President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government plans to compensate victims of the Gukurahundi genocide which claimed thousands of lives in the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces in the mid-1980s.

Virginia Mabiza, the permanent secretary in the justice ministry, on Wednesday said that the compensation would take various forms.

Among these would be the exhumation and reburial of victims, the provision of counselling and medical services and the issuance of national identity documents to displaced survivors.

It is not immediately clear if there would be any financial compensation for survivors and their families.

“The ministry of home affairs and cultural heritage will facilitate the issuance of birth certificates and death certificates for victims affected by Gukurahundi. It will also facilitate the exhumation and reburial of Gukurahundi victims.

“We’re also implementing protection mechanisms for those affected by Gukurahundi to be free to discuss their experiences,” Mabiza was quoted in the state-owned Herald newspaper.

The term Gukurahundi is derived from the Shona language and is loosely translated to mean the “early rain which washes away the chaff before the spring rains”.

Under the watch of former president Robert Mugabe, his North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade led the brutal crackdown against civilians, mostly Ndebele speaking, in the southern part of the country under the pretext of looking for “dissidents”.

Until his fall in November 2017 from a military coup, Mugabe never apologised for the genocide which he described “a moment of madness”.

Mnangagwa was state security minister at the time. His rule has come under criticism for the failure to acknowledge the genocide and the various roles played by different people  in the execution of Gukurahundi, with some of them currently serving in his government.

Perence Shiri, now the agriculture minister, was the commander of the Fifth Brigade during Gukurahundi.

Last month, Mnangagwa held a meeting with the Matabeleland Collective, an advocacy organisation that seeks to promote the development of the Matabeleland region.

Mnangagwa said the meeting was meant to show that his administration was not paying lip service to the demand for the development of the Matabeleland provinces.

Dumisani Nkomo, the head of secretariat in the Matabeleland Collective, told TimesLIVE in an interview on Wednesday that when it came to the Gukurahundi, his organisation had both short-term and long-term views on the matter.

“The issues of access to birth and death certificates as well as the exhumation are the first steps in addressing the issue. There are other critical steps such as acknowledgement, but it’s a good start to hold the government to account according to the implementation matrix which they have provided,” Nkomo said.

But lobbyists on Gukurahundi said the “lack of acknowledgement” of the genocide was a missing factor in the plans by Mnangagwa’s government and it should have started from there.

“Why is the permanent secretary announcing these plans on Gukurahundi? It must be a minister and there is a need to gazette the plans to make it legally binding.

“The compensation plans are also suspicious and happen at a time that finance minister Mthuli Ncube plans to compensate white farmers too. It looks like a box-ticking exercise by the government which must meet some conditions in order for the US sanctions to be lifted,” a lobbyist said.

Last weekend, vice-president Constantino Chiwenga attended the 25th commemorations of the Rwanda genocide in Kigali. Calls have increased from civic society groups that Harare should learn from Kigali how it has dealt with its genocide that claimed the lives of more than 800,000 people in 1994.

— TimesLIVE

By Own Correspondent| The Daily News has apologised to the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa over a report it published suggesting that she had hired a luxury jet to travel to Dubai.

The publication said it regretted publishing the story without verifying all the facts.

Mnangagwa, it turned out, had travelled on a scheduled Emirates flight.

A group of South Sudanese students are stranded in Zimbabwe after alleged failure by their government to clear outstanding arrears and secure flights for their home return.

Those affected are from two universities in Zimbabwe.

The students, in an April 8 letter, urged South Sudan government to urgently facilitate the release of funds approved by the council of ministers to support students studying abroad.

The funds, they stated, were meant to clearing arrears and buy air tickets for students who completed their studies to return home.

At least seven of the 22 students who completed their studies in December last year are still stranded, unless their government intervenes.

“We truly appreciated the scholarship chance we got and that is why we finished on time. Unfortunately, we are now being left stranded in Zimbabwe despite the enormous commitment from the highest authority due to lack of follow up or ill-intention somewhere within the ministry concern,” partly reads the letter.

Sudanese Students Radio Tamazuj interviewed said they are facing immigration problems since they are no longer eligible for study permit extension.

“Most of us are experiencing passport expiration that will affect our staying here in Zimbabwe. We simply need to go home because we completed what we were here for,” further notes the letter.

According to the students, each one owes the university nearly $7,000, meaning government has to pay $154,000 for the 22 of them.

However, of the 22 students who completed studies, 15 of them returned home, while seven of them have not yet secured air tickets.

John Aweenthi, a stranded graduate, said they have not received any communication from the education ministry on their issue.

“We are in a dilemma. Some of our colleagues have expired passports. They do not know what to do,” Aweenthii said.

He added, “We are urging the government to clear our accounts so that we go.  Maybe we will one day find a job somewhere to do”.

Meanwhile Moses Kat, the President of South Sudan Students Association in Zimbabwe acknowledged the students’ concerns, saying he has been engaging the authorities in Juba on this matter.

“We have been pleading with the government so that they can clear the arrears and after the clearance of these arrears, they should be able to provide tickets to these students so that students who have completed their studies can be able to go back to South Sudan,” said Kat.

He added, “They cannot get their papers if these outstanding arrears are not cleared”.

Kat blamed the ministry of higher education for the students’ woes.

“We have written to the ministry of higher education, but they have not responded. Even the embassy wrote to the ministry,” he said.

According to the students’ leader, a total of 79 South Sudanese have been studying in at least five different universities in Zimbabwe.

The ministry of higher education could not immediately be reached for comment. — Radio Tamazuj

Correspondent|ZIMBABWE Electoral Commission (ZEC) Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba says she and her fellow Commissioners are unfazed by the attacks they received during the 2018 elections and continue to receive on social media and other platforms.

Chigumba has said some of the voters and opposition leaders who picketed ZEC offices were ignorant of the demands they were calling for versus the Electoral Act.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 2018 Multistakeholder Post-Elections Review Conference currently underway in Nyanga, Chigumba said those threats and abuses did not make her a victim in any way as she rose above hate speech.

“These attacks on our personas in particular were basically different opinions by our voters on whether or not we had executed our duties well.

“We decided to ignore and proceeded with our mandate and I believe we discharged our mandate to the best of our abilities,” said Chigumba.

Chigumba became a subject of abuse especially online where mainly members of the opposition parties bullied her as they accused her of being a puppet of the ruling party led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

On two separate attempts, the MDC Alliance and other political parties threatened to invade ZEC offices intending to confront Chigumba on their demands which they wanted addressed a few days before the election.

She said the female commissioners had to undergo a counselling session as they assured themselves that they were on the right path.

“We had counselling amongst ourselves and told each other that we took oath of office and we agreed in terms of the Constitution that we run elections,” she added.

During the run-up to the elections, the opposition political party would picket ZEC offices and would come back with the same demands again despite the demands having been clearly outlined in the Electoral Act.

Chigumba said some of the voters and leaders who picketed their offices were ignorant of the demands they were calling for .

“It is my considered view that a lot of what transpired during the elections arose from a position of ignorance from our main stakeholders who are the voters,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ms Virginia Mabhiza, while giving her opening remarks at 2018 Elections Review Conference, encouraged participants to be candid in their deliberations.

ZEC Commissioner Dr. Qhubani Moyo said the the conference helps them look at what worked well, what did not work well and what needs to be done going forward as Zimbabwe builds up to the 2023 elections.

Correspondent|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice-President Kembo Mohadi and Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi were yesterday named in the ongoing Hwange Colliery saga inquiry being conducted by the Parliamentary Privileges Committee (PAC).

The trio’s names came up in the alleged bribery case, where a suspected dubious Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative claimed that he had been sent by Mnangagwa and Mohadi to deal with problems at Hwange.

He then reportedly demanded a $400 000 bribe from businessman James Goddard, claiming that he was acting on behalf of four members of Parliament’s Mines Committee.

The four MPs were Temba Mliswa (Norton), Anele Ndebele (Magwegwe), Leonard Chikomba (Gokwe-Kabuyuni) and Prince Dubeko Sibanda (Binga North).

The alleged bogus CIO agent was named as Shepherd Tundiya.

Before the hearing commenced, Nyasha Makuzwa, who is Job Sikhala’s assistant lawyer and representing Ndebele and Sibanda, tried to stop the proceedings, arguing that Sikhala was filing a Constitutional Court (ConCourt)application for violation of section 69 of the Constitution, which stipulates that every person should be represented by a lawyer of their choice.

PAC chairperson Chief Fortune Charumbira refused to stop the proceedings and, instead, demanded that Makuzwa should provide documentary evidence to prove that the application had been filed at the ConCourt.

The Privileges Committee first heard oral evidence from Goddard, who disclosed that Tundiya facilitated a meeting between him and the four MPs, claiming that Mnangagwa had instructed him to look into the revival of Hwange Colliery.

Tundiya is also said to have claimed that the President had tasked him to sort out the mess at the coal miner after it emerged that one Mota Anjil was demanding foreign currency for services, thereby prejudicing government.

Goddard told Parliament lawyer Elizabeth Hove that Tundiya claimed Mnangagwa had sent him to facilitate a meeting with the four MPs.

He said they later met at his Harare offices.

“Mliswa spoke for about 30 minutes saying that Mnangagwa was encouraging members of government to join up with the private sector to form partnerships to improve the operations of the economy,” Goddard said.

He further said during the meeting, Mliswa left saying he was going to join his family for dinner.

He added that he remained behind with the other three MPs, where Tundiya then claimed that the MPs had demanded a $400 000 bribe to enable them to fly to Hwange the following day and would not go there with nothing.

Goddard told Mliswa’s lawyer, advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara, during cross-examination that the Norton legislator never personally demanded any bribe in writing or orally. It also emerged that Goddard did not know the agenda of the meeting held at his offices.

He also said Tundiya was not his agent.

“He (Tundiya) was not my agent. As far as I know, he was the guy requested by the President (Mnangagwa) to sort out Hwange and he showed me photos of himself with the Zimbabwe flag and he told me he had been sent by the President’s Office, he had been to Mnangagwa’s farm and the President had asked him to sort out Hwange Colliery,” Goddard said.

The businessman denied during cross-examination by Zhuwarara that Mliswa had personally demanded the $400 000 bribe, but intimated that it was something said in Shona, a language he was not conversant in.

Ziyambi’s name came in when Goddard claimed he had learnt that Hwange Colliery was under judicial management and had asked Mliswa to facilitate a meeting for him.

Chikomba’s lawyer, Simon Musapatika, then further cross-examined Goddard on the role of his client in demanding the $400 000 bribe.

Goddard said after the meeting, and when they were outside, he overheard Tundiya and Chikomba engage in heated discussions in Shona, where the Gokwe-Kabuyuni MP and Sibanda demanded money.

He said Chikomba later gave Tundiya his bank account, adding he again overheard the MPs demanding $400 000.

Goddard said after the meeting, he met Mohadi and told him that the four MPs had demanded a $400 000 bribe, and the VP advised him to then report the issue to Parliament.

Further asked by Musapatika to explain if he had ever received any official correspondence from the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Mnangagwa or Mohadi to confirm that Tundiya was, indeed, working under the instructions of the OPC, Goddard responded to the affirmative. He said when he met Mohadi at one time, he asked the VP to verify whether Tundiya was, indeed, a member of the OPC.

“When I met Mohadi, I asked him about Tundiya and he indicated to me that he will revert back to me, but up to now, he has not reverted. When Mnangagwa officially opened Arcturus Mine, I phoned Mohadi and told him I was confused and told him what was worrying me. He said if I was prepared to testify, it was the right thing to do so,” Goddard said.

Musapatika then suggested that since Goddard could not understand the Shona used by Tundiya and Chikomba, there was a possibility that the MP was simply demanding his dues from Tundiya.

Source – newsday

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

Epworth Police (Sunway City) assault man, steal mobile phone, $230 bond, dump him at police station bleeding and then discharge him to seek medical services….

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

By Own Correspondent- A Councillor for Ward 3, in Bindura Brian Kembo has been hauled to court charged with disorderly conduct after he allegedly stated that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is to blame for the high stress levels among citizens and for authoring Zimbabwe’s agonising economic crisis.

Kembo is being represented by Idirashe Chikomba from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).

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

By Own Correspondent| Didymus Mutasa has revealed that he never left Zanu Pf but was just a victim of former president Robert Mugabe’s purges within the party which sought to elevate his wife Grace.

Mutasa and Ambrose Mutinhiri, a former NPF leader who contested for presidency in the 2018 harmonised elections and lost dismally were on Tuesday re- admitted into Zanu Pf.

Said Mutasa:

“I never left Zanu Pf. It is the former president and his wife who pushed us out because he wanted to elevate his wife to become President. Let him hear now that i have remained Zanu Pf.”

By Own Correspondent| A student at Ezekiel Guti university has been suspended for querting why tje institution raised fees without consulting or notufying students.

Said ZINASU in a statement:

“Another shocking or rather obtuse suspension of ZINASU Comrade Chamu for questioning the administration on fee increment reached without consulting students.

The right to education is under threat!!!!!”

GOVERNMENT has rescinded its order for mandatory vacation lessons during the April and August holidays for schools in Matabeleland North province.

The order had been made by acting provincial education director Jabulani Mpofu to enable the schools to improve their Grade Seven pass rates and make up for time lost during teachers’ protests at the beginning of this term.

The move was, however, fiercely resisted by rural teachers, who argued that the directive was made without their consent. The teachers also argued that the low pass rates recorded at rural schools were as a result of lack of teaching resources as well as poor working conditions.

Mpofu later wrote to district schools’ inspectors on April 8, saying it was now up to individual schools to decide whether or not to conduct the vacation lessons during the holidays.

“This serves to correct the previous communication on the 2019 April and August vacation schools during holiday,” the letter read.

“… only Grade 7, Form 4s, U6ths can attend the vacation school if the school can afford to hold it and for the number of days which the school has planned for, not necessarily the 10 days. No school is forced to hold the vacation school.”

He also urged school authorities to consult key stakeholders such as parents over vacation lessons.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said his union had written to Mpofu, expressing displeasure over his earlier order.

“Teachers in remote areas, deep down in the rural parts of Matabeleland North, like in Binga and Bubi, will now enjoy their holidays and have time to go back to their homes to bond with their families. Teachers will also have time to engage in means of getting extra income to augment their poor salaries. We formally wrote the provincial education director a letter, protesting his earlier order on April 3 and we are happy that he has reversed the unpopular decision,” he said.

-Newsday

MDC’s ongoing congress nomination process has produced some surprises in the individuals chosen for the main elective congress scheduled for next month.

The youth assembly race is being led by Obey Sithole, who has received two nominations so far from both Matabeleland South and North ahead of the current secretary-general Lovemore Chinoputsa and fiery activist Haruziviishe Makomborero.

Chinoputsa has one nomination so far from the United States branch.

For the main wing, although MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has since received three nominations so far, there has not been the same consistency for his lieutenants.

Chamisa is expected to be challenged by secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, who has, however not yet received any nomination for the presidency. Mwonzora’s backers are adamant that tables will be turned in the course of the nomination.

For the youth assembly, Sithole said although the race was still on, taking the early lead is a clear message from young people that they want a refreshed assembly which will take a lead in fighting for their welfare.

“We are confronted with a very difficult situation which has the potential to destroy the future of this nation,” he said.

“Given that situation, the priority is to recruit and mobilise young people to take part in the political processes. We need to create a more responsible citizenry ready to exercise their constitutional rights in fighting against this military State.

“We will develop cadres who are ready to accept the streets as their second homes in pursuit of democratic change. We are confronted with a misinformed uniformed force, which as aiding the continued stay of Zanu PF in power.

“To that end, we will also reform the men and women in uniform.”

Clifford Malingwa was nominated for vice-chair, while Ostallos Siziba received nominations for the secretary-general’s position in both Matabeleland South and North provinces.

Chamisa got his third nomination while Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube and Morgen Komichi who are eyeing the vice-presidency received a boost in Matabeleland North province.

Joel Gabuza was nominated for the chairman’s position while the current chair Tabitha Khumalo was nominated for the treasurer-general’s position.

-Newsday

By Own Correspondent| Spokesperson for the National Patriotic Front Jelousy Mawarire has scoffed at recent moves by Didymus Mutasa and former NPF presidential aspirant in the 2018 harmonised polls Ambrose Mutinhiri of re- joining Zanu Pf.

Mutasa and Mutinhiri were on Tuesday officially readmitted into Zanu Pf.

Mawarire however described the move as desperation by “old politicians who knew that they no longer held any political value hence their decision to join a sinking ship.”

He said:

My brother Raymond Majongwe, would a sane person agree to be invited to eat a cake inside a burning house? Only old and insane people can agree to do that because they also know that they are about to die and they will just sacrifice everything because they want to eat as much as they can before they die.”

By Own Correspondent- A 3.8 magnitude earthquake struck Chimanimani and Chipinge shortly before Cyclone Idai which left over 344 people dead and destroyed property worth billions of dollars, a senior Government official has revealed.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa told journalists at a post cabinet briefing that government was also working on relocating people in some of the areas affected by the cyclone.

Said Mutsvangwa:

“Cabinet has also established that the scale of the disaster was to some extent exacerbated by a 3.8 magnitude earthquake which hit the Chimanimani areas shortly before the onset of the cyclone,” she said.

“A team of experts is currently on the ground in the Chimanimani and Chipinge areas carrying out a disaster vulnerability assessment exercise with a view to determining the suitable long term settlement and land use patterns.

“Plans are also underway to establish monuments in honour of the departed persons in places such as Ngangu, Machongwe and Copa.”-StateMedia.

By Own Correspondent- Independent legislator for Norton, Temba Mliswa and opposition MDC MP Anele Ndebele were acquited by James Ross Goddard during a parliamentary hearing into bribery allegations which started yesterday.

Zanu Pf’s Leonard Chikomba and MDC’s Prince Dubeko Sibanda were however incriminated by the complainant.

The Parliament’s Privilege Committee chaired by Senator Chief Fortune Charumbira was investigating bribery allegations against Mliswa and others.

It was alleged that they demanded a $400 000 bribe from Goddard for his company, JRG Pvt Ltd, to secure a coal mining contract at Hwange in 2018.

Speaking during cross-examination by Mliswa’s lawyer Advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara, Goddard said that Mliswa and Chikomba did not make any financial requests.

He also added that:

“It (the issue of the facilitation fee) was raised by Honourable Chikomba and Honourable Sibanda that we can’t go to Hwange without something and it was Honourable Chikomba who was the most aggressive.”

Chikomba and Sibanda are denying charges arguing that Goddard’s allegations lacked evidence to back them.

MDC’s ongoing congress nomination process has produced some surprises in the individuals chosen for the main elective congress scheduled for next month.

The youth assembly race is being led by Obey Sithole, who has received two nominations so far from both Matabeleland South and North ahead of the current secretary-general Lovemore Chinoputsa and fiery activist Haruziviishe Makomborero.

Chinoputsa has one nomination so far from the United States branch.

For the main wing, although MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has since received three nominations so far, there has not been the same consistency for his lieutenants.

Chamisa is expected to be challenged by secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, who has, however not yet received any nomination for the presidency. Mwonzora’s backers are adamant that tables will be turned in the course of the nomination.

For the youth assembly, Sithole said although the race was still on, taking the early lead is a clear message from young people that they want a refreshed assembly which will take a lead in fighting for their welfare.

“We are confronted with a very difficult situation which has the potential to destroy the future of this nation,” he said.

“Given that situation, the priority is to recruit and mobilise young people to take part in the political processes. We need to create a more responsible citizenry ready to exercise their constitutional rights in fighting against this military State.

“We will develop cadres who are ready to accept the streets as their second homes in pursuit of democratic change. We are confronted with a misinformed uniformed force, which as aiding the continued stay of Zanu PF in power.

“To that end, we will also reform the men and women in uniform.”

Clifford Malingwa was nominated for vice-chair, while Ostallos Siziba received nominations for the secretary-general’s position in both Matabeleland South and North provinces.

Chamisa got his third nomination while Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube and Morgen Komichi who are eyeing the vice-presidency received a boost in Matabeleland North province.

Joel Gabuza was nominated for the chairman’s position while the current chair Tabitha Khumalo was nominated for the treasurer-general’s position.

— NewsDay

A food outlet at Machipisa Shopping Centre in Harare lost food and drinks worth over $4 300 last month to two conmen who duped the employees into believing that they had made an RTGS payment at a local bank.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said investigations were still in progress.

“Two unknown male adults entered the food outlet and ordered food. The duo produced an RTGS payment of food in the form of a receipt which was made at a local   bank.

“The suspects then obtained 1 080 x 500ml Pepsi drinks and 130 dinner box chips all valued at RTGS $4 389. The anomaly, which showed that the RTGS payment was fake was discovered by the outlet’s head office when following up the payment on 6 April 2019,” he said.

No arrests have since been made.

Asst Comm Nyathi urged business operators to verify transactions before releasing goods as they risk being duped.

He said they were appealing for information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact any nearest police station or the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631.

In April last year, the Zimbabwe Republic Police arrested three suspected fraudsters on allegations of creating fictitious EcoCash messages, which they used as proof of payment for various goods.

A group of criminals was targeting supermarkets, service stations and various businesses using the same method.

The criminals created fictitious messages to convince the targeted victims to believe that they had sent money via EcoCash to their merchant code numbers.

Following the increase in such cases, the Criminal Investigations Department has so far arrested three suspects — Prince Chiwodza (24), Sungano Musoni (42) and Bernard Mutema (42) — all of Glen View 8 in Harare who are still appearing in court.

Meanwhile, a man from Murove Village in Chinamhora appeared in court yesterday for allegedly abusing his wife and attempting to murder his two kids by throwing them into a well.

Webster Ketayamaoko (25) appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko charged with physical abuse and attempted murder.

He was remanded in custody to April 23.

The court heard that on March 7 Ketayamaoko returned home at around 11pm while drunk and grabbed his wife,  Sibongile Masangudze’s neck and assaulted her with fists on the head until she became unconscious.

When Masangudze collapsed to the ground Ketayamaoko thought she was dead.

Panicking, he took his two kids —Tanatswa and Taitus — and threw them into a well before jumping in himself.

State Media

By Own Correspondent- The case of the just-retired University of Zimbabwe vice-chancellor, Levi Nyagura, who is facing criminal abuse of office charges has been postponed to Thursday.

Deputy chief magistrate Elijah Makomo said that the presiding magistrate and acting chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi were engaged with other duties and will pass the ruling tomorrow.

Nyagura is accused of awarding former First Lady Grace Mugabe a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.).

He submitted that the matter was administrative and had no criminal sanction.

The State, represented by Michael Chakandida and Tapiwa Godzi, however, distanced Mnangagwa and Mugabe from the case.

It opined that the roles of the chancellors were restricted to capping students and reading speeches.-Newsday

A 3.8 magnitude earthquake rattled Chimanimani and Chipinge shortly before Cyclone Idai which left 344 people dead and destroyed property worth billions of dollars, Government has revealed.

During his two visits to Chimanimani and Chipinge, President Mnangagwa highlighted that there was an unexplained phenomenon that happened in the areas which experts should investigate.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa briefed journalists after the eleventh meeting of Cabinet in Harare yesterday that Government was also working on relocating people in some of the areas affected by the cyclone.

Further, Government is planning to establish monuments at three centres that were hard hit by the cyclone.

This comes at a time when Government has revealed that it is seeking $612 million to assist victims of the natural disaster.

“Cabinet has also established that the scale of the disaster was to some extent exacerbated by a 3.8 magnitude earthquake which hit the Chimanimani areas shortly before the onset of the cyclone,” she said.

“A team of experts is currently on the ground in the Chimanimani and Chipinge areas carrying out a disaster vulnerability assessment exercise with a view to determining the suitable long term settlement and land use patterns.

“Plans are also underway to establish monuments in honour of the departed persons in places such as Ngangu, Machongwe and Copa.

“Priority continues to be accorded to the repair or construction of damaged roads, and bridges, schools infrastructure, health infrastructure and provision of large scale psycho-social support.”

As part of efforts to bring closure to the issue of missing persons as a result of the cyclone, Minister Mutsvangwa said Government would send a team of pathologists to Mozambique to take samples of the remains of Zimbabweans buried in that country to conduct DNA tests.

“The search and recovery process is now confined to recovery of the deceased as the missing persons can now be presumed to be dead,” she said.

“Specialised equipment and the relevant expertise are being mobilised towards the recovery of the bodies buried under massive rock debris. Further, Cabinet wishes to advise that a team of pathologists will travel to Mozambique to collect samples of the remains of Zimbabweans who were buried there in order to facilitate the conduct of DNA test and subsequent positive identification by their relatives.”

In the consolidated Tropical Cyclone Idai International Humanitarian Appeal that Minister Mutsvangwa shared with the media yesterday, Government outlined key areas that it required assistance and a budget breakdown.

With regards to food security and nutrition, Government said it required $29 million while emergency shelter and non-food items requires $75 million.

The budget of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Education stand at $51 million and $10 million respectively while logistics and emergency telecommunication requires $155 million.

The budget for environment, forestry and wildlife restoration is $4,5 million and another $20 million is required for protection facilities.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo said President Mnangagwa had taken a hard stance against the abuse of goods donated as aid to the cyclone victims.

He said the President made it clear that anyone caught stealing or abusing the aid should go to jail.

Minister Moyo said people who were arrested so far for abuse of the aid were officials employed to distribute the food.

State Media

Econet’s bundles have gotten less appealing overnight as there were some adjustments made by the mobile network operator. Unfortunately the adjustments were made silently and it now appears as if Econet is trying to pull a fast one on its customers.

This issue came to my attention after I saw an interaction between Econet and a friend of mine. He simply asked if the WhatsApp bundle still came with Twitter as he was having a hard time using the Twitter data which is normally part of the bundles. This is the response he got:

Hey Mukudzei! The combo package is not available for purchase at the moment. ^WS

Econet Customer Care Twitter Account

Weirdly enough, depending on who is manning that Twitter account at what time, subscribers are getting different responses, with some being prompted to check their inbox for the response whilst others are informed that the issue is being addressed.

The most unfortunate bit in all of this is that when you dial *143# and go to buy the bundles, Twitter is still included as part of the WhatsApp packages. So if you’re buying those bundles with a view to use Twitter you’re informed that there is Twitter data whilst the reality you’ll face after you’ve made the purchase is very different.

The fair thing for Econet to do is to update their menus or put out a statement telling users that they’ve discontinued the service instead of selling subscribers something that doesn’t exist.

Techzim

THE Bulawayo City Council is crafting a policy to deal with residents who construct or occupy houses and churches without ablution services.

This comes at a time councillors have raised concern over a growing trend where residents are constructing and occupying homes with no toilets, against council by-laws.

According to the latest council report, residents are illegally occupying areas like Mqabuko Heights where according to council, there is no water connection.

Ward 4 Councillor Silas Chigora said a policy was needed to help the local authority deal with law defying residents.

“Council should consider drafting a policy and a guideline on what should be done in instances involving churches and incomplete structures. Mqabuko Heights has no water connections but despite this fact, there are tenants occupying properties in that suburb,” he said.

Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Councillor Tinashe Kambarami said no one should be allowed to start constructing any structure without toilets.

“I am concerned about fouling that is happening at unfinished houses in Mahatshula, Selborne Park and Emhlangeni. Caretakers on those properties do not have proper toilets,” said Cllr Kambarami

“Council building terms and conditions should ensure that construction does not start without ablution facilities in any place”.

The Director of Housing and Community Services, Mr Dictor Khumalo, said council was facing a challenge in the enforcement of by-laws in dealing with such cases.

“For construction purposes council allows a storeroom and a security guard on the stand as well as temporary toilet constructed on manholes. However in most cases the temporary toilets are never constructed and at the same time it takes long for the structures to be completed due to the economy,” he said.

Mr Khumalo said the department would however, investigate and come up with a way to help the affected tenants.

Former ZANU-PF secretary for Administration Didymus Mutasa, who was yesterday officially welcomed back into the party, said he had been forced out of the ruling party by former president Robert Mugabe after criticising him for accepting his wife as a faction leader in the revolutionary party.

Speaking at a welcome ceremony for him and returning stalwart Brigadier-General Ambrose Mutinhiri (Rtd) at the party headquarters in Harare yesterday, Mutasa said he remained Zanu-PF at heart.

CMutasa said he never left Zanu-PF, but he had personal issues with Mugabe, who later incited the youth to chide him at party gatherings.

“I would like to thank you very much for accepting me back into the party. We worked together well, but as things changed, we also changed.

“Circumstances were such that it was necessary for the former president of the party to think we were no longer good and tell us to move away. We didn’t move away on our own.

“I wrote back to my colleagues to say that I never left the party. The reason why the former president said I should move away is that I was saying it very openly, as you will, hear it now, that it was very unfair for him to accept his wife as the leader of the third faction of Zanu-PF and he didn’t like it.

“He did not tell me that he did not like it, but he had to organise the party youth at one time when members of the party were in a Politburo meeting, to chide at me downstairs,” said Mutasa.

Mutasa said he had since buried the past and was ready to take the party and the nation at large, forward.

“All those are now things of the past. We would like to look into the future and build this country to be what we went to war for it to be and I am very happy to see all of you welcoming me,” he said.

Brig-Gen Mutinhiri said he had made mistakes, but thanked the party for readmitting him.

“I also want to thank the party for accepting me back. It is unfortunate that there are times when people see things differently, but it is normal, I believe.

“In the process of seeing things differently, you make mistakes. When you realise that you have made a mistake, you come back to your comrades and say comrades I am sorry I made a mistake, I want to rejoin the party and they accept you back.

“That is a great thing. So I am here, happy to be accepted back into the party and am ready to take up any assignment given to me. I am at your service.”

Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu welcomed the pair saying the readmission was a directive from President Mnangagwa who was keen on uniting and strengthening the 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 rejoin 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,” he said.

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

“We want to welcome you VaMutasa and the general (Brig-Gen Mutinhiri).

“We are all your products and we want our commanders back.

“This is your home and you should continue guiding us,” said Mpofu.

Edna Madzongwe said: “I wish to thank the President who spearheaded the readmission of the two comrades. I welcome you comrades.”

State Media

Own Correspondent|The MDC Bulawayo province failed to hold its provincial assembly on Tuesday as scheduled by the party.

Outgoing deputy provincial spokesperson Edwin Ndlovu said that the party failed to hold its congress as scheduled as it had not yet completed some ward and district elective congresses.

“Each province has a timeline to hold its provincial congress. Bulawayo missed its timeline. We were supposed to hold our provincial congress today (Tuesday) but we still have not completed five ward elections, meaning we cannot do districts before the wards.

Sources within the party indicated that the party’s failure to hold the congress as scheduled did not go down well with Party President Nelson Chamisa who was in the city to attend the congress.

Chamisa held a crisis meeting with members of the provincial executive warning the province that they risk failing to be represented at the National Congress if they don’t put their house in order within the stipulated time.

In the meeting, sources said, Chamisa demanded that his deputy and ally Professor Welshman Ncube, who is facing resistance from the province, be accorded respect.

Party insiders said the MDC leader launched into a tirade over the party’s loss to Zanu-PF at the recent Cowdray Park Ward 28 by-election saying the electoral loss was tantamount to treason.

Chamisa is said to have taken Mr Collet Ndlovu to task for contesting the poll.

Ndlovu confirmed the meeting but downplayed that the MDC Alliance leader threatened to ban Bulawayo province from the congress.

“So the point he was making is that no matter the province, if it fails to set up its structures it will not be allowed to attend the party’s congress which will be held in Gweru in May. So we have up to Saturday to complete setting up our structures and making nominations,” he said.

Ndlovu also refuted claims that Mr Chamisa declared Bulawayo the party’s most violent province.

The parliamentary hearing into bribery allegations against four members of the National Assembly started yesterday with the complainant, Mr James Ross Goddard, exonerating Messrs Temba Mliswa and Anele Ndebele in his testimony, but incriminating two other legislators from the committee.

The pair is being investigated alongside Leonard Chikomba and Prince Sibanda by Parliament’s Privilege Committee chaired by Senator Chief Fortune Charumbira on allegations of demanding a $400 000 bribe from Goddard for his company, JRG Pvt Ltd, to secure a coal mining contract at Hwange.

They reportedly used their membership of the Mines and Energy Portfolio Committee to solicit the bribe.

Those accused allegedly demanded the bribe at a meeting held at JRG offices on November 15 last year, a day before the Mines and Energy committee was scheduled to visit to investigate operations at Hwange Colliery.

Goddard told the committee that he had been introduced to the four by businessman Shepherd Tundiya, who indicated that as members of the Mines and Energy Committee, they could assist his company get the mining contract.

Speaking during cross-examination by Mliswa’s lawyer Advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara, Goddard said the Norton legislator had not made any financial requests to him during the meeting and had left soon after the meeting.

He added that Ndebele also went and sat in his car after the meeting while Sibanda and Chikomba remained behind where the request for the “facilitation fee” was made through Tundiya.

He said Chikomba and Sibanda had indicated that they could not travel to Hwange without “something” to facilitate the deal.

“It (the issue of the facilitation fee) was raised by Honourable Chikomba and Honourable Sibanda that we can’t go to Hwange without something and it was Honourable Chikomba who was the most aggressive,” Goddard said.

He said Chikomba later provided him with his personal banking details where he could deposit half the amount while the other $200 000 would be paid when the contract had been secured.

Chikomba, who is being represented by Simon Musapatika is however, denying the charges saying in his testimony Goddard had not provided any evidence that his client demanded the bribe.

He said the only issues his client discussed with Tundiya when they were outside when the meeting had ended concerned money he was owed by the latter.

Sibanda, who is being represented by Freddy Masarirewhu, is also denying the charges and said Goddard had failed to provide any evidence of his client demanding the bribe but was relying on perceptions.

Masarirewhu also queried why Goddard had not set up a trap to prove that the request for the bribe was genuine.

The hearing continues today.

Own Correspondent|The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission will this Saturday be launching its 21 outreach programme that will kick start its venturing into the communities to hear on conflict issues that befell the country.

According to a state media report, the 21-day outreach programme includes the strategic priorities for 2019 such as public hearings for healing and reconciliation, mechanisms for early detection of conflicts, conflicts, national dialogue facilitation, setting up of peace committees, evidence based legislative and policy recommendations.

Others are key thematic areas which include, complaints handling mechanisms, victim support mechanism, truth telling and truth seeking mechanism, healing, reconciliation and rehabilitation strategy, research and knowledge management strategy.

Highlighting structures in which Zimbabweans can participate for a broad based and inclusive national healing, reconciliation and peace building process are some of the issues to be covered.

Addressing a press conference in Harare yesterday, NPRC chairman Justice Selo Masole Nare encouraged the public to participate in this process that will precede the truth seeking, truth telling and public hearings.

“Between April 15 and 16, we will be in Mashonaland East, April 23 and 28 in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands, April 29 and 30 in Mashonaland Central, May 2 and 4 in Harare and Mashonaland West, May 6 and 7 in Masvingo, May 8 and 10 in Manicaland and on May 14 and 15 in Bulawayo,” he said.

The commission met Government officials, traditional leaders, churches, arts and cultural organisations, civil society, business, academia, persons with disabilities, women and youth, among others.

President Mnangagwa signed the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission Bill into law in January, which operationalised the commission that was appointed in 2016.

The Act provided for the functions, powers, operations and removal from office of the members of the Commission, manner of conducting investigations and staffing of the Commission, among others.

The NPRC was established under Sections 251 to 253 of the Constitution to ensure post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation, to develop programmes to promote national healing, unity and peaceful conflict resolution.

Section 252 of the Constitution states the NPRC’s functions were to ensure post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation.

President Mnangagwa assigned Vice President Kembo Mohadi to be in charge of the Peace and Reconciliation portfolio as a show of his administration’s seriousness to dealing with the issue.

Own Correspondent|President Emmerson Mnangagwa sent his emissaries to Matabeleland to meet with the members of the Matabeleland Collective and feed them back on what government is going to do to address issues presented to him in a controversy riddled meeting held last month.

The Collective tabled a four pronged document to Mnangagwa top of which were issues to do with the Gukurahundi atrocities, national healing and the devolution of power concept.

Mnangagwa’s emissaries highlighted that Government will issue birth and death certificates to those affected by the Gukurahundi atrocities.

Government will also facilitate the exhumation and reburial of victims of Gukurahundi while medical assistance will be availed for those injured during the time while other restorative justice measures will be rolled out, making good of President Mnangagwa’s promise that his administration would not shy from confronting the ugly past.

Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mrs Virginia Mabiza met the Matabeleland Collective in Bulawayo and announced the implementation of a matrix of issues discussed during the earlier meeting.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage will facilitate the issuance of birth certificates and death certificates for victims affected by Gukurahundi. It will also facilitate the exhumation and reburial of Gukurahundi victims.

“We’re also implementing protection mechanisms for those affected by Gukurahundi to be free to discuss their experiences,” said Mrs Mabiza.

She said Health and Child Care and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare ministries would provide medical assistance to victims of Gukurahundi.

“Some people are still suffering from various pains inflicted on them during the disturbances. The Government will therefore, facilitate that these people receive medical assistance,” said Mrs Mabiza.

Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement would also prioritise the completion of the Matabeleland Zambezi Water project, which is expected to unlock economic value to communities.

“The ministry and certain players that have been identified to look into the completion of the project are expected to give monthly updates on progress made until we can give timelines on the completion.

“Another critical issue to be looked into is devolution, where we expect Government processes to be devolved by prioritising of local businesses in the awarding of tenders and giving locals first preference when filling positions,” said Mrs Mabiza.

Mrs Mabiza said her ministry would work with the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing to harmonise laws governing local authorities to ensure efficiency and ease in the implementation of devolution.

“The harmonisation of laws is expected to be finalised in six months. We will work with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises to ensure that there’s inclusivity of women in Parliament, Cabinet and governance structures.”

She said her ministry had resolved to extend the lifespan of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) for continuous dialogue.

Mrs Mabiza added that the Home Affairs Ministry had been tasked to investigate and report causes of police inaction and perceived insubordination during the 14 to 16 July protests.

Matabeleland Collective convener Pastor Trevor Masuku commended the OPC for responding to concerns raised by the civic society.

“We are grateful that President Mnangagwa responded to the invitation for dialogue extended to him by the Matabeleland Collective and a meeting was successfully held last month. On this historic day, more than 70 organisations represented by over 100 civic and religious leaders had a two hour frank dialogue with the President and key issues were raised.

“We called for the decriminalisation of Gukurahundi by allowing people to openly discuss their experiences. We also asked for true and factual notation on death certificates and the development of Matabeleland to prioritised,” said Pastor Masuku.

During last month’s meeting, President Mnangagwa hailed the interaction which he described as the first of its kind in terms of social dialogue

Farai Dziva|Political observer Ezra Tshisa Sibanda believes the MDC A electoral processes are chaotic.

Below is Sibanda’s analysis of the MDC A Congress:
MDC is going for Congress but which structures will the party use to elect new leadership?

From the look of things, this Congress appear to be using MDC T structures left by the late Morgan Tsvangirai. If indeed they are using these structures, it means people like Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube and all others in the alliance are not eligible to contest because they don’t belong to the original MDC T and are not members.

What happens to members of the parties they led if ever they have followers?
As far as l am concerned MDC Alliance has no structures and it’s an alliance of political parties created for the purposes of last year’ s elections. A political alliance is an agreement for cooperation among different political parties on common political agenda, often for purposes of contesting an election.

Therefore that alliance should have been dissolved after losing elections. If these leaders of different political parties want to contest in MDC Congress, what happens to their original parties? Why not dissolve those parties and join MDC?

You can’t be elected by MDC structures and still lead another party outside MDC. This is political theatre!!!

Farai Dziva|Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya has reiterated that those who wish to topple MDC A president Nelson Chamisa are hoping to use Twitter to win the elections at the May Congress.

“Those who want to contest @nelsonchamisa
for MDC presidency and other leadership positions should be nominated in the on going provincial congresses; don’t listen to social media nominations, opinions from people like us who are not MDC members. You wont be elected on Twitter!”

“For power to be fully legitimate then, three conditions are required; its conformity to established rules; the justifiability of the rules to shared beliefs; the consent of the of the surbodinate or of the most significant among them to the particular relations of power,” said Dr Ruhanya.

By Own Correspondent| Addressing the media at a post cabinet briefing in Harare on Tuesday, government, announced new producer prices for the major cash crops ahead of the 2018/19 season harvest.

The new prices are as follows:

• Maize – RTGS$726 per tonne
• Wheat – RTGS$1089.69 per tonne
• Soya – RTGS$918 per tonne
• Cotton – RTGS$1950 per tonne

Meanwhile, the government will sell maize at a 38.5% discount to millers, maintaining a subsidy on the staple crop.

A ZESA senior manager who is facing sexual harassment charges has had more woes added to his plate, after images of him having a good time with a female subordinate leaked online.

Christopher Tendekayi Mundembe who is the Human Resources regional manager at ZESA Chinhoyi appears in the photos with Tsakani Chauke, a Midlands State University (MSU) student who recently completed her internship at the power utility.

Mundembe is facing charges of sexually assaulting another attachment student at his workplace.

Some of the images also show Mundembe and Tsakani at a Kariba Hotel.

When reached for comment by H-Metro, Mundembe said: “My mobile was stolen last week and I am still to find out who exactly leaked the photographs as all my contacts received the photos.

“I replaced the line and upon switching it on I received several calls concerning the photographs.

Chauke on the other hand also said that she was not aware how the photos had leaked.

She went on to say: “I never asked him if he was together with his wife. Also, we last communicated long back and I was not aware that he still had the photographs.”

Mundembe is also facing charges of sexually harassing another student who was on attachment at the power utility.

Mundembe is alleged to have called the student into his office and demanded a hug.

When the student refused, Mundembe allegedly grabbed and fondled the student’s breasts and buttocks without consent.

The victim initially reported the matter internally, but when she saw that nothing was being done she escalated the matter and reported the case to the police.

Mundembe is expected back in court on the 15th of April.

H Metro

Farai Dziva|Political observer Ezra Tshisa Sibanda believes the MDC A electoral processes are chaotic.

Below is Sibanda’s analysis of the MDC A Congress:
MDC is going for Congress but which structures will the party use to elect new leadership?

From the look of things, this Congress appear to be using MDC T structures left by the late Morgan Tsvangirai. If indeed they are using these structures, it means people like Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube and all others in the alliance are not eligible to contest because they don’t belong to the original MDC T and are not members.

What happens to members of the parties they led if ever they have followers?
As far as l am concerned MDC Alliance has no structures and it’s an alliance of political parties created for the purposes of last year’ s elections. A political alliance is an agreement for cooperation among different political parties on common political agenda, often for purposes of contesting an election.

Therefore that alliance should have been dissolved after losing elections. If these leaders of different political parties want to contest in MDC Congress, what happens to their original parties? Why not dissolve those parties and join MDC?

You can’t be elected by MDC structures and still lead another party outside MDC. This is political theatre!!!

Farai Dziva|Cornered Masvingo City Mayor Collen Maboke allegedly invited MDC A secretary general Douglas Mwonzora to the ancient city to meet with the provincial executive, sources have claimed.

Maboke defied party leader Nelson Chamisa’ s directive to step down two weeks ago.Maboke is reportedly working with Mwonzora, his mentor in the legal profession, to topple Chamisa.

“The mayor is in the thick of things and he has a case to answer because a clandestine meeting was held at his offices in town,” said a member of the MDC Veterans Activists.

By Own Correspondent| Zanu-PF founding members Didymus Mutasa and Ambrose Mutinhiri were this afternoon accepted back into the ruling party.

The two said they were ready to serve the party and assist in building the nation.

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

By Own Correspondent| A Kadoma based Zanu Pf thug who was caught on camera while brutally assaulting a Gokwe man for stealing gold from him is set to perform 175 hours of community service after he was found guilty of assault.

Following Litten Chikoore’s video where he was assaulting Pedzisai Mangisi went viral, ZimEye launched a manhunt for him in a development which resulted in his identification before he handed himself over to the police.

He was sentenced to eight months in jail before magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba suspended the whole sentence on condition that he performs 175 hours of community service at Kadoma General Hospital.

A further three months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

Chikoore (35) of Waverly in Kadoma appeared in a 45-minute video recorded in November 2018 brutally assaulting 30-year-old Mangisi with a baton stick. He was accusing Mangisi of stealing gold from him.

Chikoore later handed himself to the police and was incarcerated. He pleaded guilty to assault charges when he initially appeared in court on Friday.

Farai Dziva|Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya has reiterated that those who wish to topple MDC A president Nelson Chamisa are hoping to use Twitter to win the elections at the May Congress.

“Those who want to contest @nelsonchamisa
for MDC presidency and other leadership positions should be nominated in the on going provincial congresses; don’t listen to social media nominations, opinions from people like us who are not MDC members. You wont be elected on Twitter!”

“For power to be fully legitimate then, three conditions are required; its conformity to established rules; the justifiability of the rules to shared beliefs; the consent of the of the surbodinate or of the most significant among them to the particular relations of power,” said Dr Ruhanya.

Video loading below…..

By Own Correspondent| Zengeza West legislator and lawyer Job Sikhala who was yesterday barred from representing two parliamentarians facing allegations of demanding a $400 000 bribe from a local businessman has vowed to challenge the decision by parliament through the courts.

Sikhala was barred from representing Binga North member of parliament Prince Dubeko Sibanda and Magwegwe legislator Anele Ndebele after the committee set up by Parliament to investigate the matter ruled that there was conflict of interest due to his role as a Member of Parliament.

Ndebele and Sibanda are facing the allegations together with Temba Mliswa (Norton) and Zanu Pf’s Leonard Chikomba (Gokwe Kabuyuni)

The four were members of the now disbanded Mines and Energy Committee and are accused of demanding the bribe from James Ross Goddard of JRG Contracting (Pvt) Ltd as a “facilitation fee” to enable him secure a contract to mine coal at Hwange.

By Own Correspondent| MDC legislator Job Sikhala’s bid to represent his colleagues facing a parliamentary probe following allegations of corruption yesterday hit a snag after the Privileges Committee of parliament ruled that he was conflicted.

However, Sikhala vowed to challenge the ruling at court arguing that his clients’ rights to fair and just representation by a legal practitioner of their choice had been violated.

The Priviledges Committee led by Chairperson Chief Fortune Charambira ruled that Sikhala could not represent Magwegwe constituency legislator Anele Ndebele and Binga North member of parliament Prince Dubeko Sibanda in a parliamentary hearing over $400k corruption allegations arguing that he was conflicted.

Charumbira said the committee resolved to excuse Sikhala since he was also a legislator who would debate parliamentary motions of findings by the committee on Sibanda and Ndebele.

However, Sikhala vowed to challenge the decision by parliament through the courts.

Said Sikhala:

“……they have reduced the hearing to a Zanu Pf kangaroo court where they have roped in my clients into their factional fights.

….They are also scared of my capacity to defend my clients because they know they have no case…

Test assured, I am going to take this case further. I am seeking recourse through the courts because it is a Constitutional violation….”

ZimEye brings you live the Parliamentary probe into corruption allegations against Norton legislator Temba Mliswa, Anele Ndebele, Prince Sibanda and Zanu Pf’s Chikomba.

Refresh this page for updates.

By Own Correspondent| Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube revealed last week that vehicle importers will continue to pay duty in foreign currency.

Following the 2019 Monetary Policy Statement, business people have been calling on Government to charge vehicle duty using the local currency.

The Monetary Policy Statement introduced an interbank market for forex and RTGS dollars.

Ncube who gave the government’s position in an interview said:

Look, I don’t want to chop and change policies too much. Every other week you change policy because you have this and that; it’s not very good.

I am sticking to the payment of duty in the forex; basically in the currency someone has acquired the vehicle, it could be in rand, it could be in US dollars, whatever currency you acquire it in, pay in that currencVehicle imports have been rising exponentially since 2009 from US$250 million to upwards of US$800 million in 2010.

Own Correspondent|FORENSIC auditor and investigator Ralph Bomment Greenacre has nailed Mines Minister Winston Chitando in a case in which Hwange Colliery lost US$111 million from government to fund its revival in 2016.

Chigumba was recently sensationally revealed to be involved in an extramarital relationship with ZEC Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba.

Chitando, who was the Hwange Colliery board chairperson at the time in question, embarked on unethical practices during his tenure because a company transporting the bulk of the coal at the mine, Inductoserve, was linked to his constituency in Gutu, and that he was paying journalists “bribes” to cover up corruption.

“Management during the chairmanship of Chitando embarked on extensive unethical practice of paying what I define as ‘bribes’ to many journalists under the guise of corporate social responsibility,” read the forensic audit prepared by investigator Reynolds Tendai Muza of Ralph Bommet Greenacre.

“Management during the chairmanship of Chitando embarked on extensive unethical practice of paying what I define as ‘bribes’ to many journalists under the guise of corporate social responsibility,” read the forensic audit.

Hwange Colliery was hurriedly put under reconstruction by Chitando and Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi; an issue which the Parliamentary Mines Committee during the chairmanship of Temba Mliswa felt was to cover up corrupt practices at the mine.

“During the year 2016, the mine got a United States dollar $111,5 million 15-year loan from the Ministry of Finance which attracts an interest of 7% per annum in the form of Treasury Bills (TBs), although TBs styled in the US dollar are not money that can be utilised to pay for foreign currency-denominated logistics,” Muza said in the forensic audit.

“Audited accounts show that the company made a loss after tax of $115 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, but in 2016 after implementing Ralph Bomment Greenacre and Reynolds turnaround quick wins, the performance improved by 37,6% in under six months, and the loss for the year came down to $89 million. The 2017 audited results show that the loss for the year went down to $43 million, a 62,61% cumulative improvement in under one-and-a-half years, and by 2018 as at September 30 management accounts show that the loss for the nine months stood at $32 million,” he said.

Muza said some directors at Hwange felt that its waning fortunes could have been because the board appeared to be leading the company into “reckless trading” and deviating from the “quick wins” which were directed by Ralph Bomment Greenacre and Reynolds in order to turn around its fortunes.

“There was trading with gross negligence, buying of Turbo mining equipment ($2,02 million) without due diligence when the equipment was only worth $823 000 only; and (there was) no valuation; and (there could also have been) money laundering involving Inductoserve, a contracted foreign haulage company,” read the forensic audit.

When Muza appeared before the Mines Committee last year to give oral evidence, he said 68% of coal transportation at Hwange Colliery was being done by Inductoserve, adding that several companies performed incompatible functions of loading coal.

He said there were fraudulent activities by companies ferrying coal at Hwange where they overstated the tonnage.

“Assuming the tonnage is deemed to be 30 tonnes per each load, a truck that makes 10 loaded trips per day is deemed to have ferried 300 tonnes per day. There is persuasion for hired truckers to make more trips per day, but carrying less than the assumed 30 tonnes. Because of the foregoing weaknesses, tonnages recorded in forecasting processing at the processing plants can be overstated or misleading,” Muza said. 

Own Correspondent|Reports coming through indicate that the Matabeleland North MDC provincial structure has snubbed their founding provincial chairperson Morgen Komichi in their list for national leadership of the party.

Sources on the ground revealed that the party members nominated President Nelson Chamisa as their preferred leader of the party seconding Welshman Ncube, Tendai Biti and Thabitha Khumalo as his Deputies.

Unlike other provinces that have submitted their nominations, the province ignored Komichi who started his political career in the province when he was employed at the ZESA Power Station in Hwange at the founding of the MDC in 1999.

Also snubbed by the province are ambitious Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora and former Harare Mayor Engineer Elias Mudzuri who are hoping to be nominated to challenge Chamisa at the presidency.

The usually very principled province expressed their true nature of home allegiance when they nominated one of their own, Joel Gabbuza Gabuza to contest the national chairman position.

Party spokesperson Jacob Mafume was yet again nominated to retain his position with Midlands lawyer Brian Dube receiving the province’s confidence to deputize him.

Other party heavyweights who were excluded by the province include outgoing youth secretary Happymore Chidziva and Women Assembly boss Lynette Karenyi.

The provincial nomination processes which kicked off on Sunday, have been largely peaceful with party spokesperson Mafume indicating that they are being conducted within the premise of the party roadmap.

Harare West legislator Joana Mamombe (MDC Alliance), who is accused of trying to subvert a constitutionally-elected government after addressing a Press conference during the protests organised by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions in January, yesterday gave notice to apply for refusal of remand for the second time after the State failed to provide her with a trial date.

Mamombe, who was represented by Jeremiah Bhamu, appeared before magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa, who remanded her to May 9.

Allegations against her are that on January 14 this year, she addressed a Press conference at the Civic Centre in Marlborough, Harare, and urged people to overthrow the
government.

It is alleged Mamombe, together with members of her constituency, planned to join hands with trade unions to overthrow a constitutionally-elected government.

She allegedly urged members of her constituency to resort to civil disobedience and demonstrations to shut down Zimbabwe in response to a public outcry over the 150% fuel price hike and high cost of living.

It is alleged that between January 14 and 16, and in response to Mamombe’s presser, there were violent protests in the country.

Sebastian Mutizirwa appeared for the State.

NewsDay

A 34-YEAR-OLD self proclaimed pastor has been sentenced to six months in prison for fondling a 12-year-old girl’s breasts under the pretext that he wanted to pray for her.

Ndaba Maseko of Pumula East suburb fondled the minor, who cannot be named for ethical reasons, after she had come with her sister for prayers at his house.

Maseko told Western Commonage magistrate Mr Urgent Vundla that he only prayed for the girl as per her request.

“When the minor came to my house with her sister requesting for a prayer, l ordered them to close their eyes so l could pray for them. I couldn’t have touched the minor as l am a man of God,” he said.

 Maseko pleaded not guilty to a charge of indecent assault but was convicted and sentenced to six months in prison.

Three months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence.

The prosecutor, Ms Sibekithemba Dube said on February 6, the minor and her sister went to Maseko’s house where they wanted to be prayed for.

“As they got into the house, there was a power cut. Maseko ordered the two to kneel down. While praying he fondled the minor’s breasts and she screamed,” said Ms Dube.

The court heard that the minor told her mother about the matter when she got home.

On the following day a police report was made and Maseko was arrested.

State Media

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care says there is an outbreak of diarrhoea in parts of Chimanimani and Chipinge which were hit by Tropical Cyclone Idai with more than 50 cases having been recorded.

Speaking in a telephone interview, the Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Portia Manangazira, said a number of Cyclone Idai victims had been treated for diarrhoea in the last week.

 “We have noted a number of diarrhoea cases among the victims of the cyclone. We are expecting that it could be because of living conditions and lack of proper ablution facilities.

“I am unable to give exact figures at the moment but we have attended to over 50 people who were treated for diarrhoea. Under such circumstances this should be expected as the body has a way of responding to such conditions,” she said.

Dr Manangazira said the Ministry was working to ensure that there were proper sanitation facilities and clean water in the area.

“We are working as a ministry with a number of our partners, all tasked to ensure that there are proper sanitation facilities in Cyclone Idai affected areas,” she said. 

Dr Manangazira said the Ministry had also recorded cases of pneumonia and other respiratory infections which she attributed to exposure to weather conditions. 

ZIMBABWE Electoral Commission (Zec) commissioner Dr Qhubani Moyo has won a legal battle against a Bulawayo widow with whom he was locked in a protracted house ownership wrangle for the past 18 years.

Dr Moyo bought a residential stand in Selbourne Park suburb from the late Mr Leonard Godfrey Masina and his wife, Regina, for ZW$260 000 in 2001 and developed it. 

However, Ms Masina by virtue of being the surviving spouse of the seller of the property, had been refusing to sign all papers necessary to effect cession of his rights, title and interest in the property.

Dr Moyo, through his lawyers Shenje and Company, filed an application in terms of section 3 of the Titles Registration and Derelict Lands Act at the Bulawayo High Court citing the Estate of the late Leonard Masina, Ms Regina Masina and the Bulawayo City Council as respondents.

He sought an order directing Mrs Masina to sign all the required papers to effect cession of his rights, title and interest in the immovable property into his name or proxies within 10 days of the order.

Justice Maxwell Takuva ordered Ms Masina to sign the papers failure of which the Sheriff of the High Court was granted leave to do so in terms of section 3 of the Titles Registration and Derelict Lands Act.

“The first respondent (Estate of the late Leonard Masina), his agents, nominees or proxies or administration of his estate as the case may be, be and are hereby ordered to sign all papers necessary to effect cession of his rights, title and interest in the property called stand 14395 Selbourne Park, Bulawayo into the names of the applicant,” said Justice Takuva.

“In the event that she fails to comply with the order, Dr Moyo wants to be granted leave for the Sheriff of the High Court to sign the papers in terms of section 3 of the Titles Registration and Derelict Lands Act.”

In papers before the court, Dr Moyo said the late Mr Masina at the time of the sale was a holder of certain rights, title and interest in the immovable property which was at that time an undeveloped piece of land. 

“On August 14 in 2001, the first and second respondents sold the piece of land to me in terms of a written agreement in the sum of ZW$260 000,” said Dr Moyo.

He said he developed the property in compliance with the terms in the principal agreement with the Bulawayo City Council.

Dr Moyo said the sale of the property had the full blessings of council after he had been on the housing waiting list. 

“I must confess that I have not had any contacts with the respondents for over 10 years, but contend that they (respondents) have an obligation to cede the property in my name for me to properly exercise my rights in the property to their fullness,” he said.

A HIGHLANDERS Football Club supporter coming from watching the Bosso and Caps United match at Barbourfields Stadium died on the spot while five other people were injured after the vehicles they were travelling in were involved in a head on collision along the Bulawayo-Gwanda Road on Sunday.

The accident involving a Toyota Regius travelling towards Gwanda and a Toyota Hilux travelling to Bulawayo occurred at about 9PM near Valley Tavern.

Police could not release the names of the victims before informing their next of kin.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango said the driver of the Toyota Regius died on the spot while other passengers were injured.

“The accident occurred when the driver of the Toyota Regius was trying to overtake and encroached onto the lane of the oncoming vehicle. This led to the two vehicles colliding head on. As a result of the accident, the driver of the Toyota Regius sustained serious head and neck injuries and died on the spot while the Toyota Hilux driver suffered head injuries and was taken to Mater Dei Hospital where he is admitted,” said Chief Insp Simango.

“Five passengers from both vehicles sustained injuries on their heads, backs and sustained bruises all over their bodies and were ferried to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for treatment.”

She urged members of the public to exercise caution on the roads to save lives.

A Highlanders supporter, Mr Thulani Moyo, said the deceased was a Bosso fan who was part of the crowd that watched the team’s first home game against Caps United that ended nil all.

 “We watched the match together and after the match we drove to Highlanders Sports Club where we usually hang out before we all retired for home. He stayed in Habane suburb in Esigodini. We were shocked to learn that he had died in an accident,” said Mr Moyo.

“We are really hurt that he lost his life in such a painful way. As supporters we really want to emphasise to other supporters that whenever they go to watch matches be it home or away they should avoid drinking when they know they will be driving.” 

Meanwhile, 12 people were injured while seven others escaped unhurt on Sunday when a Gokwe-bound bus plunged into Gwelo River Bridge and landed on its side after developing a mechanical fault.

The accident involving a Gatsheni Express bus occurred at around 3AM.

Matabeleland North police spokes person Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese said: “The bus was travelling from Bulawayo to Gokwe with 19 passengers on board. When it got to the 29 kilometre peg at Gwelo Bridge, it developed a mechanical fault resulting in the driver failing to control the bus. It veered to the right side of the bridge then to the left before it plunged into the river landing on its left side,” she said.

Chief Insp Makonese said the driver and seven other passengers escaped unhurt while the injured were all said to be stable at Nkayi District Hospital.

She said the bus was taken to the Vehicle Inspection Department depot in Kwekwe.

State Media

Correspondent|THE Privileges Committee of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, which is chaired by Chief Fortune Charumbira, has barred Job Sikhala (MDC Alliance, Zengeza West) from representing two MDC Alliance MPs accused of demanding $400,000 bribe from a private contractor.

The committee ruled that there will be conflict of interest as Sikhala is also an MP, but Sikhala insists his clients deserve a lawyer of their choice and is mulling making an urgent appeal at the High Court.

 Messrs Anele Ndebele (MDC Alliance, Magwegwe) and Prince Sibanda (MDC Alliance, Binga North) are facing the bribery allegations together with Mr Temba Mliswa (Independent, Norton) and Leonard Chikomba (ZANU-PF, Gokwe-Kabuyuni).

Advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara is representing Mr Mliswa and Mr Simon Musapatika is representing Chikomba, while the two MDC Alliance MPs had sought opted to be represented by Job Sikhala, a fellow MP.

The four were members of the Mines and Energy Committee before its dissolution and are accused of demanding the bribe from James Ross Goddard of JRG Contracting (Pvt) Ltd as a “facilitation fee” to enable him secure a contract to mine coal at Hwange.

Chief Charumbira’s Parliament’s Privileges Committee which is investigating the matter ruled that Mr Sikhala was conflicted in the matter since he was part of Parliament and would take part in debate when the results of probe are brought up in the House.

“I will consult with my clients for instructions but might make an urgent chamber application because my clients are being denied their right to a lawyer of their choice,” Sikhala has said.

Mr Goddard alerted police boss Godwin Matanga as well as Vice President Kembo Mohadi of the alleged demand for $400,000 “facilitation fees” by the four MPs.

This led to the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda to dissolve their committee and call for an investigation by the Parliament’s Privilege Committee headed by Chief Charumbira.

The hearing was then adjourned to today.

DEPUTY Minister of Defence and War Veterans, Victor Matemadanda on Monday appeared in court in a matter where he lost $600 to a bogus magistrate.

The ‘conman’, Tinashe Munhuweyi tricked Matemadanda that he was the former Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Mafios Cheda and was stranded and in need of cash.

The accused, Munhuweyi (36), is also said to have fleeced various amounts of cash from prominent elderly figures like Matemadanda, Bubi legislator Richard Moyo (Zanu PF), Great Zimbabwe University professor Ben Siyakwazi.

Matemadanda told the court that he is shocked of such inhuman behaviour of the conmen who take advantage of the elderly fleecing money from them saying instead, they are supposed to be watching over them.

However, the accused fraudster denied allegations saying that Matemadanda paid off the investigating officers and giving them fuel to which he denied.

Munhuweyi also told the court that he never benefitted anything from Matemadanda except through his services to the public via government.

Circumstances surrounding the matter are that on September 17 2018, Munhuweyi contacted Matemadanda while purporting to be Justice Cheda and misrepresented that he had two trucks which had run out of fuel at Chirundu Border Post.

He allegedly requested for $600 to refuel the trucks and pay for other expenses.

The state is also alleging that Munhuweyi allegedly asked Matemadanda to transfer the money into a supplied Ecocash account and promised to repay the debt as soon as possible.

After the transaction went through, Munhuweyi allegedly became evasive.

Matemadanda later conducted his own investigations and discovered that he had been conned and reported the matter leading to the accused’s arrest.

Using the same modus operandi, Munhuweyi contacted a Great Zimbabwe University professor Ben Siyakwazi and lied that he was Justice Cheda and currently working in Namibia.

Munhuweyi indicated that he was in South Africa and seeking medical attention. He further told Siyakwazi that he was facing some serious problems and requested the complainant to assist his son, Christian Cheda, whom he alleged was studying at Makerere University in Uganda.

He alleged that his son’s vehicle had been confiscated by a Harare motor mechanic for failure to pay for repairs.

The court heard that Munhuweyi instructed Siyakwazi to transfer $400 into an Ecocash account registered in the name of Patience Muchenje.

He reportedly later claimed that his son had been involved in a road accident soon after collecting the vehicle from the mechanic and was admitted at Beatrice Hospital, prompting the complainant to send him additional money, bringing the total to $7 263.

On September 28, Siyakwazi’s friend visited Justice Cheda’s home in Bulawayo to inquire about the injured son, only to discover that they had been duped. Siyakwazi then reported the matter to the police.

Using the same modus operandi, Munhuweyi duped former High Court judge Justice Simpson Mutambanengwe’s son, Naboth, of $2 300.

Bubi legislator Moyo lost $1 500 to Munhuweyi and Rudo Kariramombe lost $1 088. Nothing was recovered.

263chat

LOSING MDC Alliance candidate for Harare South constituency in the 2018 elections, Shadreck Mashayamombe, has reportedly applied to re-join ZANU-PF.

Mashayamombe was the ruling party’s Harare Provincial Political Commissar until he was arrested in the aftermath of the military coup which deposed Robert Mugabe in November 2017, after which he joined the opposition MDC Alliance.

ZANU-PF has of late been opening the floodgates to its “lost sheep” who include former heavyweights Ambrose Mutinhiri and Didymus Mutasa. The two have confirmed they have since rejoined the ruling party.

A similar attempt to lure former Vice President Joice Mujuru is reportedly in motion, although it could fall either way.

A source indicated that Mashayamombe had applied to the Harare office, indicating he was “lost” and would be willing to serve the party even at the grassroots.

“Shadreck Mashayamombe has followed laid-down normal party procedures by applying through the ZANU PF Harare Provincial Secretary for Administration’s office,” a source said.

The Harare structures of the ruling party are currently dissolves followed a decision by President Mnangagwa to re-jig the urban structures in Harare and Bulawayo.

An interim restructuring team led by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is leading the province, while a similar arrangement led by Vice President Kembo Mohadi is leading the Bulawayo cause.

“Yes, the provincial office received an application by Mashayamombe to rejoin the party on Saturday(6 April). As you are aware, the (ZANU PF) provincial structures are presently dissolved. Once proper structures are established, the case will be dealt with accordingly”, said an interim provincial member.

In the letter, Mashayamombe reportedly begged the party to readmit him into the only home he knew, which is ZANU PF.

“He regretted having dined with the enemy when he ran on an MDC Alliance ticket in Harare South constituency. From where I stand, I don’t see any problem in readmitting him (Mashayamombe) but normal procedures will have to be done as a matter of formality,” the source added.

The timing of Mashayamombe’s application will likely heighten the tension within ZANU PF which is currently on a path to reconstitute Harare and Bulawayo structures.

However critics were quick to point out that Mashayamombe’s application for re-admission is most likely linked to the ongoing Land Commission inquiry probing the sale of state land in Harare.

“Mashayamombe is just being tactical, he knows he has a vast empire to protect, especially in Harare South where he sold vast tracts of land to individuals,” said one source.

Mutasa indicated he was admitted a while ago. “It happened a long time ago. I have been back in the party for sometime now, unless they expel me again. In the first place I never resigned,” Mutasa said.

Mutinhiri, a career soldier, left Zanu PF in the aftermath of the 2017 coup. He met former President Robert Mugabe early last year and was anointed interim leader of a loose coalition of individuals known as the National Patriotic Front initially known as the G40 faction of Zanu PF, that was bitterly opposed to Mnangagwa’s rise to power.

However, Mutinhiri performed dismally in the presidential election in which he was a candidate. The former Mashonaland East provincial Minister, in a short response, also confirmed he was rejoining Zanu PF.

“Yes it is true,” was all Mutinhiri could say when contacted for comment.