CHEGUTU WEST legislator Dexter Nduna, who was facing charges of unlawfully discharging a firearm in public, was last week acquitted by the Mashonaland West Magistrates court after the State failed to prove a prima facie case against him.

It was the State’s case that on May 1 2018 during the Zanu-PF primary elections, Nduna allegedly fired four shots into the air at Chinengundu Primary School, Pfupajena, Chegutu.
He was cleared of any wrongdoing after successfully applying for discharge at the close of the State’s case.

In his application, Nduna, through his lawyers Chambati Mataka and Makonese, told the court that he had lawful cause to discharge the firearm, whose issuing purpose is self-protection and cash in transit security.

He further stated that on the day in question, violence broke out during the primary election.

One of his aides, Munyaradzi Simango, also known as Mahwiro, was beaten up and left for dead.
The attackers were also targeting Nduna as they advanced fiercely towards him.

His car, containing USD$4 000, was smashed in the process.
The legislator stated that he fired warning shots into the air to disperse the advancing crowd.

He said his actions were meant to avert further attack on his aides and to safeguard the money in his car.
Nduna said he did not point a firearm at anyone, nor did he behave in a disorderly manner or fail to have proper control of the firearm.State media

By Own Correspondent- It took about 30 minutes for Madinda Ndlovu to arrive for his post-match press conference.

Bosso were so poor that Ndlovu expressed doubts that he was the man to turn around the fortunes of the once mighty football giants who have gone for seven games without a win and a goal at their favourite hunting ground.

When he walked in he looked like a dead man walking and when he opened his mouth to speak, he sounded like a man on the verge of resigning after Highlanders were soundly handed a three-piece by Chicken Inn in a match played at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

So good were Chicken Inn that the second goal, which caused a 20 minute-stoppage following crowd trouble, did not flatter a disjointed Highlanders who lost, thanks to the boots of two-goal hero Bret Amidu and the country’s leading Top Goal Scorer Clive Augusto.

All three goals were scored in the first half. Amidu drew first blood in the 26th minute after his well taken free kick from outside the box went past Bosso’s one-man wall and proceeded to beat a diving Ariel Sibanda on his right.

In the 37th minute, enterprising Amidu, released a defence-splitting pass that saw Augusto — now on six goals — outpaces a jittery Andrew Mbeba before he let loose a hard and low shot to make it two for Gamecocks.

Instead of playing to the whistle, the entire Bosso rearguard called for offside on Augusto but the second assistant referee Brilliant Sibanda kept his flag down and the goal stood. Consequently, Emagumeni briefly turned to a warzone, a development that saw Bosso followers, in protest, throw missiles into the pitch.

This resulted in the long break where local football enthusiasts shockingly witnessed one Bosso supporter jump the perimeter fence at Empakweni End before he proceeded into the field of play and temporarily manhandled an unfortunate Sibanda. A police reinforcement team had to be called to the venue and it was not long that sanity was restored.

However, Bosso went on to collapse under the weight of Gamecocks who got their third goal courtesy of an intelligent Amidu chip inside the box two minutes before the breather. The Chicken Inn midfielder took advantage of Mbeba’s indecisiveness and poked the ball home. “It was a bad day in office. We started off very well but the first goal dismantled us. We did not really match Chicken Inn.

“Even after trying to change our playing system the boys had already given up. It’s a pity to say that. I cannot tell the minute when change will happen in the team. Whether I’m there or not the boys need to soldier on. Do you think the situation is normal at Highlanders?” quizzed Ndlovu. His opposite number Joey Antipas praised his boys for a job well done.

“We planned for them and it perfectly worked for us. This is one game Highlanders wanted to win but I’m happy we soaked the pressure and hit them on the break. We put them on double pressing and they then fizzled out after creating lots of chances. However, our rhythm was disrupted by that lengthy stoppage,” said Antipas.

Meanwhile, Highlanders club president Ndumiso Gumede said on twitter after the match that going for seven games without a win was the club’s worst start for the 48 years. “Highlanders lost 3-0 to Chicken Inn and are now position 17 (last but one) on the log. This is the worst start since 1971.”

Today’s Fixtures

Triangle v CAPS United (Gibbo Stadium), Herentals v ManicaDiamonds (NSS), Yadah FC V Dynamos (Rufaro Stadium), TelOne v FC Platinum (Luveve), Hwange v Chapungu (Colliery)

Yesterday’s Results

Harare City 0-0 Bulawayo Chiefs, Mushowani Stars 2-0 Black Rhinos, ZPC Kariba 1-0 Ngezi Platinum

Chicken Inn 3-0 Highlanders

By Own Correspondent- The government, through the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting, has provided information regarding a clash in the Harare central business district between police and some members of the public on Saturday 11 May.

According to the government, the clash started after Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers had arrested a suspected cellphone thief.

The officer were pelted with stones resulting in the damage of their vehicle. The suspect fled.

Said the ministry:

Today around Corner G Silundika and First Street, Police arrested a suspected cellphone robber but were pelted with stones and other missiles leading to the suspect escaping with the cuffs. A police car was damaged and tear smoke was deployed. 2 suspects are now in custody.

The information ministry did not clarify if indeed anyone had been shot by the police.

Yesterday, information posted on social media suggested that the police had clashed with street vendors resulting in one individual being shot.

By Own Correspondent- Illegal miners at Kwekwe’s Gaika Mine claimed that they are carrying mining activities at the mine under the cover of darkness.

Soldiers and police were deployed to guard the mine after ZANU PF linked politicians tried to seize operations using machete-wielding militias.

An illegal gold panner who spoke to a local publication about their illegal mining activities said:

“We are now working for the soldiers and police officers. They allow us to dig for gold ore and we share the proceeds.”

A police officer, Danmore Nyashanu, from the Support Unit deployed to guard the mine was handed over to police by ZANU PF youths after they caught him at Stewart and Lloyd’s compound where he was involved in the processing of looted gold ore.

A ZANU PF youth leader Tapiwa Muto blamed the crimes committed to joblessness.

Said, Muto:

“It is clear that our government is respecting the rule of law and we respect that, but the owners of the mine should either cede the claim or alternatively open the mine and provide jobs for the youths because the people who used to mine here are now jobless and without income and are turning to crime.”-The Standard

By Own Correspondent| Ngangu, a township in Chimanimani, huge boulders carpeted the whole area.

, Scattered pieces of cups, plates, door frames, corrugated iron sheets and buckets is the only evidence of prior human habitation. 

Walking on the boulders was difficult and spoke volumes of the magnitude of the disaster.

Survivor Tinashe Gota (21) said communication about the impending cyclone first came through the WhatsApp platform.

“They said a cyclone was coming but people did not think it would come in the manner it did. There were strong winds and heavy rains; we had never experienced such weather. The rains did not allow people to go out of their houses,” Gota said.

“The day that the rains stopped, we went out of our home to see what had happened only to be met with a trail of big stones, with some houses missing. We started looking for friends and relatives and I found my aunt downstream under a tree, with no clothes. I still do not understand what kind of rains these were that even took off people’s clothes. And we could not explain the huge stones.”

For many, movement now entails jumping over huge boulders to get to the next houses and they do not know where their neighbours are or if they will ever be found.

Tsitsi Chinhori (31) recollected how that horrific night brought dead bodies to her home.

“The rains came and I remember the unending lightning which flashed red and blue. Then, suddenly the main door of my house opened with a huge bang. Alighting from the bed, I stepped into water that was already above ankle level. The children had been sleeping on the floor in the next room. Mud quickly filled up the kitchen,”Chinhori said.

“The electricity had gone and you could hear screams from other houses. It was dark and it was difficult to make out what was happening. The uninjured helped those who were trapped beneath the big stones. The lady we dragged out cried that she could not find her children.

“In the morning, I discovered four dead bodies of children strewn upon my yard. How can I stay in this compound when I constantly remember the sight of the bodies lying in my yard and the fact that I lost one of my children? This place is a constant reminder of the horror that befell it.”

At Ngangu Primary School the sad story of the huge boulders continued.

Here, children have found a playground where they pick various assortment of things, the only reminder of what used to be.

The smaller children go about oblivious of the disaster that engulfed their community.

So big are the boulders that huge uprooted trees are like match-sticks under the unyielding weight.

One old man, Danny Munovapei from Manase Village, is perturbed by the huge boulders.

 “I still do not understand this ‘mystery’ and where these huge stones came from. We are still in shock and the trail of destruction has left us numb. Our fear heightens every time we see clouds forming in the sky. Our hearts pound, the disaster is still fresh in our minds. We now have to leave the place we have called home all our lives; that is very difficult and heartbreaking,” said Munovapei.

Thandeka Munhundiani (23), a school teacher who was at Ndima High School when the disaster struck, said no-one thought much about the impending cyclone. They thought, like the others in the past, it would just pass without being eventful. 

“The rains came and even when the river was filling up, people just thought they would eventually go away. But the rains continued and became heavy. Then there was the sound like that of a haulage truck as the night progressed. Later in the night, the school guard came knocking on teachers’ quarters, alerting them of the impending danger. He said his house was now filled with water and that people needed to go to higher ground,” Munhundiani said.

“We only got our jerseys because we never thought it was serious but the water level kept on rising until the place where we call ‘Madhomeni’ and the police station were swept away. Some people had to climb up trees in order to survive while others went on roof tops.

“The rains did not stop until we were all soaked. Later someone said we needed to start a fire in order to keep warm. Suddenly we were marooned. 

“I have not been back to the school. When the water receded, we discovered huge boulders. We cannot explain where they came from,” she said.

Lyon Chirova (49), a businessman in the Ngangu area, lost his shop, stock and equipment.

“I used to rent a vegetable shop in the Ngangu area and everything in the block is gone. My workers left an hour before the disaster struck and just as well, otherwise they would have perished,” Chirova said.

“We recovered some things, like freezers, some kilometres away but everything else, like the goods that we sold, was completely destroyed. We have kept these as souvenirs because insurance only covered such things like fire. The insurance company told me that I should have insured specifically against natural disasters.”

Temporary shelters have been constructed, but here is a community desperately in need of psycho-social support.-ThePatriot

ZimEye would like to wish all the mothers in the world a Happy Mother’s Day.

May your day be filled with laughter, happiness and joy!

We appreciate your valuable role towards humanity.

ZimEye Team…..

Own Correspondent|Blessed Mhlanga a reporter with NewsDay has brought in a new dimension into the MDC saga where party Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora is accused of selling out on leader Nelson Chamisa at the High Court.

The Party accuses Mwonzora of having had access to the High Court ruling of the 8th of May such declared Chamisa as illegitimate leader of the opposition party days before the ruling was pronounced.

Mhlanga has dismissed the sensational claims that Mwonzora gave him a copy of the ruling a week before it was handed down.

This was after fellow journalist Hopewell Chin’ono disclosed on his social media page that Mwonzora had the High Court ruling a week before it was delivered. Chin’ono further claimed that “MDC folks are saying that he (Mwonzora) told a NewsDay journalist about it and that they chose to keep quiet to see how it will pan out…”

Mhlanga, has come out guns blazing against Chin’ono.

Mhlanga says he only reveals his sources to his Editor, and that he never talked to Mwonzora over the High Court judgement. He also claimed Chin’ono has since blocked him on social media.

“This is a new low for Award winning Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, I don’t reveal my sources to anyone except my Editor if need be. At no point did I ever talk to Douglas Mwonzora over this judgement before or after. No point did I even speak to Chin’ono who has blocked me on social media,” Mhlanga said in a tweet.

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The below is the transcript of a “prophecy” by a female Madzimai from Johane Masowe who alleges that within 2 months of March 2019, a jongwe is dying and a female leader taking over. The proclamation was reportedly made 2 weeks before the cyclone Idai attack.

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TRANSCRIPT:

Happiness to you, Happiness to you.

While we were at the shrine today, the sacred spirit told us, there are people who are here in Zimbabwe I have seen, you must read this – in a week and a half I have seen that there will be rain, but the rain will have lightning. But I have seen two places, but the secret spirit did not state the names of these two places. I have seen several people, many people who will be killed by this water I have seen houses that will be uprooted, I have seen trees that will be uprooted. But this water,because it has lightning, I have seen that it will be concluded by a big wind or whirlwind, but this water will rain a week and a half. You will hear of a place where rain has descended and people will be killed.

Secondly the great sacred spirit has said that it has seen, two months are too long. I have seen a discussion that has been held, but it has been held among the leaders of the country. There are some who said let’s do this while others have said let’s do this,it looked like a demonstration. But during the demonstration I saw that there was a scuffle, a strife, I saw bloodshed, I saw and you shall hear that so-and-so has died in this family so and so has died in that family. The great sacred spirit speaks the 3rd time saying I have heard people are saying that this year is a year of fulness, but it will be a year of Hunger. During the time of great hunger, I saw that donors will arrive and the donors wanted to bring food but that food I noticed that it is bringing diseases. I saw them bringing diseases in the head, I saw them bringing diseases in the stomach, I saw it bringing growths, this disease people will not be able to recognise it, they will continue in confusion. The sacred spirit continues once again saying what it once spoke on 31 December while we were sat at the Masowe while waiting to cross over the new year, and it said that I have seen a new level of argument that has begun in this great nation of Zimbabwe. I have seen a Jongwe of a certain house which rules in this country of Zimbabwe. I have seen this Jongwe, which will make noise after it has died. But this Jongwe will die because of God not because of death. But in its dying, I have noticed that this Jongwe will be buried at a place where heroes are buried. But in it being buried there are some who will refuse for this person to be buried there saying they do not deserve.

…CONTINUE READING BELOW…

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But in this same house where this Jongwe died, I saw there was fighting and there was bloodshed because people were fighting for positions. The sacred spirit says while we are sat at Masowe you babaJohane, I am asking that wherever you are, you must remain in prayer wherever you are you must remain in prayer remain in the heritage of the Father.

I saw two men wearing suits – the one who is in front is taller than the other(who is behind). These two men are running, racing to seize the flag of Zimbabwe. But the man who is taller, just before seizing the flag of Zimbabwe, I saw him suddenly stopped by the one who is Shorter. The one who is Shorter while he was just about to seize the flag of Zimbabwe, he was suddenly stopped by a woman. I saw the flag of Zimbabwe having been successfully seized by a woman. And then the father said to me, I have not given you the interpretation of what that is but when I saw the flag of Zimbabwe having been seized by a woman I saw a war erupting. But this war began at Mbare. The sacred spirit said to me right now the father is saying the throne of the leadership of Zimbabwe it does not have anyone who sits on it. The seat of the leader of Zimbabwe is in the sky, I am seeing it is oozing blood, but the father is telling me that yes you put someone there but there is no one who is sitting on it. So while we are at Masowe, the sacred spirit spoke to us and asked us to sing this verse, I heard it being sang saying: those who have the heritage of prayer, they will not struggle.

So the sacred spirit sang and sang saying kids of Baba Johane, you must remain on your knees praying because when it comes to issues of the country, the nation, Gabrieni did not give me a prayer to prevent this (thing from happening). Gabrieni told me to leave things as they are because this is the way of the Father. So I thought to share with all of you children of the Dare, telling you all kids of Jacob that where ever you are at the congregations, That whereever you are, please be praying for your families. Be praying for even your parents at home that they should not accept food from foreign donors. Because those foods are going to come with troubles they are going to bring diseases among black people so I thought to share with all of you that they should remain under prayer. READ MORE ON ZIMEYE.COM

By Stembile Mpofu| Confronted by the ever-rising cost of living the majority of Zimbabweans are holding their heads in despair, desperate for an end to the economic hardship. The work being done by the Ministry of Finance to put the economic fundamentals of the country right is still far from having a positive effect on the life of the ordinary man on the street. In fact at this point the effects are negative. It is not an easy time or place to think creatively because time is spent thinking about getting the basics in place to allow one’s family to live. Unfortunately some in the corporate sector have found it fit to make as much as they can from the situation by charging exorbitant prices for their goods. I was surprised to find that my local pharmacy was selling a 15g tube of skin ointment that had cost USD$5.00 before the advent of the bond note, for USD$8.00 or RTGS40.00. If I were to buy the same medicine in South Africa or Zambia as many people have resorted to doing, it is unlikely that the ointment will cost the equivalent of USD$5.00. There is no justification for charging such high prices for essential goods like medicines.

The normal fall back is to put the blame on government and its policies and not to look beyond that. However the problem goes beyond government. That is not to say that there are no deficiencies in the government’s economic policies, because there are, but to awaken us to the fact that there are other issues at play.

Firstly that there is a tendency by those who have greater market share for a specific product or products to hold consumers at ransom by charging prices that ensure they make huge profits. They benefit from the consumers inability to find an alternative or reluctance to do things differently. This is not a phenomenon that is the preserve of Zimbabwe but it is visible throughout the world in every economy. Consumers become so dependent on a particular lifestyle that relies on particular product offerings that they cannot consider other possibilities. Where alternatives exist they should be explored. When I realised that the price of the skin ointment I needed had inflated in US dollar terms, it was clear to me that the pharmacy’s intent was to take full advantage of my need. I researched and found that there is a natural remedy that is good for treating skin conditions. The Jatropha plant of Zimbabwe’s biodiesel frenzy is an effective natural remedy for many skin conditions. I used the leaves to great effect and will not be buying that particular medicine again; my energy will go into ensuring that Jatropha is accessible and growing well in my garden.

The same approach can be taken towards bread. Learning how to bake bread is not rocket science. Including the baking of bread into the normal daily cooking routine may result in some meaningful savings. Finding cheaper and healthier alternatives to bread may also be a viable solution. The idea of viable alternatives brings us to an untapped source of knowledge that we should consider. Many black Zimbabweans look back at the rural way of life and consider it as backward, whereas therein lie many opportunities to develop new goods and products. A challenge to the young STEM graduates across the country. The products used to meet the various physical needs of our forefathers and mothers were tested in a real life laboratory, making them ready for use in a modern world will not require a great deal of work. Ruredzo was used as soap and hair conditioner, what would it take to create a line of cosmetic products from it. We are importing a great deal of toiletry products at great cost, with the price of toothpaste making fresh breath a luxury. What properties are in the plant used to clean teeth and in ash as a mouth cleanser?

Looking to our indigenous knowledge systems and developing them creates great opportunities to create authentic products that don’t mimic or imitate those from other countries or those being developed by large corporations. We should however, be ready to embrace such innovations. We are burdened with a preference for goods and products that come from foreign lands. There does exist amongst us the mindset that African knowledge systems and the goods and products derived from them are inferior, making us our own worst enemies. We only accept that something is good after it has received affirmation from the west. We see this attitude manifest itself even in out attitudes to musicians. Bhundu Boys and Oliver Mtukudzi come to mind, local appreciation of their music increased greatly after their acceptance by foreign audiences.

We must be ready to innovate where we feel that the large corporations are taking advantage of the consumers. This type of push back challenges the same companies to innovate too and not rely solely on the same methods they have used for years. In as much as people organise themselves to protest against poor governance, they should be able to organise themselves to counter the voracious nature of big corporations. IT specialists designed programmes to track election results during the 2018 elections, can applications be designed that allow consumers to track pricing of goods and services. Such an application could create a more competitive environment that has those retailers who charge fair prices benefit from their honesty.

We must remember that diamonds are created as a result of coal being put under immense pressure. Where we do not rise to the challenge of a difficult situation we will be defeated. The current situation in Zimbabwe should be one that pushes us to think far beyond what we know and what we are used to. We should think and act in ways that make us innovate. Fighting for things to remain the same will result in defeat; working to take control of the change and shape it in ways that give birth to new things is the way to success.

By Own Correspondent-The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) on Sunday released load shedding schedules for various part of the country.

According to the statement, load shedding will be within 0500-1000 and 1700-2200 respectively.

However, the duration may be longer in the event of increased power shortfall.

The schedule released by ZESA is similar to the one that circulated on social media last week which ZESA claimed was fake. Below is the “correct” schedule:

MDC Matebeleland South Province Press Statement|As Matebeleland South Province we are not moved by the politically motivated High court ruling concerning our party and it’s leadership.

As a Province, we are behind our President Adv. Nelson Chamisa and the entire party leadership and we know our leaders were appointed according to the party statutes and it is worrying that Zanu PF wants to interfere in selection of MDC leaders using it’s proxies.

As a province we are not going to allow that and shall defend our president with all the tools at our disposal.

The High court or ZanuPF cannot choose Leaders for our party. MDC members are the ones who choose their leaders using it’s internal democracy.

We remain solidly behind our President and the entire leadership including those who have just been nominated by provinces.

We are currently seized with preparations for the Congress which is due on the 24th of May.

We are more than ready and keen to elect the new leadership under our able President, Adv. Chamisa.

No amount of intimidation and harassment shall stop the MDC train which is already in motion.

As a party, we shall be Defining a New Course for Zimbabwe.

Solani ‘Njemnyama’ Moyo
Matabeleland South Chairman.

By Farai Maguwu| The recent High Court Judgement on the MDC internal feuds has drawn massive public interest and divided opinion. Some are saying Nelson Chamisa must respect the court ruling to show that he respects the rule of law and national institutions as set up by provisions of the country’s Constitution.

Others however think the ruling was a political ruling by a politicized judiciary. They drew parallels to Emmerson Mnangagwa’s military-assisted ascendency to the presidency which the same High Court ruled to have been constitutional despite abundant evidence of military tanks having been rolled onto the streets and having former President put under house arrest for days and ultimately being forced to resign, something Mugabe himself would tell the media later. Some ministers survived assassination attempts on the fateful night

So how do we make sense of the double standards by the High Court of Zimbabwe which okayed a military coup and now outlawing the dramatic ascendency of Nelson Chamisa to the MDC presidency following the death of Morgan Tsvangirai. If the judiciary failed to interpret the National Constitution in the case of Mnangagwa whose rise violated, not just one, but several provisions of The Constitution, why would it all of a sudden read the rules to Nelson Chamisa

To understand this legal logjam, there is need to put this judgement into proper political and historical contexts. And the political context can only be understood if one goes back to 2000 and understand the metamorphosis of a once dynamic judiciary into a shadow of its former self.

Whilst all other state institutions such as the military, intelligence services, Police and public service had been politicized and ZANUfied at independence, the judiciary had remained the only institution that maintained some degree of independence until 2000.

When former President Robert Mugabe ran out of political capital due to economic mismanagement and an appalling human rights record and also as facing a calamitous electoral defeat at the hands of the then newly formed Movement for Democratic Change, he turned radical and declared war on the white farmers who seemed sympathetic to the MDC. Mugabe and ZANU PF, who had enjoyed the benevolence of the white community since independence, behaved like jilted lovers and became suicidal in every sense of the word. They regrouped the forgotten war veterans and armed some of them to deal with the MDC and the White community. Hundreds of MDC supporters and a few white farmers were killed. A revolutionary name was given to the violent land grabs – 3rd Chimurenga, meaning 3rd war of liberation. The first Chimurenga was fought between 1896 and 1898 whilst the second was fought from the early 60s to 1979. Whilst history has failed to estimate how many Zimbabweans were killed during the first Chimurenga, it is estimated the 2nd Chimurenga could have claimed as many as 50 000 lives. By naming the land grabs a war of liberation Mugabe and ZANU PF sought to encourage and justify the violence associated with the exercise. They had to strangle the law and the justice system to ensure injustice and criminality is institutionalised.

Chaos and violence characterised the farm grabs. More than half a million farm workers lost both livelihoods and shelter. Within a short space of time Zimbabwe turned from being a net exporter to a net importer of food. Most ZANU PF officials emerged with multiple farms and till now they are resisting a land audit.

The only institution that stood between order and chaos was the judiciary. When the judges ruled the violent farm invasions unconstitutional, ZANU PF threatened the judges. In about 15 months seven judges were forced off the bench by ZANU PF and replaced by those believed to be loyal to the party who went on to receive farms and benefitted from every economic – political decision that contributed to the destruction of our country, including the 2015 diabolic and criminal RBZ debt assumption bill which forced jobless and poor Zimbabweans to pay for the farm implements and finances borrowed by ZANU PF officials and their hangers-on. I must add that judges and magistrates have not been spared the effects of the socio-economic crinkum crankum brought upon us by ZANU PF where hard work, professionalism and honesty have been rendered unfashionable. Teachers and Nurses earn far far less than rank marshals, majority of whom primary or secondary school drop outs.

One of the world renowned judges, justice Anthony Gubbay, was forced to step down in 2001 after being threatened with violence by war veterans. Chinamasa, then Justice Minister, allegedly told him his physical security could not be guaranteed if he remained on the bench. Another High Court judge, Justice Michael Gillespie, who resigned and relocated to Britain, said he could not continue to serve on the bench when the conditions did not allow him to remain impartial: ‘The judges have been threatened publicly by war veterans with attacks upon, and occupation of, their homes… By this means the Executive has contrived to politicise the Bench, if not in fact, then at least in the perception of many ordinary people… A judge, finally, who finds himself in the position where he is called upon to administer the law only as against political opponents of the government and not against government supporters, faces the challenge to his conscience: that is whether he can still consider himself to sit as an independent judge in an impartial court’, he said

The capture of the judiciary between 2000 and 2002 by ZANU PF through forced resignation of judges and ‘packing’ of the bench with those considered to be politically correct has severely corroded the justice delivery system. A case in point is the 2002 court challenge by Morgan Tsvangirai where he disputed Mugabe’s victory. The High Court of Zimbabwe did not hear the case up to the time of the next election. In 2005 Tsvangirai approached the Supreme Court which reserved judgement. The petition was briefly heard by High Court Judge Ben Hlatshwayo and then put on hold…..to date. Morgan Tsvangirai has since died and three more hotly disputed Presidential elections have since been held.

Thus whilst the courts have done excellent work on cases such as child protection, rape and stock theft, they have been under extreme pressure where political cases are concerned. In fact I am not aware of a serious electoral case where Zimbabwe’s courts ruled against ZANU PF. Zimbabwe’s justice delivery system has also been found wanting when it comes to economic crimes. The government is filled to the brim with big criminals who must be languishing in prison for prejudicing the country of several billions. The liquidity crisis in Zimbabwe is artificial as powerful government officials and the ruling party are robbing the central bank at will. The Reserve Bank Governor in Zimbabwe is in reality the Secretary for Finance for ZANU PF! If Zimbabwe had a well-functioning judiciary most of our top officials in govt, both past and present, will be in maximum prison for undermining our national interests. We have scores of people who murdered political opponents and allowed to continue roaming the streets.

From time to time we also have had Judges who make very brave judgements but often there is a price to pay for the Judge or the ruling is simply ignored. I must emphasize that the problem is not the person of the judge but the Institution that has been brought under intense distress by the ruling party. This reminds me of my 5 weeks in detention in 2010. When I was finally granted bail one Magistrate told me to spare a thought for the magistrate handling my case. He said ‘don’t ever think he has anything personal against you. This matter was too hot to handle and decisions were imposed’.

I must conclude by saying ALL institutions in Zimbabwe are designed to serve the interests of ZANU PF and NOT the nation. This is why the country has been collapsing like a deck of cards in rapid fashion. Its because there are no functioning institutions. Our jails and police cells are designed to torture political opponents. Hence there is no running water in the cells, inmates are given very little, badly cooked food, no blankets, lice feast on you…they are meant to dehumanize, to torture the soul, mind and body of inmates. I remember well what Roy Bennett said when he came out of jail. He said the day he entered Prison they asked some inmates to defecate in a pair of prison garb. They then forced him the wear it whilst it was dripping with human waste. A day or two later Lawyers went to prison to check on him. The Prison officers then tried to give him clean clothes and he refused them.

And our Justice system has been conditioned to ensure ZANU PF officials do not see the inside of these torture chambers presented as prisons, unless they have crossed the path of the powers that be. Our financial system is criminal, rewarding those that do not work whilst prejudicing the hard working public who now spend long hours in banks trying to withdraw their money. They have dried up the financial system whilst stashing billions of USD in their homes. Our Police officers are NOT allowed to arrest ZANU PF officials. They have been transformed into the ruling party militia. Consequently every indicator of normalcy has died. No fuel, no water, no jobs, no electricity, potholes everywhere, buildings are decaying due to lack of maintenance. Everything is not working, simple!

To say Zimbabwe’s institutions need reform is an understatement. We need a complete overhaul of the institutions to ensure they serve the people with integrity and impartiality. For this to happen only the Zimbabwean citizens can do it by relentlessly demanding to be governed better. Our country, government and society at large need a new thinking, fresh ideas and a new social contract between government and the people. All our institutions – Police, military, intelligence services, prison services, the justice system and the entire public service need to be freed so they serve the citizen and not a political party.

News24|Marsmery Travel and Coach has difficult questions to answer but the company is not answering its phone

Survivors of the crash that claimed 13 lives in Limpopo on Monday say the driver was tired and the bus was overloaded.

The Marsmery bus was travelling from Pretoria to Harare, Zimbabwe, when it overturned on the N1 north, near the Ingwe Hotel in Louis Trichardt.

According to Makoma Makhurupetje, Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, the cause of the accident is not known. In a statement after the crash he explicitly said “reckless driving is not ruled out as the possible cause”.

Survivors visited by GroundUp on Tuesday say the driver arrived early in the morning after a long journey and set off again at once. Medusa Mamvura, who was still wearing her bloodstained blouse when in Louis Trichardt Hospital a day after the accident, says the crash could be a result of driver fatigue.

“We were supposed to leave Pretoria on Sunday (5 May) for Zimbabwe but that was not the case. We had to spend the whole night waiting for the bus until Monday morning. The bus arrived around 5am on Monday. The drivers did not rest. We loaded our goods and off we left for Zimbabwe. We were not happy going back with the same drivers and insisted on being refunded but that fell on deaf ears,” said Mavura.

Her two-year-old child sitting next to her had bruises all over her face.

Another survivor, Ruramai Torima, sitting in a wheelchair, said: “At a weighbridge before Polokwane the driver was told the bus was overloaded. We do not know what happened for us to pass overloaded like that.”

But a supervisor who works at the weighbridge (but wasn’t on duty that night) told GroundUp that if the bus had been overloaded, it would not have been allowed to continue.

Torima said, “As we passed Louis Trichardt towards Messina there was a steep slope and the bus was speeding, leading to the loss of control. All I can remember is crying for help and at the same time pulling my child out from under the seat.” Her child was not hurt.

We have called the Marsmery landline in Pretoria (012 656 0537) several times, but it goes through to voicemail. We obtained a cell number from the company’s Facebook page. The person who answered said he did not work for the company but gave us another mobile number to call. A man, who identified himself only as Brighton, answered this second number but he said he was no longer employed by the company. He also claimed the bus was not one of the Marsmery bus fleet. He said the bus was run by another owner using the Marsmery name.

But Limpopo SAPS investigating officer Tshifhiwa Netshiya said the name Marsmery was on the side of the bus and the number plate reflected it as part of the Marsmery fleet. According to Netshiya the driver was not hurt SAPS do not know where he is.

Marsmery Travel and Coaches was registered in 2006. According to a company search, it is a closed corporation that has one director: Murinziri Nyaradzo Tandiwe. He took over in 2017 and lives in Zimbabwe.

The survivors were all Zimbabweans.

Chizivano Moyo, failing to hold back tears, said: “I lost my wife and three stepchildren in this accident. I do not know what to do. At the weighbridge near Polokwane we realised the bus was not in good condition. The driver did some touch-ups [tightening exhaust nuts] on the bus and we suspected something was not in condition.”

Moyo, does odd jobs in South Africa. His late wife was employed as a domestic worker. They come from Masvingo province, Zimbabwe. He had bruises on his left arm and on the head.

Makurupetje said: “The driver and vehicle fitness for long distance cross-border buses is a matter of deep concern to us. It is about time that our law enforcement officers step up their routine checks on these buses to prevent this kind of accident from happening.

“I also call upon drivers of buses and other public transport to take rest in between trips as the lives of passengers remain in their hands.”

By Own Correspondent- The state media reports that the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) acting chief executive officer Mathlene Mujokoro and audit manager Shadreck Matengabadza have resigned.

The resignation of the two senior officials at the parastatal comes as 19 ZINARA employees were arrested for fraud cases involving more than US$210 000.

The arrests were confirmed by ZINARA public relations manager Augustine Moyo.

Said Moyo:

There are some employees with 55 counts, while others are facing up to 70 counts of fraud.

It has been established that bulk licensing is being abused to defraud Zinara.

Several vehicles with Zimbabwean registration plates were carded by the Central Vehicle Registry and Zinara was requested to card and red flag them.

So far, 19 people have been arrested in fraud cases of this nature and investigations are underway on the licensing of vehicles with arrears and penalties.

Mujokoro’s current contract subsists to 2021, but in her resignation letter to ZINARA board chairperson Michael Madanha, she indicated that she will leave the organisation on July 31 this year.

Part of the letter reads:

“I write to advise that I will not be able to complete my second tenure of the contract of employment, which is supposed to run up to 17 September 2021, and would want to give notice of my resignation up to 31 July 2019.

This effectively means that my contract of employment with Zinara will terminate on 31 July 2019.

The decision has been necessitated by personal engagements that I would want to pursue.”

By Own Correspondent- Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo, lost 279 bags of rice worth more than $384 000 when an administrator who was working at his Kwekwe offices allegedly stole and sold them for his own benefit.

This emerged when Warren Nostalgia Madicha (22) who is employed as an administrator at the Minister’s constituency centre in Redcliff, appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Mr Tayengwa Sangster facing theft charges.

Madicha, who resides at House Number 9 King George, Redcliff and was entrusted with the duty to safeguard the goods, allegedly abused the trust and sold the goods meant for constituency development and converted the money into his own use.

Although Moyo lost the Redcliff Constituency in last year’s elections he vowed to continue serving the constituency despite the loss.

Madicha was remanded in custody to 17 May for trial after he pleaded not guilty through his lawyer, Mr Devious Mujaya of Mawadze and Mujaya Legal Practitioners.

Prosecuting, Freddy Ndoro told the court that on 11 January at about 9am, Moyo brought 400 x 50kg of rice and delivered them to the constituency centre for safekeeping.

On a date unknown to the prosecutor but between 11 January 2019 and 23 April 2019, Madicha allegedly stole 279 x 50kg of rice from the office and sold them to different people.

Moyo, however, discovered that the rice was missing on 23 April and reported the case to the police.

Investigations carried out by police led to the discovery of some of the bags of rice from the people who had bought them and implicated Madicha leading to his arrest.-StateMedia

The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority has announced new fees for various services and activities it offers at its facilities.

The fees are in US dollars and can be paid using the prevailing RTGS equivalent, but war veterans will be exempted from paying during public holidays and upon producing relevant identification.

According to a Government Gazette under Statutory Instrument 108 of 2019 in terms of Section 129A of the Parks and Wildlife Act, the by-laws may be cited as the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Tariff of fees) By-Laws 2019.

According to the Statutory Instrument all charges in the by-laws include 15 percent Value Added Tax and 2 percent tourism levy for both resident and non-resident visitors and any other levies that may be published from time to time.

All non-residents will be required to pay the fees in foreign currency either electronically or in hard cash.

War veterans would also be exempted from paying fees during Independence, Heroes and Defence Forces holidays upon production of proof of identification while children under five years will be exempted from paying and those between six and 12 years will pay 50 percent of any fee.

For educational tours conservation fees for primary school educational tours shall be published by the authority from time to time.

Secondary schoolchildren will pay 50 percent of any fee applicable to adults including their accompanying teachers with a similar provision applicable to universities and tertiary institutions organised tour.

Visitors who require accommodation will also pay separate accommodation fees charged at the particular station.

According to the schedule of fees tour operators annual game drive permits range from $200 up to $1 000 depending on the place with Mana Pools and Hwange being the most expensive while Chivero, Kariba, Nyanga and Hwange are among the cheapest.

By Own Correspondent- Two men have been hauled to court facing two counts of robbery and attempted murder after allegedly robbing an unsuspecting motorist who had offered them a lift.

Trymore Guta (27) and Abel Manase (28) were denied bail by Harare magistrate Victoria Mashamba, who remanded them in custody to this week.

It is the State’s case that on January 30 the duo and an accomplice who is still at large were at Lizzy Restaurant in Avondale and they pretended to be stranded travellers looking for transport.

Prosecutor Idah Maromo told the court that the alleged robbers were offered a lift by complainant Mcanamara Chinyani who was driving a Toyota Sienta.

“Abel Manase suddenly tried to grab the driver of the car from behind the neck, but the 32 year old driver had noticed Manase’s actions through the rear view mirror, he then swerved the vehicle and Manase missed him.

“Manase then punched the driver with a clenched fist on the left jaw, took out an Okapi knife and threatened to kill him.”

Manase then pushed Chinyani out of the vehicle before attempting to take control of the steering wheel, but the driver removed the keys from the ignition port, the court further heard.

Upon being pushed out of the vehicle, Chinyani shouted for help and security guards at nearby shop came to his rescue.

“On noticing this, Guta, Manase and their accomplice disembarked from the vehicle and took to their heels,” claimed the prosecutor.

“Chinyani got into his vehicle and noticed that the suspects had left a MobiCell cellphone on one of the seats.

“On checking the cell phone Chinyani identified the accused through the pictures saved in the photo gallery.”

Using pictures from the phone, detectives tracked the robbers to Overspill shopping centre in Epworth before effecting arrests.

The court heard that, Guta and Manase used the same modus operandi on Troy Kabvumbi (37) whom they stabbed 5 times, tied and dumped him at the Zimphos industrial area, before getting away with his vehicle.

Kabvumbi managed to untie himself and was assisted by a commuter omnibus crew which took him to ZRP Epworth, where a report was made.

According to state papers, the stolen motor vehicle was later recovered dumped after a fly-over along Seke road in Harare.-StateMedia

Confirmed reports indicate that the opposition MDC has walloped ZANU PF in the by-election for Mutasa constituency’s ward 10.

The election was held on Saturday and MDC candidate Rosemary Tanyaradzwa Mukodza won 801 votes, ZANU PF candidate Margaret Tindirika garnered 548 while National Constitutional Assembly candidate Tanyaradzwa Chirimo won 16 votes.

The by-election arose after Frank Chitembwe of the MDC was elected the Mutasa Ward 10 Councillor in July 2018, but lost the seat after he got convicted and jailed for public violence after he participated in the violent #ShutDownZimbabwe protests of mid-January.

By Own Correspondent- The Zanu-PF delegation assigned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to observe South Africa’s May 8 provincial and national elections have endorsed them as free, fair, credible, transparent and a reflection of the will of the people.

It also congratulated the people of South Africa for an exemplary plebiscite.

In an interview with the state media on Saturday, Zanu-PF spokesperson Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo said the delegation “affirms, without hesitation, the integrity of the entire electoral process”.

Said Moyo

“The Zimbabwe delegation congratulates the people of South Africa, the IEC (Independent Electoral Commission) all the political parties in South Africa for a well organised, exemplary electoral process, which resulted in this free, fair, transparent and credible election.”

Ambassador Moyo said the electoral process was demonstrably well managed as the 700 000 voters who applied through the special vote — the disabled, elderly and mothers with babies — were ably assisted.

“The voting itself, on May 8, and the voting environment was peaceful, orderly, well organised and all polling stations opened on time. Polling agents, especially of the three major political parties — ANC (African National Congress), DA (Democratic Alliance) and EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) – were present at most polling stations.

“Voting materials were generally available and delivered on time despite insignificant logistical problems.

“Party regalia was permissible, except for polling agents. Political parties also had political desks at polling stations.”

Further, election results were posted at polling stations after tallying in the presence of polling agents and subsequently transmitted to provincial and national results collation centres.

The tallies were posted on giant screens at the national collation centre in Pretoria.

“The use of ICT was evident and impressive,” said Ambassador Moyo.

President Mnangagwa recently sent an 11-member Zanu-PF election observer mission, which was led by Cde Patrick Chinamasa, to South Africa for the May 8 elections.

Upon arrival in South Africa, the delegation attended the ANC’s Siyanqoba (Victory) Rally on Sunday May 5 at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.

The team divided into three groups: the first group led by Cde Patrick Chinamasa deployed in Soweto; the second group led by myself was deployed in Mamelodi (Pretoria), Soshanguve (Pretoria) and Pretoria City Centre.

The third group led by Cde Sithembiso Nyoni was deployed in Thembisa (Gauteng) and Ekurhuleni (Gauteng).

But the only stain to the elections was the underwhelming participation by youths.

“A lot of commentators expressed disappointment at the number of youths — estimated at 6 million — who did not vote. All in all, 27 million people registered to vote,” observed Ambassador Moyo.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- The government has introduced a counselling programme for teachers and learners in Chipinge and Chimanimani districts following the deaths and destruction caused by Cyclone Idai.

This was revealed by the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba in a telephone interview with the state media.

Gwaradzimba added that the government is also reconstructing several schools in the affected areas.

Several private players have adopted some schools, among which are Jesus Christ’s Church of Latter Day Saints.

She said:

“A psycho-social support program for teachers and learners is underway and ongoing to undo the psychological after-effects of the cyclone on them.

The Government is making plans to ensure that the affected learners receive one hot meal at school.

In the school buildings reconstruction programme, the Government will reconstruct 28 out of the 45 affected schools.

About 125 pupils and 3 teachers were reportedly killed by floods and debris from avalanches when the Tropical cyclone struck.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora has hit back at allegations that he funded a High Court application by a party official from Gokwe which resulted in the nullification of president Chamisa’s authority.

Mwonzora’s detractors in the party have often accused him of being working with the ruling ZANU PF party to destroy the MDC from within.

This comes after Mwonzora at one point harboured ambitions of challenging Chamisa for the presidency at the elective Congress later this month.

Speaking to a local publication recently, Mwonzora said:

The allegations are false and extremely malicious.

First of all, the allegations were filed in September well before I knew I was going to contest or not.

Secondly, I don’t understand why those making allegations against me are understating the capacity of the applicant who was our organising secretary for Gokwe.

Thirdly, I am actually listed as the fifth respondent in that matter meaning I was also sued.

It is clear that there are people who always want somebody to blame and they want to use me as a scapegoat. However, I am not going to be their punching bag any more.

It has gone too far, I am not going to be a punching bag any more.”

The High Court on Wednesday through the cat among the pigeons when it ruled that the late MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai violated the party constitution when he appointed Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as vice presidents alongside Thokozani Khupe.-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Land Commission (ZLC) has unearthed a number of irregularities in land allocation under the Land Reform Programme.

ZLC recently completed the first phase of the land audit which showed that, among other things, there were multiple allocations of the same piece of land.

ZLC chair Tendai Bare told the State Media that some of the irregularities could be rectified if the Ministry of Lands is made the sole issuing authority of Tenure documents.

She said:

Basically, it was established that the carrying capacity of subdivisions, particularly of A1 farmers, far exceeded the planned target due to the fact that there were multiple allocations by authorities who were not following laid-down procedures.

The level of investment was not to the expectation due to the fact that farmers had used all their initial savings and could not access new credit from financial institutions, and this accounts for low production levels and very little mechanisation.

On issues of security of tenure, the tenure documents given to A1 farmers are shambolic because they came from different allocating authorities.

This made it impossible to verify the legal status of genuine farm beneficiaries.

The government launched the National Agricultural Land Audit last year and the first phase was conducted in 10 districts across the country’s 10 provinces between October and November last year.

The audit is meant rationalise ownership and farm sizes. However, only 6 per cent of the targeted land has been covered so far.-State Media

By Own Correspondent- Several vehicles belonging to former President Robert Mugabe’s Gushungo Holdings dairy farm went under the hammer on Saturday.

Hundreds of cheap bargain hunters were milling outside the farm in Mazowe before the auction started. Bidding for the old vehicles started at US$2,000 or RTGS $5,000

Alpha and Omega human resources manager Farai Jemwa said that “junk” was being sold to clear the space.

Said Jemwa:

“We are not shutting down but simply clearing out old equipment such as tractors and other junk so that we are able to do our job properly. There is a lot of junk around here, hence this auction.”

By Own Correspondent- Newly diagnosed HIV patients are now being initiated onto a new regimen of antiretroviral medication containing Dolutegravir (DTG), a drug which has significantly less side effects and is more affordable compared to the current line.

It has been established that all Government health institutions this month began dispensing the TLD (Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Dolutegravir) combination to new patients, while authorities progressively discard administering the current TLE (Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Efavirenz) combination.

The new line of ARV therapy has less side effects and reduces the chances of patients developing drug resistance.

While the new combination is currently available for new cases only, patients who are already on treatment will start receiving the new combination in September, when authorities expect the current stocks of TLE to have been exhausted.

The DTG combination has been the drug of choice for the last two years for people living with HIV in high-income countries and is easier to take than current formulations with one small tablet taken daily.

Zimbabwe becomes one of the few African countries to use the DTG combination, which was approved for medical use in the United States in 2013.

Ministry of Health and Child Care Aids and TB Programme director Dr Owen Mugurungi told The Sunday Mail that the roll-out of DTG would be in phases to allow for the exhaustion of available stocks of the current regimen.

“We have now developed the guidelines for the introduction of DTG into the country and as of this month, we have started providing it to new patients found to be HIV positive, who need to be on treatment,” said Dr Mugurungi.

“Then in September, we will start on people that were on treatment or are on treatment, but have viral load suppression that is good.

“Basically we have started, but in phases, with the first phase targeting new patients who have never been on treatment. They are given a combination of drugs that has DTG.

“Those that are currently on treatment will only start receiving the new combination in September.

“The reason is that we have stocks of ARVs that we had procured in anticipation of the number of people that were going to be put on treatment this year.

“So we want to utilise the stocks that we had already procured so that they are not wasted.

Dr Mugurungi said Government had developed a set of guidelines on how the new line of drugs would be dispensed.

He said DTG had better viral load suppression capabilities compared to the current regimen.

“The reason for adopting DTG is that we now know it is associated with less side effects than Efavirenz and it achieves viral load suppression faster than Efavirenz,” said Dr Mugurungi.

The United States approved medical use of Dolutegravir in 2013, which is listed on the World Health Organisation List of Essential Medicines, as one of the most effective medicines needed in a health system.

Zimbabwe has nearly 1,2 million people on ART up from just 5 000 in 2004.

Of those on treatment, 84 percent are virally suppressed.

HIV incidence dropped to 0.48 percent in 2016 from 0.88 percent in 2011 owing to interventions that include condom promotion and distribution, voluntary medical male circumcision, HIV testing, prevention of mother to child transmission and social campaigns for behaviour change.

HIV prevalence, however, remains around 14,7 percent.

This year alone, authorities have distributed 98 million condoms against an annual target of 106 million.

In addition, coverage of voluntary medical male circumcision has reached 84 percent against the 2018 target of 1,2 million circumcisions.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- The opposition MDC has won Mutasa local government by election held Saturday.

Rose Tanyaradzwa Mukodza (MDC-Alliance) romped to victory beating rival Zanu Pf’s Magret Tindirika and Tafadzwa Justin Chirimo (NCA).

Party President Nelson Chamisa congratulated his team in Manicaland for a job well done.

Said Chamisa;

“Congrats to our teams for winning the local gvt election in Mutasa. Our gratitude to Manicaland Province and district,community organisers including our star member of parliament Hon Saruwaka and the hardworking winning woman Cnclr.We’re defining a new course for Zimbabwe with a rural focus.”

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rGh00ya3Yw

State Media|Zinara’s acting chief executive officer Ms Mathlene Mujokoro and audit manager Mr Shadreck Matengabadza have resigned, while 19 employees have been arrested for fraud cases involving more than US$210 000, as the dragnet on corporate malfeasance closes in on corrupt officials.

More arrests are expected as investigations continue.

Some of the accused employees have already appeared in court.

Zinara’s board chairperson Engineer Michael Madanha has already indicated that the parastatal will not be renewing CEO Engineer Nancy Masiyiwa-Chamisa and human resources and operations director Mr Precious Murove’s contracts over controversies at the road fund.

Eng Masiyiwa-Chamisa is currently on suspension.

Zinara public relations manager Mr Augustine Moyo confirmed the arrest of the 19 employees.

“There are some employees with 55 counts, while others are facing up to 70 counts of fraud,” said Mr Moyo.

“It has been established that bulk licensing is being abused to defraud Zinara.

“Several vehicles with Zimbabwean registration plates were carded by the Central Vehicle Registry and Zinara was requested to card and red flag them. So far, 19 people have been arrested in fraud cases of this nature and investigations are underway on the licensing of vehicles with arrears and penalties.”

While Ms Mujokoro’s current contract runs until 2021, she says her resignation has been occasioned by “personal engagements”.

In a letter addressed to board chairperson Eng Madanha, which was seen by The Sunday Mail, the executive indicated that her contract of employment will terminate on July 31 2019.

“I write to advise that I will not be able to complete my second tenure of contract of employment, which is supposed to run up to 17 September 2021, and would want to give notice of my resignation up to 31 July 2019. This effectively means that my contract of employment with Zinara will terminate on 31 July 2019. The decision has been necessitated by personal engagements that I would want to pursue.”

Eng Madanha confirmed receiving Ms Mujokoro’s resignation letter.

The new board, he said, is determined to fight corruption at Zinara in line with the aspirations of achieving targets of Vision 2030 as set by President Mnangagwa.

“We are fighting the corruption at Zinara tooth and nail and we are not going to leave any stone unturned in this regard. We have a clear mandate from our Minister (Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza), who is determined to see all those who looted Zinara funds behind bars. We are using our internal systems to uproot the corruption at Zinara.

“The previous executives were sitting on all fraud reports from our internal auditors because they were part and parcel to that game. We are a new broom with new rules aimed at seeing a world class road network by 2030. As such, our fight against corruption is beyond any compromise,” said Eng Madanha.

Minister Matiza recently appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee to give evidence on an audit report prepared by Auditor-General Mrs Mildred Chiri. He unearthed the historical corruption that has been obtaining at Zinara, including paying two salaries for two chief executive officers for the past 12 months and splashing thousands of United States dollars on their hairstyles.

State Media|BULAWAYO Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube and senior workers who fall under the council “executive group” have had a cap on their salaries and allowances removed, a move that will see their perks reviewed upwards despite them previously insisting that the local authority’s finances are in the red.

This could also put them at loggerheads with their workers who they have agreed to award a salary adjustment of not more than 15 percent.

The move by the executive group comes after a Labour Court ruling indicating that the move by the Government to cap their salaries was illegal.

The Government had through the then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Engineer George Mlilo given a directive to cap the salaries and allowances after noting the exorbitant figures the council top officials were awarding themselves.

The executive group, includes Mr Dube, the chamber secretary, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou, the four heads of departments (Finance, Housing and Community Services, Engineering Services and Human Capital) and their deputies.

According to a council confidential report the executive group, this month implored council to implement the Labour Court ruling, which was passed by the labour officer; Ms Caroline Muchunga on 29 November 2016.

Eng Mlilo’s directive had reduced the executive group’s salaries and allowances by between 24 and 27 percent.

“The acting human capital director explained that members of the executive group agreed that because of their fiduciary status in the governance of council, they did not expect any backdating or any payment arrears, but expected the effective date to be the date of the council decision (03 April 2019).

“He also expressed that the executive group is agreed that the implementation of the council decision should await the process of crafting and adoption of the supplementary budget,” reads part of the minutes.

In deliberating the matter, councillors while endorsing the move as this was a court judgement, felt there was a need for the executive group to commit in writing that they would not in future demand back pays so as to avoid possible litigation.

“The acting human capital director, in response, explained that since this whole deliberation was being minuted in detail, it will be difficult for the executive group to backtrack on its agreement especially with a clear record in the form of minutes.

“Besides, the decision to forego salary adjustment arrears was voluntarily brought up by the executive group itself and in that regard, it would not betray its own principle,” read part of the minutes.

A couple of years ago the “executive group” was under the spotlight after they managed to have their previous vehicle loan balances reduced and cut off with the senior officials utilising their leave days to pay off the balances. They further got new top-of-the-range vehicles as part of their conditions of service.

Meanwhile, councillors on Wednesday passed a resolution granting the same executive group authority to engage with their workers for a salary review of not more than 15 percent across board.

This means if this negotiation goes through not only will the executive group get a removal of their salaries and allowances cap but they will also get the 15 percent salary adjustment while the ordinary workers will just get the 15 percent salary review.

According to a confidential report the Zimbabwe Urban Councils’ Workers Union (Bulawayo branch) had brought to council a position paper on salary review negotiations in October last year but council failed to deliberate on the matter.

Further, the union had approached the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare which had advised at conciliation that the permanent negotiating committee must sit and consider the situation of the council workers.

“Clr Silas Chigora advised that council was dealing with a very sensitive issue (of salaries) and therefore carefulness was required. He explained that already the perception outside was that council employees’ salaries were too high.

“The acting town clerk (Mrs Sikhangele Zhou) explained that there was need to look at the reality than pay attention to people’s perceptions. She explained that at entry point, that is, grade one notch one, the basic salary was pegged at $180, and said by whatever measures this cannot be said to be too high,” reads part of the minutes.

Mrs Zhou, according to the minutes, further revealed that the National Employment Council (NEC) for the agricultural sector had reviewed the salaries of its workers and the lowest paid farm worker was now paid a minimum basic wage of $289.

At the end of the deliberations it was agreed that management engages the union to collectively bargain a salary review of not more than 15 percent and that the effective date be 1 May 2019.

Council has in the past faced a number of financial problems and at one point the local authority almost went bankrupt after 90 percent revenue collected went to workers’ salaries with just 10 percent being directed to service delivery which was against the Government stipulated ratio of 70 percent service delivery to 30 percent salaries.

Own Correspondent|THE Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, July Moyo, lost 279 bags of rice worth more than $384 000 when an administrator who was working at his Kwekwe offices allegedly stole and sold them for his own benefit.

This emerged when Warren Nostalgia Madicha (22) who is employed as an administrator at the Minister’s constituency centre in Redcliff, appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Mr Tayengwa Sangster facing theft charges.

Madicha, who resides at House Number 9 King George, Redcliff and it was his duty to safeguard the goods, allegedly abused the trust and sold the goods meant for constituency development and converted the money into his own use.

July Moyo lost the Redcliff Constituency to the MDC in last year’s elections. Questions need answers as to where the rice had come from and what the minister was using it for.

Early last year, former Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister, Engineer Tapiwanashe Matangaidze was arrested after allegedly being found with 32 tonnes of the same rice stashed in a warehouse at Chachacha Growth Point in Shurugwi.

The rice was donated to Zimbabwe by the Chinese government as food aid and the former deputy minister could not explain how it ended up in his hands. Several other senior ZANU PF officials were also arrested for being found with the food aid including Makhosini Hlongwane who was found with tonnes of sugar beans in his possession.

Madicha was remanded in custody to 17 May for trial after he pleaded not guilty through his lawyer, Mr Devious Mujaya of Mawadze and Mujaya Legal Practitioners.

Prosecuting, Mr Freddy Ndoro told the court that on 11 January at about 9am, Moyo brought 400 x 50kg of rice and delivered them to the constituency centre for safekeeping.

On a date unknown to the prosecutor but between 11 January 2019 and 23 April 2019, Madicha allegedly stole 279 x 50kg of rice from the office and sold them to different people.

Moyo, however, discovered that the rice was missing on 23 April and reported the case to the police.

Investigations carried out by police led to the discovery of some of the bags of rice from the people who had bought them and implicated Madicha leading to his arrest.

Residents of Gwanda Town on Saturday shunned First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s so called Family Fun Day held at Pelandaba Stadium in the town.

The hopeless event was a near flop with only a handful of people at the venue some four hours after the scheduled start time as residents in the town went on with their business as usual.

The event was rescued by some few truckloads of elderly people hurriedly picked up from nearby rural communities at the promise of a meal and possible food hampers.

Addressing the small gathering, Mrs Mnangagwa said Family Fun Days are important in creating a healthy nation as people exercise, interact freely and discuss issues that affect them in a relaxed manner.

“It is a preventive method of wadding off disease. I am promoting fitness, wellness and good health which are an enabler for you to function in all other in all other respects. I cannot over emphasise that a healthy nation is a happy nation. I must also stress the importance of keeping our environment clean. The clean-up campaign we did earlier together should be the beginning of a culture of zero tolerance to litter. Let Gwanda residents be known as champions of cleanliness and remember that it all starts from your own households,” she said.

Traditional sports like athletics, netball and football and recreational activities including the blind fold con dash, tsoro, the sack race and the tug of war were some of the activities that were witnessed by the First Lady.

The Family Fun Day, which started off with a clean-up led by the First Lady in the morning, saw an explosion of multi-ethnic language and culture as Matabeleland South went some way in justifying its moniker as the Rainbow Province of Zimbabwe.

Winners of the various activities were rewarded with hampers from the First Lady.

“As you have seen, I have been to every province undertaking a number of charity-oriented initiatives mostly under the banner of my Angel of Hope Foundation. These initiatives help me reach out to members of the society that are not so privileged. I have been to cities, peri-urban and rural areas interacting and lending a hand to fellow Zimbabweans,” she said.

“I am a mother like you, also ambuya and some call even call me gogo. The reason I get into communities is to get personal with you, to get close to you, understanding your needs and helping in the best way I can. Sometimes interventions are by means of donations, scholarships, medical care, while sometimes it’s just being your voice, advocating and conducting awareness campaigns, calling and reminding all respective institutions to play their roles,” she said.

“The Family Fun Day is another interactive opportunity for us to take time from our busy schedules and engage in sporting activities. The day is for the family, especially the girls, mothers, ana gogo kunyanya. It is rare to see women deliberately exercising, when they jog they’re running to the market, when they lift weight it’s usually laundry, fetching water or gardening.

“Today we will be exercising purely for our bodies, minds and souls. You deserve a rest from all the hard work that you do. A special time to get to know each other and share ideas. Men create these platforms for themselves all the time, at bars maboozer playing football and eating out braiing and gotchi gotchi. What about us women? Out platforms for engagement should be broadened, we should create time for ourselves,” she said.

Mrs Mnangagwa was accompanied by the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs, Abednico Ncube, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation Dr Thokozile Chitepo and the Director General of the Sports and Recreation Prince Mupazvirinho among other dignitaries.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

The below is the transcript of a “prophecy” by a female Madzimai from Johane Masowe who alleges that within 2 months of March 2019, a jongwe is dying and a female leader taking over. The proclamation was reportedly made 2 weeks before the cyclone Idai attack.

AUDIO LOADING BELOW…

TRANSCRIPT:

Happiness to you, Happiness to you.

While we were at the shrine today, the sacred spirit told us, there are people who are here in Zimbabwe I have seen, you must read this – a week and a half I have seen that there will be rain, but the rain will have lightning. But I have seen two places, but the secret spirit did not state the names of these two places. I have seen several people many people who will be killed by this water I have seen houses that will be uprooted, I have seen trees that will be uprooted. But this water because it has lightning I have seen that it will be concluded by a big wind or whirlwind, but this water will rain a week and a half you will hear of a place where rain has descended and people will be killed.

Secondly the great sacred spirit has said that it has seen two months are too long. I have seen a discussion that has been held but it has been held among the leaders of the country there are some who said let’s do this while others have said let’s do this it looked like a demonstration. But during the demonstration I saw that there was a scuffle, a strife, I saw bloodshed, I saw and you shall hear that so-and-so has died in this family so and so has died in that family. The great sacred spirit speaks the 3rd time saying I have heard people are saying that this year is a year of fulness, but it will be a year of Hunger. During the time of great hunger, I saw that donors will arrive and the donors wanted to bring food but that food I noticed that it is bringing diseases. I saw them bringing diseases in the head, I saw them bringing diseases in the stomach, i saw it bringing growths, this disease people will not be able to recognise it they will continue in confusion. The sacred spirit continues once again saying what it once spoke on 31 December while we were sat at the Masowe while waiting to cross over the new year, and it said that I have seen a new level of argument that has begun in this great nation of Zimbabwe. I have seen a Jongwe of a certain house which rules in this country of Zimbabwe. I have seen this Jongwe, which will make noise after it has died. But this Jongwe will die because of God not because of death. But in its dying, I have noticed that this Jongwe will be buried at a place where heroes are buried. But in it been buried there are some who will refuse for this person to be buried tl be buried there saying they do not deserve.

But in this same house where this Jongwe died, I saw there was fighting and there was bloodshed because people were fighting for positions. The sacred spirit says while we are sat at Masowe you babaJohane, I am asking that wherever you are you must remain in prayer whenever you are you must remain in prayer remain in the heritage of the Father.

I saw two men wearing suits – the one who is in front is taller than the other(who is behind). These two men are running racing to seize the flag of Zimbabwe. But the man who is taller, just before seizing the flag of Zimbabwe, I saw him suddenly stopped by the one who is Shorter. The one who is Shorter well he was just about to seize the flag of Zimbabwe he was suddenly stopped by a woman. I saw the flag of Zimbabwe having been successfully seized by a woman. And then the father said to me, I have not giving you the interpretation of what that is but when I saw the flag of Zimbabwe having been seized by a woman I saw a war erupting. But this war began at Mbare. The sacred spirit said to me right now the father is saying the throne of the leadership of Zimbabwe it does not have anyone who sits on it. The seat of the leader of Zimbabwe is in the sky, I am seeing it is oozing blood, but the father is telling me that yes you put someone there but there is no one who is sitting on it. So while we are at Masowe, the sacred spirit spoke to us and asked us to sing this verse, I heard it being sang saying: those who have the heritage of prayer, they will not struggle.

So the sacred spirit sang and sang saying kids of Baba Johane, you must remain on your knees praying because when it comes to issues of the country, the nation, Gabrieni did not give me a prayer to prevent this (thing from happening). Gabrieni told me to leave things as they are because this is the way of the Father. So I thought to share with all of you children of the Dare, telling you all kids of Jacob that where ever you are at the congregations, That whereever you are, please be praying for your families. Be praying for even your parents at home that they should not accept food from foreign donors. Because those foods are going to come with troubles they are going to bring diseases among black people so I thought to share with all of you that they should remain under prayer. READ MORE ON ZIMEYE.COM

State Media|POWER utility company, Zesa has introduced a load-shedding regime that will see some suburbs across the country going for at least 10 hours without electricity due to reduced generation at its major power stations.

The schedule revealed that most of the shedding will be implemented during the morning and evening peak period of 5am to 10am and 5pm to 10pm.

“However, the durations may be longer in the event of increases in power shortfall to avoid collapse of the National Electric Grid,” Zesa said in a statement.

Zesa said the measures were taken because of increased power shortfall which has resulted in demand outstripping supply.

“The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company is experiencing increase power shortfall in demand and supply mismatch due to lower water levels at Kariba Power Station, generation constraints at Hwange Power Station and limited imports.,” said Zesa.

In an interview, Zesa spokesman Mr Fullard Gwasira defended the move by his company, saying if load shedding is not implemented, the country could be plunged into total darkness by October.

He said the most affected was Kariba Power Station where water levels in the lake have drastically gone down.

“We had very little in terms of rainfall influence into the lake and we have reached a point whereby the power generation has scaled down, if we do not scale down we may have to shut down the entire situation around October because we won’t be having water,” he said.

Mr Gwasira said unless Kariba Dam catchment areas in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo receive rains, the situation would be dire.

“Kariba is a hydro station and requires water so up until there are significant inflows into the lake the current generation pattern will subsist. The patterns that we depend on are not from Zimbabwe, it is from Zambia and DRC. Their significant rainfall upkeep should be able to rejuvenate the situation as the year progresses.”

He added, “Load shedding is a function of demand and supply. Whenever we have power available our mandate is to provide electricity to the generality of our population. We do not like load shedding but quite the contrary, we want to maximise shareholder value by generating as much as possible.

If the situation deteriorates further we have to go to Stage 2. It’s a function of how much power is available, how much is being used and how much can be given at a particular time.”

On Friday, Zesa also announced that considerable generation capacity has been lost due to dwindling water levels at the giant Kariba Hydro-Power Station and ageing equipment at the four main thermal stations.

The addition of 300 megawatts to the national grid last year after the expansion of Kariba South Hydro Power plant had stabilised the electricity supply situation in the country.

“While normal generation has been subsisting up to now, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has reduced water allocation to ZPC from 19 billion cubic metres to 16 billion cubic metres for 2019. This is to enable the plant to be operational until the next rainy season.

“To this end, electricity generation at Kariba Power Station will thus be reduced to an average of 358MW from the planned average of 542MW as a direct result of this water allocation reduction and this has led to a power supply gap,” said Zesa.

Zimbabwe last experienced load shedding several years ago.

The opposition MDC has just been announced the winner of Mutasa local government by election held today.

More details to follow…

Party President Nelson Chamisa has tweeted congratulating his team in Manicaland for a job well done. Below is Chamisa’s message;

“Congrats to our teams for winning the local gvt election in Mutasa. Our gratitude to Manicaland Province & district,community organisers including our star Mp Hon Sarawaka and the hardworking winning woman Cnclr.We’re defining a new course for Zimbabwe with a rural focus.”

The gun that is being alluded to on the Police shooting incident is spelt as Mossberg 500. Mossberg 500 is a series of pump action shotguns manufactured by O.F. Mossberg and Sons.

The 500 series comprises widely varying models of hammerless repeaters, all of which share the same basic receiver and action, but differ in bore size, barrel length, choke options, magazine capacity, stock and forearm materials.

Maximum firing range‎: ‎165 ft (50 m) for shot, 980 … Designer‎: ‎Oscar Frederick Mossberg. Effective firing range‎: ‎130 ft (40 m) Designed‎: ‎196.

By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has congratulated Cyril Ramaphosa for victory by the ANC in the just ended South African elections.

Mnangagwa has said that he looks forward to working closely with Ramaphosa in the strengthening of relations between Zimbabwe and SA.

Said Mnangagwa:

ANOTHER NATIONAL SHUTDOWN COMING NEXT WEEK, FROM MONDAY THE 13TH MAY?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) May 11, 2019

By Own Correspondent- An alternative road linking Kopa and Chipinge was opened today.

The road provides relief following the devastation of Cyclone Idai which destroyed the regular road. The road maintenance project was led by the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe  (UCAZ).

UCAZ President, Councillor Josiah Makombe, who handed over the road at the official opening on Saturday said:

As UCAZ we sat and deliberated on how we could assist the victims and we chose to maintain the Kopa-Chipinge road given the huge demand of the road

Amoung the groups to benefit from the new road are Banana and orange farmers in Chipinge.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- Police in Mashonaland Central are investigating four cases of armed robbery, which occurred in Bindura, Glendale and Guruve.

In a statement last night, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the assailants travelling in gangs of two to four people and using private cars to lure female hikers pounced on their victims between May 6 and 7.

He said once inside the car, the victims are robbed, raped and then later on dumped in bushes.

Nyathi said in the first incident in Guruve on May 6, a 34-year-old victim was robbed of R1 900, US$25, ZWL$5, a Lenovo tablet, bags containing clothes and groceries.

The victim had her hands tied and taken into a bush, where she was injected with an unknown substance and became unconscious.

When she regained consciousness, her pair of trousers and undergarments had been removed.

The next day in Mazowe, two people, a woman (54) and young man (16), were robbed of their money and cellphones after they had been threatened with a knife and a
pistol.

At around sunset in Bindura, a young woman boarded a VW Golf, in which she was robbed of a laptop, cellphone, money and clothes after the assailants produced a knife and
threatened to kill her.

After the robbery, she was force-marched into a bush and raped.

A few hours later in Glendale, a woman was robbed of her belongings, ZWL$3 and clothes before the robbers tied her hands and dumped her in a bush before fleeing.

By Own Correspondent- Prosecutor-General, Kumbirai Hodzi, the head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), has petitioned the High Court seeking an order to freeze former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) chief executive officer, Frank Chitukutuku’s property pending full investigations into how he amassed his wealth of over US$20 million.

Hodzi wants an order compelling Chitukutuku to give a detailed statement to the head of Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) which is within the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Commercial Crimes Division.

In his founding affidavit filed on his behalf by prosecutor Tapiwa Kasema, Hodzi claims he suspects Chitukutuku may have acquired his property through criminal activities, hence the need to have the same frozen.

On Wednesday this week the PG filed an ex parte chamber application for an unexplained wealth and asset freezing order in terms of Section 37B as read with Section 37H of Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (Amendment of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act (Chapter 9:24) and Exchange Control Act) Regulations, 2018 (Statutory Instrument 246 of 2018).

According to the court papers, Kasema is now working under the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), which was established in terms of Section 27A of the NPA. The unit was set up to recover proceeds of crime and making applications for orders to seize any property derived from such criminal activities and forfeit them to the State.

In the same application, the ex-Zinara boss, who is under investigations for fraud, is said to have acquired 10 motor vehicles between September 2013 and April last year. These vehicles include two Mazda T35 trucks, a Hino Dutro truck, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Prado, Nissan NP200, Range Rover, Hino Ranger and a Land Rover Discovery.

“Sometime in 2011, the respondent (Chitukutuku) acquired residential properties namely: Property measuring 4 048 square metres held under Deed of Transfer 3232/11 situated at Lot 1 of Lot 3 of Lot 56A Borrowdale Estate, Harare, property measuring 8 853 square metres held under Deed of Transfer 3885/11 situated at Lot 3 of Subdivision C of Subdivision B of Subdivision D of Nthaba of Glen Lorne, Harare,” the PG said.

The State also claims Chitukutuku built or acquired a multi-million dollar thatched precast-walled house at the top of a mountain at Belmont Farm, adding he also has six state-of-the-art fowl runs, five tractors, a 10-tonne UD truck, 4 x 200-litre PVC water tanks, as well as several structures at the farm.

Apart from a long list of expensive properties, Chitukutuku is also said to be the owner of two renowned companies, Farm Pride (Private) Limited situated at 49 Kent Road, Chisipite, Harare and an insurance company, Champions Insurance, which boasts of assets estimated at over US$15 million.

“During the period in which the respondent acquired the above mentioned property, his lawful income, which was realised from employment as well as farming, amounted to $8 500. This application is made on the basis that the acquisition of property by the respondent raises suspicion of commission by him of the crime of money laundering,” the PG said.

“I am, therefore, seeking an order directing the respondent to give a statement explaining the circumstances under which he acquired the mentioned property to the head of Asset Forfeiture Unit… as well as an interim freezing order in terms of Section 37H of SI246 of 2018 prohibiting the respondent from in any way dealing with the property in question.”-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- An explosive debate awaits Parliament following the approval by Cabinet of the amendment of the Marriages Act to effectively make it illegal for same sex marriages to be solemnised and recognised in the country.

During a post-Cabinet briefing recently, Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Priscah Mupfumira said the executive had approved the amendment Bill, which among other things seeks to repeal and replace the Customary Marriages Act and merge it with the Marriage Act (Chapter 5:11).

The highlight of the amendment is the prohibition of same sex marriages at a time the gays and lesbians community was looking at government to ensure that they enjoy more rights including legally marrying.

“The objectives of the Bill are … prohibition of same sex marriages and recognition of the supremacy of the Constitution which invalidates, any law practice and custom
and conduct inconsistent with the Constitution,” Mupfumira said.

Zimbabwe, largely a Christian nation, has been against same sex unions, with former President Robert Mugabe gaining political mileage in his Zanu PF party by declaring an open war against the gay community.

He even called them “worse than pigs and dogs”, but the coming in of President Emmerson Mnangagwa had given the gays and lesbians hope that they could be accommodated.-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- The state media reports that the Zimbabwe Republic Police has launched a manhunt for a policeman who allegedly raped and murdered his stepdaughter.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said 25 year old Constable Jalasi allegedly raped and killed his 19-year-old step daughter on Friday before fleeing the family’s home in Eastlea, Harare.

Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said Jalasi is married to the victim’s mother Inspector Regina Mhondiwa second-in-command Police Golf Club.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.

Here are the Match Day 7 games

• Chicken Inn Vs Highlanders
• ZPC Kariba Vs Ngezi Platinum
• Harare City Vs Bulawayo Chiefs
• Mushowani Stars Vs Black Rhinos

Of note is the match between Highlanders and Chicken Inn at Babourfields Stadium which is likely to be explosive as Highlanders tries to fight its way out of the relegation zone. Chicken Inn has so far won 7 of the 16 meetings in the season. Highlanders have only managed 2.

Ngezi Platinum who are facing ZPC Kariba are having in-house fighting problems after 2 players were fired for allegedly leading a player strike over salaries. The Platinum coach said this will affect momentum:

“If you get another player now it will take time before he understands what you want. It’s very bad we are missing some of these players.”Soccer24

By Own Correspondent- Political commentator, Tinashe Hofisi has said that the supporters of the MDC led by Nelson Chamisa are blinded by the party’s populist nature to the legal consequences of the party’s leaders’ actions.

In an article titled “High Court Rules Against Nelson Chamisa: The Battle Of Populism Vs Constitutionalism” Hofisi writes:

It is helpful to recall previous cases relevant to this discussion. In Movement for Democratic Change vs. Thokozani Khupe and Two Others HB 111/18, Nelson Chamisa’s MDC approached the High Court to stop Dr. Khupe from using the name MDC, MDC-Tor any of its derivatives. That case was dismissed since no court had ordained Chamisa’s party as the legitimate MDC. However, Justice France Bere singled out Dr. Khupe’s insistence on constitutionalism as highly commendable.

Chamisa appealed that ruling in Movement for Democratic Change vs Thokozani Khupe and tow othersSC369/`18. In that case, he agreed to have the matter sent back to the high court to determine the issue of the legitimate MDC party. But having so agreed, Nelson Chamisa quietly removed it from the High Court roll, with members of Dr. Khupe’s party celebrating the removal as evidence that Chamisa was aware of the weakness of his claim. 

The legal question of the legitimate MDC could have easily been settled if Chamisa had pursued his case in the High Court. Instead, and possibly realizing the weakness of his claim, he turned to the people to vote in the election and justify his position by popular acclamation. This explains both the party disdain for constitutionalism and their unrelenting populist critiques of the judiciary.

It is highly likely that the reason for lack of substantial legal criticism of the Mashavira judgement is that none exists. This explains the singular focus on mass popular appeal. It is apposite to quote Coltart fourteen years ago as he left Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC, I am not swayed by mere numbers; if I were I would have joined Zanu PF a long time ago.”

The party which is admonishing the Courts because of their showing in the last election should be cautious in its insistence on the mantra of numbers and populism when those have already been weaponized by ZANU PF. The current critique from the opposition strongly suggests that they are not so much averse to the Courts as they are envious of ZANU PF and wish to replace its brand of populism with their own in lieu of introducing the much needed culture of constitutionalism and respect for the rule of law.

By Own Correspondent- The final 2019 election results for South Africa have been announced with the ruling party, ANC romping to victory with a 57.50% margin.

The South African media reports that the top three parties are the African National Congress (ANC) which scored 57.50%, Democratic Alliance (DA) 20.77% and the Economic Freedom Front (EFF) 10.79%

In the Gauteng province, a hotly contested province, ANC just managed to retain majority with 50.19%, the DA 27.45% and the EFF 14.69%.

By Own Correspondent| Loyalists of presidential spokesperson, George Charamba, are reportedly the victims of a purge at Herald where they have been reassigned to positions of less influence.

According to a report by a local publication, three senior journalists; News editor Takunda Maodza, chief reporter Felex, and senior reporter Tendai Mugabe have been reassigned to head provincial bureaus of paper, positions of reduced influence. The changes are being executed by current Herald acting editor, Tichaona Zindoga.

The 3 are reported to be challenging the reassignment.

A journalist commented:

“They have been told that it’s a lateral transfer, which means they keep the same pay grade, but moving a whole news editor to a provincial outpost is clearly absurd. In any case Zindoga is only acting in the position, where does he derive such sweeping authority?”

Zindoga assumed his acting position after former editor, Joram Nyathi was fired for not having Mnangagwa’s picture on the front page of the paper. Nyathi had himself replaced another Charamba loyalist, Caesar Zvayi, who was also reassigned to a less influential role last year.

Khupe concludes her written statement by saying: "mweya waMorgan Tsvangirai ngausuduruke!" @DrThoko_Khupe @nelsonchamisa @DrNkuSibanda @schikanza pic.twitter.com/Af0QoarlbL

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) May 11, 2019

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

On the 5th of May, Justice Judith Mushore handed down a judgment with regards to our party MDC and placed its leadership back to 14 February 2014 status.’

I accept and appreciate the judgment and I stand guided by the court order.

The judgement has placed me back as the leader of MDC-T. I therefore accept the huge responsibility that it places on me.

MDC was founded on principles of democracy, non- violence, respect of the rule of law, constitutionalism, and good governance.

It is in this regard that we shall maintain the culture and character of our great movement.

The judgement has raised legal issues to which I have a responsibility to and to which my colleagues have a responsibility to. It also raises salient political issues to which I have a responsibility to which my colleagues have a responsibility to.

In this regard we have no choice but to find a way of talking around how to move from February 2014 as the court has nullified everything that happened after February 2014.

There is therefore an urgent need for dialogue between all the parties mentioned in this court order including the applicant on how we can implement it.

To achieve this we have instructed our legal counsel to engage the other party’s lawyers so that we can dialogue and together map a way forward.

This offer is being made without prejudice but let it be on record that in the event that other parties are not forthcoming we are still open to other legal remedies.
Zimbabwe deserves good and mature leadership if we are to build a prosperous and peaceful nation. I continue as your leader of the movement to preach the gospel of rule of law, decency and servant leadership.

May the spirit of Morgan Tsvangirai leave on.

I thank you

Thokozani Khupe

Leader of one of the MDCs, Dr Thokozani Khupe, has said that the judgment delivered recently by the High Court on the MDC leadership places her back as the leader of the MDC-T.

Khupe held a press conference on Saturday morning where she made the announcement.

She has said that she is willing to dialogue with the other “colleagues” and has already instructed her lawyers to reach out to them.

She however also warned that if the dialogue does not take place then she will pursue other “legal remedies”.

Khupe loosely interchanged the names MDC and MDC-T in reference to the party

FROM THE OFFICE of the PRESIDENT
44 Nelson Mandela Avenue, Harare Cell Number: 00263 782 002 201 Email: [email protected]

11th of May 2019

Press Release

Response to the MDC-T Leadership ruling

On the 8th of May Justice Judith Mushore handed down a judgment with regards to our party MDC and placed its leadership back to 14 February 2018 status. I accept and appreciate the judgment and I stand guided by the court order.

The judgement has placed me back as the leader of MDC-T. I therefore accept the huge responsibility that it places on me.

MDC was founded on principles of democracy, non- violence, respect of the rule of law, constitutionalism, and good governance. It is in this regard that we shall maintain the culture and character of our great movement.

The judgement has raised legal issues to which I have a responsibility to and to which my colleagues have a responsibility to. It also raises salient political issues to which I have a responsibility to which my colleagues have a responsibility to. In this regard we have no choice but to find a way of talking around how to move from February 2014 as the court has nullified everything that happened after February 2014.

There is therefore an urgent need for dialogue between all the parties mentioned in this court order including the applicant on how we can implement it.

To achieve this we have instructed our legal counsel to engage the other party’s lawyers so that we can dialogue and together map a way forward.

This offer is being made without prejudice but let it be on record that in the event that other parties are not forthcoming we are still open to other legal remedies.

Zimbabwe deserves good and mature leadership if we are to build a prosperous and peaceful nation. I continue as your leader of the movement to preach the gospel of rule of law, decency and servant leadership.

May the spirit of Morgan Tsvangirai leave(sic) on.

I thank you.

Khupe concludes her written statement by saying: "mweya waMorgan Tsvangirai ngausuduruke!" @DrThoko_Khupe @nelsonchamisa @DrNkuSibanda @schikanza pic.twitter.com/Af0QoarlbL

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) May 11, 2019

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

On the 5th of May, Justice Judith Mushore handed down a judgment with regards to our party MDC and placed its leadership back to 14 February 2014 status.’

I accept and appreciate the judgment and I stand guided by the court order.

The judgement has placed me back as the leader of MDC-T. I therefore accept the huge responsibility that it places on me.

MDC was founded on principles of democracy, non- violence, respect of the rule of law, constitutionalism, and good governance.

It is in this regard that we shall maintain the culture and character of our great movement.

The judgement has raised legal issues to which I have a responsibility to and to which my colleagues have a responsibility to. It also raises salient political issues to which I have a responsibility to which my colleagues have a responsibility to.

In this regard we have no choice but to find a way of talking around how to move from February 2014 as the court has nullified everything that happened after February 2014.

There is therefore an urgent need for dialogue between all the parties mentioned in this court order including the applicant on how we can implement it.

To achieve this we have instructed our legal counsel to engage the other party’s lawyers so that we can dialogue and together map a way forward.

This offer is being made without prejudice but let it be on record that in the event that other parties are not forthcoming we are still open to other legal remedies.
Zimbabwe deserves good and mature leadership if we are to build a prosperous and peaceful nation. I continue as your leader of the movement to preach the gospel of rule of law, decency and servant leadership.

May the spirit of Morgan Tsvangirai leave on.

I thank you

Thokozani Khupe

Farai Dziva|MDC T president Thokozani Khupe has said she has never joined Zanu PF and she will never join the ruling party.

Speaking at a news conference today Khupe said :” I am a founder member of the MDC and I have never joined Zanu PF. I will never join Zanu PF.

I am not a selfish person.I was invited to the national dialogue by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and I attended because the whole essence is to move the country forward.”

“On the 8th of May the High Court handed down a judgement regarding our party MDC and placed its leadership to the 14th of February 2014 status.

I accept the judgement and I stand by the order -the judgement places me back as the leader of the MDC .

I accept the the huge responsibility that it places on me. MDC was founded on the principle of non violence constitutionalism and… the judgement has raised legal issues to which I have the responsibility to and to which my colleagues have responsibility to- the judgement also raises political issues to which I have a responsibility to and to wish my colleagues have a responsibility to and in this regard we have no choice but to wind find a way returning to February 14th.

We have to find a way of returning to the period after February 14th.”

“I think the court ruling is very clear, it has nullified everything which happened after the 14th of February 2014 going back to 2016,” Khupe said .

By Own Correspondent| Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi revealed that more than 580 civil servants were convicted of corruption from more than 2 500 cases in the last decade.

Speaking during the National Assembly’s question and answer session on Wednesday, Ziyambi said:

The police received a total of 2 644 corruption cases involving Government employees and former employees in the last 10 years. The accused were convicted in 589 of the cases, representing 22 percent of the total figure. Cases of Criminal Abuse of Office dominated the list representing 62 percent of the total.

He said 1 644 cases of criminal abuse of office were reported resulting in the conviction of 301 officers.

He said:

“At least 923 bribery cases were and 271 suspects were convicted. A total of 56 officers were arrested for concealing a transaction from a Principal where 10 were convicted for their crimes. Another 21 were arrested for concealing personal interests in transactions from a Principal 7 of whom were convicted.”

The state media reports that since his ascension to power, president Mnangagwa has been preaching the need to curb corruption.

Recently he conceded that corruption was deeply entrenched that he had earlier envisioned.

Meanwhile, some analysts believe that there is a lack of political will by the incumbent regime to fight corruption. They further that many arrests that were made have not yielded intended results. They believe a large number of senior government officers have cases to answer.

Zimbabwe has been among the countries that have the most and worst cases of corruption globally.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has revealed that the current crop of those aspiring to assume leadership posts at the forthcoming National Elective congress is impressive.

He expressed optimism that the incoming MDC leadership will change the party and country’s political trajectory.

Said Chamisa:

“I am so impressed by the calibre of candidates nominated for various senior leadership positions this congress.

The quality of debate during the newly introduced campaign debate forums or caucuses is supremely inspiring.

Without doubt, congress delegates are spoilt for choice. Politics in MDC and Zimbabwe will never be the same!”

By Own Correspondent| There was drama at a local church in Bulawayo after two pastors exchanged blows during a church service in Lobengula West Surbub.

According to a local media report, two rival leaders from rival factions disrupted the church service when they engaged in a fist fight.

After the drama one of the church leaders approached the courts to seek justice. 

Sources privy to the development said drama started when a group led by one Bishop Dube started its own church.

Said one Nyoni:

“We have never enjoyed peace as they keep on coming to our Lobengula West Branch to disturb church services.

Weeks back the rebels stormed into the church and ordered the master of ceremonies to sit down. They removed the curtains stating that no church service would take place.

The rebels caused disturbances which were characterised by shouting and name calling stating that the service should end immediately and ordered the pastor on duty to sit down.

They continued shouting obscenities in front of congregants and banged on the door. One pastor and the other church elders were threatened with beatings. They threatened that they were prepared to die for their cause. They stood at the centre of the congregation and stopped the pastor from preaching. Normal service can no longer be conducted due to these disturbances.”

In response, Dube dismissed the allegations and told the court that the complainant was seeking attention. 

He said:

“I reside in Magwegwe North and have always worshipped ay Lobengula West, whenever my duties do not take me elsewhere. The complainant is a deacon and in charge of Mahatshula where I assume, he still worships.

His information about my attendance at Lobengula West church premises can only have passed on him and incorrectly.” 

Western Commonage magistrate Stephen Ndlovu struck the matter off the roll when both parties absconded the next court sitting.

By Dr Tafara Shumba|I wish to clarify a few things about the High Court Judgement on Adv Nelson Chamisa’s Presidency. Nowhere in the judgement is there a reinstatement of Thokozani Khupe as the Deputy President and/or Acting President.

The Judgement does not install anyone as the Acting President because even if it wanted to, the court was mindful of the fact that Madam Khupe’s term would have expired on 15 February because the Acting capacity is for one year. It could not otherwise say failing to hold an Extra-Ordinary congress is unconstitutional but Madam Khupe’s stay beyond a year is constitutional. From 15 February, her own actions would have been null and void.

The Judgement does not say President Chamisa is barred from leading the MDC. It only declares what he has done as null and void. He will not be in contempt of Court if he goes and addresses a rally or chair any meeting of the MDC because he has not been barred – his actions will only be later declared by another court as null and void if the court thinks his chairing or participation in a meeting was illegal.

There are no appointments made by the President or Acting President in the MDC. The Constitution clearly states all the appointments were by the National Council. It if the function of the National Council to – 6.4.2 1 (k) To elect, reappoint and reassign Party Secretaries defined in clause 6.4.4.2 of this Constitution save those that are directly elected at Congress.

The upcoming MDC Congress was not convened by President Nelson Chamisa but by the National Council. See “6.2.4.1.A notice convening the Congress shall be sent to all Provinces and Districts by the Secretary General on the direction of the National Council at least 2 (two) months before the date of the Congress.”

The judgement does not stop the MDC from holding its congress as planned. It simply states what should have happened and what should happen but does not stop the MDC from curing itself. For example, the MDC can dissolve itself – who will call the extra-ordinary congress?

There is no difference between an Extra-Ordinary congress and a congress under the MDC Constitution except for the fact that Congress is once every five years but if you want to do another in between you call it an extra-ordinary congress

The court did not direct Madam Khupe to convene an Extra-Ordinary congress (they are just being mischievous). The court clearly directs the 1st Respondent (the MDC) to convene an Extra-Ordinary congress which it does among other means through – “6.2.5 An extra-ordinary Congress may be called: (a) By a simple majority vote of the National Council or two thirds vote of the National Executive which vote shall be conducted by a secret ballot.”

The court does not order the Party to return to 2014 structures. That is a another lie. All decisions made by the National Council and the Party except for those the court declared null and void remain valid. Those include all appointments re/assignments made by the National Council including expulsions and accepting resignations. Only two things were declared null and void by the court – the appointment of President Chamisa and Sen Mudzuri as deputy Presdents and the appointment of President Chamisa as President by the National Council.

The court does not say the Extra-Ordinary congress must be held in a month. It says after a month because of – “6.2.6 A notice convening an Extra-Ordinary Congress shall be sent to all members entitled to attend and to each branch by the National Council at least one month before the date of the meeting.” Of course that in itself is undue interference by court because the MDC Congress has the power to condone and ratify short notice periods because of – “6.2.3 The functions and Powers of Congress shall be: (f) To review, ratify, modify, alter or rescind any decision taken by any organ or official of the Party. (g) To condone any reasonable non-compliance with the time limits provided for in this Constitution, save for the time limits defined in Article 6.2.2. (6.2.2 is the timeline for when Congress must be held).

The Judgement does not say the MDC must close shop until it holds an extra-ordinary congress. It simply says, in terms of your constitution you were supposed to have an Extra-Ordinary within a year, now go and do it.

The MDC Congress already called by the National Council (who is the 1st respondent in the Judgement) has already called for a Congress that can address the Extra-Ordinary Congress. For example, the Congress can choose to “6.2.3 The functions and Powers of Congress shall be: (i) To dissolve the Party in terms of this Constitution.”

One option is for the National Chairperson Sen Thabitha Khumalo to convene national council because of –“ 9.3 National Chairperson 9.3.1 It shall be the duty of the National Chairperson to: (a) Perform the duties of the President’s office in the event that both the President and Deputy President are unable to perform the functions of the President’s office”.

National Council could postpone Congress from 24 may to around 15 June giving the Month Notice of an Extra-Ordinary congress.

The Extra-Ordinary Congress will do what congress would have done. Do not forget that the 2014 Congress was an Extra-Ordinary Congress because it was held before 5 years.

The other option is for the National Council to accept that the two months notice given for the Congress is in fact enough for an Extra-Ordinary congress because in any case notice for Extra-Ordinary Congress is one month.

Legally, the key person going forward now is Sen Thabitha Khumalo as the Party Chairperson.

This is a very soft Judgement and can easily be addressed, from a legal perspective.

The Judgement leaves everything in the hands of the MDC. The MDC should therefore simply proceed and conducts its business as usual. Lastly and quite curiously – The case cited The MDC, President Chamisa, Sen Mwonzora, Madam Khupe, Sen Mudzuri and Sen Komichi as respondents. Only Senator Komichi and President Chamisa responded. Madam Khupe, Sen Mudzuri and Sen Mwonzora may choose not to respond in their personal capacities if they feel the case favours their personal ambitions. It’s their right. But for Sen Mwonzora in particular, as the MDC Secretary General, no matter his personal feelings – (“the 9.5 Secretary-General – 9.5.1 The Secretary-General shall: (b) primarily be responsible for the efficient organisation and administration of the (e) Be the custodian of all important Party documents, lists, papers and records”) to fold his arms whilst the MDC Party is being sued raises serious questions for any credible organisation.

Dr/Adv Tapiwa Shumba in his personal capacity.

President Mnangagwa yesterday dispatched a high powered inter-ministerial delegation to investigate the evictions at Chemagora farms in Gokwe about two months ago that left over 100 families living by the road side.

Speaking soon after a closed door meeting that lasted over two hours, Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri, who was leading the delegation, said they were going to brief the President on their findings and that Government was working on addressing the plight of the affected families.

“As you might be aware, after the land reform, we had illegal settlements that continued to mushroom throughout the country. Government is now conducting a clean-up exercise to do away with these illegal settlements,” he said.

“We are doing this countrywide and Chemagora was one of the affected areas so we are here on a fact-finding mission.

“Government is doing everything to resettle the affected families, but as you must bear in mind that the country is not expanding. We will however, not leave the affected people stranded.”

There has been accusations and counter accusations over the Chemagora evictions prompting the Deputy Minister of Defence, Victor Matemadanda, who is the Member of Parliament of the area to send an SOS to Government to quickly find an alternative place for the affected families.

Other members of the inter-ministerial delegation were Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Paul Mavima, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Sekai Nzenza and Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs, Larry Mavima.

Matemadanda also attended the meeting.

-State media