A Pastor at Fountain of Life Ministry has appeared in court facing 12 counts of fraud for allegedly defrauding congregants of over US$11 000 and over R3 000 whom he had promised to secure studying places and help them import cars.

The man of the cloth, Pastor Christopher Mudawarima (36) pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Zvishavane Magistrate Mr Archie Wochiunga. He was remanded in custody to August 29.

It is the State’s case that on October 23 in 2015, Mudawarima approached Juannita Ndlovu alleging that he was connected to administrators at Marondera School of Nursing. He asked Ndlovu to pay him US$430 so as to help her secure a place at the nursing school.

During the same month, the accused misrepresented to Password Chilanda, Nelly Dliwayo and Aaron Tolani that he was selling cars which he imported from Japan. As a result, the four complainants paid US$3 954 to the accused as instalments for the cars.

The court heard that in November 2015, Mudawarima approached Richard Mugandani and Edwin Tagwirei alleging that he was a car dealer and can get cheaper cars for them. Mugandani and Tagwirei paid US$1 882 to the accused who then vanished into thin air.

In December 2015, Mudawarima defrauded Winnie Charashika of US$775 after promising to help her secure a studying place at Mutare Teachers’ College. During the same month, he also defrauded Goddard Moyo of US$2 582 after promising to help him buy a car at a cheaper price.

In February 2016, the accused conned Brenda Nyaguze and Yukai Charumbira of US$2 550 after promising to help them secure places to study at Marondera Nursing School.

In March 2016, he misrepresented to Antony Mandizvidza that he was an Administrator at Paramount Teachers’ College before asking for US$566 and R3 700 to help him get a place at the same institution. The court heard that the accused used the money he got from the complaints amounting to US$11 464 and R3 700 to buy two cars and a residential stand. A report was made to the police leading to Mudawarima’s arrest.

-State Media

A GROUP of five men reportedly ambushed a Filabusi couple, threatened the man who fled from the scene before one of them raped the woman.

Kennedy Wonder Ndlovu (23) of Marumba B Village in Filabusi was not asked to plead when he appeared briefly before Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi facing a rape charge last week. He was remanded in custody to 9 September for trial.

Prosecuting, Miss Ethel Mahachi said Ndlovu raped the woman on 13 February at around 3am while she was on her way from a nightclub with her boyfriend.

“On 13 February at around 3am the complainant and her boyfriend left Sibiya Nightclub in Theleba Business Centre in Filabusi where they had been drinking and proceeded home. After they had walked a distance of about 500 metres from the nightclub they were approached by a group of five men who were flashing torches and Ndlovu was among them.

“Ndlovu produced a catapult and threatened to assault the complainant’s boyfriend who fled from the scene leaving his girlfriend behind. Ndlovu dragged the complainant into the bush for a distance of about 100 metres while his friends followed,” he said.

Miss Mahachi said Ndlovu pulled the complainant into a disused mine about five metres deep and raped her while his friends watched. She said after he was done Ndlovu and his friends left and he forgot his catapult and a black hat at the scene.

Miss Mahachi said the complainant went back to the business centre where she sought assistance and the matter was reported to the police. The police attended the scene and recovered Ndlovu’s belongings. She said Ndlovu who was on the run was arrested on July 10.

Meanwhile, a 38-year-old Bulawayo man has been arrested for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl who is a Form Four pupil at a local college.

The man from Queens Park West who cannot be named to protect the identity of the minor, pleaded guilty when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Franklin Mkhwananzi last week. 

Prosecuting, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo told the court that on 31 July, the girl was coming from a butchery in the area when she met the man who was driving along the way. The man however, drove along Free Road and upon reaching Robert Mugabe Way, he turned at the Post Office into Cardigan Road towards a bush.

Then along the way he suddenly parked his car. The court also heard that he then jumped to the passenger’s seat where the girl was seated and opened a condom. He adjusted the seat and raped the girl once.

After the incident he threatened the complainant not to tell anyone what had happened. The case was later reported to Queens Park police station leading to the man’s arrest.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- Cheneso Clara Mumbire (42) and Claudus Chigwere (41), last week appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Jochonia Ncube to answer to charges of forgery.

The duo was remanded out of custody to 28 August 2019 for trial after they were arrested for allegedly forging a hospital stamp to generate fake birth certificates. 

Presenting the State’s case, Mr Nathan Marime said the duo used a record book belonging to the Registrar General’s office, in committing the crime.

“Allegations are that on 30 July 2019 and at Manly Court corner 13th Avenue and Simon Parirenyatwa St, Mumbire and Chigwere plotted to fake a date stamp for Mpilo hospital. Chigwere then processed the date stamp while he was at Hi-gate Complex along Fort Street opposite Pick ‘n’ Pay supermarket,” said Mr Marime.

The court heard that Chigwere who was now in possession of a fake date stamp and birth record serial numbers 0930236 to 0930335 lured one Miss Evelyn Tavengwa who has two children without birth certificates and offered to assist her with birth records.

“Two fake birth records where processed with serial number 0930242 and 0930243 stamped with a fake Mpilo date stamp in the name Absolom Masasa aged four years and Jacob Masasa aged three years old. The mother took the birth records to Bulawayo Registrar’s office for processing.

“The Registrar discovered that the two records were not genuine and he alerted the police leading to the duo’s arrest,” said Mr Marime.

He said the police found two birth records and processed baby cards. Mumbire and Chigwere led the police to Hi-gate Complex, where they recovered a stamp which they used to serialise the receipt book.

“The police led by Mumbire and Chigwere went to Mumbire’s place of residence where a fake birth record with serial numbers 0930236 and 0930335, affidavits in the name Beauty Ncube and Bethina Sibanda which were yet to be deposited before the commissioner of oaths were found,” said Mr Marime.

The court heard that the police approached the Registrar General’s office and recovered a processed birth certificate record with serial number 0930323 in the name of Nonhlanhla as the child and Ruth Ncube as the mother. The fake record book, affidavits and birth records were recovered.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba has reportedly dismissed and poured cold water on circulating reports that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has returned from China.

Online media platforms posted that Chiwenga spoke to President Emmerson Mnangagwa by phone on Monday, according to Charamba, and the VP is continuing treatment in China.

Reports that circulated on Saturday said the ailing General landed in the country in the company of Chinese medical expert who had come to attend him.

Chiwenga was airlifted to China in July from South Africa after his sickness worsened.

He is being attended in China by doctors from China, Zimbabwe, South Africa and India.

Chiwenga became sick in November 2017 during the bloody coup that ended 37 years of President Robert Mugabe’s rule.

A South African pastor Alph Lukau said Chiwenga had stepped on a lion’s tail and needed spiritual help lest he dies.

On Saturday there was rumour saying the ailing Vice President General Chiwenga has arrived in the country to continue with his road to recovery a website edited by Award winning journalist Elias Mambo Zimmorning post has reported.

The former Military strongman was reported to be accompanied by a team of medical experts from China.

Political analyst Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya posted on Twitter that people should be excited because the General was getting better.

“Don’t listen to rumors, Gen VP Chiwenga is well and recovering big time. Get this from the Zaka villager. Calm down fellow citizens! The next few months are going to be very interesting in Zanu-PF politics. Take note fellow compatriots!”

Ruhanya also said Zimbabweans needs factions in ZANU PF for the party to collapse.

“ZANU PF and Zimbabwe politics without factional and elite fights do not mean anything to me. For authoritarian erosion, breakdown and possible collapse factions in ZANU PF must not die. That’s why Gen VP Chiwenga must be part of the dynamics than celebrating his demise.”

A 79-year-old Kwekwe man has been slapped with a four-month jail term for failing to control a fire which went on to burn a nearby TeleCash booth, destroying property worth thousands of dollars.

Juaki Smart of House Number 21 Rusununguko Road in Redcliff, was doing land preparation and burning maize shrubs in his field when he failed to control the fire which went on to burn down the booth which was only a few metres away. 

He was arrested and arraigned before Kwekwe magistrate Mr Tayengwa Sangster facing charges of negligently causing serious damage to property.

Mr Sangster sentenced him to four months imprisonment before he suspended the sentence on condition that Smart restitutes a total of $3 185,60 before 30 October 2019. The State proved that on 13 August this year along Rutendo Road near Chemhere Business Centre, Smart was doing land preparation in a field.

The fire which he was using to burn the shrubs in his field however, ended up being blown by wind thereby burning a TeleCash booth belonging to Ms Caroline Mushayandebvu. Ms Mushayandebvu reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the man.

Meanwhile, a Kwekwe man has been slapped with a three-year jail term for allegedly kidnapping and assaulting a rival following a wrangle involving mining explosives. 

Honest Mandiku (24) in company of two others, James Mpofu, Clifford Phiri and Bekhithemba Sicha, who are still at large, allegedly bundled Mr Zivanai Kamunhukamwe into an unregistered vehicle before they took him away and tortured him before dumping him by the roadside.

Mandiku appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Mr Storey Rushambwa facing kidnapping or unlawful detention and assault charges and was sentenced to 36 months in prison.

Mandiku will however, serve an effective 24 months behind bars after Mr Rushambwa suspended 12 months on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecuting, Mr Freddy Ndoro proved that on 4 May this year around 12pm, at Blackman compound, Mandiku and three other accused who are still at large, approached the complainant who was drinking beer at a bar in Amaveni.

The gang then accused the complainant of stealing their mining explosives and slapped him on the face before they manhandled him and forced him into the back-seat of an unregistered blue Toyota Mark 2 vehicle before they sped off.

They then drove, the court further heard, to Zesa Mine in Kwekwe, approximately five kilometres outside Kwekwe Central Business District without the complainant’s consent.

Upon arrival, Mandiku allegedly hit the complainant with an iron bar twice on the back and other accused persons also assaulted him all over the body with open hands, forcing him to agree that he had indeed taken the explosives despite him having no knowledge of their whereabouts.

They then bundled him back into the car and sped off before dropping him at Gokwe turn-off.

The complainant was discovered by passersby drenched in blood and ferried him to Kwekwe General Hospital where he was treated and discharged.

From the beatings, Mr Kamunhukamwe sustained injuries on the right arm, leg, knee and suffered backache.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- A Form two girl in Chinhoyi is now looking forward to enrolling for Lower Sixth after successfully sitting for the ZIMSEC Ordinary Level examinations in June at the age of 13.

Buhle Ukaka got 5 Bs in English Language, Geography, History, Commerce and Accounts and a C in Economics and is now ready to join the Lower Sixth class, which is already in its final term of the year.

Speaking to the state media, Ukaka said she is inspired by her sister Sifiso who has also made headlines after she sat for her ordinary level examinations and scored 7As and 1b, while she was still in form 3.

Sifiso has now completed her Advanced level with 10 points in science subjects at the age of 16. Chinhoyi High School Head, Dr Savious Mutopa said he has no problems in enrolling the 13 year old for advanced level studies as the issue is not on skipping levels but on the readiness of the learner.

Buhle’s mother, Mrs Blantina Ukaka, who is a teacher at the same school, concurred with Dr Mutopa, describing Buhle as a self-starter and an extrovert who will not find it difficult to mingle with older learners.

The achievements by the Ukaka sisters have sent a strong message to parents to give equal opportunities to boys and girls as they are all capable of shining.-StateMedia

Jane Mlambo|Following the gazetting of an announcement by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission that they are investigating Prophetic Healing and Deliverance founder Walter Magaya, will the popular but scandalous prophet pay the entire commission to cover his alleged crimes.

The Zimbabwe Gender Commission announced that they had instituted an investigation against Magaya who faces countless cases of sexual abuse.

“It is hereby notified that, in terms of Section Five of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission Act (Chapter 10:31) the Zimbabwe Gender Commission intends to investigate complaints of se_xual abuse of women by Walter Magaya of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries,” read the notice by Mrs Mukahanana-Sangarwe.

Magaya’s alleged sexual abuse victims have come out in the public before apologizing to the powerful prophet amid indications that they would have been paid to retract their revelations.

ZimEye has LIVE recorded evidence that Magaya is working to pay commissioners and journalists bribes so. to hide his offences.

With the gender commission now in the map, it remains to be seen how he will negotiate his way past the influential body considering that it is composed of respected figures some of whom possess strong beliefs in the empowerment and emancipation of women.

Zimbabwe’s foreign policy in the Second Republic is anchored on ensuring the country regains its past glory by integrating into the community of nations after years of isolation typified by the First Republic.

The Commonwealth stands as one such critical organisation that can enhance the country’s standing in the community of nations.

Cognisant of the critical role the Commonwealth plays in the international arena, Zimbabwe at the dawn of the New Dispensation formally applied to have its membership back.

While the country’s re-admittance is fundamentally dependent on the 53-member countries, there seems to be abundant goodwill to make Zimbabwe optimistic that it will be accepted back into club at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting scheduled for Kigali, Rwanda, next year.

A catalogue of past events and developments give Zimbabwe the optimism that it will regain its membership.

At the end of September 2018, His Excellency President Mnangagwa met with Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York where the two exchanged letters.

And earlier, just after the July 30 2018 harmonised general elections, Baroness Scotland sent a congratulatory letter to President Mnangagwa for successful conduct of the elections as well as for being inaugurated as President of Zimbabwe.

Most recently, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr Sibusiso Busi Moyo met Baroness Scotland after attending the Global Conference for Media Freedom in England where the conversation was said to have been characterised by conviviality.

Beyond these diplomatic engagements, Zimbabwe has since the advent of the New Dispensation mapped out a trajectory that seeks to implement a raft of reforms meant to deepen and widen the democratic space, ensure the ease of doing business by ratcheting the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra, and repeal certain laws that had become outdated.

Most of these reforms have already been implemented or are taking shape. The Gender Commission, the Peace and Reconciliation Commission, the revamped Anti-Corruption Commission with arresting powers, the repealing of AIPA and POSA including the setting up of the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD), are just a few of the initiatives implemented to deepen the democratic space and promote a culture of tolerance, inclusivity and national cohesion.

Although the opposition MDC-A is intent on blighting these well-intended reforms, the world is surely not blind to the sincerity of President Mnangagwa’s administration.

In President Mnangagwa’s own words, the reforms are not meant to please any external powers but are being implemented because the Government views them as progressive and good for the country.

It must be noted that the reforms dovetail with the country’s foreign policy, anchored on the need to facilitate economic recovery, economic growth, create employment and foster a conducive climate that attracts investors into the country.

Zimbabwe’s quest for re-admittance to the Commonwealth is thus fashioned with the primary desire or obligation to nurture and protect its national interests, security, independence, sovereignty, ideological goals and spur economic prosperity.

The Commonwealth thus stands as one such organisation where Zimbabwe could have a voice to shape its own destiny by promoting its own political and economic interests, image and be able to influence the international community on a number of issues while ensuring the safety of its nationals abroad.

-State Media

#HappeningNow @mdczimbabwe president @nelsonchamisa says chief Ndiweni is strong and upbeat pic.twitter.com/CGQBE0YgDL

— TechMag.TV (@TechMagTV) August 24, 2019

ZBC scoops award at agric show: https://t.co/kctjiVWwpO pic.twitter.com/fpX6HN8tfv

— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) August 23, 2019

By A Correspondent- Government will next week resume electronic cash transfers amounting to $40 million to more than 60 000 vulnerable households to cushion them against the current economic challenges and rising cost of living.

The exercise, which is administered through the harmonised social cash transfer programme (HSCT), was discontinued a few years ago owing to cash shortages, reported the state media.

An additional $63 million has also been released to clear school fees arrears accrued through the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) programme, which provides assistance to 415 900 disadvantaged children countrywide.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza said Government has since identified a platform through which the cash transfers would be made.

“Currently, a new e-payment system is being put in place within the next month after Econet won a tender to disburse HSCT funds to beneficiaries in various districts via the EcoCash platform. A total of 62 017 beneficiary households, who are food-poor and labour-constrained, will benefit. Currently, $39 472 644 – which is being reviewed upwards – will be disbursed,” said Nzenza.

“Treasury continues to release funds to offset outstanding (BEAM) arrears. So far, an amount of $63 million awaits disbursement into school accounts once they have complied with vendor-coding requirements set by the Treasury as a new system.

“BEAM will, therefore, clear all arrears owing to date this month.”

In her latest report, Auditor-General Mrs Mildred Chiri said Treasury last year recalled $9 million that had been allocated for the HSCT programme, as the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare failed to release it to beneficiaries.

However, Nzenza indicated that the department responsible for the disbursements failed to get timely authorisation for payments from the Reserve Bank of

Zimbabwe (RBZ).

The HSCT began in 2012 to support food-insecure households in rural areas.

The facility is targeted at households living below the poverty datum line, especially families that do not have able-bodied members who are fit for work.

BEAM arrears

Official statistics indicate that notwithstanding the $23 million that was released by Treasury towards BEAM last year, school fees arrears had soared to $54,5 million by December.

The 18-year programme is designed to subsidise examination fees and applicable levies for orphaned or vulnerable primary and secondary school children.

The 2019 Zimbabwe Vulnerable Assessment Committee (ZimVac) report revealed that Government remains the major provider of support to vulnerable communities in need of food assistance countrywide.

The report stated that of vulnerable households that received food assistance in 2018-19, 56 percent got support from Government, 13 percent from non-governmental organisations and the United Nations.

Three percent received support from churches, while 16 percent were aided by relatives within rural areas.

Relatives in urban areas covered 18 percent of the vulnerable, while 11 percent got succour from remittances from outside the country.

Apart from BEAM and HSCT, Government is also carrying out a Food Deficit Mitigation Programme from which 600 000 households are benefiting, a Public Assistance Programme for the elderly and disabled, and the Assisted Medical Treatment Orders (AMTOs) targeting needy persons who are assisted to get medical attention at State-owned institutions.-StateMedia

Jane Mlambo| State owned broadcaster ZBC has dismissed circulating reports it won the best television channel at the just ended Agricultural show saying the category they won was called ‘Media, Print or Publishing’.

Posting on Twitter this morning, ZBC said;

“The ZAS category won by the ZBC is ‘Media, Print or Publishing’; not ‘television’ as conveniently claimed by some.”

The ZAS category won by the ZBC is 'Media, Print or Publishing'; not 'television' as conveniently claimed by some. pic.twitter.com/cz3kQcMczH

— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) August 25, 2019

South African authorities have seized a plane from Tanzania’s national carrier, the Tanzanian government said.

The Airbus 220-300 was due to fly from Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

It was not immediately clear why the action was taken, and South African authorities have not commented.

But a retired farmer has said the aircraft was impounded because Tanzania’s government had not paid him $33m (£28.8m) it owes in compensation.

Lawyer Roger Wakefield told the BBC the money was awarded after Tanzania’s government seized lands belonging to the South African farmer.

A Tanzanian government spokesperson told the BBC that the country’s lawyers had arrived in South Africa to investigate.

In a statement on Friday, Air Tanzania said that it expected to make flight schedule adjustments “due to unforeseeable circumstances”, but did not give any further details.

The carrier’s managing director Ladislaus Matindi told Reuters arrangements had been made for passengers to resume their journey on another flight.

The move comes barely two months after Air Tanzania opened its service to South Africa.

Tanzania’s President John Magufuli has led attempts to revive the state-owned airline, hoping to boost tourism and turn the country into a major transportation hub.

It had just one plane when the president was elected in 2015. Since then, millions of dollars have been spent on the purchase of eight new aircraft.

But the carrier is battling several multi-million dollar lawsuits with its former suppliers.

This is also not the first time Air Tanzania has had a plane seized. In 2017, Canadian construction firm Stirling Civil Engineering seized the airline’s new Bombardier Q400 plane in Canada over a $38m lawsuit.

The Q400 was released in March 2018 after Tanzania’s prime minister and attorney general negotiated its release. No details were given about the terms of the settlement.-BBC

The main Zimbabwe public sector union on Saturday rejected a pay offer from the government, which is trying to avert threats of strike action amid growing anger over the country’s ailing economy.

The Apex Council, which represents most of the country’s public service workers, said the proposal to boost salaries by 76 percent fell far below the demands of civil servants, who are buckling under the pressure of skyrocketing living costs.

Zimbabwe’s government offer would see the lowest-paid worker taking home about ZW$1 023 (US$97) up from the current 582 (US$55).

In a statement, the Apex Council which represents the workers said “the offer does not meet the stated position of the workers, which is pegged at ZW$4,750 (US$452) for the least paid civil servant.”

The offer came after some workers had threatened strike action over the high cost of living.

The civil servant salary bill gobbles up more than 90% of tax revenue.

The pay impasse is part of gathering storm clouds facing the Zimbabwean government amid shortages of basics like fuel, bread and medicines and surging prices when the goods are available.

On assuming office, President Emmerson Mnangagwa who came to power following the 2017 ouster of long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, promised more freedoms and to revamp an already ailing economy.

But the country has seen growing protests as the economy falters.

A Harare court on Saturday freed on bail 10 people arrested during protests by a rural teachers’ union, a day after the demonstration over poor salaries and working conditions.

Eight of those arrested on Friday are from the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), whose members gathered outside the Finance Ministry’s offices to present a petition as part of their protests in downtown Harare.

They carried a small red cardboard coffin, which they said symbolised the death of their livelihoods because their salaries have dropped in value to less than US$50 a month.

Along with their lawyer Doug Coltart and bystander, the teachers were arrested by the police and charged with criminal nuisance which attracts the equivalent of less than US$2.

But they refused to pay the fine arguing that by demonstrating peacefully, they were exercising a constitutionally guaranteed right.

They ended up spending the night in police custody.

One of the lawyers for the accused Jeremiah Bamu told AFP that the police arrested anybody who was in the vicinity of the protest “regardless of what business that person was doing”.

Magistrate Nyasha Vitorini granted them bail of less than US$5 each and ordered them back to court on October 1.

A journalist also rounded up along with the teachers was later freed on Friday without charge.

Earlier this week, the International Monetary Fund warned the government against increasing civil servants’ wages saying public wage growth must be aligned with economic growth and government revenue.

-AFP

This follows the recent payment of €490K for the inspection . Actual repair time is estimated at 8 to 12 weeks.
It’s return will make a meaningful difference. The unit 6 will add a further 160 MW to the Grid bringing up Hwange power production to 670 MW.

— Fortune Chasi (@fortunechasi) August 25, 2019

Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC Vice President Tendai Biti has dismissed a Sunday Mail story which alleges that the combative Harare East parliamentarian is set to run for Presidency in 2023 saying they will not accept any defamatory false attempt to divide the movement.

Posting on Twitter this morning, Biti said the Sunday Mail story reveals the desperate attempts by the ruling Zanu PF to divide the movement, vowing to focus on the struggle.

“Ours is a people s project, owned by the people,rooted in the people with one undisputed leader @nelsonchamisa .We will not accept any defamatory false attempt to divide our movement.We will focus on our struggle.Not the desperate kicks of a tired,toxic,illegitimate rogue regime,” said Biti.

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa who has recently crossed swords with the west who have come out condemning the deteriorating human rights situation in the country is hoping he could win Japan to his side.

Mnangagwa is due to fly to Japan on for the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) which kicks off on Wednesday and has lined up meetings with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in what the state owned Sunday Mail says is ‘a major engagement set to unlock mutually beneficial opportunities between Harare and Tokyo.”

The Japanese embassy’s counsellor to Zimbabwe, Mr Kenichi Kasahara ,told The Sunday Mail that Zimbabwe will need “international help” during its reform process, which Japan is willing to provide.

“The topmost point is that the President himself, President Mnangagwa, is going to Japan and he will meet Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe. We are actually arranging a bilateral meeting to be held on the sidelines of the summit,” said Kasahara.

With Mnangagwa’s re-engagement with the west including USA, UK, Germany, France and many others increasingly becoming a pie in the sky, he is hoping Japan will embrace his ‘Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra.

The EU and its member states have issued a strongly worded statement condemning the Mnangagwa regime over the recent wave of abductions, arrest and assault of civil society and opposition members.

This has watered down any hopes of getting aid and increased bilateral ties with the western world who are very serious about human rights and democracy ahead of any trade arrangements.

Will Mnangagwa win Japan and turn-around the ailing economy, only time will tell.

By A Correspondent| Mutanda Primary School in Gutu North is set to close due to poor ablution facilities.

This was revealed by a concerned citizen who said the health worker in the area had raised the flag suggesting that the school should close because of poor toilet facilities.

Said the citizen:

“Today I was in Gutu North Constituency for my usual weekend visits. Was pained to find out that the health worker told Mutanda Primary School to close because of poor toilets that are a risk. I have offered to donate 5 bags of cement.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa will this week meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), a major engagement set to unlock mutually beneficial opportunities between Harare and Tokyo.

The three-day TICAD summit, which begins on Wednesday in Yokohama, has become a prime global platform through which international stakeholders join forces to promote Africa’s development.

Japan is the third largest economy in the world after the United States and China, and is also a member of the Group of Seven (G7) nations, from which Zimbabwe is seeking a financial package to clear arrears owed to international finance institutions.

G7 – made up of the world’s seven most advanced economies as described by the IMF – consists of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom.

The Japanese embassy’s counsellor to Zimbabwe, Mr Kenichi Kasahara ,told The Sunday Mail that Zimbabwe will need “international help” during its reform process, which Japan is willing to provide.

“The topmost point is that the President himself, President Mnangagwa, is going to Japan and he will meet Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe. We are actually arranging a bilateral meeting to be held on the sidelines of the summit.

“Sending a delegation headed by the President himself is an advantage in terms of TICAD.

“Zimbabwe will definitely be known; if the delegation meets the Japanese side. They can certainly impress their counterparts with their background and potential,” he said.

Arrears Clearance

The indaba, he said, will likely have potential benefits for the local economy as it presents an opportunity for the country to get international support to clear its obligations to international finance institutions.

Zimbabwe owes US$2,5 billion to multilateral institutions, of which the World Bank is owed US$1,5 billion, African Development Bank US$702 million, European Investment Bank US$309 million and other multilaterals US$74 million.

As at the end of June 2019, the country’s total bilateral debt amounted to US$5,5 billion, with Paris Club creditors accounting for US$3,5 billion and non-Paris Club US$1,6 billion.

Mr Kasahara said: “I believe that TICAD can be the thrusting element in terms of development of Zimbabwe’s economy.

“I know that Zimbabwe is seeking financial aid from one of the G7 members. But at the same time, the international financial system is a tight system; we have to focus on the fact that Zimbabwe has cleared its arrears with IMF but it cannot get finance from the IMF because it has to clear its arrears with WB and the African Development Bank also.

“Yes, Japan is a member of G7, G20 and also a member of the Paris Club, but the issue of finance must be collectively resolved with everyone’s consent.”

It is believed that the private sector will also be presented with an opportunity to pitch projects to potential investors.

One of the six sessions at the conference is specifically meant for the private sector, which will be attending its own side events.

In a statement last week, Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Toshiyuki Iwado, who also paid a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa ahead of the summit, said Harare can expect more assistance from this year’s TICAD summit.

“It is only through Africa developing sustainably that the world’s development will be assured. Our assistance is implemented with this in mind. Since Japan launched TICAD in 1993, the policy of Japan’s assistance towards Africa has been strengthened and elaborated even further, and our assistance to Zimbabwe can be seen by our support to rural communities,” he said.

Since 1980, Japan has provided loan aid amounting to US$346 million, as well as grant aid worth US$560 million.

Some of the developmental projects funded by Japan in Zimbabwe include the Nyakomba irrigation scheme in Nyanga, which is benefiting hundreds of households in the area.

Last year, Japan provided a US$21 million grant for a road construction project to improve the Makuti-Chirundu highway on the north-south corridor.

Japan has also provided a US$5,5 million grant for road construction materials that were distributed to eight provinces around the country.

Emergency relief assistance has also been provided to the victims of Cyclone Idai.

Spin-offs

President Mnangagwa’s bilateral engagements have been yielding huge material benefits for the local economy.

His visit to China in April last year unlocked funding for the US$1,3 billion expansion of Hwange Thermal Power Station, plus a US$150 million loan for the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

Beijing also provided a US$100 million grant for the construction of the new Parliament building in Mount Hampden.

All the projects are currently underway.

More projects and investments from Russia are set to be announced in October after President Mnangagwa’s fruitful bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin in January this year.

Visits to United Arab Emirates and Belarus, among others, have also proved to be worthwhile.

At the last TICAD summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2016, Japan committed to investing approximately US$30 billion under public-private partnerships for Africa.

This year’s TICAD summit, which will be held from under the theme “Advancing Africa’s Development through People, Technology and Innovation”, will focus firmly on business and investment, giving further impetus to Zimbabwe’s investment drive.

-State Media

WIDOW to former Zimbabwean President Canaan Sodindo Banana, Mrs Janet Madade Banana has received a brand new Ford Everest car from Government as part of her benefits.

The Government early in the year, made a commitment to pay Mrs Banana’ medical bills on top of other benefits after she returned to Zimbabwe after an 18-year stay in the United Kingdom. All former First Ladies are entitled to certain packages.

In an interview at her sister’s home in Southwold suburb in Bulawayo on Friday, Mrs Banana said she was grateful to the Government for fulfilling its promise.

“The vehicle was delivered on 8 August. It was a shock really, although I had been expecting it for a long time. In the end I was really glad and appreciate what Government has done for me so far. It is a Ford Everest, I even bought a shed for it to cover it and protect it from the sun and the rain,” she said, smiling.

Mrs Banana said the Government was also taking care of her medical bills as she was still undergoing treatment. She also acknowledged that she has been receiving her pension, but added that there were still some outstanding issues that were still to be addressed.

“They are still sorting out my accommodation, security and general upkeep. When I returned home I had to ask my sister to live with her as the Government had said I could be put in a hotel while I wait for my accommodation to be sorted out. But I turned that offer down because I did not want to be isolated and lonely in a hotel,” she said.

Mrs Banana sang praises to the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa who visited her in June.

“I am grateful for Amai Mnangagwa’s initiative of coming here to see me, I told her about my problems such as accommodation and transport. I am really thankful to her, she is a star to me. Things have been progressing since her coming,” said Mrs Banana.

Mrs Banana also took time to highlight the need for Zimbabweans to assist in nation building and not focus merely on living in the diaspora.

“Living in a foreign country is not easy; don’t envy those that are out of the country. I know there are hardships that are there at home but I think to conquer these hardships we need to work together to unite for the progress of the country,” she said.

Mrs Banana said she is not going back to the UK.

“I am not going back to the UK. I have decided to retire and live in Zimbabwe, I even had my sister sending me some of my belongings because when I left the UK, I was going on holiday in South Africa and I became seriously ill.

“My visa was now expiring in South Africa and I spoke to the Ambassador about my predicament and he suggested I come to Zimbabwe and apply for another visa and go back but I told him once I go home that is it,” she said.

“I go to Methodist Church in Zimbabwe and I have been there once, when I get better I will be going more often and I am now mobile.”

President Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba has dismissed as false the claims that indisposed Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has returned from China.

According to Charamba, Chiwenga spoke to President Mnangagwa by phone on Monday and the VP is continuing treatment in China.

Charamba’s response comes when some local publications had claimed that the former military boss had returned from China with a number of Chinese doctors for further treatment at home.

Chiwenga was airlifted from South Africa to China where a team of doctors from Zimbabwe, South Africa, China and India are said to be attending to him.

Recently, President Mnangagwa revealed that Chiwenga was recovering and was about to undergo real treatment.

Some observers, however, were sceptical of Mnangagwa’s remarks saying if they were true, the government would not be sending Chiwenga’s close family members to stay close to him.

For the past eight months, Chiwenga has been in and outside the hospital.

State Media|THE Government duly takes exception and offence in instances where accredited diplomatic personnel dabble in “opposition politics in Zimbabwe”, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo has said.

In a no-holds-barred meeting with ambassadors from Western countries held in the capital on Thursday, Minister Moyo said although the new administration was not averse to criticism, it was deeply concerned with the “one-sided character of the brickbats” following the 16 August “illegal demonstrations”.

Thursday’s meeting was convened a day after the same missions issued a statement criticising the way Government handled the protests. Zimbabwe’s top diplomat said although ambassadors had the right to associate with whomsoever they want, this did not translate to interfering in the affairs of a sovereign State.

“You may all have your personal likes or dislikes: you may have friends and acquaintances across the broad spectrum of Zimbabwean politics — indeed, as diplomats, it is to be expected and it is perfectly acceptable that you should engage all players across that spectrum and gain as full as possible an understanding of this country and its robust socio-political and economic dynamic. Nothing is wrong with that. But when any accredited representative allows themselves to become actively engaged in or associated with that political dynamic; and is sucked into the crude machinations which, today, constitute opposition politics in Zimbabwe, then, Excellencies, we do take offence and we do take exception,” he said.

Police had decided to issue a prohibition order, which was upheld by the High Court, after establishing “grounds of probable violence, danger to life and probable destruction of property”, he said.

Three people — Evidence Ncube (28) of Gokwe, Masimba Jemwa (41) and James Pfundira (27) — have already been jailed for two months by a Harare court after they were arrested at a police roadblock while travelling in an unregistered Nissan Hardbody vehicle during the MDC-Alliance’s illegal demonstration.

Notably, the trio was found in possession of a satchel containing machetes and a knife. Minister Moyo also questioned why the ambassadors have remained deafeningly silent despite continued incendiary rhetoric from the opposition calling for the removal of a “democratically elected” Government.

“Your Governments, Excellencies, are quick to condemn us for any breach of law or for any failure to uphold the rule of law. But you are silent when opposition formations blatantly disregard the law, defy the High Court and repeatedly threaten to overthrow the elected Government of the day through violent protests and the promotion of chaos and anarchy . . . Again, Excellencies, your silence at this stated determination — to undermine democracy in Zimbabwe, to overthrow the Government and plunge the country into chaos — is deeply concerning,” he said.

Minister Moyo said despite dealing with a mob acting in open defiance of the law, which had also committed “provocation at its worst” by marching to Munhumutapa Offices — the seat of the Presidency — police had carried out their duties satisfactorily. No serious injuries or fatalities had been recorded on the fateful day, he said.

Dr Moyo said the nascent signs of economic recovery are making the opposition increasingly uneasy as they know that a growing and stable economy spells a bleak future for them.

Minister Moyo also exhorted the embassies to counsel the opposition and civil society, which had shown a determination for what he called “political insurgency”.

Woke up to see 13 missed calls from my landlord and neighbors.

Just called them back and they telling me armed men came looking for me just after 2300hrs.

Thank God they did not harm anyone or damage anything and also that they did not find me home. pic.twitter.com/7brETt9mFH

— Makomborero Haruzivishe (@MakomboreroH) August 25, 2019

By Own Correspondent| Gunmen reportedly visited human rights campaigner, Makomborero Haruzivishe late Saturday evening.

He was not at home at the time when he says his landlord and neighbours were awoken when the untold number of men descended onto the property.

It is believed the reason Mako is being targeted is a tweet he made concerning a missing

“Woke up to see 13 missed calls from my landlord and neighbours,” he wrote.

He continued saying, “just called them back and they telling me armed men came looking for me just after 2300hrs.

“Thank God they did not harm anyone or damage anything and also that they did not find me home.”

The development comes as ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa verbally attacked civil society organisations saying they must “restrict themselves to their mandate. ”  It also comes as the 68^th United Nations Civil Society Conference  opened under the theme: “BUILDING INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES” 

State Media|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa will this week meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), a major engagement set to unlock mutually beneficial opportunities between Harare and Tokyo.

The three-day TICAD summit, which begins on Wednesday in Yokohama, has become a prime global platform through which international stakeholders join forces to promote Africa’s development. Japan is the third largest economy in the world after the United States and China, and is also a member of the Group of Seven (G7) nations, from which Zimbabwe is seeking a financial package to clear arrears owed to international finance institutions.

G7 — made up of the world’s seven most advanced economies as described by the IMF — consists of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom. Japan’s embassy Counsellor to Zimbabwe Mr Kenichi Kasahara told our Harare Bureau that Zimbabwe will need “international help” during its reform process, which Japan is willing to provide.

“The topmost point is that the President himself, President Mnangagwa, is going to Japan and he will meet Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe. We are actually arranging a bilateral meeting to be held on the sidelines of the summit.

“Sending a delegation headed by the President himself is an advantage in terms of TICAD. Zimbabwe will definitely be known; if the delegation meets Japanese side, they can certainly impress their counterparts with their background and potential,” he said.

The indaba, he said, will likely have potential benefits for the local economy as it presents an opportunity for the country to get international support to clear its obligations to international finance institutions.

Zimbabwe owes US$2,5 billion to multilateral institutions, of which the World Bank (WB) is owed US$1,5 billion, African Development Bank US$702 million, European Investment Bank US$309 million and other multi-laterals US$74 million.

As at the end of June 2019, the country’s total bilateral debt amounted to US$5,5 billion, with Paris Club creditors accounting for US$3,5 billion and non-Paris Club US$1,6 billion.

Mr Kasahara said: “I believe that TICAD can be the thrusting element in terms of development of Zimbabwe’s economy.

“I know that Zimbabwe is seeking financial aid from one of the G7 members. But at the same time, the international financial system is a tight system; we have to focus on the fact that Zimbabwe has cleared its arrears with IMF but it cannot get finance from the IMF, because it has to clear its arrears with WB and the African Development Bank also.

“Yes, Japan is a member of G7, G20 and also a member of the Paris Club, but the issue of finance must be collectively resolved with everyone’s consent.”

It is believed that the private sector will also be presented with an opportunity to pitch projects to potential investors. One of the six sessions at the conference is specifically meant for the private sector, which will be attending its own side events.

In a statement last week, Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Toshiyuki Iwado, who also paid a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa ahead of the summit, said Harare can expect more assistance from this year’s TICAD summit.

“It is only through Africa developing sustainably that the world’s development will be assured. Our assistance is implemented with this in mind. Since Japan launched TICAD in 1993, the policy of Japan’s assistance towards Africa has been strengthened and elaborated even further, and our assistance to Zimbabwe can be seen by our support to rural communities,” he said.

Since 1980, Japan has provided loan aid amounting to US$346 million, as well as grant aid worth US$560 million.

Some of the developmental projects funded by Japan in Zimbabwe include the Nyakomba irrigation scheme in Nyanga, which is benefiting hundreds of households in the area. Last year, Japan provided a US$21 million grant for a road construction project to improve the Makuti-Chirundu highway on the north-south corridor.

Japan has also provided a US$5,5 million grant for road construction materials that were distributed to eight provinces around the country. Emergency relief assistance has also been provided to the victims of Cyclone Idai.

President Mnangagwa’s bilateral engagements have been yielding huge material benefits for the local economy.

His visit to China in April last year unlocked funding for the US$1,3 billion expansion of Hwange Thermal Power Station, including a US$150 million loan for the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

Beijing also provided a US$100 million grant for the construction of the new Parliament building in Mount Hampden. All the projects are currently underway.

More projects and investments from Russia are set to be announced in October after President Mnangagwa’s fruitful bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin in January this year. Visits to United Arab Emirates and Belarus, among others, have also proved to be worthwhile.

At the last TICAD summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2016, Japan committed to investing approximately US$30 billion under public-private partnerships for Africa. This year’s TICAD summit, which will be held from under the theme “Advancing Africa’s Development through People, Technology and Innovation”, will focus firmly on business and investment, giving further impetus to Zimbabwe’s investment drive.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has assured the nation that by the end of 2019 the country’s economic reforms will have been completed and the country will be back on its feet.

In a publication by weekend state media, Mthuli Ncube said that the current tough austerity measures will have scaled down by year end and the country will be flourishing once more.

“Really, the major macro-economic policy adjustments we are coming towards the end of that and really my view is that within the year 2019 we should be able to complete all the major adjustments.

“And then beyond that, we put those behind us then we focus on jobs, productivity and competitiveness to see how we can focus these on the micro- economy so that we can lay the foundation for real prosperity going forward, having concluded all the major macro-economic adjustments” the finance minister said.

Minister Ncube has previously said that while the reform agenda let loose the inflation scourge, underlying factors for high inflation were already in place only waiting for a trigger to bolt away.

He, however, indicated from the outset his reform initiatives, dubbed austerity measures, would inevitably cause suffering among citizens, but remained necessary to correct ills of the past.

Frankly, his interventions have already started bearing results and for the first time in a long period Treasury has consistently posted primary budget surpluses since November 2018.

Treasury recorded a primary budget surplus of $803,6 million between January and June 2019 on the back of fiscal discipline in line ministries and government, as the TSP initiatives start to bear fruit.

And between January and March this year, Zimbabwe registered a positive current account balance of US$200 million, also the first since dollarisation in 2009, which provides signs that the country’s macro-economic fundamentals are falling in place.

Although Zimbabwe remains largely trapped in the throes of high inflation, it has recently experienced relative price stability, seen official and parallel market rates converge, is starting to see shorter fuel queues, growing foreign currency balances in the banks and witnessing improved access to forex by companies on the interbank.

Minister Ncube stated in his macroeconomic reform document, Transitional Stabilisation Programme, that the prevailing environment of macro-economic imbalances presented constraints to rapid economic development, as public deficits fuel unsustainable.

The Treasury chief noted that large fiscal borrowing requirements and money supply growth, in the process consumed scarce foreign reserves and undermining currency stability.

The fiscal deficit, a major cause of macro-economic instability and financial sector vulnerability, was estimated at US$1,4 billion at the close of the first half of 2018, and was projected at over US$2,7 billion in the absence of corrective measures being taken.

Annual growth in money supply to May 2018 stood at 40,8 percent, from US$6,5 in 2017, underpinned by growth in domestic credit of 47,3 percent, mostly to Government. And so, these were some of the fiscal misnomers the minister sought to correct.

Presenting his 2019 midterm policy review statement last month Minister Ncube said a relentless commitment to full implementation of key macro-economic reforms, void of policy reversals and inconsistencies had, as intended, set a solid stabilisation base for triple “S” growth, which is strong, sustained and shared growth.

His sentiments were recently shared by ex-MDC-A parliamentarian and former Bulawayo legislator Mr Eddie Cross who said “The economy is about to turnaround.”

Government takes exception and offence in instances where accredited diplomatic personnel dabble in “opposition politics in Zimbabwe”, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo has said.

In a no-holds-barred meeting with ambassadors from Western countries held in Harare on Thursday, Minister Moyo said although the new administration was not averse to criticism, it was deeply concerned with the “one-sided character of the brickbats” following the August 16 illegal demonstrations.

Thursday’s meeting was convened a day after the same missions issued a statement criticising the way Government handled the protests.
Zimbabwe’s top diplomat said although ambassadors had the right to associate with whomsoever they want, this did not translate to interfering in the affairs of a sovereign State.

“You may all have your personal likes or dislikes: you may have friends and acquaintances across the broad spectrum of Zimbabwean politics.

Indeed, as diplomats, it is to be expected and it is perfectly acceptable that you should engage all players across that spectrum and gain as full as possible an understanding of this country and its robust socio-political and economic dynamic. Nothing is wrong with that,” said Minister Moyo.

“But when any accredited representative allows themselves to become actively engaged in or associated with that political dynamic; and is sucked into the crude machinations which, today, constitute opposition politics in Zimbabwe, then, Excellencies, we do take offence and we do take exception,” he said.State media

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing an acute shortage of family planning pills with pharmacies and private institutions also affected.

Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council Matabeleland regional officer Blessed Gumbi said the shortage of the contraceptives has become a crisis.

He said:
We are running dry on contraceptives and it’s a countrywide crisis that we are struggling to contain.

We have nothing in our stocks and at Zimbabwe National Pharmaceuticals which affects pharmacies as they normally buy from us.

However, we are expecting a shipment at the beginning of September and we are hopeful that will improve the situation.

We are short of the Control pills, the most used by women but we still have low supplies of the Secure pills which are accessible. However, Secure pills are on demand compared to the Control hence the challenge.

Gumbi suggested that members of the public should approach health institutions and access alternative methods while waiting for the pills.

He further recommended using condoms as a viable birth control measure.State media

By Tariro Moyo- Jailed Independent End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura’s wives have vowed to remain loyal to their husband and united despite negative coverage by some sections of the media.

Even from prison, Gumbura still ensures all his wives are catered for and will do little things to ensure they are happy.

When they visited him on Thursday during the Prison and Correctional Services Family Week, his wives and children wore similar red and white hats bought by the incarcerated clergyman.

They said Gumbura parted with 3kg of sugar as payment for the hats sewn by a fellow inmate.

Speaking to the media, Gumbura poured cold water on reports alleging that he had allowed his wives to look for love elsewhere since he would be in jail for a long time.

He said:

“Look at all my wives as they sit there, which one do you think I will divorce, which one?” he said as the wives burst into laughter.

“You can ask them, they are all here, all the mothers are here,” he added.

Gumbura’s family visited him as part of the Prison and Correctional Services Family Week facility at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.

He is serving a 40-year jail term and has been behind bars for the past five years.

Sitting around their husband, all the wives nodded in agreement that in the five years Gumbura has been away, they have been and will remain faithful to him.

They said previous reports in some sections of the media that they had deserted him were false.

“It was a lie. We know that media will be looking at selling their newspapers, so we just ignore it. We will remain loyal to our husband,” said spokesperson Queen Bunga, who is Gumbura’s second wife.

Asked how many of his wives had visited him, Gumbura insisted that all the mothers of his children had come. He added that his children would visit later that day and start feasting as a family.

Gumbura applauded the Prison and Correctional Services department for providing such an opportunity for convicts to meet their families.

He said without such a provision, it would be a challenge for people like him serving long sentences of up to 40 years to recognise their children when they were eventually released.

“With this current arrangement, you can relate with developments happening back home. You can trace the growth of your children. Very soon, my children will be coming here, you will see them.

“They are not very difficult to spot. You will see them in their numbers with their hats similar to those of their mothers,” said Gumbura.

Media reports alleged that Gumbura’s wives had stopped visiting him in prison while others reported that he had given them his blessings to look for love elsewhere.

The Gumbura family remains a centre of attraction at all Family Weeks. During each visit, a huge crowd comprising his wives, children and a few parishioners visit him.

Gumbura was convicted in 2014 on four counts of rape.

He has 21 wives, nine of whom do not have children with him.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- With about two weeks to go before the Mangwe constituency by-election, the Zanu-PF leadership has challenged party members to honour the 1987 Unity Accord by ensuring the party retains the seat.

Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo descended on Matabeleland South province ahead of the by-election set for 7 September where he met the provincial leadership and party supporters in Mangwe district.

He challenged the party members to unite and deliver victory for the party in the constituency following the death of the party’s Deputy Chief Whip, Obedingwa Mnguni.

Chief Hobodo and the Zanu-PF candidate, Hlalani Mguni, who is Mguni’s widow, said nothing is going to stop the party from retaining the seat as Mangwe District is a Zanu-PF strong-hold.

The Mangwe by-election will be held on the same day with another in Glenview South constituency in Harare.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- A South African registered bus, Africa Link Coach was involved in an accident killing 5 people and leaving scores of other passengers seriously injured.

The accident, which happened this evening in Rutenga, Mwenezi along the Harare Beitbridge highway was heading to South Africa and had on board passengers of Malawian nationality.

The injured have been rushed to Neshuro Hospital.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.

By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has engaged some European ambassadors seeking co-operation in efforts to identify and repatriate offshore investments from proceeds of corruption by locals, it has emerged.

Zacc chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo met with ambassadors from some EU member states on Thursday last week and struck an agreement to assist in locating properties owned by individuals involved in corrupt activities.

Officials who attended the meeting said the ambassadors agreed to engage their respective governments in the process. 
Zacc wants all those convicted of corruption by the courts to have their offshore investments repatriated by the state.

Zacc spokesperson John Makamure confirmed the meeting, but declined to give details.

“It is true, the chairperson met with those ambassadors, but I cannot give you the details yet since I have not received a briefing,” he said.

Diplomats who attended the meeting told the Zimbabwe Independent this week that Matanda-Moyo sought assistance from the ambassadors after the explosion of the National Social Security Authority (Nssa) corruption scandal in which those accused of pillaging the pension fund are suspected to have used the money to acquire real estate in Europe, particularly Britain.

“A senior UK diplomat attended a diplomatic briefing with Zacc chairperson Loice Matanda-Moyo. Any request for assistance in this regard would go through the appropriate legal channels in the UK,” a British embassy spokesperson said.

“There was a meeting where we were exploring how we can co-operate in the country’s anti-corruption drive. I can say the mood was very cooperative and we will see how their operations proceed but, basically, everyone agreed to help where they can,” one of the diplomats said.

Sources said although Zacc had initially targeted property in Britain said to be owned by former cabinet minister Prisca Mupfumira, who is accused of fleecing Nssa of more than US$95 million during the time she was Labour and Social Welfare minister, the issue had opened a can of worms as some people living in the United Kingdom have come forward and offered to appear as witnesses in many other cases.

As such, sources said, Zacc will now also investigate corruption cases dating as far back as 2003.

“The chairperson met with the EU ambassadors on Thursday last week where she sought their assistance in the forfeiture and repatriation of those properties upon the conviction of the accused persons. In fact, the issue is now not only limited to Nssa,” a source said.

“There are many other cases being investigated, (with some of them) dating as far back as 2003. The investigation will also involve those who were named in WikiLeaks files, so it has become wider and there are many people offering to stand as witnesses.”

Matanda-Moyo requested for more time with the top British diplomat after other diplomats had left. 

The Independent also understands that Zacc has engaged a London-based Zimbabwean national to trace some of the properties allegedly owned by Mupfumira and others.

The investigator, who is currently checking on a company in which Mupfumira is believed to have interests, will then be able to stand as a witness.

The investigator has been viewing files lodged at the Companies House and in particular with respect to a company in which one Priscah Chidavaenzi is named as a director, sources said.

The company, Priscah C Limited, was registered on August 14 2015 in Leicester.

“What is interesting about this company is that it has a board of directors who appointed Priscah Chidavaenzi as a director, yet there is a small amount of funding. What are they hiding? When the agent in London entered Mupfumira on the website, it came up with Priscah Chidavaenzi,” the source revealed.

One of the cases on Zacc’s radar is a long-standing Grain Marketing Board (GMB) scandal involving two businessmen accused of corruptly exporting maize which cost the country US$26 million.-Zimbabwe Independent

By A Correspondent| An estimated 20 passengers are feared dead after a cross-border bus was involved in an accident this evening.

While details of the accident were still sketchy by the time of writing, sources privy to the development said the accident occurred near Neshuro turn off in Rutenga, Mwenezi district along the Harare-Beitbridge highway.

Said Munyaradzi Naison:

“I heard it was going to South Africa. It happened near Neshuro turn off.”

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.

By A Correspondent- Doug Coltart and several Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe members who were arrested yesterday (23 August 2019) have been released on bail.

They were granted bail on Saturday afternoon by a Harare magistrate and later released that evening.

Coltart tweeted about the bail and release:

He said:

We are finally out! Thank you so much to all those who have been praying for us and showing your solidarity. Huge thank you to @ZLHRLawyers for the legal representation. So many reflections from the past two days but that’s for another day. Feeling grateful, hopeful, energized! pic.twitter.com/Wh0MXX6J2P

— Doug Coltart ✊??? (@DougColtart) August 24, 2019

An estimated 20 passengers are feared dead after a cross-border bus was involved in an accident this evening.

While details of the accident were still sketchy by the time of writing, sources privy to the development said the accident occurred in Rutenga, Mwenezi district, along the Harare-Beitbridge highway.

More to follow…

By A Correspondent- The Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, Victor Matemadanda has said the abduction of the comedienne Samantha Kureya, (popularly known as Gonyeti) is an attempt to tarnish the government’s image by detractors.

He was addressing war veterans and traditional leaders from Mashonaland East Province in Marondera on Friday (24 August 2019).

Said Matemadanda:

“It is laughable to hear people saying the government is abducting its citizens. Surely what would we get from abducting a comedian like Gonyeti, that is the work of our detractors bent on tarnishing the image of the government,”

Matemadanda joins other government officials who have also said that the abduction of the comedian was not by government operatives or any group supporting the government.

Permanent secretary in the Information Ministry Nick Mangwana said on Friday:

“Recent activities in Zim have all the hallmarks of “black ops” hence need to be analysed dispassionately. Who stands to gain from a damage to ED’s local & international prestige? Why would masked people abduct then order victim not to criticise govt? Nicely setting things up?-StateMedia

The Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, Victor Matemadanda has said the abduction of the comedienne Samantha Kureya, (popularly known as Gonyeti) is an attempt to tarnish the government’s image by detractors.

He was addressing war veterans and traditional leaders from Mashonaland East Province in Marondera on Friday (24 August 2019).

Matemadanda said “It is laughable to hear people saying the government is abducting its citizens. Surely what would we get from abducting a comedian like Gonyeti, that is the work of our detractors bent on tarnishing the image of the government,”

Matemadanda joins other government officials who have also said that the abduction of the comedian was not by government operatives or any group supporting the government. Permanent secretary in the Information Ministry Nick Mangwana said on Friday.

Recent activities in Zim have all the hallmarks of “black ops” hence need to be analysed dispassionately. Who stands to gain from a damage to ED’s local & international prestige? Why would masked people abduct then order victim not to criticise govt? Nicely setting things up?

-State media

By A Correspondent- Veteran municipal manager and City of Masvingo town clerk for 15 years, Adolf Gusha has retired.

Deputy city engineer Edward Mukaratirwa has since been appointed acting town clerk with effect from September 01, to serve until a new substantive town clerk is appointed.

A special full council meeting convened yesterday, August 22, announced the departure of Gusha who had been at the helm since 2004.

Masvingo Mayor Collen Maboke said council was pleased with Gusha’s contribution to the city since he joined council 32 years ago.

“We are happy with the work that he did for the city. He worked with many mayors including Francis Aphiri. We thank him for initiating many projects including the water augmentation programme which we are still carrying forward. As we wish him the best in his retirement, we also wish our acting town clerk the best in his duties,” said Maboke.

Gusha was overdue for retirement, and had initially been expected to leave at the end of August 2018.Gusha joined the municipality in 1987, and served in various capacities before being appointed substantive town clerk in 2004.

Before joining Masvingo town council, he worked for Shurugwi Rural District Council and for the Ministry of Local Government.

His record as the topmost council manager in Masvingo was marked by both ups and downs; many will remember his runs-in with former executive mayor, the late Alois Chaimiti in 2007 and 2008.

He won for the city many service delivery awards but was also there when former employees left the council destitute after a costly legal suit for unpaid wages. The legal wrangle resulted in all council vehicles getting attached in 2011.

Gusha, however, presided over a remarkable recapitalisation drive which saw the council buying new service vehicles altogether.

The introduction of a roads levy in 2015 drew the indignation of many residents, but it seems the idea has paid off, with the city in 2017 commissioning its own fleet of earth moving equipment needed for roadworks.

Gusha will mostly be remembered probably for leaving behind a city that boasts arguably the cleanest municipal water in the country. The city recorded few, if any, incidences of cholera in 2008, at a time when thousands were dying of the waterborne diseases in other urban areas.

Gusha, however, leaves behind decaying pipes and deep trenches of the botched Mucheke Trunk Sewer project which has cost the ratepayer millions of dollars yet with nothing to show of it.

He also leaves at a time when the quality of service delivery is plummeting, with refuse being collected but not on a regular basis. The whole city has only two refuse compactors.-TellZim

By A Correspondent- Health and Child Care Ambassador, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, has said measures are being taken to prevent conditions that promote the spread of malaria ahead of the onset of the rain season.

The First Lady also said there was no going back on cancer screening awareness campaigns. 

She Mnangagwa said this during her visit to the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in Harare where she toured various stands yesterday.

While touring the Health and Child Care stand, Mnangagwa said:

“We are now approaching the rain season and malaria is the most prevalent disease during that period. Since there is a problem of water-logging during the rain season, mosquitoes get a conducive environment to breed.

However, from what I saw here, I can say the ministry is preparing itself to deal with the disease. I also saw some herbs on display that are said to manage various conditions. Some people opt for herbs while some choose pharmaceutical drugs. However, the doctors here said people should not mix the two.

On cancer screening, we are not going back and we will not tire, the programme is still ongoing.”

“The Chinese are our all-weather friends and they are always there to help us. They do not come as tourists only, but they also bring useful things into the country, the things that help us as a nation, things that alleviate some of the challenges we face.”

Amai Mnangagwa toured the stand for Tongaat Hullet which donated half a tonne of sugar to Angel of Hope Foundation, a brainchild of the First Lady.

She also visited Agricultural Produce Hall were products from communal and small holder farmers were on display, and stands for Tregers, Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) and CIMAS medical aid society.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF Chivi South legislator and businessman Killer Zivhu’s political career is hanging by a thread after the ruling party here recommended his expulsion citing treacherous behaviour.

Zivhu’s fate now lies with the Zanu-PF National Disciplinary Committee(NDC) which has the final say on whether or not to endorse his expulsion. If the decision to expel him is upheld by the NDC, Zivhu will also automatically cease to be the ruling party legislator for Chivi South, necessitating a by-election.

The ruling party’s provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC) yesterday overwhelmingly resolved to kick out Zivhu from the party. This was after the Chivi South legislator who is the provincial secretary for Environment and Tourism had snubbed a hearing called by the party’s provincial disciplinary committee chaired by vice chair, Ailess Baloyi, over a week ago.

Zivhu had been served with a prohibition notice prior to the recommendation for his dismissal.

Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chair, Ezra Chadzamira, confirmed the decision.

Chadzamira who is also Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister said Zivhu remained unapologetic hence the decision to summarily expel him.

“We sat as the PCC today (yesterday) and recommended to the NDC that Zivhu be expelled from the party for his activities on social media. We arrived at the decision to recommend his expulsion because even when we served him with a prohibition order and called him to a hearing, he snubbed the process,’’ said Chadzamira.

He said Zivhu continued with his treacherous behaviour even after the prohibition order by using the social media to push for a meeting between First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and MDC Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa’s wife, Sithokozile.

The controversial Chivi South legislator stood accused of violating party rules via social media platforms such as Whats App and Twitter where he allegedly said he was going to push for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and Mr Chamisa.

Zivhu is also accused of having initiated the process of collecting signatures for people in support of his initiative for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and the MDC Alliance leader.

Prior to yesterday’s decision to recommend his expulsion, Baloyi had also accused Zivhu of being unrepentant and having ignored several warnings via various social media platforms by other party members to stop his treachery.

Baloyi said Zivhu’s push for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and Mr Chamisa raises stink because the MDC Alliance leader has repeatedly snubbed overtures to be part of POLAD, instead demanding face to face talks with the President.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of freedom of peaceful assembly and association, Mr Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, will be in Zimbabwe on an official visit from 17 to 27 September this year.

Nyaletsossi Voule’s visit is by invitation of the government of Zimbabwe.

In a statement, The United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner outlined some of the issues the Special Rapporteur will assess:

“– Legal frameworks in place to guarantee the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (including key cases from the judiciary);

– Procedural and practical measures for holding peaceful assemblies, including issues of authorisation versus notification and access to public spaces; legal and practical limitations to the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly;

– Facilitation and management of assemblies by law enforcement officials, including relevant guidelines and training; internal and external oversight mechanism in case of excessive use of force by law enforcement officials

… During the visit, in addition to government authorities, the Special Rapporteur wishes to meet with independent institutions working on human rights, civil society actors, human rights defenders and other stakeholders working on the rights of freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.”

A wave of abductions, torture and arrests in Zimbabwe are targeting opposition activists and other government critics, the latest being a popular comedian dragged from her home by armed and masked men.

Barely two years after euphoric scenes engulfed Zimbabwe following the forced resignation of former repressive ruler Robert Mugabe, frustration and fear have returned.

Comedian Samantha Kureya was this week dragged from her bed, stripped naked and tortured by masked men with assault rifles for skits perceived as anti-government. She spoke to The Associated Press from her hospital bed.

I was wearing my underwear and a T-shirt when they took me, they didn’t even give me a chance to dress properly.

“I am living in fear,” she said, complaining of “severe pain” in her legs and on her back.

Kureya said the men claiming to be police officers dragged her from bed half naked and bundled her into a waiting car on Wednesday night. They beat her using short whips, forced her to roll in a stream of sewage and drink from it, she said.

“I was wearing my underwear and a T-shirt when they took me, they didn’t even give me a chance to dress properly,” she said. Her abductors forced her to strip naked during the torture and warned her against mocking the government before abandoning her to seek clothing and help from strangers, said Kureya.

She had received threats on social media before the abduction, she said. Her latest skit mocked security agents for beating up demonstrators that included elderly women.

Political tensions are rising in Zimbabwe as the economy deteriorates with inflation at over 175% and growing dissatisfaction with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who took over from Mugabe less than two years ago with promises of a “new dawn” and a “flowering of democracy.”

Human rights groups say at least six activists were abducted and tortured by suspected security agents ahead of an opposition demonstration last week. Police later used violence to disperse demonstrators in Harare on August 16.

On Friday, police broke up a protest by a group of teachers and arrested nine people, including a lawyer for the teachers and a journalist filming the arrests, according to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, an NGO providing them with lawyers. They are yet to be charged, said the organization.

One of the activists abducted and tortured ahead of last week’s demonstration, Tatenda Mombeyarara had visible wounds on his legs, hands, buttocks and back. His kidneys were damaged and doctors put metal plates and pins on his fractured left leg and hand, he said, showing AP a scan while lying on a hospital bed.

He said he was beaten with sjamboks (short whips), gun butts and a wheel spanner and also submerged in a pool of dirty water at a quarry dumpsite.

“They told me ‘you think you are a hero, all that will end today. You are going to die and your American sponsors will not save you’,” said Mombeyarara, who has been in hospital for the past nine days. “I am still traumatized. The pain was unbearable. I thought I was going to die.”

An opposition member of parliament said unknown people fired shots at his house Wednesday night, while a top official was arrested Thursday and accused of failing to stop supporters from demonstrating against the government. Since January, more than 20 activists have been charged with plotting to unseat Mnangagwa.

Police spokesman Paul Nyathi said the recent abductions and attacks “are being investigated” but denied that security agents were involved.

“We cannot blame security agents (for the abduction) because investigations are still underway,” he said.

Government spokesman Nick Mangwana blamed the attacks on “a force” he associated with Mugabe “to impair President Mnangagwa’s image as a sincere reformer.”

The U.S embassy in Zimbabwe and the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe said in a joint statement earlier this week that reports of worsening human rights abuses were of “great concern.”

Kureya, the comedian, said she would continue poking fun at the government despite her abductors threatening to “put a bullet” in her mother’s head if she continues with her work.

“That is how I survive,” she said. “I don’t have any other job, plus we all can’t just keep quiet when things are as bad as they are in this country.”

AP

Nelson Chamisa|Vibes from Khami Prsion..A stampede at Khami Prison..Humbled by inmates’ affection here at Khami Maximum Prison just outside Bulawayo where I visited The people’s Chief, Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamanhwe Ndiweni recently sentenced to 18 months in prison for exercising his lawful duties as a Chief.The people’s Chief is upbeat,unbroken & thanking you all for your solidarity.As a people’s leader, Chief Ndiweni is concerned at the human rights abuses, torture, terror and violence against the citizens.We had time to pray for the Chief, all others and our beautiful country!

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1131389088848916482?s=19

THE opposition Zapu party says it feared controversial Ntabazinduna chief and fierce government critic, Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni could be poisoned in jail.

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1131389088848916482?s=19

Ndiweni was jailed 18 months by Bulawayo Magistrate, Gladmore Mushove last week for damaging his subject, Fetti Mbele’s homestead. His other 23 co-accused villagers were sentenced to 525 hours of community service.

Zapu Women’s Union this week organised a prayer meeting for the incarcerated traditional leader at its offices in the country’s second largest city.

The party Women’s Union provincial chairperson, Jane Mlalazi said the prayer meeting was meant to “protect” the incarcerated traditional leader from any harm and poisoning while in prison.

“We are concerned by our chief’s health and safety while in prison. We are praying that God intervenes in his life so that he will not be poisoned like what happened to our commander Lookout Masuku who died following his release from prison,” said Mlalazi.

Although authorities claim that Masuku died of meningitis, some people strongly suspect that he died as a result of poisoning while in prison.

The Zapu Women’s Union boss maintained that Ndiweni‘s imprisonment was more political than criminal.

“We know that there is a political hand in all this. We have not only called this prayer meeting for his release but for his health as well. With this regime, he is certainly in danger,” she said.

Mlalazi warned that the Zapu women are willing to take to the streets until Ndiweni is released.

Another Zapu activist, Therezia Taka also concurred with Mlalazi.

“As a party, we are very worried about the chief’s fate in prison. It is clear that these people wanted him locked up for speaking his piece of mind,” she said.

Ndiweni has rubbed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime the wrong way by openly calling for political reforms and seemingly indicating the Zanu-PF leader might not have won last year’s presidential election cleanly.

The traditional leader also attended the opposition MDC congress in May this year.

Before his ascendancy to the Presidency in what has been described by analysts as one of Africa’s softest coup, Emmerson Mnangagwa was being investigated over 39 Counts of fraud.

According to the Zimbabwe Independent, the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Criminal Investigations Department was investigating Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s role in the mismanagement and looting of Zanu PF’s business empire, leading to its collapse, in what was seen as part of President Robert Mugabe’s succession war.

Said Tendai Rushwaya, Ndumiso Ncube and Bhongomafin:

We publish below the full report by the publication:

“Police sources reportedly said the investigations stemmed from a Zanu PF’s Report of the Committee on Party Investments, debated by the politburo on July 27 2005 and August 3 2005, which revealed the companies, supervised by Mnangagwa who was then secretary for administration, were a shambles due to gross mismanagement and corruption.

Zanu PF had interests in public and private companies held through M&S Syndicate (Pvt) Ltd. The ruling party had invested in Treger Holdings, Mike Appel, Catercraft, Fibrolite, which closed in December 2004 as well as Zidlee, which failed to take over Delta in 1989.

The party also had interests in Southern African Re-Insurance Company (Sare), Zidco Holdings and First Bank, whose Democratic Republic of Congo investment also collapsed.

Zanu PF also had interests in National Blankets, Woolworths and Ottawa Building, which were disposed of under unclear circumstances.

Furthermore, Zanu PF separately owned Jongwe Printing & Publishing Company, as well as Jongwe and Nyadzonya farms.

Mnangagwa, who sat on nearly all the companies’ boards, supervised M&S Syndicate with Manharlal Chiunilal and Jayant Chiunilal Joshi.

The Zanu PF probe team comprised the late David Karimanzira, who chaired the committee, and the late retired army commander General Solomon Mujuru, Obert Mpofu, Simba Makoni and Thokozile Mathuthu.

The report said the companies were a mess and riddled with managerial corruption and incompetence which could have prejudiced the ruling party of billions of dollars and assets.

It said some of the companies had virtually collapsed, while others had not been audited for years and their financial accounts were a complete mess.

During mid-2005, the official exchange rate was US$1:Z$38, although on the black market it was US$1:Z$10 000.

On the first count, Sare allegedly paid a dividend of Z$13 900 on June 17, 2002 which was however diverted to Mnangagwa First Banking Corporation account.

On December 10 2001, Z$20 million was allegedly withdrawn from AM Tregger and deposited into Mnangagwa’s Zimbank account. Mnangagwa also allegedly benefited from Z$33 million which was withdrawn from AM Tregger and deposited into his Jewel bank account on March 17, 2003.

Police are also investigating allegations that Z$10 million was withdrawn from AM Tregger and reinvested into Mnangagwa’s Mafidi Corporation at NDH on March 27 2003.

On October 9 2003 Z$2,3 million was withdrawn from AM Tregger and deposited into Mnangagwa’s CBZ account, while on October 13 2003 Z$3,3 million was withdrawn from Kushinga Investments and deposited to Mnangagwa’s First Banking Corporation account, the report alleged.

There are investigations into allegations that Z$5 million was withdrawn from AM Tregger and deposited into Mnangagwa’s CBZ account on October 13 while on October 16 Z$1,7 million was withdrawn from AM Tregger and also allegedly deposited into his CBZ account.

Also in October 2003, Z$5,3 million was withdrawn from AM Tregger as cash and given to Mnangagwa. The vice-president also allegedly donated Z$1 million to Mnene Mission Hospital which was taken from AM Treger.

The vice-president also allegedly benefitted from Z$2 million which was withdrawn from AM Tregger on October 24 2003 and paid into his First Banking Corporation account and on the same day Z$19 million was withdrawn from the same account and used to pay for kitchen refurbishment at Mnangagwa’s house.

On October 31 2003, Z$53 000 000 was taken from AM Treger account and paid to Clonsilla Service Station in Gweru for the prurchase of petrol by Aleta Mambodza, Mnangagwa’s family friend.

Police are further investigating allegations that Z$5 million was withdrawn from AM Treger and deposited in the vice-president’s CBZ account on November 3, while on December 10 Z$10 million was paid into his CBZ account.

The vice-president also allegedly benefitted from Z$1,5 million, which was withdrawn from AM Treger and deposited into his First Bank Corporation account.

The Zanu PF probe team report had established that a Z$650 million Tregers Holdings cheque for dividend declared on February 18 2003 for the year-ended December 31 2002 could not be accounted for.

The report said it was “inconceivable” that Tregers, in which Zanu PF had 41,96% shareholding, managed to declare a Z$1,2 billion dividend in four years when its annual turnover was about Z$150 billion.

There were queries over the murky investment of Z$120 million in the portfolio investment company M&S Investments by Zanu PF’s wholly owned investment arm, M&S Syndicate.

The report said another company, NamZim, was “closed due to mismanagement and the property was looted by unknown people”.

Some companies’ books, for instance those of Catercraft, were not audited for four years while there were no board meetings for two years.

Mnangagwa, who was interviewed twice by the probe committee because he held sway over the party’s network of companies, confirmed the chaos in the businesses by admitting most of the companies had no records.

“He (Mnangagwa) said that in most of these arrangements there were no written agreements on the formation of the companies and most of these agreements were done verbally between parties,” the report said. “Neither was there an agreement for payment of management fees to the Joshi brothers as these companies were operating as one.”

The Joshi brothers and Dipak Pandya fled the country shortly after the probe began. Several Zanu PF officials were quizzed about their escape.

Former Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa said the three ran way from being arrested and were in regular contact with him. He said Jayant was believed to be in Dubai, while Manharlal was in Manchester, England.

Some of the Zanu PF investments such as in Bindura Nickel Mine were also unclear. The report stated that Zanu PF had a 23% equity in Bindura through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Further inquiries into this investment were recommended.

There were also fears that companies like Tregers could have externalised funds.

As a result, the report recommended that “police/law enforcements agents should go into further investigations in order to establish any prejudice in terms of revenue to the party on its investments”.

More investigations were required into the shady M&S Z$120 million investment, Fibrolite and Catercraft operations, the unaccounted for Z$650 million Tregers dividend and other dividends declared without audited accounts, as well as Mike Appel’s dividend declarations.

The report said it was surprising that Mike Appel declared a Z$31 million dividend in 2003, but Z$250 million in 2005. Sare and shelf companies like M&S Investments, Segmented Investments through which Zanu PF had a 27% interest in First Bank, and Smoothnest Investments, Hutsonville and Amelia Properties, the report said, should also be further investigated.-TheZimbabweIndependent

The Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, Victor Matemadanda says the acts of abductions in the country are a work of enemies who want to tarnish the name of the so called new dispensation under President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Addressing war veterans and traditional leaders from Mashonaland East Province in Marondera this Friday, Matemadanda laughed off the issue of abductions, saying what would the government get in abducting a comedian like Samantha Kureya, popularly known as Gonyeti.

“It is laughable to hear people saying the government is abducting its citizens. Surely what would we get from abducting a comedian like Gonyeti, that is the work of our detractors bent on tarnishing the image of the government,” said Matemadanda.

Mashonaland East War Veterans Chairperson, Daniel Sigauke and provincial Chiefs’ Council leader, Chief Nechombo said their institutions have always supported government efforts on development.

“As war veterans, we have always supported developmental initiatives by the government and we will continue to render our support to all programs,” said Cde Sigauke.

“As traditional leaders from this province, we are supporting all government programmes including devolution which is set to decentralize issues of development,” said Chief Nechombo.

The meeting was attended by chiefs from the province and members of the war veterans provincial leadership and district representatives.

By A Correspondent| Former Zanu Pf heavyweight Professor Jonathan Moyo has said failure by Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s failure to avail to the nation a fully dressed judgement which saw the courts declare Emmerson Mnangagwa as the winner of the 2018 elections exposed the latter’s illegitimacy.

Said Moyo:

#OneYearLaterNoMalabaJudgment
Still no "fully dressed judgment" as promised by Chief Justice Malaba on 24 August 2018. Instead Zimbabweans remain stuck with his undressed judgment that has left the country with a naked problem of Mnangagwa's illegitimacy, after a stolen election! https://t.co/Dye5JyN9W9

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) August 24, 2019

Do you think Justice Malaba will release the fully dressed judgement? Show your thoughts in the poll below:

@ProfJNMoyo said failure by @JusticeLukeMalaba to furnish the nation with a fully dressed judgement of how the courts decided that @edmnangagwa had won the #2018elections 1 yr later exposed Mnangagwa's illegitimacy. Do you think Justice Malaba will ever release the judgement?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 24, 2019