Terrence Mawawa
Thousands in Zimbabweans suffering from renal diseases may not travel abroad to seek medical services because a Kidney Transplantation Unit will be opened at Chitungwiza Central Hospital.

According to Chitungwiza Central Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Dr Obadiah Moyo, the eagerly anticipated Sally Mugabe Kidney Transplantation Unit would be officially commissioned by the end of March.

“We are only waiting for the final inspection of the unit and once that has been done, everything will be fine,” said Moyo.

Hundreds of Zimbabweans struggling with renal problems are travelling abroad to seek medication.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo
A Zanu PF councillor and a group of disgruntled parents last week forced staff members at Chekai Secondary School in Masvingo District to suspend lessons over poor results.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has strongly condemned the forced suspension of lessons.

Below is a statement written by PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou:

Chekai Secondary School in Masvingo District was closed by parents on 2 March 2018 around 12 noon. Parents who had been invited to an Annual General Meeting turned against the school head and teachers for producing poor results.

The parents under the influence of a local Zanu PF councillor ordered all pupils to go home.They then wrote a petition to the district after which they commandeered the school head to accompany them to the district to hand over the petition calling for his dismissal together with other teachers.

As PTUZ we condemn such lawlessness and blame game of teachers for doing so much with too little.

Teachers have always pointed to bloated classrooms, shortage of resources and limited learning time due to Dokora’s myriads of games yet no one listens to them.

Sadly, when students fail, parents and other officials are quick to blame teachers yet there are so many individuals who are destroying the education system in Zimbabwe – including rogue parents.

PTUZ would like to remind parents that creating a harmonious relationship with teachers will also help in the effective learning of students rather than being antagonistic and acidic to teachers.

Mnangagwa’s government has also done virtually nothing to improve the plight of teachers who are lowly paid and discriminated as professionals -as they are not enjoying vacation leave as other civil servants while student teachers’ peanuts allowances are likely to be removed.

We certainly should not be blamed for any eventuality should teachers go on industrial action any time as government has turned a deaf ear to the plight of teachers.

The ruling Zanu-PF will on Wednesday hold a Politburo meeting where the issue of dates for its primary elections as well as modalities on the selection of candidates will be up for discussion.

Speaking at a Provincial Co-ordinating Committee meeting in Gwanda town yesterday at the party’s provincial headquarters, party national spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said those aspiring to represent the party should wait and get the direction from the party.

“Do not be misled by people saying we will be having our primary elections on 15 or 16 March. We will be meeting on Wednesday as the Politburo and the issue will be raised. I will issue a statement after the meeting about the way forward. You will be notified via the correct channel in the form of a circular,” he said.

Moyo urged party members to talk about things that make the party stronger instead of engaging in issues that end up destroying the revolutionary party. He said the party should unite and retain all the 13 seats won in the 2013 harmonised elections.

“There is a bit of disappointment in the province as there is a lot of gossip and this should stop. We are not going to allow that. Wake up and stop it. Let us be bold as the late Vice-President (Joseph) Msika taught us to be frank with each other. Let us not fail to have principles and be committed to the party,” said Moyo.

He said a number of heroes in the country came from Matabeleland South and Zanu-PF could not afford to betray them.

“This is where Father Zimbabwe was born, JZ Moyo, T G Silundika, Edward Ndlovu, Thenjiwe Lesabe and many more. Given that history we cannot fail to be an example in the country. We have to win all those 13 seats.

“Unity among ourselves made us win and we should win again. Make people realise that we are serious leaders,” he said.

Moyo said with at least 84 political parties willing to participate in the coming elections, it was clear that the ruling party would win resoundingly.

“A party like us can never dream of losing an election to all these small parties. The President also made it clear that the elections will be free and credible as he has already called on observers from around the world to come,” he said.

Moyo commended the war veterans for being diligent and urged everyone to fight against corruption as President Mnangagwa himself is doing.

Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs Abednico Ncube also insisted on unity and reiterated that gossiping was not good for the growth of the party.

The PCC meeting also endorsed the firing of party members namely Soul Mahalima Ncube, Johns Nkomo, Siphethokuhle Moyo, Sister Bhebhe, Ephraim Moyo and Christopher Masuku.

Meanwhile, war veterans, collaborators, ex-detainees and widows in Matabeleland South Province will on Thursday meet the National Secretary of the War Veterans Association, Victor Mademadanda in Gwanda. All war veterans from the province are invited.- state media

Terrence Mawawa
Controversial musician Andy Muridzo has described fellow artiste, Jah Prayzah as a selfish, greedy and cunning individual who thrives on using other people for self aggrandisement.

An emotional Muridzo has quit Jah Prayzah’ s Military Touch Movement in a huff.

Muridzo launched a scathing attack on the lanky musician whom he accused of reneging on his promises.

“Jah Prayzah is converting every opportunity that arises for personal benefit.

I was supposed to do a collaboration with a musician from Mozambique and Jah Prayzah grabbed the opportunity.

What then is the reason for having the movement?I am not happy with what is happening,” a charged Muridzo told The Sunday Mail.

He also accused Jah Prayzah of being unprofessional in his conduct.

Terrence Mawawa
Controversial musician Andy Muridzo has described fellow artiste, Jah Prayzah as a selfish, greedy and cunning individual who thrives on using other people for self aggrandisement.

An emotional Muridzo has quit Jah Prayzah’ s Military Touch Movement in a huff.

Muridzo launched a scathing attack on the lanky musician whom he accused of reneging on his promises.

“Jah Prayzah is converting every opportunity that arises for personal benefit.

I was supposed to do a collaboration with a musician from Mozambique and Jah Prayzah grabbed the opportunity.

What then is the reason for having the movement?I am not happy with what is happening,” a charged Muridzo told The Sunday Mail.

He also accused Jah Prayzah of being unprofessional in his conduct.

By Paul Nyathi

Ousted MDC-T National Spokesperson Obert Gutu made a surprise appearance at the ill fated party meeting in Bulawayo on Sunday declaring his suspension from the party as baseless.

Gutu was last week suspended from the party pending dismissal by the National Council allegedly for not adhering to party policies.

On Sunday he was a surprise attendant of the meeting suspected to have been a meeting to launch a split of the party.

The meeting ended prematurely when party supporters loyal to new party President Nelson Chamisa stormed into the meeting and thoroughly beat up the people who were attending the meeting ordering them to leave the offices.

Violent clashes ensued resulting in about ten people being ferried to nearby Galen House Medical Centre.

Addressing journalists on his presence in the meeting, Gutu said that there was nothing wrong with him attending the party meeting as he considers himself as still the official spokesperson of the party.

“I am not suspended,” Gutu said.

“The National Council that claims to have suspended me is bogus and does not have the authority to suspend me,” he said.

Meanwhile, deputy President Thokozani Khuphe continued to declare herself as the genuine leader of the opposition party.

Speaking in an interview with the South African Broadcasting Corporation on the sidelines of the violence skirmishes, Khuphe said that she does not recognise Chamisa as the President of the party.

“I do not recognise Chamisa because he was not elected by congress,” said Khuphe.

“I am the genuine acting President of the MDC-T as I was elected by congress in 2014,” said Khuphe.

“They will see that we are the genuine leaders of the party and that we have the people,” vowed Khuphe in reference to the Chamisa faction.

Khuphe who has been given a seven day ultimatum to accept Chamisa’s leadership or be kicked out of the party appears to be adamant and prepared to be dismissed from the party.

The move by Khuphe appears to be leading to yet another split of the MDC-T.

Ray Nkosi |  Following violent clashes at the MDC Bulawayo offices where property was damaged and Vice President Thokozani Khupe’s aide badly injured, the matter has been reported to the police.

MDC Organising Secretary Abednico Bhebhe has singled out pro Chamisa MDC member Gift Banda and others as allegedly being behind the violence amidst claims that they have since been reported to the police.

My interview with MDCT organising Secretary Abedinico Bhebhe on today’s violence at the MDC T offices in #Bulawayo.@citezw @ZimMediaReview @povozim #Asakhe. https://t.co/UNWrd32HSM

— Zenzele (@zenzele) March 4, 2018

A special kind of women’s waist beads that will make their husbands have multiple erections and literally “lock” them from sleeping with other women has evaded the market.

Most of these beads have been perceived as fashion ornaments or accolades for completing sexual training, popularly known as chinamwari, which is common in Malawian cultures.

However, Mbuya Muchadura Mamoyo, as Sandra Maburuse is affectionately known, does not make the ordinary beads; hers are “cooked” in concoctions containing African herbs (muti) that will lock husbands from promiscuity.

“Most cases I am dealing with women these days are about enhancing their sexual lives as sex is an important element of marriage life. I help women with herbs that increase the heat in their bodies and have a special kind of beads that have saved a number of marriages,” Maburuse said.

“These beads will tickle a man’s sexual appetite and after a sexual encounter if the wife causes the beads to come into contact with her husband’s organ he instantly gets another erection and they can make love again.

“I assure you that your man will not be able to have sex with another woman if you always wear these beads when you sleep together.”

Maburuse who claims to also offer seductive sexual dances as part of her product offering to clients said her customers who include white women always come back for more.

Most of her clients are married women with ages ranging from 18 to 30, seeking to protect their relationships.

She draws 19 years of experience, assisting people with different life issues and health problems.

“I have had this gift since birth and there were moments when I would actually die and later wake up while people were already preparing for my funeral,” Muchadura narrated.

“I would see witches and hear their plans from a distance and was always sick most of my childhood. I even dropped out of school because of that and my breakthrough came after I got married and had my first child.

“The child refused to be breastfed at eight months and my in-laws thought I had an extra marital affair. They started taking me for spiritual assistance and were told that I possess a great spirit. After that incident, my family was accused of conspiring to rape.”

It was alleged that her father had raped a minor, while her siblings held the victim’s legs and hands.

She claims to have performed rituals that secured the family bail and eventually cleared them of the allegations in court.

“I then had a dream in which I was told to perform a ritual that would assist them being cleared of the malicious allegations. I did so and they got bails before being acquitted of the false claims,” Muchadura said.

She now survives on the trade and has a shrine in Harare’s Southly Park suburb where she carries out most of her work.- Daily News

Terrence Mawawa
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is in a panic mode as opposition parties team up to challenge him in the coming elections, it has emerged.

A government controlled weekly publication has reported that the panic stricken President will preside over an emergency Politburo meeting to discuss the coming elections.

Following the regrouping of the country’ s main opposition party, MDC, Mnangagwa foresees a daunting task beckoning ahead of the harmonised elections, according to political observers.

Zanu PF National Spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday confirmed Mnangagwa would chair the Politburo meeting slated for this week.

Moyo was in Gwanda yesterday where he conceded the party had to work to overcome the opposition.He made the remarks while addressing members of the Matabeleland South Provincial Coordinating Committee.

“Do not be misled by rumour mongers, the Politburo will deliberate on nagging issues that are affecting the party on Wednesday,” said Moyo.

PRESS STATEMENT

The MDC would like to set the record straight on erroneous media reports of 02 March 2018 which suggested that the party will not conduct primary elections in preparation for the 2018 harmonised elections.

This is patently false and incorrect.

Our constitution is clear on this matter and we remain guided by that.

We wish to advise our members to rest assured that primary elections are on. As a democratic party which respects the will of its entire membership and the sacred party constitution, all aspiring candidates will be subjected to primary elections with the exception of cases where there is consensus among aspiring candidates as is the norm. The MDC will not bend on that.

The times and venues for the primary elections which will be free and fair will be announced in due course.

We regret that the erroneous media reports may have caused unnecessary anxiety across the length and breath of our membership and our Alliance partners.

Kurauone Chihwayi
MDC National Spokesperson

…

By Paul Nyathi| Anti riot police from the Zimbabwe Republic Police Support Unit in Fairbridge in the outskirts of Bulawayo were Sunday noon called in to bring calm at the MDC-T offices in the Bulawayo Central Business District.

Witnesses who spoke to ZimEye.com said that the factional fights in the party started when Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe arrived at the party offices to attend a meeting where discussions around her return to full activity in the party was being held.

According to the witnesses, a group of party youth members from within the province were lying ambush around the party offices waiting for Khuphe to arrive for the meeting before storming into the offices and attacking the party officials who were attending the meeting.

Several people were reported injured and ambulances seen driving in and out of the party offices. Several vehicles that were parked outside the offices were also damaged. SEE THE EARLIER PICTURES HERE :

No arrests were reported at the time of writing.

Statement By Emerson Mnangagwa

I would like to congratulate Nelson Chamisa as he takes over the leadership of the MDC. We look forward to a competitive, peaceful and positive election campaign, providing the people of Zimbabwe with a clear and democratic choice.

I hope all my opponents will keep this campaign calm, clean and allow you, the people of Zimbabwe, to decide which direction Zimbabwe will take over the next five years.

Let us all join in remembering, that above all, the people are our judges and we are merely their servants.

‘The Voice of the People, is the Voice of God’.

Have a blessed Sunday

Zimbabwe and the multitudes of colleagues from Africa, the Diplomatic Community, all the political parties, friends and relatives who turn up for the funeral of my loving husband, Morgan.

To the multitudes who turned up at the hospital in South Africa at our home in Highlands, at the Methodist church in Mabelreign and at all gatherings to do with the funeral of my late loving husband, I say thank you.

On behalf of myself and the children, we felt comforted by your messages and your presence when you came to mourn with us.

Yes, I had known from the outset that Morgan was a national figure that I would share with you all but your commiseration with me and the family was overwhelming and unprecedented!

Brand Morgan touched everyone’s heart and soul but I hugely felt humbled by everyone’s love and support in my hour of grief. Thank you, Zimbabwe for your presence, your messages and your words of comfort.

I am still grieving but your overwhelming presence gave me unprecedented warmth and companionship.

To my dear Morgan, I say go well.
Go well my dearest and I have no doubt that the love you had for your fellow countrymen will ensure that you get eternal peace in the hands of the Almighty.

Yes, we are still grieving and the void you left will never be filled but I shall cherish the time the Lord, favoured me to be with you.Thank you, everyone, for standing by me and the family in our time of grief.

Lastly, I would like to express my profound gratitude to the MDC Family, the government of Zimbabwe, the Tsvangirai family, the Macheka family, civic organisations, the Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist church ofZimbabwe, Doves Funeral Services, Nyaradzo Funeral services, Bakers Inn and the world at large who extended their sympathy and support on the passing away of my husband after a long battle with colon cancer.

May the Almighty God bless you all

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Elizabeth Tsvangirai

Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa last week delivered a special message from President Mnangagwa to Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa, and held cordial talks on “all bilateral issues” with UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

Minister Chinamasa, who returned from his tour of Europe yesterday, told The Sunday Mail that he had also had solid interactions in Sweden and France.
“I went to the UK as a special envoy of the President to deliver a message to Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May. I am also not aware of the content of the message . . .

“We took the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues affecting our bilateral ties. In fact I can say that in our discussions, nothing was left out. I can only elaborate on the contents of my discussions after I meet the President.”

Minister Chinamasa said discussions with Mr Johnson were frank and cordial.
“The discussion was very cordial, constructive, positive and very forward-looking. There is clear and serious commitment on both sides to normalise relations at the highest level.”
Minister Chinamasa said from Britain he proceeded to Sweden and France, where he also delivered special messages from President Mnangagwa to the two countries’ Heads of States.

“After the UK, I went as a special envoy to deliver a special message to the Prime Minister of Sweden, through the deputy Foreign Secretary of that country. I then addressed Swedish businesspeople.
“From there I then went to Paris, France, to deliver a special message to President Emmanuel Macron. I also had a meeting and took the opportunity to clarify the investment climate in Zimbabwe.”

On Friday, Britain’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Catriona Laing said on social media she had met Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May and held “good discussions on Zimbabwe”.
Ambassador Laing tweeted: “Good discussions with No 10 officials on prospects for #Zimbabwe. It’s been a busy and productive week. Now on my way back”.
Her boss Mr Johnson on Wednesday tweeted that his discussions with Minister Chinamsa focused on key matters.

“Good to welcome Patrick Chinamasa, Zimbabwe’s Special Envoy to the UK to Foreign Office today,” he said. “Great hope and optimism for Zimbabwe’s future, we discussed need for free and fair elections this year and opportunities ahead of us.”
Britain showed its interest in engaging Zimbabwe when it dispatched then Minister of State for Africa Mr Rory Stewart to Harare to for President Mnangagwa’s inauguration in November 2017.

Mr Stewart has since been replaced by Ms Harriet Baldwin, who also met President Mnangagwa last month as PM May’s Special Envoy. This was Ms Baldwin’s first official visit to Africa as a minister since her January appointment.

After their meeting, President Mnangagwa formally informed Ms Baldwin of Zimbabwe’s intention to return to the Commonwealth, which could happen by the end of 2018.
President Mnangagwa also said he would like to meet PM May as relations between the two states thaw after nearly two decades of acrimony.

Ms Baldwin said her visit to Zimbabwe “created an opportunity to strengthen UK-Zimbabwe relations as part of a wider process of international engagement”. Sunday Mail

By Paul Nyathi

Crown Prince Bulelani Collins Lobengula Khumalo has been unveiled as the official King of the Ndebele people of Mthwakazi Kingdom.

Khumalo was unveild in public for the first time in Zimbabwe at a private function held in Bulawayo on Saturday after the official ceremony to crown him was called off by the government and the High Court on Friday.

Thousands of people in Bulawayo and the region had geared to attend the ceremony at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.

ZimEye.com sources indicated that instead about one hundred people including a majority of chiefs from Matabeleland attended the colourful unveiling ceremony held at a Chief Nyangazonke’s luxurious home in Burnside in the City.

The ceremony was characterised by feasting and drinking on traditional Ndebele meals and drinks and went on through the night.

The government through the Minister of Local Government July Moyo declared the crowning of the king unconstitutional and illegal. The same was confirmed by high court judge Martin Makonese.

Chief Nhlanhkayamangwe Ndiweni told the gathering that the public crowning of the King will be held at a date to be advised as the Crown Council is still engaging with the authorities in Zimbabwe.

“We are not done yet. We will take the issue to the limit and a new date for the king’s coronation will be advised,” said Chief Ndiweni.

Mavis Mary Ngwerume, the registered manager of a residential care home for adults with severe learning disabilities, Divine Care Solutions in Reading, made numerous illicit withdrawals from a resident’s account who had been placed there by Slough Borough Council. 

Between June 2009 and April 2015, she dishonestly and for the benefit of herself and others withdrew and stole money from his account totalling £16,551.

An investigation was sparked after a social worker from Slough Borough Council was reviewing his care package and noticed that he had spent far more money than was expected.

Her Honour Recorder S Campbell sentenced Ms Ngwreume on February 15, and referred to her crime as ‘despicable’. In sentencing the judge referred to Ngwerume offering no guilty plea, showing no remorse and attempting to blame both the victim and colleagues during her evidence.

Greed had led to Ngwerume taking small amounts initially in 2009, but over the years this had increased considerably as she became confident that no-one would notice. She had also been sending money abroad to her children, some of which had probably been taken from him.

Ngwerume will serve half her sentence and will be released on licence for the remainder. Enquiries will continue into Ngwerume’s financial circumstances with a view to confiscation under the proceeds of crime act 2002 in an effort to recover the loss suffered by the resident.

Cllr Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and social care, said: “This is a terrible crime. As the manager of the care home, Ngwerume had the trust of a vulnerable resident and should have safeguarded their financial interests. To take advantage of someone in this way is completely wrong and has had a consequence as we’ve seen in the judge’s ruling.”

“I hope the investigation into her financial circumstances reveals that the victim can be reimbursed.”

Mavis Ngwerume, a Zimbabwe national, is listed as a director of LADK Ltd in Reading, a company specialising in residential care activities for people with learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuse, along with two other directors also of the surname Ngwerume.

Motor vehicle owners will soon realise huge savings as Government reduces road user fees by more than half in a development meant to ensure realistic cost structures commensurate with international standards.

The state owned Sunday Mail says it understands Government is ceased with the finalisation of a new fees structure that will see vehicle owners paying $80 for new vehicle registration plates.

The cost of the number plates is currently pegged at $160. Under the proposed fees, trailer registration will attract $70 from $170 while replacement of vehicle registration books will be $15 from $30.

Motor vehicle owners seeking to replace the third number plate will fork out $17,50 from $35.

In an interview last week, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo said his ministry is now awaiting release of a comprehensive document with the fees structure from Treasury. “The proposals are with the Ministry of Finance awaiting approval. I cannot say when this will be officialised because it is now up to the Ministry of Finance,” he said.

The initiative is part of the ministry’s 100-day plan and are aimed at promoting the ease of doing business.

Dr Gumbo said it was envisaged that the reduction in the fees will motivate motor vehicle owners to comply with various registration requirements.
“The development is also expected to boost revenue for the Central Vehicle Registration department and Road Motor Transport section once more motorists find it easier to pay for services,” he said.

Dr Gumbo said increased revenue from the fees will also see progress in road rehabilitation and ensure safe driving.-state media

MDC-T deputy president Dr Thokozani Khupe says she is yet to recover from the attempt on her life at the burial of the opposition party’s late leader Morgan Tsvangirai in Buhera two weeks ago.

Appearing in public for the first time since the alleged arson attempt on a building in which she and two other senior party officials hid from a mob of MDC-T youths, Dr Khupe said her larynx was damaged.

She said this after failing to speak at a public lecture on ethnicity and politics in Zimbabwe, organised by a civil society organisation in Bulawayo on Friday. Tsvangirai’s death has plunged the MDC-T into leadership crisis with party organs declaring Advocate Nelson Chamisa the party’s substantive president. Dr Khupe insists she MDC-T acting president.

At the lecture, she asked MDC-T organising secretary Mr Abednego Bhebhe to present on her behalf.

“Unfortunately, I lost my voice as you know I stayed in that hut which was filled with smoke for three hours and my voice box was affected. I cannot speak so I will ask Bhebhe to speak on my behalf,” she said.

Mr Bhebhe slammed the alleged arson attempt.

“… something happened in Buhera; it was bad. A lot of people want us to speak out and tell them what happened. uMaKhupe, Lovemore Moyo (national chairman) and Bhebhe will not tell you anything because what happened in reference to the region is not about them, it was never about them, it’s about all of you citizens,” said Mr Bhebhe.

Mr Chamisa’s faction has given the three up to Friday to start performing party duties or risk disciplinary action.

Mr Bhebhe said Dr Khupe would not throw in the towel, likening her to the first wife in polygamous marriage who soldiers on.

“She (could) have long back rejected her husband but she still stays put so that when she decides to leave, children, neighbours and relatives, will know that she was a woman of integrity,” he said.

“Because if you just walk away without explaining yourself to those around you, they will badmouth you, they will say you were sent away because of prostitution yet you won’t be a prostitute.

“They will say you were chased away because of witchcraft yet you were not a witch. “But before you leave you should stand your ground.”

On Mr Chamisa’s elevation, Mr Bhebhe said: “A minority can respect the constitution better than the majority. The majority don’t respect the constitution because they don’t use the constitution but populism.

“Which is what we are seeing happening here. The majority would not want to follow what the constitution says but because they want to use the numerical advantage, they will say let’s make noise in our numbers that becomes law.

“When somebody from the minority speaks constitutionalism, she or he is questioned for raising their voice.”- state media

Government has reduced the price of Diesel 50 from US$1,30 to US$1,22 per litre with effect from tomorrow as part of efforts to peg a realistic price of the eco-friendly fuel.

The new price comes at a time Government banned the importation of Diesel 500 by 1 May 2018, citing its damage to vehicle engines due to high Sulphur content.

In a notice published last Friday, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) said the transition from D500 to D50 was progressing well since the importation of D500 was banned through General Notice 669 of 2017.

“The retail price for the week starting March 5, 2018 should not exceed US$1, 22 for all diesel,” said Zera.

“The reduction of D50 prices in the market is a result of use of cheaper pipeline transportation of D50 into the country as opposed to road and rail. “The convergence in prices of D50 and D500 that is being witnessed shows compliance with the Government directive to ban retail of D500 by 1 May
2018.

“However, subsequent prices will change in line with movements in international crude oil prices and the application of the fuel pricing regulations by Zera.”

Compliance testing by Zera shows that the majority of fuel retail sites in the country are now selling D50 only, with a few dispensing remaining stocks of D500.

During the transition from D500 to D50, motorists whose vehicles use D50 only are urged to verify with retail sites that they are buying fuel compatible with their vehicles.

Zera said it would continue to conduct compliance audits to ensure that high fuel quality is maintained at the correct prices and necessary steps are followed where violations occur.

Most countries are moving towards use of diesel with low sulpur content with the majority of those in Europe now at D10.

The fuel has much better combustion quality than regular diesel, resulting in improved fuel consumption and engine performance. Sunday Mail

Harare will have to restart its search for a substantive town clerk after the Local Government Board (LGB) rejected the three short-listed candidates.

Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni said the LGB was not happy with the selection and requested that the position be re-advertised.

Suspended human capital director Cainos Chingombe, Hatfield legislator Tapiwa Mashakada and Gweru town clerk Elisabeth Gwatipedza had been selected by the local authority for final consideration.

“I have received communication from the LGB that they are not happy with the three candidates and they have requested fresh interviews for the position so it is back to square one. This was after more than 30 months without a town clerk,” Manyenyeni said.

The mayor further pointed out without giving much detail that the LGB gave different reasons of their opposition for each candidate.

He added that as Harare needs a speedy resolution to the impasse as it was not ideal for a capital city to not have someone who makes executive administrative decisions.

Community Water Alliance coordinator Hardlife Mudzingwa said the position needed to be filled speedily as Harare could not function without a substantive chief executive.

“This position cannot have a person acting in it for so long. We thought that in the 100-day plan laid out by government something would have happened but that has not been the case. It should be filled by a professional person and not someone who is selected on partisan lines,” he said.

The position has been lying vacant for three years after the former town clerk Tendai Mahachi was retrenched.

In 2016, council appointed former banker James Mushore to the position but he was suspended by former Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere for flouting procedures to his appointment.

Following his suspension Mushore approached the Labour Court recourse into the matter which is yet to be determined.

If Mushore wins the Labour Court case, Harare City Council will be compelled to pay him over $250 000 in backdated salaries.

When the three candidates were revealed residents rejected the candidates arguing that they are “uninspiring”.

They said Mashakada is an active MDC politician, Chingombe is yet to answer for the council’s salary scandal while Gwatipedza also had an issue of purchasing $40 000 curtains for her council home. Daily News

Below is a list circulating of a proposed Cabinet to be picked by MDC Alliance President Hon. Nelson Chamisa. Below is the speculative Cabinet –

Finance and Economic Development: Tendai Biti
Defence and War Veterans: Elias Mudzuri
Home Affairs and State security: Douglas Mwonzora
Transport and Infrastructure: Prince Dubeko Sibanda
Tourism, Parks and Environment: Maureen Kademaunga
Minister of Local Government, Devolution and Provincial Councils – Ben Manyenyeni
Mines and Energy Development – Gabuza Gabbuza
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – David Coltart
Health and Social Welfare- Dr. Ruth Labode
Public Service, Labour and Social Security – Hon. Paurina Mpariwa
Women Affairs, Social Welfarand National Healing- Tabitha Khumalo
Justice and Parliamentary Affairs- Jessie Majome
Commerce and Industry – Tapiwa Mashakada
Education, Research, Science and Technology – Jacob Ngarivhume
Information, Publicity and Communication Technologies- James Maridadi
Agriculture and Lands- Chalton Hwende
Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture- Fadzayi Mahere
Office of the President- Clifford Hlatywayo
Deputy Home Affairs: Lillian Timveos
Deputy Defence: Tracy Mutinhiri
Deputy Foreign Affairs: Kucaca Phulu
Deputy Health : Peter Matarutse
Deputy Education: Mandla Nyathi
Deputy Local Government: Job Sikhala

BOMBSHELL, A REAL ONE: Marondera West MP Ambrose Mutinhiri, a former ZIPRA commander, says quitting Zanu PF. Cites “military coup”, says won’t be bound by “illegalities of a few rogue elements”. This is major folks! pic.twitter.com/ZJG4aUum8t

— Mduduzi Mathuthu (@Mathuthu) March 3, 2018

By Staff Reporter| People Rainbow coalition leader and NPP President Joice Mujuru today addressed PRC Aspiring members of Parliament and Councillors.

The function was in Mash Central and below were some of the picture highlights.

Mujuru was described under the term “Mother Zimbabwe for President 2018.” BELOW WERE SOME OF THE PICTURE HIGHLIGHTS-

Chinhoyi here we come! This Sunday, March 4. Don’t miss this #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/Uj2FpioWE3

— MDC Alliance (@MDCAllianceZW) March 3, 2018

Below are the details for the late Charles Ndhlovu’s memorial service in Newmarket on Saturday:

We are kindly inviting you to a memorial celebration service , of our dear sweetheart Charles Ndhlovu ( BHUTIKI ). The only Son.which is taking place on the 3rd March 2018. The venue address is Roman Catholic Church, 14 Exeter Road, Newmarket CB8 8LT. Start time is 11.00am till 17.00pm. There will be food refreshments in the church hall same venue thanks in advance.

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

Ms Nomsa Ncube, who worked at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC) in Johannesburg where Mr Tsvangirai was hospitalised, came under the spotlight when a picture of her posing next to the ailing politician during his final days went viral on social media.

Prior to her death, a complaint against her had been filed with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) by a fellow nurse who wanted her disciplined for misconduct.

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

When our Bulawayo Bureau contacted Mrs Ncube’s brother Absolom, he said they expected her body in the country last night ahead of burial today.

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

Ms Ncube, a former sister-in-charge at Nkayi District Hospital, is said to have left the country for South Africa in 2008.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Paul Nyathi|  The above picture shows former President Robert Mugabe in his early days as President while also in a scarf which President Emerson Mnangagwa has recently copied.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Grange Residents Association was represented by Tafadzwa Mugabe.

Mugabe said the stands would be sold by public auction.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Police in Chivi said investigations were underway.

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

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

No comment could be obtained from the school authorities.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Paul Nyathi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blocking Coronation of Crown Prince Khumalo as Ndebele King is EVIL. #Zim Constitution does not refer to a Village Head, Headman, Chief or King. It ONLY refers to #TraditionalLeaders in sections 280-3 as read with sections 3(1)(d), 16, 60, 63 & 67. A King is a #TraditionalLeader! pic.twitter.com/awqE1SPyCK

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) March 2, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced below that 250million dollars have been recovered from people who had externalised the funds.  – MORE TO FOLLOW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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