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THREE people died and 31 were injured when three vehicles were involved in a pile-up near Umguza River Bridge along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road just before Kensington.

The fatal accident occurred at around 9PM on Tuesday when two vehicles driven by Omalayitsha travelling in opposite directions collided head-on and the third vehicle that was folllowing behind then crashed into one of the vehicles that had landed on its side.

One person died on the spot and two others died on admission to the United Bulawayo Hospitals.

Bulawayo Metropolitan Province police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the accident.

She said 31 people were injured but most of them were treated and discharged.

Chief Insp Simango said the names of the deceased were being withheld as their next of keen were yet to be contacted.

“The first party was driving a white Toyota Hilux Double Cab travelling due East while the second party was driving a PSV Iveco with an unstated number of passengers on board due West. The third party was driving a white Jasbro Foods Mazda 323 due East,” she said.

Chief Insp Simango said the driver of the Iveco vehicle tried to overtake a haulage truck and was involved in a head-on collision with the Toyota Hilux.

She said the Mazda 323 then crashed into the Toyota Hilux which had landed on its side in the middle of the road following the head on collision.

Chief Insp Simango blamed the accident on an overtaking error.

She said police did not find the driver of the Iveco when they arrived at the accident scene and were therefore looking for him.

The driver of the Iveco was said to have been travelling at a high speed and had just overtaken two other vehicles before the collision.

State media

CIVIL society groups under the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition are piling pressure on Sadc to put the country on the agenda of its upcoming meeting following the disputed July 30 elections and post elections violence which has far claimed at least seven lives.

The groups will be meeting at the 38th Sadc People’s Summit in Namibia that comes before this weekend’s 38th Sadc summit which will be attended by the heads of State and government in the regional bloc.

Soldiers on August 1 shot dead at least seven people during a protest in Harare against the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, while the situation in rural areas has also deteriorated with opposition supporters reportedly being harassed and forced into hiding.

In its position paper to be tabled at the People’s summit, CiZC said a rescue package must be drawn as soon as possible to deal with the situation.

“The Sadc community together with other global players must institute discussions on the situation in Zimbabwe and develop a political and economic rescue package that is predicated on democratic progress,” read the document.

“We urge the regional community to continue standing and fighting in the corner of Zimbabwe and its people rather than political elites.”

The civic organisation said Zimbabwe must return to full compliance with modern statecraft where the military is subordinate to civilian authority and desist from interfering in political issues as it did in November 2017 and the post-election period.

“The military immediately returns and stays in the barracks through leaving communities and roads where it is present,” added the organisation.

The groups added that Zimbabwe must uphold the rights of citizens and international visitors in all respects including through upholding media freedoms, civil and political liberties.

“Sadc and the international community must continue to condemn the illegal infractions against people’s rights in Zimbabwe, including holding as sacrosanct citizens’ rights to life and protection by the State, as well as discouraging impairments of rights of the media and ordinary Zimbabweans.

“Sadc and the international community must call for and support dialogue between political actors as well as an inclusive conversation on Zimbabwe’s future.”

At their meeting before the heads of State, the civil society groups are expected to agree on a position to pile pressure on regional leaders to act on Zimbabwe.

NewsDay

The Minister of International Cooperation and Relations of the Republic of South Africa, Hon Dr. Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers on 13 August 2018 handed over the Chairpersonship of the SADC Council of Ministers to Hon Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Cooperation and Relations of the Republic of Namibia.

The handover took place at the opening of the meeting of the SADC Council of Ministers, ahead of the 38th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government to take place on 17-18, August 2018 at Safari Conference Centre, Windhoek, Namibia.

In her remarks, the Outgoing Council Chairperson, Hon Dr Sisulu congratulated Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah for assuming the Chairpersonship and pledged her unwavering support as a demonstration of the collective commitment to the ideals and values of SADC.

Hon. Dr Sisulu said, under the leadership of South Africa, SADC maintained its focus on industrial development, promotion of regional value chains and value addition. On this note, Hon Dr Sisulu said the 37th Summit theme “Partnering with the Private Sector in Developing Industry and Regional Value Chains”, was chosen with the full realisation that SADC goals can only be attained with strong and meaningful partnerships with the private sector, which is part of the engine for sustainable economic growth.

Hon. Dr Sisulu noted that, while SADC has achieved a lot in pursuit of the 37th Summit theme, there is more work to be done. “We need to prioritise trade facilitation bottlenecks such as inadequate infrastructure and customs procedures, as well as weak logistics systems, which raise trade costs and hinder the ease of doing business,” said Hon. Dr Sisulu, adding that transport costs and transit delays in Southern Africa are reported to be particularly higher than in most other regions, and have a potential to reverse the gains in regional industrial development.

On her part, Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah paid tribute to the outgoing Council Chairperson for the commendable work she has done during her tenure, saying that she will rely on the support and cooperation of the Outgoing Chair to ensure that SADC meets the expectations of its citizens.

On the theme of the 38th SADC Summit; Promoting Infrastructure Development and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development, Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah said the theme was carefully chosen to draw attention to infrastructure and youth empowerment.

“It is a hard reality that we cannot industrialise the region or Africa unless we invest in infrastructure development. In order to ensure sustainable Industrialisation and development, we need to invest in our youth through education, skill training and motivate them to be innovative and entrepreneurs,” said the Council Chairperson.

Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah cited the words of H.E Dr Sam Nujoma, Founding President of Namibia that, “The youth are the strength of this nation. They are our future leaders. They bring unique perspectives that we need to take into account when we plan our future destiny”. She said these words arein line with the SADC Declaration on Youth Development and Empowerment signed in 2014.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary of SADC, Her Excellency Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax welcomed the Incoming Chairperson of SADC Council of Ministers, Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah and assured Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah of the Executive Secretary’s unwavering commitment and support in her efforts to steer the region to greater heights.

H.E. Dr Tax expressed optimism that, under the leadership of Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah, SADC is set for yet another successful year, building on the successes made under the Chairpersonship of Hon. Dr Lindiwe Sisulu.

The Executive Secretary highlighted the progress that SADC has made towards deepening regional integration and development, particularly in promoting the SADC Industrialization Agenda. She cited the on-going work to operationalize the Regional Development Fund as a sustainable means of mobilizing resources for regional programmes.

She informed the Ministers that the Secretariat reached an agreement with the African Development Bank to support SADC in a number of areas including in the identification and categorization of priority bankable projects as contained in the SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP); operationalization of the SADC Regional Development Fund; development of SADC economic corridors aimed at supporting infrastructure projects to facilitate Regional Value Chains; development of insurance to mitigate and address the impacts of climate change related risk; and the development of a Regional Strategy for Drug Abuse and cybercrime.

The SADC Council of Ministers oversees the functioning and development of SADC and ensures that policies are properly implemented. Itconsists of Ministers from each Member State, usually from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economic Planning, or Finance. It meets twice a year.

-AP

Preparations for the 61st edition of the Matabeleland South Agricultural Show are at an advanced stage amid revelations that exhibitors have occupied all available stands.

Over 80 exhibitors are expected to participate at this year’s event.

Briefing the media this Wednesday, President of the Matabeleland South Agricultural Show Mr George Chipengo said while the number of exhibitors has continued to grow over the years, the organisation is excited about the participation of stock exchange listed companies at this year’s show.

Mr Chipengo said this is a show of confidence in the exhibition.

“Stands uptake is now at 100 percent but there is still more space for exhibitors who wish to pitch up tents. The response is really overwhelming, all districts in the province have confirmed their attendance. Traditional exhibitors are coming, there are also new exhibitors that we are really excited about,” said Mr Chipengo.

Unlike last year where an outbreak of foot and mouth disease contributed to a low turnout in the livestock section, the situation will be different this time around as more communal and commercial farmers have expressed interest in showcasing their quality breeds.

“Animals this time are not being restricted unlike last year where we were saying all livestock are for direct slaughter. But now farmers can exhibit and take their animals back as long as they are coming from green zones,” said Mr Zondai.

The agriculture show which will run under the theme: ‘Sustainable Development through Agriculture’ will be officially opened by the Acting Managing Director of PPC Zimbabwe Mr Marvelous Sibanda on Saturday.

Zbc

MDC-Alliance principal Tendai Biti was lawfully arrested in Zimbabwe last week following his deportation by Zambian authorities, the court heard yesterday.

Biti, who is facing charges of inciting violence and contravening the Electoral Act, is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear his matter arguing that he was abducted by Zimbabwean authorities.

Through his lawyers — Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, Messrs Alec Muchadehama, Harrison Nkomo and Gift Mtisi— Biti wants the court to determine whether his appearance in court was proper given the circumstances of his case.

Biti, who was denied asylum by the Zambian government after he tried to seek refuge in that country, also wants the court to determine whether the police complied with the law after he argued that he was unlawfully arrested in Zambia by unidentified Zimbabwean men.

The investigating officer in the matter Chief Superintendent Jealous Nyabasa yesterday took to the witness stand and gave his evidence-in-chief led by prosecutor Mr Michael Reza.

He chronicled events that led to Biti’s arrest adding that he lawfully arrested Biti on Zimbabwean soil dismissing his claims that he was arrested on the Zambian side.

The investigating officer said when Biti was denied asylum by the Zambian government, he was then handed over to the Zimbabwean immigration officials who in turn surrendered him to the police.

“Your Worship I arrested the accused person at Chirundu border post on August 9 after he was handed over by officials from Zimbabwean Immigration offices. They had a deportation order and handover a certificate from Zambian authorities,” he said.

“The accused is a Zimbabwean citizen who was lawfully arrested in Zimbabwe at Chirundu border post and lawfully brought to court within the stipulated time frame. Therefore, given the circumstances he is properly before the court.”

Chief Supt Nyabasa said Biti was on an outstanding warrant of arrest and he knew that he was wanted by the police but chose not to surrender himself.

After he was asked by the prosecutor what Biti was supposed to do after receiving a message that the police was looking for him, Chief Supt Nyabasa in response said he was supposed to report to his nearest police station.

“Biti did not heed police’s call instead he chose to send his lawyers to CID Law and Order to check if he was really wanted. They made an undertaking that they were going to bring him but never did,” he said.

In his evidence-in-chief last week, Biti said: “When Charity Charamba (Senior Assistant Commissioner) told journalists that they were looking for me, my lawyer Alec Muchadehama went to CID law and order intending to advise them that I was to surrender myself on that day at 2pm.

“The police officers he met there said they were not aware that he was wanted and he was told to leave his business card so they would contact him if they wanted me.”

However, Chief Supt Nyabasa dismissed his claims and told the court that Biti actually sent three different lawyers on separate occasions who all made an undertaking to accompany their client to the police but never fulfilled their promises.

Biti is alleged to have unlawfully declared opposition party leader Mr Nelson Chamisa as the winner in the Presidential elections thereby violating Section 66A (1) of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13, which prohibits the unofficial or false declaration of election results.

Commenting on the charge, Chief Supt Nyabasa said In terms of the country’s electoral laws, only the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is empowered to declare the winner of an election.

Magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo rolled over the matter to today for continuation when the defence is expected to cross-examine Chief Supt Nyabasa.

Herald

ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa’s trademark scarf became an instrument of death after a 29-year-old Chinhoyi man used it to hang himself following a domestic dispute.

Mathingson Gandawa, who was a staunch Zanu PF supporter, allegedly hanged himself at his home in White City suburb after a domestic dispute with his wife over allegations of extra-marital affairs.

The scarf, which has been popularised by Mnangagwa, was first worn by the First President of Zimbabwe the late Canaan Banana and former President Robert Mugabe.

However, while the two former Presidents used to wear the scarf at weekends during soccer matches, Mnangagwa has taken the scarf to business conferences, including the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland in January this year.

NewsDay

By Paul Nyathi|In spite of army commander General Valerio Sibanda’s spirited defence of the uniformed forces after six people were killed inn Harare two weeks ago, the international community and even the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) have blamed the ZDF for its heavy-handedness in dealing with civilians.

In a damning report issued last week, ZHRC chairperson Elasto Mugwadi said the use of live ammunition and excessive use of force on civilians was uncalled for.

Mugwadi said while the commission does not in any way support violence, hooliganism or vandalism by any protester, constitutionally there were better ways of managing protests without infringing on the rights of citizens, especially the right to life which must be jealously guarded by all State institutions and at all times.

“ZHRC urges that the army only be deployed where necessary for law and order and in strict compliance with the relevant legal provisions and internationally accepted standards, including restrictions on the use of live ammunition against protesters.

“To us it is very much criminal. It is a criminal act to kill someone,” said Mugwadi.

“While there are investigations, there was a violation of peoples’ rights — the right to life.

“That is the fundamental right, the right of all rights. We will on our own part investigate and try to find out why this happened the way it did,” he added.

President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa has since made an undertaking to establish an independent commission to get to the bottom of the matter.

The pre-voting period had been characterised by peaceful campaigns and a camaraderie spirit.

But this was immediately sullied by the deadly clashes between opposition supporters and security agents.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority on Tuesday shot dead a crocodile that had become a threat to human life in Redcliff.

The crocodile attacked and killed a 14-year old boy who was swimming in Kwekwe River in the company of three of his friends on Sunday.

Ali Phiri’s body was retrieved from the crocodile’s mouth with missing body parts following the attack while his three friends escaped with minor injuries.

After the crocodile was shot, rangers slit it open to retrieve body parts for burial.

Ali, a Form One pupil, was buried at Torwood cemetery on Tuesday.

Parks and Wildlife spokesperson, Mr Tinashe Farawo, said the crocodile had to be put down as it had become a danger to people’s lives.

“Our rangers managed to kill the crocodile as it had become a threat to human life in the area. It was now classified under the problem animals hence we assigned our Bulawayo office to take care of the problematic croc,” he said.

Mr Farawo said it was unfortunate that a life was lost and warned people to stay away from water bodies.

“We are saddened by the loss of life. We are however, working on a schedule to educate people to stay away from water bodies,” he said.

Mr Farawo said the above normal rains received in the last rainy season had resulted in many water bodies being infested with reptiles.

“So our main message is that we urge the public to stay away from water bodies as most of them are infested by crocodiles due to heavy rains received in the previous rainy season,” he said.

Mr Farawo said his office had intensified outreach programmes meant to educate the public on the dangers of playing around water bodies.

Meanwhile, Mr Farawo tweeted that last year, 21 people were killed by crocodiles.

“Of the 34, 21 people were mauled by crocodiles, two by lions and those cases were recorded in Chiredzi. There were also cases of people gored by buffaloes to death while some were trampled by elephants,” he said.

Mr Farawo said they received 393 human-wildlife conflicts reports throughout the country.

“Of the 393 reports, we managed to attend to 300 cases and we had to put down about 88 animals – these include elephants and lions. We classify this as problem animal control,” he said. – state media

The controversial CID cop who once lied about the Baba Jukwa investigation, has been left confined to the Masvingo area.

Despite a massive reshuffle of 700 cops, Makedenge has obtained no promotion. He will be one of the few police officers to remain stationed at rural outposts.

The ZRP cop, was once one of the most feared inspectors countrywide.

The state media says that:  Snr Asst Comm Elliot Ngirandi will remain at Police General Headquarters as chief staff (planning and development) while Snr Asst Comm Dorothy Kupara was transferred from Manicaland to PGHQ as chief staff (administration).
Asst Comm Shepherd Chiwoko moves from Support Unit to PGHQ, Asst Comm Panganai Sande moves from Matabeleland North to PGHQ (transport and logistics) and Asst Comm Ngonidzashe Chogugudza moves from Harare province to PGHQ (administration).

Snr Asst Comm Erasmus Makodza has been transferred from the National Anti-Stock Theft Unit to PGHQ as director ICT, Asst Comm Steven Kazingizi moves from PGHQ projects to PGHQ administration as acting finance director, while Snr Asst Comm Abigal Moyo from Mashonaland East province moves to Command Agriculture.

Snr Asst Comm Douglas Nyakutsikwa will remain at PGHQ, Asst Comm Charles Ndoro will move from Midlands to PGHQ, and Asst Comm Garikayi Masocha from Harare province to CID HQ as deputy director crime.

Asst Comm Ezekiel Munengerwa from PGHQ security and protocol services will move to National Traffic, Snr Asst Comm Charity Charamba to remain as chief staff officer press and public relations as well as Asst Comm Paul Nyathi as her deputy, while Snr Asst Comm Jonathan Chituku is the new National Coordinator for Anti-Stock Theft Unit and will be deputised by Asst Comm Simon Mwatsikesimbe from Harare province.

The new officer commanding Harare province is Snr Asst Comm Charles Nhete who replaced Snr Asst Comm Elias Mvere who was transferred to Masvingo Province, Snr Asst Comm Wiklef Makamache will head Manicaland province while Snr Asst Comm Rangarira Mushaurwa will remain in Mashonaland Central.

Snr Asst Comm Lee Muchemwa will head Mashonaland East province from Police Protection Unit, Snr Asst Comm Felistas Chikowero-Mjanga will remain in Mashonaland West and Asst Comm Crispen Makedenge will also remain in Masvingo as assistant commissioner responsible for operations.

Snr Asst Comm Patton Mbangwa will head Matabeleland North Province from PGHQ (lands inspectorate) while Matabeleland South Province will be headed by Snr Asst Comm Happymore Sigauke.

Snr Asst Comm Conneli Dube was moved from Masvingo Province to Midlands as officer commanding province.

Some of the senior officers were moved from different departments within the ZRP and the force has been on record saying the ongoing restructuring of the police was not a witch-hunt, but a deliberate exercise to improve service delivery.

Addressing senior police officers during a meeting held as part of his tour of Matabeleland North Province in Hwange recently, Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga assured police officers that no one will be made redundant owing to the restructuring exercise.
A total of 572 superintendents and chief superintendents were also reshuffled during the ongoing exercise and most of them were recently promoted.

Chrispen

The commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), General Philip Valerio Sibanda, has blamed opposition political parties for the ugly scenes of violence witnessed in Harare just after the July 30 harmonised elections.

At least six people have since died from the violence after soldiers deployed to quell the disturbances used live ammunition in a bid to drive protesters out of central Harare.

This was after angry MDC Alliance supporters had besieged the streets of Harare to vent out their frustrations over what they perceived as bias on the part of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, accused of favouring Zanu PF.

While critics point accusing fingers at the military, the top dog at ZDF has passed the buck to the opposition parties, saying they incited the violence.

“Zimbabwe remains secure despite the recent politically-motivated violence that erupted a day after the harmonised elections on 30 July, 2018,” said Sibanda in his Defence Forces’ Day message.

“That notwithstanding, the country has continued to enjoy peace, security and stability during the harmonised elections.

“Had it not been for evil intentions of some opposition political players who went on to incite violent protests, unnecessary loss of life of six people who were caught up in the unfortunate shooting incidents could have been avoided.

“All the same, the ZDF remains resolute in its support for the ZRP as they continue to fulfil their constitutional mandate of maintenance of law and order to ensure peace, security and stability in the country.

“People are therefore, assured that they should feel free to go about their usual business.”

In spite of Sibanda’s spirited defence of the uniformed forces, the international community and even the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) have blamed the ZDF for its heavy-handedness in dealing with civilians.

Daily News

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MDC Alliance MP-elect for Zengeza West Constituency Job Sikhala has been accused of wrecking a marriage as he made his way back to the house of assembly recently.

Sikhala however, denied the claims.

“I don’t know anything about that. If there is anything relating to that (alleged love affair) make it known.

“I don’t know about it,” said Sikhala when contacted for comment.

Wiwa, as he is known in political circles, allegedly quenched his sexual appetite with Lydia Nyamidzi during 2018 harmonised election campaigns.

Lydia, 24, is a mother of two and married to Obey Bangizai, 28.

Sikhala said he did not know the woman although there are messages where a person understood to be him acknowledges knowing the woman.

In some of the messages, from a number known to have belonged to Sikhala, the person knows that Lydia was married when they refer to Bangizai as of low standing in society.

[09:20, 8/4/2018] Lyie(image) (image) (image) : Ndakusuwa shaaa

[09:20, 8/4/2018] +263 77 375 6658: Wasuwei

[09:21, 8/4/2018] Lyie(image) (image) (image) : Zvinhu zvamaiguru kkkkkk

Lydia on Monday said she owed no one any explanation while threatening this journalist as well as sources of information.

“I don’t owe anyone any explanation. I will deal with you and your source,” she said.

Asked to comment on her request for ‘maiguru’s things’ from Sikhala, she said: “It is none of your business.

“I will deal with you.”

Bangisai and Lydia stays in Zengeza 2 which falls under Zengeza West Constituency where Sikhala was campaigning for the House of Assembly seat.

When the allegations surfaced, Lydia left her matrimonial home and went to the rural areas together with the couple’s two children.

Bangizai said his wife Nyamidzi had been having a secret phone at home where she would connect with Job and meet at Mubaiwa Hotel (formerly Hotel Nyamutamba) in Chitungwiza’s Zengeza 2 suburb.

“My wife could have met Job during campaigns and I later realized that my wife would go for campaigns with Job in the constituency.

“I firstly never knew what was happening because I would be at work,” said Bangizai who plaits hair for a living.

He said when he got wind of what was happening, Lydia confessed to have had been in love with Sikhala where they indulged in sex several times at Mubaiwa Hotel and at a lodge in town while Bangizai and Nyamidzi’s children were in Sikhala’s car.

“It is disheartening that my wife would go and meet Sikhala while I was at work and I used to respect Sikhala not knowing that he was seeing my wife behind my back.

“I took Job as a leader but he has ruined my marriage,” said Bangizai.

H-Metro

MDC Alliance principal Tendai Biti is challenging his appearance before the Zimbabwean courts arguing that he was abducted from Zambia and there is a valid High Court order from Zambia where his matter for asylum was supposed to be heard.

Chief Law Officer Michael Reza led the arresting officer Chief Superintendent Nyabasa who maintained Biti was lawfully handed over to the police by ZIMRA officials after his repatriation from Zambia.

The matter continues tomorrow morning from 11am where the arresting officer will be cross-examined by Ms Beatrice Mtetwa.

Biti is being charged for contravening Section 36 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9.23 for public violence and also contravening Section 66 (a) (1) of the Electoral Act Chapter 2.13 for announcing unofficial results.

Last week Wednesday he crossed into Zambia in a bid to run away from justice and sought asylum which he was denied by the Zambian government that said his grounds were not worth the relief he sought.

He appeared in court on Fiday 10 August and was granted $5000 bail.

As part of his bail conditions, Biti was ordered to report twice a day to CID Law and Order and directed to surrender title deeds to his Chisipite house. – state media

Christine Hallquist, a former utility executive from Vermont, a Democrat, made history of her own. She became the first transgender candidate to be nominated for a governorship by a major party, beating three other candidates in Vermont’s Democratic primary, according to The Associated Press.

“Tonight, we made history,” Ms. Hallquist said, addressing supporters at an election night party in Burlington. She added, “I am so proud to be the face of the Democrats tonight.”

It is a remarkable milestone, even for an election year already dominated by an influx of women and a record number of candidates who identify as lesbian, gay, transgender or queer.

“Christine’s victory is a defining moment in the movement for trans equality and is especially remarkable given how few out trans elected officials there are at any level of government,” said Annise Parker, the chief executive of the L.G.B.T.Q. Victory Fund, which trains and supports gay and transgender candidates, in a statement on Tuesday evening.

“Yet Vermont voters chose Christine not because of her gender identity, but because she is an open and authentic candidate with a long history of service to the state, and who speaks to the issues most important to voters.”

Ms. Hallquist was not the only transgender candidate on the ballot in the country in recent days. In Hawaii on Saturday, Kim Coco Iwamoto, a lawyer, lost her bid to be the Democrats’ nominee for lieutenant governor.

And more transgender candidates will be on the ballot soon, including Alexandra Chandler, a former naval intelligence analyst who is running in Massachusetts’s Third District.

Ms. Chandler is trying to differentiate herself in a crowded congressional primary in early September by emphasizing both her national security bona fides and the historic nature of her candidacy. “I’m running for Congress,” she said in a recent campaign video, “to be a voice for trans kids out there.”

The Democratic primary in Vermont was a fairly sleepy affair, with no big-name contenders to block a first-time candidate like Ms. Hallquist. But from here, her path to the governor’s office could be a narrow one, even though she is a Democrat running in a deeply progressive state. She faces a Republican incumbent, Phil Scott, who is running for his second term with history on his side — Vermonters have not thrown out an incumbent governor since 1962. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the seat as “solid Republican.”

Mr. Scott’s popularity fell, however, especially among conservatives, after he signed gun control measures this year. Still, a poll in July by public media organizations in the state found two-thirds of Vermonters supported the law, and nearly half of Democrats had a favorable opinion of Mr. Scott. Only 18 percent of Democratic respondents in the same poll said they had a favorable opinion of Ms. Hallquist, and 55 percent did not yet know who she was.

That may change now that Ms. Hallquist is the nominee, and she is likely to draw national attention — and fund-raising dollars — because of the historic potential of her candidacy. “She’ll raise more money and her message will get out there more,” said Eric Davis, an emeritus professor at Vermont’s Middlebury College. “Even if she doesn’t get elected governor, the greatest contribution of her campaign could be to raise awareness about the issues transgender people face.”

Before she ran for governor, Ms. Hallquist spent 12 years as the chief executive of the Vermont Electric Cooperative, an in-state power utility that she helped to bring back from near ruin. Her transition from male to female took place in 2015, while she was at the helm of the company, and was the subject of a documentary film made by her son.

As a candidate, she made it part of her stump speech, drawing knowing laughs from her female supporters at a fund-raiser this summer as she talked about what it was like to experience life as a woman for the first time.

“I remember the first time after transitioning, a stranger walking by told me to smile — I’m like, ‘Who the heck are you to tell me to smile?’” Ms. Hallquist said. “What my transition has taught me is just how far we have to go.”

But she also emphasized her experience with energy and infrastructure, and made speeding up internet access, which lags in some rural parts of the state, a key campaign pledge. Previous governors have made similar promises, but failed to fully deliver. On Tuesday night, she also called for progressive keystones like universal Medicare and stemming climate change.

Ms. Hallquist — who voted for Mr. Scott in 2016, according to the newsweekly Seven Days — also sought to tie her victory to the broader Democratic backlash against President Trump.

“This,” she said, “is a reaction to 2016.”

With 96 percent of precincts reporting by late Tuesday night, Ms. Hallquist had easily beaten a Democratic field of other little-known candidates, including Ethan Sonneborn, a 14-year-old who garnered 8 percent of the vote.

In a statement, the Republican Governors Association posted an image of Ms. Hallquist and called her “wrong for Vermont.”

Vermont is a socially liberal state that in 2000 became the first in the nation to establish civil unions, and Ms. Hallquist’s gender identity seemed to fade into the background for many voters.

Deborah Billado, the chairwoman of the state’s Republican Party, suggested it would not figure into the general election in a major way.

“I’m not sure why that plays a part in this — we’re talking about two human beings that are running for an office,” Ms. Billado said, referring to Ms. Hallquist and Mr. Scott. “I think that’s as far as the conversation should go.”

New York Times

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“Mnangagwa A Hero If He Steps Down Today” TRUE or FALSE?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 15, 2018

CAPE TOWN – The Northern Cape High Court has handed a triple life sentence to a child rapist.

Moses Monnapula, aged 45, was found guilty of two counts of kidnapping and three counts of rape.

In 2015, Monnapula held two children, aged six and eight, captive in his shack in Galeshewe, in Kimberley.

He held them for over 24 hours and raped them. Community members rescued the girls the following day, after receiving a tip-off on their whereabouts.

During sentencing proceedings, Judge Vernon Smith said Monnapula showed no remorse for his crimes.

The police’s Olebogeng Tawana says: “As the police, we’ll leave no stone unturned regarding the suspects who traumatise and persecute women and children. We’re putting measures in place to ensure women and children are safe and protected.

Eye Witness News

President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed the Shop Licenses Amendment Bill, 2018, into law.

The new law will enable local authorities to issue shop licences quickly and efficiently thereby encouraging domestic and foreign investment as well as revenue collection.

Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda gave notice of the enactment of the law in Friday’s Government Gazette.

“The following law, which was assented to by His Excellency the President, is published in terms of section 131 (6) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe — Shop Licenses Amendment Act, 2018 (No. 8 of 2018),” reads the gazette.

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Former Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda had on July 26 given notice that the Shop Licences Amendment Bill, 2018, had been transmitted to Mnangagwa for his assent and signature.

The Act amends the Shop Licences Act so that any person who operates more than one vending machine on any premises, the licensing authority shall issue one vending licence in respect of the vending machines on such premises.

The Act also relaxes duration of licence, fees and penalties.

DailyNews

By Own Correspondent| Zanu Pf President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s legal team this morning successfully filed their opposing papers to Nelson Chamisa’s presidential poll petition challenging the July 30 results which declared Mnangagwa as winner.

MDC Alliance leader, Chamisa has approached the Constitutional court alleging that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) manipulated the presidential election results in favour of President Mnangagwa.

After filing the notice of opposition, Zanu-PF’s secretary for legal affairs Paul Mangawana said that the Chamisa’s challenge was based on speculation and not facts.

He also said that the application did not comply with the results of the Constitutional Court and promised to make the opposition eat humble pie.

One of the lead members of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s defence team, Advocate Lewis Uriri descibed Chamisa’s application as “political rhetoric packaged in an affidavit” which will be dismissed.

Said Uriri,

“They are no more than clowns coming to court to play a game that ought to be played elsewhere.

This is a waste of the time of the people of Zimbabwe, yet it is their right to be heard,”

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JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir last week promoted his wife Mary Ayen to the rank of a major general in the army, according to the military.

The order issued by President Kiir, who is also the commander in chief of the SPLA army, did not specify what duties the First Lady would have in her new assignment as an army general.

Two other women were promoted from Brigadier to Major General in the army.

SPLA army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang confirmed that the women were promoted on 27 July.

“The promoted female officers are from Shield One and Shied two in the SPLA. They actually joined the movement since 1983 and they are from the Women’s Battalion known as Katiba Banat,” Lul said.

“General Nyankiir and General Aluel have also been promoted to the rank of a Major General,” he added.

Lul further said the promotions were based on merit and capacity.” It is the first time for female officers to be promoted to the rank of a major general,” he said. – News Agencies

ZIMBABWEAN authorities have arrested two MDC Alliance party members taking the number of people arrested for allegedly participating in protests staged in Harare early this month over delays in announcing the results of harmonised elections to 31.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers arrested Last Vambe on Saturday 11 August 2018 and Jeff Chaitezvi on Monday 13 August 2018 and charged them with public violence as defined in section 36 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Prosecutors accused Vambe and Chaitezvi, who appeared at Harare Magistrates Court on Monday 13 August 2018, of participating in a demonstration held on 01 August 2018 in Harare to protest the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s management of the harmonised elections held on 30 July 2018, which reportedly resulted in the destruction of property and left six people dead after they were shot by some members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

Vambe and Chaitezvi, who were represented by Gift Mtisi and Kossam Ncube of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights were granted $50 bail by Harare Magistrate Francis Mapfumo, who ordered them to report once a week at Law and Order Section at Harare Central Police Station, reside at their given residential addresses and not to interfere with state witnesses.

The arrest of Vambe and Chaitezvi brings the number of people arrested in connection with the elections protest to 31 including Tendai Biti, one of the MDC Alliance party leaders, David Zvavamwe Shambare, Shadreck Mashayamombe, Tapiwa Joni, Ngonidzashe Makazhu, Michael Mheta, Simbarashe Mujeye, Judith Chacha, Lilian Mahosi, Anna Chezhira, Angeline Mukoki, Agatha Mubaiwa, Chancellor Nyamande, Livenice Kachana, Tichaona Daniel, Farai Nyamhunga, Mercy Mataramvura, Munyaradzi Chibanda, Samson Nerwande, Raymond Machakaire, Tapiwa Naume Khamu, Tendai Torerwa, Christopher Nikisi, Tonderai Chakona, Justin Mugashu, Simbarashe Zvobgo, Trymore Mubaiwa, Searchmore Mutegude and Kudakwashe Katunhu, who are all out of custody on bail.

Source: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

Gweru Residents Forum Statement|The Gweru Residents Forum notes with concern the outbreak of typhoid in some of areas of high density of Mkoba which has claimed over 9 lives so far and over 300 have received medical attention .In this context the outbreak has been experienced in areas of Mkoba 13, 15, 18, 19 and 20. Reports emanating from Gweru City town house points to the notion that the source of the Typhoid outbreak cannot be clearly pointed out. However some unconfirmed reports from the Town house suggest that there was contamination of one of the council pumped water pipes in Mkoba which mixed with raw sewerage and hence people drank that sewerage and the water which was now fed with excess chlorine which has led to the current state of affairs that we are currently grappling with in Gweru.

They are high expectations that in the typhoid crisis that we are currently experiencing there be a coordinated approach towards addressing the problem between Gweru City council(GCC), Ministry of Health and child welfare(MOHCW) ,technical partners ,residents’ associations and the communities. What we are witnessing now is the issue of finger pointing and blame game between the council and the government (Ministry of Health) which is worrisome considering the magnitude of the problem beforehand. The public service delivery infrastructure including water roads, sewerage and refuse collection that Gweru City council is using cannot cope with the urban housing expansion that has been witnessed over the last five years. Equally state land that have been parceled out by land hawks for expansion purposes without the involvement of Gweru City as land sale revenue has greatly contributed to the crisis .This has led to the failure by Gweru City Council to cope with the demand for public services because the resources to expand the service delivery infrastructure was not availed to the local authority .The GRF is of the conviction that there was need for central government to parcel out the land to Gweru City Council for proper planning and investment in public services infrastructure to avoid such challenges and to expand the public service infrastructure in line with the population and housing development within Gweru City.

The GRF urges the central government through the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and Gweru City council and all stakeholders to find common ground and tackle the typhoid crisis head on and desists from accusations and counter accusations on the responsibility of the current situation that we find ourselves as residents. This should be done in line with the provisions in Part II, III, V, VI of the Public Health Act Chapter 15:09

The GRF reiterates the position of the general citizens of Gweru that:

– No to prepaid water meters
– No to arbitrary water disconnections by council employees
– Increase public health awareness programs in partnership with residents associations in sensitizing the residents on the typhoid outbreak.
– Improve public engagement forums to disseminate accurate information to residents rather than the speculation on vital health information that is currently being experienced.

Source: Gweru Residents Forum

FORMER Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko is yet to receive his pension, despite government undertaking to settle it four months ago.

Mphoko’s lawyer Welshman Ncube said his client, who still has his State security aides and government vehicles, has not yet been paid his monthly benefits, despite the State acknowledging that it was obliged to pay him.

“The irony of this issue is that what they had agreed to pay; they are not paying, but what they had refused to take responsibility for, they are doing it. I am talking about security details and the likes and yet they are still to pay him his pension, which is equivalent to a salary of a sitting Vice-President. We will take up the matter once these election issues are over,” Ncube said.

Mphoko lost his post last November after the military deposed former President Robert Mugabe and since then, his lawyers have been fighting to get the State to pay his pension.

Section 102 of the Zimbabwe Constitution stipulates that: “A person who has ceased to be President or Vice-President is entitled to receive a pension equivalent to the salary of a sitting President or Vice-President, as the case may be; and such allowances and other benefits as may be prescribed under an Act of Parliament.”

Section 103 adds that: “The President and Vice-Presidents, and any former President or Vice-President, must not, directly or indirectly, hold any other public office or be employed by anyone else while they are in office or are receiving a pension from the State as former President or Vice-President, as the case may be.”

Besides his fat monthly pension payout, Mphoko is entitled to State security, an office and a government vehicle.

His former boss, Mugabe, has been given his constitutional benefits, but the latter claims that his pension benefits were far below expectation.

NewsDay

Former Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs Jason Machaya has been further remanded to August 27 for the setting of his trial date on allegations which include abuse of office.

He appeared before Gweru magistrate Ms Charity Maphosa on Friday last week.

Machaya is on $1 000 bail.

The State’s case is that Machaya, who was employed as the Minister of Provincial Affairs for Midlands Province by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, thus being a public officer, did and inconsistent with his duties intentionally allocated State land totalling 17 799 stands to land developers. This was despite the fact that he did not have any lawful responsibility to allocate State land to the developers in question, which is the sole responsibility of the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.

Machaya, the court heard, further received 1 791 commonage stands from the land developers which constituted 18 percent of the total stands on the allocated State land.

It is further alleged that he did and inconsistent with his duties, disposed of 1 185 of the commonage stands, which could only be allocated and distributed by the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.

Machaya allegedly further allocated 192 commonage stands to the Apostolic Christian Church of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) when he did not have the power to do so.

Mr Andrew Marimo appeared for the State.

Appearing before the same court were the now Mashonaland West provincial administrator, Cecilia Chitiyo, who was Midlands provincial administrator, Gweru district administrator and five other senior Government officials from the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for Midlands province facing charges of criminal abuse of office.

Chitiyo (50) is being accused together with Matilda Manhambo (59), Sherpard Marweyi (48), Sifelani Moyo (59), Ethel Mlalazi (65), Chisainyerwa Chibhururu (47) and Everest Nyamadzawo (33).

The seven, who are all on $200 bail each, have applied to be removed from remand.

Ms Maphosa deferred the case to Wednesday for judgment.

It is the State’s case that Chitiyo allegedly intentionally allocated State land totalling 4 469 stands to land developers by co-signing the offer letters for the transaction.

Manhambo, who is employed as the provincial projects officer by the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for Midlands province, also allegedly intentionally allocated 2 000 stands to land developers.

Similarly, Marweyi, who is the district administrator for Gweru, allegedly intentionally allocated 5 199 stands to land developers. – State Media

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa reneged on his earlier pledge to attend all State functions, and chose to stay away from both the Heroes’ Day and Defence Forces Day commemorations in the past two days, saying he was “mourning” alleged theft of his election victory.

Chamisa, who took over from Tsvangirai, announced that they would be attending State functions, a complete shift of policy from his predecessor, the now late Morgan Tsvangirai who accused Zanu PF of conflating State events to Zanu PF functions.

Chamisa went on to attend the Independence Day celebrations at the National Sports Stadium in April this year and also encouraged his supporters countrywide to also attend national events. However, after the July 30 harmonised elections, Chamisa boycotted the Heroes’ Day and the Defence Forces Day celebrations.

Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda said the current situation, emanating from the disputed elections, had made them shelve their policy for now.

“We are in the middle of a disputed election and, as such, the things we can do are conditioned by that, our context. When conditions allow, the president will maintain his decision. We are monitoring the environment and it doesn’t allow for that,” he said.

NewsDay

Advocate-Uriri-Mnangagwa-Inauguration-Legal-Advice

Zimbabwean former president Robert Mugabe’s late wife Sally and his sister Sabina’s graves were reportedly “abandoned” after “no single relative appeared to have turned up to visit them” on Monday during the country’s Heroes Day celebrations.

The two graves used to be the “centre of attraction” during the annual National Heroes’ Day commemorations presided over by the now ousted leader.

Thousands of Zimbabweans gathered at the country’s national shrine the Heroes Acre in Harare on Monday, as they celebrated the men and women who fought for the liberation of Zimbabwe, SABC reported.

The all-important day for the southern African country was the first not to be presided over by Mugabe, and took place after Zimbabwe’s historic 2018 elections.

The former ruler’s absence at the event was visibly seen, as the grave of his late wife Sally – who died in 1992 – was among the deserted ones.

In previous years, Sally and Sabina’s graves were at the centre of the country’s Heroes Day commemoration as the Mugabes would take time to visit and lay huge bouquets of flowers while his aides cheered.

It remained unclear whether the Mugabes would chose a different day to honour their loved ones as the former leader had made it clear that he was unhappy with the country’s new leadership.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa was the main speaker at this year’s commemorations.

Mnangagwa called on the country to move on from its disputed election, despite his victory being challenged in court over alleged fraud and his inauguration delayed.

“It’s now time to put the election period behind us and embrace the future,” the president-elect said.

“The task facing us today is a great one,” he added.

News24

Zanu PF Marondera Central losing parliamentary candidate Cleopas Kundiona yesterday stunned residents and motorists as he went around mounting fresh campaign banners for President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa along the Harare-Mutare Road, saying they should remain visible long after the July 30 polls.

The educationist-cum-politician moved around town with some youths and erected canvas banners inscribed ED Pfee and #EDHasMyVote along the highway and on the way to Rudhaka Stadium where people gathered for the Defence Forces Day commemorations.

Kundiona, who lost to opposition MDC Alliance’s Caston Matewo, said he would continue marketing Mnangagwa even after the polls.

“This is about the Heroes Day holidays, ED (Mnangagwa) is the leader, and he is the President. The ED Pfee juggernaut is not going to stop, it is here to stay, it is moving,” he said.

Kundiona and Zanu PF’s Goromonzi South candidate Petronella Kagonye, were the only ruling party candidates who lost the election in Mashonaland East province, where the party won 23 constituencies.

NewsDay

The late former Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Thokozile Mathuthu’s burial is set for Sunday at the National Heroes Acre.

According to a provisional programme availed to the media, the body of the late Mathuthu is expected to arrive at the Colliery Stadium from the capital on Thursday, then to her Hwange house in Mpumalanga Township of Hwange where it will lie in state ahead of a church service and body viewing scheduled for Bulawayo on Friday.

The body will then be flown back to Harare ahead of its burial on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Matabeleland North Province has welcomed the national heroine status accorded to the late former Minister of State as a befitting honour for her immense contribution to the province and entire country during the war of liberation and after independence.

Speaking at the Defence Forces Day celebrations at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane today, Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Ambassador Cain Mathema said the province feels honoured by the conferment of the national heroine status to the late Mathuthu and pledged the province’s commitment in ensuring that her dreams about the community will be achieved.

“Our former governor our former deputy minister, member of the Central Committee is no more. She has been declared a national heroine by His Excellency. We are together with the Mathuthu family and will forever be with family because she is one of the heroines of the liberation struggle,” he said.

Other government officials and senior Zanu PF party members said the country has been robbed of a patriotic, hardworking and unwavering cadre who spearheaded several developmental projects in the province.

Mathuthu died on Monday the 13th of August, after a long battle with cancer.

She was 61.

Zbc

Churches in Zimbabwe should continue praying for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was chosen by God to lead the people of Zimbabwe. This was said by leader of the Apostolic Faith Church of Portland Oregon in Southern Africa, Reverend Richard Sibanda during a crusaders camp meeting in Bulawayo.

Rev Sibanda said Christians were not supposed to question God’s choice of a leader, but pray for Him to help their leader.

“Our duty is not to question God’s will,” he said. “Let us pray for our President Emmerson Mnangagwa so that the Lord can open his eyes and help him through the way. We know he is going through a tough time and as Christians, our duty is to support him with prayer.”

Rev Sibanda said President Mnangagwa was chosen by God and no man could fight God, adding that all the battles that President Mnangagwa was going through were minor before God.

“In the Bible we have so many examples of people who wanted to fight the men of God, but they fell by the wayside the moment God intervened,” he said. “President Mnangagwa was chosen by God to steer the Zimbabwean ship forward, let us support God’s will with prayer.”

Rev Sibanda said only Zimbabweans could determine their future through prayer.

“What Zimbabwe needs is prayer and nothing else,” he said. “We can try all we can but nothing beats prayer. No matter what challenges we face, let us unite as a country and pray and things will work out for the good.”

The call comes at a time when opposition leader Mr Nelson Chamisa has filed a court application challenging the results of the Presidential election, which Mnangagwa was declared to have won with 50,8 percent of the total votes against Chamisa’s 44,3 percent.

The MDC-Alliance leader alleges that the elections were rigged and the application has temporarily stalled President Mnangagwa’s inauguration.

State media

DIVISIONS have reportedly rocked President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa’s legal team after it emerged that some of his lead lawyers gave him a wrong interpretation of the operations of the law regarding MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s Constitutional Court (ConCourt) presidential election challenge.

Highly-placed sources in the legal fraternity told independent run Newsday newspaper on Tuesday that Mnangagwa had pencilled his inauguration on August 12, following advice from one of his lead counsels and was now seeking to argue before the courts that Chamisa’s petition was filed out of time.

“These arguments are embarrassing to the legal team, clear misreading of the law and misinformation being given to the President as advice is now frustrating other members of the team,” the source said.

The discrepancies were highlighted in a 17-page document prepared for Mnangagwa by Lewis Uriri, titled Ex Parte: Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, in which he urged his client to disregard findings by the instructing lawyers.

“Whether my instructing attorneys are correct in their interpretation that in view of rule 3 of the ConCourt Rules (2016), the last day of filing of a petition challenges, my consultant’s election as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe is the 16th August 2018,” Uriri wrote.

He added: “Whether my instructing attorneys are correct in their view that no election petition is filed, inauguration day would be Monday the 20th August 2018.
“My opinion and advice: A petition challenging my consultant’s election as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe has the effect of delaying his inauguration up until the 25th of August 2018. He must, in any event, be sworn in no later than the 26th of August 2018”.

The memo showed that the initial advice was that Mnangagwa’s inauguration could only take place on August 20 and the technicality issue being raised by Zanu PF legal affairs secretary Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana that the court papers were filed out of time was reportedly based on Uriri’s interpretation.

Uriri told Mnangagwa that his inauguration date was supposed to be August 12, while Chamisa’s deadline for filing the challenge was August 10, instead of August 16.

“The time for any challenge to my consultant’s election as the President of Zimbabwe lapses at midnight on 10 August 2018. Inauguration day, in the event that no petition is filed, is Sunday the 12th of August 2018,” Uriri said in his advisory note to Mnangagwa.

His legal opinion, which informed the decision by the Zanu PF legal team to present itself at the Constitutional Court on Monday, a public holiday, was that section 93 of the Constitution did not relate to week days.

“Section 93 of the Constitution does not relate to seven week days, it relates to seven days. If the intention was to exclude Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, the legislature would have said so by using appropriate language. The simple reference to seven days is a reference to calendar days and includes weekends and public holidays,” Uriri said.

Contacted for comment on his advisory note yesterday, Uriri said he was not at liberty to discuss his client’s confidential matters with the Press.

“I note you have attached what purports to be an opinion allegedly given by me to Messrs Mutumbwa, Mugabe and Partners. I neither confirm nor deny that the said lawyers sought my opinion. My relationship with my clients is strictly privileged. I do not and will not discuss their affairs with unauthorised third parties, and certainly not with the Press,” he said.

But law lecturer Valentine Mutatu said if the interpretation by Uriri and Mangwana was correct, they should have filed their responses by August 13.

“If Mangwana and company are correct in their counting of days, if the application was served on Friday the 10th, then the last day of filing opposing papers was the 13th, but that cannot be because the courts, which don’t count the weekends and holidays, are closed. The court can, therefore, not count a day in which it is not possible for you to file papers,” Mutatu said.

Chamisa filed his court application on August 10 and managed to serve Mnangagwa and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) on the same day, according to his chief election agent Jameson Timba.

A lawyer, who refused to be named for professional reasons, said Mnangagwa risked being misled by his legal team.

“It’s clear that the President is being misled by his legal team. He needs to replace them, especially (his point persons). If you look at the history of some of them, besides the case where they are a litigant, you won’t find any case they argued and won that’s worth nothing. The one time they attempted to go to the ConCourt recently ended in a disaster. They misfired procedure,” the lawyer said.

Mangwana approached the ConCourt in case 02/14 representing Boas Mapuva and Zishe Chizani, which case was dismissed on a technicality in judgment CCZ 6/2015.

The court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza, admonished Mangwana for failing to follow proper procedure by bringing the matter in an improper manner.

Newsday

Ali Phiri, a Form One pupil at Batanayi High School in Redcliff, was snatched from the jaws of the daring crocodiles by community members, but it was too late as he was already dead.
Ali’s three friends escaped with minor injuries.

The disturbing incident took place on Sunday afternoon. Family spokesperson, Mr Munyaradzi Munikwa who is also newly elected ward 2 councillor confirmed Ali’s tragic death.

“He was swimming in Kwekwe River together with his three friends. We then saw the other two boys coming in a huff informing us about the reptiles having attacked Ali,” narrated Mr Munikwa.
“We had no option but to jump into the water to rescue the hapless boy from the crocodiles which were by now drawing the body into the water.”
The family was still at pains, he said, to learn of the tragic death of the boy who had a promising career in football.

“As a family we are still trying to come to terms with the incident. We are still shocked because Ali died a painful death which was not at all expected,” he said.

About six crocodiles are said to have been spotted in the river and to date they are said to have claimed more than six lives.

“We are calling upon the Parks and Wildlife Department to intervene and do something about these crocodiles before they claim more lives,” Mr Munikwa said.

Burial arrangements were still to be announced . Midlands Provincial Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mkwende said she was yet to receive a report on the matter.-state media

A 43-year-old Barclays Bank employee appeared in court facing two counts of forgery and two counts of fraud after he allegedly transferred money from a client’s account into his family’s in order to convert it to personal use.

The complainant in the matter is Barclays Bank.

Cuthbert Kumire appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Milton Serima last week, charged with forgery and fraud. He was ordered to pay $100 as bail and was remanded to August 21.

Prosecuting, Ms Ropafadzo Bosch alleged that on July 25, Kumire, who was on duty at Barclays Bank Msasa forged an inter-account funds transfer document in Yunus Ebrahim Omerjee’s name.

Kumire then allegedly transferred $7 500 from Omerjee’s account number into the one for his cousin, Brighton Moyo’s. From July 26 to July 31, Kumire allegedly transferred the money from Moyo’s account into Agnes Kumire and Gift Chitiyo’s accounts.

On August 1, Kumire allegedly forged another inter-account fund transfer document in Omerjee’s name.

He allegedly transferred $12 500 from Omerjee’s account into Moyo’s account.

From August 2 to 5, Kumire allegedly transferred more money from Moyo’s account into Agnes and Chitiyo’s accounts. – state media

By Local ZimEye Correspondent| There was drama when Chief Chamutsa from Buhera South was chased away from the District Heroes Celebration centre.

The fracas happened in ward 28 near Murambwi river in the afternoon.

During the meeting, Chinotimba caused a stir when he rapturously rose from nowhere and began screaming before the crowd of onlookers.

He then accused Chief Chamutsa and other men present of being sellouts.

Chinotimba publicly announced that all who were supporting independent  candidates be chased away. The elder Chamutsa was humiliated by Chinoz as he was swiftly whisked away by gun wielding police officers.

Among those singled by Chinos were the Chairman of War Veterans in Buhera Cde Mahamba who is from Murambinda, and Cde Chapeyama who is from Mutiusinazita.

The event turned up to be a Zanu PF function as no other parties were allowed there.

Things only calmed down when Chief Nyashanu rose up to condem Chinoz.

While giving his vote of thanks, Chief Nyashanu said, “we strongly condemn Cde Chinotimba’s behaviour as it incites public violence during this period.”

By A Correspondent| Bailed alleged “fraudsters” who are still on the dock for a brazen attempt to defraud a local Chinese national of land and other assets, have shown no regards of the law, defiantly interfering with the complainant’s business and the property in question.

Earlier in May, Frera Washington(38), Tom-Baris Vincent(57) and Ngoshi Norman(42) were arraigned before Magistrate Ms Tilda Mazhande on allegation of faking agreement of sale papers, Company registration documents and a non-existent mine claim in bid to defraud of Ms Yan Yu of her and late husband’s company Shomet Industrial Holdings (Private) Limited and its assets. They are on bail with weekly signing at the CID Harare, among other stringent conditions.

The trio are alleged to have filed a fraudulent Change of Directors with the Company Registrar’s office sometime after the death of Zhaosheng Wu, resigning the other Directors without resolution and or their knowledge and authority in bid to take over ownership of Shomet Industrial Holdings (Private) Limited.

The trio, now with the assistance of one Mr Blesert Tawodzera, a briefcase land developer and Witness J Zamanga aka Thumelo who owns Hayes Constructions and alleged to have had been awarded the development contract at the time the trio hatched a plan to defraud Ms Yan Yu despite being on bail for the fraud and with all evidence stacked against them continue to interfere with Shomet Industrial business and brazenly used the same forged documents to try to convince Waterfalls ZRP Police they are the owners of one of Shomet’s properties.

A white Toyota Hilux Double cab belonging to Tawodzera has frequented the site and he alongside Zamanga and the accused trio made numerous threats to Shomet Industrial Holdings (Private) Limited’s handyman at the Prospect property.

Tawodzera and Zamanga have been linked in numerous foiled projects in the past, including a land development project in Norton where
they committed a landowner to a development contract when they neither had nor could prove capacity to meet the contract resulting in them losing the contract through a court nullification. In mitigation, Shomet has approached the Commercial Crime CID who are liaising with the
Prosecutor General on merits of having the criminals’ bail conditions reconsidered. A cautionary Notice has been issued to the public who may have any dealings with the above individuals to report to the Harare CID Police immediately.

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