By A Correspondent- ZESA Holdings has said political bigwigs will not be spared as the power utility disconnects electricity to defaulting clients to recover $1,2 billion in unpaid bills.

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) — a subsidiary of Zesa — recently revealed that it is implementing credit control measures to recover debts.

However, concerns have been raised that whenever Zesa disconnects power it targets small clients while leaving VIPs who owe substantial amounts.

To recover money from defaulting clients in September, ZETDC took Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo to court over a $400 000 electricity bill.

Minister Moyo is among prominent people that include former Cabinet Ministers Cde Sydney Sekeramayi and Cde Didymus Mutasa that have been taken to court over debts owed to the power company.

In an interview on Friday, Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said there would be no sacred cows in disconnections.

“Zesa does not have bigwigs, does not have politicians, does not have big fish but it just has customers. We deal with customers as customers. 

“We have customer categories and we have a policy of dealing with customers who are in arrears, who are in debt. There is no favouritism, there is no sacred cow as far as customers are concerned. We are looking for $1,2 billion that is owed by our customers,” said Mr Gwasira.

He said he did not have offhand, figures on the number of defaulting clients that have so far been disconnected as well as the amounts that have been recovered following the clamp down.

 Mr Gwasira said the power utility cannot continue to provide electricity to clients who are failing to honour their obligations.

He said failure to pay for power compromises effective service delivery. 

“If we disconnect power from you it protects you from getting a higher bill because you are already failing on this level. Once we discuss and say you will pay in this manner then we reconnect you. We are in the business of selling power not of disconnecting power,” said Mr Gwasira.

He said if disconnection and payment plan does not work, the power utility will take the legal route to recover arrears.

Zesa has categorised its defaulting clients into commercial and domestic.

Commercial entities include hotels, supermarkets, bakeries, shops, restaurants, mines, agriculture which are power intensive.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Government is concerned about the high rate of teacher absenteeism in schools as this is contributing to poor pass rates and negating the country’s vision to uplift every citizen through education.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, speaking at the 2019 pre-budget seminar here, said he had been studying the trend for some time.

He said he had noted that most teachers are not in school due to among other reasons, poor remuneration, poor working conditions and infrastructure.

Similarly, Government is concerned about some schools that withhold results of pupils who owe them school fees as it disadvantages learners from advancing with their education.

“There is an issue that I have been studying for a long time, the issue of teacher absenteeism. It is not easy to fix but we have to deal with it either through incentives or improving conditions of service and building of schools,” said Prof Ncube.

 He implored parents to be involved in school activities.

“For example, Matabeleland South has 250 schools where pupils are not passing their Ordinary Levels. There are many such schools countrywide. Whenever parents are not involved in the activities of the school, those schools perform worse,” he said.

In some provinces such as Matabeleland South, teachers cross the border to neighbouring countries to do menial jobs to supplement low salaries.

Prof Ncube said the 2020 budget will surely allocate resources towards infrastructure and schools’ development to improve working conditions for various sectors in the public service including education.

-StateMedia

The current bank exchange rates for the ZWL$ today are as follows;

USD = ZWL$15.7376
ZWL$ = RAND0.9427
Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Black Market Rates:

USD = ZWL$19.90 zimrates
USD = ZWL$19.70 zwl365
USD = ZWL$19.5 bluemari
USD = BOND12.90 zimrates

– Marketwatch

Prominent ZimDancehall chanter, Soul Jah Love, real name Soul Musaka has understated the quality of fellow musician Freeman, born Energy Sylvester Chizanga‘s 2019 album Gango (Braai pan).

Chibaba, as Jah Love is passionately called by his fans said his album, Zvihombe, did better than other albums this year as per the fans’ ratings. He said:

“Zvihombe, as the title suggests, and no one has reached the level it got to. Freeman tried, but the fans have spoken, they say it was a half-baked product, hanzi mugango manga makazara nzondora dzisina kunyatsoibva. (Fans have said Freeman’s album was half-baked, there were too many unripe chicken feets in the braai pan).

“Seriously, no one did anything that we can talk about, hapana akanyatsoimba.”

Meanwhile, Freeman’s song, Ngaibake which features Sungura maestro, Alick Macheso has been popular amongst merrymakers and is being played in many clubs and at many events.

Some have argued that the song will together with MuGarden, Winky D and Gemma Griffiths song will be contending for the best collabo of 2019.

-Daily News

By A Correspondent- Parents of pupils going for Form One next year that want boarding school places can now apply for e-enrolment.

In a statement recently, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, urged parents and guardians to submit applications starting today as as entries close on December 31.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will be running an electronic platform for enrolling Form One boarding places for 2020. Parents and guardians who wish to send their children to boarding schools are advised to start applying through the platform www.emap.co.zw with effect from Monday 4 November 2019 up to Tuesday 31 December 2019,” reads the statement.

The Ministry said parents and guardians could apply to a maximum of five schools.

A place, read the statement, would be offered randomly from any of the shortlisted schools.

“An applicant who has been offered a place at one school will not be eligible to apply or be considered for a place at any other school unless the offer is declined. Successful applicants will be notified through a short message service (SMS) by the respective school heads. Parents and guardians are however advised that there are limited boarding places,” reads the statement.

Government introduced the e-enrolment in 2016 to address corruption that was associated with enrolment of learners in boarding schools.

At the start of the e-enrolment system they were 24 000 boarding places countrywide.

The e-enrolment has in the past been marred with confusion as some applicants claimed that the website was always down.

Parents and guardians have also said the new system was inconvenient as it gives them little time to prepare for the opening of the schools.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Energy regulatory authority has announced that it will regulate gas prices as a way of protecting consumers from those profiteering from the current energy challenges affecting citizens.

ZERA’s Mr Mataruse told the state media:

Its (price regulation) work in progress. When LP Gas Industry started, we decided to allow the industry to develop hence there was no control on its prices.

Now the industry has grown and that the market is bigger, we are moving in to protect consumers against exorbitant prices

ZERA has previously said they will regulate the gas when the industry grows.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- The Law Society of Zimbabwe has announced new legal fees to be charged for legal services.

The new charges according to a statement by Law Society will be as follows:

Unregistered law graduates whose names are recorded by the Law Society are expected to charge $900 while those with less than one-year experience will charge $1 800

Those who have been in the practice for five to nine years will be charging $2 250 while those with 10–14 years experience will charge $3 150.

Legal practitioners with 15 to 19 years of experience will be expected to charge $4 050 while those with 20 to 29 years will be charging $4 650. Those with over 30 years’ experience will charge $5 250.”

Other services like agreement of sale for a residential property or farm will cost $7 500 or one percent of the selling price, whichever is the greater while agreement of sale for a business or shares will cost $12 000 or 2 percent of the selling price, whichever is the greater

Uncontested divorce with or without consent paper, with minimal negotiations and including appearance in Court, where necessary, will now cost plaintiff ZWL$18 000 and defendant ZWL$12 000.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Last week a chain of buses was seen in Beitbridge being cleared to enter the country.

The government has announced that the batch is headed for the country’s second-largest city Bulawayo.

According to the state media:

The latest batch of 76 Zupco buses imported by Government from China left Beitbridge yesterday for Bulawayo pending commissioning by President Mnangagwa on a date to be announced.

ZUPCO  buses were introduced to ease transport challenges for mostly urban commuters.

-StateMedia

State Media|Producers and retailers need to wake up to growing consumer resistance when prices soar as many simply go without or find a cheaper susbstitute, punishing the price raisers, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers’ (CZR)has said.

CZR president Mr Denford Mutashu said the market was now in self-correction mode because the high prices have caused consumers to do without many items that they saw as luxuries rather than bare necessities.

He said the increase in unsold bread on shop shelves was a wake-up call for business as consumers were exercising their rights by finding substitutes. Many now bake their own bread or cook sweet potatoes, pototes or other traditional foods like manhuchu (samp).

“The market is in self-correction mode regarding pricing and when consumers’ pockets are stretched to the limit by outrageous pricing, the punishing result is exactly what we are experiencing, not only bread other basics as well.
“Consumers are staring at bread on the shelves as if you have displayed snakes and it is a wake-up call for business as we have begun to see prices falling while returns are the order of the day.

“Consumers have retained their power to exercise their rights by abandoning over-priced goods and services while seeking for alternative or substitute goods in many respects.

“As income gets more and more eroded, the price madness is decimated with business waking up to the naked reality that consumers still decide at the end of the day,” he said.
On Tuesday, Baker’s Inn led major bakeries in reducing bread prices by around $1 a loaf after the Government started supplying millers with cheaper wheat.

The National Bakers’ Association of Zimbabwe (NBAZ) chief executive Mr Ngoni Mazango recently said that the wholesale price of a loaf hag been slashed from $14 to $13.

He also said the Government has supplied millers with subsidised wheat which by and large reduced the price of flour. In response to this development, Baker’s Inn bakeries had decided to extend the benefit to the consumer despite the escalating costs of other inputs like power, diesel, local and imported raw materials.

A survey by The Herald on Thursday in the leading retailers showed that Baker’s Inn bread was being sold at $14,50, but in-house brands were still a maximum of $14, largely because they did not incuro transport costs.

State Media|Harare City Council has come under fire for continuing to flout its town planning regulations by allocating stands on infills that serve as breathing spaces and fire escape routes. The construction of houses on such “stands” has resulted in damage to underground infrastructure such as electricity cables, storm water drains, sewer and water pipes. Council has also clashed with residents for pegging stands on wetlands and in areas close to high voltage Zesa way-leaves, risking the lives of the beneficiaries.

State Media Journalists visited an area in Kuwadzana 7 Extension, where people were allocated stands near way leaves and on breathing spaces and in Warren Park 1, where stands were pegged near a ZESA 11KV transformer that feeds over 200 households, including the local Suburban Hospital via cables that run under the stands.

Zesa public relations manager Mr Fullard Gwasira yesterday said electricity regulations do not allow the building of houses under, near and over electricity infrastructure. He said the Act defines a way leave as an area which should be pruned of vegetation and what the minimum distance between the wires and the buildings should be.

“This is due to the fact that it’s dangerous for people and also due to exposure to the magnetic field which emanate thereof, which have been linked to cancer,” he said.

The stands were allegedly allocated to one Shezel Nyasha Simango (Number 10964 of 250), Mercy Murevesi (10963 of 250), Melody Muchando (10962 of 250) and Judith Mhlahleli, who was allocated Stand Number 250.

Council has since stopped the Warren Park 1 project after Combined Harare Residents Association raised a red flag.
Harare City Council public relations manager Mr Michael Chideme confirmed the development.

“Council has since cancelled the layout plans after noting the development would interfere with storm water drains. The people affected are being relocated with the assistance of the director of housing.”

Council’s housing director Mr Edmore Nhekairo said: “The director of works cancelled the layout plans and the three areas are not going to be developed.”

An environmental expert, Mr Patrice Chakanyuka, said open spaces ensure the natural beauty of towns.
“They act as corridors in terms of movement from one point to the other while people experience the natural environment since there will be growth of flora and fauna. They also enhance the beauty of settlements and provision of fresh air,” he said.

Southerton residents recently sued council over its decision to turn Gilwell Square Recreational Park, along Bexley Road, into 29 low-density stands despite their objections.

Harare Mayor Councillor Herbert Gomba justified council’s move of turning the recreational park into stands.
“Those areas were left by the then planners for future use. They are open in order to accommodate future plans. This is why you see dualisation being done because land was left open in anticipation of the need to accommodate future growth. There is nothing criminal about that. It is called urban planning. We are now in the future,” he said.

The city lost a case in the High Court where Greendale residents were challenging the local authority’s continued allocation of stands on wetlands in the area despite an order barring it from doing so.

According to a recent survey the family grocery basket is now costing an estimated 4000 rtgs. This amount is way beyond the reach of many especially civil servants whose salaries range between 100 to 2000 rtgs a month. We conducted a sure on the major supermarkets inZim and these are the prices of basic goods as at 1 November 2019.

Wholesalers might be selling basic goods at slightly lower prices but most of them require you to buy with hard cash which most people do not had. In Zimbabwe you have to pay a commission to cash agents in order to access cash.

Youth village

Zimbabwe’s power utility warned of increased power cuts on Sunday after it lost 251 mega watts from its Hwange power station.

“Three generator units tripped at Hwange power station this morning,” Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Distribution Co. said on its Twitter account.

“Load shedding has now increased significantly and we are now implementing stage 2” power cuts outside the normal schedule.

Blackouts in Zimbabwe already last as much as 18 hours a day and the country spends $23 million monthly on power imports, according to the energy regulator.

State Media|UNRESTRAINED tensions on and off the pitch almost marred the eagerly-anticipated Castle Lager Premiership football match between Dynamos and Highlanders which ended in a stalemate at Rufaro yesterday.

The draw was a welcome result to both teams in this match which endured a lot of stoppages because of the on-field incidents.

DeMbare had to turn to their main striker Evans Katema for salvation. The dreadlocked forward nodded home the equaliser with seven minutes of regulation time remaining.

Highlanders had taken a 71st minute lead via Tinashe Makanda who fired home a low shot after getting a return pass which beat the unsuspecting Dynamos defenders in the box.

Referee Munyaradzi Majoni struggled to contain the game which could have gone out of hand from the start when Highlanders players were involved in ugly skirmishes with a section of the home fans after scaling the fence into the supporters’ zone in order to gain access into the stadium.

Then the state of the turf at Rufaro yesterday was something else for such a high profile game with the middle patch of the ground covered in mud which made it difficult for the ball to flow.

And Highlanders coach Hendrik Pieter de Jongh, who has been credited with the transformation at the Bulawayo giants this year, blew his top in a post-match tirade.

De Jongh was also not happy his team spent 35 minutes outside the stadium before the hosts opened the gates for them and also had no kind words for referee Majoni for the way he handled the game.

“Today I have seen a lot of things for the first time in my life. This is surprising in my 29 years of coaching in 12 countries in the world,” said De Jongh.

“Firstly, how is it possible for professional football, I will give an example, the PSL which I believe is a professional organisation, how is it possible that we had to spend 35 minutes out of the stadium.

“I have never seen that in my life, it’s lack of organisation. It’s not possible that you stay 35 minutes outside the stadium and the gates are not opened!

“Second point, football is for the fans whether it’s Dynamos, Highlanders or Platinum . . . It’s for everyone. But football has to be played on a good ground, on a good pitch.

“This pitch is so bad and it doesn’t make it possible for good football.

“I think today the referee gave us raw deal. I counted, he gave us only two free kicks in the half of the opponents and 18 free kicks in our half. How is that possible?

“But I think it was a 50-50 game. There was no good communication between our defenders and Dynamos scored. But good football was not possible on this pitch, it was a terrible pitch.

“I have a garden back home and they are almost the same. I am a professional coach, I like football but I cannot play on this pitch,” said De Jongh.

Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya also felt Rufaro was not in the best shape yesterday but vented most of his anger on his players as DeMbare recorded a club record of 16 league draws in a season.

This was the eight consecutive stalemate for Ndiraya’s men.

“I am quite disappointed by the way we conceded. I think we go back to the issue of experience. You don’t concede in such a manner. A player sets up and then receives a pass behind the defence and all the defenders are static.

“It’s shocking from my own point of view and I thought it was a silly goal. I thought we showed character in coming back especially if you want to consider psychological fact that we have always been losing to Highlanders in these high profile matches. So I thought a draw was a fair result considering we were coming from behind,” said Ndiraya.

Earlier, Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda made a good save to deny Sean Gona’s point blank header after 23 minutes.

But as the tensions continued to escalate Andrew Mbemba escaped with a yellow card following a professional foul on Katema who had set himself on goal after dispossessing the defender in his own half.

Highlanders enjoyed most of the ball possession with some methodical passing despite the state of the pitch but it was DeMbare who nearly stole the lead when Katema’s header bounced off the crossbar after the Bosso defenders had failed to deal decisively with a corner 10 minutes after the half-time break.

Dynamos failed to capitalise from a counter-attack with Ali Maliselo and Edward Sadomba at the cenre of it. They then conceded from the resultant raid by Bosso. But referee Majoni had a long day yesterday and had to end the game in climax with players mobbing him following another brawl in the Bosso half.

Teams

Dynamos:
S Chinani, E Jalai, T Muringani, M Mawadza, G Mukambi, T Chisi (J Ngahan, 78th minute), A Maliselo, A Gutu (N Katawa, 68th minute), E Sadomba, E Katema, S Gona (J Selemani, 55th minute)

Highlanders:
A Sibanda, M Phiri, M Ndlovu, A Mbemba, P Muduhwa, N Masuku, G Makaruse (T Ndlovu, 81st minute), B Banda, A Silla, T Makanda, D Khumalo.

Paul Nyathi|Last week a chain of buses was seen in Beitbridge being cleared to enter the country. The government has announced that the batch is headed for the country’s second-largest city Bulawayo, the Chronicle reports.

According to the publication, the latest batch of 76 Zupco buses imported by Government from China left Beitbridge on Sunday for Bulawayo pending commissioning by President Mnangagwa on a date to be announced.

The contingent of golden Dragon buses started arriving in the country on Sunday last week via Beitbridge Border Post.

They left for the country’s second largest city under heavy police guard at around midday on Sunday.

The 76 buses are part of the 1 000 buses order from China which is also expected to complement another 500 buses from Belarus.

President Mnangagwa confirmed the latest acquisition of the fleet on Thursday while addressing the Zanu PF youth league.

“In the transport sector, my administration acquired buses to resuscitate Zupco and ease the plight of the commuting public and we will be launching more buses next week.

“In addition, Government recently extended the Zupco franchise to commuter omnibus operators,’ said President Mnangagwa.

So far Zupco has franchised 200 commuter omnibuses across the country, with efforts to increase the fleet to 1000 already underway.

Paul Nyathi|The ZANU PF political leadership has forced itself to remain in power by completely disregarding the rule of law and using the military and state security rule of war for their own protection.

Following the recent tracking of Zimbabwe’s Speaker of Parliament into Serbia by ZimEye.com and raising charges against him in that country on war crimes executed in Zimbabwe, ZimEye.com’s Simba Chikanza has in the video downloading below, initiated a move that will get all those ZANU PF leaders hiding behind lack of rule of law in Zimbabwe to be brought to justice outside the country.

Watch the video recorded live on Sunday evening downloading below:

Paul Nyathi|Nelson Chamisa, leader of the opposition MDC has had a meeting with fellow opposition leader of the Alliance for People’s Agenda, APA, Dr Nkosana Moyo.

The two had a historic meeting in Harare over the weekend where they discussed the state of the nation.

Among other things, they observed the importance of unity of purpose and a clear vision of the nation.

Watch the video below for more.

https://youtu.be/hDMdr0BNfVg

The coming in of new notes and coins, as announced by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) last week, is expected to increase the amount of cash in circulation and eliminate cash queues, economist and Monetary Policy Committee member Mr Eddie Cross has said.

This comes after RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya said new $5 notes and $2 coins will be introduced in the next few days.
Mr Cross believes the measure by the RBZ is expected to significantly stabilise demand for physical cash and eliminate cash queues.

“The move increases the availability of cash in circulation and what it means is that there will be no bank queues because money will be readily available.

“The cash shortage gap is the one the RBZ is trying to squeeze so that one gets their money in cash at any time,” said Mr Cross.
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) vice president Dr Tinashe Manzungu believes the injection of new notes and coins into the market “is a stop-gap measure” aimed at easing the exchange rate.

“In the short-term, it would get rates into a better position. Indeed, it also curbs the cash barons as people would be going straight to the bank to access their money.

“This will bring a lot of relief to the consumers,” said Dr Manzungu.
Shortages of physical cash have resulted in long queues in banking halls as depositors battle to get bond notes and/or coins, which allows them to buy products at considerably lower prices compared to those charged for plastic money.

Some depositors have been losing up to 60 percent of their money to mobile money agents in a desperate bid to get cash, which is demanded by commuter omnibus operators and other retailers who trade exclusively in cash.

Economist and ZNCC chief executive Mr Chris Mugaga said it was critical for citizens to understand that the RBZ was not introducing a new currency, but new notes and coins to bolster the Zimbabwe dollar, which was reintroduced in June.
“There is a misnomer that the RBZ introduced a new currency; this is not a currency. We already have a currency. The move is to stimulate and improve cash availability. That should be corrected.

“Currently, we have less than 2 percent of total money supply in circulation. I do not see any serious impact the cash injection is going to have on the economy save for (the fact) that people will (be able to) access their money, (more easily)” said Mr Mugaga.

State Media|A NURSE at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) who doubles as an illegal money changer lost US$20 300, R7 000 and his uniforms to three armed robbers who attacked him as he drove into his home in Bulawayo’s Mahatshula North suburb.

The pistol brandishing robbers pounced on Mr Felix Chinonzura (32) just before he drove into his home on Wednesday night.

The Chronicle yesterday caught up with Mr Chinonzura who said he was yet to recover from the incident.

“It was about 7.30pm on Wednesday. I had just opened the gate and on my way back to the vehicle, I saw a speeding Toyota Hilux D4D coming towards me. The driver parked just behind my car. Two guys jumped out of the car and one of them was armed with a pistol.

“Sensing danger, I jumped out of my car and ran into my neighbour’s home shouting thieves, thieves, thieves. My neighbour responded but I warned him that the robbers had a gun so we could not do much.

“Those guys got into my car whose engine was still running. They took away US$20 300, R7 000, my wallet, keys that were in the car and my uniforms,” said Mr Chinonzura.

He said the robbers took off at high speed.

Mr Chinonzura said he suspects they could have tailed him from the city centre.

“I suspect those guys saw me in town at the centre parking of Jason Moyo Street between 8th and 9th Avenue. They could have seen me counting some rand. I remember seeing the same vehicle flashing its headlights at me.

“However, I really didn’t take it seriously as I went to a nearby fast food outlet to buy food,” said Mr Chinonzura.

He said he recovered his wallet on Thursday after being called by someone from Mzilikazi suburb who had picked his documents.

Mr Chinonzura who admitted that he was a part time illegal money changer, said he was also into transport business.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the armed robbery.

“We are investigating an armed robbery case which occurred on Wednesday in Mahatshula North suburb where a 32-year-old man, employed as a nurse at UBH was raided by armed robbers.

“The suspects got away with US$20 300 and R7 000, a Samsung S8, driver’s licence, his car keys among other particulars before they drove away. We strongly appeal to members of the public to avoid carrying large sums of money as this exposes them to criminals,” said Chief Insp Simango.

She said the suspects are said to have driven away in a white Toyota Hilux D4D without number plates.

Chief Insp Simango appealed to members of the public who might have information on the whereabouts of the suspects to contact any nearest police station.

THE Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has revised upwards legal fees for its members which will see members of the public paying up to $5 250 per hour for legal services and at least $18 000 to file for a divorce. 

In a statement, LSZ said legal practitioners are professionally and legally obliged to charge fees for legal work which are fair and reasonable in all the circumstances.

The new tariffs are for general professional services which include drafting, court attendance, taking instructions and telephone calls and do not cover fees in civil litigation, conveyancing fees, collection commissions and deceased estate administration fees.

According to the new tariffs, uncontested divorce with or without consent paper, with minimal negotiations and including appearance in Court, where necessary, will now cost plaintiff ZWL$18 000 and defendant ZWL$12 000.

LSZ said basic hourly charges vary according to years of experience.

“Unregistered law graduates whose names are recorded by the Law Society are expected to charge $900 while those with less than one-year experience will charge $1 800,” read the circular. 

Those who have been in the practice for five to nine years will be charging $2 250 while those with 10–14 years experience will charge $3 150. 

“Legal practitioners with 15 to 19 years of experience will be expected to charge $4 050 while those with 20 to 29 years will be charging $4 650. Those with over 30 years’ experience will charge $5 250.” 

Other services like agreement of sale for a residential property or farm will cost $7 500 or one percent of the selling price —whichever is the greater while agreement of sale for a business or shares will cost $12 000 or 2 percent of the selling price, whichever is the greater. 

State Media

A memorial service for the late former President, Mugabe, was secretly held on October 19 by a section of his family, but many of his close relatives, including his sons, did not attend.
The majority of chiefs from the Gushungo clan snubbed the event.

The former president died on September 6 in Singapore and was buried 22 days later at the family rural home in Zvimba, Mashonaland West Province.

Just as the nation was left waiting on where and when the late founding father of Zimbabwe would be interred, there were equally questions on when the memorial service would be held.

However, it has since emerged that the former First Family actually held a memorial mass in Zvimba and distributed Mugabe’s belongings in accordance with traditional custom.State media

Controversial Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi has described MDC leader Nelson Chamisa as a puppet of the West who are using him as a front to recolonize the country.

Mutendi also anointed President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the rightful king chosen by God.

Speaking during the Chief Nhema senatorship festival recently, Mutendi said there is a difference between a king and a rightful king saying the latter comes from God.
Mutendi, whom many questioned whether his message was coming from the spiritual realm or his head, said that Chamisa still has a long road to travel to be the rightful king for the country as he lacks the merits of a true leader.

“The whites are still bitter that we took our country from them. They have for long tried to make their way back into the country but have failed so they have now devised a new strategy to retake our country using a puppet Chamisa.

“Do not be fooled with the opposition because they are being used by the whites who have a hidden agenda. They know they will not be able to have their way in this country with Zanu PF in power which is why they have chosen Chamisa.

“This is why we have sanctions and all these problems which are being caused by Chamisa. Do not blame the government because it is trying to better the lives of its people though it will not happen overnight,” said Mutendi.

Mutendi said the people of Zimbabwe have faith in the ruling Zanu PF party and have shut out Chamisa because they know he is not right for the country.

“The people of Zimbabwe know that MDC is a project of the West which is why they fail to win elections. The people do not want Chamisa to rule the country because they know the whites will come back and occupy our land.

“For person to be a right king, he should learn first the history of the country and appreciate it from those in power. Chamisa does not know the history of this country and cannot be the right king,” said Mutendi.

Mutendi said the reason why the opposition has failed to take over power from Zanu PF is because no man can fight what God has chosen and be successful. Credit : TellZim News

By A Correspondent- National Family Planning Council (ZFNPC) has stepped up efforts to combat unwanted pregnancies in Manicaland by offering free jadelle insertion to those between 10 and 24 years.

ZNFPC embarked on the drive on Wednesday at their clinic.

The drive ended on (Friday).

ZNFPC Manicaland provincial manager Mr Dyson Masvingise said:

“We have made it known to the clinics and hospitals in the city that from October 30 to November 1 we will be inserting jadelle for free. We will also be training doctors and nurses at ZNFPC.

“The drive intends to reduce unwanted pregnancies and at the same time we are training our nurses and doctors in a bid to capacitate our staff so that we become a centre of excellence. We are also training doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health promoters in family planning sector so that they give correct information and informed counselling services to clients. ZNFPC also conducts work place sexual reproductive and health rights and HIV health education, training and community health education programmes in the province.”

“We are not only focusing on people in the urban areas but are also reaching out to those people in remote areas so that they can access the contraceptives,” he added.

Jadelle is a set of two small, plastic capsules containing one hormone called progesterone and the capsules are implanted in the upper arm and slowly release hormones into the blood.

“This family planning method which was once named (the implant norplant) usually lasts for five years and begins taking effect 24 hours after it is inserted.

“It can be removed at anytime if one decides to have children,” he said.

-ManicaPost

By A Correspondent- A teacher at Coghlan Primary School in Bulawayo allegedly hanged herself in her bedroom.

Ms Sibhekinkosi Moyo (35) from New Magwegwe suburb was found hanging from a roof truss by her father on Thursday.

Sources close to the incident said yesterday that Ms Moyo had not been feeling well for some time and had been on sick leave.

She recently suffered a stroke.

According to a close family source Ms Moyo told her daughter a day before she was found hanging that she would leave and not come back.

“She told her daughter on Wednesday that she was leaving and was not coming back” said a close family member on condition of anonymity.

The source said on the fateful day Ms Moyo woke up in the morning and did household chores without showing any signs of distress.

At around 9AM Ms Moyo’s father was shocked to find her hanging from a roof truss in her bedroom. He immediately alerted neighbours before reporting the matter to the police.

Ms Moyo is survived by two children.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango confirmed Ms Moyo’s suspected suicide by hanging.

Teachers at Coghlan Primary School declined to comment on the issue and referred the news crew to the Bulawayo Provincial Education Director Mrs Olicah Kaira. Mrs Kaira confirmed that Ms Moyo who lived with her father, two siblings and her two children, was not feeling well.

She said increasing cases of suicide by teachers and pupils was a cause for concern and urged those facing challenges to seek counselling.

“We received two cases of suicide in the city in one week and I urge those suffering stress or depression to seek counselling,” said Mrs Kaira.

-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- He keeps glancing from side to side as the brief interview progresses and it’s clear from his demeanour that Sabelo Mlilo is certainly not at ease but is trying hard to put up a brave face. 

It’s at the corner of Herbert Chitepo Street and Sixth Avenue near the makeshift commuter omnibus terminus that services Bulawayo’s western suburbs where Mlilo sells oranges and bananas from his pushcart.

“I have to be on the lookout for Makokoba (Bulawayo City Council municipal officers) both on foot or in a city council van because once they catch me selling here, they will confiscate everything including the pushcart,” Mlilo speaks as he serves an elderly woman and at the same time looking around to ensure he is safe from oMakokoba.

He is not alone in this cat and mouse game that vendors and municipal officers engage in on a daily basis. 

Thousands of vendors are in the same predicament as they try to eke out a living from selling an assortment of wares. They are constantly on the lookout for the men and women in blue who do not only arrest them but also confiscate their wares and pushcarts. 

Thousands of former workers have turned to vending to fend for their families following the closure of many companies in the city. An estimated 20 000 workers lost their jobs as a result of company closures and it is these former workers who are now on the streets selling different wares to eke out a living.

“What choice do I have, there are no jobs and the only way I can take care of my family is by selling oranges and bananas. When business is good I take home more than $150 but the biggest threat to my business are the municipal police officers. Just last week, a friend of mine who also sells fruits just up the road lost his stuff after they raided us in the morning,” said Mlilo.

He said his worst fear is losing the pushcart to the municipal police officers as they demand a fine to release it.

“I hire the pushcart for a fee of $30 a day and if I lose it to the municipal police officers I will be made to pay a fine to get it back. We are however not given back the confiscated bananas and oranges so once raided one has to raise fresh capital. Frankly speaking, it’s not easy in this business but I’ve no choice but to come here every day and take my chances with oMakokoba,” said Mlilo. 

In 2017 the city council indicated that Bulawayo had more than 6 000 vendors in the Central Business District with only a handful having heeded the local authority’s calls to register and legalise their operations. 

The number of illegal vendors has most likely ballooned in the past few years as more people find themselves out of formal employment. 

Rumbidzai Makoni sells Kapenta (dried fish) and just like Mlilo, she is always on the lookout for municipal police officers. 

“If one of us spots them, she or he alerts others and we run away to avoid arrest. Normally I just push my stuff under a parked taxi because the municipal officers have no time to search under vehicles. Their raids are always very swift because they are also scared of being assaulted if they stick around for too long,” said Makoni. 

Scenes of vendors’ running battles with municipal police officers are an almost daily occurrence in the streets of Bulawayo and in some instances the raids turn nasty. 

In 2016 six municipal police officers came under fire for allegedly handcuffing a vendor, beating him up and stomping on his head until he became unconscious.

The cops had been carrying out routine raids on unlicensed vendors when they allegedly savagely attacked Mark Chibanda before angry vendors retaliated and chased them away. The vendors later besieged the Large City Hall and pelted the building with stones.

Chibanda of Old Pumula suburb lay on the pavement for almost an hour before he was rushed in an ambulance to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).

A few months earlier four council cops were rushed to hospital after vendors assaulted them. Witnesses said a fight broke out between the illegal vendors and the municipal police officers who had confiscated their goods.

The men and women in blue were again caught in the eye of a storm in 2017 for assaulting a Bulawayo man whom they mistook for a vendor. 

The cops swooped on Brighton Madegwe (25) of Kingsdale suburb as he disembarked from a commuter omnibus with his mother and brother, beat him up with rubber truncheons until he lost consciousness.

He was later hospitalised.

The Government recognises the informal sector as a major player in the economy contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic product (GDP) and the International Monetary Fund says that Zimbabwe has the second biggest informal economy in the world.

-StateMedia

By Nomusa Garikai- The dishonest way Zanu PF has continued to hold the sanctions debate is an outrage!

“The impact has been severe and anyone who thinks that sanctions are not harming the economy is surely not telling the truth. We have had many companies directly affected and the examples are too many to mention, like Olivine which had a loan intercepted through the United States’ Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). In the financial sector, banks such as Standard Chartered Bank and CBZ have lost money directly as a result of sanctions. We can go on-and-on,” Said Minister Mthuli Ncube.

This is just a foolish debate in that the minister is being penny wise but billions of dollars foolish!

There was nothing to stop Olivine getting the loan from China, South Africa and one hundred one other countries, for example. 

In 2016, former President Mugabe admitted that Zimbabwe was “swindled out of 15 billion dollars in diamond revenue alone”. When Mnangagwa took over from Mugabe, he promised “zero tolerance to corruption”. The regime has failed to arrest even one swindler!

For all his boastful posturing on how he was going to get Zimbabwe’s economy back on track, Minister Ncube has taxed the poorest poor and yet he has yet to get one dollar of the billions of dollars from the swindlers. 

Government has failed to explain what happened to US$3 billion of Command Agriculture funds. Our egotistic Minister has had no comment to make on that and many other cases of gross mismanagement and corruption! None! But, surprise, surprise has many, many things to say about sanctions! 

‘We’re going to improve lives of our people,’ says Mthuli Ncube. 

Zimbabwe has been in economic decline for the last 39 years and throughout that period, without failure, Zanu PF has promised the nation a better tomorrow. When the economic recovery has failed to materialise, the party has never admitted failure but focused, instead, on the mirage in the distance. 

Minister Ncube’s vision 2030 middle income status is yet another mirage!

What Zimbabweans must focus on now with renewed energy and resolve is why the country has failed to remove Zanu PF from office after 39 years of corrupt and tyrannical rule? 

We all know the answer: Zanu PF has blatantly rigged elections for the last 39 years. The party blatantly rigged last year’s elections. 

What is worse, seemingly upright citizens like Professor Mthuli Ncube, Kirsty Coventry, etc. knew the country was stuck with a corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship; and yet they have again and again agreed to work for the illegitimate regime and propping it up. 

It is high time that these seemingly upright citizens, hypocrites who have shamelessly promised the long suffering ordinary Zimbabweans a mirage, are held to account. Since Zanu PF rigs elections, one way of holding the hypocrites’ legs to the fire is to add them to the sanctions list!

Leader of Kingdom Embassy church, Prophet Passion Java, who grabbed headlines several years ago when he flighted an advert in the press claiming that he was the ONLY prophet who could “prophesy” anyone’s date of birth and ID number has sensationally claimed that he has seen a vision of South Africa based Prophet Shepherd Bushiri dying in December.

“I am still praying for Prophet Shepherd Bushiri but I saw him dying in the month of December. It’s all in my book, if you have not downloaded it, its called ‘I have already told you’. I prophesied what will happen January to December. There are things that I reversed for January.

“I could not even put them in the book because I had already reversed them. But Prophet Bushiri is a great man. So I needed more grace, so when I met Melchizedek (priest in Biblical times) now, I was given certain powers. Praying and I’m actually fasting some of the days to reverse it so that it does not happen because there are souls that need him because his assignment is great and big,” the Zimbabwean prophet, who is now based in United States says while allegedly prophesying.

The so called prophesy did not go down to well with the founder of Enlightened Christian Gathering Church (ECG), Prophet Shepherd Bushiri who did not have kind words for his fellow ‘tradesman’. Bushiri was so infuriated that he flatly declared Prophet Java a fake prophet!

“Trying to prophecy about about my death… some, some attention seekers, looking for attention to become popular and fame using some peoples’ names… and trying like oh I saw it in the spirit, he’s gonna die… just, just for attention. We are around, we are not going anywhere…. Powerful… My God….,” says part of his response as he breathes fire.

“And I won’t even mention his name, because that’s what he wanted to say… when I say, Major One will say my name… Um, I’m not saying his name because he is fake. That’s fake. I’m not dying, ” he added before his congregation broke into ululation and celebration.

“It’s not right, it’s not, it’s not even Godly to be using some people’s names…. you don’t play with words of death. That’s a serious issue. Just to become popular you wanna, you wanna use somebody’s name,” the visibly shaken and traumatised prophet Bushiri says in conclusion.

Prophet Passion Java, who is now popularly known as “Twabam” in Zimbabwe, following his controversial Youtube video where he was showing off some of his belongings and assets, while mentioning the word ‘twabam’ throughout his ‘presentation’, was once a spiritual son to another equally controverial Zimbabwean prophet, Uebert Angel, who is now based in United Kingdom.

Interestingly, Prophet Bushiri and Prophet Java were both introduced to the prophetic ministry by the same man – Prophet Uebert Angel. However, the ‘spiritual alliance’ between Prophet Passion Java and Prophet Uebert Angel collapsed two years ago. So bad was the fallout that Prophet Java, who had named his son after Uebert had to change the young boy’s name and birth certificate too.More in News

Apart from changing his son’s name, the bad blood between the two prophets is also seen by how prophet Passion has now turned out to American preacher Bishop Noel Jones as his spiritual father. It is further interesting to note that Uebert Angel’s first spiritual father was Prophet Victor Kusi Boateng, of Ghana, who also happens to be Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa’s spiritual father. However, when Uebert Angel – born Uebert Mudzanire – broke up with his then best friend, Emmanuel Makandiwa – born Shingirai Chirume – Uebert divorced his spiritual fatherProphet Boateng and replaced him with a Nigerian televangelist, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.

Prophet Passion Java, who is the founder of Kingdom Embassy church, also grabbed headlines in 2015 when he divorced his wife, Yasmin whom he had been in holy matrimony with for four years. When the two got married, Yasmin’s family did not approve of their marriage since they are from a Muslim background. That eventually became the backbone of their divorce, four years later.

CelebGossip.co.za reported several years ago that Yasmin’s grandmother was at one time breathing fire, claiming that Prophet Passion had ‘snatched’ Yasmin without following the proper lobola process. In fact, the elderly grandmother said Prophet Passion was co-habiting with her grandchild.

Prophet Java, who never ran short of surprises throughout his ‘career’, once pulled a shocker when he celebrated his 24th birthday for THREE SOLID DAYS and closed Harare’s First Street where his church was situated before the landlord evicted him. He was doing it the P-Diddy way. He held THREE colourful birthday celebrations AT THREE VENUES and on THREE DIFFERENT DAYS – exactly the P-Diddy style, from Friday morning till Sunday night.

One needs counter book to write all the shocking headlines Prophet Passion Java once grabbed. At one time he shocked many when he allegedly conducted a miracle abortion. In February 2013, H-Metro reported that Prophet Passion allegedly prayed for a young woman who was pregnant and wanted to terminate her unwanted pregnancy. The tabloid reported that at the instigation of the man of God’s prayer, the pregnancy allegedly disappeared.

“I was four months pregnant and as you can see my tummy is now flat to show that I am no longer pregnant, I was impregnated by my boyfriend four months ago but he has dumped me so I wasn’t prepared to look after the child because I am currently unemployed so I came here expectant of my miracle,” she said.

– CelebGossip.co.za

By A Correspondent- Zanu Pf is targeting civil servants in its new recruitment drive and wants government workers to be given posts in the ruling party structures, a senior official has said.

Speaking to war veterans, war collaborators, liberation war heroes’ widows and Zanu-PF youths in Beitbridge last week, Zanu-PF commissar Victor Matemadanda said party functionaries must target civil servants and other workers in a new recruitment drive.

Matemadanda said leaving out civil servants was a mistake because they ended up not up to speed with political developments and felt alienated from government functions.

“We must give them posts because they are part of us. We must work with them and involve them because they work amongst us,” he said.

“Where they show leadership potential, we must give them posts.

“For us to say they should not participate in politics when they already do is a joke.

“We must also work hand in hand with civil servants deployed in our areas so that they feel at home.

“Provide them with water, give them drought relief packages and make every effort to make them feel comfortable because they are within us to work for us.”

Government regulations bar civil servants from participating in political activities.

Junior civil servants are, however, permitted to participate in political activities, but must be politically neutral in the exercise of their duties.

Matemadanda said it was a joke to believe civil servants do not participate in politics.

Some civil servants unions and workers bodies have been linked to the opposition parties as their alliances.

Matemadanda, who is also the War Veterans deputy minister, asked the now old men and women that participated in the liberation struggle and are regarded as the backbone of Zanu-PF to warm up to the civil servants or risk losing them to the opposition.

“Rural teachers should be assisted and be made comfortable because they teach our children,” he said.

Asked by journalists about the party’s renewal policy considering they faced the MDC led by a youthful Nelson Chamisa Matemadanda said he was a new political commissar and that showed renewal.

“Of course I know you mean we have been fishing from the same pond in terms of some positions,” he said.

“We are looking at that as well. “You heard what we said about district coordination committees and that is renewal.”

Turning to the opposition MDC Alliance Matemadanda told his party members to keep their eyes on the ball and not listen to Chamisa.

He said Chamisa was an attention seeker, who allegedly wanted to derail the Zanu-PF government.

Matemadanda asked Matabeleland regions to support Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube, whom he described as the best head of treasury ever.

He chastised former president Robert Mugabe for turning his back on Zanu-PF, a party he had led for decades.

“He was too old and when we asked him to rest he said he would vote Chamisa. It’s a wrong investment we made in him,” Matemadanda said.

By A Correspondent- Hundreds of families in Glenview South are furious at some City of Harare workers for allegedly invading their small urban farming plots near Feroworks Paddocks.

Senior citizens, 70-year-old Gogo Elizabeth Seumeni and 80-year-old Sekuru Thomas Makuvaza are among many other elders who came to express their dissatisfaction over council workers who are reported to have invaded their land at Harare’s Feroworks Paddocks.

The elderly citizens say their only source of livelihood where they practice urban farming is being illegally snatched away from them.

“I have been growing maize here for the past twenty years and surprisingly after buying my inputs and finishing preparations for this year, the City Council workers have come to invade our land, this is where we used to survive from, this is not fair, does this mean that if you are a council worker you have the right to invade our plots,” a disgruntled Gogo Seumeni said.

A fuming Sekuru Makuvaza had this to say, “we used to fend for all the vulnerable elders and their dependents but this paints a gloomy picture, we want this issue to be resolved as we have a gentlemen’s agreement with the City Council. For years we have been growing our maize in this land, how come individual council workers now want to dislodge us?”

ZANU PF shadow Member of Parliament for Glenview South Mr. Offard Muchuwe appealed for the council to investigate the alleged scandal involving its workers and take a holistic approach towards the plight of these senior citizens and the vulnerable.

“I have seen these people till this land for over 10 years, and such humiliation and ill-treatment by council workers is worrisome. Abuse of office should not go unchecked,” said Mr. Muchuwe.

Asked to comment on claims by the city workers that the land belongs to them, Harare Town Clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango refuted the claims.

He said the City of Harare does not have any law that gives power to its workers to takeover urban farming land from residents.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent| Bertha Mtawarira, the mother of Zimbabwe-born Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira who plays for the Springboks of South Africa was ecstatic as South Africa overcame England to win the Rugby World Cup, again.

Speaking to the state media, Bertha said Tendai had made the family and nation proud. She also thanked God for the victory saying all things were possible through Him.

She said:

I spoke to Tendai briefly this morning (Saturday) and he told me how nervous and excited he was.

I encouraged him to go for it. I was confident they would win. He played very well, in fact the entire team played well.

The Beast as Tendai is popularly known was England’s main tormenter and when he was substituted three minutes into the second half, he had already done great harm from which England never recovered.

South Africa has so far won three World Cup trophies, after every 12 years since 1995 following their second Cup in 2007.

This recent victory saw a first black Springboks Captain, Siya Kolisi lifting the trophy, something that was unheard of previously since rugby was regarded as a white-elite sport.

-StateMedia

THE late former President, Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe, continues to be an enigma in death after revelations his memorial was held privately on 19 October — minus some family members and traditional chiefs from the Gushungo clan.

Cde Mugabe died on 6 September in Singapore and was buried 22 days later at the family rural home in Zvimba, Mashonaland West Province. Just as the nation was left waiting on where and when the late founding father of Zimbabwe would be buried after his death, there were equally questions on when the memorial service would be held.

However, it has since emerged that the former First Family actually held a secret memorial mass in Zvimba and distributed Cde Mugabe’s clothes in accordance with traditional custom.

“Yes, we had the memorial service two weeks ago, on October 19, but it was a private family function. Why are you interested in knowing who attended the memorial service, is there anyone who comes to you asking details of those attending memorials at your own family events?” said Mr Walter Chidhakwa, the family spokesperson.

“You have been talking to Leo (Mugabe) all along, why are you coming to me now?”

Earlier in the week, the former President’s nephew, Mr Leo Mugabe, had told our Harare Bureau that preparations for the memorial were underway.

“There are some preparations going on concerning memorial for Gushungo. At the moment, preparations and consultations are still at family level and dates of the memorial will be announced in due course. I do not want to jump the gun . . . but like I said before, dates and the programme line-up will be announced in due course,” said Mr Mugabe.

When confronted with details of the recent event, he stuck to his guns, saying the family only distributed the deceased’s clothes.

-State Media

Senator Douglas Mwonzora, the former Secretary-General of the opposition MDC has said that no party member can remove him from the party as the party does not belong to individuals.

Mwonzora denied allegations purporting that he initiated the court process which sought to nullify the Nelson Chamisa’s leadership in May this year saying that he is actually the victim.

Speaking to the Daily News, Mwonzora said:

It was in fact me who was wronged by being dragged to the Supreme Court. The people who dragged me there came to their senses in the Supreme Court and withdrew the application against me.

They even offered to pay me over this. The party does not belong to individuals. I will defend myself. Anybody who thinks that I am going to be their victim must think again… I dare them to try it.

Mwonzora added that he had observed that members who were loyal to the late party founding father, Morgan Tsvangirai were being persecuted.

He urged party leaders to focus on uniting the party and making sure that the party performs well in elections instead of paying youths to harass him.

Source: Daily News

By Own Correspondent| Former Mamelodi Sundowns legend, Roger Feutmba has said that Zimbabwean international, Khama Billiat has already shown his worth at Kaizer Chiefs.

The Cameroon international further observed that Kaizer Chiefs might not have won a silverware last season when Billiat joined them because of the quality of players surrounding the magnificent Khama.

He said:

I believe with the quality that Billiat has, the environment at Sundowns suited him best since he was around players that complimented him well. In football, you need to have a collective element going before you even talk about the brilliance of the individuals.

I don’t believe that Chiefs have the type of players and philosophy that Sundowns have. Billiat has already proven that he is a fantastic player.

His remarks come when some Kaizer Chiefs faithful have said that the Warriors forward needs to win something for the Amakhosi this season saying that his first season when he scored 9 goals and made 11 assists was a bad season for him.

Kaizer Chiefs fans want Billiat to replicate the form he displayed at Sundowns where he would score crucial goals as well as assist his teammates.

The embattled national flag carrier is expecting 2 new aircrafts this year the Minister of Transport has revealed. This was revealed by ZBC which qouted the Minister who said the aircrafts were already paid for they were just awaiting delivery:

In his presentation at the ongoing 2020 National Budget Seminar in Victoria Falls, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister, Joel Biggie Matiza said the two Boeing 777-200 ER planes which have since been paid for by treasury are now expected to be delivered into the country before year end.

The airline’s other operational aircraft which was said to be undergoing refurbishment will be operational by mid-November bringing the number of operational aircraft to 2 at the moment.

More: ZBC

Ministry of information, publicity and broadcasting services has sought to exonerate itself from a message posted on its Twitter platform which mocked the striking doctors as satanic.

In a poorly calculated move the Information ministry handle noted that followed what they said as compromise to their online security, they have since changed password after the deleting the message that caused so much noise online.

Posting on Twitter, the ministry said;

On 2/11/19 this Twitter handle was maliciously compromised and an inappropriate message was posted on it. On being alerted to this, we deleted the message, changed our security information. We apologise to any person or group of persons offended or disrespected by the message

— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) November 3, 2019

Yesterday the ministry Twitter handle posted the message below…

Zimbabwe Finance minister Mthuli Ncube and Reserve Bank governor John Mangudya were in the firing line this week as opposition legislators took them to task about their roles and decisions in trying to kickstart the economy.

At the 2020 prebudget seminar held at Victoria Falls, legislators emphasised the need to direct more financial resources towards health, education, agriculture, manufacturing, mining and infrastructure.

The MDC Alliance’s Lilian Timveos, of the Midlands province, said Ncube was out of touch with reality as he was failing to create jobs, fight corruption and hunt illgotten wealth.

“The pace you are running this economy at is not at a point of yielding any jobs,” she said.

“People are suffering, yet when someone is caught stealing money there is no statutory instrument which stipulates they return that money. Some people have helicopters, huge properties. Why are you are not targeting them? You look at the informal sector that sells goods not of value like vegetables and you say you want to go after them on top of the 2% being taxed from them.

“How are you going to manage the doctors to at least give them a decent salary to save lives? Minister, you cannot say you are handling the national purse well and I am sorry to say you have really done a bad job.”

The MDC Alliance’s Tapiwa Mashakada, of Hatfield constituency in Harare, said austerity without growth was bad for the country.

“People are dying in hospitals due to a lack of drugs and hunger. I expected you to address that because it doesn’t have to be austerity alone without growth,” he said.

But Ncube defended his performance by giving figures on his attempts to feed the hungry.

“We are currently feeding 1million rural households and an additional 2.5million people in the urban areas. We are also doing cash transfers to these vulnerable individuals and their families, so I can assure you that every week it’s one of the first agendas in the cabinet as to how many people were fed that week,” he said.

Mashakada also asked why Ncube and Mangudya opposed market forces towards dollarisation as other legislators bemoaned the government’s policy inconsistencies.

“The economy is redollarising as we must not ignore what’s happening on the market,” said Mashakada.

“Let’s have a conversation of why people continue to dollarise. Their mindset has dollarised and we don’t know how this budget will inspire confidence when people’s minds have changed.”

Ncube told legislators that politics was harming the economy.

Caston Matewu, from the MDC Alliance area of Marondera Central, suggested that the Reserve Bank should be divorced from the government, just like in SA.

“There is one big elephant in the room, which is politics. You mentioned that there was 19.7% growth in 2010 when there was political stability, so in line with politics in economics, one thing we are calling for is the independence of the central bank.

“What can be done to ensure its independence, which will stop the Finance Minister writing to the central bank to command them to issue Treasury bills which is something that has brought the economy to its knees in the past few years?” he said.

Reserve Bank governor Mangudya had a tough time explaining why there was a cash crisis yet a lot of it was circulating on the black market.

“This economy is made up of 61% informal employment and that money moves from the bank, and once this money is outside the bank it stays there.

“That’s why we need to formalise this economy so the money goes to the bank. Due to its scarcity this is why we are bringing the new notes to close that gap,” Mangudya said.

Binga North MP Prince Dubeko (MDC Alliance) said Mangudya and Ncube “wilfully violated the laws of borrowing”.

“How do you expect an investor to have confidence when you can wilfully violate the laws of the country, and how do you speak about productivity when the interest rate is running at above 70%?”

Ncube is expected to present the 2020 budget later this month. –The Sunday Times

The late former President Robert Mugabe’s memorial service was reportedly held privately on 19 October minus some family members and traditional chiefs from the Gushungo clan.

Mugabe died on 6 September in Singapore and was buried 22 days later at the family rural home in Zvimba after a lot of back and forth between the government and his family.

It has since emerged that the former First Family actually held a memorial mass in Zvimba and distributed Mugabe’s clothes in accordance with traditional custom.

“Yes, we had the memorial service two weeks ago, on October 19, but it was a private family function. Why are you interested in knowing who attended the memorial service, is there anyone who comes to you asking details of those attending memorials at your own family events?” said Mr Walter Chidhakwa, the family spokesperson.

“You have been talking to Leo (Mugabe) all along, why are you coming to me now?

Paul Nyathi|The Warriors have received what could be a boost ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, following assurances from authorities that players who have been struggling to obtain passports will be issued with the documents which will enable them to play for the Warriors.

Headlining the players who were battling to secure Zimbabwean passports due to the country’s complicated dual citizenship laws is in-form Charlton Athletic forward Macauley Bonne.

The Ipswich-born striker has scored five goals in eight Championship games for Charlton so far this season.

He has featured three times for Zimbabwe in international friendly matches since 2014, but is yet to make a competitive debut for the Warriors due to difficulties in obtaining a Zimbabwean passport.

Also likely to be issued with Zimbabwean citizenship are Bolton Wanderers defender Adam Chicksen, Bournemouth youth player Jordan Zemura and Swansea City defender Tivonge Rushesha, who have all been included in the Warriors provisional squad for the matches against Zambia and Botswana.

The head of the Zimbabwe registrar office Clemence Masango gave assurances that the players will have their passports before the Afcon qualifiers commence.

“Players who applied for passports will get their passports in time for them to be eligible to represent the nation in matches against Botswana on 15 November (Home) & Zambia (Away) on 19 November,” the Zimbabwe Football Association announced on social media quoting Masango as saying.

Zimbabwe will kick off their Afcon qualifiers at home against Botswana on November 15, before facing Zambia away four days later.

The Botswana match would be the Warriors’ first game since being eliminated from Afcon finals in June, having been inactive during the September and October Fifa international periods.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Controversial Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi has described MDC leader Nelson Chamisa as a puppet of the West who are using him as a front to recolonize the country.

Mutendi also anointed President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the rightful king chosen by God.

Speaking during the Chief Nhema senatorship festival recently, Mutendi said there is a difference between a king and a rightful king saying the latter comes from God.
Mutendi, whom many questioned whether his message was coming from the spiritual realm or his head, said that Chamisa still has a long road to travel to be the rightful king for the country as he lacks the merits of a true leader.

“The whites are still bitter that we took our country from them. They have for long tried to make their way back into the country but have failed so they have now devised a new strategy to retake our country using a puppet Chamisa.

“Do not be fooled with the opposition because they are being used by the whites who have a hidden agenda. They know they will not be able to have their way in this country with Zanu PF in power which is why they have chosen Chamisa.

“This is why we have sanctions and all these problems which are being caused by Chamisa. Do not blame the government because it is trying to better the lives of its people though it will not happen overnight,” said Mutendi.

Mutendi said the people of Zimbabwe have faith in the ruling Zanu PF party and have shut out Chamisa because they know he is not right for the country.

“The people of Zimbabwe know that MDC is a project of the West which is why they fail to win elections. The people do not want Chamisa to rule the country because they know the whites will come back and occupy our land.

“For person to be a right king, he should learn first the history of the country and appreciate it from those in power. Chamisa does not know the history of this country and cannot be the right king,” said Mutendi.

Mutendi said the reason why the opposition has failed to take over power from Zanu PF is because no man can fight what God has chosen and be successful. Credit : TellZim News

Controversial Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi has described MDC leader Nelson Chamisa as a puppet of the West who are using him as a front to recolonize the country.

Mutendi also anointed President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the rightful king chosen by God.

Speaking during the Chief Nhema senatorship festival recently, Mutendi said there is a difference between a king and a rightful king saying the latter comes from God.
Mutendi, whom many questioned whether his message was coming from the spiritual realm or his head, said that Chamisa still has a long road to travel to be the rightful king for the country as he lacks the merits of a true leader.

“The whites are still bitter that we took our country from them. They have for long tried to make their way back into the country but have failed so they have now devised a new strategy to retake our country using a puppet Chamisa.

“Do not be fooled with the opposition because they are being used by the whites who have a hidden agenda. They know they will not be able to have their way in this country with Zanu PF in power which is why they have chosen Chamisa.

“This is why we have sanctions and all these problems which are being caused by Chamisa. Do not blame the government because it is trying to better the lives of its people though it will not happen overnight,” said Mutendi.

Mutendi said the people of Zimbabwe have faith in the ruling Zanu PF party and have shut out Chamisa because they know he is not right for the country.

“The people of Zimbabwe know that MDC is a project of the West which is why they fail to win elections. The people do not want Chamisa to rule the country because they know the whites will come back and occupy our land.

“For person to be a right king, he should learn first the history of the country and appreciate it from those in power. Chamisa does not know the history of this country and cannot be the right king,” said Mutendi.

Mutendi said the reason why the opposition has failed to take over power from Zanu PF is because no man can fight what God has chosen and be successful. Credit : TellZim News

By A Correspondent| The Monica Mutsvangwa led Ministry of Information has on Twitter posted and then deleted a statement which some have described as heartless.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

The tweet was in response to Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) acting spokesperson, Dr Mthabisi Bhebhe’s tweet which expressed concern over the dismissal of 81 doctors over the snub of a hearing.

Bhebhe had said:

Our Principals have no respect for medical doctors in Zimbabwe because their doctors are in China & Singapore.

Yesterday they summarily dismissed 81 doctors for demanding a living wage.

We have been called STUDENT DOCTORS, LABOURERS, MHESVAMIKONO for asking a fair wage

In response, the Ministry of Information allegedly said:

Zvanzwa butter zvima doctor izvozvo (those doctors have been given what they deserve). Let those killer doctors go and work for the equally satanic @usembassyharare. We don’t want any heartless doctors near our hospitals. Good riddance.

By A Correspondent| Finance Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube has expressed optimism over the economy saying that the necessary foundation for resuscitating the economy had already been put in place.

He said that the government achieved a lot in one year also under restraining conditions.

Watch the video below for more.

Economic stability is coming to Zimbabwe…. And it's gonna be sustainable economic stability & unprecedented economic development!

The foundation has been laid. The hard decisions were made & implemented. Mistakes were made & we learnt from them!

Well done #TeamED?? pic.twitter.com/E4J6f2o1X9

— ?????? ?????? (@KMutisi) November 2, 2019

Controversial Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi has described MDC leader Nelson Chamisa as a puppet of the West who are using him as a front to recolonize the country.

Mutendi also anointed President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the rightful king chosen by God.

Speaking during the Chief Nhema senatorship festival recently, Mutendi said there is a difference between a king and a rightful king saying the latter comes from God.
Mutendi, whom many questioned whether his message was coming from the spiritual realm or his head, said that Chamisa still has a long road to travel to be the rightful king for the country as he lacks the merits of a true leader.

“The whites are still bitter that we took our country from them. They have for long tried to make their way back into the country but have failed so they have now devised a new strategy to retake our country using a puppet Chamisa.

“Do not be fooled with the opposition because they are being used by the whites who have a hidden agenda. They know they will not be able to have their way in this country with Zanu PF in power which is why they have chosen Chamisa.

“This is why we have sanctions and all these problems which are being caused by Chamisa. Do not blame the government because it is trying to better the lives of its people though it will not happen overnight,” said Mutendi.

Mutendi said the people of Zimbabwe have faith in the ruling Zanu PF party and have shut out Chamisa because they know he is not right for the country.

“The people of Zimbabwe know that MDC is a project of the West which is why they fail to win elections. The people do not want Chamisa to rule the country because they know the whites will come back and occupy our land.

“For person to be a right king, he should learn first the history of the country and appreciate it from those in power. Chamisa does not know the history of this country and cannot be the right king,” said Mutendi.

Mutendi said the reason why the opposition has failed to take over power from Zanu PF is because no man can fight what God has chosen and be successful. Credit : TellZim News

By A Correspondent| Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rajeshkumar Indukant Modi (MP) has dismissed as lies corruption accusations by ZANU PF Youth League Deputy Secretary, Lewis Matutu.

Matutu had posted on Twitter on Saturday morning saying that Modi demands US dollar payments at his businesses and also that he was paying kickbacks to police in Zvishavane to keep his underhand dealings off the radar.

In response, Modi expressed shock over the allegations saying that he did not know why Matutu was coming after him. He said:

I do not own any business in Zvishavane and I certainly don’t charge in US dollars at my businesses in Bulawayo.

The allegations that I am paying off police are totally false and I just don’t know where this is coming from.

Matutu has been at loggerheads with some senior ZANU PF and government officials over his anti-corruption crusade which saw him “naming and shaming” some individuals purportedly participating in underhand dealings to “sabotage President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s efforts to revive the ailing economy”.

He has since been slapped with a $10 million lawsuit by Zanu PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu after he accused the former Mines Minister of corruption.

-Standard

Procurement Officer – MINERALS MARKETING CORPORATION OF ZIMBABWE

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— VacancyMail.co.zw (@VacancyMail) November 3, 2019

By Own Correspondent| The National Social Security Authority (Nssa) has approved a pension payout of more than 200 percent that will be paid this month but backdated to October.

According to a notice from the authority gleaned by the state media, pensioners will now receive a minimum monthly payout of $240 up from $80 while the maximum payout has been increased to $6 041,97 from $2 013.99.

According to the schedule, a pensioner’s widow/er will now receive a minimum $159,99 from $53,33. The maximum payout in the category has been increased from $1 498 to $4 494.

Although Nssa could not readily confirm the adjustments, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Mr Simon Masanga, confirmed the increase but referred questions to the Minister, Dr Sekai Nzenza.

“They are being revised upwards but the minister will give you more details in regards to that. They are revised as from October 2019 but effective from November. Nssa on the other hand has been sensitive to the plight of the pensioners and they will get an increment,” he said.

Dr Nzenza also confirmed the increase but said it was awaiting approval from the Treasury.

“I am currently reviewing the board proposal for pension’s increments. I will then consult Treasury. I am positive that we will have an increase in Nssa pensions before end of the month,” she said.

The schedule, also showed that dependants’ payouts will be increased from a minimum allowance of $17 to $51 while the children’s allowance has been increased from $15 to $45.

Constant Attendant Allowance will be 80 percent of minimum pension. Nonetheless, despite the 200 percent increase, the lower end of payouts still remain significantly low for pensioners due to continued increase of prices of basic commodities. Before the increase some of the pensioners had stopped travelling to towns to access the money because it was no longer enough even to cover for transport costs.

Meanwhile, as part of continuously cushioning the aged and vulnerable members of the community, the Government has stepped up efforts to increase food distribution in urban areas.

Last week, food distribution commenced in Mahatshula, Bulawayo where people were given 50 kilogrammes of maize. The programme is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

The state media reported that initially such programmes were targeting rural people but the Government discovered that thousands of people were food insecure in urban areas. 

Dr Nzenza said that the programme was targeting a total of 25 237 beneficiary households collectively, disaggregated as 12 968 and 12 269 beneficiaries in Bulawayo and Harare, respectively.

Priority, she added, is being given to high-density suburbs that have a “high concentration of poverty” according to the country’s poverty map. Government childcare workers are identifying vulnerable children from vulnerable households in schools.
-StateMedia