The 2020 Chan qualifier between Mauritius and Zimbabwe has been postponed to tomorrow.
The match was scheduled for today at 12:30 pm Zimbabwean time but due to a water-logged pitch, it has been delayed until the next day.
The venue – New George V Stadium in Curepipe – has also been changed and the game will be played at Auguste Volaire Stadium in Flacq.
Kick-off is 12 pm Zimbabwean Time-Soccer24Zimbabwe
7 people have been killed after a commuter omnibus and a Honda fit collided in Chachacha.
5 people reportedly died on the spot while 2 died at the hospital.
The 2 vehicles collided at Corner Zvamawanda and Chachacha – Mhandamabwe Road.State media
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
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:
It could however not be immediately established whether he was taken to the police and formally charged or he was released.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.
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.
VIDEO LOADONG BELOW…
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.
The Financial Times with a headline – Malawi’s ‘Tipp-Ex president’ Mutharika faces high court challenge– the paper says Mutharika’sre-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 South African Man also revealed the same on Twitter, while sharing a picture of “Jesus” being invited to their Sunday service
See full photos below..
VIDEO LOADING BELOW
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.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
Prof Lovemore Madhuku interview with ZimEye’s Simba Chikanza. AUDIO BELOW-
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
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.
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.
7 people have been killed after a commuter omnibus and a Honda fit collided in Chachacha.
5 people reportedly died on the spot while 2 died at the hospital.
The 2 vehicles collided at Corner Zvamawanda and Chachacha – Mhandamabwe Road.State media
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
Prof Lovemore Madhuku interview with ZimEye’s Simba Chikanza. AUDIO BELOW-
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.
Pindula
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.
Results:
CAPS United 1-2 Ngezi Platinum Stars
Hwange 1-1 TelOne
Mushowani Stars 2-2 ZPC Kariba
The 2020 Chan qualifier between Mauritius and Zimbabwe has been postponed to tomorrow.
The match was scheduled for today at 12:30 pm Zimbabwean time but due to a water-logged pitch, it has been delayed until the next day.
The venue – New George V Stadium in Curepipe – has also been changed and the game will be played at Auguste Volaire Stadium in Flacq.
Kick-off is 12 pm Zimbabwean Time-Soccer24Zimbabwe
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!
Did Chamisa disrespect women, or he merely played sarcasm on ED, Mohadi?
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) July 28, 2019
Farai Dziva| MDC T will not field a candidate in Glen View South As A way of honouring the late founding president of the opposition party, Morgan Tsvangirai.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java in June.
“Nomination Court for Glen View South by-election sat on Friday, July 26, 2019.
MDC-T decided not to field a candidate because we found it unconscionable to field a candidate to contest against Vincent Tsvangirai, son of our late iconic leader, Dr.Morgan Tsvangirai… MHDSRIEP,” Gutu wrote on Twitter.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW
Farai Dziva|Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya says his team is slowly picking up after beating Harare City 1-0 on Saturday.
The Glamour Boys who had a slow start to the season moved to fifth position on the log with 23 points.
Speaking after the victory, Ndiraya said: “I think we had become a laughing-stock, we had fallen far, far behind the top teams.
“We are a big team, of course in terms of stature, but obviously in terms of performance we have been way behind but I am slowly seeing that gap being closed.”
Midfielder Archford Gutu scored the only goal of the match with a well taken free-kick in the 34th minute.
The victory was Ndiraya’s fifth since taking over from Lloyd Chigowe in April.
Farai Dziva|FC Platinum star
Farai Madhananga has become the latest FC Platinum player to leave the club.
The midfielder has completed his transfer to South African top-flight side Bidvest Wits.
He went for trials there at the start of May but the deal was only signed this week.
Madhananga will play along with fellow Zimbabwean Terrence Dzvukamanja at Wits.
Meanwhile, the reigning champions have lost several players in this mid-season transfer window with defensive pair of Kevin and Elvis Moyo recently joining Chippa United in the Absa Premiership.
Godknows Murwira is now with Dynamos while striker Mkokheli Dube quit football and moved to USA.
Goalkeeper Petros Mhari is being linked with an exit.
However, the Platinum Boys have brought in Congolese midfielder Guyve Mawete Nsiala, Rodwell Chinyengetere on loan from Baroka FC in South Africa among a few signings.
Farai Dziva|With prices of basic commodities escalating with each passing day, the people of Zimbabwe can no longer cope with the biting economic woes.
Many, if not all workers are earning paltry salaries -way below the poverty datum line.
The bottom line is that there has to be a way forward and the big question is: what is the best option for the troubled nation?
According to analysts, there are three possible scenarios -the formation of a Government of National Unity, a transitional authority pending fresh polls or mass demonstrations to force Zanu PF to the negotiating table.
Given the above factors, there is need to analyze the respective options.
GNU
Does Zimbabwe need a GNU at this juncture and is it a safe mode given the level of animosity between Zanu PF and MDC?
Opposition hardliners are skeptical of the success of yet another GNU.
National Transitional Authority
If the main political players opt for a National Transitional Authority without proper electoral reforms who will benefit from such a situation?
Mass protests
Given what happened in August 2018 as well as in January 2019, will mass protests force Zanu PF to yield to public pressure?
In the wake of the deepening crisis MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said:
“We are faced with a terrible situation in our country and we must find a lasting solution.
I know that you are suffering with no fuel, no power, no money, no passports, no jobs and no food. The cost of living has become unbearable.
A lot of us cannot access medical facilities or medication. Children are dropping out of schools. Companies are shutting down.
Our civil servants, our teachers, nurses, patriotic men and women in uniform are struggling and have inadequate salaries.
Our pensioners including our war veterans can hardly survive. Corruption has become a national anthem.
In the rural areas just like the urban areas, life has become unbearable. Food is being abused as a partisan political weapon.
For that reason, I am urging all Zimbabweans from all walks of life and various denominations, in and outside the country to embark on a seven day prayer, fasting and intercession for our beloved country, Zimbabwe before undertaking crucial and decisive next steps.
Farai Dziva|Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has expressed concern over the growing list of injuries in the Real Madrid camp.
The injuries marred the Spanish giants’ preparations for the upcoming season.
After Marco Asensio’s horror injury which has since been confirmed to keep him out of action for at least 9 months, new acquisition Ferland Mendy also joined the injury list together with Brahim Diaz, much to the uneasiness of the French coach.
“It worries me and above all it bothers me,” Zidane said as stated by Spanish publication Marca.
“Marco’s [injury and then] Ferland’s, which is a minor injury, but he won’t be able to continue working and we don’t know for how long.
“These are things that happen and we will see if he comes back quickly with us,” he added.
Los Blancos face City rivals Atletico Madrid in the early hours of Saturday morning as part of their tour of the US in preparation for their 2019-20 season.
By Showbiz Reporter| The UK based socialite Olinda Chapel who recently accused her husband, Tytan, of cheating, has apologised to him, saying she was wrong.
She also said she has heen suffering from depression.
Below was her full unedited announcement:
It’s hard for me to write this. But sometimes strong is the only option. I have been struggling of late with myself. I have been very unhappy and mostly angry . Post natal depression is real. I spent a lot of time with the mental health team yesterday. My behaviour especially in this past week had spiralled out of control and had become very erratic.
I was using social media as an outlet point. I haven’t been myself after going through a very difficult pregnancy and almost dying in child birth. I became depressed and not okay with myself. I lost control. When our beautiful daughter was born I immediately returned to work and tried to juggle running our businesses, being a mother and being a wife.
Even though my husband tried his best to support me, I would push him away. I felt like a failure because I was so used to being strong and independent and having to depend on him made me feel weak. So I lashed out. Issues could have been handled much better, especially where there were people who had their own agenda of trying to break me.
Especially with the issue with my ex friend. It pushed me over the edge and made me reach breaking point. I never took the time to breathe and actually go through the facts or evidence. It was all based on what was being whispered in my ear and certain people egging me on and it became a trigger for my breakdown. My family has suffered because of this.
I would like to apologise to my family and especially to my husband and friend. You offered me support and I kept on pushing you away. All you have ever tried to do was do right by me. At this moment I any unwell. My mind isn’t right and I feel overwhelmed and I need help. I am taking time out to fixing myself and getting back to being the happy and bubbly person I am. I have the mental health team who will help me with my postnatal depression and I have my husband who will hold my hand through it all and my family to support the unit.
I am really sorry for my behaviour and some of the things I have said and done. Let me get myself better as I am at this moment riot okay. This is real life and no matter how strong we are we break. I haven’t been okay for months
Farai Dziva|With prices of basic commodities escalating with each passing day, the people of Zimbabwe can no longer cope with the biting economic woes.
Many, if not all workers are earning paltry salaries -way below the poverty datum line.
The bottom line is that there has to be a way forward and the big question is: what is the best option for the troubled nation?
According to analysts, there are three possible scenarios -the formation of a Government of National Unity, a transitional authority pending fresh polls or mass demonstrations to force Zanu PF to the negotiating table.
Given the above factors, there is need to analyze the respective options.
GNU
Does Zimbabwe need a GNU at this juncture and is it a safe mode given the level of animosity between Zanu PF and MDC?
Opposition hardliners are skeptical of the success of yet another GNU.
National Transitional Authority
If the main political players opt for a National Transitional Authority without proper electoral reforms who will benefit from such a situation?
Mass protests
Given what happened in August 2018 as well as in January 2019, will mass protests force Zanu PF to yield to public pressure?
In the wake of the deepening crisis MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said:
“We are faced with a terrible situation in our country and we must find a lasting solution.
I know that you are suffering with no fuel, no power, no money, no passports, no jobs and no food. The cost of living has become unbearable.
A lot of us cannot access medical facilities or medication. Children are dropping out of schools. Companies are shutting down.
Our civil servants, our teachers, nurses, patriotic men and women in uniform are struggling and have inadequate salaries.
Our pensioners including our war veterans can hardly survive. Corruption has become a national anthem.
In the rural areas just like the urban areas, life has become unbearable. Food is being abused as a partisan political weapon.
For that reason, I am urging all Zimbabweans from all walks of life and various denominations, in and outside the country to embark on a seven day prayer, fasting and intercession for our beloved country, Zimbabwe before undertaking crucial and decisive next steps.
By Dorrothy Moyo | Contrary to claims that Labour minister Sekesai Nzenza is on the run fearing arrest, she is not at all in a state of flight, it has been said.
The Permanent Secretary Of Information, Nick (Ndbaningi) Mangwana said there is no truth at all to the reports.
The rumour was passed by Norton MP Temba Mliswa who said Nzenza received a house from Mupfumira.
Mangwana however dismissed the claims.
He said Nzenza is in her constituency in Chikomba and not on the run from anyone.
Mangwana said: “Having a lot of Media enquiries around the whereabouts of Hon Minister Nzenza. I have spoken to her and she assures the nation that, she is in her constituency in Chikomba East and not on the run from anything or anyone and used strong terms to dismiss the circulating rumours.”
THE South African Government is considering a proposal put forward to increase power exports to Zimbabwe after high level talks between the two countries’ energy ministers last week.
In a telephone interview with the Sunday News yesterday, Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi confirmed meeting his South African counterpart, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe on Thursday last week.
He said Minister Mantashe expressed empathy at Zimbabwe’s power situation.
“We met with the (South African) Minister of Energy the day before yesterday and we discussed with him our situation and he was very empathetic to it. I’m reasonably optimistic that they (South Africa) will be helping us but they will go through their own internal processes to consider our own situation,” said Adv Chasi.
The visit by Minister Chasi to South Africa is his second one this month after having met officials from South Africa’s power utility, Eskom for power talks at the beginning of the month.
Zimbabwe owes Eskom US$27 million, this is after a payment of US$10 million, which it made last month as part of its commitment to pay its debt.
Additional power imports from South Africa will ease the prevailing power shortages, which have seen the country embarking on a daily 18-hour electricity load-shedding schedule. Adv Chasi said the Government would be considerate of the power challenges its neighbour was also facing while going through the negotiations.
“I’m reasonably optimistic now that I have spoken to him (Minister Mantashe). I’m also aware of the challenges faced by South Africa and I’m not going to put pressure on the minister and Eskom. They have to carefully consider what we discussed and then come up with a position but like I said I’m reasonably optimistic,” he said.
Adv Chasi said after completing talks with South Africa he would proceed to Mozambique where he is scheduled to meet Government and that country’s power producer Hydro-Cahora Bassa officials.
“I’m yet to finish off (talks) with Eskom. I haven’t engaged my counterpart from Mozambique but once I’m done with this particular situation (talks with South Africa) I will engage the Mozambicans too,” he said.
Adv Chasi emphasised the need for the public and institutions to clear their debts and timeously pay their bills to the country’s power utility, Zesa Holdings to enable it to effectively carry out part of its mandate.
“Generally I think the public needs to understand that Zesa needs the money.
We can make all the noise and blame them for everything on this planet but it needs to be recognised that for us to repair our equipment we need money. For us to install more prepaid meters we need money. Everything that we are faced with needs money.
So really, I want to appeal to Zimbabweans, individuals, local authorities, commerce and industry to pay their bills . . . consumers must pay their debts. It’s a key strategic issue that Zesa be given what it is owed now that we have consumed power already,” he said.
Zimbabwe has been facing a crippling power shortages that has seen most areas going for up to 16 hours without power.
The challenge was caused by low power generation at Kariba due to low water levels.
-State Media
MDC-Alliance president Mr Nelson Chamisa on Friday reportedly developed cold feet and dodged a meeting of the party structures in Bulawayo, which had been called to address among other things the contentious issue of the wayward behaviour of city councillors.
The meeting held at the party offices was instead addressed by the chairperson, Ms Thabitha Khumalo who had been sent by Mr Chamisa.
An insider told Sunday News that Mr Chamisa avoided the meeting because he was not sure how the structures would behave as the MDC-Alliance in Bulawayo has been torn into factions along tribal lines.
Ever since Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Mr Tinashe Kambarami and his sidekick, Councillor Silas Chigora tried to eject the Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube from office a few weeks ago, accusing him of corruption, divisions along tribal lines have emerged among the councillors in the process cascading to the structures.
Party Bulawayo provincial chairperson Mr James Sithole yesterday said he could not comment on the matter as he was “too junior to speak on issues concerning top officials.”
Speaking at the meeting Ms Khumalo tried to pacify the supporters calling them to stop looking at issues along tribal lines.
“The Constitution is clear; we cannot discriminate on grounds of tribe. Let’s agree that there is a problem, how do we rectify it because all of us must abide by rules. If these laws are not what we want as people of the Matabeleland how do we change the law? Go and change the Constitution and go and change the Urban Councils Act too,” she said.
-State Media
By A Correspondent| NEW Start Centres across the country have reviewed their charges for HIV testing and counselling to $9, a situation that will likely discourage people from testing, at a time when the country is working to achieve the 90-90-90 target.
The 90-90-90 target is an ambitious target set by United Nations to ensure that by next year 90 percent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status and 90 percent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy while 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.
As part of efforts to encourage testing in Zimbabwe, New Start Centres used to offer testing and counselling at US$1 or free but monetary changes have forced the centres to convert and charge $9. Experts said this might discourage people from testing as even when the services were free, some people were still not keen.
National Aids Council Bulawayo (Nac) provincial co-ordinator Mrs Sinatra Nyathi said the cost of testing changed with the monetary policy shift.
“It was US$1 for testing and counselling and when the multi-currency system was done away with they converted and it got to $9 using the interbank rate. However, even using the interbank rate, people do not have that kind of money to pay for testing,” she said.
Mrs Nyathi said Nac is yet to gauge the reaction of the public and also to dialogue with Population Services International Zimbabwe to see if the figures of people who come for voluntary testing and counselling will go down.
She said over the years New Start Centres have been frequented by a huge number of re-testers, people who already know their status and are testing again. Mrs Nyathi said they were engaging PSI to review the charges. However, she said paying a token was a way of encouraging people to own the results.
“Paying that money was bringing ownership to what you will be doing, if you pay your money then you get services and results unlike walking in and out of the centre for free and do not see the value of the services,” she said.
Asked on how the cost of HIV testing was affecting the nation and the gains made already in fighting new HIV infections she said:
“We still encourage people to know their status whether from PSI, public institutions, or buying your own test kit at a pharmacy. If one is negative they must maintain that status and avoid anything that may cause them to change that status as that status is very delicate.”
Mrs Nyathi said Nac was also on a drive to test more people and help those living with HIV and Aids.-StateMedia
“When one knows their status they will protect themselves and not spread HIV to the next person which is a good thing. Again if that HIV-positive person takes ARVs consistently, the risk of infecting their partner becomes low.”
By A Correspondent- Authorities running Harare City’s affairs have instituted tough measures against structures built on wetlands, in a move that will trigger massive evictions, property demolitions and huge penalties against perpetrators.
Over the past few years, several multi-million dollar structures have been constructed on wetlands.
Last year, legislators raised concern over the US$200 million Chinese shopping mall — Long Cheng Plaza — which is sitting on a wetland.
Former Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo, allegedly allocated the land to a Chinese company, Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation, despite warnings from environmental experts.
However, the recently-appointed Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs, Engineer Oliver Chidawu said such shenanigans will not continue in the new dispensation.
He vowed to descend hard on all individuals found on the wrong side of the law.
According to the Environmental Management Act Chapter 20:27, it is illegal to construct on the wetlands.
Reads the Act in part: “Any person who contravenes subsection (2) shall incur a fine not exceeding level eight or imprisonment not exceeding two years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.”
Speaking to The Sunday Mail, Engineer Chidawu said processes have already been set in motion to demolish structures, evict, or impose hefty fines on all wetland settlers.
The Long Cheng Plaza will not be spared during the blitz.
“We are engaging local authorities and they are aware that we can not continue watching as our wetlands are soiled. It creates problems in the city.
“That complex (Long Cheng Plaza) is sitting on a wetland. But when you look at the level of investment, we will then say what do we do? We do a compensation plan for that.
“But otherwise everyone who is on wetlands must go. We do not know why such decisions were made in the first place, I was not in office at that time.
“If we have to leave them there, there have to be conditions. While penalties or conditions are yet to be established, it is underway,” he said.
Minister Chidawu said all the appropriate procedures, including obtaining court orders, will be followed before any structures are demolished.
He said where possible, those affected will be re-settled elsewhere.
According to a Government survey, there are approximately 1 117 wetlands in Zimbabwe sitting on about 1,5 percent of the country’s total area.
According to scientists, wetlands preserve and improve water quality by removing harmful substances and pesticides from agricultural runoff.
They are also a habitat for rare birds and insect species.
Wetlands, a major source of Harare water, are under threat from urban cultivation and construction, despite Zimbabwe being a signatory to the 1971 Ramsar Convention on prevention of loss and degradation of wetlands.
Harare City has been mired in controversy over allocating residential stands in wetlands.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- The Vice President of the splinter MDC-T, Advocate Obert Gutu on Friday night said that his party has resolved not to field a candidate for the Glen View South by-election.
He said the party does not want to appear as fighting the son of MDC founding father and former Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai.
The seat fell vacant when Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java succumbed to road accident injuries in June.
Posting on Twitter, Gutu said:
Nomination Court for Glen View South by-election sat on Friday, July 26, 2019. MDC-T decided not to field a candidate because we found it unconscionable to field a candidate to contest against Vincent Tsvangirai, son of our late iconic leader, Dr.Morgan Tsvangirai… MHDSRIEP
Some observers have noted that the decision might not have been influenced by the fact that Vincent Tsvangirai is vying for the post since the MDC-T fielded a candidate in 2018 when Vimbai was running for the same post.
Some of the people who responded to his post said that even if every supporter of the MDC-T was to vote in Glen View South, the party’s candidate would still lose.
Others suggested that Gutu rejoin the party to which he said that even over his dead body it was “absolutely and thoroughly impossible”.
By A Correspondent- Former Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) commissioners disappeared with key dockets for corruption cases and efforts are currently being made to recover them.
In an interview, Zacc chair Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo told The Sunday Mail that the investigations department of the corruption-fighting body is now compiling the list of missing documents.
Once the dockets are recovered, she said, the culprits are likely to face the music.
“I received reports of former commissioners who took dockets and have not returned them. I have tasked the investigations department to compile the list of all dockets that are missing.
“However, I am yet to receive the information from the department. I assure the nation that once the information is received the perpetrators will be brought to book,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.
“I have spoken before about the docket management system which is in shambles, making it difficult to trace dockets. The commission is currently looking for funding to put in place a computerised case management system to ensure the security of dockets and ensure efficiency. Now that the commission is fully operational, this is one of the top agendas we are working on,” she said.
The former commission, which was led by Dr Job Wabhira, stepped down on January 31 2019. It is believed that the new Zacc is busy cleaning up the mess left by its predecessors who failed to transfer the Mt Pleasant property that is being used as the headquarters into the organisation’s name.
The US$1,7 million building is registered in the name of a private company, which was owned by former Zacc managers who have since been fired.
“I understand that the previous commission had begun the process of transfer of ownership and the legal services department is seized with the matter. The transfer will be expedited.”
Justice Matanda-Moyo has vowed to fight corruption at all levels.
By A Correspondent- George Shumba, whose nom de guerre was Farai Tafirenyika, narrates to Sunday News Deputy News Editor, Levi Mukarati, how he joined other Liberation Warfighters.
He narrates how he encountered traumatising episodes in the treatment of ‘‘rebels’’ at Chifombo after the Nhari-Badza rebellion.
Below are excerpts from the interview.
Q: We hear at Chifombo the ‘rebels’ were dealt with ruthlessly, what was your experience with these comrades who had mutinied?
A: I had met mumwe mukomana ainzi Godfrey at the end of December 1974. He had come from Zambia and had been in the publicity department.
I stayed with him. Godfrey did not like Tongogara and he had clashed with the leader in Lusaka. Godfrey had told Tongo that he was uneducated. That is why he was sent to Chifombo.
Godfrey joined us in taking material to the front.
Then one day, after coming from Zambezi where we had left war material, it was late January 1975.
I was surprised to see that there were so many people who were detained at Chifombo for following Nhari and Badza.
On the day, Tongo and Manyika ordered kuti, “Vanhu ngavachibuda”. Chifombo yakanga iri musango vanhu vaibva from various directions ndokuitwa parade. They were more than 15, including some females.
Godfrey’s name was also called out to join them ndokubva vasungwa netambo. I remember very well the rope was white.
You could sense that the situation was tense, vachibva ipapo vakabva vamachiswa vachidzikwa navo kuzasi musango ndokunouraiwa ikoko.
Q: You speak of the killings with ease, did you just say the people were killed? Why were they killed and how?
A: Vakanga vari vekwaNhari. The atmosphere was bad. It was in the afternoon around 1pm.
Mataure was also there among the group that was killed. It was a nasty experience and I don’t like it.
What I am sure of is that they were not shot because I didn’t hear any gun sounds.
It was just a matter of concluding kuti pamwe vanzi cherai makomba ndokufutsirwa vari vapenyu or they were hanged.
But hanging, ne situation yataiva nayo, could have been difficult because that process needs a lot of time and preparation. I strongly believe kuti vakafutsirwa vari vapenyu.
Why I say so is because we had heard cases of people being buried alive. Such treatment was rife during the war, especially on those suspected to have sold out.
Kana neni ndakanga ndave ne confusion because I had never seen such traumatising events.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- A primary school teacher from Kwekwe has appeared in court for allegedly impregnating a 13-year-old pupil whom he has been having an affair with for more than a year.
The teacher, Jimmy Phiri (38) reportedly proposed love to the now Form One pupil while she was still in Grade Seven at Grasslands Primary School in Redcliff where the teacher is stationed. Since then, the two had been having consensual sexual intercourse until the girl fell pregnant.
Phiri was released on $100 bail after he appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Miss Vimbai Mtukwa last week facing charges of having sexual intercourse with a minor. He was remanded to 28 August for trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Freddy Ndoro told the court that Phiri who resides at Plot 135A in Grasslands, proposed love to the said girl sometime in 2018 when she was still in Grade 7 at the school. After being showered with gifts and presents, the girl was compelled to accept the proposal and the two started having sexual intercourse in a bushy area.
The girl reportedly fell pregnant and tried to conceal it. The matter, however, came to light when some church members noticed her bulging stomach and quizzed her until she confessed to what had happened. A congregant, the court heard, then alerted the girl’s parents. The parents reported the matter to the police leading to Phiri’s arrest.
JOHANNESBURG – Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema called on his party leaders not to associate themselves with businessman Johann Rupert.
Malema was speaking at the party’s sixth birthday celebration at KaNyamazane Stadium in Mpumalanga on Saturday.
He has described Rupert – one of the continent’s wealthiest men – as the head of white monopoly capital who must never be allowed to infiltrate the red berets.
Malema said Rupert controlled the President and several Cabinet ministers.
“Rupert must never be allowed to infiltrate the EFF. Leaders of the EFF must never have a cosy relationship with white capital.”
Malema also reiterated that Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan would go no matter what.
He said once his party pronounced on the fate of an individual, it would follow up until its word was fulfilled.
He said when they told former President Jacob Zuma and several ministers they would fall, many didn’t believe them.
“Pravin will go the same way the EFF said Trollip in PE will go. The same way we said Malusi Gigaba will go, the same way we said Nhlanhla Nene will go.”
A MAN from Bulawayo’s Sauerstown suburb has been arrested after he was allegedly caught fondling his stepdaughter’s breast while also rubbing his privates on her bums.
It is said last week on Monday at around 7.30 pm, the accused furtively left his wife imbibing wise waters with their neighbour and headed to a bedroom where his 15-year-old teenage girl was sleeping.
A court heard the accused got into the bedroom and found his stepdaughter in deep sleep. He allegedly fondled her breast before he took out his organ and rubbed it against her buttocks.
While he was busy pleasuring himself the victim’s brother allegedly stormed in and caught him red-handed.
Incensed by his stepfather’s actions he is said to have grabbed him and violently pushed him out of the bedroom.
Seeing her husband being bundled out of the house while trying to cover his privates, the mother of the minor reportedly questioned her son about the unfolding drama. Her son revealed that he caught his stepfather fondling his younger sister’s breast while rubbing his manhood on her buttocks.
That did not go down well with the mother of the teenager. She made a police report leading to the arrest of her husband.
The accused appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ulukile Mlea- Ndlovu. He pleaded not guilty to an indecent assault charge. The accused appealed for bail and was granted. He was remanded out of custody to 31 July for commencement of trial.
Nathan Marime appeared for the State.
A 70-year-old woman urinated in the mouth of her neighbour’s dead body in an effort to resuscitate her after she collapsed and died at a funeral in an incident that shocked mourners in Mandawa Village under Chief Nembudziya in Gokwe.
The matter was heard when Maidei Mamombe appeared before Chief Nembudziya’s traditional court after she tried to resuscitate her neighbour Taizivei Mugido who had collapsed.
Chief Nembudziya in whose jurisdiction the area falls under confirmed the incident.
“I can confirm that l presided over a case of a woman who urinated on a dead body in an attempt to resurrect it,” he said.
Chief Nembudziya said Mamombe had a misunderstanding with the now deceased at the funeral.
“The two women had a misunderstanding and they ended up exchanging harsh words. While they argued, Mamombe accused her neighbour Mugido of witchcraft alleging that she was the one who killed the 10-year-old boy whose funeral they were attending.
“The deceased did not take the accusations lightly and she collapsed and she hit her head on a stone that was nearby. Mourners tried pouring water on her body but all was in vain. Mamombe then opened the deceased’s mouth and urinated inside in a bid to revive her, in full view of the mourners,” he said.
Chief Nembudziya said the deceased was ferried to hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
“The deceased was rushed to the hospital and was declared dead upon arrival,” he said.
He said he warned Mamombe not to do such practices in future as this practice was abolished long ago.
“What she did was actually practised long back but has since been abolished. She acted out of panic hence she cannot be handed a heavy punishment,” said Chief Nembudziya.
PERPETUA Siyachitema, the captain of the senior national netball team has quit to pursue a coaching career.
Siyachitema announced her retirement in an interview yesterday at a local hotel where they were having a breakfast meeting with the Minister of Sport Youth Arts and Recreation, Honorable Kirsty Coventry and the Sports and Recreation commission director general Prince Mupazviriho.
Siyachitema has been playing netball for over two decades now.
She has also served for over 15 years in the national team and believes it was time for her to put an end to her playing career.
The 36-year-old made her debut appearance for the national team at the age of 19 and has since been a strong force to reckon with in the netball squad.
Last year, she helped the team qualify for their first ever World Cup tournament which was recently held.
The team went on to finish eighth making a record of the second best team tied up with Malawi to finish in the top eight in their debut appearance.
“I’m done playing netball. I now need to concentrate on my coaching career and the world cup was a major learning curve for me.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity that I had. I have learnt a lot form my whole netball playing career.
“And also the World Cup was a learning curve for me.
“I noticed that our game in Zimbabwe or Africa as a whole has no format
“We need to have a format. I need also to find a format that I’m going to personally introduce for the betterment of the game.”
Siyachitema went on to share some of her best moments she had at the world cup.
“My wish was to play New Zealand, Australia, Jamaica and England.
“I am glad that before I end this playing career I have managed to play three of these countries, unfortunately we couldn’t play England.
“And also for my country it was the best world cup, we finished in the top eight.
Asked on some of the lessons they have drawn from the world cup she said:
“We need to work on our endurance.
“As the tournament was coming to an end we were so exhausted, we were so drained. We never really knew that at a world cup level the matches are played every day.
“We need to work more on our fitness. The teams there were so physically fit. I think there is need for more gym facilities and also to scout for more tall players.”
NEW Start Centres across the country have reviewed their charges for HIV testing and counselling to $9, a situation that will likely discourage people from testing, at a time when the country is working to achieve the 90-90-90 target.
The 90-90-90 target is an ambitious target set by United Nations to ensure that by next year 90 percent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status and 90 percent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy while 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.
As part of efforts to encourage testing in Zimbabwe, New Start Centres used to offer testing and counselling at US$1 or free but monetary changes have forced the centres to convert and charge $9. Experts said this might discourage people from testing as even when the services were free, some people were still not keen.
National Aids Council Bulawayo (Nac) provincial co-ordinator Mrs Sinatra Nyathi said the cost of testing changed with the monetary policy shift.
“It was US$1 for testing and counselling and when the multi-currency system was done away with they converted and it got to $9 using the interbank rate. However, even using the interbank rate, people do not have that kind of money to pay for testing,” she said.
Mrs Nyathi said Nac is yet to gauge the reaction of the public and also to dialogue with Population Services International Zimbabwe to see if the figures of people who come for voluntary testing and counselling will go down.
She said over the years New Start Centres have been frequented by a huge number of re-testers, people who already know their status and are testing again. Mrs Nyathi said they were engaging PSI to review the charges. However, she said paying a token was a way of encouraging people to own the results.
“Paying that money was bringing ownership to what you will be doing, if you pay your money then you get services and results unlike walking in and out of the centre for free and do not see the value of the services,” she said.
Asked on how the cost of HIV testing was affecting the nation and the gains made already in fighting new HIV infections she said:
“We still encourage people to know their status whether from PSI, public institutions, or buying your own test kit at a pharmacy. If one is negative they must maintain that status and avoid anything that may cause them to change that status as that status is very delicate.”
Mrs Nyathi said Nac was also on a drive to test more people and help those living with HIV and Aids.
“When one knows their status they will protect themselves and not spread HIV to the next person which is a good thing. Again if that HIV-positive person takes ARVs consistently, the risk of infecting their partner becomes low.”
ONE father, one legacy, one band (now split into two) — this is a classic case of yoked cattle pulling in different directions.
Daughters of the late music icon Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi — Selmor and Samantha — find themselves in this situation.
It is unprecedented in Zimbabwe.
For the first time in local showbiz, at least as far memory serves, Zimbabwe has siblings directly battling for their father’s musical throne.
Selmor is daughter to Dr Tuku’s first and former wife Melody Murape while Samantha is Daisy’s offspring, the late singer’s second wife.
Selmor and Samantha now lead different sets of the Black Spirits following the demise of the founder on January 23 this year.
Black Spirits is a team of instrumentalists and vocalists previously led by the late national hero, Tuku. In its over 40 years of existence, it employed tens, if not hundreds of artistes.
Having two Black Spirits camps has further strained relations between the two sisters and their respective backers. It has also split the music industry.
Promoters, musicians as well as Black Spirits’ fans are now divided between Selmor and Samantha.
“You need to be careful when you get a call to support the Black Spirits. There is Black Spirits-G and Black Spirits-H. The ‘G’ is for Gogo Daisy, Samantha’s mother, while ‘H’ is for Selmor’s group, meaning Harare. It refers to her apparent massive support base in the capital,” revealed one artiste who declined to be named.
There was drama at Dr Tuku’s tribute concert as Samantha and her step-sisters Selmor and Sandra were literally dodging each other backstage.
The concert, which was held at Belgravia Sports Club in Harare, was organised by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
The event had surly incidences that were too glaring to ignore.
Where the sisters “accidentally” met backstage, they hardly spent time talking. It was tense!
The situation moved to another level when the two sets of the Black Spirits performed on different time slots.
Samantha got the first dance. Her Black Spirits is made up of youthful artistes that worked with Dr Tuku during his last days — a team that was more of a session band.
Then came Selmor with another Black Spirits set consisting of veterans like percussion player/dancer/backing vocalist Picky Kasamba, bass guitarist Never Mpofu and her sister Sandra.
By any measure, both groups did justice to the live play of the late singer’s beat.
However, revellers still felt the need to torment Daisy’s daughter by chanting Selmor’s name as soon as she started singing the first line of her opening track.
The rowdy ones even attempted to throw missiles.
Alexio Kawara’s timely intervention helped pacify the crowd.
This was probably a déjà vu moment for Samantha. An almost similar occurrence recently transpired at the Dr Tuku Tribute Concert and Golf Tournament in Nyanga.
Samantha had a torrid time on stage as she failed to rise to the occasion. She was only bailed out by Alexio, Tocky Vibes and Ashton “Mbeu” Nyahora when they intermittently joined her on stage.
Back to the Belgravia gig.
Off the stage, Faith Kadzura, Daisy’s other daughter, who is Samantha’s step-sister, was manning a stand selling Dr Tuku’s branded merchandise. Faith was at the show from the onset.
However, she seemed to give a thumbs down to Selmor’s set as she dismantled the stand and varnished from the venue soon after Samantha’s act. This was despite the fact that the show still had a couple of hours to go before folding.
Moreover, South Africa’s Steve Dyer and visiting Mozambique star Stewart Sekuma — all Dr Tuku’s good buddies — were yet to play.
Conversely, Selmor’s solid act received a thunderous applause from revellers.
Following the concert, music critics have suggested merging the two bands.
Holders of this school of thought reckon that Samantha is more of a backing vocalist than a natural lead singer. In most gigs, Samantha’s backing vocalist, Fiona Gwena, Mbeu or Alexio take charge of lead vocals.
But Mbeu has provided cover in most high-profile shows, including those held in South Africa and Mozambique. However, the rising star appears to be distancing himself from Samantha’s Black Spirits as he is still concentrating on building his own brand — The Mhodzi Tribe.
For instance at the Harare tribute gig, he also had to support the Mozambican star Sekuma, who came without a full band. The two are also working on a single due for release anytime soon.
The battle of the two Black Spirits creates a unique war front in showbiz.
Imagine Tryson and Wilmore Chimbetu, both sons of the late Naison, fronting different units of Marxist Brothers.
Or Peter Moyo and Obert Tongai Moyo Jnr running separate Utakataka Express brands. Obert once tried to take that route but later abandoned the idea. He ended up rebranding his ensemble to “Utakataka — Rise of the Machine”.
The same goes for Leonard Dembo’s sons Tendai and Morgan. They have differences but there is one Barura Express, which is fronted by the young brother, Tendai.
Dendera wars featuring Suluman, Tryson and Douglas Chimbetu are a bit understandable considering that they are cousins and sons to brothers Simon, Naison and Allan Chimbetu respectively.
A primary school teacher from Kwekwe has appeared in court for allegedly impregnating a 13-year-old pupil whom he has been having an affair with for more than a year.
The teacher, Jimmy Phiri (38) reportedly proposed love to the now Form One pupil while she was still in Grade Seven at Grasslands Primary School in Redcliff where the teacher is stationed. Since then, the two had been having consensual sexual intercourse until the girl fell pregnant.
Phiri was released on $100 bail after he appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Miss Vimbai Mtukwa last week facing charges of having sexual intercourse with a minor. He was remanded to 28 August for trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Freddy Ndoro told the court that Phiri who resides at Plot 135A in Grasslands, proposed love to the said girl sometime in 2018 when she was still in Grade 7 at the school. After being showered with gifts and presents, the girl was compelled to accept the proposal and the two started having sexual intercourse in a bushy area.
The girl reportedly fell pregnant and tried to conceal it. The matter, however, came to light when some church members noticed her bulging stomach and quizzed her until she confessed to what had happened. A congregant, the court heard, then alerted the girl’s parents. The parents reported the matter to the police leading to Phiri’s arrest.
MDC Deputy Secretary for International Affairs Douglas Mwonzora has congratulated the son of the late political heavy weight Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai after he won in primary elections in Glen View South Constituency.
Posting on his twitter handle, Mwonzora said they are looking forward to work with Tsvangirai after his triumph in the primary elections.
The position was open after the death of Honorable Vimbayi Tsvangirai-Java who succumbed injuries in an accident on her way from Bulawayo.
Fortune Chasi, Zimbabwe’s Energy Minster has thanked South Africa’s government for Eskom’s continued support over the years despite its unsettled debt to the cash-strapped utility.
“The one thing we want to say to the South African government is that we owe significant amounts of money and we are making efforts to repay the amount we owe to Eskom and we are grateful for the assistance we have received over time,” said Chasi.
Zimbabwe has been in the news amid some regions plunging into 18-hour-long power cuts due to Kariba hydro dam low water levels.
“The challenges have been occasioned in part by the hydrological conditions of the Kariba dam which has receded significantly over the past months and has made it difficult for us to rely on it.”
Kariba was already operating at half capacity earlier in May with its generational power cut from 542 MW to 358 MW.
Chisa expressed that citizens not paying their electricity bill contributed to the country’s increasing debt.
“We have a utility that is owed a lot of money by consumers in Zimbabwe,”
“Yes, the challenges are significant but I am certain that we will get over them and we are working towards that,” Chasi concluded.
THE Zanu-PF Youth League will in the next few days release a long list of alleged corrupt Government and party officials to give the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zaac) leads to follow and arrest, as it steps up efforts to help weed out corruption that has affected the economy.
Addressing a Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators’ Association (Zilwaco) National Conference in Gweru yesterday, association chairman who is also Zanu-PF National Secretary for Youth, Pupurai Togarepi said youths have decided to take a leading role in fighting corruption.
“We know the people who are involved in corruption. I have my young man Lewis Matutu, we sat down with him and said we are willing to fight corruption and said we are going to name and shame corrupt Government and party officials.
We have a long list and you should all make a self-introspection. Most of the people in the party are on the list and in the next few coming days we will name and shame you. That’s how the country can move forward because our President cannot suffer because of corrupt people.
The President has been on a re-engagement programme visiting different nations to try and better the lives of the people of Zimbabwe but there are individuals who derail all those efforts and enrich themselves,” he said.
Togarepi said President Mnangagwa should not be lenient with corrupt officials.
“We are solidly behind President Mnangagwa beyond any shadow of doubt.
The issue of corruption which is there, we think it has also contributed in hindering the compensation for the war collaborators. All the money is going into the pockets of individuals who are greedy.
Government is being overburdened by the people who are inside who are amassing wealth and enriching their families.
We are too tolerant and lenient, that is why these corrupt individuals continue to steal from Government.
The challenge is once they are in the party and/ or Government they then look for their friends and start stealing from Government much to the detriment of the people.
These people lack ideology and they are not patriotic. We fought for this country and we are not apologetic about it,” he said.
In an interview on the sidelines of the conference, Zanu-PF Youth League Deputy Secretary, Matutu commended Zaac for descending on corrupt senior Government and party officials who were amassing wealth and enriching themselves at the expense of the entirety of the Zimbabwean populace.
This follows, the arrest of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira on Thursday
last week over a scandal involving more than US$95 million linked to the National Social Security Authority.
“This (investigation and arrest of corrupt Government and party officials) is something that was long overdue.
What we are saying is that each and every person involved in corruption must be arrested. We are also saying people must be accountable as leaders and we are not backing off on that fight.
Our people are poor, not because the Government is not making efforts to transform their lives for the better, but our people are poor because a few individuals are stealing those few resources that are there and making them their own and their families,” he said
State Media|Zanu-PF’s Youth League has commended the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zaac) for swooping on alleged corrupt senior Government and party officials who were reportedly amassing wealth and enriching themselves at the expense of the generality of Zimbabweans.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators’ Association (Zilwaco) national conference in Gweru yesterday, deputy youth secretary Lewis Matutu said the crusade against corrupt officials was long overdue.
“This is something that was long overdue. What we are saying is that each and every person involved in corruption must be arrested. We are also saying people must be accountable as leaders and we are not backing off on that fight.
“Our people are poor not because the Government is not making effort to transform their lives for the better, but our people are poor because a few individuals are stealing those few resources that are there and making them their own and their families,” he said.
Matutu said President Emmerson Mnangagwa was serious about fighting graft and taking the country forward.
“So it is time for people to realise that President Mnangagwa is serious about the issue of corruption. It is time for people to realise that wherever they took anything, be it a Government Minister or official, local authorities and anywhere else, they should return people’s money and be clean,” he said.
Zilwaco national chairperson and Zanu-PF Secretary for Youth Pupurai Togarepi applauded the courage shown by youths to fight corruption.
The Youth League, he added, will continue to name and shame corrupt officials.
“We know the people who are involved in corruption. I have my young man, Lewis Matutu, we sat down with him and said we are willing to die fighting corruption and said we are going to name and shame corrupt Government and party officials.
“We have a long list and you should all make a self-introspection. Most of the people in the party are on the list and in the next few coming days we will name and shame you. That is how the country can move forward because our President cannot suffer because of corrupt people,” added Togarepi.
He said President Mnangagwa should not to be lenient with corrupt Government and party officials.
“We are solidly behind President Mnangagwa beyond any shadow of doubt. . . Government is being overburdened by the people who are inside who are amassing wealth and enriching their families.
“We are too tolerant and lenient; that is why these corrupt individuals continue to steal from Government and continue being at the forefront. . .”
State Media|Former Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) commissioners disappeared with key dockets for corruption cases and efforts are currently being made to recover them.
In an interview, Zacc chair Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo told state media that the investigations department of the corruption-fighting body is now compiling the list of missing documents.
Once the dockets are recovered, she said, the culprits are likely to face the music.
“I received reports of former commissioners who took dockets and have not returned them. I have tasked the investigations department to compile the list of all dockets that are missing.
“However, I am yet to receive the information from the department. I assure the nation that once the information is received the perpetrators will be brought to book,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.
“I have spoken before about the docket management system which is in shambles, making it difficult to trace dockets. The commission is currently looking for funding to put in place a computerised case management system to ensure the security of dockets and ensure efficiency. Now that the commission is fully operational, this is one of the top agendas we are working on,” she said.
The former commission, which was led by Dr Job Wabhira, stepped down on January 31 2019. It is believed that the new Zacc is busy cleaning up the mess left by its predecessors who failed to transfer the Mt Pleasant property that is being used as the headquarters into the organisation’s name.
The US$1,7 million building is registered in the name of a private company, which was owned by former Zacc managers who have since been fired.
“I understand that the previous commission had begun the process of transfer of ownership and the legal services department is seized with the matter. The transfer will be expedited.”
Justice Matanda-Moyo has vowed to fight corruption at all levels.
President Mnangagwa told the Namibian Diaspora that he believes the new team can “bite”.
While stating that the former commission had become part of the scourge, the President implored Zimbabweans to work with the authorities to uproot the vice.
“We are determined to fight corruption, we had an anti-corruption commission as provided by our Constitution, but my view after some months in office, I realised that the commission was now part of the corruption. So I removed it and only last week (a fortnight ago) I had to swear in a new team of commissioners.
“Corruption involves more than one person; generally, the one who is badly treated exposes the corruption. If both sides are satisfied, it takes long to discover. We implore the public to come forward, we may put legislation to protect whistleblowers and give them benefits.”
Zacc was recently given arresting powers.
Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Prisca Mupfumira – who is facing seven counts of corruption involving US$95 million over questionable National Social Security Authority deals – became the latest high-profile casualty after she was arrested by Zacc last week.
Other commissioners of the new team include Jessie Majome, John Makamure, Gabriel Chaibva, Thandiwe Thando Mlobane, Frank Muchengwa, Michael Dennis Santi (Rtd Maj), Mrs Mabel Ndakaripa Hungwe and Kuziva Phineas Murapa.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
VIDEO LOADING BELOW….
FORMER Dynamos talisman, Denver Mukamba reminded the world of his brilliance when he rose from the bench to inspire Chapungu to a draw against big spenders Manica Diamonds in a premiership match played at Mandava yesterday.
Mukamba suffered psychological problems which derailed and almost ended a promising career.
But after a prolonged stay on the sidelines, the former Warriors winger inspired the airmen to an audacious comeback on his debut, when he cancelled Kudakwashe Gurure’s 77th minute goal for Manica Diamonds with a well taken strike in stoppage time.
Chapungu is renowned for instilling discipline in the group which might save the career of Mukamba if he changes his ways.
Coach Rodwell Dhlakama was happy with a share of spoils at the final whistle and thanked his new recruit for the goal.
“I want to thank God for the result. Denver helped us a lot, we could have lost this game but we managed a point.
“We are relieved, so much and I hope we will start picking maximum points soon and end this winless streak,” said Dhlakama.
Manica Diamonds coach Luke Masomere was distraught to concede in the dying stages of the match.
“We had so many chances but we just scored only one goal, on a good day we could have won the match but clearly we are lacking firepower upfront.
“Since the club does not have the money to buy more players, we have to work with what is available,” said Masomere.State media
THE Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Cain Mathema, has directed Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to ensure that police officers are on high alert and ready to deal with acts of violence or destruction of property following revelations that the opposition MDC-Alliance has lined up August demonstrations to destabilise the country.
In a statement yesterday, Mathema said the Government has gathered that the MDC-A was mobilising its supporters to embark on demonstrations, but Government will not tolerate anarchy.
MDC-A and its partners, Mathema said, have been holding a number of meetings to organise the demonstrations.
“My ministry has directed the Commissioner-General of police to ensure that, officers are on high alert and ready to deal with any acts of violence or destruction of property.
We appeal to all peace loving Zimbabweans to ignore these calls for demonstrations which are detrimental to the social economy development thrust of the Government,” he said.
Mathema said some of the evidence included a recent MDC Provincial Youth Executive meeting held in Harare where the members resolved to mobilise the public and engage in civil disobedience in order to remove the Government or force Zanu-PF to the negotiating table.
“Let me take this opportunity to warn any organisation, be it political or otherwise that is agitating or organising civil disobedience that the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other security services have a mandate of maintaining law and order in the country.
Anyone who engages in intimidation, incitement, threats or violence will only have himself to blame,” he said.State media
THE Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Cain Mathema, has directed Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to ensure that police officers are on high alert and ready to deal with acts of violence or destruction of property following revelations that the opposition MDC-Alliance has lined up August demonstrations to destabilise the country.
In a statement yesterday, Mathema said the Government has gathered that the MDC-A was mobilising its supporters to embark on demonstrations, but Government will not tolerate anarchy.
“My ministry has directed the Commissioner-General of police to ensure that, officers are on high alert and ready to deal with any acts of violence or destruction of property.
We appeal to all peace loving Zimbabweans to ignore these calls for demonstrations which are detrimental to the social economy development thrust of the Government,” he said.
MDC-A and its partners, Mathema said, have been holding a number of meetings to organise the demonstrations.
Mathema said some of the evidence included a recent MDC Provincial Youth Executive meeting held in Harare where the members resolved to mobilise the public and engage in civil disobedience in order to remove the Government or force Zanu-PF to the negotiating table.
“Let me take this opportunity to warn any organisation, be it political or otherwise that is agitating or organising civil disobedience that the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other security services have a mandate of maintaining law and order in the country.
Anyone who engages in intimidation, incitement, threats or violence will only have himself to blame,” he said.
Information gathered.State media
THE South African Government is considering a proposal put forward to increase power exports to Zimbabwe after high level talks between the two countries’ energy ministers last week.
In a telephone interview with the Sunday News yesterday, Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi confirmed meeting his South African counterpart, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Jeff Radebe on Thursday last week.
He said Minister Radebe expressed empathy at Zimbabwe’s power situation.
“We met with the (South African) Minister of Energy the day before yesterday and we discussed with him our situation and he was very empathetic to it. I’m reasonably optimistic that they (South Africa) will be helping us but they will go through their own internal processes to consider our own situation,” said Chasi.
The visit by Minister Chasi to South Africa is his second one this month after having met officials from South Africa’s power utility, Eskom for power talks at the beginning of the month.
Zimbabwe owes Eskom US$27 million, this is after a payment of US$10 million, which it made last month as part of its commitment to pay its debt.
Additional power imports from South Africa will ease the prevailing power shortages, which have seen the country embarking on a daily 18-hour electricity load-shedding schedule.
Chasi said the Government would be considerate of the power challenges its neighbour was also facing while going through the negotiations.
“I’m reasonably optimistic now that I have spoken to him (Minister Radebe). I’m also aware of the challenges faced by South Africa and I’m not going to put pressure on the minister and Eskom. They have to carefully consider what we discussed and then come up with a position but like I said I’m reasonably optimistic,” he said.State media
AFTER watching their eight-match unbeaten run halted by Ngezi Platinum Stars last week, army side Black Rhinos quickly bounced back to their winning ways when they upstaged champions FC Platinum at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
The goal that made all the difference came courtesy of a second minute strike by Edgar Chigiji.
Wellington Taderera intercepted a Gift Bello clearance to find Chigiji on the right side.
The pint-sized midfielder then beat two FC Platinum defenders before unleashing a powerful grounder onto the far post.
Chigiji continued to haunt FC Platinum as he came close to grabbing a brace 10 minutes later when his close range volley hit the woodwork.
The visitors could have restored parity on the quarter hour mark when Congolese International Guyve Nsiala had a one on one situation with Black Rhinos goalkeeper Ashley Reyners.
However, the FC Platinum striker shot straight into the army side goalkeeper’s hands. Rhinos continued to press the visitors and were unlucky as Leeroy Murape’s long range effort was tipped off for a corner a minute before the half-time break.
With the visitors also pressing on, Rhinos coach Herbert Maruwa had to employ a defensive approach in the second half.
FC Platinum went home without a point or a win as the hosts committed a number of defensive errors.
One of the errors could have paid off for the log leaders in the 53rd minute when Albert Eonde capitalised on a clearance by Reyners, leaving Andrew Tandi to pull down the Cameroonian international on the edge of the penalty box and saving the day for the hosts.
William Stima came close to securing an equaliser the visitors in the 58th minute when he hit the upright from 30 yards.
“This was a crucial win for us as it brings us back into the equation of the league title, we are back in it,” said Maruwa.State media
THE Grain Marketing Board has deployed crack teams to rein in unscrupulous maize dealers violating Statutory Instrument 145 of 2019 which empowers the parastatal to be the sole buyer of the grain.
The Statutory Instrument also outlaws any maize exports.
As a result of the adverse weather patterns experienced last season, the country projects that maize deliveries to the GMB will be about 750 000 metric tonnes.
Government has begun importing maize to meet the annual total human and livestock demands of about 2,2 million metric tonnes.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, GMB chief executive officer Mr Rockie Mutenha said the parastatal will descend hard on third party maize dealers.
“Third party storage warehouses are being monitored to identify illegal storage of maize in contravention of the Statutory Instrument,” said Mr Mutenha.
“We re-established the GMB inspectorate that is working with the ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) and AMA (Agricultural Marketing Authority) to enforce the Statutory Instrument.
“GMB inspectorate officers have been deployed to monitor illegal maize buying and selling points and inspectors are armed with seizure certificates in case they find individuals breaking the law.”State media
State power utility, Zesa, needs to strictly adhere to a tight prescribed water ration that allows it to generate an average of 358 megawatts at Kariba to avoid depleting Kariba Dam following revelations the reservoir is left with only 24 percent of water usable for power generation.
The situation at the world’s largest man-made dam is critical and Zesa needs to strike a power import deal with South Africa’s Eskom by September to avoid tipping over an already precarious power situation in the country.
This is because demand for power in Zimbabwe, at peak periods, stands at an average 1 800 megawatts, but the country’s internal capacity can only manage a maximum 800-900MW at best due to antiquated equipment and effects of drought, which have decimated generation at Kariba South.
ZESA acting chief executive officer Mr Patrick Chivaura told The Sunday Mail Business that Zesa was producing power at levels prescribed by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), which administers the river, to conserve water for next season.
“Kariba water level is 24 of live capacity. We are allowed to generate an average of 358MW to conserve water for next season,” Engineer Chivaura said last week.State media
Farai Dziva|Outspoken MDC-T vice president, advocate Obert Gutu, has urged the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption to arrest an MDC official who looted public funds during the GNU era.
Gutu claimed that a member of the MDC (led by advocate Nelson Chamisa) fraudulently channelled funds into Interfin Limited Bank.
“Millions of public funds in US$ were fraudulently and recklessly channelled to Interfin Bank Limited by an MDC Cabinet Minister for a cut.
This money was then ‘lost’ when Interfin collapsed. If this isn’t corruption, then the word ‘corruption’ needs to be redefined. @ZACConline,” Gutu posted on Twitter.
Law Professor, Professor Lovemore Madhuku has said the jailed Minister Prisca Mupfumira cannot get any bail for the next 21 days.
He said the state has been very creative in slapping her with the 21 day slab.
Speaking just after she was denied bail, Prof Madhuku said, “she will not be allowed to apply for bail until after the 21 days. In this case, the state has been very creative in using this provision.”
Farai Dziva|Since taking over from Lloyd Chigowe, Tonderayi Ndiraya has presided over 12 matches and has registered five wins, five draws and two losses.
He has garnered 20 out of a possible 36 points, translating to a 56 percent success rate for the former Ngezi Platinum Stars coach.
Under Ndiraya, Dynamos have conceded six goals in 12 matches and the only time that DeMbare let in more than one goal in a match was during a 0-2 loss against Bulawayo Chiefs on May 18.
Dynamos have kept seven clean sheets in 12 matches and only conceded once at Rufaro in the 1-1 draw against CAPS United last Sunday.
But Dynamos have also not scored more than one goal in a match since Ndiraya assumed the reigns, something that is troubling the youthful coach.
During the past few days, a lot has been said about Archieford Gutu’s match fitness, or rather lack of it, while his weight has also been a topical subject.
But there was no doubt the veteran linkman still has a golden touch after his exquisite free-kick buried a 10-men Harare City at Rufaro yesterday.
Gutu, a mid-season quick fix signing by Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya, announced his return to the local Premiership with a 31st minute goal that gave DeMbare their first Castle Lager Premiership victory in three matches.
Simba Nhivi was brought down by Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye and DeMbare players appealed for a penalty but referee Ruzive Ruzive judged that the offence had been committed from just outside the box.
When almost everyone thought the left footed Tinotenda Muringani was better positioned to take the set piece, Gutu stepped up and curled the ball beyond the Harare City wall and a bemused Maxwell Nyamupanedengu.
The win, Ndiraya’s fifth since taking over from Lloyd Chigowe on April 25, also pushed Dynamos to fifth position on the log with 23 points, eight behind log leaders FC Platinum who lost 0-1 against Black Rhinos at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.State media
FIRST Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has proven that she is indeed an angel of hope following her philanthropic work that has been extended to the once marginalised and forgotten San community in Bulilima district, Matabeleland South province.
The First Lady handed over a nutrition garden, orchard and a solar-powered borehole to the community on Friday.
Senator for Bulilima and Mangwe, Simon Khaya Moyo, who also accompanied the First Lady, applauded her for the work which he said had revolutionised the San way of life.
“The First Lady, Amai Mnangagwa, was in Plumtree on her nationwide philanthropic mission with her Angel of Hope Foundation in Makhulela area in rural Bulilima West Constituency. The area is home to the San community who for many decades lived in Mabhongwane Game Park bordering Botswana, a sanctuary they inhabited as the hunters until their relocation to their present place.
“They, for many years, were a forgotten people, totally marginalised, having no access to education, health services and other amenities. The First Lady heard of their plight and visited them last year. They had never been visited by such a distinguished personality before, and let alone a First Lady,” he said.
During her initial visit, the First Lady familiarised herself with their way of life and promised to improve their social and material conditions.
“She immediately set her foundation to work and in less than a year, their lives have changed. They now have an irrigation scheme with a thriving and flourishing vegetable garden and a promising orchard moving away from the past life of being hunters and gatherers,” said Moyo.State media
A 62-YEAR-OLD teacher at a primary school in Concession was on Thursday arraigned before a Guruve Magistrates Courts on charges of indecently assaulting four girls on different occasions.
Hilton Mafanya pleaded not guilty to the charge before magistrate Artwell Sanyatwe, who granted him $50 bail and remanded him to August 5.
Prosecutor Carson Kundiona alleges that sometime in May, the accused called one of the girls to his desk and started caressing her on her buttocks and thighs several times.
The complainant shared the matter with her classmates the following month.
Sometime in June, Mafanya called three different girls on different occasions and indecently assaulted them.
The matter came to light when the complainants reported the issue to their parents. The angry parents stormed the school, baying for Mafanya’s blood.
The accused went into hiding before surrendering himself to the police.Newsday
“Let’s hope our detractors will not sabotage Mnangagwa’s dream of creating jobs and opportunities for the masses.
In less than a year in power Mnangagwa has achieved what Mugabe failed to accomplish in 37 years.
Ed has transformed Zimbabwe into a middle income economy. ” – @maDube
Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira who is facing seven counts of criminal abuse of public office yesterday wept in a Harare court after acting chief Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi placed her on custodial remand for 21 days.
Mupfumira sobbed after Mr Mutevedzi upheld an application by the State to detain her for 21 days as provided under the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act Section 32, which empowers the State to seek further detention due to the gravity of a case.
Mupfumira was arrested on Thursday by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) on corruption allegations involving US$95 million National Social Security Authority (Nssa) funds.
Chief prosecutor Mr Michael Reza presented a certificate from the Prosecutor General’s Office to detain Mupfumira for three weeks on the basis that she could use her position, as minister, to interfere with investigations.
In the ruling, the magistrate said issues raised by the defence led by Mr Charles Chinyama, in their attack of the validity of the certificate, were of no use as they all related to an application for admission to bail which was not the issue before the court.
Chief among the contentions that the defence raised was that Section 32 is unconstitutional arguing it violates section 50 Subsection 1 subparagraph (b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe; which provides that any person who is arrested must be released unconditionally.
The defence also argued that; “the State had acted contrary to section 32 subsection 3 (b) subparagraph (b) subparagraph (i) which requires that there must be proof that the arresting officer was of or above the rank of assistant inspector.”
Mr Chinyama said there is no indication that the accused person benefitted from all the funds that were allegedly siphoned out of NSSA except for a few thousand dollars which she signed for onward submission to persons attending official functions.
Mr Mutevedzi, however, said the right to bail as enshrined in the Constitution was not an absolute.
“Given all these pointers linking the accused person to the commission of the offence, the court is convinced that indeed the State has established grounds which constitute reasonable suspicion that the accused committed offences preferred against her.
The court, therefore, has no hesitation to find that all the requirement for the production of the Prosecutor Generals Certificate produced in terms of section 32 subsection 3 (b) have been met.
The effect of that certificate is to oust this court and every other court’s jurisdiction in determining issues related to the accused person’s admission to bail during the lifespan of that certificate.”
Mupfumira will be back in court on 9 August for routine remand. She is facing corruption allegations involving $95 million.- state media
State Media FULL TEXT: MDC-Alliance president Mr Nelson Chamisa on Friday reportedly developed cold feet and dodged a meeting of the party structures in Bulawayo, which had been called to address among other things the contentious issue of the wayward behaviour of city councillors.
The meeting held at the party offices was instead addressed by the chairperson, Ms Thabitha Khumalo who had been sent by Mr Chamisa.
An insider told Sunday News that Mr Chamisa avoided the meeting because he was not sure how the structures would behave as the MDC-Alliance in Bulawayo has been torn into factions along tribal lines.
Ever since Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Mr Tinashe Kambarami and his sidekick, Councillor Silas Chigora tried to eject the Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube from office a few weeks ago, accusing him of corruption, divisions along tribal lines have emerged among the councillors in the process cascading to the structures.
Party Bulawayo provincial chairperson Mr James Sithole yesterday said he could not comment on the matter as he was “too junior to speak on issues concerning top officials.”
Speaking at the meeting Ms Khumalo tried to pacify the supporters calling them to stop looking at issues along tribal lines.
“The Constitution is clear; we cannot discriminate on grounds of tribe. Let’s agree that there is a problem, how do we rectify it because all of us must abide by rules. If these laws are not what we want as people of the Matabeleland how do we change the law? Go and change the Constitution and go and change the Urban Councils Act too,” she said.
However, parts sources said the party officials wanted to be addressed by Mr Chamisa whom they accuse of failing to deal with the issues affecting the party in the city.
Mr Chamisa, however, was reportedly not keen to face the agitated supporters and decided against attending the meeting. – Sunday News
DYNAMOS will be without their two top strikers Evans Katema and Edward Sadomba in the next few games but the team’s technical team is not worried at all.
Katema is away in Mauritius with the senior national football team for the African Nations Championships match this weekend, while captain Sadomba is yet to
recover from the head injury he suffered a fortnight.
Sadomba suffered a concussion after he was hit with a ball on the face in the match against Black Rhinos, an injury which forced him out of the clash against
Caps United at the weekend.
He is still recovering from the injury, and did not train this week.
Young Tawanda Macheke is also down with an injury, leaving the returning Simba Nhivi with the sole burden of leading the attacking line for the Harare giants
today.
“We would have wanted all our best players to be available, but this is the situation we are in and we cant mourn about it. We registered enough players
knowing we will have such situations so we are not really worried,” team manager Richard Chihoro said.Newsday
The abducted activist Itai Dzamara’s lawyer, Adv Kennedy Masiye has spoken against the practice of politicians using bail as a weapon to punish perceived enemies.
Writing at the weekend, Adv Masiye said:
“For the legal system to regain its respect officers of the courts should do their jobs in a manner that advances justice and confidence in the system.
“Whether one is from MDC or Zanu pf the court should always be blind to these prejudices.
“Procedures like Bail should not be used to seek approval from politicians but should be a transparent process guided by the rules and principles of democracy and the rule of law.
“Following the dictates of politics will always corrupt the criminal justice system and render otherwise good court rulings or judgements useless and strategic ammunition for political agendas.”
President Chamisa’s message to Zimbabwe
….as he calls for seven days of national prayer
My Fellow Zimbabweans,
We are faced with a terrible situation in our country and we must find a lasting solution.
I know that you are suffering with no fuel, no power, no money, no passports, no jobs and no food. The cost of living has become unbearable. A lot of us cannot access medical facilities or medication. Children are dropping out of schools. Companies are shutting down.
Our civil servants, our teachers, nurses, patriotic men and women in uniform are struggling and have inadequate salaries.
Our pensioners including our war veterans can hardly survive. Corruption has become a national anthem.
In the rural areas just like the urban areas, life has become unbearable. Food is being abused as a partisan political weapon.
For that reason, I am urging all Zimbabweans from all walks of life and various denominations, in and outside the country to embark on a seven day prayer, fasting and intercession for our beloved country, Zimbabwe before undertaking crucial and decisive next steps.
In particular, during the seven days of prayer, starting from Monday the 29th of July to
Sunday the 4th of August, I kindly ask you to take an hour between 1pm and 2pm every day to lift your hands and submit your hearts to the Lord beseeching him to grant us the power, wisdom, strength and providence to see us through.
Rallying call, “Zimbabwe shall lift her hands unto the Lord”
Psalm 68:31, Psalms 11:3 & 2 Chronicles 7:14
Victory is certain!
I thank you
God bless you
God bless Zimbabwe
God bless Africa
A Mataga Police Station Officer-in-Charge has appeared in court facing three counts of criminal abuse of office, where he allegedly bought fuel under the pretext of using it for police duties when in fact he intended to divert it to the black market.
Ngqabutho Fuyane (38) appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Mr Shepard Munjanja last week to answer to a charge of fraud and contravening section 140 of Environmental Management Act.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to 6 August for trial. Prosecuting, Miss Caroline Mafunga told the court that on 16 May, Fuyane went to Mataga Service Station where he bought 200 litres of diesel purporting that it was for ZRP Mataga Station.
“The accused bought 200 litres of diesel claiming that it was for the Zimbabwe Republic Police. He paid for the said fuel using his EcoCash account.
“After buying the fuel, he placed it in eight plastic containers and loaded it into a police vehicle and drove off,” said Miss Mafunga. The court heard that Fuyane converted the fuel to his personal use.
“The accused converted the fuel to his own personal use instead of taking it to Mataga ZRP camp as he had earlier indicated.”
The court further heard that on 28 June, Fuyane who was in the company of his friend identified in court as Chihora, bought another 200 litres of diesel from the same service station claiming that it was for police use.
“With the help of Chihora, Fuyane put the fuel in five 25-litre plastics and three 20-litre jerry cans.
“The fuel was paid for using Chihora’s EcoCash account and Fuyane’s wife EcoCash account.
“After buying the fuel, they loaded their containers into Chihora’s twin cab Ford Ranger and drove off.”
Fuyane did not take the fuel to Mataga Police Station as purported but diverted it to his own use.
The matter came to light when detectives who acted on a tip-off recovered fuel at Fuyane’s place of residence stored in a fowl run leading to his arrest. Sunday News
By A Correspondent| On Saturday, Zimbabweans converged in Leicester, UK for the first function celebrating the upcoming returning of the famous anti-Rhodesian rebel, Nehanda Nyakasikana’s bones to Zimbabwe.
The United Kingdom is releasing the bones of the fallen first black fighters regarded as rebels (due to the fact that they fought against taxation by the British establishment) in 1897. Once in Zimbabwe, the bones will be buried at the Heroes Acre, sources told ZimEye. Below were some video excerpts at the function.
Zimbabwe and other African countries should ban the importation of second hand vehicles and create their own indigenous automotive sectors that produce vehicles that are fit for their environment to accelerate industrialisation on the continent, an official has said.
Nissan Group director of sales and operations for Africa, Jim Dando said currently there were about 45 million vehicles in Africa and most of these vehicles were never intended for African “road conditions or our fuel quality”.
“We end up with ostensible mobility solutions that in reality are bad for the health of our people, both in terms of the damage they do to the environment and the risk they pose for both passengers and drivers,” Dando said in a statement.
“The only sustainable solution for Africa is to clean up the fuel quality, ban the importation of second hand vehicles and create Africa’s own indigenous automotive sector, producing harmonised vehicles that are fit for Africa. This will create jobs directly, fast track the industrialisation of the continent and change the many economies that are still largely resource based.”Newsday
