Correspondent- Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has signed a waiver that allows foreign children to enter the country without carrying additional supporting documents such as birth certificates and consent letters, the department said on Sunday.

The waiver has been applicable since Friday, after the minister’s signature, it said in a statement. This improvement in our admissions policy builds on the work the department has been doing to contribute to economic growth and investment.

As of Friday, 8 November 2019, foreign children can enter and depart the country without being required to provide birth certificates, consent letters, and other supporting documents relating to proof of parentage,” Motsoaledi said in the statement.

The department had communicated the changes to immigration officials at ports of entry and to the airline and maritime industries.

South African children were still required to provide supporting documents, in line with the requirements of the Children’s Act.

The same applied to unaccompanied foreign children, he said. Foreign children who required a visa for South Africa did not need to carry the supporting documents for inspection at a port of entry, as these would be processed together with their visa applications.

“It is significant that we have completed the policy changes in the week in which President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted the second investment conference. We anticipate that this change will have a positive impact on tourism as we approach the holiday season,” Motsoaledi said.

-Wires

By A Correspondent- A four year old girl who was snatched away from her home in Bulawayo’s Emganwini suburb by a stranger has been reunited with her family after she was found in Tsholotsho.

Nosipho Ndlovu went missing on October 30 from her grandmother’s home after a destitute, Simphiwe Mlilo (21), took her on the pretext that she wanted to buy her some chips.

Mlilo was arrested on Friday after she was found with the girl in Tsholotsho.

In an interview, the mother of the girl, Ms Simelinkosi Ncube, confirmed that her child was safely back home though she could not give further details.

“We are happy she is back home and I am still traumatised by the whole incident. However, I am not at liberty to make any comments as there are some family formalities that we have to follow,” said Ms Ncube.

“We are also trying to do investigations and map a way forward and only then can we open up and share the story with members of the public”.

The family approached the state media last week seeking assistance in locating the girl who was reportedly found with no injuries.

“I’m deeply humbled by their support and thank all of them from the bottom of my heart. I sent alert messages to all the borders and contacted the police force everywhere in Zimbabwe and it worked.”

According to former ZBC DJ Ezra Sibanda, the girl’s return was a collective effort from all members of the public.

“We contacted Police Chiefs in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South. Three Officers under Lupane-Tsholotsho, namely, Constable Nyoni, Sergeant Sibanda & Constable Mpofu took up the case.

“On Friday afternoon they found the woman who stole the child, recovered the young girl but the woman ran away though she was finally caught.”

Narrating the family’s ordeal to the state media last week, Nosipho’s grandmother Mrs Moli Nkomo said they did not suspect that Mlilo could disappear with her grandchild.

“Simphiwe came to my house last week on Wednesday looking for Nosipho’s mother, Simelinkosi Ncube. However, she was not around.

“We know Simphiwe as she was staying with my daughter-in-law who had found her stranded in town. When she arrived here, she asked to go with Nosipho to buy airtime so that she calls her mother, I did not suspect anything. She told my granddaughter that she was going to buy her chips and she agreed to accompany her,” said Mrs Nkomo.

-StateMedia

HARARE – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says his government will fast track visa applications for foreign doctors and nurses – opening new opportunities for over 500 Zimbabwean doctors facing the sack for demanding improved pay.

Johnson, who faces a general election next month, said the scheme would enable the National Health Service (NHS) to continue to attract the finest medical staff after Britain has left the European Union.

The Conservative Party’s new “NHS visa” will ultimately form part of the party’s planned points-based immigration system to be introduced after Brexit.

The move reflects concern within the health service that it will struggle to attract the staff it needs when Britain is outside the EU.

Under the scheme, the cost of a visa for health professionals would be halved from £928 to £464, while applicants would be guaranteed a decision within two weeks.

Applicants going to work in the NHS would receive preferential treatment with extra points under the points-based system, and no cap on numbers entering through the NHS route.

They would also be able to pay back the cost of the immigration health surcharge through their salary if the charge is not already covered by the NHS trust offering the job.

The Conservatives have already announced a fast-track visa route to attract specialists in science, engineering and technology.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said an Australian-style points-based system would allow Britain to control the numbers coming into the country while remaining open to essential professions such as nursing.

“That means the best of both worlds – attracting talent from around the world so our NHS continues to provide brilliant service while ensuring that it isn’t put under strain by opening Britain’s borders to the entire world,” she said.

Zimbabwe faces a health services calamity after the government last week sacked 211 doctors, set to rise to over 500 – a third of doctors working in public hospitals.

A strike over pay which has been ongoing since September 3 has paralysed public hospitals for two months.

The country is in the grip of a major downturn that has provoked biting shortages of fuel, medicine, and currency as well as surging prices, which doctors’ unions have said means their members are struggling to afford even the cost of transport to work.

State doctors say the value of their pay shrank 15-fold over the past year.

The doctors last month defied a court order to return to their wards, rejecting a pay rise offered by the government that they said failed to meet everyday costs.

With the government playing hardball with the doctors, an exodus that would leave Zimbabwean hospitals in a parlous state could be on the horizon, with the United Kingdom the likely destination.

Last year, Britain cancelled 79,000 operations because of staff shortages and equipment failures, according to official data. Vacancies continue to put the health service under strain, with the NHS reporting last year it was short of 100,000 staff including, 10,000 doctors and 35,000 nurses.