A Bulawayo man has been arrested for allegedly smashing an aerial filming drone worth more than R21 000.

Nathan Chikanya (29) of Sizinda suburb allegedly damaged the filming drone when it fell and landed on the ground while its owner Mr Clayton Chehore was filming some videos on Saturday.

Bulawayo magistrate Mr Franklin Mkhwananzi did not ask Chikanya to plead to charges of malicious damage to property on Monday.

He granted him $100 bail and remanded the matter to today (Wednesday) for trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Mclean Ndlovu alleged that the incident occurred at around 6PM near Zimnat house along Jason Moyo Street between 10th and 11 Avenue, Bulawayo.

“The complainant was filming some videos using an aerial filming drone and during the process the drone landed on the ground. The accused person approached and kicked the drone for no apparent reason,” he said.

“The machine valued at R21 932 was damaged. Mr Chehore apprehended Chikanya and took him to the police station.” – State Media

Two (2) Bulawayo men aided by 5 others allegedly assaulted a bar man at a local city club after accusing Mr Vincent Sithole of stealing a cellphone.

The two allegedly handcuffed and assaulted Sithole.

They appeared before Mr Franklin Mkhwananzi charged with assault and theft.

Michael Damein Scott (42) and Matthew Cooper Muzenda (20) with five men who are still on the run, accused Mr Vincent Sithole of stealing a cellphone at the club.

The gang allegedly dragged Sithole into the backroom of the club where they assaulted him with a knobkerrie all over the body. They allegedly stole his two cellphones and $20.
Mr Sithole sustained a broken arm and finger from the alleged assault.

Scott and Muzenda pleaded not guilty to assault and theft charges before Mr Mkhwananzi who granted each of them $50 bail.

He remanded the matter to April 20 for trial. – state media

The Department of Immigration says it’s time to market Zimbabwe through the amendment of visa regime between Zimbabwe and the United States of America.

The governments of Zimbabwe and USA have agreed on viable solutions to ease the movement of American tourists as they will be required to pay at least $160 for visa permits the whole year.
Principal director immigration Mr Clemence Masango told the ZBC News at a news briefing in Harare that the move will benefit the country as it will attract tourists who can increase the country’s revenue and earn the much needed foreign currency.

“US government officials now qualify for multiple entries for a year at fee of $160,” he said.
The agreement also touched on institutions of higher learning for students study permits which have been reduced from $200 to $160.

In a stunning development, many long-serving Zanu PF stalwarts have fallen by the wayside in the party’s selection of candidates who will participate in this year’s watershed elections, the Daily News can reveal.

This comes as dozens of other party heavyweights, who include serving and former Cabinet ministers, will also have to contend with newcomers who include the youths in primary elections across the country which have been set for May.

The looming elections will be the first in the past two decades not to feature ousted former president Robert Mugabe and the late popular opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Such has been the interest generated by the elections among Zimbabweans that a number of opposition leaders are also set to contest President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the presidential plebiscite.

The emergence of Nelson Chamisa in particular, as the new MDC leader, appears to have energised opposition supporters, especially the youths, who see him as a viable alternative to Mnangagwa.
The Daily News established yesterday that long-serving Zanu PF politicians, Edna Madzongwe and Webster Shamu, are among the biggest causalities of the Zanu PF provincial pruning process that was held at the weekend to choose candidates for the party.

Madzongwe apparently threw in the towel during the Mashonaland West provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC) meeting, where Shamu’s bid to retain Chegutu East constituency was punctured by the province’s youth chairperson Vengai Musengi who will not be contested in the primary elections.
Shamu, a war veteran and former broadcaster — whose tumultuous political career drew comparisons with the proverbial nine lives of a cat because of his stunning comebacks from previous party challenges — had been expected to contest in the primary elections unopposed.

This was especially so after he was surprisingly retained by Mnangagwa when the new president announced his maiden Cabinet after assuming power at the end of last year.
Then, Shamu had been in his position as Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs minister for less than a month, after Mugabe had previously recalled him from the wilderness following the 2014 ruling party purges which led to the expulsion of former vice president Joice Mujuru and several other Zanu PF bigwigs.

On the other hand, Madzongwe had held many high posts both in Zanu PF and in government since 1984. She is currently the president of the Senate.

The veteran politician was touted as one of the senior Zanu PF politicians at some point who could have replaced Mujuru, but eventually lost out to Mnangagwa.

At the height of the party’s ugly factional wars which pitted Mnangagwa against the Generation 40 (G40) faction, Madzongwe’s name was also often mentioned as one of the women candidates likely to be the beneficiary of the quota system that was being agitated for by the women’s league then led by Grace Mugabe.

Officials who claimed to have been frustrated by the regional PCC yesterday accused Mashonaland West provincial chairperson and Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi of pursuing vindictive politics.
“All aspiring qualifying candidates who wanted to contest … were disqualified on trumped up allegations, disloyalty to the party among others being on top of the list.

“War veterans and all affiliates’ CVs were put in the bin together with all the rejected but worthy candidates, ready for dispatch to the national elections,” one of the disgruntled party bigwigs told the Daily News.

He also alleged that the provincial leadership bore grudges from the time of Zanu PF’s ugly factional ructions which ended with the G40 being vanquished.

Similarly, former Mines minister Walter Chidakwa was also left out in the cold at the weekend, as his CV was not even taken into consideration.

However, Ziyambi told the Daily News that his executive had only made recommendations to be submitted to the national elections directorate, which is headed by the ruling party’s political commissar Engelbert Rugeje.

“There was no favouritism at all. I don’t do those things. My job is to just compile a list according to the rules of the party. I just look at the CVs and then refer them to the national elections directorate.
“All the CVs are there. But Madzongwe is not contesting. She just withdrew from the race,” Ziyambi said.

Ziyambi himself will not be contested in Zvimba West, while Tourism minister Prisca Mupfumira has no challenger as well for the senatorial post in Makonde.
Keith Guzah (Hurungwe West), Dexter Nduna (Chegutu West), Philip Chiyangwa (Zvimba South) and Christopher Mutsvangwa will also all not be contested after their potential challengers were allegedly kicked out.

Meanwhile, the province’s former chairperson, now an Independent MP for Norton, Temba Mliswa, warned that the alleged shenanigans of the Mash West party leadership could cost Mnangagwa in the elections — further predicting another “Bhora musango” scenario.

“MDC Alliance is gaining momentum whilst Zanu PF plots its implosion. When talking about this we’re labelled Chamisa fans but they’re scoring own goals, Bhora musango!

“We’re nearing a 2008 scenario where this time the junta’ll be powerless & under pressure for free, fair & credible elections,” Mliswa said on micro blogging site Twitter.

“People like Marian Chombo & (Bright) Matonga were left out after being asked to rejoin the party. Thank God I’d the foresight & God’s wisdom to avoid the embarrassment of rejoining the party only to be sidelined. They wanted to humiliate me but I remain standing. ED’s in trouble in Mash West.

“Whilst EDM has them at heart, Zanu PF is no longer for the WVs (war veterans). Even in the fiscus, Chinamasa excludes them and they are still paupers. It is only people such as myself, and some in the opposition like Chamisa and Masihairabwi,” Mliswa added.

Mliswa is set to slug it out with Mnangagwa’s special adviser and chairperson of the war veterans, Mutsvangwa, in the Norton constituency in the coming elections.

It is well known that there is no love lost between the two men, who last month traded barbs over who would win the constituency in the forthcoming elections.

In Mashonaland East, Sydney Sekeramayi, who at one time was touted as Mugabe’s successor, is also facing a testing time to his political career.

He will have to prove his mettle against war veterans provincial chairperson Daniel Sigauke and Philemon Mutongi for the Senate seat.

Defeat for Sekeramayi, who was a Cabinet ever-present since Zanu PF came to power in 1980, would almost certainly mark the end of his long political career.

Sekeramayi presided over some of the most key ministries in Mugabe’s successive governments —
including being Defence minister and State Security minister three times each in the two portfolios.
But Mnangagwa overlooked him in Cabinet and the only recognisable post he now holds is that of being a Senator.

The provincial executive there, led by Biggie Joel Matiza, also allegedly wrote damning recommendations against perceived allies of former vice president Joice Mujuru or Mugabe — who is reportedly the brains behind the National Patriotic Front (NPF) that is led by retired brigadier-general Ambrose Mutinhiri.

Uzumba legislator Simbaneuta Mudarikwa, Maramba’s Washington Musvaire, Felix Mhona of Chikomba Central, Jeremiah Chiwetu (Marondera East), Lawrence Katsiru (Marondera Central), Beata Nyamupinga (Goromonzi) and Tendai Makunde in Murewa North all face uncertainty as their names have been linked to the annihilated G40 faction.

While Matiza confirmed that his executive had made its recommendations to the national elections directorate, he said these were confidential.

“We do not give the final say as a province. We only recommend to a higher office, but what recommendation we made remains confidential. So, you might say so and so has been disqualified only to be accepted by the national office,” he said.

In Chikomba East, incumbent MP Edgar Mbwembwe will be contested by State media columnist Sekai Nzenza, while Mhona — who is accused of being a Mujuru ally — will battle it out with youth league secretary for science and technology and central committee member Edmore Kandira and Alfred Pedzisa respectively.

In Marondera Central, Chiwetu faces a tough test against Patrick Chidhakwa, the chairperson of Marondera Rural District Council.

In Seke rural, incumbent Phineas Chihota’s political life hangs in the balance as he will face Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s mother in-law, Helga Mubaiwa, who is also wife to Dynamos chairperson Kenni Mubaiwa.

In Masvingo Province, at least all legislators in Chiredzi, including former provincial chairperson Kallisto Gwanetsa are battling for survival after they were given adverse recommendations by the provincial executive led by Ezra Chadzamira.

“The process is going on very well. There is no one who has been disqualified so far because the process is still ongoing. What we have just done is to make recommendations based on one’s track record,” Chadzamira said. Daily News

The Bulawayo City Council yesterday averted a “faeces protest” by angry residents in Entumbane suburb who say they have been living with raw sewage flowing through their homes for almost two weeks.

More to follow. . .

The appointment of current Grain Marketing Board (GMB) managing director Mr Rockie Mutenha is under spotlight amid indications that his assumption of duties at the parastatal was unprocedural.

His appointment is said to be allegedly influenced by the former Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Dr Joseph Made.

It’s an issue that exposes some of the underlying factors affecting the performance of parastatals.

The appointment of GMB managing director came under intense scrutiny which dragged Dr Made who appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement chaired by Cde Justice Mayor Wadyajena, accused of influencing the final decision that brought in Mr Mutenha ahead of two candidates who had scored higher points from the interviews held in search of the candidate for the post.

These inquiries were met with vehement denials by the former agriculture minister.

An earlier appearance before the same committee by the GMB deputy board chairperson Mr  Basilio Sandamu had indicated that the former minister had indeed influenced decisions at the parastatal with the evidence being rolled out before him, yet still he  maintained his position.

Further enquiries from committee member Honourable Temba Mliswa was met with thinly veiled defences from both the GMB members and the former minister.

The legislator questions the rationale used in hiring Mutenha who from presented evidence before the committee was third from the results of the interviews held at the parastatal behind Ms Millicent Mombeshora who came in as the second highest.

Thinly veiled defences by the GMB members and Dr Made crashed after some indication by one of the board members that indeed there was some measure of influence on Mr Mutenha’s appointment.

The anomalies in the appointment of this executive at the parastatal is a tip of the iceberg  of the graft which has affected the institution with revelations that the firm flouted auction rules and guidelines when it auctioned some of its properties in 2011.- state media

Four people died on Tuesday morning when a vehicle they were traveling in veered off the road and overturned at the 38km peg along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Road near Bhati Business Centre.

Masvingo Province Acting police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa confirmed the accident.

More details to follow

By Talent Gondo

Chitungwiza Referral Hospital, is in dire need of USD1,1 million to kick start kidney transplants at the health institution which services an estimated 1,5 million inhabitants from Chitungwiza and parts of Mashonaland East.

The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Obediah Moyo told stakeholders at the launch of the hospital’s fundraising initiative for the kidney transplant unit that the money was needed for medicines, transplant and dialysis equipment and consumables among other.

Dr Moyo said while commendable progress had been made towards operationalising the kidney centre, the centre still required $200 000 for additional medical equipment, $43 000 for an air conditioning plant, $35 000 for radiology equipment, $30 000 for further training of professionals, $26 000 for theatre instruments, $15 000 for water reticulation and $10 000 for infection control detergents.

“We are now entering the second phase of the programme, which is the transplantation programme itself,” he said.
“All other aspects have been covered and we now need to kick-start the programme,” said Moyo in a report published in the Herald.

Moyo’s plea comes amid revelations that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent trip to China gobbled over USD1,3 million in airfare alone.

Presidential Secretary and spokesperson, George Charamba told the media that Mnangagwa’s itinerary was the cheapest compared to the other available airliners including the national airliner, Air Zimbabwe.

Chitungwiza Central Hospital is situated in the dormitory town of Chitungwiza, about 30 kilometres south east of Harare and the institution has a hospital bed occupancy of 400.

This is despite that its catchment area has an estimated 1,5 million inhabitants

The hospital also caters for neighbouring areas such as Epworth, Ruwa, Chihota, Seke rural, Marondera, and Mashonaland East province which has an estimated population of more than four million inhabitants.

In a statement issued on World Health Day, the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) urged government to prioritise quality and affordable health for it’s citizens emphasising the importance of allocating adequate funds towards the sector.

“There is need to strengthen the pillars of a strong health system as enunciated in the 2004 World Health Organization guidelines,” said the ZADHR.

“All interventions should include good and accountable leadership and governance, adequate financing for medicines, technology and human resources for health and information systems that ensure an efficient, reliable and responsive health delivery system.”

Terrence Mawawa

Vibrant Masvingo based Non Governmental Organisation,Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development(COTRAD) held a Public Debate on the 2018 General Elections on Friday.

COTRAD said in a statement yesterday the public debate was a stepping stone for the youth empowerment drive ahead of the 2018 plebiscite.

” The Public Debate on the 2018 General Elections that was facilitated by COTRAD was very successful.

The public debate was held under the topic “2018 General Elections What
is there for the youth?

The debate was held at Charles Austin Theatre (Civic
Centre) in Masvingo Town on Friday 06 April 2018.

The
panelists were Munyonga Fortune (Coalition of
Democrats), Lovemore Chinoputsa (MDC Alliance),
Bgwende Gilbert (People’s Rainbow Coalition) and
Phainos Makwarimba (Zanu PF).

We view the debate as a launch pad for youth empowerment,” read the COTRAD statement.

By Terrence Mawawa| Dynamic political analyst Antony Taruvinga who has literally embarked on a war of attrition against President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his ruling party functionaries has urged MDC Alliance members to turn the massive numbers at rallies into votes.

Taruvinga also postulated that Mnangagwa would be subjected to an ignominious defeat in the coming polls.

“BULAWAYO was electrified. The 60 000
strong crowd has entrusted Nelson Chamisa with the leadership of this country.

Without any doubt, a new Zimbabwe
has eventually come.

Remember, registration of voters is still open. So if you are not registered today, don’t be left out because what matters most in this game is the actual voting.

Let us turn the massive numbers into votes,” said Taruvinga.

Terrence Mawawa

Mabvuku Constituency MP James Maridadi is upbeat about retaining the Parliamentary seat despite stiff competition.

According to #Mabvukudecides, a social media platform that focuses on political developments in the populous constituency, Maridadi is confident of victory in both primary polls and Parliamentary elections.

“James Chidakwa and James
Maridadi -these two gentlemen are battling it out in
Mabvuku Constituency.

James Maridadi is the
current Member of Parliament for the constituency,
the younger James is aspiring to take over the
mantle.

It is a contest not a fight and we admire that
neither of them is offended by the other’s ambition.

James Maridadi’s excellent record as the current
MP speaks for itself.

James Chidakwa is a
dedicated, astute and effective youthful leader who has
served in the national youth assembly of the MDC-T
party with excellence.

He is passionate about pro-
poor economic growth and integration of youth
development into government policies and the
national budget,”#Mabvukudecides posted on Facebook yesterday.

MDC vice president Elias Mudzuri has said some of their MDC Alliance partners are not “visible enough” on the ground, urging them to touch base with the grassroots to complement the coalition’s countrywide rallies.

He said the Alliance partners must mobilise support in all constituencies. “While our MDC Alliance rallies are important, the election winning formula lies in constituency and ward-based campaign strategies. Our Alliance partners also need to be more visible on the ground to address communities and stakeholders where they are strong,” Mudzuri wrote on his Twitter
account.

MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa’s countrywide rallies have been attracting huge crowds. The youthful leader has been holding a rallies almost every weekend.

Apart from the MDC, the alliance includes Tendai Biti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Welshman Ncube’s MDC, Jacob Ngarivhume’s Transform Zimbabwe, Zanu Ndonga headed by Denford Masiyarira, and the Multi-Racial Christian Democrats which is led by Mathias Guchutu.

More than 107 political parties have registered with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to participate in the forthcoming elections, with the presidential plebiscite seen as a two-way tussle between Chamisa and Emmerson Mnangagwa.

This comes as leading political analyst, Ibbo Mandaza recently predicted a victory for new opposition leader Chamisa in the elections — as long as the polls are free and fair.

“Zanu PF is wounded and it’s unlikely to win a free and fair election. The new kid on the block is Chamisa who has captured the imagination of youths, and I see nothing stopping him,” he said.
For the first time in two decades, the forthcoming elections will not feature ousted former president Robert Mugabe and the popular late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who lost his valiant battle with colon cancer in February this year.

Mugabe’s 37-year, iron-fist rule was dramatically ended by the intervention of the military in the country’s governance last November, paving the way for the installation of his long-time aide Mnangagwa as his successor both in government and in Zanu PF. Daily News

Terrence Mawawa | Charismatic MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has met with former Zanu PF members aligned to former First Lady Grace Mugabe.

“I can confirm that president Chamisa met with ex -G40 members – former provincial commissars Shadreck Mashayombe(Harare) and Jeppy Jaboon(Masvingo).Former Masvingo State Minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti also attended the meeting.It is a game of numbers.

The three have joined the MDC Alliance and former Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi will soon join the main tent,” MDC sources have revealed.

In a stunning development, many long-serving Zanu PF stalwarts have fallen by the wayside in the party’s selection of candidates who will participate in this year’s watershed elections.

This comes as dozens of other party heavyweights, who include serving and former Cabinet ministers, will also have to contend with newcomers who include the youths in primary elections across the country which have been set for May.

The looming elections will be the first in the past two decades not to feature ousted former president Robert Mugabe and the late popular opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Such has been the interest generated by the elections among Zimbabweans that a number of opposition leaders are also set to contest President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the presidential plebiscite.

The emergence of Nelson Chamisa in particular, as the new MDC leader, appears to have energised opposition supporters, especially the youths, who see him as a viable alternative to Mnangagwa.

The Daily News established yesterday that long-serving Zanu PF politicians, Edna Madzongwe and Webster Shamu, are among the biggest causalities of the Zanu PF provincial pruning process that was held at the weekend to choose candidates for the party.

Madzongwe apparently threw in the towel during the Mashonaland West provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC) meeting, where Shamu’s bid to retain Chegutu East constituency was punctured by the province’s youth chairperson Vengai Musengi who will not be contested in the primary elections.

Shamu, a war veteran and former broadcaster — whose tumultuous political career drew comparisons with the proverbial nine lives of a cat because of his stunning comebacks from previous party challenges — had been expected to contest in the primary elections unopposed.

This was especially so after he was surprisingly retained by Mnangagwa when the new president announced his maiden Cabinet after assuming power at the end of last year.

Then, Shamu had been in his position as Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs minister for less than a month, after Mugabe had previously recalled him from the wilderness following the 2014 ruling party purges which led to the expulsion of former vice president Joice Mujuru and several other Zanu PF bigwigs.

On the other hand, Madzongwe had held many high posts both in Zanu PF and in government since 1984. She is currently the president of the Senate.

The veteran politician was touted as one of the senior Zanu PF politicians at some point who could have replaced Mujuru, but eventually lost out to Mnangagwa.

At the height of the party’s ugly factional wars which pitted Mnangagwa against the Generation 40 (G40) faction, Madzongwe’s name was also often mentioned as one of the women candidates likely to be the beneficiary of the quota system that was being agitated for by the women’s league then led by Grace Mugabe.

Officials who claimed to have been frustrated by the regional PCC yesterday accused Mashonaland West provincial chairperson and Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi of pursuing vindictive politics.

“All aspiring qualifying candidates who wanted to contest … were disqualified on trumped up allegations, disloyalty to the party among others being on top of the list.

“War veterans and all affiliates’ CVs were put in the bin together with all the rejected but worthy candidates, ready for dispatch to the national elections,” one of the disgruntled party bigwigs told the Daily News.

He also alleged that the provincial leadership bore grudges from the time of Zanu PF’s ugly factional ructions which ended with the G40 being vanquished.

Similarly, former Mines minister Walter Chidakwa was also left out in the cold at the weekend, as his CV was not even taken into consideration.

However, Ziyambi told the Daily News that his executive had only made recommendations to be submitted to the national elections directorate, which is headed by the ruling party’s political commissar Engelbert Rugeje.

“There was no favouritism at all. I don’t do those things. My job is to just compile a list according to the rules of the party. I just look at the CVs and then refer them to the national elections directorate.

“All the CVs are there. But Madzongwe is not contesting. She just withdrew from the race,” Ziyambi said.

Ziyambi himself will not be contested in Zvimba West, while Tourism minister Prisca Mupfumira has no challenger as well for the senatorial post in Makonde.

Keith Guzah (Hurungwe West), Dexter Nduna (Chegutu West), Philip Chiyangwa (Zvimba South) and Christopher Mutsvangwa will also all not be contested after their potential challengers were allegedly kicked out.

Meanwhile, the province’s former chairperson, now an Independent MP for Norton, Temba Mliswa, warned that the alleged shenanigans of the Mash West party leadership could cost Mnangagwa in the elections — further predicting another “Bhora musango” scenario.

“MDC Alliance is gaining momentum whilst Zanu PF plots its implosion. When talking about this we’re labelled Chamisa fans but they’re scoring own goals, Bhora musango!

“We’re nearing a 2008 scenario where this time the junta’ll be powerless & under pressure for free, fair & credible elections,” Mliswa said on micro blogging site Twitter.

“People like Marian Chombo & (Bright) Matonga were left out after being asked to rejoin the party. Thank God I’d the foresight & God’s wisdom to avoid the embarrassment of rejoining the party only to be sidelined. They wanted to humiliate me but I remain standing. ED’s in trouble in Mash West.

“Whilst EDM has them at heart, Zanu PF is no longer for the WVs (war veterans). Even in the fiscus, Chinamasa excludes them and they are still paupers. It is only people such as myself, and some in the opposition like Chamisa and Masihairabwi,” Mliswa added.

Mliswa is set to slug it out with Mnangagwa’s special adviser and chairperson of the war veterans, Mutsvangwa, in the Norton constituency in the coming elections.

It is well known that there is no love lost between the two men, who last month traded barbs over who would win the constituency in the forthcoming elections.

In Mashonaland East, Sydney Sekeramayi, who at one time was touted as Mugabe’s successor, is also facing a testing time to his political career.

He will have to prove his mettle against war veterans provincial chairperson Daniel Sigauke and Philemon Mutongi for the Senate seat.

Defeat for Sekeramayi, who was a Cabinet ever-present since Zanu PF came to power in 1980, would almost certainly mark the end of his long political career.

Sekeramayi presided over some of the most key ministries in Mugabe’s successive governments — including being Defence minister and State Security minister three times each in the two portfolios.

But Mnangagwa overlooked him in Cabinet and the only recognisable post he now holds is that of being a Senator.

The provincial executive there, led by Biggie Joel Matiza, also allegedly wrote damning recommendations against perceived allies of former vice president Joice Mujuru or Mugabe — who is reportedly the brains behind the National Patriotic Front (NPF) that is led by retired brigadier-general Ambrose Mutinhiri.

Uzumba legislator Simbaneuta Mudarikwa, Maramba’s Washington Musvaire, Felix Mhona of Chikomba Central, Jeremiah Chiwetu (Marondera East), Lawrence Katsiru (Marondera Central), Beata Nyamupinga (Goromonzi) and Tendai Makunde in Murewa North all face uncertainty as their names have been linked to the annihilated G40 faction.

While Matiza confirmed that his executive had made its recommendations to the national elections directorate, he said these were confidential.

“We do not give the final say as a province. We only recommend to a higher office, but what recommendation we made remains confidential. So, you might say so and so has been disqualified only to be accepted by the national office,” he said.

In Chikomba East, incumbent MP Edgar Mbwembwe will be contested by State media columnist Sekai Nzenza, while Mhona — who is accused of being a Mujuru ally — will battle it out with youth league secretary for science and technology and central committee member Edmore Kandira and Alfred Pedzisa respectively.

In Marondera Central, Chiwetu faces a tough test against Patrick Chidhakwa, the chairperson of Marondera Rural District Council.

In Seke rural, incumbent Phineas Chihota’s political life hangs in the balance as he will face Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s mother in-law, Helga Mubaiwa, who is also wife to Dynamos chairperson Kenni Mubaiwa.

In Masvingo Province, at least all legislators in Chiredzi, including former provincial chairperson Kallisto Gwanetsa are battling for survival after they were given adverse recommendations by the provincial executive led by Ezra Chadzamira.

“The process is going on very well. There is no one who has been disqualified so far because the process is still ongoing. What we have just done is to make recommendations based on one’s track record,” Chadzamira said.- Daily News

Robert Mugabe is set to appear before a Zimbabwean parliamentary committee to answer questions relating to alleged looting at the Marange diamond fields.

This will be the first time that Mugabe will be forced to account for his actions while in charge of the country. The former president ruled the country for nearly four decades before being forced from office in November last year. His replacement, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has pledged to crack down on corruption.

Temba Mliswa, the chairperson of Zimbabwe’s parliamentary committee on mines and mining development, confirmed that they were preparing a summons for Mugabe.

“He is not being prosecuted. We are just going to get oral evidence from him on the time he was President. It’s very legal, it’s above board. He is not being arrested. He will give oral evidence pertaining to the area of diamonds mining he presided over, that is in order,” Mliswa told the Mail & Guardian.

Zimbabwe’s vast diamond wealth has been largely squandered through mismanagement and corruption. Even Mugabe himself once admitted that some $15-billion in diamond revenue remains unaccounted for.

Unprecedented

Political analyst and University of South Africa (UNISA) lecturer Ricky Mukonza said that the prospect of Mugabe being interrogated by members of parliament represents a decisive break with the past. “The summoning of Mugabe before the parliamentary committee is unprecedented as he has been used to running a government that does not account to the people. Top government officials, including Mugabe have largely operated on the basis of impunity.”

Mukonza added: “On Mugabe’s part, it will now dawn that he no longer has power and can now be brought before committees and even the courts to answer on his conduct when he was still in power. For the new government, this maybe a way of demonstrating that Mnangagwa’s era is a break from the past. It seems to suggest that there is willingness to embrace tenets of good governance such as accountability and transparency.”

The parliamentary mines committee has been very active in recent months, summoning some of Zimbabwe’s most powerful figures to account for the missing diamond billions. Home affairs minister Obert Mpofu, former state security minister Didymus Mutasa, former police minister Ignatius Chombo and others have already appeared before the committee.

On Monday this week, former mines secretary Francis Gudyanga appeared before the committee and said his life was under threat from “dark forces” if he discloses what he knows about diamond-related corruption.

Testimony from top security officials has confirmed long-standing reports that security agencies such as the Central Intelligence Organisation and the Zimbabwe Republic Police at times used diamond mining to fund their operations. The Zimbabwe Defence Forces, which has previously been implicated in serious human rights abuses at the Marange diamond fields, including the killing of civilians, did not turn up to a scheduled parliamentary hearing on Monday.

Robert Mugabe’s direct links to Marange are thought to run through Robert Mhlanga, a Zimbabwean businessman and close associate of the former president who is also the chairperson of Mbada Diamonds, which which used to own a concession at Marange. Mhlanga is Mugabe’s former personal pilot and is alleged to operate as a proxy for the Mugabe family.

The Mail & Guardian reported in 2012 that Mhlanga had been on a R185-million property-buying spree in South Africa, acquiring prime real estate on the Durban north coast and in Sandton, Johannesburg.

His property dealings raised eyebrows because he appeared to be content to pay up to six times the going rate for the properties. The M&G also reported that he was at the centre of an opaque network of companies based in South Africa, Mauritius, Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands.

Since his ouster, the former president has largely kept out of the private eye, staying at his official Blue Roof residence in Harare. In December the new administration approved a retirement package which included the residence, private air travel, a fleet of vehicles, and a staff of at least 20 people. – Mail & Guardian

Staff Reporter | Angry Zanu PF members have threatened ‘bhora musango’ and vote for the opposition in protest over the chaotic candidate selection process which favours the party’s chefs.

“We have heard that Misheck Mataranyika has been disqualified for no apparent reason. He has been supporting us in our projects for several years, we are calling the national political commissar to come and solve the matter,” said a Zanu PF activist who declined to be named for security reasons, told the local Newsday.

“We are saying that all those with capabilities should contest in the primaries, we have known Mataranyika long back and we are aware what he is capable of doing,” he said.

A war veteran, Never Chikara, said Rugeje should come and solve the CVs issue as the party risked losing candidates who enjoy grassroots support.

In Mutare North, councillors aligned to sitting MP Batsirai Pemhenayi were also reportedly disqualified on flimsy charges.

Candidates with interest in Chikanga/Dangamvura constituency alleged that sitting MP Esau Mupfumi was trying to block them.

Over five candidates have filed to challenge Mupfumi and some have fallen by the wayside, with local businessman Kenneth Muchina being disqualified for failing to meet the selection criteria.

A source told NewsDay yesterday that the vetting process lacked transparency.

“The vetting of CVs was not in good faith. How can an interested party preside over other candidates. If they want to disqualify you they just put an adverse comment about you, for example saying that you are an ally of former Vice-President Joice Mujuru.

“If you do not give kick-backs the provincial leadership will try by all means to disqualify you,” the source said.

In Headlands constituency, there were reports of attempts to block young turk Farai Mapfumo who is set to challenge incumbent Christopher Chingosho in the primaries slated for next month.

Similar complaints have been raised in Chipinge South, Central and Nyanga North constituencies.

Zanu PF Manicaland political commissar Gift Kwageda insisted that no candidate would be disqualified, saying the national selection committee had the final say.

“What the district does is it follows the vetting process and submit with their comment to election commission led by the national political commissar. The district even the province have no right to disqualify the candidates. You are disqualified in Harare not here in the province,’’ he said.

Provincial administration secretary Kenneth Saruchera last week told journalists that disqualified candidates were free to appeal to the party’s national elections directorate.

 

The First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa was on ground advocating for the empowerment of women, children and vulnerable groups in Zimbabwe while the President, Emmerson Mnangagwa was engaged in his busy schedule in China.

During the historic state visit to China, Amai Mnangagwa had the opportunity to mee the First Lady of the People’s Republic of China Madame Peng and the All China Women’s Federation.

Amai Mnangagwa’s meeting with her counterpart happened on the sidelines of the meeting between the two Heads of State and Government after the welcoming ceremony in Beijing.

Briefing journalists at her offices in Harare, the First Lady said her Chinese counterpart who is an ambassador for HIV talked about various issues of common interest including the plight of women, children and the vulnerable with emphasis on orphans and those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Madame Peng also invited the First Lady to a conference of first ladies to discuss the treatment and care of children affected by HIV and AIDS.

The conference will be held on the sidelines of the FOCAC Summit scheduled for Beijing in September this year.

Concerns were also raised on early child marriages, women cancer and the need for training and skills development for rural women to enhance their economic development and empowerment.

The First Lady of China congratulated Amai Mnangagwa on the launch of her Angel of Hope Foundation and pledged to support the initiative.

Amai Mnangagwa had the opportunity to also meet the All China Women’s Federation where she was updated on the outcome of the 19^th National People’s Congress and on the re-election of President Xi Jinping and common interests.

The All China Women’s Federation shared experiences with regards to advocacy activities on status of women, gender equality and mainstreaming into all spheres including the mandatory inclusion of rural women into working committees within their communities.

It was revealed China has a deliberate policy to ensure women economic empowerment by advancing subsidised loans to women.

On health matters the First Lady was made aware of China’s cervical and breast cancer screening programme which is targeting some 150 million cancer patients by year 2020.

Amai Mnangagwa shared her experiences in the area where she has a campaign for Zimbabwean women.

The First Lady’s interface with the Chinese will go a long way in the sharing of ideas and projects to empower women and communities in Zimbabwe.- State Media

By Paul Nyathi

Statistics released by the Zimbabwe National Association for Mental Health indicate that a significant number of Zimbabweans are being affected by mental illnesses due to the harsh economic conditions they are exposed to in the country.

According to Ignatious Murambidzi the head of the Association, cases of mental illnesses are on the rise in the country as more people fail to adapt to the harsh economic conditions.

The mental health watchdog said that most Zimbabweans especially of a middle age are losing their senses as a result of the harsh economic environment.

The young people are said to be heavily depressed which amongst other things forces them to resort to taking highly toxic drugs and alcohol in a bid to drown their economic sorrows resulting in them having mental illnesses.

“Cases of mental illness are on the rise in the country and this is basically due to the harsh economic environment in the country,” said Murambidzi.

“Due to lack of employment most young people resort to drugs and alcohol that end up exposing them to mental illnesses,” he added.

Murambidzi further indicated that the country is faced with a serious shortage of mental health doctors which makes the situation at the only four mental health institutions in the country very dire.

“There are only about fifteen mental health doctors in the country,” he said.

The institution indicated that there is also a serious shortage of drugs and medicines needed for the patients due to lack of foreign currency to purchase the drugs.

The World Health Organisation indicated in 2016 that at least One and a half million Zimbabweans are suffering from mental illnesses.

By Talent Gondo | Self exiled and former Higher Education, Science and Technology Development Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo has blown the whistle revealing that President Emmerson Mnangagwa blows over USD1 million cash for every foreign trip in miscellaneous expenses.

In a tweet sent on his official account, Moyo alleged that the “illegal and unconstitutional leader” expatriates over USD1 million in miscellaneous expenses but Zimbabweans should brave themselves for more since he was illegally occupying the highest office.

“As a matter of fact, in such so called VVIP trips, they do not carry less than USD1 million in cash for miscellaneous expenses,” wrote Jonathan Moyo.

Responding to the thread of comments on his tweet that he was a bitter man who all along was part of the system, Moyo hit back at his opponents labelling them as “Ediotic” because they were failing to deduce that his initial tweet was about Mnangagwa.

“ED is the focus. Brace yourself for more,” said Moyo, adding that this was fuelled by the fact that Mnangagwa was in power illegally and unconstitutionally.

Moyo’ tweet has also raised debate on why the former President, Robert Mugabe has been clinging to power and the source of his wealth with citizens expressing mixed reactions over the revelations.

“Now we know why Mugabe was refusing to leave office” said one commentator, before another one added that Moyo should shut up because he was part of Mugabe’s system for the past 37 years.

Moyo’s allegations come as the country is grappling with cash crisis and citizens are queuing at banks for between $20- $50 daily.

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba is however on record setting the record straight on the amount of money used by Mnangagwa in his first official trip to China where it is alleged he gobbled over USD2,3 million in travelling expenses.

Charamba revealed that government paid only US$1,3 million to hire a private jet for Mnangagwa’s trip to China last week.

In an article published by The Herald, Charamba explained the rationale behind hiring the private plane ahead of the national airliner arguing that it was more costly to use other airliners including Air Zimbabwe.

Charamba said using the national flag carrier entailed that the President was supposed to leave earlier as it would make a stopover in Singapore.

“The hired private jet was a long-haul plane that covered the distance to China in one stretch,” said Charamba.

Staff Reporter |President Emmerson Mnangagwa has held bilateral talks with Botswana’s head of state Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Masisi took over from former President Ian Khama last week after he completed his two terms in office. Masisi is visiting Namibia and Botswana meeting with Mnangagwa today.

Mnangagwa has been on a charm offensive to win over countries that were hostile to former President Robert Mugabe.

Speaking to journalists after his meeting, President Masisi pledged to deepen the existing relations between Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Zimbabwe becomes one of the first two countries on the new president’s planned regional tours to introduce himself after being sworn-in on the first of this month as Botswana’s fifth leader.

President Masisi took over from Sir Seretse Ian Khama who stepped down after completing his 10-year term.

Meanwhile, the Botswana new leader arrived in the country on a one-day working visit late afternoon.

He was met at the Robert Mugabe International Airport by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, the Minister of Energy and Power Development Ambassador Simon Khaya-Moyo and the Minister of Harare Metropolitan Province Cde Miriam Chikukwa and several senior government officials.

By Paul Nyathi

The senior national women’s soccer team, the “Mighty Warriors” are involved in a stand-off with ZIFA over their winning bonuses and allowances for the triumph over Namibia in an Africa Women Cup of Nations first round qualifier.

The Zimbabweans won the battle 4-0 on aggregate.

However, the players have refused to leave the ZIFA Village until the Association pay them their winning bonuses and dues.

Reports on ZTV last night said the players had been given $5 each for those based in Harare, and $20 each for those based out of the capital, for their travel allowances.

ZIFA promised they will then deposit the winning bonuses and out of pocket allowances in the players’ bank accounts.

But the players refused the deal and remained camped at the ZIFA Village.

The Association spokesman Xolisani Gwesela said they were going to resolve the issue and said they remained committed to paying the Mighty Warriors their dues.

The women have always complained of being unfairly treated by the football mother body compared to their male counterparts.

The women’s team is always accommodated at the substandard ZIFA house while the male teams are accommodated at five star hotels.

Source: The Herald

By Paul Nyathi

MDC-T President Nelson Chamisa says that ZANU PF is abusing the late Joshua Nkomo family by deliberately drawing the family to comment on a misinterpretation of utterances he made at an MDC Alliance rally in Bulawayo over the weekend.

A disappointed sounding Chamisa blamed forces within the ruling party for deliberately misinterpreting his statement in order to raise the Nkomo family emotions against him.

Speaking in an early morning interview on Skyz Metro FM a Bulawayo community radio station on Tuesday, Chamisa said that forces against him deliberately opted to misinterpret his statement on his visit to the Joshua Nkomo National Museum in Bulawayo before his rally.

“I have seen the misinterpretation. I said that I met them and they were very excited to meet me and they said they were so excited to meet me so much that they wish they could give me a rod to use to drive out thieves,” said Chamisa. “It was just a happy moment.”

“The misinterpretation has even drawn the Nkomo family to make a comment which I feel is an abuse to the family by ZANU PF,” he added.

“The Nkomo family should not be drawn to comment on issues that have no facts,” said Chamisa.

Speaking to various media houses including ZimEye.com on Monday, Joshua Nkomo’s son Sibangilizwe Nkomo said that Chamisa never met with any members of the Nkomo family but only met with employees of the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation which is run by the government under the Department of National Museums and Monuments.

Nkomo said that the family would never offer to give any of Joshua Nkomo’s rods to anyone outside the Nkomo family.

Chamisa said that he was driven to visit the Joshua Nkomo heritage site to give honour to the liberation icon who was heavily undermined by the ZANU PF government through the years.

A 27 year old carpenter from Kwekwe met an untimely end after being struck by a bolt of lightning whilst doing some construction work.

Knowledge Ncube working on the  roof of a client’s house when he was struck by a bolt of lightning.

His relative, Mr Prince Vhiriri, confirmed the incident.

“We are still to come to terms with the whole incident which took Ncube’s life,” said Mr Vhiriri.

“We received a call from one of his workmates to the effect that Knowledge had been killed in a lightning incident,” said Mr Vhiriri.

He, however, said the family suspected foul play as there was no rain on the day.

“There were no rains on the day. Some clouds only gathered in the sky but there wasn’t even a drizzle. The next thing we learn that a person was killed as a result of lightning, it’s shocking,” Mr Vhiriri said.- state media

State Media – Six suspected MDC-T supporters from Bulawayo have been arrested for allegedly setting alight a bus hired by MDC Alliance supporters from Gweru at White City Stadium on Saturday, destroying property worth $2 500.
Clifford Sibanda (30), Dumisani Moyo (39), Bongani Phiri (28), Thandolwenkosi Moyo (24), Tatenda Nyandoro (35) and Darlington Siziba (27) all from Mzilikazi suburb allegedly connived to burn a T and H bus which was hired to ferry MDC Alliance supporters from Gweru while the bus driver, Mr Lameck Kusosa was on board.

Two of the six accused persons allegedly poured petrol on the rear side of the bus before they set it alight.

The other four members were allegedly waiting for their accomplices in a get-away car.
The fire partially burnt two curtains and the rear left side of the bus was damaged and covered with smoke.

The six appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube yesterday facing public violence and malicious damage to property charges.
They pleaded not guilty to both charges and were remanded in custody to April 23 for trial.
Prosecuting, Mrs Memory Ndlovu said on Saturday, Mr Kusosa parked the bus along Hyde Park Road opposite Mabutweni Police Station.

“He was seated in the bus waiting to ferry MDC Alliance supporters to Gweru who were attending the MDC Alliance rally at White City Stadium. He observed one male adult pouring a liquid substance on the body of the bus and some liquid splashed into the bus through the rear left window which was open,” said Mrs Ndlovu.

“Immediately the bus driver saw fire sparking on the body of the bus at the same position where the liquid had been poured. He went out to investigate and he saw that the bus was on fire. Kusosa used soil to put out the fire. He then saw two male adults running away from the scene and they left behind a 5-litre container with some petrol.”

Mrs Ndlovu said the two men jumped into a Honda Fit in which there were four other passengers and the car immediately sped off.

The court also heard that some motorists who were close by and saw the incident gave chase and blocked the Honda Fit, leading to the arrest of the accused persons.

Meanwhile, a suspected MDC Alliance supporter from Harare was sentenced to an effective nine
months in prison for stealing property and cash with a combined value of $556 at the White City Stadium rally.

Godwin Muchechete (44) from Highfield, Harare, forced open Mrs Fungai Tangara’s locked car with a screw driver and stole $166, R1 300, two cellphones, a handbag and a pair of boxer shorts.

Muchechete said he stole from the car because he did not have money to return to Harare since his wallet was stolen while he was on one of the buses with other party members.

“I came for the rally but I had no money to return home because someone stole my wallet while we were on the bus on our way to the rally,” he said.

He pleaded guilty to theft from a motor vehicle charges when he appeared before Mr Ncube yesterday.

Mr Ncube found him guilty and sentenced him to 12 months in prison of which three were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

In passing sentence Mr Ncube told Muchechete that he was free to attend any rally he wished to as long as he respected other people’s property.

“Losing your wallet does not give you the licence to steal. You lost your wallet in the morning so you had ample time to ask for money from your colleagues since you came as a district,” he said.

The magistrate also questioned Muchechete’s main reason for travelling with a screw driver among his belongings.

Prosecuting, Mrs Memory Ndlovu said on Saturday at around 10AM Mrs Tangara parked her car outside the stadium.

“Muchechete went to Mrs Tangara’s car and forced open a locked door with a screw driver and gained entry into the vehicle,” said Mrs Ndlovu

“He stole $166, R1300, a handbag, two cellphones and a boxer short. He was caught in the act by detectives who were on surveillance.” All the stolen property was recovered. – state media

By Paul Nyathi

The Mthwakazi Kingdom Royal Council has given MDC-T President Nelson Chamisa a thumbs up on his stance on the revival of the kingdom which was destroyed by the white settlers in 1893.

Speaking to ZimEye.com in an interview on Monday, the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Council Effie Ncube said that the council is pleased by Chamisa’s positive approach of the matter.

“We appreciate his support for the right of the people to practise their cultures freely and to raise and nurture traditional and cultural institutions to uphold and preserve those cultural rights,” said Ncube.

Addressing the MDC Alliance coalition rally at White City Stadium in Bulawayo on Saturday, Chamisa promised that he will see to the coronation of Crown Prince Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo as the King of the Ndebele people after the coronation was blocked by the ruling ZANU PF party in March.

Ncube hailed Chamisa for his stance calling on all other political leaders in the country to also adopt Chamisa’s position or risk being purged by the Matabeleland region.

“For political leaders the choice is very simple: you are either for the people and their culture or against that,” said Ncube.

“We are glad to see some leaders picking sides with the people. The other side is just not sustainable,” he added.

Ncube explained that the Ndebele king is meant to be just a cultural figurehead who will not be a have a political influence.

“The Ndebele Kingship means no harm to anybody. It will be a cultural institution that will neither discriminate against anyone nor usurp political power from the elected representatives of the people,” said Ncube.

He went on to dispel the ZANU PF government perception that the installing of the king is in line with the Mthwakazi cessation proponents.

“The King will be a cultural leader and not a territorial leader. No borders will be erected against people from other cultures. No one’s political office and legitimate political power will be threatened by us having a King,” he said.

Members of the Mthwakazi Republic Party however downplayed Chamisa’s promise on the king claiming that he was only scoring a political mileage.

Ncube on the other hand said that the Royal Council takes Chamisa to his words and they have no reason to doubt his promise.

“We take public officials at their word believing that their word is their honour and it is not for us to judge people on the basis of that which they never said,” said Ncube.

“He has said he supports the coronation of our King and we take him at his word. At this stage we have no reason to doubt the integrity of his undertaking.”

“He promised the people and it is the people who will hold him accountable just as much as it is the people who must decide the fate of those who use public office to deny people their cultural rights.

Ray Nkosi  | Presidential Spokesman George Charamba has contradicted Zanu PF UK leader Nick Mangwana, on how President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son found himself in a high powered delegation to China, last week. Mangwana took to twitter telling the world that Mnangagwa and Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo’s sons lived in China and had only come to greet their fathers.

Wrote Mangwana, “Regarding Minister SB Moyo’s son and Collins Mnangagwa, it is my understanding that the 2 live in China and naturally they went to meet up with their parents. They did not fly with their parents on taxpayers’ tab.”

However, adding to the confusion Charamba told ZIFM radio that Mnangagwa’s son was not part of the President’s delegation but of businessmen that travelled to China ahead of the President on their own. Charamba also dismissed any plan of a presidential debate taking place before elections, telling Zimbabweans he was not moved by advocate Nelson Chamisa MDC Alliance’s huge crowds at rallies.

The three containers with former President Robert Mugabe’s belongings that were stuck at Zimbabwe House have been moved to his Blue Roof mansion, five months after he was ousted.

The containers – which were being kept close to the presidential helipad at Polo Grounds adjacent to Mugabe’s former official residence – were allegedly broken into and 119 laptops were stolen.

The alleged theft was discovered on Tuesday when the former first family wanted to collect their belongings that were stashed in the containers following his resignation on the back of a military operation last November.

Former first lady Grace Mugabe made a police report on the same day under case number CR110/04/18, with a detective Nyabonde being the investigating officer.
The containers were delivered at Blue Roof on Thursday, sources said.

“The containers were only delivered after a report was made that 119 computers were stolen after the containers had been broken into,” the souce said.

Deputy chief Cabinet secretary Ray Ndhlukula denied claims the Mugabes had been failing to get their property removed from Zimbabwe House since January.

“Get your facts right,” Ndhlukula said. “Who bought the containers in the first place?
“I am working well with the former first family to ensure that he gets all his belongings from State House.”

Ndhlukula contradicted claims by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba that Mugabe was refusing to vacate State House. Standard

Terrence Mawawa | Outspoken social media analyst Antony Taruvinga believes MDC leader Nelson Chamisa will beat President Emmerson Mnangagwa by a wide margin in the coming polls because of his remarkable achievements in and outside the party.

“I have seen some questions raised in form of some stupid jibes on Nelson Chamisa’s accomplishment in Kuwadzana Constituency.

I know that those asking are Zanu PF goons on
payroll, who are determined to soil the image of our
Presidential candidate by peddling falsehoods.

I have been thinking hard on whether to give them a
response or let a lying toothless dog bark until it
runs out of oxygen. I have decided to give out my
response not for their benefit but for the benefit of
party supporters
who may not have a clear history of Nelson Chamisa
as Member of Parliament for Kuwadzana
Constituency,” wrote Taruvinga.

“Nelson Chamisa is the best MP Zimbabwe has ever
had since 1980. I have always told people that the
late Morgan Tsvangirai and Nelson Chamisa inspired
me to join the struggle way back in 2000.

I always
learn from the best not the burst. That’s why even up
to this day, a mere thought of Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai
(RIP) comes with uncontrollable tears.

Nelson Chamisa does what is supposed to be done
as MP despite socio-economic challenges facing
Zimbabwe. He is not a back bencher in Parliament,
actually one would think that he is either the chief
whip or the leader of opposition in Parliament.

He periodically gives feedback to residents
of his constituency,” added Taruvinga.

“Below is part of the achievements, that I know
myself, not all, by Nelson Chamisa in his
constituency:

1. Successful feedback mechanism in the
constituency, with regular meetings of all residents
monthly and consistently, and 3 rallies annually in
line with our social democratic values as MDC-T.

2.We have a thriving Kuwadzana New Zimbabwe
upliftment fund for women in SMEs.

3.The MP scholarship fund for the girl child targeting
orphaned and child headed households.

4. More boreholes per capita than any other area.

5. Sponsorship of prizes to excelling schools and
school pupils.
6. Computerization and internet connection for
Kuwadzana schools.

7. Furnishing Kuwadzana 2 Community hall.

8. Sewing machines for women’s clubs in
Kuwadzana.

9 . Supporting youths through the Chamisa stars of
all age groups under the sports academy.

10. A functional widows ‘forum and senior citizens
forum.

11. Mobilized well wishers for the tarring of roads
and pothole-filling in Kuwadzana.

12. Supporting the home industry in infrastructure
and amenities.

13.The MP’s contributions in Parliament need no
further elaboration.

14. Completed the construction of a state of the art
Kuwadzana Library after mobilizing over US$80 000 from
donors, a feat not achieved in any other
constituency since 1980,” argued Taruvinga.

The EU stands ready to accelerate support to Zimbabwe during its transition
process, the block said in a statement after meeting President Emmerson Mnangagwa earlier today.

The #EU stands ready to accelerate support to #Zimbabwe during its transition
process – see our press release on the occasion of the visit of Commissioner @MimicaEU https://t.co/5VChElwZ0K pic.twitter.com/varYt7zTmx

— EU in Zimbabwe (@euinzim) April 9, 2018

Terrence Mawawa | Motorists are unhappy with the congestion at the tollgate along the Harare- Masvingo Highway, just outside the capital city.

Angry Motorists told ZimEye.com yesterday ZINARA officials at the tollgate were deliberately creating mayhem to pave for the manual payment system.

“The ZINARA officials are creating chaos so that they can use the manual payment system because it enables them to tamper with the figures,” claimed one motorist.

” You ask the
Zinara guys what the cause is.They say the congestion usually occurs on Sundays.

Why are they failing to hire part-time staff members
to ease the congestion?

A lot of unemployed people out there
would jump at the chance,” fumed another motorists.

No comment could be obtained from ZINARA.

Botswana President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi arrived in the country this afternoon on a working visit and is currently meeting with President Mnangagwa.

He was met at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Acting Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Simon Khaya Moyo, Harare Metropolitan Minister, Miriam Chikukwa, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Petronella Kagonye, several diplomats and senior Government officials.- state media

 

By Snodia Mawupeni | Disgruntled Zanu PF aspiring candidates camped at the party national headquarters on Monday venting their anger over disqualifications although vetting is still on-going.

Party insiders told ZimEye.com aspiring candidates from Masvingo, Bulawayo, Matebeleland South as well Mashonaland West had highest number of complains among them war veterans.

‘We are not happy over how the selection panel has recommended rejection of some individuals at the expense of long serving members,” said one of the sources declining to be named.
It is alleged that former provincial chairman Philip Chiyangwa had top provincial member only identified as Kadhosa being removed to pave way for himself uncontested.

“Kadhoza has been in the party structures far longer than Chiyangwa and this is a deliberate attempt to smuggle corrupt and dubious characters so they cannot be contested,’ said one of our sources.
Webster Shamu’s wife Constance was forced to withdraw from Norton where Presidential Advisor and former war veterans leader Christopher Mutsvangwa will not be contested.

Another lady identified as Mai Phiri of Banket was also forced out.
“In Zvimba North former minister Ignatius Chombo’s wife Marian was forced out while former provincial administrator Christopher Shumba was elevated to represent the party. It’s a circus as majority of war veterans have been denied the right to represent the party,”added a party member who also declined to be named.

However, Mashonaland West vice chairperson Keith Guza denied allegations of imposition and deliberate rejection of potential candidates.

“We are still vetting the CVs and no one has been confirmed to raise those unfounded allegations. We cannot comment on anything that is not official yet,”said Guzah.
Zanu PF has been rocked by internal revolt with war veterans claiming to take charge of campaigns ahead of forthcoming elections set before August.

Terrence Mawawa | MDC Deputy Treasurer General Charlton Hwende has dismissed claims by Zanu PF that the opposition party bussed 50 000 supporters to Bulawayo.

Hwende said: “ZanuPF is in denial of the truth. Our structures are now energized, our message of hope, transformation, opportunities and prosperity is being well received across the country and our rallies and meetings are getting oversubscribed.

Not this nonsense of saying that we are bussing people.

How do you bus 50 000 people or even 20 000 in a day without disrupting the whole city or road networks?”

He added: “We are now going to the rural areas and we are going to visit village by village.

2018 is the year of change in honour of our departed president and the thousands who died fighting for a Democratic Zimbabwe.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent trip to China which cost a total of $2.3million of tax payers money, was ostensibly to buy Zanu PF regalia for the forthcoming elections, former minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has said on his twitter portal. The former minister also explains that in the 2013 elections diamond revenue was used to fund Zanu PF campaign, at a time that former CIO Boss Happyton Bonyongwe has confessed before a parliamentary committee that for a truth the CIO controlled diamond mining activities.

In 2013 #ZanuPF used diamond revenues & State funds to buy & ship campaign regalia from #DRC & #China worth over $70m. #ED‘s $2,3m #China trip was to cover up use of State funds to buy & ship from #China #15m t-shirts, #15m caps & #2m cloth wrappers for JuntaPF’s campaign! #ZACC pic.twitter.com/svlZN834oR

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) April 9, 2018

Nearly 4 000 individuals have expressed interest to represent the opposition MDC in both local government and parliamentary elections set to be held by August this year.

This was revealed by MDC leader Nelson Chamisa while addressing journalists in the capital last week.

Chamisa, who is also the MDC Alliance presidential candidate in the forthcoming elections, said the party’s preparations for the elections were now at an advanced stage.

“To attest to our readiness, the party’s elections directorate has received CVs from aspiring candidates who wish to stand in the local government and parliamentary polls and we have received a total of 3 911 CVs and this confirms the willingness of Zimbabweans to represent the party,” he said.

“Our preparations are well on course and in the next few weeks, we will have a complete panel of candidates that will represent the party at all levels,” Chamisa added.

The former ICT minister said the MDC was determined to meet the 50 percent threshold for women and the 20 percent youth quota “in line with the constitution and the resolutions of the supreme organs of the party”.

He also said the MDC was now in the process of “fine-tuning our policy programme and our people’s manifesto” that will be launched soon as the opposition party’s campaign goes full throttle.

“We have rebranded and revamped this movement and in the next few weeks, we will be unveiling the detailed policy programmes on how we will rescue this country from the abyss,” he said.

Chamisa promised that his government, “when, and I am not saying if” he wins the presidential race, will turn around the country’s waning economic fortunes.

“We have done it before and we will do it again. Zimbabweans are under no illusion about the MDC’s capacity to govern, given our record during our stint of delivery between 2009 and 2013.”

“With our competent hands on the wheel of government, the future can only be bright for the people of Zimbabwe. The party is ready; Zimbabweans are ready and they continue to show their confidence judging by their participation in the party’s activities,” he said.

“The region and the world are anxious for a truly new dispensation that delivers to the people.”

Meanwhile, the ruling Zanu-PF has also said it has been overwhelmed by aspiring candidates who intend to contest in the May 5, primary elections.

Zanu-PF provincial executives are meeting this weekend to go through all the CVs submitted.- Daily News

A Harare man was reportedly abducted by four women before they took turns to rape him at an unknown location in Rusape, a court heard.

The victim (name withheld) had been offered transport in the quartet’s Toyota Prado on his way to work on February 7, this year but ended up in Rusape where he was eventually sexually assaulted.

One of the women, 34-year-old Estery Dhliwayo appeared before Harare magistrate Josephine Sande charged with kidnapping and aggravated indecent assault.

She was remanded in custody to tomorrow for bail considerations.

Prosecutor Progress Maringamoyo alleged that on February 7, this year around 7am, the complainant left his residence going to work and boarded a dark Toyota Prado.

The court heard that he failed to identify the registration figures and inside the car were Dhliwayo and three other women.

The car was driven towards town but along the way one of the accused persons sprayed the complainant with an unknown substance on the face. It was alleged that the complainant became unconscious and his hands and legs were tied together before being taken to Rusape.

The court heard that he gained consciousness around 11am and noticed that he was in a dark room in the company of Dhliwayo and her accomplices

The women ordered him to have sexual intercourse with them without his consent but he resisted.

They reportedly took turns to have sex with the complainant and after the act Dhliwayo took the victim’s phone and sent herself $12 using EcoCash.- Daily News

Nigeria billionaire Aliko Dangote has renewed interest to inject a US$1.5 billion investment package in Zimbabwe.

A team from Dangote Holdings arrived in the country this afternoon comprising of two geologists who stated the billionaire’s interest in a coal venture which they will utilise towards their targeted investment in a power plant in Zimbabwe.

The facilitator of the deal Ms Josephine Mahachi is optimistic that the deal, affected in the last two and a half years by bureaucratic bungling and lethargy, will soon be finalised as the billionaire has reaffirmed his commitment to seal this investment within the shortest possible time.

Given the revamped political will under the new administration which has expedited deals that have stalled over the last five years, there is strong optimism that the Dangote deal is left with a few months before it is translated into a tangible activity.- state media

Terrence Mawawa | Former Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Programmes Manager Nixon Nyikadzino also known as Cde Mao has warned MDC Leader, Nelson Chamisa to be wary of political vultures in the alliance.

Below are Cde Mao’ s views: While the MT brand and template worked during his time, that template no longer fits the new political dynamics.

MT had numbers but there has always
been something missing to grab state power.

Unfortunately those who advise the new leadership are
swamped in the MT paradigm and they are hoping to glide to
power that is under a defacto military rule.

What we see are individuals who want to appease the new leadership without focusing on to the real prize, state power.

What we have criticised in Zanu PF is now evident tiki taka in the Alliance.

We need a new thinking that is objective and people centered.

Vultures should be confined to the forest.

If this is not dealt with NC will beanother captured institution by these vultures.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi left for Nambia this morning (April 9) to meet with his counterpart Dr Hage Geingob.

This is Mr Masisi’s first international visit as President of Botswana following his innauguration on Apil 1.

A press release from the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation says the working visit will serve to further strengthen bilateral relations and friendship between Botswana and Namibia.

The statement further says the President will on the same day pay a working visit to Zimbabwe to meet with President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The working visit will serve to deepen and broaden the scope of bilateral cooperation between Botswana and Zimbabwe.

He is accompanied on both visits by Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Mr Vincent Seretse and Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Kitso Mokaila.

The President and his entourage are expected back home later today.

Source : Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

ENGAGING THE PARENTAGE……Party President Adv. Nelson Chamisa today led a team of MDC-T leaders to the ZCTU offices for a meeting with the leadership of the country’s labour confederation. The party was formed out of the labour movement in 1999 and the two frequently engagage. pic.twitter.com/5sSb2ThwZu

— MDC Zimbabwe (@mdczimbabwe) April 9, 2018

The first high ranking European Union official to visit Zimbabwe in recent years Mr Neven Mimica is in Zimbabwe and has met President Emmerson Mnangagwa at Munhumutapa building this morning.

Mr Mimica is the EU International Cooperation and Development Commissioner and is expected to launch a number of projects that are being funded by the EU.-

Vice President Retired General Constantino Chiwenga, Acting Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo, Special Advisor to the President Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa and the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda and other senior government officials attended the meeting.- state media

https://youtu.be/Vl6n25MOhwo?t=3

Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson, Ziyambi Ziyambi, has rubbished weekend reports that several Zanu PF chefs will stand on the party ticket after ‘dubious’ disqualifications of other potential candidates.

“We didn’t shut out anyone, as a province, we were tasked by the national directorate to see if the CVs submitted meet the required prerequisites and give comments for the directorate consideration. It must be noted that even if the member did not meet the requirements it is not for us to disqualify them we just put comments for the national directorate to consider or not,” Ziyambi said.

He said it was very unfortunate that some of the party members were not familiar with Zanu PF’s rules and regulations regarding primary elections.
Ziyambi said politburo member, Prisca Mupfumira’s Makonde senatorial post went uncontested after no other female party member submitted nominations for the post which was reserved for women candidates.

But a disgruntled party member, who declined to be named, insisted that the selection process was fraught with irregularities.

“Those provincial guys are busy removing CVs for those that they perceive as potential threats in the constituency they applied for … why didn’t they bring members from other provinces to oversee the process like the previous elections?” he asked.

Meanwhile, Provincial Affairs minister Webster Shamu, is reportedly eyeing the Chegutu senatorial post after he surrendered his Chegutu East seat to provincial youth leader, Vengai Musengi.

Three people are in trouble for squandering different amounts of money amounting to nearly $279 000 that was erroneously deposited into their accounts by the Central African Building Society (CABS) following technical glitches at the financial institution last year.

The costly mistake also resulted in the bank firing 13 Information Technology (IT) employees after the error was detected.

One of the three CABS clients who got the “windfall” is Kelvin Kutadza (24), a student nurse at Gweru Provincial Hospital who squandered $54 000 that was erroneously deposited into his account following the bank mistake.

Kutadza appeared before Midlands provincial magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa on Friday facing 54 counts of theft.

He pleaded guilty and was remanded in custody to today for sentencing following his conviction.

“The accused is found guilty of 54 counts of theft and is remanded in custody to Monday for sentence,” said Mrs Msipa.

In his defence, Kutadza said as a devoted Christian and a believer in miracles, he thought the money was miracle money when he saw the surprisingly huge figure in his savings account balance.

“When I checked my account and saw the money, I thought it was miracle money. I’m a Christian and thought that my prayers had been answered and I regret using the money.

“I’m a final year student nurse at Gweru Provincial Hospital and I am supposed to graduate on May 5. May the court pardon me,” said Kutadza.

It is the State case that between July and October last year, CABS was upgrading its IT system resulting in functional challenges in updating balances of accounts.

The system, the court heard, failed to record the correct figures each time a client transferred money from the CABS bank account to an Ecocash account or any other bank account using the electronic banking system.

It is alleged that the accused person discovered this systems failure and capitalised on it.

From July 5 to September 20 last year, Kutadza using his mobile phone, transferred various sums of money from CABS to his Ecocash number and to his MBCA savings account prejudicing CABS of $54 052. 34.

With the money, Kutadza went to purchase a house in Mkoba 19 suburb for $32 460 and two non-runner vehicles for $5 500 and $5 000 respectively.

CABS later discovered the offence leading to Kutadza’s arrest.

Total value stolen is $54 052.34 and total value recovered is $2 384.12.

According to court papers, two other CABS clients in Gweru who withdrew $20 000 and $205 000 that was deposited into their accounts through the error are expected to appear in court soon.

Mrs Memory Chitsunge appeared for the State.- state media