President Mnangagwa has appointed Professor Paul Mapfumo as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), replacing the long-serving Prof Levi Nyagura who left the institution under a cloud in April.

Prof Mapfumo had been Acting Vice Chancellor since August 17, 2018.

In a statement released yesterday, UZ Council chairman Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka said the appointment by the UZ Chancellor is for a period of five years and is effective from June 10.

“The appointment is for a period of five years effective 10 June, 2019. A distinguished academic, administrator and researcher par excellence, Prof Mapfumo brings with him a wealth of experience, evidence of strong vision and leadership, and a clear commitment to the University of Zimbabwe’s founding principles of excellence in teaching, research, innovation and strength of community in discovering and applying knowledge for public good, anchored by the highest academic and professional standards,” Dr Masuka said.

“Prof Mapfumo has served and continues to serve on several national and international boards where he plays critical roles in strategic and policy advisory.

“For example, at national level, he is currently chairperson of the National Manpower Advisory Council, board member Zimbabwe Staff College Control Board, board member Zimbabwe National Army Schools Welfare Trust, lead expert Zimbabwe National Geospatial Agency, and delegate Zimbabwe Climate Change Negotiation Delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (2014-16, 2018).”

Prof Mapfumo also serves as a member of the United Nations High Level Panel of Experts of the Committee on World Food Security and convener for the UN international report on agroecology, among a host of distinguished posts.

The UZ begun its search for a substantive Vice-Chancellor to replace Professor Levi Nyagura, who left the institution amid allegations of abuse of office, in April.

Prof Nyagura faces allegations of facilitating the unprocedural conferment of a Doctor of Philosophy degree on former First Lady Mrs Grace Mugabe.

The new Vice Chancellor is expected to foster strategic partnerships and harmonious working relationships between and among various university stakeholders, staff, students, public and private organisations.

By Farai D Hove| Since independence 1980, every ZANU PF political commissar has suffered either an assassination, or a humiliating ouster. The list includes:

Mayor Urimbo,

Maurice Nyagumbo,

Movern Mahachi,

Border Gezi,

Elliot Manyika,

Webster Shamu,

Saviour Kasukuwere,

Engelbert Rugeje

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By Own Correspondent- Parirenyatwa Group Of Hospital staff members have expressed concern over controversial preacher Walter Magaya’s claim that he has healed a man who had a troublesome tumor.

The church 2 days ago published the man’s pictures before and after a surgical operation as they made their claim that it was Magaya who performed the healing using his so called anointing oil.

Below is the full report:

Paritenyatwa Group Of Hospitals does not ordinarily respond to false media reports which involve issues to do with patient confidentially, a cardinal rule for clinicians.

However, as a socially responsible institution and acting in the best interest of the public, there are times the institution is compelled to clarify issues of public interest.

It has come to our attention that there is a false media article on one of our patients, Mr Peter Manganda who had a severe scalp tumor on the head and was admitted at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals from 22 April 2019 to 7 May 2019, a period during which he underwent neurosurgery as well as plastic surgery by our Specialist Doctors.

Both surgical operations were very successful and doctors discharged the patient on 7 May 2019 after concluding that the patient was stable enough to go home.

The pictures posted as having been taken after the anointed healing are actually in keeping with his state of discharge on 7 May 2019 . We therefore find claims that the hospital failed to treat this patient but was healed by a prophet, to be highly misleading and likely to derail efforts of encouraging health seeking behaviors among fellow Zimbabweans.

This demoralizes clinical staff who go out of their way to give their best of knowledge and skill in serving their patients. Such deceptive articles are likely to cause unnecessary public despondence in the health delivery system and may cause unnecessary loss of life.

We wish to give credit to the hospital staff and to the neurosurgical and plastics teams for the job well-done.

It is evidently clear that the patient went to the prophet after the specialist doctors had successfully done the surgical operations.

The hospital is actually in custody of Mr Peter Manganda’s medical records and he is expected to be reviewed by the same specialists who are still determined to see their valued patient to full recovery.

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals would like to advise members of the public that, while it is important to uphold one’s religious beliefs, it is also very important to acknowledge the great work being done by our esteemed medical staff.

By Talent Gondo- President Mnangagwa has expressed sadness at the death of Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java, daughter to former MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, from injuries she sustained in a head on collision near Truckers Inn in Kwekwe last month.

In a message on his Twitter handle, President Mnangagwa said he was saddened by Tsvangirai-Java’s death.

“Very sad to learn of the tragic passing of Honourable Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java. May her memory be a blessing and a comfort to all that knew her, and may she rest in eternal peace.”

By Own Correspondent| A Gokwe school teacher has been hauled to appear before a disciplinary hearing to answer to misconduct charges after he was accused of denouncing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ruling ZANU PF party and criticising one of his allies for causing untold suffering among citizens.

Stephen Mangoma, a teacher at Mateta (Rujeko) High School in Gokwe, Midlands province will on Wednesday 12 June 2019 appear before a disciplinary committee chaired by Douglas Chibvongodze, the school headmaster after he was accused of unbecoming behaviour or indecorous behaviour in breach of section 44(2)(a) of the Public Service Regulations.

According to an outline of the charge sheet, Mangoma on 1 March 2019 allegedly acted in a manner likely to bring the Public Service into disrespect or disrepute by scolding Primary and Secondary Education Minister and Gokwe-Sengwa constituency legislator Hon. Paul Mavima, whom he encountered in bottle store at Mateta 2 Business Centre known as Gazaland in Gokwe and whom he confronted after accusing him of causing the suffering he was enduring together with other people in the country.

Mangoma allegedly told Hon. Mavima that he loathed the legislator’s ZANU PF party and was refrained from further confronting him by the Primary and Secondary Education Minister’s aides, who assaulted him before leaving the bottle store.

The school teacher was later arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on 2 March 2019 on the basis that he had scolded Hon. Mavima and was detained at Gokwe Police Station until he was released on 4 March 2019 after he paid an admission of guilty fine amounting to $20.

A blow to us all…Us being the family, people’s revolutionary party-MDC, nation and especially the young people, the next generation.A solid and visionary leader! pic.twitter.com/3xGvhLRRGO

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) June 11, 2019

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By A Correspondent- A local daily has reported that the new Politburo appointments that were made by president Emmerson Mnangagwa were meant to elevate his allies at the expense of those of vice president Constantino Chiwenga.

The new appointees are as follows:

• Victor Matemadanda – Secretary for the Commissariat
• Douglas Mahiya – Secretary for War Veterans
• Headman Moyo – Deputy secretary of War Veterans
• Zenzo Ncube – Deputy Director for War Veterans Affairs
• Patrick Chinamasa – Air Zimbabwe board chairman

The “trusted lieutenant” Victor Matemadanda was replacing Engelbert Rugeje. The Dailly News further describes the changes as surprising and Mnangagwa’s elaborate plan to dilute the military’s influence in the ruling party and government.

However, Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu said there was nothing sinister about Rugeje’s “re-assignment”.

He said:

“The changes are meant to strengthen the party.”

Rugeje is one of those believed to be topping the list of Chiwenga allies who have been removed from positions of influence and reassigned elsewhere. In February this year, Mnangagwa retired four senior army commanders including Major-general Anselem Nhamo Sangatwe whose section is believed to have conducted the August 1, 2018 shootings.

The retired officials have been reassigned to new portfolios completely detached from military operations to diplomatic service.

Since coming to power in 2017 and particularly after surviving a bomb attack at a rally in Bulawayo during the run-up to the July 2018 elections, Mnangagwa has made wholesale changes to the police, retiring top cops formerly linked to Mugabe.

By Talent Gondo- ZANU PF youths in Mashonaland East have resolved to fully throw their weight behind “embattled” President Emmerson Mnangagwa as they seek to shield him from criticism over the deepening economic crisis.

The youths held a rally recently in Seke constituency where the league boss Kelvin Mutsvairo blamed “saboteurs” for the economic problems.

He said:

As the youths, we are behind President Mnangagwa and we are aware of all the machinations by saboteurs who are currently behind the price hikes of basic commodities.

From the interactions we have had with the youths, we are happy that they are now aware of all government efforts to deal with the current crisis.

We have embarked on a tour of each constituency, meeting the youths, identifying projects suitable for their areas for their benefit as we move on.

Provincial chairperson, Joel Biggie Matiza, who also spoke at the rally said that Mnangagwa will soon descend heavily on the economic saboteurs and promised the crowd that things will get back to normal.

By Own Correspondent- CHURCHES and the civic society say Zimbabwe risks falling into anarchy if the leaders of major political parties fail to dialogue and address pressing issues without resorting to violence.

The Civil Society and Church Joint Forum (CSCJF) issued the warning while addressing journalists in Mutare recently, noting that the economic situation was becoming untenable.

CSCJF national co-ordinator Abigail Mupambi said if politicians fail to sober up, the country could soon become ungovernable and take the route of Sudan, which is now under military lock-down after popular uprising toppled former leader Omar al-Bashir two months ago.

She called for genuine dialogue, saying demonstrations should be the last resort for political parties and civic organisations.

“Demonstrations have not given us any result because people end up being killed during peaceful protests,” Mupambi said.

“Go and ask Sudan, the country is now ungovernable. It is no longer a country. If our politicians don’t sober up, then Zimbabwe will follow the same path.”

The warning comes at a time government is facing the possibility of a fresh round of protests over the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

Earlier protests in January over a 150% fuel price hike saw security agents kill 17 protesters according to human rights groups, while hundreds sustained gunshots wounds.

According to a report by our sister publication, The Standard, health workers including doctors and nurses plan to go on strike in two weeks, saying they have had enough of government’s austerity measures that have left them living in penury.

The opposition MDC has also warned that it plans street protests to force the Mnangagwa administration to the negotiating table.

Government has since beefed up police and military presence in suburbs and on highways across the country.

Our sister paper, the Zimbabwe Independent, reported last Friday that the police have purchased an assortment of weapons that include more than 4 000 AK-47 assault rifles in preparation for possible protests.

But the churches and civic organisations insist that only dialogue could serve the country from taking a turn for the worst, saying demonstrations have failed to resolve the political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe.

“We are here to call for peace. All the people in the country need to be responsible. We don’t need to repeat the same formula of conducting demonstrations.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa last month launched a dialogue process with losing fringe presidential candidates in last year’s elections which observers say was pointless without the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC party.

The Zimbabwe Council of Churches has tried to bring the two parties together for talks, but says political gamesmanship and inflated egos have stood in the way.

MDC last week accused Mnangagwa of trying to bring a state of emergency through the back door.

A pastor, Edmore Nyatoti, urged political players, particularly the MDC and Zanu PF, to set aside their egos.

“For Zimbabweans, we are Christians and let’s get united. Let’s show the world that we are capable of building our country. We need to think about one another. Zanu PF and the MDC should shun their egos,” he said

“There should be no more bloodshed in the country. We no longer need bloodshed in our country if we are to move away from the poverty we are facing.“-Newsday

Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe wishes to express concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in the country which stands in sharp contrast to the government’s new dispensation mantra. What is particularly worrying to us as ROHR Zimbabwe is that Zimbabweans in their generality came out to celebrate the fall of former President Robert Mugabe whose 37 years in power was marked by wanton disregard of people’s freedoms and rights.

This not so new dispensation has continued to read from Mugabe’s script against its loud reformist claims.

Under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule, Zimbabwe has slowly receded to the old dispensation with state security agents arresting, detaining and assaulting civil society activists.

Just early this year, over one hundred people were bundled up in residential suburbs of Harare, Bulawayo and other smaller towns, assaulted and detained in connection with the violence January 14 shutdown.

Leaders of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) who had called for the stay away were arrested and charged with treason for organising a stay away.

To this day, the state continues to hunt down those linked to the January 14 national shutdown despite clear evidence of the violence and destruction being an inside job within the ruling party.

In May, seven civil society leaders were arrested upon arrival at the Robert Mugabe International Airport from Maldives where they had gone to attend a workshop. They have since been charged with plotting to subvert a constitutional government.

Last week, the country woke up to the news that Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) President Obert Masaraure had been abducted and dumped after being assaulted by suspected state security agents.

While Zimbabwe attempts to embark on international re-engagement, the human rights situation speaks of a country not ready to move away from its past.

ROHR Chairperson, Ephraim Tapa condemned the government saying the deteriorating human rights situation comes against a backdrop of high hopes and optimism created by the advent of the second Republic and President ED’s pronouncements.

“If anything, it would appear things have changed for the worse compared to Mugabe’s Zimbabwe,” said Tapa.

He called on President Mnangagwa to walk the talk and allow a culture of human rights and political tolerance to grow.

Inserted by ROHR Zimbabwe Information Dept

By Own Correspondent- Some parents in Bulawayo expressed dismay over the decision by some boarding schools to demand top-up fees in the middle of the second time.

Parents who spoke to the state media said that they understand schools are operating in an inhospitable environment but at the same time it is hard for them to raise the required amounts.

Mrs Rosemary Mhlanga from Pumula told the publication that she was struggling to clear arrears, let alone pay the top ups. She said:

It’s not easy because some of us are still struggling to clear the fees and we have other children back home who need to be fed and go to school.

Another Bulawayo resident Mr Edwin Ndebele from North End revealed that parents are now being driven into debt.

He said:

This situation is forcing us into debt and it’s not healthy at all. Education is a basic human right and as parents, we can’t deny our children access to school but the situation has become unbearable. I hope the Government finds a solution soon.

However, an official at one of the schools demanding top-up fees told the Chronicle that at the start of the term, the ZWL$1 200 parents were asked to pay was considered adequate.

But now since the situation in the country has reached another level, parents have been asked to pat ZWL$300 as top-up fees.-

AN outraged Rusape granny struck a fellow villager with an axe after he accused her of witchcraft.

Manicaland police spokesperson inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the incident yesterday.

According to Kakohwa, on June 6 around 4pm, Claris Bakare (66), who is being charged with attempted murder, was at her homestead in Musariri village under Chief Tandi.

The complainant in the matter, Edward Mutambira, who is from the same village, was on his way to see his brother, lan Musendo, and passed through Bakare’s homestead.

Mutambira reportedly shouted at Bakare claiming that she was a witch, accusing her of killing his son sometime in the past.

They started to exchange harsh words and Bakare, out of anger, went into her hut and took an axe, which she used to strike the complainant once on the head.

Bakare’s neighbour, Jesi Mugoneri, went to the scene and found the complainant bleeding profusely.

Mugoneri notified the complainant’s wife, Nyaradzo Maramba, who then took Mutambira to Rusape General Hospital before reporting the matter to local police, leading to Bakare’s arrest.

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has continued to mourn the death of party legislator for Glen View South Vimbai Tsvangirai who passed on yesterday following her involvement in a traffic accident along Harare-Bulawayo road last month.

Posting on Twitter, Chamisa said Vimbai Tsvangirai Java’s death was a blow to the party, family and the nation at large.

A blow to us all…Us being the family, people’s revolutionary party-MDC, nation and especially the young people, the next generation.A solid and visionary leader!

A blow to us all…Us being the family, people’s revolutionary party-MDC, nation and especially the young people, the next generation.A solid and visionary leader! pic.twitter.com/3xGvhLRRGO

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) June 11, 2019

Vimbai, the third daughter of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai was involved in an accident in May on her way from a party event in Bulawayo. The same accident claimed her campaign manager, Paul Rukanda and relative Tafadzwa Mhundwa who was also a Councillor in Mt Pleasant.

By Own Correspondent- ZANU PF youths in Mashonaland East have resolved to fully throw their weight behind “embattled” President Emmerson Mnangagwa as they seek to shield him from criticism over the deepening economic crisis.

The youths held a rally recently in Seke constituency where the league boss Kelvin Mutsvairo blamed “saboteurs” for the economic problems. He said:

As the youths, we are behind President Mnangagwa and we are aware of all the machinations by saboteurs who are currently behind the price hikes of basic commodities.

From the interactions we have had with the youths, we are happy that they are now aware of all government efforts to deal with the current crisis.

We have embarked on a tour of each constituency, meeting the youths, identifying projects suitable for their areas for their benefit as we move on.

Provincial chairperson, Joel Biggie Matiza, who also spoke at the rally said that Mnangagwa will soon descend heavily on the economic saboteurs and promised the crowd that things will get back to normal.-Newsday

Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator, Justice Mayor Wadyajena who chairs the parliamentary portfolio committee on lands and agriculture seems unimpressed by the story carried in the state owned Herald which hailed how the government saved a coffee farmer from losing his estate, saying his committee will today host the permanent secretary in the ministry of agriculture to clarify land invasions and disputes.

Wadyajena said no farmer would require saving if rule of law and property rights are respected.

” Lands & Agric Perm Sec appears today to clarify land invasions & disputes. No farmer would ever require ‘saving’ by GVT if we simply made the rule of law & respect for property rights supreme! Cronyism is dangerous, not everyone is a farmer & invaders must be severely punished!,” said Wadyajena.

https://twitter.com/JusticeMayorW/status/1138316161291038720

Divisions have rocked the MDC Midlands provincial executive over the imposition of members to represent the region in the party’s highest decision-making body, the national executive council.

Members of the provincial executive and structures from across the districts convened at the party’s office in Gweru over the weekend to elect five members to be seconded to the national council.

MDC women’s assembly chairperson, Paurina Mpariwa, oversaw the process.

Instead of holding the planned elections, provincial chairperson Josiah Makombe reportedly pulled a shocker by calling out preconceived names of five party members and asking someone to second them, after which he declared the process duly concluded.

The five were Gweru Urban MP Brian Dube, proportional representation MP Emma Muzondiwa, immediate past MDC Midlands South chairperson Francisco Masendeke, Beatina Majoni and Cephas Zimuti.

This did not go down well with party members because there were more than five members who had expressed interest in contesting for the national executive posts. These included Redcliff mayor Clayton Masiyatsva, Mberengwa senior party official Luwelin Sibanda, Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya, MDC chief of staff Sessel Zvidzai, former Senator and Health minister Henry Madzorera and former Kwekwe central legislator Blessing Chebundo.

Sources close to the developments told Southern Eye that these party officials had campaigned for the posts only to have Makombe, the current mayor of Gweru, pull the rug from under
their feet.

“What happened was totally unfair and undemocratic. We went there for elections, only for names to be imposed on us. It’s a sad chapter for the MDC,” a source said.

Takavafira Zhou, MDC Midlands provincial spokesperson, confirmed the disgruntlement at grassroots level over the selection of national executive representatives, but said the dispute would be resolved amicably.

“There were challenges over names that were left out in spite of submitting applications (to contest the posts). These concerns were brought to the attention of the presiding officers,
who in turn will make a ruling in the best interest of nurturing and protecting our democratic ethos so that our collective responsibility would add value to the party,” he said.

“It is not known where the list of the five people came from, and it was only fair for the elections to be held so that the popular members of the party would be chosen. People in the
party are angry,” another official said.

In a related development, the MDC Bulawayo provincial executive yesterday accused some non-delegates to the provincial council of trying to derail the election of members into the national executive council.

The remarks were made by the party’s provincial spokesperson, Swithern Chirowodza, during the election process.

He, however, dismissed reports that there was violence during the election, remarking the security personnel had screened delegates on entry, with those ineligible blocked from entering
the venue in accordance with the party’s constitution.

“The process was completed peacefully. What happened was that the security helped a lot in separating the delegates from the non-delegates.

“That was in compliance with the party’s constitution, article 6.9.3.2, which specifies who is a member of the provincial council,” Chirowodza said.

“There were some strangers in the provincial council, who wanted to be part of the process when they are not delegates so that when voting is done in their presence, they would start complaining that the process was flawed and claim that non-delegates were allowed to vote.”

The party’s constitution stipulates that the provincial council should consist of all members of the provincial executive, chairpersons, secretaries, treasurers, organising and information secretaries of district executive committees, district chairpersons of the women and youth assembles, all ward chairpersons, the executive committee of the women and youths
assemblies.

Chirowodza said Kunashe Muchemwa, Grace Mathe, Bulawayo Central legislator Nicola Watson, Senator Gideon Shoko and Desmond Makaza would represent the province in the national executive council.

“The process went on well and the elections were done. We are waiting for the names to be confirmed, otherwise everything is above board,” he said.

Chirowodza said those who wanted to disrupt the meeting started singing obscenities about the provincial chairperson, James Sithole and the recently-elected provincial executive.

-Newsday

ZANU PF chiororo. Vote for them to import Lamborrghini Urus! pic.twitter.com/XNbH17NlX8

— Pedzisai Ruhanya (@PedzisaiRuhanya) June 11, 2019

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) has flighted a job advertisement looking for an Editor to work on Gukurahundi papers.

This marks a departure from the former President Robert Mugabe era where Gukurahundi was a closed subject.

While the move will likely bring out literature on the subject, it remains to be seen if the commission will not be censored to deal with less important issues while ignoring the major actors in the whole saga.

The NPRC is looking for an Editor to edit academic papers on Gukurahundi. If qualified please see below: pic.twitter.com/jQFqhWNnNx

— National Peace and Reconciliation Commission(NPRC) (@NPRCZim) June 10, 2019

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

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

Those who won are former MP Edmore Marima (Bikita East), former senator Misheck Marava (Masvingo), senior members Bernard Chiondengwa, Takanayi Mureyi and Margaret Chakabuda.

In the women’s wing, Mai Mangava, Mai Gwamadondo, Mai Matenga and Mai Chibhebhe prevailed.

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

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

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

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

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

“This was not a legitimate process. Many people did not vote because they had gone back home after it was announced that the elections had been cancelled due to violence. After all, how can noise-making replace secret ballot in a democratic process?” said one party member.

Own Correspondent|Zimbabweans on social media have started raising concerns on the unexpected death of MDC legislator Vimbai Tsvangirai.

Tsvangirai was involved in a fatal road accident just outside Kwekwe a month ago and had been hospitalised at a Harare hospital since then.

Reports were released from the hospital that she was recovering well and was safely out of danger. Her condition suddenly deteriorated on Monday morning resulting in her passing on later in the afternoon.

Concerns have since emerged on what could have caused the sudden turnaround on her conditions.

Major concerns have been raised over an unidentified man who was several times caught trying to sneak into the intensive care unit where Tsvangrai-Java was being treated.

According to media reports at the time when Tsvangirai was hospitalised, her family reported that the bogeyman kept giving different reasons why he wanted to see the MP after first claiming that he was her relative, then party member and a well-wisher who wanted to pray for her.

The identity of the man was never been known nor what his real intentions were.

AN 88-YEAR-OLD grandpa died in Bulawayo’s mabutweni suburb after his house was gutted by fire from a candle he was using following prolonged Zesa load shedding on Friday night.

Mkhululi Ncube, who lived alone, was pronounced dead at Mpilo Central Hospital where he had been rushed for medical treatment after the incident that occurred at about 11PM.

The tragedy comes at a time when the country is enduring a load shedding exercise going above the scheduled 10 hours in most instances.

A state media news crew yesterday visited Ncube’s residence where just a few mourners were gathered without proper plans to bury him.

Ncube’s neighbour Ms Anna Sigadula said neighbours had to break through a door to gain entry into his house in an effort to rescue him.

“We were awakened by smoke that was coming from his room. We called other neighbours and rushed to rescue him as we knew that he was sick. However the door was locked so we had to smash it open. He had suffered serious burns. We managed to put out the fire. It seems he could not escape the inferno as he was sickly. We called an ambulance which ferried him to Mpilo Central Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival,” said Ms Sigadula.

She said the sad thing is that Ncube had no one to look after him at his advanced age.

Ms Sigadula said power cuts were becoming a thorn in the flesh for most residents and it was disheartening that Ncube lost his life as a result of a fire that emanated from a candle.

“It seems he fell asleep without putting out the candle. All this occurred following electricity load shedding imposed on us by Zesa,” said Ms Sigadula.

For a moment the news crew thought that Ncube had been buried as the few women who were at the house were cleaning the room.

Ncube’s relative Ms Thama Ncube, who arrived at the house after his death said the situation was desperate as they do not have funds to bury him.

“We don’t even know where to start. We don’t have money so we can’t say when he would be buried. We are just hoping that the residents could assist us in burying him. Those wishing to assist us can contact me or send money on my Ecocash number 0784407637,” said Ms Ncube, herself an old woman.

Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said no foul play was suspected in Ncube’s death.

“We received a case of sudden death where an 88-year-old male died after he was severely burnt and succumbed to injuries after his room caught fire following Zesa load shedding on Friday at about 11pm. He was pronounced dead at Mpilo Central Hospital where he had been ferried for medical treatment,” said Insp Ncube.

He appealed to residents to exercise caution in dealing with lit candles during load shedding periods as more lives could be lost.

Government has assured the nation that the production and processing of passports is set to increase following the availability of machinery and printing paper.

This comes after members of the public have been complaining that the Registrar-General’s Office was taking time to process passports.

Sources at the Registrar-General’s Office revealed yesterday that they were printing only 30 passports a day.

Additionally, emergency passports are no longer being processed as promptly, as required by procedure.

In an interview, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Cain Mathema admitted to the dire situation, but said the issue was being resolved by Government.

“Members of the public should not panic. We are working on it. Yes we have been facing some challenges, but I would want to assure passport applicants that we have managed to overcome some of these challenges.

“Passports are being done, the paper is now there and the machinery is there. Our people should not panic, we might not be able to produce the numbers that we want at the moment, but we are working on it,” he said.

In April this year, the Registrar-General’s Office co-operated fully with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission in its inquiries into allegations of delays in the issuance of passports and national identification documents.

The investigations come after members of the public complained that the department was taking time to process passports and identity documents.

In an interview then, Registrar-General Mr Clemence Masango said he was aware of the inquiries that were being conducted and assured the people that their offices were ready to serve.

The Registrar-General Office said it was also concerned with the high number of uncollected passports some of which were processed in 2000 and cost the applicants more than $590 000.

Drug supply set to improve: Natpharm
Some of the passports were applied for as urgent and got priority over non-urgent applications despite the department’s limited resources.

Addressing a Press conference early this year Mr Masango said some of the passports had expired before being collected.

Zimbabwean passports are valid for only 10 years.

The number of uncollected passports applied on normal basis are 50 733 and least 11 144 passports have since expired.

State Media|President Mnangagwa has mourned the death of Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java (36), daughter to the late MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, from injuries she sustained in a head-on collision near Truckers Inn in Kwekwe last month.

Tsvangirai-Java was Glen View South legislator and had been recently elected secretary-general of the MDC-A’s Women’s Assembly.

In a message on his Twitter handle, President Mnangagwa said he was saddened by Mrs Tsvangirai-Java’s death.

“Very sad to learn of the tragic passing of Honourable Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java. May her memory be a blessing and a comfort to all that knew her, and may she rest in eternal peace.”

The President has had warm relations with the Tsvangirai family since becoming leader of the Second Republic in 2017, as he assisted the family during the illness and passing on of the former trade unionist.

Yesterday, Tsvangirai family spokesperson and uncle to the deceased, Mr Manasseh Tsvangirai, said in an interview with Zimpapers Television Network that they received news of her worsening condition early yesterday morning.

“She was recovering steadily, as someone who was coming out of that wreck, you could see that it was actually tragic,” he said.

“Then from there it was actually early this morning and mukuwasha (Batsirai Java) said please pray for Mai Java because things were not normal and we were just praying not knowing that around 2pm she was going to die . . . She died around that time and we were alerted to rush to the hospital with the husband, the sisters and other relatives of the Javas.

“Currently, we don’t have anything yet, but people are gathered in Strathaven at No. 2 Lyndhurst Close.”

He also urged people to respect the Tsvangirai and Java families in their time of mourning by desisting from posting unsubstantiated messages on social media platforms

Her political party, MDC-Alliance, also expressed shock at her passing.

“The MDC has learned with shock the sad passing on of Hon Vimbai Tsvangirai–Java this afternoon. The eldest daughter of our late icon Dr Morgan Tsvangirai, Hon Java was the recently elected Women’s Assembly secretary-general and a Member of Parliament for Glen View South.

“She recently sustained injuries in an accident which claimed two other cadres while traveling from a Provincial Caucus in Bulawayo. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. May Her Soul Rest in Peace.”

The accident also claimed the lives of Paul Rukanda, who was Mrs Tsvangirai-Java’s campaign manager, and a relative, Tafadzwa Mhundwa.

Es z wat our learned Adv z saying abt Mthuli pic.twitter.com/fQvKCn8CcY

— Lastborn ??? (@BMkhokeli) June 10, 2019

Heal Zimbabwe condemns the continued attack on Heal Zimbabwe Director, Rashid Mahiya by perceived state agents.

On 4 June 2019 around 0500 hours, alleged state agents besieged the house of Mahiya, surrounded it for about an hour and continuously knocked on the doors to be allowed entry.

The agents refused to identify themselves and were driving two unmarked Nissan vehicles.

This is not the first time state agents have used all sorts of tactics to threaten the security of Mahiya and his family. After the January 2019 peaceful protests, members of the security services launched a violent manhunt on Mahiya whom they accused of inciting citizens to demonstrate. While conducting the search, they heavily assaulted his brother and harassed his mother and wife.

Heal Zimbabwe notes that this continued trailing and harassment of Mahiya does not only compromise his security and that of his young family, but also violates his fundamental human rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the constitution such as the right to personal security.

This latest threat on the life of Mahiya, come at a time when seven Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) are languishing in prison facing a litany of charges that include effecting regime change.

In light of this, Heal Zimbabwe implores government to create a conducive environment for the enjoyment of fundamental human rights and freedoms that are exclusively provided for in the Bill of Rights (Chapter 4 of the constitution).

Added to this, the government must also stop criminalizing the work of CSOs as their contribution to the attainment of democracy in any given society is key.

By A Correspondent- Secretary general for Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA), Victor Matemadanda has been re-assigned by Zanu-PF to the hot position of Political Commissar with immediate effect. Most before him have suffered either an assassination or a humiliating exit and they include the late Border Gezi and Elliot Manyika. He takes over from Engelbert Rugeje who is waiting for redeployment in September this year.

The development was revealed during a press briefing by ZANU PF secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo after the party’s extraordinary session of the Politburo. Moyo said:

The Politburo has appointed Cde Matemadanda to the position of Secretary for Commissariat replacing Cde Rugeje. Cde Rugeje will remain a Politburo member pending re-deployment in September this year.