Police lead away one of the Mthwakazi Republic Party Supporters
THREE Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) activists were yesterday fined $200 for engaging in public violence during a public hearing conducted in Bulawayo by the commission of inquiry led by ex-South African president Kgalema Motlanthe that looked into last year’s post-election violence.
Marshal Sibanda (40) of Emakhandeni suburb, Welcome Moyo (30) of Fourwinds and Venat Ncube (40) of Njube suburb were convicted of public violence or alternatively contempt of commission in contravention of section 14 (1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, by Bulawayo magistrate Ms Sithembiso Ncube.
They were each fined $200 or 30 months’ imprisonment. The trio was further slapped with another three months in jail, which were wholly suspended for five years on condition that the accused persons do not within that period commit a similar crime.
“In arriving at an appropriate sentence, the court took into consideration the fact that you are first offenders. However, in aggravation, you disturbed a public hearing by a commission of inquiry by engaging in violence, forcing the meeting to adjourn. Although the accused persons have a constitutional right, that right cannot be exercised without limitations. The court will however, give you a second chance to reform by imposing a non-custodial sentence,” ruled the magistrate.
The trio was given up to August 31 to pay the fines through the clerk of court at the Bulawayo magistrate’s court.
The prosecutor, Mr Leonard Chile said on October 26 last year at about 1pm, the Motlanthe commission of inquiry into last year’s August 1 post-election violence that resulted in the death of six people and destruction of property conducted a public hearing at a hotel in Bulawayo.
One witness, Mr Wisdom Mkhwananzi was given a chance to give his testimony.
Mr Mkhwananzi pointed at President Mnangagwa’s portrait and remarked that he was “orphaned because the President killed his parents during Gukurahundi.”
“A member of the public, one Mr Derrick Nkomo, who was part of the people in the gallery, interjected and challenged Mkhwananzi’s testimony,” said Mr Chile.
Irked by Mr Nkomo’s reaction, Sibanda, Moyo and Ncube, who were also part of the gathering during the hearing, confronted him. A heated argument ensued during which the accused persons assaulted Nkomo and threw chairs at him. “The proceedings of the commission adjourned due to the disturbances and police had to be deployed to quell the situation and he accused persons were arrested,” said Mr Chile.
Former Bikita West MP Munyaradzi Kereke may just see through his 14 year jail term after Supreme Court Judge, Justice Ben Hlatshwayo dismissed his appeal on both conviction and sentence.
Kereke was in 2016 jailed 14 years for raping his then 10-year-old niece at gun point.
Kereke wrote to the Supreme Court seeking the establishment of an independent tribunal to investigate alleged criminal abuse of office by Judicial Services Commission (JSC) officers who handled his High Court appeal.
He also recently lost his appeal against both conviction and sentence after High Court Judge, Charles Hungwe ruled against him.
But the Harare businessman insists through his court papers that the judgment was biased. His latest application to the Supreme Court was triggered by Judge President Justice George Chiweshe’s refusal to entertain his claims.
But Justice Hlatshwayo ruled the application was brought before him improperly.
“There being no proper appeal before the Supreme Court and there being no application for condonation pending before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has no jurisdiction in dealing with the application for bail filed. The matter is struck off the roll with no order as to costs,” said Justice Hlatshwayo.
According to Justice Hlatshwayo, Kereke seemed to have failed to follow procedure in filing his application.
“It is recorded that for any failure proceedings in this matter the Prosecutor General’s Office should be cited and served together with the respondent.
“The (Supreme Court) Registrar is instructed to ensure that service is effected on the relevant parties upon filing by the applicant of processes in terms of the rules,” the Supreme Court Judge said.
Kereke contends that Justice Hungwe’s judgment on appeal should be declared null and void on the ground that it allegedly contained imported new and incorrect evidence and also that court’s conduct was unconstitutional.
Four years of his jail time were suspended on condition of good behaviour. He was also acquitted on another charge of indecently assaulting the rape victim’s elder sister.
Motorists in some parts of the country last night spent their night blocking Toll Gates in protest to the new toll gate fees which went up by 500%
This unaffordable 500% toll gate price hike, comes regardless of the propaganda by the Finance Minister, Prof. Mthuli Ncube & Regime Associates in the Presidential Advisory Council that prices were coming down after the introduction of a local currency.
Some boom gates at the toll gates were forcibly opened and cars proceeded without paying the fees in protest!
Government increased tollgate entry fees and other traffic related fees through Statutory Instrument 171 of 2019 published in the Government Gazette yesterday.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development increased the fees in terms of Section 6 of the Toll Roads Act (Chapter 13:13).
Light motor vehicles now pay $10 from $2, mini buses $15 from $3, buses $20 from $4 heavy vehicles $25 from $5 and haulage trucks $50 from $10. SI 171 of 2019 also says: “It is hereby notified that the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development has in terms of Section 52 of the Vehicles Registration and Licensing Act (Chapter 13:14), vehicle registration and vehicle number plate replacement is now at $400.”
Duplicate registration book and change of ownership is now $75, whereas personalised number plates are now $12 500.
The cost of a provisional driver’s licence has also risen to $100 for Classes 3 and 4 vehicles; Classes 1 and 2 are now $125.
Application for foreign drivers licences have also been increased to $500.
FIRED Environment, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira
FIRED Environment, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira yesterday challenged the State to furnish her with a trial date on three of the seven counts of corruption she is facing.
Mupfumira is facing seven counts of criminal abuse of office involving US$95 million.
Speaking through her lawyer Mr Charles Chinyama during her routine remand, Mupfumira demanded that she be given a trial date for the three counts.
Mupfumira said this following reports that police have completed investigations into three cases.
“We are ready to proceed wih trial in respect of the three counts,” said Mr Chinyama.
The State led by Mr Michael Reza said it will only furnish Mupfumira with a trial date after investigations into all seven counts have been completed.
“The State will not be stampeded into giving a trial date when investigations are still ongoing,” said Mr Reza.
Mr Reza also said the State will not give Mupfumira a trial date even on August 23 when she is expected to return to court for a routine remand.
Harare magistrate Mrs Learnmore Mapiye presided over the matter.
Mupfumira is yet to know her fate after a High Court judge reserved judgment in her bail application.
The State opposed her bail application alleging that she was a flight risk considering that she owns mansions in Dubai, South Africa and United Kingdom.
Mupfumira is alleged to have directed NSSA to deposit money into her CBZ personal account, leaving room that she could also have externalised some of the money.
It also alleged that Mupfumira filed medical reports with the State raising fears that once granted bail, she would abscond trial.
The State called the investigation officer into the matter, who is attached to ZACC, Sergeant Trust Chinembiri, who also revealed that they needed about three months to dig further into the case.
Sergeant Chinembiri also revealed that Mupfumira had planned to flee into South Africa, where she is believed to own a mansion in the leafy suburb of Sandton, on July 24 with the aid of her Chinese friends to avoid arrest.
He also said Mupfumira had two passports with a 10-year United Kingdom visa.
Mupfumira, through her lawyer Advocate Lewis Uriri, who is acting on lawyer Charles Chinyama’s instruction, said one of the passports was for her official duty as a Cabinet minister.
FORMER Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Minister 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 executive mayor between 2004 and 2008.
In a letter to Bindura Municipality signed by ZACC investigations manager Mr Lovemore Findi, the commission says it is “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.
Goche allegedly 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.
In an unsolicited WhatsApp message, Adv Dinha said; “Mukoma, vamwe vangu kuMash Central Province vaneni (my colleagues in Mashonaland Central are baying for my scalp). Pure evil. They want to portray a false narrative that I am working against mukuru (President Mnangagwa) and that I am a national security threat to justify my elimination and arrest and that I be fired from NRZ where I was appointed as board member.
“This is evil and I am behind mukuru (the President) and totally uninterested (sic). Kazembe Kazembe chair (Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central) fears being popular I want to be chair while my successor as Minister of State (Cde Monica Mavhunga) lacks confidence and control and thinks I am a threat to her position and political ambition (sic).”
In a telephone interview on Friday, Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Minister Mavhunga, dismissed Adv Dinha’s claims and invited him to join hands with everyone in championing the province’s devolution agenda.
“I am not aware of ZACC’s probe on Cde Dinha. No-one is fighting him in this province. We are seized with the devolution agenda where we want to see the lives of Mashonaland Central people being improved.
“We are development orientated and have no time for factional fights as he is claiming. After resoundingly winning the 2018 harmonised elections, as a province we should be more united and consolidate our gains.
“We want the unity that saw us winning all the seats in the province to continue prevailing so that we remain the best province in the country,” said Minister Mavhunga, who is also a ZANU-PF Politburo member.
Minister Kazembe was not readily available for a comment as he was reported to be out of the country.
State Media|THE Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has refuted claims on social media and other debates 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
Social media yesterday was awash with pictures and videos of Mupfumira coming to court smartly dressed and holding a handbag as well as toiletry bag in her hand.
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 yesterday.
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.
African Report|Corruption, inflexible contracts and administrators failing to take action have condemned Ghana to overpaying for a generation.
Access to energy plays a critical role in economic development But bad government policies have affected energy security in many developing countries.
It is estimated that two out of three households (almost 600 million people) in sub-Sahara Africa have no access to electricity. Ghana has also had its challenges. A shortage of generating capacity led to rationing in 2014 and 2015, with serious consequences for the economy.
Nearly five years later the country faces the exact opposite problem: excess electricity. Ghana’s Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta set out the scale of the problem in his midyear budget review on July 29. He said that the problem posed grave financial risks to Ghana’s economy. This is because the government is carrying legacy debt in the energy sector, which threatens to put a huge strain on its finances.
According to Ofori-Atta, plans have been put in place to deal with the challenges in the energy sector. A recommendation has since been made to Parliament to support the renegotiation of all take-or-pay contracts to take-and-pay.
How did Ghana move from not having enough power five years ago, to being burdened with a massive energy bill as well as too much electricity?
At the heart of Ghana’s problem was how it responded to the power shortages in 2014. These hit the economy hard leading to the mining and manufacturing sectors contracting, and unemployment going up. To address the problem, the government fast-tracked private power plants. The current glut in electricity – as well as the cost overheads – can be attributed directly to the way in which the contracts were drawn up.
Ghana’s experience is a cautionary tale for countries that find themselves in a situation of having too much electricity at any given point. Without careful forward planning, proper data-driven analysis, and transparent, competitive, corruption-free contracting processes, any country could find itself in the same situation as Ghana.
Emergency power producers
Due to challenges with public financing of energy infrastructural projects, many countries – including Ghana – have been turning to the private sector for investment in the energy sector. As a result independent power producers are receiving much more attention on the continent.
At the heart of Ghana’s energy sector challenges were the take-or-pay contracts signed by the government. To address the shortfalls it was facing, it contracted three emergency power producers during the 2014 – 2017 period. The contracting was done without a competitive process. On top of this the government signed 43 power purchase agreements.
But the demand for electricity never went up at the anticipated rate due to tariff increases and slow economic growth. As a result, the plants ended up producing excess capacity. The installed capacity according to the Energy Commission of Ghana is 5,083 MW, almost double the peak demand of 2700MW. Of this, 2,300 MW has been contracted on a take-or-pay basis. This means that Ghana is contractually obliged to spend money for excess capacity that’s not being consumed.
The result is that the government is paying over US$500m (almost Ghana Cedis 2.5 billion) annually for power generation capacity that’s not being used.
There is also an overhang for gas. And because the government contracted gas supply on a take-or-pay basis, it must pay whether the gas is utilised or not. Thus, from 2020, if nothing changes, Ghana will face annual excess gas capacity charges of between US$550 and US$850 million yearly. This is even after the current government terminated two other liquefied natural gas contracts in 2017.
Independent power producers
Ghana’s excess electricity problem – and its solution – boils down to the arrangements made with independent power producers.
The contracting process failed to avoid a number of pitfalls. These included:
A lack of flexibility in contracts. The terms and conditions are often difficult to change once purchase power agreements are signed because of a fear of putting off future investors.
Fixing prices in foreign currency exchange, typically US dollars.
Threatening competition. According to a World Bank report, independent power producers often suffocate competition once in operation. There is huge potential for inefficiencies if the independent power producers meet a large share of the load.
Inflated prices: the World Bank report argues that independent power producers often inflate supply prices for utilities, which raises end-user prices.
Currency risk protection: unlike other foreign investments, investors in independent power producers are often shielded from currency risk. Most negotiate take-or-pay contracts where all the power generated must be bought whether needed or not. Because payments are made in dollars, this becomes more like international debt than equity investment.
Corruption. This often creeps in when the stakes are high in contract negotiations. They are often done secretly and only become visible when there is a change of government. As the Public Service International Research Unit puts it: “Establishing power generation in excess of the country’s requirements is a feature associated with corruption ….if the process provides an income source for those negotiating the contracts”.
Political expediency. According to a Business Insurance report “the fundamental problem with creating independent power producers in developing countries is that initially it is based on political expediency. These things sometimes bear no relation to economic reality.”
Independent power producers have contributed immensely to Ghana’s quest to meet its power generational capacity. But lessons from Ghana’s excess electricity challenges show that unless negotiations are done with utmost transparency and care, agreements that are struck can pose financial risks and breed corruption.
This precautionary principles would save many countries from experiencing the same fate as Ghana.
A Njube woman regrets dumping her husband whom she had been married to for five years as he now beats her whenever he gets the chance to see her.
Tariro Alice Shoniwa is reportedly fed up with Fainos Phiri who reportedly follows her everywhere she goes to bash her as revenge for breaking up with her.
As a result of Phiri’s violent behaviour Shoniwa decided to seek justice from the courts.
“We were encountering problems in our marriage until I broke up with him and decided to move out. The problem I am encountering now is that he is following me wherever I go. He comes to my house and insults me and beats me and always causes a scene where I stay,” said Shoniwa.
As if that is not enough, Phiri destroys Shoniwa’s property whenever he gets the chance to get into her house.
“He forces himself into my house and starts destroying my household property. I am therefore applying to this court to assist me by stopping him from assaulting me, insulting me and to stop coming to my place,” said Shoniwa.B-Metro
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.B-Metro
IT was not a minor achievement for the country to have Warriors midfielder Marvelous Nakamba sign for English Premiership side Aston Villa.
In that regard, in the history of the much celebrated English topflight league, he becomes the fourth player from Zimbabwe to light up the league after Peter Ndlovu, Bruce Grobbelaar and Benjani Mwaruwari.
Consequently, debates by local football enthusiasts on Nakamba’s history and other fun facts, have ensued on social media and B-Metro Sport reveals the Hwange-born footie star, who was bred in Bulawayo’s high density suburb of Njube, made his local Premier Soccer League debut in 2009 while turning out for Bantu Rovers at a tender age of 15.
He undoubtedly went down in history as one of the youngest players to play in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League.
Two years ago, in further making history on the local football scene, Nakamba was joined by another ex-Bantu Rovers player Sibusiso Moyo who made his first PSL appearance as a 15-year-old Mpopoma High School boy against Highlanders.
“Nakamba was only 15 years old and he was doing Form Two at Njube High School when he made his local premiership debut in Bantu Rovers colours playing against CAPS United at Barbourfields Stadium,” said Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu.
Mpofu was one of the brave Bantu Rovers coaches that decided to field the then wet behind the ears Nakamba against a Makepekepe side that had the likes of Nyasha Mushekwi in their line-up.
Interestingly, as they say dynamite comes in small packages, in that particular match Nakamba’s 35-metre pile driver handed Bantu Rovers a 2-1 home win over the Green Machine.B-Metro
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.B-Metro
Five people are said to have perished in a road accident that occurred near Odzi river.
ZBC reports that 20 passengers sustained injuries as the minibus carrying them veered off the road and plunged into a river in Odzi.
Reports also suggest that the vehicle was heading to Mutare. The accident has been confirmed by National Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who said that ZRP officers were already attending the scene.
Accidents have often been attributed to human error and the bad state of roads.State media
FINANCE and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday said the introduction of the Zimbabwe dollar was timely as the country has registered macro-economic fundamentals that will promote stability of the local currency.
Speaking during a Mid-Term budget review breakfast meeting in Bulawayo, Prof Ncube said as highlighted in the Mid-Term fiscal policy statement, there was a host of positive macro-economic fundamentals supporting the introduction of the local currency.
Such fundamentals, he said, included the reduction in current domestic debt and fiscal deficit and suspension of Treasury Bills issuance.
Underpinned by the above positive macro-economic fundamentals, Prof Ncube said the introduction of a local currency was timely.
“We have closed the twin deficit (current account deficit and fiscal deficit) and that’s very important. I am always asked that Minister was it the right time to introduce the Zimbabwe dollar? The answer is yes, I repeat the answer is yes.
“We cannot introduce a stable domestic currency if you are running a large budget deficit and an alarmingly large current account deficit . . . so, this position is ideal for managing a stable domestic currency,” he said.
Zimbabwe re-introduced the local currency as a sole legal tender towards the end of June this year through the promulgation of Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019 to bring back normalcy in the economy as the monetary authorities noted a cocktail of challenges that were caused by the adoption of a multicurrency regime.
Such challenges included financial distortions in the formal market that were caused by the parallel market.State media
The (Mugabe era) 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 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.
Goche is alleged to have 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.
Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni together with his 13 subjects, who are facing charges of allegedly destroying a villager’s property in Ntabazinduna, will know their fate on August 15.
Ndiweni (54) and 13 other villagers pleaded not guilty to damaging Mr Fetti Mbele’s property when they appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Mr Gladmore Mushove.
The matter went on a full trial with a number of witnesses testifying, including Zanu-PF secretary for administration, Cde Obert Mpofu. Ms Mushove remanded the accused persons to August 15 for judgment.
Cde Mpofu’s involvement in the case came following Chief Ndiweni’s testimony in court last year during which he claimed the allegations emanated from Cde Mpofu’s efforts to “fix” him after he had filed criminal charges against the politician.
He alleged that Cde Mpofu stole 200 cattle from his late father, Chief Khayisa Ndiweni.Chief Ndiweni said he had reported the stock- theft case at Mbembesi Police Station, but Cde Mpofu allegedly used his influence as then Home Affairs Minister to make the docket disappear.
Chief Ndiweni further claimed that politics was at play in the matter, accusing Cde Mpofu of influencing Mr Mbele, his wife and members of Zanu-PF to interfere with his traditional court order.
However, Cde Mpofu in his testimony, said Chief Ndiweni was in the habit of making false allegations against the Government and the ruling party due to ignorance since he had spent many years out of the country.
According to court papers, Mr Mbele of Ntabazinduna was banished from the village by the chief after his wife Ms Nonkangelo Mpengesi was allegedly caught having sex with another villager.
In July last year, Chief Ndiweni ruled that Mr Mbele and his “adulterous” wife should be banished from Sifelani village, saying “prostitution” will not be tolerated in his area.
The accused persons’ lawyer, Mr Dumisani Dube of Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers, early last year asked the court to subpoena Cde Mpofu to testify in court following allegations by the traditional leader implicating him in their arrest.
However, Cde Mpofu, through an affidavit dated July 6, 2018, which was brought to court by his lawyer Mr Byron Sengweni, declined to testify saying he knew nothing about the matter.
Mr Dube then sought a court order compelling Cde Mpofu to attend court after which the latter was served with the summons.Chief Ndiweni and the other accused persons are denying the violence charges levelled against them by Mr Mbele.
The prosecutor, Mr Kudakwashe Jaravaza, said on July 26 last year at around 4PM, Mbele and his wife arrived from Bulawayo to find some villagers standing outside their homestead.
Kimpton Sibanda (72), a village head and two other villagers, claimed they were ordered by Chief Ndiweni to destroy Mbele’s garden fence and kraal.
“Sibanda instructed the villagers to destroy the fence and kraal. At around 5PM, Chief Ndiweni arrived and ordered the villagers to continue destroying Mr Mbele’s fence and kraal,” said Mr Jaravaza.
The order followed Mr Mbele’s alleged defiance of Chief Ndiweni’s verdict to divorce his wife.
Chief Ndiweni had given a ruling that Mr Mbele’s wife should vacate her husband’s home, but she did not comply with the order since they had resolved the matter as a couple, prompting the chief to order the destruction of his fence and kraal.- state media
CHICKEN Inn coach Joey Antipas is itching for maximum points on their away trip to ZPC Kariba to set the tone for a gruelling second half to Castle Lager Premiership season which begins today.
The marathon might take an interesting twist this afternoon if the Gamecocks and Black Rhinos take full advantage of the absence of log leaders FC Platinum, who are away on Champions League business. In-form Black Rhinos have a tricky date giants Highlanders at Barbourfields.
The match kicks off at 1pm because the stadium will later be used for training by visiting Burundian side Rukinzo who play Triangle in a CAF Confederation Cup match at the venue tomorrow.
Antipas and Hebert Maruwa, the Rhinos coach, are aiming to take control of the marathon ahead of the more demanding games in the final stretch.
“The second half of the season is usually fierce competition because of issues to do with the championship and relegation,” said Antipas.
“It is even going to be worse this year because there are no clear favourites for the championship. So we are taking it game by game.
“We are mindful that we have to stay in the mix at the top so that we can stand a good chance to fight for honours,” said Antipas.
The Gamecocks are in second place on the log standings, equal on 30 points with the third-placed Rhinos.State media
Fired Environment, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Minister Priscah Mupfumira yesterday challenged the State to furnish her with a trial date on three of the seven counts of corruption she is facing.
Mupfumira is facing seven counts of criminal abuse of office involving US$95 million. Speaking through her lawyer Mr Charles Chinyama during her routine remand, Mupfumira demanded that she be given a trial date for the three counts.
Mupfumira said this following reports that police have completed investigations into three cases. “We are ready to proceed with trial in respect of the three counts,” said Mr Chinyama.
The State led by Mr Michael Reza said it will only furnish Mupfumira with a trial date after investigations into all seven counts have been completed.
“The State will not be stampeded into giving a trial date when investigations are still ongoing,” said Mr Reza.
Mr Reza also said the State will not give Mupfumira a trial date even on August 23 when she is expected to return to court for a routine remand. Harare magistrate Mrs Learnmore Mapiye presided over the matter.
Mupfumira is yet to know her fate after a High Court judge reserved judgment in her bail application.
The State opposed her bail application alleging that she was a flight risk considering that she owns mansions in Dubai, South Africa and United Kingdom.
Mupfumira is alleged to have directed NSSA to deposit money into her CBZ personal account, leaving room that she could also have externalised some of the money.
It also alleged that Mupfumira filed medical reports with the State, raising fears that once granted bail, she would abscond trial.
The State called the investigation officer into the matter, who is attached to ZACC, Sergeant Trust Chinembiri, who also revealed that they needed about three months to dig further into the case.
Sergeant Chinembiri also revealed that Mupfumira had planned to flee into South Africa, where she is believed to own a mansion in the leafy suburb of Sandton, on July 24 with the aid of her Chinese friends to avoid arrest.
He also said Mupfumira had two passports with a 10-year United Kingdom visa.
Mupfumira, through her lawyer Advocate Lewis Uriri, who is acting on lawyer Charles Chinyama’s instruction, said one of the passports was for her official duty as a Cabinet minister.-state media
FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza believes his players should be psychologically ready for today’s Champions League battle, despite logistical glitches that affected their travel arrangements.
They take on Callisto Pasuwa’s Nyasa Big Bullets in a preliminary round first leg match at Kamuzu Stadium at 2:30pm.
The Zimbabweans could not fly from Lilongwe to Blantyre as per schedule yesterday morning after the Ethiopian Airways plane they were supposed to board developed a technical fault.
Nyasa Big Bullets officials ran around for an alternative mode of transport before they finally settled for a local coach which left Lilongwe just after midday and took over four hours to get to Blantyre.
The distance between Lilongwe and Blantyre is about 314km. FC Platinum were supposed to get a feel the artificial turf at the Kamuzu Stadium at 2:30pm yesterday, but they ended up holding an hour’s session at the venue after 5pm.
Despite these chaotic travel arrangements, Mapeza is confident his boys will respond well. “It’s (chaotic travel arrangements) something that is beyond our control,” Mapeza said.
“We are here now in Blantyre, we will probably now train for 30 to 40 minutes and we have to talk to the boys.
“This is what happens in Africa, most of the times, but psychologically we should be ready for the game. “Travelling 300km by bus sometimes affects you psychologically, but at the end of the day we are here and have to play the game.’’
FC Platinum are making their third straight appearance in the Champions League and take on Pasuwa’s men. “We all know Callisto (Pasuwa), he has done well in our football back home and it’s going to be a challenge.” Mapeza lost the core of his squad during the July transfer window, but has faith in the players who are here in Blantyre.State media
Government has increased tollgate entry fees and other traffic related fees with immediate effect.
This is contained in Statutory Instrument 171 of 2019 published in the Government Gazette yesterday.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development increased the fees in terms of Section 6 of the Toll Roads Act (Chapter 13:13).
Light motor vehicles now pay $10 from $2, mini buses $15 from $3, buses $20 from $4 heavy vehicles $25 from $5 and haulage trucks $50 from $10. SI 171 of 2019 also says: “It is hereby notified that the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development has in terms of Section 52 of the Vehicles Registration and Licensing Act (Chapter 13:14), vehicle registration and vehicle number plate replacement is now at $400.”
Duplicate registration book and change of ownership is now $75, whereas personalised number plates are now $12 500.
The cost of a provisional driver’s licence has also risen to $100 for Classes 3 and 4 vehicles; Classes 1 and 2 are now $125.
Application for foreign drivers licences have also been increased to $500.State media
Farai Dziva|Aston Villa are yet to process Marvelous Nakamba’s jersey number a day before the commencement of 2019/20 EPL season.
The Zimbabwe international moved to the Birmingham-based club early this month from Belgian giants Club Brugge.
He made his unofficial debut for his new club last weekend, featuring in Villa’s second pre-season friendly game against German side RB Leipzig.
According to information on the club’s official website, Nakamba and Douglas Luiz who was signed from City this week are the only players still without squad numbers.
His favourite jersey number 18 which he used at Brugge and with the Warriors is already taken by defender Matt Targett.
This means he will need to pick a new number ahead of his debut EPL campaign.
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:
“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.
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|Popular -yet controversial dancer, Beverly Sibanda’s manager reportedly assaulted his wife after being caught with used condoms.
Bev’s manager allegedly bashed his wife for confronting him over his alleged infidelity.
According H-Metro, Bev’ s manager, Hapaguti ‘Harpers’ Mugwara appeared in court facing assault charges.
Mugwara was not asked to plead when he appeared before Magistrate Victoria Mashamba.
The court heard that Mugwara assaulted his wife, Theresa Kabaya after she found used condoms and ladies undergarments, which had been allegedly left by his friends in his car.
Kabaya is reported to have reprimanded Mugwara over the issue and told him that such behaviour would cause problems for their marriage.
The confrontation did not go well, with Harpers who then lashed out at his wife and headbutted her several times on the mouth, causing her to sustain injuries.
Mugwara was released on $70 bail and was ordered to give an alternative address as well as not to interfere with the witness.
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.”
Preparations for the Heroes' and Defence Forces Day are at an advanced stage. Zimbabwe Defence Forces go through their rehearsals at the National Sports Stadium. pic.twitter.com/epozcZD5Ks
— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) August 9, 2019
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|MDC MP Settlement Chikwinya has been acquitted of charges of public violence.
This has been announced by the MDC in a brief statement today.
“Hon. Settlement Chikwinya was today of acquitted of trumped up charges of public violence – however he remains on remand on the yet another set of fabricated charges of subversion,” said the party.
By A Correspondent| In an interview with ZTN Friday, army boss Valerie Sibanda said investigations regarding the culprits who murdered innocent civilians on August 1 were still ongoing emphasising that there was a third force responsible for killing unarmed civilians.
The comments by the army boss comes despite footage showing soldiers firing live ammunition at unarmed civilians in Harare on August 1.
He said no soldier will be punished for Aug 1 murders because there was a third force responsible for civilians’ deaths.
“…. because like I said during the commission, there was a third hand at play in the disturbances of the 1st of August last year.
This is why there was a report that some shots were fired from some building, and I think that is ample proof to show that there was a third hand at play.
I cannot punish a soldier for what they did not do.”
Watch the video below.
Valerio:" like I said during the commission there was a 3rd hand at play in the disturbances of the 1st of Aug last year this is why there was a report that some shots were fired from some building, and I think that is ample proof to show that there was a third hand at play." pic.twitter.com/OFj4PTEck9
Valerio:" like I said during the commission there was a 3rd hand at play in the disturbances of the 1st of Aug last year this is why there was a report that some shots were fired from some building, and I think that is ample proof to show that there was a third hand at play." pic.twitter.com/OFj4PTEck9
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.
Valerio:" like I said during the commission there was a third hand at play in the disturbances of the 1st of Aug last year this is why there was a report that some shots were fired from some building, and I think that is ample proof to show that there was a third hand at play." pic.twitter.com/5Qtm9YHa4E
Valerio:" like I said during the commission there was a 3rd hand at play in the disturbances of the 1st of Aug last year this is why there was a report that some shots were fired from some building, and I think that is ample proof to show that there was a third hand at play." pic.twitter.com/OFj4PTEck9
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.
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 Tererai Rushwaya| For the progressives in the UK, regime change in Zimbabwe should be the message for the 16th of August demonstration
On the 16th of August, the people are going to demonstrate. Admittedly those in Zimbabwe will have their hands tied in terms of the tone and political message they will be conveying.
I mean, any sign of defiance and any political message calling for a change of government will be met with a draconian response from the military junta (pronounced ‘hu-nta’).
The junta, as it always does, will use the Constitution to protect itself from democracy and the people. I mean, I’ve written extensively about how that Constitution, which many including progressives boom about, that it is actually a document that legitimises oppression by the junta.
Seriously, just look at the way it is used. The document legalised the 2017 coup, if your remember.
Anyway, in light of this, those of us in the diaspora who are outside the thralls of the scarf wearer and his henchmen should go the whole hog when we demonstrate on the 16th of August.
Our message should be one of regime change! Yes, we should clearly put the message out to the world that we want regime change in Zimbabwe. We want the end to military rule.
We want the scarf wearer and his halitosis having red mouthed knuckle draggers to go, preferably to prison.
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
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
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- 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.-ManicaPost
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
By A Correspondent- IN an emotionally charged response, a devastated 33-year-old woman shocked a court when she allegedly cast doubt on whether her 62-year-old father who had asked for consent to evict her from his house for being disrespectful was her biological father.
Nonhlanhla Mazibuko pulled the shocker at the Bulawayo Civil Court where her father Sipho Mazibuko was seeking a protection order against her claiming she was disrespecting him as her father.
He complained that his daughter who is also a single mother was “very” irresponsible and had on two separate occasions “manhandled” him adding that she was always creating a scene whenever they had an argument.
“I am a 62-year-old pensioner and residing with my eldest daughter Nonhlanhla aged 33 years. She is unemployed and largely depends on my pension proceeds. She is highly irresponsible in life and very insolent.
“She does not respect me as her father and benefactor and this is demonstrated by her impudent verbal exchanges with me. She has even dared to manhandle me on two occasions, which actions nearly triggered violent reaction from me.
“It is my honest submission that our father-daughter relationship has irretrievably broken down as all mediation efforts to mend it have yielded negative outcomes. I therefore request that she leaves my house with immediate effect and seek her own lodgings,” charged Sipho from Magwegwe West.
He further said after being granted the eviction order his daughter should never set foot at his house or talk to him again.
Instead of apologising, Nonhlanhla, who has an 11-year-old child hit out at her father much to the shock of the court.
“We have differences and I do not think he is my real father with the way he challenges or treats me. I am willing to move out,” a seemingly unrepentant Nonhlanhla said.
By her consent the presiding magistrate Rachael Mukanga who presided over the matter on Friday ordered Nonhlanhla to move out of the house before Wednesday (7 August).
The magistrate said a police officer had to effect the court order.-BMetro
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 dated 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 Dinha include selling Kingstone Farm to former Cabinet minister Nicholas Goche.
Goche is alleged to have initially sold the same farm to Bindura Municipality. Reads the letter in part;
“The then Executive Mayor, 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, 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.”
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.
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!
The North America Province of the Movement for Democratic Change stands in solidarity with the masses during the planned demonstration as called by the Movement for Democratic Change.
The right to demonstrate is a constitutional provision as enshrined in Section 59 of the Supreme Law of our country Zimbabwe. Upon fulfilling the legal route of notifying the Zimbabwe Republic Police of the intention to demonstrate the Province therefore do not anticipate any rogue behavior from the security forces as witnessed in the previous demonstrations. The MDC has carried out peaceful demonstrations before and has maintained a tranquil environment even under circumstances where it was the victim.
The Province takes exceptions of utterances by Zanu PF officials especially it’s legislatures Killer Zivhu and Pupurai Togarepi who are giving out threats of violence and bloodshed unto those who will take part. We instead urge the public, our supporters and sympathisers to refrain from violent behaviour and to restrain themselves from retaliation even under provocation.
As a Province we have and still we are in the process of engaging the international community to follow closely the events as the unfold before, on and after the event.
We urge the security forces of the country to uphold human rights and observe the sanctity of life.
We are guaranteed that the 16 August 2019 demonstration is going to attract and be attended by a multitude which is facing economic hardships, social breakdown and political instability, we therefore stand with everyone in solidarity.
Unity and courage for a better Zimbabwe. The Change that Delivers!
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.”
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.
The Deputy Minister of Information and top Mnangagwa protege, Energy Mutodi has threatened protesters (authorised by the police) with death.
Writing on Thursday, Mutodi said the “MDC planned demo has been condemned by South African leaders and the whole SADC. Any sensible Zimbabwean will not risk their 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”
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Match-day 18 fixtures will be played this weekend
The games involving FC Platinum and Triangle United have been scheduled for Wednesday as the two teams will be featuring in the CAF interclub competitions.
Fixtures:
Saturday, August 10 Highlanders vs Black Rhinos (Barbourfields Stadium) ZPC Kariba vs Chicken Inn (Nyamhunga Stadium) Bulawayo Chiefs vs Chapungu (Luveve Stadium) Yadah vs Hwange (Rufaro Stadium) Telone vs Herentals (Ascot Stadium)
Sunday, August 11 Manica Diamonds vs Caps United (Vengere Stadium) Dynamos vs Mushowani Stars (Rufaro Stadium)
Wednesday, August 14 Ngezi Platinum vs Triangle (Baobab Stadium)
FC Platinum striker Rodwell Chinyengetere has admitted his stay in South Africa in the last six months wasn’t a rossy one.
The 31-year-old moved to Baroka FC in January but failed to pin a first team berth and returned on loan to the Platinum Boys during the midseason transfer window.
He has been included in the CAF squad for Champions League.
And in an interview with The Herald, Chinyengetere is hoping he will rediscover his form during the campaign.
“I am back in Zimbabwe and it’s a challenge for me from the previous experience I have had in the Champions League.
“Of course, it’s an opportunity, given that my stay in South Africa was not rosy so, in my heart, I feel this the time where I need everyone to see I can still play,” said Chinyengetere.
The Zimbabwe champions will face Nyasa Big Bullets tomorrow in the preliminary round of the 2019/20 Champions League season.
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.
Aston Villa are yet to assign Marvelous Nakamba with a squad number with only a day left before the start of their 2019/20 EPL season.
The Zimbabwe international moved to the Birmingham-based club early this month from Belgian giants Club Brugge.
He made his unofficial debut for his new club last weekend, featuring in Villa’s second pre-season friendly game against German side RB Leipzig.
According to information on the club’s official website, Nakamba and Douglas Luiz who was signed from City this week are the only players still without squad numbers.
His favourite jersey number 18 which he used at Brugge and with the Warriors is already taken by defender Matt Targett.
This means he will need to pick a new number ahead of his debut EPL campaign.
CAMEROONIAN midfielder Vincent Mbega left Zimbabwe an unhappy man after he reportedly had an open altercation with his manager which led him to ditch Dynamos.
Mbega was roped in by Dynamos during the pre-season along with compatriot Claude Junior Ngahan but he has since returned home barely six months into the contract.
Reports from the DeMbare camp say the player and his manager were at some point at each other’s throats over unfulfilled contractual obligations.
“This guy was no longer settled. He has been giving excuses every time to the coach that he is injured and it had become a routine every Tuesday he won’t train.
“He looked unhappy, he wasn’t the same guy who had so much zeal when he joined the club,” said a source.
However, Dynamos spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said he could not comment on the private matters between a player and his manager. He said the Glamour Boys had met all their contractual obligations and only agreed to terminate the contract at the player’s request.
“We don’t speak about what happens outside of Dynamos. What we know is we agreed to a mutual consensus to terminate the contract with the said player.
“For the sake of our brand, we are very mindful of the past experiences we had with players such as (Christian) Epoupa.
“It was a regrettable experience and like I said the new leadership is very professional and will not want to be found wanting again as a club.
“I am glad we have a very competent leadership and I tell you that you will never hear of such things again. We respect contracts and we are doing things by the book.
“What we want is to build a strong institution that can compete for honours at home and abroad. “As you know, we just act on the recommendations brought to us by the technical team when it comes to players,” said Farawo.
Mbega is a former Cameroon Under-20 World Cup player who once turned out for Spanish side Mallorca II in the Segunda B, between 2010 and 2013.
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
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|Romelu Lukaku became the third most expensive player bought by a Serie A club after a £73m-move to Inter Milan on Thursday.
The striker left Manchester United after two seasons having fell out of favour since the arrival of coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the previous campaign.
The 26-year-old had been linked with a move to another Serie A side – Juventus – earlier in the transfer window but opted to sign a five-year contract with Inter.
In his first interview with the club on Thursday, Lukaku explained why he decided to join the Nerazzurri.
“Inter were the only club I wanted,” Lukaku told their official website. “I’m here to bring the Nerazzurri back to the top.”
Meanwhile, the Belgian left Old Trafford with 42 goals in 96 matches for United after joining from Everton for £75m in July 2017.
Preparations for the Heroes' and Defence Forces Day are at an advanced stage. Zimbabwe Defence Forces go through their rehearsals at the National Sports Stadium. pic.twitter.com/epozcZD5Ks
— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) August 9, 2019
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.
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.
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.
Farai Dziva|Aston Villa are yet to process Marvelous Nakamba’s jersey number a day before the commencement of 2019/20 EPL season.
The Zimbabwe international moved to the Birmingham-based club early this month from Belgian giants Club Brugge.
He made his unofficial debut for his new club last weekend, featuring in Villa’s second pre-season friendly game against German side RB Leipzig.
According to information on the club’s official website, Nakamba and Douglas Luiz who was signed from City this week are the only players still without squad numbers.
His favourite jersey number 18 which he used at Brugge and with the Warriors is already taken by defender Matt Targett.
This means he will need to pick a new number ahead of his debut EPL campaign.
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|MDC MP Settlement Chikwinya has been acquitted of charges of public violence.
This has been announced by the MDC in a brief statement today.
“Hon. Settlement Chikwinya was today of acquitted of trumped up charges of public violence – however he remains on remand on the yet another set of fabricated charges of subversion,” said the party.
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:
“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.
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.
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
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
Farai Dziva|Popular -yet controversial dancer, Beverly Sibanda’s manager reportedly assaulted his wife after being caught with used condoms.
Bev’s manager allegedly bashed his wife for confronting him over his alleged infidelity.
According H-Metro, Bev’ s manager, Hapaguti ‘Harpers’ Mugwara appeared in court facing assault charges.
Mugwara was not asked to plead when he appeared before Magistrate Victoria Mashamba.
The court heard that Mugwara assaulted his wife, Theresa Kabaya after she found used condoms and ladies undergarments, which had been allegedly left by his friends in his car.
Kabaya is reported to have reprimanded Mugwara over the issue and told him that such behaviour would cause problems for their marriage.
The confrontation did not go well, with Harpers who then lashed out at his wife and headbutted her several times on the mouth, causing her to sustain injuries.
Mugwara was released on $70 bail and was ordered to give an alternative address as well as not to interfere with the witness.
Did you know that passport production is done at KGVI? This is Home Affairs Minister, Ambassador Cain Mathema, touring the national passport production centre at KGVI today.- @InfoMinZWpic.twitter.com/B4usuaC4cM
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.”
Former President Robert Mugabe with his son in a latest picture.
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.
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.
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.
