Statement By Mqondisi Moyo MRP President|Media reports of today the 2nd of May 2019 carried a story on Nelson Chamisa’s indication and willingness to assist Emmerson Mnangagwa to apologize to the people of Zimbabwe on Gukurahundi. Chamisa made that pledge while addressing a workers at a ZCTU May 1 celebration in Harare. The first anomaly is Chamisa’s deliberate omission of Matebeleland people as the victims, who deserve such an apology. He insinuates that Gukurahundi was an atrocity that was inflicted on the generality of Zimbabweans, while deliberately skating around the FACT that it was an ethnic onslaught.

It has always been a taboo for MDC members to condemn Zanu PF on Gukurahundi, because it has borrowed the same tribal lea from it. Chamisa perceives Gukurahundi as an impediment to political stability and progress, rather than a dillema and life hurdle for the victims. Any honest leader in Zimbabwe will appreciate that Gukurahundi did not affect the people of Zimbabwe, but the people of Matebeleland and part of the Midlands.

Chamisa is where he is today as a direct beneficiary of Gukurahundi. Mashonaland is where it is today as a result of Gukurahundi. Schools are a few kilometres apart in Mashonaland as a result of Gukurahundi. The civil service in Matebeleland employs people from only the Shona tribes, as a result of Gukurahundi. In a nutshell service delivery is tilted towards Mashonaland, as a result of Gukurahundi, hence Chamisa’s failure to identify Gukurahundi with Matebeleland people is shocking. Chamisa’s predecessor Morgan Tsvangirai, also bargained for power from Robert Mugabe by promising to forgive him on Gukurahundi on the event of him relinquishing power. All MDC leaders, including Chamisa must know that Gukurahundi is a genocide. The MDC attitude of turning a blind eye to issues of human rights and Justice is very regrettable.

In the elections of the 30th of July 2018, Chamisa shocked Bulawayo by pushing council and mayoral candidates of Shona ethnicity. Those who had been doubting the Code XXX as an MDC version of the tribal grand plan, were jolted to reality.

It is quite disturbing that Chamisa and his party never uttered even one word on Gukurahundi during their co-reign in the Government of National Unity, but only to bolt from the blue now with the offer of assisting Mnangagwa to apologize to the people of Zimbabwe. When will Chamisa and his party ever demand justice for the people of Matebeleland? Your theatrics of trying to trivialize and nationalise Gukurahundi for your political expediency will backfire on you. Please stop playing with Gukurahundi victims.

Matebeleland, until recently has always been a strong support base for the MDC party, it is hence worrying when Chamisa positions himself to assisting Mnangagwa instead of the victims of Gukurahundi. Nelson Chamisa, as a law graduate knows that apology is not JUSTICE. Anyone who undermines the intelligence of the people of Matebeleland, does that in his own peril.

The truth is that Gukurahundi was and still is an ethnic genocide.
We are watching you Chamisa. Every dog has its day.

I put it to you Nelson Chamisa that you are born of a gukurahundist and you are just shedding crocodile tears on our innocent Mthwakazi people.

For Peace and Justice in Our Lifetime.

Sisonke Sibambene SinguMthwakazi Sizakulungisa.

Mqondisi Moyo
MRP President

By Own Correspondent- The Namibian First lady, Monica Geingos has intervened to resolve sexual abuse cases which implicate a Zimbabwean student, Kudakwashe Gonzo, studying at the University of Namibia (UNAM).

Gonzo is accused of having sexually abused up to nine female students at the institution.

It is alleged Gonzo would fondle the girls’ private parts without their consent and would proceed to force himself on them.

The abuses were disclosed after one of Gonzo’s victims shared her experiences with her friends. A series of WhatsApp and Instagram messages narrating the abuses were later leaked by other victims.

The Namibian first lady has since pledged to assist the victims to get justice.

Gonzo’s actions have also been castigated by the Student Representative Council at the Higher learning institution. The Council has also pledged to launch an investigation into the matter with the assistance of the Office of the Dean of Students.-263Chat

By Own Correspondent- Zanu-PF member and Manicaland provincial chairman Michael Madiro has said that party members were free to attend the Tsvangirai memorial service to be held in Buhera.

Madiro said that matters of culture transcend political party boundaries. He said:

Matters of culture and tradition cannot be politicised. This is not a matter which we can talk about on political party grounds. As Africans, as Zimbabweans, we are black people and according to our traditions, a memorial service can never be politicised.

I am of the view that anyone who is willing to attend the memorial service is free to go there, whether he is a Zanu-PF member or not. It cannot be said to be an institutional choice to go there, but it should be one’s choice to do so.

These sentiments are also shared by the Tsvangirai family which has indicated that it has since sent invitation letters to every stakeholder in spite of party affiliations.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- President Mnangagwa has revealed that the government will quickly resolve concerns and grievances raised by 13 chiefs in Chipinge and Chimanimani whose communities were ravaged by Cyclone Idai.

President Mnangagwa said that the need to address the needs of the people following cyclone Idai made the government to ‘jump’ traditional leaders. Mnangagwa said:

We have asked for forgiveness and we have been forgiven. Our chiefs have registered a lot of grievances which we will act on in order to bring about rural industrialisation to the two districts.

It is alleged that president Mnangagwa met the traditional leaders to persuade them on the intended eviction of residents following cyclone Idai. Reports suggest that residents are refusing to leave their traditional lands arguing that their ancestors are buried in the area. It is also believed that they are citing their farming lands as a major hindrance to the eviction.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- Government is strengthening its policies and resource support through the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) to stabilise prices and cushion workers from businesses bent on profiteering, a Cabinet minister has said.

In a statement to mark Workers’ Day yesterday, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Sekai Nzenza said unjustified price hikes were hindering Zimbabwe’s transitional journey under the Second Republic.

Government, business and labour, she said, needed each other to solve economic challenges confronting the nation.

Minister Nzenza said the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) Bill, which seeks to provide a platform for consultations on socio-economic issues between the Government, business and labour, was now before Parliament.

The Bill is among laws enunciated by President Mnangagwa when he delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the official opening of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament last year.

On price hikes, Minister Nzenza said: “As we embark on this transitional journey, we call upon business to exercise restraint on raising prices. The price hikes are hurting. This is why the President has launched the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) which has five key pillars.

“No one wins as the workers revert back to business to ask for more and we eventually get locked in a vicious cycle of price and salary hikes. However, as tripartite partners, we believe that caring for our workers, treating them fairly and helping them to grow in their jobs is a productive arrangement given that there is evidence that caring for human capital drives enterprise and economic growth.

“On the part of Government, we will strengthen policy and resource support for prices stabilisation. In that regard, I wish to state that the mantra ‘Zimbabwe is open for business and the ease of doing business initiatives are underpinned by an unshakable resolve to ensure that decent work is attained in all the jobs that we envisage to create.”

Minister Nzenza said unity was key in finding solutions to challenges facing the country.

“The resolution of the socio-economic challenges we currently face require close cooperation as never before,” she said.

She said Zimbabwe remained committed to fulfilling, in practice and legislation, the principles of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) which it ratified.

As such, Minister Nzenza said, Government was working on the TNF.

“We believe that this social dialogue platform affords the social partners a genuine opportunity to exchange ideas that can facilitate the growth of the economy, through greater investment, productivity and innovation,” she said.

“I hope that the August House will pass the TNF Bill when it resumes its business this month. The Bill, which is before Parliament at the second reading stage, will provide the necessary legislative framework to ensure greater accountability effectiveness in the work of the TNF.

“Accordingly, the TNF will emerge as a strong and vibrant institution capable of greater contribution to the development of the country.”

The functions of the forum include consulting and negotiating over social and economic issues and submitting recommendations to Cabinet.

It will negotiate a social contract as and when necessary and foster cooperation of the tripartite constituents and consult other key stakeholders and contribute to the formulation and implementation of social and economic policies.

The TNF will also follow up and monitor the implementation of agreements.

Minister Nzenza said “We underline that our principal role as Government will remain that of creating an enabling policy and legal environment for social partners to enjoy their rights and establish sustainable enterprises.

“Government, therefore, remains committed to collaborating with business and labour to ensure that workers are protected and that business thrives.

“In recognition of the foregoing, Government remains seized with the goal of stabilising and growing our economy while also ensuring labour market stability in the country through continuous dialogue aimed at modernising and harmonising our labour laws so that they equitably respond to the needs of workers and employers.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- The permanent secretary for Local Government Rural and Urban Development George Magosvongwe has thrown the GMB Pension Fund CEO Taona Munzvandi under the bus in an ongoing $2 million fraud trial saying that as the chief executive he was supposed to follow due process in the acquisition of Romany Farm.

Magosvongwe is the chairman of the GMB Pension Fund that Taona Munzvandi leads as CEO.

Munzvandi is being co-charged with Korbs Kobie Mutandiro and Basilio Sandamu of Romant Farm Pvt Ltd where it is alleged that the trio connived to defraud the GMB pension fund.

Prosecuting Micheal Reza is further alleging that Munzvandi and Mutandiro entered into an agreement-of-sale of the said farm to the GMB Pension Fund for $2.5 million knowing that the farm had been acquired by the State.

Magosvongwe told the court that sometime in 2013, he was notified by Munzvandi that Romany supposedly a private enterprise was on sale as they needed a farm for housing project for the fund’s employees.

“The pension fund was looking for land for a housing project for its employees and for general economic investment, we had bought Crowhill farm and Charlotte’s Brooke farm too so I advised him to formally approach the board and present the proposal of a purchase by the fund.

“He convened a legal meeting of the board for purposes of considering purchase and when the board was made aware, and against the backdrop of similar purchases, a resolution was passed for the CEO to pursue the possible investment.

“Due diligence was to be exercised, appropriate procedures known to him had to be followed and in any case, the board couldn’t authorise the transaction that was not procedural without conjecture, we stood to be advised by him because it was his job,” said Magosvongwe.

The perm sec further told the court that on April 30 2013, the same day the board met, Munzvandi and Mutandiro met and proceeded to sign an MOU and agreement of sale in which the purported offer and acceptance was concluded at $2.5 million.

“As a non-executive board, we didn’t pursue the transaction but I asked him to check with the deeds office for endorsements that may have affected Romany Farm and he said the deeds were clean so it was within his authority to proceed with the sale.

“After some time we inquired as to how the transaction has proceeded and he said there was a small technicality yet in actual fact he had failed to obtain a certificate of no present interest from the state, meaning the State owned the land so it couldn’t be sold as alleged,” said Magosvongwe.

He further told the court that Mutandiro received a deposit and became evasive.

By Own Correspondent- Auxillia Mnangagwa, the Zimbabwean first lady, has criticised the decision by the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) to withhold medicines whilst clinics around the country are said to be out of stock.

After touring NatPharm on Thursday (today), the first lady fumed:

We have had of a leakage medicines, how did that happen? Why are there such leakages? Are you aware that people are suffering out there? Why is it that clinics are complaining that there is no medicine yet you have boxes piled here, what are the donors going to say, why are all these boxes stocked? I went to Mashonaland Central and found some pharmacies empty. The situation on the ground is untenable and I want to understand where medicines are going, it is theft.

NatPharm is alleged to have said that it distributes medicine to clinics as per request. However, a ZBC News article reports that local clinics in Harare showed otherwise. It suggests that some clinics last received medicine from NatPharm in February.

ZBC News reports that some clinics visited were no longer with medicines against high demand from citizens

By Staff Reporter- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “soft coup” has reportedly backfired amid indications that all is not well within Zanu Pf’s backyard.

This follows traditional leaders indicating that the country’s current leader is not recognised in the spiritual realms of the country.

Mnangagwa, whose ascendancy to the presidency was through a “soft coup” is reportedly seeking “endorsement” from the traditional leaders including the country’s “svikiros” who are reportedly still recognising deposed leader Robert Mugabe as the country’s leader.

Mnangagwa Wednesday was in Chipinge where he met traditional leaders from Manicaland including the “svikiros”.

The development reported of President Emmerson Mnangagwa flying to Chipinge was confirmed by the Labour Minister Sekai Nzenza.

Mnangagwa traveled to Chipinge because local chiefs are saying the way he took over power was not done following due process traditionally in November 2017.

Insiders have told ZimEye Mnangagwa is meeting former president Mugabe’s top female n’anga who is revered since Chimurenga war times.

Addressing journalists during her Labour Day speech, Nzenza hinted on the development saying,

“I am on my way to Chipinge. We are going to be meeting with the chiefs tomorrow (today), so we will be meeting a number of people affected by the cyclone, and especially some of the most vulnerable who lost their parents during the cyclone.”

Sources inside government said she was not able to comment on this because there will be a religious backlash considering that the country is a Christian nation. “Hazvitaurike kuti leader wenyu arikuita zvechinyakarae zviri so open.”meaning it is something which can not be openly said that your leader is engaging in traditional rituals openly.

Chipinge is rife with superstition and recently a local nearby headman, speaking with ZimEye alleged that Christians were the ones who caused the cyclone Idai when they (according to his allegations), stole sacred pots belonging to his father.

Farai Dziva|Opposition party LEAD president, Linda Masarira, has declared that Emmerson Mnangagwa must arrest Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor John Mangudya as a matter of urgency.

Masarira accused Mangudya of being corrupt.

“Why are rogue and corrupt elements like John Mangudya still walking scot-free yet they are feeding the black market with plenty of money that is non-existent?

Why is your government entertaining economic sabotage? Enough is enough!

Desperate situations call for drastic measures. OPC knows all government officials trading on the black market, who are making Zimbabweans miserable by pushing rates up willy nilly when they have targets to meet. There is no one more Zimbabwean than the other.

Failure to deal with all corrupt elements in your government will force us, citizens, to ensure justice for every Zimbabwean. We have been abused for too long and we are now tired. Zimbabwe comes first, now is the time to fix Zimbabwe. Totangira pakukanda mbavha mujeri,” declared Masarira.

Farai Dziva|Norton MP Temba Mliswa has vowed to “leave no stone unturned” in his quest to ensure there is justice for workers who are being exploited by a Chinese company.

“I’ll certainly write to @edmnangagwa highlighting the issues so that when he comes things must be in order.

Whilst I wasn’t there, my office bearers attended on my behalf and reported that the Govt wants to overprotect the Chinese at the expense of the people, NO WAY,” declared Mliswa.

“@edmnangagwa will hear the workers don’t have good working conditions, the Chinese have gone against everything as agreed
they’re engaging people out of Norton. Whilst the development looks good and is a great step for Norton, it mustn’t be at people’s expense,” he added.

Farai Dziva| A Zimbabwean opposition leader has indicated that a Government of National Unity is not conducive for the country.

United African National Council (UANC) Gwinyai Muzorewa has said an inclusive government will only authenticate the Emmerson Mnangagwa regime.

Gwinyai is the younger brother to the late nationalist Bishop Abel Tendekai Muzorewa.

” The State House dialogue initiated by Emmerson Mnangagwa is not a genuine exercise,” said Muzorewa.

“This national dialogue is not a genuine exercise. I called this a political filibuster because it is actually consistent with Mnangagwa’s “philosophy” that says munongovukura tichingotonga (you will continue barking while we rule you).

How can Zanu PF that created and continues to fuel the crisis preside over the dialogue? Zanu PF is the problem. The system does not have the moral capacity to moderate or host the dialogue.

As a party, we cannot participate in such an exercise because the government is merely using these men and women who wish they were ruling, but are not, to “pacify” the masses.
This crisis had been brewing for a couple of decades until Zanu PF staged a coup in November 2017. At that time, we should have had the dialogue. The generals would have said: “We have removed (former President Robert) Mugabe, now you the national leaders how shall we elect a good leader?” Of course, that did not happen,” Muzorewa told Newsday.

By Own Correspondent- In response to opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s promised series of vibrant demonstrations over the state of affairs, ZANU-PF party has issued a fierce warning indicating that they will unleash the military on civilians.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

ZANU-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya-Moyo warned that security services will be alert to deal with any mayhem and anarchy. He also attributed the current state of affairs to sanctions which he said were brought by the MDC.

Read the full statement below:

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Farai Dziva|The MDC A has accused the Emmerson Mnangagwa administration of “taxing workers to death.”

In a statement released on Workers Day MDC A spokesperson Jacob Mafume said: ” We have witnessed a drastic shift to labour market flexibility.

A Labour Amendment Act was enacted and rendered the worker legally disposable.

Workers were retrenched without benefits, paid a paltry three months notice package plus two weeks wages for every year served.

Preceding that period, pensions to the tune of US$6 billion had been lost due to Zanu PF mismanagement of the economy, according to the Justice Commission report.

Workers have been declared enemies beyond reconciliation, the State has conflated with Capital. Labour rights are curtailed, unions are criminalised and their leaders are thrown in the same jail cells with bank robbers and rapists.

The cost of living has gone beyond the reach of the working people, they cannot buy bread, and wage value has been eroded. They are taxed to death.”

Farai Dziva|Opposition party LEAD president, Linda Masarira, has declared that Emmerson Mnangagwa must arrest Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor John Mangudya as a matter of urgency.

Masarira accused Mangudya of being corrupt.

“Why are rogue and corrupt elements like John Mangudya still walking scot-free yet they are feeding the black market with plenty of money that is non-existent?

Why is your government entertaining economic sabotage? Enough is enough!

Desperate situations call for drastic measures. OPC knows all government officials trading on the black market, who are making Zimbabweans miserable by pushing rates up willy nilly when they have targets to meet. There is no one more Zimbabwean than the other.

Failure to deal with all corrupt elements in your government will force us, citizens, to ensure justice for every Zimbabwean. We have been abused for too long and we are now tired. Zimbabwe comes first, now is the time to fix Zimbabwe. Totangira pakukanda mbavha mujeri,” declared Masarira.

Farai Dziva| A Zimbabwean opposition leader has indicated that a Government of National Unity is not conducive for the country.

United African National Council (UANC) Gwinyai Muzorewa has said an inclusive government will only authenticate the Emmerson Mnangagwa regime.

Gwinyai is the younger brother to the late nationalist Bishop Abel Tendekai Muzorewa.

” The State House dialogue initiated by Emmerson Mnangagwa is not a genuine exercise,” said Muzorewa.

“This national dialogue is not a genuine exercise. I called this a political filibuster because it is actually consistent with Mnangagwa’s “philosophy” that says munongovukura tichingotonga (you will continue barking while we rule you).

How can Zanu PF that created and continues to fuel the crisis preside over the dialogue? Zanu PF is the problem. The system does not have the moral capacity to moderate or host the dialogue.

As a party, we cannot participate in such an exercise because the government is merely using these men and women who wish they were ruling, but are not, to “pacify” the masses.
This crisis had been brewing for a couple of decades until Zanu PF staged a coup in November 2017. At that time, we should have had the dialogue. The generals would have said: “We have removed (former President Robert) Mugabe, now you the national leaders how shall we elect a good leader?” Of course, that did not happen,” Muzorewa told Newsday.

Farai Dziva|Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Sekai Nzenza has attacked business operators for hiking prices of basic commodities unnecessarily.

On Wednesday Nzenza called upon business to exercise restraint on raising prices of goods and services.

“As we embark on this transitional journey, we call upon business to exercise restraint on raising prices.

The price hikes are hurting.This is why the President has launched the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) which has five key pillars.
No one wins as the workers revert back to business to ask for more and we eventually get locked in a vicious cycle of price and salary hikes.

However, as tripartite partners, we believe that caring for our workers, treating them fairly and helping them to grow in their jobs is a productive arrangement given that there is evidence that caring for human capital drives enterprise,”she said in her Workers’ Day message.

By Own Correspondent- The deputy Minister of Information, Energy Mutodi has threatened to invite MTN, South African Telecommunications giant, following an increase in the prices of data bouquets by Econet Wireless recently.

Posting via his Twitter account, Mutodi said:

Econet data bundle prices are obscene given it’s huge market share & increased social media usage.

This post attracted a chain of responses from users who felt that Mutodi was misinformed on the issue. One user, @nangatidza responded:

ko Netone, do we charge according to market share or the cost structure, dzokera unoimba

Mutodi responded saying that Netone had fewer customers and its bundles have very low demand. He also said that he was expecting Econet to capitalise on the economies of scale and charge less for bundles at the same time targeting volumes which they already have.

He said:

Netone has fewer customers and its bundles have very low demand. For Econet I was expecting the company directors to capitalize on the economies of scale and charge less for bundles but targeting volumes which they already have. We don’t want to be tempted to invite MTN.

Whilst others felt that inviting MTN would mean increased employment opportunities, more investment, cheaper data due to competition, others think authorities must not bother as the invitation would be turned down. They mentioned a lack of respect for property rights, currency issues, lack of guarantee on repatriation of invested capital, policy inconsistency, a possibility of internet closure, among others, as hindrances to investment.

Farai Dziva|Political analyst Jeffryson Chitando has said Zanu PF has completely sidelined real war veterans.

See Chitando’ s statement below:

The Zanu PF honchos have enriched themselves while real ex-combatants are starving.

The Zanu PF leaders are uncaring and they have failed to fulfil the promises they made during the war.

The paltry benefits (eroded by inflation)they are receiving have become a tool of oppression and dependence as the leaders in Zanu PF constantly threaten to withdraw the allowances if former freedom fighters question the diversion from the values of the liberation struggle.

Zimbabweans must fight for the liberation of the War vets from the yoke of oppression.

The MDC A understands the plight of the oppressed War vets and will readdress the same.

By Own Correspondent- Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital medical superintendent Collet Mawire has justified the distribution of expired antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs.

Mawire indicated that the Hospital distributed tablets which had a June 2018 expiry date following the green light from Medicine Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) which tested the drugs and gave them another year. Mawire explained:

On the issue of ART tablets, we were given the go-ahead to distribute them following some tests after the expiry date. So it is above board, it is in order.

Wensilus Nyamayaro, provincial medical director said the procedure was that health institutions should stop distributing either tablets or medicine on the day of expiry. They also have to send samples to MCAZ which will advise whether to dispose or to continue using them for a subscribed time.

Some patients on the ART programme have expressed that the move kills trust that existed between them and the health service provider. They also said it has implications on their recovery as the mind which is critical for the process is being tampered with.-Newsday

Farai Dziva|Results of a recent survey have postulated that Zimbabwe has the lowest data charges in the Southern region.

This comes after the hiking of data tariffs by Econet Wireless and NetOne.

According to Communication Regulators Association of Southern Africa the cost of mobile data in Zimbabwe is the lowest in the region in US-dollar terms.

The research conducted by the Communication Regulators Association of Southern Africa shows Botswana recording the highest data tariffs per megabyte charging US$93, followed by Eswatini charging US$56 per 1000MB while Zimbabwe charges on average of US$20
per 1000MB.

The four leading telecommunications companies in Zimbabwe, namely, Econet, NetOne, Telecel and TelOne recently reviewed up tariffs of their internet bundles packages.

By Own Correspondent- Police in Bulawayo have arrested two men suspected to be part of a gang that shot, robbed and assaulted residents in Tshabalala and Nkulumane suburbs last weekend.

The gang is said to be on the police wanted list for armed robberies countrywide and for shooting at an illegal forex dealer popularly known as usiphatheleni’s car in Pumula South suburb.

Christopher Dande and Ronald Chigwida were reportedly arrested in Bulawayo on Monday in connection with a spate of armed robbery cases.

Chigwida was admitted to the United Bulawayo Hospitals after he was attacked by police dogs while attempting to flee from detectives in Pumula South suburb.

Dande who runs a vending stall in Cowdray Park suburb, was arrested at his vending stall.

A source told the news crew that Chigwida is also on the police wanted list in Harare and Gweru for armed robbery.

Police could not be reached for a comment yesterday.

The duo is suspected to have been part of a ten man gang that left an 88-year-old man with a broken collar bone and multiple fractures after attacking him with axes and iron bars, demanding cash in Nkulumane 12 suburb in an abortive robbery.

The incident happened on Saturday at around 7PM. Tedious Dibula was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital after the suspects took turns to batter him when they failed to find cash at his house.

The assailants left Dibula for dead with a pile of 50kg fertiliser bags and planks heaped on his back.

On two separate occasions reported on Friday, the same gang is suspected to have attacked two businessmen from Tshabalala suburb stealing over US$1 500 from both scenes.

Henry Gumbo (32) who runs a butchery in Sizinda suburb was driving home on Friday at about 8.30PM when the robbers pounced on him a few metres away from his home.

The robbers shot him thrice and robbed him of R3 000, RTGS$2 000 and US$300.

The gang is suspected to have earlier the same day raided another local businessman from the same suburb, Walter Dhobha and his family at around 3AM and got away with RTGS $800, R600 and US$20.

Dhobha who lives just over a kilometre from the Gumbos’ house said the armed robbers broke into his bedroom through the window when he was sleeping with his wife and tied his hands and legs before covering his face with a cloth.

He said the robbers who had a gun, severely assaulted his wife while demanding money.

A source who spoke to the Chronicle on condition of anonymity said on April 9, Chigwida and two of his accomplices broke into a house in Harare armed with a pistol and stole jewellery, a 32 inch television set, a cell phone and a car that was later recovered.

The source said the firearm was recovered from Chigwidi’s accomplices in Gweru.

In March, the gang is suspected to have robbed a farm in Nyamandlovu, where they got away with money and other valuables.

The gang took US$15 000, R140 000, RTGS10 000, jewellery, two guns and two cell phones, from the Nyamandlovu farm victims, the sources said.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- University of Zimbabwe students had an opportunity to grill Prophetic Healing and Deliverance founder, Prophet Walter Magaya in a question and answer session at the campus’ Great Hall on Tuesday.

Prophet Magaya was introduced to the sociology and political science students as “doctor and prophet” by Sociology lecturer, Dr Watch Ruparanganda Chinhenga.

Among the students’ burning questions were on the controversial Aguma drug, use of anointing oil, wearing of wrist bands and bracelets, prosperity gospel, the emergence of self-styled prophets, one on one, sponsoring soccer and church position on political leaders.

Below are some of the exchanges during the question and answer sessions:

POLITICS

QUESTION: What is the church’s position especially prophets on political leaders given that people feel some are not from God and how do we know that they (politicians) are chosen by God considering that they are elected through votes.

ANSWER: It is the mandate of all church leaders to pray for leaders currently in positions. The Bible is clear on that issue and it does not say we have to pray and honour former leaders or aspiring leaders but those on positions.

Church leaders who encourage members to revolt against leaders in positions are not only causing people to suffer but fighting God, who allows anyone he or she wants to rule.

These leaders are chosen by God for a specific purpose. Each one is called to do a specific task and we have to respect that.

No matter elections are carried, some who may have a spirit against the one who is wanted by God fail to vote for various reasons to allow the one they do not want to win so the Holy Spirit helps much in controlling to fulfil God’s plan. That is why David refused to kill Soul.

All Prophets are different in their calling so political leaders are called to various tasks God wants that nation to be led so be guided accordingly and stop imposing leaders you think suit you or you think are the best to rule when their time has not arrived.

At the fullness of time, God sent his son, so our God is of time and seasons. Those who are failing to move on with their business expecting to do it when the one they want is ruling will die before fending for their children and I urge pastors to teach people these things for the good of the nation and read on Romans chapter 13.

AGUMA

Q: Why did you think of using medicine when you introduced Aguma instead of laying hands on sick people since you are a prophet? Also, is this allowed by God and was this accepted internationally since you have a bigger following?

A: Christ Jesus used various ways in healing the sick and among them was his saliva in healing the blind, in the Old Testament Mwari akatoudza muporofita kuti ashandise muti kuisa pamamota munhu akatopora.

I am a human being and get tired that I cannot lay hands on everyone including those in various countries.

What we all agree is that people are sick and some are dying every day due to cancer or HIV and Aids that is why God showed me the plant to use medicine that reaches and be accepted in various countries.

To be sure with the medicine I engaged the learned in that area, who are doctors from India and they approved it. Only that it was unfortunate it was not accepted in my mother country but some of the countries are ever calling me to distribute it in their countries.

We urge people to visit medical doctors before and after visiting Prophets for healing and I want to believe this is what is being encouraged everywhere.

The use of anointing oil and water is not only done by us but Catholics, where I started, use them as well kune chizorwa chevarwere nemvura sande inoiswa pahuma paunopinda mukereke saka Mwari anotendera kuti miti, mvura nezvimwe zvaakasika zvishandiswe pakubatsira ruzhinji.

Mwari anoti ndichavawandichava so he uses anything anytime and instructs a Prophet to do anything depending on situation or people around to the glorification of His name.

Mwari mukuru kupfuura ruzivo rwemunhu uye hatimupedze kanakumuita wedu he is the mighty God who has no beginning or end and cannot be understood by our human minds.

I wish you students put your trust in Him first and add knowledge because you can be the best students before graduation if God does not allow you to live especially those who do not obey their parents.

SOCCER

Q: Why are you promoting soccer instead of concentrating on taking people to Christ and preach about heaven?

A: I do not promote soccer only but many sporting disciplines that includes rugby, volleyball, tennis and many more.

By promoting sport I fight the spirit yekuti kubhora kunoitwa zvemishonga saka ndinovavarira kubvisa vatambi vedu paneizvozvo vovimba nesimba raMwari through sport and with that I have a number of soccer players who turned to God and I have witnessed many attending various churches so we use all ways to win people to Christ.

Apart from sport I as well invite sungura and dancehall musicians at our services to perform for few minutes and other hours are for the gospel that deliver many including those abusing drugs to be transformed by hearing the word of life.

It is important for students to analyse everything before they are quick to give a judgment on anything since most students, who judge books by their covers, miss a lot in their studies.

Many who judge me are never at my services but are at the forefront to criticize us instead of visiting us and get the truth.

I do not go by or change my attitude or calling based on what people say because at the end of the day, they too, are judging me from their perspective.

I would rather by myself and let people accept me for what I am than be somebody who I am not, just because I want people’s approval.

PROSPERITY

Q: Why is it that most emerging prophets are teaching prosperity, do you personally believe in prosperity and how do I know true Prophets?

A: I personally believe in prosperity and some of the books I am donating to you today were bought by my 10-year old son.

At 10 he is already an entrepreneur and this is what I expect most of you to do as students with capabilities of being creative, masters of their destiny, think tanks of nation-building and that alone is not done by someone who does not believe in prosperity.

God gave us resources to use and benefit other nations as well and if you are a University student who wants to remain poor, you have no reason of wasting your parents’ money studying to keep them poor and wait to go to heaven.

If prophets are giving you ideas on how to prosper, they are teaching you good news because Jesus gave food to those who were hungry and gave clothes to the naked and we must allow you to drive good cars to reach far and that alone is not done by poor people.

The mentality of criticizing things that help you has failed many in their careers and Prophets who has no answers to people’s problems are not good.

Emerging prophets are an opportunity to many who hate Prophet Magaya and few others to choose the one they want to follow for the good of their souls and the nation at large.

As for true prophets, let me tell you that you must have a spirit of discerning or an instinct that tells you that you are being fooled but if you do not have this instinct it is more dangerous that there is need to check if you are not abusing drugs or being used by the devil in one way or the other.

Everyone can prophesy including women and they are called prophetess because of their ability to produce and multiply but prophesying does not make you a Prophet.

A Prophet and prophesying are different. You can be able to see where you are heading to and make plans and it is one reason you are studying sociology because you are aiming to fulfil your dreams or what you saw in the spirit.

As for Prophets they are given to church by God under five-fold ministries that include teachers, pastors, evangelists and apostles and their purpose is to equip members to the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of faith, knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man and the fullness of Christ.

People, who are against prosperity need to revisit their Bible Scriptures for correct interpretation because God gave us time on earth to live happily and it was Jesus’s wish to bring heaven on earth when he said let thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven and give us our daily bread.

You are at the UZ for daily bread so you need to be taught how to pray and shun teachings that want you to remain poor and wait for heaven.

We heal the sick to enjoy on earth not allow them to die to get to heaven quickly.

In her closing remarks, Tariro Gwangwaba who was representing the Sociology students hailed Prophet Magaya describing him as a man of wisdom and anointed to change people’s lives.

She presented a token of appreciation and the students pleaded with their lecturer to allow Prophet Magaya pronounce a blessing on their lives before leaving the Great Hall.

Prophet Magaya thanked the students for their questions saying it helped him know what people think about him and having an opportunity to meet people who challenges him openly.

“I want to thank the lecturer for according me an opportunity to meet people who does not feel threatened to ask me burning questions.

“I learnt a lot from what they were asking me and God gave me grace to answer their burning questions considering that many of the students who were asking are not from my ministry.

“It gave me a chance to know what people say about me and I want to urge many with burning questions to come and meet me other than criticizing me in corridors neavo vanowana mharidzo nezita rangu vachitadza kubatsira vanhu vanengevauya kwavari,” said Prophet Magaya urging church leaders and people in authority to seriously help various students for the good of the nation.-StateMedia

President @edmnangagwa will tommorow, 3 May 2019, lead the National Clean Up Programme at Zengeza 3 Shopping Centre in Chitungwiza.

— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) May 2, 2019

He shud clean up the economy first

— Didier ?? (@DidierNassa711) May 2, 2019

atopedza kun'anga?

— Munashe weMadrid ?? (@Munashe_mb) May 2, 2019

I hope wachafamba ne road iyo. That road is in sorry state

— Wezhara Munzara (@taurai79) May 2, 2019

By Own Correspondent- A 26 year old man from Insiza was recently arrested at a roadblock for allegedly stealing seven goats from two women.

Andrew Nkomo appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Franklin Mkhwananzi who remanded him in custody to May 10 for trial, he pleaded not guilty to stock theft.

Prosecuting, Mufaro Mageza said on March 30 this year at around 11.30PM, Nkomo went to Veronica Nleya’s homestead and allegedly stole one goat, slaughtered it and went away unnoticed.

The court heard that footprints were seen at the scene leading to his homestead.

“On the period extending from April 5 to April 6 this year, Nkomo stole another goat from Ms Nleya, slaughtered it and went away unnoticed with the carcass but leaving the head, offals and hide at the scene,” said Mageza.

The court heard that Nkomo stole two more goats from Nleya on April 7 and another one on April 16.

“On April 10 Nkomo allegedly stole two goats from Apolonia Ndiweni (84) of Insuza. He slaughtered them and went away unnoticed.

“Police laid an ambush at the two complainants’ homesteads for some days anticipating that Nkomo would once more come to steal. When he appeared at Ndiweni’s goat pen on April 16, the police ambushed him but he managed to escape,” he said.

“The next day Nkomo allegedly stole from Mhlalelwa Mkhwananzi after he left for work leaving no one at his homestead.

Nkomo went to Mkhwananzi’s homestead and broke the padlock, gained entry into his bedroom, stole a black bag, a comforter and went away.”

On the same day, Nkomo was arrested at a roadblock and he was found with some of the property he had stolen from Mkhwananzi.

By Own Correspondent- Opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa, has argued that the bad law is to blame for the retrenchments that followed the Zuva Petroleum Case Supreme Court ruling of 2015.

He was responding to a twitter post which reminded him of his role in the case that saw over 20 000 employees retrenched.

Chamisa was part of the legal team that represented the employer and won the case against workers. He was since then blamed for being anti-labor.

Posting via his Twitter handle, Chamisa lamented the unemployment rate in Zimbabwe.

He said:

Labour Day in Zimbabwe… Many are either out of work or without work, almost hopeless and jobless. Only change can make things happen.Today is the day dedicated to all those who make efforts and never give up. Workers united will never be defeated. I wish I could say happy Workers Day.

The above message attracted various responses. Others thanked him, but, some reminded him of his role in the Zuva case.

One of Chamisa’s followers who uses the handle “Rozvi State” said:

“Lest we forget a thousand who lost their jobs without compensation after the Zuva case.”

Chamisa responded saying:

“Any loss of a job is wrong and tragic. A wrong law does not necessarily make the lawyer who identifies it wrong and bad.”-AllAfrica

By Own Correspondent- Below is the discussion submission by British MP Helen Goodman concerning the crackdown by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government on its citizens.

Said Goodman, who is also the Shadow Minister (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) 6:37 pm, 29th April 2019.

The hon. Gentleman makes an excellent point. There has been a brutal crackdown on protests, with 2,354 violations of human rights, including 17 deaths and 17 rapes. I hope that the Minister will take that into account and tell us what precisely the Government will do to achieve change. I also want to know whether the Government’s policy on sanctions is being co-ordinated with the policy being run by the Department for International Development to tackle the drought. Obviously, sanctions can be tricky when they are against a country delivering aid, as knowing which transactions can pass through and which cannot can be complicated.

I do not know whether, as well as discussing the sanctions with the European Union, the Minister has been co-ordinating with the African Union. The current position is that Zimbabwe will not be allowed to rejoin the Commonwealth until it improves its human rights record, but will the Minister please tell us the co-ordination mechanism with the African Union?

That brings me to my final general point, which I also raised in our last debate on sanctions. How will we co-ordinate with the European Union after we have left? Everybody in this House fully understands that just one country’s sanctions cannot be effective. This only works when we have co-ordination internationally. Sometimes that co-ordination is at the UN level and sometimes, as in the case of these regimes, it is at the European level, but the Minister has not as yet been able to tell us what co-ordination mechanisms the Government are planning post Brexit. It would be interesting to know from him what he envisages, both in the scenario of leaving with a deal and in the case of leaving without a deal.

By Own Correspondent- Government has identified land to relocate people who were displaced by Cyclone Idai and those who might still be in areas prone to natural disasters, President Mnangagwa has said.

He was speaking in Mutare after a briefing with the provincial Department of Civil Protection officials yesterday.

The President is here to meet 13 chiefs from Chimanimani and Chipinge, and he said he will consult them before the relocation of their people to other areas.

“I am grateful for the commitment and perseverance that has been exhibited towards restoring disrupted lives of our communities which were affected by Cyclone Idai,” he said.

“I am advised that land has been identified for people who lost their homes to be moved elsewhere, where it is safe and not prone to natural disasters such as cyclones.

“Government is mobilising resources to construct houses for them. The private sector has also pledged to support this initiative.”

President Mnangagwa said the meeting with chiefs was a way of atoning for not consulting with them on various issues that might have arisen in response to the disaster.

“We have also come back to meet with traditional leaders in Chimanimani and Chipinge.

“As the leadership, we realised that when the disaster occurred, we all focused on helping those affected.

“We proceeded to bury the dead where need-be and remove those whom we considered to be in unsafe areas. We also planned to move people to other places with the will to mitigate any further attacks from cyclones.

“But in doing this, we overlooked the need to inform the chiefs that this is what we are doing. We are moving people from places that they have

traditionally belonged, where their ancestors are. We should make sure we follow tradition. We should not trample on people’s traditions.”

President Mnangagwa said he would also hold meetings with traditional leaders from Masvingo and Mashonaland East whose areas were affected by the cyclone.

He encouraged those involved in rehabilitation works in the affected areas to remain resolute to ensure that normalcy returns as soon as possible.

“We are not through yet; we still have a lot of work to do,” said President Mnangagwa. “The task remains to continue to rebuild schools, bridges, hospitals and dams. Our people across the board continue to give moral and material support in an endeavour to restore normalcy, not only to Manicaland, but to Masvingo as well as Mashonaland East.”

President Mnangagwa commended corporates and non-governmental organisations that had pledged to assist in the reconstruction of various infrastructure in the disaster-hit areas.

“We want to see all children in schools when the second term begins,” he said. “Winter is coming, we don’t want any families to be in the open. We have enough tents for everyone. No family should suffer the cold outside.”

President Mnangagwa said the Ministry of Home Affairs would provide identity documents to all those who had lost them.

“We have people who lost all identification, medical records and medications,” he said. “This should be addressed. People should be grouped in their communities and we will have the Ministry of Home Affairs come to them. They should get these documents free of charge.”

Cyclone Idai devastated areas in Chimanimani and Chipinge in Manicaland and some in Masvingo and Mashonaland East in March, leaving hundreds dead and hundreds of others missing.

The cyclone destroyed infrastructure like roads, bridges, homes, schools and other institutions in the affected areas, resulting in the survivors being left stranded.

YWORKERS’ unions have bemoaned the plethora of challenges faced by employees, whose stagnant salaries have been eroded by runaway inflation, amid incessant price hikes, flouting of labour laws and sexual harassment at workplaces.

Speaking to NewsDay ahead of today’s May Day commemorations, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Peter Mutasa said the commemorations had been dampened by the spectre of food insecurity and serious financial challenges, which could get worse as the year progresses, with the Zanu PF government failing to tame the tide.

“This is another bleak year for labour and all hopes, soon after the November 2017 removal of former President Robert Mugabe that things will improve, have been dashed because the country is facing a plethora of challenges such as food insecurity, failure to pay rentals and a majority of school children are going to be sent away from school for failure to pay fees,” Mutasa said.

“A lot of workers are dying at their homes because they cannot afford medical care because they earn useless RTGS dollars, while there is a mismatch in prices which are in United States dollars.”

This year’s main commemorations will be held at Dzivarasekwa Stadium in Harare where opposition leader Nelson Chamisa and his entire top party leadership will be among the guests.

Mutasa said he will be the guest speaker and his speech will be followed by another speech by ZCTU secretary-general Japhet Moyo.

“It is our day as workers so we as ZCTU, will be the guest speakers. We have invited all political parties (and leaders) in Zimbabwe, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa. If he does not attend, at least we expect the Labour minister Sekai Nzenza to attend as we have provision for their speeches. In the past, in 1987 and 1988, former Prime Minister Robert Mugabe used to attend May Day commemorations,” Mutasa said.

He said government policies pertaining to workers had caused much harm to the economy and there was now need to change course.

“Labour laws have been amended many times since 2002 with an aim to weaken protection of workers in line with neo-liberalist policies that government has put in place since 1991. Our Constitution for the first time recognised labour rights, but we have witnessed court judgments like the infamous July 2015 Supreme Court ruling where the law was interpreted in such a way that neo-liberalism and business win,” Mutasa said.

In the landmark ruling, the Supreme Court gave the employer the right to terminate workers’ contracts and offload them at three months’ notice without having to pay retrenchment packages.

MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume said: “Our entire leadership from the party president Nelson Chamisa and other top leadership is going to attend, including MPs, councillors, members of the standing committee and party members will be there. Party members will also attend the May Day commemorations from various provinces in solidarity with the workers.

“Therefore, we expect anyone who has worked, who has never worked, and who hopes to work to come in solidarity with workers because people must be able to fight against the austerity measures that ZCTU is talking about.”

Zimbabwe Teachers’ Union chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu said remuneration of workers had been eroded.

“Teachers, specifically, are now grounded such that some have debts of up to $2 000 every month when they earn $600 monthly. We now want employers to increase salaries,” Ndlovu said.

Association of Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said May Day commemorations come at a time when austerity measures put in place by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube have made the working class poorer.

“As far as labour rights are concerned, teachers that took part in demonstrations have had their salaries un-procedurally cut. Government is setting a bad precedent to the private sector. Our union members have also been abducted and tortured against international labour recommendations and local laws,” he said.

The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) said the commemorations come at a time when the economic situation is worsening, reducing most Zimbabweans, including workers to live a life of perpetual poverty.

“The harsh economic environment punctuated by rising cost of basic commodities, a cash crisis, retrenchments, unemployment and the widening gap between the poor and rich, has compromised the rights and health status of workers,” CWGH said.

The organisation added: “(Workers) cannot get or afford decent quality health services. Although the cost of living is skyrocketing on a daily basis, remunerations for most workers have remained stagnant for nearly two years condemning the workers to being destitutes.

“Worst affected are those working in mines, farms and plantations where wages are miserably low. Most of them depended on the collapsed public health sector and cannot afford private services.”

-Newsday

The victim, who police believe was 15 years old, was found injured in Somerford Grove, Hackney, London at about 21:00 BST on Wednesday and died shortly after, police said.

A shopkeeper said a boy ran into his store pleading for help saying he had been stabbed in the back.

A second boy, aged 16, found in a nearby road, was also stabbed but did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

A man from Elif Food Centre, who did not want to be named, told BBC London he tried to help one of the victims.

He said: “One boy came running into the shop last night saying ‘I have been stabbed in the back. Help me. Help me’.

“We called an ambulance and now police have seized our CCTV.”

Police said a section 60 stop-and-search order had been put in place for the whole of Hackney. No arrests have been made.

Hours later, officers were called to another, unrelated, stabbing near Camden Town Tube station.

A man suffered “life-threatening” injuries in the attack on Camden Road shortly after midnight.

So far this year, more than 40 murder investigations have been launched in the capital by the Metropolitan and British Transport police forces.

Twenty-nine of those investigations have been as a result of fatal stabbings.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “deeply saddened” by the latest killing in Hackney.

He added: “This horrific violence has absolutely no place on our streets.” -BBC

By A Correspondent| ZimEye is getting insider reports that suggest that today Thursday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa is visiting Ngauni, an area in Chipinge where one of the highly popular sangomas Zimbabwe stays. The so called “miracle worker” is mbuya Makopa also known as Chanaka.

There are fears in Chipinge that Mnangagwa is on a mission to obtain so called super-natural or extraterrestrial powers.

Mbuya Makopa is famous. She is said to have assisted the freedom fighters during the liberation struggle win the war, although historians (who state the opposite, that the guerillas had actually lost the war by 1978 – as seen in video footage) say the war was ended rather by sanctions slapped against the former Prime Minister Ian Smith’s regime.

It is alleged that former President Robert Mugabe, the late Rev Ndabaningi Sithole of ZANU Ndonga, the late former Prime Minister & MDC T leader Morgan Tsvangirai used to visit her be given powers and luck charms. Even the late sekuru Ndunge feared mbuya Makopa.

She is now said to be in her late 80s. After Ngaone Mnangagwa will visit Kopa (sometimes written as Copper).

Efforts to obtain a comment from State House were fruitless at the time of writing as phones kept ringing without an answer.

MOURNERS attending the funeral of a four-year-old in Chiredzi were left stranded when Chiredzi Town Council employees disconnected water at the house, forcing mourners to resort to using water from unprotected water sources and exposing them to waterborne diseases.

The funeral was being held at one of the 36 single quarters with 12 rooms each, which house over 100 families, including the visually-impaired and people living with disabilities that were given temporary shelter there by the council.

Ward 4 councillor Liberty Macharaga said council employees made a grave mistake when they disconnected water on Sunday.

“I don’t think a voted councillor with people at heart like me or any mere councillor will advocate or even pass a resolution to disconnect water where there is a funeral. Council workers with low understanding of issues were doing their job, but at times, common sense must prevail,” he said.

“Knowing very well that there was a funeral, they should have spared the house. I should admit that as council, we erred and the blame falls squarely at our feet. I, however, don’tthink it is a big issue now because as soon as I heard the problem, we got it sorted out.”

Chiredzi town secretary Charles Muchatukwa could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone went unanswered.

A committee member of Chiredzi members living with disabilities, Malvern Magodora, said they were disappointed by council’s action.

“As an association, we are bitter with what council has done. People have nowhere to fetch water because the borehole in this ward is broken down. Right now, where do you think people

will wash their hands? This is so inhumane. How can someone disconnect water at a funeral?” he charged.

“We are not surprised with this behaviour because we tried to engage council on several occasions, but to no avail. We were asking them to construct ramps for some of our members, but they have given us a deaf ear. It is sad that those on wheelchairs are forced to leave them at the door and crawl on all fours into public toilets at the quarters.”

Water supply at the house was only restored after the funeral following the intervention of the United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association.

Chiredzi Town Council vice-chairperson Ropafadzo Makumire confirmed the incident, but quickly said water was immediately connected when the problem was brought to his attention.

“I admit that council employees made a very big blunder when they disconnected water at a funeral, but the situation was rectified as soon as it was brought to my attention,” he said.

“As council, we are disconnecting water around Chiredzi, particularly those who did not heed the amnesty. We are disconnecting water in the protected areas, especially in high-density areas for those owing us over ZWL$100, while in the low-density areas, we are disconnecting water to those owing us over ZWL$250.”

Meanwhile, Chiredzi Town Council is failing to service a ZWL$1,3 million debt it owes Tongaat Hulett for water supplied.

-Newsday

A FORMER Zanu PF top official has warned government against the eviction of illegal settlers across the country, saying the move will make the ruling party and government unpopular.

Jabulani Phetshu Sibanda, a former Zanu PF Matabeleland South secretary for lands and a Zipra war veteran, said illegal land occupations were rising due to the economic crisis in the country which has resulted in urban-to-rural migration.

Sibanda’s remarks come at a time when over 5 000 villagers, who illegally settled themselves at Ensangu and Lochard farms in Shangani, Insiza district, are facing eviction as the government seeks to address the issue of chaotic settlements.

Over 2 000 families who settled at Lochard Farm were in 2015 declared as land invaders and directed by government to move out of the farm, but have defied the order.

Around 3 000, settled at Ensangu Farm, also face eviction.

Almost 2 000 families from both farms have since received notices from the Lands ministry to vacate the farms.

Insiza Rural district administrator Sibusiso Maphosa recently said the evictions were a national programme and meant to address land anomalies.

Sibanda, who is one of the pioneers of the farm occupations in Matabeleland provinces, warned that the government’s new land evictions would render it unpopular and strengthen the opposition.

“The economic situation is forcing people out of towns. The whole country is affected by the exodus of people from urban areas (as people) go to look for cheaper land in rural areas.

Now, if we start evicting them, where do we want them to go? These evictions will give advantage to the opposition even though it will also not do anything about it,” he said

“People are looking up to this government and the party to address the problems and if they ignore dealing with the problem, the situation will deteriorate.”

-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- Mourners attending the funeral of a four-year-old in Chiredzi were left stranded when Chiredzi Town Council employees disconnected water at the house, forcing mourners to resort to using water from unprotected water sources and exposing them to waterborne diseases.

The funeral was being held at one of the 36 single quarters with 12 rooms each, which house over 100 families, including the visually-impaired and people living with disabilities that were given temporary shelter there by the council.

Ward 4 councillor Liberty Macharaga said council employees made a grave mistake when they disconnected water on Sunday.

“I don’t think a voted councillor with people at heart like me or any mere councillor will advocate or even pass a resolution to disconnect water where there is a funeral. Council workers with low understanding of issues were doing their job, but at times, common sense must prevail,” he said.

“Knowing very well that there was a funeral, they should have spared the house. I should admit that as council, we erred and the blame falls squarely at our feet. I, however, don’tthink it is a big issue now because as soon as I heard the problem, we got it sorted out.”

Chiredzi town secretary Charles Muchatukwa could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone went unanswered.

A committee member of Chiredzi members living with disabilities, Malvern Magodora, said they were disappointed by council’s action.

“As an association, we are bitter with what council has done. People have nowhere to fetch water because the borehole in this ward is broken down. Right now, where do you think people

will wash their hands? This is so inhumane. How can someone disconnect water at a funeral?” he charged.

“We are not surprised with this behaviour because we tried to engage council on several occasions, but to no avail. We were asking them to construct ramps for some of our members, but they have given us a deaf ear. It is sad that those on wheelchairs are forced to leave them at the door and crawl on all fours into public toilets at the quarters.”

Water supply at the house was only restored after the funeral following the intervention of the United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association.

Chiredzi Town Council vice-chairperson Ropafadzo Makumire confirmed the incident, but quickly said water was immediately connected when the problem was brought to his attention.

“I admit that council employees made a very big blunder when they disconnected water at a funeral, but the situation was rectified as soon as it was brought to my attention,” he said.

“As council, we are disconnecting water around Chiredzi, particularly those who did not heed the amnesty. We are disconnecting water in the protected areas, especially in high-density areas for those owing us over ZWL$100, while in the low-density areas, we are disconnecting water to those owing us over ZWL$250.”

Meanwhile, Chiredzi Town Council is failing to service a ZWL$1,3 million debt it owes Tongaat Hulett for water supplied.

By Own Correspondent- Funeral Assurance companies have been forced to review premiums upwards by 100 per cent as the value of the local currency continues to tumble on the alternative market.

Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance Company sent a notice to its policyholders notifying them of its intention to raise the premiums. The notice reads:

In order to preserve the value of funeral policy benefits, kindly note with effect (from) June 1, funeral policy premiums shall be increased by 100%. We shall communicate the same to all policyholders through SMS before May 1.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Peter Mutasa said that workers now have nowhere to turn to after the government abandoned them. Said Mutasa:

Government and business look at the workers as their escape route. Now that business is falling on the sword of austerity and neo-liberal economics, they are cushioning themselves without increasing salaries.

The government also just wakes up, increases taxes and forgets about the welfare of the workers, yet we have nowhere to turn to.”-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- Zimbabwe Minister of Sports and Culture, Kirsty Coventry has hit back at Cosafa over the hosting of its tournament, saying Zimbabwe will not be arm twisted into hosting the tournament while the deal is bad.

Using her Twitter, Coventry said that Zimbabwe will not accept a “bad deal” and that threats will not work.

1. No guarantees were ever signed for 2019 or 2020.
2. You cannot threaten an Association with a Fine to force them to host an event.

If #Cosafa Deal for 2020 is GOOD for Zim, we host. If BAD (like 2019), it won't happen.https://t.co/vGghtq3V5z

— Kirsty Coventry (@KirstyCoventry) May 1, 2019

Zimbabwe failed to host the 2019 tournament and for it, it was fined $200,000. The fine was however reduced to $50,000 on condition that the country hosts 2020 Cosafa Cup. Zifa will reportedly other penalties if it fails to accept the offer to host the event in 2020.

Labour day in Zimbabwe..Many are either out of work or without work, almost hopeless & jobless.Only Change can make things happen. Today is the day dedicated to all those who make efforts & never give up.Workers United will never be defeated.I wish I could say happy Workers’ day!

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) May 1, 2019

By Own Correspondent- Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance Company has reviewed their monthly premiums upwards by 100 per cent as the value of the local currency continues to tumble on the parallel market.

Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance Company sent a notice to its policyholders notifying them that it had raised its monthly premiums.

Read the notice:

Dear Policy Holder

In order to preserve the value of funeral policy benefits, monthly premium will be reviewed to RTGs $55.28 effective 1 June 2019.

Addressing workers on May Day in Harare, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Peter Mutasa said that workers have nowhere to turn to after the government abandoned them.

Said Mutasa:

“Government and business look at the workers as their escape route. Now that business is falling on the sword of austerity and neo-liberal economics, they are cushioning themselves without increasing salaries.

The government also just wakes up, increases taxes and forgets about the welfare of the workers, yet we have nowhere to turn to.”

Jane Mlambo| MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has threatened more protests to force government to address the biting economic situation that has seen prices of basic commodities going up by over 300 percent since October last year.

Addressing the workers day commemorations in Dzivarasekwa yesterday Chamisa said they will not be intimidated by Zanu PF as the people’s suffering is their biggest push factor.

“We did not participate in the ZCTU demonstration because we just felt we should allow our mother to do her own things, but when we decide to take action, it will not be business as usual,” said Chamisa.

ZCTU President Peter Mutasa demanded salaries for workers to be paid in United States dollars with the minimum wage set at USD600.

By Nelson Chamisa|LABOUR DAY IN ZIMBABWE…Many are either out of work or without work, almost hopeless & jobless.Only Change can make things happen. Today is the day dedicated to all those who make efforts & never give up.

Workers United will never be defeated.I wish I could say happy Workers’ day… The wish of many Zimbwabweans is to be productive and normal citizens upon a decent wage. The dream of many young Zimbabweans is just to be workers like all other young people in other normal functional countries being profitably patriotically productive.But being a worker in Zimbabwe almost makes no sense because most of the salaries are now below $100 USD. Remember they say that those who pay peanuts get monkeys.

On the other hand, the hopes of adult citizens is to be rewarded for lifetime labour services and hardwork through meaningful social security and decent pensions.

On our part, we shall implement smart labour policies.

SMART LABOUR POLICIES
Our vision is to achieve an ethically labour conducive environment that provides opportunity for growth, human development and respect for fundamental workers rights.
We shall emphasize
• The role of labour in building Zimbabwe’s economy has not been fully recognised in development planning.
• The belief that labour is the cornerstone of sustainable national development.
• The need to attain the goal of poverty alleviation through the creation of decent jobs that provide dignity and opportunity to all Zimbabweans and at the same time, creating wealth for future generations.
• The recognition that a sound labour policy is crucial for building and sustaining a strong economy.
• The new government will ensure labour harmony and that every citizen has an opportunity to participate fairly in the labour market.
• The full endorsement of the provisions in the new constitution which provide that:
“The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must adopt reasonable policies and measures, within the resources available to them, to provide everyone with an opportunity to work in a freely chosen activity, in order to secure a decent living for themselves and their families” through:
(a) Full employment;
(b) The removal of restrictions that unnecessarily inhibit or prevent people from working and otherwise engaging in gainful economic activities;
(c) Vocational guidance and the development of vocational and training programmes, including those for persons with disabilities; and
(d) The implementation of measures such as family care that enable women to enjoy a real opportunity to work.”
• Within this general framework, the MDC smart government will allow free collective bargaining between labour and employers and will recognise the nexus between growth, employment and poverty reduction.

In Summary we shall promote;
• Sustainable employment creation
• Increasing worker skills and promotion of equal opportunities
• Developing a sound regulatory framework for labour issues
• Demand driven education and training systems
• Protection of workers’ rights
• Labour-employment sector relations
• Formalisation of the informal sector
• Skills retention schemes
• Institutionalisation and legalization of dialogue among all partners and government and labour and business- building a social contract
• Sustainable wages and salaries

The smart government will seek to create a harmonious labour regime in which employers and employees can co-exist to build a developed and socially just economy.

This will be achieved through the following objectives:
• Creating an enabling and conducive environment for sustainable employment creation.
• The establishment of a binding social contract.
• Linking labour supply to market demand for skills and abilities.
• Encouraging the return of skilled labour from the diaspora.
• Promoting the regulation of terms and conditions of employment through collective bargaining and through the free exercise of employers’ and workers’ right of association.
• Reactivation of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and the apprenticeship system and a trade-testing system to ensure supply of skilled and relevent labour to the market.
• Provide conciliation and mediation facilities appropriate to national conditions to resolve disputes.
• Establish institutions for the coordination of employment services, employment promotion and creation programs, vocational guidance and training programs and unemployment benefit schemes.
• Constantly review the structures of the national system of labour administration, in consultation with social partners.

Policy Priorities

The SMART government will undertake the following:
• Pursue the stabilization of the labour markets through promoting understanding among labour leaders and workers of the broad-based and inclusive economic recovery strategies adopted by the State.
• Foster the participation of workers in the management of the companies that employ them and in share ownership schemes.
• Develop, adopt, apply and review labour standards, including all relevant laws and regulations in order to promote a harmonious labour environment.
• Creating enabling legal and regulatory framework for labour, which will foster employment creation.

Policy Interventions

Sustainable Employment Creation
The SMART government will place sustainable employment creation at the centre of its development policies. The SMART project, clearly lays a pathway for the adoption of investment friendly, employment-intensive and economic recovery programs. The formalization of the informal sector will also be given priority so as to increase labour productivity and improve wage returns and their contribution to the fiscus.

Regulatory Framework
The MDC SMART government will promote investment across all sectors of the economy through the development of a sound regulatory framework for labour related issues and by ensuring the speedy resolution of labour disputes. At the highest level this will be the responsibility of the system of Labour Courts, which the MDC SMART government will ensure, are independent, professional and deal with all labour related cases expeditiously.

Legislative Reforms
• In the past, controversial pieces of legislation have been enacted that undermine industrial and social relations and violate the rights of workers.
• These include the Public Order and Security Act, MOPA, the Access to information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), the Criminal Law Act and some aspects of the amended Labour Act.
• The SMART government will make sure these are immediately repealed or amended where possible so that they are in line with international best practice.
• The SMART government will, within six months of assuming office, present a new Labour Act to Parliament which, together with the required associated regulations will provide a common legal and regulatory environment for all who work for a living, in whatever sphere.
• A harmonized Labour Act will be enacted to ensure that all workers enjoy their basic rights as stipulated in the new Constitution and are able to operate in a harmonised labour environment.
• This framework will cover both State employees and employees in the formal and informal sectors. The legal framework will provide the following:
➢ Basic rights for all workers at their place of employment including freedom of association and the right to organize for the purpose of negotiating working conditions.No worker shall be punished for demonstrating to advance a cause and case.
➢ The continued pursuit for specialised Courts to handle labour disputes.
➢ Efficient procedures relating to the hiring of workers and all disciplinary processes.
➢ The establishment of Employment Councils on a sector by sector basis in order to create a sound environment for negotiations between employers and employees as well as the creation and management of a social safety nets for all workers supported by contributions from both.
➢ The mechanisms for the resolution of disputes in the labour market and for basic arbitration services when the normal processes for negotiation break down or are unable to resolve the difference between workers and employers.
➢ The rights of women, the people with disabilities, and people living with HIV/AIDS are respected.
➢ The right of workers to direct representation on Company Boards of Directors in the private sector, School and Hospital Boards and the Boards of all State controlled institutions and organisations to foster greater understanding of the needs and priorities of all such organisations and the capacity to support better working conditions and social services.

Employment Sectors.

Labour and the Private Sector
• At the epicenter of the SMART government policy will be to attain optimum levels of employment in the private sector.
• In this regard, the SMART government will create a conducive environment to enable the private sector to flourish.
• The SMART government will enact legislation that will enable the private sector to grow and attract workers while providing socially just conditions.
• This means that the SMART government will seek to create a sound working relationship in the private sector between labour and management.
• It will also seek to establish and maintain working conditions that provide workers with adequate remuneration to maintain their families and meet their personal needs.
• The guiding principle will be the creation of decent jobs, which allow individuals to express their creativity and enhance their productivity and incomes.
▪ Private sector employers will be required to take a holistic interest in all aspects related to the welfare and well being of their workforce.
▪ This will include their health, nutrition, skills enhancement, motivation, family based housing and transport.
▪ In return, workers will be expected to be loyal, honest and hard working and to seek to prioritise the interests of the enterprise for which they work.

Labour and the Informal Sector
• While the informal sector has played an important role in absorbing labour from the declining formal sector, it has not been given sufficient support and formalized to enable it to make a contribution to the mainstream economy.
• As the informal sector employs more people than the formal sector, this entails that this sector requires the development of sound policies to ensure that SMEs can expand and contribute to economic growth and sustainable development.
• Further, as there is no labour policy to regulate the informal sector, conditions of workers are often poor, characterized by lack of pensions, health and safety measures and the absence of medical cover.
• In recognizing the importance of this sector, the SMART government will formalize the informal sector by:
➢ Implementing an enabling legal framework to guide the operations of SMEs.
➢ Developing skills and vocational training.
➢ Extending social protection coverage.
➢ Strengthening the organization and representation of workers and entrepreneurs in the informal sector.
➢ Extending apprenticeship and work placement opportunities to improve and strengthen ties between business and education.

Labour in the Diaspora
Recognizing that the economic decline and political instability resulted in skilled labour going into the diaspora, the SMART government will implement a skills retention programme targeted at attracting skilled manpowered back by:
• Offering Zimbabweans with special skills relevant for reconstruction.
• Offering incentives to attract and retain relevant skills.
• Encouraging skills exchange with Zimbabweans in the diaspora.
• Creating a special purpose vehicle to identify the nature of human resources among Zimbabweans in the diaspora and offer incentives for returning home.

Wage and Salary Policies
• All sectors of the economy, working through the system of Employment Councils, will be required to fix a minimum wage for each sector, which shall be observed by all employers in that sector.
• Such minimum wages shall be guided by the official estimates of the Poverty Datum Line recognised by the Government for each sector as calculated by the national statistical services on a professional basis and updated once a year.
• It is the stated objective of the SMART to create a society where there is an established transparent relationship between the salaries for senior management and those of the average employee.
• Such salaries shall be determined on the basis that the firm or organisation is able to attract and retain skilled, capable management and senior staff and specialists, without unduly distorting the gap between the senior staff and those of the average worker.
• All companies will be required to disclose the salaries and working conditions of senior management and professionals and to report these to the national statistical services on an annual basis.
• The national statistical service will be required to publish a report on an annual basis showing the PDL and Minimum Wage for each sector and at the same time publishing the mean average salaries for senior staff in each sector.
• Wage and salary policies will strictly enforce the rate for the job, irrespective of who holds the position.

Remuneration Policies for the Civil Service

• While this policy provides for the harmonization of labour policies and for the Civil Service to be brought under the overall umbrella of national labour and social security policies, it must be noted that an MDC SMART government will go still further with respect to remuneration policies for Civil Servants.
• This is essential if the Service is to be able to attract and retain people with the requisite skills and experience to guide the implementation of a socially democratic developmental agenda.
• The fundamental principle to be followed is that Civil Servants should be able to earn salaries that compete with those in the private sector, taking into account the difference in operating conditions in the two sectors.
• To achieve this the State will facilitate a national survey of working conditions for all employees in all sectors and then employ a rough guideline to adjust salaries in the Civil Service to bring them into line with market conditions.
-This exercise will be conducted annually.

Social media continues to be the home fake news. Unfortunately, Econet’s name is the latest to be dragged in fake news due to a bogus article which purports that the largest Mobile Network Operator was almost hacked.

The article went so far as to say that Econet had temporarily stopped its customers from purchasing Social Media Bundles and accessing EcoCash services due to this hacking attempt. But No! Econet says none of that is true, its system is safe, secure and well-functioning. In its press release, Econet said:

The fabricated report alleging attempted fraud on Econet and Econet’s sister company Cassava’s EcoCash systems is as fraudulent and fictitious as the fraud it purports to report on.

There is no truth whatsoever to the claims and we urge the public to disregard it with the contempt it deserves and to carry on purchasing and enjoying Econet and Cassava products.

Our mobile network billing platforms, and Cassava’s EcoCash platform are as safe and secure as they are robust.

All our services and products are available for purchase, including our data bundles, and all EcoCash customer balances are safe and secure.

State Media|Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has advised President Mnangagwa to delay his visit to graves of 158 Zimbabweans who were swept by Cyclone Idai floods across the border because the area is still inaccessible and unsafe.

President Mnangagwa explained this in Mutare yesterday during a briefing with officials from the provincial Department of Civil Protection ahead of his meeting with traditional leaders from Chimanimani and Chipinge.

The meeting seeks to chart the way forward on the reconstruction of Cyclone Idai ravaged areas.

“I had instructed members of JOC (Joint Operations Command) and the Minister of State for Manicaland Affairs (Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba) to assess if we can visit the graves in Mozambique where our loved ones were buried,” said President Mnangagwa.

“But we received advice from President Nyusi that the area is not safe at the moment. Apparently, there are no facilities there. The Mozambican government is looking into the logistics to make sure the visit becomes possible.”

President Mnangagwa expressed his desire to visit the places where Zimbabweans who were swept into Mozambique by Cyclone Idai floods were buried to pay his respects and look into the construction of proper graves for them.

He said he had wanted to visit Mozambique during this visit to Manicaland, but his counterpart, President Nyusi advised against the move as the areas were still not accessible.

More than 150 Zimbabweans who were washed away across the border by the cyclone floods were buried in Dombwe, Mozambique.

President Mnangagwa said it was important for him and his officials to visit the graves to pay their respects and ensure that decent graves were built.

“Officials, including myself, should in future visit the graves of 158 of our people who were buried in Mozambique and pay our respects and possibly construct decent graves for them as we have done for those who were buried here,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said last month, Government sent a team of pathologists to help in the identification of some of the deceased through DNA tests on the recovered unidentified bodies.

State Media|Government has identified land to relocate people who were displaced by Cyclone Idai and those who might still be in areas prone to natural disasters, President Mnangagwa has said.

He was speaking in Mutare after a briefing with the provincial Department of Civil Protection officials yesterday.

The President is here to meet 13 chiefs from Chimanimani and Chipinge, and he said he will consult them before the relocation of their people to other areas.

“I am grateful for the commitment and perseverance that has been exhibited towards restoring disrupted lives of our communities which were affected by Cyclone Idai,” he said.

“I am advised that land has been identified for people who lost their homes to be moved elsewhere, where it is safe and not prone to natural disasters such as cyclones.

“Government is mobilising resources to construct houses for them. The private sector has also pledged to support this initiative.”

President Mnangagwa said the meeting with chiefs was a way of atoning for not consulting with them on various issues that might have arisen in response to the disaster.

“We have also come back to meet with traditional leaders in Chimanimani and Chipinge.

“As the leadership, we realised that when the disaster occurred, we all focused on helping those affected.

“We proceeded to bury the dead where need-be and remove those whom we considered to be in unsafe areas. We also planned to move people to other places with the will to mitigate any further attacks from cyclones.

“But in doing this, we overlooked the need to inform the chiefs that this is what we are doing. We are moving people from places that they have traditionally belonged, where their ancestors are. We should make sure we follow tradition. We should not trample on people’s traditions.”

President Mnangagwa said he would also hold meetings with traditional leaders from Masvingo and Mashonaland East whose areas were affected by the cyclone.

He encouraged those involved in rehabilitation works in the affected areas to remain resolute to ensure that normalcy returns as soon as possible.

“We are not through yet; we still have a lot of work to do,” said President Mnangagwa. “The task remains to continue to rebuild schools, bridges, hospitals and dams. Our people across the board continue to give moral and material support in an endeavour to restore normalcy, not only to Manicaland, but to Masvingo as well as Mashonaland East.”

President Mnangagwa commended corporates and non-governmental organisations that had pledged to assist in the reconstruction of various infrastructure in the disaster-hit areas.

“We want to see all children in schools when the second term begins,” he said. “Winter is coming, we don’t want any families to be in the open. We have enough tents for everyone. No family should suffer the cold outside.”

President Mnangagwa said the Ministry of Home Affairs would provide identity documents to all those who had lost them.

“We have people who lost all identification, medical records and medications,” he said. “This should be addressed. People should be grouped in their communities and we will have the Ministry of Home Affairs come to them. They should get these documents free of charge.”

Cyclone Idai devastated areas in Chimanimani and Chipinge in Manicaland and some in Masvingo and Mashonaland East in March, leaving hundreds dead and hundreds others missing.

The cyclone destroyed infrastructure like roads, bridges, homes, schools and other institutions in the affected areas, resulting in the survivors being left stranded.

First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday handed over a fully-furnished three-bedroomed house she built for a widow, Gogo Esnath Chashaya-Mapfuvamhandu, in Dahwa Village near Karanda Mission Hospital in Mt Darwin.

Gogo Mapfuvamhandu (80) is only left with one child out of her eight children, but is taking care of her 15 orphaned grandchildren.

The First Lady met Gogo Mapfuvamhandu last year in February when she was launching her cancer screening programme at Karanda Hospital.

Touched by her plight, the First Lady offered to build decent accommodation for the widow.

“I visited Gogo Mapfuvamhandu last year and she narrated the story of her life to me,” said the First Lady.

“I was touched and decided to provide decent accommodation for her so that she can take care of her grandchildren with ease.

“I did this not because I hail from Mashonaland Central, but because I saw that there was need for assistance. The small things that I do for others also give me joy. I will do the same in other provinces around the country.

“The elderly are our counsellors. We go to them with our troubles seeking their wisdom. They gave birth to us and they lead us. It is not a big house, but it is decent enough to ensure that she has peace of mind knowing she has a roof for all her grandchildren.”

The First Lady appealed to Government to assist Karanda Mission Hospital because it serves the whole country.

“We know that it’s a mission hospital serving the whole country,” she said. “If possible, the Government should assist them in small ways so that they add to what they have.

“I want to thank Dr Paul Thistle. He has a history of saving lives in Mashonaland Central. He started at Howard Hospital before joining Karanda Hospital. He saves not only people from Mashonaland Central, but the whole country. I want to see a positive change in the lives of women and children. I want to warn men that marrying off your young daughters when you go for beer drinking is a crime. The bill is now there and it is only waiting to sail through Parliament.”

Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Senator Monica Mavhunga thanked the First Lady.

“You are dealing with issues of inheritance, child marriages and cancer screening,” she said.

“Today we see you being concerned with the day-to-day living of people. The love and education you give us as a country makes us proud. We thank Government for its assistance. We are receiving 3 204 tonnes of Government food aid. However, due to drought, we need more grain.”

Chief Dotito thanked the First Lady for bringing foodstuffs, including mealie-meal, cooling oil, blankets rice and sugar for the less privileged in the community.

Gogo Mapfuvamhandu was at a loss of words at the kind gesture by the First Lady.

“You have consoled me,” she said. “I lost my whole family, but I know it is the will of God. May the grace of God follow you.”

State Media

Farai Dziva|Socialite and businesswoman has mesmerized Zimbabweans with her fancy dressing.

Responding to an online survey about her appearance, Zimbabweans were “hypnotized” by Pokello’ s photos.

See some of the comments below:
Amen Tafadzwa Masitoko:Is not a marrying type, unogara ne stress.

Farai Chags:A beautiful, fashionista and Socialite.

Mwaba Chintu:
She is Beautiful!!!
Mai Tendai:
Beautiful not many girls can carry that òutfit fact check this outfit below if you want to have a go with Pokello you will end up looking silly.

Lindah Namiwa: She is very pretty and she knows how to dress.

Senanisiwe Bhebhe:Beautiful, yes astoundingly beautiful The envy of many.

Rutendo Nyatsanza: She is the queen of swagger for sure and haakendenge.

Yvonne Tandari:She knows how to dress .l like her style.