MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has filed a $2 million defamation suit against former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko.

The suit pertains to statements made by Mphoko claiming Tsvangirai had participated in the murder of at least 20 000 civilians in Matabeleland during the Gukurahundi era.

According to court papers filed on Monday before the High Court, Mphoko claimed Tsvangirai was involved in an attempt to assassinate the late former vice president Joshua Nkomo and that he had participated in the burning down of villages in Tsholotsho.
During the Gukurahundi era at least 20 000 civilians were butchered by the North Korea-trained fifth brigade that patrolled the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.
Mphoko also alleged Tsvangirai had murdered a “member-in-charge” in Tsholotsho during the Gukurahundi era.

“These allegations were flighted on national television during the main news segment of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC)’s broadcast at 20:00 hours on the day the defendant (Mphoko) had addressed journalists in Bulawayo (4 February 2017). That news clip was re-played in subsequent bulletins on subsequent days on ZBC television broadcasts.

“Further, the defendant’s statements against the plaintiff (Tsvangirai) were published in print and electronic forms by various publications. ZBC went on to publish an article carrying defendant’s subject statement on its website in days following the broadcast,” Tsvangirai said.

Through his lawyers from Atherstone & Cook, Tsvangirai said the statements were completely false, adding that he never participated in the Gukurahundi massacres in any way.

“At no point in time did he try to assassinate the late vice president Joshua Nkomo and, he never set fire to any home or village, nor murder any ‘officer-in-charge’ or any person during the Gukurahundi genocide or at any other time,” the lawyers said.

They further said that Mphoko’s statements were defamatory and harmful to their client’s reputation, as they portrayed him as a cruel, murderous and evil person.

According to court papers, Mphoko’s statements also portrayed Tsvangirai as a dishonest politician, who has no respect for property rights and does not appreciate the sanctity of life.

“Defendant had no right to fabricate the above outlined defamatory and highly injurious allegations against the plaintiff. As a result of the subject defamation, the plaintiff’s reputation has been severely damaged, and plaintiff has suffered damages in the total amount of $2 million. The figure covers actual damages, assumed damages and punitive damages components of the claim,” the court heard.

It is claimed in court papers that despite demand, Mphoko failed to mitigate the harm caused by his “false statements”.

Mphoko, who is represented by lawyers from G.N Mlotshwa& Company Legal Practitioners, is yet to respond to the application. Daily News

Terrence Mawawa, Chivi |Members of the Zimbabwe National Army brutally assaulted vendors at Mhandamabwe Business Centre for failing to give them money to buy food.

A group of six soldiers from Chivi Growth Point arrived at Mhandamhabwe Business Centre last week and demanded money to buy food from the vendors.

The vendors indicated that they did not have the money. This angered the soldiers who forced the vendors to roll on the ground.

“Vendors were forced to roll in the mud at Mhandamabwe Business Centre.The soldiers also ordered the vendors to close their market stalls.

Women were ordered to go and look for the money at their respective residential places,” said a local shop attendant.

“The soldiers told us we should cater for their food expenses and we never took it seriously.

So when they came back we tried to negotiate with them but they would not listen to what we explained to them,” said a vendor who declined to be named.

Last week the Zimbabwe Defence Forces released a statement urging soldiers to desist from violence.

Terrence Mawawa | A Gutu paedophile had sex with three juveniles and impregnated all of them.

The 22-year- old man, Noel Matoyi of Mushaviri Village, Gutu, had sex with two pupils from Mushaviri Secondary School and impregnated both of them( the two girls are aged 14).

He also had sex with another 14- year- old who also fell pregnant.However the third girl is yet to report the matter to the police.

Matoyi appeared before Gutu Magistrate Edwin Marecha last week.

Representing the State, Prosecutor Millicent Azangwe told the court that Matoyi fell in love with the two juveniles and coerced them into having sexual intercourse with them.

” Matoyi took advantage of the girls’ naivety and abused them.

Matoyi was arrested by the police as he attempted to flee to South Africa, ” the court heard.

Matoyi was sentenced to three years in prison.

Terrence Mawawa, Bikita | Two nurses here have been implicated in a recruitment scam in which they swindled unsuspecting applicants of their hard earned cash.

The two nurses Jairos Mupamhadzi and Respina Manjeru are stationed at Silveira Mission Hospital and Odzi Clinic respectively.

The two nurses connived with Herbert Munyikwa, Patricia Magazine , Beauty Dzviti and Martha Nyapokoto and swindled aspiring nurses of $ 60 000.

The two nurses appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Peter Madhibha last week. The other four suspects were released on $ 300 bail each.

The court heard that Mupamhadzi, Manjeru, Munyikwa, Nyapokoto and Magazini fraudulently opened Econet Lines with the help of Dzviti.
Dzviti is an Econet Wireless employee.

They then placed several adverts on recruitment of nurses in The Herald and they also posted the adverts on various social media platforms.

They also provided fake contact details. The suspects demanded kickbacks from the applicants.The six suspects would also publish fake lists of successful candidates in The Herald.

However the six suspects ran out of luck when police detectives set a trap for them.

“Magazine was arrested as she received some cash from a police detective. That is when she disclosed all the details.

She then led the police to her accomplices’ respective places,” the court heard.

The case will continue on December 29, 2017.

Farirai Madhumbe | Zimbabweans might seem to be under a new political dispensation, yet the reality on the ground is that former President Robert Mugabe’s legacy lives on as the spirit of Mugabeism lives on in the country’s politics.

One party dominance still exists in as much as the culture of fear refuses to go away.

The local Daily News reports that the fall of long-serving Mugabe temporarily united Zimbabweans from all walks of life but weeks after the dust has settled, it’s back to daggers being drawn between the ruling Zanu PF and opposition movements.

And at the heart of the renewal of hostilities is the celebrated military intervention which ended with Mugabe resigning hours before an impeachment process by Parliament had begun.

“Mugabe legalised domination as mode of human relations. We need to speak about the issue of violence as we head into elections next year and the involvement of the military.

“I think in the Mugabe government, the use of the military was very covert. Whenever he sent out people to communities, there was an element of military involvement but it would evade most eyes. But now, the situation is worse because the use of the military is very open,” Civil rights campaigner Maureen Kademaunga told the annual Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe (ANZ) Discussion Forum, held at the firm’s headquarters in the capital yesterday.

ANZ are the publishers of the inimitable Daily News, Daily News On Sunday and the Weekend Post.

The topic of the Discussion Forum was ‘‘Challenges and Opportunities for Zimbabwe post Mugabe’’.

“Some of the military personnel are already in government and some have been deployed to the ruling party, Zanu PF and for that, that is what is essentially telling. There has been a military takeover of Zanu PF.

“The critical component, which is the commissariat, has been given to former military commander (Engelbert Rugeje), someone whose history is well known, especially his involvement in the post-March 2008 election period,” said Kademaunga.

The curtain fell on Mugabe on November 21, when he resigned from the post he had held for 37 years — allowing his longtime aide Emmerson Mnangagwa whom he had fired from both government and Zanu PF — to return to the country from self-imposed exile to lead the former liberation movement and the country.

Mnangagwa took oath of office on November 24, to chart a new path for Zimbabwe’s politics, but thanks to the military intervention which started with Mugabe being placed under house arrest before a series of other events led to his resignation.

The 75-year-old former spy chief appointed two former military chiefs — Perrance Shiri and Sibusiso Moyo — to his Cabinet in what was widely seen as rewarding the military for its role in clearing his path to lead the country.

At its just-concluded extraordinary congress, Zanu PF named another general, Engelbert Rugeje, as its political commissar.

Former Commander of the Defence Forces and the man largely viewed as the architect of the military intervention — Constantino Chiwenga who retired this week — is hotly favoured to be named as one of Mnangagwa’s deputies.

“So for me, that is a cause for a concern which the opposition and other groups need to talk about because the truth of the matter is that going into 2018, the opposition and other groups are going into this election to contest against the military.

“So we took one step forward by removing Mugabe and then took five steps back by legitimising certain things. Military people can now unashamedly join government and take positions in political parties and justify it. We need to speak out these issues without fear,” said Kademaunga.

Firebrand independent Norton legislator, Temba Mliswa, who was one of the panellists, said there was nothing amiss with retired army chiefs getting involved in civilian politics.

Mliswa said the army intervention was meant to rescue the Constitution and thwart the illegal usurpation of the State by loquacious former first lady, Grace Mugabe.

Borrowing from former war veterans’ leader, Jabulani Sibanda, Mliswa said the military intervention was not a “coup” as some have been claiming, but a reversal of a “bedroom coup” by Grace.

“We had the first lady usurping powers. People talk about a coup done by the military but they don’t talk about a coup done by Grace. Which was the first coup?

“We want to talk about the so-called second coup, but was it really a coup or it was a move to address the coup that happened first. The whole country agrees that the first lady had usurped powers; she had become the de facto president; that was the coup.

“The military came in terms of section 212 of the Constitution, which says that the function of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is to protect Zimbabwe, its people, its national security and interests and its territorial integrity and to uphold the Constitution,” Mliswa said.

“The challenge I am putting across is that of constitutionalism. The opposition is blessed with some of the country’s best legal brains, but no one made an application to the courts. Someone else did and it was thrown out.

“We cannot talk about a coup when certain people went to the court and challenged and the court ruled that it was not a coup and there was no appeal. They are lazy to make an application against a perceived anomaly,” he added.

The High Court has ruled that the military intervention was legal.

Drawing parallels with other countries, including the United States, where former military personnel was involved in politics, Mliswa said the Zimbabwean case should not be treated in isolation.

“When General Collin Powell was appointed United States secretary of State, no one ever said there was a general in the US government. If anything, it is a privilege to have them in government and that’s what we have.

“We should give a chance to Mnangagwa, an operator who realises that three or four sectors should be controlled by disciplined people.

“The land reform was becoming chaotic, there was an outcry on the distribution of farming inputs and he realises it’s best to give it to a military man (Shiri) who is good from both the operational point of view and in logistics,” said Mliswa.

“You don’t win a war without understanding logistics, he is meticulous. You have got Foreign Affairs which has a general and who will do things by the book and who will be the face of this country,” he added.

“The opposition lacks strategy. The opposition has the army in it, it has security in it. It has Giles Mutsekwa who was in the military and it has CIOs.

“The difference is that Zanu PF attracts generals while the opposition attracts constables but they still remain members of the police,” he said.

Mliswa believes Mnangagwa and Zanu PF’s fortunes will be boosted by the absence of a vibrant opposition.

“Zimbabwe is fast becoming a one-party State; in fact it is a one-party State. Zanu PF controls the pace of politics in Zimbabwe while the opposition is obsessed with networking with Washington.

“The opposition chooses not to talk to Zimbabweans while the ruling party talks to Zimbabweans. As we head towards the 2018 election, I see more regalia in Zanu PF than ever before,” Mliswa said.- Daily News

By Paul Nyathi | After serious threats of a mass demonstration against President Emmerson Mnangagwa over his links with the eighties Gukurahundi killings, ZimEye.com managed to spot one demonstrator in the huge crowd carrying a placard denouncing Mnangagwa on the atrocities.

Clad in a black t-shirt inscribed “Gukurahundi” in red blood, the demonstrator who sources close to preferred to call “Vhodloza” bravely carried his placard of a brutalized person through the gates into the embassy where the meeting was being held.

Prior to the meeting, about one hundred members of a social media group which ZimEye.com was privy into were threatening to block Mnangagwa from entering the embassy in a demonstration demanding answers on his links to the killings.

The thousands of people who turned up at the meeting completely overshadowed the demonstrators.

ZimEye.com is inviting readers to provide more pictures of any demonstrators who were at the meeting to bring the photos taken and videos forward.

By Paul Nyathi |Controversial Malawian born Shepard Bushiri has shocked the world by buying his six year old daughter a birthday present- a luxurious vehicle Maserati Levante valued at R1.6 Million.

Bushiri is popular in Zimbabwe for prophesying that Zimbabwe’s Minister of State Kembo Mohadi will be elevated to be the country’s Vice President soon.

On his Facebook page Bushiri says that he is blessed to celebrate his daughter’s birthday on the same day that he celebrates Jesus Christ’s birthday on Christmas day and found it worth buying the toddler the top range vehicle.

“I always count myself blessed during this time of the year because I get the honor to celebrate, not only one but two God-given gifts in my life,” he said.

“I celebrate the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and also the birth of our first daughter, Israella Bushiri.”

Bushiri thus week also hit headlines when his three thousand delegates christmas dinner with a lowest table of R5000 and high table of R25000 was sold out within a week of advertising.

See pictures of baby Israella with the birthday gift.

By Paul Nyathi | President Emmerson Mnangagwa has shown a shocking popularity amongst Zimbabweans living in South Africa as almost ten thousands Zimbabweans turned up to meet him in what was meant to be a business briefing of an expected 100 people.

The Diaspora has traditionally been an opposition stronghold with Morgan Tsvangirai enjoying unfettered support which has now been shaken by Mnangagwa’s visit.

The meeting which was set for the Zimbabwean Embassy gardens in Pretoria South Africa on Thursday, saw the entire CBD in the South African capital congested with vehicles and people making their way to the embassy.

As at the time of writing this article, the thousands of Zimbabweans were still filling up the streets of Pretoria with Jah Prayzer’s song “kutonga kwaro” being played in high volumes in vehicles parked along the road to the embassy.

Enterprising people made a killing selling copies of the Jah Prayzer album, Zimbabwean flags and different artefacts with Mnangagwa’s name on them.

The Zimbabweans have demanded the embassy to urgently convene a rally in the City for them to interface with the new President.

Meanwhile, the few Zimbabweans who wanted to demonstrate against Mnangagwa could not even be seen in the huge crowd as their demonstration failed.

Three armed robbers are on the run after assaulting a Zimpapers employee and carjacking the company car he was driving on Thursday morning.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa today appointed Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front national chair Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri as the acting President of Zimbabwe when he left for South Africa to attend a a business meeting.

This was a slap in the face of former first lady Grace Mugabe who was positioning herself for that post and was a bitter rival of Muchinguri both in office and in love.

Muchinguri-Kashiri is currently the second highest ranking officer in ZANU-PF pending the appointment of the party and the country’s two vice-presidents.

Muchinguri was the party’s secretary for Women’s Affairs in 2014 but gave up her post after she was allegedly promised by one of the G40 leaders Saviour Kasukuwere that she would be elevated to one of the vice-presidents if she gave way to the first lady.

This did not materiaise as then party leader Robert Mugabe appointed Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko.

Grace Mugabe’s rivalry with Muchinguri escalated when the former first lady sought to displace Mnangagwa as the country’s vice-president.

Muchinguri, a war veteran, was on Mnangagwa’s side and was about to be expelled soon after Mnangagwa was dismissed and expelled from the party.

Muchinguri and other Mnangagwa supporters were saved by the military intervention of 15 November as G40 sought to purge all Mnangagwa supporters in preparation for the special congress.

The intervention now dubbed Operation Restore Legacy saw Grace Mugabe and nineteen other G40 members expelled from the party two days before her husband resigned.

Muchinguri-Kashiri was appointed national chair at the special congress.

Although Mnangagwa said he would appoint his two deputies in two days, almost week has now gone by.

There is wide speculation that he might appoint retired former Zimbabwe Defence Forces chief Constantino Chiwenga as one of the deputies.

Mnangagwa might just be waiting for tempers to cool down as Chiwenga’s appointment is widely viewed as rewarding the army for bringing him to power.

Mnangagwa hinted that Chiwenga is destined for a higher appointment at Chiwenga’s farewell party.

From the ZAPU side the only senior person who was not allocated a portfolio at the special congress is Defence, Security ad War Veterans Minister Kembo Mohadi, whose political future was on the line too just before the military intervention for being too close to Mnangagwa.-Insider

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has spoken on how he escaped “assassination” into neighbouring Mozambique. He said he walked on foot for over 30 kilometres until he eventually managed to head for South Africa. He thanked a certain Mr Maphosa, the man who drove him around by car from the moment he set foot into South Africa – VIDEO:

Analyst Chiwoniso Mpofu comments on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of The Nation address. FULL VIDEO:

The Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs, Abednico Ncube has warned of strong action against elements who are hindering Government programmes in his province.

Addressing heads of government departments and local authorities during a Matabeleland South Provincial Development Committee meeting on Monday, Ncube said the province was experiencing a lot of corruption especially from lands officers and Government officers that were allocating land illegally.

“There are cases like in Insiza District where people were being given land illegally until they became overcrowded. In Insiza we have a surplus of over 3 000 people that were not supposed to be settled there in the first place. When land is being allocated government officers are supposed to follow and adhere to the carrying capacity,” he said.

Ncube said police would be engaged to carry out investigations.

He also urged Government workers to provide effective service delivery to communities.

“I won’t say for now how we will deal with these corrupt officers but you will be informed in due course. Let’s work together as Government departments towards developing our province and let us leave political agendas or grudges out of our line of business. I expect each and every department to deliver as expected.

“To REA (Rural Electrification Agency) we expect rural communities to be electrified, to social welfare we expect food security, to the Department of Lands we expect order to be retained and people must be properly settled. Each department is aware of their line of duty and as Government we expect effective service delivery from you,” he said.

CNcube said the new Government was development oriented and as such departments that were lagging behind in providing services were expected to improve.

He said plans were underway to secure investors that would fund various development projects within the province. He said there was a need for irrigation schemes to be revived and new dams to be constructed while existing ones had to be repaired.

“We have a new political dispensation and under it Government workers are expected to deliver. Let us support our new President as he works towards improving and elevating this nation,” he said.- state media

State Media-Two Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement extension officers in the Midlands died on the spot when their motorbike was hit from behind by a speeding Nissan Navara on Monday evening, police have confirmed.

National traffic police spokesman Inspector Tigere Chigome said the accident occurred on Monday near Hunters Business Centre along the Gweru-Kwekwe Road. The deceased have been identified as Douglas Bikani (35) and his workmate Shillah Fari (33). Insp Chigome said the two were on duty.

“Two male and female adults employed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation (sic) were on duty driving towards Gweru from Kwekwe. Upon approaching the 243km peg, they were hit from behind by a Nissan Navara which was travelling in the same direction.

“The driver of the motorcycle lost control and it veered, killing the two on the spot,” he said.

He said the deceased were taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital for post-mortem. The police spokesman said the driver of the Nissan Navara was injured in the accident.- state media

By Paul Nyathi | First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has pledged to dedicate her life during her time as First Lady of Zimbabwe to improve the welfare of underprivileged children.

Speaking at a Christmas gathering with hundreds of orphaned children at Thembiso Children’s Home in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Mrs Mnangagwa said that she wants to dedicate her time to being the mother of all the vulnerable children in the country without discrimination.

Hundreds of children were drawn from various orphanages in Bulawayo for the Christmas time treat with the First Lady.

Mrs Mnangagwa called on all organisations taking care of orphans in the city to contact her through the Minister of State’s office and present how they would like to be assisted.

Several people who attended the ceremony showered the new first lady with praises for committing to concentrate on charity work and refrain from politics.

“Her humility and kindness reminded me of the late Sally Mugabe and I wish she can continue like this and not be like where we are coming from,” said a Mr Stanley Maphosa.

Mrs Mnangagwa is expected to take her visit to orphans and vulnerable children in Matabeleland North on Thursday before visiting Gwanda on Friday.

Terrence Mawawa, Gutu | In an incident that has shaken the Devure Community in Gutu District, a local man brutally murdered an elderly villager(96), after accusing him of possessing goblins.

The gruesome murder incident happened on December 16, according to the police.

Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesman Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the incident and said the suspect was arrested soon after the grisly act.

Inspector Mazula said the elderly man, Morgan Panganai was drinking beer with his cousin, Tavonga Masange when Sam Manomano confronted the nonagenarian and accused him of being a witch.

Manomano accused Panganai of possessing goblins.He hit Panganai with clenched fists on the neck and the elderly man bled profusely from the mouth.

“I can confirm that an elderly man, Morgan Panganai of Devure, Gutu died after being hit with clenched fists by one Sam Manomano.

Panganai died on December 17 at Gutu Mission Hospital.

Manomano is expected to appear in court facing murder charges soon,” said Inspector Mazula.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo | Masvingo State Minister Josaya Dunira Hungwe has raised concern that government officials are looting food aid and other donations meant for the socially disadvantaged.

Speaking in Masvingo yesterday Hungwe said fellow government officials were stealing donations thereby depriving the socially disadvantaged people of the right to access food aid.

“We are responsible for the looting of food aid meant for the socially disadvantaged.

Let us desist from such bad habits.The people are watching us so we have to be very careful.

Those who are stealing the donations are part of us so if you do not reprimand them, they will soil our image,” said Hungwe.

Hungwe also threatened to expose senior Zanu PF and government officials he claimed were abusing donations meant for the socially disadvantaged groups in the province.

“You are part of us and we know you.We will soon expose you,” said Hungwe.

Special Adviser to the president, Christopher Mutsvangwa, has unwittingly made a dramatic u-turn by dispelling his earlier statements that the army will be involved in the 2018 elections, a move which has earned him a fair share of criticism.

Mutsvangwa, who was in an apologetic mood, made the backtracking remarks while addressing journalists at his Munhumutapa offices in Harare today.

He claimed that comments attributed to him in one of the local daily newspapers were misinterpreted by the media.

“Contrary to reports that were attributed to me, that the army would ensure an electoral victory for ZanuPF, its a lie.

“I said there was a team which helped to undo the dynastic tendencies of Mugabe . Then I promised the president that we would deliver an election victory to him and that specifically excludes the army because the army had played a role in the ascendancy to power of the new president.

“The army is a professional entity which doesn’t get involved in election campaigns and i urge all journalists to report accurately,” said Mutsvangwa.

Mutsvangwa, during his address at the ZanuPF’S Extra Ordinary Congress held over the weekend, said the ruling party ,would win emphatically in next year’s elections with a bigger margin than the 1980 elections that Mugabe won resoundingly to end colonial rule.

“We will win resoundingly, better than the 1980 elections and we will mobilise heavily working with the ZDF,” he said.

The statement sparked outrage from the public as fears of the 2008 post election violence, perpetrated by the army, were resurrected.

During his address at the party’s Extra Ordinary Congress , President During his speech, Mnangagwa paid tribute to Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander General Constantino Chiwenga for leading Operation Restore Legacy.

All the provinces also endorsed the military action that brought Mnangagwa to power. Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda proposed the adoption of the provincial resolutions without amendments.

He was seconded by women’s league secretary for administration Monica Mutsvangwa and, therefore, adopted.- 263chat

Terrence Mawawa, Zaka | Nurses at a private clinic here are demanding bribes from patients who drive posh cars, leaving desperate villagers stranded in long and winding queues.

Sources at Dr M Mhangami Private Clinic at Jerera Growth Point in Zaka told ZimEye.com yesterday nurses at the institution were demanding bribes from top class clients, neglecting local villagers in the process.

Those who pay bribes will the be allowed to see the doctor.At the same time those who do not pay kickbacks are forced to spend several hours in meandering queues.

“We are not happy with what is happening at Dr M Mhangami Clinic at Jerera Growth Point.

We see some heavily built individuals jumping queues and the nurses allow them to see the doctor because they get kickbacks from them,” said a Jerera Resident.

“We only have two health centres at Jerera Growth Point and local villagers have to endure long hours in meandering queues.

Some villagers are dying in the queues and the nurses are not bothered by the plight of the suffering people.

They are only concerned about lining their pockets with cash,” said a disgruntled villager.

Nurses at the private clinic refused to comment on the matter.

Police have launched a manhunt for three knife and machete wielding robbers who attacked a Gwanda mine owner and escaped with $500.

“We are investigating a robbery case where a mine operator at Cobra Nine Mine which is at Bina Mine was robbed by three unidentified men who were armed with knives and machetes and they stole $500 from him. They confronted him under the pretext of doing business and then fled from the scene.

This incident occurred at the mine on Monday around 4AM.

“We have launched a manhunt for these culprits and we are appealing to anyone with information that could lead to their arrest to approach any police station near them,” he said.

Insp Ndebele also appealed to members of the public to be wary of people who approach them in the middle of the night under the pretext of doing business.

He also advised people not to resist robbers’ orders when being attacked as that could endanger their lives.

A source who preferred anonymity said Mr Shoniwa was manning the mine when the three men approached him “to negotiate a price” for gold ore.

“The men then produced knives and machetes and demanded cash from Mr Shoniwa. They tripped him to the ground and threatened to kill him if he didn’t comply.

“Mr Shoniwa out of fear handed over $500 to the robbers and pointed out that it was the only money he had on him. The robbers fled from the scene leaving Mr Shoniwa on the ground. He sustained minor bruises from the attack and rushed to alert his work mates,” he said.- state media

Joice Mujuru’s opposition party has split into two groups, the ex-vice president-led National People’s Party (NPP) and the National People’s Party Democrats (NPPD).

This comes as the NPP has been rocked by a spate of desertions, with many accusing Mujuru of being captured by a small cabal seeking to push their factional agendas.

The Daily News heard that meetings have been extremely fractious, with much violent argument, barracking and interminable hair-splitting as every tiny point is dissected and analysed.

The disgruntled party members first wrote a letter to Mujuru last week, seeking her redress to their concerns, but claim that she did not take heed of the early warnings.

“Following the refusal by the NPP president to address our concerns as outlined in our petition on outstanding grievances of 12/12/2017 addressed to ..Mujuru, we, the aggrieved members of the party do hereby denounce the NPP top five leadership consisting: the president …Mujuru, the vice president John Mvundura, the vice president, Sam Sipepa Nkomo, the national secretary-general Gift Nyandoro, the national chairperson Dzikamai Mavhaire,” the splinter group said in a statement yesterday.

The breakaway party comprises the party’s national youth chair Lloyd Masiya, deputy national organising secretary Susan Chuma, secretary-general Diaspora constituency Beulah Chavarika and secretary for Education Enock Mapanje.

According to the group, the five top leaders have presided over the death of democracy and constitutionalism in the NPP and have “captured” Mujuru to an extent that she is subverting the will of the membership.

“This continued lack of commitment to democracy made us realise that a dead horse cannot be whipped into line and no modern technology can revive it. Consequently, we have rebranded into a powerful and vigorous grouping of serious national democrats under the
banner of NPPD.

“Engagements are ongoing with like-minded individuals and entities, and our door is open to all progressive partners who are genuinely committed to our cause which remains to free Zimbabwe from the shackles of dictatorship and transform it into a functional democracy which practices constitutionalism.

“We urge and advise all serious people to join us in our quest for the true liberation of our great nation and beloved people,” the group said.

Efforts to get a comment from the NPP leadership could not yield results yesterday.
As the party continues to disintegrate, NPP’s provincial treasurer Canaan Matiashe, organising secretary, Albert Mukaratirwa, secretary for Information and publicity Norman Mbizi and provincial chairperson Garikai Dzimunya, also tendered their resignation letters on Monday.

“Following the recent provincial executive meeting and management committee meetings (held on December 16th 2017), the entire episode made me feel NPP as an organisation needs to move and progress.

“Thus, I am stepping down as the provincial chairperson for Manicaland. After joining the party at its inception in Mashonaland Central when it was still ZimPF, and later opting to work from my home province, I went on to put everything to the advancement and growth of the party I love so much,” Dzimunya said in his resignation letter.

The current resignations are taking place at a time the party has also been hit by mass defections, with some joining Zanu PF and the MDC.

Mukaratirwa also said that it was in the best interest of the party for him to resign.
“I, as a person believe in things that are done openly and in good faith. This I failed to get in our beloved party NPP.

“Gossiping and back biting had been the order of the day. More so this, happening in the upper echelons of leadership,” Mukaratirwa said. Daily News

The good cheer that normally comes with the festive season risks being dampened by shortages of beer and soft drinks because of serious constraints in the supply chain.

Due to acute foreign currency deficiencies gripping the country’s economy, Zimbabwe’s largest beverages manufacturer, Delta Corporation Limited, is struggling to source raw materials and spares to meet resurgent demand for their products, thus giving rise to the impending shortages.

Formed way back in 1898, Delta is a dominant player in the beverages sector, with interests also in the agro-industry.

Its beverage business manufactures and distributes lager beer, traditional sorghum beer and sparkling soft drinks.

Delta’s company secretary, Alex Makamure, said the foreign currency situation needs to be urgently addressed to avoid a crippling shortage of soft drinks and beer amid surging demand associated with the festive season when consumption of those products peaks.

“The group has a significant backlog of foreign payments, which has resulted in suppliers limiting the supply of key raw materials and spares. This is likely to impact our ability to fully service the market, particularly early in the 2018 calendar year,” he said.

Makamure said the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed concern remained hopeful that it will be allocated reasonable amounts of foreign currency in the coming weeks before the situation deteriorates any further.

He said the group has witnessed a significant surge in the demand of lager beer since last month, well beyond the normal festive season increases.

“We have largely been able to meet the overall demand albeit with some mismatches in brands and packs. We are confident that we will meet the demand in the remaining days leading to the Christmas and New Year holidays,” said Makamure.

The widening shortages of popular beer and soft drinks’ brands cast a dark shadow on the festive season.

A survey by the Daily News revealed that some imported beers favoured by many consumers such as lagers Heineken, Guinness and Miller have long disappeared from the retail outlets because suppliers are starved of foreign currency required to bring them into the country.

Apart from imported beer, soft drinks which are locally manufactured are being intermittently supplied as the beverages giant struggles to fully-service the market.

Some of the raw materials used in the production of beer and soft drinks that are currently in short supply include malt, brewer’s yeast, probiotic bacteria, carbon dioxide and preservatives.

What has not helped matters are the frequent machinery breakdowns that have had a negative effect on beverage production.

Delta experienced prolonged breakdown of its PET plant at Bon Accord in Bulawayo partly due to the unstable power grid in the industrial areas supplied by the Mpopoma substation and longer lead times in getting imported spares.

PET is the synonym for polyethylene terephthalate. Bottles made of PET can be recycled to reuse the material out of which they are made and to reduce the amount of waste going into landfills.

“We have a backlog in servicing our accounts with key foreign suppliers,” said Makamure.

“We would traditionally import some canned beverages to cover the gap between our production capacity and the increased demand during the Christmas period. This is not possible due to the current foreign currency shortages. We hope this will be mitigated through the increased supply of alternative packs such as PET and returnable glass,” he added.

It is not just beer and soft drinks in short supply.

Consumers are also feeling the full effects of Avian Bird flu, which severely affected the production of chicken and eggs at the country’s major breeder, Irvine’s.

Currently, Irvine’s is importing eggs for its hatcheries to fully service the day old chicks’ market.

In the meantime, there are widespread shortages of eggs and chicken.

This comes at a time when government has ordered the reversal of the price increase on bread to avoid social unrest and keep the product within the consumer’s reach.

Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development minister Mike Bimha has also directed the National Competitiveness Commission to investigate the entire value chain in a desperate bid to address the challenges facing the baking industry.

Analysts fear that Bimha’s directive may result in bread disappearing from the formal market into the black market where it will be available at exorbitant prices.

The price increases have largely been caused by the foreign currency shortages, which have forced companies to source expensive foreign currency on the parallel market to meet their import requirements.

There have been challenges in accessing foreign currency from the central bank because of the serious mismatch between imports and exports.

The country has not been producing enough for the export market to be able to generate sufficient foreign currency required to pay for its imports.

Under the circumstances, companies wishing to import raw materials or finished products either will have to wait for the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to have enough foreign currency, which could take several months, or resort to the black market where they are charged high premiums.

Resultantly, prices of most basic commodities have rocketed as retailers pass onto the consumer the extra costs.

In September panicking citizens stampeded to hoard basic consumer goods when they were alarmed by worsening foreign currency shortages and the resurfacing of long fuel queues at most garages. – Daily News

Hon. MP. Advocate Nelson Chamisa and Advocate Tendai Biti | 1.We wish to acknowledge the interest generated by the trip to the US and that it is fundamental that there be adequate communication to clear the myths. The MDC understands the importance of accountability, which is a key pillar of good governance, public duty and people-centred leadership. The purpose of this briefing is to account to the people.

2.It is exactly 6 weeks into this regime, the situation has not significantly changed and will require all hands to develop and usher a new value driven, democratic developmental state. Correction of past wrongs, violations and failures should not be selective but comprehensive. In our view, economic reforms without political reforms are an unsustainable deception;

3.Next year in 2018, Zimbabwe goes into a watershed election through which the country should poise itself for growth, progress and development. Following the ouster last month of the big man, a strongman who had misgoverned the country for 37 years, all patriotic Zimbabweans know that we must leave no stone unturned in giving the citizens of our beloved country a reason to hope.

4.The much needed hope and national prosperity can only be assured through a return to legitimacy and people’s will underwritten by SADC, Africa and the world. It is against this background that President Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC Alliance presidential candidate, dispatched us into Africa, Europe and the United States on a global campaign for free, fair and credible elections. That was the essence of our mission and it is regrettable that some among us fell for the cheap ruse that we had gone around calling for sanctions against this country.

5.Every Zimbabwean knows our record in patriotism and national duty. Our trip was about, strategic reengagement for reconstruction and economic recovery, opposition repositioning and a call for a return to legitimacy through free, fair and credible elections. This is the only sure route to have all undesirable restrictive measures and other encumbrances against this country jettisoned and lifted. Zimbabwe cannot continue to be a pariah state or banana republic. Our nation needs to immediately be back into the glorious family of nations as a people-centered, prosperous and progressive developmental country.

6.We mean business. We stand strong. We are serious about forming and being the next government in the next few months. Central to the purpose of our trip, if we are to be the new government we must prepare. Being the new and next government we can’t call for sanctions against our government. Strategic reengagement at party and country level is key. The “Mugabe must go” mantra requires we reposition and reframe our message. Reengagement is a Long process. We saw it in the inclusive government. We must start now. We need $15bn for reconstruction

7.Put simply, we were on a patriotic duty to ensure that Zimbabwe gets back into business again, (a back to business mode) (a back in the game approach) particularly if we are able to bring back African and international confidence by running a truly credible election next year.

8.During this trip, we met business and political leaders in Africa and beyond. We made presentations to various bodies, including the US Foreign Relations Committee, exhorting them to assist this country in its return to legitimacy which is the only way we can unlock the political and economic handcuffs currently arresting the nation.

9.Zimbabweans know that this country needs to start afresh. We need international goodwill. We need massive capital injection but above all, we need international confidence; which confidence can only come with the installation of a legitimate regime in Harare through credible elections. Last month’s developments must be seen as the first step towards a long journey to legitimacy, which must culminate in clean elections and a truly people’s government next year.

10.The new administration in Harare has said the right words at times. They have promised a new start and a new era for the country. Above all, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promised free and fair elections but what has been missing is a proper roadmap to that election; the timelines and the implementation of key reforms, including the return of our soldiers to the barracks in line with the dictates of the Constitution. That is the area where we need the support of SADC, the AU and the broader international community— all of whom we have engaged and will continue to engage without fear or favour.

11.Moreover, the signs and noises coming from the current regime in the past week have confirmed our skepticism about the new regime in Harare especially the words of presidential advisor Chris Mutsvangwa who said last week that Zanu PF will be working with the army to ensure victory in the next elections. This is in flagrant violation of our Constitution and it is such noises that vindicate the chastity of our mission to Africa and the broader international community that indeed we need everyone’s support in our pursuit of credible elections in Zimbabwe.

12.The struggle for a democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe is a long and winding one. History did not begin or end in November 2017. The MDC has continued on the path it has been following since 1999 and while we acknowledge the changes that have happened in the national leadership they inevitably remain changes in a political party. This must not sway us from the path of democracy.

13.We were all united and in agreement that Mugabe had to go and we will never regret the position we took because it has always been our position. We welcome those who joined us in November after they finally saw the light. However we were not blind to the fact that the removal of Mugabe did not mean the removal of Mugabeism and the totality of the system that he had created. Thus in all this we knew that after waking up the day after Mugabe’s departure we still had lots of work to do. This is the work that we continue doing, engaging Zimbabweans, our regional and international allies.

14.We are happy the soldiers have returned to the barracks. We are happy to see that even they now agree with us, now that the command element has announced the same. We must now proceed with Operation Restore Legitimacy because that is the core of next year’s elections.

15.Our great motivation is that Zimbabwe must have legitimacy because the lack of it among fellow members of the community of nations has been a burden on our economy. It is because of a lack of legitimacy that some countries continue to impose measures upon us. As a nation we have the power to get these measures removed and all we have to do is to do things the right way. We must hold free, fair and credible elections. How will they stand on hilltops telling us what to do if we hold free, fair and credible elections? This is what we seek. Our engagements are aimed at ensuring that we hold free, fair and credible elections.

16.We know that many Zimbabweans are very hopeful. We all want economic liberation. We also want democracy. However, our hopes must be based on firm foundations, not false premises. As your leadership, we believe it is important to lay down these foundations. We cannot allow ourselves to be swayed by the prevailing winds at any given time. If it happens we must quickly find ourselves. In this case our hope as a nation must be firmly founded on democratic values and principles; on strong economic ideas and honest relations with others.

17.We went to the US as part of our engagements towards fulfilling these goals. Contrary to propaganda and misinterpretations we did not go to America to call for any measures. We have no control over American policy. If anything we asked the Americans to continue with the humanitarian support they have been giving to Zimbabweans. It is our wish to see our people thriving not starving. We understand the need for external help where we are struggling. However, we will continue to be charity cases unless we do the right things by ourselves. We also need to show our commitment by demonstrating electoral reforms that will help us have free fair and credible elections. If we do that, these countries that have measures against us will have no leg to stand on. The power is in our hands. Let’s collectively and together shame all who wish us ill.

18. Our great hope is that the government will understand this cardinal rule that for us to advance as a nation we must have sound policies and a free fair and credible election. Our view is that whoever succeeds between our parties must proceed on a foundation of legitimacy. That is what will emancipate our economy from the present shackles. This is why we seek to work together in order to implement the necessary reforms. If they are receptive this would be great news to Zimbabweans. To this end we urge them to retract or castigate statements made by some among their number to the effect of military involvement in the 2018 elections campaign. They create the wrong impression and spoil the name of the nation at a time when so many Zimbabweans have hope for a better and cleaner future.

19. It is urgent that we transit towards the restoration to legitimacy constitutionalism and the rule of law.

This roadmap must have the following benchmarks

1) The implementation and executing electoral reforms that including

2) (a) credible BVR in respect of which all political parties sign on to, the introduction)

(b) The introduction of the diaspora vote

(c) The presence of international monitors and observers at least six months before the election
(d) The establishment of an enabling environment without violence,   fear and coercion

(e) Electoral and other legislative reforms including the repeal of POSA and AIPPA

(f) Comprehensive media reforms including equal access to the public media and the granting of broadcasting licences.

(g) A special role of the UN in view of past contested elections

All the above must be guaranteed and underwritten by the international community including SADC, the AU and the UN.

We must collectively deal with the political and economic hygiene issues.

Issues that still need to be addressed by the current government, opposition political parties and the generality of Zimbabweans are:

• Having a clear roadmap to credible, free and fair elections
• How to develop and implement a shared national vision which is inclusive, promotes tolerance, encourages investment, and safeguards property rights, address past violence, reconciliation,
• How to develop a plan of action that address the 3 wicked problems of inequality, poverty and unemployment is still missing
• How to restore confidence in our economy, for investors, for foreign direct investments and not mortgage our future, our children’s inheritance in debt
• How to restore constitutional legitimacy, the return of soldiers to the barracks is a first step, which should be celebrated, but this is not the end, civilian processes and institutions should be allowed to function with fear, bias or favour.
• How to regain standing in international community should be equally grounded in internal reforms that remove justification for continued isolation of Zimbabwe for her peers.

Key spaces need to be made national not partisan,

1. Traditional leaders, our police and army (these are representatives of the people and not the party)

2. Public media should give unequal space and coverage to all voices and all parties;

3. The governing party should not abuse state resources

Contrary to Zanu PF peddled misinformation, our message in the US was very clear. Zimbabwe needs to be engaged and not isolated. More precisely, the new authorities need to be engaged particularly on the difficult issues affecting our country t avoid lip stick temporary solutions.

We are patriotic citizens.
We are democrats.

We owe no one an apology for our global campaign for re-engagement and for the return to legitimacy through the holding of free and fair elections whose mission and agenda some have deliberately chosen to misrepresent for selfish political capital.

Our record however speaks for itself, we have served our country to the best of our abilities and we have always put our people first.

For us to move without the fear of regression we need to address the following:

1. Resolution of the Political Crisis, through the holding of a proper election with observers allowed in the country three months before the election with unfettered access to the different parts in the country. We view this as a proper path to rebuilding the social contract.

2.Creation of an inclusive growing economy, deal with macroeconomic stability and in the long term ensure growth, we in the MDC Alliance will create a hundred billion dollar economy within 15 years with the economy growing at an average of 7 percent.

3.Attracting FDI, our team will create a conducive environment including the total repealing of the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act, the respect of property rights, the rule of law and constitutionalism.

4.Change the country’s accumulation model, the state must shift from the current extraction model which places our dealings at the lowest level of global commodity circuits.

5.Financial Sector Stability and Liquidity, as we stated in our critique of Chinamasa’s budget there is urgent need to demonetise the bond note, joining the Rand Monetary Union in the medium term and ring fencing of the US dollar balances to avoid a further loss of value in the accounts of the Zimbabwean people.

6.Expenditure retrenchment, a phased ejection of ghost workers over a period of three years so as to rationalise the public sector wage bill and reform of all State Owned Enterprises.

7.Monetising Democracy, all the Chapter 13 institutions must be strengthened and the implementation of devolution of power must be urgent to ensure even development with decision making vested in decentralised tiers and spheres. The talk by Chinamasa of trying to do away with devolution will further divide our people and polarise our society.

8.International Relations, International Re-Engagement, end isolation of the nation, deal with the debt question and negotiate a martial plan aimed at reconstruction.

9.Putting an end to the land question, stop new farm invasions, deal with security of tenure to ensure that new farmers have both use and exchange value and institute a land audit meant to weed out multiple farm ownerships as well as rationalise the ownership of idle farms.

10.Dealing with the past, we need full enquiries into past political violence including Gukurahundi, we also need to have missing people accounted for including Itai Dzamara. The approach being advocated by Mutsvangwa of sweeping stuff under the carpet did not work under Mugabe repeating the same mistake is folly of the highest order. A full judicial inquiry into the disappearance of the Marange diamonds must also be opened.

Lastly, we want to assure the people of Zimbabwe that as an Alliance, we will continue our international advocacy for free and fair elections next year. As a nation, we have waited too long on the lay by of democracy and we cannot afford to miss the opportunity provided by next year’s elections to poise this country for growth, prosperity and development.

We wish to state that we are heartened by the receptive ear granted to us by our brothers and sisters in Africa and beyond during our recent trip.

Yes, Mugabe may be gone but our national challenges are far much greater than the removal of one person. As Zimbabweans, we need jobs, a stable economy and an accountable people’s government with love and care. We need truly national institutions chlorinated from partisan infections and interference. We need a government that tells the truth and gives people hope.

We need growth, prosperity, development and happiness of the people of this land. Above all else, we need a government installed through the sovereign will of the people of Zimbabwe and that can only happen through a credible election. That process towards a full return to legitimacy needs African and broader international support and that was the basis of our mission.

Zimbabweans certainly deserve better and soon, we will be intensifying our engagement in that regard.

God bless Zimbabwe
Hon. MP. Advocate Nelson Chamisa and Advocate Tendai Biti

Ray Nkosi | President Emmerson Mnangagwa in his State Of The Nation (SONA) address has warned that there will be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption.

The warning comes as Zimbabweans are putting the President under more and more pressure to deal with the “criminals around him” and those who were not netted in during “Operation Restore legacy” under which a number of G-40 members were arrested for corruption.

Said Mnangagwa: “The goal of my gvt is to build a new Zimbabwe based on transparency, accountability and hardwork ‘every case of corruption shld investigated there shld be no sacred cows”

Seven months after she was reportedly forced by police officers to sit on an acidic substance, burning her backside in the process, 30-year-old Victoria Falls resident Zibusiso Moyo is still battling for her life and says she has lost hope of completely healing as the wound has remained septic.

Moyo was allegedly picked up from the streets sometime in June this year and tortured by police officers who accused her of loitering for purposes of prostitution.

She claimed was made to sit on a caustic soda-covered van surface where she suffered severe burns on her backside and private parts, resulting in a miscarriage and haemorrhage that medical doctors are reportedly failing to stop.

Moyo said her gaping wounds had not responded well to treatment and she had been advised to seek specialist treatment in South Africa, which she said was beyond her means.

“The doctors told me to stop taking the antibiotics because they are no longer working on me,” she said when Southern Eye visited her at home.

“My skin is always reacting and the rash becomes itchy whenever I am exposed to the sun or when I take medication.

“I wish God could take away this pain from me by letting me die because I am now like a moving grave.”

Victoria Falls district medical officer Wisdom Kurauone, in a referral letter for Moyo, said the chemical was still in her system and her condition was deteriorating.

He said she needed urgent specialist treatment, possibly in South Africa. Moyo, a mother of one, can hardly walk and has difficulties sitting. She has drastically lost weight.

She also lost her job in South Africa.

She said she felt hurt because the police officers who forced her to sit on the caustic soda had not been charged.

Officer Commanding Victoria Falls district Chief Superintendent Jairos Chiwona refused to be drawn into the matter, arguing that the police had no hand in her injury and that the matter was before the courts.

Police have not revealed where the caustic soda came from, but sources say that they picked it up along Kazungula Road after it was allegedly dumped by suspected poachers.

Meanwhile, Moyo who was being tried at the Victoria Falls Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting and insulting the police officers who forced her to sit on the acidic substance, was yesterday acquitted on both counts due to lack of evidence.

She was represented by human rights lawyer Thulani Nkala.- Newsday

Meat traders have refused to reverse the 30-50% hike they introduced on all meat products this year, saying the increments were necessitated by the high costs they were incurring along the value chain.

Yesterday, government failed to break the impasse, as stakeholders vowed to keep the prices up pending a second meeting to be held today with the National Competitiveness Commission.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Sifelani Jabangwe who chaired the meeting confirmed the stalemate.
“As of today (yesterday), there is nothing yet that has been done because we saw this as a more complicated problem than even the bread one that we were facing, so this one is a bit more complicated but it can be resolved,” he said.

“It (price increments) has been specifically to deal with mark-ups as all of them (meat players) are trying to hedge the challenges that they are facing but what has happened is that no one is benefiting, as consumers are not buying.

“It is the costs and the coordination which is the thing about a value chain. Sometimes, if the players do not collaborate and act individually, they can actually do it to the detriment of the entire chain and this is what we have having.”

Currently, meat players are charging between 30% and 40% mark-ups on meat which is up from a previous of 10 to 15% mark up on meat prices.

According to one of poultry players present at the discussions, who did not want to be named, beef meat has gone up due to increased demand, as chicken supply is still low on the back of the avian bird flu from October this year.
The reason for the price hike of chicken meat was due to a shortage of foreign currency required to import stockfeed.

Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) executive director Rose Siyachitema said they where receiving complaints that the price of beef, chicken, pork, and fish were now almost the same.

“What we understand from the public was that between those four products they used to be able to say ‘I will not eat beef, I will eat the other products because those alternatives are cheaper’. Now, beef and pork prices per kilogramme are nearly the same and kapenta is nearly the same as beef, so for us that is a challenge where all those products could have a similar price,” she said.

On Monday, government ordered players in the baking industry to reverse the 10% bread price hike introduced at the weekend.- Newsday

A Plumtree man who was caught raping a 14 –year-old girl was tied with a rope by the juvenile’s father who paraded him in the village before handing him over to the police.

This came out when Washington Sibanda (20) of Ndiweni village in Bhagani area under Chief Mpini appeared before Plumtree resident magistrate, Mr Taurai Manwere, facing rape charges.

Sibanda was also advised to apply to the High Court for bail.

“I didn’t rape her; we had made arrangements that we engage in sexual intercourse as she was my girlfriend,” he said.

The girl, who was in Form One this year and cannot be named for ethical reasons, admitted in a statement that she was in a relationship with Sibanda.

She however, denied having consented to be intimate with him.

“He proposed love to me and I agreed. We came to our house and got into my room. He sat at the edge of the bed and called my name and I answered him. He then got into my blankets and removed his clothes and had sexual intercourse with me once and gave me a packet of biscuits before he went away. On the day in question he came and was apprehended by my father who had heard him getting into my room,” she said.

The prosecutor, Mr Rose Sibanda, told the court that sometime in November, Sibanda went to the girl’s homestead during the night and entered her room through an unlocked door.

While inside the accused allegedly sneaked into her blankets and raped her once. After allegedly raping her, he gave her a packet of biscuits and went away.

On Friday last week at around midnight, Sibanda went back to the girl’s homestead and raped her again.

He was apprehended while still in the act by the girl’s father who had heard his foot-steps as he walked to his daughter’s bedroom.

Sibanda was tied with a rope on both hands and legs until sunrise when he was paraded in the village.

He was later handed over to the police.- state media

A suspected Mwenezi illegal fuel dealer accidentally burnt his two -year-old son to death when his hut caught fire from petrol he was pouring into a container near a lit candle.

Ivy Chademba of Flora Range Village 4 was burnt to ashes after his father Mr Gift Chademba failed to rescue him from the flames.

Mr Chademba escaped with his wife.

Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula said the incident occurred on Sunday at around 8 PM.

She said the boy’s remains were taken to Neshuro District Hospital for post-mortem.

“I have received a report of sudden death involving a two-year-old Mwenezi boy in an inferno. The father who we suspect is an illegal fuel dealer was pouring petrol from one container into another next to a naked flame of a candle,” said Insp Mazula.

“The two parents rescued themselves while leaving their son at the mercy of the inferno and he was burnt to ashes. The whole thatched bedroom hut was engulfed in fire and all the property inside was destroyed,” she said.

Insp Mazula advised members of the public against storing fuel at their homes, saying it is “a cocktail for disaster.”

She said only licensed dealers are allowed to deal in fuel, from safe storages, far from the reach of children.

In September, a parent allegedly burnt a fellow parent’s Mercedes Benz vehicle while braaing on a gas stove at Riverton Academy in Masvingo during a school prize giving function.- state media

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is today set to deliver his inaugural State of the Nation Address (SONA) to a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate, where he will give his reflection on the country’s performance for the year. The announcement was made yesterday by Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda, while addressing legislators in the Chamber.

“I wish to inform the House that His Excellency the President Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa will tomorrow, Wednesday 20 December 2017, deliver a State of the Nation Address to a joint sitting of Senate and National Assembly at the Harare International Conference Centre at 1430hours in the afternoon,” said Adv Mudenda.

Adv Mudenda rapped Kuwadzana East Member of Parliament Advocate Nelson Chamisa (MDC-T) for mixing issues after the backbencher asked if they will be given an opportunity to ask the Head of State and Government questions. Adv Mudenda said while the Constitution stipulated that the President might attend Parliament to respond to questions, the issue at hand, that of SONA, was provided for under a different section of the Constitution.

In a related matter, Adv Mudenda said the President was empowered to deploy members of the security forces, in particular the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF). He said this while responding to an issue that had been raised by Mutare Central MP Mr Innocent Gonese (MDC-T) early this month, asking about the presence of soldiers, who were assisting police in the maintenance of law and order during Operation Restore Legacy.

Adv Mudenda read out a response that had been made by the Minister of Defence, Security and War Veterans Cde Kembo Mohadi, who said members of the ZDF might be deployed in the country in terms of Section 213 of the Constitution

Section 213 (2) reads: “With the authority of the President, the Defence Forces may be deployed in Zimbabwe – (a) in defence of Zimbabwe; (b) in support of the Police Service in the maintenance of public order; or (c) in support of the Police Service and other civilian authorities in the event of an emergency or disaster.”

Meanwhile, Adv Mudenda had the House in stitches when he concurred with Musikavanhu MP Mr Prosper Mutseyami (MDC-T), that there was need to capacitate Parliament’s health centre on stress management given events unfolding, where some ministers and deputy ministers were losing their jobs as Government realigned its structures. Mr Mutseyami had said several ex-ministers were finding it difficult to adjust to their new life as backbenchers, hence the need to administer counselling services.

Adv Mudenda said he has a cousin relative who was going through serious depression after he lost a ministerial post due to the re-alignment of Government ministries as President Mnangagwa announced a leaner Cabinet. He did not, however, name the affected former minister. Adv Mudenda also announced that the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders had appointed new chairpersons of portfolio committees to match the new Government structure. This saw some chairpersons being dropped.

Notable changes include that of Gokwe-Nembudziya MP Cde Justice Mayor Wadyajena, who is now chairing the committee on Lands, Agriculture and Resettlement, replacing Muzarabani South MP Cde Christopher Chitindi. Cde Chitindi will now chair the committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development, replacing Chegutu West MP Cde Dexter Nduna, who has been dropped.

Norton MP Mr Temba Mliswa will now chair the Mines and Energy committee, replacing Masvingo Urban MP Dr Daniel Shumba, who has also been dropped. Other changes were meant to replace ministers who had been elevated, while others were retained.- state media

Terrence Mawawa | An official in the Morgan Tsvangirai led MDC has said the opposition party will not apologise to anyone for sending emissaries to the United States of America to present the current state of affairs in the country.

Responding to a barrage of attacks from progovernment elements, MDC Director of Information and Public and presidential spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka said there was no need to apologise for the USA trip to anyone.

In a comment he posted on Facebook on Friday, Tamborinyoka said the MDC would not be deterred by unruly elements bent on frustrating democratic processes.

“We owe no one an apology for a global campaign for a return to legitimacy through free, fair and credible elections,” said Tamborinyoka.

Last week President Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s advisor, Chris Mutsvangwa went ballistic as he attacked Tsvangirai accusing him of setting untenable conditions for the formation of the much anticipated transitional authority.

MDC Supporters immediately threw their weight behind Tsvangirai for refusing to be used by Zanu PF to authenticate the system.

Tsvangirai is expected to speak on the current political developments in the country after returning from South Africa where he had gone for treatment.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo | Two women collapsed in the wake of the simmering heat of the sun as they waited for cash in a long and winding bank queue.

Ironically the two women collapsed simultaneously as they waited for patiently to withdraw cash from the Automated Teller Machine(ATM) at FBC Bank.

Bank officials confirmed that the two women collapsed as a result of the sweltering heat of the sun.

The two women were rushed to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for medical attention.

“Two women collapsed while in a bank queue today.However we do not have information on what actually happened,” said an official at the bank.

The Emmerson Mnangagwa led government is under immense pressure to solve the cash crisis in the country.

Last week Finance and Economic Development Minister, Patrick Chinamasa said the government was making frantic efforts to combat the cash woes in the country.
Nurses Demand Bribes As Villagers Battle For Survival In Hospital Queues

President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa became a teetotaller during the liberation struggle in Mozambique after he witnessed fellow comrades die of excessive alcohol consumption. The President revealed this in July, 2015 when he was Vice President during his official visit to China while touring beer manufacturing giant Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd, in Qingdao Shandong province.

After he was taken through the production lines of the brewing company, Mnangagwa was invited to sample some of the company’s beer brands. But after making a toast, he smiled and kept holding his beer mug, much to the amusement of the hosts and his delegation, who expected him to take a sip. Other members of his delegation, including the Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr Mike Bimha, quickly emptied their mugs.

Mnangagwa then explained: “Let me tell you something. I used to drink alcohol a lot during the liberation struggle but abstained after we lost some of our finest men not because of bullets or bombs from the enemy, but due to excessive consumption of alcohol.

“We then sat down as commanders and said can we allow this to continue? Can we continue to lose our men to alcohol? Since that time I have never taken alcohol,’’ he said.

Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited is China’s second largest brewery and it’s subsidiaries across that country are involved in the production, distribution, wholesale, and retail sale of beer products. The company also exports to over 80 countries.- Manica Post

Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe has had his travel and security expenses drastically cut but has been allowed to keep the presidential limo and a wing in State House, a newspaper reports.

Mugabe, who was persuaded to resign last month after a military takeover, has been able to keep his bullet-proof black Mercedes limousine, says the Zimbabwe Independent.

But now the limo is registered with an ordinary yellow number plate – and not the infamous white “Zim 1” plate it used to carry.

Meantime the Zimbabwe Independent says Mugabe travelled to Singapore last week with a drastically-reduced entourage. His wife Grace still insisted on keeping half a dozen bodyguards.

“Mugabe had to compromise by allowing a smaller contingent as well as a smaller security team so that Grace could be allowed to travel with a six-member security team for herself,” a government source told the paper.

“In the past he would have taken over 80 people,” the source added.

Mugabe is understood to have some international travel expenses included in his retirement package. But his foreign trips are likely to be severely curtailed. The Zimbabwe Independent said the former president spent more than $32 million on foreign travel between January and September this year.

Zimbabwe’s new president Emmerson Mnangagwa has shown signs of wanting to cut costs like these. Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa allocated just $17 million to Mnangagwa and his cabinet for foreign travel in the 2018 budget.

Security at the Mugabe’s Blue Roof mansion in northern Harare – where the Mugabes were held under house arrest during last month’s military takeover – has now been cut from 85 guards to 20, the Independent said.

Mnangagwa, who was on Friday confirmed as Zanu-PF’s only presidential candidate in 2018 elections, has allocated Mugabe a wing of State House as his personal space in case he wants to entertain official visitors during his retirement.

“He also has a library space that he may choose to use.*Mnangagwa wants Mugabe to be as comfortable as possible during his retirement*, the source told the paper. The new government has been at pains to emphasise that what happened in Zimbabwe was not a coup.- News24

The Justice ministry yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) to translate the national Constitution into all 16 official languages.

The country’s new Constitution – which came into force in 2013 – is currently in English, and only provides abridged versions in only eight vernacular languages.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the New Government Complex, Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi described the MoU as historic and a necessity.

“Government is obligated in terms of Section 7 of the Constitution to promote public awareness of the Constitution by, inter alia, translating it into all officially recognised languages and disseminating as widely as possible.

“It is in accordance with this constitutional directive that government has embarked on a number of programmes and projects to ensure that the majority of our citizens are aware of the provisions of our Constitution,” Ziyambi said.

The initial phase of translation is going to be carried out on four vernacular languages — Shona, Ndebele, Kalanga and Tonga — in an exercise that is expected to be completed in the next three to four months.

The process will involve top jurists and linguists and other independent parties.

ZCBC representative father Fraderick Chiromba said: “This work of translating the Constitution has also made us to have a better understanding of the Constitution itself.

“We thank the government for the opportunity to translate the Constitution. It also helps the people not to just have the understanding of the Constitution but to own it as well.- Daily News

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai is expected home this week from South Africa, where he is receiving medical treatment, his spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka has revealed.

“He is fine,” Tamborinyoka said, adding: “He will definitely come back home this week.”

Tsvangirai last year disclosed that he has cancer of the colon and had been frequenting neighbouring South Africa for treatment, amid calls back home that he should relinquish power to one of his deputies due to ill health.

Some members in his party were reportedly burning the midnight oil mobilising party structures to call for a special congress to recall him as leader.

Tsvangirai was in South Africa when the military launched Operation Restore Legacy that saw former President Robert Mugabe resign under pressure to give way to his ex-deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Tsvangirai returned to Zimbabwe briefly reportedly “to negotiate a transitional government with Mnangagwa”, but returned to his hospital bed in South Africa after Mugabe’s former deputy named his Cabinet that excluded opposition parties.

Mnangagwa’s special adviser Christopher Mutsvangwa accused Tsvangirai of making outrageous demands for him to be part of a transitional arrangement, but Tamborinyoka rubbished the claims, saying his boss never went into negotiations with the President.- Newsday

For the first time in eight years, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) interviewed veteran sungura musician Hosiah Chipanga signalling an end to the ban they imposed on the controversial artiste in 2009.

In a report headlined “Chipanga’s new album set to be a record breaker,” ZBC all but confirmed that the Mutare-based artiste was now back in their good books.

The report, whose unusual complimentary tone took the Ndafunga Zano singer and his fans by surprise, stated:

“Chipanga also said his forthcoming album titled Gumi Remitemo YaMwari Yakazara (The 10 commandments of God) and will be a hard-hitting social commentary, is expected to hit the airwaves soon.

“For now Chipanga said despite having fallen on hard times, his latest offering will show that he is not a spent force as he is still crafting lyrics that are being described by many as par excellence.”

In an interview with the Daily News yesterday, Chipanga conceded that the ZBC interview came as a “pleasant surprise.”

“I was equally surprised to see ZBC reporters coming for an interview. It is a positive development in my music career to be back on national television after such a long blackout. I hope they will go on to play my music again,” the Kwachu Kwachu singer said.

He added that he has been encouraged by recent political developments which propelled Emmerson Mnangagwa to the presidency.

“Mnangagwa is trying his best to correct his predecessor’s mistakes just like what the biblical Joshua did after Moses,” he said.

Efforts to obtain an official comment from the State broadcaster were fruitless.

Firstme Vhitori, who is in the public relations department, referred the Daily News to her boss who repeatedly did not answer his phone.

The new ZBC stance runs contrary to their 2009 position when they banned Chipanga’s album Hero Shoko because of its “provocative political statements.”

In a letter written by then ZBC secretary Norman Mahori to Chipanga’s lawyers, Gutu and Chikowero Attorneys, the national broadcaster confirmed the ban of the controversial artiste:

“After listening to the six tracks on Hero Shoko we are of the view that some of the tracks contain provocative political statements which we feel is out of place especially during this time of the infancy of the inclusive government.

“As a public broadcaster, it is our duty to promote harmony in society. We will accord airplay to those tracks which we found to be in order,” said the ZBC official.-Daily News