Thabitha Khumalo Likely To Go The Khuphe Way

By Paul Nyathi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mnangagwa’s Tie Sold For $15,000

By A Correspondent | President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s neck-tie has been auctioned off for $15 000.

The auction was conducted by Advertising Guru Gary Thompson, at the ongoing CEO Africa Round Table in Victoria Falls on Thursday.

The CEO Africa Round Table opened on Wednesday and includes chief executive officers of companies and government officials who converged to discuss how to address the country’s economic struggles.

The theme for the function is “Zimbabwe is Open for Business: Agenda 2040,” and earlier on Economist and chief executive of the roundtable indaba, Mr Kipson Gundani, said the conference would buttress the popular new political dispensation theme “Zimbabwe is Open for Business”.

Decision makers from Zimbabwe and beyond engaged on a wide variety of economic issues and how to assist the growth of businesses.

The money raised will be donated to critical needs in the health sector, it was announced.

Thokozani Khuphe Rally On This Weekend, Third MDC Split On The Cards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No Case Against Priscilla Mushonga As She Pledges Support For Khuphe

By Paul Nyathi| MDC (Ncube) Matabeleland South chairman Pius Ndebele has dismissed party Deputy National Spokesperson Mbuso Siso’s sentiments that the party is having strained relations with it’s Member of Parliament Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga.

Speaking to ZimEye.com in an interview on Thursday morning, Ndebele said that as the province that seconded Mushonga to parliament they have not experienced any differences with the outspoken parliamentarian.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday the National Deputy Spokesperson, Siso, indicated to ZimEye.com that the party was in the process of effecting disciplinary measures against Mushonga allegedly for not taking part in party activities and defying party President Welshman Ncube.

Ndebele said that as a province they have not experienced any issues against Mushonga that may warrant her to be disciplined and possibly be excluded from representing the province in parliament.

“We don’t know anything against Priscilla as a province and I can not comment further than this on the issue,” he said.

“If there is anything you can verify that with the national leadership maybe they know better, as the provincial leadership we know no issues against her,” added Ndebele.

Questioned on claims by Mushonga that she was not informed of the candidates nomination process currently taking place, Ndebele acknowledged that he was the authority to communicate with her and has not yet done so as Mushonga is in the proportional representation list and not the elections list which has been asked to apply.

“As far as i know, only candidates wishing to be considered for election at constituency levels have been invited to submit their applications and that is the information I communicated to the districts, I am not aware that the proportional representation candidates have also been invited to apply,” said Ndebele.

His sentiments contradict Siso’s indications that the party opened for applications from all prospective candidates including senators and women’s quota representatives.

Siso further indicated that Mushonga was not attending the provincial meetings where the issue of the candidates process was discussed.

Ndebele disputed the claim indicating that the party does not invite for applications for proportional representation candidates but seconds people at its discretion.

“We don’t invite for applications for proportional representation but we appoint people to the positions as a party like we did when we seconded Priscilla (Mushonga) and (Senator) Joice Ndlovu,” he said.

Responding to allegations that she was going to be disciplined by the party and possibly denied from going back into parliament, Mushonga said that she was shocked by the utterances made by Siso.

“Thank Siso for me I didn’t know that the party can be housed at my house in Hillside, that I can pay for staff at the province, and remain at a collision course with the party,” said Mushonga.

She said that she will wait for the party to effect the disciplinary process against her as indicated by the party national information department.

“I will wait the formal correspondence on the charges that the party is saying will be effected on me,” she said.

Mushonga dismissed Siso’s allegations that she will be charged by the party for attending a conference in Cape Town which the party President had declined to attend.

“I guess the public statements on Cape town are now making sense the puzzle fits,” she said.

“Please ask them what it is that am guilty of by attending a meeting on lessons learnt on coalition building and whose instruction I violated,” queried Mushonga.

On allegations that she was defying the party on the MDC Alliance coalition, Mushonga said that she was speaking her mind to voice against gender based violence on fellow woman politician possibly referring to troubled Thokozani Khuphe of the MDC-T.

“If my crime is to publicly support another woman who is suffering gender based violence by issuing statements against violence then I plead guilty. It is a crime I will proudly admit and suffer for if need be,” said Mushonga.

Mujuru’s Bread and Butter Issues vs Chamisa’s Bullet Trains Elitist Dream | OPINION

Joice Mujuru

By Khulani Ndlovu| Revolutionary greetings comrades. We all have noble dreams for our country. However some of the dreams are not feasible hence the need to be realistic even in dreams.

Morocco recently launched its own Bullet Trains. Morocco is well developed as compared to Zimbabwe hence the Bullet Trains project was feasible. Our roads are in shambles, education system ludicrous, health system disintegrating and the economy liquidated. For a Zimbabwean leader to promise the people a Bullet Train is akin to a father who has no bicycle but promises his family a private jet. Dear father when you cant even afford a bicycle, send your children to college, pay for their medical bills, and let alone, withdraw $100 from the bank, why dream insanely big? Don’t you think its better to first handle the basic problems your family is faced with?

Chamisa must stop being a dream mafia. He must first promise the electorate free education and health care, proper transport infrastructure, eradication of unemployement, re-industrialisation and resascitation of the rule of law. Promising all this is not enough, he must further tell us how he will achieve these noble promises. Above all,he must walk the talk. The electorate must punish politicians who talk right and walk left, its high time we hold our politicians responsible for their actions or lack of actions.

At the present moment the masses care less about the Bullet Trains. They care more about the bread and butter issues. Of what use will be the Bullet Trains to the poor peasants in the country side? How will the train benefit the unemployed urban masses? This is a pipe dream from a man who takes the Zimbabweans for granted. It is indeed an economic affront.

The masses sleep on bank pavements to withdraw their hard earned cash. Learners drop out from high schools, colleges and universities because of high fees. Exam papers are leaking every year and degree qualifications are sold in the streets. University graduates have turned into vending to provide for their families. Some are wandering in the diaspora in search of greener pastures. The rate of unemployment is rising at an alarming rapidity. Industries were closed down in Bulawayo and other cities. The roads have more pot holes than tar. Then here comes Chamisa the alleged man of God, promising the Zimbabweans costly Bullet Trains.

If the transport cost is determined by time, then the bullet train will be very expensive for the ordinary men. Only the rich, especially the successful entrepreneurs and politicians will afford the Bullet Train. It is therefore unadulteratedly clear that the Bullet Train project is an elitist enterprise. It is for the elites by the elites. The project is very exclusive and unrealistic.

Chamisa’s Bullet Train project is a clear sign that he cares less about the urban poor and the rural population. He only cares for the bourgeoisie who can afford the costs of the train. If he cared for these two market segments, he was going to address their bread and butter issues. He was going to consult with the masses to find out the burning issues which call for urgent addressing. Unfortunately he sees himself as the master of the masses hence he can wake up and promise the masses his own dreams. He is indeed selling his selfish dreams to the masses, he forgets that in modern politics, what matters most are the dreams of the masses. As a leader, Chamisa is not the boss, but a servant to the masses. I therefore submit that his dreams do not in any way interpret to the dreams of the masses.

I reiterate that political blandishing is an archiac mode of fishing for voters. It is outdated and has no place in modern politics. Leaders must respect the needs of the masses, not their own narrow and selfish needs. Those who dare put their selfish needs ahead of those of the masses must be punished severely by the voters in the ballot.

Dr Joice Mujuru through consultation with the masses, is promising to address their issues, especially the bread and butter issues. She has promised to create employment opportunities through re-industrialisation of the country, establishment of national economic projects, and funding entreprenuers leading to multiplier effects. Health and education will be treated as basic human rights. The investment environment shall be cleared of huddles to attract domestic and foreign investments. She believes in devolution of power as documented in the Zimbabwean constitution. Devolution will help in achieving host-community centred development. Mujuru will champion the program of life-auditing of the senior government office bearers.This will help in eliminating corruption which has liquidated the economy. Furthermore, she is an honest advocate for democracy and constitutionalism. An honest broker of peace, love and unity across the tribal divide.

NPP and PRC are wholly behind the candidature of Dr Joice Mujuru. We therefore call upon all those Zimbabwean citizens who believe we are ripe and ready for a female president, to vote for Cde Joice Mujuru. All those who believe in the potential of Zimbabwe and are honest advocates for the rule of law, NPP and PRC are happy political homes for u. Like the biblical Moses who led the children of Israel out of bondage, Cde Mujuru is here to take us to the promised land. Dear Zimbabweans, let us join NPP and PRC as we journey to the land of promise.

Victory is certain, alluta continua.
NPP national youths spokesperson
Khulani David Ndhlovu

ED Will Transform Zimbabwe | OPINION

I’m a young dreamer, and #EDhasmyvote

I’m a dreamer.  I’m not ashamed of being a dreamer.  Dreams bring us up. They give us vision.  They keep us yearning, they keep us ambitious.

My childhood in Zimbabwe, however, was far from a dream.  This blessed land, sometimes felt more like a curse.  We struggled for food, we struggled for water.  Yet, in our village we battled along.  There were always more smiles than frowns.  More positive comments than complaints.  We are a tough nation.  A positive people.

Indeed, I felt that all of us were in the same boat.  But when I moved to the city, suddenly something inside of me changed.  I was frustrated. The more I learned, the more I studied, the more angry I became.  The disparities were right there.  They were in my face.  Why were there “haves”? Why were there so many “have nots”?

In Harare, I got a TV, eventually a phone.  One day I got the internet.  There it was. The world was there for all of us to see.  America.  Europe.  The East. The West.  Entertainment and sports.  Freedoms and debates.  I of course enjoyed reading allthe newspapers here at home – which even during the toughest of times, maintained their critical eyes.  But suddenly my dreams could have colour.  I saw what was out there.

However, never did I believe in my wildest dreams that we would be rid of Bob.  Never did I believe that we would hear a Zanu-PF leader invite the international community – from SADC monitors to EU election experts – to come and oversee a free and fair election.

In November 2017, my dreams began to become a reality.  While ED is not perfect, he took one small step for him, which became a giant leap for the people of Zimbabwe.

Within a few months, we are already on the map.  While cash is still an issue; the wheels are in motion.  Billions of dollars of investment are on the table.  World leaders are queuing up to come and visit.  Our hotels are full (I work in the hospitality sector!).  Our airports are busy.  Our president is even calling for peace and unity in the New York Times.

Whilst I refuse to follow any leader blindly – especially one from ZANU-PF, I was not brought up as a supporter – I refuse to be a naysayer.  I refuse to stand idly and quietly by while obstructionists and rejectionists write off this move based on aperceived 100 day score card.

Did anyone really believe that the economy would be revamped in 100 days? Did anyone really believe that roads and bridges would be completed in 100 days?Rebuilding utter destruction takes time.

So I urge the youth – all of my fellow compatriots who were born in the 80s and 90s – to dream like me.  Our peaceful revolution must serve as an anchor, a demonstrative fact that when a great people comes together, we can achieve anything; peacefully.

Let’s throw our support behind the leader who is helping us make this dream into a reality.  Let us now give him the time to bring in the billions of dollars which have been promised to him– and to us.  Already international institutions are increasing their outlook for Zimbabwe’s economy.

For two full decades, I could not have dreamed of any respected international body saying something positive about our economy.  Now they are.

With a growing optimistic economic outlook, investment will follow.  With investment, comes jobs.  So I’m choosing to be a skeptical supporter of our president.

I choose to give him five years to make my dreams come true.  I choose to give him five years to create those jobs.  And most importantly I choose to give him five years to complete this new journey of transformation for our new Zimbabwe.

So whilst, as I noted, I am a skeptic, in the upcoming harmonized elections, #EDhasmyvote

 

J.T., Hotel Worker, Harare

FULL TEXT: Mangoma Responds To Chivayo Smear

ELTON MANGOMA
RDZ PRESIDENT AND CODE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE 2018
1. I am here to make a statement of correction and order. Having listened to what was said, and what was reported in the newspapers and ZBC, it leaves one to wonder why other people cannot appreciate the achievements of someone.

2. On Monday 12th 2018, Ms. Thandiwe Mlobane appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Mines and Energy, which was following up on the illegal and fraudulent payments to Wicknell Chivayo. In answer to a question, she said Minister Mangoma introduced Intratek, a company fronting Chivayo. This was wrong, misinformed and mischievous, at no point did I introduce Intratek to ZPC or ZESA. Ms. Mlobane only joined the ZPC board after I had left and was spreading at best hearsay if not outright lies. How do you introduce anyone for a public tender?

3. I requested that a Feasibility study be done before the solar project could go for tender. A feasibility study is often necessary for projects of this size so as to avoid costly errors. The model I was promoting is that of an Independent Power Producer (IPP) which takes away the need for the state to spend any of its money. This way the cost of the project is up to the owners and the tariff payable is regulated by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA).

4. The tender was only flighted on 20 June 2013. The elections were on 31 July 2013 and as you know this was election season. The closing date was in September 2013. For the record I left the ministry before the elections. I was not there when the tender was closed or adjudicated. I was not there when the tenders were received and adjudicated. This tender was cancelled and retendered in 2014. I was not there.

5. I see this as a smear campaign, yet another attempt at throwing mud at my good name. I was arrested twice as a minister and once after I had left the ministry in 2015 on trumped up corruption charges. I was cleared by the courts of any wrong doing. Mangoma is not corrupt, abhors corruption and fights corruption. This latest attempt will not succeed either.

6. I have written to Parliament offering to appear before the Parliamentary Committee on Mines and Energy, not only to clear my name but to address other issues given my vast experience in the area and good governance in general.

7. This is being done so as to minimize the excellent work I did when I was a minister. I have a proven record of achievement in the ministry. Here are some of the achievements

• The Kariba expansion by 300MW soon to be completed
• Prepaid meters with debt management
• Settling the CAPCO debt with Zambia and agreement to have the Batoka Gorge Hydro – scuttled after I left
• Settling the debt with Mozambique and South Africa to ensure reliable supply and reduce load shedding/
• Renegotiated the Beira pipeline contract to reduce costs and used the pipeline to capacity for the first time since it was constructed in the 1960s.
• Restructured Noczim and stopped the huge losses it was making.
• Put in a fuel system which avoids fuel shortages and the black market.

8. There is no doubt this performance worries some people who have nothing to show for all the time they have spent in Government. People want performance and not rhetoric. My candidacy is based on providing solutions to the country’s problems and bringing prosperity to the people.
9. CODE’s narrative is based on 5 pillars

• Reducing the presidential powers and ensuring that Zimbabwe will not produce another constitutional dictator, avoid one centre of power by the creation of a Supreme Council.
• Having a Government and society guided by principles and values, accepting each other as equals, Freedom, servant leadership, fighting violence, tyranny and corruption and bringing back UBUNTU.
• Genuine empowerment of Women, Youths and the Disabled
• Realising the Zimbabwean Potential in all spheres by allowing and nurturing talent, entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Growing the economy by double digits, achieving shared growth, jobs, making Zimbabwe a low cost producer and development. This will be done through
i) Transforming and reconstructing state enterprises, government and local government.
ii) Leaveraging existing businesses
iii) Giving title to agricultural land and Agricultural productivity
iv) Investment promotion, Innovation and Entreprenuership.
v) Re basing the currency
vi) Debt forgiveness
vii) Infrastructure development
viii) Macro and micro economic stability

As Chivayo Walks Scot Free, ZESA Suspends 8 Workers For Protesting Against Wicknell’s Fraud

By Farai D Hove| As if the dishing out of over $5 million to a well known fraudster was not enough, ZESA has added salt to injury by punishing its own workers who protested against the fraud.

The development comes as Chivayo continues to walk scott free despite being liable for imprisonment as the Companies’ Act dictates.

Chivayo was more than 2 years ago given the $5 million plus lump sum to develop the Gwanda Solar project but to date only a partial fence has been erected, as ZimEye.com revealed earlier this year. ZimEye was first to tour the site in January – SEE VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/jPNUSe5Jl-0

Zesa Holdings spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira says the company’s subsidiary, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has suspended eight  Energy Sector Workers Union of Zimbabwe (ESWUZ) without salaries and benefits for staging a demonstration last month.

Gwasira said, “There are eight members of staff who have been suspended for engaging in various illegal demonstrations between December 21, 2017 and February 28, 2018 and the company is within its right to discipline staff for infringement of internal labour statutes.”

Drama As Man Is Killed In Hippo Selfie Attempt

A man from Gwelutshena in Nkayi died in a hippopotamus attack as he tried to capture pictures using his phone with the animal behind him.

Police confirmed the incident which occurred on Monday.

Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Inspector Siphiwe Makonese identified the victim as Lockeus Dube(40) of Sembewule Village.

“I can confirm that we received a case of sudden death where a man was attacked by a hippopotamus when he tried to capture pictures of the animal in the bush,” said Insp Makonese.

Dube spotted the hippo in a bushy near a water source and decided to take pictures of it using a phone.

The hippo, however, charged and attacked him.

The animal allegedly dragged him for about 50 metres before dumping him unconscious, police said.

Dube sustained injuries on the thigh and buttocks where he was bitten by the hippo.

A passerby Mr Butholezwe Nsingo (37), who witnessed the attack, tried to scare away the animal but was too late as it had already injured Dube.

“Butholezwe Nsingo tried to scare the hippopotamus by throwing a log at it and that’s when it let go of Dube as it ran into the bush,” added Insp Makonese.

She said an unconscious Dube was rushed to Gokwe District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on admission.

Postmortem was waived by a magistrate.

Police and rangers from Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority attended the scene and shot the hippo dead.

Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said he was aware of the incident and said the hippo could have strayed from nearby water bodies.- state media

ZNA Gets New Commander

By Dorrothy Moyo| The Zimbabwe National Army has a new commander.

This comes after the promotion of Gen Valerio Sibanda. Sibanda who served as commander of ZNA for 13 years was catapulted to head the entire Defence Forces after Operation Restore Order last year.

The new Commander is Lt-General Edzayi Chakanyuka Chimonyo and he was appointed at One Commando in Harare yesterday.

 Gen Sibanda spoke out saying Chimonyo came at a critical period when the country has begun a new political dispensation.
“These expectations will not come to fruition if the ZNA and you (Lt Gen Chimonyo) in general fail to execute your roles as mandated. I should point out that if we are not vigilant these expectations and high hopes among our people may be derailed by those who do not want to see peace and progress in our countries.
“I want to urge all officers, men and women of the ZDF to be wary of the social media as it is being used as a vehicle to try to subvert us. Events of the last few months during which increased subtle attacks on the military have been noted attest to this fact. Let us remain very vigilant and adopt a motto that “its not over until its over”. – state media/additional reporting

Tsvangirai Relatives Step Up Liz Fight

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

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

Mr Samkange has since written to the Master registering the family’s complaints.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The vehicles were listed as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ED And The ICT Revolution

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

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

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

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

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

President Emmerson Mnangagwa views some of the exhibits at the Information Communication Technology policy launch in harare yesterday

President Emmerson Mnangagwa views some of the exhibits at the Information Communication Technology policy launch in harare yesterday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trump’s First Female Head Of CIA

In a milestone for women all over the world, US President Donald Trump has nominated the country’s first woman set to head the CIA.

While an official White House statement could not be obtained, a tweet was published below:

Pedestrian Killed In Horrific Accident On Chitungwiza Harare Highway

By Paul Nyathi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mnangagwa Latest Complaint From Hospital Contract Workers

To:  The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe 

Cc:  Speaker of the House of Assembly
        President of The Senate
        Minister of Health and Child Care
        Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare
        Ministers of State 
        Chairperson of The Parliamentary Committee on Labour and Welfare of Workers

Date: 26 February 2018

Subject: Deplorable Working Conditions of Government Contract Workers Under Ministry of Health and Child Care

Honourable Mr. President Sir

I write this letter hoping that your office will be able to assist.

There are many Zimbabweans who work for the Government of Zimbabwe under the Ministry of Health and Child Care as a Contract Workers on a renewable contract since basis.  These contracts are the ones they refer to as Public-Private Partnerships, this one being financed by the Global Fund.  

It is true that the government of Zimbabwe, and most notably the MoHCC, has benefited tremendously from this association or partnership.

It is the workers under this partnership, who unfortunately are being made to suffer the brunt of the economic hardships in the country by being completely neglected by both the Global Fund and the Ministry of Health and Childcare, and the Government of Zimbabwe.

First and foremost, all the above mentioned organisations have chosen to disown workers employed under this partnership. These include among others Primary Counsellors, Microscopists and Data Entry Clerks.  The Global Fund does not recognise us as its Employees.  We are also not known by the Health Services Board nor the Public Service Commission. This has left us vulnerable to severe abuse by the employer?? 

1. We are currently not in a position to negotiate for reasonable salaries. As it stands we are being paid $300.00 per month which translates to a basic Net Salary of $289.50 after NSSA Deductions.  This amount is inclusive of housing and transport allowances.  This is way below what the lowest paid Civil Servant is getting and way below what the Global Fund is paying its own contract workers who are directly engaged by that organisation.  It would seem therefore, that our own government entered into this contract that neglects and prejudices its own people into a form of slavery in exchange for grants from these people.  We feel short changed, and feel that our own government should at all instances, protect Zimbabwean workers from unfair labour practices and that our government should be in the forefront of upholding and safeguarding labour laws in this country and that all organisations that choose to engage workers must adhere to set down laws of the country.   Unfortunately, it has not been the case here.  Rather, our own government has sold us out and we are receiving a subsistence which is way below that prescribed by MoHCC for its workers, GF Workers, and what other employees in the Health sector, whether private or public are earning, including other PPPs. 
 
2. In consistent pay days. There is no communication and we are expected to report for duty as if all things are normal.  When we try to run around looking for cash to make ends meet, we are punished by having days absent from work deducted from our pay.  We have children, and other dependants, we have bills to pay, we have to put food on our tables.  All this is oblivious to clerks and supervisors, all of whom are permanent MoHCC employees who are given instructions to drive us mercilessly and act ruthlessly on so called acts of misconduct when we try to come up with mechanisms to sustain ourselves. These are usually coordinated and not disrupt our flow of work, but when another co-worker is not in the same situation then the shona adage “Nhamo yeumwe hairambirwi sadza” becomes a harsh reality.

3. We are being denied benefits and working conditions stipulated in the Labour Relations Act, Health Services Act and Public Service Act.  Many benefits and conditions of service are deliberately left out or altered to suite the employer while disadvantaging the contract worker.  We are not entitled to a thirteenth cheque, certain leave days have been omitted from our contracts, we are not entitled to medical assistance, we have no pension or terminal benefits, we are not entitled to benefit from any government schemes to benefit its workers.  We are excluded from all Health Sector employment benefits such as Risk Allowances, Retention allowances etc, though we face the same hazardous and dangerous working conditions.  We are non-beneficiaries of any Civil Service benefit schemes, we cannot access loans availed to other Civil Servants. Since 2014, all benefits have been systematically removed.  We are denied the opportunity to further our studies.  We have no protection of any kind.  We are constantly threatened with non-renewal of contracts, etc, if we dare air our plight. We are treated like second class citizens, worse than the so called Makwerekwere in South Africa. We have recorded and given sympathy to Zimbabweans who have been enslaved outside the country, while our Government and MoHCC are impervious to the same harsh treatment of workers right under its nose. We have tried to tell everyone of our plight, but the Global Fund has been painted a picture of a demi-god that can do no wrong, that its evil has been declared a necessary evil and contract workers are the ultimate collateral damage.

4. Many of the contract workers especially the Primary Counsellors have been on contract for many years, some more than 10 years.  They have been denied the opportunity to be employed on full time basis. This is so as long as The Global Fund will continue to fund the MoHCC. After that, there is no security of government contract workers ever getting permanent employment within the MoHCC.  Even when permanent posts are advertised, Contract workers are not given first option to any permanent post and are in most cases not even called up for interviews even when they have the requisite qualifications.

There are so many disadvantages for government Contract Workers and the conditions of service are deplorable to say the least.  Even the Ministry of Labour has turned a blind eye.  Recently, the Government of Zimbabwe passed a Bill to protect the Global Fund against prosecution, knowing full well the gross violation their association with the MoHCC has gross violations of Labour Laws of this country and could face a host of legal suites by many former workers.

Yes, the Global Fund has played a pivotal role in the fight against HIV AIDS, but at the expense of many people that were employed under their grants and cooperation with the MoHCC.  Why would a government allow its people to be so unfairly treated even when they are benefitting? Should labour laws be made to suite one organisation? What benefit does a government get when it allows its own people to be employed into poverty? The Global Fund has many attractive employment packages for its own employees all over the world, but when it comes to Zimbabwe, they have been allowed to draft up a draconian package that has seen hard working people being reduced to almost beggars while they are working. 

We hope that in your promise for a better Zimbabwe for all, you will look into your prodigal children “The Contract Workers” and ensure that they also enjoy the fruits of Return Legacy.

Thank you:

From:

Primary Counsellors;
Data Entry Clerks;
Microscopists;

Source – Primary Counsellors, Data Entry Clerks, Microscopists

I’m A Dreamer, And #EDhasmyvote

Dear Editor, I’m a dreamer. I’m not ashamed of being a dreamer. Dreams bring us up. They give us vision. They keep us yearning, they keep us ambitious.

My childhood in Zimbabwe, however, was far from a dream. This blessed land, sometimes felt more like a curse. We struggled for food, we struggled for water. Yet, in our village we battled along. There were always more smiles than frowns. More positive comments than complaints. We are a tough nation. A positive people.

Indeed, I felt that all of us were in the same boat. But when I moved to the city, suddenly something inside of me changed. I was frustrated. The more I learned, the more I studied, the more angry I became. The disparities were right there. They were in my face. Why were there “haves”? Why were there so many “have nots”?

In Harare, I got a TV, eventually a phone. One day I got the internet. There it was. The world was there for all of us to see. America. Europe. The East. The West. Entertainment and sports. Freedoms and debates. I of course enjoyed reading allthe newspapers here at home – which even during the toughest of times, maintained their critical eyes. But suddenly my dreams could have colour. I saw what was out there.

However, never did I believe in my wildest dreams that we would be rid of Bob. Never did I believe that we would hear a Zanu-PF leader invite the international community – from SADC monitors to EU election experts – to come and oversee a free and fair election.

In November 2017, my dreams began to become a reality. While ED is not perfect, he took one small step for him, which became a giant leap for the people of Zimbabwe.

Within a few months, we are already on the map. While cash is still an issue; the wheels are in motion. Billions of dollars of investment are on the table. World leaders are queuing up to come and visit. Our hotels are full (I work in the hospitality sector!). Our airports are busy. Our president is even calling for peace and unity in the New York Times.

Whilst I refuse to follow any leader blindly – especially one from ZANU-PF, I was not brought up as a supporter – I refuse to be a naysayer. I refuse to stand idly and quietly by while obstructionists and rejectionists write off this move based on aperceived 100 day score card.

Did anyone really believe that the economy would be revamped in 100 days? Did anyone really believe that roads and bridges would be completed in 100 days?Rebuilding utter destruction takes time.

So I urge the youth – all of my fellow compatriots who were born in the 80s and 90s – to dream like me. Our peaceful revolution must serve as an anchor, a demonstrative fact that when a great people comes together, we can achieve anything; peacefully.

Let’s throw our support behind the leader who is helping us make this dream into a reality. Let us now give him the time to bring in the billions of dollars which have been promised to him– and to us. Already international institutions are increasing their outlook for Zimbabwe’s economy.

For two full decades, I could not have dreamed of any respected international bodysaying something positive about our economy. Now they are.

With a growing optimistic economic outlook, investment willfollow. With investment, comes jobs. So I’m choosing to be a skeptical supporter of our president.

I choose to give him five years to make my dreams come true. I choose to give him five years to create those jobs. And most importantly I choose to give him five years to complete this new journey of transformation for our new Zimbabwe.

So whilst, as I noted, I am a skeptic, in the upcoming harmonized elections, #EDhasmyvote

J.T., Hotel Worker, Harare

Cheer For Zim Travellers, South Africa Suspends 4 Immigration Officials

The South African government has suspended an immigration official and three supervisors at the Beitbridge Border Post after a video of her scrolling her smart phone as Zimbabwean travelers waited to be served went viral.

vlcsnap-2018-03-14-19h42m50s199

The video started circulating on social media networks on Tuesday attracting widespread criticism from Zimbabweans who shared their frustrations over delays at the South African entry point.

In the video, the immigration official is seen chatting and viewing pictures on smartphone while processing Zimbabwean travellers’ passports.- state media

Mabhinya Stories Not True – ZRP Cops Speak

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has urged members of the public to ignore messages circulating on social media alleging that there is a group of criminals who were kidnapping and beheading people especially children, countrywide.

Police have since warned members of the public against causing unnecessary panic by circulating such messages on WhatsApp. National police spokesman Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi urged members of the public to ignore such messages.

“We encourage members of the public to ignore messages circulating on social media which cause alarm and despondency,” he said.

Chief Supt Nyathi said they were aware of messages circulating in places such as Zvishavane, Binga, Masvingo, Victoria Falls and Bulawayo that children had been kidnapped and beheaded.

“This is totally false information and we urge members of the public to verify any information or approach any nearest police station if they are suspicious of any such messages,” he said. – State media

2018 VOTE: Court Keeps Diaspora Guessing

NATIONAL NEWS

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

Gen. Rugeje Heads Zanu PF’s Candidate Selection Process

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I Do Not Believe In Short Cuts -Nengomasha

Terrence Mawawa

Former Warriors midfielder Tinashe ‘Father’ Nengomasha has successfully completed the ZIFA Level One Coaching Course.

The Kaizer Chiefs legend was among the 29
participants who finished the course in Harare last
week.

Nengomasha told The Herald that there were no short-
cuts in football for one to achieve success.

“I don’t believe in shortcuts, which is the main
reason I decided to start my badges at the very first
level,’’ he said.

“I know I could have skipped it and instead start at
the next stage, but I know the implications. You
need to be thoroughly trained if you harbour big
dreams in football.”

“I started playing football at a young age and
progressively developed into the player I was. I
played in all the country’s age-group teams and
came to understand the benefits of starting from the
bottom,” said the former Black Aces player.

Mabhinya Story And the ED Govt State of Emergency Ploy | OPINION

Ndaba Nhuku | Please stop sharing fake stories about violence in rural areas as it can only aid in the of a declaration of state of emergency. No government can be allowed to tolerate mabhinya. If false you are causing your own problems. If true, how has this come about and who are its targets?

There are too many people sharing unconfirmed fake social media created stories about numerous incidents of violence on innocent rural folks. Some of them are even sharing youths who clearly are not Zimbabweans in military fatigues and claiming they have been arrested cutting poor babies and women.

Folks, please stop spreading a sense of fear in the country with fake news so that we will think it’s the NPF or other parties. The ED govt being led by Gukurahundists can easily pick up such nonsense and declare a State of Emergency and ban elections. This was the way Gukurahundi was deployed in Matabeleland and Midlands. Soon we may have the army all over and a curfew in place. Always think about the implications of your nonsense. That’s how we got the army involvement in Zanu dynamics by constantly referencing it as decision maker.

Most of the photos l have seen have nothing to do with ZIMBABWEANS. All the bhinyas l have heard about are only in social media. And if any political people were to cause civil pandemonium they wouldn’t be so stupid to go about engaging in these fake incidents being mentioned. If indeed this is true, it is true, Zanu has seen that it has lost the elections and is now creating a deadly violent environment to declare a State of Emergency and stop all elections from going ahead. Be wary of a panicky illegal regime. It can set its own people against each other as it did in 1983.
Do not take usual violence and thuggery we all know of in our society and create drama out of it.

Roadblocks Are Back – Charamba Speaks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some are meant for awareness campaigns.

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

Fixtures For Warriors Friendlies Released

Coach Sunday Chindzabwa

Terrence Mawawa

The Zimbabwe National Soccer Team will participate in a tournament featuring hosts Zambia, Angola and South Africa.

Below are the fixtures:

THURSDAY
22 March 2018
1300hrs :Zambia vs Zimbabwe
1500hrs :South Africa vs Angola
SUNDAY
25 March 2018
1300hrs:
Losers 1 vs Losers 2
1500hrs :Winners 1 vs Winners 2
All matches will be played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

Mnangagwa Jets Out To Ivory Coast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Grace Mugabe Wins As Case Crumbles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But prosecutor Michael Reza said they were pursuing prosecution regardless.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Crisis As Nurses Threaten To Down Tools Too

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cross Quits Politics, Admit MDC Sold Out | OPINION

Wilbert Mukori |MDC-T Member of Parliament for Bulawayo South, Eddie Cross, said he was quitting active politics to make way for the young blood.

Before you ride into the sun set, MP Cross, are you going to admit and apologise for you and your fellow MDC leaders’ betrayal of this nation by selling-out on reforms during the GNU?

The GNU offered the best opportunity since independence for the nation to dismantle the Zanu PF dictatorship once and once for all and you MDC lot wasted it! The primary purpose of the GNU was to implement a raft of democratic reforms designed to stop a repeat of the blatant cheating and wanton violence of the 2008 elections. MDC had five years to implement the reforms but failed to get even one reform implemented. Not even one! Why?

There is no doubt that MDC has some of the most incompetent individuals ever. Former USA Ambassador to Zimbabwe 2004 to 2007, Chris Dell, said Tsvangirai “was a flawed and indecisive character” and that was after the guy only a handful of times. The fact that there are many MDC leaders and worse the mindless wildebeest herd of the membership who continued to follow the idiot even after his countless blundering during the GNU speaks volumes of just foolish the followers are.

It is no secret that the overwhelming majority of the MDC leaders have no clue, even to this day with the benefit of hindsight, what the GNU was about.

SADC leaders tried their best to remind MDC leaders that they must implement the reforms, but their words fell on deaf ears. MDC leaders were like cockroaches in a milk-trap. Robert Mugabe entrapped the MDC leaders with the ministerial limos, generous salaries, $4 million mansion for Tsvangirai, etc., etc. The MDC leaders were gorging themselves on the gravy train trappings, they knew Mugabe did not want his dictatorship dismantled and they obliged by kicking reforms into the prickly pear thicket.

Of course, MDC leaders sold-out and leaders like MP Eddie Cross must come out clean and admit that and apologise to the nation.

“I am not going to contest in this year’s elections and I am handing over my constituency which I had been the MP for 10 years to a young and vibrant candidate who is going to be chosen by the party,” Cross told a national state controlled commercial radio station during a debate Monday night.

“I believe in succession politics and after 10 years leadership has to change and nothing new could anyone bring after serving for 10 years.”

No doubt, MP Cross, you and your fellow MDC leaders must have considered yourselves “young and vibrant” 20 years ago, when MDC was launched, but clearly that did not stop you blundering from pillar to post and, much worse, sell-out during the GNU.

The last 38 years have been a total disaster for Zimbabwe. The nation has fallen from its high perch of being the bread basket of the region to one starving in the Garden of Eden to become the poorest nation in Africa. ¾ of our people today live on US$1.00 or less a day! The very least we can do now is learn from our mistake and answer the question, where did we fall off the track, honestly.

How will it benefit Zimbabwe if a young and vibrant MDC leader taking over from MP Cross takes the nation even deeper into this hell-on-earth our corrupt and incompetent leaders have landed us into these last 38 years?

Getting people like MP Cross to admit they sold-out is a good starting point in making sure we learn from our past mistakes. What this nation is dying for is not just change but, more specifically, change for the better and that comes with a price tag – learn from the past.

Delusional NPF scoffs at new dispensation, As Mugabe grasps for last minute relevance | OPINION

Daphine Zulu | ‘Wishful thinking’ is the best and only way to describe the National Patriotic Front (NPF)’s delusional mind following NPF’s rants that ‘attacks’ on Mr Robert Mugabe were unconstitutional and had a probability to stir instability in the country, with reference to the purported violation of Mugabe’s banking privacy.

Whilst this could have been treated as a private matter between Mugabe and his bank, it is amusing to note that the party which previously disassociated itself from Mugabe, claiming to have no strings attached to him, is surprisingly crying more than the bereaved.

According to Mugabe’s mouthpiece, NPF’s confused statement, this Tuesday, titled “Unconstitutional attacks on President Robert Mugabe must stop” states that NPF does not speak for Mugabe, and yet the whole press statement was addressing Mugabe’s concerns.

“While NPF does not speak for President Mugabe, we take exception to the self-evident and thus unavoidable fact that the unconstitutional attacks on President Mugabe by Zanu PF – Junta are directly linked to the audience he gave … to NFP Presidential candidate … Rtd Brig General Ambrose Mutinhiri…” reads the paradoxical statement.

If it’s not Mugabe’s mouthpiece, then why else would they dedicate all their energies towards defending Mugabe and throwing blame on the new Government when Mugabe’s shameful demand for cash is awash on social media, triggering anger from the public, who for long, have had to sleep on banking queues trying to access cash, thanks be to Mugabe.

In NPF’s delusional mind, it believes that the new dispensation is to blame for the negativity surrounding Mugabe’s reign, failing to acknowledge that Uncle Bob had overstayed his welcome; and the shame, resentment and spite on the public sphere was all his creation; instead the public also want to see him suffer like they do since their suffering had long fell on deaf ears and people had long awaited this day, and are actually happy that chinokura chinokotama musoro wegudo chave chinokoro.

Claims that, “Everyone can see that the intimidation, blackmail and demonization of President Mugabe is designed; to prevent him from exposing the fact that the 15 November 2017 military coup was unconstitutional…” among other reasons.

It is worrisome and saddening to note that the statement failed to cite even one example that Mugabe was blackmailed, intimidated or even demonized; instead they are purposely choosing to use such words to portray a negative image about the new administration which has done nothing other than show respect to Uncle Bob.

If any, the new administration has been very receptive and respectful, choosing to pardon Mugabe from censure, plus reward him with an undeserving generous severance golden handshake, full security for himself and his family, free flights on the national carrier, a staff complement of more than thirty people on Government payroll.

Whilst it is folly for NPF to even believe that it has the gravitas to challenge the ruling Zanu-PF party in the upcoming elections, it is hilarious to note that the small party is seizing any given opportunity to seek relevance.

Turning to NPF’s political fray, the bold political gambit by Mugabe and or NPF is clearly a spoiler, aimed at dividing President Mnangagwa’s support base since Mugabe believes that he still has support with the rural populace who for long sustained his reign.

Whilst it is clear to see that NPF is a political vehicle for the G40 faction, it is also undisputable to note that their thrust seems to be illegitimating the new administration, evident from Mugabe’s recent statement to visiting African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki that he was illegally removed from office.

Vote for NPF, Vote for Mugabe! Vote for G40, Vote for corruption! Vote for disGrace!

No Live Beaming Of PSL Matches On ZBC TV

Terrence Mawawa

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

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

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

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

The deadline for submission of tenders was
last month.

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

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

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

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

Mnangagwa Under Pressure To Reunite With Mugabe

Terrence Mawawa

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

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

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

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

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

ZANU PF Indaba Discusses Elections

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drama As Married Police Officer Impregnates Married Workmate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Joseph-Mapfumo
Joseph-Mapfumo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Olinda Mocks Ex-Hubby’s Manhood On Twitter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let Us Serve The People-Nyagomo

Terrence Mawawa

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

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

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

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

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

Welshman’s ‘Fake Daughter’ Gugu Ncube Makes New Rape Claim

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

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

Ncube made headlines last year after claiming to have been raped by another prominent man. ZimEye.com at the time interrogated Ncube on both her rape claims and that Prof. Ncube is her father. (Watch Video).

 

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

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

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

173-01-2013 withdrawn / no accused

218-01-2010 undetected / no accused

1779-10-2009 withdrawn / accused Gwanda Alex Adamson

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

 

 

Horror As Nonagenarian Is Brutally Killed

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Residents Threaten To Expose Rogue Municipal Cops

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

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

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

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

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

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

DISTURBING PICTURES: A Nightmare In Heaven, Horror Genocide In The DRC Under Kabila’s Watch

President Joseph Kabila of Congo — who was due out of office last year — shows no sign of stepping down. But his persistent presence is about more than the denial of democracy. Kabila represents a long line of dictators who have cost the Congo more than 15 Million Black men, women, and children since 1961. But the blame does not start with Joseph Kabila. He is but one of many who benefit from the largest humanitarian crisis modern history that no one wants to talk about.

Before the 19th Century, the area that we call the Congo was populated by some of the greatest civilizations in history. We know from The Destruction of Black Civilization that the Kingdoms that preceded present day Congo were shining examples of achievement. From Kuba under Shyaam the Great to the Matamba Kingdom under Ngola Kambolo, the Congo was a cradle of culture and democracy.

It wasn’t until whites arrived on the coasts that civilization began to decline.

One by one, Africa’s great cultures fell to the hands of white slave traders, missionaries, and colonists. In 1884 the nations of Europe came together in Germany to divide Africa among themselves.

Political borders were drawn with complete disregard for the governments that Africans had established prior to the arrival of the whites. During this conference, the Congo was awarded to King Leopold of Belgium, who proceeded to bleed the country dry.

10 million Black men, women, and children were slaughtered in Leopold’s pursuit of rubber, gold, and ivory. He was such a savage among savages, that even other whites were appalled. His hellish misdeeds are too numerous to recount in this article, but the book King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa

reveals the magnitude of human suffering that this one man inflicted on Africa.

When Leopold died in 1909, the Congo remained in Belgian hands where it continued to be used as a plaything for white supremacy. When World War I broke out in 1914, more than 300,000 Congolese were forced to fight against other Blacks from the German controlled colony of Ruanda-Urundi. During World War II when Nazi Germany captured Belgium, the Congo served as a source of income for the Belgian government in exile.

All the while, the Belgian government forced millions into the mines and fields to support their nation. A system of “mandatory cultivation” (cultures obligatoires) was introduced that forced the people to grow cash crops for export, even as they starved on their own land.

By 1961, the Congolese people had reached their breaking point. Armed and political resistance movements rose up to overthrow a century of slavery and Belgian rule.

Patrice Lumumba, a martyr of Pan-Africanism, became the first Prime Minister of the new nation. He quickly set about breaking the yoke of Belgian influence and allied the Congo with Russia at the height of the Cold War.

But the victory of the people over white supremacy would be short lived. No sooner had Patrice Lumumba risen to power than he was assassinated in a United States backed coup.

Following a now familiar modus operandi, an agent in the form of Mobutu Sese Seko was used to overthrow Lumumba’s government. lumumba was captured, beaten, and forced to eat copies of his own speeches — all in front of the press. After being tortured for three weeks, Lumumba was executed by a firing squad under the command of a Belgian mercenary named Julien Gat.

The people once again rose up, and peasants, workers, students and civil servants rallied behind Lumumba’s lieutenants, most of whom had regrouped to establish a National Liberation Council (CNL) in October 1963 .

Mobutu — who returned the Congo to Belgian rule in exchange for their support — waged all out war in the country. He went about publicly executing members of the pro-Lumuba revolution in open-air spectacles witnessed by tens of thousands of people. By 1970, nearly all potential threats to his authority had been smashed. In that same year, King Baudouin of Belgium made a state visit to Kinshasa to congratulate Mobutu on crushing the rebellion.

Mobutu would rape the Congo with the blessing of the west — robbing the nation of around $2 Billion — until his increasingly hostile rhetoric toward his white overlords would cause the west to seek another proxy. They found such a man in the form of Laurent Kabila, who they used to overthrow Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997.

Between both Mobutu and Kabila, not only would Congo become the concentration camp of the world — it would become the rape capital as well.

No woman in the path of the violence was spared. 7 year olds were raped by government troops in public. Pregnant women were disemboweled. Genital mutilation was commonplace, as was forced incest and cannibalism. The crimes were never punished, and never will be.

Laurent Kabila maintained the status quo until he was killed by his bodyguard in 2001. Since then, his son and present day President Joseph Kabila has held on to power in violation of the Constitution of the Congo Free State. He has murdered protesters and opposition party members, and has continued to obey the will of the west while his people endure unspeakable hells.

Why The World Is Silent

It is obvious why Belgium and her allies are silent about the situation in the Congo — they are both the cause and the beneficiary of the genocide there.

But what of the other nations of the world, including the Congo’s neighbors?

At best, the United States is implicit in maintaining the status quo in the Congo. At worst, the U.S. is shares direct responsibility for it. Under Mobutu Sese Seko, the U.S was the third largest donor of aid (after Belgium and France), and Mobutu was on great terms with Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush.

Things started to look up during the Obama Administration. The former President signed provisions into the Dodd-Frank law that required companies to disclose the origins of the minerals they use. When the law was passed, trade groups representing major U.S. companies tried to block the rule through a federal lawsuit. When they failed, those companies continued to purchase conflict minerals from third parties.By shining a spotlight on supply chains, it would put pressure on companies to invest in removing conflict minerals from their products.

Microchips, cell phones, and semiconductors all contain minerals sourced from Congo — making companies like Intel, Apple, HP, and IBM culpable for funding the militias that control the mines.

While Obama’s provisions were a step in the right direction, earlier this month The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission suspended key provisions of its “conflict minerals” rule, and U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to undo the Obama era financial regulations.

The United States has also used the neighboring countries of Uganda and Rwanda to provoke even more violence in the region. Back in the 1990s, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, who was trained in intelligence at Fort Leavenworth in the United States, invaded the Congo with the help of the Clinton Administration. His invasion was a retaliation on Hutu rebels from the Rwandan genocide who fled into the neighboring country. Most of those killed were civilian men, women, and children. Again, the result was the greatest mass killing since WWII, with around 6 million killed.

In the 1940s when 6 million Jews lost their lives in Nazi Germany concentration camps, the world unanimously asserted ‘Never Again!”

As of 2017 more Black men, women and children have lost their lives in the Congo than those who died in the concentration camps of World War II. Yet barely a mention is made of the holocaust that rages in the heart of Africa . Why?

Because the economy of the entire world rests on the back of the Congo.

PICTURE BLAST: All Smiles Zvirekwi On The Mend

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

SHOCKER ROT: ZBC Exposed As ‘Unqualified’ Candidates Given Top Jobs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mnangagwa Meets Politburo, Plot 2018 Victory Strategy

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chiwenga Sued By Zipra Cadres Fired From Military In 1982

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drunk Man Crushed By Train Survives

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chiwenga Back At Work After Health Scare

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zimdaba London 2018 Investment Forum On 15th and 16th March to Bring Snr Zimbabwean Ministers to London

NH

By Tidi Kwidini| ZIMDABA LONDON 2018, the biggest foreign investment conference since the leadership change in Zimbabwe last November, is taking place in London this week.

Organised by UK and Zimbabwe-based Consolidated African Services (CAS), Zimdaba London 2018 will be held on 15 and 16 March at the Royal Geographical
Society in Kensington, London.

“This conference is a key initiative and will be one of the most effective ways to engage, in one place, with influential figures in business, media and politics. The
conference will help pave the way forward for Zimbabwe’s economic recovery programme,” said Nicholas Holme, Principal Director CAS UK.

“The Zimbabwe government are keen to work with investors from all over the world
who want to engage with the country. It’s an opportune time for Zimbabwe to
showcase its significant potential as an attractive destination for foreign investment”
he added.

The Zimbabwean delegation, which will be headed by the Principal Secretary from the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr Ozias Hove, will also include Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Winston Chitando; Deputy Minister of Finance & Economic Development, Terence Mukupe; Minister of Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development, Dr. Mike Bimha; and Simon Khaya Moyo, Minister of Energy and Power Development.

Chairman and co-founder of Atlas Mara, Bob Diamond, one of the conference
sponsors, will speak on the benefits of this diverse initiative and the positive impact it
will have on the Zimbabwean economy.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has committed to making Zimbabwe an attractive
and safe destination to conduct business, as well as revamping Zimbabwe’s
infrastructure, with the intention of taking Zimbabwe to middle income status by
2030.

The over-subscribed event will also include an exclusive breakfast, hosted by
leading investment bank, Exotix Capital. The early morning function will feature key
presentations from the leading delegates.

Duncan Wales, CEO of Exotix Capital, said “For Exotix, given our long-term
experience in Africa, the importance of bringing Zimbabwe’s key policy makers together, with international investors at such a critical point in Zimbabwe’s history cannot be overstated. We are delighted to be able to contribute to that process.”

With the economy already beginning to show signs of recovery, experts expect to
see several billion dollars flowing into Zimbabwe this year. Delegates at ministerial
level will use Zimdaba London 2018 to endorse Zimbabwe’s re-engagement plan for
inward reinvestment.

Sponsored by Exotix Capital, Zimbabwe Diaspora Investment Group, fastjet and
Atlas Mara among others, the Zimbabwe London Investment Forum has been
created to bring together business leaders, investors from the UK and Europe, and
high level corporate and governmental delegates from Zimbabwe, to discuss and
action investment opportunities in Zimbabwe.

Conference organiser Consolidated Africa Service Ltd is a young, ambitious
organisation with Zimbabwean roots, a Southern Africa focus, and interests in social
capital, mining, energy generation and other key sectors.

Zim Doctors Earning $329 per Month

Zimbabwean doctors say they are being paid just $329 per month. This emerged during the protest Wednesday afternoon. PICTURES:

Zim Darts Champion Aims At African Championship

David Nyemba and his Son Kudzanai after winning a local championship

By Paul Nyathi

Zimbabwean darts champion David Nyemba is in Cape Town representing Zimbabwe for the first time in the prestigious Last Man Standing African Darts Challenge kicking off in the city om Friday.

The veteran Nyemba who has won all local darts accolades in the country is aiming at his first African glory before taking an attempt at the world championships.

The tournament which will see the winner walk away with R30 000 is the premier individuals tournament in the continent and every darts player dreams of clinching the title.

The tournament has through the years been dominated by South Africa darts players.

Nyemba who captains the senior Zimbabwe men’s team has accounted for most of the South African players during the qualifying rounds and is set to be one of the top contenders at the tournament.

Speaking to ZimEye.com in an interview, National Darts Association of Zimbabwe Secretary General Stephen Mwarindira said that they were confident that Nyemba will carry the country’s flag high in the challenge.

“David, participated in the initial group stages from November 17 to November 18, 2017 in Joburg and qualified in the last 64 where he is amiming to come up the “Last Man Standing” at the tournament and we are confident he will make it,” said Mwarindira.

FULL TEXT: Doctors Demand Parirenyatwa’s Resignation

NATIONAL NEWS

The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) has written calling for the immediate resignation of Minister of Health and Child Care David Parirenyatwa accusing Parirenyatwa of using state media to lie to the nation and of threatening them, following their strike for the past two weeks citing poor working conditions and inadequate resources.

Below was their statement:

“ZHDA PRESS STATEMENT ON DOCTORS STRIKE 13 MARCH 2018

The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association wishes to advise members of the press, stakeholders and its members on the following developments on the strike by government doctors which is now entering its 14th day this midnight.

1. The Health Services Board and The Minister of Health, Dr Parirenyatwa have not been forthcoming to resolve the issues raised by the ZHDA members to date. Instead, they have engaged in deliberate misinformation of the public using state media and resorted to a failed strategy of issuing legally void threats to the striking doctors. This in our view is a sign of failure and must be immediately followed by the resignation of the entire Health Services Board and the Minister of Health

2. We note with concern the closure of almost all central hospitals, children’s units, provincial hospitals and cessation of emergency life-saving procedures throughout the country. We place this failure directly on the heels of Dr Parirenyatwa and the Health Services Board who have shown disinterest and lack of urgency in resolving the demands of the striking doctors.

3. The ZHDA leadership only is mandated to call off the doctor’s strike after consultation and agreement with its members. Any pronunciations by the HSB, Minister of Health or other affiliate health associations are of no effect to the striking doctors. Any other strikes by other associations such as nurses or paramedics are not in any way linked to the doctors’ demands and no blanket negotiations or conflation of the separate demands will be entertained. Any manoeuvres to the contrary or insinuations by other health associations will not be tolerated.

4. The ZHDA members at United Bulawayo Hospitals will demonstrate tomorrow from 10 am to show solidarity with our patients who continue to be deprived of health care by the doctor’s employer. Members in and around Bulawayo, including Mpilo Hospital, are urged to loin. Meetings with higher authorities are being sought and all members are encouraged to remain resolute and dutybound to restore the dignity of the doctors’ profession.

5. The ZHDA is recalling all the doctors we had instructed to remain at their stations to cover for emergencies. This in effect implies that from tomorrow, day 14 of the strike all consultants, registrars, district medical officers and general medical officers are now formally joining the strike.

6. We will only return to work when all issues raised by the ZHDA have been FULLY resolved. 
We urge all Zimbabweans to pray for us as we try to restore sanity, dignity and nobility of the medical profession.

ZHDA Information Department”

Stephen Hawking Dies

The image of Stephen Hawking – who has died aged 76 – in his motorised wheelchair, with head contorted slightly to one side and hands crossed over to work the controls, caught the public imagination, as a true symbol of the triumph of mind over matter. As with the Delphic oracle of ancient Greece, physical impairment seemed compensated by almost supernatural gifts, which allowed his mind to roam the universe freely, upon occasion enigmatically revealing some of its secrets hidden from ordinary mortal view.

Of course, such a romanticised image can represent but a partial truth. Those who knew Hawking would clearly appreciate the dominating presence of a real human being, with an enormous zest for life, great humour, and tremendous determination, yet with normal human weaknesses, as well as his more obvious strengths. It seems clear that he took great delight in his commonly perceived role as “the No 1 celebrity scientist”; huge audiences would attend his public lectures, perhaps not always just for scientific edification.

The scientific community might well form a more sober assessment. He was extremely highly regarded, in view of his many greatly impressive, sometimes revolutionary, contributions to the understanding of the physics and the geometry of the universe.

Hawking had been diagnosed shortly after his 21st birthday as suffering from an unspecified incurable disease, which was then identified as the fatal degenerative motor neurone disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Soon afterwards, rather than succumbing to depression, as others might have done, he began to set his sights on some of the most fundamental questions concerning the physical nature of the universe. In due course, he would achieve extraordinary successes against the severest physical disabilities. Defying established medical opinion, he managed to live another 55 years.

His background was academic, though not directly in mathematics or physics. His father, Frank, was an expert in tropical diseases and his mother, Isobel (nee Walker), was a free-thinking radical who had a great influence on him. He was born in Oxford and moved to St Albans, Hertfordshire, at eight. Educated at St Albans school, he won a scholarship to study physics at University College, Oxford. He was recognised as unusually capable by his tutors, but did not take his work altogether seriously. Although he obtained a first-class degree in 1962, it was not a particularly outstanding one.

He decided to continue his career in physics at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, proposing to study under the distinguished cosmologist Fred Hoyle. He was disappointed to find that Hoyle was unable to take him, the person available in that area being Dennis Sciama, unknown to Hawking at the time. In fact, this proved fortuitous, for Sciama was becoming an outstandingly stimulating figure in British cosmology, and would supervise several students who were to make impressive names for themselves in later years (including the future astronomer royal Lord Rees of Ludlow).

Sciama seemed to know everything that was going on in physics at the time, especially in cosmology, and he conveyed an infectious excitement to all who encountered him. He was also very effective in bringing together people who might have things of significance to communicate with one another.

When Hawking was in his second year of research at Cambridge, I (at Birkbeck College in London) had established a certain mathematical theorem of relevance. This showed, on the basis of a few plausible assumptions (by the use of global/topological techniques largely unfamiliar to physicists at the time) that a collapsing over-massive star would result in a singularity in space-time – a place where it would be expected that densities and space-time curvatures would become infinite – giving us the picture of what we now refer to as a “black hole”. Such a space-time singularity would lie deep within a “horizon”, through which no signal or material body can escape. (This picture had been put forward by J Robert Oppenheimer and Hartland Snyder in 1939, but only in the special circumstance where exact spherical symmetry was assumed. The purpose of this new theorem was to obviate such unrealistic symmetry assumptions.) At this central singularity, Einstein’s classical theory of general relativity would have reached its limits.

Meanwhile, Hawking had also been thinking about this kind of problem with George Ellis, who was working on a PhD at St John’s College, Cambridge. The two men had been working on a more limited type of “singularity theorem” that required an unreasonably restrictive assumption. Sciama made a point of bringing Hawking and me together, and it did not take Hawking long to find a way to use my theorem in an unexpected way, so that it could be applied (in a time-reversed form) in a cosmological setting, to show that the space-time singularity referred to as the “big bang” was also a feature not just of the standard highly symmetrical cosmological models, but also of any qualitatively similar but asymmetrical model.

Some of the assumptions in my original theorem seem less natural in the cosmological setting than they do for collapse to a black hole. In order to generalise the mathematical result so as to remove such assumptions, Hawking embarked on a study of new mathematical techniques that appeared relevant to the problem.

A powerful body of mathematical work known as Morse theory had been part of the machinery of mathematicians active in the global (topological) study of Riemannian spaces. However, the spaces that are used in Einstein’s theory are really pseudo-Riemannian and the relevant Morse theory differs in subtle but important ways. Hawking developed the necessary theory for himself (aided, in certain respects, by Charles Misner, Robert Geroch and Brandon Carter) and was able to use it to produce new theorems of a more powerful nature, in which the assumptions of my theorem could be considerably weakened, showing that a big-bang-type singularity was a necessary implication of Einstein’s general relativity in broad circumstances.

A few years later (in a paper published by the Royal Society in 1970, by which time Hawking had become a fellow “for distinction in science” of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge), he and I joined forces to publish an even more powerful theorem which subsumed almost all the work in this area that had gone before.

In 1967, Werner Israel published a remarkable paper that had the implication that non-rotating black holes, when they had finally settled down to become stationary, would necessarily become completely spherically symmetrical. Subsequent results by Carter, David Robinson and others generalised this to include rotating black holes, the implication being that the final space-time geometry must necessarily accord with an explicit family of solutions of Einstein’s equations found by Roy Kerr in 1963. A key ingredient to the full argument was that if there is any rotation present, then there must be complete axial symmetry. This ingredient was basically supplied by Hawking in 1972.

The very remarkable conclusion of all this is that the black holes that we expect to find in nature have to conform to this Kerr geometry. As the great theoretical astrophysicist Subramanyan Chandrasekhar subsequently commented, black holes are the most perfect macroscopic objects in the universe, being constructed just out of space and time; moreover, they are the simplest as well, since they can be exactly described by an explicitly known geometry (that of Kerr).

 

 Stephen William Hawking, physicist, born 8 January 1942; died 14 March 2018, aged 76.

Bona Mugabe Robbed

Three men have appeared in a Harare court for overpowering an armed policeman and stealing materials worth nearly $5 000 from the building site of Bona Mugabe’s mansion.

The three men pleaded guilty to armed robbery and were due to be sentenced on Wednesday, reports the state-run Herald.

Robson Kandenga, Peter Mangwiro and Brighton Chisiko used a hired truck to cart away 80 wooden boards after they disarmed the policeman guarding the site and tied up his hands and feet with wire, the paper said.

Massive excavation work

The trio sold the boards at various open-air markets around the capital. One of the stolen boards was recognised by a construction worker and helped police track down the robbers.

Bona Mugabe is Mugabe’s only daughter and the oldest of his three children with Grace Mugabe.

Massive excavation work has been done at the site of what promises to be an opulent new home in Umwinsidale, on the eastern outskirts of Harare, not far from Mugabe’s own Blue Roof mansion in Harare’s plush Borrowdale suburb.

Work on Bona Mugabe’s house was briefly halted last year in the wake of the military takeover that forced her father to step down. – News24

Give Us New Names, Tired Of Priscillia And Khupe | OPINION

By Kerina Mujati | All the “propaganda”doing rounds on Social Media from lies such as Khupe met Mugabe at blueroof, Kuphe demands money from APA, let’s not be taken for fools. All this is starting to smell like desperate spins by Khupe and crew. The woman is no strategist remember her excuse from contesting the last Elections as she knew very well she would lose at the Ballot?Her reason was that she was a National Leader therefore would not contest in Elections. She is in Government because of the woman’s quota and what has she ever achieved for Makokoba or Bulawayo that she refers herself as Queen B or she has achieved for the women in Zimbabwe? Khupe now sees herself as untouchable and game changer but she is NOT. I do condemn the violence she suffered lately yet she fail to see that she was disrespecting her Leader Tsvangirai and his Party by intentionally not attending Party business and meetings. That shows her arrogance and disqualifies her as a true leader with the people at heart. The next Government whoever it is , please kindly give us new names via the Women’s quota we are tired of the self importance Queens the likes of Khupe and Priscila we have new kids on the block who deserve a chance to represent the plight of our women…..taneta with these women and their entitlement. No to career political failures muchingoti women’s quota. We need new names. #2018resistance# #newnameswomensquota# #cd3sistermwenewazvo#

Mary Chiwenga And Office Of Second Lady – My Foot!

By Paul Kaseke | The last week has provided so many interesting issues to comment on, but continuing with the theme of accountability, I want to focus on the purported office of the second lady of Zimbabwe and the role of Parliament, as an instrument of checks and balances.

A document was circulated recently on social media that alluded to Marry, the wife of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, delivering a speech on behalf of First Lady Auxillia Chiwenga.

What was of interest there is the letterhead that she purportedly had her speech on.

The speech was on a letterhead of the “Office of the Second Lady of Zimbabwe” with the Coat of Arms on one end of the document and the logo of a charity on the other.

Some issues arise from that which may not seem important now, but if unaddressed, they will create another Grace Mugabe nightmare.

Firstly, there is no office of the second lady of Zimbabwe.

The position implies that it is created as a public institution with financing and staffing provided for by the State.

This idea is further strengthened by the fact that the letterhead carries with it the Coat of Arms. There is no legislation and certainly no constitutional provision that creates that office.

It exists only in the minds of those individuals who refer to it as such. It is non-existent and the result of an overactive imagination, at best.

There is no office of the First Lady either. These are just ceremonial roles that exist.

They do not carry any public functions, nor do they have the ability to directly use taxpayers’ money unlike public officials.

The ceremonial title is similarly not found in any constitutional provision nor any other legislation.

Any benefits accruing to the First Lady and the wives of the Vice-Presidents are only incidental in that they exist because these are given to their partners who are public officials.

Consequently, should their spouses be removed from office, they are not entitled to anything directly.

They are not given a State allowance nor are they given a pension – or at least they should not theoretically.

The problem we had with Grace seems to be creeping up again.

She too started believing in the existence of an office of the First Lady and eventually went on to say that the President exercises his power jointly with her and that she was more important than the Vice-Presidents.

That is, of course, illogical not only from a legal point of view, but also from a political one, but it went unchallenged at the time.

The current administration needs to ensure the same thing does not happen with the wives of the President and the Vice-Presidents.

The reason for this is clear – they must stay clear from purporting to be public officials and allow their spouses to carry out their constitutional functions without attempting to usurp them or sneak themselves into government when they clearly don’t form part of it.

Furthermore, in terms of the Armorial Bearings Act, it is an offence to use the Coat of Arms without being granted permission from the government in the manner prescribed in the Act.

The First Lady and the purported second lady are for all intents and purposes private citizens married to holders of executive offices – which makes them no different from you and I.

If I was to issue a document with the coat of arms, it would be an offence and I would no doubt be held charged for it because it creates the impression that I am acting on behalf of the government of Zimbabwe when I am not.

Unless, of course, the government wants to enact legislation creating a public office for them, neither the First Lady nor the “second lady” are entitled to use letterheads bearing the coat of arms.

Lastly, Parliament itself needs to start being proactive in terms of its role in ensuring accountability of the executive.

In terms of section 117 of the Constitution, Parliament has the legislative authority (the authority to make laws and amend the Constitution).

Furthermore, in terms of section 119, Parliament has numerous roles, including protecting the Constitution.

In terms of section 119(2) gives Parliament the power to ensure that provisions of the Constitution are upheld and all levels of government act constitutionally.

Section 119(3) is clear that the executive is accountable to Parliament.

These powers must be exercised by Parliament and if they don’t exercise their powers, then the executive goes unchecked. The constitutional issues I raised last week in respect of the current administration, should in the first instance be dealt with by Parliament.

It must summon the President to Parliament and ask him to account for his actions, particularly where he has taken the powers of Parliament in amending legislation through subordinate legislation.

While I appreciate that there are some standout legislators that have raised some of these issues and make valid points, the collective failed to hold former President Robert Mugabe accountable, while he was in office and is now failing to hold President Mnangagwa accountable.

Paul Kaseke is a former law lecturer. He serves as director and current group chair of AfriConsult Firm. He writes in his personal capacity. You can give him feedback via email: [email protected] or follow him on twitter @paulkasekesnr

Priscilla Mushonga and Welshman Ncube on Kamikaze Run,

By Paul Nyathi

Outspoken Welshman Ncube led MDC parliamentarian Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga and her party principal are on a collision course ahead of the 2018 elections.

In an interview with ZimEye.com on Wednesday, Party Deputy Spokesperaon Mbuso Siso indicated that the party is going through a severely strained relationship with its former Secretary General which may soon lead to a serious disagreement between Mushonga and the party.

Siso’s indications came after Mushonga disassociated herself from the party candidates selection process for the upcoming elections.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on Wednesday, Mushonga who is one of the only two House of Assembly representatives for the party claimed that she was not aware that the party was going through a candidates selection process.

“I have not heard any communication from the party since last August I have no knowledge of any process for candidate selection,” she said.

Speaking from New York where she is visiting on a business trip Mushonga said that she was disappointed with the way the party is treating her as a sitting parliamentarian.

The straightforward speaking legislator claimed that by not directly communicating with her on the application process, the party is deliberately trying to get rid of her.

“When I was Secretary General I would send circular to sitting MPs explaining the process of what we call confirmation by structures but like I say I have no idea what and when that process is being done,” she said.

Mushonga resigned as the party Secretary General shortly after the 2013 elections opting to concentrate on her role as a Member of Parliament for the party.

She expressed shock at how the party would conduct the candidates selection process without notifying her as a sitting parliamentarian.

“I am a sitting proportional representation MP, so what process can be there and I am not made aware of it,” she said.

“If you are right that people have been asked to submit aplications and am not notified then one can only be a moron not to understand what message the party is sending,” fumed Mushonga.

Spokesman Siso rubbished Mushonga’s sentiments claiming that she should not expect special treatment from the party for her to be contacted directly as information to the effect was sent to the Matabeleland South Provincial Executive which she is expected to sit in.

“Cde Priscilla is meant to be visiting her constituency and her province where all the information is made available, she can not expect us to go after her and give her information privately,” said Siso.

“Letters were sent to the provincial chairpersons and if she did not get that information from her chairperson then it’s not our problem as a party,” he added.

“She resigned from her position at national level and so relegated herself to an ordinary member of the party and so she must not complain when she is being treated as such,” said Siso.

Mushonga likened her deliberate exclusion from the party processes by the party leadership to a man dicing from a girl in order to pull out of a relationship when he has gotten enough from the girl.

“I think in the spirit of honesty when people are rejecting someone they should say so,” she said.

“This is like a guy who wants to ditch a girl and makes it look like the problem is with the girl. The good thing is that I am a “girl” too and am used to rejection,” said Mushonga uncompromisingly.

Asked to comment on the relationship between Mushonga and the party, Siso categorically stated that the relationship is definitely on a Kamikaze Run and set to come to an end sooner than later.

According to Siso, the party is still considering action to be taken against Mushonga who has not been taking part in party activities and openly showing hostility to the party President, Ncube, and for standing against party decisions on the MDC Alliance coalition.

“One doesn’t need a rocket scientist to inform them that days are numbered in the relationship between Mushonga and the MDC,” said Siso.

“She has not been working with and within the party and went on to defy the President and attended an unsanctioned meeting in South Africa with (Joice) Mujuru and (Thokozani) Khuphe,” he said.

“We are not sure in what capacity she attended that meeting and who she was representing as the President and Secretary-General who were invited snubbed the meeting and withdrew the party from the meeting,” added Siso.

Contacted for a comment party sources in Matabeleland South who would not be mentioned however indicated that Mushonga has been bank rolling party programs in the province and they are disturbed that she is being eliminated from representing the province in parliament.

“The party can not have any better representation than it has been getting from Mushonga,” said the source.

“She has been very instrumental in pushing Matabeleland and women issues in parliament and her exclusion from the party list will be a disastrous move by the party,” she said.

“As far as I know Priscilla has been financing several party programs especially for us women in the province including the running of the provincial party offices of which I am very surprised if she is said not be participating in party activities,” said the source.

“Maybe there are some things that the top leadership know and we are not aware of but as women in the province we have not yet had any issues against her and would have loved to see her go back and finish her business in parliament.”

Efforts to get further clarification from party spokesperson Kurai Chihwayi who is a member of the party standing committee failed as he dropped his line when ZimEye.com called him.

Japanese Academic Says Zim Coup Can Be Corrected

Leading Japanese academic, Sadaharu Kataoka has pinned hopes on the impending election to correct excesses of the military intervention that forced former President Robert Mugabe to resign last year.

In an interview with journalists in Harare yesterday, Kataoka, who commands vast expertise in African politics, maintained that the military intervention, which led to the resignation of Mugabe was in actual fact a coup, which was strategised by the army to pressurise Mugabe to resign.

Kataoka said the coming election, which is expected sometime this year can act as an exorcism ceremony to clear the Emmerson Mnangagwa-led administration, which has suffered a local and international legitimacy crisis based on its controversial ascendency to power under what he termed a “smart coup”.

“I can say it’s a military coup, but I think they were very prepared, because they didn’t use a violent method, but it was military pressure and finally he (Mugabe) resigned, so I think it was a very strategic, prepared and smart coup.

“Moving forward, the true ultimate stage that will determine Zimbabwe’s progression forward is this election. It is to show the world that this is the new moment because if anything bad happens in this election, then it is over,” he said.

Mnangagwa, from his inauguration speech on November 24 last year, launched a diplomatic offensive in a bid to lure investors into the country, but the move has not yielded the desired results, with most prospective business partners taking cautious steps to only engage the country fully on condition that it holds a free and fair election.
Kataoka said the diplomatic offensive can only reap some fruits if the country’s image developed during Mugabe’s reign, which encompasses gross violations of human and corporate rights, is transformed.

“Integration with the rest of the world is possible. In the 1980s, Zimbabwe was a good country and we had Japanese investors here, but after the autocratic rule, they all left, but I can tell you that they can come back,” he said.

Kataoka is a professor in the school of international and liberal studies with the Waseda University in Japan and he is also the director of the Africa Society of Japan. – Newsday

ED Retires Mariyawanda Nzuwa

Civil Service Commission (CSC) chairman, Mariyawanda Nzuwah has reportedly been retired after reaching the pensionable age of 65, NewsDay can reveal.
Nzuwah was served with his retirement letter from the Office of the President last Friday and immediately replaced by his deputy, Mary Margaret Muchada in an acting capacity.

Presidential spokesperson, George Charamba yesterday declined to comment on the issue and referred questions to chief secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda, who was not reachable.

“I am not aware, and in any case, I cannot comment about my employer,” Charamba said.

Nzuwah has been CSC chief for the past 26 years after taking over from Malcolm Thompson in 1992.

Sources told NewsDay that Nzuwah reported for work on Monday and Tuesday despite being served with the retirement letter last Friday.

Although Nzuwah could not be reached for comment, a senior government official, who requested anonymity confirmed the development, which he said marked the beginning of a larger effort promised by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to clear the civil service of workers above retirement age.

Nzuwah was among a group of top civil servants, who negotiated former President Robert Mugabe’s exit last November following a military intervention.- Newsday

Battle For Alliance Seats Hots Up In MDC Ncube

MDC Deputy Spokesperson Mbuso Siso

By Paul Nyathi

Things are heating up in the Welshman Ncube led MDC as party members jostle to take up the thirty two parliamentary seats allocated to the party under the MDC Alliance coalition agreement.

Party Deputy National Spokesperson Mbuso Siso told ZimEye.com in an interview that the party has got into action trying to identify possible candidates to represent the party in the elections set for July this year.

Siso said that the party is currently busy going through the huge applications received from the members wishing to represent the party in the elections.

“We received an overwhelming response from the members and we are currently going through the process of sorting out the applications,” said Siso.

According to Siso, the party set up a candidates selection committee which will go through the applications and come up with the list of possible candidates to be presented to the districts for an endorsement of the final person to represent the party.

“The selection committee will go through the names and present credible people to the districts for determination,” he said.

“Where there is more than one possible candidate the districts will be asked to get to a consensus on who will represent them, if that fails they will then go for a primary election which we however do not look forward to,” he said.

Siso said that the party opened up for applications from all its members including newly recruited members from other parties or former members who opted to return to the party after defecting at some point.

“We are a democratic party and that gets us to be free to accept applications from everyone who is a member of the party to be considered as a candidate including new members and returning members,” he said.

The MDC suffered huge defections after the poor performance in the 2013 elections but has since seen a number of the members finding their way back into the party.

Party insiders indicated to ZimEye.com that the party has pegged a non refundable application fee of up to $500 for one to have their application considered regardless of whether the person makes it to be the final candidate.

Siso confirmed the application fees put in place.

“We have pegged a small non refundable adminstration fee for all applicants and the amount varies depending on the member’s position in the party and the candidature being applied for,” he said.

“Those applying for council posts will pay less than those applying for House of Assembly or Senate positions,” added Siso.

Like their Alliance counterparts, MDC-T, Siso said that seating councillors and parliamentarians will not be challenged to their positions.

Siso would not be drawn to disclose some of the people who have submitted their applications for consideration as candidates. Alliance partner, MDC-T has previously accused the MDC of having what they termed “mediocre candidates” that may force them to challenge the candidates in order to save the constituencies from ZANU PF.

Run Off To Decide Closely Contested Election, As Opposition Wins First Round Voting

Samura Kamara facing defeat to the opposition in run off set for March 27

By Paul Nyathi

Sierra Leonean voters will be called upon again to cast ballots to elect a new president.

The March 27 runoff date was announced by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) on Tuesday evening after declaring final results from the March 7 vote.

According to the results, the main opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) won by close to 1.1 million votes followed by the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC). Given that none of the top two candidates got the 55% mark, a runoff was required by law within two weeks of the final declaration.

Julius Maada Bio of the SLPP is taking his second shot at the presidency as a civilian. He lost the last polls to outgoing Ernest Bai Koroma in 2011. He has also previously served as a military Head of State. Samura Kamara, on the other hand, is the immediate past Foreign Affairs minister of the country.

Final Results 100% of the national votes processed:

Julius Maada Bio (SLPP) – 1,097,482 (43%)

Samura Kamara (APC) – 1,082,748 (42%)

Yumkella Kandeh (NGC) – 174,014 (6.9%)

Samuel Sam-Sumana (C4C) – 87,720 (3.4%)

Welshman Ncube’s Fake Daughter Tells Police “I’ve Been Raped Again But By Another Man”

Gugu Ncube

By Staff Reporter(Pretoria)| A woman who claims that she is the daughter of MDC leader, Prof Welshman Ncube, previously exposed by ZimEye.com, has reported another rape case to the police.

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

The man’s name cannot be disclosed at present due to events that transpired shortly afterwards. (this is a developing story).

The man was saved from prison after police managed to get a hold of other cases which have failed after she was found found to have submitted false evidence.

Gugu has four other police cases in which she has named other men, respectively. – ZimEye is following up on the latest case Wednesday morning.

Chamisa “Smoking” Pipe Dream – Shire

By Farai D Hove| MDC leader Nelson Chamisa was yesterday criticised by some on his bullet train promise.

The London based analyst, George Shire said Chamisa does not even know where the money will come from to fund the project.

Wrote George Shire on ZimEye.com, “I have been to Morocco a number of times. I was in Marrakesh as recently as three weeks ago. Morocco’s infrastructure especially its public transport system is heavily dependent on foreign investment and the country has not been the subject of 18 years of economic sanctions.

“It’s taken 6 years of development to get it where it is now. With all the best intentions in the world Morocco is not comparable to Zimbabwe or anywhere else in the SADC region.

“Chamisa has to tell us how much his pipe dream is going to cost and where the money is going to come from. Our economy is not capable of funding his outlandish schemes.”

Mugabe Gets Serious Warning From ZANU PF

By Dorrothy Moyo| Former President Robert Mugabe has received his first serious warning from his party, ZANU PF who say they will deal with him like any other opposition member.

This follows a previous warning last week by President Emmerson Mnangagwa who said he will soon come out for those with multiple farms – an apparent reference to Mugabe who has at least 14 listed farms.

This time the Zanu-PF Bulawayo Provincial Youth League chairperson, Khumbulani Mpofu, has told Mugabe that his conduct will result in youths disregarding him as Zimbabwe’s icon.

Mpofu said, “we used to respect him as an icon of this country but his behaviour of late is communicating something else. If he continues behaving the way he does, we will stop treating him like an icon. In fact we will treat him like any other opposition leader since he is nurturing a new opposition party.

“There is no cash in the country, he should tell us where we should get this cash, he created this situation. He is the one who left the country like this. It seems he knows where to get the cash from.

“He should inform the current Government where to get it so that it can be circulated across the country. It’s him and the G40 cabal who were externalising cash that is why the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) has given the culprits an amnesty to bring back the country’s cash.”

Grandpa Rapes Own 12 Yr Old GrandDaughter

A 60-YEAR-OLD man from Bulawayo has been arrested for allegedly raping his neighbour’s 12-year-old daughter whom he was taking for Bible lessons in Njube suburb.

The man, who cannot be named for ethical reasons, allegedly raped the juvenile sometime between October and December last year. He allegedly raped the girl while her friends were outside waiting for him to conduct a Bible lesson session.

The matter came to light through a letter that was anonymously placed in a suggestion box.

The man was not asked to plead to rape when he appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube. He was remanded in custody to March 23 for provision of a trial date. Mr Ncube advised the man to apply for bail at the High Court.

Prosecuting, Mrs Tembeni Mpofu told the court that on an unknown date between October and December last year, the complainant went to the accused’s place of residence with her friends for Bible lessons with the accused. “The man instructed the girl’s friends to sit outside the house and told the complainant to escort him inside the house to collect a Bible story book,” said Mrs Mpofu.

“While in the house, he grabbed the girl by the hand, pushed her on the bed, lowered his trousers to knee level and raped the girl once without protection.”
The matter, said Mrs Mpofu came to light through an anonymous tip-off from a suggestion box prompting investigations leading to the man’s arrest.

The juvenile was referred to hospital for medical examination and a medical report maybe produced in court as evidence.

Meanwhile, a Bulawayo man has been arrested for allegedly molesting his landlord’s five-year-old son in Old Lobengula suburb.

The man (18), who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim, allegedly called the minor into his room on Thursday last week. Once inside the room, the man allegedly fondled the five-year-old’s privates before inserting his finger into the boy’s anus. He allegedly went on to insert his penis between the minor’s buttocks.

The man appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube facing aggravated indecent assault charges.

Mr Ncube did not ask the man to plead and remanded the matter to March 23 for provision of a trial date at the regional court.

He advised the man to apply for bail at the High Court. Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza said on Thursday last week at around 9AM, the complainant was playing alone when the accused called him into his room.

“While inside his room accused lowered the minor’s trousers and shorts and started fondling his privates,” said Mr Mageza.

“He went on to make the complainant lean on the bed and he also knelt behind him before inserting his finger in the boy’s anus. The teen also inserted his penis between the complainant’s buttocks once before they left the room.”

The court heard that afterwards, the man took his victim to the shops and bought him some chips.
The matter came to light later that day when the minor narrated the ordeal to his grandmother who reported the matter to the police. The minor was referred to hospital for medical examination and a medical report may be produced in court as evidence. – state media

Elusive Farmers To Lose Farms

NATIONAL NEWS

Government has warned absentee farmers that they risk losing their farms after an assessment on farms is completed in two months.

Speaking at the inaugural tobacco conference that was organised by Cardinal Chartered Accountants, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Davis Marapira said farmers should take farming as a serious business, and this included employing professional managers.

“When we allocated people land, you are all aware that we wanted the beneficiaries to be on the land or employ good managers who can deliver. But some farmers are either not on the land or they do not have good managers,” said Deputy Minister Marapira.

“We are going to visit farms in the next two months for assessment. Some farmers are always on the land and they produce good yields; for instance, four tonnes per hectare in tobacco.

“Farmers should perform and not always complain. Under the new dispensation, it is not business as usual,” he said.

Tobacco farmers, he said, should take farming seriously as agriculture was the mainstay of the economy, contributing significantly to both the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and providing employment to a large portion of the Zimbabwean population.

“Zimbabwe economy should start with a revival of the agricultural sector.
“Zimbabwe is blessed with good soils upon which a variety of crops can be grown, favourable climatic conditions, good infrastructure and a well-developed labour force.
“What is now required is to harness all these positive factors to spur the growth of the agricultural sector.

“However, it is critical that stakeholders in the agriculture sector come up with innovative ideas to mobilise funding for this critical sector.

“I am happy that at this juncture, international investors are warming up to Zimbabwe under the new dispensation. This will help in our endeavours, he said.

He applauded tobacco farmers for recording high yields during trying times.
“It is encouraging that tobacco has shown signs of recovery. However, there is still scope for growth to surpass the production levels of 200 million kilogrammes of the pre-2000 era.

“I would like to salute and congratulate all tobacco farmers for their resilience and contribution towards the growth in production against a myriad of challenges.”
Deputy Minister said Government was ready to provide an enabling environment for both farmers and other stakeholders through providing inputs and knowledge, among other things.

We have supplied farmers with machinery – 500 tractors from Belarus – and more than 500 tractors from India. We received 80 centre pivots from Spain and we expect 1 000 more centre pivots.

Deputy Minister Marapira said there was need to strengthen measures that cushion tobacco farmers from expensive inputs and unviable prices.

The conference was held under the theme “Harnessing the tobacco farming business for economic turnaround and economic growth”. – state media

RBZ-Bond Notes A Success

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr John Mangudya says bond notes have been successful since they have helped companies to increase both production and exports.

Dr Mangudya said this when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Development yesterday.

The introduction of bond notes in 2016, he said, was not meant to deal with cash shortages.
“I said when bond notes fail to support export incentives in this country, I would resign and you know we have many companies that we have been resuscitated, and I can mention them,” he said.

He said the bond notes had materially impacted on the fortunes of companies such as Tregers, Paramount Garments, Lobels and Mega Pack, Arenel and Zimplow.

“What the people were ascribing to, which I do pray to honourable MPs not to do, is to say that it has failed to remove queues in the banks.

“Once you do that, you are saying print more. But what we are saying is our bond notes are governed as a proportion of exports, so when I say bond notes, I celebrate because I see the image of exports, it is a brilliant mechanism,” he added.

Dr Mangudya said he would provide Parliament with a schedule of the companies that had benefited from the export incentives, including the demonstrable growth in exports since the introduction of bond notes.

“I haven’t resigned because the bond notes have succeeded in helping the companies in Zimbabwe to be resuscitated,” Dr Mangudya said.

He added that bond notes will be in use until Government reintroduces the local currency.
The parallel market for foreign currency, he said, was a result of high demand.

The central bank chief said there are currently more than $290 million bond notes in circulation.
Dr Mangudya also welcomed the passing of the Finance Bill by Parliament, saying it would help deal with errant dealers who are involved in multi-tiered pricing.

The Bill is now awaiting Presidential assent. – state media

Mphoko’s Choppies Robbed By Gun Wielding Gang Movie Style

Six gun-toting men raided Choppies Supermarket in Bulawayo’s Pumula South suburb before getting away with more than $700 in a two-minute movie style robbery.

Witnesses said the suspects entered the shop disguised as shoppers and one of them assumed a position at the door, fired a shot in the air before ordering everyone to lie down.

The other five, witnesses said, ransacked the tills and within seconds, they were done.

The robber manning the door reportedly fired three more shots while ordering everyone to continue facing down and not to move an inch before the gang made off in a getaway car.

The incident happened on Monday at about 7.30PM.

When The Chronicle visited the supermarket yesterday morning, business had resumed although the staff was still traumatised.

Choppies Pumula South branch manager Mr Bornface Nyambe said the robbery unfolded like an action movie script.

“They were in and out within two minutes. They walked in disguised as shoppers. The supermarket was packed and they took their positions around the shop,” said Mr Nyambe.

“I was working on my desk just authorising invoices. It was around 7:34PM. I then heard a very loud noise, but at the back of my mind I just thought that it may have been an electrical fault or a cable that had short circuited. Reality struck when I heard the second shot being fired.”

He said the gang of six shouted obscenities before ordering everyone to lie down.

“They got in and ransacked the tills. According to our calculations, they got away with $748,” he said.

Mr Nyambe said the suspects then came to his office and demanded more money.

“One of them came over to my desk where I was crouching. He pulled me up, held me by the collar and demanded that I give them more money. I think my life was spared because one of them came in and called him out. They then left,” he said.

Mr Nyambe said the robbers then made off in their getaway vehicle that had been parked behind the supermarket.

He hailed the swift reaction of the police who attended the scene within five minutes.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the robbery, saying the suspects were still at large.

“We are investigating a case of armed robbery that occurred in Pumula South suburb on Monday night. Six men approached the shop and robbed them at gun point. Gun shots were fired but no one was injured. The unidentified robbers fled from the scene, disappearing into darkness, and are still at large,” she said.

Insp Simango urged shop-owners to avoid keeping large sums of money in their tills especially towards closing times.

She applauded the customers for not confronting the robbers as this could have resulted in injuries or loss of lives.

“We continue to warn people not to resist robbers or any armed attackers’ instructions. In many cases people are injured or killed during resistance,” said Insp Simango.- state media

Mnangagwa Eyes Mat North

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to tour the Gwayi-Shangani Dam and the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road project in Matabeleland North on Friday as his administration renews hope for completion of the projects in the province.

Zanu-PF national political commissar, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Dr Engelbert Rugeje on Tuesday told the party’s leadership in Matabeleland region to be ready for the President’s visit.

He was addressing the leadership during a commissariat workshop held in Bulawayo to update them on what is happening in the commissariat.

“President Mnangagwa is touring provinces. He was in Mashonaland Central last month and the visit was a huge success. He will on Friday be in Matabeleland North province and we are busy preparing for the visit.

“I would like to encourage the leadership from neighbouring provinces, particularly members of Parliament, Senate, Politburo and Central Committee to be there in Matabeleland North to support the party’s programmes,” said Dr Rugeje.- state media

Tuku Beneficiary Of Grace Mugabe Largess

Veteran journalist and author, Shepherd Mutamba, has released an explosive, second tell-all book on the life of Oliver Mtukudzi – whom he claims received many gifts from unhinged former first lady Grace Mugabe and also controversially hosted several aides of former president Robert Mugabe, including Cabinet ministers and security chiefs at his Norton arts centre.

Writing, in the newly-released book on the celebrated musician, Mutamba also claims that during his time as Tuku’s publicity, he never once saw the musical icon hosting opposition politicians.
The second instalment on Mtukudzi’s life, Tuku Backstage 2, officially went on sale in the capital yesterday. It has 11 new chapters and 188 pictures which Mutamba used to back up some of his claims on different aspects of the veteran musician’s life.

Meanwhile, Mtukudzi has said that he will not stop the book from being sold on the market — even as he expressed surprise and bewilderment that his former trusted publicist had gone on to author another controversial book on him.

“It’s news to us. We were not aware of this new book, but after all who cares? It is his (Mutamba) democratic right to do so and at the same time it is not Tuku’s business to respond to whatever is said about him. His core business is to produce good music.

“Surely, we have no time to pay attention to every barking dog,” Tuku told the Daily News through his new publicist Walter Wanyanya, ahead of the unveiling of the book.

In the new book, Mutamba once again lays bare what he claims were Mtukudzi’s weaknesses — including allegedly failing to extricate himself from Mugabe’s grip as a result of the gifts given to him by the nonagenarian and his wife.

In the process, the veteran journalist — who worked with Mtukudzi for five years as his publicist — portrayed Mtukudzi through words and pictures as being unusually close to Mugabe’s family and his ministers.

“When we review Tuku’s position, in recent years, when he gave up political commentary, as he tried to distance himself from politics altogether, it is important to discuss his association with the political animals that he befriended.

“To my knowledge, Tuku associated with Mugabe and his wife Grace, from about the year 2010, when he started receiving special gifts from State House; then he suddenly stopped all political criticism, completely.

“I realised, too, that the president’s high profile men became regular guests at Tuku’s special functions, particularly deputy chief secretary to the President, Christian Katsande, who must have been the special envoy of the First Family,” Mutamba said in one of the chapters where he looks at politics and Mtukudzi’s dalliances with Zanu PF bigwigs.

“Tuku would meet Mugabe’s men, but I was not privy to the nature of their conversations. He met the likes of Nicholas Goche, who headed the portfolio that runs the CIO.

“Tuku’s liaison with Mugabe’s special men, indeed, extended to the security’s top brass whose offices have acted at variance with the will of the people of Zimbabwe.

“He hosted the Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, who presided over the partisan and brutal national police that enforces the law selectively. Chihuri’s critics said he is an accessory to Mugabe’s tyranny,” Mutamba added.

He also said the then commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe, Air Marshal Perrance Shiri, also regularly visited Tuku’s offices.

Mutamba suggested that perhaps the connection, between the two of them was solely on the basis of humanitarian projects that they ran together.

Shiri is now minister of Lands and Agriculture in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.
“Tuku was compromised, more in a fix, really, as long as Mugabe was in power. He could not easily extricate himself from Mugabe’s grip after accepting the presents.

“By renouncing political criticism, Tuku betrayed all the victims of Mugabe’s misrule that Tuku represented in his music all along, before he jumped into bed with Mugabe,” Mutamba said.

In 2015, Mtukudzi was angered by Mutamba when the former published the first edition of Tuku Backstage, which also contained some riveting stuff on the music maestro’s public and private life.

The book caused serious consternation within the Mtukudzi family, as well as among his legion of followers.

Mutamba claimed then that Mugabe had given the music icon an expensive state-of-the-art studio equipment, among other gifts.

“In October 2010, Tuku accepted a gift of $87 000 worth of state-of-the-art studio equipment directly from the-then president.

“He (Tuku) told me about the gift and showed me the equipment that he kept under lock and key, right in his office and not in the storeroom,” Mutamba said in that first book.

He also claimed that Tuku had accepted free advertising in State media that had been arranged by politicians, to announce his late son Sam’s memorial service. Daily News

Trump Fires Sec Of State Via Twitter

US President Donald Trump has fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson via Twitter, naming CIA Director Mike Pompeo as his replacement.

Mr Tillerson’s spokesman said he only learned he was out of a job when he saw the president’s tweet thanking him for his service as top US diplomat.

The former ExxonMobil chief had a series of public rifts with the White House since he was appointed last year.

Mr Trump also named Gina Haspel to become the CIA’s first female director.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Tuesday, Mr Trump said his differences with Mr Tillerson came down to personal “chemistry”.

“We got along actually quite well, but we disagreed on things,” said the president. “When you look at the Iran deal, I think it’s terrible. I guess he thought it was OK.

“I wanted to either break it or do something and he felt a little bit differently, so we were not really thinking the same. BBC

Inhuman Thieves Steal Guitar From Blind Street Musician

Taffie Dube needs a new guitar.

By Paul Nyathi

Very inhuman thieves in Bulawayo stole a guitar belonging to a very popular blind street musician, Taffie Dube over the weekend.

Everyone who has been to the Bulawayo City Centre will know the blind musician who plays interchangeable between his guitar and an electric keyboard along 8th Avenue between Fife Street and Jason Moyo Street.

Daring thieves took advantage of the less busy weekends city centre to snatch his guitar of years away from him as he could not see them.

Bulawayo based community radio station Skyz Metro FM has since launched an appeal to Bulawayo residents to help get Dube another guitar.

“We are appealing on his behalf for assistance to get him a new guitar as it is his livelihood,” said the radio station in a short statement.

Skyz Metro FM can be contacted on 09-62868.

CAPS United De-register Zvirekwi With PSL

Hatdlife Zvireki in Hospital

Caps United Football Club has requested the Premier Soccer League to deregister their Captain Hardlife Zvirekwi after the defender lost the lower part of his arm to an accident.

Zvirekwi was involved in a horrific car accident in the early hours of Monday. The accident claimed one of his lower parts of the hand.

The latest development came after the doctor amputated the Warriors player’s hand. In a bid to consolidate their 2018 squad, the Green Machine swiftly responded to the situation by informing the PSL of their move to deregister the injured player with Machapa, a player they had dumped.

Speaking to Sports Brief Magazine, the PSL confirmed that the 2016 Champions have requested to replace the player.

“We received a letter from them (Caps) requesting the deregistration of Hardlife (Zvirekwi) and we did just that,” said an official within the PSL ranks.

Machapa had a fall out with the club’s technical team a week ago leading to a temporary divorce between the two parties.

However, following the unfortunate event, the Green Machine technical team has pardoned the former AS Vita player and readmitted him into the Caps family.

United will square off with Harare City on Sunday at the National Sports Stadium in their 2018 PSL opener.

Meanwhile, Zvirekwi is expected to bounce back to football after July and may be available for selection thereafter.

Source Sportsbrief

New Twist to Magwegwe High School Tribalism Saga, Receptionist Fingered

By Paul Nyathi

A receptionist at Magwegwe High School has been fingered as the person who authored a letter alleging that the headmaster at the school had banned pupils at the school from singing Shona songs during sporting activities.

ZimEye.com sources indicated that investigations carried out by members of the Dumiso Dabengwa led ZAPU political party at the school pointed that the school receptionist may have been the person behind the letter.

An unsigned statement provided to ZimEye.com allegedly produced by the ZAPU investigating team claims the receptionist to be a known peddler of tribal conflicts in the school.

Receptionist behind Magwegwe High School headmaster smearing.

“ZAPU and ZPRA, after visiting Magwegwe High School on a fact finding mission has taken note of worrying developments at the school owing to the school’s receptionist who is intimidating staff at the school and pursuing a tribal and ethnic agenda at the school,” said the statement.

“We undertook our own investigations and have since established that the receptionist by name of Mhango, masquerading as students, is the one who wrote the letter,” said the statement dogmatic.

The rest of the statement reads as follows:

“Our investigations have also established that Mhango is in the habit of intimidating staff, parents and students at the school, often threatening some with registering their names on a list with state security agents.

Mhango, is said to be in the habit of calling staff meetings with Shona speaking teachers at the school where she discuss politics and tribal hatred at the government school. Those who spoke to us showed signs of fear whenever they mentioned the name Mhango.

The school headmaster received our team with warm hands but did not agree to discuss the matter at hand except assuring us that authorities were working on the matter and he was confident a fair resolution will be delivered.

We however, realizing the discomfort displayed by the school head, went on to do our own investigations and the findings point to excessive intimidation and fear that obtains at the government institution at the hands of the woman at reception.

Staff members and students alike displayed so much fear of the woman, whom they accused if bragging about her disguised deployment at the school by the CIO.

The Magwegwe High School head and staff need our support as citizens as they are under siege from Mhango who has not hidden her ZANU PF membership at the school.

Mhango needs to be reminded that problems facing this country are as a result of tribally and ethnically driven hatred, on which the current government rode for the past four decades.

Mhango needs to be reminded of the need to be a responsible civil servant and that residents, parents and students at the school expect proper unbiased service regardless of ones political or ethnic orientation.”

More Trouble For Joseph Made

The appointment of Grain Marketing Board (GMB) General Manager Mr Rocky Mutenha ahead of Dr Millicent Mombeshora and Mr David Machingaidze who had the highest scores during the interviews came under the spotlight during a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement hearing.

Former Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister, Dr Joseph Made was exposed for over-exercising his powers, wantonly appointing some of his relatives to executive posts and violating good corporate governance practices.
He was summoned to appear before the portfolio committee on the 27th of March.

Seventh-Day Adventist Churchgoers Killed By Lightning

A lightning strike killed at least 16 people and injured dozens more at a Seventh-Day Adventist church in Rwanda on Saturday, an official said.

Most of the victims died instantly when lightning hit the church in the southern district of Nyaruguru, local mayor Habitegeko Francois told AFP.

Two of the dead died from their injuries on arrival at the hospital and 140 people were rushed to hospital and health centres around the district.

The weather accident in the mountainous region near the border with Burundi took place around midday on Saturday while parishioners of the town of Gihemvu were at a church service.

“Doctors say that three more churchgoers are in critical condition in the hospital,” Mr Francois told AFP on Sunday.

The deadly church incident comes less than two weeks after the closure of more than 700 Rwandan churches for failing to comply with building regulations and for noise pollution.

Ngarivhume Mobilises Structures For Election

Today, the TZ president Jacob Ngarivhume together with Mrs Ngarivhume and team met with the Chitungwiza structures in Unit L.

The meeting was organised ahead of the inaugural TZ Congress to be held from the 23rd to the 24th of March under the theme LEADERSHIP WE CAN BELIEVE IN. The meeting was aimed at inculcating the spirit of leadership in all the structures, upraising them of their duties and responsibilities within the structures and the nation at large.

In his message, Ngarivhume highlighted that real change and transformation in the nation of Zimbabwe can not happen unless and until we have leaders who fear God. “For Zimbabwe to move forward, we need God to rule this nation and he does that through his people. We need people who truly fear God to be raised to positions of leadership if we want our nation to move forward”.
The TZ president highlighted that we now need to usher in the true new dispensation, not this ED regime we have. “ED and his cronies have been in government with Mugabe since 1980 and they are responsible for running this nation to the ground. They will never bring any transformation to our nation. They have to follow their master Mugabe wherever he went.

As Christians in Zimbabwe, we have prayed enough for our country to change, but change has not fully happened because of the type of leaders we have. Our error was that we were praying for God to help liers, thieves, rapists and murders to rule Zimbabwe. Our nation has constantly faced the dilemma of choosing between greater evil and lesser evil while the good people locked themselves in prayer closets praying for the nation. This season has come to an end.

” We need God fearing people who are bold and can stand for what they believe in to rise to positions of leadership because they are the ones with the leadership values and principles that Zimbabwe needs to move forward” said Ngarivhume.

Though our foundations are based on Christianity and Christian values, Transform Zimbabwe party is a party for all Zimbabweans. It is a party of Zimbabweans, by Zimbabweans and for Zimbabweans. Everyone is welcome to join and participate so that we Transform Zimbabwe together.

In his concluding remarks, the TZ president tasked the province with seconding delegates to the TZ inaugural congress that will run from 23-24 March in Harare. Our leaders for the next five years will be selected during that Congress and our party manifesto will also be unveiled during the same event.

The TZ president then got time to listen to the concerns of the people and promised to pull together with the community until their needs are met.

The meeting ended on a high note with the people fired up and ready to Transform Zimbabwe this year.

#PullingTogether to
#MakeZimbabweAJewelAgain

Court To Evict Khupe From Byo Party Offices

By Lionel Saungweme | Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) Bulawayo Provincial Chairman, Gift Banda, has filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court to evict MDC-T Vice President Thokozani Khupe and eight others from the Bulawayo party offices. The “entire MDC-T Bulawayo provincial executive” were “forced out of the party’s provincial offices” on the morning of Sunday 4 March 2018.

Thokozani Khupe and her supporters namely Abednigo Bhebhe, Witness Dube, Artwell Sibanda, Gershom Zimba, Samson Mubhemi, Elliot Doctor Moyo, Mthokozisi Ncube and Mbuso Sibanda are all cited as respondents respectively.

The application for a spoliation order seeks to restore “Stand No 41A, Fort Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenue, Bulawayo” to Banda who was “in peaceful and undisturbed occupation and possession of the property in his capacity as the Chairman of the Movement for Democratic Change- Tsvangirai (MDC-T) Bulawayo Province.”

Strangely, the 8th respondent cited is Mthokozisi Ncube, the Secretary General of the Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe (PDZ). Ncube allegedly participated in the violent takeover of the offices.

Court papers state that the MDC-T members are being “excluded from their offices during a crucial election period when they need their offices the most for use around election matters such as the processing of candidate coordination and administratively servicing their structures in preparation for an election to be held anytime between 22 July and 22 August this year.”

Failure to grant the spoliation order “might even encourage counter violence … as young members might feel that the law has been unable to come to their aid,” says the document.

Banda also prays that the High Court orders Khupe and eight other respondents “not to interfere with Applicant’s occupation,” that they are “prohibited from interfering with and/or disrupting any meetings, programmes and activities” or from “vandalising any property of the MDC-T.”

Banda is asking the court to direct the member-in-charge, Bulawayo Central Police Station or any of his details “to arrest and detain” Khupe or her agents if they refuse to comply with the spoliation order

Through propaganda, such as flooding social media with third respondent, Witness Dube’s pictures, Khupe’s supporters portrayed themselves as victims while concealing the fact that they had violently seized the party offices.

ZBC To Broadcast PSL Matches

 

Terrence Mawawa

The country’ s national broadcaster, ZBC will beam the Premier Soccer League matches live, much to the relief of football fanatics.

The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League will roar
into life this weekend and all the nine matches will be
played on Saturday and Sunday.

Champions FC Platinum will begin their quest to
defend their title when they take on ZPC Kariba at the
National Sports Stadium on Saturday. Ngezi date newcomers Herentals at Baobab Stadium.

League debutants Nichrut will use Mandava Stadium
to host Premiership returnees Mutare City while Chicken Inn will clash with Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium.

The match between Highlanders and Black Rhinos,
which will be broadcast live on ZBC Television is set for
Barbourfields on Sunday.

CLPSL Matchday 1 Fixtures:
Saturday 17th March 2018
Bulawayo City FC vs Chapungu FC (Luveve Stadium)
Ngezi Platinum FC vs Herentals FC (Baobab
Stadium)
ZPC Kariba FC vs FC Platinum FC (National Sports
Stadium)
Nichrut FC vs Mutare City FC (Mandava Stadium –
Live on ZBCtv)
Yadah FC vs Bulawayo Chiefs FC (Rufaro Stadium)
Chicken Inn FC vs Dynamos FC (Barbourfields
Stadium)
Sunday 18th March 2018
Highlanders FC vs Black Rhinos FC (Barbourfields
Stadium – Live on ZBC TV)
Shabanie Mine FC vs Triangle United FC (Mandava
Stadium)
Caps United FC vs Harare City FC (National Sports
Stadium)
Kickoff time for all matches is 3 pm.

Zim’s Moses Drags Mnangagwa and Chiwenga To Court

By Paul Nyathi

Presidential election candidate Engineer Gastaff Kativu, leader of the CKD Campaign has taken President Emerson Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga to court demanding for the postponement of the 2018 elections claiming that the country is not ready for free and fair elections.

Kativu who has attracted a lot of attention from Zimbabweans for declaring himself as the Moses to deliver Zimbabweans to Canaan, filed his case at the High Court in Harare on Tuesday.

In his application he accuses the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairperson Priscilla Chigumba as the first respondents with Mnangagwa and Chiwenga as joint second respondents.

A full outline of the court case raised by the rogue dressed Kativu reads as follows:

COURT APPLICATION – ZIMBABWE NOT READY FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS

First Respondent: Prescilla Chigumba, ZEC Chair
Second Respondent: Emerson Mnangagwa, Constantine Chiwenga

Applicant: Eng. Gastaff Kativu, CKD Campaign Leader

Legal Issues at Stake:
1. Delimitation of Constituencies not performed, Zim Constitution Chapter 7, Section 161 (1) & (2)

2. Biometric Voter Registration Incomplete and biased in favour of ZANU PF strongholds of Mash East, Central, West, Midlands and Masvingo with high turnouts around 90% while other provinces are just over 50% which on paper gives ZANU PF a win due to unequal registration of voters, Chapter 7, Section 155 (2)a

3. Illegal President cannot call for elections and cannot perform the duties of president in the electoral process, Chapter 5, Section 88 (1), Section 97, (1), Chapter 7, Section 161(7)&(8), Chapter 11, Section 213(1)&(2)

4. Militarized and Partial Zimbabwe Electoral Commission which takes orders from the executive, Chapter 12, Section 230(1)

5. Rampant voter intimidation by ZANU PF
6. Violence against political leaders and followers
7. Repressive legislations AIPPA & POSA still active
8. Vote Buying
9. National Army deployed countrywide to intimidate voters
10. Brutal ZRP cannot be reformed in six months to fairly and freely enforce electoral laws
11. Unlawful arrest of political leaders, Chapter 7, Section 156(c)

12. Unequal access to government media, Chapter 7, Section 155(2)

Zimbabwe cannot be blindfolded into rigged elections, issues must [be] corrected by a transitional authority which will invite the United Nations elections to administer Zimbabwe Elections at an agreeable date and Citizens in the Diaspora will cast their votes in their work countries.

Billiart, Musona Ruled Out Of Warriors’ Friendlies

Terrence Mawawa

Talented players Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat
have been ruled out of Zimbabwe’s friendlies in
Zambia in a tournament featuring South
Africa, Angola and Zambia.

The two have been ruled out of the friendly matches due to injuries .

Musona was hurt in January
during his KV
Ostende’s side defeat to Club Brugge.

Musona’s attacking partner, Billiat is also out
of the games having twisted his ankle during a
match in the ABSA Premiership.

Following the withdrawal of Musona and Billiat ,
England based Macauley Bonne was called up to the
squad.

Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa and hosts Zambia
will square off at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in
Ndola for double-header matches from March 22-25.

The Warriors will leave for the tournament either on
Monday or Tuesday next week with some of the
foreign-based players having to fly directly to
Zambia.

Billiart Musona Ruled Out Of Warriors’ Friendlies

Terrence Mawawa

Talented players Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat
have been ruled out of Zimbabwe’s friendlies in
Zambia in a tournament featuring South
Africa, Angola and Zambia.

The two have been ruled out of the friendly matches due to injuries .

Musona was hurt in January
during his KV
Ostende’s side defeat to Club Brugge.

Musona’s attacking partner, Billiat is also out
of the games having twisted his ankle during a
match in the ABSA Premiership.

Following the withdrawal of Musona and Billiat ,
England based Macauley Bonne was called up to the
squad.

Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa and hosts Zambia
will square off at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in
Ndola for double-header matches from March 22-25.

The Warriors will leave for the tournament either on
Monday or Tuesday next week with some of the
foreign-based players having to fly directly to
Zambia.

Matemadanda Blasts Chamisa, Campaigns For Khupe

War veterans, ex-detainees and war collaborators have said they will be spearheading Zanu-PF’s election campaign as they aim for a resounding victory for the ruling party in this year’s elections.

Speaking during a meeting in Gwanda last week, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association secretary general, Victor Matemadanda, said war veterans should safeguard the gains of the liberation struggle.

“As the veterans of the liberation struggle we have a mandate to spearhead the election campaign of the ruling party. Everyone in office today was elected through a campaign by the veterans.

“We have to defend the legacy of Zimbabwe which we fought for leading to the 1980 independence.” he said.

Cde Matemadanda urged war veterans to ensure that opposition parties do not win any election.

He said they should campaign in a peaceful manner for the party and Zanu-PF’s presidential candidate Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa. “When you campaigned in 1980 for our independence, this is the same as we have to campaign peacefully for the party and the presidential candidate. Don’t victimise the people, engage with them and lead the party in a right direction. Vehicles are there to be used district by district,” said Cde Matemadanda.

He reiterated that Zanu-PF was not tribally driven like the MDC-T where Mr Nelson Chamisa and Dr Thokozani Khupe are engaged in a power struggle.

“Everyone can see that constitutionally Khupe is the rightful candidate. A brave woman Khupe who went to bury Tsvangirai (late Morgan) in Buhera and what do they say, they call her a dissident. If we don’t defend this kind of person then we are not principled. They will sing about democracy. How democratic is Chamisa who was hand-picked?” Cde Matemadanda said.

“Some are saying there should be a Shonaland, a Ndebeleland, what is that. It can’t.”

Zanu-PF Matabeleland South province chairman Rabelani Choeni said the party’s members should work together and lead the party to a resounding victory.state media

NPF Is Giving Us Sleepless Nights: Chadzamira

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

Zanu PF Provincial Chairperson, Ezra Chadzamira, has conceded the newly formed National Patriotic Front(NPF) is giving ruling party officials sleepless nights.

Addressing party members in Masvingo on Saturday, Chadzamira said he was afraid the new party would end Zanu PF’ s hegemonic control of political affairs in the country.

Chadzamira called on Zanu PF members to remain vigilant.

“We have to remain vigilant because you all know what is happening. The G-40 members are regrouping and they are planning to jeopardise our campaign.

It is not going to be easy so let us be united.We have to work very hard,” said Chadzamira.

ZAOGA Pastor In Shock Obscenities Sermon

ZAOGA Forward In Faith International Apostle Christopher Kapandura popularly known in evangelism circles as ‘MaKaps’ shocked Chinhoyi community with the vu_lgar words he used to attack pros_titutes and false prophets at FIF Hunyani District Big Sunday service.

Apostle Kapandura used all sorts of words from what he termed ‘vocabulary renyaudzosingwi’ to attack prost_itutes and false prophets saying they are being used by the devil to destroy families.

Due to his shameless description of private parts in his message, Apostle Kapandura spent the better part of his sermon begging his audience to lift their heads and fix their eyes on him as they felt out of place.

Apostle Kapandura, born 62 years ago, married to ZAOGA Harare North province Overseer Angela Kapandura and blessed with a boy and two girls introduced his mother in-law to ZAOGA Hunyani District assembly before opening the Holy Bible to preach.

Overseer Kapandura along with her mother nodded in support of the gospel shared by Apostle Kapandura throughout the sermon when most of the women looked uncomfortable with his explicit language.

“Tarisa kuno! unonyara chii uchiisa huso pasi, indava usinganyare paunenge uchiita zvakaipa, ndati tarisa kuno,” said Apostle Kapandura throughout his sermon.

“I want you to remember that I am a freedom fighter and I have shelved the gun and got hold of the Holy Bible to destroy the works of the devil,” said Apostle Kapandura in his sermon.

“Handisikuda chinhu chinhonzi h*re nemaporofita enhema nekuti vazhinji vehama dzedu vaparadzwa nemazitsotsi aya.

“Bhaibheri rinoti kana pane anotambudzika pakati penyu ngaanamate kwete kutsvaga maporofita. Muchadirwa weti nekubatwa zvibharo nemhaka yenyu yekutsvaga rubetsero.

“Those who are lazy to pray to God are after these false prophets and money meant to raise their families is being taken daily by false prophets.

“Men who are abusing their wives either physically or se_xually are exposing them to false prophets who are now in the habit of touching their private parts in unholy prayers.

“Iwe mukadzi unorega muporofita achikubata g*ro rako nepatriotic front yako hauzive kuti inokosha here kana mag*ro achivava kwizira padombo kwete kungokotamira varume vese vese. Tarisa kuno unonyara chii uchitadza kunyara paunozviita,” said Apostle Kapandura.

He challenged youth to remain faithful and prayerful if they are to achieve what has been bestowed in them by God bemoaning girls who are losing their v_rginity in exchange for food.

“Girls must know that our parents can be rich by receiving lobola if you do not allow these lustful men vanemeso anenge emapere ekuparadza vanana.

“Mombe dzeroora dzinobva pamaparts ako emuviri. Mazamu ako maviri imombe mbiri, chipfuva chako imwe mombe, makumbo ako maviri dzimwe mombe dzimwe ndedzepa patriotic front apa hapafanirwa kungovhurirwa wese wese sedoor rahwindi rekuti chero anoda pakadoma anonzi 25 cents,” said Apostle Kapandura.

He turned his message to attack prostitutes describing them as enemies of life who are after destroying families and taking people to graves.

“Prostitutes must turn to God. There is nothing to boast about being a pros_titute because they are catalysts of death and all who look for them are heading to graves,” said Apostle Kapandura.

“Away with pros_titutes and those men and women who are engaging in adultery because they are after their own good forgetting about their children.

“Har_lots used to hook men for se*x during the night but these days their eyes are darkened to hook men during the day stealing money for school fees, buying vehicles, building homes and for our daily meals.

“These days too we are experiencing male pros*titutes who are starting ministries in the name of prophets to collect money from desperate people and end up raping them.

“Taneta nekuverenga mumapepa nekunzwa mumaradio zvemaporofita arikubata zvibharo. They end up denying the allegations but why are they not being accused of selling tobacco or selling liquor only to ra*pe women.

“The nation must be very careful with These self-ordained pastors and prophets because some of them are being trained for few months by those after money,” said Apostle Kapandura.

Apostle Kapandura, who has degrees in theology, administration and philosophy, is set to take the gospel to Mozambique this week after a successful mission in South Africa last week.

Asked if he has faced any challenge in the ministry over his explicit language in preaching or any other challenge, Apostle Kapandura said a soldier does not face challenges since he is trained to undergo difficulties and come out a winner.

Nyagomo Urges Zimbabweans To Rally Behind One Opposition Candidate

Terrence Mawawa

Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe(PDZ) leader, Barbara Nyagomo has implored the people of Zimbabwe to support one opposition candidate in the coming polls.

In her message on Facebook yesterday, Nyagomo said the ruling party officials were quaking in their boots and Zimbabweans should not be hoodwinked by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s “empty bravado.”

“To all opposition parties in Zimbabwe-
for once let all politicians rally behind one person.
It involves making sacrifices, compromises and even
putting on hold some ambitions.

Split votes will work in ZANU PF’s favour,” Nyagomo wrote on Facebook.

Mujuru Wins

Former Zanu PF stalwarts Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo have withdrawn a $5 million defamation suit against their former boss and ally Joice Mujuru, who is now leading the National People’s Party (NPP).

The duo, last year filed a lawsuit accusing the former vice president of claiming they demanded sex from her.

“Take notice that with the consent of the defendant (Mujuru), the first and second plaintiffs (Gumbo and Mutasa) hereby withdraws its claim against the defendant without tendering costs,” reads the letter of withdrawal filed on February 7.

The three are former partners in the Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) party and parted ways last year resulting in Mujuru forming her NPP.

According to the court summons that had been filed by the two, they accused Mujuru of claiming that they had demanded sex from her following an article published in one of the daily newspapers titled Bigwigs wanted to sleep with me: Mujuru.

The two alleged that Mujuru defamed them while addressing ZPF provincial structures in Masvingo on February 11, last year.

According to the duo, Mujuru reportedly said, “I want you to google then advise each other. They said Mai Mujuru, we want you to be our queen bee. I was supposed to mate with all the men in the party. I was supposed to be their wife.

“I was supposed to work for them because they had seen that while I was still in Egypt (Zanu PF) I used to work hard. So they wanted to borrow that hardworking spirit to work for them and I told them that I can’t be your queen bee.

“I am a woman of substance even though I am a widow, I have an image to protect and since the death of my husband (Solomon Mujuru), I have no appetite for men. I told them that I am here to work for Zimbabwe and this did not make them happy.”

Mutasa and Gumbo claimed that the statement was wrongful and defamatory, adding that it was aimed at injuring their reputations.

They claimed in their papers that they are respectable people in the society and that they never demanded sex from Mujuru, adding that her statement was malicious.

On the other hand, Mujuru had disputed the averments made by the two former allies, claiming their actions were a product of sour grapes, emanating from the political separation.

She said the two had admitted having uttered the words that they wanted her to be the Queen Bee but not in the sense of having sex with her.- daily news