BOND notes and coins will continue being used as legal tender in Zimbabwe for a limited period alongside new notes and coins, which will be put into circulation this month, a senior Government official has said.
Last week, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) announced the introduction of new bank notes by mid-November as it moves to end long running cash shortages in the economy.
Finance and Economic Development permanent secretary, Mr George Guvamatanga, dismissed assertions that bond notes would be immediately demonitised once the new notes were introduced.
“The bond notes will still work though, so I am not saying come rush and change the bond note (for the new notes). Initially the bond notes will work alongside the new notes and coins and they will have the same value,” he said.
“At some point we will cut off, if you continue holding them, we will not tell you when we will cut off, but at some point, we will cut off and only remain with the new notes and coins.”
Mr Guvamatanga said the main motivation behind the introduction of the new notes was to alleviate the current cash shortages.
“The new currency when we introduced it (in June this year), was not supported by its own notes and coins and we adopted the bond notes and coins as a form of the physical cash to support the new currency. We are now saying the time is now right for us to bring in new notes and coins, which support the currency that is already there,” he said.State media
FARMERS living close to Charara National Park here have expressed concern over marauding lions which are killing their livestock.
Nyaodza (Ward 26) councillor Wiseman Mumba said cases of human-wildlife conflict were on the increase with lions reportedly having killed 19 cattle since January. “Last year we lost 40 cattle here in Nyaodza, including donkeys,” he said.
“We also lost many goats to hyenas. Since January this year we lost 19 cattle to lions. And, just recently two donkeys were killed by lions which had strayed from Charara National Park along Nyaodza River.”
The marauding animals which include elephants, lions, hyenas, baboons and monkeys often attack livestock and destroy crops for farmers dotted along Charara national park bigger zone.
“We have made several reports to the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, but nothing has been done yet to help us,” said Clr Mumba.
“Whenever we report the cases, parks people say they have no fuel, vehicles and times they just say their vehicles have no tyres. This is a challenge and it’s not helping to reduce attacks on our livestock.”
However, he said they had not been any reports of attacks on humans. Elijah Gunda, a Nyaodza farmer who lost an ox to the lions is bitter. “Parks people are not helping us at all,” he complained bitterly.State media
Denmark pays its students $1,000 a month to go to university and charge no tuition fees. Students are seen as an investment in the future rather than a cost.
Denmark pays its students $1,000 a month to go to university and charge no tuition fees. Students are seen as an investment in the future rather than a cost.pic.twitter.com/RJ8qf3STha
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.
Farai Dziva|Chippa United coach Norman Mapeza says the referee was a bit harsh on them in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinal loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday.
Chippa crashed out of the tournament after losing 4-3 on penalties and also finished the game with ten men following Tercious Malepe’s red card in the extra-time.
Mapeza believes the expulsion plus a couple of yellow cards for his players was too harsh, but there was nothing the team will do about it.
In a post-match interview with SuperSport TV, the Zimbabwean gaffer said: “I think the referee was a little bit harsh on us but at the end of the day I’m still new here.
“I don’t want to talk much about the referees, I don’t know how they operate, so it’s unfortunate to end up getting those six yellow cards, definitely it’s going to affect us in our next few matches but you know it has happened and there’s nothing we can do.”
The result handed Mapeza’s second defeat since taking over at the South African club last month.
A soldier reportedly shot and killed his wife and seriously injured his mother-in-law before killing himself by the same gun following a misunderstanding at their home in Manyame Park, Chitungwiza, early yesterday morning.
The soldier, attached at Kaguvi Barracks (formerly Old Cranborne Barracks), but based in Masvingo, was later found dead in a garden in the area after allegedly committing suicide using his service gun, an AK 47 rifle.
The motive for the murder cases and attempted murder case remains unclear.But it is alleged that the two were on separation, with the wife living with her mother.
The incident occurred at around 3am. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that investigations are being conducted in connection with the death of a 24 year-old woman in a shooting incident where another woman aged 41 years has been seriously injured.
“The suspect in this case is also alleged to have committed suicide. More details will be released in due course,” he said.
ZNA deputy director public relations Major Alex Zuva said investigations were continuing, and a statement will be issued soon.
Although the details were still sketchy, sources close to the investigations said the soldier who was on duty that night fled the army barracks and headed to Manyame Park.
“From information that we have gathered so far, the soldier was based in Masvingo, but was currently attached in Cranborne.
“He was on duty and at around 3am he disappeared and went to Manyame Park while armed with an AK rifle. He then knocked the door and the wife opened.
“Without saying anything, he shot her once in the head and she died on the spot.
“After hearing noise, the mother-in-law went to check on what transpired and she was also shot on the right ear.”
The soldier then fled the scene after the incident and some neighbours went to check.
The mother-in-law was taken to a local hospital where she is reported to be in a critical condition. The body of the soldier was later recovered in a garden in Manyame Park after he also shot himself.
In February last year, a soldier allegedly fired about 20 shots with an AK47 rifle, killing his wife, her two siblings and injuring his 18-month-old son before shooting himself in a suicide attempt in New Magwegwe suburb.
Carlos Tinashe Chapeyema (23) was based in Gweru and attached to the Zimbabwe National Army Infantry Battalion Brigade in Battlefields, Kwekwe.
Chapeyema and his wife lived in Mutare, but she had recently returned to her parents, accusing the soldier of physically abusing her.
In March, a Harare man allegedly shot dead his estranged wife and brother-in-law in Gletwin Park. Petros Pomborokani escaped after the murder in March this year and police are still struggling to locate him. – state media
Patients seeking treatment at Harare City Council clinics were yesterday left stranded, while others had to wait for long periods to be attended to after nurses failed to turn up for work citing incapacitation. By end of day yesterday, most nurses had heeded a call by their workers’ union to stop reporting for work.
Patients on anti-retroviral treatment (ART) and those with chronic diseases such as diabetes had to wait for long periods before getting medication as available administrative staff tried to cope with the pressure.
City Health director Dr Prosper Chonzi said the municipality might have to collapse other units, discharge patients who are stable and consolidate services should the situation remain unchanged.
“We have to come up with strategies to minimise damage and mitigate challenges,” he said.
“We might need to get all the sisters-in charge who are currently reporting for duty to go to our 12 Polyclinics so that patients get services there,”
Dr Chonzi said this could result in family health and satellite clinics being closed until normal services resumed. “Our system is driven by nurses and in their absence we have difficulties in offering normal service,” he said.
The nurses, through their representative body, the Zimbabwe Urban and Rural Council Nurses Workers Union (ZURCNWU) said they had taken the position in light of the current economic challenges.
The nurses demanded that their salaries of about $1 000 be reviewed taking into account the prevailing interbank rate.
“We also want to bring it to your attention that your failure to address our members’ issues coupled with this current increase in the price of fuel and basic commodities has left them severely incapacitated that they are now unable to report for duty,” read a statement signed by the ZURCNWU executive committee.
The situation at government hospitals remained desperate, with doctors vowing not to report for work as they await the final outcome of their disciplinary hearings.
The Health Services Board and the Ministry of Health and Child Care could not be reached to comment on the latest development, with some officials saying they wanted to first update Cabinet on the state of healthcare. -state media
The Braai Out Zw event organisers who had declared war on Delta Beverages for sabotaging them by making their Biggest Braai Festival event clash with theirs in Harare this past weekend were left smiling after hundreds turned out for their event as chaos rocked the former.
Both events ended up being held on Saturday after Delta Beverages postponed their event because of the anti-sanctions march last month, something which did not go down well with Braai Out organisers who felt Delta were not being fair on them.
According to our sister newspaper The Herald, the Castle Lager National Braai Day (braai festival) seemed to have been ill-fated as it was chaotic from the entrance points to the meat and beverages serving points. As if that was not enough, the sound did not do event organisers any favour as it was also terrible, forcing main act Winky D who had delayed to take to the stage, to abort his performance. Missiles were also thrown on stage during Freeman’s act because of the poor sound.
“The sound was so poor that fans thought the musician (Winky D) was being sabotaged,” reported The Herald yesterday.
Close sources added that scores of people ended up ditching the biggest braai at Old Hararians Sports Club for the braai out at Kingfisher Park, which was just a few kilometres away. Those who attended the Braai Out Zw which was headlined by Jah Prayzah and Selmor Mtukudzi said they had a good outing as the event was well organised. Trevor Dongo also made a surprise appearance and added onto the fun. Commenting on the sound at the event, one patron in apparent reference to the biggest braai, simply said: “you took all the good sound in Harare. The sound was on point and everything was flawless.”
Braai Out Zw organiser, Nigel Kudzai Chinovhiringa, who days earlier, had ranted about how Delta Beverages were ‘sabotaging’ his event, was ecstatic yesterday. He said they exceeded their expectations as the turnout was amazing.
“The event was a major success as it had a good turnout which exceeded my expectations due to the other braai event which took place just near us. Words can’t even describe how I’m feeling,” said Chinovhiringa.
He said as a result of the success of the braai out’s third edition, they are now looking into developing the concept to other regions in the country.-state media
Warriors’ back-to-back 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled for later this month have had the football authorities at ZIFA scratching their heads. They have a bill of close to US$200 000 needed to foot the opening fixtures of the 2021 Afcon campaign against Botswana and Zambia. The matches are set to be played in a space of four days.
The Warriors are set to go into camp next week ahead of the home game against Botswana at Barbourfields on November 15, before travelling to Zambia to meet former African champions Chipolopolo on November 19.
ZIFA acting vice president Phillemon Machana, who is also the board member responsible for finance, yesterday told The Herald that they face a hectic month because of the back-to-back assignment.
Many of their prospective partners have taken the back seat in this harsh economic environment where prices of goods and services have been spiralling out of control.
Machana said they have secured quotations for air tickets for 13 players based in Europe, 11 in South Africa and one in Zambia and they were also working on the logistics for the players’ allowances, accommodation and local transport.
“What I can only say is that it’s very expensive to host back-to-back games of this kind,’’ he said.
“Imagine up to 70-80 percent of our players called for this game are coming from outside the country and that would mean they have to be flown in.
“From the quotation that we have, we would need something like US$4 700 to bring in one player from Europe, inclusive of the airfares and accommodation for the duration of the two games.
“The association needs about US$80 000 to travel with the whole team to Zambia and this includes accommodation.
“This figure also covers the air tickets for the referees and payment of the match commissioner for the home game.
“Then we will need camping for the two games. We need transport and the allowances for the players, among many other things, yet the economy is screaming like this.
“And we still have people (ZIFA creditors) coming after our accounts every time we have these games. For now it seems like we are on our own in this. We have been knocking on the doors of both the Government and private sector.
“For some reason, they haven’t been able to come on board. Maybe, it’s the economy. But make no mistake, we will make sure that the games are fulfilled with what is available to us although we are saying the door is still open to anyone who wants to chip in.’’
He said they were desperately in need of partners.
“We have always stated that ZIFA need partners, be it in providing accommodation, transport, water, allowances for players or anything that helps lessen the burden on the association,’’ he said.
“We welcome anyone who wants to partner us. We are a very transparent organisation.
“In the past we have always held that sponsors can assist in kind or that they can deal directly with the service providers, remembering that this is a national project, not a ZIFA baby.’’
The Warriors are expected to begin camp in Bulawayo next Monday, for the home match against Botswana.
ZIFA are happy that the Government has been helping with securing passports for the players born, and raised abroad, like Macauley Bonne, Adam Chicksen, Jordan Zemura, Tivonge Rushesha and Cliff Moyo.
“We appreciate that the Government has come in a big way to help in this issue. It has taken long for players like Bonne, but we are happy with what is happening,’’ said Machana.
“It’s a demonstration of common purpose and it shows this is for Zimbabwe as a whole. We hope results will come as expected. When we succeed, we succeed together.
“Of course, there are challenges in the economy, but we have to concentrate more on the positives. The goal is to win our matches. It has been long since we had such a high-profile match in Bulawayo.
“So we want the supporters in Bulawayo to come in their numbers and support the boys. We have to fill up the stadium.’’
Warriors squad:
Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze (Baroka) Martin Mapisa (Velez CF) Simbarashe Chinani (Dynamos)
Defenders: Douglas Nyaupembe (Stockport County) Ian Nekati (ZPC Kariba) Cliff Moyo (Kidderminister Harriers) Divine Lunga (Lamontville Golden Arrows) Adam Chicksen (Bolton Wanderers) Jordan Zemura (Bournemouth) Ronald Pfumbidzai (Bloemfontein Celtic) Teenage Hadebe (Yeni Malatyaspor) Alec Mudimu (CEFN Druids) Partson Jaure (Manica Diamonds) Kelvin Moyo (Chippa United)
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.- state media
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.
“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.
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
By A Correspondent| A fatal crash involving two commuter omnibuses along Seke road this evening left several passengers battling for life.
One of the drivers of the kombis involved in the accident was lying in the middle of the road in a pool of blood minutes after the tragic accident after sustaining serious head injuries.
Several commuters who were in the other kombi involved in the crash were rushed to hospital but eye witnesses at the scene of the accident told ZimEye that several had been seriously injured.
Said witnesses who arrived at the scene of the accident which occurred just after Hatfield at an area known as PamaOrange:
“The seriously injured driver who is battling for life and bleeding profusely made a turn and he wanted to cross the busy Seke road. But he probably did not notice that the other kombi coming from Chitungwiza was fast approaching. He thought that he could cross before it and he hit it in the middle and this is why it overturned.
Several people have been seriously injured and it will not be shocking to hear that some of them died.”
Added another eye witness:
“The man that you are seeing being assisted by medical personnel misjudged the speed of the kombi coming from Chitungwiza towards the city centre but this kombi was speeding resulting in the fatal crash.”
Police details attending the scene of the accident did not reveal any details regarding the number of the casualties or deaths insisting that a comment should be obtained from the relevant police department.
The place where the accident occurred is now regarded as a black spot considering the number of accidents that occur at this same area.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.
Farai Dziva|ZINASU has accused authorities at Bindura University of Science Education of plotting to rig SRC elections.
See below a statement on the alleged plot to rig SRC elections at the university:
The Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) has cancelled the Student Representative Council (SRC) election which was supposed to be held today the 4th of November 2019.
The election has been postponed to the 11th of November 2019.
No reasons were cited for the postponement by the Dean of Students Dr. Makadho when he communicated the news on Sunday the 03rd of November 2019.
What is shocking is that Sunday is not a working day and the Dean was not in his office.
We are afraid that during the period between today and the 11th of November, the election may be rigged in favour of SPP or ZICOSU who can be easily controlled by the administration. It is clear that the authorities were panicking because of the imminent and inevitable victory of ZINASU which conducted a very vibrant campaign.
ZINASU campaign shook the whole small mining town to the extent that several vehicles without number plates were seen wherever ZINASU took its campaigns. It is also clear that the ZINASU had outdone its opponents, SPP and ZICOSU masquerading as the “Diplomats”.
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.
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.
By A Correspondent- Parliament has urged government to deal with key factors that are hindering industrialisation in the country in its forthcoming 2020 budget expected to be announced on November 14.
The Felix Mhona-led Budget and Finance Parliamentary Portfolio Committee told delegates at the 2020 pre-budget seminar in Victoria Falls that the deteriorating energy situation in the country and acute shortage of foreign currency were seriously affecting industry.
The factors to be tackled include erratic electricity and water supplies so that the country is at par with other African countries in the Accelerated Industrial growth for Africa.
“Erratic key enablers of industry such as water, electricity and good transport networks is affecting industrial growth and heavy reliance on generators for power back up is unsustainable,” the Budget and Finance Portfolio Committee report read.
“The acute shortages of foreign currency, unstable macro-economic environment epitomised by rising inflation, legacy debts for companies, and negative growth and influx of consumables, constituting 82% of import expenditure, are affecting business.”
Mhona said at recent public hearings by the committee, participants noted that lack of proper manufacturing infrastructure could affect the industrialisation programme.
“The public noted with concern the lack of proper infrastructure and control systems at most ports of entry, resulting in rampant smuggling which is hurting the local industry.
The business community raised concern that they are subjected to double taxation through corporate tax and the 2% (intermediated electronic) transaction tax. Members of the public also vehemently opposed the 2% tax and called for its scrapping,” the committee said.
Recently when different captains of industry appeared before the Budget and Finance Portfolio Committee to speak on their 2020 budget proposals, they bemoaned the need for clarity on deficit financing in the country.
“They said there is need for adequate funding of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority so that it plugs loopholes to improve border systems efficiency as well as modernisation of infrastructure at the country’s ports as the country prepares for industrialisation,” Mhona said.
On tax incentives, the committee said companies that invest in new plant and equipment and demonstrate the number of new jobs that are likely to be created from the new investment should be awarded significant tax incentives.
“The 2020 Finance Act should provide for rationalisation of duty regimes for imported raw materials and finished products by removing inconsistencies like on fluorescent bulbs where no duty is charged on finished products yet there is duty on components for the local manufacture of the same products,” the committee said.
To ensure that mining was also in line with the industrialisation agenda, the committee said there was need to review the numerous taxes charged to mining companies so that they are in line with best practices.
“The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority must respect the contracts it has with miners, where they pay for electricity in foreign currency and yet they do not get the power. It must respect the uninterrupted power agreements,” the committee said.
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.
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.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF youths in Mashonaland East have vowed to defend President Emmerson Mnangagwa at all costs, saying they will effect a citizens arrest to anyone who insults their leader.
Speaking at a victory celebration event held at Masenda Secondary School, ward 6, in Mudzi West on Saturday, provincial youth chairperson Kelvin Mutsvairo said the youth league will do anything to defend Mnangagwa’s rule and that they will deal with anyone who criticises their leader.
“We are going to defend President Mnangagwa until eternity, we will also defend Zanu PF as a party until eternity. We are going to deal with anyone who insults our President. If the police fail to arrest anyone insulting the President, we, as youths, will do so in our own capacity,” he said.
Mnangagwa is currently under pressure from both internal cadres and opposition party members over how he is running the country’s economy. Last week, Mnangagwa told party youths that there were some G40 elements in Zanu PF who were burning the midnight oil to destabilise the party as well as criticising his rule. The ruling party leader has been relying on the youth league’s support who have been attacking perceived economy saboteurs, among them party officials.
Meanwhile, Mudzi West Zanu PF ward 6 councillor Arnold Katsande said it is high time the constituency, a Zanu PF stronghold, was electrified.
Katsande, who is one of the Zanu PF youthful councillors, has embarked on a road rehabilitation programme in his ward.
“Zanu PF is a party that fulfils its election promises. We are happy that we have youthful councillors who have excelled in delivering their election promises,” Mutsvairo said.
By A Correspondent- A 40 year old Guruve teacher was last week sentenced to an effective four years behind bars after stealing building materials worth $30 000.
Isaah Wachenuka (40) of Chipangura Secondary School was convicted after full trial by Guruve magistrate Shingirai Mutiro.
Prosecutor Carson Kundiona told the court that on August 19 and at Chipangura School, Wachenuka unlawfully took duplicate keys to a storeroom.
He connived with his son and two other school children, who are yet to be sentenced for stealing various building materials.
Police then promised $800 reward to anyone with information on the theft and following a tip-off they recovered some of the stolen building material from the teacher.
In another case, a 32-year-old Mvurwi farm worker was sentenced to four years by Mutiro after he stole a motor bike, five crates of eggs and 15 litres of petrol valued at $26 000 from his employer.
George Zimbudzi Tigere Mazuva will, however, spend three years in prison after the magistrate conditionally suspended a year.
The court heard that on October 3, Davison Chirenje (62) left his motorbike parked in a kitchen with its ignition keys, the convict stole the motorbike, petrol and eggs.
Soon after the discovery of the theft, Chirenje filed a police report at Mvurwi Police Station who then found the stolen bike in Muzarabani after it was sold to one Dhirau. Upon interrogation, Dhirau implicated Mazuva, leading to his arrest.
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.
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.”
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.
Sportslens|Aston Villa narrowly missed out on the chance to secure their biggest league victory of the season on Saturday.
The Midland outfit were a goal up against Liverpool until the 87th minute, only to eventually succumb to two late goals.
Trezeguet opened his Villa account in the 21st minute after putting John McGinn’s free-kick beyond Alisson’s reach, and the hosts held on for as long as they could.
However, they were made to wait for their fourth victory of the campaign after Andy Robertson arrived at the back post to head Liverpool level after Sadio Mane’s cross caught the hosts unaware, and things got worse when the Senegalese grabbed a winner from a corner in the 94th minute.
The defeat hurt given that Dean Smith’s men were impressive for the majority of the game, and Premier League legend Ian Wright reckons they are going to be fine going forward.
The former striker also singled out Marvellous Nakamba and Trezeguet for praises, and the duo will hope to keep impressing going forward.
“Villa were brilliant today, like the manager said, they were very disappointed because it was a lack of concentration,” Wright said on BBC MOTD.
“When you look at someone like Nakamba, very impressive Nakamba today…Trezeguet his best game for Villa for me today, and then you’ve got Mings and Engels at the back.
“I think Villa are gonna be fine, they were really good.”
Nakamba put in a tireless performance against the Reds, winning more tackles (five) and gaining possession more often (nine times) than any of his team-mates.
The holding midfielder has hit the ground running at Villa Park since arriving from Club Brugge during the summer, and he is proving to be one of the best in his position in the English top-flight.
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.”
Own Correspondent|Cape Town City’s shocked the local football scene at midnight to announce the termination of Benni McCarthy’s contract, the 41-year-old coach has now moved quickly to break the silence.
McCarthy leaves City after three seasons at the club, a job which was his first appointment since qualifying as as a UEFA A License accredited coach in 2016.
The former Bafana Bafana striker took to social media to thank the club for handing him the opportunity, while also admitting bitter disappointment.
I’m disappointed to end my time at the Club but I would like to nevertheless thank the Club,& particularly the players,the fans and the community of Cape Town for their support and commitment over the last two years.I’m proud of my time at the Club and wish them all the best ?? pic.twitter.com/S4K7poOzv0
McCarthy posted: “I’m disappointed to end my time at the Club but I would like to nevertheless thank the Club and particularly the players, the fans and the community of Cape Town for their support and commitment over the last two years. I’m proud of my time at the Club and wish them all the best.
It now remains to be seen what the future holds for both McCarthy and City’s coaching seat. Rumours of his possible replacements have already been thrown about. They include the likes of Muhsin Ertugral, Cavin Johnson, Fadlu Davids and Stuart Baxter.
Meanwhile, the Citizens have a league game this week. City will host Polokwane City at home on Wednesday at 19:30.
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.
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.
Farai Dziva|The semifinal draw for the 2019 Chibuku Super Cup has been conducted.
Highlanders will take on ZPC Kariba while Ngezi Platinum Stars will play against the winners in the quarterfinal match between holders Triangle United and Harare City.
The Triangle – City quarterfinal clash was postponed to a later date due to the Sugar Boys’ involvement in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Farai Dziva|Chippa United coach Norman Mapeza says the referee was a bit harsh on them in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinal loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday.
Chippa crashed out of the tournament after losing 4-3 on penalties and also finished the game with ten men following Tercious Malepe’s red card in the extra-time.
Mapeza believes the expulsion plus a couple of yellow cards for his players was too harsh, but there was nothing the team will do about it.
In a post-match interview with SuperSport TV, the Zimbabwean gaffer said: “I think the referee was a little bit harsh on us but at the end of the day I’m still new here.
“I don’t want to talk much about the referees, I don’t know how they operate, so it’s unfortunate to end up getting those six yellow cards, definitely it’s going to affect us in our next few matches but you know it has happened and there’s nothing we can do.”
The result handed Mapeza’s second defeat since taking over at the South African club last month.
Farai Dziva|Highlanders coach Hendrik Pieter de Jongh has blasted Dynamos’ dirty tricks just moments before their league meeting started at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
Bosso players and staff spent 35 minutes outside the venue as the gates were still closed and had to scale the fence into the supporters’ zone to gain access into the stadium.
“How is it possible that we had to spend 35 minutes out of the stadium,” De Jongh told Soccer 24.
“I have never seen that in my life, it’s a lack of organisation. It’s not possible that you stay 35 minutes outside the stadium and the gates are not opened.”
The gaffer also slammed the condition of the pitch at Rufaro Stadium which had patches of mud due to the heavy rains which poured on the previous day.
“Football is for the fans and has to be played on good ground, on a good pitch,” he said.
“This pitch is so bad and it doesn’t make it possible for good football.”
The visitors surged ahead in the 71st minute after Tinashe Makanda slotted home a low shot. Dynamos replied ten minutes later through Evans Katema’s header as it ended 1-1.
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.
“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.
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
The Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) has cancelled the Student Representative Council (SRC) election which was supposed to be held today the 4th of November 2019.
The election has been postponed to the 11th of November 2019. No reasons were cited for the postponement by the Dean of Students Dr. Makadho when he communicated the news on Sunday the 03rd of November 2019.
What is shocking is that Sunday is not a working day and the Dean was not in his office. We are afraid that during the period between today and the 11th of November, the election may be rigged in favour of SPP or ZICOSU who can be easily controlled by the administration. It is clear that the authorities were panicking because of the imminent and inevitable victory of ZINASU which conducted a very vibrant campaign.
ZINASU campaign shook the whole small mining town to the extent that several vehicles without number plates were seen wherever ZINASU took its campaigns. It is also clear that the ZINASU had outdone its opponents, SPP and ZICOSU masquerading as the “Diplomats”.
Farai Dziva| MDC Youth Assembly leader Obey Sithole has described Zanu PF politicians as insincere individuals who cannot be trusted by the people of Zimbabwe.
Below is Sithole’s argument:
Zimbabweans have suffered for far too long at the hands of ZANU-PF.
Along the way ZANU-PF fought and some of it’s people were shown the exit door. Now those same people want to cheat Zimbabweans by saying they can lead better. They can’t be any different from the current form of ZANU-PF because they were there when this country was destroyed.
Genuine change is found in MDC ably led by the people’s President Adv. Nelson Chamisa.
MDC: Change that delivers!
Zimbabweans have suffered for far too long at the hands of ZANU-PF.
Along the way ZANU-PF fought and some of it’s people were shown the exit door. Now those same people want to cheat Zimbabweans by saying they can lead better. They can’t be any different from the current form of ZANU-PF because they were there when this country was destroyed.
Genuine change is found in MDC ably led by the people’s President Adv. Nelson Chamisa.
MDC: Change that delivers!
Farai Dziva|ZINASU has accused authorities at Bindura University of Science Education of plotting to rig SRC elections.
See below a statement on the alleged plot to rig SRC elections at the university:
The Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) has cancelled the Student Representative Council (SRC) election which was supposed to be held today the 4th of November 2019.
The election has been postponed to the 11th of November 2019.
No reasons were cited for the postponement by the Dean of Students Dr. Makadho when he communicated the news on Sunday the 03rd of November 2019.
What is shocking is that Sunday is not a working day and the Dean was not in his office.
We are afraid that during the period between today and the 11th of November, the election may be rigged in favour of SPP or ZICOSU who can be easily controlled by the administration. It is clear that the authorities were panicking because of the imminent and inevitable victory of ZINASU which conducted a very vibrant campaign.
ZINASU campaign shook the whole small mining town to the extent that several vehicles without number plates were seen wherever ZINASU took its campaigns. It is also clear that the ZINASU had outdone its opponents, SPP and ZICOSU masquerading as the “Diplomats”.
The Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) has cancelled the Student Representative Council (SRC) election which was supposed to be held today the 4th of November 2019.
The election has been postponed to the 11th of November 2019.
No reasons were cited for the postponement by the Dean of Students Dr. Makadho when he communicated the news on Sunday the 03rd of November 2019.
What is shocking is that Sunday is not a working day and the Dean was not in his office.
We are afraid that during the period between today and the 11th of November, the election may be rigged in favour of SPP or ZICOSU who can be easily controlled by the administration. It is clear that the authorities were panicking because of the imminent and inevitable victory of ZINASU which conducted a very vibrant campaign.
ZINASU campaign shook the whole small mining town to the extent that several vehicles without number plates were seen wherever ZINASU took its campaigns. It is also clear that the ZINASU had outdone its opponents, SPP and ZICOSU masquerading as the “Diplomats”.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently held 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.
ZANU PF sources who spoke to this reporter said the meeting was attended by Mnangagwa loyalists.
“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 is still in China, but he is doing amazingly well, and he is ebullient and very sharp,” he said.
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.
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 told Bulawayo24 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.
Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa is in panic mode following indications that his deputy Constantino Chiwenga is set to return to Zimbabwe, 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.
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 half-cooked 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.
– DailyNews
A polygamist from Honde valley killed his one-year-old son while attacking his first wife after he had decided to spend the night in his second wife’s bed instead of his first wife’s bed where he allegedly was supposed to spend the night.
According to Manicaland Police Provincial Spokesperson:
“Chiripamawoko went to the second wife, Prisca Museka’s kitchen, where Nyamahondo was and demanded to know why he intended to put up with the second wife ahead of her that night.
“The misunderstanding over conju_gal rights led Nyamahondo to pick an axe-handle and swung it at Chiripamawoko who was holding their infant son.
“The child was hit in the head sustaining serious injuries.
The child was then rushed to Chavhanga clinic for medical attention from where he was referred to Hauna hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.”
The man is now facing murder charges for fatally striking his son.
– DailyNews
By Own Correspondent| The investigative “Steve Zwitter”has thrown into the open pointers on who the notorious Charity Maodza Twitter account is.
Zwitter performed a detailed psychoanalysis that goes back to 2018 and displays structured similarities in communication patterns that strongly suggest that the same person(s) who manage the Information Ministry twitter account are the same ones who have been repeatedly insulting victims of violence particularly activists in the last year.
The period of analysis spans 16 months to date.
A pattern was picked up under the cache phrase Wanzwa Butter, and Good Riddance, which means the same in both English and Shona.
Their latest tweet Monday morning was:
How is asking for a living wage, "political," what is your monthly income at the @InfoMinZW @CharityMaodza ?@SteveZwitter
ZimEye has since requested an urgent comment from the respected Ministry Of Information, Publicity And Broadcasting, after it sought to exonerate itself from a message it posted mocking the striking doctors as satanic.
Can you please urgently comment on this evidence. Is @CharityMaodza not an employee in the @InfoMinZW ministry? How was it compromised when it's clear the account is protected by cellphone access. Prove what you say was a compromising of the ministry account @nickmangwana. https://t.co/KVKatgzE8M
In a poorly calculated move the Information ministry handle noted that following what they said as compromising of their online security, they have since changed password after the deleting the message that caused so much noise online.
They responded after a period of more than 4 hours.
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…
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has allowed a second Cabinet Minister to be arrested as his anti-corruption drive once more took centre stage Monday following weeks of inaction.
BREAKING: Minister in the President's Office in Charge of Policy Implementation, once the Transport Minister, Joram Gumbo has been arrested over the "Simba Chikore" Zimbabwe Airways plane deal. ZACC has charged Gumbo with "criminal abuse of office." FOLLOW THIS AND MORE ON ZIMEYE pic.twitter.com/gISALVtA1f
Highly placed sources said that Minister in Mnangagwa’s office in charge of Policy Implementation and a close Midlands associate of the Zanu PF leader Joram Gumbo was picked up by investigators from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission early Monday.
“He has been arrested and been quizzed as we speak. He has already engaged Selby Hwacha as his lawyer,” a source said.
Gumbo has reportedly sucked in President Mnangagwa and former Finance Minister Patrick Chainamasa in the deal.
“He is claiming he is innocent and has implicated Mnangagwa and Chinamasa. Gumbo is alleging (former President Robert) Mugabe sometime in 2012 set-up a Cabinet committee chaired by Mnangagwa to structure the deal. Basically he is claiming he did not sign any papers. All were signed by the Cabinet committee chairperson (Mnangagwa) and Chinamasa,” said another source.
It could not immediately be established which police station Gumbo was being held but sources said he was called on Sunday to report to police on Monday.
While top legal practitioner Hwacha was not immediately available for comment this publication can report that Gumbo is being questioned over the murky Zim Airways deal in which government paid over US$70 million million for several aircraft from Malaysia a few years ago but to date nothing has been delivered.
Former First Lady Grace and her son-in-law Simba Chikore who Gumbo appointed Air Zimbabwe chief operating officer during his tenure as Transport Minister are also implicated in the deal but there was no information yet on whether they will be picked up.
Gumbo at one time claimed he had been a “consultant” in the aircraft deal that sent tongues wagging.
It is could be yet another test case of Mnangagwa’s resolve to fight deepening corruption after former Tourism Minister Priscah Mupfumira was arrested a few months ago over the plunder at the National Social Security Authority.
A FEMALE dancer at a Bulawayo strip joint Private Lounge was allegedly thrown from the third floor of the nightspot by Queen of Zimbabwe er0tica Beverly Sibanda in a cat-fight that went awry.
Chronicle offices were inundated with calls from people saying that Bev had seriously injured the woman and social media was awash with different versions of what had happened.
Bev was in Bulawayo to perform at Club 263 and was accommodated at the Private Lounge.
Messages circulating on social media alleged that Bev and the dancer had a tiff upstairs in one of the rooms after the dancer allegedly called Bev a pr0stitute. Thereafter in a fit of rage, Bev reportedly pushed the dancer off the balcony of one of the rooms and she landed in the garden.
Workers at the joint rushed the injured dancer to hospital in a pick-up truck.
When contacted for comment Bev denied that she was involved in the fracas.
“How can I throw a girl from a balcony when her door was locked. It doesn’t make sense! I heard the story. If I had thrown someone off the balcony like that, I should be in police custody and I wouldn’t have performed. The person should be in hospital,” said Bev.
According to Bev she had a heated exchange with some male patrons at Private Lounge garden who were hurling insults at dancers calling them pr0stitutes.
“There was a group of men in the garden who were saying the strippers are pr0stitutes. I started defending the dancers saying they shouldn’t do that. When they saw it was me, they apologised,” said Bev.
She said reports that she threw someone off the balcony were designed to tarnish her image before directing further questions to Private Lounge manager, Ms Thelma Zuva.
Ms Zuva said there was no person thrown from the third-floor balcony, but there was dancer who jumped from the first floor.
“Bev and the girl didn’t have any physical contact. Even the dancer is fine and she is back at work. She wasn’t thrown from the third floor. She actually jumped from the first floor during an altercation with her peers. The first floor isn’t that high from one of the rooms,” said Ms Zuva.
She said the reason that Bev is coming into the picture is that she was staying on the same floor with the dancers.
Ms Zuva said she suspects that the men who were reprimanded by Bev were the ones who were spreading the news that she threw a person off the third-floor balcony.
Asked the whereabouts of the dancer, conveniently Ms Zuva said the dancer was by her side.
By Henry Madiro- The Zimbabwean situation has been worsened by a clueless central bank, finance minister minister who is myopic and a government that only serves the interests of a few..
When the bond note was introduced it was meant to prop the United States dollar and provide change to easy the doing of business by transacting public. Some of us who had foresight we protested against this.
We even tried to explain the obvious but it fell on deaf ears or the Reserve Bank governor was just ignorant. He pointed out that he would retire if the bond note failed but alas he is still there compounding our problems. The Reserve Bank since it was made the bank of last resort it looted the Nostro accounts of all banks.
This was done systematically whilst they introduced the bond slowly. The US dollars vanished from the banks and they started dishing out the bond notes to selected runners so that they buy foreign currency from the streets.
The tobacco farmers lost their earnings when the interbank was introduced. It was deliberately done in a way that the farmers lost everything and most of them are unable to go back to the fields this coming season. The new notes would be drip fed into the economy however not through banks but through runners and the black market.
It is only i’ Zimbabwe that one has to buy money from the streets. Banks can no longer dispense cash. The Civil servants and the common worker are the ones who bear the brunt of this chicannery. Indeed it is the clueless Reserve Bank that has worsened our situation in Zimbabwe.
When he was tipped of the vacancy at the treasury Mthuli Ncube became agitated and spoke like a wise man from the East. Everyone’s hope was raised that the messiah was coming to liberate us.
He is seen in a video stating that the first thing he would do was to remove the bond note which he believed was bad money that was driving bad money out of the economy. We were very hopeful indeed but little did we know that this professor was myopic and ignorant of economics.
A high school teacher would be a better economic minister. Soon after his appointment he made reckless statements that so business and people losing confidence and prices started shooting up. The most affected was the pensioner, followed by the Civil servants and then the common man.
The myopic minister did not stop it was like giving a whistle to a mad puppeteerHe continued make trials and errors at the expense of the common man. Because he had paid the bill for the scarfman in Switzerland at Davos he remained in his post until today.
This small man is worse than a village idiot because everyone in the village knows. We are patiently waiting for his second budget but alas what can a village idiot produce that can benefit the common man. His fellow jesters in the ruling party are beginning to see the light and are starting to ask questions.
The government of Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa has proven that it is anti people. It has failed to provide its own money to the transacting public. It has become an oligarchy with its main aim to satisfy the greedy cartels. It seems the government is no longer for the people but for the few. Deliberately it is making sure that those few milk our country dry leaving us the poor citizenry in a sorry state.
I am wondering whether my father who lost his life in the struggle was fighting for us to struggle and wallow in poverty as we are doing today. May his soul rest in peace.
Zimbabwe is a rich country endowed with both natural and human resources but due to poor policies and Mal governance we have been overtaken by Rwanda a country that came out of civil strife. Our government has to self introspect and make sure it does the right things for us to enjoy the fruits of our country.
It is a shame that we have the most educated populace in Africa and the world yet our leadership can’t consult and come up with policies that lift us from this quagmire we are in.
It is my belief that Zimbabwe has the potential to come out of its doldrums if the Reserve Bank plays it right on currency issues. We can do it if we disappoint Mthuli Ncube and appoint even a high school economic teacher who is well versed with our problems.
Lastly our government has to smell the coffee and stop propping the cartels and be a government that serves the interests of the people. Let’s remind these guys that we cannot have banks that do not dispense cash and businesses that sell cash.
We are tied of having our graduates working as money changers. We want you as a government to remember the grievances of the second Chimurenga and realign yourself towards fulfilling those dreams.
You still have a chance to stand up and counted as the government that returned to the founding principles of the liberation struggle. Sure even the Rhodesian government under sanctions had money for its citizens. Maybe the cash shortages are attributed to sanctions too.
Henry Madiro is a politician social commentator and a concerned citizen. Writes in his own right on issues affecting his community.
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.
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.
By A Correspondent- Mystery surrounds the death of a middle-aged Norton man whose body was retrieved from a well at his family home in Katanga’s Ward 7, Norton on Saturday.
According to some sources, 27-year-old Norbert Jongwe (Jnr) only returned from a long sojourn to South Africa on Friday and he did not last 24 hours in Zimbabwe.
It is said that his father, Norbert Jongwe, 62, known in the locality as Mzambiya, was in the process of fetching water from his well for his small in-house poultry project, when he noticed that the tin was unable to scoop any water.
He decided to peep inside the well and caught the horrific sight at the bottom.
Norton police officers were swiftly alerted and they retrieved the body as a shocked crowd watched. What appeared to be two stab wounds on the stomach of the corpse heightened speculation of foul play.
While police officers at the scene could not speak to the media, the elder Jongwe told neighbours that his youngest son arrived home on Friday afternoon, having left for South Africa in 2015. He spent most of his time in the company of a teenage relative. The deceased told his father that he had plans of buying some livestock and that he had brought some goods from South Africa which would arrive a few days later.
So far, no one knows, at least in public, what transpired on Friday night at House No. 305, Katanga.
Whatever it is, it resulted in a young man losing his life just a few hours after re-uniting with his kith-and-kin for the first time in four years.
By A Correspondent- There was fracas at a popular Bulawayo strip club, Private lounge, when a scuffle broke out between raunchy dancer, Beverly Sibanda and another dancer after the latter allegedly insulted Sibanda that she was a prostitute.
According to the Chronicle, the dancer whose identity has not yet been identified sustained critical injuries from the assault and has since been hospitalised.
Sibanda is alleged to have thrown out the dancer from the third floor of private lounge in a cat-fight that went awry. Unconfirmed reports circulating on social media alleged that Bev and the dancer had an altercation after the dancer allegedly called Bev a prostitute.
Thereafter in a fit of rage, Bev reportedly pushed the dancer off the balcony of one of the rooms and she landed in the garden.
The dancer was then scurried to the hospital in a pick-up truck by private lounge workers who witnessed the incident.
In an interview with the publication, Bev refuted the allegations and said that she only had an altercation with some of the male patrons at the club who were hurling insults at dancers calling them prostitutes.
“How can I throw a girl from a balcony when her door was locked. It doesn’t make sense! I heard the story. If I had thrown someone off the balcony like that, I should be in police custody and I wouldn’t have performed. The person should be in hospital.
There was a group of men in the garden who were saying the strippers are prostitutes. I started defending the dancers saying they shouldn’t do that. When they saw it was me, they apologised,” said Bev.
Private Lounge manager, Ms Thelma Zuva, dismissed the claims and said that the dancer had willingly jumped from the first floor during an altercation with her peers.
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.
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.
By A Correspondent- Prince Dubeko Sibanda, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on media said Zanu PF and government departments must pay the broadcaster for the live events to enable the broadcaster to carry out its mandate.
Mr Sibanda said:
ZBC must be a grant-aided institution and must be supported by the fiscus so that it effectively plays its role as a public broadcaster.
The corporation humbly requested other government departments and ministries to pay ZBC for broadcasting services invoiced and rendered, and a budgetary allocation for coverage of national events may be made available on a cost recovery basis of $102 000 per event through Treasury.
Currently, ZBC is owed over US$16 million for services provided to other government departments and ministries
Mr Sibanda said the monies paid should then be used to pay journalists and other ZBC employees a decent salary.
ZBC is the country’s sole broadcaster and it has long been accused of bias by both the local and the international community.
By A Correspondent- 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.
Mr Chinonzura who said he was yet to recover from the incident said:
“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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
By A Correspondent- Mimosa Mine has decided to go the legal route to recover US$709 000 that was allegedly stolen by 37 employees over a course of 5 plus years.
This was revealed by Mimosa Mine CEO, Fungai Makoni who confirmed the incident and informed the publication that they were going the legal route to recover the lost funds:
We have identified all the people who were involved in that scam and we have accordingly dismissed them and are taking action both legal and also action to recover that money that was fraudulently taken away. The process now is really with the courts and also to recover the money,
IOL|LATE ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s home is falling apart. The house in Mbizana, in the Eastern Cape, even got attention when Mama, as Winnie was affectionately known, died last year. During her memorial service, President Cyril Ramaphosa promised to build Mama’s home, a hospital and tar roads in the area. But Mama’s home has yet to be built. Family members told the SunTeam they were disappointed by the state’s empty promises. Said family spokesperson, Prince Madikizela: “We’ve always said if the government ever loved Mama, it must build her home here in Mbizana.
“When she died we made three requests to the president, including building Mama’s home, the Meje Hospital and tarring the road. During the memorial service, President Ramaphosa promised Mama’s home would be built. But a year has passed and the home is still not built.
Winnie’s nephew, Thembelani Madikizela, told the SunTeam he was also disappointed by government’s empty promises. Commented Thembelani: “I can confirm nothing’s been done to build my aunt’s home. There’s also no indication of when it’ll be built.” He said Mama’s home was meant to be a tourist attraction. To us, this is important because it forms part of our history, it’s our heritage,” Thembelani said.
“I can’t say when they were supposed to start, but we’d hoped it’d be finished by now. Unfortunately, we don’t know what’s causing the delay. I’m disappointed because every time we meet government officials, they seem committed but do nothing. I’ve held several meetings with the stakeholders, including the Alfred Nzo and Mbizana municipalities and the National Heritage Council. And nothing’s been done.”
Mbizana communications manager, Thamsanqa Cwibi, said: “The municipal manager, Luvuyo Mahlaka, is dealing with the issue. But I don’t know how far the matter has gone.” Alfred Nzo municipality’s Ayanda Giyose said: “Municipal manager Zamile Sikhundla is dealing with matter.
By A Correspondent- A Buhera man was lured out of his bedroom by 4 men who then attacked him and killed him on the spot.
Muchemi Chinembiri was sleeping when people started shouting berejena outside his home and he went out to investigate only to be assaulted and be killed.
Manicaland Police Province Spokesperson Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the Incident:
Chinembiri decided to go out to investigate but was grabbed and dragged out from his bedroom door by four men who struck him all over the body with unknown objects.
His wife tried to call for help but was ordered to remain silent and stay in the bedroom
The reason why Chinembiri was killed is still unknown. The incident happened in Kwenda Village under Chief Nyashanu in Buhera Manicaland.
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 $14, largely because they did not incuro transport costs.
By Nomusa Garikai- When President Mnangagwa seized power from his former boss Robert Mugabe in the November 2017 military coup he promised to change things from what Mugabe had been doing for the last 37 years.
On the economic front, he promised to scrap all the laws and the lawlessness that had made it near impossible for anyone to do business, end corruption, etc. “Zimbabwe is open for business!” became his calling card!
He had starting flashing his calling card within weeks of taking over from Mugabe; he has at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2018. He had not changed a single thing to cleanse the country of its demonic past and yet he was already claiming the country was ready to do business. This made many people suspect he was not sincere.
In 2016 Mugabe admitted the country was being “swindled out of US$ 15 billion in diamond revenue alone”. He never arrested even one diamond swindler nor recover one dollar. Mnangagwa has yet to arrest one diamond swindler in his two years in office. Those who suspected Mnangagwa was paying lip service to economic reforms were proven right.
On the political front, Mnangagwa to restore the democratic rights of the people and promised to hold free, fair and credible elections. He refused to implement even one token democratic reform and went on to blatantly rig the July 2018 elections.
“No amount of propaganda can spin or sugarcoat this gruesome truth. The continued judgment and setting of utopian standards for Zimbabwe, which are never applied in any other jurisdictions, are callous, vindictive and should not be allowed to continue. This is the basis on which we say, enough is enough. Remove these sanctions,” argued President Mnangagwa last week.
How dare he say that!
He denied 3 million Zimbabweans in the diaspora a vote because he feared most of them would never vote for the party they know made them economic and/or political refugees. The regime failed to produce a verified voters’ roll so no one knows who voted, how many times, etc. When some dared to protest over yet another rigged elections he ordered soldiers to shoot to kill to silence all dissent.
And now he dares tell Zimbabweans that to expect free, fair and credible elections is utopia!
Of course, every thinking Zimbabwean out there is furious that Zimbabweans are still being denied them this basic human right – a meaningful say in the governance of the country. The right to free and fair elections is more than just a right it is the nation’s only hope to end the curse of rigged elections and bad governance after 39 years and counting of being stuck in this hell-on-earth Zanu PF had landed the nation in.
The root causes of the country’s economic meltdown are 40 years of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption. And the nation has been stuck all these years with this incompetent and corrupt Zanu PF dictatorship.
The ill effects caused by the sanctions are marginal compared to the disastrous effect caused by mismanagement and corruption. However sanctions have helped to highlight Zimbabwe’s failure to hold free, fair and credible elections and, more significantly, pile the pressure on the regime to hold free elections.
The sanctions must remain; indeed, increased; until we have free, fair and credible elections.
Free, fair and credible are not just a basic human right this is the nation only hope to end the curse of rigged elections and bad governance.
How insulting that those responsible for dragging the nation into this hell-on-earth are denying us the chance to get out of this hell by blatantly rigging elections under the pretext of free, fair and credible elections which are a utopia!
JAZZ crooner and Green ambassador Dereck Mpofu’s decision to engage the services of raunchy dancer and singer Beverly “Bev” Sibanda on his latest song Chimbozvizunza and its accompanying video have been met with mixed reactions from his fans.
In the video, which also features musician Baba Harare, Bev is seen doing her sexually charged dances.In response to some of the criticism on social media, where the video has been circulating, Mpofu hit back at his critics, saying the song was a dance track for club consumption and should be seen in that context.
“The reality is mentioning that you like me on Facebook without investing back into the music, does not propel my career further, especially people who could actually support by attending shows and buying our music. In fact, it has stunted my growth,” he said in response to a Facebook user who had questioned his decision to engage Bev.
Mpofu said he has spent the better part of his career creating patriotic, nation-building music and dropping just one bum-shaking song for clubbers should not be the basis for judging his music career.
Another user described Mpofu’s move as a bubble-gum approach to music, which could be disastrous as it could push away stakeholders such as corporates.
“While some of us have been following with admiration your music, these latest developments are a clear departure for the artiste that we known.“While life is all about making choices, this road that you have decided to take will lead to nowhere fast,” he said.
Others, however, applauded Mpofu for his gamble.“I feel my opinion and that of many others is irrelevant when it comes to growing your career and making difficult decisions. Whatever happens from here, whether good or bad you will learn from and grow,” said Christine Chitongo.
“Dereck Mpofu can tap into whatever pleasantries that tickle his soul for he is his own person and he is allowed to live his life as he pleases, just like we all are.”
Samantha-Lee Barker added: “Knowing him or following his career journey does not buy you any rights to his decision making.”
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.
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.
Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo’s strong rebuke of United States ambassador to Harare Brian Nichols last week was yet another indication that Zimbabwe’s re-engagement efforts are not going according to plan.
Since taking over from the late Robert Mugabe following a military coup in November 2017, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has made it a top priority to reintegrate Zimbabwe into the international community after years of isolation.
Under Mugabe, Zimbabwe had become a pariah state due to rampant human rights violations, corruption and disregard for the rule of law.
Mnangagwa went beyond rhetoric in his endeavour to present Zimbabwe as a reformed state after the fall of Mugabe by even going to the World Economic Forum in Davos where he tried to sell his “new dispensation” mantra.
His government has hired not less than five public relations firms from the United States and Britain to lobby western capitals for the removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe beginning in 2001 due to governance deficits.
Zimbabwe is also lobbying hard for its readmission into the Commonwealth after Mugabe pulled out of the club of former British colonies after Harare was suspended for alleged shortcomings in democracy and the rule of law.
A successful lobby this year saw Sadc designating October 25 for a region wide campaign against sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
The campaign, however, had little impact and Moyo’s strongly worded statement against Nichols actually shows that relations between the two countries are now at an all-time low.
Mnangagwa’s government did not take kindly to the envoy’s candid interviews around the issue of sanctions where he described the frenzied campaign against the restrictions as a propaganda escapade meant to mask Harare’s failure to implement investment friendly policies, end the scourge of corruption and observe the rule of law.
The issues that Nichols listed that included unchecked human rights violations, abductions of government critics and restrictions on freedom of assembly and association are not new.
Zimbabweans have raised them repeatedly as the reasons behind their fears that there is no new dispensation after Mugabe.
They are issues that the government will have to deal with honestly if it entertains any hopes of shedding the pariah status that has invited economic misery for Zimbabweans for almost two decades now.
The money that is being spent on lobbying for the removal of the restrictions imposed by the western countries will just go to waste as long as the government is not willing to do the right things.
Lashing out at diplomats and threatening to expel them for saying the truth will only serve to condemn Zimbabwe into further international isolation.
The government knows what needs to be done and this is not the time for grandstanding.
Both Dynamos and Highlanders players battled with the pitch at Rufaro Stadium.
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:
His contract has been terminated with immediate effect.
Cape Town City has announced its decision to terminate coach Benni McCarthy’s employment with immediate effect.
In a statement in the early hours of Monday morning, the club said it reached the decision to terminate his employment following a run of performance that saw the club win two of the last 18 games.
“The club thanks Benni for his service over the last three seasons and wishes him well in his next endeavour.
“He now becomes an integral part of the club’s history and are proud of the successes we shared together.”
In the meantime, assistant coach Vasili Manousakis will take over as caretaker coach as the club prepares to appoint a new head coach.
“The future represents very exciting times for Cape Town City on and off the field, as we remain dedicated to our big plans and aspirations,” concluded the club.
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.
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.
DESPITE the age-old and enduring axiom having instructed that “silence is golden” many, and chiefly politicians, have failed to pay hid to this wise counsel. Many politicians, while finding it quite difficult, if not impossible, to speak when it matters, most have instead zealously gone into overdrive yapping about when they should be keeping quiet.
More than two years down the line after the so called new dispensation’s austerity measures have decimated livelihoods and knocked Zimbabwe’s economy upside down, as well as inside out the southern African nation’s 2030 middle income dream, Defence and War Veterans deputy minister Victor Matemadanda has suddenly found his voice and is now telling this trodden, bruised and hapless people that the hardships they are enduring will help achieve economic stability at a time there are no signs of any light at the end of the tunnel. This is nothing short of absurd.
“The last dispensation did not have financial discipline that resulted in printing of unsupported bond notes. President Mnangagwa embarked on austerity measures to re-rail the economy, but these have not been properly communicated to the people. These (austerity measures) have to be packaged well such that everyone knows where we are going and what we are going through. (The late former President Robert) Mugabe’s dispensation bled the economy.
Zimbabwe is like a person being treated of extreme blood loss whose recovery is painful,” Matemadanda is telling us.
Granted, the old dispensation printed bond notes that were not supported, however, Cde Matemadanda, if you may allow us to ask: Why did the new dispensation not get rid of the useless bond notes soon after it took over power in November 2017? And are the $1 billion-worth of new notes and coins now being printed in the same green and purple bond note colours supported? If they are supported, may our dear comrade care to school us on what exactly is now supporting this new currency and the bond notes they inherited when productivity is nearly zero? Has, since the old dispensation days, managed to manufacture a single gold bar to start building up the country’s reserves that hopefully will help strengthen the local currency?
Matemadanda is also telling us that the country’s disastrous austerity measures were not properly communicated. Who failed to communicate well, by the way? Is he insinuating that some among the new dispensation are poor communicators? And if “Zimbabwe is like a person being treated of extreme blood loss whose recovery is painful”, why does it appear that the person is being drained of all the blood left, given that incomes and savings have all been drained? Honestly speaking, what Matemadanda has told us is not making sense under the circumstances. With Zimbabweans now poorer than they were in the old dispensation, it sounds nonsensical that the austerity measures are fixing things.
Was the new dispensation not supposed to add more blood to the little blood it found in the system, rather than to drain the little left and hope to add its own new blood? Some things are better off if they remained unsaid, Cde Matemadanda.
