Government has turned down the resignation of senior director in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development Ms Angeline Karonga, who is facing charges of corruption involving a tender awarded to her company by the Zimbabwe National Road Administration.

Ms Karonga, who is the Ministry’s legal director, tendered her resignation a few days after she was arrested and arraigned before the courts on corruption charges.

Questions were raised over the timing of her resignation since her case was still before the courts. Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joe Biggie Matiza confirmed the development to the Herald.

“Yes, her resignation was turned down until her case which is before the courts is finalised,” he said.

“Her resignation letter states that she has served long enough and wants to resign, but it was felt that she should wait for the finalisation of her case.”

Ms Karonga, who is on bail, is being charged together with Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe general manager David Chawota.

The pair formed a company called Akodac Consultancy Services in 2009, which was then awarded a tender by Zinara, a parastatal in the same ministry where Karonga is a director.

Akodac Consultancy was contracted to supply bitumen to Zinara and was paid US$1 234 004,72.

The wife of killed Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) boss Peter Munetsi, who died in military detention during the November 2017 coup which ousted former president Robert Mugabe, Rossie, is demanding her late husband’s post-mortem report and US$600 000.

Rossie has filed an application at the High Court seeking an order to compel the government, police and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals to release her late husband’s post-mortem report.

Munetsi’s death has reportedly been under investigation by the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Criminal Investigations Department. However, the police have not been forthcoming with the post-mortem results, forcing the family to engage lawyers.

The matter could open a can of worms by providing fresh insight into the circumstances leading to a number of deaths during the dramatic coup, which the government claims was “bloodless”.

Munetsi died on November 15, 2017 at the age of 55 and a memorial was held for him in Harare on January 27, 2018.

“We act on behalf of the estate of the late Peter Munetsi, please kindly note our interest herein. The now deceased Peter Munetsi was a member of the ununiformed forces employed as such by the Central Intelligence Organisation as a District Divisional Intelligence Officer.

“Peter Munetsi died in military detention on November 15, 2017. His death is the subject of your investigations,” a letter from lawyer Denford Halimani of Wintertons Legal Practitioners reads.

The correspondence was addressed to the officer in charge of the CID’s Law and Order section at Harare Central Police Station.

Halimani said the post-mortem is needed “so as to ascertain the cause of death and to forward the report to his insurers who require it as a precondition to redeem his insurance policy. The post-mortem is also required to consider seeking compensation for wrongful death and loss of support”.

“It is therefore extremely necessary for the post-mortem report to be promptly availed to us.”

He said the state-run Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, which conducted the post-mortem, referred the family to the CID Homicide department for the results.

“We are aware that the post-mortem is available. In this regard the post-mortem was signed off by the pathologist Dr (Tsungai Victor) Jabangwe. However, the post-mortem was not availed to us by the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals which indicated that it would be availed through the investigating officer and/ or the Officer in Charge at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals Police post,” said Halimani.

“We managed to have sight of the contents of the post-mortem report and are aware of its contents. We approached the Police Post at Parirenyatwa who referred us to CID Homicide at Harare Central Police Station, which is the reason for us writing this letter to you.”

Police spokesman Paul Nyathi said he was not aware of the matter. “I am not aware of the letter and I am not privy to any information which you are asking,” Nyathi said.

Reliable sources in the security sector maintain that some people, among them Munetsi, were killed during the coup.

The army operation left a trail of destruction at properties owned by government officials perceived to be loyal to Mugabe. The walls and doors were plastered with bullet holes and there was blood on the floor at some of the properties. Bullet casings and fragments were also found scattered around the properties.

There were blood stains around former finance minister Ignatius Chombo’s home, while casings and bullet fragments were found at the homes of former ministers Jonathan Moyo (higher education) and Saviour Kasukuwere (local government).

Former Zanu-PF youth leaders Kudzanai Chipanga and Innocent Hamandishe were detained and tortured by the military during the coup. Munetsi, a career spy, was captured by soldiers during the dramatic events.

However, late last year, Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri told parliament that no one was killed during the coup.

“As you are aware that Operation Restore Legacy spanned over the period 17th November, 2017 to 18th January, 2018, if the honourable member was referring to people who died of the various ailments, then that is best answered by the Registrar-General’s Office that deals with registration of births and deaths . . . However, if the honourable member is referring to victims of casualties of Operation Restore Legacy which I believe he was, Mr Speaker Sir, the answer is none. As far as we are concerned, no one was killed during this operation,” she said in October last year.

Her statement contradicted Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, who had earlier on that year, in April, admitted that a CIO officer died.

“We had one officer from the Central Intelligence Organisation who was arrested alongside a few others for standing in the way of an operation.

“That particular officer apparently was diabetic and because of the shock of that arrest, we lost him. It was a very sad incident that happened,” Charamba said.

Source – Financial Gazette

Farai Dziva|A tribal war has erupted in Chiredzi District as Shangani people in the area battle with Shona speaking teachers ” for territorial supremacy.”

Angry Shangani people have vowed to fight for the removal of Shona speaking teachers from Chiredzi District.

Last week Chief Tshovani declared that he would fight tooth and nail to remove Shona speaking teachers from his area.

“This is unfair, we have our ethos and values yet the government continues to deploy Shona speaking teachers to Chiredzi District.

We are in the process of negotiating with the responsible government officials because we no longer want Shona speaking teachers here,” said Chief Tshovani.

“The deployment of Shona speaking teachers is affecting our cultural values and beliefs.The teachers who are coming here cannot utter even a single Shangani word,” added Chief Tshovani.

Farai Dziva|South African opposition leader Julius Malema’ s moral compass is twisted, a government spokesperson has said.

Malema on Wednesday told South African media that Mnangagwa “is a sell-out.”

Speaking to Newsday over Malema’s jibes, Information ministry secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana claimed that the government was morally bound to compensate the white farmers for the infrastructure they built on the land.

“Mr Malema’s comments are ill-informed and they betray a failure to grasp Zimbabwe’s policy regarding land reform.
But that’s quite understandable because when one plunges into the domestic affairs of a neighbour based on tittle-tattle on social media, their chances of getting it very wrong are amplified as is the case here.

Zimbabwe’s policy is a very fair one. Our policy is not to compensate for land, but for farm improvements. The money set aside by the government in the budget is to pay for that.

Now if anyone believes that it’s right not to compensate for a house, an irrigation system, barn, borehole or school, then their moral compass is skewed and we have to question their sense of right and wrong,” said Mangwana.

GOVERNMENT is working on mechanisms for the National Competitiveness Commission (NCC) to work with industry on a framework for pricing of goods, standards and service delivery. This was said by Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi in his key-note address during the 4th retailers and wholesalers’ Indaba 2019 in Harare yesterday, organised by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR).

Deputy Minister Modi’s remarks come at a time prices of goods and services have risen by between 25 percent and 75 percent in recent months, eating into the pockets of consumers.

But the NCC, which was set up in 2017 to examine cost drivers to improve business competitiveness using the value chain approach, has largely been invisible in all this pricing madness. Deputy Minister Modi said the NCC was understaffed while its chairperson Mr Kumbirai Katsande, was reportedly running the show on his own, a move that curtails his chances of attending to all pertinent issues affecting the market.
Deputy Minister Modi said the NCC was currently doing “the best they can under the current circumstances”, as the organisation still does not have a CEO and other critical staff.

However, Government says the NCC has been playing a critical role in addressing issues around bread prices. Deputy Minister Modi wants the NCC to be resourced so that it carries out its mandate, in conjunction with industry.

“I hope that industry players in all sectors of the economy will work closely with the commission,” said Deputy Minister Modi.
“My ministry is also looking at how the NCC can, together with suppliers, wholesalers and retailers, engage to come up with best practices on pertinent issues of pricing, standards and service delivery.
“There is need to agree on how our products can be priced using reasonable mark-ups especially between wholesalers and retailers as your role is critical to consumers.”State media

By Own Correspondent- Penhalonga villagers are up in arms with Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Ellen Gwaradzimba whom they allege of using her political muscle to try to evict them from the land where they have been living for decades.

The 350 families live at Zengeni farm in Mutasa district which is reportedly being coveted by the Minister.

Gwaradzimba reportedly intends to extend her farm boundary to incorporate the land occupied by the 350 families.

In a letter written to Mutasa South legislator Regai Tsunga pleading for his intervention, the villages said:

“We as affected families of Zengeni village (350 families) humbly request your urgent assistance concerning our plight as mentioned above.

Our main concern is our chieftainship of which we have always applied to our district administrator, Ministry of Lands and to the provincial administrator to no avail.

Recently we were issued with eviction papers without the due process of a court . . . As the Member of Parliament for this constituency, your help will be of great importance.

… This is not a laughing or political matter. We are aware that there are some few individuals who did not come today because they are saying that it’s a political matter.

Minister Gwaradzimba wants to extend her farm. There is one man called Mahachi who is also eyeing to grab the land. We have been told that we are likely to be evicted to Nyamukwakwa village near Honde Valley and the Mozambican border.”

Meanwhile, Tsunga met Gwarazimba where he made supplication on behalf of the villagers. He expressed hope that the Minister would be considerate towards the Zengeni villagers.

Newsday has a copy of the letter from the Ministry of Lands dated March 12, 2019, directed to headman Zengeni.

The letter gave the villagers seven days to vacate Zengeni Farm claiming they were violating the Gazetted Land Act.

Farai Dziva|Expecting Mnangagwa to resolve the Gukurahundi issue is like hoping that a mosquito will treat malaria victims, a ZAPU official has said.

Mnangagwa played a pronounced role in the Gukurahundi atrocities, according to ZAPU.

ZAPU spokesperson Iphuthile Maphosa attacked Mnangagwa for toying around with the sensitive matter.

“Mnangagwa can never be sincere on Gukurahundi because it is on him. How does a mosquito invent a cure for malaria and compensate those it already killed?

That’s why this whole discussion rushes to healing while glossing over acknowledgement, responsibility taking, justice and reparations. It’s all a huge joke and Mnangagwa is simply continuing with his deception as he buys time in as far as facing justice for Gukurahundi is concerned,” Maphosa said .

By Own Correspondent-Widow of the late Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) senior official, Peter Munetsi who died while in military detention during the November 2017 ‘Operation Restore Legacy’, is demanding her late husband’s post-mortem report in addition to US$600 000.

In an application which she filed at the High Court on Wednesday, Rossie cited Commissioner-General of Police Godwin Matanga, Home Affairs and Culture minister Cain Mathema, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and pathologist Tsungai Jabangwe as the first, second, third and fourth respondents respectively.

She is being represented by Denford Halimani of Wintertons Legal Practitioners.

Part of her application reads:

“On 1 October 2018, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) wrote another letter to the third respondent (Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals) advising them of our intention to meet the Officer-in-Charge of the Parirenyatwa Police Post in relation to the post-mortem report.

The meeting took place as scheduled and my legal practitioners managed to go through the post-mortem report.

The post-mortem revealed that my husband’s death was caused by intramuscular bleeding and blunt force trauma as a result of an assault.

Regrettably, the investigating officer was not able to attend the meeting and hence the report was not actually collected from the police post.

I require the post-mortem report so as to ascertain the official cause of my husband’s death and to forward the report to insurers who require it as a pre-condition to redeem my late husband’s EcoSure funeral insurance policy.

I also require it as evidence in the civil claim that I intend to institute against the wrong-doers. Thus I require the post-mortem report for the exercise or protection of a right as contemplated in Section 62(2) of the constitution.”

Rossie said that the Defence Ministry denied culpability in the death of the then 55-year-old officer, claiming that he died from chronic illness.

She further stated:

“Due to the circumstances surrounding my husband’s death, his employers have made it clear that will only act upon receipt of his post-mortem report as they said that the matter was ‘sensitive’.”

Munetsi died on November 15, 2017, while being detained by soldiers at the height of the coup that forced the then President Robert Mugabe to step down.-ZimbabweIndependent

By Own Correspondent- A white war veteran who fought for the country’s independence under ZAPU’s military wing, Zimbabwe Peoples’ Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) has sternly warned that Zimbabwe is headed for choppy waters if people continue to play the blame game.

Jeremy Brickhill said habitually shooting demonstrators is a sure road to civil strife.

Addressing a public lecture of the late ZIPRA commander Lookout Masuku, last week at Small City Hall in Bulawayo, Brickhill bemoaned Zimbabwe’s ‘independence’ which is not real independence.

He said:

We can say that we have independence, but what kind of independence is this? We go about begging, we sell resources belonging to our children and grandchildren to buy houses for our girlfriends.

The skin colour has changed, but what has changed for people? No food, no fuel; this is not the Zimbabwe we fought for. There must be fair access to resources.

During the liberation struggle, we had our own differences, but we managed them. What are we doing today? Fighting each other; shooting at demonstrators. This road is a road to conflict. A hungry man is an angry man and a hungry woman is a dangerous sister.

Brickhill hailed the late Masuku as a strategist and visionary. He said:

His three main wishes before his death were that he thought of his family, the bigger family of Zipra forces and the issue of the liberation war.

It was his concern that the fighters and their families be rewarded, the fallen heroes are remembered and their graves be identified and upgraded, shrines be established so that those remaining should know the history and the youth will know about the liberation struggle of Zimbabwe.-Newsday

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa will never be sincere about Gukurahundi, opposition party ZAPU has said.

ZAPU spokesperson Iphuthile Maphosa attacked Mnangagwa for toying around with the sensitive matter.

“Mnangagwa can never be sincere on Gukurahundi because it is on him. How does a mosquito invent a cure for malaria and compensate those it already killed?

That’s why this whole discussion rushes to healing while glossing over acknowledgement, responsibility taking, justice and reparations. It’s all a huge joke and Mnangagwa is simply continuing with his deception as he buys time in as far as facing justice for Gukurahundi is concerned,” Maphosa said .

By Own Correspondent- Parliament’s Standing Rules and Order Committee last week aborted their visit to parts of Chiredzi North due to extremely bad roads that were further damaged by Cyclone Idai.

Led by Senator Tsitsi Muzenda and accompanied by Chiredzi North MP Roy Bhila, the committee had to abandon part of much of its itinerary because of the poor roads which were damaged by Tropical Cyclone Idai.

Other legislators who were part of the committee were Morgan Komichi, Roy Bhila, Tabitha Khumalo, Farai Musikavanhu and Aliginia Samson.

The cyclone affected mostly Ward 24, Jairezi, where 253 houses were destroyed, according to the Civil Protection Unit (CPU). 

The committee, however, only assessed the damage at one roadside home as attempts to drive their minibus deeper into communities failed.

The team had to disembark twice and push their vehicle through the mud and gullies of the shattered road. 

A truck carrying relief supplies also got bogged in the mud and had to be towed out by an army vehicle.

Muzenda later told a local publication that during their pre-journey briefing, they had received wrong information that they were going to be able to travel into villages.

“We were on a mission to visit affected families and their destroyed homesteads but we failed as roads were impassable. We are however happy that we found an advance relief team distributing donated goods.

“We only managed to visit one homestead by the roadside but we will rely on the District Administrators (DA)’s data that 253 houses were destroyed. We had been informed that we could make it into communities by road but only to find that it was impossible,” said Muzenda.-TellZim

By Own Correspondent- National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) artisans have threatened industrial action over unpaid salaries and bonuses.

Their representative Railways Artisans Union (RAU) claims that the artisans are demanding their salaries which are 16 months due.

The NRZ management however dismisses those claims.

Eddie Africa, RAU president recalled that the NRZ management had promised to pay workers their outstanding salaries by 31 March.

He also said that workers are owed bonuses that date as far back as 2016.

Speaking on the way forward, Africa said:

“…Our long suffering members have reached a point of incapacitation and are now finding it very difficult to move the nation on empty stomachs and tired feet…

They are going to demonstrate, petition and take all other necessary measures as guided by the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Labour Act until the employer and the shareholder handle and address the above mentioned grievances with the gravity they merit.”

However, NRZ spokesperson Nyasha Maravanyika said Rau was not being truthful.

He said:

“That’s not what it is. As far as I am concerned, they are getting their money.

If they have not been paid for this month (March), they should not use the old cases — those are separate issues. If it is a new issue, they should come up with a petition then we take it from there.”

Farai Dziva|South African opposition leader Julius Malema’ s moral compass is twisted, a government spokesperson has said.

Malema on Wednesday told South African media that Mnangagwa “is a sell-out.”

Speaking to Newsday over Malema’s jibes, Information ministry secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana claimed that the government was morally bound to compensate the white farmers for the infrastructure they built on the land.

“Mr Malema’s comments are ill-informed and they betray a failure to grasp Zimbabwe’s policy regarding land reform.
But that’s quite understandable because when one plunges into the domestic affairs of a neighbour based on tittle-tattle on social media, their chances of getting it very wrong are amplified as is the case here.

Zimbabwe’s policy is a very fair one. Our policy is not to compensate for land, but for farm improvements. The money set aside by the government in the budget is to pay for that.

Now if anyone believes that it’s right not to compensate for a house, an irrigation system, barn, borehole or school, then their moral compass is skewed and we have to question their sense of right and wrong,” said Mangwana.

By Own Correspondent- Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga said that the Zimbabwe Republic Police will mount roadblocks on all the country’s major roads during the Independence and Easter Holidays in order to reduce traffic accidents on the roads.

Speaking to police officers at the Briefing and Debriefing of the Darfur contingent, Matanga revealed that the ZRP, VID and TSCZ shall be visible on the roads.

He said:

I wish to say in a few days’ time we shall be celebrating our nation’s independence as well as Easter.

To this end, the Zimbabwe Republic Police together with other stakeholders such as the Vehicle Inspection Department and Zimbabwe Traffic Safety Council shall be highly visible on all major roads enforcing traffic rules and regulations.

It is important that I take this opportunity on behalf of the Zimbabwe Republic Police to urge the nation especially all motorists and pedestrians to exercise extreme caution on the roads.

Let us all join hands in putting an end to carnage on our roads.

… Always remember not to drink and drive. We are also saying no to speeding.

This comes after a bus collided head-on with a minibus on Wednesday night near Gweru, killing 10 people on the spot. Eyewitnesses claimed that the driver of the bus was overspeeding.-Mail and Telegraph

By Own Correspondent- The death toll from the Gweru accident has risen to 11.

The accident occurred on Wednesday night about 25 kilometres from Gweru when a bus collided head-on with a minibus.

Witnesses attributed the accident to speeding by both the commuter omnibus and the bus.

The head on collision claimed 10 people on the spot while the eleventh person died at Gweru Provincial Hospital on Thursday.

Officer Commanding Gweru Traffic Chief Inspector David Kureyi confirmed the death and said six more people were still admitted at the hospital.

The government has offered RTGS$1 000 to each of the bereaved families to assist with funeral arrangements.

Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Larry Mavima said he appreciated the government’s financial assistance for the bereaved families.

Said Mavima:

“….We implore drivers to value life and exercise caution on the roads. We mourn the deceased together with bereaved families.”

Jane Mlambo| With the MDC now done with five provinces out of 13, it appears the incumbent leader Nelson Chamisa is proving too strong for his lieutenants Douglas Mwonzora and Elias Mudzuri who made a lot of noise about running for the party Presidency.

Yesterday, Chamisa bagged his fifth nomination with Mwonzora only getting a single nomination for the position of Secretary General while Mudzuri is still to appear on any party list.

A surprise candidate for the Secretary General Charlton Hwende has also secured four provinces with Mwonzora winning the fifth.

From The look of things, Hwende is proving equally strong and is likely to bag snatch the position from Mwonzora who is hoping to secure at least a single nomination to guarantee his candidature to face off Chamisa come 24 May.

President- Nelson Chamisa

Vice Presidents – Morgan Komichi, Tendai Biti, Paurina Mpariwa

Chairperson- Thabitha Khumalo

Vice Chairperson- Happymore Chidziva

Secretary General- Charlton Hwende

Organising Secretary- Amos Chibaya

Deputy Organising Secretary- Morgan Ncube

Treasurer General- Douglas Coltart

Spokesperson- Jacob Mafume

Deputy Spokesperson- Luke Tamborinyoka

Harare Civil Court magistrate Mr Trevor Nyatsanza has ordered 2018 Presidential aspirant Brian Taurai Mteki to pay Innscor Bread Company Zimbabwe Pvt (Limited) $549,50 for bread supplied to his supermarket at Athlone Shopping Centre in Harare.

Innscor Bread Company Zimbabwe Pvt (Limited) took the dreadlocked politician to the Small Claims Court claiming $549,50 which he failed to pay. Mteki had made a counter claim against Innscor Bread Company, accusing them of forgery and fraud.

He was also claiming $10 000 of which $3 000 is for humiliation, $3 500 for psychological trauma, and $3500 for defamation which was dismissed.

“Defendant’s counter claim is dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. Plaintiff’s claim is granted in the sum of $549,50 plus interest at 5 percent from date of summons to date of full payment plus costs of suit,” said Mr Nyatsanza. The plaintiff told the court that on diverse occasions in 2018 Innscor Bread Company would supply bread to Bryn Brands Supermarket and thereafter issue an invoice for payment. “As at February 7, 2019 the defendant was indebted to the plaintiff in the sum of $$549,50.

-State Media

WHITE former Zimbabwe Peoples’ Revolutionary Army (Zipra) freedom fighter, Jeremy Brickhill has warned that Zimbabwe is heading for conflict and urged citizens to find each other and stop the blame game.

Addressing a public lecture for the late Zipra commander Lookout Masuku, last week at Small City Hall in Bulawayo, Brickhill also described Finance minister Mthuli Ncube’s economic policies as a reincarnation of the infamous Economic Structural Adjustment Programme.

The memorial lecture was held under the theme Commemorating the sacrifice of the unsung heroes: Truth: Our tool and our pride by Zipra freedom fighters in partnership with Ibhetshu lika Zulu.

Masuku died in 1986.

Brickhill served in the military wing of the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo’s Patriotic Front -Zimbabwe African People’s Union (Zapu) and has experience in conflict and post-conflict processes in Africa and the United Nations.

Brickhill said he was a political adviser in the Zipra commanders’ legal defence team, adding that this gave him the opportunity to spend more time with the late Masuku while he was in prison, and even in hospital to discuss political issues.

“We can say that we have independence, but what kind of independence is this? We go about begging, we sell resources belonging to our children and grandchildren to buy houses for our girlfriends. The skin colour has changed, but what has changed for people? No food, no fuel; this is not the Zimbabwe we fought for. There must be fair access to resources,” he said.

“During the liberation struggle, we had our own differences, but we managed them. What are we doing today? Fighting each other; shooting at demonstrators. This road is a road to conflict. A hungry man is an angry man and a hungry woman is a dangerous sister.”

Brickhill described Masuku as a strategic and determined fighter,.

“His three main wishes before his death were that he thought of his family, the bigger family of Zipra forces and the issue of the liberation war. It was his concern that the fighters and their families be rewarded, the fallen heroes be remembered and their graves be identified and upgraded, shrines be established so that those remaining should know the history, and the youth will know about the liberation struggle of Zimbabwe,’’ Brickhill said.

He further said he carried out Masuku’s wishes, which resulted in the formation of Zapu war shrines and subsequently Mafela Trust. Brickhill indicated that Zipra’s history had been suppressed for too long.

Ibhetshu lika Zulu chairperson Melusi Moyo said they wanted Zipra liberation heroes to be recognised.

-Newsday

PUBLIC health institutions in Matabeleland North and South provinces have reportedly run out of contraceptives, leaving most women stranded as they cannot afford the high prices charged by private pharmacies.

Director of family health in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Bernard Madzima said while for the whole country they had stock of most forms of contraceptives for five months, Matabeleland was experiencing some problems attributed to challenges in the distribution chain.

“Nationally stock is not less than five months, but Mat South and North there are distribution challenges. We are working with provincial pharmacy teams to redistribute the commodities,” he said.

According to reports, some of the facilities have gone for weeks without supplies, while a few had very low supplies of oral contraceptives, injectables and implants. The province is also facing a shortage of condoms, raising concerns of an increase in sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

“The shortage undermines women’s reproductive health rights and increases the risk of unwanted pregnancies. There are also concerns that women may be forced to resort to unsafe abortions, as a result of unwanted pregnancies,” Fungisai Dube of the Citizens Health Watch said.

The health watchdog said most of the people in the province could not afford the contraceptives and were forced to do without. Private pharmacies were stocking some contraceptives, but the prices are prohibitive with some pharmacies charging in hard currency.

“Our worry is that young people will be forced to have unprotected sex, thereby increasing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. The shortage of contraceptives will also impact teenagers with issues of teenage pregnancies,” Dube said.

Matabeleland province is one of the country’s poorest provinces and has the fourth highest number of teenage pregnancies.

“The province could continue to lag behind in its development if efforts are not stepped up to ensure reliable access to contraceptives. Family planning is a critical factor in reducing poverty. How do we meet our maternal health goals and promote family planning with these kinds of stock outs? Our national health systems need to be strengthened so we have reliable, steady supply of contraceptives country wide,” she said.

-Newsday

Unconfirmed reports have it that a lion was killed in Chipinge. The communities surrounding Save Valley conservancy have been complaining about wild animals regularly spotted outside the reserve and in some cases destroying crops and livestock.

VIEW PICTURE BELOW…

President Mnangagwa has slammed the rent seeking behaviour by some business that continue to increase prices of basic goods without justification saying they were exploiting the people and hampering the attainment of Vision 2030.

Addressing the Zanu-PF National Youth Assembly in Harare yesterday, the President said a meeting between Government and various stakeholders was on the cards to find common ground.

“Government notes the present wanton, upsurge and ever escalating unjustified increase in prices,” President Mnangagwa said.

“We urge compatriots in industry, business and commerce to desist from this inhumane trend which brought untold suffering and misery to our people. Government is in the process of meeting with stakeholders in the sector for discussions around the issues. We cannot have the continued exploitation of our people by those who exhibit rent seeking behaviour.”

Some businesses are wantonly increasing prices of commodities citing movements in the exchange rate instead of predicating adjustments on inflation trends.

President Mnangagwa, who is the Zanu-PF First Secretary, said servant leadership would be the flagship of the Second Republic as

Government focuses on attaining Vision 2030 which entails turning Zimbabwe into an upper middle income by that year.

“Over the past year, I have cherished every moment of service, by all of us guided by our commitment to servant leadership,” he said.

“Even in crises and hard times, there really is no greater honour than to serve the people of Zimbabwe. No matter how you choose to serve or what you choose to do, you must always remember our core value system. As we all serve the party and nation, let us remember that Zimbabweans want to look after their families, feed and care for them.”

He said small to medium enterprises (SMEs) played a critical role in economic growth and Government hoped to see a large number of young people presenting viable small to medium sized project proposals and seek support for start-ups.

“As the National Youth Assembly and leaders from various provinces, you have the obligation to skilfully mobilise the youths to form the critical mass needed to rebuild and grow every sector of our economy,” the President said.

“I challenge you to accelerate the development of sustainable youth owned businesses. It is through the full participation of young people that we will speedily modernise, industrialise and grow our economy. The establishment of the Empowerment Bank among other initiatives is testimony of my Government’s continue commitment to improve the quality of life and opportunities for our youth. Equally, I urge you to encourage the youth to fully utilise the Innovation Incubation Hubs within institutions of higher learning as well as the India-Africa Incubation Centre. My Government will continue to expand these to all provinces so that the majority of young people benefit.”

Youths, President Mnangagwa, should also start-up businesses which sprout from the fields of information communication technology, mining and agriculture.

“There are vast opportunities that the Second Republic will continue to avail to the youth,” he said.

“You must therefore, be innovative and bold as opposed to merely wanting to be beneficiaries of charity or preferential treatment.”

Turning to politics, President Mnangagwa said he was aware of machinations by enemies to destabilise the party by causing despondency and disunity amongst leaders.

“Let us all condemn and expose these acts,” he said.

“Let me also warn that as provided by our party constitution acts of indiscipline, treachery and disloyalty will not be tolerated and condoned.”

The National Youth Assembly was also attended by the Vice Presidents and Zanu-PF Second Secretaries, Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi.

State Media

WHITE former Zimbabwe Peoples’ Revolutionary Army (Zipra) freedom fighter, Jeremy Brickhill has warned that Zimbabwe is heading for conflict and urged citizens to find each other and stop the blame game.

Addressing a public lecture for the late Zipra commander Lookout Masuku which was run live by ZimEye.com, last week at Small City Hall in Bulawayo, Brickhill also described Finance minister Mthuli Ncube’s economic policies as a reincarnation of the infamous Economic Structural Adjustment Programme.

The memorial lecture was held under the theme Commemorating the sacrifice of the unsung heroes: Truth: Our tool and our pride by Zipra freedom fighters in partnership with Ibhetshu lika Zulu.

Masuku died in 1986.

Brickhill served in the military wing of the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo’s Patriotic Front -Zimbabwe African People’s Union (Zapu) and has experience in conflict and post-conflict processes in Africa and the United Nations.

Brickhill said he was a political adviser in the Zipra commanders’ legal defence team, adding that this gave him the opportunity to spend more time with the late Masuku while he was in prison, and even in hospital to discuss political issues.

“We can say that we have independence, but what kind of independence is this? We go about begging, we sell resources belonging to our children and grandchildren to buy houses for our girlfriends. The skin colour has changed, but what has changed for people? No food, no fuel; this is not the Zimbabwe we fought for. There must be fair access to resources,” he said.

“During the liberation struggle, we had our own differences, but we managed them. What are we doing today? Fighting each other; shooting at demonstrators. This road is a road to conflict. A hungry man is an angry man and a hungry woman is a dangerous sister.”

Brickhill described Masuku as a strategic and determined fighter,.

“His three main wishes before his death were that he thought of his family, the bigger family of Zipra forces and the issue of the liberation war. It was his concern that the fighters and their families be rewarded, the fallen heroes be remembered and their graves be identified and upgraded, shrines be established so that those remaining should know the history, and the youth will know about the liberation struggle of Zimbabwe,’’ Brickhill said.

He further said he carried out Masuku’s wishes, which resulted in the formation of Zapu war shrines and subsequently Mafela Trust. Brickhill indicated that Zipra’s history had been suppressed for too long.

Ibhetshu lika Zulu chairperson Melusi Moyo said they wanted Zipra liberation heroes to be recognised.

NewsDay

Correspondent: Public demonstrations in Zimbabwe are banned, it appears indefinitely because of the violent protests that rocked the country on the 14th of January after President Emmerson Mnanggwa hiked the prices of fuel.

A letter sent to a Youth Organisation the National Association of Youth Organisations (NAYO) requesting permission to petition parliament the police said, “People are still nursing the effects of 14-16 January demonstrations that resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property.

“Your march be hijacked by some rogue and unruly elements who thrive on destruction of property and not worried about the consequences of their activities.”

Read the full letter below:

By Own Correspondent- Zanu Pf has responded to Julius Malema’s statement describing the Economic Freedom Front (EFF) leader as ignorant.

The party said Malema’s statements are not only misinformed, but they disappointingly defy logic.

Secretary for Administration, Simon Khaya Moyo said in a statement:

“Malema has displayed a malicious ignorance to comprehend the history of the Land Reform Program and the liberation struggle.

….How can he (Malema) insult President Mnangagwa, a man of such distinguished liberation credentials? It defies logic.”

Malema is on record describing Mnangagwa as a sell out who is bent on reversing the gains of the land reform program.

Said Malema:

“It’s a sellout position. The way he is going about it, he is not going to finish his term.

That country (Zimbabwe) is swimming in a pool of poverty; they can’t afford basic things like primary health, proper education and infrastructure.

He gets money and goes to give it to people who are not deserving. He is reversing the gains of the revolutionary struggle. It’s unsustainable.

They [white farmers] do not deserve any compensation. Mnangagwa is a sellout. We thought he was going to bring fresh air in Zimbabwe, but he is continuing to be worse than what we have experienced before.

Very soon, the people of Zimbabwe will turn against them and he won’t have anywhere to run.”

THE Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) says the country should brace for an increase in the price of mealie meal in the next few days in line with the new producer prices.

In an interview after a closed door meeting with the GMAZ southern region membership in Bulawayo yesterday, GMAZ chairman Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said the imminent mealie meal price review was necessitated by the producer price changes announced by Government this week. Government increased the producer price of maize from $390 a tonne to $721 while wheat has been increased from $630 to $1 000.

“Government has increased the price of maize by a huge margin and we appreciate the reasons for doing that.

“We are also grateful that they have given us a 38 percent subsidy, the net effect of it is that maize has gone up by close to 70 percent and it’s a cost that we can’t absorb,” said Mr Musarara.

“So, therefore, today’s meeting was to discuss the next maize meal prices. We have agreed on when we are going to increase it but we can’t announce to you before we advise the Government on the increase in prices of mealie meal. But we will be advising Government today (yesterday) on the net effect of that but there is going to be an increase, we can’t stomach 70 percent.”

Before the new producer price, Mr Musarara said millers were buying maize from the Grain Marketing Board at $270 a tonne compared to $426 at present. While Government has maintained a subsidy on the wheat that would be bought by millers, GMAZ is still waiting for the Government to announce a new buying price.

A snap survey by Business Chronicle in Bulawayo yesterday revealed that major supermarkets in the Central Business District were selling a 10 kilogramme of roller meal at prices ranging between $9 and $11. Turning to wheat supply, Mr Musarara said all milling companies have less than 30 days’ supply and thus GMAZ was calling on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to quickly avail the foreign currency allocations the sector requires to import the grain. At present, millers require US$12 million every month to import flour.

“On the maize side, there is still considerable maize to take us into the next harvest, which has already begun. So the maize stock at the moment is not an issue but it is the matter of price,” he said.

On the effects of the recent Cyclone Idai on grain importation by the milling industry, Mr Musarara said:

“Beira was ravaged badly. We had more than 100 trucks that were collecting wheat in Beira and they were cut off but I am glad to advise that the roads are now passable but of course taking a much longer time than before.

“The rail from Beira to Machipanda has been opened up so we are having rail wagons coming back but the biggest challenge was to do with the damage of silos in Beira, which now limits our capacity of how much we should receive and store in Beira, so we are going to have smaller ships coming as long as we are able to pay.”

Meanwhile, during the meeting new and old members from the southern region were given awards of excellence for their contribution to ensuring food security in the region.

State Media

By Own Correspondent- Economic Freedom Front leader, Julius Malema has blasted President Emmerson Mnangagwa for betraying Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle by setting aside a financial package to compensate white former commercial farmers while the black majority are wallowing in poverty.

Julius Malema said it is not proper that Mnangagwa will find money to give “undeserving” whites whilst Zimbabweans are wallowing in poverty.

Malema said this while addressing the media in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

He said:

It’s a sellout position. The way he is going about it, he is not going to finish his term.

That country (Zimbabwe) is swimming in a pool of poverty; they can’t afford basic things like primary health, proper education and infrastructure.

He gets money and goes to give it to people who are not deserving. He is reversing the gains of the revolutionary struggle. It’s unsustainable.

They [white farmers] do not deserve any compensation. Mnangagwa is a sellout. We thought he was going to bring fresh air in Zimbabwe, but he is continuing to be worse than what we have experienced before.

Very soon, the people of Zimbabwe will turn against him and he won’t have anywhere to run.

The government announced on Monday that it is set to release an initial $53 million dollars toward compensating the former farmers for infrastructure developments undertaken on the land.

However, the Commercial Farmers Union says the government needs to raise over US$10 billion to compensate the former farmers.-Newsday

A SUSPECTED robber who was shot by detectives while fleeing after he allegedly raided a bar in Zvishavane and looted beer, is suing Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema and Police Commissioner-General, Godwin Matanga, for $15 000.

Happison Masuku (49) allegedly robbed Zivanai Bar and General Dealer Shop at Mabwematema Business Centre in Zvishavane.

He was shot and seriously injured by police as he allegedly tried to avoid arrest in September last year.

Masuku allegedly assaulted and robbed a barlady, Ms Audrey Muzamani of beer, cellphones, a plasma television, an amplifier, batteries and boxes of cigarettes among other items on September 12, 2018.

He allegedly forced Ms Muzamani to unlock the door and assaulted her with a metal bar.

Masuku is alleged to have covered her face with a blanket as he went about looting valuables from the bar and the grocery shop.

He allegedly took $600, three cellphones, buster batteries, swiping machine, a 32inch LG plasma television set, an amplifier, memory cards, 21 crates of assorted clear beer, three cases maheu traditional brew, two cases sterilised milk, three packets of snacks, four boxes of biscuits, 12 packets of chocolates, 10 packets of cigarettes, 17 bottles of assorted cane spirit and six packs of energy drinks.

He then allegedly went to Zivanai General Dealer on the same day where he robbed Ms Thandiwe Nyoni of groceries. Masuku was cornered by police as he tried to escape and was shot in the thigh.

Masuku, whose matter is still pending before the court, has through his lawyers Mutendi, Mudisi and Shumba Legal Practitioners, filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing Minister Mathema, Comm-Gen Matanga and four detectives only identified as Detective Sergeant Sibanda, Detective Constables Chishuwo and Moyo, as defendants.

He is seeking an order compelling the defendants to pay him $15 000 compensation for damages arising out of excessive force without any lawful cause, loss of dignity, degrading treatment and failure by police to perform their constitutional duties.

In papers before the court, Masuku said he suffered permanent injuries as a result of the gunshot inflicted on him.

“The detectives who arrested me acted in a manner inconsistent with their constitutional obligations as members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police. This abrogation of constitutional duties directly led to the injury and loss suffered by the plaintiff. The detectives acted in pursuant of Minister Mathema and Comm-Gen Matanga’s interests and therefore they are vicariously liable for the excessive and unnecessary use of force beyond the justifiable scope of the detectives’ duty,” said Masuku.

He said the defendants are jointly and severally liable for the payment of the claim, one paying the others to be absolved. Masuku said the three detectives are being sued in their personal capacities.

“Wherefore, the plaintiff prays that the damages in the sum of $15 000 arising from the excessive use of force without any lawful cause, loss of dignity and degrading treatment be paid by the defendants jointly and severally liable for the claim one paying the others to be absolved,” he said.

Masuku wants the defendants to pay the money with an interest of five percent calculated from the date of summons to the date of full and final settlement including the legal costs.

The defendants are yet to respond to the lawsuit.

By Own Correspondent- Zanu Pf secretary for Information and Publicity, Simon Khaya Moyo has revealed that the party shall this year hold its 18th Annual National People’s Conference in Mashonaland East.

In a statement, Moyo announced:

The Zanu-PF national chairman Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri wishes to advise all party structures that the party’s 18th National People’s Conference will be held in Mashonaland East province in December.

Last year, ZANU PF held its annual conference in Esigodini where all party wings endorsed Mnangagwa as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections.-StateMedia

THE price of bread has gone up to RTGS$2,30 from RTGS$2 with millers saying the increase is not associated with the cost of flour as the price of the product has remained constant.

Yesterday, bread, which has been in short supply in the country over the past few weeks, was being sold for RTGS $2,30 per loaf at most outlets in Bulawayo’s Central Business District.

It was going for as much as RTGS$2,50 in high density suburbs. However, some supermarkets that bake bread as well as small bakeries are selling it at between $1,60 and $2 per loaf.

Bakers Inn was giving its customers the option to buy a loaf for US$0,60 while demanding $2,30 per loaf for those paying in bond notes. Lobels and Proton bread was also going for RTGS $2,30 per loaf.

Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) chairperson Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said the price bread hike had nothing to do with an increase in price of wheat.

He said bakers increased the price of bread before Government announced an increase in the price of wheat on Tuesday.

“The GMAZ has noted the recent increase in bread prices. These bread price increases are, however, not in any way associated with flour cost drivers as the product supply price to bakers has remained constant since the new price of bread was gazetted. Cabinet announced an increase in the price of flour yesterday (Tuesday), however bakers had already increased the price of bread. This increment has nothing to do with the price of flour because as GMAZ we had not increased the price of flour and they were still getting it from us at the same price,” Mr Musarara said.

“This increase may be a result of other production costs in the baking industry and logistics and not flour. We are currently consulting on how we can work around the new price of flour, to ensure that it does not affect the price of bread so that the price of bread will remain the same.”

Bakers’ Association of Zimbabwe President Mr Ngoni Mazango said he was not aware that some bakers had increased the price of bread, adding that the increase was not official.

“Our official position as BAZ is that the price of bread is still $2 for a standard loaf. However, I cannot answer on behalf of individual bakeries. As you are well aware, government has announced new prices for grain crops. We are yet to consult each other and come up with something tangible as far as price reviews are concerned,” he said.

Scores of people in Bulawayo were seen queueing for in-house baked bread at different supermarkets as it was cheaper.

A loaf of bread at OK Zimbabwe baked in the supermarket was going for $1,80.

Members of public who spoke to The Chronicle urged Government to intervene.

“The cost of living continues to go up. Today it’s bread that has gone up but tomorrow it could probably be something else. We appeal to Government to come up with measures that will ease the burden. Some of us have big families. We need more than one loaf and the new price means we won’t be able to buy bread,” said Mrs Conciliar Mthunzi.

The bread price hike comes at a time when Government has revealed that it is working on safety nets to cushion citizens against price distortions on basic commodities.

Government on Tuesday set new producer prices for various crops for the 2019-2020 farming season reflective of the current economic situation in a development that is expected to help farmers to execute their agricultural business. Wheat is one of the commodities that had an upward price review.

The announcements were made by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Cde Monica Mutsvangwa.

“Cabinet approved the proposal by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement to review the producer prices for maize, small grains, wheat, soya beans and cotton as follows: Maize and small grains, RTGS$726 per tonne, wheat RTGS$1 089,68, soyabean, RTGS$918 and cotton RTGS$1 950 per tonne,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

“Cabinet also approved that the 38,5 percent subsidy on the selling price to millers be maintained in order to prevent increases in the retail prices. In US dollar terms, the prices are now aligned to the import parity prices in the region.

“Cabinet received a preliminary cereal sufficiency report for the 2018/2019 agricultural season from the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement. The report showed that cereal production in 2018-2019 is projected at 714 598 tonnes of cereal grains. This excludes what we have in the Strategic Grain Reserve at GMB. Government is taking steps to ensure that national food security is guaranteed.”

By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has hinted that there would never be a reversal of the intended compensation of former farm owners.

This comes amidst attacks in some circles who view the move as a reversal of the land reform programme.

Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters of South Africa described Mnangagwa as a sellout for hinting on compensating former farm owners.

Mnangagwa indicated that as far as the land reform programme was irreversible, compensation was also a necessity.

He said:

In agriculture, the land reform is irreversible and Section 72 of the Constitution is very clear in this regard.

However, the same Constitution provides that no compensation is payable in respect of its acquisition, except for improvements effected on the land before its acquisition

For a long time Government has provided through the fiscus for such payments in respect of the said compensation on improvements of the land. Government will meet its obligation as outlined in the Constitution.

He also indicated that the land reform programme could not be reversed considering that it was at the heart of the liberation struggle.

He said:

“For the avoidance of doubt, we fought for land and there is no way we will retract our position with regards the land reform.

Neither will we betray our fellow comrades who lie in marked and unmarked graves who paid the supreme sacrifice for this land.”

Zimbabwe embarked on a fast-tracked land reform programme in the late 1990s which resulted in the displacement and departure of white farmers.

By Own Correspondent- Chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi says suspended University of Zimbabwe (UZ) vice-chancellor Levi Nyagura has a case to answer and will stand trial on May 16.

Nyagura had sought for exception through his lawyer Advocate Sylvester Hashiti, arguing that he was being wrongly charged for illegally awarding a PhD to former First Lady Grace Mugabe.

He had made an application for exception and quashing of the indictment, arguing that a vice-chancellor was not responsible for the awarding of degrees.

In throwing out Nyagura’s application, magistrate Mutevedzi said:

“The State is not alleging that the accused conferred the degree in person to Grace Mugabe. Instead the allegation is that the accused facilitated the conferment of the degree to Grace Mugabe.”-StateMedia

Government phased out the paper identity document around 2005 after introducing the instant plastic ID card which is made up of polythene and synthetic material. 

Prior to that, the paper ID was a temporary document that an applicant would use while waiting for the permanent metallic card which took several months to come out.

TellZim News secured an interview with Masango to get clarification on the long queues for IDs and passports as well as to understand why passports that are normally processed in six weeks are now taking several months.

“Yes there are long queues at our offices countrywide. People need IDs but resources are a challenge. The consumables require foreign currency to import yet our services are charged in local currency. Our personnel are doing all they can to give optimum services to citizens,” said Masango.

He said it was the same case with passport paper which has to be imported into the country using foreign currency which is scarce.

The ordinary passport, which costs $53, normally gets processed in six weeks but it is now taking up to seven months and more. Some people who spoke to TellZim News said they applied for passports in June last year but were still waiting.

At $53 and coming out in few days, the emergency passport is too expensive for most citizens. On plans to decentralise passport applications to the district, Masango said it was government’s goal to increase convenience but resources were not permitted.

“We want people to apply for passports at district level but that move requires a lot of money and equipment; all the cameras, computers and office space,” said Masango. He said he was, however, pleased that his department had put in place plans like satellite offices to assist survivors of Cyclone Idai to get new copies of their lost identity documents.

“We are there to assist people get burial orders for their deceased loved ones as quickly as possible. Those that have lost their identity particulars will also get them without delay because we have instructed teams in Chimanimani and Chipinge to be ready for real work.

“Our office has all the information regarding everyone in Zimbabwe so people must not worry. We have details on everyone in the main server,” he said.

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF “comeback kid” Didymus Mutasa says former President Robert Mugabe worked for the ruling party more than anyone else.

Mutasa and former Mashonaland East Resident Minister Ambrose Mutinhiri were this week accepted back into the party.

Speaking to Daily News about Mugabe’s possible return, Mutasa said:
“When we gained independence, we were talking about the establishment of a one-party state … but that did not fit with the democracy of the Western world.

Now we should do everything we can to bring everyone back to the party, including him (Mugabe). He worked for Zanu PF more than anyone else, and I don’t think there is anyone who can dispute that.

He should, therefore, be brought back into the party.”

“For now, I am just a card-carrying member. But I think by now Zanu PF should have developed into the undisputed main party in this country, as we have seen elsewhere. I think from what we have seen so far from Mnangagwa, he wants everyone involved.

If you look at other countries like Tanzania, they have arranged themselves very well, especially their ruling party, and that is what we want to see in our party.”

FORMER President Robert Mugabe could make a sensational return to Zanu-PF one and a half years after the frail nonagenarian was swept from power by a military coup- if the party’s overtures to him yield positive results.

Zanu-PF is on a drive to embrace defectors and members that were expelled from the party by the previous party administration led by former President Mugabe.

Zanu-PF secretary for administration Dr Obert Mpofu, said the party was making changes and accepting its lost sheep.

Former Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa and former Mashonaland East provincial minister Ambrose Mutinhiri have already retraced their steps back to the ruling party – but leader of the People’s Rainbow Coalition and former vice president of Zimbabwe Joice Mujuru says she will never go back.

Dr Mpofu who welcomed the pair said the readmission was a directive from President Mnangagwa who was keen on uniting and strengthening party.

President Mnangagwa, Mpofu said, wanted to unite the people with a view to collectively build the nation.

“We welcome you comrades. President Mnangagwa has directed us to readmit former members, willing to re-join the party.

“The President has even gone further to invite members of the opposition saying let us build our country together.

“He believes that we should not derail our development through unnecessary politicking. We are all Zimbabweans we must work together to develop the nation.

“You will be seeing the new dispensation arrangement where we have fulltime members of the party, you will see a different Zanu-PF in terms of operations and effectiveness because we are not closing anyone out, we have agreed that all members who were expelled from the party or who left the party should come back,” he said.

Mpofu said the party needed senior members like the pair for guidance.

Dr Mpofu said the restructuring that was going on within the party had seen members that have been expelled tracking back as they were still interested in working for the party.

“This restructuring exercise has actually given the members that sympathise with us some hope of participating in the party they love. The previous system was so restrictive that members were not allowed to exercise their democratic right to participate in the party. So this is one of the benefits and results in the last few weeks following the dissolution of Bulawayo Province for one,” he said.

Meanwhile, after making stunning revelations that he was going to meet former president Robert Mugabe at his Blue Roof mansion, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said Zanu-PF has increased security at the former president’s house in a bid to block the meeting.

Addressing the party’s provincial structures in Masvingo recently, Chamisa claimed that Mugabe promised to give him damning files on all the Zanu-PF top brass hence the reason why they went into panic mode over the proposed meeting.

“I wanted to cause panic within Zanu-PF and said I wanted to meet Mugabe. Everyone in Zanu-PF went into panic mode and they were sweating all over.

“I heard Mugabe has damaging files on all Zanu-PF chefs and he told me to come get them so they want to prevent me from seeing him. This has become a contentious issue within Zanu-PF and we hear they are increasing security at the Blue Roof mansion to make sure that I do not get in. Every day they add soldiers,” said Chamisa.

The youthful opposition leader said he is yet to meet Mugabe and is still playing politics but he will eventually visit him.

“I haven’t met Mugabe since he was removed from power to ask him how retirement is going. Mugabe thought that the country would come to a standstill when he is not in power but that is not the case. I am still playing politics but will eventually have a meeting with Mugabe,” said Chamisa.

The proposed meeting with Mugabe has since divided opinion with many questioning the logic behind meeting someone who terrorised opposition members and ruined the country.

No comment could be obtained from Zanu-PF national spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo as his mobile went straight to voice mail.

Source – Dailynews

Former first lady Janet Banana is said to be seriously ill and seeking medical treatment. Reports indicate that the 83-year-old Banana has been in and out of the hospital recently due to failing health.

Banana is the wife of the country’s first post-independence president Canaan Sodindo Banana.

Banana was President of Zimbabwe from independence in 1980 until 1987.

Banana relinquished his post when the post of Prime Minister, which was held by Robert Mugabe, was abolished thus creating an executive President. He died in the United Kingdom in 2003 and was not accorded national hero status.

Daily News sources say Mrs Banana is suffering from renal disease, also known as chronic kidney disease. Said the source:

In February she was asked to sign a certificate of life so her pension payments could be re-activated after having been stopped a couple of years ago.

She was allocated a temporary hired 4×4 vehicle and a driver and security detail which was withdrawn mysteriously at the beginning of March after she was told it had gone for service.

It turned out that the owner had not been paid by the government for several months and had decided to take back their car.

The president and first lady (president Emmerson Mnangagwa and wife Auxillia) visited Bulawayo on several occasions but none of them ever tried to come to visit her despite knowing that she was in the country from January.

Bulawayo provincial minister confirmed to the Daily News that the government is taking care of Banana’s medical bills. Said Ncube:

She is not feeling well, that is the reason why the president had to call her so that she can be assisted. It is her right to get government assistance.

It is the government that is actually taking care of her bills. At the moment, we are frantically looking for a house for her that will be purchased by the government, because she is currently staying with her sister.

The government is working towards giving her, her pension. Two weeks ago, her pension had not yet reflected in her bank account. She is well taken care of. It’s just a question of time before everything gets into place.

Reverend Canaan Banana was a Methodist pastor who died in November 2003, was found guilty in 1999 of 11 counts of sodomy and abusing his power to sexually assault and carry out homosexual acts with men, most of whom were on his presidential staff.

He is best remembered for his role in ending the ethnic violence in Matabeleland, also known as the Gukurahundi massacres.

First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa has been appointed Ambassadorship of Merck more than a Mother by a German based philanthropic organization called Merck Foundation. 

Announcing the appointment, the CEO of Merck Foundation Dr. Rasha Kelej said, “am very happy to meet for first time, H. E. Zimbabwean First Lady Madam Auxillia Mnangagwa, very proud that she accepted to be the Ambassador of Merck more than a Mother, we discussed our new strategy and our launch in Zimbabwe.” 

Kelej also announced that they will be launching media recognition and fashion awards in the country soon. 

“We are going to Launch Merck more than a Mother media recognition award, media health training and Fashion award in Zimbabwe. We are going to partner with the government to build healthcare capacity for Diabetes, Cancer and Fertility care.

“We have conducted a side meeting with H. E. Zimbabwean First Lady Madam Auxillia Mnangagwa, to discuss her ambassadorship of Merck more than a Mother. We also discussed our new strategy and our launch in Zimbabwe” 

The Merck Foundation is the Philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany. It is a non-profit organization that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to innovative healthcare solutions in under-served communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM with a special focus on women and youth.

Source – Byo24News

Correspondent|FINANCE and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube ha sannounced that Zimbabwe wil have a “fully-fledged currency” within the next twelve (12) months.

Mthuli Ncube, who is in Washington DC, the United States (US), for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank 2019 Spring Meetings, said this in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Thursday.

He also said Zimbabwe will “soon” introduce a central bank reference rate as part of measures the government wants to use to prop up the collapsing economy .

He told Bloomberg that: “Zimbabwe plans to introduce a new, fully fledged currency in the next 12 months and to close the gap between the rate for dollars in the official and parallel markets using RTGS dollars, which the government introduced in February.”

The report by Bloomberg continues: “The measures come as the government scrambles to end a currency shortage that’s pushed inflation to the highest rate since 2008 and sparked shortages of fuel and bread.

“The troubles stem from the country abandoning the Zimbabwe dollar in 2009, after a bout of hyperinflation, in favor of the greenback. In 2016, it introduced the bond notes, which aren’t accepted outside the country, to fund rampant spending.

“The annual inflation rate is at its highest since a hyperinflation episode in 2008, but month-on-month price growth slowed to 1.7 percent in February from 10.8 percent a month earlier.”

Late in February, Zimbabwe introduced a new currency called the RTGS, or real-time gross settlement dollar, in the process abandoning its long-held 1:1 parity between the US dollar and its local transactional instrument – the bond note.

The introduction of the new currency was also accompanied by the introduction of a market-based foreign exchange market, where the value of the local currency against other global currencies would be determined by market forces, through what is called an interbank market.

At the start, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe put an official rate of RTGS$2.5:US$1. This has since devalued to current levels.

By Own Correspondent- Telecommunications giant Econet Wireless Zimbabwe’s EcoCash has announced that it has increased transaction limits from RTGS$500 to RTGS$1 000.

In a statement, EcoCash said:

“Dear valued customer. Please be advised that you can now transact above RTGS$500 up RTGS$1 000 at ONE GO on EcoCash. This applies to Send Money, Merchant Payments and Bill Payments.”

FORMER ZANU-PF politburo member and Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere’s wife was on Thursday morning reportedly detained for five hours at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare.

Human Rights Watch director Dehwa Mavhinga reported the incident on Twitter, saying: “The wife of Saviour Kasukuwere traumatized after being briefly detained, questioned, harassed by five security details at Robert Mugabe Airport on a flight out. Was finally released & let go around 12 noon.”

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
https://youtu.be/ab08RwXbpMQ

By Own Correspondent| Abigail Prangs, the now Australia based woman who in an exclusive documentary investigation was assisted to trace her biological family by ZimEye, has jetted into Zimbabwe nearly 36 years later.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Prangs is staying at a local hotel after her touch down yesterday.

ZimEye can reveal that she is set to undergo paternity tests with one of her “biological” family member.

The mother of five who is now married was picked up by a police officer on the side road in Houghton Park Harare before being taken back to Harare Central Hospital where she was taken into foster care by the Prangs family.

The Prangs relocated to Australia when Abigail was 5years old. – MORE TO FOLLOW..

THE Zimbabwe Republic Police has released names of the victims of the head-on accident which occurred between a commuter omnibus and a conventional bus some 25 km outside Gweru last night.
Here are the full names and addresses of the deceased:

1) Tatenda Chinave, a male adult from BD 86 Gold Mine in Kwekwe.
2) Tawanda Chinave, a male adult from BD 86 Gold Mine in Kwekwe.
3) Prudence Mbedzi, a female adult of BD 86 Gold Mine in Kwekwe.
4) Patience Phiri, a female adult of BD 86 Gold Mine in Kwekwe.

5) Tanaka Phiri, a male juvenile aged 14 of 2 Jacaranda Avenue, Redcliff, Kwekwe.
6) Taruvinga Maziva, a male adult from BD 86 Gold Mine in Kwekwe.
7) Pamela Maziva, a female adult of BD 86 Gold Mine in Kwekwe.
8) Charity Jairos, a male adult from BD 86 Gold Mine in Kwekwe.
9) Lungi Mbano, a male adult of Rutendo in Kwekwe.
10) Evolution Manhanda, a male adult from BD 86 Gold Mine in Kwekwe.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to urge motorists to always exercise caution when driving and avoid overtaking in situations which do not allow them to do so safely.State media

Farai Dziva|Outspoken former Cabinet Minister Jonathan Moyo says the decision by Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s government to issue birth certificates and death certificates to Gukurahundi victims is meaningless.

Moyo accused Mnangagwa of “feigning concern in the whole process.”

“GUKURAHUNDI HEALING MEASURES ANNOUNCED” #Herald 10/4/19 Issuing death or birth certificates, allowing proper reburials & providing healthcare to #Gukurahundi victims 36 years later without TRUTH & JUSTICE IS NO HEALING. None whatsoever. It is SATANIC!”

Jane Mlambo|Mutare based journalist, Sydney Saize who was reportedly arrested is currently missing with police claiming they do not have information on his whereabouts.

Saizi who according to reports was arrested by police details in Chimanimani, had his mobile initially going unanswered and has since been switched off raising fears that he could be abducted.

Provincial police public relations department said they will give feedback once they have verified the matter.

According to the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Saizi has been working on cyclone idai related stories.

Farai Dziva|A Bulawayo based war veteran has sensationally claimed that the MDC A is full of “stupid people.”

The self-declared war veteran, Christopher Sibanda described MDC A members as “stupid and naive people.”Sibanda blasted the MDC A leadership for celebrating the “demise of their own country.”

Sibanda made the remarks in an interview with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation on Wednesday.

“That is what we call sheer stupidity, how can you celebrate the demise of your own country? Those who call for the imposition of sanctions are very stupid.Opposition supporters are stupid and naive,” thundered Sibanda.

Jane Mlambo| In a bid to cover up for the malpractices associated with planning, land use and construction in the City, the City of Harare is calling all property owners who have erected structures without following laws and regulations of the City to “immediately apply for regularisation”.

The call to regularise illegal developments, properties and structures by the City comes at a time when some developments in the City are being done without building permits or on land without compliance certificates from the Planning Department.

Examples of such cases are in Newlands where New Life Ministries is constructing a massive church building without a development permit on a wetland, Marlborough a college is under construction without a permit at a residential stand and in Tafara wetland opposite Lafarge Cement where houses are being built without permission from the local authority.

The enforcement order issued by the City of Harare in terms of the Regional Town Planning Act 29:12 gives illegal developers an opportunity to regularise their properties or face demolitions.

“Therefore take note that in terms of the said section 32 you are hereby ordered to cease using the illegal structures or IMMEDIATELY APPLY FOR REGULARISATION in terms of the Act.” Reads part of the circular which will come into effect on 29 April 2019 if there is no appeal lodged with the Administrative Court within one month.

A wetland activist condemned the move by the City and said “This will see many wetlands being chewed up which are water sources for the City.”

Another Council employee explained that the move is a windfall for land barons who have been invading open spaces and wetlands in the city and selling out stands. 

Meanwhile Marlborough residents have engaged Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and CHRA for an intervention in an attempt to stop illegal construction of a College at a residential property. CHRA is in the process of engaging the Mayor of Harare over the issue as this encourages proliferation of unplanned settlements and defies principles of urban planning.

A LAWYER and some aides for tormented opposition party leader and human rights lawyer Tendai Biti on Wednesday 10 April 2019 pleaded not guilty to charges of violating the country’s immigration laws when their trial commenced before Karoi Provincial Magistrate Sam Chitumwa.

Biti’s lawyer Nqobizitha Mahole Mlilo aged 39 and the Harare East constituency legislator’s aides Clever Rambanepasi aged 41 and Tawanda Blessing Chitekwe aged 36 are on trial on charges of failing to present oneself to an immigration official as defined in Section 25(1) as read with Section 25 (5a) of the Immigration Act.

Mlilo, Rambanepasi and Chitekwe, who are out of custody on $100 bail each, were arrested in August 2018 together with Biti and charged with contravening the country’s immigration laws after they allegedly departed Zimbabwe on Wednesday 8 August 2018 at an unauthorised port of exit.

Prosecutors claimed that Mlilo, Rambanepasi and Chitekwe, who are
represented by Jeremiah Bamu of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights,
connived at Chirundu One Stop Border post in Mashonaland West province and hatched a plan to enter Zambia by evading immigration clearance procedures from both Zimbabwe and Zambia and got arrested by officials from the Zimbabwean side of the border post.

Mlilo, Rambanepasi and Chitekwe, the state claimed, failed to produce passports to both immigration authorities from Zambia and Zimbabwe to validate their exit and entry.

The State led by Prosecutor Gerald Dhamusi was however left with an egg on its face as it was forced to withdraw the main charge of departing from Zimbabwe from a place other than a designated port of entry as in its own submissions, Biti’s alleged accomplices had “departed” Zimbabwe into Zambia through Chirundu One Stop Border Post, a designated port of entry in terms of the paragraph 1 (Border with Zambia) of the Part III (Entry or Departure by Road), of the Schedule to the Immigration Regulations S.I 195/1998).

In denying the charge, Mlilo, Rambanepasi and Chitekwe argued that the charge cited by the State of failing to present oneself to an Immigration officer does not apply to asylum seekers such as Biti and themselves.

The trio’s lawyer told Magistrate Chitumwa that his clients were abducted from Zambia by Zimbabwean authorities led by Assistant Commissioner Jealous Nyabasa currently attached to the Criminal
Investigations Department as the Deputy Director in the Zimbabwe Republic Police Anti-Corruption Unit.

Nyabasa told the court that he was assigned to be the investigating officer against Biti whom the police intended to charge for alleged violations of the Electoral Act in the aftermath of the July
2018 harmonised elections.

In the scope of his investigations, Nyabasa said he wrote to the Immigration Department informing the officials of persons wanted by the police, which list included Biti and requested them to alert
its border posts to be on the lookout for the people on the ZRP wanted list in case they attempted “to skip the border”.

Nyabasa claimed that he received information that Biti had been seen at Chirundu One Stop Border Post on the Zambian side prompting him to depart for Chirundu, where two Immigration Department officers Florence Nyathi and Morgen Moyo handed Biti and his alleged
“accomplices” who had allegedly been deported from Zambia.

Nyabasa told Magistrate Chitumwa that he then took the four men to Harare for further management.

Nyabasa was left embarrassed after trying to convince the court that Biti’s alleged “accomplices” could not claim to be seeking asylum as a result of political persecution since they were not on the police wanted list.

He however failed to maintain this assertion when probed by Bamu
whether being on the police list was enough evidence of political persecution and whether he was in fact confirming that the police was a political organisation.

During trial, the State called Shingirai Chimedza, a senior Immigration Department officer at Chirundu who gave testimony about the entry and exit procedures and who however confirmed that the provision under which Biti’s alleged “accomplices” were charged
under does not apply to asylum seekers, who are not required to comply with exit and entry formalities but to subject themselves to the authority of the host country in which they seek asylum.

Bamu told Magistrate Chitumwa that this is what Biti’s alleged accomplices claim to have done after their lives were put at risk as they were in the company of the legislator at Chirundu One Stop Border
Post when an attempt was made on Biti and their lives by Zimbabwean security agents, who were attempting to abduct them from Zambian soil.

Mlilo, Rambanapasi and Chitekwe’s trial continues on Wednesday 17 April 2019.

Farai Dziva|Zimbabweans have expressed contrasting views on the possibility of former President Robert Mugabe Mugabe’s return to the ruling party Zanu PF.

See below comments on the former strongman’ s return to the ruling party:
Geor Gore
Mugabe haasi type yenyu ka vana Scarfmore he is a senior politician and he has matured in politics.

Kurai Musiiwa:
Hooooo!!!! Thats why they blocked Chamisa from meeting the old man?

Jiang El Patel:
Mubage was and is sooooo intelligent that even on his 96th birthday the whole ZANU PF can’t match his wisdom and no way they can sway him back, he is waiting for is you to take him to the Heros Acre, no debate; agreed?

John Andrew Swanepoel :
I need to be corrected, was mugabe fired from or recalled from zanu pf.or neither of the 2.

James Matsika:
Chamisa will follow him back to Zanu PF.

Mgcini Zitha:
Mugabe will be afraid of the Gvt’s decision to deal with the past massacres,so he will go back to Zanu lest he be left in the cold.

Mutare based journalist Sydney Saize has been arrested in Chimanimani. Details of arrest and exact location still sketchy.

Provincial police public relations department said they will give feedback once they have verified the matter.

Saize’ s phone was initially going unanswered but has since been switched off.

Efforts to locate and assist him are underway.

More to follow…

By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration torched a storm this week after “decriminalising” discussions around the early independence atrocities, that former President Robert Mugabe had effectively banned.

The move by the government according to authorities will also allow the reburial of victims most of whom are still in mass graves nearly 40 years later.

Veterans of the liberation struggle who served under the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (Zipra), Zapu’s military wing, have urged Mnangagwa to issue a public apology first before discussions on the Gukurahundi atrocities can begin.

Reacting to the announcement by the government, Zipra veterans association spokesperson, Bester Magwizi said the perpetrators of the violence should also come forward before any healing processes start.

Early this week Justice Ministry permanent secretary, Virginia Mabhiza met civil society organisations under the auspices of the Matabeleland Collective and announced that President Mnangagwa had assigned Home Affairs Minister, Cain Mathema to assist families with the reburial of victims of the genocide.

Mabhiza said the government has also come up with an implementation matrix that will address the region’s concerns. But Magwizi said the perpetrators should also confess their participation in the heinous crimes.

“All those people who were involved should come forward. A law should be enacted on how to deal with these people. Most of these perpetrators are still in government and they are all known,” he said.

“There is no political will on the part of this government to address Gukurahundi.”  Magwizi’s sentiments were also echoed by the opposition MDC national chairperson Tabitha Khumalo.

“It is clear that the government is not sincere on the issue of Gukurahundi. The first thing which the government should do is to issue a public apology on the massacres.

“The government should also make wider consultations particularly on the affected communities on how the issue should be handled,” said Khumalo.

Conservative figures claim some 20 000 civilians were killed by a crack military unit known as Fifth Brigade deployed by Mugabe between 1980 and 1987 under the guise of putting down an insurrection in the western parts of the country