Govt Acts Drastically On Corrupt VID Officers

State Media|Government has — with immediate effect — suspended Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) officials from Marondera and Beitbridge depots on allegations of corruptly issuing provisional driver’s licences to undeserving people. Those suspended in Marondera are depot manager Mr S. Kachere and his two subordinates Messrs J. Musosi and D. Chingwaru, while in Beitbridge acting depot manager K Mutatabikwa and an official T. Maposa were sent home.

The suspensions followed an investigation by The Herald at Marondera VID Depot which exposed that officials were taking bribes to issue provisional driver’s licences to undeserving people.

A Herald investigative journalist was issued with an authentic learner’s licence after paying the mandatory “bribe” at VID Marondera Depot.

On Thursday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza promised that action would be taken against the corrupt officials, and yesterday he followed that by suspending them.

In a statement yesterday, Minister Matiza said his ministry had a zero tolerance policy on corruption in line with the aspirations of the new dispensation and a committee had since been set to investigate cases of corruption in Marondera and Beitbridge.

“The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joel Biggie Matiza wishes to inform members of the public that due to the allegations of corruption levelled against VID Marondera, the Marondera depot manager S. Kachere has been suspended together with officers involved in corruptly issuing provisional learners’ drivers licences, namely J Musosi and D Chingwaru,” reads part of the statement.

“At VID Beitbridge, the acting depot manager K. Mutatabikwa and an officer T. Maposa who are alleged to have improperly issued learners’ drivers licences to undeserving applicants have been suspended pending investigations.

“As a result, an investigation committee has been set up to carry out investigations on the business processes so as to come up with findings and recommendations.”

Minister Matiza said as a result of the rampant reports of corruption at VID depots, Government would expedite the computerisation of learners’ driving tests countrywide.

“The Electronic Learner Licensing Testing (ELLT) system which has already computerised VID Eastlea, VID Chitungwiza and VID Bulawayo will be speedily rolled out to provincial capitals such as Gweru, Masvingo, Mutare and then spread out to all other towns countrywide,” said Minister Matiza.

The strategy, according to the statement, is being implemented to curb corruption on the issuance of learners’ licences countrywide.

The Ministry has a zero tolerance policy to corruption in line with the aspirations of the new dispensation.

“Therefore, on 16 March 2016, the Ministry introduced Toll free lines with the following numbers 08013121, 08013122 and 08013123 for members of the public to report corruption whenever they are asked for a bribe by anyone to obtain a drivers’ licences or to pass a vehicle for a certificate of fitness. The Toll free numbers are displayed on all VID vehicles, at VID depots notice boards and within the VID premises for public to use them. I also urge members of the public to report corruption to the nearest Zimbabwe Republic Police Station so that the culprits are brought to book.”

The computerised learners driving test entailed that the computer randomly chooses questions for the learners from a pool of questions loaded in the computer and that though learners sit for the same test, they don’t answer the same questions and the computer automatically do the marking once the learner answers the last question.

VIDEO: Spirit Medium’s Special Message To Mnangagwa: You’ll Never Govern The Country Once People Are Hungry.

By Dorrothy Moyo| Teachers’ Union leader, Raymond Majongwe has reminded ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa of a special message delivered by a spirit medium to him.

The unnamed spirit medium allegedly told Mnangagwa that he will never be able govern the country once people are hungry.

Speaking at Victorial Falls, Majongwe said Mnangagwa was told by a spirit medium the nation will be ungovernable when people are hungry.

https://twitter.com/RMajongwe/status/1142159801998356481

Said Majongwe, ” We need to know and carry the message to the president. I told him in his face on the 21st of December when I met him at his Monomotapa offices, that comrade president things are not well, and I repeat, I told him as well at the conference centre at the church meeting, at Celebration Centre.

“The truth of the matter when president Emmerson Mnangagwa was inaugurated as president there is a spirit medium who spoke to him and said, a country cannot be ruled once the people are hungry. A country cannot be ruled once the people are hungry.

“Allow me to say I have come here to give a solidarity message to headmasters who are critical components of delivering proper education service delivery to this country.

“Any nation that does not respect its teachers does not deserve any respect.

“In 1981, Simon Vengesai Muzenda said, ” a nation that does not respect its teachers is doomed. I see doom in this nation. Teachers have been relegated to vagrants. I have 4 reports of teachers who died this year because they were abusing alcohol. To get to the point where your wife refuses to sleep with you because you are contributing nothing. Serious homes have collapsed because women are running away from teachers as husbands. How do you then make sure how do you inspire progress in the nation when you are a laughing stock? The underwear that you wearing is torn, the sock that you’re wearing is torn?

“Your stomach is empty; if there is a machine that I can scan all I see in there are small matembas… how do you inspire these children to be relevant in this country?

“When we sit to interrogate the destinies of Nations we must also sit to interrogate the people who are supposed to make those destinations viable, relevant and achievable. You can’t talk of a national vision 2030…”

Desperate Times As Minister Takes Charge Of Fuel Queue

Abednico Ncube

Minister of State for Matabeleland South Abednico Ncube on Friday afternoon had a torrid time trying to bring sanity at a fuel queue in Gwanda.

ZimEye.com sources from the town indicated that Minister was called by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police to come and use his authority in trying to put order at a local filling station after queing motorists rejected police orders to reorganize the long fuel queue.

According to the sources, the town had gone almost eight days without delivery of fuel and all the four filling stations had run out of fuel. When eventually one of the fuel stations got delivery on Friday mid morning, nearly all the cars in the small town needed fuel resulting in a huge stampede and long queue stretching for over five kilometres.

Authorities at the filling station could not control the stampede and summoned police to sort out the matter. The motorists would not have any of the police instructions to reorganize themselves resulting in police summoning the Minister to come and sort the matter.

Minister Ncube tried to address the drivers ordering those who were already inside the garage forecourt to drive out. The drivers again would not have any of the Minister’s orders.

“He tried hard to order the drivers out of the forecourt with no success as they all vowed that they would not leave unless they get fuel.

The embarrassed Minister had to leave the filling station after over half an hour trying to impose his authority on the motorists. Before he left he instructed the filling station authorities not to serve the fuel until the motorists adhere to his orders.

The ZimEye.com sources said that the filling station remained closed through the night with the motorists still unmoved.

Addressing the crowd of about 200 motorists at the filling station, Ncube acknowledged that the government had failed to solve the fuel crisis asking Zimbabweans to corporate with government and offer ideas on how to solve the crisis.

“He all but agreed that government was battling to solve the fuel crisis and called on all citizens to bear with the government a little longer,” said the sources.

Efforts to contact Ncube for a comment on the incident were not successful.

Meanwhile, the sources indicated to ZimEye.com that they were extremely disappointed with the Minister’s intervention on a matter that is always solved between the motorists and filling station authorities.

“That was too low for the Minister, ” said one of the sources.

“There was no need for the Minister to leave his office and come down to interfere in such trivial issues. “

Mnangagwa Appoints New Prisons Deputy Commissioner

Deputy Commissioner General Shepherd Mpofu

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has elevated a senior Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) officer Senior Assistant Commissioner Shepherd Mpofu to the position of Deputy Commissioner-General.

He replaces Deputy Comm-Gen Huggins Machingauta, who retired early this year. In a statement, ZPCS national spokesperson chief correctional officer Meya Khanyezi said the appointment was effective from June 13 this year.

“The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has in terms of Section 9(1) (b) of the Prisons Act (Chapter 7:11) promoted Senior Assistant Commissioner Shepherd Mpofu to the rank of Deputy Commissioner-General with effect from 13 June 2019,” reads the statement.

Deputy Commissioner-General Mpofu was the officer commanding Matabeleland South Province before his recent promotion. Deputy Commissioner Mpofu becomes the fourth Deputy Commissioner-General.

Comm-Gen Retired Major General Willings Paradzai Zimondi works with four deputies responsible for human resources, administration, correctional services and audit, and the Inspectorate department.

Deputy Comm-Gen Mpofu joined ZPCS in 1996 and rose through the ranks to the current position.

He was born on June 12, 1973 in Bulawayo where he attended Mbizo Primary School and Emakhandeni Primary School in Bulawayo. He did his secondary education at Emakhandeni Secondary School

Deputy Comm-Gen Mpofu holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Management) degree from Solusi University.

I Had S*x With My Husband’ s Friend Several Times -Married Woman Confesses

A Zvishavane businessman has been dragged to the Civil Court for allegedly bedding his friend’s wife.

The friendship between the two men has since gone sour following the “great” betrayal.


Norris Sibanda, a gold dealer, is demanding $1 400 from his friend Reuben Mangoma, who allegedly slept with Sibanda’s wife, Tendai Sibanda, on several occasions.
The matter was heard before Zvishavane magistrate Shepherd Munjanja, who postponed the case to 2 July.


Sibanda told the court that he felt betrayed by his friend, who slept with his wife when he trusted him.
“Mangoma is my friend and my business partner. We have worked together for years and l am pained by how he decided to betray me. As a result, l have suffered embarrassment, and my wife and l are not on speaking terms,” he said.


In his defence, Mangoma denied the allegations saying Sibanda just wanted to make money out of him.
“Your worship, l am not in a relationship with his wife. Sibanda brought this case to court just to make money out of me. Contrary to his claims, he is actually in good books with the wife, they are on speaking terms and they are staying together,” he said.


Tendai admitted that she had an affair with Mangoma, and that they had sexual intercourse countless times.


“Your worship, it’s true that l was in a relationship with Mangoma, but we ended the relationship when my husband found out about it.


“I had sex with him several times. At times we would sleep at Mangoma’s place, and at times we would sleep in my matrimonial home, while my husband was away. At one point we had sex at a local hotel where we had booked,” she said.B-Metro

Pregnant Woman Bashed, Nearly Killed Over RTGS $ 6

Gracious Moyo (24) of E20 Sinderela Village owed a six-weeks pregnant Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu but seemed to be taking too long to pay back.


As such, Ndlovu’s constant demand for her money became an annoying jingle in Moyo’s ears and she beat her up leading to the miscarriage.


For that, Moyo appeared before Hwange provincial magistrate Gift Ntando Dube facing assault charges.
“Your worship, I did not mean to hurt the complainant. I was angered by the words she spoke to me when I tried to reason with her over the money I owed her. I got upset and lost control, resulting in my assaulting her. I’m really sorry,” she pleaded.

The court heard that on 24 December 2018 at around 8pm, Ndlovu proceeded to house number E20, Sinderela Village where Moyo stays intending to collect $6 which she owed her. Moyo refused to give her the money and a misunderstanding arose between the two.


She then began to slap a stunned Ndlovu with open hands several times all over the face before assaulting her further with fists all over the body. As if it was not enough Moyo lurched for Ndlovu’s chest before sinking her teeth into her right breast.


She was restrained from further assaulting Ndlovu who was now lying on the floor by other neighbours who had been alerted by the commotion. The incident was reported to the police leading to Moyo’s arrest. Ndlovu sustained bruises on the face as a result of the assault and revealed in court that she had miscarried her six-weeks old pregnancy.State media

Court

Will Mnangagwa Be Able To Solve Regional Problems While Battling To Resolve Political Crisis In Own County?

SADC executive secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax has formally briefed President Mnangagwa who is taking over the chair of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation at the regional Summit slated for August in Tanzania.


President Mnangagawa is replacing outgoing chairman and Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
Dr Tax briefed the President at State House in Harare yesterday.


She also brushed off the opposition MDC-Alliance’s bid to push Sadc to have Zimbabwe on its agenda.
Dr Tax said her visit was for purposes of briefing President Mnangagwa on the obligations of the country in guiding the region on issues of politics, peace and security.


“I am here to brief the President of Zimbabwe. As you are all aware, he is our incoming chairman of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security and that he will be taking over in August 2019,” she said.


“That being the case, he is expected to guide the region in terms of politics, peace and security issues. So, that is my purposes of being here. We had a very fruitful meeting. We touched on several issues in terms of Zimbabwe’s obligations as the incoming chairperson of the organ, the responsibilities and the issues that need to be followed up.”


Dr Tax said she had a productive meeting with President Mnangagwa and was grateful that she received incredible guidance from the veteran politician.


This year’s Sadc Summit is taking place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on August 17 to 19 when President Mnangagwa will formally take over as the chair of the organ.


In line with Sadc practices, Dr Tax said, a report will be submitted by the current chairperson of the organ, whose contents will be tabled for consideration.State media

Emmerson Mnangagwa

Man Jailed For Impregnating Minor

A 20-YEAR-OLD man from Bulawayo has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl and impregnating her.


The man (20) had sex several times on different occasions with the minor.
The man pleaded guilty to having sexual intercourse with a young person before Bulawayo magistrate, Mr Legeso Ngwenya and was sentenced to 12 months in prison.


Mr Ngwenya said: “You have been sentenced to 12 months in prison, two months suspended on condition of good behaviour and the remaining 10 months suspended on condition that you complete 350 hours of community service at Lupane Police Station.”


The prosecutor, Mr Leonard Chile told the court that in January 2019, the man proposed love to the girl.
“During the same month, the girl visited the man at his place where he requested to have sex with her and the girl agreed,” he said.


The minor and the man would thereafter have sex on different occasions until the girl fell pregnant.
The matter came to light when the girl’s mother found out that her daughter was pregnant.
The man was arrested after the mother reported the matter to the police.State media

MDC Dismisses Reports Of Fresh Divisions

FRESH divisions have emerged in the MDC Alliance in Bulawayo with reports that some officials raided offices belonging to Professor Welshman Ncube’s old MDC demanding keys and an inventory of property at the premises.


MDC Alliance, a coalition of parties including Prof Ncube’s MDC ahead of the 2018 elections, amalgamated after the polls to form one party under Mr Nelson Chamisa.


However, the party has failed to gel particularly in Bulawayo with sharp divisions laced with tribal undertones between a pro- Chamisa faction pitted against members of Prof Ncube’s old MDC.


According to insiders, a group of MDC Alliance members purporting to be from the security department raided the former MDC offices along Herbert Chitepo and 13th Avenue claiming that they were being used to hold parallel programmes to the MDC Alliance.


“There is general mistrust between members formerly from Ncube’s MDC and those found under Chamisa. About three weeks ago, some members claiming to be from the security department met an official locking gates to the premises and accused him of holding secret meetings involving members of the former MDC,” said a source.


It is said the mistrust has been heightened by clashes in the election of provincial executive members and the recent selection of national executive council members with allegations of tribal bias.


The officials from Prof Ncube’s former MDC are said to have been systematically shut out hence the suspicion that they are holding parallel meetings at the offices.
The source said the officials returned twice last week and on the second occasion demanded keys to the premises.


“They came on Thursday and milled around the premises. They were in the company of a man whom they said was from the security department in Harare. They left and returned the following day claiming that they had been sent by secretary general, Charlton Hwende, to seize keys to the offices as they now fall under the MDC Alliance following the amalgamation of the two parties.

They also demanded an inventory of the property in the offices,” said the source.
“After they were denied the keys, the group left saying they would return on Monday with paper work from Hwende sanctioning their actions but they did not return.”
MDC Alliance Bulawayo provincial spokesperson, Mr Swithern Chirowodza, yesterday dismissed the reports.


“Everything is in harmony, the source is trying to plant seeds of discord. Everyone is happy, there is no discord in the province, that (the reports) is the work of detractors through rumour mongering,” he said.
However, insiders insisted that things were not well in the party over a number of hanging issues.
“There is the hot issue of tribalism in the province that affected the provincial congress and the recent selection of members to the national executive council. The party is divided along tribal lines and until Chamisa acts decisively on the matter, these tensions will explode in his face one of these days,” said the source.State media

MDC

Horror As Rock Fall Kills Miner

NATIONAL NEWS

ONE worker died and four were injured in a rock fall accident at How Mine on the outskirts of Bulawayo on Thursday afternoon during a shaft examination.


Management at the mine has since shut off the shaft to allow investigations into the accident.


Mr Matola Kazembe (49) who was the shaft timberman died on the spot while his four colleagues sustained injuries following the tragic incident.
Two of the workers are admitted to Mater Dei Hospital while the other two were treated and discharged.


In a memorandum to the workers on Thursday, the mine’s managing director, Mr Demand Gwatinetsa informed them of Mr Kazembe’s death reportedly due to a rockfall in the shaft.


“It’s with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing on of Mr Matola Kazembe, our shaft timberman. Mr Kazembe, together with his shaft crew were involved in an accident during shaft examination on our north shaft.


“He was in the company of Mr Michael Chaipa, Mr Julius Phiri, Mr Captain Singini and Mr Last Kakono. Mr Chaipa and Mr Phiri have been admitted to Mater Dei Hospital due to injuries sustained in the accident while Mr Singini and Mr Kakono were attended to and discharged for monitoring from home,” said Mr Gwatinetsa.


He said there was a reported rockfall onto the skip on which they were working, adding that investigations were underway.


“The full details of the accident are still under investigation by ourselves as well as with the Government Inspector of Mines and we’ll communicate with you the findings.


“We have stopped operations on the north shaft until further notice and we’ll co-operate fully with the authorities in the ongoing investigations,” said Mr Gwatinetsa.
He assured the workers that the mine will put in place measures to ensure similar accidents never happen in future.State media

NATIONAL, BUSINESS, BREAKING

Warriors Go Down Fighting

Zimbabwe got off to a losing start at the 2019 Afcon after going down 1-0 to Egypt in the tournament opener on Friday.

The Pharaohs took the game to the Warriors in the early moments of the game with goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda forced to make two quick saves in the first minute.

The team only managed to break away for the first time on minute 6 when they got a corner-kick but could not hold the momentum as Egypt responded with a couple of attacks.

Zimbabwe, on their side, gave away possession cheaply on several occasions which put their defence under constant pressure. Sibanda also made some telling saves that included denying Mohamed Salah in the 30th minute.

Despite failing to create any threat on goal thus far, the Warriors almost broke the deadlock on the 37th minute when Billiat collected the ball from a quickly released free-kick but his shot inside the box was stopped by the advancing keeper.

Nonetheless, Egypt took the lead on the other end four minutes later when Mahmoud Trezeguet made a brilliant run before he curled home from a few yards inside the edge of the box, leaving the keeper with no chance. – Soccer24Zimbabwe

Egypt versus Zimbabwe

Mnangagwa: Mthuli Has Done Better Than Bernard Chidzero So It’s Time We Have Our Own Currency

The late Bernard Chidzero

By Farai D Hove| ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa has compared Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube with legends the likes of the late Bernard Chidzero.

Chidzero was Finance Minister between 1985–1995. 

Mthuli Ncube

Mnangagwa said Mthuli Ncube has done better than all Finance Ministers for the last 38 years.

Mnangagwa was speaking to Bloomberg when he said, “I’ve been in govt for 38 years as minister and I can’t remember when you ever had a budget surplus.

“Now, this young man has been able to achieve a budget surplus in less than 8 months. So it tells me that what he tells me is possibly true on these issues.”  

Mnangagwa said 

“It is necessary that we have our own currency,” 

“I have faith that we’ll achieve that even before the end of the year or by the first quarter of next year.”

READ MORE

ZRP: ‘Serial Land Fraudster’ On The Run

By Nqobile Tshili| Police in Bulawayo have launched a manhunt for an allegedly serial land fraudster who pretended to be a village head and sold plots and residential stands to home seekers in Kensington on the outskirt of the city.

Obvious Nyika (33) allegedly sold land belonging to MacDonald Bricks to an unknown number of unsuspecting land seekers pretending that it belonged to him.

“Police in Bulawayo are investigating a case of fraud which occurred in Kensington on the outskirts of Bulawayo between April 1, 2016 and May 14, 2019.

“The accused Obvious Nyika aged 33 of last known address 6B Kensington Extension Bulawayo misrepresented himself to the complainants as the village head and allocated them plots and residential stands measuring 50 to 100 square metres knowing that the land belonged to MacDonald Bricks. The complainants were made to pay US$350 each and they started to construct structures on the allocated plots,” said Asst Insp Msebele.

She said last month MacDonald Bricks started demolishing the structures that Nyika’s victims had constructed on its land.

Asst Insp Msebele said that is when it became clear to the victims that they had been defrauded.

She said Nyika vanished as his victims opened a fraud case at Hillside Police Station.

“At the present moment 11 counts of fraud have been reported and there is a possibility for more cases coming. We are also appealing to members of the public with information which may lead in the arrest of the accused person to contact CID Commercial Crime Division Southern Region on landline 09-78446 or the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Bekimpilo Nhlabano on 0772610607 or visit any nearest police station,” Asst Insp Msebele said.

She urged members of the public to avoid buying land from unscrupulous persons or unregistered property dealers as this exposes them to fraudsters.

Asst Insp Msebele said home seekers should visit registered property agents as well as local authorities to verify ownership of properties they intend to buy.

Scores of people were recently evicted from the MacDonald Farm in Umguza. The Chronicle

PICTURE: Mnangagwa Appointed Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation

FULL TEXT: SADC –

The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Her Excellency Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of the Republic of Zimbabwe, at State House in Harare on 21st June, 2019.


President Mnangagwa is the Incoming Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, and he will become the Chairperson after the August 2019 SADC Summit of Heads of States and Government. The Chairperson of the SADC Organ is rotated on an annual basis, and currently, his Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu of the Republic of Zambia is the Chairperson, while Angola’s President, H.E João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço is the Outgoing Chairperson.


During the meeting, the SADC Executive Secretary, briefed the Incoming Chairperson of the SADC Organ on several issues including; the political and security situation in the region; initiatives that SADC has undertaken since the last Summit held in August 2018; as well as on the requirements, and Minimum Standards for hosting the SADC Organ meetings.

Fresh Details On Mnangagwa’s New Currency

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has talked about new modalities to introduce a new local currency.  The new tender is expected to be launched within weeks.

Mnangagwa said that the new currency will be the sole legal tender for domestic transactions and fundamentals have now been put in place.

Mnangagwa told the business media outlet, Bloomberg, on the sidelines of the 12th US-Africa Business Summit in Mozambique, on Thursday, that it was imperative for Zimbabwe to have its own currency.

He said, “we must have a domestic currency so that will be the currency which we will use for transactions in the country. Anybody who has US dollars or a tonne of pounds must go to the bank and change and transact . . . the money supply will relate also to our GDP; it will relate to the volume of assets we have; to development of infrastructure in the country.”

The president further said that the increasing growth in key economic sectors such as mining and tourism would easily support the anticipated currency.

Separately, Finance Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, also said that the government has successfully reduced its domestic debt and narrowed the current account deficit by sharply reducing imports.

Zimbabweans are still haunted by the 2008 hyperinflation and fears abound over the possibility that the new currency might go the same way. The soaring inflation is doing less to help the situation.
Read More: The Chronicle.

Man Brutally Kills Uncle Over Mbanje “Dispute”

Farai Dziva|A Rusape man brutally killed his uncle for allegedly stealing his mbanje plants.

The man assaulted his uncle with sticks after catching him stealing mbanje -which he was illegally cultivating in his farm.

Mizilamu Maseko appeared in court for contravening Section 47 (1)(a) or (b) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.

See part of the state outline below :

“The deceased Taurai Christopher Makarutse was with the accused person and his wife at the garden when the crime was committed.

Janepha Murewa who testified that the accused is her husband said on the day in question she was with the accused at the garden and she saw him leaving the garden going to the next garden.

The accused person was following the deceased to see what he was doing in that garden.

Murewa said that after about 30 minutes her husband came back and told her that he had assaulted the deceased for stealing his mbanje.

She asked her husband to go back and fetch the deceased and the duo came back with the deceased walking slowly showing signs that he was in great pain.

He was taken to hospital where he later died from the injuries.”

Mbanje

All Hell Breaks On Chihuri

Augustine Chihuri one of his picture moments a few months before the coup

By Prosper Dembedza

Former Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri reportedly stole number plates of a broken down Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Mercedes Benz which he used to fraudulently get the State to service his personal vehicles, a court heard.

Chihuri’s alleged shenanigans were revealed by Detective Assistant Inspector Thomas Mabgwe while testifying in a matter in which a former police officer, Senior Assistant Commissioner Robert Tendero Masukusa (47), is facing charges of using State funds to repair his personal car.

Det Asst Insp Mabgwe told the court that Masukusa was in the habit of having his personal vehicles fixed at various garages using police funds.

He said they discovered that Chihuri was also using the police account to service his Mercedes Benz after they requested a print out from Zimoco while investigating Masukusa’s case.

“We discovered that there was a certain vehicle which was being fixed at (Zimoco’s) garage which had the same number plates with that of a police vehicle that was under breakdown and had been long parked in Chitungwiza,” he said.

Det Asst Insp Mabgwe said he proceeded to Chitungwiza and discovered that the vehicle in question was parked and had never been moved.

He further stated that the chassis number of the vehicle which was being serviced at Zimoco was totally different from the one parked in Chitungwiza.

“We discovered that the same number plate was also being used on several occasions to fix vehicles belonging to Chihuri,” he said. Det Asst Insp Mabgwe told the court that it was unlawful for Masukusa to service his private vehicle using the police account.

He further stated that Masukusa intentionally committed the offence since he was the Chief Staff Officer in charge of the Transport and Logistics Department.

“As a result of that misrepresentation, Zimoco fixed Masukusa’s car under the ZRP account, thereby prejudicing the organisation,” said Det Asst Insp Mabgwe.

Harare magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Mugwagwa deferred the matter to July 5 for trial continuation. Prosecutor Francesca Mukumbiri alleges that Masukusa used over US$7 000 after he took his car for servicing at Isoquant Investments Trading as Zimoco under the guise that the car belonged to the ZRP. It is alleged that he committed the offence between 2015 and 2016.

According to the State, Masukusa bought the car, an ML 320 Mercedes Benz, at an auction carried out on behalf of ZRP by KM Auctions on January 17, 2015.

He reportedly deceived Zimoco by claiming his vehicle belonged to the police. Acting upon the misrepresentation, Zimoco renewed rear shocks on Masukusa’s vehicle, right rear driveshaft, brake pads and camber strut.

Full wheel alignment services were also done to the vehicle, among other repairs. The Herald

Zanu PF Belongs To The People -Matemadanda

Farai Dziva|They say language is dynamic.

Newly-appointed ZANU PF national political commissar Victor Matemadanda has virtually admitted that the ruling party is totally divorced from the people.

In his message yesterday Matemadanda vowed to “return the party to the people” literally implying that Zanu PF is divorced from the people of Zimbabwe.

Matemadanda replaced retired army officer, Engelbert Rugeje who remains a politburo member without portfolio.

“Any person can become a king in a political party. ZANU PF is a mass party and if people are not educated they will think that authority is vested in people they find in the structures.

Yet this is misleading; a party becomes a people’s party when people have complete ownership.

Our immediate task is to take the party from individual ownership to the people using the philosophy of democratic centralism where everyone is equally important,” said Matemadanda.

Victor Matemadanda

Our Thrust Is To Defend Morgan Tsvangirai’s Legacy -Chamisa

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said the opposition party is ready to deliver meaningful change to the people of Zimbabwe.

Addressing a news conference at Morgan Tsvangirai House in Harare yesterday, Chamisa said members of the MDC National Executive Committee were ready to work tirelessly to deliver the much anticipated change to the people of Zimbabwe.

“We are the only credible team in the country and we are ready to deliver change to the people of Zimbabwe.

We are deeply concerned about the current economic crisis in the country and as the winning team, we have the capacity to deliver the results,” said Chamisa.

“Our thrust is to defend our late founding president Morgan Tsvangirai’s legacy,”he added.

Nelson Chamisa

We Are Deeply Concerned About Violation Of Human Rights -Chamisa

Farai Dziva|Addressing a news conference in Harare yesterday MDC leader Nelson Chamisa scoffed at claims that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government “brought a new dispensation.”

Chamisa said:”Let me say as a party we are deeply concerned about the gross violation of human rights by the government.

How can they say they have brought a new dispensation while innocent citizens are being harassed.

It is disturbing to note that we are receiving reports of arbitrary arrests and harassment of human rights activists.

Political activists are also being persecuted for no reason.We are saying this cannot be tolerated.”

Warriors Prove Nothing Special About Mo Salah

NATIONAL, BUSINESS, BREAKING

By Clement Moyo| Analysis| Once again the Zimbabwe warriors have proved they can be a powerhouse of world football as Liverpool’s Moh Salah is reduced to nothing.

The Warriors contained Moh Salah who terrorises European teams for the 90 minutes and could only afford a smile as he walked off the pitch at the end of the game after the fortuitous 1-0 win.

Zimbabwe could have won the game if they believe in their talent and skill-set.

Winning was easier than losing, as Zimbabwe’s individual talent dominated the match. But for Zimbabwe to progress further it’s up to the team captain Musona, to stop playing for the crowd or scouters and make a firm and winning decision at the top end of the field.

Top of the Zimbabwe national team’s problems is decision making when and where it matters most, SHOTS AT GOAL. Warriors’ managed 2 in 90 minutes. That rate needs overhauling overnight.

Managerial challenge: How does management mould individual talent to commercial success where organisational results matter most than individual but at the same time rewarding individual talent?

The Warriors team has talent to beat any team in the world, but does management have the bigger role of turning skilful individuals into national sporting heroes through thoughtful decision making? We appreciate individual talisman and effort by our Warriors and wish them well in the next games.

MDC Laments Lack Of “Socal Safety”

Farai Dziva|MDC Secretary for Public Service and Social Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga has bemoaned the pathetic state of the public service system in the country.

See Kademaunga’s statement
:Following my election into the MDC National Executive Council as Mashonaland East representative, I am grateful to have been further appointed to a key portfolio of the party, to represent and defend the interests of the working people and the marginalized.

The appointment comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s Public Service is in shambles and the Social Welfare system incompetent and abandoned.

Public servants are working for a song and the poor are vulnerable with no social safety nets.

The MDC has in the SMART Policy Blue Print placed at the fore labour rights and committed to a huge social agenda.

In line with those policies,the MDC portfolio of Public Service and Social Welfare will design a program of action focusing on the following:

  1. De-politicisation ,de-militarisation and professionalisation of the Public Service.
  2. Employment reforms including a minimum wage,a 42 hour working week,paid overtime,paid annual leave,paid maternity leave,employer contribution to medical aid and NSSA reform for secure pensions.
  3. Administrative and fiscal decentralisation of the Public Service.
  4. Combating corruption in the Public Service to ensure effective,timely and courteous service delivery.
    5.Rehabilitation of Victims of Political violence including psycho-support and welfare for political prisoners
    6.A comprehensive welfare for special constituencies including ophans, war veterans and the elderly.

This agenda will in part fulfill the obligation to Define A New Course for Zimbabwe,we will place the citizen at the centre of our endevour to seek a fair and just society.

In Service of Humanity,

Maureen Kademaunga
Secretary for Public Service and Social Welfare

Maureen Kademaunga

Stop Wasting “Scarce” Foreign Currency, MDC Tells Mnangagwa

Farai Dziva|The MDC has lambasted Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s government for wasting scarce foreign currency on unnecessary luxuries.

See the MDC statement :
We are seriously concerned that the broke Mnangagwa regime has the temerity to hire an American firm for over $US1 million to spruce up its image even as the nation struggles to procure basics such as medicine and fuel.

The regime has hired Avenue Strategies Global CC, a US firm to lobby Washington to drop sanctions against Zimbabwe.

The scarce foreign currency is being splurged even as nurses and other key government services have threatened industrial action for poor working conditions and the absence of working tools.

It is our belief that there is no reason to waste scarce foreign currency on political cosmetology when all the regime in Harare should do is to stop repression, the clampdown on civil society and democracy activists and the wanton killings of its citizens, among other issues. The improvement of the government’s human rights record will go a long way in improving the country’s image among the society of nations.

And the immediate cessation of violence and repression does not cost a single cent to a nation already reeling heavily under huge external and internal debt.

While the government has wasted scarce foreign currency hiring Avenue Strategies, the proper avenue to take to improve the country’s image is to stop bad behavior, particularly the callous clampdown on innocent citizens.

Zimbabwe cannot afford to lose scarce foreign currency on issues that can simply be addressed by behaviour change. The cheapest and most affordable consultancy firm is a deep soul searching by those in government whether they can really afford to procure multi-million dollar armory aimed at their own citizens at a time millions of Zimbabweans are facing starvation.

MDC: Defining a new course for Zimbabwe.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Deputy National spokesperson

They Call At Night Saying Zanu PF Kills -Matutu

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF hardliners are not happy with party youth league leader Lewis Matutu’s threats to expose their “shenanigans.”

ZANU PF politburo member and deputy youth league chairperson, Lewis Matutu, says he has received death threats from party hardliners following his threats to expose their dubious manoeuvres.

Matutu has threatened threatened to expose corruption in the ruling party.

“They call at night saying Zanu PF kills, they are threatening me, but I will not be moved. The only person I will listen to is President Emmerson Mnangagwa. I made a personal decision to join Zanu PF and will not be pushed or silenced by anyone,” said Matutu.

“I know children of ministers who are selling foreign currency on the black market, I can give you names and numbers of these people and you can go and change money with them. I am giving them up to Sunday to come clean and if they fail we will name them.”

www.263chat.com
Lewis Matutu

Matemadanda “Admits” Zanu PF Is Divorced From People

Farai Dziva|They say language is dynamic.

Newly-appointed ZANU PF national political commissar Victor Matemadanda has virtually admitted that the ruling party is totally divorced from the people.

In his message yesterday Matemadanda vowed to “return the party to the people” literally implying that Zanu PF is divorced from the people of Zimbabwe.

Matemadanda replaced retired army officer, Engelbert Rugeje who remains a politburo member without portfolio.

“Any person can become a king in a political party. ZANU PF is a mass party and if people are not educated they will think that authority is vested in people they find in the structures.

Yet this is misleading; a party becomes a people’s party when people have complete ownership.

Our immediate task is to take the party from individual ownership to the people using the philosophy of democratic centralism where everyone is equally important,” said Matemadanda.

Victor Matemadanda

I Am Not Intimidated By Death Threats -Lewis Matutu

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF hardliners are not happy with party youth league leader Lewis Matutu’s threats to expose their “shenanigans.”

ZANU PF politburo member and deputy youth league chairperson, Lewis Matutu, says he has received death threats from party hardliners following his threats to expose their dubious manoeuvres.

Matutu has threatened threatened to expose corruption in the ruling party.

“They call at night saying Zanu PF kills, they are threatening me, but I will not be moved. The only person I will listen to is President Emmerson Mnangagwa. I made a personal decision to join Zanu PF and will not be pushed or silenced by anyone,” said Matutu.

“I know children of ministers who are selling foreign currency on the black market, I can give you names and numbers of these people and you can go and change money with them. I am giving them up to Sunday to come clean and if they fail we will name them.”

Lewis Matutu

Stanbic Bank Workers Propose Sleeping At Work

By Own Correspondent- Stanbic Bank workers have written to the employer informing them that their workers are incapacitated to continue providing services to the bank on a regular basis as agreed upon between the employer and the employee.

The Acting General Secretary of the workers Shephard Ngandu said:

“We write to advise you of the dire situation that your workers are in. Most of the employees are unable to buy food enough for a week from their salaries let alone pay for their rentals.

“The majority are no longer able to pay transport to and from work. In that regard, we advise Standard Bank that from now on that the workers will report for duty as and when they have transport fares to do so.

Alternatively, most of the workers will start sleeping and staying at the workplace in order not to abscond from work.”

Find the full letter below:

Passport Printing To Resume

By Own Correspondent- Home Affairs deputy minister Mike Madiro has said the government will clear the backlog on passports after settling a debt with the foreign company providing consumables for the travel documents.

Madiro acknowledged that the country has a problem of the passports backlog but the situation was expected to change.

He said:

“With regards to the backlog on passports, yes we have got a serious challenge as far as clearing the backlog of issuing passports is concerned.”

He said the shortage of foreign currency had largely contributed to the backlog in the issuing of passports.

“Again, this is due to a shortage of consumables of which we are using imported consumables. There is a special paper which is used to print passports and other consumables including ribbons which are procured from foreign suppliers,” said Madiro.

“Given the challenge of foreign currency, we have had a serious problem in procuring these consumables. However, I am happy to say that the Government has since paid what we owed our suppliers and very soon those imported consumables will be availed and we will make sure that we clear the backlog on passports.”

Zimbabweans have over the past months struggled to get travel documents with reports that the government had stopped printing passports.

Live Update: 65 Minutes, Egypt 1- Zimbabwe 0

65 min: Karuru, who has had a fine game, does well to dig out a cross from the left. But El Shenawy snaffles it. Zimbabwe, though, are spending more and more time in Egyptian territory. The hosts aren’t safe yet …

64 min: A freekick on the right gives Zimbabwe a chance to send a cross into the box. But the delivery is shoddy.

Egypt substitution: Solimon on, Mohsen off. That likely means that Salah will shift to centre-forward and Solimon will go in on the right wing.

60 min: Elneny sweeps a pass from the left to Salah on the far flank. The Liverpool man takes it down beautifully and then feeds Elmohamady, who clips a pass towards Mohsen. The striker flips it around the last defender and tries to retrieve it on the far side but, yet again, Sibanda rushes off his line to intervene. This time, however, it’s at some cost to the keeper, as he collided with Mohsen and seems to have done himself a mischief.

57 min: Zimbabwe have spent more time in Egyptian territory over the lsat five minutes or so but they’re interplay around the box has gone awry at critical times. There’s a hint of a threat from them but unless they can summon a little more precision, it will remain unfulfilled.

55 min:  Billiat tries to drop a free kick from the left into the path of the runners in yellow … but instead he sends it too long, into the arms of El Shenawy.

53 min: The eer-alert Sibanda hurries off his line to prevent Salah from latching on to a nice through-ball by El Said.

50 min: Salah dodges past Musona and then tries to thread a ball through to Mohsen. But Trezeguet gets in the way, giving a reprieve to the Zimbabwe defence.

48 min: Trezeguet cuts in from the left wing and tries to send a curling shot into the net from 25 yards. Sibanda throws himself across goal and tips it around the post for a corner.

47 min: Salah tries to wriggle his way down the right and initially looks like he’s about to going to get into a shooting position near the edge of the area. But Munetsi sticks in a foot to sabotage is run, and then Nakamba arrives at the scene to tidy up. Good defensive work by the Zimbabwean pair. Salah has been heavily involved in this game so far an full of positive intent, but things aren’t quite coming off for him.

46 min: Zimbabwe begin the second half but lose the ball within seconds.

HALF-TIME: EGYPT 1-0 ZIMBABWE

The tournament has begun with a pleasantly brisk half, and the hosts have the lead thanks to a deadly finish by Trezeguet after Zimbabwe were caught trying to play out from the back. Until then the Warriors had played well, defending stoutly and proving troublesome on the counter-attack.

Egypt, who made a rampant start, begin to look short of ideas; but Trezeguet’s strike has transformed the game and Egypt looked very dangerous again after it. 

Zimbabwe, then, need to use half-time to steady themselves and try to figure out a way to stem the Egyptian flow again and spring forward themselves for an equaliser. It’s a decent contest and Egypt can’t rest until they’ve scored at least one more.

45+1 min: Mohsen and Mudimu receive treatment after banging heads as they challenged for a ball into the box.

45 min: Zimbabwe are reeling and Egypt are trying to finish them off before the break. Everything was going so well for the visitors until just a few minutes ago; now they have to shift into survival mode and get to half-time.

43 min: Salah tries to land another blow while Zimbabwe still try to com to terms with the first. He unleashes a crisp shot from 25 yards, but it whizzes a couple of yards wide.

GOAL! Egypt 1-0 Zimbabwe (Trezeguet 42)
Musona loses possession mid-way inside his own half and then Trezeguet takes over, collecting a pass as he runs into the left-hand side of the box before cutting past Hadebe and on to his right foot and curling the ball into the far corner!

37 min: Lunga does well to stop a run by Salah down the right and then take the ball forward to start a counter-attack. When their progress is stopped by a foul, Billiat takes the freekick quickly and slips in Mushekwi. El Shenawy hares of his line to make an important block at the expense of a corner.

35 min: With Hegazi off the pitch receiving treatment to his profusely bleeding nose – I don’t know how that happened – Billiat sizes up a freekick for Zimbabwe. It’s over 25 yards out but he is undaunted. But he got his calculations all wrong, because his shot sails high over the bar.

33 min: Mohamady finds Salah with another long pass from the back, but Hadebe hares out to meet him and put the ball behind for a corner. Salah delivers and inswinger to the back post, where Alaa mistimes his jump and somehow manages to head wide from two yards!

31 min: A high cross from the left wing reaches Salah beyond the far post. He fools Lunga with a feint one way and then the other, making enough room to blast off a low shot. Sibanda is well positioned to make a solid save.

29 min: Egypt’s early vim has subsided and they’re looking a little short of ideas at the moment. Things are going pretty much to Sunday Chidzambwa’s plan for now.

Swapped Hospital Babies Mystery Solved, DNA Proves They Are Twins!

They never knew each other existed until they crossed paths on social media. Initially, they mistook each other for online identity frauds. They cut off communication until they bumped into each other at a bus stop.

Sharon Mathius, Melon Lutenyo and Mevis Imbaya were born within 24 hours in the same hospital in 1999. At birth, one of the twins was swapped with the third girl born to a different couple.

The twins ended up being raised by different parents until 2018 when they found themselves. In April 2019, both families resorted to solve the mystery by seeking professional help. Lancet Kenya then offered to carry out a DNA test at a subsidised cost.

The DNA tests conducted by Lancet Kenya was released on Saturday. It showed that Sharon Mathius and Melon Lutenyo shared identical DNA profiles.

The test proved that Ms Rosemary Khaveleli Onyango, who raised Melon and Mevis, is the biological mother of Sharon and Melon while Mevis Imbaya, who was raised as Melon’s twin is the biological child of Ms Angeline Omina and Mr Wilson Lutah Maruti who raised Sharon.

Sharon has said that she wants to stay with Rosemary.

AFCON UPDATE: Egypt 1- Zimbabwe 0

45 min: Zimbabwe are reeling and Egypt are trying to finish them off before the break. Everything was going so well for the visitors until just a few minutes ago; now they have to shift into survival mode and get to half-time.

43 min: Salah tries to land another blow while Zimbabwe still try to com to terms with the first. He unleashes a crisp shot from 25 yards, but it whizzes a couple of yards wide.

GOAL! Egypt 1-0 Zimbabwe (Trezeguet 42)
Musona loses possession mid-way inside his own half and then Trezeguet takes over, collecting a pass as he runs into the left-hand side of the box before cutting past Hadebe and on to his right foot and curling the ball into the far corner!

37 min: Lunga does well to stop a run by Salah down the right and then take the ball forward to start a counter-attack. When their progress is stopped by a foul, Billiat takes the freekick quickly and slips in Mushekwi. El Shenawy hares of his line to make an important block at the expense of a corner.

35 min: With Hegazi off the pitch receiving treatment to his profusely bleeding nose – I don’t know how that happened – Billiat sizes up a freekick for Zimbabwe. It’s over 25 yards out but he is undaunted. But he got his calculations all wrong, because his shot sails high over the bar.

33 min: Mohamady finds Salah with another long pass from the back, but Hadebe hares out to meet him and put the ball behind for a corner. Salah delivers and inswinger to the back post, where Alaa mistimes his jump and somehow manages to head wide from two yards!

31 min: A high cross from the left wing reaches Salah beyond the far post. He fools Lunga with a feint one way and then the other, making enough room to blast off a low shot. Sibanda is well positioned to make a solid save.

29 min: Egypt’s early vim has subsided and they’re looking a little short of ideas at the moment. Things are going pretty much to Sunday Chidzambwa’s plan for now.

Matemadanda Vows To Make Zanu Pf Popular Again

By Own Correspondent- In his message recently, Zanu PF national political commissar Victor Matemadanda has vowed to “return the party to the people”.

He conceded that Zanu PF is divorced from the people of Zimbabwe.

Matemadanda replaced retired army officer, Engelbert Rugeje who remains a politburo member without portfolio.

He said:

“Any person can become a king in a political party. ZANU PF is a mass party and if people are not educated they will think that authority is vested in people they find in the structures.

Yet this is misleading; a party becomes a people’s party when people have complete ownership.

Our immediate task is to take the party from individual ownership to the people using the philosophy of democratic centralism where everyone is equally important.”

Two Men Nabbed For Duplicating Key, Breaking Into Business Premises

By Own Correspondent- Police in Mbare recently arrested two men on suspicion of using duplicate keys to break into a business premise in Working, Harare and stealing goods valued at over US$6 000.

The police said in a statement:

Police in Mbare has recovered property worth US$6 400, 00 and duplicate keys that were used to break into a business premise in Workington, Harare.

The stolen property comprises 60 blankets, 500-bed springs and an assortment of fabric material.

All the property and the duplicate keys that were used during the break-in were recovered.

Simbarashe Topi and Taurai Rera were arrested and arraigned before the courts where they were convicted and sentenced to 32 months imprisonment.

UBH Workers To Report For Duty When They Can Afford

By A Correspondent- Workers at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), have notified management that they can no longer report for work as their salaries have been eroded by inflation.

To that end, they wrote a letter outlining the circumstances which have made it impossible for them to come to work and their expectations from the management.

The letter reads:

“We write to advise of the terrible situation that we as UBH health workers are facing as a result of massive inflation and requirement of USD for payment of almost every basic goods while our salaries are still pegged in RTGS.

As such, we as dedicated workers would like to come to work as the interest of our patients come first. However, we can no longer afford food, accommodation, transport, fuel and any other basic commodity.

As we request an urgent review of our salaries in USD or RTGS at the prevailing interbank rate from the government, we urge the administration of UBH for temporary solutions to cushion workers.

We are not deciding a strike but we are now incapacitated to report to work, the situation is now unbearable. We, therefore, advise that from now as UBH health workers, we will report for duty when we can afford.

No head of a department will do a roll call unless they can provide transport, food and accommodation for the health worker concerned.”

Leading Retailers Nabbed For Overcharging

By Own Correspondent- Leading retail shops in Bulawayo have been exposed for profiteering after they were caught selling basic commodities beyond retail prices recommended by suppliers.

The deplorable consumer manipulative behaviour was unearthed on Wednesday by a team of price monitors who were unleashed by the Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) in the city.

The price-monitors visited shops in the Central Business District, high and low density suburbs. 

GMAZ produces and supplies basics such as mealie-meal, flour, salt, samp and rice among other products.

A big retail outlet at Ascot Shopping centre was selling 2kg rice for $16,99 instead of the recommended $13,68. Another big retail outlet in the CBD was also selling the same packet of rice for exactly the same price as that being charged by the Ascot shop. 

Another retail outlet in the CBD was selling the same packet for $15,49 and a 2kg packet of salt at $5,75 instead of $4,80. A retail outlet in Mpopoma high density suburb was selling 2kg self-raising flour for $15,50 against the recommended price of $14,72.

On being interviewed during the visits the officials at these shops declined to comment referring questions to senior management. 

GMAZ ethics and compliance committee chairperson, Mr Alvin Mparutsa, said the objective of the exercise was to check if retailers were adhering to recommended retail prices after GMAZ signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers. 

“The objective today was to engage mainly the consumers who are buying our products and the retailers who are selling our products. We agreed with the retailers on the mark-ups so that our products remain affordable to consumers,” he said.

The ongoing price monitoring programme has so far been conducted in Harare, Masvingo, Mutare, Zvishavane, Lupane and other rural areas across the country. 

After the price monitoring  exercise, Mr Mparutsa said, GMAZ will compile a report that will guide the association going forward.

“We are quite happy with what we have seen so far, most of the retailers that we visited have complied, here and there although some retailers are charging more than the recommended prices on some products.

Contacted for comment Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers’ president, Mr Denford Mutashu accused GMAZ of conducting the exercise without their involvement.

“It is ridiculous that they went first to the media without consulting us as their partner,” he said 

Commenting on the visit by price-monitors, consumers said they were happy that millers were concerned about the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities.

“We are happy about this initiative the millers have taken which shows they want their products to remain affordable to the majority of consumers,” said Mr Edward Munkombwe.

Another consumer Mrs Rhoda Kabila echoed similar sentiments saying more producers of basic commodities should engage retailers so that prices remain affordable.-StateMedia

Gvnt Mulls ZESA Bailout

By Own Correspondent- Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube said that the government will bail out heavily-indebted power utility, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) to ensure that power imports from South Africa and Mozambique resume.

Ncube was speaking to the state media soon after arriving from the US-Africa Business Summit in Mozambique.

He revealed that government officials held fruitful talks with Mozambicans on power issues.

He said:

The debt overhang affecting ZESA Holdings culminated into the Eskom and HCB discontinuing electricity supply but as Treasury, we are going to bail out the power utility so that it can pay its creditors to resume power imports.

We held successful talks with our Mozambican counterparts so that we establish how we can increase power imports and also create other synergies.

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing debilitating power cuts after its two neighbours significantly reduced power supplies because of nonpayment for electricity already supplied.

Energy Minister Fortune Chasi revealed recently that South Africa and Mozambique reduced power exports to Zimbabwe as ZESA now owes them a combined US$83 million.

Chasi went as far as saying Zimbabweans cannot expect free electricity as the country is not South Africa and Mozambique’s baby.- StateMedia

Gvnt To Deal With Corrupt VID Officials

By A Correspondent- Action is going to be taken against Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) officials who are corruptly issuing learner driver’s licences to undeserving people and modalities are being worked out to computerise the issuance of driving documents at all VID depots, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza has said.

This comes in the wake of an undercover exposure by our Harare Bureau of deep-rooted corruption in the issuance of the learner driver’s licences at the VID Marondera depot this week.

The journalist working on an investigative story was issued with an authentic learner driver’s licence at VID Marondera depot after paying a bribe to the officials at the depot to facilitate acquisition of the document.

After the exposure of corrupt activities at the Marondera depot, Minister Matiza said heads would roll but a sustainable solution lay in computerisation of the process.

He said he does not brook corruption in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision to transform the economy into an upper middle income status by 2030.

“My stance against corruption is very clear as guided by His Excellency the President Cde ED Mnangagwa,” said Minister Matiza.

“Action will definitely be taken against Marondera VID officials who are corruptly issuing learner driver’s licences to the public and endangering the safety of the motoring public and pedestrians. 

“However, the sustainable solution lies in computerising the whole system as we have already with some of the depots. Our computerised system is so tight proof that there is no human involvement in the testing of all prospective drivers. The computer randomly chooses questions for the learners from a pool of questions loaded in the computer. The learners though sitting for the same test, they don’t answer the same questions and the computer automatically does the marking once the learner answers the last question.

“We are on course to ensure that all the VID depots are computerised to ensure that there is no room for such kind of corruption. With this computerised system, all our prospective drivers will be conversant with our traffic rules and regulations and that will go a long way in reducing road accidents. Most of the accidents that we see on our roads are caused by people who got their drivers licences through short cuts and are not well-informed and familiar with our traffic rules and regulations. ”

Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services said culprits involved in corrupt issuance of licences will be severely punished.

The Herald story on the licence scam at a VID Depot is horrifying. There are a lot of accidents caused by human error on our roads. Each driver would like to know that the next car is being driven by a person competent to drive. Culprits involved will face full wrath of the law,” reads the ministry’s post on Twitter.

So far Government had computerised the issuance of learner driver’s licence at the VID Eastlea depot in Harare, Chitungwiza and Bulawayo depots which plugged off several loopholes and reduced human involvement in the process.

The high end technological system introduced by Government has seen several people shying away from these depots opting for other centres where the testing is still being done manually.

It is understood that some corrupt elements at the computerised depots are taking bribes from people seeking to get learner driver’s licences and then direct them to other manual depots where they had some connections including the Marondera depot.

Minister Matiza advised members of the public against engaging in corrupt activities in the acquisition of learner driver’s licences saying the long arm of the law would soon catch up with those members and officials facilitating such illicit activities.

 In line with the computerisation of the learner driving licence, all VID processes are going to be on the online system including vehicle inspection, and road testing will also include a computer though an inspector will still be there–StateMedia

Mliswa Dares Prof Jonathan Moyo

By A Correspondent- Speaking on a program organised by the Matsanga Africa Perspective (MAP) in Kenya on Friday, Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa has urged former cabinet minister Professor Jonathan Moyo to prove his innocence by coming out of hiding and presenting himself to Zimbabwean courts.

Mliswa said Moyo should stop attacking Zimbabwe from outside simply because he has pending court cases over corruption but he should rather come back to Zimbabwe and prove his innocence.

Said Mliswa:

“…… at the same time there is the aspect of those outside Zimbabwe. Professor Moyo was part of the former president Robert Mugabe regime and he is also facing allegations of having been corrupt which he must answer to.

So at times don’t hate a country because you also have allegations. I was arrested Dr Matsanga, over 70 times and acquitted 70 times. And you know that I never run away from the country. I never ran away from the country because I believed I was innocent at the end of the day. And this was when the regime was tough but I still went through that.

So what is important is that we also don’t want a situation where people who are in power, steal resources, when they are said to be corrupt they run away and they start attacking the country from outside. Professor Jonathan Moyo must come back and must also face the justice like any other person in a proper manner.”

Kenya Must Extradite Jonathan Moyo, Mliswa Tells Uhuru in Nairobi

By A Correspondent| Prof Jonathan Moyo must be extradited from Kenya, Norton MP Temba Mliswa has said.

Speaking in Nairobi, Kenya on Friday, Mliswa told Prof David Matsanga, Moyo must come back and must also face the justice like any other person in a proper manner.

He said, “at the same time there is the aspect of those were outside Zimbabwe, prof Moyo was part of the Mugabe regime and he is also facing allegations of having been corrupt which he must answer to.

“So at times don’t hate a country because you also have allegations, I was arrested Dr Matsanga, over 70 times. And acquitted 70 times, and you know that I never run away from the country, I never ran away from the country because I believed I was innocent at the end of the day.

“And this was when the regime was tough but I still went through that. So what is important is that we also don’t want a situation where people who are in power, steal resources, when they are said to be corrupt they run away and they start attacking the country from outside professor Jonathan Moyo must come back and must also face the justice like any other person in a proper manner.”

Mliswa Tears Into Former Zanu Pf Bigwig, Prof Jonathan Moyo

By Own Correspondent- Speaking on a program organised by the Matsanga Africa Perspective (MAP) in Kenya on Friday, Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa has called on former cabinet minister Professor Jonathan Moyo to come out of hiding and face justice over his alleged corruption cases that are pending at court.

Mliswa said because no- one was above the law and no -one is also guilty until convicted, the onus was on Professor Moyo to come back to Zimbabwe and prove his innocence.

Said Mliswa:

“…… at the same time there is the aspect of those outside Zimbabwe. Professor Moyo was part of the former president Robert Mugabe regime and he is also facing allegations of having been corrupt which he must answer to.

So at times don’t hate a country because you also have allegations. I was arrested Dr Matsanga, over 70 times and acquitted 70 times. And you know that I never run away from the country. I never ran away from the country because I believed I was innocent at the end of the day. And this was when the regime was tough but I still went through that.

So what is important is that we also don’t want a situation where people who are in power, steal resources, when they are said to be corrupt they run away and they start attacking the country from outside. Professor Jonathan Moyo must come back and must also face the justice like any other person in a proper manner.”

Troubled Malawi President Appoints New Army Commander After Soldiers Side With Protesting Citizens

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-In a desperate move following Malawi Defence Force (MDF) leadership siding with citizens over the country’s leader President Peter Mutharika has appointed Lieutenant General Vincent Nundwe as the new Malawi Army Commander.

Nundwe replaced the former army leader, General Griffin Supuni Phiri who has been appointed National Security Advisor.

The appointments are with immediate effect according to Office of President and Cabinet (OPC).

The development comes following social media reports on Thursday that former MDF general Supuni Phiri was on house arrest for refusing to resign.

The reports further alleged that there was a heavy presence of armed soldiers at Supuni Phiri where they were chanting calling on Supuni Phiri to resign with immediate effect.

The spokesperson for MDF Chimphwanya could not confirm or deny the allegations promising to issue a statement.

The Chamisa Effect – and the hope for a New Zimbabwe – Obert Hodzi

By Obert Hodzi | Democracy in Africa |

Zimbabwe’s main opposition party is seeking to build on the momentum it generated during the 2018 presidential election. DiA’s very own Obert Hodzi reflects on the leadership of Nelson Chamisa and whether or not it represents a new dawn.

Nelson Chamisa, the unopposed president of the Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance (MDC-A) recently announced the members of his National Executive Committee.

The appointments are not surprising – in many respects, they are a culmination of his take-over from the old guard that Morgan Tsvangirai trusted for decades, to a relatively new breed.

From the onset, Chamisa has emphasised, on every occasion, that the future of the party and Zimbabwe is the youth. With the new appointments, there is no doubt that the generational shift seem to be conclusive: MDC-A is now firmly in the hands of former Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) and NGO activists, and Chamisa is secure.

This process has generated considerable optimism among both party activists, civil society groups and some in the international community. A number of those appointed, including women’s rights activist Maureen Kademaunga – new MDC Secretary for Public Service and Social Welfare – have already brought fresh ideas to the table. But a number of significant challenges remain.

New structures

Beyond the appointments, Chamisa also announced a raft of changes to the party’s institutional makeup. Major among the changes is returning to one vice-president instead of the current three.

That the MDC felt it necessary to return to the original position, soon after a congress that elected three vice-presidents, suggests this change may be a direct consequence of the controversy that surrounded Chamisa’s rise to power following the death of Morgan Tsvangirai.

But moving back to one vice-president may be difficult, especially considering rumours that Tendai Biti, one of the three vice presidents refers to himself as the “first vice president”. If the matter is not skilfully handled, this could be a ticking time bomb that may threaten the party, and cause another split. Time will tell.

There will also be challenges elsewhere. An Independent Tribunal and the Appeals Tribunal for resolving internal disputes are essential for any political party. But, they can also be instruments of purging political opponents – as has been the case before. In this light, Chamisa’s reference to the need for these bodies due to the problem of stubborn people in the party may just have been a poor choice of words, but may be revealing of the real intention of the two bodies.

One would hope that Harrison Nkomo, Chair of the Independent Tribunal and Chris Mhike, Chair of the Appeals Tribunal will exercise fairness, and be the professionals that they are. The conduct of internal elections has been the main source of grievances in the MDC –  in the past, reports of delegate intimidation and manipulation of structures were not fully dealt with, and there is a risk that history will be repeated. Again, while disgruntled members may be cowed for now, it is possible that they will serve as the source of future disruption if they are not well managed.

It would be a mistake, however, to place too great an emphasis on structures and institutions, as one of the main issues facing the MDC historically has been that these have not always been respected. In the opposition’s current incarnation, Chamisa is that strong individual just as much as his predecessor, Morgan Tsvangirai, was before.

A ray of hope in this regards is the reintroduction of term limits, which had been removed to accommodate Morgan Tsvangirai, who had gone well beyond them. The argument then was that you can’t change a commander in the middle of a battle, especially if the commander is the ‘best foot forward.’

That argument continued even after Morgan Tsvangirai was terminally ill, and obviously incapacitated. It will be important for the MDC to ensure that rules such as this are respected in future, and that Chamisa is not allowed to stay in power indefinitely. Implementing restrictions on those in power is what separates Africa’s democratic countries and parties from authoritarian ones such as Rwanda and ZANU-PF.

Its the economy, stupid!

New individuals and institutions have given the opposition a valuable boost, but what really matters to the general populace is whether the MDC can given them a better functioning economy with jobs and public services.

Simply voting on the grounds of the calibre of a party’s structures and principles is a luxury that many Zimbabweans cannot afford. This means that the MDC will need to focus on how to win further hearts and minds, and how to persuade people that it can defeat the ruling party given the vast advantages of incumbency that it enjoys.

For example, the MDC would benefit from deciding on whether they are fighting for a dialogue with ZANU-PF leading to a transitional authority, or they are preparing for the 2023 elections. This is an ‘either or’ question – it cannot be both.

In his press statement on 20 June 2019, Chamisa reiterated that the MDC are the real government and will set up an alternative cabinet while they increase political and diplomatic pressure on Mnangagwa to agree to dialogue with them.

The risk with this strategy is that it deflects attention away from building party structures and developing a stronger machinery with which to fight the next election. It has been a year since the last election, and the illegitimacy argument has not delivered any tangible results for the opposition, so there seems little point in continuing with this tactic.

It is also unclear what the MDC would get out of “dialogue”. Chamisa has rightly argued that past transitions, have been false transitions. The 1987 dialogue between ZANU-PF and Joshua Nkomo’s ZAPU party strengthened ZANU-PF, and so did the Government of National Unity between the MDC and ZANU-PF in 2008-13. In all these transitional mechanisms, ZANU-PF emerged stronger.

Given this, it is unclear exactly how the transitional mechanism proposed by Chamisa will deliver the comprehensive reforms and credible elections that previous arrangements that included the MDC did not. Especially in the context of the recent democratic backsliding under president Emmerson Mnangagwa, it seems unlikely that the MDC would have its demands met, or be able to force ZANU-PF into genuine concessions. 

When a journalist asked Chamisa how he will make a stubborn president compromise, his response that “we are asking for the breeze of wisdom to blow across his face and visit his mind” suggested that the MDC lacks an understanding as to exactly how concessions would be extracted – something that ZANU-PF understands only too well.

Gaining ground

The challenge of facing an entrenched ruling party notwithstanding, Chamisa has made inroads into what was a predominantly ZANU-PF enclave – the traditional chiefs. By gaining the support of Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni and setting up plans to include freedom fighters in its structures, Chamisa may be able to capitalise on popular frustrations with ZANU-PF rule.

Traditional leaders are particularly important in this regard as they will enable the MDC to reach into rural areas. In many ways, Zimbabwe is a bifurcated state, which tends to see different voting patterns in rural and urban areas.

Urbanites strongly support Chamisa, both because they feel the effects of the collapsed economy and because they understand MDC’s language of human rights, political legitimacy and economic management. By contrast, rural dwellers, living under traditional and customary institutions, feel the effects of bad governance but have not always responded as positively to the MDC’s message, and may respond less and have tended to face great pressure to back the government.

If Chamisa can start to dismantle the rural local state that has sustained ZANU-PF rule and start to bridge the gap between urban and rural voters – a process that began around the 2018 polls – it will change the electoral playing field.

Not only will the MDC win more votes, but the opposition will also be in a better position to disrupt and challenge the architecture that the government has established to manipulate elections. And if that happens, Nelson Chamisa might just be able to secure the presidency in 2023.

Obert Hodzi is co-editor of Democracy in Africa

MPs Blame Their Own Ill Equipped Clinic For Fellow MP’s Death

Obedingwa Mguni

Members of Parliament have blamed the ill equipped Parliament clinic for the death of Zanu-PF Mangwe legislator Obedingwa Mguni, saying had it been properly stocked, his life could have been saved.

Mguni died on Wednesday from diabetes related illness.

“The issue of Mguni is very painful but there is a thing that we did not understand clearly.  I think that we should be notified.  A Member of Parliament is someone one who is respectable.  I was asking and it should be known what happened when Mguni started not feeling well in this House and his journey from the House to the clinic then to the hospital,” said MDC Alliance MP Willias Madzimure.

“There are many of us and I think our clinic should be well resourced so that life is saved.  I am not very happy about how we are treated when we are ill here at Parliament.  When we are transported from here to the hospital, I think that there should be an investigation on the illness of Mguni and the time of his death to the time when he was ferried to the funeral parlour.  Who was there with him?  I think that it is not good that we should die like that.”

Mdzimure said MPs are important people who should be treated with respect.

“Mguni was a Deputy Chief Whip and he was also on the Government side.  So, it is very important that we should have known before we left this place.  I therefore say that there be an investigation into the death of Mguni,” he said

Source – Byo24News

We Want To Be Remembered After This AFCON Warriors Strike Declares

Tinotenda Kadewere

Warriors striker Tinotenda Kadewere says the team is determined to create a name at the 2019 Afcon tournament which gets underway tonight.

Zimbabwe have failed to go beyond the group stages in their last appearances in the competition. They begin their campaign against the hosts, Egypt in the opening game at Cairo International Stadium.

Speaking to AFP, Kadewere said: “We, as players, we want to make history. We are hoping to make people remember our names.

“We are hoping to make good history, to make people know that Zimbabwe is one of the best countries in Africa.

“We want to make Zimbabwe well known and to do our best. If possible, get to the final.”

Zimbabwe will face Uganda in their second match next week before rounding up the group stage with a date against DRC.

Where Can You Watch The Warriors Match Tonight?

Afcon kicks off later in the evening today and the first match being between our beloved country versus Egypt. It’s such a shame that ZBC is failing to screen the match and the rest of the tournament to the millions of football fans in Zim.

So let me just let you how you can watch the tournament.

First Option

Since time immemorial DStv has always faithfully broadcasted Afcon and many loved tournaments so its a no brainier that it will give you this year’s tournament again.

On DStv you get to watch every match through its Supersport channels. But it all depends with the bouquet you’d have subscribed for – Premium subscribers can watch all the matches and Access susbcribers can watch some matches.

Another option to watch Afcon on DStv

Apart from watching Afcon on your TV whilst seated on your couch, you can watch it on-the-go using DStv Now is DStv’s mobile app that you can use to watch most programmes that’s are shown using your DStv decoder.

The good thing is that you don’t have to pay to use DStv Now since you will be using your subscription from your decoder to watch programmes. So if you are subscribed, it’s just a matter of heading to the Play store or App Store and download the DStv Now app and use your mobile data to stream Afcon.

Second Option

For those who have decoders like OVHD you can watch Afcon on SABC channels. South Africa’s state broadcaster didn’t buy all the rights so you will only be able to watch certain matches. The good thing is they have published a list of matches you will watch. Here it is:

LIVE – June 21, Egypt v Zimbabwe – 21:30

LIVE – June 22, Nigeria v Burundi – 19:00

LIVE – June 23, Morocco v Namibia – 16:30

LIVE – June 24, Cote d’Ivoire vs South Africa – 16:30

Delayed – June 25, Cameroon v Guinea-Bissau – 23:30

Delayed – June 26, Nigeria vs Guinea – 23:30

Delayed – June 27, Senegal vs Algeria – 23:30

LIVE – June 28, South Africa vs Namibia – 21:30

Delayed – June 28, Morocco vs Cote d’Ivoire – 00:00

Delayed – June 29, Cameroon vs Ghana – 00:30

Delayed – June 30, Uganda v Egypt – 22:00

Delayed – June 30, Zimbabwe vs DR Congo – 00:00

LIVE – July 1, South Africa vs Morocco – 17:30

Delayed – July 1, Namibia vs Cote d’Ivoire – 23:30

Delayed – July 2, Benin vs Cameroon – 23:30

LIVE – July 14, Semi finals

Protesters Block President Mutharika’s Motorcade Force Him To Use Back Road To Enter Capital City.

No where to go. Mutharika blocked

There were running battles in Lilongwe between the police and some people who were marching towards Biwi Triangle in Lilongwe.

According to a source, the people wanted to block President Peter Mutharika’s entry into the city.

The source, who saw this happening, said the people were coming from the High Court after the adjournment of a case in which Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Lazarus Chakwera and UTM Party President Saulos Chilima are challenging results of May 21 elections.

Ironically, national flag poles were erected on some sections of the road from Biwi Triangle, through Mchesi, Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) roundabout to Parliament Roundabout.

The source said the road was blocked at Lilongwe Girls Cemetery, near the entrance of Lilongwe Girls Secondary School and near Simama Hotel. According to sources, the police fired more teargas canisters around the area to disperse the people.

Mutharika, however, made it to Kamuzu Palace. He used the Lilongwe-City West bypass on his way to Kamuzu Palace.

Presidential spokesperson Mgeme Kalilani said they travelled well from Mangochi to the city.

This is Mutharika’s return to the city after last month’s tripartite elections. On Friday, he is expected to preside over the official opening of the 48th Session of Parliament.

South African Women’s Rights Groups Win Bid To Block Koffi Olomide From Performing In That Country

Koffi Olomide

Congolese musician Koffi Olomide has been banned from performing in South Africa following an outcry from women’s rights groups.

The Selfie hitmaker was slated to perform on June 30 at Shimmy Beach Club.

On Tuesday the club released a statement through Twitter in response to the group known as the Stop Koffi Olomide Collective which launched a petition against his performance.

According to the club, the decision to no longer host Koffi was made last week.

Please note that @ShimmyBeach will no longer be hosting Koffi Olomide. We made the decision to cancel the show last week.

— Shimmy Beach Club (@ShimmyBeach) June 18, 2019

SEXUAL ASSAULT

This was followed by Gallagher Convention Centre’s announcement on Wednesday morning, that it too had cancelled Olomide’s show, which was due to take place on June 28.

Yay! Good news! Gallagher Convention Centre has just confirmed to our campaign that the concert is not going ahead.

— #StopKoffiOlomide (@StopKoffiOlomi1) June 19, 2019

Early this year, the troubled musician was given a two-year suspended sentence by a French after being convicted of the statutory rape of one of his former dancers, who was 15-years-old at the time.

Additionally, during the court proceedings, four of Koffi’s former dancers alleged that they were repeatedly sexually assaulted by the artiste between 2002 and 2006 and held against their will while in Paris.

DEPORTED

However, the court dismissed the kidnapping and assault charges.

The Congolese crooner has a long history of run-ins with the law. In 2012, he was given a 3-month suspended sentence after assaulting his producer.

In July 2016 he was arrested and deported by Kenyan authorities after he allegedly assaulted one of his dancers at the JKIA.

Then last year he was arrested in Zambia after he allegedly assaulted a photographer.

Zim Human Trafficking Record Improves

In a rare bit of good news from the United States, Zimbabwe has been commended for the significant efforts it has made in eliminating human trafficking, with the southern African country being ranked in Tier 2, an improvement from the last rating.

The “2019 Trafficking in Persons Report: Zimbabwe”, which is compiled by the US Department of State and was released on Thursday, notes that the Zimbabwean government had demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period.

Tier 2 is for countries whose governments do not fully comply with the US’s Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards.

Among the positives was that a trafficker had been sentenced while Zimbabwe was also increasing cooperation and coordination with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to identify victims.

“The anti-trafficking inter-ministerial committee (ATIMC) finalised and adopted a national referral mechanism (NRM), which outlined standard operating procedures (SOPs) on victim identification and referral,” reads the report.

“It (Zimbabwe) also drafted and adopted implementing regulations, which gave legal force to key procedures set out in the NRM, empowered provincial operational task forces, and defined clear roles and responsibilities for front-line responders.”

But the report was quick to point out that Zimbabwe had not meet minimum standards in several areas.

The country came up with draft amendments to the 2014 Trafficking in Persons Act, but so far there had been little movement in passing and adopting the proposed changes.

Compared to 2018, the report says, Zimbabwe had prosecuted and convicted fewer trafficking cases compared to the previous year; and there was a backlog of trafficking cases dating back to 2016.

In addition, the report says Zimbabwe identified fewer trafficking victims and did not provide adequate funding to its NGO partners on which it relied to provide protective services to victims.

The report has some recommendations for Zimbabwe such as that the country should amend its anti-trafficking law to criminalise all forms of trafficking in line with the 2000 UN Trafficking In Persons Protocol, increase efforts to proactively investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes, including complicit government officials and internal trafficking cases and to provide financial or in-kind support to NGO service providers.

Furthermore, the report urges Zimbabwe to expand training for law enforcement officers on investigative techniques, allocate adequate funding for law enforcement to proactively carry out investigations and to train prosecutors and judges on trafficking and trafficking-related legislation.  

Zimbabwe was also urged to establish safe houses for trafficking victims in each province and to develop mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs) and other agreements to facilitate information gathering and sharing with foreign governments.

In the Zimbabwean context, trafficking in persons involves exploiting women and girls from towns bordering South Africa, Mozambique, and Zambia in forced labour, including domestic servitude, and sex trafficking in brothels catering to long-distance truck drivers on both sides of the borders.

The US report said traffickers subject Zimbabwean men, women, and children to forced labour in agriculture and domestic service in the country’s rural areas.

“Traffickers exploit women in domestic servitude, forced labour, and sex trafficking in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia,” the report says.

“There were previous reports of Zimbabwean women lured to China and the Middle East for work, where they are vulnerable to trafficking.

“There were reports of traffickers luring Zimbabwean students to Cyprus and elsewhere with false promises for education via scholarship schemes where they are exploited in forced labour and sex trafficking.”

-CITE

Mnangagwa Mourns His Late MP Who Collapsed

Obedingwa Mguni

President Mnangagwa has sent a message of condolences to the Mguni family following the death of Obedigwa Mguni who died at Avenues Clinic on Tuesday.

Mguni was the Zanu-PF deputy chief whip. In his condolence message, President Mnangagwa expressed deep sense of shock on the untimely death of Mguni. He said while he knew that he was unwell, he always wished and hoped for his speed recovery.

“What a great loss to his family, his constituency of Mangwe, the legislature, his party and above all to his country whose liberation he fought for alongside other cadres,” he said.

“On that fateful Tuesday when he passed on Cde Mguni had always religiously showed up to fulfil his administrative and legislative chores inspire of the fact that he was not well. Such was the character of this humble man who had a firm commitment to serving his country and people unreservedly.”

The President said Mguni had demonstrated the hallmark of patriotism, a lasting legacy that he will always be remembered for.

“On behalf of Government and the party Zanu-PF, on my own behalf and that if my family i wush to extend our deepest condolences to Cde Mguni’s family especially his wife Hlalani and her children following the death of a beloved husband, father and mentor.

“May they take comfort from the knowledge that the whole nation share in their deep grief and pain,” said the President.

Mnangagwa Says Gen Electric To Build US$4 billion Batoka Gorge Plant

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said that the US company General Electric Co. and Power Construction Corp. of China will build a US$4 billion Batoka Gorge hydropower project on the Zambezi River.

Speaking on the sidelines of the US Africa summit in Mozambique, Mnangagwa said the project will be done jointly by Zimbabwe and Zambia and upon completion is expected to generate 2 400 megawatts.

Mnangagwa said, “Zambia and Zimbabwe have agreed on this project. We have all agreed that we give it to GE — China Power and GE together.

“It’s critical that we move fast on that front because it’s necessary that as we industrialize that we need electricity.”

The envisaged Batoka Gorge Hydropower Plant will be built upstream of Lake Kariba whose water level has receded alarmingly reducing electricity generation fro the two countries leading to crippling power cuts.

The last time General Electric toured Zimbabwe looking to invest, early last year, they flew out of the country without leaving a penny.

ESKOM Cares Less For Defaulting ZESA Prepared To See Zim Imminently Go Completely Dark

JOHANNESBURG – Zimbabwe risks being plunged into total darkness. is struggling to pay a debt of more than US$40million – over R580m to Eskom.

The state owned power utility says it also owes millions to Mozambique.

This is for electricity borrowed in the past few years.

Zimbabwe is experiencing 19 hours of load shedding a day.

A situation that’s left most industries closed and people struggling with their daily lives.

Speaking to journalists in the capital Harare, the Zimbabwe energy minister, Fortune Chasi has said in addition to the debt to Eskom, millions are also owed to Mozambique’s power utility, HCB.

“As it is at the moment we owe HCB and Eskom US$83million, very huge amount of money,” said Chasi.

Chasi says the nation should itself brace for hard times as the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority is in shambles due to domestic and foreign debt.

The minister admits the situation is critical and is asking for the nation’s support.

Zimbabwe last experienced such serious electricity blackouts in 2016 following a drought.

Warriors First 11 Against Pharaohs Of Egypt Out

Jane Mlambo| Names of the Zimbabwe warriors first eleven players who will go into battle tonight against the pharaohs of Egypt have been released with first choice goalkeeper George Chigova missing from the line-up.

According to journalists in Cairo, the first 11 will be as follows;

Edmore Sibanda, Tendai Darikwa, Divine Lunga, Teenage Hadebe, Alec Mudimu, Marshall Munetsi, Marvelous Nakamba, Ovidy Karuru, Khama Billiat, Knowledge Musona & Nyasha Mushekwi

We Will Kill You If You Expose Us,Lewis Matutu Says He Is Receiving Death Threats From Zanu PF Bigwigs

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF hardliners are not happy with party youth league leader Lewis Matutu’s threats to expose their “shenanigans.”

ZANU PF politburo member and deputy youth league chairperson, Lewis Matutu, says he has received death threats from party hardliners following his threats to expose their dubious manoeuvres.

Matutu has threatened threatened to expose corruption in the ruling party.

“They call at night saying Zanu PF kills, they are threatening me, but I will not be moved. The only person I will listen to is President Emmerson Mnangagwa. I made a personal decision to join Zanu PF and will not be pushed or silenced by anyone,” said Matutu.

“I know children of ministers who are selling foreign currency on the black market, I can give you names and numbers of these people and you can go and change money with them. I am giving them up to Sunday to come clean and if they fail we will name them.”

Lewis Matutu

MTHULI’s Immoral Budget Surplus.

By Miriam Mushayi & Tapiwa Mashakada| Prof Mthuli Ncube claims that he has balanced treasury books and gvt is now recording a surplus.According to him the deficit has been wiped out and now public finances are now in surplus. But what is the significance of a surplus when the healthcare sector is collapsing and civil servants are earning poverty wages? In general public service delivery is hamstrung by austerity. Government has accummulated arrears on domestic debt.

In neo-classical or liberal economics deficits if they are monetized. They trigger all sorts of economic ills chief among which is Inflation. If we are in surplus why are prices not moving down in sympathy? Granted there are too many inflationary pressures in the Zim economy but we should see the reduction in the weight of the deficit on the inflation outlook. Reducing or eliminating the deficit alone is not sufficient. Its like jobless growth.

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION

Fiscal stance has 3 legs. These are Revenue collection; Expenditure Reduction and Deficit Financing. Prof Mthuli is concerntrating on demand management(expenditure reduction and totally ignoring resource mobilization. The biggest sources of wealth are: savings, growth, productivity and investment. The focus should be on how to grow the cake rather than tinkering with demand management per se. It is the Supply side stupid. The accounting surplus being touted by the Minister of Finance is hollow and meangless in economic value terms. In short, the so-called budget surplus is an immoral surplus which does not make sense under this environment of hyper inflation.

Professor Mthuli and Zanu PF must stop this economic genocide

Matemadanda Vows To Take Zanu PF “From Individual Ownership To The People”

Farai Dziva|They say language is dynamic.

Newly-appointed ZANU PF national political commissar Victor Matemadanda has virtually admitted that the ruling party is totally divorced from the people.

In his message yesterday Matemadanda vowed to “return the party to the people” literally implying that Zanu PF is divorced from the people of Zimbabwe.

Matemadanda replaced retired army officer, Engelbert Rugeje who remains a politburo member without portfolio.

“Any person can become a king in a political party. ZANU PF is a mass party and if people are not educated they will think that authority is vested in people they find in the structures.

Yet this is misleading; a party becomes a people’s party when people have complete ownership.

Our immediate task is to take the party from individual ownership to the people using the philosophy of democratic centralism where everyone is equally important,” said Matemadanda.

Victor-Matemadanda

Matemadanda “Concedes” Zanu PF Is Divorced From People

Farai Dziva|They say language is dynamic.

Newly-appointed ZANU PF national political commissar Victor Matemadanda has virtually admitted that the ruling party is totally divorced from the people.

In his message yesterday Matemadanda vowed to “return the party to the people” literally implying that Zanu PF is divorced from the people of Zimbabwe.

Matemadanda replaced retired army officer, Engelbert Rugeje who remains a politburo member without portfolio.

“Any person can become a king in a political party. ZANU PF is a mass party and if people are not educated they will think that authority is vested in people they find in the structures.

Yet this is misleading; a party becomes a people’s party when people have complete ownership.

Our immediate task is to take the party from individual ownership to the people using the philosophy of democratic centralism where everyone is equally important,” said Matemadanda.

Victor Matemadanda

ZIMBABWE SHINES TO GLORY DESPITE HARDSHIPS | OPINION

By Dr Masimba Mavaza| Zimbabwe has struggled to improve its deteriorating infrastructure in business, education, and healthcare. Zimbabwe’s power grid is overstressed, and power failures have been daily occurrences in the most developed areas of Zimbabwe. The need for generators to provide power and air conditioning during power failures results in additional costs that businesses must subsume.

Public transportation and roadways have not kept pace with population growth, and the education infrastructure is backward with a literacy rate of 95% Zimbabwe’s healthcare infrastructure is in need of reform. Zimbabwe provides healthcare to all its citizens, but the 90% who must use public health services and don’t have private insurance through an employer receive poor care in substandard facilities.

The economy of Zimbabwe shrunk significantly after 2000, resulting in a desperate situation for the country – widespread poverty and a 95% unemployment rate. The rise in corruption by senior officials and harassment of investors by corrupt officials set the stage for this deterioration by draining the country of hundreds of millions of dollars.Hyperinflation in Zimbabwe was a major problem from about 2003 to April 2009, when the country suspended its own currency. Zimbabwe faced 231 million percent peak hyperinflation in 2008. A combination of the abandonment of Zimbabwe dollar and a national unity government in 2009 resulted in a period of positive economic growth for the first time in a decade.

Economic activity in Zimbabwe has remained resilient despite political and economic uncertainty in the first half of 2019 caused by the rumours of government change.

That being said, the country continues to face challenges that include electricity load shedding fuel shortages social issues like raising living standards by reducing poverty and inequality, as well as addressing crime and corruption.

To tackle these challenges and boost growth in a way that will benefit a wider share of the population, reforms will need to focus on raising public investment and social spending, as well as re-invigorating the structural reform agenda with emphasis on strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption, and reducing labor market informality, and encouraging production which is internal production. We must be producers not only importers.

Zimbabwe must import as of now our production is minimum and our intake is high. We have reduced our country to be a shopping basket. Each one of us who gives priority to the foreign products ahead of his or her national products is contributing to the economical demise of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabweans get used quickly and this am used syndrome is the worst economic destroyer in the country.

But with the tough policies President Munangagwa is introducing our economy continues to grow despite the bitter pill we as a nation are swallowing. In the near term, growth is expected to moderately pick up to 2.1 percent this year and 2.3 percent in 2020 Growth will benefit from strong economic activity witnessed in the country.

But continued tight monetary policy and uncertainty related to both the incoming currency will continue, thus dampening growth.

While Zimbabwe’s public debt is projected to stabilize, the current level a high percentage of GDP—limits space for social and infrastructure spending.

Keeping the overall fiscal deficit at a lower rate of GDP over the medium term would stabilize debt at around the current level, assuming what the minister of Finance is saying is true that medium-term growth increases to around 3 percent and the interest rate path remains steady. A slightly more ambitious target would improve budgetary spending room to deal with large infrastructure needs, high levels of poverty and inequality and the fiscal costs of an aging population.

Another is that social policies have not been targeted as well as they could have been. While conditional cash transfer programs and some developmentally programmes have been very effective at reducing inequality, other social programs have disproportionately benefited individuals at the top rather than at the bottom of the income distribution.

In Shurugwi the member of Parliament honourable Ronald Robson Nyathi has come up with a great plan of poverty alleviation. He has acquired gold claims for the community and formed a trust which is run by the community for the community. This is to use the local resources for the local people , the redistributive role of fiscal policy—targeted government expenditures to help lower income inequality—is generally stronger in Shurugwi. If this is adopted in the country there will be great inward growth in zimbabwe than in other countries. While honourable Nyathi is developing his constituency and province

Improving security and strengthening the rule of law is critical to reducing crime and promoting economic activity. Zimbabwe is experiencing its most murderous year on record in 2019 and incidences of theft have also been on the rise. High levels of crime come with both direct and indirect economic costs due not only to damages but also the need for costly security measures. Even more importantly, firms may limit their activities and cancel their investment plans in response to a weak security situation. Small firms suffer these consequences disproportionately.

The delay in prosecuting corruption cases is another factor destroying investor confidence.

Doing business in a corrupt country is difficult because there is little respect for the rule of law, there are competing government bureaucracies, and there are often unclear and unfair regulatory and taxation systems.

Some legislators are taking advantage of the investors at the expense of the country.

In all this darkness Zimbabwe will be out of this mess soon.

Zimbabwe is being fixed as we speak. The journey is painful and indeed slow but we will get there.

Not even one person is finding it easy things are tough. But there is a bright light ahead. This thing will work. Zimbabwe will work again.

Vazet [email protected]

Chidzambwa Unfazed By Intimidating Atmosphere At Cairo International Stadium

Farai Dziva|Warriors coach Sunday ‘Mhofu’ Chidzambwa is not worried about facing hosts Egypt in the opening encounter of AFCON 2019 at the Cairo International Stadium.

The veteran coach, who is taking charge of his second AFCON finals after guiding the Warriors to their maiden appearance in 2004, insists he has players who can manage the situation well.

“We have veteran players who can deal with this atmosphere (that of facing the host team in front of their fans),” said Chidzambwa.

“We are in a difficult group in the finals and also that was the same in the qualifiers, but we managed to qualify. As we qualified, so why don’t we make a new surprise,” he added.

The Warriors are without suspended goalkeeper George Chigova and Chidzambwa says he is not worried about that.

“I have three goalkeepers at the same level. The absence of any of them doesn’t worry me at all,” he said.

Chidzambwa steps into the cauldron arena

Lumumba Blasts Mthuli Ncube, ED

In a veiled attack on Ncube, Mutumanje said, “Daily Zimbabweans have a conversation about how bad things are (except Mthuli, that one he thinks nothing is wrong).” Self-styled communications strategists William Gerald Mutumanje says Mthuli Ncube is a person who does not think about the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe.

Acie Lumumba

In his usual sarcastic manner, Mutumanje said the people of Zimbabwe must remove the problem (Dambudzo which is President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s second name). ” Daily Zimbabweans need to have a conversation about removing the problem. Removing the problem is NOT the solution, it’s simply removing the problem, we doubt our power!”

Recently Mutumanje warned Mnangagwa that if he continues destroying the country he will go like how Mugabe went.

“This doesn’t end well, izvi ndati hazviperi mushe! Never forget Mugabe was a bigger boy (a global big boy)- but akaenda handiti? Ndukubvunza dairai class? Akaenda handiti?”

Just In:Warriors Finally Receive Their Money

Zimbabwe national team players have started receiving their money following threats to boycott tonight’s Afcon opener against Egypt.

The Warriors told Zifa that they will not fulfil the encounter if the association failed to pay US$9 000 to each player this afternoon.

There was a meeting last night between the two parties and it seemed like they had reached a common ground, only for players to retracted this morning and gave the football body an ultimatum.

Zifa president Felton Kamambo arrived in Egypt today and explained that the money was deposited a few days ago but took long to reflect.

The Warriors are now set to play tonight as they kick-start their Afcon campaign.Source -Soccer24Zimbabwe

Prestigious AFCON Cup

Warriors Fan Alvin Zhakata Fails To Arrive In Egypt In Time

Farai Dziva|Arvid Warriors fan Alvin Zhakata will not be able to attend Zimbabwe’s first game of the 2019 Afcon campaign.

The Warriors fan is travelling across Africa to Egypt by road and was hoping to finish his adventure before the beginning of the tournament but faced a couple of obstacles along the way -which delayed his arrival.

He spent six days stuck at the Kenyan border where he was refused entry into Ethiopia due to visa issues.

Zhakata is currently in Addis Ababa and will leave the Ethiopian capital soon on his way to Sudan, his final transit country before reaching Egypt.

Warriors fans

Warriors Will Not Boycott Egypt Match:Musona

Farai Dziva|Zimbabwe Warriors Captain, Knowledge Musona has said the national soccer team players will not boycott the 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations fixtures.

The Warriors had threatened to boycott the AFCON opening match against hosts Egypt as ZIFA had reportedly not paid them their US$9 000 each.

ZIFA officials were saying they had paid the money on Wednesday and produced bank transfer receipts as confirmation, but, the players insisted nothing had reflected in their bank accounts.

Musona promised the nation that the Warriors will fulfil the fixture.

“We are glad that our issues have been dealt with in this meeting and we have received the commitment that our dues will be dealt with and we can promise you that we will play the match against Egypt.

It’s sad that instead of us concentrating on the match we have spent a lot of time trying to deal with these issues but we can promise you that we will give it our best.”

Knowledge Musona

Shock As Man Kills Uncle For “Stealing” Mbanje

Farai Dziva|A Rusape man brutally killed his uncle for allegedly stealing his mbanje plants.

The man assaulted his uncle with sticks after catching him stealing mbanje -which he was illegally cultivating in his farm.

Mizilamu Maseko appeared in court for contravening Section 47 (1)(a) or (b) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.

See part of the state outline below :

“The deceased Taurai Christopher Makarutse was with the accused person and his wife at the garden when the crime was committed.

Janepha Murewa who testified that the accused is her husband said on the day in question she was with the accused at the garden and she saw him leaving the garden going to the next garden.

The accused person was following the deceased to see what he was doing in that garden.

Murewa said that after about 30 minutes her husband came back and told her that he had assaulted the deceased for stealing his mbanje.

She asked her husband to go back and fetch the deceased and the duo came back with the deceased walking slowly showing signs that he was in great pain.

He was taken to hospital where he later died from the injuries.”

Mbanje

We Are The Only Credible Team In The Country -Chamisa

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said the opposition party is ready to deliver meaningful change to the people of Zimbabwe.

Addressing a news conference at Morgan Tsvangirai House in Harare yesterday, Chamisa said members of the MDC National Executive Committee were ready to work tirelessly to deliver the much anticipated change to the people of Zimbabwe.

“We are the only credible team in the country and we are ready to deliver change to the people of Zimbabwe.

We are deeply concerned about the current economic crisis in the country and as the winning team, we have the capacity to deliver the results,” said Chamisa.

“Our thrust is to defend our late founding president Morgan Tsvangirai’s legacy,”he added.

Nelson Chamisa

Gross Violation Of Human Rights By Mnangagwa Government Worrisome -Chamisa

Farai Dziva|Addressing a news conference in Harare yesterday MDC leader Nelson Chamisa scoffed at claims that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government “brought a new dispensation.”

Chamisa said:”Let me say as a party we are deeply concerned about the gross violation of human rights by the government.

How can they say they have brought a new dispensation while innocent citizens are being harassed.

It is disturbing to note that we are receiving reports of arbitrary arrests and harassment of human rights activists.

Political activists are also being persecuted for no reason.We are saying this cannot be tolerated.”

Nelson Chamisa

MDC Bemoans Pathetic State Of Public Service

Farai Dziva|MDC Secretary for Public Service and Social Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga has bemoaned the pathetic state of the public service system in the country.

See Kademaunga’s statement
:Following my election into the MDC National Executive Council as Mashonaland East representative, I am grateful to have been further appointed to a key portfolio of the party, to represent and defend the interests of the working people and the marginalized.

The appointment comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s Public Service is in shambles and the Social Welfare system incompetent and abandoned.

Public servants are working for a song and the poor are vulnerable with no social safety nets.

The MDC has in the SMART Policy Blue Print placed at the fore labour rights and committed to a huge social agenda.

In line with those policies,the MDC portfolio of Public Service and Social Welfare will design a program of action focusing on the following:

  1. De-politicisation ,de-militarisation and professionalisation of the Public Service.
  2. Employment reforms including a minimum wage,a 42 hour working week,paid overtime,paid annual leave,paid maternity leave,employer contribution to medical aid and NSSA reform for secure pensions.
  3. Administrative and fiscal decentralisation of the Public Service.
  4. Combating corruption in the Public Service to ensure effective,timely and courteous service delivery.
    5.Rehabilitation of Victims of Political violence including psycho-support and welfare for political prisoners
    6.A comprehensive welfare for special constituencies including ophans, war veterans and the elderly.

This agenda will in part fulfill the obligation to Define A New Course for Zimbabwe,we will place the citizen at the centre of our endevour to seek a fair and just society.

In Service of Humanity,

Maureen Kademaunga
Secretary for Public Service and Social Welfare

MDC Castigates Broke Mnangagwa Government For Wasting Scarce Foreign Currency On Unnecessary Luxuries

Farai Dziva|The MDC has lambasted Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s government for wasting scarce foreign currency on unnecessary luxuries.

See the MDC statement :
We are seriously concerned that the broke Mnangagwa regime has the temerity to hire an American firm for over $US1 million to spruce up its image even as the nation struggles to procure basics such as medicine and fuel.

The regime has hired Avenue Strategies Global CC, a US firm to lobby Washington to drop sanctions against Zimbabwe.

The scarce foreign currency is being splurged even as nurses and other key government services have threatened industrial action for poor working conditions and the absence of working tools.

It is our belief that there is no reason to waste scarce foreign currency on political cosmetology when all the regime in Harare should do is to stop repression, the clampdown on civil society and democracy activists and the wanton killings of its citizens, among other issues. The improvement of the government’s human rights record will go a long way in improving the country’s image among the society of nations.

And the immediate cessation of violence and repression does not cost a single cent to a nation already reeling heavily under huge external and internal debt.

While the government has wasted scarce foreign currency hiring Avenue Strategies, the proper avenue to take to improve the country’s image is to stop bad behavior, particularly the callous clampdown on innocent citizens.

Zimbabwe cannot afford to lose scarce foreign currency on issues that can simply be addressed by behaviour change. The cheapest and most affordable consultancy firm is a deep soul searching by those in government whether they can really afford to procure multi-million dollar armory aimed at their own citizens at a time millions of Zimbabweans are facing starvation.

MDC: Defining a new course for Zimbabwe.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Deputy National spokesperson

Luke Tamborinyoka and Nelson Chamisa

Ginimbi “Decorates”Mathias Mhere Album Launch

GOSPEL musician, Mathias Mhere, will today release his eighth album “Greater than Solomon”, with CDs of his latest offering selling at the launch to be held at The Venue in Avondale, Harare.

Mhere said CDs of his album were ready and would soon hit the market starting at tonight’s event.

He revealed that a line-up of top musicians headlines his album launch with gospel outfit Vabati VaJehovha, Jonah Chivasa and Fungisai Zvakavapono-Mashavave being on the list.
“Everything is now in place and we have done our home work in as far as preparations for the great event are concerned,” said Mhere.

“We are at an advanced stage with CDs are ready to enter the market. Tickets for tonight’s event are were about to be sold out meaning people are buying our tickets. We are now waiting to take the CDs into the market. “I can confirm that artistes like Jah Prayzah, Sulumani Chimbetu among others indicated that they would be attending the launch,” he said.
Mhere said Prophet T Freddie would be the guest of honour with socialite Genius ‘Ginimbi’ Kadungure also attending the launch.

The 10-track album is set to inspire many people through songs loaded with repentance and restoration messages. It also gives sermons on the gospel of redemption.

Mhere on his song titled “Ndizarurire”, prays to God for intervention into the lives of people who are failing to prosper in their lives. He featured Jah Prayzah on “Jerusarema” where he speaks of salvation and restoration.

Mhere also preaches of guidance in the song “Hembe Yemubhero” equating a human body to a temple which is sacred and shun acts of infidelity.
He talks of love, tenderness and kindness in the song “Munhu Haasekwe”.

Mhere also tells of how Satan uses different ways to influence one’s life in the song “Kamushini”.

But he celebrates the gifts and blessings from God in the song “Jakuchichi”.
He revisited the life of his late brother in a song called “Chipangamazano”, which he said are testimonies of a life his brother lived.State media

Ginimbi

Windfall For Mhere As Ginimbi Attends Album Launch

GOSPEL musician, Mathias Mhere, will today release his eighth album “Greater than Solomon”, with CDs of his latest offering selling at the launch to be held at The Venue in Avondale, Harare.


Mhere said CDs of his album were ready and would soon hit the market starting at tonight’s event.
He revealed that a line-up of top musicians headlines his album launch with gospel outfit Vabati VaJehovha, Jonah Chivasa and Fungisai Zvakavapono-Mashavave being on the list.


“Everything is now in place and we have done our home work in as far as preparations for the great event are concerned,” said Mhere.


“We are at an advanced stage with CDs are ready to enter the market. Tickets for tonight’s event are were about to be sold out meaning people are buying our tickets. We are now waiting to take the CDs into the market. “I can confirm that artistes like Jah Prayzah, Sulumani Chimbetu among others indicated that they would be attending the launch,” he said.


Mhere said Prophet T Freddie would be the guest of honour with socialite Genius ‘Ginimbi’ Kadungure also attending the launch.
The 10-track album is set to inspire many people through songs loaded with repentance and restoration messages. It also gives sermons on the gospel of redemption.


Mhere on his song titled “Ndizarurire”, prays to God for intervention into the lives of people who are failing to prosper in their lives. He featured Jah Prayzah on “Jerusarema” where he speaks of salvation and restoration.

Mhere also preaches of guidance in the song “Hembe Yemubhero” equating a human body to a temple which is sacred and shun acts of infidelity.


He talks of love, tenderness and kindness in the song “Munhu Haasekwe”. Mhere also tells of how Satan uses different ways to influence one’s life in the song “Kamushini”.
But he celebrates the gifts and blessings from God in the song “Jakuchichi”.


He revisited the life of his late brother in a song called “Chipangamazano”, which he said are testimonies of a life his brother lived.

-State media

Vuzu Parties Worry Bulawayo Stakeholders

STAKEHOLDERS in Bulawayo yesterday convened a meeting to look for solutions to Vuzu parties, a social vice seen as promoting immorality among youths.

The meeting, organised by the Bulawayo chapter of Junior Chamber International in partnership with Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) and Betterman Foundation, sought to enquire into the Vuzu parties culture rocking the city. School-going children are reportedly attending the parties, where drug abuse and sex orgies are commonplace.

Participants at the meeting said the culture posed a threat to the future of the young generation and must be stopped forthwith.

Junior Chamber International president for Bulawayo chapter Sinqobile Ndlovu said there was need for evidence-based policy and dialogue interventions to curb
the vice.

Trevor Gurajena, a youth representative gave a background of the parties.

“Vuzu parties started as a plain party, where children would go and dance to music, but nowadays they indulge in sexual activities, as well as abuse drugs and alcohol,” Gurajena said.

“There are different types of Vuzu parties and these include the plain Vuzu party, the $5-Vuzu party, where there would be a minimum of 10 girls and 10 men
who get into a sex competition. The one who sleeps with all the girls becomes the king and the lady who sleeps with all the boys becomes the queen; they also
share the money obtained from the attendance fee,” he explained.

Gurajena said there was another Vuzu-party type called “Slash”, which involved adults who form groups of singles, widows, widowers and divorcees.

Bulawayo Metropolitan Affairs minister Judith Ncube described Vuzu parties in the city as a threat to future generations.

Participants noted that parents of most of the teenagers who host the Vuzu parties were in the diaspora.

Police have started coming up with measures to thwart the Vuzu activities.

“We, as the (Zimbabwe Republic Police) have started investigations into the problem, but we believe we can work together as parents and teachers to stop this behaviour,” Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said.

Personnel from the health sector said Vuzu parties were a health threat to all those who partook in them.

They said participants risked contracting and spreading sexually transmitted infections and HIV.

-State Media

Govt Working On Modalities To Introduce New Currency: ED

Government is working on modalities to introduce a new currency, which will be the sole legal tender for domestic transactions, within the next nine months, President Mnangagwa has said.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg on the sidelines of the 12th US-Africa Business Summit in Maputo, Mozambique, yesterday, the President said “it is necessary that we have our own currency” since it is presently difficult to determine the level of money supply in the economy.

“Then of course there is an issue which is critical also for any economy: this is the question of currency. I am not aware of any country which has no currency of its own, but that is not my field – I am a lawyer – but I am told that except for Zimbabwe I haven’t been told of another country which doesn’t have its own currency.

“Even poor countries have currencies from what I hear, so we intend to introduce our own,” he said

Separately, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube also indicated that a new currency would likely give tailwinds to the country’s economic growth efforts.

“But I think the long-term goal, as His Excellency has said, you cannot develop without your own domestic currency, without the monetary-sector leg in terms of macro management – that is very, very critical. . .”

Government, he said, has successfully brought both the fiscal deficit and current account deficit under control and, therefore, this could critically support the new currency.

“So, in terms of macro fundamentals, actually, maybe we were a bit unlucky, but the fundamentals are in place. So there is no way that issuance of Treasury Bills or fiscal deficits are causing growth in money supply and, therefore, posing risk to currency value. That is not the case. So its something else that is driving the parallel rate – so many speculators.”

-State Media

ED Confesses US Told Him To Deal With Political Reforms First

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has all but confessed that the United States told him to deal with issues of political reforms in the country before engaging in any meaningful talks with the US.

Speaking to journalists last night on arrival from Mozambique where he attended the 12th US-Africa Business Summit, President Mnangagwa said he had fruitful discussions with US Assistant Secretary (Bureau of African Affairs) at the US State Department, Mr Tibor Nagy, during which he allayed fears of possible delays in the repealing of AIPPA and POSA.

“There was also a delegation that came that was led by the State Ambassador Tibor Nagy of America. They raised their concerns; we also raised our concern. They worried about the delay of the repeal of AIPPA and POSA, but we have told them that those pieces of legislation are already in Parliament and are progressing very well. We believe that before August those Bills will go through.”

Nagy met with Zimbabwe’s president, Emmerson Mnangagwa on the sidelines of the US-Africa Business Summit in Maputo, Mozambique where he stressed the importance of real political reforms.

Nagy posted on Twitter saying that he had told Mnangagwa the importance to hold security forces accountable for violence committed against Zimbabweans in August 2018 and January 2019. Nagy tweeted:

“I met with Zimbabwean President Mnangagwa today. I stressed the urgent need to hold security forces accountable for acts of violence committed against Zimbabweans including in August 2018 and January/February 2019 and the importance of real political and economic reforms.”

The Zimbabwean government used the current diabolical POSA to deal with citizens who protested against a crumbling economy in January where members of the army shot live shots killing innocent citizens.

The same law was used in August last year to deal with citizens who were protesting delays in announcing the July 31st Presidential election result. Several people were also killed in the process.

In his confession, Mnangagwa, said that Zimbabwe is committed to political reforms to open up democratic space in the Second Republic, while the process to replace the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and Public Order and Security Act (POSA) is expected to be complete by August.

The Freedom of Information Bill will repeal AIPPA, while the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill will replace POSA.

Zimbabweans have however expressed unhappiness on the new laws claiming that they are the same old laws under a new name.

FULL TEXT: Mwonzora Says He Accepts His Appointment

I Hon Douglas T. Mwonzora, do hereby accept the appointment given to me by the President Advocate Rev. Nelson Chamisa. Contrary to popular beliefs, after any election, those who are real leaders work with the winner to build up the people’s project.

I pledge my total and unwavering support, to my Hon President and to values that he represents. We will be led by our Joshua, to the promised Land. I urge all my supporters to embrace and work with the People ‘s President. To the Zimbabweans, Let us join together to fight ZANU Pf and determine for ourselves a better future. Our President will be in the state house this year.

Victory is Certain !!!

Hon Douglas T. Mwonzora.

Lewis Matutu Threatens To Expose Mutsvangwa’s Son

By A Correspondent| Zanu-PF Youth leader Lewis Matutu has threatened to name and shame all the children of ministers who are involved in illegal foreign currency trading.

Matutu who is the ruling Zanu-PF’s Secretary for Youth, as well as the Deputy Secretary for the Youth League, claimed that he was going to help clean the Zanu-PF house by naming all the corrupt Zanu-PF officials on Monday.

However, he did not explain why he is waiting for Monday to shame the economic saboteurs despite claiming that he is receiving death threats.

‌Besides the threats Matutu remains adamant that he will not be deterred from his move.

Matutu’s statement comes after four police detectives were arrested for under-declaring money seized during a raid on an illegal foreign currency trading business owned by the son of a Cabinet minister.

The detectives raided number 3 Sanfenand Flats on Fife Avenue in Harare, the offices of Neville Mutsvangwa, and found US$200,000 in cash.

Neville is the son of Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa and former presidential adviser Chris Mutsvangwa, who are known to frequent his office.

Zim-Zambia Move Ahead With 2400MW Batoka Hydro-Electric Plan

Zimbabwe and Zambia chose General Electric Co. and Power Construction Corp. of China to build a $4 billion hydropower project straddling their border, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said.

The 2,400-megawatt Batoka Gorge plant has been planned for years by the two southern African nations, both of which are struggling with electricity shortages after a drought curbed hydropower output. General Electric and Power China are in a consortium that was shortlisted in February to build the facility.

“Zambia and Zimbabwe have agreed on this project. We have all agreed that we give it to GE — China Power and GE together,” Mnangagwa said in an interview Wednesday in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, where he was attending a conference. “It’s critical that we move fast on that front because it’s necessary that as we industrialize that we need electricity.”

While the project will address electricity shortages, it’s on the same river — the Zambezi — that has left the Kariba hydropower dam downstream too empty to function at full capacity.

GE said in an emailed response to questions that the Zambezi River Authority, which manages power plants on the river, had said it would appoint a final developer for the project by September. As part of the consortium, GE would have a “material role in the development and execution of the project,” including the design and supply of hydropower technologies, it said.

BOT Financing

Zambian Energy Minister Matthew Nkhuwa said he wasn’t available to comment. The project will be based on a build-operate-transfer financing model and won’t put any fiscal strain on the two nations’ governments, Nkhuwa said in February.

The $4 billion cost of the project includes amounts for civil works, construction and power turbines, among other things, GE said on Thursday. The African Development Bank said in September it has begun mobilizing funds for the plant.

Other bidders that had been shortlisted included Salini Impregilo SpA of Italy and a joint venture comprising China Three Gorges Corp., China International Water & Electric Corp. and China Gezhouba Group Co., according to Nkhuwa.

-Bloomberg

New Chapter For The MDC As Party Hires External Auditors

The Nelson Chamisa-led MDC is pushing for sweeping changes and restructuring of its internal affairs and financial systems in an effort to endear itself to supporters and attract funding.

The party’s national council meeting yesterday approved an external audit of the organisation, debt payments and overhaul of its entire workforce, to give the newly-elected treasurer-general and secretary general a new lease of life.

Speaking at a Press conference yesterday, Chamisa announced the sweeping changes, saying apart from the audit the party was going to uplift its headquarters.

“We made the point that we are making a turn as a party so there are a number of far-reaching changes that we have made,” Chamisa said.

Having failed to fund its election machinery in the past elections in terms of polling agents and advertising, owing to poor funding, the MDC is opening its
books to external auditors.

Party secretary-general Chalton Hwende said the MDC receives taxpayers’ money and should, therefore, open itself to audit to enhance transparency and restore
trust in the organisation.

The MDC will receive a war chest of $4 million from Treasury earmarked to clear its debts which include employee salaries, bills and other obligations.

The money will also be used to refurbish a dilapidated party headquarters, the Morgan Tsvangirai House (formerly Harvest House) to enhance the party’s appeal.

“There is an appointment of auditors. As an institution, we must have our books audited, we have to do things in a better fashion not like Zanu PF who we have never heard that they audited their books. Harvest House is going to be a different building very soon. We don’t want you to come to Harvest House and not have tea and coffee, so yes, we are sprucing up our image,” Chamisa said.

On the situation in the country, Chamisa said Zimbabwe was sliding into anarchy, owing to a failing economy and repression of human rights defenders.

“When it comes to peace and security in the country, the situation is sliding into dire circumstances. There is a dark cloud hanging over the country in terms of the tensions, the stalemate and the political discussions that are supposed to be done,” he said.

“We have pledged that we need peace, we need change in Zimbabwe and that can only be done by our ability to work together through managing political dialogue to resolve the issues.”

Chamisa said President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has failed to run the country and fallen into servitude of inflation.

“Government can no longer control the economy, it’s now being controlled by the new government called inflation. The government of the day is also being controlled by inflation, they have lost control… we have the answers to these problems, we have put a raft of measures through our smart economy; what we have said is the best approach to resolve these issues,” Chamisa said. He accused government of clamping down on basic and fundamental freedoms.

“The major challenge we face is that citizens are no longer safe locally or abroad. This is because of the arrests that we have seen, attacks on the opposition, civil society, trade union leadership; attacks on political views perceived or real,” Chamisa said.

The MDC has since threatened to demonstrate against the Zanu PF-led government.

“We are not happy with the reform path the country is on. It is based on deception, fake and piecemeal reforms that are not attending to the real issues,” Chamisa said.

-Newsday

Warrant Of Arrest For Abducted Teachers Union Leader

By A Correspondent- Harare Magistrate, Barbara Mateko, has issued the president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), Obert Masaraure with a warrant of arrest after he failed to report to a police station.

Masaraure is accused of trying to overthrow a constitutionally-elected government by urging people to protests against the fuel hikes.

The state represented by Prosecutor Sebastian Mutizirwa told the court that Masaraure, who is on remand violated his bail conditions by not reporting to the police station. The Artuz leader was ordered by the court to report to the police once every week.

The prosecutor reported that Masaraure failed to report to the police on June 7 and 14 as he was supposed to.

Mutizirwa also added that State security agents also visited his workplace at Chemhanza High School in Hwedza, but failed to locate him. As proof, the prosecutor presented two letters written by the school headmaster and his deputy confirming Masaraure’s absence from work.

Magistrate Mateko then issued Masaraure with a warrant of arrest as requested by the State.

-Newsday

Robbers Paper Spray Victim Before Getting Away With R7k

By A Correspondent- A gang of six men allegedly raided a house in Bulawayo’s Mzilikazi suburb and pepper-sprayed a family member before getting away with R7 000.

The gang attacked Mr Bhekimpilo Mukonka (28) at his family’s home on Wednesday at about 3:15PM pretending to be looking for his father who is a cross border transporter (umalayitsha).

Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said:

 “We are investigating a plain robbery case which occurred in Mzilikazi suburb on Wednesday in the afternoon. Six unknown male adults visited the complainant’s home asking to see his father who is a cross border transporter. The complainant, however, told them that his father was not at home. That’s when they pushed him inside the house as they pepper sprayed him on the face and subdued him.”

Pepper spray is a chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain and temporary blindness that is used in policing, riot control, crowd control and self-defence but some criminals are resorting to its use.

“The suspects are said to have demanded cash,” she said. 

“They are said to have ransacked the house, entered one of the bedrooms where they retrieved R7 000 and got away with it. The suspects escaped in a white Honda Fit which had no number plates.” 

Asst Insp Msebele said police suspect that the six suspects could have had information that their victim was keeping large sums of money at home.

“This was not a random attack. We believe the suspects had some information on their victim. They knew who the victim’s father was and that he had money in his house. We suspect that this was a well calculated raid by people who could be his close contacts. We are therefore appealing for information that would lead to the suspects’ arrest to come forward,” said Asst Insp Msebele.-StateMedia

“ZUPCO Employs Over 1,2k Workers”: Report

By A Correspondent- The revival of the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) has created jobs for more than 1 200 people and more drivers and conductors are set to be hired countrywide starting next month.

Zupco acting chief executive officer, Mr Everisto Madangwa, said the bus company is set to increase its fleet to service more routes countrywide for the convenience of members of the public. Mr Madangwa was speaking on Wednesday in an interview following the launch of Zupco’s e-ticketing system in Bulawayo.

“In Bulawayo we have 72 Zupco moving buses. But we need twice that number. Countrywide we are looking at eventually having 3 000 buses to service everyone. That will be the full capacity of our buses that will cover all areas and all angles of the moving public. That is where we are heading and it’s a process to gradually build our capacity. And we can rest assure everyone that something is happening,” he said.

Mr Madangwa said so far they have 325 buses but more are on the way. He said the revival of the company has also contributed to job creation which is expected to continue once more buses are in the country. 

 “We are at the moment talking about plus or minus 1 200 people who have been employed since inception. 

“We have definitely made a contribution towards employment because the 1 200 people I’m talking about were not employed before but are now on the Zupco workforce,” said Mr Madangwa.

He said the Zupco e-ticketing system is convenient and will eliminate revenue leakages.

The e-ticketing system allows members of the public to pre-pay bus fare and are given a card that is scanned each time they intend to board a bus.  “We are trying to eradicate the system where people use cash to pay their bus fares. This is a situation where you pay your bus fare in advance. We are trying to introduce efficiencies in managing our business. One of the efficiencies that we want to have is to curb revenue pilferage. So the curbing of revenue pilferage is done through this introduction of this electronic card which is used for collection of revenue,” said Mr Madangwa.

He said the system is now operational in Bulawayo and Harare and is set to be introduced in other provinces throughout the country. 

Zupco southern region general manager Mr Tineyi Ruwasoka said the bus company is in the process of perfecting schedules that its buses will use.

Mr Ruwasoka said they are working to effectively service all routes.

Speaking at the launch, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister, Cde Judith Ncube, urged Bulawayo residents to embrace the Zupco tap card e-ticketing system as it reduces hurdles associated with paying transport fares.-StateMedia

Malawi Opposition Party Endorses Citizen Protests Urges Its Members To Fully Participate In The Protests

UTM Party president Saulos Klaus Chilima

UTM Party president Saulos Klaus Chilima (SKC) has endorsed the cause of civil society organisations under the banner of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) who have organised nationwide mass protests on Thursday June 20 to force Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah and other commissioners to resign, saying his supporters are free to join.

The coalition has organised mass protests as they argue that alleges that the current MEC led by Ansah has failed Malawians; hence, the need for the commissioners to resign.

Chilima, who is the country’s immediate past vice-president, is backing the calls for the immediate resignation of Ansah for allegedly failing the nation.

And speaking at a ‘thank you’ political rally he addressed at Masintha Ground in the capital Lilongwe on Sunday, Chilima urged his followers to turn up at the CSO’s organised mass protests.

He said people have a Constitutional right and civic duty to hold peaceful demonstrations, saying the police should only protect the protestors and not give harsh response such as spraying “tax-funded tear gas”.

“Demonstrations are a right and nobody should limit the space. Let us join the CSOs in the streets,” said Chilima.

In his televised rally before thousands of supporters, Chilima, who finished third with slightly over one million votes, said: “No one is saying no to demonstrations. It is a right to demonstrate and peacefully without intimidation.”

He further said if there will be need for the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) to come in from the barrack, they should also be like Police to exercise their duty to protecting Malawians and that if there will be harsh response from the cops, the soldiers should protect the citizens.

“Let me warn the police to avoid intimidating people. Let the people demonstrate peacefully and don’t spray teargas on them. It is their right, there is no need for teargas,” said Chilima.

Chilima at the rally kept referencing the National Anthem, highlighting the party which says: “Join together all our hearts as one, that we be free from fear.”

Punching his clenched fist in the air as part of UTM symbol, Chilima stressed: “Osaopa! [Free from fear”.

Earlier, UTM vice president Micheal Usi said people cannot be subjected to hold their anger, saying they will demonstrate when it’s bottled up.

He said people’s anger is drawn from MEC’s failure to handle elections in a credible manner.

“We should not accept this fraudulent election results. If we accept then we are doomed for 2024. If they used Tippex (white correctional fluid) in this election then in 2024 they will rig results using paint,” he said.

Governance commentator Makhumbo Munthali said the Constitution guarantees the right to demonstrate anytime provided the right procedures are followed.

Meanwhile, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) who are also challenging the May 21 Tripartite Elections results in court, have, through their spokesperson the Reverend Maurice Munthali supported the HRDC position.

National Police spokesperson James Kadadzera said the police are ready to provide security for the demonstrators once clearance has been given by relevant authorities for the planned demonstrations to proceed.

In Lilongwe, HRDC plans the demonstrations to start from Lilongwe Community Centre ground through Mchesi-Kamuzu Central Hospital-Parliament to Civic Offices while in Blantyre, the planned route is from Kamuzu Stadium upper ground through Masauko Chipembere Highway to the Blantyre district commissioner’s office.

In Mzuzu, the demonstration is scheduled to start from Katoto via Mzuzu Clock Tower to the Mzuzu City Council Civic Offices and in Zomba from the community ground through Mponda Primary School ground to Zomba District Council offices.

Zimbabwe, Mozambique Renew Bi-lateral Air Service Agreement

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe on Thursday signed a bilateral air service agreement with Mozambique, which paves the way for resumption of passenger and cargo air services between the two countries.

President Mnangagwa witnessed the signing ceremony.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Joel Matiza, represented Government while his counterpart, Carlos Mesquita, signed on behalf of Mozambique.

Minister Matiza said the agreement had previously been discontinued owing to viability issues.

“This agreement entails the free use of airspace between the two countries; that means Air Zimbabwe will be coming here, and any other airline from Zimbabwe will be coming here, and likewise Mozambique will do the same. That is the crux of the matter,” he said.

“First of all, this bilateral air service agreement had expired and we need to renew that, and secondly, viability was also an issue in terms of both airlines.”

Harare and Maputo are currently exploring ways of deepening economic relations as the new political administration ratchets up its economic diplomatic offensive.-State Media

Gvnt Eyes Prof Jonathan Moyo’s 623hectares Farm?

By A Correspondent- State security agents are reportedly trying to illegally possess a farm belonging to Professor Jonathan Moyo, a former cabinet minister who fled into exile at the height of the November 2017 military coup.

The Zimbabwe Independent reports that Moyo bought the farm, Elephant Trust Farm measuring 623 hectares in 2001.

He parted away with the equivalent of US$105 401,84 after getting a loan from the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ).

Moyo got the farm for “free” under the controversial land reform programme but opted to pay for it in full to get a secure title.

His lawyers wrote letters to the Ministry of Lands alleging that state security agents are attempting to seize the farm.

In one of the letters seen by the Zimbabwe Independent, the lawyers wrote:

We write at the instruction of our client Professor Jonathan Moyo who instructs us as follows: He is the owner of the remainder of Patterson Farm, measuring 622,9125 hectares, otherwise known as the Elephant Trust Farm situated in the district of Mazowe.

However, despite our client’s ownership of the farm, various suspicious individuals have been visiting Elephant Trust Farm in recent weeks and months with the clear intention of disturbing our client’s peaceful ownership of and operations at the property.

For instance, on Friday 3 May 2019, an expansive team comprising government, army, police and Central Intelligence Organisation officers representing the Mashonaland Central provinces Joint Operations Command visited the farm for the apparent purpose of commencing a process of dispossessing Professor Jonathan Moyo of Elephant Trust Farm.

Moyo fled the country after special forces allegedly laid siege to his house during the coup.