President Emmerson Mnangagwa has moved to gazette the reinstatement of fired Prosecutor-General (PG) Ray Goba.

This follows a decision by the High Court stopping the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) from removing or interfering with his appointment without following procedures outlined in the Constitution.

Section (259) (7) of the Constitution says the PG can only be removed from office by a tribunal after conducting a judicial inquiry.

However, last month former president Robert Mugabe rescinded the earlier appointment of Goba to the substantive post of PG when he shockingly fired him via an extraordinary gazette signed by the chief secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda, who ironically had issued the previous gazette confirming his appointment.

On Friday, Mnangagwa through an extraordinary gazette again signed by Sibanda nullified the firing of Goba.

“It is hereby notified that, pursuant to the judgment in the case of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) v Mugabe and others (HC 10-49917), the captioned general notice that was published in the extraordinary gazette on the 27th of October 2017 is repealed,” said Sibanda.

This comes as High Court Judge Justice Priscilla Chigumba issued an interdict sought by the ZLHR stopping Mugabe and the JSC from instituting any processes for the appointment of a new PG to replace Goba.

ZLHR executive director Roselyn Hanzi had appealed against the October 27 decision by Mugabe to reverse the appointment of Goba.

In an urgent chamber application filed on November 1, ZLHR had instructed Advocate Eric Matinenga to argue the matter on its behalf, and wanted the High Court to interdict Mugabe and the JSC from removing or in any other way interfering with Goba’s constitutional appointment without following the removal from office procedures provided for in Section (259) (7) of the Constitution.

In a founding affidavit, Hanzi argued that the organisation has a direct and substantial interest in the obedience and observance of the provisions of the Constitution by all individuals and organs bound by it and that the Constitution is the supreme law of Zimbabwe and every conduct inconsistent with it is invalid to the extent of the inconsistency.

The human rights organisation contended that the PG can only be removed from office upon the advice of a tribunal set up in terms of section 187 of the Constitution and that the supreme charter does not provide another different route that can be followed to remove the PG from office.

Goba was viewed as sympathetic to Mnangagwa who previously held dual roles as VP and Justice Minister before his powers were first whittled down by Mugabe in a Cabinet reshuffle and later fired from both government and Zanu PF.

Goba was appointed to the position by Mugabe, after serving a year in the job on an interim basis — following the suspension and subsequent sacking of his predecessor, Johannes Tomana.

However, his appointment — announced via an extraordinary gazette — was contested by factions of the brawling ruling Zanu PF, just as they did during the selection of the new chief justice, where they fought viciously to have their preferred candidate take over from the late Godfrey Chidyausiku.

Goba had come out joint top in the interviews held by the JSC to find a worthy candidate for the office.

Mugabe picked him from a list of the top three candidates who were submitted to him by JSC.

The results of the interview process showed that Goba was tied joint top, on 59 percent with Misheck Hogwe, while Wilson Manase was third with 53 percent.

Deputy PG Florence Ziyambi — who was touted as a worthier contender for the top prosecution job in some Zanu PF quarters — actually performed dismally in the interviews by coming a distant fifth in the eyes of the JSC with 37 percent.

According to the JSC’s list of six candidates, Tecler Mapota scored 38 percent, Ziyambi 37 percent and prominent criminal lawyer Charles Chinyama had 23 percent

The appointment of Goba drew mixed feelings among observers, with some questioning his suitability for the job after he was convicted in Namibia for drunken driving and attempting to defeat the course of justice.

During the interviews to choose the new PG, Goba vigorously defended himself.- Daily News

Former Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo has lashed out at President Emmerson Mnangagwa, claiming the incumbent was under a false sense of victory that would soon come to an end.

Currently in the sanctuary of self-imposed exile, Moyo warned Mnangagwa that if he thought he has succeeded in taking over power, he has not seen anything yet.

“Only an idiot would think it is smart for a genocidal junta to violently shoot itself into power to install a fellow genocidal ‘gukurahundist’ under the mantra of stockholder entitlement,” he wrote on microblogging site, Twitter.

“If you and your lot think that will last, then you ain’t seen nothing yet; come rain or shine!” he continued on Thursday.

Mnangagwa was State Security minister during the Gukurahundi massacres and has been alleged to have been the chief architect of the operation that claimed more than 20 000 lives in Matabeleland and the Midlands regions between 1983 and 1987.

Moyo’s father was allegedly killed in the decade-long crackdown on dissidents in the southern provinces described by former president Robert Mugabe as a “moment of madness”.

He has never forgiven Mnangagwa, who denies any wrongdoing.

The former Tsholotsho Member of Parliament also did not have any kind words for the recently-appointed Cabinet, referring to it as a “Coup Cabinet”.

“So General S.B Moyo who announced the ‘intervention’ on ZTV& misled the world by claiming it wasn’t a coup, is one of the commanders in the #CoupCabinet as minister of Foreign Affairs & International Trade. Even #Nigeria didn’t have so many commanders in Cabinet in its coup days!” he opined.

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo rubbished Moyo’s claims, saying no one takes him seriously.

In September this year, Mugabe revealed that the tiff between Mnangagwa and Moyo could be traced as far back as 2004 when the former Cabinet minister was expelled from the ruling party.

This was the period when several Zanu PF provincial chairmen were suspended for their role in a plot that became known as the “Tsholotsho Declaration”.

Moyo had been the mastermind of the plot whose objective was to push for Mnangagwa to replace former vice president Simon Muzenda, who had died a year earlier.

Mnangagwa, who was the party’s secretary for administration, survived that purge but was demoted to the post of Zanu PF secretary for legal affairs.

Since then, Moyo has been working against Mnangagwa’s presidential bid under the banner of Generation 40 (G40), a faction that drew its support from the young Turks in Zanu PF.

G40 suffered a major setback when the huge strides it had made were reversed last month when the military intervened on behalf of the rival Team Lacoste faction to pluck out “criminals” around Mugabe.

Moyo was one of the alleged “criminals” who skipped the country to escape the full wrath of his pursuers.

As the G40 alliance crumbled like a deck of cards last month, their rivals regrouped and ensured Mnangagwa who had been fired from Zanu PF before making good his escape on fears that his life was in danger, ascends to the highest office in the land.

Earlier in the week, Moyo came out swinging on micro-blogging site twitter.

While congratulating Mnangagwa for going after individuals and corporates that externalised foreign currency, he made disparaging statements claiming the president should come clean on what happened in the controversial Marange diamond fields.

Mugabe in February last year claimed government had not received meaningful returns from the diamond fields and that the State could have been prejudiced of $15 billion.- Daily News

An advisor to government on the Ease of Doing Business, Ashok Chakravarti, has called for an investigation into the externalisation of funds, as it has emerged that US$5 billion could have been siphoned out of the country since dollarisation in 2009.

Speaking at the Special Policy Dialogue Forum on the quest for political and economic reform in Zimbabwe last night, Chakravarti said there is need to look into the externalisation of funds from the country.

“There is need to be an inquiry into what has been happening in the last few years,” Chakravarti said. “So many resources have gone out of the country. It cannot just be swept under the carpet. It has to be looked at carefully and addressed.”

Chakravarti also spoke of the need for the country to open up on investment, saying it was “pathetic” that the country received a paltry US$319 million in foreign direct inflows last year.

Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn leader Simba Makoni said there is need to provide a platform for a national conversation on the future of the country which did not take place at Independence.

Chakravarti and Makoni’s remarks come amid revelations that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration believes close to US$5 billion was externalised via official means since dollarisation in 2009. There are reports that several Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed companies and diamond mining companies played a major role in siphoning money out of the country.

A source in the financial sector said: “The stock exchange-listed companies siphoned the money as management fees paid to their offshore accounts via official means.”

“In most cases the amounts were so big and suspicious such that they would force foreign central banks to notify the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) of payments in case the money was laundered. So the RBZ has a record of all the transactions and the actual amounts that were deposited in offshore accounts.”

“Between US$3 billion and US$5 billion is reported to be in offshore accounts and the RBZ has been advised to approach the individual companies so that the money is returned before the law takes its course.”

The source also said several mining companies eternalised money under the pretext of buying equipment from abroad.

The money was taken out with the RBZ’s approval, but the equipment was never delivered. The companies failed to provide the bill of lading to the RBZ upon request.

This week, Mnangagwa granted a three-month moratorium within which individuals and corporates that externalised money and assets are expected to bring them back. During the period, government will neither ask questions nor prefer charges against those that will be repatriating back the money or assets.

Sources said Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa in June this year appointed a probe team to investigate and identify individuals and companies involved in externalising foreign currency from Zimbabwe. Chinamasa was, however, stopped in his tracks when former president Robert Mugabe reshuffled his cabinet, demoting him to the less influential Cyber Security ministry.

“When Chinamasa was moved from the ministry he had names of individuals and corporates that are fingered in the externalisation scandal,” a source close to Mnangagwa said. “Many of the corporates were involved in the diamond mining industry in Chiadzwa,” said the source, adding: “Companies such as the Diamond Mining Company, fronted by well-known smugglers and connected to former first lady Grace Mugabe, externalised huge amounts.”

As first reported by the Zimbabwe Independent, other diamond-mining companies like Anjin Investments, a joint venture between the Anhui Foreign Economic Construction (Group) Co Ltd (Afecc), and Matt Bronze Enterprises — a front for the Defence ministry and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces through Glass Finish Investments (Pvt) Ltd — also siphoned millions of dollars to offshore accounts. Anjin formed a subsidiary company, Sogecoa Zimbabwe Ltd, which was used as a conduit to siphon millions of dollars outside Zimbabwe.

Last year, Afecc was dragged to court on allegations of having externalised close to US$500 million. The company then paid about US$50 million to Sogecoa. A local bank acted as a conduit to wire the money out of Zimbabwe through Botswana banks. The bank account was opened on January 3 2013, with US$50 million, but the company transferred US$40 million to Sogecoa Zimbabwe days later before transferring another US$4 million to the same company on January 10 2013. On January 17 2013, Jinan transferred another US$2,9 million to Sogecoa Zimbabwe.

The money was externalised on the pretext that Afecc was investing in equipment. Jinan deputy general manager Tapiwa Goronga told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, chaired by Zanu-PF MP for Gokwe-Nembudziya Justice Mayor Wadyajena, that the matter was under investigation by the police Serious Frauds Section. Last year, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) announced stringent measures which include capping cash withdrawals without one-day prior notice to US$10 000, restrictions on offshore investment and suspending free funds to tackle illicit money flows and capital flight remittances after nearly US$2 billion evaporated from the capital-starved economy through externalisation. Announcing the Monetary Policy Statement (MPS), RBZ governor John Mangudya said the apex bank would implement prudential measures, which will come into force to mitigate illicit financial flows currently haemorrhaging the economy.

He said out of the US$1,8 billion externalised in 2015, US$1,2 billion was siphoned out by corporates with outward individual remittances accounting for the balance. He added that government will operationalise an economic crimes court to plug revenue leakage.- state media

A 49 year old man from Sizinda suburb in Bulawayo allegedly turned his daughter into a sex slave, raping her five times, at one point during her menstrual period during a period spanning from February 2014 to November this year.

The rape occurred in South Africa where the woman (23) was offered a job by her father at a company he owns in Johannesburg.

The rape victim eventually fled from her father last month after maternal relatives advised her to come back home.

She is currently staying at a safe shelter with her three-year-old daughter who witnessed one of the sex attacks.

The woman yesterday opened up in court before Bulawayo Senior Regional Magistrate Tranos Utahwashe.

She said she bled after every sexual encounter with her father. Mr Utahwashe remanded the man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, to next week for continuation of trial.

Prosecuting, Mr Robin Mukura alleged that on February 11 in 2014, the woman left Bulawayo for South Africa to look for employment while she was four months pregnant.

“When she arrived, her father, who was resident in South Africa, took her to his home in Natalspruit. The woman retired to bed and was surprised to see her father locking the doors from inside and joining her in bed,” he said.

“He then raped her once and went to work. The woman notified her cousin the following day but she could not help as she insisted that the accused was their father.”

Mr Mukura said sometime in January 2016, the woman was employed by a Pakistan national who fired her after six months on her father’s orders.

“She eventually went and worked for her father as a cashier. Sometime in June, the man instructed one of his workers to go to the bank granting himself an opportunity to be alone with his daughter. He then went into her room and raped her once,” said Mr Mukura.

He said during the same month, the man instructed his daughter to go and wash dishes in his room.

“The woman went into her father’s room and found no dirty dishes. As she was about to leave the room her father entered, undressed and raped her once. She decided to narrate her ordeal to one of her father’s workers as the two were now in a relationship,” said Mr Mukura.

“The fourth incident occurred when the man’s wife (victim’s stepmother) had just travelled to South Africa. He told his daughter that he wanted to show her around Johannesburg and she accepted.”

They went to a lodge and at that time, her stepmother had not joined them.

“The man paid R200 and got keys to a room before dragging his daughter to the room. He locked her inside and took a bath before asking her to do the same. The woman refused saying she was even on her menstrual period but her father turned a deaf ear and raped her several times the whole night.

“In the morning, she was forced to wear a used sanitary pad and they went away. On November 8, the woman’s daughter was taken to South Africa and her father secretly took her to his home,” said Mr Mukura.

“She went to her father’s home fearing that he would rape her daughter. Upon arrival she took her child while questioning why her father had taken her without her knowledge. At that moment he pushed her onto the bed and raped her while the child was crying.”

The matter came to light when the woman notified her uncle.

“Her uncle asked her to come back to Zimbabwe and upon arrival they made a report at ZRP Waterfalls in Harare. The matter was referred to Bulawayo when the family got wind that the man was in Sizinda,” said Mr Mukura. – state media

By Dorothy Moyo| Former Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara has announced saying President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s firing of controversial minister Lazarus Dokora early Saturday morning has got nothing to do with people’s concerns.

“Just a word of caution. The cabinet adjustments this morning have nothing to do with the outcry over the quality of Ministers.

“The objective of the adjustments was to address the illegality of the Cabinet with respect to the number non-constituent Ministers. Dokora frees a non/ constituenct slot, while Nyathi and Mutsvangwa are no longer officially Cabinet Ministers.

“These adjustments allow the number of the non constituent Ministers to go to the constitutionally provided for number of 5.

“The adjustments have absolutely nothing to do to sensitivity to the public outcry about the unimaginative Cabinet appointments.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday capped 1 218 graduates at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT)’s colourful 13th graduation ceremony.

The conferment of degrees was preceded by the installation of President Mnangagwa as the Second CUT Chancellor, his first role as the chancellor of all State universities.

“Given the number of PHD holders among the teaching staff, it is our belief that the number of students graduating with Master and Doctor of Philosopy is too low given the university’s academic standing,” he said.

There are 65 senior lecturers with PHD qualifications and nine associate professors and 13 full professors. He said with a well-defined research agenda targeting the value addition cluster of Zim-Asset, the academics at CUT had the ability to produce more in creative, innovative prototype technologies and engineering products.

University Council chairperson Dr Obadiah Moyo said President Mnangagwa’s presidency signalled a new era in the country’s socio-economic and political direction.

Students Representative Council president Nesbert Bhonzo said students were optimistic that the country’s socio-economic fortunes would change under President Mnangagwa’s leadership.

Most of the students interviewed said they expected Government to create jobs and opportunities that will help them express themselves in creating wealth.
A carnival atmosphere engulfed the marquee as the graduands and those in attendance took every opportunity to express their joy.

Musical and poetry interludes heightened the excitement.
As has become the norm at gatherings graced by President Mnangagwa, the DJ did not miss the opportunity to play Jah Prayzah’s hit songs “Kutonga Kwaro” and “Mudhara Vachauya”.

Poet Tatenda Chinoda gave a spell-binding performance that left the expectant crowd eating out of his palm, particularly with a rendition of his poem on contemporary political and economic realities.

President Mnangagwa got a standing ovation from the graduands when he was introduced, with the crowd spontaneously breaking into the “Kutonga Kwaro” chorus. – state media

There was drama at the Gweru City Council chambers on Thursday when MDC-T councillors demanded that former President Robert Mugabe’s portrait be taken down, as he was no longer head of State.

The full council meeting proceedings were briefly interrupted after ward 3 councillor, Nokuthula Mbano (MDC-T) raised a point of order that the portrait should be removed.

“Your worship (the mayor) a point of order please, may the portrait of the former President be removed,” she said.

Mayor Charles Chikozho concurred and said the issue had been previously deliberated on before a municipal officer was ordered to take down the portrait.

The visibly nervous municipal police officer took time to remove the portrait much to the amusement of councillors in the chambers.

Ward 1 councillor, Hamutendi Kombayi then said the municipal police officer should move with speed before announcing that the portrait be replaced with that of incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“Move with speed my friend to remove that portrait and it should be now replaced by that of the crocodile [Mnangagwa],” Kombayi said.

Meanwhile, councillors unanimously agreed to shoot down a proposal by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa-Zimbabwe) to install wireless internet facilities at its information kiosk housed at Mkoba 6 council administration offices.

The councillors argued that such facilities would congest the administration offices and compromise security since council handled cash paid by ratepayers.

The councillors recommended that Misa be allowed to set put its internet facilities at an alternative site.
Residents currently access free newspapers, council documents and pamphlets among other things at the information centre.- Newsday

A Redcliff couple whose three-year-old child was electrocuted when their house caught fire following a spark emanating from unsecured power cables, is suing the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) for $182 000.

Mr Tichafa Moses Chiwanza and his wife Ms Kudakwashe Chekai lost one of their twin sons in January this year after he was electrocuted when their house was gutted by fire emanating from faulty electricity cables. The other twin child suffered severe burns.

The couple, through its lawyers, Mutatu and Partners, filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing ZETDC as the defendant.

In papers before the court, Mr Chiwanza and Ms Chekai are demanding $182 000 from the power utility.

“On January 7, 2017 and at Number 17 Quorn Road, Redcliff there was a fire outbreak which occurred as a result of defendant’s fault in that it wrongfully and negligently created a dangerous situation by failing to properly maintain its power service cables on one of its distribution poles which supplied electricity to the plaintiffs’ house,” said the couple in its court papers.

“Due to defendant’s wrongful and negligent conduct, electricity sparked from the cables on the pole which connected electricity to our house thereby igniting the fire which resulted in the inferno. ZETDC had a duty of taking care and maintaining the poles and power cables, but failed to do so.”

The couple said despite demand, ZETDC has failed, refused or neglected to pay the money. ZETDC has not yet filed a notice to defend the summons.- state media

Terrence Mawawa, Gutu| A teacher here was severely bashed after being caught with a local villager’ s wife.

Henry Munodawafa, a teacher at Dambwara Primary School in Gutu District was trapped by the woman’s husband, William Charara.

Officials at the school told ZimEye.com, the woman, identified as Acquilina, came to the school to sell vegetables since she was a vendor.

Munodawafa then asked for the woman’s mobile number since he had bought some vegetables from her.

“Munodawafa told the woman he wanted to pay for the vegetables via Ecocash and he obtained her mobile number.

He began to send to send love messages to her and she reported the issue to her husband who mooted a plan to trap him,” said a source at the school.

The woman then began to respond positively.

Oblivious of the fact that Charara was aware of his attempts to have sex with his wife, Munodawafa was invited to the couple’s homestead under the pretext that the woman’s husband was away.

On arrival, Munodawafa entered the couple’ s bedroom, sat on the bed and removed his jacket and sandals.

Charara who was hiding behind the door suddenly emerged and Munodawafa took to his heels, leaving the jacket and sandals.

There was drama when on the following day, Charara went to the school and related the issue to the school head and Munodawafa pleaded guilty in what was like a kangaroo court. Almost instantaneously, Charara took a cattle skin whip and severely beat up Munodawafa in front of other staff members. Munodawafa was beaten up for a continuous 5 minutes and nearly heavily assaulted with fists. He was only saved by the presence of the headmaster and two other teachers, witnesses told ZimEye. His health condition could not be ascertained at the time of writing.

Chitungwiza Central Hospital staff yesterday demonstrated against management citing poor working conditions and shortage of resources needed for providing proper health care services.

The placard-wielding staff, who directed their message to the health institution’s chief executive officer Dr Obadiah Moyo, also demanded the disbandment of unproductive partnerships with private entities.

A matron from the hospital, who spoke to The Herald on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said they wanted the hospital to address their grievances.

“We are working without proper medical resources and the authorities are failing to heed our call to resource the institution in order to help us discharge our duties,” said the irate matron.

“Besides, we want to know the purpose being served by the private public partnerships (PPP) which the hospital entered into because as far as we are concerned, they (the partners) are nothing but a liability.

“Their services are too expensive to be afforded by the community. Patients are being ordered to go and purchase everything from this pharmacy from sterile gloves, needles and syringes, among other items.”

In a memorandum dated November 29, 2017 addressed to the hospital’s CEO, director of clinical services, director of finance, principal nursing officer, human resources officer and administration officer, the striking nurses said conditions at the institution are now untenable.

“Of late we have noted with great concern the downfall of our hospital due to lack of resources. There are no surgical and stores resources like oxygen, drugs (operating drugs), food, fuel sterile gloves and mattresses.

“This has been too much on us as nurses and we are stressed. We watch patients dying yet we cannot offer any help. We wish you could also give us clarity on how the private partnership is helping us; their services are extremely expensive for our community and staff,” reads part of the memo.

In response, Dr Moyo said they were attending to the issues raised by the unhappy staff.

“They wanted to be addressed on the issues to do with shortage of resources and we did exactly that after they wrote to us seeking dialogue. On the issue of resources, indeed we are facing financial constraints and today (Friday) trucks were off-loading some of the resources they claimed.

“We have even sourced cash from the Ministry of Finance. However, it looks like these issues have nothing to do with the shortages because even after addressing them yesterday (Thursday), they were not convinced. They had their own agenda, which needs to be investigated, since a few only took to the picket, which is not a reflection of what is happening on the ground,” he said.- state media

Government says there is need to academically train members of the security service on how to respond to asymmetrical measures being deployed by hostile superpowers aimed at undermining the security systems of sovereign countries such as Zimbabwe.

Addressing 55 graduates who were conferred diplomas in Defence and Security Studies and Adult Education at Zimbabwe Staff College yesterday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Security and War Veterans Mr Martin Rushwaya said the programmes trained officers to reason strategically in dealing with security challenges.

The diplomas are affiliated to the University of Zimbabwe and drew participants from Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Office of the President and Cabinet, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, including defence force members from the sadc region.

“The Diploma in Defence and Security Studies is unique in its thrust as it equips the graduands with the skills to enable them to discharge their duties professionally in an environment where asymmetrical measures are being deployed by hostile super powers to undermine the security systems of sovereign countries, Zimbabwe included,” he said.

“The strategic and defence concepts and applications covered in the programme provide students with valuable skills to assess and evaluate the effects of the same concepts on national and international military, political, economic and social systems pertaining to national security in particular and global security in general.”

Mr Rushwaya said inclusion of other non-Zimbabwe Defence Force members was aimed at en- abling a cross-pollination of ideas, which will enhance security cooperation and socio-economic transformation in the region and beyond.

Blending of academic modules into the military training programmes, he said, has indeed enriched the military curriculum in line with international military training trends the world over.

“The academic platform availed to students from both local and regional security forces by the Zimbabwe Staff College in association with the University of Zimbabwe is a crucial pedestal for enhancing professional and academic training and development that will lead to a vibrant regional force,” he said.

He also applauded University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Professor Levy Nyagura and the deans from the faculties of Arts and Education for partnering with the Staff College.

“I wish to implore the Vice Chancellor and his dedicated team to maintain this fruitful, strategic and professional union into the future and be the guiding beacon in the college’s desire to be a critical factor in its mission to serve society,” he said.

In his remarks, Professor Nyagura pledged to continue working hand-in-hand with the Staff College.

“We will continue to offer the college the necessary professional guidance in all its academic endeavours as part of our efforts to develop high skilled human resources for the nation,” he said.

“Our vision is to assist the Staff College to become a world-class training centre offering several degrees relevant to the defence and security sector.”

He added that the Diploma in Adult Education enabled officers to understand the philosophical base, guiding principles and socio factors that guide the provision of adult education programmes in the defence forces.

Among the dignitaries that attended the event were ZDF Commander General Constantino Chiwenga, Ministers Air Marshal Perrance Shiri and Major-General Sibusiso Moyo.- state media

Germany has joined other world powers in congratulating President Emmerson Mnangagwa following his inauguration last Friday as Zimbabwe’s Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

President Mnangagwa becomes the country’s second Executive President since independence in 1980.

He took over from President Mugabe, who resigned after being in charge for 37 years.

Other world powers such as Russia, China and the United States have sent their congratulatory messages.

In her congratulatory message, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged to support Zimbabwe as it opened “a new chapter.”

“Please accept my sincere congratulations on taking office as the new President of the Republic of Zimbabwe,” she said in a letter to President Mnangagwa.

“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.”

Dr Merkel said the joy exhibited by Zimbabweans last week was an indication that they had high hopes.

“The images of the people in Zimbabwe, who have responded with great joy and relief to the events of the past days are a clear reflection of the hopes and expectations in this area,” she said.

“I wish you strength, perseverance and every success for the great challenges ahead of you.”

The Indigenous Business Development Centre (IBDC) — a black economic empowerment organisation — also congratulated President Mnangagwa.

“The national IBDC leadership and all members of the indigenous business community would like to congratulate Cde E D Mnangagwa on your appointment as the President and the First Secretary of the revolutionary party Zanu-PF and President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces,” read their congratulatory message.

IBDC said it was happy with President Mnangagwa’s pledge to fight corruption.

The organisation said an end to corruption would see more investors flocking into the country.

“We would also like to congratulate you on your inauguration and on your inauguration speech where you promised to fight corruption, which issue we raised in 2013 at the Zanu-PF National People’s Conference in Chinhoyi and nothing was done about it,” IBDC said.

“This will open the doors for foreign investment which will lead to the opening of once closed industries and the creation of employment for the thousands of jobless people in our society.”

“As IBDC and knowing you as we do as a man of action we are confident that the promises that you have made will be achieved. Corruption kills the economy and must be tackled with vigour.”

IBDC added: “We as the indigenous businesspeople are greatly honoured that at last we have someone with the aspirations of the black person at heart. We wish you all the best as you embark on your journey of steering the Zimbabwe ship to economic prosperity.”- state media

A Crowborough woman was grisly murdered by her boyfriend in unclear circumstances before the suspect took his life.

Crowborough phase 3 residents were on Monday left shell-shocked when Stanley Maunde, 25, murdered his girlfriend Sibongile Mapondera, 21, after a nasty breakup.

The two lived at houses opposite each other and on the day in question had a war of words before the fatal act.

According to sources privy to the development Stanley started acting strangely after the breakup.

“Everything happened so fast we heard screams from outside our house and quickly rushed out only for our eyes to meet a strange thing as Stanley was stabbing Sibongile with a knife.

“People tried stopping him but he continued acting like a possessed person.

By Farai D Hove| As President Emmerson Mnangagwa concluded his Day 8 in office, the new ZANU PF leader promoted more officers from the security sector.

249 gun wielding ZPCS (Zimbabwe Prisons Service) officers were today promoted at a function Mnangagwa presided. He can be seen below conducting the ceremony:

Two days ago, Mnangagwa promoted 24 senior Air Force of Zimbabwe officers.

The promotion was done in terms of section 15(3b) of the Defence Act.
The four of Group Captain A. Viyano, Group Captain E.F Masakadza, Group Captain A. Gwata and Group Captain P.T Moyo have been elevated to the rank of Air Commodore.
10 wing commanders; Wing Commander S. Dube, Wing Commander N.C. Nyamwanza, Wing Commander F.C. Manhanga, Wing Commander M. Dhliwayo, Wing Commander P.P. Maketo, Wing Commander E. Kujinga, Wing Commander S.B Bere, Wing Commander E. Garwe, Wing Commander M. Mukarakate and Wing Commander P. Ndou were promoted to the rank of Group Captain.

https://youtu.be/h8FXOMdyqvY?t=859

Zimbabwe’s newly installed President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed senior military officials to top posts in his 22-man Cabinet, in an announcement made late Thursday on state-run television.

Ha also appointed six deputy ministers and 10 ministers of state for provincial affairs. Some of the appointees were new faces in government.

There was no opposition member in the cabinet, foreclosing hopes that he will create a government of national unity.

The new president  succeeded  93-year-old Mugabe, who ruled the southern African country for 37 years. Mugabe resigned under pressure last week after he was removed from power by the military and lost support of lawmakers in his ruling ZANU-PF party.

Mnangagwa, a former vice-president, sacked by Mugabe at the prodding of his ambitious wife, Grace, was sworn-in last Friday.

Sibusio Moyo, the army general who went on state television to announce the military takeover of the government and Mugabe’s house arrest, is the new foreign affairs minister.

Air Force Chief Perence Shiri is the Lands and Agriculture minister. He is associated with carrying out the mass murders of Mugabe’s reign of terror against the Ndebele people in Matabeleland in western Zimbabwe, where 20,000 civilians were killed.

Chris Mutsvangwa, the leader of the influential war veterans association whose members include freedom fighters who fought alongside Mugabe in the country’s liberation struggle, is the information minister.

Former National University of Science and Technology (NUST) pro-vice chancellor Professor Clever Nyathi is the new Minister of Labour and Social Welfare. Mimosa Mining Company executive chairman Mr Winston Chitando is the new Minister of Mines and Mining Development,

Patrick Chinamasa is now the substantive Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, while Obert Mpofu was appointed Minister of Home Affairs and Culture. The latter retained his position under Mugabe.

Dr Lazarus Dokora remains in charge of the Primary and Secondary Education portfolio. Dr Joram Gumbo remains Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister.

Dr David Parirenyatwa remains Health and Child Care Minister. Supa Mandiwanzira retained his portfolio which has been merged with cyber security. He is now the Minister of Information Communication Technology and Cyber Security.

The six deputy ministers appointed by President Mnangagwa are: Cdes Terrence Mukupe (Finance and Economic Development), David Marapira (Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement), Paul Mavima (Primary and Secondary Education), Victor Matemadanda (War Veterans), Pupurai Togarepi (Youth Affairs) and Joshua Malinga (Social Welfare). – agencies

ZANU PF will donate thousands of dollars worth of campaign regalia and posters bearing the image of former president Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace to orphanages, it has emerged.

Zanu PF had reportedly ordered at least 12 000 paraphernalia including T-shirts, mugs and hats for the over 12 000 delegates that were set to attend the Zanu PF extraordinary congress in December.

The other consignments were meant for the thousands who were expected to attend the presidential youth interface rally with students in Harare on November 18 and the Harare province presidential youth interface rally, whose date was still to be set when political uncertainty unravelled.

Former president and former first lady – Robert and Grace Mugabe

However, that material has been rendered useless after President Emmerson Mnangagwa was sworn in yesterday as the second executive president of Zimbabwe following the resignation of Mugabe after days of sustained pressure.

“We will honour our promise to all our suppliers and we will still pay what we agreed as per our contracts,” said a source in the department of regalia procurement at Zanu PF who declined to be named.

“What has happened will not change anything. I can’t obviously give you figures of how much was ordered but I can tell you that we will donate the regalia to orphanages.”

Zanu PF secretary of finance Obert Mpofu could not be drawn to comment on the matter and directed the Daily News on Sunday to party spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo saying his department was responsible for party regalia.

Khaya Moyo said the party will honour their agreements with all suppliers but declined to shed light on what they would do with the material.

Findings by the Daily News on Sundayshowed that the storeroom at the Zanu PF headquarters is full to the brim with paraphernalia emblazoned with the face of Mugabe and his wife.

“That is an internal party matter,” he insisted, adding: “We have not discussed what we will do with it next.”

Elsewhere, the Daily News on Sunday understands that Zanu PF provincial executive committees have instructed party members to stop wearing regalia emblazoned with embattled former first lady’s face.

The former liberation movement had made orders of regalia from various suppliers for the presidential youth interface rally with students and the proposed December Zanu PF extraordinary congress.

One of the main beneficiaries of the proceeds of the regalia was Grace whom Zanu PF had awarded the job to design the party’s new regalia following the Masvingo annual conference in December 2016.

The first lady has always bragged that she is a fashionista, with her husband claiming she even makes her own clothes.

Grace had maintained after that meeting that proceeds from the regalia sales will go to Zanu PF women’s league, which she headed before her husband was unceremoniously ousted.

“We decided to come up with this design as the women’s league so that we can fundraise for our activities. The philosophy behind the fabric design is that we wanted to do away with the razor on our cloth and replace it with the map of Zimbabwe, which represents a tea pot from which we all drink,” said Grace explaining the fabric’s print design and the philosophy behind it — which includes Mugabe’s face.

She went on to say that “inside the map is a mealie cob because we are an agrarian economy and there is also the country’s flower, the Flame Lily”, adding that “if you are not properly dressed in these garments, then you must be prepared to pay a $100 fine…”- Daily News

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Almost 15 years after Henry Olonga wore a black armband, Mugabe’s rule in Zimbabwe is finally over. “I’m stunned,” he says. “Here we are in a country that is Mugabe-less for the first time in 37 years. It’s extraordinary.”

Henry Olonga had long assumed that Mugabe – who “held 15 million people ransom to the weird machinations of some depraved mind” – would die in power. “I hope that Zimbabwe will get leadership that is worthy of the people. The Zimbabwean people should say never again to someone like Mugabe. We can’t have a despot like that again.”

And yet what replaces Mugabe’s regime in Zimbabwe remains uncertain. Mugabe’s successor, his former vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa, “is cut from the same cloth,” Olonga acknowledges. “You could argue that this man was there when a lot of the nonsense happened in Zimbabwe – human rights abuses in the 1980s in Matabeleland, farm invasions, the bulldozing of hundreds of thousands of people’s homes, corruption.”

Still, Henry Olonga cannot help but be optimistic. “You want to give someone the benefit of the doubt. If there’s the opportunity for them to bring effective change in a country – well, you give them a chance.”

The germ of one of the most famous protests in sport came a month before the 2003 World Cup, over a cup of coffee with Andy Flower. He was surprised by the invitation. On a tour of England in 2000, which took place against the backdrop of land seizures by the Mugabe regime, principally against white farmers, Olonga criticised how white players treated their black staff on their estates in Zimbabwe.

“They treated me differently to the way they would treat their own workers. I challenged them. Is that right, you know? Is it right to look down on people?”
He and Flower “weren’t that close,” Olonga recalls. Yet over coffee the two found a shared cause. “Although we had a strained professional relationship we found ourselves on the same side of a coin, of the idea of protesting against Mugabe. And so we found common ground, and then put our differences behind us.”

Flower initially proposed that that the entire squad boycott the World Cup. Olonga considered this impractical. Eventually the two, together with David Coltart, a lawyer and MP from the Movement for Democratic Change, hit upon a more subtle protest.

Flower and Olonga, the leading white and black players in the team – Olonga, indeed, was Zimbabwe’s first ever black cricketer – would wear armbands in protest against Mugabe. The night before Zimbabwe’s opening game, Olonga watched Gladiator for inspiration. When he and Flower took to the field, they wore black adhesive tape, and released a 450-word statement “mourning the death of democracy in our beloved Zimbabwe” under Mugabe.

Olonga had worn the armband expecting it to receive international attention. What he had not expected, as he details in his absorbing autobiography Blood, Sweat and Treason, was the depth of hatred he now faced in Zimbabwe.

“We were standing up against that kind of inequality between the rich and the poor, the extravagance of the Mugabe family. And the poor guy who doesn’t have enough money to buy a new pair of shoes or fresh shirt hated me more than Mugabe, the man who was the cause of his misery. Go figure. The guy with nothing says: ‘Olonga, you’re a sell-out!’”

Olonga was immediately dropped from the team, for clearly non-cricketing reasons, and was derided as an Uncle Tom. “You’ve got the first black player for Zimbabwe as a mentor to a mainly black side, standing up against the government of Robert Mugabe, a liberation war hero. They didn’t like it. So they vilified me.”

He was followed. His phone was bugged. He received death threats by email. During one match, Olonga was abused by Mugabe’s youth militia. Most ominous of all was a message his father received from a contact at the central intelligence organisation just before the game against Pakistan: ‘Tell your son that he needs to get out of Zimbabwe before the World Cup ends.’

“I aware of the fact that I could meet an ugly end,” Olonga says. “There was definitely moments of fear.”

Olonga was lucky. After a few nervous weeks in South Africa, David Folb, the chairman of the Lashings World XI, helped him move to the UK. Yet Mugabe’s regime still afflicted Olonga: his Zimbabwe passport expired in 2006, and he was told that he could only renew it by returning there.

And so, for a decade he was a citizen of nowhere. He remained in the UK, in Taunton, but, until he gained a UK passport in 2015, could not leave the country. A few months after getting his passport, he emigrated to Adelaide, the home town of his wife Tara, with their two children.

Cricket gave Olonga much joy – crucial contributions in consecutive Test victories against India and Pakistan; a match-clinching spell of reverse swing against India in the 1999 World Cup; 6-19 in an ODI thrashing of England – and yet it also burdened him. Olonga was given “label after label after label” – everything from ‘erratic’ bowler to tail-end ‘rabbit’ and then, most unwanted of all, the ‘Uncle Tom’ moniker. He likens his departure from the game, aged just 26, to “a bad divorce” and considers cricket “very insular and inward-looking”.

Charity work, mentoring children and helping prisoners, are altogether more fulfilling. He also hopes to release an album next year, and is working on producing short films.

“I’m in a place where I’m much happier, because I don’t have the constant scrutiny of selectors coming to watch games,” he says.
There is even a sense that the new Zimbabwe might embrace Olonga. In 2001 he released a song, Our Zimbabwe, a collaborative venture with a vision of the inclusive and welcoming country he thought Zimbabwe could become. It was a number one hit in his home country but was effectively barred from the airwaves after Olonga’s black armband protest.

While the emblem of Olonga’s courage – that black adhesive tape – lies somewhere in his shed, his song is now being widely played again. Olonga himself will sing it at a concert in Zimbabwe later this month.

It will be his first trip back to Zimbabwe, where many of his family remain, since the 2003 World Cup. Only now Mugabe has been ousted does he deem it safe to return.
“It’s bittersweet. When I left Zimbabwe it was under a cloud and it was a traumatic separation. A lot of my friends have moved on and left. A lot of the things I planned and hoped to achieve in Zimbabwe effectively ended.

“But if we had the death of democracy in 2003, I would hope that in 10 years’ time democracy in Zimbabwe will be alive and well. It sounds cheesy but you’ve got to do cheese once in a while.”

He laughs, and then returns to his new life. -telegraph

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been installed as chancellor of the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) where he is presiding over the institution’s graduation ceremony today.

In his acceptance speech, CUT Chancellor President Mnangagwa challenged higher education institutions to become cradles of new design concepts, research and new technologies and systems with a positive impact on industry and commerce.

“Such technologies and innovations should be bench-marked against the best practices in the world,” said President Mnangagwa.

Cde Mnangagwa added that Zimbabwe has to continue to produce quality graduands capable of producing finished products onto the market.

More details to follow…

Zimbabwe will not have a Government of National Unity (GNU) and political parties should ready themselves for harmonised elections slated for next year, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary, Mr George Charamba has said.

This comes as out of sorts opposition political parties and their proponents have been advocating a GNU since the resignation of former president Mugabe last week.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa was subsequently sworn-in as Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces last Friday.
Mr Charamba yesterday said elections—which should be held by August 21, 2018—would proceed as constitutionally scheduled.

“There has been a lot of speculation on whether or not there will be a Government of National Unity,” he said.

“If you look at the schedule for elections we are about plus or minus six months before they are held and certainly it would not make sense to talk about GNU for those remaining months. Parties must ready themselves for elections, which will take place as per our schedule.”

Mr Charamba said the elections would “determine the aftermath”.
“The President is aware of expressions of readiness to work with him and his party in the context of Government but there is this overbearing time factor which forbids any such considerations,” he said.

“So we will go for elections.”
In his inauguration speech, President Mnangagwa stated that elections would go ahead as scheduled adding that they should be held peacefully.
Mr Charamba also clarified the misunderstanding in some quarters surrounding President Mnangagwa’s assumption of office in light of the new Constitution.
The Constitution states that a President must serve two-term limits of five years.
Mr Charamba said the succession route was clearly spelt out under Sections 101(1) (a) and 91(2) of the Constitution.

Section 101(1) (a) stipulates that “If the President dies, resigns or is removed from office, the first President assumes office as President until the expiry of the former President’s term of office.”

In the same vein, Section 91(2) states that “A person is disqualified for election as President or Vice President if he or she has already held office as President under this Constitution for two terms, whether continuous or not, and for the purpose of this subsection three or more years’ service is deemed to be a full term.”

Said Mr Charamba: “Simple mathematics would indicate that the new President is fated to serve for at the most six months of his predecessor’s term, which means in terms of the Constitution you cannot classify him as having done his first term. The real count down comes after the 2018 elections.”

Preparations for the elections are at an advanced stage with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission having registered more than three million people.

The electoral body is targeting seven million voters. On the other hand, the Register General’s Office is carrying out a registration blitz for people to obtain requisite identification documents ahead of the polls. – state media

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Zimbabwe’s former Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo is considering the option of farming, and also his previous job of lecturing. This was revealed in his appeal for bail.

His lawyer Lovemore Madhuku launched his appeal yesterday saying:

Appellant [Chombo] has been a Member of Parliament and Cabinet minister for the past 20 years.

He ceased being a Cabinet minister upon the assumption of office of the President [Emmerson Mnangagwa] on November 24, 2017.
He ceased being a Member of Parliament on November 28, 2017.

He is a farmer and may return to his former job as a university lecturer.

Chombo argues that the Magistrate who denied him, Singano, misdirected himself in denying him bail as there is no evidence that he may abscond:

There was neither evidence nor any other basis from which it could be said that the appellant was likely to abscond.

There was neither evidence nor any other basis from which it could be said that appellant could interfere with witnesses.

Reference to a public outcry is, in itself, never a compelling reason given that it is the people themselves that entrenched a presumption of innocence in the Constitution. The State did not address any of the bail conditions offered by the appellant, thereby, failing to discharge the onus thrust upon it by law.

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Two more people – the deputy director of valuations and estate management in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Rejoice Pazvakavambwa (43) and the registrar of valuers Lazarus Chimba (70) – have been arrested on allegations of facilitating the transfer of council property worth $900 000 into ex-Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo’s name.

Chombo’s alleged underhand dealings at council also sucked in former Harare City town planner Psychology Chiwanga. Chombo appeared in court last week before magistrate Mr Elisha Singano and was remanded in custody to December 8. He has since appealed to the High Court for bail. The appeal is still pending.

Chiwanga appeared before Ms Josephine Sande, who remanded him in custody to the same date, while Pazvakavambwa and Chimba appeared before the same magistrate yesterday. They are accused of violating Section 4(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act (Chapter 9:16) and were remanded in custody to today for continuation of bail application.

They are being represented by Messrs Admire Rubaya and Joel Mambara. It is the State’s case that the duo acted in connivance with Chombo, Chiwanga, Iben Francisco, James Chiyangwa, Theresa Chenjerayi and Elias Choto.

Prosecuting, law officer Mr Edmore Nyazamba alleged that on a date unknown to the State, Chimba wrote a document dated June 13, 2008 to the City of Harare, indicating that he had no objection to a double transfer of a property in Glen Lorne to Aloise Chimeri. He also did not object to Chimeri being given title deeds of the said property, which had been illegally acquired and was sold to him by Chombo.

According to the State, Chimba also influenced Harare City Council to illegally get compensation of the said piece of land, which had been sold by Chombo. Pazvakavambwa, it is alleged, authored another document on June 25 of the same year addressed to City of Harare, confirming that the property had been sold to Chombo.

She further instructed Francisco to transfer the property into Chombo’s name, the court heard. It is further alleged by so doing, Chimba and Pazvakavambwa acted contrary to and inconsistent with their duties as public officers as their actions had the effect of showing favour to Chombo and Chimeri.- state media

Former MDC-T Bulawayo senator, Matson Hlalo, has challenged Morgan Tsvangirai to stop complaining over President Robert Mugabe’s misrule without doing anything to assist the electorate get rid of the Zanu PF dictatorship.
Hlalo made the remarks while addressing delegates during a Zpra heroes’ day commemoration at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo on Monday after MDC-T organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe recently attacked Mugabe over issues of mis-governance and marginalisation of the Matabeleland region.
Hlalo recently joined the People’s Democratic Party after he was fired from the MDC-T for challenging the endorsement of Gift Banda as Bulawayo chairperson for Tsvangirai’s party.
“Can we please be politicians with vision! Can we stop talking about Mugabe, Mugabe, let’s talk about solutions. We talk here about the violence that occurred at (Morgan) Tsvangirai’s party,” he said.
“This violence is not about fighting to free the people of Zimbabwe, it’s all about positions. They are fighting for positions that I want to be in this position or that one.
Have you ever heard that when people crossed borders to fight to liberate the country they fought over it.
“Now it’s cheap to be a leader, we do not hold them to account, that’s what happens in the Bulawayo council. Do you enjoy what is happening in the council? How much is the corruption in Bulawayo? That is what we want to hear people fighting to correct.”
Hlalo claimed that he was fired for representing the interests of Bulawayo residents.
“I was fired because I said we cannot be led by crooks known in Bulawayo. Bulawayo is so dear to us, we will never allow people to come and lead us with dirty hands,” Hlalo said.
“You hear some saying Hlalo is not a Bulawayan, cheap politics. People should talk reasonable politics not Mugabe this, Mugabe that, what will you do to him, tell us so that we follow you?”
MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu, recently dismissed Hlalo’s rants as sour grapes.
“I suspect that Hlalo, who is my uncle, is just bitter and a very frustrated man. He will cool down with time,” he said. – Newsday

A form Five pupil at Chaplin High School allegedly drowned while fishing with three friends in Gweru’s Ngamo Dam.

Tatenda Mpashe Ndwangu (17) of House Number 898 Mkoba 4, Gweru, drowned at Ngamo dam on Saturday at around 11 AM.

Renius Tafadzwa, Ndwangu’s neighbour, told The Chronicle that tragedy struck when the boys decided to swim across the dam.

“The four boys decided to cross the dam to the other side and fish from there. The now deceased could not hold up anymore. He tried to get help from one of his friends who was swimming behind him but it was too late and he drowned”, said the neighbour.

One of the friends rushed to get help from a police officer.

The police sub-aqua unit started searching for Ndwangu on the same day at around 12 noon.

Midlands Acting Police Spokesperson Inspector Ethel Mukwende could not be reached for comment on her mobile phone.

In an unrelated incident, a one-year-old girl allegedly drowned in a bucket full of water after she was left in her brother’s care.

Nokutenda Shumba drowned in a 20 litre bucket which was full of water in Mkoba 13 Gweru on April 14.

Midlands Acting spokesperson inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the sudden death.

“I can confirm that a sudden death incident occurred in Mkoba 13, Gweru on April 14 at around 10 AM. The now deceased drowned in a 20 litre bucket,” she said.

“The deceased’s mother Ms Rudo Kamajera (38) had left her two children playing outside while she took a bath,” said Insp Mukwende.

She said when Ms Kamajera was done, she asked Pride, the deceased’s brother, where his little sister was.

“Pride told his mother that he did not know where she was. The now deceased had already drowned,” said Insp Mukwende.

She said Ms Kamajera retrieved the tot from the bucket and rushed her to Mkoba Poly Clinic where she was declared dead on arrival.- State Media

An 85-YEAR-OLD blind man from Plumtree allegedly raped his maid`s four-year-old daughter and suffered a stroke after committing the crime.

Mbizo Walton Ndlovu of Gasavu suburb allegedly raped the girl on February 27 when her mother was preparing lunch outside the house.

Ndlovu appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Chrispen Mberewere facing a charge of rape.

He pleaded not guilty and Mr Mberewere remanded him out of custody to April 20.

Prison guards assisted Ndlovu to a police car outside the court.

He had to be literally carried up and down the stairs to attend court.

Ndlovu was brought by the police from Plumtree to court and after he was remanded out of custody, cops took him back home.

It was not clear why Ndlovu was taken to a court in Bulawayo and not in Plumtree near his home.

Prosecuting, Mr Busani Moyo said Ndlovu lured the girl into his bedroom and raped her once.

“When this happened the complainant`s mother and the accused`s granddaughter were preparing lunch outside the house at a fire place. The complainant`s mother found the accused person naked while the complainant was lying on top of the bed,” said Mr Moyo.

“This made the complainant`s mother suspicious and she reported the matter to the police. The complainant was rushed to the hospital and a medical report will be produced in court as evidence.”- State Media

An 18-year-old man from Shurugwi allegedly raped a 13-year-old church mate after she turned down his love proposal.

The accused person, whose name has been withheld to protect the name of the minor, appeared before Shurugwi magistrate Mr Pride Gomera facing one count of rape.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody to May 4.

Prosecuting, Mr Pride Gomera said on December 9 last year, the accused person followed the complainant while she was on her way home from a church service.

“The accused person started to propose love to the complainant but she turned down the proposal. While they were walking, the complainant and the accused person approached a bushy area and the accused person then tripped the complainant who was walking in front of him. He then dragged her into a bush,” said Mr Gomera.

He said the teenager raped the complainant once and fled.

“The complainant then proceeded home and told her grandmother about the incident. The complainant’s grandmother accompanied the complainant to report the matter at the police station the following day leading to the arrest of the accused person,” said Mr Gomera.

The court heard that the complainant was referred to hospital where she was examined and a medical report was compiled.- State Media

Harare socialite Genius Kadungure, who faces allegations of defrauding Chegutu West Zanu PF MP Dextor Nduna of ZAR 1,5 million, has implicated businessman Wicknell Chivayo in the alleged fraud and wants him summoned to court over the same charge.

Kadungure’s lawyers last week wrote to the National Prosecuting Authority challenging its decision to leave out Chivayo. This was after Kadungure was summoned for trial on April 11 this year.

“Our client is surprised that despite his explanation that is corroborated by the witness statement of Dania Kambwebwe, which explains our client’s involvement in the matter, he has been singled out as the only accused person,” the lawyers from Venturas and Samukange law firm, said.

“The statements by Kambwebwe establish the link between the offence in question, herself, Mr W Chivayo, Edward Teka and Blessing Shaya, but the charge sheet has been altered by removal of other accused persons from the proceedings for reasons unknown to our client,” the letter, dated April 10, read.

In her warned-and-cautioned statement, Kambwebwe allegedly submitted that she received the money in question from Kadungure on behalf and at the instance of Chivayo.

The lawyers also challenged the State’s decision to continue with the matter, which is currently before the Alexandra Magistrates Court in Gauteng Province, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Kadungure was arrested in May 2014 on allegations of swindling Nduna, who is the managing director of Badon Enterprises, and a Kadoma miner only known as Gatawa of R1 581 890.

According to the State outline, Kadungure allegedly formed a fictitious company named Transco Civil Engineering purportedly based in South Africa and opened an ABSA bank account for the company.

It is alleged he then contacted the complainants over the phone and misrepresented himself as the chief buyer for Marange Resources looking for mining pumps at competitive prices.

In December 2011, Gatawa allegedly sent his brother Enock to South Africa to purchase the pumps and he was ordered to deposit R1 046 890 for the purchase of 10 flight pumps in the ABSA bank account, and the latter obliged. He allegedly deposited another ZAR 500 000.

After the transfers, Enock was told by Transco Civil Engineering “officials” to go back to Zimbabwe and check for his parcel with DHL in three days’ time, but got shocked after he only received a parcel of cellphone chargers.- Newsday

Joice Mujuru | Fellow Zimbabweans; and countrymen, I am humbled to meet and address you on our historic occasion of celebrating 37 years since we got independence from the colonial rule of Ian Douglas Smith. As National People’ s Party we join the diversity of our country in commemorating this historic day, a day that cuts across political divides, religions, social and economic persuasions, tribes and cultural standings. It is a day that should unite Zimbabweans into one family and its a day that does not belong to a one political party.

As we celebrate 37 years of independence its time to reflect on the revolutionary ideals that the sons and daughters of this country fought for. We have our countrymen who lost life and limb for the liberation cause of our people and as NPP we take this opportunity to also reflect on the tombstone of the unknown soldier. We went to war for one man one vote. As Zimbabweans we were driven to fight the colonial regime by the desire to be treated equally before the eyes of the law. True to that spirit we stood heads, toes and shoulders as equal partners in defeating the oppressive colonial regime of Ian Douglas Smith. It is for the same cause that we lost gallantry sons and daughters of this country whose heroic deeds in liberating our people be it in the first and second Chimurenga remain unparalleled to date.

We equally take this day as an opportune moment to make a peoples audit on whether the government of the day has implemented the revolutionary ideals our people sacrificed their lives for. It is with a heavy heart that our country which was once a bread basket of Southern Africa is now a basket case to the World. All sectors of our country’s economy are plagued with corruption. Rampant police road blocks have turned the country into a police state. Our people live in abject poverty in th midst of vast natural resouces like minerals which are now preserve of the few. A case in point is the looting of mineral revenue amounting to US 15 billion without a trace. That alone demonstrates corruption of th highest order and lack of accountability by ZANU PF government. Unprecedented level of unemployment is now a terminal culture of our country. Disregard of rule of law with impunity is the order of the day. Our country is politically polarised as a result of divisive ZANU PF government which has become an epitome of a failed national leadership.

As NPP we believe that what ought to be 37 years of Independence has been turned into 37 years of slavery and misery to Zimbabweans. We believe we have capacity as Zimbabweans to extricate ourselves out of the social, economic and political mess we find ourselves in as a result of ZANU PF s failed government. It is time that all progressive forces within the rank and file of opposition parties ought to put their differences aside and face the ZANU PF failed government as a united front by every constitutional means necessary come 2018 national elections.

At one point in time of our liberation struggle with Ian Douglas Smith, ZIPRA and ZANLA joined hands to dislodge the colonial regime not withstanding their ideological and political contradictions. What they had to put first was our country and its people. That alone makes an instructive testimony for a case of a grand coalition to constitutionally remove ZANU PF from power.

Our people never went to war so that the destiny of our country can be turned into political dynasties. Zimbabweans deserve to be free and that freedom has to be exercised now. To that end as NPP we urge all the progressive forces within the rank and file of the opposition parties of this country to go back to the basics of the revolutionary ideals of oneness. It is our belief as NPP that what divides us as opposition political parties is smaller than what binds us as a country. Our motto should therefore be ”
United we stand, divided we fall”.

We therefore urge our countrymen that as they celebrate this historic day that is if there is anything to celebrate there should not lose hope and focus that another happy and free Zimbabwe is possible.

May Gob bless you all

I thank you

Doctor Joice Teurai Ropa Mujuru (National Peoples Party President)

Terrence Mawawa | Old, tired and clueless President Robert Mugabe must go, read the placards that were raised by concerned Zimbabweans in the diaspora during yesterday’ s demonstration in London.

The Take2Zimbabwe march was organised by Zimbabwe Citizens’ Initiative(ZCI), Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation(ZHRO) and Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe (ROHR).
Scores of concerned Zimbabweans in exile converged at the Embassy of Zimbabwe in London and marched along the streets as they expressed their grievances.

Speaking after the event, ROHR Zimbabwe (UK Chapter)spokesperson, Farai Nhakaniso said Mugabe’s continued grip on power was a national catastrophe.

“Our message is very clear, the people of Zimbabwe are fed up with tyranny. The Take2Zimbabwe initiative was a direct response to yesterday’ s chaotic independence celebrations held across the country.How can we celebrate independence while we are suffering under Mugabe’s dictatorship?The old and tired man(Mugabe) must go,” said Nhakaniso.

He said the snap announcement by Theresa May to hold the UK 8 June 2017 Elections meant all appointments at 10 Downing Street had been rescheduled.
“We could not go to 10 Down Street because of the changes that transpired but we rescheduled the appointments,” said Nhakaniso.
ZCI chairperson, Promise Sande said Zimbabweans in the diaspora would continue to exert pressure on Mugabe – described by pro-democracy forces as a liability to the troubled nation.
ZHRO director of marketing, Mable Kayiya, said it was vital to hold such events as part of frantic efforts to force Mugabe to step down.

In such circumstances you don’t conclude, you leave room for qualified pple to ascertain cause of death. https://t.co/5crxT7RLOE

— mawarire jealousy (@mawarirej) April 18, 2017

Former NPP Spokesman Jelousy Mawarire has attacked the state owned Herald newspaper for violating legal processes following the sudden death of former Permanent Secretary and Procurement boss, Charles Kuwaza. Mawarire says: “In such circumstances you don’t conclude, you leave room for qualified pple to ascertain cause of death.” ALSO READ  – Kuwaza Assassinated?   

The 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey Matabeleland says North Province has the highest HIV prevalence among children under 14 in Zimbabwe. The province has a prevalence rate of about 3.2 percent. In second place was Mashonaland East with 2.3 percent. Matabeleland South and Midlands were tied in third place. Mashonaland Central had the lowest prevalence rate with 1.0 percent.

Experts blamed the low uptake of prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) for children living with HIV.  Bulawayo Aids coordinator Mrs Sinatra Nyathi was quoted by the state media saying:

“Our national HIV prevalence stands at 14 percent and that excludes children aged below 14. We have many children who were infected when they were born while others were sexually abused.

“It’s sad to note that we also have young sex workers who got infected while engaging in their trade…”

“It will be impossible for us as a country to reach the 2020 targets if expecting mothers delay seeking healthcare and end up infecting new born babies. We therefore urge everyone to know their status and for families to take their little ones for testing.” – state media

A 33 year old Bulawayo man has been fined $400 for assaulting his ex-wife after she asked for money for the upkeep of their two children as directed by the Maintenance Court.

Frank Muzondiwa of Nkulumane suburb appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Stephen Ndlovu and pleaded guilty to a charge of assault and contempt of court.

Magistrate Ndlovu fined him $400.

“The accused person will pay a $400 fine or spend three months in prison upon failure to pay. The whole amount should be paid up by May 1 2017,” said the magistrate.

Muzondiwa was allegedly ordered by the maintenance court to contribute $90 monthly towards the upkeep of his two children in 2015.

He defaulted paying for some months, but the amount was not stated.

When his ex-wife asked him to pay up, he assaulted her.

Prosecuting, Mr Kenneth Shava said Muzondiwa assaulted his ex-wife Ms Virginia Sibanda of Kensington suburb after a misunderstanding in July last year.

“On July 30, 2016, at 12noon the accused person went to the complainant’s aunt’s place in Nkulumane suburb where he asked to see his daughter. Whilst there, the accused person and the complainant had a misunderstanding at around 3PM.

“The complainant was demanding money for the upkeep of their child that the accused person had been ordered to pay by the maintenance court. The misunderstanding degenerated into a physical attack and the accused person punched the complainant once on the mouth,” said the prosecutor.

The complainant sustained a swollen mouth and did not seek medical attention.- State Media

A MAN, who allegedly fatally assaulted Bulawayo City Council’s assistant director of Engineering Services Engineer Mbuthi Gugu Mkhwananzi, in a fit of jealousy after the two clashed at a girlfriend’s house, appeared in court yesterday.

Spencer Sithole (33) of Hillside suburb in Bulawayo punched Mkhwananzi several times before striking him using a dressing table and a wooden stool on Tuesday last week at Josephine Morrow’s — the girlfriend — house in Four Winds.

Mkhwananzi died on Friday at Mater Dei Hospital due to the injuries he allegedly sustained as a result of the attack.

The bespectacled Sithole appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya facing a murder charge. He was remanded in custody to May 2.

Sithole, through his lawyer, Mr David Mhiribidi of Mutuso, Mhiribidi and Partners, told the court that he suffered from arthritis and a fractured wrist which required medical attention.

The magistrate gave him the green light to be examined by doctors for the ailments.

Prosecuting, Mr Alfonce Makonese, said on April 11 this year at around 7AM, Sithole went to his ex-girlfriend, Morrow’s house intending to collect his car keys.

The court heard that on arrival, Sithole opened the front door of the house using spare keys and stumbled upon Mkhwananzi and Morrow in bed.

“The deceased was with his girlfriend when the accused person stormed into the house and found them in bed. Sithole got angry and started assaulting the deceased with fists, dressing table and a wooden stool and he sustained three fractured ribs,” said Mr Makonese.

Mkhwananzi fled from the house as he bled profusely through the mouth and nose.

He was taken to Mater Dei Hospital where he died three days later as a result of multiple injuries sustained during the attack.

A report was made to the police leading to the arrest of Sithole.

Mourners are gathered at Number 1 Cliburn Crescent in Morningside suburb. Mkhwananzi is survived by a wife and two children aged 16 and four.

Mkhwananzi had just returned from abroad to take up the post at the council. He was a holder of a Masters Degree in Project Management from the University of Ireland and a Bachelor of Engineering Honours Degree in Civil Engineering from Leeds University in the United Kingdom.

He also was also holder of a certificate in local government studies from the National University of Ireland and also a member of the Institute of Chartered Engineers of Ireland.

His first stint with council was from 1997 to 1999 when he was a graduate engineer.

He worked as a roads design engineer in the roads branch from 1999 to 2002.

He moved to Ireland from 2009 to 2013 where he worked on a number of projects as an assistant project manager, engineer and consultant.

President Mugabe yesterday said Government was committed to improving the country’s education system and has adopted various initiatives towards that goal.

The President, who is famed for making Zimbabwe one of the top two most literate nations in Africa, was speaking at the 37th Independence Anniversary Children’s Party hosted by the First Family at the City Sports Centre yesterday.

The event was attended by thousands of children drawn from the country’s 10 provinces.

“We continue as you know, to do everything possible to ensure that your education remains Government’s top priority.

“At the beginning of 2017, we introduced an updated competence and skills driven curriculum that should provide every learner with an opportunity to develop their potential. This potential that exists in every learner requires a curriculum that can develop and map it to the maximum extent possible,” President Mugabe said.

He added that the new curriculum ensures a smooth transition from school to work.

“Our goal is to ensure that the updated curriculum supports and sustains the transition from school to the world of work through serious study of a wide variety of subjects that include the sciences, technology and mathematics.

“We must, as we do this, appreciate the profound turn towards innovation and creativity in our nation,” President Mugabe said.

The President added that since May 2016 they had initiated a school feeding programme for infants in all schools to improve learners’ health and further improved the retention of learners in school.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has commenced the Zimbabwe Schools’ Water and Agriculture Project that will see secondary schools, in all the eight provinces, commence agricultural study work, programming boreholes drilling through drip irrigation, fish farming and the benefit of solar power system. To date boreholes have been drilled in schools and it is planned that May 2017, a total of 100 boreholes will be drilled every month.

“The project will move to the primary school sector once all 2 500 secondary schools in the country have been accounted for. The same project is expected to contribute significantly to the sustenance of the school feeding programme and competence-based learning by all of you,” President Mugabe said.

President Mugabe urged children to fully utilise the land and all other resources the country is endowed with.

“You must remember that we took our land from our colonisers. Land is like all our country’s resources, our natural God-given resource. You are the inheritors of it and therefore must take pride in making our land productive. Equally so, you must be prepared to cultivate active interest in exploiting all other resources our country is endowed with,” he said.

President Mugabe called on children to work hard at school and thanked teachers for their efforts in educating the nation.

“I wish you all success in your education, behave well in school and avoid bad habits and study hard,” he said.

“God bless you all, may God bless your teachers. I know they have worked very hard to put this up. They work hard to bring you up. I want to thank them on behalf of your parents,” President Mugabe said.

The celebrations were held under the theme, “Children’s Party; Zimbabwe @37: Embracing ease of doing business for socio-economic development.”

State ownwed telecoms operator, NetOne is looking for a new chief executive officer following the dismissal of Reward Kangai last year on allegations of corruption.

Kangai was initially suspended and the company later terminated his contract.

Brian Mutandiro has been acting CEO since then.

In a vacancy notice published on Sunday, NetOne said the incumbent will report to the board of directors and will lead, in conjunction with the board, the development of the company’s strategy to maximise shareholder value and enhance the positioning of the company.

It said the incumbent will lead and “oversee the implementation of NetOne’s long and short-term plans in according with its strategy” and “establish parameters for expanding the range of products and services and for introducing new technologies in the business”.

Interested candidates have up to May 5 to submit their applications.

Last year, ICT, Postal and Courier Services minister Supa Mandiwanzira promised to restructure the management at NetOne in a bid to resuscitate the ailing mobile operator.

The restructuring has seen the appointment of new executives and the company is set to relaunch its mobile money product.

Since his appointment as acting CEO, Mutandiro has steadied the NetOne ship, with the company closing in on Econet in terms of active subscribers.

Latest statistics from the Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) showed that NetOne’s active subscriber base grew by 14% last year to 4 712 410 when rivals registered a drop in numbers.

Data from Potraz showed that in 2016, NetOne added 577 690 new active subscribers, while Econet and Telecel’s numbers declined by
341 787 and 114 387, respectively.

The growth in active subscribers saw NetOne’s market share increasing to 36,6% in the fourth quarter ended December 31 up from 36,4% in the previous quarter.

Econet’s market share was flat at 49,4%, while Telecel’s share dropped to 14% in the quarter from 14,2% in the previous quarter.
Mobile revenue was up 2,4% to $199,2 million. The growth in revenue was spurred on by Econet, which saw its revenue growing by 4,2% in the fourth quarter of 2016 to $152 383 272.

Telecel and NetOne’s revenues declined by 2,4% and 3,4% respectively. – NewsDay

Convicted fraudster and Bulawayo Ward 23 Councillor Thobani Ncube has been fired from his council position and a by-election to replace him will soon be held, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has said.
Ncube was last Thursday convicted of defrauding a resident of $12 000 in a housing scam and was sentenced to 36 months in prison.
He will, however, perform 360 hour of community service after a magistrate conditionally suspended the sentence.
Minister Kasukuwere said Ncube had breached provisions of the Urban Councils Act.
“If he has been convicted then he will no longer be a councillor. We will follow procedure and together with the legal team look at the issue but it’s a given he cannot be a councillor anymore,” said Minister Kasukuwere.
“We will work towards having a by-election to replace him though for now I’m not yet sure when as we have to meet and deliberate on that.”
He said Ncube was no longer fit to hold office as he had had been dishonest in dealing with residents he was meant to protect and serve.
According to the Local Government Laws Amendment Bill, 2016, the minister can suspend a councillor from exercising all or any of his or her functions in the event that they are convicted.
“In accordance with section 278 of the Constitution, the chairperson or councillor of a council shall only be removed from office on the grounds of inability to perform the functions of their office due to mental or physical incapacity; or gross incompetence or gross misconduct.
“The same shall be removed from office after a conviction of an offence involving dishonesty, corruption or abuse of office; or a wilful violation of the law, including a local authority by-law,” reads the document.
MDC-T national spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu said his party had a zero tolerance to corrupt officials and that Ncube would face the music.
“As a party we don’t protect corrupt individuals regardless of their position in the party. Anyone who is found to be corrupt will be disciplined according to the MDC-T constitution.
“If any competent court of law has found him guilty then we will not protect him and he will go through disciplinary procedures like everyone else,” said Mr Gutu.
“I’ve not looked at the documents but basically our position is that we don’t tolerate corrupt leaders. We also would like to condemn political victimisation where our councillors are falsely accused but now if inquiries are fair and transparent, we do take action against corrupt party officials.”
Ncube could not be reached for comment on his mobile phone yesterday.
Western Commonage magistrate Ms Nyaradzo Ringisayi convicted Ncube despite his plea of not guilty on Thursday.
“Such behaviour isn’t expected from a leader that communities should look up to. Leaders should be exemplary,” Ms Ringisayi said.
“Accused person is therefore sentenced to 36 months in prison. Six months will be suspended on condition of good behaviour for five years.
“Twelve months of the sentenced will be suspended on condition that accused person restitutes the complainant. The remaining 18 months will be suspended on condition that the accused person will perform 630 hours of community service.”
Ncube conned Ms Vainah Moyo (54) of Barham Green suburb by selling her a stand which he also sold to one Mvangeli Xaba.
Last year in September, Minister Kasukuwere suspended five out of Bulawayo’s 29 councillors for alleged corruption including the city’s former deputy mayor Mr Gift Banda.
Three councillors were later exonerated but Mr Banda together with ward 21’s Reuben Matengu were fired from council following an investigation by an independent tribunal.
Mr Banda has since approached the High Court seeking to be reinstated on grounds that he was innocent.- agencies

Staff Reporter | Zimbabwean girl Hazel Cheuka is shaking UK theatre screens has now expanded her territory into USA theatre.

Cheuka is a 12 year old multi-talented girl living with her mother Lucy Mlotshwa in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK. Hazel has had a number of acting roles including playing young ‘Nala’ in the iconic Lion King Musical in London’s the West End.

Hazel recently auditioned for Teen Star along with many other talented acts. She won her way through to the Regional Finals of the UK’s only singing and dancing competition exclusively for teens and pre-teens, and is now one step away from the Grand Final.

But then, who is Hazel Cheuka, and what does the future hold for her?

Hazel is a multi- talented girl who loves acting, singing, dancing and modelling. She has a young brother who is also catching football coaches’ eye on the pitch. Hazel was spotted as a talented girl at the tender age of 9 by her school teachers, and was encouraged to join a drama school (Stagecoach). Since then, she has given all her best into her talents with a particular focus on acting.

She has worked with Warner Bros.Studio – The Making of Harry Potter, and other companies that engage talented young people from diverse backgrounds. Hazel also was due to play the lead role of Annie in the production of Annie at the Waterside Theatre in aylesbury, but has had to pull out due to the upcoming national TeenStar competition.

Currently, Hazel is with Adele Peters’ Performing Arts School. Adele is preparing her for the highly challenging national TeenStar competition. In September this year, Hazel is starting Year 9 at Tring Park Performing Arts School where she successfully auditioned last year. When her talent was spotted, Hazel had auditioned for Disney’s Cub School where she instantly got offered one of the leading roles – “Young Nala”. Hazel has always been a charismatic young actress who catches every judge’s attention. Previous winners of this competition include Luke Friend and Emily Middlemas.

In future, Hazel has the chance to act and impress many guests and agencies from the entertainment industry including judges from BBC Introducing, national radio and regional press. This is no mean feat as previous judges for Future Music competitions include Radio 1’s Annie Nightingale MBE, KISS FM’s Charlie Hedges and four time Ivor Novello award winner Mark Hill, also known as one half of the Artful Dodger, plus A&R reps from Sony, Warner Bros and Syco Entertainment.

This is your chance, along with the entire world, to watch UK TeenStar and see Hazel’s amazing performance in a live showcase on the 30th April 2017.

A bit about TeenStar . . .

TeenStar is a national singing and dancing competition searching for the UK’s best teen and pre-teen singers, singer/songwriters, rappers, dancers and dance groups of all genres and styles. TeenStar is brought to you by Future Music. Hazel is among the dancers the competition first opened its doors to.

The TeenStar competition has three age categories – ‘Late Teens’ (16-19), ‘Mid Teens’ (13-15) and a special category searching for the stars of tomorrow, the Pre-Teens! All types of singers and dancers are invited to enter TeenStar. Just like every other fellow contestant, Hazel is focused on winning at the forthcoming prestigious Grand Final, where she will also be the centre of attraction and may walk away a proud winner of one of the huge prizes such as: recording an album; shooting a music video; scholarships to the Flawless Dance School; and sponsorship from Squad Dancewear, amongst others.

With your support, Hazel has a chance to make it and enter the global entertainment industry at a young age via TeenStar 2017.

For more information regarding Hazel’s upcoming competition, please go to the website www.teenstarcompetition.co.uk, or better still attend the competition and support her! You can purchase tickets from the website www.teenstarcompetition.co.uk, as well as on the door subject to availability or from: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/teen-star-regional-finals-tickets-32720140822 or call Lucy on +447446076837

Staff Reporter | President Robert Mugabe this morning reminded Zimbabweans his assignment of fully liberating them was not over yet, in a speech that was totally drowned by goat currency jokes.

Blogged one Zimbabwean, mocking Mugabe “Kutonga kusvika school fees yaakubhadharwa nembudzi🐐🐐🐐.”

Speaking during the country’s 37th Independence celebrations Mugabe said speaking in the plural, “We, however, need to be mindful that our assignment is not yet over. We have to constantly defend our independence so that it can have meaning.”

Mugabe celebrated what he termed socio-economic programmes since independence, seemingly oblivious to the fact that even as he was speaking jokes around the ‘goat currency’ had all but drowned everything  Zimbabwe’s independence stood for.

Said Mugabe, “We always remind ourselves, our people, those that fought the battle, those who were in what were known as Keeps, detention centres, villages and prisons ….they all endured untold suffering at the hands of the colonial regime.”

“They were all, therefore, participants in the struggle to liberate the country. Today we want to pay tribute to all our heroes and heroines.” Zimbabweans simply drowned their sorrows in laughter as they shared goat currency jokes.