Farai Dziva|Zanu PF Youth League leader, Pupurai Togarepi has sensationally claimed there is no place for the MDC in central government.

See Togarepi’s full statement below:

The wise always say do not pick fights you can’t win and the clever ones stick to this time old piece of wisdom, but sadly and rather regrettably, our political opponents in the MDC are naive and fail to understand such basics.

Zanu PF is the ruling party of Zimbabwe, and with a very weak and out of sorts opposition such as the MDC, we will rule this country until donkeys grow horns, they can only dream but then dreams are for free.

We say Zanu PF will rule for ages to come, not because we are undemocratic but purely because we are the people’s preferred party as has been proven since the turn of this year where the party has won by-elections with little effort.

Zanu PF is winning elections because President Emmerson Mnangagwa is leading us to the Promised Land and those with vision and who care to see can already witness the transformative progress that is taking place, slowly people’s lives are being transformed, notwithstanding some problems here and there.

However, the noise and mischief makers in the MDC, as myopic as ever, chose to bury their heads in the sand like ostriches, and like the damn warmongers that they are now issuing needless ultimatums that are meant to ill-conceivably rattle Zanu PF into entering into a government of national unity in flagrant disregard to the will of the people that was expressed loud and clear in last year harmonised elections.

There is no place for the MDC in government and certainly no free lunch, democracy is at times very selfish and the so-called democratic party should eat that.

We have said it before, there is no back door entrance into government and the sooner the bellicose yet ill-information democracy midgets like Job Sikhala realise this, the better, democracy is functional in Zimbabwe and no amount of threats or ultimatums will alter that.

But in case they chose the undemocratic path and threaten to unseat a constitutionally elected government through needless demonstrations, those in the opposition should be guided accordingly, we are the ruling party Zanu PF and stand ready to defend the People’s vote and our President.

We are not afraid of clowns and the place for clowns is in circuses and not politics, neither do we fear the bark of toothless dogs, let them bark themselves hoarse isu tichingotonga, delivering on our electoral promises.

The MDC should also remember that we are a revolutionary party, the party that liberated the country from colonialism against all odds.

We have the capacity to thwart any troublesome elements and forewarned must be forearmed, only that our supposed to be opposition brothers are lost souls, clueless and howling for recognition in the pits of darkness.

Farai Dziva| Controversial Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting Services, Energy Mutodi, has implored Zimbabweans to ignore the MDC demo scheduled for August 16.

Mutodi has also warned that the firm hand of the government will be used to deal the planned MDC demonstration.

“The planned MDC demo has bn condemned by South African leaders & the whole SADC.

Any sensible Zimbabwean will not risk his or her life taking part in such a futile event.

President Mnangagwa is building the country step by step & any attempt to disturb him will be met with a firm hand…”Mutodi posted on Twitter.

Defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri and her Deputy, Victor Matemadanda, last week threatened to unleash soldiers to thwart opposition led demonstrations.

Farai Dziva|Members of the Movement for Democratic Change in South Africa will join the August 16 demo.

The Communications Secretary for MDC SA Province, Innocent Nsingo, told ZimEye party members in that country were keen to join the demo.

“The leadership and members of the MDC South Africa Province will be in Zimbabwe on the 16th of August,to demonstrate together,in solidarity with the suffering people of Zimbabwe. We will be there,be there,” said Nsingo.

“We are organising transport logistics and everything.We are saying the people of Zimbabwe have suffered for too long and as such we can no longer bear the pain anymore.”

By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has denied claims that former Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Priscah Mupfumira — who is in jail for grand corruption — has been getting special treatment in and out of remand prison.

Pictures and videos of Mupfumira coming to court smartly dressed and holding a handbag as well as toiletry bag in her hand did the rounds amid claims that the former minister was being treated differently from other accused persons.

It is alleged that Mupfumira got a special seat in the prison van and used the back door entrance to enter the court for her bail hearing recently.

However, Chief Correctional Officer and national public relations officer for ZPCS Meya Khanyezi said unconvicted prisoners like Mupfumira have special rights they are entitled to. 

‘‘We have Section 78 of Prisons Act Chapter 7:11 which says an unconvicted prisoner may be permitted to maintain himself and to arrange for the purchase or receive from private sources at proper hours items such as food, bedding clothing or other necessities as the commissioner may from time to time determine,” she said.

‘‘Section 80 further states that if an unconvicted prisoner does not provide himself with food, clothing and bedding, he shall receive normal prison food, clothing and bedding,” she added.

Her clarification is in line with the findings of an independent body about the rights of prisoners in Zimbabwe.

A 2018 report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, titled “RIGHTS BEHIND BARS: A Study of Prison Conditions In Zimbabwe” concluded that Zimbabwe prisons were in compliance with international and domestic standards on conditions of detention to make recommendations. 

The central aim of the study was to determine whether the conditions in our prisons are consistent with the international and domestic standards that are provided for in international instruments, the Constitution and the Prisons Act (Chapter 7:11).

“To make this determination, the Forum, in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Offender (ZACRO), carried out prison monitoring visits at seven correctional or custodial institutions representing different types of prisons in the country and found out that Zimbabwe was at 80 percent compliance level in terms of providing prisoners with dignity, cell conditions and sanitations, bedding, adequate clothing, the right to sufficient food.

“The study also found out that the prisoners are getting education as well as various forms of vocational trainings and work.

“The study also recommended that the prisoners have a right to clean water and the right to health care services,” said the organisation.”-StateMedia

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa is desperate to coax his former boss Robert Mugabe following the former strongman’ s announcement that he does not want to be buried at the National Heroes Acre.

According to a weekly publication, Mugabe has chosen to be buried at his rural home in Zvimba- next to his late mother Bona.

Family members who spoke to the Independent newspaper said:

“Mugabe has made it clear to his family that he does not wish to be buried at the National Heroes’ Acre anymore. He does not want to be associated with Mnangagwa and all those he now views as his betrayers and tormentors.”

“He has said he doesn’t want them to sing and pontificate over his dead body. He has informed relatives about his decision and this is known in the family; it’s also now known in government circles.”

Mugabe’s declaration is reported to have shocked Mnangagwa.

The Zanu PF leader is reported to have tried to mend bridges by sending a high powered delegation to Singapore to check on the President’s health.

The delegation includes Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda, Central Intelligence Organisation Director-General Isaac Moyo and Mugabe’s former personal doctor Professor Jonathan Matenga, according to the paper.

By A Correspondent| The Vehicle Inspection Department has effected new prices for all its services revealing that a learner’s licence and certificate of competence is now pegged at $100.

Below are the new prices:

LEARNER LICENCE $100.00

CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY (class 3,4) $100.00

CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY (class 1,2) $125.00

RETEST $100.00

PRODUCTION $ 75.00

DUPLICATE $ 75.00

URGENT DISC APPLICATION $175.00

INFORMATION SEARCH FEE $ 25.00

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

By A Correspondent- A MARANGE man appeared before a Mutare magistrate on allegations of possessing five pieces of diamond without a permit on Monday.

The diamond pieces had 13.11 carats and valued at $1 115.

Augustine Majaya (43), of Tinoengana Village under headman Chiadzwa in Marange, appeared before magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe facing charges of dealing in or possession of diamonds without a permit or licence.

He denied the allegations, but Mr Mahwe remanded him in custody to August 19 for sentencing.

Prosecutor Mr Brian Goto told the court that on February 19, 2019, at around 8am, Detective Assistant Inspector Dliwe Mpofu (40), received information that the accused person was illegally in possession of diamonds and was on his way to Mutare along the Mutare-Masvingo highway.

Mpofu teamed up with three other detectives — Sergeant Elliot Muchariona, Sergeant Ushe Magune and Constable Collen Chidhakwa and intercepted the car that Majaya was driving at Mutare Teacher’s College.

The court heard that the police officers searched the accused person who was still seated on the driver’s seat and recovered five pieces of diamonds from his right hand.

Majaya failed to produce the permit allowing him to be in possession of the diamonds, leading to his arrest.

Majaya, however, denied the allegations saying he was not in possession of any diamonds.

“I was driving a Toyota Run and on board there was another passenger. We were both searched and nothing was recovered.

“I was not in possession of any diamonds. The said diamonds were recovered from the motor vehicle, not on me,” he said.-ManicaPost

By A Correspondent- Civil servants in Beitbridge, who are facing accommodation challenges, have raised concern over favouritism in the allocation of 176 government houses in the border town.

Some potential beneficiaries claim allocations are fraught with favouritism leaving most civil servants frustrated and having to pay high rentals in private accommodation.

This, according to other civil servants, has left them seeking relocation or in debt since their salaries fall far too short of market demands.

Most affected are the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs ministry, Department of Social Welfare, police and Health ministry employees.

Customs and Excise and Immigration Departments are also affected, but these are waiting for the completion of their individually built houses, unlike others who share the 176 pool houses.

Four court officials, including three magistrates, have to vacate a house they are sharing to make way for a newly assigned District Development Coordinator.

Much of the accommodation shortages have, however, been blamed on the National Housing department officials accused of lacking transparency and failing to properly allocate available houses.

The head of Public Construction at Beitbridge Edmore Tlou told Southern Eye that he was unable to comment due to other pressing assignments.

“I am leading contractors on a tour of Beitbridge Hospital now and am not in a position to help,” he said.

Beitbridge district coordinator Sikhangezile Mafu said: “There is a house for the district co-ordinator (DA) in every district, so it’s the one I am meant to occupy. I have, however, asked to be given just a couple of rooms while other families living there are given enough notice. I will share with them until their notice period while alternative accommodation is arranged for them.”

She said she could not occupy the house her predecessor Kilibone Ndou used because it was reserved for administrative assistants, a rank she had passed. Civil service staff complement in Beitbridge has long outstripped the number of houses.

“Beitbridge government workers have increased, but accommodation has not. A proper strategy to accommodate all of us in the few available houses is needed,” said one government worker.

“This crisis has been brewing because National Housing officials took their eyes off the ball and several people who have been transferred from Beitbridge still hold on to accommodation they were given when they were posted here.

“Some have retired and have continued to stay in government accommodation although they must make way for others,” said the official.

District spokesperson Talent Munda confirmed the disgruntlement among his colleagues in relation to housing.

“There are lower grade employees occupying houses meant for their seniors. I am a head of a Ministry here, but I have no house yet some clerks, do which is not normal,’ he said.

“There has been growth that has seen the arrival of many heads of departments who branched off what used to be the District Administrator’s Office, but that ministry has held on to houses some of them now occupied by junior staff,” he said.

Munda also lamented the slow processes on the legal action to evict retired and transferred workers holding on to government accommodation.

“That process is taking long and has caused frustrations on other civil servants meant to take over those houses,” Munda said.

Most government departments are fully represented at Beitbridge, home to the State’s cash cow at the Beitbridge border post employing more than a thousand workers.

Among the new arrivals at Beitbridge is the Regional Magistrate, on a permanent status.

Exacerbating the civil servants housing woes is the slow completion of 261 housing units and flats for government workers which is part of a Beitbridge Redevelopment Plan launched in 2006.

That plan, among other things, should see the establishment of new schools, a hospital and recreational facilities, as incentives for the government workers.

“At the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services they have started building log cabins for officers who cannot afford rentals charged in foreign currency,” said Munda.

Customs and Excise recently said it was failing to collect maximum revenue at Beitbridge due to accommodation shortages.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A RUSAPE man, who did the unthinkable when he allegedly axed his uncle, harvested his private parts and showed them off to his auntie before dumping them at his grandfather’s grave, has been arrested and arraigned before the courts.

Chikomborero Mupoperi (25), of Mupoperi village under Chief Tandi, on the outskirts of Rusape allegedly murdered his uncle Aleck Mupoperi (65) in cold blood before slicing off his private parts, on Monday.

The incident has shocked the usually tranquil Mupoperi village amid revelations that prior to the grisly murder, Chikomborero had stolen the deceased’s chicken, drank its blood and ate the meat raw.

Manicaland police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the incident that occurred on August 5, 2019 at around 1am, when the accused person went to Innocent Mupoperi’s homestead where Lovemore Chipfuya (21) is employed as a domestic worker.

He knocked at the cottage and woke up Chipfuya whom he asked to charge his cell phones. The suspect remained in the house charging his cell phones until Chipfuya fell asleep.   After charging his cell phones, he went back to his homestead.

At around 5am Chipfuya woke up and started praying. The accused person who stays close came back and requested to join him in prayer. After prayers, the suspect asked Chipfuya to pray for him and he complied.

“Lovemore Chipfuya (21) is alleged to be a prophet in the area. He prayed for the suspect, following which he confessed to stealing Aleck’s chicken. He told the prophet that he had slaughtered the chicken, drank its blood, consumed the meat raw and gave the leftovers to a dog,” he said.

The suspect said he was now feeling guilty and wanted to go and apologise to the now deceased.

He then left Chipfuya’s cottage and went back to his homestead. Chipfuya, who panicked after the weird confession went to the homestead of the deceased’s sister, Agnes Mupoperi, and informed her of it.

When the accused arrived home he knocked at the main door and it was opened.

While inside, he tripped his uncle, took an axe from the spare bedroom and struck him twice on the neck, killing him instantly.

He then took a knife from the kitchen unit in the spare bedroom and used it to cut off the now deceased’s private parts, put them in his trousers pockets and vanished.

“He then rushed to Agnes’ house, showed off the parts to her and told her that he was going with them to the graveyard which was a kilometre away,” he said.

Insp Kakohwa said Chikomborero dumped the private parts on his late grandfather Samuel Mupoperi’s grave and returned home.

“This made Agnes to advise Nelson Mupoperi (42) and Gift Mupoperi (42) to check up on Aleck. Upon arrival they saw Aleck’s body lying in a pool of blood. The two then rushed and reported the incident to the village head Mr Roland Mupoperi.”

The village head reported the incident to Rusape Central Police Station, leading to the arrest of Chikomborero.

The accused confessed to the murder and led to the recovery of the blood stained murder weapon from the spare bedroom where it was hidden behind the kitchen unit.

He also led to recovery of now deceased’s private parts at his grandfather’s grave at the village graveyard. Aleck’s body was taken to Rusape General Hospital for a post mortem.

Chikomborero was hauled before Rusape magistrate Mr Gift Manyika on Wednesday facing murder charges.

Appearing before Mr Manyika, the accused left the court in awe when he said his name was ‘Jesus’ and did not know why the police had arrested him.

Mr Roy Weja appeared for the State.

Chikomborero told the court that he was busy preaching the gospel when the police arrested him.

The magistrate ordered that Chikomborero be examined by two doctors establish his mental state and report back to the court.

The accused was remanded in custody to August 21, 2019.-ManicaPost

Picture: President Emmerson Mnangagwa's pre recorded address to the nation to be aired after the main news on ZTV. What will he say? pic.twitter.com/P9semDtfV2

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 9, 2019

By A Correspondent- The government has said that the production and printing of passports will soon increase following the availability of machinery and printing paper.

The assurance was made by the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Ambassador Cain Mathema, during a tour of the passport production department today.

The Ministry of Information today posted a video which revealed over 92 000 passports booklets at the Registrar General’s office that are still waiting to be printed.

In July, Mathema revealed that the passport backlog dates back to 2018. He also projected thatin “two to three weeks”, the situation would have improved.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that the total number of passports produced nationwide is 250 against a demand of 3000 daily. Harare Registrar General offices are reportedly producing an average of 12 per day.

Some passport seekers were being told to check for their travelling documents in 2022.

This has resulted in some officers at the Registrar General’s office asking for huge kickbacks from desperate passport seekers.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Workers have told Finance Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, to prioritise reviewing their salaries instead of bonuses which are expected at a later date.

They said that the effects of the erosion of their salaries are being felt now hence the need to take action now.

Their remarks come after Ncube had pledged that he would, without fail, pay public workers their bonuses in November this year. This is unlike previous years when bonuses were paid the following year.

Responding to Ncube’s announcement, Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president, Takavafira Zhou, said:

Mthuli Ncube never ceases to surprise us and is fast revealing that he is a human epidemic. Teachers are currently hungry, angry and incapacitated. The priority is to ensure that teachers are capacitated as of now and that a lasting solution is found to the erosion of the purchasing value of their salaries or starvation wages.

The soaring inflation in the country has eroded the salaries of workers with the majority of them declaring incapacity to continue executing their contractual duties and responsibilities.

By A Correspondent- OFFICER commanding Manicaland Police, Commissioner Dr Wiklef Makamache, has ordered fellow commanders to climb down from their high horses and avail themselves to the public in order to fight crime.

While launching the Mutare District client service charter at the Meikles Park recently, the police boss said commanders have a duty to ensure that they accord themselves and their offices at any given time.

He went on to publicise active cell phone numbers of Chief Superintendents who preside over seven districts in the province saying they must be contactable all times.

“The police client service charter is a bond we have established  between us, as the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and you the general public, to chart the roadmap in our quest to put an end to crime,” he said.

“Crime is a social scourge that requires you and me to stand in line and complement each other in our bid to wipe it off across all social strata. Our drive in the 2019 re-launch of the police client service charter is stimulated by our desire to re-engage and re-connect with the public so as to be able to create an environment conducive to socio-economic development for our people.

“We appreciate that we are coming from a policing environment that previously created divisive lines between the police and the general public.

“It is important at this moment to highlight that the ZRP has taken a serious stance in engaging the public so that you become a contributor in the manner you are policed. The need to deliver a service premised on home-grown solutions for home-bred crime problems gives us the necessary stimulus to continuously appeal for your support and cooperation in the fight against crime,” he said.

Dr Makamache said crime growth rate will be reduced by 2 percent of the previous year.

“Crime is the core business of the ZRP. I once reiterated that our thrust is prevention which ensures there is perpetual peace and economic development. We further recognise that the occurrence of crime is a reality whose prevalence amongst us cannot be ignored.

“Of crimes committed in each month of the year, we endeavour to detect 75 percent of these. We have also set a target of 75 percent as standard for the investigation finalisation of all classes of dockets within their various set time frames. This should certainly ensure that a sizeable number of cases that are investigated are brought to their logical conclusion as quickly as possible.”-ManicaPost

IT is normally serene on Zimbabwe’s diplomatic scene, but there was high drama last week when government summoned United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols after Washington imposed sanctions on Ambassador-designate to Tanzania Anselem Sanyatwe, for his role in the August 1, 2018 shootings, which left six dead on the streets of Harare.

Sanyatwe, a former commander of the Zimbabwe National Army’s Presidential Guard — an elite but politically oriented force which protects the head of state and is specially trained to fight in built-up areas — commanded the November 2017 military operation which toppled former president Robert Mugabe. He also commanded soldiers deployed to quash the post-election violence on August 1, which resulted in unarmed civilians being shot.

The killings led to global condemnation, forcing President Emmerson Mnangagwa to set up a commission of inquiry led by former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe. The commission recommended that victims be compensated and that the killer soldiers face justice.

But with government turning a blind eye to the recommendations, Washington imposed sanctions on Sanyatwe and his wife on the anniversary of the shootings, angering government in the process. To add salt to injury, the Donald Trump administration suggested Zimbabweans lived under better conditions during Mugabe’s tenure than they are under the Mnangagwa government.

Nichols was then summoned by government, which expressed its displeasure at Washington’s move through Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador James Manzou.

But let us separate facts from politics.

The fact is that unarmed civilians were killed on the streets of Harare. The majority were shot in the back, while fleeing from trigger-happy soldiers. It is also a fact that an investigation was done and recommendations were made, but have been ignored to date. A year after the killings, no one has been prosecuted “despite the fact that the alleged perpetrators have been identified through the media and social media videos and pictures” as noted by Amnesty International, suggesting impunity.

No one has been compensated either, indicating insensitivity on government’s part.

This is hardly surprising, though, because such impunity has been part of the Zimbabwean system since Independence.

From the Gukurahundi massacres in the 1980s, which resulted in more than 20 000 civilians being butchered by the military right up the military-led January 2019 killings, perpetrators have not been brought to book. Since Independence many people have been killed, tortured, raped or maimed, while others disappeared without trace, but the perpetrators have not been brought to book, even in cases where the perpetrators are known and evidence abounds.

Even in the so-called new dispensation, the impunity continues unabated as seen by the failure to bring to book those responsible for the August 1 shootings and the January killings.

Minister Cain Mathema informed journalists today that passport production is set to improve within the next three weeks.This follows the release of funds by Treasury, which were used to reduce the debt owed to suppliers of consummables needed. Passport prices remain unchanged. pic.twitter.com/nCzPfQqld2

— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) August 9, 2019

Passport production is done locally, however,consummables such as gold foil & security thread are imported & require foreign currency. At present, the national production centre has over 92 000 booklets in store awaiting personalisation upon acquisition of necessary consummables pic.twitter.com/kgnLEaRl5M

— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) August 9, 2019

Former President Robert Mugabe fired embattled ex-Minister of Tourism Prisca Mupfumira for gross abuse of office it has emerged.

Writing of Twitter Professor Jonathan Moyo said, “In October 2017, four weeks BEFORE the coup, Mupfumira WAS FIRED by President Mugabe for exactly the same NSSA allegations over missing tens of MILLIONS of US dollars under COMMAND AGRICULTURE. Mnangagwa and Chinamasa defended her and Mnangagwa got her back to Cabinet AFTER the coup!”

Reports that surfaced this week indicate that in 2017 during a politiburo meeting Mupfumira stood up to protest her firing beginning by protesting that she was being purged because her enemies were labelling her a Lacoste faction member, she went on to say maybe because she was close with the then Minister of Psychomotor Hungwe.

Mugabe is said to have interjected by slamming the table and saying,”shut up with all this nonsense, the reason for been fired is because you are a thief and have been abusing your position for corruption purposes at NSSA.”

The following week Mupfumira who was the then Politburo Secretary for Tourism skipped the country.

After the November 2017 bloody coup Mupfumira bounced back as the Minister of Tourism under the President Emmerson Mnangagwa led Government.

In October 2017, four weeks BEFORE the coup, Mupfumira WAS FIRED by President Mugabe for exactly the same NSSA allegations over missing tens of MILLIONS of US dollars under COMMAND AGRICULTURE. Mnangagwa & Chinamasa defended her & Mnangagwa got her back to Cabinet AFTER the coup!

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) August 8, 2019

INTENSE jostling for the vice-presidency has erupted among Zanu PF heavyweights at a time Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga is battling for his life at a top Chinese hospital.

This comes as it emerged that Chiwenga spent a week in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Beijing hospital before he was put on specialist treatment for an undisclosed illness under heavy security.

Although the official government position is that he is stable and on the recovery path, sources said his condition is still critical although he has shown signs of improvement.

Sources said he can now watch television and read.

Chiwenga was flown to the Chinese capital last month in a very serious condition, government officials revealed.

Zanu PF insiders told the Zimbabwe Independent this week that Chiwenga’s health woes have ignited frenzied jostling for his seat, with Zanu PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri emerging as the front-runner.

Muchinguri-Kashiri appears to be the overwhelming favourite for the position as she reportedly enjoys support from President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa wanted to appoint Muchinguri-Kashiri as one of his deputies soon after the November 2017 military coup which ended former president Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule, but the military demanded that the position be given to Chiwenga, who also at the time insisted on being in charge of the influential Defence and War Veterans portfolios.

“She is trusted by ED because of her unwavering loyalty. She has been in cabinet for a long time. She also has impeccable liberation war credentials which make her the ultimate favourite. Her other advantage seems to be that women in the party have been clamouring for a position in the top three and, being in the presidium already, she is very much set for it,” a Zanu PF official said.

However, Muchinguri-Kashiri is facing fierce competition from Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa, who is also thought to be interested in the top job and is being propped up by her belligerent husband, Chris.

Mutsvangwa also boasts of the same liberation war credentials as Muchinguri-Kashiri and fits perfectly into the emerging gender narrative.

Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander Lieutenant-General Valerio Sibanda’s name has also been mentioned, although he is considered a rank outsider.

His biggest challenge is that he has Zapu/Zipra roots along with the other Vice-President Kembo Mohadi.

Sibanda’s other challenge, according to senior Zanu PF officials, is that he comes from Midlands province like Mnangagwa and his appointment would thus upset the delicate ethnic balancing imperative, which is a big factor in Zanu PF politics.

Public service minister Prisca Mupfumira was also in the picture before her arrest, detention and subsequent dismissal over corruption charges yesterday.

According to a senior government official, Chiwenga is receiving treatment at a top hospital in a security zone.
“He was flown to China in a very bad state at the request of the Government of Zimbabwe. He was directly transferred to hospital soon after landing. He is at one of the best and top medical institutions where extensive tests have been done,” the government official said.

“He went there with some of his aides and members of his security team. At the moment the Chinese government is regularly updating the Government of Zimbabwe through direct communication between President Xi Jinping and President Mnangagwa as well as through the Chinese Embassy.

“The Chinese government has told President Mnangagwa that Beijing will do its best, although there are no assurances. He was in ICU for some time and had lost weight, but he has improved. He can now read, watch television, as well as do light exercises.”

The official also said Mnangagwa briefed cabinet about Chiwenga’s health on Tuesday last week.

“President Mnangagwa updated us at the start of the cabinet meeting on Tuesday last week on the status of Vice-President Chiwenga. This followed his telephone conversation with President Xi. The President informed cabinet that Chiwenga was admitted in the ICU for a week before he was discharged on Monday (June 29, 2019),” the official said.

“He also told us that the Vice-President’s condition remains critical at the moment but it was hoped that there could be an improvement once they start the treatment regime.

“He (Mnangagwa) told us that there is tight security at the hospital where Chiwenga is receiving treatment. It is heavily fortified.”

In a statement on Tuesday, Mnangagwa said the Chinese medical experts had completed extensive tests on Chiwenga and are now beginning treatment, describing the condition of the former military strongman who led the coup which toppled former president Robert Mugabe and gave rise to Mnangagwa as “remarkably stable”.

“Further to my communication last month updating the nation on the condition of our Vice President, Dr CGDN Chiwenga, I wish to add that the Vice President has now completed extensive tests required by the Chinese medical team attending to him, thus paving way for the commencement of actual treatment,” Mnangagwa said.

“While it is too early in the treatment process, I am advised that the vice president’s conditions remains remarkably stable, with the initial strict regimen imposed on him at the time of his admission being gradually eased to allow greater access by close family members.”

– The Zimbabwe Independent

Econet recently announced they would be revising the prices of their data bundles and true to their tune, they have done so. The new data bundles are more expensive than before but that what was widely expected from the moment we got word of a price change.

How bad is it?

The new daily bundles look like this:

Duration	Data	Price
1 Day	40MB	$2
1 Day	250MB	$5.63
1 Day	750MB	$11.5
1 Day	2GB	$18

Weekly bundles:

Duration	Data	Price
7 Days	25MB	$1.35
7 Days	60MB	$3
7 Days	160MB	$7.5
7 Days	350MB	$15
7 Days	700MB	$30

Monthly bundles

Duration	Data	Price
30 Days	270MB	$15
30 Days	700MB	$37.5
30 Days	1150MB	$60
30 Days	2100MB	$105
30 Days	3100MB	$150

Considering that POTRAZ approved a tariff increase it was only a matter of time before the mobile networks struck. Netone already introduced new tariffs for their bundles and it seems Telecel is the only player who hasn’t done the same, though they have increased tariffs for voice calls and data might be in the pipeline.

By A Correspondent- Former Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Province, Advocate Martin Dinha is being investigated by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on allegations of criminal abuse of office during his tenure as Bindura’s executive mayor between 2004 and 2008.

In a letter seen by the State Media date stamped August 5, 2019 to Bindura Municipality signed by ZACC investigations manager Mr Lovemore Findi, the commission said they are “investigating various allegations of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer as defined in Section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23”.

Some of the allegations levelled against Adv Dinha include selling Kingstone Farm to former Cabinet minister Nicholas Goche, who in turn had initially sold the same farm to Bindura Municipality.

Reads the letter in part;

“The then Executive Mayor, Advocate Martin Dinha bought a council house in March 2008 after council had passed a resolution cancelling the sale of council houses in low-density suburbs.

“The said house was sold without going to tender nor advertised in terms of the law. The then mayor converted a grinding mill donated to Bindura Town Council by a Mazowe resident in 2004 to his own use.

“In 2008, Adv Martin Dinha, Japhet Kabanga and the District Administrator, sold Kingstone Farm back to former Minister Goche who had initially sold it to council in 2004. The sale had no council resolution.”

Adv Dinha, who was recently appointed National Railways of Zimbabwe board chairman, confirmed the probe but quickly refuted the allegations.

He said it was the work of his “political enemies” in Mashonaland Central.

More to follow…

Farai Dziva| Controversial Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting Services, Energy Mutodi, has implored Zimbabweans to ignore the MDC demo scheduled for August 16.

Mutodi has also warned that the firm hand of the government will be used to deal the planned MDC demonstration.

“The planned MDC demo has bn condemned by South African leaders & the whole SADC.

Any sensible Zimbabwean will not risk his or her life taking part in such a futile event.

President Mnangagwa is building the country step by step & any attempt to disturb him will be met with a firm hand…”Mutodi posted on Twitter.

Defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri and her Deputy, Victor Matemadanda, last week threatened to unleash soldiers to thwart opposition led demonstrations.

Jane Mlambo| Outspoken Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has said former President Robert Mugabe’s refusal to be buried at the Heroes Acre is karma as “he was infamous for leading other heroes into such decisions.”

Posting on Twitter, Mliswa said it was unfortunate that Mugabe denied other worthy people to be buried at the national shrine including opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai who was buried at his home village in Buhera.

It’s a very unfortunate end to a once great man but Gushungo also oversaw the blocking of other worthy man from being buried there. Tsvangirai remains a credible example, a man who did much for Zimbabwe’s democracy but is nowhere there.

— Hon. Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) August 9, 2019

Tajamuka leader Promise Mkwananzi has been remanded to the 23rd of August after being advised to apply for bail at the High Court. He was taken to Chikurubi maximum prison.

He is being charged with two counts of plotting to subvert a constitutional elected government and one count of inciting public violence.

The former MDC Youth Assembly secretary-general has been on the police wanted list since the fuel riots that engulfed the country in January this year.

Dear Editor

We are in Capetown, South Africa and we are not happy with how we are being treated by personnel from Chihwa bus service that plies the Harare CapeTown route.

The people there are taking money from people saying they can send groceries back home but for your goods to go, you have to bribe someone again or else your goods don’t go even if you would have paid.

Can someone help us please because these people are seriously shortchanging us although we would have paid the required money.

Concerned citizen

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa is desperate to coax his former boss Robert Mugabe following the former strongman’ s announcement that he does not want to be buried at the National Heroes Acre.

According to a weekly publication, Mugabe has chosen to be buried at his rural home in Zvimba- next to his late mother Bona.

Family members who spoke to the Independent newspaper said:

“Mugabe has made it clear to his family that he does not wish to be buried at the National Heroes’ Acre anymore. He does not want to be associated with Mnangagwa and all those he now views as his betrayers and tormentors.”

“He has said he doesn’t want them to sing and pontificate over his dead body. He has informed relatives about his decision and this is known in the family; it’s also now known in government circles.”

Mugabe’s declaration is reported to have shocked Mnangagwa.

The Zanu PF leader is reported to have tried to mend bridges by sending a high powered delegation to Singapore to check on the President’s health.

The delegation includes Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda, Central Intelligence Organisation Director-General Isaac Moyo and Mugabe’s former personal doctor Professor Jonathan Matenga, according to the paper.

By A Correspondent- Opposition legislator Settlement Chikwinya who was facing charges of inciting public violence during the January 14 fuel protest has been acquitted.

The MDC revealed this in a statement and said:

“Hon. Settlement Chikwinya was today acquitted of trumped up charges of public violence.

However he remains on remand on the yet another set of fabricated charges of subversion.”

Chikwinya was among the many opposition stalwarts who were arrested and charged for inciting public violence in the country following reactions by the citizens to the fuel price increase announcement made by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in January 2019.

The MDC however condemned the arrests of its membership arguing that government was using the state apparatus to weaken the opposition and targeting its membership.

Said the MDC in a statement:

The MDC notes with concern the continuous harassment of party members by the ZANU PF government.

Today more leaders have been arrested on trumped up charges of inciting violence.

Hon Settlement Chikwinya was arrested today while a fast tracked trial has been suspiciously commenced against Hon Amos Chibaya and Hon Chiminya.

This conduct is unconstitutional, every citizen has the right to due process and a fair trial including adequate time to prepare a defense.

We have seen the past few days being dominated by cases of rushed convictions and some strange sentences following the convictions including a five year jail term for a cooked charge of violent conduct.

We urge the government to end persecution of MDC  members forthwith, all trumped up charges  must be dropped and investigations of killings must be instituted.

Then ploy to use trumped up charges as a tool to weaken the MDC will not work.”

Farai Dziva|The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has rejected an application by the MDC for a vote recount in Luna East Constituency.

See ZEC Chief Elections Office Utoile Silaigwana’s response to the application:

REQUEST FOR A RECOUNT FOR ALL LUPANE EAST CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION RESULTS: 3 AUGUST 2019.

The Commission has received a request from the MDC-A candidate as well as secretary-general of the party for a recount of all Lupane East results (see letters attached).

Section 67A of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13] provides that:

1. “within forty-eight hours after a constituency elections officer has been declared to be duly elected… Any political party or candidate that contested the election in the constituency concerned may request the Commission to conduct a recount of votes in one or more of the polling stations in the ward or constituency.
2. A request in terms of subsection (1) shall-
   a) Be in writing, signed by an appropriate representative of the political party or candidate making the request; and
   b) State specifically the number of votes believed to have been miscounted, and if possible, how the miscount may have occurred; and
   C) State how the results of the election have been affected by the alleged miscount”.
   The Constituency Elections Officer declared the results of the by-election at 09:27hours on the 4th of August 2019. The Commission received the request for the recount AT 1100hrs on the 6th of August 2019, a period of 49 hours 33 minutes after the declaration by the Constituency Elections Officer. On that score, it is my opinion that the request has been received out of the time of the prescribed 48-hour period.

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF Youth League leader, Pupurai Togarepi has sensationally claimed there is no place for the MDC in central government.

See Togarepi’s full statement below:

The wise always say do not pick fights you can’t win and the clever ones stick to this time old piece of wisdom, but sadly and rather regrettably, our political opponents in the MDC are naive and fail to understand such basics.

Zanu PF is the ruling party of Zimbabwe, and with a very weak and out of sorts opposition such as the MDC, we will rule this country until donkeys grow horns, they can only dream but then dreams are for free.

We say Zanu PF will rule for ages to come, not because we are undemocratic but purely because we are the people’s preferred party as has been proven since the turn of this year where the party has won by-elections with little effort.

Zanu PF is winning elections because President Emmerson Mnangagwa is leading us to the Promised Land and those with vision and who care to see can already witness the transformative progress that is taking place, slowly people’s lives are being transformed, notwithstanding some problems here and there.

However, the noise and mischief makers in the MDC, as myopic as ever, chose to bury their heads in the sand like ostriches, and like the damn warmongers that they are now issuing needless ultimatums that are meant to ill-conceivably rattle Zanu PF into entering into a government of national unity in flagrant disregard to the will of the people that was expressed loud and clear in last year harmonised elections.

There is no place for the MDC in government and certainly no free lunch, democracy is at times very selfish and the so-called democratic party should eat that.

We have said it before, there is no back door entrance into government and the sooner the bellicose yet ill-information democracy midgets like Job Sikhala realise this, the better, democracy is functional in Zimbabwe and no amount of threats or ultimatums will alter that.

But in case they chose the undemocratic path and threaten to unseat a constitutionally elected government through needless demonstrations, those in the opposition should be guided accordingly, we are the ruling party Zanu PF and stand ready to defend the People’s vote and our President.

We are not afraid of clowns and the place for clowns is in circuses and not politics, neither do we fear the bark of toothless dogs, let them bark themselves hoarse isu tichingotonga, delivering on our electoral promises.

The MDC should also remember that we are a revolutionary party, the party that liberated the country from colonialism against all odds.

We have the capacity to thwart any troublesome elements and forewarned must be forearmed, only that our supposed to be opposition brothers are lost souls, clueless and howling for recognition in the pits of darkness.

Farai Dziva|Members of the Movement for Democratic Change in South Africa will join the August 16 demo.

The Communications Secretary for MDC SA Province, Innocent Nsingo, told ZimEye party members in that country were keen to join the demo.

“The leadership and members of the MDC South Africa Province will be in Zimbabwe on the 16th of August,to demonstrate together,in solidarity with the suffering people of Zimbabwe. We will be there,be there,” said Nsingo.

“We are organising transport logistics and everything.We are saying the people of Zimbabwe have suffered for too long and as such we can no longer bear the pain anymore.”

Ailing former President Robert Mugabe has brewed a major shocker after he requested that he be not buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare when he dies.

Weekly newspaper The Zimbabwe Independent reports that Mugabe told his family members visiting him in Singapore where he is receiving medical attention that he does not want to be buried at Heroes Acre he so much adored in his time as President of the country.

According to the paper, Mugabe is said to have said that he does not want the current ZANU PF government to preside over his funeral.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently gave a state of the nation address indicating that his predecessor was in a stable condition in hospital in Singapore since April this year.

During the bloody November 2017 coup when ZANU PF moved a motion to impeach Mugabe at the behest of the military, war veterans threatened that if Mugabe should die, he not be buried at the Heroes’ Acre because he had become a sellout.

According to the Zimbabwe Independent, the former President is so bitter at the way he was removed from power by his former henchman President Emmerson Mnangagwa that he does not want to give him and his associates the platform to pontificate and preside over his funeral.

He has instead chosen to be buried at his rural home in Zvimba next to his late mother Bona.

Family members who spoke to the publication said,

“Mugabe has made it clear to his family that he does not wish to be buried at the National Heroes’ Acre anymore. He does not want to be associated with Mnangagwa and all those he now views as his betrayers and tormentors.”

“He has said he doesn’t want them to sing and pontificate over his dead body. He has informed relatives about his decision and this is known in the family; it’s also now known in government circles.”

Mugabe’s declaration is reported to have shocked Mnangagwa who had assumed that he was going to be buried at the National Heroes Acre next to his first wife Sally. As a result of the request, Mnangagwa is reported to have tried to mend bridges by sending a high powered delegation to Singapore to check on the President’s health.

The delegation included Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda, Central Intelligence Organisation Director-General Isaac Moyo and Mugabe’s former personal doctor Professor Jonathan

Matenga.

Sources who spoke to the publication said,

“Although officially the purpose of the visit to Singapore was said to be to check up on Mugabe, the most urgent issue was to build bridges with his family to get an opportunity to preside over his funeral.”

President Mnangagwa’s son, Emmerson Jnr, yesterday distanced himself from allegations that he abused his proximity to power to obtain loans from a local bank without collateral and may have been involved in compiling lists of corrupt bigwigs.

He said dragging his name into these allegations could be an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing corruption fight being spearheaded by the President.

“In recent days, there has been a systematic attempt, through the media, to link me to certain transactions and conduct, with a clear intent to bear public judgment on my person,” he said in a statement yesterday.

“I would therefore like to make the following facts clear: (a) I do not currently hold, nor have I ever held, an account with the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ) neither have I ever transacted with them, (b) I have no involvement, past or present with a company called Spartan Investments, (c) I fully support the President’s anti-corruption efforts and the work of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC): I have had absolutely no involvement in any efforts to influence or circumvent its workings,” said Mr Mnangagwa.

He added that as a private citizen, he had “not given any instructions to anyone in ZANU-PF or any institution” to compile lists or targets of people to be arrested on corruption allegations.

“I take serious note of the timing of allegations, innuendos and attempts to involve my name as not only malicious, but an oblique attack on the President to divert and derail him from his path of fighting corruption and instituting reforms,” he concluded.

Mr Mnangagwa urged the media and citizens to be wary of disinformation and diversionary tactics in light of the pursuit of national agenda goals such as the fight against corruption.

-State Media

“Song for Itai Dzamara…at the Itai Dzamara Trust launch last night. It was also (the missing) Itai’s 40th birthday.”

Video downloading below:

By A Correspondent- A proposal by the SADC Lawyers President Max Bogwana to the current SADC Chairperson on Politics and Defence President Emmerson Mnangagwa to propose to other SADC heads of state to re-open the SADC Tribunal in Tanzania next week was today met with an emphatic No.

This was revealed by the Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN), a sub-regional Network that works to protect and promote the rights of Human Rights Defenders within the sub-region of Southern Africa.

Said the SAHRDN:

“#SADCLawyersAssociation president #MaxBoqwana asks #EDMnangagwa to propose to other SADC Heads to re-open the #SADCTribunal in #Tanzania next week. @edmnangagwa says an emphatic “NO” without giving reasons Change in leadership and not in policies.”

The organisation also revealed that the SADC Lawyers Association Vice President, Vimbai Nyemba while giving her closing remarks, expressed unhappiness at the President’s reaction and promised that she would keep engaging him over the issue.

Said the SAHRDN:

“The #SADCLawyersAssociation Vice President #MrsVimbayiNyemba thanks @edmnangagwa for his speech addressing lawyers from the #SADC, expressing unhappiness at President’s reaction to request for reopening of #SADCTribunal but promising to keep engaging him on issue.”

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY- REFRESH THIS PAGE FOR MORE

Why has @edmnangagwa opposed the re-opening of the SADC Tribunal? @ZLHRLawyers https://t.co/1kNWQSH6yi

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 9, 2019

#SADCLawyersAssociation president #MaxBoqwana asks #EDMnangagwa to propose to other SADC Heads to re-open the #SADCTribunal in #Tanzania next week. @edmnangagwa says an emphatic “NO” without giving reasons

Change in leadership and not in policies pic.twitter.com/bEbjMeOfgi

— SouthernDefenders (@SAHRDNetwork) August 9, 2019

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

USD = ZWL$9.7955
ZWL$ = RAND1.5336
Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Black Market Rates:
USD = ZWL$11.00 zimrates
USD = ZWL$10.90 zwl365
USD = ZWL$10.90 bluemari
USD = BOND7.80 zimrates

More: Marketwatch

By A Correspondent- A massive sex scandal has hit Mahlothova Secondary School in Umguza District, Matabeleland North amid allegations that one Form Three girl dropped out of school after being continuously defiled by one of the teachers who promised to help her pass her studies.

It is reported that the girl (name withheld) who is feared to be pregnant dropped out of school apparently in protest after the school authorities reportedly tried to conceal the matter.

The sexual abuse allegations by the teacher whose name is also being withheld wreaked havoc amid fears that worse could be happening to female pupils at the school’s makeshift boarding facility.

Further investigations by B-Metro after the alleged report of sexual abuse in question, revealed that it was not a first as there have been two others of a similar nature involving pupils who have since departed from the school and no legal action or criminal charges were preferred against any of the alleged perpetrators.

According to a source from the school who sought anonymity, some teachers and pupils at the school who are privy to the matter were worried because it appeared to have been swept under the carpet.

“The sexual abuse was discovered in October 2018, but was concealed by the school authorities in a bid to save the image of the school. It came to light after the alleged perpetrator was found at the girls’ hostel half naked at around 10pm looking for the victim.

“After being busted, the teacher was reported to the matron and teacher in charge of the girls’ boarding facility who later informed the headmaster and his deputy but they didn’t do anything,” said the source.

The victim, after being summoned by the school authorities, is alleged to have told them that before the alleged sexual abuse, the teacher in question had been pestering her to be his girlfriend.

She is alleged to have said: “U-sir wathi uyangifuna ngabe ngimtshela ukuthi sirawungihloniphi njalo hlonipha i-ring oyifake esandleni, u-sir waqhubeka engenzela ama-favours (the teacher said he loves me and I asked him why he didn’t respect me and the ring on his finger and he continued doing me some favours).

“After the school authorities had decided to conceal the matter, the girl threatened to commit suicide or leave the school stating that it was so painful to be disbelieved by people who were supposed to protect her.”

Realising that the school authorities had turned a blind eye, the girl reportedly stopped coming to school.

“She eventually dropped out of school. It was not because she didn’t have the money because her school fees were being paid by a non-governmental organisation. 

The issue was also concealed by her class teacher mentor for the NGO supposedly at the instigation of the headmaster who wants to protect the teacher and the school’s image,” the source said.

It is reported that in March this year, in a bid to conceal the matter and to protect the image of the school, the authorities reportedly coached pupils and teachers close to the matter on what to say before the District Schools Inspector (DSI) Mrs Samkeliso Gwaza and her delegation came to the school to investigate reports of the alleged sexual abuse.

When reached for comment both the school’s headmaster Naison Sibanda and the DSI who could neither confirm nor deny the matter referred all questions  to the Matabeleland North provincial education director (PED) Mr Jabulani Mpofu.

There are also reports that the parents of the girl were pressurised not to report the matter to the police after being promised some form of compensation by the culprit’s family.

“We suspect some undue influence on the girl’s family from both the teacher’s family and school authorities so as to save the culprit and the image of the school.

“It is unacceptable and we are calling on police and officials from the provincial education offices to thoroughly investigate the matter so that the culprit can be made to face the law.”

Mr Mpofu said his office had not yet received the reports adding that investigations would be conducted.-BMetro

By A Correspondent- An incestuous relationship between two siblings from Ndadulo Village under Chief Mkoka in Gokwe, shocked the community after the illicit relationship resulted in pregnancy.

Twenty four-year-old Nkazimulo Tshuma and his teen sister Everjoy Tshuma (19), were both dragged to Chief Mkoka’s traditional court by their neighbours, for having sexual intercourse within a prohibited degree of relationship. Chief Mkoka ordered them to pay a fine of two goats.

Timothy Ncube, a neighbour to the two siblings, said the two started sleeping together soon after their parents’ death in 2013.

“The two siblings who started staying alone following the death of their parents told Chief Mkoka that they started having sex more than five years ago,” he said.

He said if it wasn’t for the pregnancy, no one was going to know about the illicit affair.

“If it wasn’t for this pregnancy, no one was going to suspect that these two were sleeping together. Everyone else just thought their relationship was only a brother-sister relationship.

“We only got to know about the relationship after we confronted the girl when we noticed the pregnancy. At first she was refusing to divulge that his brother was responsible for the pregnancy,” he said.

Chief Mkoka confirmed presiding over the matter.

“I presided over a matter of two siblings who had a relationship which resulted in pregnancy. I strongly warned them against that relationship. Such kind of relationships are totally unacceptable in our culture and should be frowned upon,” he said.  

Chief Mkoka said if it wasn’t for the fact that the two were orphans, the fine could have been stiffer.

“I had to be lenient with them because they are orphans. But if it wasn’t for that, l would have fined them a beast or two,” he said.

By A Correspondent- A 60-year-old woman from Highlands suburb in Zvishavane is seeking a peace order against her two teenage grandchildren whom she is accusing of urinating in her pots.

Joyce Phiri is seeking a peace order against Lesley Phiri (19) and his younger brother aged 16 who are both pupils at a local school.

Phiri told the court that the two teenagers were working with their father (her son) who also hated her.

The matter was heard before Zvishavane magistrate Shepherd Munjanja.

She told the court that at times the teens would put dog poop in her mealie-meal in a bid to “fix” her.

“Your worship, these children together with their father Emmanuel Phiri, want me out of my house.

“So, they have gone to great lengths like urinating in my pots, and putting dog poop in my mealie-meal. They even insult me because I have refused to move out of the house,” she said.

Phiri pleaded with magistrate Munjanja to grant her a protection order before the worst happens to her. 

“Your worship, l need a protection order before these children do something bad to me. As l speak now, we are no longer on speaking terms and we are no longer cooking together as a family. They do not care about my welfare, all they want is my house,” she said.

Testifying in court, Emmanuel, who spoke on behalf of his sons said his mother was mentally unstable.

“Your worship, what my mother is saying is not true. She is not mentally stable and she hasn’t been taking her medication that’s why she is saying such ridiculous things. Everyone from our area knows her situation,” he said.

Magistrate Munjanja postponed the matter and ordered Phiri to bring her medical reports as proof.-BMetro

TWO Bindura brothers have appeared in court for allegedly raping commercial sex workers at knifepoint.

Tinashe (28) and Washington Tichagwa (23), who appeared on different charge sheets and both stay at Number 3989 Chiwaridzo Township, Bindura, were remanded in custody by Bindura provincial magistrate Mr Tinashe Ndokera.

Prosecuting, Ms Tariro Janhi, said on July 28, a sex worker from Chipadze was at home with her two friends and clients when Tinashe – who was in the company of his two friends – entered the room and demanded to see her.

They also demanded to see her colleague only identified as Diana who was not at home. Ms Janhi said Tinashe and his colleagues ordered everyone to go outside.

“Tinashe’s colleagues also left the room, leaving him with the sex worker,” said Ms Jani. “He asked for the price of a quickie and before the sex worker could answer him, he told her that he had RTGS$1. He demanded to be intimate with her, and indicated that failure to do so would result in him stabbing her.”

Ms Janhi said after the act, he asked for money for beer from the sex worker who gave him RTGS$5 and went away. She later told her friend about her ordeal and made a report to the police.

In the other, case Washington approached another sex worker on July 25 and asked her to be intimate with him.

He was allegedly charged RTGS$10, but told her that he did not have the money before pulling out a knife and threatening to kill her if she refused to be intimate with him. After the act he demanded money from the sex worker and was given RTGS$7.

He allegedly promised to come back the next morning.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- The MDC Vice Chairperson Job Sikhala has distanced himself from a twitter account bearing his name and picture which is churning out misleading information to citizens.

https://twitter.com/JobWiwaSikala/status/1159456743107289088?s=19

Sikhala said he was aware that the twitter account had been created by state security agents and it aimed at finding fault on his person by dishing out unintelligible violence pronouncements.

Sikhala who is facing charges of treason and is currently out on bail said:

“It has been brought to my attention that a Twitter account has been created in my purported name. I would like to make it known to everyone that I don’t run any Twitter account or a Facebook page and anyone following these social media handles thinking that they are run by me is deceived by the enemies of progress.

What should inform the public is that, this masquerade can not even spell my surname properly on this fake account. This fake account was created on the 8th of August and my suspicion is that, it was created by the state security agents to dish out unintelligent violence pronouncements to try and find fault on my person.

I am not running any Twitter account or intending to open one in the near future. So this is the message to warn the world at large. I am also alerted that there are four more Twitter accounts again running in my name.

All Twitter handle accounts running in my name are fake and no one should follow them hoping that they have been created by me.”

Job Sikhala
(MDC National Vice Chairman)

FUEL prices will continue to rise on a weekly basis in tandem to the volatility on the currency market, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has warned.

Zera chief executive officer Eddington Mazambani told the Parliamentary Energy and Power Development Portfolio Committee on Thursday, that global crude oil prices also affect the prices in Zimbabwe while costs of insurance and freight as well as changes in monetary policy have played havoc with the market.

Fuel prices have gone up by 500% since January in Zimbabwe and early this year triggered violent demonstrations that left 17 people dead.

“We expect changes every week and prices are expected to increase weekly from the current $9.06 diesel and $9.01 petrol.

“The price of fuel has been going up internationally due mainly to relations between America and Iran and other oil producing countries. Pricing is not done by Zera but market forces are at play,” Mzambani said.

“Duty is contributing to fuel increases and those external forces I have mentioned. Issues to do with fixed based operators (FOBs), pipeline costs, financial costs plus the exchange rate, levies, administrative costs, handling and storage costs have all contributed to changes and increases in fuel prices.”

In his monetary policy review last week Finance Ministerr Mthuli Ncube announced a fresh levy would be charged on all crude oil products coming into the country and this is likely to be factored into the new price structure.

While the prices have continued to soar this has not translated to availability with queues still a common feature across the country. Mazambani argued that availability was dependent on government availing enough foreign currency to bring in fuel that he said was sitting in its millions at the Msasa holding depot in Harare.

“Availability of fuel relies on government’s ability to raise foreign currency in the country,” he added.

According to Mazambani, the exchange rate for fuel is at $9.50 but Zera has been using $7.50. He added that Zimbabwe’s fuel prices are still below the regional average with “Zambia at US$1.20 and South Africa just above that but Angola was at almost at par with Zimbabwe.”

Zimbabwe needs 1.5 million litres of petrol per day and up to 2.5 million litres of diesel per day.

— NewZimbabwe

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has started consultations with civil society organisations (CSOs) to craft new voter education material as part of the wider electoral reforms it is carrying out.

The developments come following the recommendations by regional and international observers on how the country can further improve the electoral process in Zimbabwe.

The state media reported that:

“With the next election due in 2023, Zec has already initiated reforms that were recommended by various stakeholders in preparation for the next election.

For example, Zec has produced a consolidated electoral reform package for consideration by Parliament following wide consultations with stakeholders.

And to further the electoral reform agenda, Zec was on Tuesday consulting CSOs at a workshop on voter education material in Macheke.

“The workshop will culminate in the production of voter education materials for the 2019 to 2023 cycle,” said Zec.

Last week, Zec piloted the display of the voters’ roll outside polling stations during National Assembly and local authority by-elections in Lupane and Nkayi in line with the Southern African Development Community guidelines on the conduct of democratic elections.

Displaying the voters’ roll outside polling stations is expected to improve transparency and dispel allegations of ghost voters.

The issue of voter’s roll has been contentious in previous elections and the new system would assist to dispel any mistrust.

On its part, the government, also as part of the reform agenda, has crafted the Freedom of Information Bill, which will repeal the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act which had been cited as a barrier to accessing public information.

The Bill will give effect to section 62 of the Constitution which enshrines in the Declaration of Rights the right of access to information.

On the other hand, President Emmerson Mnangagwa constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee to lead political, electoral and legislative reforms in March this year to speed up the reform agenda.

He has also initiated a political dialogue framework with opposition parties as part of efforts to pacify the polarised political environment.- New Ziana

Jane Mlambo| Opposition legislator Charlton Hwende has trashed the idea to have parliamentarians given diplomatic passports saying it cannot be done now when ordinary citizens are failing to access the ordinary passport.

According to Hwende, legislators must work to provide passports to ordinary citizens first.

He added that the MDC as a social democratic party must refuse to be equalized by the corrupt Zanu PF regime.

“Diplomatic Passports to MPs at this point in time when ordinary Zimbabweans who need to travel out of country for medical treatment, escaping the current economic hardships and to further their education are failing to access ordinary passports is not a priority

“We must provide passports first to ordinary Zimbabweans. Only after that can we consider Diplomatic Passports for our MPs. As a Social Democratic Party we must refuse to be equalized by The corrupt ZANU PF regime. We must stand and defend the toiling masses,” said Hwende while posting on Twitter.

We must provide passports first to ordinary Zimbabweans. Only after that can we consider Diplomatic Passports for our MPs. As a Social Democratic Party we must refuse to be equalized by The corrupt ZANU PF regime. We must stand and defend the toiling masses. @daddyhope

— Chalton Hwende (@hwendec) August 8, 2019

The chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Makonde legislator, Kindness Paradza recently made the announcement that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had approved the request for legislators to have diplomatic passports.

The issue has attracted wide criticism from the general public who felt legislators were losing the plot and now concentrating on enriching and benefiting themselves at the expense of the majority whom they purport to represent.

This also came shortly after MPs had demaded Toyota V8 vehicles as well as accommodation allowances.

By A Correspondent- The Midlands State University (MSU) has been ordered by the High Court to pay Galaxy Engineering Designs Consultants (Pvt) Ltd over US$3 207 450,68 for the civil engineering services provided to the tertiary institution in 2003.

The order was made by High Court judge Justice Benjamin Chikowero on July 24, 2019 after the engineers took the university to court for breach of contract and refusal to pay for structural engineering works on certain buildings at the campus and for the master site service.

The court heard that the MSU had been refusing to pay the money, arguing that the engineering firm did not complete the work it was supposed to carry out, according to the parties’ contract.

However, when the matter was brought before the judge for determination, the MSU called its witness, one engineer Innocent Masunungure, who the court said was not impressive in the manner he presented his evidence on behalf of the university.

“The defendant’s (MSU) witness (Masunungure) contradicted the statement of agreed facts in fundamental respects. I was also unimpressed with the demeanour of the defendant’s witness. He was evasive under cross-examination. It was clear to me that he was simply ducking and diving in a desperate endeavour to avoid the truth,” Justice Chikowero said.

“The end result is that I will accept the plaintiff’s (Galaxy Engineering Designs Consultants (Pvt) Ltd) testimony wherever it conflicts with that of the defendant. The plaintiff clearly stated that it was commissioned by defendant to design and produce drawings or plans for use by contractors in erecting the structures or facilities so designed … the contract could not be so broken unless the design for the whole work under it had been done.”

The judge further said much of the evidence presented by the engineering firm, through its witness Wilfred Tamayi Vengesai, went unchallenged.

“In the result, defendant shall pay to the plaintiff interest on the sum of US$84 828,17 at the rate of 19.5% per annum from November 1, 2010 to the date that the sum was paid. US$3 207 450,68 together with interest thereon at 19,5% per annum to the date of full payment and cost of suit,” he ordered.-Newsday

ZIMBABWE Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) yesterday said its members were free to participate in the MDC led protests against the government’s handling of the economy and rising poverty.

MDC called for demonstrations next week against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, where under his leadership, the economy has been on a freefall, resulting in the rising cost of living.

The labour body has been threatening a stayaway citing similar concerns.

“If they are protesting about issues that we raised, I won’t be surprised that some of our members will be part of the demonstrations,” ZCTU secretary-general Japhet Moyo said.

“If they are talking about the same issues ZCTU has been talking about over the years, then I don’t see what will stop them from participating. Those who are interested will go and participate.”

Moyo said as ZCTU, their modus operandi is stayaways, something which is different from protest marches called by the MDC.

He said as the labour body, they have membership from both Zanu PF and MDC, hence they will not take a decision to have all their members participate in the demonstrations.

The MDC is preparing to confront Mnangagwa’s government, accusing his administration of failing to turn around the economy.

With threats coming from government and the ruling Zanu PF party, the main opposition has remained defiant, refusing to be cowed to abandon their plans.

Meanwhile, the MDC Youth Assembly has called on all youths in the country to heed the call by their party president Nelson Chamisa to take to the streets against the government over the rising cost of living.

“Zanu PF, in its current form and entirety, has since degenerated into a looting conspiracy, hence its carefree attitude on pertinent economic issues like high prices, fuel shortages and electricity blackouts affecting our people,” MDC youth assembly national spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma said.

“This is the very reason why young people from across the political divide should flood the streets on August 16 to express their disdain at the military cabal that is threatening to wipe out the entire generation through its so-called austerity measures.”

He said it was their resolve as “an assembly of progress, young social democrats” to serve and save this generation as well as providing leadership and direction on issues of national interest.

Chuma said the current government was betraying the gains of the liberation struggle.

“Every August, the nation commemorates the gallant efforts of our liberation war heroes who selflessly took it upon themselves to extricate our country from the jaws of colonialism,” he said.

“Many paid the ultimate price to ensure that the liberation struggle’s three main cardinals of freedom, majority rule and one-man one-vote are realised and exercised by our people. There is a clique of a few greedy and corrupt individuals who have since diverted and capsized the revolutionary ship, hence upsetting the national interest agenda.”

Zanu PF youth league boss Pupurai Togarepi on Wednesday said they were going to fight the opposition party’s protests if they become violent, while the government has also threatened to unleash the military to thwart the demonstrations.

— NewsDay

By A Correspondent- War veterans in Mashonaland East have demanded to be all buried at the national Heroes Acre saying the classification of the freedom fighters is baseless as they all fought for a common cause.

Speaking during a Calisto Gwanetsa-led Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence and Security public hearings held at Mbuya Nehanda Hall in Marondera recently, a top Marondera war veteran Chrispen Mashayamombe said it is high time that every former freedom fighter be buried at the national shrine.

“When we went to war it was all about liberating ourselves and the masses. We were all equal and united in the battlefield. Why is it now we are being
classified, some as provincial heroes, some as district heroes while some are honoured at ward level? This is not right. We want every war veteran to be buried at the national heroes’ acre. The hill has enough space for all of us,” he said.

Currently, war veterans with top positions in Zanu PF are accorded the national hero status, while others are buried at either provincial or district heroes acres.

Meanwhile, the war veterans have demanded control of Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre claiming it belongs to them.

A war veteran James Mlambo said war veterans are the owners of the centre, but were chucked out at the instigation of the late former army general Solomon Mujuru.

“We are the owners of Ruwa Rehab as war veterans. The late Mujuru chased us out of the centre. The war veterans benefitted from the centre through getting affordable medical assistance but it is now a thing of the past. We are struggling to get medicine and given our ages all of us are sick. The former War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube wrote to (Priscah) Mupfumira sometime back so that we get back the centre, but it could not happen. The centre belongs to the comrades,” he said.

Mlambo claimed that the centre is now being run with people without knowledge of its history.

Ruwa Rehabilitation is home for people with severe and multiple injuries with a strong bias to spinal code. It provides respite care, rehabilitation and training for caregivers.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has given its membership the green light to participate in the MDC led protests against the government’s handling of the economy and rising poverty.

MDC called for demonstrations next week against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, where under his leadership, the economy has been on a freefall, resulting in the rising cost of living.

The labour body has been threatening a stayaway citing similar concerns.

“If they are protesting about issues that we raised, I won’t be surprised that some of our members will be part of the demonstrations,” ZCTU secretary-general Japhet Moyo said.

“If they are talking about the same issues ZCTU has been talking about over the years, then I don’t see what will stop them from participating. Those who are interested will go and participate.”

Moyo said as ZCTU, their modus operandi is stayaways, something which is different from protest marches called by the MDC.

He said as the labour body, they have membership from both Zanu PF and MDC, hence they will not take a decision to have all their members participate in the demonstrations.

The MDC is preparing to confront Mnangagwa’s government, accusing his administration of failing to turn around the economy.

With threats coming from government and the ruling Zanu PF party, the main opposition has remained defiant, refusing to be cowed to abandon their plans.

Meanwhile, the MDC Youth Assembly has called on youths in the country to heed the call by their party president Nelson Chamisa to take to the streets against the government over the rising cost of living.

“Zanu PF, in its current form and entirety, has since degenerated into a looting conspiracy, hence its carefree attitude on pertinent economic issues like high prices, fuel shortages and electricity blackouts affecting our people,” MDC youth assembly national spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma said.

“This is the very reason why young people from across the political divide should flood the streets on August 16 to express their disdain at the military cabal that is threatening to wipe out the entire generation through its so-called austerity measures.”

He said it was their resolve as “an assembly of progress, young social democrats” to serve and save this generation as well as providing leadership and direction on issues of national interest.

Chuma said the current government was betraying the gains of the liberations struggle.

“Every August, the nation commemorates the gallant efforts of our liberation war heroes who selflessly took it upon themselves to extricate our country from the jaws of colonialism,” he said.

“Many paid the ultimate price to ensure that the liberation struggle’s three main cardinals of freedom, majority rule and one-man one-vote are realised and exercised by our people. There is a clique of a few greedy and corrupt individuals who have since diverted and capsized the revolutionary ship, hence upsetting the national interest agenda.”

Zanu PF youth league boss Pupurai Togarepi on Wednesday said they were going to fight the opposition party’s protests if they become violent, while the government has also threatened to unleash the military to thwart the demonstrations.-Newsday

Jane Mlambo|ZESA Public Relations Manager Fullard Gwasira has broke the news that load-shedding has eased with power from South Africa’s Eskom reportedly flowing in starting today.

Many parts of the country surprisingly had power this morning, a departure from the crippling 16-18 hour load-shedding and ZESA has just clarified that its the Eskom power that has started flowing into Zimbabwe.

While some areas have reported to having power this morning, others have informed ZimEye that the situation has not changed.

Share with ZimEye the power situation in your area today?

Below is Gwasira’s tweet this morning…

FORMER Arda board chairman and businessman, Basil Nyabadza, has been arrested on allegations of stealing electricity at one of his premises after he connected illegal wires that bypassed Zesa metres.

Nyabadza is jointly charged with two of his employees, John Makuna and Rueben Mawarira, who are employed as the manager and block man at Halfway House in Headlands.

They appeared before Rusape magistrate, Mr Gift Manyika, who did not ask them to plead. The matter was moved to  September 17 for trial.

Public prosecutor Mr Marlon Makamba told the court that the suspects violated Section 60A (b)(C2) of the Electricity Act Chapter 13:19 which criminalises the bypassing of the Zesa meter.

“The complainant is ZETDC represented by its loss control officer Lux Bungu. Sometime on a date unknown to the prosecutor up to 24 March 2018, Basil Nyabadza sent an electrician from Harare to go and connect electricity at Halfway House.

“The electrician came and was given permission by Makuna and Mawarira to connect electricity cables illegally thereby bypassing the Zesa meter. The accused persons had no lawful right to act in a manner they did,” said Mr Makamba.

Manica Post

FUEL prices will continue to rise on a weekly basis in line with the fluctuating dollar rate Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has warned.

Zera chief executive officer Eddington Mazambani told the Parliamentary Energy and Power Development Portfolio Committee on Thursday, that global crude oil prices also affect the prices in Zimbabwe while costs of insurance and freight as well as changes in monetary policy have played havoc with the market.

Fuel prices have gone up by 500% since January in Zimbabwe and early this year triggered violent demonstrations that left 17 people dead.

“We expect changes every week and prices are expected to increase weekly from the current $9.06 diesel and $9.01 petrol.

“The price of fuel has been going up internationally due mainly to relations between America and Iran and other oil producing countries. Pricing is not done by Zera but market forces are at play,” Mzambani said.

“Duty is contributing to fuel increases and those external forces I have mentioned. Issues to do with fixed based operators (FOBs), pipeline costs, financial costs plus the exchange rate, levies, administrative costs, handling and storage costs have all contributed to changes and increases in fuel prices.”

While the prices have continued to soar this has not translated to availability with queues still a common feature across the country.

Mazambani argued that availability was dependent on government availing enough foreign currency to bring in fuel that he said was sitting in its millions at the Msasa holding depot in Harare.

“Availability of fuel relies on government’s ability to raise foreign currency in the country,” he added.

According to Mazambani, the exchange rate for fuel is at $9.50 but Zera has been using $7.50. He added that Zimbabwe’s fuel prices are still below the regional average with “Zambia at US$1.20 and South Africa just above that but Angola was at almost at par with Zimbabwe.”

Zimbabwe needs 1.5 million litres of petrol per day and up to 2.5 million litres of diesel per day.

Jane Mlambo| Police have poured cold water on the planned demonstration by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change after posting on Twitter clarifying that they are yet to respond to the notice for the 16 August mass action.

Through its official Twitter handle @PoliceZimbabwe, the police acknowledged receiving the MDC notification but were quick to state that considerations were still being made on the notice with an official response yet to be given.

“The ZRP acknowledges receipt of MDC A notification on the intended demonstration on 16/8/19, however the Police reiterates that considerations are still being made on the notification and the official response is yet to be given to the concerned convener,” said the ZRP.

The ZRP acknowledges receipt of MDC A notification on the intended demonstration on 16/8/19, however the Police reiterates that considerations are still being made on the notification and the official response is yet to be given to the concerned convener.@ZBCNewsonline

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) August 9, 2019

Knowing the politics in Zimbabwe and the circulating messages to the effect that the mega demonstration would a final push against President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the police notice clearly shows that the event will not be sanctioned.