Did Chamisa disrespect women, or he merely played sarcasm on ED, Mohadi?
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) July 28, 2019
Farai Dziva| MDC T will not field a candidate in Glen View South As A way of honouring the late founding president of the opposition party, Morgan Tsvangirai.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java in June.
“Nomination Court for Glen View South by-election sat on Friday, July 26, 2019.
MDC-T decided not to field a candidate because we found it unconscionable to field a candidate to contest against Vincent Tsvangirai, son of our late iconic leader, Dr.Morgan Tsvangirai… MHDSRIEP,” Gutu wrote on Twitter.
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Farai Dziva|Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya says his team is slowly picking up after beating Harare City 1-0 on Saturday.
The Glamour Boys who had a slow start to the season moved to fifth position on the log with 23 points.
Speaking after the victory, Ndiraya said: “I think we had become a laughing-stock, we had fallen far, far behind the top teams.
“We are a big team, of course in terms of stature, but obviously in terms of performance we have been way behind but I am slowly seeing that gap being closed.”
Midfielder Archford Gutu scored the only goal of the match with a well taken free-kick in the 34th minute.
The victory was Ndiraya’s fifth since taking over from Lloyd Chigowe in April.
Farai Dziva|FC Platinum star
Farai Madhananga has become the latest FC Platinum player to leave the club.
The midfielder has completed his transfer to South African top-flight side Bidvest Wits.
He went for trials there at the start of May but the deal was only signed this week.
Madhananga will play along with fellow Zimbabwean Terrence Dzvukamanja at Wits.
Meanwhile, the reigning champions have lost several players in this mid-season transfer window with defensive pair of Kevin and Elvis Moyo recently joining Chippa United in the Absa Premiership.
Godknows Murwira is now with Dynamos while striker Mkokheli Dube quit football and moved to USA.
Goalkeeper Petros Mhari is being linked with an exit.
However, the Platinum Boys have brought in Congolese midfielder Guyve Mawete Nsiala, Rodwell Chinyengetere on loan from Baroka FC in South Africa among a few signings.
Farai Dziva|With prices of basic commodities escalating with each passing day, the people of Zimbabwe can no longer cope with the biting economic woes.
Many, if not all workers are earning paltry salaries -way below the poverty datum line.
The bottom line is that there has to be a way forward and the big question is: what is the best option for the troubled nation?
According to analysts, there are three possible scenarios -the formation of a Government of National Unity, a transitional authority pending fresh polls or mass demonstrations to force Zanu PF to the negotiating table.
Given the above factors, there is need to analyze the respective options.
GNU
Does Zimbabwe need a GNU at this juncture and is it a safe mode given the level of animosity between Zanu PF and MDC?
Opposition hardliners are skeptical of the success of yet another GNU.
National Transitional Authority
If the main political players opt for a National Transitional Authority without proper electoral reforms who will benefit from such a situation?
Mass protests
Given what happened in August 2018 as well as in January 2019, will mass protests force Zanu PF to yield to public pressure?
In the wake of the deepening crisis MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said:
“We are faced with a terrible situation in our country and we must find a lasting solution.
I know that you are suffering with no fuel, no power, no money, no passports, no jobs and no food. The cost of living has become unbearable.
A lot of us cannot access medical facilities or medication. Children are dropping out of schools. Companies are shutting down.
Our civil servants, our teachers, nurses, patriotic men and women in uniform are struggling and have inadequate salaries.
Our pensioners including our war veterans can hardly survive. Corruption has become a national anthem.
In the rural areas just like the urban areas, life has become unbearable. Food is being abused as a partisan political weapon.
For that reason, I am urging all Zimbabweans from all walks of life and various denominations, in and outside the country to embark on a seven day prayer, fasting and intercession for our beloved country, Zimbabwe before undertaking crucial and decisive next steps.
Farai Dziva|Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has expressed concern over the growing list of injuries in the Real Madrid camp.
The injuries marred the Spanish giants’ preparations for the upcoming season.
After Marco Asensio’s horror injury which has since been confirmed to keep him out of action for at least 9 months, new acquisition Ferland Mendy also joined the injury list together with Brahim Diaz, much to the uneasiness of the French coach.
“It worries me and above all it bothers me,” Zidane said as stated by Spanish publication Marca.
“Marco’s [injury and then] Ferland’s, which is a minor injury, but he won’t be able to continue working and we don’t know for how long.
“These are things that happen and we will see if he comes back quickly with us,” he added.
Los Blancos face City rivals Atletico Madrid in the early hours of Saturday morning as part of their tour of the US in preparation for their 2019-20 season.
By Showbiz Reporter| The UK based socialite Olinda Chapel who recently accused her husband, Tytan, of cheating, has apologised to him, saying she was wrong.
She also said she has heen suffering from depression.
Below was her full unedited announcement:
It’s hard for me to write this. But sometimes strong is the only option. I have been struggling of late with myself. I have been very unhappy and mostly angry . Post natal depression is real. I spent a lot of time with the mental health team yesterday. My behaviour especially in this past week had spiralled out of control and had become very erratic.
I was using social media as an outlet point. I haven’t been myself after going through a very difficult pregnancy and almost dying in child birth. I became depressed and not okay with myself. I lost control. When our beautiful daughter was born I immediately returned to work and tried to juggle running our businesses, being a mother and being a wife.
Even though my husband tried his best to support me, I would push him away. I felt like a failure because I was so used to being strong and independent and having to depend on him made me feel weak. So I lashed out. Issues could have been handled much better, especially where there were people who had their own agenda of trying to break me.
Especially with the issue with my ex friend. It pushed me over the edge and made me reach breaking point. I never took the time to breathe and actually go through the facts or evidence. It was all based on what was being whispered in my ear and certain people egging me on and it became a trigger for my breakdown. My family has suffered because of this.
I would like to apologise to my family and especially to my husband and friend. You offered me support and I kept on pushing you away. All you have ever tried to do was do right by me. At this moment I any unwell. My mind isn’t right and I feel overwhelmed and I need help. I am taking time out to fixing myself and getting back to being the happy and bubbly person I am. I have the mental health team who will help me with my postnatal depression and I have my husband who will hold my hand through it all and my family to support the unit.
I am really sorry for my behaviour and some of the things I have said and done. Let me get myself better as I am at this moment riot okay. This is real life and no matter how strong we are we break. I haven’t been okay for months
Farai Dziva|With prices of basic commodities escalating with each passing day, the people of Zimbabwe can no longer cope with the biting economic woes.
Many, if not all workers are earning paltry salaries -way below the poverty datum line.
The bottom line is that there has to be a way forward and the big question is: what is the best option for the troubled nation?
According to analysts, there are three possible scenarios -the formation of a Government of National Unity, a transitional authority pending fresh polls or mass demonstrations to force Zanu PF to the negotiating table.
Given the above factors, there is need to analyze the respective options.
GNU
Does Zimbabwe need a GNU at this juncture and is it a safe mode given the level of animosity between Zanu PF and MDC?
Opposition hardliners are skeptical of the success of yet another GNU.
National Transitional Authority
If the main political players opt for a National Transitional Authority without proper electoral reforms who will benefit from such a situation?
Mass protests
Given what happened in August 2018 as well as in January 2019, will mass protests force Zanu PF to yield to public pressure?
In the wake of the deepening crisis MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said:
“We are faced with a terrible situation in our country and we must find a lasting solution.
I know that you are suffering with no fuel, no power, no money, no passports, no jobs and no food. The cost of living has become unbearable.
A lot of us cannot access medical facilities or medication. Children are dropping out of schools. Companies are shutting down.
Our civil servants, our teachers, nurses, patriotic men and women in uniform are struggling and have inadequate salaries.
Our pensioners including our war veterans can hardly survive. Corruption has become a national anthem.
In the rural areas just like the urban areas, life has become unbearable. Food is being abused as a partisan political weapon.
For that reason, I am urging all Zimbabweans from all walks of life and various denominations, in and outside the country to embark on a seven day prayer, fasting and intercession for our beloved country, Zimbabwe before undertaking crucial and decisive next steps.
By Dorrothy Moyo | Contrary to claims that Labour minister Sekesai Nzenza is on the run fearing arrest, she is not at all in a state of flight, it has been said.
The Permanent Secretary Of Information, Nick (Ndbaningi) Mangwana said there is no truth at all to the reports.
The rumour was passed by Norton MP Temba Mliswa who said Nzenza received a house from Mupfumira.
Mangwana however dismissed the claims.
He said Nzenza is in her constituency in Chikomba and not on the run from anyone.
Mangwana said: “Having a lot of Media enquiries around the whereabouts of Hon Minister Nzenza. I have spoken to her and she assures the nation that, she is in her constituency in Chikomba East and not on the run from anything or anyone and used strong terms to dismiss the circulating rumours.”
THE South African Government is considering a proposal put forward to increase power exports to Zimbabwe after high level talks between the two countries’ energy ministers last week.
In a telephone interview with the Sunday News yesterday, Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi confirmed meeting his South African counterpart, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe on Thursday last week.
He said Minister Mantashe expressed empathy at Zimbabwe’s power situation.
“We met with the (South African) Minister of Energy the day before yesterday and we discussed with him our situation and he was very empathetic to it. I’m reasonably optimistic that they (South Africa) will be helping us but they will go through their own internal processes to consider our own situation,” said Adv Chasi.
The visit by Minister Chasi to South Africa is his second one this month after having met officials from South Africa’s power utility, Eskom for power talks at the beginning of the month.
Zimbabwe owes Eskom US$27 million, this is after a payment of US$10 million, which it made last month as part of its commitment to pay its debt.
Additional power imports from South Africa will ease the prevailing power shortages, which have seen the country embarking on a daily 18-hour electricity load-shedding schedule. Adv Chasi said the Government would be considerate of the power challenges its neighbour was also facing while going through the negotiations.
“I’m reasonably optimistic now that I have spoken to him (Minister Mantashe). I’m also aware of the challenges faced by South Africa and I’m not going to put pressure on the minister and Eskom. They have to carefully consider what we discussed and then come up with a position but like I said I’m reasonably optimistic,” he said.
Adv Chasi said after completing talks with South Africa he would proceed to Mozambique where he is scheduled to meet Government and that country’s power producer Hydro-Cahora Bassa officials.
“I’m yet to finish off (talks) with Eskom. I haven’t engaged my counterpart from Mozambique but once I’m done with this particular situation (talks with South Africa) I will engage the Mozambicans too,” he said.
Adv Chasi emphasised the need for the public and institutions to clear their debts and timeously pay their bills to the country’s power utility, Zesa Holdings to enable it to effectively carry out part of its mandate.
“Generally I think the public needs to understand that Zesa needs the money.
We can make all the noise and blame them for everything on this planet but it needs to be recognised that for us to repair our equipment we need money. For us to install more prepaid meters we need money. Everything that we are faced with needs money.
So really, I want to appeal to Zimbabweans, individuals, local authorities, commerce and industry to pay their bills . . . consumers must pay their debts. It’s a key strategic issue that Zesa be given what it is owed now that we have consumed power already,” he said.
Zimbabwe has been facing a crippling power shortages that has seen most areas going for up to 16 hours without power.
The challenge was caused by low power generation at Kariba due to low water levels.
-State Media
MDC-Alliance president Mr Nelson Chamisa on Friday reportedly developed cold feet and dodged a meeting of the party structures in Bulawayo, which had been called to address among other things the contentious issue of the wayward behaviour of city councillors.
The meeting held at the party offices was instead addressed by the chairperson, Ms Thabitha Khumalo who had been sent by Mr Chamisa.
An insider told Sunday News that Mr Chamisa avoided the meeting because he was not sure how the structures would behave as the MDC-Alliance in Bulawayo has been torn into factions along tribal lines.
Ever since Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Mr Tinashe Kambarami and his sidekick, Councillor Silas Chigora tried to eject the Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube from office a few weeks ago, accusing him of corruption, divisions along tribal lines have emerged among the councillors in the process cascading to the structures.
Party Bulawayo provincial chairperson Mr James Sithole yesterday said he could not comment on the matter as he was “too junior to speak on issues concerning top officials.”
Speaking at the meeting Ms Khumalo tried to pacify the supporters calling them to stop looking at issues along tribal lines.
“The Constitution is clear; we cannot discriminate on grounds of tribe. Let’s agree that there is a problem, how do we rectify it because all of us must abide by rules. If these laws are not what we want as people of the Matabeleland how do we change the law? Go and change the Constitution and go and change the Urban Councils Act too,” she said.
-State Media
By A Correspondent| NEW Start Centres across the country have reviewed their charges for HIV testing and counselling to $9, a situation that will likely discourage people from testing, at a time when the country is working to achieve the 90-90-90 target.
The 90-90-90 target is an ambitious target set by United Nations to ensure that by next year 90 percent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status and 90 percent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy while 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.
As part of efforts to encourage testing in Zimbabwe, New Start Centres used to offer testing and counselling at US$1 or free but monetary changes have forced the centres to convert and charge $9. Experts said this might discourage people from testing as even when the services were free, some people were still not keen.
National Aids Council Bulawayo (Nac) provincial co-ordinator Mrs Sinatra Nyathi said the cost of testing changed with the monetary policy shift.
“It was US$1 for testing and counselling and when the multi-currency system was done away with they converted and it got to $9 using the interbank rate. However, even using the interbank rate, people do not have that kind of money to pay for testing,” she said.
Mrs Nyathi said Nac is yet to gauge the reaction of the public and also to dialogue with Population Services International Zimbabwe to see if the figures of people who come for voluntary testing and counselling will go down.
She said over the years New Start Centres have been frequented by a huge number of re-testers, people who already know their status and are testing again. Mrs Nyathi said they were engaging PSI to review the charges. However, she said paying a token was a way of encouraging people to own the results.
“Paying that money was bringing ownership to what you will be doing, if you pay your money then you get services and results unlike walking in and out of the centre for free and do not see the value of the services,” she said.
Asked on how the cost of HIV testing was affecting the nation and the gains made already in fighting new HIV infections she said:
“We still encourage people to know their status whether from PSI, public institutions, or buying your own test kit at a pharmacy. If one is negative they must maintain that status and avoid anything that may cause them to change that status as that status is very delicate.”
Mrs Nyathi said Nac was also on a drive to test more people and help those living with HIV and Aids.-StateMedia
“When one knows their status they will protect themselves and not spread HIV to the next person which is a good thing. Again if that HIV-positive person takes ARVs consistently, the risk of infecting their partner becomes low.”
By A Correspondent- Authorities running Harare City’s affairs have instituted tough measures against structures built on wetlands, in a move that will trigger massive evictions, property demolitions and huge penalties against perpetrators.
Over the past few years, several multi-million dollar structures have been constructed on wetlands.
Last year, legislators raised concern over the US$200 million Chinese shopping mall — Long Cheng Plaza — which is sitting on a wetland.
Former Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo, allegedly allocated the land to a Chinese company, Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation, despite warnings from environmental experts.
However, the recently-appointed Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs, Engineer Oliver Chidawu said such shenanigans will not continue in the new dispensation.
He vowed to descend hard on all individuals found on the wrong side of the law.
According to the Environmental Management Act Chapter 20:27, it is illegal to construct on the wetlands.
Reads the Act in part: “Any person who contravenes subsection (2) shall incur a fine not exceeding level eight or imprisonment not exceeding two years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.”
Speaking to The Sunday Mail, Engineer Chidawu said processes have already been set in motion to demolish structures, evict, or impose hefty fines on all wetland settlers.
The Long Cheng Plaza will not be spared during the blitz.
“We are engaging local authorities and they are aware that we can not continue watching as our wetlands are soiled. It creates problems in the city.
“That complex (Long Cheng Plaza) is sitting on a wetland. But when you look at the level of investment, we will then say what do we do? We do a compensation plan for that.
“But otherwise everyone who is on wetlands must go. We do not know why such decisions were made in the first place, I was not in office at that time.
“If we have to leave them there, there have to be conditions. While penalties or conditions are yet to be established, it is underway,” he said.
Minister Chidawu said all the appropriate procedures, including obtaining court orders, will be followed before any structures are demolished.
He said where possible, those affected will be re-settled elsewhere.
According to a Government survey, there are approximately 1 117 wetlands in Zimbabwe sitting on about 1,5 percent of the country’s total area.
According to scientists, wetlands preserve and improve water quality by removing harmful substances and pesticides from agricultural runoff.
They are also a habitat for rare birds and insect species.
Wetlands, a major source of Harare water, are under threat from urban cultivation and construction, despite Zimbabwe being a signatory to the 1971 Ramsar Convention on prevention of loss and degradation of wetlands.
Harare City has been mired in controversy over allocating residential stands in wetlands.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- The Vice President of the splinter MDC-T, Advocate Obert Gutu on Friday night said that his party has resolved not to field a candidate for the Glen View South by-election.
He said the party does not want to appear as fighting the son of MDC founding father and former Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai.
The seat fell vacant when Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java succumbed to road accident injuries in June.
Posting on Twitter, Gutu said:
Nomination Court for Glen View South by-election sat on Friday, July 26, 2019. MDC-T decided not to field a candidate because we found it unconscionable to field a candidate to contest against Vincent Tsvangirai, son of our late iconic leader, Dr.Morgan Tsvangirai… MHDSRIEP
Some observers have noted that the decision might not have been influenced by the fact that Vincent Tsvangirai is vying for the post since the MDC-T fielded a candidate in 2018 when Vimbai was running for the same post.
Some of the people who responded to his post said that even if every supporter of the MDC-T was to vote in Glen View South, the party’s candidate would still lose.
Others suggested that Gutu rejoin the party to which he said that even over his dead body it was “absolutely and thoroughly impossible”.
By A Correspondent- Former Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) commissioners disappeared with key dockets for corruption cases and efforts are currently being made to recover them.
In an interview, Zacc chair Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo told The Sunday Mail that the investigations department of the corruption-fighting body is now compiling the list of missing documents.
Once the dockets are recovered, she said, the culprits are likely to face the music.
“I received reports of former commissioners who took dockets and have not returned them. I have tasked the investigations department to compile the list of all dockets that are missing.
“However, I am yet to receive the information from the department. I assure the nation that once the information is received the perpetrators will be brought to book,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.
“I have spoken before about the docket management system which is in shambles, making it difficult to trace dockets. The commission is currently looking for funding to put in place a computerised case management system to ensure the security of dockets and ensure efficiency. Now that the commission is fully operational, this is one of the top agendas we are working on,” she said.
The former commission, which was led by Dr Job Wabhira, stepped down on January 31 2019. It is believed that the new Zacc is busy cleaning up the mess left by its predecessors who failed to transfer the Mt Pleasant property that is being used as the headquarters into the organisation’s name.
The US$1,7 million building is registered in the name of a private company, which was owned by former Zacc managers who have since been fired.
“I understand that the previous commission had begun the process of transfer of ownership and the legal services department is seized with the matter. The transfer will be expedited.”
Justice Matanda-Moyo has vowed to fight corruption at all levels.
By A Correspondent- George Shumba, whose nom de guerre was Farai Tafirenyika, narrates to Sunday News Deputy News Editor, Levi Mukarati, how he joined other Liberation Warfighters.
He narrates how he encountered traumatising episodes in the treatment of ‘‘rebels’’ at Chifombo after the Nhari-Badza rebellion.
Below are excerpts from the interview.
Q: We hear at Chifombo the ‘rebels’ were dealt with ruthlessly, what was your experience with these comrades who had mutinied?
A: I had met mumwe mukomana ainzi Godfrey at the end of December 1974. He had come from Zambia and had been in the publicity department.
I stayed with him. Godfrey did not like Tongogara and he had clashed with the leader in Lusaka. Godfrey had told Tongo that he was uneducated. That is why he was sent to Chifombo.
Godfrey joined us in taking material to the front.
Then one day, after coming from Zambezi where we had left war material, it was late January 1975.
I was surprised to see that there were so many people who were detained at Chifombo for following Nhari and Badza.
On the day, Tongo and Manyika ordered kuti, “Vanhu ngavachibuda”. Chifombo yakanga iri musango vanhu vaibva from various directions ndokuitwa parade. They were more than 15, including some females.
Godfrey’s name was also called out to join them ndokubva vasungwa netambo. I remember very well the rope was white.
You could sense that the situation was tense, vachibva ipapo vakabva vamachiswa vachidzikwa navo kuzasi musango ndokunouraiwa ikoko.
Q: You speak of the killings with ease, did you just say the people were killed? Why were they killed and how?
A: Vakanga vari vekwaNhari. The atmosphere was bad. It was in the afternoon around 1pm.
Mataure was also there among the group that was killed. It was a nasty experience and I don’t like it.
What I am sure of is that they were not shot because I didn’t hear any gun sounds.
It was just a matter of concluding kuti pamwe vanzi cherai makomba ndokufutsirwa vari vapenyu or they were hanged.
But hanging, ne situation yataiva nayo, could have been difficult because that process needs a lot of time and preparation. I strongly believe kuti vakafutsirwa vari vapenyu.
Why I say so is because we had heard cases of people being buried alive. Such treatment was rife during the war, especially on those suspected to have sold out.
Kana neni ndakanga ndave ne confusion because I had never seen such traumatising events.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- A primary school teacher from Kwekwe has appeared in court for allegedly impregnating a 13-year-old pupil whom he has been having an affair with for more than a year.
The teacher, Jimmy Phiri (38) reportedly proposed love to the now Form One pupil while she was still in Grade Seven at Grasslands Primary School in Redcliff where the teacher is stationed. Since then, the two had been having consensual sexual intercourse until the girl fell pregnant.
Phiri was released on $100 bail after he appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Miss Vimbai Mtukwa last week facing charges of having sexual intercourse with a minor. He was remanded to 28 August for trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Freddy Ndoro told the court that Phiri who resides at Plot 135A in Grasslands, proposed love to the said girl sometime in 2018 when she was still in Grade 7 at the school. After being showered with gifts and presents, the girl was compelled to accept the proposal and the two started having sexual intercourse in a bushy area.
The girl reportedly fell pregnant and tried to conceal it. The matter, however, came to light when some church members noticed her bulging stomach and quizzed her until she confessed to what had happened. A congregant, the court heard, then alerted the girl’s parents. The parents reported the matter to the police leading to Phiri’s arrest.
JOHANNESBURG – Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema called on his party leaders not to associate themselves with businessman Johann Rupert.
Malema was speaking at the party’s sixth birthday celebration at KaNyamazane Stadium in Mpumalanga on Saturday.
He has described Rupert – one of the continent’s wealthiest men – as the head of white monopoly capital who must never be allowed to infiltrate the red berets.
Malema said Rupert controlled the President and several Cabinet ministers.
“Rupert must never be allowed to infiltrate the EFF. Leaders of the EFF must never have a cosy relationship with white capital.”
Malema also reiterated that Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan would go no matter what.
He said once his party pronounced on the fate of an individual, it would follow up until its word was fulfilled.
He said when they told former President Jacob Zuma and several ministers they would fall, many didn’t believe them.
“Pravin will go the same way the EFF said Trollip in PE will go. The same way we said Malusi Gigaba will go, the same way we said Nhlanhla Nene will go.”
A MAN from Bulawayo’s Sauerstown suburb has been arrested after he was allegedly caught fondling his stepdaughter’s breast while also rubbing his privates on her bums.
It is said last week on Monday at around 7.30 pm, the accused furtively left his wife imbibing wise waters with their neighbour and headed to a bedroom where his 15-year-old teenage girl was sleeping.
A court heard the accused got into the bedroom and found his stepdaughter in deep sleep. He allegedly fondled her breast before he took out his organ and rubbed it against her buttocks.
While he was busy pleasuring himself the victim’s brother allegedly stormed in and caught him red-handed.
Incensed by his stepfather’s actions he is said to have grabbed him and violently pushed him out of the bedroom.
Seeing her husband being bundled out of the house while trying to cover his privates, the mother of the minor reportedly questioned her son about the unfolding drama. Her son revealed that he caught his stepfather fondling his younger sister’s breast while rubbing his manhood on her buttocks.
That did not go down well with the mother of the teenager. She made a police report leading to the arrest of her husband.
The accused appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ulukile Mlea- Ndlovu. He pleaded not guilty to an indecent assault charge. The accused appealed for bail and was granted. He was remanded out of custody to 31 July for commencement of trial.
Nathan Marime appeared for the State.
A 70-year-old woman urinated in the mouth of her neighbour’s dead body in an effort to resuscitate her after she collapsed and died at a funeral in an incident that shocked mourners in Mandawa Village under Chief Nembudziya in Gokwe.
The matter was heard when Maidei Mamombe appeared before Chief Nembudziya’s traditional court after she tried to resuscitate her neighbour Taizivei Mugido who had collapsed.
Chief Nembudziya in whose jurisdiction the area falls under confirmed the incident.
“I can confirm that l presided over a case of a woman who urinated on a dead body in an attempt to resurrect it,” he said.
Chief Nembudziya said Mamombe had a misunderstanding with the now deceased at the funeral.
“The two women had a misunderstanding and they ended up exchanging harsh words. While they argued, Mamombe accused her neighbour Mugido of witchcraft alleging that she was the one who killed the 10-year-old boy whose funeral they were attending.
“The deceased did not take the accusations lightly and she collapsed and she hit her head on a stone that was nearby. Mourners tried pouring water on her body but all was in vain. Mamombe then opened the deceased’s mouth and urinated inside in a bid to revive her, in full view of the mourners,” he said.
Chief Nembudziya said the deceased was ferried to hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
“The deceased was rushed to the hospital and was declared dead upon arrival,” he said.
He said he warned Mamombe not to do such practices in future as this practice was abolished long ago.
“What she did was actually practised long back but has since been abolished. She acted out of panic hence she cannot be handed a heavy punishment,” said Chief Nembudziya.
PERPETUA Siyachitema, the captain of the senior national netball team has quit to pursue a coaching career.
Siyachitema announced her retirement in an interview yesterday at a local hotel where they were having a breakfast meeting with the Minister of Sport Youth Arts and Recreation, Honorable Kirsty Coventry and the Sports and Recreation commission director general Prince Mupazviriho.
Siyachitema has been playing netball for over two decades now.
She has also served for over 15 years in the national team and believes it was time for her to put an end to her playing career.
The 36-year-old made her debut appearance for the national team at the age of 19 and has since been a strong force to reckon with in the netball squad.
Last year, she helped the team qualify for their first ever World Cup tournament which was recently held.
The team went on to finish eighth making a record of the second best team tied up with Malawi to finish in the top eight in their debut appearance.
“I’m done playing netball. I now need to concentrate on my coaching career and the world cup was a major learning curve for me.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity that I had. I have learnt a lot form my whole netball playing career.
“And also the World Cup was a learning curve for me.
“I noticed that our game in Zimbabwe or Africa as a whole has no format
“We need to have a format. I need also to find a format that I’m going to personally introduce for the betterment of the game.”
Siyachitema went on to share some of her best moments she had at the world cup.
“My wish was to play New Zealand, Australia, Jamaica and England.
“I am glad that before I end this playing career I have managed to play three of these countries, unfortunately we couldn’t play England.
“And also for my country it was the best world cup, we finished in the top eight.
Asked on some of the lessons they have drawn from the world cup she said:
“We need to work on our endurance.
“As the tournament was coming to an end we were so exhausted, we were so drained. We never really knew that at a world cup level the matches are played every day.
“We need to work more on our fitness. The teams there were so physically fit. I think there is need for more gym facilities and also to scout for more tall players.”
NEW Start Centres across the country have reviewed their charges for HIV testing and counselling to $9, a situation that will likely discourage people from testing, at a time when the country is working to achieve the 90-90-90 target.
The 90-90-90 target is an ambitious target set by United Nations to ensure that by next year 90 percent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status and 90 percent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy while 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.
As part of efforts to encourage testing in Zimbabwe, New Start Centres used to offer testing and counselling at US$1 or free but monetary changes have forced the centres to convert and charge $9. Experts said this might discourage people from testing as even when the services were free, some people were still not keen.
National Aids Council Bulawayo (Nac) provincial co-ordinator Mrs Sinatra Nyathi said the cost of testing changed with the monetary policy shift.
“It was US$1 for testing and counselling and when the multi-currency system was done away with they converted and it got to $9 using the interbank rate. However, even using the interbank rate, people do not have that kind of money to pay for testing,” she said.
Mrs Nyathi said Nac is yet to gauge the reaction of the public and also to dialogue with Population Services International Zimbabwe to see if the figures of people who come for voluntary testing and counselling will go down.
She said over the years New Start Centres have been frequented by a huge number of re-testers, people who already know their status and are testing again. Mrs Nyathi said they were engaging PSI to review the charges. However, she said paying a token was a way of encouraging people to own the results.
“Paying that money was bringing ownership to what you will be doing, if you pay your money then you get services and results unlike walking in and out of the centre for free and do not see the value of the services,” she said.
Asked on how the cost of HIV testing was affecting the nation and the gains made already in fighting new HIV infections she said:
“We still encourage people to know their status whether from PSI, public institutions, or buying your own test kit at a pharmacy. If one is negative they must maintain that status and avoid anything that may cause them to change that status as that status is very delicate.”
Mrs Nyathi said Nac was also on a drive to test more people and help those living with HIV and Aids.
“When one knows their status they will protect themselves and not spread HIV to the next person which is a good thing. Again if that HIV-positive person takes ARVs consistently, the risk of infecting their partner becomes low.”
ONE father, one legacy, one band (now split into two) — this is a classic case of yoked cattle pulling in different directions.
Daughters of the late music icon Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi — Selmor and Samantha — find themselves in this situation.
It is unprecedented in Zimbabwe.
For the first time in local showbiz, at least as far memory serves, Zimbabwe has siblings directly battling for their father’s musical throne.
Selmor is daughter to Dr Tuku’s first and former wife Melody Murape while Samantha is Daisy’s offspring, the late singer’s second wife.
Selmor and Samantha now lead different sets of the Black Spirits following the demise of the founder on January 23 this year.
Black Spirits is a team of instrumentalists and vocalists previously led by the late national hero, Tuku. In its over 40 years of existence, it employed tens, if not hundreds of artistes.
Having two Black Spirits camps has further strained relations between the two sisters and their respective backers. It has also split the music industry.
Promoters, musicians as well as Black Spirits’ fans are now divided between Selmor and Samantha.
“You need to be careful when you get a call to support the Black Spirits. There is Black Spirits-G and Black Spirits-H. The ‘G’ is for Gogo Daisy, Samantha’s mother, while ‘H’ is for Selmor’s group, meaning Harare. It refers to her apparent massive support base in the capital,” revealed one artiste who declined to be named.
There was drama at Dr Tuku’s tribute concert as Samantha and her step-sisters Selmor and Sandra were literally dodging each other backstage.
The concert, which was held at Belgravia Sports Club in Harare, was organised by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
The event had surly incidences that were too glaring to ignore.
Where the sisters “accidentally” met backstage, they hardly spent time talking. It was tense!
The situation moved to another level when the two sets of the Black Spirits performed on different time slots.
Samantha got the first dance. Her Black Spirits is made up of youthful artistes that worked with Dr Tuku during his last days — a team that was more of a session band.
Then came Selmor with another Black Spirits set consisting of veterans like percussion player/dancer/backing vocalist Picky Kasamba, bass guitarist Never Mpofu and her sister Sandra.
By any measure, both groups did justice to the live play of the late singer’s beat.
However, revellers still felt the need to torment Daisy’s daughter by chanting Selmor’s name as soon as she started singing the first line of her opening track.
The rowdy ones even attempted to throw missiles.
Alexio Kawara’s timely intervention helped pacify the crowd.
This was probably a déjà vu moment for Samantha. An almost similar occurrence recently transpired at the Dr Tuku Tribute Concert and Golf Tournament in Nyanga.
Samantha had a torrid time on stage as she failed to rise to the occasion. She was only bailed out by Alexio, Tocky Vibes and Ashton “Mbeu” Nyahora when they intermittently joined her on stage.
Back to the Belgravia gig.
Off the stage, Faith Kadzura, Daisy’s other daughter, who is Samantha’s step-sister, was manning a stand selling Dr Tuku’s branded merchandise. Faith was at the show from the onset.
However, she seemed to give a thumbs down to Selmor’s set as she dismantled the stand and varnished from the venue soon after Samantha’s act. This was despite the fact that the show still had a couple of hours to go before folding.
Moreover, South Africa’s Steve Dyer and visiting Mozambique star Stewart Sekuma — all Dr Tuku’s good buddies — were yet to play.
Conversely, Selmor’s solid act received a thunderous applause from revellers.
Following the concert, music critics have suggested merging the two bands.
Holders of this school of thought reckon that Samantha is more of a backing vocalist than a natural lead singer. In most gigs, Samantha’s backing vocalist, Fiona Gwena, Mbeu or Alexio take charge of lead vocals.
But Mbeu has provided cover in most high-profile shows, including those held in South Africa and Mozambique. However, the rising star appears to be distancing himself from Samantha’s Black Spirits as he is still concentrating on building his own brand — The Mhodzi Tribe.
For instance at the Harare tribute gig, he also had to support the Mozambican star Sekuma, who came without a full band. The two are also working on a single due for release anytime soon.
The battle of the two Black Spirits creates a unique war front in showbiz.
Imagine Tryson and Wilmore Chimbetu, both sons of the late Naison, fronting different units of Marxist Brothers.
Or Peter Moyo and Obert Tongai Moyo Jnr running separate Utakataka Express brands. Obert once tried to take that route but later abandoned the idea. He ended up rebranding his ensemble to “Utakataka — Rise of the Machine”.
The same goes for Leonard Dembo’s sons Tendai and Morgan. They have differences but there is one Barura Express, which is fronted by the young brother, Tendai.
Dendera wars featuring Suluman, Tryson and Douglas Chimbetu are a bit understandable considering that they are cousins and sons to brothers Simon, Naison and Allan Chimbetu respectively.
A primary school teacher from Kwekwe has appeared in court for allegedly impregnating a 13-year-old pupil whom he has been having an affair with for more than a year.
The teacher, Jimmy Phiri (38) reportedly proposed love to the now Form One pupil while she was still in Grade Seven at Grasslands Primary School in Redcliff where the teacher is stationed. Since then, the two had been having consensual sexual intercourse until the girl fell pregnant.
Phiri was released on $100 bail after he appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Miss Vimbai Mtukwa last week facing charges of having sexual intercourse with a minor. He was remanded to 28 August for trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Freddy Ndoro told the court that Phiri who resides at Plot 135A in Grasslands, proposed love to the said girl sometime in 2018 when she was still in Grade 7 at the school. After being showered with gifts and presents, the girl was compelled to accept the proposal and the two started having sexual intercourse in a bushy area.
The girl reportedly fell pregnant and tried to conceal it. The matter, however, came to light when some church members noticed her bulging stomach and quizzed her until she confessed to what had happened. A congregant, the court heard, then alerted the girl’s parents. The parents reported the matter to the police leading to Phiri’s arrest.
MDC Deputy Secretary for International Affairs Douglas Mwonzora has congratulated the son of the late political heavy weight Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai after he won in primary elections in Glen View South Constituency.
Posting on his twitter handle, Mwonzora said they are looking forward to work with Tsvangirai after his triumph in the primary elections.
The position was open after the death of Honorable Vimbayi Tsvangirai-Java who succumbed injuries in an accident on her way from Bulawayo.
Fortune Chasi, Zimbabwe’s Energy Minster has thanked South Africa’s government for Eskom’s continued support over the years despite its unsettled debt to the cash-strapped utility.
“The one thing we want to say to the South African government is that we owe significant amounts of money and we are making efforts to repay the amount we owe to Eskom and we are grateful for the assistance we have received over time,” said Chasi.
Zimbabwe has been in the news amid some regions plunging into 18-hour-long power cuts due to Kariba hydro dam low water levels.
“The challenges have been occasioned in part by the hydrological conditions of the Kariba dam which has receded significantly over the past months and has made it difficult for us to rely on it.”
Kariba was already operating at half capacity earlier in May with its generational power cut from 542 MW to 358 MW.
Chisa expressed that citizens not paying their electricity bill contributed to the country’s increasing debt.
“We have a utility that is owed a lot of money by consumers in Zimbabwe,”
“Yes, the challenges are significant but I am certain that we will get over them and we are working towards that,” Chasi concluded.
THE Zanu-PF Youth League will in the next few days release a long list of alleged corrupt Government and party officials to give the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zaac) leads to follow and arrest, as it steps up efforts to help weed out corruption that has affected the economy.
Addressing a Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators’ Association (Zilwaco) National Conference in Gweru yesterday, association chairman who is also Zanu-PF National Secretary for Youth, Pupurai Togarepi said youths have decided to take a leading role in fighting corruption.
“We know the people who are involved in corruption. I have my young man Lewis Matutu, we sat down with him and said we are willing to fight corruption and said we are going to name and shame corrupt Government and party officials.
We have a long list and you should all make a self-introspection. Most of the people in the party are on the list and in the next few coming days we will name and shame you. That’s how the country can move forward because our President cannot suffer because of corrupt people.
The President has been on a re-engagement programme visiting different nations to try and better the lives of the people of Zimbabwe but there are individuals who derail all those efforts and enrich themselves,” he said.
Togarepi said President Mnangagwa should not be lenient with corrupt officials.
“We are solidly behind President Mnangagwa beyond any shadow of doubt.
The issue of corruption which is there, we think it has also contributed in hindering the compensation for the war collaborators. All the money is going into the pockets of individuals who are greedy.
Government is being overburdened by the people who are inside who are amassing wealth and enriching their families.
We are too tolerant and lenient, that is why these corrupt individuals continue to steal from Government.
The challenge is once they are in the party and/ or Government they then look for their friends and start stealing from Government much to the detriment of the people.
These people lack ideology and they are not patriotic. We fought for this country and we are not apologetic about it,” he said.
In an interview on the sidelines of the conference, Zanu-PF Youth League Deputy Secretary, Matutu commended Zaac for descending on corrupt senior Government and party officials who were amassing wealth and enriching themselves at the expense of the entirety of the Zimbabwean populace.
This follows, the arrest of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira on Thursday
last week over a scandal involving more than US$95 million linked to the National Social Security Authority.
“This (investigation and arrest of corrupt Government and party officials) is something that was long overdue.
What we are saying is that each and every person involved in corruption must be arrested. We are also saying people must be accountable as leaders and we are not backing off on that fight.
Our people are poor, not because the Government is not making efforts to transform their lives for the better, but our people are poor because a few individuals are stealing those few resources that are there and making them their own and their families,” he said
State Media|Zanu-PF’s Youth League has commended the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zaac) for swooping on alleged corrupt senior Government and party officials who were reportedly amassing wealth and enriching themselves at the expense of the generality of Zimbabweans.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators’ Association (Zilwaco) national conference in Gweru yesterday, deputy youth secretary Lewis Matutu said the crusade against corrupt officials was long overdue.
“This is something that was long overdue. What we are saying is that each and every person involved in corruption must be arrested. We are also saying people must be accountable as leaders and we are not backing off on that fight.
“Our people are poor not because the Government is not making effort to transform their lives for the better, but our people are poor because a few individuals are stealing those few resources that are there and making them their own and their families,” he said.
Matutu said President Emmerson Mnangagwa was serious about fighting graft and taking the country forward.
“So it is time for people to realise that President Mnangagwa is serious about the issue of corruption. It is time for people to realise that wherever they took anything, be it a Government Minister or official, local authorities and anywhere else, they should return people’s money and be clean,” he said.
Zilwaco national chairperson and Zanu-PF Secretary for Youth Pupurai Togarepi applauded the courage shown by youths to fight corruption.
The Youth League, he added, will continue to name and shame corrupt officials.
“We know the people who are involved in corruption. I have my young man, Lewis Matutu, we sat down with him and said we are willing to die fighting corruption and said we are going to name and shame corrupt Government and party officials.
“We have a long list and you should all make a self-introspection. Most of the people in the party are on the list and in the next few coming days we will name and shame you. That is how the country can move forward because our President cannot suffer because of corrupt people,” added Togarepi.
He said President Mnangagwa should not to be lenient with corrupt Government and party officials.
“We are solidly behind President Mnangagwa beyond any shadow of doubt. . . Government is being overburdened by the people who are inside who are amassing wealth and enriching their families.
“We are too tolerant and lenient; that is why these corrupt individuals continue to steal from Government and continue being at the forefront. . .”
State Media|Former Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) commissioners disappeared with key dockets for corruption cases and efforts are currently being made to recover them.
In an interview, Zacc chair Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo told state media that the investigations department of the corruption-fighting body is now compiling the list of missing documents.
Once the dockets are recovered, she said, the culprits are likely to face the music.
“I received reports of former commissioners who took dockets and have not returned them. I have tasked the investigations department to compile the list of all dockets that are missing.
“However, I am yet to receive the information from the department. I assure the nation that once the information is received the perpetrators will be brought to book,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.
“I have spoken before about the docket management system which is in shambles, making it difficult to trace dockets. The commission is currently looking for funding to put in place a computerised case management system to ensure the security of dockets and ensure efficiency. Now that the commission is fully operational, this is one of the top agendas we are working on,” she said.
The former commission, which was led by Dr Job Wabhira, stepped down on January 31 2019. It is believed that the new Zacc is busy cleaning up the mess left by its predecessors who failed to transfer the Mt Pleasant property that is being used as the headquarters into the organisation’s name.
The US$1,7 million building is registered in the name of a private company, which was owned by former Zacc managers who have since been fired.
“I understand that the previous commission had begun the process of transfer of ownership and the legal services department is seized with the matter. The transfer will be expedited.”
Justice Matanda-Moyo has vowed to fight corruption at all levels.
President Mnangagwa told the Namibian Diaspora that he believes the new team can “bite”.
While stating that the former commission had become part of the scourge, the President implored Zimbabweans to work with the authorities to uproot the vice.
“We are determined to fight corruption, we had an anti-corruption commission as provided by our Constitution, but my view after some months in office, I realised that the commission was now part of the corruption. So I removed it and only last week (a fortnight ago) I had to swear in a new team of commissioners.
“Corruption involves more than one person; generally, the one who is badly treated exposes the corruption. If both sides are satisfied, it takes long to discover. We implore the public to come forward, we may put legislation to protect whistleblowers and give them benefits.”
Zacc was recently given arresting powers.
Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Prisca Mupfumira – who is facing seven counts of corruption involving US$95 million over questionable National Social Security Authority deals – became the latest high-profile casualty after she was arrested by Zacc last week.
Other commissioners of the new team include Jessie Majome, John Makamure, Gabriel Chaibva, Thandiwe Thando Mlobane, Frank Muchengwa, Michael Dennis Santi (Rtd Maj), Mrs Mabel Ndakaripa Hungwe and Kuziva Phineas Murapa.
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FORMER Dynamos talisman, Denver Mukamba reminded the world of his brilliance when he rose from the bench to inspire Chapungu to a draw against big spenders Manica Diamonds in a premiership match played at Mandava yesterday.
Mukamba suffered psychological problems which derailed and almost ended a promising career.
But after a prolonged stay on the sidelines, the former Warriors winger inspired the airmen to an audacious comeback on his debut, when he cancelled Kudakwashe Gurure’s 77th minute goal for Manica Diamonds with a well taken strike in stoppage time.
Chapungu is renowned for instilling discipline in the group which might save the career of Mukamba if he changes his ways.
Coach Rodwell Dhlakama was happy with a share of spoils at the final whistle and thanked his new recruit for the goal.
“I want to thank God for the result. Denver helped us a lot, we could have lost this game but we managed a point.
“We are relieved, so much and I hope we will start picking maximum points soon and end this winless streak,” said Dhlakama.
Manica Diamonds coach Luke Masomere was distraught to concede in the dying stages of the match.
“We had so many chances but we just scored only one goal, on a good day we could have won the match but clearly we are lacking firepower upfront.
“Since the club does not have the money to buy more players, we have to work with what is available,” said Masomere.State media
THE Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Cain Mathema, has directed Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to ensure that police officers are on high alert and ready to deal with acts of violence or destruction of property following revelations that the opposition MDC-Alliance has lined up August demonstrations to destabilise the country.
In a statement yesterday, Mathema said the Government has gathered that the MDC-A was mobilising its supporters to embark on demonstrations, but Government will not tolerate anarchy.
MDC-A and its partners, Mathema said, have been holding a number of meetings to organise the demonstrations.
“My ministry has directed the Commissioner-General of police to ensure that, officers are on high alert and ready to deal with any acts of violence or destruction of property.
We appeal to all peace loving Zimbabweans to ignore these calls for demonstrations which are detrimental to the social economy development thrust of the Government,” he said.
Mathema said some of the evidence included a recent MDC Provincial Youth Executive meeting held in Harare where the members resolved to mobilise the public and engage in civil disobedience in order to remove the Government or force Zanu-PF to the negotiating table.
“Let me take this opportunity to warn any organisation, be it political or otherwise that is agitating or organising civil disobedience that the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other security services have a mandate of maintaining law and order in the country.
Anyone who engages in intimidation, incitement, threats or violence will only have himself to blame,” he said.State media
THE Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Cain Mathema, has directed Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to ensure that police officers are on high alert and ready to deal with acts of violence or destruction of property following revelations that the opposition MDC-Alliance has lined up August demonstrations to destabilise the country.
In a statement yesterday, Mathema said the Government has gathered that the MDC-A was mobilising its supporters to embark on demonstrations, but Government will not tolerate anarchy.
“My ministry has directed the Commissioner-General of police to ensure that, officers are on high alert and ready to deal with any acts of violence or destruction of property.
We appeal to all peace loving Zimbabweans to ignore these calls for demonstrations which are detrimental to the social economy development thrust of the Government,” he said.
MDC-A and its partners, Mathema said, have been holding a number of meetings to organise the demonstrations.
Mathema said some of the evidence included a recent MDC Provincial Youth Executive meeting held in Harare where the members resolved to mobilise the public and engage in civil disobedience in order to remove the Government or force Zanu-PF to the negotiating table.
“Let me take this opportunity to warn any organisation, be it political or otherwise that is agitating or organising civil disobedience that the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other security services have a mandate of maintaining law and order in the country.
Anyone who engages in intimidation, incitement, threats or violence will only have himself to blame,” he said.
Information gathered.State media
THE South African Government is considering a proposal put forward to increase power exports to Zimbabwe after high level talks between the two countries’ energy ministers last week.
In a telephone interview with the Sunday News yesterday, Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi confirmed meeting his South African counterpart, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Jeff Radebe on Thursday last week.
He said Minister Radebe expressed empathy at Zimbabwe’s power situation.
“We met with the (South African) Minister of Energy the day before yesterday and we discussed with him our situation and he was very empathetic to it. I’m reasonably optimistic that they (South Africa) will be helping us but they will go through their own internal processes to consider our own situation,” said Chasi.
The visit by Minister Chasi to South Africa is his second one this month after having met officials from South Africa’s power utility, Eskom for power talks at the beginning of the month.
Zimbabwe owes Eskom US$27 million, this is after a payment of US$10 million, which it made last month as part of its commitment to pay its debt.
Additional power imports from South Africa will ease the prevailing power shortages, which have seen the country embarking on a daily 18-hour electricity load-shedding schedule.
Chasi said the Government would be considerate of the power challenges its neighbour was also facing while going through the negotiations.
“I’m reasonably optimistic now that I have spoken to him (Minister Radebe). I’m also aware of the challenges faced by South Africa and I’m not going to put pressure on the minister and Eskom. They have to carefully consider what we discussed and then come up with a position but like I said I’m reasonably optimistic,” he said.State media
AFTER watching their eight-match unbeaten run halted by Ngezi Platinum Stars last week, army side Black Rhinos quickly bounced back to their winning ways when they upstaged champions FC Platinum at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
The goal that made all the difference came courtesy of a second minute strike by Edgar Chigiji.
Wellington Taderera intercepted a Gift Bello clearance to find Chigiji on the right side.
The pint-sized midfielder then beat two FC Platinum defenders before unleashing a powerful grounder onto the far post.
Chigiji continued to haunt FC Platinum as he came close to grabbing a brace 10 minutes later when his close range volley hit the woodwork.
The visitors could have restored parity on the quarter hour mark when Congolese International Guyve Nsiala had a one on one situation with Black Rhinos goalkeeper Ashley Reyners.
However, the FC Platinum striker shot straight into the army side goalkeeper’s hands. Rhinos continued to press the visitors and were unlucky as Leeroy Murape’s long range effort was tipped off for a corner a minute before the half-time break.
With the visitors also pressing on, Rhinos coach Herbert Maruwa had to employ a defensive approach in the second half.
FC Platinum went home without a point or a win as the hosts committed a number of defensive errors.
One of the errors could have paid off for the log leaders in the 53rd minute when Albert Eonde capitalised on a clearance by Reyners, leaving Andrew Tandi to pull down the Cameroonian international on the edge of the penalty box and saving the day for the hosts.
William Stima came close to securing an equaliser the visitors in the 58th minute when he hit the upright from 30 yards.
“This was a crucial win for us as it brings us back into the equation of the league title, we are back in it,” said Maruwa.State media
THE Grain Marketing Board has deployed crack teams to rein in unscrupulous maize dealers violating Statutory Instrument 145 of 2019 which empowers the parastatal to be the sole buyer of the grain.
The Statutory Instrument also outlaws any maize exports.
As a result of the adverse weather patterns experienced last season, the country projects that maize deliveries to the GMB will be about 750 000 metric tonnes.
Government has begun importing maize to meet the annual total human and livestock demands of about 2,2 million metric tonnes.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, GMB chief executive officer Mr Rockie Mutenha said the parastatal will descend hard on third party maize dealers.
“Third party storage warehouses are being monitored to identify illegal storage of maize in contravention of the Statutory Instrument,” said Mr Mutenha.
“We re-established the GMB inspectorate that is working with the ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) and AMA (Agricultural Marketing Authority) to enforce the Statutory Instrument.
“GMB inspectorate officers have been deployed to monitor illegal maize buying and selling points and inspectors are armed with seizure certificates in case they find individuals breaking the law.”State media
State power utility, Zesa, needs to strictly adhere to a tight prescribed water ration that allows it to generate an average of 358 megawatts at Kariba to avoid depleting Kariba Dam following revelations the reservoir is left with only 24 percent of water usable for power generation.
The situation at the world’s largest man-made dam is critical and Zesa needs to strike a power import deal with South Africa’s Eskom by September to avoid tipping over an already precarious power situation in the country.
This is because demand for power in Zimbabwe, at peak periods, stands at an average 1 800 megawatts, but the country’s internal capacity can only manage a maximum 800-900MW at best due to antiquated equipment and effects of drought, which have decimated generation at Kariba South.
ZESA acting chief executive officer Mr Patrick Chivaura told The Sunday Mail Business that Zesa was producing power at levels prescribed by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), which administers the river, to conserve water for next season.
“Kariba water level is 24 of live capacity. We are allowed to generate an average of 358MW to conserve water for next season,” Engineer Chivaura said last week.State media
Farai Dziva|Outspoken MDC-T vice president, advocate Obert Gutu, has urged the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption to arrest an MDC official who looted public funds during the GNU era.
Gutu claimed that a member of the MDC (led by advocate Nelson Chamisa) fraudulently channelled funds into Interfin Limited Bank.
“Millions of public funds in US$ were fraudulently and recklessly channelled to Interfin Bank Limited by an MDC Cabinet Minister for a cut.
This money was then ‘lost’ when Interfin collapsed. If this isn’t corruption, then the word ‘corruption’ needs to be redefined. @ZACConline,” Gutu posted on Twitter.
Law Professor, Professor Lovemore Madhuku has said the jailed Minister Prisca Mupfumira cannot get any bail for the next 21 days.
He said the state has been very creative in slapping her with the 21 day slab.
Speaking just after she was denied bail, Prof Madhuku said, “she will not be allowed to apply for bail until after the 21 days. In this case, the state has been very creative in using this provision.”
Farai Dziva|Since taking over from Lloyd Chigowe, Tonderayi Ndiraya has presided over 12 matches and has registered five wins, five draws and two losses.
He has garnered 20 out of a possible 36 points, translating to a 56 percent success rate for the former Ngezi Platinum Stars coach.
Under Ndiraya, Dynamos have conceded six goals in 12 matches and the only time that DeMbare let in more than one goal in a match was during a 0-2 loss against Bulawayo Chiefs on May 18.
Dynamos have kept seven clean sheets in 12 matches and only conceded once at Rufaro in the 1-1 draw against CAPS United last Sunday.
But Dynamos have also not scored more than one goal in a match since Ndiraya assumed the reigns, something that is troubling the youthful coach.
During the past few days, a lot has been said about Archieford Gutu’s match fitness, or rather lack of it, while his weight has also been a topical subject.
But there was no doubt the veteran linkman still has a golden touch after his exquisite free-kick buried a 10-men Harare City at Rufaro yesterday.
Gutu, a mid-season quick fix signing by Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya, announced his return to the local Premiership with a 31st minute goal that gave DeMbare their first Castle Lager Premiership victory in three matches.
Simba Nhivi was brought down by Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye and DeMbare players appealed for a penalty but referee Ruzive Ruzive judged that the offence had been committed from just outside the box.
When almost everyone thought the left footed Tinotenda Muringani was better positioned to take the set piece, Gutu stepped up and curled the ball beyond the Harare City wall and a bemused Maxwell Nyamupanedengu.
The win, Ndiraya’s fifth since taking over from Lloyd Chigowe on April 25, also pushed Dynamos to fifth position on the log with 23 points, eight behind log leaders FC Platinum who lost 0-1 against Black Rhinos at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.State media
FIRST Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has proven that she is indeed an angel of hope following her philanthropic work that has been extended to the once marginalised and forgotten San community in Bulilima district, Matabeleland South province.
The First Lady handed over a nutrition garden, orchard and a solar-powered borehole to the community on Friday.
Senator for Bulilima and Mangwe, Simon Khaya Moyo, who also accompanied the First Lady, applauded her for the work which he said had revolutionised the San way of life.
“The First Lady, Amai Mnangagwa, was in Plumtree on her nationwide philanthropic mission with her Angel of Hope Foundation in Makhulela area in rural Bulilima West Constituency. The area is home to the San community who for many decades lived in Mabhongwane Game Park bordering Botswana, a sanctuary they inhabited as the hunters until their relocation to their present place.
“They, for many years, were a forgotten people, totally marginalised, having no access to education, health services and other amenities. The First Lady heard of their plight and visited them last year. They had never been visited by such a distinguished personality before, and let alone a First Lady,” he said.
During her initial visit, the First Lady familiarised herself with their way of life and promised to improve their social and material conditions.
“She immediately set her foundation to work and in less than a year, their lives have changed. They now have an irrigation scheme with a thriving and flourishing vegetable garden and a promising orchard moving away from the past life of being hunters and gatherers,” said Moyo.State media
A 62-YEAR-OLD teacher at a primary school in Concession was on Thursday arraigned before a Guruve Magistrates Courts on charges of indecently assaulting four girls on different occasions.
Hilton Mafanya pleaded not guilty to the charge before magistrate Artwell Sanyatwe, who granted him $50 bail and remanded him to August 5.
Prosecutor Carson Kundiona alleges that sometime in May, the accused called one of the girls to his desk and started caressing her on her buttocks and thighs several times.
The complainant shared the matter with her classmates the following month.
Sometime in June, Mafanya called three different girls on different occasions and indecently assaulted them.
The matter came to light when the complainants reported the issue to their parents. The angry parents stormed the school, baying for Mafanya’s blood.
The accused went into hiding before surrendering himself to the police.Newsday
“Let’s hope our detractors will not sabotage Mnangagwa’s dream of creating jobs and opportunities for the masses.
In less than a year in power Mnangagwa has achieved what Mugabe failed to accomplish in 37 years.
Ed has transformed Zimbabwe into a middle income economy. ” – @maDube
Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira who is facing seven counts of criminal abuse of public office yesterday wept in a Harare court after acting chief Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi placed her on custodial remand for 21 days.
Mupfumira sobbed after Mr Mutevedzi upheld an application by the State to detain her for 21 days as provided under the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act Section 32, which empowers the State to seek further detention due to the gravity of a case.
Mupfumira was arrested on Thursday by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) on corruption allegations involving US$95 million National Social Security Authority (Nssa) funds.
Chief prosecutor Mr Michael Reza presented a certificate from the Prosecutor General’s Office to detain Mupfumira for three weeks on the basis that she could use her position, as minister, to interfere with investigations.
In the ruling, the magistrate said issues raised by the defence led by Mr Charles Chinyama, in their attack of the validity of the certificate, were of no use as they all related to an application for admission to bail which was not the issue before the court.
Chief among the contentions that the defence raised was that Section 32 is unconstitutional arguing it violates section 50 Subsection 1 subparagraph (b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe; which provides that any person who is arrested must be released unconditionally.
The defence also argued that; “the State had acted contrary to section 32 subsection 3 (b) subparagraph (b) subparagraph (i) which requires that there must be proof that the arresting officer was of or above the rank of assistant inspector.”
Mr Chinyama said there is no indication that the accused person benefitted from all the funds that were allegedly siphoned out of NSSA except for a few thousand dollars which she signed for onward submission to persons attending official functions.
Mr Mutevedzi, however, said the right to bail as enshrined in the Constitution was not an absolute.
“Given all these pointers linking the accused person to the commission of the offence, the court is convinced that indeed the State has established grounds which constitute reasonable suspicion that the accused committed offences preferred against her.
The court, therefore, has no hesitation to find that all the requirement for the production of the Prosecutor Generals Certificate produced in terms of section 32 subsection 3 (b) have been met.
The effect of that certificate is to oust this court and every other court’s jurisdiction in determining issues related to the accused person’s admission to bail during the lifespan of that certificate.”
Mupfumira will be back in court on 9 August for routine remand. She is facing corruption allegations involving $95 million.- state media
State Media FULL TEXT: MDC-Alliance president Mr Nelson Chamisa on Friday reportedly developed cold feet and dodged a meeting of the party structures in Bulawayo, which had been called to address among other things the contentious issue of the wayward behaviour of city councillors.
The meeting held at the party offices was instead addressed by the chairperson, Ms Thabitha Khumalo who had been sent by Mr Chamisa.
An insider told Sunday News that Mr Chamisa avoided the meeting because he was not sure how the structures would behave as the MDC-Alliance in Bulawayo has been torn into factions along tribal lines.
Ever since Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Mr Tinashe Kambarami and his sidekick, Councillor Silas Chigora tried to eject the Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube from office a few weeks ago, accusing him of corruption, divisions along tribal lines have emerged among the councillors in the process cascading to the structures.
Party Bulawayo provincial chairperson Mr James Sithole yesterday said he could not comment on the matter as he was “too junior to speak on issues concerning top officials.”
Speaking at the meeting Ms Khumalo tried to pacify the supporters calling them to stop looking at issues along tribal lines.
“The Constitution is clear; we cannot discriminate on grounds of tribe. Let’s agree that there is a problem, how do we rectify it because all of us must abide by rules. If these laws are not what we want as people of the Matabeleland how do we change the law? Go and change the Constitution and go and change the Urban Councils Act too,” she said.
However, parts sources said the party officials wanted to be addressed by Mr Chamisa whom they accuse of failing to deal with the issues affecting the party in the city.
Mr Chamisa, however, was reportedly not keen to face the agitated supporters and decided against attending the meeting. – Sunday News
DYNAMOS will be without their two top strikers Evans Katema and Edward Sadomba in the next few games but the team’s technical team is not worried at all.
Katema is away in Mauritius with the senior national football team for the African Nations Championships match this weekend, while captain Sadomba is yet to
recover from the head injury he suffered a fortnight.
Sadomba suffered a concussion after he was hit with a ball on the face in the match against Black Rhinos, an injury which forced him out of the clash against
Caps United at the weekend.
He is still recovering from the injury, and did not train this week.
Young Tawanda Macheke is also down with an injury, leaving the returning Simba Nhivi with the sole burden of leading the attacking line for the Harare giants
today.
“We would have wanted all our best players to be available, but this is the situation we are in and we cant mourn about it. We registered enough players
knowing we will have such situations so we are not really worried,” team manager Richard Chihoro said.Newsday
The abducted activist Itai Dzamara’s lawyer, Adv Kennedy Masiye has spoken against the practice of politicians using bail as a weapon to punish perceived enemies.
Writing at the weekend, Adv Masiye said:
“For the legal system to regain its respect officers of the courts should do their jobs in a manner that advances justice and confidence in the system.
“Whether one is from MDC or Zanu pf the court should always be blind to these prejudices.
“Procedures like Bail should not be used to seek approval from politicians but should be a transparent process guided by the rules and principles of democracy and the rule of law.
“Following the dictates of politics will always corrupt the criminal justice system and render otherwise good court rulings or judgements useless and strategic ammunition for political agendas.”
President Chamisa’s message to Zimbabwe
….as he calls for seven days of national prayer
My Fellow Zimbabweans,
We are faced with a terrible situation in our country and we must find a lasting solution.
I know that you are suffering with no fuel, no power, no money, no passports, no jobs and no food. The cost of living has become unbearable. A lot of us cannot access medical facilities or medication. Children are dropping out of schools. Companies are shutting down.
Our civil servants, our teachers, nurses, patriotic men and women in uniform are struggling and have inadequate salaries.
Our pensioners including our war veterans can hardly survive. Corruption has become a national anthem.
In the rural areas just like the urban areas, life has become unbearable. Food is being abused as a partisan political weapon.
For that reason, I am urging all Zimbabweans from all walks of life and various denominations, in and outside the country to embark on a seven day prayer, fasting and intercession for our beloved country, Zimbabwe before undertaking crucial and decisive next steps.
In particular, during the seven days of prayer, starting from Monday the 29th of July to
Sunday the 4th of August, I kindly ask you to take an hour between 1pm and 2pm every day to lift your hands and submit your hearts to the Lord beseeching him to grant us the power, wisdom, strength and providence to see us through.
Rallying call, “Zimbabwe shall lift her hands unto the Lord”
Psalm 68:31, Psalms 11:3 & 2 Chronicles 7:14
Victory is certain!
I thank you
God bless you
God bless Zimbabwe
God bless Africa
A Mataga Police Station Officer-in-Charge has appeared in court facing three counts of criminal abuse of office, where he allegedly bought fuel under the pretext of using it for police duties when in fact he intended to divert it to the black market.
Ngqabutho Fuyane (38) appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Mr Shepard Munjanja last week to answer to a charge of fraud and contravening section 140 of Environmental Management Act.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to 6 August for trial. Prosecuting, Miss Caroline Mafunga told the court that on 16 May, Fuyane went to Mataga Service Station where he bought 200 litres of diesel purporting that it was for ZRP Mataga Station.
“The accused bought 200 litres of diesel claiming that it was for the Zimbabwe Republic Police. He paid for the said fuel using his EcoCash account.
“After buying the fuel, he placed it in eight plastic containers and loaded it into a police vehicle and drove off,” said Miss Mafunga. The court heard that Fuyane converted the fuel to his personal use.
“The accused converted the fuel to his own personal use instead of taking it to Mataga ZRP camp as he had earlier indicated.”
The court further heard that on 28 June, Fuyane who was in the company of his friend identified in court as Chihora, bought another 200 litres of diesel from the same service station claiming that it was for police use.
“With the help of Chihora, Fuyane put the fuel in five 25-litre plastics and three 20-litre jerry cans.
“The fuel was paid for using Chihora’s EcoCash account and Fuyane’s wife EcoCash account.
“After buying the fuel, they loaded their containers into Chihora’s twin cab Ford Ranger and drove off.”
Fuyane did not take the fuel to Mataga Police Station as purported but diverted it to his own use.
The matter came to light when detectives who acted on a tip-off recovered fuel at Fuyane’s place of residence stored in a fowl run leading to his arrest. Sunday News
By A Correspondent| On Saturday, Zimbabweans converged in Leicester, UK for the first function celebrating the upcoming returning of the famous anti-Rhodesian rebel, Nehanda Nyakasikana’s bones to Zimbabwe.
The United Kingdom is releasing the bones of the fallen first black fighters regarded as rebels (due to the fact that they fought against taxation by the British establishment) in 1897. Once in Zimbabwe, the bones will be buried at the Heroes Acre, sources told ZimEye. Below were some video excerpts at the function.
Zimbabwe and other African countries should ban the importation of second hand vehicles and create their own indigenous automotive sectors that produce vehicles that are fit for their environment to accelerate industrialisation on the continent, an official has said.
Nissan Group director of sales and operations for Africa, Jim Dando said currently there were about 45 million vehicles in Africa and most of these vehicles were never intended for African “road conditions or our fuel quality”.
“We end up with ostensible mobility solutions that in reality are bad for the health of our people, both in terms of the damage they do to the environment and the risk they pose for both passengers and drivers,” Dando said in a statement.
“The only sustainable solution for Africa is to clean up the fuel quality, ban the importation of second hand vehicles and create Africa’s own indigenous automotive sector, producing harmonised vehicles that are fit for Africa. This will create jobs directly, fast track the industrialisation of the continent and change the many economies that are still largely resource based.”Newsday
A MAN from Bulawayo’s Sauerstown suburb has been arrested after he was allegedly caught fondling his stepdaughter’s breast while also rubbing his privates on her bums.
It is said last week on Monday at around 7.30 pm, the accused furtively left his wife imbibing wise waters with their neighbour and headed to a bedroom where his 15-year-old teenage girl was sleeping.
A court heard the accused got into the bedroom and found his stepdaughter in deep sleep. He allegedly fondled her breast before he took out his organ and rubbed it against her buttocks.
While he was busy pleasuring himself the victim’s brother allegedly stormed in and caught him red-handed.
Incensed by his stepfather’s actions he is said to have grabbed him and violently pushed him out of the bedroom.
Seeing her husband being bundled out of the house while trying to cover his privates, the mother of the minor reportedly questioned her son about the unfolding drama. Her son revealed that he caught his stepfather fondling his younger sister’s breast while rubbing his manhood on her buttocks.
That did not go down well with the mother of the teenager. She made a police report leading to the arrest of her husband.
The accused appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ulukile Mlea- Ndlovu. He pleaded not guilty to an indecent assault charge. The accused appealed for bail and was granted. He was remanded out of custody to 31 July for commencement of trial.B-Metro
By Own Correspondent- Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred on Wednesday at around 11PM.
“I can confirm that we recorded a robbery case which occurred in Beitbridge on Wednesday at around 11PM.
Jairos Moyo of Filabusi was driving a Honda Fit vehicle from Bulawayo headed for Beitbridge with one passenger on board, Sithembiso Mpofu, who is also from Filabusi. He reached Gwanda at around 9PM and gave a lift to four other passengers;Daniel Sibanda and three unknown male adults.
“As they approached Beitbridge at the 313 kilometre peg the three unknown men ordered the driver to stop as they had reached their destination. One of them disembarked from the vehicle, another grabbed the steering wheel while another produced a knife,’’ he said.
Chief Insp Ndebele said the three suspects demanded cash from the other two passengers Mpofu and Sibanda.
He said they stabbed Mpofu on her left hand and grabbed her handbag which contained US$460, £600, P1 500, $300 and a cellphone.
Chief Insp Ndebele said the other passenger, Sibanda, tried to flee from the robbers but they caught up with him and took R500 from him before fleeing into the darkness.
He said no arrests had been made and appealed to members of the public with information that could lead to the arrests of the suspects to contact the police.
State media – In a bizarre off-the-cuff speech yesterday at St Luke’s, Lupane, MDC-Alliance president Mr Nelson Chamisa said he would give President Mnangagwa a farm, women and whisky if he resigned and left him to run the country.
Mr Chamisa was speaking at a campaign rally ahead of Lupane East Constituency by-election on Saturday. The party is represented by Mr Dalumuzi Khumalo.
The seat fell vacant after Cde Sithembile Gumbo (Zanu-PF) died in April. Zanu-PF that will be represented by Cde Mbongeni Dube and has also hit the ground running in a contest analysts predict the party will retain the seat.
At the rally, Mr Chamisa left his supporters holding their mouths in disbelief when he said he had already hatched a retirement plan for President Mnangagwa, with women and alcohol waiting for him should he call it quits.
“I will give him (President) a farm together with (VPs) Chiwenga and Mohadi. I want to say sit and be quiet. I will give you whisky and I’ll give you women. Whatever you want I’ll give you,” he said
In a speech filled with misogynistic undertones Mr Chamisa, who is married, said he had been learning isiNdebele because he wanted to court women.
“So Prof (Welshman Ncube) uyabona ukuthi ngiyadobhadobha? (I try to speak in Ndebele). Ngifuna ukukhombisa ngesiNdebele (I want to court women in Ndebele),” he said.
Mr Chamisa also claimed to have won the hearts of local pregnant women who wanted to name their children after him.
Mr Chamisa once again took the opportunity to beg President Mnangagwa for talks.
“We will have to agree on a plan to get the country out of the problem and agree on an agenda to go forward. What we will have to agree is to abandon the bond note and use the US dollar until we have resolved the issue,” he said.- state media
Primary education will now be State-funded and compulsory, and parents and guardians will be imprisoned if they fail to send their children to school, should amendments to the Education Bill sail through Parliament.
On Thursday, the National Assembly accepted amendments from Proportional Representation legislator, Ms Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (MDC-T), which seek to criminalise the failure by parents or guardians to allow children to attain State-assisted basic education.
This came out during the Committee stage of the Education Bill, which was being steered by Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima.
The National Assembly accepted amendments from Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga to delete Clause Four of the Bill and replace it with another one that provides for compulsory education.
The new clause now reads as follows: Section 5 (“Compulsory education”), of the principal Act is repealed and substituted with the following: –5 Compulsory Education (1) Every child shall be entitled to compulsory basic State-funded education. (2) Any parent who deprives their child the right to basic State-funded education shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 6 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.”
Before the clause was acceded to, Prof Mavima said he was in agreement with the relevant amendments.
“We did concede to the proposed amendment and we also think the duty to ensure the right to education should fall on the guardians as well. So, compulsory will also mean that the parents or guardians would have an obligation to make sure that learners go to school,” said Prof Mavima.State media
Obert Mpofus’ latest Gukurahundi utterances in which he advocates against Emmerson Mnangagwa apologizing for the country’s biggest Zanu PF government led atrocities since attainment of black rule in 1980, is a deplorable act of self-serving by a man whose hands are unclean of the same crime given his defection from ZAPU during the same period.
Mpofu argues that an apology by Mnangagwa’s government over Gukurahundi atrocities will be a disaster for his party and the administration. He further, unreasonably advocates to let bygones be bygones, and avoid opening closed wounds which maybe catastrophic to his party and to the illegitimate government.
Really?
Obert Mpofu demonstrates lack of appreciation of sanctity of human life, as long as his personal political interests are safeguarded. He is an embarrassment to the communities of Matebeleland North, and their community leadership, whom he has claimed to represent all these years. The souls, and bones of those murdered gruesomely, must be turning in their mass graves.
Mpofu and his ‘like-minded colleagues’ should appreciate that one of the greatest tenets for national development is the prevailing of peace, adequately cleared of present and past wrongs and well thought-out sustainable future peace programmes. A dark past will always impede the future unless the dark spots are properly cleared of residual injustices.
The nation needs proper healing. There cannot be meaningful development without proper nation building and national healing programme. The country’s healing programme cannot be held to ransom by people who fear to be exposed of their roles in the past and present atrocities. There is need for a truth telling programme, transitional justice, need for proper closing of wounds to ensure lasting healing, including decent burials.
The MDC, as the people’s party, recognizes the importance of national peace and stability to sustainable development and is committed to an all stakeholder-facilitated and instituted national healing, reconciliation, integration and due care program for the victims as a pre-requisite for nation building and sustainable democracy and development.
The trauma and wounds of human rights violations committed in pre and post-colonial Zimbabwe, chief amongst them, Gukurahundi, cannot be ignored. The dark period left a traumatized, politically fractured and sorrowful nation stricken with grief, depression, suspicion and pain with many people living in fear. These various inflicted wounds were either not closed or improperly closed. And the best way to close old wounds is by confronting the past for a better future. This entails remembering and confronting the past terrors. We must remember what happened in order to keep it from not happening again. It is only through remembering, allowing open discussions, care, healing, compensating and reconciliation that the nation can go forward.
The MDC applauds the 2013 constitutional provisions that provides for the setting up of a National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) and that of the Human Rights Commission, (ZHRC), whose respective mandates are to facilitate for the ‘opening and proper closing of the old wounds, and the much needed prevention of recurrences. The MDC will work to further buttress and strengthen the independence of these institutions.
And as we seek to transform the lives of all the people of Zimbabwe, there is need for politicians to change their mindset. Serious political will is needed to permanently address the various cumulative crises bedeviling the country for the past four decades, all being mainly State sponsored human injustices and many other sources of peace threatening crises, legitimacy crisis, need for curing of the corruption virus and the economic crises.
The calls by Obert Mpofu are based on the fear to be exposed. We cannot allow the country to be held to ransom by personal interest.
Let us put the interests of the dead and the tortured souls first. ubaba Obert Mpofu!
Hon Blessing Chebundo
Secretary for National Healing, Peace, Reconciliation and Integration
By A Correspondent| The popular AFM pastor Dr Shumbambiri has died.
ZimEye is reliably informed the Reverend passed on early Saturday morning after a health struggle. He was 80.
Mourners are gathered at his home in Bindura.
In a statement, the church said, “THE LEGEND DR REV SHUMBAMBIRI HAS MOVED ON TO BE WITH THE LORD
The crippling heaviness, the insurmountable pain, the groaning spirit…..in all this we thank the Lord for the tonnes of love, spiritual guidance, purity and faithfulness that was imparted by our FATHER on the entire Church.
We will finish the walk and defense of faith that he pioneered.
May His Soul rest in eternal peace.”
BY Wilbert Mukori- “I am urging all Zimbabweans from all walks of life and various denominations, in and outside the country to embark on a seven day prayer, fasting and intercession for our beloved country, Zimbabwe before undertaking crucial and decisive next steps,” called out Nelson Chamisa.
“In particular, during the seven days of prayer, starting from Monday the 29th of July to Sunday the 4th of August, I kindly ask you to take an hour between 1pm and 2pm every day to lift your hands and submit your hearts to the Lord beseeching Him to grant us the power, wisdom, strength and providence to see us through.
“Rallying call, “Zimbabwe shall lift her hands unto the Lord”
Hold on one minute! You are asking us to “beseech the Lord to grant us the power, wisdom, strength and providence to see us through”, through what exactly?
What are these “crucial and decisive next steps”?
Because if you are talking of demonstrations to force Mnangagwa to concede to your demands to go into a power sharing arrangement with you in return for MDC granting the tyrant and his junta legitimacy only fools would want to join you.
We know what is in it for you and a few of your fellow MDC leaders but also know there will be nothing in it for the long-suffering people of Zimbabwe.
You want a cabinet post for yourself, Tendai Biti and two or three others. You lot are desperate to get back on the gravy train. Whilst you agree Zanu PF rigged last year’s elections and the regime is per se illegitimate. You are offering Mnangagwa legitimacy in return for a share in the spoils of power.
The idea that Zanu PF can blatantly deny millions of Zimbabweans the vote, reduce millions of the rural voters into nothing more than serfs and frog march them to vote for the party, fail to produce something as basic as a verified voters’ roll, etc., etc. and yet still declare itself legitimate is an insult.
The suggestion that MDC can usurp the people’s exclusive power and authority and declare Zanu PF legitimate for a share of the spoils of power is an outrage.
Only the people of Zimbabwe, in a free, fair and credible elections, give the winner the mandate to govern and legitimacy.
Worse still the proposed power sharing will not implement any democratic reforms just as the 2008 to 2013 failed to do the same. Chamisa has himself admitted that he and his MDC friends “sat, ate and did nothing for five years of GNU”. There is nothing to suggest they will do any better this time round. Nothing!
If Zanu PF is still in power come 2023, the regime will rig those elections as readily as it rigged last year’s elections. Now, is that really what we would want to beseech the Lord God Almighty to make sure happened? Hell, no!
Chamisa is set on joining Zanu PF in a power sharing arrangement, this is a stupid idea which he wants passed as beseeched wisdom from the Lord!
By Own Correspondent| Sandra Ndebele has revealed that she has completely stopped taking starchy foods and has thus dumped eating sadza as she seeks to lose weight.
She said:
“I now watch what I eat and have cut down on the amount of food. For example, when I eat chicken, I cook it using Olive oil.
I’ve also completely removed starch from my meals —this means I no longer eat things like rice, bread or isitshwala,” she told a local publication.
“Losing weight and having this toned body has helped with my confidence and it clears my head as I feel fresh every day.
“I dumped running because my body wasn’t responding then I got a personal trainer who advised me to walk.
“Everyday, I walk 15 000 steps which are around 20km. I do this either on the treadmill in the gym or when I walk from home.
I’ve been doing this for the past four months and my body has started responding,” said Ndebele.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- A 16-year-old form one pupil at Chirumba High School is appealing for help from well-wishers to go for specialist medical attention on her amputated leg which has started developing festering ulcers.
The leg is giving Sharon Madamombe a hard time as the ulcers are eating deep into her flesh. The teenager has also developed a sore throat and a runny stomach.
Currently, Sharon is under the care of her grandmother who can barely support her as both her parents abandoned her. The whereabouts of Sharon’s parents are unknown.
On behalf of Sharon, the school is appealing for assistance in cash from well-wishers so that she can be attended to by doctors at Silveira Mission Hospital.
Chirumba deputy head Ivy Mukuwe told a local publication that the minor was in pain and her condition was disheartening.
“I can confirm that the girl’s condition as we speak right now is disheartening. She has developed many infections following the removal of her leg, so we are kindly appealing to well wishers to help her so that she can go for specialised medical attention,” said Mukuwe.
She said those willing to assist can forward the donation through the school senior lady Miss Mhizha, at Chirumba’s EcoCash number 0772245323
More details can also be obtained from the school head at 0772745303 or deputy school head at 0772245363.-TellZim
By A Correspondent- China has committed to fund the construction of 47 boreholes in Makoni district, it has emerged.
The drilling of the boreholes will be carried out by China’s charity arm China Aid and will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The development will go a long way in the provision of clean and portable water to villagers.
The boreholes will be drilled at schools; clinics and village centres where people are having challenges in accessing water.
Makoni Rural District Council chief executive Dr Edward Pise thanked the central government for brokering the deal with the Chinese government. He added that the project would help villagers with water, sanitation and hygiene challenges they have been grappling with for many years.
“Constructing 47 boreholes is no mean feat. Its mammoth task, which our council was struggling to do due to a number of challenges. Engaging private players to drill a borehole you part away with not less than $8 000 which is a lot of money and now we have 47 for free.
“The boreholes will be drilled at strategic places such as schools, clinic and village centres for many people to easily access clean water.
“Council has robust water, sanitation and hygiene programmes and the coming in of China Aid is icing on the cake. We want all our residents to have easy access to clean water,’’ said Mr Pise.
The controversial MDC outcast, Linda Masarira has been reportedly involved in a car accident.
Masarira made the announcement on Saturday when she said deaath has no appointment.
She wrote in Shona, ” Kufa hakuna appointment ndabvuma.”
By Own Correspondent- A Zvishavane man who allegedly killed his neighbour over a mine claim two years ago has appeared in court facing a fresh charge of murder after he recently stabbed a fellow imbiber over beer.
This was heard when Solomon Ndlovu Mthombeni (30) of Zeddeberg Village in Zvishavane appeared before Zvishavane Magistrate Shephard Munjanja facing one count of murder, after he allegedly stabbed to death Tinashe Siziba following a misunderstanding over beer.
He was not asked to plead and was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
The Zeddeberg community however, believes that Ndlovu will never face the full wrath of the law as his father is a traditional healer.
Village head Mfanakithi Mlilo said Ndlovu had become a nuisance in the village, terrorising villagers saying he had immunity.
“He has been terrorising villagers saying he is untouchable and he can’t be arrested.
“He threatened anyone who crosses his path and people have been living in fear. We are glad that he has been arrested but we think he might come out soon because his father will certainly do what he did the last time his son was arrested,” said village head Mlilo.
It is the State’s case that on June 10 at Oret Business Centre, Ndlovu had a misunderstanding with the now deceased over beer and the misunderstanding degenerated into a fight.
On the fateful day, the accused and the victim had a misunderstanding which turned into a fight.
Ndlovu drew a handmade knife which he used to stab Siziba several times all over the body and left him for dead.
After committing the heinous crime, Ndlovu fled from the scene but ran out of luck as people who witnessed the whole incident unfold pursued and caught him.
Siziba was quickly rushed to Zvishavane District Hospital and was transferred to Gweru Provincial Hospital where he later succumbed to injuries.
While presiding over the matter, magistrate Munjanja positively identified Ndlovu from the previous crime which he committed back in 2014 before fleeing while he was out on bail.
The State’s case for his previous case is that in 2014 on December 12, Ndlovu approached Mazvienza Tofara in his homestead and asked him why he was mining in his claim.
Tofara denied the allegations and this did not go down well with Ndlovu who produced an okapi knife and stabbed the deceased seven times and he died on the spot.
The matter was reported to police leading to Ndlovu’s arrest.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW.
Attention : Advocate Nelson Chamisa
The Movement for Democratic Change has become the most powerful political organisation in Zimbabwe. This influence has been a result of (i) the rise of you a fresh youthful leader, (ii) the alliance of many opposition parties,(iii) the fall of Robert Mugabe which divided Zanu-PF and (iv) the worsening Zimbabwe economic crisis which leads many with no option but to choose a second alternative (MDC).
It is clear that the majority of Zimbabweans are affiliated to your political organisation as they see it as the only hope to remove the regime of Emmerson Mnangagwa who came to power through a controversial “coup but not a coup” take-over on November 24, 2017.
However, the depth of your abilities Advocate Chamisa to give a panacea to the current crisis remains shrouded in obscurity. Hereafter, take note of the following concerns for the benefit of all Zimbabweans:
Fulfill your promise
Abraham Lincoln in 1986 uttered the now popular maxim “Actions speak louder than words”. It is from such literature that I refer you back to the July 30 2018, controversial polls which left you as more of an orator than a leader.
Since this period, you have been promising to act in every way possible to deal with Mnangagwa’s illegitimacy and the current economic mess. It can be noted in every press briefing that you re-echoed sentiments of assuring the nation that appropriate action would be taken. Unfortunately, no notable stride has been taken.
This malpractice on your part may cost you your political support and influence in the Zimbabwean political spectrum. Please fulfill your promise Advocate!
Your reluctance is a high liability
Millions of people entrusted you with their vote so that you can give solutions to their struggles. It is a well-known fact that the current struggles of our nation have been caused by the disputed 2018 elections.
As a result, there are no drugs in hospitals, frequent workforce strikes in the health sector, poor conditions of service for workers, ridiculous power cuts, industrial closure, inflation, corruption and high cost of living. The duty of calling Zanu-PF to account and to order, has been given to you by the people.
Zimbabweans are ready to move in any direction that you give them as a leader. Reluctance to take appropriate action will only lead to more socio-economic instability in our nation. Your current reluctance must be aborted forthwith and be replace by a strategic sense of urgency!
Go beyond social media
It can be noted that you have been active on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Whatsapp and YouTube. This has been a good way of communicating and reaching out to the millions of supporters under your leadership.
However, social media posts are not enough if your plan is to change Zimbabwe. People need a radical leader whose influence must raise a series of steps to sweep away the political and socio-economic crisis in Zimbabwe. Advocate, derive ideas from opposition movements that brought a change of government et ali Gandhi’s salt march, the Boston Tea Party, the 1963 March on Washington, the Tiananmen Square, 2010 etcetera.
Your influence must stretch beyond social media and land on the streets, industries, schools, hospitals and on the table of a regular family in Zimbabwe.
Be more of a Political Leader
Define your roles clearly Advocate Nelson Chamisa. Your massive supporters voted for you to be their president not to be their spiritual pastor. You are a leader of a marginalized society which is characterised by different kinds of religions and beliefs from Christianity, Islam, African Traditional Religion, Hinduism et cetera.
The Christian believers have been praying and fasting since the beginning of the year and beyond as there are pastors committed to that particular task so have other religious groups. The people of Zimbabwe regardless of their religions need a practical remedy to this crisis and they are expecting you to give them an answer as a Political leader.
Be more of a Political Leader than a pastor if you are passionate about delivering change in Zimbabwe !
Stop partisan inequality
Advocate, please note that the current leadership that was elected at the Movement for Democratic Change, Congress are the people’s choice. However, the appointment of controversial individuals like Fadzayi Mahere into the Party’s main stream positions remains an unsolved subject amongst the Youth League.
The MDC has committed members within its structures who are intelligent and able to take crucial roles within the party. May you consider them before appointing Politicians from outside the party.
Inappropriate appointment of outsiders might bring more political harm than good to your organization. Lessons can be drawn from Author Mutambara’s comic appointment in the Welshman Ncube’s MDC. Therefore, let seniority take precedence over political favoritism!
Advocate Nelson Chamisa, you have the support, you have the experience and you have the opportunity to change the country. Zimbabwe is in a crisis and people are suffering. The people are in need of urgent intervention.
Five years from now, be remembered as a leader who saved his nation from political and economic oblivion, not a political fanatic who uttered empty political rhetoric.. Zimbabweans have waited for action for far too long. The time is now!
Pongo
Africa’s Employer
VIDEO LOADING BELOW.
By Own Correspondent- Outspoken MDC-T vice president, advocate Obert Gutu, has urged the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption to arrest an MDC official who looted public funds during the GNU era.
Gutu claimed that a member of the MDC (led by advocate Nelson Chamisa) fraudulently channelled funds into Interfin Limited Bank.
“Millions of public funds in US$ were fraudulently and recklessly channelled to Interfin Bank Limited by an MDC Cabinet Minister for a cut.
This money was then ‘lost’ when Interfin collapsed. If this isn’t corruption, then the word ‘corruption’ needs to be redefined. @ZACConline,” Gutu posted on Twitter.
By Wilbert Mukori- “I am urging all Zimbabweans from all walks of life and various denominations, in and outside the country to embark on a seven day prayer, fasting and intercession for our beloved country, Zimbabwe before undertaking crucial and decisive next steps,” called out Nelson Chamisa.
“In particular, during the seven days of prayer, starting from Monday the 29th of July to Sunday the 4th of August, I kindly ask you to take an hour between 1pm and 2pm every day to lift your hands and submit your hearts to the Lord beseeching Him to grant us the power, wisdom, strength and providence to see us through.
“Rallying call, “Zimbabwe shall lift her hands unto the Lord”
Hold on one minute! You are asking us to “beseech the Lord to grant us the power, wisdom, strength and providence to see us through”, through what exactly?
What are these “crucial and decisive next steps”?
Because if you are talking of demonstrations to force Mnangagwa to concede to your demands to go into a power sharing arrangement with you in return for MDC granting the tyrant and his junta legitimacy only fools would want to join you.
We know what is in it for you and a few of your fellow MDC leaders but also know there will be nothing in it for the long-suffering people of Zimbabwe.
You want a cabinet post for yourself, Tendai Biti and two or three others. You lot are desperate to get back on the gravy train. Whilst you agree Zanu PF rigged last year’s elections and the regime is per se illegitimate. You are offering Mnangagwa legitimacy in return for a share in the spoils of power.
The idea that Zanu PF can blatantly deny millions of Zimbabweans the vote, reduce millions of the rural voters into nothing more than serfs and frog march them to vote for the party, fail to produce something as basic as a verified voters’ roll, etc., etc. and yet still declare itself legitimate is an insult.
The suggestion that MDC can usurp the people’s exclusive power and authority and declare Zanu PF legitimate for a share of the spoils of power is an outrage.
Only the people of Zimbabwe, in a free, fair and credible elections, give the winner the mandate to govern and legitimacy.
Worse still the proposed power sharing will not implement any democratic reforms just as the 2008 to 2013 failed to do the same. Chamisa has himself admitted that he and his MDC friends “sat, ate and did nothing for five years of GNU”. There is nothing to suggest they will do any better this time round. Nothing!
If Zanu PF is still in power come 2023, the regime will rig those elections as readily as it rigged last year’s elections. Now, is that really what we would want to beseech the Lord God Almighty to make sure happened? Hell, no!
Chamisa is set on joining Zanu PF in a power sharing arrangement, this is a stupid idea which he wants passed as beseeched wisdom from the Lord!
By A Correspondent- Eddie Cross said solutions for our woes as a sovereignty, are available and can be implemented if the leaders are willing.
What does frustrate me, and I guess I am not alone, is that there are solutions to all our problems. Zimbabwe is like a vehicle with a large engine that is starved of fuel, needs a tuning and the replacement of all its filters.
It needs new tyres and to stop fighting over who will drive us into the future. The passengers need to agree on where we are going and then get on with getting there.
The Bible says that ‘a people, without vision, will die’ and a ‘house divided, cannot stand’ ancient words of wisdom from the very roots of our culture and faith. We need to follow their advice closely.
He also took the time to remind us that we as Zimbabweans are swift on our feet when it comes to addressing issues that arise in our country and we have no expectations from our government.
The answer is that we ‘make a plan’. We have lived under a lousy, self-involved Government ever since I can remember and we have suffered under sanctions imposed on us by everyone since 1965.
We have learned to be fast on our feet and to respond quickly to new problems and never looking to the State for anything except demands for our taxes. We deserve better but we do not waste time complaining or moaning about how badly off we are.
I was at breakfast yesterday with two friends from Bulawayo and the place was packed, every table occupied.
Passengers Association of Zimbabwe is worried by the continued rise in fuel prices, whereas individuals salaries remains virtually static.
Although we appreciate that the price of fuel is hinged on the prevailing rate of the United States Dollar against our own currency, the travelling public is drastically affected firstly because they can no longer plan, secondly they do not have the financial resources that can sustain their day to day commuting in an economy that beleaguers their pockets.
Fuel prices are draining families pockets to an extent that they can no longer sustain their livelihoods as well as their commuting.
Tafadzwa Goliati
President of Passengers Association of Zimbabwe
By A Correspondent- A fuel stabilisation fund is reportedly on the cards, the Statem Media has reported.
The Fund will act as a buffer that will cushion consumers from acute fuel shortages. Fuel shortages have ravaged the country since October 2018. The Government is said to be about to start consultations with industries in regards to the establishment of the fund.
This was revealed by the Deputy Minister of Energy at the CZI annual congress in Vic Falls:
The ministry will be proposing a fuel stabilisation fund which will act as a buffer to cushion the customers from acute fuel price increases. Consultations will shortly be taking place within the government over the matter.
Fuel has been scarce despite the price increase that we saw this week and on 12 July.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- OLINDA Nkomo, nee Chapel, has decided to be in an open relationship after she recently found out that her youthful husband musician, Tytan Nkomo cheated on her with her best friend.
The 35-year-old Olinda, who seems to be unlucky in love after being cheated on by another musician, Stunner, revealed in a live social media video that 29-year-old Tytan cheated on her last year with her friend identified as Fungai.
After discovering her husband’s infidelity, Olinda interestingly said she would not be dumping Tytan as she dreads looking for another partner. As such, she has decided that the two be in an open relationship.
“From today (Wednesday), Tytan and Olinda are in an open relationship. He’s allowed to go out and chase skirts wherever. I’m giving him a hall pass and don’t want you people to be surprised if you happen to bump into him with other women – he has a pass,” said Olinda.
“At the end of it all, tonight I want to have s** with my husband. I don’t care what people are saying, but I can’t be jumping around from relationship to relationship.”
With a very young daughter with Tytan, Olinda said she has come to accept that her husband, like any other man, is bound to cheat. She, however, advised Tytan to be clever in his cheating in future.
“You should cheat on me, but don’t get caught. Don’t leave your phone in the open so that people like me can go through it and see everything you’re doing,” said Olinda.
From the over 1 000 comments she received during her live video, some suggested that the six-year age gap between Olinda and Tytan was causing the young stud to stray. However, Olinda revealed that it was not true as her friend Fungai was approaching 40.
“The generational gap argument that some of you are trying to use as the cause of Tytan going astray isn’t relevant. Fungai is three years older than I am – she is almost in her 40s,” said Olinda.
In all this, Olinda said she was happy that Tytan was inundated with women on his social media inboxes showing that she had chosen her man well.
Some suggested that Olinda keeps her private life private but she refused saying her life was out in the open.
“When Tytan and I started dating, you (social media followers) were there. When he paid the bride price, you were there, when we got married, you were there. Even throughout the pregnancy and birth of our daughter you were there. Now that there are problems I should hide them? No!” said Olinda.
Two years ago, upon finding out that her ex-boyfriend rapper Stunner (who is ironically Tytan’s friend) was cheating on her, she went on Facebook live, crying her eyeballs out.
However, this time she was calm and content.
This calmness, according to Olinda, was because she could not afford to be hurt anymore.
“I can’t be hurt anymore. I want marriages to be renewable like television licences. I think there should be an option that after a year, you can renew and state if you want to be in the marriage or not.
“I want to advocate for that from now on.”
Zimbabwe Anti- Corruption Commission (ZACC) boss and wife to minister Sibusiso Moyo , Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo has pledged to disqualify herself to investigate her husband, if he is ever brought up for corruption.
Said Matanda-Moyo
“It has been in the open that I am SB Moyo’s wife. We have been married since 1991 and we are still so married.
I have been a judge of the High Court and Labour Court since 2006 and I have been conducting my job very well.
I want to assure everyone that I am not conflicted in any way. If SB Moyo is going to be investigated, there are several commissioners. I will recuse myself and let another Commissioner take over.
When SB Moyo was appointed Cabinet Minister, I was already a judge and as a judge, I can take up any opportunity for which I am qualified.
If you check my history, I have no history of favouritism. I simply deal with matters as they come.”
Zim Independent Comment|IF there is one thing which clearly demonstrates that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is failing to run the economy, it is the power crisis. The current electricity problems and resultant blackouts engulfing the country — making people’s lives miserable and crippling the economy — cannot be seen in isolation. They are part and parcel of an economy which has tanked and the current multifaceted problems.
The mere fact that the economic situation is now worse than what it was when Mnangagwa came in through a military coup after toppling his failed predecessor Robert Mugabe in November 2017 speaks volumes about this administration’s incompetence and failures.
Broadly speaking, the problem is lack of leadership, policy incoherence and lack of delivery capacity. Mnangagwa’s regime came in without a plan and they still do not really have one.
Already reeling from renewed company closures, job losses, low production and falling aggregate demand, liquidity crunch, cash shortages, currency volatility, rising inflation, shrinking disposable incomes and collapsing purchasing power, the economy is sinking deeper. This has fuelled poverty and suffering. However, it is the power crisis which highlights the chaos the most. The power crisis has been prompted by foreign currency shortages, recurrent breakdown of aged equipment, debt and arrears, drought and cuts on imported supplies. Zimbabwe imports additional electricity from neighbouring Mozambique and South Africa. But owing to acute forex shortages, the country has failed to pays its arrears of about US$83 million. This has resulted in drastic cuts in supplies and shortages.
South Africa’s power utility, Eskom, cut supplies to Zimbabwe from 450 megawatts to a mere 50 megawatts. Government recently paid a paltry US$10 million to Eskom to help facilitate talks for supplies to be restored. Zimbabwe, which has not invested enough in electricity generation infrastructure over the years, produces about 900 megawatts against a capacity of 1 800 megawatts. Due to the shortages, rolling load-shedding and power cuts of up to 18 hours a day have become commonplace.
Generators are now being used by individuals and companies to power their activities. As a result, Zimbabwe’s economy — ravaged by inflation scaling 175,6% — is slowly but surely grinding to a halt. Industry, already operating at half its installed capacity and reeling from inefficiencies associated with antiquated equipment and costly production, is becoming even less competitive and in some cases shutting down. The power outages have dramatically increased the cost of doing business, either making companies suffer huge losses or pass the burden to consumers — stoking inflation.
Power outages derail economic growth and are a disincentive to investment. Experts estimate that the power cuts may reduce economic growth by between 2% and 4%. This will spell disaster for an economy already deep in recession.
Mnangagwa’s government must stop misleading the nation on the economy, accept the problems and seek help through an inclusive negotiated settlement which involves Zimbabweans in their political, social and cultural diversity.
Said the parent: My daughter and her friends were attacked at our gate just after 5pm this evening. I am posting a video from our cctv – please spread far and wide. We are on Chisholme rd in Ballantyne park. Very clear picture of the one guy.
JUDGMENT in the case in which Ntabazinduna Chief Nhlanhlayemangwe Felix Ndiweni is facing allegations of malicious damage to property was on Wednesday postponed to August 5.
Ndiweni (54) and 22 other villagers pleaded not guilty to damaging Fetti Mbele’s property. They appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Gladmore Mushove, and the matter went on a full trial, with a number of witnesses testifying, including Zanu-PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu.
Mpofu’s involvement in the case came following Chief Ndiweni’s testimony in court last year, where he claimed the case emanated from Mpofu’s efforts to “fix” him after he had filed criminal charges against him (Mpofu). He alleged that Mpofu stole 200 cattle from his late father, Chief Khayisa Ndiweni.
Chief Ndiweni said he had reported the stock theft case to Mbembesi Police Station, but Mpofu used his influence as minister to make the docket disappear.
Ndiweni claimed politics was at play in the matter, accusing Mpofu of influencing Mbele, his wife and members of the ruling Zanu-PF to interfere with his traditional court order.
However, Mpofu, in his testimony, said Chief Ndiweni was in the habit of making false allegations against government and the ruling party due to ignorance since he had spent many years out of the country.
“The first accused person [Chief Ndiweni] has been raising false allegations against Zanu-PF and the government. His problem is that he has been out of the country for a long time, hence he has lost touch with the goings-on in the country,” he said.
Mpofu said he didn’t even know the complainant in the matter, saying when the incident happened, he was in Harare.
It is alleged that sometime in June 2017, Mbele and his wife had an adultery dispute. Mbele reported the matter to Ndiweni, who heard it at his traditional court where it was resolved that Mbele’s wife should vacate the matrimonial home.
However, the couple later resolved their differences and the wife remained at Mbele’s homestead.
Chief Ndiweni and some villagers, on July 4, 2017, went to the Mbele’s homestead, accusing him of disrespecting the traditional court’s verdict by keeping his wife. They allegedly then destroyed Mbele’s fence and kraal and threatened to destroy his home if he did not vacate the area.
The chief allegedly took from Mbele a cow and a calf as fine and also took Mbele’s wife to her parents’ home against the couple’s wish.
Letters to the editor
The Nelson Chamisa led MDC challenged the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo to “investigate and arrest” her husband Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo after the arrest of Tourism Minister Priscah Mupfumira early Thursday.
MDC deputy spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka poured cold water describing the arrest as a non-event.
“The real corrupt barons remain free in government, that US$3 billion recently went missing is a case in point and no one has been arrested.
“These people in Zanu-PF cannot treat corruption. It is like sending a mosquito to cure malaria. Mnangagwa is named in a top UN report for having looted diamonds in the DRC, also named are SB and Sydney Sekeramayi,” said Tamborinyoka.
“Moyo was actually director-general of COSLEG a company which they used in DRC and now it is his wife chairing Zacc. If Matanda-Moyo is sincere then the dragnet is sure to end up in her own matrimonial bed.”
Added Tamborinyoka: “It is our belief that cancer in the country, we shed no tear for anyone arrested.”
COSLEG, was a joint venture of Congo Comiex and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces’ Operation Sovereign Legitimacy formed by Zimbabwe’s army and those linked to it in the late 1990s to pursue timber and minerals interests in DRC’s Katanga Province.
Zimbabwe had been invited into the DRC by the late President Laurent Kabila who wanted help to stave off an insurrection. Kabila was to be killed by his own bodyguard, paving the way for his son Joseph to take over power.
A 2002 United Nations (UN) report implicates the company in massive plunder of DRC diamonds.
THE South African High Court has approved a historic R5 billion settlement in the silicosis case involving gold miners, among them Zimbabweans, under the ex-Witwatersrand Native Labour Association (Wenela) affected by lung diseases.
Wenela comprised mine workers drawn from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana and Mozambique.
Yesterday’s ruling by Johannesburg High Court judge, Justice Leoni Windell follows a protracted legal battle over benefits by the ex-miners and the dependants of those who passed away. The claimants are set to be paid out between R70 000 and R500 000 compensation following the judgment approving a R5 billion settlement emanating from the lawsuit.
Justice Windell ruled that all the parties made an effort to ensure that the settlement agreement is reasonable, adequate and fair.
“The terms of the settlement agreement demonstrate that they succeeded in their efforts,” he said in his judgment.
Six mining companies involved in the case are African Rainbow Minerals‚ Anglo American SA‚ AngloGold Ashanti‚ Gold Fields‚ Harmony and Sibanye Stillwater, including some of the affiliate mining entities.
They admitted that they failed to take the necessary precautions to protect their former Wenela mine workers and dependants of those who passed away in the past. Mr Richard Spoor represented the miners and the dependents of the deceased.
The pay-outs would be processed via a trust called Tshiamiso Trust that shall be established and would exist for a minimum of 13 years.
Last month, ex-Wenela Miners Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Lungelwe Mkwananzi had hinted that if the courts fail to reach a conclusive judgment there would be need for governments of the former miners to intervene.
“We feel a little bit let down, I think we aren’t getting enough assistance . . . looking at the period it has taken, governments should also come in to support us in pursuance of our benefits especially looking at people from Zimbabwe and Malawi because we now have less of our citizens working in South African mines, but other countries like Botswana, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho still have a number of their nationals working there,” he said then.
Most of the affected stopped working without knowing that they had accrued benefits that they were supposed to be paid, with a significant number believed to have been infected with dust related illness and succumbed to lung infections.
Mr Mkwananzi said the association’s members had started receiving medical treatment through the Southern Africa TB in the Mining Sector Initiative.
The Southern Africa TB in the Mining Sector Initiative is one of the key initiatives led by the South Africa Knowledge Hub. It is an innovative multi-stakeholder effort involving Government, civil society, development and private sector partners aimed at combating TB in the mining sector in the Southern Africa region.
Ugandan pop star and opposition MP Bobi Wine has officially announced that he will run for president in the 2021 election and the people can’t keep calm.
The 37-year-old will challenge President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for 33 years.
“On behalf of the people of Uganda I am challenging you [Mr Museveni] to a free and fair election in 2021,” Bobi Wine said at an event in the capital, Kampala, to announce his candidacy.
The musician, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has been an MP for two years. He portrays himself as a champion of the poor, and sings about social justice and democracy.
But his has been received with a lot of hype with most of his supporters those who are tired of President Yoweri’s Museveni rule.
Bobi Wine has already been given the President Title by most Ugandans who are celebrating his courageous announcement to unseat Museveni.
Bobi Wine announcement has been viewed as a re-rise of Uganda which was subjected to rogue Museveni’s rule.
The singer who calls himself the “ghetto president”, and is a fierce critic of Mr Museveni.
He was charged with treason last year over the alleged stoning of the presidential convoy. He denied the charges and was freed on bail.
Most people have told him to keep going as his mission his unstoppable.
Uganda’s parliament approved changes to the constitution last year to scrap the age limit of 75 for presidential candidates.
The move opened the way for the ruling party to nominate Mr Museveni, 74, to run for a sixth term.
Do you think Bobi Wine will outshine Museveni in 2022?
