By Own Correspondent- Matabeleland South residents and Zanu Pf stalwarts have accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of ignoring them during his midweek visit to the province.

The residents, his ruling party members and sections of civil servants quickly blamed Mnangagwa’s failure to attend to them on what they called a “weak” provincial party hierarchy and “sleepy” government top executives.

Mnangagwa’s Spokesperson George Charamba was not picking his mobile phone yesterday when contacted for comment:

Matabeleland South ruling party supporters lashed out at Rabelani Choeni, their provincial head, accusing him of lacking initiatives to move the party into another gear in the face of development challenges in one of Zimbabwe’s least developed provinces.

Said a Zanu Pf member:

“President Mnangagwa came and left without talking to us, the people of the province.

We showed faith in him during elections. It can only be a result of our poor provincial representation, how else can we conclude apart from?

Known tradition is that such visits are used well to endear the president who can go out of his official schedule to address us or even take time to listen to our problems.

We expect the leadership to highlight to him all this and he should not be divorced from us.”

Mnangagwa was in Beitbridge, Matabeleland South’s biggest and Zimbabwe’s most strategic town and port, to commission a $98 million backbone optic fibre link between the country and the world through South Africa.

He arrived and officiated at a function hosted by TelOne, the country’s fixed telephone network provider, and left minutes later.

Departing from the norm, Mnangagwa, who flew into the border town aboard an Airforce of Zimbabwe helicopter that landed amid thick security, went straight into business.

He did not meet with the local leadership, business community or party representatives for a de- brief.-TheStandard

Paul Nyathi|The Ministry of Information has announced that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is on his way back into the country cutting short his visit to the United Arab Emirates.

According to a ministry statement issued Sunday morning, Mnangagwa is cutting his trip short to attend to the ravaging cyclone Idai situation back home.

Mnangagwa was last night heavily criticised by the opposition MDC for leaving the country while people are dying from the harsh weather condition. The opposition party described him as very uncaring and disrespectful.

Mnangagwa initially sent a condolence message on the deceased through his Twitter page attracting heavy criticism for himself from all sectors of the country and demanding for his urgent return home than speak on social media.

At least 31 people are known to have died so far with thousands displaced and in urgent need for relief efforts.

Below is an update of the cyclone aftermath in Chimanimani as at 2200hrs (Saturday 16th March 2019)

WARD 10 : Chikukwa
No of deaths : 5
Households/houses destroyed :10+

WARD 3 Chaseyama area

3 households destroyed, a number of people injured (full stats not available at the time of writing)

WARD 15. Chimanimani urban
Number of deaths in Ngangu high density area :26
Houses destroyed : 80 *
Bridges destroyed : one at Pondo

WARD 21 Copper area

147 people feared washed away by Risitu river, mainly around copper business centre
Households destroyed is 15+

Nyahode bridge is destroyed.Risitu bridge is also feared destroyed

WARD 17 Biriviri and Charles Luanga Sec Sc
3 people dead.Two school boys and one adult.
Biriviri bridges overflowing

WARD 12 Charleshood and Dombera
15 people marooned at a higher ground, blown away by a landslide.Results unknown.

Mawenje lodge employees marooned in the mountains

WARD 16

Houses destroyed in the following villages: Saziya, Merry waters, Nyabamba, Runhowani

WARD 1 Cashel

Two bridges destroyed, one of them near Chashel ZRP link to Jong we,
Hangani

WARD 8 Nyanyadzi

one death of an adult

RESCUE EFFORTS SO FAR
Lydia Chimonyo is set out a Chimanimani district command centre.Govt and well wishers supply food and tents there.This as far as vehicles can travel on the Wengezi road to Chimanimani due to broken bridges.The command centre is launch led for North eastern and west of Chimanimani district.Those in need of food and shelter and are capable of getting there can do so.

Christina Pr Sch near Steinstroom sec sch on the Jopa copper road, is another district command rescue center.It serves the Risitu valley. This is the furthest that vehicles can access from Jopa to Risitu valley due to destroyed bridges.Those from Risitu who can make for food and tents can do so.

Plans were put in place earlier in the day, to uplift affected people using helicopters, but it could not happen with immediate effect due to continuous rains, mist and winds.Its expected to happen as soon as those vagaries of weather subsidise.

The ZRP sub aqua unity is also being mobilised to reach out unaccessible areas due to burst river banks.

Meanwhile people in affected areas are advised to help each other with food and shelter until rescuing team reach them.

Parliament has been inundated by applications from potential corruption busters willing to join the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), with 130 aspirants having thrown their hats into the ring.

Of these, only 12 names will be forwarded to President Mnangagwa, after which the Head of State and Government will appoint 10 commissioners.

The successful candidates — who will fill the void left after the recent resignation of the Dr Job Wabhira-led team — are expected to add fresh impetus to the war against deep-seated rot in both the public and private sector.

Last month, the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO), which is the policy-making body of Parliament, invited nominations for candidates.

Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda last week said there was overwhelming response for the posts.

“We are finalising the full list of names, which will then be published in the media to invite members of the public to air their objections, if any.

“The 130 will be whittled down to 12 names which will be forwarded to President Mnangagwa, where he will choose the commissioners,” said Mr Chokuda.

The CSRO, he added, will meet on Thursday this week to set a date for the public interviews.

Zacc is a constitutional body provided for in Chapter 13 of the country’s supreme law.

Commissioners are expected to have experience in administration, prosecution and criminal investigation.

In essence, prospective commissioners should “be qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Zimbabwe and have been so qualified for at least seven years”.

Also, one must have a minimum of seven years experience as a public accountant or public auditor in this country.

Furthermore, “one must be a person with at least ten years’ experience in the investigation of crime”.

The previous commission managed to investigate several corruption cases involving former Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa and his ex-permanent secretary Professor Francis Gudyanga.

It also arrested former Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo and his deputy Dr Godfrey Gandawa over an alleged $400 000 scandal at the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef).

But the Second Republic, under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, who has since declared zero tolerance to corruption, has upped the ante by demanding exhaustive investigations, especially in a society that is plagued by the scourge.

The anti-corruption crusade has led to recent arrests of several high-profile individuals such as former Ministers Supa Mandiwanzira, Samuel Undenge, Saviour Kasukuwere, Walter Mzembi and David Parirenyatwa.

To Page 6

The dragnet has also accounted for Zesa CEO Josh Chifamba, former Zimbabwe Revenue Commission (Zimra) Commissioner-General Gershem Pasi, businessman Wicknell Chivayo, politician Psychology Maziwisa and journalist Oscar Pambuka, among others.

Most of the corruption cases are still pending at the courts.

Other arms of Government have been aligned to the President’s vision.

The judiciary has since opened Anti-Corruption Courts to strengthen the fight against corruption.

A substantive Prosecutor-General Mr Kumbirai Hodzi has been appointed and is already implementing a restructuring process to strengthen the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

So far, the NPA has recruited 317 prosecutors to cover 59 districts countrywide.

A process to reorganise the Asset Seizure Unit, which will be responsible for recovering assets acquired through corrupt means, has begun.

President Mnangagwa has also established a six-member Special Anti-Corruption Unit in his office led by seasoned lawyer and former State prosecutor Mr Tabani Mpofu.

The unit’s mandate is to help investigate corruption cases and make recommendations working with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zacc and NPA.

Commissioners that were part of the Dr Job Wabhira-led team include Goodson Nguni, Christine Fundira, Denford Chirindo, Cathy Muchechetere, Thandaza Masiye-Moyo, Farai Chinyani, Dr Nanette Silukhuni and Boyana Ndou.

-State Media130

By Own Correspondent- Government has warned schools against the practice of demanding foreign currency from candidates registering for the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) November examinations.

Reports indicate that some schools are rejecting the RTGS dollars and instead demanding that prospective candidates pay using the US dollar.

Primary and Secondary Education minister Professor Paul Mavima said:

“Zimsec does not charge in foreign currency. The schools that charge in foreign currency are those writing Cambridge examinations.

Zimsec itself is not charging US dollars so why would people be charged in foreign currency? This applies even to private schools writing Zimsec.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- A suspected member of a four-man gang that allegedly kidnapped, robbed and brutally killed a Gweru taxi driver in December last year before dumping his body in a dam with his hands and legs tied, has been denied bail.

Calistos Barnabas Sakume (25), of Ruware village in Chiwundura, had through his lawyers sought bail pending trial before Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo.

However, Justice Moyo dismissed Sakume’s application and ruled that there was no guarantee that the accused would not abscond if granted bail due to the seriousness of the alleged offence.

it is the state’s case that Sakume allegedly teamed up with his three accomplices, who are still at large, and stabbed Philip Tafadzwa Kuzoraunye with a knife.

The trio tied his hands and legs using cables before throwing him into Zaloba Dam.

Sakume was arrested on December 23 at his rural home while in possession of Kuzoraunye’s car, which he alleged to have bought from one Marunze Chikera.- TheStandard

By Own Correspondent- TelOne has appointed a consultant who will advise the company on the restructuring of its staggering $380 million debt as it seeks to clean its books and attract private capital.

TelOne is among a number of state-owned enterprises and parastatals that have been earmarked for reform as government moves to wean off the entities, which have become a drain on the fiscus.

Some of the state-owned companies will be sold off completely, while others such as TelOne will dispose some equity for capital investment, TelOne Managing Director Cipo Mtasa revealed.

She said:
   
“As you might be aware, we are earmarked for partial privatisation this year.

We are in discussions with our parent (ICT) ministry and the Ministry of Finance and a lot may depend on how the privatisation progresses.

I cannot give specific dates as to when we will finish, but what I can tell you is that we have brought a transactional advisor on board but is yet to be cleared by our ministry.

We have actually completed all the procurement procedures for that.

From now we will be working with the transactional adviser.

The advisor will be tasked with preparing all the detailed financial, technical and legal work required to prepare for partial privatisation.”

Mtasa said last year the company lost at least $10 million due to network vandalism.-TheStandard

By Own Correspondent- Industry and Commerce minister Mangaliso Ndlovu has said Zimbabwe is losing $100 million annually to wheat imports.

Ndlovu attributed this to failure by farmers to produce enough stocks for the country.

Officiating at an exhibition gala organised by the Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) in Bulawayo recently, Ndlovu commended millers for venturing into contract wheat farming.

He said:

“The country is spending close to $100 million in wheat imports annually to cater for this deficit.

A study in 2003 on the bad price indicated that there was a huge deficit in terms of wheat production compared to the nation’s annual consumption, where seven months’ wheat supply was to be met through imports, 16 years down the line we are still faced with the same challenges, if not worse.

Command agriculture has shown that as a country we have the capacity to solve our pertinent problems.

Since 2000, Zimbabwe has failed to produce 400 000 metric tonnes of wheat it needs per year. Authorities cite sanctions imposed by the West on its top brass at the turn of the millennium on allegations of misrule and human rights abuse.

By Own Correspondent- Tobacco growers will retain 50 per cent of their sales in United States dollars with the other part being credited into their RTGS$ accounts, a statement by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and
Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has confirmed.

The development is a significant increase from the 30 per cent announced by RBZ governor John Mangudya when he presented the Monetary Policy Statement.

A joint statement released on Saturday by the RBZ governor and Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) chief executive officer Dr Andrew Matibiri read in part:

“The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has put in place measures to ensure that tobacco growers who are going to sell their tobacco during the 2019 marketing season, are paid within the shortest possible time.

Tobacco growers shall be paid 50 per cent, after deduction of the USD loans, in United States dollar, and the proceeds shall be deposited in the growers Nostro FCA bank accounts.

The balance of 50 per cent of the net sale proceeds shall be credited into the grower RTGS$ bank account.”

Small-scale tobacco growers – with two hectares and below of the crop – are entitled to retain sales proceeds in the Nostro FCA for an indefinite period as free funds.

By Own Correspondent- Some school heads are reportedly fattening their pockets with school fees paid by non-formal students.

Enterprising head teachers are getting as much as $2 500 per term.

In 2015 the Ministry of Education introduced the National Non-Formal Education Policy (NFE), which seeks to promote access to education for all.

The policy allows public schools to enrol non-formal students who either hot-sit or use school facilities only when formal students are not using them.

Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Tumisang Thabela said that it was irregular for the school heads to fatten their pockets with fees paid since part of the fees has to cover administrative costs and pay the teachers.

Government will soon dispose Harare Central and Remand Prison in order to raise money to construct two new modern holding facilities at Chikurubi and in Marondera.

Inspection of the holding facilities, by Government experts, have concluded that the complex can no longer be rehabilitated and continues to deteriorate for human habitation.

Authorities intend to leverage the complex’s location in prime urban land, on the periphery of central Harare, to secure a lucrative deal with real estate developers.

It is understood that a deal would be structured to ensure the real estate firm first builds a new remand prison at Chikurubi and an open prison in Marondera, before assuming ownership of the old prison complex.

The medium-security prison facility was first opened in 1910 by white colonial settlers and primarily used to incarcerate blacks and later nationalist politicians.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said Government is intent on reforming the prison rehabilitation system and would soon be introducing the concept of community rehabilitation centres.

Community rehabilitation centres are a form of open prisons where certain categories of offenders are offered life skills training during incarceration.

Said the minister: “What we intend to do with the Ministry of Local Government (Public Works and National Housing) is to find mechanisms of working with land developers.

“We have Harare Central and Remand Prison, which was built many years ago and is now located on prime urban land owing to the expansion of the city.

“We believe that the state in which it is in cannot be reconstructed or revamped.

“So, we have been given the go ahead to find a developer, then we will evaluate its fair value which we believe could be quite substantial given that it is now on prime land.

“Once we have agreed with the developer and before we demolish the complex, they will build a new prison for us at Chikurubi and an open prison in Marondera.

“Only then will we demolish the place and move our prisoners to the new structure which will house modern facilities that are in line with international standards.

Minister Ziyambi said the introduction of community prisons was part of an exercise to remodel the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.

“Once the requisite Act is enacted, we want to come up with community correctional centres which will basically be open prisons.

“We want to introduce this concept of open prisons were some of our offenders can be taken to concentrate on the correctional aspect and rehabilitation through providing them life skills to enable them easy integration into society when released.

“The community rehabilitation centres would be interactive with society.

“They will be conducting certain training and jobs in conjunction within the communities.

Cabinet recently approved changes to the Prisons Act in order to ensure prisoners are accorded more constitutional rights.

The rights include access to consult a medical practitioner of their choice and at their own expense.

Further, the parole system will be broadened to accommodate all categories of prisoners.

State Media

By Own Correspondent- Deputy Minister for Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement, Vangelis Haritatos said that the government is working on measures to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Some of these measures include irrigation farming and the growing of drought-tolerant crops.

He said:

“We are working on measures to adapt to the potential effects of El Nino.

Climate change is real and its effects need strategic planning so that in future its effects on agriculture are minimally felt.
Irrigation has become the answer to crop production as rain-fed agriculture is no longer sustainable.

We have been providing farmers with drought-tolerant crops such as small grains, short and medium season varieties of maize, and our scientists have also been breeding heat-tolerant crops.

We are also working on irrigation rehabilitation, development and expansion with the assistance of partners.

We want to ensure that we develop 200 hectares of irrigation per every district although this intervention has been affected by a shortage of funds.

The government cannot go it alone, so we have engaged willing partners who are helping us with the requisite financial resources.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- The government has spent $3 million on training teachers who will teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects in schools, a senior government official has revealed.

Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira said the number of STEM teachers was inadequate since only 856 were being produced annually by Belvedere Technical Teachers’ College, Mutare Teachers’ College, Hillside Teachers’ College and universities.

Said Murwira:

“We found out that this number would not be adequate to meet this and satisfy this, so we started on a programme to train Science and Mathematics teachers and these are colleges that previously were not training secondary school teachers — which are Mkoba, Masvingo Teachers’ College and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic.

If we desire industry from our education system, therefore we should give the universities that mandate which we have done.

Because of the above intervention, by 2022, the total number of Science teachers will be 3 003 and Mathematics teachers will be 792 in addition to the total number of 1 660 from the three secondary teachers’ colleges.

The total projected number of Science and Mathematics teachers by 2023 would then be 5 455.”- StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Assemblies Of God Africa Forward In Faith Ministries (ZAOGA) has appealed to its members to contribute towards helping the victims of Tropical Cyclone Idai in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.

The notice reads as follows:

To the leaders and saints of Zimbabwe Assemblies Of God Africa Forward In Faith Ministries.

Re: Cyclone Idai Disaster Appeal

Cyclone Idai has hit Chimanimani District with heavy rainfall and violent winds. The rain and heavy rains are ongoing and are expected to continue for three days or so.

Houses, cars and livestock have been swept away and many people are feared dead including our own believers. Others have taken refuge in mountains and high places including some of our churches.

These are without food, clothing, blankets and or any form of livelihood. The situation is very desperate and our intervention and assistance is urgently needed.

On behalf of the servants and apostles of God professor EH Guti and Dr Eunor Guti, we are kindly requesting for your generous assistance in the form of foodstuffs, clothes, blankets and money to alleviate the situation.

The relief response is being done under ZAOGA’s own NGO called EZEKIEL GUTI DEVELOPMENT TRUST (EGUDE).

The notice goes to list the food and non-food items that can be donated, rice, mealie meal, beans, salt, sugar, matemba and cooking oil. Non-food items include clothing, blankets, soap and water containers.

BULAWAYO High Court judge, Justice Maxwell Takuva has described an Inyathi man who struck his wife and sister with a hammer before finishing them off using a metal spear following a rumour of infidelity as “cruel and merciless”.

Amos Nkala (45) of Balanda Village 7, Siganda in Inyathi lured his wife, Simangele Tshuma who was 41 and his sister, Nongazi Nkala aged 39 last year into a kitchen under the pretext that he wanted to discuss allegations that a neighbour was matchmaking boyfriends for his wife during his absence.

However, in a fit of unexplained rage, he armed himself with a hammer and brutally struck his wife and his sister unconscious in full view of his 18-year-old stepdaughter before finishing them off with a spear by stabbing them several times.

He was convicted of murder with actual intent and sentenced to death for each count by Justice Takuva while sitting on circuit in Hwange last week. Justice Takuva described Nkala as a merciless man who had brutally murdered the two defenceless women based on a rumour.

“You committed two heinous crimes in a horrific manner, your level of cruelty is shocking as you acted with untold brutality. You used excessive force on two defenceless women and when you finished them off you did not show mercy. They must have suffered excruciating pain and died very painful deaths, a sign that you have no regard for human life.

“You should not be allowed among the civilised society. The courts have a duty to protect the sanctity of life. This kind of conduct cannot be tolerated, two young lives were killed in cold blood, they did not expect you to behave in the manner you did even if there was some provocation as you allege. You are hereby found guilty of murder with actual intent and sentenced to death for each count,” said Justice Takuva.State media

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a State of Disaster in respect to areas in Manicaland province that were affected by Cyclone Idia, which has claimed 31 lives and displaced 200 people, most of them in Chimanimani and Chipinge.

Among the casualties were two pupils and a security officer from St Charles Lwanga High School, and 10 victims from Ngangu Township in Chimanimani, which was the most affected.

More than a 100 people are still missing.
The declaration, which also covers areas likely to be affected by the cyclone, allows the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) to support communities and provide relief.

Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
“On behalf of Government and the nation, and on my own behalf, I wish to express my condolences to the bereaved families affected by this disaster and to wish a speedy recovery to the injured.

“Given this tragic loss of life, the general devastation registered so far and the continuing torrential rains, His Excellency, the President, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has declared a State of Disaster in respect of the affected areas or areas likely to be affected by Cyclone Idai in terms of Subsection (1) of Section 27 of the Civil Protection Act (Chapter 10:06),” he said.

Areas that currently lie in Cyclone Idai path include Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, parts of Masvingo and Midlands provinces.State media

Emmerson Mnangagwa arrived in the UAE yesterday for talks with Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Sultan Al Nahyan aimed at striking strategic mutually beneficial relations.

Mnangagwa is accompanied by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo and Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando, Deputy Chief Secretary (Communications) and Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba and other Government officials.

Minister Moyo yesterday described Mnangagwa’s visit to the UAE as “very important”.

‘‘This is a very important visit by His Excellency on the invitation of his counterpart, the Crown Prince, and it is an invitation which is creating a symbiotic relationship and strategic partnership between the Emirates and Zimbabwe,’’ said Dr Moyo.

“We are going to be discussing different aspects, both the political and diplomatic, and including the various economic areas which are beneficial to both countries. It would be two days of hectic discussions and it will be two days of issues which are going to be decision-oriented and which are going to be implemented without delay,’’ he said.

Mnangagwa is today expected to visit Dubai, which is about 140km from Abu Dhabi.

“As you are aware, here in Abu Dhabi is where the Crown Prince is, who is the President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, but the Prime Minister is based in Dubai and therefore, as His Excellency travels to Dubai, he is going to be meeting the Prime Minister. This is going to be a clear-cut area of collaboration.

“Already, His Excellency has accepted the deployment of a nominee of the Emirates as an ambassador to Zimbabwe and you may be aware that His Excellency has approved the deployment of somebody as an ambassador to the Abu Dhabi and to the Emirates,’’ he said.

Minister Moyo said the opening of an embassy in the UAE is strategic.

“It is strategic because it provides other options of survival for Zimbabwe. As you are aware, Zimbabwe is under sanctions and therefore, as we co-operate with the Emirates, this is going to be the basis of this pursuit. This country is a very rich country as you are aware. This is a country which is dependent on oil and gas. It has got quite an excess (of resources) and it is also controlling the global market alternative settlement payment systems, which could be used by Zimbabwe. They are looking at Southern Africa and they are looking at one of the strategic emerging market, which they have identified, and that in Southern Africa, being Zimbabwe, and that is why His Excellency is here,’’ explained Minister Moyo.

The UAE is a major producer of fuel and gas and intends to establish a fuel hub in Southern Africa.

Geographically, Zimbabwe is the heart of the Sadc and a gateway to other regions on the African continent. The country also had plans to construct a second fuel pipeline from Beira to Harare for easy movement of the commodity. Furthermore, the UAE is a major buyer of Zimbabwe’s gold.- state media

RATIDZAI Marasha, widow to the late music legend Biggie Tembo, has been dragged to court for biting her neighbour’s cheek.

Stella Kasusu opened up at Harare Civil Court where she applied for peace order against Ratidzai accusing her of physical abuse.

“She is my neighbour and she once acted as an aunt when she accompanied my daughter to her in-laws.

“She assaulted me when I confronted my other neighbour on an affair with my husband; that is when we fought and Ratidzai ended up biting my cheek.

“I was seriously injured, doctor’s report confirms that and she also struck me with a piece of firewood on my forehead,” she said.

In response, Ratidzai said:

“Your worship, don’t grant her the peace order because she is the one who insulted me saying that my late husband died of a terminal illness and that I was next.

“I fought with her when she was tarnishing my late husband’s image in the community, this is because my husband was a well-known person.

“I am now afraid to go to my farm or to church as she keeps stalking me everywhere and insulting me in public,” she said.

Ratidzai added:

“Chipo is a trouble-maker, she fought with almost everyone in our neighbourhood and Judith can bear me witness.”

Presiding Magistrate Noah Gwatidzo dismissed the application urging both parties to live in peace.

Media Statement By MDC|Doctors are struggling to assist patients with absolutely no support from the government, a cyclone is wrecking havoc in the Eastern parts of the country, old problems such as fuel shortages persist yet Mnangagwa flys out once more.

The MDC condemns this kind of behavior. For someone to enjoy luxury trips on tax payer’s funds shows no respect or care for the citizen.

What kind of person deserts those he purports to lead?

What kind of person leaves behind dying children, sinking homes , washed away bridges and goes on a dish sampling mission in the Middle East.

1. At the bare minimum, the cyclone should have been declared a National disaster. This allows the unlocking of more resources to assist those in need. The reluctant approach adopted by the government is a reflection of negligence.

2. The government must adequately inform citizens with the same intensity that Mnangagwa and his henchmen had when they sought election.

3. State intervention on disaster response should have kicked in by now, on a massive scale.

4. There is a need to establish hotlines for those seeking help and constant updates. At the moment there is no line of communication.

5. In the medium, to long term, the Civil protection unit has to be equipped to be responsive in times of disasters. At the present moment, it is not helpful to citizens – the Battlefields disaster also buttresses this fact.

6. In the meantime, the MDC calls for urgent assistance in the form of tents , food, blankets to the affected families specifically in the Eastern Highlands where houses have been washed away.

Zimbabweans are struggling, Mnangagwa has made it clear that the people’s struggles are not his struggles.

Foreign trips have gobbled a huge chunk of public funds with no return.

Hospitals have no painkillers, linen, blades and even gloves.

The obsession with talking to externals is not bearing any fruit because the fundamentals back at home are not there.

The MDC insists that globetrotting will not help, what is needed is genuine National dialogue to resolve the crises hitting Zimbabwe.

MDC: Defining a New Course for Zimbabwe!

Jacob Mafume
MDC National Spokesperson

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, held talks with Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday to review prospects for accelerating bilateral relations.

The two leaders met in Abu Dhabi to discuss mutual opportunities relating to investment, the economy and exchanged views on regional and international affairs, according to Abu Dhabi city state news agency, Wam.

Sheikh Mohamed noted that under the leadership of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the country is working to grow its relations with the Republic of Zimbabwe.

Mr Mnangagwa praised the UAE for furthering the values of tolerance, inter-faith dialogue and peaceful co-existence among all peoples.

Sheikh Mohamed hosted a dinner banquet in honour of his guest and the accompanying delegation.

Attending the dinner were Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, and Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority.

Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi and Lt. General Issa Saif bin Ablan Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, also attended.

The Zimbabwean delegation included Sibusiso Busi Moyo Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance, Winston Chitando, Minister of Mines and Mining Development, and Philip Valerio Sibanda, Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

UAE Media

15 houses have been destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Idai in Zaka under Chief Nhema, Masvingo province.

ZBC News reports that wards 1, 2 and 3 were affected and areas are inaccessible as the bridges along Chiredzi River are flooded and the area has been receiving incessant rainfall.

A Chiwara bus slipped back and plunged into Runde River while trying to cross Chilonga Bridge in Chiredzi. All passengers escaped unhurt.

Mutimurefu Prison in Masvingo had four cells’ roofs blown away. According to Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Officer Commanding Masvingo, Assistant Commissioner Social Ndanga said no prisoners escaped.

R

Pindula News

By Own Correspondent- The United States Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan met with former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe where they discussed issues to do with Zimbabwe’s August 2018 post-election violence, and the need for meaningful political and economic reforms in the country.

In a statement released by the US, the duo also met to discuss their countries’ bi- lateral relations.

Read the statement:

Deputy Secretary Sullivan’s Meeting With Former South African President Motlanthe
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
March 16, 2019

The below is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino:

On March 14, while in Johannesburg, Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan met with former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe to discuss the U.S.-South African bilateral relationship.

The two also discussed President Motlanthe’s role as chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into Zimbabwe’s August 2018 post-election violence, and the need for meaningful political and economic reforms in Zimbabwe.

An apparent WhatsApp conversation between Mutumwma Mawere and Walter Mzembi has been leaked on Twitter. The conversation is about the two individual’s plan to ouster Emmerson Mnangagwa by isolating him regionally and internationally.

A copy of the leaked WhatsApp conversation was posted by the Twitter personality mmatigari.

The authenticity of the leaked WhatsApp conversation has not been independently verified.

[03/13, 21:44] Mutumwa Mawere:Hi

[03/13, 21:45] Walter Mzembi SA No: Good evening Bro

[03/13, 21:46] Mutumwa Mawere:Good evening

[03/13, 21:48] Walter Mzembi SA No: My apologies on today , was in PTA until late , we may have to move our coffee chat to the weekend when it’s all relaxed a bit , what’s your take?

[03/13, 21:48] Mutumwa Mawere:Fine with me

[03/13, 21:48] Mutumwa Mawere:Did you go through the stuff?

[03/13, 21:50] Walter Mzembi SA No: I have been going through the information you sent my summary is a regime change in Harare is part of the solution if not the ultimate solution.

[03/13, 21:51] Mutumwa Mawere: Is there an angle to pursue

[03/13, 21:53] Walter Mzembi SA No: International lobby on property rights and restitution is key. Harare cannot compensate whites for land and improvements, and skip you out of the list. It’s laughable

[03/13, 21:54] Mutumwa Mawere: What about the SA angle? Have you checked with Dewa if he has read the text messages?

[03/13, 21:56] Walter Mzembi SA No: We have to place your issue before the USA in a manner where it becomes topical politically and linked to removal of sanctions. Equally EU. So Dhewa will be key if we package it properly

[03/13, 21:57] Mutumwa Mawere: What about taking Ramaphosa to court in SA?

[03/13, 21:57] Walter Mzembi SA No: Senate Foreign Relations Committee our entry point in USA [03/13, 21:58] Mutumwa Mawere: Should we not separate Ramaphosa from ED first as a strategy [03/13, 21:58] Walter Mzembi SA No: Ramaphosa as our host we need him . We just need to bring Am up to speed with the Zimbabwean question

[03/13, 22:00] Walter Mzembi SA No: He needs to recalibrate regional solidarity

[03/13, 22:00] Mutumwa Mawere: Do you not agree that if he is put to the test in court then he will be forced to take the issue seriously? What do you think of convincing the EFF to take the front end of it?

[03/13, 22:01] Walter Mzembi SA No: As long as you don’t front it yourself the optics have to be right

[03/13, 22:02] Mutumwa Mawere: Have you read the draft affidavit by Miriam?

[03/13, 22:06] Walter Mzembi SA No: This is why I wanted to meet you so run me through some of the intimate details .

[03/13, 22:08] Mutumwa Mawere: Is it possible for you to seek the opinion of your lawyers, Dewa and EFF lawyers on the draft as a starting point so that we can pick their brains

Earlier today, The Herald reported that Walter Mzembi and Mutumwa Mawere are plotting to oust Mnangagwa and that they are roping in the help of Dewa Mavhinga.

oOn behalf of Government and the Nation, and on my own behalf, I wish to express my sincere condolences to the bereaved families affected by this disaster and to wish speedy recovery, to the injured.

Given the tragic loss of life, the general devastation registered so far and the continuing torrential rains, His Excellency the President, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has declared a State of Disaster to respect of the affected areas or areas likely to be affected by Tropical Cyclone ldai in terms of Subsection (1) of Section 27 of the Civil Protection Act (Chapter 10:06).

Accordingly, national and sub-national Civil Protection structures are being instructed to undertake the following priority actions:Support the affected communities giving urgency to search, rescue and evacuation for the marooned/cut-off communities,Conduct rapid needs assessments and render relief accordingly,Continue monitoring and surveillance of the situation, andDevise a comprehensive management strategy to address the entirety of this disaster.

Areas within the Cyclone’s pathway Include Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, parts of Masvingo and Midlands provinces. Tropical Cyclone Icial’s was also expected to affect Harare Metropolitan and the Matebeleland provinces.

Manicaland province has so far suffered the worst brunt of the Cyclone which has resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property and severe damage to roads, bridges and communication infrastructure.

According to statistics at hand , the trail of disaster in the Chimanimani is as follows;

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By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has broken the silence and appreciated the bravery of those assisting victims of Cyclone Idai which has since claimed 31 lives in Chipinge and Chimanimani.

Said Mnangagwa:

“My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by Cyclone Idai. Rescue operations are underway and we are grateful for the bravery of the men and women of the Zimbabwean armed forces who along with our local and international partners are participating in the urgent rescue efforts.”

Correspondent|State media has claimed that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe corruptly paid US$1 million to United States aircraft manufacturing company Boeing officials without following due process, as more “exposure” into alleged corruption shenanigans of former Air Zimbabwe chief operating officer Simba Chikore continues.

Boeing was paid money for the training of Simba Chikore, husband to the only daughter of former President Robert Mugabe and wife Grace, which training never materialised as he was unable to fly the Zimbabwe Airways planes due to the absence of an Air Operators Certificate for the airline.

According to the report, officials from Boeing had become close buddies of the Mugabes and could be seen at some of the family’s private events, implying that the Mugabes were well aware of the deals.

The Zimbabwean team included Chikore and a Captain Chitsike and the Boeing team consisted of the main consultant — Michael Castle, Tim Sikora and Konisha Shetty — all from the Boeing Head Office in Seattle, United States.

“Boeing were paid US$1 030 500 by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for their services to help in the restructuring of the national airline,” the Herald reports.

Boeing had a contract with Air Zimbabwe in 2016 but transferred services to Zimbabwe Airways when the latter was controversially constituted as a new alternative, debt-free entity funded by Treasury.

Additionally, Boeing was paid money for the training of Mr Chikore (pictured left), which never materialised as he was unable to fly the Zimbabwe Airways planes due to the absence of an Air Operators Certificate for the airline.

Revealed our source: “The Boeing team was no longer working for Air Zimbabwe but were now working with Zimbabwe Airways even though they were still contractually bound to Air Zimbabwe and had received funds from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to assist in the restructuring of the national airline.

“From March 2017 when the Boeing team were in the country, they would attend state functions and were introduced to the former First Family.”

The Herald is in possession of a picture in which Mr Sikora is seen with the former First Family and the business plan is in the hands of the former president, Robert Mugabe.

The next detail involved Mr Chikore’s abortive training.

Said the source: “Boeing then organised for a chief pilot to be contracted by Zimbabwe Airways. The Chief Pilot was to help Simba Chikore get his certification.

“He was to be paid US$30 000 per month. The conundrum was that Zimbabwe Airways did not have any aircraft delivered yet, but once delivered, the Chief Pilot would fly the B777 with Simba in order for Simba to get his flying hours.

“The only problem was that the airline did not have an AOC (Air Operators Certificate). Ultimately, there was no work for the Chief Pilot to do but was to be paid anyway. The payment was to go to Boeing. Tangible work by Boeing was not evident,” our source said.

Unimpeachable evidence also shows that Mr Chikore bulldozed the (then named) Harare International Airport to build a ticketing office for Zimbabwe Airways.

“They constructed the airport offices without a lease agreement being concluded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAZ).

“When asked by (property company named) about the rentals, Simba refused saying that he would not pay such amounts for airport property.

“To this day a lease still has not been concluded. The offices are vacant and are not being used.”

The contractors used — and paid — for the airport offices were the same that were building Mr Chikore’s private home in Umwinsdale, Harare.

For all the money that flew around, The Herald has it on good authority that, no statutory payment were made to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, including PAYE and sundry tax remittances from the period of 2017 to date.

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of aircraft and other equipment. It is also America’s biggest manufacturing exporter as it also offers defence, space and security systems, and is a service provider of aftermarket support as well as performance-based logistics and training.

FOUR students at St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Chimanimani were trapped after a rock boulder loosened and rolled onto a school dormitory.

A statement by the Jesuit Communications of Zimbabwe confirmed the incident.

Two bodies were retrieved by members of the Air Force of Zimbabwe while one was successfully rescued but injured. The fourth student went missing at the Roman Catholic Church-run school, while several others were also injured.

In a statement, the Jesuits Communications said: “A rock rolled from “mountain and hit the dinning hall which collapsed onto a dormitory” Reports are that some students have been rescued but there are fears of loss of life. We pray for the affected.”

The rescue was reportedly delayed due to strong winds as well as a cut-off in communication linkage in the area following the cyclone.

The unfortunate incident happened as Tropical Cyclone Idai continues to wreak havoc in the eastern border district of Zimbabwe. At least 24 people have been confirmed dead, while over 100 are missing following a night of incessant cyclone rains.

Meanwhile, the Civil Protection Unit has run an SMS broadcast on Saturday afternoon. “In case of strong winds, shelter in a house with the strongest roof and close all windows and doors. In case of emergency, dial 112.” —

ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday afternoon issued his first ever statement on the devastation caused by Cyclone Idai.

Mnangagwa who is currently away in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, published the below on his Twitter account: “My thoughts & prayers are with all those affected by Cyclone Idai. Rescue operations are underway & we are grateful for the bravery of the men & women of the Zimbabwean armed forces who, along with our local & international partners, are participating in the urgent rescue efforts.”

Amid several more reported missing with some having been swept away by the floods, at 5pm (Zim time) at least 31 people were reported dead from the effects of the cyclone.

At 5p, ZimEye was made to understand that the army has been deployed for assistance. This was according to the MP for Chimanimani, Jsohua Sacco. But at the time of writing several sources interviewed by ZimEye revealed that there was no military presence in their areas. One source said this was likely due to low clouds and strong winds impeding helicopter traffic.

Efforts to get comment from the authorities were underway.

ZimEye is on Saturday evening interviewing sources currently sheltered near Chimanimani Secondary School. (WATCH THE PROGRAM ON ZIMEYE.COM)

Several bridges were viciously washed away in Chimanimani and Chipinge.

As Mnangagwa is away in the UAE, the acting president is Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.

By Patrick Guramatunhu- The trouble with Zanu PF apologists like you Hopewell Chinono is that they are incapable of thinking logically.

“Ultimately the responsibility for health care in Zimbabwe lies with the State, but until the State has fully grasped that reality, we can do what is within our means because the people who are dying are our kith and kin,” you say.

“It is shameful for the rest of the world to watch our health delivery system become a death trap whilst we claim to be an educated nation. 

“In the event that we don’t get a buy in from government, we can come up with other plans that can help save lives. 

“After talking to doctors working at the four major hospitals, it was clear to me that the doctors do not trust the health authorities either, so the best thing will be to get a logistics company to do this for free.”

1. Zimbabwe’s health service did not collapse in the last week or month but has been in decline these last 38 years. If it is the state’s responsibility to provide health care, as you readily admit, and the said state has failed to “fully grasp that reality” in the last 38 years; what makes you believe they will ever do so? 

1. It is the donor community that has carried the burden of Zimbabwe’s health, education, food air and many other areas which would have totally collapse a long time ago. The tragic reality is that the more the outsiders helped the more the Zanu PF government neglected its duty and responsibility. It is a matter of record that the donors sourced and pay for up to 80% of Zimbabwe’s medicine is some areas. Even with the best will in the world there is a limit to what the donors can do especially when the Zimbabwe government authorities are known to seek health care outside the country and waste vast fortunes of luxuries.

1. The suggestion that individual Zimbabweans can take-up the challenge of sourcing and paying for all the nation medical needs is laughable. With unemployment in the country a nauseating 90%, Zimbabweans in the country are in no position to pay for the medicine. And Zimbabweans is the diaspora are already doing their best to keep the nation ticking and will not be able do much more. But even if the people can be mobilised to make the sacrifice, this can only be a short term solution. We need a cure and not just another painkiller!

1. Zimbabwe is in a serious mess with 90% out of work, 3/4 of the population living on US$30 or less a month, with health care and other basic services all but collapse, etc. We know the root cause of the country’s economic problems is the 38 years of corrupt and tyrannical rule by Zanu PF. We know Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF junta rigged last year’s elections to extend their misrule. We can continue to bury our heads in the sand and pretend we do not know about the corrupt and tyrannical misrule but must know it is insane especially when the price for our insanity is now human lives.

The idea that the people of Zimbabwe should find other means to finance public services which should otherwise be provided by government through their tax payments is absurd. So why are we paying the tax for?

We have this Zanu PF government that has failed to provide the basic services such as health care and education because it is corrupt and incompetent. It has remained in power regardless of its pathetic performance record only because the party has rigged elections to stay in power. The solution is not for the people to dig deeper into their pockets to fund basic services; this is not sustainable as we can. The solution is to get a competent government.

Zanu PF blatantly rigged last July’s elections and therefore has no mandate to govern. The party must step down to create the political space to allow the implementation of reforms, followed by the holding of free and fair elections. The Zanu PF dictatorship is the elephant in the room, we have pretended not to know it for 38 years, and have paid dearly for our folly. This must now stop.

By Own Correspondent- The death toll from Cyclone Idai has risen to 31, the ministry of Information and Publicity has revealed..

The dead are mostly from the Manicaland towns of Chimanimani and Chipinge where the cyclone has caused massive damage.

The government has discouraged any crossing of flooded rivers.

Said the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting this afternoon:

“Govt wishes to discourage any efforts to cross flooded rivers by individuals. We are receiving tragic reports of some people being swept away. We urge patience as rescue is on its way. Let us not have avoidable loss of human life. We have lost 31 Zimbabweans to Cyclone Idai.”

As the Mozambiqan government reported cyclone idai will dissipate in 24hrs time, the plague had seen 31 conformed deaths at the time of writing.

The death toll was at 31 at 5pm Saturday.

The victims are mostly from the Manicaland towns of Chimanimani and Chipinge where the cyclone has caused massive damage.

The government issued a statement discouraging people from crossing of flooded rivers.

“Govt wishes to discourage any efforts to cross flooded rivers by individuals. We are receiving tragic reports of some people being swept away. We urge patience as rescue is on its way. Let us not have avoidable loss of human life. We have lost 31 Zimbabweans to Cyclone Idai,”
said the Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting Services.

Jane Mlambo| Zimbabwe Lawyers For Human Rights (ZLHR) on Thursday 14 March 2019 filed an urgent chamber application in the High Court challenging government’s decision to suspend the operations of Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development Trust (COTRAD), a local non-governmental organistaion (NGO).

Government through Masvingo District Administrator (DA) on Monday 11 March 2019 ordered COTRAD to cease operations pending investigation on its registration.

In a letter written to COTRAD, Masvingo District Administrator instructed COTRAD not to carry out any activities “of any kind” in the jurisdiction of Masvingo district pending investigation on the registration and approval issues of the organisation by the DA’s office.

This prompted COTRAD, to engage Denford Halimani of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) to file an urgent chamber application in the High Court challenging the DA’s decision to outlaw the NGO’s operations and seeking an order to be allowed to resume full
operations in Masvingo without any interference.

In the application, Halimani argued that the District Administrator is not empowered by any law to suspend or stop COTRAD’s operations as it is not registered as a Private Voluntary Organistaion but as a Trust, created by a Notarial Deed of Donation and Trust, which is registered at the Deeds Registry.

Halimani argued that the order compelling COTRAD, which has been operating in Masvingo province for the past six years, to cease operations had left 5 000 underprivileged people prejudiced and without recourse including the organisation’s eight employees.

COTRAD wants the High Court to reverse the Masvingo District Administrator’s directive to suspend its operations including to be allowed to resume full operations in Masvingo without any interference and for the decision to be declared null and void and of no force and
effect.

VIEW PICTURES BELOW…

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has dismissed warnings that the party’s May elective congress was divisive that it could lead to another split.

Chamisa, who cancelled a rally scheduled for Bulawayo at the weekend, heads to Masvingo today where he is expected to drum up support ahead of the crunch congress.

The youthful leader, facing the ultimate test of his political carreer said if anything, the party founded by the late Morgan Tsvangirai would emerge stronger after congress.

“There is jostling for posts within the party ahead of congress. This is not a sign of weakness. Jostling leads to strength, more strength; (that) depends on how you manage the processes. As far as we are concerned, we are developing our movement,” Chamisa said.

Insiders have expressed concern that either Chamisa or party secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora could leave the party if one of them lost the presidency.

Mwonzora is reportedly eyeing the presidency and is confident that he will trounce Chamisa for the second time in the internal polls.

“You will see that our congress is going to produce a very credible, stronger and more vibrant movement. This is a people’s movement and people’s struggles cannot be split.

Individuals can choose to exfoliate and pull off, but that is not a split,” Chamisa said.

Mwonzora, on the other hand, said he would remain in the MDC even if he lost at congress, saying he was loyal to the party.

“If I don’t win elections, I will remain loyal to the party. Let me tell you the hierarchy of loyalty is in my mind. I am loyal to the cause, to democracy, justice to fairness. Secondly, I am loyal to the party, and thirdly, I am loyal to the leadership.

In that order, and if our people whom we must respect vote a certain person in, that person deserves my respect, deserves my support and I will support that person for the next five years,” Mwonzora said.

Top MDC leaders including Morgen Komichi, Tendai Biti, Chalton Hwende, Happymore Chidziva, Lynette Karenyi and Welshman Ncube have thrown their weight behind Chamisa ahead of the elective congress.

Meanwhile, MDC Masvingo provincial chairperson James Gumbi confirmed Chamisa’s impending visit today, but declined to shed more light on the purpose of the visit.

“The president is going to have a meeting with Masvingo structures. But it is an internal affair which I cannot share with the media; it is our housekeeping issues,” Gumbi said.

But sources said Chamisa was expected to crack the whip in the faction-riddled province in the wake of serious jockeying for positions ahead of the provincial congress scheduled for next month.

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| MDC Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora has called for unity of purpose to contain the effects of cyclone idai whose devastating effects in Manicaland has seen more than 20 people confirmed dead.

Mwonzora who hails from Nyanga said all stakeholders accross the political divide should come together to ameliorate the effects of Idai.

“Manicaland province is currently at the receiving end of Cyclone Idai, Government and all stakeholders across the political divide must unite and ameliorate the effects of Idai. No blame game. Take your neighbors plight as your own plight. We shall prevail,” said Mwonzora is a Twitter post.

According to ZBC, 24 people have been confirmed dead while 150 are reportedly missing.

A Beitbridge woman (35) who was based in Johannesburg, South Africa, was shot seven times at her house in Cosmos City in a horrific murder which was witnessed by her son (10).

The incident, which has left the Beitbridge community shocked, occurred on Wednesday night.

The motive behind the shooting including the suspect behind it is not known.

South African police spokesperson for Honeydew, Captain Balan Muthan confirmed the murder, saying the woman, identified as Ms Excite Mudau, was declared dead at the scene. He said they have since opened a murder inquest.

“The woman from Zimbabwe was shot in the lower part of the body and she died on the spot. She was sleeping with her son when the suspect stormed into her house and shot her and the boy then rushed outside and notified neighbours who then alerted police,” he said.

“Our detectives are investigating the murder and no arrests have been made so far.”

The body was taken to Hillbrow government mortuary for postmortem.

Relatives who spoke to The Chronicle said they were waiting for police investigations pending repatriation of the body.

A family member who preferred to remain anonymous said they suspected Ms Mudau was shot dead by a lover. “Although the details are scant we suspect the murder could be a crime of passion. We understand the person who shot her is a male with whom she had an altercation earlier. We are, however, waiting for a full update from the police,” said the family member.

The deceased’s friend Ms Rendani Ngulube Mukwevho, who is also based in Johannesburg, said on the fateful day a male visited Ms Mudau’s house at night before an altercation ensued between the two.

“On that particular night my friend was at home with her 10-year-old son when a certain man came and knocked on the door. They then went outside during which they had an altercation. When the deceased went back to her house, the suspect followed her to the bedroom where he shot her seven times on the lower part of the body and she died instantly,” she said.

Cases of Zimbabweans being murdered in the neighbouring country have of late been on the rise.

In August 2017, a Zimbabwean pastor, Reverend Proud Kanyungwe (32) and his wife Belinda Tarisai Mukucha (28) were shot and killed by two armed robbers at their rented home in Scottsville Extension in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal province while their two daughters, one of them aged three years, watched helplessly.

The armed robbers went away with two cellphones and a laptop.

The incident came barely a month after a Bulawayo woman was shot 13 times by unknown suspects while on her way to catch a taxi in Pretoria’s Soshanguve area.

Sikhethiwe Moyo (30) died on the spot.

The suspects took out a cellphone SIM card from her phone and fled. The phone was found next to her body.

-State Media

Netherlands based singer and former Black Spirits member Vimbai Zimuto’s recent nude beach pictures have broken the Internet. While some Zimbabweans have expressed displeasure with the diva for her X-rated pictures, she remarks that: “You haven’t seen anything yet!”

Vimbai, a former backing vocalist of the late music legend and national hero Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi gate-crashed into fame when she recently released a highly sexualised video titled “Hapana Kwaunoenda” which left tongues wagging.

Now she is back again and apparently even more determined to provoke largely conservative Zimbabweans by being unusually “comfortable in my own skin.”RELATED ARTICLES

“This was my first (nude shoot) and my second is in Harare in a week’s time. So I am super excited and looking forward to it,” she said. The photo was captioned: “Being an Africa Woman, taking back the comfort that my ancestors had in their own skin, fearless #lioness soft but prickly #nungu.”

After the uproar of her first nude photo shoot she did last week last week, many obviously thought Vimbai would dump the idea of another nude photo shoot any time soon. But thick-skinned Vimbai, to the shock of many, has promised even more daring photo shoots in Harare this week.

For the singer the controversial nude photo shoots are her way of expressing her art. She regards sexuality as an art.Her numerous detractors, however, disagree. They say there is nothing African and artistic about Vimbai’s nude pictures.

But it would appear sultry Vimbai is not one to be bullied easily.

“There is no immorality in art. Art is expressive in every way possible. Even sex is art. You have to be very expressive to enjoy it,” she insisted in an interview with the Daily News on Sunday.

Vimbai is also not ruffled by people on social media who claim that she is doing the nudes to attract attention.

“Everyone in the world, who does business, is seeking attention. Companies pay big money for advertising, just to get attention. Everyone on social media is seeking attention, you writing this article you want the attention of the readers. That’s how the world goes round,” she said.

The singer, who believes art is there to provoke, says her “supportive family” understands the objectives behind the nude pictures.

“It doesn’t affect me a bit. The more people talk the better, whether positive or negative. That’s the impact of art.

“My family is very supportive, and they know me on a personal level and the person that I am. So my art is my work and they understand it completely,” she added.

Vimbai said the nude pictures will be part of her forthcoming video.

“I am dropping a single end of this month with a story that will be fulfilled by this shoot,” she said. 

-Daily News

Jane Mlambo| Despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa coming out in the open against death sentence, an Inyathi man who struck his wife and sister with a hammer before fatally stabbing them with a spear could have survived if government had quickly scrapped death sentence from its statutes.

Mnangagwa who himself survived death sentence has since his days as Justice minister stood his ground against death sentence.

Amos Nkala (45) of Balanda Village 7, Siganda in Inyathi, summoned his estranged wife, Simangele Tshuma (41) and sister Nongazi Nkala (39) to explain allegations that a neighbour was securing boyfriends for his wife, before bludgeoning them with a hammer.

He then stabbed the unconscious women several times with a spear.

He was convicted of murder with actual intent and sentenced to death for each count by a Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Maxwell Takuva, while sitting at the Hwange Circuit Court.

Passing his judgment, Justice Takuva described Nkala as a merciless man.

“You committed two heinous crimes in a horrific manner. Your level of cruelty is shocking as you acted with untold brutality. You used excessive force on two defenceless women and when you finished them off, you did not show mercy. They must have suffered excruciating pain and died very painful deaths, a sign that you have no regard for human life,” Justice Takuva said.

Nkala, through his pro deo lawyer, Givemore Mvhiringi of Mvhiringi and Associates, claimed that he acted out of provocation after his wife alleged he had sexual relations with his mother.

Correspondent|A man in Harare took a bath recently in a city centre ditch left open by the city authorities.

The huge ditch, dug at the corner of Nelson Mandela and Julius Nyerere streets as part of maintenance was left open with no danger signs and has been like that for a while.

It’s not clear what drove the man to take a bath in broad daylight as traffic and commuters passed by.

CAG bus involved in a fatal accident after Kadoma.

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AN Inyathi man who struck his wife and sister with a hammer before fatally stabbing them with a spear, following a rumour of infidelity has been sentenced to death for the double murder.

Amos Nkala (45) of Balanda Village 7, Siganda in Inyathi, summoned his estranged wife, Simangele Tshuma (41) and sister Nongazi Nkala (39) to explain allegations that a neighbour was securing boyfriends for his wife, before bludgeoning them with a hammer.

He then stabbed the unconscious women several times with a spear.

He was convicted of murder with actual intent and sentenced to death for each count by a Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Maxwell Takuva, while sitting at the Hwange Circuit Court.

Passing his judgment, Justice Takuva described Nkala as a merciless man.

“You committed two heinous crimes in a horrific manner. Your level of cruelty is shocking as you acted with untold brutality. You used excessive force on two defenceless women and when you finished them off, you did not show mercy. They must have suffered excruciating pain and died very painful deaths, a sign that you have no regard for human life,” Justice Takuva said.

Nkala, through his pro deo lawyer, Givemore Mvhiringi of Mvhiringi and Associates, claimed that he acted out of provocation after his wife alleged he had sexual relations with his mother.

Memory Munsaka appeared for the State.

NewsDay

By Own Correspondent| Updates by Zimbabwe’s Information Ministry confirm that Chimanimani has been hit hard by Cyclone Idai which has now crossed into Zimbabwe.

Said the ministry this morning:

“Chimanimani has been hit hard. Areas affected include Chimanimani urban, Charleshood Farm, Machongwe, Vhimba and Kopa Growth Point. Haroni River in Ward 12 has burst its banks. Nyahonde River at Kopa business centre has burst. Govt responding

Power disrupted in the Chimanimani area. Some bridges cutting access. Bridge at Pondo Farm has been swept away. Manase Village has also been adversely affected and communication is a challenge

Rescue efforts hampered by darkness but the Airforce of Zimbabwe has been deployed to winch people to safety.”

Under pressure and controversial Manicaland Diocese Anglican Bishop Eric Ruwona has allegedly sought protection from Zanu PF heavyweights after restive congregants demonstrated for his ouster and his faction on allegations of wanton suspension of priests, corruption, maladministration and abuse of church funds amounting to over $2m.

This week irate congregants from three perishes in Mutare urban namely, St Agnes from (Chikanga), and Holy Name (Sakubva), Mufudzi Wakanaka (Dangamvura) handed over their petition outlining their griviances against Ruwona.

Part of the petition in possession of this publication read:

“Following several unresolved Diocesan issues dating as way back as 3rd December 2016, the concerned Anglicans are demanding that Bishop Erick Ruwona relinquish his position as the Bishop of Manicaland with immediate effect.”

The congregant’s grievances allege Ruwona’s misappropriation of Diocesan funds. The funds include $450 000.00 loan from Agribank and $250 000.00 overdraft from Agribank.

In the petition, the congregants allege that Ruwona and his cabal misappropriated $1,098,800.00 school levies collected from September 1 2015 to March 31 2017 among other unverified amounts of school levies collected from April 1 2017 to date.

The congregants also allege that there was an embezzlement of $89 000.00 and $53 000 for Diocesan birthdays.

They raised concern over the non-functioning of the Diocesan Standing Committee and Trustee and the lack of proper communication .

Arbitrary transfers and suspension of clergy and the victimisation of elected church leaders and dissolution of church councils, among others were raised.

In a desperate move to remain in power, Ruwona has approached Zanu PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri –Kashiri and Minister of Broadcasting, Media and Information Monica Mutsvangwa for protection.

Mutsvangwa was not immediately available for a comment as she was said to be out of country. Muchinguri was not available for a comment, but,our source revealed that Muchinguri had told Ruwona to back off and carry his cross.

“He has approached Mai Muchinguri and Mai Mutsvangwa for protection and he has said the demonstrating congregants are MDC supporters,” said the source.

“Ruwona must be ashamed of himself because he is a well known MDC supporter himself and those are just the last kicks of a dying horse,” said our source.

Last Sunday, Ruwona ordered the closure of St Agnes Anglican church in Chikanga alleging that it was the main source of problems haunting his leadership.

Congregants had to pray outside the locked church, but the anti- riot police later came and opened the doors for the congregants who completed the service under heavy guard from the police, as Ruwona’s faction had hired thugs to beat up the congregants.

Previously, feuds between supporters and non-supporters of Ruwona have broken out tearing the fragile diocese apart.

Worshippers have also appealed to the Zambia based Archbishop of the Church of the Province of Central Africa, Archbishop Albert Chama and the Episcopal Synod of the Anglican Church to intervene in the matter on their behalf, but, surprisingly, Chama has failed to act, giving speculation that he was involved in the scandals.

The congregants have also complained of Portia Magada whom they allege to have taken charge of the church.

“She has virtually taken over the control of the church and congregants have been raising concerns over this but, Ruwona has been protecting her,” said the congregants.

Contacted for a comment, Ruwona, referred all questions to Ashel Mutungura who is Anglican Diocese of Manicaland spokesperson.

Mutungura described the disgruntled congregants at St Agnes Church as people belonging to erstwhile former Bishop Elson Jakazi who were bent to cause confusion in the church.

Jakazi is a former bishop of the church but was fired by the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) for misconduct.

A protracted court battle ensued between Jakazi and the CPCA resulting in his ouster by the courts.

“Those calling for the ouster of Bishop’s removal are Jakazi people. They have refused to join the church and they are causing confusion.

These are divisive people who do not even pay tithes but are good at talking and causing confusion.

“They do not know the church rules and regulations. They are just ignorant of the church laws and power hungry. It is clearly stated in the Acts of the Diocese,” he said.

“Congregants know the correct channels of expressing their unhappiness. Those with concerns should come forward and present them with proper procedures,” Mtungura said.

Morning Post

By Own Correspondent| MDC organising secretary, Amos Chibaya, has revealed that his party will finalise restructuring its branches, as well as reducing the party’s administrative provinces from 12 to 10.

Chibaya said the party will restructure its wards next week after completing the configuration of its branches tomorrow.

Said Chibaya:

“We are finalising the restructuring of our branches on Sunday (tomorrow) and after that we move on to wards, districts and finally provinces.

Everything is moving on well and I am sure we will complete all the processes ahead of the main congress to be held in May. At the moment, there are no glitches. In our process, we encourage consensus between nominated parties and proceed to elections if there is no agreement.”Newsday

By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has left Zimbabwe for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In his absence Vice President Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga is the Acting President.

Yesterday the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting said Mnangagwa was going to Abu Dhabi for an official state visit.

However, Jonathan Moyo claimed that Mnangagwa is seeking financial assistance.

Jane Mlambo| With Zimbabwe choking due to shortage of drugs in public hospitals and the Cyclone Idai currently ravaging communities in Manicaland and Mashonaland East and Central, former Education minister David Coltart has questioned the wisdom of President Emmerson Mnangagwa leaving for Abu Dhabi on official visit.

Coltart expressed worry that Mnangagwa will likely use his expensive and luxurious hired plane at the expense of cheaper means and save money for drugs and emergency response to floods and disaster currently being experienced in Chipinge and Chimanimani.

Cyclone Idai has hit Chimanimani, destroying and sweeping away over 10 houses at Ngangu high density suburb last night.

Rusitu Valley is also bearing the brunt of the cyclone which is expected to continue over the weekend and also affect Masvingo, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central provinces.

Eye witnesses said heavy rains erupted from mountains in Chimanimani, sweeping away houses and in the process leaving huge gullies.

The desperate eye witnesses said the situation needs an urgent intervention, adding that the extent of destruction can only be fully established later in the day as the incident occurred around midnight Friday to early hours Saturday.

Two eye witnesses Munyaradzi Chinoda and Ellias Simango said it is difficult to determine the level of destruction but a number of houses at the local high density suburb have been swept away.

Some roads linking the Ngangu high density suburb and Chipinge town have been swept away, while people whose houses have been affected have sought refuge at the local shopping centre and nearby houses.

Zbc News online

BULAWAYO songbird Sandra “Sandy” Ndebele took to social media to announce that she has embarked on a programme to shed off excess weight in preparation for the launch of her album and a whirlwind tour.

Sandy also revealed that she would be doing this as part of a health check programme as she adopts a new lifestyle.

“A weight loss journey has begun; watch the space, Woza 2019. Siyabangena #mummysgoals,” she said on her Facebook page.

In a follow-up interview with NewsDay Weekender, Sandy said she easily gets tired so she needed to lose weight in preparation for her tour.

“This body now easily gets tired and I am doing this for my health. I am short and this shows I am obese. It is also good to exercise as one will look good and younger,” she said.

“I am also in preparation for my album launch next year, for which I will embark on tours. I started exercising at the beginning of this year and I’ve lost 4kg and my target is to attain 67kg. I am on a weight loss diet and I have a trainer.”

Ndebele said she feared her bums would become much heavier in old age.

“Exercising will become my lifestyle and I will not give up on it. When I am now a granny, I fear my bums will have a bearing on me, as they will be heavier. I fear I may also suffer from back aches,” Sandy added. 

-Newsday

THE untenable situation prevailing at public hospitals continues to unfold with reports that post-theatre patients have to bear immense pain in the absence of painkillers, while pathologists at times failed to perform autopsies because of the shortage of gloves.

Relatives have had to endure, not only the grief of losing their loved ones, but the long wait for the autopsies to be done.

Facilities like Harare Central Hospital have no ventilators which are used in the intensive care unit (ICU) to assist people in breathing when they are unable to do so or during operations.

According to senior doctors, an 18-year-old girl whose tummy was full of puss recently died when she could not be operated on at the hospital because there was no ventilator and efforts to transfer her to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals were futile because the institution had no space for her.

Gynaecological oncologist Bothwell Guzha on Wednesday told Health minister Obadiah Moyo during a protest staged by the senior doctors at Parirenyatwa that her death was a sad reminder of how ill-equipped the hospitals were.

“I couldn’t have the patient here because all four ICU beds were occupied, the girl demised. I also lost another 18-year-old girl who had cancer of the ovary. She stayed in hospital for five weeks I could not get theatre time and an ICU bed to operate on that young girl. She died,” Guzha said brokenly.

“I work in the gynaecological cancer unit; we do not have cancer drugs. They are coming to the tertiary institution to be treated, they go away and I don’t know where they are going. They are just going home to die.” 

Guzha said he feels helpless when he examines patients and makes a diagnosis, but cannot proceed with further tests because the patients have no money for the mandatory fees.

“I see patients in the gynae out-patients. I do an examination as I am trained to do and I see a lesion there I can do a biopsy because the patient has to go and pay $25and the patient does not have the money so they go home and come back after three months,” he said.

Guzha charged that the hospital is being run like a district hospital. He also complained about the few nurses available to care for the admitted patients.

“The government allowed nurses to work for three days. (One day) I went to the ward after an operation and I realised that three of my patients had received a single pain injectionand I asked the sister why this patient had not been given and they told me that there were only two nursesthat were attending to 45 patients,” he said.

“The situation is not workable. We are now sick and tired of these two-week solutions.” 

Harare Central Hospital acting chief executive officer Christopher Pasi said they had been experiencing challenges with their ventilators.

“We had challenges for a week or so, but now we have managed to get two to function and expect more to be resuscitated,” Pasi said.

Following these revelations by senior doctors, health stakeholders and ordinary Zimbabweans have reacted angrily to the rot in the public hospitals.

International cricketer and former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor tweeted, saying his employee had lost his new-born baby who was only three days old.

In an impassioned statement, Taylor said lack of resources at public health facilities was costing lives.

“Let us get out priorities right for goodness sake. I sincerely hope Dr Mashumba (head of paeds department, who broke down while giving an account on how babies were dying) is rewarded,” he said.

Community Working Group on Health director Itai Rusike said health sector financing should be revisited.

“If the country’s National Budget cannot adequately fund health, then there is need to find other innovative health financing strategies to domestically fund this important sector. This brings us to the issue of the health levy, which must be used to purchase medicines and sundries for the smooth running of the country’s health sector,” Rusike said.

“If there are no drugs, equipment and sundries in hospitals; where is the money collected under the health levy going? This fund must be used correctly, transparently and for its intended purpose.”

-Newsday

Paul Nyathi|The opposition MDC has called off its “Thank you rally” which was set for White City Stadium in Bulawayo on Sunday.

Sources within the party’s Bulawayo provincial executive said the rally was called off to allow party structures to proceed with party Branch Assemblies that are taking place over the weekend throughout the country.

According to the sources the party roadmap to the National Congress set for May 24 commands all branches in the country to elect new branch executives by this Sunday and so the rally could not go ahead.

“Branches are the most important structures in the party and so this weekend every party member must be at their branch for the assemblies including President Nelson Chamisa himself,” said the source who requested anonymity as he is not authorised by party protocol to address the media in an official capacity.

Chamisa has been holding countrywide rallies that have attracted huge turnouts besides being an election off peak period.

THE chairman of the Umzingwane Small Scale Miners’ Association, Mr Bhekisisa Mkandla, lost US$30 000, a pistol and other personal documents after they were stolen from his vehicle while he was attending a mining workshop at the Gwanda District Club.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred in Gwanda on Thursday.

He said Mr Mkandla (39) of Esigodini had left his valuables which were in a satchel in his car which was locked.

Chief Insp Ndebele said Mr Mkandla realised that his valuables were missing at around 3PM when he went to his car after the meeting.

“I can confirm that we recorded a case of theft from a motor vehicle which occurred on Thursday at the Gwanda District Club. The complainant Bhekisisa Mkandla who is the chairman of the Umzingwane Small Scale Miners Association lost US$30 000, a pistol and personal documents.

“Mkandla left his valuables in a satchel in his car which was parked within the Gwanda District Club parking area and went for a meeting at around 10AM. When he returned to his vehicle at around 3PM he found the satchel which contained his valuables gone,” he said.

Chief Insp Ndebele said investigations were underway but no arrests had been made.

He urged members of the public to desist from carrying around large sums of money. He also urged owners of firearms to ensure that they keep them properly secured.

“As police we always urge people to desist from carrying around large sums of money. People should deposit their money in banks and use plastic money as that is safer. By carrying around large sums of money people will be putting their lives at risk and they also risk losing their hard earned cash.

“Members of the public who own firearms are urged to ensure they are properly secured at all times. A firearm should never be left unattended. When carrying it around it should be within arm’s reach or it should be left in a gun cabinet which is properly secure. In this case this pistol could now be in the wrong hands,” Chief Insp Ndebele said.

Sources close to investigations said after realising that he had lost property, Mr Mkandla collapsed and was rushed to the Gwanda Provincial Hospital where he was treated and discharged. He reportedly raised the money from selling gold.

State Media

First of all, we would like to APOLOGIZE for publishing an article earlier on which said that DStv was banning South African-registered Accounts (SRA) of customers who are in Zimbabwe. DSTV never said what was written in that document. In fact, DSTV (be it Multichoice or DSTV South Africa) hasn’t said anything at all of that nature.

However, the origins of that fake document is of significant interest. The story is mixed with fraud, conspiracy, and incompetence on the part of some local DSTV installers (agents) and DStv South Africa. As a matter of fact, that document is ‘alleged’ to have been forged by some DSTV installer (or many DSTV installers).

What’s been happening

Apparently, there were some DStv subscribers in Zimbabwe with South African-registered Accounts (SRA) SRAs that were paying half-price to watch any DSTV bouquet since last year. Sweet deal for customers. This was made possible through the exploitation (or manipulation) of DSTV South Africa’s subscription system.  And of course, DStv installers were part of the syndicate to make this fraud an overnight success.  A bouquet that should have cost you R 120, you’d pay just R 60 to access that bouquet when you subscribed via some shady installers.

Installers were using a very simple technique to ‘trick’ DSTV’s subscription system. When SRAs initially get registered, they get 2 weeks of watching DStv for free. So if your DSTV SRA is deregistered and the ownership is transferred, then DStv’s subscription system deemed the decoder as a new account holder hence you’d get the 2-weeks freebie. Accordingly, the DSTV installers exploited this loophole by switching customers’ accounts between deregistration and reregistration them- and the shady installer pocketed those half-prices you gave them to pay your half-priced subscription. As easy as that.

Unbeknownst to customers was that this cycle of deregistration and reregistration was making them accumulate debts with DSTV. The debts were incurred as result of the accumulation of reconnection fees which DTSV says the account holder should pay “if services have been disconnected due to non-payment or late payment”.

The drama starts

It so happened that DSTV found out about this trick/fraud and it decided to reconfigure its system. Therefore on Monday (this week) its subscription system finally closed that loophole. The shady installers who were involved in this shady deal started to feel pressure from subscribers who were paying those half-prices. But above all, they started to feel pressure from customers who, having called DSTV South Africa, were told that they were owing DStv hundreds of Rands.

Guess what the ‘smart guys’ (the shady DStv installers/agents) did to cool down the pressure they were getting from DStv subscribers (who they were dealing with)? They sat on their computer and started to design and write a memo addressed to Installers saying that DSTV South Africa was shutting down South African registered decoders/accounts (SRAs). And they started to circulate that document on social media.

Way forward

I feel sorry for customers who were duped by their trusted installers. Now they owe DStv hundreds of Rands. The sad news is that there is nothing you can do about it because DStv doesn’t endorse the use of SRAs with people outside South Africa. Even if you go to Multichoice Zimbabwe, it won’t help because it’s illegal to have an SRA when you are in Zimbabwe. Evidently, you cant seek recourse anywhere. Therefore you just have to take the hit and honor your Dstv debt.

Fingaz

The MDC notes with great concern the fact that cyclone Idai is heading towards Zimbabwe through Manicaland province to Harare.

The latest data shows it will be characterised by water, floods and winds of around 60 – 80 km. So far cyclone Idai has claimed 111 lives in both Mozambique and Malawi.

As the MDC, we mourn with our brothers and sisters in both Mozambique and Malawi who have lost their loved ones, properties and livelihoods.

The MDC calls upon the government through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to inform the nation on how prepared we are for this disaster.

We are asking for a clear plan which informs the nation on how people in low lying areas will be moved to higher ground, what we are doing as a nation to avoid any deaths due to this cyclone and how ready the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) to intervene with a rescue plan when the need arises.

The MDC demands that the government informs the citizens in all those areas that are going to be affected by the cyclone on what they are supposed to do to survive this cyclone.

This is urgent and it should be done now before it is too late.

The government must inform the nation on our disaster preparedness as a nation as well as informing the nation on what measures the country is putting in place to mitigate on the effects of climate change given the impact that is now a yearly recurrence.

The MDC is asking the government to be proactive instead of reactive in times like these.

MDC – Defining a new course for Zimbabwe

Jacob Mafume
National Spokesperson

Jane Mlambo| According to unconfirmed reports, at least three people have died in Chimanimani’s St Charles Lwanga Seminary due to Cyclone Idai.

A government source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the deaths were caused by a rock boulder which collapsed early this morning.

“At St Charles Lwanga Seminary, Chimanimani, a rock boulder has claimed lives. At least 3 deaths in Chimanimani District to date,” said the source.

In Chipinge, a teacher’s house was blown off yesterday while most rivers are reported to be overflowing posing a serious threat to villagers.

More updates following…

TROPICAL Cyclone Idai has ravaged the eastern border city of Mutare, blowing off roofing sheets and damaging both trees and vehicles in its wake. Idai already been named the deadliest weather disaster of 2019 throughout the whole world, with 122 deaths as at Friday.

The Cyclone is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds across the whole country between today and Sunday, according to weather forecasts.

Weather experts at NASA have forecast that Idai will bring highly destructive winds and heavy rains of 1 – 2 feet as it pushes west at about 12 kmh towards Zimbabwe through Friday night.  

Idai will likely die on Friday night over the high terrain along the Mozambique-Zimbabwe border, but its remnants will generate very heavy rain through the weekend.

Idai’s heaviest rains may exceed two feet in the higher terrain along the Mozambique-Zimbabwe border, according to recent runs of the HWRF model. Idai’s rains will likely cause catastrophic flooding in some regions.

The disturbance that developed into Idai originated in Mozambique earlier in March, when it caused flooding in northern parts of the country and in neighboring southern Malawi. Cuamba, Mozambique received 11.14” of rain in just 12 hours on March 7. At least 66 were killed by flooding in Mozambique and another 56 lost their lives in Malawi. This makes Idai the deadliest weather disaster so far in 2019, ahead of the 80 people killed in January flooding in Indonesia, according to statistics from insurance broker Aon. Idai’s floods have displaced 100,000 people and injured 688.

A storm tide of up to 13 feet above high tide may have occurred

Fortunately, Idai hit during some of the lowest tides of the month. In locations where Idai’s storm surge was 7 feet, the peak water levels would have been near what the normal high tide will bring on March 20, due to the phase of the moon.

Anything over a 7-foot storm surge would have been trouble, and RSMC-La Reunion warned with their 18Z Thursday advisory that Beira could expect a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters), with a much higher storm surge over 20 feet (6 meters) at the mouth of the Pungwe River, which forms the western boundary of the city. The bay that the river flows into is funnel-shaped and shallow, which very likely allowed a huge storm surge to build up, since the dangerous southern portion of the eyewall moved over it for several hours.

A sea level rise of 1 meter will flood 40% of the town (42.5 square km), including the port and the airport. Beira’s port is the second busiest in the nation, and has long been a major trade point for exports coming in and out of Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and other Southern African nations. According to a January article in Aljazeera.com, Beira is steadily sinking, and portions of the city now lie below sea level.

— ReliefWeb