By Own Correspondent| The Christian community has expressed concern over utterances by a prominent clergyman calling on citizens to honour President Emmerson Mnangagwa as he is ordained by God.

Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader Nehemiah Mutendi stunned all and sundry when he urged congregants to honour Mnangagwa as he was chosen by God to lead the nation.

Mutendi also implored the people of Zimbabwe to honour Mnangagwa and all the other people in position of authority.

He made the remarks at the ZCC Easter Conference in Bikita yesterday.

Said Mutendi:

“We expect you to honour our President as the leader of the country. The Bible says, ‘we should honour our parents so that we can live longer on earth.”

Farai Dziva|Zimbabweans have expressed mixed sentiments on Constantino Chiwenga’ s health condition.

Chiwenga has been in and out of the country over the past few months due to failing health.

While some Zimbabweans say it is immoral to celebrate one’s misery others think otherwise.

Eddie Nemukuyu said: “Guys it’s wicked to speculate on smbody,s life. “

Tarisai Muchenjeri argued:” Those who know how many times these reporters told us that Mugabe has died will believe with me.”

Asjane Ttembo said:”There is no judge who can judge someone’s life only God.”Samilani Nyachopera:”Its better he can die now.”

Saini Mateke commented:” Kkkkkk life is in the hands of God.”

Quinton Theophelus Joel:” I personally dont care ,he could be left with 2 hrs or 20 days ,he is wasting our precious oxygen for nothing anyway the sooner he meets his ancestors the better this world becomes.”

VICTIMS of the 1980s Matabeleland and Midlands massacres, known as Gukurahundi, have challenged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to openly apologise for the killing of over 20 000 innocent civilians, saying half-hearted acknowledgement would not yield the desired results.

In March this year, Mnangagwa met the Matabeleland Collective (MC) — a grouping of the clergy and civic society groups in the region — at the Bulawayo State House where he was pressed to shed light on what his administration was doing to deal with mounting calls for closure to the emotive issue.

On April 8, Mnangagwa, through the MC and his Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs ministry’s permanent pecretary Virginia Mabhiza — pledged he would facilitate the exhumation and reburial of Gukurahundi victims, issue identity documents and provide post-physical and traumatic medical assistance to victims as government begins a process of finding redress to the mass killings.

To Susan Sibanda, now 60, Mnangagwa’s initiative is not enough without an apology, acknowledgement and truth-telling process by the perpetrators.

“How do we take him seriously when he is avoiding us, the victims? Why is he and other perpetrators avoiding us, but are able to meet the MC? Are those MC members Gukurahundi victims? Did they suffer the physical torture? Did they witness the cutting of lips, noses, beatings and so forth?” queried Sibanda, who still vividly remembers the severe beatings, multiple rapes, extra-judicial killings and mutilated bodies as if it was yesterday.

Sibanda was in her mid-20s when the North Korean trained Fifth Brigade was deployed to Matabeleland to crack down on alleged armed dissents against former President Robert Mugabe’s rule.
Other than the emotional pain, Sibanda still nurses an ankle injury from the beatings she suffered from the Fifth Brigade and walks with a limp.

“I don’t want their money, but an apology, and an acknowledgement of the evil that visited us. It irritates me to hear him saying people are free to discuss Gukurahundi when he is not ‘free’ to come and meet us the victims, and tell us why this had to happen to us”

Sibanda is not alone in demanding an apology, and acknowledgment.
Arnold Mpofu, a Zimbabwe People’s Liberation Army (Zipra) ex-combatant, and activist Charles Thomas also nurse physical and emotional injuries.

“We were beaten severely. Our hands and legs were tied with barbed wire. The torture went on for days, without food and water, at Bhalagwe detention camp in Maphisa,” Thomas, who still has scars on his legs from the barbed wire, said.

Maphisa is one of the districts that bore the brunt of the Gukurahundi massacres. Today there are mass graves at Bhalagwe Mine where victims were killed and thrown.
“I was saved by Dr Boyd who privately attended to us since victims were being dragged from the hospital by the soldiers to be killed. I lived to narrate my ordeal, and it is an ordeal I want to ask the perpetrators why they were tormenting and killing our people,” says Thomas.The Standard

Military intelligence sources have revealed that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s health problems could be the effects of ingesting lethal polonium- 210, a poison capable of causing cancer.

If the information disclosed to Spotlight Zimbabwe reporters by military sources is true General Chiwenga is left with less than 140 days to live.

The poison can kill its victim within a period six days but can stay in the system for 140 days or slightly more and the damage it causes is irreversible, even after surging for more than 140 days the victims of polonium ingestion are likely to die.

Polonium-210’sphysical half life is 140 days. This means that half its radioactivity dies away in this time.

Its biological half life is 40 days, so it takes 40 days for biological processes to eliminate half of the Polonium-210 in the body.

Polonium radiation destroys DNA and can lead to cell death and cancer. Polonium-210 is a known carcinogen. When inhaled, it causes lung cancer. When swallowed, it becomes concentrated in red blood cells, before spreading to the liver, kidneys, bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and the testicles.

-Spotlight

Farai Dziva|Members of the the Christian community are deeply concerned about the utterances about Emmerson Mnangagwa made by a prominent clergyman.

Zion Christian Church(ZCC) leader Nehemiah Mutendi stunned all and sundry when he urged congregants to honour Emmerson Mnangagwa as he was chosen by God to lead the nation.

Mutendi also implored the people of Zimbabwe to honour Mnangagwa and all the other people in position of authority.

Mutendi made the remarks at the ZCC Easter Conference in Bikita yesterday.

“We expect you to honour our President as the leader of the country. The Bible says, ‘we should honour our parents so that we can live longer on earth,” said Mutendi.

The push for the United States government and the European Union (EU) bloc to remove the two-decade-old sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe is beginning to snowball with international organisations adding a voice to Harare’s renewed lobby, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has said.

Last week, several international organisations, some of which are vocal critics of Government, condemned the embargo.

Minister Ncube, who attended the World Bank and International Monetary Bank annual meetings and a panel discussion organised by the Cato Institute — a Washington-based think-tank — told The Sunday Mail the engagements were successful and could help the country get the much-needed support to clear its arrears.

He added that there was an outpouring of support for the removal of sanctions.

“There is enormous goodwill from the international economic community and investors for Zimbabwe to succeed on its Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP)- driven reform agenda.

“Some global think tanks such as Cato Institute, and African countries, have called for removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe, which have cut off credit lines into Zimbabwe’s private sector and, therefore, impacting negatively on job creation and the poor,” he said.

International creditors, he said, pledged to continue working with Harare in its strategy to clear its international debts.

“The IMF, World Bank and all credit countries in the G7 group support Zimbabwe’s economic reforms and institutional reforms.

“The global support for Zimbabwe culminated in the agreement by the IMF to a Staff Monitored Programme, which will pave the way for debt arrears clearance and inflows of new capital into the economy. The World Bank facilitated many forums for Zimbabwe to engage stakeholders.

“The SMP will assist Zimbabwe in creating a track record on the reform agenda under the TSP, which is already underway. The track record is a critical input into crafting a financial bailout package and arrears clearance.”

The Treasury chief also indicated that a financial package for the reconstruction of Cyclone Idai-affected areas in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe is presently being put together by international financial institutions and other countries.

During discussions at the Cato Institute in Washington, experts were unanimous on calling for the removal of sanctions, which they claim continue to impede the country’s economic growth efforts.

Professor Steve Hanke of John Hopkins University, a long-time Government critic, said sanctions should be removed “immediately”.

“Sanctions should be dropped immediately. Sanctions don’t work. The history of economic and financial sanctions is one failure after another, the production of all kinds of negative, unintended consequences,” said Prof Hanke.

He advised the US and the EU to adopt a different strategy that excludes sanctions.

Washington-based economist and journalist Barry Wood said the suggestion that sanctions do not hurt ordinary people was flawed.

Similarly, Mr Gyude Moore of the Centre for Global Development said sanctions on Zimbabweans have not achieved any positive outcome.

“Sanctions that target the people of Zimbabwe ordinarily is not going to work and in the long term is not going to help resolve the issues in Zimbabwe,” said Mr Moore .

In his Independence Day speech, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said sanctions were a deterrent to the country’s development.

“On foreign relations, the engagement and re-engagement policy with all countries in the international community, based on mutual respect, is progressing well. Various strategic engagements have resulted in the signing of 25 numerous bilateral cooperation agreements and concrete investments.

“We, however, call for the unconditional removal of the illegal and unjustified economic sanctions imposed on us so that our nation can realise its full development potential, free from any hindrances.”

In its bid for the removal of sanctions, Government continues to engage the US and the EU.

• State Media

A memorial service for one of the victims of the January shootings, Kelvin Choto, yesterday brought back memories of the events of that day with people recounting incidents where government displayed heavy-handedness.

The event was held at the Choto family home in Chitungwiza’s Unit A. MDC leader Nelson Chamisa had been billed to attend the memorial service, but he did not turn up.

Choto (22), a promising footballer, was reportedly shot and killed by law enforcers in Chitungwiza during the January protests where close to 20 people died after the State responded to the riots with brute force — deploying police and soldiers who used live ammunition on the protesters.

The atmosphere at the memorial turned emotional as people gave chilling accounts of their experiences of the January clampdown.

Apparently, overwhelmed by emotion, Choto’s widow, Varaidzo Chiyanike, collapsed and appeared to have fainted several times during the proceedings. She later opened up to The Standard saying she wanted to see justice served.

“I am still in pain over what happened. Life would not have been the same had my husband been alive,” she said.

“Kelvin promised me a good life and he made that same promise about his daughter. Our daughter is 10 months old now and what pains me the most is that she will grow up without knowing her father. It is very painful.

“It is the government that destroyed my life and that of my child by taking the life of my husband. Even then, the government didn’t show any remorse or admit that they acted wrongly. I only pray that justice will be served. I want my daughter to live a normal life that we lived when her father was still alive.”

MDC provincial chairman for Harare Wellington Chikombo said the Mnangagwa administration had failed to provide leadership. He said instead of uniting people, the government had always found excuses to inflict pain to its citizens.

“The responsibility of the government is to make sure that they provide security to the people and not to be a threat to the people,” he said.

“It is very unfortunate. As MDC, we are distressed and shaken, but we learn a lot from such unfortunate incidents. Zanu PF always thrives on elimination instead of adding. As a country, we really need to love each other and solidify each other so that we are able to confront this regime that has largely failed to deal with fundamental challenges.”

Choto’s mother, Ellen Juru, said freedom of expression must not be stifled in Zimbabwe and that demonstrations against the high cost of living are justified, but the reaction of the government was uncalled for.

She said she cried day and night over the unfortunate incident that destroyed her family’s dreams.

Julius Choto, Kelvin’s father, said the government must not be brutal to its citizens and that even after killing people, the cost of living was still rising.
“We are under the leadership of a ruthless and careless government,” he said.

“The government has no solutions to improve people’s lives and that is why they resort to killing and that is dangerous.

“The government must simply create conducive environment to enable its citizens to work for themselves and not this brutality that we are subjected to.”

Standard

By Pardon Maguta| To avoid the chance of some people rewriting the history of what actually happened within 24 hours soon after Cyclone Idai hit Chimanimani, Ngangu and thereafter I am writing my personal experience as an eyewitness and affected person.

15 March 2019 goes down as one of the worst day in my life. I had spent it in my office in Chimanimani CBD. Its a small place commonly called the Village.

Around 5pm I was in Ngangu meeting my old friend Mr Gabaza. We chatted for a while until someone made us shorten our chat. As I left with one of my friend Arnold Magen’a to my place the rains were already becoming abnormal.

We quickly got into a commuter omnibus driven by a long time ally Rodrick Chipangura. As I jumped off to my place in the Medium Density Area the rains started to pour in buckets.

The rain gauges recorded over 750mm of rain that particular night. It was the highest amount of rain to be recorded within 24hrs Chimanimani.

As disaster struck, houses being brought down, people being drowned, infrastructure being torn heroes and heroines emerged.

That particular night special mention goes to Stephen Hamudi and Samhere who died rescuing others. Stephen was a renowned and respected builder and Samhere ran flea markets. May their souls rest in peace.

There are many who did all they could helping others that night. I remember going to Tafara Location with my sons and brother in-law few minutes after it had been swept away hoping to rescue some people but we left hopeless and in total defeat.

Our prize was getting Mai Tariro to safety. After escaping from her collapsed house she had failed to find a way to sanctuary. We took her home.

As dawn came we were shocked to learn the extent of the damage. We were marooned and the rains were still pounding with an iron hammer. About 6 people had taken refugee at my place as my place was not in total ruins. Some were seriously injured and urgently needed medical care.

But the roads were impassable. We had to find other ways to the hospital. It was all chaos. People looking for missing loved ones. People nursing injuries but the rains poured.

Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Fortune Chasi has responded to a widely circulating news article that alleges 23 000 litres of tar for Harare-Beitbridge dualisation was stolen in Chivhu.

Posting on Twitter, Chasi said him and his boss Joel Biggie Matiza are equally troubled about the incident saying they seeking to establish what could have happened.

Chasi said they did not steal the tar which according to the news article could have been an inside job involving either government or ministry of transport workers.

“Friends, I did even know there was a delivery & that it was stolen. I doubt my minister knew too. We didn’t steal anything. We are troubled by it too & will seek to establish what has happened. @cdesetfree Pse show me where I insulted you so I apologize.”

By Own Correspondent| After nearly 4 years of no power cuts, ZESA is set to start load-shedding as water levels at Kariba Dam drops, a local publication has reported.

Chitungwiza residents woke up to load shedding today (Sunday) in a development which has dampened the Easter holidays.

Said residents who spoke to ZimEye:

“The power cuts without notice are back. I do not know why we were not given notice because this has caught us unaware. We have spent over two weeks with no water and now no electricity, this is really sad,” said a Unit J resident, Dorcas Mutero.

ZETDC reportedly sent a load-shedding application to the government and the government has approved that the power utility can start load-shedding.

This exercise will see households and businesses going for hours without power per day.

The situation has also been escalated by the low coal output at Hwange which is the country’s biggest plant that’s fired by coal.

ZESA is reportedly also battling machinery problems at their stations as most of their machines have aged and needs replacement.

Delivering his main sermon to thousands of congregants gathered for this year’s Easter conference at Mbungo in Bikita yesterday, Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Bishop Dr Nehemiah Mutendi challenged ZCC congregants to conduct themselves in a Godly manner through honouring leaders of the country. He said God wanted his people to honour their leaders. People must honour President Mnangagwa and all the other people in the position of authority as they are chosen by God, a senior cleric has said.

“We have church stewards who have been elected in the districts and provinces. We do not expect you not to honour community leaders like chiefs, district administrators appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. We also expect you to honour our President as the leader of the country. The Bible says, ‘we should honour our parents so that we can live longer on earth’.”

He called on ZCC congregants to ensure that they continue doing community work in their respective areas and mobilise membership.

“We want to make sure that every elected leader in our church has an action plan. You cannot remain a leader for five years but fail to have one tangible thing for the church. Let us target 2025 when we will evaluate our efforts as ZCC leaders in the community. I also urge ZCC leaders may it be pastors or deacons, to mobilise our members to do community service in their respective areas. Our domain as ZCC is working for the community but you should attract converts to our church. You should also mobilise membership. If you cannot turn souls to God then you do not deserve to be a deacon or pastor,” he said.

ZCC Congregants

He praised the congregants who partook in prayers in the mountain on Friday saying they were searching for “hidden treasure”.

“On Friday, we went into the mountain looking for hidden treasures. All important things are hidden, including riches. You have to search to get these riches and if you relax you will die surviving on cheap food. Jesus is a treasure who can only be found after a search, hence climbing onto the mountain. We found him and tomorrow (Sunday) we want to see if he conquered as we will be celebrating his resurrection,” he said.

“Our women always cover essential body parts but some foolish ones are seen parading them. Let us preserve ourselves as Zionists.”

He also warned congregants against believing in false prophesy and challenged them to test the ingenuity of prophesy. He said not all spirits were from God, as the devil could also claim that he possessed the same powers. He urged congregants to make use of ZCC schools by sending their children to the various educational institutions dotted around the country.

“We have state-of-the-art schools that compete with others in the country. We encourage our congregants to send their children to these schools and make sure they pay fees on time. We have a challenge with parents who do not want to pay fees for their children. There are blessings in giving than receiving and all children of ZCC should learn to give,” he said.

Today the church led by Bishop Dr Mutendi will have a colourful procession, to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thousands of church congregants from across the country and outside are gathered at the church for the annual Easter celebrations. A senior Government official is expected to grace today’s service.

-Online

VICTIMS of the 1980s Matabeleland and Midlands massacres, known as Gukurahundi, have challenged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to openly apologise for the killing of over 20 000 innocent civilians, saying half-hearted acknowledgement would not yield the desired results.

In March this year, Mnangagwa met the Matabeleland Collective (MC) — a grouping of the clergy and civic society groups in the region — at the Bulawayo State House where he was pressed to shed light on what his administration was doing to deal with mounting calls for closure to the emotive issue.

On April 8, Mnangagwa, through the MC and his Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs ministry’s permanent pecretary Virginia Mabhiza — pledged he would facilitate the exhumation and reburial of Gukurahundi victims, issue identity documents and provide post-physical and traumatic medical assistance to victims as government begins a process of finding redress to the mass killings.

To Susan Sibanda, now 60, Mnangagwa’s initiative is not enough without an apology, acknowledgement and truth-telling process by the perpetrators.

“How do we take him seriously when he is avoiding us, the victims? Why is he and other perpetrators avoiding us, but are able to meet the MC? Are those MC members Gukurahundi victims? Did they suffer the physical torture? Did they witness the cutting of lips, noses, beatings and so forth?” queried Sibanda, who still vividly remembers the severe beatings, multiple rapes, extra-judicial killings and mutilated bodies as if it was yesterday.

Sibanda was in her mid-20s when the North Korean trained Fifth Brigade was deployed to Matabeleland to crack down on alleged armed dissents against former President Robert Mugabe’s rule.

Other than the emotional pain, Sibanda still nurses an ankle injury from the beatings she suffered from the Fifth Brigade and walks with a limp.

“I don’t want their money, but an apology, and an acknowledgement of the evil that visited us. It irritates me to hear him saying people are free to discuss Gukurahundi when he is not ‘free’ to come and meet us the victims, and tell us why this had to happen to us”

Sibanda is not alone in demanding an apology, and acknowledgment.

Arnold Mpofu, a Zimbabwe People’s Liberation Army (Zipra) ex-combatant, and activist Charles Thomas also nurse physical and emotional injuries.

“We were beaten severely. Our hands and legs were tied with barbed wire. The torture went on for days, without food and water, at Bhalagwe detention camp in Maphisa,” Thomas, who still has scars on his legs from the barbed wire, said.

Maphisa is one of the districts that bore the brunt of the Gukurahundi massacres. Today there are mass graves at Bhalagwe Mine where victims were killed and thrown.

“I was saved by Dr Boyd who privately attended to us since victims were being dragged from the hospital by the soldiers to be killed. I lived to narrate my ordeal, and it is an ordeal I want to ask the perpetrators why they were tormenting and killing our people,” says Thomas.

Devee Boyd was an American missionary physician working in Mtshabezi, some kilometres from Gwanda, the Matabeleland South capital.

Boyd’s eyewitness testimony on the Bhalagwe tortures is included in the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace’s (CCJP) detailed report titled, Breaking the Silence: Building True Peace, a report on the disturbances in Matabeleland and the Midlands, 1980 – 1988.

The CCJP report exposes the extra-judicial killings, multiple rapes of women and people being burnt alive.

“My ever-aching head and the physical scars on my legs are a constant reminder of the torture. It is for that reason that I want to face the enforcers of Gukurahundi, why I want an apology and an acknowledgement of the atrocities, not this nonsense where measures to address this are announced to the MC,” Thomas said.

Mpofu added: “The perpetrators must come and meet us (victims), hear what we have to say and vice-versa, maybe we can forgive and move forward. They continue with their ‘hotel-and-conferences approach’, but without an apology to us, without a truth- telling process the emotional pain will not go away.

“The pain cannot be wished away. It cannot be bought also by state funds. Also, we don’t trust them on exhumations…they will destroy the evidence as they have done on discovered human remains.”

A visit by Bulawayo civic groups to Bhalagwe in January revealed that some mass graves had been tampered with by removing the “Mass Graves” inscription.

Bulawayo pressure group Ibhetshu LikaZulu on February 21 this year also mounted ‘Gukurahundi memorial plaques’ at Bhalagwe which were later destroyed by “unknown” people.

Government has also invited criticism after turning Bhalagwe into a district Heroes’ Acre, a move viewed as an attempt to tamper with the evidence of mass graves.

“Bhalagwe must remain a Gukurahundi memorial site to ensure there is no tampering with the evidence of the 1980s mass killings,” Mbuso Fuzwayo, the coordinator of the Ibhetshu LikaZuklu that has been vocal about Gukurahundi, said.

“Government must first of all acknowledge that this was genocide and encourage truth-telling. The brigade commanders who are still alive and security officers that carried out the annihilation of their fellow countrymen must come out in the open, apologise, show remorse and seek forgiveness from the survivors. This initiative without truth-telling is empty,” says Fuzwayo.

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) last week announced plans to roll out public hearings on Gukurahundi and other post-independence disturbances, with one of the commissioners, Leslie Ncube, adding the process would assist in investigations of the atrocities.

“We are encouraging you to be honest and truthful because additions or subtractions will remove the aspect of accuracy and objectivity in the investigations,” Ncube said during a recent community hearing organised by the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA).

“You can come to us as an individual and give us a detailed account of what happened. We capture them as they are and present them to the authorities. The testimonies should be given without fear.”

Justice ministry permanent secretary, Mabhiza at a press conference held in Bulawayo recently to announce Mnangagwa’s initiative to address Gukurahundi ducked a question when asked whether this meant an acknowledgement of the atrocities, preferring to say “what is important is that we have started this process”.

Mabhiza was also evasive on the issue of an apology, and a budget for the process.

Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi was quoted in the state media on Friday saying that Mnangagwa’s engagement with the MC on Gukurahundi showed government’s commitment to addressing the country’s worst post-independence conflict.

Government once initiated a probe into the Gukurahundi massacres, but the findings of the investigation by the Chihambakwe Commission of Inquiry were never made public.

Human rights groups argue that if Mnangagwa is sincere, he must ensure the release of the Chihambakwe Commission of Inquiry report containing findings of the probe into the Gukurahundi massacres. Latest reports, however, say the Chihambakwe report has now gone missing.

Like Mugabe, the President has not released the report, causing victims to cast aspersions on his sincerity to address the mass killings.

“It is such arrogance that makes me dismiss this (Mnangagwa) initiative. Only the truth will set him free, only the truth will set the perpetrators free, only an apology will set them free and see us moving forward,” Sibanda, a survivor, said.

-The Standard

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s troublesome ex-wife, Jocelyn has fallen on hard times and risks losing her residential property in Harare’s leafy Glen Lorne suburb after she failed to repay her $2,6 million CBZ Bank loan.

The latest development came nearly six years after Jocelyn concluded her messy divorce with the former military commander and shared their vast wealth equally.

In summons filed at the High Court on March 9 this year, CBZ Bank cited Jocelyn, her companies Rugnet Ventures (Private) Ltd and Licybuster Investments (Private) Ltd, as co-respondents.

The bank is represented by Musendekwa-Mtisi Legal Practitioners, while Jocelyn is self-acting.

According to the court papers under case number HC2248/18, sometime in May 2014, the bank entered into a structured loan facility agreement with Rugnet Ventures for $1,3 million at the firm’s special instance and request.

“It was agreed that interest would accrue at the bank’s minimum lending rate (3% per annum) plus 13% all-inclusive on the restructured loan facility during the restructured loan facility period, but subject to change thereafter in line with prevailing money markets rates,” the bank said in its declaration.

“It was a term of the said agreement that the first defendant (Rugnet Ventures) would pay collection costs, bank charges and legal costs on an attorney-client scale in the event of plaintiff (CBZ) resorting to legal action to recover its monies.”

The parties allegedly agreed that Rugnet Ventures would repay the loan facility at a rate of $260 000 per year until expiry of the loan term on May 31, 2019.

“The second and third defendants (Jocelyn and Licybuster Investments) signed unlimited guarantees, wherein they bound themselves as sureties and co-principal debtors with the first defendant, hence liability has become jointly and several, the one paying the other to be absolved,” the bank said.

“The first, second and third defendants breached the terms of the restructured loan facility agreement by failing to repay the principal amount and interest fully and punctually in annual instalments of $260 000.”

Consequently, as a result of her failure to service the debt, Jocelyn is likely to lose her upmarket stand, which had been surrendered to the bank as surety.

“The third defendant registered a first mortgage bond for $607 500 stand number 2161 Glen Lorne Township stand number 812 Glen Lorne Township 15 registered in the name of the third defendant and held under deed of transfer number 3787/08 dated June 3, 2008 as security for the debt, hence the property becomes executable,” CBZ argued.

“In terms of the banking practice, plaintiff included, the defendants are liable to pay interest at plaintiff’s minimum lending rate applicable from time to time currently at 16% per annum and compounded monthly effective from date of summons to date of full payment. As at the date of summons, the defendant’s total indebtedness to plaintiff was in the sum of $2 594 249,97.”

The former army chief’s ex-wife is yet to respond to the summons.

-Online

BEITBRIDGE recorded one of the bloodiest Good Friday holidays this year with one person killed and up to 16 seriously injured with stab wounds in widespread violent crimes in the district.

An 18-year-old man, Desire Nguluvhe, overturned in a scotch cart in the Zezani area and sustained serious injuries while at Nottingham Estates, a worker had his hand severed by a machine.

Both the officer-in-charge of Beitbridge Rural Police, Inspector Mabhungu, and Matabeleland South press and liaison officer Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele could not be reached for comment.

Police sources at Beitbridge, however, confirmed the death of Mika Letwaba, who was stabbed to death at danisa bottle store at Makavhile on Friday in a fight over donkeys.

At the same centre where several fights were recorded the deceased Letwaba’s friend Precious Moyo was also hit on the face with a hammer. It is understood another unidentified man was also struck by a machete.

“Letwaba was killed for using donkeys after asking for permission from a friend who had not consulted his brothers.
The brothers were apparently not amused by the move leading to the scuffle. He died on the spot after being stabbed with a knife,” said Moyo, who is admitted at Beitbridge District Hospital where he told The Standard he was in pain.

In the Makhado area, on Good Friday again, Sibangilizwe Ngamula almost lost his manhood after he was bitten by his wife in a fight over house keys.

Ngamula, now admitted at Beitbridge District Hospital, was rescued by relatives who rushed him to the hospital 80km from his home area.

At Makhado Cross, close to Zezani, Pride Magariro was hit with a bottle by an unidentified woman in a yet unexplained fight on Friday night.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said at Lutumba, 20km from Beitbridge along the Harare to Beitbridge Highway, up to 16 people were stabbed with sharp objects and two people were arrested.

“My brother was stabbed while walking in a dark alley on his way home and when we arrived at hospital more than seven other people from the same Lutumba were being treated for stab wounds,” a woman who was collecting medication for her brother at the Beitbridge Hospital Pharmacy said.

Staff at Beitbridge District Hospital confirmed a busy Friday night and Saturday morning as victims of violence reported for attention.

“Most were male, we have some that have been admitted and others treated and discharged,” said a nurse who refused to be named.

In Beitbridge town, Fredrick Sibanda from Toporo was admitted after suffering a deep cut around the stomach, which exposed his intestines. His alleged assailant has since been arrested.

Jane Mlambo| MDC Vice President, Morgan Komichi has for the first time failed to secure nomination for the vice Presidency position with the United Kingdom province opting for Lilian Timveos, Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube.

Komichi who has been nominated 10 times was hoping to go to the congress with 12 nominations to avoid facing off the two powerful lawyers Biti and Ncube but the United Kingdom chose to spoil his party.

Below is the UK nomination

President::::: Advocate Nelson Chamisa 
Vice President::: Tendai Biti 
Lilian Timveos 
Welshman Ncube
Chairperson:::: Tabitha Khumalo 
V Chairperson::::: Bheki Sibanda 
Secretary General::::: Daniel Molokela 
Vice Secretary General:::::: Caston Matewu
Organising Secretary:::: Job Sikhala 
Vice Organiser:: Settlement Chikwina
Spokesman::::::: Luke Tamborinyoka 
Deputy Spokesman:::::: Jacob Mafume 
Treasurer:::: David Coltart 
Vice Treasurer::: Tapiwa Mashakada

By Own Correspondent| Harare City Council (HCC) is forging ahead with plans to demolish illegal structures in Harare South after a recent report indicated the buildings were located on undesignated land.

The settlements that will be affected include Granville Estate, The Rest, Churu, Lot 1 of Sub A of Lyndhurst, Nyarungu, Chizororo and Eyestone.

However, city fathers have given a reprieve to settlers at 15 other properties, who are now expected to regularise their settlements.

Currently, there is an ongoing inquiry led by High Court judge Justice Tendai Uchena into the sale of State land.

The probe is presently focussing on Harare.

HCC town clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango recently told the Uchena-led commission that only three land developers — Fidelity Life Assurance, National Building Society and Hopley B Housing Cooperative — had followed due process in developing their properties.

The city’s chief planner in the department of works, Samuel Nyabezi, also told the commission that a report commissioned by the local authority through Macdoh Planning Consultancy indicated that a number of structures were established on undesignated places.

It similarly recommended the demolition of the illegal structures.

Nyabezi said: “There are two models of development that are being employed there (Harare South). Government also has a parallel development model, which allows people to settle while development of the land continues. But even in the parallel development model, water and sewer systems have to be there first before people settle. People who have not met city requirements are well aware that they can be removed any time.”

The city usually recommends that a road network be developed first before settlements begin.-StateMedia

MDC alliance’s losing candidate for Chiredzi West constituency during last year’s elections has donated an ambulance, 30 wheelchairs, three 5 000-litre water tanks, blood pressure testing machines, beds and various other items to Chiredzi Town Council-run polyclinic.

United Kingdom-based John Manganye is also helping with the refurbishment of the structures, including repainting of the polyclinic.

The donation, worth several thousands of dollars, was handed over to the local authority last week in the presence of Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Ezra Chadzamira.RELATED ARTICLES

Chiredzi Town Council is planning to decongest Chiredzi General Hospital.

However, there was a heated exchange between assistant town engineer, Irvine Muteyaunga and members who attended the ceremony when he initially refused to disclose the name of the donor.

A government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the time of playing politics is over and went on to say people should give credit where it is due.

“I don’t understand why Muteyaunga was trying to hide the name of the donor. This is a developmental issue, so I don’t see where politics comes in. He didn’t want to name the donor because he is MDC. That is pathetic because he is just a council employee, not a politician,” he said.

Council chairperson Gibson Hwende said it was unfortunate that Muteyaunga didn’t give the name because he [Muteyaunga] didn’t know that the minister helped in the clearing of the ambulance at the border post.

“I don’t know his motive because this is not a political gathering. The minister played a part for the ambulance to be cleared without paying duty. So he is fully aware who donated everything here. As council, we are happy that Manganye extended a helping hand.

“This is social responsibility so we don’t look at who extended a helping hand to us, whether he is from Zanu PF or MDC his or her donations are welcome,” Hwende said.

Chadzamira thanked Manganye for the donations and challenged the corporate world to play an active role in developing under-resourced communities.

“I am so grateful with the donations. I am sure the refurbishment will be finished in a month’s time so that First Lady (Auxillia Mnangagwa) will officially open the clinic,” he said.

-Newsday

23 families were left homeless after a hailstorm recently hit the Pote community in Hurungwe east.

Hurungwe east legislator Honourable Ngoni Masenda has since appealed for interventions in the form of temporary shelter as the families are in dire need of dwellings in which to sleep.

He said the main reason for the collapse of most of the buildings in Pote area village 22 was poor workmanship as mud was used as mortar during construction.

-State Media

Road traffic accidents have so far claimed 16 lives injuring 192 since the beginning of Easter holidays.

Statistics provided by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) show that more lives have been lost this year compared to the same period last year with the acting national spokesperson of the ZRP Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi blaming the rise in road carnage to human error.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Honourable Joel Biggie Matiza urged motorists to obey road rules to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.

However, motorists have been urged take personal responsibility by checking the roadworthiness of their vehicles before they embark on long journeys back from the Easter holiday as it comes to an end.

-State Media

Nelson Chamisa has won 12 out of the 12 nominations passed by the party’s provincial structures so far.

There is only 1 province left – South Africa.

If Chamisa gets South Africa, he would go to the MDC Congress in May uncontested.

Yesterday Chamisa was nominated by the UK province.

Said MDC Spokesperson Jacob Mafume:

The party has completed 11 provincial congresses where delegates elected provincial leaders and submitted their nominations for standing committee positions. President Chamisa has received 11 nominations so far. There have been massive nominations for vice-presidents and fierce contests in other positions.

Congress is the decision-making body and it can decide to accept nominations from the floor, but the rules dictate that delegates at Congress should know the candidates in advance. There’s no need to ambush delegates and therefore there should be compelling for such a move.

MDC UK nominations.

President::::: Advocate Nelson Chamisa
Vice President::: Tendai Biti
Lilian Timveos
Welshman Ncube
Chairperson:::: Tabitha Khumalo
V Chairperson::::: Bheki Sibanda
Secretary General::::: Daniel Molokela
Vice Secretary General:::::: Caston Matewu
Organising Secretary:::: Job Sikhala
Vice Organiser:: Settlement Chikwina
Spokesman::::::: Luke Tamborinyoka
Deputy Spokesman:::::: Jacob Mafume
Treasurer:::: David Coltart
Vice Treasurer::: Tapiwa Mashakada

By Farai Maguwu| Pastor Advocate Nelson Chamisa has blamed the Zimbabwe Bird for Zimbabwe’s problems. He associated the bird with institutional idolatry. In this piece I argue that claims that the Zimbabwe Bird was created for ritual purposes are purely unfounded and injurious to the history and historiography of Great Zimbabwe and the prehistoric Zimbabwean society in general.

No living person knows the exact origin of the Zimbabwe Bird nor its original purpose. However, it is very possible to deduce some material facts about its origin and potential purpose. Zimbabwe is a country with a very rich and dynamic history which any future leader must acknowledge and build on. It’s a nation of great achievements which even the colonial administration tried hard to conceal in order to dampen our spirits and create in us a defeated, self hating and submissive spirit.

First I seek to dispel the myth that the Zimbabwe Bird was a religious symbol used for idolatry. No living being, even the first archaeologists who worked at Great Zimbabwe ever had an interview with Nyastimba Mutota or any person who lived at Great Zimbabwe between 1100 and 1500 AD. Excavations at Great Zimbabwe took place during the late 19th century, about four hundred years since the abandonment of the majestic Great Zimbabwe City. The excavators then unearthed the 8 soapstone-made, bird-shaped sculptures, now popularly referred to as the Zimbabwe Bird. All the claims of the spirituality of those artefacts are mere interpretations of historians, archaeologists and politicians and they could all be WRONG.

What we know from Portuguese records is Great Zimbabwe was great medieval city that thrived on agriculture, mining and trade. We also know that the Zimbabwe Bird resembles the bateleur eagle which is a rare species of eagles that are commonly found in Southern Africa particularly South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and northern and eastern Namibia. It thrives in the tropical savanna. It is well known for its distinctive aerial acrobatics, red skin around its eyes and a very strong physique. There is no doubt such unique features could have inspired the sculptors. The majestic character of the bateleur eagle means subjects would likely ascribe its characteristics to their Kings or royal dynasties the same way they would call some of their kings ‘The Lion’ – Shumba.

Any history and archaeology enthusiast would quickly recall that throughout Sub Saharan Africa, there are rock paintings of hunters in action which show the type of animals hunted in particular regions and the weapons used by the hunters. Majority of the paintings were done in places less prone to the elements of weather. Were they doing it for themselves? Absolutely not. They had future generations in mind. It was a way of preserving history which some now associate with demons. These antiquity tell us stories about the past. Nature has immaculately preserved these to teach us about life and society we inherited from the past. Whilst our ancestors did not write history, they left artefacts which tell us about how they interacted with their world. These are not evil, but historical pointers to our ancestral identity and how life has been preserved to this day. These are treasures that must bring joy and excitement to those who find them

Now, on Great Zimbabwe we learn that warrior prince Nyastimba Mutota was sent from Great Zimbabwe to the Dande region to search for salt and whilst there he defeated the Tonga and established the Mutapa State. Thereafter Great Zimbabwe declined and was completely deserted by 1480. Nyatsimba Mutota and whoever temporarily remained King at Great Zimbabwe both left the Zimbabwe Birds at the Great Zimbabwe Ruins until they were exhumed in the late 19th century. This means the birds were NOT of ritual or spiritual purposes, otherwise if they were part of the spiritual paraphernalia of Nyatsimba Mutota, he would have moved with them to Dande or the remaining King would have migrated with them when he abandoned the city. If indeed these were spiritual objects they would have been carefully preserved and carried along just as the Israelis carried the Ark of the Covenant from Egypt to the Promised Land.

The Rhodesian government, not ZANU PF, was the first to adopt the Zimbabwe bird as a national emblem. The British, by whatever means, created the modern day Zimbabwe State when they colonized Zimbabwe in 1890. They tried to create a national identity and to them the soapstone-made Zimbabwe bird was the greatest piece of antiquity they could find between Limpopo and the Zambezi Rivers. From nothing the British created systems and institutions on which a great economy was built. When sanctions were imposed on Rhodesia by the UN in 1965, Rhodesia diversified and went into value addition and beneficiation. The economy grew in leaps and bounds during UDI (1965-1979) with the Zimbabwe bird emblazoned on the Rhodesia flag, bank notes and coins and the coat of arms.

At independence in 1980 the Zimbabwean dollar was worth more than the U.S. dollar, with ZWD 1 = USD 1.47 and 2 ZWD to 1 sterling pound.

Thus the Zimbabwe Bird inspired our nationhood and economic development for 90 years (1890 – 1980). How did it suddenly became the source of our problems once blacks, to whom it was bequeathed by their forefathers, took over power in 1980. If the Zimbabwe Bird changed its mind and started afflicting the economy the moment blacks took over then it must be charged of racism!

Its Economic Mismanagement – Stupid!

The economy of Zimbabwe started collapsing immediately after the attainment of independence in 1980 due to economic mismanagement. Because the British had built an incredibly strong and self-sustaining economy, it too more than 2 decades for the economy to start curving in under Mugabe’s ruinous policies. Part of the problem was inexperience. The country was handed over to people who had no experience in management. Their only experience was war, hence Mugabe ruled with an iron fist and a high degree of intolerance to dissent. Consequently people with brains had no place in his government and if he appointed them he did not create room for them to use their expertise.

The country was rocked by one corruption scandal after another and yet no one was arrested until corruption became the most thriving business in the country, particularly in government. First there was the 1982 Paweni grain scandal that involved several senior government officials who conspired to fraudulently award the drought relief tender to Paweni in exchange for bribes. More than $6 million was lost, which could amount to hundreds of millions in today’s terms. Paweni was arrested and jailed for 15 years that was later reduced to 10 but all the other government officials were protected by Mugabe.

Then came the Willowgate scandal which involved Mugabe’s wife Sally and several cabinet ministers followed by the 1994 war victims compensation fund looted by politicians with some claiming 100% disability whilst still serving as cabinet ministers, the 1997 un-budgeted for DRC War, the 1997 war veterans payouts, the 2000 attacks on white farmers and disruption of agriculture by ZANU PF characterised by multiple farm ownership whereby majority of the farms remain idle to this day, question of political legitimacy since 2000, authoritarianism by ZANU PF and militarization of the State and the economy.

I can tell you the magnificent Zimbabwe Bird has nothing to do with these man-made ills. Zimbabwe’s problems are entirely a product of wrong decisions made by self-serving politicians. Even if we remove the Zimbabwe Bird as a national emblem – if we don’t change how we govern, if we don’t create strong institutions and appoint capable leaders to the right positions, if we have army generals using their military might to grab political power, with no idea whatsoever about governance – we will remain in a poor state, the wretched of the earth. Economic development is a product of progressive decisions, fiscal discipline and hard work. It has nothing to do with antiquity. Please lets leave the Zimbabwe bird out of this political and economic higi-haga cum crinkum crankum that is purely of human making. It is NOT the Zimbabwe bird which instructed ZANU PF and military officials to plunder Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth, most notably Marange diamonds from 2009 to the present.

As we celebrate Easter, we commemorate our Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection. The struggle and victory of light over darkness, of life over death.

In Zimbabwe, we are currently undergoing our own struggle of light over darkness. As we walk the road of transformation and reform, we are guided by our Lord Jesus Christ’s teachings of forgiveness, peace and love, and take comfort from his victory.

For while the challenges we face are significant, we are resolute in our faith that with hard work, sacrifice and unity, we too will triumph.

On behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe and the first family, I would like to wish all Zimbabweans at home and abroad a blessed Easter.

Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe

Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe

May the Almighty protect and bless our land

Emmerson Mnangagwa was working inside 6th floor, in Kaguvi building at independence, he was never a crocodile gang leader, the late original garwe William Ndangana’s secretary tells ZimEye in a LIVE interview on Saturday. She confirms several articles authored by the former ZANU PF leader, Tich Mutyambizi which conjoin narrations by historian within and without Zimbabwe.  The exiled Patience Olivier who has since joined MDC President Nelson Chamisa also alleged that Ndangana was assassinated using a puma truck collission. WATCH BELOW:

Vice-President Kembo Mohadi is reportedly seeking to turn the tables against his former wife, Tambudzani Mohadi, whom he is now accusing of being the aggressor.

Mohadi, who was recently accused of using an axe to break down doors at the former family house and threatening to kill his ex-wife, last week reportedly approached the Harare Civil Courts seeking a protection order against Tambudzani, whom he accused of harassment and threatening him.

The matter is expected to be heard on April 23.

But Senator Mohadi has reportedly challenged the application on the basis that her former husband’s purported signature on the court document was forged.

Yesterday Senator Mohadi was not reachable for comment, but one of her daughters said she found it difficult to believe her father, VP Mohadi, was voluntarily capable of behaving in the violent manner that he reportedly did.

“It’s not him. He is someone we know. He is being pushed,” said the daughter.

Meanwhile, Tambudzani has registered displeasure at the manner in which police officers in Beitbridge handled the case where she was reportedly attacked by VP Mohadi.

The VP has not been charged for the alleged violent attack on his ex-wife despite the fact that more than two dozen police officers were reportedly present at the scene of the crime and witnessed the VP in that fit of rage.

Police sources in Beitbridge said Tambudzani was unhappy that “police let a person commit a crime while they watched” and were still to press criminal charges.

Officer commanding Beitbridge Police District Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo confirmed having met the Beitbridge Senator, but did not disclose details of their meeting.

“She came to have her statement signed at the station and as a public official, I took the chance to meet her. We had a small meeting, but I cannot disclose the details. You have to go through the usual communication channels,” Nyongo said yesterday.

It is, however, understood the government was embarrassed by the reports from Beitbridge and the police had been instructed to get detailed reports of the incident in the border town.

Some senior female Zanu PF members are said to have registered deep concern and unhappiness with what they believed was humiliation of Senator Mohadi, who is also a senior member of the ruling party.

Mohadi reportedly ran amok and took up an axe to hack the doors of his former wife’s residence, a government house situated at 108 Impala Drive in Beitbridge where the two lived as a couple before their divorce was granted this year.

This reportedly happened in full view of at least 25 policemen, including the officer in charge of Beitbridge Police Station, Inspector Kenneth Mushongahande.

Mohadi also reportedly ordered that three vehicles be towed away from the premises before threatening his wife with a firearm and poking her with an iron bar.

With her vehicles taken away, Senator Mohadi was left grounded at home after the incident. She refused to make a police report, saying police had witnessed everything and should simply compile a criminal docket against her former husband.

Mushongahande yesterday said he sent police officers to record statements from Senator Mohadi but she allegedly turned them away.

“I felt someone neutral should record the statement. I was at the scene, but someone neutral would bring out facts,” he said.

“Such reports are taken to Harare where decisions are made, that is all I can say.”

Standard

Members of Parliament (MPs) will begin receiving funds to bankroll various projects in their constituencies within the next 30 days.

Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda told The Sunday Mail the disbursements were still pegged at $50 000 per constituency.

“Treasury is currently mobilising resources and we anticipate that disbursement to MPs should start within the next 30 days and each constituency is entitled to 50 000 RTGS dollars for the 2019 allocation,” he said.

The CDF is established in terms of Section 18 of the Public Finance Management Act and is designed to sponsor developmental projects.

Zanu-PF chief whip Mr Pupurai Togarepi said it was highly unlikely that the funds would be abused as there are now sufficient checks and balances to ensure they are put to good use.

“CDF is managed through strict guidelines in terms of selecting of projects, composition of constituency committee and follow ups from parliament. Every honourable member would know the consequences of corruption in the new dispensation,” said Mr Togarepi.

“The structure of the CDF now include senators, women’s quarter MPs, chiefs and councillors. Different committees handle different transactions thereby creating transparency and very strong checks and balances.”

Some MPs, he said, have already been planning on how to use the funds in their constituencies.

Similarly, MDC chief whip Prosper Mutseyami said although parliamentarians will judiciously apply the funds to benefit constituencies, the value of the disbursements has since been eroded in US dollar terms.

“I see the CDF allowances going to what they are best suited for in order to achieve the best result for constituencies, but my worry is the figure, because we are talking of 50 000 RTGS dollars. So now if you are given the same amount, it is equivalent to US$7 000, which is a drop in the ocean,” he said.

In essence, the CDF was created to help with poverty alleviation and improving living standards for Zimbabweans through developmental projects such as construction, repairs and maintenance of boreholes, clinics, schools, market stalls and related infrastructure.

Mr Mutseyami said although it was difficult to vouch for all MPs, most of them were satisfactorily putting the resources to good use.

Overall, about $10,5 million will be disbursed to the country’s 210 constituencies.

A MAN from Fort Rixon in Insiza District of Matabeleland South allegedly killed his estranged wife by stabbing her 10 times with a homemade knife before hanging himself in his fields.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said June Sibanda (45) of Gwananyanga area waylaid Sikhangezile Khumalo (40) also from the same area, on Tuesday, as she was on her way from fetching firewood in the company of her two cousin sisters and ordered her to go back with him to his home.

Khumalo refused and Sibanda drew a homemade knife and stabbed her on several parts of her body 10 times before fleeing the scene.

Chief Insp Ndebele said Sibanda was found hanging from a tree in his fields the following day in a suspected suicide case.

“I can confirm that we recorded a murder and suicide case which occurred in Fort Rixon on Tuesday at around 3pm. On the same day at around 2pm Sikhangezile Khumalo left her home to fetch firewood together with her two cousin sisters aged 16 and 17.

“At around 3pm they carried their bundles of firewood and proceeded home. Along the way June Sibanda emerged from the bushes and grabbed Khumalo who was walking at the back and told her that he was taking her back to his house. Khumalo refused and Sibanda drew a homemade knife and stabbed her once on the left wrist, three times on the left hand, twice on the right armpit, once on the stomach and three times on the back,” he said.

Chief Insp Ndebele said Khumalo managed to escape and fled a distance of about 15 metres before collapsing on the ground and died on the spot.

He said Sibanda fled from the scene while Khumalo’s cousins hurried home and reported the matter to the now deceased’s father, Mr Richard Mloyi.

Chief Insp Ndebele said the matter was reported to the police who attended the scene.

He said Mr Mloyi teamed up with some villagers to search for Sibanda but they failed to locate him.

“On Wednesday Sibanda was found hanging from a tree in his fields in a suspected suicide case,” he said.

Chief Insp Ndebele said investigations were underway and appealed to members of the public to desist from resorting to violence as a way of resolving disputes.

He also warned people against carrying dangerous weapons in public places.

A source close to the investigations who preferred anonymity said Sibanda and Khumalo were staying together up until the now deceased returned to her parents’ homestead as she was having regular fights with her husband.

The source said after she had left, Sibanda followed Khumalo to her parent’s homestead and threatened to kill her if she did not return with him but she refused.

Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has fired salvo at Mines minister Winstone Chitando charging that the mining sector will not go anywhere with him at the helm.

In a Twitter thread posted yesterday, Mliswa accused Chitando of corruption saying investors are not prepared to come to Zimbabwe to pay for deals.

“No procurement or transaction took place at Mimosa without Chitando, as a CA its a shame! The mining sector won’t go anywhere with him on top&why investors aren’t prepared to loan Zim even a cent. Conglomerates aren’t keen to come to Zim to “pay” for deals,” said Mliswa.

He accused Chitando of pushing for Hwange Colliery to be put under reconstruction just as a way of avoiding scrutiny.

“As a Minister isn’t it clear that with HCCL listed on the ZSE,LSE&JSE you can’t continue dealing without scrutiny?In an effort to avoid exposure you push for a Reconstruction Act Order which itself was totally out of order,who will invest in a country under such circumstances?.

Below is Mliswa’s thread on Chitando;

1/ No procurement or transaction took place at Mimosa without Chitando, as a CA its a shame! The mining sector won’t go anywhere with him on top&why investors aren’t prepared to loan Zim even a cent. Conglomerates aren’t keen to come to Zim to “pay” for deals

2/ As a Minister isn’t it clear that with HCCL listed on the ZSE,LSE&JSE you can’t continue dealing without scrutiny?In an effort to avoid exposure you push for a Reconstruction Act Order which itself was totally out of order,who will invest in a country under such circumstances?

3/There must be rule of law at some point,are we there yet or have backslid?Those are issues to drive my brother I know you’re candid&hope this doesn’t get you in trouble but for us to move this country forward we need to be honest to he needs the truth

4/Sadly, people surrounding are of no value to him at all. He tried them in his quest for a new dispensation but they’re not the answer they’re responding to the old dispensation

ZIMBABWE is on a path to build its economy, establish a new future and through greater social cohesion and unity, the country shall rise again, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

The sentiments by the President have seen economic and political analysts saying despite the challenges facing the country being enormous, they were however, not insurmountable to deal with. President Mnangagwa said the country’s future was depended on national engagement and openness as well as the ability by Zimbabweans to push national interest first ahead of egotism.

The President said this in his Independence message to Zimbabwe, which he delivered at the National Sports Stadium where thousands of people had converged for the main celebrations. The same message was also delivered in the country’s nine other provinces by Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs.

Said President Mnangagwa: “As we celebrate our independence, our land and our people, we look forward to a future of engagement and openness; reform and modernisation; innovation and education. As a listening president, my ear will remain attentive to all Zimbabweans as we join hands for greater social cohesion and unity. We must always put the nation ahead of self-interest, as we recommit ourselves to a legacy of peace, love, unity, harmony and development. Together, we are building a new economy and a new future. Zimbabwe shall rise again.”

President Mnangagwa said despite the country having endured years of difficulties, its people had survived and never lost hope. He said in celebrating 39 years of freedom, it was paramount to self-introspect on the honouring of national values.

“These values must drive us forward. We can no longer afford to be concerned with mere survival. Let us instead seek to blossom, thrive and prosper as a nation, as a people, towards a brighter future in the Zimbabwe we all want.”

President Mnangagwa said collective efforts between citizens at home and abroad was paramount for the nation to prosper.

He said while foreign friends and investors were helping rebuild Zimbabwe’s economy, the ultimate obligation to turn around the country’s futures rested within the general citizenry. The President said Government would continue to engage a wide spectrum of stakeholders on socio-economic and political issues.

“I am aware that a notable part of our citizens are currently spread across the Diaspora,” he said. “The raft of reforms we have started should enable some of them to return home and assist in building our nation. As a listening President, my ear will remain attentive to all Zimbabweans as we join hands for greater social cohesion and unity. I commend the progressive-minded leaders of political parties, who are part of the National Political Parties Dialogue. This is the hallmark of mature, responsible and patriotic leadership, which puts national interests ahead of selfish ambition. The platform will enable us to have conversations that will help us to develop our country.”

President Mnangagwa reiterated that the freedom in Zimbabwe was born out a liberation struggle whose main driving force was repossession of land. In that regard, he said, his administration would never reverse the land reform programme.

Political analyst Mr Godwin Mureriwa described President Mnangagwa’s optimism of a brighter future was driven by a clear understanding of the direction his administration was taking the country to. Mr Mureriwa said the country’s future was bright on the back of the current efforts to create a conducive atmosphere for local and foreign investment, infrastructural development and support to the manufacturing sector. He said value addition and beneficiation of local products would bring huge benefits that will easily uplift the livelihoods of the people.  He added that productivity and prosperity were collective responsibilities of every Zimbabwean regardless of political and other differences. 

University of Zimbabwe Department of Economics chairperson Professor Albert Makochekanwa said President Mnangagwa needed to ensure that all the policy measures being introduced by Government are implemented. The main independence celebrations were also attended by Vice-Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi who were accompanied by the wives, Cabinet ministers, service chiefs, legislators, leaders of other political parties and members of the diplomatic community.

State Media

THE death toll for pupils and teachers who died during Cyclone Idai last month has risen to 92 while 102 pupils are still missing.

The cyclone affected most parts of Manicaland and Masvingo provinces. In an interview yesterday, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Cde Edgar Moyo said among the dead and missing children were ECD pupils.
“Currently the number confirmed dead and buried is now at 92 and the number of missing has increased to 102.

Our colleagues who are on the ground in Chimanimani are telling me that the sad thing is that of those missing we have 30 ECD learners who are among the 102. The number of teachers has also risen to four including one headmaster,” said Moyo.

He said different organs of the Government which is led by the National Disaster Management Committee are working closely with the Mozambican Government to find the missing people.
The Government availed $4 million for the reconstruction of schools in the tropical Cyclone Idai affected areas.

Moyo said the Government was planning to open schools in the affected areas on Tuesday.State media

Farai Dziva|Zion Christian Church(ZCC) leader Nehemiah Mutendi stunned all and sundry when he urged congregants to honour Emmerson Mnangagwa as he was chosen by God to lead the nation.

Mutendi also implored the people of Zimbabwe to honour Mnangagwa and all the other people in position of authority.

Mutendi made the remarks at the ZCC Easter Conference in Bikita yesterday.

“We expect you to honour our President as the leader of the country. The Bible says, ‘we should honour our parents so that we can live longer on earth,” said Mutendi.

Farai Dziva|Police have arrested a 36 year old man in Southerton, Harare allegedly connected to a spate of rapes and robberies in Harare between November last year and this month.

The crimes were committed in Warren Park, Rugare, Dzivarasekwa and Kambuzuma, targeting women vendors who were lured to secluded places on the pretext that the robber wanted to buy their wares in bulk, according to state media reports.

After isolating his victims, he would then rape and rob them.

The suspect was arrested by alert police officers after they overheard him talking to a 27 year old woman at Tobacco Sales Floor, trying to lure her away pretending to be a buyer.
A statement released by police indicates that the officers became suspicious and arrested the accused.

He is expected to appear in court soon facing six counts of rape and robbery.

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
“In the event of a breakdown, they should try and push their vehicles off the road so they do not obstruct passing motorists.”

Some of the accidents which occurred during the two days include one at the 77 kilometre peg on the Harare-Nyamapanda road where an Isuzu truck developed a mechanical fault, stopped in the middle of the road and was rammed by a Toyota Dyna.

One the passengers from the vehicles got out, but was hit by a passing vehicle before dying on the spot.

On the 23 kilometer peg along the Harare-Mutare road, a Honda CRV veered off the road and hit a car parked by the side of the road, killing two people on the spot.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said a significant number of hit and run accidents were also recorded.State media

Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa says if he is to sit in another Parliamentary portfolio Committee he would choose the one that is led by an MDC MP  than a ZANU PF pne.

In a tweet on Friday Mliswa said, “If I have to sit in a Parly Committee, I’d prefer it to be chaired by MDC as opposed to ZANU PF as it’s a waste of time otherwise.”

Mliswa went on to praise MDC for the democratic process that is happening within the party during the ongoing preparations for the congress.

Red his full statement below:

Looking at the MDC Congress, I’m encouraged to see young people like Prosper Mutseyami the MDC Chief Whip and Dangamvura MP coming in as Manicaland Chairand Prince Sibanda Parly Chair for Info, Publicity and Media coming in as Mat North Chair and Hwende coming in as SG.

This is the generational consensus, as I’ve advocated for. However not being a youth doesn’t stop one from pushing the generational mandate and I’d expect elders to do so. Mnangagwa has a challenge in that the Cabinet isn’t that young but they must deliver what the generation expects.

Chamisa, I’m encouraged to see this leadership renewal ZANUPF l must pull up their socks ad retire the mdhara at HQ as they’re killing the Party and aren’t the answer to the new dispensation.

Talk of Mutasa wanting a position is neither here nor there, one thing I’m proud of my Sekuru is even after he left Government there wasn’t talk of him in shady deals. He was a loyalist to Mugabe and has had all the positions he needs in life. His value is in being in a Council of Elders.

Kudos to you Sekuru you’re back home in the Party with a clean slate, a servant of the People and a Minister free of controversy, well done Sekuru. Mugabe’s downfall was letting people like you go.

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun on Tuesday encouraged Zimbabwe and China to increase tourism cooperation to cement and solidify the existing excellent relations in culture and tourism, The Herald reported.

He was addressing delegates during the Sichuan Food Festival in Harare where he underlined that Zimbabwe shares a lot of geographical features with the Sichuan province of China.

“I encourage Sichuan province to discover and explore Zimbabwe both as a tourist and an investment destination,” said Shaochun.

“I also urge Zimbabwean friends to visit Sichuan and get a better understanding of the real China.

“Sichuan province is a landlocked place with beautiful landscape and rich natural resources, with 53 mineral resources. It has beautiful mountains and rivers and is home to lovely panda which constitute 80 percent of the world’s panda population.

“The people are brave, passionate and hardworking just like Zimbabweans.”

Shaochun also said Zimbabwe and China people-to-people and cultural exchanges have significantly increased.

He said this was evidenced by that more Chinese were coming to Victoria Falls, liked Zimbabwe’s stone sculpture and enjoyed Zimbabwean sadza.

On the other hand, he said, Zimbabwean people were getting interested in Chinese culture, food and language.

Meanwhile, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, who was the guest of honour at the event, said Sichuan dishes were one of the most famous regional cuisines in China that had gone beyond national to global appeal.

She said Zimbabwe and China had a long history and strong bond of friendship.

“Our President Mnangagwa was among the first and earliest cadres who trained at the Nanjing Military Academy and upon independence, the relationship blossomed,” she said.

“The Look East Policy saved Zimbabwe from economic strangulation.

“Zimbabwe is benefiting, especially in the energy sector.

“Kariba South and Hwange 7 and 8 power stations are testament, as Zimbabwe seeks self-sufficiency and even exports electricity.

“As we talk, Tsingshan Steel, the global leader in stainless steel accounting 25 percent production is on the verge of a multi-billion dollar investment in Mvuma.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said the country remained alive to the core diplomatic interests of the two nations and was recently a victim of devastating Cyclone Idai.

Both the Chinese government and its nationals resident in Zimbabwe generously helped with rescue and recovery operations in the most hit areas of Chimanimani and Chipinge.

By Own Correspondent- Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s undertakings with regards to Gukurahundi are calculated at dividing the people of Matebeleland.

The party was responding to allegations by the President’s spokesperson George Charamba that some groups invested in Gukurahundi.

MRP President Mqondisi Moyo said:

Mnangagwa is also dividing the people of Matabeleland as we are aware that Chief Maduna and Chief Ndiweni wrote to the UN and other stakeholders about the genocide, hence the engagement of the CSOs by Mnangagwa is trying to avoid issues raised by the chiefs who have the mandate of people and these atrocities took place in the jurisdictions of the chiefs.

They are better placed to address the genocide issue since they are apolitical.

Although Charamba did not mention the names of political parties he termed Gukurahundi activists, Moyo seems to have belived that Charamba was pointing at MRP. Moyo responded:

The utterances by Charamba are unfounded and baseless. We have always wanted an international independent commission to handle the genocide issue not the government because they are the direct perpetrators and anything that is done by the government on the genocide is just a smokescreen.

People like us will never use the genocide as a political campaign gimmick issue instead we want truth, and justice over this matter.-DailyNews

By Own Correspondent- Twenty-two-year-old Patience Kutama of Mkoba in Gweru went into labour at the magistrates court and delivered a bouncing baby girl while awaiting her sentence for stealing a cellphone from a reveller in a club.

Proceedings at the Kwekwe magistrates court halted as court personnel assumed midwifery roles assisting Kutama deliver her baby.

She was later rushed to Kwekwe General Hospital where the court followed up to deliver her sentence.

Kutama was jointly charged with Lisa Tongogara, also 22, and were each sentenced to a wholly suspended seven months jail term on condition they do not commit a similar offence in the next five years. Kutama, in her defence, told Kwekwe magistrate Miss Vimbai Mtukwa that she was dumped by her boyfriend and she wanted money to buy provisions for the baby.

“I am really sorry for what I did. I had run out of options as I needed money to fend for myself and the baby,” she told the court.

According to State papers, on 22 March 2019, the two accused were drinking beer at King Solomon’s Hotel when they met Calvin Zepi. At around 2 am, Zepi got drunk and fell asleep while holding his cellphone, a Samsung J7. The two accused then took the phone and hid it. Zeti made a police report the following morning. Kutama and Tongogara went to Gweru where they sold the phone for $80.

Detectives, however, managed to track the phone using a mobile tracker leading to the arrest of the two accused persons. The mobile phone was also recovered.

A lot of publications have run with this story already. Here is what Zimbabwe’s richest man, Strive Masiyiwa said:

Let me put the proverbial cat among the pigeons, a loaf of bread in South Africa costs R9.50. It costs R30 in Zimbabwe. 3x!!! Eighty percent of imported goods in Zimbabwe come from South Africa. It’s not uncommon to find those same goods costing anything above three times the cost.

The people who pay for a lot of goods are Zimbabweans living in South Africa, through their remittances. The cost structure – labour and goods – in Zimbabwe is distorted by the arbitrage of the United States dollar as a currency of settlement for rand imports.

This is not the same thing as joining a rand monetary area, or customs union, which is a much more complex process. This one can be done overnight, and even voluntarily.

Where the math is wrong

The very example that Masiyiwa gave betrays the error and it’s not his fault. The currency issues in Zimbabwe are just as confusing for residents. A loaf of bread in Zimbabwe is NOT costing R30.00.

Zimbabwe devalued currency by introducing the RTGS$ and floating it against all other currencies including the USD and the Rand. This official position was already late. Everyone knew already that since the introduction of the bond note, the money in our bank accounts was not at par with the USD which was the currency of record.

Even now, we all know the real value of the RTGS dollar is not determined by the interbank market because that market is inaccessible to any of us if we need to buy the USD or Rand. Of course banks will gladly buy USD from us at that rate but none of us will accept that unless you are a tobacco farmer who is being compelled to do so by the RBZ, the state and its guns.

So what is the Rand price of bread in Zimbabwe? First let’s use the official inaccessible interbank rate. Here are the interbank exchange rates on the last day of trading before the long weekend:

Using the above rates, bread in Zimbabwe is costing just above R15.

On the same day, 17 April, the parallel market rate between the USD and the RTGS$ was 4.85 and it was 2.87 between the Rand and the RTGS$. This puts the price of bread at just above R10. Quite close to the bread price that Masiyiwa quoted for South Africa.

Why this matters

Someone is obviously going to comment that I am knit picking or that I want to sound smart or that I hate Strive Masiyiwa. It’s crazy how we have lowered the standard of debate in this country. Anyway, the above matters because it defines the problem in Zimbabwe differently.

We will be in error if we interpret the problem under false assumptions because we will switch things around including currencies of record and still be stuck in the same place.

If you do price comparisons between Zimbabwe and South Africa using the reality of the currencies we are using here in Zimbabwe you will not find much of the arbitrage that Strive Masiyiwa mentioned. If we use his math it would mean Masiyiwa’s business Econet is also benefiting from arbitrage and the cost of telephony in Zimbabwe is much more expensive than in South Africa. This is simply not true.

The problem in Zimbabwe is that we were robbed of US dollars that we had been earning and saving since 2009 and they were swapped with RTGS$. The RTGS$ itself was devalued, first by real market forces and then later by official decree when the interbank market was introduced. However, our earnings were not adjusted to reflect this devaluation.

The price of bread in real terms has not gone up (in some instances it has actually gone down) but our capacity to afford it has been eroded. This reality will persist even if prices are quoted in Rand. We will still be charged for goods in a currency we are not earning whilst the currency we are earning is continuing to lose value.

Where adopting the Rand may make sense

Masiyiwa’s comment on how 80% of our imports are coming from South Africa is accurate. Adopting the Rand thus makes sense but not just businesses quoting prices in Rand as he suggests because that may make things worse. What would make sense is what Tendai Biti proposed: total adoption of the Rand.

Zimbabwe definitely needs a stable currency and the US dollar is not too good. South African businesses and others from other countries will continue flooding their wares here hunting for the USD. A strong and high demand currency is a curse when in the position Zimbabwe finds itself in right now.

However, the problem above may be achieved by other currency reforms that are not necessarily the adoption of the Rand. This is why diagnosing the problem is important before administering medicine; it broadens up the possible solutions.

The government is insincere in saying the price adjustments are not justifiable. They must admit that the problem is that Zimbabweans are daily losing their capacity to afford basic goods and services because of chaotic currency regimes. Admitting that as the real problem is the first step to solving it. Whether the solution is Rand adoption or not doesn’t matter as long as the solution is structurally sound based on the real problem.

Techzim

By Own Correspondent- The sight of one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s close security aides being drenched in the rain while holding a briefcase has torched a twitter storm.

Social media users are speculating on the importance as well as the contents of the briefcase, particularly given that the agent was facing the people.

Some have speculated that this is actually a Heckler and Kock (H&K) MP5K Briefcase Gun.

Check the pictures below:

Twenty-three families were left homeless after a hailstorm recently hit the Pote community in Hurungwe east.

Hurungwe east legislator Honourable Ngoni Masenda has since appealed for interventions in the form of temporary shelter as the families are in dire need of dwellings in which to sleep.

He said the main reason for the collapse of most of the buildings in Pote area village 22 was poor workmanship as mud was used as mortar during construction.

This comes barely a month after Cyclone Idai induced storms killed hundreds of people in Manicaland and left a trail of destruction.

A man literally took his fight over a ‘small house’ to his rival’s doorstep, going as far as writing threats on his rival’s walls and gate.

The threats, most of which are written in Shona, indicate that a rival suitor who drives a silver Mercedes-Benz seems to have irked the man who went to smear the walls to his home and gate with spray paint.

He warns his rival to stop sleeping around with his ‘small house’ or else he would be forced to resort to unspecified action.

Part of his threats read: “Warning mudhara webenz yesilver kuita basa rekukwira small house yangu.

“Svikako tinopedzerana. Imbwa yemunhu. Chihure itira kure, kwete pangu.”

See more:

The images of the smeared walls have been shared on social media.

More details to follow…

DIVISIONS are widening in MDC Masvingo province after the party disqualified Tongai Matutu from contesting against James Gumbi for the post of provincial chairperson.

Matutu was disqualified because he has not been in the party for five years since he defected to former MDC secretary-general-led Tendai Biti’s People Democratic Party (PDP) before returning to the opposition party two years ago.

Matutu told the Daily News his disqualification was not justified.

“Overview, the decision is unfair, bias and vindictive. The decision was made in the eleventh hour.

“Before I was disqualified I made all the consultations even with the highest office. I was made to believe that I was the right candidate to contest.

“I then prepared for the contest. I think I was not the preferred person that’s why I was disqualified at 3am. The process started at 10am but only to be disqualified at 3am.

“I know what happened. So many shenanigans were taking place. There were so many meetings before the congress.

“If it was the issue of template they should have told me before. I was not disqualified by the party but by individuals and for me it’s business as usual. I will remain in the party.”

Matutu added that the party will continue to be weaker in the province.

“Gumbi didn’t win fairly, why did he disqualify a popular candidate? He fraudulently manipulated the nomination. The unpopular candidate won the process and as a province we are weaker more than what we were.

“We are going to see more crises until the leadership resolve this issue holistically. It’s not about individuals but about the party.”

Commenting on the issue yesterday, MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume said the party just followed its laws.

“Matutu was not disqualified; there is a template and according to the template he should have applied for a waiver for that five years period, he opted not to apply,” Mafume saidAfter the announcement of Matutu’s disqualification there was chaos as some supporters tried to protest the decision.

This comes as there are complaints from MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora that the playing ground remains uneven.

Mwonzora, along with MDC vice president Elias Mudzuri had initially thrown his hat into the ring declaring his ambition to take over from MDC leader Nelson Chamisa as president of the country’s biggest opposition party.

The former Nyanga North MP, however, made a dramatic U-turn last weekend announcing during the Manicaland provincial congress in Mutare that he will instead back Chamisa who already has been nominated by the majority of the party’s 13 provinces.

Mwonzora who has not received a single nomination for the position of president is now battling for his political life after his Manicaland home province did not nominate him for any position.

While Chamisa was always seen as the favourite to emerge winner, Mwonzora was banking on history – having defeated the popular MDC leader for the position of secretary-general at the 2014 congress.

Then, Chamisa was considered as a rank outsider in those elections.

Daily News

Own Correspondent|Just a couple of days after Vice President Kembo Mohadi was awarded a second protection order against his ex wife Tambudzani Mohadi, he has been spotted enjoying a “refreshing” time out with his family and new wife Juliet Mutavhatsindi in Cape Town.

Mohadi was granted divorce with his wife of years by the High Court last month after over two years of legal wrangle.

At the divorce hearing, Tambudzani told the court that the couple had last enjoyed intimacy in 1999 and their marriage was no longer in existence.

Couple of weeks ago, Mohadi went wild at his ex matrimonial home in Beitbridge nearly killing his ex wife with an axe and was restrained by his security details.

On Wednesday Mohadi was back in court seeking another protection order against Tambudzani who he claimed was harassing him and his new wife Juliet.

The holiday in Cape Town could just be a deserved time out for Mohadi and his young wife.

Zimbabweans though will ask, at whose expense is the Vice President enjoying his time out?

An ambulance driver in Lilongwe, Malawi faces dismissal after he cruised past a presidential convoy as he had two critically ill patients – one was on oxygen – on board. He was taking the patients, a child who was on oxygen and a critically anaemic woman to Kamuzu Central Hospital.

The police followed the driver up to the hospital where they wanted to arrest him and impound the ambulance, but after discussions with hospital management, they just summoned the driver to police headquarters.

It is not known whether the police will arrest him or just caution him.

He has since been suspended from work.

District Commissioner for Lilongwe Lawford Palani defended the police action, saying the behaviour by the ambulance driver compromised the security of President Peter Mutharika. “What the driver did was indiscipline. He has to respect the head of state,” said Palani.

However, Malawians on social media are all up in arms against the police, saying the ambulance driver did nothing wrong as he wanted to save lives of two people.

“This is unfair. The president was going to Kasungu for political campaign, but the ambulance was going to hospital with critically ill patients. This is selfishness,” reads one comment.

[Opposition] United Transformation Movement presidential hopeful Saulos Chilima, who is also state vice-president, has time and again said when voted into power he would order that roads should not be closed just because the president wants to pass.

-NYASA TIMES

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

VIEW PICTURES BELOW….

The MDC Alliance’s alternative MP for Chiredzi West constituency, Hon John Manganye, has donated an ambulance, 30 wheelchairs, three 5 000-litre water tanks, blood pressure testing machines, beds and various other items to Chiredzi Town Council-run polyclinic.

Hon Manganye is also helping with the refurbishment of the structures, including repainting of the polyclinic.

The donation, worth several thousands of dollars, was handed over to the local authority.

Chiredzi Town Council is planning to decongest Chiredzi General Hospital.

MDC 5th Congress: Defining a New Course for Zimbabwe!

By Own Correspondent| Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa says he is taking good care of his ailing predecessor, Robert Mugabe, who is currently in Singapore for treatment.

Mnangagwa said this in an interview with the national broadcaster:

“He has not been feeling well. At the age of 95, I think he is reasonably in good health. Currently he is not in the country.

He left on April 2 to Singapore, he will be away for about 29 days and he will come back.

I am making sure that I do the facilitation for him to receive treatment, take him to Singapore and to bring him back, all the facilities, I make sure that it is done.”

Mnangagwa ascended to power in November 2017 in what analysts described as a “soft” military coup.

Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has surprisingly thrown Zanu PF under the bus saying he prefers to sit in parliamentary portfolio committees chaired by MDC Alliance members as opposed to Zanu PF.

Posting on Twitter, Mliswa said sitting in committees chaired by Zanu PF members of parliament is a waste of time, though he did not shed light on the reasons behind his preference.

” If I have to sit in a Parly Committee, I’d prefer it to be chaired by @MDCAllianceZW as opposed to @ZANUPF_Official as its a waste of time otherwise,” said Mliswa.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday blasted the State over clumsy work in its appeal challenging the acquittal of businessman Wicknell Chivayo of the $5,6 million fraud charge involving the Zimbabwe Power Company’s Gwanda Solar Project.

The State was seeking leave to appeal against the decision of the High Court absolving the businessman and his company Intratrek Zimbabwe of any criminal liability in the Gwanda solar project.

Justice Bharat Patel expressed his disquiet over the manner the State’s heads of argument were crafted, describing them as “the most appalling heads of arguments I have ever seen.”

Lead prosecution counsel Ms Sheron Fero from the Prosecutor-General’s Office had asked for a postponement to file fresh heads of argument.

She dissociated herself from the heads of argument, which she also described as “kindergarten stuff”.

“I request your indulgence to file different heads of argument to correct the anomalies that are there,” she said. “There are typographical errors, which are akin to kindergarten stuff.”

The State also conceded that the points raised by Chivayo’s lawyers on the validity of the State’s application were valid and that the PG’s office would need time to consider the appeal.

Said Mr Fero: “I also looked at the substance of those heads and noted that they do not articulate the issues for purposes of this application. The defence has raised valid points in respect of the validity of the application itself, which I believe in the interest of justice, we need to craft proper heads.”

When Justice Patel sought an explanation as to who had crafted the heads of argument, both Ms Fero and Mr Zivanai Macharaga, also from the Prosecutor-General’s Office, distanced themselves.

Justice Patel agreed to have the matter postponed after Ms Fero told him that she wanted time consider the matter carefully. Justice Patel said if the State intended to proceed with the matter, they will have to file a fresh set of heads of argument by April 29 and the matter will be heard on May 8.

The defence had up to May 4 to file their papers.

Chivayo was cleared of the fraud charges, while the other two counts of breaching Exchange Control regulations suffered a stillbirth, shortly before the trial commenced.

In acquitting, Chivayo last month, Justice Owen Tagu ruled that the matter was a civil and not a criminal suit.

-State Media

By Own Correspondent| Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company Security Manager for Chiadzwa Mine, Benjamin Chinyanga resigned ahead of his disciplinary hearing, a local publication reported.

The hearing followed security breaches at the mine in December 2018 and January 2019.

Said Sugar Chagonda the company’s spokesperson:

“The state diamond miner will leave no stone unturned when it comes to curbing all forms of leakages and pilferage of the precious stones in line with our zero tolerance to corruption policy and our quest to become a world class diamond producer.”-263Chat

By Own Correspondent- Zanu Pf youth league leader Pupurai Togarepi has said the country’s solutions lie from within the country calling on all citizens to dialogue.

The 55 year old youth leader said everything that is needed for the country’s prosperity is found locally hence the need for everyone to abandon self hate and unite.

Said Togarepi:

“All we need is found here in Zimbabwe, unity, peace, love, resources and development. Unfortunately we mislead ourselves seeking outside influences. Its never too late to seek unity for the good of our people. If you are genuine then abandon self hate and lets dialogue”.

Correspondent|Movement for Democratic Change leader Nelson Chamisa, who initially said he wanted dialogue but this should not be convened by his main rival Emmerson Mnangagwa of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front but by someone from outside Zimbabwe, seems to be softening his position.

Chamisa, whose party is holding its congress next month and seems to be assured of retaining his post, yesterday tweeted: “Where we are going now requires us to think and act together as Zimbabweans. Our dire situation is no longer about MDC or ZanuPF but about Zimbabwe. We have a nation to build and a generation to defend. We have the power!”

The MDC leader lost to Mnangagwa is last year’s elections but has refused to recognise the ZANU-PF leader insisting that he won the elections though he lost the case at the country’s highest court.

Chamisa was backed by one of the former G40 kingpins, Patrick Zhuwao, former President Robert Mugabe’s nephew who responded to his tweet: “Spoken like a true leader. Well done.”

In response to Joseph Budzi who said: “‏Dialogue Dialogue Dialogue is the only way to go.. Let’s find each other,” Chamisa, who set five conditions for his party to negotiate with Mnangagwa, tweeted: “I said it and will say it again…Resolution of our negative politics and the debilitating governance crisis upon genuine dialogue is the only genuine door out this economic morass, social quagmire and squalid living conditions we so sweat under.”

On Wednesday Chamisa tweeted: “Our politics must be more about Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans. It’s about Zimbabwe and It’s people.”

This seems to be a softening of his die-hard stance that talks must be convened by someone from outside Zimbabwe.

Some observers say recent moves by the International Monetary Fund to work with Mnangagwa’s administration could have jolted Chamisa and his party which accused the IMF of working to perpetuate tyranny.

Others said Chamisa is now desperate to join the conversation in the hope of creating a government of national unity so that he can be accommodated as at the moment it is only him and Welshman Ncube who are outside the legislature. All the other senior leaders of his party are either Senators or Members of Parliament.

ZANU-PF supporters say Chamisa is slowly recognising that he will be left by the train, as Mnangagwa once said, as Mnangagwa’s administration is quietly reviving the country though this is grossly overshadowed by currency woes, skyrocketing prices and the shortage of fuel.

Mnangagwa said his administration would create 780 000 jobs in the next two years as it had approved 59 projects which are at various stages of implementation.

Mnangagwa had announced several mega-deals which have not yet materialized since he came to power.

However, if he manages to create these jobs in two years he will literally have swept the rug from under the MDC’s feet.

Instead of heaping the blame for the present crisis on ZANU-PF, Chamisa said Zimbabweans were to blame for their present predicament.

“We really have none but ourselves as the only viable and credible answer to all our questions,” he tweeted.

When asked by Chibabest Mavisto: “‏Exactly what are u suggesting? Tell us your plan mere talk wont cook ‘rice’. Actions speak louder than words”, Chamisa responded: “Come let us reason together! No problem is ever too big enough or insurmountable when our hands and minds are put together for the common good.”

When told by Jerry M that “Greedy politicians from Zanu &MDC are responsible!” for the crisis in the country, Chamisa responded: “When something is part of the problem it is not the entire problem. Yes, dishonesty, corruption and greedy leadership across the political divide account for the sad and ugly circumstances we find ourselves in.”

ZCDC Security Boss Resigns A Day before Disciplinary Hearing.

Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) Security Manager for Chiadzwa Mine, Benjamin Chinyanga has resigned just a day before the commencement of his disciplinary hearing.

The resignation follows a spate of security breaches at the mine.

Chinyanga who is understood to have been on suspension since the 20th of March this year, is said to have tendered his letter on 16 April 2019.

Contacted for a comment,ZCDC Spokesperson Sugar Chagonda could neither deny nor confirm the resignation of Chinyanga saying the company is set to curb all diamond leakages in line with their zero tolerance to corruption.

“The state diamond miner will leave no stone unturned when it comes to curbing all forms of leakages and pilferage of the precious stones in line with our zero tolerance to corruption policy and our quest to become a world class diamond producer.”

The state-owned company in January fired 80 of its employees, many of them suspected of involvement in diamond ore looting at Chiadzwa.

A breach of security occurred in December 2018 followed by another one in January 2019 with the latest having been recorded in March resulting in the arrest and prosecution of four people who are before the courts.

-263Chat