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.

By Own Correspondent| A deputy director in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development who appeared before a Chipinge magistrate facing charges of stealing Cyclone Idai donations worth $3 000 has been denied bail.

The accused, Christine Chideme (63), of Southerton, Harare, appeared before resident magistrate Farai Gwitima, who denied her bail and remanded her in custody to Monday for trial.

However, Chideme pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against her.

Prosecuting, Themba Dhliwayo told the court that on April 3 at around 7pm, Chideme, who was driving a Toyota Landcruiser (WAG-CD23), was stopped by Terrence Majonga, a soldier, while she was coming from Silver Stream Cyclone Idai command centre, between Chipinge and Chimanimani.  

She was searched and her vehicle was found with an assortment of goods donated to the victims of the cyclone.

Last Thursday police officer Constable Edward Dhumukwa (32) stationed at the Silver Stream command centre was arrested and appeared in court for alleged looting of donations valued at tens of thousands of United States dollars earmarked for cyclone victims in Chipinge.

Dhumukwa allegedly hired a kombi to ferry his loot from for about five kilometres to a roadside where he loaded it into a Harare-bound bus.

Investigators allegedly recovered two red and black large bags with 20x400g washing paste, 10x400g spaghetti, 5kg kapenta, 4x2kg washing powder, 20x500g sugar beans, 20x2kg white sugar, 1x3kg washing powder, 4x2kg washing powder, 4x2kg 2 in 1 Sunlight washing powder, 6x6x400g packs of candles, 10x500g Mega Rice, 6x2kg Mariana Rice, 1x2kg Excella Rice, 2x2kg Red Seal Rice, 1x2kg Probrand Rice, 1x2kg Ideal Rice, 2x12x375ml Dovi (Mama), 4x1kg Iodised Red Seal salt, 1x1kg Probrand salt, 1x1kg Mega iodised salt, 1x1kg Royal salt, 10 double blade shaving machine, Smooth Air clinic set, 2x12x2l Zimgold cooking oil, 10x2kg Probrand Rice, 12 Meiban tissues, 1 khaki short, 4 white drying towels, 52 assorted pairs of ladies’ shoes and eight blankets.

S7 Jackets, 26 pairs assorted female shoes, 16x200g tablets FA bathing soap, 3 x tins dark brown shoe polish, 2 jerseys, 12 T-shirts (mixed), 1 pair of shorts, 2 ladies’ jackets, 1 checked blouse, 1 grey striped tie, 1 black cap, 1x250ml Vaseline Blue Seal, 5x100ml Vaseline bottles, 1 shoe brush, 1x50ml Colgate, 1x375ml Dovi.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga last week said officials implicated in abuse of Cyclone Idai donations must face lengthy jail  terms.

Chiwenga said this while addressing a crowd gathered at Chipinge District Hospital last Wednesday where he was assessing the progress in Government relief intervention in Chimanimani and  Chipinge.

He said those implicated in abuse of donations must not be granted bail during court processes.

“I want to warn civil servants, workers in different organisations and all those involved in distribution of goods donated to victims of Cyclone Idai that if implicated, they will go to jail straight without any consideration for bail whatsoever.

We are not joking about this. Surely, you cannot deprive that old man I just saw in the male ward who lost his entire family during the cyclone simply because you want to fatten your pocket.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| A panel of United Nations (UN) Experts have expressed concern at how government’s austerity measures have worsened the plight of poor citizens arguing that they were introduced without any safety nets for them.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has been preaching ‘Austerity for Prosperity’ since assuming office.

However, in a statement released last Thursday, the UN group said:

We are gravely concerned that, as the situation in Zimbabwe deteriorates, the Government is pushing people further into poverty.

We are not aware of any Government measures to provide even minimal safety nets for those who are already living on an economic cliff-edge and who will suffer the most from these regressive policies.

The impact of economic reforms on human rights must be assessed against international norms and standards, in line with the Guiding Principles, on human rights impact assessments of economic reforms.

However, there are serious concerns about how the burdens of austerity will be shared.

Ncube has been striving to cut the huge government deficit which has been expanding over the years amid a dwindling revenue base.

To achieve that, Ncube introduced a 2% tax on all electronic money transfers exceeding RGS$10.00 in 2018.

The government followed that by hiking the price of fuel in January, which led to widespread riots which were only halted by the uses of brute force by security agencies.

By Own Correspondent| The Kadoma based Zanu Pf stalwart who was captured on camera assaulting Mr Pedzisai Mangisi of Chief Nemangwe area in Gokwe South for stealing gold, told the court that he suffered psychological trauma from the media backlash.

Litten Chikoore (35) said the local, regional and international condemnation that the 45 second video where he was assaulting his “thief” traumatised him hence the court should be lenient with him as he was already paying the price for his action.

The story, which was exclusively and extensively run by ZimEye leading to his arrest saw Chikoore of Waverley being convicted by Kadoma magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

He was remanded out of custody to April 10 for sentencing.

Gwazemba however remanded Chikoore out of custody claiming that he was a suitable candidate to be remanded out of custody as he had handed himself to the police in the company of his lawyer Ignatius Murambasvina of Murambasvina Legal Practice.

Prosecutor Gracious Chaminuka told the court that Chikoore assaulted Mangisi of Chief Nemangwe area in Gokwe South several times all over the body with a baton stick on an unknown date sometime in November last year at his mine in Kadoma.

She said Mangisi sustained serious injuries following the assault and a medical report was produced in court as an exhibit. Chaminuka said Chikoore deserved a custodial sentence as he was a potential criminal with previous three cases at the court which were all withdrawn before trial.

The cases included a 2014 attempted murder case under CRB number 12/06, pretending to be a policeman under CRB number 12/08 and allegedly contravening the Mines and Mining Act in 2016.

Murambasvina, however, pleaded with the court to give Chikoore a non-custodial sentence arguing that he was a first offender who had co-operated with the police when he handed himself and assisted them to locate the complainant.

He also said Chikoore was the sole breadwinner for his two wives and six children and the complainant did not suffer serious injuries as shown by the medical report.

Murambasvina said his client first handed Mangisi to the police after discovering that he had stolen 400 grammes of gold from him but they were advised to have an out of court settlement which infuriated him leading to him assaulting the complainant.

He further argued that Chikoore had already suffered psychological trauma as the matter had received too much attention on social, local and international media.

Farai Dziva|Respected political analyst Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya has predicted victory for MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa at the May Congress.

Dr Ruhanya also argued that those hoping to to topple Chamisa would be frustrated at the party Congress.

“Those who want to contest @nelsonchamisa
for MDC presidency should get the nominations of the provinces.

Nominations will not come from social media and political pundits.

Conspiracy theories against Wamba wont nominate them too. It appears done, @nelsonchamisa
has won. Its done!” Dr Ruhanya posted on Twitter on Sunday.

Farai Dziva|MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa has urged Emmerson Mnangagwa to resolve the issue of Gukurahundi atrocities to enable national healing to take place.

In a statement to commemorate the Rwanda genocide, Chamisa urged authorities in Zimbabwe to look into the Gukurahundi issue with sincerity.

“Our hearts and minds are with the great people of Rwanda who commemorate the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 genocide which saw the slaughter of over 800 000 minority Tutsis.

This reminds us all in Zimbabwe to resolve the Gukurahundi massacres for true national healing to take place,” said Chamisa.

Correspondent|Former white commercial farmers who had their land expropriated under the fast track land reform programme in the early 2000’s have accepted government’s offer of an interim payment of RTGS$53m.

In a statement the Commercial Farmers Union said they had to accept the advanced interim payment as some farmers were in financial distress.

“As this is a limited fund, it is hoped that those who are not in financial distress do not take it up so as to maximise the effect on others not so fortunate.”

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube budgeted RTGS$53m in his 2019 national budget as compensation to the former farmers, and the offer has now been accepted by a union representing the farmers.  

Zimbabwe introduced a new currency called the RTGS$, or real-time gross settlement dollar, in February.

In 2000 Zimbabwe expropriated land from white commercial farmers without compensation and distributed it to landless black people and the connected elite, who now own multiple farms.

The total bill could run into billions and the Zimbabwean government is working with international financial institutions on how best to fund the compensation.

In its own statement on the issue, which was released over the weekend, the Zimbabwean government said by end of April 2019 the registration papers for beneficiary farmers would be complete and disbursements will commence.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government sees the paying of compensation to white farmers as key to mend ties with the West, and set aside $17.5 million in this year’s budget to that end. The initial payments will target those in financial distress, while full compensation will be paid later.

“The registration process and list of farmers should be completed by the end of April 2019, after which the interim advance payments will be paid directly to former farm owners,” Zimbabwe’s ministries of finance and agriculture said in a joint statement on Monday.

They said the process to identify and register farmers for compensation was being undertaken the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) and a committee representing the farmers.

A committee comprising government officials and former farm owners is currently valuing improvements made on the farms. That process should end next month and will determine the full amount due to the farmers.

The government, which maintains it will only pay compensation for infrastructure and improvements on farms and not for the land, is talking to international financial institutions on options to raise the full amount to pay farmers.

Colonialists seized some of the best agricultural land and much of it remained in the hands of white farmers after independence in 1980, while many blacks were landless. 

Valuations for farm improvements are also expected to be completed by end of May 2019, reads the statement.

BRIEF UPDATE: The controversial preacher who eloped with a small house, Admire Kasi has been arrested for fraud in Harare.

Pastor Kasi as he is popularly known, was scheduled to appear before the Harare magistrates courts Monday morning. The case was delayed to around noontime.

It involves the sale of fake stands.

Kasi who endured 2 nights in prison has since been granted bail.

The matter is recorded under case number CR 2856/03/19 Harare Central Police Station DR 46/03/19 CCU, CRB 4253.

The case which has been adjourned to May, comes as a petition was set up which has a list of other alleged victims.

At the time of writing, there were rumours that Kasi “fled” Zimbabwe on Monday soon afterwards. When ZimEye contacted him, his UK numbers were unresponsive. He however picked up his WhatsApp number before hanging up.

The petition in its raw unedited form reads: “…Admire Kasi ran away from Zimbabwe to the UK after he duped and stole from so many people in Harare by selling houses and stands that where occupied already giving people fake documents of ownership. He recently went back to Zimbabwe and was arrested. He was given bail without conditions and now he is planning on returningback to the UK without paying back people their money. Please home office for the sake of people hard earned money. He must not be allowed to run away from his crimes by returning to the UK. He Must pay for his crimes in Zimbabwe.”

– THIS IS A BRIEF UPDATE AND A DEVELOPING STORY

Press Statement

Implementation of Compensation of Former Farm Owners by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

1. As stated in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) (October 2018-December 2020), the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe under the New Dispensation, is committed to finalise compensation to all former farm owners who were affected by the Land Reform Programme.

This is being done in accordance with the country’s Constitution and Zimbabwe’s obligations under the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPAs).

2. In this regard, the Ad Hoc Compensation Working Group, comprising Government officials and representatives of former farm owners, is currently working towards the computation and establishing the Compensation Quantum figure for farm improvements based on an agreed method of valuation.

Given the significant progress made to date, it is anticipated that this comprehensive farm improvements valuation exercise will be completed by the end of May 2019.

3. The completion of the work of the Ad Hoc Compensation Working Group will enable Government and former farm owners, in conjunction with cooperating partners, to progress towards closure of the land issue.

4. Reflecting Government’s commitment to compensate former farm owners for farm improvements and recognising that a large number of farmers are still to he compensated, Government allocated RTGS$53million in the 2019 National Budget for interim advance payments.

These interim advance payments will be made to former farm owners affected by the land reform program and who are in financial distress.

5. The process to identify and register former farm owners who want to participate in the interim advance payments scheme has now commenced and is being coordinated by the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU), and the Compensation Steering Committee (CSC) representing former farm owners.

6. The registration process and the list of farmers should be completed by the end of April 2019, after which the interim advance payments will be paid directly to former farm owners by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement.

Government will put in-place institutional arrangements to expedite the disbursements for these interim advance payments.

7. In the meantime, Government’s accelerated farm valuation exercise for farm improvements is expected to be completed by end April 2019. This will pave the way for both parties to reach an agreement on the Compensation Quantum figure for farm improvements by end of May 2019.

8. Consultations on sustainable options for mobilizing the requisite compensation resources are being explored in conjunction with the International Financial. Institutions and other Stakeholders.

Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement

Minister of Finance and Economic Development

PARLIAMENT’S Public Accounts Committee chairperson Tendai Biti says the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is effectively broke after government ran up its overdraft facility with the bank to finance its budget deficit.

Biti, who also served as Finance minister in the government of national unity between 2009 and 2013, said his committee will next month submit a report which will “shock” the nation.

Speaking at a meeting to discuss the state of the economy organised by the British Council last week, Biti said government has been running up the overdraft facility to partly finance the budget deficit despite the RBZ being broke.

“As I am talking to you now, the government’s overdraft with the central bank is in excess of US$3 billion. In my capacity as chair of the Public Accounts Committee, we had the central bank governor (John Mangudya) giving evidence and testifying before our committee and in May of 2019 we are going to present before Parliament a report about the extent

of that overdraft facility and that report is going to shock you,” he said.

“Here is the challenge: The central bank itself is broke, undercapitalised. So, the money that the government has actually been taking from the central bank does not belong to the central bank, it belongs to you and me. That is why you woke up one morning and went to your bank, whether it is Steward Bank (as an example), FBC, Standard Chartered Bank or First Capital Bank and your bank told you that there was no money…

“…because there had been a bank robber who had actually literally and metaphorically raided the central bank and that bank robber was central government. When the Government of National Unity collapsed in 2013, we physically left US$6,5 billion and that is why you were able to go to an ATM (automated teller machine) and get as many US dollars as possible.”

“The law, section 11 of the Reserve Bank (of Zimbabwe) Act, says the government overdraft with the central bank should not be more than 20% of the previous year’s revenue,” Biti added.

However, this amount is about three times its permissible overdraft limit as stated in the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act.

In September 2018, the Parliament Budget Office said the country’s sovereign debt of US$20 billion (estimate for 2018) was primarily driven by government’s deficit financing activities of running up the RBZ overdraft facility and the issuance of Treasury Bills.

NewsDay

Own Correspondent|The opposition MDC Matabeleland South province has given confidence to under fire party Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora and nominated him to return his position at the party congress set for next month.

The province also nominated party President Nelson Chamisa as the presidential candidate. His deputies according to the province must be Morgen Komichi, Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti.

Mbizo legislator, Settlement Chikwinya was nominated to be Mwonzora’s deputy.

Thabitha Khumalo was also retained to her current position as party national chairperson assisted by outgoing Youth Assembly chairperson Happymore “Cde Bvondo” Chidziva.

Mkoba legislator Amos Chibaya current Organising Secretary, party spokesperson Jacob Mafume were also nominated to retain their respective posts.

Meanwhile provincial strongman Solani Moyo popularly known as “Blackdog” retained his position as Provincial Chairman dismissing weak challenge from former Provincial Spokesperson Akem Moyo and former Provincial Organising Secretary Mqabuko Ndhlovu who chickened out of the race at the last minute.

Fast rising former Provincial Youth League leader and Women Quota Member of Parliament Lindiwe Maposa was elected as the new Provincial Women’s Wing Chairperson, while Edgar Ncube is the new Youth Chairperson.

Farai Dziva|There is confusion over former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s plans to rejoin the ruling party, Zanu PF.

Yesterday Zanu PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu claimed Robert Mugabe’s former deputy was on her way back to the ruling party.

However, In a statement on a social media page widely believed to be run by Joice Mujuru, a response has been made to Mpofu’s statements.

“I will NEVER rejoin Zanu-PF. I’m not desperate. There’s my son to support! He’s the president,” said the statement.

The authenticity of that popular social media account is however yet to be verified.

Mujuru, who turns 64 years old next week on 15 April, served as Vice-President of Zimbabwe from 2004 to 2014. Emmerson Mnangagwa and the military junta allegedly plotted Mujuru’s downfall as she was seen as an impediment to the Midlands godfather’ s ascendancy.

Controversial politician and former spokesperson of Thokozani Khupe’s MDC-T Linda Masarira has closed doors on chances of joining any political party.

Posting on Twitter, Masarira hinted that she had declined countless offers to join various parties insisting she is not going to any movement.

” I want to respectfully decline all offers from political parties in Zimbabwe to join their parties. Let me reiterate in public that;

“I AM NOT JOINING ANY POLITICAL PARTY”

“Thank you very much for all the offers. Good day!

Masarira was recently expelled from MDC-T on allegations of putting on a Zanu PF regalia.

She has since fired back saying her former boss was being misled by senior members in the party who are pushing a tribal agenda.

Farai Dziva|Respected political analyst Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya has predicted victory for MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa at the May Congress.

Dr Ruhanya also argued that those hoping to to topple Chamisa would be frustrated at the party Congress.

“Those who want to contest @nelsonchamisa
for MDC presidency should get the nominations of the provinces.

Nominations will not come from social media and political pundits.

Conspiracy theories against Wamba wont nominate them too. It appears done, @nelsonchamisa
has won. It’s done!” Dr Ruhanya posted on Twitter on Sunday.

Farai Dziva|MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa has urged Emmerson Mnangagwa to resolve the issue of Gukurahundi atrocities to enable national healing to take place.

In a statement to commemorate the Rwanda genocide, Chamisa urged authorities in Zimbabwe to look into the Gukurahundi issue with sincerity.

“Our hearts and minds are with the great people of Rwanda who commemorate the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 genocide which saw the slaughter of over 800 000 minority Tutsis.

This reminds us all in Zimbabwe to resolve the Gukurahundi massacres for true national healing to take place,” said Chamisa.

Farai Dziva|There is confusion over former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s plans to rejoin the ruling party, Zanu PF.

Yesterday Zanu PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu claimed Robert Mugabe’s former deputy was on her way back to the ruling party.

However, In a statement on a social media page widely believed to be run by Joice Mujuru, a response has been made to Mpofu’s statements.

“I will NEVER rejoin Zanu-PF. I’m not desperate. There’s my son to support! He’s the president,” said the statement.

The authenticity of that popular social media account is however yet to be verified.

Mujuru, who turns 64 years old next week on 15 April, served as Vice-President of Zimbabwe from 2004 to 2014. Emmerson Mnangagwa and the military junta allegedly plotted Mujuru’s downfall as she was seen as an impediment to the Midlands godfather’ s ascendancy.

By Own Correspondent| Brighton Elliot Moyo, the Zimbabwean man who made headlines across the world in February when he was ‘resurrected’ from the dead in controversial circumstances by South African-based miracle-man Alph Lukau, has died.

Moyo made waves across the whole world after a video in which he was allegedly raised from the dead after three days went viral although Pastor Lukau later backtracked on his claims and accused Moyo’s family of staging the miracle.

According to a local publication H-Metro, Brighton died last week in a village called St Luke’s in South Africa.

Unfortunately for Brighton, there was no resurrection this time and he was buried on Saturday. He is survived by his wife only as they had no children.

A close family member who spoke to H-Metro said,

“His stomach started swelling and didn’t stop for three days and on the third day, he died.”

According to other reports, when Brighton joined Lukau’s Alleluia Ministries International there were reports that he was HIV positive, had kidney failure and he also had TB (tuberculosis).

When reached for comment, officials from the church stressed that what happened in February was not a miracle.

Government is considering amending the Constitution to remove a clause, that makes the post of Vice President(s) elective, which is set to come into effect in the next harmonised elections in 2023.

The 2013 Constitution, through Section 92, has a 10-year transitional clause that provides for the joint election of the President and two running mates selected by the Presidential candidate.

However, bureaucrats working on an omnibus Constitutional Amendment Bill that is expected to refine the country’s supreme law say they will open debate on the usefulness of the clause, which Constitutional experts say is an “America concept” that can potentially precipitate a political crisis by creating two centres of power.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce that was recently established to work on wide-ranging proposed amendments, said there was need to deeply reflect on this impending provision.

“We need to initiate debate on it; we need to ask ourselves whether we need such a provision,” said Minister Ziyambi.

“We are looking at and engaging the public and debating about whether it is necessary; but in my opinion, I do not think it is necessary.

“You do not want to create two centres of power; that is something we need to avoid at all costs.

“Naturally, the head of the executive is the President; what then does it mean when we have three people who are elected by the masses into the executive, who will wield more power?

“It is another issue that needs debate, and I think we need to take it out,” he said.

The clause, outlined in Section 92 of the Constitution, stipulates that the election of a President and Vice Presidents must take place concurrently with every general election of Members of Parliament, provincial councils and local authorities.

It reads: “(1)The election of a President and two Vice Presidents must take place within the period specified in section 158,” reads Section 92.

“(2) Every candidate for election as President must nominate two persons to stand for election jointly with him or her as Vice Presidents, and must designate one of those persons as his or her candidate for first Vice President and the other as his or her candidate for second Vice President.

“(3) The President and the Vice-President and the Vice-Presidents are directly elected jointly by registered voters throughout Zimbabwe, and the procedure for their election is as prescribed in the Electoral Law.”

In the event of a sitting President’s death, resignation or removal, the first Vice President will assume office until the expiry of the former President’s term.

Not People’s Will

Constitutional law expert and University of Zimbabwe law lecturer Professor Lovemore Madhuku said the provision was “not an idea that came from the people”.

“That is an American concept which has only applied in the United States and has been followed by very few other countries,” said Prof Madhuku.

“Otherwise the general trend is that you elect the President and the President must then have the leeway to constitute his executive through appointing his deputy and his ministers; that prerogative must be that of the President who is elected.

“The second thing is that that provision which is in the current Constitution never came from anyone, it was creation of Copac, it never came out of the public hearings.

“That is the problem with having a Constitution that is drafted by the elites,” he said.

Copac was a constitution parliamentary select committee that was set up to draft a new Constitution before 2013.

Professor Madhuka said the clause, which he described as “a terrible provision”, is potentially destabilising.

“From my studies of constitutionalism, it is a provision that destabilises political parties and nations.”

Certainty

However, Copac co-chair and Zanu-PF lead negotiator during the constitution-making process Paul Mangwana said the provision was meant to bring certainty to the succession issue.

“The logic behind that clause was to bring about certainty around the issue of succession of a head of state,” he said.

“In the event of failure by an incumbent to finish his term, then everyone would know who was next in line to finish the term.

“They are elected as a team and that kills off the debate around who is next in line.”

The omnibus Constitutional Amendment Bill that is currently in the works is expected to deepen civil liberties, individual rights, scrap the death penalty, extend the women’s quota system and entrench political and electoral reforms.

It is also primed to perfect the local systems of governance.

The high-level team will also fast-track legislation will enhance the ease of doing business and repeal laws that are inconsistent with the Constitution or previous court judges.

Minister Ziyambi is deputised by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo.

Other members of the taskforce include Ministers Monica Mutsvangwa (Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services), Professor Mthuli Ncube (Finance and Economic Development), Cain Mathema (Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage), Mangaliso Ndlovu (Industry and Commerce), Owen Ncube (Minister of State for Security in the President’s Office) and Attorney-General Mr Prince Machaya.

State media

By Own Correspondent- Journalists here have been detained at Harare Central police station as they sought to present a petition against the harassment of journalists.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates

MDC members opposed to Nelson Chamisa’s presidency are reportedly plotting to leave him isolated after the opposition party’s congress next month, with most of his trusted lieutenants culled off in the event that he retains the post.

Party insiders said while it was becoming clear that Chamisa could be headed for an easy win at congress, it was his lieutenants that are now being targeted, particularly those who broke away from the party in the past and only rejoined in the run-up to last year’s polls.

“The new plan is to surround Chamisa with a team that will not be entirely loyal to him. His opponents want to make sure that if he wins, he will not have an easy reign and will not manoeuvre easily, while, for instance, if Douglas Mwonzora loses, he wants to have insiders and control the narrative of the MDC (from the sidelines),” one of the sources said.

Already, the MDC has started provincial nomination processes, with its United States branch snubbing party deputy chairperson and Chamisa’s right handman Tendai Biti.

The US branch has, instead, thrown its weight behind youth leader Happymore Chidziva to deputise chairperson Thabitha Khumalo.

Theresa Makone has also been left out, with respected lawyer David Coltart nominated for the post of treasurer, while current vice-presidents Morgen Komichi and Welshman Ncube; and Lilian Timveous (MDC Senate chief whip) have been nominated for the three vice-presidents’ slots.

Chamisa yesterday told NewsDay that it was too early to discuss the outcome of provincial nominations as 12 more provinces were yet to file nomination papers ahead of congress.

“These statements are premature and party processes are guided by democracy. We have 13 provinces, three are outside Zimbabwe and the other 10 are in Zimbabwe. We have only started our provincial congresses today in Matabeleland South, where they will consider nominations from districts,” he said.

To contest for any position at national level, one needs at least two nominations from the 13 provinces.

There is serious jockeying, with top leaders desperate to retain their posts, traversing the width and breadth of the country coaxing delegates for nomination.

Charlton Hwende, a close Chamisa ally, is eyeing the post of secretary-general, currently held by Mwonzora, who is reportedly angling to take over the party presidency.

Mwonzora and vice-president Elias Mudzuri are the only candidates known to be plotting to topple Chamisa.

Both have confirmed their interest in the post.

But Mwonzora denied allegations that he was sponsoring a campaign to isolate Chamisa, saying the allegations were being raised by former party rebels to soil his image.

“What is ironic in the MDC is that the people who are bringing these allegations are people who split from the party, who took money away from the party and who called (the late party founder Morgan) Tsvangirai all sorts of names (before returning) to the party,” he said.

“We accommodated them and what they are trying to do is to drive a wedge between myself and Nelson Chamisa as a way of getting an accommodation. Fortunately, the MDC members are intelligent enough to read through
this.”

Party spokesperson Jacob Mafume said: “There are ambitions and some of them run wild, at times ahead of the party, and these are not things the party is concerned about at the moment. We are going to run a successful congress and members will be deployed not because they are friends or enemies of a particular person, but because the members decide as such.”

NewsDay

Correspondent|GOVERNMENT has reportedly begun an exercise to register white former commercial farmers interested in advance payments as compensation while waiting for full packages for losses they incurred during the 2000 chaotic land reform exercise.

At least 4 000 white farmers are still waiting for compensation more than 18 years after they lost farms during the often violent land reform exercise, which government defended as necessary to correct colonial land ownership imbalances.

Finance minister Mthuli Ncube in his 2019 Budget statement set aside $53 million to compensate the farmers, a figure that has, however, been described as not enough to address the compensation stand-off.

Lands minister Perrance Shiri and Ncube, in a joint statement on Friday, said advance payments would be made to interested former farm owners, while government mobilises the needed financial resources for a full compensation package.

“The process to identify and register former farm owners who want to participate in the interim advance payments scheme has now commenced and is being co-ordinated by the Commercial Farmers’ Union (CFU) and the Compensation Steering Committee, representing former farm owners,” Shiri and Ncube’s statement said.

“The registration process and the list of farmers should be completed by the end of April 2019, after which the interim advance payments will be paid directly to former farm owners by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement. Government will put in place institutional arrangements to expedite the disbursements for these interim advance payments.”

It is estimated that government needs at least US$9 billion to compensate the farmers for their losses.

“In the meantime, government’s accelerated farm valuation exercise for farm improvements is expected to be completed by (the) end of April 2019. This will pave the way for both parties to reach an agreement on the compensation quantum figure for farm improvements by (the) end of May 2019,” the two ministers said.

“Consultations on sustainable options for mobilising the requisite compensation resources are being explored in conjunction with the International Financial Institutions and other stakeholders.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the land reform exercise is irreversible, promising to compensate farmers who were hounded out of their land.

Jane Mlambo| Self exiled former Zanu PF politburo member Professor Jonathan Moyo has dashed to the defence of the opposition MDC saying legitimacy is derived from the people according to the constitution.

Correspondent|In a shocking development, the Zimbabwean man who was “raised from the dead” by South African prophet, Pastor Alph Lukau back in February has died. Brighton ‘Elliot’ Moyo made waves across the whole world after a video in which he was allegedly raised from the dead after 3 days went viral although Pastor Lukau later backtracked on his claims and accused Moyo’s family of staging the miracle.

According to local publication H-Metro, Brighton died last week in a village called St Luke’s in South Africa. Unfortunately for Brighton, there was no resurrection this time and he was buried on Saturday. He is survived by his wife only as they had no children.  A close family member who spoke to H-Metro said,

His stomach started swelling and didn’t stop for three days and on the third day, he died.

According to other reports, when Brighton joined Lukau’s Alleluia Ministries International there were reports that he was HIV positive and he had kidney failure and he also had TB (tuberculosis).

A 20-YEAR-OLD Zhombe habitual thief was sentenced to three years in jail for unlawfully entering a house in Kwekwe and stealing goods worth $1 121 a week after his release from Khami Prison, where he had served a jail sentence over a similar offence.

Tinashe Sibanda (20) of Mashandike village, Zhombe, under Chief Malisa was slapped with a 36-month jail term by Kwekwe magistrate Stories Rushambwa.

However, six months were later suspended on condition that he restitutes $1 121 to complainant, Remekedzai Makunde.

Prosecutor Freddy Ndoro told the court that on December 29 last year, Sibanda broke into Makunde’s house in Newtown and took away property worth $1 121.

On New Year’s eve, Sibanda was arrested after the gas stove he had stolen was recovered.

The rest of the stolen goods were not recovered.

-Newsday

Own Correspondent|Mthwakazi Kingdom restoration proponents have been sending reports within Matabeleland region that Hartzell High School which went on fire last week was burnt down by parents who were angry because of the deployment of a Ndebele speaking teacher at the school.

Over the weekend, social media groups in the Matabeleland region were hype on discussions that parents in Manicaland set the school on fire because of the presence of one Ndebele teacher while their region was “flooded with teachers who can not speak local languages.”

The proponents circulated an unverifiable media article indicating that parents at the school had protested against the school authorities over the Ndebele teacher before the school went up in flames.

Below is the news article making round within Matabeleland region and causing huge despondency amongst the people in the region.

Authorities at the school have however previously indicated that the fire was a result of an electrical fault.

ZimEye.com has not yet been able to verify with the authorities on allegations that there was ever a discourse over deployment of a Ndebele speaking teacher at the school.

Below are some of the discussions that emerged following the publication of the post on social media.

RESIDENTS of Chiredzi Town, dogged by perennial water problems, will have to wait a little longer to quench their thirst as former Chiredzi West legislator, Darlington Chiwa and the incumbent Farai Musikavanhu fight over bush pumps earmarked to ease water woes in three most affected wards.

Chiwa claimed that during his tenure he used his allocation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to contract Chapeta Drilling Company to drill four boreholes in areas facing serious water problems around Tshovani suburb. He further said during the process he lost track of the whereabouts of the pumps to enable the company to complete installation, forcing him to temporarily shelve the project.

“I am supposed to make my acquittals of the CDF to Parliament in order to receive my outstanding perks so I was expected to account for the pumps. That prompted me to make my own investigations. I had to use my experience as a former detective to trace the pumps to Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) in Triangle after I got wind that Musikavanhu was receiving pumps from (Zinwa).

“When I confronted Zinwa manager he said Musikavanhu was the rightful person to collect the pumps. I was surprised how Zinwa got involved because they have nothing to do with those pumps since I had contracted a private player. If I had not intercepted the pumps; chances were high that there was going to be a duplication of a project which was completely funded by the eighth Parliament.

“That would have created a leeway for misappropriation of government funds availed through the current CDF being chaired by Musikavanhu, on the pretext that there are new boreholes that are being sunk. If the previous project and the current one are reconciled – it’s a fact that sitting Zanu PF MP is about to steal CDF funds on false pretences,” said Chiwa.

Musikavanhu, however, said he was invited by Zinwa to help with the installation logistics, but failed to explain why they extended the invitation.

“Well, I was invited by Zinwa as the responsible authority to help them with logistics of installing the pumps so there was never a question of me having to check with Chiwa. I am not sure where that is coming from because I met with Chiwa earlier in the week when we were installing the bush pump for the ward 5 borehole and there was no misunderstanding whatsoever,” he said.

Zinwa southern region manager, Peter Shotere, said he was not aware of who was supposed to receive the pumps since his bosses had not given him directives on the consignment. Asked how he ended up giving the pumps to Musikavanhu when he was not aware who drilled the boreholes, he said: “I wasn’t aware who was supposed to get the pumps because I was not told. I thought the pumps were availed during command water. I am not aware who drilled the boreholes I just thought Musikavanhu was supposed to get the pumps.”

-Newsday

A-27-year-old Chimanimani man left the gallery at the Mutare Magistrates’ Court in stitches after he told magistrate Nyasha Kuture on Saturday that he cultivated dagga after a friend told him that the drug had been legalised.

Farai Musiyazviriyo (27) from Maonzani village under Chief Mutambara pleaded guilty to the charge and was remanded in custody to tomorrow for sentencing.

“My Lord, I was cultivating dagga because there was a friend who told me that it has been legalised,” he told the court.

The court heard that on April 5, 2019, police detectives in Chimanimani got a tip-off that Musiyazviriyo was cultivating dagga at his family home.

Police raided his bedroom and recovered a packet of processed dagga and later recovered 19 plants of dagga, measuring one metre-long.

-Newsday

THE MDC-T led by former Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe, has said it will continue participating in dialogue meetings with President Emmerson Mnangagwa not because they support the present government, but as a sign of maturity.

Khupe’s MDC-T and several other parties have been attending the dialogue meetings with Mnangagwa, a platform which has been snubbed by the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC over the question of the Zanu PF leader’s legitimacy following the disputed July 2018 elections. MDC also takes exception to Mnangagwa being the convener.

Abednico Bhebhe, chairperson of the MDC-T, on Friday said the opposition party will continue engaging Mnangagwa not because they support him, but as “mature citizens” to find solutions to the country’s multi-faceted problems.

“This government is recognised by Southern African Development Community, African Union, European Union, United States and the United Nations, therefore, to any logical person it becomes apparent that any way forward can only come through dialogue,” Bhebhe told journalists at the Bulawayo Centre on Friday.

“Does this mean we agree with this government? Of course we don’t, hence the dialogue, but for us the welfare of Zimbabwe and her people trumps any personal ambition. It is not going to be easy, but the dialogue needs mature people and if we did not participate who was going to be the adult in that room?”

“Our Constitution states that the change we advocate for will be achieved only through democratic and peaceful means,” Bhebhe said.

Churches in Bulawayo under the Churches Convergence on Peace (CCOP) banner have frowned against the political parties’ dialogue meetings describing them as elitist, saying the trend set in 1979 at the Lancaster House talks is to blame for the country’s ills.

The CCOP has suggested that Zimbabweans, even outside the political realm, must participate in the talks to ensure an all-inclusive process for a shared national vision and prosperity.

-Newsday

FORMER National Alliance for Good Governance (NAGG) president Mr Shakespeare Maya, who has since rejoined Zanu-PF, has hailed President Mnangagwa’s triple-pronged re-engagement drive saying it has placed the country on a solid path to economic recovery.

Speaking at the Chinhoyi Press Club recently, Mr Maya said Zanu-PF was the only party that was able to spearhead broad-based development and protect the nation’s interests.

The opposition leader, who has participated in the Presidential elections since 2000 and retraced his footsteps to the ruling party in 2018, said opposition politics was a mirage and likened it to a desert.

“Since my return I have taken time to look closely at the new dispensation as a concept. I looked at several of its pillars and one which is attractive to me is that of re-engagement because we are on this planet together with others,” said Mr Maya.

“We are inter-connected, it will be very difficult for any country to seek to proceed and survive on its own while on this planet. It is clear that we had been so disjointed with the rest of the world and it was difficult for us to participate fully and meaningfully in a symbiotic association with other nations.”

He said President Mnangagwa was pursuing local, regional and international engagement which was a departure from the old dispensation which was averse to even local engagement with business and civic society.

“President Mnangagwa is not only engaging the international community. He has the local and international phases of engagement. We all know that Government never engaged non-governmental organisations and we see the current dispensation doing exactly that,” said Mr Maya.

The effort, he said, was however, not being fully reciprocated as some Western countries were only looking at their personal interests.

“They want us to deal with superficial issues. What President Mnangagwa is doing, however, is what was lacking. We had become a pariah state,” he said.

The President’s efforts, he said, had resulted in some protagonists managing to see his sincerity including Women of Zimbabwe Arise founder Mrs Jenni Williams, who recently described him as a listening President.

Turning to Zanu-PF, Mr Maya said his readmission had ended his many years in the political Diaspora where he wasted his energy.

“I came back to give a hand to the efforts of national reconstruction under the new dispensation as espoused by the new Zanu-PF leadership under President Mnangagwa.

“I know, as most Zimbabweans who choose to be honest should know that Zanu-PF provides the best institutional and ideological formulation for the development of our country and the protection of its national interests,” he said.

“Docking back into Zanu-PF was made easy for me because of Operation Restore Legacy which ushered in an atmosphere which presented Zanu-PF as a fitting home for any Zimbabwean or any associate seeking to channel their endeavours into the reconstruction of the country.”

State Media

THE Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance has barred party members aspiring for various positions at its upcoming congress to stop using “pictorial advertising” before confirmation of their candidature.

The opposition party holds its elective congress in May — the first since the death of its founder Morgan Tsvangirai in February last year. The election comes at a time several former MDC rebels had rejoined the party now led by Chamisa.

Social media has been awash with posters of aspiring candidates vying for certain positions well ahead of their official nomination, forcing the MDC’s national organising department to step in to stop the practice.

“At a meeting of the standing committee held on April, 3, 2019 it was resolved that all aspiring candidates must with immediate effect cease using pictorial advertising to market themselves,” MDC deputy national organising secretary Bekithemba Sibanda wrote in a memo dated April 4.

The memo was copied to MDC standing committee members, national executive and provincial executive members.

“Aspiring candidates can only do so after they have been officially certified as nominated at the relevant congresses,” Sibanda added.

MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume said the directive was necessary to avoid a shambolic campaign ahead of the congress.

“We are saying, you cannot have people just waking up to put campaign posters, some for various positions ahead of being nominated, it’s shambolic. Aspiring candidates have to be nominated first,” Mafume said yesterday.

According to the template, a candidate is eligible to contest for any position from ward up to national levels if they have served in the party for at least five years while branches have a minimum of two years.

The party has been holding branch and district congresses that have, however, been marred by violence and allegations of vote rigging, among other malpractices. Provincial congresses are running from April 5 to 27.

-Newsday

THE MDC-T led by former Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe, has said it will continue participating in dialogue meetings with President Emmerson Mnangagwa not because they support the present government, but as a sign of maturity.

Khupe’s MDC-T and several other parties have been attending the dialogue meetings with Mnangagwa, a platform which has been snubbed by the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC over the question of the Zanu PF leader’s legitimacy following the disputed July 2018 elections.

MDC also takes exception to Mnangagwa being the convener.

Abednico Bhebhe, chairperson of the MDC-T, on Friday said the opposition party will continue engaging Mnangagwa not because they support him, but as “mature citizens” to find solutions to the country’s multi-faceted problems.

“This government is recognised by Southern African Development Community, African Union, European Union, United States and the United Nations, therefore, to any logical person it becomes apparent that any way forward can only come through dialogue,” Bhebhe told journalists at the Bulawayo Centre on Friday.

“Does this mean we agree with this government? Of course we don’t, hence the dialogue, but for us the welfare of Zimbabwe and her people trumps any personal ambition. It is not going to be easy, but the dialogue needs mature people and if we did not participate who was going to be the adult in that room?”

“Our Constitution states that the change we advocate for will be achieved only through democratic and peaceful means,” Bhebhe said.

Churches in Bulawayo under the Churches Convergence on Peace (CCOP) banner have frowned against the political parties’ dialogue meetings describing them as elitist, saying the trend set in 1979 at the Lancaster House talks is to blame for the country’s ills.

The CCOP has suggested that Zimbabweans, even outside the political realm, must participate in the talks to ensure an all-inclusive process for a shared national vision and prosperity.

— NewsDay

Correspondent|A Harare woman allegedly beat up her mother-in-law after an altercation had broken out between the two over household chores.

The two women who are at daggers drawn appeared before the court at Harare Civil Court yesterday.

Patience Pakanai dragged her daughter-in-law Nunurai Tambu to court, applying for a protection order against her, whom she sensationally accused of physically assaulting her.

The court heard that Tambu was in the habit of physically and verbally assaulting her mother-in-law, whenever she was instructed to do house chores.

Tambu did not deny the allegations but conceded to the charges, stating that her actions were justified because of her mother-in-law’s ill behaviour.

” I assaulted her because she was forcing me to do the house chores for her yet I live in my own room. She insults me with her friend that is why her son is nolonger talking to  her because of her behaviour,” she said.

Pakanati told the court that her efforts to solve the issue amicably were in vain since she was no longer in talking terms with her son.

” I tried to engage my son over his wife’s behaviour, but he told me that his wife and I should fix our own issues without including him. She refuses to do any duties yet she uses the toilet and now my tenants are nolonger doing house hold duties because of her,” she said.

Pakati also added that she wanted the two to be evicted from her house since they were no longer able to reside together peacefully.

In response, Tambu challenged Pakatis wishes stating that the reason why the two were staying at her house because they could not afford to rent elsewhere.

Presiding magistrate Tafadza Miti granted the protection order in Pakati’s favour and sternly ordered Tambu not to assault her mother-in-law.

Correspondent|NCA leader Lovemore Madhuku has said the Constitutional Court put the issue of Mnangagwa’s legitmacy to rest, and anything else will not change that fact.

Speaking to the Standard, Madhuku said: “Mnangagwa’s legitimacy is not derived or conferred by an individual, but by law.

“The legitimacy of the president or government is not derived from you and me, but from the law.

“The day the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairperson announced that he had won the election and declared him as such, his legitimacy was dealt with.

“He is not a legitimate president just because (Nelson) Chamisa or MDC Alliance supporters have said so. He is a legitimate president by operation of the law.

“To make matters worse, he was confirmed a legitimate president by the Constitutional Court and Chamisa is the one who took the matter there.

“It was going to be a different matter had he not taken the matter to court. But he decided to take the matter there and a decision was made.

“We are a constitutional democratic country and therefore we abide by whatever decision the law makes.

“You have to understand that at all times people have their preferred leaders and it is normal, but the rule of law is supreme. So we are not there to deal with any legitimacy question.”

On the issue of dialogue, Madhuku said it must not be mistaken for power sharing. He said the political parties are dialoguing with the ruling party to resolve issues in a mature way as well as bring forth the much-needed electoral reforms ahead of the 2023 elections.

More on ZOOMZimbabwe… South Africa-based civic society groups in Bulawayo to campaign against sanctions
“If you look at the agenda of our meetings, it is all about Zimbabwe and how we could take it forward.

“We are dealing with how to grow our economy, share ideas and views.

“These ideas are not measured by the number of people who voted for us.

“We are all Zimbabweans and we have to share ideas and see if we can make Zimbabwe better.

“We are also dealing with political reforms so that we can make the 2023 election better.

“We are raising issues we believe can make us a better people come 2023 and have improved elections.”

Madhuku argued that the opposition parties have already made some headway in their dialogue with the ruling party.

He said: “I can give an example, at our first meeting as opposition parties, we demanded that soldiers who were on the streets should go back to the barracks as we felt it was wrong.

“Remember we held this meeting at a time when we had soldiers conducting roadblocks and we said it was not good for Zimbabwe.

“Within 48 hours, the military was withdrawn from the streets and we are happy that this was done through engagement, in a respectable manner.

“We also agreed and now speak with one voice on the issue of sanctions. This is not a Zanu PF issue.

“We have said sanctions are no longer necessary and they have to go.

“We have made a resolution to say, we should talk about sanctions as Zimbabweans and we shall speak our minds.

“This is not being influenced by Zanu PF, but looking at the reality, sanctions do not work.

More on ZOOMZimbabwe… Linda Masarira views on the current political and economic situation in Zimbabwe
“The more recent issue is the visit to Chimanimani. You don’t know the significance of the visit we made as a team there and its impact on families.

“You should go to Chipinge or Chimanimani and ask how they feel after seeing a collective response from all political leaders on the national tragedy.

“People feel comforted. It is unfortunate that some people think they are the ones who must go and mourn with bereaved families, it is sad.

“We are Zimbabweans and share a lot together and in this case, we shared the burden as leaders and shared ideas on how to help the victims.

“More importantly, we have laid down a framework on how to tackle the issue of political reforms as we prepare for 2023.”

Madhuku was speaking in an interview with the Standard.

CHIEFS from Matabeleland region have lamented lack of respect they are given in their areas yet they are held in high esteem far away from home.

Speaking during the installation of Mbusi Bekithemba Ncube as chief Dakamela in Nkayi district last Friday, Chief Siansali of Binga said chiefs are forced to queue for fuel but when they are in Harare they are recognised by their badges and are allowed to jump queues.

“In Bulawayo they will not allow a chief to jump a queue. They will insult you with unprintable words even when you are in full chief’s regalia. In Harare when I go on Parliament business they don’t even ask my area of jurisdiction but once they recognise Iam a Chief, they ask me to go straight to the front to be served,” said Chief Siansali.

He said it was time locals respected their traditional leaders as is the case in other areas.

Said chief Siansili: “Yenzani amakhosi enu ahlonipheke kuzenza ukuthi lalapho besethula amazwi bawahloniphe, Umuntu ongahloniphekiyo ngeke ethule amazwi ahloniphekayo.“

He said while respect should never be demanded from people, the behaviour by locals was forcing them to plead for respect.

Nkayi South MP Cde Stars Mathe said in other areas Chiefs were highly respected and the same should happen in Matabeleland.

“I have been to many provinces of the country and I have observed that chiefs are highly respected but here in Matabeleland we are not giving them the dignity they deserve. I wish to see a change when it comes to respecting our Chiefs especially here in Nkayi,” she said.

“Induna laph`ehamba khona ikhagelwa ngamehlo abuthiweyo, asiyithi nhlo emehlweni, Induna iyahlonitshwa ungayikhangeli uze uyibonisise,uze ubone longafanelanga ukubone.UJehova uthi isizwe esilahla amasiko silahlekile.Let us respect our chiefs,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chief Siansili also urged Government to urgently address some of the challenges facing people of Matabeleland North province such as the issue of poor road network.

State Media

By Own Correspondent| Independent legislator for Norton Temba Mliswa will today appear before the Parliamentary portfolio committee on Priviledges where he will answer to corruption charges levelled against him.

Mliswa, who is set to appear with other legislators namely Gokwe Kabuyana’s Leornard Chikomba, Magwegwe’s Anele Ndebele and Binga North’s Prince Dubeko Sibanda.

The Priviledges Committee of Parliament is set to conduct the oral evidence sessions from Monday 8 to Wednesday 10 April 2019.

The purpose of the oral evidence sessions is to afford witnesses an opportunity to elaborate on issues raised in the statements and for the Committee to seek clarifications on the same.