Jane Mlambo| Zimbabwean students seconded to study in Algeria as part of the widely hyped STEM programme are struggling to survive amid concerns that government has stopped giving them stipends, ZimEye can exclusively reveal.

This has left them vulnerable and without options to survive in a foreign land.

One of the students who exclusively spoke to ZimEye on condition of anonymity said they only enjoyed during the first days but have now been completely abandoned.

The student said their numerous attempts to seek audience with embassy officials were met with resistance as they instructed Algerian police to chase them away.

“Things are tough this side, the Zim government stopped giving us stipends, so have been really struggling.

We tried talking to the embassy but it seems every effort we make is just in vain, we even organized strikes at the embassy but it never works, they only respond by instructing the Algerian Police to chase away students from the embassy,” said the student.

With Zimbabwean economy currently in comatose and making it difficult for their parents to access foreign currency to them, the students have run out of options on how to survive in a foreign land.

The situation is worsened by the fact that they cannot look for jobs due to study permit limitations and economic challenges facing their host country.

“This time around the situation is even worse because it’s really difficult for parents to be accessing United States dollars back home. We have no idea how we are going to survive, especially now that Universities closed. We have to be buying food and doing everything on our own,” the student added.

“It would have been easier if it was possible to find jobs here so that we could at least get something but it’s not that easy In Algeria. We are held as students without work permits. How do we survive?” further queried the disgruntled student.

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Jane Mlambo| Outspoken Norton legislator, Temba Mliswa has confirmed the ongoing rumor that the current Social Welfare Minister Sekai Nzenza is on the run after it emerged that she also received the NSSA loot to cover for Mupfumira.

Mliswa alleged that Mupfumira bought a house for Nzenza in Capetown, South Africa.

“Minister Sekai Nzenza on the run after it emerged yesterday that she also received the NSSA loot to cover for Mupfumira. Mupfumira bought a house for Nzenza in Capetown….,” posted Mliswa on Twitter.

Breaking News!!!!!!

Minister Sekai Nzenza on the run after it emerged yesterday that she also received the NSSA loot to cover for Mupfumira. Mupfumira bought a house for Nzenza in Capetown….

— Hon. Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) July 27, 2019

Next time you come across a rich politician reflect on this. Ask how they got rich? I think lifestyle audits should be mandatory for those in public office. ?? pic.twitter.com/BBDZx3RjIR

— Trevor Ncube (@TrevorNcube) July 27, 2019

By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa will today address the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators’ Association (Zilwaco) National Conference which will be held at the Zanu-PF Convention Centre in Gweru.

The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces will interface with the war collaborators to discuss, among other issues, their welfare.

President Mnangagwa will also interface with Zanu-PF party supporters in the Midlands at the open space adjacent to the Convention Centre. 

The President indefinitely postponed his ‘Thank You rally’ which had been scheduled for Chachacha Business Centre and the party supporters will have a chance to interface with him and be appraised on Government and national issues.

Zanu-PF Midlands Provincial chairperson, Engineer Daniel McKenzie Ncube, said President Mnangagwa will first address the Zilwaco national conference at the Convention Centre before addressing party supporters a few metres from the conference.

Eng Ncube said the party was expecting close to 10 000 people to attend both the conference and the rally.

“We are expecting President Mnangagwa to address members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators’ Association who are having their annual conference at the Zanu-PF Convention Centre.

“President Mnangagwa will also address party supporters at the open space near the Convention Centre,” he said.

Eng Ncube said the party had already facilitated logistical issues to ensure that the two events are flawless.

“We have already made arrangements on how the people who are coming to the rally are travelling,” he said.

Eng Ncube encouraged members of the party to attend and interface with the President to have first hand information on national and Government issues.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- The United State-based International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) have called on the government of Zimbabwe to speed up the processes of advancing security and legal reforms to safeguard citizens’ rights to freedom of expression.

A delegation of the two institutions was in the country from Monday to yesterday to assess the status of Zimbabwe’s electoral reform agenda and the space for democratic elections more broadly.

The delegation was led by former US ambassador to Zimbabwe, and ex-Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, NDI regional director for east and southern Africa Dickson Omondi, IRI senior technical specialist for east and southern Africa Jessica Keegan.

“While notable efforts have been made to repeal and replace restrictive laws and to a lesser extent engage stakeholders, the delegation encourages the Government of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the Executive to address the fundamental deficit in the democratic space,” IRI and NDI said in a joint statement yesterday.

“The delegation strongly urges the government to continue to advance security and legal reforms that guarantee citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly. Enacting and enforcing these reforms will improve Zimbabwe’s democratic capital and help to advance the country’s economic recovery.”

The delegation heard reports of low levels of trust in government institutions due to insufficient public outreach and alleged systematic intimidation of opposition and civil society activists.

It also heard of alleged mismanagement of public funds and poor governance marked by inflation, currency instability, and shortages of fuel, food and medicines were also issues that were brought to the attention of the delegation.

When the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions called for a stayaway against the rising cost of living in January, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government responded with brute force by unleashing security forces, resulting in 17 deaths while more than a dozen women were raped or sexually assaulted and up to 1 055 people detained.

The delegation said despite the shortcomings identified by the delegation, there was still opportunity for Zimbabwe to enact the requisite meaningful political
reforms to move the country forward.

“We urge government to move swiftly to implement the political and electoral changes that will strengthen public confidence in the government and advance Zimbabwe’s democratic standing,” the statement read in part.

IRI and NDI, which jointly observed the 2018 harmonised elections under the Zimbabwe International Election Observation Mission banner, commended the government for its demonstrative will to repeal robust pieces of legislation, including Public Order and Security Act and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Farai Dziva|Questions have been raised on whether the arrest of Prisca Mupfumira is part of a genuine exercise to eradicate corruption.

Mupfumira was denied bail and she will back in court on August 9.

While some believe Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is moving in the right direction in a bid to eradicate corruption, others feel the whole thing has been stage managed.

See some of the the comments from ZimEye.com below:

Venencia Kaduku: Ndezvemahumbwe . Ipapa she is being paid millions for playing this role.

Tnash Tee: We all know this is a stage managed arrest obviously she ain’t going to remand majokes aya all those prison officers are on ticket.

Flossy Maweni: Good for her. ..

Tnash Tee: It’s a well stage managed arrest wangu she’s all smiling let’s keep our eyes on the ball iyi ndeyekuitisana iyi ayas.

Melody T Gwese: This is just a “ front” musaiitiswe…eyes on the ball

Kudakwashe Tapura: This is just a tactic by Zanu PF so that we forget about the missing US$3 billion.

Elton Mavhunga:When is she coming back to court?

Elvis Neverson Ngwendez:Why is she not handcuffed?

Lila James: Its difficult for them to convince anyone

Calvin Musona: Zanu PF drama since the started their so called New dispensation how many Zanu of members were arrested and how many are in prison

Is Mupfumira Arrest Genuine?https://t.co/RuRJMznqao

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) July 27, 2019

By A Correspondent- Deputy Energy and Power Development Minister, Magna Mudyiwa said that her Ministry is considering providing bridging finance to power utility, ZESA Holdings.

Mudyiwa revealed this at the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries annual congress in Victoria Falls on Thursday. She said:

The ministry is seeking an interim bridging funding package to rescue Zesa Holdings from liquidity, while a tariff review is being considered.

The current electricity tariff has gone below US1 cent per kilowatt-hour, and this is not sustainable.

It is a situation that calls for an urgent review of the tariff regime that we have in place so that we can bring the tariff structure to par with that of other regional players.

I, therefore, encourage the industry and private sector to consider paying cost-reflective tariffs. Profits are good, but for the utility to remain operational, it has to service its debts, procure resources and maintain equipment.

I dream of a day that industry and commercial farms pay upfront for the electricity they use. Pre-payment will assist Zesa Holdings to recover the current debt and avoid it altogether in the future.

Mudyiwa disclosed that Zimbabwe still owes US$80 million to HCB of Mozambique and Eskom of South Africa.

She said that ongoing negotiations between Zimbabwean and South African governments will hopefully be successful.

She said:

Our hope is for successful negotiations (between Zimbabwe and South African governments) over payment plans to settle the debt. We are expected to yield between 400Mw and 600Mw of power from the discussions with Eskom.

By Own Correspondent- Refias Masuna (53) of Mahatshula North, Bulawayo, who was employed as an operations manager by Manifest Security Company, was convicted of murder with actual intent by then Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Francis Bere, in August 2016.

Masuna was accused of killing Mr Ernest Mudenda (31) at Zulu 8 Mine in Fort Rixon on December 12, 2014.

In passing the sentence, Justice Bere, who described the murder as brutal, said Masuna was a former high ranking police officer who had handled firearms for 18 years and his conduct was uncalled for.

Aggrieved by both conviction and sentence, Masuna through his lawyer, Advocate Thembinkosi Magwaliba, who was instructed by Thondhlanga and Associates, approached the Supreme Court challenging Justice Bere’s decision, citing the State as a respondent.

Justice Paddington Garwe, who was sitting with Justices Ben Hlatshwayo and Lavender Makoni during a Supreme Court circuit in Bulawayo, has set aside Masuna’s conviction and sentence and ordered his immediate release from Khami Maximum Prison.

“It is ordered that the appeal against conviction and sentence is allowed. The conviction and sentence are both set aside and the appellant (Masuna) is to be released from prison with immediate effect,” ruled Justice Garwe.

He, however, said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has the discretion to institute fresh prosecution.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the decision whether or not to prosecute the appellant afresh is left to the discretion of the NPA,” said Justice Garwe.

He said the reasons for Masuna’s acquittal would follow in due course.

In his heads of argument, Masuna argued that his conviction was based on shoddy police investigations and unreliable key State witnesses.

“The court a quo grossly erred in convicting the appellant basing on circumstantial evidence. The essence of such evidence was essentially that only one gunshot was fired by the accused, which was misdirection by the court a quo to have inferred that it is the appellant who intentionally killed the deceased,” argued Adv Magwaliba.

He disputed the testimony of the ballistic expert, saying he failed to confirm with certainty that the bullet which killed Mr Mudenda was fired from the gun which was discharged by Masuna.

Adv Magwaliba further argued that there was no evidence on record to support the court’s finding that Masuna had hatched a plan with one Mr Blessing Ndiweni to kill the deceased.

The State, which was represented by Mrs Tariro Rosa Takuva and Mrs Sifiso Ndlovu-Sibanda, did not oppose the appeal against conviction.

They conceded that there could have been a possibility of the deceased having succumbed to a stray bullet discharged as a result of a warning shot by Masuna and opted for a lesser charge of culpable homicide.

“It is submitted that the court a quo misdirected itself in holding that it was murder with actual intent, and sentencing the accused person to life imprisonment.

It is humbly submitted that conviction be set aside and replaced with a verdict of guilty of culpable homicide, and wherefore the respondent prays that the appeal against conviction be granted,” said the prosecutors.

Masuna’s security company was hired by Mr Ndiweni who had just received an eviction order to vacate the mine. Mr Ndiweni was locked in a wrangle with Mr Wilson Nyamhiwa over the ownership of the mine.

According to court papers, on December 9, 2014, the High Court granted an order in favour of Mr Nyamhiwa and two days later the Deputy Sheriff moved to the mine to evict Mr Ndiweni’s workers and remove his mining equipment.

When Mr Ndiweni learned about the eviction order, he rushed to Manifest Security Company and requested five security guards to be deployed to Zulu Mine. Masuna joined his subordinates and they went to Zulu 8 Mine in Fort Rixon where his guards were deployed.

On arrival at around midnight, Masuna discovered that there was a dispute over the ownership of the mine and his client’s workers had been evicted from the mine and the new miner’s employees had taken over the premises.

However, Mr Ndiweni’s property and equipment were still being guarded by Masuna’s men. When the new tenants inquired on who was approaching on hearing footsteps, Masuna identified himself as Mr Ndiweni and indicated that he would shoot one of them.

The new occupants fled in different directions, but Masuna fired a shot that hit Mr Mudenda in the upper part of his chest and the bullet exited through the upper left-hand arm. Mudenda’s body was discovered on the following morning at around 6AM.

Speaking to women at a stakeholder engagement meeting organised by Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) on Thursday, BCC Senior Environment Officer Nkanyiso Ndlovu said sewer water contains chemicals that affect the intellectual development of children.

The 2012 Bulawayo health services department report on food and agriculture revealed that some farmers especially those in urban areas divert sewage and industrial waste effluent to water their produce hence bacterial and chemical contamination of vegetables as possible.

“Sewer contains a lot of chemicals, we found traces of oestrogen, pesticide and other industrial chemicals. The survey was conducted in 2012, it was meant to cover a period of five years. In that survey it was found that traces of lead which we found on top of vegetable leaf surfaces affects the intellectual development of children that affects their academic potential,” Ndlovu said.

Lead in general is not biodegradable and has the potential to accumulate in different body organs leading to unwanted side effects.

It was discovered that in children if exceeding the maximum permissible limits can affect the intellectual development, cause skin rashes, stomach problems and ulcers, respiratory problems, weakened immune system, kidney and liver damage and lung cancer.

“There were some gardens we surveyed along streams and others were found along Umguza river, Trinance area which are plots. With most people getting their vegetables from illegal vendors it makes it hard for the local authority to monitor.

“Even though the Bulawayo health service department is responsible for monitoring the programme it has however been over the year impossible due to inadequate resources.

“There is a possibility that most of illegal vendors sell vegetables that are already contaminated however as a local authority we continue educating residents to buy from reputable sources,” Ndlovu said.

He added that the process of monitoring illegal operators is impossible.

“With shops they are registered and licensed so our inspectors have a way of checking food samples but with these other non- reputable one you cannot take samples from them because most of the time they operate illegally,” he said.

Meanwhile, he added that besides affecting intellectual ability sewer water makes children reach their puberty stages early.

“Vendors are all about profits but they are not aware of some of the dangers that chemical from sewer bring, besides intellectual capacity, sewer water also makes children grow fast towards their puberty stages than expected,” he said.

The survey revealed that 97% of Choumoellier samples exceeded the WHO/FAO maximum levels of cadmium and 40% of the samples exceeded that of lead. The highest concentration of lead was 17,86mg/kg in Choumoellier.

However, chairperson of the Bulawayo WCoZ chapter, Mildred Sandi encouraged such stakeholder engagements with the local authority to be consistent as they empower women with knowledge.

“When we started this session most women had their tempers high, but now that the local authority has shared the information, we are now at ease, as women let us desist from unethical trends,” Sandi said.

From Zuckerberg to Google to MTN, stories of idea stealing by corporations like these are a staple in the business world. Perhaps those countries are too distant from you so let me bring you closer to home-Econet is a familiar name that some of you know to have been accused of stealing entrepreneurs’ ideas – one time for ConnectedHome and another for Vaya.

Artwell Makumbe is another entrepreneur who, has claimed that he was defrauded of his idea/project by Econet (which once owned Cassava Smartech).

Artwell Makumbe who is the CEO of Hiclicker is claiming that the recently launched Sasai is his brainchild which Econet (where Cassava Smartech once belonged) stole from him.

He goes on to say that, not only did Econet steal the idea of Sasai but it also embarrassingly stole the name (which is Sasai) as well. Peruse the screenshots of Artwell’s Sasai User interface:

Artwell’s Sasai wasn’t on Google Play store so if you wanted to download it you had to download the app at non-Google Playstore sites which hosted the App’s apk. But at the moment you can’t download Artwell’s Sasai  because he has removed the apks following the advice of his lawyer.

Artwell’s Story

Artwel Makumbe revealed what really happened and said that he launched Sasai back in August 2015. He then started discussions with Econet to partner with them on this idea/project.

In his engagements with Econet, he contacted Econet’s South Africa offices to set up a meeting with Strive Masiyiwa, Econet’s Founder. The meeting didn’t come into fruition but Strive Masiyiwa called him and they spent over 20 minutes discussing his idea of Sasai.

From that conversation, Hiclicker’s CEO was then referred to a Mr James Gibson who was Econet’s head of e-commerce and that paved the way for him to have meetings with Econet’s risk department and commercial team.

The meetings led him to be invited by Econet team to do a presentation of “Hiclickers family of apps, products and services, which included Sasai.” Econet’s team at the presentation was headed by its Chief Commercial Officer, Navdeep Kumar.

As Artwell puts it “they were amazed” by Hiclicker’s products.

To prove this claim (of engaging with Econet), Artwell has ‘V11s’ (proof).

Despite ‘impressing’ the Econet team, no deal was ever reached as ‘there were a lot of delays on Econet’s part.’ So Hiclicker proceeded to launch Sasai and the other products on its own under the single name of Hiclicker. Around that time that’s when Hiclicker did interviews with ZBC and Radio Zimbabwe promoting their products and services where Artwell and his Sasai were featured on ZBC’s 8 o’clock news:

But after sometime, Hiclicker went back again to Econet to present them with fresh terms so that they could re-launch the Hiclicker ecosystem (all of its apps and services) under Econet’s name.

In its response, Econet offered these terms:

1 – share revenue in the ratio of 70:30 (70% to Econet and 30% to Hiclicker)
2 – Lock the Hiclicker platform only to Econet numbers or users
3 – Give Econet exclusive rights over Hiclicker and all products, including server access
4 – I (Artwell) get 4% shareholding in Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and they get 60% shares in Hiclicker
5 – All Hiclicker employees by then they were 17 and they would get fixed jobs under Econet-Hiclicker department
6 – Econet to do branding and marketing
7 – Econet to maintain an uptime of 99.9%
8 – Econet to open Econet-Hiclicker joint bank accounts and hire external auditors, law firms , consultants to do the rest of work
9 – Econet to pay 50% of converged licence
10 – Econet to localise Hiclicker ecosystem into local languages wherever Econet is established across africa and the world

About the above, Artwell says:

We (Hiclicker) denied points number 1,2,3,4,5,9

The deal fell through. And then fast forward to 24 July, 2019, Cassava Smartech (the child of Econet) launches Sasai.

What’s next?

Artwell has decided to take the matter before the courts. And this coming Monday that’s when he will sue Econet about stealing his idea of Sasai.

Econet and Cassava are yet to respond to the allegations.-TechZim

WATCH the video loading below….

Video loading below….

VOA|The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) says it is investigating widespread corruption in government contained in the country’s Auditor General’s report released recently, a day after the arrest of Environment Minister Prisca Mupfumira, who is being linked to a scandal at the National Social Security Authority (NSSA)which mysteriously lost more than $95 million.

This come at a time when a senior official in the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Thokozani Khupe is calling for the arrest of an unidentified official said to have received “a cut” in another alleged shady bank deal in which the state lost millions of dollars.

According to the state-controlled Herald newspaper, ZACC chairperson Justice Loice Matanda Moyo, said the commission has received the Auditor General’s report and investigations are in progress, together with hundreds of other cases, some involving top state officials.

The newspaper reported that Justice Matanda-Moyo indicated that the AG’s report creates the basis for investigations into corruption, theft, misappropriation of funds, abuse of power and or any other improper conduct committed in the public sector.

The Auditor General uncovered widespread corruption in the government and quasi-state entities involving some senior officials and workers.

In the meantime, Mupfumira is expected to appear in court to face charges of corruption and misuse of state funds.

While Mupfumira is facing these charges, social media is on fire following a tweet by Obert Gutu, vice president of the Khupe-led MDC, who claims that a top official in the government of national unity, which was formed in 2009 and ended in 2013, misused public funds.

His tweet posted on Wednesday reads, “Millions of public funds in US dollars disappeared in the now collapsed Interfin Bank Limited as a direct result of the fraudulent activities of some corrupt but loud-mouthed MDC Cabinet Ministers during the GNU era. This is NOT fiction. It’s a FACT. ZACC is investigating.”

Gutu followed up the tweet the following day by posting another message on Thursday, in which he claimed that the unidentified person who was a cabinet minister got “a cut” from the Interfin deal. “Millions of public funds in US$ were fraudulently & 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.”

Gutu said ZACC has already been informed about the issue, the person involved and “he knows himself … Soon, the chickens will be coming home to roost.

The tweet attracted some opponents who called Gutu a sell-out allegedly embedded in the Zanu PF government. The first four to attack Gutu were Offensive Ncube, Allan Muchechetere, Grandma and Golden Muleya, who questioned the MDC-T vice president’s integrity while indicating that focus should be on the $15 billion that former president Robert Mugabe said it vanished from Marange diamond sales and other issues, including the NSSA scandal.

Ncube wrote on Twitter in response to Gutu’s message, “Corruption fighting in not scores settling…”

Grandma added, ““@GutuObert is after MDCA he once them down, fortunately he is not God. His hatred is too much. Shame

But Gutu shot back saying, “So, exposing corruption is your definition of ‘hatred’? Honestly you need salvation.

This may have angered Muleya who called Gutu a puppet of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

Gutu insisted that there is evidence in the so-called Interfin shady deal. “The paper trail is there. The relevant investigating authorities have got all the necessary information and documents.”

According to some sources in the MDC led by Nelson Chamisa, senior officials in the party are being targeted by ZACC following the arrest of the minister of environment. ZACC commissioners and some of the people allegedly implicated in the shady deals were not available for comment.

Interfin was put under curatorship after it recorded a real negative capital of $5,87 089 as at March 31, 2010.

The Deposit Protection Corporation accused the directors of the bank of failing to properly supervise and monitor the lending activities of the bank, which resulted in the granting of loans to related parties and/or customers without adequate security or in the exercise of normal and reasonable prudential banking practice.

One of the directors owed the bank over $136 million.

A vicious brawl between two police officers in Bulawayo suspectedly over a bar lady and which was also captured on video nearly ended in bloodshed, after one of them reportedly sustained bruises on the head and “broken” ribs.

The footage of the “bloody” fight which has since gone viral shows one of the brawlers Sergeant Major Antony Fore (36) being viciously pummelled by his “junior” Constable Chance Moyana (32).

Sgt Major Fore and Cst Moyana who all reside at Ross Camp are stationed at ZRP Kumalo and Njube respectively.

In the video which is in possession of this publication a group of onlookers believed to be also police officers are heard screaming, and laughing, as the two officers battle it out.

In the background, of the melee, Soul Jah Love’s touching song Dai hupenyu hwaitengwa nemari is heard being belted out before a seemingly bruised and restive Sgt Major Fore, supposedly as a result of the attack, shouts at his rival saying, “Kill me”.

The incident which occurred on 14 July at around 5pm at Golden Lion Bar situated at Ross Camp was confirmed by national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

“We are investigating the circumstances which led two police officers to fight at Ross Camp and one of them is currently in hospital. A bar lady is, however, alleged to be at the centre of the dispute,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

According to a police source on 13 July at around 3pm, Sgt Major Fore was at Millennium Bar, Ross Camp, when he approached the bar lady Ntombiyosizi Misiwo who is allegedly at the centre of the ferocious fight, intending to buy beer.

“Misiwo refused to sell him beer while accusing him of misbehaving. After refusing to sell him beer she immediately ordered him to get out of the bar and he complied,” said the source.

It is reported that the following day at around 7pm, Sgt Major Fore was at Golden Lion Bar when Cst Moyana entered and started accusing him of troubling and pestering his lover — Misiwo.

The accusations reportedly degenerated into an altercation between the two parties. At the height of the argument, Cst Moyana allegedly lost his marbles and heavily descended on Sgt Major Fore, beating him with fists several times on the face.

The daring Cst Moyana went on to violently push his rival to the ground before he repeatedly kicked him in the head and stomach.

As a result of the savage attack, Sgt Major Fore reportedly sustained bruises on the head.

Sgt Major Fore who is also feared to have sustained broken ribs was taken to Mpilo Hospital where he is receiving medication. B-Metro

It took state owned logistics firm Road Motor Services (RMS) ten years to complete building the shoddy Zimbabwe dry land port project at Walvis Bay in Namibia, ZimEye.com can reveal.

RMS, a subsidiary of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), spearheaed the construction of the port in partnership with the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) and the Namibian Port Authority.

In September 2009, the Namibian government granted Zimbabwe 19 000 square metres of land to construct a dry port, seen as critical to boost the landlocked southern African country’s trade.

Actual work on the project only started in 2014 after the Namibian government had threatened to take away the land.

A dry port is an inland terminal directly connected by road or rail to a seaport and operating as a centre for the trans-shipment of sea cargo to inland destinations especially in cases where the importer or exporter is far away from sea port, such as Zimbabwe.

NamPort manager of corporate communications Liz Sibindi indicated just before Zimbabwe started building the alleged $3.5 million, that years after the Namibian government had offered its landlocked neighbours to set up dry port facilities at Walvis Bay, only Zambia had developed its dry port and the facility was fully operational.

“The responsibility to develop these dry ports is with the respective governments to develop their facilities hence NamPort would not want to speculate on the reasons for delays,” Sibindi said.

For Zimbabwe, the facility would significantly reduce the import bill. “This in turn increases the volumes that are carried on the corridors. It is a way of promoting trade relations within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), while boosting exports for the countries as they will have easy access to a port.

“The long term goal is to establish a cargo clearing one-stop facility at the dry ports for efficient customs clearance and border crossing,” Sibindi said.

Statistics provided by the NamPort showed that apart from the neighbouring SADC countries, cargo going through Walvis Bay comes from other countries that include Nigeria, Kenya and Congo Brazzaville.

Goods imported through Walvis Bay include frozen chicken, furniture, meat, ammunition, sugar, rice and more recently high volumes of motor vehicles.

Walvis Bay port has seen tremendous growth over the years.

In 1994 it was mainly a fishing port handling about 20 000 containers per annum, this figure has grown to about 350 000 containers per annum and is expected to reach one million containers per annum with the expansion project underway.

Walvis Bay provides a real alternative to landlocked countries in the region, especially for time-critical cargo, while the dry ports would serve to diversify the landlocked countries’ export routes.

Walvis Bay is a natural gateway for international trade and receives approximately 3 000 vessel calls each year, while handling about 5 million tonnes of cargo.

Zimbabwe’s trade volumes through the port of Walvis Bay have grown significantly over the years to more than 2 500 tonnes a month.

PRESIDENT Emmerson took his hired extensive jet from Dubai to officially open Zimbabwe’s dry port facility at Walvis Bay in Namibia.

The facility which is housed in a very sorrow four room building is expected to provide a gateway to the Atlantic Ocean for Zimbabwe.

A dry port is a city away from a sea where formalities for exports or imports (through the sea) are completed and shipments sent from there to sea ports for loading on ships where no more paperwork is required.

Now that the dry port has been launched, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe and Namibia were considering constructing a railway line linking the two countries to further enhance the movement of goods to and from the port.

The dry port facility was built on an estimated 19 000 square metres given to Zimbabwe by Namibia on a lease agreement of over 50 years.

President Mnangagwa said when the dry port becomes operational, “many things will need to be done”.

“I have been discussing with my colleague and counterpart Mr President, how we should improve the land connection now from here to Zimbabwe. The biggest possibility is the construction of a railway line,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said the dry port was expected to help foster regional integration as it will not benefit Zimbabwe alone, but other countries in SADC.

He said presently, Zimbabwe and other landlocked countries in SADC rely on Beira, Maputo and Durban ports, which are now congested.

This provides logistical challenges for exporters and importers in the respective countries.

President Mnangagwa said the dry port was an alternative and shorter route for transportation of goods to and from the respective countries.

“This dry port infrastructure will go a long way towards the realisation of economic development and integration of our countries. It’s not only going to serve Zimbabwe.

“It is going to serve Zimbabwe Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and possibly DRC. This facility provides us in Zimbabwe with a direct alternative shipping route on the Atlantic side for both exports and imports from the Americas, the Far East, Europe and West Africa.

“It will further broaden the prospects of our companies to increase trade within the context of African (Continental) Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), by promoting inter-African trade,” he said.

The dry port, President Mnangagwa said, was richly endowed with the vital integrated infrastructure networks that link several transport corridors and connect SADC to Comesa, the East African community and beyond.

He said such corridors as the Trans-Kalahari, the Trans-Kapriv, the Trans-Kunene and Trans-Orange – which link several southern, eastern and central African countries – offer Zimbabwe plenty of opportunities and options, and access to vast markets and destinations.

President Mnangagwa said while initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative by China had ensured landlocked countries like Zimbabwe become land-linked, establishment of a Dry Port at Walvis Bay, further upgrades the country to be seas-linked.

“So we have been running with that adage that Zimbabwe is land-linked and not anymore landlocked. But today (yesterday) here at Walvis Bay, they have improved again; we have now been told that Zimbabwe is not land-linked but seas-linked.

“This now means that Zimbabwe’s frontiers actually share the waters of the Atlantic. I am grateful,” he said.

The President expressed his indebtedness to Namibia for granting Zimbabwe land to build a Dry Port.

“We are indebted to the Government and people of Namibia for granting us this rare gift to enable Zimbabwe to be part of Namibia’s grand plan to make Walvis Bay Port a regional logistics hub in the SADC region.

“We are grateful for your vision. We are grateful for your cooperation,” he said.

President Mnangagwa implored officials from Zimbabwe and Namibia to work tirelessly to ensure that businesses and investors realise immediate benefits from the Dry Port.

Namibian President Hage Geingob said the opening of the Dry Port will unshackles landlocked neighbours.

He called for “action” and less talking to ensure citizens benefit from the Dry Port.

President Mnangagwa was in Namibia on a three-day State visit which ended yesterday.

The visit also saw him witness the signing of seven bilateral agreements between Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Meanwhile, the President returned home yesterday evening.

He was welcomed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda, Service Chiefs and other senior Gvernment officials.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is suffering from multiple organ failure, a South African based businessman Ali Naka has said.

Posting on Twitter Naka said, “I spoke to Villager in China. One of your politicians at a Chinese Military Hospital is suffering from multiple organ failure.”

Medscape defines Multiple organ failure as an altered organ function in an acutely ill patient requiring medical intervention to achieve homeostasis.

Some symptoms include skin discolouration and low blood pressure.

Chiwenga was recently flown from South Africa to China where doctors from China, India, Zimbabwe and South Africa are attending to him.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba said in a statement recently, “The office of the president and cabinet wishes to inform the nation that the vice president this week left for the People’s Republic of China where he is set to undergo further medical tests.

“After high-level discussions between Zimbabwe and China, it was agreed “to allow Chinese medical experts to join their expert counterparts from Zimbabwe, SA and India in attending to the vice president.”

There was a huge heated debate at Parliament on Friday after Honourable Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga sought to have legislators accept a clause into the new Education Bill imposing an obligation on schools to provide the girl child with sanitary wear.

While Minister of Education Prof Paul Mavima agreed with the proposition, he differed on how the proposed clause was structured as it had the effect of compelling schools to provide girls with the sanitary wear.

Several legislators took turns to support Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga saying there was need to assist female pupils with sanitary wear considering the price, which they said was beyond the reach of many.

Prof Mavima said it was more prudent to structure the clause as follows, “Every school shall endeavour to provide sanitary wear and other menstrual health facilities to girls.”

He said there were possible legal landmines should the Government and schools fail to provide such items owing to resource constraints.

Prof Mavima had also indicated that such things were administrative in nature and could not be captured in a law as what was being suggested by legislators.

“We should also consider the fact that if we put an outright obligation right now on a school in Gokwe, Binga or Checheche there, to say as soon as this Bill passes, they have to or are obligated to provide sanitary wear, we could render some of the schools dysfunctional because of the resource factor that we find in our schools.

“So, in my view it is good for us to put it in the way that we have suggested. I think you would also want to know that we have programmes on the ground on reusable sanitary pads.

“We pushed for the removal of duty on sanitary wear, but for me to commit and say that I can avail sanitary wear tomorrow for all girl children — I would be lying.”

Binga North MP Prince Sibanda (MDC-Alliance) said Government could not abrogate its responsibility of ensuring that it takes care of sexual and reproductive health for its female citizens.

After protracted debate, the National Assembly eventually allowed the clause to pass in the form it had been proposed by Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga.

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.

Below was the cornered Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira’s response to allegations that she boasts of being Emmerson Mnangagwa’s girlfriend. VIDEO LOADING BELOW

https://youtu.be/660SMt6SrVg

Farai Dziva|The MDC Youth Assembly has roundly condemned the harassment and victimization of party councillor, Gilbert Mutubuki by state security agents in Chiredzi.

The state security agents threatened Mutubuki, a member of the MDC Youth Assembly over a land dispute in Chiredzi.

See the MDC Youth Assembly statement below:

The MDC Youth Assembly portfolio Secretary for Lands and Agriculture, Clr Gilbert Mutubuki last night received threats from three unidentified men who claimed to be from President’s Office.

The three men who are believed to be members of the Central Intelligence Organization stationed in Chiredzi were driving a white Nissan Hardbody.

Clr Mutubuki’s crime is leading an anti-corruption name and shame campaign in Chiredzi where he exposed multiple farm owners with farms that have been lying idle since the 2000 land grab program.

As MDC Youth Assembly, we are very disturbed by the state agents’ recent new low to use Gestapo like antics on responsible citizens fighting corruption.

It is our resolve and conviction as young progressive social democrats to fight corruption in its totality.

As such, our anti-corruption name and shame campaign respect no boundaries, even highest offices in the land!

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

Farai Dziva|MDC councillor, Gilbert Mutubuki says he will continue to expose multiple farm owners in Chiredzi- in spite of threats from suspected Central Intelligence Operatives.

In a statement posted on Facebook Mutubuki said he was threatened by men who claimed to be members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation.

Mutubuki is leading an exercise meant to expose multiple farm owners in Chiredzi.

“Fellow Comrades!

Last night 3 people with a Nissan Hardbody (white)visited my place.

They said they were from President Office.

Unfortunately Havana kundipa mazita avo.They took my details.They warned me not to disclose information about farms in Chiredzi.

Pray for me. I will not stop exposing them,” said Mutubuki.

Yours truly
Cllr Mutubuki

The controversial activist and MDC outcast, Linda Masarira has gotten her own son jailed for theft of her own cell phone.

Masarira got her son, Kuzivakwashe Muhlanga imprisoned for six months.

Kuzivakwashe was on Wednesday found guilty of theft by Harare Magistrate Joseph Munhondo for stealing his own mother’s cellphone which is valued at $650.

It is the state’s case that he stole the mother’s phone while it was under a pillow in the bedroom after she had gone for a 30-minute driving road test on July 3 this year.

When the mother returned home, she could not find the phone and she proceeded to make a report at Marlborough police station. Police details searched Muhlanga’s room and found the stolen device.

When I raised issue of this child on July 7 2018 & the role Mupfumira played, I was called names by Junta bootlickers among them @KMutisi. @fortunechasi was quick to come to @CatrionaLaing1 defence.Normally time vindicates.Some of us don't just waffle.Batai mazwi kana tichitaura pic.twitter.com/1KLmv3ZsK0

— mawarire mbizvo jealousy (@mawarirej) July 26, 2019

Farai Dziva|ZEC chairperson, Priscilla Chigumba has urged the opposition to report cases of electoral malpractice to the police and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.

Chigumba has indicated that it is not the mandate of the commission to investigate cases of electoral malpractice.

She was responding to a letter written by the MDC to ZEC – on alleged vote buying by senior Zanu PF officials.

“ZEC has no investigative powers in terms of its mandate- any allegations of electoral malpractice must be reported to the Zimbabwe Republic Police or the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission for investigation and substantiation,” argued Chigumba.

SAT MORNING- MUPFUMIRA'S RESPONSE THAT SHE IS MNANGAGWA'S GIRLFRIEND – https://t.co/eY98GsdO0a pic.twitter.com/hyPcAHbbyJ

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) July 26, 2019

I don't see Mupfumira being convicted because she has a daughter with Mnangagwa – Cephas Chiwoko pic.twitter.com/SRD1TVDWhp

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) July 26, 2019

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

https://youtu.be/660SMt6SrVg

The opposition MDC led by advocate Nelson Chamisa has revealed that it will, this weekend, be embarking on a nationwide mass mobilisation drive.

The campaign is aimed at invoking a collective response to the current economic crisis which the opposition party says was engineered by the ruling ZANU PF party.

Speaking to a local publication, an unnamed top MDC official said:

Chamisa will lead the rallies which, in fact, are a push to action. We believe the time is ripe for a face-off with this regime in the face of suffering of the people. Disposable incomes have been eroded while hunger is stalking the nation. Our Reload rallies are just providing a spring board for action.

MDC deputy spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, confirmed that the party will be launching its Reload rallies this weekend.

Tamborinyoka said:

The MDC this weekend launches nationwide Reload rallies as well as a robust nationwide consultation programme in the party’s districts to engage the people on the key national grievances so as to collectively chart the way forward in the wake of the deteriorating situation in the country.

The Reload rallies will also be a grassroots engagement programme that is meant to energise the base and to gauge the national mood in the course of charting a collective way forward for the country.

The party said that corruption, massive price hikes, selective application of the law, power outages and cash shortages set the right mood a new beginning and confrontation with the government.-Newsday

video loading below…..

By A Correspondent- Farmers and butchery operators in areas around Chipinge South constituency have expressed concern over the sharp increase in cases of livestock theft.

This was revealed at a livestock show which took place last Wednesday at Mabhiza Business Centre under Chipinge district.

The show was organised by the Department of Agriculture, Research and Extension Services (Agritex) in collaboration with a development partner, International Rescue Committee (IRC).

A club that consists of 200 women hosted the show and took the opportunity to exhibit different breeds of goats that are earning huge profits to farmers in the Lowveld.

Speaking on behalf of Checheche Livestock Traders Association, Chisumbanje businessman Mr Gideon Chiororo said the increase in stock theft was affecting livestock trade.

“Stock theft is affecting butchery operators as they lose cattle meant for business,”said Chiororo. We urge farmers to work hand-in-glove with traders so that we can curb stock theft in the area.

“Some of the cattle are smuggled into Mozambique due the porous border and we are appealing to authories to curb this problem.”

Local Agritex officer Miss Medline Ngwendu indicated that water problems in the area contribute immensely to the problem.

“When the water table is low, farmers drive their livestock to Save River which is distant from the villages. On the way, they lose their stock,” said Ngwendu.

Chipinge Rural District Council Ward 24 councillor Wishes Hama called for stern measures to be taken against cattle rustlers.

“As a female councillor, I am humbled by this goat project by women farmers but I am worried that some people craft ways to steal from them. People who steal livestock should receive stiffer penalties,” said Hama.

Speaking at the same occasion, Member of Parliament for Chipinge South Cde Enock Porusingazi urged farmers to have regular checks on potential thieves.-ManicaPost

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been accused of applying his predecessor Robert Mugabe tactics of having members of his government arrested when he is out of the country.

This follows the arrest of Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira on Thursday by the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission while Mnangagwa was away in Namibia on a State visit.

Mupfumira appeared in court on Friday facing seven counts of criminal abuse of office and corruption involving Nassa when she was Public Service Minister.

Nicknamed Machiavelli during his time, Mugabe would first leave the country for the police to swoop on either members of his government or Zanu-PF party.

Respected human rights lawyer Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya observed: “So Mnangagwa is using Mugabe tactic of instructing arrests of people when he is out of the country. ED is observing the arrest of Tourism Minister Mupfumira from Namibia. How is this a new dispensation?”

Dr Ruhanya also questioned why Public Service Minister Sekai Nzenza was refusing to table the NSSA report before Parliament.

“ZACC has already proceeded to arrest the former Minister. What is she hiding and who is she protecting? Who are the other big fishes implicated?” he said.

By A Correspondent- YOUTHS in Manicaland Province are fretting over a sharp rise in flavoured condom prices saying it tempts them into having unprotected sex, exposing them to Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Prices of flavoured condoms (mainly Carex) — the favourite of many — have jumped from around $8 to $25 for three condoms in Mutare.

“Prices of condoms haved increased beyond our reach and this compromises our health as we end up engaging in unprotected sexual relations.

Although having sex is a choice, it has to be safe,” said a Mutare Polytechnic student, who declined to be named.

The student said he had just failed to buy a packet of his favourite flavoured condoms at a pharmacy in the city.

The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) is providing unflavoured free condoms but these are not the youths’ favourite.

“The Government is committed to continue supplying condoms for free through social institutions. We supply condoms on the basis of enhancing protection and not luxury hence our condoms are not flavoured as it becomes expensive on our part.

“We have condoms for all genders and they come in different types,” said ZNFPC provincial communications and marketing officer Mr Daniel Maromo.

“We supply condoms on the basis of enhancing protection and not luxury hence our condoms are not flavoured as it becomes expensive on our part. “-ManicaPost

At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Namibia, H.E. Dr. Hage G. Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of the Republic of Zimbabwe, paid a State Visit to Namibia from 24 to 26 July 2019. President Mnangagwa was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers and Senior Government Officials.

His Excellency President Mnangagwa and his delegation were warmly received on arrival at State House by His Excellency President Geingob. His Excellency President Mnangagwa was accompanied by Hon. Lt. Gen (rtd) Dr. Sibusiso Moyo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Hon. Sithembiso Nyoni, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development; Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Service; Hon. Joe B. Matiza, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development; Hon. Mary Mliswa, Minister of State for Mashonaland West Province; and Senior Government Officials.

The two Heads of State noted with appreciation and satisfaction the excellent bilateral relations that exist between the two countries and reaffirmed their full commitment to further deepen and broaden these relations for the mutual benefit of their two peoples.

During their Official Talks, the two Presidents reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The two Presidents further lauded the progress made in the implementation of the bilateral cooperation programmes between the two countries in various sectors such as agriculture, mines and energy, education and training, health, local government, trade and investment, environment and tourism, transport and communication, sport and culture, diplomatic cooperation and the legal sector, that emanated from the 9th Session of the Namibia-Zimbabwe Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation, which preceded the State Visit from 22-24 July 2019.

During the State Visit and in furtherance and deepening bilateral cooperation, the following legal instruments were signed:
i. Terms of Reference for the Operationalization of the Joint Trade and Economic Committee (JTEC);
ii. Memorandum of Understanding on the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises;
iii. Reviewed Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Information, Media and Broadcasting;
iv. Revised Memorandum of Understanding on Science, Technology and Innovation;
v. Memorandum of Understanding between Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Namibia Customs and Excise on Mutual Administrative Assistance;
vi. Memorandum of Understanding between the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Namibia Customs and Excise on the Practical Implementation of the Bilateral Trade Agreement; and,

vii. Twinning Agreement between the Kavango East Region of Namibia and the Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe.Informed by the principles of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the two Heads of State agreed on the need to increase trade and investment between the two countries. In this context, they jointly inaugurated the Dry Port of the Republic of Zimbabwe, on land donated by the Government of Namibia, which holds great potential not only in the facilitation of imports and exports via Walvis Bay Port to and from landlocked Zimbabwe, but also augments efforts towards closer regional and continental economic integration.

While welcoming the signing of the MoU on the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises, as well as the operationalization of the Joint Trade and Committee (JTEC), the two Presidents called on the private sectors in both countries to actively engage in mutually beneficial partnerships aimed at accelerating trade and sustained economic growth and development between the two countries.

The two Presidents agreed on the need to collectively confront poverty and diseases that are retarding develpment efforts by the two countries, especially the HIV/AIDS pandemic, tuberculosis and malaria. They underscored the need to make resources available for effective and affordable treatment of these diseases.

The two Presidents expressed satisfaction with the operations of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, which holds great potential for the advancement of regional tourism, sustainable management of shared resources, and community empowerment. In the same vein, President Geingob commended President Mnangagwa for the successful hosting of the Africa Wildlife Economy Summit held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from 13-14 June 2019.

The two Presidents noted that most SADC Member States had recently declared national emergencies following devastating floods and drought. President Geingob, in his capacity as SADC Chairperson, recalled the launch of the SADC Regional Appeal for Humanitarian Assistance in response to Tropical Cyclone Idai and Kenneth that afflicted Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The two Presidents reaffirmed their support towards the full implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement in view of the recent natural environment calamities which befell the region. Furthermore, the two Heads of State applauded the decision of the two countries to cooperate in the metrology sector to mitigate the effects of climate change.

At the regional level, the two Presidents exchanged views on the prevailing political, economic and security situation in the SADC region. In this context, the two Presidents re-affirmed their commitment to work together in pursuit of the regional economic integration.

The two Heads of State further underscored the necessity for Africa to take its destiny in its own hands, especially through vigourous pursuit of the objectives of collective economic independence, and the strengthening of regional and continental frameworks for the promotion of socio-economic advancement of Africa. In this connection, President Geingob reiterated Namibia’s concern over the socioeconomic difficulties experienced by Zimbabwe exacerbated by the economic and targeted sanctions imposed by Western countries. He called on the immediate and unconditional lifting of the sanctions that are causing untold hardship to the people of Zimbabwe and stressed the need for constructive engagement and dialogue with the Government of Zimbabwe.

The two Presidents welcomed the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area. They noted the urgent need for African countries to intensify intra-African trade as a tool to fast-track the African Union’s long-term

developmental vision of Agenda 2063, thereby realizing the Africa We Want.The two Heads of State applauded the continued consolidation of democracy and good governance in the region, commended the SADC countries for the peaceful and credible elections held and called on the international community to continue assisting the people of the DRC in their efforts towards consolidating peace, national reconstruction and economic development.

The two Presidents expressed satisfaction with the recently held SADC Solidarity Conference on Western Sahara, which brought to the forefront the plight of the Saharawi people. Despite the momentum brought about by the holding of the Solidarity Conference, the two Presidents noted the lack of progress in the implementation of UN resolutions on Western Sahara. They called upon the international community to intensify efforts towards the full exercise of the inalienable right to self-determination and national independence of the Saharawi people.

They equally expressed serious concern about the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, particularly the situation in Palestine. Both Presidents called for the immediate implementation of the relevant UN Resolutions on Palestine.

With regards to the reform and democratization of the United Nations, especially the Security Council, the two Presidents reaffirmed the African Common Position, contained in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.

Whilst in Namibia, President Mnangagwa held a Breakfast Business Forum with the Namibian and Zimbabwean business community in Windhoek. He also visited MEATCO in Windhoek, Seaflower Pelagic Fishing Porcessing (Pty) in Walvis Bay as well as a site visit at NamPort.

President Mnangagwa laid a wreath at the Heroes’ Acre in honour of the fallen heroes and heroines of Namibia.

The two Presidents agreed to elevate the Joint Commission mechanism to a Bi- National Commission (BNC), to be co-Chaired by the Presidents of Namibia and Zimbabwe. The Inaugural Session of the BNC will be held in 2021.

At the end of his visit, His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency President Hage G. Geingob, the Government and people of Namibia for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during his visit.
Issued at Walvis Bay on 26 July 2019

1.On day in 2013 l was busy campaigning for Robert Gabriel Mugabe in a campaign dubbed Bhora Mugedhi,we were made to believe Dr @JoiceMujuru_ would takeover immediately after an electoral victory,we were NAIVE. pic.twitter.com/5TDsGF1dyC

— Setfree Nherera Mafukidze ?? (@cdesetfree) July 24, 2019

By Own Correspondent| Son to LEAD President Linda Masarira was on Wednesday slapped with a six months jail term for stealing his mother’s mobile phone.

Kuzivakwashe Muhlanga was sentenced to six months behind bars when he appeared before Harare Magistrate Joseph Munhondo, for theft.

Muhlanga was facing charges of Contravening, Section 113 of The Criminal Law [Codification and Reform] Act Chapter 2:23.

The State led by Felistas Mangoma told the court that on July 3 Masarira and her husband left home for a road test for 30 minutes and came back home but did not see Muhlanga at home.

Masarira went to bath and when she was about to finish, she asked her husband to take her phone which was under a pillow in the bedroom and put it in her handbag.

Masarira’s husband Gilbert could not locate the cell phone, charger and the earphones from where Masarira had placed them.

Masarira then reported the case to Malborough Police station, leading to the arrest of Muhlanga.

The Police took Muhlanga to Masarira’s house where the cell phone, valued at $650, charger and earphones were recovered in his room.-H Metro

THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has dismissed as a hoax, a notice circulating on social media to the effect that fuel prices have increased to slightly above $9 per litre.

Responding to emailed questions yesterday, Zera acting chief executive officer, Mr Eddington Mazambani said the public should ignore fake social media messages meant to cause alarm and despondency.

“Zera wishes to inform the public that the official fuel price increase is the one which came into effect on 22 July 2019 and had $7,19 and $7,47 for diesel and blend respectively as new prices,” said Mr Mazambani.

He said Zera has formal channels that it uses to communicate important information in the energy sector instead of falsehoods peddled on social media platforms.

The fake fuel price had created panic among members of the public who were claiming that the new changes would have a knock on effect on prices in general.

Zera introduced new fuel prices last Monday which saw petrol selling for $7,47 up from $6,10 while the pump price for diesel jumped from $ 5,84 to $7,19.

In effecting the fuel price increase, Mr Mazambani said the adjustments were in line with changes on the international market.

“The increases are as a result of the movement in the foreign currency exchange rates and the Free On Board (FOB) price. These are global charges and are beyond our control,” he said.

FOB is identified as costs carry components like insurance and places the liability of damage with the seller until delivery. 

Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira has now been arraigned before Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi.

Prosecutor Michael Reza has read out the 7 counts of alleged criminal abuse of office. The prosecution wants Mupfumira remanded in custody for 21 days.

Defence lawyer Charles Chinyama now arguing against the prosecution’s application for extended detention. Says Mupfumira is a high ranking public official and is of fixed abode.

Chinyama: If you look at count one to seven, there is no evidence against the accused (Mupfumira). The State is relying on what it calls verbal instructions. There is no paper trail.

Chinyama: The motor vehicle in question was purchased on the basis of a loan to the Ministry of Finance by NSSA. It is a misnomer to say there was abuse of office by the accused person. If there was any abuse, it was by the permanent secretary.

Chinyama: NSSA should go to government, the Ministry of Finance, for recourse.

Chinyama: The NSSA CSR fund does not fall under he purview. NSSA is run by a board of directors. Before any money is released under CSR, it has to be authorised by the board, not the minister.

On the US$300,000 allegedly given to Mupfumira for her political activities, Chinyama says she a breakdown prepared by the perm sec, showing how the funds were used, does not show she got a single cent.

Chinyama: NSSA is not a living being and, as such, cannot take verbal instructions. Which living being was given these instructions?

On Mupfumira’s second ministerial SUV, Chinyama says “she is not responsible for vehicle allocation and cannot refuse what she is given by her employer.”

On NSSA-Metbank bailout, Chinyama says the transaction predated Mupfumira’s appointment as minister overseeing NSSA. Her only involvement, after appointment, was to mediate in a dispute over the transaction, between NSSA and Metbank

On NSSA’s property purchases from Metbank, Chinyama says there is no way NSSA would have done so without a resolution. “If there’s a charge to be visited on anyone, it must be on NSSA, for recklessness.”

Re: US$62m Treasury Bills, Chinyama says: “A corporate body, such as NSSA, is in no position to take verbal instructions. None of this was for the accused person’s benefit. What we have here is a purely civil matter between NSSA and Metbank.”

Chinyama: “In relation to housing projects between NSSA and developers, takeoff agreements should take care of risk. Those agreements do not need to be authorised by the minister, but by the NSSA board. If there’s anything amiss, that’s a matter between NSSA and the developers.”

Chinyama: What we have in the end is a huge figure of US$95m, but it can’t stick on the accused. She’s too smart for it. We have a case here where figures are thrown into the air in the hope that they will stick.

Mupfumira case, prosecutors and defence lawyers currently jousting over a certificate for further detention placed before the magistrate. In terms of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, prosecutors may seek to extend detention to 21 days.

Mupfumira’s lawyers argue that Section 32 of CP& E Act rendered void by Section 50 of the Constitution, which they say provides for mandatory bail.

Prosecutor Reza says ZACC and police are struggling to trace Mupfumira’s transactions. “She has hidden the money very well.”

Reza: There are however, 5 instances of NSSA transactions where the payee is ‘P. Mupfumira.’

Prosecutor Reza: “The police have proof of payments from NSSA to Metbank, and suspicious payments to the accused’s companies. ZACC is still investigating the final destiny of these amounts.”

Reza: There are two principal actors, the accused and Metbank. Metbank is deeply embedded in all these transactions.

Reza: Metbank was in dire straits and the accused directed NSSA to buy four properties at inflated prices from Metbank. Immediately afterwards, Metbank was fluid.

Magistrate Mutevedzi to rule on the State’s application to detain #Mupfumira for a further 21 days at 10am on Saturday, July 27.

The minister will spend another night in custody, magistrate rules

1/2 A man in Bulawayo has fallen victim to Fraud after he received a telephone call from a fraudster only identified as Martin Malanga. The fraudster using an SA phone number contacted the complainant promising to supply South African products for his shop.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) July 26, 2019

2/2 He supplied a bank account for a local where complainant deposited ZW $12 000, 00, and thereafter became evasive and eventually switched off his number. Members of the public are urged to verify the authenticity of purported business entities before committing their monies.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) July 26, 2019

Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira has now been arraigned before Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi. Prosecutor Michael Reza has read out the 7 counts of alleged criminal abuse of office. The prosecution wants Mupfumira remanded in custody for 21 days.

Defence lawyer Charles Chinyama now arguing against the prosecution’s application for extended detention. Says Mupfumira is a high ranking public official and is of fixed abode.

Chinyama: If you look at count one to seven, there is no evidence against the accused (Mupfumira). The State is relying on what it calls verbal instructions. There is no paper trail.

Chinyama: The motor vehicle in question was purchased on the basis of a loan to the Ministry of Finance by NSSA. It is a misnomer to say there was abuse of office by the accused person. If there was any abuse, it was by the permanent secretary.

Chinyama: NSSA should go to government, the Ministry of Finance, for recourse.

Chinyama: The NSSA CSR fund does not fall under he purview. NSSA is run by a board of directors. Before any money is released under CSR, it has to be authorised by the board, not the minister.

On the US$300,000 allegedly given to Mupfumira for her political activities, Chinyama says she a breakdown prepared by the perm sec, showing how the funds were used, does not show she got a single cent.

Chinyama: NSSA is not a living being and, as such, cannot take verbal instructions. Which living being was given these instructions?

On Mupfumira’s second ministerial SUV, Chinyama says “she is not responsible for vehicle allocation and cannot refuse what she is given by her employer.”

On NSSA-Metbank bailout, Chinyama says the transaction predated Mupfumira’s appointment as minister overseeing NSSA. Her only involvement, after appointment, was to mediate in a dispute over the transaction, between NSSA and Metbank

On NSSA’s property purchases from Metbank, Chinyama says there is no way NSSA would have done so without a resolution. “If there’s a charge to be visited on anyone, it must be on NSSA, for recklessness.”

Re: US$62m Treasury Bills, Chinyama says: “A corporate body, such as NSSA, is in no position to take verbal instructions. None of this was for the accused person’s benefit. What we have here is a purely civil matter between NSSA and Metbank.”

Chinyama: “In relation to housing projects between NSSA and developers, takeoff agreements should take care of risk. Those agreements do not need to be authorised by the minister, but by the NSSA board. If there’s anything amiss, that’s a matter between NSSA and the developers.”

Chinyama: What we have in the end is a huge figure of US$95m, but it can’t stick on the accused. She’s too smart for it. We have a case here where figures are thrown into the air in the hope that they will stick.

Mupfumira case, prosecutors and defence lawyers currently jousting over a certificate for further detention placed before the magistrate. In terms of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, prosecutors may seek to extend detention to 21 days.

Mupfumira’s lawyers argue that Section 32 of CP& E Act rendered void by Section 50 of the Constitution, which they say provides for mandatory bail.

Prosecutor Reza says ZACC and police are struggling to trace Mupfumira’s transactions. “She has hidden the money very well.”

Reza: There are however, 5 instances of NSSA transactions where the payee is ‘P. Mupfumira.’

Prosecutor Reza: “The police have proof of payments from NSSA to Metbank, and suspicious payments to the accused’s companies. ZACC is still investigating the final destiny of these amounts.”

Reza: There are two principal actors, the accused and Metbank. Metbank is deeply embedded in all these transactions.

Reza: Metbank was in dire straits and the accused directed NSSA to buy four properties at inflated prices from Metbank. Immediately afterwards, Metbank was fluid.

Magistrate Mutevedzi to rule on the State’s application to detain #Mupfumira for a further 21 days at 10am on Saturday, July 27.

The minister will spend another night in custody, magistrate rules.

1/2 Police in Beitbridge have arrested 2 men for smuggling a Ford Ranger motor vehicle with SA registration plates HZB 884 MP through an illegal crossing point along Limpopo River. The motor vehicle was intercepted at Bubi roadblock site along on 22/07/2019 at around 0200 hours.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) July 26, 2019

2/2 The driver produced a fake import permit indicating that the vehicle was on transit to Zambia. The suspects are in police custody and they will appear in court soon.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) July 26, 2019

Jane Mlambo| Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi will tomorrow at 10am make a ruling on the State’s application to detain Tourism Minister, Prisca Mupfumira for a further 21 days.

Following the state’s application that she be detained for a further 21 days, Mupfumira’s lawyer Charles Chinyama argued against extended detention saying she is a high ranking public official and is of fixed abode.

Mupfumira appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court to answer to charges of corruption and abuse of office.

She was arrested yesterday by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).