Masvingo Magistrate Elizabeth Hanzie has granted ZWL$100 000 bail each to two Masvingo women who went viral on social media last week with a video of them licking each other’s privates. They will be back in court on December 18, 2023.
They are charged with violating the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act (Prohibition of importation, production and dissemination of undesirable publications, pictures, statues and records).
-More to follow….
Zimbabwean authorities are intensifying a retributive exercise in which they are targeting some perceived opposition political party supporters by arresting and prosecuting them for allegedly committing offences against some ZANU PF political party supporters and the shadowy Forever Associates of Zimbabwe (FAZ), which claims to be an affiliate of the ruling political party.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers recently arrested Shepherd Muzama, a 61 year-old man, who resides in Mafurere village under Chief Marange in Manicaland province, and charged him with malicious damage to property as defined in section 140 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
In court, prosecutors alleged that Muzama, a supporter of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change political party, on 23 August 2023 damaged a table belonging to Forever Associates Zimbabwe*** and valued at US$90, which had been mounted outside a polling station at Mutsago District Development Fund by a ZANU PF political party supporter, who together with Dadirai Mandingo, Precious Muchanyarei, Peter Muzama and Boniface Mutsago, were recording some names of their political party members, who had voted during the harmonised elections as part of what was called an Exit Poll Survey.
Mutsago prosecutors claimed, confronted the ZANU PF party supporters accusing them of intimidating members of the public, who had turned out to cast their votes.
The sexagenarian allegedly lifted the table, which the ZANU PF party supporters were using and banged it several times on the ground resulting in it being damaged.
Prosecutors also alleged that Mutsago took some cloth branded with the ZANU PF political party logo and an exercise book, which the ruling party supporters were using to record names of people.
For allegedly doing so, prosecutors said Mutsago acted unlawfully.
Mutsago, who was represented by Netsai Nyamwanza of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, was granted US$30 bail on Wednesday 22 November 2023 by Mutare Magistrate Tendai Mahwe.
He returns to court on 28 December 2023 for commencement of his trial.
By A Correspondent
Overzealous cops on Sunday violently disrupted a Citizens Coalition for Change campaign rally in the ancient of Masvingo.
In spite of the fact that the rally had been cleared, ZRP corps cordoned off the venue and ordered CCC members to return home.
Said the CCC in a tweet: The @PoliceZimbabwe in Masvingo have banned a sanctioned rally.
They illegally recalled our elected members and announced dates for the by-elections, which are a result of fraudulent activity by an imposter.
And now, they don’t want us to campaign. The citizens must reject these thugs in the upcoming by-elections. #9DecemberByElections
By A Correspondent
Overzealous cops on Sunday violently disrupted a Citizens Coalition for Change campaign rally in the ancient of Masvingo.
In spite of the fact that the rally had been cleared, ZRP corps cordoned off the venue and ordered CCC members to return home.
Said the CCC in a tweet: The @PoliceZimbabwe in Masvingo have banned a sanctioned rally.
They illegally recalled our elected members and announced dates for the by-elections, which are a result of fraudulent activity by an imposter.
And now, they don’t want us to campaign. The citizens must reject these thugs in the upcoming by-elections. #9DecemberByElections
By A Correspondent
CCC MP for Harare Central, Hon Lovemore Jimu, led a tree planting exercise in ward 14, Warren park on Saturday.
Hon Jimu took the opportunity to educate young people on the dire effects of drug abuse.
He also donated balls to the local community.
“Today’s event was the right platform for us to educate young people on the negative effects of drug abuse.
In addition, we also educated the local community on HIV/ AIDS prevention with special focus on measures that can be taken to minimise the effects new infections.
As you know, trees are vital for us as human beings and we need to take the necessary measures to protect our environment, “said Hon Jimu.
Follow Official WhatsApp Channel for the Citizens’ Coalition for Change led by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa|Citizens First|Citizens at the Centre.
Follow the CCC channel on WhatsApp: whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va…
A Harare man has sued government and a local authority over their failure to contain the outbreak of the deadly cholera disease, which has claimed the lives of more than 150 people in the troubled southern African country.
In an urgent chamber application filed at Harare High Court, Wellington Mariga, a resident of Kuwadzana high-density suburb in Harare, faulted City of Harare (CoH) and Local Government and Public Works Minister Hon. Chitando and Health and Childcare Minister Hon. Douglas Mombeshora for dereliction of duty by letting the cholera pandemic to continue for a protracted period of time since its outbreak in February 2023 resulting in Zimbabwe recording a high number of cases and deaths.
Mariga, who is represented by Shadreck Masike of Shomwe and Partners Attorneys and Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, argued that both local and central government had statutory and constitutional obligations to provide adequate, constant, clean and potable water and had consistently failed to improve the provision of water in Harare to alleviate the cholera outbreak.
The Kuwadzana resident charged that despite CoH declaring a state of emergency due to the cholera epidemic, the local authority had failed and neglected to provide adequate and reasonable supply of potable clean water to Harare residents and particularly those residing in Kuwadzana.
Mariga argued that the lack of provision of clean and safe drinking water to some suburbs in Harare were exposing residents to the risk of contracting cholera.
He told the court that he had a front seat experience of the devastating effects of a cholera outbreak of 2008, where he lost his friends and some family members and hence he cannot sit and allow the same scenario to repeat itself when such a consequence could be mitigated by supplying clean and safe drinking water.
Mariga bemoaned that residents were relying on harvesting water from shallow wells and boreholes and the erratic water supplies to suburbs of Harare had left him and other residents at high risk of contracting cholera.
He argued that the failure to provide water to residents by CoH is a violation of the right to water provided in section 77 of the Constitution and is also a violation of the right to health guaranteed in section 76 of the Constitution.
He charged that the obtaining cholera outbreak demands the implementation of extraordinary interventions to improve the water supply in Harare and this could be aided by the deployment of water bowsers to suburbs with little to no access to adequate, constant, clean and potable water.
Mariga asked the High Court to grant an order directing CoH to immediately supply adequate, clean and potable water so that Harare residents can access water from water taps or water bowsers.
The CoH, Mariga demanded, should also be ordered by the High Court to supply a schedule for the immediate deployment of water bowsers to Kuwadzana high-density suburb to his lawyers within 24 hours of the granting of the court order.
Judge President Justice Mary Zimba-Dube will on Friday 1 December 2023 preside over hearing and determination of Mariga’s urgent chamber application.
How far will Tshabangu go?
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 4, 2023
By A Correspondent- A yet to be identified man is on the run after he reportedly stabbed his girlfriend’s two minor children in Mufakose, Harare last night.
Police details took the body of the five-year-old boy who died from the stab wounds to a local mortuary.
The man reportedly stabbed the minors while the mother was away.
This is a developing story.
Refresh this page for more…….
By A Correspondent- A Chitungwiza man, John Zano died after he found out that his wife had died.
Zano, who resided in Manyame Park phase 5 died on 2 November 2023 at Chitungwiza general hospital, a day after the death of his wife.
Sources close to the development said Zano collapsed soon after learning that his wife, whom he had left at their home when he went to look for her medication had died.
Said a source:
“His wife was complaining that she is not well and had a cough and Zano left the house to look for her medication leaving his ailing wife with the duo’s grandchild.
When he came back, he noticed that his wife had died and he collapsed. He was ferried to hospital and put in intensive care.
Sadly, he passed on around 11am the following morning.”
The deceased were well known for being vegetable and tomato vendors.
By A Correspondent| Luke Tamborinyoka, the former spokesperson of the opposition MDC Alliance, has vehemently denied allegations made by self-styled CCC Interim Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu that the two met at a local hotel to strategize the recalls that have been plaguing the Nelson Chamisa-led movement.
In a tweet responding to the claims, Tamborinyoka expressed surprise at the accusations and firmly rejected any association with Tshabangu’s purported agenda. “Someone has alerted me to a tweet by one Tshabangu linking my name to his surrogate ED project, which I have publicly denounced. How does he meet me at a local hotel when I’ve been out of Zim for months now? I am a loyal cadre of the CCC. I don’t hobnob with paid ZANU PF agents,” Tamborinyoka said.
The controversy arises amidst the internal challenges faced by the CCC, including the recalls of some of its prominent members.
Tshabangu, who claims to be the Interim Secretary General, has been at the center of the storm, accusing Tamborinyoka of collaborating with forces allegedly aligned with the ruling ZANU PF party.
Tamborinyoka emphasized his commitment to the CCC and distanced himself from any engagement with individuals associated with the ruling party. “I am a loyal cadre of the CCC,” he stated, seeking to dispel any doubts about his allegiance to the opposition movement.
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says its self-proclaimed interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu’s days are numbers as his handlers in Zanu PF will abandon him.
Tshabangu recalled 14 CCC legislators and more than 17 CCC councillors claiming that they had ceased to be members of the party.
CCC spokesperson Gift Siziba said the challenges being faced by Zimbabweans will be over when the CCC assumes power.
He said Tshabangu was causing havoc in the country warning that his handlers would dump him.
“Who saw this mad man when people were campaigning. He should be careful with people whom he is dealing with, this will come to an end,” Siziba told a rally to drum up support ahead of Saturday’s by-elections.
“You should be careful because you are dealing with hyenas, Tshabangu. Soon they will start to accuse you. They will use you to backtrack, abandon the struggle, promise you manna from heaven, but when your time expires, they will dump you,” Siziba said.
He said MDC leader Douglas Mwonzora was also used by Zanu PF.
“We fear nothing, they know, you voted and gave people a mandate. Everywhere, where there is a robot, it is governed by CCC, all residents who contribute taxes are governed by CCC. So, in council, we are the government and Zanu PF is in the rural council,” Siziba said.
He said the position of secretary-general was non-existent in the CCC.
Siziba said the CCC opponents thought they had no constitution but were shocked when it was produced in court.
“We registered the party in 2022. Zec recognised us and we retained those same people,” he said.
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says its interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu’s days are numbers as his handlers in Zanu-PF will abandon him.
Tshabangu recalled 14 CCC legislators and more than 17 CCC councillors claiming that they had ceased to be members of the party.
CCC spokesperson Gift Siziva said the challenges being faced by Zimbabweans will be over when the CCC assumes power.
He said Tshabangu was causing havoc in the country warning that his handlers would dump him.
“Who saw this mad man when people were campaigning. He should be careful with people whom he is dealing with, this will come to an end,” Siziva told a rally to drum up support ahead of Saturday’s by-elections.
“You should be careful because you are dealing with hyenas, Tshabangu. Soon they will start to accuse you. They will use you to backtrack, abandon the struggle, promise you manna from heaven, but when your time expires, they will dump you,” Siziva said.
He said MDC leader Douglas Mwonzora was also used by Zanu-PF.
“We fear nothing, they know, you voted and gave people a mandate. Everywhere, where there is a robot, it is governed by CCC, all residents who contribute taxes are governed by CCC. So, in council, we are the government and Zanu-PF is in the rural council,” Siziva said.
He said the position of secretary-general was non-existent in the CCC.
Siziva said the CCC opponents thought they had no constitution but were shocked when it was produced in court.
“We registered the party in 2022. Zec recognised us and we retained those same people,” he said.
By A Correspondent- Over 250 people have died and 153 661 people infected in a malaria outbreak that is afflicting Zimbabwe, statistics from the Health and Child Care ministry have revealed, amid calls for more investment in malaria prevention.
According to the ministry’s Weekly Disease Surveillance report, the provinces that reported the highest number of cases were Manicaland at 148 and Mashonaland Central (143).
One person died from malaria during the period in question.
“The death was reported from Makonde district (1) in Mashonaland West province. Of the reported cases, 62 (12,8%) were from the under five years of age. The provinces that reported the highest number of cases were Manicaland (148) and Mashonaland Central (143). The cumulative figures for malaria cases are 153 661 and 254 deaths,” it said in a report for the period ending November 19.
Malaria transmission is seasonal and unstable, causing sickness and death across all age groups. The outbreak occasionally occurs during warm and wet seasons.
Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike said there was a challenge with the disease affecting non-malaria prone areas.
“It is very worrying that the country is currently experiencing a surge in incidences of malaria with some areas which were once malaria-free zones also reporting cases of the disease.
“We call upon the government to invest more domestic funding in malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment supported by strengthened community-driven awareness initiatives to stop the current malaria-related illnesses and deaths,” Rusike said.
He called for a multi-pronged approach to curb the spread of malaria.
“Government and its partners in the health sector should intensify health promotion programmes to stamp out this deadly disease and improve the health and lives of citizens. Programmes should proactively engage with communities working towards elimination of malaria.
“We urge the government to continue implementing the World Health Organisation recommended prevention strategies such as residual spraying of houses in high transmission areas districts and distribution of treated mosquito nets and this must be done with full community participation and ownership in order to ensure buy-in from the areas where the programmes are being implemented,” he said.
Last week, Health and Child Care minister Douglas Mombeshora said malaria cases had markedly dropped by 68,6 %, while deaths declined by 55,8% between the period 2020 to 2022.
He said the government would double down efforts to eliminate malaria in the country.
By A Correspondent- A Bindura man was filmed live on camera after an alert community busted him bedding a minor girl.
The women and men besieged the room where the man had undressed and beat up the minor and the man before calling the police.
The video of the incident is doing the rounds on social media.
In the video, the women and men can be heard questioning the yet to be identified paedophile on why he was bedding a minor.
The minor is also questioned on why she was in the room and not at school while wearing a uniform from a yet to be named Chipadze school.
In May 2022, the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) raised the age of sexual consent from 16 to 18 in a landmark ruling.
The development followed an application by two Harare women who sought to nullify the age of consent set at 16, arguing that it violated the rights and protection of girls in terms of the Constitution which set the legal age of marriage at 18.
A comment from the police was work in progress by the time of writing.
This is a developing story….
By Wilbert Mukori- “I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle,” said Sir Winston Church.
The quotation of the great man complete with his picture has been going the rounds in my social media circle, prompted by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube’s recent national budget statement. The statement itself is meant to once again “prove” Churchill wrong; just need to know how!
You tax the poor to bankroll the filthy rich ruling elite and their cronies. And to keep the poor quiet, you promise them that is will be their turn to stand in the bucket tomorrow and be uplifted into prosperity from the tax paid by the filthy rich ruling elite. Zimbabwe has been doing this for decades now!
Winston Churchill a democrat who was democratically accountable to the British people and so was compelled to speak truthfully. Mnangagwa, just like Mugabe before him, and his cronies are not democrats, he is not democratically accountable to the people – as he has bluntly demonstrated in the August elections. He can and is taxing the poor to bankroll the prosperity of the filthy rich ruling elite. The poor are being reassured that tomorrow it will be their turn to be prosperous as the nation attains its goal of upper middle income by 2030, vision 2030.
The nation has been chasing this mass prosperity mirage since 1980 when the nation attained her independence; Mugabe never tired of promising the masses “gutsa ruzhinji”. Even when it was clear the masses were getting poorer and poorer, there was mass poverty; the regime never stopped playing the gutsa ruzhinji drums.
Gutsa ruzhinji! Gutsa ruzhinji! the drums played day and night! Heard the drums first thing in the morning and last thing at night. One even heard the drums deep in their sleep.
When Mnangagwa took over from Mugabe in 2017 he announce that “Zimbabwe is open for business!” as the vehicle to finally deliver the elusive mass prosperity. However when he failed to deliver on his promise to stamp out corruption and to hold free and fair elections in 2018; he confirmed that Zimbabwe was still a pariah state. He confirmed that Zimbabwe was NOT open for business because the coup had changed nothing.
So the much hoped for flood of foreign and local investment in response to his “Zimbabwe is open for business!” mantra never materialise. Investors are shrewd lot they know it is near impossible to do business in a pariah state and so stayed away.
After three years of waiting for the flood of investors, the penny finally dropped, Mnangagwa finally forced to accept that “Zimbabwe is open for business!” was dead in the water. He changed tactic he focused on local investors. And so “Nyika inovakwa nevenevayo!” was born. But as with any other public pronouncements, the devil was in the detail.
It is one thing to claim Zimbabweans will be build the country (it should be rebuilt since it was Zanu PF who destroyed the country’s economy). Who were those Zimbabweans who would build the nation?
Many Zimbabweans have left the country as economic and/or political refugees in the last 20 to 30 years and most of them are highly qualified. Zanu PF government’s own man-power assessment has revealed that the country had up to 80% man power shortage in such key areas as agriculture, engineering, education, health, etc. And the few professional still in the country are poor, the decades of gross mismanagement, rampant corruption and hyper inflation have left most people poor.
The only areas areas with legions of manpower were politics, law and religion. It is often said that if you throw a stone into a crowd in Zimbabwe, you will probably hit a PhD graduate, a lawyer, a politician or a pastor – sometimes all four in one! They are not exactly the building brigade, are they!
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has kept up the Zanu PF tradition of finding new ways to squeeze more money from the poor. One of the very subtle ways to do this this year was by introducing the so-call mansion tax. Anyone whose home is worth US$ 100 000 or more will pay 1% of the value of the property tax per year. Many people heaved a sigh of relief; they think they escaped the dragnet.
The mansion tax is a very slippery slope. The slide-rule will swiftly move to lower the US$100 000 thrash hold and to widen what other assets can be included in the mansion for tax purposes. In short, many living is in mud-huts will soon find themselves paying mason tax!
The poor mud-hovel are upgraded to mansion for tax purposes. Meanwhile Zimbabwe’s ruling elite and their cronies who are filthy rich, the more ostentatious given the grinding poverty of the majority, are granted all manner of tax breaks. We heavily tax the poor to spare the rich!
By-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has set another date for by-elections caused by the rebel CCC member calling himself the party’s interim secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu.
Mnangagwa declared Saturday, 03 February 2024 as the date for by-elections for six National Assembly constituencies that fell vacant following the illegal recall of CCC MPs on 10 November this year by Tshabangu.
The lawmakers, who were all elected on 23 August 2023 on a Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) ticket, were recalled by the party’s self-imposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu who claimed they had ceased to be members of the opposition party.
The recalled MPs are Siziba Gift Ostallos, Chatiza Stephen, Madzimbamuto Tapfumanei Willard, Chivero Admore, Mutasa Oliver and Chibaya Amos who represented Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North, respectively.
Statutory Instrument 235 of 2023, Proclamation 10 of 2023, read:
HIS EXCELLENCY, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces of Zimbabwe, DR. EMMERSON DAMBUDZO MNANGAGWA.
WHEREAS, in terms of section 129(1)(k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the seats of members of Parliament for Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North have become vacant by reason of ceasing to be members of CCC of Siziba Gift Ostallos, Chatiza Stephen, Madzimbamuto Tapfumanei Willard, Chivero Admore, Mutasa Oliver and Chibaya Amos on 10 November, 2023, who were the elected members of Parliament for the respective constituencies;
AND WHEREAS it is provided by section 39(2) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], that after the President has been notified in terms of the said section of vacancies in the membership of Parliament, he shall issue a proclamation ordering a new election to fill the vacancies in the same manner, mutatis mutandis, as is provided in section 38 of the said Act in regard to a general election;
AND WHEREAS, the Speaker of Parliament has notified me on 15 November, 2023, in writing, of vacancies for the afore-mentioned constituencies:
NOW, THEREFORE, under and by virtue of the powers vested in the President as afore-said, I do, by this proclamation-
(a) order new elections for the constituencies of Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North; and
(b) fix Monday the 18th day of December 2023, as the date on which the nomination court shall sit, commencing at 10 o’clock in the morning, at-
(i) the Magistrate Court, Tredgold Building, Leopold Takawira Avenue, Bulawayo, for the purpose of receiving nomination of candidates for election as a member of National Assembly Constituency of Pelandaba;
(ii) the Magistrates Court, Ruzawi Road, Marondera, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of National Assembly Constituencies of Goromonzi South and Seke;
(iii) the Magistrates Court, Gerrard Drive, Chinhoyi, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of National Assembly Constituencies of Chegutu West and Zvimba East;
and
(iv) the Magistrates Court, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Street, Gweru, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of the National Assembly Constituency of Mkoba North;
and
(c) fix Saturday 03 February, 2024, as the day on which a poll shall be taken if a poll becomes necessary in terms of section 46(17)(c) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13].
Given under my hand and the Public Seal of Zimbabwe at Harare, this 23rd day of November in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-three.
By-Two Zanu PF councillors from Ward 9 in Zaka District recently clashed over delivering a funeral speech.
Sitting councillor Livison Paradza felt threatened by fellow councillor Beauty Musunda who got into council through women’s quota after she gave a speech as councillor at a funeral.
ZANU PF Masvingo provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa who is also a Zaka senator confirmed the development to TellZim News, saying he had received the matter and it was being handled. He said:
I am aware of the incident and we are handling the matter. We just encourage our members to work in harmony.
If the proportional representative wants to address people in any ward she has to notify the ward councillor who will mobilize people for her.
If there is an event and the sitting councillor is not there, she then has to notify the ward councillor and in her address, she has to tell the people that she is representing the ward councillor.
In an 11-minute audio leaked to TellZim News, Paradza is heard threatening Masunda with demotion for standing for him as councillor without his permission. Said Paradza:
I want to call Brian (Brian Munyoro the ZANU PF provincial commissar), you were there at the meeting, you were told, and we used our resources for you to be councillors so if you continue doing what you are doing I won’t tolerate that.
You cannot go and address a gathering without my knowledge, why didn’t you call me? You are women’s quota, so you address women.
Masunda tried to explain saying she spoke based on what was said by the MP Davies Marapira, but Paradza interrupted her, saying Marapira had no power to tell them what to do. He said:
Marapira has no power, who is he? We campaigned using our resources and if you dare I can apply to the party and tell them you are now growing big.
I am the councillor, I have a stamp and who are you, you are just a quota. If you go to any gathering and want to talk you have to tell the people that you are representing me.
Tomorrow, I want to apply and from today you are my enemy. You can’t have power like me.
For you to be a councillor it’s my resources, the party didn’t give me any resources.
You were given Wards 9, 13, 14, and 15, so does that mean you now have power over all those Wards?
You are not a councillor, I didn’t reply to Marapira because he was saying nothing, go and tell him that I have said that.
Paradza is a teacher at a local school and is one of those whose salaries were ceased after they contested on a ZANU PF ticket.
443 Children Prevented from Trafficking, Returned to Zimbabwe
South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) has successfully thwarted an alleged trafficking attempt involving 443 children from Zimbabwe into South Africa. The authority provided updates on its state of readiness ahead of the festive season during a briefing on Sunday.
A sting operation conducted on Saturday night involved the search of 42 buses at the Beitbridge border post. Officials discovered children under the age of eight traveling without parents or guardians, indicating potential trafficking. Commander of the border guard, Michael Masiapato, confirmed the situation: “Fairly, they were being trafficked into South Africa. We were able to take them out of those buses, engage with Zimbabwean officials, and send them back for processing.”
Reflecting on successes in the transitional period since April 2023, the BMA reported preventing over 44,000 individuals from entering South Africa illegally, subsequently deporting them.
As part of heightened security measures for the festive season, the BMA announced the extension of operating hours at critical ports across the country. An additional 380 personnel will be deployed at selected busiest ports of entry. With an estimated six million people expected to traverse borders, airports, and harbors in December, the BMA aims to ensure effective border management.
Commander Masiapato highlighted the operational adjustments, stating, “While the busiest ports are operational 24/7, others receive a lot of traffic around this time of the year.” Specifically, the operating hours at Groblers Bridge, the port of entry to Botswana, will be extended by two hours, closing at midnight on 15 and 16 December, as well as 22 and 23 December. Similar extensions will apply to ports in Lesotho and Eswatini.
The successful interception of the trafficking attempt underscores the importance of vigilant border control efforts to protect vulnerable individuals, especially children, from exploitation and harm.- state media
Woman Sentenced to 25 Years for Brutal Murder and Joyride with Corpse.
Musawenkosi Hara (39) of New Magwegwe suburb has been sentenced to an effective 25 years in jail for conspiring with her late boyfriend, Farai Michael Mutasa, to brutally murder her friend Thulisile Dube (36) after an all-night beer-drinking binge. The disturbing incident took a macabre turn as the duo went on a joyride with the lifeless body.
Hara, convicted of murder by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda, faced strong condemnation for her actions. Justice Dube-Banda emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating, “You ended the life of a person who considered you a friend.”
The judge underscored the betrayal of trust, as Dube believed she was safe in the company of Hara and her late boyfriend. Justice Dube-Banda described the murder as “brutal and savage,” highlighting the irreparable damage caused to the deceased’s family and her two children.
During the trial, it was noted that Hara showed no remorse and peddled falsehoods, earning her a lengthy prison term. The judge ruled, “You committed an evil act, and this court will hold you accountable.”
In mitigation, Hara pleaded for lenience through her pro deo lawyer, Mr Simbarashe Innocent Madzivire of Tanaka Law Chambers, citing a tough upbringing and her role as the sole breadwinner for her children and elderly parents.
Prosecutor Ms Caroline Mabhena outlined the gruesome events leading to the murder. After a night of revelry, Hara and Mutasa hatched a plan to kill the intoxicated Dube. They struck her with an unknown object, stole her belongings, and then abandoned the Honda Fit, with the lifeless body inside, in a bushy area in Emganwini.
The deceased’s aunt, Ms Sinikiwe Dube, expressed satisfaction with the 25-year sentence and revealed that the family had demanded 14 cattle from both the Hara and Mutasa families, with Mutasa’s family complying. However, the Hara family is yet to fulfill this demand.
The sentencing serves as a stern warning against such heinous acts, emphasizing the gravity of the crime committed by Hara and her late accomplice.
Grade 7 Results to Determine Form 1 Placements via E-Map System**
In a significant shift, the Zimbabwean Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has announced that Grade 7 results, set to be uploaded today on the e-map system, will be the sole criteria for selecting Form 1 learners in boarding schools. This decision aims to streamline the process, eliminating the need for entrance tests that often incurred additional costs for parents.
Mr Moses Mhike, the Permanent Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, confirmed the functionality of the e-map system during the release of Grade Seven results at the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) headquarters in Harare. He emphasized that headmasters are expected to begin selecting learners for Form 1 places using the online platform.
With nearly 400,000 pupils sitting for Grade Seven examinations and approximately 25,000 boarding places available, Mr Mhike acknowledged the need for infrastructure development in boarding schools. He urged the nation to address this growing demand for boarding school placements.
Mr Mhike took the opportunity to clarify that private entrance tests for high school admissions are illegal, emphasizing that Grade Seven results are the only legitimate criteria for entrance into high school.
Regarding potential fee increases for the upcoming academic year, Mr Mhike stressed that any adjustments must be authorized by the Government after gaining majority approval from parents. He highlighted the ministry’s commitment to assessing affordability, particularly considering civil servants’ paychecks, while ensuring the quality of the education system remains uncompromised.
The recently released Zimsec Grade Seven results indicated a notable improvement in the pass rate, reaching 45.5%, up from 40.7% the previous year. Girls, on average, outperformed boys with a pass rate of 49.56% compared to 41.21%. The examination board attributed this positive trend to the resumption of normal classes post-Covid-19, coupled with ongoing improvements by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, ensuring enhanced teaching for students.
-Pastor and Daughters Implicated in Assault on Church Member-
Apostle Ruramai Nhapata, the leader of Trinity International Fellowship Ministry, and her daughters Esther Nhapata and Gamuchirayi Nhapata, have been implicated in the assault of former church member Ruvimbo Mugwindidza.
Ruvimbo Mugwindidza, who recently left the church, citing abuse and indoctrination as reasons, claims that she was physically and emotionally abused while residing with the Nhapata family. According to her, she could no longer tolerate the falsehoods and manipulation used to attract people to the ministry.
The incident took a violent turn as Apostle Nhapata and her daughters allegedly assaulted Ruvimbo, leaving her with a bleeding nose. Ruvimbo explained, “I could not continue living in falsehoods for the sake of free accommodation and free food.”
This incident follows a recent headline-grabbing event where Apostle Nhapata prayed for her neighbor’s deceased body, claiming he would come back to life.
Apostle Nhapata denies the allegations, stating that Ruvimbo is spreading falsehoods about them. She warned the media, saying, “You published bad things about me on the resurrection story, and this time you are back again to write bad things about us, go ahead. I will find what to do with you.”
Esther Nhapata, one of the accused, admitted to assaulting Ruvimbo but urged the media to leave her mother out of the story. She suggested seeking clarification directly from Apostle Nhapata.
The situation has escalated further, with another church member named Kamuzunguze issuing threats against the media outlet that reported the incident. He claimed that Ruvimbo was not assaulted to the point of death and accused the media of biased reporting.
As the controversy unfolds, authorities may intervene to investigate the allegations and determine the appropriate course of action against those involved.- Agencies
By Farai D Hove | In a controversial move, the government’s announcement to renovate stadiums faces intense criticism amid allegations of massive financial misappropriation. The revelation that over $240 million was allegedly spent on rigging the 2023 elections, coupled with extravagant expenditures on luxury vehicles for political allies and questionable house purchases for judges, raises serious doubts about the sincerity of the commitment to sports infrastructure.
Despite claims of a $136.2 billion budget allocated for 2024 to the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture, doubts persist about the actual existence of this substantial figure. Skeptics argue that the inflated Zimbabwean dollars might not translate into tangible value, given the government’s history of printing currency with little real value in United States dollars.
Deputy Minister Emily Jesaya’s reassurance during the 2023 Soccer Stars of the Year awards ceremony that the government is “working tirelessly” to meet FIFA standards is met with skepticism. Critics point out that the funds allegedly allocated for stadium rehabilitation could have been better utilized to support sports development, pay civil servants, and benefit the nation’s sportsmen and women.
With Zimbabwe recently readmitted into international football after a FIFA suspension, concerns arise about the feasibility of hosting future matches. While Premiership champions Ngezi Platinum Stars and Dynamos anticipate the privilege of hosting opponents at home turf, the state of major stadia like the National Sports Stadium, Barbourfields Stadium, and ongoing renovations at Rufaro Stadium remain uncertain.
The call for stadium owners and stakeholders to contribute to the development of internationally recognized sporting infrastructure is seen by some as a deflection from the larger financial concerns haunting the government’s credibility. As the nation navigates this complex scenario, the promised stadium renovations face scrutiny, overshadowed by the shadow of alleged financial mismanagement.- Agencies
Mnangagwa agent, Passion Java was on Sunday night told to return to Zimbabwe to heal it, if he is truly a miracle worker.
Java was at the time announcing his upcoming Tanzania church meetings.
He posted an announcement titled, “8 Dec 2023” upon which time a critic quipped in saying,
“…come heal your home country Zimbabwe.”
VIDEO:
By A Correspondent- Mt Pleasant MP, Fadzayi Mahere has castigated CCC’s self-imposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu for describing the former Mayor of Masvingo Shantiel Yeukai Chiwara as “a little girl”.
Chiwara (25), a graduate with a BComm (Hons) in Banking, and Masters in Strategic Management student, was the youngest Mayor and the first female Mayor of Masvingo.
Speaking in a recent interview on HStvNews, Tshabangu intimated that Chiwara was not elected as the Masvingo Mayor on merit, but was a concubine of some senior CCC official.
Mahere said Tshabangu’s remarks are an attack on the right of a young, competent woman to lead saying the “disgusting misogyny” should be condemned by all Zimbabweans. She said:
Disgusting misogyny is on display here by Mr Tshabangu. His defamatory, sexist remarks go beyond politics.
It’s an attack on the right of a young, competent woman to lead and must be condemned by all progressive Zimbabweans.
Mayor Chiwara @Shantiel16 is not a “little girl”. She is a banker who broke an important glass ceiling by being elected the first female Mayor of Masvingo.
Stop scandalizing her. Stop infantilizing her. Stop harassing her for being a young woman.
The @CCCZimbabwe is a movement that has long championed Gender Parity and has consistently stated that it’s a movement #ForEveryone – including young professional women. #16DaysOfActivism
Chiwara was the sole councillor recalled by Tshabangu in Masvingo in the first round of the CCC recalls in October.
By A Correspondent- A raft of new taxes and increases announced as part of Zimbabwe’s 2024 budget by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has been widely condemned.
The increase in passport fees to $200 (£160), up from $120, making it the most expensive in the region, seems to have provoked the most ire.
Amid Zimbabwe’s economic collapse, many people survive by doing cross-border trade.
So for them, a passport is a vital tool of their trade.
Passports are also in high demand as many Zimbabweans are desperate to leave the country and seek work elsewhere.
Economists estimate unemployment in Zimbabwe is as high as 85%.
Many of those not formally employed make a living by travelling, primarily to South Africa, to buy goods unavailable or too expensive in Zimbabwe, for resale.
Dubai and Turkey are favoured destinations by those with more money.
Mavis Chiangwa travels to South Africa regularly to buy spare parts for cars for sale in Harare.
Although her passport is still valid for another five years, she feels the proposed hike is too much: “The 67% increase is too high and will make it difficult for those wanting to apply for new passports or those renewing,” she told the BBC.
But the increase in passport fees was just one of several hikes proposed by Mr Ncube, who needs to increase government revenue in order to reduce the amount of money the state needs to borrow.
A 1% wealth tax will be levied on residential properties with a minimum value of $100,000. Private residential properties owned by those above 70 are exempt.
Toll fees will increase by more than 100% on the country’s two busiest highways and 100% on all other roads from 1 January.
A fuel strategic reserve levy will see motorists paying an additional three and five cents per litre of diesel and petrol respectively.
Critics of these increases argue they will hit those who use public transport hardest as transport operators will pass on the new costs.
Mr Ncube also proposes a tax of two cents per gram of sugar in soft drinks saying: “It’s necessary to discourage consumption of high-sugar content beverages.”
He promised that the money raised would be ring-fenced for cancer therapy and to buy diagnostic equipment.
Economists are highly critical of the proposed increases and new taxes.
Professor Gift Mugano has urged parliament to reject what he called the “anti-people and anti-industry” budget.
By A Correspondent- A jealous 22-year-old allegedly fatally stabbed another man with an okapi knife in the stomach after accusing him of having an affair with his estranged wife.
In a statement posted on the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) account, Police said Chipengo Mpande (22) stabbed Fragment Chari (26) who later died upon admission at Kariba District Hospital.
The incident occurred on 30 November 2023. Police said:
Police in Kariba have arrested Chipengo Mpande (22) in connection with a case of murder that occurred on 30/11/23 in which Fragment Chari (26) died.
The suspect accused the victim of having an affair with his estranged wife before stabbing him once on the left side of the stomach with an okapi knife.
The victim was rushed to Kariba District Hospital where he died on admission.
Crimes of passion are common in Zimbabwe. These refer to violent acts committed in the throes of intense emotion, often related to jealousy, revenge, or betrayal within intimate relationships.
By A Correspondent- A 31 year old sex worker and her live-in boyfriend allegedly fatally assaulted a client who had refused to pay US$5 upfront for her services.
The suspects, Fungai Kufakwatenzi of Pfupi Village in Buhera and her boyfriend, Onesimo Tonha Chamutsa (34) of Svutubhureki Village, Bikita, appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Alfred Chinembiri facing murder charges on Tuesday.
The two allegedly killed Wellington Mupfuti who had hired Kufakwatenzi for a quickie (an act of sexual intercourse that is done in a very short amount of time).
Kufakwatenzi and Chamutsa were not asked to plead and were advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
They were remanded in custody to December 11 2023.
Prosecuting, Edmore Mahlanganise alleged that on 26 November 2023, Mupfuti was at a nightclub at Birchenough Bridge Growth Point and drinking beer with Kufakwatenzi. Said Mahlanganise:
As they were drinking beer, Mupfuti solicited for intimacy and Kufakwatenzi charged him US$5 for a quickie.
Mupfuti and Kufakwatenzi then left the nightclub, heading to the now deceased’s lodgings.
On their way, Kufakwatenzi demanded cash up front, but Mupfuti refused to give her the money.
He insisted that he would pay after receiving the services. A misunderstanding ensued.
The now deceased got furious and pushed Kufakwatenzi to the wall.
Kufakwatenzi allegedly withdrew a knife from her bra and stabbed Mupfuti once on the right side of the forehead and once on the right shoulder.
During the scuffle, Kufakwatenzi’s boyfriend, Chamutsa, arrived at the scene.
Kufakwatenzi handed over the knife to Chamutsa and he stabbed Mupfuti once on the neck and once on the back.
Mupfuti bled profusely from the neck and his clothes were soaked with blood.
A police officer, Cannan Zaranyika who was coming from the Save Beach Party heard Mupfuti’s cries for help and rushed to the scene where he found Kufakwatenzi and Chamutsa holding Mupfuti.
Kufakwatenzi and Chamutsa tried to run away, but Zaranyika managed to apprehend them.
Zaranyika rendered Mupfuti first aid and took him to Birchenough Bridge Hospital where he died upon admission.
By A Correspondent- Four armed robbers fled from their victims’ house in New Zengeza 5, Chitungwiza, leaving behind their 36-year-old accomplice who was apprehended by members of the public and handed over to the police.
In a statement posted on X, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the robbery incident occurred on Saturday. Read the statement:
ZRP reports that Benjamin Chipiri (36) was arrested in connection with a case of robbery which occurred at a house in New Zengeza 5, Chitungwiza on 02/12/23 in which he and four other yet-to-be-identified male suspects who were armed with an unidentified pistol gained entrance into the victims’ house where they attacked two victims before stealing US$180-00 cash among other valuables.
The two victims were left under the guard of one suspect while the other four suspects proceeded to the main bedroom where they attacked the third victim before taking US$8 060-00 cash which was in a briefcase.
Four suspects ran into a Toyota Corolla motor vehicle and drove off leaving the fifth suspect behind.
The suspect was apprehended by the victims’ neighbours which led to the recovery of two satchels containing an empty pistol magazine, a Dell laptop, a solar light and a blood pressure check monitor.
Meanwhile, Police are appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of the four suspects who are being sought in connection with this case.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police has banned the opposition CCC from holding its sanctioned rally in Masvingo.
Said the CCC in a tweet: The @PoliceZimbabwe in Masvingo have banned a sanctioned rally.
They illegally recalled our elected members and announced dates for the by-elections, which are a result of fraudulent activity by an imposter.
And now, they don’t want us to campaign. The citizens must reject these thugs in the upcoming by-elections. #9DecemberByElections
By A Correspondent- South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) says 443 unaccompanied children were intercepted at the Beitbridge Border Post allegedly being trafficked into the country from Zimbabwe on Saturday night.
Speaking during a media briefing on Sunday, BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato said that the children are being returned to Zimbabwe. He said:
A sting operation was conducted by the border guards, the Home Affairs anti-corruption team as well as members of the South African Police Service at the Beitbridge border post.
It is believed the children were going to join their parents for the Christmas holidays after schools closed on 01 December.
They were able to stop and search about 42 buses trying to enter the republic and out of that we found 443 children under the age of eight that were in those buses without any parent or any guardian. They were being trafficked into South Africa.
Masiapato said the children were denied entry “and we activated the Zimbabwean officials to process them back into Zimbabwe.”
By- Zanu PF has won the Chinhoyi Municipality Ward 2 by-election, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has announced.
ZANU PF candidate Walter Mutevani garnered 564 votes against CCC candidate Hamilton Jonasi who polled 465 votes.
According to Elections Officer Shepherd Kawocha, there were 07 spoilt ballot papers, while the percentage poll was 39.2%.
The Ward seat fell vacant following the death of Patricia Chibaya (CCC), who had won her second term during 23 and 24 August harmonised polls after beating Mutevani.
In its coverage of the election, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) said:
Before the setting up of polling stations, voters’ rolls were displayed outside to enable the electorate to check their names, a good practice from the ZEC that serves to lessen the number of redirected and turned-away voters on polling day.
Both CCC and ZANU-PF deployed party agents comprehensively across the four polling stations in the Chinhoyi Municipality Ward 2 by-elections.
This allows the political party agents to track polling processes and make any informed interventions where necessary.
By A Correspondent- The fight between Geogenix BV and the Harare City Council (HCC) is far from over after former Mayor Ian Makone raised issues a fortnight around the Pomona dumpsite deal with Local Government minister Winston Chitando.
Makone, who was recalled from parliament early last month by self-proclaimed Citizens Coalition for Change interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu, was replaced by Lovejoy Chitengu last week on Tuesday.
This comes just three weeks after Makone attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the project, which was officiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, where it seemed Geogeniv BV and HCC had smoked the peace pipe.
According to sources, HCC has submitted a report to the government in which it has raised grievous concerns about the Pomona dumpsite deal.
In an interview with the Zimbabwe Independent before his replacement, Makone said there were outstanding issues that were not dealt with on the Pomona deal.
“The minister has the executive summary of the Pomona report that I trust he is studying and will respond to. It would be wrong for us to release it at this time,” Makone said.
“The previous council made certain observations on the project, which were communicated to the then Minister of Local Government and Public Works. We wrote to the new Minister of Local Government and Public Works and it is my prayer that the issues raised, not only by council but by several stakeholders, will be addressed.”
The city council is reportedly pushing for the termination of the deal.
Chitando did not respond to questions sent to him. Geogenix BV was awarded the US$316 million project by the government, which saw HCC paying US$22 000 per day for waste management.
The HCC has refused to pay, calling for the reversal of the deal. The 30-year waste management deal between the Netherlands-based Geogenix BV, fronted by businessman
Delish Nguwaya, seeks to transform the dumpsite into a modern garbage recycling plant, which will supply power from ethane generated from rotting garbage. There are also plans to construct recreational areas, like restaurants, as well as basketball and tennis courts. The Harare Residents’ Trust (HRT) spokesperson Precious Shumba is also calling for the renegotiation of the deal in the interest of public social accountability.
“That Pomona dumpsite project is beneficial to Geo Pomona Waste Management Company and not the City of Harare. The contract is skewed against the City of Harare and its residents and should be renegotiated or abandoned in total,” Shumba said.
“The Pomona dumpsite deal is rotten and should be fully investigated to save Harare Residents from this financial heist. The President commissioned a project that was imposed on the City of Harare.
“There is a resolution against that project. The City of Harare rejected the project and so did the residents of Harare who submitted a petition signed by plus 6 000 residents.”
Shumba added that Geo Pomona Waste Management should not claim management of the dumpsite without investing in the waste collection equipment and systems.
“Sadly, the government has indicated that they will take the devolution funds share of the City of Harare to pay off money to Geo Pomona Waste Management for merely receiving the garbage. That dumpsite is an asset of the residents of Harare taken over by force by a company that invested nothing into the venture,” he said.
“If the government wants such a project, they should simply have partnered with the Environment Management Agency and helped build its capacity.”
However, in an interview with the Independent on the sidelines of the ground-breaking ceremony, Nguwaya said they were working well together with the City of Harare.
“I am happy to share that we are working hand in hand with the Harare City Council, and we hold monthly meetings to appraise each other of progress. The Harare City Council collects waste, and we, as Geo Pomona Waste Management, manage the waste,” Nguwaya said. Zimbabwe Independent
Gwisayi Faces Scrutiny Over Selective Activism Amidst Accusations of Hypocrisy
By Farai D Hove | University lecturer and prominent Pro Palestine campaigner, Munyaradzi Gwisayi, has come under intense scrutiny for his decision to lead a march to the US Embassy in Westgate to protest the war in Gaza while seemingly neglecting issues closer to home.
Gwisayi, known for his vocal stance on international conflicts, announced the march on Saturday, calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and advocating for a free, independent Palestine. However, his motives were challenged by Chris Chidarikire, who pointed out the lecturer’s apparent silence on matters within Zimbabwe, particularly the contested elections and alleged human rights abuses by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.
Chidarikire questioned Gwisayi’s priorities, stating, “Election according to SADC was rigged, no march. People killed in the streets, no march. Abductions and killings, no march. Tax rises crippling the already crippled, no march. December 2 march for Palestine.”
In response to the pointed question, Gwisayi was urged to address his apparent selectivity in activism. Specifically, Chidarikire referenced the events of August 1, 2018, when the elections were contested, and more recently on August 25, 2023, highlighting alleged rigging and violence orchestrated by President Mnangagwa.
The university lecturer is now facing increasing pressure to explain the rationale behind his choices in advocating for global causes while seemingly neglecting pressing issues within his own country. As the debate intensifies, Gwisayi finds himself in the spotlight, navigating accusations of hypocrisy and selective activism.- ZimEye
By James Gwati- Police in Masvingo police have apprehended two individuals following the circulation of a video showcasing themselves licking each other’s private body parts.
The video, depicting the two women engaged in explicit behaviour, went viral across social media platforms, leading to their arrest.
The duo, who were initially gaining attention for their explicit video, now face charges under the censorship act for contravening regulations that control the public exhibition of films and the dissemination of prohibited material.
The act, designed to regulate the importation, production, and possession of undesirable content, prohibits the distribution of explicit video and film material, publications, pictures, statues, and records.
The arrest follows the widespread dissemination of the explicit video, which prompted authorities to take action against the two women.
The individuals have been vocal about their actions, going online to boast about their activities and proudly labeling themselves as the “baddest girls” who cannot be stopped by anyone.
Their live video, where they flaunted their defiance, has further fueled the controversy surrounding their arrest.
Law enforcement officials emphasise that this arrest serves as a stern warning to the general public regarding the consequences of circulating explicit content for personal fame.
Authorities are keen to underscore the gravity of violating censorship regulations and have cautioned others who may be tempted to engage in similar behaviour to gain notoriety.
As the legal proceedings unfold, this incident highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to enforce regulations and maintain public order in the face of explicit content circulating on social media platforms.
By- There is a heavy police presence at the venue for today’s Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) rally, despite granting the opposition party the green light to host the event.
CCC MP Fadzayi Mahere said that this morning, anti-riot police officers gathered outside Masvingo Car Park Grounds where recalled Ward 2 councillor Shantiel Yeukai Chiwara is scheduled to hold her last by-election rally.
Mahere said the rally was cleared by the Police two days ago, but this morning, armed police officers arrived at the venue and said that ZANU PF wanted to use the same venue so she could not proceed.
A statement posted on the Citizens Coalition for Change X page reads:
We have received a report that the @PoliceZimbabwe have surrounded the venue for our rally, which we had applied to use and were given permission. Zanu PF and its imposters are afraid of an imminent defeat by the genuine change champions. They illegally removed our members and now they fear an imminent defeat.
A letter addressed to the convenor of the rally, Martin Mureri, by Officer Commanding Masvingo Central District Superintendent E. Shumbamhini, reads:
NOTIFICATION TO HOLD A POLITICAL RALLY FOR CITIZENS COALITION FOR CHANGE AT CAR PARK GROUNDS BETWEEN GOMBA BUSINESS CENTRE AND NORTHWEST MEDICAL CENTRE ON 03/12/23.
1. Reference is made to your letter dated 27/11/23 that was brought to my attention on the 28th day of November 2023 with above subject matter.
2. Your request has been noted in terms of MAINTENANCE OF PEACE AND ORDER ACT CHAPTER 11:23.
Please be advised that I have taken note of your intention to hold a campaign rally at Car Park Grounds between Gomba Business Centre and North West Medical Centre ON 3 November 2023. The meeting shall proceed subject to strict observations of the following instructions:
The CCC says since its formation in early 2022, Police have banned more than 100 of its planned rallies saying they did not meet the requirements of the MOPO Act.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has emphasised the importance of creating a robust education system which solves the country’s challenges, including the climate change menace.
Thousands of stakeholders from across the world in various sectors, particularly those that deal with climate issues are in Dubai for the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
With Zimbabwe being represented at varying levels, President Mnangagwa made a stop at the Zimbabwean pavilion this Friday.
In his interactions with the Zimbabwean delegation, the President spoke on the importance of the education thrust the country has taken which focuses on producing graduates who provide solutions to the country’s industrial and economic needs, including challenges brought about by climate change.
“Does your education allow you to produce a service and product? Our universities now compete in registering intellectual property. Yes, we are under sanctions but still, our economy is growing faster than other economies in our region. I went to the UZ four years ago and I said can you supper bright students and after some time we want to go to space. We must allow our children to dream,” said the President.
Turning to the climate change conference, the head of state noted how all countries despite their levels of contribution to carbon emissions, still have to be part of the solution to the climate change crisis.
“This climate change affects everyone. During the Glasgow Summit, the big boys promised US$100 billion and nothing has come.
Yet this issue of global warming we have to move with others to deal with it despite how much you contributed to pollution. We have to move with the others.
We are also carrying the blame for this and we have to find solutions with others,” he said.
Zimbabwe continues to put in place various measures to deal with climate change, including through climate-proofing agriculture through the Pfumvudza/Intwasa concept.
Delay in Deployment of Russian-Donated Helicopters Raises Concerns Amid Plans for National Air Ambulance Service.
Harare- Apprehension is growing as it comes to light that disused helicopters donated by Russia remain idle due to servicing delays, posing a potential setback to Zimbabwe’s plans for a national air ambulance service. The helicopters, given for emergency air medical services and law enforcement, are in a dangerous state, awaiting service that is hindered by parts requiring imports from the United States.
Despite the impending arrival of Russian flight paramedic instructors set to train local air ambulance personnel, concerns arise over the usability of the helicopters in their current condition. The training, scheduled at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, aims to pave the way for the launch of Zimbabwe’s first national air ambulance service.
In May, Zimbabwe received 18 brand-new helicopters from Russia, with 12 earmarked for the national air ambulance service. An additional 14 helicopters are expected next year under a public-private sector partnership agreement between the Government and the Russian State Corporation.
Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary Dr. Aspect Maunganidze announced the imminent arrival of the Russian team, emphasizing the need for organized and efficient training. The government-funded air medical transport service aims to aid critically ill or injured individuals within the country’s borders.
Air ambulances, known for their rapid transport capabilities, become crucial in saving lives, especially in remote areas with limited access to ground ambulance services. The helicopters, Kazan Ansat, are equipped with advanced medical tools, including a ventilator, infusion pumps, a cardiac monitor, and a defibrillator.
In the midst of anticipation for Zimbabwe’s groundbreaking national air ambulance service, a note of caution emerges due to the revelation that the donated helicopters, critical components of this initiative, are yet to be serviced. While air ambulances, specifically the Kazan Ansat helicopters, are renowned for their life-saving capabilities, the current state of disuse and lack of servicing raises significant concerns.
Equipped with advanced medical tools such as ventilators, infusion pumps, cardiac monitors, and defibrillators, these helicopters hold immense potential to aid in emergency medical situations. Their rapid transport capabilities are particularly crucial in remote areas with limited access to ground ambulance services.
Plans to establish bases in strategic locations, including Victoria Falls, Mutare, Gweru, Bulawayo, and Masvingo, are underway. This thoughtful placement aims to optimize the reach of the helicopters, each boasting a flying range of approximately 350km.
Public health experts and community leaders commend the initiation of a national air ambulance service, recognizing it as a significant advancement in Zimbabwe’s healthcare landscape. Dr. Johannes Marisa underscores the potential impact during the upcoming festive season, a period notorious for increased road accidents, emphasizing the vital role air ambulances can play in saving lives.
However, amid the excitement, a critical concern surfaces – the helicopters remain unserviced. The inability to address this issue jeopardizes their functionality, rendering them ineffective in emergency situations. It is imperative to prioritize the servicing of these helicopters to ensure their readiness and reliability.
While government initiatives to modernize the healthcare system, including the procurement of fully kitted ambulances and collaborations for constructing health centers and district hospitals, showcase commitment, the focus must extend to the operational readiness of all resources, especially the air ambulances. Ensuring that these helicopters are promptly serviced is paramount to realizing the potential benefits of the national air ambulance service and safeguarding the lives of those in need. Excitement must be tempered with a cautious approach to address this critical servicing shortfall.- state media
THE 2023 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) grade Seven results are out, with the pass rate increasing by 5.48 percent.
The ZIMSEC grade seven results pass rate jumped from 40.09 percent recorded last year to 45.57 percent this year.
Announcing the results at the examination body’s headquarters in Harare this Friday, ZIMSEC Board Chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje attributed the increase in pass rate to the return to the normal school calendar after COVID-19 disruptions as well as several interventions by the government.
“The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Board and Management would like to advise the nation of the release of the 2023 ZIMSEC Grade Seven Examination results.
“A total of 372 603 candidates sat for one to six subjects during the 2023 Grade seven examinations as compared to 343 169 candidates who sat for the same examination in 2022 showing a 7.89% increase in candidature. The 2023 Grade 7 Examination session recorded a national pass rate of 45.57%.
“This is an increase of 5.48% in candidates’ performance from last year’s pass rate of 40. 09%. The increase in pass rate could be attributed to the return to the normal school calendar after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the various interventions by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in terms of teaching and learning,” said
Professor Mwenje.
The 2023 Grade Seven examination session also saw a total of 357 special needs candidates sitting for the exam, with their pass rate surpassing that of last year.
“A total of 357 special needs candidates sat for a range of subjects from five to six. Of these 194 wrote six subjects and 113 with Hard of Hearing sat for 5 subjects yielding an overall average pass rate of 42.99% for all learners with special needs.
“In 2022 the pass rate was 29.8% and there were 323 candidates. Out of the 372 603 candidates who sat for the 2023 Grade seven examination, 193 520 were females while 179 083 were males. The pass rate for female candidates was 49. 56% compared to 41.21% for male candidates,” added
Professor Mwenje.
The results can be accessed through the ZIMSEC Online Results Portal, School Heads will start collecting the results from their respective ZIMSEC Regional Offices from Monday, December 4.
Corruption and Record-Keeping Chaos at Department of Deeds Raises Concerns Over Zimbabwe’s Anti-Money Laundering Status-
Harare – Zimbabwe faces potential repercussions in its fight against money laundering and terrorism financing as corruption and shambolic record-keeping at the Department of Deeds, Companies, and Intellectual Property come to light.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has expressed alarm over the state of record-keeping at the department, highlighting loopholes that could be exploited for money laundering. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global financial crimes watchdog, is set to conduct a routine assessment of Zimbabwe in 2026 to evaluate the country’s anti-money laundering systems.
Zimbabwe, previously on FATF’s grey list, successfully addressed concerns last year and was removed. However, the recent revelations could jeopardize the nation’s standing as a low-risk country for money laundering.
FATF rules mandate countries to maintain accurate and up-to-date information on beneficial ownership of companies and trusts. FIU Director-General Mr. Oliver Chiperesa voiced concern, stating that the inefficiencies at the companies’ registry offices could hinder Zimbabwe’s ability to convince international assessors of its commitment to combating money laundering.
Chiperesa emphasized the importance of a functional registry of beneficial ownership information, warning that even last-minute improvements may not suffice for the upcoming 2026 assessment. Assessors scrutinize data over a five-year period, necessitating sustained efforts to demonstrate anti-money laundering commitment.
Historically, banks have been favored vehicles for money laundering, but increased regulatory oversight has forced criminals to explore alternative avenues. Real estate agents, lawyers, accountants, and other intermediaries become potential channels for concealing illicit proceeds.
Despite Zimbabwe’s progress with 36 out of 40 FATF recommendations being met, achieving a perfect 40/40 compliance rate remains the target. The nation must address the issues at the Department of Deeds swiftly to avoid penalties from FATF, safeguarding its reputation and financial integrity on the global stage.- agencies
Be wary of malignant characters in the citizen’s project! CCC Namibia echoes.
02 December 2023.
It is quite perturbing that at this crucial juncture when the bonafide citizens should be seen demonstrating in unison against the shambolic elections held in August, evil-intentioned and compromised imposters are busy recalling members of parliament and councilors without the blessing of the party. Instead of uniting to win Zimbabwe for change, citizens are displaying their egos manifesting in an insatiable appetite to acquire a political position or slot for the council seat. These venomous people are derailing the freedom train. To hell with Sengezo Tshabangu and his ZANU-PF handlers.
Citizens should take note of people who are disposed to cause harm, suffering, or distress deliberately because of greed. Tshabangu and the cabal are evil, malignant, mean, and inconsiderate of the plight of the voters who endured a tense atmosphere of voter suppression and intimidation by FAZ during the flawed plebiscite. These infectious members of society must be confronted in the process of dealing with the illegitimate government led by Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. Change champions should be vigilant because these acrimonious characters can delay freedom, justice, and equality.
CCC Namibia Rundu Branch change champion, Dr. Lawrence Chiduku urges genuine socio-economic transformation seekers to ignore sideshows from the belly politicians. “How does one desire a political position in the extent of desperately seeking ZANUPF assistance to try in vain to decimate the people’s yellow juggernaut”, he further submitted. It is now imperative to mobilize, recruit, and radicalize into action. Every citizen should push for a shared national vision under the able leadership of President Advocate Nelson Chamisa. We must hastily figure out those who are in the hands of malignant fate so that we defend the national democratic revolution from ZANU-PF surrogates.
Beware of those who purport to submit constructive criticism! Their criticism is punctuated by hate and generational covetousness. CCC Namibia encourages genuine change champions to embrace participatory democracy at this critical moment. As a diaspora assembly, we shall continue with political and diplomatic pressure on SADC, AU, and the United Nations amplifying our voices against peaceful slavery.
It is not true that President Nelson Chamisa does not have weaknesses as a leader, our obligation to cover those gaps remains our prerogative. As a people’s movement, we should unite and complement each other so that we can win Zimbabwe for change. The struggle for the emancipation of the motherland should not subcontracted to Nelson Chamisa, all hands on deck to achieve freedom and genuine independence. Everyone can lead anywhere, that’s why we have Street and Village champions who should lead at the community level.
Let me take this opportunity to applaud change champions in Namibia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, etc for gathering the valor and mettle to protest against rigged elections in Zimbabwe. CCC Namibia was also delighted and thankful to those in Zimbabwe who against all odds participated in a flash demonstration in November registering their displeasure with the illegitimate regime. All citizens across the political divide should brace for dangerous freedom against anti-poor policies.
On another note, we have witnessed widespread criticism within and outside the party on the president’s response to the question about SADC on his X handle. When the organic president responded, he said, “SADC is we the people! We fix all our issues. We are the ones to help ourselves. We are the answers to our questions”. It is irresponsible to surrender the struggle to SADC, that’s why people in the diaspora took to the streets expressing their disgruntlement in the manner elections were conducted by ZEC. Action in Zimbabwe and the diaspora by dedicated and committed cadres reflects that we are the ones to assist ourselves.
In Namibia, citizens protested against sham elections regardless of what the regional body has done. This is a clear testament that we are the answers to our inquiries. We are SADC by being Zimbabweans, is that a new tag? The president addressed the nation and reiterated that our response to the sham elections was not one-thronged, insinuating that the SADC way was not conclusive. He made a clarion call for citizens to mobilize and radicalize. Our leader is quite cognizant of the magnitude of peaceful demonstration needed in the country. Zimbabwe no longer needs one one-day demo because of the obvious crackdown awaiting protesters. The million-dollar question is whether the citizenry is ready to pay the ultimate prize.
CCC Namibia urges citizens to defend the struggle to its logical conclusion. Let’s support the party and its leadership. ActThe action begins with you and me. Citizens Coalition for Change is the only panacea to socio-economic transfiguration.
CCC Namibia Rundu Branch
Change Champion
Robson Ruhanya
Zimbabwe’s Roads Face Increased Risk Amidst Concerns Over Amateurish Construction and Hiring Practices
Harare – Zimbabwe’s road safety is under scrutiny as the Mbudzi Roundabout construction faces criticism for its amateurish execution. The road authority, Zinara, is accused of exacerbating the problem by hiring low-skilled experts, leading to heightened risks on the nation’s roads.
Disturbing statistics from the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) reveal a dire situation. A staggering 38,482 road accidents occurred in the first nine months of this year alone, resulting in 1,545 deaths and 7,294 injuries. Shockingly, an accident transpires every 15 minutes in the country.
TSCZ Managing Director, Mr. Munesu Munodawafa, expressed concern, emphasizing that accidents peak during public holidays. From 2015 to 2022, 14,600 people lost their lives, and 74,000 were injured in road accidents. This year, over 1,500 fatalities were recorded from more than 38,400 accidents nationwide.
The festive season exacerbates the issue, with heightened travel levels and risky behaviors. Studies indicate that excitement and the festive atmosphere contribute to reckless driving, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The TSCZ calls for urgent measures, including transforming into a Traffic Safety Agency with the power to enforce arrests for road regulation infringements. Additionally, speed limits on buses, which often exceed 140 kilometers per hour, transporting more than 60 passengers, are deemed necessary. Collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, media, and stakeholders is underway to raise awareness.
Mr. Munodawafa urges the government to operationalize the Road Accident Fund promptly. The dire situation demands immediate action to curb the alarming road carnage plaguing Zimbabwe.- Agencies
The 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Awards were held in Harare on Friday.
Ngezi Platinum Stars captain Qadr Amini was crowned the Soccer Star of the Year, while Dynamos’ Donald Mudadi and Bulawayo Chiefs’ Perfect Chikwende finished as first and second runners up, respectively.
Here is the full list of winners at the 2023 CLPSL Awards:
Most Discipline Team: Ngezi Platinum Stars
Referee of the year: Brighton Chimene
First runner up: Francis Chirwa
Second runner up: Zondiwa Ngosana
Most promising player: Elton Chikona (Dynamos)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders)
Fans’ Choice player of the Year: Tinotenda Benza (Herentals College)
Coach of the Year: Takesure Chiragwi (Ngezi Platinum Stars)
Soccer Star of the Year: Qadr Amini (Ngezi Platinum)
First Runner-Up: Donald Mudadi (Dynamos)
Second Runner-Up: Obriel Chirinda
Here is Best XI of 2023 season.
Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders) – GK
Tinotenda Benza ( Herentals)
Donald Mudadi (Dynamos)
Tanaka Shandirwa ( Dynamos)
Takunda Benhura (Ngezi Platinum)
Nelson Chadya (Ngezi Platinum)
Qadir Amin (Ngezi Platinum)
Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders)
Michael Charamba (Chicken Inn)
Fortune Binzi ( Manica Diamonds)
Obriel Chirinda (Bulawayo Chiefs)
Soccer 24 News
Tinashe Sambiri
Masvingo City Mayor, His Worship Councillor Aleck Tabe, has unveiled a Facebook page and an account on X for convenience.
In a statement on Friday, Mayor Tabe spoke about the importance of interactive communication.
“We are living in a digital world and the internet has become an effective tool for interaction.
We need to interact with residents and stakeholders consistently, smoothly and effectively,” said Mayor Tabe.
In a statement on X the Office of the Mayor Masvingo said :
We invite all residents of @MasvingoCity to like this official handle from the office of the Mayor.
We shall be interacting and posting real time updates from the office, issues which requires clarification among other things @MasvingoMedia @TellZimbabwe @TheMirrorMsv
Be wary of malignant characters in the citizen’s project! CCC Namibia echoes.
02 December 2023.
It is quite perturbing that at this crucial juncture when the bonafide citizens should be seen demonstrating in unison against the shambolic elections held in August, evil-intentioned and compromised imposters are busy recalling members of parliament and councilors without the blessing of the party. Instead of uniting to win Zimbabwe for change, citizens are displaying their egos manifesting in an insatiable appetite to acquire a political position or slot for the council seat. These venomous people are derailing the freedom train. To hell with Sengezo Tshabangu and his ZANU-PF handlers.
Citizens should take note of people who are disposed to cause harm, suffering, or distress deliberately because of greed. Tshabangu and the cabal are evil, malignant, mean, and inconsiderate of the plight of the voters who endured a tense atmosphere of voter suppression and intimidation by FAZ during the flawed plebiscite. These infectious members of society must be confronted in the process of dealing with the illegitimate government led by Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. Change champions should be vigilant because these acrimonious characters can delay freedom, justice, and equality.
CCC Namibia Rundu Branch change champion, Dr. Lawrence Chiduku urges genuine socio-economic transformation seekers to ignore sideshows from the belly politicians. “How does one desire a political position in the extent of desperately seeking ZANUPF assistance to try in vain to decimate the people’s yellow juggernaut”, he further submitted. It is now imperative to mobilize, recruit, and radicalize into action. Every citizen should push for a shared national vision under the able leadership of President Advocate Nelson Chamisa. We must hastily figure out those who are in the hands of malignant fate so that we defend the national democratic revolution from ZANU-PF surrogates.
Beware of those who purport to submit constructive criticism! Their criticism is punctuated by hate and generational covetousness. CCC Namibia encourages genuine change champions to embrace participatory democracy at this critical moment. As a diaspora assembly, we shall continue with political and diplomatic pressure on SADC, AU, and the United Nations amplifying our voices against peaceful slavery.
It is not true that President Nelson Chamisa does not have weaknesses as a leader, our obligation to cover those gaps remains our prerogative. As a people’s movement, we should unite and complement each other so that we can win Zimbabwe for change. The struggle for the emancipation of the motherland should not subcontracted to Nelson Chamisa, all hands on deck to achieve freedom and genuine independence. Everyone can lead anywhere, that’s why we have Street and Village champions who should lead at the community level.
Let me take this opportunity to applaud change champions in Namibia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, etc for gathering the valor and mettle to protest against rigged elections in Zimbabwe. CCC Namibia was also delighted and thankful to those in Zimbabwe who against all odds participated in a flash demonstration in November registering their displeasure with the illegitimate regime. All citizens across the political divide should brace for dangerous freedom against anti-poor policies.
On another note, we have witnessed widespread criticism within and outside the party on the president’s response to the question about SADC on his X handle. When the organic president responded, he said, “SADC is we the people! We fix all our issues. We are the ones to help ourselves. We are the answers to our questions”. It is irresponsible to surrender the struggle to SADC, that’s why people in the diaspora took to the streets expressing their disgruntlement in the manner elections were conducted by ZEC. Action in Zimbabwe and the diaspora by dedicated and committed cadres reflects that we are the ones to assist ourselves.
In Namibia, citizens protested against sham elections regardless of what the regional body has done. This is a clear testament that we are the answers to our inquiries. We are SADC by being Zimbabweans, is that a new tag? The president addressed the nation and reiterated that our response to the sham elections was not one-thronged, insinuating that the SADC way was not conclusive. He made a clarion call for citizens to mobilize and radicalize. Our leader is quite cognizant of the magnitude of peaceful demonstration needed in the country. Zimbabwe no longer needs one one-day demo because of the obvious crackdown awaiting protesters. The million-dollar question is whether the citizenry is ready to pay the ultimate prize.
CCC Namibia urges citizens to defend the struggle to its logical conclusion. Let’s support the party and its leadership. ActThe action begins with you and me. Citizens Coalition for Change is the only panacea to socio-economic transfiguration.
CCC Namibia Rundu Branch
Change Champion
Robson Ruhanya
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has emphasised the importance of creating a robust education system which solves the country’s challenges, including the climate change menace.
Thousands of stakeholders from across the world in various sectors, particularly those that deal with climate issues are in Dubai for the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
With Zimbabwe being represented at varying levels, President Mnangagwa made a stop at the Zimbabwean pavilion this Friday.
In his interactions with the Zimbabwean delegation, the President spoke on the importance of the education thrust the country has taken which focuses on producing graduates who provide solutions to the country’s industrial and economic needs, including challenges brought about by climate change.
“Does your education allow you to produce a service and product? Our universities now compete in registering intellectual property. Yes, we are under sanctions but still, our economy is growing faster than other economies in our region. I went to the UZ four years ago and I said can you supper bright students and after some time we want to go to space. We must allow our children to dream,” said the President.
Turning to the climate change conference, the head of state noted how all countries despite their levels of contribution to carbon emissions, still have to be part of the solution to the climate change crisis.
“This climate change affects everyone. During the Glasgow Summit, the big boys promised US$100 billion and nothing has come.
Yet this issue of global warming we have to move with others to deal with it despite how much you contributed to pollution. We have to move with the others.
We are also carrying the blame for this and we have to find solutions with others,” he said.
Zimbabwe continues to put in place various measures to deal with climate change, including through climate-proofing agriculture through the Pfumvudza/Intwasa concept.
By A Correspondent
CCC MP for Harare Central, Hon Lovemore Jimu, led a tree planting exercise in ward 14, Warren park on Saturday.
Hon Jimu took the opportunity to educate young people on the dire effects of drug abuse.
He also donated balls to the local community.
“Today’s event was the right platform for us to educate young people on the negative effects of drug abuse.
In addition, we also educated the local community on HIV/ AIDS prevention with special focus on measures that can be taken to minimise the effects new infections.
As you know, trees are vital for us as human beings and we need to take the necessary measures to protect our environment, “said Hon Jimu.
Hon Lovemore Jimu at a tree planting programme in Warren Park
The 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Awards were held in Harare on Friday.
Ngezi Platinum Stars captain Qadr Amini was crowned the Soccer Star of the Year, while Dynamos’ Donald Mudadi and Bulawayo Chiefs’ Perfect Chikwende finished as first and second runners up, respectively.
Here is the full list of winners at the 2023 CLPSL Awards:
Most Discipline Team: Ngezi Platinum Stars
Referee of the year: Brighton Chimene
First runner up: Francis Chirwa
Second runner up: Zondiwa Ngosana
Most promising player: Elton Chikona (Dynamos)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders)
Fans’ Choice player of the Year: Tinotenda Benza (Herentals College)
Coach of the Year: Takesure Chiragwi (Ngezi Platinum Stars)
Soccer Star of the Year: Qadr Amini (Ngezi Platinum)
First Runner-Up: Donald Mudadi (Dynamos)
Second Runner-Up: Obriel Chirinda
Here is Best XI of 2023 season.
Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders) – GK
Tinotenda Benza ( Herentals)
Donald Mudadi (Dynamos)
Tanaka Shandirwa ( Dynamos)
Takunda Benhura (Ngezi Platinum)
Nelson Chadya (Ngezi Platinum)
Qadir Amin (Ngezi Platinum)
Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders)
Michael Charamba (Chicken Inn)
Fortune Binzi ( Manica Diamonds)
Obriel Chirinda (Bulawayo Chiefs)
Soccer 24 News
CCC’s Tendai Biti on Friday described as disastrous the 2024 national budget.
The former Finance Minister wrote on X…
The just presented 2024 Budget is a shocking parody of fascism,extraction,dishonesty,incompetence &down right narcissism.The 2024 Budget reflects a regime totally oblivious of the structural challenges facing the economy ,the plight of the ordinary citizen ,the myriad issues…
2)…affecting business .
The Budget betrays lack of respect of economic fundamentals &as a result it’s prescriptions are a disastrous panalopy of cruel extractive illegal if not unconstitutional measures.
This a budget that reflects a regime with total contempt of its subjects.
A 39-year-old Bulawayo woman was jailed for 25 years on Friday over the murder of Thulisile Dube, who vanished after a night out with friends before being found dead in an abandoned car in August last year.
Musawenkosi Hara denied murder but was convicted after a full trial at the Bulawayo High Court.
Hara wore a blank stare and appeared not bothered as Justice Christopher Dube-Banda handed down the 25-year jail sentence.
Dube’s family welcomed the sentence.
Farai Michael Mutasa, who allegedly strangled Dube, 36, in the backseat of a car, committed suicide days after the brutal murder.
The court heard that Hara and Mutasa believed that Dube, who lived in South Africa and was visiting family in Bulawayo, had up to R2 million from an undisclosed deal she concluded in the neighbouring country. Dube had allegedly intimated to Hara about her financial windfall, and Hara in turn informed her boyfriend Mutasa.
The duo joined Dube and three other friends on a drinking bender at several nightclubs on August 20, ending at Stunts in the city centre at around 4AM the next day.
Dube took the wheel as they dropped off their friends in Nkulumane, Luveve and Cowdray Park before remaining in the car with Hara and Mutasa.
In her defence, Hara sought to blame the murder on Mutasa, insisting she took no part. In testimony which the judge said was “not consistent and contained poor evidence,” Hara claimed that sometime after leaving the last of their friends, Dube stopped the car to relieve herself and Mutasa followed her out of the car.
Hara said Mutasa picked up a stone and hit Dube on the head but she did not die. She said the scuffle was quickly resolved and they continued driving towards the Cowdray Park railway line where Mutasa, who was now driving, parked the vehicle and jumped onto the back seat where he strangled Dube.
Tinashe Sambiri
Masvingo City Mayor, His Worship Councillor Aleck Tabe, has unveiled a Facebook page and an account on X for convenience.
In a statement on Friday, Mayor Tabe spoke about the importance of interactive communication.
“We are living in a digital world and the internet has become an effective tool for interaction.
We need to interact with residents and stakeholders consistently, smoothly and effectively,” said Mayor Tabe.
In a statement on X the Office of the Mayor Masvingo said :
We invite all residents of @MasvingoCity to like this official handle from the office of the Mayor.
We shall be interacting and posting real time updates from the office, issues which requires clarification among other things @MasvingoMedia @TellZimbabwe @TheMirrorMsv
Tinashe Sambiri
Masvingo City Mayor, His Worship Councillor Aleck Tabe, has unveiled a Facebook page and an account on X for convenience.
In a statement on Friday, Mayor Tabe spoke about the importance of interactive communication.
“We are living in a digital world and the internet has become an effective tool for interaction.
We need to interact with residents and stakeholders consistently, smoothly and effectively,” said Mayor Tabe.
In a statement on X the Office of the Mayor Masvingo said :
We invite all residents of @MasvingoCity to like this official handle from the office of the Mayor.
We shall be interacting and posting real time updates from the office, issues which requires clarification among other things @MasvingoMedia @TellZimbabwe @TheMirrorMsv
By Showbiz Reporter | The sociallite, Evidence Chihera had a near violence experience yesterday during an incident when South African police officers had arrived to intervene in a scuffle between her and popular community presenter, Sisi Melly.
The argument was over a live video Chihera is accused of doing that is said to harrass Melly.
“You are cutting me while I am talking,” says Evidence Chihera in the faceshot live footage.
“Why are you raising your voice now?,” asks Sis Melly. She continues saying,
“But I am just finishingthe story,” she continues.
“The recent live you did yesterday… no, you don’t close the door… I will panel beat you.. Ndokumamisa Chihera.. I will re arrange your face now!” adds Melly as she charges.
She then asks the officers how much the fine will be for assaulting Chihera.
MORE TO FOLLOW…
CCC’s Tendai Biti on Friday described as disastrous the 2024 national budget.
The former Finance Minister wrote on X…
The just presented 2024 Budget is a shocking parody of fascism,extraction,dishonesty,incompetence &down right narcissism.The 2024 Budget reflects a regime totally oblivious of the structural challenges facing the economy ,the plight of the ordinary citizen ,the myriad issues…
2)…affecting business .
The Budget betrays lack of respect of economic fundamentals &as a result it’s prescriptions are a disastrous panalopy of cruel extractive illegal if not unconstitutional measures.
This a budget that reflects a regime with total contempt of its subjects.
By-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has endorsed the rebel CCC member calling himself the party’s interim secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu, by proclaiming another by-election date for CCC MPs Tshabangu recalled illegally.
Mnangagwa declared Saturday, 03 February 2024 as the date for by-elections for six National Assembly constituencies that fell vacant following the illegal recall of incumbent MPs on 10 November this year.
The lawmakers, who were all elected on 23 August 2023 on a Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) ticket, were recalled by the party’s self-imposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu who claimed they had ceased to be members of the opposition party.
The recalled MPs are Siziba Gift Ostallos, Chatiza Stephen, Madzimbamuto Tapfumanei Willard, Chivero Admore, Mutasa Oliver and Chibaya Amos who represented Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North, respectively.
Statutory Instrument 235 of 2023, Proclamation 10 of 2023, read:
HIS EXCELLENCY, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces of Zimbabwe, DR. EMMERSON DAMBUDZO MNANGAGWA.
WHEREAS, in terms of section 129(1)(k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the seats of members of Parliament for Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North have become vacant by reason of ceasing to be members of CCC of Siziba Gift Ostallos, Chatiza Stephen, Madzimbamuto Tapfumanei Willard, Chivero Admore, Mutasa Oliver and Chibaya Amos on 10 November, 2023, who were the elected members of Parliament for the respective constituencies;
AND WHEREAS it is provided by section 39(2) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], that after the President has been notified in terms of the said section of vacancies in the membership of Parliament, he shall issue a proclamation ordering a new election to fill the vacancies in the same manner, mutatis mutandis, as is provided in section 38 of the said Act in regard to a general election;
AND WHEREAS, the Speaker of Parliament has notified me on 15 November, 2023, in writing, of vacancies for the afore-mentioned constituencies:
NOW, THEREFORE, under and by virtue of the powers vested in the President as afore-said, I do, by this proclamation-
(a) order new elections for the constituencies of Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North; and
(b) fix Monday the 18th day of December 2023, as the date on which the nomination court shall sit, commencing at 10 o’clock in the morning, at-
(i) the Magistrate Court, Tredgold Building, Leopold Takawira Avenue, Bulawayo, for the purpose of receiving nomination of candidates for election as a member of National Assembly Constituency of Pelandaba;
(ii) the Magistrates Court, Ruzawi Road, Marondera, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of National Assembly Constituencies of Goromonzi South and Seke;
(iii) the Magistrates Court, Gerrard Drive, Chinhoyi, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of National Assembly Constituencies of Chegutu West and Zvimba East;
and
(iv) the Magistrates Court, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Street, Gweru, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of the National Assembly Constituency of Mkoba North;
and
(c) fix Saturday 03 February, 2024, as the day on which a poll shall be taken if a poll becomes necessary in terms of section 46(17)(c) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13].
Given under my hand and the Public Seal of Zimbabwe at Harare, this 23rd day of November in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-three.
A consortium led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ally Robert Gumede has taken control of financially troubled South Africa-headquartered sugar producer Tongaat Hulett.
Tongaat Hulett, an agriculture and agri-processing business with interests in Zimbabwe through its local unit, focuses on sugarcane and maize.
Early this month Tongaat Hulett’s business rescue practitioners confirmed that Gumede’s Terris consortium had entered into an agreement to buy the billions owed by the company to banks, effectively bringing the group a step closer to owning Tongaat.
The company has been in business rescue since 2022 after fraud and corruption collapsed its finances.
Tongaat Hulett was a solid business worth about R23 billion.
According to its website, it currently employs over 38 000 people. Before Gumede’s consortium moved in, Kagera Sugar of Tanzania had emerged as the most preferred bidder for Tongaat, with a deal that hovered around R3 billion.
A few months after long-time leader Robert Mugabe threw in the towel due to pressure from a military-assisted operation, Gumede flew into the country to scout for business opportunities in what was widely seen as signal[1]ling his support for Mnangagwa who had taken over the reins.
A day after his arrival, Gumede met with Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga. After the meeting, Gumede told local journalists that he was looking at the possibility of building a five-star resort with a flagship hotel in Victoria Falls.
Before this in 2015, Gumede’s IT firm, Gijima Holdings, was named as one of the 27 companies that submitted bids to supply a traffic monitoring system for the country’s telecoms regulator.
Media reports have also shown that Gumede has in the past shared air flights with Mnangagwa, raising suspicions that the businessman funded the country’s ruling party.
In 2018, Gumede, a South African billionaire, denied allegations that he funded Zimbabwean president-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidential election campaign or donated cars to his Zanu-PF.
This came after The Sunday Times reported that Gumede was said to be one of the key benefactors of the ruling party’s election machinery that delivered victory in the 31 July polls. Mnangagwa had a wafer-thin victory over his arch-rival Nelson Chamisa, then leader of the MDC-Alliance.
The report said according to close sources‚ some of the donated millions were then used to buy about 100 pick-up trucks and two trucks all fitted with public announcement systems.
Gumede said he is an “international businessman” who through his companies‚ “invested in several African countries for many years and in Zimbabwe for over 10 years.”
“There is nothing untoward nor suspicious about my engagements with President Mnangagwa given that I have committed to investing in the country. I love Zimbabwe for the role it played in bringing democracy to South Africa during the struggle led by the ANC”.
Gumede said he answered President Mnagangwa’s call for local and foreign investment as the country was “open for business anchored by economic reforms.”
By Business Reporter- WestProp Holding was Friday evening awarded the prestigious Zimbabwe Institute of Management ‘Private Sector Award of the year’ while its chief executive officer Mr Ken Sharpe, was recognised as the ‘Businessman of the year’ marking a very eventful 2023 for the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange listed real estate entity.
Mr Sharpe surprised attendees when he passed his award to Lincoln Masiyanyama, the owner of Nakiso Boreholes.
Mr Sharpe dedicated his award to his wife Joanna Sharpe and was enthused by the life and growth story of Mr Masiyanyama, who started as a street vendor and bus conductor and grew to a courier and eventually an owner of a borehole company employing over 80 people.
“I would like my friend Lincoln to hang this award in his office so that he gets inspired to win the same award one day. The young people of our country give me hope and he is part of that better future,” said Mr Sharpe.
Lincoln was the runner-up of the Young Leader of the Year award.
WestProp has this year won local, regional and international awards based on its huge impact in the housing sector and astute marketing of its products and brand Zimbabwe.
The management and leadership awards event was ran under the theme ‘Bridging between theory and practice’.
Mr Sharpe has literally scooped all the important excellence awards in business leadership and each of the awards has spurred him to do more.
He is now a household name at public and private events where he is constantly being invited to share his business acumen and leadership skills.
Accepting the awards Mr Sharpe credited his management team and having clearly set out goals as a recipe for success.
Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Grade Seven results released yesterday have a 45,5 pass rate, significantly up from 40,7 last year, with girls on average doing better than boys with a 49,56 percent pass rate compared to 41,21.
Zimsec attributed the increased pass rate to the resumption of normal classes learning after the Covid-19 era, along with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s continuing improvements, ensuring more pupils received better teaching.
The Grade 7 online results were expected to be open on the Zimsec portal as of yesterday, starting at 3pm with heads of schools able to collect the printed results from their Zimsec regional offices on Monday.
Announcing the results and the 5,48 percent improvement in the pass rate, Zimsec board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje said: “The increase in pass rate could be attributed to the return to the normal school calendar after the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and also the interventions by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in terms of teaching and learning,” he said.
Girls not only on average did better than boys, but more of them sat the examination to start with. Prof Mwenje said of the 372 603 candidates who sat for the 2023 Grade 7 examination, 193 520 were girls while 179 083 were boys.
A total of 357 special needs candidates sat for five or six subjects. “Of these 194 wrote six subjects and 113 with hard of hearing sat for five subjects yielding an overall average pass rate of 42,99 percent for all learners with special needs compared to 29,8 percent in 2022,” he said, a huge jump in teaching quality for these children with special needs whose pass rates are now exceptional close to those of the overall average.
Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary Mr Moses Mhike who was present during the announcement of the results thanked district inspectors, teachers and parents for a pivotal role they played in improving this year’s pass rate.
Mr Mhike took the opportunity to stress that the Grade seven results were the only tests for high school entrance and private tests were illegal. “The correct position for the entrance test is that they are not legal, they are actually illegal,” he said. The ministry would also review next year’s fees proposals by schools in relation to affordability of parents.
“Every increase of fees must be approved by the ministry; the approving committee goes through every request put by all schools. We look at affordability from parents mainly focusing on civil servants pay checks and we act without compromising the education system in terms of its quality,” he said.
The online platform e-map, said Mr Mhike, is now fully functional with the grade seven results on e-map from Monday so secondary heads could start doing their selection of candidates.
He also said there was much work to be done in order to increase the pass rate in future.
“As ministry, we have a lot of work in terms of our infrastructural development, although other stakeholders like UNICEF are helping,” he said
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has dismissed claims that a payment of US$22 million will be made to businessman Wicknell Chivayo following his victory at the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court on Thursday threw out an appeal by the ZPC against a High Court decision which had found that the Contract for the development of the 100MW Gwanda Solar Project was still valid.
The power utility’s appeal was dismissed after a hearing before Justices Chiweshe, Makoni and Musakwa.
The developments saw speculation that effectively, ZPC will be obliged to pay Chivayo the US$22 million damages.
But in a statement, ZPC dismissed the claims instead arguing that the court order upholds the contract’s validity.
“The Supreme Court judgement has the effect of upholding the High Court judgement granted by Honourable Justice Msithu in January 2023, in which the Gwanda EPC Contract was found to be still valid and binding on both ZPC and Intratrek Zimbabwe (Private) Limited – (“Intratrek”).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the High Court judgment did not award Intratrek damages of US$22 Million as alleged by some online publications or any other sum in damages for that matter,” ZPC said.
To the contrary, said ZPC, the High Court only granted an order for specific performance, which in simple terms requires parties to perform their respective obligations under the EPC Contract.
“Considering that the Supreme Court is the final Court of Appeal in this instance, the legal implication of today’s judgment is that ZPC and Intratrek will revert to the position that they were before the 23rd April 2018 when the EPC Contract was cancelled,” said ZPC.
The power company said it is equally important to highlight that the judgment does not create any further liability on ZPC outside that which is contained in the EPC Contract signed with Intratrek on 23 October 2015.
Consequently, Intratrek is still required to satisfy all conditions precedent to the commencement of the project, which it had failed to achieve as of 23 April 2018.
“In abiding by the Supreme Court judgement, Intratrek is now required under the reinstated EPC Contract to facilitate the financing of the US$172 million contract within the contractual timeframe as the requirement of financial closure is key for the project to commence.
“Should such financing be raised, the borrowing instruments must be approved by the Government before implementation of the Project,” added ZPC.
By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared Saturday, 03 February 2024 as the date for by-elections for six National Assembly constituencies that fell vacant following the recall of incumbent MPs on 10 November this year.
The lawmakers, who were all elected on 23 August 2023 on a Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) ticket, were recalled by the party’s self-imposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu who claimed they had ceased to be members of the opposition party.
The recalled MPs are Siziba Gift Ostallos, Chatiza Stephen, Madzimbamuto Tapfumanei Willard, Chivero Admore, Mutasa Oliver and Chibaya Amos who represented Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North, respectively.
Statutory Instrument 235 of 2023, Proclamation 10 of 2023, read:
HIS EXCELLENCY, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces of Zimbabwe, DR. EMMERSON DAMBUDZO MNANGAGWA.
WHEREAS, in terms of section 129(1)(k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the seats of members of Parliament for Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North have become vacant by reason of ceasing to be members of CCC of Siziba Gift Ostallos, Chatiza Stephen, Madzimbamuto Tapfumanei Willard, Chivero Admore, Mutasa Oliver and Chibaya Amos on the 10th of November, 2023, who were the elected members of Parliament for the respective constituencies;
AND WHEREAS it is provided by section 39(2) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], that after the President has been notified in terms of the said section of vacancies in the membership of Parliament, he shall issue a proclamation ordering a new election to fill the vacancies in the same manner, mutatis mutandis, as is provided in section 38 of the said Act in regard to a general election;
AND WHEREAS, the Speaker of Parliament has notified me on the 15th of November, 2023, in writing, of vacancies for the afore-mentioned constituencies:
NOW, THEREFORE, under and by virtue of the powers vested in the President as afore-said, I do, by this proclamation-
(a) order new elections for the constituencies of Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North; and
(b) fix Monday the 18th day of December 2023, as the date on which the nomination court shall sit, commencing at 10 o’clock in the morning, at-
(i) the Magistrate Court, Tredgold Building, Leopold Takawira Avenue, Bulawayo, for the purpose of receiving nomination of candidates for election as a member of National Assembly Constituency of Pelandaba;
(ii) the Magistrates Court, Ruzawi Road, Marondera, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of National Assembly Constituencies of Goromonzi South and Seke;
(iii) the Magistrates Court, Gerrard Drive, Chinhoyi, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of National Assembly Constituencies of Chegutu West and Zvimba East;
and
(iv) the Magistrates Court, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Street, Gweru, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of the National Assembly Constituency of Mkoba North;
and
(c) fix Saturday the 3rd of February, 2024, as the day on which a poll shall be taken if a poll becomes necessary in terms of section 46(17)(c) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13].
Given under my hand and the Public Seal of Zimbabwe at Harare, this 23rd day of November in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-three.
By A Correspondent- Three people were killed while four were injured when a Madza 5 vehicle veered off the road.
In a statement police said the incident occured around 12:30pm on 27 November 2023 at the 105km peg along the Bulawayo-Maphisa Road .
The vehicle veered off the road before hitting a tree and landing on it’s roof.
The bodies of the deceased were taken for post mortem to Maphisa District Hospital while the injured were admitted to the same hospital.
“The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 105 kilometre peg along Bulawayo-Maphisa Road on 27/11/23 at around 1230 hours in which three people were killed whilst four others were injured when a Mazda 5 vehicle veered off the road before hitting a tree and landing on its roof. Bodies of the victims were taken to Maphisa District Hospital for post mortem whilst the injured are admitted at the same hospital,” reads the statement.
Speaking during World Aids Day commemorations at Chinotimba Stadium in Victoria Falls yesterday, United Nations resident and humanitarian co-ordinator Edward Kallon said the impact on women is particularly significant, as women make up 61% of the 1,2 million adults living with HIV.
More than 20 000 people in Zimbabwe died of Aids-related diseases last year alone with more than 50% being women.
Speaking during World Aids Day commemorations at Chinotimba Stadium in Victoria Falls yesterday, United Nations resident and humanitarian co-ordinator Edward Kallon said the impact on women is particularly significant, as women make up 61% of the 1,2 million adults living with HIV.
Kallon said there is need to scale up HIV prevention and treatment programmes to cover all sub-population groups with a particular focus on adolescent girls and young women.
Speaking at the same event, US embassy charge d’affairs Elaine French said America donated US$208m this year alone to Zimbabwe to help in the fight against HIV and Aids.
World Aids Day commemorations were held under the theme Let Communities Lead and the guest of honour was First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa.
A sex starved 27-year-old Chiredzi man has appeared in court for attempting to rape his 46-year-old step-mother while they were fetching firewood in a bush.
The young man literally begged for sex from the step-mother (his father’s other wife), asking her “muchembere ndipeiwo (mother please can I have it)?”
The step mother’s seven-year-old grandson arrived at the scene to find his grandmother lying on the ground with her legs up and Nelson Chuma(27) of Velemu Village, Chingwizi in Mwenezi on top with the panty and skin tight already pulled off on one leg.
Chuma appeared before Regional Magistrate Judith Zuyu this week facing attempted rape charges.
On Monday last week, Chuma, his stepmother and the grandson were fetching firewood in the bush and loading it into a scotch cart.
While they were loading, they realised that the scotch cart had developed a flat tyre. The complainant sent the grandson home to get a pressure pump.
After the boy left, Chuma advanced towards the stepmother and said “muchembere ndipeiwo” (please mum may I have).
Allegedly puzzled, the stepmother asked what it is he was asking for and Chuma added “ndipeiwo ndiwane kurarama” (please let me have, I am starving) but the stepmother refused.
Chuma then grabbed the stepmother by the waist and tried to push her to the ground but she clutched to a tree and screamed and no one heard her.
He then managed to remove her skintight and pant from one leg before pushing her to the ground where she fell facing upwards.
The grandson arrived just as Chuma was about to rape the woman.
He was remanded in custody to December 5, 2023. Ronald Kwangwari appeared for the State.
A Plumtree based man was sent to prison on Friday after he assaulted his pregnant wife accusing her of having an extra marital affair.
Rebqbonye Moyo (54) pleaded guilty to the charge before magistrate Joshua Nembaware.
Nembaware sentenced him to 18months imprisonment of which 6 months was suspended for a period of 5 years on condition Moyo does not within that period commit any offence of which physical Abuse is an element for which upon conviction is sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine
Effective term is 12 months imprisonment.
Prosecutor Selestine Madziwa told the court that on November 28 Moyo came home drunk shouting valgar language.
He had a misunderstanding with his wife over groceries which had been sent by Moyo’s sister.
Moyo accused his wife of infidelity before assaulting her with open hands.
The wife is pregnant and told the court that he is an abusive husband
By A Correspondent- A funding appeal has been launched to help return to Zimbabwe for burial the body of a man who died in Australia.
Nkosilathi Ncube died suddenly last Sunday, leaving behind his wife Sakhile Manikela, daughter Owami Shabalala (15) and son Lwazilwethu (10).
The family had only recently relocated to Australia.
“It is with sadness that Nkosilathi Ncube was suddenly taken from his family on the 24th Nov 2023,” reads a statement supporting the funding appeal.
“(Ncube) recently relocated from Zimbabwe with his family on a Temporary Residency Status with hopes of settling in Australia and making a better life for his family.
“Both children have settled into their new schools in Melbourne’s west.”
The GoFundMe appeal seeks to raise A$80,000 to facilitate Ncube’s repatriation.
“His (Ncube’s) sudden loss has put a financial burden on the family for the repatriation of Nkosilathi back to his family in Zimbabwe for his funeral and burial in his hometown Bulawayo, to be near his Parents, Siblings, and Friends.
“Your kind donations to assist with this are very much appreciated by his family and friends.”
About A$13,000 had been raised by this Friday afternoon.
By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), a civil society organisation that monitors elections in the country, has refuted allegations levelled against it by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) on collaborations with Team Pachedu, a social media group, on collating and tabulating election results for purposes of prematurely announcing election results.
The allegations were made in the ZHRC Report on 2023 Harmonised Elections, which claimed that the commission “took note of the arrest of thirty-nine CSO members from ZESN, ERC and Team Pachedu who were suspected of collating and tabulating election results for purposes of prematurely announcing election results.”
ZESN, however, issued a statement on Friday, December 1, 2023, to categorically state that it does not and has never worked closely or collaborated with Team Pachedu to collate and tabulate results. ZESN said it partnered with the Election Resource Centre (ERC), another civil society organisation, as part of its mandate to promote democratic elections in Zimbabwe through domestic oversight on all electoral processes.
ZESN also cited the confirmation of the Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who addressed a press conference in Harare on August 24, 2023, and said that the arrested CSO members were from ERC and ZESN, and not Team Pachedu. ZESN said this was a sure sign that the latter was never a part of the observation team working on independently verifying results.
ZESN further stated that it has always shared its observation reports with all key electoral stakeholders, including the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), as required by the Electoral Act. ZESN said it follows the constitutional dictates, the Electoral Act, the ZEC Code of Conduct for Observers, and its own values and principles as an independent and non-partisan organisation. ZESN also said it observes and is guided by the SADC Principles and Guidelines on the Conduct of Democratic Elections and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), which Zimbabwe is signatory to.
Moreover, ZESN said it is a law-abiding organisation that seeks to promote the conduct of peaceful democratic elections in Zimbabwe, and that it had no intention to go before a constitutionally mandated body to announce results, as it stands guided by the provisions of the Electoral Act on results announcement, which gives ZEC the sole mandate to declare election results.
ZESN urged the ZHRC to retract the allegations and correct the factual inaccuracies in its report, as they have the potential to tarnish the reputation and credibility of ZESN and its partners. ZESN also called for the respect and protection of the rights of election observers, as they play a crucial role in enhancing the transparency and accountability of the electoral process.
Police in Bulawayo have vowed to crack down on illegal parties famously known as Vuzu parties and those involved in facilitating them.
Vuzu parties are social events where youths, mostly teenagers, engage in alcohol-drinking sprees, drug abuse and sex orgies.
Bulawayo acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed that the police have intercepted a message circulating on social media of a Vuzu Party set to be held in Parklands.
“We suspect that it may not only be at Parklands but some other places also. Over excitement of pens down after the exams may result in them engaging in drug and alcohol abuse,” she said.
Assistant Inspector Msebele said they are determined to crack down on illegal parties and those who facilitate them by strictly enforcing the existing laws.
“Illegal parties organised by school children pose a direct threat not only to their academic progress but also to their physical and mental well-being, hence, it falls upon us all to take decisive action and put an end to this growing menace. These gatherings are fuelled by drugs, alcohol and substance abuse, explicit sexual acts creating a dangerous path that not only distracts our children from their studies but also exposes them to harmful influences that can impact negatively to their lives,” she said.
In addition, she said curbing Vuzu parties requires a collective effort.
“We cannot expect to eradicate illegal parties and the abuse of drugs and alcohol among schoolchildren without actively involving parents, teachers, community leaders, and the students themselves. Let us work together to create a safe and empowering environment for our youths,” she said.
-CITE
THE fight between Geogenix BV and the Harare City Council (HCC) is far from over after former Mayor Ian Makone raised issues a fortnight around the Pomona dumpsite deal with Local Government minister Winston Chitando.
Makone, who was recalled from parliament early last month by self-proclaimed Citizens Coalition for Change interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu, was replaced by Lovejoy Chitengu last week on Tuesday.
This comes just three weeks after Makone attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the project, which was officiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, where it seemed Geogeniv BV and HCC had smoked the peace pipe.
According to sources, HCC has submitted a report to the government in which it has raised grievous concerns about the Pomona dumpsite deal.
In an interview with the Zimbabwe Independent before his replacement, Makone said there were outstanding issues that were not dealt with on the Pomona deal.
“The minister has the executive summary of the Pomona report that I trust he is studying and will respond to. It would be wrong for us to release it at this time,” Makone said.
“The previous council made certain observations on the project, which were communicated to the then Minister of Local Government and Public Works. We wrote to the new Minister of Local Government and Public Works and it is my prayer that the issues raised, not only by council but by several stakeholders, will be addressed.”
The city council is reportedly pushing for the termination of the deal.
Chitando did not respond to questions sent to him. Geogenix BV was awarded the US$316 million project by the government, which saw HCC paying US$22 000 per day for waste management.
The HCC has refused to pay, calling for the reversal of the deal. The 30-year waste management deal between the Netherlands-based Geogenix BV, fronted by businessman
Delish Nguwaya, seeks to transform the dumpsite into a modern garbage recycling plant, which will supply power from ethane generated from rotting garbage. There are also plans to construct recreational areas, like restaurants, as well as basketball and tennis courts. The Harare Residents’ Trust (HRT) spokesperson Precious Shumba is also calling for the renegotiation of the deal in the interest of public social accountability.
“That Pomona dumpsite project is beneficial to Geo Pomona Waste Management Company and not the City of Harare. The contract is skewed against the City of Harare and its residents and should be renegotiated or abandoned in total,” Shumba said.
“The Pomona dumpsite deal is rotten and should be fully investigated to save Harare Residents from this financial heist. The President commissioned a project that was imposed on the City of Harare.
“There is a resolution against that project. The City of Harare rejected the project and so did the residents of Harare who submitted a petition signed by plus 6 000 residents.”
Shumba added that Geo Pomona Waste Management should not claim management of the dumpsite without investing in the waste collection equipment and systems.
“Sadly, the government has indicated that they will take the devolution funds share of the City of Harare to pay off money to Geo Pomona Waste Management for merely receiving the garbage. That dumpsite is an asset of the residents of Harare taken over by force by a company that invested nothing into the venture,” he said.
“If the government wants such a project, they should simply have partnered with the Environment Management Agency and helped build its capacity.”
However, in an interview with the Independent on the sidelines of the ground-breaking ceremony, Nguwaya said they were working well together with the City of Harare
“I am happy to share that we are working hand in hand with the Harare City Council, and we hold monthly meetings to appraise each other of progress. The Harare City Council collects waste, and we, as Geo Pomona Waste Management, manage the waste,” Nguwaya said.
-Zim Independent
By A Correspondent| In a surprising turn of events, Justice Chinamhora, who recently resigned from the High Court, has returned to deliver rulings on pending cases, sparking a debate on the implications of his comeback.
Constitutional law expert and University of Zimbabwe lecturer, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, has weighed in on the matter, emphasizing that the focus should be on the High Court as an institution rather than the individual judge.
Speaking on the issue, Professor Madhuku stressed that the key concern lies in whether Justice Chinamhora resigned without communicating judgments in cases he had presided over.
He asserted that the fact that the judge had reserved judgments does not absolve the court processes.
Madhuku commented, “He was acting as the High Court and not Chinamora, and we must separate the two. What he cannot do now is hear any new cases but communicate his judgments in the reserved cases.”
The constitutional law expert’s remarks draw attention to the distinction between the individual judge and the overarching institution of the High Court.
Madhuku’s perspective underscores the importance of upholding the integrity of the judicial system and ensuring that pending cases receive the attention they deserve.
The legal community is closely monitoring this development, with many questioning the potential repercussions on the credibility and efficiency of the High Court.
Justice Chinamhora’s return has sparked a broader conversation about the need for clear guidelines regarding judges’ responsibilities when resigning, particularly in terms of concluding pending cases.
Legal experts are divided on whether Justice Chinamhora’s return poses a threat to the principles of justice or if it simply underscores the complexities within the legal system. As discussions unfold, the broader implications on the judiciary’s reputation and public trust are becoming central to the discourse.
While the specifics of Justice Chinamhora’s resignation and the circumstances surrounding his return remain unclear, Professor Lovemore Madhuku’s insights shed light on the broader constitutional and institutional considerations at play. As this story continues to develop, the legal community and the public at large will be watching closely to see how it shapes the future landscape of the High Court and the judiciary as a whole.
Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi announced on Friday that new permits will be issued for holders of the Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) and the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP), which will be valid for two more years, until 29 November 2025.
Motsoaledi faced a litany of litigation from civil society organisations challenging the decision to terminate the LEP (held by about 55,000 people) and the ZEP (held by about 178,000 people by year end. The High Court had already extended the ZEP to 28 June 2024.
Permit holders will be entitled to work, seek employment and conduct business.
Motsoaledi said the new exemption permits to be issued will expire on 29 November 2025.
However, holders will not be entitled to apply for permanent residence status and the new permits will not be renewable. A permit holder can also not change their status in the country and must disclose or register all their minor children born and staying in South Africa.
“It is clear that the Minister knew that his original decision was unreasonable, impractical and unenforceable,” said advocate Simba Chitando, one of the lawyers who took government to court.
“ZEP holders have built homes, lives, families in South Africa – doing so perfectly legally. They must be given the opportunity to plan for their lives and not be treated as if they are surplus. It is the minimum of what the Constitution and the rule of law demand,” said Nicole Fritz of the Helen Suzman Foundation, which also took Home Affairs to court.
Fritz welcomed the minister’s announcement.
“The announcement offers tremendous relief to [the permit holders] and their families who have lived in SA perfectly legally for the past 15 years, and have done so by scrupulously observing not only our immigration laws and regulations but all our laws, in that qualification for these permits has required police clearance,” she said.
“Still they have faced tremendous uncertainty and confusion since the minister announced, without notice, consultation or valid reason, the termination of the permits in 2021. This new decision announced today recognises the inherent dignity owed to people, and that is at the heart of our constitutional dispensation.”
GroundUp.co.za
By Tendai Biti| MTHULI Ncube’s 2024 budget statement presented on Thursday is a shocking parody of fascism, extraction, dishonesty, incompetence and downright narcissism.
The budget reflects a regime totally oblivious of the structural challenges facing the economy, the plight of the ordinary citizen and the myriad issues affecting business. It betrays lack of respect of economic fundamentals and as a result its prescriptions are a disastrous panalopy of cruel extractive illegal if not unconstitutional measures.
This a budget that reflects a regime with total contempt for its subjects.
The imposition of a massive array of taxes on a population mulcted by poverty and social challenges is reflective of this anti-citizen polity. The increase in toll gate charges, passport fees, duty on soft drinks, vehicle registration and fuel levy are narcissistic and unnecessary.
The proposed government takeover of third party insurance is clearly unconstitutional and zany. The massive removal of VAT zero rating on all goods except exports and medicines will hurt the poor and elderly as will the removal of duty suspension on basic goods.
The powers given to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority of temporarily shutting down businesses, seizing storage devices, raiding custody vaults at banks and security companies, seizure of goods and seizure of digital data without due process are fascist and unconstitutional.
These measures can’t stand legal scrutiny.
Here is the 2024 Budget Statement by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube: Budget Statement 2024 Final
The introduction of a 1 percent tax on people’s homes with a value above US$100,000 is another ill-thought measure that will hurt innocent homeowners and struggling working people. After all, capital gains, rates and stamp duties are already being paid by homeowners.
Structurally, the budget is technically unsound. Failure to express the budget in United States dollars, the currency in which most transactions are carried out in this country, makes it lose any decency or credibility.
Further, the budget grossly hides a huge budget deficit created in 2023 which will be reflected in a condonation bill that will come two years from now.
The budget fails to address the exchange rate mess thus guaranteeing continued existence of exchange rate arbitrage and hyperinflation. It fails to give relief to working people and punishes them through a vast array of punitive revenue measures. It will be a long winter of suffering.
Tendai Biti is Zimbabwe’s former finance minister
The budget presented by the Minister of Finance, Professor Mthuli Ncube, on Thursday is antipoor, as it places an excessive burden on citizens who are already suffering.
The budget falls short of regional, continental, and international benchmarks. While education received the highest vote allocation at Z$10.3 trillion, constituting 17.7% of the total vote allocations, it is still below the Dakar Declaration target of 20%. Similarly, health received Z$6.3 trillion (10.8%), which is a decline from the 11.2% allocated in 2023 and falls below the Abuja Declaration target of 15%. Agriculture received Z$4.3 trillion, which is 7.4% of the total votes and below the Maputo Declaration target of 10%. The Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare, responsible for social protection, received ZW$2.4 trillion, which is 4.1% of the total votes and 1.5% of GDP. According to the Social Policy for Africa Agreement (2008), African governments should spend at least 4.5% of GDP on social protection.
The country is currently facing a cholera outbreak, and addressing this issue requires significant public investments in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). However, the allocated ZW$608.3 billion towards WASH represents just 0.4% of GDP, falling far below the 1.5% of GDP benchmark set under the eThekwini Declaration (2008). The Global Task Force on Cholera Control considers WASH investments as the foundation for achieving the goal of reducing cholera deaths by 90% by 2030.
Additionally, the budget introduces several taxes that clearly demonstrate the regime in
Harare’s anti-people stance and their lack of concern for the suffering of the masses. The
Strategic Reserve Levy, toll fees, vehicle registration fees, passport fees, and the introduction of a sugar tax and wealth tax will increase the cost of living and doing business in the country.
We firmly believe that shelter is a basic human right and should not be subject to taxation.
The budget’s decision to convert the COVID-19 and Cushioning allowance into pensionable
emoluments will further reduce the real incomes of civil servants. The regime should have
considered an upward review to compensate civil servants for the loss of income.
The taxation regime in the country is already onerous and burdensome, and the budget will
only exacerbate this issue. It will lead to a significant increase in the cost of accessing public services, transportation, fuel, and overall business operations. This will result in reduced disposable incomes and erode the country’s competitiveness. Additionally, high taxation is associated with high informality and low confidence.
The wealth tax on properties will make it harder, especially for first-time homebuyers, to
purchase residential properties. The budget presented by Minister Ncube is clearly anti-poor due to the excessive taxation measures it contains.
Furthermore, the budget lacks direct employment creation incentives and strategies, which is concerning given the significant employment challenges faced by the country, particularly in the informal and vulnerable employment sectors. The National Budget should support and facilitate the transition from informality to formality, as integrating informal enterprises into the formal economy is crucial for effective domestic resource mobilization and expanding the tax base. Additionally, formal businesses often have strong linkages with informal enterprises, which can be leveraged for economic growth.
To this end, we strongly reject the budget presented by Minister Mthuli Ncube. It is anti-poor, fails to meet regional and international benchmarks, and lacks adequate measures for
employment creation and support for the informal sector. We call on the regime to reconsider these budgetary decisions and prioritize the well-being and prosperity of the citizens of
Zimbabwe.
Only a broad government reforms can ensure that Zimbabwe has access to long term financing so that it does not milk its citizens.
– So, where are the invoices?
By Business Reporter | A UK Zimbabwean controversial businesswoman, known as Dr. Dee, (Siduduziwe Ncube), has been unmasked for orchestrating a massive factoring fraud scheme, leaving diasporans in financial ruin. This sinister saga has cast a dark cloud over her factoring business, *Rocheti Group Ltd*.
Dr. Dee, along with her sister *Soneni Ncube,* husband, *Tawanda Gutu*, and close confidant *George Boateng*, concocted an elaborate deception under the guise of a legitimate factoring company. Factoring, a financial practice where unpaid invoices are purchased and fees collected upon payment, was the cover for their treacherous plot.
Operating under the façade of a thriving entrepreneur, Dr. Dee infiltrated various organizations, including churches and prayer groups, in a bid to gain the trust of unsuspecting individuals. She convinced her victims that she could provide operational cash to businesses awaiting payments, often from UK councils.
As the director of Rocheti Group Ltd, Siduduziwe cunningly presented herself as a reputable business figure, but questions have been raised about the legitimacy of her credentials, including her purported doctorate from the University of Westminster. She used her eloquence and charisma to lure victims into her web of deceit.
| Dumisani and Siduduziwe Ncube.
However, the façade crumbled when clients demanded their returns, and Dr. Dee responded with vulgar language and excuses. She directed clients to make payments to various accounts, including Rocheti Group Ltd, Soneni Ncube’s company Vivication, George Boateng’s account, and the accounts of Soneni and Tawanda.
When Siduduziwe failed to meet her obligations on maturity dates, clients sought legal intervention and discovered that all her bank accounts were depleted. Her companies had been subjected to liquidation, leaving creditors empty-handed.
The big question now is whether there was ever any legitimate factoring occurring, or if it was an elaborate ruse. Siduduziwe’s failure to produce invoices raised doubts about the legitimacy of her business practices.
Further scrutiny revealed that money was funneled into extravagant lifestyles and real estate ventures, including a lavish lifestyle in Wennington, UK, and properties in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
This financial scandal has left victims grappling with the enormity of their losses.
Dude Ncube was contacted by ZimEye for over a 3 week period when upon being interviewed for a total over 6 hours she failed to supply evidence of some of invoices she obtained money for, despite having earlier promised saying she would do so. Not even one invoice was availed.
She was asked on the invoicing to prove to her grieving clients that she was doing factoring business and not defrauding them.
She replied saying: “..I told you I know Gery(not real name. I know Cath (not real name).
“Is he saying he did not do his due diligence before dealing with me, now that he is coming to a journalist?”
She was then asked why that should even be a matter for discussion now.
She, while sounding irritable, responded saying,
“I didn’t look for them, I didn’t advertise, they found me… and they said we want what you to do – factoring.
As the investigation continues, the sinister web woven by Siduduziwe Ncube and her accomplices is being exposed, and the community demands answers.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the full extent of this factoring fraud scandal unravels.
https://twitter.com/indabaenkulu/status/1730531210349138425?t=hmwUuEJkA9RY4h4Lz5rlPA&s=19
ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa, during a flight to Mutoko, caught sight of opulent mansions dotting the landscape, some boasting helipads atop their luxurious structures. These grand residences, believed to be owned by individuals primarily engaged in procurement, captured the President’s attention.
Mnangagwa was visibly intrigued by the affluence on display, with helipads signaling a lifestyle of the utmost opulence. These sightings seem to have left a lasting impression on the President.
Several months later, in a move surprising many, President Mnangagwa announced a significant policy shift – the introduction of a 1% taxation on property owners of buildings valued at least US$100,000. The timing of this decision aligns with the period when he observed the lavish estates during his flight over Mutoko.
The new tax policy, intended to generate additional revenue for the government, specifically targets property owners with substantial real estate holdings. Buildings worth at least US$100,000 will now be subject to the 1% taxation, a measure that aims to tap into the wealth amassed by those in possession of high-value properties.
While the President’s decision has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about the motivations behind the sudden taxation policy, officials close to the administration argue that it aligns with efforts to address economic challenges and enhance revenue streams. Critics, however, question the fairness and transparency of the new tax, expressing concerns about potential loopholes and its impact on property owners.
As Zimbabwe awaits further details and clarification on the implementation of this taxation policy, the President’s aerial encounter with the luxurious mansions of Mutoko seems to have influenced a strategic shift in the government’s approach to fiscal matters, with a focus on tapping into the wealth generated from high-value properties. – Ndaba eNkulu
In South Africa, one Mdumiseni Khetha Zuma has been sentenced 12 effective years in Prison for Inciting Violence.
I hope the Government of Zimbabwe is taking some notes from South Africa on how to deal with Anarchists like Job Sikala.
Source : Zanu PF
UK Grants 20,000 Work Visas to Zimbabweans in Health and Care Sector Surge-
The United Kingdom govt has issued a staggering 20,000 Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) papers to Zimbabwean emigrants within the health and care sector, as disclosed by the British government. This substantial allocation, reported in the national statistics released on November 14, marks a remarkable 372% surge from the figures recorded in 2022, reflecting the escalating trend of locals seeking opportunities abroad.
The UK government’s report, titled “Why do people come to the UK? To work,” reveals that, in the year ending June 2023, a total of 20,152 health and care worker visas were granted to Zimbabweans. This surge is particularly noteworthy, witnessing a significant rise from the 4,270 visas issued in June 2020.
Among countries granted health and care worker visas, Zimbabwe secures the third position, following India with 33,669 and Nigeria at 22,278, respectively.
The UK Office of National Statistics highlights that long-term immigration for work-related visas, including main applicants and dependants, constitutes 33% of non-EU long-term immigration as of June 2023, with an estimated 322,000 arrivals—comparing this to 198,000 in the year ending June 2022. The report emphasizes the growth in sponsored work visas following the introduction of the ‘Skilled Worker’ and ‘Skilled Worker — Health and Care’ visas in 2020.
Health and care worker visas emerge as the most sought-after, with Indian nationals representing 38% of all dependants issued work visas alongside main applicants, followed by Nigerian and Zimbabwean nationals at 17% and 9%, respectively.
The data underscores a significant increase in worker visas granted to main applicants, with a notable 78% surge in the year ending June 2023 compared to the previous year, primarily driven by a substantial rise in ‘Skilled Worker — Health and Care’ visas.
Additionally, the UK office reports that people initially arriving long-term on work-related visas account for 22% of non-EU long-term emigration as of June 2023, with an estimated 45,000 individuals leaving.
These statistics signify a notable shift in migration patterns, with a marked increase in net migration for work reasons, reaching 278,000 in the year ending June 2023, compared to 168,000 in the year ending June 2022. This surge highlights the growing significance of work-related migration, constituting 36% of the total net migration in the year ending June 2023, compared to 23% in the preceding year.- Agencies
ZB Bank Employee Arrested for Allegedly Stealing $50,909 from Delta Beverages Deposits.
Police have arrested a Rusape-based bank employee, Henry Tayengwa (36), accused of systematically misappropriating substantial funds from a prominent company’s deposits over several months.
Tayengwa, a teller at ZB Bank’s Rusape branch, stands accused of pilfering a staggering US$50,909 from deposits made by Delta Beverages, a well-known blue-chip company. Detectives took swift action, leading to Tayengwa’s arrest as he allegedly funneled the misappropriated funds into his Ecobank account.
Represented by Mr. Munyaradzi Manyengavana of Manyengavana Law Chambers, Tayengwa appeared before Rusape magistrate Mrs. Patience Chirimo to face a charge of theft. During the hearing, he was not required to enter a plea and was remanded in custody pending a bail application.
According to State prosecutor Mr. Marlon Makamba, Tayengwa’s illicit activities unfolded over the course of nine months. During this period, he reportedly received substantial cash deposits from Delta Beverages but failed to deposit the entire amount, diverting a portion to his Ecobank account.
The audacious scheme went undetected until Ecobank raised concerns, bringing the financial irregularity to light. The arrest of Tayengwa sheds light on the importance of vigilant financial institutions in identifying and addressing anomalies, ultimately safeguarding the integrity of banking systems and the interests of depositors. The legal proceedings will determine the consequences for Tayengwa in this alleged case of financial misconduct.
“During the period extending from February 2023 to November 16, 2023 and at ZB Bank Rusape, Tayengwa hatched a plan to steal from the bank. The accused received huge amounts of deposits from Delta Beverages to be deposited into Delta Beverages’ Ecobank account.
“Tayengwa misrepresented to the bank by depositing less money, thereby prejudicing ZB Bank some money amounting to US$50 909. In October, Ecobank raised a query of missing deposits through ZB Bank and a CCTV verification was done. Tayengwa was seen on different dates stealing the money from deposits made,” said Mr Makamba.
Tayengwa was arrested while in possession of deposit slips with various amounts stolen from the bank.
The money was not recovered.
Bulawayo ZRP authorities have successfully intercepted a social media message that was mobilizing children for a Vuzu party in the Parklands Suburb. Swift action has been taken to halt this illegal gathering, known for its notorious nature.
Vuzu parties, often organized by school children and sometimes sponsored by older individuals, involve wild festivities that may include drugs, alcohol, and unprotected group sex sessions. The Bulawayo Acting Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, issued a statement expressing the gravity of the situation.
“These illegal parties pose a direct threat to the academic progress, physical well-being, and mental health of the children involved,” said Asst Insp Msebele.
With the academic year and exams coming to an end, there were anticipations of enthusiastic celebrations in Parklands, organized by unruly school children. To proactively safeguard the minors from potential harm, the police have intervened.
Parents are being alerted to the dangers associated with these illicit gatherings, which have been linked to drug and substance abuse. Asst Insp Msebele emphasized that such issues are not only a local concern but also a significant societal problem on a global scale. The police’s decisive action aims to protect the well-being of the children and prevent them from falling victim to the harmful consequences of these events.
“The excitement following the end of exams can sometimes lead to irresponsible behaviour, and the police are determined to crack down on illegal parties and those who facilitate them by strictly enforcing existing laws. The prevalence of these illegal parties poses a direct threat not only to the academic progress of the students involved but also to their physical and mental well-being”‘ she said.
Inspector Msebele urged parents, teachers, community leaders, and students to come together and form a united front in combating the issue.
“Vuzu Parties clamp down require a collective effort from all of us. We cannot expect to eradicate illegal parties and the abuse of drugs and alcohol among schoolchildren without actively involving parents, teachers, community leaders, and the students themselves. Let us work together to create a safe and empowering environment for our youths. Report a Vuzu Party,” said Asst Insp Msebele.
CHIREDZI – A sex starved 27-year-old Chiredzi man has appeared in court for attempting to rape his 46-year-old step-mother while they were fetching firewood in a bush.
The young man literally begged for sex from the step-mother (his father’s other wife), asking her “muchembere ndipeiwo (mother please can I have it)?”
The step mother’s seven-year-old grandson arrived at the scene to find his grandmother lying on the ground with her legs up and Nelson Chuma(27) of Velemu Village, Chingwizi in Mwenezi on top with the panty and skin tight already pulled off on one leg.
Chuma appeared before Regional Magistrate Judith Zuyu this week facing attempted rape charges.
On Monday last week, Chuma, his stepmother and the grandson were fetching firewood in the bush and loading it into a scotch cart.
While they were loading, they realised that the scotch cart had developed a flat tyre. The complainant sent the grandson home to get a pressure pump.
After the boy left, Chuma advanced towards the stepmother and said “muchembere ndipeiwo” (please mum may I have)…
www.masvingomirror.com
Grade Seven results released by the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) yesterday reveal a substantial improvement in the overall pass rate, soaring from 40.7% last year to an impressive 45.5% this year. The standout trend is the exceptional performance of girls, who achieved a 49.56% pass rate, surpassing their male counterparts at 41.21%.
Zimsec attributes this positive shift to the resumption of normal classes after the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s continuous efforts in enhancing teaching methods have also contributed to better academic outcomes for students.
Professor Eddie Mwenje, Zimsec board chairperson, announced the results and highlighted a 5.48% improvement in the pass rate. He emphasized, “The increase in pass rate could be attributed to the return to the normal school calendar after the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and also the interventions by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in terms of teaching and learning.”
Out of the 372,603 candidates who sat for the Grade 7 examination, 193,520 were girls, demonstrating not only superior performance but also higher participation compared to the 179,083 boys.
Special needs candidates experienced a significant leap in pass rates, with an overall average of 42.99%, compared to 29.8% in 2022. This improvement underscores the positive impact of enhanced teaching quality for children with special needs.
During the announcement, Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary Mr. Moses Mhike expressed gratitude to district inspectors, teachers, and parents for their pivotal role in boosting this year’s pass rate. He emphasized that Grade 7 results are the sole basis for high school entrance, warning against illegal private tests.
Mr. Mhike further addressed concerns about school fees, stating that fee increases must be approved by the ministry, with a focus on affordability for parents, especially civil servants. He reassured that the ministry would scrutinize next year’s fees proposals to ensure they align with the goal of maintaining education quality without compromising accessibility.
Additionally, Mr. Mhike highlighted the functionality of the online platform e-map, indicating that Grade 7 results would be available on e-map from Monday. This facilitates secondary heads in initiating the candidate selection process.
Looking ahead, Mr. Mhike acknowledged the need for infrastructural development and collaborative efforts with stakeholders, including UNICEF, to further enhance future pass rates.- state media
South Africa’s govt has extended the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit’s duration, originally set to expire by the end of this month and in June next year. Home Affairs Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi announced in Pretoria that, under the new arrangement, these permits will now be valid until November 29, 2025, benefiting around 178,000 Zimbabweans.
The extension allows them to apply for new exemption permits, enabling work, job-seeking, and business activities in South Africa. However, permanent residence applications are not permitted, and the exemption permits are not renewable. Additionally, minor children born and residing in South Africa must be disclosed when applying for a new permit. The validity for Lesotho nationals’ exemption permits is also extended to December 31, 2024.
Tinashe Sambiri
Surely Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a callous man…
The Zanu PF leader’s administration on Thursday imposes heavy taxes on the already suffering citizens.
Reflecting on the heavy taxation, the Citizens Coalition for Change roundly condemned the insensitivity of Mr Mnangagwa and his ilk.
“Our citizens are currently facing significant hardships, struggling to afford basic necessities due to the regime’s economic mismanagement.
Instead of alleviating the burden on our people, the regime is worsening their suffering through excessive taxation.
One example is the substantial increase in toll fees, which have risen by over 150%.
Motorists traveling between Harare and Bulawayo will now be required to pay a minimum of USD50 in toll fees for a round trip, ” CCC said in a statement.
The Supreme Court of Zimbabwe today delivered a judgement on the appeal by the Zimbabwe Power Company (“ZPC.) against a High Court decision which had found that the Contract for the development of the 100MW Gwanda Solar Project was still valid.
ZPC’s appeal was dismissed after a hearing before Honorable Justices Chiweshe, Makoui and Musakwa.
The full written judgement containing reasons for the Court’s determination are yet to be furnished. In the public interest however, it is important to give the correct narrative on the legal implications of the Supreme Court judgement, considering that certain online articles have published an incorrect and misleading position: The Supreme Court judgement has the effect of upholding the High Court judgement granted by Honourable Justice Msithu in January 2023, in which the Gwanda EPC Contract was found to be still valid and binding on both ZPC and Intratrek Zimbabwe (Private) Limited – (.1stratrek.). For the avoidance of doubt, the High Court judgement did not award Intratrek damages in the sum of US$22 Million as alleged by some online publications or any other sum in damages for that matter. To the contrary, the High Court only granted an order for specific performance, which in simple terms requires parties to perform their respective obligations under the EPC Contract. Considering that the Supreme Court is the final Court of Appeal in this instance. the legal implication of today’s judgment is that ZPC and Intratrek will revert to the position that they were before the 23. April 2018 when the EPC Contract was cancelled.
It is equally important to highlight that the judgment does not create any further liability on ZPC outside that which is contained in the EPC Contract signed with Intratrek on 23 October 2015. Consequently, Intratrek is therefore still required to satisfy all conditions precedent to the commencement of the project, which it had failed to achieve as at 23 April 2018.
In abiding with the Supreme Court judgement. Intratrek is now required trader the reinstated EPC Contract to facilitate the financing of the US$172 million contract within the contractual thnefiarne as the requirement of financial closure is key for the project to commence. Should such financing be raised, the borrowing instruments must be approved by Government prior to implementation of the Project.
Zimbabwe Power Company remains coinnatted to a sustainable supply of power to the country in support of the National Development Strategy and Vision 2030 objective of ensuring National Access and Total Electrification
The general public and all stakeholders should therefore be properly guided by the correct facts of the case as elaborated above.
Man Faces Attempted Rape Charges Against Step-Mother
In a shocking incident, 27-year-old Nelson Chuma of Velemu Village, Chingwizi in Mwenezi, Chiredzi, has appeared in court on charges of attempting to rape his 46-year-old stepmother during a firewood-fetching excursion in a bush.
The disturbing encounter unfolded last Monday as Chuma, his stepmother, and her seven-year-old grandson were loading firewood into a scotch cart. The situation took a dark turn when they discovered a flat tire on the cart, prompting the grandson to be sent home for a pressure pump.
Seizing the moment, Chuma allegedly approached his stepmother and begged, saying, “muchembere ndipeiwo” (mother, please can I have it). When questioned, he elaborated, stating, “ndipeiwo ndiwane kurarama” (please let me have, I am starving). However, the stepmother refused, bewildered by the unexpected request.
Undeterred, Chuma reportedly grabbed her by the waist, attempting to force her to the ground. Despite her resistance, he succeeded in removing her skintight and pant from one leg before pushing her down.
The harrowing incident took a fortunate turn when the seven-year-old grandson returned to the scene, discovering his grandmother on the ground with Chuma on top. The boy’s arrival likely prevented a further escalation of the assault.
Chuma faced the Regional Magistrate, Judith Zuyu, this week, where he was remanded in custody until December 5, 2023, to answer to charges of attempted rape. The court proceedings revealed the gravity of the allegations and the traumatic experience faced by the stepmother in the bush that day.
Ronald Kwangwari is representing Chuma in this legal matter, as the community awaits further developments in this disturbing case.
Tinashe Sambiri
Former Zanu PF MP for Chivi South Constituency, Killer Zivhu is desperate to rejoin the troubled party.
In a bid to spruce up his soiled image, Zivhu has decided to run away from X.
Analysts say Zivhu baulked under pressure and withdrew into a cocoon as part of efforts to coax Mnangagwa.
Last week Zivhu wrote on X…
“Attention”, I want to inform you that I’ll be taking a much-needed break from this platform.
Furthermore, I’m committed to working towards my readmission to the revolutionary party, where I truly belong.
It’s essential for me to demonstrate my loyalty to the party… goodbye.
Dare guru reSupreme Court rapa mutongo wekuti ZESA inofanirwa kubhadhara Wicknel Chivayo $22 million (USD) yemadamages.
Chivhayo akaudza matare edzimhosva kuti kusungwa kwaakaitwa nenyaya yekuba mari yeZESA kwakasvibisa zita rake ndava ma potential clients ake ese akumuona senhunzvatunzva ne mharapatsetsetse.Wicknel akabva ati arikuda $22 million yechitsivo (damages)
FOR ENGLISH READERS
In 2022 the High Court ruled in favour of Chivayo in a legal case in which the company sought an order declaring its contract with Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), for the construction of the 100 megawatt Gwanda Solar project, valid and binding between the parties.
Chivayo and his company Intratrek Zimbabwe then proceeded to sue the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) for US$22 million over defamation and for breaching the Gwanda Solar Project contract.
Chivayo told the High Court that his arrest on allegations of defrauding the ZPC had tarnished his name resulting in him losing business contracts at home and abroad.
Source : Taffy Theman
CHIREDZI – A sex starved 27-year-old Chiredzi man has appeared in court for attempting to rape his 46-year-old step-mother while they were fetching firewood in a bush.
The young man literally begged for sex from the step-mother (his father’s other wife), asking her “muchembere ndipeiwo (mother please can I have it)?”
The step mother’s seven-year-old grandson arrived at the scene to find his grandmother lying on the ground with her legs up and Nelson Chuma(27) of Velemu Village, Chingwizi in Mwenezi on top with the panty and skin tight already pulled off on one leg.
Chuma appeared before Regional Magistrate Judith Zuyu this week facing attempted rape charges.
On Monday last week, Chuma, his stepmother and the grandson were fetching firewood in the bush and loading it into a scotch cart.
While they were loading, they realised that the scotch cart had developed a flat tyre. The complainant sent the grandson home to get a pressure pump.
After the boy left, Chuma advanced towards the stepmother and said “muchembere ndipeiwo” (please mum may I have)…
www.masvingomirror.com
In South Africa, one Mdumiseni Khetha Zuma has been sentenced 12 effective years in Prison for Inciting Violence.
I hope the Government of Zimbabwe is taking some notes from South Africa on how to deal with Anarchists like Job Sikala.
Source : Zanu PF
By- In a move that appears to be a concerted effort by Zanu PF to eliminate the country’s main opposition CCC, the Supreme Court Friday dismissed an appeal by Chamisa’s Members of Parliament (MPs) recalled in October by the party’s self-imposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu.
This means that the 09 December 2023 by-elections will go ahead as scheduled.
Tshabangu recalled the legislators saying they had ceased to be CCC members. The lawmakers then approached the High Court to have their recalls reversed but the court dismissed their application.
The High Court ruled that the lawmakers had failed to prove that they were still CCC members, prompting the recalled lawmakers to note an appeal at the Supreme Court.
However, their case could not be heard after the court ruled that respondents were wrongly cited.
A bench chaired by Justice Joseph Musakwa found that the appeal was incorrectly filed because other critical parties were not cited. Justice Mutsakwa ruled:
It is common cause that the court aquo handed down a unitary judgement. Parties before the court aquo were supposed to be the same before this court as such the court agrees with Mr Uriri.
The court is of the view that the notices of appeal are fatally defective. Consequently, there is no appeal before this court.
NewZimbabwe.com reports that the MPs and senators had filed separate appeals before the Supreme Court despite that a unitary ruling was handed down by the High Court.
On one hand, the MPs did not cite the senators in their application and on the other hand, the latter did not cite the MPs.
Advocate Lewis Uriri argued that this was a fatal technical error, an argument which was upheld by the court. He said:
At a case management meeting, all the parties consented to the consolidation of the applicants because the relief sought was similar.
The effect is that the two matters became one so when judgement is rendered one may not undo the consolidation and appeal as if they are two different matters which is what the appellants have done.
Advocate Thabani Mpofu who was representing the MPs argued that “There is no rule of the court that is offended by the non-joinder of senators.”
Amanda Ndlovu representing the senators said that for the sake of hearing, the two cases were put together.
She added that they still have an opportunity to refile the appeal. She said:
What that means is to say go and correct that and the appellants still have an opportunity to refile their appeal in a manner which complies with the rules of this court.
Therefore, the case was dismissed on technicalities and the judge did not look into the arguments. The case was thrown out because the senators and MPs filed the papers separately.
By- The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Members of Parliament (MPs) recalled in October by the party’s self-imposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu.
This means that the 09 December 2023 by-elections will go ahead as scheduled.
Tshabangu recalled the legislators saying they had ceased to be CCC members. The lawmakers then approached the High Court to have their recalls reversed but the court dismissed their application.
The High Court ruled that the lawmakers had failed to prove that they were still CCC members, prompting the recalled lawmakers to note an appeal at the Supreme Court.
However, their case could not be heard after the court ruled that respondents were wrongly cited.
A bench chaired by Justice Joseph Musakwa found that the appeal was incorrectly filed because other critical parties were not cited. Justice Mutsakwa ruled:
It is common cause that the court aquo handed down a unitary judgement. Parties before the court aquo were supposed to be the same before this court as such the court agrees with Mr Uriri.
The court is of the view that the notices of appeal are fatally defective. Consequently, there is no appeal before this court.
NewZimbabwe.com reports that the MPs and senators had filed separate appeals before the Supreme Court despite that a unitary ruling was handed down by the High Court.
On one hand, the MPs did not cite the senators in their application and on the other hand, the latter did not cite the MPs.
Advocate Lewis Uriri argued that this was a fatal technical error, an argument which was upheld by the court. He said:
At a case management meeting, all the parties consented to the consolidation of the applicants because the relief sought was similar.
The effect is that the two matters became one so when judgement is rendered one may not undo the consolidation and appeal as if they are two different matters which is what the appellants have done.
Advocate Thabani Mpofu who was representing the MPs argued that “There is no rule of the court that is offended by the non-joinder of senators.”
Amanda Ndlovu representing the senators said that for the sake of hearing, the two cases were put together.
She added that they still have an opportunity to refile the appeal. She said:
What that means is to say go and correct that and the appellants still have an opportunity to refile their appeal in a manner which complies with the rules of this court.
Therefore, the case was dismissed on technicalities and the judge did not look into the arguments. The case was thrown out because the senators and MPs filed the papers separately.
By- South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has announced the extension of special permits for Zimbabweans and Basotho living in South Africa for another two years until November 2025.
Motsoaledi announced this at a media briefing in Pretoria today.
The ZSP which is held by just over 178 000 Zimbabweans was due to expire in June 2023 following a number of extensions, but its termination was scrapped in the courts, which ruled that ending the permit would be unconstitutional.
The Department is currently appealing the High Court decision in the Supreme Court of Appeals.
-SABC
The Dynamos defence conceded the least number of goals in the just-ended Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) season.
They were only breached 16 times in 34 matches on their way to a third-place finish.
But for reasons best-known to themselves, those tasked with selecting the best eleven players for the season, cast a blind eye on the entire DeMbare backline.
One man who will probably feel hard done the most, is Emmanuel Jalai.
The roving right-back made the most appearances for DeMbare —33.
Soccer 24 News
Bulawayo giants Highlanders will not renew head coach Baltemar Brito’s contract when it expires at the end of next month.
The 71-year-old replaced Mandla ‘Lulu’ Mpofu in the Bosso dugout in June last year, after the former was shown the exit door for a string of poor results.
After failing to guide Bosso to their first league title since 2006 despite a promising start to the 2023 season, Brito’s future had for months been shrouded in uncertainity.
A well-placed source privy to on goings within the Highlanders executive confirmed that Brito will not be offered a new contract when his current arrangement expires on December 31.
“Yes, the coach’s contract will not be renewed when it expires in December,” said the source without giving more details.
Brito’s separation with Highlanders means the former Chelsea assistant coach will now focus on being Warriors coach.
He was appointed national team coach last September and guided Zimbabwe to two draws in the World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria. – Soccer24 News
Steps to starting from zero in the mining sector.
Just like every industry mining has zero beginning where you begin with absolute nothing or with little amounts of less than 100usd .
By nature mining is a very high expenditure business thousands of united States dollars are needed to run a successful mining business sometimes with no returns .
We are going to take you through a short but powerful account of how to begin at zero step by step .
Step 1
Be interested in mining stories read and listen to as many mining stories in detail asking keen and clear questions.
Artisanal miners have a lot of stories to tell each story has a specific detail that is clue to how you can start from zero . By this way you will be informally introducing yourself to it .
Befriend someone in mining.
Deliberately choose a friend who regularly goes to the mine be very close friend. By so doing you receive mining updates and stories for free . You will learn mining terms risks and rewards fast .
3 visit the mines regularly.
Now that you have a friend visit the mines with him regularly to assess the situation and listen to more mining stories from others stay there for a long time sometimes even 12hrs or two days continuously.
4 identify areas of need within your friend’s network.
At this stage visit with a secret book identify needs that would let you in . The easiest is food just buy relish for them for free and start asking direct question how can you be of help .
NB don’t over promise or over commit yourself if you don’t yet understand the risky .
Pause : mining is so risky and ugly the losses are fatal we have lost money huge amounts never to receive it back don’t let the “reward stories ” force you to sell valuable property or use school fees for your kids to invest these “reward stories are structured to lure you .
Lists of free entry points no cent just you .
1 use your own hands join the team with intention of raising money to invest back for those working join night shift before list what you want to do with the money . Below are inputs and values
A box of explosives sets 330usd
A drum of diesel market price
A compressor set 2000usd
Pegging a mine 3000usd.
Never mind the amount using your hands increases the chances of high returns .
2 link with an investor with huge financial muscles and get double share .
3 identify and bring an expert who improve production
Low income entry points in values
1 food and lighting 100usd
50kg mealie
Cooking oil 5litres
Salt
Relish
Torches
Rare cheap entry points
Buying food during milling of ore 400rands or less
Covering a member who felt ill or absent temporarily by some un forseen means .
At this time you have a vision what you want to do this is a list of what you can permanently do
1 be food and relish provider for as many teams as you can .
2 provide transport for life
3 provide explosives and diesel
4 provide compressor or diesel powered windlass
5 build tanks fir cyanide process
6 fund workers for none work related needs . This is risky needs a careful study.
Compiled by Three Wingers Enterprises
For more information
Call /WhatsApp 0774028830 for more
Facebook: Gold Mining Consultancy Zimbabwe
Website: https://www.threewingersenterprises.com
Dare guru reSupreme Court rapa mutongo wekuti ZESA inofanirwa kubhadhara Wicknel Chivayo $22 million (USD) yemadamages.
Chivhayo akaudza matare edzimhosva kuti kusungwa kwaakaitwa nenyaya yekuba mari yeZESA kwakasvibisa zita rake ndava ma potential clients ake ese akumuona senhunzvatunzva ne mharapatsetsetse.Wicknel akabva ati arikuda $22 million yechitsivo (damages)
FOR ENGLISH READERS
In 2022 the High Court ruled in favour of Chivayo in a legal case in which the company sought an order declaring its contract with Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), for the construction of the 100 megawatt Gwanda Solar project, valid and binding between the parties.
Chivayo and his company Intratrek Zimbabwe then proceeded to sue the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) for US$22 million over defamation and for breaching the Gwanda Solar Project contract.
Chivayo told the High Court that his arrest on allegations of defrauding the ZPC had tarnished his name resulting in him losing business contracts at home and abroad.
Source : Taffy Theman
Tinashe Sambiri
Former Zanu PF MP for Chivi South Constituency, Killer Zivhu is desperate to rejoin the troubled party.
In a bid to spruce up his soiled image, Zivhu has decided to run away from X.
Analysts say Zivhu baulked under pressure and withdrew into a cocoon as part of efforts to coax Mnangagwa.
Last week Zivhu wrote on X…
“Attention”, I want to inform you that I’ll be taking a much-needed break from this platform.
Furthermore, I’m committed to working towards my readmission to the revolutionary party, where I truly belong.
It’s essential for me to demonstrate my loyalty to the party… goodbye.
Region Description Portal Address
R1 and R6 HARARE and MASVINGO click this link
R2 and R5 MUTARE and MIDLANDS click this link
R4, R9 & R10 BULAWAYO, MATABELELAND NORTH & MATABELELAND SOUTH click this link
R3, R7 & R8 MASHONALAND EAST, MASHONALAND CENTRAL & MASHINALAND WEST click this link
For account creation:
Click on Candidate Login on the home screen in the top right corner
Click on Register New User
Fill in your details and take note of the instructions on the right side of the screen
Make sure to select November as Session and Grade 7 as level
Click Register
You can then login and view your results.
You can peruse the document below if you’re still not sure what to do.
By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), a civil society organisation that monitors elections in the country, has refuted allegations levelled against it by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) on collaborations with Team Pachedu, a social media group, on collating and tabulating election results for purposes of prematurely announcing election results.
The allegations were made in the ZHRC Report on 2023 Harmonised Elections, which claimed that the commission “took note of the arrest of thirty-nine CSO members from ZESN, ERC and Team Pachedu who were suspected of collating and tabulating election results for purposes of prematurely announcing election results.”
ZESN, however, issued a statement on Friday, December 1, 2023, to categorically state that it does not and has never worked closely or collaborated with Team Pachedu to collate and tabulate results. ZESN said it partnered with the Election Resource Centre (ERC), another civil society organisation, as part of its mandate to promote democratic elections in Zimbabwe through domestic oversight on all electoral processes.
ZESN also cited the confirmation of the Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who addressed a press conference in Harare on August 24, 2023, and said that the arrested CSO members were from ERC and ZESN, and not Team Pachedu. ZESN said this was a sure sign that the latter was never a part of the observation team working on independently verifying results.
ZESN further stated that it has always shared its observation reports with all key electoral stakeholders, including the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), as required by the Electoral Act. ZESN said it follows the constitutional dictates, the Electoral Act, the ZEC Code of Conduct for Observers, and its own values and principles as an independent and non-partisan organisation. ZESN also said it observes and is guided by the SADC Principles and Guidelines on the Conduct of Democratic Elections and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), which Zimbabwe is signatory to.
Moreover, ZESN said it is a law-abiding organisation that seeks to promote the conduct of peaceful democratic elections in Zimbabwe, and that it had no intention to go before a constitutionally mandated body to announce results, as it stands guided by the provisions of the Electoral Act on results announcement, which gives ZEC the sole mandate to declare election results.
ZESN urged the ZHRC to retract the allegations and correct the factual inaccuracies in its report, as they have the potential to tarnish the reputation and credibility of ZESN and its partners. ZESN also called for the respect and protection of the rights of election observers, as they play a crucial role in enhancing the transparency and accountability of the electoral process.
