DESPITE the release of 3 000 prisoners through the Presidential Amnesty last year, Zimbabwe’s prisons are still overpopulated, with the country’s correctional facilities carrying 2 382 inmates above their recommended capacity.

Figures released by the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair held in Bulawayo last week showed that as of last week, Zimbabwe’s prisons had 19 382 prisoners against a carrying capacity of 17 000. Of these 18 928 of those inmates are male, of which 15 508 have already been convicted while
3 421 are still waiting for the finalisation of their court cases.

The figures showed the country has 458 female inmates, with 273 of those serving substantive prison sentences while 185 are on remand. The country has 113 juvenile prisoners, with 105 boys and eight girls incarcerated. A total of 69 inmates are at the country’s only open prison facility in Connemara, Gweru. ZPCS also has 316 detained mental patients and 408 criminal mental patients.

In an interview, ZPCS spokesperson Chief Correctional Officer Meya Khanyezi said the country’s prison population was always swelling because of people in remand waiting for the finalisation of their cases.

She said one of the ways in which pressure on the country’s correctional facilities could be relieved was by facilitating projects that give inmates skills to function and flourish beyond prisons walls.

“The solution is for the community to partner with us because we are saying we are promoting development through corrections. We have an open door policy and we are saying people should come on board and help us. However, most of the money that we need comes from the society but society is reluctant because of the crimes that these people would have committed. We’re saying these people deserve forgiveness so that both they and their victims move on,” she said.

Chief Correctional Officer Khanyezi said the ZPCS had shifted focus, as the country’s prison services were no longer solely punitive but instead put more effort in rehabilitating prisoners under their watch.

“We now want to create an environment in which we rehabilitate prisoners rather than just punish them. We’re saying that we want to take away your freedom and not your life. You don’t have to end your life because you have been incarcerated. You will just continue with it but your freedom is what we withdraw because of your crimes,” she said.

Chief Correctional Officer Khanyezi said through various vocational activities, the ZPCS was encouraging prisoners to think of life after prison.

“You don’t have to abandon your fatherly duties because of prison. You can continue providing through the various programmes that we have. We usually reduce the number of years that people serve keeping in mind their behaviour in prison,” she said.

While life in prison can be tough, Chief Correctional Officer Khanyezi said the ZPCS was doing its best to ensure inmates had a semblance of a normal life while behind bars.

“Recently, for example, we took those prisoners serving at least 40 years and over to ZBC. These are people in our choir. It was fantastic to see the looks on their faces because in prison they have no mirrors so they were surprised by the way they now look because they have not seen themselves in a long time. Such occasions show the effort being made by the ZPCS to make sure those in our custody remain human and don’t get completely alienated from society,” she said.

Despite the overwhelming majority of prisoners being men, Chief Correctional Officer Khanyezi said female inmates seemed to be the most alienated from society, as they were not showered with the affection and care that their male counterparts receive.

“The problem we have is the female segment of our prison population. With men you usually find they have one or two visitors coming but that is not the case with women. They rarely have visitors because they have been abandoned. It’s not the same for men. They get visits from their spouses. Maybe it’s because men can go on with their lives after their wives go to prison but women seem more steadfast and the way they behave when their husbands are ill is the same way they behave when they are in prison,” she said.

State Media

IN a bizarre incident, a church in Kwekwe has come under the spotlight after it was found in possession of a coffin, a human skull and other human remains which its leaders claim are used for ritual purposes.

The church leadership has also failed to explain the source of the remains. The national leader of Masonic Temple of the MacDonalds’ Grand Master, James Chigwedere, revealed that it was their religion’s requirement to keep human remains in temples throughout the country.

In a statement recorded by police, Kwekwe church leader, Marthinus Pretorius also agreed with Chigwedere that their religion prescribes that they keep human remains in the church.

“Police received a tip-off from an anonymous caller that Ian Annandale was keeping smuggled goods at Masonic Temple of the MacDonalds in Newton, Kwekwe.

A search was conducted and the team discovered an empty wooden coffin, a skull and two radius bones on top of the cabinet in a room at the back of the church. Annandale referred police to Marthinus Pretorius. He was contacted on his cellphone and indicated that the skull and bones were for religious purposes left by previous Masonic Temple of the MacDonalds church members.

He said the remains were over 75 years old.

Pretorius referred police to James Chigwedere the Grand Master of all Masonic Temple of the MacDonalds churches in Zimbabwe who stated that it was their religion’s requirement to keep the skulls and bones in their temples,” reads a police statement.

Pretorius was dragged to court last Thursday facing charge of violating a corpse. He appeared before Gweru magistrate, Mr Phineas Murandu. He pleaded not guilty and the matter was remanded to 7 May for trial. For the State, Mr Fredrick Macheza alleged that the church was found in possession of human remains whose source is not known.

He said in 2016, police received a tip-off from an anonymous caller that Ian Annandale was keeping smuggled goods at Masonic Temple of the MacDonalds in Newton Kwekwe. A search was conducted leading to the recovery of the human remains. The remains were taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) where they were examined by pathologists who confirmed that they were human remains.

This led to Pretorius’ arrest.

CHIMANIMANI residents have implored Government to expeditiously deploy the Registrar General’s department on a mobile registration exercise to enable them replace identity cards and birth certificates that were swept away by Cyclone Idai-induced floods.

They also want Government to facilitate easy access to death certificates for their relatives killed by the cyclone and academic certificates for school leavers.

Residents who spoke to The Manica Post this week said their documents were swept away by Cyclone Idai, which also killed more than 360 people and displaced thousands of people, last month.

Villagers said the Government should relax conditions when replacing lost identity cards and birth certificates.
Mr Alderman Muchadziya (52), of Ngangu, whose family lost all their belongings together with identity documents, said the Government should deal with the issue urgently.

“Five members of my family were left without IDs, birth and academic certificates. These critical documents were soaked in the muddy floods which hit the district, and Government should urgently facilitate replacement of these documents.

“We are appealing for the Government to deploy a mobile registration exercise in Chimanimani to speedily issue new identity cards and birth certificate, while Zimsec should be directed to do the same to those who lost their academic certificates to the natural disaster. This issue is critical because we are currently facing some difficulties when collecting aid due to the absence of identity cards. We are also of the opinion that the RG’s department should scrap any fee because the majority of us are struggling,” he said.

Mr Lazarus, Maregere of Machongwe area said the mobile registration exercise was urgently needed as hundreds of people in Chimanimani have no proof of identity.

“We have nothing to identify ourselves officially, and such a situation is a recipe for disaster. It is a legal requirement for anyone above 16 to possess a national identity card, and here, we are without IDs.

After our particulars were swept away by floods, and when we went to Chipinge intending to collect new IDs, we were surprised to be referred back to Chimanimani district. We are facing serious challenges to get to Chimanimani as some roads are still untrafficable. There is no readily available public transport to get there,” he said.State media

THE price of fuel has slightly gone down after the Government announced an increase in the blending ratio of petrol from five percent to 10 percent last week.

In a notice, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority said starting tomorrow the maximum pump prices for diesel will be $3,21 per litre while that of Blend (E10) will be $3,35 per litre. Some garages had increased the prices of petrol to around $3,50 per litre in the past weeks.

“Please note that these figures take into account the revised excise duty and represent maximum FOB and pump prices for different fuels. Operators may, however, sell, at prices below the cap depending on their trading advantages,” said Zera.

The review came at a time the Government has urged the public to disregard social media reports concerning the operations of the State. Minister of Energy and Power Development Dr Joram Gumbo, said the public was widely being misled by rumours on social media and the Government had absolutely no intention to increase the price of fuel.

“I want to assure the nation that the Government, since the changes of fuel in February this year, has no intention at all to change the price of both products, which are diesel and petrol. Prices will remain constant. Prices can only change on FOB by a cent or two depending on what happens at buying,” said Dr Gumbo.
He said the nation should not depend and be misled by rumours on social media.State media

Three men reportedly kidnapped a male adult in Mutare Central Business District and drove him along Mutare-Chimanimani road where they forced him to be intimate with a woman before harvesting his semen.

It is suspected the semen could have been wanted for ritual purposes. It is understood that the men, who were using an unregistered Toyota Wish vehicle, first drugged the victim who is said to be a soldier stationed at 3.1 Infantry Battalion Gimboki.

Manicaland police spokesperson assistant inspector Luxon Chananda confirmed the incident adding that; “We have since launched a manhunt for the suspects.”
It is alleged that the victim had returned, in the evening, to Mutare from Rusape and was looking for transport to Dangamvura.

An unregistered black Toyota Wish pulled over and its driver offered him transport.
Upon entering the car, he victim noticed that there were two other men on board.
Reports show that the driver passed a road turning to Dangamvura and continued driving in the direction to Chimanimani.

Upon asking why they had skipped the turn, one of the male passengers drew a pistol and ordered the victim to comply with their demands.

The vehicle was driven for about 10 kilometres before making a turn into a dirt road.

The suspects then assaulted the victim, removed a plaster which was on his wrist before drugging him.

At that point, a woman driving a Toyota Fortuner arrived at the scene.
The victim was them bundled into the back seat of the Toyota Fortuner where the woman became intimate with him.
After the act, the suspects collected the victims’ semen and drove away.State media

At least 16 people died in road traffic accidents since Independence Day, while 96 were left injured, police have said.
A total of 192 road accidents occurred on Independence Day and Good Friday killing six on Thursday and 10 on Friday.

A total 49 people were injured in accidents on Independence Day and 47 on Good Friday.

Last year, 12 people died on Independence Day and four on Good Friday.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged motorists to be cautious on the roads.

“Most accidents can be attributed to human error. We urge motorists to drive leaving the stipulated distances between cars,” he said State media

Paedophiles convicted for raping minors under the age of 12 years could soon face up to 60 years in jail under a new law that will be enacted to arrest rising incidences of child sexual abuse.

The Mandatory Sentencing for Rape and Sexual Offences Bill, which is presently in the works, will also prescribe a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years for raping disabled persons.

The Bill, which was put on the legislative agenda by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is expected to be taken to Parliament during the current session.
It is envisaged that the new law — prompted by the prevalence of sexual violence cases against minors, the disabled and the elderly — would result in different mandatory sentences, including for the transmission of HIV through rape.

An initial proposal to impose life sentences for rape was reportedly turned down by Cabinet for being too steep.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs permanent secretary Mrs Virginia Mabhiza told The Sunday Mail that the law is in line with regional best practice. She also said consultations on the new law are being led by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.

“The law is basically to amend sections of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act),” said Mrs Mabhiza.

MDC President Nelson Chamisa yesterday won all 13 provincial nominations succeeding to become the new substantive President of the MDC party following the death of the founder Morgan Tsvangirai in February last year.

The final punch filmed LIVE by ZimEye.com, sets Chamisa firmly above all his enemies who wished him to lose his right to challenge the 2018 electoral declaration by the constitutional court in August last year. Below were the results –

South African Province Nominations National Final

– President Nelson Chamisa uncontested
– 1st Vice President Welshman Ncube
– 2nd Vice President Tendai Biti
– 3rd Vice President Komichi
– Chair Khumalo
– Vice Chair Gondo
– SG Hwende
– Deputy SG Chikwinyi
– Treasurer Coltart
– Vice Treasurer Mashakada
– Organising Chibaya
– Vice Organising Morgan Ncube
– Information Jacob Mafume
– Deputy Information Kunashe

Own Correspondent|Deputy Agriculture Minister Vangelis Haritatos has told how an Air Zimbabwe travelling from Bulawayo to Harare was involved in a horrific mid air scare when it flew into a fleet of flying birds shortly after take off from Bulawayo.

The Minister told his debacle in the aging aircraft in a Facebook post on Friday congratulating the flight captain and his crew for saving their lives.

Wrote the Minister:

Well done Captain Chiwara and crew of Air Zimbabwe

We have just returned from an amazing, eye opening, and successful trip to the ZITF in Bulawayo. As our plane took off from Bulawayo tonight, we experienced bird strikes to the left engine which caused a bit of a fireworks show. We were all visibly shaken as blowing sounds and sparks came from the affected engine on impact, but the pilot Captain Chiwara and his crew were true professionals. He waited a few minutes and then announced to us that we had just hit several birds known as a bird strike, which is something that does indeed happen, but that he had assessed the situation and that the plane was safe and that we would continue our journey back to Harare. He reassured all passengers again that we were in safe hands. On successful landing the entire plane broke into applause for the Captain and his crew.
I could not resist but to tell the air hostess, as we walked off the plane, that I was grateful to Captain Chiwara and his Air Zimbabwe crew, and that I owed him a farm! The Zimbabwe Land Commission better hurry up with the land audit so that I can fulfill my promise!!!

Police details fired gunshots at over 5,000 miners at Gadzema (which is near Chegutu). One person was killed snd below were the scenes yesterday afternoon:

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By Own Correspondent- Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development George Guvamatanga has dispelled as fake news circulating that the toll gate fees have been reviewed.

Using Twitter, the permanent secretary said that both the toll gate and passport fees remain unchanged.

Said Guvamatanga:

There are further reports on the review of passport fees and tollgate fees, both are incorrect. Government has not reviewed both the passport and tollgates fees.Both fees remain unchanged.

Reports on social media and some news publications had claimed that toll gate fees had been increased effective 15 May with light motor vehicles now expected to pay $8, buses $12, heavy vehicles $20 and haulage trucks $40.

By Own Correspondent| Opposition MDC lesder Nelson Chamisa has said his party is on course in shaping the country’s new trajectory.

Chamisa said his party was holding crucial meetings in all the country’s provinces in a move aimed at sharpening democracy and facilitating institutional renewal.

Said Chamisa:

“Had a great MDC Leadership meeting yesterday to define a new course for Zimbabwe. Holding a crucial all provinces Indaba today. We’re deepening and sharpening our democracy and institutional renewal. We’re setting the tone for a national take off and take over.#imagineanewzimbabwe”

By Own Correspondent| Robson Chere, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) Secretary General and 3 others were arrested Saturday morning around 10AM. The other 3 are Jess Drury, Precious Ndlovu and Munyaradzi Ndawanawere.

They were arrested in Greystone Park in what others feared was an abduction as 4 men in plainclothes reportedly took them in a Toyota Rav 4 vehicle not identified as from the country’s police force.

They were however eventually found at the Harare Central police station and their lawyers have reportedly now joined them.

However, the quartet had not yet been charged by 4pm.

By Own Correspondent| The misery index of 2019 has listed Zimbabwe as the second most miserable country in the world. 

Focus Economics reports Zimbabwe comes second after Venezuela. 

Justifying putting Zimbabwe on number 2 the compilers said, “In Zimbabwe, unemployment is the main concern with a projected rate of close to 80% for 2019. Much of Zimbabwe’s population works in the informal economy which includes people working unpaid for a family business or paid employees who are not entitled to sick leave or paid holidays. These people are not counted as employed.”

The blog further says that in the two African giants, Nigeria and South Africa, the unemployment rate contributes most to their Misery Index score.

In Nigeria, unemployment has surged to 23.1% in Q3 2018 from 9.0% since 2015. Although inflation has been trending downwards since early 2016, it has remained persistently above the Central Bank’s target range of 6.0%–9.0%. 

In South Africa, while unemployment is projected to stay near 27% for the next five years, inflation touched a 10-month low in January on slowing fuel costs. FocusEconomics analysts project that inflation will remain within the SARB’s target range over the forecast horizon. Moreover, they see inflation averaging 5.0% in 2019 and 5.2% in 2020.

Jane Mlambo| A soldier based at 1-3 Battalion reserve force in Plumtree was discharged from the force last week after complaining over the ruling Zanu PF’s failure to run the country.

According to a source at the Plumtree base, the soldier commonly known as Mutambudzi was heard by his commanders openly complaining that ZANU PF was failing to revive the economy.

The source added that Mutambudzi had earlier been cautioned by his commanders in the run up to the July 2018 harmonized elections when he openly declared that he would vote for the opposition MDC candidate, Nelson Chamisa.

Fearing that Private Mutambudzi would influence other serving soldiers to revolt against the government, the Army commanders took a decision to fire Mutambudzi from work .

Currently the soldiers at Plumtree camp have come out guns blazing accusing the ZANU PF regime of using the army in thwarting all possible demonstrations by the angry civilians but in return awarding nothing to the impoverished soldiers .

By Own Correspondent| An MDC councilor has been sucked into a scandal that has seen a Chinese company threaten to evict about 20 000 villagers in Domboshava to pave way for their mining activities.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Energy Mutodi said the councilor had connived with the District Administrator to sell the hill. 

“A meeting at Zimbiru Primary School with Domboshava residents today has revealed that MDC Councillor Tapiwa Murima and a corrupt DA Prisca Dube are behind the sale of Garimo hill to Chinese quarry miners.” Mutodi said. ” US $600k, 4 cattle and goats were paid. The MP and villagers were not consulted.”

On Friday Mutodi had announced that he had to cut short his visit to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair after getting information that Domboshava villagers were about to be evicted. 

In Zimbabwe mining rights supersede rights of occupation.  

Said Mutodi on Friday, “I have prematurely ended my ZITF tour in order to attend to villagers in Domboshava who are claiming a Chinese company is planning to evict 20 000 individuals from their land after it was granted mining rights to extract quarry stones from a hill in their area.”

China is an all weather friend of the Zimbabwean government. 

By Own Correspondent| An Air Zimbabwe plane hit birds on Friday and developed a faulty engine which scared the passengers who were onboard.

Deputy Minister of Land, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Vangelis Haritatos was also on board the plane as it experienced the faulty engine.

Narrating the incident Haritatos said: As our plane took off from Bulawayo tonight, we experienced bird strikes to the left engine which caused a bit of a fireworks show. We were all visibly shaken as blowing sounds and sparks came from the affected engine on impact, but the pilot Captain Chiwara and his crew were true professionals. He waited a few minutes and then announced to us that we had just hit several birds known as a bird strike, which is something that does indeed happen, but that he had assessed the situation and that the plane was safe and that we would continue our journey back to Harare. He reassured all passengers again that we were in safe hands. On successful landing the entire plane broke into applause for the Captain and his crew.

Haritatos said he was so grateful to the Captain and he promised to give him a farm for the work he did.

“I could not resist but to tell the air hostess, as we walked off the plane, that I was grateful to Captain Chiwara and his Air Zimbabwe crew, and that I owed him a farm! The Zimbabwe Land Commission better hurry up with the land audit so that I can fulfill my promise.”

Zimbabweans have begun signing a petition to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to free Sekuru Elliot who was allegedly sentenced to 57 years for unknowingly receiving stolen cattle.

Sekuru Elliot has already served seven years.

According to the petition circulating on social media, Zimbabweans want Mnangagwa to review Sekuru Elliot’s case since they believe he did not commit a crime.

Sekuru Elliot was sentenced to 57 years in prison for unknowingly receiving stolen cattle. He has so far served 7 years. We as the Zimbabwean community believe 57 years was a harsh sentence for this level of crime and we are now appealing to the President of Zimbabwe to give Sekuru Elliot a review of his case.

May we be a forgiving nation. 

Below is the link to the petition

By Own Correspondent| Millionaire African Medallion Group founder and businessman Frank Buyanga has returned the 4 year old boy he reportedly abducted from his “baby mama”.

This follows a successful ZimEye expose on Friday.

In the ZimEye coverage, it was revealed that Buyanga breached a court order. ZimEye also exposed “dirty” police hands playing up and working in carhoots with the businessman.

Buyanga had even worked to get his girlfriend jailed at Borrowdale Police Station overnight.

The ZimEye news feature revealed how named police details worked to abuse the woman. The 4 year old son was also “abused” as he is physically ill having also been pulled away from his mother.

Buyanga has a son with Chantelle Muteswa who had obtained a court order which instructs Buyanga to give her custody to the duo’s 4 year old son.

In her papers, Chantelle argued that she has legal custody over the duo’s 4 year old son. The case was heard under reference: CCA 205/18.

Chantelle was represented by her lawyer, Simon Bwanya of Wilmot And Bennett Legal Practitioners. Advocate Bwanya told ZimEye, the child has been returned to his mother’s safe custody.”

WATCH LIVE VIDEO BELOW…

Deputy Information minister Energy Mutodi has posted on Twitter that he abandoned his ZITF stint to go and wrestle against a Chinese company that had moved to evict people in his constituency in Domboshava.

“I have prematurely ended my ZITF tour in order to attend to villagers in Domboshava who are claiming a Chinese company is planning to evict 20 000 individuals from their land after it was granted mining rights to extract quarry stones from a hill in their area.”

Harare magistrate Mrs Babra Mateko on Thursday announced that the trial of #ThisFlag leader Evan Mawarire, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Peter Gift Mutasa and secretary-general Japhet Moyo, will start on June 24.
The trio are facing charges of subverting a constitutionally-elected Government or alternatively inciting public violence.

Their recent applications for refusal of further remand were dismissed by Harare magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Mugwagwa.
“The State had outlined that they would carry out investigations within six weeks which are up, the State should learn to abide by the timelines they would have set themselves,” said Mrs Mugwagwa in her ruling.

“But looking at the time the accused persons have been on remand, the State has made progress, thereby application for refusal for further remand is dismissed.”

The State alleges that on January 14, Mawarire in connivance with the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Peter Mutasa, recorded and published a video to the Zimbabwean populace, which went viral on social media platforms, including YouTube, Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook, which have a world coverage.

It is the State’s case that the contents of the video were meant to subvert a constitutional elected Government in that Mawarire was coercing the Zimbabwean workers not to report for duty and encouraging civil disobedience or resistance to any law.

Police officers have been warned against abusing their powers and getting involved in corrupt activities at the expense of their organisation and Government. Addressing officers in Harare province after visiting Harare Central Police Station, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema said it was important for police officers to regain their public trust and confidence.

He said this can be achieved by visiting them and taking note of their concerns so that they will appreciate the command’s expectations.

“As the Commissioner-General has acknowledged that some among you have wandered off course due to acts of indiscipline, corruption and other misdemeanours, what is important, therefore, is to ensure that past mistakes are corrected,” said Minister Mathema.

“In the same vein, when a police officer chooses to go against the police disciplinary code by abusing their powers and pursuing selfish ends at the expense of the organisation and Government’s reputation, they are doing more harm to themselves and their careers.”

Minister Mathema said what was required was for the force to diligently and effectively discharge its mandate through its various branches, units and provinces.

“I believe all of us, being parents in our own respects, are responsible individuals who are expected to perform our duties in our areas of operation,” he said. “The Commissioner-General has been clear of what is expected of all police officers.

“I only wish to add that as Government, we are confident in the command of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and its rank and file. Your conduct and actions in the line of duty should, therefore, not only be exemplary, but make us all proud that this is our professional police service.

“There should never be a moment where doubt filters on your ability to perform assigned tasks.”

Minister Mathema said President Mnangagwa had been clear in the new dispensation that all civil servants must adopt a new work ethic, shed undesirable behaviours and entrench servant leadership.

“Ensure that when you investigate crimes, criminals do not go scot free at the courts due to technicalities and if you are patrolling, ensure that people can even sleep with their doors open knowing they are safe,” he said.

“In short, what I am saying is that do your best at what you do.”

Minister Mathema said Government was rendering to police and ZRP Harare province in particular, the necessary support so that they were able to diligently discharge their duties.

Comm-Gen Matanga said Harare stands as the most populated police province in the country, with close to three million people and, therefore, the standard and attitude of officers should be beyond reproach.

State Media

Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga has said reports of officers dabbling in politics have prompted the command to make the Support Unit a prime candidate in the ongoing retraining programme. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is carrying out restructuring programmes in line with the new political dispensation’s vision to improve operational effectiveness and service delivery.

Addressing Support Unit officers recently, Comm-Gen Matanga said over the years, the Support Unit has always been associated with a remarkable high standard of discipline and attitude to duty.

“Various stories of indiscipline within the rank and file as well as some members dabbling in politics has prompted the command to make Support Unit a prime candidate of the ongoing organisation’s retraining programme,” he said.

“Indeed, we are quite clear in our minds that having dedicated 2019 as the year of training in the ZRP, changing the mind-set and enhancing skills of members under Support Unit is therefore one of our top priorities.
“Furthermore, we shall remain steadfast in ensuring that the eagle soars high again.”

Comm-Gen Matanga said the force had no room for police officers who do not want to work hard to transform the organisation.
“Some of our officers want to be promoted whilst they are not hard working,” he said. “I am even aware that some even went to the higher offices to beg for promotions, yet they are not even aware that those who look into their performance are us and after that we will inform the leaders on those who are hard-working and those that are lazy.

“However, I was given the green light to continue with those that are hardworking and I was also given the powers to retire those not performing up to standards.”

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Own Correspondent|Government has increased the costs of applying for a passport by five hundred percent with effect from Monday.

ZimEye.com sources indicated that the new charges that are yet to be published by government will be as follows:

Normal
$53 to $253

Urgent Emergency
$253 to $800

Immediate
$318 to $1000

The Registrar General has in recent months been battling to produce passports with applicants having to wait for close to a year before getting their passports.

The office claimed that the delays in the production of the passports was due to a major break down in the only printing machine in Harare.

By Own Correspondent| Two maids from Bulawayo have been arrested for allegedly stealing about 15 000 rand, US$300 and RTGS$150 from their employer at her home.

Loveness Moyo (33) and Rosemary Marumbwa (38) were employed by Princess Ncube of Luveve suburb and are alleged to have stolen the money last year in December.

The duo appeared before Western Commonage Tancy Dube and pleaded not guilty to a theft charge.

They were remanded in custody to April 29 for continuation of trial. Moyo told the court that when the money was stolen she was not in the house while Marumbwa said she suspects that Ncube’s child stole the money.

The prosecutor, Thembeni Mpofu said on December 21 last year at around 3.30PM, Ncube’s husband discovered that there was some missing money in their bedroom.

“He informed his wife about the matter and she suspected her maids as she left them in the house doing their everyday chores,” she said.

In her testimony, Ncube said when she asked her maids about the money, they did not give her satisfactory answers.

“Moyo told me that when she got home she found some clothes on the floor and all the doors in the house were wide open. She added that she did not know there was so much money in the house.  

“Marumbwa said that she suspected one of my children to have taken the money because he was the one who was in the house while they were away,” she said.-SrateMedia

The United Nations (UN) should reform, remain guided by its charter and serve the interests of all member-states, President Mnangagwa has said. Speaking at a dinner he hosted in honour of his Ugandan counterpart President Yoweri Museveni at State House in Harare on Thursday, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe will continue advocating UN reform in line with the Ezulwini Consensus.

“At global level, it is our strong conviction that the United Nations should remain guided by its Charter and serve the interests of all member-states. We continue to advocate for the reform of the UN Security Council in line with the Ezulwini Consensus,” he said.

The Ezulwini Consensus is the African Union (AU) position on international relations and reform of the UN which calls for a more representative and democratic Security Council in which Africa, like all other world regions, is represented.

While the world has changed dramatically over the past 66 years, important institutions of the UN have remained frozen in the world of 1945 when the charter of the UN was signed, in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the UN conference on International Organisation.

This is why Zimbabwe, Africa and the developing world are clamouring for the urgent reform of the UN system as a whole.

The loudest calls are for the reform of the UN Security Council.

President Museveni has been one of the strongest advocates of the UN reform agenda and recently he reaffirmed the need for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, including its expansion, to make it more representative, accountable, effective and responsive to the geopolitical realities of the 21st Century when India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi visited Uganda.

African leaders have been clamouring for a seat for the continent in honour of its contribution to the UN as African countries contribute over 80 percent of global peacekeeping forces.

President Mnangagwa said at continental level, Zimbabwe supports the decision taken by the AU to ensure financial independence, self-sufficiency and more responsive mechanisms to emerging security and political threats.

“We stand committed to the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

“It is our fervent hope that the agreement will help eliminate the current high tariffs, stimulate economic growth, generate employment opportunities for Africa’s rapidly growing young workforce and harmonise the work of regional economic communities,” he said.

-State Media

The national malaria programmes director in the Health ministry, Joseph Mberi, this week castigated some self-styled prophets who prevent patients with malaria from seeking treatment by falsely claiming that they are demon possessed.

Mberi said although the country had made some progress in containing the disease, which remains a leading cause of death in children, government was concerned about some “prophets” who discouraged patients from taking medication or seeking early treatment.

“Malaria is a preventable disease and no one should die from it. However, there are these “prophets” who are very prominent on some radio shows. They mislead the nation, and patients end up not going to the clinic,” he said.

“The disease is not caused by a demon or evil spirit, but a mosquito. Our message as the Health ministry is on how people can prevent themselves from being bitten and if they suspect malaria, to seek medical help immediately. The treatment is free.”

Mberi said they were “fighting” a subtle war with the popular “prophets”.

“We are not against prophets, but all we are saying is that they should not mislead people. We have to help keep each other alive,” he said.

For years, Zimbabwe has battled to contain the disease, with the ultimate goal of totally eliminating it. The disease, according to United Nations Children’s
Fund, kills one child every second and about 3 000 children every day.

“It is slow progress, but we will not be happy until there are zero malaria deaths. Malaria is a preventable disease and so all efforts should be implemented to ensure no one dies from it,” Mberi said.

According to data from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, there were 264 278 malaria cases and 192 deaths from malaria in 2018, representing a substantial decline from the previous year of 44% in cases and a 63% in deaths.

Zimbabwe also continues to strengthen cross border collaboration with the neighbouring countries and continues to play an active role in malaria elimination.

Meanwhile, on April 25, every year, the world commemorates World Malaria Day highlighting the global efforts to control malaria and celebrating the gains made since 2000.

-Newsday

Matebeleland South province could lose three constituencies in the impeding delimitation exercise by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec), including the popular constituency of Gwanda South which has not been won by an opposition member since 2008.

The constituency is currently held by Zanu PF politburo member, Abednego Ncube and is popularly known as the Holy Ground.

But Zec has said that it was likely to be “good bye” to the Holy Ground if the constituency did not meet the minimum threshold of 21 644 registered voters to be a stand-alone parliamentary seat.

Currently, it has 15 230 registered voters.

Constituencies of Bulilima West, represented by former ZBC DJ Dingimuzi Phuthi and Insiza South represented by Filabusi miner, Spares Sithole, also Zanu PF strongholds, could be collapsed.

“We are going to collapse all these constituencies which don’t meet the minimum threshold on 21 644. We seek to reach equilibrium in the constituencies. It’s not fair that some constituencies have a very big number of registered voters and others don’t meet the minimum threshold, but get the same resources. We have to find some sort of balance,” Zec commissioner Joyce Laetitia Kazembe told Southern Eye Weekender in an interview at the electoral body’s Zimbabwe
International Trade Fair (ZITF) stand on Thursday.

The Zec commissioner said the electoral body was registering people and also conducting awareness campaign, with the hope that more people would register in these affected constituencies.

“As you may know, voter registration is an ongoing process. We are busy registering people here at ZITF. We are also going to go to the people physically to continue with the process before the 2023 election because if some the people are travelling long distances to go and register. We want to make their task easier so that they don’t get into buses to come and register,” she said.

-Newsday

Zanu PF supporters in Chiredzi booed and hauled insults at the party’s Masvingo provincial Women’s League chairperson Alignia Samson and Chiredzi West MP Farai Musikavanhu at victory celebrations held in the sugar growing town on Wednesday.

Most Zanu PF bigwigs based in Chiredzi, who were invited for the celebrations also snubbed the event that was held at Tshovani Stadium. The MPs had to leave in a huff when the situation got tense.

Party supporters said Zanu PF erred when it selected Samson to be Chiredzi’s proportional representative and claimed that Musikavanhu rigged the primary election.

All hell broke loose when each ward was allocated 6kg of meat for the celebrations, which they claimed was rotten.

Zanu PF Masvingo provincial spokesperson Ronald Ndava confirmed the incident.

He said supporters should be educated on the issue of belittling and taunting their chosen representatives.

On the rotten meat, Ndava said he was not qualified to comment, as he was not a specialist in food.

“I think on the issue of rejecting the leaders they chose in the first place; people should be educated before it gets out of hand. On the other hand, the
celebrations coincided with various other national events like the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. That is why most invited guests did not attend,” he said.

“I cannot say the meat was rotten and not fit for human consumption, because I am not a meat specialist. I just think our people overreacted because the meat they were allocated was the first batch. There was more to come. It should also be taken into consideration that the meat was being kept in various wards, so maybe one or two refrigerators malfunctioned.”

Samson admitted that she was booed and heckled.

However, she said such incidents were expected in politics before cutting off her phone.

Musikavanhu flatly denied that he was attacked, saying he had a good rapport between him and party supporters. When quizzed further, he referred all the questions to Samson.

“This was not a joint celebration. As you may recall, we held very successful Chiredzi West constituency celebrations in December 2018 at Chishamiso Stadium.
The function on Wednesday April 24, 2019 was for the Chiredzi district women’s quota MP, which was being held in Chiredzi West constituency,” Musikavanhu said.

“I did not witness that. If anything, as the MP for the constituency where the function was held, I was assisting with logistics, including transport services and was working very well with everyone. I, therefore, suggest that you direct your questions to that MP.”

-Newsday

The United Nations (UN) should reform, remain guided by its charter and serve the interests of all member-states, President Mnangagwa has said.

Speaking at a dinner he hosted in honour of his Ugandan counterpart President Yoweri Museveni at State House in Harare on Thursday, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe will continue advocating UN reform in line with the Ezulwini Consensus.

“At global level, it is our strong conviction that the United Nations should remain guided by its Charter and serve the interests of all member-states. We continue to advocate for the reform of the UN Security Council in line with the Ezulwini Consensus,” he said.

The Ezulwini Consensus is the African Union (AU) position on international relations and reform of the UN which calls for a more representative and democratic Security Council in which Africa, like all other world regions, is represented.

While the world has changed dramatically over the past 66 years, important institutions of the UN have remained frozen in the world of 1945 when the charter of the UN was signed, in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the UN conference on International Organisation.

This is why Zimbabwe, Africa and the developing world are clamouring for the urgent reform of the UN system as a whole.

The loudest calls are for the reform of the UN Security Council.

President Museveni has been one of the strongest advocates of the UN reform agenda and recently he reaffirmed the need for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, including its expansion, to make it more representative, accountable, effective and responsive to the geopolitical realities of the 21st Century when India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi visited Uganda.

African leaders have been clamouring for a seat for the continent in honour of its contribution to the UN as African countries contribute over 80 percent of global peacekeeping forces.

President Mnangagwa said at continental level, Zimbabwe supports the decision taken by the AU to ensure financial independence, self-sufficiency and more responsive mechanisms to emerging security and political threats.

“We stand committed to the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

“It is our fervent hope that the agreement will help eliminate the current high tariffs, stimulate economic growth, generate employment opportunities for Africa’s rapidly growing young workforce and harmonise the work of regional economic communities,” he said.

State Media

MATABELELAND South province could lose three constituencies in the impeding delimitation exercise by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec), including the popular constituency of Gwanda South which has not been won by an opposition member since 2008.

The constituency is currently held by Zanu PF politburo member, Abednego Ncube and is popularly known as the Holy Ground.

But Zec has said that it was likely to be “good bye” to the Holy Ground if the constituency did not meet the minimum threshold of 21 644 registered voters to be a stand-alone parliamentary seat.

Currently, it has 15 230 registered voters.

Constituencies of Bulilima West, represented by former ZBC DJ Dingimuzi Phuthi and Insiza South represented by Filabusi miner, Spares Sithole, also Zanu PF strongholds, could be collapsed.

“We are going to collapse all these constituencies which don’t meet the minimum threshold on 21 644. We seek to reach equilibrium in the constituencies. It’s not fair that some constituencies have a very big number of registered voters and others don’t meet the minimum threshold, but get the same resources. We have to find some sort of balance,” Zec commissioner Joyce Laetitia Kazembe told Southern Eye Weekender in an interview at the electoral body’s Zimbabwe
International Trade Fair (ZITF) stand on Thursday.

The Zec commissioner said the electoral body was registering people and also conducting awareness campaign, with the hope that more people would register in these affected constituencies.

“As you may know, voter registration is an ongoing process. We are busy registering people here at ZITF. We are also going to go to the people physically to continue with the process before the 2023 election because if some the people are travelling long distances to go and register. We want to make their task easier so that they don’t get into buses to come and register,” she said.

Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga has said reports of officers dabbling in politics have prompted the command to make the Support Unit a prime candidate in the ongoing retraining programme.

Addressing Support Unit officers recently, Comm-Gen Matanga said over the years, the Support Unit has always been associated with a remarkable high standard of discipline and attitude to duty.

“Various stories of indiscipline within the rank and file as well as some members dabbling in politics has prompted the command to make Support Unit a prime candidate of the ongoing organisation’s retraining programme,” he said.

“Indeed, we are quite clear in our minds that having dedicated 2019 as the year of training in the ZRP, changing the mind-set and enhancing skills of members under Support Unit is therefore one of our top priorities.

“Furthermore, we shall remain steadfast in ensuring that the eagle soars high again.”

Comm-Gen Matanga said the force had no room for police officers who do not want to work hard to transform the organisation.

“Some of our officers want to be promoted whilst they are not hard working,” he said. “I am even aware that some even went to the higher offices to beg for promotions, yet they are not even aware that those who look into their performance are us and after that we will inform the leaders on those who are hard-working and those that are lazy.

“However, I was given the green light to continue with those that are hardworking and I was also given the powers to retire those not performing up to standards.”

State Media

TWO Mangwe mine workers died after they fell into a 135-metre deep shaft.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred at Vuka MuAfrica Mine in Mphoengs on Tuesday at around 10AM. Chief Insp Ndebele said Brendon Moyo (28) and Prosper Hunyenyiwa (27) were descending into the shaft when a hoist they were using developed a fault and crashed down the shaft.

“I can confirm that we recorded a fatal mine accident at Vuka MuAfrica Mine. Brendon Moyo and Prosper Hunyenyiwa descended into a 135 metre deep shaft using a hoist.

“Along the way the hoist developed a mechanical fault and made a free fall down the mine taking the two mine workers down with it. Moyo and Munyenyiwa sustained head injuries and bruises as a result of the accident and they died on the spot,’’ he said. Chief Insp Ndebele said other mine workers who were at the scene retrieved the bodies. He said the matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and the bodies were ferried to United Bulawayo Hospitals for post-mortem.

Chief Insp Ndebele said investigations were underway.

He called on mine operators to ensure that the work environment was safe for their employees.

“We continue to record fatal accidents in mining areas as a result of mechanical faults. We call on mine operators, mine owners and managers to ensure that their equipment is constantly inspected and serviced to ensure that it’s working properly so that workers are not exposed to danger.

“Mine workers should also ensure that safety is prioritised. It’s also important for mine workers to put on safety clothing,” Chief Insp Ndebele said.

In a shocking instance of corporal punishment, a teacher at a Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church-run primary school in Bulawayo is facing prosecution after he allegedly pummelled a Grade Three pupil against a desk resulting in the child losing a tooth and three other lower frontal teeth becoming loose after he failed to solve a Maths problem.

The horribly disturbing incident occurred at Queen Elizabeth Adventist Primary School.

It is reported that during a Maths class session, the teacher, Sanele Khumalo, was enraged after the pupil who cannot be named for ethical reasons, failed to solve a long division sum.

According to a medical report, following the brutal attack, the boy suffered permanent damage to his front tooth.
The matter is, however, set to be heard at the Bulawayo magistrate’s court on 6 May and Khumalo who is now facing assault charges, was reportedly relieved of his duties after the incident.

Narrating the shocking occurrence to B-
Metro , the boy’s mother said as a parent, she felt frustrated, saddened and disappointed.
She said she decided to file charges against the teacher after she realised that the school was not forthcoming to assist with medical bills.

“I sent my son to Queen Elizabeth Adventist Primary School, a Christian school with faith and hope that he will be safe and be treated in kindness. I thought he would be safe from corporal punishment but sadly he suffered a permanent injury that has robbed him of his teeth.

“I was left wondering what kind of reprimand my child was subjected to. Sadly, in the aftermath of the incident the school has not been forthcoming to assist with medical bills,” she said.

She said there were also attempts by the school to force her to withdraw the matter but she refused, saying the assault on her son was serious and could not be condoned.

According to a report which was compiled by the school’s director Ellen Mfumu, and in possession of B-Metro , it confirmed that in a fit of rage, Khumalo allegedly hit the pupil against the desk resulting in him sustaining a broken tooth.

Mfumu said when the incident occurred as an institution they were ready to lay a charge against the teacher; but were limited by the “mutual” relationship between the teacher and the pupil.

“It was sometime in 2017 when I was informed by the teacher in charge that she had received a report of what happened the previous day. It was concerning a teacher whose learner was hit against a desk and cracked a tooth in the process.

“I phoned the parent to find out what had taken place and she came to the school in the company of other people and arrangements were made that the teacher pays the doctor for immediate attention, this process was done and the child was attended to.

The mother came about two days or so later and said all was well and the child had been attended to and would come to school, and this was in the presence of TIC (teacher-in-charge),” reads the report in part.

The report which was also substantiated by that of the teacher in charge a S Dube further says the mother was instructed by her son not to get the teacher arrested because he “loved” him.

“Everything seemed to have continued normally until 2019 when the case resurfaced. As an institution we were ready to lay a charge against the teacher, however, we were limited by the relationship between the teacher, pupil and his mother. We did not make her put down the forgiveness statement in writing as this would have been normal.”

Mfumu insisted the matter was reported and was dealt with by the school administration together with the mother of the child.State media

The pump price of petrol has come down by 9 cents after government revised its duties and increased the amount of ethanol in petrol from 5% to 10%.

The changes follow a notice in the Extraordinary Government Gazette published this week.

See the attached documents below:

Own Correspondent|Government through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development will early next week announce a very steep increase in the price of toll fees.

Highly placed sources within the Ministry hinted that the toll fees are likely to shoot up about five times the current charges.

Light vehicle motorists are currently paying $2, minibuses and buses pay $3 and $4 respectively while heavy haulage trucks are required to pay $10.

Zimbabwe already has 26 tollgates along major highways, situated between 15 to 20km from major cities and towns. Government introduced tollgates in 2009 and has to date collected around $500 million from them.

The trial of former Minister of Energy and Power Development Elton Mangoma, Zesa chief executive Joshua Chifamba and managing director of Zesa Enterprises Tererai Mutasa, who allegedly entered into a technology transfer partnership with a South Korean company Techpro Company Limited for the manufacturing of switch gears without due process, kicked off on Thursday with the trio pleading not guilty.

The three are facing charges of criminal abuse of office.

The trial commenced with the trio’s lawyers reading their defence outlines before Harare magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo.

In his defence outline read by his lawyer Mr Tonderai Bhatasara, Mangoma denied hatching a plan with the other two accused persons.

“The first accused will deny categorically that he hatched a plan with the other accused persons to disregard advise by the State Procurement Board and State Enterprises Restructuring Agency (SERA) as the advice was not given to him and was not for him to act on,” reads part of Mangoma’s defence outline.

“He will challenge the State to provide proof of connivance.”

Reading his client’s defence outline, Mutasa’s lawyer Advocate Givemore Madzoka said his client did not connive with anyone to evade the provisions of any applicable law relating to the entering into the alleged contract.

In his defence outline read by his lawyer Mr Admire Rubaya, Chifamba said he never intentionally acted unlawfully as being alleged.

“His actions were clearly in terms of the relevant approvals from the relevant authorities and as such he should not be persecuted for executing his duties in terms of the law,” reads Chifamba’s defence outline.

“There is absolutely nothing done by the third accused person designed to show favour of Techpro company Ltd of South Korea in the manner alleged.”

Prosecutor Mr Zivanai Macharaga said the trio allegedly entered into a technology transfer partnership with a South Korean company Techpro Company Limited for the manufacture of switch gears without due process.

Five years down the line, Techpro Company failed to execute the project after getting an initial payment of $850 000.
The State is alleging that this happened in 2010 when Choi Young Jin of Techpro Company met Mangoma at his offices in Harare.

They signed a technology transfer partnership between Zesa Enterprises and Techpro for the manufacturing of the switch gears.

Mangoma allegedly instructed Mutasa to liaise with Techpro with a view of establishing the partnership.

The court heard that Mutasa wrote to the State Procurement Board seeking advice on the procedures to be followed in such partnerships.

He was advised to proceed with Section 49 of the repealed procurement regulations act Chapter 22:14.

Mutasa was further advised to seek assistance from State Enterprises Restructuring Agency (SERA) on how to proceed.

SERA advised Mutasa to prepare a memorandum for Mangoma to submit to Inter-Ministerial Committee on Commercialisation and Privatisation of Parastatals (IMCCP) recommending the identification of a technical partner for the technological transfer through a competitive bidding process.

On receiving the proposal and bid documents for tender, Chifamba and Mangoma allegedly connived to bypass the approval by IMCCP and the competitive bidding process and favoured Techpro company.

State Media

Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga has said reports of officers dabbling in politics have prompted the command to make the Support Unit a prime candidate in the ongoing retraining programme.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is carrying out restructuring programmes in line with the new political dispensation’s vision to improve operational effectiveness and service delivery.

Addressing Support Unit officers recently, Comm-Gen Matanga said over the years, the Support Unit has always been associated with a remarkable high standard of discipline and attitude to duty.

“Various stories of indiscipline within the rank and file as well as some members dabbling in politics has prompted the command to make Support Unit a prime candidate of the ongoing organisation’s retraining programme,” he said.

“Indeed, we are quite clear in our minds that having dedicated 2019 as the year of training in the ZRP, changing the mind-set and enhancing skills of members under Support Unit is therefore one of our top priorities.

“Furthermore, we shall remain steadfast in ensuring that the eagle soars high again.”

Comm-Gen Matanga said the force had no room for police officers who do not want to work hard to transform the organisation.
“Some of our officers want to be promoted whilst they are not hard working,” he said.

“I am even aware that some even went to the higher offices to beg for promotions, yet they are not even aware that those who look into their performance are us and after that we will inform the leaders on those who are hard-working and those that are lazy.

“However, I was given the green light to continue with those that are hardworking and I was also given the powers to retire those not performing up to standards.State media

Farai Dziva|Auxillia Mnangagwa’ s Angel of Hope Foundation literally “seized” a Youth Indaba at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo yesterday.

The Youth Indaba, which was held in partnership with Angel Of Hope Foundation and Plan International, saw hundreds of students from secondary and tertiary institutions around the country learning about life skills.

Speaking at the event, Angel of Hope Foundation’s chief executive Mrs Busi Marandure said the foundation’s patron – First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa – partnered with Scholastica to fulfil her vision of ensuring that young people were exposed and have access to opportunities.

“The First Lady is particularly passionate about investing in the development of youth in Zimbabwe with particular emphasis on the girl child,” she said.

“This year, Angel of Hope Foundation partnered with ZITF-Scholastica and Plan International to encourage young people to take up activities and be involved in initiatives that give them access to opportunities, capacity building and to encourage future leaders.

Over 700 young people from high schools and tertiary institutions came to this event and got involved in the debate, spelling bee and quiz. It has been a great opportunity to invest in our youth and we will continue to work with young people around the country.”

This year’s edition of Scholastica Youth Indaba is running under the theme: Embracing Human Capital Development for Industrial Growth.

The United Nations (UN) should reform, remain guided by its charter and serve the interests of all member-states, President Mnangagwa has said.

Speaking at a dinner he hosted in honour of his Ugandan counterpart President Yoweri Museveni at State House in Harare on Thursday, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe will continue advocating UN reform in line with the Ezulwini Consensus.

“At global level, it is our strong conviction that the United Nations should remain guided by its Charter and serve the interests of all member-states. We continue to advocate for the reform of the UN Security Council in line with the Ezulwini Consensus,” he said.State media

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
Former Bulawayo South legislator Mr Eddie Cross has alleged that members of the G40 cabal that was expelled from Zanu-PF in 2017 are buying arms to instigate a war in the country.

Mr Cross alleged this on Thursday while speaking at the Cape Town Press Club in South Africa.

He lauded President Mnangagwa for various reform initiatives which the Government has embarked on since assuming office.

“(President) Mnangagwa is committed to reform; he has not received sufficient recognition for what he has done. But he has to deal with recalcitrant elements in his party; intelligence sources suggest G40 buying weapons,” said Mr Cross.

The G40 cabal was a faction within Zanu-PF that had coalesced around former First Lady Grace Mugabe in an attempt to use her proximity to former President Mugabe to grab State power.

Their attempts were however, thwarted when the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, with the support of the majority of Zimbabweans, launched Operation Restore Legacy that resulted in the resignation of former President Mugabe.State media

Farai Dziva |Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has called on the people of Zimbabwe to be resilient despite the current economic crisis.

Museveni made the remarks at the official opening of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on Friday.

“Even here, I think if we discuss closely and commit, we can have more impact on the global stage,” he said.

“I am glad to be here because when I was here in 1989, Uganda was a nightmare. Christians believe, and I am one of them, that Jesus died, was buried and resurrected after three days.

“Uganda died, was buried and resurrected also. When I came here in 1989, Uganda had just resurrected. I think it was on a Monday because Jesus resurrected on Sunday, so this was on Monday when we came out of the nightmare.”

Before Uganda emerged from the woods, President Museveni said it went through difficult times, which saw the living standard of the ordinary people falling.
“In 1986, there was no sugar, no soap . . . virtually nothing. All those items called essentials were being smuggled into the country from other countries,” he said.

“But today Uganda is much, much better.”

Museveni urged Zimbabweans to soldier on and remain resilient despite the prevailing economic challenges, saying the dark phase will come to pass.

THE imposition of sanctions against Zimbabwe by the West is an act of cowardice and those behind the economic restrictions should lift them, Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said.

Officially opening the 60th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) here yesterday, President Museveni unequivocally called for the removal of the illegal sanctions, which have been blamed for frustrating economic recovery efforts.
“On behalf of Uganda, I want to condemn the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe for such a long time,” he said.

“This idea of sanctions is cowardice.”
Zimbabwe was slapped with illegal sanctions by Britain and her allies at the turn of the millennium after the country embarked on a successful land reform programme as part of efforts to correct skewed land ownership which favoured the minority whites.

The country, as a result of the embargo, cannot access lines of credit, making it difficult to operate a modern economy.
“Why do you put sanctions if somebody is wrong?” said President Museveni.
“Leave him! He will be failed by the mistakes. Why do you have to put sanctions if you know you are right and somebody is wrong? That means you are not sure that one is wrong?

“Otherwise if you are sure that this one is wrong, why don’t you let him say by his own mistakes.”
President Museveni appealed for the immediate lifting of sanctions which are frustrating efforts to turnaround the economy.State media