The principal of Filchrist Hill High School Jebes Muchapondwa, who allegedly abused learners at his private school speaks:

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Zimbabwe’s most celebrated playwright, Stephen J Chifunyise has died.

More to follow….

MDC President Nelson Chamisa has declared an end to his call for seven days of prayer and fasting declaring that the next stage is to take action.

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By A Correspondent- Veteran play writer, Stephen Chifunyise has died.

He was 70.

Chifunyise was born on September 21, 1948, in Nhema, Shurugwi, in the Midlands province of the then Southern Rhodesia.

He attended St Linus Matoranjera School in Chitomborwizi, Chinhoyi, for his Sub A up to Standard I.

He then moved to Shamweti Primary School, Mumbwa, Zambia in 1960 for his Standard II, transferring to Chisengalumbwe from 1961 to 1964 to pursue Standard III up to VI.

Between 1965 and 1969 he moved from Libala Secondary School to St Mark’s Secondary School to complete his high school education. The following year in 1970 he enrolled for his BA with education at the University of Zambia.

He went abroad to the USA where he successfully completed his MA in Theatre Arts in 1977 returning to Zambia the same year to take up a post as drama lecturer at UNZA until 1979.

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced that former President Robert Mugabe is still in Singapore since April following his doctor’s request that he be kept under observation for much longer.

In a press release today, Mnangagwa said he send a delegation led by Chief Secretary Misheck Sibanda to visit Mugabe in Singapore who gave him feedback that he is continuing to make steady progress towards eventual recovery.

“Last week on 30th of July I send on my own behalf a high powered team of officials led by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr MJM Sibanda to Singapore to check on the former President and to get an update on his progress from the medical team attending to him including any additional requirements towards his full care and speedy recovery.

“From the report the team gave me at the weekend,I am greatly pleased to inform the nation that the former president continues to make steady progress towards eventual recovery and that his condition is remarkably stable for his age. He is responding well to treatment. The team further advised that because of the good progress be is making, Cde Mugabe could be released soon,” said Mnangagwa.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently hurriedly dispatched a high powered government and ZANU PF delegation to Singapore to check on ailing former President Robert Mugabe in hospital.

According to a statement issued by Mnangagwa on Monday afternoon, Mugabe has been in Singapore since April where he is getting medical attention.

According to Mnangagwa, the delegation reported that Mugabe is recovering well.

Highly placed sources from Harare have indicated that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is vetting MDC MPs who are under consideration to form a quasi-government of national unity.

Insiders from the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation’s National security department known as Branch 5 who spoke to this reporter have indicated that there is an internal process which is underway and is being kept a closely guarded secret to do background checks and ensure that the MDC candidates handpicked to be part of the cabinet will accept the appointments.

The source said, “Number 1 is a man who comes from an intelligence background and all his political moves and steps are from a position of intelligence. You need to understand who Emmerson Mnangagwa is by training in order to decipher his moves. His moves come from a counter Intelligence strength and his political plays are very complicated yet effective.”

The source revealed that Emmerson Mnangagwa had taken heed of his intelligence analysts who had told him to start preparing a form of government of national unity as well as implement political reforms in order to get much needed multilateral support for Zimbabwe’s economy.

The reports allege that the appointment of James Maridadi to the position of Ambassador was a sign of goodwill which sought to open up channels of communication between Chamisa and Mnangagwa.

Those reported to be undergoing the process of vetting (whether knowingly or not) are said to include Joanna Mamombe, Fortune Daniel Molokele Mguni, and two other unnamed MDC MPs.

The MDC MPs will be incorporated into a quasi-government of national unity will be expected to table and support a motion in parliament which seeks to relieve General Constantine Chiwenga of his duties due to ill health in accordance with the constitutional provision section 97.

The source added that President Mnangagwa was already moving to remind hardliners where power lies in government and where their loyalties should be, and this was happening with the help of the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission.

Source Byo24

Metbank has been ordered to pay back $20 million worth of Treasury Bills to the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), after a judge said the bank’s court bid to keep the TBs had come “tumbling down in humpty-dumpty fashion”.

The case around the TBs forms part of the separate case in which Prisca Mupfumira, the former Labour Minister, is being charged for abuse of office.

In a judgement reached in June but only recently made available, High Court judge Nicholas Mathonsi ordered Metbank to return to the three TBs it had been holding as security.

Metbank had, in 2017, controversially secured the TBs from NSSA as security for some third party borrowings, but the bank failed to return the bills by June 2018 as agreed. After negotiations over the bills failed, NSSA then went to court, seeking the return of the three TBs or a payment of $20 million, plus a 5% per annum penalty fee on the $20 million, collection commission and costs of suit on the adverse scale.

NSSA, represented by advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara, told the court that Metbank had ignored a notice on 7 August, 2018, to remedy the breach of contract.

Through its legal representative, advocate Fadzayi Mahere, Metbank insisted it did nothing wrong, saying “there is no agreement between the parties” and that NSSA had not delivered any “formal agreement” to Metbank. Mahere argued that NSSA was in fact demanding the TBs back before they were due.

While Zhuwarara argued that the 2017 document the parties signed was a binding and enforceable security lending agreement under which Metbank was required to return the TBs, Mahere had insisted that what NSSA and her client had agreed to were negotiations that would be part of a formal agreement.

After pre-trial conferences, only two issues were left for the court to decide on; firstly, whether there was indeed a binding agreement on the TBs, and whether Metbank had any lawful basis to keep the TBs. However, Metbank then raised a preliminary issue.

“She (Mahere) submitted that a litigant who seeks the return of its property must proceed by way of vindication proceedings. It is incompetent for such litigant to plead its claim in contract,” Mathonsi noted. “In Ms Mahere’s view, when a claim is pleaded in contract and a breach is alleged, the competent relief is to seek specific performance or damages.”

However, Zhuwarara, for NSSA, described Mahere’s point in limine “as being the fruit of an idle mind fixated on buying time in the most callous manner”.  He argued that NSSA’s claim was based entirely on a contract and that the claim before the court said so. – NewZwire

Professor Jonathan Moyo has alleged that ZANU PF won the recently held by-election in Lupane through deploying thousands of soldiers who are acting as Heritage Officers.

Posting on Twitter Moyo said, ” Zanu PF won the Lupane East by-election? Let’s get the bearings right Cdes. ZanuPF sweated to RETAIN Lupane East via intimidation & blackmail from embedded soldiers  and Obadiah Moyo bribery!”

When questioned the authenticity of his claim Moyo said, “Ignore it for all you want. But 2,000 soldiers were embedded in rural areas before the coup and the numbers ballooned to 5,000 after the coup, in the runup to the 2018 general election. The embedded soldiers are now known as Heritage Officers. Again, you can ignore it as you want!”

Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has revealed that the intense load-shedding currently crippling the country is set to improve in the coming two weeks owing to a breakthrough in negotiations with South Africa’s Eskom.

Addressing the media at a Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) workshop today, (ZETDC) Commercial Services Manager Corporate Engineer, Richard Marowa said the load-shedding period was largely reliant on the performance of the biggest power station in Hwange.

However he reiterated that the situation is likely to improve in a few weeks.

“The load-shedding we are having now depends on the actual performance of Hwange being the best load power station. When it has a shortfall that goes below 520 megawatts that means we have to load-shed more. In essence that means longer load-shedding hours.

“It is the main reason we were not meeting the eight hours and stretching the load shedding into excess that is fifteen hours.The situation is likely to improve, we are getting this sense from the minister who has been negotiating on our behalf with his counterparts in South Africa. We are hopeful that towards the end of the month things should start to look upward.

“There is now legality in us accessing United States Dollars which is the critical currency that is required in order for us to pay for imports. Our imports are denominated in the US dollars and with that we will be able to import power for the nation.” explained Mariwa.

Mariwa revealed that their target is 1000 to 1050 megawatts at any particular time.

By Problem Masau| Sweden based cultural ambassador Luckson Chikutu has urged the government to chip in and revive the annual Zimbabwe Music Festival Bira (Zimfebi) in a bid to promote the country’s culture.

“I appeal to government to have a budget to promote cultural activities such as Zimfebi. Festivals like this put the country on the map and it helps to attract tourists,” he said.

“The festival’s objective is to bring people together through celebrating cultures from different parts of the world. We also aim to promote awareness through music,” he said.

The festival was last held in 2015 when Manlukerz was involved in an accident.

Meanwhile, Manlukerz’s cultural book Flashback Identity will be published in English on October 6.

“I am putting finishing touches on the book and it will be published on my birthday,” he said.

The book which was published in Swedish is now being translated into English.

Popularly known as Manlukerz in the entertainment industry, Chikutu says the book is a bridge between cultural and generational gap.

“After a long period of persistent writing and endless patience, finally came the result, a book titled Flashback Identity.

“The writing of the book has been a long journey with positive insights I received and a high ambition to write about my family’s history, the cultural heritage I learnt when I was growing up. The book also captures how music and dance are used to influence humanity in Zimbabwe,” said Manlukerz.

Manlukerz’s hope is that the book be used in schools to teach pupils about the rich cultural heritage of Zimbabwe.

“I really want the book to be used in schools. This is my small
contribution to Zimbabwe,” he said.

By Problem Masau|Gospel sensation Rhoda January is making waves across Limpopo with her debut song titled Ndinovimba Nemi.

The song is about trusting in God in all times. So popular is the song that it is topping charts in South Africa.

“I am humbled by the support and in fact I am grateful with the airplay that I am receiving in South Africa,” said the soft spoken January adding that “It is my wish for the song to be played on the local national stations”.

The song is available on YouTube and Oyos Digital Store. 

“The song has opened new avenues for me, I have been invited to perform at several events and managed to attract some sponsors. The theme of the song is reminding people about God’s love for us. I hope to release the video in the following months,” said January.

The song was co-written by January and her husband Victor Sibiya who is also, a musician; it was recorded at SK Sounds Studio, mastered and produced by Tawanda Midzi at Eternity Studios in Pretoria, South Africa.

“I began singing as a child and led the school choir. I am the last born in a family of six and my parents were musicians and have a huge bearing on my career. I am working on releasing an album and I hope it will transform lives,” she added.

It is seems as a family affair as her husband Victor is also an
established musician who released his debut album in 2003.
Since then he has established himself as a renowned gospel in South Africa.

By A Correspondent| Law expert, Professor Lovemore Madhuku has said that President Mnangagwa must relieve corruption accused Tourism Minister, Priscah Mupfumira of her duties.

Madhuku said that the constitution provided that any Minister implicated in corruption scandals must not hold public office.

He observed that appointing Mupfumira’s replacement was unconstitutional as that meant that she was still the minister.

Speaking to the Daily News, Madhuku said that Mupfumira’s case provides reasonable ground for the president to fire her.

He added that if she continues to serve as the Minister, she will be doing so at the pleasure of the President.

Speaking on the doctrine of ministerial responsibility which requires a public office bearer to resign or be fired in the event that there are reasonable allegations of misconduct, Madhuku said:

That has been satisfied by Zacc and confirmed by the court. If she does not resign, the president must fire her… He must act within the dictates of the Constitution…

These are circumstances that in a normal democracy lead to an impeachment of a sitting president.

Mupfumira was arrested over seven counts of corruption which have prejudiced the National Social Security Association (NSSA) of millions of United States dollars.

She was further implicated by the NSSA report which revealed that she authorised several shady deals during her tenure at the NSSA (2017 – 2018)

By A Correspondent| A reader here has claimed that Zimbabwe’s foreign affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo was sprinkled with water that had urine by protestors during his visit to London last month.

Moyo, was sprinkled with water by a Zimbabwean woman in the UK, who was part of a group of protestors at Zimbabwe House in London.

Watch the video below for this and more.

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Farai Dziva|A declared Zanu PF apologist, Jones Musara has claimed that Zanu PF’ s popularity emanates from its ability to serve the electorate.

“Voters want tangibles not parables…Zanu PF delivers tangibles..zvinowoneka, zvinobatika uye zvinodyika.. Ava veMDC deliver jecha of which jecha haridiwi nemavoters that’s why MDC can not win Elections in Zimbabwe.”

“…And their leader is proving to be a bubblegum. Not even his presence in Lupane East could lure the voters there,” tweeted Musara.

Farai Dziva|MDC secretary for elections, Jacob Mafume, has said the weekend by-elections were characterized by intimidation and vote buying.

“On behalf of the party I would like to thank those who voted against all odds.

National and provincial leaders showed biblical resilience in the face of Pharaoh.Dedication is unparalleled.lessons are invaluable.Let’s free our pple street by village by village,” Mafume wrote Twitter.

“Intimidation is ever present.Reminders are awash of the abuse that will follow an opposition victory.It’s a wild process.

State institutions are an actor in the elections- favouring ZANU PF .The CIO, Police all Parastatals are headed by losing Zanu PF candidates and sympathisers.

They donate and provide resources to ZANU PF.

They need to desist from this behaviour.

Food distribution happens during voting processes .This clearly an abuse of state resources .All reports about it are ignored,” added Mafume.

Parliamentary Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs has promised to deal with rampant child prostitution in Chiredzi and other areas following a petition by a Chiredzi resident Marko Shoko.

According to Shoko, the upsurge in child prostitution in Chiredzi is attributed to relocation of Tugwi-Mukosi victims to Chingwizi Transit Camp in 2014, an area with poor living conditions and no source of income.

Chairperson of the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Portfolio Committee Misheck Mataranyika says parliament is to deal with rampant child prostitution in Chiredzi and other areas following a petition raised by Chiredzi resident Marco Shoko. (1/2) #ZiFMNews

— ZiFM News (@ZiFMNews) August 5, 2019

THERE is no vacancy in the Presidium and elements covertly jostling for the top positions must stand guided, Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister who is also Zanu-PF chairperson, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, has said.

She made the remarks yesterday while addressing the Manicaland War Veterans inter-district conference at Bezel Bridge in Zimunya-Marange.

Muchinguri-Kashiri said the era of the old dispensation which was characterised by divisions, slandering of war veterans, senior Government officials and unbridled ambition for the Presidency, was over.

“For 37 years we were in the old dispensation and you know how it ended. Some elements in the old dispensation had captured the State and we were being insulted and slandered. War veterans were mistreated and abused publicly but we united with our security sectors and embarked on Operation Restore Legacy and in the process restored our dignity that had been stolen,” said Muchinguri-Kashiri.

She said history was repeating itself with some elements angling for the Vice Presidency and the Presidency as if the positions were vacant.

“We still have ambitious individuals that are angling for posts in the Presidium. Be warned. It is not that easy. We should lead by example as war veterans and check the direction that the nation is taking,” said Muchinguri-Kashiri.

She called for selflessness.

“We must not think about ourselves but the majority of Zimbabweans. Some people want the Presidency. There is no vacancy, there is no vacancy, there is no vacancy. Make sure you are playing your role where you are. We do not want divisions,” said Muchinguri-Kashiri.

She said President Mnangagwa was preaching unity all the time.

“The President is saying unity, unity, unity, less politics. Let us build the future of our children. Let us build our country. This is what the President is saying,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.

“We do not want people that push us from the way we are being shown by President Mnangagwa. During Operation Restore Legacy, it’s you war veterans that stood strong and also went for the march to restore the legacy we had lost. New dispensation has restored our dignity as war veterans.”

Muchinguri-Kashiri said President Mnangagwa remembers the journey he walked with war veterans and ex-detainees and will not forget them.

Government, she said, was working on ensuring issues to do with the welfare of war veterans and affiliate organisations were addressed.

“You deserve better,” said Muchinguri-Kashiri.

She said the national Constitution recognises the role played by war veterans and dignifies them yet some people were looking down upon them.

Muchinguri-Kashiri said respect for war veterans must start in the party.

“You sacrificed for everybody. Some people forget the past because they are now comfortable. Some even refuse to carry war veterans in party vehicles they now drive. I just want you to understand that small things like that add up to give war veterans dignity. Charity begins at home, in the party,” she said.

-State Media

The country’s biggest mobile money company, EcoCash has announced an increase in tariffs in yet another dose of bad news for struggling cash strapped Zimbabweans.

EcoCash which is now under Cassava Fintech also increased transaction limits.

Below are the new charges and limits:

POLICE have launched a manhunt for a 33 year-old Masvingo woman who allegedly fatally struck her husband’s second wife with a cooking stick following a dispute over household chores.

The suspect, whose name was not given, is wanted in connection with the death of the 21-year-old woman from Mkwasine area in Masvingo.

The deceased’s name was also not mentioned.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner, Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident, saying the woman is still at large.

He said the incident occurred on Wednesday last week at around midday.

“The suspect allegedly struck the deceased on the back of the head with a cooking stick after the two had a disagreement over laundry,” he said.

The deceased was taken to Mashoko Hospital in Masvingo where she died upon admission.

In an unrelated incident which occurred on the same day at around 9PM, two men allegedly torched three huts belonging to an 85-year-old woman before they fatally attacked her on allegations of witchcraft.

“Nochance Madzima (33) and Norest Tsonjora (27) of Village 9, Chikuti in Chinhoyi allegedly struck and burnt an 85-year-old woman resulting in her sustaining severe injuries. The suspects accused the woman of bewitching their friend who was the victim’s son,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said the two men are on the run.

“The suspects who are from the same village, set three huts on fire and when the woman went out to investigate, they struck her on the forehead and she fell down.

“They burnt the victim using thatching grass and she sustained burns which led to her death upon admission to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said they were appealing to members of the public who might have information leading to the arrest of the two suspects to report at any nearest police station.

He also condemned the use of violence in settling disputes, saying members of the public must seek counselling in resolving disputes.

— Chronicle

CHAIRPERSON of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice Misheck Mataranyika has said the whipping system in Parliament must be repealed from Parliamentary Standing Rules and Orders because it stifles open debate and reduces debate on important Bills and motions to partisan stances by MPs.

Addressing delegates on Thursday last week in Kariba at an ActionAid stakeholders’ workshop on the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, Mataranyika, who is also MP for Makoni South (Zanu PF) said Parliament is a place where debate must be robust and free for MPs in order for them to effectively play their legislative roles.

The whipping system is practiced by Parliaments when passing or amending laws or debating a motion where MPs are “whipped” or instructed by their political parties to follow a certain line of debate. It can compromise the quality of Bills and motions debated in Parliament.

“Personally, I feel that the whipping system is very deterrent on MPs because legislators always have to be mindful of their political party’s positions, which is also contrary to their other role as representatives of the people,” Mataranyika said.

“I would prefer that the whipping system be repealed because it affects open debate and, as MPs, we are between a rock and a hard surface when it comes to the whipping system because we are not free to debate contrary to political party positions,” he said.

On the issue of recall of those MPs that do not play their mandate well, Mataranyika said the Constitution already has a clause which provides for a political party to recall an MP who no longer serves their interests.

He said section 129 (1) (k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe stipulates that MPs can be expelled “if the MP has ceased to belong to the political party of which he or she was a member when elected to Parliament and the political party concerned, by written notice to the Speaker or the President of the Senate, as the case may be, has declared that the MP has ceased to belong to it”.

Mataranyika said at the moment, there was no provision in the Constitution for voters to recall their MP if he or she is not performing.

In terms of compliance to the principles in ACDEG, Mataranyika said Zimbabwe was in the process of aligning a gamut of laws to the Constitution, adding that his committee was seized with conducting public hearings on several pieces of legislation.

Some of the laws that are before Parliament include the Marriages Bill, the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill (Mopa) and several media related laws which include the Freedom of Information Bill to replace the oppressive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Mataranyika said the Parliamentary Legal Committee was also playing its role well in ensuring that good laws were passed, and recently they produced an adverse report on some of Mopa’s provisions deemed unconstitutional.

-Newsday

State Media: Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu said the party’s victory shamed the country’s detractors.

“The results dispel all beliefs and perceptions that are being floated around the globe and within the country that the people of Zimbabwe are in a worse situation than they were before,” said Dr Mpofu.

Instead, he said, what Zimbabweans were experiencing were birth pangs of a prosperous country as President Mnangagwa’s administration implements new policies and ideas meant to turn around the economy.

“We have been saying that whatever is happening, there is no Government in this world which can come up with policies which are meant to demoralise the people, so everything that Government is doing is meant to better the people’s lives,” he said.

Dr Mpofu said while turning around the country’s fortunes was never going to be an overnight thing, the Government was implementing policies to reverse the damage the country suffered over the years under the old dispensation.

“The people are very clear on what they want, they are very clear on the policies of the party, policies decided by the ruling party at their congresses and conferences, so we are going to continue winning these elections whenever there is a by-election. The MDC should know that they won’t win anything,” said Dr Mpofu.

“The people are giving the Government a chance to deliver on its promises, which is what has happened. MDC was there in its full force headed by their leader but people said they cannot be associated with a party which has no clear policies hence they stuck to the ruling party which is commendable and we are really excited about it.”

Dr Mpofu said the elections also served to prove the falsehood of MDC -Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa’s claims that he won the 2018 elections.

“The victory by Zanu-PF in the local government and parliamentary by-elections is a clear indication to Chamisa, who has been lying to the world that he won the elections. These by-elections show what people think about him. In Lupane you can imagine the number of (MDC-Alliance) top leadership that was here and led by him, but the people have said no, we don’t want you and this rhetoric that he won is founded on no grounds at all. It is just wishful thinking, which is not realistic,” he said.

Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said the party was emboldened by the victory.

“The sweeping trend which continues to be registered by the party in all previous elections does not only testify to the confidence which the electorate has in Zanu-PF policies and programmes, but it also loudly speaks to the existing umbilical bond between the party and the general masses of Zimbabwe which is rooted to the days of the liberation struggle,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.

“Clearly, the revolutionary train is well oiled and is on the unstoppable trajectory towards delivery of the people’s wishes and aspirations as espoused in the 2018 winning people’s election manifesto.”

Cde Khaya Moyo said the elections were held in a free, fair and credible manner, calling on all participants to respect the will of the people.

Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo paid tribute to all party structures that were involved in the campaign.

By A Correspondent| There was pandemonium last Saturday in God Miaha village when a man believed to be dead appeared at his own funeral.

Mourners and residents who had gathered to bid their loved one farewell took to their heels when Kennedy Ogweno appeared for the burial ceremony at Ramba location in Rachuonyo East, Kenya.

Ogweno, 38, had not visited home for the last 20 years and on the few occasions he got in touch with his family, he told them he worked as a fisherman along the beaches of Lake Victoria.

A month ago, Ogweno’s relatives got information that he had died in Mbita town after falling sick.

The family was also told that his body was taken to Homa Bay County Referral Hospital mortuary.

Family members then went to the mortuary, identified the said body and registered their details as next of kin.

The kinsmen returned home and scheduled his burial for Saturday. On Friday, they went to the mortuary, got the body and took it home.

But with less than an hour before the body could be interred the next day, Ogweno appeared and started greeting the mourners.

There was confusion. Residents ran away from the homestead after mistaking Ogweno for a ghost. His efforts to convince the mourners that he was still alive fell on deaf ears.

Chief Joseph Ndege said Ogweno’s appearance deterred people from eating the food the family had prepared for mourners.

“A lot of food had been cooked for mourners but many people did not eat upon Ogweno’s appearance. Even those who had begun eating had to stop and run away from the home,” Mr Ndege said.

Judith Atieno, Ogweno’s sister-in-law, said it was only by coincidence that she met him on a beach in Rachuonyo as they were making funeral arrangements.

“I had gone to Alum beach and I found him. I told family members in Ramba on phone not to bury the body before they could confirm whether the man I had met was Ogweno,” Atieno said.

The body that the family was preparing to bury was taken back to the mortuary.-StandardMedia

Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC-T vice President Obert Gutu has lashed at the main MDC saying they will never get to power through the back door, adding that dialogue should not be about power-sharing or national transitional authority as proposed by Nelson Chamisa.

Posting on Twitter this morning, Gutu said the dialogue they are having at the POLAD platform is aimed at building the country and not power-sharing as demanded by the MDC led by Chamisa.

Dialogue isn't about power-sharing or about this strange, funny creature called a national transitional authority. Getting into power through the back door doesn't cut. At POLAD, we don't discuss power-sharing, we robustly discuss nation-building.

— Obert Gutu (@GutuObert) August 5, 2019

By A Correspondent- EIGHTEEN families in Reigate, a few kilometres outside Bulawayo, have been rendered homeless after Umguza Rural District Council (RDC) razed homes they occupied for more than 20 years.

Although officials from the council were not readily available for comment yesterday, some of the affected residents told a local publication that they had been raided by the authority without prior warning.

School-going children, whose families have been affected, were being housed at nearby homes to enable them to attend school.

Dingani Ndlovu (67) told a local publication he had lived in the area since 1988.

“I worked for the Umguza RDC for 27 years. I joined the council in 1988 and retired in 2016.

“Since that time, I have been paying rentals to the council for the stand on which my house was built. I have never stayed here for free. I had been advised by council that since I was paying rentals, this stand would become mine.

I was shocked when I was told that I had to vacate, but there were no reasons given,” Ndlovu said, adding that some of the residents had occupied houses that had been left by former council workers who had since moved on.

“Some of the people here occupied these houses after buying them. These were houses that council employees sold to the new occupants – something the council blessed because it was realising revenue from the occupants,” Ndlovu added. Another affected villager, Simangaliphi Ncube said there had been efforts by the council to evict the residents without success.

“We have been fighting legal battles with the council for some years now. They tried to evict us earlier, but they were stopped by the High Court after we obtained an order against the eviction.

“Despite that intention, we have been paying monthly rentals to the council, in some cases as much as $220 a month. We were surprised to be told that we have to leave despite all the money we have paid to these people,” Ncube said, revealing that council had misled them into believing they would assume full ownership under a home scheme after paying rentals for more than 10 years.

“Council told us that the home ownership scheme would kick in after some 10 years. Instead of processing that home ownership, we saw council officials and vehicles coming to destroy our houses and we wondered why the sudden change of heart,” Ncube said.

Frank Moyo, who was also affected by the demolitions, said the move to evict them was illegal as there was no court order giving council the right to evict them.

“When these council people came here, they brought us a paper written Messenger of Court. They refused to show us the copy, but said the matter had been finalised and we had to leave. Unfortunately, we are not leaving this place with nowhere else to go. The council itself has to find us alternative accommodation,” he added.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The New York Post reports that a Russian sugar daddy has confessed to the murder of an Instagram influencer whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase, officials said.

Maxim Gareyev — who claimed he gave Ekaterina Karaglanova money on dates — said he lashed out because she told him that he wasn’t attractive, according to authorities. “She told me that I was ugly and that even plastic [surgery] would not help me,” Gareyev reportedly said. “I could not stand it.”

Karaglanova — who boasted more than 87,000 Instagram followers — was discovered Friday, days before her 25th birthday, in her apartment with her neck slashed, according to BBC.

Following the slaughter, Gareyev claimed that he stripped her naked and stuffed her body inside a large suitcase, Moscow newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets reported. Gareyev appeared Thursday in court, where he apologized to her parents and told reporters that he was “ashamed of myself.”

It is just over a year since activists took to the streets of the Zimbabwe capital Harare to protest delays in announcing the results of presidential elections. The army was called in to crush the protests, and six people were shot dead.

As the country remembers that tragic day, some family members of victims have been speaking out.

In a video posted on Twitter, Alison Charles recalls how on 1 August 2018, she had to go and identify the body of her brother, Gavin, one of six people shot dead in the security crackdown.

She found her brother’s body lying face down in a metal coffin on the back of a police pick-up truck.

“I identified him by his dreadlocks and the shoes he was wearing because his face was down,” said Alison Charles, her voice breaking with emotion.

“Like a dog off the road!”

“They threw him like a dog off the road into that coffin,” she said, adding that her brother was shot while trying to help a badly wounded person.

Activists have this week visited the graves of some of those killed, and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum on Friday held an event to remember the day using the hashtag #Wehavenotforgotten.

While memories of the crackdown are still vivid, state media says police have undergone retraining to bury the “ghost of 1 August”.

“Part of that retraining has focused on human rights-related aspects of policing and law-enforcement,” Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo said on Thursday.

The training is in line with recommendations made by the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry into the killings. The commission recommended that the police be given the skills and capacity to deal with rioters, and be trained to be non-partisan.

Army to operate under police command

Moyo said in future, using the army to quell unrest should be avoided.

A new draft security law states that if the army is called in, soldiers have to “operate under the command structure of the police,” he added.

But observers say the draft law — the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill — has just been given an “adverse report” by the Parliamentary Legal Committee because some of its clauses are deemed unconstitutional.

“If the Bill is not revised extensively it will have a chilling effect on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and the right to demonstrate, all vital to a democratic society and all guaranteed by the Constitution,” notes parliamentary watchdog Veritas.

No soldier has yet been prosecuted for the 1 August killings, and the EU delegation to Harare has called for those responsible to be “held accountable to end impunity”.

On Thursday the US State Department said it was placing a former top Zimbabwean army commander and his wife on its targeted sanctions list for what it called “gross violations of human rights”. The official is Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, who was the commander of the Presidential Guard that led the 1 August crackdown.

By Own Correspondent| The Housing Corporation Zimbabwe (HCZ) has noted the release of the final Report on the Forensic Investigation into the Affairs of the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) conducted by BDO Zimbabwe Chartered Accountants (BDO). The report contains several falsehoods as regards to HCZ.

These untruths are attributable to the incompetent manner in which BDO conducted its forensic investigation and in arriving at its conclusions. The absence of an in-depth probe includes ignoring critical information that would have assisted the investigation with accurate facts.

Therefore, in the interest of transparency, the management of HCZ is considering, inter alia, taking the following actions;

• Instituting legal proceedings to seek relief against areas of the report that are not truthful and are harmful to the reputation of HCZ and its management.
• Providing the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) with a dossier detailing the process leading up to the signing of the housing off-take agreement between NSSA and HCZ.
• Submitting grievance statements to the relevant regulatory and oversight bodies within the Chartered Accounting and Audit profession on the conduct of BDO during the investigation.

In rejecting the untested claims of impropriety in securing the NSSA off-take agreement, HCZ would like to clarify the following;

• All the appropriate governance protocols were followed ahead of signing the off-take agreement as approved by the investment committee and the full board of NSSA.
• At best BDO, failed to comprehend, the NSSA procurement policy provisions that clearly differentiate between off-take agreements, which are investment decisions taken differently from the procurement of services in the ordinary course of organisational operations.   
• Contrary to the assertion that no investment appraisal was performed, an extensive investment memorandum was submitted as part of the proposal to NSSA which informed the negotiations and subsequent due diligence processes that were undertaken.
• NSSA did not suffer any price prejudice as claimed in the report. In this regard, NSSA have in their possession an independent expert assessment from ABACUS Construction Cost Consultants (Pty) Ltd, which affirmed the appropriateness of the price charged per unit. BDO failed to appreciate the variance in specifications and project scope that totalled the costs per unit when comparing against other housing projects.
• Due to the restrictive indigenous laws that were applicable at the time, as evidenced by the NSSA Board resolutions, Housing African Corporation (HAC) as a Mauritian entity was required to incorporate a local entity, in this regard, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) through which the project would be managed and delivered.
• Thus, HCZ was set up as an SPV with licensed franchise rights obtained from HAC, as an owner of the  intellectual property of systems and methodology for the construction of

large-scale housing projects and having extensive experience in delivering  housing developments across the globe.

• The Caledonia Housing Project was compromised – not because of any action or inaction by HCZ, not because alleged procurement processes were not followed – but because of NSSA’s own failure and inability to manage the project. It was NSSA’s repeated material breaches of the off-take agreement which entitled HCZ, to legally terminate the agreement and claim damages. In arbitration, these repudiatory breaches by NSSA justified an award to HCZ as an entitlement to damages suffered.
• 57 Units had been completed prior to the contract termination, while 53 were at varying levels of completion.   

The management of HCZ supports the government’s efforts in fighting corruption. However, anti-corruption measures must not be used as a tool to malign individuals and their business operations. The HCZ is a customer focused company that is driven by its passion and the commitment to integrity and responsibility in the service of communities.      

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https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1158260881991577600?s=19

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The United Kingdom has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to deliver on “genuine” political reforms that he committed to do in order to ensure a brighter future for the troubled country.

The UK’s newly-elected Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, also pleaded with Mnangagwa to implement recommendations by the Motlanthe Commission, which was set up after soldiers shot and killed demonstrators in 2018.

According to the statement by the UK released through their embassy in Harare, they urged the Mnangagwa to also deliver on the economic reforms.

“A year after Zimbabwe’s elections, we reiterate our call to the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa to work on delivering the genuine political reforms that it has committed to alongside the economic reforms needed to pave the way to a better future for all Zimbabweans,” read the statement.

This comes at a time when Mnangagwa’s administration is seeking to mend relations with the country’s former coloniser.

“…Three times in South Africa Thursday, Friday and Saturday, I saw a vision somebody was pointing a gun at me and I was being shot. And I was dying in that vision and then I was seeing myself dying…”

By Dorrothy Moyo| The Harare based populist street preacher, Talent Chiwenga yesterday for the first time spoke concerning the alleged assassination attempt on his life in the accident that happened 2 months ago and which killed his wife and two church aides.

He gave fresh details on his allegations strongly pointing to the CIO and or the Zimbabwe national army.

As he held his first ever sermon, he said he saw in a vision (dream) a gunman opening fire at him.

Speaking during a church service, Talent Chiwenga said, ” I had a friend in Eugene Kanyuchi. I am sure many of you you know him. He served me in the work of Christ in the protocol department. And I had Mai Vhurumuko, and I think you all know her, you all knew her. VIDEO ( The story continues below)…

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“I faced death with those 2 people for as long as they were in the ministry. A week before we drove to South Africa I sat down with both of them and I said to them- you are following me everywhere I am going, I am in danger because in those three weeks before the accident we had a lot of incidents where death threats continued to come.

“I am sure you still remember at First Street when there was a message that came: run away they are going to come to kill you. And I said I am not going to run. Because I cannot run away from death death is something that nobody can run away from. So I sat with her husband and Mai Vhurumuku, and Baba Vhurumuku is not here, he works outside the country, and I told them there is death that is imminent; we knew about it it, we wrote a letter to president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“And I told them that I was going to deliver that letter. The two of them, they volunteered to go with me, and I said if I don’t come back what happens to you?

“They said we will then not come back all of us. Vari vaviri, Baba Kanyuchi naMai Vhurumuku, ndaiti ndakavaudza kuti Vhangeri iyi ine vavengi vakawanda, ichasvika panguva yekuti tichafanirwa kuifira, vaiti, ” we are ready to die for the gospel.”

“Hapana anga aine rwendo rwekuenda kuSouth Africa pahu two hwavo. They volunteered to go with me. Three times in South Africa Thursday, Friday and Saturday, I saw a vision somebody was pointing a gun at me and I was being shot. And I was dying in that vision and then I was seeing myself dying when I was standing on the other side, and I told Baba Kanyuchi, I told Mai Chiwenga, this is what is going to happen, I am not comfortable something is about to happen. And they said let the will of the lord prevail.

“Our greatest challenge is when that time comes in our lives are we going to be holding our faith like they did? That is why we cannot count their departure, as a loss, it is not them that lost, it is us who lost. We lost an opportunity to go in good time, murikundinzwa here vadikani? Takashaiwa mukana wekuenda, zvichakanaka. So I just want to remind you that the people that do not believe do not understand their level, their carnal level, their corruptible level, their crooked level, we know what you are aiming for, we know the Lord, we know the Lord is coming. We know we shall be vindicated. We know we shall be justified. We know the gospel is going to go on. We know nobody is going to stop the gospel. We know nothing is going to stop the gospel.

“Not even the murderers, not even the politicians. Not even the CIO, not even the army, they will not stop this gospel. They can kill me today but they can’t kill the gospel.

“Tell your neighbour: they can kill me today but they can’t kill the gospel. The gospel cannot be killed because not even a bullet can reach close to the gospel. It is spiritual it is not physical.

“The AK47 kana CZ Pistol, inogona kuuraya nyama, asi mweya haigone kuuraya. So we just want to observe a moment of silence, but I want us us to first of all read this whole passage, in Phillipians chapter 1, let me read it up to verse 30. And then we observed a moment of silence to remind ourselves that there is a burden that lies squarely on our shoulders, to uphold the faith and to the very end, like our comrades did. They are our comrades, they are our heroes. They are heroes of faith, they stood firm for the gospel, and we have got to do the same. If we walk away from the faith, we are disappointing them. Hallelujah, Jesus is counting on us to stand firm unto the very end. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

A British diplomat has denied claims that she bribed African authorities in order to adopt a Zimbabwean child, flouting adoption rules.

Catriona Laing, 55, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, is alleged to have paid a large sum of money to Zimbabwe’s ex-social welfare minister Prisca Mupfumira, reports The Sun.

Ms Laing adopted three-year-old daughter Anya from a children’s home in 2017 when she was acting as British ambassador in Zimbabwe.

The family moved to Nigeria after Ms Laing was appointed British High Commissioner there last year.

Now claims from another Zimbabwean MP have emerged, alleging that Anya’s Zimbabwean family want her back – the country’s social services are investigating the claims.

A corruption inquiry is already ongoing surrounding Mupfumira, she faces charges of abuse of office after allegedly siphoning money from the National Social Security Authority in scams totalling £78 million.

Ms Laing’s spokesman told The Sun: ‘These allegations are categorically untrue. All the proper legal processes were followed and no money was paid.’

A source told The Sun that no money had changed hands during the adoption, which took two years to complete as rules were followed so carefully.

In August last year Ms Laing faced criticism after she was said to be ‘cosying up’ with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa by wearing his trademark scarf, bearing the country’s flag, while posing outside Downing Street.

Mr Mnangagwa is rarely seen in public without the scarf and it has become the emblem of his leadership.

Ex-Zimbabwean cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo accused Ms Laing of wearing a ‘dictator’s voodoo scarf’ and endorsing a ‘mass murderer’.

An ally of defeated candidate Nelson Chamisa told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Putting lipstick on a crocodile shouldn’t work, but it didn’t stop the ambassador trying.

‘Everyone who has cosied up to this monster should be ashamed after his narrow win. He could have lost if more powerful people had stood up to him.’

Ms Laing dismissed criticism of her scarf as ‘absurd conspiracy theories’. It was a ‘Christmas present from the designer’ and she ‘had it long before anyone else’.

The Sun

The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) was prejudiced of US$88 million due to poor investment appraisal, inflated costs, mismanagement and inefficiencies, the forensic audit report released last week has revealed.

The report was tabled in Parliament by Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza on Thursday.

According to the report, the authority acknowledged in its 2016 annual report that it had erred in constructing Beitbridge Hotel without requisite management skills resulting in it spending US$49 million instead of the US$3 million which was budgeted for.

“The report highlighted the following key issues and weaknesses on the project; the proposal from Rainbow Towers Group (RTG) did not have a bill of quantities and basis of the estimated costs; there was no evidence of NSSA performing an investment appraisal for the project, no action was taken on abnormal variance between tender amount and actual cost, abnormal consultation fees which were not budgeted for were not queried,” reads part of the report.

Run by RTG, the hotel was closed in 2016 after two-and-a-half years of operations after the hospitality group made approximately US$2 million in losses.

The auditors also noted that NSSA management had not learnt anything from the weaknesses cited in the Beitbridge Hotel debacle.

“Almost all the off-take housing projects in progress have similar weaknesses and challenges. These are likely to result in financial losses if corrective action is not taken.

“Due to some of these weaknesses, the authority ended up writing off US$88 million of investment properties through fair value adjustment during the period investigated.

“Based on our review, other NSSA forensic and internal audit reports, we noted that of the US$88 million, US$78 968 365 was established to be a result of mismanagement, inefficiencies, absence of investment appraisal and inflated costs,” reads the report.

NSSA lost US$42 611 852 on Beitbridge RTG Hotel, US$23 072 231 on Metbank debt swap properties, US$11 806 385 on Celestial Park, US$889 897 on Gateway Investments properties, US$464 000 on Ballantyne Park property and US$124 000 on Nyanga Chalets.

The audit also questioned the integrity of the NSSA database after noting a number of anomalies.

It noted that 371 000 records did not have contact phone numbers which are necessary for communication purposes, 989 000 records did not have contributors’ monthly salaries which are used to calculate pensions with most of them having 723 822 as a default telephone number.

Apart from that 880 000 records had no employee numbers which is a prerequisite when applying for and claiming a pension while 79 000 did not have national identity numbers.

More than 4 00 records had a total service period of 75 years yet NSSA has only been in existence since 1994 making 25 years the period equivalent to commencement of NSSA contributions.

At least 35 000 records did not have social security numbers.

ZANU-PF yet again used its dirty tactics to win the Lupane East Constituency and two wards in Bubi and Nkayi districts in Saturday’s by-elections.

The ruling party used their usual vote buying tactic and intimidation to win the by elections they ordinarily will not have won.

ZANU PF through government flooded Lupane district health centres with medication and drugs for the first time in years. Food aid was intensified in the weeks running to the election which saw a driver of a heavily loaded truck die in accident due to fatigue from the non stop delivery of maize grain.

Wide spread reports of intimidation were of voters were also made as the ruling party youth league militia threatened villagers of the return of Gukurahundi of ZANU PF lost the by-election.

The Zanu-PF candidate in Lupane East, Mbongeni Dube, prevailed over eight other candidates, garnering 6 369 votes while the MDC-Alliance candidate, Mr Dalumuzi Khumalo, polled 4 505 votes.

The rest of the results were as follows: Nelson Mkandla (National Action Party) 51 votes, Gezekile Mkhwebu (Zapu) 52 votes, Given Ncube (MDC-T) 363 votes, Morgen Ndlovu (Labour Economists and African Democrats Party) 18 votes, Ms Alice Sibanda (National Constitutional Assembly) 27 votes, Njabulo Sibanda (National Patriotic Front) 39 votes and Mr Andrew Tshaba (Mthwakazi Republic Party) 81 votes.

Spoiled or rejected votes were 155.

The ruling party also retained Ward 22 in Bubi with Thandekile Dube beating other contenders while Qhubani Nyoni romped to victory in Ward 23, Nkayi District.

Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu said the party’s victory shamed the country’s detractors.

“The results dispel all beliefs and perceptions that are being floated around the globe and within the country that the people of Zimbabwe are in a worse situation than they were before,” said Dr Mpofu.

Instead, he said, what Zimbabweans were experiencing were birth pangs of a prosperous country as President Mnangagwa’s administration implements new policies and ideas meant to turn around the economy.

“We have been saying that whatever is happening, there is no Government in this world which can come up with policies which are meant to demoralise the people, so everything that Government is doing is meant to better the people’s lives,” he said.

Dr Mpofu said while turning around the country’s fortunes was never going to be an overnight thing, the Government was implementing policies to reverse the damage the country suffered over the years under the old dispensation.

“The people are very clear on what they want, they are very clear on the policies of the party, policies decided by the ruling party at their congresses and conferences, so we are going to continue winning these elections whenever there is a by-election. The MDC should know that they won’t win anything,” said Dr Mpofu.

“The people are giving the Government a chance to deliver on its promises, which is what has happened. MDC was there in its full force headed by their leader but people said they cannot be associated with a party which has no clear policies hence they stuck to the ruling party which is commendable and we are really excited about it.”

Dr Mpofu said the elections also served to prove the falsehood of MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s claims that he won the 2018 elections.

“The victory by Zanu-PF in the local government and parliamentary by-elections is a clear indication to Chamisa, who has been lying to the world that he won the elections. These by-elections show what people think about him. In Lupane you can imagine the number of (MDC-Alliance) top leadership that was here and led by him, but the people have said no, we don’t want you and this rhetoric that he won is founded on no grounds at all. It is just wishful thinking, which is not realistic,” he said.

Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo said the party was emboldened by the victory.

“The sweeping trend which continues to be registered by the party in all previous elections does not only testify to the confidence which the electorate has in Zanu-PF policies and programmes, but it also loudly speaks to the existing umbilical bond between the party and the general masses of Zimbabwe which is rooted to the days of the liberation struggle,” said Khaya Moyo.

“Clearly, the revolutionary train is well oiled and is on the unstoppable trajectory towards delivery of the people’s wishes and aspirations as espoused in the 2018 winning people’s election manifesto.”

Khaya Moyo said the elections were held in a free, fair and credible manner, calling on all participants to respect the will of the people.

Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Richard Moyo paid tribute to all party structures that were involved in the campaign.

POWER utility ZESA, will in the next few weeks, embark on a massive debt collection exercise and will disable meters from defiant debtors nationwide.

The move is targeted at recovering more than $1 billion the parastatal is owed by industrial and domestic customers.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Energy and Power Development Deputy Minister Dr Magna Mudyiwa said the power company would also institute legal proceeding against some debtors.

“About $1,1 billion is owed (to Zesa) by customers. Disconnection of defaulting customers will begin within the next few weeks once the necessary logistics have been put in place, such as fuel (for the teams conducting the exercise),” she said.

“Those that remain defiant will be referred for legal actions. They also risk permanent disconnection.”

Dr Mudyiwa said customers who have prepaid meters and had a legacy debt will not be affected since they were already paying what they owe whenever they top-up their electricity.

She said any variations for debtors with prepaid meters will be considered separately.

Farai Dziva|Apostle Talent Chiwenga is back after being involved in a horrific accident.

Speaking during a Sunday service Chiwenga said :
“Tell your neighbour: they can kill me today but they can’t kill the gospel. The gospel cannot be killed because not even a bullet can reach close to the gospel. It is spiritual it is not physical.

“The AK47 kana CZ Pistol, inogona kuuraya nyama, asi mweya haigone kuuraya. So we just want to observe a moment of silence, but I want us us to first of all read this whole passage, in Phillipians chapter 1, let me read it up to verse 30. And then we observed a moment of silence to remind ourselves that there is a burden that lies squarely on our shoulders, to uphold the faith and to the very end, like our comrades did.”

“They are our comrades, they are our heroes. They are heroes of faith, they stood firm for the gospel, and we have got to do the same. If we walk away from the faith, we are disappointing them. Hallelujah, Jesus is counting on us to stand firm unto the very end. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

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Farai Dziva|Linda Masarira has claimed those who think western countries care for Zimbabweans are lost.

“If you think that those western funders funding the training of rebels and acts of sabotage in Zimbabwe care for our country, think again.

As for me and the LEAD family we declare that Zimbabwe will never be a colony again. We are working on Zimbabwean solutions to fix the Zimcrisis,” claimed Masarira.

Farai Dziva|Outspoken MDC deputy president Obert Chaurura Gutu has claimed Mthuli Ncube is one of the best Finance Ministers ever to occupy the hot seat.

“POLAD isn’t going to stop simply because a dog has barked or is barking.

POLAD is irreversible. POLAD is a Game Changer.

POLAD on Friday, August 02, 2019. Robust and engaging debate with : Min of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube (fine economist and arguably one of the best Finance Ministers ever) and Min of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndlovu,”tweeted Gutu.

By A Correspondent| The last born son to the late musician Chinx Chingaira, Saglaw has died.

Saglaw was a victim of a hit and run accident along Lomagundi road.

Said a notice announcing his death:

Sad News

We have lost Saglaw the last born son of the late cde Chinx Chingaira around 3am in the morning.

It is believed that he was a victim of a hit-and-run around Greencroft area probably crossing Lomagundi from De Castilla Bar.

Mourners are gathered at number 17 Takeley Drive Sentosa.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

TWO university students, a male and a female, leisurely walk along a street before entering a house located near their college campus in Harare.

Moments later, another pair follows the same route and make their way into the run-down house.

Although the students are not married, they are living together as couples at a house that has been turned into an illegal students’ hostel.

For university and college students, co-habitation, which is living together as a couple and having sexual relations before marriage, has become widely accepted.

Unbeknown to their parents and guardians, some tertiary education students are living as couples, a conduct that is despised by many religions.

For university and college students, co-habiting has far-reaching negative effects such as illegal termination of pregnancies, unwanted babies and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, among other effects.

Co-habiting by college and university students, which is being beautified as “campus marriage”, is a growing cultural trend in Zimbabwe.

Pastor Winston Fundira, a marriage counsellor and founder of the Jehovah Shammah Ministries, said any form of co-habiting is not only highly immoral but also unsafe.

“The Bible is very clear on this one. Living together and having sexual relations before marriage is sexual immorality and has its associated risks. Under whatever circumstances, unmarried couples should not live together as husband and wife,” Pastor Fundira said.

In traditional Shona culture, co-habiting, which is known as kuchaya mapoto, is considered indecent. Co-habiting couples often do not practice safe sex, thereby inviting dangers such as illegal termination of pregnancies and transmission of STIs.

The high demand for emergency contraception pills, commonly known as “morning after pills”, in areas near universities and colleges, proves that most tertiary students do not practice safe sex.

A study produced by the Bulawayo Polytechnic’s Department of Adult and Continuing Education titled “Cohabitation among Tertiary Education Students: An Exploratory Study in Bulawayo” revealed that co-habitation is common at tertiary institutions.

According to the study, co-habiting has been associated with a number of problems, including sexually transmitted diseases, abortions, sexual abuse and violence, low academic performance, increased cost of medical care and unwanted pregnancies.

The study noted that co-habiting is mostly caused by lack of accommodation, problems with room mates, lack of privacy and the need to be close and intimate with one’s lover.

Furthermore, the study noted that co-habitation exposes students to premarital sex, unwanted pregnancies and abortion. The Sunday Mail Society spoke to a number of college students, with the majority of them defending co-habitation. Some of them argued that as adults, students are free to choose their lifestyles.

“We are moving with the times. I do not want to marry and settle down with a total stranger. For the three years that I have been living with my girlfriend, I got to know her better and this has cemented our relationship,” said a university student only identified as Stan.

Apart from unwanted pregnancies and academic under performance, some tertiary students have landed in hot soup because of co-habiting.

Early this year, a Masvingo Polytechnic student was jailed an effective five years after he stole a car and tried to sell it to raise money for the upkeep of his demanding lover, who was studying at the same institution.

Darlington Sagia (21) was convicted on his own plea of guilt when he appeared before Masvingo regional magistrate Mrs Dambudzo Malunga facing theft charges.

He said his live-in girlfriend was always pestering him for money to pay rentals and other household needs, yet he was still a student without a reliable source of income.

College students co-habiting often take nude pictures of themselves and cases of revenge porn are common.

A college student reportedly committed suicide after her former live-in boyfriend leaked her nude pictures.

Apart from co-habiting, some of the vices that are associated with college students are excessive drinking, wild parties and the sneaking of guests into college premises. Some female students are also in the habit of dating older men who are commonly referred to as “blessers” while male students also date older women known as “cougars”.

To curb co-habiting, the aforementioned study recommended that tertiary education students should be enlightened about the dangers of the vice during orientations. Parents are also encouraged to visit their children and find out where they live while at college as well as their room mates.

The study recommended that accommodation on campus should be made affordable to students so that they are not vulnerable to various kinds of exploitation, including co-habitation.-StateMedia

…Three times in South Africa Thursday, Friday and Saturday, I saw a vision somebody was pointing a gun at me and I was being shot. And I was dying in that vision and then I was seeing myself dying…”

By Dorrothy Moyo| The eloquent street preacher, Talent Chiwenga held his first ever sermon today in which he spoke of the events leading to accident that killed his wife and two other people. He said he saw in a vision (dream) a gunman opening fire at him.

Speaking on Sunday afternoon, Talent Chiwenga said, “And I had Mai Vhurumuko, and I think you all know her, you all knew her. VIDEO ( The story continues below)…

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I faced death with those 2 people for as long as they were in the ministry. A week before we drove to South Africa I sat down with both of them and I said to them- you are following me everywhere I am going, I am in danger because in those three weeks before the accident we had a lot of incidents where death threats continued to come.

I am sure you still remember at First Street when there was a message that came: run away they are going to come to kill you. And I said I am not going to run. Because I cannot run away from death death is something that nobody can run away from. So I sat with her husband and Mai Vhurumuku, and Baba Vhurumuku is not here, he works outside the country, and I told them there is death that is imminent; we knew about it it, we wrote a letter to president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“And I told them that I was going to deliver that letter. The two of them, they volunteered to go with me, and I said if I don’t come back what happens to you?

“They said we will then not come back all of us. Vari vaviri, Baba Kanyuchi naMai Vhurumuku, ndaiti ndakavaudza kuti Vhangeri iyi ine vavengi vakawanda, ichasvika panguva yekuti tichafanirwa kuifira, vaiti, ” we are ready to die for the gospel.”

“Hapana anga aine rwendo rwekuenda kuSouth Africa pahu two hwavo. They volunteered to go with me. Three times in South Africa Thursday, Friday and Saturday, I saw a vision somebody was pointing a gun at me and I was being shot. And I was dying in that vision and then I was seeing myself dying when I was standing on the other side, and I told Baba Kanyuchi, I told Mai Chiwenga, this is what is going to happen, I am not comfortable something is about to happen. And they said let the will of the lord prevail.

“Our greatest challenge is when that time comes in our lives are we going to be holding our faith like they did? That is why we cannot count their departure, as a loss, it is not them that lost, it is us who lost. We lost an opportunity to go in good time, murikundinzwa here vadikani? Takashaiwa mukana wekuenda, zvichakanaka. So I just want to remind you that the people that do not believe do not understand their level, their carnal level, their corruptible level, their crooked level, we know what you are aiming for, we know the Lord, we know the Lord is coming. We know we shall be vindicated. We know we shall be justified. We know the gospel is going to go on. We know nobody is going to stop the gospel. We know nothing is going to stop the gospel.

“Not even the murderers, not even the politicians. Not even the CIO, not even the army, they will not stop this gospel. They can kill me today but they can’t kill the gospel.

“Tell your neighbour: they can kill me today but they can’t kill the gospel. The gospel cannot be killed because not even a bullet can reach close to the gospel. It is spiritual it is not physical.

“The AK47 kana CZ Pistol, inogona kuuraya nyama, asi mweya haigone kuuraya. So we just want to observe a moment of silence, but I want us us to first of all read this whole passage, in Phillipians chapter 1, let me read it up to verse 30. And then we observed a moment of silence to remind ourselves that there is a burden that lies squarely on our shoulders, to uphold the faith and to the very end, like our comrades did. They are our comrades, they are our heroes. They are heroes of faith, they stood firm for the gospel, and we have got to do the same. If we walk away from the faith, we are disappointing them. Hallelujah, Jesus is counting on us to stand firm unto the very end. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

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By A Correspondent- A University of Zimbabwe political science professor, Eldred Masunungure, has said the Zanu-PF government is not sincere about fighting corruption in Zimbabwe and that the recent arrests are a pretext to deal with political opponents within Zanu PF.

His comments follow the recent arrest of Minister Tourism, Prisca Mupfumira, on corruption allegations

Speaking to a local publication Masunungure said:

Corruption has been the biggest problem in the country. It has become systemic, from the public sector to private sector organisations … It has become a way of life.

We cannot compare the impacts of corruption and sanctions, as the impact of sanctions is limited. It is clear that corruption has been the main cancer that is hindering Zimbabwe’s economic growth.

For people who think that the government is going to nail those who are being named in corruption, that’s wishful thinking.

They just want to remove political garbage. This is being targeted on certain individuals. Indeed, if you are in the wrong basket you will be nailed.

Mupfumira was arrested for alleged corruption crimes commited while she was the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare. The recent release of a forensic audit report of NSSA implicates several other individuals.-DailyNews

“…Three times in South Africa Thursday, Friday and Saturday, I saw a vision somebody was pointing a gun at me and I was being shot. And I was dying in that vision and then I was seeing myself dying…”

By Dorrothy Moyo| The eloquent street preacher, Talent Chiwenga held his first ever sermon today in which he spoke of the events leading to accident that killed his wife and two other people. He said he saw in a vision (dream) a gunman opening fire at him.

Speaking on Sunday afternoon, Talent Chiwenga said, ” I had a friend in Eugene Kanyuchi. I am sure many of you you know him. He served me in the work of Christ in the protocol department. And I had Mai Vhurumuko, and I think you all know her, you all knew her. VIDEO ( The story continues below)…

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I faced death with those 2 people for as long as they were in the ministry. A week before we drove to South Africa I sat down with both of them and I said to them- you are following me everywhere I am going, I am in danger because in those three weeks before the accident we had a lot of incidents where death threats continued to come.

I am sure you still remember at First Street when there was a message that came: run away they are going to come to kill you. And I said I am not going to run. Because I cannot run away from death death is something that nobody can run away from. So I sat with her husband and Mai Vhurumuku, and Baba Vhurumuku is not here, he works outside the country, and I told them there is death that is imminent; we knew about it it, we wrote a letter to president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“And I told them that I was going to deliver that letter. The two of them, they volunteered to go with me, and I said if I don’t come back what happens to you?

“They said we will then not come back all of us. Vari vaviri, Baba Kanyuchi naMai Vhurumuku, ndaiti ndakavaudza kuti Vhangeri iyi ine vavengi vakawanda, ichasvika panguva yekuti tichafanirwa kuifira, vaiti, ” we are ready to die for the gospel.”

“Hapana anga aine rwendo rwekuenda kuSouth Africa pahu two hwavo. They volunteered to go with me. Three times in South Africa Thursday, Friday and Saturday, I saw a vision somebody was pointing a gun at me and I was being shot. And I was dying in that vision and then I was seeing myself dying when I was standing on the other side, and I told Baba Kanyuchi, I told Mai Chiwenga, this is what is going to happen, I am not comfortable something is about to happen. And they said let the will of the lord prevail.

“Our greatest challenge is when that time comes in our lives are we going to be holding our faith like they did? That is why we cannot count their departure, as a loss, it is not them that lost, it is us who lost. We lost an opportunity to go in good time, murikundinzwa here vadikani? Takashaiwa mukana wekuenda, zvichakanaka. So I just want to remind you that the people that do not believe do not understand their level, their carnal level, their corruptible level, their crooked level, we know what you are aiming for, we know the Lord, we know the Lord is coming. We know we shall be vindicated. We know we shall be justified. We know the gospel is going to go on. We know nobody is going to stop the gospel. We know nothing is going to stop the gospel.

“Not even the murderers, not even the politicians. Not even the CIO, not even the army, they will not stop this gospel. They can kill me today but they can’t kill the gospel.

“Tell your neighbour: they can kill me today but they can’t kill the gospel. The gospel cannot be killed because not even a bullet can reach close to the gospel. It is spiritual it is not physical.

“The AK47 kana CZ Pistol, inogona kuuraya nyama, asi mweya haigone kuuraya. So we just want to observe a moment of silence, but I want us us to first of all read this whole passage, in Phillipians chapter 1, let me read it up to verse 30. And then we observed a moment of silence to remind ourselves that there is a burden that lies squarely on our shoulders, to uphold the faith and to the very end, like our comrades did. They are our comrades, they are our heroes. They are heroes of faith, they stood firm for the gospel, and we have got to do the same. If we walk away from the faith, we are disappointing them. Hallelujah, Jesus is counting on us to stand firm unto the very end. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

By A Correspondent| Opposition MDC Deputy National Chairperson Job Sikhala has implored citizens regardless of their political affiliation to come together and confront President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration over a failing economy.

Sikhala said this Sunday at a rally held in Chitungwiza.

He said:

“….In January 2019, Zanu Pf committed another Murambatsvina just behind those shops and destroyed people’s livelihoods.

Even Zanu Pf supporters who were wearing party regalia had their stands demolished in that Murambatsvina….

What I want to tell citizens is that the time to confront the beast called Zanu Pf is now.

Poverty knows no political party affiliation. Zanu Pf supporters, join us and let’s fight this regime.”

Watch the video below for this and more.

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By A Correspondent| Passengers Association of Zimbabwe president Tafadzwa Goliati has called on the city fathers to ensure that public toilets in the Central business district are functioning in order to avoid and reduce the spread of diseases.

Goliati said non functioning public toilets has seen the commuting public relieving themselves all over the city in a development which threatens citizens’ health.

He said:

“The scene above, is at 4th Street in Harare where a man is seen urinating on an NRZ fence.

This is due to a shortage of public toilets, which is further worsened by water shortages and public toilets that are non functional.

Passengers Association of Zimbabwe protests against the derelict public ablution system and the fact that commuters and other members of the public end up relieving themselves all over the place, leading to threats of communicable diseases.”