GOVERNMENT and Apex Council negotiators are set to meet to continue with negotiations that will culminate in an agreement over civil servants’ cushioning allowances.
The proposed meeting of negotiators, which is potentially set for today, saw Government yesterday postponing the announcement of a cocktail of measures aimed at cushioning its workers from the vagaries of inflation.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza, were expected to announce a cushioning intervention yesterday.
Senior Government officials told state media last night that the anticipated negotiations which could take place today, resulted in the postponement of the announcement of cushioning interventions to give talks a chance.
“Nothing happened today (yesterday) but tomorrow (today) we expect Government negotiators and the Apex Council negotiators to meet and talk,” said a senior Government official on condition of anonymity.
“It is a meeting to continue discussing cushioning package for civil servants.”
Sources said Government did not want to be seen to be negotiating in bad faith by announcing a cushioning allowance then attend talks.
Government is determined to engage civil servants through their representatives and deliberate over their conditions of service despite limited resources.
President Mnangagwa has already met civil servants’ representatives to get their concerns and explore avenues of addressing them.
A 40 percent cushioning intervention has already been extended to civil servants and is set to continue for the next five months as a “more modest amount” while other interventions are being worked out.
Apex Council president Mrs Cecilia Alexander has indicated that their members want value for their salaries.
Recent price increases have eroded the value of employees’ salaries.
Minister Nzenza confirmed that she was aware of the meeting between Government and Apex Council negotiators.
“Yes I am,” she said, adding that “Government fully understands the difficult situation faced by workers given the rising costs of basic commodities.
“My ministry, through the Apex Council is engaged in negotiations. At the same time, the ministry is positive that the newly enacted TNF (Tripartite Negotiating Forum (Act) will enable positive dialogue with both business and workers on socio-economic issues affecting our country.”
Vice President Kembo Mohadi chats with president of the Chiefs’ Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira, in Gweru yesterday
VICE President Kembo Mohadi yesterday said Government is crafting a law that will protect chiefs from being summoned by magistrates as witnesses after making a ruling at customary courts.
Addressing Chiefs from the eight districts in the Midlands province in Gweru yesterday, Vice President Mohadi said summoning traditional chiefs as witnesses in matters they would have dealt with is tantamount to looking down upon their esteemed office.
Mohadi’s call comes after Ntabazinduna Chief Nhlanhla Ndiweni was dragged to court in a case allegedly instigated by ZANU PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu where the chief is accused of malicious damage to property and violence.
Chief Ndiweni had given a ruling at his court that a subject’s wife who had been caught sleeping with other married men in the village should vacate her husband’s home, but she did not comply with the order since they had resolved the matter as a couple, prompting the chief to order the destruction of his fence and kraal.
The former Home Affairs and Culture Minister was dragged to court to testify after Chief Ndiweni alleged that Mpofu was behind his arrest and had influenced the complainant in their matter, Mr Fetti Mbele, to file criminal charges against the chief and his advisers.
VP Mohadi said traditional chiefs ought to be respected as they were the reservoirs and fountains of the country’s rich cultural heritage which is the backbone of the peace and tranquillity enjoyed in the country.
He said as such, President Mnangagwa had tasked the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi to craft a law that gives traditional chiefs extra powers so that they are not summoned by the magistrates after making judgments at their customary courts.
“As I engage chiefs in their provinces on this very important subject of peace building and conflict resolution, it has become very apparent to me that for chiefs to effectively perform this important role of peace building and conflict resolution, their status and powers have to be enhanced. Chiefs have complained about being dragged to magistrates’ courts after they have made judgments at their customary courts which undermines their status,” he said.
“Chiefs have complained that they are called as witnesses by magistrates. Why are magistrates not called by the High Court to come as a witnesses? We engaged His Excellency and the Minister of Justice has been asked to look into the matter and come up with rules and regulations so that it doesn’t happen in future because we want the chiefs’ judgments to be respected.”
VP Mohadi said he has already been to Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South consulting chiefs on how to build and sustain peace in the country.
He said maintaining peace is among the main roles played by traditional leaders in many African countries.
VP Mohadi said the influence of chiefs goes a long way in resolving disputes between family members within and among communities and occasionally across State lines.
He said the late VP Cde John Landa Nkomo preached peace when he said, “peace begins with me, peace begins with you, and peace begins with all of us.”
“Our constitution recognises the status and the role of our traditional leaders and clearly articulates their functions which are, to promote and uphold cultural values of their communities and in particular to promote sound values, to take measures to preserve the culture, traditions, history and heritage of their communities, including sacred shrines, to facilitate development and to resolve disputes involving people in their communities in accordance with the customary law,” said VP Mohadi.
GOVERNMENT has appointed a team to investigate the circumstances leading to the suspension of Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube.
The team is expected to arrive in the city today and start work tomorrow.
Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Clr Tinashe Kambarami on Thursday last week suspended Mr Dube and with the help of clr Silas Chigora and other councillors, violently ejected him from his office.
They accuse Mr Dube of abuse of office among other allegations.
Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni lifted the suspension the following day.
The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has appointed a team to investigate circumstances leading to Mr Dube’s suspension.
The council’s Chamber Secretary Mrs Sikhangele Zhou through a letter yesterday notified the councillors of the pending investigations.
“Please be informed that an investigation team has been dispatched to investigate the recent events surrounding the suspension of the Town Clerk. The investigating team from the Ministry will arrive in Bulawayo tomorrow (today) (18th July 2019) and will start work on the 19th July, 2019. Please note that you will be called to give evidence. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated,” reads Mrs Zhou’s letter to councillors.
Contacted for further clarification, Mrs Zhou said, she was in Harare and could not comment on developments that were happening in the city.
Clr Mguni confirmed receiving a letter from Mrs Zhou.
He however said he was not in a position to comment on the matter.
The members of the probe team could not be established last night.
Last Friday, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo told a press briefing that circumstances leading to Mr Dube’s suspension were unfortunate.
“But you can’t correct a situation of that nature without us looking into why and how it happened,” said Minister Moyo.
The 45 Degree soldier with others shooting at innocent civilians on 1st August 2018
At a time when the “45 degree” soldier together with Emmerson Mnangagwa and senior officials who incited military violence to change election results, 9 months before, walk scotfree, an opposition activist Paddington Japajapa was yesterday jailed for an effective two years after he was found guilty of contravening Section 66A of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13 (unofficial or false declaration of results).
Harare magistrate Mrs Learnmore Mapiye initially slapped Japajapa with three years imprisonment before suspending one year on condition of good behaviour.
In her ruling, Mrs Mapiye said Japajapa had a previous conviction not related to the present case.
She said Japajapa was accredited to monitor elections, but he ended up interfering with the announcement of results.
It was the State’s case that on July 31, Japajapa held a Press conference at a time election results were being announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and threatened to call for chaos, claiming the elections had been rigged.
Following the incitement by Japajapa, MDC-Alliance supporters violently stormed the city’s central business district in protest, leading to the destruction of property whose value is yet to be ascertained.
In his previous conviction on an unrelated case, Harare magistrate Mr Nyasha Vitorini convicted Japajapa of disorderly conduct for insulting Zambian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zelipa Chitambo after he failed to secure a maize import licence.
The court heard that on October 13, 2017, Japajapa, who was in the company of five women, visited the Zambian Embassy at 48 Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, Harare, intending to see the trade attaché over the importation of grain from Zambia.
Japajapa was informed that the attaché was not available. He then demanded to see the ambassador, but was told that he could only see her after making an appointment.
Ambassador Chitambo later introduced herself to Japajapa.
Japajapa then asked the ambassador: “Why do you employ such kind of people? They don’t know what they will be doing. You should get rid of them.”
Ambassador Chitambo advised Japajapa that Zambia had stopped exporting grain to Zimbabwe and Japajapa said: “This is not the only embassy that can help us. We will seek help from other embassies.”IS
1/2 – Dear Editor. CID police were involved in a shootout with armed robbers this afternoon in Kwekwe. Five robbers were shot by the cops after exchanging gunfire. The shootout happened along the City- Mbizo Road. Just before Zimasco, Chibuku depot area.
2/2 – There was a high speed chase and the police shot the tyres of the vehicle that the robbers were in. The robbers were then shot as they tried to escape on foot while exchanging gun fire with the detectives. Two robbers died on the spot. Three shot on the legs.
The MDC Alliance has summoned Bulawayo councillors to its headquarters in Harare where party president Mr Nelson Chamisa is expected to deal with the chaos and alleged corruption dogging the local authority.
This comes as former councillors in the city held a crisis meeting yesterday and slammed the current crop of city fathers for shaming the City of Kings.
The meeting held at the small city hall was attended by two former city Mayors Martin Moyo and Thaba Moyo as well as 15 former councillors.
Last week, Bulawayo City Council was thrown into turmoil after Deputy Mayor Clr Tinashe Kambarami and his sidekick Clr Silas Chigora suspended the Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube and violently removed him from office.
Mr Dube was accused of abuse of office among other charges. Bulawayo Mayor Solomon Mguni lifted Mr Dube’s suspension the following day but he was only able to access his office on Monday after the local authority engaged the services of a locksmith. Clr Kambarami is still holding onto the keys despite the lifting of the suspension of Mr Dube by his boss.
Following the developments, the MDC Alliance has summoned the councillors to Harare today for a meeting with Mr Chamisa.
Clr Mguni yesterday confirmed that they are meeting the MDC president Mr Chamisa in Harare today.
“It’s true. We received the notice from the provincial chairperson, Honourable James Sithole yesterday. The president is meeting all party deploys to Government. It’s not unusual. It’s for purposes of accountability and performance measurement. As you know we are accountable both to Government as well as to the party that deployed us,” said Clr Mguni.
He said he was not privy to the agenda but however said his council was directed by the party last Saturday to reinstate the Town Clerk and bring normalcy to the city.
Clr Mguni said the meeting with president Chamisa and other party executive members would afford his council an opportunity to brief the leadership on developments in his council.
“I guess the leadership will expect a briefing on the progress we have made so far in that regard. We are so excited that at least the party sees it fit to meet us so that we can deal with the noise in the cockpit of BCC. We are quite happy that the president will at least give leadership and direction on the matter,” he said.
Meanwhile, in an interview after their meeting, former Mayor Thaba Moyo said the aldermen committee was a recognised group in the local authority and their meeting was sanctioned.
He said as aldermen they condemn the uncivilised manner in which council is being run.
“We do not just interfere with the running of the council but we only come in when we realise that the city is diverting from its core business. That’s the reason why we held today’s meeting. It is a crisis meeting because there is conflict among the people who are supposed to work together in advancing the city’s development agenda,” said Ald Moyo.
He said they resolved to meet the mayor Clr Mguni so he could brief them on what is happening at council so that they could also proffer solutions.
The tiff between the Town Clerk and some councillors allegedly started after he resisted their moves to interfere with council management operations.
The councillors are said to be angry that the Town Clerk has refused to involve them in the distribution of the $5 million ward retention fund as well as the allocation of stands and premises. – state media
A man who fatally axed a suspected sex worker in Bulawayo’s Montrose suburb before burying her body in a shallow grave has been sentenced to an effective 30 years in jail.
Charles Ndlovu (38) of Insuza struck Ms Nqobile Tshuma (36) of Makokoba suburb twice on the back of the head with an axe after the two had an altercation over an undisclosed issue.
The woman died on the spot and Ndlovu buried the body at a house in Montrose suburb where he was a caretaker.
Dogs dug up the body and started feasting on it and a report was made to the police. Ndlovu and Ms Tshuma met at a pub in Makokoba and agreed to spend the night together.
Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Maxwell Takuva, yesterday convicted Ndlovu of murder with actual intent. He condemned Ndlovu’s conduct, describing his actions as deplorable.
In passing sentence, Justice Takuva said the courts have a duty to protect the sanctity of human life through passing deterrent sentences.
“No one is allowed to take away someone’s God-given life and therefore this trend must be nipped in the bud through imposing stiff penalties on perpetrators.
“In aggravation, soon after committing the offence, the accused person buried the body in a shallow grave at the back of the house to conceal the crime.
“We note that the accused person’s conduct resulted in unnecessary loss of life and as such he deserves to a long custodial sentence as punishment for his callous actions,” he said.
Prosecuting, Mr Trust Muduma said on December 25, 2017, Ndlovu went to MaDlodlo Beer Garden in Makokoba and hired the services of Ms Tshuma who was a cigarette vendor and a lady of the night.
The two went to a house in Montrose where they intended to spend the night together.
Ndlovu, a part time caretaker, had been left in charge of Mr Mthelisi Sebele’s house.
The court heard that in the middle of the night, Ndlovu and Ms Tshuma had a misunderstanding over an undisclosed issue.
Ndlovu allegedly picked an axe and struck Ms Tshuma twice on the back of her head and she fell to the floor and died. He then buried the body in a shallow grave at the back of the yard.
“Soon after committing the offence, Ndlovu buried the body in a shallow grave in the backyard of the house,” said Mr Muduma.
The crime came to light when dogs dug up the body and started feasting on it. A report was made to the police leading to Ndlovu’s arrest.
According to post mortem results, Ms Tshuma’s death was due to head injury, depressed skull fracture and assault.
In his defence through his lawyer, Mr Prince Butshe-Dube of Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers, Ndlovu said on that particular day he was not in control of his mental faculties after having smoked dagga which resulted in hallucinations.
He said he struck the deceased by mistake after allegedly mistaking her for two strangers he claimed had rushed to his room upon spotting him.
Ndlovu said he only discovered that he had killed Ms Tshuma on the following morning.
“Out of panic, I decided to bury her in a shallow grave before I fled from the scene,” said Ndlovu. – state media
Below is the full text of Auxillia Mnangagwa’s rant as she begged a top colonel in the Presidential Guard for mercy. Auxillia was talking to col Samson Murombo. She said, “I am coming to your office. You are silly. You are silly. You do not play with a woman, she will humiliate you. You are very silly you. I said you are silly. I said you are silly. I do not drink beer and I am not a prostitute, my friend. I am going to finish my business with you. I am not going to deal with your job, but I just want you and your flesh. I don’t care about your job I am going to go into battle with you a man, fighting a woman. A man against a woman, this is what I am telling you that you have underestimated me. I want to ask you, you want to kill me why do you want to kill me. Why are you spying on me to get to the extent of asking me how far are you?
“What do you want Murombo, what really do you want from me? I am really shaken, I am just a woman in a woman I I am just a grandmother a mere grandmother.
“Old people like you; you then choose to spy on me surely. Go and shoot Emmerson Mnangagwa himself. But as for me, please forgive me, I have children. Shoot Emmerson Mnangagwa himself.
“Because I know these stories these things are what you are doing go and shoot him. Go and shoot him come on, you. What is it, what and why do you want to shoot me? What have I done? I am a threat to you in what way, Murombo? I don’t trail your wife, there is nowhere where you have see anything I have done to you. I’m coming to your office; you are spying on me; you are spying on me this is your job.
“The phone number I know it. Manjoro, if you’re asking he says he has the number. But because he is gone you have raised the matter again. What do you want from me? What do you want from me? Just tell me what you want from me because if I die, it is your fault. You don’t spy on me you have to tell me what you want.”
A 38-year old man from Bulawayo lost R40 000 and US$ 100 in the city’s central business district while attending to a minor accident he had been involved in as he was about to park his car.
The man who was driving a Botswana registered Granvia vehicle could not be immediately named as police said they do not want to jeopardise their investigations.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the theft from the vehicle. In recent months, there have been an increase in the number of people losing large sums of money left in cars.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the incident occurred last Thursday. “We are investigating a case where a man in Bulawayo lost R40 000 and US$100 which was in his Granvia vehicle while trying to park.
“It is alleged that he was involved in a minor road accident involving a Toyota Wish which was in one of the parking bays.
In the process the complainant and the driver of the car exited their vehicles to check damages and when they were checking and discussing, an unknown person went to the complainant’s car and took away R40 000 and US$100 which was in his vehicle and went away,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said the public should avoid moving around with large sums of money in their vehicles as this increases chances of being targeted by thieves.
“In this case we cannot rule out the possibility of information filtering that this person was carrying large sums of money and there is likelihood that he could have been followed,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi appealed to members of the public who might have information that could lead to the arrest of those involved in the case to report to any nearest police station. – state media
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr John Mangudya said next week the central bank will review upwards bank withdrawal limits that have been pegged at $300 per week for over a year now.
Dr Mangudya revealed this on the sidelines of an interactive meeting convened by the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa involving monetary and fiscal authorities and female church leaders over the recently introduced Statutory Instrument 142.
The aim of the meeting was to find ways on how the stakeholders can explain the instrument in a manner that benefit the general public.
Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019, effectively ended the multi-currency system and determined the “Zimbabwe dollar” as the sole legal trading currency in the country.
“There has been concerns, because of high inflation, that the $300 per week is no longer sufficient to cater for people’s needs,” he said.
“We are currently reviewing it and maybe next week after we would have gone through reviews with the banks, we can then put that in motion as quickly as possible,” he said.
“The implications of reviewing the withdrawal limit is positive to consumers because after getting your money let’s say $400 or $500, you will now go and buy your products at cheaper prices because they say it’s cheaper to purchase in cash than in RTGS transfers or EcoCash.”
He said it was regrettable that some of the customers ended up abusing the cash they withdrew using it for speculative purposes.
“We are, however, asking people to have self-discipline to ensure that at the end of the day we just use the money for purposes of transacting not for selling it for a premium, he said.
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Commenting on the black market of currencies, Dr Mangudya said it was scourge that needed policing.
“What we are saying is that, it is a scourge which needs policing, it needs the force of the police through the Reserve Bank and all the other law enforcements agents.
“There is need to get rid of those people who are selling currency in forex or local dollars in the streets,” he said.
The Governor implored Zimbabweans to bring serial numbers of new notes being sold on the black market to enable the central bank to track the culprits.
“If you find new notes on the streets kindly approach our offices with the serial numbers so that we quickly trace where they came from because as RBZ we have information of all the notes distributed to banks,” he said.
Dr Mangudya urged the public to unite for the development of the country, adding that the country was on a transition to normalcy.
Have stated here before that Auxillia Mnangagwa's love for the media, her commandeering of the public media on her tomfoolery activities will be the source of her downfall. Now the state media is silent on her audio rants against a ZNA Commander clearly authenticating it. Zvozipa pic.twitter.com/q31Abc9flQ
By A Correspondent| Warriors “super fan” Alvin Aluvah Zhakata was presented with a VIP ticket for the Afcon final between Algeria and Senegal on Friday by CAF president Ahmad Ahmad.
Zhakata who traversed the 11 000km-journey from Cape Town to Cairo by road however finally arrived at AFCON to find his home team Zimbabwe already booted out of the tournament after they were defeated in the first round of the group matches.
There has been an allegation made in which a Mr Gift Kugara (a convicted violent criminal, and a frequenter in UK prisons, 3 years plus in sentences, running under a fake surname “Mawire” of whom are many female victims, and a militia) passed claiming that a journalist tried to influence the Zim Netball team to seek asylum.
It is a no-brainer that this allegation was notoriously crafted to attack the journalistic work covered so far to expose massive looting of public funds meant for the Zim Netball team, so that more money is stolen from the Zim gems.
After a long period of consultations with the sources, we have been assured that the best way forward for the players’ safety, is to go into full disclosure as much as is possible, with permission.
Our short response is: everything from the 1st July 2019, 4 days before the players had landed in UK, is on LIVE camera, and is timestamped. And where is the worry, is it about the so called “asylum” allegation, or about the looted funds?
The investigative reports revealing the massive looting of the players’ funds were done 4 days before the players had flown to the UK. It was then that the SRC (Sports and Recreation Commission) spokesman, Tiri Nheweyembwa in an interview said that the players’ allowances are a private affair “they are confidential) and he also said only 26 people, (plus 2 govt officials) are traveling to the UK for the Netball WorldCup. Why the secrecy?
Audit reports discussed inside govt offices reveal the fund was however already $39,000 for food short. This was all because of numbers of people added to the expenditure who have nothing whatsoever to do with Netball. Nheweyembwa said the number was not at all 53, as our audit report showed. Nheweyembwa claimed there are no additional 27 people traveling to the UK. But on the official government documentation, clause 3.2 says… “airfares for the additional 27 members will be paid for by from fundraising proceeds.”
4 days later, the Zim govt released a new report that shows a whopping 54 people were en-route to UK( 1 person added to the list).
There are several family members who later raised the alarm for the players’ welfare, saying they were being abused at Hotel Ibis in Liverpool, and they are on LIVE video. Did we order them to do that? There are social workers who raised the alarm, did we order them to do that? They are on LIVE camera.
Thousands of dollars were misappropriated by the fatcats. Does the author acknowledge the role our expose worked to lift the players’ morale?
The only thing one could complain about are the articles exposing the looting of thousands of the players’ funds, vis a vis the refusal to purchase safety shoes for them, the type the players requested, which cost less than £100 each. Another one was the complaint about staggered meals, some which were poor (pictures available). Another matter was the players’ contracts, which in a LIVE interview on 5th July at 9pm, the Netball President Leticia Chipandu promised were already signed and ready for public view, something that later proved to be utterly false.
The Netball Team’s spokesman, Maimba Mapuranga has said no sportsperson in Zimbabwe has a contract. But his boss, Leticia Chipandu is on LIVE camera at Manchester Airport on 5th July, 9pm saying she had contracts to show the public to the effect. 11 days later, where are those contracts? When she was later asked about this last Wednesday morning, Mrs Chipandu told donors to “go to hell” saying she only reports to the Zimbabwean government.
Thousands were collected from British taxpayers, and under British laws, all funds donated have to be disclosed publicly. Maimba Mapuranga claimed under Zimbabweean law this is not a requirement. What he said is not true. And why the secrecy?
Notwithstanding, some of these matters have since improved following our investigative articles (see my LIVE report on Sat) “and on Saturday I made a LIVE report on this as I rallied for support for the Zim team,” said Simba Chikanza.
Perhaps one could complain about why these articles were published. But how can anyone expect the media to keep quiet when players are subjected to such conditions especially those of the national team playing a WorldCup? How can any journalist keep quiet when family members call in in the middle of the night to complain, especially when there is so much evidence? Scores of family members called and one of those who complained of this ill treatment is a relative of the best player of the games (and the world’s 2nd best scorer so far), Joice Takaidza, and they have since praised ZimEye for the hard work in boosting the morale of the girls, making them feel at least valuable.
How can any journalist fail to investigate reports that officials are getting $1,200 per day while the Netball team goes without their promised penny for weeks in a foreign country? One of these left a suckling child at home in Zimbabwe. Imagine this mother arriving back from the UK after nearly a month with not even £100 in hand to show why she abandoned her child, after such a sacrifice for the nation.
Aside the relatives, Suku McKenzie of the Suku Mackenzie Foundation, run by a Zimbabwean mental health professional is the one who reported the case to the Mersyside Police following the relatives’ complaint that the players are being subjected to harassment and death threats should they make their plight public.
Suku Mckenzie raised the alarm saying the “effects of emotional abuse, from intimidation and threats are more serious than physical abuse, and I can testify because I was there when the players did not want to talk, amid all this evidence, when I tried to talk to them. Emotional abuse causes great harm. Emotional abuse and being made to feel powerless has an effect on the individual. Why would you expect a gem to win a game when they are not being given the voice to stand for themselves?,” she said.
One of the signs of an abuser are seen in a person who refuses to be accountable and this can be seen in the way Leticia Chipandu says, it is none of your business, anyone can “go to hell,” said Suku McKenzie.
“They also make their victims feel guilty”, added McKenzie.
Suku McKenzie was also concerned after players raised the alarm over their need for the right shoes, for safety. They said many had been injured during practice and this could have been reduced were all players wearing the right safety shoes of which the team members identified Asics for Netball, a shoe type widely reviewed and recommended by professionals for the M&S Arena’s slippery surface. These recommendations come despite bold denials by the Netball Team’s spokesman, Mr Maimba Mapuranga who as late as the following week, Tuesday 15th July said the Asics shoe is unnecessary because as he claims, “the girls have played in Japan with their shoes bought from Zimbabwe.” While we are no experts in these things, if a player of WorldCup level were to approach us as Netball Officials to tell us for their health and safety, they need a shoe that costs less than £100, does it make sense to deny them access to the thousands of dollars already donated for their use?
We then published and raised the alarm over this matter, and later on Friday, Mrs Chipandu released £40 each to the players so they could purchase the Asics. But the shoe costs £79,99.
On Friday we got donors to rush to the Liverpool One, to try to purchase these shoes. One of the donors was at the Ibis hotel, denied access to the players and she is on LIVE video complaining about this.
To date, we have been (regularly as much as we can) with the team from day one; and if our articles were false, misleading or damaging, how could the Netball President, Leticia Chipandu hug ZimEye’s Simba Chikanza on Sunday 14th July and acknowledge that this expose was necessary? Is it not because of the articles, that the meals for the players have been improved, at least so far, despite none of the promised allowances being paid to date?
To date the players do not have their promised allowances. Should the media keep quiet about this?
Should any of these LIVE videos be doubted, we are available right now and even on video call, and our phone numbers remain open.
And now to the allegations of ordering or even influencing the seeking of “asylum,” these are false, malicious, and in any case, any person found doing as alleged, is guilty of a serious crime under British law. Such a person, journalist or not, must with immediate effect be reported to the nearest police station (no Twitter games needed). No further comment.
By A Correspondent- Qatar Airways will on 27 October 2019 become the first Middle Eastern airline to operate to the capital of Botswana.
According to a statement released by the airliner, Qatar Airways will service the Botswana route flying three times weekly to Gaborone.
Read the statement:
DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways is pleased to announce the launch of its new service to Gaborone, Botswana, starting 27 October 2019. The capital and largest city of Botswana will be the airline’s first destination in the African country.
The three-times weekly flights will be operated by an Airbus A350-900 aircraft, featuring 36 seats in Business Class and 247 seats in Economy Class.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are excited to be launching three-weekly flights to Gaborone, another highly sought after destination in Africa. Qatar Airways is committed to growing our presence in Africa and adding to the 22 destinations in 15 countries we already offer. Our new service to the enchanting city of Gaborone will enable us to provide a seamless journey to and from Botswana, for passengers connecting from our extensive network of more than 160 destinations worldwide.”
Gaborone is the capital and the largest city in Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bounded by Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The nation’s vast nature and wildlife have made it a renowned destination for adventurous tourists from across the globe.
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) to more than 160 destinations worldwide. The airline has recently launched an array of exciting new destinations, namely Rabat, Morocco; Izmir, Turkey; Malta; Davao, Philippines; Lisbon, Portugal; and Mogadishu, Somalia. The airline will add Langkawi, Malaysia to its extensive route network in October 2019.
Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite.
Qatar Airways is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating more than 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 160 business and leisure destinations on board a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft. The world’s fastest-growing airline has added a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network this year, including Lisbon, Portugal; Malta; Rabat, Morocco; Davao, Philippines; Izmir, Turkey; and Mogadishu, Somalia; and will add Langkawi, Malaysia, later in 2019.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. Qatar Airways is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.
Qsuite, a patented Qatar Airways product, features the industry’s first-ever double bed in Business Class, as well as privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the industry.
Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 160 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, B777, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA 2022 World Cup, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, one of the world’s leading international air cargo carriers, serves more than 60 freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 160 key business and leisure destinations globally on more than 250 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, 16 Boeing 777 freighters and five Airbus A330 freighters.
By A Correspondent- Addressing delegates at an interactive meeting involving fiscal and monetary authorities and female church leaders at Zimbabwe House in Harare, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube said government abandoned the multi currency system because its scarcity presented challenges for the country.
Detailing what SI 142 was all about to the gathering, Ncube said:
“SI 142 is an instrument introduced by the Government which declared that the sole currency for use within the Zimbabwe borders is the Zimbabwe dollar and eliminated multi-currency.
This local currency is in the form of bond notes, coins and the RTGS dollar which is electronic money. Electronic version extends to EcoCash and other versions of mobile banking services and that is the essence of SI 142.
You are allowed to keep your foreign currency in your pockets because it’s your money, but if you go to the shops change it to local currency.
We introduced the mono currency because we realised that something was going wrong, people were demanding foreign currency yet we are in shortage of it.
Using the US dollar did not solve our foreign currency shortage, but it caused further problems.”
He said a country cannot develop without its own currency, saying Zimbabwe needed to be like other countries using their own currencies.
Prof Ncube added that the use of forex left the country vulnerable to sanctions.
“There were certain banks that were told to stop supplying US dollars to Zimbabwe because certain transactions would involve entities in Zimbabwe that are under sanctions.
“CBZ was fined US$350 million for doing some transactions where they thought they were helping and we are still negotiating a way out of that liability.
“Therefore the more we used US dollar, the more we expose the transactors and businesses to fines,” he said.
The minister also said the timing of the introduction of SI 142 was perfect adding that people should not compare the new era with the 2008 era.
He said by using multi-currency, the country was now creating a two-tier society.
“We now have our own currency and the Government is living within its means and once you are able to do so as Government, then you are ready to manage your domestic currency,” he said.
“Previously we were not living within our means, we were literally printing money and we don’t have to print money we only print what is necessary not excessively.
“This is not 2008, it’s a new era which will take us to Vision 2030. The timing was not sudden, it has been a journey,” he said.
Dr Mangudya also addressed the gathering and urged the public to use the legal channels to change their forex.
“We are on a transition to normalcy and let us make sure that transition is short and let us grow confidence. I can assure you that SI 142 will succeed,” he said.
“The introduction of SI 142 is to rebuild the walls of Zimbabwe and instead of using black market to change forex, open the bureau de change. It’s actually a short process to open. Let us shun illegal forex dealing. Black market won’t take us forward.”-StateMedia
Former Warriors striker, Shingi Kaondera is suing his former wife, Mary Chiwenga, for irregular divorce after she used forged documents to terminate their marriage.
Mary, a former model, divorced the former Darryn Tornadoes striker and married Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
Kaoendera is demanding US$700,000 from Mary, accusing her of “grabbing” all their matrimonial property and impoverishing him.
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Through his lawyers, Kashangura Law Chambers revealed that his marriage to Mary was dissolved by a decree of divorce granted by the High Court on May 19, 2011.
Kaondera filed papers filed on July 15, arguing that Mary never served him with the summons as required by the rules of court. His lawyers said:
Plaintiff (Kaondera) was not in the country but was in Cyprus where he was a professional footballer at the relevant time.
Mary fraudulently caused a return of service to be issued by the deputy sheriff at Harare, falsely claiming that plaintiff had been personally served with the summons on June 22, 2010, at Harare.
Further to that, the defendant (Mary) also fraudulently issued with the honourable court a consent paper dated July 7, 2010, wherein the plaintiff’s signature was forged. Plaintiff never entered into a consent paper with the defendant regarding the divorce proceedings under HC 3805/10.
… As a result of the irregular and fraudulent obtaining of a divorce order by the defendant, the plaintiff was seriously prejudiced in that the defendant remained with all the immovable and movable properties that the parties had acquired during the subsistence of the marriage.
… As a direct result of the defendant’s fraud, plaintiff has been impoverished as the defendant unjustly grabbed all the matrimonial assets that the parties had acquired together contrary to the laws of Zimbabwe.
Wherefore plaintiff prays for an order that the defendant is ordered to pay damages to the plaintiff in the sum of US$700,000 as well as plaintiff’s costs of suit on a higher scale.
Zimbabwe have already won three matches on their World Cup debut CREDIT: PA
A few hours before his side claimed an unlikely third World Cup victory over Barbados on Tuesday, Zimbabwe head coach Lloyd Makunde snatched some time for a quick shopping trip in Liverpool city centre. With a meagre sum of £30, he headed for the nearest sports shop to see how far he could stretch his cash.
The objects of his desire were “cones, resistance bands, hurdles” and the type of training equipment that every netball club in Britain has in abundance, but which are so lacking in Zimbabwe.
By any standards of elite sport it was a paltry amount, but the crucial fact is this was Makunde’s own money; the coach forced to take cash from his own pocket to try to further Zimbabwean netball’s cause. “I am buying for myself, but doing it for the country,” he tells Telegraph Sport.
Makunde is cheery as cars whizz past us on the dual carriageway that Zimbabwe’s budget Liverpool hotel sits on. He has good reason to be content. Having coached the national side for 22 years, he has spent the past few days watching his team take the World Cup by storm on their tournament debut.
Ranked 13th in the world, they are certain to finish no lower than eighth and could yet come fifth – a staggering achievement.
In fact, it is not just their first time at a World Cup, but the first time they have played any of the world’s best teams. Ordinarily consigned to facing only fellow African opposition, they did once fly out to Hong Kong, where they faced lowly nations who failed to even qualify for this tournament. That is the sum of their global netball experience.
So the fact they have beaten Sri Lanka, Northern Ireland and Barbados, as well as causing unexpected problems for reigning world champions Australia, is something of a marvel. Even more so when you consider the hardship they have endured to even be here.
With money hard to come by and sporting funds in an overwhelmingly patriarchal society diverted towards the nation’s male footballers, the netball team were forced to crowdfund their way to this tournament.
Even then, says Makunde, “we were with our begging bowl and nobody looked at us”. The desperate hope is that success in Liverpool will change that.
Zimbabwe’s fans have been one of the revelations of the World Cup CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
“Our game is rising bit by bit,” says Makunde. “But imagine if we had the funding that we want, the equipment, the infrastructure.
“We have only one indoor court in Zimbabwe, but it is being used by basketball and volleyball, so it’s hard for us to use. So we train outdoors. It was only when we came here that we started practising on the type of court everyone else uses.
“We need training equipment. We always come up with anything to substitute equipment, but you can’t substitute something like a resistance band. While I am here I’m going to buy myself some equipment with the little I have, so that when I get home I can rely on that, lest anything doesn’t change.”
Just two of Zimbabwe’s World Cup squad ply their trade away from their home country – star shooter Joice Takaidza, who lives in Australia, and Adelaide Muskwe, a student at Nottingham Trent, whose twin brother Admiral plays football for Leicester City.
The hope, says long-term captain Perpetua Siyachitema, is that some of her team might be scouted to join Severn Stars player Muskwe in the English Superleague, or one of the other major global leagues.
That prospect has gone for Siyachitema – one of a large majority of Zimbabwe players who are also mothers – whose international career will come to an end after this World Cup.
She can retire content having played the best teams in the world, in front of a spectacular troop of Zimbabwean fans who have lit up the M&S Bank Arena every day.
“I was so excited when I saw we were in a group with Australia and New Zealand because it has always been my dream to play them,” she says. “We really wanted to prove how good we are. We only play other African teams so we aren’t out there on the netball map. People don’t know us.”
For any progress to be made, that must change immediately, says Makunde. He has a simple plea to the world’s leading netball nations: “Let us play you.”
He says: “Imagine if we had come here after playing a friendly with England, Jamaica or New Zealand. Then we could sit down and learn from where we went wrong. Think how much better we would be now.
“Even for tournaments in Africa, teams like South Africa, Uganda and Malawi don’t come because they are low profile tournaments. So we are only able to play teams ranked lower than us.
“We have abundant talent in Zimbabwe. If we can get exposure and financial resource I know we can go far. If we get that, I assure you come the next World Cup we will be a force to be reckoned with.”
At inception, AFCON set out lofty ambitions for itself. 62 years later, it falls just short.
An AFCON Qualification match in 2012 between Togo and Gabon.
This article is part of “In the name of the beautiful game“, a series of articles on football and how it intersects with all aspects of our lives.
What meaning does the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have for the continent today? The competition was established at the high noon of decolonisation in the mid-20th century with Pan-African ideals of unity and cooperation at its heart. The current tournament in Egypt is the 32nd edition. That’s a whole lot of football, but has the tournament fulfilled the aspirations of its visionary founders of African solidarity and autonomy?
Look critically at the tournament’s history and you’ll find a story of a beloved and venerable African institution that has bent to pressures imposed on it by Europe and that too often serves to enrich local elites at the expense of the ordinary football-lovers that make the competition so special.
“We do not accept the division of Africa”
In its first few decades, AFCON aspired to a pan-African vision. The inaugural tournament was held in Khartoum in 1957 to celebrate the formation of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). According to historian Peter Alegi, author of African Soccerscapes, the first tournament was the vehicle for political idealism. “It sought to assert Africans’ equality with Europeans, who still colonised most of the continent at the time,” he says. “AFCON also made a statement about Africa’s citizenship and belonging in the globalising world of football. AFCON provided a Pan-African stage for the performance of new national identities in a way that most people supported and even embraced.”
These ideals were soon tested. Apartheid South Africa was a founding member of CAF and set to participate in the first tournament. When it insisted on selecting only white players, it was expelled by CAF and was banned from AFCON, missing 18 tournaments, until 1994.
This decision could be interpreted as either a defence of CAF’s ideals – and the rights of (black) Africans – or simply a punishment for breaking its rules of sporting participation. CAF is obliged to be non-political and neutral outside of the sport, even when it comes to issues of rights or abuses of freedoms in its member countries. But politics inevitably played a part in CAF’s decision to exclude South Africa, its members coming together in solidarity to advance what was also a moral cause.
In a 1974 speech delivered to the CAF General Assembly in Cairo, its then president Yidnekatchew Tessema captured a vision of football carrying out an important social function in helping the continent bridge differences. “I’m issuing a call to our general assembly that it affirm that Africa is one and indivisible,” he declared, “that we work towards the unity of Africa together. We do not accept the division of Africa into Francophone, Anglophone, and Arabophone. Arabs from North Africa and Zulus from South Africa, we are all authentic Africans.”
But outside of the anti-apartheid boycott, Alegi says CAF’s pan-Africanism has been “thin”. “By the 1990s, what was left of that ideological strain is mainly playing out in the commercial realm: expanding places for African sides in FIFA tournaments, securing corporate sponsorships, greater share of FIFA economic pie and perhaps in expressing cultural pride in the success of individual male players overseas,” he says. “Occasionally, CAF piped up about abuses in youth recruitment and player migration, but this (to my knowledge) never produced a cohesive Pan-African front.”
With regards to autonomy, CAF maintained a good record of resisting European influence until 2019. Throughout its history, AFCON was held between January and February when weather conditions are most suitable in most African countries. The time frame is also right in the middle of Europe’s football seasons with clubs reluctant to let their African players go when it matters most. Former CAF President Issa Hayatou refused to reschedule AFCON so it didn’t clash with the European season, a move widely understood as an assertion of African football’s autonomy.
But that is no longer the case. As of this year, the tournament will be played in the summer. The inauspicious scheduling move reflects the difficulty of resisting the commercial dominance of European football. There will no longer be a direct competition with European club matches for television viewers, while the new scheduling protects the commercial value of African players in Europe who will no longer have to miss two months of club matches.
This means that AFCON is very likely to be played from now on in very high heat or heavy rain. It’s bad news for fans and players, and bad news for the game.
Following the money
Up until 1982, CAF’s ideals of pan-Africanism tied closely to how it operated. AFCON was contested exclusively by amateur players playing with club sides on the continent, a “pan-Africanist move to keep African players at home” according to Chukwuka Onwumechili, author of Identity and Nation in African Football.
But the 1982 tournament was a turning point.
“Prior to 1982, CAF had a rule limiting the use of foreign-based players by each team to two,” says Onwumechili. “Its change in 1982 opened the way for foreign-based players to increasingly feature in the tournament to the point that several who now represent their countries have never resided permanently in the country that they represent. It is a major departure from one of the initial political goals of the competition.”
The change was informed by two significant events. FIFA had imposed new rules that required football clubs to make players available for national team selection. According to Alegi, this directly challenged CAF’s limit on foreign based players. “Also the limit had lost political support in Africa by the early 1980s due to the ongoing ‘second wave’ of African player migration to France, Portugal, and Belgium in particular,” he explains. “The best players were increasingly playing abroad so CAF (under Tessema) probably realised that keeping those players out of AFCON would diminish the quality of the competition.”
However, in 2007, CAF introduced a new competition, the African Nations Championship (CHAN), replicating the initial intention with AFCON in which national teams may only select players who play within their own domestic league at club level. This showed CAF’s enduring concern for the health of local football in Africa. But the competition may never have the global appeal of AFCON, with its array of superstar players from major European clubs like Arsenal or Barcelona. It is also starved of attention, forced to compete with the immense popularity of the European leagues among fans in Africa. Arguably, it still serves a valid purpose in its own right. Given the reality that African football cannot hope to isolate itself from the global hegemony of the European game, the addition of CHAN to Africa’s sporting calendar is to be welcomed.
As AFCON professionalised during the 1980s and opened up to the increasing number of African players based outside of the continent, it also commercialised rapidly, under the three-decade tenure of Hayatou, who sanctioned many sponsorship deals. This matched the wider trend in global football under then FIFA President João Havelange. It was also in keeping with the broader economic climate across the continent during this period, as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund imposed structural adjustment programmes on national governments that encouraged privatisation and profit-seeking at the expense of the public good.
This year’s tournament has been expanded to 24 teams – from 16 – keeping with yet another cynical trend across football towards ever-larger and more lucrative international tournaments at the expense of sporting quality. Access to watch the games has also been a problem. Ticket prices are high relative to wages. CAF has also made significant profits on the sale of television rights to expensive subscription services, pricing out many public broadcasters and limiting the capacity of many ordinary people to watch the game they love.
“It’s really frustrating,” says Kenyan author Nanjala Nyabola. “I grew up devouring these tournaments on basic television and now it’s nearly impossible if you don’t go to a bar. Which I obviously can’t do every night. So if DSTV goes under let it go under. We need to be able to watch sports.”
“I know that many Kenyans are incredibly excited to be back in the tournament. But it’s impossible to feel more connected to it because I simply don’t get to watch.”
The meaning of AFCON in 2019
From being a tournament that was neutral or at least stood on the side of the people, AFCON has opened itself to leveraged for politics. Egypt’s hosting of this year’s tournament has a distinct soft power element to it. “Egypt sees CAF along with its chairmanship of the African Union as a way to solidify itself as a regional power and to legitimise Sisi’s current regime,” says political analyst Nihal El Aasar.
The 2019 tournament is taking place at a time when football in the country is intensely politicised and many Egyptian league matches take place in front of only a handful of spectators. Highly organised fan groups represent some of the most prominent dissenting forces against the Sisi regime. It is perhaps for this reason that many fans have struggled with the official ticketing system, a lengthy process that demands an unusually large amount of personal information from applicants wishing to obtain access to the tournament with a “fan ID”.
Young Egyptians wearing their Egyptian Football Association jerseys during the Egyptian revolution protests of 2011. Credit: Asim Bharwani.
On the bright side, the 24-team format means almost half of African nations are represented in Egypt. In this sense, the tournament can be said to carry on some of the Pan-Africanist work its founders envisioned.
An enduring paradox of AFCON is that it’s precisely through playfully competing against each other on the field and as fans that a sense of solidarity among African nations is nurtured.
As US-based writer Miriti Murungi reflected recently, when an African team is playing at the World Cup he’ll think: “Come on, Africa. Do it for the motherland!” However, when AFCON comes around, he says, “things break down and Africans start saying things like ‘I don’t trust those people’ and arguing about who has better rice,” or “I don’t know about them. I had a Nigerian roommate and he always left the fridge open and lied about owning a Mercedes.”
Ultimately, AFCON is a joyous and precious institution to inherit, and its recent custodians have not treated it with the care it deserves.
It has been thrust into the global media market and Africa’s football bosses have made a great deal of money from it. Yet if ordinary Africans who love football can’t afford match tickets (or even to see their heroes on television) there’s a real risk that AFCON gets hollowed out, and the high ideals it once represented so forcefully may dwindle and ebb away. It’s time AFCON was returned to the people.
The question as to whether Harare is Blue or Green will be answered this weekend when rivals Dynamos and CAPS United lock horns in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match.
It is a game of higher magnitude, due to the fact that not only three points are on offer, but bragging rights too.
The centre of attention in the blue half of the city will be on skipper Edward Sadomba, who has not scored a goal for DeMbare in over 1000 minutes of football.
Can he finally break the jinx and propel Tonderai Ndiraya’s side to a victory in the derby?
Warriors fan Alvin Zhakata will watch the 2019 Afcon final between Senegal and Algeria as a VVIP.
Zhakata embarked on a strenuous road trip across Africa from Cape Town in South Africa to watch Zimbabwe playing at the tournament. Unfortunately, the Warriors were eliminated before he reached Egypt.
After drawing the attention of many and featured on BBC’s Focus on Africa, the Zimbabwean has received an invitation from CAF president Ahmad Ahmad to watch the final on Friday in the VVIP section.
Zhakata also got his expenses covered including a flight ticket to return to home.
POLICE have launched a manhunt for a self-proclaimed prophet and two accomplices who allegedly armed themselves with machetes and an iron bar before attacking seven family members in Ntabazinduna, killing one on the spot and injuring the rest.
The three suspects escaped with a cash box containing US$800, R900 and ZW$500 which the prophet, only known as Prophet Ngulube had ordered one of the family members to bring for cleansing.
Prophet Ngulube is said to be from Tsholotsho and he had been invited by the family for a cleansing ceremony.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese, confirmed the incident which occurred in Mbembesi.
She said no arrests have been made.
“I can confirm that we received a report about a person who was killed following an attack by a prophet and two accomplices in Mbembesi, Ntabazinduna. No arrest has been made and police investigations are continuing,” said Chief Insp Makonese.
She identified the deceased as Lister Khabo (37) of Stand 25 in Mbembesi.
The injured family members are Mr Vincent Khabo, his wife Ms Gertrude Moyo and Liphiwe Khabo whose ages were not given as well as Mr Lindweyinkosi Khabo (36), Mr Limthembeni Khabo (18), and Linnet Khabo (43).
The alleged prophet arrived at Vincent’s homestead on June 30 and camped there to do the cleansing.
Prophet Ngulube allegedly ordered Lindweyinkosi who operates a shop in the area to bring all his money for cleansing, which he did on July 4.
“After a prayer session the suspect ordered Lindweyinkosi to put the money in one of the bedroom huts for the night and he complied,” said Chief Insp Makonese.
She said Lister, Linnet and Liphiwe slept in the same hut. In the middle of the night, Lister woke up to go and relieve herself outside.
At around the same time, Prophet Ngulube who shared a bedroom hut with Limthembeni also woke up and went outside claiming he wanted to relieve himself.
While outside, police said, Prophet Ngulube was joined by two unidentified men and all three armed themselves with machetes and an iron bar and proceeded to the hut where the money was.
The trio allegedly attacked Linnet and Liphiwe before grabbing the cash box.
Chief Insp Makonese said Lister who was still outside met her fate as she rushed back into the hut after hearing noise.
One of the three suspects allegedly hit her with an iron bar on the head and the other used a machete to strike her on the forehead.
She sustained two deep cuts on the forehead and bruises on the back and collapsed.
Mr Khabo and Ms Moyo rushed to the scene after hearing some noise but were attacked too.
Mr Khabo was hit with an iron bar and collapsed while his wife was struck on the face with a machete and sustained a deep cut.
Limthembeni was also hit with a stone on the face. Lindweyinkosi was also attacked while trying to render first aid to Lister, who died on the spot.
After the attack, the suspects fled. A report was made to the police.
Tendai Biti made the remarks while responding to a thread on Twitter by journalist Hopewell Chinono who was blocked by Moyo after an exchange of words. MDC Deputy President Tendai Laxton Biti has described one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s advisors Busisa Moyo as a fool.
“I was having a healthy discussion with Busisa Moyo since the introduction of the local currency because he was reasonable and warm. Today I asked a question he found provocative and he told me off and blocked me. It is unfortunate because I found his retorts reasonable and cordial. Will miss him,” posted Chinono.
Responding to the journalist’s post on Moyo, Biti wondered why Chinono was entertaining ‘fools.’
“Why do you suffer fools Mukoma Hopewell,” he said. Moyo is a member of the Presidential Advisory Council appointed by Mnangagwa to give him advice on a number of issues affecting the country.
Latest media reports indicate that Colonel Samson Murombo, the commander of the 1 Presidential Guard Infantry Battalion has since lost command of the unit that guards the President and State House.
According to the media a military source said he was transferred without revealing Murombo’s new posting.
The little known but powerful Murombo became a subject of talk among Zimbabweans on Monday after an audio recording of a conversation between himself and First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa went viral on the internet.
The First Lady is heard accusing Murombo of “spying” on her.
“You’re spying on me,” Auxillia reportedly accused Murombo, who was not given a chance to respond to the allegations even though he pleaded with her to defend himself.
“You must waylay me on the road. I’m coming from Bulawayo. If you don’t, straight away I’m coming to your office and you can do what you want with me. You can’t deal with women like this. I’m going to make a story about this. I’m coming to your office to sit there. What threat am I? To who? What threat do I have?”
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has summoned Bulawayo councillors to an urgent meeting in Harare over the recent spat over the suspension of Town Clerk Christopher Dube.
The councillors travelled to Harare on Tuesday night for a meeting with their boss on Wednesday.
“We got communication through the director of mobilisation Farai Chinobva that we were wanted in Harare as a matter of urgency so we travelled through the night on Tuesday to Harare for the meeting,” said a Councillor.
The unilateral decision to suspend Dube by Bulawayo deputy mayor Tinashe Kambarami last week attracted severe backlash from the public.
Now, sources say, Chamisa is under pressure over the growing discontent created by his councillors in Bulawayo which has been the party’s stronghold since 2000.
#MIPBS Hon Monica Mutsvangwa says that the media has a crucial role to play in nation building and also in building Zimbabwe's image across borders. The ultimate goal for every Zimbabwean should be a prosperous Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/RAtPonFHpk
— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) July 17, 2019
By A Correspondent- Former Warriors striker, Shingi Kaondera is suing his former wife, Mary Chiwenga, for irregular divorce after she used forged documents to terminate their marriage.
Mary, a former model, divorced the former Darryn Tornadoes striker and married Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
Kaoendera is demanding US$700,000 from Mary, accusing her of “grabbing” all their matrimonial property and impoverishing him.
Through his lawyers, Kashangura Law Chambers revealed that his marriage to Mary was dissolved by a decree of divorce granted by the High Court on May 19, 2011.
Kaondera filed papers filed on July 15, arguing that Mary never served him with the summons as required by the rules of court. His lawyers said:
Plaintiff (Kaondera) was not in the country but was in Cyprus where he was a professional footballer at the relevant time.
Mary fraudulently caused a return of service to be issued by the deputy sheriff at Harare, falsely claiming that plaintiff had been personally served with the summons on June 22, 2010, at Harare.
Further to that, the defendant (Mary) also fraudulently issued with the honourable court a consent paper dated July 7, 2010, wherein the plaintiff’s signature was forged. Plaintiff never entered into a consent paper with the defendant regarding the divorce proceedings under HC 3805/10.
… As a result of the irregular and fraudulent obtaining of a divorce order by the defendant, the plaintiff was seriously prejudiced in that the defendant remained with all the immovable and movable properties that the parties had acquired during the subsistence of the marriage.
… As a direct result of the defendant’s fraud, plaintiff has been impoverished as the defendant unjustly grabbed all the matrimonial assets that the parties had acquired together contrary to the laws of Zimbabwe.
Wherefore plaintiff prays for an order that the defendant is ordered to pay damages to the plaintiff in the sum of US$700,000 as well as plaintiff’s costs of suit on a higher scale.
The ZDF has vehemently refused to promptly comment on rumours that Col Samson Murombo is missing. They told reporters to send inquiries via email. Col Murombo is the soldier heard in a leaked audio being purportedly ranted against by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa pic.twitter.com/jLsjvKMtxu
The ZDF has vehemently refused to promptly comment on rumours that Col Samson Murombo is missing. They told reporters to send inquiries via email. Col Murombo is the soldier heard in a leaked audio being purportedly ranted against by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa pic.twitter.com/jLsjvKMtxu
Zimbabwean lawyer Chris Mhike says Zimbabwe risks continued demonisation by the international community as a country that does not respect media rights if it fails to implement democratic media law reforms.
Mhike expressed concern that some of the inputs by the media and civil society had not been included in the now gazetted Freedom of Information Bill as part of the processes of repealing the condemned Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).
This, he said, puts the country at the risk of “continued demonisation” as a country that does not respect journalistic rights. “A good law is one that captures the aspirations … of those affected by that law of which the media is one such stakeholder including the public at large,” said Mhike.
He was speaking during a meeting on 12 July 2019 organised by MISA Zimbabwe for editors and senior journalists based in Zimbabwe’s second city of Bulawayo to sensitise them on the proposed new media laws.
Mhike outlined areas of concern, deficiencies and shortcomings as well as some of the positive provisions contained in the gazetted Freedom of Information Bill. For further details on the issues at hand visit this link and this link. He also briefed participants on the provisions of the Draft Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill and Draft Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill.
He said the 20% cap on foreign investment in the broadcasting sector as proposed under the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill undermines media growth and development. The Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill also has aspects that criminalise the practice of journalism.
“We need to ensure that criminalisation of the media profession is eliminated,” said Mhike. He urged editors to create spaces in their publications to allow for enriching discussions and debates on the proposed laws.
Meanwhile, earlier on the same day, MISA Zimbabwe held a Know Your Rights workshop for Bulawayo-based journalists to sensitise them on their rights in the context of the Constitution, existing laws, regulations and the difference between civil and criminal law.
Chris Mhike making a point on the differences between Civil and Criminal Law
The workshop attended by a total of 16 media practitioners, falls under MISA Zimbabwe’s Media Defence Fund established to ensure swift and relevant assistance to media practitioners detained, injured, or unjustifiably arrested in the course of their journalistic duties. MISA Zimbabwe’s Legal Officer, Kuda Hove, familiarised participants with the organisation’s emergency response tools such as the MISA Zimbabwe Hotline, MISA Zimbabwe JournoSOS App and MISA Zimbabwe Panic Button.
Sights from the US$30 million tile factory. When we say there is need to upgrade standards, facilities and provide a conducive working environment for the workers the blind minded, full of politics every time, say we are harassing investors. Isn’t this harassment also? pic.twitter.com/hQHRMedckY
— Sabhuku Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) July 17, 2019
Whilst we support the right to peaceful protest, violence is never acceptable. We have been in touch with the relevant authorities in UK and Zimbabwe about the incident involving Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo
Sights from the US$30 million tile factory. When we say there is need to upgrade standards, facilities and provide a conducive working environment for the workers the blind minded, full of politics every time, say we are harassing investors. Isn’t this harassment also? pic.twitter.com/hQHRMedckY
— Sabhuku Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) July 17, 2019
Whilst we support the right to peaceful protest, violence is never acceptable. We have been in touch with the relevant authorities in UK and Zimbabwe about the incident involving Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo
By A Correspondent- STANBIC Bank Limited reportedly paid in advance an allowance of ZWL$1 000 to its employees last week as a way of preventing a strike.
The unrelenting economic crisis characterised by the soaring inflation has resulted in an increased cost of living for everyone including workers across industries. The News Day reports that Stanbic workers at both the Bank’s Jason Moyo branch in Bulawayo and Nelson Mandela branch in Harare had last week planned to camp in the banking halls as a protest over poor salaries.
Speaking to NewsDay, Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers’ Union (Zibawu) secretary-general Shepherd Ngandu said:
We have been advised that they were paid an allowance, which is an advance payment to be deducted from the July payday, just to cushion the staff. Salary adjustments will be discussed in the next works council. The Bank confirmed the development noting that the economic situation and its impact on the general population, including its employees was a reality. Responding to News Day questions through an email, the bank said:
As such, the bank is currently working on sustainable solutions to cushion our employees against the prevailing challenges. During this process, the leadership continues to engage with employees on the same.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- A mental patient yesterday heaved a sigh of relief after escaping a jail term for hitting his mother with a stone and a log while in a drunken stupor.
Taurai Masedha (36) of Vhumisani village under Chief Ngorima in Chimanimani pleaded not guilty to assault charges, but was convicted by Chipinge magistrate Joshua Nembaware.
He was sentenced to 12 months in prison of which six months were conditionally suspended for five years.
The remainder of the sentence was suspended on condition he completes 210 hours of community service at Hlabiso Primary School starting today.
In his defence, Masedha said he did not know what transpired, but was only advised of the crime by relatives who visited him at Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit where he was committed after the magistrate suspected he had a metal problem.
“I was ill and I don’t know what was happening,” Masedha said.
His trial commenced after the Prosecutor-General’s Office directed the prosecution to go ahead after his release from the mental institution.
Prosecutor Sesekedzai Mayera told the court that on August 17 last year, Masedha, who was drunk, left his homestead and visited his mother Constance Masedha at her home.
On arrival, he turned violent, ordering her to vacate the homestead before picking a log which he used to hit her once on the right shoulder. He also picked a stone and hit her on the head.
WOMEN Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) Midlands Chapter has given Gweru City Council 14 days to explain the source of funding for former town clerk, Daniel Matawu’s exit package as well as resolve the city’s water crisis, failure which they would take to the streets and also approach government for intervention.
In a letter addressed to mayor, Josiah Makombe, dated July 9, WCoZ accused the local authority of failing to act on its previous petitions on the two issues.
“We sent a petition to your office regarding the source of the funding for the golden handshake for former town clerk, Daniel Matawu and we also petitioned your office over erratic water provision in Gweru,” WCoZ wrote.
“Numerous efforts have been made by our office to get responses to our petitions, but none have been forthcoming. Despite our efforts you have failed or refused to demonstrate any commitment to address our plight.
“As we speak, some areas like Mkoba 1, 2, 19, Ridgemont and Adelaide Park, as well as Senga, have gone for the past four weeks without water and this has placed us at risk of contracting water-borne diseases like typhoid and cholera. Due to this crisis, we are compelled to give your office 14 days (notice), to take action to address our grievances,” reads the petition.
The women’s organisation said if the local authority fails to act on its grievances in two weeks’ time they would pursue the issues “(through) a different forum”.
“We are prepared to approach for intervention, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing,” said WCoZ.
Alice Maqata, the WCoZ Midlands Chapter chairperson confirmed to Southern Eye the development, also saying young girls are being harassed by marshals at alternative water points. She highlighted that women were losing productive time searching for water because some suburbs have gone for four weeks without the commodity.
“We have given council 14 days to address the water situation and to respond to the petition we gave them last year, where we wanted to know how council will fund the former town clerk’s ZW$400 000 golden handshake,” she said.
“We are coming from a background where we know that council owes around ZW$30 million to Zesa alone. Residents owe council a staggering ZW$62 million. Over and above that, council is saying it needs ZW$6 million to refurbish the city’s water infrastructure. Our women and girls are spending an average of seven hours a day in search of water. This takes away their productive time and exposes them to all forms of abuse at (water) points, where marshals are demanding favours in cash or kind for them to jump queues. We now want action, we have had enough.”
Makombe said he sympathised with the women, but indicated council will not be able to meet their deadline.
“I feel their issue is genuine. As women they are the most affected when there is no water. However, our failure to provide water regularly is not by choice.
Our situation is very critical, but we are trying our best. We have engaged government and the corporate world for required funding to fix the crisis.”-Newsday
I am thankful to the congratulatory messages I have received over my doctoral degree. I have had calls from the cream of this country & beyond. I hope the achievement will inspire many. A copy of the thesis will be provided for interested persons to read. Many thanx. pic.twitter.com/0UYnpvhcO9
Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC Secretary General Charlton Hwende has accused the ruling Zanu PF of abusing the Political Parties Finance Act to cripple the opposition.
Hwende said the Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has not disbursed any cent from the budgeted funds to the MDC further charging that the law prohibits parties from sourcing funding from outside.
The Political Parties Finance Act is being abused by ZANU PF to ensure that the MDC is financially crippled. We can’t fundraise and receive money from outside and the Minister of Finance @MthuliNcube has not disbursed any cent from the Budgeted funds to the MDC since April 2018
— Chalton Hwende MP Chairperson Public Accounts (@hwendec) July 17, 2019
By A Correspondent- A 21 year old Mvurwi woman was on Monday slapped with a one-year jail term by a Guruve magistrate for dumping her new-born child a fortnight ago.
Brenda Charles of Suwoguru township, Mvurwi, pleaded guilty before magistrate Shingirai Mutiro, who jailed her for a year.
Prosecutor Carson Kundiona told the court that two weeks ago, Charles wrapped her baby, with the umbilical cord still attached, in a sack and dumped him.
The new-born boy was picked up by a passer-by before being surrendered to the police.
Charles’ mother was not available when the crime was committed, but when she came back last Friday she suspected that her daughter had dumped her new-born child and filed a police report, leading to the convict’s arrest.
In another case, a Guruve woman, Auxillia Dzukamanja was arrested last week for allegedly murdering her new-born child before throwing it down a blair toilet.
One of the residents believes the accused killed the baby due to economic hardships after she failed to locate the baby’s father.
“Dzukamanja killed her baby due to poverty. She failed to locate the father of the child and decided to kill the baby,” the witness, who declined to be named, said.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- Businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who is accused of bribing former Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) chairperson Stanley Kazhanje, yesterday challenged the State to prove that he was favoured to win the multi-million dollar Gwanda solar project.
Chivayo, represented by Advocate Lewis Uriri, appeared before magistrate Trynos Utawashe.
“What specific decision … (was) made by the ZPC board in favour of the accused? When is it alleged that such decision was made? How is it alleged such decisions were made? And minutes and resolutions of all relevant ZPC board meetings are requested,” Uriri said.
“The State is refusing to furnish us with further particulars. The State must say this is a board resolution that Kazhanje made as the chairman to favour the accused person. Section 71(b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe states that the accused must be informed of the offence he is being charged on before answering to those charges.”
Uriri added that a confirmation is required that the tender was awarded by the then State Procurement Board and that the tender process was adjudicated upon by the then State Procurement Board.
Chivayo’s lawyer further told the court that the State is alleging that ZPC cancelled or intended to cancel the contract and if so, he requested copies of all relevant minutes, resolutions and correspondences.
Kazhanje’s lawyer Advocate Silvester Hashiti also requested the same documents, saying they need them early so as to prepare for the trial.
But for the State, Brian Vito responded that the furnishing of further particulars was not their obligations and the accused must source the documents of their choice to defend themselves in the trial.
Magistrate Utawashe postponed the matter to July 18 for the ruling.-Newsday
There has been an allegation made in which a Mr Gift Kugara (a convicted violent criminal, and a frequenter in UK prisons, 3 years plus in sentences, running under a fake surname “Mawire” of whom are many female victims, and a militia) passed claiming that a journalist tried to influence the Zim Netball team to seek asylum.
It is a no-brainer that this allegation was notoriously crafted to attack the journalistic work covered so far to expose massive looting of public funds meant for the Zim Netball team, so that more money is stolen from the Zim gems.
After a long period of consultations with the sources, we have been assured that the best way forward for the players’ safety, is to go into full disclosure as much as is possible, with permission.
Our short response is: everything from the 1st July 2019, 4 days before the players had landed in UK, is on LIVE camera, and is timestamped. And where is the worry, is it about the so called “asylum” allegation, or about the looted funds?
The investigative reports revealing the massive looting of the players’ funds were done 4 days before the players had flown to the UK. It was then that the SRC (Sports and Recreation Commission) spokesman, Tiri Nheweyembwa in an interview said that the players’ allowances are a private affair “they are confidential) and he also said only 26 people, (plus 2 govt officials) are traveling to the UK for the Netball WorldCup. Why the secrecy?
Audit reports discussed inside govt offices reveal the fund was however already $39,000 for food short. This was all because of numbers of people added to the expenditure who have nothing whatsoever to do with Netball. Nheweyembwa said the number was not at all 53, as our audit report showed. Nheweyembwa claimed there are no additional 27 people traveling to the UK. But on the official government documentation, clause 3.2 says… “airfares for the additional 27 members will be paid for by from fundraising proceeds.”
4 days later, the Zim govt released a new report that shows a whopping 54 people were en-route to UK( 1 person added to the list).
There are several family members who later raised the alarm for the players’ welfare, saying they were being abused at Hotel Ibis in Liverpool, and they are on LIVE video. Did we order them to do that? There are social workers who raised the alarm, did we order them to do that? They are on LIVE camera.
Thousands of dollars were misappropriated by the fatcats. Does the author acknowledge the role our expose worked to lift the players’ morale?
The only thing one could complain about are the articles exposing the looting of thousands of the players’ funds, vis a vis the refusal to purchase safety shoes for them, the type the players requested, which cost less than £100 each. Another one was the complaint about staggered meals, some which were poor (pictures available). Another matter was the players’ contracts, which in a LIVE interview on 5th July at 9pm, the Netball President Leticia Chipandu promised were already signed and ready for public view, something that later proved to be utterly false.
The Netball Team’s spokesman, Maimba Mapuranga has said no sportsperson in Zimbabwe has a contract. But his boss, Leticia Chipandu is on LIVE camera at Manchester Airport on 5th July, 9pm saying she had contracts to show the public to the effect. 11 days later, where are those contracts? When she was later asked about this last Wednesday morning, Mrs Chipandu told donors to “go to hell” saying she only reports to the Zimbabwean government.
Thousands were collected from British taxpayers, and under British laws, all funds donated have to be disclosed publicly. Maimba Mapuranga claimed under Zimbabweean law this is not a requirement. What he said is not true. And why the secrecy?
Notwithstanding, some of these matters have since improved following our investigative articles (see my LIVE report on Sat) “and on Saturday I made a LIVE report on this as I rallied for support for the Zim team,” said Simba Chikanza.
Perhaps one could complain about why these articles were published. But how can anyone expect the media to keep quiet when players are subjected to such conditions especially those of the national team playing a WorldCup? How can any journalist keep quiet when family members call in in the middle of the night to complain, especially when there is so much evidence? Scores of family members called and one of those who complained of this ill treatment is a relative of the best player of the games (and the world’s 2nd best scorer so far), Joice Takaidza, and they have since praised ZimEye for the hard work in boosting the morale of the girls, making them feel at least valuable.
How can any journalist fail to investigate reports that officials are getting $1,200 per day while the Netball team goes without their promised penny for weeks in a foreign country? One of these left a suckling child at home in Zimbabwe. Imagine this mother arriving back from the UK after nearly a month with not even £100 in hand to show why she abandoned her child, after such a sacrifice for the nation.
Aside the relatives, Suku McKenzie of the Suku Mackenzie Foundation, run by a Zimbabwean mental health professional is the one who reported the case to the Mersyside Police following the relatives’ complaint that the players are being subjected to harassment and death threats should they make their plight public.
Suku Mckenzie raised the alarm saying the “effects of emotional abuse, from intimidation and threats are more serious than physical abuse, and I can testify because I was there when the players did not want to talk, amid all this evidence, when I tried to talk to them. Emotional abuse causes great harm. Emotional abuse and being made to feel powerless has an effect on the individual. Why would you expect a gem to win a game when they are not being given the voice to stand for themselves?,” she said.
One of the signs of an abuser are seen in a person who refuses to be accountable and this can be seen in the way Leticia Chipandu says, it is none of your business, anyone can “go to hell,” said Suku McKenzie.
“They also make their victims feel guilty”, added McKenzie.
Suku McKenzie was also concerned after players raised the alarm over their need for the right shoes, for safety. They said many had been injured during practice and this could have been reduced were all players wearing the right safety shoes of which the team members identified Asics for Netball, a shoe type widely reviewed and recommended by professionals for the M&S Arena’s slippery surface.
These recommendations come despite bold denials by the Netball Team’s spokesman, Mr Maimba Mapuranga who as late as the following week, Tuesday 15th July said the Asics shoe is unnecessary because as he claims, “the girls have played in Japan with their shoes bought from Zimbabwe.” While we are no experts in these things, if a player of WorldCup level were to approach us as Netball Officials to tell us for their health and safety, they need a shoe that costs less than £100, does it make sense to deny them access to the thousands of dollars already donated for their use?
We then published and raised the alarm over this matter, and later on Friday, Mrs Chipandu released £40 each to the players so they could purchase the Asics. But the shoe costs £79,99.
On Friday we got donors to rush to the Liverpool One, to try to purchase these shoes. One of the donors was at the Ibis hotel, denied access to the players and she is on LIVE video complaining about this.
To date, we have been (regularly as much as we can) with the team from day one; and if our articles were false, misleading or damaging, how could the Netball President, Leticia Chipandu hug ZimEye’s Simba Chikanza on Sunday 14th July and acknowledge that this expose was necessary? Is it not because of the articles, that the meals for the players have been improved, at least so far, despite none of the promised allowances being paid to date? To date the players do not have their promised allowances. Should the media keep quiet about this?
Should any of these LIVE videos be doubted, we are available right now and even on video call, and our phone numbers remain open.
And now to the allegations of ordering or even influencing the seeking of “asylum,” these are false, malicious, and in any case, any person found doing as alleged, is guilty of a serious crime under British law. Such a person, journalist or not, must with immediate effect be reported to the nearest police station (no Twitter games needed). No further comment.
The 4 weeks party in Egypt is now ending this Friday with Algeria and Senegal facing each other.
Unfortunately CAF (Confédération Africaine de Football) has been a victim of what’s said to be one of the biggest state sponsored piracy. CAF has recently complained that 36 Afcon games have been pirated by a reportedly Saudi Arabia pay Tv broadcaster called beoutQ.
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has witnessed a new major hacking operation committed by the pirate television platform called “beoutQ”, which its flagship competition is victim, the final tournament of the Total Africa Cup of Nations organized in Egypt from 21 June to 19 July 2019.
Television broadcasts of all 36 matches in the group phase were fraudulently diverted and made available on beoutQ, with the support of the satellite provider Arabsat. Arabsat has refused to obey the requests for taking down the illegal transmissions.advertisement
CAF is not the only victim even UEFA , Premier League and other sports organizations have had their events and competitions illegally broadcasted by beoutQ.
The curious case of beoutQ
beoutQ pay TV was launched in 2017 amid a political crisis between Qatar and Saudi Arabia (and other Middle East countries). Qatar’s beIn Sports is the dominant pay TV broadcaster in the Middle East which holds the rights to many popular and prestigious tournaments and competitions that happen accross the world.
When political tensions reached fever pitch, Saudi Arabia banned Qatar’s beIn Sports to sell subscriptions in its country. As the Saudi’s living rooms became quite since they no longer had access to the likes of Premiere league, they reportedly introduced beoutQ. beoutQ provides access to events channels which beIn Sports holds the sole rights to in the region. beoutQ broadcasts the pirated content on it’s setboxes which are like decoders.
beIn Sports traced where beoutQ’s signal and they figured that it’s coming from Saudi Arabian satellite called Arabsat. beIN Sports (or rather, Qatar) approached a French court with this evidence and it ruled in favour of it but still Arabsat (or rather, Saudi Arabia) denies that beoutQ is using it’s signal.
Way forward
At the moment CAF only said that it’s going to join the likes of UEFA for a class action lawsuit.
CAF also intends, in compliance with its statutory missions, to join the steps taken by the main rights holders harmed (including FIFA, UEFA, AFC, Liga, Premier League and Bundesliga) and to take all necessary measures and actions against entities that commit, or are complicit in the commission of, these piracy acts, including proceedings.
The world’s biggest police, the United States has failed to take a hard line position in this matter as both Saudi Arabia and Qatar are both allies. The US only designated beoutQ as a notorious market and added Saudi Arabia in the Priority Watch List for not valuing Intellectual Property. We’d have to see the US’s position on this issue when an American organization sues beoutQ for stealing it’s content.
By Own Correspondent- Government has approved a duty waiver on solar equipment and allowed mining firms to procure energy directly from the Southern African Power Pool.
Further, selected hotels in resort areas will soon start paying electricity bills in foreign currency, as part of a raft of measures to overcome energy problems bedevilling the country.
In the fuel sector, Government directed the urgent rollout of a remote tracking system by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) and warned that errant service stations involved in profiteering will have their licences revoked.
This was said by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa as she read out decisions of the 25th Cabinet meeting in Harare yesterday.
She said following a briefing from Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi, Cabinet noted with concern prolonged load-shedding, caused by reduced power supplies mainly due to low water levels at Lake Kariba.
“To alleviate the situation on the power supply front, Cabinet resolved as follows: to endorse the arrangement whereby large hotels in the Victoria Falls resort town can pay their ZESA bills in foreign currency so as to boost capacity to import power supplies; that a large-scale programme be implemented to promote the importation, local production of solar equipment and the use of solar power as an alternative energy source.
“In this regard, special incentives shall be provided through duty waivers on imported solar equipment while it shall be mandatory for all new construction projects to be solar-powered,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“Furthermore, Cabinet embraced the commitment by mining companies under the banner of the Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines to pay a cost recovery electricity tariff to ZESA, and to directly procure extra power supplies from the Southern African Power Pool as well as to mobilise a lump sum towards the settlement of the existing power imports debt arrears.
“This will, among other things, assist in unlocking further power imports; and that the implementation of the already existing coal-bed methane gas projects be speeded up in order to provide affordable gas for cooking and heating purposes, thereby reducing reliance on power from the national grid.”
On fuel, Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet noted with concern that some service stations were continuing to flout their licensing conditions by rejecting electronic payments, diverting fuel to the parallel market, dispensing the product to preferred customers and engaging in other mischievous activities.
“Cabinet accordingly directed as follows: the urgent roll-out of the Matsimba Technology, which will enable Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority to remotely monitor the movement of fuel from the depot to the service station, fuel stocks at service stations, fuel dispensing activities at service stations, and the vehicles involved. A Ministerial statement will soon be issued to spell out the modalities in that regard; and that ZERA inspectors should be firmly on the ground and should immediately withdraw operating licences of those service stations caught engaging in the above-indicated malpractices,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said responsible Ministry was already ceased with work on a lasting solution to the country’s fuel supply challenges.
Jane Mlambo| Social media has gone ablaze with an image of a woman believed to be President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s girlfriend.
This follows revelations by an online publication that the Zanu PF leader was allegedly chased through the maize field by his wife Auxillia over the lady in question.
The lady (picture below) named Sikulekile Mapfumo is a former Midlands State University student and is believed to have Mnangagwa’s child named Ethan Dumisani Mnangagwa.
AN explosive leaked audio recording allegedly of First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa (pictured) has exposed the simmering bad blood between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the military.
This comes hardly two years after the military, led by then Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander Constantino Chiwenga, ousted former President Robert Mugabe and installed Mnangagwa in a military-assisted operation. Chiwenga is now Vice-President, but has not been seen in public for months now as he is reportedly battling ill health.
Repeated efforts to get a comment from the First Lady proved fruitless yesterday as she was not picking up her mobile phone throughout the day.
But Information secretary Ndabaningi Mangwana said from the information he received, the audio seemed to have been manipulated.
“The information I received is that there is a lot of manipulation and simulation of the First Lady’s voice on the audio circulating,” Mangwana said.
Zimbabwe National Army spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Alphios Makotore said he was unaware of the alleged audio, hence he could not comment on its contents. “I am not aware of the said audio,” Makotore said.
The audio, in which the First Lady ranted at a top military commander, went viral on Monday. The First Lady rails at one Murombo believed to be Colonel Samson Murombo, the commander of 1 Presidential Guard Infantry Battalion situated at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks (formerly KGVI), whom she accused of “spying” on her. The battalion is responsible for protecting the first citizens’ official residence and guest house.
The audio may have inadvertently laid bare the tensions between Mnangagwa and the rank and file of the military that was the power behind his rise to State House in November 2017.
The audio revealed a skittish, but combative character of the First Lady who used abusive language to attack Murombo.
It is understood that the eight-minute-long audio could have been recorded last month when First Lady Auxillia was in Bulawayo visiting former First Lady Janet Banana, the wife of the late former President Canaan Banana, as well as veteran nationalist Jane Ngwenya, and Zodwa Dabengwa, the widow of the late Zapu leader, Dumiso Dabengwa.
However, it is still a mystery how the recording was leaked and who recorded it in the first place.
“You’re spying on me,” Auxillia reportedly accused Murombo, who was not given a chance to respond to the allegations even though he pleaded with her to defend himself.
Murombo is occasionally heard pleading: “Excuse me Your Excellency,” but the First Lady curtly responded: “Just tell me what you want from me because if I die, it would be you.”
The unmistaken voice of First Lady Auxillia further accused Murombo of using someone called Manjoro, believed to be a Central Intelligence Organisation operative and member of her security detail, to spy on her.
“You must waylay me on the road. I’m coming from Bulawayo. If you don’t, straight away I’m coming to your office and you can do what you want with me. You can’t deal with women like this. I’m going to make a story about this. I’m coming to your office to sit there. What threat am I? To who? What threat do I have?” Auxillia ranted.
“You draw your confidence from the fact that you have a gun. I’m coming there and you can shoot me. If you don’t shoot me before I get there, we’ll kill each other in your office.”
The First Lady also claimed that she was aware of a plot to kill Mnangagwa and said those who wanted to do so could go ahead, but leave her alone because she had children to look after.
She went on to describe Murombo as a man with an “ugly face”, who was “trying to get to Mnangagwa through me”.
When Murombo asked if he could be afforded a chance to speak, she yelled back: “Get away! I’m just a mere woman, a grandmother. Go and shoot Mnangagwa, I ask for a pardon. Don’t shoot me because I’ve children. Just shoot Mnangagwa, because I know this is all about him. Just go and shoot him, why do you want to shoot me? What have I done? What threat do I pose to you Murombo? I don’t even know your wife. I don’t discuss politics, I don’t discuss military issues. I’m coming to your office.”
In May, the First Lady stormed the government-owned NatPharm and demanded to see documents showing where they were sending drugs.
She vowed not to leave the NatPharm warehouse “before they provide me with the current distribution list of the medicines they dispatched”.
At NatPharm, she was captured on video quizzing officials about stockpiles of undistributed medical drugs at a time most public hospitals were without drugs. Earlier, she had also been recorded threatening to confront mobile network operators over tariff hikes at a gathering in Masvingo province.
Political analysts and opposition parties have repeatedly been questioning First Lady Auxillia’s “philanthropic” work, which has reportedly seen her interfering in government business.
But Auxillia hit back then, saying opposition political parties should not remain in election mode and should stop attacking citizens concerned with the well-being of Zimbabweans, including their supporters.
“I have been a health ambassador for quite some time and my role is to help the vulnerable in whatever possible way. When I (paid) a visit to NatPharm, I had asked the Minister of Health (Obadiah Moyo) to accompany me so that I could appreciate their operations. It is unfortunate that he was in a meeting. He sent a representative,” she said.
Moyo said then: “Indeed, we discussed with the First Lady about her familiarisation tour of NatPharm. Because I was engaged elsewhere, I dispatched one of my senior staffers at the ministry to accompany her. In relation to a meeting I had with NatPharm executives, it was a scheduled meeting which was not influenced by the First Lady. She is merely fulfilling her philanthropic work, nothing more nothing less. In any case, she is now our ambassador for health and child care.”
By A Correspondent- Government is today expected to make an announcement pertaining to civil servants’ conditions of service following engagements by workers’ representatives with President Mnangagwa recently.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza, together with Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube are expected to make a statement.
Government has in the past offered a 40 percent cushioning intervention in the immediate term.
The state media reported that the cushioning intervention will continue for the next five months as a “more modest amount” while other interventions are being considered.
The approach is consistent with Government’s desire to support the livelihoods of civil servants, with initiatives that go beyond monetary interventions, which may not always be a solution to the challenges faced by workers in an environment where manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers take advantage of any monetary incentives to push up prices for basic goods and services.
Government says it has noted with concern the tendency by businesspeople to increase prices after “any injection of money on the marketplace”, resulting in the adoption of the philosophy of “addressing the pain points for civil servants”.
Some of the pain points include the high cost of transport, to which Government has made significant initiatives to cushion civil servants who commute to and from work, by heavily subsidising the cost of transport through the provision of public service buses at a low cost.
Civil servants pay 70c per trip when going to work, against the up to $3 that private players charge for the same trip.
More Zupco buses will be deployed across the country after they were delivered recently to address transport challenges faced not only by civil servants, but the rest of the population.
As part of that, Government has launched several measures while other interventions are being crafted to address civil servants’ concerns.
Some of the measures include the engagements with the Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS), which most civil servants subscribe to, which has seen the medical aid society coming through with a concession where in the case of some vital drugs, it would reduce significantly the required top-ups for civil servants.
Government has also announced a housing scheme and a number of civil servants have applied.
Meanwhile, Blessings Chidakwa and Nyasha Mupungu report that civil servants yesterday handed in a petition to Government seeking an increase in their earnings whose value has been affected by inflation.
This is despite a 40 percent salary adjustment from this month — a second within three months — following the $400 million cost of living adjustment package made in April.
The petition was handed over to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
The Civil Service Apex Council and Health Apex Council had both handed the same petition to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
Apex Council president Mrs Cecilia Alexander told journalists yesterday that their earnings have lost value particularly since October last year.
“Civil servants are not asking for a salary increment, but rather restoration of the value of their earnings which fell from at least US$475 to a mere (US)$47 currently for the lowest paid civil servant.
“In arriving at the figure for a cost of living adjustment, the interbank rate must apply, benchmarked against pre-October 2018 average US$475 salary for the lowest paid civil servant. This will therefore mean the lowest paid civil service worker should earn $4 750 to restore value of their earnings,” she said.-StateMedia
Jane Mlambo| Paul Westwood, the white farmer who has been embroiled in a land battle with Norton parliamentarian Temba Mliswa has accused the outspoken independent legislator of threatening to rape his wife and kidnap his two children.
Posting on Twitter, Westwood said: “No BUT Hon Mliswa threatened to RAPE my wife kidnap my two boys and KILL me!! That’s OK??
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leaders Peter Mutasa and Japhet Moyo yesterday received death threats in a letter that contained bullets inside in what could be a perpetuation of the old dispensation by the President Emmerson Mnangagwa regime.
In a statement, the ZCTU said its president Peter Mutasa and secretary general Japhet Moyo had received anonymous letters with live bullets in them.
“The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions president, Peter Mutasa and secretary general, Japhet Moyo today received letters from unidentified people that had bullets in it.
“The letters were warning them not to organise a stay away on 22 July 2019 and threatened to kill the two and harm their families. The writers of the letter said that ‘we have hired mercenaries to deal with you once and for all – unless you stop what you are planning,” the statement said.
Last week, the ZCTU announced it has tentatively planned to hold a national stay-away on July 22 to protest against government’s decision to ban the use of foreign currency and the introduction of the local dollar. The labour federation also intends to protest against the deteriorating economic situation in the country.
The statement however indicates that the ZCTU was yet to report the case to the police but feared for Mutasa and Moyo’s lives.
“The ZCTU is taking these threats seriously and we are worried that our leaders’ lives are not safe,” said the labour body.
The statement added that the letters bore the State’s fingerprints.
“However we believe the threats are part and parcel of efforts to intimidate the ZCTU leaders from discharging their duties. The police will be notified of the incident,” said the ZCTU.
Mutasa is among dozens of political and civic leaders facing charges of subversion related to the protests called by the ZCTU in January that turned into an orgy of violence with 17 civilians dying in the hands of the military.
ZimEye will be livestreaming a press conference by the MDC at the Morgan Tsvangirai House this afternoon.
Said the MDC in a press notice:
The country’s Trade Union leaders have been threatened while the rest of the civil service is disillusioned by low salaries and poor working conditions. The media is cordially invited to a press conference at 1400hrs today at Morgan Tsvangirai House where the party will speak to these important issues.
Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s wife Auxillia has been warned against abusing soldiers and state security agents, ZimEye can reveal.
In a Twitter rant, political analyst Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya said the soldiers in particular Samson Murombo had done well in remaining disciplined against Auxillia’s rants.
“SOLDIERS and state security agents are not your employees Auxillia. Stop abusing them. Shut up Auxillia and stop the nonsense. Big up to the ZNA member for being disciplined against stupid Auxillia rants. The security forces are not your property. Enough/Zvakwana/Sokwanele!,” said Ruhanya.
He further told Auxillia that the security forces are not her property which she can toss around as and when she feels like doing so.
Auxillia caused a storm when an audio recording of her conversation which one of the military bosses whom she accused of spying on her.
Harare City Council has resolved to increase tariffs in all market places by at least 100 percent as part of its strategy to collect more revenue to sustain operations.
The city has also proposed $8 per day as temporary lease charge for traders occupying open spaces in residential areas.
The council has come up with a number of strategies to boost revenue collection and eliminate space barons who have been pocketing big at the expense of the local authority.
The city is computerising all revenue collection systems to curb leakages.
According to recent minutes of the informal sector committee the director of housing, and community services Mr Addmore Nhekairo said several measures should be implemented to generate revenue from market places.
“For the efficient and effective revenue collection, the following strategies will be implemented in all markets. We will review all markets tariffs, conduct weekly blitz enforcing on payments and regular raids by enforcement team on illegal traders,” read the minutes.
Mr Nhekairo said more revenue was expected at Mupedzanhamo Flea Market as it turned from monthly to daily payments.
Currently, the city was realising an average of $104 000 a month from the flea market.
“It was anticipated that more revenue would be realised once Mupedzanhamo Flea Market had been converted to a daily payment as the system required that with the new payments council expects to rake in an average $227 700 monthly.”
Jane Mlambo| United Kingdom based political analyst, Alex Magaisa has slammed the government of Zimbabwe for flip-flopping on its recent policy to scrap use of foreign currency in the country saying they do not have a plan on how to take the country forward.
Magaisa said:
“One day Finance Minister says government was pushed to hastily introduce the ZimDollar. Next he says everything was according to plan. Week later they are flip-flopping, re-dollarising parts of the economy. These chaps don’t have a plan. They are all over the place.”
One day Finance Minister says government was pushed to hastily introduce the ZimDollar. Next he says everything was according to plan. Week later they are flip-flopping, re-dollarising parts of the economy. These chaps don’t have a plan. They are all over the place. https://t.co/jMqcbCuqba
Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has indicated that he always receives phone calls from teachers, soldiers and police among other civil servants begging him to return the United States dollars.
Addressing a rally in Masvingo over the weekend, Chamisa said he is smelling power and would provide everything the country needs.
Said Chamisa:
“Teachers, soldiers, police and prison guards always phone me asking me to return the United States dollar. I have told them I am not in power right now although I am the winner of the elections. Once I am in power, which I am smelling, I would provide everything that you need.”
LUSAKA — Zambia’s president has fired Finance minister Margaret Mwanakatwe and appointed central bank deputy governor Bwalya Ng’andu to replace her, the president’s office said.
The statement, issued on Sunday night, gave no reasons for President Edgar Lungu’s decision and there were no immediate comments from Mwanakatwe, who only took up the post last year, or from Ng’andu.
Ng’andu will take over the management of an economy the International Monetary Fund has repeatedly warned is struggling with high debts and shrinking foreign exchange reserves.
External debt rose to US$10,05 billion at the end of 2018, compared with US$8,74 billion a year earlier. Zambia is trying to shrink a fiscal deficit that amounted to 7,5% of gross domestic product last year.
The government also faces tensions with miners who say taxes it has imposed will stymie investment and hit output in Africa’s second largest copper producer.
Ng’andu has previously served as managing director of the Development Bank of Zambia, managing director of the National Savings and Credit Bank and director general of the Zambia Investment Centre.
The former president says an unknown person called his PA last night and told her to tell him that they would kill him and his children.
Former president Jacob Zuma has told the chair of the commission of inquiry into state capture, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, about a threat to his children, senior counsel advocate Sikhakhane, and his own life.
Zuma started the second day of his testimony by placing on record that his personal assistant relayed to him this morning that she received a call last night between 7pm and 8pm from an unknown person who told her to inform Zuma that they would kill him, his children, and those around him.
Zuma further told Zondo that advocate Sikhakhane also received serious threats to his life about a week ago.
Zuma said that after today’s questioning, he wished to return to this issue because he had in past lost a child and now knows what happened.
On Monday, Zuma told Zondo about threats to his life, one plan involving suicide bombers who were meant to carry out the plan of ending Zuma’s life during a Maskandi festival in Durban some time this year.
Zondo said such threats are unacceptable, adding that he was pleased that the threat had not deterred the former president from giving evidence at the commission.
Zondo urged law enforcement agencies to investigate the threats against Zuma, his family, and his legal representation.
The uncanny and hellish school boy behaviour by one Tinashe Kambarami of unknown origin, who by the devil’s design, strangely found himself being the self-proclaimed godfather of Bulawayo, is exceedingly rude and insensitive.
The dopey boy’s rudeness is unprecedented in the Bulawayo council, Matabeleland society and in the MDC. He is more than a strange goat with one horn on its forehead! Kambarami is a horrifying monstrous character(umbulumakhasana) , who in IsiNdebele legend, would never successfully jump over a milk container during an identity test without his tail taking a sip into the delicious amasi and thereby exposing him.
His undisciplined tail always sold him out! In tandem with the hypothetical exploits of umbulumakhasana, the horrible reptile, Kambarami’s gargantuan and un-Mthwakazian appetite for power and pomposity is shockingly strange and gruesomely shameless. He is a far cry from the principles of the MDC through whose ticket he got into office, though clandestinely. He is simply a curse that the party and Bulawayo should be exorcised of.
Inhumane behaviour
The wayward Kambarami’s inhumane behaviour, evidenced by his abuse, man-handling and nak*d provocation of the older Christopher Dube, the town clerk, is unacceptable. Although Bulawayo and Zimbabwe in general, is largely disaffected by ZANU PF and its schemes like the elevation of its members to be town clerks to weaken the MDC councillors, the behaviour of our councillors and party should be above board. Kambarami is hair-raisingly faltering in that regard and intentionally dragging the name of the party into the murky waters of disrepute. That is not acceptable! Not even an inch of it. In our culture, including that of the MDC, respect is one of the top values that are not negotiable. In that regard, belittling anyone the way Kambarami did, not even a small child, is worse than taboo. To misbehave and think one can get away with it by claiming to be fighting against ZANU PF has sadly reached its sale date. For the self-styled deputy mayor from Mars, to be as inhumane and insensitive as exhibited by the evidently hollow Kambarami is an embarrassment. Not only to himself, but even to the MDC and the generality of the voters who were compelled to vote for him as they voted for the party as an institution. There is nothing as painful as voting a monster into power and discovering it the very next day. One wonders how such clueless, unintelligible and drowsy political candidates find themselves in such prestigious and stately office like the Bulawayo City Council, only to parade their myopia and stupidity to the whole world! It reminds one of the ghastly experience of seeing a barbaric baboon that picks a gold ring or whistle. What does it do? The madly excitement invites even its watery faeces to come out of its large intestines and assist in the smelly dance outside. It is appalling to note that Bulawayo and the generality of the country melancholically yearn for quality leadership with the requisite capacity which the types of Kambarami are overtly innocent of. The politics of hooliganism and stone throwing belongs to the Mugabe era and should come to an end because it is dangerously anti-development and retrogressive.
Social misfit
Legend and folklore are more than correct in arguing that a crab will always move sideways no matter how many esteemed visitors grace its homestead. The macabre lack of respect by the airhead, Kambarami, is horrendous to say the least. It looks like his stinky behaviour is now chronic. It is in his DNA. That spells doom for the MDC and the generality of the country and serves as the exhibit for poor parenting that is now rampant in our society. The boyish Kambarami cannot even respect his party’s dictates. The concept of loose cannon explains him better. Former South African president, Jacob Zuma was correct to say that never give the lit matchstick to a mad man. The next minute the whole veld will be in flames! In that regard, Kambarami is as dangerous as a live electric wire without the requisite insulation. Can you imagine what a Member of Parliament he would make as he and his relatives in the Bulawayo MDC executive are allegedly positioning themselves for such office through their heinous tribal slate created in Lucifer’s wide-holed toilet! Yeyeni bantu! Mzilikazi wafelani ungakaboni?
Cancerous hunger for power
Kambarami’s cancerous desire for power easily classifies him as a strange female goat who had her other horn broken by a rival female during a fight for mating rights. The substantive mayor is hardly a day on leave and King Kambarami suddenly springs to screw every available goat. What a shame! This culture of Kambarami, together with the rat-brained Chigora and other like-minded minions is totally alien to Bulawayo and should be strongly frowned upon and dismissed with the disdain it deserves.
Stinky tribal slate
The MDC tribal slate currently running the rings in Bulawayo is as stinky as a rotting donkey carcass. The Shona tribal slate has callously usurped all the power there is in the party for selfish gain and for the inflammation of tribalism. Playing such a dirty tribal card in Bulawayo and in the MDC is totally unacceptable and cannot be tolerated by any sober-minded individual or institution. The people of Bulawayo have been taken for a ride for too long and cannot tolerate it anymore. They have been tribally pushed out of employment and all other formal economic activities through the machinations of ZANU PF and the Shona supremacy narrative. Now they are being forcibly pushed out of local political representation by economic excursionists! Where should they go? This satanically designed Shona tribal slate can only be acceptable in Luciferland. Could the MDC do itself a favour by timeously and decisively dealing with tribalism in its Bulawayo structures. Come 2023, the diabolic slate will be contesting for council and parliamentary seats for Bulawayo. Fortunately, we shall teach this club of cousins, girlfriends and kinsmen an indelible lesson in that election if their rudeness goes unabated. The idea of forcing us to vote for the tribal slate in hatred of ZANU PF will not work. A myriad of options exist in Bulawayo. Any wayward approach to 2023 shall hit a snag. We are not going to be hoodwinked for yet another time. Fore-warned is fore-armed, our elders say.
Thick-walled rudeness
The rudeness by the Bulawayo MDC executive is terribly thick-walled and seems to be carefully designed to rigidly follow such a shape as the brick would do its mould. Meet them on social media, physically or in whatever mode. The rudeness is just appalling. What image of the party does this project? I do not think we should rule out the possibility of infiltration. These guys are not lovers or representatives of the MDC. Never! Imagine the kind of government of Kambarami, Rafamoyo, Mhaka, Chigora, Chiroodza, Zviriri(Tsepiso) and others! The haughty attitude by these squirrel imports from Masvingo is as smelly as a mixture of faeces and beer-derived urine. And you are served that for supper! Can you feast on such a meal even if it was brewed in your cousin’s small intestines?
Mockery to local representation
The MDC is premised on the democratic principles of local representation and development. It is, however, strange and awkward to note that imported personnel feel justified to become the kings and queens of Bulawayo at the expense of local people. May the MDC top leadership be humbly reminded to taildock this errant Bulawayo executive before it is too late. This behaviour will only help unite Bulawayo against the MDC if not dealt with properly. It is noteworthy that any thickhead attitude will be met by a fitting response, come 2023.
Poor candidate selection is also to blame for the decay in Bulawayo. The current leadership is obviously the sad product of poor and skewed candidate selection by the MDC. If you pick an election candidate from eRenkini rural bus terminus without even a primary election and not even conduct an induction training on public relations, what can you expect? A heap of wet kaka, obviously.
Friendly advice
Let the dopey Kambarami and his minions be warned against their tribalistic endeavours. Bulawayo is not an arena for such, and shall never be! The nak*dly selfish and opportunistic approach to the politics of Bulawayo is daringly suicidal. It will just not work! Bikita East and other areas in Masvingo and Mashonaland obviously require manpower which Kambarami and his friends should avail. Misdirecting the energy to Bulawayo is not productive. We did our ground work in Bulawayo and do not need any backup from anywhere in the world. Once more, may the MDC be heartily warned to decisively deal with the Bulawayo issue as a matter of urgency and call the wayward executive to order. If the party chooses to wine and dine with the devil, it must have a long spoon! Simple.
Muntukaziwa writes in her personal capacity as a disaffected Bulawayo resident.
Legislators in Namibia have raised serious concerns over the influx of illegal immigrants fleeing Zimbabwe for greener pastures in that country and have called for a quick interventions to halt the exodus.
The Nambian Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security recently visited Omaheke and Kharas regions in that country where MPs were informed by Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration officials of the high number of Zimbabweans entering the south-west African country illegally.
According to a report that was later tabled before Parliament by the committee’s chairperson Leevi Katoma at least 510 illegal immigrants mostly from Zimbabwe, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were arrested and only 103 were deported to their respective country’s this year. Others illegal immigrants are currently being held in that country’s detention centres.
“Due to the lack of accommodation, 103 illegal immigrants have been deported on instruction, noted within 48 hours (sic) to leave the country,” Katoma said.
A high number of desperate Zimbabweans are reported to be seeking urgent travel documents to flee the declining economic crisis in the country that seen daily power cuts, fuel and water shortages and a steady increase in the prices of basic commodities as inflation soars.
Most people feeling trapped and seeking to leave the country are now forced to sleep at the passport office for a chance to being served the next day.
Millions of Zimbabweans have been fleeing the country since 2001 escaping political and economic turmoil under the then President Robert Mugabe.
However, after a short lull in which confidence of better prospects grow in the aftermath of Mugabe’s 2017 removal from power and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rise, the situation has started to deteriorate at an alarming pace throwing citizens into panic.
BULAWAYO Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube is back at work after the municipality engaged a locksmith to unlock his office as Deputy Mayor Councillor Tinashe Kambarami is still holding on to his keys.
Clr Kambarami and Ward Four councillor Silas Chigora on Thursday violently removed Mr Dube from his office and locked it saying they were suspending him from office over various charges including abuse of office.
However, Bulawayo Mayor Solomon Mguni, who was away on study leave when the incident occurred lifted the alleged suspension last Friday.
But Clr Kambarami did not return Mr Dube’s office keys until council engaged a locksmith to open the town clerk’s office on Monday afternoon, Clr Mguni confirmed.
“The office was opened yesterday. We had to get the services of a locksmith hence the Town Clerk is back in his office,” said Clr Mguni.
He said Mr Dube through his lawyers had even contemplated to file an urgent court application to compel Clr Kambarami to open his office.
Clr Mguni said both council management and councillors should accept that the city is in a crisis that requires them to be level headed.
“We should admit that we are in a crisis and we need to engage as both councillors and management and find a common ground. We need to swallow our pride; arrogance.
Blame game will not help us.
We need to find common ground because if we don’t residents will judge us harshly,” said Clr Mguni.
He said council will look into the allegations levelled against Mr Dube procedurally so that the case is brought to its logical conclusion.
Bulawayo Progressive Resident Association (BPRA) co-ordinator Mr Emmanuel Ndlovu said the fight between councillors and management is a result of institutionalised corruption that needs to be dealt with.
“This tiff between staff and councillors is a result of corruption, tenders being awarded to unfit individuals.
It’s part of the rot that is happening at council and now they are counter accusing each other of corruption and the question is where were they when these things were happening?
As residents we want to establish the implications of what this means for the city,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said tomorrow residents will meet over the corruption allegations.
Mr Dube has reportedly angered some councillors after he resisted their moves to interfere in the local authority’s operations.
The councillors are said to be miffed especially by the Town Clerk’s refusal to let them interfere in the distribution of the $5 million ward retention fund as well as control the subcommittee on allocation of stands and premises.
Agents|Ailing former Zimbabwe Defense Forces strongman Constantino Chiwenga bought a ring for exiled former ZANU PF Commissar Savior Kasukuwere during his wedding.
Hagiographer Douglas Rogers reveals in his book Two weeks in November that Chiwenga was Kaukuwere’s political mentor and godfather. He narrates that due to the father-figure influence that Chiwenga had on Kasukuwere the house of the exiled former PC was designed by the same people who did Chiwenga’s.
Read the narrative below:
The biggest mansion in the Borrowdale Brooke, overlooking the entire community from a high rocky promontory, is the private residence of General Constantino Chiwenga.
A neighbouring mansion on a steep hillside had no such qualms: the modern, cream-coloured, triple-storey palace of Saviour Kasukuwere, the ZANU-PF Political Commissar. With its Gatsby-like gables and reinforced walls and floor-to-ceiling bulletproof windows, it looked like something out of Malibu.
Ironically, as things were later to turn out, it was designed by the same architect as Chiwenga’s home in the Brooke, for Chiwenga had been a mentor and father figure to Saviour. Indeed, ED had been too.
Saviour was a daring young intelligence agent in the late 80s and 90s during and after the period that ED, as Minister of State Security, oversaw the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), the country’s secret police.
Saviour gained renown for a hair-raising 1991 operation when, aged 21, he helicoptered into the remote mountain hideaway of Mozambique’s RENAMO resistance rebels disguised as a journalist, locating the camp’s coordinates. ED used to walk to Saviour’s house for tea; Saviour would visit Chiwenga at the Titanic to watch Wimbledon tennis and Premiership soccer games.
Chiwenga bought Saviour his wedding band as a token of their friendship; Saviour did the same for the General. Now they were at war.
State Media|POLICE have launched a manhunt for a self-proclaimed prophet and two accomplices who allegedly armed themselves with machetes and an iron bar before attacking seven family members in Ntabazinduna, killing one on the spot and injuring the rest.
The three suspects escaped with a cash box containing US$800, R900 and ZW$500 which the prophet, only known as Prophet Ngulube had ordered one of the family members to bring for cleansing.
Prophet Ngulube is said to be from Tsholotsho and he had been invited by the family for a cleansing ceremony.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese, confirmed the incident which occurred in Mbembesi.
She said no arrests have been made.
“I can confirm that we received a report about a person who was killed following an attack by a prophet and two accomplices in Mbembesi, Ntabazinduna. No arrest has been made and police investigations are continuing,” said Chief Insp Makonese.
She identified the deceased as Lister Khabo (37) of Stand 25 in Mbembesi.
The injured family members are Mr Vincent Khabo, his wife Ms Gertrude Moyo and Liphiwe Khabo whose ages were not given as well as Mr Lindweyinkosi Khabo (36), Mr Limthembeni Khabo (18), and Linnet Khabo (43).
The alleged prophet arrived at Vincent’s homestead on June 30 and camped there to do the cleansing.
Prophet Ngulube allegedly ordered Lindweyinkosi who operates a shop in the area to bring all his money for cleansing, which he did on July 4.
“After a prayer session the suspect ordered Lindweyinkosi to put the money in one of the bedroom huts for the night and he complied,” said Chief Insp Makonese.
She said Lister, Linnet and Liphiwe slept in the same hut. In the middle of the night, Lister woke up to go and relieve herself outside.
At around the same time, Prophet Ngulube who shared a bedroom hut with Limthembeni also woke up and went outside claiming he wanted to relieve himself.
While outside, police said, Prophet Ngulube was joined by two unidentified men and all three armed themselves with machetes and an iron bar and proceeded to the hut where the money was.
The trio allegedly attacked Linnet and Liphiwe before grabbing the cash box.
Chief Insp Makonese said Lister who was still outside met her fate as she rushed back into the hut after hearing noise.
One of the three suspects allegedly hit her with an iron bar on the head and the other used a machete to strike her on the forehead.
She sustained two deep cuts on the forehead and bruises on the back and collapsed.
Mr Khabo and Ms Moyo rushed to the scene after hearing some noise but were attacked too.
Mr Khabo was hit with an iron bar and collapsed while his wife was struck on the face with a machete and sustained a deep cut.
Limthembeni was also hit with a stone on the face. Lindweyinkosi was also attacked while trying to render first aid to Lister, who died on the spot.
After the attack, the suspects fled. A report was made to the police.
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa airways speaks while Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya follow proceedings during a meeting with female church leaders on Statutory Instrument 142 in Harare yesterday.
Firebrand First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa who is on full gear to outdo her predecessor Grace Mugabe in meddling in government business, yesterday convened a meeting involving fiscal and monetary authorities and female church leaders over the recently introduced Statutory Instrument 142.
Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019, effectively ended the multi-currency system and determined the “Zimbabwe dollar” as the sole legal trading currency in the country.
The meeting held at Zimbabwe House in Harare was attended by Finance and Economic Development Minister Prof Mthuli Ncube, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya, Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Dr Mavis Sibanda and ZIMRA Commissioner-General Ms Faith Mazani, who were all relegated to the back seat as Mrs Mnangagwa took charge of the meeting.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs Mnangagwa said she invited the experts to impart knowledge to the church leaders on SI 142 so that they disseminate the information to their congregants, communities and the nation at large.
“This is a knowledge sharing gathering, the main reason why you are here today is to receive the appropriate information on the implementation of SI 142 of 2019,” she said.
Minister Ncube took time to explain to the gathering what SI 142 was all about.
“SI 142 is an instrument introduced by the Government which declared that the sole currency for use within the Zimbabwe borders is the Zimbabwe dollar and eliminated multi-currency,” he said
“This local currency is in the form of bond notes, coins and the RTGS dollar which is electronic money. Electronic version extends to EcoCash and other versions of mobile banking services and that is the essence of SI 142.
“You are allowed to keep your foreign currency in your pockets because it’s your money, but if you go to the shops change it to local currency.
“We introduced the mono currency because we realised that something was going wrong, people were demanding foreign currency yet we are in shortage of it.
“Using the US dollar did not solve our foreign currency shortage, but it caused further problems.”
He said a country cannot develop without its own currency, saying Zimbabwe needed to be like other countries using their own currencies.
Prof Ncube added that the use of forex left the country vulnerable to sanctions.
“There were certain banks that were told to stop supplying US dollars to Zimbabwe because certain transactions would involve entities in Zimbabwe that are under sanctions.
“CBZ was fined US$350 million for doing some transactions where they thought they were helping and we are still negotiating a way out of that liability.
“Therefore the more we used US dollar, the more we expose the transactors and businesses to fines,” he said.
The minister also said the timing of the introduction of SI 142 was perfect adding that people should not compare the new era with the 2008 era.
He said by using multi-currency, the country was now creating a two-tier society.
“We now have our own currency and the Government is living within its means and once you are able to do so as Government, then you are ready to manage your domestic currency,” he said.
“Previously we were not living within our means, we were literally printing money and we don’t have to print money we only print what is necessary not excessively.
“This is not 2008, it’s a new era which will take us to Vision 2030. The timing was not sudden, it has been a journey,” he said.
Dr Mangudya also addressed the gathering and urged the public to use the legal channels to change their forex.
“We are on a transition to normalcy and let us make sure that transition is short and let us grow confidence. I can assure you that SI 142 will succeed,” he said.
“The introduction of SI 142 is to rebuild the walls of Zimbabwe and instead of using black market to change forex, open the bureau de change. It’s actually a short process to open. Let us shun illegal forex dealing. Black market won’t take us forward.”
The Governor urged the public to utilise land and the resources the country has for the benefit and development of the country.
He said there was need to increase production urging women in farming to grow more soya bean, cotton, wheat, sunflower among other things so as to import less and save forex for necessities.
Dr Mavis Sibanda and Ms Faith Mazani also educated the female church leaders on various issues.
Dr Sibanda said the introduction of SI 142 brought normalcy in the country adding that it has been embraced by commerce and industry.
She also urged the women to supply raw materials to the industry thereby reducing the need to use foreign currency in importing from outside.
The female church leaders took turns to ask questions seeking clarity on certain issues. They thanked Amai Mnangagwa for affording them an opportunity to learn more on issues that concern the nation and pledged to spread the correct information on SI 142.
By Dorrothy Moyo| ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to anger Russian President Vladimir Putin after announcing that shares purchased by a top Russian firm can be chopped down at any time.
When Mnangagwa arrived in Moscow in January, he was criticised by that country’s prime minister Dimitry Medvedev, the latter who subtly described him as a wanderer seeking for business assistance where even close nations like Belarus would not get a penny.
Barely 3 years ago, Mnangagwa’s party kicked out the same Russian diamond company, ELROSA, a development that saw Mnangagwa being told by President Vladimir Putin, “We will assist you [only] with everything that depends on us.”
This time, Mnangagwa’s administration has moved to announce to the returning Russian company that its shareholding is a shifting one. The Minister of Information Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday said, the Zimbabwe Diamond Company would get 30% and the Russians get 70%. “
But she also said the shareholding would change at any time in the future.
“Yes, I talked about 30% right shareholding, and then the shareholding will also however be re-negotiated at agreed intervals of the project cycle, up to a split of 49%, 51% agreed,” she said.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW (article continues)…
While a comment could not be obtained from the Russians, pre responses could be read from their standing communique that criticises Mnangagwa on business ethics. MORE TO FOLLOW
Decision matrix of the 25th cabinet meeting held in Harare on Tuesday 16 July 2019.
The Joint Venture between the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) and Alrosa Overseas S.A. of Russia
Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum of Agreement between ZCDC and Alrosa Overseas S.A. of Russia as submitted by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. The Agreement will establish a mutually beneficial joint venture partnership for diamond exploration, mining and marketing, both in greenfield and brownfield projects. Benefits to be derived from the partnership will include the following:
Access to advanced exploration and mining technology and technical capacity under the command of Alrosa, a leading diamond mining company;
Marshalling of investment across the entire diamond value chain from exploration to sales and marketing;
Mitigation of constraints in the Zimbabwe diamond sector, such as, limited market development, diversity and depth; and
Unlocking the huge diamond sector potential, which will ensure significant contribution to the fiscus, foreign currency generation, job creation and general economic development. Alrosa has already advanced US$1,6 million for the operationalisation of the joint venture and pledged to avail other funding needs as equity for mining development and equipment acquisition.
I may just advise that the Agreement between ZCDC and Alrosa has been signed a short while ago.
The Constitutional Court Bill, 2019
Cabinet considered and approved the Constitutional Court Bill which was presented by the Minister of Justice, legal and Parliamentary Affairs. The Bill will govern the operations of the Constitutional Court. It is part of the alignment of laws to the Constitution and will also regulate the jurisdiction, powers, practice and procedure of the Court. The Bill provides for the composition, regulations, appeals from decisions of lower courts and other matters connected to the operations of the Constitutional Court. Once enacted, the Bill will provide and ensure an effective and efficient justice delivery system.
The International Treaties Bill, 2019
Cabinet considered and approved the International Treaties Bill which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. The Bill establishes a uniform procedure for the approval of international treaties by Cabinet and Parliament, and subsequent ratification by the President. It provides a mechanism for the publication or notification of such treaties. This will ensure that international treaties, including those having far-reaching consequences on the country’s domestic laws, are concluded only after the due notification of Parliament and the public.
Cabinet expressed concern over the prolonged difficulties faced by citizens both within and outside the country, in obtaining passports and other identity documents.
Measures to Address Current Challenges Relating to the Issuance of Passports and other Identity Documents
The Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, then updated Cabinet on progress towards the resolution of the challenges as previously directed by His Excellency the President Cde E.D. Mnangagwa. On the basis of this, therefore we wish to advise the nation that work towards the return to normalcy in the production of the Zimbabwean passport is now at an advanced stage. All the necessary capital equipment is now in place while payment has already been made for the associated consumables. Cabinet has thus directed the responsible Minister to ensure that production of at least 3 000 passports a day commences within the next three to four weeks. This should be followed by measures to ensure that citizens can complete some aspects of the application process on-line, in keeping with the thrust of the ease of doing business reforms.
Energy and Power Supply Situation
Cabinet received a report by the Minister of Energy and Power Development on the country’s energy and power supply situation.
On power, Cabinet notes with concern the ongoing prolonged load shedding caused by reduced power supplies mainly due to low water levels, and hence depressed electricity generation at Lake Kariba as well as reduced power imports and frequent breakdowns at the Hwange Thermal Power Station.
To alleviate the situation on the power supply front, Cabinet resolved as follows:
to endorse the arrangement whereby large Hotels in the Victoria Falls resort town can pay their ZESA bills in foreign currency so as to boost capacity to import power supplies;
that a large scale programme be implemented to promote the importation, local production of solar equipment and the use of solar power as an alternative energy source.
In this regard, special incentives shall be provided through duty waivers on imported solar equipment while it shall be mandatory for all new construction projects to be solar powered;
Furthermore, Cabinet embraced the commitment by mining companies under the banner of the Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines to pay a cost recovery electricity tariff to ZESA, and to directly procure extra power supplies from the Southern Africa Power pool as well as to mobilise a lumpsum towards the settlement of the existing power imports debt arrears. This will, among other things, assist in unlocking further power imports; and
That the implementation of the already existing coal-bed methane gas projects be speeded up in order to provide affordable gas for cooking and heating purposes, thereby reducing reliance on power from the national grid. Pertaining to fuel, Cabinet noted with concern that some service stations are continuing to flout their licensing conditions by:
rejecting electronic payments;
diverting fuel to the parallel market;
dispensing the product to preferred customers and engaging in other arbitrage activities.
Cabinet accordingly directed as follows:
The urgent roll-out of the Matsimba Technology, which will enable ZERA to remotely monitor the movement of fuel from the depot to the service station, fuel stocks at service stations, fuel dispensing activities at service stations, and the vehicles involved. A Ministerial statement will soon be issued to spell out the modalities in that regard; and
That ZERA inspectors should be firmly on the ground and should immediately withdraw operating licences of those service stations caught engaging in the above-indicated malpractices;
The responsible Ministry is already ceased with work on a lasting solution to the country’s fuel supply challenges. Cabinet received with satisfaction, the progress made on the 2 400 MW Batoka Hydro Project, where China Power and General Electronic were recently awarded the tender for the Project. Cabinet also wishes to advise the nation that discussions with ESKOM are continuing, with a view to unlocking power supplies imports therefrom.
Mr Joseph Mamutse
Secretary General
Zimbabwe Football Association
HARARE
Dear Sir
Re: ZIFA ALLEGATIONS AGAINST DR PHILLIP CHIYANGWA
We are in receipt of your letter dated 10th July 2019, the contents of which have been noted and we respond as follows:
1. Your allegations against the former President of ZIFA, whether founded or unfounded, are domestic in nature and should therefore be dealt with in Zimbabwe. These issues have nothing to do with COSAFA;
2. The President of COSAFA was duly elected by the General Assembly of
COSAFA in December 2016 in accordance with Article 10.3 of the Statutes;
3. The Zimbabwe Football Association does not have the right to “recall Dr Phillip Chiyangwa as COSAFA President” despite his nationality;
4. The Zimbabwe Football Association, a Member of COSAFA should not seek to use the Office of the President of COSAFA to resolve domestic disputes and in so doing, bring the Zonal Union and the Presidency into disrepute;
5. It is the prerogative of any Member Association to consider whether or not to participate in the activities of the Zonal Union.
We trust that the Association will act in a responsible manner and seek to resolve any differences so that the focus of the leadership can be on football development and reaching the full and considerable potential which Zimbabwe has.
Yours sincerely
SUE DESTOMBES
General Secretary
Cc Executive Committee, COSAFA
Cc General Secretaries CAF and FIFA
By Farai D Hove| An old video of former First Lady Grace Mugabe predicting chaos under Emmerson Mnangagwa in the has emerged.
The video (below) has the former 1st lady screaming out loud that there would-be disorder under a Mnangagwa presidency. The clip was recalled by popular Twitter user, Lynn Nemudonhi who said:
Since 2014 papinda maVP two Cde Mnangagwa Cde Mphoko ndopakatanga ma1 ose, MANYONGORI,NYONGA-NYONGA! Kwete kubva kuna Mphoko but kuna vaMnangagwa!!?Ntombizodwa woooyeeee! Don't after come after me MUROMBO!You heard these words loud & clear but mukagadza returnee border jumper!?♀️ pic.twitter.com/Sm8jGU81iC
Image captionJohnny Clegg (L) during his final world tour in 2017
One of South Africa’s most celebrated musicians, Johnny Clegg, has died at the age of 66, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Known as the “white Zulu”, he was a vocal critic of the apartheid government which ruled until 1994.
The British-born musician, who uniquely blended western and Zulu music, was diagnosed with cancer in 2015.
His best known hit Asimbonanga, released in 1987, was dedicated to Nelson Mandela.
Meaning “We have not seen him” in Zulu, the song was one of the first to openly call for Mandela’s release.
At the time, the future first black president of South Africa was still in jail and considered a threat to the apartheid state.
Clegg – a white man who learnt to speak and sing in Zulu – became a symbol of democratic South Africa and was chosen to sing at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in 2013.
Video captionJohnny Clegg, best known for his fusion of western and Zulu music, reflects on his career.
His long-time music manager, Ronny Quinn, who announced the news of his death, said Clegg left “deep footprints in the hearts of every person that considers himself or herself to be an African”.
“He showed us what it was to assimilate to and embrace other cultures without losing your identity.”
Tributes have been pouring in for Clegg, including from the South African government.
By Farai D Hove | Despite Foreign Affairs Minister SB Moyo saying his safety in the UK “is guaranteed”, the Zimbabwean government has turned tables against the British government saying the Nov coup announcer was not safe at all. SB Moyo described the protest against him last Friday which included watering, as an excercise of democracy, but the government has made a u turn to call it an act of “violence.” WATCH BELOW (ARTICLE CONTINUES):
The government also said the protesters’ actions were a violation of laws of both the UK and international laws regarding the protections of person of Minister Moyo’s stature.
Zimbabwe says it has since summoned the Charge d’Affaires of the United Kingdom, Great Britain and Northern Ireland over what it labels an “assault” on Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Busi Moyo and his delegation in London last week during the re-engagement programme to strengthen ties between the two countries.
It also demanded for the protesters to be charged.
Minister Moyo was on a four-day re-engagement programme to strengthen bilateral relations and to lure investors.
He also attended the Global Conference for Media Freedom.
Acting Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Pavelyn Musaka yesterday said Government was concerned with the incident.
A source said inexplicable laxity by security services allowed the assailants to pounce, despite top-notch security having been provided prior to the incident.
“Our Government — through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — has summoned the Charge d’Affaires of the United Kingdom, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Mr Giles Enticknap, to register our Government’s protest against the assault on Minister Moyo and his Zimbabwe delegation to the Global Conference for Media Freedom co-ordinated by the government of the United Kingdom.
“As organisers of the event, it was incumbent upon the Government of the UK to assess the threat level for all dignitaries and to provide under cover security details to protect Honourable Minister Moyo in the event of any unforeseen security situations arising.
“The Ministry wishes to inform our compatriots, members of the public that while Government of Zimbabwe respects the rights to freedom and the rights of its citizens to demonstrate peacefully as part of the democratic process be it here in Zimbabwe, in the UK or any part of the world that our delegations are invited to visit whether in their official capacity or in the personal capacities it objects to the assaults on Minister Moyo as head of the Zimbabwean delegation.”
She said the protesters’ actions were a violation of laws of both the UK and international laws regarding the protections of person of Minister Moyo’s stature.
“The Ministry therefore calls for the government of UK to take all measures necessary to bring the perpetrators of the violence against the Minister to book for their actions,” she said.
Government is today expected to make an announcement pertaining to civil servants’ conditions of service following engagements by workers’ representatives with President Mnangagwa recently.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza, together with Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube are expected to make a statement.
This is in tandem with Government’s commitment to engage civil servants over their concerns, despite constrained resources. Already, Government has offered a 40 percent cushioning intervention in the immediate term.
The Herald understands that the cushioning intervention will continue for the next five months as a “more modest amount” while other interventions are being considered.
The approach is consistent with Government’s desire to support the livelihoods of civil servants, with initiatives that go beyond monetary interventions, which may not always be a solution to the challenges faced by workers in an environment where manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers take advantage of any monetary incentives to push up prices for basic goods and services.
Government says it has noted with concern the tendency by businesspeople to increase prices after “any injection of money on the marketplace”, resulting in the adoption of the philosophy of “addressing the pain points for civil servants”.
Some of the pain points include the high cost of transport, to which Government has made significant initiatives to cushion civil servants who commute to and from work, by heavily subsidising the cost of transport through the provision of public service buses at a low cost.
Civil servants pay 70c per trip when going to work, against the up to $3 that private players charge for the same trip.
More Zupco buses will be deployed across the country after they were delivered recently to address transport challenges faced not only by civil servants, but the rest of the population.
As part of that, Government has launched several measures while other interventions are being crafted to address civil servants’ concerns.
Some of the measures include the engagements with the Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS), which most civil servants subscribe to, which has seen the medical aid society coming through with a concession where in the case of some vital drugs, it would reduce significantly the required top-ups for civil servants.
Government has also announced a housing scheme and a number of civil servants have applied.
Meanwhile, Blessings Chidakwa and Nyasha Mupungu report that civil servants yesterday handed in a petition to Government seeking an increase in their earnings whose value has been affected by inflation.
This is despite a 40 percent salary adjustment from this month — a second within three months — following the $400 million cost of living adjustment package made in April.
The petition was handed over to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
The Civil Service Apex Council and Health Apex Council had both handed the same petition to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
Apex Council president Mrs Cecilia Alexander told journalists yesterday that their earnings have lost value particularly since October last year.
“Civil servants are not asking for a salary increment, but rather restoration of the value of their earnings which fell from at least US$475 to a mere (US)$47 currently for the lowest paid civil servant.
“In arriving at the figure for a cost of living adjustment, the interbank rate must apply, benchmarked against pre-October 2018 average US$475 salary for the lowest paid civil servant. This will therefore mean the lowest paid civil service worker should earn $4 750 to restore value of their earnings,” she said. – state media
Police have launched a manhunt for a self-proclaimed prophet and two accomplices who allegedly armed themselves with machetes and an iron bar before attacking seven family members in Ntabazinduna, killing one on the spot and injuring the rest.
The three suspects escaped with a cash box containing US$800, R900 and ZW$500 which the prophet, only known as Prophet Ngulube had ordered one of the family members to bring for cleansing.
Prophet Ngulube is said to be from Tsholotsho and he had been invited by the family for a cleansing ceremony.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese, confirmed the incident which occurred in Mbembesi. She said no arrests have been made.
“I can confirm that we received a report about a person who was killed following an attack by a prophet and two accomplices in Mbembesi, Ntabazinduna. No arrest has been made and police investigations are continuing,” said Chief Insp Makonese.
She identified the deceased as Lister Khabo (37) of Stand 25 in Mbembesi. The injured family members are Mr Vincent Khabo, his wife Ms Gertrude Moyo and Liphiwe Khabo whose ages were not given as well as Mr Lindweyinkosi Khabo (36), Mr Limthembeni Khabo (18), and Linnet Khabo (43).
The alleged prophet arrived at Vincent’s homestead on June 30 and camped there to do the cleansing.
Prophet Ngulube allegedly ordered Lindweyinkosi who operates a shop in the area to bring all his money for cleansing, which he did on July 4.
“After a prayer session the suspect ordered Lindweyinkosi to put the money in one of the bedroom huts for the night and he complied,” said Chief Insp Makonese.
She said Lister, Linnet and Liphiwe slept in the same hut. In the middle of the night, Lister woke up to go and relieve herself outside.
At around the same time, Prophet Ngulube who shared a bedroom hut with Limthembeni also woke up and went outside claiming he wanted to relieve himself.
While outside, police said, Prophet Ngulube was joined by two unidentified men and all three armed themselves with machetes and an iron bar and proceeded to the hut where the money was.
The trio allegedly attacked Linnet and Liphiwe before grabbing the cash box.
Chief Insp Makonese said Lister who was still outside met her fate as she rushed back into the hut after hearing noise.
One of the three suspects allegedly hit her with an iron bar on the head and the other used a machete to strike her on the forehead.
She sustained two deep cuts on the forehead and bruises on the back and collapsed.
Mr Khabo and Ms Moyo rushed to the scene after hearing some noise but were attacked too.
Mr Khabo was hit with an iron bar and collapsed while his wife was struck on the face with a machete and sustained a deep cut.
Limthembeni was also hit with a stone on the face. Lindweyinkosi was also attacked while trying to render first aid to Lister, who died on the spot.
After the attack, the suspects fled. A report was made to the police. – state media
Government has summoned the Charge de Affairs of the United Kingdom, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, over the assault on Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Moyo and his delegation in London last week during the re-engagement programme to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Government has also called for the perpetrators to be brought to book.
Minister Moyo was on a four day re-engagement programme to strengthen bilateral relations and to woo investment into the country.-StateMedia
By Patrick Guramatunhu: “Zimbabwe is burning. The country is in the throes of a serious political and socio-economic crisis.
The resolution of this crisis has become a matter of extreme urgency. It is clear that soft- landing the crisis has to be done to avert an impending and inevitable implosion.
Zimbabwe is heading for a disaster, it’s facing an abyss. Bold steps must be taken to avoid catastrophe,” said Nelson Chamisa, the President of the MDC opposition party.
To say the country “is heading for a disaster” is an understatement. With unemployment still a nauseating 90% plus, ¾ of the population now living in abject poverty, basic services like health care and supply of clean drinking water all but collapse and the country facing the hyperinflation of 2008, etc.; we are in the middle of a disaster.
The disaster is getting worse and worse and no one in the ruling party, Zanu PF, or the opposition know what to do to revive the economy and end the mess. According to the Daily News, the Nelson Chamisa-led party in the end decided to momentarily ice dialogue efforts with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and will now instead roll out demonstrations to force the Zanu-PF leader to the negotiating table.
Nelson Chamisa and his party have reportedly decided to stage peaceful street protest to force President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to force to yield to MDC’s demands for political dialogue leading to a power sharing arrangement comparable to the 2008 GNU.
“We want dialogue that is bankable and irreversible,” said Chamisa. “It must be scaffolded, underwritten and guaranteed by the international community and the people of Zimbabwe,” said Chamisa.
The devil is always in the detail! Whilst MDC accepts that last year’s election was “illegal and not free and fair” and thus making this Zanu PF regime illegitimate.
The MDC’s proposal of restoring legitimacy after the party goes into a power sharing arrangement with Zanu PF is not bankable for four reasons: 1) Only the people of Zimbabwe, in free, fair and credible elections, have the power and authority to confer the mandate to rule legitimacy. It is any outrage that anyone else should be so presumptuous as to believe they can confer legitimacy upon themselves, especially when they are the one who conspired to rig the elections!
2) Zimbabwe is in this economic chaos because it is a pariah state ruled by corrupt, incompetent and vote rigging thugs. The inclusion of MDC leaders in the present illegitimate Zanu PF regime will not change the pariah state status of the regime. As long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state, there will be no meaningful economic recovery.
3) Both Zanu PF and MDC were involved in the 2008 to 2013 GNU and we all know that they failed to get even one democratic reform implemented. Not one! Hence the reason Zanu PF was able to blatantly rig 2013 and last year’s elections. There is nothing in the proposed power sharing to suggest the two would implement the reforms and thus finally end this curse of rigged elections and pariah state.
4) Zimbabwe is in this economic and political mess because for the last 39 years Zanu PF has rigged elections to stay in npower and the nation has failed to stand up to the regime.
Instead of punishing Zanu PF for rigging elections we have rewarded the party with absolute power. We sowed the wind and in the economic ruins and political paralysis of the last 39 years, we have reaped the whirlwind! Surely, we have suffered enough to have finally learnt the lesson! Zanu PF rigged last year’s election and the least we must demand is that the party steps down.
Five beneficiaries of the estate of the late national hero, Vitalis Musungwa Gava Zvinavashe’s Trust have petitioned the High Court seeking an order to remove the current Trustees accusing them of failing to distribute dividends to the recipients and also failing to provide accounting details of how the Trust has been administered since January 2017.
In his founding affidavit, Thompson said in the event that the order sought is granted by the court, he together with his co-beneficiaries of the Trust should be ordered to appoint an interim board of trustees comprising of two professional trustees and three other trustees from the members of the family.
“The application and order sought is based on the following; non-payment of dividends to the beneficiaries in contravention of clause 16 of the Trust Deed. Current beneficiaries have the right to distributions as set forth in the trust document. It is respectively averred that since January 2017, applicants were not favoured with their share of Trust dividends,” he said.
“That failure, in my view, directly offends the spirit of the Trust Deed particularly clause 6,3 of the Trust Deed which is sacrosanct. Respondents are not giving information to the beneficiaries pertaining to all Trust property held in the Trust Deed as communicated in clause 5 of the Trust Deed.”
Thompson also said, alternatively, if their order is not granted in terms of how they have suggested, the court should appoint an interim board of trustees it deems fit and proper in terms of clause 4 of the Trust Deed.
Thompson further said the court should also order Mutumba and Ruzengwe to deliver all professional reports of the Trust and all records pertaining to their duties as trustees and all documents in their possession or control to the interim board appointed by the five beneficiaries, who are applicants in the matter, or by the court.
“Respondents are not keeping proper set of accounts in respect of their transaction and no auditing has been done with regards to the financial dealings of the Trust. That conduct is contrary to clause 9 of the Trust Deed,” he said.
“Furthermore, respondents are not making information available to the applicants pertaining to the Trust. Applicants, being beneficiaries are entitled to accounting records. Accounting is a detailed report of all income, expenses and distributions from the Trust. Respondents are required to provide accounting annually, and this has not been done and if it were done, the applicants were never made aware of the same.”
Just last month, High Court judge Justice Sylvia Chirawu-Mugomba lamented the absence of an alternative dispute resolution in the same estate where Margaret and Richard have been at each other’s throat ever since Zvinavashe was interred at the National Heroes Acre.
Justice Chirawu-Mugomba presided over an application in which Margaret approached the court seeking a court order to bar Richard from entering stand number 730 Cowie Road, Tynwald in Harare because he has been disturbing her peace.
According to court papers, Margaret and Richard have been embroiled in bitter fights over Zvinavashe’s estate and at some point the said fights landed Richard in the dock after he allegedly chased Margaret out of the premises despite her having been granted lifetime usufruct over the Tynwald property by the late army general.
A 38-year old man from Bulawayo lost R40 000 and US$ 100 in the city’s central business district while attending to a minor accident he had been involved in as he was about to park his car.
