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.

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.

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.

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 5^th 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;

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

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

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.

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.

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 mliswat@yahoo.com 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

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

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 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

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.

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.

FULL VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

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.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

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.

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.”

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

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.

—————–

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…”

By Own Correspondent| Addressing delegates at Mt Darwin High school in Mashonaland Central on Saturday at the Zanu Pf “Thank You” rally, Vice President Kembo Mohadi has said government will soon unveil strategies to ensure the availability of basic commodities in the country.

VP Mohadi said this while addressing party cadres at the party’s “Thank You” rally where he stood in for President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa failed to attend the rally due to pressing commitments where he is entertaining international and regional leaders who are in the country over the current “crisis”.

Said VP Mohadi:

“Government will come up with interventions for the production and supply of basic commodities such as cooking oil, rice and others with a view to make them affordable to all. This will cushion consumers against overcharging by retailers.”

By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa today missed his second “Thank You” rally in Mashonaland Central over pressing commitments with regional leaders over the Zimbabwean crisis.

Said the party’s national chairperson Oppah Zvipange Muchinguri Kashiri:

“There are those among us bent on effecting regime change…..President Mnangagwa has delegated his esteemed deputy Vice President Kembo Mohadi to address us as guest of honor 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.”

By Own Correspondent| Zimbabwe Teachers Union (ZIMTA) officials have been accused of forcing teachers in Binga and Tsholotsho to bunk lessons and join a strike set to start on February 5.

Reports by the State Media allege that the move is politically motivated as suspected MDC officials are using the ZIMTA branded vehicles to intimidatte teachers to heed the call to go on strike.

Tsholotsho Rural District Council chairperson councillor Manger Sobane revealed that ZIMTA is indeed active in the area.

He said:

Zimta deployed vehicles and personnel into the district and their mission was to close schools. On Wednesday these officials were forcing our teachers to stop teaching and go home.

What bothered us is we knew that Government was in talks with civil servants regarding their salaries, so we don’t expect these officials to act that way.

However, ZIMTA said that it was not coercing teachers to go on strike, but rather, moving around communicating the organisation’s plans to go on strike next week.

ZIMTA chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu said:

I do not know of such allegations of our officials forcing teachers out of schools. I believe the visits could have been discussing memos signed by Zimta and PTUZ and passing on the message as discussed that we are going on industrial strike on the 5th of this month.

On Thursday the Zimbabwe Teachers’ union and the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe issued a joint statement announcing their intention to go on strike starting on February 5.-StateMedia

Nelson Chamisa: Last year I lost my mother at the beginning of election season. I did NOT tell Nelson Chamisa she had passed,

Patson Dzamara called me and told me they where delaying their trip to a rally out of town & would come together to console me for a few minutes, their protocol security was already on the way.

They spent the full afternoon. Nelson took me to the side and hugged me like a brother would, he told me he was so sorry prayed for me, till now I don’t understand he was able to make people so happy at the funeral.

A year before that I was in court for disciplining Robert Mugabe and couldn’t afford a lawyer, he found me in Thabani Mpofus chamber and told Advocate Mpofu not to worry he would come represent me till I sorted myself out. I am not an MDC supporter, I actually don’t like them stereki, just mbinjana, but I acknowledge leader wavo anoda vanhu, that’s why vanhu vachimuda.

It is my prayer that I can one day return the grace you have shown me, that one day I can do for you more than you have done for me. To the political Maverick of politics in Zimbabwe Nelson Chamisa ??Head Bowed

By Own Correspondent| Government has dismissed media reports that the Zimbabwe Republic Police was tracking down 25 soldiers involved in looting.

Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema said that the story was published by media houses pushing for ‘regime change’.

In a press statement released on Friday night, Mathema said:

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has noted with grave concern an increase of media groups whose agenda is now very clear. They are pushing for regime change in Zimbabwe.

The story in the Newsday edition of 31st January 2019 cannot go unchallenged, which story is reproduced from The Guardian. The headline on the Newsday states that, ‘Police dossier nails army in rights abuses . . . 25 soldiers sought in looting case’, which creates a misconception that the Zimbabwe Republic Police is desperately pursuing leads to arrest 25 soldiers who have committed a crime.

This story was written and completed on the basis of sources and in order to give it credence a comment was then conveniently sought from the police. It is clear from the onset that the motive was to have an official comment from the police irrespective of whether police confirmed or not, thus justifying their story.

… We wish therefore to categorically dismiss these claims and challenge those with genuine complaints to report to the police.

The government has continued to strenuously deny reports that security agents were involved in looting and torture of members of the public during nationwide protests.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| A farmer in Chemagora village, Gokwe, was killed in revenge over a land dispute on Friday.

The farmer who had earlier on reportedly shot and killed a member of a group of illegal settlers on his farm identified as George Jongwe was killed in revenge by the illegal settlers.

The incident was confirmed by the Chemagora Small Scale Commercial Farmers’ Union chairperson in an interview with the State Media.

He said:

He had won a High Court case for the illegal invaders to be evicted from his farm. The High Court order was enforced this week on Tuesday.

Evicted invaders then came back in the early hours of this morning (yesterday) and attacked him with machetes, axes. He reacted in self-defence and shot and killed one before he was himself overpowered and killed.

Invasions of our farms are organised and there are ringleaders and land barons who benefited financially by illegally settling people here.

Midlands Provincial Administrator, Mr Abiot Marongwe, confirmed the alleged murder of the farmer. He revealed that he had sent the DA, a Mr Gwatiringa to investigate and compile a report.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| MDC leader Nelson Chamisa turnes 41 today.

Said Chamisa while appreciating the birthday messages from friends, family and Zimbabweans from all walks of life:

FEBRUARY 2 seems like the best day to be born.On a Thursday morning in 1978,unto this world a child was born and a bundle of energy was unleashed.Since then,mighty exploits and scores.I thank God for the grace and providence.Thank you all my dear friends for sweetening this life.If you’re a February baby, you’re certainly in good company. I share this birth month with many of you Februarians, including Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Winky D, Peter Ndlovu, Cara Black, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, Michael Jordan, Steve Jobs, Rosa Parks, Elizabeth Taylor Jennifer Aniston and Rupiah Banda!GOD BLESS YOU!!

By Own Correspondent| A march organised by lawyers in Midlands was on Wednesday crushed by riot police.

The lawyers had however notified the police of the planned march as required under the Public Order and Security Act.

The march was in protest over the blanket denial of bail by magistrates to MDC MPs arrested on allegations of public violence among other grievances.

The lawyers were however dispersed by police in full riot gear and equipped with water cannons.

While speaking to a local publication, Gweru Lawyers’ Association spokesperson, Esau Mandipa said:

We condemn the behaviour of the police because they violated our right to peaceful demonstration.

We notified them two days before and only on the day of the march that is when they came to us saying we could not march because police were understaffed due to the national clean-up campaign where deployments had been made.

We are saddened by the heavy-handedness of the police. At my office, for example, there were 10 riot cops manning the entrance for unknown reasons.

Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko could not be reached for comment while national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi expressed ignorance fo the incident.-Newsday

By Own Correspondent| Arrested prophet Sherpherd Bushiri’s spokesperson, Zimbabwean journalist Maynard Manyowa, has made sensational claims that Bushiri is being punished for refusing to pay “blackmailers” US$1 million.

Manyowa said the charges against Bushiri were not only fake but were being instituted by those who had in the past tri3d to extort money from Bushiri.

Below is the full text of Manyowa’s statement;

This morning, as we sat in the CRL Commission waiting on the outcome of their Section 7 investigation, members of the HAWKS picked up Prophet Bushiri and charged him over a $1.1 million USD transaction involving his own money.

The merits of that case are a story for another day. For now i want to draw collective attention to the fact that for over a month now, we have been accused of being non-compliant, for being responsible for the stampede that killed our very own beloved family members, among other things.

The very same commission, a chapter 9 institution, empowered by one of the most powerful constitutions in the world, today ruled that there was no wrong doing on our part.

While we welcomed this vindication we did not celebrate it – because we are still mourning about the passing of members of our family.

However, i want to draw your collective memory to the last month. All the accusations leveled against us? What became of these?

We are now facing a whole new barrage of more accusations. As i said. Their merit will be tested in court and fully.

Since 2013, we have faced one assault and attack after the other. We have survived each.

From assassination attempts. From extortion attempts. Fake charges. None of those have stuck.

I want to avoid going into much details about what happened today. From being asked why a black man would buy a private jet to the guys who were asking for $1 million USD to make false charges go away.

So for today, i will remain quiet. But i do know one thing, like many of all these mountains we have faced, this will be overcome.

Mark my words!

I will leave you with this video, of the prophecy my father gave, about this very same day. He prophesied the day and he prophesied the outcome.

If he was right about the event he is right about the outcome.

Keep well!

Correspondent|MDC Deputy Treasurer-General Chalton Hwende, who is hiding in Namibia, is seeking the assistance of Namibian police to stop the possible “abduction and rendition” to Zimbabwe in the ongoing crackdown against opposition activists.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, party leader Nelson Chamisa described the crackdown as aimed at decimating his party.

“In the course of January 2019, our client was informed, through reliable sources, that members of the Zimbabwean intelligence agency, namely the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) travelled to Namibia to abduct and rendition him to Zimbabwe where he is apparently wanted for treason, incitement to commit public violence and other charges,” read the letter.

“According to the information, the members of the CIO already arrived in Namibia on or before 28 January 2019.”

In the letter, Hwende’s lawyers alleged that armed security officers had surrounded the homes of senior officials and MDC legislators.

Hwende claims there was a list in which his name appears of wanted persons and claims he would not receive a fair trial in Zimbabwe.

“We accordingly seek the protection of our client against what will be an unlawful abduction and the possible rendition of our client to Zimbabwe at the hands of the Zimbabwean Central Intelligence Organisation,” the lawyer wrote.

Hwende’s lawyers said should their client fail to be afforded the necessary protection, he would approach the Namibian High Court on an urgent basis for an appropriate order, including interdict.

On another note, MDC party’s spokesperson Jacob Mafume said they condemned yet another arrest of their organising secretary Amos Chibaya, who was nabbed moments after his release on bail by the High Court in Masvingo.

“We view both arrests of the organizer to be political, they are all about persecution and nothing to do with prosecution. The arrest is abuse of both law enforcement and the justice delivery system which is against the Constitution,” Mafume said.

TWO police officers stationed at Entumbane Police Station have been arrested for allegedly stealing two gas tanks and several cellphones which were part of the goods looted during the recent violent protests in Bulawayo.

Thulani Nyathi (33) of Lobengula West and Victor Peter Munondo (28) of Entumbane suburb yesterday appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Sithembiso Ncube facing theft charges. They were remanded in custody to today for bail ruling.

Allegations are that a report was made at Entumbane Police Station indicating that there were looted goods that had been hidden in a broken down car at Entumbane Bus Terminus.

Two police officers who were initially sent to investigate came back empty handed.

VNyathi and Munondo then allegedly went to the Bus Terminus and arm-twisted a security guard manning the premises into showing them where the goods were hidden under the pretext that they were sent by their superiors to recover the loot.

They then took the looted goods, but did not surrender the loot at Entumbane Police Station.

Prosecuting, Mr Alfonce Makonese said on January 25 at around 8AM, police received a tip off that stolen goods looted during protests were hidden in a broken down vehicle at a car park at Entumbane Bus Terminus.

The Entumbane Police Station Officer-in-Charge, only identified as Chief Inspector Mpofu, then assigned his juniors to investigate.

“On January 26 at around 10AM, one Assistant Inspector Nkomo and a Constable Mavunga proceeded to Entumbane Bus Terminus. Upon arrival they failed to locate anyone and returned empty handed,” said Mr Makonese.

On the same day at around 6PM, Nyathi and Munondo went to Entumbane Bus Terminus and found a security guard manning the parking area.

“On arrival at Entumbane Bus Terminus’ car park, the accused persons introduced themselves to the security guard as Detective Constables Maveya and Moyo.

They lied to him that they had been sent by their superiors to collect the stolen goods. They searched a broken down vehicle at the car park and recovered two 5kg gas tanks, eight cellphones and six bottles of battery water,” said Mr Makonese.

They then endorsed their falsified names in the car park occurrence book on entry number 68/29.

The two allegedly lied to the security guard that they were taking the loot to Entumbane Police Station.

The court heard that the two cops did not surrender the stolen goods at the police station.

“On the same day at around 10PM, Assistant Inspector Nkomo later sent Constables Ndava and Chakabveyo to revisit the bus terminus and they found the same security guard who showed them the occurrence book depicting that goods had already been collected by the accused persons,” said Mr Makonese.

Investigations were conducted and the security guard managed to positively identify the accused persons in a parade leading to their arrest and subsequent recovery of the stolen loot.

Nyathi and Munondo, who are both self-actors, yesterday applied for bail pending trial. They argued that if granted bail they would not abscond, saying they were family men of fixed abode.

The State opposed bail, saying there was no guarantee that if granted bail the two men would not abscond. The investigating officer, Det Asst Insp Thomas Zimunhu, said the accused persons’ arrest was linked to the violent protests as they were found in possession of stolen goods hence if granted bail they were likely to abscond.

“It is in the interest of justice that accused persons should be remanded in custody until investigations are complete. If released on bail, there are fears that they might interfere with State witnesses, some of which are fellow police officers,” he said.

Det Asst Insp Zimunhu said the suspect who looted the stolen items is on the run and also known to Nyathi.

State Media

By Own Correspondent| Zimbabwean religious leader, Uebert Angel has issued a solidarity message to arrested religious leader Shepherd Bushiri.

Bushiri was arrested Friday in South Africa and he is being charged for money laundering and is set to appear in court on Monday.

Angel castigated Africa for specialising in arresting its successful black people ahead of arresting its woes including poverty.

Said Angel regarding the arrest:

It is MY OPINION that in AFRICA we have learnt to specialise in arresting successful BLACK people more than specialising in ARRESTING POVERTY

Angel also sent a solidarity message which was posted on Bushiri’s Facebook page:

PROPHESY THIS FOR YOURSELF AND Decree and Declare this FOR Major ONE and his family and all ECG:

Isa 54:
14 You’ll be built solid, grounded in righteousness,
far from any trouble—nothing to fear!
far from terror—it won’t even come close!
15 If anyone attacks you,
don’t for a moment suppose that I sent them,
And if any should attack,
nothing will come of it.
16 I create the blacksmith
who fires up his forge
and makes a weapon designed to kill.
I also create the destroyer—
17 but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged.
Any accuser who takes you to court
will be dismissed as a liar.
This is what God’s servants can expect.
I’ll see to it that everything works out for the best.”
God’s Decree.
.
.
Love you all! Signed: Uebert Angel

VICE President Kembo Mohadi has ordered Norton legislator Mr Temba Mliswa to within 24 hours retract allegations he posted on his Twitter account alleging that the former is corrupt and President Mnangagwa must fire him.

Mr Mliswa made the remarks in a tweet reacting to press statement by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda, in which President Mnangagwa accepted the resignation of commissioners to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

Mr Mliswa tweeted:

VP Mohadi’s lawyer, Mr Norman Mugiya of Mugiya and Macharaga Law Chambers, said the information was “completely untrue”.

“It has come to our client’s attention that in an online publication by one Mandla Ndlovu on the social media site, entitled ‘Mliswa to expose Kembo Mohadi’ you supplied and caused to be published information which is completely untrue and defamatory of the good name and integrity of our client,” said Mr Mugiya.

The publication attributed to Mr Mliswa threatened to expose what he alleged to be corruption scandals by VP Mohadi. It also insinuated that VP Mohadi was unfit for office and “called upon President of the Republic to dismiss our client from that position”.

In the same article it was also alleged that VP Mohadi was linked to a stream of cases involving illegal takeover of farms, torture and murder.

“The above utterances directly or indirectly attributed to you are either defamatory per se or intended to mean that our client is a dishonourable person,” wrote Mr Mugiya to Mr Mliswa.

He said the utterances were understood by an ordinary reader to mean VP Mohadi is corrupt and undeserving to be Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

The remarks were published on internet which has worldwide readership.

“They besmirch the good name and reputation of our client. They are therefore defamatory. Our client demands the immediate retraction of the utterances in publications of an equal readership and prominence forthwith and in all cases within 24 hours of the delivery of this letter upon you,” said Mr Mugiya.

Failure by Mr Mliswa to do so will see legal action being taken against him.

State Media

SATAN TELLS GOD, BOW DOWN TO ME FIRST AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE WHOLE WORLD –  ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa says he is not averse to holding talks with the people’s President, Nelson Chamisa if he recognises him as the legitimately-elected leader of the country.

Mnangagwa said his door has always been open to engage anyone the same way he has done with industry, church, students, traditional leaders, the disabled and progressive political parties.

Mnangagwa said contrary to reports by Chamisa that he had written to him five times seeking dialogue, he was yet to see any correspondence.

“I have not seen any letter,” he said.

“I hear there are talks going on and this only in the media. I even have had to ask our party officials whether they have been in talks with the MDC behind my back. They are also surprised. 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.”

The state media reported claiming that Mnangagwa was the first to call for dialogue. It went on to allegebut the MDC alliance spurned the opportunity, choosing to take the route of violent protests.

Mnangagwa also accused western countries over the military engineered violent protests which he however blamed on the MDC Alliance.

Mnangagwa himself has officially stated that the security forces were “insubordinate” in the chaotic events that began on 14th of January.

The military chaos, which began when soldiers launched violent assaults on civilians beginning with teachers inside schools while ordering them to go and strike against the government, left six people, including a police officer dead, while property and cars worth millions were either burnt or destroyed.

Civilians however “endured a double sword” from one group of the military forcing them into rioting while another was dispatched to not only assault but kill them.

Mnangagwa however said the intervention by the country’s security forces was ideal.

“We have been accused of using disproportionate force, but these protesters were burning down police stations and various infrastructure, including toll-gates along our highways,” Mnangagwa said.

He accused western governments of sponsoring the violence.

“I am not sure how we were supposed to respond to that. Western countries, in particular, have raised concerns. Of course, we regret the loss of life, but we needed to protect property as well as other citizens not involved in the protests. We have told the Western countries that they cannot turn around and raise concerns when they are the ones sponsoring the violence.”

He added saying: “The army was reacting to restore order but you hear some saying its excessive force. The Western media wants to develop an image where developing countries are vilified, where they want to glorify the perpetrators of violence. You have to stop people who destroy properties. However, people just mention the reaction of the police and the army without looking at the perpetrators.”

Over 1 100 people have been arrested in connection with the protests and some have been convicted and jailed.

Mnangagwa said the United States in particular wanted an administration which worked according to its dictates.

“They don’t care about human rights; that is why you find that they support some countries with clear democratic deficits,” he said.

“It’s about US interests and if we were pliable and accept to be used, our country would not be in these problems. The Western media also turn perpetrators of violence and destruction into victims. But they don’t show the destruction of property and direct threat to the stability of our country they caused.”

On the alleged divisions between him and VP Chiwenga, Mnangagwa said: “the people who talk about these divisions, what example do they give? They have nothing to show for their claims. I have known Chiwenga since the struggle years. We are comrades and understand each other better than you all think. Somebody actually told me while I was in Eurasia that I would be barred from returning home and I just laughed that off.”

He also spoke about plans to introduce a local currency saying no “country can succeed without own currency.”