By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police has warned parents or guardians against leaving their children in the care of friends, relatives or neighbours in circumstances where they are not able to monitor their movements. This comes as rape cases which implicate close people have been on the rise.
Read the full text below:
Farai Dziva|Masvingo based NGO, COTRAD has launched a programme meant to eradicate violence and Intimidation in rural and urban communities.
“COTRAD is working with BUSTOP TV to encourage people to report cases of human rights violations to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) and other relevant institutions without fear.
Every Zimbabwean has the right to walk into a police station or Public Enquiry Counter (PEC) and make a report if he/she feels his/her rights have been infringed upon by some other person.
Members of the public have the right to contact the police through telephone, or various police hotline around the country. The people can also use various suggestion boxes to present complains to the police,” said COTRAD in statement.
A COTRAD official also said: “The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is national human rights institution established under section 242 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, whose main mandate is to Protect, Promote and Enforce human rights.
The Commission deals with complaints of abuses and violations of rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe and in any international human rights agreements that the country has agreed to sign and any complaints arising from abuse of power or maladministration by the State and public institutions.”
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Farai Dziva| The brother-in-law of the late MDC founding president, Morgan Tsvangirai, yesterday said an inclusive government will resolve the country’s political crisis.
He urged Emmerson Mnangagwa and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to resort to dialogue and come up with an inclusive government to address the country’s economic woes.
Isaac Mhundwa, brother to Tsvangirai’s wife, the late Susan said :”
My sister died in an accident on her way to celebrate the inclusive government that later stabilised the economy for the betterment of people’s lives.
My niece died in an accident as well and I hope this challenges the political leaders to negotiate and come up with another inclusive government.”
He made remarks at the funeral of Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java, the eldest daughter of Morgan and Susan who died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident she was involved in outside Kwekwe on May 14.
By A Correspondent- Senate, Chiefs Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira has asked Information deputy minister Energy Mutodi to explain government policy on fake Twitter and other social media accounts.
Recently, there was a twitter account under the name Fortune Charumbira which was criticising president Mnangagwa’s administration for causing pain to the citizenry. The chief has since distanced himself from the account.
In response to the question, Mutodi said that the situation was not peculiar to Zimbabwe. He also said that the issue was worrying as fake accounts were being created in the names of prominent people including Mnangagwa, Vice-Presidents and top army officials.
He said:
It is not only happening in Zimbabwe. In the United States, 11% of social media accounts are fake and some have been used for fraudulent criminal activities. In Zimbabwe, we face a serious situation of these fake accounts because popular individuals like the Head of State and Government, the army, the Central Intelligence Organisation or chiefs are used to peddle lies through those fake accounts as if they have said something.
Mutodi added that there is a Cyber-Crime Bill which is in its draft stage which shall address the issue of protection in the cyberspace. He, however, forewarned that there shall be a problem in implementing the cyber laws since the Constitution provided for freedom of information. He added that most of the people creating fake social media accounts were residing in foreign countries.-Newsday
PARLIAMENT has been called upon to support President Mnangagwa’s re-engagement drive that has resulted in the recent launch of a formal dialogue process between Zimbabwe and the European Union (EU).
The dialogue, launched in Harare last Wednesday, is based on Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement which governs relations between member states of the African-Carribean-Pacific regions and the EU.
Zimbabwe and the European bloc have endured frosty relations in the past two decades and the dialogue opens a fresh page that will have major geopolitical implications and benefits for Zimbabwe, whose international relations soured domestic prospects for growth economically and socially.
The dialogue is being co-chaired by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Secretary Ambassador James Manzou and the Head of the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Timo Olkkonen.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Zanu-PF Makonde legislator, Cde Kindness Paradza said the dialogue process paints a good picture of the country. “Article 8 (of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement) on political dialogue, provides for parties to exchange information, foster mutual understanding and facilitate the establishment of agreed priorities and shared agendas among other objectives.
“Hon Members may be pleased to know that Zimbabwe and the EU have been undertaking informal political dialogue over the years. The exchanges remained informal because Zimbabwe has been refusing to engage in formal dialogue insisting on the removal first of the EU sanctions imposed on the country,” he said.
“However, since the advent of the Second Republic, His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa has repeatedly stated Government’s commitment to engage, re-engage and normalise relations with all players and Member States in the International Community.”
Farai Dziva|Villagers in Masvingo Central Constituency want the local authority to construct a new bridge over Mutirikwi River as the old one has become obsolete.
Speaking to ward councillors, traditional leaders and public officials during a community engagement programme facilitated by COTRAD in Masvingo Central Constituency last week , the villagers said the old Mutirikwi Bridge was defunct.
“Many people are losing their lives while trying to cross the flooded low-lying bridge to and from Chenhuwe Business Centre, Shonganiso, Zivezano Schools and other local areas,”said one villager.
The villagers urged Masvingo RDC to channel funds meant for plough back- towards the construction of a new bridge.
“We call upon Masvingo Rural District Council and public officials to respond to the social service delivery and infrastructure development concerns raised by the people.
The Masvingo RDC should prioritize and attempt to improve services and infrastructure in rural areas.
It is enshrined under section 276 of the constitution that, the rural district councils should raise sufficient revenue for them to carry out objectives and responsibilities in areas of their jurisdiction.
COTRAD encourages public officials and local authorities to consult their communities before implementing community development projects and programs.
COTRAD also encourages the villagers to fearlessly and peacefully engage public officials and relevant ministries to present issues affecting their communities,” COTRAD said in a statement.
By A Correspondent- THE Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has barred 10 lawyers from practicing this year for misconduct and a litany of other reasons.
The reasons which LSZ cites for de-registration of these lawyers range from non-payment of practising fees and subscriptions to cases of misconduct such as money laundering,forgery and abuse of trust funds.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates
JOHN Tallach High School has taken Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema to court challenging the looming deportation of its Canadian expatriate teacher following the refusal by immigration authorities to extend her temporary employment permit (TEP).
Ms Kerkhoff Maria Alida (31), a Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland missionary and volunteer A-Level Mathematics teacher at John Tallach High School had her application for the extension of temporary employment permit rejected by the Principal Director of Immigration without any reasons given.
John Tallach High School (Ingwenya Mission) through its lawyers Ncube and Partners, has filed an ex-parte urgent chamber application at the Bulawayo High Court challenging the refusal by the immigration authorities to extend Ms Alida’s permit, citing Minister Mathema and the Principal Director of Immigration as respondents.
John Tallach High School wants the court to block the respondents from deporting Ms Alida to her country of origin pending the resolution of the issues related to the refusal to extend her TEP without furnishing her with reasons.
In his founding affidavit, the school head Mr Bonakele Ncube said the application was on an urgent basis in light of Ms AIida’s imminent deportation.
“This is an urgent application for an order directing the first respondent (principal director of immigration) to furnish us with the reasons for refusal of granting of second applicant (Ms Alida) a temporary employment permit. Further, we seek relief to the effect that the deportation of the second applicant be stayed until such a time the issue relating to her TEP is finalised,” he said.
Ms Alida successfully applied for a TEP last year in May and it was valid for 12 month.
The work permit also stated that she had an option to apply for an extension three months before the expiry date.
“She applied for an extension and the Principal Immigration Officer declined to renew the permit and a notice of deportation was subsequently issued against Ms Alida. The respondents are bound by the provisions of the Administrative Justice Act to act reasonably and in a fair and just manner in taking administrative action which may affect the rights, interests and legitimate expectations of any person,” said Mr Ncube.
The school head said the Principal Director of Immigration acted unfairly by failing to provide the reasons justifying their refusal to renew Ms Alida’s TEP.
“The second application is in the country legally and she is a holder of a valid passport. She has been volunteering as an A-Level Mathematics teacher. This is an important point considering that the Maths teacher resigned in July 2018 to join the Harare City Council. Despite numerous requests, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary has somehow failed to make a suitable replacement,” said the headmaster.
“Since July 2018, Ms Alida has been preparing the pupils for their final examinations. It would be impossible to get a suitable replacement as she has been teaching in her own unique way such that they have managed to cover most areas in the syllabus and our fear is that a sudden change may have disastrous effects on the pupils.”
Mr Ncube said Ms Alida, a holder of a Master’s degree in Mathematics, is also conducting a training programme for two assistants who are understudying her.
“All these teaching roles are not at the expense of the Government of Zimbabwe or the school as she is funded by the church in Scotland. She is also strategically positioned to source donor funds for the institution. Furthermore she is also exploring a possibility of establishing a short term exchange programme for John Tallach High School pupils and her former school in Canada,” he said.
“The second applicant has no criminal conviction and her continued presence in the country pending the resolution of her TEP issues does not in any way prejudice the country.” Mr Ncube said the school, which is situated in Ntabazinduna, Matabeleland North, was also one of the worst affected in terms of STEM teachers’ shortage in the province.
In her supporting affidavit, Ms Alida said she had developed a great relationship with the pupils such that she feels they will be deprived in the event that she is deported.
Minister Mathema and the principal director of immigration are yet to respond.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- Fresh details have emerged suggesting that Wicknell Chivhayo could have misled the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) into making payments for earthmoving equipment worth US$800 000 to a non-existent US firm.
However, the report on April 26, 2016, shows that Intratrek got central bank authority to load US$849,475 on their VISA card to purchase the earth moving equipment from a USA based equipment supplier, Pietznack Plant and Earthmoving Services.
The report reads:
A Google search on the supplier revealed that the address on the invoice for the earthmoving equipment was an unoccupied block of residential flats.
These advance payments were made to the contractor without the knowledge of the company secretary’s office which administers all contracts. The board was also not aware that Intratrek had been paid without an Advance Payment Guarantee.
Chivhayo’s Intratrek Zimbabwe Private Ltd was paid a total of US$5,6m for designs and feasibility study, and pre-commencement works and in terms of the contract, Intratrek was obligated to provide an Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) against advance payments made by ZPC and this was not done. The report further reads:
Chivhayo dismissed the report saying it was based on speculation.
He said:
That’s why the High Court acquitted me on 22 March and granted specific performance on 18 December. No one travelled to America to visit that company. It was mere speculation and conjecture
By A Correspondent- DANCER-cum singer Sandra Ndebele is looking for four new female dancers to be part of her expanded band.
Sandy is holding online auditions that will run for a week.
To be Sandy’s dancer, one has to send a 30 second video dancing to a WhatsApp number on a poster shared on social media. The best dancer will be shortlisted from there.
Sandy said thereafter those shortlisted will be called for auditions where they can be assessed.
“The reason why we are short listing people and wanting to see them live is that videos are deceiving. So seeing them live will give us a better impression about them. Thereafter we’ll release the names of the four who’d have made it,” said Sandy.
The Lizwile hit-maker who has been on an ongoing rebranding exercise said she wanted to revolutionise her presentation on stage.
“This is part of my rebranding exercise so that we change the way I present my act on stage from what it was. I need four girls to be part of the team and so far the response from people has been great,” said Sandy.
She said the auditions do not by any means indicate that she was replacing the dancers she has. “The girls (her dancers) aren’t going anywhere, they are there to stay. It’s only that I need more girls so that I can sustain shows for more hours as I prepare for a countrywide tour. We need young and energetic girls,” said Sandy.
She said she was inspired by Congolese musician Koffi Olomide for his longevity.
“Even though Koffi is old, he has young energetic dancers who dance well on stage. So that’s the whole idea about this recruitment exercise that I’m undertaking,” said Sandy.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- Emerging information suggests that Wicknell Chivhayo could have misled the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) into making payments for earthmoving equipment worth US$800 000 to a non-existent US firm.
However, the report on April 26, 2016, shows that Intratrek got central bank authority to load US$849,475 on their VISA card to purchase the earth moving equipment from a USA based equipment supplier, Pietznack Plant and Earthmoving Services.
The report reads:
“A Google search on the supplier revealed that the address on the invoice for the earth moving equipment was an unoccupied block of residential flats.
These advance payments were made to the contractor without the knowledge of the company secretary’s office which administers all contracts. The board was also not aware that Intratrek had been paid without an Advance Payment Guarantee.”
Chivhayo’s Intratrek Zimbabwe Private Ltd was paid a total of US$5,6m for designs and feasibility study, and pre-commencement works and in terms of the contract, Intratrek was obligated to provide an Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) against advance payments made by ZPC and this was not done. The report further reads:
Chivhayo dismissed the report saying it was based on speculation.
He said:
“That’s why the High Court acquitted me on 22 March and granted specific performance on 18 December. No one travelled to America to visit that company. It was mere speculation and conjecture.”
Pindula|The newly elected MDC Youth assembly leader Tererai Obey Sithole is reported to have been briefly taken in by police officers for questioning. It is however not clear as to why he was taken.
It is suspected however that he was taken in connection with some announcements he made last week about the MDC youths assembly resolution to take a confrontational approach against president Emmerson Mnangagwa. Sithole is quoted as having said:
We are taking the decision to confront this regime, knowing fully well that the answer to the national question lies in this generation, which has a future to safeguard.
As the MDC youth assembly, we are going to set the pace in making sure we save this nation from despondency and deprivation. We are neither apologetic nor afraid to take this regime head-on to ensure that we bring back the dignity and decorum of our people.
Posting on Twitter, @mdcya-dpspokesconfirmed both the release of Sithole. See the post below:
PAYNET, a subsidiary of Mauritian financial services provider Payserv Africa, has suspended all local financial institutions from its transacting platform after they refused to pay in foreign currency for its services.
This has had the knock-on effect on RTGS payments.
Paynet is the platform used in interbank RTGS transfers. The platform is also used by corporates to facilitate its payments.
The standoff is the latest indication of a worsening economic crisis characterised by a debilitating liquidity crunch, foreign currency shortages, rising inflation, power outages and low productivity.
The development means that there will be limited movement of funds during the standoff, which will affect the general public’s transactions.
The development could also affect the payment on time of salaries to civil servants. Government starts paying its workers mid-month.
In a statement this week, Paynet said they had cut off all banks from using its platform because of their failure to pay for its services.
“We regret to inform our valued clients that Payserv Africa have suspended Paynet services to all banks due to non-payment of service fees,” Paynet said.
“If you would like to continue using Paynet, please contact your bank and request they address this with Payserv Africa to have service reinstated.”
A senior banking official told businessdigest that they cannot pay for the services of Paynet for carrying out transactions in RTGS.
“Various discussions have been held over the issue to try and find middle ground,” the official noted.
“It does not make sense for us to pay the service provider in foreign currency when we process transactions in RTGS. Paynet has cut off all banks from their platforms which is probably to pressurise us to accept its proposition for us to pay for its services in foreign currency. “
Another banking official said they are now looking at other modalities to avert a national crisis, which include looking for an alternative service provider who will charge in RTGS dollars.
“We feel that Paynet has tried to turn customers against banks by asking them to contact us over its decisions to cut us off which is a move in bad faith,” he said.
The development is a culmination of the depreciation of the country’s local currency which continues to rapidly erode against the United States dollar. Yesterday the US dollar was trading at 1:9 with the RTGS dollar on the parallel market.
The country’s local currency has been in a free-fall since Reserve Bank governor John Mangudya announced in October last year the separation of RTGS and foreign currency accounts. The situation is further aggravated by the central bank’s decision in February this year to adjust the exchange rate from 1:1 to 1:2,5.
This has resulted in most service providers and retail shops demanding payment in the US dollar or at the RTGS equivalent at a time the disposable income of most Zimbabweans has remained stagnant.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced last week that his government is working on introducing a new local currency and abandoning the use of the multi-currency regime which has been operating for the last decade.
By Own Correspondent- Seviasi Piki, a former Zanu Pf councilor who resides near Chaka business centre, the man who assisted Apostle Talent Chiwenga soon after the accident has said he assisted the accident victim but was not even aware of who was who.
He said:
“The atmosphere was sombre and everyone was afraid because there were dead bodies. There was a police officer but he looked scared and i took control because i wanted to save a life.
I even commanded the people that were there to go and take axes so that we assist the people that were trapped. Everyone was panicking.
There were three or four boys who had the guts to assist because the other people, from a nearby farm that were there were shell shocked. They were not taking any action because they were too scared.”
Watch the video below for this and more….
If 8-hour powercuts were already a pain in the backside then brace yourselves for even longer periods in the dark, as ZESA has started stage 2 of load shedding as announced on ZBC News last night.
“Kindly note that generation at Hwange is depressed due to a technical fault. Load shedding is now on Stage 2.
Load shedding may be above [for longer periods than] the publicized schedules. We apologize for any inconveniences caused.”
Considering that Stage 2 load shedding has 15 hour power cuts, it’s going to be a depressing period if the fault at Hwange takes a significant amount of time to fix.
Even in the event that this technical fault is fixed, once you consider that there’s close to a fortnight of generation capacity left at Kariba, stage 2 might become the norm sooner rather than later.
Tech Zim
The troubled Anglican Church Diocese of Manicaland is currently engulfed in a major se_x scandal which the high ranking officials are reported to be attempting to cover up.
The Zim Morning Post reports that Reverend Position Chikuruwo was caught redhanded having se_x with Lynnette Manyumwa, the wife of his colleague Reverend Talent Makanga. The disgraceful act occured in Makanga’s own house.
However, Bishop Eric Ruwona who presides over the Diocese of Manicaland is reported to be making moves to protect Chikuruwo, who is reported to be a protegee of his.
A source who spoke to the publication said,
“Yes, we can confirm that this (se_xual act) happened. As we speak right now they (Talent Makanga and Lynnette Manyumwa) are on separation, as divorce processes are ongoing.”
Both Revered Chikuruwo and Lynnette are said to have confessed to the adultery. However, Chikuruwo went on to claim that he was not the only bedding Lynnette. He went on to claim that Lynnette was also having adulterous affairs with two other named Reverends as well as another church member who is at the Anglican Church Diocese of Manicaland head office.
According to the established facts, Chikuruwo attended a party last Friday where he became inebriated. Instead of going home, he went to Makanga’s residence where he continued drinking with Makanga.
It seems like Makanga was already suspicious of Chikuruwo as he pretended to leave his own house, only to climb over the pre-cast wall hide in the yard.
Thinking that her husband had left, Lynnette is reported to have left the couple’s bedroom, and taken Chikuruwo into a spare bedroom where the two engaged in unprotected se_x.
After Makanga failed to open the main door into the house because it was locked, he called a relative who was in the other spare bedroom to open the door for him. The two then went into the other spare bedroom where they caught Lynnette and Chikuruwo In flagrante delicto (red handed).
Ruwona is reported to have protected Chikuruwo who alleged to be serial se_x predator from numerous previous cases. Whenever an allegation was made, Bishop Ruwona would transfer Chikuruwo almost overnight to another parish.
When contacted for comment, Bishop Ruwona said
“As a church, we have not yet received that report (se_xual misconduct). We have only read that on the social media. But on cases of that matter, the church has processes and systems to deal with that. The Bishop has his court. We want evidence. So when we have that evidence, our Diocesan Secretary will deal with it.”
Zanu-PF party is set to receive $8 403 600 while the MDC Alliance will $3 596 400 from the $12 million allocated to political parties by the Treasury under the Political Parties Finance Act.
This was announced by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi in the government gazette.
The two political parties garnered 70,03% and 29,97% of the total votes cast in the 2018 elections and under the Political Parties Finance Act, only a political party that secures 5 % of the total votes cast can benefit from the fiscus.
“It is hereby notified in terms of the Political Parties and Finance Act (Chapter 2.040 that the total amount of monies payable to political parties in respect of the year beginning January 1, 2019, and ending December 31, 2019, is $12 million,” stated Ziyambi.
The move has in the past raised the ire of smaller political parties as they have argues that they deserve a chunk of the money.
The move comes in the wake of financial problems in the opposition movement with recent reports indicating that the party was failing to pay its workers.
The MDC had to rely on donations to run its recent national elective congress held in Gweru.
A video of Former President Robert telling a gathering that he had confided to South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki that he preferred Sydney Sekeramayi to take over from him has resurfaced.
Mugabe is heard saying he told Mbeki that Sekeramayi should be the one who takes over because he was senior than Mnangagwa.
Mugabe revealed that people like Perence Shiri also knew the succession plan but they decided to support Mnangagwa.
Member of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Presidential Advisory Council Busisa Moyo has been subject to speculations that he has quit the presidential committee.
Moyo posted a Twitter message which generated speculation that he is throwing in the towel and resigning from the embattled PAC.
Moyo’s ambiguous tweet read as follows:
“Zvaramba ma Comrades. Kwalile zihlobo! Okay. I was wrong, yes perhaps naive. Sometimes you want something to be true & you believe it before it happens (faith)…you give it your best & believe the next man is largely doing the same. I thought you should know!”
Moyo has apparently since deleted the tweet and replaced it with another one claiming that he had been misunderstood by the readers.
ZimEye will be bringing you the exclusive interview today.
Refresh this page for latest updates.
Farai Dziva|Villagers in Masvingo Central Constituency want the local authority to construct a new bridge over Mutirikwi River as the old one has become obsolete.
Speaking to ward councillors, traditional leaders and public officials during a community engagement programme facilitated by COTRAD in Masvingo Central Constituency last week , the villagers said the old Mutirikwi Bridge was defunct.
“Many people are losing their lives while trying to cross the flooded low-lying bridge to and from Chenhuwe Business Centre, Shonganiso, Zivezano Schools and other local areas,”said one villager.
The villagers urged Masvingo RDC to channel funds meant for plough back- towards the construction of a new bridge.
“We call upon Masvingo Rural District Council and public officials to respond to the social service delivery and infrastructure development concerns raised by the people.
The Masvingo RDC should prioritize and attempt to improve services and infrastructure in rural areas.
It is enshrined under section 276 of the constitution that, the rural district councils should raise sufficient revenue for them to carry out objectives and responsibilities in areas of their jurisdiction.
COTRAD encourages public officials and local authorities to consult their communities before implementing community development projects and programs.
COTRAD also encourages the villagers to fearlessly and peacefully engage public officials and relevant ministries to present issues affecting their communities,” COTRAD said in a statement.
FULL INTERVIEWS TO FOLLOW TODAY
FULL INTERVIEWS TO FOLLOW TODAY
Farai Dziva| Zimbabwe Warriors have made a slight improvement on the latest FIFA Rankings.
The Warriors were in action during the June international break which happened last week. They played African powerhouse Nigeria and managed an goalless stalemate in Asaba.
The draw saw the Sunday Chidzambwa-coached team moving one place up to position 109 in the World 1092 points. On the African Ranking, the national men’s side remains in the 26th place.
Senegal retained the top spot on the continent while Belgium top the world chart with 1746 points.
World Top 10: 1. Belgium, 2. France, 3. Brazil, 4.England, 5. Portugal, 6. Croatia, 7. Spain, 8. Uruguay, 9. Switzerland, 10. Denmark.
Africa Top 10: 1. Senegal, 2. Tunisia, 3. Nigeria, 4. Morocco, 5. DRC, 6. Ghana, 7. Cameroon, 8. Egypt, 9. Burkina Faso, 10. Mali
……
Farai Dziva|Highlanders have elected to maintain their gate charges for the big clash against perennial arch rivals Dynamos on Sunday.
The encounter will be played at Barbourfields Stadium.
The cheapest ticket is going for $10, a new minimum price announced by the PSL early this month. The VIP is pegged at $20 and $50 for the VVIP.
All modes of payments, mobile; cash and swipe, will be available on the day of the match.
Fans can even purchase advance tickets through the newly introduced Electronic Ticketing service.
The online purchase is be made by dialling the USSD code *127# on the phone and follow the prompt messages. After the payment is made, a confirmation message with a unique ticket ID and match details will be sent to the user.
However, the service is currently restricted to Econet users only.
Farai Dziva|Belgian star forward Eden Hazard has said his move to Spanish giants Real Madrid is a dream which came true.
Speaking for the first time as a Madrid player during his unveiling, Hazard revealed it has always been his childhood dream to don the famous Los Blancos shirt.
“Since I was a child, it was my dream to play for this club,” Hazard said in front of over 50 000 fans at the Bernabeu.
“I look forward to putting on the shirt and defending this club.”
The 28-year-old Belgian who completed an £88 million transfer from Chelsea last week has not been handed a shirt number as of yet, as his favourite number 10 is occupied by Luka Modric.
Farai Dziva|MDC vice president, Tendai Biti has maintained his party is committed to dialogue.
Last month Biti also expressed his party’s willingness to engage in dialogue with Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Writing on microblogging site Twitter yesterday said that dialogue would resolve the political impasse.
Said Biti:”It was indeed a sad sending off for Vimbayi and we are indebted to the thousands who paid their respects.
The church service at the City Sports displayed the huge scars of a tortured society. The country needs dialogue and healing. As MDC we will give dialogue a chance.”
By A Correspondent| Fears for ZANU PF’s former National Commissar, Gen Engelbert Rugeje rose early Friday afternoon when his phone remained switched off, just after rumours floated claiming that he has been involved in a car accident. A church Facebook account first flighted the reports which claim he has been admitted at Silveira Hospital near Masvingo.
The fears have continued from the time Rugeje was removed from his National Commissar post last week. The NPC post “burns everyone” and even the former NPC (Mugabe days), Saviour Kasukuwere is still lurking in fear 2 years after his removal on 2017.
As at Friday afternoon, unnamed security details descended onto Kasukuwere’s farm reportedly to harrass him.
But his Personal Assistant, Everisto Dika told ZimEye there is no truth at all in the accident rumours.
He said, “Lies, true lies, there is nothing like that there are a lot of people who have phoned me. There is nothing like that. He is safe,” he told ZimEye.
When asked about Rugeje’s whereabouts, he refused to be drawn into disclosing his exact location only saying, “he is out of Harare, but not in Masvingo.
“It is his home area of course, but he is not anywhere near that place. Usually, stories of this nature involving our leaders they(people) want to cause confusion and panic, to throw unnecessary confusion and panic,” he added.
Meanwhile, the fears for Rugeje are not new, they stem from the fact that since independence, every political commissar has suffered either an assassination, or a humiliating ouster. The list of victims includes:
Mayor Urimbo,
Maurice Nyagumbo,
Movern Mahachi,
Border Gezi,
Elliot Manyika,
Webster Shamu,
Saviour Kasukuwere,
Engelbert Rugeje.
Farai Dziva|MDC Youth Assembly leader Obey Sithole has been summoned by the ZRP Law and Order section.
The police are yet to disclose the reason for summoning him.Sithole will report at Harare Central Police Station in the company of his lawyers.
See the MDC Youth Assembly statement below:
Youth Assembly National Chairman leader Obey Luther Sithole has been summoned by ZRP’s Law and Order section.
He will report at Harare Central Police Station today in company of his lawyers.
The move by ZRP comes hotly after the Youth Assembly this week held a press conferences at MRT House where we bemoaned the debilitating economic situation presided over by the ZANU PF regime.
It is our conviction that our youth commander did everything within the confines of the law.
As the MDC Youth Assembly we are not going to be moved or gravitate away from our position that the current crisis is directly linked to corruption and the legitimacy question.
We stood where we stand and we stand where we stood!
Aluta!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
Farai Dziva|Controversial Member of Parliament for Buhera South, Joseph Chinotimba (ZANU PF) has sensationally claimed the MDC is dead and buried.
Chinotimbaade the remarks on Wednesday.
He blasted the MDC-led Harare City council for “dismally failing torun the affairs of the city.”
Chinotimba was commenting on the absence of water in the Parliament building -affecting ablution facilities.
“Parliament has no water. The stench from the toilets is just so bad. We cannot just sit as Parliament whilst things go bad to such an extent.
How are we expected to carry out parliamentary business without water?
It is the council that has failed. The MDC party is dead and has failed.
If they have failed then I want to be the Mayor of Harare. I will contest for the position so that I fix the problem.”
Farai Dziva| The brother-in-law of the late MDC founding president, Morgan Tsvangirai, yesterday said an inclusive government will resolve the country’s political crisis.
He urged Emmerson Mnangagwa and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to resort to dialogue and come up with an inclusive government to address the country’s economic woes.
Isaac Mhundwa, brother to Tsvangirai’s wife, the late Susan said :”
My sister died in an accident on her way to celebrate the inclusive government that later stabilised the economy for the betterment of people’s lives.
My niece died in an accident as well and I hope this challenges the political leaders to negotiate and come up with another inclusive government.”
He made remarks at the funeral of Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java, the eldest daughter of Morgan and Susan who died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident she was involved in outside Kwekwe on May 14.
Farai Dziva|A Harare based church leader has been accused of snatching a congregant’s wife.
The bishop of VaEfeso Apostolic Faith Church is reportedly mired in an adultery scandal.
Shadreck Tennis, a member of the VaEfeso Apostolic Faith Church claims that his wife Melody Tennis has been involved in a relationship with Bishop Jabulani Munyanyi for over a year.
He told H-Metro, that at one stage the church leader had been helping the couple fix their marriage.
”Bishop Jabulani Munyanyi had been helping us with marital affairs whenever we had complications and I trusted him, only to find out that he had been cheating with my wife,” he said.
”I found out that my wife was cheating on me after I discovered some facebook messages and consulted Bishop Munyanyi’s wife who also confirmed that she was aware of the relationship.”
However the bishop said :
”He (Shadreck) hacked his wife’s Facebook account and started chatting with me as if it was the wife.
That’s where the whole drama started. I was only trying to help because his wife’s mother was once my high school teacher and then Tennis started accusing me of being in a relationship with his wife.”
Farai Dziva|Flamboyant and controversial Zanu PF MP (Gokwe – Nembudziya) Justice Mayor Wadyajena has accused Norton MP Temba Mliswa of being jealous of his new acquisition.
Yesterday in Parliament, Mliswa wanted to know whether Wadyajena managed to import his luxurious vehicle using tax rebates enjoyed by legislators.
“While MPs enjoy tax rebates on vehicles, it is important to understand what kind of vehicles MPs are entitled to,” Mliswa said.
“Are MPs entitled to vehicles that can get to their constituencies and not Lamborghinis, because a Lamborghini doesn’t get to rural constituencies? The public are now asking questions about the vehicle and your guidance, Mr Speaker, is sought on the types of vehicles we must get as MPs.”
Wadyajena responded : “You are an embarrassment. Why are you so jealous?”
Farai Dziva|Masvingo based NGO, COTRAD has launched a programme meant to eradicate violence and Intimidation in rural and urban communities.
“COTRAD is working with BUSTOP TV to encourage people to report cases of human rights violations to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) and other relevant institutions without fear.
Every Zimbabwean has the right to walk into a police station or Public Enquiry Counter (PEC) and make a report if he/she feels his/her rights have been infringed upon by some other person.
Members of the public have the right to contact the police through telephone, or various police hotline around the country. The people can also use various suggestion boxes to present complains to the police,” said COTRAD in statement.
A COTRAD official also said: “The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is national human rights institution established under section 242 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, whose main mandate is to Protect, Promote and Enforce human rights.
The Commission deals with complaints of abuses and violations of rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe and in any international human rights agreements that the country has agreed to sign and any complaints arising from abuse of power or maladministration by the State and public institutions.”
By A Correspondent| Fears for ZANU PF’s former National Commissar, Gen Engelbert Rugeje rose early Friday afternoon when his phone remained switched off, just after rumours floated claiming that he has been involved in a car accident. A church Facebook account first flighted the reports which claim he has been admitted at Silveira Hospital near Masvingo.
The fears have continued from the time Rugeje was removed from his National Commissar post last week. The NPC post “burns everyone” and even the former NPC (Mugabe days), Saviour Kasukuwere is still lurking in fear 2 years after his removal on 2017.
But his Personal Assistant, Everisto Dika told ZimEye there is no truth at all in the accident rumours.
He said, “Lies, true lies, there is nothing like that there are a lot of people who have phoned me. There is nothing like that. He is safe,” he told ZimEye.
When asked about Rugeje’s whereabouts, he refused to be drawn into disclosing his exact location only saying, “he is out of Harare, but not in Masvingo.
“It is his home area of course, but he is not anywhere near that place. Usually, stories of this nature involving our leaders they(people) want to cause confusion and panic, to throw unnecessary confusion and panic,” he added.
Meanwhile, the fears for Rugeje are not new, they stem from the fact that since independence, every political commissar has suffered either an assassination, or a humiliating ouster. The list of victims includes:
Mayor Urimbo,
Maurice Nyagumbo,
Movern Mahachi,
Border Gezi,
Elliot Manyika,
Webster Shamu,
Saviour Kasukuwere,
Engelbert Rugeje.
Apostle Batsirai Java|”We laid you my wife yesterday at Glen Forest, but i did not lay you inside of me.You were and you are still part of my life, church and GlenView constituency that God has given you to lead as MP.”
A true wife and best friend.A true leader in all areas, a mother to many people.
Rest in eternal peace my wife, best friend and partner in everything. I am happy because you are with the Lord.
Newsday|Police officers who man the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) urban buses have petitioned government and the bus company over unpaid overtime.
In the petition, seen by Southern Eye, the police officers said they were working more than 18-hour shifts, which they alleged begin at 3:45am and end at 10pm.
“When those duties started, we had two shifts, one starting at 3:45am to 1pm and the other at 1:01pm to 10pm. But the command said one shift was enough,” read the petition.
The officers further said they spend many hours in the buses plying different routes, which they felt was unhealthy.
“For 18 hours, we are given only lunch, which is not enough,” the petition read.
They said Zupco was supposed to pay them an allowance of ZWL$30 daily, which should through their command, but they had never received the allowance.
“We hear news that Zupco pays travelling and subsistence allowances at RTGS$30, but it does not reach us. Many have fallen sick due to this strenuous duty,” the petition read.
The police officers alleged that the Zimbabwe Republic Police was engulfed by so much panic such that even those at police stations were doing 12 hour-shifts.
“Security wise, we have so much fatigue. At Bulawayo Central, they have 12 hour-shift again and there is panic all of a sudden. You greed (sic) pay us our allowances.”
Contacted for comment, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said there was a period when officers manning Zupco buses had to work for longer hours due to logistical problems that the force’s Bulawayo province command was working on.
“I admit that we had a period when our officers had to work longer hours on the buses. This was due to logistical issues we had, but we managed to solve that within three days,” he said.
However, Nyathi said if members of the police force had any problems, they knew the communication channel within the force, adding that their grievances would never be ignored.
“Our position as the Zimbabwe Republic Police is, we are fully aware of the communication channels that we use in the event that we have grievances. Right now,
members are doing a two shift system, and I believe some of the allegations are exaggerated,” he said.
The police officers in their petition also complained over lack of winter uniforms.
“We do not have enough winter uniforms. Is our police commander aware of this?” the petition read.
Responding to the complaint, Nyathi said: “I am not aware of that, even the issue of ZWL$30 a day is new to me. Like I said, if police members have a problem,they should use the proper communication channel, and desist from running to the Press.”
Zupco acting chief executive Everisto Madangwe distanced the company from any responsibility to police officers on duty aboard their fleet.
“I am not in a position to comment about the police welfare, I can only talk about the welfare of the Zupco employees, which happens to be my dispensation,” Madangwe said.
ZRP officers have been on duty, maintaing security, ever since the threat of violent demonstrations by angry citizens, particularly in Harare, following fuel hikes in January.
Dear Editor.
Please tell us about this. Nyaya yanetsa iyi. What’s going on?
….and there was Drama in Barracks today…soldiers rejected the RTGS salaries…They want them rated or USD…
— Dr Sekuru Chirasha (Phd) (@mafirakureva18) June 13, 2019
Opah had series of meetings from one Barrack to another….
No payslips have been issued to soldiers yet…#Chaora
The late Secretary General of the US black American organisation December 12 Movement, Coltran Chimurenga, will be given a state-assisted burial.
Chimurenga passed away a month ago; his body arrived yesterday evening and was received by the Zanu PF party officials at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. His two sons, Camilo and Amilcar Chimurenga expressed gratitude to have their father buried in Zimbabwe as per his wish.
The late Chimurenga was described as a person who would defend Zimbabwe against all forms of attacks. This was revealed by Zanu PF Secretary for External Affairs, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi who said that he used to work with Chimurenga very closely when the former was Zimbabwe’s ambassador to the United Nations and the United Kingdom.
Viola Plummer, the chairperson of the December 12 Movement revealed that together with the late Chimurenga, the movement has attended a lot of conferences in Zimbabwe to support the liberation movement party, Zanu PF.
Chimurenga was commonly known for standing against sanctions which Western countries including the USA and the UK imposed on Zimbabwe.
May His Dear Soul Rest In Eternal Peace!
Read More: ZBC News Online
State Media|THE Warriors are set to have a drama-free run-up to the African Cup of Nations tournament after the fundraising committee tasked to mobilise resources for their campaign got off to a good start when they managed to raise half the target during their initial fundraising dinner on Wednesday in Harare.
The Warriors are already in Egypt where they are bracing for the tournament opener against the hosts next Friday night.
They are in Group A along with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Before their departure, the players had made a passionate plea to the Government and the private sector to help their cause by raising up to US$500 000 to cater for their accommodation, allowances, bonuses and other expenses in the run-up to and during the tournament.
The players said they would want to focus on playing football in their quest to go past the group stages for the first time without having to worry about money issues and camping glitches like what transpired in previous campaigns.
The Special Warriors Fundraising Committee spokesperson, Eve Gadzikwa, believes the target is achievable after they got overwhelming responses during their maiden fundraising dinner at Cresta Lodge in Harare.
The event was over-subscribed and they managed to pull together US$218 000 and close to $3.5 million.
An air of patriotism filled the packed arena as the Government contributed the biggest chunk through the Guest of Honour, President Mnangagwa, who announced a package of US$200 000 and an additional $300 000.
There was also an auction of replicas and souvenirs. Harare businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei was the highest bidder for the President’s famous scarf which went for $250 000.
A soccer ball and a jersey signed by President Mnangagwa were also auctioned to the tune of US$10 000 to Mutare businessman Tino Machakaire.
The second set was snapped up by Zimplats for US$3 500. The third was sold for US$1 500 to Beautie Makiya-Masibanda.
South Africa-based Zimbabwean business concern Zororo-Phumulani pledged R15 000 for every goal scored by the Warriors during the AFCON campaign, among many other pledges made on the night. Gadzikwa yesterday said the members of her committee were overwhelmed by the responses and revealed plans to spread their efforts to other parts of the country and to the Zimbabweans in the Diaspora.
“The event was quite a big success. It was over-subscribed, the turnout was phenomenal and the venue was overflowing. It went beyond our expectations. We were humbled to have the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) in our midst and he led the way by announcing a hefty package from the Government. He even offered his famous scarf and we managed to raise quite a substantial amount from its auction.
“Considering that this was the first event by this committee, which was only put in place just over a month ago, we can only be positive that things will work out well. We are happy with what we got but we are not going to rest on our laurels. There is still more work to be done considering the economic environment we are working in,” said Gadzikwa.
The fundraising committee, which comprises captains of industry, Cabinet ministers and sports administrators, was put in place by President Mnangagwa last month.
To ensure transparency, they have engaged reputable multinational professional services firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, to audit all the funds contributed towards the Warriors cause.
Gadzikwa said prospective donors can send their contributions and pledges via all platforms which include bank transfers to a CBZ account dedicated solely for this venture and mobile money services offered by the country’s major three networks – NetOne, Econet and Telecel.
Chairman of the committee Kazembe Kazembe, who is also the Acting Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, said they will account for every dollar raised.
“So far we have been working around the clock to ensure that we get the necessary resources for the Warriors. I want to assure the President and the entire Zimbabwe, on behalf of the Warriors 2019 AFCON Committee, that we will be very transparent.
We will fully account for all the resources that will be raise in order to maintain the cordial relations that we have with the corporates and all the individuals that are going to support us.
“To that end we have engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers to ensure that there is hygiene in our finances and I am glad to say that they have pledged their services free of charge as a contribution to this national cause,” said Kazembe.
Warriors team manager, Wellington Mpandare, said the Warriors are bracing themselves for the tournament as they seek to progress from the group stages for the first time. The Warriors were knocked out early in 2004, 2006 and 2017.
They arrived in Egypt last Sunday and are currently using the meagre resources from ZIFA for their transport and upkeep during the final preparations in the North African country. Participating teams will only move to the official CAF hotels five days before the tournament kicks-off.
Speaking to The Herald from Cairo yesterday, Mpandare said ZIFA had done their best to secure decent accommodation and food supplies, which are a bit expensive in Egypt. The team has also been paying around US$200 for bus hire every day and US$500 for the training pitch daily.
“Remember we can only get into the official hotel five days before the start of the tournament, which is on Sunday. So it was not going to be easy for ZIFA and the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) did something that we really never expected.
“There is no greater way of saying thank you Cde President, the fundraising committee and everyone who is playing a part. This is your team representing the country and we are the ambassadors of Zimbabwe here.
“We appreciate what the President (Mnangagwa) and the people of Zimbabwe are doing. The boys have promised to do their best and they want to do it for the President and for all the Zimbabweans. Like what the President said, we are Zimbabweans, he is Zimbabwean and you are Zimbabwean. They don’t have to look for a reason to support us and we also don’t have to look for reasons to represent Zimbabwe,” said Mpandare.
ZIFA president, Felton Kamambo, said the Warriors have made it clear they will go out of their way to bring back home positive results if their welfare and upkeep were taken care of.
“On behalf of ZIFA and the Warriors, I would like to profoundly thank the President of Zimbabwe His Excellency Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa for seeing it fit to appoint a committee to source funds for the cause of our senior national team.
“Like I said before we are not going there to make numbers but to compete and bring results back home. The Egypt 2019 AFCON tournament has presented a perfect opportunity to take our brand high up there to compete with the best in Africa.
‘‘I believe in our squad and I am positive that we are going to be a surprise package. Those who have already made the decision to partner us on this journey, I say thank you so much. Those who are still thinking about it don’t hesitate to be part of history,” said Kamambo.
It takes a clever wife to be able to chop twice from the same man, once as a wife and also as a side chick.
But a Kenyan woman has managed to accomplish this rare feat for one full year.
The lady, Nyakisumu Kelly, revealed in the Kenyan version of ‘Tell It All’ that her husband was on the verge of discovering her ruse and since she still wants to continue chopping his money as a side chick, she needs advice on what to do.
“I have dated my husband online for one year now but he doesn’t know it’s me. He knows am a Mombasa resident and so he has been sending me rent every month…He tells me his wife died in the Westgate terror attack…He trusts me such that every time I ask him to send me some cash, he sends without hesitating,” she revealed.
However, the husband is now ready to meet the ‘sidechick’ and definitely chop her down but since Kelly cannot meet him without her deception being discovered, she’s seeking advice.
Defunct Steel manufacturer Ziscosteel, is set to get a new board of directors after Government retired the entire old board that had been in office for more than a decade. Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, confirmed that the board led by Mr Nyasha Makuvise had overstayed its term of office and has been retired, paving way for the appointment of a new board.
“We have retired the entire old board. The new one is expected anytime soon. In fact, I already have the names and am awaiting approval by President Emerson Mnangagwa,” said Minister Ndlovu.
“The board has been there for long, more than 10 years. Under normal circumstances, the board was supposed to be in office for two terms of four years, that is a total of eight years in office. We are actually celebrating their tenure and appreciating their hard work in trying to turn around the fortunes of our great national asset.”
The board leaves office at time when there are allegations of looting of assets within the giant steel manufacturer. During the commissioning of ZimCoke plant that is within the Ziscosteel plant recently, Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Larry Mavima decried alleged theft within the parastatal.
“We all know that Zisco has been closed for a long period now. While it appears that everything is intact there are, however, there are incidences of cannibalism and removal of assets from this particular public enterprise. However, I should mention that management to an extent has tried to protect these assets,” said Minister Mavima.
Minister Ndlovu also confirmed having received such information, saying the coming in of ZimCoke will put a stop to such shenanigans.
“I have heard about those allegations. We, however, cannot say the retiring of the board is part of the solution but I know for sure the coming in of ZimCoke, which is set to resume operations in the near future, will improve sanity at the parastatal,” he said.
“I understand they are bringing in top notch security that will be manning not only ZimCoke but the entire Ziscosteel plant.”
Minister Ndlovu said an investigation will also be conducted in the near future to ascertain which assets were missing.
The coming in of new board is expected to bring renewed hope towards the revitalization of the giant steel company, which is considered one of the biggest in the region.
With capacity to employ more than 5 000 workers and supply the whole region with steel, the company is a strategic player in the country’ economic turnaround.
State Media
Daily Mail|A South African man who was pictured throwing his baby off a roof during a protest has walked free from court.
The 38-year-old man, who’s name has not been revealed to protect the identity of the child, was charged with attempted murder after throwing his daughter off the top of a shack in an illegal township to stop it being demolished.
He had taken the baby and climbed on top of their home in protest against dozens of shacks at a township in Kwadwesi, near Port Elizabeth on South Africa ‘s eastern cape coast being lined up for destruction.
Today he received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to child abuse in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court after the state dropped charges of attempted murder.
He was fined 5,000 rand and handed a sentence of one year in jail, suspended for five years.
Footage taken during the protest shows township locals egging the agitated dad on with chants of: ‘Throw, throw, throw’.
Images show the police officer on the roof rushing forward to grab the father but not before he threw the baby.
Fortunately, the girl was caught by the policemen standing below, and did not suffer any injuries.
The father was arrested and handcuffed and was officially charged by police with attempted murder.
The drama happened after 90 shacks built illegally at the Joe Slovo township in Kwadwesi were ordered to be demolished.
The South African Police Service had been sent in to ensure the safety of the demolition team as 150 protesters began serious rioting throwing bricks and closing off roads with burning tyres.
As calm was being restored this man climbed onto the roof of his shack with his child and threatened to throw her to her death if the demolishers did not back off and leave his home alone.
When negotiators failed to talk him down a rescue plan was launched by police which ended successfully with the fathers’ arrest and the safe recovery of the toddler who was thrown off the shack.
Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge told local media: ‘At about 10.40am a 38-year-old man climbed onto the roof of one of the structures and held a one-year-old girl in his hands.
‘This was done to force the team not to demolish the structure.
‘Due to the dangerous threat to the safety of the child police set out a plan to rescue the little girl and arrest the male and one of our officers successfully caught the girl as she was flung.
‘The 38-year-old father has been charged with the attempted murder of his daughter and the case is being handled by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit’.
Captain Beetge said the baby has been handed back to the 35-year-old mother and their case is being overseen by local social services to ensure the child is in a place of safety.
The Motherwell Cluster Commander Major General Dawie Rabie praised the police actions.
He said: ‘It is shocking that a father would attempt to sacrifice his own child for the sake of delaying the demolishing of an illegal shack structure but thankfully the girl was saved.
‘The father will face the full force of the Law for his actions’ he said.
The demolition team then moved in and successfully destroyed 90 structures that had been built illegally on unowned land.
Africa Cup of Nations hosts Egypt rested star Mohamed Salah as they defeated Tanzania 1-0 Thursday in the first of two warm-up matches before the June 21 tournament kick-off.
With the prolific Liverpool scorer sitting on the bench in Alexandria, it was left to full-back Ahmed Elmohamady to break the deadlock on 65 minutes with a back-post header off a cross.
Elmohamady is a long-serving Pharaoh and could face Salah in the English Premier League next season as his Aston Villa club won promotion.
Record seven-time Cup of Nations champions Egypt dominated possession but lacked cohesion against Tanzania, who are back at the Cup of Nations after a 39-year absence.
Title favourites Egypt face Zimbabwe in the tournament opener in Cairo and also play the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda in Group A.
They return to Mediterranean city Alexandria this Sunday to tackle Guinea in another friendly ahead of the 24-team African football showpiece.
Tanzania are coached by Emmanuel Amunike, a 1994 Cup of Nations winner as a player with Nigeria, and meet Algeria, Senegal and Kenya in Group C.
News Agencies|A businessman has been jailed for life for a mid-air stunt in which he faked a hijacking threat that forced the plane to make an emergency landing.
Birju Kishor Salla, from Mumbai, was arrested and charged for posing a threat to the safety of passengers and crew on board the 2017 flight from Mumbai to New Delhi on now defunct Jet Airways.
A court in India heard Salla left a note in a tissue box warning of non-existent explosives on the aircraft, the country’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) said in a statement.
A female flight attendant “found a threat note in the washroom of the business class of the plane which stated that, ‘There are hijackers on board and explosives on the plane’,” the NIA said.
“Flight No. 9W 339 is covered by hijackers and aircraft should not be land and flown straight to POK,” Salla wrote in the note. POK referred to the disputed Pakistan-occupied region in Kashmir.
After being shown the note, the captain’s “face tightened”, but he quickly worked towards a safe emergency landing “without causing panic among passengers”, the Mumbai Mirror reported.
“An incident of this kind had never happened to me,” the captain, Jay Jariwala, said.
“There are guidelines we have to follow when there is any incident involving the safety of the aircraft, the passengers and the crew. We just followed procedures.
“We couldn’t let the passengers know about the specific threat, We only announced that for security reasons we were diverting the fight to Ahmedabad.”
Salla, a diamond trader, initially walked free from the flight, but authorities traced the note to him last year, and he was charged with attempting to seize control of an aircraft and for making threats.
As well as being sentenced to life in prison, Salla was fined 50 million rupees ($A1 million), which a special court ruled would be given as compensation to crew and passengers for their “misery”, the NIA said.
“Even though Salla did not actually commit the act of hijacking, that he intentionally planted a letter threatening that 12 hijackers, one of them being himself, were on board and that there were explosives in the cargo area, qualifies as a hijack threat and attempt,” an NIA official told the Times of India.
“He was masquerading as a hijacker. The conviction and life sentence should serve as a major deterrent to those who indulge in such hijack scares for the heck of it.”
The case was one of the first registered under India’s anti-hijacking law that was passed in 2016.
The law imposed stronger sentences, including the death penalty, for hijacking as well as attempts or threats to hijack.
The last hijacking of an Indian flight was in 1999 when a plane from Nepal was diverted to Afghanistan by five terrorists, CNN reported.
The 190 passengers and crew were released after the Indian government released three militants.
State Media|GOVERNMENT has said no Gukurahundi exhumations and reburials should be done until the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) completes consultations on how the process should be undertaken.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Deputy Minister Mike Madiro said a policy, which is yet to be crafted, will guide the exhumation and reburial of Gukurahundi victims.
Madiro said this while responding to Bulawayo MDC-T proportional representation MP Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga during Wednesday’s National Assembly Question-and-Answer Session.
Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga had asked whether it was permissible for families of individuals who died during the 1980s disturbances to conduct exhumations and reburials for the victims.
Madiro said the NPRC was conducting consultations on the issue and what will come out of that process would be used to map the way forward.
“Member should be informed that this is a matter which is being considered by the commission which has been put in place to come up with the programme and policy on reburials. So until such a time that the commission finishes its brief, then no one should be able to exhume and rebury — unless it is done according to the law. Otherwise at the moment, it cannot be done on private basis. It has to wait for the commission to do its work and upon reporting then reburials can be done. I want to inform the House that we do not have a specific policy on how it has to be done. That is a matter which is still under consultation,” said Madiro.
Last week, the NPRC said it would tackle Gukurahundi as a matter of priority.
NPRC Commissioner Leslie Ncube said in the commission’s engagement with the public, it observed that Gukurahundi was a topical issue that needed to be addressed.
Comm Ncube said the NPRC was working closely with stakeholders and communities.
“This is why we’ve created these multi-stakeholder committees because we know that this is a burning issue. We don’t want to be seen as if we’re hiding the truth. In terms of implementing our plans, we need support from the stakeholders because they know what happened and they also know where and when it happened and they will not hide anything,” said Comm Ncube.
State Media|BATTLE lines have been drawn between tenants in Victoria Falls town and property owners who are demanding outrageous United States dollar amounts for payment of rentals for their properties.
Concerned residents have approached the Victoria Falls Municipality and Government to intervene. Unscrupulous landlords are now demanding rentals in US$ and are refusing to accept RTGS and EcoCash payments thereby leaving many stranded.
A room is now pegged between $50 and $100, which translates to between RTGS$400 and RTGS$800 per room on the prevailing black market rate. The rentals exclude other charges such as rates and water bills.
The rent madness is not confined to households as office space owners are also demanding between US$400 and US$1 000 per month per office with effect from June 1.
A majority of tenants are vacating premises as they cannot afford to raise the US$ but have a challenge of getting new premises because Victoria Falls has limited office space. Those who spoke to Business Chronicle said more and more landlords were demanding US$ for rentals
They called upon Government to regulate the property sector.
“Something needs to be done. We need a regulation because people earn on average between RTGS$350 and RTGS$500 yet they are expected to pay rent in forex,” said a concerned resident who requested anonymity.
Many residents said they expected only foreigners to be asked to pay for services and other charges in forex and not locals.
“Employers are not paying workers in forex including those demanding payments in forex so where do they expect people to get the forex from?”
The residents said what has worsened their plight is that many of them do not own houses and as such were at the mercy of landlords demanding forex.
They said council was not helping the situation because it was giving priority to those seeking land for commercial use at the expense of homeseekers.
Most people are vacating offices and shops and securing a room to rent in the suburbs is now a nightmare. Another resident said some tenants have resorted to sharing office space thereby risking lowering standards given that Victorial Falls is a resort town. Residents said the US$ price madness was initiated by hardware owners who started demanding payment for building material in foreign currency.
This has resulted in most locals buying products from Zambia and Botswana where prices are reasonably cheaper. Zambians are cashing in on the situation as they overload bicycles with bags of cement to sell to Victoria Falls residents.
“Government has to intervene urgently before the situation gets out of hand. The commuting public has also not been spared by this price madness as taxis are charging exorbitant fares. We wish Government could also send us Zupco buses like in other towns where they are paying 50 cents for a distance of up to 20km while we pay RTGS$2.50 for a distance of 4km,” said another concerned resident.
The Affirmative Action Group (AAG) Victoria Falls chapter has described what is happening as contra bona mores (against good morals) and a violation of Statutory Instrument 33/2019, which prohibits such actions. The AAG has said this is causing a lot of anxiety in the community and promoting corruption and profiteering thereby negating Government’s vision 2030.
The chapter’s secretary, Mrs Mercy Mushangwe-Ncube, urged Government to quickly intervene.
“The situation is not confined to rent but also includes prices of other basics. This is not fair because people are earning RTGS. Government should come in because this is getting out of hand. We urgently need our own currency,” she said.
Victoria Falls mayor, Councillor Somvelo Dlamini said council is overwhelmed by complaints from residents but there was nothing the local authority could do as the issue involves private property. He, however, appealed to landlords to be humane reminding them that they pay small amounts in RTGS to council.
“These are private properties where the agreement is between the landlord and tenant hence it’s not easy for the council to intervene.
“We have received a lot of complaints and landlords are saying they built the properties on their own but we would want to urge them to be considerate because this situation is affecting everyone,” he said.
State Media|President Mnangagwa has invited Chinese construction firm, Shanghai Construction Group, to establish offices in Zimbabwe in preparation for future infrastructure construction projects, as the country moves to fulfil Vision 2030 aimed at achieving an upper middle-income society.
The President was speaking after touring the new Parliament Building under construction in Mt Hampden yesterday, which he said was symbolic of the strategic relationship between Zimbabwe and China.
The 650-seater building is being constructed by Shanghai Construction Group using a grant of approximately US$98 million (RMB676,43 million) extended to Zimbabwe by the Chinese government.
Zimbabwe is targeting development and modernisation of roads, railways, airports and other related infrastructure to fulfil provisions of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and enhance the lives of ordinary people.
“This company (Shanghai Construction Group) which is building this Parliament for us has been on the continent for many years, possibly decades and has repute across the continent for constructing buildings or infrastructure of repute,” said the President.
“Now they are in Zimbabwe and they are building this one for us freely. We are grateful, but I would wish that they continue to remain in Zimbabwe. In the area of infrastructure development, Zimbabwe is still lagging behind and I am informed that this company has multiple skills in the area of construction of infrastructure.
“Even by the time we complete this project, there are other projects currently being discussed and seeking financing and I have no doubt that we will be able to select you to implement such projects in Zimbabwe.”
President Mnangagwa said the construction of the Parliament building was as a result of a discussions he held with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, during the FOCAC summit in Beijing last year.
“There are issues which were discussed under the FOCAC (Forum on China-Africa Cooperation) meeting in September last year and currently there are discussions which should be undertaken this month at ministerial level,” said President Mnangagwa.
“Under that programme, China-Africa programme, there is a $60 billion facility from China to Africa and I have no doubt that Zimbabwe will share part of that cake for infrastructure development.”
President Mnangagwa said under the new dispensation, business takes precedence over politics, citing that investors must shun corruption and focus on doing business using the correct channels.
“Now, business takes front seat and politics takes a back seat,” he said. “The cost of short-cuts and the disregard of local authority by-laws and architectural requirements have far reaching and dire implications to one’s investments
“Individuals and corporate property investors must, therefore, make sound and corrupt-free decisions.”
President Mnangagwa praised Shanghai Construction Group for the work it is doing at the New Parliament Building site, whose ground breaking ceremony was done in November last year.
“This edifice will be one of the most unique parliaments in our region,” he said. “Besides being unique, it’s demonstrative of our comprehensive, strategic relationship with the People’s Republic of China. There are many friends we have, but this is one symbolic stature which generations to come will know it is a demonstration of the cooperation between the people of Zimbabwe and the people of China.”
President Mnangagwa commended the construction firm for moving with speed, saying the project was likely to be completed before the scheduled three years.
“I am told that the period of construction is expected to span a period of three years, but I would speculate that with the pace the project is being implemented, there is a possibility that the construction of this parliament will be finished earlier than projected,” he said.
“The Chinese working culture is a culture I believe we should emulate. The Chinese are very hard-working and get focused on the project they would be doing. I have no doubt that our own Zimbabwean people; the craftsmen who are here, the engineers who are here, the architects that are here will benefit not only in terms of skills, but in terms of technology that has been brought here.”
HIGHLANDERS have dismissed messages circulating on social media that they’ve hiked gate charges for the blockbuster clash against Dynamos, saying they are sticking to the Premier Soccer League’s stipulated entry fees.
The rest of the ground ticket for the country’s biggest fixture to be played at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday will cost $10, with VIP fans paying $20, while the VVIPs will part with $50.
“It’s not true that we’ve raised the gate charges. We’re maintaining the PSL recommended charges because we want football fans to come in their numbers for the country’s biggest match. The good thing is that the PSL has introduced e-ticketing and we encourage football lovers to purchase their tickets in advance. All other forms of payments like mobile payments through One Wallet and other services, swipe and cash, will be available. We are waiting for the PSL to tell us which gates will be used for advance tickets, mobile payments and cash. Information related to gates for advance tickets will be relayed through Highlanders’ social media platforms,” said Ronald Moyo, the Highlanders’ spokesperson.
The PSL announced the introduction of an electronic ticketing system that will allow fans to purchase tickets in advance from anywhere in the country on Wednesday.
For now, the facility is available to Econet subscribers only, but the PSL said plans are underway to avail it on other mobile networks.
The epic game between Highlanders and Dynamos will be used as a trial run and yesterday PSL spokesperson, Kudzai Bare said fans have been steadily buying the tickets for Sunday’s encounter.
She said they will communicate through the league’s social media platforms.
“There will be specific gates for online tickets. People are still buying the tickets and before the game, we will see how the e-ticket sales are going and we will communicate through our interactive social media platforms which gates advance ticket holders can use. We will try to use as many gates as possible and the good thing with e-tickets is that we can monitor the number of prepaid tickets.
“Those that buy prepaid tickets will get a unique identity code which they will present at the gate. The unique identity code cannot be duplicated. Fans can write down their unique identity code and present it at the gate. Once that code is captured, the system will not scan for the second time,” said Bare.
She revealed that after the Highlanders and Dynamos game, the PSL will take e-ticketing to matches that will be played in Harare and Bulawayo, before spreading to other centres.
Castle Lager PSL Matchday 12 fixtures
Tomorrow: Bulawayo Chiefs v FC Platinum (Luveve), Chapungu v Yadah (Mandava), Black Rhinos v ZPC Kariba (National Sports Stadium), Harare City v Herentals (Rufaro)
Sunday: Caps United v TelOne (National Sports Stadium), Triangle United v Chicken Inn (Gibbo), Mushowani Stars v Hwange (Rufaro), Highlanders v Dynamos (Barbourfields), Manica Diamonds v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Vengere)
This statement comes after the killing of a teacher at the Masuku Primary School in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday.
Siphiwe Mpungose, who is the General-Secretary, said teachers don’t want to advocate for violence, but they have been left with no other choice.
“We are saying enough is enough; if they have to protect themselves, let it be. The teacher who was gunned down yesterday was shot at and tried to run. If he had a gun, he was going to shoot at them, and they were going to run away,” Mpungose said.
However, the department said if teachers armed themselves, violence in schools would only increase.
Spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said: “It is important that parents took responsibility for their own children and talk to them and raise them up properly. Violence is not the way of resolving conflict; if there is an issue, talk about it and rather agree to disagree because if one of you dies, then the other goes to jail. That doesn’t resolve anything.”
Meanwhile, Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said he was shocked that 13 learners are awaiting court appearances for various crimes they have committed in the province.
Lesufi said the department will at revising their rules for appropriate action to be taken against those who are charged by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Lesufi made these comments while speaking at the memorial service for murdered 16-year-old Daniel Bakwela on Tuesday.
Bakwela it turns out was facing an armed robbery charge, was fatally stabbed by a fellow pupil at Forest High in a apparent gang related fight.
The MEC said it was unacceptable that so many school pupils were facing serious criminal charges.
He said plans are in place to deal with ill-disciplined learners in the schools. .
“So, we are now moving with amendments in terms of learner discipline to include regulations that force all learners who appear in court to declare to the department if they are appearing in court so that the department can take appropriate steps against them.”
Lesufi said those who failed to declare their ongoing cases will be disciplined.
“If you appear in court and you don’t declare to the department, it must be an offence and we must institute a disciplinary hearing against you.”
Furthermore Lesufi added that the education sector needed help to deal with these issues before they became a crisis.
Citizen|In a statement from his lawyers on Thursday, billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe denied renewed allegations of trying to interfere with the politics of Botswana.
They said the magnate had not contributed a “single cent for political purposes” to influence the upcoming presidential elections in Botswana.
They repeated their position that reports in the Botswana press that Motsepe had allegedly pledged or smuggled in money or was involved in any way were defamatory and malicious.
Motsepe, they said, did not want to get involved, nor had any interest.
However, they did admit that a recent report in the Sunday Standard was accurate about the fact that Motsepe had met with former Botswana president Ian Khama, but claimed this was nothing more than a “courtesy meeting” at a hotel at OR Tambo International Airport, and that they had old family ties going back to a university friendship between Motsepe’s father and Khama’s father.
The Sunday Standard reported at the weekend that they were yet to be served with legal papers by Motsepe’s lawyers, but the statement added that Motsepe’s lawyers had travelled to Botswana this week to try to deal with the “disturbing and worrisome developments”.
Without mentioning Motsepe directly, EFF leader Julius Malema had on Sunday added weight to growing accusations against the family that they were involved in a “plot”.
He tweeted that he believed there was a “plot to remove the current Botswana government by some members of a powerful South African family” and promised to speak about it at his Youth Day rally next Sunday.
Botswana’s Sunday Standard last week faced threats of a multimillion-rand lawsuit against it from Motsepe after they had earlier published allegations that he was funding a faction in the Botswana Democratic Party to influence who would be the next president – allegations Motsepe strongly denied.
The newspaper had published an article on April 1 claiming that the billionaire and his sister, businesswoman Bridgette Motsepe-Radebe, donated pledged to donate R22 million to Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi’s campaign.
Venson-Moitoi is an ally of former president Ian Khama, who is challenging Mokgweetsi Masisi for the party’s presidency.
Motsepe’s sister subsequently had restrictions placed on her passport by the Botswana government, and now needs a visa if she wants to visit her mining interests in the country.
After initially withdrawing their claims against the billionaire, the newspaper in its latest issue doubled down, with yet another front-page article alleging that Motsepe had pledged money to “oust Masisi”.
Motsepe last month secured a temporary interdict preventing Black First Land First (BLF) and its leader Andile Mngxitama from accusing him of involvement in plotting a “coup” in Botswana.
At a press conference last month, the BLF leader had accused Bridgette Radebe-Motsepe of attempting to influence the politics in Botswana’s ruling party.
Read the full statement below:
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has said some husbands will not enter heaven because they ignore calls by their spouses to go to church but only think of “stonyeni.”
Stonyeni is a colloquial name that refers to a sex organ or broadly sexual int*rcourse.
Chamisa was addressing mourners at the funeral service of the late MDC Alliance Glenview MP Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java who died on Monday.
“Most of you here will not be saved because you ignore the wives when they say let’s go to church when you want to do other things and thinking of stonyeni,” said Chamisa to loud cheers.
The MDC Alliance leader who is also an ordained pastor said it was the role of religious leaders to tell the truth as it is.
“A pastor must tell it as it is, we know these things,” said Chamisa.
The term stonyeni was popularised by singer Jah Signal with his song Sweetie released in 2018. The singer has denied that the term refers to sex but instead to love.
However, the disclaimer came too late as Zimbabweans had already made their own conclusions on the meaning of the term.
Besides being warmly welcome and acknowledged by the MDC President Nelson Chamisa at the burial of Vimbai Tsvangirai on Thursday, MDC-T leader Dr Thokozani Khupe claims that she was not treated well by the opposition party and its supporters.
Speaking to state media on the sidelines of the burial ceremony, Dr Khupe claimed that MDC supporters called her derogative names with some threatening to force her away from the burial proceedings.
The former MDC Deputy President condemned the behaviour and called on MDC supporters to stop what she called politicising funerals.
“As you can see today is a sad moment for all of us where we have come to mourn the passing on of Honourable Vimbai and also to celebrate her life. She was our founding president’s daughter and we had lived with her all our lives.
“But when people come to mourn, they must mourn. This culture of coming to funerals to hijack and turn them into political rallies must come to an end, and I mean this culture must come to a stop. It is unacceptable, it is uncultured, it is not Zimbabwean and I have never seen that,” she said.
“We have opportunities to go out there and do rallies, but to do that here is unacceptable, I have never seen such. Even the one who has departed, I don’t think she is happy, if they can indeed see I don’t think they are happy with what they see here today. When people come to funerals, they must do exactly what they have gone there for, I hope and trust that these people will learn and change their behaviour especially when we come to funerals, people should also respect the dead”.
Dr Khupe also spoke about the ongoing national political dialogue where she said the initiative is good for the people of Zimbabwe.
“When we are in dialogue, we are doing it for Zimbabweans, we are saying we want things to change but we cannot change things by going out there throwing stones, by burning tyres, by destroying people’s shops but we only resolve issues by discussing issues and this is what some of us are doing.
The MDC President, instead took the occasion of the burial proceedings to express his respect and honour for Khupe inviting her back into the party and calling on the party supporters to continue valuing her contributions to the party.
Said Chamisa, “I honour you Dr Khupe. Dr Khupe once more I salute. You were my Deputy Prime Minister while I was Minister, you were my Vice President while I was your Spokesperson.
“Yesterday I told Dr Khupe yesterday that we will unite one day. The Seniority of Dr Khupe is not defined by Congress and her seniority is not questionable.”
Parliament has denied buying fuel for parliamentarians at more than the Government-prescribed rates, saying an exchange note published by ZimEye.com on Tuesday implying that the institution bought the commodity at a higher price was for a private transaction involving an individual MP.
The fuel exchange note implied that Parliament was buying fuel at $10,50 per litre, which is way above set limits.
In a statement yesterday, Parliament said their investigations had shown that the particular transaction involved an unnamed MP who wanted to exchange expired fuel coupons.
“The fuel coupon exchange note in question involved a transaction between an individual Member of Parliament who was replacing expired coupons at Redan Pvt (Ltd) and not the institution of Parliament,” reads part of the statement.
“The only reason the exchange note reflects the name of the institution is primarily because the coupons are purchased by Parliament as an institution for all Members of Parliament and subsequently issued to individual members.
“The serial numbers of the coupons in Redan’s system thus reflect Parliament of Zimbabwe as the procuring entity and not the individual member. That notwithstanding, Parliament of Zimbabwe engaged Redan over the matter and was advised that the exchange note was generated and issued to the Member of Parliament for the sole reason of enabling him to collect the new coupons.
“The member in question was never charged for the transaction. In other words, the coupon exchange note is an internal Redan document whose esoteric figures are understood by Redan staff, but do not reflect the prevailing coupon prices and should thus not be used as a pricing reference point.”
Parliament said it was unfortunate that the MP in question decided to circulate the document on social media platforms without verifying with Redan or Parliament what the figures meant.
Manica Post|A HOT Springs businessman and his family endured 20 minutes of terror after five armed robbers pounced on their homestead, assaulted him and his wife while firing live ammunition before they made off with cash and smart phones during last Saturday night.
The terrifying armed robbery that saw Mr Divine Gamunorwa (33) losing US$2 100, R4 000, $150 RTGS and two smart phones, is one of a number of incidents now common in the diamond rich area.
When The Manica Post visited Hot Springs Business Centre on Tuesday, the incident was still the talk of the area.
Mr Gamunorwa, who runs a grocery shop as well as a night club at Hot Springs Business Centre, narrated his ordeal at the hands of the armed robbers.
He said the incident occurred around 9pm.
“It was around 9pm when I came back from the shops and saw my dogs barking. I suspected that something was wrong since this was not usual of them. I first thought thieves had tried to steal fuel from my truck parked just outside the fence.
“I disembarked from my vehicle went straight to the truck and everything was in order. I went to open the gate and when I was about to get back into my vehicle in order to drive inside the yard, all hell broke loose.
“Five men came out of a bush opposite our homestead and approached me. Two of them were holding pistols. They claimed to be officers from CID and asked for an unlicensed gun that they alleged to be in my possession. I told them I do not possess a gun and in any way that is not the way police officers operate.
“They started assaulting me and fired two shots perhaps as a way to scare me. I insisted that I do not have any gun in my possession. As I tried to wrestle them, they sprayed a substance that left my eyes itchy and unable to see properly,” he said.
Mr Gamunorwa said he eventually managed to open one of his eyes and found a way to run away and even though the robbers fired two more shots, he did not stop.
“I instantly ran away and even though the robbers fired two more shots, I did not stop. I had told myself that it was all the same, they would eventually kill me if they wanted to,” he said.
The businessman said the robbers proceeded to break the locks to their doors to gain entry into the house where his mother, wife, young brother and his wife were.
“Upon gaining entrance into our house they started assaulting my wife demanding the keys to our safe. She refused to give them. Realising that they did not have much time since I had already escaped, they went on to break the doors to our bedroom then stole two cell phones and US$800 which was in the house.
“On their way out, they ransacked my vehicle and took US$1 300 as well as $150 RTGS. They disappeared in the dark,” said Mr Gamunorwa.
Harare’s prime talk radio station, Capitalk 100.4FM, is set host its first live interview with President Mnangagwa tonight, with various issues confronting the economy such as price increases and currency reforms expected to be discussed. The interview starts at 7pm.
The station, which prides itself in “leading the conversation”, is advertising the interview on various social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook.
Capitalk 100.4FM head of content Ms Nyaradzo Makombe told The Herald last night that the interview, dubbed “Catching up with ED (Live)”, is predicated upon President Mnangagwa’s declaration that he was a “listening President” and the interlocution it will be testimony of the Second Republic’s openness and transparency .
“We are picking it up from his inauguration speech where he said he is going to be a listening President. So we feel as a station that this is one of the platforms we have created for him,” said Ms Makombe.
“We are going to look at the introduction of a new currency; what it means, so we expect him to explain on that. We are going to review his days in office and we are going to review his team that he put on the job, how they have been fairing, and is he happy with it (the team)?”
Is the programme is going to be conducted in its usual way, President Mnangagwa will have to take live questions from members of the public who are normally given a slot to phone into the show and ask the panel questions.
Judging from the responses that Mnangagwa normally gets on his social media platforms, he may be in for a tough time on the live interaction with the citizens.
Speaking to state media, Ms Makombe however hinted the radio station has already started collecting questions from listeners suggesting that listeners might not be given the usual opportunity to call into the programme.
Without the live listeners plenary, it gives doubts that the programme might indeed be a live one or will be pre-recorded and questions heavily edited.
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.
The decision to reverse the fees comes following a general public furore after ZimEye.com immediately revealed the high price increase moments after the hospital had sent out a circular of the new prices.
“This is madness! In a country where 3/4 of the people earn US$30 or less a month how can hospital fees be US$100 per day (at RTGS$ 6: 1 US$. For the 3/4 of the people health care is simply a luxury they cannot afford!” said Patrick Guramutunhu to ZimEye.com.
JOHANNESBURG. — South Africa’s rand slipped yesterday, as investors were unnerved by an investigation into a donation for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2017 campaign for leader of the governing African National Congress (ANC) party.
Ramaphosa has said he will cooperate with the investigation into whether he misled parliament over the donation, made by the head of services company Bosasa, and analysts say is no immediate risk that he could be removed from office.
But the anti-corruption watchdog’s investigation increases political uncertainty at a time when the economy is performing poorly.
At 0710 GMT, the rand traded at 14,90 versus the dollar, 0,2 percent weaker than its previous close.
Government bonds also fell, as the yield on the benchmark 2026 bond rose 3,5 basis points to 8,40 percent.
“The Bosasa scandal is the main factor driving a deterioration in risk sentiment,” said Lloyd Miller, an analyst at ETM Analytics. Nedbank CIB analysts also cited the Bosasa scandal among factors weighing on the rand.
Stocks on the Johannesburg bourse opened little changed, as the All-share index was flat in early trade. — Reuters Africa.
A POLICE officer on Wednesday fled for dear life as an angry mob bayed for his blood after an illegal money changer he was chasing was knocked down by a car near Tredgold Building in Bulawayo.
An operation to rid the city of illegal foreign dealers, especially around Tredgold Building and surrounding areas is underway.
A Chronicle news crew witnessed the incident which occurred at corner Leopold Takawira and Fort Street at around 11AM on Wednesday.
The siphatheleni who was identified only as, Portia, was outpacing the police officer from the Foundation College side of Herbert Chitepo Street.
She was about halfway across Fort Street when she suddenly realised she was on a collision course with a black Lexus.
Portia fell on the road as she tried to avoid the car and the car ran over her arm.
Her colleagues who had disappeared suddenly re-appeared and together with members of the public ran after the police officer.
The officer sprinted towards Bulawayo Central Police Station and it could not be established what became of him.State media
PROPERTY worth thousands of dollars was reduced to ashes after a doctor’s residence was gutted by fire at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo.
It is suspected that the fire was caused by a heater which was left on.
The incident occurred between 12AM and 1AM yesterday.
No one was injured in the inferno and the other cottages housing doctors in the vicinity were not affected by the fire.
The Bulawayo Fire Brigade suspects that the fire started in the lounge and spread to other rooms, but they managed to control it.
Acting Bulawayo chief fire Officer, Mr Edward Mpofu said that when they arrived at the scene, the sitting room had already been destroyed, with the fire spreading to other rooms.
“I confirm receiving a call at around midnight and rushed to the scene. When the firefighters arrived at the scene, they found the entire house engulfed by smoke. The roof had already collapsed and household contents were still burning. The lounge was already burnt down and the fire was starting to spread to other rooms,” he said.State media
The Judicial Service Commission(JSC) has received a total of 43 applications of people seeking to be employed as High Court judges, an official said on Thursday.
JSC deputy secretary, Mr Sithembinkosi Msipa said they had sent the list of qualified candidates to the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) for comments from its members.
The High Court of Zimbabwe is in the process of recruiting eight more judges to the bench whose complement currently stands at 35.
Government, through the JSC is placing the prospective candidates under a “professional microscope” to ensure recruitment of judges who would not engage in corruption and other malpractices.State media
THE Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has barred 10 lawyers from practicing this year for misconduct and a litany of other reasons.
The reasons which LSZ cites for de-registration of these lawyers range from non-payment of practising fees and subscriptions to cases of misconduct such as money laundering,forgery and abuse of trust funds.State media
Stinking reports of a ZANU PF legislator for Chiredzi West, Farai Musikavanhu’s misdemeanors at Chiredzi Polyclinic are not only disturbing and nauseating, but rather a micro of a macro detestable ZANU PF retrogressive culture of plunder and destruction.
Musikavanhu, who ideally is supposed to be a citadel of community development forcefully threw out medical equipment that was donated to Chiredzi Polyclinic by MDC shadow MP, John Mangange.
What is more saddening is that at a time when the country’s health sector is bleeding and in dire state, a person who ironically is supposed to be an oasis of people’s hope chose to thwart any efforts to alter the community’s nervous conditions.
Musikavanhu’s actions however are not alien and strange to the inhuman ZANU PF cult.
The not so honorable actions of Musikavanhu not only explicitly but aptly help to unpack the kind of demon that Zimbabweans have to confront and exorcise if the country has to move forward.
Musikavanhu is a paragon of an inhumane ZANU PF system who has gone through an apprenticeship of destruction and passed with a distinction.
He is an embodiment of a ZANU PF culture of intolerance, plunder and destruction – a ruthless anti people culture that pays no attention to the people’s needs!
That the powers at corner Rotten Row and Samora Machel found nothing wrong in Musikavanhu’s actions is a clear message that he did everything right according to ZANU PF leadership textbook.
Is it not astonishing that the Minister of Finance from the very same party that presided over destruction for the past 40 years want us to believe that things are going to change next month?
Simply put, ZANU PF is an antithesis of development!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
GOVERNMENT has said no Gukurahundi exhumations and reburials should be done until the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) completes consultations on how the process should be undertaken.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Deputy Minister Mike Madiro said a policy, which is yet to be crafted, will guide the exhumation and reburial of Gukurahundi victims.
Madiro said this while responding to Bulawayo MDC-T proportional representation MP Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga during Wednesday’s National Assembly Question-and-Answer Session.
Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga had asked whether it was permissible for families of individuals who died during the 1980s disturbances to conduct exhumations and reburials for the victims.
Madiro said the NPRC was conducting consultations on the issue and what will come out of that process would be used to map the way forward.State media
By Sharon Buwerimwe | A police officer on Wednesday fled for dear life as an angry mob bayed for his blood after an illegal money changer he was chasing was knocked down by a car near Tredgold Building in Bulawayo.|
An operation to rid the city of illegal foreign dealers, especially around Tredgold Building and surrounding areas is underway.
A Chronicle news crew witnessed the incident which occurred at corner Leopold Takawira and Fort Street at around 11AM on Wednesday.
The siphatheleni who was identified only as, Portia, was outpacing the police officer from the Foundation College side of Herbert Chitepo Street.
She was about halfway across Fort Street when she suddenly realised she was on a collision course with a black Lexus.
Portia fell on the road as she tried to avoid the car and the car ran over her arm.
She was about halfway across Fort Street when she suddenly realised she was on a collision course with a black Lexus.
Portia fell on the road as she tried to avoid the car and the car ran over her arm.
Her colleagues who had disappeared suddenly re-appeared and together with members of the public ran after the police officer.
The officer sprinted towards Bulawayo Central Police Station and it could not be established what became of him.
Portia, whose left arm appeared broken, was rushed by ambulance to Mpilo Central Hospital. Some osiphatheleni, who spoke to The Chronicle, were fuming.
“These police officers are cruel! That woman is a mother of two and she is trying to fend for her family under these economic difficulties,” said a woman who declined to be named.
Another forex dealer said the Tredgold area was the epicentre of all money transactions and they were not prepared to leave the place despite the raids.
“There is a lot of traffic, we can’t move away because as people go to board taxis they pass through this place. We target people here so we can’t move anywhere else,” he said.
The illegal money changers are always playing hide and seek with the police at this place popularly known as the “World Bank” due to the availability of cash in different currencies.
Bulawayo acting provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, could not be reached for comment. The Chronicle
By A Correspondent| The Patriotic Front spokesman, Jealousy Mawarire has in the below tweet attacked the street preacher Talent Chiwenga saying he is a lunatic.
APOSTLE CHIWENGA'S ACCIDENT, REAL CAR CRASH, OR ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT?
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 13, 2019
He said the accident victim should not have gone on social media on Thursday afternoon a day after his accident in Masvingo.
Mawarire is a staunch supporter of the controversial contemporary, Emmanuel Makandiwa. Makandiwa and Chiwenga do not see eye to eye on religious issues.
2 years ago, Chiwenga revealed medical evidence that he was once allegedly poisoned by Makandiwa’s enployees, an allegation which Makandiwa’s church denied.
Further irony is drawn to how Mawarire is potentially on the edge against Chiwenga on the grounds that the preacher is a critic of the former first Lady Grace Mugabe.
Meanwhile, Mawarire was attacking the preacher for his video shot just before entering theatre on Thursday in which Chiwenga passed what appear like final instructions to his juniors, also saying he is not afraid of dying. Chiwenga said he has to speak out because his accident according to him, was an assassination attempt on his life which the world must know about.
To this Mawarire responded saying, “Ukaona uchiwana nguva yekuita zvesocial media mukadzi ari mumortuary utori murwere chaiye.” – If you find time to go on social media while your wife is in the mortuary, you are a real lunatic.”
Farai Dziva| The Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda has been heckled at the City Sports Centre while addressing mourners at Vimbai Tsvangirai’s funeral today.
Mudenda was booed as he went through greetings and salutations during his speech.
Mudenda was jeered at the moment he mentioned Emmerson Mnangagwa’s name.
Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has literally rescued the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda from public ignominy at Vimbai Tsvangirai’s final farewell event at the City Sports Centre.
A perplexed Mudenda came face to face with the “rudiments of public anger” as his voice was drowned by loud protests from MDC supporters who heckled him for addressing Emmerson Mnangagwa as ” the President.”
Chamisa was quick to rescue the bemused Speaker of Parliament.
“Let us respect the office of the Speaker of Parliament and above let us give due respect to our departed sister.
We all know that Mr Mnangagwa is the Zanu PF President so let us not be too emotional,” said Chamisa.
Farai Dziva| Emmerson Mnangagwa’s blue-eyed boy Energy Mutodi has boasted of “his boss’ popularity” following activities at the Warriors fundraising dinner in Harare on Wednesday evening.
The Deputy Information, Publicity and Broadcasting has claimed that the auctioning of Mnangagwa’s scarf for a “whopping” RTGS $250 000.00 proves his boss’ popularity.
“President ED Mnangagwa’s scarf was yesterday auctioned for a whopping RTGS$250 000.00 at the Warriors fund-raising dinner proving the President’s popularity.
A tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei wrestled the scarf away after out-bidding another businessman Tinoda Machakaire,” tweeted Mutodi.
Farai Dziva|A school head has categorically said load shedding will affect the pass rate of pupils and students across the country.
Speaking before a Parliamentary Committee on Post, Telecommunications and Courier Services investigating the contribution of Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), Sakubva High 2 School headmaster Clever Chiturumana said:
“Power cuts are disrupting our activities because besides having a high computer-pupil ratio for computer lessons, it’s also limiting access to those who would want to research on the Internet and if the situation persists, we will have problems with their preparedness with national examinations.”
A dejected Chiturumana added: The harsh economic climate is a hindrance to educators as a significant number of children are struggling financially.”
