Jane Mlambo| Fresh details on the cause of the Rusape bus disaster that claimed 47 lives yesterday evening, have emerged.

According to Acting Officer Commanding Rusape District Isaac Gowe, who spoke to ZBC News this morning, the accident occurred when the two buses side swiped, and not a head-on collision as widely reported on social media.

Gowe added that 40 people died on the spot, 5 died on their way to hospital last night, while 2 more passed on this morning, bringing the death toll to 47.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Joel Biggie Matiza and Manicaland Minister of State Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba have visited the Rusape bus accident scene today.

A command centre has since been set up at Rusape General Hospital following the Rusape bus accident which has so far claimed 47 lives.

The hospital has been overwhelmed this morning as relatives visit to identify their relatives.

It has been clarified that when the media put the death toll at 47 last night, the figure actually stood at 45.

According to Acting Officer Commanding Rusape District Isaac Gowe, who spoke to ZBC News this morning, 40 people died on the spot, 5 died on their way to hospital last night, while 2 more passed on this morning, bringing the death toll to 47.

It has also been clarified that the accident occurred when the two buses side swiped, and not a head-on collision.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families of the tragedy on the Harare-Mutare Road last night pic.twitter.com/z7YUJ2SWtA

— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) November 8, 2018

The accident that has claimed lives in Rusape is very sad and shocking. We have lost our loved ones and we must mourn as a nation. This is a dark day for #Zimbabwe. May they all rest in peace.

— Raj Modi (@RModiByoSouth) November 7, 2018

I would like to convey my condolences to the bereaved families after the unfortunate bus accident in Rusape which claimed 47 lives. May they be comforted & strengthened through this trying time. I urge all drivers to be cautious & more so especially as we enter the festive season

— Dr. Nkosana Moyo (@DrNkosana) November 8, 2018

My prayers are with the bereaved families & friends who have lost their loved ones in the #RusapeBusAccident.It’s saddening.I pray for the injured to get well soon. Gvt must move in to assist all the injured and deceased’s families during this trying time.R.I.P our dear departed!

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) November 8, 2018

An adopted son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Abhallha Mone Moussa Moummare has engaged a local lawyer to challenge his continued detention at Harare Remand Prison where he has been held for five years without trial.

Top lawyer, Charles Warara yesterday confirmed that he had been engaged by Moummare to challenge his detention after he fled the oil-rich country at the height of a civil war in 2011.

“Yes, I have been engaged to assist him to seek legal recourse as he had been on remand for many years and whatever his case is, it should come to an end,” Warara said.

Gaddafi was deposed from power and killed in 2011 after the popular Arab Spring uprising which swept across the North African Arab region.

In July this year, Moummare approached the High Court on a self-representation basis challenging his continued detention.

“I have requested that he be brought to the High Court today, so that I could talk to him and be able to represent him with a full understanding of his case. I have not yet talked to him other than seeing his papers that narrate his case. I will need to get his word so that we can get on the matter,” Warara stated.

According to his handwritten High Court application, which was then forwarded to Warara for legal assistance, Moummare said he came to Zimbabwe because his father had a good relationship with the country’s leadership.

“I left Libya after the assassination of my father in 2011 to seek asylum and protection in Zimbabwe due to the good relationship between Libya and Zimbabwe,” he wrote in the application.

Moummare said when he arrived in the country in April 2014, he presented himself to authorities with the hope that he would be taken to a refugee camp.

But instead, he was taken to the remand prison and no charges have been levelled against him so far.

NewsDay

Correspondent|ZIMBABWE’S leading brewer has said the government dithering over a controversial tax on money transfers has led to panic buying of beer and a disruption in fuel supplies, overshadowing a bumper six-month period of sales.

Delta Beverages, which has the world’s biggest brewer as its largest shareholder, said business confidence has been undermined in the country by “conflicting statements from authorities”.

The shortage of fuel has disrupted deliveries while a surge in demand has made the market unpredictable, it said in a results presentation on Wednesday.

Finance minister Mthuli Ncube introduced the levy last month to help repair stretched state finances, only for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to announce a rethink after a wave of panic buying and a rise in basic-commodity prices.

Foreign-exchange shortages and austerity measures have also hurt consumers yet to see signs of an economic revival after the ouster of Robert Mugabe a year ago.

Delta’s performance in the six months to the end of September benefited from the optimistic mood that characterised the election period, with lager sales jumping 54% to $187m. Volumes passed their historical peak in 2012-2013, with sorghum beer production also rising.

— Source Bloomberg

A LOCAL traditional leader in Masvingo on Tuesday took advantage of the signing ceremony of the Great Zimbabwe Preservation Project — where the United States donated $475 000 — to beg the superpower to remove sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Chief Murinye (pictured), who had been asked to give a vote of thanks after the donation made through US ambassador Brian Nichols, appealed to the diplomat to inform President Donald Trump to lift the economic embargo on Zimbabwe.

“I thank you for the donation. The monuments fall under my jurisdiction and it is my ancestors who built it. However, I beg you to go and tell President Trump to remove sanctions on Zimbabwe,” he said.

During the ceremony earlier on, Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Ezra Chadzamira had also said if the US was really sincere with Zimbabwe, then it should make wholesale concessions.

“Let us be guided by the desire for our two countries to create a better world for our people. This is the environment which will make our monuments safe and protected. In the event that we disagree on other issues, let us be guided by this medical principle: you can cut a limb to save life. You cannot take away life to save a limp. May your assistance to the Great Zimbabwe monuments today be symbolic of broader participation by the US in the realisation of the President of Zimbabwe’s vision of making our country an upper middle economy by 2030,” Chadzamira said.

US Ambassador Brian Nichols with Masvingo Provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamira Nichols, in his speech had, however, reiterated that the US was committed to assisting Zimbabwe.

“Our presence in Zimbabwe continues to be a sign of the American people’s friendship and commitment to Zimbabwe. We are also building a new embassy modelled on the great Zimbabwe monuments. Our project has injected more than $14 million into the Zimbabwean economy and employed 1 200 locals. We have an unwavering commitment to the people and culture of Zimbabwe and the friendship between our two peoples,” Nichols said.

World Monuments Fund programme director for sub-Saharan Africa Stephen Battle, said he was grateful for the trust bestowed on them by the country to preserve the site.

“We are grateful for the US embassy and the people of the US for the generous support for this project. I would also like to thank the people of Zimbabwe for the trust they placed in us to carry out this project. We understand the significance of the Great Zimbabwe Monuments for the people of Zimbabwe, and I pledge it will be treated with the care and respect it deserves,” he said.

GWERU City Council management has put forward an expenditure of $660 000 to go towards the purchase of all-terrain 4×4 vehicles for top officials and a posh. $150,000 Mercedes-Benz for mayor Josiah Makombe.

The itemised expenditures are included in the 2019 budget submission presented to thematic committees and key stakeholders by the finance director Edgar Mwedzi this week. Management intends to buy six all-terrain 4×4 vehicles — at $85 000 each — for the five department heads, Mwedzi (Finance), Sam Sekenhamo (Health Services), Shingirayi Tigere (Housing and Community Services) and Robson Manase (Engineering Services) as well as town clerk Elizabeth Gwatipedza and chamber secretary Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe.

Council also intends to purchase a Mercedes Benz C class for mayor Makombe at a cost of $150 000.

Gwatipedza confirmed the plans and said since appointment in 2016, she and the city council directors have not been given brand new vehicles, which were part of their conditions of service.

“Yes, the plan is to include purchase of the vehicles in the 2019 budget. Gweru city recruited directors in 2016 and since then, no vehicles were purchased for them. As you may be aware, before April 2016, it was only the director of finance who was substantive,” she said.

Gweru Residents Forum chairperson Charles Mazorodze, however, immediately shot back at the plans to spend big on the vehicles, saying council must prioritise service delivery problems bedevilling the city.

“The proposed purchase of a luxurious mayoral Benz C Class to the tune of $150 000 for mayor Makombe and six 4×4 vehicles for city directors is an insult to residents, especially considering the serious financial crisis of revenue income at council. The plans come at a time when the road network system is in a deplorable state and the traffic lights in the central business district are all not working,” he said.

“The city is grappling with the typhoid outbreak and the rehabilitation of the public toilet systems is at its low in the city. Water and sewer services need serious funding to resuscitate them. These are areas where money must be channelled to instead of the cars.” He said it was better to channel the money towards purchase of more skip bins to tackle the erratic garbage collection problem in suburbs.

Makombe, however, told Southern Eye that the proposed purchases were still being discussed at management level, but he also expressed concern over such extravagance.

“We are yet to sit down with councillors to deliberate on those figures, but there is no way we can buy cars at such expensive prices. Our priorities as of now are water and service delivery for our residents,” he said.

“I think the planned cost of a car for my use is too much. I do not even think a Merc will do for a mayor who is not executive. What is needed is a car to use, but not an expensive one.”

He rubbished reports that council management intended to pamper him with the vehicle so he would not fight the plans to purchase the vehicles.

“I am principled and I will not go that route if that is what they think. I will put service delivery first, and above all, I have my own cars and so I cannot be enticed by one,” he said.

Cecil Zvidzai, the MDC Alliance national secretary for local government, declined to comment on the matter, but indicated that he would engage the councillors and management as “an interested stakeholder”.

The proposed 2019 budget is pegged at $44 million. Gweru is financially crippled and between January and August this year managed to collect $12 080 149 out of a targeted $38 533 380.

— NewsDay

Correspondent|POLICE last night arrested former Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) commissioner-general Gershem Pasi over criminal abuse of office.

“I can confirm that Pasi has been arrested. He is likely to appear in court tomorrow (today).

“He is being charged with contravening section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as a public officer,” police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told announced last night.

Pasi was suspended in April 2016 after allegations of corruption involving vehicle imports. He eventually quit the tax agency in May last year.

Disgruntled members of the Mpilo Hospital Doctors Association (MHDA) have indicated that they are slowly losing faith in their employer and threatened to take industrial action over a cocktail of grievances one of which is payment of their salaries in ‘greenbacks’ (United States dollars)
In a press statement released by MHDA information desk, the medical practitioners said after previous engagements and fake promises they were giving their employer a warning of industrial action.

“It is with a heavy heart that the association notes disappointing and delaying tactics employed by our principals in addressing what is visibly an urgent national health crisis. Sadly the health sector, which handles life and death matters in the new dispensation, is still stuck in the nostalgia of the old dispensation where uncertainty, opaqueness and ‘wait and see’ approaches were the order of the old day.

The health sector is still forgotten and forsaken, in light of this and the following intensive discussions with our members, we have seen it appropriate to give our employer a warning of collective job action in the form of a strike. The prime objective is to motivate the ministry into reorienting and adapting itself to the new and unpleasant realities hovering over the health sector.

We take no pleasure or pride in engaging in strikes but it is the only disposable weapon that our principal can only understand,” read part of the statement.

The association cited several factors that needed attention and the list include transport allowance and housing allowance which they say should be revised to match the current economic status quo.

The doctors also demand the government to pay their salaries in foreign currency preferably United States dollars to match the current market environment.

“In the spirit of transparency and inclusiveness, we would like to inform our members that the majority of us seem to be geared for a strike come Real time Gross settlement (RTGS) payment day, for RTGS is an insult considering that December is coming and hospitals would be packed to the brim. We deserve better,” read the press statement.

The doctors want clarity in what the Health ministry is planning in regard to maintaining constant supply of hospital consumables. They also demand the government to address the issue pertaining to private pharmacies who are charging drugs only in United States Dollars which is beyond the reach of most patients.

Meanwhile the Zimbabwe Nurses Association has joined the doctors who are demanding the payment of their salaries in greenbacks to match the current economic hardships.

M&T

NINE surviving spouses and three guardians of the June 2017 horror accident involving a King Lion bus along the Harare-Chirundu Highway have filed a $2,2 million compensation lawsuit from the bus company and its insurers.

The accident occurred on June 17, 2017 and claimed 43 lives passengers after the bus driver failed to negotiate a sharp curve. The cross-border bus was heading to Lusaka, Zambia.

Through their lawyers Macheyo Law Chambers c/o Dzimba Jaravaza and Partners, the victims’ surviving spouses issued summons on October 26, 2018 citing the bus company and NicozDiamond Insurance as respondents.

Both the bus operator and the insurance company are yet to enter appearances to defend.

In their combined declaration, the victims’ relatives claimed the late bus driver, Jimson Ruzvidzo, drove negligently, resulting in the accident at the 257km peg.

Among those who were killed in the accident were Tinos Mashayanyika, Francis Chivaraidze, Shorai Ngazviipe, Thompson Mupanga, Marcus Mukonowatsauka, Coaster Saimani, Patrick Nyika, Maggie Nzuma, Naomi Jimu, Constance Gandanzara and Brenda Chiota.

“The late Jimson Ruzvidzo drove the bus in a negligent manner in that he continued to drive the bus while the wheel was under-inflated. He even continued to drive the bus when the wheel had failed, causing the wheel to be extensively damaged,” the application read.

“He ought to have realised that the wheel was under-inflated. Even worse, he ought to have realised that the wheel had failed. He also overloaded the bus. The bus had a carrying capacity of 65 passengers, but it had 90 passengers some of whom were standing and sitting in the passage and steps at the doorway.”

The plaintiffs further said on the day in question, the bus was speeding, causing the driver to fail to negotiate a curve.

“He failed to keep the bus under proper control or to stop it when the accident seemed imminent. The deceased persons were bread winners of the surviving spouses and their children,” they said.

“The plaintiffs (surviving spouses) claim compensation in the form of delictual or edictal damages from the defendants (King Lion and NicozDiamond). The first defendant (King Lion) is being sued in its capacity as the employee of the late Ruzvidzo and it is vicariously liable for the negligence of its employee, who was in the course of his duties when he was involved in this accident.

“The second defendant (NicozDiamond) is the insurer of the first defendant and is liable in terms of statutes to compensate dependants of the deceased passengers. All the plaintiffs claim for compensation in the form of delictual or edictal damages for themselves and their minor children from both the defendants jointly and severally one paying the other to be absolved. They also claim for interest at the prescribed rate from date of judgement to date of payment in full. They also claim costs of suit. The grand total claimed by all the plaintiff is $2 225 692.”

NewsDay

Correspondent|Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa has described William Gerald Mutumanje, also known as Acie Lumumba, as a desperado and an insane person whom people must not give too much attention to. In a heated exchange on Twitter, Lumumba retorted: “I also once helped your desperate daughter at my apartment…”

Said Temba Mliswa: “The continued public and political infatuation with Acie Lumumba s theatrics is very disturbing for us as a people. It speaks to a defective society that we have become.”

“The guy is not normal, and I blame all those who are continuously dealing and infatuated with him for the mess. I have always been on record questioning his sanity.”

Mliswa said he once met the stranded Lumumba loitering around OR Tambo airpot in Johannesburg, South Africa and assisted him with transport fares.

“I once assisted the guy at OR Tambo airport whilst he was looking for money to go back home and he was looking like a destitute at a marketplace.”

Replying to @TembaMliswa
The guy is not normal and I blame all those who are continually dealing and infatuated with him for the mess. I have always been on record questioning his sanity.

@TembaMliswa
I once assisted the guy at OR Tambo airport whilst he was looking for money to go back home and he was looking like a destitute at a marketplace.

Mutumanje was last month briefly and irregularly appointed as the head of a communications taskforce in the Finance ministry.

Replying to @TembaMliswa
I once assisted the guy at OR Tambo airport whilst he was looking for money to go back home and he was looking like a destitute at a marketplace.

@acielumumba
I have also assisted your daughter at my apartment whilst she was looking for rent money, she was looking like a destitute. Before you look after grown men, why not look after your children? Happy to name her for you if you want kuti mutaure naye, it’s the lawyer.

Ncube was later pressured to sack him after he made staggering allegations on Facebook, on supposed illegal foreign currency dealings at the central bank – claims which shook Zanu-PF and the government to their core.

In that social media blast, Mutumanje named the four senior RBZ officials and Tagwirei as being at the centre of illegal foreign currency dealings- leading to the precautionary suspension of the central bank executives by governor John Mangudya.

In a leaked recorded voice message, Mutumanje revealed seemingly nonchalantly that he had ‘sold his soul to the devil’ by accepting the money- which he claimed he needed desperately to send his ailing father for treatment in India.

Correspondent|TOP Harare lawyer and civil rights activist, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere has taken it upon herself to seek clarification from Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube on what President Emmerson Mnangagwa really meant when he said we must take the pain.

Here below is Mahere’s letter:

Dear Mthuli Ncube

My question is to do with the meaning of ‘taking the pain.’
1. Does it cover Presidential travel – eg use of Swiss jets vs Air Zim?
2. Does it include endless foreign trips by Govt that cost the fiscus?
3. Does it only apply to citizens?

Addressing a Professional Women, Women Executives and Business Women Forum (Proweb) breakfast meeting in October Mnamngagwa said, “The liberalisation of the economy has its own pains [and] this is one of the pains that we are going to go through. I am happy that you have said I am decisive for good or bad, I am decisive for us again to become a viable economy, a solid economy, we are going to take measures that are going to be painful and this is one of such measures.”

Adv. Mahere’s letter come at a time when President Mnangagwa has been globe trotting to foreign capitals yet has failed to bring any tangible investments to Zimbabwe. Since he assumed control of the Presidency, Zimbabwe has been facing a massive shortage of basic commodities, increase in prices and cholera.

Recently, there were revelations of massive corruption reported to be happening at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

Addressing portfolio committee chairpersons in Bulawayo, Advocate Mudenda said appropriate action will be taken against silent legislators to avoid wasting taxpayers’ funds.

He said the non-contributors will be reported to their political parties for inefficiency.

“I have not heard or received in writing a complaint from any of the chairpersons complaining that this honourable MP is not contributing. I have said it from the beginning during the induction of legislators that where there is no performance by an honourable Member of Parliament, let us know within one year so that we can advise the party from where that member comes and say that this member has not performed,” said Adv Mudenda.

He said an audit would be carried out to check on the performance of the legislators.

“In the House it’s very easy, we will carry out an audit, those who remain silent perpetually, we will advise the respective political parties because you are not representing the interests of that party. You are there, just there keeping quiet. So in committees it’s the same, tell me who is giving problems, tell me who is perpetually absent, tell us! You have a register; if you read the rules they clearly tell you that there must be an attendance register. We must do self cleaning,” said Adv Mudenda.

He said page 153 of the Standing Rules and Orders clearly states that the committee clerk must at the conclusion of any meeting of the select committee, submit to the Clerk of Parliament a return showing the day of the meeting, the hour the committee met and adjourned, the name and time of arrival of any member of the committee who attended a meeting of the Committee from the commencement of its business.

Advocate Mudenda said the clerk should also supply the name and time of departure of any member of the Committee who left and did not return before the meeting was adjourned or the committee had concluded its business.

The Speaker of Parliament said the rules also demand names of members absent with or without leave and members entitled to sitting allowances.

“In the last five years I have not seen an attendance list which indicates continuous absence and those who are absent perpetually are short-changing the tax payer.

They are short-changing the party that sponsored them to come to Parliament,” said Adv Mudenda.

He said legislators must not hide behind their party’s whipping system to contribute nothing.

“There is this thing of whipping. I belong to a party but I have not heard that you are whipped to say nothing. So those that remain quiet should not put forward whipping to cover up for their inactivity and ignorance,” said Adv Mudenda.

A research carried out by women empowerment non-governmental organisation, the Women in Politics Support Unit (Wipsu) last year showed that only 35 MPs out of 350 have been actively contributing to debates in Parliament in the four years they had been elected.- state media

Terrence Mawawa| A shocked eyewitness has given an account of how the terrible Rusape accident happened.

“The driver of the Smart Express
bus was trying to overtake a haulage truck and encroached into the lane of the oncoming bus, resulting in the head on collision.

The driver and conductor of Smart Bus Express survived and are said to have escaped from the scene soon after the accident.”

The status of the Bolt Cutter driver could not be ascertained last night.
Some passengers were trapped in the bus and could be heard crying for help.
The Rusape fire brigade quickly responded and helped remove the trapped passengers.

A doctor resident at Rusape General Hospital said at least 70 people had been admitted to the hospital.

“People are still coming in, but according to our register now, 70 people have been admitted to the hospital,” said the doctor.

According to the RG’s Office Clients Service Charter, the cheapest passport valued at $53 should be issued within four weeks.

However, applicants are now waiting for more than three months to get one as forex challenges have crippled the department’s capacity to produce 3 000 passports daily.

Addressing journalists in Bulawayo yesterday, the Registrar General Mr Clemence Masango said his office was even failing to keep up with emergency passport applications which normally should be processed within 24 hours.

“We are doing our very best to produce passports and we have a backlog from May which means we have to produce 166 500 passports. This figure excludes the number of new applications we receive daily which are an average of 2 100,” said Mr Masango.

“We have a capacity to produce about 3 000 passports daily but given the current challenges we are failing to keep up. All passport materials, threads, ink and stationery is sourced from outside the country and like any Government department, we have to rely on forex allocations which are highly competitive.”

He said the Passport Office had finished processing April applications and they will now work on May applications going forward.

Mr Masango also took the chance to clear the air around emergency travel documents.
“Emergency travel documents are only issued to those who intend to go to countries like Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique. Countries like Botswana and South Africa no longer accept them hence we are no longer issuing them to anyone intending to go there,” he said.

Mr Masango said they were planning to open new Registry offices in Magwegwe and Cowdray Park suburbs to address the growing demand for official documents.

He said the department was also facing staff shortages as it was operating with less than 50 percent of its manpower requirements.

Mr Masango said members of the public should report any official who demands bribes.
He said members of the public on their part should also not entice staff members if the war against corruption is to be won.

“We are also working on uniforms and tags so that people can easily identify our staff. We will also introduce online passport applications to reduce interactions between our staff and members of the public,” he said.

The Registrar General’s Office recently raised concern over the high number of uncollected passports some of which were processed in 2000.

Some of the passports were applied for as urgent and got priority over non-urgent applications despite the department’s limited resources.- state media

The Zimbabwe National Road Administration and the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe used personal bank accounts of employees outside Harare to conduct cash transactions for their entities, in the process exposing the funds to abuse, an audit has shown.

In her audit report for the financial year ended December 31 2017, Auditor General Ms Mildred Chiri said there were 21 State entities that were failing to uphold good corporate governance standards and to provide services sustainably.

“I also noted weak internal controls over cash and banking. NOIC Feruka depot was using the assistant depot manager’s personal bank account for administering cash transactions for the company. The same obtained for Zinara which was disbursing cash to provinces through employees personal bank accounts,” said Ms Chiri in her report tabled before Parliament.

“In addition, there was no laid down policy or procedure to cover this arrangement. I also noted that there was no evidence of approval by the head of station on the petty cash voucher. The petty cash voucher was only signed by the accounts clerk. There is risk of loss through misappropriation of funds.”

In response to audit observations, Zinara management admitted not using official bank accounts but said this was only a temporary measure to allow the smooth flow of operations at provincial offices. – state media

Former Higher and Tertiary Education minister has sensationally claimed that the period between December 2014 and November 2017 was like hell for most bureaucrats in former president Robert Mugabe’s government to the extent that he almost tendered his resignation.

Moyo, who is living in self-imposed exile following the military coup that toppled Mugabe in November last year, said the putsch was once foiled in 2017 but continued brewing underneath the surface.

“By this time, 1st of November, last year the coup was in progress. The rehearsals had been done with a number of options.

“People knew. Attempts, which of course ultimately failed, were being made to neutralize the coup. The real drama started in earnest on 4 November in Bulawayo,” Moyo revealed on Twitter.

On November 4 last year former first lady Grace Mugabe was booed by a section of Zanu PF youths at a rally in Bulawayo that was backing then vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa to succeed her husband, aged 94.

Since that day, the tables began to turn against the former powerful first couple.
But according to Moyo another coup had been attempted in 2017.

“And on the first day of the month of November, whose ‘Mbudzi Curse’ was inscribed by Rhodesia’s UDI on the month’s 11th day in 1965 and by the coup that was not a coup on the month’s 15th day in 2017, it bears repeating once again that coups beget one another. Camera rolling,” Moyo said in the wake of revelations that the alliance between the military and civilians who united to remove Mugabe is now unravelling.

The former top flier who many would think was on cloud nine after Mnangagwa’s expulsion last November claimed on the micro-blogging platform that he almost handed his resignation letter to Mugabe.

“One day, maybe sooner rather than later, your fairy-tale will be sobered by the discovery of the excruciatingly painful and tragic reality of the time.

“For now, just know that the period 1 Dec 2014 to 24 Nov 2017 was hell. On 8 Nov 2017, I drafted a resignation letter. I wanted out,” Moyo said in response to an observation that the Generation 40 (G40) faction, which backed Mugabe and his then powerful wife Grace, was having it all around this time last year before the insurrection.

Moyo left the country fleeing for dear life as he was said to be among those who were wanted by the army on account of being “criminals surrounding” Mugabe.

A key member of the vanquished G40 faction that almost succeeded in stopping Mnangagwa’s rise to power only to be thwarted by a military intervention, Moyo is one of the few people with first hand details of what happened before Mugabe’s graceless fall,

-Daily News

The novel treatment is designed to kill HIV-infected cells without harming uninfected ones. In stark contrast to current antiretroviral drugs which merely suppress the spread of the virus, Gammora offers hope of an actual cure.

An Israeli biotech company specializing in HIV and cancer treatments has finally released the results of its first clinical trial of its HIV-drug Gammora and the news is bringing renewed hope to the many affected by this devastating retrovirus. The novel drug has been found to eliminate up to 99% of the HIV virus within four weeks of treatment.

Integrases triggering apoptosis
The firm is called Zion Medical and Gammora is an innovative treatment consisting of a synthetic peptide compound derived from the HIV-derived integrase. Integrases are enzymes produced by retroviruses, such as HIV, that enable their genetic material to be integrated into the DNA of the infected cell.

Taking advantage of this process, Gammora stimulates the integration of multiple HIV DNA fragments into the host cell’s genomic DNA. This then essentially triggers the infected cell’s apoptosis or self-destruction.

“These first clinical results were beyond our expectations and promise hope in finding a cure for a disease that’s been discovered over 35 years,” said in a statement Dr. Esmira Naftali, head of development at Zion Medical. “Given the limited nature of this study, we are excited to prove the efficiency of our drug in Phase 2b with a greater number of participants over a longer period of time.”

Should this phase prove equally successful its effects would be literally life-altering. Today, current commercially available HIV retroviral treatments work by suppressing the spread of the virus but do not offer any cure for the infection.

As such, HIV patients can only hope for an improved lifespan, not a true respite. Zion Medical’s peptide, however, has the potential to destroy all cells carrying the HIV virus-genome offering a real cure for infected patients.

Zion Medical’s Phase 1/2a Gammora human clinical trial found that most patients showed a significant reduction of the viral load of up to 90% from the baseline during the first four weeks. In Part II of the study, Gammora was further combined with additional retroviral treatments which led to patients demonstrating up to 99% reduction in viral load from baseline within four weeks.

In addition, throughout the entire 10 weeks of tests, Gammora was found to be safe and well-tolerable. In fact, no side effects whatsoever were reported.

Boosting CD4 cell count
Furthermore, Gammora was found to boost patient CD4 cell count – up to 97% from the baseline. CD4 cells, also referred to a T cells or T helper cells, are the cells that the HIV virus kills. They are white blood cells that play a key role in the human immune system, the body’s natural defense system against pathogens, infections, and illnesses.

As HIV infections progress, CD4 cells significantly decline. A person will be diagnosed with AIDS when their numbers drop below 200 and will then be considered at high risk of developing serious illnesses. For reference, a healthy individual’s normal range for CD4 cells is about 500-1,500.

Zion Medical claims that Gammora “is designed to kill HIV-infected cells without harming uninfected cells.” Its success would change the course of HIV treatments forever.

Interesting Engineering

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is yet to confirm the number of deaths from the horror bus crash which occurred near the Rusape tollgate along the Harare- Mutare road today.

The crash, which according to the national broadcaster ZBC has so far claimed 30 lives was reportedly caused by a head on collision of the two buses.

Gruesome pictures of the dead at the scene of the accident are already doing the rounds on social media.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.

A health fund established to meet the medical expenses of inmates has for the fifth year running been misused by Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) staff to pay for their own medical expenses, the Mail and Telegraph has learnt.

Harare – A health fund established to meet the medical expenses of inmates has for the fifth year running been misused by Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) staff to pay for their own medical expenses, the Mail and Telegraph has learnt.

The revelations were made in a damning expose of the ZPCS accounts for the year ended December 31, 2017, by the auditor general (AG) Mildred Chiri.

“For the fifth year in succession, in violation of section 5.4 of the Fund’s Constitution which requires the Fund to meet medical expenses just for inmates only, the fund incurred medical expenses for employees of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service totalling $80 003 (2015: $68 778) without treasury authority,” Chiri said in the report tabled in the National Assembly on October 31.

“Further to the above, the fund’s budget for medical supplies and services was exceeded by an amount of $77 166 that was incurred without treasury authority.”

Chiri said the risk of misuse of the inmates Health Fund by ZPCS was tantamount to abuse of the resources and may affect the ability of the Fund to deliver its mandate.

In its defence ZPCS maintained using the Fund was a life and death scenario.

“The allocation for medical expenses from the main Appropriation Account is not adequate, even for staff alone, hence the use of the Fund to finance emergency cases to save lives,” ZPCS said in the report.

Observers maintain access to health and medical facilities is a basic human right that must be protected by government which is responsible for prisoners’ welfare.

This comes as government is failing to provide medication in prisons and correctional facilities threatening the lives of many prisoners who suffer from various ailments.

-Mail and Telegraph

Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has insisted that he will force President Emmerson Mnangagwa to a negotiating table to address the biting economic problems facing the country.

Responding to a Twitter user who asked what the youthful politician was doing to solve the country’s economic crisis, Chamisa said Mnangagwa had spiked his requested to come to a table, adding that he will cause him to be interested.

I have requested Our old man ED to a table to come to a common answer to our challenges.He is not interested.We shall cause him to be interested

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) November 6, 2018

Jane Mlambo| MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has chose to take a different path from most opposition politicians after announcing that he will not cling on power for too long.

Chamisa who is an Apostolic Faith Mission pastor said leaders must lead and leave with his long term plan lying in full time ministry.

I’m not a life president. Democracy defines my leadership shelf life. I am just serving for a little while and then focus on the preaching the salvation gospel of Jesus Christ for eternity.leaders must lead and leave !!Yes, just lead and live!

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) November 6, 2018

Jane Mlambo| Controversial ZIFA President Phillip Chiyangwa could be in trouble with the Zimbabwe National Army following his botched plan to use one their team’s players to nail a competitor in the forthcoming elections.

Sources claimed that Chiyangwa is battling to convince a Black Rhinos Queens player to file rape charges against one Kamambo.

Black Rhinos Queens is owned by the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and the sources said Chiyangwa’s “dirty manoeuvres” have angered the army, who feel that their name is being dragged into the mud, and is ready to intervene and restore order.

“The lady who is said to have been raped is a soldier, who plays for Black Rhinos Queens and the Mighty Warriors. She has refuted the alleged rape reports and said she did not even know Kamambo. She says she has been approached by some Zifa officials who wanted to give her $15 000 so that she makes a (rape) report to the police. The lady has phone numbers of these Zifa people who have been pestering her,” the source said.

“The player was undergoing military training during the time that the alleged rape happened. But we know that when soldiers are undergoing training, they are confined and it is mysterious how she could have been raped, especially by an outsider. The army is not happy because its name has been dragged into this mess. It will act, and it won’t be very nice,” another source said.

Chiyangwa’s spirited effort to retain his post at all costs in next month’s executive committee elections have been exposed, amid shocking claims that he invented fictional rape charges against his challenger Felton Kamambo so that the latter could be disqualified.

The huge mountain of litter coupled by urine is enough recipe for cholera outbreak in Mt Pleasant.

It is alleged that the property rented by Genius Kadungure as a bar is owned by Croco Motors. Residents of Mt Pleasant have vowed to assert their constitution right to clean and health environment enshrined on Section 73 of the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe.

CHRA implore private sector and stakeholders to be part of solutions to the crisis of service delivery facing Zimbabwe and stop perpetuating the problem. Residents of Mt Pleasant also lamented on the failure of elected officials in particular councilors to act decisively on the matter and enforcement of by-laws.Last year former Mayor Ben Manyenyeni nicknamed Harare a “booze city” citing that liquor outlets were “becoming the only game in town at every shopping centre”.

Former Minister of Information Communication Technology and Cyber Security, Supa Mandiwanzira has complained over his detention at Matapi police station in Mbare following his arrest yesterday saying it was a way to fix him.

Through his lawyers, Selby Hwacha and Brian Hungwe, Mandiwanzira said his detention at Matapi police station was inhumane and a move aimed at fixing considering that everything was in place for him to appear in court on the same day he was arrested.

In response, the state represented by Michael Chakandida from President Emerson Mnangagwa’s special prosecuting unit argued that the state papers were not ready for the accused to appear in court.

Mandiwanzira was granted $2000 bail and ordered to surrender title deeds as surety, amounting to $100 000.

The Minister was also ordered to continue staying at his residential address, to report twice a day at Borrowdale Police Station and not interfere with the state witnesses who include Sam Kundishora, Reward Kangai, Alex Marufu, Ozias Bvute and Brian Mutindiro.

His trial date has been set for 10 December although he has been asked to appear for a routine remand on the 30th of November.

Mandiwanzira is pleading to two counts of contravening section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, chapter 9:23 ‘criminal abuse of office’.

This is in connection with an audit contract awarded to Megawatt Company without going to tender, an entity in which he is alleged to have had interests in.

Mandiwanzira is also accused of un-procedurally seconding Tawanda Chinembiri to the Potraz board without following the required due process.

-263Chat

The luxury multi-million rand Johannesburg mansion of top Zimbabwean businessman James Makamba is to go under the hammer at the end of the month following an order of the court.

Makamba, who is reportedly a well-known ally of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, is believed to owe Absa’s wealth unit a whopping R59m in debt as a result of mortgage, credit card and vehicle financing accounts.

The property is set to go under the hammer on November 29, with opening bids starting at R25m.

Makamba, who has interests in telecommunications, retail and agriculture, among other things, declined to comment, saying only that the matter was not newsworthy.

In a statement from High Street Auctions Lead Auctioneer and Director Joff van Reenen on Wednesday, it said the upmarket Coronation Road’s Villa Royale was being sold as an order of the court on November 29.

The statement goes on to say that the manor, which is about 1650m², boasts five luxury suites, immaculate landscaped grounds and several lounge areas.

“The public rooms include a wine cellar, state of the art gym, 13-seater cinema with reclining leather armchairs, a cigar lounge, a spa and a games room,” the statement reads.

Sandhurst is well known for being one of the country’s top locations for “trophy homes”.

The statement notes that the AfrAsia Bank and New World Wealth report says that of the 2 200 multi-dollar-millionaires in SA, Sandhurst is home to 120.

– Fin24

Correspondent|It was a hive of activity on Tuesday at the Harare Magistrate courts with ZANU PF heavyweights linked to former President Robert Mugabe appearing for routine remand on various corruption charges allegedly committed under the era of Robert Mugabe.

First to arrive was Robert Mugabe s son in law Simba Chikore who is facing charges of detaining a former ZimAirways employee against her will during a dispute.

Simba allegedly had Zimbabwe Airways legal head Bertha Zakeyo detained for two hours at the airline s offices in June.

Chikore was accompanied by his wife Bona Mugabe Chikore.

Next to arrive was expelled ZANU PF member Saviour Kasukuwere . He is facing three counts of abuse of office related to former first lady Grace Mugabe’s sister, Shuvai Junior Gumbochuma and a fourth one involving a tender that was improperly given to a Harare businessman during a time that he was the Indigenisation minister.

Gumbochuma, aged 61, is facing three counts of fraud, involving corrupt acquisition of large tracts of land in Harare.

Wicknell Chivayo who is represented by Lewis Uriri and Wilson Manase arrived for a further remand on charges related to a solar tender that he was supposed to implement in Gwanda but he never did. The case sucked in Former Minister of energy Samuel Udenge.

The last to enter the courts was Former Cabinet Minister Supa Mandiwanzira who is accused of two counts of abuse of office. Supa allegedly engaged Megawatt company to do consultancy work for NetOne without going to tender.

He also allegedly appointed his Personal Assistant, a government employee at deputy director level, to the Potraz Board in violation of corporate governance principles and a Cabinet circular.

Supa who was arrested yesterday arrived at the Harare Magistrate court in the company of his lawyers Advocates Thembinkosi Magwaliba and Brian Hungwe for initial appearance after his arrest on Tuesday.

A CONSORTIUM believed to be a fronting for United Family International Church (UFIC) leader Emmanuel Makandiwa is bidding to take over the distressed Shamva Gold Mine in Mashonaland Central province.

According to available documents, Havillah Gold bought the Shamva Mine processing plant after it was auctioned by the High Court last week as the Mzi Khumalo-owned Metallon Gold empire continues to face challenges.

Makandiwa is said to have visited the mine twice last week before news filtered that he had acquired the entire milling plant for an undisclosed sum believed to be running into millions of dollars.

A letter written by one Zondi Kumwenda to the Shamva Mine management notifying them of the purchase is available.

The letter was also copied to Mines minister Winston Chitando.

“We would like to formally advise you that Havillah Gold recently acquired the gold processing plant at your Shamva Mine via auction. The acquisition excludes the resource, which we understand is in the hands of the existing shareholders,” the letter reads.

“After the sale by the Sheriff under High Court instruction, the buyer has the liberty to immediately remove the plant, but, however, the plant was bought with the Shamva community in mind.

Contacted for comment, Makandiwa’s spokesperson Prime Kufa denied the charismatic preacher’s involvement, but confirmed Havillah Gold was a company run by people receiving business mentorship from Makandiwa.

“The prophet is advising them to negotiate with Metallon for a takeover of the operations and the resource and not to remove the processing plant for the sake of the community, whose majority is employed by the mine,” Kufa said.

“Being a man of God and a father, I believe it is his desire not to see the mine shut down and leave thousands of people unemployed. That is as far as his involvement goes.”

Metallon Gold, which at its peak contributed over 35% of the country’s gold output per year, has of late been struggling to stay afloat and pay off its creditors, leading to the attachment of the company’s property.

The mining company recently retrenched the bulk of its workforce as part of cost-cutting measures.

Operations at the struggling company’s Jumbo Mine in Mazowe have also stopped due to litigation from various creditors.

An auction for the mine’s plant, machinery and other movable assets is taking place today.

United Refineries Limited (URL) manufacturers of Roil cooking oil, has accused retailers of creating an artificial shortage by hoarding the product.

The company has threatened to blacklist retailers who are engaging in such practice.

URL Chief Executive Officer Busisa Moyo alleged that some retailers were withholding or bundling the product at till points. Moyo took to twitter and registered his disgruntlement this week.

However, his claims were rubbished by Confederation of Retailers of Zimbabwe (CZIR) president Denford Mutashu who said Moyo’s product has not been visible on the market for a long time.

“If there are those that are hoarding, it’s unfortunate and the law will descend on them .

“But I think it would be prudent also for him (Moyo) to share the specific names of the retailers they gave products then failed to dispose of the products to the consumers, otherwise it remains just a tweet, we cannot be tweeting cooking oil onto the market,” said Mutashu.

“What we want is to see the product itself on the market and if we compare and share those notes, I think that would be great for us.

“It is also something that is worrisome, unfortunately their brand has not been visible on the market for a long time and the brand that has been quite visible throughout is the ZimGold brand.

“If those threats are accompanied by naming and shaming it will be acceptable.There is need for the names of those that got the cooking oil and did not take it to the people of Zimbabwe so that at least everyone will actually believe that this is something that transpired,” Mutashu said.

He urged manufactures to use foreign currency allocated to them for the intended purposes.

“The challenge that we have had with oil processors is that there is no openness in terms of their distribution. Sometimes we do not even know who gets and who does not.

“There are certain areas that have not received that brand for a long time so we would also want the manufactures to own the situation of them receiving foreign currency and directing it to the intended purposes because we understand that at some stage some were using the foreign currency they got from the RBZ to settle some other debts that they were owing,” Mutashu alleged.

Moyo hit back at Mutashu and said he dealt with a more experienced retailers’ body.

“Mr Mutashu is the president of the recently incorporated Confederation of Retailers of Zimbabwe (CZIR). In that regard, 90% of our products go through Retailers Association of Zimbabwe (RAZ) members which is led by Themba Ndebele of Truworths and has been around for over 20 years,” Moyo said.

Moyo said his company was no under obligation to disclose the names of his customers and quantities supplied.

“We delivered 300mt in Bulawayo last week and some product was sent to Harare. We are under no obligation to disclose what our customers are getting as we are a private business and we also protect our partners.

“That comment was directly attributable to Bulawayo players. 60-70% of our product goes to Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo, Zvishavane, Hwange, Chipinge, Chiredzi and Victoria Falls,” Moyo said.

There has been a shortage of cooking oil in the country triggering a price hike although manufacturers insist that they supply adequate product to the market.

M&T

Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has bemoaned the low number of convictions in corruption cases as a result of non protection of whistle-blowers.

Speaking at the National Conference for Human Rights and Access to Justice in Harare on Tuesday, ZACC chairperson Catherine Muchechetere said corruption had gone “viral” and although her commission had investigated 455 cases it had only 36 successful convictions.

She said many ordinary citizens were afraid to report corruption as they lacked legal protection.

“Corruption fights back and that is a fact, people are not willing to come forward.

“They make a report but when they go to court they are criminally liable in their individual capacity so someone will say is it worth my while to be criminally liable if, may be, some things are not factual is it worth my while? So they then will pull back. They will not give evidence in court and when there is no evidence the case will be thrown away and then you say ZACC is not doing its work. We need the citizens of this country to step up and come forward,” she said.

She urged government to enact a law which protects whistle-blowers.

“Yes we do protect our whistle-blowers but we have also advocated for a Whistle-blowers Protection Act which has not yet come into effect,” she said

Speaking at the same event, Zimbabwe Republic Police representative from the Anti-Corruption Unit, Josphat Mutipforo said his unit’s major challenge was that ordinary citizens were late to report cases involving high profile people.

“Corruption by influential people or people in authority is normally reported very late as the perpetrators will be wielding too much power.

“Potential witnesses are scared or afraid of exposing that corrupt individual by the time they report corruption it is only after that person has lost authority. Evidence will be destroyed,” he said.

Mutipforo also urged citizens to report cases before posting accusations online to avoid losing evidence and witness tampering.

“The perpetrator himself will find ways or avenues of destroying evidence, he can even influence witnesses before the police is aware of the issue,” he added.

The conference’s keynote speaker was Kenyan Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo.

In his final comments he said although judiciaries had their faults regarding convictions in cases of corruption it was risky to continue that perception as it could lead to “botched” cases by investigators or prosecutors.

“If the narrative of the fall guy being the judiciary is sold too much it will give the avenue for people to sabotage the process,” he said.

M&T

Jane Mlambo| Harare Magistrate, Nimrod Guvamombe has granted ex- Minister, Supa Mandiwanzira 2000 bail.

Mandiwanzira was arrested yesterday on allegations of abuse of office after awarding a tender to Megawatt without following due procedure.

Michael Chakandida from President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s anti-corruption special unit appeared on behalf of the state.

Mandiwanzira was asked to submit title deeds of a property worth $100 000 and continue to reside at the given address among others

Correspondent|health fund established to meet the medical expenses of inmates has for the fifth year running been misused by Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) staff to pay for their own medical expenses.

The revelations were made in a damning expose of the ZPCS accounts for the year ended December 31, 2017, by the the auditor general (AG) Mildred Chiri.

“For the fifth year in succession, in violation of section 5.4 of the Fund’s Constitution which requires the Fund to meet medical expenses just for inmates only, the fund incurred medical expenses for employees of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service totalling $80 003 (2015: $68 778) without treasury authority,” Chiri said in the report tabled in the National Assembly on October 31.

“Further to the above, the fund’s budget for medical supplies and services was exceeded by an amount of $77 166 that was incurred without treasury authority.”

Chiri said the risk of misuse of the inmates Health Fund by ZPCS was tantamount to abuse of the resources and may affect the ability of the Fund to deliver its mandate.

In its defence ZPCS maintained using the Fund was a life and death scenario.
“The allocation for medical expenses from the main Appropriation Account is not adequate, even for staff alone, hence the use of the Fund to finance emergency cases to save lives,” ZPCS said in the report.

Observers maintain access to health and medical facilities is a basic human right that must be protected by government which is responsible for prisoners’ welfare.

This comes as government is failing to provide medication in prisons and correctional facilities threatening the lives of many prisoners who suffer from various ailments.

M&T

Paul Nyathi|Will Supa Mandiwanzira get a fair trial when the police and the courts prefer to refer to him as “Comrade Supa Mandiwanzira”?

Below is a press statement where the judicial system continuously refers to Mandiwanzira as comrade.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

Jane Mlambo| Minister of Home Affairs, Cain Mathema has warned the opposition Movement for Democratic Change that they will face the full wrath of the law should they attempt to protest against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

The warning follows MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s plans to force President Emmerson Mnangagwa out of government through protests which he told Beitbridge residents will start when he gives a signal.

But Mathema reacted angrily warning Chamisa that any protests will be crushed.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage and the Government of Zimbabwe, I want to appeal to all peace-loving Zimbabweans to continue observing peace and contribute towards the maintenance of law and order by shunning all forms of violence and demonstrations which are meant to cause disharmony in the country.

“We are aware that there are some political leaders and civil organisations that are agitating for the unseating of the constitutionally elected Government of Zimbabwe through demonstrations.

“The Government is also fully aware that some elements want to register their displeasure on the recently announced economic austerity measures and whip up public emotion to aid their selfish political expediency.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has once again ditched the struggling national flag carrier, Air Zimbabwe and opted to fly to Guinea aboard a luxurious jet operated by Comlux — headquartered in Switzerland.

The plane, according to sources, flew from its Swiss base to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Monday morning to fetch the President although the national airline had an aircraft which could have flown him to Guinea.

“Air Zimbabwe was all the years been depending on presidential trips but since the coming in of President Mnangagwa, it has become very difficult to secure those deals.

“He opts to fly with a more luxurious aircraft. But this comes with a cost as the Swiss airline is paid in foreign currency while Air Zimbabwe would have been paid using the real time gross settlement process without stressing the national purse,” said a source at the national airline.

Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet responsible for presidential communications, George Charamba could not be reached for comment as he was said to be travelling with Mnangagwa, while Transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza was not picking up his phone.

But senior staffers at the struggling Air Zimbabwe confirmed that Mnangagwa did not use their aircraft and opted for a foreign airline instead.

To show that Air Zimbabwe had the capacity, the airline flew to Tanzania although not at full capacity. It could have cashed in more had Mnangagwa chartered its plane.

In April, Mnangagwa reportedly blew $2,3 million to charter the same plane on his State visit to Beijing, China.

Attempts to get a quotation from Comlux were fruitless as their marketing department had not responded to e-mailed questions from NewsDay.

-Newsday

A WOMAN from Bulawayo who claimed that she lost almost $90 000 allegedly belonging to musician, Mrs Sandra Ndebele- Sibindi, to thieves has been arrested for making a false report after it emerged that she was trying to convert the money to personal use.

Lindiwe Ndlovu of Emganwini suburb was convicted on her own plea of guilty to deliberately supplying false information to a public official by Gwanda magistrate, Ms Nomagugu Ncube.

She was sentenced to six months imprisonment of which three months were suspended on condition that she does not commit a similar offence within the next three years. The remaining three months were further suspended on condition that she performs 105 hours of community service at Phakama Clinic in Gwanda.

In mitigation, Ndlovu said she made the false report in a bid to raise money for medication as she suffers from cancer.

“I admit that I made a false report by saying the money was stolen. The money wasn’t stolen but I wanted to use it so that I could cover my medical bills as I’m suffering from blood cancer,” she said.

Prosecuting, Miss Ethel Mahachi said Ndlovu made a false report on October 16 at Colleen Bawn Police Station that she had lost $88 330 to thieves.

“On 16 October at around 5PM, Ndlovu went to Colleen Bawn Police Station and filed a report to the effect that thieves had stolen cash amounting to $88 330 from her while she was in Colleen Bawn. Police carried out investigations which revealed that the report was false as Ndlovu diverted the money for her own use,” she said.

In the police report, Ndlovu said she lost the money to thieves while on her way from Beitbridge to Bulawayo after a vehicle she had boarded took off with her valuables leaving her behind.

She said the money, $80 000 in bond notes and US$ 8 330, was in a suitcase.

The vehicle which had three other people, two men and a woman, stopped for a recess in Colleen Bawn and they took off leaving her behind, she claimed.

The money in question reportedly belongs to Mrs Ndebele- Sibindi and she had offered it to an illegal money changer, Ms Simangani Gumede, who had “sub contracted” Ndlovu in their illegal money changing business.

After the false report was made, Ms Gumede accused Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi of demanding that she repays the money back. Ms Gumede said Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi had allegedly forced her to sign an affidavit saying she would pay US$1 000 every day until the debt is cleared. She said Mrs Ndebele- Sibindi had also accused her of stage-managing the theft.

When contacted for comment, Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi claimed that she did not know Ms Gumede and had nothing to do with the matter.

State Media

CIVIL servants have demanded salaries in United States dollars following the price increases and the rejection of the bond note and electronic transfers by some shop owners and service providers.

The Zimbabwe Nurses’ Association (Zina) and the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) said their salaries were too low and no longer worth much in the face of increasing commodity prices.

Zina general secretary Mr Enock Dongo said the prevailing economic environment had taken a toll on nurses.

“We demand that our salaries be paid in United States dollars since some shops are not accepting any other form of payment,” he said. “We also call on the Government to adopt flexible duties for the nurses.

“For example, nurses can work from 7am to 7pm working shifts for three days a week instead of the current 7am to 4pm for five days a week to mitigate increased transport costs.”

Mr Dongo said the cost of basic commodities, transport, accommodation and the general cost of living had risen almost three-fold in local bond notes to meet the original $US value.

“This development has impacted negatively on our membership whose salaries are sadly still pegged in local bond notes and worse still in Real Time Gross Settlement format,” said Mr Dongo.

Zimta secretary-general Mr Tapson Nganunu Sibanda said the association was piling pressure on the Government to seriously consider paying them in foreign currency, so that they were in a position to meet their daily monetary commitments.

“Having observed that we have been hardest hit by the recent monetary pronouncements and measures, we’re no longer in a position to meet our daily monetary commitments and are therefore incapacitated,” he said.

“We’re, therefore, calling for an immediate cushioning of teachers through payment of salaries in foreign currency.”

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza yesterday said Government was engaging unions and labour office to find a way forward.

“I fully understand the difficult situation of civil servants in the current economic climate,” she said. “We’re engaged with the unions and the labour office to find a way forward,” said Dr Nzenza.

State Media

A MAN from Bulawayo caused a stir in court when he brought a law textbook to “guide his defence” after he was found in possession of goods that are suspected to have been stolen.

Godknows Manduna (23) of Mzilikazi suburb, a self actor, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Lesigo Ngwenya who remanded him in custody to today for continuation of trial.

A majority of people in the gallery believed he was a real lawyer as he quoted sections from the textbook.

Allegations are that sometime this year at around 12PM, the police received a tip off from the public that there were groceries believed to be stolen kept in Manduna’s house.

On the same day the police went to Manduna’s place of residence and found his wife. They introduced themselves to her and asked to search the house.

They broke a padlock to Manduna’s bedroom because he was not available to give them keys to the room.

The court heard Manduna is unemployed and the police recovered groceries worth $369.

While taking the wife to the station, they saw Manduna near St Columba’s High School and he immediately started running away. The police managed to apprehend him leading to his arrest.

In court, he was given an opportunity to cross examine the Investigating officer and cited several instances of case law as he tried to sway the officer.

“In the case of Philani C.A 59/2009, it was held that it is trite that suspicion does not prove a case. This officer did not see the goods being taken. If I may ask what qualification does one need to own a green bar soap?” asked Manduna.

“I bought these groceries at Renkini terminus from the streets thus I cannot produce any receipt but I can provide the name of the person who sold the groceries to me.”

Manduna asked the investigating officer to list the items they took from his house.

He demanded to know if the officer had made any effort to look for the person who sold the groceries to him at Renkini before concluding that he had stolen the groceries.

In response, the officer said Manduna had failed to give enough detail to enable the police to locate the person.

Manduna told the court that the investigating officer did not know anything because he was not there when he was arrested, adding he did not have any more questions to ask him.

He asked for the goods mentioned in the annexure to be brought to court and begged the court to open and prove that was what was listed.

“Your worship may l see the groceries in the sacks. I can’t be sure that it’s the groceries, what if it’s mud,” asked Manduna.

The magistrate postponed the matter to today to allow Manduna to have a look at the groceries that were brought before the court as an exhibit so they may continue with the trial.

Mr McLean Ndlovu represented the State.

State Media

A Kwekwe man has been slapped with a mandatory 10-year jail term for tampering with a Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) meter.

James Ngirazi of Star Mine outside Kwekwe was convicted by Kwekwe magistrate Mr Storey Rushambwa of opening a ZETDC meter and tampering its reading.

Mr Rushambwa said he was invoking the Electricity Act.

“I have no choice, but to invoke the law in your situation, in as much as I might have other thoughts, my hands remain tied by the law and therefore the law should take its course,” said Mr Rushambwa.

The Electricity Act states that, any person who without a lawful excuse damages, destroys or interferes with any apparatus for generating, transmission, distribution or supplying electricity, shall be found guilty of an offence and will be liable to imprisonment for a period not less than ten years.

The State, led by Mr Freddy Ndoro, stated that on October 18, Ngirazi unscrewed two units of the meter terminal cover plate before tampering with the readings.

On the same day, energy technician Reynold Mlambo tested the meter, which was showing signs of being tampered with and reported the matter to the police, leading to Ngirazi’s arrest.

Harare City Council’s decision to withdraw the services of six top executives before their age of retirement will see it forking out millions of dollars in compensation after the Supreme Court ruled that they were unlawfully laid off.

The six — treasurer Mr Misheck Mubvumbi, business development manager Mr Cosmas Zvikaramba, housing and community services manager Mr Justine Chivavaya, Urban planning services manager Mr Psychology Chiwanga, Mr Stanley Mungofa (health) and director amenities Mr Dombo Chibanda — were forced to leave employment before reaching their retirement age of 65.

Council laid off the six through retrenchment in 2014 arguing that it would save US$2 million monthly from the exercise.

However, the decision has come back to haunt council after the Supreme Court last week quashed the Labour Court ruling confirming council’s decision to retire Mr Mubvumbi, before he reached the age of 65.

Mr Mubvumbi was city treasurer until 2014 when council reduced the retirement age from 65 to 60 and he was among over 1 000 workers sent home.

In retiring the six, the city aligned the retirement age of the rest of its workers to the age fixed by the pension fund by way of Statutory Instrument (SI) 135 of 2012.

The superior court ruled that the statutory instrument applied by council to reduce the retirement age from 65 to 60 did not apply to senior managers from grade one to grade four, hence the retirement was illegal.

“It is not in dispute that SI 135-12 is inapplicable to the applicant by reason of his position,” said Rita Justice Makarau.

She said the statutory instrument applies to all employees in grades 16 to 5, but expressly excluded persons employed on grades 1 to 4.

Mr Mubvumbi was employed in a grade 2 position.

“In the result I make the following order . . . the appeal is allowed with costs,” said Justice Makarau.

“The judgment of the court a quo is hereby set aside and substituted with the following, (a) The application for review is granted with costs. (b) The decision of the respondent (Harare City Council) to summarily retire the applicant at 60 is hereby set aside.”

The appeal arose after the Labour Court in November 2-015 dismissed an application for review brought by Mr Mubvumbi against the decision by the council summarily retiring him from employment at the age of 60.

On appeal, Mr Mubvumbi, who was being represented by Advocates Regina Mabwe and Chido Mafongoya instructed by Mr Joel Mambara of Mambara and Partners, challenged council decision on the grounds that it was illegal as his contract, which he had signed with council in 1981 stated that he ought to be retired at 65, and not at 60.

In the lower court, Mr Mubvumbi argued that the actions of the council were unlawful and that he had a legitimate expectation to be retired at 65.

UNITED Nations (UN) agencies and other international organisations operating in Zimbabwe enjoy absolute immunity from every form of legal process and execution instituted in the local courts, including labour suits, Chief Justice Luke Malaba has ruled.

Their properties cannot be attached, neither can their bank accounts be garnished over litigation.

Chief Justice Malaba, with the concurrence of four other judges of the Supreme Court, last week unanimously quashed a High Court judgment of 2015 that exposed Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to labour suits.

The High Court three years ago, issued a garnishee order against FAO to enable the UN agency’s former employee Mr Michael Jenrich to recover outstanding benefits amounting to $623 400.

FAO is an international organisation responsible for food security and management on behalf of the UN globally and Mr Jenrich was responsible for the local emergency unit.

Justice Tendai Uchena, who then was a judge of the High Court, registered the arbitral award and ruled that international organisations, such as FAO, would not escape litigation in labour matters because they only enjoyed “restrictive (as opposed to absolute) immunity that does not apply to cases of a labour nature and does not cover immunity from suit and legal process and execution”.

However, in a bid to save international organisations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appealed the High Court decision at the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Malaba set aside the decision of the High Court and ruled that the principle of restrictive immunity that applies to sovereign States, was not applicable to international organisations.

Instead, the Chief Justice said international organisations enjoyed functional immunity.

“The ICRC case supra was wrongly decided to the extent that it held that the principle of restrictive immunity is applicable to international organisations,” he said.

“The decision is overruled. The judgment of the court a quo is wrong because it relied on the ICRC case supra,” the Chief Justice ruled.

The Supreme Court appeal filed by the Ministry of Home Affairs was allowed with costs.

“It is hereby declared that FAO enjoys absolute immunity from every form of legal process and execution in Zimbabwe,” said Chief Justice Malaba.

“The garnishee order issued on December 31 2014 be and is hereby declared invalid and set aside.

“Consequently, the writs of execution issued against FAO’s property be and are hereby declared invalid and set aside.”

Functional immunity enjoyed by international organisations is derived from treaties and conventions they signed with the host country.

Government in the appeal, argued that FAO, in terms of the agreements between UN and Zimbabwe, enjoys absolute immunity from every form of legal process and from execution.

Advocate Lewis Uriri, instructed by the Attorney-General’s Office, represented the Government in the case, while Venturas and Samukange law firm acted for former FAO employee Mr Jenrich.

Mr Jenrich, two years ago, obtained a court order to garnish FAO’s bank account to recover his outstanding salary of $623 400.

He was granted the garnishee order in 2014 by the Labour Court after he successfully took his former employers to court over outstanding salary payments.

Mr Jenrich was employed by FAO in 2004 as an emergency programme officer and his fixed term contracts were renewed for six consecutive years.

In 2012, FAO did not renew his contract following the abolition of his post, while allegations of misconduct had also been raised against him.

Unhappy with the decision, Mr Jenrich followed the labour procedure contesting the termination of contract.

Mr Jenrich won his case at the Labour Court before registering the judgment at the High Court.

State Media