Mnangagwa Cuts Kereke’s Jail Term?

Convicted rapist and former Member of Parliament for Bikita West Munyaradzi Kereke  has had three years of his 10-year sentence cut by prison officials on account of good behaviour, the Daily News can report.

The businessman has also been removed from the D Class section at Chikurubi Maximum Prison to Connemara Open Prison, which is meant for male inmates.

This emerged in a court application in which Kereke is seeking bail pending appeal based on changed political circumstances.

Kereke, a former advisor to then Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono, was jailed after being convicted for raping his then 11-year-old relative, following private prosecution proceedings.

He was jailed after a long legal battle that took about six years.

Efforts to have him prosecuted through the normal court process had hit a brick wall after the State claimed there was no sufficient evidence to proceed with the matter.

He was eventually prosecuted privately after an order was given to the then Prosecutor-General Johannes Tomana to issue a certificate for private prosecution.

In his latest application, Kereke told the court that the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has, taking into account his exemplary behaviour, reclassified him from the D Class and he now qualifies to be admitted to Connemara Open Prison.

“That entitles him to occasionally be with his family. The conditions pertaining to the grant of bail have accordingly drastically altered. An applicant who is effectively entitled to serve his sentence at home is surely entitled as well to bail pending appeal,” Kereke told the court.

“The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services has further cut 40 months of the sentence he must serve through remissions. In reality, applicant has now directly served 18 months, 48 months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, a further 40 months have been interfered with on remission which leaves applicant with 38 percent of his sentence to serve. The risk of him absconding under the circumstances has been diminished to the point of extinction,” he added.

He said the new political dispensation has an effect on his political persecution.

“The court was also duty bound to consider the ‘political’ angle set up by applicant. It was consistent with the nub of his defence and was not an afterthought as wrongly concluded by the court,” he said.

But the complainant’s lawyer, Charles Warara, is challenging the application in court.

Warara, who is representing the girl’s guardian, Francis Maramwidze, told the court that Kereke was getting special treatment because of his political connections, which he said must be investigated.

He alleged the business had told the trial court that he belonged to the Lacoste faction in Zanu PF and that the persecution he was facing was as a result of that.

“He admitted to be very close to the current president of Zimbabwe (Emmerson Mnangagwa) and as such he might be using that influence in prison to continue his political protection,” Warara said.

He further said Kereke was trying to use the current political system to get out of prison, adding that the change of government cannot amount to changed circumstances in his case.

“He wants this court to be collated and be viewed as sympathetic to him because of the political changes that has taken place in Zimbabwe because he submitted that he is in prison because respondent (Maramwidze) benefited from the old and deposed government and now the current government is connected to him, he must be released,” Warara said.

Warara also said there are fears that once Kereke is released on bail he might never taste jail again by pulling political strings.

“Once he is released, he will never again be taken back because he is connected to the leadership in the government and they have openly stated in public that applicant must be helped out of prison because he was taken to prison through a political outfit notoriously called G40 which he claimed in court was responsible for his political persecution.

“Powerful people in Masvingo Province have declared that applicant is a victim of political persecution who must be assisted to come out of jail. That assistance is now manifesting in the form of reduction of his sentence by Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services…,” the court was told.

Warara further told the court that there was no disclosure to the effect that he had been removed from D Class and that there was need for a prison official to provide a sworn statement confirming the process was done lawfully, adding the changes were a manipulation of the system by powerful government officials.

“Again, this is proof that the coming in of the new political dispensation benefitted the applicant. Applicant gets his sentence slashed by three years, just like that and if he has served two years as he claims, the sentence he has served is less than that which he has had remitted.

“All this needs proof and an investigation by respondent why the applicant has suddenly become such an important prisoner to the current hosts in government. It will become meaningless for the justice system to benefit rapists on the basis that a court sentence can be slashed by prison officials just like that,” Warara said.

Kereke’s lawyers from Mutandiro, Chitsanga and Chitima Attorneys have since written to the presiding judge, Davison Foroma, in a letter dated February 22, 2018, to have the bail application postponed indefinitely.

The lawyers said they would need to respond to issues of remission of sentence and Kereke’s removal from D class.- Daily News

 

Boy Amputated After Croc Attack

A 17- year old boy who fought a crocodile after it attacked him while he was swimming with friends in Gwayi River in 2016 had his left leg amputated last year following an alleged botched operation.

Mpumelelo Tshuma of Gwayi Range Farm, was 15 years and doing Form Two at Nechilibi High School when the incident happened.
He bravely fought the crocodile together with his brother and five other boys.
Mpumelelo, who missed school last year after sustaining injuries on the left leg, was operated on at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo.

The leg was unfortunately amputed at the same hospital last November due to complications.

The family is blaming the health institution for the loss of the leg. Mpumelelo said although the pain has subsided, he regrets losing his leg.

“They cut off my leg in November last year because it was giving me problems. I couldn’t walk properly because the leg was twisted after they put a metal in it,” he said.
The leg was amputated below the knee and Mpumelelo now uses an artificial leg.
He said the artificial leg is shorter than the other leg and makes it difficult for him to walk.
Contacted for comment, Mpilo Central Hospital clinical director Dr Solwayo Ngwenya defended the health institution saying the doctors who operated on Mpumelelo did their best.

“Crocodile bites are very bad because it uses a lot of force and as such crushes bones,” he said. He said crocodile teeth could cause untreatable infection and those who survive its attack are therefore lucky. Chronicle

Drama After Man Fails To Pay Sex Worker

Two men and a woman from Bulawayo who assaulted a man after he failed to pay for the services of a prostitute in Cowdray Park suburb have been fined $100 each.
Malvin Ndlovu (20), Patrick Chabwedzera (24) and Clara Rubaya (20) —all from Cowdray Park — appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube charged with assault that resulted in their victim sustaining injuries.

Mr Ncube convicted them on their own pleas of guilty. He sentenced them to wholly suspended sentences of six months for good behaviour. The magistrate ordered them to pay a fine of $100 each.
The trio assaulted Mr Christopher Hwariva (25) on Tuesday after he had failed to pay for the services of their roommate Shupikai Sibanda who is a sex worker.

They assaulted Mr Hwariva with fists and an electric cord while he was naked. However, Rubaya told the magistrate that she did not use an electric cord during the assault. “When Shupikai called me into the room, Hwariva was still naked and I took his belt which I used when we were assaulting him,” she said.

Prosecuting, Mrs Memory Ndlovu said on Tuesday at around 2AM, Mr Hwariva hired the services of Sibanda.

She then asked him to send the money to Rubaya’s EcoCash account since she did not have an account.

“After they had finished Rubaya said there was no money in her EcoCash account. That is when she called the other two accused persons and they assaulted the complainant several times with fists and an electric cord all over the body accusing him of not paying Sibanda for her services,” said Mrs Ndlovu.

The court also heard that Sibanda later opened the door and the complainant escaped. Hwariva went to hospital for treatment and a medical report was produced in court as evidence. Chronicle

Tsvangirai Nurse “Was Murdered”, But We’re Not Sure Who…

“We suspect that she was killed, but we are not sure who…”

 

the late Nomsa Ncube

The family of a Zimbabwean nurse who worked at a South African hospital where the late MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai was hospitalised, suspects her alleged murder was linked to her photograph with the politician in his final days which went viral.

Ms Nomsa Ncube, who worked at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC) in Johannesburg where Mr Tsvangirai was hospitalised, came under the spotlight when a picture of her posing next to the ailing politician during his final days, went viral on social media.
Prior to her death, a complaint against her had been filed with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) by a fellow nurse who wanted her disciplined for misconduct.

Ms Ncube’s body was reportedly discovered in a pool of blood by her Grade Three daughter at their flat in Johannesburg on February 18, four days after the former Prime Minister’s death.

Her body was expected in the country last night ahead of burial today. When The Chronicle contacted the deceased’s father Mr Malaba Ncube (73) of Bhekeni area, under chief Ndiweni in Ntabazinduna, he referred questions to one of his sons, Mr Absalom Ncube.

Absalom did not give details on circumstances leading to Ms Ncube’s death.
“I can’t say anything because we haven’t been told anything yet. We don’t know what happened and we are just gathered here waiting for the body that is on its way from South Africa and we lay her to rest. That’s it,” he said.

Ms Ncube, a former sister in charge at Nkayi District Hospital is said to have left the country for South Africa in 2008.
Family sources said they suspect that her death was linked to the picture of herself and Mr Tsvangirai taken during MDC-T leader’s last days which went viral.

The relative said what worsens the situation for the family is that Ms Ncube’s death came just three months after the death of her mother.

A relative who preferred anonymity said Ms Ncube’s daughter discovered her mother’s body when she woke up on February 18.

“It is alleged that a neighbour heard Nomsa’s child screaming and shouting for help in her flat. When neighbours went to investigate, they found her dead in a pool of blood. We suspect that she was killed, but we are not sure who may have done it,” said a source.

“The reasons must be to do with her picture with the late Mr Morgan Tsvangirai. We were not told much except that she was found in a pool of blood in her house.”

The relative said they hoped the police investigations will lead to the arrest of the murderers and probably establish the motive.

The source said the family was disappointed that no-one from Mr Tsvangirai family or the MDC-T party had visited or contacted the family following their daughter’s death yet she was taking care of the late MDC-leader while in hospital.

Zimbabwe’s consul general to South Africa Mr Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro could not be reached for comment.
Last week he said investigations on the death were underway.

A Zimbabwean nurse registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) allegedly wrote to the professional body demanding action against Ms Ncube after her picture with Mr Tsvangirai went viral.

In the complaint, the nurse, identified only as S Masawi, demanded that the nurse be charged with misconduct.

“May I bring to your attention the attached image showing one of your nurses posing for a picture with a patient who is clearly in his final days. The patient is a well-known Zimbabwean politician Mr Morgan Tsvangirai who passed away today (Wednesday) 14 Feb 2018 at the well-known hospital in Africa WDGMC (Wits Gordon, South African Hospital),” Masawi said.

“I am a fellow registered nurse myself and, sadly, l find the actions of your staff member, a fellow professional colleague to be grossly inappropriate, unprofessional and in breach of the Nursing profession’s code of conduct.”

In response, a spokesperson for the hospital said disciplinary measures had been taken.
“It is with regret that we note recent posts on social media showing a photograph of Mr Tsvangirai with a nursing staff member. We have investigated the matter and, according to the nursing staff member, the photograph was taken with the permission of Mr Tsvangirai.

“We strongly condemn the appropriateness of the photograph and its subsequent distribution and confirm that disciplinary action has been taken against the nursing staff member,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying. – state media

Reprieve For Farmers Evicted By Grace Mugabe

Zimbabwean villagers who were evicted from Manzou farm in Mazowe in 2015 to pave way for the then first lady Grace Mugabe have reportedly been awarded more than $30 000 as compensation by the court.

The villagers were evicted in spite of a court order granting them reprieve to stay on the farm until government secured alternative land for them.

During the forced evictions, police destroyed homesteads, household furniture and the villagers’ crops, including maize grain and groundnuts, reports said.

Through their human rights lawyer, Noble Chinhau, the villagers led by Leonard Mukoore, demanded compensation for loss of property and dignity they suffered.

In court papers filed at the Bindura magistrates court, the families accused the police of evicting them without a court order.

Chinhau cited Home Affairs Minister Obert Mpofu, Acting police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and six junior cops as respondents.

According to local media the Bindura magistrates’ court issued a judgement against Mpofu, police commission and the six junior cops this week.

The court said that Mpofu and the police commissioner were liable for the more than $30 000 compensation.

“We hope that by the end of March this year all judgements will be delivered and we expect the cited authorities to pay the damages as indicated by the court,” said Kumbirai Mafunda from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights was quoted as saying by Deutsche Welle.- News24

South Korea Hot Air – “ED Only Game In Town”

Wilbert Mukori |  President Mnangagwa has been looking for a chief of propaganda of the likes of Professor Jonathan Moyo, he need not look any further, Hopewell Chinono fits the bill. He has hit the ground running, his recent articles have praised ED to the high heavens. Cross examines the articles, and it becomes obvious that this is just propaganda being peddled as distilled wisdom.

Zanu PF is a party of corrupt, incompetent ruthless thugs whose misrule has dragged this nation from being one of the richest country in Africa with the potential to have been the South Korea of Africa to be the poorest country in Africa. The party itself has been tearing itself apart in the last decade as the party members fought each other over the ever-dwelling wealth and for power like a pack of hyenas.

For Chinono to be showering ED and his Lacoste faction with praise, as if anyone can glean anything pure, clean and wholesome from corrupt and murderous thugs is plain nonsense.

“So, whilst G40 accentuated it’s political rhetoric against Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2017, his team started to imagine a time when they would be in government,” writes Chinono.

“They started working on a plan of what would happen when they took over, Edwin Manikai was so confident of this reality such that his parting shot became, “ED is the only game in town.””

The only reason ED was the only game in town is that the 38 years of Zanu PF vote rigging and murderous oppression has stifled all debate and democratic competition it has become impossible for quality leaders to emerge in the opposition and even within Zanu PF itself. 50%, at least, of the leaders in Zanu PF itself are the same ugly and stupid faces from 1980. Indeed, if it had not been for death and the recent dog-eat-dog in fighting in the party, 95% plus of the same corrupt, incompetent and murderous thugs from 1980s will be in power today.

ED is a corrupt, vote rigging and murderous thugs whose political track record speaks for itself. The only reason he is in power is because Zanu PF imposed on the nation this stiflingly oppressive political system that allowed scum like him to remain in power for all these years.

To accept that “ED is the only game in town” without asking why is clearly a sign of one devoid of any intellectual merit of any kind.

Is ED the only game in town because he has proven himself the brightest and visionary leader to get the nation out of the hell-on-earth Zanu PF has landed us in? Let us overlook, his role in the Zanu PF governments of the last 37 years which landed us here and just focus of the way forward. The answer is a resounding no!

ED is the only game in town by default! Zanu PF created such an oppressive political system that corrupt, incompetent and rotten to the core as the party might be it still remained the only game in town. The competition for power has been between G40 and Lacoste, Grace Mugabe and Emmerson Mnangagwa, Tweedle Dee against Tweedle Dum!

Of course, it is foolish to accept Tweedle Dum as leader because one has to reject the system that is so restrictive the choice is black or while in world full of all the colours of the rainbow.

Ever since assuming the office of President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, nearly 100 days ago, President Mnangagwa, has promised to hold free, fair and credible elections. His one chance to prove he was not Tweedle Dum hand-picked by his fellow Joint Operation Command, the Zanu PF Junta that has ruled the country all these years, but has the people’s democratic mandate.

Yet he has done nothing to implement the democratic reforms agreed by all parties the 2008 Global Political Agreement; Mnangagwa, of people knows, there cannot be free, fair and credible elections without first implementing the reforms designed to end the suffocating and tyrannical political environment Zanu PF has created.

The only Zanu PF government ED and his Junta friends want is one in which they continue to enjoy absolute power including the carte blanche powers to rig elections. They view “ED is the only game in town!” only in the strict context of their no-regime-change mantra.

If the coming elections are NOT free, fair and credible the whole process will be declared null and void. The only legitimate validation of “ED is the only game in town!” for ED to win free, fair and credible elections otherwise this is North Korea style hot air!

Wife Runs From Sex Pest Hubby

Mutare woman has fled her matrimonial bedroom following incessant forced attempts by her HIV positive husband to have unprotected sex.

Chipo Damba revealed this at the Mutare Civil Courts where she is applying for a protection order against her lawfully wedded husband, Martin Damba.

She told the presiding magistrate, Miss Nyasha Kuture, that she now feared for her life living under the same roof with her husband. Chipo said they both got tested for the HIV and Martin tested positive.

“He says I am his lawfully wedded wife and therefore we should all die together from the virus since he has it. He forces me to be intimate with him without protection,” she said.

She also accused Martin of damaging condoms each time they have sex in attempts to transmit the virus to her.

“Your Worship, against his will, we use condoms for protection but the moment he excuses himself to go to the toilet, he comes back with a broken condom and attempts to use it without my knowledge. He wants us to die together yet he is the one who was promiscuous in our relationship,’’ she said.

Chipo told the court that because she refuses to have unprotected sex with Martin, he now accuses her of being a goblin’s wife and threatens to take her to her parents’ house.

She said the abuses have affected her physically and emotionally, thereby affecting her work as a teacher.

Martin refuted the allegations saying it has been two years since they last shared a bed as husband and wife.

He labelled his wife a liar and ungrateful person. “This woman was uneducated and I sent her to school from Form 3, till she attained the Diploma in Education that she now boasts of.

“Now she wants to take everything away from me. I am a very peaceful person why would I force her to be intimate with me, as peaceful as I am?” said Martin.. –  state media

Khupe Staying In MDC

Embattled  MDC-T vice president, Thokozani Khupe, has vowed that she would not leave the opposition party although she has lost the succession race to Nelson Chamisa.

MDC-T national organiser Abednico Bhebhe told journalists yesterday that Khupe was determined to stay put and preserve her legacy despite being the butt of vicious attacks by party members aligned to Chamisa.

Bhebhe conveyed the message on behalf of Khupe who attended the media briefing but could not address the journalists as she had lost her voice.

This came a day after the MDC-T national council met in Harare and endorsed Chamisa as the party’s substantive leader and 2018 presidential candidate.

The party organ also gave Khupe, Bhebhe and national chairman Lovemore Moyo a seven-day ultimatum to make amends and work with the other leaders or face possible expulsion.
Speaking on her behalf, Bhebhe said Khupe would remain in the party in order to build the nation and leave a legacy that would stand for long.

“Khupe’s stay in the party signifies that even if a man marries other wives, the first wife will remain for the sack of the children and even if she leaves, she will be remembered as a good wife. She is building a nation and soon people will recognize her importance after her departure,” Bhebhe said.

Bhebhe said Khupe wanted to leave a mark and teach people how proper leadership was.

“Khupe wants people to see and learn how things are done in a proper way and proper things are done this way,” he said.

One participant asked Khupe why she was still interested in the party when it has been obvious that she was being side-lined.

“It is up-to you to denigrate yourself. There are a lot of parties out there that admire your strength. It’s up to you if you can leave MDC-T and look for a better place where you can be recognised and maintain your legacy,” Bhebhe said. Newsday

Govt Calms Down Restless Soldiers

Government is anxious to improve the welfare of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) and other security services amid growing agitation within the 40 000-strong force following delays in paying last year’s bonus and poor conditions of service, it has been established.

Despite coup-proofing — creation of structures and taking measures to limit the possibilities of a coup — the military pressured out former president Robert Mugabe last November after 37 years in power. He was succeeded by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Military sources told the Zimbabwe Independent this week that the army is moving to address transport problems experienced by soldiers, review salaries and provide better housing for the troops as part of sharing the spoils of Mugabe’s toppling. It is also running around to pay bonuses. At least 20 000 houses would be built for the army, a source said.

This comes at a time some restless soldiers have written anonymous letters to recently appointed ZDF commander General Phillip Valerio Sibanda, demanding an improvement in their conditions of service. The troops have been particularly been anxious over the bonuses which they expected to be paid last month.

The restlessness of the soldiers is heightened by the realisation that only the top security brass has so far benefitted from Mugabe’s dramatic ouster. The chief beneficiaries of the removal of the long-serving ruler in the army were former ZDF boss retired general Constantino Chiwenga who is now vice-president in change of the Defence ministry; Sibanda who succeeded him, Zimbabwe National Army commander Edzai Chimonyo who replaced Sibanda, former ZDF chief-of-staff (quartermaster) Sibusiso Moyo now Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and ex-Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) Marshal Perrence Shiri appointed Agriculture minister. As a result of Shiri’s elevation, Elson Moyo came in to replace him.

Former Zimbabwean ambassador to South Africa Isaac Moyo became Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) boss replacing Aaron Nhepera who was acting.

The biggest losers in the security forces were police commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri who was succeeded by Godwin Matanga.

Mugabe’s head of security Albert Ngulube was also removed, together with many other senior CIO officers. Several army officers in the last two months were also promoted to higher ranks. Twenty lieutenant-colonels were promoted to the rank of colonels this week, while 10 senior AFZ officers elevated.

However, the rank and file of the army — the foot soldiers — are yet to see the benefits of their sweat in removing the then entrenched Mugabe.

Sources said in order to ensure that there is no intensified unrest in the army, the military, which is struggling to improve salaries and benefits, as well as pay bonuses, is moving to build 20 000 houses units which may end up increasing to 60 000 units for soldiers and other security personnel. The military sources said a local building society will partner the military in the construction of low cost houses for the servicemen.

“The initial phase will include construction of 20 000 houses for the soldiers and ultimately the project should yield 60 000 houses for other all security personnel, which means the army, police and other security services,” a senior army officer said.

“A team of senior military commanders has been meeting stakeholders in Zimbabwe and even travelled to South Africa in January to finalise the project. The military will also look at how salaries can be improved, address the transport situation and the touchy bonus issue.”

Currently, the public service wage bill accounts for over 85% of government revenues, suggesting there is no fiscal space to increase salaries and pay bonuses.

Another source said accounts clerks at army units had already calculated and adjusted February salaries in anticipation of either bonus or salary adjustments. However, nothing came.

“Meetings were held and Treasury has committed to urgently address the situation,” a source said.

“Payday had to be moved to Friday (a fortnight ago) from the Thursday then over this issue. Commanders are taking seriously things like anonymous letters written to them. The soldiers who wrote the letters are demanding to also be rewarded for carrying out Operation Restore Legacy which led to Mugabe’s removal. They want a fair share of the spoils. They think that only the top brass benefitted from through promotions, associated remuneration and perks.”

Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa could not be reached for comment as his phone went unanswered. Questions sent to army spokesperson Aphios Makotore were not responded to at the time of going to print.

Early this month, Sibanda ordered soldiers to be on high alert, warning the servicemen against taking bribes from politicians amid concerns that expelled Zanu PF officials, particularly Mugabe’s supporters grouped under the outgunned Zanu PF G40 faction which lost the succession war to Mnangagwa’s clique, are regrouping and could have their own military sympathisers inside.

Last week Treasury promised to announce dates on which the public servants’ staggered 2017 bonuses will be paid. Zimbabwe Independent

Parirenyatwa Failure As Docs Strike

Government is calling on some doctors, who went on strike yesterday, to return to work as it looks into their grievances. Some doctors went on strike yesterday even though the law prohibits them from embarking on industrial action as they provide essential services. Reports say 35 out of 237 doctors went on strike at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals despite Government recently availing $10 million to meet some of their demands that include motor vehicles. In a joint statement last night, Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa and the Health Services Board said: “Through Statutory Instrument 111 of 2006, the Health Service Board, as the employer has put in place a framework — the Health Service Bipartite Negotiating Panel (BNP), which guides discussion of all the conditions of service and other issues of mutual interest to both the employer and the employees. “Following submissions by the ZHDA to the Minister of Health and Child Care through a letter dated February 5, 2018, highlighting their grievances, which included locum payments, motor vehicle scheme, availability of equipment and medicines at hospitals, staff establishment, freeze of vacant positions and review of various allowances, government has been attending to these issues.” The employer said it addressed a number of issues raised by its employees at an Extraordinary BNP meeting on February 16, 2018. These included the need for ensuring continuity of health services through the issuance of a revised Locum Policy Circular Number 1 of 2018 covering all health-workers in January 2018 that should improve the management of locum and, therefore, ensure availability of staff at all times. Payment started reflecting on the February 2018 payroll. It was also agreed that due to the essential nature of health services, some critical staff may be required to report for duty at odd hours. “BNP agreed to a scheme to address the transport requirements for health-workers,” reads the joint statement. “Following this agreement, Government recently allocated US$10million for the operationalisation of the scheme. “This information was communicated to the ZHDA representatives at the Extraordinary BNP meeting of 16 February 2018. It is Government position that doctors’ posts have never been frozen. The ZHDA representatives were informed at the BNP meeting of 13 February 2018 that posts are available for the uptake of all doctors completing internship in 2018. Government is aware that 160 doctors will be completing their internship in 2018,” reads the joint statement. There are 235 vacancies for Government medical officers and hospital medical officers nationwide. “At the BNP meeting of February 13, 2018, Government advised workers’ representatives of plans to unfreeze critical vacant posts of other health cadres,” stated the employer. “Consultations are underway to identify the critical posts. Workers’ representatives have been requested to assist in the identification of such posts, through the BNP. These and other issues are under discussion within the framework of the BNP and there has been no declaration of a deadlock on any of the issues.” Government also contends that although general service provision remains less than the desired optimum, it has provided essential equipment and sundries through various channels, including its own recurrent and capital budget, US$100 million Chinese loan facility for equipment, support through the Global Fund, UNFPA, JICA, USAID/CDC, Health Development Fund and other partners. It is striving for further improvements in consolidating the availability of the tools of the trade. “The HSB continues to engage all stakeholders in an effort to continuously improve the conditions of service for all health-workers,” said the employer. “The withdrawal of labour by some members of the ZHDA is, therefore, in complete disregard of the existing negotiation framework and those members are, therefore, urged to return to their workstations immediately.” Herald

Drama As Takwirira Govt School Pupils Explode In Riot

Chiredzi Correspondent (ZimEye)| The events of March 2 2018 will be remembered in the history of Takwirira Government High School. The School is located about 7km from Checheche growth point, 80 Km from Chiredzi.

The morning of March 2 as ZimEye.com reveals, marked the beginning of a powerful demonstration which drew the attention of the DSI Chipinge District, as well as the Police.

The pupils began their riot by writing on the staff room block calls the big words “TINODA BUS!”

There was drama when the headmaster, Mr Madhuku was caught in panic and attempted reprimanding the kids; the students swiftly started to group up at the central assembly point demanding their bus. Students started to sing songs marching around the school. One of the songs was “Tinoda Bus!”

Immediately after the loud rounds, the pupils went out of the school gate and marched to the SDA chairman Mr Nyakurwa, and the Vice Chairman Mr Maphosa singing songs demanding their bus.

In the highway, pupils had altercations with a number of motorists. The most notable motorist was a ZESA truck driver who later went to the police station to transport police to the school.

The DSI Mr Gabaza together with his team also arrived at the school to investigate what was happening. He (DSI), later addressed the kids.

The School head was barred by the kids to address them while they screamed out that he was the culprit.

Below were some of the talking points on what pupils publicly allegedly are some problems affecting the school Takwirira government High School which triggered this demonstration aside the matter of the bus demanded by the school children.

1. The school has had one SDA Chairman for almost 20 years, he now appears as if he is substantive. Allegations were that he connived with the headmaster to allegedly steal school funds, buying cars, building houses. The Headmaster has 3 known vehicles… Honda Fit, Nissan Caravan, Nissan Ext rail to mention a few. The chairman has Nissan Gaia Vehicle, motor bikes etc. All these assets were procured from school funds.

2. The headmaster uses his phone as the account for the school; parent’s transfer fees directly in the headmaster’s Ecocash account. As a result parents are paying bus levy to no avail. It’s almost 4 year’s parents paying bus levy.

3. Some parents are forced to buy uniforms from the school, which fabrics are of poor quality.

4. The school has no substantive deputy head; the one who was at the school was victimised by the school head and transferred from the school getting assistance from the chairman. Students claimed that the main reason was for the head to do whatever he wants without any problems.

This form of corruption is happening right under the nose of the DSI Chipinge district Mr Gabaza without him taking action. Corruption should be condemned at all levels. Something must be done at the school without delay.

Chiyangwa’s Property Attached

Phillip Chiyangwa

FLAMBOYANT businessman Phillip Chiyangwa has had part of his upmarket Chisora Village in Harare’s The Grange suburb attached after his company Padley Enterprises Pvt Ltd failed to pay damages worth US$609 115 to the Grange Residents’ Association for failing to service stands.

Padley Enterprises is Chiyangwa’s property development company that purchased a 60-hectare plot of land in The Grange. The plot was subdivided into 2 000-square-metre stands and sold to individuals.

According to High Court documents, Chiyangwa lost the property to the Grange Residents’ Association, a group of residents who purchased residential stands from the company during the period extending from 2007.

In terms of various agreements of sale concluded by Padley Investments and its clients, it was supposed to service the property development by way of providing roads, storm water reticulation and waterworks, among other things. Court papers state that Padley Investments breached the terms of the agreements and, despite notice of the breach, the company failed to rectify the anomaly.

On September 27 last year, High Court judge Justice Owen Tagu ruled that the defendant, Padley Enterprises Pvt Ltd, pay the Grange Residents’ Association US$609 115 on or before December 31 2017.

In the event of default, Tagu said: “. . . the defendant’s property wherever situate be and is hereby declared executable and the sheriff is authorised to dispose of the same to satisfy the damages.”

Padley Enterprises failed to pay the sum, resulting in the remaining unsold stands in Chisora Village being attached as shown by the High Court Sheriff’s notice of attachment of immovable property dated February 8 2018.

The Grange Residents Association was represented by Tafadzwa Mugabe.

Mugabe said the stands would be sold by public auction.

“It is true Chiyangwa’s Chisora village has been attached and because they will be sold by public auction I cannot really say how much they are worth,” said Mugabe.

According to the court documents, Padley Enterprises at first denied the liability of paying damages until November 2015 when at a pre-trial conference before then High Court judge Priscilla Chigumba the parties entered a deed of settlement and signed off on an order by consent.

Court documents show that Padley Enterprises was arguing that some of the residential stands were purchased during the Zimbabwean dollar era and the engaged contractor, Bitumen Construction Services, failed to complete the initial works due to the escalating costs arising from hyper-inflation obtaining at the time.

Some of the terms of the deed of settlement which was signed in 2015 were: “That the defendant is unconditionally liable for specific performance to the plaintiff and its membership by the way of development, servicing and attendant works at Sub Division C of the Grange in terms of the agreements of sale made and entered into by the parties or alternatively to pay, in damages in lieu of defendant’s performance, the objective value of performance in money equivalent to costs of specific performance aforementioned by a mutually agreed third party.”

Other terms were: “That the defendant was supposed to unconditionally elect to pay damages in lieu of specific performance. That the issues of the quantum of damages in lieu of specific performance and the liability for costs of this action are referred to trial.”

At the trial one of the plaintiff witnesses, Stanley Nyevere, narrated what the defendant was supposed to do and produced five quotations from different contractors. The defendant did not object to the production of the documents.

The quotations were as follows: Storm Property Developments US$571 110, Clockmate Investments Civil and Building contractors US$722 454, Tencraft Construction Civil Engineering US$506 748, US$830 284 and Tensor Systems US$781 449. – Zimbabwe Independent

Khupe Missing At Alliance Meetings

By Dorrothy Moyo| The MDC party’s Vice President Thokozani Khupe was yesterday missing at the MDC Alliance press meeting camera-screens in what many suggested shows she is ignoring the ultimatum issued against her by her party.

Khupe was on Thursday ordered into line and given one week to reform or be disciplined. She has for several months been snubbing MDC meetings following her protests against late boss Morgan Tsvangirai’s decision to unite with her enemy Welshman Ncube.

Khupe’s latest comments were:

UK: Zimbabweans In Fear As Britain Quits EU For Africa Business

By Business Reporter| Local Zimbabweans together with those based in the United Kingdom have fallen into fresh trepidation after Britain sounded out that it is quitting the European Union’s business hive for Africa’s so called “virgin” markets. Zimbabwe has deliberately invited the former colonial power for a new business relationship. The development during the week stalked fears of what once happened when former Prime Minister Tony Blair struck a deal with the late Muammar Gaddafi to extradite the man’s enemies back to Africa, in exchange for business deals: there was drama when a man together with his family were in the middle of the night picked up by the army and immediately flown to a Tripoli prison. Years later, the man successfully sued the British government for the violation of his human rights.

Already President Emmerson Mnnagagwa has called for a return to warm relations with Britain in what saw the UK’s Brexit Secretary Liam Fox stating that Africa is now the UK’s business frontier following the imminent exit from the EU.

President Mnangagwa in January said Britain’s departure was a “good thing” as “what they’ve lost with Brexit they can come and recover from Zimbabwe.”

“When we have engagement, they [Britain] want to raise the issue about us joining the Commonwealth. I said I’ll be happy to deal with that . . . I personally have nothing against the Commonwealth club,” he told the Financial Times.

Mnangagwa also sought to delete the bitter past as he invited the EU, the Commonwealth and the UN to monitor this year’s elections.

Yesterday UK ambassador Catriona Laing wrote from her boss’ office, No.10 Downing Street stating she had, “good discussions with No 10 officials on prospects for Zimbabwe. It’s been a busy and productive week…”

Responding to her tweet, predominantly local Zimbabweans fired back at her claiming she was betraying human rights principles for business. Below was a string of tweets in response:

Chiwenga Invites EU Observers For 2018 Elections

The European Union (EU) will send an advance party to Zimbabwe to map out modalities for the bloc’s electoral observer mission following an invitation to observe the 2018 harmonised elections.

The Zimbabwean government has re-affirmed its invitation to the European Union to observe the 2018 elections.

EU head of delegation Ambassador Phillipe Van Damme who paid a courtesy call on Vice President Retired General Dr Constantino Chiwenga said the two parties discussed the roadmap for the EU observer mission.

“We discussed a wide range of issues about the economic front, efforts to the government wants to accelerate international re-engagement with international institutions also the electoral process, we reconfirmed that the EU has been invited for an electoral observer mission and that we have been discussing how to prepare the mission which will come on an exploratory phase to find out how to organise their electoral observation so it was a constructive discussion on a very wide range of issues,” said Dr Chiwenga.

Ambassador Van Damme had an opportunity to explain how the union has been engaging on local peace issues, the reform process in Zimbabwe, the land issue and justice related issues.

This week a mission from the European Investment Bank visited Zimbabwe, the latest among a host of others from Europe as the country’s reform agenda continues to generate a lot of interest. -state media

High Court Blocks King Lobengula

The High Court yesterday blocked the planned coronation of Mr Bulelani Collen Lobengula Khumalo as King of the Ndebele on grounds that there was no law in the country allowing the establishment of a monarch. The coronation was scheduled for today.

The ruling by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese follows an urgent chamber application by Chief Mathema, challenging the Government’s decision to declare the coronation illegal and unconstitutional.

In papers before the court, Chief Mathema, in his capacity as the chairperson of the Royal Crown Trust, cited Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo, the officer commanding police in Bulawayo Province Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Mutamba and the officer commanding ZRP Bulawayo West District Chief Superintendent Marshal Dube as respondents.

Justice Makonese ruled that there was no law in Zimbabwe allowing the establishment of a monarch.
On Wednesday, Minister Moyo urged those organising the coronation of Mr Bulelani Lobengula as the Ndebele King to stop as this was illegal.

The minister, in a letter addressed to one of the organisers, Chief Mathema, said the coronation was unconstitutional and illegal. The lawyer representing Chief Mathema, Mr Dumisani Dube of Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers, said the judge advised the applicants to consider lobbying relevant authorities for necessary amendments to the Constitution if they wished to pursue their plans.

“The judge said there are no relevant constitutional provisions for the coronation of a King in Zimbabwe.

“He said it would be difficult for him as a constitutional officer to go against the word of his office. He said what needs to be done is to first lobby the Government and have necessary amendments to the Constitution. So, in essence, the court said there is no coronation that will take place,” he said.
Chief Mathema sought an order suspending a directive by the minister and police banning the cultural event, which was scheduled to take place today.

He also wanted an order interdicting the respondents from unlawfully interfering with the rights of the chiefs and traditional leaders in exercising their cultural rights in terms of Sections 63, 282 and 283 of the Constitution, as read with Section 5 of the Traditional Leaders Act.

In his founding affidavit, Chief Mathema said the respondents interfered with their Constitutional rights, saying their actions were irrational and illegal.

“I submit that the proclamations by the respondents are irrational, unreasonable and a legal nullity which is outside their jurisdiction and in violation of the Constitution,” he said.

On November 9 last year, the Royal Crown Trust on behalf of relevant chiefs and traditional leaders issued a Press statement announcing the date of the coronation. They then wrote a letter to Chief Supt Dube as regulating authority under Public Order and Security Act (POSA) informing him about their plan to hold an installation ceremony for Bulelani at Barbourfields Stadium.

Chief Supt sent a communiqué on February 27 instructing the applicants to stop the event, which he said was illegal and unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, Mthwakazi Republican Party activists were yesterday involved in running battles with anti-riot police at the front of the High Court.

During the skirmishes, the rowdy group, mostly youths, threw missiles at police officers, who had to respond by firing tear gas canisters to disperse them.

In another development, Justice Makonese ruled that the course of action taken by Chief Mathema and the Royal Crown Trust in seeking to coronate Bulelani Lobengula was illegal and unlawful in a separate matter filed by a claimant to the Ndebele crown, Mr Peter Zwide Khumalo, challenging the planned coronation of his South Africa-based rival.

“A prohibitory interdict be and hereby issued binding over the respondents (Chief Mathema, Royal Crown Trust and Bulelani) not to proceed with the installation of Bulelani as King of the Ndebele people on 3 March 2018,” said the judge.

Zwide, who last month imposed himself as King Nyamande Lobengula II, sought an order interdicting Bulelani Lobengula from being crowned “King of the Ndebele people”.

Through his lawyers Ncube Attorneys, he said the intended coronation of Bulelani Lobengula was necessitated by an unlawful process put in motion by the respondents.

Zwide said Chief Mathema, through the Royal Crown Trust instituted proceedings outside King Lobengula House and purported to have identified Bulelani as heir apparent to the Ndebele throne. – state media

Chamisa Brisked as Lacoste Celebrates Catriona Mnangagwa-Scarf Victory

By Farai D Hove| MDC leader Nelson Chamisa was Friday night brisked by the Lacoste ZANU PF faction which celebrated a Mnangagwa scarf moment seen with British ambassador Catriona Laing.

Ambassador Laing published a picture of herself adorned in the same scarf MDC supporters have in recent days been mocking President Emmerson Mnangagwa for.

Some even went to the extent of labelling it the “Jah Man scarf” while saying Mnangagwa must remove it as it not fashionable. The spirit of the moment was that Mnangagwa is fast losing his public credits.

But in a twist of events, the British ambassador took a turn to somewhat support President Mnangagwa’s scarf culture. After flying into the UK for some days, ambassador Laing tweeted from No.10 Downing Street a positive message about Mnangagwa’s Zimbabwe, “Good discussions with No 10 officials on prospects for #Zimbabwe. It’s been a busy and productive week. Now on my way back.”

The below picture was circulated far and wide by ZANU PF members on Friday night as they claimed that the highly popular Nelson Chamisa is now “no more” politically 

Man Caught By Wife Raising Another Child

A Bulawayo man was divorced by his wife after she discovered that he was paying maintenance for another child sired out of wedlock.

This emerged in court yesterday when Ms Tendai Shoniwa dragged Wellington Zvokuomba to court for defaulting on paying maintenance.

Ms Shoriwa told the court that Zvokuomba was not paying maintenance since he was ordered by the Bulawayo magistrate court to pay $40 in January 2017 and owes $520.

She requested the court to issue a garnish order and order Zvokuomba to pay arrears of $260 in two months, at the end of March and the remaining in April.

“Your Honour since the court gave an order he has paid only one month and has defaulted up to now. I request that the money be garnished from his salary and he pays half of the debt in March and the other half in April,” she said.

Zvokuomba said he could not afford to pay the money as he was being paid $180 which is half of his salary. He said he only paid maintenance for one month and defaulted due to challenges he was facing.

“I am facing financial challenges. I was married when she applied for maintenance and after my wife discovered about the maintenance, she took all our property and our two children and went back to her parents’ house,” he said.

“She also went to court to claim for maintenance and was awarded a default judgment of $300 as I had been deployed to another area and could not come to court.”

He said he had to apply for downward variation and was now paying $180. Bulawayo magistrate Miss Sharon Rosemani ordered Zvokuomba to pay $74 a month towards the arrears and $40 maintenance per month and the amount to be garnished from his salary.

“Forty dollars is a reasonable amount to which if you had not defaulted it would not have accumulated to $520,” she said. – state media

Mnangagwa’s $1,3 Billion Target: Only 105 Cases Recovered From Loot

President Mnangagwa yesterday said $250 million of the expected $1,3 billion had been repatriated back to Zimbabwe in the last three months, with Government having extended by a further two weeks the moratorium for those still outstanding to return the funds and assets.

The recovered amount is only from 105 out of the 1 166 reported cases.

In a statement read on his behalf by Acting Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo, President Mnangagwa said 30 cases valued at $50 million of immovable properties in various countries were reported to RBZ, while 210 cases valued at $287 million related to externalised funds that were used to procure imports.

The cases that have been processed so far, President Mnangagwa said, give a success rate of 45 percent by value.

“The Presidential Powers (Temporary) Measures (Amendment of Exchange Control Act) regulations, SI 145 of 2017 gazetted on December 1, 2017 gave an amnesty in respect of the repatriation of foreign currency and assets that were externalised by commission or omission or under the liberalised Exchange Control Framework,” he said.

“The amnesty expired on the 28th of February 2018. Government is pleased to advise the public that out of 1 166 valued at $1,3 billion cases of externalisation known by Government, a total of 105 cases valued at $250 million were processed by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in respect of externalised foreign currency.

“In order to facilitate the above, the bank has sought my authority to extend the amnesty period by a two-week period. Accordingly, I have granted the authority for the extension of the amnesty by a period of two weeks to 16 March 2018 after which time the outstanding cases will be publicised on 19 March 2018.”

Initially, President Mnangagwa granted a three-month moratorium that stretched from December 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018.

During the period, Government neither asked questions nor preferred charges against those that repatriated the money or assets.

According to President Mnangagwa, the amnesty would also include cases that were before the courts where judgements were yet to be passed.

After the two-week extension period, Government will both name and shame, and prosecute non-compliant individuals and companies.

“The bulk of the 771 cases or 55 percent by value that did not take heed of the amnesty pertain to non-remittance of export proceeds (328 cases valued at $215, 8 million),” said President Mnangagwa. “Externalisation by foreigners (213 cases valued at $375 million), non-acquittal of imports – 153 cases valued at $75,1 million and Panama papers (scandals) and others valued at $150 million.”

Meanwhile, In his speech at the Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Expo in Harare, President Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans and investors to ignore those who continued to malign the new Government and the country in general, saying Zimbabwe was not only open for business, as he has repeatedly stated, but was also politically stable.

As a precursor to guaranteeing free, fair and credible elections, President Mnangagwa said he would soon be meeting various political party leaders to also foster conditions of a non-violent election.

“I will soon be meeting political party leaders to deliberate and advise that we should have no violence pre, during and post elections,” he said.

“Responsible authorities have undertaken the biometric voter registration (BVR) to ensure that all interested voters exercise their democratic right to choose their leaders.”

President Mnangagwa said investors and would-be investors should not be deterred by those who continue to speak ill of the new dispensation.

“To that end, your investment decisions should not be affected or influenced by political uncertainty or obscurity; we are confident of having free, fair and credible elections in line with the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the African Union (AU) principles and guidelines governing democratic elections,” he said.

“We would like to assure investors, domestic and foreign, that Zimbabwe is not only ready for business, but is politically stable. You should ignore, kuvukura kunenge kuchingoitika munyika (You should ignore some idle chatters in the country),” said the President.

He called on investors to explore opportunities in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, health, transport, infrastructure development and special economic zones.

“I, therefore, urge both local and foreign investors to explore and exploit these investment opportunities and help to set our country on a new trajectory path,” he said.

“Zimbabwe is endowed with a favourable climate and large tracks of arable land suitable for all year round farming activities.

“This provides immense opportunities for businesses in agro-processing across the entire agriculture value chain, opportunities for farm mechanisation, manufacture of pesticides, herbicides, seeds and irrigation development to spearhead our command agriculture on maize production, which we have since extended to soya beans, wheat, fisheries, wildlife and livestock production.”

President Mnangagwa affirmed Government’s position on adhering to the rule of law and protection of property rights in order to help investors recoup on their investment.

“My Government also re-affirms its commitment to the rule of law and the observance of property rights,” he said. “In this regard, institutions such as the independent judiciary and legislature remain ready to ensure full protection of investments made within the confines of our laws.

“We will continue to implement measures aimed at improving the business operating environment in our quest to make Zimbabwe a favourable investment destination, leveraging on our peace dividend.”

The conference was organised by BrandMe International, who were represented by their executive director Ms Josey Mahachi.

Ms Mahachi is credited for having lured Africa’s richest billionaire Aliko Dangote to the country, where his team is exploring investment opportunities. – state media

Back From Congo Mnangagwa Meets Chinese Ambassador

Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Huang Ping met the President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa offices in Harare today.

Mnangagwa has just returned from war torn Democratic Republic of Congo where he held bilateral talks with under siege Joseph Kabila.

The state media reports that the meeting was in connection with President Mnangagwa’s coming visit to the eastern economic powerhouse.

China and Zimbabwe are all weather friends who have stood together even when Zimbabwe had been isolated on the international stage.

China and the United Kingdom were among the first countries to recognise the government of  Mnangagwa and China sent invitation to Mnangagwa two months ago.

Mr Huang Ping spoke to journalists after the meeting with  Mnangagwa but would not disclose the finer details.- state media

Bosso, Caps Clash In Kembo Mohadi Charity Shield

Bosso, Caps Clash In Kembo Mohadi Charity Shield

Terrence Mawawa| Traditional foes Caps United and Highlanders will clash in the Kembo Mohadi Charity Shield in Bulawayo on Sunday.

According to a daily paper former ZIFA officials Vincent
Pamire and Ndumiso Gumede are part of the
committee that is organising the KCD Mohadi Charity Shield.

“The KCD Mohadi Shield Final will be played at
Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday between
Highlanders and CAPS United.

We will host a dinner
a week after the match to congratulate the Vice-
President. Proceeds from both events will go to
charity in the city, and the Vice-President will also be
making a donation to Mpilo Central Hospital Cancer
Unit and to the charitable organisations on March
11,” Pamire said.

Gumede also told the daily paper that $30 000 had
been set aside for the tournament, but the
organisers had not come up with the prize-money for
the winners as yet.

Meanwhile, CAPS were supposed to feature in a
four-team tournament, but they pulled out on
Monday, leaving Dynamos and two Zambian sides
Lusaka Dynamos and Power Dynamos to play
against each other over the weekend.

I Am Not Afraid Of Soweto Derby, Says Zim Star

Terrence Mawawa
Kaizer Chiefs ‘ Zimbabwean centre back, Teenage Hadebe says he is not afraid of the Soweto Derby pitting his side against arch rivals Orlando Pirates.

Kaizer Chiefs have a date with Orlando Pirates on Saturday
afternoon and the defender is likely to feature in the
encounter for the first time.

“I’m sure it’s a big game because I’ve
played in big derbies back home in Zimbabwe.

“At home
the attendance is usually around 20 000‚ whereas here we are talking of 90
000 people,” said the 22-year-old Hadebe in an
interview with Times Live, a South African news
website.

“ As a
player, you have to be mentally strong.
“It will be a good experience to play in front of 90 000 fans.”

Pupils Caught Stark Naked, Intimate In School Library

Terrence Mawawa| Police are investigating a case in which two pupils at Chibi High School were caught having s*x in the library.

Police in Chivi said investigations were underway.

“We are looking into a case involving two A Level Students at Chibi High School who were caught having sex in the library.

According to what we have received, there are nude pictures of the two pupils that are circulating on various social media platforms,” police in Chivi said.

No comment could be obtained from the school authorities.

First Team Of EU Observers Ready To Come In

European Union (EU) will send an advance party to Zimbabwe to map out modalities for the bloc’s electoral observer mission following an invitation to observe the 2018 harmonised elections.

The Zimbabwean government has re-affirmed its invitation to the European Union to observe the 2018 elections.

EU head of delegation Ambassador Phillipe Van Damme who paid a courtesy call on Vice President Retired General Dr Constantino Chiwenga said the two parties discussed the roadmap for the EU observer mission.

“We discussed a wide range of issues about the economic front, efforts to the government wants to accelerate international re-engagement with international institutions also the electoral process, we reconfirmed that the EU has been invited for an electoral observer mission and that we have been discussing how to prepare the mission which will come on an exploratory phase to find out how to organise their electoral observation so it was a constructive discussion on a very wide range of issues,” said Dr Chiwenga.

Ambassador Van Damme had an opportunity to explain how the union has been engaging on local peace issues, the reform process in Zimbabwe, the land issue and justice related issues.

This week a mission from the European Investment Bank visited Zimbabwe, the latest among a host of others from Europe as the country’s reform agenda continues to generate a lot of interest.- state media

Chiwenga: Economy On The Mend

By Farai D Hove| Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has assured the nation that Zimbabwe is on the mend.

VP Chiwenga said there are positive things in the economy.

“We are engaging foreign capital and there are positive signs,” he said.

He continued saying, “brick by brick we are rebuilding our economy. We need to be focused and resilient.”

Chiwenga made these comments on his micro blogging portal. FULL TEXT:

Rogue Soldiers Beat Up My Employees

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| A Chiredzi based transport operator has filed a police report alleging that a group of rogue soldiers attacked members of his bus crew.

Police in Chiredzi confirmed that Machipisa Chiwara the owner of Chiwara Transport filed a report last week indicating unruly soldiers attacked members of a Chiredzi bound bus crew and the passengers on board.

“We have received information about soldiers who harassed members of a Chiredzi bound bus crew last week.

Several passengers were injured during the same incident,” said police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula.

Germany Bans Chinamasa

A diplomatic rift between European superpowers Britain and Germany over Zimbabwe emerged this week when the British government hosted Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa while the Germans barred him from visiting. This came as Berlin adopts a cautious approach towards the Zimbabwean government, ushered in through a military intervention last year, in line with the European Union stance.

Chinamasa was in Britain this week for high-level diplomatic talks aimed at mending ties between Harare and London. British Secretary for Foreign Affairs Boris Johnson on Tuesday tweeted that he was excited to meet Chinamasa.

Government sources told the Zimbabwe Independent that Chinamasa also intended to visit European economic powerhouse Germany but was turned down, resulting in him limiting his visit to the more receptive London.

Britain and other countries in the European Union (EU) differ on their approach to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. The British are more accommodative and want to support the new administration as much as possible but the EU block has taken a cautious approach.

Britain has been aggressive in its support of the new administration. It has been impressed by statements made by Mnangagwa so far on economic and political reforms.

However, the EU wants government to match rhetoric with action, particularly on the implementation of critical political and economic reforms before committing significant funding to the broke government.

The EU says the bloc would consider scaling up financial assistance to Zimbabwe if Mnangagwa’s government delivers on its pledge to hold free, fair and credible elections, as well as implement reforms that would set the country’s fragile economy on a firm growth trajectory.

Despite the differences in approach, both Britain and the EU’s 28 member states have demanded a commitment to credible, peaceful, free and fair elections that are monitored by international observers.

Sources in government say although the Germans have decided to be supportive of the Mnangagwa administration, they do not want to fully endorse the regime until it fairly wins polls and ushers in tangible reforms, hence the snub.

Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel in December sent Mnangagwa a congratulatory message after his inauguration.

Merkel said: “Germany will support you as a partner in your endeavours to start a new chapter in the history of Zimbabwe — one characterised by democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights.”

Government sources say the Germans want to see a tangible implementation of a number of economic, political and social reforms, given that their nationals’ investments, including farms and wildlife conservancies, protected under the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with Zimbabwe have over the years been grabbed.

Germany ambassador to Zimbabwe Thorsten Hutter confirmed Chinamasa failed to visit Berlin this week. He attributed the failure to transitions taking place in his country, although he admitted there were also bilateral bottlenecks to be taken care of.

“We do hope that the minister of Finance (Chinamasa) whom I had seen last Friday will indeed come to Germany soon and of course he is welcome in Germany. What I had explained is that we have a caretaker government at the moment. Tomorrow (today) the internal poll within the Social Democratic party will end and if the Social Democratic Party membership as a whole votes in favour of the grand coalition between the Socio Democrats and the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union then within the next two or three weeks a new government will be formed,” said Hutter.

“But at the moment we only have a caretaker government so we thought that the timing was not right. Indeed there are some bilateral issues that we thought should be resolved before the visit. I hope that is something that we will be able to sort out in the coming days.”

Germany has the largest national economy in Europe, the fourth-largest by nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the world after United States in America, China and Japan, and fifth by GDP (purchasing power parity). It surpasses Britain which is in the process of pulling out of the EU through its controversial Brexit process.

Other super powers like the US have also been cautious with Zimbabwe. The US recently extended its targeted sanctions with the possibility of a review after the general elections expected later this year.

 

China has been a less noisy and visible but it has embraced Mnangagwa’s government behind the scenes. Zimbabwe Independent

More Trouble For Chiyangwa

Flamboyant businessman Phillip Chiyangwa has had part of his upmarket Chisora Village in Harare’s The Grange suburb attached after his company Padley Enterprises Pvt Ltd failed to pay damages worth US$609 115 to the Grange Residents’ Association for failing to service stands.

Padley Enterprises is Chiyangwa’s property development company that purchased a 60-hectare plot of land in The Grange. The plot was subdivided into 2 000-square-metre stands and sold to individuals.

According to High Court documents, Chiyangwa lost the property to the Grange Residents’ Association, a group of residents who purchased residential stands from the company during the period extending from 2007.

In terms of various agreements of sale concluded by Padley Investments and its clients, it was supposed to service the property development by way of providing roads, storm water reticulation and waterworks, among other things. Court papers state that Padley Investments breached the terms of the agreements and, despite notice of the breach, the company failed to rectify the anomaly.

On September 27 last year, High Court judge Justice Owen Tagu ruled that the defendant, Padley Enterprises Pvt Ltd, pay the Grange Residents’ Association US$609 115 on or before December 31 2017.

In the event of default, Tagu said: “. . . the defendant’s property wherever situate be and is hereby declared executable and the sheriff is authorised to dispose of the same to satisfy the damages.”

Padley Enterprises failed to pay the sum, resulting in the remaining unsold stands in Chisora Village being attached as shown by the High Court Sheriff’s notice of attachment of immovable property dated February 8 2018.

The Grange Residents Association was represented by Tafadzwa Mugabe.

Mugabe said the stands would be sold by public auction.

“It is true Chiyangwa’s Chisora village has been attached and because they will be sold by public auction I cannot really say how much they are worth,” said Mugabe.

According to the court documents, Padley Enterprises at first denied the liability of paying damages until November 2015 when at a pre-trial conference before then High Court judge Priscilla Chigumba the parties entered a deed of settlement and signed off on an order by consent.

Court documents show that Padley Enterprises was arguing that some of the residential stands were purchased during the Zimbabwean dollar era and the engaged contractor, Bitumen Construction Services, failed to complete the initial works due to the escalating costs arising from hyper-inflation obtaining at the time.

Some of the terms of the deed of settlement which was signed in 2015 were: “That the defendant is unconditionally liable for specific performance to the plaintiff and its membership by the way of development, servicing and attendant works at Sub Division C of the Grange in terms of the agreements of sale made and entered into by the parties or alternatively to pay, in damages in lieu of defendant’s performance, the objective value of performance in money equivalent to costs of specific performance aforementioned by a mutually agreed third party.”

Other terms were: “That the defendant was supposed to unconditionally elect to pay damages in lieu of specific performance. That the issues of the quantum of damages in lieu of specific performance and the liability for costs of this action are referred to trial.”

At the trial one of the plaintiff witnesses, Stanley Nyevere, narrated what the defendant was supposed to do and produced five quotations from different contractors. The defendant did not object to the production of the documents.

 

The quotations were as follows: Storm Property Developments US$571 110, Clockmate Investments Civil and Building contractors US$722 454, Tencraft Construction Civil Engineering US$506 748, US$830 284 and Tensor Systems US$781 449. Zimbabwe Independent

Stunner, Olinda In Another Explosive

Desmond “Stunner” Chideme’s baby mama Dyonne Tanaka Tafirenyika has revealed that she is not married to the rapper, amid fire fighting rumoured after the meet up between Stunner and former lover Olinda Chapel.

Stunner and Olinda publicly split following a cheating scandal which involved Stunner and then girlfriend Dyonne. Stunner and Olinda were spotted together in the United Kingdom over the weekend.

This comes as Olinda and partner Njabulo Nkomo better known as Tytan Skhokho are set to wed in the United Kingdom soon.

After the picture surfaced,  Stunner’s baby mama Dyonne dismissed the rumour saying she did not care and that the two were not married.

The hullabaloo started after a picture of the former lovers surfaced in London at the O2 Arena where the rapper and other local artistes were performing last Saturday. Rumour has it that the two were later spotted at a hotel together, a rumour which later ended in Stunner’s baby mama Dyonne’s inbox.

Both Olinda and Stunner have also dismissed the meet up as nothing special but a meet and greet of people who know each other.

The two broke up early last year in messy online revelation of how the relationship had gotten irreconcilable.

“Ko did you hear your husband went back to the hotel with Olinda” someone said to Dyonne in a conversation.

In response Dyonne said: “Ko did you hear his (sic) not my husband and I don’t give a sh**?”
“Why be concerned about what someone else’s husband is doing when you got your own, mind your own business…” she said in another post.

In another conversation, Dyonne tells off another person who apparently had evidence of Stunner cheating saying she needed to see pictures first and without them the person should just leave her alone.

She also said she did not care what people were saying to her on the issue and went further to get involved in a squabble with one Chantel Mungofa over the matter.

Olinda, however, seemed laid back about the issue saying on her Facebook page; “People should stop using my name as a scapegoat when their house is on fire 01.04.18”.

The man at the centre of it all, Stunner, said people only wanted to destroy his household.
“As long as zvamunokanda zvisirikubva mumoyo wakanaka,  hazvina simba mumusha wangu. (as long as what you post is not coming from a good heart, it won’t affect my home). Matakadya kare haanyaradze mwana uyezve ukaona achemera pane vanhu kutsvaga anonyaradza (vanyaradzei ikweyo) (the past is the past).

“Give attention to those that need it, we are good and the love is moving forward,” Stunner wrote. Daily News

Tanzanian Student Murdered In South Africa, Students Demand Police And University Action

Statement By S.A Foreign Students| Baraka Leonard Nafari, a University of Johannesburg (UJ) PhD student from Tanzania, was murdered in the early hours of Friday, the 23rd of February 2018.

UJ’s own CCTV footage shows Baraka and a fellow UJ student running for their lives
while two men in a taxi pursue them.

The taxi then deliberately struck Baraka against the fence of the University of Johannesburg’s Sophiatown residence in Auckland Park and killed him.

Yet, despite these facts, the driver of the taxi was arrested for driving without a license!
He was then released on police bail, and the other person in the taxi was released without
charge.

The taxi driver, according to the police, claims that Baraka and his fellow student were
makwerekwere [was it because they wore a maasai shuka?] who were armed and tried to
hijack them.

This is nonsense. Baraka was their victim – the victim of their xenophobia and
their violent hunting for money.

We refuse to let him be just another number, just another statistic.
We demand to know:

• Why did UJ protection services and Brixton Police assume that the body was that
of a homeless person? Was it so that they didn’t have to take the case seriously?

• Why didn’t UJ protection services insist Brixton Police see the footage
immediately instead of leaving it until Wednesday, 28th February 2018 and only
after pressure from some UJ staff and students and the Tanzanian Embassy?

• Why did Brixton Police believe the version of the events given by the taxi driver,
a man who they had found slumped in his taxi next to a dead body?

• Why didn’t the Police Investigating Officer see the footage before Wednesday,
28th February 2018 and only after pressure from some UJ staff and students and
the Tanzanian Embassy?

• Why haven’t UJ protection services and Brixton Police look for additional CCTV
footage from the area of the crime?
As a result of UJ protection services and Brixton Police’s inaction until Tuesday, at the
first hearing on Tuesday, 27th March 2018, the Magistrate declined to put the case on the
roll as there is no evidence disputing the murderer’s statement given to the police. Indeed,
this is the level of negligence that allows violence and murder to roam and haunt our
streets.
We demand the following:

• We demand Brixton Police take this case seriously.

• We demand the University of Johannesburg condemn the murder, seek justice and
support the family.

• We demand UJ security services act diligently.

• We demand the Independent Police Investigator Directorate supervises whether
Brixton Police investigates Baraka’s murder with diligence.

• We demand the Human Rights Commission investigates whether Baraka’s
murder was motivated by xenophobia.

The University of Johannesburg prides itself on being a Pan-African institution – a home
for students from across the continent. But if it is to be so, all its students must feel safe,
and must be safe. Baraka was a Tanzanian citizen and we welcomed him here.

We are
disturbed that the University, so proud of its international students, has not yet issued a
public statement condemning this appalling murder –while Baraka’s former Saint
Augustine University of Tanzania issued one on Tuesday, 27th February.

Worse, we have
too many reasons to believe that if it wasn’t for Baraka’s friends and colleagues, the
inaction of UJ protection services and Brixton Police would most likely have already
resulted in a blatant injustice.

Baraka was much loved by staff and friends at UJ. We will not let the questions
surrounding his murder go unanswered.

Fireworks As MDC Prepares For Primaries

Nelson Chamisa 

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo
The country’ s largest opposition party, MDC is preparing for primary elections to select candidates for the 2018 elections.

There is tension in Masvingo Urban Constituency as aspiring candidates jostle for the bragging rights to represent the party at local government level.The primary elections will be held at the provincial party office tomorrow.

Primary elections for all the 10 wards in Masvingo Urban Constituency will be held tomorrow.

One of the aspiring candidates in ward 7, Masvingo Urban Constituency, Tafara Masimba, told ZimEye.com he was ready to represent the party in the coming harmonised elections.

“We are prepared for the elections and as usual there will be peace and harmony during and after the elections,” said Masimba.

Masimba is the favourite to win the ward 7 primary elections, according to local political observers.

We Do Not Want To See Whites In Save Conservancy:Hungwe

NATIONAL NEWS

 

NATIONAL NEWSTerrence Mawawa, Masvingo
Controversial politician, Josaya Dunira Hungwe has said the government will soon take full control of the Save Valley Conservancy.

Although President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was open for investment, last week Hungwe charged that all whites in the Save Conservancy would be kicked out.

Hungwe told party members in Chiredzi those who sympathised with the whites were sellouts.

“We have no space for whites here.We will allocate the remaining properties to black owners.

There is no going back on the indigenisagion issue,” said Hungwe.

“We will not tolerate those who sympathise with the whites,” added Hungwe.

Prince Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo Arrives, Briefly Detained At Airport

Crown Prince Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo

By Paul Nyathi

Ndebele King designate Prince Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo and his entourage landed in an Air Zimbabwe plane at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport on Friday afternoon ahead of his banned coronation which was set for Barbourfields Stadium in the City on Saturday.

The would be king was however detained at the airport for over an hour by state security details and immigration officers.

It is still not yet clear what the officials were talking about with the South African based prince.

When he was finally released, organisers of the coronation from the Royal Khumalo Family whisked him away denying media of any interviews.

Meanwhile hundreds of other people who had travelled from South Africa and Swaziland to attend the coronation are reportedly being held at the Beitbridge border post by immigration officials on the instructions of state security.

Spokesperson of the Crown Council Effie Ncube told journalists that about fifty buses are being held at the border.

“We have about fifty buses being held at the border since early hours of Friday and there is no explaination why our people are being held there,” said Ncube.

In the meantime it is not clear what will happen to the hoards of food that had been sourced for the coronation which gas since been called off by both government and the High Court.

Over 50 heard of cattle were made available for the function including thousands of litres of traditional beer. Hotel bookings for VIP delegates had also been booked and paid for.

Mphoko Fingered In ZINARA Scam

Phelekezela-Mphoko

Terrence Mawawa
Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has been fingered in a scam involving senior Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) officials.

According to the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission, Mphoko blocked the investigation of massive embezzlement of funds at ZINARA

ZINARA technical director, Moses Juma, and human resources director, Precious Murove, conceded that they illegally paid each other $36 383 as allowances for two years (2014-2016) as reported by the Auditor General’s 2016 report.

They also paid themselves $3 000 each for corporate wear and unlimited cellphone allowances without approval from the parent ministry.

During the same period, Juma was the acting CEO and Murove was the finance director.

They were once arrested by Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on allegations of defrauding the parastatal of about $1.3 million but they were released after former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko had intervened in the matter.

Mphoko Fingered In ZINARA Scam

Phelekezela-Mphoko

By Terrence Mawawa| Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has been fingered in a scam involving senior Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) officials.

According to the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission, Mphoko blocked the investigation of massive embezzlement of funds at ZINARA.

ZINARA technical director, Moses Juma, and human resources director, Precious Murove, conceded that they illegally paid each other $36 383 as allowances for two years (2014-2016) as reported by the Auditor General’s 2016 report.

They also paid themselves $3 000 each for corporate wear and unlimited cellphone allowances without approval from the parent ministry.

During the same period, Juma was the acting CEO and Murove was the finance director.

They were once arrested by Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on allegations of defrauding the parastatal of about $1.3 million but they were released after former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko had intervened in the matter.

BREAKING – Riots Erupt In Bulawayo As High Court Dismisses Coronation Of King

By Paul Nyathi| Bulawayo Central Business District has been turned into a war zone as thousands of people protest against the High Court decision denying the installation of a king for the Ndebele people.

Justice Martin Makonese ruled that the Crown Council of Matabeleland can not have a king installed as it is not provided for in the constitution.

Justice Makonese ruled that the council should take the issue to parliament for a constitutional amendment to incorporate the king in the structures of traditional leaders.

As the court was sitting hundreds of people gathered outside the court singing traditional Ndebele war songs.

When judgement was announced the crowd which suddenly grew in numbers went into a wild protest igniting running battles with the anti riot police that were on stand by.

At the time of this article the situation in the city remained tense with most businesses closing early in fear of the rioters.

Efforts to get a comment from the organisers of the coronation have not been successful as they were still closed inside the High Court building.

Army Will Salute Nelson Chamisa To Remain Inside Constitution

By Staff Reporter| The army will have to salute a Nelson Chamisa government, the MDC Alliance declared today.

Speaking while addressing journalists in Harare, MDC Alliance principal Welshman Ncube said  the military stand at an obligation to follow constitutional requirements of serving whatever government of the day is in power. WATCH the proceedings as they continued below:

WATCH: “Mnangagwa’s Presidency Is Fake”, Court Case

By Farai D Hove| The Constitutional Court (ConCourt) will be hearing an application to annul President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidency.

Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga’s holding of office have been challenged by members of the civil society who include Vusumuzi Sibanda, Linda Masarira and Bongani Nyathi.

Sibanda said he is not seeking the reversal of Mugabe’s resignation or Mnangagwa’s inauguration. He said,

“I do not seek the reversal of what took place leading to the resignation of the fifth respondent (Mugabe) and the inauguration of the first respondent (Mnangagwa). I am seeking the restoration of the rule of law, the supremacy of the Constitution, the declaration and the condemnation of constitutional infringements and the separation of powers of the executive, the judiciary and the legislature.

“The current scenario in Zimbabwe poses a serious threat to democracy in that, he who led (second respondent, Chiwenga) on November 14 to 21, 2017 was later seen at a Zanu PF extraordinary congress in December and was later elevated to the position of Vice-President.

“Retired Chief Air Marshal Perrance Shiri and Retired Lieutenant General Sibusiso Moyo were appointed Ministers of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs respectively by first respondent. Such was the violation of the Constitution by the first, second and third respondents (Mnangagwa, Chiwenga and Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF).”

The three activists say the actions by the ZDF and members of the security services and the political affiliation of members of the ZDF and security services were prohibited by section 208(2) (a) and (b) and section 211 (3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

“On November 13, 2017, second respondent who was then the Commander of the ZDF held a Press conference at the army headquarters in Harare where he lamented the purging of former liberation veterans in Zanu PF.

“He threatened that the army would step in the political affairs of Zanu PF to curb the alleged purging of liberation veterans…in announcing his statement second respondent was the Commander of the ZDF and as such, his actions were contrary to section 211(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” Sibanda said.

“On November 14, 2017, vehicles in the form of tanks from the ZDF barricaded some roads leading to the President’s offices along Samora Machel Avenue/Sam Nujoma Street and Nelson Mandela Avenue roads leading to Parliament of Zimbabwe, just to mention a few, such development was inconsistent with section 213 (1)(a) and (b) of the Constitution.”

 

UPDATED – Mnangagwa Extends 3 Month Ultimatum For Looters

By Staff Reporter| President Mnangagwa has announced saying names of those who did not heed his call to return externalised money will be published on March 19. He said this as he also said he is extending the ultimatum to return the funds by two weeks.

President Mnangagwa told the state media the two-week period will stretch to the 16th of March 2018, after which time the outstanding cases will be publicized on the 19th of March 2018.

In his announcement published by the state owned ZBC News, Mnangagwa said the extension follows a request by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for additional time to validate and finalise the amnesty process before government proceeds to name and shame those who did not take heed of the amnesty and proceed to take legal action again such cases.

He added that the central bank request was as a result of a positive response to the amnesty.

Mnangagwa said out of 1166 cases of externalisation known by government (worth US$1.3 billion), a total of 105 cases valued at US$250 million were processed by the RBZ in respect of externalised foreign currency.

“Thirty cases valued at US$50 million of immovable properties in various countries were reported to RBZ whilst 210 cases valued at US$287 million pertained to externalised funds that were used to procure imports,” he said.

The president said the processed cases give a success rate of 45 percent by value.

Another State Run Radio Station Opened

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) will tomorrow introduce a new radio station, Khulumani FM.

The station which is a local commercial station, will broadcast to listeners in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province.

ZBC acting public relations manager, Ms Firstme Vhitori said Khulumani FM will also cover a 40 kilometre radius outside Bulawayo.

The station will broadcast in seven languages namely: ndebele, xhosa, sotho, venda, kalanga, tonga and english.

Meanwhile, Ms Vhitori said the official launch ceremony of the station will be held at a date to be advised.

Source ZBC newsonline

UPDATED: Ndebele King Coronation Indaba Aborted

By Paul Nyathi

The highly tempered meeting on the coronation of a Ndebele king between government and Matabeleland traditional leaders in Bulawayo has been abandoned.

The meeting has been called off following an urgent chamber application by Peter Zwide Khumalo who is claiming the throne.

The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing July Moyo who was supposed to convene the meeting had to leave after learning of the development, leaving the President of the Chiefs Council Chief Fortune Charumbira to make the announcement.

Chief Charumbira said Minister Moyo and other government ministers had to leave prematurely as it was not possible to discuss an issue which is before the courts.

The Bulawayo High Court is due to sit later in the day to consider the application.

Prince Zwide Khumalo installed himself as king of the Ndebele people last week in a coronation ceremony which was attended by about twenty people most of them being members of the media.

The royal Khumalo Family had ignored Prince Zwide as he is not within the family line to inherit the throne from Lobengula the last king of the Ndebele.

Lobengula was dethroned by the settler government in 1893.

The Khumalo family identified South African citizen Prince Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo as the rightful heir and was due for coronation on Saturday.

Ndebele King Saga, Highly Tempered Government Indaba Kicks Off

By Paul Nyathi| Tensions are high in Bulawayo as the government convened indaba to discuss the coronation of a Ndebele King kicked off in Bulawayo this Friday morning.

The meeting which was set to start at 10am delayed by over an hour as members of Mthwakazi Pressure Groups barricaded the entrance to the venue demanding that they be included in the meeting too.

The meeting only commenced after the group was allowed in.

The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing July Moyo is chairing the meeting which includes all chiefs from Matabeleland region.

Also in attendance is Home Affairs Minister Obert Mpofu and the three Provincial Affairs Ministers from the Matabeleland region with their Provincial Administrators.

Vice President Kembo Mohadi is also expected to join the meeting.

Minister Moyo recently barred the planned installation of Crown Prince Colin Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo as the Ndebele king during a ceremony that was slated for Barbourfields stadium tomorrow saying it was illegal.

The chiefs have however vowed that they will not listen to the Minister’s directive claiming that they will proceed with the coronation.

The Crown Council led by Chief Khulumani Mathema has also taken up the matter to the High Court to nullify the Minister’s order.

Defiant Khuphe Meets Bulawayo Civil Society and Churches

By Paul Nyathi

Troubled MDC-T Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe will on Friday have seperate meetings with members of the Bulawayo Civil Society and church leaders, ZimEye.com can exclusively reveal.

Khuphe is set to meet with the civil society in the morning before meeting pastors and bishops from the churches in the city later in the day.

ZimEye.com sources indicated that Khuphe’s discussion topic will be centred around the alleged capture of power in the MDC-T by new President Nelson Chamisa.

Sources indicated that the infornation on the meeting leaked to the MDC-T outside Khuphe’s wishes. The sources further indicated that the party will be sending members of the party’s vanguard to spy for the party in the meetings.

Khuphe is currently serving a seven day ultimatum to decide if she wants to work with Chamisa or she be booted out of the party.

Khuphe has publicly expressed that she does not recognise Chamisa as the President of the party. She claims she was the rightful person to take over after the late former President Morgan Tsvangirai.

I Am Not Aware Of My Dismissal, Obert Gutu

By Paul Nyathi

MDC-T National Spokesperson Obert Gutu says that he is not aware that he has been suspended from the party pending dismissal.

On Thursday the MDC-T National Council set and resolved to suspend Gutu from all party activities pending disciplinary hearing and possible dismissal.

Gutu is accused of working against the party.

In a Twitter post, Gutu said that he only heard of his alleged dismissal on social media with no official communication from the party.

“I have read somewhere on social media that I have been suspended as the MDC-T National Spokesperson,” wrote Gutu.

“I haven’t been furnished with a letter of suspension.I will comprehensively address this issue as and when I am served with the letter of suspension.”

Last week Gutu also wrote a Twitter post hinting to be resigning from the party but later changed his stance claiming that he was misinterpreted.

Ndebele King Fiasco, Chiefs Defiant, Coronation Going Ahead.

Chief Nhlanhla Ndiweni addressing the meeting in Bulawayo on Thursday

Bulawayo Correspondent

Besides the directive by the Minister of Local Government blocking the coronation of Prince Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo as the King of the Ndebele people set for this weekend, Chiefs and traditional leaders in Matabeleland have vowed that the ceremony will go ahead as planned.

The chiefs said this in an impromptu meeting with members of the Western Region Civil Society held in Bulawayo on Thursday afternoon.

Represented by Chief Khulumani Mathema of Gwanda who is the Chairman of the Crown Council accompanied by Chief Nhlanhla Khayisa Ndiweni and Chief Ngwemnyama Mayenga Fuyane, the chiefs vowed that the region is not going back on the plans to install a king to regulate their functions.

“We are not accepting Minister July Moyo’s love letter blocking the coronation of our king,” said Chief Mathema.

“When we wrote to him we were not asking for his permission to have the event but were merely inviting him to attend.”

“He does not have the constitutional authority to block us from practising our culture the way we are meant to do it,” said Chief Mathema.

Mathema’s sentiments were echoed by Chief Khayisa Ndiweni who called on people from the region to come in their thousands on Saturday to witness the coronation of the king.

“Our people must come in their thousands as planned, the event is going ahead we are not going to be deterred from carrying out the responsibilities that our fathers tasked us to do,” said Chief Ndiweni.

The chiefs further indicated that they had been summoned to a meeting with the Minister of Local Government and the Minister of Home Affairs to discuss the issue.

“We are going for the meeting and we want to assure you our people that we are not going to budge on this issue,” said Chief Ndiweni.

“Instead of blocking us, the Ministers will need to see how they are going to accommodate us and handle our issue,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Crown Council has made an urgent court application to the High Court seeking to nullify the Minister’s directive. The court will sit in Bulawayo on Friday afternoon to decide on the matter.

Khuphe Needs Devine Intervention, MDC-T

By Paul Nyathi

Opposition MDC-T has resolved to engage pastors from various churches to engage with their estranged Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe to try and bring her back into working with the new party leadership.

After exhausting all possible channels to engage the disgruntled Deputy President, the party’s National Council on Thursday resolved that Khuphe be given last efforts to bring her back to the party by having a delegation of pastors engage with her.

Speaking in an interview after the Council meeting, Presidential Spokesperson of the party Luke Tamborinyoka said that the Council resolved to give the pastors seven days to engage Khuphe and her collegues National Chairman Lovemore Moyo and National Organiser Abednico Bhebhe.

“The party felt that maybe they will understand the pastors better,” he said.

“We have given them seven days to make up their minds in the engagements with the pastors after which if nothing positives comes up we will engage the party constitution to decide their fate in the party,” said Tamborinyoka.

“It must be noted that the three hold very critical positions in the party and for the party to function well these need to be operating efficiently.”

The three have been boycotting party programmes including crucial meetings as they have openly expressed their unwillingness to work with the new party President Nelson Chamisa.

100 Days Into Office, Mnangagwa Has Achieved A Lot Of Nothing

By David Khulani Ndlovu| Revolutionary greetings dear comrades. I once opined that Mnangagwa is nothing but a replica of R.G. Mugabe. He was mentored by Mugabe and therefore subscribes heavily to Mugabeism. Ngwena talks right and walks left like his predecessor. Thus, what we experienced was a mere change of personalities at the helm and the continuation of the old system, Mugabeism.

The fact that Nust students were protesting some few days ago proves beyond reasonable doubt that students are dissatisfied with the new regime. Students insurrections are normally a response to ill-governance. Mnangagwa’s poor governence is noticeable in his 100 days old administration. Let us not forget that he rose to power through the barrel of the gun and through it he will consolidate his power. This explains why the protesting Nust students were bitten by dogs and tear-gassed. It is worrying but not surprising for the junta to respond militantly to peaceful students protests. Such and more is expected from the military government.

The violence precipitated upon Nust protesting students is a foretaste of the juta’s future rule. When children ask for some sweets from the father and he responds by giving them stinging agents like scorpions and bees, then such a father is Lucifer himself. I pity a familly headed by an evil father for theirs is the kingdom of suffering and pain.

Mnangagwa soon after unconstitutionally rising to power, he promised easy cash flow. However, cash shortages are making the lives of people in the streets unbearable. Surely this is an extension of the Mugabe rule. How will people do their day to day businesses in the absence of money?

Zimbabwe is the sicklady of Africa. In order for her to recover, her resourcss must be managed carefully. Mnangagwa is seemingly squandering her meagre resources, buying chiefs luxury cars yet the masses are labouring under the stigma of poverty. This is unaldulterated vote buying at the expense of the ailing economy and the suffering-unemployed masses.

Hundred days into office, the health system remains in shumbles. It is further disintegrating and Ngwena is failing to rejuvinate it. Hospitals are running short of medication and the vital oxygen. Is Zimbabwe a cursed country? Why are is it always presided by mis-leaders? One can easily believe that the devil was cast on planet earth, in Zimbabwe to be precise, and resides therein.

The old trains were repainted and declared new. Mnangagwa can fool us, but not the economy. Repainting old trains and declaring them new is economic suicide if not economic stupidity. Zimbabwe deserves new trains that can lucratively ply the major cities.

Most of the industries especially in Bulawayo closed down. Ngwena promised to lure more foreign and direct investment. This investment is allegedly meant to resuscitate the industries. However, upto date, the industries are still closed and in Bulawayo they are now habours of charismatic churches that are robbing the people of their hard earned cash. Are these churches capable creating employment opportunities or they are ponzi schemes meant consign the members to poverty? These charismatic churches have created kindoms of religious fanatics who surrender their all to their pastors hoping for a better life in paradise. In short, they have created kingdoms of suffering and poverty.

The rate of unemployment is rising at an alarming rapidity. The president promised to eradicate unemployement. However he has failed disimally to tuckle this evil. Some educated youths are still vending in the streets, Ngwena ichingo tonga. He has done absolutely nothing to create employment opportunities for the unemployed, 100 days into office.

Mnangagwa promised Zimbabwe and the world free and fair elecfions. However elections without electoral reforms are a pipe dream. Hundred days into office, he has failed to reform the electoral system. Mnangagwa has failed to repeal the notorious AIPPA and POSA laws. Owing to the fact that Zimbabws is now a military state, violence and intimidation can not be ruled off in the upcoming elections.

The First Lady has slowly but surely become the head of state. Like the gone Grace Mugabe, she can not work within the confines of her duties as the first lady. She is more often seen poaching into the duties of the husband president. Surely Mnangagwa has learnt nothing and forgotten nothing from dethroned Mugabe. As a man of law he must be an avid reader of the holy bible because it is the foundation of all laws. Samson’s downfall was Delillah, Mugabe’s downfall was Grace and if Mnangagwa is not carefull his downfall would be Auxilia. We expect the first lady not to enterfere with the duties of the president. She must know her space and operate within it.

The moratorium on externalised/looted funds has come to an end. One wonders how much has been returned/recovered? How much was recovered from Mnangagwa and his cronnies? The ineffectiveness Mnangagwa’s administration will be measured against amount of externalised funds recovered. From the the look of things nothing has been rovered.

Dear Zimbabweans, we have been sold a polished bottle bottom for diamonds. I reitererate that Mnangagwa is our new Mugabe, the only difference is the age and names. Like his predecessor, he speaks right and walks left. His cabinet is made up of ideologically bankrupt individuals who have failed to give the economy the much needed breath of life. It is a bunch of recycled failed leaders who are ill-tutored in the ABCs of the political economy. He pronounced that the voice of the people is the voice of God. Let us hold him and his incompetant cabinet responsible and punish them in the balot. He knows that real power lies with the people, let us therefore use our voting power to vote him and his diabolic church of Baal-Zanu PF out of power. Dear comrades, voting Zanu PF out of power is the only way we can restore democracy and constitutionalism.

Victory is certain, alluta continua.
Khulani David Nhlovu

Oppah Muchinguri Off To Belgium

Business Reporter| Fresh from firing the entire Parks And Wildlife board, Environment Minister Oppah Muchinguri is flying to Belgium.

Muchinguri will be part of a parliamentary conference at the European Parliament next Tuesday.

The program as ZimEye reveals, has been titled, “Keep Calm And Let Africa Take the Lead.” FULLER DETAILS ARE BELOW:

Man Catches Wife Cheating, Murders Her, Jailed

NATIONAL NEWS

A Rusape who killed his wife after catching her allegedly cheating has been jailed.

For butchering his wife whom he caught red handed having intimate time with her boyfriend, the man has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on murder charges.

Christopher Taurai Taruona was convicted of murder as defined in Section 47 (1) (a) or (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 by High Court Judge, Justice Joseph Musakwa.

The court heard that on March 14 last year and at Derreck Farm in Rusape the suspect was arrested after fighting with Taurai Chisoni whom he accused of bedding his wife Patience Nyambo.

Around 8pm that same night after he was released from police custody, Taruona looked for his wife and found her at their residence. He assaulted her heavily with switches and only fled the scene upon realising that she had died. The deceased’s body was discovered the following morning by a neighbour who then reported the matter to the police.

A post mortem done at Rusape General Hospital concluded that the death was as a result of polytrauma which is a medical term describing the condition of a person who has been subjected to multiple traumatic injuries, such as a serious head injuries.

Mr Jonathan Chingwinyiso prosecuted. – state media

Obert Mpofu Orders Police To Stop Investigating People

“When called upon to investigate crime, make sure you investigate crime not people.”

By A Correspondent| Home Affairs Minister Obert Mpofu has ordered the police to stop investigating people, saying they must fix their eyes only on crime.

Mpofu told senior police officers in Harare yesterday, “regardless of the circumstances, there should be a better and acceptable way of handling even the most difficult situations.”

He continued saying, “I urge you to draw life lessons from that (Charge Office/Seke Road) regrettable incident. When you engage the public bear in mind the legal doctrine that says ‘It is better that 10 guilty persons escape than one innocent person suffers.”

He added: “The police derives its mandate from the people. The police comes from the society, from society you belong and you shall return. Never, therefore, should your deeds be at cross purposes with the laws, values and aspirations of the society. When called upon to investigate crime, make sure you investigate crime not people.”

He said, “while society expects law enforcement agents to match criminals blow for blow, in the same measure they also assume they will be protected from excesses of the police as they execute their routine duties.

“Some leaders or political parties have survived on an environment that is not peaceful,” he said. “The position of maintaining peace that the President has pronounced may not be favourable to them and they will do everything within their power to create chaos and confusion so that they continue benefiting.

“If our police officers intervene it becomes an issue of lack of peace and stability. We will do everything to ensure such things won’t happen. I have assured stakeholders including diplomats, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) country representative Mr Bishow Pajuli that elections will proceed freely and peacefully.”

Mpofu gave separatist group Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) as an example of organisations trying to foment chaos in the country.

The group this week disrupted a National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) in Lupane.

“It is surprising that meetings have been disrupted by an organised group which was calling for that Commission to be in place,” said Dr Mpofu.

He warned politicians against interfering with police operations.

Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga joined in saying some police stations were being downsized, while other functions would be merged.

“The recent massive transfers from depots are examples to fulfil this desire,” he said. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police shall, as an ongoing initiative, analyse current establishments within its structure to identify redundant stations and sections or those whose functions are operationally duplicative of others.

“Soon, we shall be launching the Zimbabwe Republic Police patrol unit in Harare Central and Chitungwiza districts. The purpose of the patrol unit is to ensure there are police officers deployed round the clock on crime prevention duties. The patrol unit will be rolled out to all urban areas and cities.” – state media/additional reporting

Despite Police Killing 2 People, Mohadi Says Harare Needs Operation Restore Order

While many are still nursing their wounds and despite the chaotic violence that saw the police shoot dead two civilians during an program dubbed Operation Restore Order last week, Vice President Kembo Mohadi yesterday reiterated the same insensitive verbiage.

The Police and the government have been threatened with legal action over the program and the Passengers Association and other civic bodies complained that the state was being unreasonable in its approach.

Passengers Association leader Tafadzwa Goliati together with National Vendors Union leader, Sten Zvorwadza told ZimEye.com they had already presented an alternative plan to decongest the streets but the government avoided all proposals for consultations going ahead to launch their Operation Restore Order. The term has been viewed as insensitive due to the similarities with the coup that saw Robert Mugabe being removed last year November when the army said they were targeting criminals surrounding the President. Civic movements have complained that the state has left real criminals walking scot free and begun targeting vendors and kombi operators.

When the so called Operation Restore Order was launched last week, police opened fire on civilians and two were shot dead, a development that saw the whole program being public condemned as legal action was also mounted.

But VP Mohadi on Thursday ignored the public outrage going ahead to state that there is an urgent need for Government intervention in restoring order in Harare. He said the capital city was now a jungle not worth its status. Illegal vending, pirate taxis, touting and other vices are the order of the day in the city, once referred to as the Sunshine City.

Addressing a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Harare, Mohadi said there was need to upgrade dilapidated infrastructure in the central business district (CBD).

“Harare has become a menace with disorderly vendors, pirate taxis and more importantly dilapidated infrastructure,” he said.

 “I do not think this is the kind of the capital city we all want. There is a lot of chaos in the city.
“I am grateful to see Government and civil society collaborating to this very important task to restore the City of Harare’s sunshine status. I should say this meeting was long overdue.”

The meeting was attended by stakeholders from the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, City of Harare officials, transport industry representatives and the business community.

VP Mohadi urged Zimbabweans across the political divide to work together for the revitalisation of Harare.

 “Harare is not the capital city of Zanu-PF or MDC,” he said. “It is the capital city of Zimbabwe. I am very alive to the political contestations characterising local governance.

“However, at this point we should set aside our political differences and focus on restoring Harare, a task which is in the country’s best interests.

“There is no Zanu-PF or MDC or other parties. We are not going to discuss or deliberate this based on political affiliations. We are talking about our capital city of Zimbabwe.”
VP Mohadi said a model plan for Harare, which is currently being looked at, would be replicated in all the cities across the country.

“We are not going to deal with Harare and forget other urban cities,” he said. “Cities such as Bulawayo, Mutare, Masvingo, and Gweru are also in the same category.

“As we deliberate on how to restore Harare, let us not lose sight of the fact that we are setting a good precedence to other local authorities across the country. It is a precedence they will definitely replicate in their respective areas of jurisdiction as cities.”

The remarks by VP Mohadi comes a fortnight after police shot and killed two people in the CBD as they tried to enforce order by barring commuter omnibuses from picking passengers at illegal points.

The city council has been battling to remove illegal vendors and pirate taxis from the Central Business District without any success. – state media

Mand And Wife Commit Suicide

NATIONAL, BUSINESS, BREAKING

A Chipinge couple committed suicide by hanging from trusses in their bedroom on Saturday in a suspected case of domestic violence.

Manicaland police spokesperson Inspector, Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the deaths of Francisco Mashava (20) and his wife Rebecca Sithole (26) of Plot 3 Ravenshood Farm under Chief Mutema in Chipinge.

“The two were found hanging on ropes inside their bedroom hut on Saturday,” said Insp Kakohwa.

The bodies of the deceased were discovered by Rebbecca’s mother, Nyukase Mashava (49) of Plot 5 Ravenshood, Chipinge.

“Around 10am on Saturday morning Nyukase passed by the couples homestead on her way from the fields.

“She repeatedly knocked on the door but it was not opened. She then proceeded to enter the house only to find the two hanging from the trusses inside the hut,” Insp Kakohwa added.

Two broken cellphones were also found lying on the floor and no suicide note was found.

The exact reason for the deaths is yet to be ascertained, the police said. The bodies of the two were taken to Chipinge Hospital for post mortem. Inspector Kakohwa however urged the public to settle domestic disputes amicably and avoid fights that in most cases end tragically for one or either parties.

Meanwhile, police in Mutare have arrested two suspects linked to the robbery and subsequent murder of a 26 -year-old taxi driver whose body was found near Forbes border last week.

Inspector Kakohwa identified the deceased as Wellington Tatenda Musewe of 4392 Hobhouse Phase Two Mutare.

“The man was shot in the head and dumped at a farm near Forbes border post a fortnight ago,” said Insp Kakohwa.

The two accused Leonard Machaka (22) and Talent Michael Matambo (20) of 3136 Chikanga Phase Two have been arrested and are assisting police with investigations. The third suspect Brian Chakandinakira however, is still at large. Inspector Kakohwa said he did not have full details on the case.

“I am yet to get full details concerning that matter,” he said.

It is believed that on the fateful day, February 16, around 1.30am the now deceased was hired by Matambo to take him to Road Motor Services depot. On arrival at the depot Musewe was asked to stop as Matambo had a few items to collect.

The third suspect Chakandinakira is then said to have arrived at the scene and opened fire at the driver killing him on the spot. The two then took the car to Maruni farm where they dumped the body.

Musewe’s body was found last week Monday at an advanced state of decomposition, lying near a stream. According to Insp Kakohwa the body was discovered by Elias Nyamasime (36) a resident of Mutare last Monday who then alerted the police.

“Nyamasime was attending to his field near Forbes and went in search of water at a nearby stream. As he was collecting water he stumbled upon the body lying on the ground facing upwards.

“The man had no identification on him and was dressed in grey shorts and grey T-shirt,” added Insp Kakohwa.

 

The body was however, identified later the same week by relatives. Police attended the scene and ferried the body to Mutare Provincial Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.  – state media

Poisonous Agaricus: 3 Killed, 8 Others Hospitalised

Three people have been killed from agaricus poisoning.

They include a 38-year old man from Emthunzini suburb in Bulawayo who died in his sleep following a beer drinking spree after going to bed having said he had been involved in a fight; while three family members died and eight others are battling for their lives at Mpilo Central Hospital after they allegedly consumed poisonous mushrooms in Mberengwa.

Police are suspecting foul play in the Emthunzini incident while Chief Ngungumbane of Mberengwa confirmed the poisoning incident which happened yesterday morning but said he did not have the finer details.
“I heard about the death of three family members from Mberengwa while eight other family members who are said to be critically ill were taken to Masase

Mission Hospital before they were taken to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo for treatment,” he said. Acting Bulawayo Provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the Emthunzini incident.

He said police were suspecting foul play in the death of Maxwell Vhore who passed away in his sleep at around 1AM on Wednesday, minutes after arriving home.

Asst Insp Ncube said Vhore was pronounced dead upon the arrival of an ambulance.
“I can confirm that we are investigating a sudden death of a man from Emthunzini suburb who is suspected to have been involved in a misunderstanding with some people when he was from a beer drink,” he said.
“We are waiting for post-mortem results to confirm the cause of death but under such circumstances, we suspect foul play.”
Vhore allegedly experienced breathing difficulties while sleeping and was pronounced dead upon the arrival of an ambulance, which his wife, Ms Sithabile Makombe, had called.

The deceased’s wife is alleged to have tied his legs with the help of her stepson to stop him from going outside after he said he wanted to go back where he had been to fight back.
Ms Makombe said her husband came home drunk, carrying a stone and a beer bottle, saying he wanted to kill some men he had been fighting outside.

“He left home on Tuesday morning and came back drunk at midnight. He was shouting and uttering insults. He said I shouldn’t close the door because he wanted to go and kill men who had fought with him. My son and I tried restraining him but he assaulted us. We managed to overpower him and tied his legs to prevent him from going anywhere,” she said.

“We went to sleep and he was snoring but after some minutes I realised he had stopped snoring. I woke up to check on him and realised that he was breathing heavily. At first I thought he was too drunk but it got worse so I called our co-tenant, who advised me to call an ambulance. After attending to him for a few minutes, paramedics told me he was dead and there was nothing they could do.”

Meanwhile, the village head of Tarusarira in Mberengwa West, Mr Simbarashe Moyo, said he had learnt with great shock of the passing away of three family members from his area and the admission of the other eight in hospital after consuming poisonous mushrooms.

“I confirm receiving news that three members of the same family passed on this morning (yesterday) after consuming poisonous mushrooms. Eight other family members were left ill and were taken to Masase Mission Hospital before they were ferried to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo after their condition deteriorated,” he said.

Headman Moyo, who is the Health Centre Committee (HCC) chairperson for Masase Mission Hospital, said he was not at liberty to disclose the names of the victims since their next kin were still to be notified.

He said eight other family members were ferried to Bulawayo and arrived at Mpilo Hospital at around 4PM for further treatment. -state media

My Husband Is HIV+ I Need help

NATIONAL NEWS

A Mutare woman has fled her matrimonial bedroom following incessant forced attempts by her HIV positive husband to have unprotected sex.

Chipo Damba revealed this at the Mutare Civil Courts where she is applying for a protection order against her lawfully wedded husband, Martin Damba.

She told the presiding magistrate, Miss Nyasha Kuture, that she now feared for her life living under the same roof with her husband. Chipo said they both got tested for the HIV and Martin tested positive.

“He says I am his lawfully wedded wife and therefore we should all die together from the virus since he has it. He forces me to be intimate with him without protection,” she said.

She also accused Martin of damaging condoms each time they have sex in attempts to transmit the virus to her.

“Your Worship, against his will, we use condoms for protection but the moment he excuses himself to go to the toilet, he comes back with a broken condom and attempts to use it without my knowledge. He wants us to die together yet he is the one who was promiscuous in our relationship,’’ she said.

Chipo told the court that because she refuses to have unprotected sex with Martin, he now accuses her of being a goblin’s wife and threatens to take her to her parents’ house.

She said the abuses have affected her physically and emotionally, thereby affecting her work as a teacher.

Martin refuted the allegations saying it has been two years since they last shared a bed as husband and wife.

He labelled his wife a liar and ungrateful person. “This woman was uneducated and I sent her to school from Form 3, till she attained the Diploma in Education that she now boasts of.

“Now she wants to take everything away from me. I am a very peaceful person why would I force her to be intimate with me, as peaceful as I am?” said Martin.

Miss Kuture granted the protection order to Chipo against her husband-state media

Khupe Fires Back

By Staff Reporter| MDC Deputy President Thokozani Khupe has spoken for the first time after being given an utimatum by the party.

She described the statement by Presidential spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka as “bullish.”

In a quick response via Twitter, Khupe said, “it is regrettable and very revealing that while the Guardians Council leadership is yet ceased with sensitive matters in the party, some take pleasure in bullish threats, ultimatums and suspensions.”

 

Khupe Slapped With Ultimatum By MDC-T

By Dorrothy Moyo| The MDC-T party has slapped Nelson Chamisa’s deputy, Thokozani Khupe, Lovemore Moyo and organizing secretary Abednigo Bhebhe with a one week ultimatum.

After this period should they not reform, the three will be severely disciplined according party principles.

The three have been boycotting meetings for several months to date since the days of Morgan Tsvangirai’s leadership and September last year they caused a stir when they bunked Tsvangirai’s meetings.

They were protesting over the decision to form an MDC Alliance. An earlier matter of contention was the appointment of Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri to the Vice Presidency.

When Tsvangirai died last month, Acting President Nelson Chamisa revealed that he took several attempts to reach out to Khupe for a reconciliation. Chamisa back then said he did not want to lose Khupe “because she is part of us”.

But 2 weeks after Tsvangirai’s departure, the party has resolved to mete out action on Ms Khupe and her allies.

Chamisa’s Spokesperson and Director of Communications Luke Tamborinyoka said,”the party has given 7 days for engagement processes to take place with senior leaders VP Khupe, national chairperson Lovemore Moyo and organizing secretary Hon. Abednigo Bhebhe after which the party has mandated the leadership to take the necessary action by operation of law.”

 

Incarcerated Tsvangirai Activists Accussed Of Murder Freed | BREAKING NEWS

Ray Nkosi | Yvonne Musarurwa,Tunga Madzokere and Last Maengahama who were sentenced to 20yrs in prison for a crime they never committed have been set free today.

The activists were charged with the murder of police inspector Petros Mutedza during disturbances in Glen View in 2011.- More to follow

VP Mohadi Almost Lost His Manhood After Being Tortured By The Mugabe Regime

Ray Nkosi | The exile driven New Patriotic Front has come out to reveal the torture ordeal Vice President Kembo Mohadi went through during the Gukurahundi dark period. Mohadi has been in the media after a picture of his was circulated on social media with a young teenage school girl in uniform in his office, with those close to him saying it his niece. All has not been well for the former state security minister who is also in a nasty divorce, with a woman claiming to be his wife Tambudzani taking to social media to pour out a lot of sensational claims about his private life.

However, when contacted earlier this morning Tambudzani the senator said she was not social media literate and would not be able to run Twitter or FB accounts. See the G-40 linked tweet below.

Vice President Kembo Mohadi almost lost his testicles after being tortured at Gwanda Police Station during Gukurahundi. He was released on 20 Dec 1985, sued the Gukurahundists and won but was told it would be a waste of taxpayers’ money to pay him.

— TEAM G40 #NewPatrioticFront (@TeamG40) March 1, 2018

Exiled Zhuwao Sued

Former President Robert Mugabe’s nephew Robert Zhuwao has been dragged to the High Court after he failed to repay a $14 000 debt to Centreshot Investments (Private) Limited.
According to court papers, the funds, which were part of a loan facility, were disbursed to Zhuwao on April 28 last year, although he signed the agreement on September 29 last year.

According to the contract, Zhuwao was supposed to repay the loan within three months by way of instalments in the sum of $3 216,92 every month.

“The defendant breached the terms of the written project loan facility agreement by failing to repay the principal amount and interest fully and punctually on or before 31st of August 2017.

“As at the date of summons, the defendant’s total indebtedness to plaintiff was in the sum of $14 211, 07,” according to court papers.

The company is now demanding the amount it is owed plus five percent interest calculated from June 1, 2017 to the date of full payment.

“Despite numerous reminders and demands, the defendant has either failed, neglected or refused to pay the sum of $14 211, 07,” the court heard.

Zhuwao has not yet responded to the application that was filed before the High Court last week Tuesday. He has, however, according to court papers, 10 working days within which to enter an appearance to defend. Daily News

CHIWENGA LATEST: Masarira In Court Case To Reverse Mugabe’s Resignation Letter

A Correspondent| Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his boss Emmerson Mnangagwa have been sued over former President Robert Mugabe’s resignation letter.

The lawsuit was launched by activist Linda Masarira and her colleagues, Vusumuzi Sibanda and Bongani Nyathi.

The case is geared to reverse Robert Mugabe’s resignation letter while repealing the new regime.

In the application, Masasira said she is challenging “Mnangagwa’s legitimacy. We cannot even trust him with the management of elections this year.”

She added saying, “a coup is a coup period, blood or no blood spilt. Once there is forceful removal (of a President), it matters not whether there is resistance.”

Auxillia Mnangagwa Caught In Gold Mine Wrangle

Terrence Mawawa | First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has been caught in a raging gold mine wrangle in Midlands, it has emerged.

Two Zanu PF youths are battling to take control of affairs at Red White Ross Mine in Midlands Province.

Zanu PF National Youth Affairs Deputy Secretary Lewis Matutu is involved in a fierce wrangle with one Mafios Mativenga, a Zanu PF activist- over the control of the mine.

Matutu claims he is working in partnership with Mrs Mnangagwa while Mativenga argues the former is using the First Lady’ s name to cow his rivals into submission.

“There are problems but we are making efforts to restore normalcy at the mine,” Matutu told reporters last week.

He also accused his rival of attempting to soil the First Lady’ s reputation.

Soldiers Torment Chivi Residents

Terrence Mawawa, Chivi There are disturbing reports about soldiers who are beating up and harassing innocent residents at Chivi Growth Point.

“The situation at Chivi Growth Point is disturbing and worrisome.

Military police officers are beating up members of the public and commuter omnibus drivers.

I witnessed this on 28 February 2018 at 1800hrs. There were no police officers to enforce law and order. Captain Makonese of the ZNA and his juniors are harassing and beating up people for no apparent reason.

They are tarnishing the image of the ZNA.

Urgent action must be taken to bring these rogue elements to book,” said a Chivi resident who declined to be named.

Mugabe Play Takes Masvingo By Storm

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo
Operation Restore Legacy, a play which satirises former President Robert Mugabe’s demise, has taken the ancient city of Masvingo by storm.

The play was written by popular scriptwriter Charles Munganasa.

It portrays Mugabe’s fall and his versatile wife Grace’ s pronounced role in the veteran ruler’ s demise.

“Back By Public Demand
OPERATION RESTORE REGACY
A play by Charles Munganasa
Friday 9 March
CHARLES AUSTIN THEATRE –
THE FINAL MOMENTS OF GRACE AND ROBERT MUGABE,” reads a statement on the play.

Chamisa Losing 2018 Elections To Mnangagwa, Observer Claims | IS THIS TRUE?

By Farai D Hove|  A news observer has claimed that MDC leader Nelson Chamisa could lose against his opponent, Emmerson Mnangagwa due to inflated figures on the ground.

Their comments come as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission flood-gated the voter registration process today in what critics claim could eventually see fraudulent computations corrupt the voters roll database so to favour Mnangagwa.

They said the only option to potentially beat Mnangagwa will be to goo and register to vote.

Writing on Thursday afternoon, the activist said Chamisa might win Facebook votes, but he will not win the actual votes on the ground. (SEE BELOW)

Facebook Votes  (cloud)

MDC 67%
Zanu pf 12%
Zapu 3%
NPP 0,4%

2018 Real Elections (on the ground)

Zanu pf 65%
MdC T 23%
MdC N 0,2%
NPP 0,2%
Zapu0.1%

Zimbabweans register and Go Vote

 

Mangoma Blasts ZACC

By A Correspondent| CODE President Elton Steers Mangoma has blasted the operations of Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC) which is failing to perform its constitutional mandate because of presidential powers influence.

Addressing Harare Province CODE Member of Parliament aspirants, the veteran politician said once elected into office their government will allow state institutions to operate independently without the president influencing their operations.

“ZACC is like a controlled dog which is told who to bite and when to bite; a situation which came as a result of failure by legislature to perform it’s over sight role on the executive.” He said.

“Presidential powers create a constitutional dictator who is feared by the people and as such can overrule all constitutional processes.” Mangoma said.

He reminded parliamentarians to fulfill their mandate of oversight role on the executive. He also urged parliamentarians to be bold and adhere to the constitution when executing their duties.

“I advise all of you to desist from corrupt activities when you assume office because it affects communities you represent and draw back development.” He said.

ZACC has in the past tried to investigate those implicated in corrupt activities but failing to bring them to book.

A ZANU PF splinter group known as G40 had its members tried for corruption but no arrests have taken place.

The process by ZACC now appear as a witch hunt which is targeting certain individuals leaving out those who have pending cases living scotch free.

Zimbabwe lost 15 billion dollars in diamond revenue and no arrest took place up to this date.

CODE is confident of majority seats in parliament.

CHAMISA BREAKING NEWS: Nero Appointed Presidential Candidate

 

MDC Acting President Nelson Chamisa has been appointed the party’s leader and presidential candidate.

Below was the announcement:

After six hour meetings of the national executive and the national council, the party’s supreme decision-making organ between Congresses, the following resolutions were passed unanimously:

1.That in line with Article 18 as read together with Article 9.21.1 of the party Constitution, the party through the National Council, has resolved that Hon. Advocate Nelson Chamisa is confirmed as the party’s substantive leader and the party’s presidential candidate for 2018.

2.That the party has given 7days for engagement processes to take place with senior leaders VP Khupe, national chairperson Lovemore Moyo and organizing secretary Hon. Abednigo Bhebhe after which the party has mandated the leadership to take the necessary action by operation of law.

3.That the party fully endorses the MDC Alliance, taking cognizance of the input from the party’s provincial leaderships. In the same vein, council resolved that all party candidates in the 2018 election will participate under the MDC Alliance banner and that the party shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the name MDC-T is not abused.

4.That the party be fully geared, prepared and ready for resoundingly winning the 2018 elections. In that regard, the party has mandated all structures to complete a popularity and merit based internal candidate selection process by 15 April 2018.

5.That Harvest House be renamed Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House in honour of our iconic leader for his service in entrenching democracy in the country.

6.That party spokesperson Obert Gutu is suspended pending internal disciplinary processes and in the meantime deputy spokesperson Hon. Thabitha Khumalo becomes the acting party spokesperson.

7.That all leaders stop communicating party positions, without permission and as per the Constitution for purposes of message discipline and consistency.

8.That the National Council notes with serious concern the violence that took place against senior officials in Buhera and applauded the immediate action taken by president Adv. Hon. Nelson Chamisa to order an investigation into what happened with the aim of ensuring that stern action is taken against the culprits. The party has emphasized its zero tolerance for violence and appreciated the swift action by the President to deal with the Buhera incident and ensure that no stone is left unturned in the investigation of what exactly happened.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications

Mohadi Pictures With Teenager – THE TRUE STORY

ZimEye.com has made a follow up on the Vice President Kembo Mohadi picture that have torched a social media storm since Tuesday.

A Twitter account in the name VP Mohadi’s wife’s name claimed to solidify the allegations against VP Mohadi’s character following the picture which many said was in bad state.

VP Mohadi was pictured with Heritage School pupil in a posture many Zimbabweans complained that it was unethical.

But contacted by ZimEye.com early Thursday morning, VP Mohadi’s wife, Tambudzani rubbished the Twitter account that has been created using her name. She told ZimEye she is not on either Twitter or Facebook websites.

Moreover the local tabloid H Metro also conducted interviews with the teenager’s mother and obtained testimonials that she is in fact Mohadi’s grand daughter.

Lovejoy Aleck Mande revealed that she is a granddaughter to the Vice president.

Social media was awash with different speculations over the picture, almost all of them false.

Narrating the matter Lovejoy said she learnt that her picture with her grandfather had leaked to the public domain after she had uploaded it on her WhatsApp status.

“On Monday I went to see my grandfather, Vice-president Kembo Mohadi at his office in the company of my family.

“We had a very long discussion and when we were about to leave I asked to have a picture taken with my grandfather. I then gave my mother my phone and she took the picture and when I got home I uploaded it as my WhatsApp status and I captioned it “blood”.

“So the person who circulated the picture had some sinister motives because they removed where I had captioned it blood meaning to say the person wanted people to make wrong assumptions. The person is also definitely someone who has my contact number because my number can only be accessed by someone who is part of my contact list.

“When I uploaded the picture I never thought that it would draw people’s attention because to me it was just a picture of me and my granddad,” she said.

Lovejoy said she got to know that her picture had become the talk of social media platforms after she was alerted by her school authorities.

“I am an upper six student at The Heritage private school and today I went to school and whilst I was having my lessons, I was called by the school authorities to explain if I knew anything about the picture.

“I explained to them how it had happened and then we went an to call my mother who then came and picked me up from school,” she said.

Asked on how she was feeling over the matter, Lovejoy said she was not moved about it but was finding it funny.

“To tell the truth I never took this serious at all, I was actually laughing at the various assumptions that people were making. However, from all this I have learnt that we ought to be careful with how we use social media because it can surely make or break you,” she said.

Lovejoy’s mother, Violet Aleck Manda who was the one who took the picture also confirmed the story.

“When the school authorities called me informing me about the picture I went and explained to them and also picked up Lovejoy. We then decided to go to see the VP. We went to his office and when we got there we explained to him and we all laughed about it,” she said.

BREAKING – Mvuma Chimney Struck By Lightning

By Staff Reporter| The famous Mvuma Mine Chimney was today struck by a lightning bolt at around 1600hrs. The structure however did not fall although the top neck was ripped.

At the time of writing, the rains were still pounding on Mvuma and ZimEye.com will be carrying out a video coverage shortly – refresh this page for the updates as this is a developing story.

PICTURE:

BREAKING – Mangoma Slaps Charumbira With Lawsuit Over ZANU PF Statements

By Dorrothy Moyo| Renewal Democrats Of Zimbabwe leader Elton Mangoma has filed an application at Masvingo Magistrates Court for an order to declare as unconstitutional pronouncements by Chief Charumbira of the involvement of traditional leaders in partisan politics and support to ZANU PF.

The application (pictured) was submitted by the Zimbabwe Lawyers Of Human Rights. 

The case follows short on the heels of another one in which Charumbira, the National Council of Chiefs and Local Government minister July Moyo are cited as the respondents.

In the affidavit, Trust Maaada says Charumbira’s statements demanding chiefs to support Zanu PF were unlawful and unconstitutional.

“The respondent (Charumbira) has acted unlawfully and moreover has failed in his constitutional duty to respect and uphold the Constitution of Zimbabwe by staying nonpartisan and away from party politics, to respect the institution of traditional leadership and not bring the institution into disrepute and to not infringe the rights and fundamental freedoms of people,” Maanda said.

The application cited remarks Charumbira made in October last year at a meeting of the NCC, where he called on chiefs to support Zanu PF and its presidential candidate in this year’s elections.

“Former president (Robert) Mugabe having been deposed and president (Emmerson) Mnangagwa having taken over, on January 14, 2018, the first respondent (Charumbira) repeated his remarks that chiefs support the new president.”

According to Maanda, his organisation is now seeking an order declaring that Charumbira’s remarks violated the Constitution of Zimbabwe and that he be directed to retract the statements he made by publishing a counter statement in a newspaper with national circulation, on national radio and on national television.

Dokora Now Teaching At UZ, What’s He Teaching Our Kids Now?

By Farai D Hove| The man who destroyed Zimbabwe’s education system, Lazarus Dokora has been given a job at the University of Zimbabwe.

Dokora is now teaching a module on English for Mass Communication and was snapped by one of his students while conducting a lecture.

Dokora has since been mocked by academics far and wide.

UK trained legal academic, Dr. Pedzisayi Ruhanya commented saying, “University of Zimbabwe hires politically dumped Lazarus Dokora to teach Media and Journalism Studies at UZ.

“The modules will be quite interesting. Just saw one called English for Mass Communication!”

Makandiwa Performs U Turn After Saying He Is Above The Law So Judges Can’t Prosecute Him

By A Correspondent| The controversial UFI church founder, Emmanuel Makandiwa has performed another U turn after telling judges that he is above them, has ecclesiastical powers, and so cannot be tried by them.

Last year, Makandiwa told the High Court that he possesses pastoral powers which make him immune to prosecution.

This was in the case in which he is being sued 6.5 million dollars for using his pulpit powers to impose a fake lawyer, Tichaona Mawere. The latter was last year exposed on ZimEye.com by the Law Society who revealed that he is a fraudster.

Makandiwa fought tooth and nail to block judges from trying him on the case. In his conclusions, he did not deny the substance of the case allegations against him, while saying that the matter is purely a church-pastoral affair which the courts do not have jurisdiction over. But in the latest ruling, a high court judge said the lawsuit is airtight. SEE BELOW:

In a fresh twist however, Makandiwa has shifted position and begun raising a string of allegations against the Mashangwa couple. He has now suddenly begun claiming that the house they (the Mashangwa couple) sold was never theirs in the first place.

Another allegation he has made is that the Mashangwa’s never had owed ZB bank, and furthermore an allegation that the Mashangwas never engaged the services of Tichaona Mawere.

Insider documents seen by ZimEye.com however show the very opposite to what he Makandiwa is claiming. (ZimEye has already published Makandiwa’s first full response to the matter which contains no objections to the Mawere matter.)

He also denied knowledge of the $1,1 million that Mr and Mrs Mashangwa claim to have contributed to the church. This was so despite evidence of correspondence between Makandiwa and the Mashangwas’ lawyers plus also evidence of payments in the form of receipts already presented.

In his affidavit, Makandiwa claimed that the lawsuit was an abuse of the court process and that it must be thrown out.

“We (Prophet Makandiwa, Prophetess Ruth and the church) make the present application on the grounds that the action is not only both frivolous and vexatious, but also a self-evident gross and contemptuous abuse of the process of this court,” reads their affidavit.

“Each of the six claims suffer from predictable failure and so groundless that no reasonable person could ever hope to obtain relief there from.

“The principal case has not been brought with the bona fide intention of obtaining relief. Instead, the proceedings have been brought with the sole and mala fide intention of annoying and harassing us.

“The principal case is inconsistent with reason and common sense and as such, unworthy of serious consideration. The principal case must accordingly be summarily dismissed pursuant to Rule 75(1).”

Makandiwa denied ever misleading the couple, saying no prophecy can command the congregants to stop repaying their debts.

Makandiwa said the leaders at UFIC only deliver sermons and teachings based on the word of God and video evidence of all services can confirm.

“The respondents never got a ‘representation’ in the manner and terms alleged. In fact, believers that attend church are not ‘represented’ to,” the affidavit reads. “Ministers of religion deliver sermons and teachings based on the infallible word of God.

“When a prophet speaks, he speaks not as his own principal, but as God’s mouthpiece.”

Makandiwa argued that the Mashangwas never owed ZB Bank as alleged and that the Marlborough property was never attached over a $500 000 debt as alleged.

In February 2012, the property in question was sold to someone for $800 000 and later on, to another person.

Makandiwa denied ever prophesying that Tichaona Mawere was a great lawyer, who would never lose a case.

He then attached a digital versatile disc (DVD) he claims are from events on the “day” in question in which he says shows that the prophecy was targeting Mawere’s wife, who had problems with her husband.

“On May 6 2012, during a church service (a DVD with the recording of the pertinent portion is attached as Annexure 20), I counselled and prophesied to Mawere’s wife,” he said.

“I asked her where her husband was and Mawere came forward from the congregation. I advised the couple that the two were using their legal training and skills to test each other’s intellect and legal acumen in the home, which prophecy the couple affirmed.

“I counselled the couple to desist from utilising their legal skills in the home and advised Mawere that if he applied himself well, he would never lose a case. I counselled Mawere’s wife and stated that she would never win an argument against him.”

Makandiwa stated in the affidavit that the couple never engaged Mawere as alleged.

Instead, Makandiwa said, Mr and Mrs Mashangwa engaged the services of Mr Tichaona Govere of Govere Law Chambers for his case.

Makandiwa denied knowledge of the $1,1 million that Mr and Mrs Mashangwa claim to have contributed to the church.

WATCH: 17 Yr Old Black African Builds His Own Drone

An African teenager has built his own drone.

David Opateyibo is a talented 17 year old boy from Nigeria who comes from a humble and christian family. A student at Laspotech-ICA Aviation centre who led a project in designing a Drone. David who apart from being a student is one of the Associate Instructors that have been chosen to participate in building the first aircraft, CH750 at Zenith Aircraft Company’s facility in Missouri, United States of America.

The journey will take him five months to build all the sub-Assemblies like Fuselage, Wings, Control Surfaces and Landin gears. They will then return to Nigeria to complete the building process and get the aircraft certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. This will be the first of its kind in Nigeria and Laspotech ICA Aviation Center will be the launch Institution in Nigeria that will advance the interest of General Aviation in the country. David will also use the same opportunity get their Drone Pilot & Instructor License through our training partner, Unmanned Safety Institute. The Unmanned Safety Institute® brings over 30 years of experience in UAS flight safety operations, UAS safety training and certification programs headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Opateyibo

David, a male is a ground instructor at the Laspotech ICA Aviation Center. He received his Applied Aviation Science certificate at the International College of Aeronautics, Ojodu-Berger, Lagos state. He is known for his ingenuity when it comes to innovation. When he is not working, he spends time playing musical instruments, building robots and trying very hard to be a good artist. Benefit David will return to Nigeria as certified Drone Pilots, Drone Instructors and Aircraft Builders and add value to aviation training programs at Laspotech ICA Aviation Centre.

David is his own words says the following, ” I am David Opateyibo a bona fide student of LASPOTECH ICA Aviation Centre seeking to excel in the aviation industry. I have a unique opportunity to participate in the construction of CH750 Airplane at Zenith Aircraft Company, Missouri USA which would later be brought to Nigeria for complete assembly. This opportunity would also aid in the completion of my programme Aircraft Building Engineering Technology. ICA has already paid for my training in aircraft building while in USA. I am requesting for sponsorship to cover the cost of my training and travel expenses.

In addition to my primary goal of building aircraft, I intend to use the opportunity to get my FAA licences as Advanced Ground Instructor, Drone pilot and Private pilot while in USA. The Ground Instructor license make me qualified and certified to teach all the aviation ground trainings we offer at LASPOTECH. Having my Drone Pilot license will add value and certification to our drone projects to make Lagos State safe. And getting my Private pilot license will allow me to fly the aircraft we are about to build in USA. The trainings I will acquire would help make the LASPOTECH very notable in aviation research and development as this will further elevate the school’s name worldwide. TO DONATE TO DAVID – CLICK HERE

Zimbabweans In Diaspora Can Now Get Steward Bank Loans, Mortgages

Steward Bank has extended their facility for diaspora banking to mortgages. Exiled Zimbabweans can now obtain mortgages while working outside the country. The below announcement has been made by Steward Bank:

 

Who can apply?
Any diasporan aged 21 and above and has held a Steward Bank Diaspora Account that has been active for at least 3 months. The individual must of course have a work permit, resident permit or visa in the country they are resident. They must also have either a valid Zimbabwean passport or a Zimbabwean ID and have a proxy here in Zimbabwe who has a valid ID.

What do we think about the facility?
Buying property is obviously considered a very important investment anywhere in the world. Most diasporans have that as their top priority when they first go outside the country. However houses do not come cheap.

For the average Zimbabwean out there getting to own a property in their country of residence is nothing but a pipe dream. Properties are super expensive in places like the UK and getting financing to do so is next to impossible for a foreigner.

Besides that, most diasporans want to come back to Zimbabwe someday and this is where they would rather build and plant roots. Some of them left unfinished houses and they just can’t lump funds together to complete these projects. It’s not easy when you are trying to put kids to school at the same time.

These are the reasons we think the loan facility is a good product. It allows Zimbabweans around the world the opportunity to fulfill their dreams: Zimbabweans are crazy about having their own place

What are the terms to expect?
The loan is repaid at an interest rate of 9% per year. So far this is the lowest we have come across in Zimbabwe. The tenure is up to a maximum of 20 years and is based on how close you are to retirement age.

You can apply for any amount between $10 000 and $200 000. Repayment installments must not exceed 45% of the gross monthly income of the borrower. The establishment fee is 2% of loan and a non-refundable application fee of $100 is required on submitting the application.

If your application is successful then you must pay the commitment/deposit of 10%. This is your share of the cost of buying or building your home. Repayments are to be made monthly and in hard currency.

What can the loan cover?
The loan is for buying a serviced stand, construction of a new house, renovating/upgrading an already existing property or purchasing a new house. In all cases the property must have title deeds.

Here’s how to get in touch with Steward Bank’s Diaspora Banking Unit
You can call/whatsapp +236771222305, email [email protected] or check out the Steward Bank website www.stewardbank.co.zw

Mnangagwa: My Friends Will Be Jailed

As convicted fraudster Wicknell Chivayo boasted saying that he will never be arrested, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he will not offer any favours to his friends on the issue of corruption.

President Mnangagwa told Zimbabweans based in the DRC on Tuesday evening, his vision was to ensure adherence to the rule of law.

His speech falls 3 months after he took power as new Head Os State following Robert Mugabe’s removal as the army said they were arresting criminals surrounding the former President.

Mnangagwa’s statements also come on the eve of the expiry of the 3 month grace period he gave to those who externalised funds to repatriate the cash.

Wicknell Chivayo has boasted on LIVE saying he will never be arrested for his role in swindling over $5million from the power utility ZESA’s subsidiary, Zimbabwe Power Company. Pictures of Chivayo with Mnangagwa were circulated suggesting an affinity to the President.

But Mnangagwa has vowed saying he does not have any friends.