Home Affairs and Culture Minister Obert Mpofu has pledged to address the large number of roadblocks and corruption in the police force.

In an interview with the state-controlled Herald newspaper soon after he was sworn in on Monday, Mpofu noted that many people are complaining about roadblocks and corruption in the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

He is quoted as saying he will deal with these issues that have been raised by motorists over the years.

“This is the first assignment I want to deal with. I have received a lot of complaints about the behaviour of some of our officers and I am going to address that. This is a people’s police force and it has to abide by the expectations of the people, at the same time maintaining law and order.”

Some people claim that police normally ask for bribes at various roadblocks, a situation that has compromised their status in modern Zimbabwe.

At times the ZRP officers manning roadblocks, some of them not sanctioned by the police force, demand spot fines even if this was outlawed.

Police are currently patrolling the streets in Zimbabwe in conjunction with members of the Zimbabwe Defence Force in what has been termed Operation Restore Order.

The Zimbabwe Defence Force staged a coup resulting in the removal of Robert Mugabe from power.

He has been replaced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.- VOA

A Gokwe man has been slapped with an 18 month jail sentence for faking his son’s death and attempting to defraud Ecosure Funeral Cover of $12 000 in accident insurance cover.

Nicholas Madziva (47) of Magama Village under Chief Nemangwe in Gokwe South was convicted on his own plea of guilty to one count of fraud by Gokwe resident magistrate Mr Christopher Maturure.

He was sentenced to 18 months in prison but six months were suspended for five years on condition he is not within the period convicted of a similar offence.

The remaining 12 months were further suspended on condition Madziva performs 420 hours of community service at Sunganai Secondary School in Gokwe South.

For the State, Mr Tineyi Tirigo told the court that on April 4 Madziva, who is a policy holder on Ecosure funeral cover, hatched a plan to defraud the company and claimed funeral assistance alleging that his son had died in a road traffic accident.

Mr Tirigo said Madziva claimed normal cover assured of $ 2 000 and an extra $10 000 of accidental cover.

The court heard that as a matter of procedure, Ecosure commenced the verification process after Madziva submitted his claim forms.

Mr Tirigo said it was discovered that Madziva’s son whom he had claimed to have died in an accident was alive. The matter was then reported to the police leading to Madziva’s arrest.
The claim made by Madziva was potentially prejudicial to the complainant to the sum of $12 000.

In a related incident, a 31 –year- old man from Gokwe has been sentenced to eight months in prison after he was convicted of attempting to defraud Ecosure Funeral Cover of $1000 after faking his mother’s death.

Knowledge Mponderi of Mponderi Village under Chief Chireya in Gokwe North was also convicted by Mr Maturure and was sentenced to eight months of which three months were
suspended on condition of good behaviour.

Another five months were suspended on condition Mponderi performs 175 hours of community service at Gwebo Primary School in his area.

Mr Tirigo told the court that on September 17 Mponderi, who is a policy holder on Ecosure Funeral Cover, hatched a plan to defraud the company and claimed funeral assistance alleging that his mother had died.

Mponderi claimed funeral assistance of $1 000. When Ecosure conducted their own investigations, they discovered that Mponderi’s mother was alive.

The matter was reported to the police leading to Mponderi’s arrest.- state media

Mnangagwa Is God Given / Or Army Given, WHAT'S THE TRUTH?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 4, 2017

“Why are the mistakes coming up now when Mnangagwa has taken over?”

Outcry as media repeatedly fails to spell an IsiNdebele word (SEE PICTURES)

By Paul Nyathi| A huge outcry has come up in Matabeleland after various media houses and government departments failed to correctly spell the IsiNdebele word “Amhlophe” in messages congratulating President Emerson Mnangagwa on his inauguration.

A ZimEye.com reader from Bulawayo Nkululeko Moyo expressed unhappiness at the number of times the various media houses continued on wrongly spelling the word which he described as an act of deliberate negligence.

“Mistakes do happen and people spell words wrongly maybe as a misprint but if the error is repeated up to ten times and more it can no longer be taken as a typing error,” he said.

Moyo said they had been discussing the continuous wrongly spelling of what he called the simplest and most used IsiNdebele word in Zimbabwe and they all concluded that it was arrogance on the part of the publishers.

According to Moyo, incorrect spelling of the word is having a huge impact on President Mnangagwa’s brand among the people of the region.

“It’s not the first time congratulatory messages are being made in the newspapers, during Mugabe’s era there was never such a mistake,” he said.

“Why are the mistakes coming up now when Mnangagwa has taken over? Is he instructing them to incorrectly spell the word?” he fumed.

Efforts by ZimEye.com to speak to the editor of one of the publishers were unsuccessful but a junior member of staff at the media house indicated that the advertisements came from the companies sending the message as written and the paper could not be in a position to edit them.

It was not possible to obtain a comment from the President’s office.

As a standing committee member, Mr Job Sikhala confirmed there were of a truth overtures from the army to MDC members last month – that the military run government approached some of his colleagues in the middle of the night with the intention of isolating Tsvangirai by offering some MDC-T cabinet positions, Presidential adviser Christopher Mutsvangwa yesterday hit back at suggestions by MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai that he was never approached to form a coalition Cabinet. Mutsvangwa reiterated that Mr Tsvangirai blocked his deputies and Mr Tendai Biti from joining the Cabinet because of their disloyalty to the embattled opposition leader. He was responding to Mr Tsvangirai’s spokesman Mr Luke Tamborinyoka’s outburst, denying assertions his boss was approached to allow his legislators take up Cabinet posts in the new dispensation.

“One cannot run away from the fact that the fate that befell Tendai Biti and a clutch of MDC deputies is a salutary reminder to the peril of disloyalty to Morgan Tsvangirai,” said Mutsvangwa. Only a public disowning of this menacing sword of Damocles by MT himself would have helped the process of inclusivity forward.” Mutsvangwa said a golden opportunity availed itself at the two million march when the war veterans invited him (Tsvangirai) at the Zimbabwe Grounds which he attended.

https://youtu.be/9C2gaTBMcaQ?t=7m31s

“For political safety of prospective Cabinet candidates from the opposition, President Mnangagwa had to be prudent in testing the waters of inclusivity in an atmosphere where opposition stalwarts sought a national unity government instead,” said Mutsvangwa. After all enough deputies of the Eighth Parliament had paid the high prices of breaching the draconian provisions that militate against perceived party discipline. You can also count myself and the spiteful loss of the Norton constituency seat. That is why it was that much easier for the new President to reach out to the politically unencumbered figures from academia and business.”

Mr Tamborinyoka was quoted in privately owned media scoffing at Mutsvangwa’s claims that the MDC-T leader turned down an offer to form a coalition Cabinet, demanding that he be included in the presidium. He described Mutsvangwa’s statement as “dales and typical of a government used to misrepresent facts”.

Mr Tamborinyoka said President Mnangagwa never approached Mr Tsvangirai who was open to such an arrangement, hoping it would create an environment for implementing reforms which could lead to credible elections next year. – state media/additional reporting

The driver of the Vic Falls truck which was burnt down and whose images circulated Sunday morning, is safe.

The truck went into flames on Saturday night.

Mr Siachamba Kantini (25), who is employed by Shaan Carriers, a Zambian company, is one of the scores of truck drivers who had parked along the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo road near Victoria Falls Truck Stop waiting for clearance to cross the border.

The truck was loaded with coal and only the horse was burnt.

Mr Kantini refuted claims making rounds on social media that the truck horse caught fire due to a gas stove he was using to cook his supper.

“I went to Hwange during the day to collect some documents which they wanted at the border. It’s not true that I was cooking when the fire broke out. Instead I had my supper in Hwange and when I came back I went into the horse to sleep. Suddenly I smelt smoke and as I was trying to figure out what was happening the whole horse was on fire,” he said.

Mr Kantini, who lost all his belongings including travel documents and paperwork for the truck and clearance for the load he was carrying, said he suspects that the truck had an electrical fault.

The fire brigade attended to the scene although they could not give details about findings from the scene.

Officer Commanding Victoria Falls District, Chief Superintendent Jairos Chiwona said: “I can confirm there is a truck that caught fire on Saturday. We are not sure what caused it. No foul play is suspected for now and we stand guided by the fire experts on what could have caused the accident.” – state media

Harare City Council has urged residents to avoid drinking borehole water as it may be contaminated. This came out at last week’s full council meeting.

Councillors are however, split with some complaining that borehole water is dirty, while others say it meets World Health Organisation standards. Acting town clerk Mrs Josephine Ncube said residents needed to stop relying on borehole water as it has not been tested.

“We assure residents that our water is safe. Residents should desist from going to boreholes because some of them have contaminated water. We had to decommission some boreholes, especially at Matapi flats,” she said.

She said the city had taken measures to ensure the supply of clean water to residents.

“We have about $8 million in our budget for pipe replacement next year. This year work has started and is progressing well. We start in areas that are really bad and we need to replace three-quarters. We expect the pace to increase next year,” she said.

According to Mrs Ncube, the city was losing a lot of money buying chemicals to purify water, and this was unsustainable.

“The cost of treating water is very high because the water is contaminated. We should reduce the rate of water contamination. There is also contamination from industries, urban agriculture and we are looking at new chemicals that can be used to clean the water. We are carrying out trials and may reduce the number of chemicals from eight to three,” she said.

Some councillors urged urban farmers to produce crops organically to reduce contamination of ground water with chemical residue. Director of Water Engineer Hosiah Chisango said there were complaints over the quality of water, but tests and investigations at the treatment works and at various taps indicated that the water was within WHO guidelines, with the exception of colour in some areas.

“We had to increase dosage of chemicals to deal with algae. Our water remains safe; monitoring and testing has increased to ensure it remains safe,” he said.

This year, council embarked on reservoir cleaning to ensure supply of clean water. Marimba, Kambanji, Kopje and Bluff Hill reservoirs have been cleaned, while work is in progress on Mutiny and Ridge Road reservoirs. The exercise is expected to continue into 2018 and beyond.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| Despite being tormented continually by former President Robert Mugabe and his wife, Grace, Zanu PF Masvingo Provincial Chairperson, Ezra Chadzamira reflected fervent passion for the deposed nonagenarian.

Chadzamira made an embarrassing blunder yesterday when he told party members to rally behind Mugabe in next year’s crucial elections. He openly declared that Robert Mugabe is contesting in the upcoming 2018 elections, shortly before correcting himself – AUDIO STREAMING shortly – refresh to listen.

Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) commander, Gen. Constantino Chiwenga, is seen standing a good chance of being elevated straight from the barracks to become one of the two vice presidents at Zanu PF’s extraordinary congress scheduled for this month, the Daily News claims.

The development comes after Mnangagwa’s special advisor, Chris Mutsvangwa stated that the Zimbabwean military is the best in the world.

The report states that Chiwenga is set to top Emmerson Mnangagwa’s list, which includes former Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi, ex-War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube; Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo; minister of Defence, Security and War Veterans Kembo Mohadi and Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda.

Said Mutsvangwa at the weekend, “we condemn any fingerpointing at our illustrious army. Stay away from fingerpointing at our army. It is the best in the world…”

“We want to say we stand by our army. It is a competent and professional army. It intervened in a judicious and peaceful manner to arrest a situation which could have made this country go off the cliff.”

After Mnangagwa and his Team Lacoste faction made a dramatic comeback — riding on the military’s intervention in Zanu PF’s internal politics last month — Phelekezela Mphoko, who was the other vice president, became part of the collateral damage targeting key members of the rival Generation 40 faction.

The party’s constitution entitles Mnangagwa to appoint the two vice presidents, the national chairperson, heads of the politburo and its committee members and the deputies to the heads of departments.

Mnangagwa has found himself in a fix over who to appoint as his deputies.

Chiwenga is seen topping the list, which includes former Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi, ex-War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube; Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo; minister of Defence, Security and War Veterans Kembo Mohadi and Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda.

Mnangagwa also finds himself with the need to appease the feminine folk displeased by his recent Cabinet appointments which only had four women out of 22 Cabinet ministers.

The ruling party’s women’s league has recently been clamouring for the restoration of the quota system in the presidium. It would therefore be interesting to see if Mnangagwa would budge, in which case he might have to pick from some of the seasoned female heavyweights such as Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Edna Madzongwe, Eunice Sandi-Moyo and Angeline Masuku, among others.

Analysts told the Daily News that it will not be surprising that Chiwenga could secure one of the vice presidents’ post after the army chief played a pivotal role in a military operation, which toppled Mugabe and ushered in Mnangagwa.

The appointment of air marshal Perrance Shiri and Major General Sibusiso Moyo into Mnangagwa’s first Cabinet have largely been interpreted as his show of gratitude to the military for clearing his way to State House.

As such, he might reward Chiwenga with the vice presidency.

Social commentator, Rashweat Mukundu, believes there is a high possibility that Chiwenga will emerge as vice president at the congress.

“He is raising a wave of popularity not only in Zanu PF but nationally and Zanu PF may look at him as an asset come the 2018 elections,” said Mukundu.

Political analyst, Maxwell Saungweme, said with the inclusion of generals Moyo and Shiri as ministers, common sense can be that generals (Philip) Sibanda and Chiwenga will be VPs.

“They can’t have their juniors be ministers when they are out,” said Saungweme.

“As you know, ministers are senior to commanders in hierarchy and command structure. But it seems Ngwena wants these to be elected at their congress this month as opposed to appointing.

“He can appoint them as VPs anyway if he wants without any legal issues. By the way Chiwenga and Sibanda also meet the Zanu PF equation for VPs as they represent Zipra and Zanla as well as the Ndebele-Shona balance the party has always done for VPs.

“They can’t let others eat from their coup sweat. Mnangagwa’s Cabinet showed us that it was prize-giving season for the boys involved in a coup that include war vets, military and other Lacoste members.

“Chiwenga and Sibanda can’t lead a coup to let others eat or for them to remain stagnant. Chiwenga and Sibanda VPs is a possibility,” opined Saungweme.

Political analyst, McDonald Lewanika, said it was very possible that Chiwenga will be the vice president or one of them.

“To all intents and purposes, the post is the commander Defence Forces’ for the taking, and if he wants it there will be no dark horses. But if it’s not something he wants, then others who may be worth considering in the spirit of the Cabinet already set and bridging the divide in Zanu PF, would be colonel Tshinga Dube, and Sydney Sekeramayi.

“Madzongwe was once touted as potential VP but the fact that this was initially to replace ED this may make her consideration a tough sale, as is Sekeramayi’s.

“It is unlikely that ED will step out of Zanu PF for the VP pick, the only danger that is there is that if Congress is allowed to choose a VP for ED that vice president as a product of congress election rather Mnangagwa’s appointee will be a very powerful if not dangerous VP.

“On the bright side it would also assist in checking ED’s power as he will have as second in command, another popularly elected member,” said Lewanika.

Another analyst, Eldred Masunungure said it would be unwise for Mnangagwa to appoint Chiwenga to the position of vice president as it would endorse the notion that the military are effectively calling the shots.

“I think it will be imprudent for Chiwenga to be appointed VP at this stage. It will become abundantly evident that ZDF is being rewarded for the cardinal role it played in the ascendency of the incumbent president.

“We all know the president was fired from Zanu PF; he was in the wilderness politically and physically after he fled to South Africa. He was rehabilitated courtesy of the military intervention.

“(Now) the military has already been rewarded with two Cabinet posts which I think is adequate. He needs to ensure that the military is unified as an institution and is not unduly fractured… So if he is thinking about it (appointing Chiwenga as VP) it will be imprudent and unwise maybe in a new term,” said Masunungure.

Masunungure did not rule out the politics of ethnicity which remain a pivotal variable in the politics of Zimbabwe.

He said by this token Mnangagwa may not need to look to Mashonaland Central or Mashonaland East for a VP as many may think they already had their share.

“Frankly he would need to think about the traditional source in Matabeleland by virtue of the unity accord. Perhaps (Kembo) Mohadi could be a serious candidate for Matabeleland and then outside Matabeleland he would need to think of the women quota.

“As it is Muchinguri is a serious candidate. She is female, a war veteran and comes from province that has never had a VP. So he can kill several birds with one stone,” Masunungure said.

There have, however, been some voices that have been calling on Mnangagwa to appoint the most senior pre-Unity Accord Zapu official, Dumiso Dabengwa despite the fact that he now leads his own party.

These include Mnangagwa’s own special advisor, Chris Mutsvangwa, who recently told a press conference that Dabengwa should be one of the vice presidents.

Mutsvangwa argued that this would help the country’s liberation movement.- Daily News

“Did they say the American government is a military junta? These are double standards. We condemn any fingerpointing at our illustrious army. Stay away from fingerpointing at our army. It is the best in the world…” 

“We want to say we stand by our army. It is a competent and professional army. It intervened in a judicious and peaceful manner to arrest a situation which could have made this country go off the cliff.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa ‘s special adviser Chris Mutsvangwa at the weekend cautioned while saying it is not fair to criticise the president on his cabinet choices. Mutsvangwa also condemned the opposition party MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai for being critical of the man before he has been given a chance to prove himself while saying Mnangagwa was open to the idea of including MDC politicians in his cabinet.

ALSO LISTEN TO MUTSVANGWA AND TSVANGIRAI SPEAKING ON THE MATTER BELOW –

https://youtu.be/9C2gaTBMcaQ

“We cannot have a country of people without any purpose because the economy is not providing them with opportunities which they want. The focus of the President, immediately, is how to revive this economy. That is where his attention is focused on,” he said.

He said the sacrifices of all people – past and present – in the liberation movements were not only for the flag, a leader or party, but to develop a prosperous country.

The current focus was to develop the country into the best destination for business in the world, which in turn would grow the economy and better livelihoods, he said.

“The route which we have taken is the route of wealth, the route of money, prosperity and building a model African country, which no other African has ever done. The route of having an economy that grows at a rate of 10, 15, 20 percent per annum for the next 10 to 20 years,” said  Mutsvangwa.

The country will witness the construction of skyscrapers and highways anchored on judicious exploitation of the country’s mineral wealth.

He said smelting plants would be set up along the Great Dyke to contribute to the country’s economy through production of steel.

The opposition,  Mutsvangwa said, had not raised a finger when G40 was taking root in the country, only to find their voice to criticise the new administration. G40 is a group of politicians reportedly fronted by the former First Lady Grace Mugabe to fight then Vice President Mnangagwa.

Turning to the new Cabinet, Mutsvangwa said the President had reached out to the opposition, but MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai insisted on seconding people of his choice.

The war veterans leader said  Mnangagwa, who is fulfilling ZANU-PF’s mandate, had identified people in the opposition he thought he could work with.

Mr Tsvangirai, however, proposed his own list.

“In setting up Government, President Mnangagwa is using the mandate that former president  Mugabe got in 2013. He has not secured his own. He is waiting for his own mandate in 2018,” said  Mutsvangwa.

“He (President Mnangagwa) said he wanted some people from the MDC to assist him as the person who has the mandate, but the MDC, through their leader Tsvangirai, turned around and said he wanted to give him people of his choice.”

This, he said, scuppered plans to co-opt people into Government from the opposition as they were threatened with expulsion.

The move to include the opposition was informed by the unity shown when thousands of Zimbabweans across the political, racial and ethnic divide marched in support of the intervention of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces which forced then President, Mugabe, to resign.

Blocking President Mnangagwa from selecting people of his choice proved to be the deal breaker, said  Mutsvangwa.

“To block someone with a mandate to fish from the opposition ranks to form Government when you lost in 2013 was too much. They were intruding on the mandate of the President,” said  Mutsvangwa.

As a result, he said, some sections of the media had changed stance and started vilifying President Mnangagwa as a failure when he spent only a week in office.

Added  Mutsvangwa: “I am saying this because all the papers have started attacking the new President. He is being judged in 37 hours more than someone who has been in power for 37 years.”

Mutsvangwa also said President Mnangagwa, as a lawyer, was following the law by appointing people who were elected into Parliament, with latitude of no more than five people from outside to include in his Cabinet.

His ability to satisfy the various interests in the party, Mutsvangwa said, was also governed by existing structures. He called on people to mobilise for prospective candidates that can make a difference in Government.

He said the inclusion of military personnel in Government was common in the West and America.

“The choice of the President to include members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is his prerogative, moreso when they are loyal, patriotic and competent. There is no law in the world which says generals cannot be found in Cabinet.

“We even start with American statecraft. President (Donald) Trump has generals in his cabinet and they do not make an issue out of it. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.”

For example, General John Francis Kelly, is currently White House Chief of Staff in President Trump’s administration.

Another retired United States general, Michael Flynn, served briefly as National Security Advisor to President Trump.

There are only two military personnel – Air Marshal Perrance Shiri (Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Resettlement) and Major-General Sibusiso Moyo (Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister) – in President Mnangagwa’s 22-member Cabinet.

“Did they say the American government is a military junta? These are double standards. We condemn any fingerpointing at our illustrious army. Stay away from fingerpointing at our army. It is the best in the world,” he said.

“We want to say we stand by our army. It is a competent and professional army. It intervened in a judicious and peaceful manner to arrest a situation which could have made this country go off the cliff.”

Mystery surrounds the circumstances leading to the fatal accident that claimed the life of prominent Harare lawyer, Edmore Jori in the early hours of Saturday.

The accident is understood to have taken place near the Women’s University in Mt Pleasant as he drove towards Greencroft.

It is not clear whether Jori lost control of his ML and hit another car, crashed against a pole or he fell asleep under the influence of alcohol and lost control of the vehicle as the police report on the accident was not immediately available.

All things being equal, Jori will be laid to rest in his rural home of Buhera today.

At the time of his death, Jori was with Wintertons Legal Practitioners in the capital having joined them in 2002. He had been a partner since 2005 and headed law firm’s Energy, Infrastructure and Natural Resources Department.

Profiling Jori, Wintertons said he had:

“…developed a niche market, having handled numerous Power Generation, Transmission and related transactions in this increasingly competitive sector since the Government adopted the deliberate policy of opening up space for private players.”

His areas of specialisation included transactions relating to Mining, Infrastructure Development, Public – Private Sector Partnerships, Information, Communication and Technology, Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions, Banking, Bilateral and Syndicated Finance, together with Property transactions and complex commercial litigation.

But while the legal fraternity, family and friends were plunged into mourning, the intrusive social media was awash with theories on what might have led to the fatal accident.

All the theories featured Jori’s lover and trendy Harare businesswoman, Michelle Kawome.

H-Metro could not get hold of Michelle to give her side of her story as her phone was under the care of a close friend, Chipo.

People who knew Jori as Michelle’s lover were visiting her home to convey their condolence messages and offer moral support while the bulk of mourners were at his Greystone Park home from where his body left for Buhera.

Understandably, Chipo said Michelle was not in a good place to do an interview as she was still grieving.

“I am sorry Michelle cannot talk to you about that issue. She is still grieving, Eddie is not even buried yet and makutoda kunyora nezvazvo.

“I know you are doing a job but don’t you have heart to do a story whilst she is still grieving?

“You can write whatever you want from social media, I don’t think she will be able to talk to you,” said Chipo.

It also emerged that Michelle had been forced to deactivate her Facebook account on Saturday as people started posting messages incriminating her.

THE THEORIES

***What is agreed is that the two were at Pariah State before moving to Pabloz where award-winning South African house wheel-spinner, DJ Shimza was performing.

***What is also agreed is that Michelle and Jori were using different cars.

***What is also agreed is that as they left Pabloz, Michelle drove in front.

THE POPULAR THEORY
This unconfirmed theory is popular on social media where everyone claims to have inside information even when overseas.

It is said they had a misunderstanding in the nightclub and Michelle stormed out of the bar while Eddie followed her and this developed into a car chase leading to the fatal crash. Under this theory, Michelle was to blame for the tragic accident.

SECOND THEORY
Jori and Michelle’s relationship had become solid and he was providing funding for her clothing business and this enabled her to travel to places like China for stock. Jori took Michelle from dealer, Roland Muchegwa, who is popularly known in social circles as Uncle Roland. Michelle and Uncle Roland have two children together.

This resulted in numerous clashes between Uncle Roland and Jori. At one stage, Jori was attacked with an empty beer bottle at a nightspot while the other clash ended up at Rotten Row courts. In between the clashes between the men, Uncle Roland would brutally attack Michelle over her move. Even at the time of Jori’s death, Uncle Roland was still bitter, FOUR years after Michelle left him.

It is understood that Uncle Roland’s desire to ruin Michelle’s love life actually solidified her affair with Jori who then did all he could to ensure that she was comfortable. The theory even claims that Jori’s wife had accepted Michelle’s presence in their life and as such, their man would even spend nights at Michelle’s home.

Consistent with this theory, it is claimed that Michelle and Jori were in good books as they left Borrowdale and had agreed to use their separate cars to her home. Michelle would use the rear-view mirror to see if Jori was following. She however, lost him near the Women University and made a U-turn only to be met by the tragic crash. Michelle was among the first people at the scene of the accident. This theory clears Michelle of causing the accident.

THIRD THEORY
With Uncle Roland having been in Harare last week, there were those that wanted to implicate him in the accident suggesting that he had followed Jori. However, H-Metro can confirm that Uncle Roland is in South Africa where he went last week on Wednesday. He is now based there although he comes to Harare often.- H-Metro

“I go honourably with my head high after 10 years of illustrious service and dedication to my country…”

HARARE – Walter Mzembi was the last Foreign Affairs minister to serve under former president Robert Mugabe.

Although his tenure was brief, for it was during his stint that the Mugabe’s regime fell, it was an event-packed period that has not been recorded.

Our News Editor Gift Phiri had an opportunity to hear these events from the horse’s mouth. Below are excerpts of the interview:

Walter Mzembi

Q: Where were you when the military tanks rolled into Harare? What was your reaction?

A: Before I respond to your questions, let me hasten to say the “first casualty of conflict is truth”. I am hoping this interview can lay to rest the many falsehoods and fake news that have been generated and disseminated around my name and whereabouts in the most recent past, amounting to hate speech! Thank you for the opportunity to set the record straight. Now back to your first question, we were of course in bed at that wee hour but had been kept wide awake by anxiety over the statement by the military and its implications and also queries from the region on what was going on, remember on the night in question I had missed a flight to South Africa, where I had been granted an appointment with the South African Foreign Affairs minister in Pretoria in the morning of the 15th and later a meeting with President (Jacob) Zuma at 6pm in Cape Town as part of my regional diplomatic tour but also as the ex-president’s special envoy. I had just completed a similar assignment in Zambia the previous day, where I had met both the Foreign Affairs minister and President Lungu. So my colleagues in the region were equally anxious. As to our reaction as a family, we stayed on, and only moved into a hotel around 6am, as we were now responding to various messages on the insecurity of Cabinet ministers getting to us from various sources.

Q: Some people suggest you took sanctuary in the Cuban Embassy. Is this correct?

A: We never were visited by the military contrary to falsehoods peddled by social media, and some of my colleagues in government who have been authoritatively peddling lies about my whereabouts and supposed fugitive status. I never left Zimbabwe nor sought sanctuary anywhere including the Cuban Embassy as asserted by some. My immigration and passport records can confirm this, including checking with the said embassies that are clearly irritated by these falsehoods. It’s just malice!

Q: So where did you go?

A: I went to a hotel, and after two days was back at my residence.

Q: Why do you think you were expelled from Zanu PF?

A: Retaliatory action from my colleagues. Remember we were clearly split into two factions. The one with the upper hand expels the other! Those expelling others had been expelled the previous week or so, some childish game of sorts hence the intervention by the military who are stockholders of this party.

Q: In hindsight do you think you did the right thing ?

A: None of us is more righteous than the other, I hope one day there can be an honest stocktaking of actions, and a genuine attempt to heal the party. We have no other home outside Zanu PF, so expelling individuals is not the solution for a mature party such as Zanu PF. You sit down in the true spirit of “Operation Restore Legacy” , and examine the conflict points including generational and ideological misunderstandings and mend the fences, not just physically but mentally.

Q: What do you make of the process used to oust the president?

A: It was unfortunate, what started as a struggle within a struggle of a liberation movement was hijacked by civil society and others and we were unable on our own to sort things out without inviting other interests. Now they talk of going for the kill, and here they refer to Zanu PF, we have to pause and sort things on our own going forward, and “clearly an eye for an eye left the world blind”. This is my cautionary statement to the party.

Q: Do you believe the ex-president was ousted through a coup? Some are calling it a democratic military coup, which seems like an oxymoron.

A: He denied it himself that it was a coup and instructed me in the diplomatic solution I was championing to communicate that to Sadc. Our courts also adjudged that it wasn’t a coup. So it wasn’t a coup but a military arbitration in a party in which the military are stockholders. Don’t look for it anywhere, nor try it elsewhere, you will not find a precedent. It was made in Zimbabwe for Zimbabweans.

Q: You were suspected of being a member of the so-called G40. Is it a correct assertion?

A: No I wasn’t a member of G40 as you know it or as it’s characterised now. I spent my last two years detached from local politics until after the UNWTO General Assembly in Chengndu, China this last September. So my drama in local politics is two months old, with the results you know now.

Q: Do you buy the argument that the ex-first lady had usurped the authority of the ex-president and there were plans afoot to impose a dynasty?

A: That can only be answered by the former president himself.

Q: Have you spoken to the ex-president or former first lady after November the 21st?

A: Yes

Q: Your expulsion also deprived you of a Cabinet post. You have since been replaced by your predecessor who has become your successor. Your comment?

A: No deployment is permanent. The president must be allowed space to choose his own Foreign minister, it’s his prerogative! And we serve at his pleasure. It’s a very sensitive portfolio, requiring absolute trust, and when you are in there you are the last in terms of loyalty to ship out hence my hanging on until “D” Day. I am sure even the new president respects and admires my loyalty, he needs a lot more principled people around him, that’s my prayer.

Q: Would you accept a Cabinet post in President Mnangagwa’s administration?

A: Am I ready to work and contribute in any capacity including as a private citizen? So the answer is yes, that notwithstanding Zimbabwe needs all hands on the deck private and public and it should not just be about Cabinet posts, there are people who have been contributing to the well being of Zimbabwe beyond measure as Private Citizens, in business, academia, religion etc. There is life beyond these deployments, so I will lend my absolute support regardless of nomination for Cabinet and in whatever role.

Q: You have interacted in Cabinet with the new President, what type of man is he?

A: Pragmatic, shrewd and maybe reserved bordering on aloofness, but he certainly has bottled up ideas and refreshing thoughts that are only coming out now, which is natural for an astute politician who was reserving his best for future use and avoiding policy clashes!

Q: Do you think he will revive this shrinking economy?

A: He will lead the revival of the economy only to the extent that we all support him. He has said all the right things so far and is on track. He is carrying the cross as our leader but he needs all of us to achieve his vision and mission for a prosperous Zimbabwe.

Q: Zanu PF has recalled five MPs. Are you confident of retaining your seat?

A: I am ready to surrender my seat if it unites the party more going forward provided its done procedurally. An election is in the horizon and I am not sure what is served by taking away my seat from the electors in Masvingo South Constituency purely out of a decision of a central committee that may be completely disconnected to grassroots feelings on the same. They just sit here in Harare and decide for the people without consulting them.

Q: You went to the National Assembly on Wednesday, and reports suggest you shook hands with the new First Lady. Why did you do that?

A: She is the first lady of Zimbabwe and the shadow of the president inside the House of Assembly. Secondly, circumstances had not permitted me to pay my respects and courtesies nor attend the inauguration ceremony, so it was the cultural and normal thing to do. I am still on standby to extend my congratulations to the president himself too.

Q: Are you pursuing a future in politics?

A: President Mnangagwa was an avid supporter of my UNWTO Campaign, politics cannot only be constituency representative and/ or Executive deployment, both of which I am reconsidering going forward. I am yet to meet my constituency to sound them out on this, but if it’s not Zanu PF representation as predicated by my expulsion from the party, it’s time for a sabbatical. I will lend my support to any Zanu PF cadre nominated by the Party and I hope they can support me in my private life trajectory as well.

Q: There were claims by some war veterans that during the talks between H.E and the generals you acted as the ex-president’s special envoy ostensibly to mobilise regional support for him to dig in. What happened?

A: No, quite to the contrary the traditional itinerary of a new Foreign minister kicks off with regional courtesy calls, starting with Sadc and its dean who happens to be minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane of South Africa, then it follows the hierarchy of the Sadc Troika which was very relevant at the time, Angola as chair, Zambia, vice chair and Tanzania. The special envoy status is a coveted one, because it allows the visiting minister to engage the host president and share his foreign policy thrust at the highest level in addition to any message one may be delivering at the time from the Head of State. It’s time for a political sabbatical, says Mzembi. So you are not privy to the contents of the special message but should be ready to appraise the host president of issues that may be prompted by him during interaction. So my diplomatic tour was overtaken by events and ostensibly even the special messages because I never embarked on the rest of the tour after Zambia.

Q: You visited Zambia during that interregnum, what was the purpose of your visit?

A: Same objectives as alluded to already, but I came back from Zambia on the evening of the 13th of November, and the mix up of my whereabouts kicked off from there, notwithstanding the fact that I attended the Cabinet session of November 14. Even the reassurance message given to President Lungu that all was well was also overtaken by events thereafter. There was a very naughty string of fake news that sought to bring the integrity of our meeting and President Lungu’s position on Zimbabwe into disrepute. I am glad he shamed the purveyors of these falsehoods by bringing a high powered delegation of three presidents to the inauguration, two of them past Presidents. It was the highest expression of endorsement of President Mnangagwa seen in Zambia as their son too because of shared family links dating back to the liberation struggle. As vice president, he was recently the guest of honour to the class of 1975 law school celebrations , which he was part of at UNZA.

Q: President Lungu later despatched ex-president Kaunda to Harare to lean on the old man. Were you involved in that shuttle diplomacy?

A: We were pleasantly interrupted from a lengthy conversation with former president Mugabe when President Kaunda telephoned announcing his arrival , and he just exclaimed “Oh KK “, and indicated he would call me back. Of course, I was constantly in touch with both the Foreign Affairs minister and President Lungu. It was their own decision. On my earlier visit I had sought to see ex-president Kaunda which I have done before regardless of deployment, because he is my mentor having been partly educated in Zambia myself too. In 2015, he was the Guest of Honour at my firstborn son Komba’s wedding in Lusaka.

Q: To what extent where you involved in the talks?

A: I was in the loop on the Sadc diplomatic solution, and the point person with regards to communication with ex-president Mugabe and the region, and would consult him frequently on direction and vice versa. This in hindsight seemed disconnected to the local mediation effort. The diplomatic solution to be communicated by presidents Zuma and Lourenco of Angola was to deliver the same outcome as the people have now in President Mnangagwa except that it was a sequential one, starting with our Congress endorsing him for presidency of the party in December, and reappointment to vice president in government and then president Mugabe hand holding him to elections in 2018. It was a solution in the interest of healing relations between the two of them and inside the party which has been raven by expulsions and counter expulsions. The mediators are presiding over sister liberation movements and had no interest in an implosion of Zanu PF, contrary to the indifference which was coming from civil society and other political parties who were assisting the  demise of our party in the name of the “Mugabe must go”  mantra . .There is contagion effect on the Region if one of liberation parties is under siege.

Q: When did you sign off as Foreign minister. There are claims you stood with Mugabe, to the end until he capitulated, why and how?

A: Given the diplomatic networking role not known to many, I am sure you appreciate the need for my professional conduct at the time, and why it was necessary to abstain from processes that were taking place in the party and in Parliament, they would have clearly conflicted my role in this whole saga. I chose to stand on principle and the rest is history. All this coordination and mediation work with Sadc happened from my home office, not the Cuban Embassy or any other country as shared at press conferences by comrades who were trying to cash in on my whereabouts and perceived demise for their own sinister interests. I played my anticipated diplomatic role diligently to the end and I do not feel it was an exercise in circumventing a people’s will at all. I go honourably with my head high after 10 years of illustrious service and dedication to my country, and president and I have no regrets in being the last man standing. I was observing my oath of loyalty consistent with the seniority of the office I was holding.

Q: Your final word?

A: Hail the new President, His Excellency Cde ED Mnangagwa! It is time to move on for everyone, time for healing, for forgiveness, time to love, to smile, to laugh , time to live. As in 1980, let’s turn our swords into ploughshares. Let bygones be bygones!- Daily News

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sworn in cabinet ministers and ministers of state this morning  at the State House.

Iconic Zimbabwe entreprenuer and businessman Strive Masiyiwa poked fun at ousted president Mugabe during a recent interview is which he was discussing overcoming his business obstacles in Zimbabwe.

Norton MP Temba Mliswa lampooned former Agriculture minister Joseph Made saying during his tenure he spent time managing former President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace’s farms instead of inspecting government agricultural projects at different institutions in the country.

Mliswa was contributing to debate on a motion on a report by the Christopher Chitindi-led Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands and Agriculture on command agriculture and agricultural colleges on Thursday when he alleged that agricultural colleges failed to perform because they were not properly supported or funded.

“Government had become dysfunctional, and how do you run agricultural training institutions without a board? Made spent time at his farm instead of him spending time doing his ministerial mandate,” Mliswa said.

“All he did was to go to Gushungo Dairies with foreigners, showing them Mazowe with the former First Lady Grace (Mugabe), but we never saw him going to tertiary institutions. I think his job was to work for the First Family,” he said.

Mliswa said if command agriculture is to succeed, then every Zimbabwean regardless of colour or political affiliation should benefit and get inputs from the programme.

While presenting the committee report, Chitindi said farmers had experienced problems such as late distribution of inputs, while others had to travel long distances to collect their inputs.

“For example, Norton farmers collected their inputs from Chegutu, while Umzingwane farmers collected inputs from Filabusi and Gwanda.

“There was also a negative perception on command agriculture with one ward in Kwekwe, where only three people took up the programme, while others said they feared joining it because of the consequences that will be meted by the military if they failed to deliver,” he said.

Chitindi said the name “command” had negative connotations to farmers, who thought that it was a military programme.

Southerton MP, Gift Chimanikire (MDC-T) said there is need for farmer training before people are given huge tracts of land to do farming.

He said the ruling party should desist from selective distribution of farm inputs, where opposition supporters were excluded from the presidential input scheme or command agriculture.

Uzumba MP, Simbaneuta Mudarikwa (Zanu PF) said there is need to ensure fertilisers and herbicides are affordable. He said it is imperative for the government to come up with a policy to ensure supermarkets get their vegetable supplies from local farmers.

Kuwadzana East MP, Nelson Chamisa (MDC-T) said if Zimbabwe is to improve in farming and restore its lost glory as the bread basket of Africa, there is need to mechanise even peasant farming so that rural farmers use modern equipment to also increase their yields. Newsday

Staff Reporter| ThisFlag pastor Evan Mawarire yesterday responded to criticism by people who have alleged that he has received money from President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mawarire was reacting on his article that has his full recorded announcement to Zimbabweans which was published on ZimEye.com. He had submitted his recorded speech late Friday night during the time when Zimbabweans were grovelling in anger against Emmerson Mnangagwa. The article did not have either mention or inference of the alleged Mnangagwa connection, but Mawarire wrote out his new rebuttal saying he has not received any resources from Mnangagwa.

“I remain committed through my own resources to standing up for what is right for Zimbabwe,” he wrote.

Many Zimbabweans feel that contrary to Mawarire’S claims, Mnangagwa as a President is nothing different from the former Head Of State Mugabe for the nation and the removal of Mugabe was just purely a cosmetic Lacoste faction affair which was accomplished by the army for their own agenda and purposes, nothing to with the povo. The povo were only used for a plastic demonstration to sanitize the coup last month. But Mawarire addresses the general public claiming that they are the ones who removed Mugabe and installed the Emmerson Mnangagwa led government.

“…How dare we believe in every voice that was raised… kushaiwa hope(sleep), after we have been able to change the government and build something new, they said we couldn’t do anything wrong, but we proved them wrong…,” says Mawarire in the below –

https://youtu.be/F6CiYDGlPlU?t=4m12s

State Media – Newly-appointed Cabinet ministers will take their oath of office before President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House in Harare today. President Mnangagwa last week announced a 22-member Cabinet to run Government business until harmonised elections next year.

In a statement on Saturday, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda, said the swearing-in ceremony starts at 9am.

“Cabinet ministers are invited to State House for the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 0900hrs, 4th December, 2017,” reads the statement.

The invitation was also extended to Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Deputy Ministers.

However, there have been adjustments to the original list of Cabinet ministers that was announced on Thursday last week in order “to ensure compliance with the Constitution and considerations of gender, demography and special needs”.

Cde Lazarus Dokora, who had been appointed Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, was dropped and replaced by his former deputy, Professor Paul Mavima.
Goromonzi West legislator Mrs Petronella Kagonye becomes the new Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, taking over from Professor Clever Nyathi, who becomes Special Advisor on National Peace and Reconciliation.

Mrs Kagonye was formerly the Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development before she was fired in December 2014.
President Mnangagwa also brought in two other special advisors to the President — Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa and Cde Joshua Teke Malinga (Disability Issues).

Cde Victor Matemadanda, who was initially designated as Deputy Minister for Defence, Security and War Veterans, has been reassigned to lead the ZANU-PF commissariat.

He replaces the sacked Mr Saviour Kasukuwere. Similarly, Cde Pupurai Togarepi will no longer be taking up the post of Deputy Minister for Women and Youth Affairs but will concentrate on his role as ZANU-PF Secretary for Youth Affairs, a position that was previously held by the embattled Kudzanayi Chipanga.

Some of the ministers-designate did not represent parliamentary constituencies as required under Section 104(3) of the Constitution.

These are Air Marshal Perrance Shiri, Cde July Moyo, Major-General Sibusiso Moyo, Ambassador Mutsvangwa, Prof Amon Murwira, Mr Winston Chitando, Cde Matemadanda, Professor Clever Nyathi and Cde Pupurai Togarepi.

Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba highlighted last week that President Mnangagwa was alive to the constitutional requirement for him to appoint only up to five Cabinet ministers from outside Parliament.

The new team will have its work cut out as it needs to deal with the current economic challenges.

The 2018 National Budget, which is expected to be presented by Finance and Economic Planning Minister Mr Patrick Chinamasa, is tentatively scheduled for Thursday.

In his inauguration speech on November 24, President Mnangagwa said the country’s economic recovery would be predicated on agricultural performance.

“Our economic policy will be predicated on agriculture, which is the mainstay, and on creating conditions for an investment-led economic recovery that puts a premium on job creation.

“Key choices will have to be made to attract foreign direct investment to tackle high levels of unemployment while transforming our economy towards the tertiary,” he said.

Already, Government has given an ultimatum to individuals and corporates who externalised money and other assets to bring them back.
The amnesty will run until February 28.-state media

The humiliated former Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo has written to President Emmerson Mnangagwa speaking among other things about job prospects.

Chombo wrote a short letter to Mnangagwa saying he wises to serve him in any capacity he deems fit.

“I saw your inauguration as the second Executive President of the Republic of Zimbabwe with pride and contentment, especially after the goings on in both the party and Government during the last six weeks.

“I wish I could attend but I couldn’t because I am in hospital for some health problems that doctors are attending to. I missed all recently held meetings because I was away, learning some few hard lessons.

“I wish to heartily congratulate you for your elevation to the position of President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, as well as the First Secretary of our beloved revolutionary party Zanu-PF,” he said.

Chombo continued saying he will support Mnangagwa.

“May God give you strength and guidance as you lead us into the future. You have my full support and loyalty in equal measure as I served the former President R.G. Mugabe during his tenure in office.

“I am available to serve you in any capacity as you deem fit. Once again, I wish you all the greatest good and may God bless you ever more,” he said. – state media

By Foster Dongozi | The year was 1997 and the setting was the foyer of the world famous Ritz Hotel in Paris, France.

Zimbabwean government officials, diplomats and the media were lounging in the vast and opulent lobby of the hotel.

It is a very classy hotel for the well-heeled. My reason for being in the world capital of fashion and cuisine was an assignment, which had nothing to do with good food or understanding fashion.

I had accompanied President Robert Gabriel Mugabe as part of the Zimbabwean press corps.

The world was still mourning Princess Diana who had died in a horrific accident while fleeing from the Paparazzi from the Ritz Hotel with her lover, Dodi Al Fayed.

Mugabe and his wife, Grace had gone somewhere and we waited for them to return.

There were whispers that they had gone to eat Zimbabwean food, which had been prepared at our embassy in Paris with others adding that they could have passed through some upmarket places for a spot of shopping.

Prior to this trip, I had never seen Grace from close range nor had I heard her speak.

It was on the flight to France from Harare that I had seen the country’s new first lady from very close range and heard her speak.

All along, since her marriage to Mugabe, she had always remained in his shadows and portrayed as a withdrawn person.

She barely spoke to the press, if at all, the perception among some was that she was a trophy wife.

The only time she came out of her shell was along with other prominent people and reportedly looted funds for a civil servants housing scheme.

With the proceeds, she was said to have built a monstrous edifice in Borrowdale.

So it was with a bit of surprise, thousands of kilometers away from home that I learnt from the hushed conversations that some in the delegation were actually terrified of her.

Before she officially wedded Mugabe, legendary stories were told among veteran journalists about how a certain young lady always found herself on the presidential entourage together with one or two kids who would cause absolute racket on the plane.

According to the legend, several high ranking officials on the plane would receive generous amounts of slaps to their faces and thank the kids or apologise to them.

Nobody has come forward to confirm or deny the legend.

Anyway, as a way of whiling up time as we waited for the Mugabes and their delegation to come, I had struck a conversation with the late Foreign Affairs minister, Stanislaus Mudenge, known by some as Cde Stan.

Mudenge was a giant of a man and had a booming voice and was well-schooled in history and literature.

If he had taken sport as a career, he would have been ideal in the boxing ring and probably traded leather in the heavyweight division.

I sat facing the entrance into the hotel.

It was a basic safety and awareness exercise driven into me while covering stable and unstable countries so that one could not miss unfolding news.

Mudenge sat with his back to the entrance of the hotel.

The conversation had eventually turned into an interview as he had begun to narrate developments he was overseeing in his province of Masvingo.

Sure enough, as I sat during the interview with him, I noticed Grace, accompanied by female aides and a few males stroll into the hotel lobby.

In the biting cold of Paris, she had short black and immaculate hair and was wearing a long black skirt with a grey top which, was covered by a black poncho.

She reminded me of a raven.

My attitude then, as I observed her sashay into the hotel lobby was that she was in every sense a trophy wife and would not be interested or influence the politics of the country.

A fatal mistake,  particularly for  those involved in the internal politics of Zanu PF.

Everybody appeared to have made the mistake of not taking the former typist in Mugabe’s office seriously.

As she approached, heading for the elevators she appeared to notice and identify some of the officials on the presidential entourage and she nodded to them.

The officials did not disappoint either — they all but rolled over like obedient puppies to have their bellies tickled.

She appeared to be enjoying the adulation and the fawning behaviour of government mandarins.

Mudenge and a few officials who had their backs to the entrance did not take notice so we continued with our conversation, although I was now watching the fascinating display of power being exhibited in the foyer of a hotel in far off France.

She appeared to notice Mudenge and a few officials and for the first time, I heard her speak.

At the top of her voice, she shrilled in the vernacular Shona language: “Murikupira midzimu yekupi?” (What traditional rituals are you conducting?)

I was shocked by the reaction from Mudenge and other government officials.

Zimbabwe’s chief diplomat at the time for all his size, appeared to turn grey before he sprang up with the agility of a gazelle.

“I am going!” he all but screamed at me curtly as he made a beeline towards Grace and appeared to be apologising profusely for dereliction of duty.

He escorted her into the elevator of at the Ritz Hotel and appeared to continue prostrating himself before Grace as she looked at him sternly.

I had just witnessed an awesome display of power and flexing of muscles by the perceived mild tempered wife of the president far away from home in Zimbabwe, Africa — on European shores.

I immediately changed my opinion that this was anything but a laid back woman happy to stay in Mugabe’s shadow.

This woman was powerful and wielded a lot of influence. Grace Ntombizodwa Marufu Mugabe had arrived.

Seventeen years later, in 2014, Zimbabweans would witness her awesome display of power as she hounded vice-president Joice Mujuru out of Zanu PF, while her husband looked on indulgently.

South African born, Grace Ntombizodwa had arrived. Many assumed it was because she wanted to replace her with her chosen proxy to protect her family’s vast business empire.

Again they were wrong, as she was putting together an elaborate plan to become vice-president.

Maybe even succeed her husband as president of Zimbabwe. We will never know following the military intervention which was “targeting criminals around” Mugabe. Standard

Staff Reporter| Chimurenga music guru, Thomas Mapfumo has denied ever being interviewed by the Associated Press. A recent article published by the Zimbabwe Independent claims Mapfumo said the following words,  “I think there’s nothing to celebrate about,”

“It’s still the old train that we’re riding but they’ve got a different driver now.” The quotes were ascribed to the Associated Press.

But Mapfumo told ZimEye Sunday afternoon, “I never spoke to such journalists, I was interviewed only by the BBC and by yourselves ZimEye.”

Meanwhile Mapfumo has warned musicians against singing songs that praise politicians and his comments will be featured in a ZimEye feature presentation late Sunday afternoon. – ZimEye

Former Finance minister, Ignatius Chombo, wrote to President Emmerson Mnangagwa two days after he had been sworn into office offering to work for him in any capacity.

In a passionate congratulatory message to Mnangagwa, Chombo wrote from his hospital bed pledging he would be unwaveringly loyal to Mnangagwa in the same way he was to former president, Robert Mugabe, who was deposed last month.

https://youtu.be/9C2gaTBMcaQ?t=2

“I saw your inauguration as the second executive President of the Republic of Zimbabwe with pride and contentment, especially after the goings on in the party and government during the last six weeks. I wish I could attend but I couldn’t because I am in hospital for some health problems that doctors are attending to. I missed all recently held meetings because I was away, learning some hard lessons,” Chombo wrote.

“I wish to heartily congratulate you for your elevation to the position of president of the Republic of Zimbabwe as well as first secretary of our beloved party Zanu PF. May God give you strength and guidance as you lead us into the future.

“You have all my full support and loyalty in equal measure as I served the former president, … Mugabe during his tenure in office.

“I am available to serve in any capacity that you deem fit. Once again, I wish you all the greatest good and may God bless you ever more,” he wrote.

Mnangagwa did not heed to Chombo’s adoring plea as he overlooked him in his Cabinet announced on Friday night.

He replaced Chombo with his long-time associate, Patrick Chinamasa.

Chombo, who was swept aside in a military intervention code-named Operation Restore Legacy, is currently languishing in remand prison after being arrested on several counts of corruption and criminal abuse of office.

He recently appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts where he was denied bail.

He has since appealed against the denial of bail at the High Court where the bail application will be heard on Wednesday.

Chombo was also kicked out of Zanu PF for aligning with the vanquished Generation 40 (G40) faction, which had been fighting to forestall Mnangagwa’s rise to the highest office in the land.

He also lost his lofty secretary for Zanu PF administration position and his Zvimba North National Assembly seat following his recall from Parliament.- Daily News

Zimbabwe’s immediate-past President, Robert Mugabe, is yet to receive his retirement package as the Civil Service Commission is determining the sum.

https://youtu.be/9C2gaTBMcaQ?t=11

Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Mr George Charamba told our Harare Bureau that the process involved multiple stages, including Cabinet approval. Last week, the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper claimed Mugabe got US$10 million plus other retirement benefits as a precondition for his resignation.

The false claim followed Mugabe’s resignation on 21 November on the back of the military’s “Operation Restore Legacy” — a popular political and socio-economic stabilisation initiative targeting a gang of criminals that had surrounded the former President. Mr Charamba, a negotiator during transition talks between Mugabe and Zimbabwe Defence Forces commanders, said no such package had been discussed.

“There is a false story that has been flying on false wings and that has to do with an alleged package which was purportedly agreed between the former President and the military. This is a blatant lie. It’s a media creation.

“Speaking as part of the negotiating team, I confirm before my good Lord that there was never an issue, either on the part of the President, or on the part of the negotiators let alone the generals who remained generals throughout the process.”

Mr Charamba said it was unnecessary to discuss the former President’s retirement package as all his benefits are provided for in the Constitution.

“The military were not a substitute for civilian authority. They never intended to overthrow Constitutional authority. So, you cannot then suggest that they were cutting deals with the outgone President without implying that they were now the new Constitutional authority of the land, but, more importantly, without also implying that they had overthrown the Constitution, which is a matter of fact, stipulates the entitlement of a sitting President when he retires.

“The package of the former President will be in terms of the laws of the land and will be worked out by the Civil Service Commission, not by generals, not by negotiators, not by the previous Head of State. After all, we are not in a unique position by way of having a retired Statesman or President. We had that experience towards the end of the 1980s when President Banana retired. A package was done for him in terms of the law.”

Mr Charamba also said: “Looking around the region, we have experiences to draw from: Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana and so forth. So, really, this idea of trying to interpose processes which are so straightforward at law, through some fictitious organs, stems from ignorance on a good day and a sinister intention on a bad day.

“As we speak right now, that issue has not been dealt with because it can’t be dealt with before the Cabinet is in place. Whichever way it’s going to be handled, the package will take into account the role that the former President played in the making of this nation. We must acknowledge that role.”- state media

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s new Cabinet announced late on Thursday night remains a chauvinistic and ‘‘old people’s home’’ where there is no space for youth, women and progressive technocrats, social and political analysts contend.

Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) said they were disappointed by the gender composition of the Cabinet and say this is signalling that Mnangagwa’s administration is not prioritising the alignment of his decisions with the constitutional imperatives requiring equal representation in State institutions.

“We are concerned at the perennial contempt to which our public political officers hold to the constitutional provisions of gender equality and non-discrimination. The new Cabinet represents 13.6 percent which falls far short of the required 50 percent. This is contrary to His Excellency’s inaugural speech which committed to a renewed Zimbabwe based on principles of inclusivity and equality.

“We must recall that gender equality and non-discrimination is enshrined in the Constitution including Sections 17, 56 and 104, among others, and further prescriptively sets 50 percent as the representation target of women in all State institutions, including the Executive to which only six women out of 33 men (15.3 percent) have been announced. It is glaring that there are no positive measures being taken to rectify gender discrimination and imbalances resulting from past practises and policies.

“We wish to underscore that Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Sadc Protocol on Gender and Development, the Post-2016 Agenda as reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 5 on Equality, the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); and that such actions undermine the status of Zimbabwe in the community of nations,” said WCoZ.

She added that it was gender discriminatory to always pair the youth portfolio with economic empowerment while the women who are similarly disempowered were left out.

“The rest is a major betrayal of the expectations of the throngs that filled the streets to push Mugabe out in the following ways; it flouts the Constitution by having nine non MP ministers instead of the maximum five. Zec has confirmed that it will not hold by-elections and there are very few proportional representation seats they can fill; the appointment of serving army officials quarrels with the constitutional requirement to keep the military surest to civilian control, apart from it obfuscating plain good governance; the shocking lack of women is contrary to the Constitution’s Section 17 imperative of good governance; the appointment of provincial ministers is a continuation of Mugabe’s overriding, sidestepping and substitution of the constitutionally-elected provincial councils and bloats government unconstitutionally;  the inclusion of people with pending corruption charges just undermines his anti-corruption drive; the retention of the Scholarships and Local Government ministries is unconscionable as well as that of the cyber security function,” said Majome adding that Mnangagwa should have condensed the Transport, ICT ministries into a Communications ministry.

Social commentator Farai Maguwu is of the opinion that the new Cabinet is a clear statement of intent on the part of Mnangagwa.

“There has not been a shift from Mugabe’s ruinous policies. Cabinet remains chauvinistic and a misogynic old people’s home where there is no space for youth, women and progressive technocrats.

“Zimbabwe has been downgraded to a fully-fledged military State. The recycling of corrupt ministers who ruined our country for the past 37 years clearly means Zimbabweans must not expect any miracles from this government.

“The second factor is the metamorphosis of the State into a military unit. Our uniformed forces are trained to protect the State from foreign enemies. They must remain in the barracks for the good of the country,” said Maguwu.

He added that moving the war veterans to the ministry of Defence is also another misnomer.

“War veterans must fall under the ministry of Social Welfare as the main issue government must address pertaining to them is their welfare. Bringing them under the ministry of Defence means they are now a reserve army, or a militia to be unleashed on the people at the right time.”

Political analyst Precious Shumba thinks the Cabinet is still too big, with 32 Cabinet ministers, including the 10 Provincial Affairs ministers.

“The Provincial Affairs ministers are merely political appointees serving no genuine purpose in terms of national development. The same old faces who served under Mugabe feature more in this new Cabinet. Mnangagwa should have done away with deputy ministers who do not act as ministers in the absence of the substantive ministers. This Cabinet is not as lean as we had anticipated.

“We hope that the president is not going to appoint the same permanent secretaries to head the ministries, because as long as we have the same bureaucrats as heads of ministries, the results are going to be the same,” said Shumba.

Communications specialist Maggie Mzumara said it would appear as if Cabinet choices have been compromised by old allegiances as seen by same old faces, many of whom do not inspire confidence based on past performance or lack thereof.

“I would have wanted to see more new blood — more technocrats, more women, some youths. Not all new blood, but significantly more new blood. On the plus side, I like the reductions. This will usher in considerably less expenditure. On the whole I would say we lost some and won some.”

Journalist Stanley Kwenda believes what is important is what Mnangagwa wants to achieve for the country.

“These new ministers can all do as good as Mnangagwa wants them to do. We’ve had technocrats under Mugabe but all their ideas were shot down because he was fixated with power. I am not worried about identity of the new ministers; I am instead worried about what they can do.”

Kwenda added that we need grafters and Mnangagwa should give these guys space and if they do not perform he should not be afraid to ship them out.

“We have an election in eight months’ time and I am sure the new president wants a direct mandate from the people and he has no option but to do the right thing.

“Some had suggested a hybrid government made up of people from different political parties and other spheres. I think it was too much to expect Mnangagwa to appoint opposition figures in what is effectively a Zanu PF government in charge of the country.

“For now let’s give these guys a chance to prove they can do better than Mugabe,” said Kwenda.- Daily News

Former Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko is being sued for $2,1 million by a Bulawayo businessman for alleged abuse of office.

The businessman says the former Vice-President allegedly used his influence to stop a company owned by Pakistan businessmen from compensating him after they delivered expired flour to his bakery. According to summons filed by Mr Mthonisi Nsingo, the proprietor of Dial Direct Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd which owns Double Fresh Bakery, at the Bulawayo High Court on Friday, the former Vice-President is being sued together with the company which supplied the expired flour — Bulk Commodities and its directors Imran Shazaan and Qaumar Shazaan.

Mr Mphoko, cited as the 4th defendant, allegedly used his then political office to defend the Pakistan businessmen and stop them from compensating Double Fresh Bakery for the supply of rotten flour which resulted in loss of business and subsequent closure of the firm.

According to the summons, it is alleged that sometime in February last year, Bulk Commodities intentionally supplied Double Fresh Bakery with expired flour. It is said Bulk Commodities continued to supply expired flour until July culminating in Double Fresh Bakery experiencing a significant drop in bread sales.

“This continued from February 2016 to July 2016 with the plaintiffs (Double Fresh Bakery and Mr Nsingo) initially believing that the problem was with their marketing strategy as sales went down drastically with 70 percent of the bread being returned to the plaintiffs.

“The plaintiffs would deliver 10 000 loaves daily but within time, daily production went down from 10 000 loaves to 2 500 loaves and bread shelf life was shortened from six days to two days. The plaintiffs were eventually reported to the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe and investigations were carried out which revealed that the problem was with their flour. The flour did not look rotten but in actual fact it was,” read part of the summons.

Sunday News broke the story then, which was titled: “Flour row costs bakery $18k in revenue” in its 15 May 2016 publication.

The summons stated that when Mr Nsingo approached the Shazaan brothers, the two took a sieve and some unidentified liquid which they used to “clean” the flour and the product appeared to have been rectified.

Mr Nsingo reportedly managed to film the “cleaning proceedings”.

“Subsequently, investigations were done against the 1st and 3rd defendants and they were arrested, when they were raided they were found to have in stock expired goods which they were selling as well as expired flour.

“At that stage, the 1st and 3rd defendants had acknowledged liability to pay plaintiffs and had made arrangements to pay plaintiffs, however, at just about that time they refused to pay claiming that they were under the protection of the 4th Respondent (former VP Mphoko),” read part of the summons.

It is said Mr Nsingo later received a call from the former VP’s principal director Dr Temba Ndlovu instructing him to visit his office for a meeting with Mr Mphoko. It is further claimed that during the meeting, Mr Mphoko “uncategorically” told Mr Nsingo to leave the Shazaan brothers alone.

“After that all charges against the defendants seemed to disappear and nobody wanted to pursue the matter for plaintiffs’ compensation as everyone simply said they could not assist the plaintiffs because they received instructions from above,” read part of the summons.

Mr Nsingo says his bakery was forced to shut down due to lack of adequate working capital as a result of Mr Mphoko’s intervention into the matter and action to protect the Shazaan brothers from compensating him. The entrepreneur had his property attached and the matter is still pending at the Bulawayo magistrates court.

“This was clear abuse of office from the 4th Respondent (former VP Mphoko) which abuse resulted in pecuniary loss to the plaintiffs as they could not be adequately compensated by the other defendants simply because of the protection they were afforded by the 4th respondent,” read part of the summons.

According to the summons, Mr Nsingo is claiming from all the involved parties $1,7 million being loss of earning capacity and profit due to closure of his company and investigation from December 2016 to the date of issue of summons at the rate of $200 000 per month.

In addition, he is also claiming general damages amounting to $200 000 from Mr Mphoko for shock, pain and suffering as a result of his abuse of office in protecting the Shazaan brothers from being prosecuted or paying him. He is demanding another $200 000 from  Bulk Commodities and its two directors for general damages for loss of goodwill and reputation as a result of low estimation in the eyes of the public created by delivery of expired flour.

He is also claiming $150 000 restitution for the expired flour paid for to the Shazaan brothers in the last month of operations including payment of costs of suit on an Attorney-Client scale. Mr Nsingo is being represented by lawyer, Mr Russel Dzete of Maseko Law Chambers. The former VP and Shazaan have been given 10 days to enter an appearance to defend by making an appropriate entry in the appearance book kept in the office of the Registrar of the High Court. – state media

By Kenyan Standard Media – Two of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s key allies have fled to Kenya with their families, according to Zimbabwe media. Kenyan authorities are yet to confirm reports of the foreigners’ alleged presence in the country amid claims in Zimbabwe media that Jonathan Moyo, who was allied to Mugabe’s wife Grace, has waged a Twitter campaign against President Emmerson Mnagangwa’s new government.

Moyo and Saviour Kasukuwere fled to Kenya after the Zimbabwe Defence Forces seized the capital, Harare and parts of the country, according to media reports that indicate that the two left the South African nation in the wake of Mugabe’s detention by the military on November 14.

Moyo, a controversial character even within the Zanu PF, from which he was ostracised, belongs in the G40 cabal that the new administration and military has branded as criminals for plundering the economy. Kasukuwere was local government minister whereas Moyo served as Cabinet minister and spokesman.

The G40 group includes military and intelligence officers, politicians and businessmen allied to the Zanu PF youth wing. Yesterday News24 reported on its online edition that Moyo and Kasukuwere are, most likely hiding in Kenya and indicated that while Grace is believed to be in Zimbabwe, her children are scattered in Singapore and South Africa. “Grace’s allies Moyo and Kasukuwere, who sought refuge at Mugabe’s house, the Blue Roof after the army intervention, have also left the country.”

Meanwhile, The Herald of Zimbabwe reported yesterday that former Zimbabwe Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, who is also among the G40 group, has been forced to leave Botswana by Gaborone authorities and return to Zimbabwe.-standard media

The ruling Zanu-PF has deployed Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) secretary-general Victor Matemadanda to the party’s Commissariat department, the party spokesperson, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo has said.

In a statement yesterday, Ambassador Moyo said the party has also deployed Pupurai Togarepi to the Youth League. He said the deployments were aimed at further making sure that the party wins next year’s elections resoundingly.

“Following recent developments in the party which have affected key departments, principally the Commissariat and Youth League and in view of a clear indication from the President and First Secretary of Zanu-PF, E D Mnangagwa that the country is going for elections in 2018 as scheduled, the party has decided to deploy Victor Matemadanda and Pupurai Togarepi to the Commissariat and Youth League respectively.

“His Excellency the President has agreed to release them from commitments to Government as announced early on. We thank the President for that decision, pledging that the two cadres will be available for any assignments including in government as the President may see fit after the elections which Zanu-PF is sure to win resoundingly,” said Ambassador Moyo.

By Paul Nyathi | The late Joshua Nkomo’s iconic building, the Castle Arms in the Richmond Suburb of Bulawayo went up in highly suspicious flames on Saturday night.

The building which is part of the properties that were confiscated from Nkomo by Robert Mugabe’s government during the Gukurahundi period of the mid 80s, went up into flames under very unclear circumstances, and nearly destroying the entire complex.

The ruling party ZANU PF forcibly confisticated the building which was used by Nkomo’s PF ZAPU as a luxury hotel to raise funds for the party and accommodate party visitors in 1985, claiming that it was being used to fundraise for dissident activities.

After the unity accord of 1987, the several PF ZAPU properties including the Castle Arms Motel were never handed over to the party and have been under heavy dispute between ZANU PF and the ZAPU Veterans Trust.

In recent weeks the ZAPU Veterans have been threatening to invade the place and evict the unknown people staying there while the ZANU PF Bulawayo Province and War Veterans loyal to the party have been heavily resisting the move.

The building is heavily over populated accommodating over 30 families who all claim to be paying rentals to undisclosed persons suspected to be senior ZANU PF officials.

The war veterans alleged that a Mr George Mlala went to the place with some property which the war veterans were not impressed with.

Allegations are that the late former chairman Themba Ncube left his lover Sinikiwe Sibanda and her son living at the place and she boasts of having documentation that allows her to stay at Castle Arms.

Neighbours interviewed by ZimEye.com said that the building burst into a huge flame which could either have been a petrol bomb or an electrical fault.

Members of the Bulawayo Fire Brigade would not comment on the matter referring ZimEye.com to the police who would also neither comment on the incident.

By Dorrothy Moyo| The events of the last few months culminating into yesterday morning have stripped one of Zimbabwe’s deeply intriguing and disturbing ministerial appointments in the name of Lazarus Dokora.

Dokora is guilty of diverting over 1.2 billion dollars in school fees to a dodgy bank account accessed by his office, while at the same time officially instructing headmasters to dip their fingers into their  schools’ bank accounts to take out the last remaining cash so to fund trips to holiday resorts like Kariba and Victoria Falls. Many schools were left struggling particularly those in rural areas and the situation was worsened when the minister then instructed parents to pay school fees using goats. Dokora’s instruction was fully official and he even announced it in the state media saying his aim was to access the whole total $1.2 billion paid by parents in all schools across the country. He would also force headmasters to for the first time wear uniforms.

“They (parents) contribute US$1,2 billion every year. That is the money that goes directly into the hands of SDCs (School Development Committees),” said Dokora in February.

He continued saying, “Teachers are paid the tune of US$900 million, that brings the money in the education sector to US$2,1 billion. I then top up with what I get from education partners. With these kinds of figures we can do anything so nothing should stop us from implementing our programmes.”

This chaos described by all teachers as “nonsense” also came at a time when Dokora had introduced a chaotically implemented new curriculum which requires computers and this electricity and also new textbooks. Complaints to former President Robert Mugabe fell on deaf ears as teachers and parents were ignored. One of these schools in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s home town of Zvishavane was profiled by ZimEye.com and the local senator Lilian Timveos gave the below account.

https://youtu.be/Bx1lH1BEHP8

By Farai D Hove | President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba has announced saying the Head Of State chose his cabinet ministers based on the quality of performance. The president is currently under fire for choosing military generals above many other qualifying citizens. This critics said, was a reflection that he was merely appeasing soldiers who assisted him in taking over government.

But Charamba denied as he said everything was based on performance.

“You are going to see a lot of cracking of whip. This inertia that we had developed in Government is going to be broken. We have a propensity to read the politics of faces rather than the execution of value which some faces do have, ” he told the state media.

He continued saying, “it tells that we are moving in a direction where we are ‘projectivising’ development. You will hear less and less of ministries and more and more of cross-ministry collaboration around flagship projects. Our budget and performance as ministries will seize to be democratic.”

He then spoke on Major-General (Retired) Sibusiso Moyo, Air Marshal Perrance Shiri and Professor Murirwa saying they were appointed on merit. “Air Marshal Perrance Shiri has been driving Command Agriculture,” he said.

He continued saying, “it’s not like he is coming from the barracks into the cornfields. He had long left the barracks for the cornfield. His appointment is consistent with the phrase ‘hitting the ground running.

“The Minister for Higher Education, Professor Murirwa, has been a leading brain in applied research. What you are looking at is an enhancement of that ‘vocationalisation’ of Higher and Tertiary Education so that it has a practical bearing as a hatchel for solutions to the industrial question.”

Government will save millions of dollars following President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s decision to trim the number of Cabinet ministers and their deputies.

The President appointed a 22-member Cabinet down from 26, while the number of deputy ministers was slashed from 22 to six.

Ministers of State in the Office of the President were reduced from four to two.

Each minister is entitled to two vehicles – normally the latest Mercedes Benz E-Class sedan which costs around US$1000 000 and a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) such as a Land Rover Discovery or the latest Range Rover valued also at about US$100 000.

This means the learner Cabinet could save up to US$4,5 million on vehicle purchases, minus fuel and high maintenance costs of top-of-the-range vehicles.

Ministers are also entitled to a monthly salary, accommodation in a low-density suburb, travel and subsistence allowances, high-end cellphones, airtime, support staff: Personal assistants and secretaries.

The cost of these can easily run into millions of dollars per annum, meaning the streamlining of the ministers will save the much-needed resources.

The cut in ministers’ numbers is in line with what President Mnangagwa said last week; “I am currently in the process of putting together a new Government structure, which should essentially be leaner.

“This, of course, will entail the merging of some line ministries in order to remove functional duplication as well as contain unnecessary expenditures, so as to enhance productivity and efficient delivery of service.”

Observers have given a thumbs up to President Mnangagwa’s move to appoint a leaner Cabinet, saying it was a step in the right direction.

A bloated Civil Service has for years been gobbling about 90 percent of the national budget, thereby negatively affecting implementation of capital projects.

President Mnangagwa pledged that no civil servant would be fired though those who had reached retirement age would be let go.

Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa has been pushing austerity measures such as reviewing of class travel arrangements of all public officials, and a reduction in foreign travel allowances.

The measures were anticipated to reduce employment costs to around 60 percent of total revenues by 2019.

A former Cabinet minister, however, said perks paid to the executive were lower than in other countries, saying being a minister in Zimbabwe was “more of national service”.

The ex-minister said, “Zimbabwean ministers are among the most poorly paid in the world. The conditions of service are pathetic. That is probably the reason why we tend to have so much corruption at the top because most people who get appointed probably for the first time believe that ministers are paid a lot.”- state media