ZANU-PF 18790

NCA 482
FreeZim 386
Spoiled 652

Zanu PF Candidate Omar Joosbi declared #MweneziEastByElection winner with 18700.voter turnout 41,9% @tawandachimhini @HealZim @ZimRights1 pic.twitter.com/IGdlFMAkMj

— ERC (@erczimbabwe) April 9, 2017

ROLL UPDATE BY HEAL ZIMBABWE TRUST

Three candidates are vying for the Parliamentary seat and these are Joosbi Omar of the Zanu PF party, Welcome Masuku of the National Constitution Assembly (NCA) and Turner Muhango of the Free Zimbabwe Congress. Kudakwashe Bhasikiti of the Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) withdrew from the by election citing intimidation of his supporters and vote-buying by Zanu PF.

Heal Zimbabwe has deployed a mobile team of observers who are monitoring the by election. Apart from the mobile team, Heal Zimbabwe has also deployed 72 trained human rights monitors at every polling station to monitor the by election. All these efforts are targeted at monitoring the electoral process to see whether it is held in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner. Live by election updates will be shared on Heal Zimbabwe Social media platforms that include Twitter (@Healzim) and Facebook (@HealZimbabweTrust).The following are the updates from polling stations.

Tafara Primary School ward 13

A Zanu Pf youth only identified as Chikava is intimidating people outside the polling station saying that they should vote wisely if they want to continue receiving food aid.

Chikwalakwala School ward 6

Voting started on time and many people have casted their votes in a peaceful and free manner.

Negari Polling station ward 13

Polling station opened on time and people are voting in a peaceful manner

Mavambo polling ward 13

Polling station opened time. Voting process is progressing well

St Vitalis Primary school ward 5

Voting process started on time. Voting process progressing well.

Chimbudzi Primary School ward 5

The polling station opened on time and people are coming in their numbers to vote.

Chingami Primary School ward 5

The polling station opened on time. About 200 people present when polling station opened.

Negari Polling station ward 13

Polling station opened on time. There were 16 people outside polling station when it opened

Rutenga Primary School ward 18

Polling station opened on time. As at 9am, 46 males and 40 females had voted.

Matande Primary School ward 2

Polling station opened on time. Voting process is progressing well.

Rata Primary School ward 2

Polling station opened on time. By 9am, 127 had voted (75 female, 52 males). 23 people assisted (5 male and 18 female).

Vilivili polling station ward 13

Polling station opened on time. About 300 people were present when polling station opened. Voting process progressing well.

Mucheni primary school ward 13

Polling station opened on time. Voting process progressing well.

Sagwari polling station ward 13

Polling station opened on time. Voting process progressing well

By Lionel Saungweme| A close-knit quartet, comprising Insiza South Member of Parliament, Malachi Nkomo (also known as Malakhi), Gwanda Magistrate Shiela Nazombe, a former Darcal (Pvt) Ltd. employee, Zenzo Jele, and Zibusiso Ncube, a brother to Filabusi District Administrator, Sithandiwe Ndumo Ncube, is influencing cronies at the Insiza District Land Committee (DLC) to evict Atherstone Ranch residents, ZimEye can reveal.

The evictions violate a tripartite farm-sharing scheme run by the government, Darren Maughan, a major shareholder of Darcal (Pvt) Ltd. that, runs the 2332.06 ha Atherstone Ranch, and a community of 66 people supporting over a hundred and fifty dependants. The property was 6379 ha in size prior to its compulsory listing by government.   

 Atherstone Ranch is situated at West Nicholson, in the Insiza District of Matabeleland South Province, some 194 kilometres south of Zimbabwe’s second City of Bulawayo.

With backing from current Insiza North Member of Parliament, Andrew Langa, alleged to be involved affectionately with Magistrate Nazombe, the group of four invaded the farm in 2013.

Langa and Malakhi were suspended from Zanu PF in June 2015, for allegedly plotting to topple Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe. On 17 September 2015, Langa was sacked as Minister of Sports for associating with a Zanu PF faction known as “The Gamatox.”

A petition to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, by the community, protests that the foursome wants to see “Government Policy on land reform program fail (sic) through the issue of more offer letters than the land can sustain.”

Reads part of the petition:

“During the course of the years we started seeing people coming with offer letters recommended by the Lands Offices Filabusi, saying they have been offered land, this never stopped until the number shot up to 102 stands.” This violates Section 73 (1) (b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act 2013:

“Every person has the right to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations ….”

The contested farm was bought in 1984, four years after Zimbabwe’s independence, by Darren from Guy Hilton Barber. Darren’s purchase was therefore free from the tainting, pre-independence racial and political encumbrances. What is more, he acquired the land after obtaining a Certificate of No Present Interest, which evidenced Government’s renunciation of its statutory first-buyer of land right. Patrick Maughan, his father, was thereafter employed as farm manager.

However, 66 settlers invaded the 6379 ha Atherstone Ranch in 2000 before Government subsequently listed the property for compulsory acquisition “under Gazette Number 233A of 2000.”   

To mitigate the loss, Patrick wrote to Kembo Mohadi, then Deputy Minister of Local Government imploring Government to invoke the law, de-list and purchase 4046.94 ha in exchange for shared and secure tenure on the remaining 2332.06 ha.

On 6 February 2001, Mohadi and the Ministry of Lands accepted Patrick’s offer. On 9 July 2001, then Governor for Matabeleland South, Steven Nkomo and officials from the Provincial Administrator’s office deliberated further on the offer and resolved that Patrick should “coexist with the newly settled farmers.”

They encouraged Patrick to keep “close dialogue with the new settlers committee of seven [7],” “return all the equipment that is all the engines” removed for “safe” keeping, “provide assistance to the newly resettled farmers by clearing their lands on the offered portion of the farm, provide tillage services to the farmers or alternatively allow the new farmers to plough where they are currently settled,” create a servitude (corridor) “to enable new settlers to pass through your [sic] farm to have access to Umzingwane River as Mbebesi River is not reliable” and “allow the farmers access roads to essential services such as the school.”  

On 21 February 2002, the Ministry of Lands agreed to an installments purchase of 4046.94 ha, at a price of Z$7 750 000, for improvements only, tendering “25% as down payment,” pledging “a further 25% within 2 years, [and payment of the] balance within 5 years of date of signing with an interest of 30% per annum on balance outstanding.”

The sale then, for tens of thousands of Zimbabwe dollars to the United States dollar on the black market, when the official exchange rate pegged the greenback at 55 Zimbabwe dollars, means Darren was deprived of the value of his property.  

Nevertheless, Darren discharged his farm-sharing obligations. He delivered a Fordson tractor and two heavy-duty Lister engines to Jele, who doubled as a community member and therefore as a “beneficiary of the alternative farm offer.”

New classroom blocks and a school office, accommodating three teachers and 43 students, were erected on the eastern end of Atherstone Farm. Darren uses his other tractor to assist in ferrying grain, maize seed and fertilizer from either Filabusi Grain Marketing Board (GMB) or Avoca GMB sub-depot, which is about 30kilometres away. He also provides the community with transport and meat during the annual mass independence celebrations.

All was well until Patrick died on 6 October 2011, after which, for two solid years, the quartet made threats to take over the farm. On 23 January 2014, the DLC dispatched offer letters for the allocation of subdivision 2, measuring 700 ha to Nazombe, subdivision 3 presumably measuring 576 ha to Malakhi while Jele and Ncube respectively got subdivision 1 and 4 measuring 523 ha each.

Then to ratify the illegality, on 12 March 2015, the DLC Chairperson issued a “Notice of Withdrawal of Atherstone Farm” to resettle “new allottees.”

In so doing, the DLC seems to have forgotten that it remained subordinate to the Ministry of Lands, which enacted the farm-sharing agreement. The DLC simply wrote that it was “… withdrawing any administration letter once advanced to Darren Maughan and whoever is responsible on the running of Atherstone farm (sic).”

Furthermore, 13 years after 4046.94 ha was sold to the Government; the DLC’s Notice of Withdrawal still referred to Atherstone Farm as “measuring 6379 ha.” This seems to ignore the sacrifices made by Darcal (Pvt) Ltd.  

“It is worth recording that my father and I amicably and willfully gave over 9 000 acres, which consisted of all the property south and east of the main Mberengwa Road, to the local people. We did this professionally and with dignity in conjunction with various Government ministries, including the Minister of Home Affairs. Since then we have acted with the best intentions in living in harmony with our neighbours,” says Darren.

Most settlers agreed with Darren and rose to petition the Minister saying:

“We have seen some Lands Officials from Filabusi pegging the other side which was given to Darren Maughan as per agreement which was signed between (sic) the Government, Darren Maughan and us the community. This also affects us in various ways because we had agreements with Darren Maughan of which he is assisting us with building of new school, our cattle have access to graze on his land and we also have access to Umzingwane [River]. He has also been engaged to the community in various ways like rebuilding of Chief Maduna Hall, The Godhlwayo Culture Centre, the irrigation at Atherstone and also the vegetable garden.”

The protest did not push the quartet off its saddle. Instead, poaching and rapid destruction of valuable property began. A year passed before Jele sold the Fordson tractor. Two heavy-duty Lister engines, given to the community to implement the “alternate offer,” disappeared.

Four thatched huts belonging to the farm were torched on 25 December 2015. Footprints from the scene of suspected arson led scouts to Malakhi’s house prompting a report to be lodged with police. The caused petitioners to cite Section 74 of the Constitution:

“No person may be evicted from their house, or have their home demolished        without a court order made considering all relevant circumstances.

A pump-house electric motor and its main-line cable were blown up causing an abrupt cut in water supplies to the homestead, livestock and farm compound comprising 17 households. With loss of the pump-house electric motor, plans to improve pastures vaporized as did twenty-eight jobs supporting 72 dependents. Tending the 1.5 ha garden, on which onions, garlic, butternuts, leaf vegetables, green pepper and cucumbers are grown for the community, stopped immediately. A massive cutting down of trees ravaged both the farm and loose soil banks of the Mzingwane River. A perimeter fence and a flood-irrigation canal, the mainstay of utility and crop-farming at the ranch, were extensively vandalized. Part of the expensive and lengthy “Class 10 Plastic Water Pipeline,” used in drawing water from Mzingwane River, was stolen. Police investigators are yet to catch those involved in the destruction and theft. The remainder of the “Class 10 Plastic Water Pipeline” was cut and sabotaged. It lies exposed to the sun and other elements.

Seeing the dilapidation, Clinton Rogers, who is caretaking the farm in Darren’s absence on medical grounds, phoned Malakhi in an effort to find a solution. Instead Malakhi reported Clinton to the police, leading to the latter’s arrest and subsequent charge of “Occupying a Gazetted Land without Lawful Authority.”  

Clinton replied in a statement:

“I am not the farm owner. The farm owner is Darren Maughan. I occupy the farm at the pleasure of Darren Maughan [Darcal (Pvt) Ltd.], who to the best of my knowledge has the permission of the government to occupy that portion of farm and this permission has subsisted from 2003 to date and it has not been withdrawn lawfully by the Minister of Lands, the Acquiring Authority.”

“Procedurally,” wrote Clinton, “the Ministry is responsible for the withdrawal of the land and not the District Lands Office.” He noted that the offer letters were issued to the quartet “before the letter cancelling the existing [farm-sharing] agreement … was delivered.”

He argued that “the community are deeply disturbed by this occupation as it affects their securities in the [farm-sharing] … agreements (sic).”

In addition, issues of arson, a “water pump blown [up] resulting in severe crop damage,” a “dramatic increase in poaching and illegal activities on the farm,” Malakhi’s “statement of ‘declaring war’ over the phone to a farm colleague Norman Dhlamini” plus recorded “death threats,” from one of Malakhi’s associates in the Atherstone Ranch-grab, were also raised. The case is still pending.

To pile on more pressure for eviction, Malakhi phoned Clinton on 24 November 2015 and ordered him to “move out of the farm” because in his words “you should realise that you are fighting a losing battle.”

Zanu-PF will press criminal charges against former Women’s League deputy secretary Eunice Sandi Moyo and secretary for finance Sarah Mahoka if they fail to remit the$100 000-plus which they allegedly extorted in Zanu-PF’s and First Lady Grace Mugabe’s names, a senior official has said.

In Mashonaland Central, the revolutionary party’s provincial executive is pursuing a case of possible fraud in which a top official (name withheld) allegedly duped Zanu-PF of thousands of dollars in membership subscriptions and dodgy asset disposals.

These and other grievances from Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association provincial leaders will be submitted to the national Zanu-PF leadership in keeping with President Mugabe’s counsel at a Central Committee meeting in Harare last Friday.

The veretans want National Political Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere and his step-brother, Dickson Mafios, punished for setting up parallel party structures and indiscipline, among other charges.

Zanu-PF national spokesperson Ambassador Simon Khaya told The Sunday Mail that prosecution loomed large for Moyo and Mahoka who resigned last week on the back of charges of undermining First Lady and Women’s League Secretary Amai Mugabe and diverting party funds to personal use.

The duo is said to have collected money from local church leaders in the party’s name and then kept it for themselves.

Muhoka faces extra charges for denigrating Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba.

Ambassador Khaya Moyo said, “The next course of action rests with the Women’s League because they are the aggrieved party in this matter. Perhaps the National Disciplinary Committee will also look into the issue. However, what is likely to happen is that if they do not pay back, criminal proceedings may have to be followed.”

Ambassador Moyo said the Women’s League executive had a dossier on how Moyo and Mahoka abused the funds.

“I am not aware if there is a deadline for them to pay the money. The (Women’s League national executive) has all the information on the nature of the cases.”

Zanu-PF Women’s League secretary for information Thokozile Mathuthu yesterday declined commenting, saying: “I am attending church. Call SK Moyo since this is matter which was brought before the Politburo.”

Sandi Moyo and Mahoka both dodged questions posed to them by this paper regarding how they intended to pay back the money.

Moyo said: “I really don’t want to say anything. I have nothing to say.”

One the other hand, Mahoka retorted: “I am attending my aunt’s funeral. I don’t want to talk about that now.”

A Mashonaland provincial executive member yesterday revealed that they were auditing their books following strong indications that a top official had helped himself to thousands of dollars in membership subscriptions.

The executive member said the official allegedly disposed of two party vehicles under shady circumstances and has failed to account for donations towards construction of Zanu-PF’s provincial headquarters.

“A decision has been taken in line with President Mugabe’s directive to follow procedure when instituting disciplinary measures against errant party members. The audit will look into, among other issues, the suspicious disposal of party assets, including two motor vehicles suspected to have been sold without following proper procedures.

“There is also suspicion that membership subscriptions could have been abused. The audit also seeks to ascertain the facts after which all grievances will be channelled to our national leadership.”

ZNLWA provincial secretary-general Aggrey Gumisai Mutasa said: “As war veterans, we met and discussed issues affecting this province, including our recommendations on Kasukuwere and Mafios. We have always pronounced our position on the matter of the ‘Matope boys’ – we want them out.

“They are driving personal agendas and not party, people-centred agendas. We have always said their ultimate goal is to topple President Mugabe as was reflected through the infamous Mafioso declaration. Kasukuwere has been busy packing party structures that constitute the Congress Electoral College with his ‘yes’ men and women, and firing all those who oppose him.

“Wherever he failed to do so, he would create a parallel structure to challenge the legitimate leaders of the particular organ. The ultimate goal in this scheme was to call for an extraordinary congress where his ‘yes’ men and women would form the majority in the electoral college and, in turn, vote out President Mugabe.”

According to Section 26 of Zanu-PF’s constitution, an early congress may be convened “wherever it is deemed necessary and at the instance of: (a) the majority of the members of the Central Committee; or (b) the President and First Secretary, at the instance of not less than one-third of members of the Central Committee; or (c) the President and First Secretary, at the instance of at least five provincial executive councils by resolutions to that effect”.

Last week, scores of party supporters demonstrated against Kasukuwere who also stands accused of trying to block earlier protests against Sandi Moyo and Mahoka.

President Mugabe later counselled that aggrieved members should follow proper channels when airing their grievances as demonstrations opened Zanu-PF to abuse by external forces. – state media

The newly-appointed operations director at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), Mr Richard Sithole, allegedly appeared drunk at a beauty contest held at the institution’s School of Nursing recently.

Witnesses told Sunday News that Mr Sithole walked into the venue of the beauty contest when the event had already started and allegedly gave a free mini-strip tease show to the stunned audience. The beauty contest was held on 31 March.

It is alleged that in the heat of things Mr Sithole removed his t-shirt, much to the amusement and shock of the audience, a majority of the student nurses. Student nurses and qualified nurses who attended the function and spoke to Sunday News expressed shock at Mr Sithole’s antics.

“We have never seen him that way. He removed his t-shirt and started dancing. It was very uncomfortable for us and we did not know what to do. We are still quite shocked. Mr Sithole is like a father to us, a brother to some and to see him dancing waving his shirt in the air was disturbing,” said a nurse who asked not to be named.

Another nurse who also attended the show added, “The only explanation to his behaviour is that he was drunk to a point of no return. He was a different person from what we thought him to be. Considering that he is new at the hospital, we may not know his true character, but we didn’t expect that from him,” said the nurse who requested anonymity.

As if Mr Sithole’s antics were not enough drama for that night, it is alleged that his car was found seemingly dumped at a bushy area near the hospital the following day.

Contacted for comment Mr Sithole confirmed that he takes alcohol but refuted allegations that he attended the show drunk.

He said it was not possible that he could have attended the show drunk as he had just knocked off from duty. “I am not refusing that I take alcohol but what I am dismissing is that I was drunk on that day. That is not true. It was around 8pm and I had just knocked off from my duty hence I couldn’t have been drunk at that time,” he said.

He also said that there was no alcohol being sold at the beauty contest such that he could have been drunk. However, Mr Sithole, who claimed to be out of town when contacted for comment, asked this reporter to hold the story as he was prepared to give his full account when he returns to Bulawayo.

“I am attending a workshop in Mutare right now I cannot talk, you can call me after two weeks by then I will be back then we can talk,” he said.

It is said that Mr Sithole assumed the position of operations director early this year following the retirement of Mr Elliot Mashingaidze. – state media

LIVE-REPORT: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE are investigating the case of a Zimbabwean man, Kudakwashe Terrence Kaswa who disappeared and his vehicle was found with its keys inside.

Passport and other details were found inside the car as ZimEye reveals, (SEE PICTURES BELOW). The passport says Kaswa is a Chartered Accountant.

Mr Kudakwashe Kaswa was missing when cops pounced on the vehicle unattended at the roadside.

Midrand Police station confirmed the development to ZimEye Saturday afternoon and said relatives should visit the Midrand police station for further assistance. The family should “simply send someone to the Midrand SAPS for assistance,” a staffer told ZimEye.com without going into further details.

Further details such as exactly when the car was discovered and the latest on the passport owner’s welfare were not available at the time of going to press. PICTURES:

President Robert Mugabe’s oldest son, Robert Junior has doffed out of Dubai and is now living in South Africa, it has emerged.  Robert Junior caused a scene last week when pictures of him came out with many Zimbabweans claiming that he looks like a woman while snapped with several male friends. Some began attacking him claiming that he is gay, but during that discourse no one had clarity on which country he is residing.

Mugabe’s two sons have reportedly relocated to South Africa from Dubai and Zimbabwe respectively amid fears their personal security might be “compromised” in the neighbouring country.

The Zimbabwe Independent reports that the two sons – Robert Jr and Bellarmine Chatunga – have been in Johannesburg since the start of the year for studies.

“First Family shifted their kids to South Africa for studies and a better life after Robert Jr was removed from Dubai under controversial circumstances. Chatunga was also reportedly moved to make him focus on his studies, away from Zimbabwe’s suffocating environment and his familiar social scene playground,” the report says.

There were, however, security concerns, with Mugabe’s family and security bosses saying the two could be targeted “not just for crime, but also for political reasons”, it continued.

South Africa is home to millions of Zimbabweans who fled Mugabe’s political repression and economic failure.

Last year, First Lady Grace Mugabe claimed that soldiers and top Zanu-PF officials angling for power wanted to kill Chatunga.

Reports quoted Grace at the time as saying: “Imagine it has got to a stage where they want to kill my son Bellarmine.” – News24/Independent

Join Pastor Mugadza LIVE on ZimEye soon after his court win. The program starts at 1145 British time.

More than 15 families had their homes destroyed by armed police officers at Manzou in Mazowe yesterday, as First Lady Grace Mugabe intensifies her bid to grab Arnold Farm.

At least 16 officers reportedly stormed the farm and burnt down houses, while a family was allegedly arrested after watching its home razed down. Villagers at the farm told NewsDay that they received threats for refusing to vacate to pave way for Grace who is reportedly planning to set up a conservancy.

“After burning our homes, they promised to return at night saying if we don’t leave this area they will deal with us,” said one Japhet Madodo who has been living at the farm since 2000.

Madodo said yesterday the police came as early as 7 am and started to harass the villagers accusing them of being stubborn. The villagers have been fighting for the area since 2012 when the First Family — which reportedly possesses several farms — got interested in the area.
The area is surrounded by gold claims and fertile soils good for agriculture.

Since 2012, the First Lady has launched a spirited fight to evict over 200 families. “We came here in 2000 and from there onwards we have been staying peacefully until the First Lady expressed interest in 2012. From then onwards our lives have never been the same again. We are always harassed and we have lost our livelihoods and are living like paupers now. We don’t know why we are treated like this in a free Zimbabwe,” Titus Chirembo said.

Others said they were sleeping in the open and feared that their children might be affected by the adverse weather as they are sleeping in the open. Some villagers said they were living in fear after they tried to resist eviction.

In some instances some families were going without food while school-going children were forced to drop out of school even before they closed.

On two occasions, the High Court has come to their rescue. Two High Court orders obtained by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights barring the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri from demolishing or evicting the villagers have all failed to help.

The authorities have issued an ultimatum against the villagers to move out of Arnold Farm by the end of the day. – Newsday

Staff Reporter| The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) a division of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) has warned Zimbabweans on prepaid electricity that prepaid electricity vouchers will not be available through the country from Friday 22:00 hours to Sunday morning at 10:00 hours.

In a notice sent out through its publicity department, ZETDC said that electricity recharge will be restricted due to systems upgrading.

Since the unrolling of the prepaid electricity in the country some five years ago, the ZESA system has been facing numerous breakdowns which denied consumers access to electricity in some instances for up to a week.

With over sixty percent of the country’s electricity consumers on prepaid electricity, the delayed notice by the power utility company is likely to see a huge blackout in the country.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), has been dragged to court for allegedly raping and infecting a minor with a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), it has emerged.

Constable Hugh Zvidzai Bhunu appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Langton Ndokera facing rape charges last week.

Bhunu is stationed at Chidzikwe Police Camp, Masvingo Rural Section.
He allegedly committed the rape offence on October 13, 2016.

The court heard that Bhunu offered a lift to the 17-year-old girl as she was walking home and she accepted. Bhunu then drove his motor vehicle into a bushy area. He parked the vehicle, jumped to the back seat and forcibly undressed the minor. He then went on to rape her.
The girl said she tried to scream for help but nobody heard her. She then went home and Bhunu followed her. He told the girl’s grandmother he wanted to marry the minor. He further claimed he would take good care of the minor.
“Bhunu initially promised to marry the minor but he later changed his stance when the girl had asked for money to buy medication since he had infected her with an STI. There are strong indications that Bhunu intentionally infected the minor with the STI,” the court heard.

The girl’s condition worsened as she failed to get treatment. Her mother then reported the matter to the police, leading to Bhunu’s arrest.

A woman from Bulawayo is suing her boyfriend for $25 000 for allegedly assaulting her resulting in her losing two teeth following a domestic dispute.

Ms Mary Arifaneti who suffered bruises, a swollen neck and back and lost two front teeth, is demanding $25 657 from her boyfriend Godfrey Maweni for medical expenses incurred, disfigurement, pain and suffering.

Ms Arifaneti through her lawyers, Legal Aid Directorate, has filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing Maweni as the defendant.

In court papers, Ms Arifaneti said she suffered bodily injuries and has lost her earnings from her cross-border trade as a result of the assault.

“On February 21, 2016 at around 9PM, my boyfriend paid me a visit at my home. An altercation arose after the defendant failed to answer a phone call from a female caller. I demanded to know who was calling during which a scuffle ensued,” she said.

Ms Arifaneti said her boyfriend turned violent and started to indiscriminately assault her all over the body.
“During the assault, the defendant held me by the neck and banged my face against the tarmac resulting in me sustaining bruises all over the body, a swollen neck and back. I also suffered irreparable damage to two front teeth, which have to be replaced with artificial ones,” she said.

Ms Arifaneti said she could not afford to buy artificial teeth.

She also said as a result of the attack she had stopped crossing borders to buy wares for resale locally.
Ms Arifaneti said her business used to rake in an average of $450 monthly.

“The defendant has ignored my plea for assistance in medical bills even though I withdrew criminal charges against him after he had begged me. He only contributed $40 to have my teeth filled and that is not a permanent solution,” she said.

Ms Arifaneti said despite demand, the defendant had failed, refused or neglected to compensate her for the injuries and damages suffered.

She is seeking an order compelling the defendant to pay $25 657 with prescribed interest. She also wants the defendant to pay the legal costs.

Maweni through his lawyers, Sansole and Senda Legal Practitioners, in his application for further particulars, queried why his girlfriend wants artificial teeth.

“Does the plaintiff have a specialist opinion and does the cause of her injuries a result of the assault?” he queried. – State Media

Experts from the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) Applied Genetic Testing Centre (AGTC), which does DNA profiling, have said it will take about two weeks to identify the bodies of accident victims that were burnt beyond recognition in the Mvuma fatal road crash.

The team yesterday revealed that 21 people, not 20 as earlier reported, were burnt when a South Africa-bound Proliner bus they were travelling in sideswiped with a haulage truck and caught fire at Nyamatikiti River near Chaka in Mvuma on Wednesday night.

AGTC chairperson Mr Zephaniah Dhlamini said his team and pathologists from Harare’s Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals have started their investigations to identify the bodies.

“Today we have started the process to identify the bodies. All of them were burnt beyond recognition, some were dismembered. The pathologist will determine whether the body was male or female. In the DNA section, we will take samples of the bones,” said Mr Dhlamini.

“We are going to extract the DNA from the lab and get DNA samples from relatives then we’ll look for matches. We hope that in two weeks we will be done with the matching process.”

He said such tragedies should serve as a wake-up call to Government to prioritise DNA profiling.
Mr Dhlamini said legislators should consider DNA profiling for every citizen as this will expedite the identification process in case of other disasters.

“The Registrar General’s Office should have a DNA database for citizens. When such disasters occur, we can just pick the body and match it with the information on the database,” he said.
In a statement, Civil Protection Unit (CPU) acting director Ms Sibusisiwe Ndlovu said the victims would receive State assisted burials and $700 courtesy of Government and the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe (ICZ).
Ms Ndlovu said the Government released $200 for each body while ICZ chipped in with $500.
She said ICZ was still investigating the passenger insurance to ensure that proper compensations is given to affected families.

Meanwhile, National chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba has called on relatives of the victims to bring a toothbrush which was used by their deceased relative for DNA testing.
While applauding relatives who have already camped at Gweru Provincial Hospital awaiting the identification process, she encouraged those that haven’t made their way to quickly come to Gweru to speed up the process.
At the accident scene, smoke was still billowing from the trailers of the haulage truck which is believed to have been carrying hundreds of tyres. The road had been cleared and traffic was flowing smoothly.

Forensic experts were still looking for human remains in the rubble that had been swept off the highway.
At Mvuma District Hospital, only three accident victims were still admitted including the driver of the haulage truck Regius Mangwari (29) who is under police guard.

The other survivors are Mrs Alice Hodzi (29) of Eastview Park in Mabvuku, Harare, who escaped together with her 11-month-old daughter, Princess Matoro.

Hospital authorities said other victims had been taken by their relatives to medical institutions close to their home areas.

At Gweru Provincial Hospital — three tents — one manned by ZRP, one by medical experts and the others set for relatives and friends provided by Unki Mine, had been set up.

Twenty one passengers were burnt beyond recognition while 41 were critically injured in the horrific accident that occurred at the 218km peg along the Harare-Masvingo Beitbridge highway at around 9PM.

Mangwari, who was driving to Harare, has been charged with 21 counts of culpable homicide. – State Media

Sukoluhle Sibanda| After a week of waiting National Peoples Party leader, Joice Mujuru has reportedly elected MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai for the 2018 Presidency, as she follows many other opposition stalwarts.

The announcement comes after Mrs Mujuru was pressured by news readers on ZimEye LIVE on when she is going to announce a coalition with Tsvangirai and others.

“Morgan Tsvangirai to lead the coalition in 2018 as the Presidential candidate,” an announcement on Mujuru’s official Facebook account read on Friday.

https://youtu.be/QdOlM6Eb2u0

It continued, “Register to vote and vote in this historic event . One that will bury the confirmed evil once and for all. Be sure to participate in the elections. Have a voice. Your vote is your voice!

“Its time for a New Zimbabwe , A new beginning, A new President and equal opportunities for all!

National People’s Party leader Joice Mujuru has at the last minute cancelled her program slated for this afternoon at 4pm(UK time). Future schedules will be announced in due course.

PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE WILL DROP DEAD BY 17TH OCTOBER 2017 – Pastor Phillip Mugadza has been acquitted.

The Remnant Pentecostal Church leader who had been on trial for allegedly insulting and disrespecting the national flag was today set free at last by Harare Magistrate Lazini Ncube.

The ruling came after Mugadza’s lawyers Gift Mtisi, Obey Shava and Dorcas Chitiyo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights filed an application for discharge at the close of the State case after arguing that the State had failed to prima facie case against the clergyman.

Pastor Mugadza last year while LIVE video on ZimEye.com declared that Mugabe will be a dead man by the 17th October this year.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights reveal that Zimbabwe Republic Police officers connected to the First Lady have resumed their contempt of court and begun to go ahead with the removal of the Arnold Farm villagers.

Government authorities and police officers are currently demolishing some villagers’ homesteads, assaulting them and evicting them from a place which they have called home for 17 years despite two High Court orders obtained by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights barring the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri from demolishing or evicting the villagers.

The authorities have issued an ultimatum against the villagers to move out of Anold Farm by the end of the day today.

The development comes after the villagers obtained another High Court verdict blocking the government from removing them.

Sydney Barson| Every citizen has a constitutionally guaranteed right to freely participate in elections and to elect national leadership of their choice. Unfortunately, general elections in Zimbabwe have over the years become associated with brutal State sponsored violence and impunity.

Ordinary citizens and members of political parties in particular the MDC-T became targets of a systematic State operation to eliminate and silencing the party. The party has over years lost many comrades through political violence. Many children were orphaned and families were left broken in poverty. The initiative which has just been launched by Kumbirai Muchemwa, is a worthy cause to support.

The initiative is aimed at using his participation in this year’s prestigious Comrades marathon to raise funds to help families of political victims. Kumbirai Muchemwa is a former MDC-T South Africa Province Information and Publicity Secretary and currently MDC- T Johannesburg district Secretary for Home affairs.

Kindly follow the link below to get hold of Kumbirai Muchemwa for support and contributions:

https://candystick.co.za/c/a-thought-for-victims-of-political-violence

The popular Mash Central “Sekuru Bindura” who koasts of killing snakes then flinging them with his own bare hands (see pictures) is today speaking on ZimEye.com

The program will be hosted by the ever humorous Australia based, Mukoma Masimba. TIME: 4pm – British time.

National Peoples Party and former Vice-President Joice Mujuru has hinted on Tsvangirai as as the most suitable person to face President Robert Mugabe in next year’s election as the candidate for all opposition parties that have signed up to the proposed grand coalition.

Mujuru, who now leads the National People’s Party (NPP) following a nasty fallout with Mugabe in 2014, yesterday told female party members in Masvingo that Tsvangirai had the political clout and commanded a large following.

“We agreed with the MDC-T to sit down and discuss,” she said.

“We signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tsvangirai, which has a roadmap that we agreed on which outlines the strategy. We also tabled our differences and resolved them.”

Mujuru then went into the details of the agreement, which could see Mugabe facing a strong coalition for the first time in his long reign.

“We agreed that one opposition presidential candidate, representing all parties, will stand against Mugabe,” she said.

“We also agreed on the leader of the coalition, the qualities, the expectations of that person before and after the polls. That person should be a unifier, someone who does not backtrack or sell out and should carry the ideals of the coalition. And that person should have the confidence of the majority.

“We said the MDC-T is better at mobilising people. There is no other party, apart from NPP and the MDC-T, that can mobilise a lot of people apart from Zanu PF itself.

“There are a lot of parties, but some of the parties were created by some handlers in the government to cultivate a false sense of multi-party democracy, so whatever those parties do, they want to please their boss (Mugabe).

“We know a coalition is the best to stop Zanu PF from rigging. If we go into the polls fragmented, as the opposition, we give leeway to Zanu PF tricks.”

Tsvangirai, on the other hand, has previously confirmed his good working relationship with Mujuru, but intimated that the proposed coalition leader would be chosen by the people.

Several opposition parties have informally endorsed the proposed coalition pact, but are yet to agree on the candidate to stand against Mugabe in the 2018 crunch polls.

The coalition is likely to rattle Zanu PF, which is currently dogged by serious infighting over Mugabe’s successor.-Newsday

Former MDC-T Senator for Gutu, Empire Kufachikati Makamure(centre), has died.
Family members told ZimEye Makamure died of asthma yesterday near Gutu. More details to follow…

As the police yesterday revealed that Regius Mangwari (29) the driver of the haulage truck which sideswiped a South Africa-bound Pro-liner bus has been charged with 20 counts of culpable homicide, calls became louder that buses must be banned from driving at night.

ZimEye readers conjoined to call on government for the blanket ban on night driving for buses. 

The accident occurred along the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge highway on Wednesday night at around 9 PM. The Pro-liner bus was burnt beyond recognition and so far 20 people were burnt beyond recognition while 41 were critically injured. The driver is under police guard at Mvuma District Hospital.

ZRP National chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said, Preliminary investigations indicate that on approaching the 218km peg, Mangwari encroached on the path of the oncoming bus. The bus and the haulage truck sideswiped and both vehicles caught fire.

“Twenty passengers were trapped and burnt beyond recognition. Forty-one passengers were injured. Four escaped without any injuries. The injured were taken to Mvuma District Hospital, Driefontein Mission Hospital, and Masvingo Provincial Hospital. The critical ones were referred to a Harare Hospital.”

Minister Contradicts Self, Concedes Zanu PF In $ 3 Million Debt

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| The ruling party, Zanu PF, has failed to settle a $ 3 million debt incurred during the Bikita West By-election campaign programme, it has emerged.

After boasting of Zanu PF’ s invincibility in Mwenezi at the weekend, the party’s secretary for administration, Ignatius Chombo, later contradicted himself and conceded the revolutionary party was broke.

Party sources revealed to ZimEye.com Chombo told Zanu PF officials after the rally held at Avhunga Secondary School the ruling party had no cash to settle the debt.

The debt ballooned to $ 3 million due to unpaid printing and transport bills, party officials said.

“Chombo was grilled by Minister (Shuvai) Mahofa over the debt and he said the party was broke and the coffers were empty,” said a party official.

Chombo also conceded the party could not print posters for Mwenezi East Candidate, Omar Joosbi because of bankruptcy.

Ironically Chombo donated $5,000 which he claimed was his personal money.

Angry Zanu PF members accused senior party members of dumping Omar ahead of the Saturday by-election.

“We do not know where the money is going. We are totally confused. Although we understand there are unsettled bills incurred during the Bikita West campaign programme, we feel there is no commitment towards the Mwenezi East By-election,” said a disgruntled party official.

Although Omar could not be reached for comment on the matter, party officials in Mwenezi said the businessman was using his personal resources to bankroll activities in the constituency.

Mpilo Central Hospital’s cancer unit was officially opened yesterday, bringing relief to thousands of people from the country’s southern region who had to travel to Harare and neighbouring countries to seek treatment.

The facility, which had been closed since 2009, has state-of-the-art machines similar to those used for cancer treatment in developed countries.

Speaking before officially opening the radiotherapy centre, Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa urged the Mpilo Central Hospital management to consider the poor when charging for services.

“This is one of my happiest days first as an individual and as a minister because this cancer unit had been a burden for a long time. I hereby ask the chief executive officer Mr Leonard Mabandi and his team to consider the poor when coming up with charges as cancer is the most expensive disease to treat,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

“We last carried out a thorough cancer research in 2014 when 7 000 new cases were recorded countrywide and I am sure the number has shot up now. I hereby hope Government will avail funds for us to maintain this unit so that even the less privileged can get quality health care.”

A specialist from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is doing quality control for the unit which is divided into two departments — nuclear medicine and radiotherapy.

Nuclear medicine is a medical speciality in which minute quantities of radioactive substances are administered to a patient through injection, inhalation or swallowing in order to diagnose or treat diseases.

Dr Xolani Ndlovu who heads the nuclear medicine department said he was happy that for the first time in Zimbabwe there was a functional nuclear medical facility.

“Today through the support from the Government of Zimbabwe in partnership with IAEA, Mpilo is proud to have the only functional nuclear medical facility in the country. There has been no facility for a long time due to lack of equipment and trained staff and patients all along had been flocking to South Africa,” said Dr Ndlovu.

He said the main challenge was the acquisition of radio pharmaceuticals which can only be purchased in South Africa.

“We hope that as time goes on the procurement system will be more efficient in order to reduce patient waiting time,” he said.

Dr Tatenda Chingonzoh who heads the radiotherapy department said for the first quarter of 2017, the unit had diagnosed 122 new cases.

“The burden of cancer is increasing in Zimbabwe and so far we have carried out 228 chemotherapy administrations at our centre. The administration of chemotherapy may be done here but acquisition of drugs is done by patients at private pharmacies which has resulted in many failing to access treatment due to financial constraints,” said Dr Chingonzoh.

“The cost of a single cycle of chemotherapy can range from $150 to $1 000 or more. It is thus critical that resources be availed to enable chemotherapy drugs to be stocked in our hospital pharmacy to help subsidise the cost to patients.”

Dr Ndlovu and Dr Chingonzoh are the only specialists who have been trained to operate the unit. Experts say at least two people need to operate one machine at any given time for maximum results.

Corruption delayed the opening of the cancer unit by about four years.

Chronicle lifted the lid off the corruption in February 2015, when a $3 million tender, which had been awarded to Bulawayo businessman Mr Ashton Mpofu’s New Planet Company, was cancelled after he allegedly refused to bribe former CEO Dr Lawrence Mantiziba and fired operations director Mrs Regina Duduza Moyo.

The tender — according to an audit report — had been illegally and unnecessarily split into smaller tenders.

The auditors said if the contract had been given to one company, it would have cost approximately $1,049 million.

After being split up, it ended up costing about $3 million.

Mr Mpofu was awarded the tender to refurbish the hospital’s radiotherapy centre towards the end of 2012.

The cancer unit was closed for the duration of the project, forcing patients in the southern region to travel to Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare for treatment.

The southern region covers Bulawayo, Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South. – State Media

A taxi driver from Zvishavane who allegedly lured his passenger aged 17 to his house and sodomised him at knife point has appeared in court.

Tawedzerwa Mashingaidze (46) of Nill Township in Zvishavane appeared before Gweru Magistrate Mr Morgan Nemadire facing two counts of indecent assault.

Mashingaidze pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to April 13.

Prosecuting, Mr Lloyd Mavhiza told the court that Mashingaidze used to provide transport for the complainant from Zvishavane town to his place of residence.

“On count one, in February last year at around 9PM the accused ferried the complainant home as usual. Whilst they were on their way, the accused person asked the complainant to spend the night at his house and he agreed.

“During the night, the accused person woke up and started fondling the complainant’s manhood,” said Mr Mavhiza.

He said that the complainant asked Mashingaidze to stop what he was doing and he complied, promising that he would not do it again.

“They went back to sleep but after an hour the accused person woke up and put on a condom. He took a knife and threatened to kill the complainant if he did not comply with his orders. The accused person sodomised him once,” said Mr Mavhiza.

The court heard that the complainant did not tell anyone about the matter for some time.

On June 9 last year, he allegedly told his workmate who accompanied him to make a formal report at the police station.

“The complainant was referred to Zvishavane District hospital for medical examination and a medical report was compiled,” said Mr Mavhiza.

THE Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) has fired a pastor who indecently assaulted a prominent Bulawayo lawyer last year.

The disgraced “man of God” Brighton Ndebele (32) was convicted of indecently assaulting the lawyer in October 2016 by Bulawayo magistrate Ms Adelaide Mbeure.

Ndebele was sentenced to 12 months in jail and three months were suspended for three years on condition that he did not within that period commit a similar offence.

The remaining nine months were further suspended on condition that he performs 315 hours of community service at Hillside Police Station.

According to a letter of dismissal dated February 23, 2017, the church voted at a church business meeting that Ndebele should be relieved of his duties as a pastor.

The letter, which was addressed to Ndebele, was signed by one P Ncube who is the SDA’s Bulawayo City Centre head elder and two church clerks only identified as S Hanyane and N Nyathi.

“This letter serves to notify you that on the 18th of February 2017, the church voted at a church business meeting that your name be removed from the Bulawayo City Centre Church records. This follows our letter advising you of the church board recommendation dated January 28, 2017,” reads part of the letter.

The church’s Bulawayo City Centre deputy head elder Mr Daniel Musundire also confirmed Ndebele’s dismissal in papers filed before the High Court last month.

Mr Musundure’s court filing was in response to an urgent chamber application by the abused lawyer’s husband challenging the church’s decision to slap him with a seven month censure without conducting a proper disciplinary hearing.

The censure barred the applicant from participating, by voice or vote, in the affairs of the church.

The lawyer’s husband, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his wife, argued that he was censured by members of the board, deacons and deaconess and elders’ councils for confronting the pastor who indecently harassed his wife and reporting him to the police.

In papers before the court, the lawyer’s husband cited SDA’s Bulawayo City Centre branch and the church’s headquarters, South Zimbabwe Conference of the SDA Church as respondents.

The lawyer’s husband sought an order nullifying the censure.

However, the church leadership said the lawyer’s husband was being silenced for disrupting church activities and perpetrating violence.

Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nicholas Mathonsi last month blocked SDA from censuring the lawyer’s husband.

However, the church had disputed that the conviction of Ndebele was linked to the censure and said the disgraced pastor had since been fired.

“I can confirm that the pastor (Ndebele), for his actions, has been disciplined by the SDA Bulawayo City Centre. His name was removed from the church register on the 18th of February 2016,” said Mr Musundire.

On April 20 last year at around midday, Ndebele went to the lawyer’s workplace to discuss church business since the complainant was also a head of social committees in the church.

After the discussion and when he was about to leave office, the pastor solicited for a hug from the complainant and she declined.

He then forcibly pulled the woman by the hand and squeezed her to his chest, before holding her waist and caressed her back and buttocks.

The complainant narrated her ordeal to a fellow congregant before she reported the matter to the police leading to Ndebele’s arrest. – State Media

Air Zimbabwe (AirZim) management has made significant cutbacks in route network to curtail serious write-down, triggered by aircraft shortages, plummeting load factors and foreign currency bottlenecks.

Reports say aircraft shortages have forced the airline to quietly pull out of the Harare-Lusaka route.This was one of the routes that AirZim had projected to push passenger numbers and revenue, until the Chinese assembled MA60 plane that it was operating on the route developed technical faults and was grounded in January last year.

In Kariba, low load factors forced chief executive officer (CEO), Ripton Muzenda, to suspend flights after he was appointed last year.

There have been low tourist arrivals in the resort town, which usually drive passengers.

In June 2015, the airline took the bold move to reopen the Harare-Lusaka route to compete with global airlines that have dominated African skies, four years after discontinuing service.

With colossal debts estimated at well over US$300 million, and with new management battling to fulfil the airline’s role as a catalyst for recovery, AirZim has been staggering on since re-launching operations in November 2012.

AirZim chairperson, Chipo Dyanda, declined to comment on operational matters, referring questions to Muzenda, who is said to be battling to prevail over an intense power struggle that has engulfed the airline and disrupted operations.

She also dismissed reports that there were squabbles between board members and management.

“There is no bad blood between board and management or within management. There is so much work to be done at AirZim by both board and management such that the so-called bad blood trivialises the great work that has been achieved so far; commitment and energy that is being put by the shareholder, board, management and employees in general, to revive the company. Second, the so-called bad blood is also a luxury we cannot afford.

Both board and management are clear on their mandate, and that is to revive Air Zimbabwe. Generating bad blood is not one of the mandates; therefore, we would never give it space at AirZim. We are fully occupied and have no time for distractions and detractors,” she said.

There has been a worrying decline in passenger numbers in the past few months, according to sources.

AirZim’s aged fleet comprises of two Boeing 767s, three B737s, three MA60s and two Airbus A320s.

Out of these planes, only two have been flying in the past few weeks, forcing management to hire a B737 aircraft from South Africa’s Star Air as a stop gap measure.

“AirZim suspended Zambia operations and we have closed the offices,” a source said.

Aviation industry experts said many of the routes that AirZim had opened since 2015 require some form of government subsidies before they become self sufficient.

But because government, which controls 100 percent shareholding in the airline, has been struggling to balance its books, there has not been such support.

This is why management has made the decision to pull out of certain routes. – Fingaz

A new President for Zimbabwe is imminent. Join in the discussion as key analysts and stakeholders discuss:

Olinda Chapel is now better than Joice Mujuru and other politicians at pulling people; why is this? Critics and analysts discuss this today. FULL LIVE INTERVIEW:

LIVE-BLAST: This week will forever be on Andy Muridzo’s mind after his estranged lover Bev Sibanda had a miscarriage at the weekend.

ZimEye.com can reliably confirm that Bev had a miscarriage and had to spend day in hospital.

She had a miscarriage last Sunday at Hollys hotel soon after her show.

Bev’s manager, Hapaguti Mapimhidze confirmed the development to ZimEye Thursday afternoon saying she has since recovered. “She is now okay and had to be nursed for six days, had to be cleaned and so on,” he said.

He added saying she is now heading for her latest show tonight upon which our reporter grilled him on health and safety concerns to which he insisted saying “she is now okay, she can now work.” THE LIVE PROGRAM WILL AIRED AT 4pm (UK time) Thursday afternoon.

By Sukoluhle Sibanda| National Peoples Party Spokesman Jelousy Mawarire has called it quits, resigning from both the party and his post, also attacking his boss, Dr Joice Mujuru.

Mawarire says she is responsible for the mess surrounding his physical fight with Dr Joice Mujuru’s personal spokesman Gift Nyandoro last week. Following the brutal fighting which left Nyandoro in a wheelchair, hospitalised, Mawarire announced today he is hitting the streets.

The development also follows Mrs Mujuru’s coming out during her weekly ZimEye program last week Friday to take motherly responsibility for the fighting between “the two boys.”  Below was Mawarire’s letter (BELOW VIDEO):

The Zimbabwe Union of Drivers and Conductors (ZUDAC) has bemoaned the recent introduction of a presumptive tax on commuter omnibuses by Government, saying it could trigger a hike in targets by operators, putting pressure on drivers.

Commuter omnibus operators will now pay $45 per vehicle in presumptive tax.

According to a Government Gazette of March 24, informal traders like commuter omnibus operators, hairdressers and cross border traders are expected to pay a monthly presumptive tax.

“The presumptive tax chargeable in terms of Section 36C of the Taxes Act shall be in the case of . . . (e) operators of omnibuses for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward having seating accommodation for not less than 15 or more than 24 passengers, 45 dollars per month for each such omnibus operated.”

ZUDAC chairperson Mr Fradreck Maguramhinga yesterday said the tax would affect their operations in a big way.

“As ZUDAC we are not in support of the introduction of this new tax that Government has imposed on kombis.

“We have so many other monies being paid to enable us to operate on a day-to-day basis, hence the introduction of this tax will increase the burden,” he said.

Mr Maguramhinga said it was not fair to continue taxing operators without providing a conducive environment for them to operate.

“We do not have proper ranks in town and passengers end up going to the ‘mshikashika’ vehicles while kombis lose customers,” he said.

“For those kombis following the correct channel of being in the ranks, they rarely have three trips a day, which is not sustainable.

“When the time comes for us to pay the taxes, the money is hardly adequate to do so.

“We were not going to have problems with the tax if we were operating on an even ground,” he said. – State Media

Ray Nkosi | Forced out Zanu PF deputy secretary for women’s affairs, Eunice Sandi-Moyo, had been shut out from all party internal communications, including her Ministerial offices it has emerged.

Moyo comes out guns blazing this morning challenging the State Media to name the prophet who gave her $100 000 which is among the list of allegations being leveled against her. Writes Moyo on her newly set up twitter account, “If there is any prophet who gave me $100 00 may he pliz come forward. Why not name him/her.”

Moyo told the local weekly paper Fingaz that she is completely clueless about her situation, but does not blame anyone for the predicament.

Moyo who was yesterday forced out of the Zanu PF Women’s League is accused of attempting to topple her boss; setting up parallel structures in the league and allegedly conniving with secretary for finance, Sarah Mahoka, to steal money and other donations meant for the league’s programmes.

“I read from your paper and other papers. I watch the television. I have no idea what is happening at all. I don’t know where all this came from and I don’t know where it is going,” she said.

The High Court has dismissed a sentence appeal by Richard Magwenzi (34) of Mzilikazi, currently serving a 15 month jail term for possessing bottles of intoxicating cough syrup and 3,92 kilogrammes of mbanje.

The drug had a street value of $4 000 that was found hidden in 12 bags at his house.

Magwenzi was convicted on his own plea for possessing dagga and unregistered drugs and sentenced an effective 15 months in jail in February last year.

Through his lawyers Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers he filed an appeal at the Bulawayo High Court arguing that the magistrate in the matter misdirected himself by giving him a harsh sentence. He sought an order setting aside the sentence and substituting it with a fine.

In dismissing the application, Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese sitting with Justice Maxwell Takuva ruled that the appeal lacked merit. The judge said the quantity of dagga involved in Magwenzi’s case called for nothing less than a custodial sentence. – state media

Terrence Mawawa| Zvishavane, Desperate government controlled Zimbabwe Revenue Authority(ZIMRA) is persistently exploiting Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by imposing exorbitant tax charges, it has emerged.

Disgruntled leaders of various SMEs told ZimEye. com on Monday, they regretted the formalisation of their businesses because ZIMRA was asking for prohibitive taxes. SMEs here have threatened to close their business in protest at the persistent cash raids by ZIMRA.

They said the Small to Medium Enterprise sector should not be seen as a cash cow by ZIMRA.
It has also emerged ZIMRA is under immense pressure from the government to boost its revenue collection base.
With many companies battling to remain afloat in the wake of the dwindling economy, the Small to Medium Enterprise sector has become the target of ZIMRA’s incessant cash raids.
The Secretary General for SMEs in Zvishavane, Bigboy Murenga, said there was heightened tension between ZIMRA and his organisation because of unrealistic tax charges. “ZIMRA officials are visiting registered SMEs frequently to collect taxes. We will close our businesses because we are literally working for ZIMRA. This effectively means the ZIMRA taxes are prohibitive,” said Murenga.

He added, “As a result of the high tax charges, unregistered SMEs are unwilling to register their businesses because formalisation has become a crime.”
Business owners here slammed ZIMRA’s rigid tax regime and called for a paradigm shift towards tax collection.

Business people who spoke to ZimEye.com said ZIMRA’s rigid approach was contributing towards the loss of revenue in the country.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has come out strong in the battle to succeed President Robert Mugabe.

This emerged yesterday when the politburo met in Harare and the layout of structures showed that Mnangagwa has gone beyond the G40 barricade. One could easily tell the croc is now unstoppable and for the first time the succession plan now clearer. Zimbabwe’s future could easily be told in one line, by simply observing Mai Mugabe’s dressing top seen to have been copied by only two other ZANU PF politicians from her faction, Jonathan Moyo and Saviour Kasukwuere. Everyone else was in their normal British suits. Even though Mnangagwa was outshined by Saviour Kasukuwere and Jonathan Moyo, the latter who stuck to their Grace Mugabe taylor made regalia, it was all clear Mnangagwa is now at the lead. This was further buttressed by the fact that the Kasukuwere aligned Sarah Mahoka and Sandi Moyo were on the same day removed from their positions. Kasukuwere is now next in line for demotion, the state media says.

Friends, fiends, or foes? 

The two alleged G40 leaders Kasukuwere and Jonathan Moyo, were shining in an open political exterior, obeying the First Lady’s orders that loyal party members should wear her jacket brand. But they were the only ones in the rastafarian colours. The political statement was loud and clear on whose side the First Lady is on and coming hot on the heels of calls for Kasukuwere to step down, the dressing was enough to silence any voice of rebellion against the President’s wife and her powerful faction. Mnangagwa could be seen later in footage talking to the First Lady. PICTURES:

Terrence Mawawa Mwenezi| The ruling party, Zanu PF will remain in power because it stands for the will of the people, the party’s secretary for administration, Ignatius Chombo has said.

Addressing party supporters at a rally held in Mwenezi East constituency on Sunday, Chombo said Zanu PF would continue to win elections because of sound economic policies. Chombo castigated former Masvingo State Minister, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti and described him as a hopeless political misfit. “Bhasikiti is very confused. He pulled out of the by-election because he knew he would lose heavily,” said Chombo.He went on to say  “Zanu PF is the people’s party.The land reform programme epitomises our resounding success as a party”.
He urged Zanu PF members to rally behind party candidate Omar Joosbi in Saturday’s  by-election. “I am confident of victory because our policies are consistent with the will of the people,” Chombo said.

Chombo also described leaders of opposition parties as tired and hopeless political charlatans. Contrary to Chombo’s claims, there is documented intimidation of villagers in the area. Political analysts have described the electoral process as “fraught with irregularities and massive rigging.”

“Chombo’s utterances indicate that he is totally out of sync with what is happening on the ground. The chaotic land grab exercise contributed to the economic demise. Chombo is totally confused,” said Mwenezi based political analyst, Rindai Matavire.

President Robert Mugabe’s wheelchair topped the features at yesterday’s NERA rally with several leaders blasting against the 93 year old.

Opposition leaders yesterday said they will not be silenced and stopped by a “wheelchair-bound” President Robert Mugabe, vowing “maximum resistance” against policies that favour Zanu PF ahead of next year’s general elections.

Speaking at a National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera) feedback meeting in Harare, opposition parties claimed they were being denied adequate campaign space by the Zanu PF-led government, including disruption of their rallies by the police.

Reacting to the police’s prohibition of their rally at Africa Unity Square, Nera head of legal affairs and MDC-T secretary-general, Douglas Mwonzora said it was now time to turn the heat on Mugabe and his security apparatus, so they give in to calls for electoral reforms.

“We cannot accept oppression by this tyranny. We refuse discrimination and oppression by black on black and we are going to resist that,” he said, constantly making reference to the “special gym and massage chair” presented to Mugabe on Monday as a belated 93rd birthday present from his Cabinet ministers, which had initially been reported to be a special mobile chair.

Mugabe’s critics have described the donation as a wheelchair disguised as a massage chair for the ageing Zanu PF leader.

“They have completely forgotten that they have health institutions to run, the infrastructure to take care of, education sector to take care of and investment to attract,” Mwonzora continued.

“They have completely forgotten about this and this shows that this government is no longer suitable for the people of this country and we must get rid of it.”

He said, as Nera members, they had been patient with law enforcement agents, but it was now time for defiance.

MDC-T deputy president, Elias Mudzuri, also took potshots at Mugabe over his reluctance to reform the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) as a strategy to manipulate election results and further extend his stay in office.

“We made a mistake to allow (Justice) Rita Makarau to head Zec as she is a member of Zanu PF,” he said.

Nera official, Edmore Mukushwa, said “wheelchair-bound” Mugabe had caused a lot of trouble for the country.

He said it was time for the opposition to defy oppression and start fighting together for the common cause of electoral reforms.

MDC-T deputy chairperson, Morgen Komichi, rallied opposition parties to unite and dislodge Zanu PF from power by demanding a level political playing field.

“We cannot be led by a leader, who is in a wheelchair and we must reject that. Zanu-PF cannot rig the next elections because we are united and working together as opposition political parties,” he said.

Mugabe’s wife, Grace, has declared that even if the President was incapacitated, a special wheelchair would be made for him and he would continue ruling from it.

A representative of Joice Mujuru’s National People’s Party, Munyaradzi Banda, accused Mugabe of running down the country through his “ruinous” policies.

He said Mujuru had done her homework and had what it takes to fight and win against Zanu PF.

The feedback rally, where several other opposition leaders presented solidarity messages, was meant to apprise supporters of Nera’s fight for electoral reforms.

The parties also demanded the disbandment of Zec and allow Sadc, the African Union and the United Nations to run the elections to ensure credible results.- Newsday

A fierce storm has reportedly hit the MDC-T after its electorate directorate recently proposed a raft of contentious internal election guidelines that seek to shield members of the party’s national executive, among them sitting legislators, from being challenged by their subordinates ahead of the 2018 general elections.

Party spokesperson, Obert Gutu confirmed that the party was in the process of crafting a template to guide the selection of candidates for the 2018 elections, but appealed for calm as the guidelines were still at the draft stage.

“I have always said this, it is work in progress. The document that you are talking about is work in progress and deliberations on it are still there. People should not rush to the Press because we are still consulting and when all is done, party structures will be told,” he said.

The proposed election guidelines, which were tabled before the party’s standing committee on Monday, were reportedly dismissed by some members in the MDC-T national council, provincial and district structures as meant to protect unpopular and underperforming legislators.

“According to the template, there shall be 50% women seats and 20% of the 50% shall be reserved for young women. The party shall also reserve 20% for youths,” an MDC-T insider said.

“Seniority is going to be considered, that is, no one is going to contest someone senior to him/her. This means anyone who is occupying a position at national level cannot be challenged by a member from the province even if the person is not popular. That is undemocratic.

“There are some people, who are in lower ranks, but have been in the party for many more years than some in the national leadership.
This deprives the right of party cadres to contest for any post as stated in the party’s constitution.” – Newsday

Millers have been barred from buying maize directly from farmers this season and will now procure it from the Grain Marketing Board, while Government has suspended the importation of maize with immediate effect.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made confirmed the development yesterday and said the decision had since been communicated to the millers.

This came as Government has tasked the Agricultural Marketing Authority to establish selling points for grain and cotton across the country to cushion farmers from travelling long distances to the market.

“Cabinet has approved the proposed new payment and marketing structure in terms of maize that millers will be purchasing this season,” said Dr Made.

“Millers have agreed that they will not buy maize directly from farmers, but from GMB. The price at which they will be buying will be determined as each miller comes forward to GMB to buy the grain. This is a fundamental decision and a strategic decision.”

Dr Made said the chairman of GMB board would engage other board members on the matter.

“Government has also agreed that we are no longer going to issue any new maize import permits,” he said. “But wheat imports may continue as we are not yet self-sufficient. We will continue to import wheat and we will also be selling to farmers at an agreed position.
“The price of grain will be $390 per tonne for farmers, but for the millers we will have a different price. Farmers should speedily deliver their grain to GMB as millers are now waiting for the maize.”

Dr Made said the GMB board should work around the clock.
“This structure signals that in future we will look at all commodities very closely to ensure farmers are supported first,” he said. “We will also be talking to stockfeed manufacturers and private importers. Only those with existing permits will continue with their orders and no further permits relating to maize will be issued out.”

Dr Made said Government had tasked the Agricultural Marketing Authority to establish selling points for grain and cotton across the country to cushion farmers from travelling long distances to the market.

He said the selling points should ensure farmers did not travel more than five kilometres to sell their produce. – State Media

Government has reversed a decision announced last week to levy a 10 percent tax on gross sales of tobacco farmers who do not have clearance certificates.

This follows a meeting between Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made and his Finance and Economic Development counterpart Cde Patrick Chinamasa over the emotive announcement which rattled the tobacco selling season, with farmers threatening to withhold their crop in protest.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority last week instructed tobacco auction floors to deduct a 10 percent tax on gross sales of farmers who failed to produce valid tax clearance certificates as at March 31.

Dr Made said farmers had pleaded with Government to reconsider the tax which they argued could cripple the nascent industry. He said they had resolved the matter with Minister Chinamasa that no farmer would have his/her money deducted.

Dr Made urged tobacco growers to continue delivering their crop to the floors without fear as the tax issue had been resolved.

“Farmers had made a plea to Government. We had a discussion with Minister Chinamasa and I am pleased that we have amicably resolved the matter and reached an agreement that is expected to satisfy farmers and the Zimra,” said Dr Made.

“Farmers should not blame Zimra as it was working within the confines of the law.
“Farmers should go on with their business. Tobacco should continue to come to the floors especially now as we are approaching the Easter and Independence Day holidays,” he said.
herald

A man from Bulawayo who was on the run for nine years after allegedly defrauding a resident of P26 000 has been arrested.

Zenzo Sibanda (53) of Selbourne Park suburb is also accused of duping another resident of $15 000 by selling him a house that did not belong to him in 2015.

A court heard that Sibanda conned Mr Michael Nyoni (29) and Mr Thembinkosi Mlauzi (49).

He appeared before magistrate Ms Sithembiso Ncube facing two counts of fraud yesterday.

Ms Ncube did not ask him to plead and remanded him in custody to April 19.

Prosecuting, Mr Alfonse Makonese said in 2008, Sibanda placed an advertisement in a local newspaper that he was selling a stand in Emganwini suburb.

“Mlauzi saw the advertisement and responded by visiting the accused’s offices at Ramjis Complex. The complainant told the accused person that he was interested in buying the stand and deposited P14 500 into the accused’s bank account,” said Mr Makonese.

“The complainant later paid instalments making a full total payment of P26 000. The accused converted the money into his personal use before even showing the Mlauzi the stand. After that, he changed his address and contact details and was nowhere to be found.”

In March 2015, Sibanda placed another advertisement in a local newspaper that he was selling a house in Old Luveve Suburb.

“On March 10, 2015 Nyoni went to visit the accused person in his office which was at Nicoz building. The accused person introduced Nyoni to Sitemamulus Ncube as the seller of the house and himself as an estate agent. However, the house was in the name of Ntombana Ncube, Sitemamulus’ late sister,” said Mr Makonese.

The court heard that a memorandum of agreement was drafted by Sibanda between two parties.

“The accused person received $15 000 from Nyoni as payment for the house on the pretext that he would deduct $4 000 for his commission and surrender $11 000 to Ncube,” said Mr Makonese.

The prosecutor said Sibanda converted the money to his personal use and did not give Ncube anything.

Mr Makonese said Nyoni discovered that he was duped after two weeks when he wanted to occupy the house.

“Efforts to locate the accused person were fruitless as he was already on the run. The complainant made a report to the police leading to the accused person’s arrest,” he said.- State Media

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has embarked on lifestyle audits as one of its initiatives to improve tax compliance levels and to assist taxpayers with information on tax matters.

The audits are carried out to verify compliance of individual taxpayers in terms of the statutes administered by Zimra, which include Income Tax Act 9Chapter 23:060; Capital Gains Act (Chapter 23:010); Value Added Tax Act (Chapter 23:12) and Customs and Excise Act (Chapter 23:02).

What is a lifestyle audit?

This is a type of audit carried out with specific attention on income received by individuals. It involves verification of a person’s personal expenditure patterns to determine if it is consistent with his declared taxable income to Zimra. Any variances noted will result in an amendment to the declared income and recovery of any additional tax.

Objectives of lifestyle audits

Lifestyle audits are carried out to:

• Assess and collect additional revenue
• Educate clients on how to correctly declare their income and make self-assessment of their tax status in terms of the law
• Promote compliance
• Update clients tax affairs

Benefits to the client

• Tax status will be regularised and a tax clearance certificate can be issued
• Increased knowledge by the client on tax matters
• Greater understanding of the client of their personal tax status

Focus of the audit

The lifestyle audit focuses on every individual who is in receipt of income. The income may be from employment, pension payments, business operations, dividends, rental income, disposal of shares and or real estate, among others.

• What is involved and the intended outcome?
• The verifications will involve the following, among others:
• Interviewing clients

Requests for information to support sources of income and/or expenditure

Education of clients on tax matters

Issuing of amended assessments where discrepancies are noted and collection of any tax due

Why clients should cooperate

• The following are benefits for cooperating with Zimra officers as they carry out lifestyle audits:
• Reduction in cost of compliance by clients
• Client’s cooperation is taken into consideration whenever penalty reduction is considered
• Reduction of time spent by the clients on traditional audits
• Results in regularisation of the client’s tax affairs
• The issued tax clearance certificate can enhance clients’ business opportunities and prospects.

Disclaimer

This article was compiled by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority for information purposes only. Zimra shall not accept responsibility for loss or damage arising from use of material in this article and no liability will attach to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

Tune in to Radio Zimbabwe every Wednesday from 1900-2000 hours for a discussion on Tax and Customs matters.

You can write or think whatever you like, Dairibord chief executive Anthony Mandiwanza somberly told assembled analysts and the media at the group’s presentation of its financial results for 2016 last Wednesday.

He had just announced a net loss of $5,4 million for the period, from a $2,3 million profit recorded in the preceding year, and an operating loss of $3,99 million from a $3,97 million operating profit previously and the stunned audience wanted answers.

“We know that our performance last year was very bad due to a number of issues and we know you have a negative impression about it, but we promise to improve  this year going forward,” he added.

Zimbabwe’s largest milk processor, Dairibord reported a rather disappointing set of results for the full-year to December as the company failed to  align production costs to the level of revenue generated citing a number of challenges — a decline in average prices, supply constraints and  high production costs among others.

The theory of expansion 

When an analyst suggested that in the current environment, the company should focus more on managing costs of the existing operations rather than continue with expansion initiatives which were not bearing economies of scale, Mandiwanza retorted that the company will not held back from expanding because the results were not immediate.

“We are not going to shrink ourselves to get outside of the pit but we do believe that we should  grow out of it,” he said.

The group invested a total of $5,4 million in 2016.

It splashed on the UHT carton processing and filling plant to localize production of cartonised ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk which will result in import substitution and some savings. Mandiwanza said the plant has capacity to process and pack cartonised juices.
It expanded the capacity of the Pfuko/Udiwo maheu plant to meet demand and increased the number of flavours.
Additionally, the company invested in peanut butter processing to enhance capacity and product quality.

This, according to Mandiwanza, means that the business has sufficient capacity to meet current and future demand.

Dairibord should be one of the companies to benefit from the import restrictions but dairy products continue to be smuggled into the market so foreign competition remains a challenge and will continue to put pressure on the topline.

Additionally, the company is facing the threat of new entrants in the market with relatively cheaper products.

In the period, revenue declined by 10 percent from $103,4 million recorded in the preceding year to $93,4 million chiefly as a result of price reductions to address affordability and competitiveness.

The company revised prices downwards in the period resulting in a significant 9 percent decline in consolidated average price from $1,23 per litre in the previous year to $1,13 per litre.

Sales volume declined by one percent to 83 million units as a result of lost production although this was partially offsetted by a surge in raw milk intake which was up 18 percent to 31 million litres.

The company experienced supply constraints emanating from the mismatch between raw milk and demand, worsened by delays in the commissioning of the UHT plant.

As a result the company said it lost 2 million litres of liquid milk, a disruption which had a very significant impact on revenue.

Foreign currency shortages also led to supply challenges for raw materials, putting further pressure on volumes.

Nevertheless, Dairibord’s raw milk intake increased 20 percent and was above the 14 percent increase in national raw milk production for 2016 because of better supplies from contracted farmers benefitting from its heifer importation scheme initiated two years ago.

The company’s market share of the national raw milk stood at 47 percent. Additionally the company’s Pfuko/Udiwo product line continues to thrive, with volumes  rising 18 percent on increased capacity and additional flavours.

Challenges, fears
The twin challenges, lower prices and volume decline had a material impact on revenue which declined by 10 percent. In terms of revenue contribution by portfolio, liquid milk and food portfolios contributed 33 percent and 26 percent respectively while beverages accounts for 41 percent with the logistic portfolio contributing less than a percent in 2016.

Liquid milk prices per litre fell 15 percent to $1,09 while food and beverages declined by 9 percent and one percent to $2,21 and $0,87 per litre respectively.
However, Mandiwanza hopes that prices will hold steady after inflation moved into positive territory for the first time in February and looks likely to spiral amid currency challenges.

“The trend of price reduction for the entire portfolio is not expected to continue going forward given the positive shift in inflation from January 2017,” Mandiwanza told analysts.

Production costs remained flat at $20,9 million but gross profit fell 23 percent to $18,9 million on lower revenues.

Overheads increased by 10 percent from $20,7 million in the previous year to $22,8 million partly on the back of a $2,8 million once off impairment of inventories, receivables and equipment.

However, even if the impact of these impairments is excluded, the business still remained unprofitable due to misalignment of the cost structure to the level of production.

The company incurred significant costs to get alternative sources of water as outages in the second half of the year impacted the beverages portfolio as the company was forced to buy in water at $12 to $17 per cubic metre from third parties versus $1,4 per cubic metre from local authorities..
Mandiwanza told analysts that erratic supply and high cost of water procured from third parties for Simon Mazorodze and Chitungwiza factories significantly add to costs incurred during the period

Such exorbitant prices led to very high production costs, thereby stifling the company’s operational efficiency.

Exports will remain subdued as the average cost of raw milk in Zimbabwe at 57 cents/litre, remained high relative to regional competitors, making Zimbabwe’s milk and milk related products uncompetitive on the regional markets.

Dairibord Malawi which contributed three percent of group revenue, posted an operating loss of $200,000 in the year and has been an albatross for a while now.

Mandiwanza said it Dairibord will hold on to the loss-making operation and explore other options to extract value from the business.
Not all gloom and doom
On the downside, foreign currency constraints are most likely to continue with negative effect on supply materials.
Milk powder prices are also projected to be lower than in 2016, thereby continuing to put pressure on revenue.
Additionally, competition will increase as new entrants invest in processing capacity and this might as well force the company to further revise prices downwards to protect its market share.
However the company has taken significant steps to counter the downside risks.
This include the realignment of its business model to reduce costs which saw the company consolidating Dairibord, Lyons and NFB logistics operations in a bid to eliminate duplication across the value chain, roles and responsibilities as well as reducing distribution costs.
Subsequently, the company projected a minimum savings of $2 million with a rationalisation cost of $1 million from retrenchments, head office relocations and relocation of plant and equipment.
Additionally, investment in 1,5 million litres water storage capacity with one week cover at the Chitungwiza factory will minimise water supply disruptions, thereby curbing exorbitant costs experienced in the previous period owing to water outages.
Mandiwanza said Dairibord would invest $2,5 million for the year towards water reservoirs, cold chain equipment and distribution vehicles in a bid to improve its operational efficiency.

The company also targets to import 300 heifers this year to increase milk production.
Given the investments in the preceding year and the ones on the books for 2017, the management is optimistic that the business has sufficient production capacity to support growth in demand going forward.
However, success will be depend on how far the measures instituted to reduce costs and expand capacity will yield positive results in an operating environment that is worsening by the day. Or more dark days lie ahead. – The Source

We regret to let our valued readers know that due to circumstances beyond our control the Hazel Cheuka program has been lifted to Sunday 4pm.

NEW TIME: Sunday 9th April

TIME:         4pm (DURATION 1Hour)

Zimbabwe has run out of cash and fuel ZimEye can report.

A ZimEye reader reported that fuel stations had run dry on fuel, “Bulawayo petrol stations running out of fuel. 3 service stations NO FUEL.”

The three stations in Bulawayo are, Bobs garage, Ascot service station and the service station corner Robert Mugabe and 5th street.

Meanwhile the local Daily News reports of a severe cash crisis which is worsening, forcing banks to reduce further their daily withdrawal limits — in addition to suspending dispensing money through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

This prompted analysts who spoke to the paper yesterday to say that this confirmed that the local economy was dying and “hurtling towards total collapse”.

It also comes as most banks are now disbursing a maximum of $30 dollars a day, down from their usual $100 — while those that had capped the maximum withdrawal limit at $500 a week have pulled this back to $200.

The cash shortages are also continuing to worsen despite the recent opening of the tobacco marketing season, where more than $47 million worth of the leaf has so far been sold.

Economic advisor to President Robert Mugabe, Ashok Chakravarti, told the journalists yesterday that the escalating cash crisis was a result of “long-term problems” that came after the country opted to have one of the world’s strongest currencies, the US dollar, as its anchor currency.

“We have close to $6,5 billion in deposits and at the end of January we had a little over $300 million in cash circulating.

“Under such circumstances, it only makes sense that we have shortages. Do not blame the banks, it is not their fault, they are only looking for a coping mechanism,” Chakravarti said.

He recommended that the government should adopt the South African rand and ditch the dollar.

“I have said this before, we need a weaker currency. The weaker, the better for us. As South Africa has just been downgraded, this is an opportune time. What we just need is a weaker currency,” he added.

Veteran economist John Robertson said the cash problems were going to persist until the government urgently fixed the country’s economic fundamentals.

“This has been going on for the past year and in my view, the situation is not likely to improve in the near future because economic fundamentals remain the same.

“Government’s wage bill still makes up the majority of deposits and as soon as those deposits are recorded, civil servants want to withdraw the money. But there is essentially no money in the system . . . Not even tobacco earnings will save us this time” Robertson said.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) increased the bond notes withdrawal limit from a maximum of $150 a week to $100 per day, and $300 per week towards the end of last year.

It has so far injected $102 million worth of the surrogate currency into the system.

The cash shortages come as there are growing fears that the country’s economy may soon hit the disastrous lows of 2008 — as bond notes continue to lose their value against the United States dollar, with the coveted greenback now almost completely unavailable on the open market.

At the same time, economists have previously told the Daily News that poverty levels in the country are skyrocketing, with average incomes now at their lowest levels in more than 60 years — and with more than 76 percent of the country’s families now having to make do with pitiful incomes that are well below the poverty datum line of more than $500.

Mugabe and his warring ruling Zanu PF, in power since Zimbabwe’s independence from Britain in 1980, stand accused of turning the once-thriving local economy, which at one time was regarded as the bread basket of Africa, into a much-derided basket case. – Daily News

Ray Nkosi | Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)  leader Morgan Tsvangirai did not attend the much publicised NERA demonstration amid speculation that he is back in South-Africa for treatment.

His office could not be immediately reached for comment.

Tsvangirai was last year diagonised with colon cancer and has been recovering steadily over the past weeks. Tsvangirai was represented at the NERA demo by his deputy Nelson Chamisa and secretary general Douglas Mwonzora.

Mwonzora expressed  dissatisfaction with the Zimbabwe Election Commission’s response to the #NERAdemo petitions.

ZLHR MOUNTS FREEDOM BID FOR MAN CHARGED OVER ANTI-MUGABE SLUR

GWANDA Magistrate Willard Mafios Moyo will on Tuesday 11 April 2017 deliver his ruling on a freedom bid filed by a 49 year-old man, who was summoned to stand trial for allegedly undermining authority of or insulting President Robert Mugabe.

49 year-old Themba Nyoni, appeared at Gwanda Magistrates Court on Tuesday 04 April 2017 after he was summoned to stand trial on charges of undermining authority of or insulting the President in contravention of Section 33 (2) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:27 after he allegedly told Abedinico Ncube, the Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage Minister that President Mugabe was too old and should consider stepping down from his position as the leader of the country.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers who arrested Nyoni alleged that the former MDC councillor uttered the following words in isiNdebele: “Mina angisoze ngi-join ZANU PF, hambani liyetshela uMugabe a-step down kuthi ngize ngijoine iZANU PF” which the law enforcement agents translated to mean; “Go and tell Mugabe to step down so that I can join ZANU PF.” This reportedly incensed Ncube, who reported Nyoni to ZRP officers and who immediately arrested the former MDC councilor, who has retired from being a politician.

Nyoni’s lawyer Lizwe Jamela of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) on Tuesday 04 April 2017 challenged the prosecution of his client by filing an application for exception to the charge preferred against the former MDC councillor in Gwanda and argued that the allegations complained of against his client do not disclose an offence.

Magistrate Moyo will on Tuesday 11 April 2017 rule on Nyoni’s application.

Nyoni was arrested on Saturday 28 January 2017 and charged with undermining authority of or insulting the President in contravention of Section 33 (2) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:27.

He was set free on Wednesday 01 February 2017, when he appeared at Gwanda Magistrates Court after Jamela argued that his client had not committed any offence to warrant him to be put on trial.

However, the National Prosecuting Authority on 13 February 2017 issued a certificate authorising Nyoni’s prosecution hence he was summoned to stand trial on Tuesday 04 April 2017.

ZLHR has in recent years noted a dramatic increase in the arbitrary application of Section 33 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23, where individuals have been charged with allegedly “”insulting or undermining the authority of the President’.

ZLHR’s records compiled since 2010 show that the organisation has attended to close to 150 cases where clients have fallen foul of this law and the bulk of the victims are residents and villagers residing
in the politically volatile Mashonaland Central province.

ZLHR has challenged the constitutionality of Section 33 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) on several occasions, on the basis that it infringes on freedom of expression, particularly of a public figure, and one who must be subjected to scrutiny as a political candidate.

In courts, the NPA has in recent years and months been withdrawing charges against several suspects after declining prosecution and conceding before Constitutional Court judges that the allegations do not disclose the commission of an offence. This would be after ZLHR lawyers would have petitioned the country’s apex court seeking orders challenging the constitutionality of the insult law.

The B737-800NG taxied through a fireman salute upon it’s arrival in #Harare.Thank you @caaz.#Zimbabwe #Rwanda #FlyTheDreamOfAfrica pic.twitter.com/c04oGm1T9B

— RwandAir (@FlyRwandAir) April 5, 2017

Rwanda Air flew into Zimbabwe for the first time this morning.

State media reports that Rwanda Air flew into Harare amid ululations from stakeholders on the local tourism industry.

The inaugural flight to Harare is part of the open skies policy that government has adopted in recent years.

Permanent Secretary for Transport and Infrastructural  Development Mr Munesushe Munodawafa, Civil Aviation Authority General Manager Mr David Chawota and the Rwandan community were on hand to welcome the new baby in the Zimbabwe skies.

Cleric Phillip Mugadza is refusing to settle a $15 medical bill incurred when he was treated at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (Parirenyatwa), demanding that President Robert Mugabe must foot the expense.

The man of cloth — who made headlines after prophesying that 93-year-old Mugabe will die on October 17 this year — was treated at the public hospital after alleged torture while in police custody.

In an April 3, 2017 letter addressed to Parirenyatwa’s administrator, Mugadza said he was economically incapacitated and could not pay the bill “either in United States dollars or bond notes”.

“I hereby acknowledge receipt of your text message on my mobile phone on March 29, with reference number PGH680239. It was informing me of what I owe you for the treatment I got from your hospital on November 22, last year,” read the letter.

“Regrettably, I am so much unable to raise that $15. Secondly, I was not treated for a natural affliction. It was inflicted on me by the President’s Office; therefore it goes without saying that the president will have to pay for it,” Mugadza said.

“ . . . don’t hesitate to inform him that is what I said because he is so much aware of it, and besides, he is able to offset that little amount,” he said.

In his initial court appearance on the criminal nuisance charge, Mugadza, through his lawyer Gift Mtisi, complained that he had been assaulted by police officers in plain clothes at Parliament Building.