Two Chiweshe men, Takemore Mutemaringa (27) and Brian Tembo (30) were jailed three years for stealing their MP’s barbed wire valued at $23 000.
The duo appeared before Guruve magistrate, Artwell Sanyatwe, and pleaded guilty to the charge. Sanyatwe sentenced them to three years and suspended two years on condition that they resituate the $23 000 to the complainant Mazowe Central legislator Sydney Chidamba.
The State, represented by Prosecutor Albert Charehwa, told the court that the duo cut Chidamba’s paddock perimeter fence on July 21.à
1The wire was sold to Phillip Mhlanga who would later assist police with investigations leading to the pair’s arrest.
By A Correspondent| The resignation of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Zimbabwe (Icasz) lecturer, Last Mapuranga, has disclosed unpleasant practices at the institution.
Mapuranga, resigned from his job citing illegal awarding of better grades to students who would have failed the examinations. He also indicated that the institution contracted underqualified lecturers.
In his resignation letter dated 3 June, Mapuranga said:
“Chief executive, Sir, I recall I have engaged you more than twice about the structure of the programme to no avail. I think the programme was structured to enrich the pockets of some people and not for the benefit of the candidates.”
The institution could however not stomach the allegations. Resultantly, it has through its lawyers Dube, Manikai and Hwacha, asked Mapuranga to retract his statement which it says is defaming.
ICSAZ also demands that Mapuranga issues a public apology.
Meanwhile, the defiant Mapuranga has maintained his position, insisting that he has evidence of irregularities in the Icsaz exam system.-Newsday
By A Correspondent| Some teachers in Chikomba District are reportedly being harassed by State Security personnel after they declared incapacitation to report for duty.
The teachers are said to have applied for unpaid leave since they can no longer afford to continue reporting for work.
This was revealed by Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe.
He said:
“We are advised overzealous DSIs are on the prowl in Chikomba, Chipinge and parts of Matabeleland South, harassing teachers because of incapacitation issues.
We know that several of our leaders have been summons by the President’s Office across the country.
Case in point is in Chivhu where several heads were summoned to CIO offices and were instructed to charge teachers.
He added that the PTUZ will approach the International Labour Organisation over the matter.
He said:
Because of this harassment we will be advising the ILO and Education International of the harassment we are going through. Our demands for a living wage are legitimate and justified. There is nothing political about asking for money for food and rent. The CIO has no business in schools.
Teachers constitute a part of several workers whose salaries were eroded by the soaring inflation.
Bankers recently wrote to their management teams proposing a number of solutions to their incapacitation.
They suggested that the banks convert some offices into their bedrooms as they can no longer afford to go to and from work as transport costs have continued to rise.-Newsday
By Own Correspondent| Addressing hundreds of supporters in Lupane over the weekend, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa unveiled President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “retirement package”.
Said Chamisa:
“I will give him (Mnangagwa), a farm together with (VPs) Chiwenga and Mohadi. I want to say sit and be quiet. I will give you whisky and I’ll give you women. Whatever you want I’ll give you.”
Should Chamisa apologise for his statement?
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Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has come under fire over recent statements in Lupane where he reportedly offered President Emmerson Mnangagwa women and whisky as retired package. Should Chamisa apologise for his statement?
State Media|JUSTICE, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi says a report towards implementation of political and electoral reforms will soon be presented to President Mnangagwa and Cabinet for approval.
Government has since established an inter-ministerial taskforce on political and electoral reforms chaired by Minister Ziyambi.
Speaking during a seminar on political and electoral reforms in Kadoma at the weekend, the Minister said Government was committed to implementing political and electoral reforms to enhance democracy.
“I have a team of senior officials (inter-ministerial committee) to look into it (electoral reforms) and come up with important issues arising from elections and this is the work that we are doing which is work in progress.
“At this stage it would be very premature for me to start giving a road map before I even present what we have done so far to the President, then subsequently to Cabinet for approval soon,” he said.
Ziyambi said while Government was eager to carry out political and electoral reforms in the shortest possible time, this cannot be done within two months as has been called for by the Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda.
This is because the Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs also needs to be accorded an opportunity to produce critical recommendations to be fed into a report that will be presented to President Mnangagwa.
“I understand, Honourable Speaker is saying let’s do it fast within the next two months but we also want the committee to produce a report so that we can have it and see the issues outstanding that are not within our matrix and then we also present and follow the necessary channels.
“But also out of the respect of the work that has been happening, I have said let’s hold on and hear what the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee is doing; we get some of the critical recommendations that come out of that and feed into the report that we will present to His Excellency and subsequently then we come up with a matrix on how to implement going forward,” said Ziyambi.
The Government hopes to amend the Electoral Act by mid next year in sync with recommendations made by observer missions during last year’s harmonised elections.
The electoral reforms are part of the Government’s efforts in transforming the political and economic environments, as it seeks to entrench democratic values and freedoms in line with Vision 2030 of achieving an upper middle income economy.
They are also in line with the Second Republic’s pledge to incorporate views of other players into different laws that affect society and open up the democratic space to enhance good governance.
Ziyambi said the two-day seminar, which ended yesterday was important as it allows the inter-ministerial taskforce to gather relevant information pertaining to the political and electoral reforms.
He said as Government was working towards implementing electoral reforms, it has been acknowledged that there were other issues that could not wait to be tackled.
“A case in point is the Public Order and Security Act (Posa). We agreed that let’s proceed while we are doing the work that we are doing. We are also moving fast to unbundle AIPPA (Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act), Professor (Tafataona) Mahoso is working tirelessly so that we come up with three bills (Freedom of information; Data protection; and Protection of personal information),” he said.
“So we are unbundling, we are freeing up the space, we have the maintenance of peace which is very contentious and some are telling us that the right to demonstrate is very absolute don’t touch a demonstrator; the police must never be involved.”
Ziyambi said recently 10 ambassadors from the most powerful nations came to his office and said police should not be involved in demonstrations.
“I reminded them that in England, if you are in London if you want to demonstrate, you go to the mayor to seek clearance and the mayor of London has got police with arresting powers,” he said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa chats with Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Philip Valerio Sibanda (file photo).
Positives realised by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration following the removal of his predecessor Robert Mugabe have been overshadowed by failure to respect human rights and define the role of the military in governance.
This has been said by the International Republican Institute (IRI)/ National Democratic Institute (NDI) joint observer mission to Zimbabwe’s elections last year.
In its latest report, the Washington based mission, through US Deputy Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson, called on Mnangagwa to implement political reforms in order to move the country forward.
“The delegation heard reports of low levels of trust in government institutions due to insufficient public outreach and systematic intimidation of opposition and civil society activists, mismanagement of public funds and poor governance marked by inflation, currency instability and shortages of fuel, food and medicines were also issues that were brought to the attention of the delegation.
“These serious issues overshadowed many of the positive actions taken by the government since the 2018 harmonised elections,” said Carson.
“The delegation strongly urges the government to continue to advance security and legal reforms that guarantee citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly.”
According to Carson, positives noted include steps to enact a comprehensive legislative agenda by the Justice Ministry, Parliament, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and Information Ministry.
Mnangagwa has taken steps to repeal the much vilified Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and Public Order and Security Act although critics argue government had done no more than change the names of these laws.
Mnangagwa’s administration is struggling to shrug off a pariah State tag left by predecessor Mugabe who ran the country to the ground over three decades characterised by a weak economy and disregard for basic human rights.
Earlier, NDI Regional director for southern and east Africa Dickson Omondi raised concerns over the sustained involvement of the army in civilian matters such as protests.
“The delegation heard multiple concerns about the role of the military in putting down public demonstrations and its expanding influence in government operations.
“Citizen groups expressed deep concern about the violence that transpired on January 14 in which the security forces reportedly used excessive force to break up demonstrations by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU),” said Omondi.
Omondi questioned government’s sincerity to investigate the perpetrators of the deadly violence in August last year and the implementation of the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry.
“Though the Motlanthe Commission was a positive step, the failure of the government to take any public or visible action towards the perpetrators of the August 1 shootings reinforces a culture of impunity and overshadows any progress that has been made so far,” he said.
In the aftermath of the killing of six people by the military after protests broke out over delays in announcement of election results, Mnangagwa set up a commission of inquiry headed by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe to investigate circumstances around the incident.
Motlanthe recommended, among other things dialogue, compensation for victims of the army shootings and criminal charges against perpetrators.
A lucky 5-year-old cheated death after he fell 12 floors from his family’s flat.
The youngster, who’s from Ho Chi Minh City in southeastern Vietnam, was reportedly left by his mom to play with his toys when he climbed onto the washing machine which is kept near their balcony.
His mother, who said she was distracted at the time with housework, believes he toppled over the edge and plummeted to the ground.
Fortunately, the unnamed boy’s estimated 36m fall was cushioned by a bush before he dropped onto soft soil.
He was immediately rushed to Ho Chi Minh City’s children’s hospital.
The little boy suffered severe injuries ranging from a broken neck and broken right arm and both legs, to internal bleeding as well as damage to his liver and lungs.
Doctors say that against all odds he’s now out of danger.
He’s since been taken off a ventilator and is expected to make a full recovery.—News24.
State Media|A LOCAL anti-corruption watchdog has said rampant corruption among doctors, nurses and other health specialists has led to deaths and is worsening the challenges affecting health service delivery in the country.
In a report published recently entitled ‘Conflict of interest and other forms of corruption affecting health service delivery in Zimbabwe’, the Anti-Corruption Trust Southern Africa said a significant number of health practitioners, especially doctors, pharmacists and nurses run their own pharmacies, clinics, hospitals and surgeries while at the same time being full time employees of the Government, thereby creating conflict of interest.
The report said there has always been concern that these medical practitioners spend more time at their private businesses, even during the time that they are supposed to be physically present at government hospitals.
“As a result of conflict of interest, there are several incidents in which they either refer patients to seek medical attention at their private businesses or treat private patients using government facilities,” reads the report.
“There are several incidents in which medical practitioners spend more time at their private businesses when they are supposed to be attending patients at government hospitals.”
It said some drug shortages were caused by selfish doctors who steal from public health institutions.
The report recommended that policy makers should restore order within the health sector.
“The epidemic nature of corruption in the health sector, particularly in several government clinics and hospitals has been exacerbated by compromised supervisors who also run their own private clinics, hospitals, surgeries and pharmacies, offering similar services that they are supposed to be offering as government employees,” it said.
“The status quo has resulted in the neglect of patients visiting government health institutions for there is less return for them as compared to what they realise from their private business establishments.”
The report made reference to an incident which was reported by our sister paper The Herald where top management officials from Masvingo Provincial Hospital were fired for diverting critical drugs to private pharmacies for resale in foreign currency.
According to the report, donated surgical equipment for male circumcision donated by organisations such as Population Services International reportedly found their way out of the public hospitals to private institutions in some instances.
“The problem is not only rampant at government hospitals but also takes place in the private sector. For instance, four registered nurses from the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) were arrested on allegations of stealing drugs worth over $91 000 from their employer which they in turn diverted to their private clinic in Harare,” read the report.
“In some instances, officials create acute drug shortage of medicines as a strategy to push desperate patients to private pharmacies.”
The report said policy makers should consider paying health practitioners handsome salaries and make decisions to address the issues raised.
Zimbabwe’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has been accused of inconsistencies on its new monetary policy under SI142 which brought back the Zimbabwean dollar.
In the latest inconsistency, a circular released on Wednesday 24 July 2019, the RBZ said that Oil firms, chrome miners, embassies and international organisations in Zimbabwe can use foreign currencies for local transactions.
The government had, through Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019, banned the use of all foreign currencies for domestic transactions. The SI also reintroduced the Zimbabwe dollar and made it the sole legal tender in the country.
In the video below, Tinashe of Equity Axis discusses the issue which some have viewed as confused policy inconsistency.
The cat has finally been let out of the bag with revelations that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, Emmerson Junior, Is the brains behind the activities in the ZANU PF Youth League.
Weekend revelations indicate that some members of the youth league national executive are accusing deputy secretary Lewis Matutu of using his close links to Emmerson Mnangagwa Junior, to make unilateral decisions and personalise the wing.
The sources said Matutu was targeting perceived rivals and making decisions without consulting his boss, Pupurai Togarepi, putting him at odds with other executive members.
“He is now making decisions without informing Togarepi, making himself the league boss. Matutu is now walking around with several bodyguards and travelling in a convoy,” the source said.
“Togarepi is caught in between as it has become hard for him to take sides between the two factions.”
Insiders said last Monday some members of the league tried to force youth league commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu to retract his statement that Wedza South MP Tinoda Machakaire had been cleared of corruption after he was included on the name-and-shame list.
Addressing party supporters in Wedza at the weekend, Tsenengamu said they had since cleared Machakaire of any wrongdoing.
But the move has reportedly angered Matutu.
“They tried to force Tsenengamu to take back his words, but he stood his ground,” the source said.
“There is disharmony in the league because most members are now turning against Matutu, saying he is now diverting from the usual business of the campaign.”
But Matutu yesterday said the youths had no mandate to clear people of corruption charges and claimed allegations against him were coming from individuals who wanted to divert attention from the ongoing corruption cases.
“There is no factionalism in the youth league. It is lame for anyone to say that there is factionalism,” he said.
“They are trying to divide the youth league with money as bribes to cover up their corrupt activities. We are aware, we are not going to pay attention. We are denouncing corruption.”
“Tsenengamu told me that he did not say Machakaire was cleared.”
Matutu said he was taking orders from Togarepi and had not usurped his role.
A seven-member Zimbabwean parliamentary delegation is in Kigali, Rwanda on a week-long study visit on the operations of the Rwandese One-Stop Shop model which the country is adopting through the envisaged Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) state media has reported.
The delegation, which comprises members of the joint Portfolio Committees on Foreign Affairs and International Trade and that of Industry and Commerce, is led by Kindness Paradza, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Portfolio Committee.
The visit to learn from Rwanda comes at a time when the world is begining to realise dents in the Paul Kagame administration which was for sometime believed to be a champion in Africa after a perceived pleasant turn around from a genocide era.
Several members of political groups opposed to President Paul Kagame have gone missing in recent years and never been accounted for after that with most democracies now beginning to trend extremely cautious with the country.
We highlight below a few of the high profile disappearances that Rwandan opposition politicians and activists handed been subjected to which maybe the Zimbabwe foreign affairs office may have ignored but the world is talking about.
Just last week, when Eugene Ndereyimana left home, he didn’t tell his wife where he was going, and she didn’t ask. The less she knew, the better, she thought.
The 29-year-old father of two was traveling from his home in Rwanda’s southeastern Ngoma district to the northeastern town of Nyagatare for a political meeting on July 15.
But the people waiting for Ndereyimana to arrive lost contact with him when he was just five kilometers (3.1 miles) from the venue.
He hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
Ndereyimana is a representative for the FDU-Inkingi, an unregistered coalition of opposition parties against President Paul Kagame, who has been in power since 2000. He is one of at least five FDU members who have gone missing under mysterious circumstances over the last few years in Kagame’s Rwanda.
Opposition politicians and supporting party members say they face intimidation, violence, jail time or the prospect of disappearing for opposing the President and his ruling party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).
For Ndereyimana, that intimidation began last September, when he was arbitrarily detained by military officers at a local police station, his wife Joseline Mwiseneza
“For them he was an enemy,” Mwiseneza said, referring to the local authorities.
She added that Ndereyimana’s political activities created difficulties in his everyday life — from harassment by security forces to the inability to get credit from the local bank.
Now, Mwiseneza says she doesn’t know what to say to their children, who keep on asking where their father is, and fears for her husband’s life. As she waits for answers, others politically aligned with her husband have met violent ends.
In a harrowing case in March, 30 year old Anselme Mutuyimana a close aide to FDU president Victoire Ingabire, was found dead in a forest in the country’s northwest region. Residents who found Mutuyimana said he appeared to have died by strangulation, according to the party.
In another incident last October, jailed FDU Vice President Boniface Twagirimana went missing from a high security prison.
Twagirimana and eight other FDU party members were serving out a sentence following an arrest in 2017 on charges of forming an armed group and seeking to overthrow the government, charges Twagirimana denied. When he went missing, Rwanda’s correctional service said he escaped from prison.
In May 2017, party member Jean Damascene Habarugira disappeared after he was called to meet an official responsible for the security of his locality. Three days later, Habarugira’s family were called to collect his body from a local hospital.
In a statement, the FDU said that Habarugira was “assassinated in cold blood” because of his opposition to the local authority’s agricultural policies and concerns over police brutality.
FDU head Ingabire says that she believes that these events, including the most recent disappearance of Ndereyimana, are a signal that the government isn’t “ready to open up the political space.”
“It is a kind of intimidation, that people will be afraid to be a member of the opposition party.”
Ingabire herself is no stranger to such tactics, she says. In 2010 she returned to Rwanda from the Netherlands, where she was living in exile, to contest the presidential election. But shortly after that she was arrested following comments she made in relation to the country’s 1994 genocide, and accused of collaborating with a “terrorist organization.
In October, Ingabire was released from jail after serving eight years of her 15-year sentence as part of a presidential pardon.
FDU president Victoire Ingabire
Ingabire has long said her sentence was a result of her work as a prominent government critic and that the charges effectively criminalized her freedom of expression.
International organizations, such as Amnesty International, and a 2017 African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights ruling have condemned President Kagame’s repressive government.
Other opposition leaders unaffiliated with Ingabire’s party also allege they have been penalized and threatened for challenging the ruling party’s narrative.
Popular 37 year old Diana Rwigare a human rights activist and the leader of the People Salvation Movement (Itabaza) — an activist group to “encourage Rwandans to hold their government accountable” — had hoped to run for president in 2017. Instead she was disqualified by electoral authorities who said she had falsified signatures needed for her election bid. She was eventually jailed on charges of incitement and fraud, charges her family and supporters say were politically motivated. She spent over a year in jail, until she was acquitted of charges of fraud and inciting insurrection by Kigali’s High Court in December.
Diane Rwigara
Rwigara wrote an open letter to Kagame wrote an open letter to Kagame accusing him of condoning a climate of repression and violence for people who speak out about matters of “justice” and who are “too afraid to stand up to the ruling party.”
She wrote the letter after her friend, a prison guard named Jean Paul Mwiseneza, was killed in June, shortly after speaking to her about unrest at the prison. Rwigara alleges that he was killed at the hands of “security organs.”
“Why are people being executed without trial?” Rwigara wrote.
She ended the letter with a post script that read, “I will probably face grave acts of reprisal for writing this letter. But Your Excellency, please try to understand; life in Rwanda is hard to say the least when one has to constantly worry about the fate of his/her entourage.”
Ingabire — who is unaffiliated with Rwigara’s movement — says while intimidatory measures, including disappearances and harassment, are meant to have a chilling effect, she won’t live her life in fear, and has vowed to “fight for democracy” in her country. Still, the disappearance of Ndereyimana, another voice in that fight, is a fresh and painful incident for Rwanda’s opposition. “It’s like he has vanished,” Ingabire said.
Could Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa learning more than what we are told from Rwanda?
A Zimbabwean white farming family being evicted by ZANU PF supporters from a farm.
An advisory report on land reform in South Africa has recommended changing the constitution to allow the government to seize land without compensation but only in certain circumstances.
The report by a presidential panel of experts, released yesterday, poured water on wholesale land seizures without payment – as feared by some farmers, investors and foreign governments.
It recommended that expropriation without compensation be applied under specific circumstances, including abandoned land; land held purely for speculative purposes; land already occupied and used by labour tenants and former labour tenants; and inner city buildings with absentee landlords.
Parliament is due to start debates on proposed changes to the land expropriation bill in October.
“It is important that the Bill must specify much more clearly the meaning of instances that would amount to “nil” compensation,” the panel, appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, said in the report.
South Africa’s governing African National Congress (ANC) has repeatedly pledged to accelerate land transfers to the black majority denied ownership rights under apartheid’s segregation laws, but progress has been slow.
Ramaphosa appointed the panel of agricultural economists and practitioners last year to advise the government after the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters party started to dominate the land reform debate and tabled a constitutional amendment to allow the government to seize land without compensation.
The report will be key to how the final law will look.
“The clarification that we are seeking in the mandate is to be more specific in terms of addressing this (expropriation without compensation), and we have gone further to highlight and assist with wording for when such (expropriation) can occur,” Vuyokazi Mahlati, chairwoman of the panel, told a press briefing where the report was released to the public.
Demand for land reform has intensified as unemployment and poverty in South Africa have worsened.
The report said land seizure without payment is one of several of land acquisition strategies available to the government.
It also recommended the Land Claims Court be reformed to become the main expropriation body, and be given additional powers to adjudicate on all land related matters, including the calculations of the value of land targeted for appropriation and what rights affected land owners were entitled to.
On Thursday a draft motion likely to be pushed through by the ANC in parliament is set to give a new parliamentary committee until March 2020 to report back on the proposed changes to land reform laws.
The panel, however, proposed the tweaking of the expropriation bill be finalised by the end of 2019.— Reuters
Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has appealed to all water users to use the available water sparingly as the national dam level continues to decline.
The national dam level has continued on a downward trajectory as rivers have ceased flowing while the ongoing winter cropping activities have also added pressure on the dams. The low rains received this year also explain the depressed dam levels.
Statistics show that at July 26, 2019, the national dam level average was 61,9 percent which is 18,6 percent lower than the 80,5 percent recorded in the same week last year.
Gwayi Catchment’s dam level average was 54,2 percent, Manyame Catchment 83,5 percent and Mazowe Catchment 88,5 percent, Mzingwane Catchment 56,4 percent, Runde Catchment 52 percent, Sanyati Catchment 64,5 percent and Save Catchment 76 percent.
Zinwa corporate communications and marketing manager Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said those who abuse water will be prosecuted.
“Water abstraction agreements allow ZINWA to efficiently and sustainably allocate the available water among the diverse interests of water users. “Any use of water from dams outside the requirements of the law constitutes to an offence and offenders are liable to prosecution,” she said.
Under Gwayi Catchment, Insukamini and Exchange dams, which are used for irrigation and water supply are 53,8 percent and 39,7 percent full while lower Mgusa Dam which is used for irrigation is at 68,2 percent. Khami Dam, which is used for irrigation, is 48,2 percent full.
Manyame Catchment’s Chivero Dam, which is used for irrigation and water supply, is 70,3 percent full. Mazvikadei, which is used for irrigation and mining, is at 86,4 perecnt. Manyame Dam, which is used for irrigation and water supply, is 86,4 percent full.
Under Mzingwane Catchment, Insiza and Mtshabezi dams, which are used for water supply and irrigation are 47,8 percent and 66,6 percent full respectively. Upper Ncema Dam that is solely used for water supply is 3,1 percent full.State media
PUBLIC Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza yesterday dismissed as false social media claims that she was on the run fearing arrest over alleged corruption.
She told The Chronicle that she was in her constituency, Chikomba East in Mashonaland East addressing community-related matters.
Dr Nzenza said she was not on the run and will address a press conference today.
“I am currently in my village. Yesterday (Saturday) I was unreachable while meeting the community at a Save River crossing where crocodiles are threatening people and livestock so I was unaware of all these social media false stories,” she said.State media
GOVERNMENT says the ongoing anti-corruption drive is “not a fluke”, but a sustained operation running until the scourge of corruption is eradicated.
The Government is also urging citizens to be patient with both the reconfigured Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the courts.
Further, Government says citizens should not expect everyone arrested to be jailed immediately without being afforded an opportunity to defend themselves in court in line with the Constitution.
In an interview yesterday Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said all processes should be followed from investigation to arrest and trial.
The interview comes following the high profile arrest of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira.State media
JUSTICE, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi says a report towards implementation of political and electoral reforms will soon be presented to President Mnangagwa and Cabinet for approval.
Government has since established an inter-ministerial taskforce on political and electoral reforms chaired by Minister Ziyambi.
Speaking during a seminar on political and electoral reforms in Kadoma at the weekend, the Minister said Government was committed to implementing political and electoral reforms to enhance democracy.
“I have a team of senior officials (inter-ministerial committee) to look into it (electoral reforms) and come up with important issues arising from elections and this is the work that we are doing which is work in progress.
“At this stage it would be very premature for me to start giving a road map before I even present what we have done so far to the President, then subsequently to Cabinet for approval soon,” he said.
Ziyambi said while Government was eager to carry out political and electoral reforms in the shortest possible time, this cannot be done within two months as has been called for by the Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda.State media
SIX people, including a minor, died following a head-on collision involving a Nissan Caravan and a South Africa-registered Honda Jazz near Chachacha Business Centre in Shurugwi yesterday.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the accident that killed five on the spot occurred at the 58km peg along the Gweru- Masvingo highway.
He said the crash occurred just about a kilometre after a roadblock at which traffic police had allegedly reprimanded the Honda Jazz driver for speeding and being reckless on the road.
Asst Comm Nyathi said three passengers, two from the Nissan Caravan and one from the Honda Jazz escaped with different degrees of injuries.
“I can confirm that six people died, five on the spot, in a fatal road traffic accident involving a Nissan Caravan and Honda Jazz vehicles. The accident happened at the 58km peg along the Gweru- Masvingo highway near Chachacha Business centre around 10AM,” he said.
“The Nissan Caravan was coming from Masvingo while the Honda Jazz with South African number plates was headed towards Masvingo when the accident happened.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said preliminary investigations indicate that the driver of the Honda Jazz encroached into the lane of the oncoming Nissan Caravan while attempting to overtake another vehicle at a curve.
“The Honda Jazz encroached into the lane of the Nissan Caravan resulting in a head-on collision. Both vehicles veered off the road and landed on their roofs. Two passengers from the Nissan Caravan died on the spot while three people including the driver in the Honda Jazz also died on the spot.
A minor died on admission to Shurugwi District Hospital,” he said. “Two of the injured are admitted to Gweru Provincial Hospital while the other one is at Shurugwi District Hospital.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said it was unfortunate that most accidents were as a result of human error on the part of the drivers.State media
Farai Dziva|With prices of basic commodities escalating with each passing day, the people of Zimbabwe can no longer cope with the biting economic woes.
Many, if not all workers are earning paltry salaries -way below the poverty datum line.
The bottom line is that there has to be a way forward and the big question is: what is the best option for the troubled nation?
According to analysts, there are three possible scenarios -the formation of a Government of National Unity, a transitional authority pending fresh polls or mass demonstrations to force Zanu PF to the negotiating table.
Given the above factors, there is need to analyze the respective options.
GNU
Does Zimbabwe need a GNU at this juncture and is it a safe mode given the level of animosity between Zanu PF and MDC?
Opposition hardliners are skeptical of the success of yet another GNU.
National Transitional Authority
If the main political players opt for a National Transitional Authority without proper electoral reforms who will benefit from such a situation?
Mass protests
Given what happened in August 2018 as well as in January 2019, will mass protests force Zanu PF to yield to public pressure?
In the wake of the deepening crisis MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said:
“We are faced with a terrible situation in our country and we must find a lasting solution.
I know that you are suffering with no fuel, no power, no money, no passports, no jobs and no food. The cost of living has become unbearable.
A lot of us cannot access medical facilities or medication. Children are dropping out of schools. Companies are shutting down.
Our civil servants, our teachers, nurses, patriotic men and women in uniform are struggling and have inadequate salaries.
Our pensioners including our war veterans can hardly survive. Corruption has become a national anthem.
In the rural areas just like the urban areas, life has become unbearable. Food is being abused as a partisan political weapon.
For that reason, I am urging all Zimbabweans from all walks of life and various denominations, in and outside the country to embark on a seven day prayer, fasting and intercession for our beloved country, Zimbabwe before undertaking crucial and decisive next steps.
THE Grain Marketing Board has deployed crack teams to rein in unscrupulous maize dealers violating Statutory Instrument 145 of 2019 which empowers the parastatal to be the sole buyer of the grain.
The Statutory Instrument also outlaws any maize exports. As a result of the adverse weather patterns experienced last season, the country projects that maize deliveries to the GMB will be about 750 000 metric tonnes.
Government has begun importing maize to meet the annual total human and livestock demands of about 2,2 million metric tonnes.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, GMB chief executive officer Mr Rockie Mutenha said the parastatal will descend hard on third party maize dealers.
“Third party storage warehouses are being monitored to identify illegal storage of maize in contravention of the Statutory Instrument,” said Mr Mutenha
“We re-established the GMB inspectorate that is working with the ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) and AMA (Agricultural Marketing Authority) to enforce the Statutory Instrument.
“GMB inspectorate officers have been deployed to monitor illegal maize buying and selling points and inspectors are armed with seizure certificates in case they find individuals breaking the law.”State media
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Public Consultations on a Petition to Parliament on
Pension and Other Welfare Benefits for War Veterans:
29th July to 2nd August
The Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services will be holding public consultations in response to a petition by Mr B. Kundhlandle on the Pension Benefits and General Welfare of War Veterans from 29th July to 2nd August 1019. The Committee will split into two teams and will cover all the provinces as shown in the following tables:
SOUTHERN TEAM
Date
Place
Venue
Time
Monday 29 July
Gwanda
Juwanda Community Hall
9.30 am to 11.30 am
Bulawayo
Luveve Hall
2.30 pm to 4.30 pm
Tuesday 30 July
Plumtree
TMB Hall
9.30 am to 11.30 am
Bulawayo
Stanley Hall
2.30 pm to 4.30 pm
Wednesday 31 July
Tsholotsho
Roman Catholic Hall
9.30 am to 11.30 am
Lupane
Lupane Council Hall
2.00 pm to 4 .00 pm
Thursday 1 August
Zvishavane
Chiedza Hall
9.30 am to 11.30 am
Kwekwe
Kwekwe Theatre Hall
2.30 pm to 4.30 pm
Friday 2 August
Chegutu
Chegutu Community Hall
10.00 am to 12 noon
Karoi
Chikangwe Hall
2.00 pm to 4 pm
NORTHERN TEAM
Date
Place
Venue
Time
Monday 29 July
Chiredzi
Chitsanga Hall
9.30 am to 11.30 am
Masvingo
Masvingo Civic Centre Hall
2.30 pm to 4.30 pm
Tuesday 30 July
Chipinge
Chipinge, Gaza Hall
10.30 am to 12.30 pm
Mutare
Queens Hall
3.30 pm to 5.30 pm
Wednesday 31 July
Marondera
Mbuyanehanda Hall
9.30 am to 11.30 am
Murehwa
Zihute Hall
2.00 pm to 4 .00 pm
Thursday 1 August
Mt Darwin
Mt Darwin Sports Club
9.30 am to 11.30 am
Bindura
Halla Hall
2.00 pm to 4 .00 pm
Friday 2 August
Harare
Parliament Senate Chamber
9.00 am to11.00 am
Harare
Mai Musodzi Hall, Mbare
2.00 pm to 4.00 pm
All those who will be putting on military uniforms, signs of ranks, flags or badges and political party regalia will not have access to the public hearing.
Farai Dziva|Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has expressed concern over the growing list of injuries in the Real Madrid camp.
The injuries marred the Spanish giants’ preparations for the upcoming season.
After Marco Asensio’s horror injury which has since been confirmed to keep him out of action for at least 9 months, new acquisition Ferland Mendy also joined the injury list together with Brahim Diaz, much to the uneasiness of the French coach.
“It worries me and above all it bothers me,” Zidane said as stated by Spanish publication Marca.
“Marco’s [injury and then] Ferland’s, which is a minor injury, but he won’t be able to continue working and we don’t know for how long.
“These are things that happen and we will see if he comes back quickly with us,” he added.
Los Blancos face City rivals Atletico Madrid in the early hours of Saturday morning as part of their tour of the US in preparation for their 2019-20 season.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza yesterday dismissed as false social media claims that she was on the run fearing arrest over alleged corruption.
She told The Chronicle that she was in her constituency, Chikomba East in Mashonaland East addressing community-related matters.
Dr Nzenza said she was not on the run and will address a press conference today.
“I am currently in my village. Yesterday (Saturday) I was unreachable while meeting the community at a Save River crossing where crocodiles are threatening people and livestock so I was unaware of all these social media false stories,” she said.
Some social media users claimed over the weekend that Dr Nzenza was on the run in connection with a “bribe” she was said to have received from Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira, who was arrested last week and appeared in court for suspected corruption, to cover up her “crimes” at the National Social Security Authority’s (NSSA).
The allegations against Minister Mupfumira involve $95 million and some of the charges emanate from a NSSA audit. Millions of dollars went missing from NSSA when Minister Mupfumira was Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. More funds were also reportedly lost when she was now Minister of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
On Saturday, acting chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi placed Minister Mupfumira on custodial remand for 21 days.
Dr Nzenza said the NSSA forensic report was still being simplified by legal experts while corruption matters are being handled by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
“We have to safeguard the interests of pensioners and the forensic report still needs to be unpacked by legal experts. If there are any criminal elements in the forensic, that is covered by ZACC. I have internal corporate governance matters to manage. I will give a press statement tomorrow,” she added.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Mr Nick Mangwana, through micro blogging site Twitter also said the minister was not on the run.
“Having a lot of media enquiries around the whereabouts of Hon Minister Nzenza. I have spoken to her and she assures the nation that she is in her constituency in Chikomba East and not on the run from anything or anyone and used strong terms to dismiss the circulating rumours,” said Mr Mangwana.
He said the minister is scheduled to hold a press briefing today at the NSSA boardroom at 11AM where she will respond to several issues happening in her ministry.
Last week in Parliament, Dr Nzenza explained why she had delayed to present the NSSA forensic report in the legislative assembly.
The report, which covers the period January 1, 2015 to February 28, 2018 is based on an investigation carried out last year.
Dr Nzenza said the role of the lawyers that they had engaged was to unpack key areas to be looked at in the report.
“They (lawyers) are focusing on one – issues to do with some irregularities under corporate governance; number two – possible irregularities to do with human resources – number three – they are also looking at irregularities to do with investments,” she said.
“Once that is done, I am hoping that this will be done in the next few days. I shall be presenting a ministerial statement and the outcome of the NSSA forensic report.”- state media
A primary school teacher from Kwekwe has appeared in court after he allegedly impregnated a 13-year-old pupil with whom he had an affair with for over a year.
The teacher, Jimmy Phiri (38), reportedly proposed love to the girl who is now in Form 1 while she was still in Grade 7 at Grasslands Primary School in Redcliff where the accused works.
Since then, the two had been having consensual sexual intercourse until the girl fell pregnant. Phiri was released on $100 bail after he appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Miss Vimbai Mtukwa facing charges of having sexual intercourse with a minor.
He was remanded to August 28, 2019.
Prosecuting, Mr Freddy Ndoro told the court that Phiri, who resides at Plot 135A in Grasslands, proposed love to the girl sometime in 2018, when the girl was still in Grade 7 at the school.
After being showered with gifts and presents, the girl accepted the proposal and the two started having sexual intercourse. She reportedly fell pregnant and tried to conceal the pregnancy. The matter, however, came to light when some church members noticed her bulging stomach and quizzed her until she let the cat out of the bag.
Her parents reported the matter to the police leading to the teacher’s arrest and subsequent appearance in court.- state media
Farai Dziva|FC Platinum star
Farai Madhananga has become the latest FC Platinum player to leave the club.
The midfielder has completed his transfer to South African top-flight side Bidvest Wits.
He went for trials there at the start of May but the deal was only signed this week.
Madhananga will play along with fellow Zimbabwean Terrence Dzvukamanja at Wits.
Meanwhile, the reigning champions have lost several players in this mid-season transfer window with defensive pair of Kevin and Elvis Moyo recently joining Chippa United in the Absa Premiership.
Godknows Murwira is now with Dynamos while striker Mkokheli Dube quit football and moved to USA.
Goalkeeper Petros Mhari is being linked with an exit.
However, the Platinum Boys have brought in Congolese midfielder Guyve Mawete Nsiala, Rodwell Chinyengetere on loan from Baroka FC in South Africa among a few signings.
The state media reports that a private company, City Parking, currently mandated to manage parking in the CBD, is considering hiking parking fees.
FULL REPORT: A source within the firm said City Parking management had not yet agreed on a figure.
“For some time now there has been debate on whether parking fees should go up or not because the current charges have been impacting on cost of operations.
“The $2 per hour was hit by inflation and the interbank rate. They are likely to reach an agreement on a new fee by end of next week,” said the source.
A fortnight ago there were rumours circulating on social media that the company had increased parking fees from $2 to $9 per hour which were, however, quashed by officials.
City Parking has been remitting 16 percent of the revenue it collects monthly to council since May this year.
When contacted for comment, City Parking public relations manager Mr Mandaza said he was not at liberty to discuss a matter which was being deliberated on.
“Of course, the company is considering reviewing parking fees but I cannot say anything more because the issue has not been finalised yet,” he said.
Mr Mandaza, however, said currently the company was struggling to meet its operational costs.
“Our current $2 per hour charge translates to about US$0,20, it means that parking in Harare is now the cheapest in the region.
“With such an amount it has now become difficult to meet our statutory obligations and operating costs because the value of that amount was eroded by inflation way back.
“Prices for most goods and services have increased by over 800 percent and for us to remain stagnant it means we will soon be counting our losses and facing closure,” he said.
Mr Mandaza also confirmed that his company had been able to meet its monthly obligation of submitting 16 percent of the revenue they collect monthly to the City of Harare which amounts to about $200 000. This dividend is expected to cushion council and augment its revenue streams.
The proposed hike in parking fees comes at a time motorists are already sweating over the 1 000 percent increase in clamping and towing fees which takes effect on August 1.- state media
Farai Dziva|Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya says his team is slowly picking up after beating Harare City 1-0 on Saturday.
The Glamour Boys who had a slow start to the season moved to fifth position on the log with 23 points.
Speaking after the victory, Ndiraya said: “I think we had become a laughing-stock, we had fallen far, far behind the top teams.
“We are a big team, of course in terms of stature, but obviously in terms of performance we have been way behind but I am slowly seeing that gap being closed.”
Midfielder Archford Gutu scored the only goal of the match with a well taken free-kick in the 34th minute.
The victory was Ndiraya’s fifth since taking over from Lloyd Chigowe in April.
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Zanu-PF is going to amend its constitution to ensure that it speaks to the vision of its First Secretary and Mnangagwa of transforming the country into an upper middle income economy by 2030, the party’s Secretary for Legal Affairs, Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana, has said.
He said they would soon dispatch teams to elicit people’s views on what they wanted to be included in the constitution.
Mangwana made the remarks while addressing Masvingo 2018 election victory celebrations in Mashava recently.
The party won 25 out of the 26 constituencies in the province in the 2018 elections.
“As Secretary for Legal Affairs, we entered into the New Dispensation using the constitution which was there during the Mugabe era,” said Mangwana.
“We find it befitting to look at the vision that our has and see if it can be achieved using this old constitution. We are in the process of coming up with a new constitution for Zanu-PF which resonates with President Mnangagwa’s vision.
“We call it Copac II, looking at the party constitution to see if it allows us to achieve Vision 2030. We are going to send teams that will ask you what you want to be included in the party’s constitution.
“If the party constitution is strong, even the Government will be strong and through that we can achieve the vision of our . Government officials should come in and find their work cut out through the party constitution. So, the party requires a new constitution that speaks to the vision of our .”
Speaking at the same occasion, Zanu-PF Secretary for Security Lovemore Matuke explained the state of the economy to the people.
“We all had one problem of thinking that after President Mnangagwa assumed office, our lives were going to change overnight,” he said. “I want to tell you that running a country is different from undertaking household chores.
“Running a country is a process. When President Mnangagwa assumed office, Government had a lot of debts accumulated by the previous Government. To move forward, we have to pay those internal and external debts and coming up with policies that bring our economy back on a recovery path.
“We have programmes that were being implemented to plug loopholes to ensure a good take-off.”
Matuke said the economic situation was compounded by some wholesalers and retailers who colluded to hike prices so that people could revolt against the Government.
He said the strategy had failed and actually hardened people to love their country and Government more.
Matuke said Government had introduced Silo shops that were going to sell basic goods at affordable prices.- state media
Farai Dziva| MDC T will not field a candidate in Glen View South As A way of honouring the late founding president of the opposition party, Morgan Tsvangirai.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java in June.
“Nomination Court for Glen View South by-election sat on Friday, July 26, 2019.
MDC-T decided not to field a candidate because we found it unconscionable to field a candidate to contest against Vincent Tsvangirai, son of our late iconic leader, Dr.Morgan Tsvangirai… MHDSRIEP,” Gutu wrote on Twitter.
Police have assured members of the public that they are on high alert to arrest anyone who commits a crime and try to either flee the country or evade arrest.
This comes after the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has launched a crackdown on prominent figures and individuals fingered in corrupt activities and it is understood that there are over 200 high-profile cases under investigation.
President Mnangagwa a fortnight ago tipped the anti-corruption body to “bite” given its newfound arresting powers.
The guilty are afraid – and may want to make good of their escape before the dragnet comes.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, “The police has a constitutional mandate to prevent, investigate and detect crime. It also has a mandate to account for all criminal fugitives.
“Anyone who commits a crime and try to run away will certainly be hunted by the police and arrested.”
On Thursday, ZACC arrested Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira on corruption allegations involving $95 million.
ZACC, which recently got arresting powers, walked the talk on the arrest of bigwigs, with Minister Mupfumira being the first big catch.
She is the first senior Government official to be held by the commission which was overhauled by President Mnangagwa on July 15.-StateMedia
For Melody Nkomo, life became very difficult for her each time she was on her monthly periods.
Nkomo (18), a student at Mahlothova High School in Matabeleland North’s Umguza district, would stop going to school because she feared the linen she used as pads would leak, embarrassing her in front of peers.
“I would cut dirty linen, wash it, dry it directly in the sunlight, and then use the iron to kill germs, fold it into a pad and then use it,” she said.
Nkomo says her life was transformed when she was recruited into a programme by the National Aids Council (NAC), where young girls are given training on sexual reproductive health.
Under the Sista2Sista programme, the girls are also taught how to make reusable pads.
Nkomo said besides being able to attend school throughout the month, she can now participate in her favourite sports activities such as netball and athletics. The reusable pads, which Nkomo is now able to make, have improved her confidence.
“I do netball, jumps and track events and not having proper pads used to affect me a lot, but now the reusable pads have helped me as they do not move at all,” she said.
‘They make me feel comfortable and also in the class, it no longer affects my attendance.”
Nkomo has also been able to teach her schoolmates how to make the pads and has teamed up with four other girls to make pads they give to other girls.
The girls use hand sewing machines to make the pads, using fleece material and brushed cotton.
“We use the sewing machine from the school’s fashion and fabrics department to make the reusable pads,” Nkomo said.
“We wish to make more pads, but getting the material is a challenge as the number of girls in need of the pads keeps going up.”
Matabeleland North provincial guidance and counselling teachers’ chairperson Gabriella Chikara said the majority of parents in Umguza are too poor to afford sanitary pads for their children.
“We receive donations from Camfed, Plan International and the National Aids Council, but they are not sufficient because some learners have heavy flows such that they use more than one pack per cycle,” she said.
Chikara said the schoolgirls end up sharing the donated pads with their older relatives, who cannot afford to buy their own.
“Some learners are not covered by these organisations, so they miss school during their menses and some report that they fail to come to school in fear of spoiling their clothes,” she said.
“They choose to stay at home, dig a hole and sit on it without underwear so that the blood goes into the ground every day until the menstruation days are over.”
Others resort to using unhygienic materials such as tree leaves, newspapers and old rags.
Prominent gynaecologist Solwayo Ngwenya said it was dangerous to use the materials in the long run.
“Unwise and undesirable to use tree leaves, paper and cloth as a substitute for menstrual pads,” he said.
“These may have some substances, which are not known and be absorbed in the valves that may cause problems later on in life.”
Ngwenya said there was also a risk that the girls might suffer from infertility.
Chikara said Nkomo has emerged as a champion for girls in the district struggling to access affordable pads.
The province is organising a workshop where the girl will share her story with her peers to encourage them to follow in her footsteps.
Nkomo has had a tough upbringing after being forced to be head of the family at an early age after her parents deserted them.
“My father went to look for a job when I was in Grade 5 and has never returned, while my mother went to my grandmother’s funeral in Tsholotsho last year, came back for a while before going back, and disappearing for good,” Nkomo said.
Her elder brother works in Hope Fountain and at times sends money to help Nkomo and her two young siblings.
“We get our source of food through farming and my brother helps us at times,” she said.
“We also do part-time jobs at neighbouring farms and from the money we are paid, we buy relish and school uniforms. Plan International pays my school fees.”
Nkomo also plays mother to her younger sister whom she teaches about reproductive health. She has also taught her to make the reusable pads.
Chikara said they hoped to raise funds to assist Nkomo and her siblings with good education and buy her a bicycle.
“We understand hers is a touching story, but we want her to tell it to the whole world through these training programmes,” she said.
“She will be empowering other girls by training them to make the pads while also selling her story.”
Nkomo travels 15km to and from school every day, but is still one of the best performing students at Mahlothova.
“Being a breadwinner and having no source of lighting to use in the evening at home and taking care of her siblings, she can’t perform any miracle,” Chikara said.
“She is a hard worker, but the playing ground is not level. As someone I taught for three years, I believe, all other things being constant, she can do well.”
Thabani Mpofu, a consultant for Gender Links, urged the government to invest in the manufacture of cheaper sanitary wear for girls to improve their quality of life.
“Some issues are not discussed and we see girls missing school,” she said. “This may result in them performing badly at school and that also has got long-term effects.-Standard
One fateful afternoon, then 13-year-old Obedient Dube from Hwange town went bird-hunting with three other boys as they enjoyed the last days of the 2016 August school holiday.
The adventure took the youngsters from Madumabisa compound to the coal ash dump sites near the Area A residential area.
At the time of the incident, the ash dump site wasn’t marked “Danger”.
The boys’ adventure turned tragic when the top surface suddenly gave in partly, swallowing young Dube to knee level and exposing him to burning coal ash.
Dube was burnt on both feet as he frantically moved them up and down hoping to escape from the red-hot coal ash.
When he eventually escaped, his left foot had been seriously burnt and he had to spend more than three months admitted at Hwange Colliery Hospital.
“I wrote my Grade 7 examinations from the hospital bed,” the 17-year-old Wankie Secondary School pupil said as he recounted the traumatic encounter.
Four years later, Dube is still feeling some pain on the left foot and the hallux has been moving backward as the muscle tightens, presumably to heal the internal injuries.
The shift in his hallux, he says, is making it increasingly difficult for him to walk.
“I cannot walk long distances anymore. It takes me about 40 minutes to walk to school [a distance of less than 2km],” he said, adding that he now finds it difficult to wear shoes.
Dube’s mother, Zondiwe Dube, said life has been difficult for her son ever since he got injured.
“He is visibly in pain, but I do not have any money to take him to specialist doctors for attention. I now buy him oversized shoes because of his deformed leg,” she said on the sidelines of the commemoration of women’s struggles against destructive mining, which was organised by the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) in conjunction with Greater Hwange Residents Trust.
“We tried to seek help, but we were told that Hwange Colliery Company cannot pay for specialist treatment.”
Zondiwe said the company only put a danger warning sign at the dump site after her son had been burnt.
The place where Dube was injured is not the only coal ash dump site in Hwange. There are several others in the Cinderella and Lwendulu villages.
In 2016, the CNRG documented a horrific case of yet another boy, Simba Mulezu, who was permanently handicapped after falling into the raging Hwange underground fires.
Mulezu was driving away cattle from his mother’s field when the ground gave in under his feet, sinking him into the burning coal underground. He was 10 years old.
The underground fires left the now 17-year-old Mulezu with deformed limbs.
Simba still suffers from the effects of the accident and can’t spend much time outdoors because his cannot cope with the region’s severe weather conditions.
His widowed mother, Susan Mulezu, was seething with anger when she recounted her son’s ordeal.
“For me, my son’s catastrophe shows that coal is a curse to humankind,” she said.
“Since their father passed away, I have been struggling to get my son and his three younger siblings to go to school.
“I want to secure a better future for them, but since my son fell into the coal pit, he cannot do much of what children of his age do.”
These sites are not protected and are prone to fire. The oxidation process of coal, which is the main burning by-product material of the mining operation, leads to spontaneous combustion of coal waste dump sites, often triggering fires that can burn for decades.
CNRG director Farai Maguwu accused Hwange Colliery Company of being careless when dumping coal, which exposed residents to serious risks.
“This is negligence on the part of Hwange Colliery Company,” he said.
“Since these ashes are highly flammable as residents say, there are safety measures to be put in place to protect Hwange residents.
“However, the level of impunity enjoyed by the company is shocking.
“No corporation must be allowed to act irresponsibly, maim people and continue as if nothing has happened.
”I wonder where the Environmental Management Agency is when all of this is happening.-Standard
By A Correspondent| A journalist Patrick Chitongo was yesterday assaulted before being arrested at Green Fuel football arena in Chisumbanje.
According to sources who witnessed the incident, Chitongo ruffled feathers when he was overheard by one senior chef of the company Green Fuel querying why the company was not investing in infrastructure development in the area despite having the monopoly on ethanol production.
Said the source:
“He was assaulted and arrested after being heard by the company’s Human Resource Manager complaining over why the company is not developing infrastructure in the area yet it has monopoly on ethanol production. This did not go down well with the manager who instructed the security personnel to arrest him.”
Watch the video below:
Watch Video- Freelance Journalist Patrick Chitongo being assaulted by security at Green Fuel football arena, Chisumbanje on 27 July 2019.
By A Correspondent- The director of the Dumiso Dabengwa Foundation, Mthulisi Hanana, has reportedly returned to Zimbabwe after escaping to a neighbouring country following threats to his life.
Hanana fled the country citing security concerns after complaining that state security agents were harassing him over his remarks attacking government for human rights violations.
He made the remarks during a memorial service for Dabengwa who passed away in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 23 en route to Zimbabwe after undergoing a month-long treatment in India.
Dabengwa was declared a national hero and was buried at the family grave yard in Ntabazinduna.
At the memorial service, Hanana claimed state operatives wanted to confiscate records that implicate government in the 1980s Gukurahundi killings and pre-independence violence against fellow comrades by some top Zanu PF and Zanla officials.
In a telephone interview yesterday, Hanana said “everything is back to normal”, but emphasised that members of the foundation were still cautious as they start preparing for a week’s event to celebrate the life of Dabengwa.-Standard
By A Correspondent- ABOUT 200 pupils at Lukanyiso Primary School in Bulawayo’s Mpopoma suburb do not have identity documents, a survey has revealed.
The survey was conducted by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association (BPRA) Mpopoma education sub-committee.
The survey led by Linganiso Nyathi, the BPRA secretary for education in Mpopoma, showed that 156 learners at the school do not have birth certificates.
About 70% of the pupils without identity documents are in Grade 6 and Grade 7, the survey shows.
“Some of these children are talented in sports, but due to lack of birth certificates they cannot compete to the highest level…they may face the fate of failing to get places in high schools and this will greatly affect their careers,” Nyathi said.
“The committee has managed to compile a list of those pupils and has visited the Registrar General’s office in Bulawayo to find out the requirements that may be needed depending on the peculiar reasons why that particular child on the list does not have a birth certificate.
“A similar survey will be conducted in other schools in the area,” Nyathi added.-Standard
Pilots at the national airline Air Zimbabwe are reported to be on strike as flight delays mare the airline.
The AirZim crew didn’t turn up for duty on Friday morning it has emerged.
According to sources the pilots were reportedly demanding their salaries in United States dollars and better equipment.
However, yesterday another Twimbo confirmed the strike story as their flight was delayed.
Writing on Twitter he said:
Air Zimbabwe flight scheduled to leave at 11AM from Bulawayo – Johannesburg LEFT AFTER 9 PM A delay of over 10 hours Reason: It’s alleged that pilots are striking The mismanagement of government parastatals is at an all time low. The Nation is falling apart.
Nyasa Times|United Kingdom (UK) reputable newspaper, The Financial Times, has carried a story about Malawi political crisis where demonstrations continue since May 21 Tripartite Elections and the High Court sitting as Constitution Court is now being asked to scrub out the presidential outcome and order a rerun.
Mutharika re-election earned him the nickname “Tipp-Ex president”
It says the “jibe” is a reference to the correction fluid that the opposition claims was used to alter of results with a vote that gave the 79-year-old former law professor a second term.
Malawi, one of world’s poorest countries, held elections on May 21 and Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) declared Mutharika winner of the presidential race. But in the Constitutional Court, UTM president Saulos Chilima (first petitioner) and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera (second petitioner) want results of the election nullified. They are alleging that the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) mismanaged the polls, in which President Peter Mutharika was declared winner, alleging ballot-stuffing and the use of Tipp-Ex correction fluid to change votes.
Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has accused opposition leaders of making “wild claims” about a contest that it said was deemed fair by international observers.
The Financial Times report highlights that Malawi has gained a reputation for regular multi-party elections and smooth transitions of power since 1994 when former president Bakili Muluzi ousted Kamuzu Banda who had an iron grip of the country in one party dictatorship.
There have been allegations of fraud before, but nothing on the scale of this year, reads a report in the Financial Times.
The paper focus on post-elections wave of public protests triggred by evidence of widespread irregularities in the May presidential vote.
The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has swince urged politicians to show respect and restraint to one another to facilitate a smooth trial of the presidential election case
MHRC commissioner Martha Chizuma, who is also the country’s Ombudsman, in a statement seen by Nyasa Times said when hearing of the case starts, the commission expects that “every person shall respect the rights of others who may wish to witness the court proceedings in support of the party of their choice.”. But currently, as former president Joyce Banda said in quotes reported by the UK paper, “Malawi is burning” and “what is happening is unprecedented.”
Boniface Dulani, professor at the Institute of Public Opinion and Research at the University of Malawi, said an election annulment would build on the Kenyan precedent.
“It would send a strong signal to the continent’s rulers that manipulating elections does not mean automatic passage to state house,” he said as quoted by Financial Times. The UK newspaper also quotes Blessings Chimsinga, associate professor at the University of Malawi, saying the case was “make or break” for a public that had lost faith in the electoral process.
Any rerun, he said, would need comprehensive electoral reforms to be credible. Otherwise, he added, “it would be like putting new wine in old bottles”.
Meanwhile, demand form MEC chairperson Jane Ansah, a judge at Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal to resign, still stands with threats of more protests.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has vowed to orgnaise more nationwide protests until Ansah resigns.
Defending herself in local media against accusations that election tally sheets were doctored, she said: “Correctional fluid, if you check in the dictionary, corrects errors. Tipp-Ex can be used for positive and negative purposes and that is for the court to find out.”
The crisis, according to the Financial Timeshas sparked volatility in the kwacha, the local currency, and led to the stagnation of an already fragile economy. Malawi has a nominal income per capita of $380, making it one of the world’s poorest countries.
A Kenyan pastor has claimed he has found Jesus according to a twitter user who shared the story. The twitter user claims he took the white man to his church, introduced him to his congregation and his church members are happy Jesus is back and he landed first in Kenya..
A Kenyan pastor claims he has found Jesus Christ walking on the streets of Kenya. Took the whiteman to his church, gave him a warm welcome and now his church followers are happy that Jesus has finally come back!
Evangelist Juanita Bynum has recently taken to her Facebook page to clear the air on the controversy that affected her performance at The Experience Church in Chesapeake, Virginia.
According to Juanita Bynum, she did not perform because the popular pastor of The Experience Church, Pastor John Moore entered her hotel room uninvited and saw her underwear.
In a live video session on Facebook, Dr Bynum said Moore, who was hosting her at a conference in that city, entered her hotel room without her knowledge or consent and “saw her undergarments laid out on her bed.” She said she felt sexually violated by his behaviour.
Juanita Bynum said she was not in the room at the time he entered but was later informed of the incident by her assistant and was confirmed by the front desk.
In the video captioned: “WHY I DIDN’T PREACH IN CHESAPEAKE, VA AT THE Experience Church WITH PASTOR JOHN MOORE”, Bynum laid it down and called it horrific invasion of privacy, which made her cancel her performance.
Prof Lovemore Madhuku interview with ZimEye’s Simba Chikanza. AUDIO BELOW-
1/2 No no no…He may actually be very correct on what he is saying, my comment & what he is saying, we are discussing 2 different things. I never commented on the lawfulness of what had happened. I commented on the legal basis that had been used by the court, in denying her…"
2/2 – However, Prof Madhuku also said, @ProfJNMoyo should go back to finish his law degree. "He (Jonathan Moyo) should just come back and finish his studies and then speak authoritatively," said Prof @ProfMadhuku … FULL INTERVIEW ON https://t.co/C5Rc9huXdw
Opposition MDC Splinter MDC-T party led by Thokozani Khupe says that they will not be contesting the Glenview by election in honour of the late founding President Morgan Tsvangirai.
The party which split from the Nelson Chamisa led mainstream MDC in 2017 after the death of Tsvangirai claims that they will not be contesting the seat because the Chamisa led party fielded Tsvangirai’s son who is also brother to the late Vimbai Tsvangirai who was the MP of the constituency.
Party Vice President Obert Gutu said that fielding a candidate to wrestle the seat from the Tsvangirai family will be very inhumane.
Vincent won the Glenview South primary election to represent MDC in the impending by-elections set for early September.
A South African and a Zimbabwean working for Canadian gold mining firm Banro have been kidnapped in DR Congo’s restive east, an army spokesman said Saturday.
The incident occurred on Friday morning in the province of South Kivu which borders the neighbouring countries of Rwanda and Burundi.
“The Banro officials were ambushed by armed bandits on Friday at 10:30 am (0830 GMT) between Salamabila and Kitindi in the Maniema region,” Captain Dieudonne Kasereka, regional army spokesman, told AFP, adding that it was in an area where rebel militias operated.
CAIRO, EGYPT – JUNE 21: Mohamed Elneny of Egypt looks on during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group A match between Egypt and Zimbabwe at Cairo International Stadium on June 21, 2019 in Cairo, Egypt.
According to Egyptian outlet Al Watan, an unidentified body has been discovered in a villa under construction that belongs to Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny.
The Gunner’s father, Nasser Elneny, reported to the police in the western Egyptian province of Gharbia on Friday.
An investigative team and forces of regular police arrived at the scene to find out whether there were any signs of a crime related to the incident.
The circumstances are yet to be fully revealed, meanwhile, an autopsy and burial of the body have been ordered.
Prof Lovemore Madhuku interview with ZimEye’s Simba Chikanza. AUDIO BELOW-
1/2 No no no…He may actually be very correct on what he is saying, my comment & what he is saying, we are discussing 2 different things. I never commented on the lawfulness of what had happened. I commented on the legal basis that had been used by the court, in denying her…"
2/2 – However, Prof Madhuku also said, @ProfJNMoyo should go back to finish his law degree. "He (Jonathan Moyo) should just come back and finish his studies and then speak authoritatively," said Prof @ProfMadhuku … FULL INTERVIEW ON https://t.co/C5Rc9huXdw
GOVERNMENT has dissolved the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) council as it aims to refocus the higher institution on a growth trajectory.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira yesterday confirmed that he had dissolved Nust council that was led by Ambassador Zenzo Nsimbi.
The council was dissolved last week on Friday.
“It’s true that’s my comment. I don’t want any controversy in higher education. I try to make people go with dignity but we just wanted to renew and reinvigorate the focus of Nust, to renew and reinvigorate the focus of Nust,” emphasised Prof Murwira.
“I wanted to renew and reinvigorate the focus of rebuilding Nust so that people focus on building Nust. We want Nust to be vibrant. We want energy in Nust so we are trying to inject new energy to Nust that’s the reason.”
Contacted for comment Ambassador Nsimbi referred questions back to the Minister. However, sources at the university said the council members were over stepping their authority at the institution.
“The dissolution of the council came as a surprise to many of us last Friday. But it seems some of the council members wanted to act as if they were part of university management, always trying to influence decisions that were not supposed to be theirs. Some of them have business interests and they wanted to influence management on who it should award tenders to. So a conflict between them and the Vice Chancellor Professor Mqhele Dlodlo emerged as he became a stumbling block to their unnecessary influence,” said a source at the university.
The source said some council members even tried to project Prof Dlodlo as incompetent, and he was summoned to the head office in Harare last week.
“That’s where he revealed how some of the council members were trying to remotely-manage the university using bullish tactics,” the source added.
Other members of the Ambassador Nsimbi led team were Bulawayo lawyer, Mr Job Sibanda, Bulawayo City Council Director of Engineering Services, Engineer Simela Dube, former Zimbabwe International Trade Fair general manager, Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu, businessman Mr Obert Sibanda, former Bulawayo mayor, Mr Japhet Ndabeni Ncube, former Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Matabeleland Chapter chairperson, Mr Crispen Mugova.
Other members included Dr Mbongeni Ndlovu, Mr Israel Ndlovu, Mrs Kezinet Ndhlovu, Ms Sithembiso Nyathi, Ms Bridget Chipungu, Reverend Jeffrey Sibanda, Eng Edwin Gwaze, Mrs Josephine Makuvara, Mrs Mildred Mkandla, Mr Casper Ronney, Mr Stephen Nyambuya, Mrs Elizabeth Chikwanda, Ms Fiona Gandiwa Magaya, Mrs Alois Muzuwe, Eng Garfield Nkiwane, Mr Godwin Manyonganise, Reverend Dr Rudo Moyo and Engineer Gratitude Charis.
EFF leader Julius Malema has apologised to Inkosi Mandlenkosi Mahlalela of the Mlambo tribal authority in Mbuzini, bordering Mozambique and eSwatini, for being given a “sick” cow by members of the EFF.
Malema, who was speaking during the EFF’s sixth-year celebration at KaNyamazane Stadium outside Mbombela, Mpumalanga, on Saturday, started his speech by saying he was going to give five “fresh” cattle to Mahlalela as a way of apologising.
“I would like to apologise to Inkosi Mlambo for being given a sick cattle. When I looked on social media I felt sorry and before I leave here we will bring five fresh cattle as a way of apologising because what happened shows disrespect to our traditional leaders,” said Malema.
Malema told the tens of thousands EFF supports who converged on the stadium that there is no one that will kill the EFF and they are not scared of anyone.
He also warned President Cyril Ramaphosa to respect the office of the public protector. Malema said they are not protecting the current public protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, but the office she holds.
“The people of Nkangala are queuing for water now DD has smoked the money to provide water. People, how can you lead a province where only one municipality in the 21 municipalities get one program.
““We are in a province where people are killed for tenders and no one gets arrested. It is in this province where there’s no single successful court case against a politician and yet Mpumalanga is the most corrupt province.
“Thank you for voting for the most progressive party, a party with no white advisers. A party that is an effective opposition, a party owned by black people and no one can claim control over this political party.
“The people of Mpumalanga have said to us, they are making us official opposition because you love education. We are tired of illegitimate leaders like DD Mabuza who specialise in smoking; everything they come across they smoke,” said Malema.
“In the 21 municipalities only one municipality got a clean audit. Mpumalanga produced a rotten deputy president called DD Mabuza. It is in this province where schools are collapsing, it is this province where children are falling into pit toilets.”
Malema further distanced the EFF from Remgro chairman Johan Rupert and promised to force Rupert to pay rates and taxes at his Leopard Creek Golf Club in Malalane.
Nkomazi municipality, where the golf club estate is situated claimed it is owed R76.4m in rates and taxes after valuing the estate to be R1.3bn. However, Leopard Creek property owners took the matter on appeal disputing that the estate which has 271 residences, along with recreational facilities and an 18-hole golf course with a club house, owed that sum.
EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu is said to have advised Rupert to do an interview with one radio station. It was not clear if Malema was referring to Shivambu where he called for EFF members not to be cosy with white people.
EEF President, Julius Malema pleads with South Africa President, Cyril Ramaphosa to assist Zimbabwe since South Africa was assisted by Zimbabwe during apartheid.
South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters party has pleaded with South Africa president, Cyril Ramaphosa to assist Zimbabwe ‘find a solution”. The party’s statement comes after a Zimbabwean delegation led by Energy Minister, advocate Fortune Chasi, which had gone to South Africa to negotiate a power deal came back empty-handed.
South Africa power utility, ESKOM, reduced the electricity it was exporting to Zimbabwe citing a huge debt Zimbabwe needs to pay first.
Recently, Zimbabwe paid ESKOM US$10 million to the power utility but it was not enough to unlock resumption of power exportation by ESKOM.
The EFF party, led by the youthful and vibrant Julius Sello Malema, posted on twitter and said:
“Zimbabwe please find a solution. The situation there is troubling all of us. Ramaphosa we must assist because they assisted during apartheid.”
Zimbabwe power utility, ZESA, attributes the power deficit to dwindling water levels at the Kariba Dam which supplies the Kariba South Hydropower plant. It also says that ageing equipment at the Hwange thermal power station has affected power generation.
Resultantly, ZESA has rolled out a crippling power cut, locally known as load-shedding, which has seen most parts of the country going without power between 0400 hours and 2200 hours.
The Business community, including big companies, has already expressed concern over the adverse impact power outages have on the economy.
OK Zimbabwe, one of the biggest retail has since closed a shop in Rusape whilst a Chinese tile making company based in Norton, YI Feng Tiles, has reported that it is likely to lose about US$1.2 million due to power cuts.
CAPS United stumbled at home against Ngezi Platinum Stars, losing 2-1 in a match played at National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The Green Machine had a slow start to the game and played second fiddle for the larger part of the first half.
Ngezi delivered a great performance on their side and could have secured a lead as early as in the 7th minute, but Polite Moyo’s header hit the crossbar.
The visitors continued to experience a spell of dominance, and they finally broke the deadlock on minute 22 when Donald Tegeru scored from a close range.
CAPS United’s right flank proved to be the most vulnerable and coach Lloyd Chitembwe was forced to make a tactical change a just after the half-hour when Valentine Musarurwa replaced Carlos Rusere.
The change, however, didn’t bring any effect as Ngezi netted their second goal from that channel through Tichaona Mabvura on the 42nd minute.
Makepekepe pulled one back on the stroke of half-time courtesy of Hardlife Zvirekwi’s grounder.
The goal seemed to have given the hosts some momentum on the middle park, but they were frustrated upfront and never made any threatening raids until the last minutes of the game.
Substitute Kelvin Ndebele was denied by the cross-bar while Method Mwanjali’s shot was saved by Nelson Chadya.
Dominic Chungwa also had an opportunity earlier on, but his effort was superbly denied by the keeper.
The match ended 2-1 in favour of the visiting Ngezi Platinum team.
Elsewhere, Hwange played to a 1-1 draw with ten-man TelOne while Mushowani Stars blew a two-goal advantage to settle for a 2-2 stalemate against ZPC Kariba.
FULL TEXT: Any law inconsistent with the new Constitution is automatically invalid, and invalid from the commencement of the Constitution in 2013. A person who has been arrested & who appears in court for the first time is entitled to their immediate release with or without conditions.
The right of an accused person to be released with or without conditions sets in upon their arraignment before a court. They must be released. That’s why, in terms of the procedure brought by the new 2013 Constitution, an accused person has no obligation to apply for bail.
The accused person simply has to stand up in court & indicate their desire to be admitted to bail. It is for the State to either consent or oppose bail. The State must place before the court the exceptional reasons that justify the continued detention of the accused person.
So, upon the arraignment of an accused person, that person must be admitted to bail, with or without conditions. This does not overlook that the Constitution anticipates that there may be exceptional cases, which may necessitate the continued detention of an accused person.
Going by the stare decisis doctrine, there’s no need for an order of the ConCourt to declare the invalidity of the part in s32 of the Criminal Procedure & Evidence Act providing for the detention of an accused person for 21 days, without bail. That’s an invalid law. Simple!
I’m disappointed with Prof Madhuku because he must know that the State had no legitimate or lawful reason to issue a certificate for Mupfumira’s continued detention for 21 days, without bail. The Prosecutor General acted ultra vires and the Magistrate misdirected himself.
By issuing a detention certificate that smacks of the Rhodesian State of Emergency & #Gukurahundi, the State acted unlawfully & unconstitutionally. The rights of an accused person have been needlessly trampled upon to necessitate an urgent review to set aside the opprobrium!
If the State had legitimate reasons to deny Mupfumira bail, it should have simply presented them for the court to decide. But to issue a jungle-certificate that bars her from applying for bail for 21 days is crude, unconstitutional & against principles of natural justice!
Farai Dziva| MDC T will not field a candidate in Glen View South As A way of honouring the late founding president of the opposition party, Morgan Tsvangirai.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java in June.
“Nomination Court for Glen View South by-election sat on Friday, July 26, 2019.
MDC-T decided not to field a candidate because we found it unconscionable to field a candidate to contest against Vincent Tsvangirai, son of our late iconic leader, Dr.Morgan Tsvangirai… MHDSRIEP,” Gutu wrote on Twitter.
Farai Dziva|Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya says his team is slowly picking up after beating Harare City 1-0 on Saturday.
The Glamour Boys who had a slow start to the season moved to fifth position on the log with 23 points.
Speaking after the victory, Ndiraya said: “I think we had become a laughing-stock, we had fallen far, far behind the top teams.
“We are a big team, of course in terms of stature, but obviously in terms of performance we have been way behind but I am slowly seeing that gap being closed.”
Midfielder Archford Gutu scored the only goal of the match with a well taken free-kick in the 34th minute.
The victory was Ndiraya’s fifth since taking over from Lloyd Chigowe in April.
Farai Dziva|FC Platinum star
Farai Madhananga has become the latest FC Platinum player to leave the club.
The midfielder has completed his transfer to South African top-flight side Bidvest Wits.
He went for trials there at the start of May but the deal was only signed this week.
Madhananga will play along with fellow Zimbabwean Terrence Dzvukamanja at Wits.
Meanwhile, the reigning champions have lost several players in this mid-season transfer window with defensive pair of Kevin and Elvis Moyo recently joining Chippa United in the Absa Premiership.
Godknows Murwira is now with Dynamos while striker Mkokheli Dube quit football and moved to USA.
Goalkeeper Petros Mhari is being linked with an exit.
However, the Platinum Boys have brought in Congolese midfielder Guyve Mawete Nsiala, Rodwell Chinyengetere on loan from Baroka FC in South Africa among a few signings.
Farai Dziva|With prices of basic commodities escalating with each passing day, the people of Zimbabwe can no longer cope with the biting economic woes.
Many, if not all workers are earning paltry salaries -way below the poverty datum line.
The bottom line is that there has to be a way forward and the big question is: what is the best option for the troubled nation?
According to analysts, there are three possible scenarios -the formation of a Government of National Unity, a transitional authority pending fresh polls or mass demonstrations to force Zanu PF to the negotiating table.
Given the above factors, there is need to analyze the respective options.
GNU
Does Zimbabwe need a GNU at this juncture and is it a safe mode given the level of animosity between Zanu PF and MDC?
Opposition hardliners are skeptical of the success of yet another GNU.
National Transitional Authority
If the main political players opt for a National Transitional Authority without proper electoral reforms who will benefit from such a situation?
Mass protests
Given what happened in August 2018 as well as in January 2019, will mass protests force Zanu PF to yield to public pressure?
In the wake of the deepening crisis MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said:
“We are faced with a terrible situation in our country and we must find a lasting solution.
I know that you are suffering with no fuel, no power, no money, no passports, no jobs and no food. The cost of living has become unbearable.
A lot of us cannot access medical facilities or medication. Children are dropping out of schools. Companies are shutting down.
Our civil servants, our teachers, nurses, patriotic men and women in uniform are struggling and have inadequate salaries.
Our pensioners including our war veterans can hardly survive. Corruption has become a national anthem.
In the rural areas just like the urban areas, life has become unbearable. Food is being abused as a partisan political weapon.
For that reason, I am urging all Zimbabweans from all walks of life and various denominations, in and outside the country to embark on a seven day prayer, fasting and intercession for our beloved country, Zimbabwe before undertaking crucial and decisive next steps.
Farai Dziva|Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has expressed concern over the growing list of injuries in the Real Madrid camp.
The injuries marred the Spanish giants’ preparations for the upcoming season.
After Marco Asensio’s horror injury which has since been confirmed to keep him out of action for at least 9 months, new acquisition Ferland Mendy also joined the injury list together with Brahim Diaz, much to the uneasiness of the French coach.
“It worries me and above all it bothers me,” Zidane said as stated by Spanish publication Marca.
“Marco’s [injury and then] Ferland’s, which is a minor injury, but he won’t be able to continue working and we don’t know for how long.
“These are things that happen and we will see if he comes back quickly with us,” he added.
Los Blancos face City rivals Atletico Madrid in the early hours of Saturday morning as part of their tour of the US in preparation for their 2019-20 season.
By Showbiz Reporter| The UK based socialite Olinda Chapel who recently accused her husband, Tytan, of cheating, has apologised to him, saying she was wrong.
She also said she has heen suffering from depression.
Below was her full unedited announcement:
It’s hard for me to write this. But sometimes strong is the only option. I have been struggling of late with myself. I have been very unhappy and mostly angry . Post natal depression is real. I spent a lot of time with the mental health team yesterday. My behaviour especially in this past week had spiralled out of control and had become very erratic.
I was using social media as an outlet point. I haven’t been myself after going through a very difficult pregnancy and almost dying in child birth. I became depressed and not okay with myself. I lost control. When our beautiful daughter was born I immediately returned to work and tried to juggle running our businesses, being a mother and being a wife.
Even though my husband tried his best to support me, I would push him away. I felt like a failure because I was so used to being strong and independent and having to depend on him made me feel weak. So I lashed out. Issues could have been handled much better, especially where there were people who had their own agenda of trying to break me.
Especially with the issue with my ex friend. It pushed me over the edge and made me reach breaking point. I never took the time to breathe and actually go through the facts or evidence. It was all based on what was being whispered in my ear and certain people egging me on and it became a trigger for my breakdown. My family has suffered because of this.
I would like to apologise to my family and especially to my husband and friend. You offered me support and I kept on pushing you away. All you have ever tried to do was do right by me. At this moment I any unwell. My mind isn’t right and I feel overwhelmed and I need help. I am taking time out to fixing myself and getting back to being the happy and bubbly person I am. I have the mental health team who will help me with my postnatal depression and I have my husband who will hold my hand through it all and my family to support the unit.
I am really sorry for my behaviour and some of the things I have said and done. Let me get myself better as I am at this moment riot okay. This is real life and no matter how strong we are we break. I haven’t been okay for months
Farai Dziva|With prices of basic commodities escalating with each passing day, the people of Zimbabwe can no longer cope with the biting economic woes.
Many, if not all workers are earning paltry salaries -way below the poverty datum line.
The bottom line is that there has to be a way forward and the big question is: what is the best option for the troubled nation?
According to analysts, there are three possible scenarios -the formation of a Government of National Unity, a transitional authority pending fresh polls or mass demonstrations to force Zanu PF to the negotiating table.
Given the above factors, there is need to analyze the respective options.
GNU
Does Zimbabwe need a GNU at this juncture and is it a safe mode given the level of animosity between Zanu PF and MDC?
Opposition hardliners are skeptical of the success of yet another GNU.
National Transitional Authority
If the main political players opt for a National Transitional Authority without proper electoral reforms who will benefit from such a situation?
Mass protests
Given what happened in August 2018 as well as in January 2019, will mass protests force Zanu PF to yield to public pressure?
In the wake of the deepening crisis MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said:
“We are faced with a terrible situation in our country and we must find a lasting solution.
I know that you are suffering with no fuel, no power, no money, no passports, no jobs and no food. The cost of living has become unbearable.
A lot of us cannot access medical facilities or medication. Children are dropping out of schools. Companies are shutting down.
Our civil servants, our teachers, nurses, patriotic men and women in uniform are struggling and have inadequate salaries.
Our pensioners including our war veterans can hardly survive. Corruption has become a national anthem.
In the rural areas just like the urban areas, life has become unbearable. Food is being abused as a partisan political weapon.
For that reason, I am urging all Zimbabweans from all walks of life and various denominations, in and outside the country to embark on a seven day prayer, fasting and intercession for our beloved country, Zimbabwe before undertaking crucial and decisive next steps.
By Dorrothy Moyo | Contrary to claims that Labour minister Sekesai Nzenza is on the run fearing arrest, she is not at all in a state of flight, it has been said.
The Permanent Secretary Of Information, Nick (Ndbaningi) Mangwana said there is no truth at all to the reports.
The rumour was passed by Norton MP Temba Mliswa who said Nzenza received a house from Mupfumira.
Mangwana however dismissed the claims.
He said Nzenza is in her constituency in Chikomba and not on the run from anyone.
Mangwana said: “Having a lot of Media enquiries around the whereabouts of Hon Minister Nzenza. I have spoken to her and she assures the nation that, she is in her constituency in Chikomba East and not on the run from anything or anyone and used strong terms to dismiss the circulating rumours.”
THE South African Government is considering a proposal put forward to increase power exports to Zimbabwe after high level talks between the two countries’ energy ministers last week.
In a telephone interview with the Sunday News yesterday, Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi confirmed meeting his South African counterpart, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe on Thursday last week.
He said Minister Mantashe expressed empathy at Zimbabwe’s power situation.
“We met with the (South African) Minister of Energy the day before yesterday and we discussed with him our situation and he was very empathetic to it. I’m reasonably optimistic that they (South Africa) will be helping us but they will go through their own internal processes to consider our own situation,” said Adv Chasi.
The visit by Minister Chasi to South Africa is his second one this month after having met officials from South Africa’s power utility, Eskom for power talks at the beginning of the month.
Zimbabwe owes Eskom US$27 million, this is after a payment of US$10 million, which it made last month as part of its commitment to pay its debt.
Additional power imports from South Africa will ease the prevailing power shortages, which have seen the country embarking on a daily 18-hour electricity load-shedding schedule. Adv Chasi said the Government would be considerate of the power challenges its neighbour was also facing while going through the negotiations.
“I’m reasonably optimistic now that I have spoken to him (Minister Mantashe). I’m also aware of the challenges faced by South Africa and I’m not going to put pressure on the minister and Eskom. They have to carefully consider what we discussed and then come up with a position but like I said I’m reasonably optimistic,” he said.
Adv Chasi said after completing talks with South Africa he would proceed to Mozambique where he is scheduled to meet Government and that country’s power producer Hydro-Cahora Bassa officials.
“I’m yet to finish off (talks) with Eskom. I haven’t engaged my counterpart from Mozambique but once I’m done with this particular situation (talks with South Africa) I will engage the Mozambicans too,” he said.
Adv Chasi emphasised the need for the public and institutions to clear their debts and timeously pay their bills to the country’s power utility, Zesa Holdings to enable it to effectively carry out part of its mandate.
“Generally I think the public needs to understand that Zesa needs the money.
We can make all the noise and blame them for everything on this planet but it needs to be recognised that for us to repair our equipment we need money. For us to install more prepaid meters we need money. Everything that we are faced with needs money.
So really, I want to appeal to Zimbabweans, individuals, local authorities, commerce and industry to pay their bills . . . consumers must pay their debts. It’s a key strategic issue that Zesa be given what it is owed now that we have consumed power already,” he said.
Zimbabwe has been facing a crippling power shortages that has seen most areas going for up to 16 hours without power.
The challenge was caused by low power generation at Kariba due to low water levels.
MDC-Alliance president Mr Nelson Chamisa on Friday reportedly developed cold feet and dodged a meeting of the party structures in Bulawayo, which had been called to address among other things the contentious issue of the wayward behaviour of city councillors.
The meeting held at the party offices was instead addressed by the chairperson, Ms Thabitha Khumalo who had been sent by Mr Chamisa.
An insider told Sunday News that Mr Chamisa avoided the meeting because he was not sure how the structures would behave as the MDC-Alliance in Bulawayo has been torn into factions along tribal lines.
Ever since Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Mr Tinashe Kambarami and his sidekick, Councillor Silas Chigora tried to eject the Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube from office a few weeks ago, accusing him of corruption, divisions along tribal lines have emerged among the councillors in the process cascading to the structures.
Party Bulawayo provincial chairperson Mr James Sithole yesterday said he could not comment on the matter as he was “too junior to speak on issues concerning top officials.”
Speaking at the meeting Ms Khumalo tried to pacify the supporters calling them to stop looking at issues along tribal lines.
“The Constitution is clear; we cannot discriminate on grounds of tribe. Let’s agree that there is a problem, how do we rectify it because all of us must abide by rules. If these laws are not what we want as people of the Matabeleland how do we change the law? Go and change the Constitution and go and change the Urban Councils Act too,” she said.
Parirenyatwa hospital is now just a death row. There is no urgency whatsoever, I witnessed 2 people dying today at outpatients. I spent 3 hours without being attended to until I left for West End hospital. @MoHCCZim what happens to the poor who can't afford private hospitals???
— Linda Tsungirirai Masarira (@lilomatic) July 27, 2019
By A Correspondent| NEW Start Centres across the country have reviewed their charges for HIV testing and counselling to $9, a situation that will likely discourage people from testing, at a time when the country is working to achieve the 90-90-90 target.
The 90-90-90 target is an ambitious target set by United Nations to ensure that by next year 90 percent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status and 90 percent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy while 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.
As part of efforts to encourage testing in Zimbabwe, New Start Centres used to offer testing and counselling at US$1 or free but monetary changes have forced the centres to convert and charge $9. Experts said this might discourage people from testing as even when the services were free, some people were still not keen.
National Aids Council Bulawayo (Nac) provincial co-ordinator Mrs Sinatra Nyathi said the cost of testing changed with the monetary policy shift.
“It was US$1 for testing and counselling and when the multi-currency system was done away with they converted and it got to $9 using the interbank rate. However, even using the interbank rate, people do not have that kind of money to pay for testing,” she said.
Mrs Nyathi said Nac is yet to gauge the reaction of the public and also to dialogue with Population Services International Zimbabwe to see if the figures of people who come for voluntary testing and counselling will go down.
She said over the years New Start Centres have been frequented by a huge number of re-testers, people who already know their status and are testing again. Mrs Nyathi said they were engaging PSI to review the charges. However, she said paying a token was a way of encouraging people to own the results.
“Paying that money was bringing ownership to what you will be doing, if you pay your money then you get services and results unlike walking in and out of the centre for free and do not see the value of the services,” she said.
Asked on how the cost of HIV testing was affecting the nation and the gains made already in fighting new HIV infections she said:
“We still encourage people to know their status whether from PSI, public institutions, or buying your own test kit at a pharmacy. If one is negative they must maintain that status and avoid anything that may cause them to change that status as that status is very delicate.”
Mrs Nyathi said Nac was also on a drive to test more people and help those living with HIV and Aids.-StateMedia
“When one knows their status they will protect themselves and not spread HIV to the next person which is a good thing. Again if that HIV-positive person takes ARVs consistently, the risk of infecting their partner becomes low.”
By A Correspondent- Authorities running Harare City’s affairs have instituted tough measures against structures built on wetlands, in a move that will trigger massive evictions, property demolitions and huge penalties against perpetrators.
Over the past few years, several multi-million dollar structures have been constructed on wetlands.
Last year, legislators raised concern over the US$200 million Chinese shopping mall — Long Cheng Plaza — which is sitting on a wetland.
Former Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo, allegedly allocated the land to a Chinese company, Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation, despite warnings from environmental experts.
However, the recently-appointed Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs, Engineer Oliver Chidawu said such shenanigans will not continue in the new dispensation.
He vowed to descend hard on all individuals found on the wrong side of the law.
According to the Environmental Management Act Chapter 20:27, it is illegal to construct on the wetlands.
Reads the Act in part: “Any person who contravenes subsection (2) shall incur a fine not exceeding level eight or imprisonment not exceeding two years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.”
Speaking to The Sunday Mail, Engineer Chidawu said processes have already been set in motion to demolish structures, evict, or impose hefty fines on all wetland settlers.
The Long Cheng Plaza will not be spared during the blitz.
“We are engaging local authorities and they are aware that we can not continue watching as our wetlands are soiled. It creates problems in the city.
“That complex (Long Cheng Plaza) is sitting on a wetland. But when you look at the level of investment, we will then say what do we do? We do a compensation plan for that.
“But otherwise everyone who is on wetlands must go. We do not know why such decisions were made in the first place, I was not in office at that time.
“If we have to leave them there, there have to be conditions. While penalties or conditions are yet to be established, it is underway,” he said.
Minister Chidawu said all the appropriate procedures, including obtaining court orders, will be followed before any structures are demolished.
He said where possible, those affected will be re-settled elsewhere.
According to a Government survey, there are approximately 1 117 wetlands in Zimbabwe sitting on about 1,5 percent of the country’s total area.
According to scientists, wetlands preserve and improve water quality by removing harmful substances and pesticides from agricultural runoff.
They are also a habitat for rare birds and insect species.
Wetlands, a major source of Harare water, are under threat from urban cultivation and construction, despite Zimbabwe being a signatory to the 1971 Ramsar Convention on prevention of loss and degradation of wetlands.
Harare City has been mired in controversy over allocating residential stands in wetlands.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- The Vice President of the splinter MDC-T, Advocate Obert Gutu on Friday night said that his party has resolved not to field a candidate for the Glen View South by-election.
He said the party does not want to appear as fighting the son of MDC founding father and former Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai.
The seat fell vacant when Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java succumbed to road accident injuries in June.
Posting on Twitter, Gutu said:
Nomination Court for Glen View South by-election sat on Friday, July 26, 2019. MDC-T decided not to field a candidate because we found it unconscionable to field a candidate to contest against Vincent Tsvangirai, son of our late iconic leader, Dr.Morgan Tsvangirai… MHDSRIEP
Some observers have noted that the decision might not have been influenced by the fact that Vincent Tsvangirai is vying for the post since the MDC-T fielded a candidate in 2018 when Vimbai was running for the same post.
Some of the people who responded to his post said that even if every supporter of the MDC-T was to vote in Glen View South, the party’s candidate would still lose.
Others suggested that Gutu rejoin the party to which he said that even over his dead body it was “absolutely and thoroughly impossible”.
Having a lot of Media enquiries around the whereabouts of Hon Minister Nzenza. I have spoken to her and she assures the nation that, she is in her constituency in Chikomba East and not on the run from anything or anyone and used strong terms to dismiss the circulating rumours. pic.twitter.com/2AE3UrcCyY
By A Correspondent- Former Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) commissioners disappeared with key dockets for corruption cases and efforts are currently being made to recover them.
In an interview, Zacc chair Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo told The Sunday Mail that the investigations department of the corruption-fighting body is now compiling the list of missing documents.
Once the dockets are recovered, she said, the culprits are likely to face the music.
“I received reports of former commissioners who took dockets and have not returned them. I have tasked the investigations department to compile the list of all dockets that are missing.
“However, I am yet to receive the information from the department. I assure the nation that once the information is received the perpetrators will be brought to book,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.
“I have spoken before about the docket management system which is in shambles, making it difficult to trace dockets. The commission is currently looking for funding to put in place a computerised case management system to ensure the security of dockets and ensure efficiency. Now that the commission is fully operational, this is one of the top agendas we are working on,” she said.
The former commission, which was led by Dr Job Wabhira, stepped down on January 31 2019. It is believed that the new Zacc is busy cleaning up the mess left by its predecessors who failed to transfer the Mt Pleasant property that is being used as the headquarters into the organisation’s name.
The US$1,7 million building is registered in the name of a private company, which was owned by former Zacc managers who have since been fired.
“I understand that the previous commission had begun the process of transfer of ownership and the legal services department is seized with the matter. The transfer will be expedited.”
Justice Matanda-Moyo has vowed to fight corruption at all levels.
By A Correspondent- George Shumba, whose nom de guerre was Farai Tafirenyika, narrates to Sunday News Deputy News Editor, Levi Mukarati, how he joined other Liberation Warfighters.
He narrates how he encountered traumatising episodes in the treatment of ‘‘rebels’’ at Chifombo after the Nhari-Badza rebellion.
Below are excerpts from the interview.
Q: We hear at Chifombo the ‘rebels’ were dealt with ruthlessly, what was your experience with these comrades who had mutinied?
A: I had met mumwe mukomana ainzi Godfrey at the end of December 1974. He had come from Zambia and had been in the publicity department.
I stayed with him. Godfrey did not like Tongogara and he had clashed with the leader in Lusaka. Godfrey had told Tongo that he was uneducated. That is why he was sent to Chifombo.
Godfrey joined us in taking material to the front.
Then one day, after coming from Zambezi where we had left war material, it was late January 1975.
I was surprised to see that there were so many people who were detained at Chifombo for following Nhari and Badza.
On the day, Tongo and Manyika ordered kuti, “Vanhu ngavachibuda”. Chifombo yakanga iri musango vanhu vaibva from various directions ndokuitwa parade. They were more than 15, including some females.
Godfrey’s name was also called out to join them ndokubva vasungwa netambo. I remember very well the rope was white.
You could sense that the situation was tense, vachibva ipapo vakabva vamachiswa vachidzikwa navo kuzasi musango ndokunouraiwa ikoko.
Q: You speak of the killings with ease, did you just say the people were killed? Why were they killed and how?
A: Vakanga vari vekwaNhari. The atmosphere was bad. It was in the afternoon around 1pm.
Mataure was also there among the group that was killed. It was a nasty experience and I don’t like it.
What I am sure of is that they were not shot because I didn’t hear any gun sounds.
It was just a matter of concluding kuti pamwe vanzi cherai makomba ndokufutsirwa vari vapenyu or they were hanged.
But hanging, ne situation yataiva nayo, could have been difficult because that process needs a lot of time and preparation. I strongly believe kuti vakafutsirwa vari vapenyu.
Why I say so is because we had heard cases of people being buried alive. Such treatment was rife during the war, especially on those suspected to have sold out.
Kana neni ndakanga ndave ne confusion because I had never seen such traumatising events.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- A primary school teacher from Kwekwe has appeared in court for allegedly impregnating a 13-year-old pupil whom he has been having an affair with for more than a year.
The teacher, Jimmy Phiri (38) reportedly proposed love to the now Form One pupil while she was still in Grade Seven at Grasslands Primary School in Redcliff where the teacher is stationed. Since then, the two had been having consensual sexual intercourse until the girl fell pregnant.
Phiri was released on $100 bail after he appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Miss Vimbai Mtukwa last week facing charges of having sexual intercourse with a minor. He was remanded to 28 August for trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Freddy Ndoro told the court that Phiri who resides at Plot 135A in Grasslands, proposed love to the said girl sometime in 2018 when she was still in Grade 7 at the school. After being showered with gifts and presents, the girl was compelled to accept the proposal and the two started having sexual intercourse in a bushy area.
The girl reportedly fell pregnant and tried to conceal it. The matter, however, came to light when some church members noticed her bulging stomach and quizzed her until she confessed to what had happened. A congregant, the court heard, then alerted the girl’s parents. The parents reported the matter to the police leading to Phiri’s arrest.
"At St Luke's hospital, expectant women said they will name their children Nelson, in said NO why not Emmerson bathi NO lisela… @nelsonchamisa in Lupane by-election campaign
Having a lot of Media enquiries around the whereabouts of Hon Minister Nzenza. I have spoken to her and she assures the nation that, she is in her constituency in Chikomba East and not on the run from anything or anyone and used strong terms to dismiss the circulating rumours. pic.twitter.com/2AE3UrcCyY
JOHANNESBURG – Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema called on his party leaders not to associate themselves with businessman Johann Rupert.
Malema was speaking at the party’s sixth birthday celebration at KaNyamazane Stadium in Mpumalanga on Saturday.
He has described Rupert – one of the continent’s wealthiest men – as the head of white monopoly capital who must never be allowed to infiltrate the red berets.
Malema said Rupert controlled the President and several Cabinet ministers.
“Rupert must never be allowed to infiltrate the EFF. Leaders of the EFF must never have a cosy relationship with white capital.”
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) July 27, 2019
Malema also reiterated that Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan would go no matter what.
He said once his party pronounced on the fate of an individual, it would follow up until its word was fulfilled.
He said when they told former President Jacob Zuma and several ministers they would fall, many didn’t believe them.
“Pravin will go the same way the EFF said Trollip in PE will go. The same way we said Malusi Gigaba will go, the same way we said Nhlanhla Nene will go.”
A MAN from Bulawayo’s Sauerstown suburb has been arrested after he was allegedly caught fondling his stepdaughter’s breast while also rubbing his privates on her bums.
It is said last week on Monday at around 7.30 pm, the accused furtively left his wife imbibing wise waters with their neighbour and headed to a bedroom where his 15-year-old teenage girl was sleeping.
A court heard the accused got into the bedroom and found his stepdaughter in deep sleep. He allegedly fondled her breast before he took out his organ and rubbed it against her buttocks.
While he was busy pleasuring himself the victim’s brother allegedly stormed in and caught him red-handed.
Incensed by his stepfather’s actions he is said to have grabbed him and violently pushed him out of the bedroom.
Seeing her husband being bundled out of the house while trying to cover his privates, the mother of the minor reportedly questioned her son about the unfolding drama. Her son revealed that he caught his stepfather fondling his younger sister’s breast while rubbing his manhood on her buttocks.
That did not go down well with the mother of the teenager. She made a police report leading to the arrest of her husband.
The accused appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ulukile Mlea- Ndlovu. He pleaded not guilty to an indecent assault charge. The accused appealed for bail and was granted. He was remanded out of custody to 31 July for commencement of trial.
A 70-year-old woman urinated in the mouth of her neighbour’s dead body in an effort to resuscitate her after she collapsed and died at a funeral in an incident that shocked mourners in Mandawa Village under Chief Nembudziya in Gokwe.
The matter was heard when Maidei Mamombe appeared before Chief Nembudziya’s traditional court after she tried to resuscitate her neighbour Taizivei Mugido who had collapsed.
Chief Nembudziya in whose jurisdiction the area falls under confirmed the incident.
“I can confirm that l presided over a case of a woman who urinated on a dead body in an attempt to resurrect it,” he said.
Chief Nembudziya said Mamombe had a misunderstanding with the now deceased at the funeral.
“The two women had a misunderstanding and they ended up exchanging harsh words. While they argued, Mamombe accused her neighbour Mugido of witchcraft alleging that she was the one who killed the 10-year-old boy whose funeral they were attending.
“The deceased did not take the accusations lightly and she collapsed and she hit her head on a stone that was nearby. Mourners tried pouring water on her body but all was in vain. Mamombe then opened the deceased’s mouth and urinated inside in a bid to revive her, in full view of the mourners,” he said.
Chief Nembudziya said the deceased was ferried to hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
“The deceased was rushed to the hospital and was declared dead upon arrival,” he said.
He said he warned Mamombe not to do such practices in future as this practice was abolished long ago.
“What she did was actually practised long back but has since been abolished. She acted out of panic hence she cannot be handed a heavy punishment,” said Chief Nembudziya.
PERPETUA Siyachitema, the captain of the senior national netball team has quit to pursue a coaching career.
Siyachitema announced her retirement in an interview yesterday at a local hotel where they were having a breakfast meeting with the Minister of Sport Youth Arts and Recreation, Honorable Kirsty Coventry and the Sports and Recreation commission director general Prince Mupazviriho.
Siyachitema has been playing netball for over two decades now.
She has also served for over 15 years in the national team and believes it was time for her to put an end to her playing career.
The 36-year-old made her debut appearance for the national team at the age of 19 and has since been a strong force to reckon with in the netball squad.
Last year, she helped the team qualify for their first ever World Cup tournament which was recently held.
The team went on to finish eighth making a record of the second best team tied up with Malawi to finish in the top eight in their debut appearance.
“I’m done playing netball. I now need to concentrate on my coaching career and the world cup was a major learning curve for me.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity that I had. I have learnt a lot form my whole netball playing career.
“And also the World Cup was a learning curve for me.
“I noticed that our game in Zimbabwe or Africa as a whole has no format
“We need to have a format. I need also to find a format that I’m going to personally introduce for the betterment of the game.”
Siyachitema went on to share some of her best moments she had at the world cup.
“My wish was to play New Zealand, Australia, Jamaica and England.
“I am glad that before I end this playing career I have managed to play three of these countries, unfortunately we couldn’t play England.
“And also for my country it was the best world cup, we finished in the top eight.
Asked on some of the lessons they have drawn from the world cup she said:
“We need to work on our endurance.
“As the tournament was coming to an end we were so exhausted, we were so drained. We never really knew that at a world cup level the matches are played every day.
“We need to work more on our fitness. The teams there were so physically fit. I think there is need for more gym facilities and also to scout for more tall players.”
NEW Start Centres across the country have reviewed their charges for HIV testing and counselling to $9, a situation that will likely discourage people from testing, at a time when the country is working to achieve the 90-90-90 target.
The 90-90-90 target is an ambitious target set by United Nations to ensure that by next year 90 percent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status and 90 percent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy while 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.
As part of efforts to encourage testing in Zimbabwe, New Start Centres used to offer testing and counselling at US$1 or free but monetary changes have forced the centres to convert and charge $9. Experts said this might discourage people from testing as even when the services were free, some people were still not keen.
National Aids Council Bulawayo (Nac) provincial co-ordinator Mrs Sinatra Nyathi said the cost of testing changed with the monetary policy shift.
“It was US$1 for testing and counselling and when the multi-currency system was done away with they converted and it got to $9 using the interbank rate. However, even using the interbank rate, people do not have that kind of money to pay for testing,” she said.
Mrs Nyathi said Nac is yet to gauge the reaction of the public and also to dialogue with Population Services International Zimbabwe to see if the figures of people who come for voluntary testing and counselling will go down.
She said over the years New Start Centres have been frequented by a huge number of re-testers, people who already know their status and are testing again. Mrs Nyathi said they were engaging PSI to review the charges. However, she said paying a token was a way of encouraging people to own the results.
“Paying that money was bringing ownership to what you will be doing, if you pay your money then you get services and results unlike walking in and out of the centre for free and do not see the value of the services,” she said.
Asked on how the cost of HIV testing was affecting the nation and the gains made already in fighting new HIV infections she said:
“We still encourage people to know their status whether from PSI, public institutions, or buying your own test kit at a pharmacy. If one is negative they must maintain that status and avoid anything that may cause them to change that status as that status is very delicate.”
Mrs Nyathi said Nac was also on a drive to test more people and help those living with HIV and Aids.
“When one knows their status they will protect themselves and not spread HIV to the next person which is a good thing. Again if that HIV-positive person takes ARVs consistently, the risk of infecting their partner becomes low.”
