Shyleen Mtandwa | The Harare City Council has prejudiced the local authority of over $1.5 million it over paid to nine of its former senior executives as part of their retirement packages, a government audit has revealed.

The scam was exposed in an audit which was instituted by government last year and the results came out last week.

The audit said the $1.5 million should be recovered by the local authority in the earliest possible time.

“The minister (Saviour Kasukuwere) should cause through the council further intentions into the over payments and the HCD to be charged with misconduct and be suspended from duty as he processed $1,618,610.63 more than what was agreed on negations.

“Harare City Council should have the executive payroll subject to verification including by its internal audit in compliance with the public finance management,” said the report.

The following are the names and over payment figures of the former Harare City Council nine executives.

Mungofa S,($729,404.80),Chiromo RZ ($24,605.37), Chivavaya J ($203,373.42), Muza E ($4,967.49),Gandiwa M ($10,735.24), Dhliwayo P, ($38,027.00), Chiwanga PC,($278,573.58), Chiyangwa J ($29,881.45) and Zvakaramba C, ($299,042.28).

The report said these individuals should be approached and made to return the money.

Cabinet has approved the payment of civil servants’ bonuses in cash and workers are guaranteed their 13th cheque beginning next month, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira has said.

The Government needs an additional $180 million to pay its workers their 2016 annual bonuses.

Minister Mupfumira yesterday said the issue of residential stands would now be handled under the National Joint Negotiating Council, a platform that brings together the Government and civil servants unions.

“To give assurance to the workers, Cabinet approved the March 6 agreement that was sealed between Government representatives and the workers,” she said.

“It means the move has the support of the country’s leadership and it was also agreed that the issue of residential stands be handled through the NJNC.”

Civil servants representatives were anxious about their bonuses after last year’s incident when Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa sought to suspend payment of the 13th cheque for two years, a decision reversed by Cabinet a few days later.

ONE more person has died following last week’s horrific accident that occurred near the National University of Science and Technology, bringing the death toll to 15.

Enert Sibanda who had been admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit died yesterday morning.  Her death came on the same day when seven other victims of the same accident were being buried in moving scenes at West Park Cemetery.

Fourteen people from two families died on the spot on Wednesday night last week when they were travelling in a commuter omnibus to a funeral in Masvingo.

Sibanda suffered serious head injuries and on Sunday, her family sent a plea for $600 for her to undergo a CT head scan.  Her brother, Mr Kenny Sibanda who also lost three children in the crash wept throughout the funeral service and could not hold up even at the cemetery where the other seven accident victims were being buried.

An emotional service was conducted at Kings and Queens funeral parlour where family, residents and friends shed tears as the seven coffins were paraded.

Speaking after the burials, Mr Sibanda said he was devastated by his sister’s death in hospital after the others died on the spot.

“When I thought she would survive, the Lord took her as we laid her fellow kinsmen to rest. I am hopeless, I have lost my children, now it’s my sister…I wonder how I will recover from this tragic loss,” said Mr Sibanda.

His children – Gift, Gracious and Sovia, his younger brother Luke, his ex-wife Magret Dube and her younger sister Rebecca Dube as well as a neighbour Grace Ndemera (48), who was accompanying the mourners to Masvingo when the accident occurred, were buried at West Park Cemetery.

Ray Nkosi | A Facebook group that is run by Zimbabwean mothers has been shut down by the company for allegedly selling firearms.

Zimbabwe’s first women’s group on Facebook Pahushamwari Hwedu is still closed up to now, with the administrators informing members that, ” Ladies : PH main group has been disabled by Facebook. Violation – Selling firearms. We are ‘cleaning’ up the wall, after which we will ask Facebook to review the group and reinstate it. No one has been removed by admins.”

Police have arrested four suspects in connection with last week’s brazen heist at OR Tambo International Airport, but are still searching for the stolen money.

One of the suspects is a police officer.

Acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane said last night two of the suspects had appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of armed robbery.

Phahlane declined to comment on the identity of the police officer who had been arrested, or his three alleged accomplices.

“The policeman is still being questioned and has not yet appeared in court. At this stage, we cannot rule out whether more officers will be arrested or not.

“The policeman is still being questioned and has not yet appeared in court. At this stage, we cannot rule out whether more officers will be arrested or not.

“What I can say is that none of the money has been recovered.”

The Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Shuvai Mahofa last week attacked Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) candidate in the upcoming Mwenezi East parliamentary by-election, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, describing him as an irrelevant empty basket with nothing meaningful to offer.

Addressing Zanu PF supporters at a rally at Rutenga Primary School to drum-up support for the Zanu PF candidate, Joosbi Omar, ahead of the April 8 by-election, a fired-up Mahofa mocked Bhasikiti as a confused political failure whose party exists merely in name.

“Kuno ndinonzwa kuti kuna Bhasikiti, iri ndiro bhasikiti risina kana chinhu zvaro…yangova tswanda yofanzirofa. Look at what happened in Masvingo RDC by-election, ZimPF’s Rosiwetta Madzivire was humiliated and she immediately resigned…that is how Zanu PF operates,” Mahofa said.

She also denied that Zanu PF was thriving on partisan distribution of public resources like farming equipment and inputs, saying anybody who deserves should benefit from the programme.

Ray Nkosi |Former Education Minister and opposition MDC politician, David Coltart has launched an anti -police legal campaign in which he is encouraging motorists to refuse to pay spot fines.

In the campaign, Coltart is inviting all motorists who would have been abused by the police at their roadblocks to come to him so that he represents them in the courts.

“Dear members of the community, have any of the following ever happened to you or any person you know: unreasonably delayed at a police roadblock because you had insufficient funds to pay a fine? and/or the police refuse to issue you a Form 265 to appear before a magistrate so that the magistrate can determine your guilt or innocence? and/or Car keys being confiscated by the police as means of forcing you to pay a spot fine?,”said Coltart .

Coltart who is also a practicing lawyer, said police had no right to force motorists to pay spot fines.

Gokomere High School headmaster Mr Stanley Mutsambiwa has been transferred and demoted after he was found guilty of diverting examination fees for average pupils to academically gifted pupils to ensure a high pass rate.

The pass rate at the Roman Catholic-run school has mostly been above 90 percent for both Ordinary Level and Advanced Level public examinations.

About 30 parents of former pupils who are said to have been prejudiced reportedly made formal complaints to the school and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s provincial offices in Masvingo.

Masvingo provincial education director Mr Zadius Chitiga said:

“Mr Mutsambiwa’s matter was finalised and verdict was reached. The position is Mr Mutsambiwa has been transferred to Mutero High School in Gutu as deputy headmaster after he was found guilty of a number of issues. This is a slight demotion from his position as headmaster. For the details on the allegations, you can contact Primary and Secondary Education Ministry permanent secretary Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango.”

Efforts to speak to Dr Utete-Masango were fruitless yesterday as she was said to be locked in a meeting. – state media

Bulawayo residents have rejected the National Peace and Reconciliation Bill for failing to deal with the Gukurahundi killings.

The killing of civilians by a crack army unit in the 1980s – a period referred to as Gukurahundi – took centre stage during a public hearing on the National Peace and Reconciliation Bill in Zimbabwe’s second largest city, Bulawayo.

Local people rejected the bill saying it does not address the Fifth Brigade atrocities that left at least 20,000 people dead in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.

They said there won’t be any peace and reconciliation as long as the Gukurahundi atrocities are not addressed.

The locals slammed the bill for not addressing the issue of the atrocities and others also criticized it for ‘giving too much power’ to the justice ministry in a number of instances.

BANJUL – The Gambia’s ruling coalition has broken apart ahead of a parliamentary poll next month, dealing a blow to new President Adama Barrow as he overhauls the country’s political system following his shock election victory. Nine political parties will run separately in the April 6 election, seven of which had united last December to oust veteran leader Yahya Jammeh, who ruled the tiny west African nation with an iron fist for 22 years.

Barrow had promised in January following his surprise defeat of Jammeh that the coalition would “continue as a family”.

But documents issued by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on Monday showed that 239 candidates will stand in April, representing nine separate organisations, with some running as independents.

The national assembly was long seen as a rubber stamp for Jammeh’s executive decrees, but the new president has promised to work in tandem with lawmakers, notably on constitutional reform in the former British colony.

The coalition split is likely to embolden Jammeh’s Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), which remains a major force in Gambian politics although the former president is now in exile in Equatorial Guinea.

The APRC took 43 of the 48 seats contested during the last parliamentary election in 2012, which was boycotted by the vast majority of opposition parties.

Five seats are also appointed by the president to give an overall 53 seats.

Barrow had barely finished putting his cabinet together before disagreements broke out last week over the poll, with one senior government source warning at the time that talks for an ongoing alliance were close to collapse.

Disagreements over representation and allocation of seats had caused tensions, the source said.

Barrow was formerly a member of the United Democratic Party (UDP), the largest opposition grouping in the Jammeh era, but resigned to run as the coalition candidate.

MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday beat police and State Security agents in Beitbridge, who were left with an egg in the face after a court freed 10 MDC-T members arrested on allegations of holding an unsanctioned meeting.

In a 12-page judgment, magistrate Trevor Nyatsanza interpreted the Public Order and Security Act (Posa) and how it could not apply against Morgan Ncube and nine others.

Nyatsanza said in the event a meeting had been held, only the convener should have been arrested and not the entire crowd.

Morgan Ncube, the MDC-T 2013 losing parliamentary candidate and nine others, including a woman with a baby, were on March 3 this year arrested on allegations of holding a meeting without seeking police approval.

A row has erupted between rival Zanu PF youth groups in Bulawayo over allegations of mistreatment of Indian and Jewish businesspeople in the city, it has emerged.

One of the groups currently engaged in intermittent protests to force the ruling party to expel Zanu PF interim Bulawayo provincial executive led and Anna Mokgohloa, claim rogue youths who support Provincial Affairs minister Eunice Sandi-Moyo were allegedly behind the harassment.

“We note with concern the abuse of businesspeople, especially those of the Indian and Jewish communities. We demand that these businesses are a no-go area as they have served Bulawayo for many years,” a petition seen by journalists read.

President Robert Mugabe donated biscuits to Tsholotsho cyclone victims. Below is a picture of the document showing who donated what to the people.

Terrence Mawawa, Gweru | Youth Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Minister, Patrick Zhuwao has stressed his support for the National Youth Service saying the programme plays a pivotal role in campaigning for Zanu PF.

Addressing party supporters in the Midlands Capital, Zhuwao praised National Youth Service members also known as Green Bombers for their loyalty to Zanu PF. Despite calls by opposition political parties and members of the civic society for the disbandment of programme, Zhuwao defended the role of Green Bombers. He claimed they were custodians of sovereignty.

The Green Bombers are well known for tormenting perceived Zanu PF opponents, political observers have said.

“Everyone should be reminded that the National Youth Service is clearly stipulated in Section 20 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Therefore the programme is here stay,” said Zhuwao.

He added: “We are actually in the process of reviving the programme across the country. We look forward to 1260 members this year. Those who are making a lot of noise about the programme will be put to shame.”

He accused the Zimbabwe Peace Project(ZPP) of peddling “falsehoods” about the National Youth Service.

“I know the ZPP has been saying a lot of unfounded issues about the National Youth Service,” said Zhuwao.

At least 80 000 members of the dreaded youth militia have been trained in Zimbabwe since 2007 according to the United States Country Report on Human Rights.

Kwekwe deputy mayor Aaron Sithole (MDC-T) has died, hardly a month after he was released from prison on bail.

Sithole died in Harare yesterday morning at a private hospital, after his health deteriorated while he was held at Hwahwa Prison in Gweru for nearly a month.

Close friend and fellow councillor, Janet Ticharunga confirmed his death.

“This sad news has left our hearts shattered. He was a sober and calm gentleman, who was unwavering in the face of dictatorship,” she said.

Sithole was slapped with a two-year jail term in January by Kwekwe provincial magistrate Ngoni Nduna, after being found guilty of engaging in violence during a demonstration against President Robert Mugabe’s regime.

He denied the charges and instead told the court that he was suffering from hypertension and was not in any shape to engage in demonstrations or throw stones at the police as alleged.

Sithole was, however, jailed together with MDC-T activist Tendai Virimayi and councillor Weston Masiya, who is also battling for life in hospital following his release on appeal.

The two councillors complained of having been exposed to harsh cold weather and poor food during their incarceration, which affected their health.

Kwekwe mayor Matenda Madzoke said his deputy was a sober and hardworking councillor, who was irreplaceable.

“We have lost a man who was driven by the interest of the people of Kwekwe. I worked well with him despite the fact that he was from MDC-T and I am from Zanu PF. It will be very difficult to replace him,” he said.-Newsday

• Mugabe “heroes acre escape.”
• Bulawayo and Mat North reject Gukurahundi Bill again.

By Stella Moyo| In what has been termed a Mugabe “heroes acre escape,” Bulawayo and Matabeleland North provinces have yet again rejected the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Bill now commonly referred to as the Gukurahundi Bill.

The bill has been pushed in this year 2017, 33 years after the Gukurahundi evils of the early 80s, a rush said to portray President Robert Mugabe’s attempt to carpet down the truth.

Residents from the two provinces completely rubbished the bill which is being brought for public consultations for the second time after it was also rejected by both Members of Parliament and members of the public in last year’s consultations.

The consulted residents claim that the redrafted bill still resembles the initial one which they say gives more protection to the perpetrators of former violence and atrocities instead of the victims.

The residents further claim that the bill gives too much room to state security to deny some so called big people room not to be tried in public for their involvements in past injustices and atrocities on the claim that their evidence could be a threat to national security.

In the consultations held in Bulawayo yesterday, residents even demanded for the complete dissolution of the current Parliamentary Committee on Justice claiming that the committee was failing to do its work by repeatedly producing a bill which fails to meet the constitutional expectations on truth and reconciliation.

The hearings move to Matabeleland South in Plumtree Town today where the people from Matabeleland South who were hardest hit by Gukurahundi atrocities of the early eighties are expected to make their contributions on the bill.

A police officer stationed in Beitbridge has been arrested for allegedly conniving with two people in an attempt to sell 27 cattle stolen from South Africa to the Cold Storage Commission in Bulawayo.

Patrick Gwete (34), a police officer based at Tuli police station in Beitbridge, Onius Ndou (46) and Leonard Mangavha (40) all of Swereki area under Chief Stauze, pleaded not guilty to stocktheft charges when they appeared before Beitbridge resident magistrate, Mr Langton Mukwengi.

They were remanded out of custody to March 20 for continuation of trial. Beitbridge Area Prosecutor, Mr Johannes Tlou said on August 3 last year at around midnight, Ndou and Mangavha illegally crossed the Limpopo River into South Africa and stole 27 cattle valued at R244, 000 at Kongo Farm.

They then allegedly drove the cattle back into the country on the same day. Mr Tlou said the pair also bought seven other cattle on August 4 at a cattle auction in Gwanda.

A Harare man who raped his friend’s sister in his car after offering her a lift home on Christmas Day, will spend the next 11 years in jail.

Davison Mutizwa (44) raped the 19-year-old woman in his vehicle while her two-year-old son watched.

The woman reportedly sustained internal injuries in her privates and bled for two weeks, a medical report revealed.

The magistrate Ms Lucy Mungwari sentenced Mutizwa to 16 years in prison, but suspended five years on condition of good behaviour.

Mutizwa will serve 11 effective years.

There was drama in court when Mutizwa’s mother wept uncontrollably soon after Ms Mungwari pronounced the sentence.

When Mutizwa was being led to the court’s holding cells by a prison guard, his mother stood up and raised her hands and wailed uncontrollably in disbelief.

“Maihwee. yohwee kani mwana wangu kani,” she wailed, much to the astonishment of the court and the gallery.

She had to be escorted out of the court room by a court orderly, as she was now disturbing the proceedings.

Ms Mungwari said a lengthy custodial sentence for Mutizwa would meet the justice of the offence, considering that he exposed the victim to sexually transmitted diseases.

She said the court needed to send a strong message to would be offenders.

“The convicted person did not respect the woman’s rights and worse still he exposed three people to sexually transmitted diseases – that is his wife, the victim and her husband,” she said.

“You almost ruined her marriage and her wedding was cancelled due to your actions. It is now uncertain if the wedding will take place.”

In aggravation, the prosecutor Mr Ephraim Zinyandu urged the court to send Mutizwa to jail for a lengthy period.

Mr Zinyandu proved that on Christmas Day last year, the woman went to a Christmas party with her child in Old Tafara suburb.

At around midnight, she decided to go back home to the nearby New Mabvuku suburb and was accompanied to the bus stop by her brother.

The victim’s brother flagged down Mutizwa’s vehicle after recognising him and he assured his sister that she would get home safely since he knew him.

Mutizwa drove to New Mabvuku and the woman gave him 25 cents which he said was not enough.

He then parked his vehicle and started demanding sexual intercourse as compensation for the other 25 cents, after telling her that the distance cost 50 cents.

Mutizwa proceeded to rape the woman.

VIVA Zimbabwe and former ZANU PF Central Committee member, Acie Lumumba has attacked MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Writing in on Tuesday, Lumumba said Tsvangirai can never take over the Presidency from Robert Mugabe.

While I want Mugabe gone, there is no way I want him replaced by Tsvangirai or Mujuru. Absolutely NO WAY

— LUMUMBALUMUMBA (@acielumumba) March 14, 2017

“While I want Mugabe gone, there is no way I want him replaced by Tsvangirai or Mujuru. Absolutely NO WAY

Hundreds of people thronged Nyachityu Village in Marange to pay their last respects to former acting Chief Marange Mr Gilbert Chikwadombo, who died on Sunday and was buried at his homestead here yesterday.

He was 49.

Mr Chikwadombo, who is remembered for serving his area with distinction both as a traditionalist and politician, succumbed to suspected malaria.

Addressing mourners, Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Dr Chris Mushohwe said Mr Chikwadombo left a void difficult to fill.

Dr Mushohwe said Mr Chikwadombo dedicated his life to serving the people politically and traditionally, which justifies why President Mugabe accorded him liberation hero status.

He explained that such a status can only be accorded to true patriots, adding that even the likes of former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru will not get such recognition since she has sold out.

“I know him as someone who was both politically and traditionally correct and worked tirelessly to ensure development of the Marange area. He was shrewd, and a gift to both Government and Zanu-PF. He was a true leader, a humble and servant leader,” said Dr Mushohwe, adding that the departed treated all equally.

A woman from Bulawayo who indiscriminately assaulted her nephew to death for allegedly stealing Z$100 000, was yesterday ordered to perform 360 hours of community service.

Ntombizodwa Ncube (46) of Cowdray Park suburb fatally assaulted Brighton Moyo (10) on suspicion that he stole school fees money which had gone missing in their house in 2005.

Ncube, who was initially facing a murder charge, was convicted of a lesser charge of culpable homicide by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese.

She was sentenced to five years in jail of which three years were suspended for five years on condition that she does not within that period commit a similar crime.

The remaining two years were further suspended on condition that she performs 360 hours of community service at Mahlathini Primary School in Cowdray Park suburb starting from today.

In passing sentence, Justice Makonese condemned Ncube’s conduct, saying it was deplorable.

“The young victim suffered a painful death and the courts frown upon people who take the law into their own hands. The force you used was extreme and you certainly exceeded the bounds of discipline when you brutally and senselessly attacked a 10-year-old boy.

ONE more person has died following last week’s horrific accident that occurred near the National University of Science and Technology, bringing the death toll to 15.

Enert Sibanda who had been admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit died yesterday morning.  Her death came on the same day when seven other victims of the same accident were being buried in moving scenes at West Park Cemetery.

Fourteen people from two families died on the spot on Wednesday night last week when they were travelling in a commuter omnibus to a funeral in Masvingo.

Sibanda suffered serious head injuries and on Sunday, her family sent a plea for $600 for her to undergo a CT head scan.  Her brother, Mr Kenny Sibanda who also lost three children in the crash wept throughout the funeral service and could not hold up even at the cemetery where the other seven accident victims were being buried.

An emotional service was conducted at Kings and Queens funeral parlour where family, residents and friends shed tears as the seven coffins were paraded.

“When I thought she would survive, the Lord took her as we laid her fellow kinsmen to rest. I am hopeless, I have lost my children, now it’s my sister…I wonder how I will recover from this tragic loss,” said Mr Sibanda.

His children – Gift, Gracious and Sovia, his younger brother Luke, his ex-wife Magret Dube and her younger sister Rebecca Dube as well as a neighbour Grace Ndemera (48), who was accompanying the mourners to Masvingo when the accident occurred, were buried at West Park Cemetery.

Insiza Rural District Council has temporarily suspended the issuing of stands at the new Bekezela high density area as it requires at least US$2 million to install water and sewer reticulation system for the residential suburb.

The gold mining district has continued to see an influx of fortune seekers in Filabusi, thereby creating a demand for housing stands.

Insiza Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Fidres Manombe says the local authority’s housing project has been hampered by the lack of funds to install water and sewer reticulation system at Bekezela high density area.

Of the US$2 million required by the council for developing the stands, government through the public sector investment programme has availed US$200 000 which will see the local authority installing collective septic tanks.

Ward 15 Councillor Thembinkosi Ngwenya says the local authority is keen to see the Growth Point expanding, hence efforts to provide stands at subsidised costs.

Filabusi has a total of 2927 stands with over 500 people currently on the council housing list.

Under the ZIM ASSET social services cluster Matabeleland South province had set itself to deliver 12 500 houses by 2018 and recent statistics shows that the province has surpassed its target.-state media

Zimbabwe has the highest teenage fertility rate in sub Saharan Africa. A national study has revealed that one in every 10 girls, aged between 15 to 19 years falls pregnant every year. Cultural and religious practices are being blamed.

The release of a shocking report has found that Zimbabwe records between 500 000 and 700 000 pregnancies annually. The report has also shown that almost a fifth of the pregnancies in this group are due to early child marriage.

Zimbabwe’s fertility is recorded to be twice as high in rural areas as opposed to those living in urban areas. Another concerning factor is the high rate of women dying while giving birth.

In 2016 government recorded that 514 women died while bringing in new life.

“This therefore requires our urgent attention as teenage pregnancy severely curtails girls and young women’s opportunity and hinders their ability to reach their full potential. A young adolescent girl can be an asset for her country if she is not married off during her childhood, if she is not forced to leave school or exposed to an unplanned pregnancy that puts her to high risk of illness, “says the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s Zimbabwe Representative Cheikh Cisse.

According to the UNFPA, every day in developing countries, 20 000 young girls under 18 give birth. This amounts to 7.3 million births a year. Southern Africa has the highest level of adolescent pregnancy. It is estimated at 101 births per 1000 woman.

Cisse says teenage pregnancy remains a major challenge around the world.

“Throughout the world pregnancy remains a challenge to young people. Adolescent pregnancy is a major contributor to maternal and child mortality and to the vicious cycle of ill health and poverty. “

Zimbabwe’s health ministry has since called on traditional leaders to respect the country’s laws and move away from some cultural practices that marry off young girls. – SABC

THE MDC T says it has long given up on reporting attacks by their Zanu PF rivals to the police insisting the law enforcement agents have shown little enthusiasm to prosecute President Robert Mugabe’s followers.
Seven MDC-T youths in Harare were left hospitalised weekend for injuries sustained during attacks by Zanu PF youths during the party’s ongoing door-to-door campaign.
But still, MDC-T youth organising secretary, Denford Ngadziore said they will not report the attacks.
“We have not reported the matter to the police because they will not do anything about it.
“It is as if the police belong to a certain group of people,” he said.
Ngadziore accused Highfields West legislator Psychology Mazivisa of instigating the violence.
“I can confirm that seven MDC-T youths were injured and hospitalised in Highfields over the weekend.
“The information we gathered is that Highfields West MP Psychology Maziwisa bussed people from Mbare who attacked the MDC-T youths,” Ngadziore said.
Zimbabwean police have often been accused of being partisan towards President Mugabe’s party.
Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri is an avowed Zanu PF supporter and is often seen together with other service chiefs at some Zanu PF gatherings such as the party’s annual people’s conferences and President Mugabe’s birthday celebrations.
According to the Zimbabwe Peace Project monthly reports on politically motivated violations, the MDC-T often tops the lists of political violence victims while Zanu PF has top the perpetrators list.
Police have often been accused of overzealous pursuit of cases in which Zanu PF supporters fall victim to attacks by rivals, albeit on rare occasions.
Meanwhile, Ngadziore has vowed the attacks by their rivals will not deter the youths from going ahead with the fresh campaigns which aim to lure more support for the main opposition ahead of next year’s harmonised elections.
“This will not stop us; we are definitely going to continue. It is an ongoing programme which will take place every Saturday and Sunday,” he said.
MDC-T rolled out a door to door mobilising campaign as it seeks to target one million voters.

 A Chipinge woman has been hacked to death with a machete for shaving her pubic hair without her husband’s consent.

Now Kudzai Ndongwa (35) of Mbeure Village under Chief Musikavanhu, Chipinge has been convicted by High Court Judge, Charles Hungwe of murder. He was slapped with a 25-year jail term.

Justice Hungwe condemned Ndongwa for being ruthless towards his wife and cutting her life short in cold blood.

He said: “The matter constitutes the worst case scenario of domestic violence at a time where we are fighting day and night against such violent acts.

“It has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that the deceased had not provoked you in any way, but you went ahead and murdered her. As your wife and dependant, your main duty was to protect her, but you acted otherwise and killed her in cold blood and therefore you deserve an even stiffer jail term.”

In his defence, however, Ndongwa told the court that his wife’s action was taboo in their culture and that she had to get his nod before shaving off her pubic hair.

“I did not intentionally kill her My Lord. My main aim was to discipline her as she had disrespected me by shaving off what belonged to both of us. Instead of asking for permission, she went ahead and shaved off the pubic hair behind my back. This angered me.

“I, however, do not know what happened next as I was no longer myself after I begun assaulting her. It might not have been me who committed the heinous crime because up to now I do not remember how everything happened. I was not in my normal senses,” he defended himself.

The State led by Mrs Jane-Rose Matsikidze alleged that on April 3, 2016, Ndongwe who was in his bedroom hut, noticed the late Tendekai Mabika burying something in a disused pit within their homestead.

After Mabika had left the pit, Ndongwe went to check on what had been thrown away by his wife. He concluded that the buried plastic bag contained what seemed like human hair.

The angry Ndongwa then confronted his wife on why she had shaved without his consent and even went further to throw away the pubic hair secretly. This led to a heated argument between the couple.

Mabika is alleged to have asked Ndongwa on whether he was labelling her witch, thereby making the latter much angry.

Ndongwa went back into his bedroom hut and came back armed with a machete.

In the middle of the heated argument, Ndongwa struck Mabika with the machete. Mabika took to her heels, but Ndongwa was in hot pursuit.

Ndongwa struck her on the head, chest and neck multiple times with the machete. After committing the heinous offence, Ndongwa went and changed his blood-stained clothes and hid the machete.

By Staff Reporter A Germany based organization, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, (KAS), has pledged to give technical support to the Parliament of Zimbabwe, by inviting regional and international intellectuals to engage with local law makers in various political and economic discourses which inform legislative processes.

The intellectual capacity of some of the current local Members of Parliament is questionable as evidenced by the ill-informed discussions and debates they engage in, in parliament.

The poor quality of parliamentary debates is exacerbated by lack of stipulated minimum qualifications required for one to become a law maker.

Emerging from his closed door meeting with the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, at his government offices at the weekend, KAS director, David Mbae, said they intended to strengthen the intellectual capacity of Zimbabwe MPs.

“ The most important part is working on capacity building of Parliament portfolio committees  and briefing members of parliament on several issues , for example bringing in local experts ,regional experts and even  people from Germany ,where we as an organization come from , bringing them in order to brief local legislators on questions that they might need in order to put the right legislation in place  and be informed and also inform their constituencies and communities about issues that affect them,” said Mbae.

Mbae, said they were also interested in intensifying climate change awareness campaign programmes , which   most communities in Zimbabwe were  yet to get a full appreciation of.

“ We are looking at sustainable development issues which make the country’s economy blossom  and  my meeting with the speaker of parliament was focused on our cooperation  we are trying to have with parliament and portfolio committees   on several issues,” said Mbae.

The ANC Youth League supports the party’s Mpumalanga chairman David Mabuza’s position that EFF leader Julius Malema should be brought back to the governing party.

ANCYL leader Collen Maine told Sowetan that people who were expelled from the ANC, including Malema, must come back.

“The ANC is a home for everybody. We need each other in the ANC. The ANC is a big elephant, but if many people leave, the elephant will collapse. We must do everything in our power to prevent the elephant from collapsing,” Maine said.

“If bringing [back] people who were expelled will assist the ANC, let us bring them back.”

This comes after Mabuza told the ANCYL provincial general council in Mbombela at the weekend that the ANC was weaker without Malema.

Mabuza, a close ally of President Jacob Zuma, also said he was considering bringing Malema back into the ANC.

But the EFF will have none of this. EFF spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi described the remarks by Mabuza as a “selfish attempt to raise his profile and make news”.

“Mabuza, who represents nothing ideologically, has taken a decision to use the name of the CIC [commander-in-chief] in his campaign towards the ANC conference,” Ndlozi said yesterday.

“We know for sure that he does not mean any of the things he is saying, just like those in the ANC who are talking about land. They are all claiming that they believe in land expropriation without compensation, but we are not fooled because they only use this to gain public attention for their aims to take over the ANC.”

Mabuza is reported to have ambitions to become the ANC deputy president when the party holds its national elective conference in December.

Ndlozi said Malema would never be recruited into any political formation by a “kleptocrat” like Mabuza.

“DD Mabuza represents everything that is wrong with the ruling party,” Ndlozi said.

Malema was ANCYL leader before he was expelled from the ANC in 2012. Sowetan

A CHITUNGWIZA woman allegedly stole a baby in Pretoria, South Africa where she was employed as a maid before misleading her Zimbabwean based boyfriend that she had just given birth.

Sarudzai Mutingondo, 33, was nabbed by police in Chitungwiza’s St Marys on Saturday and is currently in police cells as she waits to appear in court.

According to a source, Sarudzai stole the baby in October 2016 in Pretoria before escaping to Zimbabwe where she lied to her boyfriend that she had given birth while in South Africa. The baby’s real mother is believed to be a Zimbabwean from Masvingo.

Sarudzai is said to have been pregnant when she left Zimbabwe for South Africa last year but had a miscarriage, which she presumably didn’t inform the boyfriend about.

The 33-year-old is said to had got a job in Pretoria where she worked as a maid and when her employer left her with the baby, she took advantage and escaped with the baby to Zimbabwe.

Sources suspect that the baby is about 10-months-old as Sarudzai does not know the exact age of the child.

“Sarudzai was left with the baby by her employer in Pretoria before she stole the baby and escaped back to Zimbabwe. She brought the baby to her boyfriend and they have been living with the baby as theirs since October.

“It was just recently when we heard that she was on the run in South Africa for stealing the baby. She was picked by police on Saturday,” a source said.

Sources added that Sarudzai had been handed over to the Harare Central Police’s Law and Order from Chitungwiza and she is set to appear in court. – State Media

A two-year-old boy has been admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo after his mother, who is a psychiatric patient, allegedly chopped off his manhood.
The woman from Magwegwe North suburb, who cannot be named for ethical reasons, was alleging that her son’s privates were too big for his age.

The baby was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where he has been admitted for the past two months.

Authorities are reportedly now looking for a Children’s Home where he will be taken to when he is discharged.

A family member who spoke on condition of anonymity said the baby’s mother was taken to Ingutsheni Central Hospital following the incident.

“We were shocked when we heard that she had cut her son’s privates. Neighbours said she called them screaming for help after chopping the manhood which she described as too big for his age,”she said.

“We’re equally shocked and sad that the boy will live without his manhood for the rest of his life. It was a traumatic incident and we hope both him and the mother will recover.”

She said a police report was made.

Mpilo acting clinical director Dr Xolani Ndlovu said: “I’m sorry I’m not in a position to confirm or deny if there is indeed such a patient as it involves a minor.”

A nurse who spoke on condition of anonymity said the child had suffered a traumatic amputation.

“This child came here sometime in January and we didn’t see the piece of the cut manhood. We have been treating and nursing him since then as his mother had to be taken to Ingutsheni Central Hospital. She had become a hazard to the child and other patients as she exhibited violent tendencies,” said the nurse. -State Media

PRIMARY and Secondary Education minister Lazarus Dokora yesterday defended the introduction of Muslim and Buddhism studies in the new education curriculum, arguing this would not result in learners being converted to these religions.

Dokora told legislators after a thorough grilling that the idea was to get children to appreciate other religions and understand how they function and exist in the world. “The responsibility of preaching is for pastors, not for teachers. Pastors are responsible of preaching and converting people to their religions, not my teachers,” Dokora said.

“You are responsible for taking your kids to church. You are responsible for converting them to different religions, not my teachers, they are teachers, not preachers.”
Dokora’s deputy Paul Mavhima weighed in, saying: “Just like we teach different cultures, we are also teaching different religions so that our children can understand different religions without asking them to convert to any other religion because we are not pastors.”

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda urged Parliamentarians to organise fundraising projects in areas that they represent and channel the resources to educational development.

“Teachers must have a good attitude and should be able to teach children in their local languages so that they can understand. As MPs, I also urge you to do fundraising programmes to assist school development committees and the ministry. You should also attend open days for your schools so that you can appreciate the nature of challenges that they have,” Mudenda said.

Dokora has come under fire over allegations he wanted to clandestinely have Zimbabwe declared a Muslim State with even President Robert Mugabe revealing he had quizzed the Cabinet minister over the issue.

Mugabe went further to reveal Dokora now carries the moniker “Ayatollah” after Iran’s former supreme leader.

The Education minister has consistently argued that his plan is to align Zimbabwe’s education system with contemporary global trends. -Newsday

Zimbabwe is negotiationg a new deal to continue importing power from South African utility Eskom to make up for shortfalls in generating capacity at its Kariba hydropower station, the energy minister said on Monday.

In January last year Eskom agreed a one-year deal to sell up to 300 megawatts of capacity to Zimbabwe, which was facing biting shortages of electricity caused by low water levels in the Kariba dam. Generation capacity fell to a low of 275 MW from 750 MW, causing widespread blackouts.

Samuel Undenge told reporters after a meeting between Eskom and state power utility ZESA Holdings that the two utilities were still discussing how much Eskom would supply to Zimbabwe, adding that imports would be paid for upfront.

“I don’t want load shedding (scheduled power cuts) to return and we have been assured of continued support from Eskom so that we continue to have the country supplied with power,” he said.

Officials from Eskom and ZESA did not comment.

Undenge said customers should pay their bills to ZESA, to enable the company to settle its Eskom debt, which stood at $40 million at the end of February.

ZESA is owed $1 billion in unpaid bills by customers, including government departments.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| A Chivi man went berserk and brutally murdered his father over family differences.

The man accused his father of failing to hold a memorial service for a late relative.

Lovemere Mutambu(29), of Muteve Village, under Headman Makovere in Chivi brutally killed his father,Marwi Mutambu(89) following a heated argument over the memorial service for the accused’ s late sister.

The matter was brought before Masvingo High Court Judge, Justice Mawadze on February 27,2017.

The court heard that the accused had an altercation with his father over the holding of the memorial service. The accused is a confined mental patient.

He picked up a log and used it to hit his father all over the body. He also crushed his father’s head with the log.

His father was rushed to Berejena Hospital where he was referred to Matibi Hospital .Nothing could be done to save his life.

“Marwi was rushed to hospital but it was too late to save his life, ” read part of the State Case.

A post mortem report submitted by Dr Calvin Maimba indicated that severe head injuries caused the death of Marwi.

Lovemore was acquitted of murder charges through a special verdict because he committed the offence when his mental state was unstable.

However he will undergo further examinations at Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit to determine whether he can rejoin the society.

A section of parents in Bulawayo have expressed concern over the limited time they were given to pay for November public examinations saying they were not given adequate time to raise the required fees considering the prevailing economic situation.

Parents who spoke to the state media said some schools notified them with two weeks left before the closing date for registration. Said Mrs Thobekile Dube:

I think it’s unfair. Normally when registration opens, it would be announced when there is ample time to look for money but now I only saw my child coming with a school form indicating the subjects they are registering. I’ve another A-Level student who must register. It’s hard for us, we need time.

Mr Isaiah Mandaza said his Upper Sixth Form child came home telling him about the deadline on the first of this month and he has to look for funds to hurriedly pay. Parents also said they were not aware of Zimsec’s two-year payment plan for examinations. However, Zimsec Public Relations Officer Ms Nicholette Dhlamini said parents were given ample time to pay for exam registration. Dhlamini said Zimsec only announced deadlines to exam centres and not to parents and it was up to the centres to give parents a deadline to pay.

Most of them professed ignorance over Zimsec’s two-year payment plan for examinations.

Zimsec Public Relations Officer Ms Nicholette Dhlamini said parents were given ample time to pay for exam registration.

She said Zimsec only announced deadlines to exam centres and not to parents and it was up to the centres to give parents a deadline to pay. “Two years ago we announced in the newspapers that a parent can now pay for their exam sitting pupil a year before the exam.

For example a parent can pay for their Grade Seven child when they are in Grade Six, giving them two years to pay exam fees, the same for O and A-Levels,” said Ms Dhlamini.

“Schools have different deadlines for examinations for administrative purposes. If schools don’t meet the deadlines we fine them.”

A headmistress who spoke on condition of anonymity said parents preferred to pay at the last minute forcing schools to come up with earlier deadlines.

“The plan by Zimsec is working well in primary schools where parents are told to pay a $1 or two for their Grade Seven examinations starting when the pupils are in Grade Six but in high school they want to pay during the last month,” said the headmistress. “The Zimsec deadline is March 30 but we are sticking to March 17 for A Levels and March 27 for Ordinary level because we will be trying to avoid last minute rushes. If you come and check on March 28 and 29 there will be people who will still be negotiating for an extension of the date.”

Zimbabwe Teachers Association Chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu encouraged parents to look for money to ensure that their children sit for examinations.

“It’s the right thing to pay on time and everybody will be ready for examinations,” said Mr Ndlovu.

The June registration period closed last month.

Former Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) chief executive Dr Cuthbert Dube, has lost a $3,5million cash award.

The Labour Court has quashed a $3,5 million arbitral award granted to Dube after he had earlier won a contractual dispute with the society.

Dr Dube won the $3,5 million arbitral award against the medical aid society in April 2015, entitling him to monthly salary and benefits backdated to January 2014.

He won the money in two arbitral awards, one against Premier Service Medical Investment (PSMI), a subsidiary of PSMAS, for $2 070 000 and the other against PSMAS for $1 380 000, bringing his total claims to $3 450 000.

But Dr Dube’s hopes for the rich pickings were damned after the Labour Court on Friday set aside the two arbitral awards.

Mrs Euna Makamure, sitting with Mrs Betty Chidziva, ruled that there was merit in the PSMAS and PSMI challenges and granted the appeal.

“In my view, in the two appeals, the respective arbitral awards are to be set aside,” said Mrs Makamure. “Accordingly, it is ordered that the arbitral award is each case be and is hereby set aside and substituted with the following — ‘the claimant’s (Dr Dube) claim is hereby dismissed’.”

Dr Dube was fired in January 2014 for awarding himself a hefty salary of $92 000 excluding other benefits from the group, and another $43 000 plus benefits from the subsidiary — PSMI.

After getting paid his allowances by both entities, Dr Dube would take home as much as $500 000 per month.

The two appeals were dealt with in one hearing because PSMAS and PMSI are closely related and the grounds of appeal were largely similar.

The appeals arose from the determinations made by arbitrator Mr Don Moyo.

Dr Dube had a written contract of employment with PSMAS, where he was the chief executive, drawing a salary of $92 000 per month.

He reached retirement age and was stopped from work, but the parties failed to agree on the contract, prompting the matter to be referred for arbitration.

Mr Moyo had to determine whether or not Dr Dube’s contract of employment was lawfully terminated, if not, what was the appropriate remedy?

He ruled in favour and ordered PSMAS to pay Dr Dube all his salary arrears at the given rate per month and benefits from the date he was last paid.

Mrs Makamure said Mr Moyo was called upon to decide whether the termination of contract was lawful or not, which he did not do.

“The learned arbitrator by making a finding that there was still a contract in existence between the parties, effectively made a new contract of employment between the parties,” she said.

“Making contracts for parties is not the duty of an adjudicating authority. An adjudicating authority deals with disputes arising from contracts or indeed interprets the terms of contracts where parties need interpretation of the terms of thereof in the context of disputes between them. They do not make contracts for parties.”

Mrs Makamure said there was no longer any binding contract between PSMAS and Dr Dube.

She said had Mr Moyo found that the contract had not been lawfully terminated, the appropriate remedy would then lie on whether to reinstate or make another order.

On PSMI, Mrs Makamure ruled that it was wrong to insinuate that Dr Dube’s contract of employment was enforceable against the firm.

She said the board, which was acting, extended Dr Dube’s contract for a 10-year period, but the same board reversed its decision.

“The position, therefore, is that the respondent’s contract was terminated upon him reaching retirement age,” she said.

Dr Dube, Mrs Makamure said, had no contract with PSMI.

Advocate Fadzayi Mahere instructed by Mr James Chikobvu Muzangaza argued the matter for PSMAS and PSMI, while Mr Jonathan Samukange of Venturas and Samukange acted for Dr Dube. -state media

A Harare man raped his friend’s sister in his car after offering her a lift home on Christmas Day.

Davison Mutizwa (44) raped the 19-year-old woman in his vehicle while her two-year-old son watched. The woman reportedly sustained internal injuries in her privates and bled for two weeks, a medical report revealed.

Mutizwa was yesterday convicted of rape by regional magistrate Ms Lucy Mungwari after a full trial. During the trial, the woman narrated her ordeal and told the court how she bit Mutizwa on his left arm during the scuffle.

“When I was about to get home I handed him 25 cents for the trip since it is the usual fare and he refused it saying it was not enough and he started demanding sexual intercourse instead,” she said.

“I then turned down his request and he suddenly became violent and stopped the vehicle before coming to the back seat where I was sitting. He took my baby from my lap and placed him on the other seat before raping me.”

To substantiate her testimony, the complainant told the court how she bit Mutizwa’s left hand during the scuffle. She then advised the court to check his hand and see if he had a scar.
The State and the defence approached Mutizwa who was in the dock and examined his hand. Both counsels saw the scar the complainant was referring to. The woman also told the court that she was supposed to tie the knot on March 4, but due to Mutizwa’s actions, her husband cancelled the wedding ceremony pending finalisation of the matter.

In his defence, Mutizwa denied the charges saying that he was being wrongly accused.
He added that the woman might have been raped by a fellow passenger who dropped off together with her, a claim that the victim vehemently denied insisting she was the only passenger.

As for the scar on his right hand, Mutizwa told the court that he has always had that scar.
However, Ms Mungwari convicted Mutizwa due to overwhelming evidence adding that the woman was a credible witness.

She remanded Mutizwa in custody to today for sentencing. Prosecutor Mr Ephraim Zinyandu proved that on Christmas Day last year, thewoman went to a Christmas party with her child.

At around midnight she decided to go back home and was accompanied to the bus stop by her brother. The victim’s brother flagged down Mutizwa’s vehicle after recognisinghim and he assured his sister that she would get home safely since he knew Mutizwa.

Mutizwa drove to New Mabvuku where he parked his vehicle and started demanding sexual intercourse as payment for the lift before raping her.

A Manicaland-based Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer is set to lose a substantial amount of his salary after it was garnished by the court to pay a victim that he brutally tortured over two years ago.

According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), which represented the victim, who was an ‘‘A’’ Level student then, the garnish order was granted last Friday.

The organisation said that the police officer Crispen Chikazhe will have $100 deducted from his salary every month, until he manages to pay the full damages of $570.

Chikazhe was accused of having tortured Brighton Sanyanga, then a 19-year-old pupil at Pafiwa High School in Mutasa District in Manicaland Province, following a demonstration that took place at the school.

“Sanyanga, who was an ‘A’ level student …was tortured by Chikazhe who had invited him to Nyanga Police Station to answer allegations of malicious damage to property … after a demonstration allegedly staged by the students.

“Chikazhe, in an effort to extract information from Sanyanga, tortured the student physically by exposing him to electrical shock and psychologically by threatening to kill him,” ZLHR said.

Through his lawyer Peggy Tavagadza from ZLHR, Sanyanga dragged the police officer to court demanding compensation.

“In 2014, after a full trial, the Mutare Magistrates’ Court awarded damages in the sum of $570 to Sanyanga, for torture, pain and suffering, medical expenses and transport costs,” ZLHR said.

However, Chikazhe, who is stationed at Nyanga Police Station, according to ZLHR had reneged on paying the judgment debt, prompting Tavagadza to file an application seeking an order compelling the Salary Services Bureau (SSB) to garnish the police officer’s salary.

In the application, Tavagadza argued that since Chikazhe earns about $380 per month, after the execution of the order, he would be left with a sufficient balance of income to maintain himself and his dependents.

ZLHR has in the past assisted villagers from the same community after being tortured by the police at Nyanga Police Station.

According to ZLHR, in one of the cases, two Nyanga Police Station-based officers only identified as Kapfunde and Kambanje were ordered to pay $3 000 in damages for torturing hotel security guard Tsitsi Chimhutu when they were investigating a break-in at Montclair Hotel last year.

The organisation said that Chimhutu was tortured by the police officers, who were trying to force a confession in a case where $2 500 had gone missing. Daily News

THREE members of the same family died on the spot after they were hit by a commuter omnibus which was travelling in the wrong lane allegedly to avoid potholes in Gweru’s Mkoba suburb.

The accident occurred on Saturday at around 4PM near Vashandiri Study Centre in Mkoba 12.

The commuter omnibus had no passengers at the time of the accident but is said to have been rushing to town since it was peak hour.

Witnesses said the deceased were dragged for about two metres while under the commuter omnibus as the driver tried to speed away from the scene.

The driver later stopped but bolted from the scene leaving his vehicle — a Nissan Caravan.

He later handed himself to the police and is assisting with investigations.

A family spokesperson, Mr Trust Mugovera, identified the deceased as Moreblessing Mharakurwa (20), her daughter Anopaishe Mugovera (1) and sister-in-law Tendai Mugovera (11) who was in Grade Six at Pakame Primary School in Shurugwi.

He said the three were on their way home from a barber shop which is opposite Vashandiri Centre where they had taken Tendai for a haircut.

“We lost three family members over the weekend. They were hit by a commuter omnibus that was rushing to town for passengers. They were walking coming from the barber shop when this commuter omnibus, which was travelling in the wrong lane as the driver was avoiding potholes, hit them. They all died on the spot,” said Mr Mugovera.

He said they were still to come to terms with the sudden death of their relatives.

“What is hurting us the most is the fact that the driver of the vehicle hasn’t shown up to apologise. He ran away leaving the three trapped under his vehicle,” Mr Mugovera said.

He said mourners were gathered at 2870/1 Mkoba 16.

The deceased are expected to be buried today at Mutasa cemetery in Gweru.

Meanwhile, the Gweru City Council director of Engineering Mr Robson Manatsa and some police officers visited the scene of the accident.

Acting Midlands Provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende was not reachable for comment.

Last week, 14 people were killed along the Bulawayo-Gwanda Highway near the National University of Science and Technology and a pothole was blamed for the accident.

OVER 25 people have been killed by floods that have wreaked havoc in the Midlands Province since the beginning of the rainy season.

Mberengwa, Gokwe North and Gokwe South districts recorded the most deaths in the province, said the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs Cde Jason Machaya.

Speaking during the donation of blankets and food for over 400 families who were affected by the floods and which were sourced by platinum miner Mimosa Mining Company in Zvishavane last Friday, Cde Machaya said some were killed by lightning.

“To date we have lost over 25 people to flooding since the beginning of the rainy season. However, many deaths occurred in Gokwe North, Gokwe South and Mberengwa.

“These three districts received more rains which saw rivers flooding which killed many people who attempted to cross the flooded rivers. Some were struck by lightning,” said Cde Machaya.

He said the floods left a trail of destruction in the Midlands Province and several families were left homeless.

The Minister said more than 10 bridges were either swept away or extensively damaged. Hundreds of livestock, including goats and chickens as well as the maize crop were swept away too.

He said Government with assistance from non-governmental organisations like the Red Cross and companies like Mimosa Mining Company was now moving in to assist the affected villagers to avert a humanitarian disaster.

@pchitumba1

The Chronicle is co-ordinating donations to assist Tsholotsho floods victims and those with donations such as second hand clothes and other such items should contact Editor’s secretary Estere Linje on 09-888871-9 or 0777952380 or bring such donations to the Chronicle at corner 9th Avenue and George Silundika Street.

A Harare man raped his friend’s sister in his car after offering her a lift home on Christmas Day.

Davison Mutizwa (44) raped the 19-year-old woman in his vehicle while her two-year-old son watched.

The woman reportedly sustained internal injuries in her privates and bled for two weeks, a medical report revealed.

Mutizwa was yesterday convicted of rape by regional magistrate Ms Lucy Mungwari after a full trial.

During the trial, the woman narrated her ordeal and told the court how she bit Mutizwa on his left arm during the scuffle.

“When I was about to get home I handed him 25 cents for the trip since it is the usual fare and he refused it saying it was not enough and he started demanding sexual intercourse instead,” she said.

“I then turned down his request and he suddenly became violent and stopped the vehicle before coming to the back seat where I was sitting. He took my baby from my lap and placed him on the other seat before raping me.”

To substantiate her testimony, the complainant told the court how she bit Mutizwa’s left hand during the scuffle.

She then advised the court to check his hand and see if he had a scar.

The State and the defence approached Mutizwa who was in the dock and examined his hand.

Both counsels saw the scar the complainant was referring to.

The woman also told the court that she was supposed to tie the knot on March 4, but due to Mutizwa’s actions, her husband cancelled the wedding ceremony pending finalisation of the matter.

In his defence, Mutizwa denied the charges saying that he was being wrongly accused.

He added that the woman might have been raped by a fellow passenger who dropped off together with her, a claim that the victim vehemently denied insisting she was the only passenger.

As for the scar on his right hand, Mutizwa told the court that he has always had that scar.

However, Ms Mungwari convicted Mutizwa due to overwhelming evidence adding that the woman was a credible witness.

She remanded Mutizwa in custody to today for sentencing.

Prosecutor Mr Ephraim Zinyandu proved that on Christmas Day last year, thewoman went to a Christmas party with her child.

At around midnight she decided to go back home and was accompanied to the bus stop by her brother.

The victim’s brother flagged down Mutizwa’s vehicle after recognisinghim and he assured his sister that she would get home safely since he knew Mutizwa.

Mutizwa drove to New Mabvuku where he parked his vehicle and started demanding sexual intercourse as payment for the lift before raping her. – State Media

Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa has flown to Geneva.

Mnangagwa on Monday evening left the country for Switzerland where is to attend a UN Human Rights periodic review meeting.

The state media says he flew off accompanied by a large delegation of government officials.

Zimbabwe is to appear before the UN Human Rights Council for the consideration and adoption of the 2016 human rights review carried out in November last year.

He is accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Virginia Mabhiza; Principal Director in the Vice President’s Office, Mr Nharo Gwatidzo and other senior government officials.

It never rains but pours for embattled former Premier Service Medical Aid Society chief executive Dr Cuthbert Dube after the Labour Court quashed a $3,5 million arbitral award granted to him in a contractual dispute with the society.

Dr Dube won the $3 million arbitral award against the medical aid society in April 2015, entitling him to monthly salary and benefits backdated to January 2014.

He won two arbitral awards against Premier Service Medical Investment (PSMI) for $2 070 000 and against PSMAS for $1 380 000, bringing his total claims to $3 450 000.

However, Dr Dube’s hopes for rich pickings were damned after the High Court on Friday set aside the two arbitral awards.

Mrs Euna Makamure sitting with Mrs Betty Chidziva ruled that there was merit in the PSMAS and PSMI challenge and granted the appeal.

“In my view, in the two appeals, the respective arbitral awards are to be set aside,” said Mrs Makamure.

“Accordingly, it is ordered that the arbitral award is each case be and is hereby set aside and substituted with the following—‘the claimant’s (Dr Dube) claim is hereby dismissed’.”

Dr Dube was fired in January 2014 for awarding himself a hefty salary of $92 000 excluding other benefits from the group, and another $43 000 plus benefits from the subsidiary – PSMI.

The two appeals were dealt with in one hearing because PSMAS and PMSI are closely related. State Media

Staff Reporter l Some villagers from the flood hit Sipepa Village in Tsholotsho claim that ZANU PF officials and members in the area are victimising them for receiving food and clothing items donated to them by MDCT Vice President Thokozani Khuphe a fortnight ago.

The villagers who spoke to ZimEye.com in confidence said that the ZANU PF leaders have a list of names of all people who received donations from Khuphe and they are being deliberately excluded from government and other organisation’s relief that is being brought through to the flood victims.

“We have been openly told by some people within ZANU PF that it has been said within the party that we will get help from Khuphe and not ZANU PF,” said one of the villagers in her narration to ZimEye.com.

Khuphe visited the flood victims in the area in the company of fellow legislature Ruth Labode and donated 150 blankets, 400kgs mealie meal, 200kgs chunks, 3 cartons of cooking oil and salt to some off the many flood victims who were camping at Sipepa Hospital.

WOMEN’S Affairs Minister Nyasha Chikwinya has defended her decision to appoint a male board member to the soon to be opened Women’s Bank, something feminist groups say flew in the face of ongoing attempts to uplift local women.
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe CEO Matthew Kunaka was introduced by Chikwinya during last week’s International Women’s Day celebrations in Harare.
The event was attended by hundreds of local women.
In her address, Chikwinya said she was inundated with demands for her to second a woman to the position, something she said she vehemently disputed insisting she went for competence as opposed to one’s sex.
“Some people said to be I should appoint a female chairperson but I stood my ground saying we do not operate like that,” Chikwinya said.
“We are looking for a competent person who is able to drive the bank forward.
“A man or a woman with a vision and passion for women who is able to articulate issues for women and bring whatsoever women want in terms of financial inclusion on the table.”
However, this did not go down well with the women’s movement that is advocating women’s increased involvement in managerial positions.
Grace Chirenje, a feminist, said Kunaka’s appointment was a step backwards in the country’s painstaking efforts to advance women’s affairs.
“The appointment shows lack of political will towards women’s human rights development; it’s simply not there. Women’s spaces should be simply that, women’s spaces.
“This is retrogressive unless it’s a gender bank,” Chirenje said.
Similarly, Nyasha Sengayi, also a feminist, said the government was showing lack of commitment towards fulfilling its own pledges of empowering local women.
“It is sad to note that 36 years into independence, a key leader who is leading a women’s ministry is showcasing serious structural challenges by supporting a move such as this within her ministry,” Sengayi said.
“We are past the age of being directed by men on issues concerning our economic empowerment as this erodes our gains in the fight for equality as the women’s movement.
“The minister should seriously consider changing this as soon as possible. Gender inequality is unacceptable in this era.”
Don Mavhudzi, an activist, said while a woman should head the board, the candidate should be experienced and competent.
“There are many competent, well qualified and experienced women out there who should be given a chance.
“Having a man leading such an organisation is tantamount to claiming that women cannot lead themselves.
“They should be empowered in every respect, beginning with the leadership of the institutions that are fronting women issues.”
It is not the first local women have been up in arms with a government official for allegedly overlooking them on issues to do with top leadership positions.
President Robert Mugabe was in 2013 slammed for appointing a cabinet which only had 17 percent female component, months after the country had adopted a new constitution which prescribed equal opportunities for both men and women.
The envisaged Women’s Bank is meant to address women’s access to credit. -VOP

By Staff Reporter l  Zanu-PF youths disrupted a funeral of an MDC-T care who passed on in Mbare last weekend.

At the late  Chikita Ngano’s homestead a Moragn Tsvangirai led MDC party cadre, rowdy Zanu-PF youths on Saturday told mourners to vacate the place because they wanted to hold a rally.

Similar violent attacks happened in Highfield at the weekend when Zanu PF youths attacked MDC-T members who were conducting door to door voter education.

MDC-T Harare district deputy organiser, Prosper Tirivacho and six others were seriously injured.

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe’s “useless” foreign jaunts are to blame for the poor state of infrastructure in the country, the opposition MDC has said.

The party led by former Industry minister Welshman Ncube, has blamed the ruling Zanu PF government ineptitude for the unfortunate loss of lives, including last week’s horror crash that claimed 13 lives in Bulawayo.

Thirteen people died on the spot, while four others were seriously injured and admitted at the United Bulawayo Hospital after a commuter omnibus, which was carrying a dead body, collided with a haulage truck just outside the country’s second largest city.

In a statement, MDC spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi said his party was saddened and outraged by the unnecessary loss of life.

“It is sad to note that it has to take nothing short of the loss of precious lives for government to begin to take notice of the serious disrepair of our roads. It is our hope that government will acknowledge and accept responsibility for these unnecessary deaths and swiftly make reparations to the families of the deceased,” Chihwayi said.

“The cause of this accident like many others before it is the negligence and rampant corruption inside President Robert Mugabe’s government. The government and in particular the Transport ministry must be brought to book over the horrific deterioration of our roads.”

Chihwayi said it seems Mugabe’s government is happy with increasing the road death toll, while he gallivants across the globe.

“Instead of improvements on our roads all we are seeing are traffic police officers at literally every 5km stretch whose sole goal is to further milk motorists of their hard-earned cash. Zinara needs to come clean about why it continues to collect revenue from our roads without repairing them for years on end,” he said.

The party’s Matabeleland South chairperson Pilate Ndebele said the government’s declaration of some roads as a state of disaster will not help matters.

“This government is now blaming the destruction of the infrastructure on the rains, forgetting that since independence they have not been rehabilitating the infrastructure,” Ndebele said, adding devolution was the answer to the problem of infrastructure decay. Newsday

Langton Ncube| A Gweru witch hunter, tsikamudanda, who late last year hit headlines for repenting to God and delivering his three goblins to a prophet has made a shock turn around demanding his goblins back from the prophet.

The witch hunter who ZimEye.com sources only identified as Moyo is reportedly claiming that he is battling with life since the day he delivered the goblins to the prophet in October last year and wants to go back to his previous life. The man who is now visibly mentally ill, claims the Satanic elements and the profession were supplying him with money all the time.

Moyo is claiming that when he handed over the goblins (VIDEO BELOW) to the prophet the understanding was that they were going to be set on fire but the prophet instead concealed them and converted them to his personal use.

The renowned tsikamudanda is showing signs of mental disorder.

Efforts to get a comment from the concerned pastor were unsuccessful. Moyo is reported to be continuously seen visiting the prophet’s home demanding his goblins back to no avail.

Terrence Mawawa, Chiredzi| A teacher at a local school fled to South Africa after raping a Grade 7 pupil several times.

Goodwill Gwata disappeared from Mhlanguleni Primary School in fear of being arrested for sexually abusing the minor.

Police in Chiredzi said they arrived at the school when Gwata had already vanished.

“The teacher who was fingered for the abuse was nowhere to be seen when the cops arrived at the school. The said teacher forcibly had sex with the minor several times,” police in Chiredzi said last week.

Authorities at the school said when Gwata overheard the police were coming to investigate the matter, he immediately vanished from the school.

“Gwata was last seen the day the matter was reported to the police. The information we have is that Gwata is now in South Africa,” said a senior staff member at the school.

Local parents have called on the police to act on the matter.

Members of the Mhlanguleni Old Students’ Association have vowed to launch a search for Gwata.

“Gwata is reportedly hiding in Soshanguve Extension, Pretoria. We will find him very soon. We cannot tolerate such heartless behaviour,” said a member of the association.

Chiredzi District Schools Inspector, Petronella Nyangwe was not immediately available for a comment on the matter.

The founder of Build Zimbabwe, Dr Noah Manyika is on ZimEye early this morning at 7am.

He will be interviewed on a wide ranging spectrum of his political movement which has taken social networks by storm. The program begins at 7am (London time), 9am (Harare time).

TRANSPORT minister Joram Gumbo (pictured) told Senate that the situation at the comatose National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) had worsened, making it difficult to attract investors and resuscitate it.

Gumbo said NRZ operations have been on a downward spiral for years now.

“Just yesterday (Wednesday) we presented a paper to Cabinet to look at options to resuscitate NRZ, but the problem is that their books are very bad to the extent it is difficult to attract partners, but we are negotiating with different companies for partnership,” he said.

Gumbo said the poor performance by NRZ was contributing to the dilapidation of roads in the country as heavy goods were carried by road instead of rail.

He said one of the problems that affected NRZ was overstaffing, where they used to have 20

000 employees, which dropped to 12 000 in 1990 before the current idle 5 000.

Gumbo also told the Senate that government would not compensate vehicles damaged by potholes, adding it was the duty of vehicle owners to insure their vehicles.

The Transport minister recently told journalists that the death of NRZ has forced transporters to move heavy loads such as granite stone, coal and raw minerals by road.

“When we construct roads it is done in such a way that some roads are only meant for light vehicles and medium toll vehicles like the Harare Bindura road, but that road is now being used by trucks which carry up to 50 tonnes of black granite stones and this is now destroying the road. The point is that rail, which is supposed to provide transport for such heavy stones is not working properly and, therefore, people are forced to use the road,” Gumbo said.

Government has come under fire over allegations that Gumbo’s ministry was allowing the construction of substandard roads, with most falling apart inside five years amid corruption accusations.

NRZ board chairman, Larry Mavhima, backed Gumbo saying that the viability of the parastatal was vital to road maintenance and durability.

“We have to access funding so that we turn around the fortunes of NRZ and allow it to play its role in reliving the burden of the toll brought by heavy trucks on our roads, unfortunately before we are capitalised transporters will continue using road,” he said.

Next our roads without repairing them for years on end,” he said.

The party’s Matabeleland South chairperson Pilate Ndebele said the government’s declaration of some roads as a state of disaster will not help matters.

“This government is now blaming the destruction of the infrastructure on the rains, forgetting that since independence they have not been rehabilitating the infrastructure,” Ndebele said, adding devolution was the answer to the problem of infrastructure decay. – Newsday

A jilted gold panner who crashed his 73 year old neighbour’s head to death has been given life in prison.

H suspected him of having an affair with his ex-girlfriend before tying the woman up with barbed wire and kidnapping her, has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Hloniphani Ngulube of Altyre Farm in Fort Rixon, Insiza district axed the now deceased, who was not named in court, before pounding his head with a big stone when he found him with his ex-girlfriend.

He tied his ex-girlfriend, Ms Petronella Ndlovu’s hands with a piece of barbed wire before kidnapping her for two days.

Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nicholas Mathonsi convicted Ngulube of murder with actual intent and kidnapping.

He jailed Ngulube for life on the murder and sentenced him to an additional five years for the kidnapping offence.

Justice Mathonsi said although Ngulube suffered from the swirls of passion and pangs of jealous, his actions were not a justification for the crimes he committed.

He described Ngulube as a heartless sexual pervert who targeted defenceless women.

“Nothing can atone for the savage killing of a 73 year-old man who was minding his own business at his home thinking that he was safe. What we have here is a man who was rejected by a woman because of his abusive tendencies. He simply could not accept rejection because he had harboured this obtuse and indeed warped mentality that a woman is an object of appropriation by a man, a piece of chattel which he could own. – State Media

Former vice-president Joice Mujuru says she will support any leader chosen to lead a coalition against President Robert Mugabe in next year’s elections.

Mujuru made the declaration in an interview with the BBC during her recent visit to Britain. The interview will be screened tomorrow under the respected programme, HardTalk.

The National People’s Party (NPP) leader said coalition talks with former prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai were progressing well and they were now drafting a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

“We have been in talks for the coalition with Morgan Tsvangirai,” Mujuru said. “It is part of the process iwe are carrying out now which I can’t say who is who, but it is part of the results that are going to come out.

“Between Tsvangirai and myself, we are working together, we have done some addresses together and right now, we are working on an MoU so that we are able to work together.”
Mujuru has been in coalition talks with Tsvangirai since last year when she was still Zimbabwe People First leader before the party split last month due to differences with former allies Rugare Gumbo and Didymus Mutasa.

There have been fears that the acrimonious relationship between Mujuru and her former allies would scuttle the coalition talks with the MDC-T leader, who has on the other hand promised to engage both factions.

“Anyone who is chosen according to our discussions, I will be able to work with,” she added.
Mutasa has already endorsed Tsvangirai — the only opposition leader to hand Mugabe his first electoral defeat in 2008.

Mujuru was also quizzed on why she intended to forgive Mugabe if she wins in the 2018 general elections after the humiliating way she was haunded out of Zanu PF.

“My party is not for retribution, but for restitution. We have to encourage people to forgive but not to forget. We cannot continue to lead in the past,” she said.

“We should be busy thinking of how best we should move forward.”
On the 1980s Matabeleland and Midlands massacres also known as Gukurahundi, Mujuru said she was partly to blame as someone who was in government according to the concept of collective responsibility.

But she said it was unfair to blame everyone who was in government at the time because the atrocities were not executed by the regular army.

Mujuru also disputed claims that she looted diamonds from Chiadzwa, saying the term “Churu ChaMai Mujuru” (Mujuru’s hill) was a joke created by villagers involved in a flower export project she initiated at Hotsprings, Mutare. The project was a major source of foreign currency.

She said when diamonds were discovered, people started claiming that they now had their project similar to the horticulture project. Mujuru said villagers teased each other about the “Churu chaMai Mujuru”, but she was never into mining. Standard

Seven of the 14 people who perished in a horror crash in Bulawayo last week are likely to be buried tomorrow at Luveve Cemetery, a family spokesperson has said.

The family which has received State assistance to the tune of $700 per body says they wish to bury their loved ones as the hospital has notified them that the bodies had gone bad.

Mr Kenny Sibanda who lost three children in accident said: “I’m really saddened by the loss of my children. When I went to hospital they told me that akusangeneki e mortuary ngabantu benu. Honestly this saddens me, so since I don’t have money, I am hoping that tomorrow (today) we will finalise the whole process and bury them at Luveve,” said Mr Sibanda.

He said one of his relatives had a funeral policy with Kings and Queens which had moved the bodies from the hospital’s mortuary to their parlour.

Mr Sibanda thanked the Government for the assistance but said his sister was in urgent need of $600. “We are appealing for assistance for Enert Sibanda who is at Mpilo hospital’s intensive care unit. The doctors said a CT head scan is required and it costs about $600 and we don’t have that money. We are appealing to people who can assist us to have her scanned, right now she can’t talk at all,” said Mr Sibanda.

He also appealed for assistance in taking care of orphans left by his children. “I am an old man and I can’t take all these children left behind by their parents to school. I have two who are in Form Three and very intelligent and I wish to see them continue with their schooling,” said Mr Sibanda.

He said his wife was recuperating at United Bulawayo Hospitals and also that they were not sure of the burial arrangements of their other relatives.

Mr Sibanda said his relatives that would be buried at Luveve Cemetery are Gift Sibanda (43), Gracious Sibanda, (41), Luke Sibanda (65), Sovia Sibanda (37), Magret Dube (46), Rebecca Dube (65) and Grace Ndemera (48).

Other deceased are Agnes Ngwenya (55), Danisani Masukume (40), Esther Moyo Mangena (21), Gladys Nyathi (65), Sinikiwe Mangena (32) and Yvonne Machingauta (32).

The two families were travelling to Masvingo for the burial of Hopewell Masukume (14) who passed away after a long illness at Mpilo Central Hospital.

Mr Sibanda said Hopewell’s body and that of his relatives had been collected by his family for burial in Masvingo.

Mourners for the Sibanda family are now gathered in Mabutweni suburb at Mr Sibanda’s home. The funeral wake for his daughter Gracious is in Emganwini, at her in-laws’ house. State Media 

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The 35-year-old Zimbabwean man, who was employed as a gardener has been in police custody after he was nabbed along with three Batswana after allegedly illegally obtaining an Omang and masquerading as his late boss to steal at least P3.9 million from the deceased.

The accused has been charged with theft common, official corruption, obtaining by false pretences and giving false information to a government officer.

When appearing before Extension II magistrate Ntombizodwa Ncube, the accused said that he has learnt of a break in at his house and that he has been robbed. He said that he has not been able to find out what has been stolen and open a case because he is in custody.

“My house has been broken into, but I have not been able to see what has been stolen or report the matter. I plead with the court to give me time to go and see what has been stolen and open a case with the police,” he said. He also said that in the last court appearance, the substantive prosecutor Seeletso Ookeditse asked the court to be given more time as she said that they are working on separating charges and referring them to relevant courts.

He said this could be difficult, as it would now mean he has to travel between Gaborone and Francistown to attend court cases. He further pleaded with the court to assist him get his three bank cards, cheque books and a cellphone (Samsung S7) that were confiscated by the Investigating Officer when he was arrested. He asked the court to set the nearest court appearance.

Magistrate Ncube extended the remand warrant of the accused, but ordered the prosecution to assist him to go to his house and see if he could open a case of robbery.

She also ordered the prosecution to update the court on the accused’s properties in the next appearance. The matter would continue on March 14, 2017. Mmegi

A 61-YEAR-OLD grandfather from Shurugwi who raped his 17-year-old granddaughter twice as “compensation” for looking after her since she was young has been sentenced to 18 years imprisonment.

The grandpa, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his grandchild appeared before Gweru Regional Magistrate Mr Morgan Nemadire facing two counts of rape.

He was convicted against his own plea of not guilty and was sentenced to 18 years in prison. He will however serve an effective 15 years after Mr Nemadire suspended three years on condition of good behaviour.

It was not indicated in court whether or not the grandchild is an orphan, leading to her grandfather raising her.

Prosecuting Mr Lloyd Mavhiza said the complainant and the accused person lived at the same homestead.

He said in October 2014, the accused approached the complainant and told her that he wanted to be compensated for raising her.

“On being asked by the complainant the type of compensation that he would require, the accused stated that he wanted to have sexual intercourse with her, the proposal the complainant vehemently refused,” he said.

In December of the same year, the court heard that the accused proceeded to the complainant’s bedroom hut during the night before sneaking into her blankets.

He then raped her with a condom on.

In June 2015, the accused person again went to the complainant’s bedroom hut while naked.

Mr Mavhiza said he sneaked into his granddaughter’s blankets and forcibly removed her clothes before raping her.

“The matter came to light in December 2015 when the accused was seen forcibly kissing the complainant by his son before the complainant revealed the whole story leading to his arrest,” he said.

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Terrence Mawawa Masvingo l Furious war veterans have accused President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace of running Zimbabwe like a tuck shop.
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association spokesperson, Douglas Mahiya, last week said Mugabe and his wife Grace were running the country like a family tuck shop.He said Mugabe and the G-40 Team must be stopped before they plunge the nation and the ruling party deeper into an abyss.
Mahiya described the nonagenarian and the G-40 members as destructive elements in the ruling party.
Mahiya’ s scathing utterances mirror the shocking level of internecine battle for supremacy between the G-40 and Team Lacoste.
“What is happening in Zanu PF is total madness. The country is being run like a tuck shop. Kasukuwere is a misguided political errand boy who is being used to eliminate custodians of the liberation war.Kasukuwere does what he wants thereby dragging the party into the mud,” said Mahiya..
He added: “We cannot let Mugabe and the G-40 ruin the party. Someone has to stand up and say no to the goat -butting nonsense.”
Mahiya also took a swipe at Kasukuwere for attempting to subvert the will of the ruling party supporters by nullifying the results in Masvingo Province following the G-40′ s drubbing in the Zanu PF internal polls.
“Who is he(Kasukuwere) to nullify the election results? The people voted and Chadzamira won resoundingly,” said Mahiya.