By Paul Nyathi|Opposition MDC-T National Executive member Job Sikhala has made an affectionate plea for under trial former ZANU PF Minister Walter Mzembi not to have his date in court.

Appearing before Harare magistrate Victoria Mashamba on Friday, Sikhala who is the former Minister’s legal council said Mzembi has been admitted into the intensive care unit of a private South African hospital and is unable to attend his fraud trial.

The State had threatened to apply for a warrant of Mzembi’s arrest for wilful default of court appearance.

“Your Worship, my client has a serious health condition which I disclosed under camera when we appeared before your sister magistrate Tilda Mazhande last week. It is on this background that he is not in attendance today,” he said.

“He will take 10 days in the intensive care unit and is restricted to move or fly, as his condition is serious. He is unable to walk or do any other business up to a period of six weeks and it will be proper for the State to ask for an administrative warrant.”

Mashamba upheld Sikhala’s application and issued an administrative warrant for Mzembi.

The former Cabinet minister and Zanu PF legislator, who is on $400 bail, is facing various fraud allegations, which include unauthorised donation of four government-sourced television screens to the United Family International Church led by Emmanuel Makandiwa, Walter Magaya’s Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries and Nehemiah Mutendi’s Zion Christian Church in Masvingo.

The television sets had been bought by government for the promotion of the World Cup in 2010. He also faces a theft of trust property valued at $1,8 million at his former Tourism ministry.

By Paul Nyathi|As the small town of Chegutu is still in confusion following violent incidents experienced during the ZANU PF primary elections held last weekend, MDC-T President Nelson Chamisa will on Saturday descend in the town to deliver a different message of hope and peace.

On Monday after failed primary elections on Sunday, ZANU PF supporters resorted to horrific intra party violence that saw local member of parliament Dexter Nduna discharging five rounds of live ammunition resulting in him being arrested.

Residents of the town widely condemned the violence and the shooting.

Chamisa is expected to address thousands of people in the town as he continues to deliver the MDC Alliance coalition coalition promises of a Zimbabwe government different from the current ZANU PF government.

The youthful opposition leader will immediately after the Chegutu rally fly out of the country to the United Kingdom where he is expected to engage with Zimbabweans and diplomats in that country.

He is also expected to make an address at Chatham House as he paves way for his party.

By Talent Gondo|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dumped party bigwigs who lost the just ended primary elections revealing that the days of favouratism and political chickenary were over.

Addressing delegates who attended the launch of the party’s 2018 election manifesto at the HICC, in Harare (Friday), President Mnangagwa revealed that the party will allow a rerun in very few constituencies in order to allow for democracy to prevail.

“The days of favouritism and chickenary are gone and buried no matter the person’s status or standing,” said Zanu Pf’s first secretary.

“Leaders must come from the people. We must fully respect their (electorate) wishes,” he said.

Several Zanu Pf bigwigs were booted out of the 2018 election race during the party’s primary elections held last weekend.

Politburo members and Cabinet ministers, were left in shock following their humiliating defeat at the hands of not so popular opponents.

Industry and Commerce minister, Mike Bimha, Special Advisor to the President, Christopher Mutsvangwa, Christopher Mushowe who is the Scholarships minister, Douglas Mahiya, War Veterans top boss and Abednico Ncube among others lost the primaries which were marred with violence, controversy and allegations of rigging and ballot stuffing.

President Mnangagwa however revealed that the party would consider reruns of the primaries in a handful of constituencies as part of ensuring that the will of the people prevails.

“We must never deviate from our internal democratic systems,” said President Mnangagwa.

“We must guard against those with ulterior motive who may violate and undermine our democratic system,” he added.

By Paul Nyathi|Inconsistent civil servants representative body The Apex Council has urged teachers not to go on strike when schools open on Tuesday next week.

The labour body which has through the years clashed with its members over insincere and inconsistent bargaining says that they have not yet exhausted all avenues to address the teachers grievances.

Teachers have threatened to down tools at the beginning of the second term next week if Government does not meet their varied demands including low salaries and allowances.

Mrs Cecelia Alexander, the chairperson of the Apex Council said employees have not reached an impasse with the employer and there is no need for a strike at the moment.

She said it will be premature for teachers to embark on an industrial action as there is still room for negotiations.

“The Apex Council has not yet reached a deadlock with the Government. The Government says it is ready to give us feedback on the concerns we raised. Therefore, it is premature for Apex to take action before exhausting the engagement process as a matter of procedure,” she said.

Six teachers’ unions which fall under the Federation of Zimbabwe Educators Union (Fozeu) — Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Zimbabwe Teachers’ Union (Zimta), Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union (Artu), Zimbabwe National Teachers’ Union (Zinatu), Zimbabwe Democratic Teachers’ Union (ZDTU) and Professional Educators’ Union of Zimbabwe (PEUZ) — have all resolved to withdraw labour when schools open next week.

They argue that Government should negotiate with them separately since they have peculiar concerns that do not affect other civil servants.

Mrs Alexander said before taking drastic action, civil servants should wait for Monday’s negotiations as they could yield positive results.

“We are informing all civil servants that negotiations with Government are still underway and we will be meeting Government on Monday, May 7, 2018. We are anticipating to get a positive response on the concerns which have not been addressed for a long time. Feedback will be on review of salaries and allowances for all civil servants,” said Mrs Alexander.

She said the Apex Council has presented some its challenges to Government including reinstatement of vacation leave, address institutional accommodation matters and housing for civil servants.

The Government has already warned that it will dismiss all teachers who will not report for duty on Tuesday.

By Paul Nyathi|ZANU PF Member of Parliament Dexter Nduna is facing up to ten years imprisonment if convicted on the two charges against him.

Nduna appeared before Chegutu Magistrate Felix Chauromwe on Friday facing two charges of public violence and use of a fire arm in a public place.

The two counts carry a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment between them if he is convicted.

The ZANU PF parliamentarian won the right to represent the party once again in the Chegutu West constituency at the primary elections held over the weekend.

Allegations against him are that on Sunday he fired five shots into the air from his personal gun in public in an effort to bring to order ZANU PF supporters who were clashing over the electoral processes.

He is also charged with six other ZANU PF supporters for being involved in public violence on the same day.

Chauromwe granted Nduna $100 bail and asked him to return to the courts on the 16th of May for routine remand.

By Talent Gondo|As the country heads for the watershed polls, Zanu Pf is set to reintroduce and play party jingles using the national broadcasters including the ZBC as part of its election campaign strategies, ZimEye has learnt.

Addressing delegates attending the party’s election manifesto launch at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) in Harare (Friday), Head of the Herbert Chitepo Ideological College, Munyaradzi Machacha confirmed the development revealing that the party had composed jingles to be used during the election campaign.

“The party has composed jingles which will be used during the election campaign,” said Machacha.

Introduced by former President Robert Mugabe in 2010 through the then minister of Information minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo, jingles were played on the national broadcaster every two hours.

Composed in praise of Mugabe and the ruling party, jingles were sung by musical artists and groups such as Tambaoga and Mbare Chimurenga choir among others.

Jingles were part of Zanu Pf’s 2013 election campaign following the defeat of the party in 2008 by opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

Analysts including opposition political parties however described the move by ZBC of playing jingles as a reflection that the national broadcaster was partisan and biased in its reportage of national issues.

By Paul Nyathi|The Matabeleland South ZANU PF Provincial Coordinating Committee is pushing for a complete nullification of the primary elections held over the weekend, ZimEye.com can reveal.

Highly reliable sources within the party in Gwanda told ZimEye.com that the committee has submitted an urgent appeal to the party headquarters requesting that results from the thirteen constituencies be nullified.

The committee is reportedly claiming that the elections were flawed resulting in losing candidates raising complaints to the PCC.

“The PCC claims that it has complaints from all the thirteen constituencies on the primary election and all of them of a similar nature which is forcing for a total rerun of the whole election,” said the sources.

According to the sources, complaints being raised are that the voters roll through out the province was irregular as some cell leaders were bribed to manipulate the roll.

The sources also claim that members of the opposition MDC-T were incorporated by G40 cell leaders into the voters rolls in order to elect weaker candidates to sabotage the Lacoste faction candidates.

“The PCC claims that in places like Insiza and Umzingwane MDC-T members with ZANU PF cards were incoporated into the voters rolls.”

The sources further claim that the PCC alleges that some of the candidates were not genuine ZANU PF members and were ineligible to contest the primary elections.

The province is also alleged to be calling on the party to immediately dismiss party Secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo who they claim is a G40 functionary in the party and is directly responsible for causing the sabotage in the provincial elections.

The PCC is also reportedly demanding for the immediate recall of National Commissar Englebert Rugeje from his position accusing him of being politically immature to handle the office.

Provincial Chairman Rapelang Choene would not immediately give a comment on the matter as he was said to be in a party meeting in Harare.

As MDC leader Nelson Chamisa this week continued to hammer on the government over online document processing systems, the state has rolled out an online visa payment facility as part of efforts to facilitate travel in line with the objective of improving the ease of doing business through harnessing information communication technologies.

The Government of Zimbabwe which has prioritised e-governance in order to modernise the public sector systems and processes to improve service delivery has rolled out the online visa payment facility which will allow visitors to the country to pay the visa fee in advance.

Department of Immigration principal director Mr Clemence Masango said the system is up and running adding that the government arm is targeting to go paperless in most of its services in order to facilitate smooth movement of people and promote business.

“We believe that as an authority we have an important role to play in promoting investments and tourism. We are glad to announce that the online visa payment facility is now up and running,” he said.

As part of efforts to promote investments, the authority said it now is a position to issue resident permits within 24 hours to Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZIA) approved investors.

On the other hand online visas application can now be processed within 48hours.

Meanwhile, the Department of Immigration said it is pleased with the benefits being derived under the Kavango-Zambezi UNIVISA project between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

According to the government arm, work is now underway to integrate the UNIVISA into the main national border management systems of both countries. – state media

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga scoffed at MDC leader Nelson Chamisa today when he said the man’s spaghetti road and bullet train call is an unrealistic pipe dream.

His boss, Emmerson Mnangagwa also teamed up to denigrate Chamisa.

Speaking at the launching of the ZANU PF manifesto in Harare, Chiwenga said: “until we ask ourselves why pretenders who sell us such convoluted dummies cannot manage small traffic in our real world cities and municipalities which they control and run.

“Why reach Bulawayo in 40 minutes when Harare workers can’t reach Kuwadzana in 5 hours? Why open cans of spaghetti when potholes strangle single lane roads in the city centre.

“Shouldn’t these starry eyed juvenile politicians take us to Mabvuku after a hard day’s work before they put us on Apollo II to the moon? We shall have time to dismantle their little make belief dreams as we get down to real campaign work.

“Before they tackle our icon could they do their supporters a favour by resolving ridiculous issues that dog and hound them. We excuse them for being too young to have participated in the struggle but we can’t excuse them for mounting a bid for national leadership from a pilfered party count.”

By Paul Nyathi|Thousands of ZANU PF supporters are gathering at the Harare International Conference Centre on Friday for the official launch of the party’s election manifesto.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa will deliver the key note address and unveil the party manifesto.

The party’s candidates to contest in the elections will also be introduced to the members.

Chaos is expected to prevail when the candidates are unveiled as most of them are still under varied electoral disputes.

By Paul Nyathi|Defeated Minister of Provincial Affairs for Matabeleland South Abednico Ncube is making frantic efforts to make his way back into the ZANU PF fray after losing primary elections over the weekend.

The Minister who briefly collapsed on Monday when he got news of his loss to radio personality Omphile Marupi, is reportedly lodging an appeal with the party electoral commission claiming that Marupi was an illegible candidate.

Ncube who was heavily trounced by Marupi is twinning up with an also defeated Matabeleland South provincial chairman Rapelang Choene to try and force reversal of the voting processes in their constituencies and the entire province.

Ncube lost representation of Gwanda South while Choene lost the Beitbridge Senatorial race to Tambudzani Mohadi estranged wife to the Vice President Kembo Mohadi.

Information from within the ZANU PF offices in Gwanda indicates that Ncube claims that Marupi should be disqualified because he has not served the minimum five years in the ZANU PF structures at least at district level.

Marupi was cleared by the Electoral Commission at the party vetting process which was done at the headquarters in Harare. Ncube did not raise his concerns prior the voting.

Efforts to get a comment from the ZANU PF commissar Englebert Rugeje failed as his mobile phone went unanswered.

By Paul Nyathi|Disgraced ZBC TV Sports reporter Spencer Banda has opened up on a social media post making wild runs that he was caught pants down in another man’s bedroom.

In a statement sent to ZimEye.com by a colleague of Banda, which is also circulating in the social media, Banda apparently claims that he was kidnapped in the streets of Harare and beaten up before being photographed half naked.

“I was on my way home from Hifa then idecided to pick up my teams order yema rugby stockings. As i was waiting for my parcel on the road a car parked in front of mine and from it came out 4 gentlemen who started to assault me and one of them manhandling our Sock supplier,” says the post allegedly written by Banda.

“In the process they were accusing me of dating this woman and the mob that had gathered began to assault me. For close to 2 hrs I endured this trying to profess my innocence. When i got a chance I fled and went to the police where I filed a report and the culprits were uprehended,” says the post.

Questioned by ZimEye.com on how the reporter appears naked in the picture and at a residence not on the streets, Banda’s collegue who insisted on anonymity could not explain.

“My brother just take what we are telling you except if you have your own version which you want to push to tarnish his image go ahead and publish that,” he said.

The friend further went on to warn the ZimEye.com reporter that he should not have published the story in the first place since he is also a man and likely to be caught in the same predicament.

“You are a man too my friend, you also get involved in such situations. If I was you I would not write anything about this especially about a collegue in the industry,” he said.

The friend would also not disclose the police station where the report was made. Harare Central Police expressed ignorance on the matter.

Efforts to get Banda’s official comment on both the incident and the statement were futile.

By Paul Nyathi|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has handed over a further twenty five top of the range Toyota Hilux Double Cab vehicles to traditional chiefs who had not yet received their cars.

The cars were handed over to the chiefs at a closed door ceremony held at the ZANU PF Headquarters in Harare on Thursday afternoon.

The Chiefs who have not received the vehicles are reportedly giving President Mnangagwa sleepless nights demanding to get the cars before elections set for July or August this year.

The twenty five are part of a $14 million fleet of cars to be given to all the chiefs which government claims to be part of their work package.

The first batch of the vehicles was handed to the chiefs on the sidelines of a special ZANU PF meeting in Gweru in January.

The purchase of the vehicles which was sanctioned by former President Robert Mugabe shortly before he was kicked out of his position in a coup in November last year, has been met with huge criticism from all sectors in the country.

Zimbabweans generally believe that the ZANU PF government is using the vehicles as a vote buying tool from the chiefs.

By Paul Nyathi|Prominent ZBC TV Sports reporter Spencer Banda on Friday hit social media headlines with a picture of him half naked making circulations.

Allegations are that Banda was caught in a compromising position with a married woman in her matrimonial bed by the woman’s husband.

According to the reports, Banda was thoroughly beaten by the husband before he was dumped outside the apartment half naked.

ZimEye.com efforts to get a comment from Banda were futile.

However, a fellow sports journalists close to Banda who would not be named downplayed the matter claiming that social media could be distorting the matter.

“I have not spoken to Banda yet but there are a lot of possibilities around that picture which social media is not giving time to verify,” he said.

“I can only pray and hope that he is safe as his mobile phone is not reachable since the picture went viral,” said the journalist.

By Paul Nyathi| The man who is known for making several threats on people among whom is a woman he made death threats on, the Vice President of the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T Obert Gutu claims that he is getting continuous death threats on his mobile phone.

The former MDC-T Chamisa spokesperson revealed in a sensational Facebook post on Thursday that he feels unsafe due to the threats coming through from South African mobile numbers.

Coincidentally and ironically, Gutu is the same who once threatened to kill on a woman based in South Africa via a cellphone sms.

This time he claims he has received threats from South Africa.

“Over the past few months, I have been receiving death threats on my mobile phone from several South African – registered mobile phone numbers,” Gutu said.

Gutu left the MDC-T led by Nelson Chamisa with former Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe after refusing to accept Chamisa as a legal leader of the party.

Meanwhile, Gutu also claims that there was a break in at his law chambers on Wednesday night which he believes to be politically motivated.

According to Gutu the burglars brutally attacked the security guard at the firm leaving him for dead before ransacking the building and leaving without taking anything.

“There was a break – in at Negona Chambers around midnight on Wednesday, May 2,2018. More than ten (10) burglars armed with iron bars broke into our premises and severely assaulted the security guard who was on duty,” he said.

“The guard suffered very serious head injuries and we evacuated him to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.

“The thugs vandalised the outside alarm system sensors and they also broke the kitchen door using iron bars.The timeous arrival of two (2) Safeguard Security reaction teams saved our security guard’s life since he had been left for dead.

“The thugs ran away without stealing anything.”

By Paul Nyathi | A final year student nurse at Gweru hospital is languishing in remand prison after squandering $54 000 “miraculously” deposited into his CABS Bank account last year.

Twenty Four year old Kelvin Kutadza of Mkoba 19 in Gweru has been sentenced after pleading guilty to 54 counts of fraud totalling $54 052.34 .

According to the court, sometime in July last year, CABS Bank erroneously deposited the money into Kutadza’s bank account following a system failure, money which Kutadza went on to squander by making various transfers into his mobile phone account and into his MBCA Bank Account.

Kutadza went on to buy a house in Mkoba 19 for $32 000 and two cars worth $10 500 using part of the money. $2 300 was recovered when the bank realised the mistake last week leading to his arrest.

In his defence, Kutadza confessed to being a highly devoted Christian and believed that the money was miracle money which he had been promised in church.

“When I saw the money in my account, I honestly believed that my prayers for miracle money had been answered that is why I used the money,” Kutadza told the court.

He pleaded with the court to forgive him and allow him to finish his training as a nurse where he is due to graduate on the 5th of May. He pleaded that he was going to dispose the house and cars to pay back the money to the bank.

The bank is also reportedly investigating two other people who benefited from the error and swindled the financial institution  of over $200 000. The bank has since dismissed thirteen of its information technology staff members over the system technical failures.

FORMER deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe, who now leads a splinter group of the MDC-T after the acrimonious split that followed a leadership wrangle in the aftermath of founding opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai’s death in February, has virtually ruled out talks aimed at re-unification.

The new MDC-T leader, Nelson Chamisa and his group have been saying there was a possibility of talks with Khupe ahead of general elections set for later this year. But Khupe’s deputy, Obert Gutu yesterday said there was no way this was possible.

“I cannot say much for now, but given that I handle issues of strategy and policy in our party, there are certain values that make it impossible for a re-unification, let alone talks,” he said.

On Monday, the former deputy Justice minister used social media to declare his disdain for the Chamisa group.

“Anyone who thinks the MDC-T will re-unite with a group of people who are vindictive, insincere and violent might as well believe that tomorrow the sun will rise in the west and set in the east,” Gutu said.

Asked to explain, Gutu added: “There are certain benchmarks we follow whether we are talking to these people [Chamisa and his acolytes] or any other political formation. As long as these are not met, then they can forget.”

Chamisa said they were way ahead of Khupe.

“We have people who are worried over our friend whom we used to work with who is in Bulawayo, she might cause confusion in the forthcoming elections, well are advanced and far ahead of her in terms of strategy. Fear not, that matter was concluded, there will be no confusion. When our late leader Morgan Tsvangirai passed on, he left us with a vision of unity, but there are others who have a bad spirit of division. We will deal with that person and we will deal with the issue of our symbol and go to elections and vote for MDC-T which will be clearly branded,” he said.

However, MDC-T secretary-general, Douglas Mwonzora insisted that the MDC-T needed talks to bring the warring factions together.

“We are not going to tire what brings us together is more than that which separates us, public pronouncements are not what informs talks between parties, when doors are closed we know we are closer to each other.

“We are not giving up on dialogue. It is the way to go in the new Zimbabwean politics and we must always be seen to be tolerant of each other’s views. To that end we will continue reaching out to the other group,” he said.

The two groups are already engaged in a nasty legal battle over the use of the party name with Chamisa having already approached the Supreme Court to appeal a High Court decision made in Bulawayo temporarily allowing Khupe the freedom to continue using the MDC-T logo and other associated paraphernalia.

Justice Francis Bere ruled that the two factions needed to seek the help of an arbitrator for a determination on the matter of who had the legitimate right to use the name of the party, adding that as things stood, it was not clear who was the leader.

Source: Newsday

By Paul Nyathi|Vice President of the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T Obert Gutu claims that he is getting continuous death threats on his mobile phone.

The former MDC-T Chamisa spokesperson revealed in a sensational Facebook post on Thursday that he feels unsafe due to the threats coming through from South African mobile numbers.

Coincidentally and ironically, Gutu is the same who once threatened to kill on a woman based in South Africa via a cellphone sms.

This time he claims he has received threats from South Africa.

“Over the past few months, I have been receiving death threats on my mobile phone from several South African – registered mobile phone numbers,” Gutu said.

Gutu left the MDC-T led by Nelson Chamisa with former Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe after refusing to accept Chamisa as a legal leader of the party.

Meanwhile, Gutu also claims that there was a break in at his law chambers on Wednesday night which he believes to be politically motivated.

According to Gutu the burglars brutally attacked the security guard at the firm leaving him for dead before ransacking the building and leaving without taking anything.

“There was a break – in at Negona Chambers around midnight on Wednesday, May 2,2018. More than ten (10) burglars armed with iron bars broke into our premises and severely assaulted the security guard who was on duty,” he said.

“The guard suffered very serious head injuries and we evacuated him to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.

“The thugs vandalised the outside alarm system sensors and they also broke the kitchen door using iron bars.The timeous arrival of two (2) Safeguard Security reaction teams saved our security guard’s life since he had been left for dead.

“The thugs ran away without stealing anything.”

By Talent Gondo|The Zimbabwe Rural Teachers Union (ZRTU) says it will not join the planned industrial action which has been declared by other teachers union bodies when schools open next week saying that the body’s membership have resolved to give dialogue and negotiations with their employer a chance.

Vice President of the ZRTU, Gibson Muhlangu said rural teachers will report for duty when schools open on May 9 pending the organisation’s meeting with government slated for May 11 2018.

“Rural teachers will report for duty when schools open and we are not going to join the industrial strike,” said Muhlangu.

He said the outcome of the May 11 meeting would however determine whether rural teachers will join the strike or not.

“Teachers have gone for half a decade without a salary increase and it is a known fact that inflation has eroded the current salaries that they are getting,” he said.

Muhlangu however said one of the reasons why rural teachers were not joining the planned industrial action was to give dialogue a chance following the April 20 meeting with their employer whose outcome will be communicated two days after schools open.

“We are meeting the employer on May 11 and this is only two days after schools open.

“We are therefore reporting for duty because our course of action will be determined by what is going to be communicated to us when we meet government at our scheduled meeting,” he said.

Muhlangu said rural teachers were unhappy with their salaries, rural allowances and the issue of leave days hence they had tabled their demands to government last month.

“We will give government the benefit of doubt thereafter we will map the way forward and know whether we will down our tools or not.

“Whatever they tell us will be the point of departure for our actions,” he said.

The statement by the body which represents some of the rural teachers comes amid declarations by most of the teachers’ union bodies including the Federation of Zimbabwe Educators Union (FOZEU), the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Zimbabwe Teachers’ Union (ZIMTA), Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union (ARTU), Zimbabwe National Teachers’ Union (ZINATU), Zimbabwe Democratic Teachers Union (ZDTU) and Professional Educators’ Union of Zimbabwe (PEUZ) indicating that teachers will embark on a nationwide strike when schools open next week.

By Talent Gondo|The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned of a possible influx of Mozambican refugees in Zimbabwe following indications that there are already over 6 000 refugees camped at the buffer zone between the two countries waiting to be relocated to Tongogara Camp in Chipinge.

The WFP reports that the number of refugees who have entered Zimbabwe increased in 2017 due to violent clashes between the Mozambican government forces and Renamo.

Reports also indicate that there is renewed insecurity in the Kasai Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a development which could also increase the number of refugees in the country.

WFP Country Director, Eddie Rowe revealed that the country could experience serious health challenges due to the influx of refugees adding that there is need to ensure targeted interventions to redress this challenge.

Rowe said this while responding to questions during an event to mark one year of progress under the WFP Zimbabwe’s five-year strategic plan in Harare (Monday).

“If nothing is done, the situation could lead to serious health problems ranging from malnutrition due to food shortages and water and sanitation-related diseases,” he said.

“Tongogara refugee camp may not be able to handle the increased number of refugees,” he said.

By Talent Gondo|Only 22 female legislators have made it in Zanu Pf primary elections to represent their party in the forthcoming 2018 harmonised polls.

The polls, marred by violence, intimidation, allegations of ballot stuffing and rigging saw some of the provinces such as Mashonaland Central failing to elect even a single woman to contest for the position of member of parliament in the next elections.

In Harare and Bulawayo metropolitan provinces, Betty Kaseke and Maidei Mpala are the only two that made it, according to a list released by the party glimpsed by ZimEye.

Some of the few women that made it are Nokutula Matsikenyere who is going to contest for the Manicaland seat, Nancy Saungwe for Mutare Central, Siphiwe Mupfungaidze for Marondera West, Irene Sekai Nzenza representing Chikomba East, Mhangura’s Precious Masango.

Mary Mliswa is set to contest Hurungwe West, Berita Chikwama for Gutu East, Stembiso Nyoni for Nkayi North, Stembile Gumbo for Lupane East, Mwenezi West will be contested by Priscilla Moyo, Chirumanzu contested by Babra Rwodzi, Chido Sanyatwe for Nyanga North, Mabel Chinomona for Mutoko North, Yeukai Simbanegavi for Gutu North, Ntokozisi Manoki Mpofu for Silobela and Ruth Manungo Mabhoyi will contest Beitbridge West.

Below is the full list of the candidates that made it in the Zanu Pf primary elections.

By Paul Nyathi|The Minister Of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa says that smoking of mbanje remains illegal besides the new government regulations on the production of the weed.

In a statement on Wednesday, Parirenyatwa said that the thrust for legalising its production is specifically for medicinal and industrial purposes and not recreational smoking of the drug.

“Possession of cannabis other than for medicinal or scientific purposes is therefore still illegal in Zimbabwe. For emphasis, licencing is imperative for medicinal or industrial cannabis use,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

He said those licensed to produce cannabis will be doing so under very strict regulations.

These include operating under cameras to ensure that they do not abuse their trust by using the drug for any other purposes other than those stipulated in the law.

In Zimbabwe manje controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Act (Chapter 15:02) and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act (Chapter 9:23) and is treated as a prohibited drug for recreational purposes.

Dr Parirenyatwa said the gazetting of Statutory Instrument 62 of 2018 on production of Cannabis for medicinal and scientific use outline the requirements for one to be licensed.

It also specifies the conditions to be fulfilled for one to grow cannabis, process and export the plant and its products.

He said the type of cannabis that Government was promoting is called sativa sativa, which has enormous benefits both industrial and medicinal but less narcotic.

Dr Parirenyatwa said Government values contributions from all its stakeholders and will continue consulting on the issue as the industry grows.

“Government will use a multi-sectoral approach to coordinate and regulate this industry as it develops.

This will include health, industry, agriculture, home affairs, customs, academia and the private sector, among others.

“These regulations do not therefore mean that this is a free for all in growing and processing hemp. You have to be licensed,” he said.

Asked on the rationale behind the $50 000 licensing fee for one to grow hemp, Dr Parirenyatwa said Government considered the potential of income revenue to be generated in the industry.

By Paul Nyathi|President Mnangagwa has outrightly declined deploying police officers to help in the running of the just ended ZANU PF Primary Elections.

In a statement issued by his information offices, Mnangagwa described the use of police officers and other security agencies in the management of ZANU PF primary elections by some aspiring candidates as criminal ordering the practice to stop forthwith.

Mnangagwa said the conflation of party and State institutions had no room in the new dispensation.

In the statement released by the acting secretary in the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Mr Regis Chikowore, President Mnangagwa said law enforcement agencies should be deployed only to maintain law and order.

Mnangagwa’s disclaimer follows media reports that some aspiring candidates enlisted the services of the police and CIO in a bid to win in the primary elections.

“There is a story in one of our local dailies alleging that ZANU PF abused police officers and other security agencies during its primaries over the weekend either as polling officers or running other party chores,” President Mnangagwa said.

“The story creates the wrong impression that the alleged abuses were sanctioned by His Excellency the President, in violation of the country’s Constitution and against his own pledge that State institutions would not be partisan, thereby undermining their constitutional roles as impartial arbiters in the electoral process.

“The story also suggests that it is the official policy of zanu-pf to enlist the involvement of security arms in party chores and processes. The President in his capacity as both leader of a political party and Head of Government wishes to make it abundantly clear to all and sundry that it is neither the policy of zanu-pf nor the direction of Government, through him, to deploy the police force or any arm of the security establishment in helping with any party function, least of all as presiding or returning officers in party primary elections.

“Any such instances, which might have occurred in the just-ended party primary elections would amount to a breach of zanu-pf policy and certainly a flagrant violation of the laws of the land which must be roundly condemned and stopped forthwith.”

President Mnangagwa said any party officials or officers of the security establishment caught abusing arms and personnel of security would be dealt with “severely”.

“Let it be known that conflation of party and State institutions as might have happened in the past will not be allowed under the new dispensation where the electoral playing field must be seen to be fair and even,” he said.

“Having said this, it must be acknowledged and accepted that our law enforcement agencies should and will be deployed to ensure law, order and the preservation of peace wherever people gather, including for political purposes.

“Government relies on all those in political leadership to send this clear message to their parties and their membership.”

By Paul Nyathi|Heavy violence erupted at the ZANU PF Chegutu West primary elections on Monday resulting in sitting Member of Parliament for the constituency Dexter Nduna firing live ammunition into the air causing a major mayhem.

Nduna was subsequently arrested on Tuesday on charges of public violence and discharging a firearm in a public place.

Trouble started at Chenengundu Primary School polling station when ZANU PF supporters backing Nduna clashed with rival supporters disrupting voting which led to Nduna firing five shots into the air in a bid to bring order.

Voting was suspended until the feuding parties agreed to resume voting on Tuesday with Nduna eventually winning the election.

Nduna appeared before Chegutu magistrate Mr Felix Chauromwe on Wednesday for initial remand.

He was remanded in custody and is expected back in court on Thursday for bail hearing.

He is jointly charged with Munyaradzi Simango (30) and Takemore Maphosa (18) on public violence charges. The two were also remanded in custody pending bail hearing.

The state, led by Mr Vote Zishiri, is expected to respond to their bail applications on Thursday.

Simango collapsed in court due to injuries he sustained in the clashes. He had to be treated under the watchful eye of prison guards.

A story in one of our local dailies alleges that Zanu PF abused police officers and other security agencies during its primaries over the weekend either as polling officers or running other errands Party chores. The story creates the wrong impression that the alleged abuses were sanctioned by His Excellency the President, Cde E.D Mnangagwa, in flagrant violation of the country’s Constitution and against his own pledge that state institutions would not be partisan, thereby undermining their constitutional roles as impartial arbiters in the electoral process. The story also suggests that it is the official policy of Zanu PF to enlist the involvement of security arms in Party chores and processes.

The President in his capacity as both leader of a political party and Head of Government wishes to make it abundantly clear to all and sundry that it is neither the policy of Zanu PF nor the direction of Government, through him, to deploy the police force or any arm of the security establishment in helping with any party function, list of all as presiding or returning officers in Party primary elections. Any such instances, which might have occurred in the just ended party primary election would amount to a breach of ZANU PF policy and certainly a flagrant violation of the laws of the land which must be roundly condemned and stopped forthwith. Any officials of the Party or officers of the security establishment caught abusing arms and personnel of security as alleged in the story will be dealt with severely.

Let it be known that any conflation of Party and State institutions as might have happened in the past will not be allowed under the new dispensation where the electoral playing field must be seen to be fair and even. Having said this, it must be acknowledged and accepted that our law enforcement agencies should and will be deployed to ensure law, order and the preservation of the peace wherever people gather, including for political purposes. Government relies on all those in political leadership to send this clear message to their parties and their membership. The President reiterates his pledge to ensure a plebiscite which is free, fair and an uncontested expression of the will of the people of Zimbabwe. To that end, Government has invited all manner of observers to bear witness to the fulfillment of this pledge.

Regis Chikowore

Acting Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services

ZANU PF leader, President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday said the use of police officers and other security agencies in the management of Zanu-PF primary elections by some of the party’s aspiring candidates is illegal.

Mnangagwa’s position was stated by one his male office staff members who said,

“a story in one of our local dailies alleges that Zanu-PF abused police officers and other security agencies during its primaries over the weekend either as polling officers or running other party chores,” President Mnangagwa said.

“The story creates the wrong impression that the alleged abuses were sanctioned by His Excellency the President, Cde E.D Mnangagwa in flagrant violation of the country’s constitution and against his own pledge that State institutions would not be partisan, thereby undermining their constitutional roles as impartial arbiters in the electoral process. The story also suggests that it is the official policy of Zanu-PF to enlist the involvement of security arms in party chores and processes. The President in his capacity as both leader of a political party and Head of Government wishes to make it abundantly clear to all and sundry that it is neither the policy of Zanu-PF nor the direction of Government, through him, to deploy the police force or any arm of the security establishment in helping with any party function, least of all as presiding or returning officers in party primary elections. Any such instances, which might have occurred in the just ended party primary elections would amount to a breach of Zanu-PF policy and certainly a flagrant violation of the laws of the land which must be roundly condemned and stopped forthwith,”

President Mnangagwa said any party officials or officers of the security establishment caught abusing arms and personnel of security would be dealt with “severely”.
“Let it be known that conflation of party and State institutions as might have happened in the past will not be allowed under the new dispensation where the electoral playing field must be seen to be fair and even,” he said.

“Having said this, it must be acknowledged and accepted that our law enforcement agencies should and will be deployed to ensure law, order and the preservation of peace wherever people gather, including for political purposes. Government relies on all those in political leadership to send this clear message to their parties and their membership. The President reiterates his pledge to ensure a plebiscite which is free, fair and an uncontested expression of the will of the people of Zimbabwe. To that end, Government has invited all manner of observers to bear witness to the fulfilment of this pledge.” – state media

A male nurse stationed at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) who was accused of fondling a 19-year-old female patient’s breasts and buttocks after she allegedly spurned his proposal, was yesterday acquitted.

Tayedza Kangara (38) of Tshabalala suburb was facing charges of indecent assault when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Sheunesu Matova. In acquitting Kangara, the magistrate ruled that there was no sufficient evidence linking the accused person to the alleged offence.

“I am convinced that the evidence adduced by the State through its witness falls below the threshold of proof beyond reasonable doubt as, apart from the complainant’s word against the accused, there was no evidence to substantiate the State case,” said Mr Matova.

He said the complainant also gave different versions of her encounter with the accused person to the hospital ward’s sister-in-charge.

“The explanation by the accused person that he did not indecently assault the complainant is reasonably true in the circumstances. Accordingly, I will therefore return a verdict of not guilty and the accused person is acquitted,” ruled Mr Matova.

Prosecuting, Mr Charles Danda had alleged that on March 5 this year shortly after midnight, the complainant was in her bed at Pettigrew Ward at the UBH where she was admitted.
The court heard that Kangara spotted the complainant from a distance and went to her bed while other nurses were busy in the duty room.

Mr Danda said Kangara proposed love to the bedridden patient and she turned him down.
“The accused person then pleaded with the complainant that he wanted to see her privately at a secluded place for a few minutes, but she refused. Kangara insisted on seeing the complainant and feeling insecure and sensing danger, the patient decided to record the conversation using her mobile phone,” said the prosecutor.

Kangara then told the complainant that he was going to give her a sign so that she would come to where he was.

The court heard that the complainant alerted one of the nurses that Kangara was proposing love to her.

“The accused then called the complainant and she kicked a metal trolley to alert other nurses but they did not follow her,” said Mr Danda.

When the complainant joined Kangara at the agreed place, the accused allegedly hugged the teenager and started fondling her breasts and buttocks.

The complainant narrated her ordeal to the sister-in-charge who in turn reported the matter to the police leading to Kangara’s arrest. – state media

A 63-YEAR-OLD Gokwe man allegedly raped his six-year-old granddaughter at knife point on two consecutive nights while her mother was sleeping in the same room.
He allegedly threatened to kill the minor if she told anyone about the sex attack.

The man, whose name cannot be disclosed to protect the minor, appeared before Gokwe Magistrate Mr Christopher Maturure facing rape charges.

He was remanded in custody to today for trial after he pleaded not guilty. The State led by Mr Tinei Tirigo alleges that at an unknown date but earlier this year, the man sneaked into the bedroom hut where the juvenile was sleeping with her mother.

The old man allegedly proceed to where the girl was sleeping and threatened to stab her to death with a knife that he was holding, if she screamed.

The court heard he forced himself on the girl while her mother was fast asleep on the other side of the room.
After the incident, the man threatened to kill the girl if she disclosed the act to anyone.
The following morning, the girl told her aunt who advised her to conceal the rape.

The following night, the old man used the same modus operandi to rape the girl and threatened to kill her if she dared disclose the matter.

The following morning, seeing that her aunt took no action, she reported the matter to a neighbour.

The villager told the Village Head who in turn reported the matter to Nembudziya Police Station leading to the man’s arrest. – state media

By Talent Gondo| Norton’s Independent Member of Parliament, Temba Mliswa has hailed the Zimbabwe Republic Police for a job well done in executing their duty and apprehending armed robbers suspected to be child kidnappers residing in his constituency.

Mliswa said the vigilence of the police was exemplary and they did a good job which should be commended.

“The vigilance of the police is exemplary, thank you for a job well done,” said Mliswa in a tweet below.

I wish to commend Norton Police for apprehending the armed robbers. Details surrounding the children that were found with the robbers are still being investigated but the vigilance of the police is exemplary, thank you and well done for a good job

— Sabhuku Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) May 2, 2018

Mliswa’s appreciation of the ZRP comes after police yesterday apprehended armed robbers suspected to be child kidnappers in Norton.

The robbers were reportedly arrested and about 7 children aged between 4 and 11 were discovered.

Efforts to get a comment from the ZRP were futile.

By Paul Nyathi|The 2018 election mood is definitely heating up.

Preaident Emmerson Mnangagwa has set the Presidential campaign ball rolling by unveiling the biggest campaign poster in the history of Zimbabwe in the Harare City Centre.

Mnangagwa is likely to square up with over 120 other presidential hopefuls though his biggest rival will be the MDC Alliance candidate Nelson Chamisa.

By Paul Nyathi|National Spokesperson for the Luciah Matibenga led People’s Democratic Party splinter, a member of the Joice Mujuru led People’s Rainbow Coalition has quit the party.

George Mkhwanazi advised party Secretary General Gorden Moyo through an e-mail on Tuesday that he was quitting the party with immediate effect.

Mkhwanazi said that he was quitting the party because of varied differences he is having with the party that effectively affect his operations as the publicity officer of the party.

Mkhwanazi is the second information officer in as many days within the People’s Rainbow Coalition to quit following the resignation of Methuseli Moyo the NPP deputy national spokesperson.

By Paul Nyathi|The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association has officially communicated that its members will be involved in a collective industrial action from the 8th of May.

The ZIMTA Secretary General Nganunu Sibanda advised the member teachers in a letter dated the 1st of May that they must withdraw services beginning Tuesday 8th of May on schools opening day.

“This letter serves to inform educators and education administrators in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of the strike action beginning Tuesday 8th May 2018,” read the letter.

The teachers’ grievances are over allowances that government last paid them before the dollarisation era and the low salaries.

Further to that, the teachers are up in arms with government’s 2016 decision to block all leave.

Government has meantime warned that it will dismiss all teachers who will engage in the industrial action.

Last month, the government dismissed about 20 000 nurses who engaged in a strike action for an increase in their salaries and review of working conditions.

The teachers’ union assured its members that it will provide legal protection to any of its members who will be victimised during the industrial action.

By Own Correspondent| The state broadcaster, ZBC was this morning criticised for flooding it’s FB media space with the below campaign banner pictures which are for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s candidacy. This development is coming at a time when many citizens are struggling under a failing economy.

Some of the comments from the povo were –  “Uku ndokunonzi kupererwa. Zera remwana wacho wavarikurwa naye so, unonyatsoona kuti ndokupenga chaiko ko sei vasingagute. They destroy lives of generations and generations this people, but havanatsitsi.” – Munyaradzi Taderera: 

But I love what you’re doing ZBC to continue posting Zanu PF staff whilst you know kuti vanhu vanoivenga. The more you post ndiko. kuvengwa kwayo – Noah Mariga