A tourist who was left for dead by an elephant bull in Victoria Falls on Saturday has been identified as Frank Sternhardt, a 56-year-old German national and has since been airlifted to South Africa for further treatment.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the development.

“He was seriously injured and his condition kept worsening until he had to be airlifted to South Africa the same night. He sustained left arm and left leg fracture and other multiple body injuries,” Farawo said.

“Elephants are breeding this time and we would like to urge our tourists not to draw closer to them and start filming. When they have calves, they become very sensitive and protective and must be avoided at all costs.”

Sternhardt had visited the resort town with his wife and the two were walking to Kingdom Hotel where they were staying when he was attacked.

He was saved by souvenir vendors who said they were alerted to the danger by a woman’s screams.

Anele Mpofu and Nqobile Nkomazana said they used catapults to scare away one of the feeding cows to save the tourist’s life.

“We hit it hard on its left ear and maybe it thought it was a gun and it moved away along with three calves and the rest of the herd that was nearby. That is how he was able to be rescued,” Mpofu said.

“The wife had apparently ran away during the attack and came back to find out if her husband was still alive. She was in shock and tears but we managed to render first aid until the hospital ambulance came to pick him up.”

Mpofu and Nkomazana said they always carried catapults for protection as they work in an area full of dangerous animals.

Last Wednesday, another German tourist was trampled to death by an elephant in Mana Pools after she went close to the animal to take selfies.

Correspondent|A businessman who has been on the run since December last year accused of hijacking the daughter of former Vice President Joice Mujuru at gunpoint has been arrested.

Tatenda Answerlin Tsvuura, 24, the director of Exceptional Energy Limited, appeared in court last Saturday charged with vehicle theft.

He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to October 11 pending his trial.

His accomplice Longman Maridadi, who worked as a chauffeur in South Africa, is already on remand.

The court heard that on December 17 last year, Kumbirai Rungano Mujuru, in the company of her friend Tamuka Kelvin Keche, was driving in Harare and later parked her Mercedes Benz at the corner of Third Street and Josiah Chinamano Avenue.

Tsvuura and Maridadi, the court heard, had been following the pair in their vehicle with a plan to steal the Mercedes valued at $42,000.

When Kumbirai parked her vehicle, the two men pounced on her armed with pistol and threatened to shoot her, said Peter Kachirika, prosecuting.

The pair took control of the vehicle and drove to Kuwadzana where they topped up fuel worth $70 using Keche’s credit card.

Still holding Kumbirai and Keche captive, they drove to Lake Chivero where they tied the pair to a tree and left them stranded at around midnight.

Kumbirai and her friend later managed to untie themselves and filed a police report.

Mujuru’s car was found parked at one Rosemary Svosve’s place of residence and upon being interviewed, she told police that Tsvuura and Maridadi had left the car.

Maridadi was arrested after the police received a tip off that he was going to move the car from Svosve’s place to South Africa. A trap was set and he was arrested.

MEMBERS of the infamous National Youth Service (NYS) have defended their involvement in Zanu PF politics, saying their recent move to thwart demonstrations by party activists in Mutare and Chipinge last week was justified.

The NYS members were roped in after disgruntled ruling party activists stormed Zanu PF offices in Mutare and Chipinge, pushing for the ouster of provincial chairperson Mike Madiro and his deputy, Dorothy Mabika for allegedly fanning divisions.

The pair also stands accused of contributing to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s poor showing against opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa in the province in the July 30 poll.

NYS Manicaland chapter deputy commando Terrence Mukodza told NewsDay yesterday that they were ready to quash rebellion in the province.

“We are here to defend the revolutionary party and not individuals. We are here to defend the legacy of the party,” he said.

“As members of the national youth service, we are happy with the leadership that we were given by our President Emmerson Mnangagwa in our province, including our party structures,” he said.

“We were told that there were people who wanted to demonstrate at the party office in Mutare last week. We were waiting for them (protesters), we camped at the Manicaland Zanu PF headquarters, waiting for the protesters,” Mukodza added.

Last week, party activists petitioned Zanu PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri, political commissar Engelbert Rugeje and secretary for legal affairs Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana, seeking the ouster of Madiro and Mabika.

NYS graduates have previously been used as Zanu PF paratroopers alongside war veterans and State security agents to intimidate and beat up opposition supporters, especially during elections.

NewsDay

Jane Mlambo| Newly appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Ndavaningi (Nick) Mangwana has promised to reform media laws with both Access to Information and Protrection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) high on the government agenda.

In a Twitter post this morning, Mangwana confirmed that media reforms were on the government agenda in what could breathe a sigh of relief to media practitioners who have always campaigned against repealing of laws deemed to infringe on freedom of expression and access to information.

A good friend mentioned something to do with AIPPA. I can confirm that it is on GoZ agenda to reform the Media Laws in the 2nd Republic. Both AIPPA & the BSA(Broadcasting Services Act) are on the agenda pic.twitter.com/Mpx7TZs96X

— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) October 2, 2018

GOVERNMENT has gazetted Statutory Instrument (SI 178/2018) to facilitate amendment of the Dangerous Drugs (Production of Cannabis for Medicinal and Scientific Use) SI 62/2018 by cutting the application fee for production of cannabis from the previous $50 000 to $10 000.

The SI, gazetted on September 14, allows government to introduce a licence fee of $40 000 charged for production of cannabis.

The first SI 62/2018, which was promulgated for production of cannabis, stipulated that the application fee for a licence to produce cannabis was at $50 000, and the application fee for a licence to conduct research on cannabis was $5 000, application fee for renewal of licence to produce cannabis $20 000, and annual return fees of $15 000.

The amended SI 178/2018 also makes Robert Mugabe International Airport the only permitted port of entry for cannabis and cannabis products.

“For the purposes of these regulations, the designated port of entry or exit for fresh or dried cannabis, cannabis plants, cannabis seeds, or cannabis oil shall be Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Harare,” the new amendment in SI 178/2018 read.

The cannabis growing regulations also stipulate that the producer’s licence is valid for five years and may be renewed thereafter before its expiry.

The regulations give powers to the Health minister to cancel a producer’s licence in circumstances such as when the minister has reasonable grounds to believe that the licence was issued on the basis of false or misleading information in the submitted documents for application of licence.

Other reasons where the minister could cancel the licence were when they received information from an inspector, a competent authority or the United Nations raising reasonable grounds to believe that the licensed producer had been involved in the diversion of a controlled substance or precursor to an illicit market or use, among other reasons.

The regulations also restrict access to areas within a site where cannabis is present, with the areas restricted to persons whose presence in those areas is required by their work responsibilities.

NewsDay

Government has technically de-dollarised the economy by reintroducing local currency bank accounts, which will be traded in electronic transfers and bond notes only, and piled more taxes on the transacting public.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya, in a monetary policy statement presented yesterday, directed banks to create nostro accounts for foreign currency transactions (nostro FCAs), which will run separately from existing bank accounts, now limited to RTGS (real time gross settlement) transactions and bond notes only.

The measures, which will technically de-dollarise the economy and reduce existing FCAs to local currency accounts, take effect on October 15.

Mangudya said the Africa Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has agreed to provide a $500 million guarantee to the new nostro FCAs, which have been created to cater for exporters and other foreign currency earners.

It means non-foreign currency earners, who wish to open nostro FCAs, would have to fully fund their accounts with foreign currency.

It also means government has indirectly admitted that bond notes and RTGS balances cannot trade at par with the US dollar due to a growing mismatch between cash dollars and bond note/RTGS balances.

“With immediate effect, all banks are directed to effectively operationalise the ring-fencing policy on nostro foreign currency accounts by separating FCAs into two categories, namely nostro FCAs and RTGS FCAs,” Mangudya said.

“Accordingly, all banks are directed to use their know-your-client principles to comply with this directive to separate the accounts without requiring their clients to complete any other documentation other than for new bank accounts.”

Zimbabwe is reeling under a harsh currency crisis, characterised by a persistent shortage of cash and foreign currency, which has given rise to an active parallel market where foreign currency, bond notes, RTGS balances and mobile money are traded.

RBZ announced the currency measures, purportedly to strengthen the multi-currency regime, currently in circulation, under a broader framework of 13 measures introduced to stabilise prices; boost the amount of foreign currency in circulation and support the productive sectors of the economy.

The catalogue of interim measures include the provision of lines of credit for strategic imports; use of letters of credit for high-value foreign transactions and the introduction of a statutory reserve requirement to mop up excess liquidity.

-Newsday

GOVERNMENT has technically de-dollarised the economy by reintroducing local currency bank accounts, which will be traded in electronic transfers and bond notes only, and piled more taxes on the transacting public.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya, in a monetary policy statement presented yesterday, directed banks to create nostro accounts for foreign currency transactions (nostro FCAs), which will run separately from existing bank accounts, now limited to RTGS (real time gross settlement) transactions and bond notes only.

The measures, which will technically de-dollarise the economy and reduce existing FCAs to local currency accounts, take effect on October 15.

Mangudya said the Africa Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has agreed to provide a $500 million guarantee to the new nostro FCAs, which have been created to cater for exporters and other foreign currency earners.

It means non-foreign currency earners, who wish to open nostro FCAs, would have to fully fund their accounts with foreign currency.

It also means government has indirectly admitted that bond notes and RTGS balances cannot trade at par with the US dollar due to a growing mismatch between cash dollars and bond note/RTGS balances.

“With immediate effect, all banks are directed to effectively operationalise the ring-fencing policy on nostro foreign currency accounts by separating FCAs into two categories, namely nostro FCAs and RTGS FCAs,” Mangudya said.

“Accordingly, all banks are directed to use their know-your-client principles to comply with this directive to separate the accounts without requiring their clients to complete any other documentation other than for new bank accounts.”

Zimbabwe is reeling under a harsh currency crisis, characterised by a persistent shortage of cash and foreign currency, which has given rise to an active parallel market where foreign currency, bond notes, RTGS balances and mobile money are traded.

RBZ announced the currency measures, purportedly to strengthen the multi-currency regime, currently in circulation, under a broader framework of 13 measures introduced to stabilise prices; boost the amount of foreign currency in circulation and support the productive sectors of the economy.

The catalogue of interim measures include the provision of lines of credit for strategic imports; use of letters of credit for high-value foreign transactions and the introduction of a statutory reserve requirement to mop up excess liquidity.

Foreign truckers will now be required to purchase fuel in foreign currency.

Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, who issued fiscal measures to support the monetary policy, also announced an increase in mobile money transfer tax to two cents per dollar from five cents per transaction with effect from yesterday.

The tax applies to transactions conducted via RTGS, mobile phones and the internet.

“Treasury introduced the intermediated money transfer tax with effect from January 1, 2003 through the Finance Act 15 of 2002. The tax was set at five cents per transaction, which was a specific tax,” Ncube said.

“However, due to the increase in informalisation of the economy and huge increase in electronic and mobile phone-based financial transactions and RTGS transactions, there is need to expand the tax collection base and ensure that the tax collection points are aligned with electronic mobile payment transactions and RTGS system.

“The information that we have so far is that in 2018, 1,7 billion transactions went through as compared to 50 million four years ago. I, hereby, review the intermediated money transfer tax from five cents per transaction to two cents per dollar transacted, effective October 1, 2018 (yesterday).

“I am, therefore, directing financial institutions, banks and Zimra [Zimbabwe Revenue Authority], working together with telecommunication companies, to extend the collection to all electronic financial transactions.”

Government is currently working on a statutory instrument, which will give legal effect to the tax adjustment and provide more details about the measures.

Units less than a dollar will be excluded from the tax.

For example, only the first two dollars of a money transfer transaction of $2,20 will be taxed.

Ncube said the tax review has been prompted by revenue considerations following the mobile money explosion that has taken place since 2016 when the RBZ launched a campaign for a cashless economy.

“It’s a fairer tax, we’re moving in line with financial innovation that we’ve seen,” Ncube said.

In the first eight months to August 31, a total of 1,7 billion transactions were recorded, according to Ncube.

Mobile money constituted the largest share of transactions.

Newsday

TWO cholera cases have been confirmed in Bulawayo, both imported from one of the cholera epicentres — Budiriro suburb in Harare.

One of the confirmed cases is that of the popular apostolic sect leader who died last week and a city man who was admitted to Thorngrove Infectious Hospital on Saturday.

Bishop Enock Mhambare from the Paul Mwazha-led church died at Thorngrove Hospital last Monday after he fell ill on his way back from Botswana.

He suffered from stomach aches, watery diarrhoea and was vomiting.

Bulawayo City Council Health Services director Dr Edwin Sibanda said only two cases out of 36 suspected cases had tested positive for cholera.

“We had an elderly man who was admitted and treated as a cholera patient but the results were not yet out when he died and at burial. The final result confirmed it was cholera,” said Dr Sibanda.

He said the new case was reported on Saturday.

“On Saturday we got another one who tested positive for cholera through the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) .This is a 24-year-old man based here in Bulawayo who had gone to Budiriro in Harare for seven days from September 21 to 28. He was admitted at Thorngrove and was treated for cholera and has responded well. I think he was discharged today (yesterday),” Dr Sibanda said.

He said there were two patients at Thorngrove Hospital who are under surveillance.

“We have two patients now. The two patients are local but they have a history of travel to Harare. But you must know that if someone presents with a bit of diarrhoea in any of our institutions within the city they are taken to Thorngrove to clear if its cholera or not. In some cases it turns out to be false alarms.

The total so far has been 36 that were assessed through the health institution and of those only two have turned out to be positive for cholera,” Dr Sibanda said.

He said the local authority was prepared for any outbreak with 200 beds.

“We have 200 cholera beds in our storerooms so that in the case that we need to set up a cholera treatment centre in Pumula or Cowdray Park, the beds are already there. What is left are the tents and other ancillaries.

“We have the cholera beds, brick stands and buckets to go with. So we are doing capacity assessment that in case we have a major outbreak in the city, we can set up centres, so those 200 beds can be deployed,” Dr Sibanda said.

He said the most advisable thing is that when an outbreak occurs, a centre can be set up other than sending everyone to Thorngrove.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has said there has been no increase in the deaths from cholera in the last six days, with the death toll remaining at 49 recorded on Wednesday last week, a sign that the disease is being contained and is no longer a big threat.

Meanwhile, health officials in Matabeleland South have treated three cholera cases that were reported in Beitbridge and also activated the epidemic disaster response plans in all the province’s districts, an official has said.

The Provincial Medical Director, Dr Chipo Chikodzore, said they had mobilised enough resources including medication to deal with further outbreaks.

“Cholera is a preventable disease that is used as a barometer of inadequate access to safe clean water and sanitation,” she said.

Speaking during provincial commemorations of the World Habitat day at Dulivhadzimo Stadium yesterday, Dr Chikodzore said Beitbridge has the lowest rate of access to safe and water and sanitation facilities and the risky situation is worsened by the high movement of traffic in the area.

She said there was a need to revamp ageing water and sanitation infrastructure at most health institutions in the province, especially at Beitbridge, Gwanda and Maphisa hospitals.

A WOMAN from Bulawayo whose married neighbour was killed when they were allegedly having sex in the bush has professed undying love for the man from her hospital bed.

A panic-stricken Ms Fadzai Mativenga (33), the girlfriend to the late Jameson Mwembe (39), ran to inform his wife about the attack at around 10PM on Saturday.

With tears streaming down her cheeks, Ms Mativenga yesterday denied having sex with her late lover in a bushy area between Mabutweni and Njube suburbs where they were attacked by unknown assailants.

“He is my boyfriend and we had been dating for 10 months. We were attacked while in a bushy area between Njube and Mabutweni .We were not having sex but we were just standing discussing some issues. People assume that when people go out in the night they will be having sex,’’ she said.

Ms Mativenga said she knew her late lover was a married man but their relationship had grown so strong that they could not separate.

“I knew he was a married man with children but l loved him so much and l enjoyed his company. We usually went out and we never experienced any misfortune. His death struck me and l do not know how to live without him,’’ she said, massaging the left side of her head that was bandaged.

Forcing back tears, Ms Mativenga said already misses her lover and if he had died a natural death, she would have bid him farewell.

She said the attackers also stabbed her on the throat.

“The way he died is mysterious and l am afraid of attending his funeral lest the family may attack me but it was my desire to say good bye. I wish I could talk to his wife and tell her how much I loved her husband. I want her to know I did not plot his death and I don’t know the people who attacked us,’’ Ms Mativenga said.

She said she knew Mwembe’s wife but the woman didn’t know her that’s why it was easy for her to rush to Mrs Mwembe’s house and alert her about the attack.

“She once stayed at a house behind where my sister stayed so l know her in and out. She didn’t know me until the night l went to her house to alert her of Mwembe’s death’’ Ms Mativenga said.

“I am really sorry about the Mwembe family’s sudden loss. It was my desire that he lives long but the death was beyond my control. If only l could save him, that is the first thing l would do’’.

Ms Mativenga said she received a call from Mwembe at around 8PM asking her to meet him.

“We went to a rocky place where we sat. When electricity went out I saw two men putting on black clothes advancing to where we were standing. I tried to alert Mwembe but it was too late because they struck him once on his head with an unknown object and he fell unconscious.

“I tried to flee to the houses southwards but the attackers caught me. They hit me on the left side of my head and l fell to the ground. When l saw that Mwembe was unconscious, I ran to his wife and alerted her. We took him to West Commonage Police where we were advised to go to Mpilo Hospital and upon arrival, he died,’’ she said.

Ms Mativenga said she is unmarried, unemployed and has three children with different fathers.

“I’m afraid of getting out of the hospital as I don’t know what the future holds for me,” she said.

Former cabinet minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo has lashed out at the Zanu PF led government insisting it is clueless saying the reason why they want to probe price increases is because of pressure from their supporters.

The economy continue to sink beyond the reach of the new administration with commodity prices skyrocketing, fuel shortages making own feet while the bond note value depreciates further to sell at more than 100 percent against the US Dollar.

Posting on his micro blogging twitter today, Moyo, a fierce critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Zanu PF has become clueless as pressure mounts from its structures to rescue the country from an economic collapse.

“Veduwe. When you hear news that ZanuPF is probing shortages of basic commodities, you know government has become clueless and the even more clueless ruling party is responding to mounting pressure from its structures that see that the wheels are falling off!,” he said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been on an offensive global re-engagement campaign centered on ‘Zimbabwe Is Open for Business’ mantra in a bid to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with the incumbent’s party saying foreign investment prospects had clocked at 16 billion on the eve of the July 30 elections.

Moyo fled the country in November during the military inspired protest that ultimately saw former president Mugabe resigning with the latter claiming his resignation was tendered to avoid bloodshed.

President Mnangagwa appointed Professor Mthuli Ncube as new finance minister, who is believed to have expertise in economic matters as the ruling party looks to him to save the nation from entering another 2008 era of hyper inflationary economy.

THE MDC President, Nelson Chamisa, Monday morning came out guns blazing demanding the State House keys insisting the people of Zimbabwe voted for him ahead of President Emmerson Mnangagwa on the just ended July 30 polls.

Speaking at the party Head Quarters in Harare at a welcome ceremony of the National People’s Party executive members who have resigned from the Joice Mujuru’s led party, Chamisa said he is not accepting President Mnangagwa’s bid to console him with a post in parliament.

Chamisa said the people of Zimbabwe’s presidential choice must be respected.

“I was not voted to go to parliament, those who were voted to go into parliament we have them. When I came to the people of Zimbabwe I asked for an opportunity to go to state house. People of Zimbabwe gave me the keys and the keys were stolen. We want our keys. But to reclaim our keys, there is need of a thoughtful program of action which we shall unleash in a peaceful manner.”

He said he has no problem with President Mnangagwa creating an official opposition office in Zimbabwe, but has a problem of overturning the choice of the Zimbabwean people who voted him to be the leader of the country not to be in parliament as opposition leader.

He added that Mnangagwa can pick from any of his parliamentarians to occupy the office not him because that is not what people voted for.

“We have said Mnangagwa should come and discuss on stolen election, we have to agree first who won the elections, and then we can dialogue from that position.

“I cannot be consoled by a minor position when I know that I’m the one who won the elections, how do I go back to the people of Zimbabwe who gave me victory to tell them that I have accepted the opposition leader in parliament, yet they know they gave me the mandate to lead the country.

“Takataura tikati haivhiyiwi, it takes two to tango,” retorted Chamisa.

Chamisa said the party is finalizing program of action to be executed peacefully in the near future in an attempt to reclaim the 2018 election victory.

“We are busy organising a collective program of action that we are going to enrol peacefully. [The program] seeks to call for respect to what we voted for. What have been announced does not resonate with the people’s choice,” he said.

President Mnangagwa recently revealed at the United Nations General Assembly in New York that he is working on a frame work that bids to award the opposition leader a post, a template reported to have been crafted by Britain to save the 76 year old leader from legitimacy crisis.

Meanwhile, speaking at the same occasion, former NPP chairman and former Zanu PF central committee member, Dzikamai Mavhaire heaped praise on Chamisa saying their decision to join the MDC is not driven by the desire to occupy top posts in the opposition party urging his compatriots to work hard.

-263Chat

Zimbabwe’s newly appointed Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has announced a 2 cents per dollar tax on electronic transactions as the country moves to widen its tax base.

“I hereby review the Intermediated Money Transfer Tax from 5 cents per transaction to 2 cents per dollar transacted, effective 1 October 2018,” said Minister Ncube.

He said due to the increase in the informalisation of the economy and huge spikes in electronic and mobile phone-based financial transactions and real-time gross settlement transactions (RTGS), “there is [the] need to expand the tax collection base and ensure that the tax collection points are aligned with electronic mobile payment transactions and the RTGS system”.

While the new tax seems like a downward review, it isn’t as consumer will now be charged on every dollar transacted, whereas in the past it was 5 cents for every transaction, including those above $1.

The new 2c per dollar tax effectively means most Zimbabweans will have to fork out more in tax for every dollar transacted as more than 96% of the transactions currently conducted in the southern African country are electronic.

Analysts have described the hikes as catastrophic for consumers who are already forking out more on value added tax and other bank charges related to electronic transactions.

READ: Zim surpasses 2017 tax collection target

“It’s catastrophic for most Zimbabweans, as most of our transactions are now conducted electronically. It’s an increase in costs on all transactions and the consumer will be hurt,” said Walter Mandeya, an analyst with Trigrams Investment.

In 2018, 1.7 billion transactions were conducted electronically.

The latest Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe figures for the half year to June show electronic transactions done in the country amounted to $64.7bn.

This means if 2 cents is charged on every dollar transacted, government coffers would have swelled by $1.3bn.

If similar transactions were to be conducted in the second half of the year, the country’s treasury can expect to collect at least $2.5bn for the year from transaction charges alone.

At least $4bn worth of transactions went through Point of Sales machines in retail outlets, which means on top of the 15% value added tax that is charged at POS, most transactions will add another 2% tax charge for every dollar spent at the till.-state media

https://twitter.com/hwende/status/1046833811902930946

Staff Reporter|Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya announced a plan to separate local and foreign currency bank accounts which he ordered banks to implement by 15 October 2018 latest.

Mangudya made the announcement when he presented his monetary policy statement in Harare on Monday.

“In February 2018, the Bank introduced a policy that requires banks to ring-fence foreign currency for foreign exchange earners that include international organizations, diaspora remittances, free funds, export retention proceeds and loan proceeds,” said Mangudya.

“Numerous enquiries received by the Bank point to the fact that this policy has not been implemented by some banks on a transparent basis that promotes confidence within the economy. With immediate effect, all banks are therefore directed to effectively
operationalise the ring-fencing policy on Nostro foreign currency accounts by
separating foreign currency accounts (FCAs) into two categories, namely Nostro FCAs and RTGS FCAs.”

Accordingly all banks are directed to use their know-your-client (KYC) principles to comply with this directive to separate the accounts without requiring their clients to complete any other documentation other than for new bank accounts. Banks have been provided with a period of up to 15 October 2018 to fully comply with this policy measure.”

“Banks are also expected to provide reasonable deposit rates on the Nostro
FCAs in line with international best practice on such accounts.

This policy measure is expected to encourage exports, diaspora remittances, banking of foreign currency into the Nostro FCAs and to eliminate the commingling or dilution effect of RTGS balances on Nostro foreign currency accounts.

The relationship between the two categories of the FCAs shall continue to be at parity. This is essential in order to preserve value for money for the banking public and investors during the
transition to a more market based foreign currency allocation system that shall be implemented once the economic fundamentals are appropriate to do so.”

Press Statement|Our demand, as MLO made to the Government of Zimbabwe through the Office of The President of Z imbabwe, was that Matabeleland be paid a compensation sum of US$100 billion for the multiple level damages suffered under successive Zimbabwe administrations since 18 April, 1980 and the rapacious exploitation of her resources to benefit of shona people at the exclusion of Matabeles.

The US$100 billion compensation covers the Matabeleland Genocide committed between 1980 and 1988 by the Zanu PF led government the loss of property, the needless subjection of Matabele people to economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West for Zimbabwe’s political indiscretions, the marginalisation of our citizens and their loss of dignity which has caused them to be displaced, dehumanized, traumatised and dispersed across the globe as economic refugees.

We urge all the people of Matebeleland to reject the pending apology without compensation from the government of Zimbabwe..Lets all stand together and enforce this demand for US$100Billion compensation as failure would be a betrayal of our of departed relatives.

By Paul Siwela
Mthwakazi Liberation Organisation
President

Jane Mlambo| Newly appointed Deputy Chairperson of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, Tendai Biti has scoffed at the ruling ZANU PF saying the party has no capacity to pursue a transformation agenda as they have blood on their hands.

In a Twitter post this afternoon, who posed in a picture with his bosses,  Nelson Chamisa and Thabitha Khumalo said the MDC remained the only legitimate movement to deliver on the aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe.

https://twitter.com/BitiTendai/status/1046794084457893888

Staff Reporter|Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has dissolved the entire ZIMRA Board with immediate effect.

The minister made the announcement at the presentation of the mid-term monetary policy statement on Monday.

A new board will be appointed in due course and until the new board is appointed Zimra management will be run by the Treasury.

Zimra has also been ordered to stop the appointment of key personnel. The hiring of all vacant senior positions has also been frozen.

The Minister said the decision was taken to enhance governance at ZIMRA.

Said Mthuli Ncube.

“In order to enhance governance at ZIMRA, I hereby terminate the term of the current Board with immediate effect. I have proposed names of new Board members which are currently being cleared.

The new Board will be announced in due course. In the meantime, ZIMRA senior management will be reporting directly to Treasury. I take this opportunity to thank the outgoing Board members for the services rendered. ZIMRA senior management is hereby directed to cease all recruitment of new personnel within ZIMRA until a new Board is in place. This is to allow the new board to have input into critical appointments.”

Jane Mlambo| With fuel in Zimbabwe now on high demand from international truck drivers due to the depreciating value of bond notes and retail time gross settlement (RTGS), enterprising locals have begun buying in bulk in anticipation of harvesting from future shortages.

In one of the pictures making rounds on social media, a Toyota Fun Cargo driver is seen filling a drum with diesel for an unknown purpose though speculation is high that it could be hoarding for re-sell once shortages hit the market.

Today, RBZ Governor has announced his mid term monetary policy which restrict vehicles with foreign number plates to buying fuel using foreign currency only.

Notorious carjackers recently pounced on an unsuspecting Zvishavane motorist and stabbed him several times before leaving him naked along the Zvishavane-Gweru Highway.

The victim has been identified as Rangarirai Chipunza (30) from the asbestos town’s densely-populated suburb of Makusha.

In his report to police, Chipunza said on the day of the mishap, he was driving from Zvishavane in a blue Nissan Sulphy and the three assailants asked for a lift to Gweru around 7pm. Along the way and near the Flamingo tollgate in Gweru, one of the three suspects asked for recess and the unsuspecting Chipunza parked his car on the roadside.

It was at that point that one of the suspects, who was seated in the front passenger seat, grabbed Chipunza by the neck and forced him out of the car.

When Chipunza tried to fight back into his car, one of the suspects stabbed him under the left eye with a sharp knife.

The three then ordered Chipunza to hand over the car keys and surrender all his possessions, including two mobile phones, US$40 and $70 bond notes.

He also surrendered his identity and bank cards. At that point, the suspects stripped Chipunza naked and sped off.
Nothing has been recovered so far.

Central Investigations Department national spokesperson Detective Inspector Portia Chinho has since advised motorists to be cautious when driving at night and to be wary of robbers.

“Police would like to urge motorists to exercise due diligence and ensure their vehicles are well secure. They must install alarm systems on their vehicles, tracking devices and anti-hijack systems as these act as preventive measures as well as assist in tracking down stolen motor vehicles,” she said.
-Newsday

THE MDC President, Nelson Chamisa, Monday morning came out guns blazing demanding the State House keys insisting the people of Zimbabwe voted for him ahead of President Emmerson Mnangagwa on the just ended July 30 polls.

Chamisa said that the 30 July polls were stolen adding that the keys to state house are not given on court pronouncement, but by the electorate who he said gave him the mandate to run the country and must be respected.

Speaking at the party Head Quarters in Harare at a welcome ceremony of the National People’s Party executive members who have resigned from the Joice Mujuru’s led party, Chamisa said he is not accepting President Mnangagwa’s bid to console him with a post in parliament.

Chamisa said the people of Zimbabwe’s presidential choice must be respected.
“I was not voted to go to parliament, those who were voted to go into parliament we have them. When I came to the people of Zimbabwe I asked for an opportunity to go to state house. People of Zimbabwe gave me the keys and the keys were stolen. We want our keys. But to reclaim our keys, there is need of a thoughtful program of action which we shall unleash in a peaceful manner.”

He said he has no problem with President Mnangagwa creating an official opposition office in Zimbabwe, but has a problem of overturning the choice of the Zimbabwean people who voted him to be the leader of the country not to be in parliament as opposition leader.

He added that Mnangagwa can pick from any of his parliamentarians to occupy the office not him because that is not what people voted for.

“We have said Mnangagwa should come and discuss on stolen election, we have to agree first who won the elections, and then we can dialogue from that position.

“I cannot be consoled by a minor position when I know that I’m the one who won the elections, how do I go back to the people of Zimbabwe who gave me victory to tell them that I have accepted the opposition leader in parliament, yet they know they gave me the mandate to lead the country.

“Takataura tikati haivhiyiwi, it takes two to tango,” retorted Chamisa.

Chamisa said the party is finalizing program of action to be executed peacefully in the near future in an attempt to reclaim the 2018 election victory.

“We are busy organising a collective program of action that we are going to enrol peacefully. [The program] seeks to call for respect to what we voted for. What have been announced does not resonate with the people’s choice,” he said.

President Mnangagwa recently revealed at the United Nations General Assembly in New York that he is working on a frame work that bids to award the opposition leader a post, a template reported to have been crafted by Britain to save the 76 year old leader from legitimacy crisis.

Meanwhile, speaking at the same occasion, former NPP chairman and former Zanu PF central committee member, Dzikamai Mavhaire heaped praise on Chamisa saying their decision to join the MDC is not driven by the desire to occupy top posts in the opposition party urging his compatriots to work hard saying the reward will be forth come in due course.
-263Chat

Jane Mlambo| Finance Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube appears not to be in control of his Twitter account following a shocking tweet in which he used third person narrative to report about his dismissal of ZIMRA board earlier today.

Zimbabwe Finance Minister Prof Mthuli Ncube has dissolved the board of
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).ZIMRA will be run by the
Treasury until new management is appointed.The dismissals mark the
start of reforms the government is implementing to get its finances
under control.

— Prof. Mthuli Ncube (@MthuliNcube) October 1, 2018

 

One Twitter user @a_monomotapa mockingly suggested that Ncube’s account was being run by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.

https://twitter.com/a_monomutapa/status/1046781900004741120

 

 

Staff Reporter|South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has indicated that his country has gone out of its way to get a R33 million loan from China in order to be able to continue supplying electricity to Zimbabwe.

After an hour and a half of answering questions in parliament,Ramaphosa assured the house that his ruling African National Congress will not have any corrupt activity on the loans sort to increase power production for the region.

Ramaphosa said it would go towards developing the new Kusile power plant and increasing the capacity of South Africa’s electricity grid. This would allow the country to keep supplying nearby countries with electricity.

“Zimbabwe continues to import electricity from us,” Ramaphosa said.

Eskom’s media department told media in that country that it had a “firm power supply agreement” with Zimbabwe under which the country got 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity a day. Zimbabwe could also ask for more than that, as long as the electricity was available and the request made a day before.

This arrangement started on 1 April 2017 and will run to 31 March 2022. In Eskom’s 2017/18 financial year, exports to Zimbabwe added up to 2,250 gigawatt hours (GWh).

The deal runs from 2017 to 2022. But if Eskom has difficulty in getting all the coal it needs for its power plants, it may struggle to generate enough electricity. This could cause problems in the arrangement with Zimbabwe.

A Harare man was dragged to court on Saturday after reportedly shouting unprintable words to the effect that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was incapable of running Zimbabwe.

Norman Machipisa, 29, appeared before Harare magistrate Learnmore Mapiye charged with contravening section 41(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) for disorderly conduct.

He was released on $20 bail and ordered not to interfere with witnesses and continue residing at his current address until the case is finalised. He was remanded to October 11.

The informant in this case is Donaldson Chikotera of Mabelreign in Harare.
Machipisa is a vendor who operates from Corner Second Street and Kwame Nkrumah Avenue in Harare.

Prosecutor Peter Kachirika alleged that on September 28 Chikotera was at Central Vehicle Registry when he heard the accused person shouting on top of his voice saying: “Mnangagwa im***a haagone kutonga nyika”, loosely translated to mean Mnangagwa has no capacity to rule the country.

This annoyed Chikotera who felt that Machipisa had behaved in disorderly conduct.
Chikotera apprehended Machipisa and dragged him to Harare Central Police Station and handed him over to police.

Machipisa was formally charged. Previously, people who insulted the president and his office were charged under section 33 (2) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act).

But this was contested on the basis that the section infringed on the right to freedom of expression.

As a result, the prosecution never managed to sustain a conviction for any of those cases which were normally dismissed by the Constitutional Court.- Daily News

Jane Mlambo| Nick Mangwana who is famous for defending Zanu PF on both mainstream and social media has finally been rewarded with a government post by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In a statement released today, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda announced that Mangwana whose real name is Ndavaningi Mangwana is now the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.

He replaces George Charamba who was demoted and assigned to an inferior position of working under Misheck Sibanda in the office of the President.

Mangwana who has been in the country since the July 30 elections, is known for for defending Zanu PF on the international media and his appointment will not surprise those who have been following him as he and his brother Paul became the voice of Zanu PF even at ZEC meetings.

 

By Dorrothy Moyo| The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Of Information, George Charamba has been replaced by the UK returnee, Nick Mangwana.

Mangwana, real first name, Ndabaningi, was the ZANU PF’s UK Chairman until recently. Below was the government announcement:

Nick Mangwana takes over George Charamba's job pic.twitter.com/EJn4MFodR0

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) October 1, 2018

Staff Reporter|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa received scores of former National People’s Party supporters at Harvest House on Monday.

Chamisa told the gathering that his party did not lose the July 30 elections and was not going to sit back and relax waiting for 2023.

Watch full address below:

By Farai D Hove| Scores of Joice Mujuru party members today moved to join the MDC party.

Speaking aside MDC President Nelson Chamisa at Harvest House, NPP leader, Dzikamai Mavhaire announced the moving of party members from Joice Mujuru to join Chamisa.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Said Mavhaire, “so all these people who have come they have come not representing npp, they have come representing themselves. There has been no split in NPP. Will have come on their own… president these people made a resolution to go and United with you to unite with the people.

“The people who have come here these are the few they are only a few; there are many others who are on their way to join you. There are so many years in the leadership who want to come… there is no one who wants to be associated with failure.

“I said to all of them let us go your night with success. There are those who say the past is the past the future is the future.

“If you say Chamisa is the present, and the future, will you be wrong? President all these people who have come there is not one of them all has come seeking for a position. All these people they are here to serve you deploy them for serving you…”

A Harare man was dragged to court on Saturday after reportedly shouting unprintable words to the effect that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was incapable of running Zimbabwe.

Norman Machipisa, 29, appeared before Harare magistrate Learnmore Mapiye charged with contravening section 41(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) for disorderly conduct.

He was released on $20 bail and ordered not to interfere with witnesses and continue residing at his current address until the case is finalised.

He was remanded to October 11.

The informant in this case is Donaldson Chikotera of Mabelreign in Harare.

Machipisa is a vendor who operates from Corner Second Street and Kwame Nkrumah Avenue in Harare.

Prosecutor Peter Kachirika alleged that on September 28 Chikotera was at Central Vehicle Registry when he heard the accused person shouting on top of his voice saying: “Mnangagwa im***a haagone kutonga nyika”, loosely translated to mean Mnangagwa has no capacity to rule the country.

This annoyed Chikotera who felt that Machipisa had behaved in disorderly conduct.

Chikotera apprehended Machipisa and dragged him to Harare Central Police Station and handed him over to police.

Machipisa was formally charged.

Previously, people who insulted the president and his office were charged under section 33 (2) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act).

But this was contested on the basis that the section infringed on the right to freedom of expression.

As a result, the prosecution never managed to sustain a conviction for any of those cases which were normally dismissed by the Constitutional Court.

DailyNews

 

Terrence Mawawa |THE price of bread is likely to revert to $1 from
$1,10 per loaf in the next two weeks, it has emerged.

Addressing journalists in Bulawayo
last week, Grain Millers Association
of Zimbabwe chairperson, Tafadzwa
Musarara, said there may be changes in the price of bread in the next two weeks.
“We would like to assure the public that the wheat situation is improving and that we have since procured 30 tonnes of wheat which we are expecting from Mozambique,”
he said.

“The shipment is due to arrive in the
next 14 days.We have paid for the current crop of wheat in advance and it will be harvested very soon and we hope this will help to cushion our
stocks.
We are currently trying to engage
Government on subsidising our purchase of wheat and this will likely see the price of bread coming down again”.

Musarara said bread production was at 50 percent, with most shops in rural areas not getting deliveries.

Former cabinet minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo has lashed out at the Zanu PF led government insisting it is clueless.

The economy continue to sink beyond the reach of the new administration with commodity prices skyrocketing, fuel shortages making own feet while the bond note value depreciates further to sell at more than 100 percent against the US Dollar.

Posting on his micro blogging twitter today, Moyo, a fierce critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Zanu PF has become clueless as pressure mounts from its structures to rescue the country from an economic collapse.

“Veduwe. When you hear news that ZanuPF is probing shortages of basic commodities, you know government has become clueless and the even more clueless ruling party is responding to mounting pressure from its structures that see that the wheels are falling off!,” he said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been on an offensive global re-engagement campaign centered on ‘Zimbabwe Is Open for Business’ mantra in a bid to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with the incumbent’s party saying foreign investment prospects had clocked at 16 billion on the eve of the July 30 elections.

Moyo fled the country in November during the military inspired protest that ultimately saw former president Mugabe resigning with the latter claiming his resignation was tendered to avoid bloodshed.

President Mnangagwa appointed Professor Mthuli Ncube as new finance minister, who is believed to have expertise in economic matters as the ruling party looks to him to save the nation from entering another 2008 era of hyper inflationary economy.

A 31-YEAR-OLD man from Bulawayo has appeared in court for allegedly bashing his wife after he found her sleeping in his neighbour’s bed.

A court heard that Thembinkosi Mpofu of Pumula suburb went to his neighbour’s house looking for his wife Tricia Zulu (25) and found her snoring in the neighbour’s bed.

The court heard that Mpofu had always suspected a relationship was brewing between the two.

Mpofu pleaded guilty to assault before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube.

“I went to my neighbour’s house looking for my wife as I have always suspected a relationship between the two. I knocked, opened the door and found her sleeping on his bed while he was at work. We have been married for three years but she is no longer my wife as we separated yesterday,” he said.

Mpofu was fined $100 or 90 days in prison.

Zulu told the court that she wanted Mpofu to be sentenced to three months in prison.

“He always neglected my children and failed to give us money for food just because he doesn’t have children. He should be jailed for three months,” she said.

Prosecuting, Mr Kenneth Shava said last Thursday at 7AM, Mpofu confronted Zulu on why she was having an affair with one Proud Ngwenya.

“He assaulted her, slapping and punching her all over the body,” he said.

The court heard that Zulu did not sustain any injuries and no medication was sought.

The matter was reported to the police leading to Mpofu’s arrest.

— State Media

 

Robert Mugabe deployed troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe got nothing out of it save for international punishment.

However, several of his acolytes
lined their pockets with the Congo mineral loot.Zimbabwe’s former President, Robert Mugabe, in
the August of 1998 sent about 11,000 troops, armoured vehicles and combat aircraft to the Democratic Republic of Congo. There was much discontent back home with one opposition Parliamentarian saying, “The government of Kabila is worth no single Zimbabwean fly or mosquito to die for.” News24 reported that even within the ruling party, there was no consensus. People wanted to know what the country was benefitting from the DRC. What they did not realise was that the answer was right before their eyes.
Zimbabwe and the DRC’s armies had formed joint mining operations in the Congo, one of which was Sengamines operating in the Senga Senga and Mbuji Mayi rivers in Kasai. In Katanga, Zimbabwe was into copper mining. Further, Zimbabwe was now paying for electricity from the DRC in Zimbabwean dollars. Zimbabwe was facing an acute shortage of foreign currency which was a consequence of the Mugabe decision to deploy troops to the Congo. The deployment’s heavy cost
was more than $25 million per month and soon, Zimbabwe defaulted on its IMF loans. The IMF reacted by blacklisting Zimbabwe and terminating its $193 million funding package to which Mugabe retorted, “The IMF should shut up its mouth. Yes, we have spent money in DRC, but we have not died because of that. We continue to be productive.”
According to IOL , Zimbabwe lost the air force’s Cassa 212 transport planes, Alouette-3 helicopter gunships, MiG fighter jets along with armoured personal carriers and several Brazilian- manufactured Cascavel tanks containing heavy
ammunition and radio communication systems.
These had to be replaced. It was a wrong turn. All the promises of potential economic benefits to
Zimbabwe did not materialise as the country’s economy went on a tailspin. What had seemed to be unwarranted criticism by the University of Zimbabwe’s John Makumbe proved to be the
truth. He had said, “It won’t be Zimbabwe as a nation that benefits. Instead, a number of individuals in the political elite will enrich themselves.”
Ken Yamamoto, writing for The Zimbabwean Independent was motivated into investigating
Zimbabwe’s involvement in the Congo after a tour of Harare’s leafy suburbs where military officials
resided sparked his interest. His account of the operation is probably one of the most extensive but the bottom line is Mugabe and his close
lieutenants plundered two countries and lined up their pockets. A UN Panel Report on the Congo revealed that companies controlled through secret contracts and off-shore private companies were being used as instruments of looting by some 30
businessmen, politicians, and military officers.
These 30 were the main beneficiaries of the arrangements. Robert Mugabe, true to his nature, dismissed the allegations in 2002 saying, “At no time was our motive anywhere near the malicious, puerile or even libellous allegations that have been made against us by our detractors. At no time did we…seek the plunder of that country’s resources or the unfair exploitation of a war situation to steal from a sister country.”- The African Exponent

Press Satement|Mthwakazi Republic Party would like to congratulate King Bulelani Lobhengula Khumalo on the occasion of his inauguration as the 3rd King of Mthwakazi people, after his great grand father King Lobhengula Khumalo. The announcement of the official coronation of the King which took place on the 28th of September 2018 at a private ceremony, brought joy and exuberance from those who had attended the commemoration of King Mzilikazi at his grave site.

Chief Nhanhlayamangwe Khayisa Ndiweni, who broke the unexpected news, challenged all those who were present to announce the great news to the entire world.

As the People’s Revolutionary party we say, Bayede! Bayede! Wena wendlovu! Wena wendlovu!
This is the dawn of a new era for the people of Mthwakazi. Never again shall they remain fatherless.

We are grateful to izinduna zakithi for the patience and diligence that they exercised in the hunt for the heir to the thrown of King Lobhengula that was distroyed 125 years ago by the white colonial settlers accompanied by 652 batsmen from Mashonaland.

Siyalibonga Mantungwa amahle, however we wish to emphasise that King Bulelani Lobhengula Khumalo must not be a king of the Khumalo people but rather a king of Mthwakazi people.

It has consistently been our position as a party that we are receptive to a constitutional monarch as opposed to an absolute one.

Once more, sithi Halala! Halala! Amhlophe!

Sisonke sibambene singuMthwakazi Sizokulungisa.

Mthwakazi Republic Party Secretary for Information and Publicity Cde Mbonisi Solomon Gumbo

Staff Reporter|The royal Khumalo Family descendents of last Ndebele King, Lobengula Khumalo declared on Saturday that they had crowned Prince Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo as the new King of the Ndebele people.

The family announced Bulelani’s coronation to the thrown at a low key annual Mzilikazi Commemoration event held at the Mzilikazi Memorial Centre in Matopos on Saturday.

According to the royal family, spokesperson, Khumalo was crowned the king at a ceremony held in Bulawayo after government cancelled a much publicised coronation event which was set for March 4 this year.

It is not yet clear what the new king’s functions will be under the laws of the country that do not provide for the existence of a king.

Correspondent|Newly-elected Zanu-PF Bikita East Member of Parliament and former long-serving Pamushana High School head, Johnson Madhuku, has stepped down as president of the National Association of Secondary School Heads (NASH).

Madhuku recently resigned following his victory in the July 30 harmonised polls where he was voted legislator for Bikita East.

His entry into full-time politics brought the curtain down on an illustrious career in the education sector spanning 34 years.

It was at the helm of NASH where he earned both national and international acclaim when he was re-elected to lead the organisation for five consecutive terms until his resignation to concentrate on politics.

Former NASH vice president and Gwanda High School head Mr Arthur Maphosa is now the organisation’s acting president.

Madhuku said that his focus was now on his work as a parliamentarian.

“I tendered my resignation at a NASH national executive meeting held at a Gweru hotel recently,” he said.

“My focus now is on spearheading development in Bikita East constituency where I was resoundingly voted Member of Parliament.”

THE High Court has dismissed an appeal against conviction and sentence by a jailed Bulawayo landlord’s son who raped their tenant’s two daughters on six different occasions 10 years ago.

Shawn Mpofu (29) of North End suburb raped the two victims, aged 10 and 11 years at the time, on different occasions in September 2008.

Mpofu was in 2008 convicted of six counts of rape. He was sentenced to 33 years in jail of which 13 years were conditionally suspended for five years.

Mpofu, through his lawyers, Shenje and Company Legal Practitioners, filed an appeal at the Bulawayo High Court challenging his conviction and sentence, citing the State as the respondent.

He said there was misdirection on the part of the trial magistrate, arguing that he convicted him without properly investigating the reasons for the delay by the two complainants in making a police report.

Mpofu, who was aged 19 years at the time of conviction, said the sentence imposed by the lower court induces a sense of shock on a juvenile offender.

“The court a quo erred in imposing a heavy sentence on a young offender without taking into account the fact that the appellant had committed the offence while below the age of 18 years. Wherefore, the appellant prays that his conviction be quashed and sentence set aside or in the event that the court of appeal upholds his conviction, it reduces his sentence by blending it with mercy,” argued Mpofu’s lawyers.

Mpofu, in his grounds of appeal, said the regional magistrate, Mr Collen Ncube, largely relied on a medical report which was irrelevant in the circumstances.

“All the counts of rape surfaced when one of the complainants had sexually abused a seven –year-old boy. A medical examination was then conducted on the complainant to establish that sexual abuse,” he argued. In her ruling, Justice Nokuthula Moyo said the issues raised by Mpofu were non-existent.

“The appellant lured the young girls into having consensual sex with them. The girls were young and vulnerable and the appellant abused his position of being the landlord’s son where these two girls lived. The appellant was not falsely incriminated and therefore the conviction is unassailable and it is confirmed. The appeal against sentence fails,” ruled the judge.

The State, which was represented by Mr Thompson Hove, opposed the appeal, arguing that the complainants’ testimonies were credible.

“It is submitted that the sentence imposed by the trial court is proper in the circumstances. An effective 20-year imprisonment for six counts of rape cannot be said to be excessive so as to induce a sense of shock and the respondent prays for the appeal to be dismissed in its entirety,” he said

According to the court papers, sometime in September 2008, Mpofu asked one of the complainants to open the door for him during which she broke the door handle.

The court heard that Mpofu then demanded to have sex with the girl failure of which he would report her to his father for destroying the door handle. Out of fear, the girl complied with Mpofu’s orders. He took the girl to the lounge where he engaged in sex with her.

On a different day during the same month, Mpofu invited the girl to his room where he raped her at knifepoint. He repeated the act on two other different occasions.

During the same month, Mpofu spotted the other complainant’s sister at the house and he invited her to his room on the pretext that he wanted to give her a mealie cob. The girl complied and on entering the room, Mpofu ordered her to lie on the carpet before he raped her.

On September 27, one of the complainants sexually abused a seven-year-old boy who stays at the same house. The girl’s grandmother quizzed her during which the complainant revealed that she had also been sexually abused by Mpofu. A report was made to the police leading to Mpofu’s arrest.

State Media

AN 80-year-old man from Gokwe burned to death after accidentally starting a veldfire while burning weeds in his field.

Michael Mazambuko of Marandu Village in Gokwe North reportedly failed to control the fire, which burnt down about 5 hectares of grazing land on Tuesday last week.

Midlands Provincial Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Ethel Mkwende could not be drawn into commenting saying she was yet to receive details of the incident.

Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Midlands Provincial Spokesperson Mr Simon Musasiwa however, confirmed the unfortunate incident.

“There was a veld fire in Ward 4 in Gokwe North under Chief Chireya. The person responsible for the fire died after he tried to put it out possibly due to suffocation,” said Mr Musasiwa.

He said Mazambuko was working in his field when the fire went out of control.

“We gathered that on the day in question, Mazambuko went to his field around 8AM to burn weeds. Around 11AM, the family members noticed lots of smoke coming from the direction of the field prompting his son and grandson to rush to the field,” said Mr Musasiwa.

He said the two tried to locate Mazambuko while fighting the fire from spreading further.

“They however, failed to locate him but continued fighting the fire which narrowly missed burning a nearby homestead,” Mr Musasiwa said.

Mazambuko’s charred body was only discovered around 3PM.

Mr Musasiwa urged members of the public to desist from starting fires out of their homesteads.

“EMA has previously and continues to advise people against the practice of starting open fires outside residential properties as the risk of these fires spreading and causing veld fires is quite high during the fire season which runs between July 31 and October 31 each year.”

“The high temperatures prevailing in the country are also contributing to the veld fire risk thus farmers are encouraged to desist from starting fires outside their residential properties,” he said.

Midlands has lost over 90 000 hectares of land to veld fires so far.

State Media

A BULAWAYO-based traffic cop who was last year injured when an errant motorist accidentally knocked him down while trying to evade a roadblock, is suing the driver of the car for more than $16 000 in damages.

The accident occurred on March 3 last year when the motorist, Mr Peter Phiri, was trying to flee from the roadblock whose location was not mentioned in court papers.

Mr Kudakwashe Tokoda was manning the roadblock when Mr Phiri, who was driving a Toyota Gaia, hit him.

Mr Tokoda through his lawyers, Dube-Tachiona and Tsvangirai Legal Practitioners, filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing Mr Phiri and Sanctuary Insurance Company as defendants.

Mr Tokoda, who is the plaintiff in the matter, said he suffered permanent injuries, shock and pain as a result of the accident. He said the accident was caused by Mr Phiri’s sole negligence.

“The first defendant (Mr Phiri) drove recklessly without regard to the safety of other road users. He encroached into a prohibited lane and failed to exercise reasonable control of the danger he created when he failed to obey a ‘police ahead’ warning sign and trying to evade the roadblock,” he said.

Mr Phiri was convicted of negligent driving and fined $20.

“The police adjudged the first defendant to be negligent and charged him with the offence of reckless driving for which he was convicted and fined $20,” he said.

Mr Tokoda is demanding $16 618 being damages for pain, shock, permanent injuries, contingencies, future and past medical expenses incurred.

He wants an order directing the defendants to pay him the money including legal costs.

“As a result of the accident the plaintiff suffered injuries which rendered him permanently disabled for about five percent which will cause him pain forever especially during winter,” said Mr Tokoda’s lawyers.

Mr Tokoda said despite demand, the defendants has refused, failed and neglected to compensate him for the injuries and damages suffered.

He is seeking an order compelling the defendants to pay the money.

The defendants have not yet responded to the summons.

State Media

Media Paper By Chitungwiza Residents Trust|Chitungwiza residents are almost edging close to the Stone Age era of bush ablution;but otherwise the Ramapethecsus era bush ablution system was by far hygienic and humane than the ablution system currently obtaining in the dormitory town of Chitungwiza.Instead of discharging the sewerage at the sewer reticulation plant,its now sewer all over the streets.

A CASE STUDY:Unit M Seke.

On Friday 28 September 2018, most houses in unit M have been affected by sewage bursts never seen on this earth.Areas close to Seke 3 High were almost sunk in the sewage dams.Areas between Seke3 and Jambanja had sewer flowing in streets like an overflowing mighty Limpopo river.Houses between Chirenje Shops and Herentals School could not manage getting out of their houses or crossing roads due to raw sewer all over.In the north eastern side of Seke3 High School before Unit M Creche is an area that is known for sewer daily.

All these sewerage affected areas are a perennial problem.Residents are sitting on a time bomb in Unit M.A visit to unit M on Sunday by Chitrest to light life threatening scenarios the residents are surviving in.Residents of houses around 17005 complained that they could not afford to sleep well nor cook food since sewrage had overflowed into their houses.

They even showed Chitrest Director Alice Kuvheya and Chitrest Coordinator Obert Matsika sewer overflowing into kitchens and beneath the beds in bedrooms.

A resident at 16873 said on Friday night sewer flooded from the toilet overflooding into the sitting room only to be assisted by neighbours to scoop the sewerage into the nearby drainage ditch.Several houses around that house were all affected by overflow sewer on their yards.

Just across the road at house 16867,the landlord complained much about the behaviour of council plumbers who came sometime back at his house to attend to sewer bursts and leaving their wire stuck in the sewer pipe at the back of the house.He even accused them for worsening the intensity of the bursts .He cried that kids at his house had to be evacuated to a relative’s place for a safe haven after they all suffered diarrhoea and disturbing stomachaches amid this cholera pandemic.

Another resident in the Garikai stands bordering unit M is surviving on the horns of a dilemma.The family is indeed between the deep see and the devil.The house is situated on top of the main trunk that ferry all sewer from Unit O to the sewer reticulation plant.It is bordered by 3 mainholes which are ever bursting concurrently or in alternation.The landlord at this house number 33432 complained that the mainholes were left open sometime ago and that augmented by the perennial sewage bursts tradition left him admitted in hospital due to pro-cholera abdomenal malady.

Another lady who claimed to be an employee in the Justice ministry complained about that sewerage problem.She showed us a drainage ditch which was cemented by Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle residents and it used to help drain away sewer in the event of a burst.A road demarcating the unit M old houses and Garikai houses has since stopped functioning due to sewerage problem at the area.

COUNCIL REACTION

Slow,Inhumane and Primitive
Council was alerted of that sewage burst in Unit M by residents around houses 17005/6;16873 on Saturday by 0800am but could not come.Senior council officers were informed also by Chitrest director but could not come only to attend to the scene on Sunday 30 September at 0900am.They cited fuel shortages at the council for their delay.

It is very dissappointing that the source of hope is no longer reliable,what it is supposed to be and what it used to be.It is now seriously inefficient and incompetent.

Of serious concern is the phenomenon of the cholera outbreak.How can we fight cholera with this calibre of council administration staff.Not reactive,uncaring and conmen like deportment.

The council sewer workers are also at risk.They work without proper clothing.One of them had his tennis in his foot,some had no gloves and all of them had no masks for safe breathing.
Mr Tarutira,the sewer manager who was at the scene in unit M,piled heaps and heaps of blame on residents for for the bursts and blockages.First he said residents were disposing materials like metals,cloth,bottles,shoes and pampers in the drainage system;which he said impacted negatively on the smooth flow of the sewerage.Secondly he complained that the trunk which carry all the sewage from unit O to the plant had been seriously damaged by residents building houses on top of the trunk causing leakages on the pipes that consequently reduces pushing force and also the holes allow sand in hence blockages.He said the trunk might be having 4 of such holes within a 15metre length.

Chitrest coordinator
Ward 24

The man who helps runs Zimbabwe’s ‘Peace & Reconciliation’ had a crazy idea. Go to a deeply polarized region – after a highly contentious election – and ask political enemies to sit and talk to each other. Here’s what happened:

BARON Dube, a popular gold baron in Esigodini in Matabeleland South Province appeared in court on Friday facing a charge of murdering a member of a rival mining gang in the area.

Dube of Habane township appeared before Gwanda magistrate Mrs Nomagugu Ncube in Gwanda facing a murder charge after he allegedly shot and killed Antony Bvundura on Thursday.

He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to 12 October where his case will be heard at the High Court.

Prosecuting, Mr Takunda Mafuse said Dube allegedly killed Bvundura in the heat of a fight over a mining claim early on Thursday morning.

The shooting happened at a mine belonging to a Mr Musanangurwa. Mr Musanangurwa told state media that cases of confrontations among gold gangs were rampant in the area.

“I was at an all-night prayer when the unfortunate incident happened but I received reports of rival gold panning gangs who got involved in a shoot-out which claimed the life of one local.

What happens with these guys is that when they come to your mine they do not negotiate with you, they just start mining and thereafter they go to local bars for a binge where they discuss where they would have gotten the gold. Members of rival gangs then mobilise themselves to go and chase the other group.

I am reliably informed that those who were chased had made close to three kilogrammes of gold and that is where the problem started,” he said.

State Media

AN anti-riot police officer from Bulawayo has been arrested for allegedly strangling his three-year-old son and claiming the boy died due to injuries sustained after falling off the stairs.

Albert Nhenda (33), a Constable in the Echo Troop ZRP Support Unit stationed at Fairbridge Police Camp, was arrested on Friday after allegedly making a false police report that his son, Makhosiwonke, fell on steps which are about 30 centimetres high on the entrance to his home at Mpopoma suburb on Wednesday last week.

A source close to the family, who declined to be named, said Nhenda had tried to kill his son twice before.

“He appears to have succeeded on the third attempt,” said the source.

The source said Nhenda sent the mother of the child, Ms Cathrine Ndlovu (22) from Filabusi, to the city centre to purchase clothes for their child since she had visited with one set of clothes.

“When Ms Ndlovu left, Nhenda sent the maid to buy some drinks at Total shops. Everyone now believes it could have been a ploy to remove everyone around him so that he could strangle his son without witnesses,” said the source.

“It is believed that it is during this time that Nhenda strangled his son and plotted the falling lie. He called his friend from Magwegwe to help him ferry the child to hospital. Along the way, he suddenly ‘discovered’ the child had died.”

The source said Nhenda and his friend drove to Western Commonage Police Station and made a report and the matter was treated as a sudden death.

The Chronicle learnt that a postmortem was done at the United Bulawayo Hospitals and the cause of death was concluded as strangulation and asphyxia and this led to further investigations by the police.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Homicide and Western Commonage Police, said another family source, learnt that Nhenda had on different occasions tried to kill his child.

“They immediately centred their investigations on Nhenda and it appears they may have a case because we have been told he will appear in court this week,” said the source.

“In September 2017, Nhenda suggested to Ms Ndlovu that they should kill their child. A year after, Nhenda visited them in Filabusi and was left with the child and allegedly poisoned him,” said the source.

As a result, added the source, the child was admitted to Filabusi District Hospital for four days.

However, a police source yesterday said Nhenda has adamantly stuck to his version of his son’s death. “He still insists the boy fell and broke his neck. I think the whole truth will come out in court,” said the source.

Efforts to contact Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango were fruitless yesterday.

State Media

MDC Alliance elections director, Henry Chimbiri, was seriously injured after he was caught in a crossfire and assaulted by Harare law enforcement agents pursuing illegal vendors on Friday.

This was confirmed by MDC Alliance senior official Kurauone Chihwayi on Saturday, who indicated that Chimbiri was taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals after the attack, where doctors indicated the injuries he sustained on the face and lower part of his backbone were serious.

“MDC director of elections Chimbiri was attacked by members of the police service anti-riot squad while fuelling his vehicle at a service station in Harare,” Chihwayi said.

“He is receiving treatment at Parirenyatwa Hospital. Some of the culprits have been identified.”

He said doctors confirmed that he had sustained serious injuries and had carried out a second orthographic angle X-Ray.

Speaking to NewsDay from his hospital bed, Chimbiri said on Friday, he was number two in a fuel queue at a service station located at the corner Sam Nujoma Street and Kwame Nkrumah Avenue in Harare when motorists were asked to wait for an hour for a fuel tanker to finish offloading its contents.

He said he was sitting in his vehicle when he saw vendors being pursued by the anti-riot and municipality police, who were throwing teargas at them.

“I opened the car door to see what was happening and that is when I was dragged from behind by a police detail, who accused me of being a vendor, saying I was trying to hide in the car,” Chimbiri said.

“They seriously assaulted me. Even the service station attendant who came to my car to give me back my swipe card was assaulted in the melee.”

He said he questioned the officers’ motive as they dragged him away from his car.

Chimbiri said some passers-by later came to his rescue.

NewsDay

There was drama at Mucheke Bus Rank in Masvingo when Primrose Rebecca Chijange (22), a se_x worker stri_pped nak_ed in public and threw herself under a moving car.

Chijange who says she was drunk is said to have acted in the manner as she tried to avoid being arrested by Police officers.

Sources said two oncoming vehicles almost collided as they tried to avoid crushing into her.

Chijange of 274 Chibi Street, Mucheke A appeared before magistrate Peter Madiba on Monday facing two counts of disorderly conduct and public indecency.

Edmund Mapope representing the State said on September 21, 2018 at around 5pm Chijange was inside Mundondo Bar drinking beer.

She got drunk and started insulting everyone in the bar. Wilfred Marufu, a patron tried to refrain her but she charged towards Marufu shouting abusive language including uri mbwa (you are a dog). Marufu reported the matter to Chikato Police station.

As the Police officers were escorting Chijange to the station, she stri_pped nak_ed before the confused cops and fled and threw herself in front of a moving vehicle. The vehicle swerved and stopped just in time to avoid crushing her head.

Magistrate Madiba asked her why she did that and she said it was because she was drunk.

She was asked to apologise and not to do it again.

— Mirror

ZANU PF legislator for Murehwa North constituency Daniel Garwe has accused his estranged wife, Pedzisai Liliethy, of adultery and labelled her a criminal who has been abusing authority and trust, as their divorce takes a nasty twist.

Garwe had been married to Liliethy for 31 years, but says their marriage has irretrievably broken down due to her alleged adulterous behaviour and criminal activities that include venturing into gold smuggling and illicit money exchange deals which are in breach of the country’s exchange laws.

According to papers filed at the High Court, Garwe said he was divorcing Liliethy for infidelity and her criminal activities, which he said were detrimental to him and his family.

“In or about 1988 and while defendant (Garwe) was away on work assignment, plaintiff (Liliethy) fell pregnant by a man unknown to the defendant. Plaintiff unlawfully terminated the pregnancy referred to in the above paragraph,” the MP said in papers filed on his behalf by Mundia and Mudhara Legal practitioners.

“Plaintiff has, during the subsistence of the marriage, involved herself in illegal foreign currency dealings. The latest being in 2016 when she lost the sum of $23 000 to foreign currency dealers. Plaintiff has involved herself in smuggling of foodstuffs from South Africa into Botswana and Namibia. Plaintiff has involved herself in illegal gold trading,” the papers read.

In his sworn affidavit, the MP also stated that his wife was also having a questionable relationship with the husband of a colleague who resides in Kadoma.

“Plaintiff has inexplicably spent extended times with the husband of her friend in Kadoma, while her friend was in Harare,” the papers read.

“In March 2018, Plaintiff boasted to defendant that she ‘had a man with a bigger manhood who made her happier’. Defendant’s boast so hurt the defendant that he left the matrimonial home to which he has not returned. Over the years, the plaintiff has been abusive to and disrespectful of, defendant.

The MP said his estranged wife at some point attempted to murder his father.

“In 2017, and at the parties’ matrimonial home, the Plaintiff attempted to murder defendant’s father by grinding glass into his food. Defendant’s father was suffering from diabetes and was living temporarily with the parties while receiving treatment,” Garwe said in the papers

Garwe also claimed that Liliethy was involved in insurance scams where she took out funeral policies for terminally ill relatives, and collected cash payouts upon the beneficiary’s death, but never remitted the funds to the deceased’s relations.

Liliethy has also filed contempt of court charges against the MP after he allegedly moved some property out of the family home before their divorce case was finalised.

In his defence, Garwe said the assets in question were in commercial arrangements and did not solely belong to him.

He also said some of the property the wife wanted locked down until finalisation of the divorce were a source of his income.

The matter is now under investigation by the police.

Newsday

THE price of bread may revert to $1 from $1,10 per loaf in the next two weeks, as grain processors are engaging Government over the procurement of wheat.

Addressing journalists in Bulawayo on Thursday last week, Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe chairperson, Tafadzwa Musarara, said there may be changes in the price of bread in the next two weeks.

“We would like to assure the public that the wheat situation is improving and that we have since procured 30 tonnes of wheat which we are expecting from Mozambique,” he said. “The shipment is due to arrive in the next 14 days.

“We have paid for the current crop of wheat in advance and it will be harvested very soon and we hope this will help to cushion our stocks.

“We are currently trying to engage Government on subsidising our purchase of wheat and this will likely see the price of bread coming down again”.

Musarara said the wheat imports were likely to ease the strain on bakers and improve availability of bread in the country.

He said bread production was at 50 percent, with most shops in rural areas not getting deliveries.

“Bread is currently at 50 percent supply and we are only able to supply mostly urban areas,” he said.

Musarara said grain millers needed $30 million in foreign currency each month for procurement of wheat, of which $7 million went towards bread.

“$30 million is required each month for wheat, $8 million for rice and $2,5 million for salt,” he said.

“We are like any other industry, affected by foreign currency allocations and experienced our biggest challenge in July before Vice President Chiwenga intervened.

“Subsequent shipments were not funded, leading to exhaustion of reserves, throwing us into the crisis that we encountered.”

Musarara said his team had just come back from Beira in Mozambique and was dealing with logistics for the shipment to arrive in the country.

He said the market for bread had dramatically increased in the last decade due to changes in dietary patterns.

“Systematic changes in dietary requirements have contributed to a surge in the consumption of wheat and bread in particular,” said Musarara.

“No country in Africa has the ability to produce its own food, so imports are very much necessary by captains of industry for provision of supplies.”

State Media

Staff Reporter|Bribery fears have gripped the MDC leadership after its elected Councillors in Bindura revolted against Chamisa and elected Zanu PF councillors to head key committees

On Wednesday 26 September 2018, some MDC councillors revolted against their president Nelson Chamisa by voting for Zanu Pf Councillors to head key committees at the expense of fellow councillors who has expressed interest in to chair the same committees.

The country’s main opposition party controls the local authority, having won 10 seats out of 12 in the July 30 elections.

Zanu PF Councillor for ward 12 Wonder Machisi surprisingly, was elected the Chairman of the Health and Environment Committee when he got the majority votes against ward 4 councillor Friday Chigwande of the MDC.

Machisi was nominated by MDC councillor Stewart Nyarumbe as the they made an unholy alliance with Zanu Pf to make sure that fellow MDC councillor from the rival group fail to land any post in the influential committees.

Another Zanu Pf Councillor for ward 11 Patrick Masango beat MDC councillor Norbert Dokotera to land the Deputy Chairman for the Finance Committee. Masango was nominated MDC ward 3 councillor Brian Kembo for the post.

Angry supporters accused MDC Alliance councillors of betrayal and receiving bribes from Masango and Machisi to vote them into these committees at the expense of fellow MDC councillors.

The 5 rebellious councillors are led by Bindura Mayor Carlos Tokyo and include Aniko Chikuvanyanga, Brian Kembo, Paradzai Mupingiza and lan Makone.

The group is believed to have the backing of MDC Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora who is set to challenge Chamisa for the MDC Presidency

“Yes MDC councillors did vote for fellow Zanu Pf Councillors in the chamber because its better to have a literate Zanu Pf Councillor than having a councillor who can’t even read council minutes.It might sound rude but that’s the truth.The calibre of our councillors is a disaster to Bindura”said Bindura Mayor Carlos Tokyo.

However a fellow councillor dismissed Tokyo’s allegations but in accused Tokyo of being a fraud who moves around with forged degree certificate yet .he never attended any university.”I challenge our mayor to let us know which university he attended” said the councillor who refused to be name.”

Another MDC activist in the town put squarely the blame on the weak MDC structures in the province that allowed the rebellious group to stand when there not residence of the town.

Efforts to get a comment from MDC Alliance provincial Chairman George Gwarada were fruitless as his phone went unanswered.