By A Correspondent| The ousted former ZANU PF National Commissar Gen Engelbert Rugeje has responded to rumours that he was involved in an accident on Thursday.

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It was reported that Gen Rugeje was Thursday afternoon hospitalised in Masvingo following the said car crash.

But an audibly fit Rugeje told ZimEye none of that ever happened.

Fears for Rugeje’s welfare came from the long established history of suspicious accidents that have affected most ZANU PF National Commissars since independence. Since 1980, every NPC has suffered either a humiliating exit, or a suspected assassination.

It is thought that Rugeje’s removal from the position last week was a result of serious infighting inside ZANU PF between Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga. It is for this reason and others that the angel of excommunication would hit him.

But Gen Rugeje speaking early Sunday morning, said

“Nothing of that sort happened” he said.

“I was never, I never even had an accident with a fly, ” he added.

DID YOU MANAGE TO ESTABLISH THE SOURCE OF THE RUMOUR OR MAYBE THAT THERE IS SOME LOOKALIKE OF YOURS IN MASVINGO?

“No, I will stop there,” he replied.

NEWLY-APPOINTED Zanu-PF National Political Commissar Victor Matemadanda has sensationally revealed that some senior ZANU PF officials have been abusing their positions to position their girlfriends into party positions.

Speaking during the party’s Matabeleland North Provincial Co-ordinating Committee meeting in Lupane on Saturday, Matemadanda said he is going to name and shame all party officials involved in the sex for position scandal.

He said he was going make sure that the culture of conscripting girlfriends and homeboys without a straight history in strategic party positions to build empires of people who submit to certain party seniors was going to end, adding that President Mnangagwa was aware of shenanigans of those that were dividing the party through lies.

“I will make sure that corruption in the party will be a thing of the past. There will be no sacred cows in the fight against rot in Government and the party. Sacred cows will be those that are not yet born. I will help the President in the fight against corruption,” he said.

Matemadanda reiterated that the ruling party is filled with lies and rumours which are destroying the party, adding that he was going to make sure he dismantles those and ensure correct procedures were applied in line with the party constitution.

The vibrant former war veterans leader further castigated his party for a heartless eviction of people from land they were settled in during the uncoordinated fast trek land redistribution exercise.

“If they are to go on, they are supposed to identify land first for people before evicting them. We do not have as a party a culture of harassing people. We all know that times are hard but people are losing property in the evictions that have not been okayed by the party,” he added.

The PCC was called to address the issue of Lupane East constituency by-election after the death of Sithembile Gumbo.

The by-election will be held on 3 August and he vendorsed the decision of the provincial elections directorate to choose Mbongeni Dube over Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube as the Zanu-PF candidate.

Explaining the process, party provincial chairman Richard Moyo said there was no time to hold primary elections and as a province they agreed to use the criteria of going back to the previous results of the party primary elections where Dube was second to Gumbo.

He said there were five others who had submitted CVs but they all agreed with the criteria except Lupane council chairman Councillor Fibion Ngwenya who was phoning the national office complaining that the party was going to lose.

State Media|A BEITBRIDGE-based businessman-cum-foreign currency dealer is battling for life at the United Bulawayo Hospitals, after he was shot several times by robbers, who allegedly broke into his house, stole more than R500 000 and also got away with his car.

The businessman has been identified as Muchineripi Hlarigo. 

Police confirmed the incident, which occurred last Sunday night, where the robbers are said to have broken into his home, before ransacking and getting away with R569 000. Police national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police were investigating the matter, despite no arrests having been made.

“He arrived home shortly after midnight, driving his car — a Toyota Runx. After he got into the house three suspects broke into the house and gained entry through the screen door and a window, which was slightly opened. Soon after, they tied his wife up, before assaulting and shooting him at close range. They then began ransacking the house and found the money stashed in a bedside drawer,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said they also stole cellphones before making their getaway in his vehicle.

“They got away in his car which is valued at US$4 500,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said police were concerned about the public’s lack of caution, especially the practice of keeping large amounts of money in their homes.

“It is sad to note that people don’t take heed of the messages we give them about keeping large sums of money in their homes. In most cases this points to shady dealings. It is very risky to keep large sums of money in homes and the public is therefore again reminded to desist from doing so,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

According to sources Mr Hlarigo was shot in the hands, legs and stomach.

“He was rushed to Beitbridge District Hospital, before being later transferred to UBH, where he is recovering in the Intensive Care Unit,” said the source.

The source went on to allege that Mr Hlarigo said one of the assailants matched a description of a man who was recently released from jail.

PROPHETIC Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries founder Walter Magaya has been sucked into a US$900 000 land scandal after buying a farm which was sold illegally.

Kalulu Farm located in Goromonzi, was sold to Magaya yet it had not been distributed under a deceased person’s estate.

This was exposed in a letter dated 7 June, 2019, written by Samukange Hungwe Attorneys on behalf of Nicholas Obert Mukomberanwa to the PHD leader.

The Mukomberanwa family through its lawyers is seeking to cancel the transaction and recover the farm.
Prophet Magaya was given until Tuesday to respond to the deceased family’s demands, failure of which legal action will be taken against him.

Lawyer Mr Everson Samukange wrote, “We understand that you are the current owners of a piece of land situated in the district of Goromonzi measuring 295,5847 hectares otherwise known as Kalulu Farm and you attend such ownership on the 30th of April 2018. You will recall that the said piece of land, Kalulu Farm was previously owned by the estate of the late Anderson Tichafa Mukomberanwa under DR No. 1256/05 and you purchased it from the estate.

“By reason of a Last Will and Testament of 19 February 2002 by the late Nicholas Obert Mukomberanwa, Kalulu Farm was included for distribution in his estate. His will has been accepted for administration purposes by the Master of High Court.”

Mr Samukange demanded that, “Our instructions are to therefore seek that your Deed of Transfer be reversed and attendant restitutions be afforded so that the farm is dealt with under DR 1839/15 as read together with DR 1256/05. In this connection, we write to inquire your attitude towards our client’s interests in Kalulu Farm, viz-a-viz your impugned tittle.”

According to Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) of March 2017, between Nyarai Gurupira, Nicholas and Abigail Mukomberanwa and Plant Africa represented by Prophet Magaya, the preacher paid US$250 000 upon signing of the MoA and instalments of US$150 000 per month which were to start from 31 March 2017.State media

The Zifa president has courted the country’s most sought after contemporary musician and lead member of the band Third Generation, Jah Prayzah to coin a new song for the Sunday Chidzambwa-mentored side.

“We know that Jah Prayzah has quite a number of followers and he is also a Warriors fan. So, I asked him to compose a song for the Warriors. I hope that will also motivate our Warriors,” said Felton Kamambo.
For Jah Prayzah, the challenge is huge and he understands the role that music plays in football.

“The idea is amazing and we are going to do it. . . . Just to get everyone in the football mood, needs music.

Football does not go without music. We are going to do a great song,” said the dreadlocked muso.
Indeed music plays a part before, during and after the match.

Hopefully the next offering by the singer will evoke feelings of happiness as it connects the Knowledge Musona-led ship with the fans.

Zimbabwe are in Group A where they open their campaign against the hosts Egypt on June 21 (at 10pm Zimbabwean time) before they take on Uganda on June 26 (at 7pm Zimbabwean time).

They then wrap up their group stage matches against the Democratic Republic of Congo four days later at 9pm.State media

President Mnangagwa has said he wants a young person to take over from him when he leaves office. If you found these three in the ballot box, who would you vote for and explain your reasons in the comments section.

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 15, 2019

Zimbabwe Cricket today announced a new board elected at an Annual General Meeting in Victoria Falls.

The announcement was made on Twitter:

LEADERSHIP: The newly elected @ZimCricketv board poses for a picture after the AGM held in Victoria Falls #AGM #NewBoard #Congratulations pic.twitter.com/Z0p7dVCiTU

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) June 15, 2019

However, the new board has been elected despite a government announcement by the Sports and Recreation Commission calling off the Victoria Falls AGM earlier in the week.

Police have made 14 arrests after five separate attacks in London left three men dead and three others injured in the space of 24 hours.

An 18-year-old man was stabbed to death at about 16:42 BST on Friday in Wandsworth, south London.

Police were called minutes later, at 16:54, to Plumstead, south-east London, where a 19-year-old man was shot dead.

A man in his 30s then died after he was stabbed in Tower Hamlets on Saturday afternoon.

In the early hours of Saturday two men were stabbed in Clapham and another was stabbed in Brixton.

The condition of one of the men injured in Clapham is not yet known, while the injuries sustained by the others are non life-threatening.

London mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “sickened” following the death of the two teenagers.

Six males – aged between 16 and 19 – have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of the teenager in Wandsworth, who died from stab wounds in Deeside Road.

Tooting MP Rosena Allin-Khan said the killing was “heartbreaking” and “absolutely tragic”.

After the shooting in a car park in Hartville Road in Plumstead, three boys aged 16 and 17 and a 17-year-old girl were arrested on suspicion of murder.

Armed police, local officers, the London Ambulance Service and an air ambulance all attended, but the teenage victim died a short while later.

A section 60 order, which allows police to stop and search people, has been authorised in the Greenwich and Bexley areas.

Police were also called to a fight on Bedford Road near Clapham North Tube station in south-west London at 03:22, where two men suffered slash and stab wounds.

Four men have been arrested – two for violent disorder, one for carrying a bladed instrument and the other for possession of a Taser.

At 04:00 police were called by the ambulance service after an altercation at a pub in Coldharbour Lane in Brixton, south London, where two men were injured.

One was stabbed and remains in hospital while the other received minor injuries.

Officers later attended a crime scene in Alton Street, Tower Hamlets, just before 14:00 BST where a man in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering stab wounds.

The deaths take the total number of murders in London in 2019 to 56.

This time last year there had been 77 homicides, 48 of which were stabbings. -BBC News

By Rumbidzai Madhibha| World Vision Zimbabwe has started the mobilisation of US$10 million which is needed to assist over 100 000 people affected by Tropical Cyclone Idai victims.

In a statement shared to ZimEye by the World Vision Zimbabwe communication Manager Andrew Shamu, the organisation needs about US$10 million for their emergency relief to the over 20 000 families affected by the cyclone for the next 9 months.

To date US$ 6.7 million in cash and resources is already available and the organisation, together with its partners have been working hard to mobilise for resources in order to assist the affected people.

According to the statement, World Vision will focus on an intergrated programming approach targeting 100 000 individuals from about 20 000 households through rehabilitation of shelter, improving access to water and sanitation facilities, food security and livelihoods among other short and long term interventions.

Said the organisation:

“Tropical Cyclone Idai caused catastrophic damage in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and
Malawi leaving hundreds of eaple dead, hundreds more missing and thousands displaced.

Cyclone Idai caused severe damage in nine districts in the eastern part of Zimbabwe, Bikita, Buhera, Masvingo. Mutare. Mutasa, Makoni, Nyanga, Chipinge and Chimanimani with the most severely affected being Chipinge and Chimanimani.

More than 270 000 people were affected including many children. About 95 percent of the road networks in the affected areas were damaged according to government reports and other infrastructure such as schools, clinics, water points and agricultural schemes among others severely hit by the cyclone.

Much of the agricultural production has been destroyed (crops and livestock). Infrastructure in Manicaland and Masvingo were also damaged leaving many areas hardly accessible.”

Below is the full statement by the World Vision..

Cyclone Idai affected an estimated 270 000 people leaving over 200 000 women and children in dire need of social protection interventions.

An estimated 90 000 people are in urgent need of shelter and other non food items, according to the World Vision.

Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development executive director Janet Zhou has said while Western sanctions imposed on the country were negatively affecting the economy, it was trite to note that gross mismanagement of public funds by the Zanu PF government was largely to blame for the current economic mess.

Zhou said this at a Zimbabwe Council of Churches dialogue on the economy in Harare on Thursday. “I would also like to go beyond the mantra of sanctions being used for regime change and being the major cause of our economic problems,” she said, adding that mismanagement of funds and corruption, among other things, were responsible for the current economic mess.

“I believe that we have not done enough in terms of our own domestic resource mobilisation because Zimbabwe is endowed with many natural resources, but we have not done much because of mismanagement of funds,” she said.

Nelson Mupunga, the deputy director of the international economic research department at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, said failure to repay loans sourced from international monetary institutions also contributed to the economic collapse.

“Following the land reform, we have not been in a position to clear arrears to international monetary institutions. Because of the debt, we are also not in any position to access funds. Adding to that, Zimbabwe has also been falling neck-deep in the economic downfall due to low foreign investment as compared to other
African nations, and as a result, our economy has crumbled,” he said.

-Newsday

The ruling party Zanu-PF on Tuesday appointed Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA) secretary-general Cde Victor Matemadanda as secretary for the Commissariat.

He replaced Cde Engelbert Rugeje, who awaits redeployment. Prior, Cde Matemadanda was the secretary for War Veterans in the Politburo and is also the Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs. Our senior reporter Joseph Madzimure (JM) caught up with Cde Matemadanda (VM) to discuss his plans as the organising chief of the ruling party.

JM: Congratulations on your secondment to the position of Zanu-PF secretary for the Commissariat. How do you plan to execute your new role?
VM: To be a secretary for Commissariat is not an individual thing, but a collective effort, where everyone needs to be an actor. My predecessor Retired Lieutenant-General Engelbert Rugeje did exceptionally well during his tenure in office.

Actually, he is giving me advice on some issues which can take the party forward. He still has a role to play despite waiting for redeployment in the party. I need to ensure all departments understand their roles and how they link with each other. We also believe in democratic centralism of the party, where everyone is involved in party activities.

I will ensure that every Zanu-PF programme is people-centred. All people should be involved from cell level to the Central Committee level. The job of the commissariat is to coordinate all activities and there is no department in the party that is not a Commissariat Department because, for example the Department of Labour, it is labour according to Zanu- PF perspectives, and by doing that, it will be a way of doing the commissariat work. The most important thing will be to make all departments understand that they are not independent entities, but inter-twined components that create a collective whole. No department is superior than the other, but they should make equal contributions for a complete set, which is Zanu-PF.

JM: In any organisation, there is bound to be some indiscipline. How do you intend to deal with this?
VM: The New Dispensation has opened a democratic space in the party, but our job is to make sure we are not abusing that space. When we came from the war, it was not really what was known as guided democracy, but we had what we referred to as outré-democracy, where someone would go beyond the limits of democracy, by so doing creating indiscipline in the party.

Our membership should be put on equal footing as well as understanding of principles of the party so that people behave according to expectations. We also used to believe in what we used to refer as democratic centralism, where every stage of the party was supposed to be involved in every aspect of decision making, for example, the district would send recommendations to the district coordinating committee or to province and Central Committee, which is the representative board of the party at the congress.

When we attained our Independence in 1980, we brought the village development committee and ward development committee and when we are sitting in a Zanu- PF set up as village development committee, we are not at a political rally, but we are at a Zanu-PF-initiated meeting.

Every Zanu-PF programme should be a people’s programme and it must be people-centred. If Zanu-PF’s programmes are a people’s programmes, then the people should be involved through their living structures. The party have re-introduced the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology to conscientise members on party ideology, the do’s and don’ts of the party. Members need to adhere to the dictates of the party. We are going to see Chitepo College becoming busier and busier with the impression that we are getting from people.

There is also the need to address the issues of corruption within and outside the party. We want to solve corruption. Everyone, be it in the Parliament or Government, we want things to be fair.

We must up the fight against corruption. Corruption should never be tolerated. If a leader is said to be corrupt, he/she should be given time to clean himself so that he will not be corrupt. There are means to find out if it is true or not that someone is corrupt. One should have a moral obligation that what I am doing is wrong and when they come to that realisation, they should be given time to clear themselves on issue of corruption so that they regain the people’s confidence. When we are defending a person, it must be systematic, it must not be like hypothesis, let it be proved factually that this person is not corrupt and that leader will be accepted.

JM: For several years now, the ruling party has been playing second fiddle in urban elections. What plans do you have to ensure that the ruling party reclaims urban seats in future elections?
VM: My main task is to engage with all racial and ethnic groupings, in fact all types of people. I will engage them. We are going to open up with caution because some people might think that it is time to infiltrate, but we want people to understand that Zanu-PF is a mass party and every person is welcome to join it and also participate in its programmes. I am not going to be an official commissar who will be driving around. I am going to  be walking and engaging with vendors and kombi operators so that we discuss the problems they are facing and come up with solutions. I want to give everyone an opportunity to say what they want. My main focus is to have the people in all urban areas understand Zanu-PF so that they make an informed decision.

In Africa, Zimbabwean have the highest literacy rate, but most of our professionals were trained to be workers instead of entrepreneurs. That is why most of our educated professionals like doctors go on strike. They don’t want to think outside the box. These educated people want a revolutionary world, but in my opinion they need to be helped on how to get extra money.

How can we have a political leader who thinks that the solutions of solving problems in his country are in America and the opposition leaders need to understand that we have to be Zimbabweans and we have to understand our history?

 JM: Can you shed light on why Zanu-PF primary elections are usually disputed, especially in major cities and how do you plan to tackle this challenge?
VM: The problem of primary elections, especially those for last year’s elections was that there was a lot of excitement because the New Dispensation under President Mnangagwa opened the democratic space where everyone wanted to be a councillor, Member of Parliament, Senator among others, so it was difficult to manage the situation. My predecessor did quite a lot of work since he was coming from an institution that thrives on discipline. When you are a commissar, you are not an independent institution, but a chair of the whole group and you need to ensure proper channels are followed. The primary elections rules and guidelines come from the party in line with its constitution, it’s not the duty of the Commissariat Department alone to ensure that they are followed

 JM: How are you going to balance your new demanding role in the party and in Government where you are serving as the Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs?
VM: Being a commissar will not be a difficult task for me because once I have put systems in place, it will be smooth running. Government work is also routine.

It’s not like I am inventing a new wheel. A minister drives Government policy. With this information era, you cannot say I failed to take a decision. You need time to put systems in place in the Commissariat Department and most of the problems in the Central Business District, I will solve them through engaging with the vendors, kombi operators and other people.

JM: There are some reports of “G40 renegades” within the party who are believed to be taking instructions from their kingpins to destroy Zanu-PF from within. How are you going to handle the issue?
VM: As a party, we are not on a witch-hunting mission or expelling members from the party, but we should move in the same direction guided by the same constitution and party ideology.

We have one principal, President Mnangagwa, so if there are certain individuals who are taking instructions from some certain elements, then we can’t force them. We should be guided by the party’s constitution. Without mentioning names, I am not afraid of their masters or any of these people in terms of capacity and capability. I know for example Jonathan Moyo is just a perennial liar and Saviour Kasukuwere is an over-ambitious young man who is misguided. Zanu-PF usually monitors the activities of their former members whether they are repenting or not.

Those who still sympathise with G40 kingpins, we will give them time to repent. I personally do not have a problem with any one. I do not have a problem whether the person have been a member of Zanu-PF, another party, we accept everyone who wishes to join or re-join Zanu-PF. I am pleased that a lot of big names are saying they want to come back home, which is the Zanu- PF party.

JM: Are you at liberty to disclose some of the names of the so called bigwigs?
VM: Not now. We will definitely release the names at the right time. They want it to remain a secret until they are re-admitted into the party. Some are even from the opposition MDC party.

You know, most of those people in opposition political parties were once Zanu-PF card-carrying members.

JM: Can you shed more light on the restructuring exercise which is currently underway in all the country’s 10 provinces?
VM: The restructuring exercise is being done in line with the party’s constitution, which prescribes restructuring of provincial structures after every four years.

The party started with the two metropolitan provinces, which is Harare and Bulawayo; later on to all the other provinces. What happens in our party is that our constitution stipulates that every year, we restructure our cells and there will be elections.

After two years, there is branch restructuring and then after three years, we restructure our districts. In the fourth year, we will then restructure provinces and then the fifth year we have the Central Committee and then we go for a congress where we elect the party leadership.

My main goal is to ensure the party wins back some seats in Harare and Bulawayo. I want all urban centres to understand the value of the party and its intended goals, so that they make informed decisions come election time.

I know with the current situation; people might vote emotionally, especially in major cities, but Zanu-PF carries the umbilical cord of the country.

JM: How are you going to incorporate civil servants in party programmes, since some claim that they are apolitical?
VM: Our civil service is not as attached to our political decisions as we would want it to be. When a civil servant resists implementing a Government directive on the basis that he/she belongs to another political party, it will be seen as a harassment of workers, but it should be understood that every civil servant should be ready to implement Government programmes, which was formed by the ruling party. You can’t claim to be non-partisan when in actual fact you are working for the Government formed by the ruling party.

JM: There are some economic saboteurs who want people to revolt against the Government through price madness. How do you think the anomalies can be addressed?
VM: The issue of prices is double-edged sword because the people expect the Government to act through price controls, yet the Government is working tirelessly to address the anomalies.

We have a political party which thrives on the suffering of people and this is a challenge that we have, therefore, because Government is on an investment drive, we cannot be seen to be controlling prices, but our people are being hurt by the prices.

My proposal, which I am going to take to the authorities, is that we need to put systems in place, which will conscientise people that there is what is known as consumer power. We have one country and we should learn to respect our country and the institutions of Government.

We cannot behave like a lawless society where everyone can do whatever they want. The national anthem, Parliament, the President should be respected.

-State Media

THE Nelson Chamisa-led MDC party yesterday dismissed threats by Zanu PF youths to counter their demonstrations, saying the ruling party had no mandate to stop their constitutional right to protest.

Zanu PF youths on Thursday threatened to block the opposition party’s planned protests over the rising cost of living. This came at a time the opposition has threatened to call for protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

“These youths have got blood on their hands,” MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume.

He alleged that there were some Zanu PF youths who took part in a clampdown against opposition members and ordinary citizens after the January demonstration,
but many of them were let free.

“It is constitutional to hold an anti-government demonstration anywhere in the world and it is dangerous to create a quasi-group of people who threaten to deal
with other people. It is dangerous for the State to keep quiet and not deal with those people,” Mafume said.

“The State must deal with those people thoroughly and stop them from making statements which are likely to inflame the situation. They have no right to police anyone or to stop anyone from doing a demonstration against the government.”

Mafume said if Zanu PF youths wanted to stand in solidarity with the government, then they could demonstrate in support of the government, but not to interfere
with their plans.

MDC youth leader Obey Sithole dared the Zanu PF youths, claiming they had no capacity to stop them.

“I have come across their claims, but let me categorically state that it is misplaced and misleading for one to think they can stop an idea whose time has
come. Zanu PF has no locus standi to stop a people’s demonstration, let alone speak about it,” he said.

“We are definitely unmoved by such threats. We will not betray the people of Zimbabwe; we shall continue pursuing our path to power until freedom comes.”

Meanwhile, Sithole was yesterday summoned by the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Law and Order Section for interrogation after he recently gave Mnangagwa’s
government until month-end to resolve the ongoing socio-economic and political crises facing the country or face mass demonstrations.

“Our leader has been summoned by the ZRP. He will report at Harare Central Police Station today (yesterday) in company of his lawyers,” said MDC youth assembly
spokesperson Stephen “Sarkozy” Chuma. He was reportedly warned and released without charge.

Chuma said Sithole never broke any law in his address to journalists, where he issued the ultimatum.

-Newsday

MDC Masvingo Senator Tichinani Mavetera and former Zanu-PF Mwenezi East Member of Parliament (MP) Kudakwashe Bhasikiti were today humiliated after they received the least endorsement during the party’s chaotic provincial process to elect people who will be deployed to the national executive.

The two had hoped to use their somewhat rising profile in the party to get places but that was not to be as participants favoured their rivals. Former provincial spokesperson Dusty Zivave was also one of the high-profile losers.

Those who won are former MP Edmore Marima (Bikita East), former senator Misheck Marava (Masvingo), senior members Bernard Chiondengwa, Takanayi Mureyi and Margaret Chakabuda. In the women’s wing, Mai Mangava, Mai Gwamadondo, Mai Matenga and Mai Chibhebhe prevailed.

Nothing happened in the youth wing because elections to choose the new provincial youth leadership are yet to be held. Attempts by one of the factions to push through Masvingo Ward 4 councillor and new national youth organiser Godfrey Kurauone failed after they were vehemently resisted.

Voting was done not by secret ballot but through noise-making, with candidates that received the loudest cheers from the gathering when their names were called being declared winners.

This was after the accreditation of voters was aborted following serious fighting between rival camps to control the process.

After the violence and disagreements worsened, it was announced that the event had been cancelled and many members left, but vice president Lynette Karenyi-Kore, in consultation with the provincial executive, later allowed proceedings to continue.

The divisive accreditation exercise was, however, aborted and all those that had not gone back home were allowed to participate.

-TellZim

Treasury has approved the disbursement of $12 million to be shared between Zanu PF and the opposition MDC Alliance under the Political Parties Finance Act, but the two parties yesterday said the money was not enough for their needs.

In a Government Gazette published yesterday, Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi announced that Zanu PF, as the party with the majority in Parliament and 70% of the total votes cast in the 2018 elections, will pocket $8 million while Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance is set to get $4 million, having garnered 29,97 % of the total votes cast.

“It is hereby notified in terms of the Political Parties and Finance Act that the total amount of money payable to political parties in respect of the year beginning January 1, 2019 and ending December 31, 2019 is $12 million,” the Government Gazette read in part.

Under the Political Parties Finance Act, political parties with more than 5% of the total votes cast can benefit from the fiscus and in this case, it is only Zanu PF and the MDC Alliance who are eligible to benefit.

In 2018, the two parties shared $6 million from the Political Parties Finance Act.

The Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T and the National Patriotic Front, largely made up of former Zanu PF members, managed to secure a single parliamentary seat each and are ineligible to benefit from the fund.

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said although the money was not enough, it nevertheless would help oil the ruling party’s programmes.

“Well, money will never be enough, but this is what Treasury has given us. We have to work with it. It is an allocation from Treasury and we have to look at
the priorities that we have as a party and then allocate the money accordingly,” Moyo said.

“If you are to look at our demands and requirements as a party, it is not enough. But we have to work within the allocation and we shall see how we advance the
growth of the party.”
Moyo said the party’s treasury department was better placed to know how to use the money.

“For us as Zanu PF, we would want to see the money being used wisely. This is taxpayers’ money and it must benefit the people. It must be used to advance the
cause of the people, not to be channelled towards negative agendas. We appeal that this money must not be abused in whatsoever manner. These are public funds.”

MDC secretary-general Charlton Hwende also said the money was inadequate to cover the opposition party’s programmes.

“Obviously, money cannot be enough. If you look at the inflation rate, the money is not enough. It has been eroded already,” Hwende said.

“Remember this money was passed in the last budget so it has lost its value. However, it will go a long way in assisting us in advancing our agenda as a party,
which is to grow the party and help our MPs to ensure they are visible. We shall add it to our subscription from members across the country.”

Five years ago, opposition leader Kisinoti Mukwazhi, of the Zimbabwe Development Party, approached the Constitutional Court, seeking an order to force
government to fund all political parties that were participating in national elections, but the matter was dismissed.

The Political Parties Finance Act was promulgated in 2002 to curb the foreign funding of local parties.

-Newsday

 Jesus Revelation Ministries would like to inform the general public that we are not collecting money nor raising funds through any platform other than the proper channels notified by the Ministry through its ministers Pastor G Baloyi or Pastor E Marange, Anything to do with finance should be directed to the finance department through our treasurers Deacon Sangarwe +263 7 75346296 or Mr Mashiri +263 712980469 as communicated earlier. 
Anything other than the official church platforms is a scam, please ignore and report such to the above given contacts.

Thank you

Elder CT Kachepa 
(Head of Finance Department)

By A Correspondent- IN a groundbreaking development, National University of Science Technology (Nust) in Bulawayo’s Applied Genetic Testing centre (AGTC) has come up with a testing tool that will help in fighting worrying cases of cattle rustling hitting the country.

The development came following the arrest of Linda Mafu (39), Nkosiyabo Nyoni (34) and Ndabezihle Dube (24) for allegedly stealing three beasts in Esigodini, Matabeleland South Province.

The trio was arrested at a house in Magwegwe North in Bulawayo while offloading the carcasses from a Toyota Hilux.

Their arrest followed a tip-off from an anonymous caller who informed ZRP Magwegwe that the trio was offloading meat from the said vehicle and at the house in question.

Police reportedly rushed to the scene and upon seeing the police details, the trio fled leaving behind the carcasses and the vehicle.

In a bid to find out if the carcasses were indeed from the cattle which were stolen from Esigodini, following initial reports by the owner of the beasts, Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said they had to engage the department of AGTC at Nust to do the DNA testing.

According to Nust’s AGTC representative Anita Dube during the tests they compared blood samples of a horn and valve which were left at the scene. They also compared  the head and muscle tissues of the three carcasses recovered in Magwegwe North  and blood  stains from the vehicle which the carcasses were being offloaded from.

After testing the samples, Dube said DNA profiles matched.

“We found that DNA profiles from carcasses found in Magwegwe North and DNA profiles  of the blood stains on the Toyota Hilux  matched that of the three carcasses indicating  that the car in question was the one which was also used to commit the crime. 

“Also the DNA profiles from the horn and valve blood samples matched blood samples of the carcasses found in Magwegwe North,” said Dube.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele welcomed the development, describing it as a “first of its kind in the country”.

He said the development would be an effective tool in fighting rampant cattle rustling in the country.

“Cases of stock theft are on the rise in our province. However, the DNA  testing method  carried out by Nust’s  AGTC is the first of its  kind in the country  which is a positive  development that will help us in our investigations because  scientific evidence is indisputable,” said Chief Insp Ndebele.

He said they would soon carry out raids to weed out unregistered meat dealers.

“If we find out that the meat dealer is selling uninspected meat, the dealer will be arrested,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Insp Ndebele urged  farmers to always monitor their cattle and  quickly make reports of any missing cattle.

“Farmers must not leave their cattle at the grazing land unattended and they must  report any cases of missing cattle as soon as they discover that,” he said. 

As of last year Matabeleland South province recorded 922 reports of stock theft.

The proximity of Matabeleland South province to Botswana and South Africa has also worsened the problem as syndicates are involved in cross-border stocktheft.-BMetro

On point…Only genuine reforms can truly transform Zimbabwe! https://t.co/d9cYpTNxUi

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) June 15, 2019

By Talent Gondo- ENDING a relationship is painful but when someone suffocates your happiness, the best thing to do, according to a 65-year-old granny, who was left “gutted” by her 42-year-old lover when he cheated on her, is to “red-card” him no matter how good he is to you.

According to the heartbroken sugar mama, Maureen from Bulawayo’s Mpopoma suburb, cheating means being disrespectful especially by someone who was depending on her pension money for daily upkeep.

Maureen has described how she felt when she discovered that her Ben 10 Collen Mutunjwa also from Mpopoma was cheating on her with several women adding that she dumped him (Mutunjwa) after it came to her attention that he was only after her money. 

As if that is not enough, Maureen said when she met Mutunjwa, three years ago, he also lied to her that he was not married. 

She describes how she was desperately looking for love, at that time when she fell for Mutunjwa — believing they could spend the rest of their lives together.

“I started dating Collen in 2016 and we were happy. Things however, changed last month when I discovered that he was cheating on me with several women.

“I am a pensioner and he was using my pension money to spoil and woo those women. What also angered me is that he lied that he was not married. I dumped boyfriends of my own age to concentrate on him.

“During the subsistence of our relationship he was lying to me that he runs a chain of businesses in Masvingo, Zvishavane and Gweru. He is the type that wants a woman to look after him. Every time I asked to visit him at his place he would give me excuses such as that he should introduce me first to his family.

“He was telling me lies and I actually fell for it because he has such a sweet tongue. He was just using me,” fumed Maureen who apparently claims to know the hurt of heartbreak.

The scales were lifted off her eyes last month after Mutunjwa impregnated another woman from the same suburb.

She said she gave up her previous relationships with another lover when Mutunjwa promised her that he was going to treat her like a princess.

“When we met he was all lovey-dovey and he started telling me he loved me,” claims Moyo. Despite the age difference between them, Mutunjwa reportedly convinced her it would work.

“He said age was just a number and he kept drilling that into my head. He said to me as long as we love each other, that’s all that matters. He made me feel good despite the fact that he was younger than me,” said Maureen a mother of three, and granny.

Maureen claimed she had been spending a lot of money on him.

She added: “When I ended things he pleaded with me not to go. He ruined my life and dumping him is punishment for messing with my heart and it’s also a warning to other women who might fall victim to his lies.”

However, Mutunjwa refuted the allegations levelled against him and said his ex-lover made up stories after he told her he was going back to his family.

“Those allegations she has levelled against me are not true. She is just after tarnishing my image and it is one of those things that happen when a relationship gets sour. She is just bitter that things did not work out between us and that I decided to go back to my family,” said Mutunjwa.-BMetro

By Own Correspondent- FOUR Form Two boys from Sikhulile High School in Lobengula West suburb reportedly ran away from their respective homes telling friends and classmates that they were travelling to Filabusi to join illegal gold miners, commonly known as omakorokoza.

The fours boys, classmates at Sikhulile High School in class Form Two A6, disappeared from their homes last Thursday after under the guise of attending after-school sports activities in the afternoon. 

All the youngsters live in Emakhandeni suburb. 

One of the boys’ grandmother sent as SOS — a distress signal — to a church WhatsApp chat group seeking advice on how to search for her 14-year-old grandson — Somzi — after he didn’t return home from school. 

After asking around from her grandson’s friends, she discovered that he had, in fact, run off with three other classmates. 

“Linjani zihlobo, thina koMoyo silahlekelwe ngumzukulu uSomzi. Usuke ethi uyaku ku-cricketkodwa engayi khona. Ngivuke ngidinga kubangani bakhe kodwa kungathi babaleke beyi 4, abafana bonke balapha Emakhandeni. Amahungahunga athi bathi baya e-mine, singazi ukuthi yiphi leyo mine. (How are you relatives, we, the Moyo family, cannot find our grandson Somzi who left home saying he was going for cricket practice. When I could not find him in the morning, I discovered he had run off with his friends from Emakhandeni suburb. Rumours are that the boys have run off to a mine, although we have no idea which one),  wrote the grandmother, Olipha Moyo.

Filabusi is a rich gold mining district with registered mining firms as well as thousands of illegal miners, omakorokoza. 

Fierce wars over gold claims are a common occurrence in the area with rivals often losing limbs and killing each other over the mining rights of the precious yellow metal. 

Church members advised her to alert the police.  

A police report was made at Entumbane Police Station by the families of the runaway boys. However, on Wednesday morning — six days after the boys disappeared — Moyo told B-Metro that her grandson and another boy had returned. 

The other teens are said to be holed up in Filabusi. 

“He came back yesterday with just one of the boys that he left with but he won’t say much about their whereabouts for the last couple of days except to say that he will never do it again. 

“The other two boys are said to be still at the so-called mine. I’m just glad my grandson is back at home, safe and sound, he doesn’t have any physical injuries. His parents live and work in South Africa,” she told B-Metro.

She said she was advised by church members not to be too heavy handed on the youngster lest he runs off again.  

The boys had reportedly been skipping school before last week’s disappearance and school authorities were in the process of setting up a meeting with their families to get to the bottom of the matter before the school expelled the pupils for prolonged absenteeism. 

The Sikhulile High School headmaster, a Mrs Nkomo, referred this publication to the Bulawayo provincial education director Olicah Kaira.-BMetro

By A Correspondent- A 65-year-old granny, who was left “gutted” by her 42-year-old lover when he cheated on her, has given her lover the “red-card”.

According to the heartbroken sugar mama, Maureen from Bulawayo’s Mpopoma suburb, cheating means being disrespectful especially by someone who was depending on her pension money for daily upkeep.

Maureen has described how she felt when she discovered that her Ben 10 Collen Mutunjwa also from Mpopoma was cheating on her with several women adding that she dumped him (Mutunjwa) after it came to her attention that he was only after her money. 

As if that is not enough, Maureen said when she met Mutunjwa, three years ago, he also lied to her that he was not married. 

She describes how she was desperately looking for love, at that time when she fell for Mutunjwa — believing they could spend the rest of their lives together.

“I started dating Collen in 2016 and we were happy. Things however, changed last month when I discovered that he was cheating on me with several women.

“I am a pensioner and he was using my pension money to spoil and woo those women. What also angered me is that he lied that he was not married. I dumped boyfriends of my own age to concentrate on him.

“During the subsistence of our relationship he was lying to me that he runs a chain of businesses in Masvingo, Zvishavane and Gweru. He is the type that wants a woman to look after him. Every time I asked to visit him at his place he would give me excuses such as that he should introduce me first to his family.

“He was telling me lies and I actually fell for it because he has such a sweet tongue. He was just using me,” fumed Maureen who apparently claims to know the hurt of heartbreak.

The scales were lifted off her eyes last month after Mutunjwa impregnated another woman from the same suburb.

She said she gave up her previous relationships with another lover when Mutunjwa promised her that he was going to treat her like a princess.

“When we met he was all lovey-dovey and he started telling me he loved me,” claims Moyo. Despite the age difference between them, Mutunjwa reportedly convinced her it would work.

“He said age was just a number and he kept drilling that into my head. He said to me as long as we love each other, that’s all that matters. He made me feel good despite the fact that he was younger than me,” said Maureen a mother of three, and granny.

Maureen claimed she had been spending a lot of money on him.

She added: “When I ended things he pleaded with me not to go. He ruined my life and dumping him is punishment for messing with my heart and it’s also a warning to other women who might fall victim to his lies.”

However, Mutunjwa refuted the allegations levelled against him and said his ex-lover made up stories after he told her he was going back to his family.

“Those allegations she has levelled against me are not true. She is just after tarnishing my image and it is one of those things that happen when a relationship gets sour. She is just bitter that things did not work out between us and that I decided to go back to my family,” said Mutunjwa.-BMetro

By A Correspondent- A couple’s marriage from Whande Village under Chief Maziofa in Zvishavane is in turbulence following the discovery of juju in the duo’s bedroom hut.

The man has expressed his intentions to divorce his wife after he stumbled on what he suspected to be juju in their bedroom hut.

Philemon Muzunye allegedly came across a bottle which was filled with an unknown substance, and had a piece of paper with his name on it.

The matter was heard when Muzunye’s wife Charmaine Zondo was summoned to Chief Maziofa’s traditional court following the incident.

Zondo told Chief Maziofa that she had to use juju as Muzunye was contemplating marrying a second wife.

“My husband was considering marrying a second wife and l didn’t want that. I was forced to consult a traditional healer who gave me a concoction to put under our bed with a piece of paper with his name written on it. I just could not imagine myself sharing him with another woman,” said Zondo.

Muzunye, however, said he could no longer continue staying with a woman who consulted a traditional healer behind his back.

“I really loved her that is why l told her that l wanted to marry a second wife. If it wasn’t for the love that l have for her, l was just going to leave her and stay with another woman. The fact that she can go and see a traditional healer without my knowledge shows that she is capable of doing anything. She is trying to use juju to tame me, but that will never work,” said Muzunye.

Chief Maziofa confirmed the incident saying he was still dealing with the matter.

“I am still dealing with the matter at the moment, we haven’t finalised it yet. I am hoping that we can still help the two to reconcile,” he said.

By A Correspondent- A MAN from Whande Village under Chief Maziofa in Zvishavane is divorcing his wife after he stumbled on what he suspected to be juju in their bedroom hut.

Philemon Muzunye allegedly came across a bottle which was filled with an unknown substance, and had a piece of paper with his name on it.

The matter was heard when Muzunye’s wife Charmaine Zondo was summoned to Chief Maziofa’s traditional court following the incident.

Zondo told Chief Maziofa that she had to use juju as Muzunye was contemplating marrying a second wife.

“My husband was considering marrying a second wife and l didn’t want that. I was forced to consult a traditional healer who gave me a concoction to put under our bed with a piece of paper with his name written on it. I just could not imagine myself sharing him with another woman,” said Zondo.

Muzunye, however, said he could no longer continue staying with a woman who consulted a traditional healer behind his back.

“I really loved her that is why l told her that l wanted to marry a second wife. If it wasn’t for the love that l have for her, l was just going to leave her and stay with another woman. The fact that she can go and see a traditional healer without my knowledge shows that she is capable of doing anything. She is trying to use juju to tame me, but that will never work,” said Muzunye.

Chief Maziofa confirmed the incident saying he was still dealing with the matter.

“I am still dealing with the matter at the moment, we haven’t finalised it yet. I am hoping that we can still help the two to reconcile,” he said.

'There is no other dialogue apart from this dialogue. Those who are not in this dialogue must come and join this dialogue because this is where everything is happening' @DrThoko_Khupe #POLAD pic.twitter.com/CxxHSoi0Jq

— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) June 15, 2019

In Mutare at the Parliamentarians capacity building meeting and field tour . Hon. Ruth Labode speaking on the ARV shortage in Zimbabwe. @healthtimeszim @UN_News_Centre @rhrnzw @UNAIDSZimbabwe @TembaMliswa @MthuliNcube pic.twitter.com/HgYK5ar5sx

— Youth Engage (@YouthEngageInfo) June 15, 2019

By Talent Gondo- ZESA workers falling under their unions, The Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union (ZEWU), The National Energy Workers Union of Zimbabwe (NEWUZ), have given notice of their intention to strike.

The notice reads:

LABOUR ACT (CHAPTER 28:01)
In the matter between

ZIMBABWE ENERGY WORKERS UNION (ZEWU)  – TRADE UNION

AND

NATIONAL ENERGY WORKERS UNION OF ZIMBABWE  (NEWUZ) – TRADE UNION

AND

ZIMBABWE ENERGY INDUSTRY EMPLOYER’S ASSOCIATION (ZEIEA) – EMPLOYERS

NOTICE OF IN TO RESORT TO COLLECTIVE JOB ACTION

Be pleased to take notice that the ZIMBABWE ENERGY WORKERS UNION and NATIONAL ENERGY WORKERS UNION OF ZIMBABWE hereby give notice of intention to resort to collective job action, In terms of Section 104 (4)(b) of the Labour Act (Chapter 28:01), in defense of an immediate threat to the existence of a registered Trade Union.

The grounds for the intended action are as follows:

I. the Trade unions, ZEWU & NEWUZ and the Zimbabwe Energy Industry Employers’ Association (ZIMEA) met as the General Council, under the auspices of the National Employment Council for the Energy Industry (NEC) 9-10 April 2019 and made a resolution to the effect that the collective bargaining committee should convene and start negotiations for 2018 and 2019 by 31 May 2019.

2. Since then, the employers association is not willing to come to the table for negotiations

3. On 12 June 2019, the NEC called for a principals meeting with the objective of setting out ground rules for the collective bargaining negotiations and the employers’ association refused to commit to a reasonable date for the commencernent of the process.

4. This is despite the fact that they were fully aware of the meeting and could not seek the mandate from their principals well before so that they could come for the meeting with a position, given that all parties are aware that collective bargaining is conducted yearly.

5. Despite the urgent need to respond to the challenges facing workers, the employers chose to delay negotiations by refusing to conduct collective bargaining negotiations on the 17th June 2019 as proposed by Trade Unions but the 24th of June 2019, citing reasons which are manifestly invalid, a move that is clearly calculated to destroy the Unions given the mounting pressure from trade union members for an urgent adjustment on the June payroll.

6. In doing so, they are not taking into consideration the current economic situation and the urgent need for conclusion of the negotiations bearing in mind that we are already in midyear. They are also not considering that workers salaries have been eroded more than eight times due to the economic meltdown and that they no longer earn a living wage, nor can they afford travel to and from work with the current earnings.

7. The employers are aware that Trade Unon members expect the Trade Unions to respond with urgency where their standard of living is severely eroded, as in the current scenario yet they refuse or neglect to take the collective bargaining process seriously to the detriment of Trade Unions. Therefore Trade Unions have no option but to give notice as they hereby do, in defense of their existence.

DATED AT HARARE THIS 13″ DAY OF JUNE 2019

M CHIKUNI
General Secretary Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union (ZEWU)
6th Floor, Construction House 110 Leopold Takawira Street
Harare

T MASVINGWE
Secretary General National Energy Workers Union of Zimbabwe
No 1 Kwame Nkrurnah Avenue
HARARE

TO: ZIMBABWE ENERGY INDUSTRY EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION
Electricity Centre
25 Samora Mach& Avenue
HARARE.

AND TO: THE GENERAL SECRETARY
NEC for the Zimbabwe Energy Industry
48 Edmunds Avenue Belvedere
HARARE

#JuniorParliamentOpening #DayofAfricanChild President @edmnangagwa pledged Gvt's commitment to engagements with various stakeholders such as the Junior Parliament."I am always ready to listen to you,our children,with a view to addressing your concerns.The future is ours together" pic.twitter.com/tYNuuVIT5k

— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) June 15, 2019

By A Correspondent- Prosper Machando, Zanu PF MP who replaced the Mnangagwas in Chirumanzu Zibagwe constituency recently left the court in shock when he offered to pay ZWL$50 for the upkeep of a four-year-old child he sired with a Mvuma woman, Clara Taruberekera.

Machando, who is the Midlands provincial deputy youth chairperson said he could only afford ZWL$50 since he had other commitments such as debts, bank loans and medical bills for his other son who was in the hospital.

But Chivhu magistrate Rufaro Panavanhu dismissed his offer and instead ordered him to pay ZWL$296 for the maintenance of his customary wife and minor child.

Taruberekera had told the magistrate that she had been customarily married to Machando and lived together in Mvuma until he stopped coming home in April, forcing her to relocate to her sister’s house in Chivhu. But Machando denied that he was married to her, saying they only cohabited.

Scenes from #JuniorParliamentOpening and #DayofAfricanChild commemorations with Zimbabwe President @edmnangagwa and Child President Mukudzeishe Madzivire. pic.twitter.com/IyOUD2MOBx

— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) June 15, 2019

By A Correspondent- Officially opening the Agricultural Dealers and Manufactures Association (ADMA) 2019 Agri-show recently, President Mnangagwa urged the agro-dealers to continue working with Government to boost production and productivity.

He said:

“My Government will continue to support such private sector-led and Government enabled economic development as espoused in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme.

Keep up the good work. Your responses to Government farm mechanisation and irrigation development initiatives has been impressive.

Success in agriculture is without doubt a result of concreted efforts among all critical players, hence this agri-show is most significant. I am convinced that today we lay important building blocks that will stimulate growth in our agriculture sector.

Your (ADMA) admission of non-members to exhibit at this show further attests to your commitment to leave no one behind as you hit the ground running on the farm mechanisation and irrigation technological front.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- Government has further tightened mechanisms to prevent the abuse of public finances by gazetting regulations that provide for investigation and punishment of public officials found guilty of financial misconduct.

Accounting officers (or executive authority) are now compelled to institute an investigation into an act of misconduct by officials of public organisations, in terms of the latest regulations, within 30 days of the impropriety being discovered.

The Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) prioritises strengthening of the public management system, building on work already being done under the World Bank-managed Zimbabwe Reconstruction Fund to roll out the system to cover all districts.

In the context of TSP, Treasury will also put in place measures to ensure the strict enforcement of approved penalties for cases of non-compliance with requirements of public resource management legislation.

The regulations will help put a stop to the culture of impunity where over the years, bad governance and mismanagement practices in public entities, line ministries and statutory bodies, have led to the loss of millions of dollars of public funds.

Most of the impropriety happened at a time when Government faced serious financial and other resource limitations needed to meet an extensive array of obligations.

Each year, the Auditor-General’s office has uncovered startling acts of corruption, mismanagement and abuse of public resources in State-owned or controlled entities and institutions to the detriment of Government plans, objectives and goals.

The new regulations designed to end the rot in State institutions are contained in Statutory Instrument (SI) 135 of 2019, dubbed Public Finance Management (General) Regulations, 2019, published in the Government gazette yesterday.-StateMedia

The Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO) of the Parliament of Zimbabwe is mandated in terms of Sections 237 and 254 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe to nominate candidates for possible appointment by His Excellency, the President, to serve as Commissioners on the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission as provided for in Chapter 13 of the Constitution.

Parliament of Zimbabwe received 152 nominations by the closing date of 28th February 2019. A call for objections to any of the nominated candidates and submission of possible questions to be posed to interviewees was also made and closed on Tuesday 26th March 2019.

The Committee on Standing Rules and Orders thereafter carried out an exhaustive analysis of the nominated candidates to decipher their suitability for consideration to serve on this Commission.

The following 38 candidates were shortlisted for interviews to be held on the Friday 21st June, 2019 at Parliament Building, corner Third Street and Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, Harare as appended below:

Name of Candidate

1 BOTOMANI Gibson. Reverend
2 CHAFANZA David.C. Mr
3 CHAIBVA Gabriel. Mr.
4 CHEBUNDO Blessing. Mr
5 CHIGUMIRA Caroline-Ann. Mrs.
6 CHINYOKA Tinomudaishe. Mr.
7 DHLIWAYO Tsitsi. Mrs
8 DUBE Charles. T.M.J. Mr.
9 DUBE-BANDA Christopher. Mr.
10 HUNGWE Mabel. N. Dr.
11 KASHANGURA Brian. Mr
12 KUMWENDA Zondi. Mr.
13 KUNAKA Matthew.T. Mr.
14 MAHACHI Jeffrey. I Mr
15 MAJOME Fungayi. J. Ms.
16 MAJURU Michael. Advocate
17 MAKAMURE John. Mr.
18 MANDINDE Wilbert. P Advocate
19 MARINGE Noah. Mr.
20 MASARA Basil. Mr.
21 MATOPE Tawanda.Mr.
22 MATUTU Tongai. Mr.
23 MLOBANE Thandiwe.Ms.
24 MTOMBENI Kennedy. Mr
25 MUCHENGWA Frank.Mr.
26 MUGONI Paul. M. Mr.
27 MUNYEDZA Propser. Mr.
28 MURAPA Kuziva.P. Mr.
29 MUSHORE James.A. Mr
30 MUSHUNJE Arnold. Mr.
31 MUTSUMBA Caleb. Mr.
32 NCUBE Nomsa. H. Ms.
33 NCUBE Thembelani. K. Mr
34 SANTU Michael.D. Rtd. Major
35 SIBANDA-CHIVHEYA Mark. Mr.
36 TOFA Sithembiso.A. Mrs
37 ZISENGWE Dumisani. H. Mr.
38 ZIWERERE Henry. Bishop

All the candidates are advised to be at Parliament building by 0745. The CSRO would like to thank all those who responded to the call to nominate candidates or to lodge their objections against any of the nominated candidates.

The Committee would also like to thank those who suggested possible questions to be used during the interviews. Members of the public are invited to attend and witness the interviews on Friday 21st June, 2019.

By Own Correspondent- A war of words erupted between Norton legislator Temba Mliswa and Gokwe Nembudziya MP Justice Mayor Wadyajena with Mliswa accusing the later of being broke.

Mliswa charged at Wadyajena in parliament where he said:

“On the second one, Mr. Speaker Sir, whilst Members of Parliament enjoy tax rebate for their vehicles, I think it is important for this Parliament to explain what sort of vehicle we are entitled to because my understanding on the rebate of the vehicles is cars we can use in the constituencies, not Lamborghinis because a Lamborghini does not get to the constituencies.  Now, what is happening is people are saying Members of Parliament, especially myself, Hon. Mliswa…

This one is in terms of the corruption of us as Members of Parliament in the cars that we are supposed to get as rebate.  Are they luxury vehicles or vehicles that must be used in the constituency?  So your guidance is sort in that regard, Mr. Speaker Sir, on the cars that we must get on the tax rebate.”

However Wadyajena responded and accused Mliswa of being jealous of his latest symbol of wealth.

He said:

“Haunyare kuita jealous murume mukuru akaita sewe meaning you are not even ashamed of yourself, such a bid man like you being jealous of me.”

An emotionally charged Mliswa hit back at Wadyajena and said in vernacular:

“Wakaiwana kupi mari yacho, hauna business wakabroker saka wakaiwanakupi mari? meaning where did you get the money, you are not running any profitable business you are broke so tell us where did you get the money?”

Affable Vimbai Tsvangirai Java, the daughter of political icon Morgan Tsvangirai breathed her last at 2pm on Monday at a Harare hospital in Harare. She died from injuries sustained in a horrific head-on collision that happened on May 14, 2019 some 5km from Kwekwe along Bulawayo – Harare Highway.

Her late mother’s close friend, Philda Muringani was driving the Toyota Mark X that had four occupants in it. All of them except Muringani have died.

Muringani was a close friend of the late Susan Tsvangirai (Vimbai’s mother) as they both attended the Methodist Church in Mabelreign together. After the death of Susan, Muringani who was a pillar in both Susan’s political and religious life became close to Vimbai, in fact they became prayer partners.

Just as Muringani played a role in Susan’s political life, she became one in Vimbai’s as the latter vied for a political office.

On Friday May 10 Vimbai persuaded Muringani to accompany her to an MDC Alliance campaign meeting in Bulawayo. Muringani initially told Vimbai of her inability to go because of other commitments but after persuasion the trip was eventually put together.

In Bulawayo, Vimbai, Muringani, and Tafadzwa Mhundwa who is Vimbai’s uncle and active party member were staying at Muringani’s brother’s place. On the fateful day, the three bade farewell to Muringani’s brother who urged them to sleep over and avoid travelling at night but they had to go.

Before they left Paul Rukanda, from MDC Glenview begged for a lift from the three but Vimbai was reluctant to go with him as she planned to talk political strategies on the way and therefore wanted as much as possible to avoid people outside her campaign team.

After some haggling between Vimbai and Muringani they reluctantly allowed Rukanda into their car and he was the first to die when the accident happened.

They left Bulawayo at 6pm and at around 9pm they passed Kwekwe and 5km from the City there are some treacherous curves.

“Suddenly I saw this car just close to us. Everyone screamed to warn me of the impending danger and I swerved to the left to avoid it but just as I did the driver of the oncoming car also swerved to the same side. I pulled back on the road since the lane was now clear but instinctively the next driver also did the same and he hit our car on the left side forcing it to overturn onto the shoulders of the right hand side of the road,” said Muringani.

The first person to arrive at the scene was the MDC Alliance Women Assembly chairperson Paurina Mpariwa who was also coming from the same meeting. Muringani whose seat belt had locked called out Mpariwa’s driver Shacky to rush and help them. Shaky had to use a knife to cut the belt and Muringani was pulled out of the wreck.

The next to be pulled out was Vimbai who complained of serious back-ache, a painful shoulder and headache. Rukanda was the next to be pulled out but it was realised that he was already dead. Rukanda was sitting behind Mhundwa, Vimbai was sitting behind the driver and Mhundwa was sitting in the front passenger’s seat.

Efforts to extricate Mhundwa from the wreckage were futile and for a whole hour he was trapped there crying out for help before the Kwekwe Fire Brigade arrived. Muringani and Vimbai were immediately whisked by Mpariwa to Kwekwe General Hospital, leaving Mhundwa in the wreck.

Mhundwa died on arrival at the hospital and medical attendants said he died because of the excruciating pain that he went through.

Vimbai was later transferred to Harare in a stable condition but later developed a blood clot that led to a cardiac arrest almost a month into her admission.

“I hear that the driver we were involved in an accident with was a soldier in Cowadry Park and he died three days after the accident”, said Muringani.

Vimbai was buried yesterday, Thursday June 13 at Glen Forest Cemetery.

-Mirror

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he will not treat MDC leader Nelson Chamisa as ‘the special one’ or force him to join the ongoing dialogue between political leaders.

Speaking to Capitalk Radio yesterday, Mnangagwa said if Chamisa wants dialogue, the door is still open for him to join other parties.

“I cannot get a bulldozer or a tractor to pull him out of his house for talks. I have made a call to all political parties in Zimbabwe that let us come together. Is he not a leader of a political party in Zimbabwe?

“I think he is. Then why does he not come to the table where everybody else is? Why should he feel proud that all 19 political parties are not important but only him?” Mnangagwa asked.

The Zanu PF leader won last year’s election albeit controversially after Chamisa cried foul. The opposition leader approached the Constitutional Court in a bid to overturn the result but his petition was dismissed for lack of evidence.

However, despite the ruling, Chamisa insists he won and Mnangagwa should in fact hand over power to him. In response, the Zanu PF leader has called for dialogue and invited all political leaders who participated in last year’s presidential elections.

Chamisa refused despite being invited and instead has demanded a meeting between him and Mnangagwa without the other parties that he has characterised as “praise singers who have no dispute with the President.”

But Mnangagwa Friday said he would not relent and in fact will create platforms for other stakeholders like the church and youths to interact with him and move the country forward.

“In my view, I think every political party is important. Why does he (Chamisa) feel that his party is important than all 19 parties that have so far engaged into the dialogue.

“We will continue to engage and will create equal platforms for the church and youth,” said the Zanu PF leader.

He added: “All those who want to share their views, come; let us discuss. The table is open. There must not be sacred cows who think they are better than others. We are all Zimbabweans, let us come and settle together.”

In February this year, President Mnangagwa invited all the 22 candidates who challenged him in the disputed July 30 elections last year for a process widely expected find solutions to the country’s economic, social and particularly political problems.

Chamisa turned down Mnangagwa’s offer and instead demanded a mediator to what he called “the crisis of legitimacy in Zimbabwe”.

The opposition leader demanded “genuine dialogue” adding he was not interested in a “tea party with Mnangagwa.”

Early this week however, Chamisa seemed to be softening, declaring he was ready to talk to Mnangagwa even if it meant he (Chamisa) would not end up in government.

A MIDDLE-SABI-BASED police officer was fatally stabbed by a suspect he had arrested over an undsiclosed offence at Chibuwe Business Centre in Chipinge on Thursday.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Lloyd Mahovhana (33) had been lawfully arrested for committing an offence when he stabbed to death one Constable Kadeya.

“The suspect had no reason whatsoever to resist and, in the process, attack the police detail who was performing his constitutional duties,” Nyathi said.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges members of the public to co-operate and allow the law to take its course whenever one commits an offence.”

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has laid into former First Lady Grace Mugabe accusing her of possessing 16 farms, setting the stage for a bruising battle should he proceeds to dispossess her of the land she amassed during her husband’s stint on power.

Mnangagwa who was speaking on Capitalk FM radio said he knows people of higher rank in society who have more than one farm against a policy of one family one farm, citing former President Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace as being of those who abused their positions of authority to amass land.

“We have some farm owners especially people of higher rank in society having more than one farm, some as many as nine, i know of a particular lady eh eh eh Stop it, who has about 16, eh farms and the law says one family one farm. so once the audit is over, we should be able to implement that policy,” said Mnangagwa.

He added that Zimbabwe will have a currency as a necessary measure to stabilize the economy.

Early this year, Grace showered praises on Mnangagwa after he hired a private jet to airlift her to mourn her mother.

POLICE in Manicaland province have launched a manhunt for eight suspected armed robbers who raided a Chipinge woman’s home on Monday and got away with US$24 000, ZWL$240 and R18 000.

Pamela Penyakufa from Nyakumwa village under Chief Matema, was asleep when the daring robbers besieged her house.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the incident.

He said the robbers also went away with 240 litres of diesel and five cellphones belonging to the complainant.

The incident happened on June 10 at around 9pm when eight robbers scaled a precast security wall to gain entry into Penyakufa’s homestead.

Kakohwa said the robbers, who were armed with two pistols, knives, machetes and hammers, found two men, Danmore Nkomo and Clydide Quinton, sleeping on the
verandah.

They reportedly tied Quinton and Nkomo’s hands and threatened to kill them if they resisted.

At that time, Penyakufa woke up after hearing Nkomo screaming and rushed outside to investigate, only to meet the robbers who allegedly force-marched her back
into the house.

They allegedly demanded cash and she surrendered US$24 000, R18 000 and ZWL$240.

Kakohwa urged the public not to keep large sums of money in their homes.

-Newsday

Own Correspondent| A Zimbabwean national Frank Joe Moyo, who was allegedly linked to illegal mining, was murdered on Tuesday evening in Limpopo.

Police spokesperson Col Moatshe Ngoepe said Moyo was shot dead at about 7.30pm in Letsitele, outside Tzaneen.

“It is alleged that a 41-year-old man [Moyo], was coming from the Carnival City in Gauteng and arrived at a house in Zanghoma village to pay his ‘illegal mining employee’,” Ngoepe said.

“Moyo was outside the house talking to some of the employees when an unknown assailant entered the yard, shot him and fled on foot with his cellphone and an undisclosed amount of money.”

Moyo was certified dead at the scene.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and wife’s successor in the Chirumanzu Zibagwe constituency, Prosper Machando (Zanu-PF) stunned the court early this week when he offered to pay ZWL$50 for the upkeep of a four-year-old child he sired with a Mvuma woman.

Clara Taruberekera had dragged the MP to court claiming ZWL$800 for both her maintenance and that of the child.

Machando, however, said he could only afford ZWL$50 since he had other commitments such as debts, bank loans and medical bills for his other son who was in hospital.

But Chivhu magistrate Rufaro Panavanhu dismissed his offer and instead ordered him to pay ZWL$296 for the maintenance of his customary wife and minor child.

Taruberekera had told the magistrate that she had been customarily married to Machando and lived together in Mvuma until he stopped coming home in April,
forcing her to relocate to her sister’s house in Chivhu.

But Machando denied that he was married to her, saying they only cohabited.

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has threatened to dispossess former First Lady Grace Mugabe vast land once the land audit commission submits its report which he said fingers her for possessing 16 farms.

Mnangagwa who was speaking on Capitalk FM radio said he knows people of higher rank in society who have more than one farm against a policy of one family one farm, citing former President Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace as being of those who abused their positions of authority to amass land.

“We have some farm owners especially people of higher rank in society having more than one farm, some as many as nine, i know of a particular lady eh eh eh Stop it, who has about 16, eh farms and the law says one family one farm. so once the audit is over, we should be able to implement that policy,” said Mnangagwa.

He added that Zimbabwe will have a currency as a necessary measure to stabilize the economy.

Early this year, Grace showered praises on Mnangagwa after he hired a private jet to airlift her to mourn her mother.

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (PGH) has reversed the new prices for the private wards. 

In a statement PGH said this comes after listening to the concerns of clients. 

“Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals would like to inform members of the public that the fees adjustments for our private wards which we intended to implement with effect from 17 June, 2019 have been suspended forthwith to allow for further consultations. 

“We have seriously reconsidered our position after listening to the concerns from our valued patients. We are therefore reverting to the charges before the announcement. Members of the public will be informed of any developments in due course,” read the statement. 

The accommodation fees had been pegged at executive suite $ 1 500, big room $800, small room $600, ICU $800, HDU $600 and maternity $600 per day.

-Herald

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has laid into former First Lady Grace Mugabe accusing her of possessing 16 farms, a move he said will be exposed and corrected once an audit report from the lands commission is finalised.

Mnangagwa who was speaking on Capitalk FM radio said he knows people of higher rank in society who have more than one farm against a policy of one family one farm, citing former President Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace as being of those who abused their positions of authority to amass land.

“We have some farm owners especially people of higher rank in society having more than one farm, some as many as nine, i know of a particular lady eh eh eh Stop it, who has about 16, eh farms and the law says one family one farm. so once the audit is over, we should be able to implement that policy,” said Mnangagwa.

He added that Zimbabwe will have a currency as a necessary measure to stabilize the economy.

Early this year, Grace showered praises on Mnangagwa after he hired a private jet to airlift her to mourn her mother.

Zesa loadshedding has moved from ridiculous to outright shocking with the new scheduling indicating that almost the entire country will not be having electricity from 4am to 10pm everyday.

In a statement announcing the new scheduling, ZESA blamed the blackouts on breakdowns and repairs at thermal power plants and low water levels at Lake Kariba.

The load-shedding schedule published by Zesa Holdings’ subsidiary, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company on Thursday and immediately implemented, indicated that most of Harare’s suburbs will be without power between 4am and 10pm, while other towns will be affected between 5am and 10pm. The power utility said load-shedding will be worse if the power supply situation deteriorated.

“The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company is experiencing increased power shortfalls due to low water levels at Kariba Power Station, generation constraints at Hwange Power Station and limited imports,” said the power utility.

“The power shortfall is being managed through load-shedding in order to balance the power supply available and the demand. Previously published winter load-shedding schedules have been reviewed in line with the increased shortfalls owing to the depressed generation levels at Kariba Power Station.

“In the event of further deterioration of the current available power supply, the level and duration of load-shedding may go beyond the advertised schedules.”

The power utility urged consumers to use electricity sparingly.

“Every effort is being directed at improving the generation capacity to ensure that supply disruptions are kept at minimum levels,” it said.

According to the load-shedding schedule, in Harare northern and eastern suburbs like Alexandra Park, Athlone, Chisipite and Glen Lorne will not be having electricity from 4am to 10pm for three to four days in a week. The same applies for southern suburbs like Hatfield, Waterfalls, Queensdale and Mbare.

A similar load-shedding schedule applies for suburbs like Mabvuku, Greendale, Mandara, Highlands, Westlea, Tynwald, Kuwadzana, Glen View, Budiriro and Warren Park.

The same tight load-shedding schedule will apply in Bulawayo where most suburbs will be without power between 4am and 10pm for the better part of the week.

For Gweru, Masvingo, Chinhoyi, Marondera and Mutare, the worst load-shedding will be on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5am to 10pm.

The same situation will apply to towns like Bindura, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Zvishavane, Shurugwi and Redcliff.

The load shedding schedule is designed in such a way that electricity is only available between midnight and early hours of the morning when most users are asleep. SO to use electricity make sure you don’t sleep, otherwise if you love your sleep then forget about electricity.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday held a meeting with several opposition parties under his self initiated Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD), comprising mostly leaders of the 22 opposition parties that contested in the July 30th election.

A major challenge to Mnangagwa’s presidency since taking over power from longtime leader President Robert Mugabe, in a military coup in 2017, has been the economy, which has been compounded by the fact that the country lacks its own currency, and has been depending on the U.S. dollar and other currencies.

Addressing those gathered at POLAD, Mnangagwa reiterated an earlier promise that Zimbabwe will soon have its own currency.

“It is more critical that we have our own currency,” said Mnangagwa. “The creation of wealth, infrastructure, we have in the country will determine the level of the supply of money in the country. So it is necessary that we have our own currency.”

Mnangagwa said the currency, once introduced, will essentially put an end to the multiple currencies currently in use in the country for most transactions, as everyone will then have to convert their foreign currency to local money, at a bank or exchange bureau, to do any transaction.

Zimbabwe has not had its own currency since 2009.

“The US dollar cannot anymore transact in the country,” declared Mnangagwa. “If you go to the UK, with your US dollar, or you go to Zambia, or you go to South Africa nearby, with your US dollar or your Euro, you cannot transact in any hotel, or in any restaurant, or in a shop. You go to the bank and they change the money and you’ll be given the rand, then you transact. You go to London, you change it and you’re given a pound to transact. You go to Zambia, you have to go and change and you’ll be given a kwacha, and then you transact. So all the money that is in the shops or elsewhere, will not work until it goes through the bank to be changed into the local currency to do transactions,” said Mnangagwa.

A consequence of the lack of a steady currency has been erratic prices on basic commodities driven by an irregular exchange rate between the local currency known as Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and the US dollars.

Shortages of both the local and foreign currencies have driven up prices of basically all necessities, including fuel and a variety of food stuffs like bread, sugar, cooking oil and mealie meal, used to make the staple, sadza.

While many blame Mnangagwa’s government for failing to tame prices and penalize those who hike prices unfairly, arguing that it is within the government power to put a stop to the malpractice, Mnangagwa and his administration have distanced themselves from those hiking prices, and have even accused businesses and vendors who hike prices of taking advantage of the system.

“Honestly, a packet of sugar in a store, you wake up in the morning and the price has increased, what happened? It would be better if the prices increase, then you also increase the prices for workers (salary), then they’ll be no complaints, there’ll no complaints because they will be having buying power. And you find that some companies and shops, saying they want US dollars, but the same company, the same employer, has never paid his workers in US dollars…but he demands payment in US dollars.”

Among the opposition groups that attended the POLAD was the MDC led by Dr. Thokozani Khupe. The party’s vice president, Obert Gutu, said they have welcomed the call to dialogue, simply to help improve lives for the common people, not to endorse the government of President Mnangagwa.

Gutu said a monitoring and evaluation committee has been set up to hold the president accountable to any agreement reached at POLAD.

“We have said that by us being here, we have not come to just say what pleases the government,” said Gutu. “We are not looking for jobs, we are not even looking for a power sharing arrangement. We are simply looking to improve the situation for the people of Zimbabwe.”

Spokesperson Jacob Mafume of the MDC led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa, however, reiterated with his party’s position that there will be no dialogue until Mnangagwa accepts their stance that he is not the legitimate leader of the country, despite the outcome of the Constitutional Court.

“We are waiting and saying that the discussion we will hold must start with (President) Mnangagwa as president of Zanu, (Advocate Nelson) Chamisa as the people’s president. Once Mnangagwa agrees to meet with Chamisa, then we’ll organize how this discussion will proceed, and discuss issues of legitimacy and the economy and international relations,” said Mafume.

Mafume, who also criticized the government’s use of national resources to host POLAD, said another condition for the party to hold talks with Mnangagwa, is the selection of a neutral arbitrator or mediator, to sit in on the discussions.

Own Correspondent|Zimbabwean national Frank Joe Moyo, who was allegedly linked to illegal mining, was murdered on Tuesday evening in Limpopo.

Police spokesperson Col Moatshe Ngoepe said Moyo was shot dead at about 7.30pm in Letsitele, outside Tzaneen.

“It is alleged that a 41-year-old man [Moyo], was coming from the Carnival City in Gauteng and arrived at a house in Zanghoma village to pay his ‘illegal mining employee’,” Ngoepe said.

“Moyo was outside the house talking to some of the employees when an unknown assailant entered the yard, shot him and fled on foot with his cellphone and an undisclosed amount of money.”

Moyo was certified dead at the scene.

Own Correspondent|There was a general furore in the country on Friday when banks throughout the country failed to process interbank transfers because of the suspended Paynet facility.

Some civil servants – most of them soldiers and nurses were the most affected after a Mauritian company switched off its electronic payments processing system.

Most Zimbabwean banks use Paynet, which is owned by Mauritian financial services provider Payserv Africa, to process interbank transactions. As part of the arrangement, the local banks pay the service provider in American dollars. But a standoff between banks and Paynet has resulted in service disruption.

“We regret to inform our valued clients that Payserv Africa have suspended Paynet services to all banks due to non-payment of service fees,” a statement by Paynet reads.

The banks argue that they can’t pay in foreign currency because the facility is used to service mostly RTGS money. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) for Zimbabwe said the value of banking sector assets had declined in real terms by 40% as of the end of last year. As such, paying for Paynet services in foreign currency will worsen the situation.

Some civil servants who did not get bank notifications on pay day approached their financial institutions only to be told there was a system error being rectified.

“I kept checking my balance and there was nothing and when I got to the bank I was told to check on Monday,” said a nurse.

The civil servants are worried that their salaries will most likely have lost value by the time they get paid.

“As soon as I get paid I buy forex on the streets because the RTGS dollar loses value almost weekly. If my pay could get me R1,000 on the streets by Monday it can only get me at most R900,” added the nurse.

By midday on Friday R100 was worth RTGS$60 while US$100 was in the range of RTGS$900.

“The rates go up faster when the demand is high. Civil servants pay days spike the demand,” said an illegal forex dealer.

Government believes the Cybercrime and Cyber Security Bill will combat cybercrimes when it becomes law.

This was said by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Energy Mutodi on Thursday during question and answer session in the Senate, while responding to a question from president of the Chiefs Council, Senator Fortune Charumbira, who wanted to know what Government was doing to minimise abuse of social media by some uncouth citizens.

Cybercrimes are on the rise in the country due to a surge in broadband penetration, with statistics from the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) showing that mobile Internet and data utilisation rose by 15,7 percent in the fourth quarter of last year.

The Information ministry is working together with the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs in coming up with the Cyber Security Bill to nip cybercrime in the bud. He said unscrupulous citizens were creating fake social media accounts which are being used to circulate falsehoods and defame top politicians.

“We have fake Twitter and WhatsApp accounts . . . some of them have been used by criminals who use the accounts to defraud unsuspecting members of the public. We are in the process of coming up with a Cyber Security Bill which concentrates on this,” said Mutodi.

Mutodi said the Bill will plug loopholes that people have been exploiting to disseminate false information and tarnish others’ images. “The Bill will also address some behaviour that seeks to infringe on the rights of other people such spreading of nude pictures or any information that will tarnish a person’s image,” he said.State media