By Own Correspondent- Payments to 200,000 retirees on Zimbabwe’s public pensions scheme could be delayed this month, the national social security agency said, after a foreign currency dispute erupted between local banks and a payments software vendor.
Zimbabwe is battling an extended foreign currency crisis which has affected key imports such as electricity, fuel and medicines. Many firms with foreign ownership are also struggling to repatriate dividends to non-resident shareholders.
Its National Social Security Authority, a mandatory public pension scheme, said on Thursday it could miss a June 13 deadline for paying its members because a software platform it uses to make the disbursements was demanding payment in foreign currency.
“Payouts that were due on (June 13) might be delayed as the provider of the payment platform used by the banks is demanding to be paid in foreign currency, failure of which it will suspend services to them,” the authority said in a statement.
An authority spokesman said the payment platform was run by London-listed investment company Cambria Africa. One of the company’s subsidiaries, Payserv Africa, provides payment solutions to banks and 5,000 corporate clients in Zimbabwe.
On Wednesday, it announced it had suspended services over non-payment of foreign currency fees.
“The Company lost U.S. $170,000 providing services to banks in March and April 2019. Banks collectively owe Payserv Africa over U.S. $470,000 for over 4 million transactions concluded since 1 May 2019. The company cannot allow further accumulation of possible losses,” Cambria said in a statement.
It said Zimbabwean banks had frustrated its attempts to maintain the U.S. dollar value of its services following the devaluation of its currency, the Real Time Gross Settlement Dollar (RTGS) dollar, on the interbank market.
The Bankers’ Association of Zimbabwe, which represents the sector, was not immediately available to comment.
In February, Zimbabwe ditched a discredited 1:1 dollar peg for its dollar-surrogate bond notes and electronic dollars, merging them into the lower-value transitional currency called the RTGS dollar.
The central bank, which has tightly controlled foreign currency payments since May 2016, has moved to relax its hold, with most external payments now going through the banks and using a market-determined exchange rate.
The RTGS dollar has slid from a starting position of 2.5 RTGS dollars per U.S. dollar on Feb. 25 to 5.91 RTGS dollars to the dollar on Thursday on the official interbank market. It was trading significantly weaker, at 8.7 to the US dollar, on the black market on Thursday.-Reuters
By A Correspondent- Finance Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube has said that reforms which are being implemented by the government are starting to bear fruit and are going to result in the reduction of prices of commodities starting next month.
This was revealed in a pre-recorded Governors’ Statement released during the 54th Meeting of the Boards of Governors of the African Development Bank and the 45th Annual Meeting of the African Development Fund currently underway at the Sipopo Conference Centre. Ncube said:
The reforms being implemented by Government under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme of October 2018 to 2020, are beginning to show positive developments as the twin deficit challenge of the fiscal and the current account are coming under control.
Government has started realising a budget surplus. On the other hand, with regards to prices, fiscal consolidation measures, reinforced with a tight monetary stance together with liberalisation of the exchange rate are containing inflationary pressures which are expected to slow down in the third quarter of the year.
The minister said that the government restrained expenditure by reducing the wage bill. He also said that there were also measures to improve the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA)’s Tax Management Revenue System which was effective in minimising revenue leakages. He also said that the tax enhancement measures such as the 2% contributed much to the likely reduction of prices.
LIVE UPDATE: Gonyet's passengers say the driver of the gonyet which hit Apostle Chiwenga said loudly, I want to hit (ndoda kumudhuma uyo) that driver (coming from opposite direction), he appears sleeping on the wheel. –
Gonyet passengers wondered how on earth the truck driver had discovered that the oncoming driver (Chiwenga) was sleeping. The gonyet driver then deliberately drove the truck across the middle line, so to hit the oncoming vehicle driven by Talent Chiwenga. HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEW
LIVE UPDATE: Lady inside Honda Fit tells ZimEye- "The red gonyet carrying cement) which hit Apostle Chiwenga's car causing the accident coming from Chaka direction did not stop, the driver continued driving and only stopped in Masvingo, "
LIVE UPDATE – Honda Fit lady, knows the gonyet only stopped in Masvingo because her sibling was a passenger in the cement gonyet, the sibling revealed all via phone. Honda Fit lady stayed at the scene for more than 30min without any ambulance coming.A businessman later helped TC
A Harare man has dragged his one night stand for stealing $845 RTGS during the duo’s encounter.
This emerged as Ishemuneshu Gombe hauled Ananji Kampila, 26, before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda accusing her of theft.
The matter was remanded to June 25.
Allegations are that on June 8, this year and around midnight, Gombe was at Tinas Bar in Dzivarasekwa Extension drinking beer where he met Kampila.
It is alleged that they both agreed to have sexual intercourse.
Further allegations are that the two agreed that Gombe would pay $6 RTGS to Kampila before the act.
Allegations are that after the two had sexual intercourse, Kampila left before Gombe discovered that his cell phone Samsung Tizen and US$30 were missing.
Gombe tried to locate Kampila but she was nowhere to be seen.
The total value of stolen goods was $845 and nothing was recovered.
By Own Correspondent- A Chitungwiza council employee, Darlington Mungoni was reportedly run over as he was holding a bin that he wanted to empty in the truck.
The truck was already reversing when the mishap occurred with Mungoni being crushed in the head where he died on the spot.
There was a sombre atmosphere as residents tried to come to terms with the fatality as Mungoni’s body lay crushed by the wheel.
Council spokesperson Lovemore Meya said it was an unfortunate incident.
He said:
“It was an unfortunate incident that happened at around 6:15am.
“Council is going to meet all the funeral expenses. We are going to put measures such that we avoid the incident from occurring again.”
Recently, one of the overloaded garbage trucks hooked and tore through Zesa overhead cables along Herbert Chitepo Street which nearly injured people who reacted swiftly.
By Own Correspondent- Finance and Economic Development Minister, Mthuli Ncube has said that reforms which are being implemented by the government are starting to bear fruit and are going to result in the reduction of prices of commodities starting next month.
This was revealed in a pre-recorded Governors’ Statement released during the 54th Meeting of the Boards of Governors of the African Development Bank and the 45th Annual Meeting of the African Development Fund currently underway at the Sipopo Conference Centre. Ncube said:
The reforms being implemented by Government under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme of October 2018 to 2020, are beginning to show positive developments as the twin deficit challenge of the fiscal and the current account are coming under control.
Government has started realising a budget surplus. On the other hand, with regards to prices, fiscal consolidation measures, reinforced with a tight monetary stance together with liberalisation of the exchange rate are containing inflationary pressures which are expected to slow down in the third quarter of the year.
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The minister said that the government restrained expenditure by reducing the wage bill. He also said that there were also measures to improve the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA)’s Tax Management Revenue System which was effective in minimising revenue leakages. He also said that the tax enhancement measures such as the 2% contributed much to the likely reduction of prices.
By Talent Gondo- Health and Child Care Parliamentary Committee Chairperson Ruth Labode has told parliament that the country is running out of stock of ARVs despite the Health minister’s assurances that the country had adequate stock to last till next year.
She attributed this to failure by government to service its Global Fund contribution which was now almost US$400 million.
Said Labode:
“Three months ago, I raised a point of privilege here in relation to the Global Fund to the effect that if we as Zimbabwe did not pay our contribution to the Global Fund, we would lose the money which was almost to the tune of $400 million. Right now, I am coming from a meeting with UNICEF where I learnt that the money has not been paid.
Secondly, we are running out of ARVS and there are some drugs that have totally run out and that is something that we really cannot afford. We urgently require $7 million to procure those drugs.
The unfortunate thing with ARVS is that if you do not take them for three months, you develop resistance, meaning that now you must go onto a more expensive drug. So we urgently need to make a move on this.
The team from Geneva came and met with the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. He committed himself and they even went back and said that if Zimbabwe can deliver on what they have promised, we will increase their allocation to US$600 million.
There is also the other issue, the implication of the 2% tax. The Global Fund is exempted from all forms of taxes from every country that is part of the Global Fund which Zimbabwe is. This includes this new 2% tax, so the payment of this tax by Global Fund entails that they must stop funding Zimbabwe because when we signed and agreed, we said that it shall not be taxed; it is meant for drugs and for Zimbabweans. It is for everything else except to increase our revenue.
So I think that right now, a Statutory Instrument is required to give effect to this waiver on the Global Fund. They (Global Fund team) has met the minister who has committed himself to doing it but we need to do it like yesterday.”
Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo is on record revealing that the country has “adequate supplies of ARVs that could last until 2020”.
INFORMATION ministry deputy minister, Energy Mutodi’s struggling company National Housing Development Trust (NHDT), risks having its bank accounts garnished after failing to settle a RTGS$40 000 debt owed to its former employee, Reason Sibanda.
Sibanda has petitioned the High Court to order its Sheriff to execute his powers and attach one of NHDT’s properties after the company disobeyed a court order instructing the settling of the debt last month.
However, Sibanda has since realised the NHDT does not have an assets of value and the ex-employee now wants Mutodi’s company bank accounts garnished.
NHDT was cited as the first respondent while the Civil Service Commission is the second respondent.
The third respondent in the application is The Paymaster-Salary Service Bureau which is responsible for processing salaries and benefits for NHDT members while the High Court Sheriff was cited as the fourth respondent.
“I obtained a Labour Court order under case number LC/H/APP/789/18 against the first respondent in which it was ordered to pay me a total of RTGS$40 000
“However, the said judgment registering the arbitral award is still unsatisfied in the amount of RTGS$40 000. I now wish to instruct the first respondent’s property to raise the amount stated in the writ of execution and ensure that the judgment is satisfied,” Sibanda wrote.
“However, the first respondent has no known assets of value and no assets which are able to satisfy the amount stated in the writ of execution of RTGS$40 000.”
In light of this Sibanda suggested that NHDT’s bank account be garnished.
“It follows that any such funds as are held and to be held by the garnishee on behalf of the first respondent should be attached to ensure that the applicant is not prejudiced as the first respondent has no other known assets of value that can satisfy the registered arbitrary award.
“I am therefore left with no option but to approach this Honourable Court for relief and make an application for garnishee order against the first the first respondent’s money held in its bank accounts with the garnishee,” he said.
Owned by Mutodi, NHDT is a housing company which receives subscriptions from its members through the Civil Service Commission’s Salary Services Bureau each month.
The money is deposited direct into NHDT‘s bank accounts.
LIVE UPDATE: Gonyet's passengers say the driver of the gonyet which hit Apostle Chiwenga said loudly, I want to hit (ndoda kumudhuma uyo) that driver (coming from opposite direction), he appears sleeping on the wheel. –
Gonyet passengers wondered how on earth the truck driver had discovered that the oncoming driver (Chiwenga) was sleeping. The gonyet driver then deliberately drove the truck across the middle line, so to hit the oncoming vehicle driven by Talent Chiwenga. HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEW
LIVE UPDATE: Lady inside Honda Fit tells ZimEye- "The red gonyet carrying cement) which hit Apostle Chiwenga's car causing the accident coming from Chaka direction did not stop, the driver continued driving and only stopped in Masvingo, "
LIVE UPDATE – Honda Fit lady, knows the gonyet only stopped in Masvingo because her sibling was a passenger in the cement gonyet, the sibling revealed all via phone. Honda Fit lady stayed at the scene for more than 30min without any ambulance coming.A businessman later helped TC
MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has extended an olive branch to MDC-T President Dr Thokozani Khupe and told her that she is wanted inside the MDC family.
Chamisa used the occasion of the funeral memorial of the late MDC MP for Glen View, Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java, to push for closing gaps with his rival Khupe.
Former MDC Secretary-General Douglas Mwonzora and former vice president Elias Mudzuri are very senior party members who ought to be respected, Chamisa said, raising suspicions that the two could be on the verge of being appointed to some posts in the party.
Chamisa was speaking at the funeral of the late Vimbai Tsvangirai Java at the City Sports Stadium.
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.”
Chamisa also invited on stage Douglas Mwonzora and Elias Mudzuri and told the mourners that they are very senior in the party.
LIVE UPDATE: Gonyet's passengers say the driver of the gonyet which hit Apostle Chiwenga said loudly, I want to hit (ndoda kumudhuma uyo) that driver (coming from opposite direction), he appears sleeping on the wheel. –
Gonyet passengers wondered how on earth the truck driver had discovered that the oncoming driver (Chiwenga) was sleeping. The gonyet driver then deliberately drove the truck across the middle line, so to hit the oncoming vehicle driven by Talent Chiwenga. HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEW
LIVE UPDATE: Lady inside Honda Fit tells ZimEye- "The red gonyet carrying cement) which hit Apostle Chiwenga's car causing the accident coming from Chaka direction did not stop, the driver continued driving and only stopped in Masvingo, "
LIVE UPDATE – Honda Fit lady, knows the gonyet only stopped in Masvingo because her sibling was a passenger in the cement gonyet, the sibling revealed all via phone. Honda Fit lady stayed at the scene for more than 30min without any ambulance coming.A businessman later helped TC
263 chat|Former Rhumba musician and now Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi has taken his praise and worshipping gear up by showering President Emmerson Mnangagwa with praises after his scarf was bought for a staggering RTGS$250 000 at a Warriors Fundraising Dinner last night.
Mnangagwa’s trademark scarf was bought by a fuel tycoon, Kudakwashe Tagwirei as part of efforts to raise funds for the Warriors who are in Egypt for the 2019 edition of the African Cup of Nations Finals.
Posting on his microblogging site, Twitter, Mutodi who is no stranger to controversial remarks, said the scarf’s asking price proved how Mnangagwa was popular.
“President ED Mnangagwa’s scarf was yesterday auctioned for a whopping RTGS$250 000.00 at the Warriors fundraising dinner proving the President’s popularity. A tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei wrestled the scarf away after out-bidding another businessman Tinoda Machakaire,” he said.
Mutodi’s statement, ironically, comes at a time when Mnangagwa’s popularity is waning due to a rapid economic collapse which has seen prices of basic commodities shooting up while inflation has also skyrocketed.
The RTGs currency has also continued to lose value against the US dollar which has given rise to exorbitant black market prices of the greenback.
Fuel prices have risen twice in the past month leaving the already struggling citizens languishing in poverty.
This has raised the ire of citizens as they accuse Mnangagwa of failing to proffer solutions to the ailing economy.
The opposition MDC has threatened to take to the streets to force Mnangagwa out of power if the situation does not improve.
“…we want to remove Mnangagwa and his government, not the civil servants. We want to remove those that use the country, not those used by the politicians,” MDC leader Nelson Chamisa was quoted saying yesterday at the funeral of the late Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java.
CITE|People in Matabeleland want corporal punishment to be included in the proposed Education Bill, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education has revealed.
The Education Act [Chapter 25:04] is being amended and the Education Amendment Bill [H.B. 1, 2019] went through the 2nd reading in the Nation Assembly yesterday.
Addressing the National Assembly, Tuesday, Committee member MP Marian Chombo said people in Matabeleland would be disappointed if corporal punishment is not included in the bill.
“Generally, in so far as the people of Matabeleland are concerned, we are going to pass the Bill and remove corporal punishment as per the Constitution, but they are going to be extremely disappointed if we should exclude corporal punishment from the Bill,” she said.
She highlighted parents were concerned with the deteriorating behaviour among children if corporal punishment is to be banned.
“On the issue of corporal punishment, they said, ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’.
“They gave us examples in the Unites States where corporal punishment was abolished and right now they are clamouring to get back corporal punishment into the system”.
She said church organisations were also against removing corporal punishment.
Chombo said people were also concerned with the issue of Shona speaking teachers deployed in Matabeleland.
“They were very bitter about having the Shona speaking teachers especially in ECD classes,” she said.
“They were complaining that they have local universities and they have trained Matabeleland students but when it comes to deployment, they said they were deployed with Shona speaking teachers and how do you expect a Shona speaking teacher to be able to teach an ECD child?”
Chombo said they also were not tolerant of pregnant girls attending classes as they would be a bad example to other pupils.
“We went to Insiza, on the issue of pregnant children, a woman came and demonstrated, and she said you parliamentarians, you expect a pregnant child to be sitting next to somebody who is not pregnant. What if she starts throwing up?
“They saw it as a way of even encouraging other pupils to get pregnant, so it was disheartening that it was coming from women. They were saying they do not support girls to continue school when they get pregnant”.
The Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga-led committee held public hearings on the Bill last month.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has issued a statement advising members of the public that the message currently circulating on social media purporting that there is a People’s Wholesale and Retail market at 80 Samora Machel Avenue, is fake and misleading.
The Central Bank clarified that 80 Samora Machel Avenue is the Headquarters of the Reserve Bank Of Zimbabwe.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe would like to advise members of the public that the message currently circulating on social media purporting that there is a People’s Wholesale and Retail market at 80 Samora Machel Avenue, is fake and misleading.
— Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (@ReserveBankZIM) June 13, 2019
“The RBZ wishes to take this opportunity to advise the public to disregard the fake message as it creates unnecessary anxiety to unsuspecting members of the public. This is unwarranted cyber abuse of social media.” The Bank said.
Zimbabwean government recently announced that it will be implementing People’s Wholesale and Retail markets all over the country.
LIVE UPDATE: Gonyet's passengers say the driver of the gonyet which hit Apostle Chiwenga said loudly, I want to hit (ndoda kumudhuma uyo) that driver (coming from opposite direction), he appears sleeping on the wheel. –
Gonyet passengers wondered how on earth the truck driver had discovered that the oncoming driver (Chiwenga) was sleeping. The gonyet driver then deliberately drove the truck across the middle line, so to hit the oncoming vehicle driven by Talent Chiwenga. HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEW
LIVE UPDATE: Lady inside Honda Fit tells ZimEye- "The red gonyet carrying cement) which hit Apostle Chiwenga's car causing the accident coming from Chaka direction did not stop, the driver continued driving and only stopped in Masvingo, "
LIVE UPDATE – Honda Fit lady, knows the gonyet only stopped in Masvingo because her sibling was a passenger in the cement gonyet, the sibling revealed all via phone. Honda Fit lady stayed at the scene for more than 30min without any ambulance coming.A businessman later helped TC
Thoroughly Bashed: Former Bindura mayor, Innocent Zvigumbu
There was drama at a council meeting in Bindura after two council officials pounced on Former Bindura mayor, Innocent Zvigumbu, after he had made threats to expose the duo’s shenanigans.
According to the Newsday, the two officials Lovemore Warurama (39) and Naison Machingauta (57), appeared allegedly assaulted Zvigumbu last year in January after he had threatened to spill the beans on them.
Appearing before Bindura magistrate Maria Msika, facing charges of assault, Warurama and Machingauta were granted free bail.
Prosecuting, Edward Katsvairo alleged that on January 8 last year, around 4pm, Zvigumbu was chairing a full council meeting in the presence of the two officials.
While the meeting was in progress, Zvigumbu said he had an audit report exposing Warurama and Machingauta’s shenanigans.
An argument arose when Warurama denied the allegations and Zvigumbu decided to cancel the meeting and stormed out.
After leaving the chambers, Warurama followed Zvigumbu, tripped him and sat on him. Machingauta allegedly tried to hit Zvigumbu with a chair, but was restrained by another councillor.
WOMEN across Mzansi were left disappointed when gospel star Dumi Mkokstad got married.
And they soon took to social media to ask people’s bae Mbuyiseni Ndlozi not to disappoint them too.
After the EFF spokesman posted a photo of himself on Instagram, a number of women commented on how handsome he looked and pleaded with him not to get married.
A woman called Nokwazi said she always attended Dumi’s events in the hope she’d get to talk to him.
“That would have been our chance to start a relationship, but now he’s off the market and my hope is Mbuyiseni,” she said.
She said she would attend EFF events in the hopes of meeting him.
“I just wish for eye contact. I know the connection will develop from there,” she said.
Mazah Dlamini wrote: “You know this guy, he has that thing, that hot sauce.” Mbuyiseni could not be reached at the time of going to print. His phone went to voicemail and he didn’t reply to SMSes.
In Mike Tyson’s 2013 memoir Undisputed Truth, the famed boxer gives a brutally honest retelling of his life. In one section, he talks about his highly publicized relationship with Robin Givens, sharing a story of the model’s alleged involvement with Brad Pitt.
In the memoir, the now-52-year-old fighter claimed to have gone to Givens’ house after their 1989 divorce, catching her and actor Pitt in the driveway—and in bed together.
On a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live, Givens refuted some of Iron Mike’s claims. “Pulling up in the driveway, that part is true,” Givens told host Andy Cohen. “I didn’t read the book, but I was told he says he caught us in bed, which never happened. Never, ever, ever happened.”
What exactly were Pitt and Givens doing in the driveway? She said that the two were “coming from like a screening or something.” Pitt once made a guest appearance on her ’80s sitcom Head of the Class, so it is entirely plausible the two were acquainted.
Cohen brings up Tyson’s claims that the Ad Astra star exclaimed “Don’t hit me, don’t hit me,” when confronted. “No,” she answered. “Does that sound like Brad? I mean, Brad’s got some swag, you know what I mean?”
Tyson’s short-lived union with Givens ended after she revealed she was the victim of domestic violence for months. Givens spoke to Wendy Williams about why it took her time to file for divorce, despite the multitude of threats she received.
“I think sometimes as people, women—perhaps men experience the same thing—you have a hard time sticking up for yourself, but it’s easier to stick up for people you love,” she explained. “I remember being at our house in New Jersey in a closet off the kitchen, and we were all in the closet, four of us hiding [from Tyson]. And I remember my sister bawling saying, ‘How long are you gonna put us all through this?'”
The Warriors fan travelling to Egypt by road, Alvin Zhakata, has reportedly been denied entry into Ethiopia.
Zhakata and his South African counterpart Botha Msila are taking a road adventure across Africa from Cape Town and hopes to reach Cairo before the Afcon tournament.
They are currently on the Kenyan border with Ethiopia, and according to Star FM journalist Yvonne Mangunda, the duo has been denied entry into Ethiopia because of visa issues.
Mangunda says she has been in contact with Zhakata who informed her that they are stuck at the border as the Ethiopian immigration laws now require visas for Zimbabweans and South Africans travelling by road.
Besides the visa issue, Botha also revealed on Twitter that the other challenge they have faced in their Cape to Cairo road adventure is communication with the locals, especially in East Africa where Swahili is widely spoken.
By Talent Gondo- Finance Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube has said that reforms which are being implemented by the government are starting to bear fruit and are going to result in the reduction of prices of commodities starting next month.
This was revealed in a pre-recorded Governors’ Statement released during the 54th Meeting of the Boards of Governors of the African Development Bank and the 45th Annual Meeting of the African Development Fund currently underway at the Sipopo Conference Centre. Ncube said:
The reforms being implemented by Government under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme of October 2018 to 2020, are beginning to show positive developments as the twin deficit challenge of the fiscal and the current account are coming under control.
Government has started realising a budget surplus. On the other hand, with regards to prices, fiscal consolidation measures, reinforced with a tight monetary stance together with liberalisation of the exchange rate are containing inflationary pressures which are expected to slow down in the third quarter of the year.
The minister said that the government restrained expenditure by reducing the wage bill. He also said that there were also measures to improve the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA)’s Tax Management Revenue System which was effective in minimising revenue leakages. He also said that the tax enhancement measures such as the 2% contributed much to the likely reduction of prices.
Mali risk disqualification from the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations finals which are set to start on June 21 in Egypt.
This follows after the government interfered in the running of football in that country in 2017. The then sports minister dissolved the Mali Football Federation executive committee and replaced it with a provisional board.
FIFA disowned the new board and appointed a standardization committee to run the federation’s affairs.
A general meeting slated for 15 June will take place to approve committee orders and elect a new president of the federation.
Should there be no consensus after the meeting, FIFA will suspend Mali, meaning they will not be allowed to take part in AFCON.
The Premier Soccer League has released names of players on suspension this weekend and non of them are from either Highlanders or Dynamos ahead of their crunch battle of Zimbabwe this weekend.
Five players will be on suspension when the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League action continues in Match-day12 this weekend.
The players accumulated three yellow cards and will not be eligible to feature for their teams in the coming round.
Here is the list of suspended players in Match-day 12.
Praise Tonha (Triangle United) Wilmore Chimbetu (Herentals) Nelson Ketala (Ngezi Platinum Stars) Guide Goddard (Chicken Inn) Gift Saunyama (Black Rhinos)
Highlanders and Dynamos lock horns at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday. The two teams are not at their best this season but none of that is expected to take the intrigue of the tie.
Senegal have announced a star-studded final squad for the 2019 Afcon.
The selection has several big names including Liverpool star Sadio Mane, Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueya, highly rated Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly and Keita Balde of Inter Milan.
The Teranga Lions are in Group C along with Tanzania, Kenya and Algeria.
Goalkeepers: Abdoulaye Diallo (Rennes,France), Alfred Gomis (Spal,Italy) and Edouard Mendy (Reims, France).
Midfielders: Alfred Ndiaye (Malaga, Spain), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton, England), Keprin Diatta (Club Brugge,Belgium), Pape Alioune Ndiaye (Galatasaray, Turkey) and Henri Saivet (Bursaspor, Turkey).
Farai Dziva|Algeria national team player Haris Belkebla has been dropped from the Afcon squad after he made an inappropriate gesture during a live stream.
The 25-year pulled down his trousers and showed off his backside.
Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi then took disciplinary measures and dropped the midfielder who had gotten his first national team call-up.
“The national team coach Djamel Belmadi has decided to exclude Algeria midfielder Haris Belkebla from the Africa Cup of Nations training camp,” the Algerian Football Federation said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The coach’s decision was to maintain discipline within the group, which he considers paramount.”
Belkebla has since apologised and wished his teammates a great campaign at the 2019 Afcon tournament.
Meanwhile, USM Alger midfielder Mohamed Benkhemassa expected to serve as his replacement.
Farai Dziva|Apostle Talent Chiwenga is still alive and he is visibly in pain.
Chiwenga who was involved in a horrific accident that claimed the life of his wife yesterday said some vehicles were trailing his car from all the way as he was driving back to Harare.
“I was bleeding profusely and the people who were trailing our vehicle thought I was already dead.
APOSTLE CHIWENGA'S ACCIDENT, REAL CAR CRASH, OR ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT?
I was trapped in the wreckage and when the people who were trailing our car arrived they did not shoot me because they assumed I was dead,” said Chiwenga.
He added:” The accident was not normal but I hope God will forgive those behind the accident.”
Jane Mlambo| Firebrand cleric Pastor Talent Chiwenga who was involved in a road accident that claimed his wife and two other people has spoken from his hospital bed telling the nation that when he was involved in an accident, he was driving at an average speed of 100km/hour and a maximum of 120km/hour.
Chiwenga said the accident was not normal as he was being followed by 3 unmarked vehicles.
APOSTLE CHIWENGA'S ACCIDENT, REAL CAR CRASH, OR ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT?
Please note that Midlands State University will hold two graduation ceremonies this year (2019). The first graduation ceremony is for the Nov/Dec 2018 Class and the May/June 2019 Class and will be held on 12 July 2019 at the University’s Gweru Main Campus.
The second graduation ceremony will be for the Nov/Dec 2019 Class and will be held later in the year, at a date to be advised.
Graduation fee is RTGS $300 for both Undergraduate and Masters graduands. The fee is inclusive of academic regalia ($150), participation fee ($125) and alumni fee (25).
For more information, please contact the Information and Public Relations Office on +263 54- 2260568/ 2260632/2260596/ 2260416/2260404 Exts 2111/ 2415 or directly on +263 54-
2260359.
Farai Dziva|Gokwe -Nembudziya MP Justice Mayor Wadyajena has come under the spotlight after purchasing an expensive posh vehicle worth US $ 210 000.
Responding to Wadyajena’s claims that he worked extremely hard to purchase the vehicle, Zimbabweans described the MP as a “failure” in his constituency.
Milton Milly Dick said:Mxm tikunyanyo sekerera I think it’s high time we fight for our dignity as a nation
EDiotmustfall.
Tatenda Shadreck Makopa:Can you imagine, just after election a MP buys such a expensive Lamborghini.
Elisha Elbrook Daucey:And they keep saying ..ma sanctions kkk
Robson Madakutonga Mwalimu Chikwinya:Back in his Constituency the Mayor guy is a perennial failure. His Constituency resembles the backyard part of Mogadishu demolished by bombs. He is one of those MPs who after being elected they go back to Harare.
Farai Dziva | Emmerson Mnangagwa pledged US$200 000 at the Warriors’ fundraising dinner on Wednesday evening.
The event was hosted by a committee led by acting Sports minister Kazembe Kazembe at Cresta Lodge in Harare where a number of organisations were also in attendance.
Mnangagwa unveiled a US$200 000, and a further RTGS $300 000 to help the Warriors in their Afcon campaign.
Mnangagwa also auctioned his scarf and the Fundraising Committee’s Vice chairman Kudakwashe Tagwireyi was the highest bidder with RTGS$250 000.
Tino Machakaire took home a signed soccer ball worth US$ 10 000 while organisations like Zimplats also chipped in with their contributions.
The Warriors are already in Egypt and will start their campaign on the opening match-day on June 21 against the hosts.
Farai Dziva|There is a cloud of uncertainty over Apostle Talent Chiwenga’s condition following the horrific crash that claimed the life of his wife.
Chiwenga was involved in the horrific accident while travelling to Harare on Wednesday.
According to reports Chiwenga was admitted to Makurira Memorial Clinic in Masvingo but staff members at the health institution were reluctant to comment on the matter yesterday.
“I can tell you that Apostle Chiwenga was rushed to Makurira Memorial Clinic yesterday but surprisingly we could not locate him,” a source told ZimEye.com.
A nurse at the clinic said:”We are not allowed to comment on sensitive matters.”
But the church leadership told ZimEye.com, while he was admitted in Masvingo, he is now in Harare. People speculating that he has passed away, could not be telling the truth because they are saying he died in Masvingo; but he is physically now in Harare, Pastor Gerald Baloyi said. He made these comments in the below lengthy interview-
T Chiwenga:There is another sobering prophecy that I gave. I said we are going to lose one of ours in the church very soon, and people castigated me and said 'how can you prophesy the death of a church member?' What if the church member is myself, have you ever thought about it? pic.twitter.com/vrJN6UxsKw
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.”
By Talent Gondo- Addressing editors in the capital Harare recently, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said it was important for political parties to get out of the election mode as such behaviour was stifling Zimbabwe’s re- engagement efforts with the international community.
Said Mutsvangwa in a statement:
“We have individuals and parties that choose to disrespect the electoral and judicial systems for their selfish ends. Such uncouth behaviour projects our country as a nation with unresolved political questions when deep down their hearts, these entities and personalities know very well that they lost in a fair and credible plebiscite.
Politics leads the way in statecraft and if we are not stable as people all other areas in the country will not become stable.
Such behaviour is holding us back as a nation as it stifles our re-engagement efforts and will make recovery more painful. We need to get out of the election mode that continues to seize us and work together to build our country.
However, dialogue which is underpinned by sharing of ideas to come up with national solutions is plausible and welcome.”
Farai Dziva|A Warriors fan travelling to Egypt by road, Alvin Zhakata, has reportedly been denied entry into Ethiopia.
Zhakata and his South African counterpart Botha Msila are taking a road adventure across Africa from Cape Town and hopes to reach Cairo before the Afcon tournament.
They are currently on the Kenyan border with Ethiopia.
According to Star FM the duo have been denied entry into Ethiopia because of visa issues.
Besides the visa issue, Botha also revealed on Twitter that the other challenge they have faced in their Cape to Cairo road adventure is communication with the locals, especially in East Africa where Swahili is widely spoken.
Farai Dziva| Zanu PF MP for Chiredzi West Farai Musikavanhu has ordered state security agents to seize hospital equipment donated by an MDC member.
UK based MDC losing candidate for the constituency, John Mangange, donated hospital beds and other medical ancillary supplies to Chiredzi Polyclinic.
The state security agents dumped the equipment outside the council offices.
An official at the health institution said :” Yes it is true MP Musikavavanhu instructed security agents to seize the equipment donated by an MDC official.”
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.
Consumers and business have been united in rage by the latest increase in the price of fuel. The development is expected to result in an increase in prices of other commodities including transport and food.
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) announced on Tuesday that fuel prices had gone up for the third time within six months. Petrol and diesel respectively went up from RTGS$4,97 to RTGS$5,26 and from RTGS$4,89 to RTGS$5,07.
Henry Ruzvidzo, the president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) told the Daily News yesterday that stability was urgently needed in the fuel sector to avoid hurting business. Ruzvidzo said:
We are going to see another round of (price) increases after this development. As industry, we are concerned since customers are already struggling to afford our products,”
The president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers, Denford Mutashu lamented the development saying it is affecting workers whose incomes have been eroded by inflation.
Mutsshu said:
Finance minister (Mthuli Ncube) should explain the implication of having a budget surplus in a country where prices of necessities like fuel, medication, basic commodities and (the) general cost of living keeps rising. Otherwise the surplus, if not directed to the productive sector and needy areas of the economy, remains a fallacy as long as the majority continue to swim in poverty.
Above sentiments were reiterated by National Consumer Rights Association advocacy and campaigns advisor Effie Ncube who called upon the government to adopt a culture of consulting the stakeholders.
By Talent Gondo- In its First Quarter Treasury Bulletin Highlights, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development said the country has made progress in implementing institutional and political reforms.
Regarding political reforms, Treasury said Government was committed to national dialogue to resolve challenges facing the country.
Said the report:
“The objective is to remove deficit of trust, restore public confidence, forge a renewed sense of shared national vision and social cohesion and advance an economy that works for everyone.
A National Political Dialogue was launched on February 6, 2019, bringing together at least 21 leaders of different political parties to confront the national socio-political and economic challenges.
Going forward, the parties have established thematic committees to look into different issues of interest for deliberations during the planned dialogue meetings.”-StateMedia
By Talent Gondo- In a meeting with local media editors recently, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said challenges confronting the country require collective efforts and a unity of purpose at all levels, which was the basis of national dialogue.
She said it was important to understand that calls for dialogue were not meant to negotiate any power sharing agreement with anyone.
She said:
“It is for this noble cause that His Excellency, the President, called for national dialogue across all political parties so we put our minds together to confront our challenges and work as a nation to move the country forward.
I want to take this opportunity to clarify that dialogue is not the same thing with power sharing negotiations. Every time we go for elections to elect a government, losers selectively choose components of the election results to accept and reject.”
By Talent Gondo- THE Attorney-General’s Office is in the process of drafting a Bill to reform the Zimbabwe Republic Police whose name will change to the Zimbabwe Police Service in line with its rebranding thrust, as reforms of State institutions under the New Dispensation continue to gather momentum.
Government’s decision to reform the police force has also seen it implementing recommendations made by the commission of inquiry that was chaired by former South Africa president Kgalema Motlanthe.
The seven-member Commission that looked into the 2018 post-election violence recommended equipping the police with the necessary skills and capacity to deal with rioters, further training in order to be professional and non-partisan in the interest of national cohesion, the protection of all citizens, as well as preventing corporal failings in the future.
In its First Quarter Treasury Bulletin Highlights, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development said the country has made progress in implementing institutional and political reforms.
“In February 2019, the Police Act amendments became effective and finally being in line with the Constitution,” it said.
“This will see the country’s Police Force — the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) being rebranded to the Zimbabwe Police Service (ZPS) as a professional police responsible to the needs of the society.
“The Bill is being drafted by the Attorney-General.”
ZRP has started retraining its officers so that they conduct their duties in a professional manner.-StateMedia
By Talent Gondo- A ZANU PF MP in the country’s lowveld reportedly withdrew hospital beds and other medical supplies donated to Chiredzi Polyclinic by an opposition MDC official.
Farai Musikavannhu, who represents Chiredzi West, dumped the goods donated by John Mangange outside the council offices.
Mangange is based in the United Kingdom. He contested for the parliamentary seat but lost to Musikavanhu.
Musikavanhu reportedly teemed up with State Security agents to forcibly remove an ambulance, 30 wheelchairs, three 5 000-litre water tanks, 10 electric operated beds, BP testing kits from the clinic and other items.
Former Chiredzi West MP Darlington Chiwa, who represented ZANU PF in the constituency had this to say:
If this was the idea of (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa and his wife’s (which I doubt) way of thinking; then they are not fit to rule this country. Zanu PF should thoroughly vet some of their candidates, otherwise, some are just in there to destroy the party from within.
On the other hand, we have overzealous State security agents in Chiredzi that is why some are now playing the part of bodyguards to certain individuals, or harass ordinary citizens over petty issues, while some are now involved in food distribution.
I don’t think their headquarters are even aware of such behaviour that is reducing the respected intelligence department to mere police constabularies bereft of elementary professional ethics.-Newsday
By Ndaba Nhuku| Accidents happen everywhere in the world but in Zimbabwe the roads have been turned into killing fields akin to the Gukurahundi genocide. Since 1980s “car accidents” have been used to eliminate political or undesirable elements. Remember Josiah Tongogara?
Even now during the so called “new dispensation” the slaughtering goes on unabated. In this modus operandi, thus, the Tsvangirayi family has paid the ultimate prize in pursuit for the democratisation, economic emancipation and attainment of freedoms for all Zimbabweans. It has so far lost two members in what can be viewed as suspicious accidents.
A number of questions regarding the possible cause of the accidents that killed Paul Rukanda, Mhundwa and eventually Vimbayi Tsvangirayi Java have been raised. Who was behind these ‘assasination?” Why?
A very unusual concidence. Two cars driven by military men are said to have caused the accident. It is claimed one of the drivers, a Mr Lunga, died later. Was he eliminated as part of erasing evidence? Why would his death kill a police investigation into this accident?. Is that procedural? Why take the court martial route for the surviving soldier if it was a mere accident outside work in his private car? What is there to hide? This rightfully raises suspicions.
The other question being raised is; was Vimbai a threat to Zanu Pf or elements in the MDC? Who wanted her dead? Could she one day have taken the leadership mantle of the opposition?
There is no doubt she was a budding charismatic leader but she was far from leading the party like her late father. Could there have been other issues happening behind the scenes? Let’s see.
Is it true that the Morgan Tsvangirayi’s children are getting paid by the State and Vimbayi chose to bite the hand that fed her?
But then, in view of the dire financial situation nearly all Zimbabweans find themselves in, there are rumours of the Tsvangirayi family home under threat of repossession, Vimbayi’s husband being unable to foot her medical bills. Where then is the MDCA, or government in all this? Are they willing to assist? If not, why not?
There is also this case being mentioned that Vimbai blundered by publicly supporting Nelson Chamisa when her brother and uncle were appreciative of government assistance at her father’s memorial service.
Could such a petty issue have led to her death? If so, then we have a cabal of idiots who are threatened by people who are not a threat to anyone at all.
Anyone who could kill Itai Dzamara, Vimbai Tsvangirai and now Apostle Chiwenga for political reasons, has no political backbone at all.
Those who are saying she was possibly killed by her own cadres also do not present any evidence at all. Why would MDCA want her dead after enabling her to be MP and be part of NEC?
She was an asset in keeping her father’s legacy alive and connected with the masses. She was way off joining the top echelons of the party to be a threat to anyone in the MDCA.
If anyone in the MDCA was threatened by her to have the power to kill her, then that person has to be linked to the military junta! These numerous inexplicable accidents and deaths of several vocal young people is cause for great concern.
In Vimbayi Tsvangirai’s death, it is the junta’s presence at the scene of the accident which gives away the cat in the bag.
It makes the accident be viewed as an assassination. Period. It is the same way Inviolata Dumbutshena who defeated the junta in court was possibly assasinated, including many others before them.
For how long shall our military officers and their vehicles be used to eliminate individuals perceived to be a threat to some political gods, instead of doing their job of defending their nation?
Movement for Democratic Change leader Nelson Chamisa is reported to have requested a private meeting with Zimbabwe First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa when they met at the funeral of late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai Java.
According to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Chamisa made the request after the Tsvangirai family had also requested to meet the First Lady in private.
Chamisa appeared on television face to face with the First Lady but the national broadcaster did not say whether he had been granted his request.
The First Lady who described Tsvangirai as “sekuru” (uncle) showered praise on Vimbai who was the Member of Parliament for Glenview South.
Vimbai died on Monday after almost four weeks in hospital following an accident which claimed two lives, one of them her uncle.
By Talent Gondo- 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.
Chiturumana added that the harsh economic climate is a hindrance to educators as a significant number of children are struggling financially.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary committee, Trevor Saruwaka urged Potraz to play a role in enabling schools to have access to the internet
South African, singer Nichume Siwundla has died after an apparent suicide, a statement sent on behalf of her record label, Top Chap Media, has confirmed.
House music vocalist Nichume Siwundla allegedly threw herself off an apartment building after she complained about having serious problems.
Police said that the 27-year-old songstress was at a friend’s home at Greenstone Ridge in Edenvale last week Thursday night when she committed suicide.
“It is alleged that she threw herself from the second floor’s balcony after she had been complaining that she had problems but didn’t reveal [the nature of her problems] to her friends,” said police spokesperson Neldah Sekgobela.
According to the police, who arrived at the scene after 9pm, the friends were unable to give statements because they were still in shock.
Sekgobela said: “The Edenvale police are investigating an inquest case at this moment.”
The singer, well known for featuring on Mobi Dixon’s track Buthiza, hailed from the Eastern Cape and was also a qualified ophthalmologist.
Following the success of Buthiza in 2017, Nichume was signed to Top Chap Media which was founded by Mobi Dixon. The pair recently released their single Thobela.
“I’m distraught. I will remember Nichume as a bright light at Top Chap Media where we signed her. She was not only my first artist, but we had grown so close in the past three years that she became my little sister. She truly is gone too soon. may her soul rest in peace,” Mobi said about the singer’s untimely death.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Nichume’s brother, Qamani Siwundla said “we, as a family are in absolute shock as to what has happened. Learning that your sister has succumbed to emotions and taken her own life can never rest well.”
“We obviously are left with a lot of questions but also know that she had one of the strongest characters in the family. Whatever she was feeling at that moment triggered immense hopelessness. We stand united as a family during this difficult time. Nichume was so loved and appreciated. We are proud of all her achievements,” he added.
Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, took to Twitter to convey his sympathies.
“We’re deeply saddened by the tragic passing of a shining star, the celebrated musician Nichume Refeloe Siwundla – a talented daughter of the soil whose lovely voice reverberated in our hearts & gifted us lasting memories. We send our deepest sympathies to her loved ones,” he wrote.
a video circulating on social media shows a pupil facing off with a teacher at a Hammarsdale school.
Durban – A video showing a Grade 11 pupil pushing and punching his teacher, in full view of other teachers, has served to highlight the level of violence facing educators in KwaZulu-Natal schools.
The incident, which was caught on camera, has led to the suspension of the culprit.
The Department of Education yesterday confirmed that action had been taken against the 20-year-old pupil from Luthayi High School in Hammarsdale, north of Durban.
In a video circulating on social media, the pupil can be seen facing off with teacher Sunday Ajibabi. The video shows other teachers and learners trying to intervene.
Educators’ Union of South Africa (EUSA) provincial secretary Nathi Mbambo said the assault started after the learner had attempted to interfere with exams that were in progress.
Mbambo said when Ajibabi reprimanded the pupil, he made degrading xenophobic remarks.
“The pupil came to the class and demanded to see one of the learners who was writing exams.
“When the teacher asked the learner to leave the class as exams were in progress, the boy was rude to him and called him a foreigner.
“The pupil then punched him,” Mbambo said.
He said the fight quickly moved to the schoolyard and was recorded and shared on social media.
Department spokesperson Kwazi Mthethwa said an urgent hearing had been scheduled for Monday next week.
Mthethwa said MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal Kwazi Mshengu wanted to make it clear that schools were not places of violence.
“We will not tolerate this behaviour, irrespective of whether it was by a teacher or a learner. The schooling system has disciplinary measures in place and will use such prescripts to determine the appropriate course of action,” Mshengu said.
EUSA has called for the pupil to be criminally prosecuted, adding that he should face severe consequences for his conduct.
The union accompanied Ajibabi to the Mpumalanga police station in Hammarsdale to open a criminal case yesterday.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele confirmed that they were investigating the incident.
“A case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was opened by a 39-year-old man for investigation at Mpumalanga police station,” she said.
Mbambo said this was not the first time Ajibabi, who is a Nigerian national, had been attacked at the school and he had been a victim of xenophobic taunts from some pupils.
Mbambo said if Ajibabi had assaulted the pupil, a criminal case would have been opened against him.
“He would face allegations of child abuse and lose his job. The suspect in this case is 20 and is not a minor, so he should be arrested. What happened there was also demeaning and it undermines the teacher in the eyes of other pupils. It creates an impression that the teacher is a ‘sitting duck’ for learners,” he said.
Vee Gani of the KZN Parents Association said assault, irrespective of whether it was committed by a child or a teacher, was a criminal offence.
“Violence at schools is not acceptable. If a teacher assaults a pupil, that teacher could lose their job. If a learner assaults a teacher, nothing really happens to the learner.
“That sends a message to the 90000 teachers we have in the province that teaching is a health hazard. Teachers now fear that, in the course of their work, they might be assaulted if they reprimand pupils,” he said.
He said pupils that went to school with the intention to cause distress either to teachers or other learners must be removed from the school environment.
OpinionBy Dr Masimba Mavaza|The social media is awash with the car Honourable Wadyajena bought.
Pictures of his constituency and schools in his constituency were splashed all over internet.
There is a lot of misconception on what exactly is the duty of the MP. Most people believe that MPs are responsible for making roads building schools and giving the poor money. In the minds of many an MP is a superman and he must make things happen. However MPs have responsibilities to three main groups: their constituents, Parliament and their political party.
One MP is elected to the House of Assembly by each of the 215 constituencies. MPs’ duties in Parliament include participating in debates and voting on legislation and other matters. They may also be members of committees examining new laws or the work of government departments. Some have a role as a minister in government or a spokesperson in opposition.
MPs can help their constituents by advising on problems (particularly those that arise from the work of government departments), representing the concerns of their constituents in Parliament and acting as a figurehead for the local area. MPs usually support their party by voting with its leadership in the House of Assembly and acting as a representative for the party in their constituency.
Your MP will generally do everything he or she can to help constituents but will not be able to support every cause and may feel that they are not the best person to help. If they are unable to help they may refer you to someone more appropriate such as a local councillor, another local organisation. Most MPs hold consultations in their constituencies where local people can bring their problems.
There is one MP for each constituency and they are there to represent the interests of all their constituents, not just the people who voted for them.
There are a number of ways an MP may be able to help you. They can simply provide advice or can write letters on your behalf to officials or Ministers. They may, on your behalf, be able to refer a case of maladministration to the Parliamentary Committees.
If appropriate, your MP can choose to raise your case in the House of Assembly through a parliamentary question, in an adjournment debate or in an early day motion. MPs can also present petitions on behalf of constituents.
The Zimbabwean public elects Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent their interests and concerns in parliament. MPs consider and can propose new laws as well as raising issues that matter to you in the House. This includes asking government ministers questions about current issues including those which affect local constituents.
MPs split their time between working in Parliament itself, working in the constituency that elected them and working for their political party.
Some MPs from the governing party (or parties) become government ministers with specific responsibilities in certain areas, such as Health or Defence. These MPs do not stop working for their constituency and, whatever their role in Government or Parliament, will still hold regular meetings to help their constituents.
When Parliament is sitting MPs generally spend their time working in the House of assembly. This can include raising issues affecting their constituents, attending debates and voting on new laws. This can either be by asking a question of a government minister on your behalf or supporting and highlighting particular campaigns which local people feel strongly about.
In their constituency, MPs often hold a consultations in their office, where local people can come along to discuss any matters that concern them.
MPs also attend functions, visit schools and businesses and generally try to meet as many people as possible. This gives MPs further insight and context into issues they may discuss when they return to Harare.
MPs split their time between working in Parliament and working in the constituency. In Parliament, MPs spend their time fighting for the interests of their constituents, attending debates, scrutinising and voting on legislation, and attending meetings. They consider and vote on legislation and use their position to ask government ministers questions about current issues.
MPs are not supposed to use their own money to develop their constituencies.
It is a very naive thinking to suggest that MPs should develop their constituencies from their pockets.
The onslaught on Wadyajena is malicious and not fair.
A member of parliament is not expected to leave in poverty for his constituency. There is nothing wrong for an MP to leave within his means. It is neither constitutional or fair that an MP should use his money to develop his area.
An MP who is rich must never abandon his riches in-order to please his constituencies.
Zimbabweans have a tendency of lining for handouts from the MP. MPs then unwittingly assume a duty of trying to be developing authorities.
Whether an MP buys an aeroplane or a bicycle it is his choice. He does not answer to any one about his spending.
MPs always have the misfortune of being blamed for the underdevelopment of their areas.
MPs are human beings and they must be allowed to leave their lives.
It should be noted that MPs should think before they behave showy.
Despite the noble and honourable job MPs do there are some idiots who found themselves in the parliament. Those tarnish the name of the honourable MP. In any country a member of parliament is an honourable person who carry on his work with honour. In some unfortunate times we meet some showy good for nothing imbeciles masquerading in honour.
Wadyajena should be allowed to enjoy his life to the full.
Leadership of the new political party at a press conference.
Newly formed Zimbabwe Total Independence (ZTI) leader Tapfumaneyi Mbabvu has called for the immediate resignation of president Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“Mnangagwa must step down for change to take place,” Mbabvu said.
While addressing the media in Harare, Mbabvu said the decline in the state of the Zimbabwean economy and the current land reform project are at the top of the list.
“All these problems the country is facing, from high a inflation rate, he said. “Unemployment to shortages of basic commodities, in our view, their causes are not a result of sanctions, but rather, Zanu PF and their leader Mnangagwa.
“Mnangagwa has failed to put the country in order in all aspects, especially in as far as the economy is concerned. The economy is worsening by the end of each day and it is the ordinary person who is suffering. The ordinary Zimbabwean men and women are failing to provide food for their families or sending their children to school. Life in Zimbabwe at this point is unbearable.”
He added that priority should be given to the regeneration and growth of the industry employing the latest technological trends.
He the declared: “The best leader by the end of the day is the one who can fix the economy and deal with day-to-day inflation levels and the runaway economy which has turned out to be the worst world over.
“There is need to immediately adopt and enforce a genuine national currency which will help in avoiding any further erosion of the personal incomes.”
Hon Mliswa: On the second one, Mr. Speaker Sir, whilst Members of Parliament enjoy tax rebate for their vehicles, I think it is important for this Parliament to explain what sort of vehicle we are entitled to because my understanding on the rebate of the vehicles is cars we can use in the constituencies, not Lamborghinis because a Lamborghini does not get to the constituencies. Now, what is happening is people are saying Members of Parliament, especially myself, Hon. Mliswa…
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, you are allowed only one issue of privilege.
HON. T. MLISWA: Is the Lamborghini one very sensitive to a point that I cannot talk about it?
THE HON. SPEAKER: One matter of privilege which you have articulated very well.
HON. T. MLISWA: This one is in terms of the corruption of us as Members of Parliament in the cars that we are supposed to get as rebate. Are they luxury vehicles or vehicles that must be used in the constituency? So your guidance is sort in that regard, Mr. Speaker Sir, on the cars that we must get on the tax rebate – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa consoles Apostle Batsirai Java, widower of Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java at the family residence in Strathaven, Harare, yesterday.
FIRST Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday paid her condolences to the Tsvangirai and Java families following the death of MDC founder Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java.
Mrs Tsvangirai-Java died this week at the age of 36 from injuries sustained in a car crash last month.
Speaking from the late MDC leader’s residence where mourners were gathered and paying their last respects, the First Lady said she was pained by the passing on of Mrs Tsvangirai-Java.
“I am pained by the passing on of Vimbai, who died at 36,” she said. “She was too young to die, I am pained. Whenever a person dies, it’s painful. But I say to the family, be strong.
“To all the women, I say Vimbai is gone, she had a role to play in society, as you know women have multiple tasks in a society which include among others, looking after their families, preaching love and unifying people, all which comes from women. As women of this nation, we have lost one of our own and to Vimbai we say, go well.”
The First Lady said death knows no political party and when one dies, a new register is opened in heaven which is apolitical.
“As you know, death does not know any political party, it does not matter whether you are MDC or Zanu-PF when one dies,” she said.
“They are erased from their earthly register and a new one is opened in heaven, this is the one Vimbai is registered in now.”
The First Lady revealed that she was at the Tsvangirai residence to pay her condolences as an in-law of the family and on behalf of her family.
“My presence here, as you all might know, is that President Mnangagwa is a nephew and I am also an in-law to the Tsvangirai family,” she said.
“So, I am here on behalf of the President and the entire family.”
Mrs Tsvangirai-Java was recently elected MDC Women’s Assembly secretar-general.
Burial will take place at Glen Forest Memorial Park at 3pm today.
by Thembani Dube, 1893 MHRRM Secretary for information and Publicity| The 1893 Mthwakazi Human Rights Restoration Movement (1893 MHRRM) has had contact with the Director of the Dr Dumiso Dabengwa Foundation who is now in hiding and fears for his life. We put to him a couple of questions to find out what is happening and why he has left Zimbabwe for his own safety. Below is our interview with him.
1893 MHRRM: Tell us about yourself. Who are you?
MH: I am Mthulisi Hanana, the Director of Dr Dumiso Dabengwa Foundation.
1893: MHRRM: How did you become part of Dr Dumiso Dabengwa Foundation?
MH: I set up the Foundation from scratch.
1893: MHRRM: What are the Objectives of this Foundation?
MH: The objectives of the Foundation are to chronicleZIPRA and ZAPU’s authentic liberation history in Zimbabwe as well as correct a distorted historical narrative of the liberation war history of Zimbabwe that has been peddled for so long since 1980. We also aim to empower youths and promote citizen participation in issues that affect them. Part of the objectives is to advocate for Truth and justice for Matebeleland Gukurahundi Genocide that took place after Zimbabwe got her independence in the 80s.
1893 MHRRM: Any comments on Dr Dumiso Dabengwa’s burial and how it went?
MH: The burial of our iconic struggle and war liberation hero Dr Dumiso Dabengwa took place in Ntabazinduna on the 1st June 2019. It went extremely well beyond what his detractors may have wished. It was well attended by many people from all walks of life. It was also graced by South Africa’s Minister of State Security, Ayanda Dlodlo, uMkhonto WeSizwe war veterans, President Mbeki’s brother, Moeletsi Mbeki and many local dignitaries.
1893 MHRRM: We gather you have left the country in fear for your life that you feel your life is in extreme danger in Zimbabwe and you are in hiding as we speak. Tell us what was happening to you when you were home that has led you to leave Zimbabwe urgently?
MH: I was being followed by several mysterious cars with no number plates. These cars would park outside my home or outside our office. The information we have gathered indicates that these are state or military intelligence officers.
1893 MHRRM: Have you got any idea or knowledge why you were being followed?
MH: The word out there is that they are looking for me and want to interview me about the speech I made at the late burial of our greatest struggle icon and hero Dr Dumiso Dabengwa on 1st June 2019. It also could just be intimidation tactics but we know that a number of activists have been kidnapped in the past and therefore one has to be safe.
1893 MHRRM: Thank you for sharing your experiences in Zimbabwe and hope that you will be safe where you are. We wish you safety and security.
MH: Thank you for your wishes and for publicising this issue so that the world out there is made are that Zimbabwe remains on a warpath with its own citizens in terms of wanton human rights violations.
Zodwa Wabantu’s made a shocking announcement that there will be no wedding between her and her ben 10 Ntobeko. She has come back to set the record straight – the wedding is still on.
According to TshisaLIVE the vosho queen said she has been going through a lot and the wedding took a straight in her relationship but she is still okay with Ben 10.
“The wedding is not off. I will have a wedding ceremony, but for now everything was too much for me so I have decided to put it on hold. I’m giving us (the relationship) some space to make sure that this is the way to go because things are not the same.”
“I’m just doing what is best for me. I always do what makes me happy. Yes, we spoke about it and I told him, but it wasn’t a negotiation. I want my space and feel that he needs it too. Then when we’ve sorted ourselves out, we’ll decide what to do. We are still together and we still talk.”
“I’m a person who is very sensitive to the energy around me and the current energy hasn’t been nice. I’m not happy. I work hard and when I go home, I want to be at peace but the energy in my home hasn’t been pure lately. With everything that is going on, I have been feeling like I am losing Zodwa and I can’t allow that to happen,” she said.
People started questioning if the engagement was real to begin with but Zodwa has made it clear that she is real and will always keep it real.
Economist and former MDC official Mr Eddie Cross says Zimbabwe’s economic fundamentals are now sound and there is no need for speculators to continue with their wayward behaviour on the foreign currency parallel market which is affecting the poor.
In an interview with state media on Wednesday, Cross who was recently awarded a multi million dollar deal at the defunct Ziscosteel by government, urged the Government to take stern measures to contain the forex parallel market.
Mr Cross said if macro-economic fundamentals were constant, as the situation on the ground shows, the rates should not exceed RTGS$4 to US$1.
“The currency speculators are manipulating the exchange rate and are using the opportunity created by these activities to make millions at the expense of all Zimbabweans.
“There is no justification for the current open market exchange rates. The economic fundamentals here are now sound and in my view rates should not be above 4 to 1.”
There have been loud rumblings from the public against deep-pocketed currency manipulators some of whom are reported to be senior Reserve Bank officials and government officials.
Most people are now unable to access basic commodities because their buying power has been eroded.
Mr Cross urged Government to intervene and rescue the public from currency speculators.
“Government has to take action to eliminate this activity and corrective action could correct matters in a few days,” he said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa|”Last night, we held an event to support our upcoming 2019 AFCON battle. As our brave Warriors venture into the deserts of Egypt to represent our country before the eyes of the world, I exhort the nation at large to rally behind our boys. We are all Warriors!”
State Media|POLICE in Bulawayo are investigating a bizarre case in which the charred remains of a 75-year-old woman were found in a house where nothing else was burnt.
Neighbours said they last saw Gogo Angeline Ndlovu alive on June 6 around 11AM while she was basking in the sun outside her house in Cowdray Park suburb.
They were then shocked to discover her charred remains in her house two days later but nothing else in the house was burnt.
Neighbours, worried that they had not seen her for days, opened her back door, which was not locked and found her body burnt beyond recognition.
“She was lying on the floor and was burnt almost to ashes. Strangely, nothing else except a corner of the table appeared burnt. We are asking ourselves how she could have been burnt to that extent yet the house remained intact.
“It really boggles the mind how a person can be reduced to ashes like that and yet the house remains untouched save for the corner of kitchen table,” said one of the neighbours who spoke to the news crew.
Acting Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer, Mr Edward Mpofu said the cause of fire remained unknown although fire officers found a candle on the scene.
“Nothing can be ruled out because we were only called to the scene by police when the fire had long died down and there had been traffic at the scene. It becomes difficult to carry out any thorough investigations to ascertain cause of fire in such circumstances where there is a possibility of the place having been tampered with. A candle was found near the scene of the incident which, however, does not necessarily mean that it was the source or cause of the fire. The cause of fire therefore remains unknown,” said Mr Mpofu.
He said neighbours told them of a fire that occurred on Wednesday night although they were not certain it had been in the house.
The old woman is said to have been living with some people who apparently left a fortnight ago.
Family members who had travelled for the funeral wake declined to speak to the Press.
However, windows at the house were black with soot.
“I am the maternal uncle to the deceased, so I am the mother. We have nothing to say to the Press. This is a family secret, it is our matter, we do not want it published in your paper,” said a relative who only identified himself as Mr Ndlovu.
The family threatened to sue thev state run Chronicle if the story was published.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said police were investigating the incident.
“I can confirm that we are dealing with a case of sudden death of a 75-year-old woman who was found burnt beyond recognition at a house in Cowdray Park suburb. Her body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals and investigations are underway.
“The body was lying in the kitchen passage head facing the door leading to the lounge. About three metres from the body was a half used candle that was not burning and next to the body was a wooden table that was partly burnt. The lower part of the legs were not burnt,” said Assistant Inspector Msebele
Sir, I am being followed by unregistered vehicles believed to be from the Central Intelligence Organisation or from the Military Intelligence Department of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, I am receiving death threats almost on a daily basis and this is because I preach the true gospel of Christ that condemns sin and calls all men to repentance, for God is not a respecter of persons.
It is my honest and humble opinion Sir, that the people who are giving orders to military personnel or State security agents to kill me are your employees or your subordinates. I don’t see myself as a security or political threat to anyone in this country, because I am a preacher of the gospel whose tools are the Bible and the microphone.
I am therefore asking to see you so that I may among other things surrender myself to you and your administration so that if I do not get an opportunity to answer to issues I am being stalked and threatened for, at least I will save the government’s tax payers’ money which is being used to stalk me and harass me, if I have to die for the gospel I preach (which I am ready to die for), at least I will avail myself.
All major airports of South Africa have been affected by a protest action today. The strike was initiated by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the South African Cabin Crew Association (Sacca).
Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, Durban’s King Shaka Airport, and East London Airport had pickets from 11am to 1:30pm. Fortunately, the flights were not disrupted due to the industrial action.
The trade unionists were protesting against a number of problems at SA Airways (SAA) and SAA Technical (Saat).
“THIS INCLUDES THE RECENT RESIGNATION OF THE GCEO VUYANI JARANA, CORRUPTION OF SAAT MANAGEMENT, PROBLEMS IN THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT, ALLEGATIONS OF NEPOTISM, TRIBALISM AND CORRUPTION OF THE HR MANAGER AT SAAT, AND OTHER ISSUES,” NUMSA SPOKESPERSON PHAKAMILE HLUBI-MAJOLA MENTIONED.
Last Friday, SAA announced it needed R4bn from the government to make the ends meet this financial year and renegotiate loan terms with banks.
Two days later, Jarana unexpectedly resigned stating that the five-year turnaround plan he had implemented was not going to work due to the lack of state funding and too much bureaucracy.
State Media|President Mnangagwa has reconfigured Standing Cabinet Committees to give impetus to the implementation of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and future development plans.
This was said by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda in his opening remarks during a meeting with the Presidential Advisory Council to familiarise its members with Government programmes.
“The TSP is hinged on the following key pillars or clusters namely; the Governance pillar, the inclusive economic growth pillar, the macro-economic stability and financial re-stabilisation pillar, the social development pillar and the infrastructure utilities pillar.
“From the Cabinet perspective, His Excellency saw it necessary to reconfigure Standing Cabinet Committees in order to give due prominence to the key thrusts of the TSP and its successor development plans,” Dr Sibanda said.
He said the Cabinet Committees on Financial and Economic Affairs and that on Devolution and Economic Development of Provinces and Local Authorities, would be chaired by President Mnangagwa.
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga is now the chair of the Cabinet Committees on Public Enterprises Reform and Development, Food Security and Nutrition and Honours and Awards.
Vice-President Kembo Mohadi chairs the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions, Social Services and Poverty Reduction and National Peace and Reconciliation.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira was appointed chair of the Cabinet Committees on Innovation, Science, Technology Development and Application and Human Capital Development, Skills Audit and Employment Creation.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Joel Biggie Matiza, now chairs the Cabinet Committee on Utilities and Infrastructural Development while his Industry and Commerce counterpart, Mangaliso Ndlovu chairs the Industrialisation and Export Development committee.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, chairs the Cabinet Committee on Legislation with Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo chairing the Cabinet Committee on Environment, Disaster Prevention and Management.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube chairs the National Development Planning Committee while his Foreign Affairs counterpart Sibusiso Moyo chairs the Trade and International Cooperation Committee.
“While all along, Standing Committees were only considering issues brought before them at the discretion of line ministries, each Standing Cabinet Committee is now deemed to be a cluster or pillar, which should, therefore, come up with priority development programmes that seek to deliver on the goals of the relevant TSP thematic area under which the cluster or pillar falls,” Dr Sibanda said.
“This ensures the coordinated implementation of all the key components of the TSP and successor programmes. This cluster priority has now started, with the Cabinet Committee on Innovation, Technology Development and Application having met this Monday while the Cabinet Committee on Human Capital Development, Skills Audit and Employment Creation is set to meet by end of this week.”
He said the recommendations of the two committees would be tabled before the next Cabinet meeting.
“We shall receive presentations on key Government programmes by the various cluster representatives. The objective is to acquaint our colleagues in the PAC with the major programmes of Government being implemented, so that they may be better positioned to effectively discharge their esteemed role,” he added.
President Mnangagwa appointed the 26-member PAC early this year to advise him on key economic issues and reforms that will support his vision of making Zimbabwe a middle income economy by 2030.
State Media|THE Poverty Datum Line (PDL) for an average family of five shot up to $924 for the month of April 2019, a 5,8 percent increase from $872 in March, ZimStats has revealed.
Total food consumption alone for a family of five stood at $319 for the month of April, eight percent up from $294.66 in the month of March 2019 while an individual’s food and total consumption was pegged at $63.72 and $184.86 respectively.
The rise in PDL has been attributed to relentless price increase on basic commodities such as mealie-meal, rice, flour, salt, cooking oil, among others.
Rampant pricing has led most shops to peg basic commodities prices beyond the reach of many working class citizens.
According to the figures Matabeleland North is the most expensive province in the country with a total monthly consumption for a family of five costing $995.30, Matabeleland South is the second most expensive province as its total consumption for the month of April stood at 972.78.
Harare is the third most expensive at $952.71. The figures indicate that Mashonaland East is the cheapest province with a total monthly consumption for a family of five costing $857.14 while Manicaland consumption stood at $899.66 as of April 2019.
Year on year poverty datum line costs, grew by 8,1 percentage points to 62 percent in April from 54.1 percent in March as year on year Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April stood at 76 percent from 67 percent recorded in March a nine percent points surge.
Apex Council chairwoman, Mrs Cecelia Alexander, is on record saying salaries have been eroded by price distortions in the market.
“We are not requesting for an increment from Government but we want them to restore value of the money we used to get since July last year when we got a 17.5 percent increment,” she said earlier this year.
Economists contend that it is judicious for businesses — in the context of Zimbabwe’s challenging environment — to link the measurement of performance to the reward systems.
An earthmover forms part of stolen vehicles that were found near a border between SA and Zimbabwe in the past three months.
A total of 10 stolen vehicles have been recovered while on the brink of crossing into Zimbabwe from South Africa in the past three months.
Police in Limpopo have attributed the success in stopping car theft syndicates on their tracks to the hard work by their members. On Tuesday, a suspected stolen earthmover was among the two vehicles that were recovered during an operation by the police.
The intelligence-driven joint operation which yielded positive results, known as “Valamadi”, was conducted in the Makhado cluster.
Police spokesperson Col Moatshe Ngoepe said that during the operation, a 40-year-old man was arrested in possession of a suspected stolen earthmover, colloquially also known as a grader.
He said the man was apprehended while trying to acquire a clearance certificate without proper documentations and had failed to account for the origin of the heavy-duty construction vehicle and its owner. He said the arrest was made at the Beitbridge border post while the suspect was trying to cross from South Africa to Zimbabwe.
According to Ngoepe, the police were working hard to crack the syndicates responsible for smuggling stolen cars into Zimbabwe.
“We are doing everything we can to deal with incidents of smuggling stolen cars from this country into Zimbabwe, perhaps also into other countries further north,” he said.
“Preliminary investigations have revealed that the caterpillar was reported stolen in the Apel policing area outside Lebowakgomo,” Ngoepe said.
He said the suspect would appear in the Musina magistrate’s court “soon”.
The operation, he added, also recovered a Ford Ranger bakkie abandoned in the bushes along the South African and Zimbabwean borderline outside Musina. Ngoepe said preliminary investigations had revealed that the bakkie was reported stolen at GaRankuwa in Pretoria and that no arrest had been made in this matter.
Ngoepe said some of the members of the syndicates would push the cars across the Limpopo River, “others being transported through the bushes with donkey carts, to ensure that they crossed over to that country”.
He said though there were many cars that had been recovered since the beginning of the year, statistics were not readily available at the time of going to print yesterday.
A 39-year-old Botswana man has been jailed for an effective 12 years in South Africa for killing his Zimbabwean girlfriend whom he accused of terminating the pregnancy of their unborn baby without his consent.
Joseph Mafifi of Moletemane area in Botswana is accused of committing the murder in Lephalale area in Limpopo Province last year.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said the man was convicted on one count of murder when he appeared at the Polokwane High Court on Monday morning.
He identified the Zimbabwean woman as Simangele Sibanda, who died due to multiple stab wounds at the hands of Mafifi.
Protestors march against the presidency of Weah, whose policies they see as having failed to curb economic decline and mitigate corruption, in Monrovia.
Africa Report|The Council of Patriots (COP), a group of dissatisfied citizens who organised the ‘Save the State’ protests that made the headlines last Friday, have given President George Weah a one-month ultimatum to meet their needs.
Thousands took to the streets of Monrovia in what was dubbed “the largest gathering of protesters since the end of Liberia’s brutal civil war” and the organisers seem to have no interest in slowing down.
In a press conference on Sunday, the COP said it expected Weah or Jewel Taylor, his vice-president and ex-wife of former warlord Charles Taylor, to receive their petition.
It also said that some of its members are being detained. “Currently, about twenty peaceful and law-abiding youth and students are being held at the central prison in detention. We call on the government of Liberia to release those peaceful citizens that have been abducted by the state. We also noticed the use of foreign security forces on the day of protest wearing state security uniforms.”
One year in Weah is feeling the heat. Inflation is up, growth forecasts slashed, and the IMF says government wages are crowding everything else out.
Protestors also want Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and Central Bank governor Nathaniel Patray. The youth, a big part of the coalition of voters that put Weah into power, feel betrayed.
In addition, corruption and legacy issuesrelating to the tenure of his predecessor Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf still linger.
There has been controversy surrounding a $25m cash injection into the economy after the president revealed that $8m was missing.
Shipping containers laden with about $104m freshly minted Liberian bank notes – about 5% of the country’s GDP – went missing last year.
There is also an outcry for the establishment of a war crimes court to try those involved in Liberia’s civil war which lasted from 1989-1997.
The former World Player of the Year responded by borrowing a leaf from the playbook of fellow West African states like Togo and Benin; internet was cut, suppressing access to Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, in a bid to undermine the convening power of the organisers.
“Those that are constantly insulting the President, I want to be clear”, he warned in a June 6 address while commissioning a market. “After this, there will be no citizens in this country… that will ever insult the President and think you will walk on the streets freely.”
But on Sunday night, the COP made their list of grievances explicit. These include:
the granting of contractual rights, for handling services at the Roberts International Airport, awarding of Container Tracking Number (CTN) contract to GTMS without consideration for the PPCC Act, in clear violation of the Budget and PFM Law and the attending security implications.
witch hunting of critics and members of the Opposition through wrongful dismissals even from the civil service and denial of opportunities in the private sector.
the suppression of press freedom and freedom of speech
the construction and acquisition of scores of luxury private buildings by the President in the wake of his refusal to declare his assets within six months after assuming office
Bottom line: Threats are unlikely to work, and protestors won’t be satisfied with the electioneering-style grand promises that Weah used to get into power.
WARRIORS legend Agent “Ajira” Sawu says Sunday Chidzambwa’s men should brace for a hostile and intimidating reception in their 2019 AFCON opener against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on June 21.
However, Sawu — a goalscorer of note during the Warriors’ Dream Team era under German coach Reinhard Fabisch — believes with the right frame of mind, the current crop of players could post a famous result against the record seven-time African champions.
Sawu yesterday went down memory lane to that unforgettable visit to Egypt before a 120 000-strong crowd in 1993, where he scored the match opener inside the first five minutes in an ill-fated encounter.
The result of the match, a 2-1 win for the hosts, was later nullified by FIFA after ugly scenes of crowd trouble. The Warriors made the most of the replay and knocked the Egyptians out of the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifiers following a 0-0 stalemate at a new neutral venue in Lyon, France.
Captain Knowledge Musona and his men, Sawu said, should not be intimidated by the Pharaohs’ history, but rather draw inspiration from the fact that the Warriors — in the Dream Team era — once erected a barrier which the Egyptians found too high to scale.State media
Economist and former MDC official Mr Eddie Cross says Zimbabwe’s economic fundamentals are now sound and there is no need for speculators to continue with their wayward behaviour on the foreign currency parallel market which is affecting the poor.
In an interview with The Herald yesterday, Mr Cross urged the Government to take stern measures to contain the forex parallel market that has brought anguish to the majority.
The prevailing volatility of the parallel market is blamed on speculators for influencing the exchange rate without economic justification.
Mr Cross said if macro-economic fundamentals were constant, as the situation on the ground shows, the rates should not exceed RTGS$4 to US$1.
“The currency speculators are manipulating the exchange rate and are using the opportunity created by these activities to make millions at the expense of all Zimbabweans.State media
Newly-appointed Zanu-PF secretary for War Veterans Affairs Douglas Mahiya has said the United Nations (UN) should play an integral part in influencing the removal of illegal sanctions in Zimbabwe.
In an interview in Harare yesterday, Mahiya said the UN should intervene in the removal of the embargo as it has adversely affected the country’s economy.
“There is need for the UN to be a player in calling for the removal of sanctions in Zimbabwe, which have a detriment to its economy.
“As war veterans, we are calling upon the UN to influence the removal of sanctions in Zimbabwe, since it is affecting the generality of the people,” he said.
He described sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western countries as a weapon of mass destruction.
“During my tenure in office, we are going to petition the UN so that they can influence the removal of sanctions in Zimbabwe.
“As war veterans we are going to call the UN to act in the same manner they have acted on weapons of mass destruction.
“Weapons of mass destruction have caused havoc in the Western world. The West and the Eastern world used weapons of mass destruction during wars. They are not accepted according to the Charter of the United Nations, hence they should be treated as equal to sanctions,” he said.State media
Government says national political dialogue recently launched by President Mnangagwa was not a power sharing negotiation or an initiative towards the creation of Government of National Unity (GNU), but a platform to engender a culture of unity and working together in the country.
The State is also regretting the actions of certain political actors who seek to project Zimbabwe as beset by “unresolved political questions” when last year’s elections and a Constitutional Court ruling on the Presidential put to bed the issue of the country’s leadership.
Zanu-PF, led by President Mnangagwa won the harmonised elections, beating the opposition MDC-Alliance led by Mr Nelson Chamisa who has, however, continued politicking and electioneering on the basis of what he calls “crisis of legitimacy”.
In a meeting with local media editors yesterday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said challenges confronting the country require collective efforts and a unity of purpose at all levels, which was the basis of national dialogue.
“It is for this noble cause that His Excellency, the President, called for national dialogue across all political parties so we put our minds together to confront our challenges and work as a nation to move the country forward.
“I want to take this opportunity to clarify that dialogue is not the same thing with power sharing negotiations. Every time we go for elections to elect a government, losers selectively choose components of the election results to accept and reject,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.State media
FOUR Hwange men who allegedly teamed up and fatally assaulted a man they suspected to be a thief have appeared in court facing a murder charge.
Twin brothers Ashford and Joseph Nasilele (34), Greatjoy Nyoni (25) and Brian Ndlovu (23) were arrested on Friday after they used switches to assault Justice Tshuma.
The four, who all reside at house No20 Lothian Road, Raylton in Hwange were not asked to plead when they appeared before Hwange magistrate, Ms Barbara Phiri. They were remanded in custody to June 25.
Initially police investigators were told that Tshuma went to number 20 Lothian Road intending to seek services of a hooker and found another man in the room, leading to a fight. The house is allegedly used as a brothel by commercial sex workers.
Further investigations, however, showed that Tshuma was new in the suburb where he intended to see a pastor from an unnamed church and was attacked while trying to locate the pastor’s house.
Prosecuting, Mr Vumindaba Mangena said the accused used switches to assault Tshuma all over the body until he became unconscious.
“On June 7 around 3AM, a woman identified as Sitali Nasilele was awakened by noise of the now deceased who was screaming for help outside her yard. She went to check and found Ashford Nasilele holding the now deceased by the hand questioning him about what he was doing in the yard,” said the prosecutor.
Nyoni came out of his room and accused the now deceased of being a thief, the court was told.
Joseph and Ndlovu also came out of their rooms and the four plucked switches from a mango tree and started assaulting a helpless Tshuma before letting him go.
The court was told that Tshuma later returned to the house and begged his four attackers to take him to hospital as he was in deep pain.
Instead, the four allegedly further assaulted him until he became unconscious. They allegedly dragged him out of the yard and dumped his body at a nearby dumpsite.
Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday paid her condolences to the Tsvangirai and Java families following the death of MDC-T founder Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java.
Mrs Tsvangirai-Java died this week at the age of 36 from injuries sustained in a car crash last month.
Speaking from the late MDC-T leader’s residence where mourners were gathered and paying their last respects, the First Lady said she was pained by the passing on of Mrs Tsvangirai-Java.
“I am pained by the passing on of Vimbai, who died at 36,” she said. “She was too young to die, I am pained. Whenever a person dies, it’s painful. But I say to the family, be strong.
“To all the women, I say Vimbai is gone, she had a role to play in society, as you know women have multiple tasks in a society which include among others, looking after their families, preaching love and unifying people, all which comes from women. As women of this nation, we have lost one of our own and to Vimbai we say, go well.”
The First Lady said death knows no political party and when one dies, a new register is opened in heaven which is apolitical.State media
Government says national political dialogue recently launched by President Mnangagwa was not a power sharing negotiation or an initiative towards the creation of Government of National Unity (GNU) but a platform to engender a culture of unity and working together in the country.
The State is also regretting the actions of certain political actors who seek to project Zimbabwe as beset by “unresolved political questions” when last year’s elections and a Constitutional Court ruling on the Presidential election put to bed the issue of the country’s leadership.
In a meeting with editors from diffferent media houses yesterday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said challenges confronting the country require collective effort and unity of purpose at all levels, which was the basis of national dialogue.
“It is for this noble cause that His Excellency, the President, called for national dialogue across all political parties so we put our minds together to confront our challenges and work as a nation to move the country forward.State media
A 39-year-old Botswana man has been jailed for an effective 12 years in South Africa for killing his Zimbabwean girlfriend whom he accused of terminating the pregnancy of their unborn baby without his consent.
Joseph Mafifi of Moletemane area in Botswana is accused of committing the murder in Lephalale area in Limpopo Province last year.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said the man was convicted on one count of murder when he appeared at the Polokwane High Court on Monday morning.
He identified the Zimbabwean woman as Simangele Sibanda, who died due to multiple stab wounds at the hands of Mafifi.State media
THE Attorney-General’s Office is in the process of drafting a Bill to reform the Zimbabwe Republic Police whose name will change to the Zimbabwe Police Service in line with its rebranding thrust, as reforms of State institutions under the New Dispensation continue to gather momentum.
Government’s decision to reform the police force has also seen it implementing recommendations made by the commission of inquiry that was chaired by former South Africa president Kgalema Motlanthe.
The seven-member Commission that looked into the 2018 post-election violence recommended equipping the police with the necessary skills and capacity to deal with rioters, further training in order to be professional and non-partisan in the interest of national cohesion, the protection of all citizens, as well as preventing corporal failings in the future.
In its First Quarter Treasury Bulletin Highlights, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development said the country has made progress in implementing institutional and political reforms.
“In February 2019, the Police Act amendments became effective and finally being in line with the Constitution,” it said.
“This will see the country’s Police Force — the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) being rebranded to the Zimbabwe Police Service (ZPS) as a professional police responsible to the needs of the society.
“The Bill is being drafted by the Attorney-General.” ZRP has started retraining its officers so that they conduct their duties in a professional manner.State media
Wadyajena Boasts That “Yellow Machine” Costs More Than US $ 210k
Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa’s blue-eyed boy Justice Mayor Wadyajena(Gokwe- Nembudziya MP) has boasted of the fact that the posh vehicle he bought costs more than US $ 210 000.
“Great work on the investigative journalism Cde …
… delivered with lightning speed.
You’re every bit as good as they say you are.
1 correction on $210k, you’d have to double that! I became a Milli in my early 20s, that yellow super machine is hard earned, legitimately too!” Wadyajena boasted.
A Kudzai Mutisi also concurred with Wadyajena’s remarks:
“If, as Zimbabweans, we can’t celebrate wealth, then we ought to celebrate poverty.
This thing of demonizing those who have made it big in life should stop. What motivates all of us to work hard is our inherent desire to live in comfort.
Farai Dziva|Prominent MDC activist and musician Dred Field Marshall Rekless has urged Apostle B Java to remain strong – following the death of his wife, Vimbai Tsvangirai.
See Dred Reckless’ statement:
Apostle B. Java. I am happy that you belong to a Man who knew us when we were still in the wombs of our mothers.
This means you understand how He works. He gave you a friend, a flower that you looked at and admire every morning before you leave your house, the reason to rush back home before dark. Now that it is no longer in your possession, look up to the Heavens and say, “You’re still my God”.
There is still a reason to sing a song of praise. You are the chosen one, you have carried this cross for a month when your wife was struggling for her life in hospital. You carried the cross with faith and hope that Your Vimbai will be back home but God was dedicated otherwise. He will never give us a load too much to bear because He is our Father.
Be strong Apostle until your wife comes back to take you after preparing a place besides her in Heaven.
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has said that under the Second Republic, sport plays a critical role in uniting the people as well as being a vehicle for development.
He said this last night at the fundraising dinner for the national senior men’s football team, the Warriors, who are set for their fourth Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.
Mnangagwa noted that there was a place for sport under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP).
He challenged the Sports and Recreation Commission to put in place concrete strategies that will ensure the realisation of sport’s role within the country’s overall vision. Further, he called for corrupt-free administration of the sector.
“In line with the Transitional Stability Programme, my Government remains committed to availing more resources to all sporting disciplines. We recognise that the entire sports sector has immense potential to contribute to our attainment of Vision 2030.
“However, there is need to inculcate ethical and sound business practices if our sports sector is to grow and be a source of employment, and empowerment, for many of our young people.
“The integrity of the leaders of this sector is necessary. If the public have confidence in the integrity of the leaders in this sector, they will contribute generously.
“I challenge stakeholders in the sporting fraternity to embrace good governance in the administration of sport. May I reiterate once again that corruption of any kind in any sport is not acceptable, please resist the temptation of corruption. Let us build a modern, transparent sports sector.’’State media
Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has hailed respected church leaders who attended Vimbai Tsvangirai’s emotional send off rally in Glen View, Harare today.
Said Chamisa:”Please respect the men and women of God who have come hear to mourn with us.
Do not call them all sorts of names.They are here for one purpose – to comfort us.”
He added:” I acknowledge the presence of respected people of God, Bishop Bismark, Prophet Freddy and others, thanks you for supporting us.”
Farai Dziva|They say disability is not inability- the adage sums up Greatman’s scenario.
Below is Sean Bwanya’s statement(he is the manager to Tongai Gwaze aka the Greatman)
This young man has a very special talent and it is this talent that changed my opinion on people with disabilities.
People tend to discriminate them due to their conditions but Greatman came with a light that shined in my eyes and made me realize that disability is not inability.
Now I have an understanding that anyone can do anything inspite of his or her physical ability.
Hence Greatman is a living example of greatness, so says his name and I love him for that.
I first met him three years ago at the genesis of his music carrier when he was recording his first album titled Chikara Muno.
I was thrilled by his confidence, lyrical content and his eagerness to succeed. So I decided to be part of his music carrier and try to help him to plant what i might call the seed of happiness, not only for him but for his audience as a whole.
As we all know, whenever something great happens opposition pops up out of the blue to try and discourage and cause misunderstandings but fortunately I overcame them by acting in a professional way and I gave a blind eye to all opposition.
My goal is to push Greatman forward till he reaches the top of Mount Everest.
I’m fully employed, which makes me a bread winner in my family. I’m a parent as well, and I have dedicated myself to Greatman’s work to such an extent that I have made him my responsibility just as much as my family. In other words he is like a son to me even though he is the boss when it comes to music.
So far he did a single collaboration with Sulumani Chimbetu and we never knew you might see a collaboration soon with a South African based artist, the lce n Roses boss.
