Correspondent|FINANCE Minister Mthuli Ncube has said road traffic offenses will now attract a maximum fine of $700 and imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months, with effect from 1 January 2019.

Ncube said the increase is meant to promote road safety culture by adhering to road traffic regulations.

Said Ncube: “Mr Speaker Sir, road traffic offenses are classified under levels 1 to 3 of the Standard Scale of Fines, with a maximum monetary value of US$30.

“The current fines, which should act as a deterrent to criminal behavior, have not assisted in reducing such malpractices, mainly due to the low monetary values.

“In order to promote road safety culture by adhering to road traffic regulations, I propose that any person who commits such offenses be liable to fines of levels 8 to 10, which attract a maximum fine of US$700 and imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months, with effect from 1 January 2019.”

Own Correspondent|Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has finally stepped his authority and ordered for the dismissal of 3 000 National Youth Service graduate from government employment.

The 3 000 ZANU PF Youth League aligned graduates popularly known as “Green Bombers” were absorbed into the Civil Service by former President Robert Mugabe after the youth gave him pressure for employment.

The 3 000 literally have no specific jobs they are doing within government but continue to be paid an average of $300 each.

Mugabe once dismissed them only for him to reinstate them in no time after they threatened to campaign against the ruling party. The youth are notorious for their violent campaign for ZANU PF in elections.

“At its 38th Meeting of 5 December 2017, Cabinet re-affirmed its decision to terminate employment contracts of 3 188 Youth Officers as previously resolved,” said Mthuli Ncube in his budget speech.

“Drawing from the above Cabinet Resolutions and guidance of the Public Service Commission, Treasury proceeded to mobilise in the first instance, US$5.2 million in December 2017
towards three months’ Cash In-Lieu of Retirement Notices and in the second instance, US$17.7 million on 16 February 2018 towards the officers’ Pension benefits.”

“Mr Speaker Sir, the 2 917 Youth Officers who still remain on the payroll, are being retired and the posts removed from the establishment, by end of December 2018.”

Own Correspondent|In a bid to cut government expenditure, the Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has proposed the reduction of the number of embassies and consulates in his 2019 national budget proposal presentation on Thursday in Harare.

There are currently 46 foreign missions and the proposal will see then reduced to 39 thereby going a long way in reducing annual spending.

He also noted that this move will see the avoidance of embarrassing incidents where some diplomats were evicted for non-payment of rent

“On the basis of previous consultations, it is proposed that the number of foreign service missions be reduced from 46 to 38, thereby optimising the utility value realised from the remaining missions as well as avoiding accumulation of arrears and embarrassing evictions of our diplomats,” he said.

Ncube said as much as Zimbabwe sought to improve international relations current expenditure on foreign mission services was far above the means of the budget.

“As much as we desire to implement and launch our re-engagement programme on all fronts, the capacity of our Budget demands some review to align support levels within means.

“The current diplomatic presence is imposing annual budgetary support levels of around $65 million, which is above available 2018 Budget capacity of $50 million,” he said.

Ncube said this discrepancy in spending had led to an accumulation of arrears which stood at approximately $17,3 million.

The finance minister said this rationalisation of foreign mission services would result in spending reductions of about $500 000 per month, yielding annual savings estimated at $6 million.

Ncube also said that diplomats “rental ceiling” should be reviewed downwards and based on the officials’ ranking and diplomatic residency.

Ncube also suggested purchasing existing properties or entering joint venture initiatives which prioritise properties with adequate space as a “medium to long term measure of reducing rental charges.”

Lately , employees at foreign missions were reported to be seeking menial jobs to eke a living since salaries were coming late.

M&T

Correspondent|SIMEONE Chipokoza, a 19 year old Upper 6 student who wrote his final exams recently, today testified before the Commission of Inquiry in Harare and said he was shot in the left leg but “definitely not by soldiers.”

The soldiers ordered all passengers to disembark, and they obeyed.

Giving his evidence, Chipokoza said two soldiers stopped a kombi (commuter omnibus) which he and his mother had boarded to go home. Chipokoza said as they ran back to safety, he felt a sharp pain inside his leg.

When he went to hospital and an x-ray imaging was done, it showed he had a bullet lodged in his left leg

Doctors told him he could only be operated on in February next year, Chipokoza said without clarifying.

Also giving his evidence today, Khuluma Afrika Editor Maynard said one of the people who died close to CopaCabana might have been shot by someone who was in the crowd because at that particular time as there were no soldiers nearby.

Manyowa said the victim was in the middle of a crowd and there were other people behind him.

He said the protesters were MDC supporters because they were chanting Chamisa slogans.

“A group of protesters besieged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s Results Centre at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in the capital, Harare.

“They protested peacefully and co-operated with police. It was quite an incredible sight, watching protesters pave way for traffic, taking turns with the police to open and close the gate.

“Some 20 minutes later, they left. Some one hour later they returned, with new company. Armed with sticks and stones. This time cars were blocked, police were stoned. A few colleagues and I received a few bricks to the back as we fled.

“The protesters soon left. Although with promises to return with reinforcements. An hour later, the protesters, now clearly in their thousands returned. They erected burning barricades. They tore down Zanu PF campaign posters, which they burnt. They vandalised traffic lights and launched missiles into the Zanu PF Headquarters, located just outside Rainbow Towers.

“Police reacted by launching water cannons. The protesters bricked the muzzle of both trucks, incapacitating them and causing them to flood.

“We will need to get reinforcements. These trucks are no good now”, one officer said to me.

“At this point the protesters had branched out into three different groups. Launching a cow horn formation. Police tried to move into the centre. To protect the ZEC results centre, Zanu PF HQ and ZEC’s Head office.

“They had surrounded the police. They had the upper hand and could sense it. Stones were launched at the human barricade erected by police outside the ZEC Headquarters.

“We maybe minutes away from an Arab Spring here”, a colleague, uttered.

“In the horizon, we could see smoke in all four corners of the city. Harare was burning, and tipping point was near.

“I approached one of the police vans and tried to get an audience with the man who seemed in charge.

“We are overwhelmed. We need assistance.” He said.

“He brushed me off but took to his radio.

“Within minutes, I saw hordes of people fleeing from all directions, and strangely so in all directions.

“Minutes later, I spotted a lone figure, in military camouflage.

“It looks like the army has been deployed.”, I can be heard saying in one of my videos.

“Seconds later I saw a military truck, and about a dozen soldiers holding hand whips.

“Yes, the army has been deployed.”

As the army descended, and people fled, stones and bricks flew in all directions. I positioned myself, with a colleague, just next to the police human barricade.

As the soldiers chased protesters, and stones flew in all directions. There was a loud bang. The soldiers just in front of me crouched briefly, then drew their guns, and fired in the air.

“Are those gun shots.” I asked.

“Yes” a colleague responded.

“I can confirm, shots have been fired. The army has been deployed and shots have been fired.”

“By this time, my city was a war zone. Gun shots. Bricks. Stones. Running battles. And, believe it or not, military helicopters flying low.

“As we turned a corner, I saw a man, wearing a black t-shirt and black pants take two steps, launch into the air and drop like a stone. I knew something had happened. I ran towards him.

When I got there, people said, he is dead.

“No, he is still alive I said.”

“He was gasping for air. One man lifted his shirt. I saw the single gunshot wound. On his chest. His eyes rolled.

“I could tell he had been shot. I didn’t know who shot him. There were no soldiers present when I watched him fall and die.”

Own Correspondent|The Kgalema Motlanthe Commission into the post-election violence that occurred on August 1 has exposed the ruling party with former Zanu Pf Harare youth Chairperson Jim Kunaka claiming the commission was fake.

Kunaka said this whilst giving evidence before the ongoing Commission.

“It is surprising that Charity Manyeruke is seated among the Commissioners, she is a member of the ruling Zanu PF and holds a post in Mashonaland West, she is actually a Secretary in the province’s women’s league” claimed Kunaka

Kunaka said he would not respond to any questions coming from Professor Charity Manyeruke because they planned together.

“At the same time as I make my contributions, I am going to respond to some questions and will skip others but I will not take any questions from her (Manyeruke) because she was my boss and we would plan together on how to deal with the opposition.

“I know how Zanu PF operates, we were arrested after the August 1 incident for inciting violence but the courts have been playing games so that they will play with my defence after I present it here (the Commission). I will not say a thing because it will be used against me in the courts” said Kunaka

Kunaka went at length to describe how the ruling Zanu PF operates as well as how they operated during the 2008 elections.

“After the 2008 elections we were summoned for a meeting at Zanu PF headquarters, and these meetings would be held at the basement, and in one of the meetings we were told that the country cannot go by pen and paper. This led us to be violent against the opposition and for your own information Zanu PF had no constituency in 2008. I then led a team to beat opposition members and I succeeded in gaining some seats in Harare through violence” he said

He further added that Zanu PF was the only party with militia in the country and they were recruited through the National Youth Service.

“I have no knowledge of any military wing in the opposition, if there is anyone who is claiming that, the person is lying. If there is one then the person has to bring evidence before the commission” claimed Kunaka

Zanu PF is well known for its violence against opposition members and more than 4 000 lost their lives since the formation of the MDC in 1999.

RFNews

Correspondent|The highly publicised case in which flamboyant businessman and Intratrek Zimbabwe director Wicknell Chivayo is facing fraud charges emanating from the manner he handled the 100 megawatt Gwanda solar project that he was contracted by the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has taken a dramatic twist.

The matter seems to be crumbling like a house of cards as the supposed complainant ZPC distanced themselves from any involvement in causing the businessman’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.

The Harare magistrate court had heard that Chivayo received $5 million advance payment for the project from ZPC without a bank guarantee.

However, in their heads of arguments filed at the High Court last week, Intratrek turned the screws on ZPC and alleged that they were in fact the ones in breach of contract by wantonly causing delays and impediments to the implementation of the solar project.
In their opposing affidavit to Intratrek’s High Court application, ZPC interestingly denied involvement in causing the arrest of Chivayo- technically meaning there is no complainant in the Gwanda solar project case.

Read part of the affidavit: “It is important to note that the allegations that respondent caused the arrest of the applicant’s managing director (Chivayo) is patently false and should be disregarded by this honourable court. As highlighted in the respondent’s notice of opposition, at no material time did it file charges against the applicant’s managing director.

“Despite it being challenged to produce evidence that the charges were filed by the respondent, the applicant has not adduced such evidence.”

ZPC’s submission to the High Court is mind-boggling as to why the entity which Chivayo is said to have defrauded is absolving itself from having any hand in causing Chivayo’s arrest in August.

Law experts submitted that this development is likely to see the matter being relegated to a purely civil case.

“What boggles the mind is the party that we are made to believe was prejudiced has stated in the court of law that they did no file any charges against Chivayo or his company.This therefore make the case null and void and renders it to a purely civil matter.The question is who is the complainant?,” said a law expert who preferred anonymity.

Despite of ZPC’s submission to the High Court, it is the same company that since threatened to cancel the $173 million engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contract signed between the parties in October 2016 for construction of the Gwanda solar plant, alleging breach of contract by Chivayo’s Intratrek.

Chivayo won the tender that was approved by the then State Procurement Board, now Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.
ZPC then alleged that Intratrek failed to perform its obligations (condition precedent) as outlined in the contract, specifically completion of specific works within the agreed time-frames.

In its counter-allegation, Intratrek instead blames ZPC for causing delays to the implementation of the project through its failure to obtain an environmental impact assessment certificate and fraud charges it allegedly instituted against Chivayo in December 2017, alleging fraud and corruption in the execution of the Gwanda solar plant project.

Intratrek claims the conduct by ZPC allegedly stalled progress in the implementation of the Gwanda solar project.

Intratrek Zimbabwe had partnered $33 billion asset firm and Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed CHiNT Electric Co to undertake the multimillion dollar solar project.

The High Court is also set to determine the dispute over outstanding payments for works done by Intratrek, which the company claims were due from further works under the conditions precedent, having allegedly extinguished the exposure to ZPC’s, demands which ZPC has declined to honour.

But ZPC has insisted that Intratrek cannot be entitled to make claims for payments as the power utility was supposed to make directly to sub-contractors to expedite the project, saying the value of outstanding works still stands at $1,8 million, a position it also stated in July this year.

Shooting its own feet, ZPC admitted then that the value earned from works undertaken, which it indicated entailed a geo-tech survey, topography survey, fencing and ground clearance and feasibility report was in the order of $2,012 million. This left the utility’s outstanding exposure in July at $1,8 million.

But Intratrek has since submitted to the High Court that from that point, July 2018, it then had performed further works that fully extinguished ZPC’s $5 million exposure to a point it was now entitled to further payment, which was stage-based in terms of the contract.

The High Court has set down the matter for hearing on November 26.

M&T

ANOTHER fire burnt down some structures at Mbuyazwe Secondary School on the outskirts of Bulawayo, destroying teachers’ houses and girls’ accomodation.

According to sources the fire razed a girls’ hostel at Mbuyazwe Secondary School in Umguza District, Matabeleland North yesterday amid calls for security services to investigate the alarming cases of infernos being experienced around the country.

This morning the Girls cottages at Mbuyazwe High School in Ward 8 Umguza district in Matabeleland North caught fire and the community and the fire brigade managed to put down the fire. #GodBlessZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/rvXws3Fvhj

— MZingwane (@ThubelihleMoyoA) November 21, 2018

The hostel, which also houses teachers was destroyed with property worth thousands of dollars burnt at 7AM after pupils had left for their classes.

the girls' hostel at Mbuyazwe High School in Ward 8, Umguza District, along Bulawayo-Tsholotsho road today. The Bulawayo Fire Brigade responded but they could not save the pupils' possessions

Today

— Nkosiyabo Zikhethele Sibanda (@Nkosiya34449428) November 21, 2018

The incident comes at the back of a series of suspicious fires since last Saturday.

On the day, a number of Mpilo Central Hospital doctors in Bulawayo were left homeless after an inferno engulfed their living quarters, destroying property worth about $300 000.

On Monday, three shops in Kadoma – Edgars, Jet and Coloursel – were also razed in a blaze causing the destruction of furniture and clothing items worth thousands of dollars.

On the same day, two thirds of the Glen View Area 8 Home Industry Complex along Willowvale Road in Harare was destroyed by a fire that broke out in the afternoon, destroying property worth millions of dollars belonging to informal traders

On Tuesday, an inferno reduced to shells six cars at a car workshop just outside Siya So SMEs complex in Mbare, Harare.

The cause of the Mbuyazwe School fire is not known.

Meanwhile the Education Ministry has asked pupils to go back home as they had lost everything in the inferno.

The school’s headmaster Mr Gordin Sithole said the school will require donors to rebuild saying most of the children were from poverty stricken families.

Harare South legislator, Tongai Mnangagwa, son to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, broke down in parliament this morning as he narrated how the government has left land seekers at the mercy of land barons.

Narrating to the situation in his constituency before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, the legislator could not hold back his tears.

He said people are fleeced of their earnings by land barons operating with impunity in his constituency, adding that fights, some of which leave some home seekers in hospital, have become commonplace as a result of the irregular land allocations.

The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, July Moyo said his ministry has its hands full as it battles to clean the mess created by irregular land allocations.

He admitted to the parliamentary portfolio committee that double allocation of stands by officials from his ministry, the Urban Development Corporation (UDCORP), local authorities and councillors has reached alarming levels.

He said similar challenges are being faced where some stands are being irregularly downsized, resulting in some people losing infrastructure they would have invested on their stands.

Buhera South legislator, Joseph Chinotimba said to deal with the problem effectively, the government must first acknowledge the extent of the rot in the sector.

Meanwhile, Moyo said the construction of the new parliament building in Mt Hampden will commence with a ceremony of the laying of a foundation for the building on Friday 30 November.

ZBC News on line

Jane Mlambo| Attorney General Prince Machaya has revealed that the soldier who was caught on camera kneeling at shooting at civilians on the 1st of August can be investigated.

Machaya who appeared before the commission of Inquiry into the 1st of August shootings also said only the President has the power to deploy soldiers adding that the Minister of Defence should seek the authority of the President.

Machaya conceded that when read in isolation, POSA creates impression that Defence Minister can deploy defence forces without authority from the President.

Follow the commission of Inquiry, watch video below….

 

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

 

“The Doctors Said They Could Remove The Bullet Or Leave It There, It Is Still Lodged In My Leg”

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

The ZANU PF Secretary for Youth Affairs Lewis Matutu has called upon the law enforcement agents to arrest former leader of the dreaded Chipangano Jim Kunaka over allegations that he confessed to beating and killing opposition members.

Kunaka was testifying in front of the 1 August killings Commission of Inquiry led by Kgalema Motlanthe.

“Jim Kunaka has conceded perpetrating violence against the opposition and killing people for political gains live on TV before the commission of inquiry. All this was done under the oath. It is the duty of the law enforcement institutions to apprehend him and be charged under the laws of the land. He should not be allowed to get away with this!”Matutu said in a statement.

“If he was given instructions as he alleges, he must name those who gave him such orders if they do exist. Let him name those that were working with him. He just complicated his life because mhosva hairovi he must be held accountable.”

Matutu said the former terror leader was bitter at ZANU PF because he is broke.

“Some people may wonder why Jim Kunaka of all the people hate ZANU PF to the core. He is very broke drained and in serious debt and the only way to make money is representing the opposition. However, the fact that he admitted to criminal activities let him take responsibility.

“Majority of the things that he said shows hate, bitterness and disorder but they are of no substance to the commission of enquiry, probably he should have understood the commission s terms of reference.”Matutu further explained.

Giving his evidence in chief before the commission Kunaka said, “I was a Provincial Leader of ZANU PF in Harare and I was in charge of commanding violent activities if you check on the internet my name is there. Professor Charity Manyeruke who is seated there in the commission is one of the architects of violence in ZANU PF . She was one of the people with whom we would sit down to discuss how we would beat up MDC people.

“Manyeruke was my Boss who sent me to do violence and my commander who gave me instructions so I will not respond any questions from my commander because when we were in ZANU PF I was merely her foot soldier.”

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa is expected to appear before the Commission of Inquiry on Monday next week.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW….

A former Zanu PF lawmaker, who was allegedly abducted and tortured by state security agents when Robert Mugabe was removed from office last year, claims that ruling party activists have lied to the Kgalema Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry about the killing of six civilians in Harare this year soon after Zimbabwe’s harmonized elections.

Shadreck Mashayamombe, who once represented the party in Harare South constituency and contested the July 30 parliamentary election and lost to President Emmerson Mnangwagwa’s son, Tongai, told the Commission on Wednesday that “Zanu PF coaches people to come here and tell lies all the time in order to protect the status quo”.

He claimed that one of the people accusing him of distributing alcoholic beverages to protesters on August 1 before members of the Zimbabwe National Army allegedly killed six innocent civilians, was “in fact a person who wanted thousands of dollars from me and is a well-known trouble maker.”

He said the activist, Shelia Mutsvanu, “is the one who once unaddressed infront of the United States ambassador in Mutare, urinated at the entrance of the Daily News when the newspaper wrote somethings she thought was bad about then President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF in Manicaland. She is the same person who was used by Didymus Mutasa for youths to attack other Zanu PF followers.

“She also extorted $15,000 from me claiming that life was tough and she was under intense security threat and had left for Botswana saying CIO (Central Intelligence Organization) agents, war veterans and also members of the Police Homicide Division were looking for her. I said you (Mujati) also know the problems that I encountered. I had no money. I have Facebook messages between Mujati and Shelia asking me to assist her. Mujati is there you can call her to come and testify confirming what I’m saying. She indicated that CIOs, Kudzi Chipanga, army and me wanted to kill her.”

Mashayamombe claimed that his name was mentioned by Mutsvanu following “my refusal to give her money she was demanding.

“… She is being used by Zanu PF as a thug to pit opponents. These are people who are coming to give testimony here in an effort cause divisions leading to the elimination of the opposition. So, some people have taken advantage of this commission in order to lie for their own benefit. We do not want to say much about Zanu PF but surely if people are failing to stop what they are doing, they are putting some of us in a corner in which were can say what we do not want to say.”

Mutsvanu, Mujati and Mutasa were not available for comment.

He said he had serious wounds from the past. “On the day when Mugabe wrote a letter of his resignation, I was abducted in broad daylight at Rainbow Towers. For more than five hours I was tortured by state security agents who were using live electric cables. Up to now I can’t sit for several hours as my feet swell. It did not stop there as they demanded that I should surrender all the money I had. They took a safe that had $50,000 from my house which they were given by my young brother and wife while they were still torturing me using live electric cables.”

Mashayamombe broke down when he noted that he was left with nothing and the ruling party still wants to finish him off. “Now I have a lot of debts as they took away all the money I was generating from my car importation business. I’m being taken to court as some people had paid for cars before all my money was stolen by these agents.

“They claim that I was too close to Mugabe. They even went to my home and took away 30 suites and an assortment of shoes. They also stabbed my young brother with a certain object to the extent that the scar he has is a life-time mark. They are even after my business. They want me to remain with nothing, nothing.”

He claimed that he was also abducted once again in June and ordered to stop contesting the elections against President Mnangagwa’s son. “I’m facing serious security threats and maybe this is the last time you will see me alive as some of us are being hunted.”

The hearings continue tomorrow with no clear indication whether Nelson Chamisa will appear before the Commission. – VOA

Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube will on Thursday present the much-awaited 2019 National Budget.

The presentation would be the Second Republic’s inaugural budget since the coming into office of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, following this year’s harmonised elections.

Zimbabwe’s economy has been on a downward trend for the past two or so decades and this has largely been attributed to a number of factors, including mismanagement and abuse of national funds, misplaced priorities and sanctions, among others.

Since coming into office, Mnangagwa and his administration has been on a drive to revive the country’s economy and ensure a middle-class economy by 2030.

While a lot of progress has been registered towards achieving this goal, including the resuscitation of the mining, health and manufacturing sectors, the national budget will reaffirm government’s commitment to rebuilding the nation.

It is everyone’s hope that government, through the 2019 National Budget, will implement a raft of measures that would turnaround the country’s economic fortunes.

Therefore, it becomes paramount for Ncube to give special preference in resource allocation to the productive sectors of the economy, if this dream is to come true.

It cannot be disputed that agriculture has remained the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy during times of hardships, along with mining.

Therefore, it suffices for Ncube to adequately fund the said sectors.

Programmes aimed at promoting growth of the agricultural sector ought to be made bigger and better.

For instance, the resuscitation and expansion of irrigation schemes, the Presidential Inputs Scheme, the command agriculture and command livestock programmes would go a long way in ensuring the growth of the agricultural sector, if adequately funded.

Furthermore, such a move would ensure food security in the country and eradicate commodity shortages as they are structured in a way that guides farmers in order to address the demand and supply concept.

The civil service wage bill has remained a contentious issue for a number of years and needs redress if the country’s economy is to get a boost.

In previous years, the wage bill has consumed up to about 90% of the country’s annual national budget and many have criticised this as unsustainable, including regional and international financial institutions.

Already, upon his initial swearing-in as Head of State last November, Mnangagwa announced that he would trim the size of the public service, travel and subsistence allowances for senior government officials.

Government has been spending more than the country’s income, resulting in budget deficits.

The situation has been exacerbated by fiscal indiscipline through distorted foreign exchange rates spearheaded by the parallel market.

The coming in of the new dispensation saw the introduction of free health services, including maternal health, treatment of children below five years of age and provision of blood at all public hospitals in the country.

However, there has been concern over the issue of understaffing, lack of machinery and other requisite medical equipment in these hospitals.

There is need for the budget to take cognisance of these concerns and avail more funds towards the health sector.

In order to decongest public hospitals, the government could also engage private hospitals in a bid to subsidise maternal health costs.

Of late, private hospitals have been charging their maternal fees in United States dollars, a move which has led to the congestion of public hospitals.

In any country, industry is also a key driver of the economy, hence the need to revive the manufacturing industry through public and private partnerships.

It can be noted that Zimbabwe’s expenditure on imports is relatively higher than its exports.

The country needs to produce and export its goods to other countries so as to earn the much needed foreign currency.

The resuscitation of industry would also complete value added chains across mining and agriculture. For instance, the country would be able to process and sale finished products instead of raw materials to other countries.

NewsDay

RESCUERS from Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) yesterday used hooks to finally fish out the body of a Lupane man who was allegedly fatally bitten by a snake in a well last Wednesday.

The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) had enlisted the police sub-aqua unit, rangers from Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Forestry Commission, Bulawayo Fire Brigade and underground mining experts who reportedly failed to retrieve the body because they feared the snake.

Police spokesperson for Matabeleland North Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese confirmed that the body of Sandile Mguni (25) was retrieved around 7AM yesterday by HCCL rescuers and officers from the Fire Brigade.

She said the body was still intact and was taken for postmortem.

It emerged that the well at Mr Glen Moyo’s homestead in Mkarabuli Village under Chief Mabhikwa is actually 49 metres deep instead of 45 metres earlier reported.

“The body was retrieved this morning by rescuers from Hwange Colliery and Fire Brigade officers.

Results will be determined by the postmortem but we gather it was still in one piece,” she said.
It was not clear which mortuary the body was taken to.

Gomoza Ward 12 Councillor, Malaki Tshuma, said villagers were happy that the matter which had become the talk of Lupane area will now come to closure.

“Some mining experts came and villagers assisted them to fish out the body using hooks. They lowered the hooks down the well and pulled it out around 7AM. The body was still in one piece and villagers are happy that it has been removed from the well. Right now we are waiting for postmortem results,” he said.

HCCL corporate affairs manager, Mrs Rugare Dobbie, said the coal mining company sent the rescuers as part of its corporate social responsibility.

“As HCCL we are very active in assisting communities around us as part of our corporate social investment and giving back to the community. Our Proto/rescue team combined efforts with the Bulawayo Fire Brigade this morning and fished out the body of the 25-year-old Lupane man. As a company we say well done the Proto team for saving the situation. This is clear indication that our emergency response preparedness as a company is good. We have also been active in putting out fires around communities with the recent one being in Makwika Village recently,” she said.

For seven days, rescue teams from different government departments and private players had failed to remove the body.

They were scared of entering the well, The Chronicle was told.

On Monday, a Bulawayo professional hunter and snake catcher, Mr Ross Johnston, who operates the Victoria Falls Metro History Museum and Snake Park failed to enter the well claiming it was too narrow for him.

He had descended for 20 metres when he abandoned the mission.

A villager reportedly put on some rags and entered the well but also abandoned the mission after going for 46 metres as he was suffocating.

He reported that he had seen the body at the bottom of the well.

Mguni had been contracted with two colleagues to rehabilitate the well. He descended into it using a rope when he shouted that he had been bitten by a snake.

State Media

Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has reflected on the journey he has walked in the fight for democracy, happiness and justice which he said has brought attempts on his life and that of the party’s founding leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.

In a tweet, early today, Chamisa rallied his party and supporters that they will not be dissuaded from pushing their agenda which he is confident they will overcome.

The fight for democracy, happiness, justice and peace has over the years brought us attempts on our lives by those with power. That same fight, will earn us more such attempts, if not worse, all designed to eliminate or silence us.We shall overcome! #Godisinit pic.twitter.com/bmhDQoz7B4

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) November 22, 2018

Correspondent|A Harare man who allegedly duped the City of Harare of $1,5 million after an agreement for the development of Hopley Commercial area has been dragged before the Harare magistrates court on fraud allegations.

Michael John Van Blerk (59), appeared before Harare magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa and he was denied bail and he was remanded to December 4 in custody.

Prosecuting Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that on June 22 2007, City of Harare and one Augur Investments private limited entered into an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The agreement was for the development of Hopley Commercial area (Mbudzi project), provision and development of middle housing and construction of a hotel at Mabelreign golf course area and Mukuvisi Phase 1.

In terms of the MOU the parties formed a joint venture company called Sunshine Development Private Limited as the special purpose vehicle company and Van Blerk was the director.

The MOU stipulated that Augur Investments was supposed to provide funding for procuring materials, equipment and for working capital purposes constituting 70% shareholding.

On the other hand, City Of Harare would provide land at a cost for the project constituting 30% shareholding.

Thereafter, City Of Harare processed all the documentation for the project and transferred land property to Sunshine Development as per the shareholders agreement.

Instead of providing funding Van Blerk and his accomplices from the Sunshine Development who are yet to be accounted for, knowing very well that they could not fund 70% capital for the project they misrepresented to City Of Harare that they could.

Van Blerk in connivance with his accomplices took the title deeds in respect of a piece of land that measures 6, 1160 hectares, being the land transferred by City Of Harare to Sunshine Development.

They allegedly went on to misrepresent to NMB Bank that they had a board resolution to acquire a US$1.5 million to fund the Mbudzi project, knowing that the title deeds of the land belonged to Sunshine Development.

They also did this knowing that they had no authority from the shareholders to use title deeds as surety.

Van Blerk together with his accomplices failed to service the NMB Bank mortgage bond resulting in the land being transferred to NMB Bank again without the knowledge of City Of Harare, thereby prejudicing City Of Harare value of the said stand valued at US$1.5 million.

On Thursday, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) together with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) began a crackdown in Harare’s central business district.

M&T

INDEPENDENT Norton MP Temba Mliswa has been blocked from joining the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Lands, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement on allegations that he was conflicted.

According to a memo from the committee chair, Justice Mayor Wadyajena to the Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda dated November 15, Mliswa had wanted to join the committee where he was a member before the July 30 elections, but his bid was turned down.

“Being cognisant of the current and past events, Mr Speaker sir, there is strong evidence that Hon Mliswa is a highly conflicted individual in regards to the substance to be addressed by the committee. I strongly recommend that he be allocated another committee as this will enable it to fully execute our mandate in line with the Standing Rules and Orders as read with the Constitution of Zimbabwe without any interference,” part of the letter read.

Mudenda instructed the clerk of Parliament, Kennedy Chokuda to inform Mliswa of Wadyajena’s reservations and allow the MP to seek membership in another committee.

“Advise Hon Mliswa to secure another committee since the chairperson is not receptive,” Mudenda wrote to Chokuda.

The agriculture committee, according to its work plan, will probe government inputs schemes as well as the farm mechanisation programmes.

Mliswa has been involved in tobacco business through a company called Saltlakes Holdings, which is a subject of the committee investigations.

The committee also intends to probe the alleged abuse of the government-funded input distribution programme and it was not clear if the Norton legislator was a beneficiary or linked to suppliers or various projects.

Mliswa, who chairs the Mines Committee, has been ruffling a number of senior government officials through his Hwange Colliery Company probe.

NewsDay

THE Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has denied playing any role in causing the arrest and prosecution of Harare businessman and Intratrek Zimbabwe managing director Wicknell Chivayo over allegations of fraud, corruption and money laundering relating to ZPC’s Gwanda solar project.

Chivayo is being prosecuted on corruption and fraud charges at the magistrates’ court over the manner he handled the 100 megawatts solar project, spearheaded by ZPC, after he received $5 million advance payment for the project from ZPC without a bank guarantee.

In its answering affidavit, in a case Intratrek is claiming breach of contract by ZPC filed at the High Court on November 14, 2018, ZPC refuted Intratrek’s claim that it frustrated the contract by causing delays to the implementation of the Gwanda solar project.

Further, the State power utility also denies playing a part in causing the arrest of Chivayo.

The contract dispute case between ZPC and Intratrek has since been set down for hearing by the High Court on the opposed roll on the 26th of November, 2018.

While it is ZPC that was allegedly defrauded or corruptly prejudiced in the Gwanda project, which led to the arrest and prosecution of Chivhayo, the power utility has denied any hand in causing the controversial business man’s arrest.

“It is…important to note that the allegations that respondent caused the arrest of the applicant’s managing director (Chivayo) is patently false and should be disregarded by this honourable court.

“As highlighted in the respondent’s notice of opposition, at no material time did it file charges against the applicant’s managing director.

“Despite it being challenged to produce evidence that the charges were filed by the respondent, the applicant has not adduced such evidence,” ZPC submitted to the High Court.

When Chivhayo’s prosecution started after his arrest at Robert Mugabe International Airport in August, on charges of fraud, money laundering and contravening the Exchange Control Act, the complainant was ZPC represented by Board member, Thandiwe Mlobane.

ZPC has since threatened to cancel the $173 million Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract signed between the parties in October 2016 for construction of the Gwanda solar plant alleging breach of contract by Chivayo’s Intratrek.

The State power utility adjudicated and awarded the Gwanda solar project tender to Chivayo’s firm in 2016, which was also approved by the then State Procurement Board, now Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.

The power utility has claimed Intratrek failed to perform its obligations (condition precedent), as outlined in the contract, specifically completion of specific works within the agreed timeframes.

But Intratrek denies the claims and instead blames ZPC for causing delays to the implementation of the project through its failure to obtain an Environmental Impact Assessment Crtificate and fraud charges it allegedly instituted against Chivayo in December 2017 alleging fraud and corruption in the execution of the Gwanda solar plant project.

State Media

Harare businessman and socialite, Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure who yesterday trended on social media after allegedly treating 1 000 inmates to 2 piecer meals from Chicken Inn has denied these claims.

The controversial businessman who was on Tuesday granted $1 000 bail by the High Court after spending four days in remand prison allegedly splashed over $8 000 and bought each inmate a 2 piecer upon release.

But speaking in an interview yesterday, Ginimbi said: “I never bought anything for the inmates. I left (remand prison) at 11PM so what time would I have bought? Social media is coming up with all sorts of stories.”

The claims emerged after an image of a Chicken Inn staffer sort of counting the hundreds of boxes that had been arranged along the sitting areas in their outlet surfaced on social media.

Interestingly, a man resembling Ginimbi was also captured in the image approaching the Chicken Inn staffer.

Contacted for comment, a Simbisa Brands official said a lot of orders for Chicken Inn had been placed on Tuesday, but not by Ginimbi.

“On Tuesday we had a lot of orders for the Peace Festival at the National Sports Stadium. These orders were made at different branches and were way more than the purported 1 000 2 piecers,” said the official.

Ginimbi, earlier this week showed off while he was facing serious fraud charges as he bailed out up to 50 people whose cases are still pending at the Harare Magistrates Courts. Their bail fees ranged from $50 to $500.

He said he did this because of the bond that he created with the inmates during his four nights in cells.

“I looked at them (inmates) when I was arrested and slept there (remand) for four nights. I think some people who’re there don’t have money for real.

“People are struggling to pay amounts like $20 and $50 and stay there forever. I found it in my heart to pay for them and I’m considering doing this monthly, well at least for those who have fees which range from $ 20 to $100.”

To celebrate the release of the Club Sankayi owner and Liquor Boyz boss, an All Khakhi party had been arranged last Friday as Ginimbi’s friends were convinced he would be released then.

Asked if this party would still be held, Ginimbi, a well known party freak said he was not interested in partying.

“There’s nothing to celebrate because I don’t know why I was arrested in the first place. So I have nothing to celebrate,” he said.

However, the socialite’s fans have launched what is being referred to as the “Free Ginimbi” Movement through branded T-Shirts which they are posting on social media.

Comedians such as Mai Titi and social media sensation – Tatelicious also recorded video clips pleading for the release of Harare’s top entertainer also known as “My Guy”.

Zimdancehall chanter, Seh Calaz, not to be outdone, dropped a song titled Gadzirisai (Free Ginimbi) where he advocated for Ginimbi’s release.

Allegations against Ginimbi who was arrested in Harare last Thursday are that between February 2009 and May 2016, his company Piko Trading Private Limited misrepresented to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) that it made total sales of $2 777 678, inclusive of Value Added Tax, when in actual fact the company had made sales amounting to $9 092 951.

To that end, Zimra suffered a prejudice of $417 940. He is also being accused of evading tax with Zimra suffering a total prejudice of $3 468 949.

As part of his bail conditions, Ginimbi was ordered to surrender his passport to the clerk of court and report twice a week at CID Frauds.

State Media

A man suspected to be Zimbabwean was arrested in South Africa for reportedly killing seven members of a South African family after raping three of them.

The man (27) allegedly introduced himself to the Khoza family based in Vlakfontein, south of Johannesburg via Facebook, by claiming that he was a long lost relative by the name of Sibusiso Khoza.

Media reports in South Africa say after introducing himself to the family, Khoza raped three members of the family before murdering three women and four children with the aid of an accomplice, Fita Khupe (61).

The family members were reportedly discovered buried under mounds of soil inside their home in Gauteng after neighbours complained of a stench.

Reports said Khoza was arrested in Mpumalanga‚ near the Lebombo border post‚ where he was found in possession of bank cards belonging to two of the victims while Khupe was arrested in Dobsonville, Soweto.

They are both facing seven charges of premeditated murder and the pair is expected to appear in the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

According to the reports, the case was postponed from Monday last week after the lawyer representing Khoza, Makau Sekgatja, told the court that his client wanted to apply for bail.

Khoza and his co-accused, Khupe, are being accused of killing seven family members, including three women and four children.

A police representative in Gauteng province Captain Mavela Masondo told TimesLIVE confirming the arrest of the duo. Prosecutors say the murder was a “well-orchestrated” crime.

TimesLIVE also reported that one of the murdered women‚ Nomfundo Khoza‚ had sent frantic WhatsApp messages to her family moments before she died‚ but when they phoned back‚ there was no answer.

Police discovered the bodies on October 29 after neighbours reported a stench‚ leading authorities to the bodies of the three women and four children.

Zimbabwe’s Consul General to South Africa Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro yesterday said he could not comment on the issue since the case was before the courts.

He, however, said the man could be from Mozambique since he was caught close to the South Africa/ Mozambique border post.-state media

Former Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who is facing four counts of alleged abuse of office, yesterday made an application for exception on all the charges as he believes that he did not act criminally in any way.

Kasukuwere’s counsel led by Mr Charles Chinyama, who was instructing Mr Thembinkosi Magwaliba, filed the application in terms of Section 170 (1) as read with Section 171 (1) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act which states that one can apply for exception if the charges are not displaying an offence before the court.

Magwaliba argued that Kasukuwere, in his capacity as a minister had the power to allocate land, therefore, there was no deviation from his powers when he awarded the tenders as he did.

He also said that if there was a procurement contract that was signed, it would have been signed by an accounting officer.

Since Kasukuwere as a minister could not legally be the accounting officer as well, it means that he did not breach the Procurement Act as suggested in his charges and in fact the accounting officer should be the one being questioned, said Mr Magwaliba.

The State said that they needed time to respond. Presiding magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya rolled the matter over to November 28.

Kasukuwere is facing four charges of abuse of office emanating from the time he was Minister for Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment and that of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.

In the first count, Kasukuwere is accused of flouting tender procedures when he awarded Brainworks Private Limited — owned by Mr George Manyere — a contract to do brokering services and financial advisory to the Government on indigenisation.

Allegations are that the appointment of Brainworks was inconsistent and contrary with the nature of his duties.-state media

A woman from Emganwini suburb, Bulawayo who allegedly defrauded musician Mrs Sandra Ndebele-Sibindi of $100 000 in a suspected illegal money changing deal that went sour, appeared in court yesterday.

Lindiwe Moyo (48) connived with Amanda Onwuchukwu and Simanga Gwemende and allegedly swindled Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi of $100 000 before alleging that she lost the money to three suspects — two men and a woman — who had offered her a lift from Beitbridge to Bulawayo only to speed off without her after they had taken a recess in Colleen Bawn.

The money was in a suitcase. Onwuchukwu and Gwemende are still at large.
Moyo appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Adelaide Mbeure charged with fraud. She was remanded out of custody to December 14 on $300 bail. As part of bail conditions, she was ordered to reside at her given address and to report thrice a week at ZRP Commercial Crimes Division in Bulawayo.

Moyo was also ordered to surrender her passport to the clerk of court and not interfere with State witnesses.

Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza, said on October 12 this year, Moyo allegedly ganged up with Onwuchukwu and Gwemende and hatched a plan to defraud Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi of her money.

“The accused person and her accomplices misrepresented to the complainant that they were in a position to source foreign currency for her. The complainant gave the accused person $100 000,” said Mr Mageza.

It was not mentioned in court papers how the accused person and her accomplices intended to source the foreign currency.

It is however, a punishable criminal offence to illegally deal in foreign currency.
The court heard that upon being given the money, Moyo and her accomplices failed to source the foreign currency and hatched a plan to file a false report at West Nicholson Police Station purporting to have lost Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi’s money to robbers.

Moyo alleged that she lost the money while bringing it back to Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi who wanted it.
She said she lost the cash after people who had offered her a lift from Beitbridge sped off leaving her behind in Colleen Bawn.

“The report was later proved to be false and the accused person was charged and convicted for making a false police report. As a result of accused person’s actions, the complainant suffered actual prejudice of $100 000 and nothing was recovered,” said Mr Mageza.

The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of Moyo while her accomplices are still on the run.

Moyo is being represented by Mr Admire Zvongouya of Liberty Mcijo and Associates.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has used temporary powers to enact a new law that will see illegal currency traders being sentenced to up to ten years in jail, while ill-gotten wealth will be confiscated.
Under regulations that come into effect last week, Government will track unexplained movement of money in the financial system.

President Mnangagwa’s intervention, which involves amending the Exchange Control and Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Acts, is through constitutional provisions of the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act.

Parliament needs to approve the law within six months to make it permanent.
The new law prescribes a maximum 10-year custodial sentence for illegal currency traders, and authorities will be empowered — through the Unexplained Wealth Orders Statute — to confiscate ill-gotten wealth.

The President recently said police investigations have proved that illegal money changers operating from the streets were just pawns in the black market scheme.

He said wanton illicit currency deals have disturbed the economy resulting in massive market failure, manifesting in complete collapse of the pricing framework for virtually all commodities. – state media

The High Court has thrown out an application by television personality Oscar Pambuka and former Zanu PF MP for Highfield Psychology Maziwisa to overturn a decision by the Magistrates’ Courts to be put to their defence in the ongoing fraud trial.

Maziwisa and Pambuka are accused of defrauding Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) of $12 650.

Magistrate Lazini Ncube dismissed their application for discharge at the close of the State’s case and ruled that they should be put to their defence, but they approached the High Court, challenging Ncube’s ruling.

A High Court judge ruled that there is nothing improper about Ncube’s decision and they should go back to court and defend themselves. The defence case failed to proceed yesterday after the duo’s lawyer, Jonathan Samukange travelled to Namibia for a Supreme Court hearing.

Ncube postponed the matter to November 26 for continuation of trial.- state media

THE High Court has thrown out an application by television personality Oscar Pambuka and former Zanu PF MP for Highfield Psychology Maziwisa to overturn a decision by the Magistrates’ Courts to be put to their defence in the ongoing fraud trial.

Maziwisa and Pambuka are accused of defrauding Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) of $12 650.

Magistrate Lazini Ncube dismissed their application for discharge at the close of the State’s case and ruled that they should be put to their defence, but they approached the High Court, challenging Ncube’s ruling.

A High Court judge ruled that there is nothing improper about Ncube’s decision and they should go back to court and defend themselves.

The defence case failed to proceed yesterday after the duo’s lawyer, Jonathan Samukange travelled to Namibia for a Supreme Court hearing.

Ncube postponed the matter to November 26 for continuation of trial.

Daily News

Correspondent|Glen View South MDC Alliance legislator Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java has cleared the air on corruption allegations that has been dogging her for more than five years through media reports.

In 2011, Harare City Council allegedly awarded a water treatment contract multi-million dollar water purification project to Tsvangirai and her husband Apostle Batsirai Java.

Allegations were that that the couple owns Australian-registered company which deals with water purification services, approached the city council for a tender to purify Harare water.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday,Tsvangirai said she approached the Harare City Council in good faith.

“I approached the Harare City Council with my proposal and underwent all the testing processes with the Standard Association of Zimbabwe.

“The city council engineers also tested the chemicals and we all agreed that we will be given a procurement order valid at $212 000 for a pilot test,” she explained.

Investigations established that Tsvangirai actually toured Sydney with the Harare City Council Water department officials with a written Cabinet authority as is required at law.

“We were told that after the visit the city council would then give us a procurement order as a pilot test,” she said.

“The cost was to be $212 000 and our services wold have cut city council budget on water purification by 50%,” she said.

Tsvangirai Java said her company did all the necessary tests with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe as well as with the City of harare technicians which were successiful.

However, she said after all the tests were done city council never called her for further development and she suspects politics was at play. The whole deal had been passed by a Full Council Resolution rendering it an ‘above board’ arrangement. Tsvangirai said politics came into play as she was accused of being favoured as the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s daughter and the deal failed to materialise.

Despite the deal having failed to materialise, she said, her enemies and political foes still allege she was given a US$10 million tender and failed to deliver the services.

M&T

 

Terrence Mawawa|The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) has said that nothing has changed since former President Robert Mugabe vacated office. Mugabe was pushed out of power in
November 2017 after the military intervened in ZANU PF’s succession battles. The military placed Mugabe under house arrest and he resigned after Parliament began proceedings to impeach him. President Mnangagwa took over a few days later and has been singing the mantra ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’. However, little has changed for the betterment of ordinary people’s lives. ZimRights director Okay Machiya said:”
I don’t think there has been any
improvement. There has been a
number of abuses we did not expect
from the new administration
epitomised by the August 1 shootings of ordinary citizens. There is nothing to celebrate.
Zimbabweans have not enjoyed the
socio-economic and political rights we are guaranteed by the Constitution. We still see the partisan distribution of food. There seem to be much talk and little action around the economy but tangible for Zimbabweans to enjoy.Newsday

 

Terrence Mawawa| Prominent philanthropist and wife of Econet founder Strive Masiyiwa, Tsitsi Masiyiwa says that there is nothing wrong with marrying or renewing marital vows in the month of November.

Culturally it is considered a taboo to get married in November, such marriages are doomed to fail according to tradition.

Expressing her views on Twitter,
Masiyiwa said :”Zimbabwe it’s okay and acceptable to get married in November. It’s perfectly acceptable to renew your marriage vows in the month of November. “So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The Lord is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other.” Deuteronomy 4:39.”

WATCH VIDEO…

Own Correspondent|Former NetOne chief executive officer Reward Kangai has finally been removed from remand after his application for refusal for further remand was successful.

The same application was previously dismissed by magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa in September on basis that the police needed ample time to investigate the matter in which he was facing 21 cases of criminal abuse of office during his tenure as the Mobile Networking Operator (MNO)’s boss.

In an evident ‘sigh of relief’, Kangai expressed his happiness and thanked all those who supported him via micro-blogging site Twitter on Wednesday.

Read his tweet:
“Today, the Magistrate relieved me of the harrowing remand process, so I am Free and Thanking the Lord. A Big Thank you to all who have supported my just cause throughout.”

It was the State’s case that case that sometime in October 2014, Kangai unlawfully and corruptly sanctioned payment of rentals in advance for four base stations without authorisation and approval from the board of directors.

Kangai allegedly showed favour to Bopela Family Trust by sanctioning the advance rental payment of $10 500, which covered a period of 21 months.

Richwood Sports Club was paid $33 000, which covered a period of five years, while Avondale Christian Church was paid $27 000, which covered three years. It is alleged that house No. 514 Chipembere Road, Windsor Park in Ruwa, Harare was paid $5 400.

The court heard that NetOne has no provision for advance rental payments and the lease agreements entered between the company and base station landlords had no provision for such.

It is alleged that Kangai’s conduct was prejudicial to NetOne and other landlords whose rentals were not paid.

Kangai also approved a loan of $80 000 to Bopela Group (Pvt) Ltd without approval of the board. It is alleged that the loan approval was outside NetOne’s mandate. The company lost $155 900 as a result.

Between January 2014 and December 2015, Kangai allegedly hand-picked Espol Advertising (Pvt) Ltd, Sectional Poles South Africa, Convergys (Pvt) Ltd, Bopela Group (Pvt) Ltd, Gemalto (Pvt) Ltd, Afrosoft (Pvt) Ltd and Imago Communications for a tender whose total value $17 594 700.

The court heard that on eight different occasions, Kangai abused his authority by giving directives to his subordinates on the acquisition of base station sites. The procedure required three survey reports before the final selection. It is alleged that construction work at the sites commenced without survey reports.

Ironically, Kangai will be one of the state’s key witnesses in the trial of his former boss Supa Mandiwanzira whom he on December 28 last year accused of abusing office.

The former NetOne boss made the allegations through a letter dubbed “The birth and growth of a cartel in the ICT Sector in Zimbabwe” which he directed to President Mnangagwa accusing Mandiwanzira of abusing his office.

M&T

Own Correspondent|Energy and Power Development Minister Joram Gumbo has blame the spate of fires in the country on people allegedly hoarding fuel at their premises.

Speaking in a news interview on Star FM radio on Wednesday, Gumbo said that Zimbabweans are unnecessarily hoarding fuel at their premises resulting in the fires that have gutted properties around the country.

“People are unnecessarily keeping fuel in their homes and this can be directly linked to the spate of fires around the country,” said Gumbo.

The Minister dismissed emerging fuel shortages at most filling stations claiming that there can be no shortages of fuel in the country at the moment as government has stocked enough fuel to last the country for 18 months.

Gumbo blamed the emerging shortages to social media messages that have been encouraging motorists to stock up fuel in preparation for the festive season. According to the messages, the country is set to have a severe fuel shortage over the festive season.

Gumbo said Zimbabweans should not place their trusts on social media.

“We can not have our people believe in the social media than they do to the government,” he said.

“What we say as government is the truth and people should believe us. We have more than 18 months stock of fuel in the country and panic buying due to social media is causing the temporary shortages.”

Own Correspondent|President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday launched a Ministry of Education è learning programme at a low key event in Harare.

Mnangagwa showered praises on himself in launching the programme and distributing 5000 text books which critics claim the Minister of Education may well have presided over.

Wrote Mnangagwa on his social media platforms;

It was a great pleasure to launch our programme of e-learning and exercise books at the event, “Building Positive Social Impact for Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education: Everyone’s Responsibility.”

Investment in education is a key strategy to reduce poverty, propel our economic growth and ensure our young people are equipped with the skills they require to succeed.

Government is also opening up platforms for companies to partner and promote matters related to science, entrepreneurship, child welfare, gender equality, public health, environmental care, financial literacy and many more subjects.

As we build our new Zimbabwe together, nobody shall be left behind!

The opposition MDC-T, led by Dr Thokozani Khupe, has commended the Commission of Inquiry investigating the post-election violence that occurred in Harare on August 1.

In a statement yesterday, the MDC-T said it noted the commitment of the commission and was hopeful that Zimbabweans and the global world would get to know what exactly transpired on the fateful day, leading to the exposure and prosecution of the perpetrators.

“We believe the commission must be given enough room to manoeuvre in order to get to the root cause of the problem.”

Khupe’s statements come as a surprise to most people as they are contradictory to other opposition parties and civic society groups that have condemned the commission’s composition and operations.

Khupe and her party members have been surprise bedfellows with the ruling ZANU PF since the July elections.

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"Bring the soldier in the video footage to clarify on whether the gun was at 45%.Our lives are at risk.They will reopen 2014 Dockers.Protect us because we have said the truth & we will be persecuted," pic.twitter.com/y7oCwyHfjD

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 21, 2018

"The body was later identified as Brian Zhuwao. The people who brought him were visible angry.Their vehicle took off at high speed" says mortuary attendant pic.twitter.com/43nQVd6WCm

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 21, 2018

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"The body was later identified as Brian Zhuwao. The people who brought him were visible angry.Their vehicle took off at high speed" says mortuary attendant pic.twitter.com/43nQVd6WCm

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 21, 2018

Own Correspondent|The country has witnessed a radical reduction in the total area affected by veld fires from July to October, the Enviromental Management Agency (EMA) has revealed.

According to EMA there has been a three percent reduction in fire incidents. A total of 1 595 fire incidences were recorded Since July 31 this year.

“The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has been monitoring the occurrence of veld fire since the 31st of July up to the 31st of October 2018.

“During this period, the availability of dry biomass, heat and wind provide a conducive environment for veld fires to occur. The fire season has come and gone and left a trail of destruction. According to Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007, the fire ends on 31 October of each year but cases of fire incidences will be recorded until the onset of the rainy season hence the Agency will continue to monitor these fires.

“During the period, 3.09% of Zimbabwe’s total land area was burnt, down from 3.29% in 2017. The actual total burnt area was 1 190 174.89 Ha emanating from 1 595 fire incidences. This is a 6.2 % decrease in area burnt compared to the 2017 fire season where 1 268 534.31ha were burnt from 2 705 fire incidences,” read part of the statement released by EMA this week.

EMA said the worst affected province was Mashonaland West. “The worst affected provinces were Mashonaland West with 420511.2ha burnt followed by Matabeleland North with 212547.16ha burnt and Mashonaland Central with 153305.44ha burnt.

The six worst affected districts were: Karoi (156 964.58), Hwange (80 566.03), Insiza (77065.50), Makonde (69647.59), Zvimba (61 078.79) and Gweru (51345.85),” EMA said.

Interestingly, this week has seen an increase of fire accidents throughout the country with the latest incident being a fire that broke out in Mbare near Siyaso Complex on Tuesday afternoon.

M&T

Own Correspondent|Online media houses and social media pltforms have today been going wild condemning widow to the late MDC founding President Morgan Tsvangirai, Elizabeth, for appearing in a video singing while driving, but is there anything extraordinarily wrong with this?

Watch video below:

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Paul Nyathi|MDC president Nelson Chamisa has expressed shock at what he describes as “tone of hate and anger” in Presidential Spokesperson George Charamba’s statement flighted in the state owned Herald on Tuesday.

Charamba was quoted in the media vilifying Chamisa regarding his preconditions to appear before the Commission of Inquiry into the August 1 killings.

“Comments by government & Mr Mnangagwa’s spokesperson in yesterday’s herald are so strange. He strangely suggests that the Aug 1 inquiry’s sole purpose is to fix MDC, its leadership.The tone of hate and anger is baffling.I have no blood in my hands.Peace defines my life,” said Chamisa in his Twitter page.

This followed Chamisa’s insistence that he would only appear before the Kgalema Motlanthe led Commission on condition that President Mnangagwa and his deputies were also subpoenaed to testify.

Chamisa has since climbed down from that position, and is set to testify later today. MDC deputy chairperson Tendai Biti will also testify, along with other MDC members Shadreck Mashayamombe and others.

Despite widely published photographs and video footage showing the Zimbabwean army soldiers firing on people in Harare’s streets, senior military commanders last week flatly denied before the Commission that their men were responsible for the shooting of six people in Harare choosing instead to put the blame on Chamisa.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

Nyemba asked whether Maphosa had been given a single paged document when the family got the post mortem results for Sylvia claiming she had died of stab wounds

ZANU PF is pulling out all stops for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s first rally since the disputed July 30 elections which will be held in former President Robert Mugabe’s home area, three days after the first anniversary of a military coup that forced his resignation.

Party provincial chairperson and Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi told a provincial co-ordinating committee meeting last week that the rally would be a celebration of the demise of the “G40 cabal”.

G40, believed to have been Mugabe’s brainchild, was a faction within Zanu PF that up to November last year engaged in a fierce power struggle with Team Lacoste fronted by then Vice-President Mnangagwa.

“The President has directed that all MPs must thank the people for voting for them in July. He will lead by example by coming to Mashonaland West, the epicenter of the G40 cabal to the 313 000 people who voted for him.

“It is cause for celebration that President Mnangagwa got more votes than the former President (Mugabe) ever got in the province despite the fact that this (Mashonaland West) is the G40 birthplace,” Ziyambi told provincial leaders according to an official who attended the meeting.

Ziyambi was not immediately available for comment yesterday.

Insiders also said besides celebrating the poll victory, the rally was Mnangagwa’s cunning way of sending a clear message to Mugabe that he was now in charge.

“It is a clear message to the former President that Mugabe has to accept the new reality. The choice of Mugabe’s home area to stage the first ‘thank you’ rally is not a mistake. You will remember that when he was appointed Vice-President in 2014, his first stop was his home province of Midlands. This choice is instructive,” the official told NewsDay.

Zanu PF provincial vice-chairperson Dexter Nduna said the numbers who voted for Mnangagwa in the elections alone were cause for celebration.

“Yes we are celebrating our victory and have asked all districts to make transport arrangements for a resounding rally for the President. Many had claimed we would lose Mashonaland West to the opposition, but we worked hard. The opposition, even with support from the G40 failed,” Nduna said.

But the ruling party’s spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday said Zanu PF will not be celebrating the anniversary of Mugabe’s forced departure.

“There is no need for us to celebrate. We are not stuck in the past and the President (Mnangagwa) has been very clear. We should let bygones be bygones. Zanu PF is concentrating on the revival of the economy and not personalities,” Khaya Moyo said.

“The rally is one of many that will come to thank our supporters for the crushing victory in July.”

Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa was also in Mashonaland West at the weekend “consulting” his supporters ahead of planned mass action against the declining economic situation in the country.

Chamisa has already been to Marondera in Mashonaland East as well as Beitbridge in Matabeleland South.

-Newsday

 

LAST November was possibly the busiest and most breathtaking moment for Father Fidelis Mukonori, a Roman Catholic cleric whose ties with former President Robert Mugabe are well documented.

To see the man he had been close to all his life cornered and being made to negotiate a power transition that elbowed his long-time ally could have been one of the most daunting tasks for the man of the cloth.

His love for Mugabe was not a secret and so is his love for peace, and Mukonori was surely between a rock and a hard place.

Supporting Mugabe was imperative, but the former leader was cornered and there was need to balance his love for him and the love for a peaceful Zimbabwe.

But a year after the coup that toppled Mugabe, Mukonori said the former President is fine and moving on with his life.

A year on, Mugabe seems to have accepted his fate and things seem to have changed from the time he addressed a Press conference supporting opposing leader Nelson Chamisa, but softened up after the government went all out of the way to assist him and his wife at the funeral of his mother-in-law in September.

He has slowly accepted the new dispensation after he had constantly attacked his predecessor President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the manner in which he got into power.

And Mukonori said he has no regrets over his role and wishes Zimbabwe to move forward.

“I did what I had to do and let Zimbabwe move forward,” Mukonori said in an interview.

“I am sure things will be okay in future.”

On Mugabe he said it’s been a while since he met him, but they always talk over the phone and he sounds okay.

“I am sure he is at home.

“I haven’t met him for some time, but I have been in touch with him by phone and I talked to him a few weeks ago after the death of his mother-in-law and he sounded fine.

“Thereafter I think he travelled so I haven’t been in touch with him since then.”

Mukonori said he was not sure if Mugabe still misses power, the high life where he was always at the centre of discussions both locally and internationally.

Since his removal from power last year, many people have said there is nothing really tangible that the new administration has achieved in terms of making life easier for the majority.

Mugabe, now nearing 95 years couldn’t imagine life away from power. During his days as a feared leader, Mugabe created a strong system that pounced on anyone who dared challenge his continued grip to power, particularly within the ruling Zanu PF.

Mugabe has been full of surprises.

Almost a year ago, as the former strong man’s rule fell like a deck on the cards, millions of Zimbabweans and many others across the world waited for his anticipated resignation but alas, he delivered a speech which he coined by the Swahili saying “Asante Sana” where he stubbornly tried to paint a picture that he was firmly in charge.

However, as fate has it, Mugabe’s rule finally came to an end and one year later, his negotiator thinks he is just doing fine.

— NewsDay

Correspondent|PIONEER Gas owner and top Harare socialite Genius Kadungure, facing charges of tax evasion and money laundering, was freed on $1,000 bail by a High Court judge on Tuesday.

Justice Tawanda Chitapi, in a judgment delivered late Tuesday afternoon, ruled that Harare magistrate Bianca Makwande had erred in denying bail to the businessman.

Makwande ruled on Friday last week that it would be against the interests of justice to release Kadungure on bail.

But Chitapi overruled the lower court as he released Kadungure on $1,000 bail with stringent conditions.

Kadungure was required, as part of the conditions for his release, to surrender his passport; surrender title deeds for a property worth $250,000; report once fortnightly to the CID Commercial Crimes Unit and to continue residing at his home in Domboshava.

The judge was critical of Makwande, who – according to Kadungure’s lawyers – initially was inclined to release the socialite on bail, but changed her mind when the lawyers left court to go and find title deeds.

The magistrate had, among other reasons, cited the fact that Kadungure is awaiting a verdict on fraud charges in another court. The judge said the magistrate was wrong to reference a case which is not before her in determining whether a suspect must get bail.

In the end, the judge said bail was a right and can only be denied in extreme circumstances where evidence is shown that a suspect is unlikely to present in court when required to do so.

Kadungure is accused of under-declaration of sales for his gas business between 2009 and 2016, prejudicing the taxman of over $3 million.

He also becomes the first person to be taken to court for failing to account for his wealth under new lifestyle audits ordered by authorities. He faces charges of money laundering.

FORMER Bulilima West legislator and Minister of National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration, Mr Moses Mzila-Ndlovu and two of his sons have been arrested for allegedly robbing a suspected poacher that they apprehended at his farm in Figtree.

The trio were arrested on Monday.

The ex minister and his sons, Tjakalisa and Umile were supposed to appear at the Plumtree Magistrates court facing robbery charges yesterday.

They however could not be put on remand after their lawyer Mr Nqobani Sithole challenged their placement on remand.

They allegedly robbed Mr Mike Makichini.

The lawyer argued that police were supposed to investigate the allegations before arrests.

The state and Mr Sithole later agreed that the matter would proceed by way of summons.

Charges against Mzila-Ndlovu and his sons are that on Thursday last week they apprehended, Mr Makichini allegedly poaching firewood at the family’s Khami Magazine farm along the Bulawayo-Plumtree road.

They allegedly robbed him of his cellphone, an axe and wheelbarrow.

Mr Makichini reported the trio to the police.

On Friday, the trio was summoned to the police station but could not make it and allegedly agreed with police that they would report on Monday.

When they reported at the station on Monday they were arrested and detained.

They were only released after the intervention of their lawyer.

In 2013, Mzila-Ndlovu was arrested and charged with threatening to shoot two firewood poachers, robbing them of their cash, car keys, cellphone and personal identity documents after apprehending them at his farm.

He was however acquitted of the charges.

— State Media