By Paul Nyathi|MDC-T National Executive member Job Sikhala has defended his principal Nelson Chamisa on speculations that he is working at bringing back into politics controversial former First Lady Grace Mugabe.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Sikhala said that Chamisa is an intelligent politician who knows what he is doing.

Wrote Sikhala:

It is naive to speculate the MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa from the lens of ignorance and sarcasm.

The young man is politically brilliant beyond measure. He reads the politics with exceptional dexterity. He is not what haters see him to be.

To expect him to appoint the former First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe to be his Vice President is an attempt to portion ZANU PF factionalism to President Nelson Chamisa and the Alliance.

There is no doubt that Grace ‘s husband still has residual supporters who are inching for revenge. To apportion them to anyone at the moment is a mistaken notion. Anybody who things that Mugabe has zero support at the minute is demented. Whom they will vote is anyone’s guess.

However, it would be excessive insanity to think that because of that unquantified support Chamisa will appoint Grace his Vice President is expecting too much.

Don’t discount the adage that every vote counts.

By Paul Nyathi|ZANU PF diplomat John Chimbandi, who died last Saturday in Harare, has been declared a national hero and will be buried at the National Heroes Acre on Sunday.

Zanu-pf secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu made the announcement on Friday night.

“He has been conferred national hero status. He will be buried on Sunday at the National Heroes Acre.

“Politburo was unanimous in according him the national hero status. We acceded to a request by Mashonaland East Province that he be declared a national hero.

“He had a long history in the liberation struggle and worked consistently after independence,” said Mpofu.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said Chimbandi was the ministry’s institutional liberation expert.

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Lieutenant-General (Retired) Dr S. B. Moyo, the Permanent Secretary Ambassador J. M Bimha and the entire staff in the ministry learnt with profound grief and sadness, the sudden passing on of Cde John Chimbandi, on the 2nd of June, 2018 at Arundel Hospital, in Harare,” said the ministry.

“The ministry expresses deep and heartfelt condolences to Mrs Chimbandi, the children and the entire family at this very sad and untimely loss.”

Chimbandi had an illustrious career in the ministry that saw him serving as Deputy Director at Head Office and Minister Counsellor in West Germany (1990-1996), China (1998-2002) and Iran (2004-2011).

In March 2015, Chimbandi was appointed Zimbabwe’s Consul-General to Mozambique, based in Beira.

He served in that position until his time of retirement at the end of September 2017.

Chimbandi is survived by his wife and three children.

Police and the family of a Form Four pupil at Mzingwane High School, who allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself, suspect foul play.

The family yesterday said it was disturbed because the school authorities cleaned up the crime scene before police commenced investigations.
Ryan Siziba (16) of Bellevue suburb in Bulawayo allegedly hanged himself on Tuesday night on the roof trusses of a disused boiler room behind the school hostels using his belt.
It was suspected that Ryan feared disciplinary action over alleged theft.
His body was found on Wednesday at around 6AM.

A police source close to investigations said foul play was suspected and investigations were underway.

School authorities alleged that Ryan had stolen food from other pupils’ trunks with a 15-year-old friend from Pumula North suburb in Bulawayo.
The friend and another Form Four pupil allegedly discovered Ryan’s body.
The Chronicle yesterday observed that the disused boiler room, which was earlier described as a pig sty, was sparkling clean.
Ryan’s father, Mr Noel Siziba, among a team of other family members, said they failed to get clear answers from the school.

The school’s acting deputy headmaster, a Mr Mangena and the boarding master, Mr Mazisi Mpofu, seemed equally surprised about the clean-up claiming not to know who had taken up the task.
Mr Siziba said: “I can’t believe my eyes on the clean up and this makes me suspect a great degree of foul play on my son’s alleged suicide. When I arrived at the scene yesterday (Wednesday), the room was full of cigarette and mbanje stubs, indicating that the unused room was where boys performed their shenanigans.

“As an African man, I sought permission to come back the next day to show my family the place where my son died as well as to perform our traditional rituals. It comes as a great shock and disappointment to find the place cleaned up.

“What worries me most is whose children were tasked to clean up a room where someone had allegedly hanged himself.”

He denied that the school had notified him on Tuesday night that his child was missing.
“I want to correct this in front of the school authorities that they only phoned me on Wednesday at around 7AM, informing me that Ryan had gone missing the previous night.

“When I arrived at the school at around 9AM, I was then informed that my son had just been discovered dead and police were already at the scene,” said Mr Siziba.

Earlier reports seemed to suggest that Ryan’s body had already been found when the school told his parents he was missing, as police were told the body was discovered at 6AM.
Mr Mangena said he must have been misquoted by the police because he did not say the family had been contacted the previous night.

He said he was fully aware the family was going to perform rituals at the scene adding that he was equally shocked that someone did the cleaning.

A source at the school said on Tuesday at around 3PM, the two pupils went into the Form Ones’ hostel and stole some food from trunks and returned to their hostels where they ate the food.
The boarding master, Mr Mazisi Mpofu, said he received a report from other pupils to the effect that there had been a theft of food stuffs and the two were implicated as they had been seen earlier in the hostels.

He said he last saw Ryan at around 9PM after studies and intended to interview him later on the matter.

“Later that evening, at around 9PM, Ryan’s friend approached me and confessed that he committed the crime with him. I dismissed him, promising to interview each one of them the following morning, although I wanted to see Ryan before bed time.

“After Ryan didn’t return to his hostel up until 11PM, I instructed his dormitory mates to go to bed and a search was conducted the following morning around the school premises. The now deceased was found by the friend and another pupil (16) hanging from the roof trusses of a disused boiler room behind the school hostels,” he told The Chronicle.

Police took the body to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for post-mortem.- state media

CHISIPITE Girls High School in Harare is at pains to clear its name after some of its pupils were captured on camera singing an explicit song where they were referring to themselves as “sluts” and suggesting they were having unprotected sex.
“Baba tese tirimahure, tese tinoda n****, hapana anoramba n**** (Father, we’re all sluts, no one refuses to engage in unprotected sex) . . .” they sang clapping their hands while recording themselves.
Though it is not clear when the video was recorded, it went viral on social media on Thursday and raised eyebrows with some questioning the morality of the school.

There were mixed feelings about the recording with some defending the pupils who are doing Lower Six at the girls’ school saying there was nothing amiss considering their age.
Some bashed them saying they needed to focus on their studies.

“Eish, part of me thinks moral degradation of society then I remember there were no smart phones when we were in high school and we were probably worse,” wrote one Michael Mangenje on Facebook in response to the video.

Some felt the pupils were reflecting what was going on in society where older men, referred to as blessers, are known to prey on young school girls.
“The visibly excitable young Chisipite High School girl who did the ‘tese tinoda n****, hapana anoramba n****’ clip is extremely unfortunate because while I agree that her comments are not a good example of what is expected of young school girls, it brings to light the reality of what’s going on in schools.

“Older men are seriously sleeping with schoolchildren. This however, isn’t new, the problem is with social media. She might get suspended or expelled and her career might go up in smoke, but this is a lesson for young people at school,” wrote one Katsande.

Supporting the pupils was Internet personality — Nomathemba Primrose Ndebele — who said their behaviour was normal as they were going through adolescence.

“We were once young and carefree students at some point and we sang worse songs than the girls at Chisipite. Hope we’re judging those little beautiful kids from an honest place not from hatred that their parents can afford $4 000 per term and we can’t.”

Another concurred with Ndebele saying: “I showed my son Dylan the video and he sang along. He said mum, this is also one of our war cries at school.”

Others said the pupils singing such a song did not mean they were practicing unsafe sex.
“All those judging should know that singing is one thing and doing is another thing. They’re kids, let them have fun. We probably used to sing worse. They probably don’t even know what they’re singing. Let’s let them be,” wrote one Bruce.

However, many said what set them apart from pupils these days was that there were no recordings of the songs/videos. As such, they suggested that the students desist from recording such videos in order to avoid situations like these.

“We sang worse than this in our days but children of today should be taught that they should not take videos that they do not want the world to see.”

The video landed in the hands of the school’s authorities who yesterday morning distanced themselves from the song saying it was not sanctioned by the school and was not a war cry.

“Thank you to all of those who have let us know about the appalling video that some of our L6 pupils made. The girls’ parents have been notified and share our disappointment in the pupils’ behaviour.

“The girls have been punished and regret their actions. This was not a war cry or in any way sanctioned by the school but an isolated incident involving six pupils,” wrote the school in a statement. This is not an accurate reflection of our school culture and community, a sentiment shared by our parents, alumni and pupils.

We thank you for your support of Chisipite,” wrote one Mrs Hill from the school. – state media

NPF party bigwig Jim Kunaka today alleged that spokesman Jealousy Mawarire, Eunice Sandi Moyo and Shadreck Mashayamombe have been paid by former First Lady Grace Mugabe to oust their leader Ambrose Mutinhiri.

He said this is because Grace wants a job in Chamisa’s office as VP.

He made these comments during their press conference in response to Mutinhiri’s dismissal earlier announced by Mawarire.

He also added that NPF executive will tomorrow hold a convention to vote for the party’s leadership. He said, “We will stand by Mutinhiri. These guys are lost and have taken the wrong route.

“They do not have the power to fire the president when the party’s constitution has not been endorsed by the people. When they addressed the press conference they had cash that they had received from Grace (Mugabe) who wants to be MDC Alliance Vice President. We urge them to join MDC Alliance and leave NP.” WATCH THE LIVE VIDEO COVERAGE BELOW:

By Paul Nyathi|Senior member of the Welshman Ncube led MDC David Coltart has opted out of contesting the Bulawayo East Constituency elections under the MDC Alliance coalition.

Information made available to ZimEye.com indicates that the former Education Minister wrote to the MDC Alliance coalition principals requesting that he runs for senatorial seat instead of a parliamentary seat.

Coltart was the first MDC Alliance coalition aspiring parliamentarian to be confirmed as a candidate after Thabitha Khumalo who narrowly beat him in the last election opted to cede the seat to him.

Sources in the MDC-T said that Mr Coltart’s exit could see Khumalo bouncing back to contest the Bulawayo East constituency seat.

“I feel pity for Chamisa, he will fire these people very soon, mark my words,” said NPF official Jimmy Kunaka Friday afternoon. WATCH LIVE BELOW:

Former ZANU PF National Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere was Friday afternoon accused of conniving with NPF leader Brig Ambrose Mutinhiri to hire thugs to disrupt an NEPF meeting. In the below LIVEBLAST, Brig Mutinhiri responds to the allegation. VIDEO :

TWO Hwange women who are bartenders were rushed to hospital where they were treated for drug induced psychosis after eating muffins laced with mbanje.

The muffins also known as space cakes or weed brownies are baked using cannabutter, which is butter heated in a pan with mbanje leaves and buds mixed in and then sifted out.

They cause a dangerously intense high and traces of the drug may be found in a person system more than a month after eating the muffins.

Ms Memory Sibanda and Ms Lisa Nyoni became nauseous and dizzy after eating the space cakes given to them by Terrence Kurai Machina and Tendai Terrence Mafara on Africa Day at Hwange Cricket Club.

Machina (26) of 274 Chibondo and Mafara (27) of 7L Ingagula were charged with assault after it was discovered that they made the muffins and laced them with mbanje.

Machina and Mafara told court that they intended to have fun with the two complainants after drugging them.

The duo said they didn’t expect the two bar-ladies at Hwange Cricket Club, to be affected by the mbanje.

“We would want to apologise to the complainants and the court. We thought that since the complainants are regular drinkers and smokers they would not mind the mbanje. We were hoping to have a good time with the two,” said Machina in court.

Hwange magistrate Mrs Portia Mhlanga-Moyo convicted Machina and Mafara on their own plea of guilty to assault yesterday.

The duo was sentenced to 24 months in jail. Six months were suspended on condition of good behaviour within five years while the remaining 18 months were suspended on condition that Machina and Mafara perform 630 hours of community service at the Hwange Magistrates’ Courts.

Prosecuting, Ms Memory Munsaka said Machina and Mafara made the muffins cakes on May 25 before proceeding to Hwange Cricket Club where they deliberately gave them to the two complainants who were on duty.

“On May 25 Machina baked some muffins and laced then with mbanje at his place of residence. He connived with Mafara and the two went to Hwange Cricket Club where they met Ms Sibanda and Ms Nyoni. Mafara approached the two complainants and offered them the muffins,” said the prosecutor.

The court was told that Machina and Mafara did not tell the complainants that the muffins had mbanje.

After separately eating the muffins, the two women became nauseous and dizzy and were immediately rushed to Hwange Colliery Hospital as they couldn’t continue with their work.

Tests done at the hospital confirmed Ms Sibanda and Ms Nyoni suffered from drug induced psychosis.

A report was made to the police leading to Machina and Mafara’s arrest.

The Chronicle

By Paul Nyathi|The Presidential Nomination Court will sit on the 14th of June in Court A at the High Court of Zimbabwe Building in Harare at 10:00am, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has announced.

Venues for the parliamentary candidates will be as set out below:

*Venues and Times for Nomination Court:*

1. Office of the President
14 June, 2018 at 10:00am, in the High Court, Court A, Mapondera Building, Samora Machel Avenue, Harare

2. National Assembly
14 June, 2018 at 10:00am at the following Courts:

 Bulawayo Metropolitan Constituencies – The Magistrates Court, Court 5, Tredgold Building, Leopold Takawira Avenue, Bulawayo.

 Harare Metropolitan Constituencies – Magistrates Court, Rotten Row, Harare

 Manica Land Province Constituencies – Magistrates Court, 102-4, Main Street, Mutare

 Mashonaland Central Constituencies – Magistrates Court, Main Street, Bindura

 Mashonaland East Constituencies – Magistrates Court, Ruzawi Road, Marondera

 Mashonaland West Constituencies – Magistrates Court, Garrard Drive, Chinhoyi

 Masvingo Province Constituencies – Magistrates Court, Corner Robert Mugabe Street and Jason Moyo Avenue, Masvingo.

 Matebeleland North Constituencies – Magistrates Court, Western Commonage, Corner Mvumila Road and Nketa Road, Mpopoma, Bulawayo

 Matebeleland South Constituencies – Magistrates Court, Fifth Avenue, Gwanda

 Midlands Province Constituencies – Magistrates Court, Main Street, Gweru.

By A Correspondent|The Gwanda Residents Association on Thursday held a historic “Meet The Candidates” public meeting where it paraded rival council candidates to present their election manifestos to the electorate.

Funded by the Women’s Institute for Leadership Development Trust, the historic session saw four candidates from Mthwakazi Republic Party, Welshman Ncube led MDC, Nelson Chamisa led MDC-T and ZANU PF square up in a hot but very harmonious debate.

The Candidates all contesting in Ward 4 of Gwanda Central Constituency were given time to present their manifestos before members of the public took time to question them on their electoral promises.

Prior to the candidates presentations, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commissioner Daniel Chigaru presented the provisions of the new Electoral Act and the Code of Conduct for the elections.

Residents of the town expressed appreciation in having the series of meetings that the Residents Association will take to all the wards in the town.

“This is very historic and shows maturity in our democracy under the new dispensation,” said Ms Sikhathele Sibanda in an interview after the meeting.

“We really wish that we could see the same being done at higher levels such as President and Parliamentary candidates,” she said.

Addressing the meeting, the chairman of Gwanda Residents Association Mr Amos Phiri said that the aim of the meetings is to facilitate for a peaceful election set for July 30 this year.

“These meetings are being done to unite us as a community and present peaceful elections in our town,” he said.

Commissioner Chigaru congratulated Gwanda Residents Association for holding the historic gathering and hoped that the same could be done throughout the country.

By Correspondent|There was drama at an MDC Alliance rally in Mhandamabwe Chivi North Constituency when MDC-T Vice President Elias Mudzuri would not unveil an MDC Alliance candidate opting to present an MDC-T candidate instead.

According to the MDC Alliance coalition agreement the constituency is reserved for the Welshman Ncube led MDC and one George Mutombo was seconded by the party to be the Alliance candidate in the upcoming elections.

Mutombo who attended the rally hoping to be unveiled to the electorate at the rally was pushed away and told he was not the candidate by MDC-T supporters in front of the MDC-T leadership represented by Mudzuri and party Organising Secretary Amos Chibaya.

“It was very humiliating,” said a ZimEye.com witness.

“He was openly told to go away and is not fit to be the candidate as his party has no support in the area,” said the witness.

The MDC was allocated thirty two seats in the MDC Alliance coalition including Chivi North and South Constituencies but the MDC-T structures in the two constituencies have since declared that they will not cede the constituencies to the Alliance partners.

MDC-T National Chairman Morgan Komichi has previously revealed that his party is failing to handle the pressure from party members and structures who are resisting candidates seconded by the Alliance partners.

Komichi conceded to cries from partners that the MDC-T candidates are working on the ground continuing with their campaigns against their collegues from the Alliance partners.

Komichi indicated that the principals are attending to the issue with a hope of getting partners to swap weaker candidates for much favoured MDC-T candidates.

An MDC official who spoke to ZimEye.com on the sidelines of the rally said that the MDC-T candidates were wasting their time as they will not be endorsed as MDC Alliance coalition candidates at next week’s nomination court.

“They are wasting their time,” he said.

“Their papers will not be accepted by the nomination court as the Alliance will not endorse them as MDC Alliance coalition candidates except if they will contest as MDC-T candidates,” he added.

Efforts to get a comment from the MDC Secretary General Miriam Mushayi were not successful at the time of writing.

By Paul Nyathi|A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive derailed in Cinderella Siding in Hwange on Thursday.

The locomotive is believed to be one of the substandard new railways equipment brought in by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in a shoddy deal with Zimbabwean investors based in South Africa in a $400 million NRZ recapitalization programme.

Reports from within the NRZ indicated that the trains brought in by the government from South Africa are not compatible with the Zimbabwean railway network and has seen most of them lie unused since delivery at a colourful ceremony early this year.

Details on the derailment are still sketchy and the railways company has not been in a position to comment on the matter.

A 27-YEAR-OLD man from Bulawayo allegedly axed another man saying he was of the Shona tribe and that disgusted him.

Bekithemba Dlamini tried to strike Mr Fanuel Marecha (28) on his side, but he blocked the axe and it landed on his left elbow.

Dlamini was with an unnamed friend who is at large when they attacked Mr Marecha on Tuesday night.

Yesterday, Dlamini was not asked to plead to attempted murder before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Adelaide Mbeure.
Ms Mbeure advised him to apply for bail at the High Court and remanded him in custody to June 21.

Prosecuting, Mr Tawurai Hondoyemoto said Mr Marecha was with his friend Aleck Chigwedere at a centre parking along corner Leopold Takawira and Herbert Chitepo Street when they were approached by Dlamini and his friend.

Mr Hondoyemoto said the two disembarked from a car and when Dlamini’s friend saw Mr Marecha he stated that whenever he saw a Shona person he felt like vomiting.

“He then spat on the ground, took an axe from the car and they went to Chicken Inn at corner Leopold Takawira Avenue and Fort Street. When they returned from the shop, Dlamini’s friend approached Mr Marecha and told him that he was going to deal with him,” he said.

“Dlamini’s friend tried to strike the complainant with an axe and Dlamini took the axe from him. He lifted the axe intending to strike Mr Marecha on his side, but Mr Marecha blocked the axe with his hand and it struck his left elbow.”

The court heard that after attacking Mr Marecha, Dlamini attempted to flee but members of the public apprehended him. His friend escaped.

Chronicle

By Paul Nyathi|President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s new government has declared that it will soon be meeting with the Gays and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe GALZ to discuss elections related issues.

The ruling party Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu revealed that the party had accepted an invitation from the previously condemned group to discuss the elections.

Mpofu said this after meeting with a Commonwealth delegation which is in Zimbabwe to assess the country’s eligibility to rejoin the Commonwealth.

He said ZANU PF will meet with election observers from GALZ. Said Mpofu:

“We met the National Democratic Institute and the International Research Institute from Ireland. We also have requests from observers like GALZ (Gays and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe) and we will be meeting them soon to hear their issues as well,” said Mpofu in a press briefing early this week.

“We will also meet National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO),” he said.

Former President Robert Mugabe vowed that his administration would never tolerate gays and lesbians describing them as lower than dogs.

The country’s constitution specifically prohibits same sex relationships.

ZimEye.com efforts to get a comment from GALZ on what they want to specifically discuss with government were fruitless at the time of writing.

By Paul Nyathi|Self exiled former Minister of Higher Education Professor Jonathan Moyo has openly called on Zimbabweans not to vote for President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the same way the President lost elections to the opposition MDC in previous elections in Kwekwe Constituency parliamentary elections.

In a Twitter post on Thursday, Professor Moyo called on Zimbabweans to vote SMART in direct reference to the MDC Alliance manifesto.

“Be SMART on 30 July as was #BlessingChebundo when he gallantly #KwekwED the unelectable Emmerson Mnangagwa in the 2000 & 2005 elections!

#HandeyiKwekwe #KwekweHimJuly30,” wrote Moyo on his Twitter page.

Mnangagwa lost consecutive elections to MDC’s candidate Blessing Chebudo in Kwekwe Central Constituency in the 2000 and 2005 elections.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has warned that aspiring candidates for the harmonised elections who will use “banned symbols” as party emblems will be disqualified at the nomination court.
Nomination forms, which are filled in by candidates and submitted together with other relevant papers, have a section where a party symbol should be attached or drawn.

Elections officer for Bulawayo province Mr Innocent Ncube yesterday said according to the law, about 15 symbols were prohibited from being used by parties.

He said Zec will immediately reject any forms that come with prohibited symbols attached on them. Mr Ncube could not give the reason why the symbols were prohibited.

“As Zec we’re implementing the law as it is. About 15 symbols are prohibited from being used by any political party according to section 146 of the Electoral Act, Chapter 213.

“These symbols include the elephant, buffalo, lion, rhinoceros, snake, leopard, cheetah, owl, cobra, griffon and birds of prey such as the eagle and the secretary bird. Other prohibited symbols include a laurel or wreath, the flame lily, flaming torch, sword and axe,” said Mr Ncube.

He said Zec checks for these symbols when political parties submit letters notifying them about their intentions to contest in the elections and also check when candidates submit their nomination papers.

“When we see any of the prohibited symbols we immediately reject the papers and ask the political parties to use symbols that are allowed.

“On the papers, there’s a section where candidates are expected to attach or draw pictures of their party symbol. We therefore make sure that the symbol is not a prohibited one,” said Mr Ncube.

Aspiring candidates started submitting their nomination papers on Monday in preparation for the Nomination Court, which will sit on Thursday next week to receive names of aspiring candidates ahead of the general elections July 30.

Presidential candidates will be required to pay $1 000 while those aspiring for the National Assembly will part with $50.

Aspiring councillors will not be paying anything while the six Senatorial candidates for each party pay a combined $100 per province. The same applies to the National Assembly candidates under the proportional representation. -state media

A FORM Four pupil at Mzingwane High School, Umzingwane District in Matabeleland South allegedly committed suicide by hanging, fearing disciplinary action over alleged theft, an official has confirmed.
Ryan Siziba (16) of Bellevue suburb in Bulawayo hanged himself on the roof trusses of a disused boiler room behind the school hostels using his belt. His body was found on Wednesday at around 6AM.

Sources said Ryan had allegedly stolen food from other pupil’s trunks with a 15-year-old friend from Pumula North in Bulawayo.

“On Tuesday, at around 3PM, the two went into the Form Ones’ hostel and stole some food from trunks and returned to their hostels where they ate the food. The boarding master, Mr Mazisi Mpofu received a report from other students to the effect that there had been a theft of food stuffs and the two were implicated as they had been seen earlier in those hostels,” said a source at the school.

“Later that evening, at around 9PM, Ryan’s friend approached the boarding master and confessed to have committed the crime with him. The boarding master dismissed him, promising to interview each one of them. After Siziba didn’t return to his hostel, a search was conducted the following morning around the school premises. The now deceased was found by Ncube and another pupil (16) hanging from the roof trusses of a disused boiler room behind the school hostels,” said the source that preferred anonymity.

The two pupils reported the matter to the school authorities who in turn made a formal report to the police.
The now deceased’s parents who had been contacted the previous night about what their son had done and that he had then gone missing, arrived at the school early on Wednesday morning, to search for their son.

Unfortunately they bumped into police officials who had arrived to attend the scene at around 6AM.
“It was sad moment after Siziba’s parents had dashed to the school to come and search for their son and had to arrive at the same time with the police who had come to the case of suicide,” said the source.

Police took the body to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for post-mortem.
Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director (PED) Mr Lifias Masukume expressed shock at the incident.

“I am currently out of the province on work commitments but I can confirm the province received the message about a pupil who committed suicide by hanging at the mentioned school. At the time of departure from the office the police had been informed and the district was yet to submit a detailed report,” he said.

Matabeleland South acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Joram Sithole, yesterday said investigations into the case of sudden death were in progress.
In August last year, a Form Two pupil at Silveira High School in Bikita allegedly committed suicide after being bullied by a schoolmate.

The body of the 14-year-old was found hanging from a beam of a building at the Roman Catholic-run school.
Some said he committed suicide after being threatened by a fellow pupil who claimed to own a big snake that he intended to use in harming him, in a suspected Satanism threat.

In October 2017, a Grade Six pupil at Mckeurtan Primary School in Bulawayo also allegedly hanged himself from a tree in a bush dividing Nketa 8 and Emganwini at an apostolic sect shrine, quite a distance from his home.

The pupil was a relative to Nomakhwezi Mzaca Nkomo (14), a pupil at Townsend High School who had hanged herself a month earlier at her family home in Sunninghill suburb after her mother ordered her to do her homework before watching South African soapie, Generations: The Legacy, on television.

Again in November last year, an Upper Six pupil from Sizane High School in Bulawayo allegedly tried to commit suicide twice after she was caught cheating in a Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Biology paper 3 examination.
– state media

London – A UK based Zimbabwean businesswoman who has defrauded many vulnerable diasporans was caught in the act last night.

The 40 year old, Fungai Maruta, was exposed LIVE on ZimEye.com soon after she tried to edit one of her her key funeral policy’s founding documents. WATCH THE PROGRAM BELOW:

*Nomination Court – Times and Venues*

3. Councilors

14 June, 2018 at 10:00am at the following venues:

• Beitbridge Rural District Council – Offices of the Chief Executive Officer, 275, Hagel Thorn Road, Beitbridge.

• Beitbridge Municipality – Office of the Town Clerk, 290, Juspicia Road, Beitbridge.

• Bikita Rural District Council – Offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Bikita RDC, Nyika Growth Point, Bikita.

• Bindura Rural District Council – Offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Bindura RDC, Manhenga Growth Point.

• Municipality of Bindura – Offices of the Town Clerk, 565, Thurlow Avenue, Bindura.

• Binga Rural District Council – Offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Binga RDC, Binga Growth Point.

• Bubi Rural District Council – Offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Bubi RDC.

• Buhera Rural District Council – Officies of the Chief Executive Officer of the Buhera RDC, Murambinda Growth Point.

• Bulilima Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Bulilima RDC, 22, Station Road, Plumtree,

• City of Bulawayo – the offices of the Town Clerk, District Municipal Chambers Building, Fife Street, Bulawayo.

• Chakonda Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Chaminuka RDC, Chakonda

• Chegutu Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Chegutu RDC, 3 Alexander Avenue, Chegutu.

• Municipality of Chegutu – the offices of the Town Clerk, 34, Queen Street, Chegutu.

• Chikomba Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Chikomba RDC, Stand No. 541, Terreblance, Chivhu.

• Chimanimani Rural District Council – offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Chimanimani RDC, Chimanimani Village, Chimanimani.

• Municipality of Chinhoyi – the offices of the Town Clerk, Civic Center, Magamba Way, Chinhoyi.

• Chipinge Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Chipinge RDC.

• Chipinge Town Council – the offices of the Town Clerk, Civic Center, Chipinge.

• Chiredzi Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Chiredzi RDC.

• Chiredzi Town Council – the offices of the Town Clerk, 69 Inyati Road, Chiredzi.

• Municipality of Chitungwiza – the offices of the Town Clerk, Stand No. 6004, Tilcor Drive, Chitungwiza.

• Chivi Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Chivi RDC.

• Epworth Local Board – the offices of the Secretary of the Epworth Local Board, Stand 1038, Chiremba, Epworth.

• Gokwe Town Council – the Gokwe Town Council Offices, Gokwe.

• Gokwe North Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Gokwe North RDC, Nembudziya.

• Gokwe South Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Gokwe South RDC, Gokwe Center.

• Goromonzi Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Goromonzi South RDC, Lot A of Oaks, Ruwa

• Guruve Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Guruve South RDC, Shinje.

• Gutu Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Gutu RDC.

• Gwanda Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Gwanda RDC, Stand No. 605, Corner Khartoum Street and fourth Avenue, Gwanda.

• Municipality of Gwanda – the offices of the Town Clerk, corner Fourth Avenue and Lawley Street, Gwanda.

• City of Gweru – the offices of the Town Clerk, Civic Center, corner Ninth Street and Robert Mugabe Way, Gweru.

• City of Harare – the office of the Town Clerk, Town House, Julius Nyerere Way, Harare

• Hurungwe Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Hurungwe RDC, Stand No. 1, Magunje Growth Point.

• Hwange Local Board – the offices of the Secretary of the Hwange Local Board.

• Hwange Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Hwange RDC.

• Hwedza Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Hwedza RDC, Stand No. 10, Hwedza.

• Insiza Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Insiza RDC, Filabusi Centre, Inziza.

• City of Kadoma – the offices of the Town Clerk, Fitts Square, Kadoma.

• Municipality of Kariba – the offices of the Town Clerk, Old Administration Block, Kariba Heights, Kariba.

• Karoi Town Council – the offices of the Secretary of the Karoi Town Council, 78 Brooks Avenue.

• Kusile Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Kusile RDC.

• City of Kwekwe – the offices of the Town Clerk, Civic Center, Kwekwe.

• Makonde Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Makonde RDC, House No. PO89, NRZ Houses, Murereka Township, Lions Den

• Makoni Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Makoni RDC, 398 Stockton Street, Rusape.

• Mangwe Rural District Council – the Mangwe TMB Hall, 320 Central Avenue, Plumtree.

• Manyame Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Manyame RDC, Beatrice.

• Municipality of Marondera, the offices of the Town Clerk, “The Green”, Marondera.

• Marondera Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Marondera RDC, North Road, Marondera.

• Municipality of Masvingo – the offices of the Town Clerk, Civic Centre, Masvingo.

• Masvingo Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Masvingo RDC, Nemanwa Growth Point.

• Matobo Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Matobo RDC, Maphisa.

• Mazowe Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Mazowe RDC, Tsungubvi Community Hall, Glendale.

• Mberengwa Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Mberengwa RDC, Mataga Administration Offices, Mataga.

• Mbire Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Mbire RDC.

• Mhondoro-Ngezi Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Mhondoro-Ngezi RDC, Mamina Growth Point.

• Mudzi Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Mudzi RDC, Stand No. 1, Kotwa Growth Point.

• Murehwa Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Murehwa RDC, Murehwa Growth Point.

• City of Mutare – the offices of the Town Clerk, Civic Centre, Corner Queen’s Way and Robert Mugabe Street, Mutare.

• Mutare Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Mutare RDC, Corner C Avenue and Riverside Street, Mutare.

• Mutasa Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Mutasa RDC, Mutasa District Centre, Mutasa.

• Mutoko Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Mutoko RDC, Mutoko Growth Point.

• Muzarabani Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Muzarabani RDC, Centenary.

• Mwenezi Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Mwenezi RDC, Neshuro Growth Point.

• Norton Town Council – the offices of the Secretary of the Norton Town Council, 208 Galloway Road, Norton.

• Nkayi Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nkayi RDC.

• Nyaminyami Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nyaminyami RDC, Siakobvu Growth Point.

• Nyanga Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nyanga RDC, 111 Rochadale Street, Nyanga.

• Pfura Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Pfura RDC, Dotito.

• Plumtree Town Council – the offices of the Secretary of the Plumtree Town Council, DDF Hall, ZRP Road, Plumtree.

• Municipality of Recliff – the offices of the town Clerk, Civic Centre, Sally Mugabe Way, Redcliff.

• Runde Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Runde RDC, Roux Street, Zvishavane.

• Rusape Town Council – the offices of the Secretary of the Rusape Town Council, 398 Manda Avenue, Rusape.

• Rushinga Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Rushinga RDC, Chimhanda.

• Ruwa Local Board – the offices of the Secretary of the Ruwa Local Board, Stand 855, Chiremba Road, Ruwa.

• Sanyati Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Sanyati RDC, 8 Warwick Street, Kadoma.

• Shurugwi Town Council – the offices of the Secretary of the Shurugwi Town Council, corner Chromer Avenue and Main Street.

• Takawira Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Takawira RDC, Stand No. 14, Naper Road, Mvuma.

• Tongogara Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Tongogara RDC, Tongogara Growth Point.

• Tsholotsho Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Tsholotsho RDC.

• Umguza Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Umguza RDC.

• Umzingwane Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Umzingwane RDC, 1 Richardson Avenue, Esigodini.

• Municipality of Victoria Falls – the offices of the town clerk, Livingstone Way, Victoria Falls.

• Vungu Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Vungu Rural District Council, 19 Lincoln road, Light Industrial Site, Gweru.

• Zaka Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Zaka RDC, Jerera Growth Point.

• Zibagwe Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Zibagwe RDC, Stand No. 1211 / 1214, Robert Mugabe Way.

• Zvataida Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Zataida (Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe) RDC, Mutawatawa Growth Point.

• Zvimba Rural District Council – the offices of the Chief Executive Officer of the Zvimba RDC, Murombedzi Growth Point.

• Zvishavane Town Council – the offices of the Secretary of the Zvishavane Town Council, Corner Goddard Street and Robert Mugabe Way, Zvishavane.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s state media today, Thursday profiled MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa’s party manifesto launch. Below was the ZBC LIVE roll:

1300: Our live updates have come to an end. Thank you.

1259: Urges Zimbabweans to go and vote for real change on 30 July and declares the MDC Alliance Manifesto officially launched.

1255: Reiterates the issue of rural airports to transport farmers produce quickly. Speaks also about spaghetti roads to ease traffic congestion.

1252: Says their manifesto document has all the solutions to the challenges in the country, urges Zimbabweans to have a look at it.

1251: Mr Chamisa says Dr Joice Mujuru has been slow to realise the value of joining the Alliance, but they will continue to pursue gender mainstreaming, they will continue to engage Dr Mujuru.

1250: “Ma CIO edu takuchinja orientation yedu, hatichatevere opposition, vana Matemadanda hatichavateveri. Takuda economic intelligence,” says Chamisa.

1240: We will renew ties with Israel, a Zimbabwean embassy will be established in Israel in line with the reconstruction agenda.

1239: Chamisa: “Re-engagement yes, the alliance will look everywhere, more ideas than slogans, the alliance will follow the dollar.”

1238: National heroes will be recognised in an inclusive way.

1236: The alliance will built smart cities, connected cities – Chamisa.

1234: Specialised courts will be established to deal with corruption. Provinces will be renamed by the alliance, says the present names are tribalistic.

1233: The alliance will have only 15 ministers or even less – Chamisa

1230: Says after elections Zanu PF must be more united so that there is an effective opposition in the country. Chamisa says the alliance will build a nation of great sporting talent. War veterans will be vetted and given their dues “once and for all”.

1224: Turns to the manifesto document, says the first pillar is transformation, deeper transformation. Secondly, opportunities – employment, business, investment. Speaks of the 5 canons of the alliance manifesto – Smart Governance, Smart Economics, Smart Social Services, Smart Special Rights and Interests, and Smart Infrastructure.

1223: “…I want to give Mr Mnangagwa a good rest, he has done a lot for this country….we can’t continue to abuse our elders…,” says Mr Chamisa.

1220: The alliance govt will be a govt for everyone, war veterans, the disabled, all races, etc. Says God is in their plans, “God is in it,” he says. “I will be the President of former President Mugabe and outgoing President Mnangagwa because God is in it….,” said Mr Chamisa.

1219: Chamisa promises civil servants that good times are in the offing for them when the alliance govt takes over. Says the present govt “has too much appetite but no will to deliver”

1215: Chamisa says he is able to carry on the legacy left by former MDC-T President Mr Morgan Tsvangirai. He admits that there are various challenges that they will face as a new govt, says they will be tough but as MDC Alliance they will also be equal to the task. He mentions issues of unemployment, health delivery, cash shortages.

1212: “We are launching what the people have been waiting for…” says Chamisa. ‘Behold a new’ is today’s theme, he says. I represent that new that brand new, says Chamisa. Mr Chamisa says the change with President Mnangagwa is not good for Zimbabwe. “The best change is speaking to you now,” he says.

1209: MDC Alliance President Advocate Nelson Chamisa is now delivering his keynote address.

1207: Director of Ceremonies Mr Maridadi now invites Mr Chamisa to the podium.

1155: An activist Maureen Kademaunga is now on the podium to speak about various rights that will be protected by the alliance if they get into government. She speaks about some laws to do with women and children that will be repealed by the government of the MDC Alliance to ensure their rights are protected. Says the rights of the elderly and children will be protected. Says under the leadership of Advocate Nelson Chamisa, the alliance will take Zimbabwe to where it should be.

1148: Honourable Paurina Mpariwa now on the podium. She speaks about labour issues and how the alliance will resuscitate the tripartite negotiating forum.

1143: On investment, Mashakada speaks on boosting investment. Says President Mnangagwa says Zimbabwe is open for business and asks who had closed it for business? He says it is Zanu PF which had closed Zimbabwe for business.

1137: Honourable Tapiwa Mashakada is now on the podium to present the alliance’s Trade and Investment Plan.  Speaks about enhancing trade agreements with Britain so as to increase exports.

1135: Legislator Mr James Maridadi is the Director of Ceremonies.

1133: Mr Biti says their government will compensate all white farmers who lost their land during ‘land invasions’. Mr Biti finishes his presentation.

1122: Mr Biti says another agenda is to create jobs through expanding the services industry, formalising the informal economy, and other various strategies.

1120: Mr Biti speaks about the alliance’s agenda of a US$100 billion economy once they win the harmonised elections slated for 30 July.  Says when Mr Chamisa takes over government by 2023 the Zimbabwean economy will rise to US$46, 2 billion in terms of capital.

1115: The programme has kicked off and one of the alliance leaders Mr Tendai Biti is making a presentation on the economic plan to be implemented by the alliance once they assume power.

The MDC Alliance is launch its manifesto at Jubilee Centre in Milton Park Harare. We give you live updates from there. The theme of the manifesto is “Behold The New  #Change That Delivers”.

Former Minister of state for Masvingo Province, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti has accused president Mnangagwa of being blasphemous and writing his own bible verse.

Bhasikiti charmed MDC supporters who gathered at Africa Unit Square after a march in demand of electoral reforms yesterday were he denounced Mnangagwa and his party.

“Mnangagwa has run out of ideas to the extent of writing his own bible by saying, “voice of the people is voice of god” that is his own bible, but if he listens to his own bible though it is not from God he should know that the people have spoken hence you (Mnangagwa) should answer yourself with your own bible,” said Bhasikiti.

He further alleged that people of Zimbabwe are now cleaver and will not give their vote to him.

“People of Zimbabwe are now clever and are guarding their vote jealously against him until the reforms are implemented.”

Bhasikiti concluded by mocking the ZANU PF symbol the fist which he said is hiding the missing 15billion and praising MDC-T’s palm symbol.

“The fist was once raised little did we know that it hid the missing $15billion it is high time people start waving their hands the MDC way to show transparency!” he said.

Prosper Mutseyami

By Paul Nyathi|Members of the current Parliament have demanded that they be paid all their outstanding allowances and residential stands before their term ends.

The legislators raised the matter on Acting Speaker of Parliament, Mr Reuben Marumahoko at the start of their debates on Wednesday.

The 8th Parliament adjourns on Thursday to pave way for the forthcoming elections and to give the members time to go and campaign to be voted back into the House.

MDC-T’s Musikavanhu constituency legislator Mr Prosper Mutseyami who is a member of the welfare committee moved the motion on a point of order.

“Mr Speaker, my point of order to the House, is for this House to take note that the life of this Parliament is coming to an end and as a result of that, I being a member of the welfare committee representing members of Parliament, this Parliament owes us money, we are owed our allowances which have been outstanding for a very long time,” he said.

Mr Mutseyami said some legislators had lost primary elections in their respective parties and must be saved the inconvenience of coming to Parliament to demand their dues next term.

“Among us we’ve members who lost primary elections and as a result the route is clear that they won’t be coming back unless they stand as independents or whatever.

“So in that regard, Mr Speaker Sir, my appeal to the House is for this house to make sure that outstanding allowances are paid to respective MPs before the end of this term, before they leave, Mr Speaker Sir,” he said.

The legislator also demanded that the August House sort out issues of their residential stands as they were only given offer letters which were not specific.

“Then the other thing is to do with our stands. We were issued with offer letters, offer letters are nothing, what we request urgently as a matter of yesterday is for members of Parliament to be given lease agreements with regards to their stands.

“And these lease agreements must be done like yesterday through the administration of Parliament so that every member must be given his lease agreement with a list of his stand number, the square metres and the agreement thereto and all the conditions that we agreed as a committee that are supposed to be abided by with regard to the payment of these stands. Mr Speaker Sir I rest my issue and I stand guided for a response for these issues to be addressed like yesterday,” he said.

“We don’t need this thing that members of Parliament come here in September, October going through the other door looking for allowances.
All these things must be completed when they are still sitting.”

Acting Speaker Marumahoko said the issue of allowances had been addressed by Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Patrick Chinamasa.

“I think the issue of allowances was addressed by the Minister of Finance and I didn’t see any reason here to raise it again. The Minister of Finance has given us dates when you are due to be paid,” he said.

Zanu-PF’s outgoing Zvishavane-Ngezi Member of Parliament Mr John Holder weighed in saying the issue of allowances must be addressed urgently and reminded the Acting Speaker that he too was affected as he had lost the primary elections.

“The Honourable member who just spoke there was right on track because a lot of us are not coming back and because a lot of us are not coming back we need to get what belongs to us. Render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar including you Mr Speaker you’re not coming back as well. So, we are fixing for all of us here,” said Mr Holder.

By Paul Nyathi|Top media businessman Trevor Ncube, who in recent days openly expressed his new found love for ZANU PF has said he fears what MDC-T supporters might do to him and his family, and not the perrenially violent ZANU-PF supporters.

Ncube the owner of top Zimbabwean news houses the News-Day, the Independent and the Standard, made his remarks in a Twitter post on Monday which attracted him a huge outburst from the public which expressed shock at his new love for the party his papers opposite everyday.

On his twitter timeline, Ncube states that what his newspapers publish should not be compared with his personal opinion. ” l am not my newspapers. My newspapers are not me,” reads his timeline.

In a tweet on Monday, Ncube said: “Right now l am more concerned about what MDC-T supporters might do to me and my family more than what ZANU-PF might do to me. I survived Gukurahundi and all what Robert Mugabe did to me. This too shall pass!!”

It is not clear what prompted Ncube’s concern for his family’s safety leading to the tweet.

An employee at Arenel Sweets and Biscuits in Bulawayo allegedly lost an arm yesterday morning after he was trapped by a conveyer belt during maintenance.

Mr Goodluck Muleya (24) who sustained multiple injuries on his right hand and upper body was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals where he is receiving treatment.
The incident occurred at around 7AM.
Sources said the arm appeared mangled and bits of broken bone were protruding.

When The Chronicle arrived at the company premises in the Belmont Industrial area, Mr Muleya had already been ferried to hospital and a female company official who did not identify herself was hostile and refused to comment on the incident.

She said nothing of the sort had happened and denied the news crew access to management.

“Nothing happened here and we are not aware of any incident of that sort. Sorry, the manager is in a meeting and can’t attend to you,” she said.

However, Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Richard Peterson confirmed the incident saying they attended the scene.
He warned members of the public to be careful when working with heavy electrical machinery.

“I can confirm we received a report of a man who got trapped by a conveyer belt resulting in him sustaining multiple fractures. When the brigade arrived at the scene, co-workers had extricated him and our Ambulance services team attended to him.

“We encourage people to always ensure electrical machinery is switched off during maintenance to avoid risks of getting injured.

“It is important to exercise utmost caution when working with heavy machinery. Machines should never be worked on while running,” said Mr Peterson.
Employees who preferred anonymity said it was traumatic for them to see their colleague sustaining such a horrible injury.

“I don’t know what exactly happened but I was alarmed by Muleya’s screams for help. We thank God he survived. We managed to remove him from the trap. I think that arm will be cut off,” said an employee.- state media

THE MDC Alliance announced yesterday that it is launching its 2018 policy document at the Jubilee Centre in Milton Park, Harare today.

“The MDC Alliance is pleased to announce the launch of its 2018 policy document at the Jubilee Centre, Milton Park in Harare tomorrow 07 June 2018,” it said in a statement.
“The policy programme launch, under the theme ‘Behold the New Change that Delivers’ is consistent with our long held vision to bring about real change that delivers.

“The event, which will demonstrate our values as a collective movement, will highlight our readiness to tackle the national issues and challenges Zimbabweans are currently grappling with.”

It added: “This occasion presents us an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment in creating a democratic developmental State that creates opportunities for Zimbabweans to contribute to the sustainable development of their country.

“We can, as this policy programme shows, do much more as a government to improve the lives of citizens and make Zimbabwe the pride of Africa and the envy of the world once again.”

The MDC Alliance said its handbook was a product of extensive consultations across the country.

“It is also the work of many who have contributed their time and expertise to the effort,” it said.

“We are deeply grateful to all who were involved and we trust this work will help create the] foundations and superstructures we require for a New Zimbabwe.”

The launch of the handbook comes as the country prepares for harmonised elections on July 30

Outgoing Parliamentarians yesterday demanded their outstanding allowances and residential stands saying the issues must be addressed urgently following the announcement of adjournment of Parliament yesterday.

The 8th Parliament adjourns today to pave way for the forthcoming elections and some of the members will take the opportunity to campaign to be voted back into the August House.
MDC-T’s Musikavanhu constituency legislator Mr Prosper Mutseyami who is a member of the welfare committee moved the motion saying Parliament must pay them their dues before the lapse of this term.

“Mr Speaker, my point of order to the House, is for this House to take note that the life of this Parliament is coming to an end and as a result of that, I being a member of the welfare committee representing members of Parliament, this Parliament owes us money, we are owed our allowances which have been outstanding for a very long time,” he said.

Mr Mutseyami said some legislators had lost primary elections in their respective parties and must be saved the inconvenience of coming to Parliament to demand their dues next term.

“Among us we’ve members who lost primary elections and as a result the route is clear that they won’t be coming back unless they stand as independents or whatever.

“So in that regard, Mr Speaker Sir, my appeal to the House is for this house to make sure that outstanding allowances are paid to respective MPs before the end of this term, before they leave, Mr Speaker Sir,” he said.

The legislator also demanded that the August House sort out issues of their residential stands as they were only given offer letters which were not specific.
“Then the other thing is to do with our stands. We were issued with offer letters, offer letters are nothing, what we request urgently as a matter of yesterday is for members of Parliament to be given lease agreements with regards to their stands.

“And these lease agreements must be done like yesterday through the administration of Parliament so that every member must be given his lease agreement with a list of his stand number, the square metres and the agreement thereto and all the conditions that we agreed as a committee that are supposed to be abided by with regard to the payment of these stands. Mr Speaker Sir I rest my issue and I stand guided for a response for these issues to be addressed like yesterday,” he said.

“We don’t need this thing that members of Parliament come here in September, October going through the other door looking for allowances.

All these things must be completed when they are still sitting.”
Acting Speaker of Parliament, Mr Reuben Marumahoko said the issue of allowances had been addressed by Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Patrick Chinamasa.

“I think the issue of allowances was addressed by the Minister of Finance and I didn’t see any reason here to raise it again. The Minister of Finance has given us dates when you are due to be paid,” he said.

Zanu-PF’s outgoing Zvishavane-Ngezi Member of Parliament Mr John Holder weighed in saying the issue of allowances must be addressed urgently and reminded the Acting Speaker that he too was affected as he had lost the primary elections.

“The Honourable member who just spoke there was right on track because a lot of us are not coming back and because a lot of us are not coming back we need to get what belongs to us. Render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar including you Mr Speaker you’re not coming back as well. So, we are fixing for all of us here,” said Mr Holder.- state media

President Mnangagwa has said reopening closed companies and ensuring they contribute significantly to the economy is his Government’s top priority.

He has set a target to turn Zimbabwe into a middle-income economy by 2030.

President Mnangagwa made the pledge yesterday as he toured Sable Chemicals outside Kwekwe.

He promised to support the country’s sole ammonium nitrate manufacturer with foreign currency, as the company sits at the heart of the country’s economic recovery.

President Mnangagwa told delegates after touring the Sable Chemicals plant that his Government had a comprehensive model to increase food production.

He said companies such as Sable Chemicals should actively contribute by ensuring sustainable and adequate supplies of fertiliser.

President Mnangagwa undertook the tour to familiarise himself with challenges faced by Sable Chemicals and it was the first visit by a sitting Head of State and Government to the top dressing fertiliser producer.

“My Government is working tirelessly to ensure that closed and distressed companies resume operations,” said President Mnangagwa.

“The success of Sable Chemicals will have ripple effects on the growth of other industries and the economy at large.

“Sable Chemicals is a strategic contributor to the country’s industrialisation agenda and the success of the modernisation of the agricultural sector.

“It occupies a unique space in this economy and its success will yield a wide range of cross cutting benefits. I urge the company to take advantage of the regional markets within Sadc, Comesa and the rest of the African continent to export its surplus output to stimulate export growth and earn foreign currency,” he said.

“However, for the company to do so, it is necessary that my administration first makes the move to support the company with foreign currency.”

President Mnangagwa said affordable fertiliser had a positive effect on agricultural productivity and food security.

He said Sable Chemicals should brace for huge demand of fertiliser anchored on the success of the Government’s specialised grain production programme, commonly known as Command Agriculture.

“The success of the Command Agriculture programme for the 2016-17 framing season saw the annual demand of top dressing fertilisers rising to 110 000 metric tonnes for the summer cropping season alone,” said President Mnangagwa.

“With an expected annual increase of the cropping hectarage, this volume is bound to increase drastically and Sable Chemicals must stand ready to meet the demand.

“I am informed that Sable Chemicals is benefiting and dependent on the rail network for transportation of raw material, ammonia gas, as well as finished fertilisers. My Government has put in place concrete measures for more a efficient, reliable and modern rail network.”

President Mnangagwa hailed plans by Sable Chemicals to produce nitrate solution for use in the production of explosives in the mining sector, saying the move resonated well with an anticipated upsurge in the mining sector.

He pledged continued Government support to ensure that Sable Chemicals operated at optimum capacity.

“I applaud your recent initiatives to reinvigorate the production process by ceasing the electrolysis method to produce ammonia gas, thereby releasing approximately 90 megawatts of electricity into the national grid,” said President Mnangagwa.

“In addition, I commend Sable Chemicals’ long term plans to use coal bed or natural gas to produce ammonia gas which will be used to manufacture ammonium nitrate and urea, which will ultimately reduce the price of top dressing fertilisers.”

President Mnangagwa said the move was in line with Government’s policy of adding value and beneficiating the country’s natural resources.-state media

By Paul Nyathi|The MDC Alliance coalition will launch its long awaited election manifesto in Harare on Thursday.

The manifesto tagged “SMART” will be launched by the Alliance Presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa at the Jubilee Christian Center in Milton Park Harare at 1000 hrs.

SMART stands for ‘Sustainable and Modern Agenda for Real Transformation (SMART),’

The party has invited interested members of the public to attend the launch.