President Mnangagwa’s administration has removed former Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Jonathan Moyo’s O Level maths requirement for tertiary institutions.

Students will now be able to enrol without Ordinary Level Mathematics and English Language for certain courses, where they are deemed not necessary.

The new Minister Amon Murwira, said colleges and universities are now free to use their own discretion.

Murwira told the state media, “it remains the institution’s responsibility to revise entry requirements. As a ministry, we leave such decisions to the colleges. Our role is to give direction and not directives on academic matters. We leave academic boards to exercise their independence and rights.

“I might have been misconstrued when I talked about entry qualifications. I never said scrap Maths. Some tertiary institutions complained that some of the entry requirements were not relevant or matching some of the courses, and enrolment numbers were plummeting. I said if you feel a particular programme like Hotel and Catering or a purely Arts programme does not require Maths, why not revise that.

“Our policy is a policy of inclusive education, recognising that people have different talents. As a country, we should have people of different specialisations. We can’t all be engineers. We need journalists, teachers and a host of other professionals.

“We don’t want to see a student who deserves to be in college roaming the streets, no. Ways should be found to ensure that such a person gets a chance to be in college.”

The late MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai nudged Zanu-PF’s centralised philosophy of national governance to that of an open democracy, a senior official has said.

Secretary for Media, Information and Broadcasting Services and Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba also said Mr Tsvangirai’s death was a great loss to the nation.

He was speaking to Zimpapers Television Network at Mr Tsvangirai’s burial in Humanikwa Village, Buhera, last week.

“Mr Tsvangirai’s death is great loss to Zimbabwe, not only in the sense of his political role, but also at a human level,” he said.

“I think one major lesson we are drawing from this is how in fact artificial politics is, and that beneath the superficies of politics, there is that underlying bond which connects us — one unto the rest— as Zimbabweans; and that is primary in terms of establishing and underpinning stability in a country.”

Mr Charamba said one thing which cannot be taken away from the MDC during Mr Tsvangirai era was making Zanu-PF recognise that individual rights were at the core of social advancement.
“There are those who fight for Independence and bring the nation to a certain stage.

‘‘Then there are others who bring a certain input by way of democratising that liberation project and you should not see that as alien; it is in fact part of repertoire of values that enables people to move forward.”

Mr Charamba was a nephew to Mr Tsvangirai, and The Sunday Mail also gathered that acting MDC-T president Advocate Nelson Chamisa is his son-in-law. In another interview at the funeral, leader of the National Super Alliance of Kenya Mr Raila Odinga said he was encouraged by political developments in Zimbabwe.

“Elections in Africa were becoming a mere ritual were there was an emergence of electoral autocracy and we are very encouraged by the obtaining political developments in Zimbabwe which are seeking to level the political playing field,” he said.

Also present at the burial were Zanu-PF national chair Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, members of the diplomatic community and representatives of various political parties. Sunday Mail

A Lebanese businessman who is locked in a $1,3 million diamond ring wrangle with former first lady Grace Mugabe has filed opposing papers in the High Court, claiming the ex-Zanu PF women’s league secretary was approaching the courts with dirty hands.

The Daily News can report that the tycoon, Jamal Joseph Hamed, wants the court to dismiss Grace’s case, alleging her proxies were still holding on to his premises despite an eviction order issued by High Court judge, Justice Clement Phiri, on December 21, 2016.

According to summons issued by the former first lady, sometime in April 2015 Grace contracted Hamed, who at the time was a renowned diamond dealer, to provide her with a unique diamond ring for her wedding anniversary celebrations at a cost of $1 350 000.

Grace alleges that Hamed became evasive soon after payment and could not be located for quite some time, prompting her to suspect that she had been duped by the businessman.
Upon realising the lengthy delay, she demanded full refund of her purchase price.

It is being alleged that instead of refunding the money, Hamed tendered a diamond ring worth $30 000, which the former first lady declined because it was “an inferior ring”.

Thereafter, it is alleged that Hamed agreed to the full refund but only paid $120 000, forcing Grace to seek redress from the courts.

Grace is demanding $1 230 000 from Ahmed, including interest calculated from April 2015.

She is also seeking to transfer Hamed’s immovable properties into her name.

Grace has thus sought the court’s permission to execute shares in three companies linked to the Lebanese, namely Thatchfree Investments (Private) Limited, Zulaf Investments (Private) Limited and Super Earth Properties (Private) Limited.

Hamed is, however, fighting back.
In his High Court papers responding to Grace’s claim, the businessman argues that the former first lady has approached the courts with dirty hands in that her agents, who include the police, “took the law into their own hands and unlawfully occupied properties in which the defendant has an interest without any form of due process.”

He further argues that Grace and her proxies remain in unlawful occupation of the properties in which he has an interest.

“Until she vacates the said properties, the court should decline to hear the plaintiff on the basis of hers and her agent’s unlawful behaviour,” the court heard.

Hamed further claims that the money was not paid into his personal account, but into one of his companies.

“Defendant denies that the diamond tendered to the plaintiff was ‘worth’ $30 000, denies that the plaintiff in fact saw and valued the diamond, denies that the plaintiff at the same time claimed the diamond was of inferior quality or lower value and plaintiff is put to the strict proof of her claims,” he said, adding that Grace had enlisted the services of other people of persuade him to release the money through crude threats, despite the two having agreed on the mode of payment.

“Defendant pleads that the plaintiff declined the proposed mode of refund and instead unleashed a reign of terror on the defendant who was bombarded with crude abusive messages and phone calls directly and by her agents.

“Upon the plaintiff declining the proposed refund method, Diamond Village continued to tender the diamond to the plaintiff who thereafter caused her son Russell Goreraza, Kennedy Fero and other agents who declined to identify themselves to occupy five immovable properties connected to the defendant, including properties registered in the names of (other) entities…,which unlawful occupations remain to date,” Hamed said.

He further said that there is no lawful reason for the company to refund since the contract between the two still subsists.

Hamed also said the occupation of his properties has resulted in him suffering damages, adding that Grace is seeking to sanitise her actions through a court process.
The matter is still pending before the High Court.

This is not the first time Grace has been involved in a controversial business deal.
In 2011, she was caught in a spat over a $1 million truck deal with South African businessman Ping Sung Hsieh. Daily News

A faction vying for control of the MDC-T says it could soon make a police report implicating Advocate Nelson Chamisa in the violence that occurred at the burial of the opposition party’s president, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, in Buhera last week.

Adv Chamisa is one of three party deputy presidents, along with Dr Thokozani Khupe and Engineer Elias Mudzuri, positioning themselves to succeed Mr Tsvangirai.

Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga last week said law enforcement agents were investigating the matter, and spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said details on progress on this front would be available in coming days.

Sources opposed to Adv Chamisa’s ascendance said they were putitng together a dossier on Adv Chamisa’s alleged complicity in the Buhera violence that saw some youths trying to burn Dr Khupe, party secretary-general Mr Douglas Mwonzora and organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe alive.

An anti-Chamisa official who is high up in the party hierarchy said: “Chamisa’s hunger for power is amazing. He could not wait for our president to be buried. But this time, we are going to find a solution to deal with him that may catch him by surprise.

“You could soon see him being called by the police to explain what happened in Buhera. The matter cannot simply end like this and yet some hired thugs tried to burn down a house in which three very senior party officials had retreated to when faced with assault.”

Another official claimed Adv Chamisa sponsored hooligans to intimidate his opponents at the burial.
“There is a lot going on and many people are not happy with the manner that he is acting. He is now appearing like a dictator. At public functions, he does not allow anyone else to speak because he wants all the glory to be accorded to him.”

Yesterday, Adv Chamisa dismissed the allegations.
“Those are petty issues,” he said. “I don’t comment on those issues. Get in touch with (director of communications in the MDC-T president’s office) Luke (Tamborinyoka) or (MDC-T secretary for security) Giles Mutsekwa.”

Both could not be reached for comment. At the burial, a visibly angry Mr Mwonzora publicly confronted Adv Chamisa and appeared to make threatening gestures at him; while Dr Khupe – who was not accorded VIP status when things calmed down somewhat – refused to greet Adv Chamisa when he extended his hand to her.

Yesterday Mr Mwonzora said of developments in the party: “I will speak at the right time.”
An official said Dr Khupe and Mr Mwonzora also wanted to know what role deputy organising secretary Mr Amos Chibaya, deputy treasurer-general Mr Charlton Hwende, and one other official who is a prominent member of a pro-Chamisa group calling itself the Vanguard, allegedly played in the violence.

Mr Chibaya told The Sunday Mail: “As you saw in Buhera, I was too busy to be involved with those youths. I was on stage, and the day before I did not interact with the youths because I arrived in Buhera very late and was not in touch with them. I only know about the violence from the videos and the reports that I have seen.”

Mr Hwende responded to the allegations thus: “First and foremost, I’m not a violent person, that is why as part of the leadership we have condemned the violence. By next week everyone will know the full story of what transpired after the team completes investigations.

“As a party we actually encourage the victims to approach the police and they are free to do so and point out the culprits if they so wish.”

Meanwhile, sources said Eng Mudzuri – despite attending an MDC-T Standing Committee meeting on Friday that appeared to endorse Adv Chamisa’s leadership – still wanted the party to hold a congress to elect a president ahead of the 2018 harmonised elections.

The source also said as a last resort, Eng Mudzuri was prepared to let Adv Chamisa stand in the
Presidential race knowing that he would “most likely lose”, after which he would challenge him at a congress and assume leadership of the party.

Yesterday, Eng Mudzuri’s phone was not reachable but sources close to him said: “His attendance at the meeting was not by any means an endorsement of Chamisa. He still wants the extraordinary congress to be held.” -state media

Africa’s youth and women need to stand up and take charge as the continent’s new leaders.

That was the message delivered by former first lady Graca Machel in Johannesburg on Saturday‚ at the African Leadership Academy (ALA).

“Africa does not need leaders who are 75 or 65 years old. We need leaders who are young‚ vibrant‚ innovative and who the continent’s youth can relate to.”

Machel‚ speaking at the 10-year celebration of ALA‚ called on Africa’s emerging young leaders to remain committed to the cause for the development of Africa.

The celebrations saw some of Africa’s brightest academic and economic minds discussing ways of uplifting the continent‚ through improved knowledge-based education systems‚ entrepreneurship development and human rights‚ healthcare and leadership programmes.

Machel‚ the widow of late president Nelson Mandela‚ said leadership was about integrity and values and making the choice to lead.

Our youth must grasp the opportunity to lead. You must continuously check yourself to see that you are still committed to your values which make you want to be a leader.”

She said the majority of those living in Africa were young people.

“Our continent has a large youth population‚ who are looking for leaders who they can relate to‚ who they believe will be honourable and committed‚ especially to public service.

“Our young leaders need to stand up and be counted. They need to embrace the knowledge of their elders‚ stand on their shoulders‚ and take up the challenge of leadership.

“The road will be long‚ it will be difficult‚ but they must have the courage to make the choices and sacrifices needed to serve.”

She called on the youth to redefine Africa’s identity.

“It can no longer be ‘I’. That is not what leadership or Africa is about. Our continent is about its people‚ the ‘we’‚ the collective.

The road will be long‚ it will be difficult‚ but they must have the courage to make the choices and sacrifices needed to serve.
“Women and youth have a major role to play in this redefining and development of our continent.”

The problems around the role the youth and women had to play in leading Africa‚ said Machel‚ had to be solved today.

“We cannot let what many see as the problems of the future remain the problems for the future. We have to resolve them today.

“We need our women‚ our mothers‚ our sisters to be treated with dignity and respect they deserve‚ regardless of their age.

“For far too long‚ women have simply been seen as ‘she’ and inferior. Even with my age and the positions I have held‚ I have experienced this.”

Machel called on the youth to find ways to cross the bridge where women were no longer seen as inferior‚ but were recognised for their brilliance and their capacity‚ “where they are treated for the respect and dignity which they deserve and where they are treated as human”.

She said Africa’s youth needed to connect with the continent’s roots so that when they become global leaders they could still contribute to the development of Africa.

Lara Rabiu‚ ALA chief financial officer‚ said the event would lay the foundation for Africa’s future leadership.

“The people here are builders of a thriving Africa. It is now time for our youth to take action and ownership of their future roles in our continent through leadership positions.”- Times Live

By Paul Nyathi | Repentant MDC-T Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora has heartily apologised on behalf of his party to the mother of the late former party President Morgan Tsvangirai for all the public insults and abuse she suffered.

Speaking at a memorial service held for Tsvangirai at Sapes Trust on Saturday, Mwonzora said that the party ran short in culture during the period of mourning Tsvangirai.

“We want to apologise for the insults hurled at Morgan Tsvangirai’s mother. Nothing can be more sadistic,” said Mwonzora.

“I want to say Gogo we are very sorry. We fall short on culture in terms of leadership selection. We fall short when something inconvenient comes your way.”

The predominantly always sober former parliamentarian who is also a prominent legal practitioner extended wide ranging apologies to all people who were affected by the events in the party in the last week.

“We want to apologise for breaking the hearts of many Zimbabweans who see hope in the MDC,” he said.

“We want to apologise for the assaults on members of the public perpetrated by some youths in our name.

“I want to apologise to a police officer who was assaulted by a plate and left with a gush on her head.

“I want to say sorry to government officials who were insulted at the funeral.”

Mwonzora went further to be the first to apologise to under fire Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe for the harassment, abuse and assault she was subjected to by some party members.

“I want to apologise for the treat, sexist and tribal assaults on Madame Thokozani Khupe. I was not harmed and if I was I think I deserved it but I know Khupe does not deserve such treatment and for this we are sorry.”

A married Victoria Falls woman accused of having an extra marital affair by her husband, has defended her lover claiming that her husband is a gold digger who wants to extort money from other men.

Mrs Sithembile Ncube (41) a council worker who resides in Chinotimba suburb told the court that this is not the first time that her husband Mr Stanford Ncube has accused her of having love affairs with other men.

She said he once accused her of being in love with former Victoria Falls Chamber Secretary Mr Philip Ndlovu that ended in court in 2014.

Mr Ncube had disowned his child saying his wife had been impregnated by Mr Ndlovu.

The case resulted in Mr Ndlovu suing Mr Ncube for $10 000 after a DNA test proved that the former chamber secretary was not the father of the child.

Now Mr Ncube has dragged another man Mr John Matumbura to the Victoria Falls Civil Court demanding $1 000 saying he was having an affair with his wife.

Mr Ncube told the court that he wanted Mr Matumbura, a local businessman to compensate him for destroying his marriage.

The couple is living separately and Mrs Ncube has since filed for divorce.

She denied having an affair with Mr Matumbura.

“Stanford only wants money from the defendant. He once accused Philip Ndlovu of being the father of one of our children and lost the case in court.

Paternity tests were done and proved that Mr Ndlovu was not the father. Mr Ndlovu sued him and he was ordered to pay him $10 000 damages,” said Mrs Ncube.

She said her husband was trying to get money from Mr Matumbura by accusing him of being her boyfriend.

Mrs Ncube told the court that her husband always tells her that two of their three children are not his.

An adamant Mr Ncube told the magistrate Ms Rangarirai Gakanje that Mr Matumbura was behind their separation.

He told the court that his wife and Mr Matumbura admitted that they were having an affair and produced an admission of guilty statement made by the two lovebirds at the police station.

Mr Matumbura, who denied the accusations, is being represented by Mr Givemore Mvhiringi.

The case will continue on March 7.  – state media

The three-year-old Samambwa chieftainship wrangle has taken a new twist with David Samambwa taking President Emmerson Mnangagwa to court challenging the instalment of his rival, Samuel Samambwa, as substantive traditional leader of the area.

David, who is claiming the right to the chieftainship on the basis that he was older than the incumbent, also cited Local Government minister July Moyo and registrar-general Tobaiwa Mudede, as co-defendants in the application.

Through his lawyer Obert Gutu, David said the chieftainship should be handed to him based on official birth records kept at Mudede’s office.

During a meeting held on September 16 in 2015, then Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere endorsed the appointment of David as heir apparent based on the strength of documents provided, but the matter was affected by Zanu PF factional fights, resulting in Samuel’s appointment, instead.

David said former President Robert Mugabe had appointed him chief, but he was shocked to learn that on taking over, Mnangagwa overturned his appointment.

“Mugabe, who occupied the Office of President at the time, duly appointed me as substantive Chief Samambwa on October 20, 2016. My purported removal from office of substantive Chief Samambwa on December 12 last year by Mnangagwa, is null and void,” submitted David.

David said because Mugabe had appointed him, Mnangagwa could not change that appointment because it was done constitutionally.

“The President of this nation, despite the change of person now occupying that office cannot have two bites of the cherry by purporting to exercise a constitutional power which was fully and effectually exercised on October 20, 2016 by his predecessor,” David submitted.- Newsday

Bulawayo has the highest number of users of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, a survey has revealed.

According to the Zimbabwe All Media Products Survey (ZAMPS) conducted by The Zimbabwe Advertising Research Foundation (ZARF) for the second half of 2017, the province also has the highest number of people who use ATM cards.

Bulawayo recorded a 69 percent usage of Facebook while eight percent use of Twitter, followed by Midlands which recorded 60 percent Facebook usage and four percent Twitter usage.

Matabeleland North province recorded 49 percent for Facebook and two percent for Twitter while Harare and Mashonaland West recorded 46 percent Facebook usage, 18 percent and 10 percent Twitter usage respectively.

The rest of the provinces recorded 39 percent and below for the use of Facebook and 12 percent and below for Twitter usage.

In terms of age groups, people aged 26 to 35 top the use of Facebook at 60 percent while 54 percent of the people who use the social media platform are aged between aged 21 to 25, followed by those aged 15 to 20 years who recorded 51 percent.

The least users of Facebook are people aged 55 and above who recorded 12 percent usage.

The report indicated that most people use Facebook, which is the most popular among all age groups, for personal communication.

In terms of ATM card usage, Bulawayo is the highest in the country with 35 percent, followed by Harare with 31 percent, Midlands 29 percent and Masvingo 26 percent.

The rest of the provinces recorded 22 percent and below.

Econet has proved to be the most popular network provider with a 73 percent usage countrywide while Netone users are at 17 percent, Telecel at eight percent and Tel-One two percent.

ZARF was established in Harare in 1997 to commission market research on behalf of advertisers, the media, publishers, advertising agencies and public relations consultancies.

It was commissioned by the Topline Research Solutions (TRS), a regional market research consultancy, to carry out the ZAMPS study. – state media

Retired Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Augustine Chihuri is embroiled in a messy maintenance wrangle.

In court documents, Sithulisiwe Mthimkhulu based in Bulawayo laid bare her intimate and steamy escapades with her former boss which led to the birth of an eight-year-old girl who is  in Grade Four.

Details of Rtd Comm Gen Chihuri’s extraordinary busy love life are contained in a maintenance suit in which Mthimkhulu filed at the Bulawayo Maintenance Court under case Number 191 /18  while demanding a lumpsum maintenance of US$ 272 242 from the former police boss for the upkeep of  his child.

The matter is set to be heard on 26 February.

In her summons Mthimkhulu revealed that the retired police  boss worked for nearly 37 years as a commissioner-general of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and earning over $4 500 per month hence he would be able from his terminal benefits to pay or meet her lumpsum claim of US$272 242.

She poured her heart out indicating that the former police boss was using his position to victimise and subject her to all sorts of humiliation and embarrassment whenever she visited or contacted him over the upkeep of the child.

“I am the applicant in this matter and the information contained herein is within my personal knowledge and belief.

Where I state issues of law, it will be at the advice on my legal practitioners of record and whose advice I accept.

“Respondent Augustine Chihuri was the commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police since 1981, while I was his subordinate. He has since retired but I am still in the force. Respondent and I have a child together born on 2 July 2009. When it was time for us to go and get the child’s certificate, the respondent refused. I ended up doing it all on my own and that is why the child bears my surname and not his.

‘Over the years and ever since I was pregnant, the respondent has been neglecting to take care of his daughter.

Whenever I needed money I had to call him and, even then he would not do anything. I would then have to go to his offices to look for him. He would then use his position to victimise and subject me to all sorts of humiliation and embarrassment.

“He would, after he has said all that is in his mind and treating me as he so desired, give me some of the money. If I did not ask, he would keep quiet.  Calling him and going to his office almost every month to beg for money, be victimised and humiliated became part of my routine,” reads her summons in part.

According to Mthimkhulu when she initially decided to take the matter to court  Chihuri pleaded with her that they should go for an out of court settlement and she agreed.

“I agreed as I fully understood his reasons for doing so. He was my boss and also the Commissioner-General of the entire police force in Zimbabwe. He had engaged some legal practitioners in Harare to assist him and I could not, in those circumstances, doubt his sincerity in seeking to have the issue resolved amicably, “she revealed.

Mthimkhulu claimed fearing that she was going to take the legal route, Rtd Comm Gen Chihuri in May last year agreed that he  would pay US$650 monthly being maintenance  for the child, US$349 monthly for medical aid, US$3 655 termly, being school and boarding fees for the child. He also agreed to buy all school uniforms and school accessories and expenses as well as school trips.

Rtd Comm Gen Chihuri reportedly paid until October before he stopped communicating with his alleged mistress- Mthimkhulu.

“In November 2017 I waited and no maintenance was deposited to my account. December 2017 came and went by with nothing being paid for the child and it was the same story in January 2018. I then started getting worried.

“Respondent still could not be reached on his cellphones. The child needed uniforms, clothes, food and also to have her medical aid and school fees paid. Respondent was not communicating with me-no email, no phone and no text.

“I then decided to consult my legal practitioners of record. A letter was drafted and sent to respondent’s Harare residence via courier marked ‘private and confidential’’. I believed that he deserved his privacy one way or the other.

“To my surprise, the security guards had been instructed not to entertain anyone or receive anything. The letter was returned to my legal practitioners and they have it on file with the relevant endorsement on why it was not delivered.

“After consulting further with my legal practitioners, I then advised them to contact the legal practitioner who assisted the respondent in May 2017 leading to our out of court settlement. I am advised by my legal practitioners, which advice I accept, that after some telephone discussions, the legal practitioner concerned requested that my letter be e-mailed to him and he would try his best locate the respondent.

“The letter was emailed on the 19th of January 2018. The respondent later and through the same legal practitioner responded with proof of payment of fees, medical aid and maintenance which payments had not been communicated to me,” Mthimkhulu further claimed in her summons.

She said it became clear to her that the father of her child didn’t want to communicate with her as he was reportedly avoiding her calls.

“As I stated earlier on, respondent is now retired and will obviously receive a package. He worked for nearly 37 years as a commissioner-general of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and earning over $4 500. He will no longer be getting any monthly salary from which he was and would pay for the child.

“There is no salary that, when he fails to pay, stop order can be effected. It is now difficult if not impossible to get hold of him. I used to access him through his office. He no longer has one which I know of. Previously I would walk in and discuss matters affecting our child despite all the victimisation. Should I need anything for the child, given the circumstances as outlined above, the child will be most affected. It will, therefore, be in the best interests of the child if respondent is ordered to pay me money enough to sustain the child until she turns the age of 18 years or become self-supporting.

“Currently, the child is doing Grade Four. She has three years and two terms to finish primary school. She will then have six years to complete secondary school. This means she will need to have her medical aid covered and using current rates, it means at $369 per month. This makes up a total of US$43 542.

“She will need maintenance and at current rates if prices do not spiral out of control she will need US$76 700, ie calculated at us4 650 per month. Her uniforms and school accessories at current rates will be US$23 600 for the next nine years.

“School and boarding fees are currently at US$ 3 655. They will obviously go up when it comes to high school.

However, using these rates, she will need US$105 885 until she finishes her Upper Sixth Form. University fees at approximately US$6 000 per year, over four years and to cover all her other accessories at university will total US$ 24 000.

“As the child grows, being a girl, her needs will increase. I will not be able to choose clothes for her. She will be having her own choices and preferences. She will need a cell phone and other gadgets that are costly. She is now used to a certain standard of life that respondent has introduced her to.

“She is now accustomed to it. The above total of US$ 272 242 is just but the minimum. I believe it will be fair to the respondent and in the best interest of the child if the respondent is ordered to pay a lump sum of  US$ 272 242. I believe this amount will enable the child to continue enjoying the standard of life he introduced her to and is used to”.

She said the respondent agreed to pay the money without any coercion and he was the one who insisted that his child should be on such an ‘expensive” medical aid and should go to a boarding school.

“I respected and agreed to that. He was well meaning and being responsible as a father. I will be able to also take care of her other needs and with contribution from the respondent be able to cater for the child.

“I will have been saved from chasing after the respondent.  He is well able, from terminal benefits and as someone with a number of immovable assets, to pay this money. The child is in need of maintenance and the claim is not avoidable,” declared Mthimkhulu. B Metro

By Dorrothy Moyo| If the MDC-T suddenly holds an extra ordinary congress, MDC Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora will be reduced to an ordinary card carrying member before that is done, it has been argued.

This is because the MDC will have to strip down all its structures, hold mini congresses, and all the way to the final one, the party’s deputy secretary general, Tapiwa Mashakada has said.

Mashakada said the time frame before polls are too short.

His comments were echoed by the UK based former coordinator, Shepherd Yuda who warned saying Mwonzora must know that he will have to be first an ordinary pombi yadonha member if the party goes to congress.

“Up until the National Council meeting that put Nelson Chamisa at the helm of the party in an acting capacity as MDC leader, there had been serious contestation regarding the question who is Acting President”, Mashakada said.

He continued saying, “the National Council put to rest that lacuna. The party now has a legal Acting President called Nelson Chamisa. This is according to the MDC constitution which says that in between Congresses the National Council is the decision making body and its resolutions are binding.”

He furthermore quipped saying, “now the Secretary General is suggesting that we must follow the constitution by going to a Congress to resolve what he conceives as a leadership dispute. I hereby argue that between Now and elections in July it is not possible to hold a Congress in terms of the Constitution. The Constitution provides timelines for the cascading of pre-congress restructuring of party organs. Congresses must be held from branch ward district up to provincial levels and a mandatory notice time line of 2 months is provided for all these mini-congresses of party structures.. I therefore argue that a normal congress can only be constitutionally convened in December 2018 at the very earliest.”

He then added saying it is only the National Council which can decide that an extra-ordinary Congress must be held. “Now the same National Council resolved that Nelson Chamisa will act for 12 months and this is constitutional.

“In the circumstances, it is only Nelson Chamisa who can summon National Council and request for an extra-ordinary Congress citing whatever reasons he may deem fit. As it stands no other person can constitutionally call for a congress,” he said.

“In this regard this is why National Standing Committee members must cooperate and not confront Nelson Chamisa inorder to appeal to Chamisa to call for an extraordinary congress ( of course through National Council). This is necessary because at present Chamisa is backed by the MDC Constitution which through the National Council, vested powers in him to act as President of the MDC for 12 months. The implication is that any national election eg General Election that the party decides to contest Nelson Chamisa shall stand as the candidate unless National Council revokes its earlier decision.”

Passengers Association of Zimbabwe, President, Tafadzwa George Goliati Beaten Up by Riot Police

On Thursday 22 February evening late in the evening, I was beaten up by riot police, some few metres outside the Harare Central Police Station. I and a journalist from 263 Chat had just come out of Harare Central Police Station.

PAZ had been on a fact finding mission, where they were assessing the situation at bus termini in Harare after Harare City had barred kombis from entering the city centre and after the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing had reversed Harare City’s decision to ban kombis from the CBD. Soon after arriving at the Charge Office bus terminus violence erupted and there was a mob which was chasing and attacking police details who were in uniform as well as throwing stones and burning police cars.

I then ran into Harare Central Police Station for safety. We then left Harare Central after we had been advised by the police that it was now safe to go out as the situation had calmed down. We then met riot police at the corner of Inez Terrace and Robson Manyika. They were instructed by their commander to beat up people so that they could disperse.

I was beaten by baton sticks on my back and left hand and I fell down.  Some other individuals, including  journalist from 263 Chat were also similarly attacked. After about five minutes I rose and walked along Jason Moyo and when I got to Batanai Gardens I called some colleagues who were nearby for assistance.  A friend who is a journalist took me to Avenues Clinic where I got medical attention. I was in excruciating pain. I was discharged in the morning. I am still experiencing pain on my left arm which is in a sling and my eye sight has also been affected, partly due to headaches and the effect of teargas.

MDC-T interim president Nelson Chamisa’s political star received a major boost yesterday after the party’s district executives endorsed him as the opposition party’s presidential candidate, following the death of party founder, Morgan Tsvangirai, last week.

The decision came amid reports that MDC-T vice-president Elias Mudzuri had thrown his weight behind Chamisa, leaving Thokozani Khupe who was also jostling for the post, in the wilderness.

Khupe insists that she is the bona fide candidate to succeed Tsvangirai, although Chamisa now has an upper hand following another endorsement by the party’s national council last week.

Deputy party spokesperson, Thabitha Khumalo, told NewsDay Weekender that yesterday’s consultative meeting attended by 639 delegates from 210 party districts, dismissed Khupe’s call for an extra-ordinary congress to choose Tsvangirai’s successor.

“639 delegates from our 210 party districts have endorsed acting president Nelson Chamisa as the presidential candidate. They said it doesn’t make sense to go for a congress as we are now preparing for elections,” Khumalo said.

“The districts said they have embraced the national council’s resolution and they want that resolution to be respected by the leadership. We are not going to have an extra-ordinary congress.”

Earlier on, Chamisa had told journalists that the consultative meeting was meant to finalise the succession issue and “eliminate noise in the cockpit”.

“As regards the issue of the party in terms of its unity and hygiene, this is part of what we are doing to make sure that the party is clear so that we remove all the noise in the cockpit and that people are clear as we prepare for elections and they are clear in winning the elections,” Chamisa said.

The consultative meeting was attended by the majority of standing committee members with the exception of Khupe, organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe, party chairman Lovemore Moyo and spokesperson Obert Gutu.
During the Press briefing, Chamisa frequently consulted Mudzuri in a gesture widely interpreted to confirm reports that the two had patched up their differences and pledged to work together.

“What we have done is perfectly constitutional. What we have done is 100% legal,” Chamisa said. He added that he would soon reach out to Khupe, so that they iron out their differences.

“Of course, we appreciate that our vice-president Thokozani Khupe, has not been attending meetings for the past eight months because of issues around the (MDC) Alliance with our president the late Morgan Tsvangirai,” he said.

“We appreciate her circumstances, she has not understood the party processes that have been instituted and the position that the party has taken.”

MDC-T secretary for security Giles Mutsekwa said his department had launched its own investigations into the attack on Khupe and two other senior party officials during Tsvangirai’s burial in Buhera on Tuesday.
He said findings of the probe would be made public within the next seven days.

Chamisa also apologised for the violence, saying they will make everyone involved accountable for their actions.

“We are in the process of making sure that any person who is in the party structures who has been involved in this debacle is going to be fully accountable to the party and will not be part of this great family. We do not want malcontents in our midst,” he said.

He said the leader of the MDC Alliance will come from the MDC-T, further confirming his candidature ahead of the upcoming elections where he will square up with Zanu PF’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Joice Mujuru of the People’s Rainbow Coalition.

Chamisa said following the death of Tsvangirai, the party will not change its name MDC-T, as it was used to distinguish them from the rest.-Newsday

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Retired Chief Air Marshal Perrance Shiri has been taken to court by a company operating Halfway House Hotel in Hwange for turning down its application to lease the property.

Tetra Heights, through its lawyers Mutuso, Taruvinga and Mhiribidi Attorneys, filed a chamber application at the Bulawayo High Court citing Rtd Chief Air Marshal Shiri as the respondent.
The company is seeking an order directing the Minister to suspend the notice ordering it to vacate Halfway House Hotel.
Tetra Heights also wants Minister Shiri to be compelled to provide written reasons for rejecting its application to lease Halfway Hotel.

In her founding affidavit, Ms Primrose Muvango, a representative of Tetra Heights, said her company has been in occupation of the premises since August 2016 with the blessing of former Lands Minister Douglas Mombeshora.

“The possession of Halfway House Hotel was through a ministerial directive since August 2016 following the eviction of former owner, Mr Rob Sterling, as part of the land reform programme.

“The applicant was advised that they should possess the property until such a time that the Government of Zimbabwe would have nominated a new tenant to occupy the premises,” said Ms Muvango.

When Mr Sterling was removed from the farm, his employees continued running the hotel until the Government brought Tetra Heights.
The Government flighted a tender in December last year inviting interested persons to apply to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement for a lease agreement. Tetra Heights, which was one of the applicants, was not successful.

Tetra Heights was on January 4 this year given a notice to vacate the premises. “Having received the notice that the application to lease the premises was not successful, the applicant on January 12, 2018 requested reasons for the administrative decision made by the respondent in terms of section 4 of the Administrative Act.

“To date respondent has failed to provide written reasons why the application to let the premises was refused,” said Ms Muvango.

“The applicant believes that the respondent is dragging its feet in releasing the reasons so much that Tetra Heights does not exercise its right of appeal or review before the expiry of the eviction notice.”
Tetra Heights has since last year been locked in a legal wrangle with former workers, who have invaded Halfway House Hotel wanting to control the property.

Tetra Heights was allocated the farm by Dr Mombeshora, but has faced resistance from six former workers, who have seized part of the farm, including a hotel, kiosk, service station and a workers’ compound. Chronicle

The First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa was in another surprise visit this time meeting an unassuming Gogo Mapfuwamhandu who looks after her 15 grandchildren in Mt Darwin under Chief Dotito.

The visit sent the elderly woman who is taking care of 15 orphans the birthed by her deceased children into a wave of mixed emotions. Mbuya Esnath Chashaya is both mother and father to the 15 orphans.

News of such a visitor certainly travels fast and when the villagers got wind of the First Lady’s presence in the community, they dashed in their numbers to catch a glimpse of the woman who has redefined the meaning of being mother of a nation.

The villagers were afforded a rare treat as the Amai Mnangagwa prepared tea and shared it with the family.

With the visit and the First Lady’s acts the community is convinced their lives are certainly poised for renewal.

Amai Mnangagwa was told of the challenges the family is faced with and they also shared their aspirations.

state medai

Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa has defended Zimbabwe’s insistence on operating a cashless economy, saying countries such as India have since abolished use of cash and adopted electronic transactions.

Responding to questions from senators recently on how he will address the cash crisis, which continues to affect the economy, Chinamasa said cashless transactions were better as they helped curb corruption.

“In most jurisdictions, the cash-based transactions constitute about 10% to 15%, and in our situation, we are at 16%. But even at 16%, money is not circulating, and even if the Central Bank governor was to pump in billions — whether of bond notes or United States dollars, that money is withdrawn and it is never re-deposited in the banks,” he said.

“When you have that situation, where money is just being withdrawn and not being re-deposited, it means that the circulation is inefficient and you cannot run the economy that way and when we inquire into the reasons, it actually boils down to lack of trust and confidence.”

The Finance minister said India abolished cash transactions, insisting on electronic ones.

“Electronic is better because, as we try to fight corruption, much of it is promoted through usage of cash, where people move with suitcases of cash to bribe others,” he said.

“When transactions are done electronically, there is a paper trail, which inhibits those who would want to commit corruption. There is a problem with some shops, but my own view is that those shops, which are insisting on cash, are losing business because you cannot transact in cash if the cash is not there and it is clearly not in their interest.”

Chinamasa claimed that most businesses, including those at Siyaso (informal traders), were now transacting electronically

“The bulk of transactions in the future are going to be electronic and the sooner we accept that, the better for our good health,” he said.- state media

MDC acting President, Nelson Chamisa says his party will not hold a special congress to choose a new leader this year.

He said this was because there is not enough time to organise one since it was three months before polls.Chamisa says his elevation to acting president is “100% correct” and Thokozani Khupe has failed to understand the procedure of picking an acting leader.

“Unfortunately, no vice president can elevate themselves to be the leader.  There are no appointed or elected vice presidents. We have 3 Deputy Presidents who are all equal. No-one is above the other,” said Chamisa.

Chamisa apologised for the violence in Buhera saying it was an embarrassment.- state media

Traditional Leader, MP Battle For Territorial Supremacy

Terrence Mawawa
There is a fierce battle over territorial supremacy between Chief Makoni and Headlands MP, Christopher Chingosho.

Chief Makoni, whose real name is Cogan Makoni, accuses the MP of using unruly youths to browbeat the traditional leader.

Makoni claimed that Chingosho instructed party hooligans to attack his aides.

“My wife is doing charity in Chingosho’ s constituency such that he is extremely worried because he is unpopular with party supporters,” said Chief Makoni.

On the other hand Chingosho refuted Chief Makoni’ s utterances as baseless and devoid of logic.

“I do not feel threatened at all.His comments are baseless and unfounded,” said Chingosho.

By Talent Gondo | DTZ, A Russian mining company which was operating in the country was chased from their concession and premises in Manicaland mafia style in 2016 despite that their special mining licence was still valid.

The company, which lost its assets and other minerals which it had already mined revealed this when the company’s bosses appeared before the Parliamentary portfolio committee on Mines and Energy in Harare today (Friday).
DTZ boss, Victor Kuslya told the committee that armed soldiers besieged their company and forced them off their premises and investment following a government announcement issued by the former mines minister Walter Chidhakwa.
“We did not have a chance to take anything. Our supposed Memorandum of Agreement with government was signed under duress because we had no option. It was either we sign or we walk away with nothing at all,” said Kuslya.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reportedly approved government plans to decongest the country’s prisons by granting an amnesty to some inmates serving light sentences or experiencing health challenges.

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Commissioner-General Paradzai Zimondi, confirmed the development yesterday at a handover ceremony of a 30-tonne sugar donation by Tongaat Hullet.

“I talked to the minister of Justice (Ziyambi Ziyambi) about the issue and he is the one who told me,” he said, while presenting the donation to inmates at Harare Central Prison.
The last amnesty was granted to more than 2 000 inmates by former President Robert Mugabe in May last year.

Zimondi revealed that more than 500 prisoners were suffering from malnutrition and the impending amnesty was coming at an opportune time to save the meagre resources in the country’s prisons.
He hailed Zanu PF political commissar, Engelbert Rugeje for mobilising the donation from Tongaat Hullet, while calling on both public and private institutions to help remedy the plight of prisoners, who continue to suffer hunger and malnutrition.

Current developments in the granting of amnesty to prisoners come on the backdrop of constant calls by opposition political parties for Mnangagwa to pardon political prisoners, who have been rotting in the country’s jails. Newsday

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo
There is mystery surrounding the death of a primary school teacher who consumed food laced with poison at a sports gala last week.

51-year-old Nhamo Chakanyuka of Chigwikwi Primary School in Chivi District died after being poisoned at the school’ s interhouse competitions on Friday last week.

Authorities at the school confirmed the incident.

“Chakanyuka died after eating food laced with poison. He died on Saturday on his way to the clinic.

Police said a hospital report confirmed Chakanyuka was poisoned.

” A primary school teacher was poisoned last Friday and he died on Saturday.

We are waiting for results of the samples that were taken to Harare,” the police said.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police says it regrets the death of two people and the injury of four in Harare Central Business District when police clashed with commuters yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference, ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga expressed his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and relatives who lost their loved ones in the skirmishes yesterday.

Commissioner General Matanga says the ZRP is currently looking into the matter and will leave no stone unturned in its investigations to get to the bottom of the matter.

“From the onset, let me categorically state that the Zimbabwe Republic Police is currently seized with the matter and I have since directed a team of expert investigators to extensively establish the cause, what transpired, who was responsible and action will be taken,” he said.

He said perpetrators will be brought to book and there will be no sacred cows, adding that the ZRP does not tolerate any form of violence.

Commissioner General Matanga blamed the incident on a rowdy crowd which attacked the police officers whilst they were doing an operation with the Harare City Council to decongest the CBD.

He said the police officers had been deployed together with other security agencies in support of efforts by Harare City Council to decongest the city centre of commuter omnibuses and Mushikashika.

Commissioner General Matanga said at the time the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Cde July Moyo issued a statement reversing the ban on commuter omnibuses entering the CBD, the deployed police officers were not aware of the change in circumstances.

He said interim investigations had revealed that the public had attacked the police officers and threatened them with stones resulting in the officers firing warning shots which failed to disperse the angry crowd.

“A team of police officers from Harare Central was confronted by an angry mob armed with stones, concrete pillars and rods. The crowd started to throw stones at police officers whilst demanding to know why they had earlier on dispersed them alongside Harare Municipal police,” said Commissioner General Matanga.

The police officers then fired live shots which unfortunately killed 2 people.

The police refused to entertain any questions from the press and referred journalists to the Harare City Council.

The police chief said the bodies of the yet to be identified deceased are at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals Mortuary.- state media

Terrence Mawawa
An incensed Zhombe woman caught her husband having sex with another woman and brutally killed the two love birds.

The woman, in a fit of rage, brutally assaulted the two with a log and they both died on the spot.

The enraged woman, Sandey Matava killed her husband John Phiri and his lover, Lenia Sikhosana, according to the police in Gweru.

Midlands Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende told a weekly paper the incident happened last week.

“We have received a report about a woman who fatally assaulted her husband and his lover with a log.

The woman found the two in a compromising position and in a fit of rage, she picked up a log and attacked her husband and his lover,” said Mukwende.

Matava has since been arrested and she is assisting the police with investigations.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo
There is pandemonium at Masvingo Polytechnic as students are protesting at the gross abuse of ZIMDEF Funds by college authorities.

The students have refused to attend lectures demanding that they be allocated relief funds under the ZIMDEF scheme.

The students have detained the college provincial and administration staff as the melee continues.

Police have been called to restore sanity but the cops are fighting running battles with the irate students.

“We want our money! Stop abusing the ZIMDEF Funds, we will not attend lectures until you release our money,” shouted the disgruntled students.

College authorities could not be reached for a comment on the matter.

A popular gold dealer from Kwekwe died on the spot while three others were seriously injured on Wednesday when a car they were travelling in hit a cow and veered off the road before overturning along the Kwekwe-Gweru highway.

Mr Talent Mapanga died on the spot while his young brother Langelihle, their friends Ms Anna Manamana and Mr Arthur Zakeo who was driving the vehicle, were injured. Another passenger, only identified as Ashley escaped unhurt.

The five socialites were travelling to Kwekwe from Redcliff where they had attended Manamana’s birthday party. Mr Mapanga’s brother, Mr Munashe Mapanga said the accident happened in the wee hours of Wednesday.

He said his brothers and their friends were coming from a birthday party in Redcliff town.
“As they approached the 10km peg, the vehicle ahead of them reduced speed to avoid a cow but their driver instead overtook the vehicle and then hit the cow,” he said.

Mr Mapanga said after hitting the cow, the vehicle veered off the road, overturned and in the process Talent was thrown out through the window and he died on the spot.

Acting Midlands provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said she was yet to receive the accident report. Herald 

PRESS STATEMENT
23 February 2018

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Board and Management would like to advise the nation of the release of the November 2017 ZIMSEC’ Ordinary Level results.

Candidates who sat for this examination will be able to collect their results from their respective schools/centres from Monday, 26 February 2018.

In the analysis candidates are described in two parts,
one being ‘school candidates’, the second being the ‘private candidates’. Private candidates are non-formal students who entered for this examination. The total number of candidates who sat for the November 2017 0 Level examination was 332 473. This is 14,25% higher than the November 2016 entry. Total candidates who wrote five or more subjects were 189 684 and 49 982 obtained Grade C or better in 5 or more subjects, yielding a 26.35 % pass rate. There is a slight decrease on the performance of 2016 which was at 27.92%.

Of the 187 606 school candidates, 162 920 wrote 5 subjects and above resulting in 46 755 passing 5 or more subjects with a grade C or better. This translates to a pass rate of 28, 69% as compared to 29.96 % for 2016. For private candidates, out of the 144 867 candidates, a total of 3 227 passed at least 5 subjects, yielding a pass rate of 12,05% at grade C, or better as compared to 13.40% for 2016.

English language was graded on one paper as ruled by the High Court. The quality of work on the paper showed that the candidates who wrote the paper were of a better quality than those of 2016 resulting in a slight increase of 5%.

There are four categories of Special Needs Candidates. The highest performance by these candidates was in the Enlarged print category where 36,4% of the 68 candidates passed five or more subjects with a grade C or better. In the Hard of Hearing, Braille and Physical impairment categories candidates achieved 10%, 16,67% and 31,25% respectively.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all those who were involved in the November 2017 examinations process.

ZIMSEC hereby takes this opportunity to wish all the candidates the best of luck in their future studies and endeavours.

The registration deadline for the June 2018 examination is 23 March 2018. There will be no late entry facility for this examination session.

Professor E. Mwenje
CHAIRPERSON: ZIMBABWE SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL BOARD

MDC Acting President Nelson Chamisa has received an update on the assault on his colleague Thokozani Khupe at Morgan Tsvangirai’s burial on Tuesday.

The notes were presented by the party’s Head of Security and Intelligence Major Gen. Giles Mutsekwa.

In his statement, Mutsekwa said preliminary investigations point to a security breach and he blamed Khupe’s security team for not being vigilant.

He said a full investigation will be completed in a week’s time.

Mutsekwa’s said:

1. We have just given the Acting President a preliminary report on what happened. Our preliminary finding is that there was a serious security breach in terms of our standing operational procedures:

Security details travelling with VIPs are supposed to be in constant communication with security details on the ground including indicating ETAs on major public events including rallies. This communication did not take place. We are in the process of digging deeper into this breach in addition to identifying the culprits

2. I am leading a committee of four. Work has already started and it is our belief that all things being equal the final report will be ready in about 7 days or so.

3. Our team’s terms of reference is to establish what exactly happened, establish whether there was any outside interference, were proper operational procedures followed, findings of the committee, who are the culprits the opinion of the committee and then make recommendations to the Acting President

4. People are volunteering information such as video evidence which will assist the committee.

5. We are taking this issue seriously and we intend to ensure we discharge of our mandate without fear or favour

ZANU-PF’S deposed generation 40 (G40) faction was “within touching distance” of snatching the party’s presidency amid revelations that its vile plan included the capture of several strategic institutions, including public media, just days before the ex-liberation movement’s December 15 extra-ordinary congress.

This also comes as the vanquished group has been mobilising against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government under the National Patriotic Front (NPF) banner and a number of its staunch allies, including ex-police commissioner general Augustine Chihuri, Kudzanai Chipanga and Ignatius Chombo, remain under the cosh over a litany of political and professional indiscretions.

“G40 kingpins had not only set upon a plan to capture key state organs by supplanting tried and tested cadres with their surrogates – across the media spectrum, and numerous parastatals – on the Thursday before the army takeover kicked in, but their trump card was the 10th Dzivaresekwa interface rally and subsequent Zanu-PF congress, and where they would have wanted to install Grace Mugabe as acting president as well,” said a source.

“So sinister was the plot that we would have very well seen Robert Mugabe, and Phelekezela Mphoko going on leave and that unhinged woman taking over the reigns for up to three months after the old man would have been forced on an extended vacation. And as the desperation to seize power set in, you will be aware that they even tried to divide securocrats by roping in people like Chihuri on their side with a view of (even) forming a military buffer for the old man,” they said, adding the crafty schemers had also tried to mask their true intentions by throwing in former Justice minister Happyton Bonyongwe’s name.

“Of course, we know that the junta still wanted to put Mnangagwa in charge at congress after sponsoring a spontaneous revolt against their former leader by Zanu-PF provinces, but it had to bring forward its intervention after the G40’s increasingly bold manouvres. And like in any situation where such evil plans collapse, there have been many casualties – albeit willing messengers – in the form of the Chihuris, who are now being swept by the tide after a number of dossiers detailing their expedient actions such as the $120 million spot fines and illegal fundraising debacle, failure to deal with Frank Buyanga’s cases and unresolved top cop extortion saga,” the sources said.

With the ex-Zanu-PF women’s league boss’ influence on her 93 year-old husband, analysts polled by the Daily News recently concurred that it was quite possible that the acerbic Gushungo Holdings owner would have gone on a dry run of party and state presidency after the party’s December 15 extra-ordinary congress.

“In the circumstances of the succession struggles in Zanu-PF in 2017, one cannot entirely deny the plans and actions of the various factions. While pushing Grace to the presidency appeared a long shot… it may as well tell us how political strategies were becoming amateurish and how seasoned politicians were throwing caution to the wind,” Rashweat Mukundu, a former Freedom House researcher and commentator, said.

Ethiopian-based security expert Maxwell Saungweme also said “anything was possible (with these hawks and) the theory seems plausible given Mnangagwa’s earlier dismissal. Nonetheless, the military might have gotten wind of this hence its coup”.

However, Shakespear Hamauswa disagreed and said G40 kingpins – in the form of ex-Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo, and Saviour Kasukuweres – were just out to create smokescreens for their real motive.

“The fight was for Mugabe to leave office. So the G40 wanted to create a fake scenario where Mugabe would feel safe after his exit. The G40 had someone else other than Grace. They knew Grace was not going to make it so they were just using her for their hidden agenda,” the pro-government analyst said.

And as the Zanu-PF leadership contest, and intrigue continues – even after Mugabe’s November 21 ouster – Moyo and the deposed leader’s nephew Patrick Zhuwao have not only sought to continually project the Harare regime as illegitimate, but have escalated efforts to fight Mnangagwa and his military-backed government under the NPF cover.

According to recent media reports and indeed his own twitter posts, the ex-Tsholotsho North legislator still believes the nonagenarian leader was “wrongly, and unjustly” pushed out by the lacoste faction, and its security sector allies.

As such, Moyo and his G40 allies – notably Zhuwao – have set in motion plans to derail Mnangagwa by roping in Mugabe, National People’s Party leader Joice Mujuru, the Movement for Democratic Change and a dissident group called the 2018Resistance.

And in their latest, and nefarious activities to oust the new Zanu-PF leader, it is believed that the embittered lot was working “with certain remnants of the old security structure and apparatus” that was behind the former president’s feeble attempt to cling on to power in the after the November 15 military intervention.

Meanwhile, Chihuri and several other Grace allies remain under attack for a number of imprudent decisions, including the alleged looting of state resources that have been exposed by police deductions saga, and messy fight with Bigboy Pachirera.

“You see, Mnangagwa is such a calculative man for he simply lumped the former Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) head’s political sins to his professional indiscretions, which culminated in the latter’s sacking on December 18 last year. In my understanding, the litany of allegations ranged from his dodgy Kuyedza Club activities to the ex-top cop’s refusal to investigate cases reported by Buyanga against five parties and protecting surbodinates implicated in the Delish Nguwaya extortion cases,” said a source.

“Apart from these issues and complaints, his obvious G40 bias also reflected in the police’s failure to arrest Innocent Hamandishe on six assault and kidnapping charges, and where his officers would even claim they could not locate the former youth boss yet he was routinely attending Grace’s interface rallies,” they said.

And with the long-serving police chief under fire for presiding over a generally corrupt force – enmeshed in such hellish, and emotive issues as the spot fines saga – the incoming government not only had enough fodder to boot out Chihuri, but found support even among opposition quarters.

With all these outstanding issues that strike at the core of the force’s integrity, new Home Affairs minister Obert Mpofu has thus sanctioned sweeping changes to improve police conduct and operations – now being spearheaded by police boss Godwin Matanga.

In Manicaland, for instance, Chipanga is accused of grabbing a Headlands farm that had been earmarked for a state university, while Chombo is facing fresh charges of trying to muscle in on a Kariba fish farm.

In the Buyanga case, Chihuri is accused of sitting on dockets for the prosecution of Tawanda and Winnie Jakachira, lawyer Tamuka Moyo, Simon Charewa and Lawrence Muteswa over the flamboyant businessman’s loss of two Harare properties.

On the other hand, the stricken man was sucked into the Nguwaya case after chief superintendent Nyaradzai Majachani, superintendent Shepherd Tachiona, constable Clever Gadzikwa and Vengai Zano failed to appear in court despite arrest warrants having been issued. And this was after the Chinese Business Association had raised complaints over continued harassment by the alleged syndicate.

And despite efforts to clean up the security sector of rogue elements, Chihuri was seen as a hindrance to the operation by ignoring court warrants for the bent cops.-Daily News

Langton Ncube| Acting MDC-T President Nelson Chamisa is holed up in meetings with all the party structures, including Vice President Elias Mudzuri, with Thokozani Khupe absent.

Chamisa explained that the party is not going to hold an elective congress to elect the movement’s leader because of the nearness of the national election, in three months time.

Chamisa said this in Harare on Friday when he was responding to Khupe’s media comments that she was Morgan Tsvangirai’s successor since she was elected by MDC-T Congress.

Chamisa who claimed that he was anointed by the late Tsvangirai to lead the party said there was no difference between him and Khupe because none of the three vice presidents could elevate themselves to be the leader since they were all appointed by the National Council.

All provinces including the Matebeleland ones have endorsed Chamisa, with outspoken politician Tabitha Khumalo coordinating the press briefing attended by all party leaders.

SABC news anchor Peter Ndoro says he is humbled by the outpouring of support and encouragement he received from members of the public, journalists and politicians after he mistakenly declared on national television earlier this month that President Cyril Ramaphosa had died in Zimbabwe.

He was meant to have referred to the late Morgan Tsvangirai.

Taking to Twitter on Friday morning, Ndoro thanked Ramaphosa for “graciously” accepting his apology.  He said he would return to work on Monday.

Last month, he apologised to viewers for declaring that IFP leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi had also died. The veteran journalist indicated to SABC management that he was fatigued and was taken off air to rest.- Citizen

Ray Nkosi | In a shocking revelation a senior MDC- T official has claimed that the party has been captured by a Lacoste cabal led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The sensational revelevation comes hot on the heels of moves in the party to fire Vice President Thokozani Khupe with counter moves by her faction to take Acting President Nelson Chamisa to court on allegations of violating the party constitution.

STATEMENT: The Minister of Environment, Water and Climate, Hon 0.C.Z Muchinguri Kashiri (MP), has, in term of section 6 of the 12th schedule of the Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act Number 19 of 2001, terminated the term of office of the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Board with immediate effect. The wayward conduct of some members of the Board which was characterised by a departure from playing an advisory role to that of usurping executive powers, ran counter to the good cooperate governance principles that Government has adopted and is upholding. Apart from playing a key role in the economy, the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is also the custodian of the conservation of Zimbabwe’s natural resources and it therefore behoves on the Minister to ensure that at all tones competent individuals with the requisite probity constitute its Board.

A Harare filling station shut down its operations on Tuesday after it emerged that its petrol was contaminated with water. Engen Petroleum at the corner of Kaguvi Street and Robert Mugabe Road had to stop serving customers following complaints by at least four motorists that contaminated petrol had caused mechanical problems to their vehicles.

The vehicles failed to start after they had received petrol with water, which led to the filling station to stop serving fuel, only to reopen on Wednesday.

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) confirmed the development, saying a team of investigators had been dispatched to the filling station.

ZERA head of the petroleum department Engineer Andrew Guri said his team established that the fuel was indeed contaminated and that the operator was now in the process of cleaning the tanks.

Eng Guri said ZERA had not received an official complaint from the motoring public, hence no charges were preferred against the Engen Petroleum branch.

“We conducted some tests and they were positive. ZERA is mandated to prosecute retailers who sell contaminated fuel knowingly. In Engen’s case, the proprietor is working on resolving the issue and they had already stopped serving fuel,” he said.

“No motorists filed complaints with us and when our team arrived at the scene, there were no motorists being served neither were there complaints by any affected customers.”
A fuel attendant at the filling station confirmed that some vehicles’ engines had been affected by the contaminated fuel.

“Four vehicles failed to start after we had served petrol, only to find out that the fuel was contaminated,” said the attendant. A motorist, Mr Brighton Maboda, was on Tuesday complaining that his Volkswagen Polo had been affected by the contaminated petrol.

“I tried to start the engine just after buying petrol, but it failed to start. I called my mechanic to check on it and he concluded that it had been affected by the contaminated fuel. Engen staff is denying liability and are refusing to assist me,” he said. – state media

Police in Mutare busted a smuggling syndicate involving two Chinese and two Zimbabweans after they smuggled goods worth thousands of dollars into the country from Mozambique.

The four – Lin Ruming (23), Charles Bruce (43), Francis Taivavashe (24) and Ariston Chipenzi (38) were on Tuesday arraigned before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe for contravening Section 1 (b) (2) of the Customs and Excise Act Chapter 23: 02. They denied the charges and were remanded to February 27, 2018 on $100 bail each.

The quartet was ordered to report at their nearest police stations once every Friday and not to interfere with State witnesses. Mr Fletcher Karombe represented the State. The court heard that on December 15, 2017, Bruce approached Tamiyara Logistics that his consignment be cleared at Forbes Border Post.

The consignment, which belonged to ZimCN Investment was supposed to have been made up of pipes, angle steel, channel steel, jack hammers, steel wire rope, fibre cables, brake motor and helical-lobe compressors. The consignment arrived at the border post in a haulage truck which was being driven by Taivavashe.

“Chipenzi, who is an employee of Tamiyana Logistics handled the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority clearance and was given the release order. The consignment was however, moved to ZIMRA GMS for final clearance which was scheduled for February 1, 2018.

“Police, however received information to the effect that Taivavashe had smuggled goods and a physical examination was then conducted leading to the discovery of the smuggled goods inside the truck’s containers,” said Mr Karombe.

Tirivashe is alleged to have implicated Chipenzi , who then implicated Bruce as the owner of the consignment. Bruce is further alleged to have implicated Ruming, who is said to represent ZimCN, which owns the consignment.

The smuggled goods includes a huge volumes of generators, compressors, electric cable bundles, wheel barrows, roofing sheets, drilling tool boxes, meter boxes and others were worth thousands of dollars. Manica Post

Terrence Mawawa| Former Vice President Joice Mujuru is the game changer in Zimbabwe’ s power matrix, a senior National People’s Party (NPP) official has claimed.

NPP Spokesperson Jeffryson Chitando yesterday said Mujuru was the trump card for the grand coalition.

“Zimbabweans must understand that the person or organization/political party that posted on social media that NPP President Dr Teurai Ropa Mujuru has unilaterally declared that NPP has immediately joined the MDC Alliance must be appreciating: (1) the NPP brand or Dr Joice Mujuru as a person.

2) the importance of NPP in adding value to any coalition or alliance.

3) The importance of building a united coalition to fight Zanu PF in the coming elections.

4 The experience Dr Joice Mujuru will bring to the coalition or alliance,” said Chitando.

“As NPP we do understand the concerns of every Zimbabwean in calling for unity of the opposition parties.NPP will always be open to the formation of a coalition with like minded political parties and organizations.

We have always stated that a grand coalition,which NPP would join, is one in which the name of the coalition/alliance is not linked to any of the partners.

The logo, slogans and campaigning colours to be used during the elections should not be linked to any of the partners,” added Chitando.

By Farai D Hove|  The identities of people shot at by police last night were not yet declared.

ZimEye carried out investigations part of which were interviews with close-by key leaders of the Passengers Of Zimbabwe Association. Mr Tafadzwa Goliat spoke at length on the incident which he personally witnessed and was seen being assaulted by police officers.

ZimEye has been assured of receiving the list of victims today.

Mr Goliat has so far described the victims as two men and a woman. LISTEN TO HIS PERSONAL ACCOUNT BELOW:

“You said it Mr President. Why do you tolerate Obert Mpofu?”

By Dorrothy Moyo| The Zimbabweans United for Democracy party has attacked President Emmerson Mnangagwa claiming that he is tolerating Home Affairs Minister Obert Mpofu.

“You said it Mr President. Why do you tolerate Obert Mpofu?,” the party said in a tweet.

Their protest comes after Obert Mpofu bolted out parliament yesterday while refusing to answer for his alleged role in the disappearance of diamond revenue during the days when he was Minister Of Mines.

The criticism against the President comes after the head of state had not responded on the parliament drama.

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) November 2017 Ordinary Level results will be released today, an official confirmed yesterday.

Zimsec Public Relations Officer, Ms Nicky Dlamini said the results will be released today as earlier announced.

“Yes, the results will be released tomorrow. We will issue more information when they are released,” said Ms Dlamini.

Government two weeks ago ordered a re-write of the English Paper 2 but this was stopped by the High Court which ruled that the overall English exam results should be based solely on the students’ English Paper 1 performance.

In granting the order cancelling the re-writing of the exam, Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo, sitting with Justice Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa, re-emphasised that the real culprits in the whole debacle were officials from Zimsec.

“No action to date has been taken against such officials,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.

“It is the court’s view that failure to take action against officials responsible for leakages is responsible for the discrediting of the education standards in Zimbabwe.”

Zimsec Board chairman Professor Eddie Mwenje apologised to the nation for the anxiety and disappointment caused by the November 2017 Ordinary Level English Language Examination leakages. Six Zimsec bosses have since been sent on leave, with its director Mr Esau Nhandara also on leave pending retirement.

Prof Mwenje said to ensure uninterrupted flow of business at Zimsec, the board had appointed Dr Lazarus Nembaware as the acting director.

Due to delays in releasing Ordinary Level results, the examination body has extended the June examination registration deadline following the expiry of the initial deadline last Friday.

Zimsec said the new deadline will be announced after the release of the results today. — state media

Zimbabwe realised over $800 000 in revenue from the sale of its diamonds, the first auction to be conducted following the suspension that was effected ten months ago.

The test run out of a consignment of over 1.5 million carats of the precious mineral heralds the transparency and accountability that the country has assumed for its diamond sales.- state media

By Staff Reporter| The Zimbabwe Passengers Association representative, Mr Tafadzwa Goliati has claimed that 3 people were killed by police during the chaotic incidents Thursday night which began at the Seke Fly Over in Harare.

Mr Goliati who was assaulted by the police spoke to ZimEye.com.

“There were two guys, and also a woman, a vendor,” Mr Tafadzwa Goliati said.

He added saying the three were shot dead. LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW BELOW

Chaos in Harare CBD:

1.ZRP fired live shots 40 mins ago killing 2 vendors (I didn’t see them).
2. Heavy teargas thrown
3. Harare Central Charge Office shutdown with cars burning outside
4. Lockdown 30 mins ago at Joina City (took the shot) pic.twitter.com/XUXGyQrKg6

— #RIPPresidentMorganTsvangirai?? (@Staera_Ndini) February 22, 2018

The Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has in terms of Section 6 of the 12^th schedule of Parks and Wildlife Act number 19 of 2001, terminated the term of office of the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority board with immediate effect.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Ambassador Grace Mutandiro said the wayward conduct of some members of the board which was characterised by a departure from playing an advisory role to that of assuming executive powers, ran counter to the good cooperate governance principles the government is adopting.

Apart from playing a key role in the economy, the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is also the custodian of the conservation of the country’s natural resources and it therefore demands that the responsible minister ensures that at all times competent individuals with requisite probity constitute its board.- state media

By Farai D Hove| Minister Obert Mpofu who embarrassingly bolted out of parliament this afternoon evading being grilled over diamond revenue leaks, is in charge of the police, it was noted Thursday night.

News readers named the Minister as they complained over the violence on civilians by the ZRP on Thursday night.

“By the way, it is Obert Mpofu who is in charge of the police,” wrote an observer  after it was reported that at least 3 people were shot by cops at Seke Fly Over.

Iyo Police yedu ? inoti kurohwa neMapositori, kugariswa pasi nemasoja nekumhanyiswa nemaHwindi. Dzungu too much !!

— Wellence Mujuru (@WellenceMujuru) February 22, 2018

Obert mpofu is the minister of home affairs what can you expect from him after that parly probe shameless display

— ben ja min (@BEN2JA5MIN) February 22, 2018

The Home Affairs Minister had not made a statement at the time of writing. – WATCH VIDEOS OF THE BUILD UP TO THE SKIRMISHES BELOW:

Below are the pictures of the current chaos taking place in the Harare CBD. Two people are feared dead after an alleged police gun attack.

By Paul Nyathi| BARELY 2 DAYS after her endorsement of Nelson Chamisa, National People’s Party leader Joice Mujuru has made a surprise stance change and endorsed alienated MDC-T Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe as the genuine leader of the opposition party.

Speaking in an interview on Thursday evening, Mujuru said that interim President Nelson Chamisa outwited Khuphe outside the MDC-T constitution to get himself to the helm of the party.

She told the US based VOA, “issues in the MDC-T are straight forward, Khuphe is the rightful person to be leading the party not Chamisa.”

Mujuru also echoed wide spread speculations that Khuphe was denied the chance to lead the party because she is a woman.

“It is very possible that Khuphe was denied the position just because she is a woman,” added Mujuru.

Mujuru condemned the MDC-T supporters for assaulting Khuphe at the funeral on Tuesday claiming that female politicians in the country are being unfairly harassed for standing their ground to contest for leadership.

She echoed how she was also attacked by ZANU PF youth league members last month while she was going on a campaign in Glenview Harare.

On Tuesday, Mujuru got a huge applause from mourners at the burial of the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai when she endorsed Chamisa and declared that she was prepared to work with Chamisa in a coalition which she pulled out of when Tsvangirai was still alive.

Mujuru is also the presidential candidate for the People’s Rainbow Coalition a rival coalition to the Chamisa led MDC Alliance coalition.

A farmer reportedly chewed off a snake’s head in revenge after the reptile bit him, with his attending doctors saying they had never come across such a bizarre case.

The incident took place in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state in Hardoi district at the weekend, when the man identified only by his first name, Sonelal – was rushed to a government health centre after locals found him unconscious.

The man told villagers that he was grazing his cattle in the fields when the snake bit him, which however made him so angry he chewed off its hood before spitting it out.

“The snake bit me, so I held its head and chewed it off, it died, then I brought it back to the village. I tore off its head again,’’ Sonelal told the ANI news agency.

Sanjay Kumar, a doctor who treated him said he was amazed that the man survived after biting the hood, which could have contained venom, assuming it was a poisonous snake.

However, the local media said that the doctors failed to find any marks of snakebite on his body.

“I’ve never seen such a case in my life. The man was all right even after biting a snake,’’ Kumar said.

Witnesses who claimed they saw him ingest part of the snake said they suspected the man was addicted to drugs.

Medical officials believe that the man’s abnormal reaction could only be explained if he was under the influence of drugs.

Punch.com