Own Correspondent|MDC-T Spokesperson Linda Masarira on Thursday clashed with Rights activist Patson Dzamara over Linda’s outcry that people are investing too much time in invading and analysing her social life.

Linda was responding after a video of herself drunk and threatening to beat a reveller at a bar went viral.

“We are stuck in the mud as a people because we major on ‘moralities’ and holier than thou attitudes.” Linda said. “We have too many life prefects and less problem solvers. The energy wasted on analysing my social life should be used productively on cross pollinating ideas on developing Zimbabwe. Have you ever heard me speaking of morality? Handirwadziwe zvekumhanya ndakadhiniwa kudhara.”

Patson Dzamara responded to Linda accusing her of being and attention seeker who uses unorthodox means to be a public figure.

“The energy you waste trying to make yourself a public figure through unorthodox means and kindergarten charlatanry could as well be put to good use.
“When some fall for your theatrics and give u the public figure status that you are shockingly desperate for…then live with it.”

Linda Masarira broke ranks with the opposition movement when she told the August 1 shooting Commission of Inquiry that Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance youths received military training in Zambia and South Africa to rise against the Government in the event that they lost the July 30 harmonised elections.

“I can speak with confidence and evidence that there are two groups who were trained to lead protest though it is said that they were trained to do an uprising in a non-violent manner which is contrary to the actions that prevailed on August 1,” she said.

Since then, Linda has been at the receiving end of the opposition party members and political activist who are accusing Linda of selling hers soul to ZASNU PF in exchange of money.

Correspondent|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa reached out to the MDC Alliance after his July 30 election victory, a gesture the vanquished opposition party rejected as they chose to disrespect him, hence ZANU-PF would return the gesture, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said at Esigodini yesterday.

In his Vote of Thanks after the President’s keynote address, VP Chiwenga slammed MDC-Alliance for disrespecting the country’s leadership.

The MDC-Alliance attributed its loss to alleged rigging despite the fact that they lost in the country’s widely hailed electoral contest to date.

Said VP Chiwenga: “Cde President, you personally stretched out your hand to the opposition after Zanu-PF’s July 30 landslide victory.

“But the opposition spurned that hand. You have since withdrawn the well stretched hand.

“All of us follow, principally those of us in Parliament are very happy that our Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs (Ziyambi Ziyambi), acting in his capacity as leader of the House (in Parliament), sent a clear signal of paying back the opposition in the hard coin they have tossed us. They have chosen to disrespect our leader who is the Head of State of our nation (President Mnangagwa).”

“We have no reason to handle them with the respect they have voluntarily rejected,” VP Chiwenga said to applause from delegates.

Last week, Minister Ziyambi chastised opposition parliamentarians for seeking to raise questions with Government ministers yet they chose not to recognise President Mnangagwa, who appointed the ministers.

Minister Ziyambi said ministers would only respond to questions from opposition parliamentarians once they recognise President Mnangagwa as the winner of the July 30 Presidential elections.

The MDC Alliance has, ironically, been agitating to be included in Government.

VP Chiwenga said zanu-pf stands by the President to see him attain his Vision 2030 that seeks to ensure the country attains a middle income status in 12 years’ time.

President Mnangagwa, he said, had reset the direction of the party.

UNDETTERED Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education officials continued to search for their missing colleague whose vehicle was swept away in heavy rains on Monday and ended up finding the body yesterday after police had called off the search.

Mr Richard Nyandoro, an Education Ministry accountant was travelling with Ms Samukeliso Dlamini, who was the Gwanda District Schools Inspector (DSI) when their vehicle was swept away following heavy rains on Monday evening at Mamsisi River Bridge in Ntalale Ward, Gwanda South.

Their vehicle was found by villagers on Tuesday morning along the river about 200 metres from the bridge lying on its roof.

Ms Dlamini’s body was recovered on Wednesday at around 6PM in a dam about eight kilometres from the bridge where the incident occurred as they were driving from Ntalale where they had gone on duty.

Since Monday efforts to locate Mr Nyandoro had been fruitless.

The police sub aqua unit from Bulawayo decided to abandon the search on Thursday at around 6PM after a two day search.

Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director Mr Lifias Masukume said a team comprising Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education officials, Gwanda Assistant District Administrator, community members and Nyandoro’s relatives continued with the search yesterday morning which led to recovery of the body.

A Ministry official found the body on the edge of the Mhenebolamba Dam.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said police were called to the scene.

“I can confirm that the body which was still missing has been found at the dam. Police have been alerted to attend the scene, “he said.

Ntalale Ward councillor, Mr Coster Ndlovu who spent the whole day on Thursday at the scene said police called off the search at around 6PM.

He said the sub aqua team advised villagers to visit the nearest police station if anything arose.

“I spent the whole day at the scene where the sub aqua team was conducting the search. They searched the entire dam but found nothing. As villagers we ended searching from the dam going back to the bridge where we had started.

“The sub aqua team told us that they were calling off the search as they had done their best without luck. They told villagers to visit Guyu Police Station once we discovered anything and then they will be summoned. They also tasked us as community leaders to mobilise community members to continue with the search, “he said.

Meanwhile, teachers have bemoaned the death of their colleague, Ms Dlamini.

The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association chief executive officer, Mr Sifiso Ndlovu, said it is sad that the Ministry lost the only female DSI in the province at a time when Government is advocating for gender balance through putting women in decision-making positions.

“This loss came as a blow to both Government and us because we have lost a hardworking woman who had put women on the map. This is a time when Government is advocating for gender balance through women empowerment,” he said.

Mr Ndlovu said it is the union’s desire to see more women in the Ministry taking up leadership positions.

“Ms Dlamini was a dedicated worker and l believe this incident caught her by surprise. I encourage my colleagues that as we are carrying our professional duties let’s be careful about our lives. Life lost cannot be compensated,” he said.

Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president, Dr Takavafira Zhou said the fact that the two met their fate on duty makes them academic heroes.

“We would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the education fraternity at large. Their loss is our loss and their untimely death has robbed the education sector and the nation of dedicated cadres,” said Dr Zhou.

State Media

Own Correspondent|Three Journalists, Lovejoy Mutongwiza, Tafadzwa Ufumeli and Munashe Chokodza lost Professional Cameras, Laptops, Camera Lenses, a passport and other valuable equipments to car robbers in Bulawayo last night.

STOLEN ITEMS ARE
1.Huawei MateBook X Laptop (Gold Color)

2. Canon 5D Mark 2 Body Camera

3. 100-400mm Canon Lens (White)

4. 2TB Seagate External Hard drive (Black)

5. Lenovo L570 ThinkPad laptop (black)

6. Canon 700D camera

7. ACER Aspire ES1 Laptop (black)

8. 2x 70-300mm Canon lenses.(black)

9. Lovejoy Mutongwiza’ passport.

10. 2x Canon Battery Chargers

Anyone who might come across some of these items please report to Bulawayo Central Police Station (Constable Taruvinga 0775582934,Or call Tafadzwa Ufumeli 0774212630, Lovejoy Mutongwiza 0771666865, Mbonisi 0776482666, Munashe Chokodza 0774960007)

SELF-EXILED former Manicaland Provincial Affairs Minister Mandiitawepi Chimene could be forced to abandon her Mozambican hideout anytime soon following Friday’s passing on of her 35-year-old daughter, Ellen Zimondi.

Zimondi, according to sources, had been admitted at the privately owned Murambi Gardens Clinic in Mutare over a two week period suffering from an undisclosed ailment.

In July this year, Zimondi appeared before a local magistrates’ court facing charges of impersonating Lands, Agriculture and Resettlement Minister Perence Shiri to fraudulently acquire farmland which she later sold to unsuspecting buyers.

She denied the charges.

The court heard that Zimondi claimed to be daughter to Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) boss, Paradzayi Zimondi.

But a lot of interest shall be centred on whether her once powerful mother, Chimene would finally decide to end nearly a year of self-imposed exile to attend her funeral.

The controversial former Zanu PF politician became more known for her fanatical opposition of then Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidential ambitions during former President Robert Mugabe’s rule.

During her time, Chimene, once a member of the infamous Generation 40 camp that was fiercely opposed to Mnangagwa’s succession plot, often organised solidarity marches in support of Mugabe and his wife, Grace.

She once led a war veterans splinter group after the mainstream war veterans association led by Christopher Mutsvangwa had braved a Mugabe backlash by standing firmly behind Mnangagwa’s bid to become President.

All came to a dramatic end when Mnangagwa, with the help of the military, November last year staged a coup against Mugabe, leaving his once fierce rivals at his mercy.

To save her own skin, Chimene reportedly skipped the country into neighbouring Mozambique and little of the once larger than life character has been heard since.

Zoom zim

A 19-year-old Harare man allegedly murdered his father in cold blood before he sliced off his genitals following a dispute over a debt, a Harare magistrate’s court heard Friday.

The teenager committed the heinous crime on December 12 midnight before he cut off his parent’s genitals in a bid to stage manage a ritual killing.

Basilio Simbi, who is from Glen Norah high density suburb, was hauled before Harare magistrate, Rumbidzai Mugwagwa facing murder charges.

He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to a date next year.

It is alleged that the teenager committed the heinous crime on December 12 midnight before he cut off his parent’s genitals in a bid to stage manage a ritual killing.

Court heard, on the fateful day, the two were the only ones at home when a dispute arose.

The deceased, whose name was not mentioned in court, retired to bed as usual before his son later attacked him.

It is alleged that Simbi armed himself with two knives and a scissors which he used to stab his father.

The now deceased, court was further told, tried to resist the attack but was overpowered.

Simbi only sustained a deep cut on his arm.

Court heard, after stabbing his father, Simbi used the scissors to cut off his genitals.

Prosecuting, Shepherd Makonde said Simbi then took the naked body of his father to a local primary school and dumped it at an open space near the gate.

He allegedly went back home and cleaned his weapons and soiled blankets.

The teenager then took his father’s genitals and dumped them in a storm drainage nearby.

The body of his father was discovered by passers-by the following morning.

Investigations started and when the police went to Simbi’s place for interviews, they discovered he had a deep cut on one of his arms.

After questioning, it is alleged he confessed to having killed his father.

Simbi also led the police to where he had dumped his father’s genitals, court was further told.

Correspondent|FRAUD-accused Siqokoqela Mphoko, son to former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, on Thursday appeared before a Bulawayo regional magistrate in leg irons and was remanded in custody to 21 January next year.

He is facing up to 170 counts of fraud and theft for allegedly looting a total $80 000 worth of cash and goods from some Choppies Supermarkets.

Mphoko had his $200 bail revoked last week for allegedly interfering with state witnesses in violation of his bail conditions.

A subdued Mphoko appeared before regional magistrate, Trynos Utavashe clad in a khaki prison garb and in legs irons.

The former VP’s son, who was used to lavish and comfortable life outside prison, will now spend Christmas and New Year holidays behind bars unless his application opposing the revocation of his bail pending trial succeeds.

His lawyer, Professor Welshman Ncube of Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers on Tuesday this week filed an appeal at the Bulawayo High Court challenging the revocation of bail pending trial. He cited the state as Respondent. The application is still pending hearing.

Mphoko, who is shareholder and non-executive director within the supermarket chain, is accused of abusing his powers to “loot” cash realised from sales at different supermarkets and replacing it with bank transfers.

Between July last year and June this year, Mphoko allegedly went to various Choppies supermarkets to demand varying amounts of cash, goods and services from employees without approval from the board.

He is accused of collecting cash, groceries and some building material and later ordering the chain store’s finance department to deduct the money from his salary.

Although he was not supposed to be directly involved in the day-to-day operations of Choppies, Mphoko allegedly masqueraded as the owner of the company in Zimbabwe and even allegedly threatened to either dismiss or deport employees of Indian origin for defying his orders.

Former VP Mphoko and his son on one hand are battling for control of the chain store after partners within the Botswana registered retail giant have insisted the family owned just seven percent shares in the company while the Mphokos claim they own the majority stake with 51% of the business.

The wrangle has spilled into the courts.

Correspondent|THERE is a light side to politics, as MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa showed on Twitter when one of his followers greeted him.

Chamisa had tweeted serious business regarding City of Harare’s smart schools campaign. He said: “SMART SERVICE DELIVERY.. Had a wonderful time to witness the consummation of the VISION to make Harare a world class SMART CITY by 2025.

“The Harare City Council is set to construct a SMART primary school in ward 44, Kuwadzana Extension, Harare.”

Chamisa showed he has also caught to the “stonyeni” wave after one user by the name of ‘Minister of ‘Stonyenilisation’ commented on his SMART City launch tweet.

“Good evening Mr. President,” said the weirdly named Twitter user.

Chamisa’s response:

“Minister Minister ummm ministry yenyu iyo!!”

The term ‘stonyeni’ was first coined by singer Jah Signal who has a song bearing the same title.

According to Jah Signal Stonyeni means love however some have subverted the meaning.

“He is still unwell that is why as you can see, he is not here.”

By Own Correspondent| ZimEye reveals that Zanu Pf Youth League boss Pupurai Togarepi (54) who escaped with some injuries on Thursday after a vehicle he was travelling in hit a cow and veered off the road, was nowhere to be seen at the party’s conference yesterday.

Togarepi, who together with his driver was rushed to Gweru provincial hospital where he was treated for pain in the neck and legs.

However, his driver was hospitalised at Gweru Provincial Hospital with serious injuries following the accident.

Reports indicate that the accident occured near Lalapansi, about 46km from Gweru on the Mvuma road.

Togarepi was on his way to the 17th Zanu Pf Annual People’ s Conference currently underway in Esigodini Bulawayo when the vehicle he was travelling in hit a cow and lost control before ramming into a tree.

ZimEye and other media houses noticed the man was still to be seen at the close of day yesterday. A source close to him told ZimEye, “he is still unwell that is why as you can see, he is not here.”

Meanwhile, below are the pictures of the Zanu Pf youth wing leader’s vehicle:

 

This is a developing story. More details to follow.

Refresh this page for latest updates.

 

 

ZIMBABWE is in the hands of a leader with a vision that does not need to be disturbed and President Mnangagwa will have a Constitutional mandate to serve his two full terms, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said here yesterday.

Giving his vote of thanks after the President’s keynote address, VP Chiwenga thanked the President for charting a clear course for the party.

His sentiments were echoed by national chairwoman Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri who rapped detractors who claimed there was infighting in the Presidium.

“Cde President, I rise on behalf of the entire collection of delegates to the 17th Annual National People’s Conference, to register and express this conference’s profound gratitude and heartfeltness for the directional address you have just given.

“The direction of our party is now clear than ever before. The orders from yourself as our Commander-in-Chief are as clear as daylight.

“The pace we must pursue in fulfilling your orders is well said. Equally the goals are clear and beckoning. It is now business, business, business. It is now economics, economics, economics.

“We must recover the economy, we must grow the economy. We must create jobs especially for our youth. You set vision 2030, by which our country should attain Middle Income status. The Transitional Stabilisation Programme is now underway to take us thus towards that goal.

“ . . . on behalf of all the delegates who have come from all the corners of our country, I want to thank you, Shumba Murambwi. I can say to you, from now until 2023, when the next elections fall due that you are our one and only presidential candidate.

“Our national Constitution allows you the full two terms, so you shall have so that the party, Zanu-PF, continues to draw from your wise leadership,” VP Chiwenga said.

The founding ideals, values and goals of the country’s liberation struggle, VP Chiwenga said, should not be tampered with.

“As our leader, you have reset the campus, stood up to point the direction of the national party,” said the Vice President.

“Henceforth, all feet must march and thud in unison. All eyes set on the goals yonder. None must march out of step. None must look away from the set goal.

“ . . . indeed let us all be found and abide by the highest moral code that
bequeath genuine revolutionaries.

“We in leadership must exhibit and be found very high in impeccable moral standards.”

“You underscored the need for unity and discipline in the party. And discipline means strict adherence to the party line, respecting and advancing the corrective path of the party.”

Muchinguri-Kashiri, who spoke after the VP’s vote of thanks, rapped deytractors who were spreading stories of alleged infighting in the Presidium saying they should stop trying to divide the leadership which was focused on addressing the prevailing economic challenges.

“Manzinzwa moga kuti hapana vacancy. Mazvinzwira moga kuti hapana zve infighting. Vari kuzvitaura hameno kuti muri kuzviwana kupi,” she said the deafening cheers and chants of ‘’2023 ED Pfeee’’ from the over 6 000 delegates.

‘‘Vanhu vanoda kudivider vatungamiri batai miromo yenyu, musakanganise vatungamiri vari kuda kugadzirisa nyika … ishoko guru ratinofanira kuenda naro kumisha kuti zviya zvenhema, zvekunyepa kuti kune kurwisana kuriko, kunyepa,’’ Muchinguri said to thunderous applause.

There has been a sustained campaign in certain sections of the media alleging infighting in the presidium with some claiming Vice President Chiwenga’s absence at state functions when he was recuperating was ‘‘evidence’’ of alleged discord in the Presidium.

State Media

A man from Insuza area in Matabeleland North was dumped by his lover over his excessive sexual desire which saw him demanding sex everyday.
Mqabukho Sibanda (38) from Village 2A was deserted by his lover who sensationally accused him of wanting to kill her with too much sex.
The 36-year-old woman who also claimed experienced problems with her womb as a result of Sibanda’s frequent sex romps started locking herself in her bedroom each time Sibanda came to her place.
Sibanda who apparently can’t live without sex, forcibly gained access to his estranged lover’s “secured” bedroom through the window before he forced himself on her.
He did it for a number of days until she decided to seek refuge at the headman’s homestead for a month.
When she returned to her employer’s place where she was staying alone, Sibanda came and using the same modus operandi gained access into her bedroom to sexually abuse her.
Fed up with her ex-lover’s forced sex romps, the woman reported him to the police leading to his arrest.
For the offence Sibanda appeared in court charged with rape and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment of which three years were suspended
for five years on condition that he is not convicted of a similar offence within that period.
Sibanda who pleaded not guilty but was convicted and sentenced has since appealed against the sentence saying he was “unhappy” with the
conviction while adding that there were several factors that were overlooked during trial that could
have seen him being acquitted.
Meanwhile, the script of Sibanda’s excessive love for sex, which also led to him being a guest at Khami Prison for the next seven years read as
follows: Sometime in January 2016, the complainant secured employment as a caretaker at a homestead in Village 2A before Sibanda proposed love to her and
she agreed.It was proved that from February to early December that same year, the two would occasionally engage in unprotected sex.
It is reported that towards the end of December, Sibanda started demanding sex on a daily basis until
the victim complained that she was now experiencing problems with her womb. The complainant pleaded with Sibanda to give her rest but the latter would have none of it and told her off that she was his lover and should not deny him sex.
The seemingly fed up complainant then told the accused that she was now terminating the relationship as she could no longer endure the pain
of having sex everyday.
In a desperate bid to stop Sibanda from abusing her she started locking herself inside her bedroom each time the accused came to her workplace.
Sibanda would then force himself into the complainant’s bedroom through the window and would have sex with her without her consent.
It was further proved that sometime in September last year; the complainant went to the village head
Giye Ndlovu and told him about the abuse.
The village head then summoned the accused’s relatives so as to solve the issue but they refused to come to the meeting.B-Metro

IN a tiny changing room at the back of the Large City Hall stage in Bulawayo, timeless Chimurenga music icon, Thomas Mapfumo,was a calm and collected fellow before stunning all and sundry with a non-
stop four-hour show last Saturday.
He was in a jovial mood as he was happy to be back in Bulawayo after nearly two decades.
Perhaps at the back of Mukanya’s head, he was nervous to be met by a paltry crowd as was the case at one of his last shows at the Large City Hall in 1999, but he covered that
with a wry smile.
In the packed changing room, Mukanya was surrounded by male members of his Blacks Unlimited group and the setting was like a
traditional idale/dare where male elders would converge to deliberate on serious issues. The three female singers had left the room to prepare to take to the stage.
The changing room was hot, stuffy and it was engulfed in a cloud of smoke that came from a “special cigarette” that was lodged nearly
at the tip between Mukanya’s index and middle finger of his left hand. Slumped on a chair wearing his trademark straw hat, his thumb, small and index fingers were holding
the rest of the bunch of his “special
cigarettes” in a small rectangular transparent plastic sealed bag.
The mood backstage in the dressing room was jovial and Mukanya was prepping his band, cracking one or two jokes and giving a word of advice here and there.Chronicle

By Farai D Hove| There was drama yesterday when ZANU PF delegates at the party’s conference in Esigodini broke into song declaring officially that their leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is a lonely lion in the bush.

The song was belted as follows (video) word for word: ” ED ndi-mambo, heee haa heyaa. Shumba inogara yega musango!” [ENGLISH – “ED is a King, a lion that lives alone in the bush.”]

The delegates proclaimed Mnangagwa a King, while the ma himself would in writing curiously declare a claim that he is a servant who listens to the priorities and dreams of all Zimbabweans.

VIDEO:

Said Mnangagawa after the function: “Today I addressed the 2018 ZANU-PF National People’s Conference, which is running under the theme, “Zimbabwe is Open for Business: Peace, Unity towards an Upper Middle Income Economy by 2030.”

“As the governing party, we must always strive to understand and listen to the needs, priorities and dreams of all Zimbabweans, so we can build the Zimbabwe that we all want. We must remember at all times that those who elect are masters, and those who are elected are their servants.”

Undeterred Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education officials continued to search for their missing colleague whose vehicle was swept away in heavy rains on Monday and ended up finding the body yesterday after police had called off the search.

Mr Richard Nyandoro, an Education Ministry accountant was travelling with Ms Samukeliso Dlamini, who was the Gwanda District Schools Inspector (DSI) when their vehicle was swept away following heavy rains on Monday evening at Mamsisi River Bridge in Ntalale Ward, Gwanda South.

Their vehicle was found by villagers on Tuesday morning along the river about 200 metres from the bridge lying on its roof.

Ms Dlamini’s body was recovered on Wednesday at around 6PM in a dam about eight kilometres from the bridge where the incident occurred as they were driving from Ntalale where they had gone on duty.

Since Monday efforts to locate Mr Nyandoro had been fruitless. The police sub aqua unit from Bulawayo decided to abandon the search on Thursday at around 6PM after a two day search.

Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director Mr Lifias Masukume said a team comprising Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education officials, Gwanda Assistant District Administrator, community members and Nyandoro’s relatives continued with the search yesterday morning which led to recovery of the body.

A Ministry official found the body on the edge of the Mhenebolamba Dam.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said police were called to the scene.

“I can confirm that the body which was still missing has been found at the dam. Police have been alerted to attend the scene, “he said.

Ntalale Ward councillor, Mr Coster Ndlovu who spent the whole day on Thursday at the scene said police called off the search at around 6PM.

He said the sub aqua team advised villagers to visit the nearest police station if anything arose.

“I spent the whole day at the scene where the sub aqua team was conducting the search. They searched the entire dam but found nothing. As villagers we ended searching from the dam going back to the bridge where we had started.

“The sub aqua team told us that they were calling off the search as they had done their best without luck. They told villagers to visit Guyu Police Station once we discovered anything and then they will be summoned. They also tasked us as community leaders to mobilise community members to continue with the search, “he said.

Meanwhile, teachers have bemoaned the death of their colleague, Ms Dlamini. The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association chief executive officer, Mr Sifiso Ndlovu, said it is sad that the Ministry lost the only female DSI in the province at a time when Government is advocating for gender balance through putting women in decision-making positions.

“This loss came as a blow to both Government and us because we have lost a hardworking woman who had put women on the map. This is a time when Government is advocating for gender balance through women empowerment,” he said.

Mr Ndlovu said it is the union’s desire to see more women in the Ministry taking up leadership positions.

“Ms Dlamini was a dedicated worker and l believe this incident caught her by surprise. I encourage my colleagues that as we are carrying our professional duties let’s be careful about our lives. Life lost cannot be compensated,” he said.

Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president, Dr Takavafira Zhou said the fact that the two met their fate on duty makes them academic heroes.

“We would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the education fraternity at large. Their loss is our loss and their untimely death has robbed the education sector and the nation of dedicated cadres,” said Dr Zhou.- state media

The trial of former president Robert Mugabe’s son-in-law, Simba Chikore, on charges of unlawfully detaining an employee, which was supposed to commence yesterday, has been postponed to January 24.

The State stated that they needed more time to prepare their case and that they will be ready on the said date. Chikore, who is being jointly charged with Simbarashe Mutimbe, unlawfully detained Bertha Zakeyo, a former Zimbabwe Airways employee and the reasons are unknown.

Prosecuting, Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that Chikore, who was then Zimbabwe Airways boss, connived with Mutimbe, who was also employed by the same company, and unlawfully detained Ms Zakeyo for hours, thereby depriving her of her freedom.

It is alleged the pair barred her from leaving Zimbabwe Airways offices.
The reasons for the detention are not given. -state media

A police officer from Bulawayo was yesterday dragged to the maintenance court by his ex-girlfriend who said he has never contributed anything towards their child’s upkeep.

Ms Athel Mpofu was claiming $100 from Mr Raymond Madyara. She said her ex-boyfriend was not supporting their three month old baby.

“I’m claiming child upkeep because my ex-boyfriend here has never given any support what so ever towards this child. I’ve asked him numerous times to help me get a birth certificate for the child but he gives me excuses every time,” she said.

The magistrate Ms Ulukile Mlea asked Mr Madyara to respond to what his ex-girlfriend was saying and to also state how much he was offering for the child. He produced birth certificates for his other five children.

“Well I’m married and have five other children. I can’t offer much especially now because the baby is still young. I’m only a mere police officer who has a large family to take care of so I’m offering $50.

“As for the birth certificate issue l did not refuse to assist her but l told her that when l take an off day or if l’m free we can go and get the birth certificate,” said Mr Madyara.
Ms Mpofu seemed to be shocked when she heard that Mr Madyara had five other children and hers is the sixth one.

“Your worship, I was not aware that he has other children. This is news to me and he even produced the birth certificates to prove that indeed he has other children.
All the same I’m unemployed and I need him to support his baby, that’s all I’m asking for,” said Ms Mpofu.

The magistrate ordered Mr Madyara to pay $65 as maintenance with effect from the end of the month.“This money has to be deposited into Ms Mpofu’s account and order will remain in force until the child reaches 18 years,” said the magistrate.- statw media

 

 

lols it weird hey, they have 67% majority but are still afraid of the masses??‍♂️?

— Gunz Blazing (@mthiyanebk) December 14, 2018

 

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

VIDEO BELOW…

6 Days Left, Will Mnangagwa Release Motlanthe Report?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 12, 2018

Terrence Mawawa|Dr Daniel Shumba, President of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), has reacted angrily to Mr. Frank Buyanga’s letter to the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres, asking him to consider Zimbabwe for a seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member, saying the peace and stability the country has enjoyed over the years deserves such recognition.

“I am perturbed by Mr. Buyanga’s ambitious letter not least because he seems to be oblivious to the reality of life in Zimbabwe but also he is under the mistaken impression that the transfer of power was based on consent and transparency.

Zimbabweans need the rule of law and constitutionalism before we can even think of flying our flags high to the world when at home were are concerned daily about the safety of my cash.

Mr. Buyanga wrote as follows: “Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, Africans need your support on many issues, including being able to voice their views on matters of security, those deliberated by the Security Council,” as if he has the competency and capacity on behalf of Africans.

Who gave Mr. Buyanga the right to think and express an opinion on behalf of the entire continent?

He then stated as follows: “The African Union is leaving the selection of who will represent Africa on the UN Security Council to be determined by foreigners. This, Mr Guterres, opens a gap for manipulation and only the ‘big’ countries will forever be selected to sit on this powerful council.”

The African Union is a community of member states, a point that Mr. Buyanga seems to ignore. He fails to explain in what capacity he finds it fit to poke his nose in the matter which the African Union Commission should be seized with.

Mr Buyanga opportunistically states as follows: “There is no threat to peace and security in Zimbabwe. Secretary-General, with your help and guidance we hope and trust that Zimbabwe will get the recognition it deserves,” when it is generally accepted that there can never be peace and security where there is no justice and the rule of law.

I have not heard Mr. Buyanga being vocal on matters that I think are germane in lifting Zimbabwe from its current economic mess.
We have left the future of our country to opportunistic, delusional and small-minded people like this Buyanga,”

Former Minister of Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs Webster Shamhu following proceeding at the ongoing ZANU PF Conference @263Chat @OpenParlyZw @TelegraphMail @ZimEye pic.twitter.com/8UFPIgLme5

— Munashe Adrian (@ChokoMunashe) December 14, 2018

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has told the Zanu PF Annual People’s Conference currently underway in Esigodini that he will make the Commission Of Inquiry into post election violence report next week.

“After the voting and process of announcing elections we experienced violence in Harare we condemn that violence and we then appointed a commission of inquiry.

“I have since received the report of the commission of inquiry in the post-election violence of August 2018 and I will be making it public next week..” said Mnangagwa.

LIVE VIDEO LOADING

“Pamberi neZANU PF, Pamberi naPresident Emmerson Mnangagwa!, 2023, ED!, Pasi ne mhandu!”

“The first lady of the republic of Zimbabwe, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, my dear wife, Mary, Chairman of ZANU PF, mai Oppah Muchinguri, Sec of Admin Dr Obert Mpofu….Service Chiefs, War Veterans, Detainees and War Collaborators…business leaders, delegates, students who have come to join us…ladies and genglemen. On Sept 15 1952, a child(ED) was born to a young couple…”

ZimEye brings our viewers readers and listeners LIVE coverage of the ZANU PF Conference at Esigodini.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

11.24: Delegates start singing: “ED ndimambo. Simba inogara yega musango!”

1118: He now hands over proceedings to the Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu

1114: National Political Commissar Engelbert Rugeje takes over from Hungwe. He welcomes various invited guests and delegates to the conference.

1107: Deputy National Political Commissar Omega Hungwe is directing proceedings. She invites Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi to offer a prayer.

1105: Time for the National Anthem

1104: President Mnangagwa is now at the conference venue and proceedings are commencing. We bring you live updates.

1103: Zanu PF First Secretary and President, Emmerson Mnangagwa today officially opens the party’s 17th annual National People’s Conference in Esigodini, Matabeleland South province.

The conference is running under the theme, “Zimbabwe is Open for Business: Peace, Unity towards an Upper Middle Income Economy by 2030”.

“Pamberi neZANU PF, Pamberi naPresident Emmerson Mnangagwa!, 2023, ED!, Pasi ne mhandu!”

“The first lady of the republic of Zimbabwe, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, my dear wife, Mary, Chairman of ZANU PF, mai Oppah Muchinguri, Sec of Admin Dr Obert Mpofu….Service Chiefs, War Veterans, Detainees and War Collaborators…business leaders, delegates, students who have come to join us…ladies and genglemen. On Sept 15 1952, a child(ED) was born to a young couple…”

ZimEye brings our viewers readers and listeners LIVE coverage of the ZANU PF Conference at Esigodini.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

11.24: Delegates start singing: “ED ndimambo. Simba inogara yega musango!”

1118: He now hands over proceedings to the Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu

1114: National Political Commissar Engelbert Rugeje takes over from Hungwe. He welcomes various invited guests and delegates to the conference.

1107: Deputy National Political Commissar Omega Hungwe is directing proceedings. She invites Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi to offer a prayer.

1105: Time for the National Anthem

1104: President Mnangagwa is now at the conference venue and proceedings are commencing. We bring you live updates.

1103: Zanu PF First Secretary and President, Emmerson Mnangagwa today officially opens the party’s 17th annual National People’s Conference in Esigodini, Matabeleland South province.

The conference is running under the theme, “Zimbabwe is Open for Business: Peace, Unity towards an Upper Middle Income Economy by 2030”.

“Pamberi neZANU PF, Pamberi naPresident Emmerson Mnangagwa!, 2023, ED!, Pasi ne mhandu!”

“The first lady of the republic of Zimbabwe, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, my dear wife, Mary, Chairman of ZANU PF, mai Oppah Muchinguri, Sec of Admin Dr Obert Mpofu….Service Chiefs, War Veterans, Detainees and War Collaborators…business leaders, delegates, students who have come to join us…ladies and genglemen. On Sept 15 1952, a child(ED) was born to a young couple…”

ZimEye brings our viewers readers and listeners LIVE coverage of the ZANU PF Conference at Esigodini.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

11.24: Delegates start singing: “ED ndimambo. Simba inogara yega musango!”

1118: He now hands over proceedings to the Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu

1114: National Political Commissar Engelbert Rugeje takes over from Hungwe. He welcomes various invited guests and delegates to the conference.

1107: Deputy National Political Commissar Omega Hungwe is directing proceedings. She invites Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi to offer a prayer.

1105: Time for the National Anthem

1104: President Mnangagwa is now at the conference venue and proceedings are commencing. We bring you live updates.

1103: Zanu PF First Secretary and President, Emmerson Mnangagwa today officially opens the party’s 17th annual National People’s Conference in Esigodini, Matabeleland South province.

The conference is running under the theme, “Zimbabwe is Open for Business: Peace, Unity towards an Upper Middle Income Economy by 2030”.

Vice President Kembo Mohadi was curiously absent when President Emmerson Mnangagwa landed in Bulawayo on Thursday – triggering fresh speculation about his health.

Mohadi’s Matabeleland South Province is hosting the annual Zanu PF conference in Esigodini, and as the most senior official in the province, the former Beitbridge East MP was expected to receive Mnangagwa at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.

Instead, it was Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who welcomed Mnangagwa to Bulawayo when he landed some 20 minutes ahead of his appointed time of landing.

The ailing Mohadi, 69, spent over a month in South Africa after suffering leg injuries when a bomb exploded during a Zanu PF rally at White City Stadium in Bulawayo on June 23 this year.

Nick Mangwana, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, said he had no information on Mohadi’s whereabouts but promised to check with his office. He had not responded to our enquiry by the time of publication.

The annual Zanu PF conference is taking place at Mzingwane High School in Esigodini.

Mohadi, as the most senior Zanu PF leader in the host province, is expected to take centre stage.

“It’s his moment in the sun, which makes it highly unusual that he would fail to welcome Mnangagwa at the airport,” a senior Zanu PF official told ZimLive.

The Zanu PF conference began with a Zanu PF politburo meeting in Harare on December 11, which Mohadi attended, followed by a central committee meeting on December 12 at the party’s headquarters.

Mnangagwa will make his first appearance in Esigodini on Friday, with the party’s 3,000 delegates set to deliberate into Saturday afternoon.

– ZimLive

ZimEye brings our viewers readers and listeners LIVE coverage of the ZANU PF Conference at Esigodini.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

11.24: Delegates start singing: “ED ndimambo. Simba inogara yega musango!”

1118: He now hands over proceedings to the Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu

1114: National Political Commissar Engelbert Rugeje takes over from Hungwe. He welcomes various invited guests and delegates to the conference.

1107: Deputy National Political Commissar Omega Hungwe is directing proceedings. She invites Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi to offer a prayer.

1105: Time for the National Anthem

1104: President Mnangagwa is now at the conference venue and proceedings are commencing. We bring you live updates.

1103: Zanu PF First Secretary and President, Emmerson Mnangagwa today officially opens the party’s 17th annual National People’s Conference in Esigodini, Matabeleland South province.

The conference is running under the theme, “Zimbabwe is Open for Business: Peace, Unity towards an Upper Middle Income Economy by 2030”.

MDC-Alliance faces a potential split, with party leader Mr Nelson Chamisa set to preside over two high-level meetings today in a drive to have his deputy, Mr Elias Mudzuri, expelled. At least 220 party districts are said to have resolved to have Mr Mudzuri fired ahead of next year’s party congress for harbouring presidential ambitions.

This comes in the wake of reports that MDC-Alliance’s deputy treasurer and Kuwadzana East Member of Parliament Mr Chalton Hwende had allegedly threatened to shoot party secretary-general Mr Douglas Mwonzora.

Mr Hwende, a Chamisa ally, was reportedly miffed by Mr Mwonzora’s declaration that Mr Chamisa could be challenged at the party’s congress next year. Mr Hwende could not be reached on his mobile phone for comment last night.

Mr Mwonzora said he could not recall such an incident.

Party sources said Mr Hwende openly threatened to shoot Mr Mwonzora for “derailing” Mr Chamisa. Mr Chamisa has been accused in the past of using the notorious militia, the Vanguard, to silence his opponents.

Another allegation against Mr Mudzuri is that he attended a function at State House without Mr Chamisa’s “consent”. He survived expulsion last week after he failed to attend a standing committee meeting for unexplained reasons.

‘‘It is end of the road for (Mr) Mudzuri,’’ a source said. ‘‘The president (Mr Chamisa) is going for broke and the process of eliminating his rivals has begun in earnest. (Mr) Mudzuri is the first target and (Mr) Mwonzora is likely to follow. Remember (Mr) Hwende threatened to kill (Mr) Mwonzora and it is becoming clear that the Chamisa camp is worried about the inroads that (Mr) Mwonzora has been making in the race for the party’s top job.’’

Another source said Mr Mudzuri was being used as a warning to Mr Chamisa’s potential rivals.

‘‘This is not so much about (Mr) Mudzuri but (Mr) Mwonzora and those who are secretly canvassing for support at next year’s congress,” said the source. ‘‘You should know that (Mr) Chamisa has never really considered (Mr) Mudzuri as a threat but (Mr) Mwonzora. So what we are seeing is (Mr) Chamisa firing warning shots at the likes of (Mr) Mwonzora.’

Today’s meetings, one for the national executive and the other for the national council, will be held at the party’s Harvest House headquarters.

The fissures in the opposition are in sharp contrast to the ruling Zanu-PF which is holding its 17th Annual People’s Conference at Mzingwane High School in Esigodini, Matabeleland South, with a heightened unity of purpose.

President Mnangagwa has said the ruling party’s conference will focus on the country’s new investment trajectory towards attainment of his vision to turn Zimbabwe into an upper middle income economy by 2030.

Party organs have already endorsed President Mnangagwa as the party’s candidate for the 2023 polls to ensure leadership stability and policy consistency.

In the opposition camp, Mr Mwonzora and allies have indicated they want congress held in February next year but Mr Chamisa and his camp insist that it should take place later in October.

Sources in the opposition said Mr Mudzuri’s fate in the party was sealed when he recently accompanied Parliament’s presiding officers to State House where they met President Mnangagwa. This was against a standing party directive not to recognise the Head of State and Government.

Mr Mudzuri, as leader of opposition party in the Senate, accompanied Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda and Senate President Mabel Chinomona when they went to formally introduce themselves soon after their election.

“The issue of (Mr) Mudzuri is definitely coming up for discussion in our meeting tomorrow (today). We have a national executive and a national council meeting. Decisive action has to be taken. At least 220 districts have resolved that he be fired. They expressed a vote of no confidence in him. What is likely going to happen is that he will either be fired on the basis of a no confidence vote or we will constitute a disciplinary tribunal,” said the source.

“Either way you look at it, (Mr) Mudzuri is gone. In fact, he expelled himself by defying the party directive.”

Another source said Mr Mudzuri could be stripped of the vice-presidency.

“We are exploring various options. One is to expel him. Another one would be to weaken him by demoting him to an ordinary card-carrying member,” said the source.

-State Media

Government met striking doctors yesterday and urged them to resume work as some of their grievances had been addressed. Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo met the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association, the Health Service Board (HSB), the Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZIMA) and the Apex Council.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting in Harare, Dr Moyo said grievances that had been addressed by Government included the issue of car loans and availability of medicines.

“Medicines have been received and they are at NatPharm ready for distribution to all health centres around the country. We have given an instruction that NatPharm should distribute medicines to all health institutions,” Dr Moyo said.

“Transportation of our workers has been looked into, starting with fuel. We have put fuel arrangements in place at all health institutions that have fuel tanks, for example at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Harare Central Hospital and Mpilo Central Hospital,” he said.

“We even went to the extent of asking for our doctors and critical healthcare workers to be exempted from queues so that they can go and provide essential services and look after the patients. Car loans have also been looked into. Out of $10 million, we received $4 million and we are looking at the balance. Cars will be given to our health workers soon,” he said.

Dr Moyo said some issues were impossible to finalise at ministry level, like cost of living adjustments. These would be handled at a meeting covering all civil servants. Dr Moyo said ZIMA had also urged junior doctors to go back to work.

“We are one team being led by the Minister of Health, who is myself. We all have to push for the same agenda. We all have to make sure that whatever we do, we are a team. We are all fighting so that the department gets everything that is relevant. We all want to make sure that our healthcare workers benefit. We all want the patients to be looked after. The most important thing is that we must not lose any more lives,” he said.

ZIMA secretary-general Dr Sacrifice Chirisa said the demand for payment in American dollars by the doctors had been scrapped off after they considered the economic situation in the country.

“We have negotiated starting with the US dollars request and those have been removed. We are happy with the negotiations that have taken place so far. I think we are in a positive direction and we are expecting a positive response from our counterparts. Negotiations have been fruitful and tough and we are making sure that by Christmas we would have full services without any disturbances. Some of the issues will be discussed in due course,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association promised to make a statement today.

-State Media

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

Jane Mlambo| Zanu PF National Chairperson, Oppah Muchinguri has admitted that the party primary elections exposed sharp divisions in the ruling party.

Addressing the Zanu PF Annual Conference in Esigodini yesterday, Muchinguri said the party was shaken during primary elections. This is amid suspicions that a residue of the G40 faction is still haunting the ruling party to this day.

“We had our primary elections where people were shaken a bit and this is the time to forget the past and strengthen the party as well as celebrate our victory in the harmonised elections,” said Muchinguri.

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has revealed that one of his top aides demanded R5 million from a prospective South African investor, reflecting the challenge he faces to rid his administration of graft that had become endemic under his predecessor, Robert Mugabe.
Mnangagwa made the stunning disclosure while addressing central committee members on Wednesday.

He said his “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra has been appealing to foreign investors because it sends a message that things have changed, but corrupt activities have spiked, with some party and government officials charging investors money to facilitate meetings with him and government ministers.

“I have introduced the ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ policy and it has been attractive, informing investors that we have opened up the country for business and changed on the way we were doing our things,” Mnangagwa said.

“This has generated interest among investors. They have been coming, wanting to do business in the country, but other people are now asking huge amounts of money from them to facilitate meetings with the President and ministers.”

He added: “Some people say to the investors, ‘before I take you to the President or minister, pay me some money’. I have been told that one investor was charged R5 million to come see me.”

“The investor was told that three quarters of the money would go to the President and the (fourth) quarter will be given to the person who will fix the meeting. When I eventually met the investor in South Africa, he told me that he had been asked to pay R5 million to meet me. Corruption, corruption, corruption, down with corruption!” Mnangagwa barked.

The southern African country is rated as one of the most corrupt on the planet, occupying 157th out of 180 countries in the 2017 ranking by watchdog Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.

Mnangagwa told ruling party officials that corruption was ravaging government and immediate action was needed to clean up the country’s investment climate.

“If you shun corruption, you will stay and stay with us in the party, but if you are corrupt, you will be fired,” he warned.

Mnangagwa took over power in a coup in November 2017 before winning the disputed July 30 election against opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa who says the vote was stolen.

He set up an anti-corruption unit based in his office, but its credibility has been tainted by allegations that it targets Mnangagwa’s political foes, mostly members of the G40 faction aligned to Mugabe’s wife, Grace.

Mnangagwa has pledged to fight corruption in his “second republic”, and several former ministers who served under Mugabe have been charged with corruption.

Former Energy minister Samuel Undenge has been convicted of issuing a $12 650 contract without due tender to a company that did no work, and was sentenced to four years in prison. He has appealed both the conviction and the sentence.

Former ministers Walter Mzembi, Ignatius Chombo, David Parirenyatwa and Saviour Kasukuwere all have pending cases before the courts, in what analysts view as a crackdown on officials loyal to Mugabe.

-Newsday

GOVERNMENT is taking advantage of fuel queues to pounce on vehicle owners who have failed to regularise their licenses, Transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza has said.

Matiza told NewsDay yesterday that government would be deploying officers from the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) to flush out unregistered vehicles.

“People were given a deadline and those that complied have no reason to be scared. We are after those that have failed to regularise their licenses as required by the law. Beginning today (yesterday), we will have officers inspecting all fuel queues to check vehicle registration and related issues,” he said.

Government, according to officials, is already in the process of deregistering over 130 000 vehicles whose owners have defaulted in paying licence fees over the last two years to July this year.

Fuel shortages have triggered snaking queues across the country as motorists spend hours on end waiting for deliveries of the precious liquid. Government has, however, blamed hoarding for the shortages.

Matiza said some of the cars targeted for deregistration were being used for hoarding fuel.

“The latest move will also help us deal with those using unregistered vehicles as conduits to hoard fuel for resale on the black market,” he said.

Matiza said his ministry was working on robust implementation of the Zimbabwe Integrated Transport Management System (Zimtis).

“Technology is the way to go, and for us, it’s work in progress. The idea of having to trail every car, which at times results in anarchy, will end soon. We are working on Zimtis, and all our key departments, including from sister ministries, are working on this. Zimtis brings together key departments like the Zimbabwe National Road Administration, Road Motor Transport, the police, VID and others in an integrated system that will help us deal with all this chaos,” Matiza said.

The chaos on the country’s roads has been blamed for many fatalities caused by vehicles that are not roadworth as well as by unregistered cars and unlicensed drivers. There has also been a marked increase in the chaos following the withdrawal of traffic police in the wake of Operation Restore Legacy in November last year.

-News

 

GOVERNMENT is taking advantage of fuel queues to pounce on vehicle owners who have failed to regularise their licenses, Transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza has said.

Matiza told NewsDay yesterday that government would be deploying officers from the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) to flush out unregistered vehicles.

“People were given a deadline and those that complied have no reason to be scared. We are after those that have failed to regularise their licenses as required by the law. Beginning today (yesterday), we will have officers inspecting all fuel queues to check vehicle registration and related issues,” he said.

Government, according to officials, is already in the process of deregistering over 130 000 vehicles whose owners have defaulted in paying licence fees over the last two years to July this year.

Fuel shortages have triggered snaking queues across the country as motorists spend hours on end waiting for deliveries of the precious liquid. Government has, however, blamed hoarding for the shortages.

Matiza said some of the cars targeted for deregistration were being used for hoarding fuel.

“The latest move will also help us deal with those using unregistered vehicles as conduits to hoard fuel for resale on the black market,” he said.

Matiza said his ministry was working on robust implementation of the Zimbabwe Integrated Transport Management System (Zimtis).

“Technology is the way to go, and for us, it’s work in progress. The idea of having to trail every car, which at times results in anarchy, will end soon. We are working on Zimtis, and all our key departments, including from sister ministries, are working on this. Zimtis brings together key departments like the Zimbabwe National Road Administration, Road Motor Transport, the police, VID and others in an integrated system that will help us deal with all this chaos,” Matiza said.

The chaos on the country’s roads has been blamed for many fatalities caused by vehicles that are not roadworth as well as by unregistered cars and unlicensed drivers. There has also been a marked increase in the chaos following the withdrawal of traffic police in the wake of Operation Restore Legacy in November last year.

-News

 

ZANU PF’S 17th national people’s conference kicks off today in Esigodini, Matabeleland South province, with the party seeking to deal with indiscipline and intolerance amid reports that a section of disgruntled officials could protest against certain individuals seen as economic saboteurs.

In an interview yesterday, party spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said although law enforcement agents will be in attendance to deal with such issues, they expected delegates to observe discipline.

There are reports that some elements could register their frustrations over the deteriorating economic conditions through a demonstration at the conference.

“It’s the responsibility of the law enforcement agents to deal with such, but I have not heard about any planned demonstration,” Khaya Moyo said.

“We expect delegates to maintain discipline, and if there are people who might try to cause chaos, then the law enforcement agents should take care of that,” he said, adding that it is all systems go for the conference.

“We are set, today [yesterday] is travelling day, and we expect delegates to travel safely. Also, those in charge of their travelling must travel safely and avoid accidents. We expect that by evening [yesterday] all delegates will be here.”

The conference, which began with a politburo and central committee meetings in Harare, is expected to discuss the economy and other related issues.

“When we say Zimbabwe is one for business in peace and unity towards a middle income economy by 2030, obviously we will be concentrating on the economy, and the quicker it picks up, naturally we expect people’s lives to improve,” Khaya Moyo said.

Besides the economy, Khaya Moyo said they would talk about infrastructure development, food security and beneficiation of natural resources.

Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu said they expect delegates to be disciplined and avoid being caught up in alleged plots to demonstrate and cause public humiliation of certain top leaders.

Security remained on high alert, with soldiers and police making patrols kilometres away from the venue.

Villagers expressed mixed feelings about the conference, with others saying they were grateful to Zanu PF leadership for coming to their area because it had witnessed massive infrastructure transformation, while others said their livelihood, mainly gold panning, was being affected by the tight security.

“We are happy that the conference is happening in our area. We are vendors and we expect business to boom. We sell tomatoes and vegetables and people are buying in bulk. And because of that, we are generating profit,” Esnath Mpofu, a vendor at one of the growth points, said.

“We are also happy in that there is development in our area in the form of new roads, tarred roads and improved lighting, especially in Habane. The most important thing is that there is improved security and because of that, the crime rate has dropped and the illegal panners are being kept at bay.

“They usually cause a lot of problems, but they are being kept on check. We feel relieved about that, and we are living in peace.”

On the other hand, male villagers said almost 90% of the people in Esigodini area survive on gold mining activities, hence suspension of their work affects them in a negative way.

“Of course, we are happy that the President is coming to our area and he will see for himself the situation in our area. We need him to support our gold mining activities, but more importantly, and if we have the chance, we would want to share with him our problems.

“As they deliberate, we just don’t expect them to merry, but to come up with resolutions that take the country forward. We are really suffering, and this has forced many people into gold panning. However, that has been affected by the huge deployment of security forces who do not allow such things to take place,” another villager said.

NewsDay