Flamboyant businessman and Zifa president Phillip Chiyangwa’s wife, Elizabeth (nee Jumah) has finally succeeded in nullifying the couple’s 30-year-old marriage after High Court Judge President Justice George Chiweshe granted the divorce order on Tuesday last week.

The nullification of the couple’s marriage followed an application by Elizabeth when she rekindled the litigation on January 11 this year after the initial application that had been filed in 2013, failed to materialise, following what appeared to have been efforts to amicably resolve the duo’s matrimonial impasse.

Elizabeth said she married the business mogul on November 11, 1988 in terms of the Marriage Act chapter 37 now Chapter 5:11, but had, however, lost love and affection for the Native Investments Africa Group founder over alleged infidelity.

Apparently, when the couple’s marriage hit hard surface, the pair, through their lawyers, drafted a consent agreement on the issue of property sharing, but the document was not made public.

In a court order dated March 6, 2018, Justice Chiweshe said: “Whereupon, after reading documents filed of record, examining the plaintiff (Elizabeth) and hearing counsel who applies for a decree of divorce and other relief on the grounds of irretrievable breakdown under the provisions of section 5 of the Matrimonial Causes Act (Chapter 5:13), it is ordered that a decree of divorce be and hereby granted.

“The consent paper signed by both parties shall regulate all issues relating to property matters of the parties to marriage. Defendant (Chiyangwa) to pay costs of suit.”

Chiyangwa and Elizabeth’s marriage deteriorated sometime in 2013 whereupon Elizabeth filed divorce papers claiming 85% of the couple’s wealth and $83 000 per month for 120 months as maintenance after the termination of the marriage.

However, a year later the businessman wrote to the High Court requesting that his divorce case be scrapped off the court roll, as the parties were reportedly locked in out-of-court negotiations to stop their acrimonious divorce.

In her declaration filed with the court then, Elizabeth said she was demanding a lion’s share of the family’s $230 million estate.

But, Chiyangwa objected to the divorce, accusing Elizabeth’s lawyers of incompetence for listing some properties that did not belong to him without verification.

Consequently, in January this year, Chiyangwa, through his lawyers Kantor and Immerman, filed an appearance to defend the divorce litigation.

But in her court papers through her lawyers, Zigomo Legal Practitioners, Elizabeth insisted she had since lost love and affection for Chiyangwa and both had a mutual wish to be divorced.

“The relationship between plaintiff and defendant has irretrievably broken down and there are no reasonable prospects for the restoration of a normal marriage relationship, more particularly in that; the parties have been living apart for a continuous period in excess of 12 months, since plaintiff moved out of the matrimonial home on September 18, 2016,” Elizabeth said.- Newsday

The three robbers who stormed a construction site in Umwinsidale, which is believed to belong to Ms Bona Chikore (nee Mugabe), were yesterday sentenced to an effective 18 months each in jail.
Robson Kandenga (45), Peter Mangwiro (40) and Brighton Chisiko (30) appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr Noel Mupeiwa and pleaded guilty to robbery.

Mr Mupeiwa slapped the trio with 30 months each in prison, but suspended 12 months for each sentence on condition of good behaviour.

When they initially appeared in court on Tuesday, the gang was being charged with armed robbery, but the charges were later altered to robbery as it is understood that no weapons were used when the crime was committed.

The court heard that on December 31 last year, Kandenga, Mangwiro and Chisiko approached the police officer, who was guarding the site and pretended to be asking for directions to an unnamed place.

The unsuspecting police officer then left his guardroom to assist them. He was suddenly disarmed of his AK47 service rifle before being punched and kicked all over the body.
His arms and legs were subsequently tied using a wire that had been retrieved from the site.

The trio proceeded to take the complainant’s personal items, including two phones, and 80 wooden construction boards, which all amounted to $4 800. – state media

Former Zimbabwe national football team coach Callisto Pasuwa was yesterday convicted and fined $150 by a Chitungwiza court for illegally occupying land in Rubatika Village, Seke.

Pasuwa pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Ms Yeukai Chigodora, but was convicted because of the overwhelming evidence against him.
He now has to pay a $150 fine or spend 30 days in prison.

The gaffer claimed that he bought the land through a chief, but his name was not found in the council’s database.

Prosecutor Mr Norman Koropi proved that on November 8 last year, Manyame Rural District (RDC)’s security sergeant Mr Emmanuel Watyoka was conducting assessments in Rubatika Village, Seke communal lands, when he visited Pasuwa’s home.

He asked the former Dynamos coach to produce an allocation letter or any approval that justified his occupation of the land.

When Pasuwa failed to produce the documents, Mr Watyoka made a report at Dema Police Station, leading to the ex-footballer’s arrest.

Meanwhile, a Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) Radio Zimbabwe worker has appeared in court for maintenance arrears worth $10 600.

Jabulani Ncube (37) was dragged to court by his former wife, Pamela Maruta (35).
He appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Mrs Blessing Murwisi for contravening Section 23(1) of the Maintenance Act.

Ncube pleaded not guilty and the case was postponed to March 23.
The prosecutor, Mr Tendai Katonha, alleged that on September 9, 2013, a Chitungwiza court ordered Ncube to pay $200 monthly towards the upkeep of his two minor children.
It is alleged that he never made any payments and his arrears ballooned to $10 600. – state media

ZANU PF’s new National Commissar, Gen Engelbert Rugeje has stopped aspiring ZANU PF candidates saying they must cease from campaigning activities until directives are issued.

Gen Rugeje reportedly said the aspiring candidates must wait until the allocated date and time;  they must cease from speaking to the electorate regarding what they have to offer in terms of service delivery to the people.

The comments were conveyed by the party’s secretary for information, Simon Khaya Moyo who said the time for campaigns has not started yet.

Khaya Moyo said, “the time for campaigns has not yet started. The National Political Commissar, Lieutenant-General Engelbert Rugeje (Retired), who is the chairman of the Elections Commission, will communicate to all the provinces when campaigns will start. Those who are already campaigning must cease such efforts forthwith.

“As regards to primary elections, those aspiring candidates in a given constituency will campaign together in all meetings and be allocated time to speak to the electorate regarding what they have to offer in terms of service delivery to the people.”  – state media

By Dorrothy Moyo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa appeared shocked on the fact that there are 107 parties intending to contest in the upcoming election.

Mnangagwa “took a jump” while addressing journalists on the sidelines of the 5th CEOs Round Table meeting in Victoria Falls.

The Head Of State said he had to cancel a meeting after hearing of the number of parties.
He said, “I thought I will be meeting between 8 and 15 (political parties) so I cancelled the date so that I really find out if it is true that there are 108 political parties in the country.

“I must check on that and perhaps find criteria on who must come and say if you are a political party come to the table.”

Earlier in the week, A ZEC Commissioner told the US based VOA Studio 7 of the number of registered parties.

“Already 107 parties have informed us that they exist and so indications are they will be participating in the general elections,” he said.

He continued saying, “he usually hold a meeting with political parties ahead of elections and they normally come in large numbers … about 80 or 90. When we checked our numbers yesterday they were 107 political parties.”

Moyo also said the Robert Mugabe “linked” National Patriotic Front, which worries Mnangagwa is among these political parties that will contest the polls sometime this year.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected in the country today to discuss issues of mutual concern with his counterpart, President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

President Ramaphosa, who is also the chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), will also visit Mozambique on the same day.

In a statement, the South African presidency said President Ramaphosa’s visit forms part of a long standing tradition in the Sadc region where newly elected Heads of State pay courtesy calls on neighbouring countries.

“During the visit, President Ramaphosa and his counterparts will discuss bilateral co-operation as well as regional, continental and global issues of mutual concern. It is expected that the Sadc Heads of State will pay a particular focus on the latest political and security developments in the Region including the regional economic integration agenda in the Southern African Development Community,” reads the statement.

“President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu and the Minister of State Security, Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba.”

The ANC leader was inaugurated as South African Head of State last month following the resignation of Jacob Zuma.

Last November, President Mnangagwa also paid a courtesy call on the then President of South Africa, Zuma, following the resignation of ex-President Robert Mugabe.

After meeting Zuma, President Mnangagwa addressed a high profile business conference in the neighbouring country in line with the “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra.- state media

By Paul Nyathi| Former President Robert Mugabe says that Zimbabweans have never experienced as bad an army operation as was seen in the period the army toppled him from power.

Mugabe said this in his first ever televised interview on SABC News on Thursday evening.

Narrating the ordeal he went through in the hands of the army at his Blue Roof home, Mugabe said that the nation was terrified to submission by the presence of the heavily armed soldiers. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW…

“Never before have Zimbabweans seen such from the soldiers,” said Mugabe.

The defiant former President declared that his removal from power was not constitutionally but was a military coup.

“Many have refused to acknowledge that it was a coup but Emerson (Mnangagwa) would never have been President without the assistance of the army which makes it a coup,” he said.

The former strong man said that the army disarmed both the army and the Central Intelligence Agency in the process crippling state security.

“The police had all their weapons completely taken by the army.”

Mugabe said that members of the CIO were rounded up with some of them maimed and killed.

“They were bashed on the heads, some of them killed and some still missing up to today at the hands of the army,” lamented Mugabe.

Critics have harshly attacked Mugabe for his cries on the treatment he claims to have got at the hands of the army claimimg that he exposed Zimbabweans through worse treatment in his near four decades of rule.

“Mugabe can not claim that Zimbabweans saw the worst of the army because he was being removed from power, did he see the Gukurahundi soldiers,” questioned a commentator on social media.

In the interview Mugabe tried to justify his self orchestrated Gukurahundi atrocities claiming that his government was dealing with fellow liberation movement PF ZAPU he accused of hiding arms of war after the liberation war.

Over 20 000 people were murdered by the soldiers he deployed, a figure which Mugabe disputed in his interview.

Mugabe however claimed that his wife, Grace’s few security details managed to deal with an army unit that was bombarding homes of his two right-hand men Professor Jonathan Moyo and Saviour Kasukuwere and rescued them with their families.

Mugabe claimed that Kasukuwere and Moyo raised a cry for help from the former First Lady when the army was attacking their homes where on she disbursed her security details to rescue them.

“She sent her personal security details to rescue them and told them to go out and rescue the families though they risked being killed on the way.”

He confirmed previous speculations that Moyo and Kasukuwere took refuge at his home for a while before they fled to exile.

“The two were rescued with their wives and children and brought here to us.”

“We later told the two to leave and go out of the country and leave their children with us,” he said.

“We don’t know how they found their way out or where they went to.”

Statement By Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) notes with concern the appointment of Mr Utoile Silaigwana as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Acting Chief Elections Officer. As CiZC, we would like to categorically state that the appointment of Mr. Silaigwana is another unfortunate incident which continues to put into doubt the credibility of ZEC through acts of brazen militarisation.

Mr Silaigwana, a former member of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), was part of the 2008 ZEC secretariat that withheld the March 2008 election results for close to a month.

It must also be noted that he was appointed to ZEC when he was still a serving member of the ZNA and was thus among the people that led to the militarization of ZEC and eventually presided over the 2008 elections whose outcomes were heavily contested.

Mr Silaigwana’s image is tainted with accusations of election rigging and his latest appointment raises eyebrows on the credibility of the ZEC Secretariat and ultimately the credibility of the 2018 polls.

It is becoming quite apparent that Interim President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s promise of a free,fair and credible election is mere rhetoric. Mr. Silaigwana’s appointment comes after President Mnangagwa’s declaration that the bloody 2008 elections which resulted in the death of close to 300 opposition supporters were free and fair.

To add on to this, Justice Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi is on record saying there is no need for reforms ahead of the 2018 elections.

CiZC would like to draw the attention of the visiting SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC), which is in the country on a week-long pre-election assessment, to take note of crucial matters which might be a hindrance to free, fair and credible elections in Zimbabwe.

De-militarization of ZEC as well as ensuring that ZEC Secretariat is apolitical is critical to ensure free, fair and credible elections. .

Former President Robert Mugabe says he saved President Emmerson Mnangagwa from the noose during the liberation struggle. Mugabe speaks for the first time after he was ousted in a coup last November not mincing his words and feelings of betrayal by his former deputy.

Mugabe says he never thought new President Emmerson Mnangagwa would turn against him and denounced Mnangagwa’s move to oust him last year as a coup, in an interview broadcast on Thursday (March 15), Reurters reports.

Mugabe, 94, ruled Zimbabwe from independence in 1980 until he stepped down under pressure from Mnangagwa’s allies in the army in November.

Viewed by some as a liberation hero, others remember Mugabe for turning a promising country into an economic basket case and international pariah.

Mnangagwa, deputy president under Mugabe, has promised to open up Zimbabwe to foreign investment and mend ties with the West since assuming power.

“I never thought he whom I had nurtured and brought into government and whose life I worked so hard in prison to save as he was threatened with hanging, that one day he would be the man who would turn against me,” Mugabe said in the interview with South African state broadcaster SABC from Harare.

Mnangagwa was convicted of sabotage under white minority rule and sentenced to death. But he was spared the noose because it was deemed that he was a minor when he had committed the crime.

Mugabe said he was ousted in a “military takeover” and that Mnangagwa had assumed the presidency illegally.

“I don’t hate Emmerson, I brought him into government. But he must be proper, he is improper where he is. Illegal,” Mugabe said. “We must undo this disgrace, which we have imposed on ourselves. We don’t deserve it.”

Since his fall from power, Mugabe has stayed at his Harare mansion with his wife Grace. His ousting was the culmination of a power struggle between Mnangagwa and Grace Mugabe, who was being groomed by her husband as his potential successor.

Mugabe was granted immunity from prosecution and assured that his safety will be protected in his home country under a deal that led to his resignation.

Mugabe quit as parliament began a process to impeach him, triggering wild celebrations in the streets.

Zimbabwe was once one of Africa’s most promising economies but suffered decades of decline as Mugabe pursued policies that included the violent seizure of white-owned commercial farms and money-printing that led to hyperinflation.

Mnangagwa has said Zimbabwe still wants to end discrimination between black and white farmers but will seek new ways to compensate those who have lost their properties. Former colonial ruler Britain said last month that Harare should press on with transparent and fair land reform.- Reuters

MDC Statement on doctors strike

15 March 2018

The ongoing strike by doctors and nurses at the country’s major referal hospitals bears testimony to the disastrous 100 days of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s time in office. The unfolding events in the health sector are showing that the only thing President Mnangagwa’s administration has amassed to date is a pile of dead bodies in public hospitals.

The rapid deteriorating health standards under the junta administration are alarming. The fact that a junior doctor can be made to earn $369 per month before allowances shows that the health sector is clearly not a priority for the government. Public hospitals are ill equipped, and have infact become death traps themselves.

We were told by President Mnangagwa’s government that $250 million has been recovered to date from looters. Why is that money not going towards redressing the state of affairs in the health sector?

This industrial action that has endangered lives of thousands of patients is no doubt a direct result of Government stubbornness, incompetence and misplaced priorities.

Doctors are simply asking for drugs, functional equipment and better remuneration so they can better perform their duty of saving lives. What hospital can function without basic requirements such as gloves and drugs?

Government should as a matter of urgency address doctors’ concerns to avoid the suffering and deaths of patients. This is a matter that has been ignored for far too long. Patients should not have to die in their thousands first before government considers attending to doctors’ plight.

Surely the absence of doctors in health institutions during a time of frequent outbreaks of diseases such as typhoid and cholera is toying with human life.

As MDC we are convinced that Mnangagwa and his government do not care about the welfare of people.

Zimbabweans should not be hoodwinked by the ‘New Dispensation’ mantra that is being forced down their throats via the state media.
Facts are stubborn. And right now they show President Mnangagwa has glaringly failed to expeditiously attend to grievances raised by health workers, instead he has been turning a deaf ear and threatening to fire them while patients are dying in hospitals. Is this someone Zimbabweans want to elect as President in the forthcoming elections? We think not.

Kurauone Chihwayi
MDC National Spokesperson

By Paul Nyathi

The National People’s Party has quashed social media rumours that their leader Joice Mujuru will be attending the Thokozani Khuphe rally set for Bulawayo this weekend.

NPP National Spokesperson Jefferson Chitando rubbished the rumour indicating that the NPP has long lost appetite to deal with the MDC-T in any way.

“Dr Mujuru is very busy on her campaign programs on the ground and has absolutely no reason to divert and go and attend an undefined MDC-T gathering,” said Chitando.

“Our President and party are now concentrating on the work of the People’s Rainbow Coalition and has long put aside any links with the MDC-T,” he said.

Social media was on Thursday awash with rumours that Mujuru will be attending the controversial rally to declare a new solidarity with Khuphe.

The rumours also indicated that PRC partner Luciah Matibenga leader of a breakaway People’s Democratic Party was going to accompany Mujuru to the rally.

Chitando’s sentiments were confirmed by Khuphe’s personal assistant Witness Dube who declined any knowledge of Mujuru attending the rally.

Dube indicated that the gathering is not necessarily a public rally but one of Khuphe’s continued consultation meetings.

“Dr Khupe is continuing with her consultative and campaign meetings,” said Dube confirming the gathering set for the Bulawayo Amphitheatre on Sunday.

According to Dube, Khuphe will be meeting with party structures from the region to discuss the prevailing conditions in the opposition party.

Dube confirmed that the rally has been cleared by the police who will also provide security to curb possible violence due to the intra party rivalry in the party.

“Police have guaranteed full protection for this meeting in terms of the law,” he said.

Asked to confirm information provided to ZimEye.com by other sources close to Khuphe that she will be announcing a split from the party, Dube invited media to attend the rally and hear Khuphe speak.

“Can’t comment on your enquiries. I am sure you will find your answers from Dr Khupe if you come to the Amphitheatre.

“It’s a structures meeting but I am sure when journalists come for information they may not be denied accessible sessions of the meetings because things must be done transparently,” he said.

Asked to comment on Khuphe’s prospects in case she pulls out of the MDC-T, Chitando said that the NPP and Mujuru wish Khuphe the best as long as she is in a fight against ZANU PF.

“We really wish Khuphe all the best in her future as long as she remains in our concerted fight to remove the ZANU PF government,” said Chitando.

ST Mathius Tsonzo High school in Mutasa has been rocked by student riots which are allegedly being instigated and sponsored by some teachers in a bid to push out the school head Mr Obvious Chikata.

The demonstrations started last Friday and involved mostly Forms 3, 4 and 6 students who were protesting over the suspension of two of their colleagues on allegations of drug and substance abuse.

The riots reached the fiver pitch on Sunday evening as male students wearing balaclavas stormed into the girls’ dormitories and ordered them to join the demonstrations around 11pm.

Security guards and school authorities who tried to restrain the riotous students were pelted with an assortment of missiles.

The students vandalised the security fence around the learning area to troop out of the school premises, forcing the school authorities to summon police to quell the situation.

Mutasa District School Inspector Mrs Chipo Mlambo was holed at the school on Monday trying to break the impasse. Though Mrs Mlambo said the situation had stabilised, reports indicate that the students were threatening to strike again on Tuesday.

Provincial Education Director Mr Edward Shumba said the matter was still being investigated.- manica post

Terrence Mawawa

Caps United Skipper, Hardlife Zvirekwi is optimistic about returning to the soccer pitch.

Zvirekwi had his left hand amputated from the wrist
after his hand was crushed when his vehicle veered
off the road last week.

Zvirekwi has however remained optimistic he will bounce
back despite the setback.

“Obviously, these are painful moments, but still we
have to praise God that I am still around and I will be
back soon,” said Zvirekwi.

“I want to thank everybody for the support – the
Minister (Kazembe Kazembe), our club president (Farai Jere) and
the whole nation.

They have been so supportive, they
have been with me in their prayers, so I thank
everybody for showing love,” added Zvirekwi.

A Harare woman was busted secretly operating a brothel that recruited young girls from the age of 12 at a rented cabin at the Roman Catholic Church in Eastview’s Phase 1.

Vimbai Fungisai, 22, appeared in court jointly charged with Tendai Masiya, 45, who was offered one of the girls for his sexual enjoyment.

The duo is appearing before Harare regional magistrate Temba Kuwanda facing two counts of rape.
One of the pimped out minors’ aunt testified in court yesterday that she discovered that Fungisai was operating a brothel at the Roman Catholic Church after her niece went missing. She found her niece at Fungisai’s rented cabin at the church together with 11 other girls.

“I had been searching for my niece and heard that she was staying at the gazebo at Roman Catholic Church. When I arrived there, there were 12 other girls whom I interviewed and revealed that Fungisai was keeping them there for sex with her clients,” the aunt testified in court.

“They told me that older men would come around and they would be forced into engaging in sex all at once in one room. Fungisai would entice the children with food and money.

“I then took my niece away and suspected that she had a sexually transmitted infection.
“When we went to the doctor, she was diagnosed with an STI and treated and I confronted Fungisai about child prostitution and the brothel because I felt that she had no right to use young girls.”
A few weeks later, the minor escaped her aunt’s custody and returned to Fungisai’s brothel.
Her aunt followed up on her but she still returned to the place.

Prosecutor Valerie Ngoma alleged that sometime in October last year, Masiya went to Fungisai’s residence and asked to have sexual intercourse with the victim but she refused.
The court heard that Fungisai and Masiya forcibly tore the child’s underwear and laid her on the blankets before she was raped.

It was alleged that after the incident, Masiya gave Fungisai money as payment for the sexual services.
The matter was later reported to the police leading to her arrest. Daily News

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

Irate MDC supporters have accused provincial chairperson James Gumbi of undermining the authority of party president Nelson Chamisa.

The supporters also took a swipe at Gumbi for boasting of paying Morgan Tsvangirai’s medical bills.

Gumbi riled party members last week when he bragged about the role he played in the payment of Tsvangirai’ s medical bills.

“We have an audio recording of what he said so we will present it to Honourable Chamisa,” said a senior party member.

“Gumbi must quality his remarks because uttered derogatory words,” said another MDC official.

Gumbi further claimed he was the chief financier of the party.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

A Zimbabwe National Army soldier went berserk and harassed journalists in Masvingo last week.

The soldier, Donald Manenji and Shamiso Tavaruva, the daughter of prominent Masvingo businessman, Tanda Tavaruva, popularly known as Mhunga, stormed the Tell Zim offices and threatened journalists at the weekly publication following story that was published by the paper last week.

The paper reported that the two severely assaulted a Masvingo man for allegedly abusing his former girlfriend.

The soldier threatened to assault the paper’ s editor, Passmore Kuzipa.

The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists last week condemned the harassment and intimidation of innocent news reporters.

“We strongly condemn such uncivilised behaviour,” said ZUJ in a statement.

By Paul Nyathi | An eighty year old gogo from Harare’s Arcadia Suburb has been kicked out of her home of nearly thirty five years by the Messenger of the High Court.

Gogo Violet De Souza was evicted by officers from the court into the streets on Wednesday afternoon with all her belongings.

Her offence being for outstanding death taxes that were left unpaid by previous occupants of the house.

ZimEye.com sources close to the old lady indicated that gogo Desouza moved into the house in 1994 when her late husband was bought the house by his employer as a retirement gratuity.

“A year ago the courts started pestering the old lady about the death taxes of the previous owners,” said a source who claimed to be a close neighbour to the old lady.

“Apparently she did not understand the papers from the courts until she saw people from the courts coming to evict her yesterday claiming that the house had been sold to recover the taxes,” said the neighbour.

Zimbabwean law requires that the estate of every deceased person be registered with the courts within 14 days from the date of death.

The registration is done by way of completion of a death notice and filing it with the Master of the High Court for a person who was married under the Marriage Act (Chapter 5:11), or who left a will; and with the Magistrates’ Courts for a person who was married under the Customary Marriages Act (Chapter 5:07) or was in an unregistered customary law union.

The person expected to complete and file the death notice is the next of kin or connection who stays near or at the place that the deceased passed away.

If these are not available to register the estate, the person who at or immediately after death has chief charge of the house or the place at which the death occurred is expected to complete the death notice which is the provision that incriminated gogo Desouza as they appear not to have executed a change of ownership of the property when they moved in.

A death certificate is not a requirement to register an estate unless the master calls upon the person registering to produce it.

It is a criminal offence to fail to register the estate of a deceased person.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on the matter, human rights activist who is also an aspiring parliamentary candidate for the area, Linda Masarire, said that the courts will need to revisit the old lady’s case as the eviction of the lady contradicts her constitutional rights to the property.

“Our ethics and character as a nation should be judged by the way we treat the elderly citizenry in our communities,” she said.

“The national objectives cited in the constitution of Zimbabwe is quite specific on section 21 In upholding the rights of the elderly. Evicting this 80 yr old granny flies in the face of these constitutional provisions besides being morally ubsurd,” added Masarire.

“The old granny should be allowed to enjoy the right to shelter which is part of our constitution. Being evicted should be the last thing to be expected by the elderly.”

Asked on what interventions they have taken as human rights activists for the old lady, Masarire said that they had sourced a tent for the old lady in case it rains as she is staying outside the property at the gate.

Masarire also indicated that they have engaged a human rights lawyer for the old lady who has since met with the lady and will be filing an urgent case at the High Court to get the lady back into her property.

Gogo Desouza is adamant never to leave the property vowing to die staying outside the gate.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo | A senior MDC official, stunned party members when he claimed he was in charge of the country’ s largest opposition party.

Controversial MDC Masvingo Provincial Chairperson, James Gumbi told the shell shocked party members at the party offices at the weekend he personally instructed Morgan Tsvangirai to appoint Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as vice presidents.

“I told Tsvangirai to appoint Chamisa and Mudzuri as vice presidents.

As such I am practically in charge of the party.

I will not take instructions from anyone. Above all I do not report to anyone.

This time I will personally select both local government and Parliamentary candidates.

I will personally recommend the candidates who will represent the party in the coming elections,” said Gumbi.

Disgruntled party members claimed Gumbi was under the influence of alcohol when he made the remarks.

Britain’s immigration authority has denied a ministerial delegation from Zimbabwe visas to attend a key investment conference in London convened to discuss investment opportunities in the southern African nation.

Three ministers and a deputy minister were set to be speakers to the Zimdaba London 2018 Conference that opens today, but were denied visas by the United Kingdom authorities.

Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development minister Mike Bimha, Energy and Power Development minister Simon Khaya Moyo, deputy minister of Finance and Economic Planning Terence Mukupe and chairperson of the Special Economic Zones Authority Gideon Gono had applied for five-day visas to attend the Zimdaba London 2018, which runs for two days from today, and is to be hosted at The Royal Geographical Society in London.

Only Mines and Mining Development minister Winston Chitando was reportedly granted a visa and arrived in London yesterday.

Chitando is a former executive chairman for Mimosa Mine — a joint venture between Implats and Acqurius and was appointed Mines and Mining Development minister in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Cabinet in November, with his appointment sending positive signals to business and investors.

The Daily News understands there were also efforts to issue Bimha a visa late yesterday.

Earlier, two other ministers had opted not to travel to London for the conference after it became apparent that the UK administration was not going to grant them visas.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade minister (retired Lt-General) Sibusiso Busi Moyo — who appeared on State television on the morning of November 15 to announce the military intervention with the memorable words “the situation in our country has moved to a new level” — had been invited to the London indaba together with Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement minister (retired Air Marshal) Perrance Shiri, but were removed as speakers at the last minute after their visa denial reportedly prompted an angry reaction from the two military men.

Shiri is a former head of the air force who led the Fifth Army Brigade during the Gukurahundi massacres in Matabeleland in 1983-84.

The UK Visas and Immigration did not respond to applications for visas or give reasons why the ministers were not permitted entry to the UK.

A British embassy spokesperson in the Harare told the Daily News yesterday: “We do not comment on individual visa cases.”

Munyaradzi Majoni, the director of Consolidated Africa Services (CAS), which is organising the conference, said the ministerial delegation was not denied visas but there was a delay.

“There has been a hold-up,” Majoni told the Daily News yesterday.

“We have been talking to the British Embassy in Harare and London and they have okayed everything. We are awaiting for Pretoria. We have nowhere where we have been told that no one has been denied a visa, but there was a delay in the process.”

Asked if they are postponing the conference which was set to open today, Majoni said: “We are not postponing, we will change the programme. We will amend and adjust the programme for those that have been delayed.”

He said the indaba has been fully subscribed.

“It’s over 100 percent oversubscribed. In our delegate list, we were looking for 350 people to attend, across Europe, UK, the Americas and Asia. At the moment, we have over 700 delegates registered and others on the waiting list. We cannot postpone.”

Majoni said besides the ministerial delegation, there were directors standing in for various ministries and some from the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC).
“They have already travelled,” Majoni said. “So the conference will go on and successfully so.”

Asked why the Foreign minister Moyo had been scrapped from the programme, Majoni said “he has been highly engaged elsewhere”.

“He has another engagement in London in a couple of weeks from now,” he said.

He said Shiri had decided not to travel over the visa hassles but has delegated “his director of agricultural economy,” to stand in for him.

All business players earmarked to speak at the conference were issued with visas and allowed to travel.

These include the president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries Sifelani Jabangwe; president of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Divine Ndhlukula; Andrew Gaines, managing director of DeRisk; Edward Haslam, the former chief executive officer (CEO) of Lonmin Plc; John Siko, head of Business Intelligence, Africa, Risk Advisory Group; Chantele Carrington, chief operating officer of PwC Africa Business Group.

Other business players travelling and speaking at the indaba are Bob Diamond, chairman and co-Founder of Atlas Mara; Andrew Moorfield, head of natural resources at Exotix Capital; Nico Bezuidenhout, CEO of Fastjet; Ana Hajduka, CEO of African GreenCo; Narrotam Somani, chairman of Surface Wilmar; Reason Machigere, head of planning and investment promotion at the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority; Gerald Mlotshwa, senior partner at Titan Law; Ross Alexander, CEO of AML; Hopewell Mauwa, director of global markets and Mining & Metals EY; Tobs Strong, CEO of Rift Valley Corporation; Mark Tunmer, CEO of Imara Capital Zimbabwe; Igor Higer of Great Dyke Investments; Alexander Mavros, director of Mavros Safaris & Explore Zimbabwe and Alan Gullan from the private sector.

Britain, Zimbabwe’s former colonial power, has previously stood at the forefront of efforts to isolate Zimbabwe, but the Mnangagwa regime has been keen to mend relations as a critical step towards re-establishing ties with the West and international financial institutions.

Diplomatic ties between the UK and Zimbabwe soured during the turn of the century over charges that the ruling Zanu PF party had rigged elections and used violence to cling to power.

British conglomerates also divested from Zimbabwe during the 2000-2008 period at the height of an economic crisis, put off by Britain’s frosty ties with its former colony after the ruling party’s often-violent grab of commercial farms belonging to white farmers.

The Zimdaba London 2018 brings together business leaders and investors from the UK and Europe, together with a high-level business and ministerial delegation from Zimbabwe, to discuss and action investment opportunities here.

It is the largest gathering of Zimbabwe ministers and business leaders outside of Africa since Mnangagwa took office in November 2017 in a soft coup that toppled long-ruling despot Robert Mugabe.

Formally endorsed by the OPC, the event has been marketed as an opportunity for investors from around the world to attend and hear firsthand about the numerous business opportunities available in Zimbabwe.

But Britain has refused to issue visas to the Zimbabwean ministers, in a move being interpreted as a shift in Whitehall’s engagement with Harare.- Daily News

By Paul Nyathi | An eighty year old gogo from Harare’s Arcadia Suburb has been kicked out of her home of nearly thirty five years by the Messenger of the High Court.

Gogo Violet De Souza was evicted by officers from the court into the streets on Wednesday afternoon with all her belongings.

Her offence being for outstanding death taxes that were left unpaid by previous occupants of the house.

ZimEye.com sources close to the old lady indicated that gogo Desouza moved into the house in 1994 when her late husband was bought the house by his employer as a retirement gratuity.

“A year ago the courts started pestering the old lady about the death taxes of the previous owners,” said a source who claimed to be a close neighbour to the old lady.

“Apparently she did not understand the papers from the courts until she saw people from the courts coming to evict her yesterday claiming that the house had been sold to recover the taxes,” said the neighbour.

Zimbabwean law requires that the estate of every deceased person be registered with the courts within 14 days from the date of death.

The registration is done by way of completion of a death notice and filing it with the Master of the High Court for a person who was married under the Marriage Act (Chapter 5:11), or who left a will; and with the Magistrates’ Courts for a person who was married under the Customary Marriages Act (Chapter 5:07) or was in an unregistered customary law union.

The person expected to complete and file the death notice is the next of kin or connection who stays near or at the place that the deceased passed away.

If these are not available to register the estate, the person who at or immediately after death has chief charge of the house or the place at which the death occurred is expected to complete the death notice which is the provision that incriminated gogo Desouza as they appear not to have executed a change of ownership of the property when they moved in.

A death certificate is not a requirement to register an estate unless the master calls upon the person registering to produce it.

It is a criminal offence to fail to register the estate of a deceased person.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on the matter, human rights activist who is also an aspiring parliamentary candidate for the area, Linda Masarire, said that the courts will need to revisit the old lady’s case as the eviction of the lady contradicts her constitutional rights to the property.

“Our ethics and character as a nation should be judged by the way we treat the elderly citizenry in our communities,” she said.

“The national objectives cited in the constitution of Zimbabwe is quite specific on section 21 In upholding the rights of the elderly. Evicting this 80 yr old granny flies in the face of these constitutional provisions besides being morally ubsurd,” added Masarire.

“The old granny should be allowed to enjoy the right to shelter which is part of our constitution. Being evicted should be the last thing to be expected by the elderly.”

Asked on what interventions they have taken as human rights activists for the old lady, Masarire said that they had sourced a tent for the old lady in case it rains as she is staying outside the property at the gate.

Masarire also indicated that they have engaged a human rights lawyer for the old lady who has since met with the lady and will be filing an urgent case at the High Court to get the lady back into her property.

Gogo Desouza is adamant never to leave the property vowing to die staying outside the gate.

Terrence Mawawa

A Zanu PF Youth League member was murdered by his colleague during a nasty brawl over the selection of candidates.

Zanu PF Chiundura District youth leader, Claudius Chikope was struck with an empty bottle by one Washington Mutetwa.

The incident happened at Zaloba Business Centre in Chiundura District, Midlands Province last Friday, according to the police.

The two clashed over the selection of candidates in the area.

“Zanu PF Chiundura District youth leader (Claudius Chikope) was killed by his colleague as they argued over the selection of candidates. Chikope’ s neck was slit open after being attacked by Washington Mutetwa at Zaloba Business Centre,” said the police in Gweru.

Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson, Ethel Mukwende confirmed the incident but would not disclose what led to the tragedy.

Statement : President Nelson Chamisa today visited stranded patients at Harare hospital following a strike by doctors and senior medical personnel that has crippled the country’s health services sector.

After the tour, President Chamisa immediately called on the government to look into the very reasonable demands by the country’s doctors, whom he said were earning far much lower than their peers in the region and on the continent.

The doctors are striking over low salaries, on-call allowances, poor working conditions and lack of essential drugs, among other reasons.

President Chamisa toured various wards at the hospital speaking to patients before calling on the hospital’s chief executive to appreciate the enormity of the crisis at one of the country’s major national health referral centres. The chief executive told President Chamisa that the outpatients department had been seriously affected by the work stoppage by doctors.

Addressing journalists outside the hospital’s maternity wing at the hospital, President Chamisa urged the government to urgently look into the genuine grievances by the country’s doctors.

He said President Mnangagwa cannot continue with his mantra that the country was open for business when it is not open for health. He said the country’s medical staff worked under very difficult conditions and the government had to prioritize the health of citizens.

He said doctors and medical personnel in countries like South Africa and Rwanda earned far much more and enjoyed better working conditions than the health workers in Zimbabwe.

He pledged that his incoming government would take seriously its responsibility particularly in the social sectors such as health and education.

President Chamisa said the party would do all it can to ensure that the next elections are free and fair to enable a new government to attend to the myriad challenges facing the people.

He was accompanied by the party’s Health Secretary Dr Ruth Labode, Secretary for Elections Hon. Murisi Zwizwai, the MDC Harare Province Chairperson Hon. Eric Murai, National Youth chairperson Happymore Chidziva, Deputy Treasurer General Mr. Charlton Hwende, several MPs and other senior officials in the party.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo | Masvingo State Minister, Josaya Dunira Hungwe is making frantic efforts to impose his cousin as the Zanu PF Parliamentary candidate for Masvingo Urban Constituency.

Hungwe declared that his cousin, Goddard Dunira was the party’ s sole candidate for Masvingo Urban Constituency, party insiders said yesterday.

Dunira, who is a councillor in Chivi is facing tough competition from Eddison Zvobgo Junior, who is eyeing the same Parliamentary Seat.

“Hungwe told party members during the Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting at the weekend Zvobgo’ s credentials were questionable because of his late father’s chequered political record.

Two other candidates are also eyeing the same constituency,” said a party insider.

Both Hungwe and Zvobgo Junior have dismissed talk of beef between them.

Relatives of the late former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai are challenging the legality of Ms Elizabeth Macheka’s marriage to the politician, accusing the widow of fraudulently leaving out five houses and 17 vehicles in the inventory of properties filed at the Master of High Court’s office.

The Tsvangirai family members have instructed prominent Harare lawyer Mr Jonathan Samukange of Venturas & Samukange Legal Practitioners to request a meeting with all the interested parties before the Master to discuss the matter.

He has also asked the Master to invite all the interested parties for a roundtable meeting.

“We have instructions to challenge Elizabeth Macheka as the deceased’s surviving spouse and the inventory that she lodged with yourselves. The inventory left out several properties and it is our firm belief that this was done fraudulently”.

The family members contend that Ms Macheka deliberately under-declared the properties left behind by the late politician.

Ms Macheka rushed to register the estate of the late politician indicating that she was the only surviving spouse.

She went on to declare only one house in Strathaven, Harare, as the only immovable property that the late politician owned.

She listed six vehicles, a herd of 45 cattle in Kwekwe and others in Buhera as the only property forming the estate.

The vehicles were listed as follows:

Mercedes Benz S350         (ABI 6365)
Mercedes Benz GL        (ADV 9705)
Toyota Prado             (ADQ 1536)
Isuzu KB300            (ACG 6324)
Isuzu KB250            (ACB 8661)
Isuzu KB250            (ACB 8559)

Mr Samukange, in a letter dated March 8 2018, informed the Master of High Court that the following immovable properties were fraudulently left out by Ms Macheka:

Highlands house
Borrowdale house
Philadelphia house
Number 16 Kent Road house
A farm in Mazowe

The following vehicles, according to the relatives, were also left out on the inventory: three Mercedes Benz vehicles, a Range Rover, Nissan Navara, three Toyota Prado vehicles, a Toyota Vitz, a Toyota Hilux, five Isuzu trucks, a BMW X5 (at Gwanda Police Station) and a Toyota Land Cruiser (at CMED).

The Master of High Court is yet to respond to the request.

Meanwhile, Ms Macheka has also requested for an edict meeting to appoint an executor dative to the estate it has since been set for March 27 this year.

Nine children—one minor and eight majors—were also listed as the children of the late Tsvangirai.

The names are; Edwin, Vimbai, Millicent, Miriro, Ethen, Garikai, Rumbidzai, Vincent and Richard.

Tsvangirai died on February 14 in South Africa after battling cancer of the colon at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre.

He was accorded a State assisted funeral and he was buried at his rural home at Humanikwa Village in Buhera.

Apparently, Ms Macheka has been accused of kicking out children of the late MDC-T leader from the majestic Highlands mansion anticipating that the Government will honour its promise and grant the property to her as the surviving spouse.

President Mnangagwa is on record undertaking to fulfil all the promises that the Government made on the late Mr Tsvangirai, including transfer of ownership of the State mansion into his name.

The mansion was the matrimonial home for the late politician and his widow.

By Paul Nyathi

Scores of Welshman Ncube led MDC members in Gwanda Central over the weekend declared that they were leaving the party to join the Dumiso Dabengwa led ZAPU.

The sixty members who included a majority of the party’s ward committees told Voice Of America’s Studio Seven on Saturday that they were quitting the party because of its lack of principled top leadership.

According to the reports the members claimed that the MDC operates as a brief case party and never gets to be seen in between elections only to appear canvassing for votes at election time.

“We last saw Welshman Ncube or any of his people here in 2013 while other parties have been appearing and attending to our issues,” said one of the members.

While others were taking swipe at the MDC Alliance coalition partner, others claimed that they were joining the Dabengwa led ZAPU to revive the old spirit of the late Joshua Nkomo.

“We have always been ZAPU and we joined these other parties because our ZAPU had disappeared into ZANU PF, now that ZAPU is back we have no alternative but to go back home and revive the spirit of Joshua Nkomo,” said one lady.

ZAPU has been out on a massive campaign in the Matabeleland region where it is expecting to draw a following for the upcoming harmonised elections.

The party is expected to hold its first star rally of the campaign in Gwanda in April.

By Paul Nyathi

Ambitious and power wanting MDC-T Deputy Information Secretary who has been eying the third party Vice President position is likely not to get the position after all.

Khumalo has been positioning herself to land the position likely to fall vacant when incumbent Thokozani Khuphe who was equally eyeing the party presidency position leaves the party anytime soon.

Khuphe positioned herself for a long time as the heir to the late founding President Morgan Tsvangirai only to be out manoeuvred by Nelson Chamisa right at the end of the succession race.

In a similar manner, Thabitha Khumalo is at a huge risk of losing the Vice President positioning she is vying for so much to fellow female Matabeleland leader Bulawayo Central legislator Dorcas Sibanda.

Impeccable sources within the MDC-T indicated to ZimEye.com that members of the party in Bulawayo are secretly lobbying to sideline Khumalo who they claim to be “power hungry” and responsible for some of the party squabbles in the province.

According to the sources, senior party leaders in the City have since advised party President Nelson Chamisa that the region’s preferred replacement of Khuphe when she eventually leaves the party is Sibanda instead of Khumalo.

The two women have over the years taken turns to hit headlines with various controversies that may taint their social standings as Vice President.

Khumalo has on more than one occasion voluntary undressed in public in dramatic protests while Sibanda was at one time dragged into controversy for assaulting a hair dresser and refusing to pay her.

ZimEye.com could not get a comment on the developments from the MDC-T Bulawayo Province Chairman Gift Banda.

By Paul Nyathi| Beleaguered MDC-T Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe will be holding her first public address since the death of former party President Morgan Tsvangirai which saw her get involved in severe party leadership squabbles.

The rally which was postponed at the last minute last week on the advice of the police will be held at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre on Sunday.

Highly reliable sources close to Khuphe revealed to ZimEye.com that the rally has been cleared by the police who have also undertaken to provide security at the gathering.

Police in Bulawayo last week declined to sanction the rally raising fears of intra party violence within the MDC-T feuding factions.

Two weeks ago MDC-T supporters brutally attacked each other at the party offices as the rivalry in the party leadership intensified.

Khuphe is involved in a bitter fight for the leadership of the party with Nelson Chamisa who she accuses of unconstitutionally spiralling himself to the leadership of the party.

She is also strongly against the allocation of seats in the MDC Alliance coalition agreement where she claims the MDC-T was not given enough stake against coalition partners she claims are bringing no value into the Alliance.

Khuphe’s rally has surprisingly attracted a huge attention from varied sectors within the Matabeleland region.

Social media commentators in the region have been pledging to go out in numbers to show support for Khuphe who they claim is a victim of tribal and sexual discrimination by the Chamisa leadership.

Coalition partner Welshman Ncube of the MDC last week told a rally that Chamisa’s rise to the leadership of the MDC-T and the Alliance was endorsed by feared and respected Ndebele spirit medium, Njelele of Matopo, effectively ruling out any tribal discrimination against Khuphe.

Efforts to get a comment from Khuphe or her personal assistant Witness Dube on the agenda of the meeting were fruitless at the time of writing.

However, the sources indicated that Khuphe who “will be accompanied by surprise MDC-T senior members” will announce the inevitable third split of the party at the rally.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday launched the country’s Information Communication Technology policy to guide Zimbabwe’s economic development through a coordinated use of ICTs.

The ICT policy, together with the Innovation Drive, a policy to provide funding to young innovators were launched at the Harare International Conference Centre at a ceremony attended by ICT and Cyber Security Minister Supa Mandiwanzira and several senior Government officials.

“This policy will undoubtedly provide strategic direction and guidance for sustainable national economic development through systematic and coordinated application of ICT’s,” he said.

“The ICT policy is thus aimed at transformation, growth, inclusiveness, sustainability, innovation and partnerships in the mainstream economy and puts in place institutional, legal and regulatory frameworks in order to achieve its intended goals. It is therefore envisaged that all sectors of the economy and society at large will harness the power of ICT’s for the development of our nation.”

President Mnangagwa commended players in the ICT’s sector for their advances that have seen the penetration rate rise to 95 percent and a geographical coverage of 75 percent.

“Furthermore, ICT must be viewed as an economic enabler for the development and establishment of sector appropriate solutions with comprehensive breath, depth, flexibility and applicability.

“To this end the importance of this policy will go a long way towards making information technology revolution, the basis for ultimately transforming Zimbabwe into an e-society,” he said.

The President added that Government was making great strides through investments in ICT backbone infrastructure, ICT education, research and development, the expansion of Community Information Centres, as well as ICT governance and training of Government officials in ICT usage.

“My Government remains committed to speeding up the implementation of e-governance which will enhance communication and services between Government to Government; Government and business; Government and citizens; Government to employee as well as the back office process to smoothen interactions within the entire Government machinery,” said President Mnangagwa.

He said e-government would ensure services are available to citizens in a convenient, efficient and transparent manner and help in eradicating poverty through automated systems which remove bureaucratic bottlenecks.

“I further challenge our Government ministries and departments to spruce up their web sites to make them more interactive, responsive and reflective of the current impetus under the new dispensation.

“Let us all in our image, actions and service culture reflect that it is a new era and, ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business,” President Mnangagwa added.

He said Government would continue supporting use of ICT in areas such as education, agriculture, tourism among others.

“I challenge those in the education sector to also deploy ICT’s to advance and inculcate national identity, values and ethos as well as in defence of our national interests and cultural heritage.

“In the same vein we must always be alert to the need to protect the young and vulnerable from the vices associated with ICT’s and the threat of cyber crimes.”

Meanwhile, Minister Mandiwanzira donated 200 computers to President Mnangagwa to hand over to any schools of his choice to promote use of ICT’s in the education sector.- state media

By Paul Nyathi

A 59 year old woman has been killed in a horrific accident on the Harare to Chitungwiza Highway on the accident prone Manyame Bridge on Wednesday evening.

The woman was knocked down by a fast moving Mazda B1800 pick up truck as she attempted to cross the busy highway seconds after disembarking from a bus.

ZimEye.com sources at the scene of the accident said that the woman had just got off a bus with her husband coming from a funeral on Mutoko when they attempted to cross the highway.

The husband is reported to have dashed through the extremely busy highway and crossed while his wife was following behind.

The woman was unfortunate as she was knocked down by the very fast moving bakkie and died on the spot.

The name of the woman who has since been identified can not be published as some next of kin are still being contacted on the death.

At the time of writing this news article the body of the deceased had still not been removed from the scene thirty minutes after the accident as police from St Mary’s were still attending to the scene.

Traffic between the two cities got heavily congested and stretched back for over a kilometre on either sides of the scene.

Millions of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora are kept guessing after   a local court reserved judgement on their right to vote.

The Constitutional Court reserved judgement in the #DiasporaVote case this morning. I hope that the court does not sit on it until after the elections before giving a ruling on the matter. Everyone has the right to vote and must be given a chance to exercise that right.?

— Doug Coltart ✊??? (@DougColtart) March 14, 2018

Zanu PF has resolved to set up an Elections Commission to manage the party’s primary elections ahead of the harmonised national elections to be held later this year.

The Commission will be chaired by the party’s National Political Commissar, Engelbert Rugeje while other members will be appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa based on their experience and loyalty to the party, among other attributes.

This was confirmed by the party’s Secretary for Information and Publicity, Simon Khaya Moyo at the end of the extraordinary meeting at the party headquarters in Harare this afternoon.

“The party resolved to set up an elections commission that is tasked to scrutinise the names of approved candidates for local authorities and parliamentary elections. The National Political Commissar, Engelbert Rugeje will chair the commission and names of other shall be chosen by the President and First Secretary of the party on the basis of integrity, probity, skills, competence, loyalty and commitment to the party,” said Khaya Moyo.

Khaya Moyo added that the Politburo resolved that any member who wishes to stand for primaries should submit their names to the provinces for scrutiny, before making recommendations and passing them on to the Politburo for final decision.

He also said the provinces should also forward the names that they may not approve, stating the reasons for non-approval and the final decision shall be taken by the Politburo.

The extraordinary session of the Politburo also saw the presentation of reports.

Rugeje gave a comprehensive roadmap stating that the President will visit Matabeleland North Province after a successful visit to Mashonaland Central Province.

Other activities on the party programmes include presidential tours aimed at introducing Manangagwa to the people in the provinces.

The tours are also linked to economic activities taking place in the different areas as part of the 100 days quick win projects.

The party’s National Chairperson, Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri presented a report on the preparations for elections focusing on the party regalia and manifesto, while the Secretary for Finance, Patrick Chinamasa stood on behalf of the Secretary for Legal Affairs, Paul Mangwana to present a report on the rules and regulations governing the conduct of primary elections.

At the opening session of the Politburo, Mnangagwa reiterated his call for peace and tolerance for the elections to be free, fair and credible.- state media

Police Spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba has urged the public not to be dismayed by the resurfacing of the roadblocks saying Government has put in place drastic measures to curb corruption and harassment of motorists by traffic cops.

Addressing a media workshop in Gweru yesterday, Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the resurfacing of roadblocks was meant to protect the public from criminals and not to swindle motorists.

Snr Ass Comm Charamba said it was impossible for a country to operate without roadblocks as such an arrangement gives room for criminal activities to go undetected.

“We know there is an outcry due to resurfacing of roadblocks lately, but we cannot do without roadblocks because they are part of our duties. It is our duty as police to mount roadblocks provided they are done objectively.

We have put-up measures that are meant to ensure that corruption is not anywhere near the roadblocks. I urge the public to report any case of corruption to the nearest relevant authorities so that the culprits can be dealt with,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said not all police officers where corrupt. She said they have put in place an anti-corruption team to monitor roadblocks.

“Not all police officers are corrupt. There are only a few rotten apples in the basket that are dragging the name of the police force into disrepute. Those are the ones that our anti-corruption team will be targeting,” she said.

“We are assuring the public that we are not in any way going to tolerate any cases of corruption. Once reported, the person will be fired, no two ways about that and I mean it. People will lose jobs over corruption,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said roadblocks were not only mounted for vehicle inspection purposes.

Some are meant for awareness campaigns.

“There are so many cases where we have apprehended moving criminals, those that go round conducting criminal activities, so we have to man roadblocks for such operations,” she said.- state media

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is heading to Ivory Coast for the Africa CEO Forum as he ramps up efforts to lure foreign investment.

A lot of attention will focus on Zimbabwe’s new president, who deposed long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, who was the world’s oldest leader until the military intervened in November last year.

Mnangagwa is heading to Ivory Coast’s capital Abidjan to convince potential investors that the country is now open for business.

CEOs of the largest African and international companies, political decision makers from more than 40 African countries and the most active bankers and investors on the continent will gather on March 26 and 27 in Ivory Coast, for the 6th edition of the Africa CEO Forum.

The forum is a unique platform for discussion and debate around the economic and industrial challenges facing the African continent. Organised by the Group Jeune Afrique and Rainbow Unlimited, in partnership with the African Development Bank, the forum has become the foremost international event dedicated to the development of the private sector in Africa.

Mnangagwa, together with George Weah, the newly-elected Liberia President, are the only heads of States that are expected to address the forum together with former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo.

Mnangagwa is expected to give an overview of the strategies for Zimbabwe’s economic revival to the investor community following his ascendancy to power in November last year.

“In an unprecedented inter-presidential panel, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo and Zimbabwe’s new president will discuss ways to lift the country out of its isolation and get the economy back on its feet.

“Mnangagwa’s accession to the presidency of Zimbabwe in late November 2017 marks the beginning of a new era for the country.

“After 17 years of isolation and economic sanctions, this historic transition has raised the population’s expectations, especially around economic recovery and job creation in a country suffering from widespread unemployment.

“Gearing up to face these challenges and preparing Zimbabwe to re-engage with the rest of the world, … Mnangagwa will present his country’s economic potential to the international investor and business community at the Africa CEO Forum,” the organisation said.

Mnangagwa has been selling Zimbabwe as a country now open for business, following the Mugabe’s departure.

Mugabe had led Zimbabwe in isolation, as his policies locked away potential investors, as the country also reeled under economic sanctions.

Mnangagwa has been trying to break the barriers and open the country to the international community and improve relations with other countries, as he seeks to improve the country’s image and investment opportunities.

This forum is one of the many initiatives that he will use to market Zimbabwe to the international community.

“As the world’s third-largest platinum producer and with abundant diamond reserves, significant agricultural resources, and one of the highest adult literacy rates in Africa, Zimbabwe has a lot to offer. … Mnangagwa will share his vision for Zimbabwe’s economic recovery before an audience of more than 1 200 business leaders, international investors and policy makers.

“The Africa CEO Forum’s exclusive inter-presidential panel will give … Mnangagwa the opportunity to exchange with … Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria.

“Having emerged from a long period of economic isolation, Nigeria offers a solid example on which to base discussions on strategic priorities that must be implemented to revive Zimbabwe’s economy and put an end to sanctions,” the organisation said.

Other presidents that have previously attended the Africa CEO Forum are from Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.- Daily News

The State’s case against University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Vice Chancellor Levi Nyagura, accused of corruptly irregularly awarding a PhD degree to wife of ousted president Robert Mugabe, is crumbling.

This comes after the Higher Education ministry — cited as the complainant in the matter — said it never lodged a query against Grace Mugabe.

According to State papers, the permanent secretary in the Higher Education ministry, one L Mudyiwa, allegedly lodged a complaint against Nyagura, but the office denies, making such a report in a letter addressed to Attorney-General Prince Machaya.

“The ministry would like to register its complaint against (the) Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc). The basis of the complaint is that, we note from court papers that Zacc has been citing the permanent secretary as the complainant in cases involving the UZ vice chancellor as the accused,” the letter read in part.

“The ministry would like to state that it is not aware of the issues and neither was it involved in making any complaints to Zacc or being involved in investigations leading to the accused person being arraigned before the court for criminal abuse of office…the ministry is not involved in academic issues.

“The issue is purely academic and is the domain of the university through the Council or Senate. The ministry only provides administrative oversight to the university and is not qualified to comment, make a determination or give an opinion on whether what was done by the accused person was a criminal offence or not.”

According to the letter, that decision ought to be made by the University Council and Senate as supreme organs on academic issues.

“The ministry would like you as our lawyer to set the record straight since this is an issue which is already before the court. The court papers are defective in as
far as they cite the wrong person as representing the complainant. The ministry never complained and does not intend to complain,” reads the letter.As such, Nyagura claims that there was no reasonable suspicion warranting his arrest.

He is also demanding that investigating officer Richard Machinya be brought to court to explain why he has been placed on remand yet there is no evidence linking him to the offence.

Machinya is frantically trying to acquire a warrant of search and seizure to look for documents that form the basis of the allegations pressed against Nyagura.

This follows the High Court’s reversal of Harare magistrate Elisha Singano’s ruling, empowering Zacc to search and seize from the UZ all documents relating to the probe.

This was after the learning institution had filed an urgent High Court application, challenging Singano’s ruling on the basis that it was illegal.

High Court judge Lavender Makoni ruled the warrant that had been issued was null.

Nyagura is being charged with criminal abuse of office and has challenged his prosecution on the basis that the State does not have evidence to form reasonable suspicion against him as required by law.

His lawyer, Lewis Uriri, has argued that there is no complainant in the matter considering that the ministry of Higher Education — cited as complainant in the State papers has denied any association with the case.

But prosecutor Michael Reza said they were pursuing prosecution regardless.

Yesterday, the State said it was pressing for prosecution of Nyagura even if the complainant has turned hostile.

“What is required of the State is to place before the court sufficient evidence showing that the accused person may have done what is alleged to have done. Counsel ought to be disabused from this notion as it not a requirement at this stage,” Reza responded.

“The presumption of section 174(2) is that; if the prosecutor proves that a public officer did anything to the favour of any person in breach of his or her duty as a public officer it will be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that he or she did it for the purpose of showing favour to the person.

“It is not in dispute that the accused person was the vice chancellor of the UZ, a State institution. He is therefore a public official and consequently covered by the provisions of section 174.”

In the High Court case challenging the search and seizure warrant, the UZ had cited Zacc, Machinya and Singano as respondents.

Singano had directed the UZ Registrar Noah Ariel Mutongoreni or any other senior official at the institution to provide a set of relevant documents, records and articles to Zacc for a probe on the allegations that Grace had been corruptly awarded a doctorate degree by the institution.

Some of the documents that the court required to be made available include pre-registration application form, Grace’s research proposal submitted to the Department of Sociology, minutes of the departmental board assigning a supervisor to Grace, academic certificates of her supervisor, minutes showing that the doctorate degree passed through the Academic Committee, and minutes of the UZ Senate recommending to the University Council the conferment of the doctorate on Grace.

According to the directive, Zacc was also supposed to be furnished with the UZ Faculty Ordinance number 44, UZ quality assurance guidelines and benchmarks for management and supervision of higher degrees by research, General Academic Regulations for Post-Graduate Degrees of the University of Zimbabwe 1998/99 Volume 11, as well as copies of the transcript, notification and Doctor of Philosophy Degree awarded to Grace.

Singano’s ruling prompted UZ to approach the High Court, arguing the warrant violated the institution’s rights and was illegal.- Daily News

Nurses and other support staff at public hospitals have threatened to down tools tomorrow in solidarity with junior doctors, who went on strike two weeks ago over poor working conditions.
Senior doctors at the country’s major public hospitals joined the industrial action on Monday, paralysing the health delivery system.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) secretary-general, Enock Dongo, told NewsDay that nurse managers and educators met in the city yesterday and resolved to join the strike, if health workers’ demands are not addressed.

“We have communicated before to the HSB (Health Services Board) and the Health ministry but no action has been taken. So we are saying, if by Thursday, there has not been any move to settle our concerns, we will not report for duty,” he said.

Besides a salary and medical allowance hike, health workers are also demanding provision of drugs and other supplies to enable them to effectively discharge their duties.

“We have been working without the required equipment. Imagine five wards sharing just one BP machine or a nurse running around to secure a sputum jug. How efficient do you think the nurses can be without tools of the trade,” he said.

“The other critical issue is that of stand-by allowances for nurse managers. This was suspended years ago and yet it was the one that separated junior nurses from senior nurses. Despite the exposure to infections especially when working with inadequate tools, the nurses are getting a paltry $40 as medical allowance,” Dongo said.

“So if all these concerns are not met, nurses will not report for duty.

“We are quite serious and if they think we are joking, they will be utterly surprised.” Newsday

Terrence Mawawa

THERE will be no broadcasting of the
opening round of the 2018 Castle Lager
Premier Soccer League matches this
weekend, Chronicle has reported.

The league is yet to finalise
the media audio-visual broadcasting rights deal.

Following the expiry of a six-year
broadcasting rights deal with SuperSport at
the end of the 2017 season, the PSL has begun
a search for a new partner to beam the
topflight games for the next five years.

The PSL opened the floor for bidders to
submit their tenders in a transparent way.

The deadline for submission of tenders was
last month.

The PSL has dismissed messages circulating on social
media platforms indicating that state broadcaster ZBC
is going to beam the opening weekend’s
matches.

PSL spokesperson Kudzai Bare
said: “The issue of media audio-visual
broadcasting rights is still ongoing and that
process hasn’t been finalised. Once the
league reaches a deal with anyone, football
stakeholders will be notified accordingly.

It has also been brought to our attention
that false messages are being circulated on
social media that matches will be broadcast.

Let me categorically state that no games will
be broadcast until the media audio-visual
broadcasting rights process has been
completed.”

Terrence Mawawa

Cornered President Emmerson Mnangagwa is under pressure to reunite with his long time former boss Robert Mugabe, ZimEye.con has been informed.

Zanu PF insiders have revealed party bigwigs are exerting pressure on Mnangagwa to reconcile with Mugabe before the make or break elections scheduled for July.

The extraordinary Politburo meeting that has been held today mirrors the unprecedented alarm in the ruling party, according to the sources.

“Party stalwarts are piling pressure on Mnangagwa as they want him to coax Mugabe before it is too late.

The old man(Mugabe) is a shrewd tactician and Mnangagwa is aware of the fact he can wreck the ship,” said the impeccable sources.

An extra ordinary session of the Zanu PF Politburo is underway at the party’s headquarters in Harare.

The meeting is focusing on preparations for the 2018 harmonised elections due to take place soon.

The meeting will look at the election manifesto and guidelines for the conduct of primary elections, as well as resource mobilisation ahead of the elections.

The party regalia material has already been approved and the election materials including banners are also being prepared.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the elections will be free, fair, transparent and credible with observers from SADC, African Union (AU), European Union (EU) and other countries invited to observe them as the country has nothing to hide.

The SADC Election Advisory Council has already sent a team to assess the country’s preparedness.

A married police officer stands accused of impregnating a married workmate after being caught pants down in January this year.

Joseph Mapfumo, based at Braeside Police Station under the traffic section, is alleged to have been caught having se_x with Vimbai Mari during working hours in a parked car.

Vimbai’s husband Taurai Murambiwa is reported to have caught the two having se_x and Joseph ran away, leaving his spectacles and cellphone which are still in the hands of the latter’s lawyer.

Taurai confirmed the incident saying he had since left his family after Vimbai became violent over the issue threatening him with unspecified action.

He approached his lawyers and is demanding US$60 000 adultery damages from Mapfumo saying his marriage has irretrievably broken down accusing Mapfumo of impregnating Vimbai.

“My wife has undressed me that I feel sorry for my two kids over this and to be honest with you I am the one who caught them having se_x in our family car at the police station in January this year,” said Taurai.

“There was no peace from that day that my wife openly told me to leave the house at the police camp in Chitungwiza and I am now living elsewhere.

“She claims that she was impregnated by Mapfumo and that our marriage will never work and threatened me with unspecified action if I continued questioning her about the issue.

“Vimbai is so violent and if you remember she is the one who made headlines after she beat up my mother.

“I have since approached my lawyers to claim adultery damages from Mapfumo and I am sure he will receive summons this week over this,” said Taurai.

Taurai showed H-Metro a letter of demand addressed to Mapfumo from his lawyers on adultery damages and recorded cellphone conversations between Vimbai and Mapfumo as well as WhatsApp conversations.

Vimbai denied the allegations blaming Taurai for spreading falsehoods meant to wreck marriage.

“Taurai has some issues with me and is spreading falsehoods about me and Mapfumo,” said Vimbai.

“Mapfumo is just my workmate we never fell in love and I am not pregnant as Taurai wants people to believe.

“Anywhere I will come and see you so that I furnish you with finer detail about the whole story,” said Vimbai.

Mapfumo refused to entertain H-Metro citing protocol since the incident happened at the police station when he was on duty.

However, his wife only identified as Mai Sandy, confirmed the incident describing Vimbai as a woman of loose morals.

“You were supposed to talk to my husband and that police officer who is of loose morals to the extent of removing her duty uniform to bed my husband in a car,” said Mai Sandy.

“I am very cross about this story and I heard that she fell pregnant and my husband is being accused of being responsible,” she added.- h-metro

Socialite and businesswoman, Olinda Chapel, is at it again!

This time around she has torched a Twitter storm for mocking her former husband Desmond “Stunner” Chideme’s manhood.

In a post accompanied with a picture of her with the flamboyant rapper in their good old days, Olinda offered to give 1000 pounds to stunner if his manhood can be eight inches long.

“I will Give #Stunner 1000 pounds if his Manhood is more than 8 inches long,” reads the tweet. Eight inches equates to 20.3 centimetres.

The tweet however exposed the socialite to criticism from the public with the majority saying she misses stunner.

On the other hand, some people said she is just exposing how bad her current husband, Tytan, is for failing to quench her sexual desires.

Below are some of the people’s reactions taken from instagram podium, minutes after the post:

Zimbo-ngoda- In other words sisi Chapero is not getting enough from Lil Tytan and miss the Stunner Guy. Haha @stunnerzim vakamuzvambura zvegore rese i wonder if she can go a day asina kufunga ari pamusoro pa Stunner just saying but i read minds too. Idzo Tytan kare kedu taimati mafudza tikame.

Gwyn-23- Are you trying to remain relevant….coz honestly had forgotten u still exists @lee-chapel anyway its working for u but in the wrong way u should be working on ur foundation and doing good in the world then offer the pounds to let us know how long stunners di** is coz you already know that answer.

Zimcelebfashion- Guys @tytan-theone musatombomunzwire Tsitsi akutoita mari from Olinda and her stupidity. Kwaari ritori graft. He is clearly Gay i don’t know kuti vanhu imi makapusa to this level sei.Apa in UK he fu***d 2 women ne 8 inches idzodzo @dyonne-tanaka should be wise pachiine time.

Issa-gold-rose @bustoptv tytan haskunatsobata basa he is just a rebound one can clearly see that.

Zimcelebsfashion- Guys mukuonan kuti chii. Tytan atori pa graftn and mari arikuiita sekuseka. Tytan anga aita maths dazke kare the moment olinda akaburitsa nyaya achiti adyiwa mari. Tytan anga ato calculator kare kuti muchembere unoda Mbiri. Akabva ainvester pa ndichakubata bho knowing well kuti muchembere will respond. Saka zvekuti tytan na Olinda vakudanana ndokunonnzi kunyeba. Tytan atori Gay Boy pachake. Tarisa the way yaano rova ma jive. Even kumeso kwake chaiko haana ka that kane vamwee varume….anyway he has nothing lose even if Olinda akanzi she fu***d stunner ku London uko. Iye anoziva chii? Ndi job role racho.

Chiedza-nano- @[email protected] Olinda aisuwa ka ya stunner.

Contacted for a comment, Tytan dismissed the claims that he loves Olinda for money only saying he truly loves her.

“As far as people’s opinion are concerned, I have no hand in anything people say or think about me.

“I’m very much settled and happy where I am with my partner.

“I don’t know why people decided to shift from the actual message on Olinda’s post. In fact, please call the person and ask kuti why hard feelings asi hakuna chiriko here?” he laughed off.

In another interview, Stunner could not comment over the issue, “no comment”, presumably after opening up in the tweet, which has caused a stir.- H-Metro

Terrence Mawawa

Outspoken Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe (PDZ) leader Barbara Nyagomo has appealed to fellow politicians to assume a common position as the opposition seeks to defeat Zanu PF in the coming elections.

In her Facebook message yesterday, Nyagomo urged leaders of opposition parties to desist from bickering and jostling for positions.

“2018 is a year of hope as a result of the formation of political coalitions.

However it seems leaders of opposition parties are clinging to
their party names, slogans, regalia and posts.

Let’s serve the people of Zimbabwe. We cannot let Zanu PF subvert the will of the people again,” wrote Nyagomo.

Aspiring MP for Goromonzi Energy Mutodi dances with zvigure.

Ray Nkosi | Rape is serious matter and perpetrators have destroyed livelihoods. But while cases have continued, controversial rights activist, Gugulethu Ncube, who claims to be politician Welshman Ncube’s daughter has struck again, this time saying she was raped by a known rights activist, Shivambu Mhlava.

South African Police in Pretoria were embroiled on the latest case as they sought to arrest the recently accused man.

She claims Welshman is her father and says there were DNA tests done in 1986 to prove the paternity.

However, in 1986 there was no DNA technology use in hospitals and certainly none of such in Zimbabwe.

The latest rape case has since been closed and below is a list of other cases reported:

173-01-2013 withdrawn / no accused

218-01-2010 undetected / no accused

1779-10-2009 withdrawn / accused Gwanda Alex Adamson

261-4-2017 Closed/ accused M G (initials)

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

The Chivi Community has been plunged into mourning following a shocking murder incident in the area.

Three unknown assailants broke into 93-year-old Chipa Chigubhu’ s house and violently pulled him out of the room he was sleeping in- with his wife, according to the police.

Acting Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa said police were looking for the three assailants.

“According to the information we received, the man(Chipa Chigubhu) was dragged out of his house by three men on Saturday night.

The three men then assaulted him and vanished into the night.

His wife reported the incident to the police after realising that her husband was lying in a pool of blood.

Chigubhu died on the way to hospital,” said Dhewa.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

Disgruntled residents of the city of Masvingo have threatened to name and shame rogue municipal police officers who are harassing vendors.

Following reports of harassment and looting of vendors’ goods by Masvingo City Council police details, local residents have called on the local authority to reign in on such uncouth elements with immediate effect.

Masvingo Residents Trust Chairperson, Prosper Tiringindi yesterday said rogue municipal cops would be exposed.

“We know that what they are doing is illegal and they are not supposed to seize the vendors goods.

We therefore urge the local authority to stop such uncouth behaviour as a matter of urgency,” said Tiringindi.

As  questions continue to be asked on whether amputated CAPS United captain Hardlife Zvirekwi will still be able to play professionally after he recovers, one of the players who found themselves in the same situation like the Warriors full-back in the early 1980s – Todd Gwamure – says it will be difficult though still possible. Zvirekwi’s left hand was amputated from the wrist at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on Monday after it was badly injured in a car accident in the early hours of the same day.- state media

The board of directors of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) exerted undue pressure on a recruitment agency to interview executive managers who failed the first set of job interviews and later employed them.

Documents seen by the Daily News show the ZBC board recruited substandard candidates for the top jobs in a blatant breach of recommendations of the recruitment agency, and seemingly engaged in a sham recruiting exercise, posting executive positions that, for all intents and purposes, seemed filled already.

It seems ZBC wanted to meet legal requirements, such as “equal employment opportunity” by engaging a recruitment agency, Industrial Psychology Consultants (IPC), to conduct interviews then disregard its recommendations by resorting to a dismal practice to promote someone from within.

IPC, which was contracted by ZBC to assist with the recruitment for a new executive team, came under withering pressure to interview candidates who failed to make the cut.

The aim of the exercise was to recruit a team that would be able to deliver viability and self-sustenance to the State broadcaster.

This comes as the State broadcaster is in a deep financial crisis due to dwindling advertising and licence revenue as well as poor management, use of archaic equipment, and is coming under increasing pressure from opposition parties over its biased news coverage, in particular during this election season.

The recruitment was for eight executive positions and was conducted in November 2015.

After the interviews, the recruitment effort went for over two years with no substantial visible activity, until June last year when most of the top posts were eventually substantively filled by candidates, most of whom failed in job interviews.

The positions recruited for were chief executive officer (CEO); corporate secretary; director (radio services); director (television services); director (news and current affairs); director (finance, human resources and administration); director (broadcast technology) and director (marketing).

The recruitment was touted as part of an organisational restructuring that ZBC is currently undertaking.

The 131-page report, produced by the recruitment agency, contains a litany of professional recruitment pitfalls, but the most glaring example is how the ZBC board helped a former soldier, Patrick Mavhura, get a job as substantive CEO of the State broadcaster.

Mavhura, who was acting CEO in November 2015 when the interviews were conducted, dismally flunked interviews conducted by IPC.

A former Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) workshop manager, Mavhura came out number nine and seven in psychometric tests and assessment centre tests, respectively, but still got the job.

Mavhura, who had been acting after former ZBC boss Happyson Muchechetere was sent home for misconduct and financial mismanagement, was appointed substantive CEO in June last year even after performing dismally and against the recommendations of the recruitment agency.

The 18 shortlisted candidates for the CEO job were Christopher Chivinge, Shadreck Tanyanyiwa, Lovemore Mandima, Webster Muzariri, Mavhura, Collins Chihuri, Trevor Chigwanda, Justin Mutasa, Nanette Silukuni, Albert Mandizha, David Machingaidze, Sylvester Zumbika, Tendai Kapumha, Peter Mujaya, Godfrey Mawarura, Wonder Nyakudya, Lucky Maurukira and Misheck Masaiti.

Out of the 18 shortlisted candidates, 15 were tested and only four who topped the psychometric tests were recommended to proceed to interviews — Kapumha, Machingaidze, Maurukira and Zumbika.

The ZBC board then unduly instructed the recruitment agency to interview Mavhura even after flunking the tests and not making the cut for interviews.

“After reviewing our report, the board made some adjustments to our recommendations,” the recruitment agency said in its damning report.

“The adjustments are listed below (taken verbatim from the email sent by ZBC to us): Patrick Mavhura, the current acting CEO is interviewed in respect of the position of managing director, in view of the fact that he is the current CEO. Assessment centres be administered on . . . Mavhura for the position of director finance, H/R and administration, and interviews held for the same; . . . Mavhura, the acting CEO should be interviewed first, ahead of the other candidates for both the position of MD and director — finance, H/R and admin.

“… Silukuni should also be interviewed in view of the need for gender balance.”

Even after the interviews, Mavhura — who has an Executive Master of Business Administration degree and is also a holder of the internationally-acclaimed Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators in Zimbabwe qualification — again failed, scoring far below the recommended total score of at least 50 percent.

The recruitment agency recommended that only candidates with the total score of 50 percent and above be considered for placement.

Only two candidates made the cut, Kapumha who scored 70 percent and Machingaidze who scored 68 percent.

The third candidate, Zumbika scored 46 percent, which was below the 50 percent average required in the cognitive and interview scores.

Mavhura was not even listed among the three eligible candidates for the job.

But ZBC board chairperson Father Gibson Munyoro, gave Mavhura the job claiming that after “observing” and “critically assessing the performance, conduct, competencies, qualifications and commitment of Mavhura to the ZBC and its operations in a full board meeting …resolved to appoint him as the substantive CEO.”

His appointment was for a fixed term of five years and is performance-based, benchmarked against the ZBC’s business transformation strategic plan 2017-2019 and the company’s annual budget.

Reached for comment yesterday, Munyoro told the Daily News there were many considerations in the recruitment of the CEO, including security considerations.

“As the board responsible for recruiting the CEO, when you engage private consultants, they present a final report recommending people to recruit. But for security purposes, the nation has an interest in the security of the ZBC, so people are sent for vetting. So it’s possible, you could perform very well during interviews, but fail the vetting process,” he told the Daily News.

“The situation advised us to head-hunt. We started by using a recruitment agency but because of difficulties of the process, we head-hunted.

“It’s not that the board disregarded the recommendations, we followed procedures, but the situation advised us to rethink.

“The process involved interviews, vetting and then offering a job to an individual, who can either accept it, reject it on the basis of the package or the conditions.
At the end of the day, it can happen that everyone that is targeted qualifies, that’s a possible scenario, or you get someone else. The process has a lot of options.”

Asked why they hired a CEO who flunked in interviews, Munyoro said the ZBC board was impressed with how Mavhura was steering the ship when they were hunting for a substantive CEO.

“ZBC in the meantime was going on. How is the person managing? Let’s consider this person. The board took some time observing, looking at the acting CEO. He showed he had the capacity. He was running the institution during all this time. So, we made a decision that we have capacity that we can mentor and develop in the interest of the corporation,” Munyoro said.

In 2016, Mavhura was acquitted on allegations of criminal abuse of office after he allegedly bought 35 vehicles without following due process, prejudicing ZBC of about $700 000 and government of $20 000.

Asked if the ZBC board was happy with how Mavhura was running the State broadcaster, Munyoro retorted: “If we were not happy, we could have fired him. He has a performance-based contract.”

IPC said: “The recruitment exercise overall was a challenge.”

The agency said in its executive summary, “generally, the CVs we received from candidates for some positions such as the managing director and core broadcasting positions were not up to standard”.

“This may be a sign that the broadcasting sector in Zimbabwe does not have enough skilled people locally. Candidates from outside Zimbabwe were hesitant to apply due to low remuneration in the country,” the damning report says.

The recruitment agency said people were hesitant to apply and be considered for recruitment due to ZBC’s past problems.- Daily News

More than 200 ex-Zipra cadres discharged from the Zimbabwe National Army in 1982 at the height of Gukurahundi over alleged tribal victimisation have sued Defence, Security and War Veterans minister Constantino Chiwenga and the Defence Forces Services Commission (DFSC) over unfair termination of their employment.

Duke Moyo and 249 others filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court demanding pensions, benefits and gratuities from August 1982 to date.

“An order declaring plaintiffs’ sacking or firing in 1982 by the defendants as unlawful, unconstitutional and outside the Defence Act. An order that all plaintiffs be given proper letters of discharge and certificates of discharge in terms of the Defence Act. The first defendant [Chiwenga] shall ensure compliance with this order within 30 days of its granting and an order that the second defendant pays costs of suit on an attorney-client scale if the order sought is opposed.”

In declaration of the claim, the ex-Zipra cadres said they were the armed wing of PF Zapu, which fought the liberation war until 1980 alongside Zanu’s Zanla.

“Following demobilisation in 1980, the plaintiffs, together with Zanla members, were integrated and attested into the ZNA under the Defence Act. The plaintiffs were contracted to serve as soldiers . . . stationed at 45 Infantry Battalion in Gutu . . .,” the declaration read.

“On or about August 1982, plaintiffs without notice or a hearing in terms of the law . . . were accused of being dissidents and also defying lawful instructions . . . by their commanders and they were summarily dismissed from the ZDF in violation of their rights.”

They said part of their outstanding benefits were paid though their lawyers Sansole and Senda.

On March 7 this year through Civil Division of the Attorney-General’s Office, the minister and the DFSC filed a defendant’s plea at the Bulawayo High Court.
“There are three points in limine which the honourable court must dispose of warranting the dismissal of the plaintiffs’ claim without considering the merits . . . the cause of action arose in August 1982 . . . The claim must have been instituted within three years and ought to be dismissed on this ground,” the defendants’ plea read.

“Secondly, the plaintiffs were fully paid in terms of the contracts they signed on attestation into ZNA in 1980. According to that contract, the plaintiffs were engaged for a period of seven years, which entitled them to a refund of pension contributions and not a pension. The refunds due to the plaintiffs were paid in 1997 through their former legal practitioners Sansole and Senda . . .”

The defendants also submitted that the number of claimants was inconsistent.

“The face of the summons lists 39 plaintiffs while declaration talks of 70 and also 250 members. This raises the issue of who the plaintiffs are and where they are today. The summons is, therefore, defective and the claim must be dismissed for want of compliance with the rules,” the defendants’ plea
read.

However, applicants said it was impossible for them to have filed the claim at that time as they were targets of Gukurahundi and could have been killed or arrested.- Newsday

A drunk ODZI man, who slept on the Harare-Mutare railway line recently believing he had arrived home, is lucky to be alive after a goods train crushed his legs.

Manicaland Police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the incident.
According to the police, Dambudzo Nyamusoro (35) of Odzi township was on his way home from Odzi business centre after a beer drink. On his way home, he believed he had arrived and sat on the railway line while listening to some music with earphones plucked in his ears. He then fell asleep. Both his legs were injured, with the left one coming off worse, which saw it being amputated in the end.

“He said he was very drunk when the incident happened. He said he thought he had reached home and decided to sleep on the railway road. He is seriously injured and has a traumatic amputation and a broken leg,” a staff member at Mutare Provincial Hospital who declined to be named said, adding that the Nyamusoro confided in him that he was drunk when the incident happened.

Insp Kakohwa said the engine operator in charge of the train on the fateful day was identified as Philson Imbayago.

“On approaching the 226 km peg, Imbayago sounded the horn but despite doing sorepeatedly, Nyamusoro did not hear the warning. The train hit him with the impact throwing him away from the track,’’ he said.

The engine operator stopped 200 metres away from the accident scene.
“Police attended the scene before taking the victim who is now admitted at Mutare Provincial Hospital,” Insp Kakohwa further explained.

When The Manica Post visited Mutare Provincial Hospital, they were denied entry and referred to the provincial medical director, who was not available.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga got back to work last week on Thursday, a day after he was rushed to hospital, after suffering a dramatic fall at the Zanu PF headquarters – forcing him to cancel his politburo attendance.

The 61-year-old was released from a hospital with minor injuries and bruises, presidential spokesperson George Charamba told the Daily News. A smiling Chiwenga showed up alongside President Emmerson Mnangagwa at an engagement with the private sector last Thursday.

Charamba said Zimbabweans need not worry about the health of Chiwenga as he was in high spirits.
“Worry? Never! He was back at work by Thursday. You would have seen him with His Excellency at the Lavrov meeting,” Charamba said, referring to Russian Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov’s meetings with Mnangagwa and senior government officials, where they signed an agreement to establish a special economic zone for Russian firms to manufacture goods for export.

“You may know he (Chiwenga) is driving investment projects in the presidency.”
Charamba said the VP was fine and there was no need for further observation by doctors.
“The ex-rays showed no serious injury, only bruised tissue on his arm which needed a little application of balm,” Charamba told the Daily News.

Chiwenga tripped and fell and hurt his hand just after arriving for last Wednesday’s conclave, whose agenda included election preparations, mobilisation of voters, party regalia and the threat of defections ahead of the crucial mid-year general election.

The former commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces reportedly missed a step and slipped, before injuring his hand.

He sustained a mild sprain. Chiwenga was mobbed by concerned staffers and colleagues at the Zanu PF headquarters foyer, who commiserated with him as he was being rushed to hospital.

He was whisked away in his Range Rover, escorted by the police. Daily News