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

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is increasingly behind the eight ball, amid disclosures that his presidency could be on the line, as the opposition and his closet internal ruling party foes intend to topple him from power Mugabe-style possibly this month, Spotlight Zimbabwe, can reveal.

Our top level government sources with close contact to the country’s dreaded Military Intelligence Unit (MIU), said the Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance backed by a new silent faction in Zanu PF are reportedly scheming to spring a Ukrainian Orange Revolution surprise against Mnangagwa’s contested rule, at a time the veteran politician is facing a worsening balance of payment crisis, with his administration unable to pay for essential imports and servicing Harare’s external debt repayments.

The Orange Revolution was a series of protests and political events that took place in Ukraine from late November 2004 to January 2005, in the immediate aftermath of the run-off vote of the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election, which was claimed to be marred by massive corruption, voter intimidation and direct electoral fraud.Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, was the focal point of the movement’s campaign of civil resistance, with thousands of protesters demonstrating daily. It was highlighted by a series of acts of civil disobedience, sit-ins, and general strikes organised by that country’s opposition outfit.

Spotlight Zimbabwe, can also report that the protagonists in the Mnangagwa ouster campaign, want to roll out their plan this month, to take advantage of the presence in the country of a Commission of Inquiry headed by former South African leader, Kgalema Motlanthe, appointed by Mnangagwa to look into the deadly August 1 shootings by the military during the tragic post-election protests, which resulted in about six people dying and dozens sustaining life-threatening injuries.

Motlanthe’s Commission findings are expected to be announced early December, after having completed a three month working mandate, our sources added.

The rude awakening comes at a time when Mnangagwa was yesterday off guard, announcing at an emergency press conference that oil and gas deposits have been discovered in the country in Muzarabani along the Cahora Bassa basin, and that exploration will commence in 2020.

“Military intelligence picked this up (planned protests and march) soon after the president’s inauguration,” said a senior official formerly with the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC).

“VP Chiwenga has put the military on high alert, and the army has been conducting drills for any eventuality. Chiwenga is still by technicality of chairing the Joint Operations Command on a rotational basis with vice president Mohadi, very much in charge of the security cluster.

“In a pre-emptive measure, you might see a curfew being put in place. People will be required to be indoors no later than 7pm. The central business district in Harare is going to be cordoned off, including important buildings such as the President’s Office and parliament. That way opposition marchers will have nowhere to go.”

It is thought Chamisa wants to rally his two million supporters, to Munhumutapa building, demanding Mnangagwa to either allow for a transitional authority or step down as president altogether, and fresh elections called.

Another source said Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF opponents from a new disgruntled faction realise that his impeachment is unlikely to go ahead, and are opting to assist Chamisa with recruiting numbers for the series of protests.

“There is a new disgruntled faction in the ruling party comprising of angry war veterans and new legislators opposed to Mnangagwa who have realised that their bid to impeach him is a far away and complicated process. This faction with the assistance of G40 remnants will partner the opposition in mobilising people to flood the streets countrywide, like we witnessed during the 2017 coup.

“Their argument is simple. They say the MDC then led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai was the key vehicle in spearheading the peaceful march to remove Mugabe, now they want to return the favour by raising a critical mass to march for the ousting of Mnangagwa, this time alongside MDC Alliance supporters.”

The sources said Chamisa’s MDC has calculated, that the army was unlikely to use live bullets on protesters, in the full glare of the Commission of Inquiry, thereby shielding his supporters from harm’s way, to the benefit of an expected International media coming in to report from inside Zimbabwe.

Chamisa himself seems to have let the cat out of the bag during his recent address at Gwanzura stadium during the party’s 19th Anniversary celebrations, saying he would soon announce the course of action to be taken against Mnangagwa.

“There is no moving forward without looking at the reality of who won the election. We will continue to move around, instead of moving forward,” Chamisa told a packed stadium.

“Ndichakuudzai way forward (I’m going to tell you about the way forward). Haatereri (Mnangagwa refuses to listen) he doesn’t know how powerful you are. Anotamba nevanhu, anotamba neyouth iri mukati umu. Ndikati youth simukai tinangane negwara, muno hamudyiwi rinopisa munyika muno. ( Mnangagwa is taking the masses for granted, he is taking the youth for granted and playing games. If I call upon the youth to stand up, there will be no peace in this country).

Mugabe fired Mnangagwa about this time around last year on 5 November, from the position of Vice President of the country for, among various reasons, disloyalty and conduct inconsistent with his official duties. The dismissal was announced by then information minister, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo, at a press conference in the capital.

Mnangagwa has of late been skating on political ice. Last month hardline securocrats reportedly warned him to urgently put the country’s economic house in order, as they feared a possible popular uprising over his administration’s new extortionate taxes, uncontrollable price escalations, and growing shortages of fuel and food.

There were also reports in September, that Chiwenga, might be forced to seize power amid reported growing suspicion by his personal military advisor and confidant, exiled and fallen Ethiopian autarch, Mengistu Haile Mariam, of an alleged plot by unnamed foreign powers to have him sacked from the presidium, as a condition for unlocking foreign direct investment into the comatose economy.

– Report focus news

Own Correspondent|A protest is looming in as residents ponder the next move following perennial water woes that have hit the country’s oldest town of Masvingo as the city enters into a second week with no access to tap water.

This has seen health concerns being raised as the majority of residents are relying heavily on borehole water which does not conform to the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards according to the Service Level Benchmarking (SLB) peer review report released in June.

The water crisis has become a perennial problem in the city after the new pumps which were commissioned in 2015 by then Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa broke down barely three years into their 20 years lifespan.

Since the breakdown in August, water rationing has risen and areas on high grounds could only receive water for about one hour in the early morning hours.

The problem began a week ago after the interface control units were damaged due to over voltage.

Town Clerk Adolf Gusha said the pumping capacity has been reduced to below 70% and most areas will not receive tap water resulting in the town authorities dispatching water bowsers.

“The City of Masvingo wishes to advise its residents and the public that there was an over voltage incident that resulted in damage to all three interface control units at the Intake Tower Abstraction Pump Station at Bushmead.

“A replacement unit was found on another pump station and it was installed but the pumping capacity has been reduced to below 70 percent of the normal. As a result, the water supply will be reduced and shortages will be pronounced in areas on high ground.

“The city has mobilised water bowsers and storage tanks to supply water to the most affected areas until normal supply is restored,” said Gusha.

The Bushmead pumping station has three pumps and on a normal day, two pumps will be functioning around the clock while one will be on standby.

At the moment, one pump is functioning while the city council seeks the damaged interface control units which are said to be unavailable on the local market.

Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) spokesperson Godfrey Mtimba said the council should put their house in order and deliver services to the paying residents.

MURRA once dragged the city council to the High Court in August when the pumps broke down and the city went for more than a week without water in the wake of the cholera outbreak.

“We have always told the council to buy new pumps but they do not listen. They choose to spend on their personal luxuries but negate their duties.

“They talk of installing storage tanks but we do not see any of them and people are suffering. We will mobilise people to protest if they do not come up with a workable solution soon,” said Mtimba

M&T

THE Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) has suspended coal miner, Hwange Colliery Company Limited from the local bourse following its placement under administration.

The suspension is with effect from November 2, 2018. ZSE acting chief executive officer, Martin Matanda, in a statement said the suspension of Hwange would be for the duration of the administration.

“The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange hereby notifies the investing public of the suspension from trading in shares of Hwange Colliery Company Limited with effect from 2 November 2018, following its placement under administration in terms of the Reconstruction of State-indebted Insolvent Companies Act,” said Mr Matanda.

According to the Reconstruction Act, every disposition of the property, including rights of action, of the company and every transfer of shares or alteration in the status of its members, made after the commencement of the reconstruction, shall, unless the administrator otherwise orders, be void.

Meanwhile, Government yesterday justified its decision to place the ailing coal producer under reconstruction saying as a majority shareholder, it had noted that there was no sense in continuing with the business.

Presenting evidence before the parliamentary portfolio committee on Mines and Energy, which is chaired by Norton legislator, Themba Mliswa, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando tabulated a coterie of reasons that he said led to opt for the reconstruction route. One of the major reasons was that the company was operating on a gross loss with cost of production alone, before factoring other overheads, outweighing sales revenue.

This was further compounded by a $150 million debt to Government. Despite promising its shareholders a net profit of $5,2 million in its own turnaround strategy document, the company, according to its 2018 half year financials posted a net loss of $23 million thus casting doubt on ability to meet set profit target.

Added to that, the company also owed its mining contractor Motor Engine $42 million and the contractor had to go to Government to get a guarantee to continue mining. On top of the Motor Engine debt, Hwange also went to Zesa, its main coal customer, and negotiated for an advance payment of $15 million thus the company already owed Zesa three months’ supply of coal when on another hand it is struggling to pay the entity that mines the product.

“(In its turnaround plan presented to Government) Hwange was supposed to achieve operating profit of $5,2 million for the 12 months to December 2018 . . . when the results of Hwange Colliery Company were announced in June, it posted a net loss of $23 million,” Minister Chitando told the portfolio committee on Mines and Energy.

“It’s also important to understand, if you look at the results of Hwange over the years, that the biggest problem which Hwange has had is it has made a gross loss over the years . . . that means by sending coal to the industrial customers, they are making a loss.

“That is why, fundamentally, there is no business anywhere in this world which can ever succeed if the money you are getting for this bottle of water (for example) is less than what it is costing you, you are not supposed to be in business.

“Who is paying for that cost?” queried the Minister.

Minister Chitando said Government then reached a position where it raised questions over how best could the situation be saved thus the decision to put the company under reconstruction.

State Media

A 27 YEAR-OLD Beitbridge woman who allegedly killed her 50-year-old husband by kicking him on his privates before finishing him off by stabbing him with a kitchen knife during a fight over money for rent, appeared in court yesterday.

Geraldine Nyoni is accused of killing her husband Majahana Mazibuko on March 4 during a fight at their rented home in Dulivhadzimu high density suburb.

Nyoni appeared before Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Thompson Mabhikwa charged with murder in connection with the death of her husband.

Prosecuting, Chief Public Prosecutor, Mrs Tariro Rosa Takuva said the couple had a long history of domestic disputes relating to money issues.

She was remanded in custody to December 4 for judgment.

The court heard that on March 4 last year at about 8PM, the accused person and the deceased were at their place of residence when a misunderstanding ensued over money for rent.

An hour later, the couple received two visitors, Zwelibanzi Phakathi and Saidi Chisa who were related to Mazibuko.

“The two visitors had come to complain to the accused person over her alleged ill-treatment of the deceased. The accused person and the two visitors went on to exchange harsh words over the issue. After about 30 minutes, Phakathi and Chisa went to their car and drove off,” said Mrs Takuva.

Mazibuko remained behind trying to calm down his wife after their dispute had arisen over the issue of money. The court heard that Nyoni allegedly kicked her husband on the private parts before she picked a kitchen knife and stabbed him.

“A fight ensued between the two resulting in the woman picking a kitchen knife. She stabbed her husband on the right side of the neck and fled from the scene leaving him lying in a pool of blood,” said Mrs Takuva.

Soon after committing the alleged offence, Nyoni went to the police station where she made a report of domestic violence.

Neighbours rushed Mazibuko to Beitbridge District Hospital where he died upon admission. Nyoni was later arrested by police and the blood- stained knife was recovered from their house.

In her defence through her lawyer, Mr Tawanda Tavengwa of Mutuso, Taruvinga and Mhiribidi Legal Practitioners, she denied the charge, arguing that the deceased stabbed himself during the scuffle.

“I did not stab the deceased. In fact, it is the deceased who started attacking me and when he grabbed a knife and tried to stab me. That is when I managed to get hold of the hand which was carrying the weapon and twisted it during which he accidentally stabbed himself on the neck,” she said.

Nyoni said she was frightened and out of shock she stormed out of the house and went to the police station to report the matter.

State Media

By Paul Nyathi|TWO Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) members, former Attorney-General Johannes Tomana and the Home Affairs Ministry have apologised to Mordecai Mahlangu, a human rights lawyer and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) Board Chairperson after conceding that they violated his fundamental rights when they arrested and detained him almost a decade ago.

The ZRP members namely Henry Sostein Dowa and Clever Ntini together with the Co-Home Affairs Ministers and Tomana, who served as Attorney-General then, tendered their apologies to Mahlangu last week after acknowledging that the ZLHR Board Chairperson’s arrest and detention in November 2009 was wrongful and unlawful.

In a Deed of Settlement signed on Wednesday 31 October, Dowa, Ntini and the Co-Ministers of Home Affairs, who served during the coalition government of former President Robert Mugabe and the late former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai agreed to pay Mahlangu a total of $13 500 to cover his legal costs before Friday 30 November 2018.

Mahlangu was placed under arrest and spent one night at Harare Central Police Station cells in November 2009 on a trumped up charge of attempting to obstruct the course of justice. He was apprehended after he sought to highlight to the State the difficulties the authorities would encounter in using Mutare arms dealer Michael Peter Hitschmann as a State witness during the trial of the late former MDC-T legislator Roy Bennett.

Through summons filed at the High Court by his lawyers Advocate Thabani Mpofu instructed by Raymond Moyo of ZLHR, Mahlangu argued that his arrest in 2009 was not warranted as he was acting purely as a legal practitioner giving advice in accordance with his professional requirements.

Source ZLHR

A HARARE businessman has appeared in a Bulawayo court and remanded in custody, for allegedly defrauding a local company of more than $2 million last year.

Onesimo Ndoro initially appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Miss Ratidzo Ringisayi last Saturday and was remanded in custody to Monday.

He was further remanded in custody to November 16, after his Monday appearance pending trial.

Also fingered in the scam is one Archibald Chiponda.

According to the State, Chiponda on November 10, 2017 misrepresented to Pump and Steel Company that they could facilitate a foreign currency allocation from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to assist the company in paying for imports.

Chiponda allegedly said he had made consultations with Ndoro who indicated that there was a US$80 million facility available to assist businesses with imports. He further told Pump and Steel Company that RBZ would create a file to enable the company to benefit from the facility.

“…He then supplied the complainant with an EcoBank account number that belonged to Onesimo Ndoro, who instructed the complainant to make the deposit into the account so that they could link him to RBZ for foreign currency to be availed, since his company East Glow Trading Private Limited had a file with RBZ,” read the State’s case.

Pump and Steel made an initial deposit of $676 945, equivalent to ZAR 9 748 008. Ndoro however is said to have only made a payment amounting to $300 523, 330 to the said SA supplier – KULKONI (ITS) – SKOK Machine tool. The amount was equivalent to ZAR4 327 535 95 and converted $376 421, 067 to his own use.

After the transaction Ndoro instructed Pump and Steel to pay transactional charges of $152 312, 064 split at $50 770 to three different accounts.

Among the accounts two of them belonged to Ndoro, one being a CABS account and International Business Support Services under CBZ. The other account belongs to Chiponda under an FBC account.

On December 4, 2017 Pump and Steel made a deposit of $1 982 913 to East Glow Trading, after Ndoro had convinced the company directors that there was a $2 million facility set aside for them.

Ndoro is however said to have made a payment of $197 414 to Euro Steel and Trident Steel the alleged South African suppliers and converted the remainder of the money amounting to $1 785 508, 60 to his own use.

Pump and Steel, as a result lost $2 161 930, 27 from the scam and nothing has been recovered.

Ndoro was denied bail as he is reported to have a previous conviction of a similar nature.

State Media

HARARE – Most boarding schools in the country are at the verge of shutting down early due to food shortages amid current price hikes.
This comes after price hikes disarmed the buying power that many schools had at the beginning of the school second term in August.
The more than 70 percent increase in prices of commodities such as bread, rice, meat and toiletries, has devalued school fees paid at the
beginning of the term.
Reports have shown that many schools in the country have resolved to demand US dollars shunning the devaluing bond notes.
The Daily News is reliably informed that others have started requesting for top ups in order to succour the situation.
In an interview, Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) secretary-general, Tapson Sibanda confirmed the reports and said this is a simple
response to the coherent economic situation in the country.
“Schools are responding to economic detects and so we cannot say boarding schools are wrong. A school child needs to eat and government needs to respond accordingly.
“I know two or three schools that are now requesting US dollars and government cannot continue to say that the bond note and the US dollar are at par,” Sibanda said.
Fluctuations in the prices of basic commodities, amid foreign currency shortages, have marginally increased the cost of living, thus causing food to be unaffordable even for the boarding schools.
Parents who paid fees for children at the beginning of the term in August, in government and most private schools, are being requested to top up due to the devaluing of the bond note.
Ellis Robins School is among those reported to have sent circulars to parents requesting that $72 be paid to cover food shortages already looming due to the rise of the cost of living.
A survey by the Daily News showed that basic essentials needed by most boarding schools have increased by more than 100 percent, justifying boarding schools’ demand for fees top ups, although a disservice to parents.
Anglican schools’ representative, education secretary Anglican Diocese, Silas Mudzinganyama, in an interview told the Daily News that Anglican schools are on the contrary
still waiting for the ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s directive in order to make any fees increments or top ups.
“We are waiting for the directive from the ministry because no school is allowed to hike prices without the ministry’s approval so none of our
schools has increased or requested school fees top up,” he said.Daily News

Nyanga South legislator and former Minister of Information Communication Technology and Cyber Security Supa Mandiwanzira was today arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of office.

Mandiwanzira handed himself to police soon after his return from an overseas trip. He is facing two counts of criminal abuse of office as a public officer during his tenure as a Cabinet minister.

National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest. Mandiwanzira will spend the night at Matapi Police Station and is expected to appear in court tomorrow.

“The ZRP confirms the arrest of Nyanga South Member of Parliament and former Minister of Information Communication Technology and Cyber Security Supa Mandiwanzira in connection with two counts of contravening section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, chapter 9:23 ‘criminal abuse of office’,” he said.

Mandiwanzira allegedly engaged Megawatt Company to do consultancy work for NetOne without going to tender, before directing NetOne to pay $5 million to the said company.

“This is in connection with audit an contract awarded to Megawatt Company without going to tender, an entity in which Mandiwanzira had interests and subsequent directive by him for NetOne to pay $4 million for the service and $1 million for consultancy,” he said. – state media

The Commission of Inquiry into the Sale of State Land in and around urban areas has accused Goddard Dunira, a nephew to former Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and his land development partner and MP for Chivi Central Ephraim Gwanongodza of hiding a bank account holding $1.25 million that the pair received from an international donor organisation.

Commissioners also expressed shock at the use of names of fictitious churches and companies by the two to allegedly hide ownership of commercial stands illegally obtained from Vashandi Housing Scheme in Victoria Range in Masvingo in which Dunira and Gwanongodza are chairman and treasurer respectively.

The Commission also fear possible massive tax evasion by land barons in Masvingo after they bumped into a letter in a Vashandi file in which the author plotted tax evasion.

The Commissioners also discovered that Dunira and Gwanongodza were allegedly transferring money from Vashandi Bank accounts into the account of Rajivic, a private land development company which the two jointly own as shareholders and directors.

The two are signatories in the Vashandi bank accounts.

Two weeks ago the Commission instructed Dunira and Gwanongodza to submit all financial and bank statements pertaining to Vashandi Housing Scheme. On perusing the books during a hearing on Friday, the commissioners discovered monthly payments of between $10 000 and $26 000 that the co-operative has been making to Rajivic and another company called Goddarm Investment.

“A lot of money is going out of the co-operative every month. I can see that you are transferring money from Vashandi into an account owned by Rajivic, your private company. There are even bigger payments into an an organisation called Rajivic. What is it for?” asked another Commissioner.

The duo said that the instalments were for repayment of a $1,25 million loan obtained from Rajivic for the construction of 250 core houses for members. Commissioners then looked for the loan entry in the financial books but could not find it. Dunira and Gwanongodza also failed to find the entry in any of the organisation’s submitted books and bank accounts.

Cornered and pressed, the visibly shaken pair told the Commission that the loan was deposited into an small scale enterprise account which had since been closed.

“So you have another account which you did not disclose? And you say that the account has ceased?” asked Commissioner Petronella Musarurwa.

Justice Uchena who chairs the Commission then proposed to Gwanongodza and Dunira that the session be adjourned so that the two could go and collect the statement from the Bank. The pair told the Commission that the statement could not be obtained from the Bank the same day.

“We cannot proceed without that statement on the loan, it is important and I propose that we adjourn and allow the two to go and collect it from the bank,” said Justice Uchena.

Justice Uchena then asked the pair for a date on which it will be ready with the bank statement. The two dithered until Justice Uchena proposed to give the pair a letter instructing the Bank to release the statement.

At that point, Dunira said he had a daughter who was ill and he would not be free to attend the hearing the following week. He proposed that he be replaced at the hearings by another member from Vashandi but commissioners felt that a new person would take them back in terms of progress.

Justice Uchena eventually declared that the hearing be continued in Harare since the Commission is winding up its business in Masvingo this Saturday. Dunira who seemed no longer interested in attending the hearings reluctantly accepted.

At some stage as commissioners perused through financial statements, they came across an internal letter in which one member of Vashandi was advising others against forming a private company as this would attract the attention of the taxman.

“We should avoid forming a company because this will attract tax,” read part of the letter.

A commissioner read out the letter and asked Gwanongodza and Dunira what they meant by the letter and the answer was barely audible. The Commission set aside the letter.