The church conman Shepherd Bushiri’s members, today attacked a Hawks car with so called anointing oil while shoulting: “fire, fire!”
This was when Bushiri appeared in court for money laundering and fraud. Below is the video:
By A Correspondent| The United Nations was on Monday criticised for concentrating on male circumcision programmes instead of focusing on methods of stopping the military brutality that has seen scores killed and over a thousand human rights violations.
This was after the body posted a tweet on the male circumcision program and it came within an hour of a video surfacing showing soldiers assaulting women with children at the houses near Harare last Friday.
The UN however responded by publishing their recent statement which was published last week on the 1st February.
Below are some of the live reactions:
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The SABC reports that the Oliver Mtukudzi memorial is going to be held in South Africa.
Mtukudzi’s Memorial Service committee member, Roshnie Moonsammy told the SABC a memorial service will be held for the late Zimbabwean music icon In Johannesburg, South Africa.
“The memorial service will be held at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein on Tuesday 5 February from 12 PM to 5 PM. The event will be open for members of the public and is free. “
Mtukudzi’s daughters Sandra and Selmor Mtukudzi will participate at the event. Apart from his daughters, Mtukudzi’s collaborators Steve Dyer and Ringo will also perform at the event. Dyer will perform with the Hugh Masekela band.
By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) Secretary General has been freed on bail pending trial.
Japhet Moyo on Monday walked out of Chikurubi maximum prison where he spent the last 2 weeks incarcerated.
Moyo is facing treason charges following the #Shutdown Zimbabwe protests which were triggered by the over 140 percent fuel price increases.
Said the ZCTU:
By Own Correspondent| The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has distanced itself from a social media video showing its members in an anti VP Constantino Chiwenga protest at a South African hospital.
According to the video doing the rounds, the purported EFF supporters are demanding that Chiwenga be deported back to Zimbabwe to seek medical treatment there.
However EFF in a statement said the party was not behind any protest neither will it engage in such.
The party said the video was being circulated by those bent on creating a wedge between EFF and their Zimbabwean brothers.
Below is the full text of the EFF statement:
Paul Nyathi|Retired MDC Parliamentarian Eddie Cross has told the state broadcaster, ZBC that the Bond Note is the most powerful currency in Africa to the US Dollar.
Speaking in an interview with the broadcaster on Monday, Cross urged Zimbabweans to continue embracing the surrogate currency until government introduces the new Zimbabwean Dollar.
Cross showered praises on President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube for the Austerity to Posterity mantra claiming that it will revive the Zimbabwean economy.
More to follow.
Correspondent|South Africa’s opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters has allegedly distanced itself from the protest that took place on Monday at UCT hospital that is reported to be housing Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who was airlifted to South Africa late last week.
A video of Economic Freedom fighters members circulated on social media on Monday with people alleging that is was a demonstration against Chiwenga’s stay at the hospital.
In a statement allegedly released on Monday the party said, “EFF notes with great concern some reports on Social Media to the effect that we have mounted an assault on a local hospital.
“There is a also a video circulating on Social Media alleging that our gallant supporters are marching outside the aforementioned hospital. Let us clearly and unequivocally state that the video is being misrepresented by those wishing to drive a wedge between us and our Zimbabwean brothers. The said video is of our manifesto launch at the Giant stadium in Soshanguve.”
On Monday some Zimbabweans based in Cape Town who were organized by social group Tajamuka staged a protest at the UCT hospital.
They carried placards demanding that Chiwenga must be discharged and be sent to Zimbabwe to get treatment.
Chiwenga has been suffering an undisclosed illness since the November coup that under 37 years of Robert Mugabe’s rule.
During his sister’s funeral in 2018, Chiwenga revealed that he was paying the price for removing former President Mugabe from power.
Loan shark Rita Tahwa has been ordered to repay £40,000 or face going to jail after she illegally lent money to 100 members of the Zimbabwean community.
The 43-year-old started loaning cash after she was appointed as the administrator of a community borrowing scheme known as a ’round’.
Tahwa, of Briarwood Place, Meir, profited significantly by charging members interest.
In total, she made around 500 loans to 100 victims with some running into many thousands of pounds.
Customers were required to sign an agreement where they put up assets such as a car against the loan.
Now the defendant been sentenced to 10 months’ jail, suspended for 18 months.
She was also ordered to pay £40,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act within three months or face going to prison.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the Illegal Money Lending Team and police executed a warrant at the defendant’s home on July 13, 2016 after receiving a tip-off from one of the victims.
A search uncovered documents containing evidence of illegal money lending, along with handwritten lists of customers and several loan agreements were also seized.
Jonathan Barker, prosecuting, told the court that Tahwa had been operating as an illegal money lender between February 2014 and July 2016.
He said one victim was threatened with being shamed in front of her colleagues if she could not repay her loan.
As well as the suspended prison sentence, Tahwa was handed a 12-month community order with 180 hours unpaid work. In addition, she must also pay £600 in prosecution costs.
Speaking after the case, Tony Quigley, head of the Illegal Money Lending Team, said:“Perpetrators need to realise that this kind of activity will not be tolerated and by working with our partners we will do everything in our power to ensure those involved are brought to justice.
“I would urge anyone with information about illegal money lending to contact the team in confidence.”
Stocksentinel
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By Own Correspondent| The Harare City Council is in a major drive to destroy the power of “cartels” that have been depriving the council of much-needed revenue by collecting revenue from its properties and pocketing the proceeds thereof.
The cartels including Mbare-based violent Chipangano outfit, were working in cahoots with council officials and were active in areas such as such as Mupedzanhamo, Mbare Musika and other markets in Highfield among others.Ll
The city council recently took back Carter and Paget houses in Mbare 10 years after it lost them to Chipangano.
A Herald report claims that the city lost more than $3,6 million in revenue through these treacherous shenanigans.
Harare Town Clerk indicated that the council will continue demolishing illegal structures within the city in order to bring sanity to Harare.
By Own Correspondent|
Deputy Information minister, Energy Mutodi has trashed the state broadcaster, ZBC labelling it a dead horse that needs bold decisions to transform.
Responding to former Sunday Mail editor, Edmund Kudzayi on Twitter, Mutodi said;
Correspondent|2018 PSL champions were dealt a heavy blow in their aspirations of reaching the knockout stage of the CAF Champions league as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Horoya FC.
Norman Mapeza’s men went into the match in desperate need of all three points after having lost to title holders Esperance in their last CAF encounter. That loss, along with a 0-0 draw at home to Orlando Pirates meant that the PSL Champions had just collected one point from their opening two matches.
With that having been said, the hosts were somewhat sluggish in the opening half of the crunch encounter as they lacked neither the urgency nor the penetration required to break down their opponents.
To put things in perspective, the hosts only created three chances in the entirety of the first half with none of them hitting the target.
The visitors were the better team as they made more attempts at goal and were soon rewarded in the 51st minute when they were awarded a penalty after some clumsy defending from FC Platinum.
Out stepped Maurice Assoko, and he did not disappoint, slotting the ball into the net to put the visitors ahead.
The hosts seemed to awaken from their slumber after that goal as they tried to claw back into the game but nothing was coming off for them.
If anything it’s the visitors who almost scored again but were denied by some excellent goalkeeping from Mhari.
A few minutes from time, FC Platinum almost got an equalizer but substitute Albert Eonde failed to convert a sumptuous goal scoring opportunity much to the agony of the home fans with Horoya eventually emerging as the winners.
The loss leaves Norman Mapeza’s men at the bottom of the table with just one point from three games and in need of some divine intervention if there are to make it to the knockout stages of the continental competition.
Own Correspondent|Edmore Chirambadare has given his thoughts after his move to FC Platinum fell through on the eleventh hour.
The winger had signed for the Zimbabwe champions and trained for some days with the team but the move was reversed after it emerged that he was still under a contract with NFD side Maccabi FC.
He has since returned to the South Africa where he played the entire ninety minutes in the 1-0 defeat to Ajax Cape Town last Saturday.
In an interview with The Citizen, a South African newspaper, Chirambadare admitted that he had been looking forward to playing Caf Champions League football and that he has since accepted that it was not meant to be this time.
“Things didn’t go as I had hoped and that is I am back here with Maccabi because they are my team. I did train with them (Platinum) but not for long. I trained for two weeks, and I left them to go and check up on my family.
“The circumstances didn’t allow it. I am back here and happy. As a player, you need to focus on the field and forget things that happen in the boardroom,” he said.
He said having a top team in his home country calling on him to help them in a big tournament like the Champions League was the validation he had needed after his unsuccessful stint at Amakhosi.
“It gave me confidence because it reassured me that I am still a top player. I will now keep pushing here at Maccabi and see what happens in future. I need to keep working hard. When you play in the NFD you wish to play in the Premiership, and that is what I want too.”
By Own Correspondent| SA FM has claimed that contrary to reports that Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is at Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital in South Africa, the former army general is not being treated at the health institution.
In a tweet issued today, Monday, the radio station claimed that VP Chiwenga is not seeking medical attention at the Cape Town health centre.
Earlier today, Zimbabweans in South Africa held demonstrations at Groote Schuur Hospital where Chiwenga was reportedly airlifted on Saturday in what government sources described as a “medical emergency.”
However, SA FM said Western Cape Health Department confirmed Chiwenga was not being treated at Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital.
Said SA FM:
Western Cape Health Department confirms Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga is not being treated at Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital. A group of Zimbabwean nationals are protesting outside the hospital, calling for Chiwenga to go back home to receive treatment there.
Western Cape Health Department confirms Zimbabwe's Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga is not being treated at Cape Town's Groote Schuur Hospital. A group of Zimbabwean nationals are protesting outside the hospital, calling for Chiwenga to go back home to receive treatment there
— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) February 4, 2019
A top radio station, SAFM has said Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is not at all at Capetown’s Groote Schuur Hospital in South Africa.
The development came following reports on Sunday that he was admitted at the infirmary.
The general who removed Robert Mugabe in November 2017, reportedly flew into South Africa on Saturday and government sources said he was truly unwell and had to be airlifted out of Zimbabwe.
The following day (Monday) Zimbabweans in South Africa stormed the Groote Schuur Hospital.
While they were demonstrating several other sources in Zimbabwe claimed that he is not at all at the institution. Two relatives claimed to ZimEye saying he is not as bad as reported.
But ZimEye discovered Chiwenga was nowhere near his usual areas of visits on Sunday as government sources described his flight out of Zimbabwe as a “medical emergency.”
SAFM has however quipped in with a different version, saying the Western Cape Health Department has confirmed Chiwenga was not at all being treated at Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital on Monday.
Their tweet read: “Western Cape Health Department confirms Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga is not being treated at Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital. A group of Zimbabwean nationals are protesting outside the hospital, calling for Chiwenga to go back home to receive treatment there.”
Western Cape Health Department confirms Zimbabwe's Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga is not being treated at Cape Town's Groote Schuur Hospital. A group of Zimbabwean nationals are protesting outside the hospital, calling for Chiwenga to go back home to receive treatment there
— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) February 4, 2019
Paul Nyathi|The Zimbabwe Football Association has signed a three-year kit sponsorship deal with British sportswear and football equipment supplier, Umbro.
The sportswear supplier will provide a full consignment of kits for all national teams at the beginning of every football season for the next three years.
There were no samples presented at the official launch but the association has already submitted specifications to Umbro so that a kit will be available for the senior team and under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March.
The landmark deal brings an end to a period where national teams wore unbranded kits of relatively low quality.
Both the ZIFA President, Felton Kamambo and Umbro representative Elroy Dicks spoke about the need to reposition Zimbabwe as a Southern Region football powerhouse that it is.
The signing ceremony took place in Harare on 4 February.
Recently engaged online ticketing company, Clicknpay also demonstrated to the media and all else present how their platform works.
The president donated five rest of the ground tickets to ladies who attended the event, including journalists and executive committee member, Barbara Chikosi.
The International Development Committee tomorrow takes evidence from the Minister for Africa on the recent violent crackdown by Zimbabwe security forces.
Tuesday 5 February 2019, Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
At 10.00am
At 10.45am
The International Development Committee is holding an urgent evidence session on the situation in Zimbabwe. Following the recent violent crackdown by Zimbabwe’s security forces, this session allows the Committee to explore how the UK, and DFID in particular, should respond. The Committee will first hear from a panel of academic experts before then questioning the Minister for Africa, Harriet Baldwin MP, and the head of DFID Zimbabwe. – UK Govt/DIFID
VANCOUVER – All is not well with former Zimbabwe first lady, Grace Mugabe’s health, amid top secret disclosures last night from government insiders and a foreign medical practitioner, that her battle with an appendectomy operation in 2015 in Singapore is failing, and that it could be a matter of days before she loses the fight, Spotlight Zimbabwe has reported.
There are also local online media reports that Grace and his husband former president, Robert Mugabe, were flown out of the country yesterday on a State chartered plane back to Singapore for medical attention, as both of them are in dire health conditions. Speculation was rife that Mugabe’s life is in danger, but it turns out that Grace is the one fighting for her life.
Three years ago, Grace spent several weeks in Singapore, reportedly for an operation to remove her appendix, yet the private Zimbabwe Independent newspaper, citing family sources, said she actually had surgery for colon cancer.
Colon cancer is a very dangerous ailment, which claimed the life of the country’s former prime minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, in February this year. Tsvangirai died in a South African hospital at the age of 65.
“The truth is not being openly told,” said the doctor based in Hong Kong. “Mrs Mugabe is very ill, her days are numbered. She was told back in 2014 by her specialists that she had little time left. The people of Zimbabwe might be shocked to witness Mugabe burying his wife. You are a christian nation, and this is the time your prayers are needed for your first lady.”
Other government informants in the capital said the former first lady was strong and had been putting up a brave face all along, “but she is in pain”. President Emmerson Mnangagwa is footing the former first couple’s medical bills, and has directed that their air travel arrangements to their Singapore doctors be upgraded. – Spotlight
The case against Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary, who face charges of fraud and money laundering, has been postponed to Wednesday, February 6.
Bushiri and his wife appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court after the Hawks and police arrested them on several allegations, including contravening the Exchange Control Regulations Act in relation to $1,147,200 worth of foreign currency.
Hundreds of Bushiri followers protested outside the court in a show of unwavering support for the self-proclaimed prophet and his wife. Congregants from the church were seen singing and dancing outside the commercial crime court. – EWN/Agencies
By Own Correspondent- Independent legislator for Norton Temba Mliswa and members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy which he chairs have been accused of demanding a $400 000 bribe from investor James Ross Goddard of JRG Contracting (Pvt) Ltd.
According to a report by the Chronicle, Goddard alerted the police chief, Commissioner General Godwin Matanga and Vice President Kembo Mohadi of the extortion attempts.
Goddard was keen on investing in the Hwange Colliery Company.
In documents which the Chronicle claims to have in its possession, Goddard says that he had several meetings with Shepherd Tundiya who claimed to have been seconded to Hwange Colliery by the Office of the President and Cabinet to deal with the challenges bedevilling the mining concern. Goddard later met with Mliswa. Of a subsequent meeting with Mliswa, Goddard wrote:
After the meeting, Hon Temba Mliswa departed, together with Hon Anele Ndebele, who went to sit in his vehicle. Hon Chikomba and Hon Prince Sibanda then instructed Shepherd Tundiya to demand a facilitation fee of $400 000 in order for JR Goddard Contracting to secure the contract to mine at Hwange, which had to be paid the following day.
The JRG team advised that they could not meet the demand and subsequently advised Shepherd Tundiya that this demand for a facilitation fee goes against the principles that JR Goddard Contracting has been operating under since inception in 1982. Furthermore, this demand is a very serious challenge to his Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s anti-corruption efforts.
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By Own Correspondent- The pig industry remains heavily constrained by high costs of feed and veterinary medicines although the number of slaughtered pigs increased by nearly 20% in 2018 compared to the previous year. an official has said.
Pig Industry Board (PIB) director Andrew Shoniwa told a local publication that a total of 13 002 tonnes were produced through registered abattoirs in 2018 compared to 10 882 tonnes in 2017.
Said Shonhiwa:
“The pig industry performed very well in 2018. It registered significant growth in terms of pork output. The tonnage of pork produced through registered abattoirs increased by 19,5%.
There was a shortage of soyabean meal and many farmers were forced to buy ready-made pig feeds instead of compounding their feeds at the farm. Some suppliers priced their products in US dollar and this affected many farmers who could not sell their pork in US dollars.
The three-tier pricing system was a major challenge. The price in bond notes of most products was very high, defying the official exchange rate of 1:1.
The three-tier pricing system and the high cost of imported feed ingredients and drugs is likely going to continue. In terms of pork output through registered abattoirs, we are likely to marginally increase the tonnage to about 13 500.”-Newsday
By Own Correspondent- Four people died on the spot this morning when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in burst its rear tyre at Tiger Reef-Bridge at the 15 kilometre peg along Gokwe-Kwekwe road.
Eyewitnesses claim four people died on the spot including the conductor, while 13 other passengers were injured and were taken to Kwekwe General Hospital.
The kombi had 17 people on board and the driver is among the injured.
Eyewitness claimed that the kombi burst its rear tyre and rolled several times before landing on its roof.
The South African government and the ANC are singing from different hymn books when it comes to the current crisis in Zimbabwe, whose citizens have taken to the streets over the past few weeks in protest against massive fuel price hikes recently imposed by the government.
While South Africa has condemned the human rights abuses meted out on Zimbabwean protesters by security forces, the ruling Zanu-PF party has blamed the protests on “regime change agents”.
A high-level ANC delegation – including secretary-general Ace Magashule and Bongani Bongo, a member of the ANC’s subcommittee on international relations – met with Zanu-PF officials, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in Harare this week.
This, after at least a dozen protesters died and scores were arrested as police fired live ammunition and tear gas during clashes over the rising cost of living and the fuel price increase.
“We condemn violence wherever it takes place,” Bongo told City Press this week.
“But the briefing we got was that the violence was informed by some elements of regime change. The people who were injured were not taken to Zimbabwean hospitals, but to centres designed by people unknown to the government of Zimbabwe or Zanu-PF.”
Bongo said the ANC was now characterising the violent protests as an element of regime change. “We think that if there are such things happening, government must take control. There are elements that seek to undermine the authority and sovereignty of the government of Zimbabwe.”
This directly contradicts International Relations Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, who has criticised the Zimbabwean government for its “heavy-handed” approach in cracking down on protesters.
“We have expressed our concerns about the levels of violence and how [the police] deal with any challenges on the streets,” Sisulu said last week.
“During our press briefings, every time we have talked about Zimbabwe, we have mentioned the fact that we are unhappy. It only brings negativity to a country that needs a lot of support. They have acknowledged that they have been heavy-handed.”
Bongo said the ANC would lobby other liberation movements on the continent to demand the removal of US-led Western sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
“We will continue to support Zanu-PF and the government of Zimbabwe. The problems of Zimbabwe will be resolved by the Zimbabweans themselves. We will rally other liberation movements to make sure that we convince both the African Union and the Southern African Development Community to approach the West to lift the sanctions. Zimbabwe is currently unable to trade properly as a result.”
The US and EU imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe in 2000, during former president Robert Mugabe’s rule, accusing him of rigging elections and violating human rights.
The ANC is considering unveiling a package to assist Zimbabwe to get back on its feet. As part of the package, the party will advocate heavily for the lifting of sanctions and will work to mobilise other liberation movements to support Zimbabwe’s development.
“There is a plan to assist Zimbabwe, and not only financially,” said Bongo.
“There must be a package. We have already requested government to meet with the Treasury of Zimbabwe to share ideas about how to structure a package. We are aware of meetings being scheduled between the SA Reserve Bank and Zimbabwe’s Reserve Bank.”
Bongo said the ANC wanted a lasting solution in Zimbabwe to avoid the influx of refugees to South Africa, not a quick fix.
“We need to come up with a strategic plan because whenever anything affects Zimbabwe, it affects the ANC and South Africa directly and indirectly. Whenever there are problems, the majority of Zimbabweans come to our country. As you know, we share a border,” he said.
It is estimated that more than a million Zimbabweans live in South Africa – hence the need to involve them in the resolution of the conflict, concluded Bongo.
-News24
By Own Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has refused to disclose the value of goods lost in three fire incidents in which its warehouses at Beitbridge Border Post were razed to the ground, saying the information was private.
On Tuesday last week, goods believed to be worth thousands of dollars belonging to travellers who had failed to pay duty were destroyed when a warehouse at the border post was gutted by fire, a third such incident following outbreaks in 2014 and 2016.
A Zimra official said investigations to establish the cause of fire were on-going.
Responding to questions from a local publication, Zimra acting spokesperson, Inzwirai Muonwa, said she was not at liberty to discuss the value of destroyed goods.
Said Muonwa:
“The investigation report of the State warehouse fire that occurred in 2014 was not a public document and cannot be shared with the media.
The value of the goods destroyed in the 2014 warehouse fire related to specific taxpayers’ information that cannot be disclosed.”
She said she was not in a position to disclose the value of the goods burnt in the fire that devoured an out-sourced State warehouse at the Red Star building, torched during riots against Statutory Instrument 64/2016 that banned imports of goods deemed locally available.
“The value of the goods lost in the Red Star warehouse fire relates to specific taxpayer information that cannot be disclosed,” Muonwa said.
She also refused to disclose the general description of the goods in the warehouse which got burnt last week.
Muonwa said the Customs and Excise Department had not auctioned the goods understood to have been held for over a year-and-a-half although Customs and Excise regulations stipulate that goods not claimed within three months should be auctioned.- Newsday
By Own Correspondent- Zimbabwean comedy celebrity, Madam boss, whose real name Tyra Chikocho has apologised to her fans for dressing inappropriately at the recent Star FM Music Awards.
Chikocho was dressed in a black jumpsuit at the music awards.
While others felt that the comedy celebrity was on point, others felt that the jumpsuit was not appropriate especially in the Zimbabwean context. She thus got mixed reactions on an Instagram photo that she posted.
Following the negative feedback, she apologised:
My dear Fans.
Firstly I would like to apologize for my dressing at the STAR FM AWARDS.
As you know I travel a lot,so mukufamba tinoona zvakasiyana siyana and I really thought this jumpsuit was going to be a show stopper to my fans but overally YOU MY FANS you didn’t accept it that well.I do what I do for you,so it is with great deepest apologies from the bottom of my heart and I repeat AGAIN I AM SORRY.
I am going to go back to those long dresses because they where more elegant than the jumpsuit.
Ndiri munhu wenyama ndombotadzawo,and I hope you accept my apology.
I love you all and God Bless.
Own Correspondent|The case of the church leader husband and wife accused of fraud and money laundering has been postponed to Wednesday after they made a brief court appearance on Monday.
Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria amid a protest by the church members.
Bushiri (35) and his 37-year-old wife face an additional charge of contravention of the prevention of organised crime act after being arrested by the Hawks in Rustenburg, North West on Friday.
Their brief court appearance was confirmed by the National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Louw.
Louw said the duo remained in custody and would make their second appearance on Wednesday.
After their appearance, Bushiri and his wife were seen leaving in separate cars in a three-vehicle high-speed convoy.
Members of his ECG Church were still gathered outside the court singing songs of praise and calling for his release after the hearing had ended.
By Own Correspondent- The Acting Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhao Baogang said his country will continue to offer technical and financial support to Zimbabwe adding that his country has strong confidence in the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In a report published by the state media, Baogang urged Zimbabweans to unite pledging the completion of all Chinese initiated projects in the country.
This statement comes as the Chinese celebrate their new year which begins on the 5th of February which saw Chinese business people operating in the country joining hands and celebrating their new calendar.
Reported the state media:
Baogang said his country is proud of the progress made in developing the Hwange Power Station which is expected to produce excess power which the country will export to neighbouring countries.
China reminded Zimbabweans to value peace for economic prosperity, adding that the current leadership has the capacity and will to transform the country.
The Chinese believe 2019 is a promising year for Zimbabwe and Baogang emphasised that his country’s aim is to complete all the projects they have launched within a reasonable time. Among the projects include the new parliament building and the Robert Mugabe International Airport, among others.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent| The Chitungwiza community development network (CCDN) has expressed concern at recent developments which has seen the demolition of informal business structures in the satellite town situated 25 kilometers away from Harare.
In what has been likened to former presidwnt Robert Mugabe’s infamous “Operation Murambatsvina”, government has demolished illegal structures among them small businesses operating in communities.
This follows a crackdown on illegal vendors in the central business district of most major cities and towns.
Said the CCDN in a statement:
“The CCDN is appalled and concerned at the ongoing decimation of thousands of livelihoods in the informal sector through forced demolitions of informal business structures and summary evictions from marketplaces and workspaces in a government sanctioned operation which began this week in Harare and Chitungwiza.
Since Monday 28 January 2019, truckloads of police in riot gear have gone around shopping centres in chitungwiza ordering informal business people to demolish structures housing their livelihoods and vacate marketplaces and workspaces.
State media reports indicate that the operation is state sanctioned through a govt directive given in 2018 ordering local authorities to conduct urban cleanups and demolish illegal structures. The timing of the operation, coming after the #Shutdown protests has led to suspicions that it is an extension of the govt crackdown targeting the opposition’s urban support base.
CCDN mourns the loss of livelihoods and attendant socio economic rights occassioned by this operation.
We commiserate with the affected informal entrepreneurs and call on them to remain strong and resilient like the biblical water reeds (tsanga) that ” fall when the river current rises and rise when the river current falls”.
We call on the govt to empathise with the millions of women children and youth in Harare metropolitan province (90 % of total population) who eked out a miserable living from the informal economy. These forced demolitions will certainly condemn them to abject poverty .
CCDN notes with regret that councillors who are our elected representatives in the sphere of local government were not consulted before this decision was taken. We also note with dismay that councillors remain in the face of those onslaught.
The Zimbabwean constitution of 2013 and many international statutes such as the african charter on human and peoples rights, to which Zimbabwe is a signatory ringfence and promote the right to participate in socio-economic activities. This operation dubbed Murambatsvina 2, goes against the spirit and letter of our constitution and human rights conventions.
Thriving businesses in the informal manufacturing sector in Chitungwiza with trades such as carpentry (furniture ), welding (window frames tools) upholstery (sofas) vehicle repairs spraypainting mobile money (Ecocash) catering (sadza gango) currency dealers (changemoney) retail ( tuckshops and vendors) have been decimated almost overnight due to the government’s directive .
It has taken many years and hardwork for these entrepreneurs to build these businesses which are being razed to the ground.
To ensure that their families survive the demolitions/ evictions and the deepening economic crisis in Zimbabwe, we call on the affected entrepreneurs and residents to continue operating their businesses from the safety of their homes.
We call on the Chitungwiza community to continue supporting these hardworking people by giving them business as usual.
CCDN also notes that the ubiquitous market stalls by the roadside (Musika) has been the worst affected by the current demolitions. The changes in the operating environment for informal entrepreneurs necessitates a change in the way we conceive the market as a physical space (musika) to a mentality that sees the market as many platforms where demand meets supply.
Informal business people should specifically consider creating virtual markets in the form of whatsapp groups to buy/sell specific products and services.
We advise the newly elected chitungwiza town council to mitigate the suffering of its constituents by quickly developing and providing regularized market stalls and working spaces (home industries) to the affected entrepreneurs residents and youth.
End;
Paul Nyathi|Coca-Cola South Africa’s ‘Share a Coke with…’ campaign has been a hugely successful marketing move until last week when one South African Twitter user discovered a can of Coca-Cola reading ‘Share a Coke with Xitombo’, which translates to a slang word used to refer to female genitalia.
The marketing move started with ordinary names, moving to ordinary surnames, and towards the end of last year, began emphasising names that ordinary South Africans may not have heard before, in an attempt to break stereotypes, and make authentic South African names more recognisable.
In reaction to the alleged mishap, people who speak Tsonga felt disrespected and insulted, demanding that the company’s brand manager apologise and provide clarity on the use of the word.
It is not known where or when the Coca-Cola can in question was purchased.
Coca-Cola has since responded, explaining that the word Xitombo has not been printed on any cans sold to consumers in stores, and that this can must have been from the company’s consumer-led Share a Coke activations.
“At these nationwide activations, consumers are able to get names and surnames of their choice printed with stickers onto Coca-Cola cans. These activations will continue for the month of February and we are actively working on a solution to try and prevent any further profanity associated with our brand and products,” their statement read.
The comment offended social media users that speak Tsonga, some of which claim that the can highlights the disrespect the language endures.
Coca-Cola apologised for the profane can slipping through the campaign cracks, saying that they are currently investigating the matter, and that profanity associated with any of their products and trademarks is unacceptable.
By Own Correspondent- The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has said the bread price increases are not associated to flour cost drivers as the product’s supply price to bakers has remained constant.
Zimbabweans on Sunday woke up to a new price structure of the basic commodity, which is now selling at around $2,50 in most retail shops and the GMAZ has clarified the issue.
GMAZ Media and Public Relations Manager, Garikai Chaunza said:
“The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe has noted the recent increase in bread prices. These bread price increases are however not in any way associated with flour cost drivers as the product (flour) supply price to bakers has remained constant. Flour supplies to bakers have however remained suppressed due to the non-availability of foreign currency to bring in imported wheat which is still held in Beira.”
The country has recently witnessed price increases on most goods.-StateMedia
Drama expected as Prophet Shepherd Bushiri is set to appear in court.
Bushiri’s Enlightened Christian Church would not say whether churchgoers had been mobilised to picket outside the Pretoria Commercial Crime Court, where the couple were due to appear.
After spending three nights in custody, self-styled prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary were expected to appear in court for fraud and money laundering on Monday.
The Bushiris were arrested by the Hawks in Rustenburg on Friday for alleged fraud involving R15.3million, and for the contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, allegedly committed in 2015.
On Sunday, the church resumed with services at the Pretoria Showgrounds following a December 28 stampede that claimed the lives of three people.
Church spokesperson Ephraim Nyando said the church wanted to focus on church matters and not what was happening in the courts. “From the perspective of the church, we have nothing to do with what is happening in the court. We are just concentrating on the opening today and holding the service.”
The Bushiris’ arrest comes after the church was cleared of non-compliance when the stampede happened. The church is also being investigated for allegedly removing the bodies before police could arrive at the scene.
The flamboyant Victorian British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, once noted that; “There can be economy, only where there is efficiency”.
Zimbabwe’s economy has been full of inefficiencies for far too long. Waste in the economy, has led to want amongst the people. Our people deserve better. And as the Minister of Finance, I have a duty to set things right.
The Government’s Transitional Stabilisation Programme is at the heart of our reform programme. It outlines the State Enterprise Reform initiative as one of the most important areas to ensure sustainable economic growth and improved service delivery.
At the core of this restructuring initiative is what to do with our under-performing parastatals? On the one hand, we believe that our natural resources and large industries are Zimbabwean, and must remain in the hands of Zimbabweans.
Yet on the other hand, with the bureaucracies and inefficiencies of Government, including our own, the experience and qualifications of private sector investors and managers, would guarantee significant improvements in both production and profits.
It is no wonder, former United States president Harry Truman once quipped that he would like someone to find him a one-handed economist!
However, economists all agree, that by making these State-run industries efficient, all Zimbabweans will profit. We will take the astronomical burden and their associated costs off the shoulders of Government. And with costs cut, these moves will increase revenues from both the sale of the companies themselves and in the long run, the increased tax revenues from the newly-profitable ventures.
State enterprises, in their foundation, were supposed to play a major role in the provision of infrastructure and other critical services such as water, electricity, telecommunications, transportation, health, education, among others.
However, recently, they simply are not up to the task. It has been noted that most of them are loss making (99 percent) and they continue to hold onto idle and unproductive labour, accumulating salary arrears and continuously requiring bailouts from Government to finance their operations and debt servicing.
Who pays the costs? The Zimbabwean taxpayer.
We therefore cannot allow for inefficiencies and mismanagement to waste our taxpayers’ money anymore; especially in an era of austerity. The people of Zimbabwe deserve better.
The inefficiencies, arising from poor business models and years of maladministration, including uneconomic pricing and poor product service development, demand immediate reform.
Cognisant of their traditionally critical role, and the emotional attachment of such institutions to the people of Zimbabwe, Government is not applying a blanket approach.
The reform and restructuring process will include a host of thought-out and carefully examined interventions. These reforms will range from liquidation, full privatisation, transformation to regulator, merging and demerging, as well as departmentalisation into existing ministries, depending on how strategic the parastatals are and their respective performances.
There are numerous factors to take into consideration.
We will learn from the mistakes of other countries and ensure that Zimbabwe conducts these processes in the right manner. This will be driven by economics, not politics.
The reform process therefore will ensure that parastatals, and their restructuring, are fully accountable, transparent, efficient, effective, and viable, complementing Government efforts in promoting economic growth and improved service delivery to the general public.
We will not allow a situation whereby tenders are won by the most connected, but only the most qualified and deserving.
Already, with support from development partners, both international and local, Government is carrying out performance reviews of our parastatals. We are diving deep into the processes of governance systems, as well as the financial, operational and legal environment.
The reviews will analyse all levels of processes and procedures in order to guide us on an appropriate course of action to improve operational activities.
It is important that we do not try and chart this course alone. Of course, we have a team of local experts, many of whom are leading global experts in finance, economics and business management.
However, local brainpower must be supplemented with international counterparts, ensuring optimal quality, and full transparency.
In that light, we will bring in recognised and qualified transactional advisers, with international experience to accompany the process.These advisors will include accountants and strategic advisers, and will be complemented by Government technical committees to ensure the people of Zimbabwe get the best deal possible deal during the process.
Because it is our duty to put the economy back on its feet. At all times we must put the people of Zimbabwe first. Austerity measures of course are tough. Restructuring and reforming will inevitably require a degree of creative destruction.
But this is how innovation begins. This is how we will rebuild Zimbabwe’s economy, from the bottom up.
Our economy tragically has been a sick patient for too long. It is now time to inject the right medicine, however painful it may be in the short term, to get our patient up on its feet and walking again.
By bringing efficiency back to our economy, and in particular our failing parastatals, Zimbabwe will not just walk again, we will fly!
Hon. Prof. Mthuli Ncube is the #Zimbabwe Minister of Finance and Economic Development.
Own Correspondent|After over twenty years of struggle for water, the newly elected MDC Mayor of Gwanda Jastine Mazhale has managed to strike a deal that has seen the Zimbabwe National Water Authority release the town’s water treatment plant to the local authority.
Highly placed sources within the opposition MDC indicated to ZimEye.com that the council and ZINWA signed a Memorandum Of Understanding to hand over the water treatment plant to the local authority on Friday last week.
According to the sources, the new MDC mayor only visited the Ministry of Local Government on two occasions to negotiate the deal and was successful while the previous ZANU PF mayor Knowledge Ndlovu made over thirty unsuccessful trips to the capital to negotiate for the plant transfer.
“We are very excited with the hands on approach of our new mayor who has hit the road running by solving the Gwanda water problem in just under six months in office,” said the source.
Gwanda has been having severe water challenges for the last two decades due to the dual administration of the water network between the council and Zinwa.
Zinwa has been demanding for the settlement of a $7 million debt from the local authority which saw persistent water disconnection to the residents of the town.
The water authority at one time installed prepaid water meters on the water supply to the town forcing council to battle to purchase water in advance for the residents.
ZimEye.com could not get details of the agreement signed between the two authorities. A council official who spoke to ZimEye.com on Friday confirmed that the local authority had been given the water treatment plant but could not give details as both the mayor and town clerk were reported to be out of town at a workshop in Bulawayo.
Correspondent|The Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church led by self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri says congregants gave an overwhelming turn out for Sunday’s service despite the recent arrest of their leader.
Church operations resumed after they were suspended for a month following the death of three people during a stampede in December last year.
Bushiri and his wife were arrested by the Hawks on Friday for fraud, money laundering and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act dating back to 2015.
The couple is expected to appear at the Pretoria Commercials Crimes Court on Monday.
ECG church spokesperson Maynard Manyowa says Sunday’s church service went uninterrupted.
“The church turnout was just as expected with the maximum capacity [being] between 25,000. People are happy, they are joyous, and worshipping.”
BAKERS have increased the price of bread, with a standard loaf now pegged at $2,50 or alternatively US$0,90, citing the rising cost of production after government failed to provide support to maintain the current price of $1,40.
This is the second increase within three months and yesterday, the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ), a body tasked with importation of wheat for bakers, said the increase had nothing to do with the supply of flour.
“These bread price increases are, however, not in any way associated with flour cost-drivers as the product (flour) supply price to bakers has remained constant. Flour supplies to bakers have, however, remained suppressed due to the non-availability of foreign currency to bring in imported wheat, which is still held in Beira,” GMAZ spokesperson Garikai Chaunza said in a statement.
In November last year, bread was going for $1 and increased to $1,40 retail price after government and the central bank committed to meet 80% of foreign currency demand by the industry, supposing that the price of flour would remain at $36,50 per 50kg.
But government has been failing to fulfil its promises, forcing bakers to act.
Bread is already scarce on the market, and bakers have scaled down production, resulting in long queues in retail outlets.
Due to limited supply, informal traders were now selling bread at $3 per loaf, instead of the recommended $1,40.
NewsDay is reliably informed that government has, for the past month, been engaged in series of meetings with bakers, with a view to ensure they maintained existing bread prices.
According to reliable sources, bakers met the central bank on January 7 and on January 16, held a meeting with Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who monitors the food security cluster and presented their precarious position.
They also held a meeting with the National Competitiveness Commission on January 18 this year to try and find a lasting solution.
Bakers are irked by the fact that a number of resolutions such as 80% forex allocation, liquidation of bakers legacy debt of $4,8 million, reduction of flour price made by government to support bakers, have not been
addressed.
Contacted for comment, National Bakers’ Association president Ngoni Mazango said: “I am in a meeting now. I am not in a position to talk now. You are lucky that I answered your call.”
Between December 2018 and January 2019, the baking industry has received 27% and 9%, respectively, of foreign currency allocations.
According to information at hand, as at January 20, out of the monthly forex requirement of $1,2 million, Lobels did not receive any allocation, whereas Bakers Inn was allocated $100 000 .
Proton Bakers, which needs
$320 000 of forex monthly, was only given $50 000.
Another baker, Bakels Zimbabwe, whose monthly forex requirement is $500 000, was not allocated anything.
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya had not responded to questions sent to him at the time of going to print last night.
Bread is one of the 16 monitored products, which include cooking oil, mealie meal, flour, sugar, rice, salt, chicken, eggs, beef, fresh milk, laundry soaps and washing powder, among others.
Newsday
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
By Farai D Hove| At a time when video footage emerged of soldiers assaulting mothers at a property, the spokesperson of the MDC Thoko party, Linda Masarira took a turn on Sunday morning to criticise civilians.
This also came at a time when there were several abductions of MDC members at the weekend.
Masarira said members of the public are wrong.
Below was her full text: “In as much as ZANUPF Official is wrong, Zimbabweans are wrong too as well as all political parties.
“If we are all sincere that we want to fix Zimbabwe, we all have to fix our mindsets first. So long our mindsets are not reformed there is no hope for a better & brighter Zimbabwe.”
By Paul Nyathi|It just never rains but it pours for MDC Vice President Elias Mudzuri inside the opposition party administration.
The troubled Vice President who was recently taken to task for attending a parliamentary ceremony at State House without clearance from the party, has run into fresh trouble for failing to offer his seat to party leader Nelson Chamisa during the recent burial of late musician Oliver Mtukudzi in Madziwa.
Not only that, Mudzuri, the party is raising claims against him for attending the burial without notifying the party as per protocol requirements.
What makes issues worse for Mudzuri is that party President Nelson Chamisa attended same burial but was not given the reception that Mudzuri received from the predominantly ZANU PF run protocol.
Chamisa was initially blocked from entering the venue for the burial by state security before members of the public overpowered the security and let Chamisa through.
When he eventually did, he was still forced to follow proceedings while standing in the crowd.
While Chamisa was being humiliated, Mudzuri was being given a VVIP treatment by the ZANU PF leaders including an acknowledgement by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri when she went through the salutations as she presided over the burial on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s behalf.
“Mudzuri breached party protocol by going alone to Tuku’s funeral without informing the party’s information and protocol department,” said a senior MDC official close to the events.
“He should have checked with these two departments if the president (Chamisa) was attending the burial.
“The other co-Vice President (Morgen) Komichi and other senior party officials travelled with the president but he (Mudzuri) chose to travel alone and to make matters worse, he was acknowledged while the president was harassed and embarrassed.”
The official said in terms of party protocol, Mudzuri was supposed to surrender his high table seat to Chamisa.
“The moment he saw Chamisa entering, as a junior official, he was supposed to vacate his seat and give way to the president.
“He never bothered to do that and instead, he remained seated as if he was enjoying Chamisa’s humiliation,” said the official.
“Mudzuri’s conduct during Tuku’s burial will certainly be discussed during the coming standing committee and national council meetings. His behaviour is now unbecoming,” said another senior party official.
Mudzuri has not yet officially commented on the issue.
The editor at large of the Zimpapers outfit, Caesar Zvayi has said the soldier beating women in a video that went viral on Sunday is not at all a Zimbabwe national Army soldier.
He said the officer is most likely in Ian Smith Project
Zvayi said he does not believe the man is a real soldier and called for the law to take its course against the man.
Zvayi wrote saying: “.This is barbaric. I suspect Selous Scout tactics. I do not believe these are real soldiers. Putting on military fatigues does not make one a soldier. The ZDF should get to the bottom of this! Whoever these guys are, the law must take its course.”
Own Correspondent|JUSTICE, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, together with his Finance and Economic Development counterpart Mthuli Ncube, have both been taken to court by the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe over a $1,8 million political parties funding which Treasury paid to Nelson Chamisa’s MDC faction last year.
Early last month, the MDC-T through their lawyer Prof Lovemore Madhuku petitioned the High Court seeking an order to compel both the Justice and Finance ministers to pay the money which it claims was due at the end of December 2018.
The MDC-T then issued the summons against Ziyambi in his official capacity as the minister responsible for the administration of the Political Parties (Finance) Act and Ncube in his official capacity as a minister in charge of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
However, on January 21, 2019, both ministers, through their lawyers from the Civil Division of the Attorney-General’s Office, entered their appearances to defend, setting a stage for a bruising legal battle.
“Be pleased to take notice that on January 21, 2019 the defendants [Ziyambi and Ncube] hereby enter an appearance to defend the action instituted by the plaintiff [MDC-T] … The summons was served on defendants on January 16, 2019,” part of the notice of appearances to defend read.
According to the MDC-T, the basis for its claim of the money is that in 2013, it contested the general elections during which time it obtained more than 5% of the total votes cast in that election and, as a result, qualified to be paid money appropriated by Parliament for political parties.
“Plaintiff (MDC-T) applied to the first defendant (Justice and Parliamentary Affairs ministry) under section 4 of the Political Parties (Finance) Act and was approved as a qualifying political party,” the party
said.
“For the financial year ending December 31, 2018, the first defendant, despite receiving from the second defendant (Finance ministry) an amount of $1 800 000 meant for the plaintiff, has refused and/or neglected to pay to the plaintiff that amount.”
The MDC-T further said despite several demands to have the money released, both ministries had not budged, thereby forcing the political party to approach the court for recourse.
Khupe’s faction broke away from the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC after losing a leadership battle to the former student leader following the death of Morgan Tsvangirai in February last year, but kept the MDC-T moniker.
She was expelled from Parliament in April last year after the party recalled her as its proportional representation legislator for Bulawayo Metropolitan
province.
Not only are the preacher and his wife facing fraud and money-laundering charges, but their assets are also up for seizure!
As controversial “prophet” Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary fight for their freedom, the state is already eyeing their assets.
The couple, who were arrested at their Sparkling Waters Hotel in Rustenburg on Friday, are expected to appear before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria tomorrow where they are expected to be formally charged and apply for bail. But that will be just the beginning of their legal woes.
City Press learnt yesterday that the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), a branch of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), has joined the legal fight against the controversial couple and has filed a preservation order seeking to seize their assets, pending the finalisation of the criminal case against them.
Two sources familiar with developments said the AFU had already filed an application at the High Court in Pretoria, seeking its permission to seize the Bushiris’ luxury houses and cars, as well as the self-styled prophet’s Gulfstream private jet, which is parked in a private hangar at Lanseria Airport outside Johannesburg.
Shepherd (35) – infamous for performing “miracles” at his church in Pretoria which some claim are staged – owns several properties in South Africa and others in his home country, Malawi, with his 37-year-old wife, Mary. They also boast of owning a fleet of luxury cars, including a Maserati, a Rolls-Royce, an Aston Martin and a R3 million Mercedes G63 which Shepherd bought Mary for her birthday in 2017. He also bought his daughter a Maserati in December 2017 as a gift for her sixth birthday.
But if the NPA gets its way, the Bushiris will no longer have access to their prized possessions.
“The preservation order may be granted next week,” said a source yesterday. Another source said the process had to move quickly because the authorities were concerned that Bushiri would start selling his assets to fund his and his wife’s defence, and hide their other assets from the state.
City Press obtained an affidavit from the investigating officer in the case, a colonel from the Hawks’ serious organised crime unit. It shows that the AFU investigators have identified the properties, cars and bank accounts which they have asked the High Court to preserve.
The affidavit – dated Thursday, and which was used to obtain the warrants for the couple’s arrest – states that they are alleged to have committed fraud and money laundering, and contravened the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, crimes allegedly committed since 2015.
They also allegedly contravened exchange control regulations by paying $1 147 200 (R15.3 million) in cash, in US currency, for his private jet, Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said.
The affidavit states that on November 19 2015, self-styled prophetess Mary Bushiri bought the 1984 Gulfstream III model 1159 jet from aviation company National Airways Corporation (NAC) for the total price of $1 250 000.
The Bushiris regularly flit between South Africa and Malawi in their private jet.
“On November 20 2015, two payments were made and receipts issued,” the affidavit states.
One receipt was issued on the same day to “Major Prophet Shepherd Bushiri” for the cash amount of $1 147 200. A source told City Press that Mary travelled to the company’s Johannesburg offices with a bagful of cash.
Another receipt, issued by NAC on the same day – also to “Major Prophet Shepherd Bushiri” – was for the amount, in local currency, of R1 444 340, which made up the remainder of the payment for the aircraft.
But then the SA Reserve Bank got wind of the sale, and on May 8 last year emailed the Bushiris’ lawyers, asking them to provide the full details of how the aircraft was acquired.
About six weeks later, the Reserve Bank received an affidavit by Shepherd, in which he allegedly told the bank that he secured a
$1.25 million loan to buy the aircraft from US aircraft supply and maintenance company Joint Aviation Resources (JAR).
Bushiri told the Reserve Bank that his church “repaid the funds in South Africa to JAR” and that the source of the funds were donations made to his “ministry”, the affidavit states.
Bushiri also allegedly told the central bank that “JAR will be in a position to provide proof that they were fully repaid”.
“Copies of the 24 payment receipts were attached to his statement,” the affidavit states.
But when his claims were investigated further and Reserve Bank officials asked for copies of the so-called prophet’s bank statements, they could not find that any such payments had been made.
In August last year, Hawks investigators approached JAR and obtained sworn affidavits which dispute that Bushiri was granted a loan by the company, and his allegedly fake loan agreement was disputed by company representatives.
“JAR, according to their knowledge, never received the payments as indicated on the receipts. Most importantly, JAR states that it was not authorised or permitted to do business as a loan agent or to issue business loans,” the affidavit states.
The affidavit also states that when Bushiri’s offices in Waterfall Office Park in Midrand were raided in May last year, police also found an undisclosed amount of foreign currency.
Popularly known as the “Major 1” by his followers, Shepherd once shocked them on Twitter and Facebook when he advertised the sale of tables at a gala dinner he was hosting, ranging in price from R1 000 to R25 000. Some of his followers say he charges money for a private prayer session, an allegation he denies.
Bushiri’s lawyer, Terrance Baloyi, did not respond to calls and a text message yesterday.
– Citypress
By A Correspondent| The deputy mayor of Chitungwiza was last night reportedly abducted by men driving 5 cars.
The MP for Zengeza, Hon Job Sikhala said mayor Jabulani Mtunzi’s whereabouts were unknown at the time of writing.
Sources have revealed that since the 14 January attacks on civilians by the security forces, the army is now in the habit of using unmarked vehicles to avoid detection.
Hon Sikhala wrote of the development saying: “Chitungwiza Deputy Mayor, Jabulani Mtunzi abducted last night by unidentified men driving in 5 cars. His whereabouts are unknown and it is not clear if these were police officers.”
Paul Nyathi|Defiant Temba Mliswa has declared that he is unshaken by Vice President Kembo Mohadi’s lawyers that he must withdraw his allegations of rape and murder against the VP.
Mliswa has actually gone on to “expose” more shenanigans by Mohadi and claims to be ready to meet him in court.
“In fact I’m looking forward to my day in court as my evidence may get lost in the system if I submit it to law enforcement agents or ZACC, it’s safer before the courts,” Mliswa said.
Here are Mliswa’s tweets:
1/ So I hear that VP Mohadi’s lawyers have written a letter requesting that I retract yesterday’s tweet. I say hear as I’m yet to receive correspondence to that effect.
2/ Ok how about this? For ease of reference, my lawyer is Marufu Mandevere at The Firm, Kadzere, Hungwe & Mandevere Legal Practitioners, 9th Floor Takura House, Kwame Nkrumah Ave (between 1st&2nd Streets)
3/ May the lawyers do away with the formalities of the letter&be instructed by their client to have the weekend to prepare papers to sue me as it’ll be a pleasure to expose the evidence gathered. It’s time we dealt with corruption from a top 2 bottom approach; the gloves are off!
4/ Word has it that VP Mohadi is the Godfather of smuggling in Beitbridge&has abused his power for too long. There are even allegations of rape&murder against him, dossier of which I’ll be compiling for submission to @edmnangagwa & I look forward to H.E. acting upon the info
5/ He’s alleged to have always acted in the interests of white people like Goddard&attempted to protect the interests of the Chinese at Sunny Yi Feng from where his tiff with me appears to emanate when I intervened to halt construction pending EMA & working conditions compliance
6/ At least the impending law suit will give me the opportunity to expose all the corruption without fear or favour. In my quest to tackle corruption if I can’t expose the sharks at the top then it’s a waste of time
7/ I can’t truly say that we have a VP of substance in Mohadi who would appear to have a litany of corruption allegations trailing him. RGM wasn’t wrong in not appointing him. I’ve been through persecution in RGM’s era&enlisting Goddard with flimsy charges against me won’t stick
8/ There’s been over 70 cases against me&I’ve suffered the mental trauma of being in&out of jail over the same number of times during the RGM era with the then CG Chihuri&Mohadi as Home Affairs for nothing but persecution. I was acquitted in all instances;those tactics don’t work
9/ The new dispensation isn’t about being evil to settle personal scores! I’ll stand for justice to protect the next person.
10/ My worry isn’t it being detained for nothing but in the scourge of corruption from those who think they’re untouchable&neglect to improve prison conditions to cushion their inevitable visit
11/ We’ve been skirting around corruption&this time I’m going for the sharks. I invite anyone with any info to add to my growing pile of evidence against VP Mohadi to come forth on Twitter or WhatsApp me on +263732300148 or email [email protected] enough is enough!
12/ I’m tired of useless politicians who get into power only to abuse it. As a Minister of State Security it’s alleged that Mohadi applied for USD allowances meant for external trips to travel locally to Beitbridge instead of bonds/RTGSs @edmnangagwa that can be easily verified
13/ I’ve received more information from those in ZANUPF of shenanigans in Beitbridge amongst them Hon Ngulube, an alleged victim of Mohadi’s abuse who was eventually allowed to stand in Beitbridge against Mohadi’s wishes.
14/ It’s also time the ZRP CG was honest with @edmnangagwa about the criminals surrounding him & at this level I’ll copy my correspondence about Mohadi to the ICC.
15/ What has Mohadi done in his role of reconciliation? No-one respects him even in his own area & RGM was correct in his wisdom & not wrong about not choosing him. There’s nothing tribalistic about it, just plain fact as there are many from the region who are honest & deserving
16/ I’ve heard of JR Goddard who has corruptly benefitted & is used without a grain of evidence to press charges & will be caught in the net when it closes. How is it that he has benefitted over more capable indigenous persons? I’ll leave no stone unturned
17/ In fact I’m looking forward to my day in court as my evidence may get lost in the system if I submit it to law enforcement agents or ZACC, it’s safer before the courts. One mustn’t forget that disgruntled runners know a lot! I’m ready to appear in court at any time
18/ The ZIPRA War Vets have been neglected & Mohadi has done nothing to represent them. There are more influential & deserving ZIPRA Commanders than Mohadi that have better capacity & people at heart
19/ The sooner I can defend any fictitious allegations by those you’re in cahoots with the better, let’s see who comes out clean! I’ve stood the test of time because of my stance against corruption, can you?
MEMBERS of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy allegedly demanded $400 000 from a local businessman keen to mine coal at Hwange Colliery, The Herald can exclusively reveal. The attempt to “squeeze” James Ross Goddard of JRG Contracting (Pvt) Ltd reportedly occurred on November 15 last year at a time when efforts were underway to revive the coal mining concern.
According to documents in The Herald’s possession, Norton legislator Mr Temba Mliswa — who chairs the committee — and four other legislators from the Mines and Energy Portfolio Committee demanded $400 000 from Mr Goddard as “facilitation fee” to enable the latter’s company secure a mining contract at Hwange.
Mr Goddard alerted Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Vice President Kembo Mohadi.
“On the 7th of September 2018, Mr Shepherd Tundiya approached us and advised that he has been seconded to Hwange Colliery by the Office of the President and Cabinet to resolve the problems affecting operations there. We advised him that we would be able to assist with mining at Hwange provided that a legitimate contract is in place and that there is a guarantee from the Government of Zimbabwe to adequately fund the mining,” narrated Mr Goddard in the documents.
He said they held several meetings with Mr Tundiya in Hwange, Bulawayo, Gweru and Harare.
“On Thursday the 15th of November 2018, our Operations Director, Mr David Steyn, received several requests from Mr Shepherd Tundiya for Mr J. R. Goddard to urgently meet the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mining on that very day, such that Mr Shepherd Tundiya actually drove from Harare to Shangani to express the urgency of this meeting to Mr J. R. Goddard. Mr J. R. Goddard, together with Mr David Steyn, then drove to Harare that evening and were met with Hon Temba Mliswa (MP Norton), Hon Anele Ndebele (MP Magwegwe), Hon Leonard Chikomba (MP Gokwe North) and Prince Sibanda (MP Binga North),” alleges Mr Goddard in the documents.
He then narrates his ordeal.
“After the meeting, Hon Temba Mliswa departed, together with Hon Anele Ndebele, who went to sit in his vehicle. Hon Chikomba and Hon Prince Sibanda then instructed Mr Shepherd Tundiya to demand a facilitation fee of $400 000 in order for J.bR. Goddard Contracting to secure the contract to mine at Hwange, which had to be paid the following day,” said Mr Goddard.
The request was turned down by Mr Goddard.
“The JRG team advised that they could not meet the demand and subsequently advised Mr Shepherd Tundiya that this demand for a facilitation fee goes against the principles that J.R. Goddard Contracting has been operating under since inception in 1982. Furthermore, this demand is a very serious challenge to his Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s anti-corruption efforts,” said Mr Goddard.
He said he was again summoned on November 21, 2018 by Mr Mliswa.
“On Wednesday the 21st of November 2018, Mr J. R. Goddard was once again summoned to Harare by Hon Mliswa to discuss a very serious matter at 17.00hrs at our J.R Goddard Contracting Harare offices. This appointment was changed to 19.00hrs at the Ambassador Hotel and then 20.00hrs at Hon Mliswa’s Borrowdale home. Hon Temba Mliswa failed to make these three appointments and eventually met Mr J. R. Goddard at the Total Service Station in Borrowdale,” said Mr Goddard.
Mr Mliswa allegedly made some demands.
“Mr J. R. Goddard subsequently advised Hon Temba Mliswa that he is a passionate and loyal Zimbabwean who is committed to the reconstruction of our Zimbabwean economy and that proper and official processes must be followed and adhered to. He even showed Hon Temba Mliswa a letter he had received from His Excellency, President Dambudzo Mnangagwa, which clearly motivates all citizens of Zimbabwe to pull together and rebuild our Zimbabwean economy,” added Mr Goddard.
Mr Goddard then alerted VP Mohadi and Commissioner-General Matanga.
“Thank you for meeting me yesterday in your office and for listening to our great concerns regarding the attempted extortion against our company by the Honourable Temba Mliswa and members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee of Mines. We strongly believe that it is our national duty to bring this matter to your attention in support of our President, His Excellency Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s thrust to fight corruption and to demonstrate that ‘Zimbabwe is truly open for business’,” wrote Mr Goddard to VP Mohadi on November 30, 2018.
He added: “Given the current dynamics and complicities in our Zimbabwean political environment, I am concerned about simply arriving at ZRP Harare Central to make a formal report . . . please could you refer me to a specific senior police officer to whom I may address this matter. It would even be better if this senior police officer could contact me directly and if we could arrange to meet somewhere privately and discreetly. I do not want to compromise my safety and that of my family in any way.”
To Commissioner-General Matanga, Mr Goddard wrote: “Whilst our company did not suffer any financial prejudice by the actions of Honourable Temba Mliswa and the Members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee of Mines and Mining Development, it is our duty to report to you their unpatriotic and illegal practices . . . We ask you to take appropriate and best course of action that is applicable at this stage of our nation’s history.”
Mr Mliswa denied the allegations last night.
“As chairman I meet all sorts of people, others who offer bribes, others who don’t and so forth. What is important is, did I receive the bribe or not? And I hear people and give them the right direction that is what you must understand. That is how it is and it is up to you to then prove that you gave me a bribe. That is what it important. I must meet people who want to talk to me. You meet them, they say a lot of things. It does not stop you from meeting people. Whether I received a bribe or not. If I received a bribe prove it. That is my answer,” said Mr Mliswa.
Efforts to get a comment from other committee members were fruitless.
Neither Commissioner-General Matanga nor Mr Tundiya were not available for comment at the time of going to press.
State Media
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Concerned Zimbabwean Citizens Abroad
February 2019
The President of Zimbabwe (Mr. ED Mnangagwa) c/o The Zimbabwe High Commission Canberra
Australia
RE: Stop the brutalisation of civilians by the army and police.
As concerned citizens of Zimbabwe in Australia, in solidarity with all peace loving Zimbabweans across the globe and those on the ground at home, we hereby wish to strongly voice our displeasure at the breakdown of the rule of law and the continued persecution and brutalisation of civilians by the police and the military in our country.
People have been peacefully protesting against the high cost of living. However, your government has responded with brutal force to the recent industrial action following your announcement of a fuel price increase of over 150%. The army and armed police have gone house to house in Harare, Bulawayo and other cities, beating, raping and killing innocent people. It is sickening to see that people are being assaulted and killed by the very same forces that should be protecting them. This amounts to crimes against humanity being committed under your watch.
Many people were shot in cold blood, with at least 15 dead and there is reasonable suspicion that some of the people who remain unaccounted for have been murdered. Harassment and violence on civilians has continued, with at least 23 women and children reportedly being raped and others are still nursing horrific injuries. Some of those who spoke to the media about the rape have been followed up and further harassed.
When challenged about the violence officials from your government have stated that the victims should go and report to the police, a directive that has seen them being arrested and falsely accused of participating in the protests.
Shutting down the internet and access to social media during mass stay away called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions from 14 to 16 January 2019, allowed the army and police to commit horrendous atrocities under the shroud of secrecy.
It is shameful that you and your government continue to deny all evidence of violence by your forces. We wonder whether, whether as Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces you are still in charge; as such callous heavy handedness does not make sense at all.
The hopes that people carried when you took over from Robert Mugabe have been shattered and have been replaced by dismay, anger and utter revulsion.
We strongly condemn in no uncertain terms, the continued use of the so called bond notes as legal tender; a development which has brought the country to its lowest ebb. This continues to put the majority of Zimbabweans at risk and it is their democratic right to peacefully engage in civil action. Public servants continue to be paid a pittance yet they are
There comes a time when silence is betrayal,” – Martin Luther King Jnr
Concerned Zimbabwean Citizens Abroad
still expected to work as normal. Your government does not care that these are people with families to look after.
Your ZANU PF party officials and those around you continue to live in opulence while the rest of the population is living in abject poverty and squalor.
In view of the above and many other issues, too numerous to detail here, we as
Zimbabwean citizens, unequivocally demand that you Mr. President, do the following:
Felix Machiridza
On behalf of
The Concerned Zimbabwean Citizens Abroad
IPThere comes a time when silence is betrayal.” – Martin Luther King Jnr
SERIOUS divisions have emerged within the rank and file of the civil service on whether or not to go on strike tomorrow with the majority of Government workers eager to give dialogue a chance while a few insist on downing tools.
Unions had last week threatened an industrial action despite ongoing talks with the employer. Apex Council chairperson Mrs Cecilia Alexander said yesterday it was only rational to give dialogue a chance.
She said nine unions representing civil servants had agreed to shelve the industrial action opting for talks. Mrs Alexander said it was shocking that others want to press ahead with the strike.
“We have come a long way with these negotiations. At first Government did not want to hear of any increase, then it offered $160 million which we rejected.
Government then offered $300 million which we also rejected and the President chipped in with $63 million to cushion workers,” she said.
“Although we have declined all Government offers we feel we should give negotiations a chance because Government has promised to look into our concerns.
Government pleaded with the workers for time to make some interventions on price reduction as well as make good on the long standing promises on non-monetary incentives so we have to give it a chance.”
Mrs Alexander said they were making progress and downing tools was not in the best interest of anyone.
“There is still room for our issues to be dealt with. Strike may not be the best way to go. We had agreed as unions. We do not know where the unions who want to proceed with industrial action are getting their pressure from,” she said.
Mrs Alexander said she cannot declare a strike under the circumstances as the council was too divided and those insisting on a strike could go it alone.
In a statement to members yesterday, Apex council secretary, Mr David Dzatsunga confirmed the discord. He said the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) of January 30 failed to reach consensus on the issue of immediately proceeding to industrial action.
“While some, particularly those from the education sector, insisted that teachers were ready for a strike, those from mainly the rest of the civil service said their members were not ready for a strike and that they would rather give dialogue a chance,” reads the statement.
He said as a result of the discord the Apex Council had not declared a strike. Mr Dzatsunga said unions who have declared a strike were doing so individually.
Last week the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) and the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) issued a joint statement giving notice of a strike, starting tomorrow.
Zimta chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu yesterday said they were proceeding with the job action.
“We have been talking to Government since towards the end of last year and nothing has come out of the negotiations save for Government offering $50 and $107 to teachers. I have not seen anything dramatic in those negotiations and we are not sure how educators are expected to survive under these economic conditions,” he said.
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou was quoted accusing the Apex Council of making unilateral decisions.
He insisted they were going ahead with the planned industrial action. Government yesterday urged teachers to shelve the job action.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Paul Mavima said his ministry was going to meet with the teachers’ representatives today to resolve the teachers’ non-wage issues.
“Government is sincere in what it is doing to find a way to solve their (teachers) issue.
“They should give the ongoing dialogue where they are represented by Apex a chance. I am personally sympathetic with their welfare issue,” he said.
“I urge the teachers to also consider the welfare of learners so that we do not lose any more time. They should consider shelving their industrial action.
“We are advocating for them so that they get a cost of living adjustment which is acceptable to them.” – state media
Energy and Power Development Minister Joram Gumbo has assured motorists not to panic as Government is not planning to increase fuel prices again.
His assurance comes after reports on social media indicated that the Government was planning to increase fuel prices to $5 per litre.
The reports resulted in the resurfacing of queues in some parts of the country as motorists panicked.
In an interview yesterday, Minister Gumbo said the price hike reports were false.
“Two days ago some people started spreading fake news on social media that the price of fuel was going up to $5 per litre. This is not true and I want to assure motorists that the Government is not planning to increase fuel prices.
“This wrong information put people in panic mode and resulted in fuel queues in some parts of the country. I want to urge motorists not to panic and to assure them that fuel is available,” said Minister Gumbo.
He said the fuel situation had normalised and expressed optimism that it will continue that way.
“As long as people continue buying and using fuel the normal way we won’t have problems but if people panic and hoard fuel that’s when we have shortages,” said the Minister.
Government last month reviewed diesel price to $3,11 from $1,30 per litre and petrol went up to $3,31 from $1,40.
The Government, however, introduced a tax rebate for all registered businesses in the manufacturing, mining, commerce, agriculture and transport sectors to prevent commodity or service price increases.
In Bulawayo fuel supplies have normalised with both diesel and petrol being available at most service stations in the city.
Over the past few months, fuel was in short supply resulting in long winding queues at most service stations.
By Own Correspondent- While senior government officials confirmed that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was reportedly airlifted to South African hospital over an undisclosed ailment, a local publication reports that the same senior government sources were evasive on shedding more light regarding the development.
Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa was reportedly ignoring calls when her comment was sought while Permanent secretary in the Ministry, Ndavaningi Mangwana referred all questions to presidential spokesperson George Charamba.
Said Mangwana:
Kindly talk to the presidential spokesperson Cde George Charamba on all issues relating to the presidency. I can only answer to questions that involve government business, not the presidency.
Both Charamba and deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi did not respond to questions sent to their mobile phones regarding Chiwenga’s health.
Sometime in 2018, Chiwenga spoke about his health where he revealed that he had a skin disease.
Said Chiwenga then:
Today, we want to set the record straight on one issue, now that journalists are here. When we did our operation to normalise things in the country, I was with General [Phillip Valerio] Sibanda and many others. They are brave men, indeed.
We also informed vaMatanga [Godwin,) then Deputy Commissioner-General of Police, but now Commissioner-General] about the plan; it was during that time that I fell ill. I had this skin disease [nhuta] that affected my whole body from beneath my feet to my back and the journalists started saying I was using skin lightening creams, but that was not the case. I was sick.-Newsday
By Own Correspondent- Two men from Zvishavane have been hauled to court accused of murder.
The duo, Tatenda Ngwenya (22) and Givemore Ngwenya (22) assaulted and threw into a disused mine shaft Gladys Zembeti after they assaulted her at her house in the same area on December 21, 2017.
Zembeti died as a result of injuries sustained after she was thrown into the shaft.
Ngwenya and Matumba, who then went on the run, but were recently arrested, appeared before Zvishavane resident magistrate Archie Wochiunga facing murder charges.
They were not asked to plead and were remanded in custody to today.
Caroline Mafunga prosecuted.-Newsday
Socialite, madam Boss has apologised to the public for dressing inappropriately at the recent StarFM Awards.
Tyra Chikoko appeared at the weekend function dressed in a “breasts out” outfit that also exposed her sacred form and shape. Below was her apology:
My dear Fans.
Firstly I would like to apologize for my dressing at the STAR FM AWARDS.
As you know I travel a lot,so mukufamba tinoona zvakasiyana siyana and I really thought this jumpsuit was going to be a show stopper to my fans but overally YOU MY FANS you didn’t accept it that well.
I do what I do for you,so it is with great deepest apologies from the bottom of my heart and I repeat AGAIN I AM SORRY.
I am going to go back to those long dresses because they where more elegant than the jumpsuit.
Ndiri munhu wenyama ndombotadzawo,and I hope you accept my apology.
I love you all and God Bless.
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There were no so called Western sanctions at all when Emmerson Mnangagwa personally destroyed the economy by describing 22000 people as Cockroaches resulting in the economy nosedive of 1983 to 1985.
There were no sanctions either when Mnangagwa personally presided over the awarding of 1 billion dollar tender business to the well known fraudster, Wicknell Chivayo.
A high-level ANC delegation – including secretary-general Ace Magashule and Bongani Bongo, a member of the ANC’s subcommittee on international relations – met with Zanu-PF officials, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in Harare this week.
This, after at least a dozen protesters died and scores were arrested as police fired live ammunition and tear gas during clashes over the rising cost of living and the fuel price increase.
“We condemn violence wherever it takes place,” Bongo told City Press this week.
“But the briefing we got was that the violence was informed by some elements of regime change. The people who were injured were not taken to Zimbabwean hospitals, but to centres designed by people unknown to the government of Zimbabwe or Zanu-PF.”
Bongo said the ANC was now characterising the violent protests as an element of regime change. “We think that if there are such things happening, government must take control. There are elements that seek to undermine the authority and sovereignty of the government of Zimbabwe.”
This directly contradicts International Relations Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, who has criticised the Zimbabwean government for its “heavy-handed” approach in cracking down on protesters.
“We have expressed our concerns about the levels of violence and how [the police] deal with any challenges on the streets,” Sisulu said last week.
“During our press briefings, every time we have talked about Zimbabwe, we have mentioned the fact that we are unhappy. It only brings negativity to a country that needs a lot of support. They have acknowledged that they have been heavy-handed.”
Bongo said the ANC would lobby other liberation movements on the continent to demand the removal of US-led Western sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
“We will continue to support Zanu-PF and the government of Zimbabwe. The problems of Zimbabwe will be resolved by the Zimbabweans themselves. We will rally other liberation movements to make sure that we convince both the African Union and the Southern African Development Community to approach the West to lift the sanctions. Zimbabwe is currently unable to trade properly as a result.”
The US and EU imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe in 2000, during former president Robert Mugabe’s rule, accusing him of rigging elections and violating human rights.
The ANC is considering unveiling a package to assist Zimbabwe to get back on its feet. As part of the package, the party will advocate heavily for the lifting of sanctions and will work to mobilise other liberation movements to support Zimbabwe’s development.
“There is a plan to assist Zimbabwe, and not only financially,” said Bongo.
“There must be a package. We have already requested government to meet with the Treasury of Zimbabwe to share ideas about how to structure a package. We are aware of meetings being scheduled between the SA Reserve Bank and Zimbabwe’s Reserve Bank.”
Bongo said the ANC wanted a lasting solution in Zimbabwe to avoid the influx of refugees to South Africa, not a quick fix.
“We need to come up with a strategic plan because whenever anything affects Zimbabwe, it affects the ANC and South Africa directly and indirectly. Whenever there are problems, the majority of Zimbabweans come to our country. As you know, we share a border,” he said.
It is estimated that more than a million Zimbabweans live in South Africa – hence the need to involve them in the resolution of the conflict, concluded Bongo. – Citypress/ additional reporting.
(This program will begin in 4 hours from 8pm)
Concerned Zimbabwean Citizens Abroad
February 2019
The President of Zimbabwe (Mr. ED Mnangagwa) c/o The Zimbabwe High Commission Canberra
Australia
RE: Stop the brutalisation of civilians by the army and police.
As concerned citizens of Zimbabwe in Australia, in solidarity with all peace loving Zimbabweans across the globe and those on the ground at home, we hereby wish to strongly voice our displeasure at the breakdown of the rule of law and the continued persecution and brutalisation of civilians by the police and the military in our country.
People have been peacefully protesting against the high cost of living. However, your government has responded with brutal force to the recent industrial action following your announcement of a fuel price increase of over 150%. The army and armed police have gone house to house in Harare, Bulawayo and other cities, beating, raping and killing innocent people. It is sickening to see that people are being assaulted and killed by the very same forces that should be protecting them. This amounts to crimes against humanity being committed under your watch.
Many people were shot in cold blood, with at least 15 dead and there is reasonable suspicion that some of the people who remain unaccounted for have been murdered. Harassment and violence on civilians has continued, with at least 23 women and children reportedly being raped and others are still nursing horrific injuries. Some of those who spoke to the media about the rape have been followed up and further harassed.
When challenged about the violence officials from your government have stated that the victims should go and report to the police, a directive that has seen them being arrested and falsely accused of participating in the protests.
Shutting down the internet and access to social media during mass stay away called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions from 14 to 16 January 2019, allowed the army and police to commit horrendous atrocities under the shroud of secrecy.
It is shameful that you and your government continue to deny all evidence of violence by your forces. We wonder whether, whether as Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces you are still in charge; as such callous heavy handedness does not make sense at all.
The hopes that people carried when you took over from Robert Mugabe have been shattered and have been replaced by dismay, anger and utter revulsion.
We strongly condemn in no uncertain terms, the continued use of the so called bond notes as legal tender; a development which has brought the country to its lowest ebb. This continues to put the majority of Zimbabweans at risk and it is their democratic right to peacefully engage in civil action. Public servants continue to be paid a pittance yet they are
There comes a time when silence is betrayal,” – Martin Luther King Jnr
Concerned Zimbabwean Citizens Abroad
still expected to work as normal. Your government does not care that these are people with families to look after.
Your ZANU PF party officials and those around you continue to live in opulence while the rest of the population is living in abject poverty and squalor.
In view of the above and many other issues, too numerous to detail here, we as
Zimbabwean citizens, unequivocally demand that you Mr. President, do the following:
Felix Machiridza
On behalf of
The Concerned Zimbabwean Citizens Abroad
IPThere comes a time when silence is betrayal.” – Martin Luther King Jnr
ZimEye will tonight (midnight UK time) from 11am Aussie, LIVE-stream the protest at the Zimbabwean embassy in Canberra. – REFRESH THIS PAGE TO WATCH
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Vice President Costantino Chiwenga who is reportedly in South Africa where he was airlifted to seek emergency medical attention used to go to China before he moved from the military into government, raising eyebrows over his relationship with the Asian giant.
Posting on Twitter, Professor Moyo said the decision to stop going to China revealed a fallout with China, once his preferred destination for medication for a long time.
By Farai D Hove | The man who once fired all nurses, all junior doctors, and is happy to see his own doctors get paid a paltry $86,00 per month, Constantino Chiwenga has been flown to a South African hospital.
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s deputy was missing in church Sunday morning after being airlifted to Capetown in an emergency.
Chiwenga who was the second man who refused to allow the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai to become President and of late the winner of the 2018 elections, Nelson Chamisa, is suffering a condition said to be from food poisoning. A South African preacher claimed he was bewitched, and a recent medical investigation seen by ZimEye found that he likely caused his own hurt by venturing into skin lightening creams which cause extreme agitation including horrific burning sensations.
Sources told ZimEye “Mnangagwa spent hours in a panic yesterday after Chiwenga’s health took a toll.”
He was admitted at Groote Schuur Hospital in Capetown.
Last October the government spokesman George Charamba claimed he was suffering from 1980s injuries from the war of liberation.
A source told ZimEye.com, “Chiwenga is admitted at this hospital.
“Can you make a live so that we encourage Zimbos in Cape Town to go and demonstrate so that he go back and get treatment at Parirenyatwa Hospital. This is sickening. They abuse and kill our people. They destroy the healthcare sector but they use state funds to get treatment in SA.”
By Own Correspondent| A report by ZimLive reports that Vice President Chiwenga was airlifted to South Africa yesterday, 2 February, in what has been described as a medical emergency.
A top government official is said to have revealed that the former army general is in bad shape and that government yesterday went into panic.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday also failed to attend his Mt Darwin Thank You rally with hos spokeserson George Charamba saying he was in no show because of other commitments where he was on a diplomatic offensive.
The event was then addressed by Vice President Kembo Mohadi.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane’s planned trip to Zimbabwe this week could be over before it’s begun, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office saying he will be booted out as soon as he touches down in Zimbabwe.
Maimane, pictured, is seeking a meeting with Mnangagwa, but presidential spokesperson George Charamba told the Sunday Times he would be “thrown out” if he tried to set foot in Zimbabwe.
“We relate to the South African government and have no business talking to an opposition party, which is a minority party for that matter,”
Charamba said. “If he [Maimane] tries to come here he will be thrown out and will not be allowed to come into the country. We are a sovereign state and not a banana republic. Why can’t he deal with issues in his own party instead of pointing fingers?”
In May 2017, Maimane was deported from Zambia after going there to attend the treason trial of opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema.
Last week, Maimane got into Mnangagwa’s bad books by saying he would approach the International Criminal Court and the UN to request their intervention in Zimbabwe’s political and human rights crisis.
Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the DA leader was seeking attention. “It is regrettable that Maimane has assumed an aggressive posture for the gallery,” she said.
Maimane told the Sunday Times yesterday he was still waiting for a response to a letter he sent to Mnangagwa last week.
Asked if he would defy the threats to turn him away, the DA leader said: “They must write to me formally and make me aware of their plans to deport me.”
In his letter to Mnangagwa, Maimane said he planned to travel to Harare in his capacity as chair of the Southern African Partnership for Democratic Change (SAPDC), which represents opposition parties in the region.
“In light of the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe, I intend to head up an SAPDC fact-finding mission,” he wrote.
– Sunday Times
Harare, February, 3,2019-The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe(GMAZ) has noted the recent increase in bread prices.These bread price increases are however not in anyway associated with flour cost drivers as the product(flour) supply price to bakers has remained constant.
Flour supplies to bakers has,however remained suppressed due to the non-availability of foreign currency to bring in imported wheat which is still held in Beira.
Issued by GMAZ Media and Public Relations Manager
Garikai Chaunza.
By Own Correspondent| Spokesperson for the Thokozani Khupe led MDC Linda Masarira has urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to let the media run in a non partisan manner if it is to report factually.
Masarira said this in response to Mnangagwa’s tweet that he was appalled by the SkyNews report revealing security sector brùtality on civilians.
Said Masarira:
By Nomusa Garikai| Mnangagwa says he will not talk to MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa, until the latter acknowledges Mnangagwa as the legitimately elected president.
“I have never refused to talk and that is why after I came into office, you have seen me talking to all people from students, industry, the church, political parties and even traditional leaders. We continue to talk for the good of our country and my door is open. I, however, do not understand how he (Chamisa) would want to talk to me when he claims I am illegitimate. It implies that the talks will be illegitimate. I don’t want to see myself exchanging words with Chamisa, I don’t want to sink to that level. I leave all this to you,” said Mnangagwa.
This is just nonsensical.
If Mnangagwa is refusing to talk to Chamisa because the latter has said Mnangagwa was illegitimate, then why is Mnangagwa talking to the EU, the Americans and many, many other nations? These nations have all condemned last July’s elections too and have never accept this Zanu PF regime as legitimate.
Mnangagwa and Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube have been out begging the West, especially the Paris Club, IMF and WB, for financial assistance but have returned empty handed. Zimbabwe is a pariah state ruled by corrupt and vote rigging thugs and no investors want to deal with pariah states!
As long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state there is not going to be any meaningful economic recovery, period.
In his boastful moments Nelson Chamisa has claimed that he has the key to unlock Mnangagwa’s illegitimacy and the economy. This was nothing more than the proverbial frog claiming to put out the forest fire with its punny fart!
Political legitimacy is derived from winning the majority votes in an election that is free, fair and credible. How anyone would judge last July elections as a free, fair and credible electoral process beggars belief.
The regime denied 3 million Zimbabweans in the diaspora the vote; compared to 2.4 million Mnangagwa claims voted for him. ZEC failed to release something as basic as a verified voters’ roll for Pete’s sake!
We are to assume Chamisa will sweep all these blatant vote rigging antics under the carpet, cleanse the electoral process of all its flaws and illegalities, and declare the illegitimate Mnangagwa legitimate. Who is Chamisa to do all that! “Chamisa chiyi panyama yehuku!” (What part is Chamisa on a chicken!) as one would say in Shona.
There will be no meaningful economic recovery in Zimbabwe until the nation ends the curse of rigged elections and pariah state. None! If Mnangagwa believes Chamisa can wave his magic wand and lift the curse then he must even more naive than he looks!
When Mnangagwa rigged last year’s elections he was cocksure he would go on to revive the Zimbabwe economy. It is now as clear as day that instead of meaningful economic recovery the nation’s economy is sinking deeper and deeper into the abyss. Worse still, it is also as clear as day that Mnangagwa is resorting to the use of brute force to silence dissent and all those crying about the economic hardships.
Zimbabwe’s economic situation with unemployment at 90%, 3/4 of the population living on US$1.00 or less a day, etc. is unsustainable. And no amount of brutal repression is going to stop people demanding meaningful change. Zanu PF cannot expect people to suffer and die in silence like sheep in a slaughter house.
The most rational, peaceful and quickest way to end Zimbabwe’s economic and political nightmare is for Zanu PF to step down. The regime rigged last July’s elections, it is illegitimate and should stop holding the nation to ransom for even one day longer!
There is nothing to talk about with Mnangagwa and his junta friends; they should just step down.
Chamisa and his MDC Alliance friends must step aside too. They have had many golden opportunities to implement the democratic reforms which would have end Zanu PF’s reign of terror and they have wasted them all.
The nation needs the political space to appoint an interim administration that will be tasked to implement all the democratic reforms agreed at the onset of the 2008 GNU. The administration will lay the democratic foundation for the free, just and prosperous Zimbabwe the nation has been dying for all this years.
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VIDEO: Chiwenga To Build Amazing Flats In Mbare | WILL HE USE GUN POWDER INSTEAD OF "JECHA!" ?
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 3, 2019
Jane Mlambo| Amid revelations by the Zanu-PF Harare Province that they are fully behind the move to demolish illegal structures in the capital city and Chitungwiza, it is now clear that this could have been a well orchestrated plan to punish urban for voting the opposition MDC Alliance Presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa.
According to the Sunday Mail, Zanu PF inter-district meetings held yesterday in Harare’s 29 constituencies, all expressed excitement at the decision that has been widely condemned by the opposition and humanitarian groups.
Zanu PF and Emmerson Mnangagwa performed dismally in Harare and Bulawayo pocketing on one seat from the two capitals.
Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairperson Cde Goodwills Masimirembwa told Sunday Mail that they fully support Government’s decision to demolish tuck shops as they were behind the wanton price increase of basic commodities.
He added that the meetings were organised to show the opposition that the ruling was alive, something that does not add up considering that the party has been rejected by urban voters whose livelihoods have been affected by Mnangagwa’s policies.
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BUSHIRI JAILED: Why Is Uebert Angel Suddenly Busy Bribing Journalists?
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 3, 2019
By Own Correspondent| Theft of ZESA property is on the increase amid revelations that the country’s power utility company lost $3.7 Million worth of equipment to thieves and vandals in 2018.
The loss also has further downstream losses due to the stoppage in productivity resulting from blackouts after infrastructure is vandalised.
ZESA Holdings spokesperson Fullard Gwasira told a local publication:
Zesa lost about $3,7 million due to theft and vandalism and equipment worth about $500 000 was recovered in 2018. In most of the cases, the criminals targeted copper conductors, transformer windings and transformer oil.
We have seen that the theft of our property is on the increase and there are measures that we have introduced such as 24 hours security at our big sub-stations.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent| Government has revealed plans to repossess idle mining claims whose owners have not been forthcoming in operationalising them.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said there are some owned claims which have not been exploited since the early seventies and such claims will be targeted.
Said Chitando:
Government is coming up with regulations to enforce the “use it or lose it” principle. The background to this is that we do have entities which held vast pieces of mining concessions, which are not being utilised.
In one particular province we have an entity, which has been holding a rich mining concession since the 1970s and all they do is, every year, pay renewal fees for that concession and with the economic development thrust we have for Vision 2030, surely this can’t continue. . . .
it is only fair for the country that such concessions be made available to those who have use for them.
We have advised the Chamber of Mines of Government’s intention, we have asked them to come up with their own views on how the issue should be tackled and as Government, we will also be fine-tuning our course of action.
By Dorrothy Moyo| Former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi faced deportation calls from South Africa after being caught on camera fit as a fiddle at a time when it has been claimed that he has died.
The assumption at the close of day yesterday was that the former Masvingo strongman had faked illness, the “ED Gwanda Poison” style, in similar ways Mnangagwa used fake poison to install himself president in 2017.
While a comment could not be obtained from the man himself, scores of senior ZANU PF heavyweights yesterday alleged he had faked illness in order to buy court time.
He is wanted in Zimbabwe where his case for alleged corruption is being heard in court.
Other sources criticised his lawyer Job Sikhala.
“Saka akanyepa ka Sikhala arikupi?,” alleged a ZANU PF Masvingo war veteran yesterday.
VIDEO:
Mzembi alive pic.twitter.com/TPRSmoHWg9
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 3, 2019
– MORE FOLLOWS..
By Own Correspondent| Addressing party supporters at the ZNu Pd “Thank You” rally at Mt Darwin School in Mashonaland Central, Vice President Kembo Mohadi said government will provide loans to retailers who maintain cheap prices.
Following the fuel price increases coupled by the foreign currency shortages, prices of basic goods have skyrocketed worsenkng the plight of ordinary citizens.
Said Mohadi:
Basic commodities like cooking oil, sugar, salt, rice mealie-meal, milk and flour; the prices are being looked into so that they become affordable to the generality of the public.
Government is equally putting in place loan facilities for retailers who will maintain cheap prices. These will be supported by Government to make sure that their prices remain low.
As Government, we are engaged with industry for a more stable price regime. We are seized with this matter. We are a Government that is responsive to the people’s needs.
We are concerned with overcharging of goods and the constant hikes of prices of basic commodities. We understand the struggles that you are facing and we will step in with corrective measures.
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VIDEO: Chiwenga To Build Amazing Flats In Mbare | WILL HE USE GUN POWDER INSTEAD OF "JECHA!" ?
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 3, 2019
By Own Correspondent| Former politburo member and cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo, who is in self-imposed exile following the November 27 soft coup, said on Saturday that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s failure to attend his ‘Thank You’ Rally in Mt Darwin shows that all is not well.
Writing on Twitter on Saturday, Moyo said:
When you see George Charamba running around like this on a Saturday, bet your last bond note he’s managing an EMERGENCY. Something has happened or is happening. Mnangagwa might have been making EMERGENCY phone calls, but certainly not to heads of state or government. Watch the space!
Mnangagwa was expected to address a ZANU PF gathering in Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central Province on Saturday afternoon but failed to turn up for the rally. Presidential spokesperson George Charamba said Mnangagwa’s no-show at the rally was because he was on a diplomatic offensive.
Said Charamba:
His Excellency the President, E.D. Mnangagwa, today, Saturday, spent the day at his Munhumutapa Offices from where he made contact with a number of Heads of State and Government from the region and on the continent.
The prime objective was for him to brief his colleagues on the situation obtaining in the country following opposition-instigated violent demonstrations which affected the country two weeks ago. He also received reports from returning special envoys he had dispatched to selected countries in the region and on the African continent for the same mission.
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The latest of Constantino Chiwenga’s intervention in the December doctors’ strike has seen the government resolve to open its own pharmacies which will offer fair pricing for medicines.
The pharmacies will be opened as part of National Pharmaceuticals Company (NatPharm). Government first announced its plans to open pharmacies in December
The state media said private pharmacies have been overcharging despite being supplied medicines by NatPharm, which it said has been importing medication in bulk and dispensing it to local pharmacies at local currency prices.
Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo said of the new initiative by the government: “we are busy gathering the medicines and also identifying the places to put up the pharmacies. We have instructed Natpharm to commence identification of the buildings where the pharmacies will be. We want it done as soon as possible, the sooner the better.”
The pharmaceutical Association of Zimbabwe president, Portifa Mwendera said:
O”ur biggest drug manufacturer in Zimbabwe is Varichem and at the moment they are asking for payment in US dollars.
“If you get a product which is in RTGS or bond notes, the prices have gone up significantly compared to what existed say last October. Pharmacies are using the same pricing they are charged by the wholesaler or the manufacturer.”
Government is working on safety nets to shield vulnerable members of society against price distortions on basic commodities and will soon unveil a well-packaged strategy to ensure goods reflect their real value, Vice President Kembo Mohadi has said.
VP Mohadi was speaking at Zanu-PF’s second post-election Thank-You Rally at Mt Darwin High School, Mashonaland Central province, yesterday attended by thousands of supporters. He said it was worrying that Zimbabwe had over 35 000 civic organisations, most of which were engaging in underhand political activities designed to effect regime change.
He stood in for President Emmerson Mnangagwa. VP Mohadi said authorities were crafting a cocktail of measures to ensure availability of basic goods at fair prices, including extensive support for retailers.
“Basic commodities like cooking oil, sugar, salt, rice, mealie-meal, milk and flour; the prices are being looked into so that they become affordable to the generality of the public. Government is equally putting in place loan facilities for retailers who will maintain cheap prices.
These will be supported by Government to make sure that their prices remain low.”
Government would also work with industry in implementing the basic commodities price stabilisation initiative.
“As Government, we are engaged with industry for a more stable price regime. We are seized with this matter. We are a Government that is responsive to the people’s needs. We are concerned with overcharging of goods and the constant hikes of prices of basic commodities. We understand the struggles that you are facing and we will step in with corrective measures.”
VP Mohadi said the basic commodities programme was aimed at providing relief to the public in the same manner as the recent introduction of buses for urban commuters. He told the gathering that more buses were being mobilised to provide cheap transport in rural areas.
“There are 500 buses that will be coming from Belarus and another 200 buses from South Africa. The resuscitation of Zupco was long overdue,” he said. VP Mohadi said NGOs would not win in their attempts to destabilise the country, despite their huge number.
“There are 35 000 NGOs in Zimbabwe. It is such a high number for a very small country such as Zimbabwe. They are more than our own national army. We do not know what they are looking for. They claim to be non-Governmental, but in reality they represent foreign governments that have intentions to take over the country.
“We will not fold our hands and let that happen. We are aware that some of our economic challenges are a result of the machinations of these NGOs. Let’s remain strong and united and not allow our country to be destabilised. Zimbabwe is our country and we ought to defend it against the works of our enemies.”
Vice President Mohadi, who is also Zanu-PF Second Secretary, said the country’s strategic grain reserve had enough stocks to provide food security for seven months. He said harvest from the 2018-2019 agricultural season would boost the stocks.
“I am aware that here in Mashonaland Central there are some areas that are drought-prone. I can assure you that no one will die of hunger anywhere in the country. Minister Perrance Shiri is in charge of agriculture and every Tuesday he briefs Cabinet on the food security situation while the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is in charge of the distribution of grain. We have enough grain to last the next seven months.” Government planned to build more hospitals countrywide and increase the number of cancer screening centres, he said.
Government would also build more schools with requisite learning material and infrastructure. The Vice President thanked the people in Mashonaland Central province for resoundingly voting Zanu-PF in last year’s elections.
“You demonstrated loyalty and commitment to Zanu-PF. You demonstrated unparalleled patriotism as you supported President Mnangagwa. We will remain grateful,” said VP Mohadi.
He paid tribute to the late national hero and music icon Dr Oliver Mtukudzi who hailed from the province.
In her address, Zanu-PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said Mashonaland Central was a resolute pillar of Zanu PF with a strong bond to the liberation struggle.
“Mashonaland Central is crucial to us. It gave us Mbuya Nehanda and many sons and daughters who died in the war for independence. We were happy that Mashonaland Central rejected to be part of the recent disturbances. We want you to continue on that path so that you defend your flag and your resounding vote.”
Minister Shiri, who is also the most senior Zanu-PF politburo member from Mashonaland Central, said the party’s huge support in the province will not wane. Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central chairperson Kazembe Kazembe said the province was fully behind President Mnangagwa as it had retained all 18 parliamentary seats in last year’s polls. The rally was also attended by Zanu-PF national commissar Dr Engelbert Rugeje, politburo and central committee members, legislators and traditional chiefs among other guests.
MDC-Alliance organising secretary Amos Chibaya appeared in court yesterday facing fresh charges of plotting to overthrow the Government.
Chibaya, who is the MP for Mkoba, was re-arrested on Tuesday afternoon soon after his release from Whawha Remand Prison after he was granted $500 bail on allegations of inciting violence. He appeared before Gweru provincial magistrate Ms Charity Maphosa facing charges of subverting a Constitutional Government.
Chibaya pleaded not guilty. However, Ms Maphosa remanded Chibaya in custody to 11 February. On Thursday the prosecution led by Ms Gracious Rongai had asked for further detention to yesterday. Ms Rongai applied for further detention to allow police to gather more documentation proving the alleged offence against him.
The MP’s lawyer Mr Reginald Chidawanyika had opposed the application for further detention saying it was unconstitutional to have his client arrested based on a news article which has not been verified.
It is the State case that during the period from 16 December to 2 January and at the Midlands provincial offices of MDC-Alliance in Gweru, the accused communicated with Learnmore Magorimbo, the national chairperson for Zimbabwe National Youth Alliance (Ziya), a pressure group mobilising for a nationwide demonstration. The court heard that the alleged communication was done between certain cellphone numbers revealed in court.
On 2 January, Chibaya, the court heard — also communicated with the entire MDC-Alliance supporters by causing the publishing of a news article in a local daily newspaper where he was subverting a Constitutional Government.
As a result of the communications, the court heard that massive violent demonstrations occurred in Mkoba, Mtapa and Ascot high-density suburbs in Gweru and the accused was observed amongst a riotous group.
The court heard that a number of properties were destroyed by demonstrators taking heed of his campaign to overthrow the Government by unconstitutional means.
Meanwhile, Chiwundura Member of Parliament Livingstone Chimina appeared before the same court facing fresh charges of inciting violence and protests. He was remanded in custody to Thursday.- state media
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After COSATU, Malema is also going to shut Beitbridge border cause of Mnangagwa's military abuses – sources. WATCH LIVE ON https://t.co/eY98GsdO0a pic.twitter.com/IcgQy8YCnz
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 2, 2019
By Own Correspondent| Fire broke out on Saturday afternoon and engulfed part of the theatre ward at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, ZimEye has learnt.
The fire is suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault.
The fire is said to have destroyed some equipment, drugs and patients’ records. Patients were left in a state of shock at the Mbuya Nehanda Maternity ward.
However, there were no casualties as staff and visitors managed to shift babies and expecting mothers.
The Harare City Fire Department reacted quickly to douse the inferno.-StateMedia
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By Own Correspondent| Police recovered three guns and rounds of ammunition that were stolen during the recent violent protests at a joint army, police security checkpoint along the Shurugwi-Zvishavane Highway on Thursday.
The security forces held a joint Press conference following the recent wanton looting and violence that broke out across the country and said they were tracking down rogue elements within the forces alleged to have stolen uniforms and some fire arms.
The Press briefing was followed by the introduction of joint roadblocks by the police and army.
Police in the Midlands Province said a stolen police rifle, serial number, 102, two pistols, a magazine charged with 20 live rounds and a pair of handcuffs were recovered stashed in a boot of a Nissan Almera at a police and army road block along the Shurugwi-Gweru Highway on Wednesday night.
“Two suspects, Advance Tongogara (44), who was driving the car and Israel Chikona (25) were immediately arrested and detained at Shurugwi Police Station under RRB number 3636680,” police said.
Another suspect whose identity was not immediately available yesterday, reportedly got out of their vehicle and took to his heels, escaping under the cover of darkness as soon as he realised that their car was being searched.
Police spokesperson for Midlands Province, Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the incident but referred further questions to national police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi who said he was in a meeting.
Police sources told the State Media that investigations had established that the recovered police rifle was stolen at police base in Matobo.- state media
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THE BELOW WAS THE WEEK’S TOP STORY:
By Farai D Hove| The disgraced Thokozani Khupe spokesperson, Linda Masarira yesterday released a cut, chop and edit audio recording which patchy file she claimed proves that Crisis Coalition director, Mr Rashid Mahiya has “confirmed” that the MDC was training a militia in Zambia.
But in the very same clip a Mahiya voice soundalike is heard emphasising these are all lies and the brutal regime will look to create scapegoats for their lies. Below is a transcript of the patch Masarira released to ZNC news and broadcast yesterday-
Masarira: ” the training in Zambia yaitaura kuti Chamisa akasahwina tirikufanirwa ku defender vote. Tirikufanirwa kudai. I have got a recording of that thing. Of ma operations arikufanirwa kuitwa achisiyiwa pasina kana trace.”
Mahiya soundalike: Aaah.
But manje you know now you’re putting people at risk.
Masarira: But inini ndini wekutukwa ndichishorwa ndichikanganisirwa image yangu.
Mahiya voice soundalike: “you know what, you’re putting people at risk.”
Mahiya voice soundalike: You’re actually putting people at risk. At the mercy of the regime…
Masarira: Ya, ehee. Saka ivo ka. No Rashid [INTERRUPTING MAHIYA]. You have to be a fair intermediator here.
Whitle side(sic) Ostallos into line. They have to stop their attacks against me. And put a stop to insulting me.
Mahiya soundalike: I will talk to them. But
[INTERRUPTED ]
I have been respecting them for a very long time. But ivo they do not reciprocate.
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SUDDEN CHANGE TONE OF VOICE.
Mahiya soundalike:
There are some things that can be connoted. And this here, with this regime that we are dealing with here akomana ka. The brutality and the way that they are looking for scapegoats, handiti ka. For all these things that are happening. If you what, and if you still believe the things that you believed in before, haaa this lie…”
ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa failed to attend his own ‘Thank You’ Rally scheduled for Mt Darwin on Saturday afternoon.
LIVE video coverage at the scene shows Mnangagwa was nowhere to be seen a and the master of ceremony ended up announcing that his second deputy Kembo Mohadi would take stand as his replacement.
Sources at the function said Mnangagwa’s absence was because “he has other commitments where he is meeting leaders from all over Africa…..they want to know what is going on in our country because Zimbabwe is a jewel.”
Today was meant to be Mnangagwa’s first public rally since the brutal military crackdown launched in January following his unprecedented fuel price hikes.
MNANGAGWA’S ABSENCE – WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
