By Own Correspondent| Political parties taking part in the dialogue initiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa met on Friday and came up with two conveners.

The parties to the dialogue appointed Chairperson of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) Justice Selo Nare and Chairperson of the Gender Commission, Margaret Sangarwe Mkahanana as co-chairpersons of the dialogue process.

This was revealed by Mnangagwa during a media briefing at State House soon after a meeting of the parties to the dialogue.

Mnangagwa said that the parties adopted recommendations made by thematic committees.

He said that a launch of the actual dialogue will be held in the first week of May this year.

This is a developing story. More details to follow.

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa and his wife Auxillia, are literally competing for airspace at a time the nation is battling to come to terms with the devastating effects of Tropical Cyclone Idai.

Auxillia who initially portrayed herself as a humble figure has of late become obsessed with flying around the globe just like her husband.

According to state media reports, Auxillia Mnangagwa is in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, attending a summit of First Ladies on access to improved innovative health care and people’s well-being.

The summit was organised by Merck Foundation and has attracted over 18 countries.

The organisation is spearheading research and scientific innovation in the health sector.

By Own Correspondent- Wife of Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso B Moyo, Justice Loice Matanda Moyo is set to be the head of the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC).

Journalist Nqaba Matshazi revealed this on twitter Friday morning.

Said Matshazi:

Justice  Matanda Moyo is a judge of the High Court of Zimbabwe. She was appointed by the former President Robert Mugabe in 2013 and was sworn in on the 14th of July 2014.

Before her appointment as a High Court judge, Justice Matanda Moyo was the president of the Labour Court. At one stage she was the Director of Public Prosecution in the Attorney General’s office.

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

Farai Dziva|Chief Fortune Charumbira has criticised local prophets for failing to predict the coming of Tropical Cyclone Idai.

Charumbira made the remarks last week in the Upper House of Parliament after Local Government Minister July Moyo had issued a ministerial statement updating legislators on the devastation caused by the Cyclone.Charumbira is the president of the Chiefs Council of Zimbabwe

“This issue before us is very difficult because no one knew about it and someone said to me that the prophets we have – why did they not tell us?

How do they prophesy because here they did not see that people were going to die? The issue is that the prophets that we have — their capacity is now questionable.

Someone who identified himself as a prophet actually approached me and started narrating what chiefs must have done, and he came up with all sorts of philosophies and theories about Chimanimani and Zimbabwe, but he did not foresee this happening,” said Charumbira.

By Own Correspondent- Higherlife Foundation is set to provide over US$225 million into Harare’s water and sanitation sectors.

The move aims at fighting water-borne diseases like cholera and typhoid.

Higher Life Foundation and Harare City Council are working on a broader Cholera Strategic Plan 2019- 2025, which is set to change the way council does its business.

Higherlife Foundation is a family foundation founded by Econet founders Strive and Tsitsi Masiyiwa.

As part of the strategy, Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba is supposed to make an announcement to the city that council has adopted a new way of doing business and highlight key areas of focus and implementation.-StateMedia

Farai Dziva|The High Court of Zimbabwe has reversed the suspension of the operations of a Masvingo based Non Governmental Organization by Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Through the President’ s Office, Mnangagwa suspended the operations of Community Tolerance, Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) two weeks ago.

See below COTRAD’ s statement:

Following a series of developments over the past few weeks, COTRAD has rolled out a campaign to sensitize and update its membership.

With the uncertainty and confusion that ensued following the un-ceremonial suspension of the organization by an overzealous Masvingo District Administrator (DA) Ray Hove on 11 March 2019, COTRAD embarked on a campaign to map the way forward.

The campaign included a series of meetings attended by over 700 COTRAD members in Chivi, Chiredzi, Masvingo and Zaka Districts.

The campaign was greatly necessitated by the fact that the devastating news of the suspension of COTRAD operations brought turmoil among its member – hence the need for confidence building and sensitization.

The suspension, which received local, regional and international condemnation was terminated by High Court Judge Justice Matanda-Moyo on 20 March 2019.

During the campaign COTRAD vehemently emphasized the need to maintain focus on its work with stakeholders including heads of government departments, traditional leaders and elected officials.

COTRAD’s vision is to build a democratic society with youth inclusion and participation.

By Own Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) on Thursday busted an attempt by MDC-deputy chairman Tendai Biti to smuggle copies of his book, Democracy Works, without paying import duties, a state media report has alleged.

The book, which was co-authored with former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, Greg Mills of the Brenthurst Foundation and Jeffrey Herbst, the president of the American Jewish University was however launched at SAPES Trust with only a few copies available.

Said Biti, while addressing those who attended the launch:

“The book will be launched again in due course after they are released from where they are confiscated. We will call you (Obasanjo, Mills and Herbst) again for another launch.”

However, the state media report claimed that the incident happened at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport ahead of the book’s official launch at Sapes Trust resulting in delays of the proceedings.

Read the report:

“Soon after the launch, Biti acknowledged that the consignment of books had been confiscated over import duty.”

Biti was quoted saying:

“They just took our books. We had like 200 books which we intended to give our people, but they just took them and mind you this is the second time they just took them. They just gave the excuse (about) customs and we said we can pay the duty, they refused.”

By Own Correspondent- Government has directed schools that were affected by Cyclone Idai to close and re-open two weeks before the second term starts on May 7.

The order comes after the realisation that the current environment was not conducive for learning to continue.

In an interview on Thursday, Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo who is in Chimanimani, also said Government has availed $4 million for the reconstruction of schools in affected areas.

He said the schools which have since closed are expected to open on April 23, two weeks before the second term starts for pupils in the affected schools to make up for lost time.

He said:

“We have ordered that some schools in affected areas be closed as a way of stress reduction and rehabilitation.

We told them to close early especially the boarding schools, even day schools because they lost a lot of things.

Our strategy now is we know that these children are traumatised, some of them from home due to deaths in the families, some of their family members are missing, the level of trauma is very high so no meaningful learning can take place in that environment that’s why we said they must close.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- Addressing a Press conference soon after Zanu Pf’s Politburo meeting Thursday, the party’s Secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo said  the President Emmerson Mnangawa warned party stalwarts against indiscipline and corruption.

Moyo said Mnangagwa urged party members to be honest in their conduct.

Said Khaya Moyo:

“In his opening remarks, the President expressed the importance of the party to be ever vibrant and visible in every part of the country. Introspection is the key, hard work and honesty must remain the compass. He also highlighted the effects of Cyclone Idai and commended the party for its role in assisting in all disaster-affected areas.

He warned on indiscipline and corruption. He further called for unity of purpose and emphasised that party programmes must have a national outlook.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- The Tobacco Research Board (TRB) has announced that the company intends to develop drought-resistant tobacco varieties.

Dahlia Garwe, the general manager of the company said this while presenting the TRB’s 2017/18 annual report before Parliament last week.

The report indicated that poor rainfall patterns pose a challenge on small-scale tobacco farmers since they rely on rains.

Garwe said:

“The season was characterised by poor rainfall distribution and this was particularly pertinent as over 85% of the Zimbabwean tobacco grower is a small-scale producer depending on rains.

When the rains eventually started falling around Christmas, they were accompanied by highly destructive winds and hailstorms which affected the early planted crop. January was particularly dry and hot, resulting in false ripening of some of the established crop.”

Garwe also said the hot and dry conditions, followed by a cool wet weather, introduced the “potato virus Y”, (PVY). An indaba was then hosted to interrogate the causes of the outbreak and measures to contain it. The indaba recommended allowing plant quarantine services to impartially play its role and stiffening and enforcing already existing penalties.-Newsday

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has told the party’s central committee that his trip to United Arab Emirates was funded by the host nation adding that his government did not use even a cent on the trip.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has poured sand on MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s proposal to rope in a foreign interlocutor to mediate in talks between the two political leaders raising concerns if the 76-year old politician is serious about the need for dialogue.

Chamisa is currently on a diplomatic offensive to regional countries, drumming up support for an internationally-backed mediator to break the country’s political logjam.

This came after Mnangagwa initiated talks involving all the candidates that participated in the July 30 presidential polls in an attempt to end the politi-cal discord that many believe could be contributing to the crisis ravaging the Zimbabwean economy.

Yesterday, presidential spokesperson George Charamba dismissed Chamisa’s effort, say-ing the MDC leader should see the light and join those who are already in talks.

“The solution is within the country and not outside. The problem is that he (Chamisa) is not part of the national dialogue. No solution will be found out-side the country,” said Charamba, who is also the deputy chief secretary to the president.

While Mnangagwa has been persistent with his version of national dialogue, the initiative has struggled to gain traction.

Chamisa was the first to throw spanners into the works after he declined an invitation to participate in the talks saying they were conditions which had to be met before dialoguing.

One of the conditions was that Mnangagwa must accept that he does not have the legitimacy to govern following the disputed July 30, 2018 election results. More people have since abandoned the national dialogue, accusing the Zanu PF leader of being insincere.

On Tuesday, another losing presidential candidate also poured scorn on the talks saying they are just meant to hoodwink the world into believing that par-ties in Zimbabwe acquiesce to his contested legitimacy.

Violet Mariyacha, leader of the United Democracy Move-ment, said the talks were not inclusive as they have been snubbed by other key actors.

“There is no serious discussion of why the country is in this current economic meltdown; why has Zimbabwe failed to attract foreign investments and what or where are the billion dollars that Zimbabwe told so and so are bringing the country from the Zimbabwe is Open for Business.

“This shows that ti dent is more conceme his legitimacy and ren sanctions,” she said.

-Daily News

By Own Correspondent| An army truck whose faulty brakes saw it ploughing into Tropical Cyclone Idai Victims waiting to receive aid reportedly killed 5 people, ZimEye has learnt.

Earlier reports indicated that there people died in the tragedy, but a source who spoke to ZimEye said 5 people died in the accident.

“There are five people who died in that tragedy…..I cannot for now rel3ase the names of the deceased for ethical reason but it is confirmed that 5 people died.”

Watch the video below for this and more.

By Own Correspondent- Legal secretary in the ministry of transport and infrastructural development Angeline Karonga was picked up for questioning on corruption allegations.

She was reportedly picked up by police on Thursday night for questioning regarding corrupt activities in the ministry.

Her arrest follows a crackdown on top officials in the ministry’s various arms which saw the arrest and subsequent suspension of Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) general manager David Chawota this week.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest details.

Police details have picked the legal secretary in the ministry of transport and infrastructural development Angeline Karonga for questioning over alleged corrupt activities happening in the ministry according to an online news organisation the Zim Morning Post has revealed.

She was picked by police on Thursday night for questioning regarding corrupt activities in the ministry.

This follows a crackdown on top officials in the ministry’s various arms which saw the arrest and subsequent suspension of Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) general manager David Chawota this week.

Police sources said Karonga is facing various charges including corruptly concealing a transaction from a principal.

-Zim Morning Post

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s long held narrative that sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States of America and European Union are responsible for the worsening economic situation has faltered again after the EU ambassador to Zimbabwe, Timo Olkkonen challenged government to bring tangible evidence that the embargo was hurting ordinary people as often alleged.

Addressing journalists in Harare on Tuesday, Olkkonen said sanctions were targeted at government officials fingered in human rights abuses and not the ordinary people.

“EU sanctions are highly legal instruments,” said the EU diplomat, “They are drafted and agreed upon on the basis that they could be subject of a legal scrutiny that gives the basis of how those entities and individuals are on that list.

“How they work, you need to find from open sources enough evidence and reasons to add people on that list. We are now referring to what has been happening in the past.”

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s meeting with leaders of Matebeleland civil society groups has caused a storm with a group who attended the meeting being branded sellouts for meeting the man they accuse of orchestrating gukurahundi atrocities.

According to NewZimbabwe.com, the closed door meeting held at the State House where journalist and activist Zenzele Ndebele was arrested has angered a section of civil society who feel let down.

The clique accused WOZA leader Jenni Williams of bootlicking Mnangagwa by calling him a “listening” President.

Other blamed embattled MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe of being the brains behind the meeting.

They said Khupe was seeking to revenge her unceremonius departure from the MDC led by Nelson Chamisa in the run-up to the July 2018 elections.

There were also concerns that Priscilla Mushonga, who is a legislator gatecrashed the meeting when it was solely for civil society.

Jane Mlambo| Top gospel musician in Zimbabwe, Mathias Mhere is believed to be the reason behind the murder case in which a man shot and killed his wife and brother in law on Wednesday morning.

Mhere was once kidnapped by the man on allegations of having an affair with his wife.

According to the Chronicle, Petros Pomborokani shot his wife of 20 years, Olivia Zenda (42) following a marital dispute before shooting his brother-in-law, Robert Zenda (49). This is reported to have happened in front of his three children, mother-in-law, a relative and a housemaid at around 7 am.

The matter is now being handled by CID Homicide. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the shooting saying,

Investigations carried out so far have revealed that the suspect and his wife had a long marital dispute. He was in the habit of assaulting his wife and had since moved out of their matrimonial home.

[At Around 7 am, Pomborokani was seen by a relative entering the house while wearing a hood…the relative heard the wife screaming calling for help before gunshots were fired. It is suspected that he first shot the wife before turning the gun on his brother-in-law. He fled the scene.

Pomborokani was once arrested in 2016 after he kidnapped gospel singer, Mathias Mhere accusing him of having an extramarital affair with his wife. He allegedly forced Mhere and his wife to remove their clothes at gunpoint and held them hostage naked for five hours.

However, when he appeared in court, He was fined US$150 or three months in prison.

Comedienne Madam Boss has been fingered as one of the two responsible parties behind Zaoga Pastor Stanley Moyana’s demise in the church, the man of the cloth being the other.

According to one social media user, Moyana was kicked out of the church after he was caught cheating on his wife with Madam Boss.

“Its true mufunge thats why Pastor Moyana was kicked out of Zaoga, because he was caught cheating on his wife with Madam boss” read the comment.

Most netizens were left wondering if the claims were true or it was just a case of malicious rumours.

All parties are yet to confirm or deny the claims.

-My Zimbabwe

THE United Nations and the European Union yesterday said they had put in place mechanisms to prevent any further looting and politicisation of aid meant for the victims of Cyclone Idai. This comes as information minister Monica Mutsvangwa has been accused of looting donations after an image was leaked (see above) of a delivery truck loading some stuff into her home in Mutare.

“We take seriously the reports that the food is being distributed politically. The government of Zimbabwe must review that, this must not happen. The government of Zimbabwe must respect the needs of the people,” the European Union ambassador to Zimbabwe, Timo Olkkonen, said at a meeting with Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Ellen Gwaradzimba in Mutare yesterday.

“The distribution of the food must not be distorted in any way and any further violations are destroying the goodwill.”

Gwaradzimba met with Olkkonen and the United Nations ambassador to Zimbabwe, Bishow Parajuli, who raised concerns over bureaucracy in the distribution of food to Cyclone Idai victims.

“We are working on a system that minimises bureaucracy and maximises direct benefit to the affected people. You (Gwaradzimba) are fully aware of places where the food was distributed to who, why and how,” Parajuli said.

“We need to maintain openness in the system on these humanitarian issues and we should continue working together. We have seen that the victims need food and we jumped in. For the way forward, in order to see the effective distribution of the food, we are going to meet the people affected directly and make co-ordinated efforts to assist them.”

“We will have UN colleagues and civil society groups stationed here (Command Centre) for a period of time and work on different modalities and mediums to see effective and fair distribution of the food,” he added.

The remarks by the two diplomats follow a NewsDay exposé this week that Zanu PF officials were looting aid meant for the cyclone victims from Silver Stream distribution centre in Chimanimani for distribution to party members in their wards, including those who were not affected by the floods.

Zanu PF Manicaland chairman Mike Madiro denied the allegations, saying the aid distribution programme had been politicised.

“Remember, there has been a disaster in Chipinge and Chimanimani, and MPs from all over the country have been using those cars branded with Zanu PF logo assessing and helping the situation,” he said.

“I am not even aware that there are donations that were being looted. Those are just allegations. People must come with evidence; the V11 forms to prove that the donations have been stolen.”

He accused some Zanu PF officials of using the relief food to fan intra-party fights, with Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa also being accused of looting foodstuffs meant for cyclone victims.

“What is happening is not good. People are using the relief food to trade accusations. Do you think a person like Minister Mutsvangwa will do that? And this is coming from fellow Zanu PF members,” he said.

Mutsvangwa told NewsDay last night that she had actually sourced the items which were offloaded at her Mutare home on Friday using her personal resources.

“That’s unfair. I have donated those goods. I sourced those goods using my own money,” she said.

NewsDay

Jane Mlambo| Local government minister July Moyo has made a strange admission that the ruling Zanu PF nolonger has membership in Chimanimani as party cards were washed away by the floods when the area was hit by floods early this month.

Moyo made the remarks when he said both MDC and Zanu PF officials were working together to bring relief to the cyclone ravaged area.

“After all, the people don’t even have MDC cards or ZanuPF cards, they were all taken by the water” said Moyo.

Former President Robert Mugabe’s family business, Gushungo Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, has been dragged to court by two Mazowe miners, who are seeking an order to reinstate their dismissed land dispute with the former Head of State.

The gold miners, Shepherd Nyazvigo, who is represented by Phillip Makanya in the matter together with his co-applicant, Bright Mawonga, recently filed a court application, seeking rescission of a default judgment granted against them in November last year.

“In this application, the applicants (Makanya and Mawonga) are seeking an order to set aside the dismissal of their application which was done in default on November 12, 2018 and reinstatement of the terms of the provisional order,” Makanya said in his founding affidavit.

According to the court papers, Makanya got embroiled in a dispute with Gushungo Holdings after the latter, through its employees, barred them from accessing the mining claims at Mondo 3 and 4 in Smithfield Farm in Mazowe.

At that time Mugabe’s firm was claiming ownership of the farm where the mining claims are located, hence it was barring the two miners from accessing and operating on their mining claims.

However, on April 24, 2018, the two miners were granted a provisional order by the High Court, in terms of which Gushungo Holdings was barred from interfering with the two men’s mining operations pending the finalisation of the dispute.

But, seven months down the line, Makanya and Mawonga did not pursue their matter, prompting Gushungo Holdings to approach the court seeking dismissal of the miners’ application and it was granted in default.

“The application was then dismissed in default of the applicants on November 12, 2018. I submit that the applicants were never served with the set down date, hence they were not aware of the hearing date,” Makanya said.

“It is the applicant’s intention to pursue their application so that the final order can be confirmed. The applicants, as the holders of the rights and title to the said blocks of mine, have the right to mine on their blocks of mine without any interference from anyone including the respondent (Gushungo Holdings).

The matter is pending.

-Newsday

By Own Correspondent| Three MDC senior officials have expressed interest in the party’s provincial chairmanship that is up for grabs next month when structures gather at the elective congress in Gweru.

The three are Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe, Mberengwa businessman Davison Shoko and the current deputy chairperson Cleopas Shiri, who is also deputy mayor for Gweru.

The current chair, Francisco Masendeke is stepping aside and would not be seeking reelection.

Shiri is a trade unionist and former civic society leader. He confirmed to a local publication that he will be contesting for the post.

Said Shiri:

I am one of the sons of the party who joined the movement during its early days under the guidance of our icon the late president [Morgan] Tsvangirai.

I have also been in the trenches as deputy chair of the province, so I feel I have the bundle of experience and energy to lead.

Gweru Mayor Josiah Makombe, who is also the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe president, confirmed his interest in the post.

He said:

I have served the party well since its early days and I have been treasurer for the main province’s structure for the past term.

I feel it is time I lead the province because I have gained what it takes.

If elected, my first priority will be to ensure the party makes inroads into the constituencies controlled by Zanu PF, because in the Midlands we have very few MPs from MDC.

MDC merged the two Midlands provinces, that is, Midlands South and North in a power-sharing deal earlier this month.

Under the deal, Midlands South will provide the chairperson, treasurer and spokesperson for the main provincial executive, while the organising secretary, provincial secretary and secretary for elections will come from Midlands North, among other terms.-Newsday

Chiefs Council President, Fortune Charumbira has mocked prophets in the country accusing them of failing to foresee cyclone idai which ravaged and terrorised Manicaland communities specifically in Chimanimani and Chipinge.

Charumbira who is no stranger to controversy said prophets failed the nation as they could have foretold that people were going to die in the tropical cyclone.

“This issue before us is very difficult because no one knew about it and someone said to me that the prophets we have – why did they not tell us?

“How do they prophesy because here they did not see that people were going to die? The issue is that the prophets that we have — their capacity is now questionable.

“Someone who identified themselves as a prophet actually approached me and started narrating what chiefs must have done, and he came up with all sorts of philosophies and theories about Chimanimani and Zimbabwe, but they did not foresee this happening.”

A police officer based at Mphoengs in Plumtree allegedly sexually assaulted 21 female pupils from Bulu Primary School while investigating a case of sexual abuse at the school.

Scores of parents with children at the school are furious after a police officer identified as Constable Muzulu, allegedly sexually abused the pupils after he was called in at the school to conduct investigations involving sexual abuse.

The Mphoengs police station had received an anonymous tip-off on Monday around 4pm of sexual abuse allegations at the school.

Constable Muzulu was tasked to make a follow-up on the tip-off the following day.
He proceeded to the school on the same day and met the school headmistress, Simeleni Sibutha.

The police officer then requested for a room to interview the victims who were all female juveniles.

It is alleged that Constable Muzulu interviewed one victim at a time alone.

A female school teacher identified as Sihle Ncube who’s also part of Child Protection services, asked to take part and witness the interview and counselling session but Constable Muzulu declined saying he wanted to do the investigation alone.

It is alleged that he fondled all the 21 girls’ breasts and inserted a finger into their private parts before cautioning them from engaging in sexual activities.

Parents told CITE that their children came home from school and narrated their ordeal.

“The police officer took the children to one room where he made the girls undress, inserted his fingers in their private parts and touched their breasts. Some girls bled from the experience and others failed to sit properly.

“Our children went to their homes to narrate this ordeal and we don’t know if this police officer raped the girls or not,” said one of the parents.

Another distraught parent was shocked at the police officer’s behaviour and claimed outrightly he had raped their children.
“How can a man of the law rape our children?” she said.

It emerged that some girls had to be taken to Brunabeg Hospital while the matter was reported to the police under report number RRB3145519 by the headmistress.
The Officer in charge of ZRP Mphoengs Inspector Dube accompanied by his Assistant officer, a Ncube and three other police officers went to the school to investigate the matter.

20 of the 21 abused pupils had reported for class and were taken to Plumtree Hospital for medical examination.

Nurses at the hospital, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that they had attended to the girls.

CITE

Correspondent|Former Cabinet Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has alleged that the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa is on its way out after failing to solve the economic crisis bedevilling the country.

Said Prof. Moyo, “Congratulations and well done to whoever or whatever is behind Mthuli Ncube’s newly found loud silence. He is conspicuously speaking less and less with the wheels falling off and things falling apart as Pfeexit begins to take root.”

Pfeexit is a term Moyo coined which is similar to Britain’s program to leave Europe called Brexit.

Moyo is on record saying Minister of Finance Mthuli Ncube will not last but will flee the country like his predecessor Dr Nkosana Moyo.

When reminded about his statements Moyo said, “Is a Nkosana done overnight? Pfeexit = Mthuli Ncube’s failure!

Since the ascendancy of Mnangagwa, there has been an increase in prices of basic commodities, shortage of fuel and foreign currency. The newly introduced currency called the RTGS$ has continuously lost value compared to the United States Dollar.

Mnangagwa recently came under fire from Zimbabweans who accuse him of syphoning the country’s purse through expensive trips when the country is suffering.

Own Correspondent|Zanu PF losing member of Parliament for Bulawayo East, Sweet Sweet, who was found dead with pistol in hand, 2.5km from his Nyamandlovu farm on Wednesday was murdered.

Police sources close to investigations say the killers tried to make his death look like a suicide.

Passersby discovered Sweet, in his car on the road on Wednesday morning before alerting his employees, neighbours and the police.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese, yesterday said Sweet was found clutching his gun in his right hand.

“He was found lying on his back holding his C2 pistol by three passersby who informed a community leader who reported the matter to the police. The detectives who were deployed to the scene observed that he was holding his pistol with its full magazine and the gun was not even cocked meaning he could not have shot himself. Also, there were spent cartridges at the scene,” said Chief Insp Makonese.

“The officers discovered that he had stab wounds on the head and was bleeding from the left ear yet the gun was found in his right hand. This led police to suspect the crime scene could have been staged hence police are treating the matter as murder and have since started investigations.”

She said the police took Sweet’s body to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) mortuary for a postmortem.

Chief Insp Makonese appealed to members of the public who might have information that could lead to the arrest of his killers to come forward.

“We have opened a case of murder. He appears to have been shot from a distance and the bullet did not exit his head. His C2 pistol that he was cradling in his right hand had a fully loaded magazine and had not been fired,” said the source.

“He had been shot on the left ear but was found holding the gun in his right hand. It’s a clear case of a clumsy attempt to fake a suicide.”

No arrests have been made so far.

Sweet is mainly known for being a prolific farmer who has won many agricultural awards.

He lost Zanu PF primary elections for the Bulawayo East MP seat in 2013 and 2018, he was  convicted of possessing a loaded firearm at a meeting attended by VP Phelekezela Mphoko in 2015.

In 2012, he was accused of trying to grab a mine from Lawrence John Cleminson claiming he was advancing Zanu PF’s indigenisation policy.

The Zanu PF activist went as far as threatening to “take him out” if Cleminson did not make his son Job Sweet a director of his company Filiberg Enterprises. 

One of the relatives who spoke on condition of anonymity said Sweet could have been murdered after 12AM on Wednesday as that was the last time they communicated with him.

The relative said the family became anxious when he did not return home as expected.

The relative said they were shocked when cops visited their Mahatshula North home to inform them that he had been found dead.

“What is clear is that he did not commit suicide. He was right-handed and doctors who conducted the postmortem said it was impractical for him to then shoot himself on the left ear and remain holding the gun. They say he could have been shot from a distance that is why there is no gun exit wound. He did not shoot himself, he couldn’t have, there wasn’t anything bothering him,” said the relative.

Another relative said the family is traumatised by Sweet’s death.

“I’m not saying that he wronged anyone, I don’t know what happened but if he had wronged someone who hasn’t? We all have wronged someone but imagine if every time we are wronged we kill someone. The world doesn’t work like that, people resolve differences amicably. Violence is not necessary. This has just left us hurt as a family,” said the relative.

Own Correspondent|THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) on Wednesday deliberately blocked MDC deputy chairman Tendai Biti to bring in copies of his book, Democracy Works, claiming that he was trying to smuggle the books into the country without paying import duties.

The book was co-authored with former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, Greg Mills of the Brenthurst Foundation and Jeffrey Herbst, the president of the American Jewish University.

The incident happened at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport ahead of the book’s official launch at Sapes Trust resulting in delays of the proceedings.

It was later launched at Sapes Trust at an event attended by Obasanjo, MDC President Nelson Chamisa, US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols and several delegates from across all sectors including non-governmental organisations.

Soon after the launch, Biti expressed disappointment that the consignment of his books had been confiscated by ZIMRA.

“They just took our books. We had like 200 books which we intended to give our people, but they just took them and mind you this is the second time they just took them.

“They just gave the excuse (about) customs and we said we can pay the duty, they refused,” he said.

In his address to the gathering, Biti attacked several countries in the region saying the book had come “at a time when there is a challenge (for democracy) in our region, the Sadc region”.

Chamisa attacked the Emmerson Mnangagwa led Government for failing to uphold basic democracy principles comparing it to the racist Ian Smith regime.

Meanwhile, Obasanjo said democracy was important in bringing about development and stability in any nation.

“There is need to focus on democracy as a system for which there is no substitute for two basic reasons.

“It is a system that allows participation of all the citizens in all the activities of a country be it economic, social, political because it allows for discussion, delegation, dialogue and debate which other forms of governance particularly dictatorships don’t allow for.

“Democracy releases energy of the community better than any other system.”

The former Nigerian leader also said democracy was essential in managing diverse communities like what is found in most African countries.

Own Correspondent|Residents of Ward 28 in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park have expressed disappointment at the opposition MDC for failing to settle on one candidate for the ward by election to be held on Saturday.

The party failed to settle a dispute between its two candidates Alderman Collet Ndhlovu and Nomagugu Mloyi who have apparently both been on a campaign trail canvassing for votes ahead of the weekend polls despite demands for one candidate by party members in the ward.

Ndhlovu and Mloyi both successfully submitted their papers to the nomination court on February 22 before the party could hold primary elections to come up with one candidate.

However, Mloyi declined to withdraw her candidature after she lost to Ndhlovu in the party`s primary elections.

“We are extremely disappointed with how the MDC operates,” said David Ncube a resident in the ward.

“We have been talking to them to provide us with one candidate and they have failed to do so which means that votes will be split and definitely ZANU PF will take the seat in the election,” he said.

The by-elections will be held to place a councillor following the death of MDC’s Hapson Ncube (pictured) in December last year.

In an interview with local media in the city earlier in the week, the party`s Bulawayo province deputy spokesperson Edwin Ndlovu confirmed that the opposition party was divided and campaigning for both candidates on the ground.

“Everything is on track. As we speak right now, we are on the ground. Campaigns are going on and we are certain the party will succeed in the elections,” said Ndlovu.

“On the issue of having two candidates, we will have to run the elections like that. It is up to an individual to withdraw after losing at primary level and in this case, Mloyi chose not to.

However, this will not affect the party in any way. We haven’t faced any challenges and neither do we anticipate any in the future.”

Contrary to the opposition party, ZANU PF have taken the by election seriously and last weekend deployed Vice President Kembo Mohadi into the ward to join the campaign for its candidate.

In an earlier interview, Mloyi who appears to be holding a higher backing from party members on the ground said she did not receive any instruction from the party to step down hence would continue with her campaign.

“I wrote a letter to Zvidzai after the primary elections to register my dissatisfaction in the way the primary elections were run and he responded noting that they received the letter,” she said.

“The election was not free and fair, there were lots of irregularities, my campaign team was displaced during the day of the election and we were supposed to use the ZEC voters roll as well as the 2014 congress party structures but that was changed at the last minutes.”

THE government of South Africa and businessman Patrice Motsepe’s family yesterday donated a combined R75 million to victims of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe.

The cyclone mainly affected Chipinge and Chimanimani in Manicaland Province as well as some parts of Masvingo.

The South African government donated R60 million, while the Motsepe family chipped in with R15 million.

Both South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms Lindiwe Sisulu and the Motsepe family handed over their cheques to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Moyo at Manyame Airbase last night.

Speaking after the donations Minister Sisulu, who was accompanied by the Motsepe family, said the donations to Zimbabwe followed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for the people of South Africa to respond to the disaster caused by the cyclone.

“We have decided as a Department of International Relations to make a financial donation apart from other donations that are coming your way,” she said.

“This is what we have brought to you at short notice to assist you provide the urgent relief to the affected,” she said handing over the cheque to Minister Moyo.

South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu (second from right) hands over a R60 million cheque donation to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo(second from left) to assist victims of Cyclone Idai while Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (left) and South Africa’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Mphakama Mbete look on at Manyame Airbase in Harare yesterday.

Defence and War Veterans Minister Oppah Muchinguri commended the gesture.

“We are in great pain and what you have done gives us a lot of hope when we find that we have friends around us who have a big heart, big hand who donate both in kind and cash towards the disaster to help us address the challenges our people are facing,” she said.

Minister Muchinguri said climate change was real.

She said the disaster that struck Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique was a wake up call that must never be taken for granted.

“This challenges us to be always prepared for natural disasters as a region and continent and put in place mechanisms to deal with such disasters,” she said.

“The donation will go a long way in our quest to provide assistance to the affected people.”

Minister Moyo said the gesture symbolised great friendship between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

He said the South African government and its people had shown empathy.

“We look forward to such kind of interaction, assistance and brotherhood to continue,” he said.

Minister Moyo assured the South African government that Zimbabwe would remain grateful for the assistance.

Cyclone Idai has killed close to 200 people and left a trail of destruction especially in Manicaland Province.

Government has released $100 million towards the disaster but it is not enough considering the extent of the damage.

State Media

BULAWAYO businessman lost 1,3 million rands while another businessman based in the United States of America lost US$70 000 to a city fraudster who disappeared after swindling the two in two separate incidents, police said yesterday.

Police in Bulawayo have launched a manhunt for Simangaliso Sibanda (28) of Luveve suburb who allegedly defrauded prominent city businessman Mr Ashton Mpofu of more than R1 000 000 in a botched bus tender and Mr Mater Khoum of US$70 000 in a gold deal.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango said the crimes were committed between January 2017 and April 2018.

“Police in Bulawayo are investigating two cases of fraud which occurred in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province during the period extending from January 2017 to April 2018.

“The police received two fraud cases which occurred in Bulawayo where two complainants lost large sums of money. Complainant 1 lost US$ 70 000 and complainant 2 lost R1 300 000 00,” she said.

Chief Insp Simango said sometime in April 2018, Sibanda misrepresented to Mr Khaoum of Algafila Private Limited Company based in the US that he would facilitate the purchase of gold.

“Acting on the misrepresentation, the complainant then gave the accused person US$70 000 towards the purchase of the gold and he failed to avail the gold resulting in the complainant suffering prejudice,” she said.

In the second case, police say Sibanda misrepresented to Mr Mpofu that he was in a position to avail buses and the complainant paid 1, 3 million rands upfront for the buses and he failed to deliver the buses resulting in the latter making a report.

Chief Insp Simango appealed to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Sibanda whose last known address is 818 Old Luveve, Bulawayo, to contact them.

“He is not employed. The accused person is slim built, tall and dark in complexion.

“Police are therefore appealing to anyone with any information regarding his whereabouts to contact the Officer-in-Charge CID Commercial Crime Division, Chief Inspector Alford Nyasha on (0292) -78446/0772 982 787,” she said.

Chief Insp Simango said they can also contact the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Nyabadza on mobile number 0778 944 245 or any nearest police station.

By Own Correspondent- Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has condemned state actions following the seizure of Tendai Biti’s new book by Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) officers.

Speaking on Thursday during the launch of Democracy Works at the SAPES Trust in Harare, Chamisa said the seizure projected the country in bad light.

Chamisa joined the book’s co-authors: Zimbabwe’s former finance minister Tendai Biti, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo and Greg Mills of the Johannesburg-based Brenthurst Foundation at the launch.

Said Chamisa:

I was very disturbed to learn that the books were confiscated by the authorities at the airport. The state makes unnecessary and uncalled for decisions that give our country a negative image.

Copies of the book sent through DHL by the publishers Pan Macmillan in Johannesburg arrived in Harare in early March, but were seized by the CIO. The book was launched in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg earlier this week.

Farai Dziva|Social media users have reacted angrily to Deputy Information Energy Mutodi’ s claims that the MDC A is lying about the partisan distribution of aid to people affected by Cyclone Idai in Manicaland.

See some of the responses below:

Marvellous Tate Kasaway:Yes it’s very much practical hey, the equivalent of going abroad to import a loaf of bread. You spend $100 to get a dollar’s worth of aid. I call that organic manure brains, you know the variety derived from livestock, in particular horses or donkeys.”

Evans El Njinja:”
What is his level of education?. This is so embarrassing for a nepotism appointee to blabber so much and everyone will start asking questions. “

Thompson Chimhanda:” People died when he was out ,you’re busy hiring expensive jets when the country has got no medicine.”

Anita Karen Jones:”
EDiot only included this fool in government because he is his biggest bootlicker. Otherwise Mutodi is brainless.”

By Own Correspondent- The EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Timo Olkkonen has challenge President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s long-held narrative that sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States of America and European Union are responsible for the worsening economic situation.

Ambassador Olkkonen challenged the government to bring tangible evidence that the embargo was hurting ordinary people as often alleged.

Addressing journalists in Harare on Tuesday, Olkkonen said sanctions were targeted at government officials fingered in human rights abuses and not the ordinary people.

He said:

“EU sanctions are highly legal instruments, They are drafted and agreed upon on the basis that they could be subject of legal scrutiny that gives the basis of how those entities and individuals are on that list.

How they work, you need to find from open sources enough evidence and reasons to add people on that list. We are now referring to what has been happening in the past.”

By Own Correspondent- A Chinese firm, China Nanchang Engineering, has approached Harare City Council with a deal to supply 600 solar-powered buses and additional fixed and working capital to service routes in Greater Harare Metropolitan.

The project will include a central business district (CBD) shuttle service and the Harare Urban Route will service all suburban routes.

The routes are divided into Norton, Southern, Eastern and Western suburbs. 

According to recent minutes of the Environmental Management Committee, in the initial stage, 35 buses will service the Harare-Norton route. Chitungwiza will have 45 buses and Ruwa 20.

Operations would be managed from four established depots, two in Harare, one in Chitungwiza and one in Norton.

Depots will be firstly fitted with maintenance and recharging facilities and would be large enough to cater for 200 buses each. The project would have 12 battery swapping stations which will act as charging centres. Transport services would run 19 hours every day from 4am to 11pm.-StateMedia

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to resume his “Thank You rallies” after suspending his scheduled political programmes as a result of the devastating effects of Tropical Cyclone Idai.

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo told a daily publication Mnangagwa would resume his Thank You Rallies in the coming few weeks.

“As soon as his schedule permits, he will resume the rallies, the cyclone issue takes precedence.

He will advise as soon as the situation permits. The commissariat is looking into that matter,” said Khaya Moyo.

Mnangagwa cancelled his rally which was scheduled for last Saturday in Shurugwi, Midlands Province, in order to attend to the cyclone disaster, which left over 200 people dead and thousands homeless, according to Khaya Moyo.

Paul Nyathi|Minister of Health and Child Care Obadiah Moyo has allayed fears of possible cholera outbreak in Chimanimani and Chipinnge where many people have no access to clean water after Cyclone Idai effects ravaged the areas.

The water borne disease scare, which remains possible, might lead into another crisis hitting the Chimanimani and Chipinge if not well contained.

Minister Moyo said there are suitable solutions which should be surveyed to put up with the water borne disease outbreak.

“There are strategies that have been planned to ensure that the affected people have access to clean water.

“Currently Chimanimani has no clean water since the pipes which transports water from dam to the treatment plant were washed away by the floods,” he said.

The heavy flooding caused wide damage to water supplies and Humanitarian agencies have raised warnings over the spread of cholera and malaria in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.

The Minister stated that the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society has played a greater part in helping Chimanimani victims as they donated medical supplies to all health facilities in Chimanimani.

“All medicines from the Tanzanian government among other supplies have been distributed to Silverstone Clinic and are being disbursed to all health facilities.

“Zimbabwe has had several cholera outbreaks and the government is carrying out vaccination exercises to people exposed to the cholera scare in Chimanimani,” he added.

A FIRST year Geography and Environmental Studies student at Midlands State University committed suicide on Sunday after allegedly impregnating a maid.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said investigations into the death are underway.

More to follow…

By Own Correspondent- A woman from Bulawayo has been sentenced to 30 months in prison after she was found guilty of neglect and ill treating her four-year-old son over soiling his pants.

Tendai Nhiwatiwa (35) of Cowdray Park suburb appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube facing a charge of ill-treatment or neglect of children and young persons after bashing her son for wetting his pants..

She pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 30 months in jail. Six months were suspended for three years on condition that she does not commit a similar offence and 24 months were suspended on condition that she performs 840 hours of community service.

Nhiwatiwa said she hit her son to discipline him.-StateMedia

More details to follow…

By Own Correspondent- A student at Midlands State University committed suicide on Sunday after allegedly impregnating a maid.

The first year Geography and Environmental Studies student took his life after he allegedly failed to come to terms with the news that he was soon to be a father.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said investigations into the death are underway.

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

ZIMBABWE Red Cross humanitarian ambassador Alick Macheso has called upon those handling donations for victims of cyclone Idai to be trustworthy and impartial in the distribution of the donations.

The sungura kingpin was speaking at Cyclone Idai donations handover in Harare yesterday.

“We are humbled by the positive response we are getting from the community. This disaster has united us as Zimbabweans and that is very commendable.

“However, we should continue encouraging each other not to be tempted to loot part of the donated consignment,” Macheso said.

This was after Moonlight Funeral Assurance donated four tonnes of maize and clothes; while ARIPO donated blankets via Zimbabwe Red Cross Society.

“Converting donated goods to personal use is ethically wrong. Once you take goods meant for the poor, God will deal with you accordingly. So, please let’s not provoke Him,” he said.

Turkish Red Crescent also came in to help its Zimbabwean counterpart, Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, in alleviating effects of the natural disaster in the country.

Zimbabwe Red Cross Society secretary-general Maxwell Phiri told the Daily News that all the donated goods are going straight to the affected people in Chimanimani and Chipinge among other places.

“We are not keeping donated goods here but all the goods are being ferried to the affected people as soon as possible.

The process is being done in a transparent manner; we are accounting for everything,” Phiri said. Meanwhile, the tropical cyclone left a trail of destruction in Mozambique and then reached Zimbabwe on March 15, knocking down trees and destroying key infrastructure and hundreds of homes in the process, mainly in Manicaland.

The devastating cyclone swept away schools, bridges and homes. The government confirmed the death of more than 300 people with hundreds more reportedly missing. The death toll is expected to rise as a number of bodies are still being retrieved.

Government has since declared Cyclone Idai a national disaster in respect of the areas that were affected or likely to be affected by the impact of storm in terms of  Subsection (1) of Section 27 of the Civil Protection Act (Chapter 10:06).

The Information ministry said the hardest hit residence is Ngangu Township in Chipinge where tens of deaths were recorded and over a hundred houses destroyed by mud slides and rock falls while scores of people were reported missing.

— DailyNews

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has clarified on its new voice tariffs saying that there was a typographical error in the communication that it sent out initially.

The mobile network operator had put a figure of RTGS $0.038 per second which translated to a whopping RTGS $2.28 for every minute making it very pricey indeed. However, it has since come out and clarified saying that zero was left out by accident and that the figure should, in fact, have been RTGS $0.0038 per minute. This translates to RTGS $0.228 (22.8 RTGS Cents).

‘We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused,” said Econet.

This takes the tariff to within range of the one announced by competitor telecel later on Thursday.

Telecel Zimbabwe announced that it will increase tariffs for voice calls, SMS as well as data, effective 1 April 2019.

According to the new tariffs, on-net calls will now cost 0.0037 per second while. The billing per minute will be 0.22 (22 cents) for users who opt to be billed per minute.

Data will now cost 0.07 (7 cents) per MegaByte, while SMSes will also cost 0.07 (7 cents) per SMS.

Telecel also revealed that bundles will be adjusted according to the new tariffs.

The new tariffs announced by Telecel are denominated in RTGS Dollars. 

 Facebook Comments

The selfless gogo who stole the limelight after she made a philanthropic move to donate her pots and food to the cyclone Idai victims has found herself in the eye of the storm after someone on social media claims to know her.

This follows after billionaire Strive Masiyiwa vowed to build a house of her choice in any location in Harare as well as pay her a monthly allowance of $1000 for the rest of her days after he was touched by her selfless act.

While most social media outlets touted her as being poor and hailing from Mbare one social media user said she is neither poor nor does she stay in Mbare.

Chokwadi chazobuda (the truth is finally out) . I know this lady . She stays in a Avonlea, 200m from my home. Ndinopinda navo church pa St. John’s (We go to church to together) . She didn’t take the goods from Mbare and she has a car. Tanga tinavo ku church 30 mins ago (We were with her  at church 30 minutes ago) Her name is Gogo Mutsonziwa. So ma social media akawanda ndemanyepo.(Too much lies on social media)
She owns a house in Avonlea. Manyepo!

A 33-year-old Peterhouse school teacher has been dragged to court in a sex assault storm with a Form 4 pupil at the school after allegations surfaced that he fondled the student and forced her to touch his manhood.

The teacher allegedly told the complainant that he was going to have sexual intercourse with her next year when she will be in Form Five.

The teacher’s name which has been withheld to protect the identity of the victim is reported to have fondled the form four student twice on different occasions without her consent.

The State led by Mr Augustine Mugari told the court that sometime in August last year at around 11am, the complainant and her cousin went to Peterhouse boys IT Lab to study, but found the door locked.

She then proceeded to the accused person’s office to collect the keys and when she entered, the accused told her that she had a beautiful body.

He allegedly drew closer to her and fondled her breasts and hips.

The complainant told the accused person to stop it, but instead he forcefully kissed her on the lips.

The complainant then got out of the office and went to the lab, but did not tell anyone.

On the second count, on an unknown date in August last year, the complainant was in the lab studying with her cousin when she failed to print some things and went to the accused’s office for assistance.

When she entered the office, the accused complemented her on her dressing and told her to turn around, but she refused.

He allegedly stood up from where he was seated and went to where the complainant was standing, got hold of her shoulders, forced her to turn around and closed the door.

He then got behind the complainant and started fondling her breasts before forcing her to touch his manhood.

The complainant threatened to scream, but the accused was not moved.

The accused only stopped fondling the pupil when they heard a knock on the door.

He then told the complainant that he was going to have sexual intercourse with her next year when she will be in Form Five.

The teacher then told the complainant not to disclose the matter to anyone because he was afraid of losing his job.

The matter came to light on January 27 this year when the complainant told her mother (name withheld) who then went and made a report to Peterhouse Boys High School where it was deliberated, leading to school authorities making a report to the police.

State Media

MEMBERS of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) ordered Zanu PF bigwigs not to interfere with the distribution of food aid in Cyclone Idai-hit Chimanimani on Sunday to avoid the politicisation of relief efforts.

This comes amid reports that youths from the ruling Zanu PF party have taken over food distribution in Ngangu, Kopa and other parts of Chimanimani that lie in ruins after the Cyclone Idai disaster.

Over the weekend, a Zanu PF legislator was also accosted by angry villagers for handing out food aid to party faithful only. In the latest incident, ZNA members were forced to step in on Sunday after Zanu PF officials tried to give themselves a role in the distribution of aid, sourced through the Mayor’s Cheer Fund.

Francis Mandaza, the public relations manager for Harare City Parking, who accompanied the capital city’s mayor Hebert Gomba to Chimanimani on Sunday to hand over the aid mobilised through the Fund, confirmed the incident.

Mandaza told the Daily News yesterday that the army had to intervene after a coterie of Zanu PF officials had arrived in their branded vehicles to “assist” in getting the donations to the targeted beneficiaries.

“The army officials had to tell them to go away because the issue was non-partisan. We thought it should be common knowledge that when such a disaster strikes, nobody should be seen to be keen on harvesting politically from that,” he said.

“We are, however, happy that we managed to carry out our social responsibility (function) by donating food and non-food items to the needy… as a city, we are not only about taking from (motorists and residents through) parking fees and rentals, but also helping out where colleagues are in need.”

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said while relief efforts were being coordinated by the ministry of Local Government, officials from the ruling party may have genuinely thought they could help out.

“They genuinely wanted to help because they could not have left people to starve, could they?” he said.

Local Government minister July Moyo had earlier told the Senate that the sight of party-branded vehicles laden with goodies created the impression that the elites in the governing party were looting food aid. He also disclosed that officials from Zanu PF travelling to Chimanimani had been instructed to assist by carrying aid to where it is needed.

“…unfortunately, if people end up carrying something with a car written Zanu PF, then it becomes a grabbing issue,” Moyo told Parliament on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe is currently in mourning after Cyclone Idai ravaged parts of Manicaland and Masvingo – decimating homes and livestock.

Over 300 people died in the tragedy with hundreds more unaccounted for.

Reports suggest that Cyclone Idai victims who are known opposition MDC supporters are being denied food aid by Zanu PF apparatchiks.
Zanu PF Chimanimani West Member of Parliament Nokuthula Matsikenyere was on Saturday allegedly accosted by angry villagers for distributing food aid along partisan lines.

Matsikenyeri rubbished the claims.“I am surprised that people are saying only Zanu PF supporters received relief aid. Since the trucks that were carrying food arrived late, I personally requested that the teams from the department of Social Welfare, United Nations and Innscor start distributing food to people from Nyamusundu, Muusha, Chinamira and Utseya villages since they had to travel about seven kilometres back home.

“Those areas are actually MDC strongholds. I did not get many votes there, so I am surprised that people would say we prioritised Zanu PF supporters,” she said.

MDC party spokesperson Jacob Mafume yesterday condemned the partisan distribution of food aid.

“We never saw anyone collecting any food aid at Zanu PF headquarters. We never saw any Zanu PF structures being mobilised to collect food aid but at the distribution point is where you find thousands and thousands of Zanu PF individuals with their cars… We condemn this. It is abominable. It is satanic. It is just pure, pure evil,” Mafume said.

— DailyNews

By Own Correspondent| NPF leader and former Vice President Joice Mujuru has appealed to government to ensure that aid for victims of Tropical Cyclone Idai benefits everyone and is not distributed along partisan lines.

Mujuru discouraged politicians from taking a leading role in distributing aid saying non governmental organisations and the church should be at the forefront of distributing aid.

She said:

“Cyclone relief aid must be distributed to everyone affected by the floods. Distribution must be done by NGOs or even the Church not by politicians. It’s a time to be coming together not further out cry.”

A Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) truck carrying relief food to victims of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani Thursday afternoon developed a mechanical fault while moving uphill and reportedly ploughed into people who were waiting for food aid.

So far three people have died while several others were injured.

Sources at the Relief Command Centre in Chimanimani said the incident was a double blow for the victims, who were still traumatised by the effects of the tropical storm, which has killed hundreds.

The army truck was carrying food from Mutare.

“The army truck was trying to go uphill to a central point when the brakes developed a fault and it ploughed into people. This is terrible as death has followed people again,” said one source.

Another source confirmed: “I saw three people who were crushed by the army truck lying dead at the site. Several other people were also injured during the accident.”

Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Alphios Makotore, confirmed the accident but said he did not have the finer details as he was not on the ground.

“I cannot give you more details about the accident when I am in Harare but the accident did occur. Talk to Major Chibasa who is on the ground who will give you all the details,” Lt. Col Makotore said.

However, Major Chibasa’s phone was not reachable.

Members of ZNA were deployed in Manicaland to render assistance to victims of the cyclone as well as to rescue those who are still marooned.

The soldiers have also been coordinating relief efforts in Chimanimani and Chipinge as well-wishers continue donating the urgently-needed logistical support to the humanitarian response in the wake of the cyclone that not only has devastated eastern Zimbabwe but Malawi and Mozambique as well. – CITE

Farai Dziva|Senators today grilled Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube over Emmerson Mnangagwa’s globetrotting.

Ncube was at pains to defend his boss as Senators accused the Zanu PF leader of blowing State money on his “useless” trips.

At a time the nation is grappling with economic work and the effects of Tropical Cyclone Idai, Mnangagwa has elected to use a luxurious and expensive private plane to fly around the globe under the pretext of a diplomatic offensive.

Ncube failed to give the Senators a convincing report and he literally admitted that some matters were beyond his control and capacity.

Jane Mlambo| Zim court acquits freelance journalist Edmund Kudzayi represented by Obey Shava of ZLHR after he was put on trial following his arrest on charges of possessing a camouflage umbrella as defined in section 32 of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Farai Dziva|Prominent political analyst Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya has declared that Zanu PF is “rotten to the bone marrow” and its leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is the author of corruption.

“Zanu PF is punishing hapless villagers in Chimanimani because they voted for Chamisa in 2018.

All this shameless conduct by Zanu PF – grabbing cyclone aid for the people of Manicaland is driven by Mnangagwa’s loss to Chamisa in that area.

With no shame at all that’s how rotten this ZANU PF is. The ruling party is rotten to the marrow. Irredeemably stinking,” argued Dr Ruhanya.

Farai Dziva| Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s bid to use opposition parties to score political points has hit a snag

The leader of the United Democratic Movement Violet Mariyacha has said she is unwilling to be used by Mnangagwa to advance the latter’ s cheap political agenda.

Mariyacha dismissed the dialogue process as a calculated gambit to hoodwink the nation and the international community.

“There is no serious discussion of why the country is in this current economic meltdown, why has Zimbabwe failed to attract foreign investments and what happened to the billions that Zimbabweans were told investors are bringing into the country as a the ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’ mantra,” said Mariyacha.

Build Zimbabwe Alliance (BAZ)’s Noah Manyika, United Democracy Alliance (UDA)’s Daniel Shumba, People’s Progressive Party’s Timothy Chiguvare and Alliance for the People’s Agenda (APA)’s Nkosana Moyo have also snubbed Mnangagwa’s so called dialogue.

Nelson Chamisa of the MDC Alliance and Joyce Mujuru of the People’s Rainbow Coalition distanced themselves from the process- since its inception.

Farai Dziva|Outspoken Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi has dismissed as “false and baseless” claims that aid is being distributed on partisan lines in Manicaland.

In spite of pictorial and documented evidence of selected distribution of aid to people affected by Tropical Cyclone Idai, Mutodi stills insists the MDC A is lying about the situation in Manicaland.

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s foreign trips have paid dividends with aid for cyclone Idai victims coming in from UAE and other parts of the world. On another note MDC activists in affected areas are making false accusations that food aid is being politicised. MDC please stop falsehoods,” claimed Mutodi.

By Own Correspondent| Zanu PF Manicaland chairman Mike Madiro denied the allegations that his party has hijacked the distribution of relief aid meant for Tropical Cyclone Idai survivors.

Madiro told journalists that those making such claims should bring in the evidence.

He said:

Remember, there has been a disaster in Chipinge and Chimanimani, and MPs from all over the country have been using those cars branded with Zanu PF logo assessing and helping the situation.

I am not even aware that there are donations that were being looted. Those are just allegations. People must come with evidence; the V11 forms to prove that the donations have been stolen.

What is happening is not good. People are using the relief food to trade accusations. Do you think a person like Minister Mutsvangwa will do that? And this is coming from fellow Zanu PF members.-Newsday

".. let us get justice here [not heaven] and let us finalize it here," says President Obasanjo @BitiTendai pic.twitter.com/5h39xrUded

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 28, 2019

VIDEO BELOW…

The Ministry of Home Affairs has paid more than $6 000 as compensation to Lynette Tendai Mudehwe, a prominent pro-democracy campaigner, who was assaulted by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers when the law enforcement agents crushed an anti-government protest in Harare three years ago.

Mudehwe, who is the Coordinator of Zimbabwe Activists Alliance, had filed an application at Harare Magistrates Court on 28 February 2019 seeking an order for the imprisonment of two Cabinet ministers namely Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube, Cain Mathema, the Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister and Godwin Matanga, the Commissioner-General of Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for contempt of court after they failed to pay her $6 210 as compensation for violation of her fundamental rights following her unlawful arrest and assault in January 2016.

In her application for an order of contempt of court filed by Fiona Iliff of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Mudehwe wanted Ncube, Mathema and Matanga to be declared to be in contempt of court and to serve 60 days in prison after they willfully disregarded a court order granted on 3 December 2018 by Harare Magistrate only identified as Moyo, who instructed ZRP to compensate her.

But the ministers and Matanga escaped serving the jail sentence after the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage deposited payment amounting to $6 210 into Mudehwe’s bank account, which she has since confirmed receiving.

Mudehwe was assaulted by ZRP officers while participating in a peaceful demonstration held in central Harare on 4 January 2016 and sustained some injuries and extensive bruises as a result.

This compelled the human rights activist to engage her lawyers from ZLHR who issued summons on her behalf demanding payment of damages as compensation for the violation of Mudehwe’s fundamental rights and this resulted in the Magistrates Court granting her order for compensation.

ZLHR says its intervention in assisting Mudehwe is meant at helping combat impunity and strengthen accountability, which is essential to the restoration or preservation of the rule of law in Zimbabwe.

ENDS

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Government has concluded investigations into the case of Monte Cassino Girls High students, who a fortnight ago besieged Macheke Police Station complaining of corporal punishment being meted on them, among other allegations.

Mashonaland East acting provincial education director Kennedy Maturure yesterday confirmed the completion of the investigations and said several recommendations had been made.

“I confirm that the report is complete and out. I am currently in Gweru on government duty and we will hand over the report to the permanent secretary. Some of the recommendations will see some of the staff members facing disciplinary hearings and those found wanting will be charged,” he said.

“We have also recommended sending some personnel from the psychological unit to counsel the girls as well as to ensure that they won’t be victimised. I will have finer details of the report on Monday.”

On March 15, the girls left the Catholic Church-run institution at around 4am and walked for about 7km to Macheke Police Station, accusing school authorities of confiscating their laptops, corporal punishment and sexual harassment, among other allegations.

The girls were convinced to go back to school by government officials, who then launched an investigation into the matter.

The Zimbabwe Gender Commission also announced that they would do their own investigations on the school.

NewsDay

By Own Correspondent- The Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe (AFM)’s Rusitu West Parish in Chimanimani says it lost 72 members to cyclone Idai-induced floods.

The figure represents about a quarter of its congregation. Several more church members are still unaccounted for.

During a church service held on Sunday, the extent of the tragedy became clear to the pastor, Shepherd Chazoita, and other surviving members as only half of the church members were accounted for.

AFM president Amon Madawo on Tuesday visited the church to console members and hand over donations sourced from church members in Harare, Chitungwiza and Mashonaland provinces. Said Chazoita:

When all this happened, I was not around. I was attending a funeral in Harare, but when I received a message on Saturday after Cyclone Idai had wreaked havoc (the previous day), I did not believe what I was told.

I stay at the church premises, and luckily, the church (building) was not destroyed. I received a call from my family and they told me what had happened. At that time, there was still hope that some of the members had survived, but I realised that the number was too big.

I am also still traumatised, but I need to be strong as a leader. I am using the Bible to remain strong. As a leader, my pain should be different from others.

Reverend Madawo promised the remaining congregants that more truckloads of supplies would be delivered. He said:

I feel sorry that we have our 72 congregants that are not accounted for. We are sharing this pain with all those who lost their loved ones during Cyclone Idai.

I want to thank those who donated towards Cyclone Idai victims. We have two truckloads with blankets, clothes and groceries. More trucks are coming and this is not going to benefit our church members only, but all those who were affected by the cyclone.-Newsday

Own Correspondent|Southlea police station yesterday was a flurry of activity as crowds jostled outside in a bid to witness the proceedings of a girl who was allegedly ‘raised from the dead’

The Form 4 girl identified as Daphne who died three days ago was reportedly resurrected from the dead shortly before her burial at Mbudzi cemetery after members of a Masowe church claimed she was not dead.

After seeing that she was alive but she could not move, the mourners and relatives are said to have taken her to ZRP Station park in the coffin.

There is no concrete evidence of the actual resurrection although WhatsApp and social media conversations say the student rose from the dead indeed.

There are no ‘sightings’ of the ressurrected girl at the moment.