A SUSPECTED thief from Bulawayo who got stuck for two days in a chimney while on a mission to steal yesterday made a U-turn and denied the offence.

On Thursday he had confessed to unlawful entry and theft.

Andrea Zunga (33) of Makokoba suburb appeared before magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya, who remanded him in custody to April 10 for commencement of trial.

“I didn`t steal anything. I was trapped inside the chimney while l was trying to enter the building,” he said.

Zunga was part of a gang of three that hatched a plan to enter Thabiso Youth Centre in the same suburb through the building’s two chimneys on Monday night.

The court heard that Zunga’s partners Bernard Khona and Phillip Zobe, are still at large.

He is now widely known as Zungu or Mgijimi, a zombie from popular South African soapie, Isibaya.

The names have stuck after pictures of Zunga looking like the powdered zombie soon after being rescued from the chimney, were posted on The Chronicle website on Wednesday.

Prosecuting, Ms Leane Nkomo said on March 29 at around 9AM, Thabiso Youth Centre official Ms Sibonginkosi Masuku heard a hoarse voice from the chimney and suspected that there was someone who was trapped inside.

“Ms Masuku then informed police and the Fire Brigade. The accused person was rescued from the chimney by the fire brigade team through destroying the chimney,” said Ms Nkomo.

“The accused person confessed to the police that he had come to steal from the youth centre with his friends who managed to get out using another chimney. He said he used the wrong chimney and he got stuck for two days.”

The prosecutor said Khona and Zobe managed to get away with a Lenovo laptop, two computer speakers, two monitors, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a leather jacket.-state media

Actor, Joe Mafela’s TV lounge tombstone is trending on social media.

This is after his family forked out “hundreds of thousands” of rands to ensure the actor’s “flashy” tombstone embodied the life he lived.

The tombstone which was unveiled during Mafela’s burial on Wednesday is a replica of a living room complete with a plasma TV, TV stand and couch.

Bataung Memorial Tombstone’s CEO Lebohang Khitsane said it took just three days to create the massive tombstone, which was unveiled at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg.

“The family approached us to come up with a stone that adequately represented the actor’s life and we decided on the design. We wanted to reflect how Joe entered many of our living rooms and kept us entertained since we were children, from the times of Sgudi Snaysi and Going up to recently.

“The tombstone was to symbolise that he kept us entertained in our lounges and now we have given him his own to rest in,” Khitsane said.

He said Mafela’s family was extremely happy with the design adding that it had taken his team three days to work on the tombstone.

The tombstone is a complete marble living room with a plasma TV, a coffee table, a TV stand and a couch. It is also unique in that the gravestone has a QR code which visitors can scan to view clips, photos and music videos of the late entertainer.

Khitsane refused to comment on the amount that the family paid for the stone, but said that it ran into “hundreds of thousands of rand”.

The family also refused to speak on the cost of the stone and said that they preferred to focus on Joe’s legacy.

“It wasn’t about the money, it was about giving Joe a fitting farewell and paying proper tribute to him. He was such an important part of people’s lives and we really loved the idea of having him immortalised like this.

“Joe loved nothing more than to come home at the end of the day and just sit on the couch and watch TV,” Mafela family spokesperson Millicent “Milly” Mulelu said.

TshisaLIVE reached out to several tombstone companies and were told that there were several factors that would have gone into creating the one-of-a-kind stone.

“The location of the stone is in a prestigious part of the cemetery and can only be installed by certain companies. You also have to look at how quickly they had to make the stone and the materials involved,” a spokesperson for Tombstone Factory in Johannesburg said.

Three independent companies agreed that the cost of the stone would be well over R100 000 but less than R300 000. – Newsday

The Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC-T has filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court seeking to compel the State Procurement Board (SPB) to conduct site validation tests and publicly disclose its chosen supplier for the provision of the biometric voter registration (BVR) kits.

The opposition party said the SPB must complete the necessary contractual formalities on or before April 17 this year.

The party’s application followed the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) announcement that government had dumped the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the procurement of the BVR kits and instead handed over the control to the SPB.

MDC-T argued the move by the country’s electoral body was in violation of section 235 of the Constitution. “Any such surrender of control by the first respondent (Zec) in preparing for elections is unconstitutional, as the first respondent must stay independent and take orders and directions from nobody else and nobody (save a court to stop Zec breaking the law) may interfere with Zec’s functioning,” MDC-T national secretary for elections in the dialogue with Zec, Murisi Zwizwai said in his founding affidavit.

“Moreover, it will also be illegal because it contravenes the Procurement Act in many ways … as Zec is now a constitutional body, and not a statutory body. It is not a procuring entity as defined in the Procurement Act.”

Zwizwai further said instead, Zec must carry out its constitutional duties to register voters and compile voters’ rolls without delay, adding it was “now departing suddenly from its own time-line required to do so”.

“Zec presently has no current valid voters’ rolls for all Zimbabweans, yet general elections may be called lawfully at any time on under 90 days’ notice … so Zec legally has to start to register voters and compile rolls urgently,” he said.

“We hope after perusing this application, respondents (Zec and its chairperson Justice Rita Makarau) will acknowledge that pledge was correct and Zec’s procurement of BVR kits via the electronically-based UNDP process must be allowed to continue as pledged then, with no more interference or delay,”

In the application, MDC-T together with one Takudzwa Mavure, a prospective voter, cited Zec, its chairperson Justice Makarau and the SPB as respondents.

“This is an application seeking to compel third respondent (SPB) to conduct site validation tests and publicly disclose its chosen supplier for the provision of BVR kits and consummate the necessary contractual formalities on or before April 17, 2017,” the party said.

“Further, applicants seek to be furnished with electronic copies of specific documents used in the tender process. This application concerns Zec’s procurement, via electronic tender, of BVR kits specialist equipment urgently needed for voter registration.”

According to the MDC-T, a procedure using a UNDP system and funds was agreed in advance with government and stakeholders together with itself whereby electronic documents supplied to possible bidders included the terms, conditions and selection criteria to be applied to all tenders.

The party said 12 electronic tenders were received, but seven were not technically compliant, leaving five to be evaluated by experts.

MDC-T said Zec shortlisted three of the five candidates for a full week of site validation tests (field tests) and of those three, the lowest successful bidder should have been the supplier in line with the tender rules.

However, MDC-T further said when Zec’s shortlist of three was expected to be made known, Justice Makarau said government had taken over funding of the procurement process.

“This application is made as, on the eve of the day Zec was due to announce the supplier, State media quoted second respondent (Justice Makarau) as instead announcing that Zec had abandoned procuring the kits in liaison with UNDP and had handed over control of its site validation tests, selection for the BVR kits and control over when each of these will be done, to third respondent,” the party said.

“Both Zec and government initially accepted this in entering a tripartite agreement with UNDP to procure BVR kits through the UNDP process and Zec’s legal status has not changed. Hence, SPB will be acting ultra vires the Procurement Act if it takes over any part of the Zec’s procurement process.”
The party said on Friday last week, as it was finalising the urgent chamber application, Justice Makarau sent a letter saying government would not take over procuring the BVR kits, but confirmed it was now providing the funds.

The party further said the disclosure by Zec that “those who were involved from the beginning will be considered” takes the whole BVR tendering process and voter registration back 10 weeks to January 17 and not forward as was urgently required.

“Clearly, all stakeholders will suffer irreparable harm if such a reversal is allowed and SPB now controls field testing and procurement procedures and can select the BVR supplier, even from among the tenders already expertly evaluated and eliminated in accordance with the tender procedures they all accepted,” the party said. The matter is yet to be heard. -Newsday

A Top Bulawayo lawyer and suspected serial fraudster, Russel Dzete and four cohorts spent a night in prison for allegedly defrauding three people of $38 600 and R60 000.

Dzete who was employed at Marondedze, Mukuku and partners legal practitioners and his partners Binary Mkandla (46), Edmund Makonese (53), Simangaliso Muringi (49) and Austin Moyo (60) of Cowdray Park allegedly deceived three people through selling them non-existent stands.

A court heard that Dzete, Muringi, Makonese and their co-accused Qhawe Ndlovu who is still at large duped Ms Pamela Ngwenya of Pumula North suburb of $24 100.
Dzete, Moyo and Mkandla also allegedly conned a teacher Ms Sithokozile Gumbo of $5 000 and R60 000 through selling her a stand which did not belong to them.

Mr Obias Bidi of Burnside suburb allegedly suffered a prejudice of $9 500 after Dzete allegedly sold him a stand which did not belong to him in Emganwini suburb. Mr Bidi constructed a house up to roof level before he discovered that he had been deceived.
Dzete, Muringi, Makonese, Mkandla and Moyo appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya.

Dzete pleaded not guilty to three counts of fraud and his co-accused who were each facing one count, also pleaded not guilty. Mr Tashaya granted them $300 bail each.

“Accused persons should continue residing at their known places of residence. “You are ordered to hand over your travelling documents to the clerk of courts and you are also to report twice per week at your nearest police station,” he said.

Mr Tashaya remanded them out of custody to April 10. Prosecuting Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo said the five duped three people of $38 600 and R60 000 between September 2015 and May 2016.

In September 2015, Makonese acted as an estate agent and misinformed Ms Ngwenya that they were selling a stand in Matsheumhlophe suburb.
Mr Dlodlo said Makonese, Dzete and Muringi ordered Ms Ngwenya to deposit the money into the law firm trust account.
“On September 22, the complainant deposited $23 000 into Marondedze and Partners Trust account. On the following day he paid $800 to Dzete as commission and a further $300 was paid towards drafting the power of attorney,” he said.
The court heard that the accused person withdrew the money and converted it to their personal use.
“Dzete further tried to use his office to fraudulently change ownership of the property using forged documents by obtaining a High Court order  compelling the charge of ownership in favour of the complainant.
“The offence came to light when the High Court discovered that the particulars of the owner of the residential stand were forged.”
In December 2015, Dzete, Mkandla and Moyo claimed to be the owners of Mr Felix Moyo’s stand which is in Selbourne Park and advertised it in a local newspaper purporting it was for sale.

Mr Dlodlo said the stand was initially $15 000 but Ms Gumbo negotiated with the trio until they reduced the price to $13 000.

“On December 23, 2015, the complainant proceeded to Dzete`s office and met the trio and an agreement of sale was drafted after the complainant deposited $4 000 into Marondedze Mukuku and Partners’ CBZ trust account.

“On the following day, Dzete ordered the law firm clerk to withdraw the money that was deposited by the complainant,” said Mr Dlodlo.

“On December 31, 2015 the complainant proceeded with R60 000 to Dzete’s office. Dzete took the money and gave the complainant a receipt as proof of payment.” On June 1, 2016, Dzete met Ms Gumbo in the city centre and encouraged her to make an effort and finish paying for her stand.

The prosecutor said Ms Gumbo paid $1 000 and the trio converted the money to their personal use.

Mr Dlodlo said the matter came to light in December 2016, when Ms Gumbo got suspicious after reading in a local newspaper that the trio had duped other people by selling them the stand which did not belong to them.

The court heard that investigations were carried out and the complainant suffered a prejudice of $5 000 and R60 000. Nothing was recovered. – state media

Terrence Mawawa, Mwenezi | A local man is battling for his life at Neshuro District Hospital after his wife bombed him with a bout of hot water over an alleged extra marital affair. Police in Mwenezi told ZimEye.com Isaac Dziva was hospitalised last week after her angry wife scalded her with hot water.

The police said Dziva’s wife became suspicious when he did not return home claiming he could not cross the flooded river near the couple’s homestead.

Dziva owns a carpentry shop at Neshuro Growth Point. “Dziva told his wife he could not cross the flooded river near the couple’s homestead such that he had to sleep at Neshuro Growth Point,” police in Mwenezi said.

When Dziva returned home he went straight to the bathroom where his wife pursued him and poured hot water on him, local villagers said.

“When Dziva came home after spending the whole night away, his wife became angry and scalded him with boiling water,” said a local villager.

When contacted for comment, Dziva who could hardly talk because of the severity of his injuries, said he was not in a position to relate what happened. Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) has expressed concern at the high incidence of domestic violence cases.

“We are deeply worried about the frequency of domestic violence cases across the country. We therefore call for patience and tolerance. There is need for dialogue rather than violence,” said COTRAD in a statement.

Terrence Mawawa Masvingo |Zanu PF National Secretary for Administration, Ignatius Chombo has threatened Masvingo State Minister, Shuvai Ben Mahofa over the African Union( AU) cattle donation pledged by President Robert Mugabe two years ago.

Chombo wrote to Mahofa instructing her to comply with Mugabe’s directive after the latter openly defied her boss last year. Mugabe pledged 300 cattle to the AU. The letter comes against the backdrop of Mahofa’s claims that the province does not have the capacity to provide the required number of at least 50 cattle per province. Last year Mahofa openly told Mugabe Masvingo Province was hard hit by drought such that there was nothing to expect from the famine ravaged region.

An irate Chombo wrote a letter to Mahofa indicating it was mandatory for the province to provide the stipulated number of cattle.

Mahofa performed a sudden U-turn and said her team was on the ground working on the issue.

“We received a letter on the AU cattle donation issue and we are busy working on the matter. We are not forcing anyone to make a contribution,”said Mahofa.

The controversial Minister said there was nothing sinister about the letter.
According to party sources Mahofa is afraid of being sacked following several warnings on her reckless utterances.

” Mahofa is now under immense pressure and she has to act on the matter. There are growing calls for her dismissal and she is fully aware of what is happening,” said a senior Zanu PF official.

National People’s Party leader Dr. Joice Mujuru has apologised profusely for the public fighting that occurred between her two spokespersons Jelousy Mawarire and Gift Nyandoro on Thursday.

Speaking on the ZimEye LIVE-BLAST program last night, Mrs Mujuru said she is sorry. “I am yet to meet with the rest of the team…as you know our NPP is not a violent party, and what we are promoting in the party is peace…yes there could be contradicting statements according to the report… but on the whole let me just say to the world and to the members in particular…. that I apologise profusely for what happened yesterday because we are not a violent party. Our party promotes peace… FULL VIDEO:

A SUSPECTED thief from Bulawayo who got stuck for two days in a chimney while on a mission to steal yesterday made a U-turn and denied the offence.

On Thursday he had confessed to unlawful entry and theft. Andrea Zunga (33) of Makokoba suburb appeared before magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya, who remanded him in custody to April 10 for commencement of trial.

“I didn`t steal anything. I was trapped inside the chimney while l was trying to enter the building,” he said.

Zunga was part of a gang of three that hatched a plan to enter Thabiso Youth Centre in the same suburb through the building’s two chimneys on Monday night. The court heard that Zunga’s partners Bernard Khona and Phillip Zobe, are still at large.

He is now widely known as Zungu or Mgijimi, a zombie from popular South African soapie, Isibaya.

The names have stuck after pictures of Zunga looking like the powdered zombie soon after being rescued from the chimney, were posted on The Chronicle website on Wednesday.
Prosecuting, Ms Leane Nkomo said on March 29 at around 9AM, Thabiso Youth Centre official Ms Sibonginkosi Masuku heard a hoarse voice from the chimney and suspected that there was someone who was trapped inside.

“Ms Masuku then informed police and the Fire Brigade. The accused person was rescued from the chimney by the fire brigade team through destroying the chimney,” said Ms Nkomo.
“The accused person confessed to the police that he had come to steal from the youth centre with his friends who managed to get out using another chimney. He said he used the wrong chimney and he got stuck for two days.”

The prosecutor said Khona and Zobe managed to get away with a Lenovo laptop, two computer speakers, two monitors, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a leather jacket. – state media

By Staff Reporter | National People’s Party leader Joice Mujuru has poured cold water over reports that she is against MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai leading the opposition grand coalition. She tells Simba Chikanza on ZIMEye LIVE BLAST that people should give her and Tsvangirai a chance.

“My colleague Tsvangirai and myself are planning for a meeting. Can you give us a chance until Tsvangirai and I hold a press conference and we tell you what we have concluded,” said Mujuru.

Justice Luke Malaba is set to “rule Zimbabwe” for three years.

Sources reveal that Malaba who was this week announced to Zimbabwe’s most powerful post as the new Chief Justice, will preside until his constitutional retirement age of 70 in January 2020.

Malaba who is currently 67 years old, was born on 3 January 1951. Mnangagwa supporters however say their records say Malaba is 68 instead of the former.

Legal experts in the ZimEye newsroom reveal that the Chief Justice job is crucial for the Presidency because the CJ effectively rules Zimbabwe as they can with a simple dot of the ink, stop President Robert Mugabe.  This is the reason why the post has for decades been a thorn in the side for President Robert Mugabe.

Below is the short history of Zimbabwe’s Chief Justices since 1980.

2017 to current – Luke Malaba, who is known for opposing the verdict granting Robert Mugabe powers to hold the 2013 “NIKUV” elections, was appointed CJ yesterday 28th March 2017. He is set to hold the post till 2019.

2001 to 2017 – Godfrey Chidyausiku (A former minister in Mugabe’s cabinet, and a chief Mugabe propagandist who later on attempted staying on beyond the legal age of 70. He was blocked from his attempts and forced to retire this year.)

1990 to 2001 – Anthony Gubbay (a Jewish Zimbabwean, who was fired by Mugabe as punishement for ruling Mugabe’s violent land reform program unlawful)

1984 to 1990 – Enoch Dumbutshena, a Shona, Zimbabwe’s first black judge in 1980, and served as Chief Justice from 1984 to 1990. He later attempted politics but failed as ZimEye reveals. Presidential aspirant Noah Manyika tells ZimEye he came out of the system to challenged Robert Mugabe.

1980 to 1984 – John Fieldsend, a British lawyer, the first Chief Justice of Zimbabwe. He was appointed for a fixed term and assumed office on 1 July 1980. Born in England, Sir John (as he later became) was brought up in Southern Rhodesia. After graduating in law he practised as an advocate in Bulawayo. In 1962 he was appointed a judge of the High Court, but resigned in 1968 in protest against the decision of the Appellate Court to grant judicial recognition to the government of former premier, Ian Smith. – ZimEye

Staff Reporter | An anonymous political analyst has penned an article equating President Robert Mugabe to an inebriated lunatic driving a bus with Zimbabweans as passengers.

The article which has attracted a huge circulation on social media platforms goes as follows:

“Have you ever heard of a story of a man suffering from a mental illness whose name was Mamvura in areas such as Sadza in Chikomba?nHe was well known in Njanja and Hwedza.

He used to spend time at Sadza Township and stood by watching buses that came there: some heading to Buhera, some Hwedza, and some to Masasa and Nharira or the other way round when all buses would be going to Salisbury.

Some drivers had a system of leaving buses idling as they went to eat sadza and maguru or mazondo and passengers ran to the toilets and replenishing their stocks of beer and so on.

Women with babies had a chance of changing nappies while others just dropped to have fresh cool air. You know the baking heat in Zimbabwe and what happens if you travel by bus.

Anyway back to Mamvura.

He had always told people braaing meat and drinking clear cold Castle, Black Label or Lion or masese (Chibuku) that one day he was going to drive one of the buses. People laughed as they dismissed him; a mad man driving a bus? His madness was getting worse, so they said.

One day Mamvura got on one of the buses left idling and drove away towards Buhera. People were shocked. The driver and his conductor and other passengers chased the bus on foot. Some passengers clutching several quarts of beer in both hands ran side by side with the bus, but were swallowed in the dust and gave up as Mamvura felt encouraged and increased speed. They gave up the chase.

Those on the bus cried. They tried to jump off the moving bus but Mamvura was smiling and increasing the speed. He enjoyed the noise from the wailing passengers.

As the bus approached a bridge ahead, some passengers began praying so that their souls can be received well in heaven. And the unexpected happened. Mamvura crossed bridge but could not change the gears from the depression forcing the engine to go silent and the bus stopped.

Some passengers broke windows and jumped out fearing Mamvura could start the engine. Many got injured. There was Mamvura laughing softly with a triumphant spirit that like he always promised, he had driven the bus.

Zimbabwe is the bus. Mugabe is Mamvura. We are the passengers. We failed to guard our country from being driven by a mad man long back. We left Zimbabwe idling and Mamvura jumped onto the driver’s seat. Some of us are chasing the bus from outside and those inside are crying daily.

Food for thought.”

Zanu-PF members in Mashonaland Central have called for the ouster of the party’s national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, accusing him of trying to sabotage the recent demonstration by the Women’s League.

The Women’s League members demonstrated throughout the party’s 10 provinces against its two senior members Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo and Sarah Mahoka.

Apart from accusations related to the demonstration, party members from Mashonaland Central, where Kasukuwere hails from, are accusing him of fanning factionalism by setting up parallel structures and incessant interference in the provincial affairs.

Kasukuwere was also accused of trying to grab mines owned by members of the party’s Women’s League for personal benefit.

Zanu-PF members who spoke to The Herald in Bindura yesterday said Kasukuwere’s leadership style as the party’s commissar was below par, compared to his predecessors, as he was dividing the party.

Shantel Mbereko, who was forced to resign from the Mashonaland Central provincial structures after she allegedly refused to hand over women’s mining claims to Kasukuwere said: “We were so surprised by the behaviour of the national PC (political commissar) because on the day of the demos people were barred from taking part.

“After women were mobilised to take part in the demonstration, an instruction then came from the national PC saying people should not attend as there was a rice distribution programme on that same day.

“It was later changed to say we should go to Kitsiyatota where we would be given mining claims. As a result, there was a low turnout in Mashonaland Central for the demonstration.

“We then started to ask questions, to say, all along we thought Kasukuwere and his team were working together with the First Lady and President Mugabe, yet they are working against them.”

Mbereko said the party should censure Kasukuwere, together with his half-brother and provincial chair Dickson Mafios “for such betrayal to our First Lady and leader of the Women’s League”.

She said Mafios was the one coordinating Kasukuwere’s instructions in the province.

“Another area of concern, is the way he (Kasukuwere) is interfering in the affairs of the province and going down at constituency level here in Bindura,” said Mbereko.
“We have our legislator Kenneth Musanhi, but he has been rendered irrelevant by Kasukuwere who is running the show here.”

Diston Wadi, who is a Zanu-PF district member in Bindura’s Chipindura district said: “We are not happy with the way the provincial chairman is operating and remember, he is half brother to the national political commissar.

“He (Mafios) is poor and he just takes orders from the national political commissar. I think the mistake that we made was to allow confirmation of an acting chairman who was not elected by the people. A chairman should be voted by the people for him to serve their interests.

“As it stands right now, the chairman is serving the interests of the national PC, who is also his half brother.”

Another district member from Bindura urban, Lucky Mabheka said: “I think when it comes to leadership, the national PC and his brother, who is our provincial chairman, have failed.

“As such, we are appealing to the national leadership to take measures against them. They have destroyed not only our livelihoods here in Bindura, but also the party.

“Kasukuwere is literally running the province and district structures. We have never seen such kind of leadership in Zanu-PF. What is clear is that he is setting up parallel structures with a sinister motive. We want the two to be removed from their positions if we are to rebuild the party in a way that guarantees victory in next year’s elections.”

Commenting on Cde Kasukuwere’s interference in Women’s League affairs, Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators Association (Ziliwaco) chairperson Pupurai Togarepi said: “Ziliwaco supports the Women’s League position that they don’t want interference by men.

“The secretary for Women’s League (Dr Grace Mugabe) is a capable leader and allowing her to give direction to the league is most ideal for the stability of the party.

“The Women’s League is a critical wing of the revolutionary party which should be kept stable for the good of our great party. If there are men who are doing that we demand that they desist forthwith.”

During the demonstrations against Moyo and Mahoka in Harare, some members of the Women’s League revealed that Kasukuwere had tried to influence them against the act through his side kick and Harare provincial commissar Shadreck Mashayamombe.

Women’s League executive members who met in Harare last week also called for action against Kasukuwere. – State Media

China yesterday handed over $1 million to Government in humanitarian assistance following floods that hit the country last month, while Namibia chipped in with a consignment of 1,2 million canned horse mackerel fish and medicines.

The Red Cross Society of China also donated $50 000, while the Chinese Community in Zimbabwe and the embassy contributed a further $10 000.

Speaking at the handover ceremony of the donations, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Huang Ping said his country was Zimbabwe’s all-weather friend and was ready to render support in times of need.

“Our friendship dates back to the time of the liberation struggle and in all those years we have developed the relationship into an all-weather friendship,” he said.

“I think the most important thing is to render help in times of need. Good friends render help in times of need.

“Last year, when Zimbabwe suffered drought, my Government reacted by sending 20 000 tonnes of rice and 10 000 tonnes of fertiliser to empower Zimbabwe’s agriculture to develop.”

Namibia Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Balbina Daes Pienaar said Zimbabweans and Namibians were brothers.

“As a sister nation, Namibia has heard the plea of Zimbabwe for humanitarian assistance in empathy,” she said.

“We felt it equally and duty bound to take action because actions speak louder than words.

“Namibia has not only made a pledge, but arrived to deliver a consignment of 1,2 million canned horse mackerel fish. The consignment was transported all the way from our port City Walvis Bay to the Sunshine City of Harare in 14 trucks that travelled over 2 000 kilometres via the Trans Kalahari Highway through Plumtree Border Post.”

Acting Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Sydney Sekeramayi expressed gratitude to China and Namibia for heeding Zimbabwe’s plea for assistance.

“Indeed, many lives were lost and damage has been widespread,” he said. “It is assistance which is going to be put to good use by the people who were heavily affected by the floods and (Chinese) ambassador, I want to assure you that the money that you have donated will be put to good use,” he said.

“We are so grateful to the Namibians for exploiting their natural resource to the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe.

“During these times, food and medicines are in short supply. The magnanimous gesture is an embodiment of the good neighbourliness and a reflection of our unique African tradition of Ubuntu.”

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who attended the function although he is understood to be on leave, said: “It is with heartfelt gratitude that I note that the Namibian Government continues to extend a helping hand in our times of need.

“Following the disaster at Tokwe-Mukosi, we received three helicopters from Namibia to relocate the families that had been affected by the floods.

“Today, the Namibian government has once again exhibited the same kind gesture.

“China also assisted with $500 000 after realising the magnitude of disaster at Tokwe Mukosi.” – State Media

THE Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Nyasha Chikwinya, might have allegedly lied to Parliament about the establishment of a women’s bank.

The Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, on Thursday slammed the minister for making inconsistent statements to the August House on the issue.

He ordered Chikwinya to make a Ministerial statement to the House to establish the facts.Chikwinya faces contempt of Parliament if she fails to present the statement.

Adv Mudenda said Chikwinya’s actions might be seen as lying.

“After studying the Hansard and listening to the audio recording, it would appear that the honourable Minister changed her initial response. Such action might be perceived as bordering on prevarication on the part of the honourable Minister,” he said.

Adv Mudenda said Appendix C of the Schedule to the Privileges, Immunities and Powers of Parliament Act [Cap 2:08] cites prevarication as one of other contempts which are offences in Parliament.

“In light of the inconsistencies in the honourable Minister’s response, the chair rules that the honourable Minister be given an opportunity to clarify her statements in a comprehensive ministerial statement, failure of which a charge of contempt of Parliament will be laid against the Minister,” said Adv Mudenda.

The Speaker said Chikwinya gave conflicting statements regarding the recruitment and logistics for the women’s bank during question time on March 1 this year.

“I have this ruling to make. On Wednesday, 1st March, 2017, the Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Hon Chikwinya, in response to a question from Hon (Thokozani) Khupe on the Women’s Bank responded as follows; “…we now have a Board in place, an acting Chief Executive Officer. We also now have Banking Halls. Training of those that are going to man the Bank is in progress…,” Adv Mudenda told Parliament.

He said when asked by Mr (Murisi) Zwizwai how that was possible when the vacant positions in the said bank had not been advertised, Chikwinya stated that the Board members and the chief executive officer were responsible for the recruitment and that it was not the duty of Government to do that.

“Upon further probing by Hon (Innocent) Gonese on the process and procedure used to recruit those who were undergoing training and also how the board members were recruited, the Hon Minister stated that, “they are in the process. If they are in the process, there are procedures that they are supposed to take …,” said Adv Mudenda.

He said the response given did not go down well with some MPs who felt that Chikwinya had given conflicting statements to the house and also evaded the actual question asked on how the staff being trained was recruited without following due process.

Adv Mudenda said this prompted him as the chair to make a ruling after studying the verbatim report of the Minister`s reply. – State Media

A TOP Bulawayo lawyer and suspected serial fraudster, Russel Dzete and four cohorts spent a night in prison for allegedly defrauding three people of $38 600 and R60 000.

Dzete who was employed at Marondedze, Mukuku and partners legal practitioners and his partners Binary Mkandla (46), Edmund Makonese (53), Simangaliso Muringi (49) and Austin Moyo (60) of Cowdray Park allegedly deceived three people through selling them non-existent stands.

A court heard that Dzete, Muringi, Makonese and their co-accused Qhawe Ndlovu who is still at large duped Ms Pamela Ngwenya of Pumula North suburb of $24 100.

Dzete, Moyo and Mkandla also allegedly conned a teacher Ms Sithokozile Gumbo of $5 000 and R60 000 through selling her a stand which did not belong to them.

Mr Obias Bidi of Burnside suburb allegedly suffered a prejudice of $9 500 after Dzete allegedly sold him a stand which did not belong to him in Emganwini suburb. Mr Bidi constructed a house up to roof level before he discovered that he had been deceived.

Dzete, Muringi, Makonese, Mkandla and Moyo appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya.

Dzete pleaded not guilty to three counts of fraud and his co-accused who were each facing one count, also pleaded not guilty.

Mr Tashaya granted them $300 bail each.

“Accused persons should continue residing at their known places of residence.

“You are ordered to hand over your travelling documents to the clerk of courts and you are also to report twice per week at your nearest police station,” he said.

Mr Tashaya remanded them out of custody to April 10.

Prosecuting Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo said the five duped three people of $38 600 and R60 000 between September 2015 and May 2016.

In September 2015, Makonese acted as an estate agent and misinformed Ms Ngwenya that they were selling a stand in Matsheumhlophe suburb.

Mr Dlodlo said Makonese, Dzete and Muringi ordered Ms Ngwenya to deposit the money into the law firm trust account.

“On September 22, the complainant deposited $23 000 into Marondedze and Partners Trust account. On the following day he paid $800 to Dzete as commission and a further $300 was paid towards drafting the power of attorney,” he said.

The court heard that the accused person withdrew the money and converted it to their personal use.

“Dzete further tried to use his office to fraudulently change ownership of the property using forged documents by obtaining a High Court order  compelling the charge of ownership in favour of the complainant.

“The offence came to light when the High Court discovered that the particulars of the owner of the residential stand were forged.”

In December 2015, Dzete, Mkandla and Moyo claimed to be the owners of Mr Felix Moyo’s stand which is in Selbourne Park and advertised it in a local newspaper purporting it was for sale.

Mr Dlodlo said the stand was initially $15 000 but Ms Gumbo negotiated with the trio until they reduced the price to $13 000.

“On December 23, 2015, the complainant proceeded to Dzete`s office and met the trio and an agreement of sale was drafted after the complainant

deposited $4 000 into Marondedze Mukuku and Partners’ CBZ trust account.

“On the following day, Dzete ordered the law firm clerk to withdraw the money that was deposited by the complainant,” said Mr Dlodlo.

“On December 31, 2015 the complainant proceeded with R60 000 to Dzete’s office. Dzete took the money and gave the complainant a receipt as proof of payment.”

On June 1, 2016, Dzete met Ms Gumbo in the city centre and encouraged her to make an effort and finish paying for her stand.

The prosecutor said Ms Gumbo paid $1 000 and the trio converted the money to their personal use.

Mr Dlodlo said the matter came to light in December 2016, when Ms Gumbo got suspicious after reading in a local newspaper that the trio had duped other people by selling them the stand which did not belong to them.

The court heard that investigations were carried out and the complainant suffered a prejudice of $5 000 and R60 000. Nothing was recovered.

By Simba Chikanza| NPP leader Joice Mujuru has apologised for the physical fight that erupted between her spokespersons, Jelousy Mawarire and Gift Nyandoro.

The former Vice President has assumed personal responsibility for the mishap which left Nyandoro hospitalised Thursday afternoon.

In the program to be aired LIVE on ZimEye at 6pm (UK time), Mujuru responds to the following problem areas:

• Does she condone the violence? 
• Is she against MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai?   
• Did she bunk the NERA demo?
• Why did she fail to attend the NERA demo?
• Was she in hiding? 

LATEST:  Dr Mujuru at 5.30pm was finally accessed and will now be LIVE on ZimEye at 6pm (7pm Zim time). CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

 Mary Ncube | Former Vice President Joice Mujuru has gone AWOL. The leader of the newly formed National People’s Party has been silent for nearly two days after the humiliating public brawl between her two spokesmen Jealousy Mawarire and Gift Nyandoro. That argument within 24 hours descended into physical assault.

Nyandoro was heavily beaten and sustained injuries with his photos circulating on social media in bandages and crutches.

Party spokesperson Mawarire circulated a statement mid morning yesterday that he had done a Manyuchi on Nyandoro the Presidential Spokesperson after Nyandoro failed to explain why he had given a media statement attempting to down play an earlier statement which Mawarire had issued.

“I met and tried to get an explanation from Nyandoro about his statement in the paper today and he went into a tirade attacking me and builder Chundu. He became violent tried to attack me and I defended myself well and managed to put him down on his back,” wrote Mawarire in a post making quick rounds on Thursday afternoon.

The fracas emerged after local daily this morning published an article by Nyandoro claiming that Mawarire had “jumped the gun” when he gave the same publication in the week a statement denigrating MDC-T President Morgan Tsvangirai and his attitude towards the envisaged coalition negotiations.

In response Mawarire told party members that Nyandoro was out of order speaking against his statements as Nyandoro had no right to talk about party policies as Presidential spokesperson.

In his statement Nyandoro had suggested that Mawarire spoke in his individual capacity and not Mujuru’s position. Mawarire instead insisted that his statement was guided by the president and was party position not his own assessment.

“I am actually waiting to see the President today because I discussed with her before I put the statement out,” said Nyandoro early this morning.

“I have her reaction written commenting on the draft. Nyandoro does not speak on behalf of the party if he doesn’t know his job, he is a lawyer not media person, he should ask first,” added Mawarire.

The emotional Mawarire went further to reveal that Nyandoro has always had a grudge against him which leaves one wondering how the two information officers in the party have been operating.

“He said exactly what I said but he had his agenda of denigrating me. I don’t know what it’s meant to achieve.

In his outburst the hard hitting Mawarire accused Nyandoro of not knowing the boundaries of his job by interfering with his duties as party spokesperson.

“Nyandoro does not state the party position he is not the party spokesperson unless being incoming SG entails speaking on behalf of the party. People should know their roles.”

“I thought it’s clear Nyandoro is Presidential Spokesperson he should speak on personal issues pertaining to the President and as is clear Party Spokesperson speaks on behalf of the party. Only overzealous people can’t understand that.”

Before converting his issue to a Thursday morning row with Nyandoro, Mawarire claims to have gone to meet the party President Mujuru who it appears sanctioned Mawarire to go on and confront Nyandoro over his statement.

“I have clarified with the President about the statement by Gift Nyandoro which was used as a news source in today’s Newsday. I had a meeting with her which ended at 9:25am today 30/3/17. She said she never spoke to Nyandoro about the statement he made and that she didn’t sanction it. It is clear who is jumping the gun here,” said Mawarire.

“I should reiterate that Mr Nyandoro does not speak for the party and it’s quite unfortunate that he is causing unnecessary confusion on issues that are straightforward as indicated by the fact that he was attacking me yet saying exactly what I said.”

Nyandoro could not immediately comment on the matter claiming to be still in hospital.

“Am being taken into theatre with a dislocated leg and l will issue a detailed statement save to confirm that indeed l have been attacked by Jealous Mawarire in full of his wife and he had to be restrained by passerby,” he said.

ZimEye.com also tried to source a copy of the party’s code of conduct regards senior members of the party’s expected conduct on issues like the one in hand.

Musician Sulumani Chimbetu‘s ex-wife Marygold Rutendo Mutemasango has indicated that she wants to withdraw the maintenance case against her former husband. Marigold had taken Chimbetu to court complaining that he has defied a court order that compels him to pay $800 each month towards the upkeep of their children. She claimed that Sulu, as the 35-year-old singer is fondly known by his fans, was in arrears of $1 600. Sulu appeared at the Harare magistrate court charged with failure to pay maintenance. Although it was not established as to why she wanted to withdraw the charges, state counsel Devoted Gwashavanhu- Nyagano told the court that Marygold wanted the case dropped.

Midlands State University faces a series of massive demonstrations after it was given an ultimatum by the coalition of students and students unions namely, YARDSC and ZINASU identifying themselves as Team Concerned Students.

The letter was delivered on the 26th of March giving it up to 31 March for the administration to act up against their plight or they will be forced to turn the state institution ungovernable.

After the arrest of 3 MSU students activists (Ashlegh Pfunye, Archibold Madida and Munyaradzi Rushwaya Chuma) who were protesting against the dissolution of the current SRC and salaries increment for lecturers and the staff amongst other evils, a tense uprising has been made over the week.

In response to the brutalization of 37 students at MSU Gweru campus by culprits identified as Zimbabwe National Army members passed a media censorship statute that no press was to capture that and release to the general public and any student caught being involved might face disciplinary action. But however this has faced resistance and led to the institution IT department blocking students from the Facebook page. In a comment by the ZINASU Midlands Chairman said, “As MSU STUDENTS we will not be silenced by the administration using its draconian statutes actually we are calling for an alignment of ordinance 30 to the new Constitution which guarantees Freedom of expression”.

The trio of activists who were once detained for speaking out on students plight has been tipped of being expelled from the institution any day from now. But however the YARD Students Command member and victim stated that, ” Noone has an obligation of chucking out a student for simply expressing his grievances. This is a clear check that some individuals running the institution were not appointed on merit but rather by a nepotistic crubeen way. What they should focus on are the real bread and butter issues affecting students each and everyday not this!”

Midlands State University has the largest enrollment in the country and is one of the most expensive state universities.

A COURT yesterday ordered a married man to stop having sexual affairs and making babies that he could not take care of.

Magistrate Mr Elias Magate also ordered Innocent Zhou (38) from Gwanda’s Phakama suburb to be faithful to his wife for health reasons.

Zhou was dragged to court by his ex-girlfriend Ms Revonia Hickey (21) from Bellevue suburb seeking $216 for the upkeep of their eight-months-old baby.

“Can you please stop going around impregnating women. Can’t you see that it is dangerous for your wife and four children? Can’t you see that you are putting your wife’s life in danger,” asked Mr Magate.

He added: “If you are poor, you are poor. You have to live within your means. You don’t even have a bank account and you have four children but you are busy making children with other women.”

Ms Hickey said Zhou is an irresponsible man and has never contributed to the upkeep of the child.

She said she needed the money to buy disposable diapers, food and clothes for the baby.

In response, Zhou said he could not afford  the amount claimed by Ms Hickey because he has a lot of responsibilities including his wife and other children.

“Your Worship, I can only afford to pay $30 per month because l’m unemployed. I survive through assisting builders (daka boy). My other children are at school and l am supposed to pay their school fees as well as buying clothes for them,” he said.

The magistrate ordered Zhou to deposit $30 for the upkeep of his baby starting form this month end until the baby attains the age of 18.

Join cancer survivor, Esther Mhuri today as she completes her first chemotherapy after a successful surgery, thanks to donations from Zimbabweans in the nation and around the world who contributed following an appeal on ZimEye.com .

The program is scheduled to be filmed LIVE between 9am and 1pm today Friday as soon as Esther manages to come out of theatre.

More than 62 MDC-T workers on Wednesday held a demonstration at the opposition party’s headquarters in Harare after going for more than 17 months without salaries, the state media reports.

The government run media goes further to report that the MDC-T leadership has been failing to pay salaries for over 110 of its employees after donors tightened the purse strings.

About 62 employees, some of them who were representing the MDC-T National Workers’ Committee, besieged Harvest House on Wednesday afternoon demanding to be addressed by the opposition party’s secretary-general Mr Douglas Mwonzora over the matter. In an interview yesterday, Mr Mwonzora confirmed that they were in arrears but dismissed reports that they had not been paying the workers for the past 17 months.

“It’s an exaggeration that we haven’t been paying them for the last 17 months. We have been paying them. Yes, we are in arrears just like The Herald, just like Zanu-PF and just like Parirenyatwa.

“We do owe our workers in arrears in differing amounts. We are in arrears because the Government grant doesn’t come on time,” he said.

He, however, refuted that he had held a meeting with the workers’ committee representatives on Wednesday. But sources who attended the meeting said the employees were first addressed by MDC-T national chairman Mr Lovemore Moyo and his deputy Mr Morgan Komichi but they “rubbished them” demanding to be addressed by Mr Mwonzora.
Mr Mwonzora is later reported to have engaged only three top leadership representatives from the workers’ committee but this did not go well with the other employees who later besieged his office.

The other employees who were reportedly sitting on the floor in protest, accused Mr Mwonzora of trying to hoodwink the committee’s leadership.

Mr Mwonzora later chaired the meeting and is reported to have told the employees that the opposition party leadership was aware of the workers’ plight.

“(Mr) Mwonzora said the party leadership was aware of the workers’ plight and that there was a communication breakdown between the party leadership and the workers following the last National Standing Committee meeting which was held on the March 15, 2017, which resolved that the workers should be given 50 percent of their arrears,” said one of the sources.

“Mwonzora further said that it was not clear whether the 50 percent was for the total salary arrears or for the month of March only. He said he was going to engage and clarify with the party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai over the matter.”

The employees started calling Mr Mwonzora a “fraudster” after he later informed them that the party could not guarantee the 50 percent since they had no money and that the money they had received under the Political Parties Finance Act had been used for other party programmes.

Under the Political Parties Finance Act, MDC-T received $800 000 in December last year out of the $1,2 million of their allocation. In September last year, MDC-T sacrificed three vehicles to save party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s house in Strathaven, Harare, from being auctioned over $55 000 owed to a local bank.

The broke politician had his property, Stand Number 2 Strathaven Township, earmarked for attachment over non-payment of a loan extended by Afrasia Bank Zimbabwe Limited three years ago.

The stand measures 4 689sqm and is registered under Deed of Transfer Number 9927 /2000.

According to a writ of execution obtained by Afrasia Bank, the Sheriff of the High Court was directed to attach all movable property at the house.

While the property was facing the hammer, the MDC-T leadership — through its company called Laphonic Investments situated at Harvest House in Harare — came to the politician’s rescue and offered three party vehicles for attachment and execution. The three vehicles were a Toyota Toyoace (ADM 9210), a Isuzu KB250 (ADA 1750) and Toyota Dyna (ACO 0160).

It is believed that one of the vehicles was being used by the party’s Harare Province to ferry instruments. – State Media

A man from the Jambezi area in Hwange has been slapped with an effective 16 years’ imprisonment after he raped a 12-year-old girl and infected her with HIV before indecently assaulting another nine-year-old child.

The 25-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the children, who are his nieces, pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and aggravated indecent assault when he appeared before Hwange regional magistrate Collet Ncube on Tuesday.

After a full trial, Ncube convicted and sentenced the paedophile to 18 years in jail on the rape charge.

Three years were suspended for a period of four years on condition of good behaviour.

He was also found guilty of one count of aggravated indecent assault and sentenced to 12 months. This means he will spend 16 years in jail.

Prosecutor Bheki Tshabalala told the court that sometime in January last year, the convict approached the 12-year-old girl, who was sweeping in the yard, and lifted her into her mother’s bedroom where he raped her once before trying to buy her silence with $1, but she refused.

After raping the first victim, he went out and saw the nine-year-old girl sweeping.

He also took her and raped her.

Following the rape, the girl started suffering from different ailments, among them rash.

On August 17, 2016, the girl was taken by her mother to the clinic where she tested HIV-positive and that is when she told her mother about the rape.

A report made to the police, leading to the convict’s arrest. – Newsday

Zanu PF factional fights have affected stability within the war veterans, Parliament heard yesterday.

Responding to a question from Manicaland Senator David Chimhini (MDC-T), War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube said the ongoing Zanu PF fights were destablising the ex-freedom fighters and this was now posing a security threat.

“If we did not have the situation in the party, we would not have the discord you are asking about. You can’t separate the two,” he said.

Chimhini had asked the minister if the disharmony within the war veterans’ camp was not a security threat, as two factions have emerged claiming leadership of the group after Zanu PF broke ranks with the Christopher Mutsvangwa-led Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA) executive.

Pressed for clarification by the Senator, Dube insisted that war veterans and Zanu PF were “one and the instability in the party was affecting the stability within the rank and file of the former freedom fighters”.

The ZNLWVA is demanding President Robert Mugabe to step down to make way for Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The ZNLWVA has accused the Zanu PF G40 faction of abusing Mugabe and hijacking the ruling party and the government for selfish gains. But the G40 faction, which has party commissar Saviour Kasukuwere and Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo in its ranks, on the other hand, accuses the Team Lacoste faction, which is reportedly sympathetic to Mnangagwa, of trying to topple Mugabe from. – Newsday

Zambian authorities have deported 62 foreign nationals, including 58 Zimbabweans, for over staying and not having proper documentation.

The majority of the deportees were rounded up at two guest houses in the capital Lusaka on Saturday evening.

The 58 Zimbabweans were handed over to the Immigration Department at Chirundu Border Post after arriving in two buses. Regional immigration officer Mr Joshua Chibundu confirmed the deportation, which took place on Sunday afternoon.

“We received 58 nationals, 51 females and seven males on Sunday afternoon at Chirundu border,” said Mr Chibundu. Zambian authorities could only confirm 51 women, who were netted in a joint Immigration and Zambian police raid.

THREE police officers from Bulawayo and their domestic worker have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a 22-year-old man after accusing him of stealing a T-shirt.

Livingstone Sango (55), his wife Innocentia Ncube (54), Martin Chivandire (42) and their maid Nomusa Ngwenya (31) – all from Southampton Building in the city centre – allegedly savagely attacked Mr Vinie Ngoreta on May 12 this year.

A court heard that the four accused Mr Ngoreta of New Luveve suburb of stealing Chivandire’s T-shirt when he arrived at their flat to visit his friend.

Sango, Ncube, Chivandire and Ngwenya allegedly hit Mr Ngoreta with a broom stick, fists and slapped him all over his body until he sustained serious injuries.

The four appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Adelaide Mbeure facing a charge of assault.

Ms Mbeure did not ask the accused persons to plead and recused herself from trying the case.

“Come to court 3 on April 5, 2017. I cannot proceed with this matter because l’m well known to Chivandire,” said Ms Mbeure.

Prosecuting, Ms Grace Zhou said on March 12 at around 6PM, Mr Ngoreta went to visit his friend who is the son of Sango.
“The complainant met accused who claimed that the T-shirt that he was wearing belonged to him. Mr Ngoreta tried to explain that it belonged to him and he purchased it from second hand clothes dealers at Khothama Boutique,” said Ms Zhou.

“A misunderstanding rose between them and the accused persons started assaulting the complainant using a broom stick. Chivandire held the complainant’s hands behind his back while the other accused persons continued punching and slapping him several times on his face.”

After the savage attack, the cops took Mr Ngoreta to Bulawayo Central Police Station and opened a case against him.

Ms Zhou said the cops laid a charge of theft against Mr Ngoreta.

She said Ngoreta was referred to hospital and a medical report will be provided in court as evidence.

MEMBERS of the House of Assembly and Senators will today take part in a Tuberculosis screening exercise in Shurugwi as part of a drive to encourage the public to undergo screening for the killer disease.

The lawmakers who are part of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care and National Tuberculosis Caucus, will voluntarily take part in the exercise to mark the World TB day commemorations.

World TB day is commemorated annually on March 24 and this year’s belated commemorations are being held under the theme; “Unite to end TB: Leave no one behind”.

Speaking at a workshop for Parliamentarians in Kwekwe yesterday, deputy director, HIV/Aids and TB unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Charles Sandy, said parliamentarians volunteered to take a leading role in encouraging the public to be screened for TB.

“Parliamentarians have to play a major role in encouraging the public to be screened for TB because we have a lot of people who might have the disease but might not know that they have it because of their reluctance to be screened.

“It is our expectation that if people see their leaders being screened they will also be encouraged to be part of the programme tomorrow (today),” said Dr Sandy.

He said political commitment was vital in the fight against TB as it guaranteed suitable policies and adequate resources needed to eradicate the disease.

Dr Sandy revealed that one of the major challenges faced in the fight against TB was stigma which led to most people being reluctant to be screened for the disease, or even be known to be taking TB medication.

“The truth is there is still a lot of stigma related to TB. Most people believe that when they are told that they have TB they will die. As a Ministry we now have to work hard to fight off this stigma and conscientise the public that TB is curable, encouraging them to be screened and further take their medication when they are diagnosed with the disease,” said Dr Sandy.

Chiwundura Member of Parliament, Kizito Chivamba, said Members of Parliament were going to lead by example and go for TB screening.

Speaking at the same workshop, World Health Organisation National Professional Officer for TB, Dr Patrick Hazangwe, said eradicating TB would save the country a lot of resources which can be directed towards development.

“Taking it from this year’s theme, it tells us that we have to all come together in this fight bearing in mind that TB is there and is curable. We must not forget that if we fight against this disease, in the future we will have a huge chunk of our resources going towards development,” said Dr Hazangwe.

TB remains a public health threat in Zimbabwe, which is ranked among the 30 TB high burdened countries in the world. Health critics posit that Zimbabwe might not achieve the 2030 End TB strategy if resources are not harnessed locally to fund TB programmes.

The End TB strategy seeks to end the global epidemic, with targets to reduce TB deaths by 95 percent and cutting new cases by 90 percent between 2015 and 2035 while ensuring that no family is burdened with disastrous expenses due to TB. – State Media

THE Cross Border Traders’ Association of Zimbabwe has called for Government intervention in addressing challenges affecting traders at the country’s ports of entry.

CBTA president, Dr Killer Zivhu, made the call during the launch of a $15 million funding facility for traders in Beitbridge this week. The funding package will be released to re-capitalise hundreds of cross border traders in the country. Dr Zivhu said the fund was being channelled through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe subsidiary, Home-Link.

“We are negotiating with Government and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to look into the trading barriers at our borders. People are spending long hours waiting to clear goods at the borders and this is discouraging trade.

“We are equally concerned with the harassment of our members at the ports of entry and on major highways by law enforcement agents,” said Dr Zivhu.

“You will note that every effort we make in capacitating our members will come to naught if our borders are not made user friendly. It is important that we improve the ease of doing business”.

Dr Zivhu said they were working on modalities to ensure that most cross border traders are licensed to import goods and items that will improve productivity locally.

He added that they were also engaging Government to ensure that access to foreign currency by their members was improved.

Dr Zivhu said they were also helping those who deal with products that are restricted from import under the open general licence were being assisted to get permits to boost their businesses.

“It’s a fact that we have some of our members who are in business involving part of the restricted goods and we are coming in to help them secure the requisite permits ,”said Dr ZivhuPutin narrowly escaped death after poisoning’Putin narrowly escaped death after poisoning’Putin narrowly escaped death after poisoning’ In July last year, the Government removed basic commodities including food items, building material, furniture, toiletries and cooking oil among other things from the Open General Import Licence (OGIL).

Under the new list, goods now require a permit prior to importation and travellers are allowed to bring selected goods once per calendar month. – State Media

The visiting 5-member Chinese delegation comprising the Governor of Yanbian Province Mr Zhe Piao and two mayors Mr Kuilon Cai and Mr Jifeng Zhang and a director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have met President Robert Mugabe at State House in Harare this Thursday afternoon.

The entourage is on a mission to explore possible areas of cooperation between Harare Metropolitan Province and the Yanbian province.

The delegation is being hosted by Harare Metropolitan province Minister of State Cde Miriam Chikukwa.

The delegation made a stopover in South Africa before coming to Zimbabwe.

During their stay in Harare, they have had a brief meeting with Cde Chikukwa and stakeholders who included Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, ZRP, OPC and other departments.

They later toured the Tobacco Processing Zimbabwe in the industrial area.

They got acquainted with the manufacturing process there where 103 people are employed. – State Media

ZIMBABWE is in discussions with Zambia over payment modalities for the US$114,8 million interest on the Federation-era debt that Harare owes its northern neighbour.
The debt has been threatening co-operation between the two countries on the proposed construction of the massive Batoka power project.
Finance and Economic Development Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, last week told journalists that the two countries were currently in discussions and could soon strike a deal on payment.
“The debt is still about US$114,8 million in interest but we have started engaging them (Zambia) on how we can pay it. But we don’t want to discuss it in public. When we are done with our discussions, we will let you know,” said Chinamasa.
The interest component emanates from a US$70 million debt to Zambia which the country inherited the debt after taking over power generation assets that had been shared with Zambia.
The debt was for the shared cost of the Kariba Dam construction and associated infrastructure during the tenure of Central African Power Corporation (CAPCO), a power firm jointly owned by the governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia when they were still part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, which was dissolved in 1963.
The debt also included assets taken over from CAPCO.
The US$70 million principal amount has since been paid off by the country’s integrated power generation and distribution group, ZESA Holdings.
ZESA, however, through the assistance of the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, transferred the interest component from its books to the Ministry of Finance in 2015, arguing that the liability was a government-to-government debt.
CAPCO was running the Kariba power project for the two countries but was disbanded in 1987, and was succeeded by the Zimbabwe River Authority (ZRA).
Its assets were distributed to national power companies in the two countries, which are ZESA Holdings and Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO).
After distribution of the assets, the government of Zimbabwe owed the government of Zambia US$70,807,000.
The amount remained outstanding, and Zimbabwe in February 2012 signed a new acknowledgement of debt with a payment plan.
Government then transferred the debt to ZESA Holdings saying it was the beneficiary of the distributed assets.
ZESA Holdings was, however, pressured to pay the principal amount after Zambia threatened to pull out of a deal for the two southern African countries to jointly construct the Batoka Gorge Hydro Power Station on the Zambezi River.
Zimbabwe and Zambia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly construct Batoka Gorge Hydro Power Station in 2012, with each country expected to get 1 600 Megawatts (MW) of electricity from the project, a development which would help boost power supply in the two southern African countries.
The agreement on the Batoka project, situated about 54 kilometres downstream of Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, was therefore dependent on Zimbabwe’s commitment to pay off the US$70,8 million debt. – Fingaz

THE Mutare City Council is evicting former Town Clerk – Mr Obert Muzawazi – from its house in Murambi, in a move that has sparked a serious labour dispute as the ex-chief executive officer is claiming the same as part of his exit package.

Mr Muzawazi resigned on January 26 last year, amid a litany of corruption allegations levelled against him which resulted in public demonstrations at the Civic Centre.

More than a year since he left office, the municipality has not paid him his severance package and the matter is now before the Labour Court.

In a letter dated March 7, 2017, a copy of which this paper has, the local authority through its Housing Director, Mr Stenard Mapurisa, gave Mr Muzawazi up to April 3, 2017 to vacate the council house at Number 2, Shangani Drive, Murambi.

The house is to be occupied by the new Town Clerk, Mr Joshua Maligwa, who is to start work on the same date.

“Council at its special meeting held on February 28, 2017 resolved that a notice of eviction from council house which you are currently residing be given to make room for the incoming Town Clerk.

“It is against this background that I am requesting you to vacate the house before April 3, 2017,” reads the letter.

Interestingly, Mr Muzawazi said he wanted to be allocated the immovable property as part of his terminal benefits.

Since July last year he has been trying to make council pay him his dues, but to no avail.

He is demanding $166 000 in cash as part of his severance package plus other benefits which include 100 percent medical aid cover, school fees for his two children and the allocation of the council house which he is currently living in as a tenant.

On July 25 last year he wrote to council, through his Harare-based lawyers, Sawyer and Mkushi, demanding payment.

“Our client instructs us that he served as a Town Clerk at Mutare City Council from June 22, 2007 to January 26, 2016 when he tendered his resignation.

“The resignation was by mutual consent, parties agreed that Mutare City Council was going to calculate and pay severance remuneration and other ancillary payments commensurate with the post of the Town Clerk.

“We are duly instructed that our client has not received any payment to date.

“We are hereby instructed to demand, as we hereby do, payment of the following amounts which should make up the exit package for our client; severance salary $75 000, payment of leave days (three months) $10 500, payment of salary arrears from January 2015 to January 2016 plus performance bonuses (14 months) $49 000, nine months service for nine years served $31 500.”

After council failed to honour the demands, Mr Muzawazi lodged his complaint with the Labour Court on November 10 last year.

Reads the letter: “On August 10, 2016, the city council responded to our demand and undertook to do necessary calculations relating to salary arrears, unpaid leave, terminal benefits among others. . .same was not done and to date the city council remains indebted to our client in the amount stated in the demand. We hereby lodge a complaint on behalf of our client in the following terms; non-payment of terminal benefits, non-payment of accrued leave and non-payment of salary arrears.”

The case is now at the Labour Court and for the past two weeks both parties made their presentations before a labour officer and they are now waiting for the outcome.

Sources privy to the case revealed that council was offering $20 000 to the former Town Clerk and refused to part with its Murambi house.

“The councillors are saying the municipality cannot afford to meet his demands. As for the house they are citing a ministerial circular which barred local authorities from giving immovable properties to officials as exit packages,” said the source. – State Media 

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Staff Reporter| Fists continue to fly in the Joyce Mujuru led National People’s Party this time with spokespersons Jealous Mawarire and Gift Nyandoro physically going at each other over contradicting press statements.

Party spokesperson Mawarire circulated a statement mid morning today that he had done a Manyuchi on Nyandoro the Presidential Spokesperson after Nyandoro failed to explain why he had given a media statement attempting to down play an earlier statement which Mawarire had issued.

“I met and tried to get an explanation from Nyandoro about his statement in the paper today and he went into a tirade attacking me and builder Chundu. He became violent tried to attack me and I defended myself well and managed to put him down on his back,” wrote Mawarire in a post making quick rounds on Thursday afternoon.

The fracas emerged after local daily this morning published an article by Nyandoro claiming that Mawarire had “jumped the gun” when he gave the same publication in the week a statement denigrating MDC-T President Morgan Tsvangirai and his attitude towards the envisaged coalition negotiations.

In response Mawarire told party members that Nyandoro was out of order speaking against his statements as Nyandoro had no right to talk about party policies as Presidential spokesperson.

In his statement Nyandoro had suggested that Mawarire spoke in his individual capacity and not Mujuru’s position. Mawarire instead insisted that his statement was guided by the president and was party position not his own assessment.

“I am actually waiting to see the President today because I discussed with her before I put the statement out,” said Nyandoro early this morning.

“I have her reaction written commenting on the draft. Nyandoro does not speak on behalf of the party if he doesn’t know his job, he is a lawyer not media person, he should ask first,” added Mawarire.

The emotional Mawarire went further to reveal that Nyandoro has always had a grudge against him which leaves one wondering how the two information officers in the party have been operating.

“He said exactly what I said but he had his agenda of denigrating me. I don’t know what it’s meant to achieve.

In his outburst the hard hitting Mawarire accused Nyandoro of not knowing the boundaries of his job by interfering with his duties as party spokesperson.

“Nyandoro does not state the party position he is not the party spokesperson unless being incoming SG entails speaking on behalf of the party. People should know their roles.”

“I thought it’s clear Nyandoro is Presidential Spokesperson he should speak on personal issues pertaining to the President and as is clear Party Spokesperson speaks on behalf of the party. Only overzealous people can’t understand that.”

Before converting his issue to a Thursday morning row with Nyandoro, Mawarire claims to have gone to meet the party President Mujuru who it appears sanctioned Mawarire to go on and confront Nyandoro over his statement.

“I have clarified with the President about the statement by Gift Nyandoro which was used as a news source in today’s Newsday. I had a meeting with her which ended at 9:25am today 30/3/17. She said she never spoke to Nyandoro about the statement he made and that she didn’t sanction it. It is clear who is jumping the gun here,” said Mawarire.

“I should reiterate that Mr Nyandoro does not speak for the party and it’s quite unfortunate that he is causing unnecessary confusion on issues that are straightforward as indicated by the fact that he was attacking me yet saying exactly what I said.”

Nyandoro could not immediately comment on the matter claiming to be still in hospital.

“Am being taken into theatre with a dislocated leg and l will issue a detailed statement save to confirm that indeed l have been attacked by Jealous Mawarire in full of his wife and he had to be restrained by passerby,” he said.

ZimEye.com also tried to source a copy of the party’s code of conduct regards senior members of the party’s expected conduct on issues like the one in hand.

Joy Banda | War Vets Minister Tshinga Dube has been caught napping in Parliament.

No sooner had Parliament business of the day started than the minister fell into a deep slumber.

“Point of order Mr Speaker Sir! Min Tshinga Dube is fast asleep but we thought ministers come to the house to answer questions,” interjected a concerned MP.

BELOW THE FULL TEXT:

Chaos reigned supreme at Lupane State University main campus in Lupane yesterday as students stoned Vice Chancellor Professor Pardon Kuipa’s car during protests against what they described as a poor diet.

Sources at the campus said rowdy students have since Tuesday been chanting songs denouncing Professor Kuipa and the Dean of Students, Mr Honest Ncube accusing them of turning a deaf ear to complaints over poorly prepared meals, incessant power cuts and poor security at the university.

The students allegedly stormed management offices, demanding to meet Prof Kuipa and Mr Ncube before looting cooked and uncooked food from service providers. About 350 students were moved to the main campus after years of learning at different venues in Bulawayo.
The students say they are tired of eating poorly prepared meals and incessant power cuts at the university which disturbs their studies.
According to sources, the demonstrations began at 11AM and were still on by last night.
Students who spoke to The Chronicle said they have raised the issues with the university’s management but nothing has been done.
“Everyone has complained of the poorly prepared meals we’re getting from service providers. The food is so bad that sometimes we prefer to eat junk food like maputi but one cannot survive on that,” said a student who declined to be named for fear of victimisation.
“We’ve been complaining since we came here but no action has been taken by the institution. Ukudla kwabo kuyagulisa (Their food makes us sick.) Yesterday we decided to say enough is enough, we cannot tolerate this any more.”
Students said the university mainly relies on a generator for electricity, which they said is switched off at 10PM when they want to study or write assignments.
“If they are not ready to have us here, we should go back to Bulawayo,” said another student.
“There is no security at the hostels. Outsiders come in as they please with no proper checking. We fear our valuables will be stolen.”
The students demanded that the Students’ Executive Council (SEC) be disbanded as it was failing to represent them.
Efforts to get a comment from the university’s Student’s Executive Council President Mr Arthur Lunga and acting Vice President Ms Charmaine Mudawu were unsuccessful as they became unreachable after this reporter introduced herself.
LSU information and public relations officer Mr Zwelithini Dlamini confirmed the demonstrations and acknowledged issues raised by the students.
“I was not around yesterday (Tuesday) but I’ve spoken to the Dean of students and the issues that they are raising revolve around their welfare here on campus.
“We’ve been having a challenge with power, we have a line that supplies us here and that line seems to be faulty and we’ve been relying on back-up power from a generator.
“As you know it cannot run for 24 hours, it has to be switched off after some time,” said Mr Dlamini.
He said the complaint about Zesa power could have been a result of lack of communication as there would be power at the shopping centre which is supplied by a different line prompting the students to think that they are being sabotaged.
Mr Dlamini said the issue of power had been attended to temporarily by connecting to another line.
He said the university had engaged four caterers to improve the preparation of meals as the university’s kitchen is still under construction.
“On security, the security officer has told me they have put additional manpower to beef up security. We are hoping all those measures will address the students’ concerns,” said Mr Dlamini.

Convicted businessman Wicknell Chivayo on Monday demanded to be served with summons which were recently filed at the High Court in a case he is being sued for $500 000 for injuria by The Sunday Mail Features and Opinions Editor, Garikai Mazara.

A Bulawayo magistrate has acquitted former Rhodesian Premier Howard Unwin Moffat’s grandson, Robert Bruce, of charges of illegal occupation of gazetted land.

Bruce has since 2015 been embroiled in a farm dispute with the late ex-Zipra official and State security agent, Collen Shava’s widow, Sibongile, over ownership of Oakland Farm.

Bruce (66), pleaded not guilty to the charge of illegally occupying the farm when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Adeline Mbeure. Last week, Mbeure found Bruce not guilty and acquitted him.

“The accused is found not guilty and acquitted,” she ruled.

“The State has failed to prove a case beyond reasonable doubt and accused is found not guilty,” ruled Mbeure.

The court heard that on October 25 2002, Oakland Farm was acquired by the State for the purposes of resettling farmers.

It is the State’s case that Bruce was supposed to vacate the farm and cease occupation by December 9 2002, but he continued occupying the property without any lawful authority.

The State alleges in September 2013, Bruce was asked to vacate the farm, but he refused, saying the offer letter shown to him was fake and not from the Lands ministry.

Sometime in 2015, Bruce was taken to the Small Claims Court, which ruled in Shava’s favour, ordering Bruce to pave way for the new owner.

But Bruce applied to the High Court seeking an interdict against his eviction.

High Court judge, Justice Martin Makonese ordered Shava to stay away from the 216-hectare cattle ranch pending the review of the Small Claims Court ruling on the same case.

Justice Makonese’s ruling stayed the Small Claims Court ruling, thereby, allowing Bruce to remain on the farm. The court also ordered Shava to stop interfering with Bruce’s operations, but in a turn of events, Shava has revived the case by filing criminal charges against Bruce.

The farm in question is situated in Insiza, Matabeleland South province.

Sibongile’s late husband was a driver for the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo, while Moffat’s grandfather was Southern Rhodesia’s second premier from 1927 to 1933. – Newsday

Arnold Farm residents in Mazowe have approached the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to intervene to force the police to stop the continued demolition of their homes reportedly to pave way for the expansion of First Lady Grace Mugabe’s business empire.

In a letter to Sadc, which was delivered yesterday through the South African embassy in Harare, the residents urged the regional bloc to compel the Zimbabwean government to respect the rule of law and stop the evictions in line with a High Court order.

“We, as citizens of Zimbabwe, are seeking help for our responsible authorities to respect the rule of law, not that the law should be exercised on the poor only while protecting the upper class,” the letter, signed by Arnold Farm Residents’ Association chairperson Innocent Dube, and addressed to the Sadc deputy chair country, South Africa, read.

“Our families are starving because of the police brutality because they (the police) do not (sic) comply with what the highest court in the land would have judged. We need food assistance as our crops have not been cultivated due to police harassment.”

One of the residents told NewsDay that officials at the South African embassy had promised to take the issue to Swaziland, which is current the chair of the regional bloc.

In addition to lobbying Sadc, the villagers – who have been under threat of eviction since 2015 when Grace made her first moves to occupy the farm – on Tuesday approached the court seeking contempt of court charges against three top government officials.

The villagers want Home Affairs minister Ignatius Chombo, Commissioner-General of Police Augustine Chihuri and Lands and Rural Resettlement minister Douglas Mombeshora charged with contempt of court after authorities disregarded a court order stopping the evictions.

The urgent chamber application was filed last Sunday after the police, despite the existence of the court order, continued with the demolitions, bundled the residents into trucks and dumped them in a bushy area along the Mvurwi road.

In their application, the residents said the conduct of the law enforcement agents in the unfolding events was “a sad commentary to the status of the rule of law in Zimbabwe”.

Terrence Mawawa, Mutare | In yet another brutal act, an estranged Rusape man killed his wife (caught by villagers in a bush allegedly intimate with another man) after accusing her of cheating on him.

Police in Manicaland are looking for Christopher Tawona, a farm worker who has since gone on the run after brutally killing his wife, Patience Mlambo.

According to a police report, Patience was allegedly spotted by her neighbours having sex with her boyfriend in a maize field.

“It was rumoured Patience had an extra marital affair. She was spotted by someone while having sex with her boyfriend. Tawona was then informed about the incident and he became angry. He then approached the man who was drinking beer at a local bottle store and accused him of having an affair with his wife. The two exchanged blows before being restrained by revellers,” police in Mutare said.

On March 15, one Gracious Nyambi visited the couple’s place and she found Patience dead. Tawona had already vanished from the place. A post-mortem report indicated Patience had been murdered.

Manicaland Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa,said the murder case was being investigated.

“We received a murder report from Rusape but the suspect is on the run. We appeal to the public to assist us with information on the matter. We are working tirelessly to bring the culprit to book,” said Inspector Kakohwa.

READERS NOTE:  Esther Mhuri has requested that her picture be published so people who saw her earlier health troubles can testify to her speedy recovery which has come in less than 2 weeks. 

Ray Nkosi | Cancer survivor Esther Mhuri has been discharged from hospital.

Mhuri who is soon to start chemotherapy was buzzing with thankfulness as she spoke on ZimEye Live. At 38 Mhuri after the last surgery has lost her second breast to cancer and having gone through the whole traumatic experience over the past three years.

“We thank God. I want to thank everyone, everyone who has donated. Some were even praying for me, some were even feeding me with encouragement,” said Mhuri.

She further said, ” I am now back, I’m out of hospital. I am now going back to Harare on Friday for my chemotherapy. At the present moment I am thankful to all those who helped.”

The Gweru based mother of four had to have her second breast removed to stop the cancer from spreading to the rest of her body, an ordeal which has been costly going into thousands of US dollars.

Esther was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, a development that was to change her life after the doctor broke the news to her on a fateful Thursday morning. She is among thousands of women who are battling with breast cancer as the country tries to contain ravages of cancer.

A SUSPECTED thief became a prisoner of his own scheme after he got stuck for two days in a chimney.

Andrea Zunga (33) of Makokoba suburb was part of a gang of three that hatched a plan to enter Thabiso Youth Centre in the same surbub through the building’s two chimneys on Monday night.

Zunga’s accomplices who are still at large, managed to get in and out through one of the chimneys and got way with two computers, a laptop and a jacket but he got stuck in the other chimney which is blocked at the bottom.

The accomplices on realising that Zunga was stuck in the chimney fled with their loot and did not tell anyone about the mishap.

Zunga looked like the popular South African soapie Isibaya zombie, Umgijimi, when a fire brigade crew smashed the chimney to rescue him yesterday.

He appeared to have relieved himself while strait-jacketed in the smoke vent as a pungent stench of human excrement kept rescuers at bay.

Police were there on time to save him from an angry mob before whisking him away.

Family members yesterday told The Chronicle that Zunga was on important medication after having come from South Africa on a stretcher.

“We’re worried he might relapse after defaulting for three days, said his brother Trevor.

He said the family had reported him missing.

Zunga had apparently shouted himself hoarse trying to attract residents’ attention, to no avail.

A cleaner at Thabiso Youth Centre yesterday got the shock of his life when he heard a voice from the roof yesterday.

“Mayibabo ncedani, indlala, ngafa kubuhlungu. (Help, I’m starving, I’m dying”) rasped the croaky voice.

The cleaner fled.

First on the scene were the police.

The Chronicle observed officers dropping a rope down the chimney but Zunga was too weak to grasp it.

They called the fire brigade and the firemen destroyed the structure.

Zunga then hobbled down a ladder without help, reeking of excrement with a cloud of flies buzzing around him. Two police officers were waiting to cuff him at the bottom and they saved him from the crowd that wanted to beat him up.

Chairperson for the Parental Advisory Committee at Thabiso Youth Centre Mr Promise Nqwababa said the youth centre was broken into on Monday night and the crime was discovered on Tuesday morning.

“We only discovered that someone was stuck in the chimney this morning as we heard faint cries of someone calling for help. It seems that yesterday he was quiet as he was still trying to get himself out of the situation,” said Mr Nqwababa.

He said Zunga is a popular face at the youth centre as he frequents the place that is a stone’s throw from his family’s home.

Chief Fire Officer, Mr Richard Peterson, said the firebrigade was called to the scene at 9.31AM.

“We were called to rescue a 33- year old man who was stuck in a chimney at Thabiso Youth Centre in Makokoba at  9.31 AM. He must have been trying to steal,” he said.

Mr Peterson urged residents not to engage in such daring acts which put their lives at risk.

“The economy is tough, but people should not steal, as they will only land themselves in such embarrassing situations. This man was just lucky to survive for two days stuck in there. It should be a lesson to others,” he added.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said Zunga was being charged with unlawful entry and theft in aggravating circumstances.

“This is a good lesson to the public as people ought to know that crime does not pay,” she said.

A MAN from Bulawayo who allegedly stoned his sister to death has been granted $100 bail.

Ronathi Ncube (52) from Cowdray Park suburb allegedly hit Nomusa Sibanda from Nguboyenja suburb with two stones on her forehead and mouth and she fell unconscious.

The incident happened on Saturday.

It was not disclosed in court why Ncube hit his sister who died on admission at Mpilo Central Hospital.

Ncube yesterday appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya facing a charge of murder.

Ncube, through his lawyer Ms Dzikamani Ncube of Job Sibanda and Associates legal practitioners, pleaded with the court to grant him bail.

The State did not oppose bail and Mr Tashaya remanded him out of custody to April 12, 2017.

The magistrate did not ask Ncube to plead but ordered him continue residing in Cowdray Park.

“You are ordered to pay $100 bail and you are supposed to report to your nearest police station every Friday. Do not interfere with State witnesses,” said Mr Tashaya.

Prosecuting, Ms Leane Nkomo said on March 25, police arrested Ncube after he hit the deceased with stones.

Ms Nkomo said the stones would be produced in court as evidence.

State Media – Government has said Britain has no business in Zimbabwe’s internal elections and has no right to prescribe how the country should run its elections.

Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Secretary Mr George Charamba said any interference by the British administration in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs would be resisted.

Mr Charamba said Zimbabwe was a sovereign State and in no way should it pander to the whims and caprices of the British regime.

His remarks come in the wake of some reckless and unsubstantiated claims by the British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Catriona Laing recently that the takeover of the procurement of Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits by Government might compromise the credibility of next year’s elections.

Ms Laing preferred a situation where the Government of Zimbabwe surrendered the procurement of the BVR kits to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Mr Charamba queried why the British were interested on how the kits were being procured, yet they were not showing the same enthusiasm on how the country was procuring grain for drought relief.

“What is so special about those voting kits,” asked Mr Charamba.

“Why didn’t they meddle on how we procure grain for drought relief? What is she trying to say? We hope the Conservative government, which she represents, is not copying wrong things from the discredited (Tony) Blair government.

“If they made that mistake they will discover the resistance to that will just be stout. We are not a British colony and voting is a sovereign right.”

Mr Charamba added: “The British had elections a few years ago and more recently they had a referendum on whether to stay or get out of the European Union. Were the kits bought by the United Nations Development Programme?”

Although the British are not a stakeholder in Zimbabwe’s elections, Ms Laing said the Government of Zimbabwe should cite the type of material it wanted to purchase.

She said Britain was “concerned” on the transparency of the process, without elaborating where the concern was coming from.

“There are a number of conditions and recommendations that the African Union and Sadc made that need to be in place in order for all of us to have confidence that the elections, when they happen, will be free and fair,” she said.

“One of the issues we are concerned about is around the change of the procurement process around BVR. We wait to see how this is going to pan out.”

Government recently said it was now going to play a leading role in the procurement of the BVR kits instead of leaving the entire process to the UNDP.

There are a number of issues that led to that development, including a plot by Western governments to use the involvement of the UNDP to influence the outcome of Zimbabwe’s elections.

If things failed to go their way, they might cause instability in the country like what they did in Cote d’Ivoire during the tenure of President Laurent Gbagbo, observers said.

Analysts say elections were an internal process that should not be left in the hands of foreign institutions or Governments. They said it was interesting to explore why the opposition and Western governments were keen to involve UNDP in a purely internal and sovereign process such as elections.

ONE of the suspected key figures in the multi-million rand OR Tambo International Airport heist that happened early this month, Prince Raphael Dube (43), a Zimbabwean, shocked the court on Tuesday when he revealed that he earned R400 000 a month.

According to South African media reports, Dube, in his affidavit‚ said his exhibition stalls business generates R400 000 a month and he could afford R30 000 bail.

Dube was allegedly responsible for cloning the police vehicle used in the March 7, R200-million heist. He was arrested in Norkem Park, northern Kempton Park in Gauteng.

However, the investigating officer Colonel Mabina Mahlangu revealed in his affidavit that R20.7 million was stolen in the heist, and the reports of R24 million in foreign currency were false.

The affidavit also mentioned Dube and Sonqishe’s girlfriends were found with cash from the heist.

Dube together with four other suspects appeared at Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court for bail application. They are charged with armed robbery.

The other suspects are Thokwane Simon (37), Mathabatha Frans Manaka (30), Sibusiso Job Mnisi (39) and Mosiwa Steven Motani (35) and Thando Sonqishe (39)

Dube’s co-accused, Sonqishe‚ the man who appeared in social media with a multi-million-rand Lamborghini‚ said that if he stayed in jail he would contract diseases given the poor state of prison facilities.

Sonqishe’s lawyer Mr Victor Nkwashu told the court that his client could also afford R30 000 bail.

“My client was embarrassed by the manner in which the police handled his arrest and publicised in the media. And if he continues in prison his transport business will suffer and his family will be left destitute‚” he said.

Prosecutor Mr Pieter Erasmus opposed bail and said the men were facing serious charges of armed robbery and investigations were underway to effect more arrests.

Another suspect was added to the OR Tambo heist case during proceedings at the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court.

When the court proceedings resumed after the lunch break, an unnamed man who was arrested on Sunday, was brought into the court room and his charge sheet was written.

His case was postponed today in order for him to receive legal representation.

Dube and Sonqishe are allegedly part of the gang suspected of being involved in what is considered one of South Africa’s biggest heists.

The court heard that R13 000 was found at Sonqishe’s girlfriend’s residence, while R1 million was found under a washing machine at Dube’s girlfriend’s home.

Col Mahlangu said that Standard Bank confirmed that the notes were linked to the heist. Dube’s girlfriend said she did not ask him where the money came from.

Mr Erasmus said both Dube and Sonqishe had previously been involved in various crimes which included fraud and armed robbery. Earlier, Sonqishe told the court that he had no previous run-ins with the law.

Col Mahlangu’s affidavit said that Dube was undocumented and was a Zimbabwean who came into South Africa illegally, was unemployed, and used false documentation to receive money.

The court heard that Dube was employed as a stand exhibitionist and was earning R400 000 per month.

When Dube was arrested, he was found with an identity document that belonged to another person but had his picture. He was previously convicted of fraud and drunken driving.

When he was arrested, Dube was allegedly found with a South African Police Service (SPV) bullet proof vest.

He allegedly admitted that the vehicle used was branded like an SPV vehicle, and he allegedly had a “safe house” where the heist vehicles were modified.

Sonqishe allegedly supplied the blue police lights. When they were arrested, both men allegedly admitted to being part of the planning and execution of the heist.

A ZVISHAVANE couple has been sentenced to a combined 24 years in prison for kidnapping a 14-year-old girl who was later raped by the husband with the wife’s assistance.

Philemon Tauze Moyo (31) and his wife Netsai Sibanda (26) of Mhike Village under Chief Mazvihwa, were convicted on their own pleas by Gweru regional Magistrate Mr Morgan Nemadire.

Moyo was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment while his wife was sentenced to nine years.

He will, however, serve an effective 12 years in prison after three years were suspended on condition of good behaviour and his wife will serve an effective six years after she also had three years suspended.

Prosecuting, Mr Lloyd Mavhiza said on January 25 at around 7AM, Sibanda approached the complainant who was on her way to Matoti Village.

She asked her to accompany her to her homestead saying she wanted to give her something that she had kept for her.

“The complainant agreed and when they reached the homestead, Sibanda asked her if she could put up for the night saying her husband would be away,” said Mr Mavhiza.

“At around 8PM that night, the accused was told to sleep in the same bedroom hut with the couple. During the night, Tauze woke up and started caressing the complainant.”

He said the complainant resisted before Sibanda woke up, grabbed and pinned her down and Tauze raped her once. – State Media

THE cooking oil industry is considered one of the success stories in Zimbabwe’s drive towards value addition and import substitution. The sector, which employs about 4 000 people, has in the last two years registered a dramatic rebound in production levels.

This has resulted in lowering of prices, which has helped ward off competition from imports with oil expressers gaining significant grip in terms of market share. However, capacity utilisation in the sector has plunged recently to around 35 percent compared to 60 percent, according to the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI).

The United Nations chief in Zimbabwe has rejected recent allegations the U.N. is seeking to interfere in the 2018 electoral process.

A majority-government-owned newspaper, the Sunday Mail, stirred controversy this month when it published an article accusing the United Nations of plotting to rig upcoming elections to remove President Robert Mugabe from office.

Mugabe, who has been in office since independence in 1980, says he will run for another term next year.

The Sunday Mail story came just days after an opposition protest in which demonstrators said they had lost confidence in the electoral commission and wanted an international body to run the 2018 polls.

On Wednesday, Bishow Parajuli, the U.N. resident coordinator in Zimbabwe, addressed the accusations of political interference.

“It is totally false,” Parajuli said. “In fact, in every issue the U.N. is engaged in, the government is aware. We never deal on political matters like that. We are working on purely development and humanitarian matters.”

He was joined at a news conference by Mugabe’s chief secretary, Misheck Sibanda, who reaffirmed Parajuli’s statement.

“UNDP means what? United Nations Development Program. And their job is to promote development. This is why we are together,” Sibanda said, referring to the U.N.’s past help in dealing with devastating droughts and flooding. “I think [the election] is an issue you [the media] want to blow out of proportion.”

But political tensions have been rising, most recently over the purchase of biometric voter registration equipment. The electoral commission had initially agreed to have the United Nations purchase the necessary equipment, but last week, the commission announced the government would purchase it instead. Opposition parties cried foul.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) seized a Ferrari that was being smuggled into the country, it announced on Wednesday.

Ray Nkosi | Norton Member of Parliament, Temba Mliswa today knelt before Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa as he greeted him in Parliament. Mliswa took his loyalty to the presidential hopeful and leader of Parliament Mnangagwa to new levels saying, “Haa Mdara achauya makachena nhasi!”

This is the chilling scene played out on Monday‚ as angry residents of Dwarsloop village in Bushbuckridge‚ Mpumalanga‚ took the law into their own hands and threatened to bury a man alive.

Tumelo Dibakwane‚ who captured the moment in a cellphone video clip‚ said the police arrived just in the nick of time to rescue the man as the mob prepared to douse him with petrol and turn him into a human torch.

The same man was allegedly caught and beaten by residents‚ twice‚ in the past three months after they suspected him of breaking into homes.

“They caught him before but … this time they said that they were tired of beating him‚” Dibakwane told TMG Digital on Tuesday.

“Someone was suggesting they put petrol on him and burn him. If the police were late by five minutes‚ they had the petrol‚ someone managed to get petrol. The garage was just a few metres away‚” said Dibakwane.  – Agencies

John Mlambo | Former Zanu Pf stalwart Margaret Dongo is joining forces Dr Noah Manyika’s Build Zimbabwe Alliance.

Speculation is rife that the ousted former Zimbabwe People First Women’s Wing Chair Dongo has joined the upcoming and promising opposition BAZ.

Social media is abuzz with news that Dongo may have found another home in the new opposition party after a picture of her with Noah Manyika President of BZA and another former ZANU PF stalwart Fay Chung was posted on the social media.

Dongo was dismissed from Mujuru’s Zimbabwe People First party now National People’s Party in February together with Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo.

They went on to establish their own Zimbabwe People First in defiance of Mujuru’s dismissal.
In a statement the Build Zimbabwe Alliance however did not disclose of Dongo and Chung had joined the party indicating that Manyika “spend time with the two powerful heroes.”

“Today Dr. Manyika was honored to spend time with two of Zimbabwe’s powerful heroes, Margaret Dongo and Fay Chung. Not only are these women veterans of the liberation struggle, but both are brilliant scholars and strategic thinkers who are committed to seeing Zimbabwe thrive. Is there not a cause? Let’s Build Zimbabwe,” read the party statement.

Motorists will now have to fork out more in traffic fines following the coming into force of a new scale of fines to be imposed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

The coming into effect of new scale of fines followed the signing into law by President Mugabe of the Finance Act last week.

Section 35 of the Finance Act reviewed Levels One, Two and Three of the standard scale of fines in the Criminal Law Code with effect from January 1 2017.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa announced that there would be a review of fines to be imposed by the police when he made his 2017 national budget in Parliament last year.

Level One was previously pegged at $5, but now stands at $10, while Level Two has been raised from $10 to $15, with Level Three raised from $20 to $30 per offence.

The fines that were pegged in Level One are minor offences where police would look at the gravity of the offence.

A Bulawayo man raped his own wife and stabbed her.

The 28-man who cannot be named in order to protect his wife’s identity, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The man reportedly raped his 19-year-old wife before stabbing her three times. After the attack, the man made a false police report saying his wife had been attacked by robbers.

Despite pleading not guilty to charges of rape, attempted murder and supplying false information to the police, Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mrs Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze found him guilty.
In passing sentence she said:

For rape you will serve 15 years in jail, attempted murder five years and for supplying false information you will be warned, cautioned and discharged. Five years of the combined 20 years will be suspended on condition of good behaviour,” she said.

…Clearly, accused was in the habit of abusing complainant although she never reported him. She told the court that she reported this particular matter after realising the brutality of the accused. Her friend whom she narrated the matter to also told the court that complainant narrated to her that accused raped her and stabbed her. A police officer whom the complainant reported the matter to said she explained that there was no robbery but instead accused had raped her and stabbed her. – state media

Ray Dube | A local children’s rights lobby NGO, Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children, (ZNCWC) has revealed that girls were starting to sell sex as early 12 years of age.

ZNCWC carried out a research last year in which they visited the country’s 10 provinces, targeting HIV and AIDS hot spots, with the aim of establishing the number underage girls who were into commercial sex work.

The results of the research which sampled close to 300 young sex work girls were published in Harare recently.

According to the country’s constitution the age of majority is 18 years, and anyone under that age is deemed a child.

“ While the general global consensus is that many girls across the world start selling sex at the age of 12 the modal age range of entry into selling sex for children involved in commercial sexual exploitation that we interviewed was 16 and 18, 35.1% followed by 13 to 16 years at 23,7% ,” reads part of the research findings.

“More than two thirds (64.6%) of the young women reported starting selling sex below the age of 18 with the highest concentration was the ages of 16 and 18 at 35% . 5.8% became sex workers before the age of 12 and 14 years,” the report noted.

ZNCWC, said although the respondents indicated that they were aware of HIV and AIDS and how to practice safe sex, there was a high number of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) cases among the interviewed young sex workers.

“While respondents in this study indicated that 41.4% had experienced some illness related to their work the distribution of respondents by nature of their illness show s that the most commonly reported were STIs 81.5% followed by injury from gender based violence 18.5%,” the investigation further established.

Ex-Finance minister Tendai Biti has said it is too late for Zimbabwe to adopt the South African rand as a dominating currency. Writing on his Twitter account, the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader said: “Too late to adopt rand. Economy now in so much disequilibrium without reforms Zanu will bastardise the rand as they have the Zim$ &the US$.”
Adding: “ . . . foreign direct investment (FDI) is not flowing into Zimbabwe because of toxic and predatory Zanu PF politics . . . remove Zanu PF and billions will pour into this economy”.

“Let’s rebuild productive base and build reserves of at least $9 billion. We maintain regime of multi-currencies for now,” Biti said.

His sentiments come after Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) deputy governor Kupukile Mlambo last week said rand would benefit the country, presently battling an acute cash crisis and help alleviate cash shortages.

Mlambo pointed out that the central bank would prefer the South African currency — which firmed 0,6 percent against the dollar on Wednesday just off the 20-month high reached earlier this week — to be Zimbabwe’s dominant currency, following hints by President Robert Mugabe in a recent interview that the country needed to adopt the rand.

Presently, South Africa remains Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partner.  In the first two months of the year, Zimbabwe registered a trade surplus of $14 million against South Africa with imports worth $171 million making their way into the country compared to exports of $185 million.

Over three million Zimbabweans who have migrated to neighbouring countries remitted an estimated $450 million in the first nine months of 2016 alone. Various business quarters have been lobbying government to formally adopt South Africa’s currency as the country’s formal trading exchange.

In his 93rd birthday interview, Mugabe said the country should adopt the rand to mitigate severe liquidity and cash challenges.