By Own Correspondent- In an interview with Bloomberg TV at the World Economic Forum in Capetown, President Mnangagwa said relations between Zimbabwe and the US are at their best since 2 decades ago when sanctions were imposed on Zimbabwe by the West.

The president was qouted saying:

We have rejoined the family of nations, I am happy that dialogue with the Trump administration is ongoing. I am happy with the progress we are so far making, which has never happened in the last 20 years.

We are moving at the pace of what is possible. We know where we want to go. We are beginning from the bottom of the trough. I am in charge of my country, and I must look at what is necessary to resurrect and to grow my economy

The president said these remarks barely 20 days after protests were violently thwarted by the police in front of the whole world.

-Bloomberg TV

By A Correspondent- The Multichoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela, has issued the following statement in response to xenophobic attacks currently underway in South Africa.

Said Mawela:

MultiChoice is committed to uniting Africans through our programming and cultural initiatives.

We advocate equality and condemn all forms of discrimination. The on-going violence in South Africa against foreign nationals, is against the spirit of Africa, and counter-productive to the decades of work done by African leaders and well-meaning organisations to unite the continent.

We are a proudly African company and although our story began in South Africa, today we represent the African continent in all its diversity through our presence across the region.

We embrace and celebrate the diversity of varied nationalities, traditions, cultures and religions from across the continent and beyond. This is demonstrated through our multinational staff complement, our multicultural supply chain, as well as the local and international content that we showcase on both our DStv and GOtv platforms.

We believe Africa’s full potential can only be realised through dialogue, peace, and unity.

By A Correspondent- The Mafikizolo show has been cancelled, Gemnation revealed.

The show was hanging in the balance since yesterday when people started circulating #MuteMafikizolo messages on social media in solidarity with Xenophobia attacks happening in South Africa right now.

A source that spoke to the publication said:

The show has been cancelled following a directive from the authorities regarding the security around the show.

The promoters of the show have not yet confirmed the development with one Blessing Jere not being reachable to comment on the alleged development.

By A Correspondent- Deputy Information Minister, Energy Mutodi has torched a war of words after describing Ndebele people as foreigners.

Mutodi was commenting on the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Former ZBC radio and television presenter Ezra Tshisa Sibanda described Mutodi’s remarks as reckless.

Said Sibanda:

While most Zimbabweans and Africans are angered by the killings of our people in South Africa, this Energy Mutodi comes out with the most appalling recorded video by anyone in Government, distorting the history of Matabeleland people big time.

This is insanity, totally misplaced rhetoric and very shallow thinking from someone who is suppose to be a deputy minister. Did Zimbabwe exist in 1836 and were there any borders? This guy is so naive to even try to compare the 2 scenarios. King Mzilikazi left South Africa, moved to the north rounding up tribes on the way and then settled in the southern part of now Zimbabwe.

He created a nation with various tribes he rounded up like Venda, Kalanga, Tonga, Shangaan, Sotho, Some Shona tribes, Ngunis etc and called it a Ndebele nation.

Mutodi is one of those people who inherited Mugabe DNA of dividing our people. Instead of talking about the sadistic treatment from blood thirsty blood dripping vampires who we call neighbours, he brings Matabeleland people into this sh*t.

He is a disgrace, l wonder why and how he is a deputy minister. He is inciting tribal war in Zim, he should be fired.”

Former Vice President, Phelekezela Mphoko, who is facing criminal abuse of office charges has requested to have his case tried in Bulawayo where he resides.

Mphoko is accused of  instructing some police officers to release from detention cells, former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive, Moses Juma, who was facing abuse of office. The former Vice President today appeared before Harare Provincial magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya facing charges of criminal abuse of office as a public officer as defined in Section 174 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Mphoko is currently on $1 000 bail. The State led by Mr George Manokore applied for the postponement to October 4 of the matter saying it was going to furnish Mphoko with a trial date on the day. Mr Mujaya questioned the Prosecution why the matter was referred to a trial court when it was not yet ready for trial.

Mr Manokore responded saying the matter was supposed to come for trial but they are deliberating on the issue of jurisdiction. Mphoko’s lawyer Mr Zibusiso Ncube of Ncube and Partners Legal Practitioners consented to the State’s application for postponement adding that they were not yet furnished with State papers since the matter came on a form 242. Mr Ncube further stated that the record is with the Prosecutor General who is yet to go through it.

“The accused is requesting that he be tried in Bulawayo not in Harare and the Prosecutor General has not consented or declined as he is still going through the record,” he said.

Mr Mujaya postponed the matter to October 4.

-State Media

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE BELOW…

Cape Town(New Ziana)-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday urged the South African government to deal with on-going xenophobic attacks being perpetrated against African foreigners by its citizens.

Speaking at a dinner event hosted in his honor by the Zimbabwe Diaspora Business Forum here, President Mnangagwa said the South African government should use a bit of force to quell the xenophobic attacks.

“I have no doubt that the authorities here will not fold hands. They must bring sanity and to do so, they must apply a bit of force,” he said.

President Mnangagwa’s remarks come as he joined other African leaders here to attend the 28th session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) for Africa which opens here on Wednesday.

South Africa has been hit by an outbreak of xenophobic violence in its biggest city, Johannesburg attracting criticism from other African nations in the week political and business leaders from at least 28 countries gather in Cape Town for WEF.

The spate of violence that broke out in suburbs south of Johannesburg’s city centre on Sunday and spread to the central business district on Monday saw the destruction of mainly foreign-owned shops and business premises, cars and properties.

Speaking at the same event, Zimbabwe Diaspora Business Forum chair Terry Mhungu condemned the xenophobic attacks.

“The continued xenophobia is a cause for concern for us here. We call on South Africa to exercise maximum force to protect foreigners living here. Xenophobia diminishes our ability as Sadc (Southern African Development Community) to fight poverty,” he said.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier on Tuesday vowed to clamp down on what he described as “acts of wanton violence”.

“I condemn the violence that has been spreading around a number of our provinces in the strongest terms. I’m convening the ministers in the security cluster today to make sure that we keep a close eye on these acts of wanton violence and find ways of stopping them. The people of our country want to live in harmony; whatever concerns or grievances we may have, we need to handle them in a democratic way. There can be no justification for any South African to attack people from other countries,” he said.

The South African police said at least five people, mostly locals were killed in the xenophobic attacks while 91 were arrested in connection with the violence.

South Africa is a major destination for economic migrants from other parts of the continent, including the Southern Africa region, with many moving from neighbouring Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe in search of work.

-State Media

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

Farai Dziva|MDC supporters are renegades who should not be given food aid, Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira has said.

Chadzamira made the remarks at a victory celebration rally for Mwenezi East legislator Joosbi Omar at Rutenga Growth Point on Saturday last week.

“Let me be clear on this issue, those who voted for the MDC should get food from Chamisa.

We cannot feed someone else’s children.Mwenezi belongs to Zanu PF and we will punish the rebels who betrayed us,”said Chadzamira.

Farai Dziva|Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira has blacklisted ward 8 in Mwenezi East Constituency for supporting the MDC .

Addressing party supporters in Mwenezi last Saturday Chadzamira declared the ward would not receive any form of aid.

“You will learn the hard way because you betrayed the ruling party.I will talk to all responsible authorities to cut all forms of aid to your ward,” said Chadzamira.

He said Mwenezi had since 1980 voted Zanu PF and the loss of Ward 8 to MDC was a big mistake.

Zanu PF won 17 out of the 18 wards in Mwenezi.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Farai Dziva|Controversial Deputy Information Minister, Energy Mutodi has torched a tribal war after describing Ndebele people as foreigners.

Mutodi was commenting on the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Former ZBC radio and television presenter Ezra Tshisa Sibanda described Mutodi’s remarks as reckless.See Sibanda’s response below:

While most Zimbabweans and Africans are angered by the killings of our people in South Africa, this Energy Mutodi comes out with the most appalling recorded video by anyone in Government, distorting the history of Matabeleland people big time.

This is insanity, totally misplaced rhetoric and very shallow thinking from someone who is suppose to be a deputy minister. Did Zimbabwe exist in 1836 and were there any borders? This guy is so naive to even try to compare the 2 scenarios. King Mzilikazi left South Africa, moved to the north rounding up tribes on the way and then settled in the southern part of now Zimbabwe.

He created a nation with various tribes he rounded up like Venda, Kalanga, Tonga, Shangaan, Sotho, Some Shona tribes, Ngunis etc and called it a Ndebele nation.

Mutodi is one of those people who inherited Mugabe DNA of dividing our people. Instead of talking about the sadistic treatment from blood thirsty blood dripping vampires who we call neighbours, he brings Matabeleland people into this sh*t.

He is a disgrace, l wonder why and how he is a deputy minister. He is inciting tribal war in Zim, he should be fired from his job.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said Zimbabwe is closely following developments in South Africa amid concerns over the violence targeting foreigners in the southern african country.

He commended the South African authorities for their response to the violence adding that his government was in regular contact with the nation’s Southern African counterparts.

Said Mnangagwa:

“We strongly condemn all forms of hate driven violence and applaud the South African Authorities for the swift way they have responded. We are closely following the situation in South Africa and are in regular contact with our South African counterparts.”

Cape Town(New Ziana)-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday urged the South African government to deal with on-going xenophobic attacks being perpetrated against African foreigners by its citizens.

Speaking at a dinner event hosted in his honor by the Zimbabwe Diaspora Business Forum here, President Mnangagwa said the South African government should use a bit of force to quell the xenophobic attacks.

“I have no doubt that the authorities here will not fold hands. They must bring sanity and to do so, they must apply a bit of force,” he said.

President Mnangagwa’s remarks come as he joined other African leaders here to attend the 28th session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) for Africa which opens here on Wednesday.

South Africa has been hit by an outbreak of xenophobic violence in its biggest city, Johannesburg attracting criticism from other African nations in the week political and business leaders from at least 28 countries gather in Cape Town for WEF.

The spate of violence that broke out in suburbs south of Johannesburg’s city centre on Sunday and spread to the central business district on Monday saw the destruction of mainly foreign-owned shops and business premises, cars and properties.

Speaking at the same event, Zimbabwe Diaspora Business Forum chair Terry Mhungu condemned the xenophobic attacks.

“The continued xenophobia is a cause for concern for us here. We call on South Africa to exercise maximum force to protect foreigners living here. Xenophobia diminishes our ability as Sadc (Southern African Development Community) to fight poverty,” he said.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier on Tuesday vowed to clamp down on what he described as “acts of wanton violence”.

“I condemn the violence that has been spreading around a number of our provinces in the strongest terms. I’m convening the ministers in the security cluster today to make sure that we keep a close eye on these acts of wanton violence and find ways of stopping them. The people of our country want to live in harmony; whatever concerns or grievances we may have, we need to handle them in a democratic way. There can be no justification for any South African to attack people from other countries,” he said.

The South African police said at least five people, mostly locals were killed in the xenophobic attacks while 91 were arrested in connection with the violence.

South Africa is a major destination for economic migrants from other parts of the continent, including the Southern Africa region, with many moving from neighbouring Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe in search of work.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- One person died on the spot while six others were injured when a Toyota Sprinter they were travelling in burst its rear left tyre and collided head-on with an Isuzu King Cab at the 11km peg along the Bulawayo-Gwanda road.

She identified the deceased as Joseph Nsingo and said his body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) mortuary for post mortem. “I can confirm the death of Joseph Nsingo (56) who sustained head injuries before dying on the spot,” she said.

“Preliminary investigations are that the now deceased was travelling in a registered Toyota Sprinter heading due West along the Bulawayo-Gwanda road, carrying four people on board.

“Upon reaching 11km peg, the vehicle burst its rear left tyre resulting in the driver losing control. It then encroached onto the lane of an oncoming Silver Isuzu King Cab heading due East along the Bulawayo-Gwanda road with one passenger on board resulting in a head-on collision. One person died on the spot while six others were injured.”

Ass Insp Msebele said speeding also contributed to the accident. She said the two vehicles were damaged and were towed to the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) in Bulawayo for examination.

“The Isuzu King Cab had a deformed bonnet, extensive frontal damages and shattered windscreen. The Toyota Sprinter also had extensive frontal damage, deformed driver and passenger door, dislodged rear and front left side wheels. Both vehicles were towed to VID Bulawayo for examination,” Asst Insp Msebele said.

She said the Bulawayo Central Traffic police attended the scene and further investigations into the accident are underway.

Asst Insp Msebele urged motorists to ensure that their vehicles and tyres are in good order before setting off on journeys. She said most tragic accidents are a result of speeding and motorists must desist from reckless driving.

By Own Correspondent| The City of Harare (CoH) has been ordered to pay more than US$3 000 to a motorist as compensation for damage to his vehicle which was battered after it fell into an unmarked ditch, which was left uncovered by the local authority’s employees.

With the assistance of Fiona Iliff of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Phillip Mutare, a motorist and his wife Mercy Mutare sued CoH
in November 2017 demanding payment of US$3 704 after their vehicle was extensively damaged on 20 May 2017 when it fell into an unattended trench in the middle of the road along Harare Drive in the capital.

In the summons, Iliff faulted the CoH for breaching its duty of care by failing to take reasonable precautions to protect motorists, and
other members of the public, from harm which was easily foreseeable and ought to have been guarded against.

The trench in which Mutare’s vehicle fell in, had been created by CoH employees as they were carrying out some repair works and was left unattended without any warning signs, lights, tape or barriers at the site of the hazard to protect members of the public or animals from falling in.

This resulted in Mutare’s vehicle falling headlong into the trench, causing the airbags to come out while his wife Mercy, sustained some
injuries on her wrist and shoulder as a result of the impact, as well as suffering emotional shock.

Iliff said Mutare and his wife only managed to exit the vehicle through the rear door and were assisted by some onlookers to climb out
of the trench.

As a result of the incident, the human rights lawyer said Mutare and Mercy suffered trauma and shock at encountering such a hazard in a public road and having their vehicle damaged including suffering physical harm.

While Mutare and his wife had demanded payment of a total of US$3 704, Harare Magistrate Yeukai Dzuda on Friday 30 August 2019 ordered CoH to pay the couple a total of US$3 204 of which US$2 604 is for special damages for the repair of their vehicle, US$100 to cover the cost of towing the vehicle from the scene after it was damaged and US$500 for emotional shock, trauma, pain, and the suffering they endured.

Mutare and his wife are the latest persons to successfully sue CoH after the local authority recently paid ZWL$2 500 as compensation to
Obvious Katambarare, a Harare resident who was injured owing to the local authority’s negligence after some dilapidated metal sheets fell on him at Mbare Musika bus terminus.

By A Correspondent- The Health Services Board (HSB) has said Treasury has agreed to adjust cost of living allowances and provide health-specific allowances to end the countrywide doctors’ strike that started yesterday.

According to the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association, doctors manning all Government hospitals “are not in a position to go to work due to inadequate salaries and allowances”.

However, in an interview yesterday, HSB chairperson Dr Paulinus Sikosana said negotiations were continuing to ensure that vulnerable members of the public did not suffer.

“We had an agreement with them as the health apex committee on the adjustment on the cost of living. The collective agreement, however, had conditionalities where doctors said they are not satisfied and we have since sent a request to Treasury which has been accepted,” said Dr Sikosana.

“We have already submitted the key scale salary document to Treasury that they provide for an adjustment and it has concurred saying resources are available to cater for the adjustments presented in the request.”

According to Dr Sikosana, HSB has also noted the request by doctors to have their cost of living allowances adjusted for the last quarter of the year.

“That will depend on the ability of the economy and Treasury to absorb the costs. So in the long term depending on the performance of the economy the Government has the intention to ensure all civil servants are able to have remuneration that will sustain them in this country,” added Dr Sikosana.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- A 27 year old Marondera man was on Sunday electrocuted while stealing overhead electricity cables.

The charred remains of Barnabas Mahwite, of Chokudenga Farm, was discovered by security guards at Kudenga Farm while on routine patrol.

Police later discovered more than 600m of cables stashed in sacks in a nearby bush.

Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident and bemoaned the increase in theft of power cables in Marondera.

“Theft of Zesa cables is now a menace that is affecting the supply of electricity to various sectors of the economy. Most hit are farms around Marondera area, in which criminals are targeting overhead copper cables,” he said.

“We are appealing to the public not to steal or tamper with Zesa cables. This is negatively affecting development and people must know that stealing Zesa cables has a mandatory sentence, which will make then languish in prison despite the dangers of causing death through electrocution.”

According to the police, on Sunday, around 10pm, Mahwite allegedly got electrocuted while attempting to steal live Zesa overhead copper cables at Kudenga Farm in Marondera.

He was in the company of an unidentified accomplice, who is on the run.

Mahwite’s charred body was recovered the following morning by security guards on patrol who filed a report at Marondera Rural Police Station.

Police officers and Zesa technicians attended the scene, where it was discovered that more than 600m of copper cables had been cut, rolled and stashed in some sacks hidden in a nearby bush.

The corpse was taken to Marondera Provincial Hospital for a post-mortem.

— NewsDay

By A Correspondent_ The highly-anticipated solidarity march that was scheduled for tomorrow, has been deferred to next week, due to President Mnangagwa’s unavailability.

Mnangagwa, is attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa in South Africa, and he was expected to address Zanu Pf supporters at the anti-sanctions march.

Zanu-PF secretary of Administration Dr Obert Mpofu yesterday said the solidarity march had been postponed to next week and urged all progressive citizens to put aside political affiliations and participate in the solidarity march.

“We want to make it a national event. The solidarity march will include the Government, civil society, students, the business community (and) all political parties, among others.

“The event is open to everyone,” said Dr Mpofu.

The solidarity march comes after SADC countries declared October 25 as a solidarity day against illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and resolved to conduct various activities in their respective countries on the day, to resoundingly call for the immediate removal of the sanctions.

The SADC Secretariat has since been tasked to escalate the lobby with the current African Union chairperson, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who will be expected to raise the issue at the 74th United Nations General Assembly later this month.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association will update regional counterparts on how illegal sanctions have crippled the country’s economy during the Former Liberation Movement (FLM) summit to be held in Victoria Falls next week.

This was said by the association’s national spokesperson, Cde Douglas Mahiya, who said war veterans’ representatives will also exchange notes on welfare issues.

“As you are aware, war veterans will meet with their regional counterparts at the FML summit. The summit comprises former liberation movements in Africa, from countries such as Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, and Angola.

“We will discuss a number of issues that need to be addressed, chief among them the effects of illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the agents of imperialism.

“We will also discuss the welfare of war veterans, years after independence,” said Cde Mahiya.

Cde Mahiya said war veterans will be kept up to speed on advances made by former colonisers through the use of cyber warfare as a means of spearheading regime change in Africa.

“The regional war veterans have always discovered a discrepancy in the implementation of the principles of the revolution.

“Mozambique used the same principles of the revolution that carried the Namibian war, Angola, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

“The principles wanted to create a new socio-economic structure. This is what was supposed to be produced by those principles.

“The new socio-economic structures would benefit the proletariat and the peasant. So that is what was supposed to be done when liberation movements took power from the colonial masters,” said Cde Mahiya.

He said regional war veterans’ organisations will also reflect on how much has been achieved by their governments that came into power as a result of human sacrifice.-StateMedia

INDUSTRY has rapped Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube over his “half-hearted approach” to the currency reforms, saying the continued use of the United States dollar in the market was undermining confidence in the local unit.

In June, government made the real-time gross settlement (RTGS) and bonds notes as well as coins the sole legal tender through statutory instrument (SI) 142 of 2019, ending a decade of dollarisation.

Ncube has, however, been inconsistent on whether the country would have a fiat currency or would continue using RTGS and bond notes as a currency.

He has also not been clear on when exactly the local currency would be introduced, further creating confusion on the market.

He recently wrote in the Financial Times, saying the country would have its fiat currency later in the year.

“As the former chief economist at the African Development Bank, I have witnessed the results of currency volatility across many contexts. I have seen what works — and the reverse. And that is why, in June of this year, the government made the RTGS — a quasi-currency that will act as a bridge to the introduction of a sovereign currency later this year — the sole legal tender in Zimbabwe,” Ncube wrote.

“The Zimbabwe dollar, comprising RTGS and bond notes, is now the designated sole legal tender in Zimbabwe — pending the rollout of a fiat currency later in the year. Initially, the government introduced it alongside the other currencies, with the intention of it becoming the main currency of exchange in place of the dollar, which would primarily be used as a reserve of value.”

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Henry Ruzvidzo said the half-hearted approach to mono-currency system was undermining confidence.

“Prospects for industry to year-end will depend on a number of important factors, which include foreign currency availability, electricity supply and general macro-economic stability. The macro environment has been highly volatile for most of the year and does not auger well for business performance,” Ruzvidzo said.

“A functional market for foreign currency requires liquidity and transparency. The continued half-hearted approach to the mono-currency system is undermining confidence in the local currency. The active support of the market by the monetary authorities is also important for stability.”More in Home

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Matabeleland Chapter president Golden Muoni said the interbank market, which was introduced to curb a booming parallel market for foreign currency and to make forex available, was yet to gain traction.

“We haven’t seen much of the performance in the interbank market,” he said.

Muoni said banks were still struggling with cash, a situation that was making their operations difficult.

“There is no change in the economy in terms of performance. We are yet to see whether civil servants salary increment would stimulate demand. Companies are producing, but the demand is very low. Currently, industry in Bulawayo is floating around 30 to 35% capacity,” he said.

Muoni called upon political leaders to sit down and dialogue over the country’s economic situation.

“Some of the challenges could be solved in no time if our politicians could sit down and dialogue,” he said.

-Newsday

Former Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Alderman Elliot Madanke Dube, has died.

Ald Dube (79) died on Friday and will be buried today at Lady Stanley Cemetery.

In a statement, Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni paid tribute to Ald Dube for his contribution towards the city’s upliftment and development.

He said Ald Dube tirelessly represented the underprivileged members of the society.

“His Worship the Mayor, Councillors of the City of Bulawayo, Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube, staff members and residents wish to convey our profound grief and sorrow to the Dube family at the death of Alderman Dube on the Friday 30 August 2019,” said Clr Mguni.

“His death has left a vacuum which the city will not be able to fill for many years to come. He was a gallant son of Bulawayo who played an important role in the development of the city.”

He said Ald Dube served as a councillor from 1983 to 2000, and held the deputy mayor post between 1993 and 1994.

“Alderman Dube was elected into office in 1983 and served as councillor for the Magwegwe West and Magwegwe North area until the year 2000, serving a total of 17 years in Council. He also served as Deputy Mayor of the City of Bulawayo for the 1993/1994 Municipal year,” said Clr Mguni.

He said Ald Dube was a member of Council in various committees such as the General Purposes Committee, Town Lands and Planning Committee, Health Housing and Amenities and Liquor Committee now known as the Health, Housing and Education Committee.

“He also served in various outside bodies such as the St John’s Ambulance Association, Zimbabwe Omnibus Company (ZOC), the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, Esigodini Ncema Intensive Conversation Area Committee,” said Clr Mguni.

“He also served in various internal committees such as the Bulawayo 100 Years Celebrations Committee, Matabeleland North Provincial Committee, Association of Union Councils, Bulawayo Twinning Committee, Bulawayo Medical Aid Society Committee of Management, Local Authorities Pension Fund and Bulawayo Municipal Employees Union.”

Mourners are gathered at his Pumula North house, number 7321/2. Ald Dube is survived by 12 children, 31 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Clr Mguni said a special council meeting will be held to honour Ald Dube before his burial.

He said Councillors, Aldermen and Freemen are to attend the meeting.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- Former Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Alderman Elliot Madanke Dube, has died.

Ald Dube (79) died on Friday and will be buried today at Lady Stanley Cemetery.

In a statement, Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni paid tribute to Ald Dube for his contribution towards the city’s upliftment and development.

He said Ald Dube tirelessly represented the underprivileged members of the society.

“His Worship the Mayor, Councillors of the City of Bulawayo, Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube, staff members and residents wish to convey our profound grief and sorrow to the Dube family at the death of Alderman Dube on the Friday 30 August 2019,” said Clr Mguni.

“His death has left a vacuum which the city will not be able to fill for many years to come. He was a gallant son of Bulawayo who played an important role in the development of the city.”

He said Ald Dube served as a councillor from 1983 to 2000, and held the deputy mayor post between 1993 and 1994.

“Alderman Dube was elected into office in 1983 and served as councillor for the Magwegwe West and Magwegwe North area until the year 2000, serving a total of 17 years in Council. He also served as Deputy Mayor of the City of Bulawayo for the 1993/1994 Municipal year,” said Clr Mguni.

He said Ald Dube was a member of Council in various committees such as the General Purposes Committee, Town Lands and Planning Committee, Health Housing and Amenities and Liquor Committee now known as the Health, Housing and Education Committee.

“He also served in various outside bodies such as the St John’s Ambulance Association, Zimbabwe Omnibus Company (ZOC), the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, Esigodini Ncema Intensive Conversation Area Committee,” said Clr Mguni.

“He also served in various internal committees such as the Bulawayo 100 Years Celebrations Committee, Matabeleland North Provincial Committee, Association of Union Councils, Bulawayo Twinning Committee, Bulawayo Medical Aid Society Committee of Management, Local Authorities Pension Fund and Bulawayo Municipal Employees Union.”

Mourners are gathered at his Pumula North house, number 7321/2. Ald Dube is survived by 12 children, 31 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Clr Mguni said a special council meeting will be held to honour Ald Dube before his burial.

He said Councillors, Aldermen and Freemen are to attend the meeting.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Highlanders Football Club will only replace the current coach, Mandla Mpofu with a foreign coach, it has emerged.

A local publication reported that Mpofu was reportedly given three games to save his job by Bosso club officials but results have continued to go against Madinda Ndlovu’s successor.

Since the six-point target was revealed, Highlanders fell 1-2 to Triangle and drew 1-1 against Mushowani Stars. The next match is against Hwange at the Colliery.

Meanwhile, Mpofu and his assistants, Bekithemba Ndlovu and Tembo Chuma can save their jobs if they beat Hwange and ensure that the club finishes the season in a respectable position.-StateMedia

By Patrick Guramatunhu- “Fellow South Africans, we cannot adopt quiet diplomacy when it comes to Zimbabwe. Reports are such that over 2 million Zim citizens went to bed hungry last night and every other.

The country is fast becoming a failed state, acts of violence on the rise therefore South Africa must intervene,” said Mmusi Maimane, the leader of SA Democratic Alliance party.

With unemployment a nauseating 90%, basic services such as health care all but collapsed, inflation now into four-digit figures, etc. there is no doubt that Zimbabwe is a failed state. We, in Zimbabwe, therefore welcome Maimane’s offer to help us get out of this mess.

The number one thing South Africans can do to help Zimbabwe is pressure President Cyril Ramaphosa and the SA government to accept the political reality that Zimbabwe is a pariah state ruled by corrupt, incompetent, vote rigging and murderous thugs.

The root cause of Zimbabwe’s economic meltdown is the 39 years of criminal waste of human and material resources through gross mismanagement and rampant corruption. No nation could sustain let alone thrive given such waste. The people of Zimbabwe could not stop the waste or remove from office those behind the misrule because Zanu PF rig elections.

When Mnangagwa stage the military coup to remove Mugabe, he promised to hold free, fair and credible elections. He never fulfilled that promise as he went on to blatantly rig the elections. The greatest disservice SA and the rest of the SADC countries did to Zimbabwe was to endorse the sham elections.

“The elections went well!” said President Ramaphosa. He lied!

Zimbabwe is a pariah state ruled by incompetent, corrupt, vote rigging and murderous thugs. The country’s economy is in a serious mess because it is near impossible to do business with these thugs. As long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state there will be no meaningful economic recovery.

Zimbabwe’s last year elections were a sham, Zanu PF does not have the mandate of the people to govern and should step down. The way out of this mess is for the country to appoint an interim administration that will be tasked to implement the democratic reforms to ensure free, fair and credible elections in future.

The greatest help DA and the people of SA can give Zimbabwe today is for SA to acknowledge that Zimbabwe’s last elections were not free, fair and credible that alone will go a long way to pressure Zanu PF to step down to allow reforms to be implemented and thus end the curse of rigged elections and pariah state.  

THE Health Service Board (HSB) has said Treasury has agreed to adjust the cost of living allowances and provide health specific allowances to end the countrywide doctors’ strike that started yesterday.

According to the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association, doctors manning all Government hospitals are not in a position to go to work due to inadequate salaries and allowances.

However, in an interview yesterday, HSB chairperson Dr Paulinus Sikhosana said negotiations are continuing to ensure that vulnerable members of the public do not suffer.

“We had an agreement with them as the Health Apex committee on the adjustment on the cost of living. The collective agreement, however, had conditionalities where doctors said they are not satisfied and we have since sent a request to Treasury which has been accepted,” said Dr Sikhosana.

“We have already submitted the key scale salary document to Treasury that they provide for an adjustment and it has concurred saying resources are available to cater for the adjustments presented in the request.”

According to Dr Sikhosana, HSB has also noted the request by doctors to have their cost of living allowances adjusted for the last quarter of the year.

“That will depend on the ability of the economy and treasury to absorb the costs. So in the long term depending on the performance of the economy the Government has the intention to ensure all civil servants are able to have remuneration that will sustain in this country,” added Dr Sikhosana.

— State Media

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe is negotiating with Zambia and Mozambique to secure electricity imports to augment the 400 MW being supplied by South Africa’s Eskom and the little being produced locally at Kariba and Hwange.

Speaking to reporters during a post-cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said that her Energy counterpart, Fortune Chasi has engaged the country’s eastern and northern neighbour. Said Mutsvangwa:

The minister (Chasi) also advised Cabinet that discussions with HCB of Mozambique and Zesco of Zambia for the provision of additional power imports are on-going.

The minister expressed hope that the discussions will soon be concluded, thereby further improving the electricity supply situation in the country.

The country has been in the throes of unprecedented power cuts due to low water levels at Kariba Dam, the site of a hydropower plant, which is by far the most reliable source of power for Zimbabwe.

While authorities blame a drought for the low water levels, some analysts claim that water was depleted quickly due to overuse.

Hwange Thermal Power Stations experiences intermittent breakdowns and cannot be relied upon. Currently, there are three electricity units that have broken down at the station.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The water levels in Lake Kariba now at 478.38m (20% usable storage) as of September 2, 2019.

This is significantly lower than the level at the same time in 2018. The level was 486.19m (80% full).

According to the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), Kariba is designed to operate between levels 475.50m and 488.50m (with 0.70m freeboard) for hydropower generation.

State Media|THE Health Service Board (HSB) has said Treasury has agreed to adjust the cost of living allowances and provide health specific allowances to end the countrywide doctors’ strike that started yesterday. 

According to the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association, doctors manning all Government hospitals are not in a position to go to work due to inadequate salaries and allowances. 

However, in an interview yesterday, HSB chairperson Dr Paulinus Sikhosana said negotiations are continuing to ensure that vulnerable members of the public do not suffer. 

“We had an agreement with them as the Health Apex committee on the adjustment on the cost of living. The collective agreement, however, had conditionalities where doctors said they are not satisfied and we have since sent a request to Treasury which has been accepted,” said Dr Sikhosana. 

“We have already submitted the key scale salary document to Treasury that they provide for an adjustment and it has concurred saying resources are available to cater for the adjustments presented in the request.” 

According to Dr Sikhosana, HSB has also noted the request by doctors to have their cost of living allowances adjusted for the last quarter of the year. 

“That will depend on the ability of the economy and treasury to absorb the costs. So in the long term depending on the performance of the economy the Government has the intention to ensure all civil servants are able to have remuneration that will sustain in this country,” added Dr Sikhosana. 

State Media|A breakdown of three power generation units at Hwange Thermal Power Station recently, has seen Zesa increasing load-shedding across the country, Cabinet has observed.

This reverses the improvement in electricity availability that citizens had started experiencing following an increase in imports from South Africa.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa told journalists yesterday during a post Cabinet briefing that Zesa was working around the clock to stabilise the situation while negotiations with Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) of Mozambique and Zesco of Zambia were at an advanced stage, a situation that is expected to see a significant improvement in power supply.

“Cabinet received the weekly power and energy supply status report for the country from the Minister of Energy and Power Development (Advocate Fortune Chasi). The minister indicated that, whereas the electricity supply situation had begun to register significant improvement following the resumption of imports from Eskom (of South Africa), the situation recently took a dip owing to the break-down of three electricity generation units at the Hwange Thermal Power Station,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

“The Minister (Adv Chasi), however, assured Cabinet that the situation should stabilise within a few days’ time, since two of the three broken-down units are now expected to return to service soon. Furthermore, the minister also advised Cabinet that discussions with HCB of Mozambique and Zesco of Zambia for the provision of additional power imports are ongoing.

“The minister expressed hope that the discussions would soon be concluded, thereby further improving the electricity supply situation in the country.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet was concerned about theft of Zesa power cables and transformers in many parts of the country.

She said steps are underway to introduce stern measures to deal with all those involved in this heinous crime.

The reduction of power supply saw Zesa Holdings reverting to Stage Two load-shedding schedule hardly two weeks after assuring consumers of significant relief.

Last month, Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira indicated that they had downgraded load-shedding from Stage Two to Stage One after it started receiving 400MW from Eskom.

However, before most consumers had improved supplies, Zesa announced an increase in load-shedding due to depressed generation of power.

Writing on his Twitter handle last week, Mr Gwasira said; “Load-shedding is at Stage 2. The small Stage 1 generators, whilst online, are producing very little and a major Stage 2 unit gone out for repairs. Shedding has increased phenomenally.”

State run Herald newspaper reports that police are analysing video footage in which a man, the media house believes to be Chitungwiza Mayor Councillor Lovemore Maiko of the MDC, torching a ZBC vehicle opposite Town House in Harare on August 26, 2016.

This was during a demonstration organised by Tajamuka pressure group.

According to the video footage which made rounds violent scenes are witnessed wherein a mob burns a ZBC vehicle. The man who the media claims to be Clr Maiko is seen rushing towards a parked ZBC vehicle with cardboard boxes which he throws inside and a fire erupts, with billowing smoke. The man is wearing a blue and gold T-shirt with a United States of America flag.

During his act, scores of mobsters are heard cheering as the car continues to burn.

To sensationalise their claims, The Herald says it was suddenly inundated with calls on Monday from members of the public who said the person in the video was the controversial mayor of Chitungwiza.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has through the years flighted images and a video of the suspected hooligans on the national broadcaster, notifying the public that the assailants are on their wanted list.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that police were seeking public help to identify the suspects to further investigations.

“We have observed that some people have been identified on separate violent incidences which have been occurring in the country particularly in Harare since 2016 to date.

“These people have been captured in videos and photos that is the reason why we are appealing to the members of the public to help in identifying, locating and apprehending them. We strongly suspect that they have caused a lot of damage to property as is seen in one of the videos,” he said.

Suspected Zanu PF militant supporters on Monday assaulted Maiko at council offices after serving the Town Clerk George Makunde with a suspension letter as the Zanu PF Mashonaland central provincial executive member faces abuse of office and incompetence.

Ahead of the aborted Chitungwiza full council meeting Monday, mayor Maiko recounted how he was assaulted by a gang led by some known land barons allegedly linked to Zanu PF.

Appearing unperturbed, Emmerson Mnangagwa flew into Cape Town, South Africa yesterday to attend the World Economic Forum amid rumours that some African countries are boycotting the event due to massive Xenophobic violence in the host country.

Rwanda, DRC and Malawi were last night indicated in media reports to be sceptical about sending representatives to the forum in protest against the killing of their citizens by South Africans.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa is being launched in that country’s coastal city on Wednesday and participating nations are to deliberate on issues that should shape the continent’s future in terms of sustainable development, innovation, digitisation and governance.

The meeting was expected to see the convergence of at least 1 000 regional and global leaders in politics, business, civic society, media and the academia before the xenophobia issues gave a dent to it.

By the end of day yesterday, it was only his opponent Nelson Chamisa who had issued a statement on the plight of the country’s citizens. As the day stretched into the night, there was not a word from Mnangagwa, with Chamisa tweeting-

Extremely disturbed by violence and xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Decisive action to protect all in South Africa and stopping any attacks on fellow Africans is key. Fixing the Zimbabwean crisis is a priority. President @CyrilRamaphosa help Zimbabweans to help themselves.

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) September 3, 2019

Under the theme: “Shaping Inclusive Growth and Shared Future in the Fourth Industrial Revolution”, the meeting comes at a time when the continent is seeking solutions to overcome challenges such as economic inequality, rising unemployment and a growing youth population demanding a fair share of the cake.

Statistics show that by 2025 half of the continent’s population will comprise the youth, hence the need to take serious consideration of this demographic in its development discourse.

Women also need to be given space as key partners in development.

The meeting is expected to launch an Africa growth programme to facilitate enterprise development through securing effective funding from investors and institutions. Funding constraints have affected business growth in most economies on the continent.

WEF Africa 2019 will also explore new models to help the continent achieve success at a time when technology is creating economic and societal shifts.

Other areas of focus here include skills and education, ocean economy, free trade and commerce, and the effects of the drone technology on economies. – Agencies/State Media

A 34-year-old Chimanimani woman has appeared in court on allegations of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.

The prosecution is alleging that Ruth Moyo from Chief Muusha’s area forced the teenager to watch pornographic material before manipulating him into sleeping with her.

Moyo is the minor’s sister-in-law.
She took advantage of the absence of other family members to allegedly commit the offence.

The victim reported the abuse to his brother, who alerted the police, leading to Moyo’s arrest.

Moyo appeared before Chipinge magistrate Mr Joshua Nembaware on Monday and was granted $500 bail.
She will return to court on September 11 for trial.State media

Students at Midlands State University (MSU) have expressed concern over high rentals being charged for off-campus accommodation which are now beyond the reach of many.

Most students at the university, which has limited on-campus accommodation, are normally accommodated in homes in surrounding suburbs like Senga, Nehosho and KMP.

Students who spoke to this publication said most house owners reviewed their rentals by over 200 percent, while others were now demanding rentals in foreign currency.State media

THE solidarity march that was scheduled for tomorrow, has been deferred to next week, due to President Mnangagwa’s unavailability owing to other national duties.

The President, who is attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa in South Africa, was expected to address thousands of people at the anti-sanctions march.

The march has since been upgraded to national event status.
The march is in solidarity with President Mnangagwa for assuming the chairmanship of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation at the just ended 39th SADC Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Further, the march is in support of SADC member states that have joined the campaign for the removal of illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States and the European Union.

The sanctions have decimated the economy, especially the manufacturing sector, which is now contending with antiquated equipment, resulting in high costs of production and consequently high prices of finished goods.

Zanu-PF secretary of Administration Dr Obert Mpofu yesterday said the solidarity march had been postponed to next week and urged all progressive citizens to put aside political affiliations and participate in the solidarity march.State media

Farai Dziva|Deputy Information Energy Mutodi has claimed that the MDC does not have the capacity to rule Zimbabwe.

Said Mutodi: “It doesn’t need a rocket scientist to tell the opposition party is going nowhere.

Foreign Ambassadors such as the US ambassador Brain Nichols and EU ambassador Timo Olkkonen need an orientation to understand how the country has established its statehood.

It is laughable to expect an MDC government in the near future.

With a two thirds majority in Parliament, ZANU PF is firmly in control of the country’s political affairs and will remain in the lead for several years to come.

For Glenview, it is time to ask why the past was better than now especially why a once thriving urban suburb has turned into a rural area.

It is important to ask why the MDC is campaigning to restore the very same things that were in place when they took over the suburb from ZANU PF nearly 20 years ago.”

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has called for unity across the African continent.

Below is Chamisa’s full statement :

The attacks against fellow Africans in South Africa are appalling and heartbreaking. We call upon our African brothers and sisters to show a full sense of brotherhood and sisterhood consistent with the timeless wisdom of Ubuntu. Brother against brother or Sister against sister is inimical to Ubuntu.

Extremely disturbing are scenes and sights of violence and horrendous attacks in South Africa. It is time to take decisive action to protect all in South Africa and stop any attacks on fellow Africans. Priority must be given to individual security & stopping of all manner and forms of violence.

While these attacks are routinely described as xenophobic, it is evident that they target black Africans. These are deliberate and systematic attacks based on race and country of origin rather than foreignness alone. The resulting conflict is terrible for our communities because they foment hatred and tensions between people. We need to correctly characterise what is happening in South Africa not as xenophobia but as Afrophobia, as the attacks are not necessarily against foreigners but against fellow black Africans.

The irony is on why an African should be Afrophobic. True, we need to solve the challenges in fellow African countries that have led to many leaving their own countries but the irony remains that Africans would feel unwelcome both in Europe as well as in a fellow African State. If Africans are unsafe in Africa, where else should they go?

While we acknowledge that South Africa, like many other African countries has problems of inequality, joblessness, social service delivery, poverty and illegal immigration. Violence and impunity is not the answer to these problems.

If we allow violence and brutality in society to be used as an instrument to resolve challenges, it inevitably spreads to all facets of life including affecting women and children. Violence in all its ugly forms and manifestations, be it towards women and children, citizens, illegal immigrants or any other human being for that matter is simply unacceptable.

In Africa, we have always been at each other’s throat since we were put on this earth by God
fighting over everything or anything, fighting over borders or boundaries, fighting over water, fighting over food, fighting over political parties, fighting over property, fighting over tribes, fighting over ideology, fighting over faith and religion. Yet we hardly ever engage in a civilized contest over strategy, ideas and thought.

As Africans we need as a matter of urgency to stop violence against each other.

Already, we have seen business being disrupted and commerce being disturbed as truckers that use South African routes fear for their lives. Threats of retaliation against South African drivers and businesses in other parts of the continent demonstrate that this is a vicious cycle in which there is no winner.

More significantly, this violence is concentrated among the poor and vulnerable of our societies. It is the poor killing the poor. Over the years, it has emerged that acts of violence are often caused and are directed by the cruel selfish elites. If we fix our political challenges, there would be no need for circumstances of undue hardships and animosity.

Other nationals are in South Africa principally because politics and leadership ineptitude has made other African countries uninhabitable. They vote with their feet, seeking greener pastures. Yet there, they find hell as they clash with equally vulnerable and happiness-seeking locals. It becomes a running battle between the poor. We can solve this by fixing our messy politics.

This is why we find it incredulous when our brother leaders in the region look aside when our government brutalises citizens. Where do the oppressed go? To the neighbours. That is why we have always said Zimbabwe’s problems are also our neighbours’ domestic challenges. Illegal immigration is a product of nurturing dictatorship in our neighbourhoods.

Time has now come to think seriously about the New Africa we deserve. We must collectively, as Africans, examine critically the utility of maintaining colonial boundaries and borders which give a false sense of division and exceptionalism. The divisions made in Berlin more than 100 years ago still divide us. We need a post-Berlin conference African consensus to shape a New Africa to the satisfaction of our ideals, imaginations, hopes and aspirations.

In the long run, Africa should move towards removing colonial borders, having one passport and establishing a single currency and a single market. We must build our internet exchange points, continent-wide television networks, proper road, rail and flight links. We have started well with a continental free trade area. We dare do more!

The great Kwame Nkrumah famously said, “Our independence is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of Africa,” The declaration encapsulated the sense of brotherhood that defined the struggles for liberation. We should never lose that spirit, even today as many of our citizens across the continent suffer under brutal regimes.

We urgently need A New Africa where African brotherhood is the common denominator. A New Africa where the African Union plays a more dynamic role in solving African problems and is at the forefront of pushing the African youth development agenda.

A better tomorrow and a NEW AFRICA does not just happen, it must be designed and now is the time to build on these fundamentals and construct: The Africa We want and deserve.

Our dear South African brothers and sisters, we appreciate your being tired of those you estimate to be foreign, but please help us lobby for intervention of SADC and South Africa to fix Zimbabwe’s politics by helping Zimbabweans resolve the legitimacy and governance crisis caused by the disputed July 2018 Presidential election and on-going poor performance.

When Zimbabwe was stable and thriving we never had these problems of illegal immigration. In fact our South African brothers and sisters were coming to Zimbabwe to seek refuge from apartheid, to learn and do business. That’s the way it should be.

Fixing Zimbabwe will reduce South Africa’s problems. Fixing Zimbabwe will restore its citizens’ dignity and hope. Similarly fixing Somalia, DRC and Nigeria, among other countries, will go a long way in stabilizing Africa and reducing the problem of tensions and hate.

So many people died to free Africa. We can’t have more people dying in a free Africa.

I appeal to President Cyril Ramaphosa and South Africa to help Zimbabweans help themselves through a credible and genuine political dialogue to put in place transitional mechanism that will pave way for comprehensive political and economic reforms, a lasting solution to returning Zimbabwe to freedom, legitimacy and democracy.

To our leaders and fellow citizens of SADC, when any country sneezes the whole region catches a cold. A sick and weak Zimbabwe will always be an albatross around the necks of all the other countries in the region and indeed on the continent. Please help us help ourselves.

Lastly, with developments in South Africa, I call for enough mechanisms and measures to be put in place to ensure the security and protection of all Zimbabwean citizens. Section 35(3)(a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe obliges the state as a peremptory duty and mandatory obligation, to protect citizens wherever they maybe. This right is available to all citizens in and outside Zimbabwe.

New Africa is the way to go

We need a new way, a new dawn on the continent.

Africa must unite on values of freedom democratic values, free fair elections and prosperity for its people. SADC must be a people’s community not a community of its leaders alone. The African Union must be truly an African people’s Union.

We can’t be Africa without Africans.
Building a better Africa for all
Let’s build a great Africa for all
God bless Africa and heal the world!

Adv Nelson Chamisa
President – Movement For Democratic Change

By A Correspondent- At 83, Gogo Josephine Jamu of Highfield, feels she still has more years to live.

Gogo Jamu was caught by surprise by her grandchildren who threw a birthday party for her at her Highfield residence on Saturday, where fun was the order of the day.

To plan for the surprise, her grandchildren moved her to Budiriro on Thursday and brought her back to Highfield on Saturday only to be greeted by people singing ‘Happy Birthday Gogo’.

It was, however, her acceptance speech that caught the attention of those in attendance as she revealed the secrets to longevity.

Gogo Jamu reveals self-discipline and love as the significant factors to long life.

“This kind of love makes me feel that I am surrounded by people who love me. That alone gives me the belief that I will be with you for more years to come.

“But something I know is that most of you will not be able to reach 83 years. There are a lot of factors that lead to long-life. You just need to be self-disciplined and love one another.

“When you love, you are also loved and that alone leads to a stress free life. Always smile, share lighter moments with everyone,” she said.

Her sentiments proved truthful as relatives and friends described her as a ‘superwoman’.

One of her grandchildren and namesake, Josephine, said they have learnt a lot from their grandmother and it was worth throwing a party for her.

Gogo Jamu was presented with several birthday presents including blankets, clothes, shoes and money among other goodies.

The birthday cake resembled Gogo Jamu’s Salvation Army uniform.

The event, which saw people partying until late night, had a number of activities with lucky attendees going home smiling.

There were about nine draws for items like headphones, shavers, watches and the grand prize of a Samsung Galaxy J2 which were sponsored by one of the grandchildren, Spencer Garufu.

The draws required people to buy raffle tickets for $5 and $10 to enter the competition.

The lucky winner for grand prize, Rudo Jamu, was presented her prize by the ‘birthday girl’.

– HMetro

By A Correspondent- A 30 year old HIV positive woman from Lupane allegedly committed suicide by throwing herself into a 22-metre deep well at her parents’ homestead when her condition worsened after defaulting on her Anti-Retroviral (ARV) treatment.

Acting Matabeleland North police spokesperson, Sergeant Namatirai Mashona, confirmed the incident which took place at Mr Toffee Gumpo’s homestead in Mateteni Village under Chief Mabhikwa on Tuesday last week.

Sgt Mashona said according to the family, the now deceased identified as Geli Gumpo had been sick for some time after defaulting on her medication.

She said goodbye to her mother Ms Simani Sibanda before jumping into the well.

“On 27 August, Geli Gumpo, who was seriously ill after defaulting on ARV medication, was at home with her mother Ms Simani Sibanda and father Mr Toffee Gumpo. They all retired to their separate bedroom huts at 9PM.

“On the 28th of August at 1AM, Mr Gumpo heard some noise from the direction of the kitchen where the deceased was sleeping and asked his wife to go and investigate,” said Sgt Mashona.

She said Ms Sibanda went out to check and found her daughter standing near the well which is about 15 metres away from the kitchen hut.

Ms Sibanda reportedly asked Geli what she was doing at the well.

She reportedly responded by saying: “Lisale kuhle mama (goodbye mother)” before allegedly jumping into the well in full view of her shocked mother.

“Geli Gumpo immediately jumped into the 22-metre deep well and drowned,” said Sgt Mashona.

Ms Sibanda alerted her husband who then informed neighbours.

A report was made to the police who attended the scene.

Police retrieved the body on Wednesday with the help of some villagers.

Lupane resident magistrate Mr Ndumo Masuku waived post-mortem as no foul play was suspected.

Gumpo was buried at her parents’ homestead on Thursday last week.

By A Correspondent- Police are hunting scores of individuals who were captured on camera in various fora allegedly committing acts of public violence in the last four years.

Pictures of the wanted people have been released on social media platforms including on the police Twitter handle (@PoliceZimbabwe).

The government is clamping down on public violence as it moves to create an enabling environment for socio-economic prosperity, a key to achieving vision 2030.

Anyone with information can contact their nearest police station or telephone numbers 0242703631, 0242748836.