Zanu-PF has strongly condemned the violence perpetrated on National People’s Party leader Dr Joice Mujuru and members of her party by unknown assailants in Glen Norah, Harare, on Thursday. Dr Mujuru was on the campaign trail ahead of the forthcoming general elections when the incident occurred. It’s not clear what triggered the attack, but Zanu-pf yesterday said such acts do not have room in Zimbabwe’s political space.

This is in line with President Mnangagwa’s message to Zimbabweans and the world at large that the forthcoming elections should be free, fair, credible, transparent and violence-free. In a statement yesterday, zanu-pf Secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo said those behind such acts should face the full wrath of the law.

“With reference to the incident of assault on members of an opposition political party on February 1, 2018 in Glen Norah, Harare South District by whosoever, zanu-pf condemns such actions unreservedly,” he said.

“I understand the Zimbabwe Republic Police has made some arrests in connection with this, which is commendable. The law must therefore take its course. His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has consistently and persistently appealed to all Zimbabweans, irrespective of political parties they belong, to refrain from any form of violence in their day today activities. Peace is a prerequisite for development.”

To ensure that the political playing field is even, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe would invite international observers from across the globe to monitor the elections. The President’s anti-violence message and economic reform have been consistent since he assumed office on November 24, last year. This had impressed the international community that is already positively responding to his calls for peace.

Britain has so far dispatched three special envoys to re-engage Zimbabwe’s new leadership, while the United States Government has also promised to work closely with Zimbabwe. – state media

By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Peace Project has raised an alarm over farm evictions. The NGO posted the below pictures of an Craig farm just outside Goromonzi.

“FarmEvictions Families speak about their ordeal. Every child has right to education, health care, nutrition and shelter but this is completely ignored when these evictions are carried out,” they said in their announcement.

One of the villagers can be seen in the below video explaining their plight after being evicted by a man who claims he has bought the farm. “But how can this be because for a long time it is known that farms are not for sale?,” the man asks.
PICTURES:

A Plumtree man who was nabbed for stealing property worth $4 000 has asked the magistrate to send him to the slammer because he cannot afford to pay back what he stole.

Mthandazo Moyo (29) of no fixed abode’s stealing escapade ended after one of his victims from whom he had stolen property worth $125 identified him through the shoe prints his shoes left imprinted in the yard.

His arrest led the police to clearing several cases of unlawful entry and theft which were happening in Plumtree since November last year.

He pleaded not guilty to four counts but was convicted by Plumtree resident magistrate Taurai Manwere.

He was sentenced to 48 months in prison of which 12 months were conditionally suspended for five years. In addition another six months were suspended on condition he pays restitution of $600 to the complainants.

Moyo will serve an effective 30-month jail term.

After receiving his sentence he pleaded with the court not to suspend anything for restitution arguing that he wanted to serve the sentence once since he could not raise the money.- state media

A soldier who allegedly fired about 20 shots, killing his wife, her two siblings and injuring his 18-month- old son before shooting himself in a suicide attempt in New Magwegwe suburb appeared in court yesterday.

Carlos Tinashe Chapeyema (23) who is based in Gweru and attached to the Zimbabwe National Army Infantry Battalion Brigade in Battlefields, Kwekwe, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Franklin Mkhwananzi during a bedside court session conducted at Mpilo Central Hospital.

Relatives said Chapeyema and his wife lived in Mutare but she recently returned to her parents, accusing the soldier of physically abusing her. Chapeyema is facing murder and attempted murder charges.

He was remanded in custody to February 16 and advised to apply to the High Court for bail.

 Chapeyema and his son Tlowi Chapeyema, whom he shot once on the leg, are admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital.

The soldier, who was initially confined to the intensive care unit, has since been transferred to the male ward and he is under police and military guard.

His wife, Ashley Phiri (21) and her siblings, Nkosivumile Ncube (16) and Rita Nkomo (23) died on the spot.

Prosecuting, Mr Mclean Ndlovu said on February 1 this year, Chapeyema went to his wife’s home armed with an AK 47 assault rifle, which was loaded with 20 rounds. He allegedly knocked on the door demanding that she opens it.

“When the door was eventually opened the accused person stormed into the house and started firing gunshots at Phiri, Nkomo and Ncube, killing them instantly,” said Mr Ndlovu.

The court heard that Chapeyema then shot his son and in the process fracturing his right leg before turning the rifle on himself. The child was taken to Mpilo Central Hospital’s intensive care unit.

Chapeyema was arrested at the scene and the weapon used in committing the alleged offences was recovered.

Meanwhile, Mpilo Central Hospital clinical director, Dr Solwayo Ngwenya yesterday said both patients were out of danger.

He expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

“Doctors did their best to save the injured man and the baby’s life. He had obviously sustained serious damages to his body. Doctors are fully monitoring him and we hope his condition improves. The baby is also out of danger and his condition is stable. Both patients are now out of danger and are now both out of the intensive care unit,” he said. state media

British Prime Minister Theresa May has been impressed by statements made by President Mnangagwa so far on economic and political reforms, which have sent important signals around the world about the country’s readiness for investment, an official has said.

This was revealed by Prime Minister May’s special envoy to President Mnangagwa, who is also the British Minister of State for Africa, Harriet Baldwin, following a high-level meeting she held with the President at his Munhumutapa offices yesterday.

Minister Baldwin said Zimbabwe and Britain were on the cusp of a major diplomatic breakthrough that could see the two countries soon engaging in various investment ventures underpinned on mutual benefit and interest. She was in Zimbabwe making her first overseas official visit following her appointment as Minister of State for Africa in a Cabinet reshuffle last month.

From the Zimbabwean side, the high-level meeting was attended by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Lieutenant-General Sibusiso Moyo (Retired), Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colonel Christian Katsande (Retired), Director-General of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Ambassador Isaac Moyo and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Secretary Ambassador Joey Bimha.

Minister Baldwin was accompanied by British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Catriona Laing and head of the Department for International Development for Zimbabwe and South Africa Mr Annabel Gerry

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Minister Baldwin said she had a cordial engagement with President Mnangagwa and was optimistic about the normalisation of relations between Harare and London.

“I brought a message (from Prime Minister May) that the UK Government welcomes the messages we heard from the new President in terms of his programme for economic and political reforms and we are very pleased to hear that the plans are to hold free and fair elections in Zimbabwe later this year,” she said.

“Obviously, we share with the Government of Zimbabwe our desire for there to be a situation where there is no violence at all on the ground. We condemn all violence and we are keen to see that all perpetrators of any violent activities are pursued with the full force of the law.”

Minister Baldwin said her meeting with President Mnangagwa discussed wide-ranging issues on mutual relations and the new era in Zimbabwe.

“I had a good meeting with the President and I have been able to say to him how much the UK welcomes the statements that he has been making to the media around the world about the future for Zimbabwe, the economic reforms and the plans for the free and fair elections this year,” she said.

“We had wide ranging discussions about a range of other interests. The UK Government very much welcomes statements that have been made about land reform by the Government of Zimbabwe and we support a transparent and fair mediated process around that. So, it is something which is very important as a signal to international investors.”

Commenting on sanctions and Zimbabwe’s possible return to the Commonwealth, Minister Baldwin said: “These are all important issues and we are certainly all aware of these points that have been raised and as you know both of these processes are international processes and the message that we are hearing from the new Zimbabwe leadership is a very positive one and I am sure (we) will engage a wide range of international participants in terms of the steps of implementing changes in the future.”

Minister Baldwin said the UK Government was encouraged by President Mnangagwa’s new approach to the political and economic reforms. She said deliberations also touched on the recent visit to Zimbabwe by Commonwealth Development Corporation officials.

“The UK obviously already is very involved in (investment) through our Department of International Development in a wide range of assistance to projects right across Zimbabwe and we were also able to talk about the role of CDC organisation within the Department of International Development, which visited Zimbabwe recently and is able to invest in a wide range of projects in the private sector and I think with outline of economic and political reforms that the President has set out, this will send a strong signal to investors around the world,” said Minister Baldwin.

“As you know, the UK has made the decision to leave the European Union and take back control of our own international trade policies. We are very grateful for the engagement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in trying to resolve and make straight forward the future trade arrangements we have with Zimbabwe. Globally, Britain is very much a champion of free trade and open markets.”

Minister Baldwin met Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Lieutenant General Sibusiso Moyo (Retired) on Thursday where they discussed ways of enhancing relations between Zimbabwe and the UK.

The relations soured at the turn of the millennium over the land issue in the wake of the refusal by the Labour administration of Mr Tony Blair to honour obligations entered into with the Tory administration of Margaret Thatcher in 1979.- state media

GIFT Investments has continued occupying the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco)’s property in Southerton despite the termination of its lease agreement with the bus company by the High Court last year. The High Court terminated the agreement after it emerged that it was a product of bribery. Gift Investments is owned by businessman Mr Jayesh Shah.

The bribery case was raised in the court papers after Mr Shah caused the arrest and prosecution of former Zupco chief executive Mr Bright Matonga and former board chairman Professor Charles Nherera over a $20 000 bribe.

Mr Shah told the High Court, through an affidavit, that he paid $10 000 apiece to Mr Matonga and Prof Nherera as a bribe for the extension of a lease agreement and to facilitate purchase of more buses from Gift Investments. Gift Investments, which was served with a notice of eviction on January 24 this year, rushed to the High Court seeking stay of execution of the court order.

In the urgent chamber application filed on Tuesday, Gift Investments argued that it had since filed an application for leave to appeal the High Court decision. The company argued that the application for leave will be determined in a few days, hence it was just for the Sheriff to stay execution for now.

“The applicant has made an application for leave to appeal against the judgement authorising the execution of an appealed judgement and the application has been placed before Justice Tagu,” read the court papers.

“Everything being equal, the application for leave to appeal is likely to be determined within the next few days, it is just and convenient that the eviction should be stayed pending the finalisation of the application for leave to appeal.”

Gift Investments argued that it had been occupying the premises for over a decade and that it deserved to be spared eviction pending the determination of its appeal request. Gift Investments indicated in its urgent chamber application that it would continue paying rent to Zupco pending finalisation of the dispute. Zupco is yet to respond to the application. – state media

A man from Bulawayo has been arrested for allegedly stealing his deceased brother’s property in Lochview suburb on the day he died.

Sifundo appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube charged with a single count of theft.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and Mr Ncube remanded him out of custody to February 8 for trial.

Prosecuting, Mrs Memory Ndlovu said on January 19 at around 10PM Sifundo was phoned after his brother had passed away.

“He went to his brother’s house in Lochview where he demanded his brother’s cellphone, took a laptop and vehicle registration book,” she said.

“When the deceased’s relatives came to collect his property they discovered that the cellphone, registration book and laptop were missing. Mandla Moyo who is the older brother approached Sifundo who told him he had sold the cellphone and the laptop.”

The court also heard that the matter was reported to the police leading to Sifundo’s arrest.

The vehicle registration book and the laptop, said Mrs Ndlovu were recovered after investigations were carried out. The phone valued at $15 was not recovered. – state media

A 42 year old prophet from Bulawayo has been arrested for allegedly raping his 20-year-old niece several times while she was sick in Pumula North.

He allegedly frequently visited the woman who was staying with his ex for prayer sessions.

The prophet allegedly raped his victim on several occasions while his ex-wife was at work. The man appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube charged with rape.

He was not asked to plead and Mr Ncube remanded him out of custody to February 14. Prosecuting, Mrs Memory Ndlovu told the court that the accused person visited his ex-wife whom he had parted ways with ten years earlier in October last year while she was sick.

“It was during this visit that the accused met the complainant who had come to Bulawayo to look after her sick aunt. He was told that the niece was also complaining of stomach problems and he offered to help,” she said.

“The accused person frequently visited his ex-wife’s place of residence for prayer sessions with his niece. The aunt was employed by a security company in September last year and the accused took advantage of her absence and had sexual intercourse on several occasions with the complainant without her consent.”

The court also heard that the complainant narrated her ordeal to her mother when she went to their rural home during the Christmas holiday.

Her mother reported the matter at Pumula Police Station. The niece was referred to Mpilo Central Hospital for medical examination. – state media

As the world grapples with the new phenomena of sex dolls, Zimbabwe and Botswana have them outlawed. So fellas, if you have one or fancy one  you can use them in South Africa. They don’t come cheap by the way, the cheapest being R16 000, just above $1 200. For now they are for the “haves” and the “have-nots” can only read about them.

Morris Nyagumba, an official at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) said there was a law against owning sex toys in Zimbabwe.

“Section 47 (1) (b and c) of the Customs and Excise Act prohibits the importation into Zimbabwe of goods which are described as  indecent, obscene or objectionable, or any goods which might tend to deprave the morals of the inhabitants, or any class of the inhabitants of Zimbabwe,” he said.

But on the ground, these dolls have a huge underground market, a B-Metro columnist once interviewed an owner who gave it rave reviews.

The dolls have been around for sometime in the first world, and a Zimbabwean socialite, Vanessa Chironga nee Chiyangwa thought she had a virgin market to explore. However, her research must have skipped the legality of her business which upon failure to take off said, was “frustrating” despite seeing a “gap in the market”.

According to media reports in Botswana, that country too sees the new craze as moral decay.

In the United Kingdom Daniel Adams (33) ordered the 3ft 3ins doll on eBay but soon found himself hauled before the courts accused of importing an obscene or indecent item.

The Essex man believed he had purchased a £400 adult sex doll when he ordered it online, even indicating he wanted to return it when he suspected it might be illegal.

Adult sex dolls are not categorised as indecent or obscene and are not illegal to import, whereas child sex dolls are.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard how Mr Adams argued he thought he would be receiving a blow-up figure and not a child sex doll.

The jury heard how the Essex man’s purchase had childlike dimensions — standing just 3ft 3ins tall — but had large breasts.

During the unusual case photographs of the doll, called “Fiona” were shown to jurors.

In France

The first sex doll brothel in France has opened its doors — and it’s already proving very popular.

Hundreds of people have flocked to the sex club in the city of love, Paris. Punters are offered the services of a sex doll rather than a real woman in one of the several rooms inside the brothel.

A first look inside the sex club shows there are four different dolls. They come in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes and are all dressed in skimpy lingerie.

In South Africa

Lifelike 60kg love dolls are booming after being imported into South Africa for the first time ever.

In just 10 days every single silicone model has flown out the shop window at R16 000 (£1 000).

And the sudden frenzy has sparked a rush of orders for more dolls to be imported — with 45 due this month alone.

Just six JY Dolls were initially ordered by South Africa sex toy firm LuvLand in December to test demand.

Operations manager Patrick Meyer said at the time: “We were in China in October, where I ordered six of them.

NPP President and PRC Presidential candidate Dr JTR Mujuru at Machipisa Complex yesterday the 1st of February 2018 on her meet the people tour enroute to a Glenview rally.

Scores of passengers and commercial vehicles were on Monday stranded for more than three hours along the Chiredzi-Checheche Highway after rowdy touts barricaded the road, protesting against the proliferation of pirate taxis.

The touts, who accused pirate taxis of taking away business, used stones and logs to block the highway at the Chiredzi River Bridge. The irate touts threatened to deliver instant justice on pirate taxi drivers who dared to continue plying the route.

Normal flow of traffic was only restored after the police, with the assistance of the Zimbabwe National Army arrested the rowdy touts. Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula could neither deny nor confirm the incident.

“I am not aware of what you are asking about, but you can check with me later on because I have something to attend to,” she said.

Efforts to contact her thereafter proved fruitless as she repeatedly said she was in meetings. Police sources in Chiredzi said they had to engage the army after failing to control the errant touts.

“We failed to stop their blockade because the touts were so many and were saying they only respected soldiers. Our superiors then engaged the army and the touts fled from the scene after an army truck appeared from one side of the road,” said a police officer who refused to be named.

Police sources said about seven touts were arrested. Witnesses said the touts threatened to set the pirate taxis alight. Of late, there has been a rise in pirate taxis plying the Chiredzi-Checheche Highway.- agencies

Terrence Mawawa
Three cases of the deadly cholera epidemic have reported in Zvishavane District, a medical expert has said.

Zvishavane District Hospital Medical Superintendent, Doctor Mavurayi told a weekly paper three cholera cases were reported in the mining town last week.

He attributed the outbreak to the water crisis that rocked the town two weeks ago.

“Three cholera cases were reported in Zvishavane last week. I am relieved to tell you that all the patients three patients who had been diagnosed with cholera were treated.

We are ready to deal with any emerging cases and we are closely monitoring the situation,” said Mavurayi.

Officials at Zvishavane Town Council told ZimEye.com yesterday efforts were underway to ensure the provision of clean water.

“We are making frantic efforts to repair burst water pipes in the town.We hope everything will be in order very soon,” said a council official.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo
A senior MDC Official has castigated President Emmerson Mnangagwa for attempting to hoodwink the electorate by “decorating empty political rhetoric with high sounding words.”

Addressing an MDC Alliance Rally at Chikuku Business Centre last weekend, MDC provincial chairperson, James Gumbi said Mnangagwa was worse than Mugabe and further charged that the former Vice President’ s trump card was violence.

“My message to Mnangagwa is crystal clear- please stop fooling us.No sane person will buy your cheap political rhetoric,” said Gumbi.

He added the people of Zimbabwe were fed up with meaningless political grandstanding.

“Nothing is happening on the ground. Mnangagwa has totally failed to make an impact so he must go just like his predecessor Mugabe.

Instead of concentrating on nation building and economic recovery programmes, Mnangagwa is firing his perceived political foes,” said Gumbi.

Former president Robert Mugabe has been given the iconic Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard limousine he was using for official duties as part of his exit package following his dramatic ouster last November, the Zimbabwe Independent has established.

The ultra-luxurious bulletproof and blast-proof car, whose cost is estimated at US$1,6 million, has been outfitted with civilian registration plates.

Mugabe buckled to pressure on November 21 after he was placed under house arrest by the army, expelled from the ruling Zanu-PF and threatened with impeachment.

His successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, announced in December that Mugabe would get a house, a fleet of private cars and was guaranteed first-class air travel as part of a retirement package funded by the state.

Details of the long-time leader’s exit package were published in the Government Gazette in December, in terms of Section 3(1) of the Presidential Pension and Retirement Benefits Act.

Sources familiar with developments at Mugabe’s palatial “Blue Roof” home in Borrowdale suburb said the limousine now has ordinary yellow number plates (AAX 3270). Before that the car was registered as “Zim 1”.

Sources said since his return from an annual holiday, the Mercedes-Benz S600 has been parked at his home.

“The old man has been keeping a low profile since his retirement. The number of soldiers and security details at his mansion has also been reduced. He has not been frequenting his Zvimba rural home too,” a source said.

The retired president will also be entitled to first-class overseas air travel restricted to four state-funded trips per year and three cars — a Mercedes-Benz S600 series sedan, a four-wheel drive vehicle and a pick-up truck. Government also undertook to pay for his fuel.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa assured African Union leaders at the just-ended AU summit that Mugabe is well and safe.

“May I inform this august chamber that, your brother President Mugabe is safe, secure and well,” Mnangagwa told regional leaders.

Towards the tail end of his rule, Mugabe’s wife Grace, full throttle in expanding her real estate portfolio, splurged millions of dollars on houses, cars and jewellery despite the fact that her business empire, under the Gushungo Holdings’ Alpha and Omega Dairies banner, is in the doldrums, incurring perennial losses since 2013.

In 2011, Grace and her former business partner, Ping Sung Hsieh — a Taiwanese-born South African — bought trucks, trailers and equipment worth almost US$1 million with money transferred through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

Grace and Hsieh were later locked in a fight over a US$5 million mansion in Hong Kong.

Grace’s Mazowe empire already includes an opulent double-storey mansion on Mapfeni Farm, which can be seen from Manzou Farm where she began evicting thousands of villagers in 2011 to establish a game park. There is also a dairy farm, orphanage and a school. Grace has also grabbed land which belonged to the former Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed agro-producer Interfresh’s Mazowe Citrus Estates.

Former President Robert Mugabe has to eat humble pie and lead the process of healing people in Midlands and Matabeleland who were victims of the infamous Gukurahundi.

While Mugabe was forced to retire from politics, it is to his advantage to tackle the Gukurahundi issue and apologise because this dark episode will haunt him forever.

Even if he were to die, his children will continue to carry the Gukurahundi skeletons wherever they would be.

Mugabe was the commander-in-chief of the defence forces and president of Zimbabwe when these atrocities happened; hence he knows what really transpired during that time.

The massacres cannot just be wished away and there are choruses from several quarters that are calling for the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s intervention.

They believe Mugabe is being persistently arrogant when he knows he oversaw an ethnic genocide or ethnic cleansing.

But as Zimbabweans we are saying before the ICC route, Mugabe must be given the chance to ask for forgiveness and possibly lead the healing process.

While I applaud President Emmerson Mnangagwa for appointing his deputy Kembo Mohadi to head what he calls an “independent commission” to deal with Gukurahundi, I strongly believe that the commission is not really independent.

In the past we have had vice presidents who were tasked to lead this healing process and they failed dismally.

And why is it that those leading this process have to be Ndebele speaking, from John Nkomo to Phelekezela Mphoko and now Kembo Mohadi? How independent are these vice presidents so as to head the Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration?

I agree with playwright Cont Mhlanga’s assertion that any apologies for Gukurahundi should not be made to the gallery or media and that this Gukurahundi enterprising in posh hotels must come to an end.

Indeed no Gukurahundi victims are buried in hotels and none in the cities share their everyday lives with Gukurahundi mass graves.

Any apology should be for the people of Midlands and Matabeleland and Mnangagwa should facilitate for Mugabe to come to the districts and have dialogue with the local people in the presence of traditional leaders.

In other countries former heads of state are usually engaged as peace brokers and Mugabe as a statesman should take up the challenge and bridge this gap between the affected people and those in authority.

I am sure with political will-power resources can be sourced that could go to compensate the victims some of whom left behind children, husbands, wives and parents.

If Mnangagwa’s government is promising to compensate the white farmers who lost their land, I do not see why it cannot compensate those who lost loved ones.

I spoke to a number of political and social analysts recently after the Gukurahundi issue resurfaced at the Davos interviews that Mnangagwa held and they were of the view that unless this dark episode is amicably resolved, there will be no total peace in the country.

But the analysts are of the opinion that no one should apologise for the Gukurahundi genocide except Mugabe.

And they argue that if Mohadi has been tasked by Mnangagwa to lead on Gukurahundi then all he has to do is bring Mugabe to the districts so that the dialogue can move to a closure.

The issue of choosing a Ndebele to lead the processes, which Mugabe also used to do, has the analysts thinking these appointments are just cosmetic and that even
Mnangagwa is not genuine in all this.

Indeed what type of independent commission is chaired by a vice president, who himself also suffered directly or indirectly from the atrocities and has been compromised over the years by being opted into the camp of the perpetrators?

And if Mugabe remains arrogant and refuses to apologise or engage with affected communities, then it would be unfortunate as this will force Mnangagwa to apologise and compensate victims as he was part of the team that executed the operation.- Daily News

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo
Ousted Masvingo State Minister Paul Chimedza has finally resurfaced in public after spending two months in hibernation.

Chimedza finally emerged out of the cocoon and addressed a group of curious Masvingo residents near FBC Bank today.

As soon as Chimedza stepped out of the bank, curious residents trailed him as they were eager to ask him about his political fate.

He waved at the swelling crowd and said everything was fine with him.

“There is no problem at all, everything is fine with me,”said Chimedza.

Chimedza was kicked out of government following the resignation of Robert Mugabe.

A 19-YEAR-OLD self-confessed hooker regrets giving her contact details to her married former lover who is now tormenting her demanding free sex.

Tsitsi Kujeke narrated how she was forced into prostitution three years after she was drugged and raped at a party.

She said Petridge Mbangani was wasting her time.

She also narrated how Petridge leaves his wife in the dead of the night and visits her for free sex saying she is losing potential clients because of the time he spends with her.

“Petridge visited me last Friday and we had sex and afterwards, he took me to a food court where he spent time with me achindiudza zvekumba kwake apa haandibhadhare. My colleagues tracked us and we were photographed together at a food court and my message to Petridge is loud and clear that he must stop pestering me for free sex,” said Tsitsi.

Tsitsi also opened up about her upbringing and how she joined sex work to ease her sorrows.

“The person who raped me is the one who broke my v-rginity and from that time I was sexually abused by various men.

“I want to raise money to further my education not to be used by someone who is married and is after free sex.

“I met him some time ago and he asked for my contact details haachabvi kumba kwangu and I regret giving him (the contacts).”

She also told H-Metro that she eases her sorrows by listening to Alick Macheso’s tracks.

“I am a staunch follower of Alick Macheso mainly because of one of his songs ‘Pabva zino’ (Chara Chimwe) which clearly describes my life as an orphan and what I went through,” said Tsitsi.

“Panofa amai vana dzatova nherera. Pasina baba Tsitsi uye woshupika that is what Macheso says in that song.

“I fell in love with Petridge after transferring to a college from a school where my schoolmates were stigmatising me over being raped.

“I was drugged and raped when I was 14 years old and my guardians could not take me seriously vachinditi kanzenza kemwana and I strongly suspect that they received bribe from the person who raped me.

“I left home and made efforts to look for my mother following the death of my father who had separated with my mother when I was young.

“To be honest with you, I feel bitter when I meet the lawyer who represented the person who raped me and because of this I am into prostitution to raise money to further my education.

“I want to study law and make sure all perpetrators of rape are behind bars for life because it’s not by choice to hook various men for sex daily,” she added.

She said one of her clients wanted to give her money to celebrate her birthday but Petridge disturbed the meeting.

Contacted for comment, Petridge confirmed bedding Tsitsi saying he was not aware she was now a ‘thigh vendor’ since they were lovers at college.

“Check (sic) man I have got a wife at home so if this story is published it will affect my marriage,” said Petridge begging H-Metro for the story not to see the light of the day.

Wife of Harare businessman Bigboy Pachirera, Marygold, yesterday laid criminal charges of kidnapping and robbery against former police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri at Marlborough Police Station under RRB 3448723.

Marygold is alleging that she was kidnapped by police officers — Nemaisa, Nxumalo and Jachi — who sexually harassed and threatened her to disclose the whereabouts of a Jeep Cherokee and Mercedez Benz belonging to her husband.

The vehicles were reportedly registered in Marygold’s name and her daughter.
Chihuri is fighting a $3 million lawsuit from the businessman for allegedly forcibly taking his luxurious vehicles and properties.

It is believed that during the ordeal, Nemaisa summoned Marygold’s lawyer Mr Rungano Mahuni to CID Morris Depot, where the businessman’s wife was still in police custody.

Mr Mahuni was ordered to cooperate with the gun-toting police officers or risk being hurt.
The serious allegations against Chihuri and the police officers are contained in a recent letter written by Mr Mahuni — on behalf of the businessman — to Chihuri.

“I managed to contact Deputy Commissioner-General (Josephine) Shambare and we were called at Police General Headquarters,” he alleged. “I was told that the matter was serious because it involved the “boss” and that we should comply with every directive for our safety.

“We went to Kambanje where they took the Jeep and Mercedes Benz, which was kept at a friend’s house.”

Mr Mahuni dismissed the assertion that Pachirera voluntarily gave up his Highfield property to Chihuri as “compensation for stealing from him”.

He said the letter was contrived by senior police officers. In fact, Mr Mahuni said in the letter that Senior Assistant Commissioner Godfrey Munyonga instructed CID Serious Fraud Section police officers to dictate a letter to “mend” the broken relationship.

“Mr Manyonga was your point man and was instrumental in the execution of the criminal acts,” he said. “My client denies all allegations levelled against him as malicious.

“In fact, my client made it clear that he was unwilling to surrender his property to Chihuri. In regards to the Highfield house, the preamble states that my client owed $20 000. What happened to the balance of the house, which was worth $50 000?

“Your office prepared the agreement of sale without the input of my client.” Herald

Armed supporters of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ruling Zanu PF party allegedly beat up opposition leader Joice Mujuru and her National People’s Party (NPP) supporters at a rally in Harare yesterday where she was due to speak, her NPP has claimed.

The alleged Zanu PF youths disrupted the opposition party’s rally in Harare’s high density suburb of Glen Norah.

Mujuru told a news conference she sustained loosened teeth and a swollen face and had to seek urgent medical attention.

Mujuru’s doctor recommended that she undergoes an X-ray examination to establish the extent of the injuries she suffered, according to a medical report seen by the Daily News.

“This meeting was legal, it had been cleared by police and we don’t know why they chose to attack us,” Mujuru said.

She also urged her party members to show courage and not be intimidated.
“These are the things that should unite us and give us courage. It should show the world that we are a party that does its business in peace. We don’t fight.

“Some of the parties are used to this culture of violence, but let’s not retaliate. Let’s show them what should be done. From now onwards, there is no turning back because even Mr Mnangagwa has said elections are set to take place soon. So we must forge ahead, advertising ourselves,” she added.

According to NPP secretary-general, Gift Nyandoro, police arrested five of the suspected Zanu PF activists believed to have taken part in the violence.

Police were not immediately available for comment.
Several other NPP members suffered various head and body injuries as the attackers charged at them armed with stones and sticks. Mujuru’s own security team battled to shield her from the stones that rained in her direction.

The former Zimbabwe vice president was, however, not so lucky as she said one of the stones hit her on the cheek. Some of her party members had their vehicles smashed.

One of the female NPP members alleged that she was stripped naked and forced to lie on her stomach before they took turns to savagely beat her with logs. Daily News

A Mutare woman says she gave birth to a baby boy, but left Mutare Provincial Hospital maternity ward with a girl child and claims there was a baby swap involving medical staff at the hospital. The matter has since been reported to police, and investigations are in progress. Manicaland Police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa said the culprits will face kidnapping charges.

“Yes, we have received that report of an incident which is said to have occurred at Mutare Provincial Hospital. We are investigating the matter and can only be in a position to give a comprehensive comment after getting to the bottom of it,” said Inspector Kakohwa.
However, information gleaned by The Manica Post shows that Mrs Precious Musara gave birth to a premature baby boy at her Chitakatira Village home, Mutare district, on November 24, 2017. Her husband Mr Lloyd Chikuni and neighbour Mrs Melody Machikiti played the midwifery role.

After the home delivery, Mrs Musara was taken to Chitakatira Clinic where she was given a blue baby card as further confirmation of having given birth to a baby boy. She was then referred to Mutare Provincial Hospital for further incubation of the premature baby. Sources at Mutare Provincial Hospital said during the period Musara was admitted at the referral centre’s maternity ward, another expecting mother in the same ward was said to have been under pressure from her husband to give birth to a boy.

“When the woman from Chitakatira (Mrs Musara) was admitted at Mutare Provincial Hospital maternity ward, there was also another woman in the same ward who is believed to have been under pressure from her husband to conceive a boy. Unfortunately she gave birth to a girl, and connived with medical personnel at the hospital to swap babies so that she would go home with a baby boy as per the demands of her husband.

“Mrs Musara actually confronted the nurses on duty over the swap of babies but they insisted that she had given birth to a baby girl.

The nurses at Mutare Provincial Hospital had the guts to exchange the blue baby card she had been given at Chitakatira Clinic for a pink baby card that is normally given when one gives birth to a girl,” said the sources. Mrs Musara was discharged on November 22, 2017 and lodged a report to police two days later. Manica Post

By Staff Reporter| A poster was circulated yesterday claiming that Health Minister David Parirenyatwa’s daughter, Ruvheneko, has joined Joice Mujur’s party and will be contesting for the 2018 elections.

The poster says she is taking the Harare East constituency.

But her father is a ZANU PF Politburo member.

Ruvheneko replied ZimEye with a pejorative chuckle Friday morning rubbishing the claims. (interview upcoming). She was grilled on her picture on the poster if it is not hers, and she chuckled back once again.- More to follow

The poster has her name printed as R Parirenyatwa.

By Farai D Hove| The former Zanu-PF youth leader Kudzanayi Chipanga’s court appeal for a relaxation of his bail conditions has been dismissed.

Chipanga was met with a rejection handed him yesterday by Harare magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Mugwagwa.

Magistrate Mugwagwa advised him to approach the High Court on the basis that it had granted him bail.

Chipanga was arrested following the military coup that deposed former President Robert Mugabe and became the face of the “Coup Apolo-Shirt”.

He was arrested together with former Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo and another youth leader Hamandishe, the trio who have all been kicked out of ZANU PF for supporting the G40 faction.

He is now facing charges of publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the State as defined in Section 31 (a) (iii) of the Criminal (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9.23, or alternatively causing disaffection among the police force or defence forces as defined in Section 30 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

He is currently on $500 bail and reports twice times a day at Borrowdale Police Station.

In his bail relaxation application, Chipanga had petitioned the court to order him to report once a week at the police station.

Police have expressed concern over the increase in rape cases involving children after they recently arrested a 76-year-old Chivhu man on allegations of raping his five granddaughters aged between three and seven years on several occasions and threatening to beat them up if they revealed the act.

The matter came to light last week when the grandmother discovered that one of the granddaughters was having difficulties in walking. She interrogated the minor and she revealed the incidents. The grandmother reported the matter to the police, leading to her husband’s arrest. Police urged parents and guardians to constantly check on their children.
“We advise you to regularly monitor and supervise them as they play and avoid sending them to bushy or far away areas unaccompanied,” reads a statement on the ZRP website. Also ensure that you give custody of your children to responsible people who are trustworthy.”

In a related incident, a 78-year-old man of Plot Number 30, Somnene area in Figtree, allegedly raped an 11-year-old girl who was herding goats at a nearby grazing land around 3.30pm on January 11. He threatened to beat her up if she disclosed the matter to anyone.

On the same day at around 5pm when the girl returned home from herding goats, the suspect called her into his bedroom and raped her for the second time. The girl informed her grandmother who examined her and discovered blood stains on her privates.

On January 12, the grandmother made a report to the police, leading to the arrest of the suspect. In another case, a two-year-old girl from Msasane Village, Izimnyama area, Plumtree, was allegedly raped by an unknown person.

The matter came to light when the complainant started complaining of itching pain on her privates to her grandmother who took her to Plumtree District Hospital where it was revealed that she had been sexually abused. Investigations are in progress.-STATE MEDIA

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has discovered four elephant carcasses at Hwange National Park following suspected cyanide poisoning.

Separately, two people have also been arrested in Binga after they were found in possession of two pieces of ivory.

Speaking at a passout parade for rangers and dog-handlers in Hwange recently, Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Mrs Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri gave the green light to Zimparks rangers to shoot to kill.

“Due to Hwange National Park’s magnitude of wildlife diversity, poachers are attracted to rob our nation of its wildlife heritage,” she said.

“These poachers have become so daring to the extent of using sophisticated methods such as poisoning of our elephants in search of their raw ivory in great demand on the black market.
“Let me at this juncture reiterate that wildlife crime is a serious issue and as such our rangers will not hesitate to shoot and kill those found on the wrong side of the law.

“Eradication of wildlife crime requires collaborative efforts both locally, regionally and internationally.” Herald

By Paul Nyathi | Before the 2018 elections date has even been announced, Harare East Constituency is already a hive of activity with a n incredible number of candidates from all political parties throwing their names in for the election.

While the drama in the constituency has been around the MDC Alliance coalition duo made up of Obert Gutu and Tendai Biti who have drawn battle lines to contest each other, the Joice Mujuru led NPP has also come into the fray.

Two candidates from her party have also declared their intentions to contest each other for the House of Assembly seat.

Itai Munyoro and a Miss R Parirenyatwa both from the NPP have taken to social media canvassing for votes in the upcoming elections on an NPP ticket.

The seat which is currently occupied by Deputy Minister of Finance Terrence Mukupe of ZANU PF has also seen two independent candidates Garikayi Mlambo and activist Linda Sibanyoni declaring their interests on the seat.

MDC Alliance coalition leader Nelson Chamisa declared to media this week that Gutu will not be allowed to contest the elections while Gutu insists that he will not be moved from contesting the seat.

NPP Secretary General Gift Nyandoro has also dismissed the two members who are throwing in their names for the constituency saying that the party is still in the process of finalising its candidates identification process.

Nyandoro said that maybe the members were canvassing for possible primary elections and not the national election.

Nyandoro said that all members aspiring to be candidates have been invited to a summit in Gweru where a roadmap to the elections will be explained to them.

“We are at a stage of aspiring MPs and hence our aspiring MPs summit on 14 February in Gweru,” he said.

Nyandoro said it is not surprising to see people already lobbying as final candidates will only be decided in primary elections to be held soon.

“That is very normal. People are just lobbying and we are yet to do primary elections,” said Nyandoro.

NPP spokesperson Jeff Chitando collaborated Nyandoro’s sentiments saying that there is nothing out of the world with party members declaring interests to contest but people in the constituencies will decide who will represent the party in the election.

“NPP has no problem with having even a dozen aspiring candidates for one constituency for we believe the people will decide on the best candidate from those who would have indicated their wish to represent the people,” he said.

“NPP is in coalition with other political parties who also have candidates who are vying for same constituencies but to us it good for democracy,” added Chitando insisting the coalition will hold democratic primary elections to decide on candidates.

Johannesburg – Springs police have arrested the wife and son of a farmer accused of force-feeding faeces to one of his employees.

Springs police spokesperson Captain Johannes Ramphora said the two were arrested on Thursday on charges of crimen injuria, assault, kidnapping and defamation of character.

Ramphora said the farmer, his wife and their son took part in assaulting and humiliating the worker at their farm near Endicott, east of Johannesburg, before forcing the worker to eat faeces.

He said the incident occurred in early December and the worker was allegedly tortured after he failed to switch on the engine of a septic tank pump on the family’s smallholding outside Springs.

“The farmer’s wife and his son were arrested today, but we are still looking for the farmer,” Ramphora said.

Ramphora said once the farmer had been arrested more charges could be added.

The two are expected to appear in the Springs Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning. News 24

Ray Nkosi | Acting MDC President Elias Mudzuri has embarked on a humanitarian campaign visiting hospitals and the less priviledged, in the process obliterating the campaigns that First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa was carrying out.

Mnangagwa made headlines recently as she visited orphans and hospitals, telling the world she was touched by the plight of the less privildged.

Mudzuri has in the past days also visited hospitals, made a tour of areas talking to vendors.

In a statement the MDC said the acting President urged interactive co-existence between Harare City Council and the vendors. He acknowledged that vendors were a reality in Harare that had emerged as a result of the failure by the Zanu PF government to create meaningful employment for the people, adding that the ruling party had dismally failed to meet its promise of creating 2,2 million jobs.

The acting President, who was accompanied by Harare city councilors, senior party officials and MDC alliance partners, said vendors and council authorities should work together to ensure the city does not experience the outbreak of diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

Hon. Mudzuri said it was remiss on the part of government to threaten to unleash the army on the vendors, adding that the issue of informal traders should be demilitarized and soldiers should remain in the barracks.

It emerged at the meeting that contrary to claims of a purported joint statement between the City of Harare and government giving vendors an ultimatum to leave the streets, the Mayor of Harare and his council were never consulted.  It emerged that government had unilaterally issued the ultimatum and misrepresented that it as a joint position with the MDC-run council in Harare.

On their part, the vendors, thanked the party leaders for creating the interactive platform and urged the council to sort out problems such as toilet and ablution facilities in the city. They also urged council to re-look into issues of punitive fines and prohibitive rates charged on informal traders, among other issues.

The acting MDC President urged the vendors to vote wisely in the next election, adding that President Morgan Tsvangirai had shown in the inclusive government that he could address the challenges facing the people and the country.

A self-confessed hit man who testified to the police alleging a senior government official issued him an assassination order to take out former Foreign Affairs minister Walter Mzembi has been arrested.

Munyaradzi Mupazviripo — who had claimed in a police report lodged at Borrowdale Police Station that Tourism and Hospitality Industry permanent secretary Bradah Maunganidze had told him he would receive a $50 000 cash payment for executing Mzembi — was arrested and charged with filing a false police report against Lands and
Agriculture deputy minister Davis Marapira in a separate case.

Mupazviripo is alleged to have filed a report against the deputy minister alleging he threatened to shoot him with a gun at his offices when he went there to inquire about the consummation of an offer letter for a farm he had applied for.

Mupazviripo reportedly wanted to see Lands and Agriculture minister Perrance Shiri to protest against a demand for a $900 bribe by one of the ministry’s rank-and-file officials to get his offer letter stamped. He claims he could not see Shiri and was then referred to Marapira, who he claims threatened to shoot him alleging he was a loose cannon.

Mupazviripo has retained counsel, leading Harare lawyer Admire Rubaya.

Those who managed to see him yesterday claimed he had been beaten up for allegedly leaking classified information to the media and attempting to soil the image of government as well as scuttling re-engagement efforts. He reportedly told his visitors in police cells that he was infact arrested for leaking top secret information to a news organisation and also alleges he was accused of being a member of the G40 Zanu PF faction that was backing former first lady Grace Mugabe. The Daily News could not independently verify this information.

Rubaya had promised to give us a full account of the arrest details, but did not manage to do so right up to the time of going to print as he said he was tied up with the case.

Police spokesperson Charity Charamba told the Daily News last night: “He was arrested by homicide for lodging a false report. He is going to court tomorrow (today).”

In his damning report filed at the Borrowdale Police Station on January 24, Mupazviripo provided granular details of how Maunganidze allegedly gave him instructions in May 2015 to carry out the extra-judicial killing.

Maunganidze has dismissed the allegations as lies.

The hit man said he has now been targeted for disobeying the order and was living in fear of being murdered. In his raw account in the docket, he said his refusal to carry out the assignment means he was as good as dead.

In an interview with the Daily News days before the arrest, Mupazviripo said he had conducted many covert operations, notably in the areas of propaganda and psychological warfare.

He said in his last mission, he was assigned as an agent to infiltrate and monitor the State broadcaster, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.- Daily News

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has extended the closing date for payments and submission of supporting documents and biometrics for the new Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) to February 15, 2018.
Through their website, SA’s Home Affairs Department yesterday said the cut-off date was initially November 30, 2017.

“By January 29, 2018, 176 605 applicants had completed the entire process, which includes honouring their appointments with VFS and submitting supporting documents and biometrics,” the statement read.

“The extension to February 15, 2018 is only for submitting biometrics (fingerprints) and supporting documents at the 10 VFS offices, as well as for those who have submitted online applications by November 30, 2017, but did not pay the prescribed fee. New applications will not be accepted. By the end of September 2018, the department plans to have completed the whole project, including finalising adjudications and issuing out of all new permits.”

“The ZSP started in 2014 with 197 951 permits issued, which expired on December 31, 2017. ZEP permit holders will be allowed to work, study or conduct business in South Africa. The ZEP permits are valid for a maximum period of four years, effective from January 1, 2018 and expiring on December 31, 2021, notwithstanding the date of issue. Exemption permits like the ZEP permits are not permanent or long-term. ”

The department said they only serve a specific purpose with a view to ultimately have people returning to their countries of origin to build their lives anew. Newsday

A lawyer representing Harare businessman Bigboy Pachirera, who is demanding $2,9 million from retired police commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri, has revealed how he was approached with a settlement plan to return some of the property allegedly forcibly taken by the ex-police boss.

After 23 years of enforcing law and order as the country’s top policeman, the tables turned against the former police commissioner-general after he was forced to retire, with Pachirera accusing him of impounding five cars and later changing ownership into his name while still heading the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).

Pachirera has listed Chihuri, his wife Isabel and their company Kidsdale Enterprises as respondents to his claim of compensation and damages of $2 968 000 incurred after his vehicles and property were impounded, causing him to lose business.

According to a letter dated January 15 compiled by Rungano Mahuni, Chihuri offered to return two of the motor vehicles — a Mercedes Benz and Jeep Cherokee.

“In your settlement plan, you only mentioned the Mercedes Benz and Jeep Cherokee motor vehicles. Our client is amenable to receive the said two motor vehicles in lieu if we have the chance to inspect them and determine their condition,” Mahuni said.

“However, there was no mention of the trucks and the house. Our client’s reasonable demand is that your client (Chihuri) returns all the trucks and the house plus an additional truck or its value just to mitigate the loses he has suffered in business for the past three years.

“Our client is aware that your client is earning income out of the use of those vehicles which are working on the Harare-Mutare highway.

“We also advise that we are amenable to the parties having a round table conference in order to deal with this matter.”
Chihuri had claimed that Pachirera surrendered the property to him willingly as compensations for a spiral of thefts that he committed after running a parallel company to the former police boss’s Kidsdale Enterprises during his tenure as transport manager.

He claims that Pachirera would divert funds and contracts awarded to Kidsdale Enterprises to his company Chelnpac Investments (Pvt) Ltd — which was allegedly registered without declaring interest.

However, Pachirera told the Daily News that he was subjected to torture by members of the police homicide department and made to give up his property under duress.

He claims to have made several efforts to recover the motor vehicles and house during Chihuri’s reign but to no avail.

“We note that you have not responded to our letter requesting you to release our client’s property still in police custody to which we perceive there is no reason for your continued action of despoiling our client of his property,” reads a letter addressed to Police Serious Frauds Department on March 6, 2014.

“In the circumstances, we further intimate to you that we are very loath to invoke legal recourse to assert our client’s rights but should you persist in this course, we shall have no option but to pursue the route.”

Mahuni maintains that a team of detectives from homicide led by Joseph Nemaisa stormed his offices to seize the cars since he had been given custody by Pachirera.

He said police officers first went to his residence and poisoned his dog called Queen before he received a call in the morning threatening him with “consequences” if he continued resisting surrendering the cars.

“True to their word the notorious police hit man Nemaisa went to my office then situated in Samora Machel and brandished guns before our receptionist. He indicated to the receptionist that they wanted the Mercedes Benz and Jeep Cherokee before I was informed that my client’s wife had been abducted,” Mahuni said.

He said whenever they attempted to engage the police, Mahuni would be told to comply with any directive that came his way because “the matter was complicated since it involved the boss”.

The businessman told the Daily News that he could speak openly about the issue fearing for his life because of threats that he received from the police over the issue.

“My residence was kept under police surveillance, each time I went out, police would follow me. I got to a point where two armed police officers displaying guns roamed about 100 metres from my residence. I think it is because of God’s grace that I am alive today,” Pachirera said.

In a December 5, 2017 letter delivered to Chihuri’s Shawasha residence and private business offices in Alex Park, Harare, Pachirera’s lawyers Mahuni Gidiri Law Chambers demanded the damages and property to be returned.

“Since the time you unlawfully despoiled our client of his property, he has lost business and income in excess of $1,4 million and also suffered personality infringement in the sum of $1 million.

“The value of the property that you deprived our client amounts to $470 000 and $50 000 for the Highfield home . . . he was earning $1 000 in rentals from that property and has lost income of $48 000.”

Pachirera’s lawyer claims that no action was taken by Chihuri since receiving that letter and they have resorted to courts for reprieve.

The businessman told the Daily News that he could not speak openly about the issue fearing for his life because of threats that he received from the police over the issue.

Chihuri was retired from the ZRP by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in December and was replaced by Godwin Matanga, albeit in an acting capacity.

The 64-year-old ex-combatant’s tenure was marred by widespread allegations of corruption and gross human rights violations, which were levelled against him and the police force.

Chihuri had been under intense pressure to quit the police force ever since the Zimbabwe Defence Forces carried out Operation Restore Legacy which led to the fall of former president Robert Mugabe who resigned on November 21 after Parliament had put in motion impeachment proceedings against him.

This was further highlighted by thousands of ordinary Zimbabweans who booed him at Mnangagwa’s inauguration on November 24 when he was about to take his oath of allegiance to the new president.

Chihuri was firstly booed as he arrived at the packed 60 000-capacity stadium.

His humiliation reached the peak when he read his loyalty pledge as people vented their anger and chanted “he should go, he should go, he should go”, while others rolled hands to signal a substitution, a sign that is normally used in football.

Contrary to the gratitude expressed to other members of the security sector, Chihuri, reportedly seen as part of a component of the security forces who wanted to defend Mugabe’s hegemony, had a torrid time maintaining composure as he struggled to read through his loyalty pledge.

Chihuri was mainly unpopular for the numerous roadblocks which were being mounted by the police which the public alleged were meant to extort motorists.

Apart from triggering a public outcry, the ubiquitous roadblocks drove away international tourists who complained of harassment and demands of bribes by cops manning them.

Chihuri received his military training at Mgagao in Tanzania and had been the longest-serving police chief after he assumed the helm of the force in 1993.

He took over the reins as acting commissioner in 1991 replacing Henry Mukurazhizha.

Two years later, he eventually became substantive police commissioner in 1993.

In 2008, he was appointed commissioner-general when the post was created to replace that of commissioner.- Daily News

Tweets by euinzim

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has installed and sworn in commissioners who will lead a commission of inquiry into the matter of sale of state land in and around urban areas since 2005.

The commission to run for a period of 12 months was sworn in today at State House.

The commission is being chaired by Justice Tendai Uchena.

Other members of the commission are Mr Andrew Mlalazi, Mr Steven Chakaipa, Dr Tarisai Mutangi, Dr Heather Chingono, Ms Vimbai Nyemba and Ms Petronella Musarurwa.

President Mnangagwa said the terms of reference of the commission are hinged on five areas among them to investigate and identify all state land in and around urban areas that was acquired and allocated to the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for urban development since 2005.

“To investigate and ascertain the status of such land in terms of ownership, occupation and development; to investigate methods of acquisition and or allocation by current occupants and owners of such land; to investigate and ascertain the actors involved in allocation, occupation, and use of the land; to conduct visitations where necessary, summon witnesses, record proceedings and document and manage all the information gathered and findings and make recommendations to the President,” said President Mnangagwa.

The problem of illegal acquisition and or allocation of land for urban development near urban settings has been a cause of concern which has seen many families living in unplanned settlements and without basic hygiene facilities due to unscrupulous practices in the allocation and distribution of land giving birth to the phenomenon of land barons.

-ZBC

(Reuters) – African leaders say they have decided to refrain from issuing a resolution to criticise Donald Trump’s alleged reference to their nations as “shithole countries” because the U.S. president sent them a letter expressing respect for the continent.

The leaders who met at an African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital were initially set to demand an apology from Trump over the remark reported by sources at a meeting on immigration with him this month. Trump denies making the comment.

Reports of the comment touched a nerve because they come on top of decisions by the Trump administration, particularly on visa restrictions, that many Africans say unfairly penalize the continent.

As the summit was being held at ministerial level, the gathering drafted a resolution calling on Trump to “publicly apologise to all Africans”.

Anything short of that would force them to suspend a cooperation deal signed between Washington and the bloc, said the draft seen by Reuters.

African leaders are “dismayed and shocked by the increasingly consistent trend by the Trump Administration to denigrate of African descent … thereby promoting racism, xenophobia and bigotry,” it said.

But a Jan. 25 letter sent by Trump prompted a change of tack at presidential level.

One summit official said the final resolution that is yet to be released contains no reference to the issue after the leaders concluded the meeting late on Monday.

“I want to underscore that the United States deeply respects the people of Africa and my commitment to strong and respectful relationships with African states as sovereign states is firm,” Trump said.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would “travel to Africa for an extended visit,” he said.

The AU Commission had “taken due note” of the letter, which wished the summit success, Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said during the closing press conference.

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, who met Trump last week on the sidelines of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said Trump’s reported comment had no impact on the AU summit.

“When the United States decided to give us Trump as their president we deal with that president of the United States. It is not an issue of whether you appreciate him for this or for that, it is a job that he is doing for his country,” added Kagame, who assumed the African Union’s chairmanship this year.

He said both he and Trump had stressed the need for more cooperation.

Source: Reuters

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sworn-in the new Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba at State House this morning.

Justice Chigumba is a judge of the High Court and will lead the elections administration body following the resignation of former chairperson Justice Rita Makarau in December 2017.

The appointment of Justice Chigumba follows consultations with the Judicial Service Commission and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rules and Orders.

Justice Chigumba obtained her law degree in the United Kingdom and joined Gollop and Blank law firm in 1994.

She practiced as a lawyer for six years before joining PG Industries as assistant company secretary and later formed her own law firm.

Justice Chigumba joined the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs as a magistrate in 2004 and served as a resident and provincial magistrate before being seconded to work as a senior professional research assistant in the Office of the Chief Justice.

She was sworn in as Justice of the High Court in December 2012.

Her appointment comes at a time when ZEC is compiling a new voters’ roll ahead of harmonised elections to be held in five months time.

More details to follow…

-ZBC