Farai Dziva|Senior doctors have described as “outright lies ” claims that the situation at Mpilo Central Hospital is normal.

The senior doctors have also dismissed an article published by a state run publication claiming doctors are satisfied with government efforts to address their grievances.

See statement below :
The senior doctors are dismayed by a recently published newspaper article in the Sunday News of 03/11/2019 headlined “we won’t watch people die: Mpilo boss’.

We are surprised that this article portrays a normal functioning hospital with most doctors available at work. As senior doctors we feel it is only correct for the public to know the truth as follows:

1. Most junior doctors are still incapacitated and are not able to attend to their daily duties
   from 03/09/2019.
2. Middle-level doctors remain incapacitated with some department HMOs formally
   declaring incapacitation on 17/10/2019. Ward rounds are no longer consistent and calls are no longer 24-hour calls.
3. Senior-level doctors are also incapacitated although some have been attending to few
   emergency cases.
4. The flexi-hours system was suggested by the ministry and allows nurses to work 2
   days a week a situation which has made working in the hospital impossible as few nurses will be looking after patients at each given time.
   Sometimes 2 nurses per shift in a ward. This flexi-hours system has caused disruption in continuity of care and has led to avoidable deaths in the wards.
5. Outpatient Department has been closed for the past 2 months and no patients are being attended to at the moment. All chronic conditions patients are thus prejudiced from proper care.
6. In the Department of Medicine, there is a poor supply of medications and most patients have to take samples to private laboratories at an inflated expense.
   Currently, patients with chronic conditions are not able to access treatment due to closure of the outpatients’ department. Chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis rely on own funds to buy most of the consumables.
7. Casualty Department is open patients have to wait long hours before being attended
   to as most casualty officers are incapacitated to come and attend to patients on time.
   Some patients are admitted without a clear plan and only to be seen the next day. This has resulted in avoidable deaths as patients are falsely reassured that are doctors available to attend to them.
8. In the Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia, theatres are only attending to emergency
   cases and they remain under-equipped to carry out specialised procedures.
   Only 4 out of 10 theatres are currently functional. Paediatric theatre is non-functional and maternity recovery rooms have no monitors.

In Neurosurgery the department is almost shut down due to lack of equipment. The equipment is outdated and is no longer recommended for use.

1. In Paediatrics the situation on the ground is dire as some departments are closed eg
   Nutrition unit and outpatients department. The new-borns unit is short-staffed resulting in an increase in perinatal mortality and morbidity.
2. In Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the department is attending to emergency maternity
   and gynaecology cases. However, no elective cases are being done and teaching has been affected.
3. The incapacitation has also disrupted proper learning for medical students and interns
   who are supposed to work under supervision.

Conclusion
Contrary to peddled reports, the situation at Mpilo is critical and any attempt to view it as normal would be tantamount to propagating a silent genocide.
Lifesaving equipment is in a state of disrepair, essential drugs and sundries are unavailable, while hospital staff cannot afford to come to work.

We are incapacitated as highlighted by SHDA members across the country and we demand that the situation be treated with the urgency it deserves.

Gvnt is set to buy MPs cars worth an estimated US$16mil. Others argue that if diverted towards the health sector, this money is enough to pay doctors for a whole year. Should Gvnt buy cars or pay doctors with this US$16mil?

Gvnt is set to buy MPs cars worth an estimated US$16mil. Others argue that if diverted towards the health sector, this money is enough to pay doctors for a whole year. Should Gvnt buy cars or pay doctors with this US$16mil?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 5, 2019

Beyond incapacitation declarations: Towards Mass action.

The incapacitation declaration has been embraced across all sectors of our economy. The working class has collectively registered its inability to sustain the executive luxuries of the ruling elites.

We have won the first battle of inspiring unity amongst ourselves, we have to move to the next stage of this protracted war against the neoliberal austerity measures.

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We applaud the APEX council for declaring Wednesday 6 November 2019 as a day of national action. This day presents a historic opportunity for the workers to converge and march in Unison demanding a fair share from the national wealth.

The struggle has reached a level where we have to ignore all internal hygiene issues of Trade Unionism purity, we have to ignore the imperfections of our Cdes and pursue our legitimate class struggle as a collective.

We note that the government has cowardly called for an urgent National Joint Negotiating Council, NJNC in a desperate attempt to deflate the momentum of the Workers’ Wednesday march. Such machinations will definitely be ignored by the workers.

We urge our Cdes in the APEX council to shake off the puppet tag that has been associated with their legacy and reject anything short of interbank rate indexed salaries.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, ARTUZ calls upon the entirety of the working class to take heed of the call for Wednesday action and converge in Harare Gardens at 1000hrs preparing for the march of our class.

The workers of Zimbabwe invite all progressive forces of the world to stand with us as we seek to crush neoliberalism.

We urge the government of Zimbabwe to dump the ruinous austerity measures so that normalcy returns to our great nation.

Fighting for pro-poor education.

ARTUZ INFORMATION DEPARTMENT.

A Westlea family lost property worth thousands of dollars after their home was gutted by fire.

Investigations to ascertain the cause of the fire are still underway.

Mr Andrew Mtetwa a self-employed architectural designer from Westlea is pleading for help after losing property worth USD$50 000.

“We returned from our Grade 5 daughter’s Consultation at Haig Park Primary only to discover that the roof of our house had curved inwards due to fire.

“One of our neighbours called us to inform us of the disaster but it was too late to recover some of our properties.”

The family lost documents that include passports, agreements of sale, national certificates.

Farai Dziva|MDC Parliamentary Caucus Chief Whip Prosper Mutseyami has pointed out that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s illegitimacy is the major impediment to economic recovery.

See full statement :

MDC MPs are representatives of the people and during the pre-budget consultation meeting in Victoria Falls, we adequately played the role of true envoys of ordinary Zimbabweans who want key issues reflected in the country’s national budget.

Parliament s a separate arm of government with a key mandate to play an oversight role on the executive It is in line with that mandate that we went to Victoria Falls to articulate the position of the people at a forum that was due to take place any way, even if we had chosen not to go. To abscond from such a key national event was to abdicate our responsibility to express the true position of ordinary Zimbabweans, most whom can hardly afford three meals a day.
Zimbabweans who voted for us wanted their views to be heard at that forum.

As the MDC parliamentary caucus, we are the servants of the people and at the pre-budget seminar, we raised key issues affecting the ordinary people.

We raised to government the crisis in the health services sector and the legitimate concerns of the doctors and other medical staff, which concerns must be resolved as a matter of urgency. We raised the issues of fuel shortages, the low morale among teachers and other civil servants, the soaring cost of electricity on the few occasions that it is available as well as the proscription of the people’s democratic rights.

Our MPs told government that the executive would assist its re-engagement efforts internationally if it stopped the callous murders of innocent citizens, the human rights abuses and the abduction and persecution of dissenting voices, real or imagined.

We have remained focused and consistent as the people’s parliamentary caucus. We have stood tall on the side of the people who want us at every step to raise the issue of Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa’s illegitimacy, which has cost us our allowances for several months, putting paid to the false narrative that we are lured by cheap trinkets and luxury.

In the past one year, we have turned Parliament into a cogent arena of the people’s struggle. That is why we have effectively used that platform to showcase Mr. Mnangagwa’s illegitimacy, especially after the closure of other democratic spaces for the people to express themselves.
Indeed, we have used Parliament as a theatre of the full expression of the people’s collective conscience.

Our MPs who chair the various portfolio committees have done sterling work in playing Parliament’s oversight role. At the pre-budget consultation forum, we not only articulated the ordinary people’s concerns but our MPs who chair the various Parliamentary Portfolio Committees were brilliant in expressing the expectations of the ordinary Zimbabweans in this year’s national budget.

For the record, we are deployees of the people and we will continue to utilize every available space to express the feelings of ordinary Zimbabweans from Chirundu to Beitbridge and from Plumtree to Kanyemba.

This is exactly what we went to do in Victoria Falls. We are the people’s representatives. We do not why away from any platform to articulate their concerns. We will never abdicate our key national mandate of playing the oversight role on the executive.

Hon. Prosper Chapfiwa Mutseyami
Chief Whip
MDC Parliamentary Caucus

Farai Dziva|Former ZBC radio and television presenter, Ezra Thsisa Sibanda has said Zimbabweans should not expect ZACC to eradicate corruption as the commission is useless.

Argued Subanda:
Former Transport Minister Joram Gumbo has been arrested by ZACC for criminal abuse of office.

For how long will these meaningless arrests go on?

It can’t be tackling corruption when non of the sharks have been tried and convicted in a court of law.

What happened to Chombo arrested in 2017, Kasukuwere, Mupfumira …

Zimbabweans have lost confidence in ZACC, it looks like this is just another game to make people believe they are doing their job.

This is possibly another hoax by ZACC.

By A Correspondent- A Harare woman this morning gave birth to a baby boy at the gate of Mufakose poly clinic.

The development comes following the strike by council nurses which started today over poor salaries.

The woman, in her twenties, however said she did not know that council nurses are on strike and she arrived at Mufakose poly clinic around 6am while she was already in labour.

However, she found Mufakose poly clinic under lock and key but she could not make it to go back to her home in Cherima, an estimated 600 metres away from the poly clinic.

Residents from the area came to her rescue as they quickly mobilised the women in the area and covered her with cloths to ensure privacy before they summoned the elderly women in the community who then acted as midwives.

The woman gave birth to a baby boy before she was whisked away and taken to a nearby home together with her new baby.

Residents who gathered to witness the birth process were shooed away by the mbuya nyamukutas who assisted the young and panicking mother.

No- one from the clinic was available to even assist her as she gave birth outside Mufakose poly clinic premises.

Said one woman who was visibly disturbed by the development:

“Nurses who deal with pregnant women should always be at work because imagine if no one had volunteered to assist her, we could have lost two lives.

It does not make sense for government to blow US$5 million discussing a budget at some posh hotel in Victoria Falls and yet hospitals and clinics are not functioning because of resources. Our leaders clearly have misplaced priorities.”

Council nurses yesterday issued a strike notice citing incapacitation.

Below is the notice by council nurses:

PRESS STATEMENT

There are press reports that have come to the attention of the Ministry suggesting that the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Dr S.B. Moyo, disowned the statement he issued on 31 October 2019 on the recent conduct and statements of the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Brian A Nichols.

For the record, the Honourable Minister has neither retracted nor renounced his statement. The said reports are mischievous and should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve.

Shepherd Gwenzi (Spokesperson)
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
5 November 2019

CLARIFICATION OF CURRENT STATE OF MPILO CENTRAL HOSPITAL

The senior doctors are dismayed by a recently published newspaper article in the Sunday News of 03/11/2019 headlined “we won’t watch people die: Mpilo boss’.

We are surprised that this article portrays a normal functioning hospital with most doctors available at work. As senior doctors we feel it is only correct for the public to know the truth as follows:

1. Most junior doctors are still incapacitated and are not able to attend to their daily duties from 03/09/2019.

2. Middle-level doctors remain incapacitated with some department HMOs formally declaring incapacitation on 17/10/2019. Ward rounds are no longer consistent and calls are no longer 24-hour calls.

3. Senior-level doctors are also incapacitated although some have been attending to few emergency cases.

4. The flexi-hours system was suggested by the ministry and allows nurses to work 2 days a week a situation which has made working in the hospital impossible as few nurses will be looking after patients at each given time.

Sometimes 2 nurses per shift in a ward. This flexi-hours system has caused disruption in continuity of care and has led to avoidable deaths in the wards.

5. Outpatient Department has been closed for the past 2 months and no patients are being attended to at the moment. All chronic conditions patients are thus prejudiced from proper care.

6. In the Department of Medicine, there is a poor supply of medications and most patients have to take samples to private laboratories at an inflated expense.

Currently, patients with chronic conditions are not able to access treatment due to closure of the outpatients’ department. Chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis rely on own funds to buy most of the consumables.

7. Casualty Department is open patients have to wait long hours before being attended to as most casualty officers are incapacitated to come and attend to patients on time.

Some patients are admitted without a clear plan and only to be seen the next day. This has resulted in avoidable deaths as patients are falsely reassured that are doctors available to attend to them.

8. In the Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia, theatres are only attending to emergency cases and they remain under-equipped to carry out specialised procedures.

Only 4 out of 10 theatres are currently functional. Paediatric theatre is non-functional and maternity recovery rooms have no monitors.

In Neurosurgery the department is almost shut down due to lack of equipment. The equipment is outdated and is no longer recommended for use.

9. In Paediatrics the situation on the ground is dire as some departments are closed eg Nutrition unit and outpatients department. The new-borns unit is short-staffed resulting in an increase in perinatal mortality and morbidity.

10. In Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the department is attending to emergency maternity and gynaecology cases. However, no elective cases are being done and teaching has been affected.

11. The incapacitation has also disrupted proper learning for medical students and interns who are supposed to work under supervision.

Conclusion

Contrary to peddled reports, the situation at Mpilo is critical and any attempt to view it as normal would be tantamount to propagating a silent genocide.

Lifesaving equipment is in a state of disrepair, essential drugs and sundries are unavailable, while hospital staff cannot afford to come to work.

We are incapacitated as highlighted by SHDA members across the country and we demand that the situation be treated with the urgency it deserves.
// SHDA

By A Correspondent| A Zanu Pf stalwart is wrecking havoc in Chitungwiza amid claims that he is going around threatening and beating up new home owners in Manyame Park.

The new home owners have reportedly been barred from setting foot on their stands by Tongai Sande who boasts that he is untouchable because he belongs to the ruling party Zanu Pf.

The new home owners allege that Sande also boasts that he has proof that he is untouchable after he assaulted and seriously injured another home owner in the same area a few weeks ago whom he left nursing a broken arm and leg.

The new home owners are reportedly being barred from setting foot on their stands despite that they have all the paperwork which they acquired from the municipality.

Said one of the disgruntled home owners:

“Sande personally told me to go and construct a home in the rural areas threatening me with unspecified action.

He told me that I was challenging him because I do not know him. He told me that he wants to see if I will stay alive if i defy him and stay at my stand.”

Added another home owner who was threatened by Sande:

“I was told that the stands now belonged to Zanu Pf and the fact that we bought them is a non issue. He told us that because his name was comrade, he would beat us up and make sure that we never set foot on our stands.”

Efforts to get a comment from Chitungwiza municipality or the accused Zanu Pf member were futile by the time of writing.

SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwean comedian Baba Tencen of “Kuripwa Kugara” fame has finally opened up on his alleged fraud activities as he took a dig at fellow countrymen living across the Limpopo.

Born Pepukai Zvemhari, Baba Tencen, has dispelled rumours which circulated on social media suggesting he was part of a syndicate behind the fleecing of Zimbabwean immigrants under the guise of assisting them to have their passports stamped at the border to extend their stay in South Africa.

A video of Baba Tencen pleading with one of the people he allegedly duped went viral as he was accused of being in possession of fake passport stamps.

H-Metro spoke to Baba Tencen from his South African base and he said the video was recording to embarrass him.

“It was just a video yakaonekwa nevanhu vakawanda on social media zvikaita kunge ichokwadi because the lady who did that, I don’t even know her and why she accused me duping her.

“She lied a lot on the video and there were no passports found or stamps with me.

“If it was true about what she said why didn’t she took a video of the stamps or monarch of passports as she said?

“The police found me without a passport at hand I had my passport copy and my driver’s license that’s why I got arrested and they took my passport to home Affairs to verify if it was due and to check if I had a valid permit.

“I did even sleep in cells neither did I spend an hour at the police Station. I was shocked of how they twisted the story afterwards on social media

“The police and I were laughing about how some Zimbabweans behave as compared to some foreigners, Zimbos here are too stupid, they spread falsehoods against each other and they don’t mind their own business,” said Baba Tencen.

The comedian went on to reveal how he is living with fellow Zimbabweans and the way he has adopted the South African language to incorporate his show business.

“My brother, here in SA tinogara nema South Africans but vanotenge vakafunda more than Zimbos because they don’t care kuti mu next door madyiwei or unorarama sei, kana makuhwa havana but ngapaite a group of Zimbos renting in one yard, oooooooh, u can see the hell on earth havagoni kuita zvavakafambira kutsvaga mari.

“That’s why I always team up with South Africans because hauite stress at all, kudya mari and ku groover nothing more.

“As for my videos, I have long tuned to Tsonga video language, ndirikuita akawandisa and they are so happy, I’m know as Alfonso WaHansa u can Google and see for yourself.

“Alfonso is an acting trade name kuno SA,  kuripwa nderekwasadza, so chero ndinavo they don’t even know kuti ndirimu Zimbo because I speak Tsonga fluently,” said Baba Tencen.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe National Army bomb disposal squad and police successfully detonated a grenade that was found in Bulawayo’s Sunninghill suburb.

The grenade was found on a road by a man who was walking in the suburb on Friday.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango yesterday confirmed the incident.

Police suspect that the grenade is from the liberation war era but it is not known how it found its way onto the road.

“Police and ZNA bomb disposal squad on November 2 successfully detonated a live grenade in Sunninghill suburb. The grenade was found by a 31-year-old man as he was walking down the street in the suburb. After discovering the object, he reported the matter to the police who together with ZNA officers attended the scene and successfully set it off. They removed the grenade from the scene and detonated it at a nearby bushy area without injuring anyone,” said Chief Insp Simango.

She said the grenade had its safety pin stuck on its shell and it was safely detonated.

Chief Insp Simango urged members of the public not to tamper with objects that they do not know.

“We want to applaud the person who noticed the explosive and reported it to responsible authorities. We also want to appeal to members of the public that if they come across alien objects, they should not tamper with them as some of them might be lethal. We are grateful that the explosive did not explode on anyone despite being found in a residential area,” said Chief Insp Simango.

Zimbabwe National Army 1 Infantry Brigade Public Relations Officer Captain Brian Muchero could not comment on the matter saying he was not in office.

Four months ago, a grenade was found in Emganwini suburb and it was believed to have been left during the liberation war.

The explosive was discovered by a builder who was digging at a house undergoing renovations.

At that time, Cpt Muchero described the explosive as an M962 fragmentation hand grenade.

He warned the public not to tamper with such objects.

An M962 grenade has a killing radius of about 15 metres and general blast radius of about 200 metres.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Harare Residents’ Trust has claimed that an investigation committee has disclosed that Harare City Council does not have by-laws on wetlands.

This comes when there was public outcry when Longcheng Plaza was constructed in a wetland in Belvedere.

The report also comes when residential stands are still being allocated in wetlands. Below is the trust’s statement in full.

A special investigation committee has discovered that the City of Harare had no by law which protect wetlands for the past three years. This is purely a failure by the Council as wetlands are being invaded.

There have been a serious invasion of wetlands in most suburbs in Harare in the name of stands and urban farming. Most of the land have been made commercial and residential stands.

Council is not doing anything not even conducting awareness campaigns to educate residents on the importance and how to protect wetlands. This then poses questions to the environment committee because they are responsible for the protection of wetlands.

One would wonder and question the existence of the environment committee if it’s failing to advocate for the drafting of a by-law which can protect this precious land.

By A Correspondent- Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor John Mangudya said that arrangements have been made towards the purchase of Cabinet Ministers’ vehicles at a cost of US$16 million.

Mangudya made the revelations while responding to questions from Members of Parliament at the ongoing 2019 pre-budget seminar in Victoria Falls.

He said:

“The Minister gave me an assignment about the purchase of Ministers’ vehicles and we have agreed with the supplier of vehicles. We are going to buy these vehicles through a letter of credit so that you all get them in one lot.

The cars will be purchased using money drawn from foreign currency generated from exports, Mangudya claimed.

Meanwhile, vehicle assemblers, Quest Motors and Willowvale Motor Industries (WMI), have said they have the capacity to produce quality vehicles and are ready to provide the vehicles if requested to do so.

-Chronicle

Have your say:

“Maddening poverty currently gripping Zimbabwe should have been employed by MDC as a moral justification to boycott the conference and demand a cheaper venue for the conference.”

Should the MDC MPs have boycotted the budget meeting in Vic Falls?

Have your say:

"Maddening poverty currently gripping Zimbabwe should have been employed by MDC as a moral justification to boycott the conference and demand a cheaper venue for the conference."

Should the MDC MPs have boycotted the budget meeting in Vic Falls

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 5, 2019

THE Felton Kamambo led Zifa executive committee has scored a first by taking the senior national team out of the capital for a crucial  African Nations  qualifier.

The Warriors take on Botswana at Barbourfields Stadium on November 15 in a 2021 Total Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

From the inaugural Zifa president, one Moroni Mushambadope who was appointed by Zimbabwe’s first Sports Minister Joice Mujuru in 1980 but lasted just three months after he was replaced by Nelson Chirwa, all the presidents have presided over the senior national team playing crucial matches in Harare with Bulawayo only being given friendly matches or dead rubber Afcon qualifiers like in 2007 when the Warriors beat Malawi 3,1 in a dead rubber 2008 Afcon qualifier. Other matches played in Bulawayo have been the regional Cosafa matches.

Soon after assuming office Kamambo publicly promised that his committee will take the national team to all corners of the country instead of having it as a preserve of the capital only.

Even the World Cup preliminary match against Somalia was initially slated for Emagumeni before flight challenges faced by the Somalis, coupled with sportsmanship on the part of Zifa, saw the match being shifted to the National Sports Stadium.

“To us we are saying Zimbabwe is not Harare. Bulawayo, like every other part of the nation deserves to watch their team, a national asset that belongs to every Zimbabwean. We wi continue to rotate matches for the benefit of our fans and its also our hope that Bulawayo will rise and come in numbers to cheer the boys next week,” said acting Zifa vice president Phillemon Machana.

The Warriors will troop into camp in Bulawayo on Monday.

Chivi magistrate Ms Perseverance Mukumba jailed Sibanda after convicting him of four counts of contravening the Posts and Telecommunications Act.

A Chikombedzi man has been jailed 40 years for stealing TelOne copper cables in Mashava. Greatjoy Sibanda (34), of Makondo Village under Chief Sengwe, was convicted of digging up 14 metres of insulated underground copper cables worth $1 890.

Chivi magistrate Ms Perseverance Mukumba jailed Sibanda after convicting him of four counts of contravening the Posts and Telecommunications Act.

The Act outlaws wilful damage, interference with or theft of telephone lines and apparatus.

Sibanda was initially facing five counts, but the court withdrew one of the counts after plea.

Each of the four counts attracted 10 years behind bars. The court heard that TelOne had long suffered serious prejudice following a spate of theft of its underground copper cables.

Prosecutor Mr Nathan Zaranyika told the court that on June 5 this year at around 4am, Sibanda dug and removed 14 metres of underground insulated copper cables from the Mashava-King Mine TelOne telephone line.

He used a hacksaw to cut the cables interrupting faxes, telephone calls, among other services offered by the fixed telephone operator.

After removing the cables he took them to a secluded bush where he burnt it to remove the insulation intending to sell it.

A TelOne alarm in the mining town Mashava betrayed him after it rang while he was digging it out.

A police reaction group comprising detectives and the dog section swooped on him while he was still burning the cable to remove the insulation, leading to his arrest.

Police recovered the cable, a hacksaw and a satchel at the scene that were used in court as exhibits.

Matanda-Moyo said her commission is currently investigating 30 people, the majority of them ministers, so more arrests are likely.

A sitting cabinet minister in Zimbabwe’s government is facing charges of abuse of office, bringing to two the number of high ranking officials in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, nabbed by the country’s corruption watchdog, this year.

The chair of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), Loice Matanda-Moyo, confirmed that the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs (Monitoring and Implementation of Government Programs) Joram Gumbo, is scheduled to appear in a Harare court, Tuesday, to answer to allegations of abuse of office, during his tenure as minister of transport.

“Yes, it’s correct that the ZACC has taken in the former minister of transport and currently he is being questioned by ZACC with the view of taking him for a remand before the courts tomorrow (Tuesday),” said Matanda-Moyo.

Gumbo faces several charges including renovating a government property and renovating it for one million U.S dollars, involvement is a fuel deal worth $US$2.7 which was never delivered, and reinstating persons who were under investigation for corruption.

“He is accused of having leased his niece’s property for Zim Airways, and paid a million dollars for its renovations and payment of rentals, and did not declare that he was conflicted in that matter,” explained Matanda-Moyo.

“He is also accused of being involved in the CMED (Central Mechanical and Engineering Department), a fuel deal he was involved in where US$2.7 million was paid to a second company and no fuel was delivered,” she continued.

“And he is also accused of having directed the reinstatement of persons facing corruption charges, and they had not been cleared by the courts, and others,” added Matanda-Moyo.

Gumbo is the second minister in President Mnangagwa’s government under active investigation for corruption. The first to be investigated and arrested was former Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira, who was arrested in July over allegations involving the National Social Security Authority that she was in charge of as then minister of Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare.

Mupfumira is currently out on bail.

Asked about the status of the case and possibility of Mupfumira being charged for the alleged misuse of US$94million, Matanda-Moyo said ZACC’s responsibility is solely to investigate, not prosecute.

“ZACC only investigates matters. So people have got this wrong impression that it is ZACC which then prosecutes the matters. ZACC’S duties end with investigations,” explained Matanda-Moyo. “I do agree that sometimes we do lose control of the matters along the way, but for us we are doing our part as ZACC, in investigating the matters and taking the matters to court.”

Matanda-Moyo said her commission is currently investigating 30 people, the majority of them ministers, so more arrests are likely.

“We are investigating about 30 high profile matters and most of them are ministers. But we are just waiting to get all the evidence. We cannot simply push the docket through without thoroughly investigating them otherwise it will result in acquittals,” said Matanda-Moyo.

The Commission appealed to the public to discretely report incidents of corruption, and Matanda-Moyo said while many are assisting the Commission with making reports, investigations have been difficult as many fear reprisals.

She said she’s hoped that would change once laws protecting whistleblowers are implemented.

“So I’m really pleased that people are coming forward with reports of corruption, but perhaps what’s only lacking is the legislation pertaining to whistleblowers protection in Witnesses Protection Act. So once we get that legal framework in place I want to believe that our people would then be prepared to bring all the evidence that they have, because whilst they are reporting, some of them are not yet comfortable to come forward with information, without such protection,” said Matanda-Moyo.

According to Matanda-Moyo, the Commission is investigating about 1,000 cases, due to tips from the public.

The lawyer representing Gumbo, Selby Hwacha, said his client was not arrested, but was just questioned, but could not confirm whether he would appear in court on Tuesday.

VOA

He added that he was not asking the court to extend time within which to file their heads of argument, but for them to be formally admitted on record.

Vice President Kembo Mohadi has approached the High Court seeking to give his side of the story in the divorce wrangle with estranged wife Tambudzani.

VP Mohadi filed his application for condonation of the late filing of heads of argument and upliftment of bar in case number HC 9929/18.

Magistrate Mr Noah Gwatidzo, Tambudzani, Irene and Abigail Mohadi and Malcom Ambrose are cited as respondents.

“The parties in casu have been embroiled in several legal cases. Tambudzani in HC 8991/18 filed an application for review against the decision of Mr Gwatidzo,” read the application.

“In HC 9929/ 18 Tambudzai filed another application for review by the same magistrate and when she filed her heads of arguments in HC 9929/18 they were mistakenly placed in the file for HC 8991/18.

“Heads of argument for HC 9929/18 were filed. However, heads of arguments for HC 8991/ 18 were not filed due to my mistake as I failed to realise in time that these were two different cases in which decisions by the same magistrate were being brought under review.”

VP Mohadi said the mistake was only realised on June 6, 2019 and heads of argument were filed out of time on June 10, 2019.

He said the delay in casu is of about one month and cannot be said to be inordinate.

“The applicant has real prospects of success in the main matter because the ruling by the magistrate is not grossly irregular as a dismissal of a matter for non-appearance is not a dismissal of the matter on the merits,” read the application.

“The points in limine raised by Tambudzani were baseless and seriously without any merit.

“The magistrate was correct in dismissing them. Furthermore, the ruling by the magistrate addresses all the points and justifies why they were dismissed.”

VP Mohadi insisted that facts raised in the application were very important and their resolution will assist in resolving a similar case which is pending before the courts.

He added that he was not asking the court to extend time within which to file their heads of argument, but for them to be formally admitted on record. VP Mohadi was last year granted a protection order against Tambudzani and she applied for a review of proceedings after he filed for contempt of court.

She is also claiming $13 000 per month for maintenance pending finalisation of the divorce.

“We cannot disclose the prices of the bread yet, but what we can assure residents is that our prices will be reasonable and affordable in comparison with other local prices,” Sibanda said.

THE Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has announced plans to embark on an ambitious project to produce “affordable” bread for Bulawayo residents who cannot afford the commodity.

The ex-combatants will unveil their bread-making machine at their Entumbane high-density suburb offices today, the Southern Eye was told.

ZNLWVA Bulawayo spokesperson Christopher Sibanda told Southern Eye that the bread-making project was aimed at alleviating the plight of residents who are failing to purchase the commodity.

“We cannot disclose the prices of the bread yet, but what we can assure residents is that our prices will be reasonable and affordable in comparison with other local prices,” Sibanda said.

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

It was only last week when Bakers Inn reduced the price of the commodity from $15 to between $14.

The ZNLWVA bread-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 and 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.

Zanu PF bread making projects where party supporters are seen using pit ovens have been ridiculed by critics as primitive and unsustainable.

Meanwhile, Sibanda also revealed that the ex-combatants had also sunk a borehole in Entumbane suburb to aid residents who are going for days without the precious liquid after council introduced a 72-hour water rationing programme.

“The borehole was finished about four to five days ago. There is plenty of water that can supply the rest of Entumbane,” Sibanda said.

“Both the oven and the borehole were our idea, what we only did was to ask advice from specialists on how we can partake the project.”

Southern Eye

In a public notice, RBZ governor John Mangudya said the $2 coins will be used interchangeably with the $2 bond notes which are already in circulation.

NewsDay|CONFUSION reigns supreme ahead of the introduction of new coins and bank notes of the Zimbabwe dollar with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) yesterday releasing a statement that it will be injecting new two dollar bond coins into circulation by November 11 instead of $2 coins.

In a public notice, RBZ governor John Mangudya said the $2 coins will be used interchangeably with the $2 bond notes which are already in circulation.

“In line with the pronouncement made in the 2019 Mid-Term Monetary Policy Statement and the Press statement of October 2, 2019 to increase the level of physical cash in circulation, the RBZ wishes to advise the public that with effect from November 11, 2019, it shall issue a two-dollar bond coin which will circulate alongside the two-dollar bond note,” Mangudya said.

The central bank last week announced during a Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held in Harare that it was going to introduce new currency notes and coins in the next two weeks to ease the liquidity crisis.

The new bond coins are likely to create confusion in the market.

Attempts to get clarity on the issue failed as Mangudya had not responded to questions sent to him by the time of going to print.

The RBZ, which has already announced the features of the $2 and $5 notes said the two dollar bond coin features a bi-metal with the outer rim being copper-nickel plated and the inner core being aluminium bronze plated and serrated rim profile with a groove and edge lettering.

“The currency’s features will also include inscription of the words ‘Two Dollar Bond Coin’ and the numeral and symbol ‘2$’ on the observe side and inscription of the letters ‘RBZ’ and the numeral ‘2018’ on the reverse side,” the statement read.

Zimbabwe has been facing acute cash shortages while the use of electronic money has failed to stem the problem, creating a three-tier pricing model which government is battling to close. The cash shortages have also led to frequent price increases, causing inflation.

THE new $2 bond coin goes into circulation next Monday. The news was given yesterday in a statement by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr John Mangudya and follows last week’s announcement of the impending introduction of the coin plus the $2 and $5 notes.

The new coin and notes will circulate alongside the existing bond notes and coins. The new coin is similar to the present $1 bond coin.

“The two-dollar bond coin will have the following features and characteristics: (a) bi-metal with the outer rim being copper-nickel plated and the inner core being aluminium-bronze plated; (b) serrated rim profile with a groove and edge lettering; (c) inscription of the words “Two Dollar Bond Coin” and the numeral and symbol “2$” on the observe side and (d) inscription of the letters “RBZ” and the numeral “2018” on the reverse side.”

Yesterday’s statement was silent on the notes, but Dr Mangudya has indicated that specimens for the new $5 notes would be out soon after the gazetting of the Statutory Instrument by Government which formalises the introduction of the notes and coins.

Citizens have been clamouring for more cash in circulation. Kombis demand cash and vendors and tuckshops normally accept cash.

Some small shops offer lower prices for cash, but the gap between cash and mobile money is less than the premium dealers, sometimes the same shopkeepers, demand for those buying notes and coins.

The black market exchange rate also has the premium built in depending on whether one is buying US dollar notes for cash or digital transfer.

This suggests that as the premium charged on the black market falls, so the gap between cash prices and mobile money prices will narrow to the same degree since the gaps in prices for US dollar notes and for groceries in small shops are artificial and driven purely by the premium.

Cash barons have been charging a premium of up to 60 percent.

Section 32(3b) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act was used to deny Mupfumira bail and keep her in custody for three weeks.

Paul Nyathi|Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in charge of Implementation and Monitoring Joram McDonald Gumbo, who was questioned and released yesterday, is expected to appear in court today on charges of criminal abuse of office involving US$37 million. The charges arise from four separate incidents during his tenure as Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister.

He was arrested yesterday morning and spent the day being questioned by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) at their Mount Pleasant headquarters in Harare before being released in the evening to spend the night at home pending his appearance in court today.

Gumbo gave his warned and cautioned statement to ZACC yesterday.

Former Minister of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon Prisca Mupfumira, was recently arrested on serious charges involving corruption and abuse of office. When she appeared in court after being arrested her lawyer applied for bail but the Prosecutor-General issued a certificate forbidding the grant of bail for 21 days, so the magistrate accordingly refused it and remanded her in custody for the 21 days.

Section 32(3b) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act was used to deny Mupfumira bail and keep her in custody for three weeks.

Will the same be applied on Joram Gumbo?

In summary section 32(3b) states that where a person is brought before a judge or magistrate for remand after being arrested on reasonable suspicion of having committed a serious economic crime listed in the Ninth Schedule to the CP&E Act [the crimes for which Joram Gumbo is being charged with] and the Prosecutor-General issues a certificate stating:

• that the crime involves significant prejudice to the national interest,

• that it is necessary to detain the person for up to 21 days in order to investigate the crime properly,
• that the police officer who arrested the person was of or above the rank of assistant inspector.

Then, if the judge or magistrate is satisfied there is a reasonable suspicion that the person committed the offence, the judge or magistrate must order the person’s detention for 21 days or for any shorter period specified by the Prosecutor-General.

ZACC chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo confirmed the arrest and Gumbo’s scheduled court appearance for his initial remand hearing today.

In the first of the alleged incidents, Gumbo is accused of corruptly facilitating the awarding of a US$33,3 million tender to Indrastemas & Homt Espana of South Africa for air traffic control equipment without following the procurement procedure.

He allegedly authorised the company to supply the equipment to the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) without going to tender.

Secondly, Gumbo will have to answer to charges of showing favour to his relative, the politician Mavis Gumbo, by awarding her a contract to rent out her house to Zimbabwe Airways.

As part of the deal, it is alleged Gumbo directed the release of US$1 million for the refurbishment of Ms Gumbo’s property and customising it into the airline’s headquarters.

The house is located at 1436 Gletwin, Shawasha Hills, just south of Glen Lorne and about as far from the airport as you can be in Harare, and the charges will be that Government lost US$1 million in refurbishing the property and Ms Gumbo received huge amounts of money in monthly rent from a Government investment.

Thirdly, Gumbo stands accused of corruptly reinstating CMED chief executive Mr Davison Mhaka, despite a disciplinary tribunal finding him guilty of misconduct after he authorised payment of US$2,7 million to a fuel company for the supply of fuel that was never delivered.

Despite the tribunal finding Mr Mhaka guilty and his subsequent dismissal by the CMED board, Gumbo intervened and directed his reinstatement without explanation.

Fourthly, Gumbo is accused of disregarding the decision of the CAAZ board to fire its general manager Mr David Chawota after finding he had awarded the air traffic control equipment contract to Indrastemas &Homt Espana without following laid down procedure.

Political scientist and public policy analyst Mr Teddy Ncube said the latest arrest showed Government’s commitment to fighting corruption and also showed ZACC with its new powers of arrest was gaining relevance and independence.

“The arrest of Minister Jorum Gumbo should be analysed within the context of the new dispensation’s reform trajectory,” he said. “Of importance is the message that none is above the law.

“If a high-profile figure like Hon Gumbo can be arrested, it is safe to say that our justice system is undergoing serious changes in the right direction. Very few are the cases in our history where such a huge political name can be arrested whilst in office. As such, this further proves how ZACC is gaining relevance and distinguishing itself as an independent organ.”

Harare-based lawyer Mr Obert Gutu said Gumbo’s arrest reignited the focus on high-level corruption because of late, there appeared to have been a moratorium on arrests by ZACC ever since it was given arresting powers.

“We will only get to know about the exact details when he is formally brought before the courts of law,” he said. “The criminal justice delivery system is benchmarked on the fundamental principle that every accused person is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved by a competent court of law.”

Mr Gutu said the public now expects the prosecuting authorities “to put all their ducks in a row”.

“We don’t want a situation whereby the relevant law enforcement agencies arrest in order to investigate,” he said.

South Africa-based law expert Mr Tendai Toto said the initiative to fight against corruption was real, but the completion of the process was problematic.

He said there has yet to be a completed case of corruption, that is cases ending in acquittals or in convictions with appropriate sentences and other associated remedies.

“Also of note is that it takes two to tango,” said Mr Toto. “The fight against corruption is disrespected by the lack of evidence and witnesses coming forward in fear of reprisals and or exposing themselves as accomplices.”

Mr Toto said there was need to bargain with witnesses, affording them immunity and adequate protection in the high profile corruption cases in order for the State to secure credible and reliable witnesses.

Head of the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) Mr Tabani Mpofu said: “I cannot comment on individual cases as they arise, lest I be misconstrued. Suffice it to say that the fight against corruption continues unabated and it will continue for as long as this scourge afflicts our society.”

State Media additional reporting by ZimEye.com

“Whether the demonstration is going to continue or not on Wednesday, that will depend on the outcome of today’s meeting.”

State Media|Government has called civil servants’ representatives, the Civil Service Apex Council, to a National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting today, the eve of a planned demonstration, to address their concerns. Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza said she had received formal notification in a letter dated October 31, on plans for a protest march, but wants dialogue to continue in earnest.

Whether the demonstration will go ahead will depend on the result of today’s meeting, Apex Council chairperson Mrs Cecilia Alexander said yesterday.

“The item on the agenda is to receive feedback from Government in response to our position paper that we presented on October 31 where we notified Government that most civil servants are now failing to even afford to come to work and also even fend for their families,” she said.

“You may be aware that we organised a demonstration which is taking place on Wednesday (tomorrow), where civil servants are going to march and handover petitions to the Ministry of Public Service and Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

“Whether the demonstration is going to continue or not on Wednesday, that will depend on the outcome of today’s meeting.”

Civil servants have already had two effective pay rises this year and the minimum pay in State service is now $1 023 a month, while they have been promised bonuses and are likely to get another pay rise.

Minister Nzenza acknowledged receipt of the letter from the Civil Service Apex Council that gives Government notice for the protest march.

The Government had responded by informing the Apex Council that “it is seized with internal consultations” regarding the position submitted by Apex in the last National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting .

“Apex Council has been notified that an NJNC meeting will be convened soon after the consultations to give the NJNC feedback and possibly engagement to find a mutually suitable position on the matter,” said Minister Nzenza.

“Meanwhile, Apex Council has been advised to allow dialogue to continue in earnest without threat of protest action. Government reiterates it’s commitment to finding mutually agreed solutions to challenges facing the workers.”

Minister Nzenza said Government hoped that the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) work currently going on in clusters will be expedited to lead to a social contract to bring stability on prices and incomes.

The Apex Council says the Civil Service Apex Council met on October 30 and “unanimously” resolved to demonstrate tomorrow.

It says the protest has been instigated by Government’s lack of response to the workers’ position paper tabled at the NJNC, despite the “mutually agreed concurrence to treat the matter as urgent”.

Civil servants want to protest over recent remarks by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube that Government did not have the resources to benchmark salaries against the interbank foreign currency exchange rate.

The Apex Council said the move by Prof Ncube effectively pre-empts and nullifies the NJNC.

Prof Ncube has not ruled out further increases, only the effective setting of salaries in US dollars translated at the interbank rate into the actual Zimbabwe dollar payments.

A parent, whose daughter was barred from sitting for Ordinary Level examinations this year due to fees arrears, is suing the school at the High Court.

Mavis Jakarasi has taken Arundel School to court seeking a declaratory order saying the school had no authority to prevent her child from sitting the examinations since examination and centre fees had been paid.

The respondents are the Trustees of Arundel School.
In her application, Jakarasi said her daughter has been a student since the beginning of 2019 and registered to sit for her Cambridge ‘O’ Level examinations for October and November, 2019.

However, due to fees arrears the child was not attending school since the beginning of third term of 2019 because she was constantly being sent back home.

“The problem arose when my child appeared to sit for her first examination on October 15, 2019, English Paper 2. The respondent’s school official, the Headmistress Mrs Pauline Makoni and her officials refused to allow her to sit for her examination,” read the application.

Jakarasi said she approached Justice for Children for assistance and the lawyers issued a letter of demand for the school to allow the child to sit for her examinations but she turned down.

She was advised that tuition had been raised to $44 000 for the term, and that the amount she owed them had equally increased on the day her daughter missed her second exam.
Jakarasi paid $18 000 and her daughter was allowed to sit for her History examination on October 18, 2019.

On October 21, 2019, the student was barred from writing her Mathematics examination and the school demanded that she pays the balance first.

“Though I owe tuition arrears, the school’s decision to bar my child from writing examinations that are not property or a program of Arundel School, but an independent external examinations body, on the basis of fees I owe to the school is unacceptable,” read the papers.

“Cambridge Examinations is an independent body to which I made full payment. That payment includes the examination fee and the centre fee. The child is thus fully paid to use Arundel School as an examination centre.

“The respondents have ample mechanisms available to them at law to pursue debt recovery against me than to bar her child from writing her examinations.”State media

Farai Dziva| Constantino Chiwenga is expectes to return home soon, Zanu PF insiders have said.

Chiwenga has been battling a stomach ailment suspected to be a result of poisoning.

ZANU PF sources quoted by Bulawayo24 said a meeting was held recently at Mnangagwa’s farm to discuss the former army commander’s return.

“I can authoritatively tell you that there was a meeting held at the farm of Number 1 recently where among other issues, the update on the health of the General was discussed.”

“You are aware that there has been widespread speculation on the souring relations between Number 1 and the General so there has to be a way of having the two show a united face when the General comes back because according to reports he has fully recovered and is expected in the country anytime soon,” sources told the publication.

Watch video below. ..

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By A Correspondent- CBZ Holdings Limited last week held a two-day young entrepreneurs mentoring programme to capacitate youths with skills to sustain and grow globally competitive businesses.

Speaking at the fourth edition of the CBZ youth entrepreneurship programme workshop, group marketing executive Matilda Nyati said the initiative created a platform for youths to network.

“I am glad that this programme has provided a fertile ground for youths to meet and enrich their entrepreneurship skills.

“This initiative is designed to offer training services to entrepreneurs with the capacity to sustain and grow them locally and globally.

“The two-day training workshops, will basically be a learning and bonding journey for participants and an ultimate winner will be announced at the end, but I would say every participant is a winner and will gain knowledge from this workshop,” she said.

Empowered Life Trust director Jonah Mungoshi said: “It is a practical and results-based initiative to produce growth-oriented and profitable businesses that are run professionally by youths from all the country’s 10 provinces.”

Since 2016, 3 000 young people have been trained under the programme and 400 business have been started.

“Many young Zimbabweans graduating from universities, colleges and high schools have no option, but to become entrepreneurs due to lack of employment. The programme seeks to improve Zimbabwean youths, including those who are in the rural areas, through offering business opportunities which will in turn create employment opportunities,” Mungoshi said.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Tshabalala residents on Thursday last week forced the abandonment of a maize distribution exercise as they protested the hijacking of the programme by Zanu PF officials in the area.

Government, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), is distributing food aid to hungry urbanites, particularly the vulnerable such as the elderly and orphans across the country.

Food monitoring agencies estimate that over 1,5 million urban dwellers are facing severe food shortages, a situation worsened by the harsh economic climate.

There have been several reports of Zanu PF officials hijacking the food aid programme despite the ruling party’s denials, and on Thursday, frustrated Tshabalala’s ward 21 residents protested the unfair distribution exercise, forcing it to be abandoned.

The incident took place at Tshabalala Hall. Ward 21 councillor Tinewimbo Maphosa (MDC Alliance) confimed the protests.“What happened on Thursday is that known Zanu PF members were distributing aid to their supporters and disgruntled residents, including war veterans and youths, then confronted the officials and told them that what they were doing was illegal,” the councillor said.

Maphosa said following an intervention by the Labour, Public Service and Social Welfare ministry officials, the residents agreed that going forward, the food distribution would be done by church representatives.

“The residents agreed that no politician should be involved in the distribution of food. These Zanu PF politicians were leaving out deserving people and giving the aid to their own people. If you look at Sizinda and Tshabalala, there are a lot of widows and orphans,” he said.

About three weeks ago, Zanu PF politburo member Absalom Sikhosana complained to Vice-President Kembo Mohadi that social welfare officials were sidelining Zanu PF officials from food distribution in the city.

Last week, Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said those who claim party officials were hijacking the government food aid programmes must report to party offices.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The fissures emerging from within the rank and file of the ruling Zanu PF party have grabbed the attention of MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, who is looking to capitalise on the internal fights to upstage President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Chamisa, who has refused to recognise Mnangagwa’s presidency, said his party was eagerly following the challenges in Zanu PF and the internal fights which saw Mnangagwa calling on the Zanu PF youth league to flush out remnants of the G40 faction in his party.

“We are watching what is happening. We are very clear about the developments. We also know in Zanu PF, there are developments there. We are closely watching. Action is coming, but action will only come when we have done what has to be done. You may think that we are not doing anything; we are pulling all our strength to make sure that we tighten all the screws so that when we do what has to be done, there will not be any problem,” Chamisa said in a video he recorded live on Facebook.

The MDC, which has been struggling to make inroads into rural Zimbabwe, said it was activating a plan which would help them field 210 parliamentary candidates and councillors in all wards in the next general election so that they match and beat Zanu PF.

“We are already preparing for our candidates where we don’t have a seating MP, particularly in the rural areas. We want to make sure that we go big on the rural strategy; we go big on rural elections. I know you have been wondering what’s happening on the issue of by-elections, we know what we are doing. We are studying, assessing our weak points, our strong points, where our competitors are manipulating our parents in the rural areas, so that we deal with it and are able to move forward,” Chamisa added.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Teachers and civil servants felt insulted by Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube for saying that they will get bonuses because of the government’s austerity measures.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PUTZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said civil servants have failed to get bonuses only once in 38 years, and Minister Ncube’s statement is preposterous.

Said Majongwe:

For the past 38 years, civil servants have been getting a bonus save for just one year.

To want to make the nation believe that we are getting a bonus because of austerity is not only misleading but dangerous. He wants us to glorify a tool that is behind our suffering as if we have ever failed to get a bonus.

Ncube posted a message on his social media account where he announced that civil servants will be able to get a bonus “thanks to austerity”. He, however, did not elaborate on when the bonus will be paid.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s special advisor on national peace and reconciliation Professor Clever Nyathi recently resigned from his position.

Sources at the Office of the President and Cabinet in Harare alleged that Nyathi resigned over disagreements with the Harare Administration on how to handle the National reconciliation project.

After the November 2017 coup Nyathi who is a conflict resolution specialist was appointed as labour minister and dropped after few hours when Mnangagwa realised he had no legal right to appoint Professor Nyathi.

Other special advisors are Ambassador Chris Mutvangwa and Senator Joshua Malinga.

Nyathi who was born in Motobo in 1950 has a combined 25 years of top level public sector, private sector and academic management experience, including high level institutional management and capacity building, including process facilitation and building national capacities for conflict transformation.

Over the past 6 years, he has worked and consulted for UNDP in various capacities as senior professional in conflict transformation capacity building, dialogue facilitation and practice.

Nyathi has not yet spoken out to the public regarding the alleged resignation.

Byo 24

Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo told Western diplomats before and after making an intemperate rant against the United States ambassador last week that he was not the originator of the statement.

Moyo issued a signed statement on October 31 which he also read at a media conference, threatening to expel Ambassador Brian Nichols for alleged meddling in Zimbabwe’s domestic affairs.

Now diplomatic sources have told ZimLive that Moyo – a well-regarded figure in diplomatic circles – gave signals before and after the statement was issued that it had been foisted on him by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office.

Before raging against Nichols, the two men met in Moyo’s office.

“SB is good,” one diplomat said. “We are satisfied he didn’t originate the statement, it was sent down from Mnangagwa’s office for him to take ownership of it.”

The revelations point to deep divisions within the government on how to approach United States sanctions on Zimbabwe – with Mnangagwa favouring aggressive diplomacy.

Moyo has been leading Zimbabwe’s efforts to re-engage with Western countries whose earlier optimism about Mnangagwa’s regime has given way to the kind of belligerence that typified Western diplomats’ dealings with longtime leader Robert Mugabe, who was ousted by the military in 2017 in a conspiracy with Mnangagwa.

Moyo is anxious not to end up on a list of 142 individuals and entities subject to a United States travel ban and asset freeze.

In the statement, he threatened that Zimbabwe would expel Ambassador Nichols and stop all contact with the United States embassy.

He appeared particularly angry with comments by Nichols blaming Zimbabwe’s economic woes on official corruption, citing the specific case of Sakunda Holdings owned by Kudakwashe Tagwirei which is accused of looting billions of dollars. Tagwirei is a benefactor of the regime, bankrolling some of the broke government’s programmes, like the controversial Command Agriculture which a parliamentary committee recently said was a conduit for industrial-scale theft from state coffers.

A decision by the United States to impose sanctions on State Security Minister Owen Ncube, accused of overseeing abductions of government critics and shutting down the internet during fuel protests in January, also rattled the regime coming a day after Mnangagwa led poorly-subscribed anti-sanctions marches on October 25.

The United States embassy is treating the statement issued by Moyo as “bluster”, ZimLive understands.

Said a diplomatic source: “Try to imagine a visa office in South Africa, or USAID withdrawing from Zimbabwe. Can you? Can they (the government)? I suspect not.”

Government spokesman Nick Mangwana dismissed any suggestion that Moyo was denouncing his own statement.

“Firstly, as you can see from the statement, it was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade,  Honourable SB Moyo himself. I can assure you that his signature was not forged.

“Secondly, the statement was certainly prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the President or his office did not have an input in its content or tone.

“And lastly, it is in not correct that the minister disowned the statement.  Any such suggestions are just mischievous as the circulation of that statement was done per his expressed instructions.”

ZimLive

State Media|Nurses at all council clinics in Harare have gone on strike with effect from today citing incapacitation.

By midmorning on Monday only sisters-in-charge had reported for work at most local authority owned clinics.

In an interview with The Herald this morning, City Health director Dr Prosper Chonzi said the latest development was a big blow to health sector considering the current withdrawal of labour by doctors at government hospitals.

“As you know, most patients were now receiving treatment from clinics because of the current industrial action at central hospitals. This development will leave more patients stranded and with no alternatives to care,” said Dr Chonzi.

NewsDay|THE fissures emerging from within the rank and file of the ruling Zanu PF party have grabbed the attention of MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, who is looking to capitalise on the internal fights to upstage President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Chamisa, who has refused to recognise Mnangagwa’s presidency, said his party was eagerly following the challenges in Zanu PF and the internal fights which saw Mnangagwa calling on the Zanu PF youth league to flush out remnants of the G40 faction in his party.

“We are watching what is happening. We are very clear about the developments. We also know in Zanu PF, there are developments there. We are closely watching. Action is coming, but action will only come when we have done what has to be done. You may think that we are not doing anything; we are pulling all our strength to make sure that we tighten all the screws so that when we do what has to be done, there will not be any problem,” Chamisa said in a video he recorded live on Facebook.

The MDC, which has been struggling to make inroads into rural Zimbabwe, said it was activating a plan which would help them field 210 parliamentary candidates and councillors in all wards in the next general election so that they match and beat Zanu PF.

“We are already preparing for our candidates where we don’t have a seating MP, particularly in the rural areas. We want to make sure that we go big on the rural strategy; we go big on rural elections. I know you have been wondering what’s happening on the issue of by-elections, we know what we are doing. We are studying, assessing our weak points, our strong points, where our competitors are manipulating our parents in the rural areas, so that we deal with it and are able to move forward,” Chamisa added.

The opposition leader said this week he would be presenting a Hope of The Nation Address, in which he will outline the path which the MDC wants the country to take in the face of an economic meltdown.

“We are very clear about what has to be done. I know the suffering that is out there. I have been without electricity myself here for almost 16 hours and I can tell you that I am retreating to my village because it’s better there,” Chamisa said.

“We are going to be delivering the Hope of The Nation Address. It’s going to deal with a lot of issues; our perspectives, economically, politically and socially, our thoughts and the way forward in our view and what has to be done for this country.”

Chamisa said he was working towards building a stronger party with a branch denoted by every polling station in the country.

“We are in the process of working on a number of activities to strengthen our party. We are now moving from being a top-heavy party to being a grassroots-driven party that has lower structures,” he said.

“That’s what we are already working on to make sure we strengthen our branches, so every polling station is going to have branch structures. We are trying to work on our election preparedness, targeting our first time voters. We want to capture young people so that they take us forward.”

Mnangagwa has been battling to ensure a united Zanu PF since he came to power following a coup in November 2017 amid fears that some parliamentarians were out to impeach him with the help of MDC legislators.

Addressing a youth league meeting last Thursday, Mnangagwa said he was aware of the seemingly vanquished G40 elements in the party and they needed to be flushed out.

“I, however, commend those who have remained loyal and faithful to the party and its leadership, especially these moments of manifestations by those we perceive to be one of us. I encourage you all to continue to work hard for the good of the party and guard against the whims of the enemies of our party. We still have elements of the G40 participating among us as wolves in sheep’s clothing these must be flushed out, not only in the youth league, but also within the rank and file of the party in general,” said Mnangagwa in a speech that has excited Chamisa.

Triangle 3-2 FC Nouadhibou

(Triangle lose 4-3 on aggregate)

TRIANGLE FC’s fairytale run in the Caf Confederation Cup came to a halt at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday after they failed to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit suffered at the hands of Mauritanian champions FC Noudhibou a week ago.

A 3-2 victory over 10-man FC Noudhibou was not enough to send the Lowveld side into the mini-league stage of the competition. Two disallowed goals in each half, rushed efforts and a genuine second-half penalty call turned down summed up a bad day in office for coach Taurai Mangwiro’s Sugar Boys, who tasted the bitter side of the continental club game.

The visitors finished the game one man short after substitute Sidi Yocub was shown a straight red card in the 70th minute for stepping on Kudzai Chigwida in an off the ball incident.

On a day Triangle needed three goals without reply to progress, they found themselves trailing as early as the sixth minute. Skipper Ralph Kawondera needlessly lost possession in the middle of the park to pacey striker Side Touda, who raced into the hosts’ box before feeding his striking partner Yassim Elwely to slot home with ease.

A minute later, the hosts thought they had restored parity through Collins Dhuwa, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Triangle would go into the break with one foot out of the competition.

Mangwiro made two first-half substitutions in a bid to add more fire power upfront.

Defender Obey Mwerahari and Gerald Bero made way for Simba Makoni and Brian Chikwenya as the hosts searched for goals in vain.

Triangle drew level in the 49th minute through Makoni’s close range header. What followed after was 10 minutes of thrilling drama. Kawondera had an effort ruled out for offside by South Sudanese referee Ring Malong. Moments after that incident, Triangle had a penalty appeal turned down after what appeared to be a clear handball offence inside the box. However, Kawondera sent the hosts into the lead in the 53rd minute.

Three minutes later, Elwely sealed his brace after finishing off a devastating counter attack from the visitors. At that point it was clear Triangle were on their way out of the competition.

Tinashe Chivandire scored their third goal in the 81st minute, but it was way too late to recover from the blow that had been delivered by the visitors. A disappointed Mangwiro felt his side was let down by poor officiating.

“I would like to say sorry to the nation, we were not good enough today. We gave it a fight, but we fell short. It was a matter of being so near yet so far. I do not want to take anything away from the visitors, they fought well, but my question is; was the playing field level? Were we given a chance to compete or it was a matter of fulfilling the fixture? Not that I am perfect, but all I want is to be given a fair chance to compete. I thought we were not afforded that chance. How do you explain the selection of match officials for these games? Yes, the biggest undoing was to allow them to surge ahead, but the response from the boys was sound,” said Mangwiro.

FC Nouadhibou general manager Mauril Njoya, who stood in for coach Santiago Martinez in the post-match interview said: “I did not recognise my side today. Our opponents played well but they were unlucky.”

Reuters – The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on Monday detained and charged a cabinet minister and long-time ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa for abuse of office alleged to have cost the government $3.7 million, the second high-profile graft case this year.

Joram Gumbo, a minister in the presidency, was arrested on suspicion of directing a government-owned airline formed in 2017 to use a property owned by his relative as its headquarters, according to a charge sheet seen by Reuters.

Gumbo, who was transport minister at the time, is also accused of abusing his position by forcing the re-appointment of the head of a state-owned company after the official was found guilty of corruption and fired by a tribunal. ZACC said the government had suffered total losses to the tune of $3.7 million.

His arrest comes as critics accuse the president of lacking the drive to carry out the political reforms needed to help Zimbabwe recover from its worst economic crisis in a decade.

The ZACC, which Mnangagwa appointed in July, says it is on a drive to bring corrupt officials to account. In July, tourism minister Prisca Mupfumiraa was charged with corruptly misusing $95 million from the state pension fund.

When Mnangagwa took over as leader after the late Robert Mugabe was ousted in 2017, he promised to stamp out the graft that had become endemic under his predecessor.

Although some Mugabe-era ministers have been arrested for corruption, they are free on bail while their cases are stuck in courts, frustrating citizens who feel that officials can use their influence to escape punishment.

Gumbo is due to appear in court on Tuesday, a ZACC official said.

Report: ED panics over General Chiwenga’s return. ZANU PF sources who spoke to this reporter said the meeting was attended by Mnangagwa loyalists. President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently called an emergency meeting at his Sherwood farm in Midlands recently and discussed, among other issues, the impending return of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to the country from China.

“I can authoritatively tell you that there was a meeting held at the farm of Number 1 recently where among other issues, the update on the health of the General was discussed. You are aware that there has been widespread speculation on the souring relations between Number 1 and the General so there has to be a way of having the two show a united face when the General comes back because according to reports he has fully recovered and is expected in the country anytime soon.”

The source claimed. “There has been reports also that a faction of ZANU PF linked to the General was calling for the re-admission of Saviour Kusukuwere into the party and that matter was also discussed.”

President Mnangagwa is expected to issue a statement regarding the health of Chiwenga soon. In August Presidential Spokesperson George Charamba said Zimbabweans must wait for the announcement that will be done by the President regarding Chiwenga.

“When he comes back, President Emmerson Mnangagwa will make an announcement and so we need to wait for that announcement,” he said.”He is still in China, but he is doing amazingly well, and he is ebullient and very sharp.”

In July, Mnangagwa told a Zanu PF meeting that Chiwenga was recovering well in South Africa and was able to do physical exercises on his own. However, a month later, the government announced that he had been flown to China for further tests.

Source – Bulawayo24 News

Police have given public sector workers permission to march for better pay on Wednesday in what is widely seen as a test of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s willingness to tolerate dissent.

A notice received from police by the Apex Council of public sector unions said the protest could go ahead but also warned that police would stop the march if it turned violent.

“The regulating authority still reserves the right to stop the gathering should it turn out to a public order threat or violent. Police will monitor,” Oscar Mugomeri, police commander for Harare central district, wrote in the letter.

Mugomeri could not be reached for comment on Monday.

Unions say Mnangagwa’s government has not responded to demands for U.S. dollar-indexed salaries to cushion public sector workers against inflation that economists say reached 380% in September.

Daily life in Zimbabwe is getting harder, with prices of basic goods, fuel and electricity rising as hope fades for a quick economic recovery under Mnangagwa, who took power after the late Robert Mugabe was ousted in a coup in 2017.

Mnangagwa has banned several opposition protests and faces accusations that he is using Mugabe’s heavy-handed tactics.

Police have been on high alert since January, when fuel protests turned violent and at least a dozen people were killed during a security crackdown.

Unions want the lowest government employees paid the equivalent of $475 (7,251 Zimbabwe dollars) a month compared to the 1,023 Zimbabwe dollars they earn now.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, who projects the economy to contract by 6.5% this year, has said the government cannot meet the workers’ demands.

Charles Chinosengwa, spokesman for the Apex Council, which represents 230,000 workers – excluding the health and security sectors – said unions were mobilising members from across Zimbabwe.

“This is strictly a labour issue. We don’t need support from politicians, we are saying hands off to politicians,” he said.

Shortages of foreign currency, fuel and power are among the most visible signs of a crisis that has revived memories of 2008, when hyperinflation wiped out savings and forced the government to abandon its currency.

Mnangagwa says Zimbabweans should be patient while his government pursues economic reforms, including gradually cutting subsidies on fuel and electricity and the re-introduction of the domestic currency.

FORMER Transport Minister Joram Gumbo has been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) for criminal abuse of office.

ZACC spokesperson, Commissioner John Makamure confirmed the arrest.

“I can confirm he has been arrested. He is facing criminal abuse of office,” said Commissioner Makamure.

One of the cases Gumbo is being questioned over is the Zimbabwe Airways deal which saw Government losing millions of dollars.

Gumbo also faces allegations of authorizing renovations of a relative’s house to the tune of $1 million of public funds with a view to turn the property into Zimbabwe Airways headquarters.

Sources also revealed that the former Transport Minister should explain the rationale behind reinstating CMED boss Davison Mhaka despite having been convicted of misconduct by a disciplinary tribunal.

Details to follow

A LOCAL church leader was on Friday arrested for allegedly duping a Chitungwiza businessman of foreign currency needed for a consignment of Bibles for his congregation.

Apostle Isaiah Zhanje of Jesus Christ New Life International Church’s grace luck ran out after he was offered more money by Tinashe Sithole for a laptop he was selling leading to his arrest.

He was detained at Chitungwiza police station under police reference RRB 4136120 and is expected to appear in court today.

Narrating how he was duped, Sithole told H-Metro that he lost US$57 after he was made to believe that the man of cloth had more than one farm, trucks and containers urging him to visit his Harare offices where he conducts church services.

“This apostle came to my workplace dropping flyers for his ministry showing a Daventry House address where he claimed he conducts church services every Sunday,” said Sithole.

“For three weeks he would pass through my place at Chikwanha Shopping Centre asking me to charge his cellphone.

“Apostle Zhanje would talk more about his wealth more than inviting us to his church or even quoting Holy Scriptures.

“Good news dzavo dzaive dzekuti ndine macontainers amurikuda munogona kuita rent to buy muchibvisa paduku paduku.

“I believed him since I was looking for a container and we signed an agreement on a rent to buy basis and got the copies certified before a Commissioner of Oaths.

“It was at the Commissioner of Oaths where he refused to produce a national identity card and convinced him to certify the agreement using a fake birth certificate.

“Achingobva pabasa pangu akabva angosanga neimwewo crane pachikwanha ipapo ndobva aimisa kubva ataura neboys dzaive necrane bvavawirirana US$160 kubva vashandisa phone yemukomana aive ne crane kundisheedza kuti ndinoiwona sezvo phone yake yanga yapera moto,” said Sithole.

He was made to believe that the container was at Westgate and paid US$57.
Afterwards, Apostle Zhanje could not be seen and would not answer Sithole’s calls.

Sithole was shown a laptop by Apostle Zhanje and asked to pay part payment or full amount since they had agreed to make big deals.

“I sent a text message fooling him that I had US$400 he wanted for his laptop and that is when he responded by calling me,” Sithole.

“Upon his arrival at Chikwanha, I informed police leading to his arrest.

“He never told anyone about his arrest including church members that I doubt if he has any ministry he is leading.

“Kana iriko kereke yake zvoreva kuti Sunday Havana mufudzi nekuti avemumaoko evemutemo vomboshumirawo kwaari,” said Sithole.
— HMetro