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 

,
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.

‘
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.

When his son Lloyd Madubeko went out of town, Tinashe Madubeko would sleep with his daughter-in-law Bridget Siamukwa and pay her $1 for the “wonderful” moments.

“Loweyd confronted his brother’s wife about the affair and she confessed that the two were having an affair since last year. He told his twin brother about the incident and the matter was taken to Chief Nemangwe’s traditional court,” said a source.

Chief Nemangwe under whose jurisdiction Mufungo Village falls under presided over the matter and made Tinashe pay a damage token.

“His son (Lloyd) is the one who demanded that his father compensate him with five goats,” said Chief Nemangwe.

The source added that Siamukwa apologised to her husband but her father-in-law denied having an affair with her.

“Siamukwa apologised to her husband when she appeared before the traditionbut Tinashe, however, denied sleeping with her arguing that his manhood was too small for s-e-x and let alone satisfying a woman,” said the source. State Media

Staff Reporter| Following an exposure by ZimEye.com of an already set National People’s Party National Executive Committee ahead of the party’s inaugural congress set for next month, party President Joyce Mujuru has rushed to disclaim the leakage.

In a media statement sent out yesterday, Mujuru claims that her party has not preset the executive committee but invited all members of the party interested in occupying the party’s top six positions to send their applications through.

“The National People’s Party would like to dismiss rumours doing rounds that the party’s top six positions have been filled before our inaugural National People’s Elective Convention early April 2017,” said Mujuru.

“The party is currently taking submissions from aspiring candidates to contest for the positions of President, two Vice Presidents, National Chairperson, Secretary General and Treasurer General.”

“Party members should dismiss recent online media reports that positions have already been filled before our democratic process of leadership choice has been allowed to give us leaders from the people, chosen by the people,” she added in her statement.

Very reliable sources within the party indicated to ZimEye.com early last week that the party caucuses had preset and establish the top six of the party which would see Samuel Sipepa Nkomo and John Mvundura being Mujuru’s two Vice Presidents while Dzikamai Mavhaire would be party chairman. Gift Nyandoro and Esnath Bulayayi would be Secretary General and Treasurer respectively.

Speaking to ZimEye.com the sources said that besides Mujuru’s disclaimer the executive committee is destined to come out the same as provinces led by Mavhaire have held behind doors discussions to retain the list as it is.

“Every NPP member vying for the top 6 positions should follow due process and know that the responsibility to elect leadership lies with the people not some appointing figure somewhere,” insists Mujuru in her statement.

According to the sources. The only likely change will see Nyandoro being replaced by Mujuru loyalist David Butau who is currently in self imposed exile in South Africa allegedly fleeing death threats from dismissed former party elders Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo.

Do you know a UK based woman known as Patience Tich? She is wanted in connection with a scam that has defrauded cancer sufferer Esther Mhuri. The so called Patience Tich uses the below pictures taken at a UK university said to be in Coventry. Contact ZimEye now on +447426863301 

https://youtu.be/jB6jYGDibPo

A 28-year-old National University of Science and Technology (Nust) student allegedly shot himself and died at his Hillside suburb lodgings in Bulawayo after being involved in a road accident in the early hours of Saturday. The student, Tapiwa Zhanje, a relative of Bulawayo businessman and former Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial youth league secretary for finance  Davies Muhambi, was reportedly driving Mr Muhambi’s Mercedes Benz S600 to Kumalo where he wanted to drop friends after attending a party.

He is said to have lost control of the car and rammed into a gate and precast wall opposite the Hockey Stadium in Kumalo suburb. Muhambi confirmed the incident. “He is my nephew and I was staying with him in Burnside.

It is unfortunate I was in Harare when it happened. I received a call at around 5AM today (yesterday) and I was told that he had been involved in an accident. I asked if people were injured and they did confirm that there were injured people. I then tried to call Tapiwa but his number was not being answered. I called back home and I was told he came and said he had come to take money from the safe to pay for a cab he had hired at around 6AM,” he said.

Added Muhambi, “I understand Tapiwa said he came home with a cab because he had locked the car keys inside the car and could not open the car. That is when I am sure he took the gun and left my house.”

According to Muhambi, he was staying with Tapiwa but learnt that he also had another apartment that he was renting at Hillside suburb. “After he took the money from the safe he went to the apartment along Weir Avenue in Hillside where he took his life with the gun and the firearm belongs to me.

The car he was using is also my car. I had asked him to pick it up from Tristar (garage) as I was not around, so he took the car and some friends and I do not know where they were going to when they had the accident.” Muhambi said he had not received full details of what really transpired during the accident. The six other passengers, also Nust students, were immediately taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals where they are receiving medical attention.

The owner of the house where the car crashed into, Mrs Debra Mweke said she was asleep when the accident occurred. “I was asleep when l was awaken by the impact of the car, l thought thieves were trying to break into the house and when l came out l saw the car burning in our yard, the gate had also fallen,” she said. Mrs Mweke revealed that the car had caught fire after the impact and neighbours had to assist to put it out using water.

“There were three women and three men in the car who said their families were in Harare and only one lady who identified herself as Nozie was from Bulawayo.

The driver ran to the gate and stood there in shock while we were trying to help the people who were in the car.” Mrs Mweke said she suspected that the driver thought the passengers had died as he immediately fled from the scene. “From what I heard from the police, the guy went to Hillside and shot himself, we don’t know exactly the place but that’s what we got from the police,” she said. One of the residents who witnessed the accident Mr Anglistone Sibanda said they struggled to remove the trapped students from the car. Contacted for a comment, Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said she had not received details of the accident and shooting. -state media

At the same time, the angry war veterans appeared to back down on their hardline stance against President Robert Mugabe, surprisingly saying he was still their patron despite their nasty fallout with him last year.

Speaking at a press conference in Harare yesterday, former Cabinet minister and chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) Christopher Mutsvangwa claimed that the Generation 40 (G40) faction had come up a cropper against Mnangagwa because “he is too big a fish” to be expelled from Zanu PF by them.

“They create their own stories and they peddle them as if it is fact. Look, we are being hawked to every political party and political leader. When we were expelled, me and my friends (other war vets) were said kuti tiri vanhu vaMnangagwa (that we were Mnangagwa’s allies).

“It’s a year since we were expelled and Mnangagwa is still in Zanu PF. They are failing to expel him the way they did to Teurai (Joice Mujuru) . . . his position is strong there. He is not a push over, we assume.

“The accusation by G40 was we were pushing for Mnangagwa to take over. We cannot look for another political home, our home is where we came from (Zanu PF) . . . but only if it changes and respects the will of the people.

“We are very happy with where we are because where we are that’s where people are,” the straight-talking Mutsvangwa said.

Mnangagwa has been under the cosh in Zanu PF ever since Mujuru was hounded out of the warring ruling party in December 2014, and has on many occasions appeared to be on his way out of the former liberation movement as the marauding G40 have pummelled him and his supporters mercilessly and unrelentingly from all angles.

At the same time, Mutsvangwa and the larger section of war veterans have been making loud calls for the VP to take over the reins immediately from Mugabe, at both party and government levels.

The former freedom fighters have also warned previously that blood could be shed in the country if the Midlands godfather does not succeed the nonagenarian.

Early this month, a former Cabinet minister and liberation struggle stalwart, Rugare Gumbo — who worked with both Mugabe and Mnangagwa for many decades, before and after Zimbabwe’s independence from Britain in 1980 — told the Daily News’ sister paper, the Daily News On Sunday, that it would be foolish to assume that the nonagenarian had shut the door on his deputy succeeding him.

He also said it could not be ruled out that Mnangagwa himself was “playing a game of hide-and-seek” with Mugabe, adding that the two men had a strong bond and long-standing relationship which was “only fully understood by them”.

Gumbo — who was expelled from Zanu PF in 2014 with many other ruling party bigwigs on untested allegations of plotting to assassinate and topple the nonagenarian from power — said the two men were “sizing and testing each other up”.

The countrywide tour by MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, has reignited victimisation of opposition activists in rural areas, a political pressure group has said.

Tsvangirai recently wrapped up a 29-day countrywide tour under which he met ordinary citizens. In the aftermath of the engagements, the Zimbabwe Yadzoka/Mayibuye iZimbabwe group says there have been “disturbing reports of threats and victimisation of villagers”.

“Victimisation of villagers for simply associating with a party of their choice is a blatant violation of the Zimbabwean Constitution,” it said.

MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu also confirmed that villagers were being terrorised after Tsvangirai’s tour.

“We are not at all surprised to learn that opposition activists in rural areas are now being targeted for persecution soon after Tsvangirai’s . . . countrywide meet-the-people tour,” he said, adding that “Zanu PF has always survived on terror, banditry, violence, intimidation and thuggery”.

“The ailing, bankrupt and fractured Zanu PF regime is extremely paranoid and insecure because they know they can never win a free and fair election, especially against Tsvangirai and the MDC that he leads.

“This is the main reason why the collapsing regime has literally ring-fenced most rural areas and made them protected villages of terror, violence and intimidation,” he said.

“However, our game plan is very effective as we have managed to penetrate all rural areas on a continuous programme of consulting our party structures and other opinion leaders such as traditional leaders, church leaders, students, small-scale miners and various other stakeholders.

“The MDC is surely on a roll and this has made the faction-infested and crumbling Zanu PF regime feel very insecure and threatened,” Gutu said.

Efforts to get comment from police spokesperson Charity Charamba were fruitless as her mobile phone went unanswered.

Zimbabwe Yadzoka/Mayibuye iZimbabwe also called on chiefs to stop meddling in politics.
“We implore traditional leaders to respect the country’s supreme law and refrain from meddling in politics,” it said.

The Constitution explicitly states under Section 281 (2) that traditional leaders must not participate in partisan politics.

“In a nutshell, traditional leaders have become more of an extension of the ruling party and are abusing their authority to fan violence and hatred against perceived and known opponents of the regime.”

The group said chiefs must support the interests of all Zimbabweans not to back one political party.

Local Government minister, Saviour Kasukuwere, has summoned the MDC-T run Norton town council.

Kasukuwere, who is notorious for firing opposition run local authorities, invited the Norton Town council after Temba Mliswa, who represents the area had complained about poor service delivery.

“With regards to this meeting board affiliates under the Norton Advisory Board are to send 3 people each to attend this crucial meeting aimed at discussing issues of Service Delivery in Norton. Also present will be the Norton Secretary and the Norton Town Council Chairperson,” reads part of the notice circulated to Norton residents by Mliswa’s offices.

The meeting is due Monday at Kasukuwere’s government offices in Harare.

Staff Reporter| The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is taking away urban constituencies and placing them in rural areas ahead of the water shed elections.

ZEC stands accused of rigging elections in favour of Zanu PF which has a strong base in rural areas.

One such urban constituency which ZEC has taken to the rural areas, is Harare” Mount Pleasant constituency.

In a statement condemning the rigging tactics by ZEC, on Saturday, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition said the electorate should be aware of vote rigging which ZEC had already started.
“In a surprising move that has left many baffled by the recently completed Zimbabwe Election Commission delimitation exercise, Mount Pleasant now falls under Mazowe South, a rural constituency serviced by Mazowe Rural District.

“The move defies logic for an urban constituency that is serviced by Harare City Council. In previous years analysts have argued that the Zimbabwe Election Commission works in carhorts with the ruling ZANU PF to dilute the urban vote which is a stronghold of the opposition in Zimbabwe,” said Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.

FORMER Education Minister David Coltart was almost run over by a reckless driver who was driving on the wrong side of the road in Bulawayo yesterday.

Mr Coltart posted the road rage video on Facebook showing the driver of a white Mercedes Benz C Class registration number ADA 8205 almost running him over.
He had to jump to safety while the Mercedes Benz sped off. The incident occurred at the intersection of Cecil Avenue and Banff Road in Hillside suburb while Mr Coltart was driving his daughter to school.

The road rage incident occurred as the road was partially closed due to an accident.

In the video, other motorists are seen patiently waiting for their chance to pass, but the Mercedes Benz driver crosses a continuous white line, blocking vehicles in the oncoming traffic lane.

Mr Coltart is seen getting out of his vehicle to try and engage the driver who arrogantly drives off, almost hitting the politician and a woman.

“As I was walking back around the front of his car, he saw a small gap to the left and that was when he tried to run me over forcing his way through.

Fortunately I was able to step aside and so was not injured, but his intention was clear and his car rammed my knees. Had I stood my ground, or been less agile, he would have kept going. He drove round the accident and off into the distance,” said Mr Coltart.

He said he managed to identify the vehicle 15 minutes later and recorded its number plates before reporting the matter to the police.

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“The car involved is a white Mercedes Benz registration number ADA 8205. If anyone knows the identity of owner please let me know as that will help the police in their investigations and in the civil action I may take against this arrogant and dangerous young man,” Mr Coltart said.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said the case had not reached her office.

She however, called on motorists to observe the rules of the road.

“Motorists should know that the roads are not meant for individuals and drivers should respect the rules of the road. There is no motorist who is better than the other,” Insp Simango said. – Stage Mediap

OFFICIALS in the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) are haggling over the selections criteria to be used to choose candidates to represent the party in the 2018 harmonised elections.

As a result, two camps have emerged with the first supporting the endorsement of candidates by the national executive while the other is rooting for the conduct of primary elections.
Incumbent Members of Parliament are against the conduct of primary polls for fear of losing their seats. They enjoy the support of party officials who believe that primary polls could open the MDC-T to infiltration by ZANU-PF elements.
But this group faces resistance from members who are advocating for a democratic process to select candidates for the forthcoming polls.

A frustrated MDC-T member this week warned of what he called “a miscarriage of democracy”, should the leadership fail to manage the ensuing crisis.
“You cannot say that approaching elections with endorsed candidates will strengthen the party at the expense of democracy. In actual fact, going into elections without elected candidates weakens the party,” said the MDC-T official, adding that the party leadership should not protect non-performing MPs and councilors. “We cannot afford to ignore internal party democratic processes because we want to protect a few non-performing deadwood councillors and MPs who form the bulk of (MDC-T leader Morgan) Tsvangirai’s executive,” he charged.

MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu, said the party national elections directorate led by Lovemore Moyo was seized with the matter of coming up with a template regarding how our municipal and parliamentary candidates will be chosen.
“This is still work in progress because the matter will also have to be tabled before the national council, which is the highest decision-making body in between congresses,” he said.
Political analyst, Rejoice Ngwenya, said it would be ill-advised for the MDC-T to undermine its internal democratic processes.
Ngwenya said candidates’ selection systems must be based on merit.
“…It is the norm that most political parties’ leaders within the structures tend to be close to common people when they get elected into office, but get detached from them after claiming victory. Hence, when election time comes there are high possibilities that the incumbent or those who had been previously voted into power lose out. Despite these factors, primary elections present the opportunity for political parties to prune off lazy office bearers,” said Ngwenya.

Another political analyst, Alexander Rusero, said primary elections were not the best model in the 21st Century because they appear to be giving victory and conferring leadership to vocal candidates who do not have the spine to deliver as expected.
“It is important that the MDC-T balances between democracy and competency. There is nothing bad with those who believe that candidates have to be endorsed as long as it suits the party,” he reasoned. -fingaz

A lecturer at Hillside Teachers’ College in Bulawayo collapsed and died in his office yesterday morning.

Paul Ndlovu, a lecturer of English, was allegedly found dead at about 10AM.
A post mortem is set to determine the actual cause of death.
Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the death and said no foul play was suspected.
“I can confirm the sudden death of a lecturer at Hillside Teachers’ who was found dead today (yesterday) in the morning. He was found dead in his office. His body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) by Hillside Police for post mortem,” said Asst Insp Ncube.
It could not be established yesterday if Ndlovu was suffering from any ailment. Hillside Teachers’ College Principal Mr Edward Gumpo said: “I can neither confirm nor deny the matter. I’m not cleared to comment on such issues. Such communication has to come through head office.”
Some students at the college said a security guard found Ndlovu’s body and alerted officials who then called the police.

A shocking picture has emerged of Mugabe MP Psychology Maziwisa filling road potholes with mud and water. He is snapped posing for a photo-shoot. The legislator was during the week mocked for the act. A critic wrote of him saying, “A Psychologically disturbed Highfield MP filling potholes with bare mud and posing for a photo, kutofiririra kuti ndagona.”

Terrence Mawawa, Zvishavane| A woman from Muganhu Village is lucky to be alive after being hit by her neighbour with a brick following an altercation over rice donated by President Robert Mugabe.

Suwisai Muganhu hit his neighbour, Chipo Sibanda with a brick accusing the former of unfair distribution of rice.

Mugabe donated the rice as a Christmas gift to the disadvantaged people in December last year. The rice was distributed to villagers through the Social Welfare Department.

The case was heard before Zvishavane Magistrate, Archie Wochiunga last week.

Representing the state, Stanley Ncube said on January 8,2017, Muganhu hit Sibanda with a brick and she fell down.

He then began to assault the woman on her head until one villager, Sadam Mlangeni heard the woman’s loud wailing and rushed to the scene.

The incident happened soon after Chief Mapanzure had convened a meeting to discuss the distribution of food aid in the area.

Serious disputes emerged over the distribution of the donated rice.

Muganhu accused Sibanda of denying him access to food aid. He then waylaid Sibanda and assaulted her.

Muganhu was sentenced to 20 days in prison or alternatively a fine of $100.

In February Chief Makumbe of Buhera District called for the suspension of food aid.

By Associated Press| The Rhodes grave lies in Matobo National Park, a United Nations heritage site where granite spires and other unusual rock formations captivate visitors, and where indigenous spirits are said to dwell. About 15,000 people visit the grave annually, some ascending to watch the sunset or sunrise, said Moira FitzPatrick, a regional director for a state agency that oversees Zimbabwe’s museums and monuments.

The grave generates badly needed cash in a country beset by economic turmoil. A foreign adult pays $15 to get into the park, and then another $10 to see the burial site. A Zimbabwean adult pays a total of $8.

Mugabe came to this area near Bulawayo in western Zimbabwe for his birthday celebrations last month, addressing thousands of supporters near a school named after Rhodes. While officials announced that the school would be renamed after Matobo – also called Matopo or Matopos by visitors – the president joked about the British empire builder.

“Where is the ghost or spirit of Rhodes coming from?” Mugabe said in the Shona language. “If he is to rise from the dead, I am not going to order the boys to fire one bullet or use an AK-47. I will order them to use a machine gun to crush that head like that of a cobra.”

Amid laughter from the audience, Mugabe continued: “We are not the ones who killed him. We don’t know where he died in South Africa but he demanded that he be buried here. The colonialists here in Zimbabwe listened to his wish, which was written in his will, and buried him here.”

Mugabe, who says he will run in elections next year, has not said where he will be buried. One strong possibility is the National Heroes Acre, a North Korean-built national monument in the capital, Harare, where independence leaders and other prominent Zimbabweans, many linked to Mugabe’s ruling party, are interred.

There has been talk of building a monument to indigenous heroes in the same place as the grave of Rhodes, who had an estate in the area and described the hill where he is buried as the “View of the World.”

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean government takes an entrepreneurial approach.

The thinking, FitzPatrick said, is “if it’s a tourist spot, then let’s make some money.”

Joice Mujuru’s former party ZimPF has begun seeking a new leader .

Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo say the new leader must be a young person.

Mujuru dumped the party and formed a new one, the National People’s Party (NPP) after expelling founders, Rugare Gumbo and Didymus Mutasa.

The party’s steering committee led by Mutasa and Gumbo, the founding elders who are the caretaker leaders, met on Wednesday where they agreed to set the standards for the person who will take charge of the party.

Mujuru initially fired the two elders and five others, a move that sparked an exodus of other senior members who did not agree with Mujuru.

“Among the critical issues discussed was the issue of the ideal leadership for the party. On this point it was agreed that the leader should be a visionary, democrat, a Pan-Africanist capable of uniting the people of Zimbabwe and all political parties in Zimbabwe and be able to work with other political parties in the region and the continent in fulfilment of the Pan African Vision,” said ZimPF career leaders.

The party is also looking at holding its inaugural elective congress as soon as possible and also to revisit the party constitution with a view of addressing some pitfalls that militate against democratic tenets.

ZimPF is also looking at ways to form an alliance with other political parties ahead of next year’s harmonised elections.

Several parties are negotiating on how they can form a formidable alliance that will face Zanu PF in the next harmonised elections.

“On the issue of coalition with other democratic forces, ZimPF re-affirms its unwavering support and total commitment to this noble ideal. With regard to the leader of the coalition, the meeting concurred that at this stage it is premature to come up with a firm position,” said ZimPF in a statement. – Newsday

Elton Mangoma’s  RDZ party has rubbished the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s Biometric Voting System.

In a statement the party said it reiterates its “strong opposition to the introduction of the questionable, porous, intrusive and manipulable Biometric Voting System in the 2018 General Elections. RDZ has been on record stating that the credibility of elections in Zimbabwe has never been technological but man made.

“Multiple voting, violence, intimation and exclusion are some of the reasons why the elections in Zimbabwe have been discredited. These are critical issues that must be addressed and the introduction of Biometric Voting can never address the element of violence, intimidation, exclusion and force marching voters to polling stations.

“The Constitution of Zimbabwe is never ambiguous on the right to vote for all citizens. Procuring electronic gadgets of unknown origins and tendencies to screen people for voting is tantamount to taking away their constitutional rights.

“It is to this end that RDZ proposes very affordable solutions on enforcing the people’s right to vote. We demand that citizens with valid passports and identity cards be allowed to vote on the voting day at polling stations of their choice and for their candidates. Zimbabwe used the same system in 1980 and at the 2000 referendum and it worked perfectly.

“The current impasse on who should procure what is not necessary. All we need to do is to agree on the ink to be used to eradicate multiplicity in voting.

“The voting population has lost confidence and trust in ZEC after years of crooked polls. Therefore, we join other Zimbabweans in calling for an election that is run, supervised and monitored by the international community e.g SADC, AU, EU and UN. It is beyond any reasonable doubt that ZEC cannot be separated from the ruling party. Continuous tendencies of changing the rules by ZEC before an election are clear testimony that they want to twist the game in favour of their paymasters.

“The only way out is the simple and manageable “Munhu nechitupa chake formula” considering the time left before the next year elections. There are over a million people who are not registered and there will also be need to verify the results. Therefore, Munhu nechitupa chake is the way to go!

A Bulawayo Woman teamed up with her sister and two friends and allegedly assaulted a woman she accused of having an affair with her boyfriend before stripping her naked.

The quartet recorded themselves while assaulting and stripping the complainant in Iminyela suburb on Monday.

Lungile Chiwaya (22), her 17-year old sister, friends, Zinhle Mlilo (23) and Primrose Nyoni (18), appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube charged with assault and criminal insult.

They pleaded guilty to assault and not guilty to criminal insult charge. The four were remanded out of custody to March 10. During cross examination, Chiwaya said they assaulted Ms Thandeka Mabhena (23) over a man.
“We fought over our boyfriend. He is mine. She knows that I am in a relationship with him and I am pregnant. We did not even strip her, her dress just fell on its own,” she said.
Her alleged accomplices said they were just assisting her to deal with her rival.

Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza said the four women recorded footage of themselves assaulting and stripping Ms Mabhena in a street in Iminyela suburb.

“The accused and the complainant are not related but have the same boyfriend. On March 6 this year, the complainant went to visit her boyfriend in Iminyela suburb. The accused persons teamed up and hunted down the complainant. They met her at Mabutweni shopping centre and assaulted her with fists and open hands all over the body,” said Mr Mageza.

On the second count, Chiwaya and her sister, alongside their two friends, stripped Ms Mabhena of all her clothing, including underwear.

“The accused persons stripped the complainant while one of them was recording the assault. A resident intervened and took her into her house before police were called,” said Mr Mageza.

Ms Mabhena was rushed to hospital and a medical report was produced in court as evidence.-state media

Thirty pupils in Mberengwa have failed to return home from school since February 22 because of floods which left three vital bridges destroyed and roads impassable.

Scores of pupils are also said to have stopped going to school because of flooded rivers and extensively damaged roads in the district.

This was said by the District Administrator for Mberengwa Mr White Nkoma yesterday at a handover ceremony of goods donated to flood victims in Mberengwa and Zvishavane by Mimosa Mining Company in Zvishavane yesterday.

He said there was an urgent need for humanitarian aid as well as reconstruction of bridges so that life goes back to normal in the district.

Mr Nkoma said seven pupils who had been cut off from their families since February 22 were at Chegato High School.  The other 23 attend Mutate High School and had been forced to seek residence at homesteads close to the school.

“Mberengwa District was hard hit by the floods which resulted in the destruction of three vital bridges namely Chizungu-Phonex, Zverenje and Chegato-Jeka bridges which are all along Mwenezi River.

“The bridges have seen communities being cut off from schools, clinics and this has resulted in the marooning of pupils from their homesteads. We have seven day scholars who can’t go back to their homesteads because of impassable roads, flooded rivers and bridges that were destroyed. These pupils have not been back to their families since February 22,” he said.

Mr Nkoma said the situation was dire at Chegato High School which did not have electricity after power lines were swept away.

“As a result there is no water at the school because there is no power,” he said.

Mr Nkoma said a total of 200 homesteads were affected by the floods.

He said in Buchwa area, 100 homesteads were destroyed.

Mimosa Mining Company executive chairman Mr Winston Chitando said they felt the need to assist villagers in the community they operate from.

“We have seen that what we have raised today is not enough to cover the needs of the flood victims so we are going to host a fundraising dinner in Harare where we are going to invite our partners to contribute in cash and kind towards the flood victims,” he said.

Mr Chitando said they were donating 20 tonnes of maize, five tonnes of sugar beans, 10 tonnes of soya chunks, two tonnes of potatoes, two tonnes of onions, 1 000 blankets and grocery for 400 families.

The Minister of Mines and Mining Development Cde Walter Chidhakwa said Cabinet had agreed to partner with mining companies to repair infrastructure that was destroyed by the floods.

“We are going to enter into a long term partnership with respective mines in the respective areas so that they assist in the reconstruction of bridges, schools, clinics that were affected by floods in their areas,” he said.

Minister Chidhakwa commended Mimosa Mining Company for donating to those affected by the floods. He urged other mining companies to emulate Mimosa by assisting in the communities they operate from. – State Media

A WOMAN from Bulilima allegedly threw herself in a dam and drowned after being frustrated by living with HIV.

Chief Kandana said Belinda Ndlovu (37), who is from Nyabane area, allegedly defaulted on taking her medication and then committed suicide.

He said her condition worsened after she stopped taking her medication until she took her own life. Chief Kandana said the woman’s body was found by her daughter in a dam on Wednesday morning.

“There is a woman from my area who threw herself into a dam which is in the area. It appears she was HIV positive but she recently defaulted on her medication and became critically ill. “This frustrated her because at one time her relatives caught her trying to drink a dipping chemical and when they asked she said she wanted to kill herself because her illness was unbearable. Her family says she was constantly making threats of ending her life,” he said.

Chief Kandana said the woman woke up in the middle of the night on Monday and went to a dam which is about 100 metres away from her home.

She allegedly threw herself in and drowned.

The woman’s 14-year-old daughter was sleeping in the same room with her mother but did not hear her leave the hut. The chief said on the following morning, the girl realised that her mother was not home and went to look for her.

“The teenager found her mother’s body floating in the water at around 8AM and she alerted neighbours abou twhat had transpired. It’s never wise for people to end their lives when they are going through challenges. Rather it’s important for people to seek help and a support system,” he said.

Chief Kandana said the incident had left villagers shocked as Ndlovu was a well known and respected woman in the community. – State Media

A man from Umguza who allegedly killed his four-year-old stepson has been referred to the High Court for trial.

Khumbulani Sibanda (31) allegedly assaulted his stepson, whose name was not disclosed in court, and he died five days later at Mpilo Central   Hospital.

The minor had been left by himself at home and went to his uncle’s homestead saying that he was afraid.

State allegations are that Sibanda followed the boy later that evening and savagely whipped him.

He was not asked to plead to a murder charge when he appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya.

Sibanda was remanded in custody to March 21 when he will appear at the High Court for commencement of trial.

Prosecuting, Miss Leanne Nkomo told the court that on October 23, 2015, the minor went to his uncle’s homestead saying that he had been left alone and was afraid.

“Accused person went to the minor’s uncle’s homestead to look for him around 8PM.

“Carrying an axe and whip, accused proceeded into a room where the minor was.

“He whipped the minor several times all over the body. Accused then took the minor home,” said Miss Nkomo.

She said the on following morning the minor became seriously ill.

“Three days later the minor was taken to Mpilo Hospital where he was admitted. The minor succumbed to the assault injuries two days later. Accused told investigating officers that one Thandazani had assaulted the minor.

“The investigators found out that Thandazani was a fictitious character and Sibanda was arrested.” – State Media

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) says 13 people who died on the spot in an accident which occurred at the 8 kilometre peg along the Bulawayo-Gwanda highway early morning yesterday have been identified.

In a statement , police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said the deceased are Agnes Ngwenya  aged 55, Danisani Masukume 40, Esther Moyo Mangena 21, Gift Sibanda 43, Gladys Nyathi 65, Grace Ndemera 48, Gracious Sibanda 41, Luke Sibanda 65, Margaret Dube 46, Rebecca Dube 65, Sinikiwe Mangena 32, Sovia Sibanda 37 and Yvonne Machingauta 31.

Chief Superintendent Nyathi said the ZRP would like to express its deepest sorrow to families who lost their relatives and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.

He added that the police continue to urge motorists to exercise extreme caution when travelling at night as it is difficult to observe the condition of the road due to poor visibility.- State Media

Ray Nkosi | Pastor Phillip Mugadza who prophesied that President Robert Mugabe will die on October 17 has been blocked from leaving jail.

The High Court set the controversial pastor free earlier this morning, but he is still to taste  freedom after the clerk of court blocked procedures.

Activist Linda Masarira wrote, “Clerk of Court has refused to accept Pastor Mugadza bail money. Says we want to verify with the High Court on Monday if the order is genuine.” More to follow..

Shiellah Sibanda | Five young men from Gwanda all in their twenties are allegedly in police custody after brutally murdering a man when they dragged him on a corrugated road for over 200 meters face down for failing to pay a $2 taxi fare.

ZimEye.com sources in Gwanda indicated that the five young men who are known for their love for alcohol were hired by the deceased to be dropped at Jacaranda Low Density Suburb for $2 for the 3 km trip.

On arrival at the destination the equally drunk passenger could not find the $2 note he thought he had in his pocket and only had a 50 cent coin which upset the taxi crew out which a confrontation emerged.

The crew is alleged to have assaulted the man with clenched fists before hooking him to the back of the car and dragging him on the road face down for over 200 meters. The hook released the man, but was already severely savaged on the face and chest and died on the spot.

The taxi crew is reported not to have stopped but sped off and were arrested the following morning from their various locations in Jahunda Township in the town following a tip off by eyewitnesses from the quiet suburb.

According to the sources the young men are allegedly giving a defence that they did not realise that the men was hooked to the car after they had a confrontation with him and could not hear his screams due to the loud music in the car.

Police in Gwanda confirmed investigating the matter and referred further questions to the national police spokesperson in Harare.

A commuter omnibus driver who hit and dragged a police officer for 25 metres with his vehicle killing him instantly while speeding off a roadblock three years ago, was today sentenced to an effective three years in jail.

During trial at the High Court, the charge was changed to culpable homicide.

The matter was then referred to a lower court for trial.

Mudzimba then appeared before magistrate Ms Nomusa Sabarauta.

He convicted him after a full trial.

Mrs Sabarauta sentenced him to five years in prison before setting aside two years on condition of good behavior.

In addition, he was prohibited from driving all motor vehicles in respect of Class 1 and his licence was cancelled.

Details to follow….

Harare Magistrate Josephine Sande yesterday set free pro-democracy activist Promise Mkwananzi after removing him from remand as State witnesses failed to turn up in court to testify against him.

Mkwananzi was arrested last year and charged with public violence as defined in Section 36 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

Prosecutors claimed that the pro-democracy campaigner, who is the national spokesperson for #Tajamuka pressure group committed public violence when he together with some accomplices allegedly proceeded to Choppies Supermarket, of which Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko has an interest in, where he picked up stones and avocados and threw them into the supermarket causing damages to some of the groceries, which fell off the shelves. Mkwananzi and his accomplices are said to have caused damage valued at $1 000.

But on Thursday 09 March 2017, Magistrate Sande removed Mkwananzi from remand on charges of committing public violence.

Mkwananzi’s lawyer Trust Maanda of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights had applied for the removal of his client from remand as the two witnesses, who are all employees of Choppies Supermarket and who were supposed to testify against the human rights activist had habitually missed court since last year when trial was scheduled to commence. | Agencies

In a move that is likely to draw anger from women’s rights activists government has appointed former Zimpapers chief executive Matthews Kunaka to chair the Women’s Bank.

This effectively destroys the idea behind the bank that women can head their own banking institutions as leaders in their own right.

It is reported that the launch of the bank,  initially slated to coincide with International Women’s Day celebrations on Wednesday, has now been postponed indefinitely, Minister of Women’s Affairs Nyasha Chikwinya announced during celebrations in the capital.

She also announced that former Zimpapers chief executive Matthews Kunaka had been appointed as the chairperson of the bank. Kunaka is currently  the chief executive of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe.

“We have the chairman of the bank…….some said the chairman should be a woman and I said no, we do not do things that way. We are looking for a competent person who is able to drive the bank forward. A man or woman with a vision and passion for women, who is able to articulate issues for women and bring whatever women want, in terms of financial inclusion, onto the table,” said Chikwinya.

She did not disclose the names of the other board members.
Last week, members of Parliament questioned the appointment of the board and the chief executive as the posts were not advertised to the public.
Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa announced in the 2017 budget statement that government will inject $10 million to capitalise the Women’s Bank.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has encouraged banks to set up women entrepreneur-dedicated desks, to improve the financial inclusion of women.

Speaking during the celebrations, deputy central bank governor Charity Dhliwayo said nine banks had implemented the initiative so far.
The central bank also availed $15 million under a women empowerment fund to finance women owned projects across the country. – Source/agencies

A NYANGA family is in the eye of a ritual storm after one of its members allegedly murdered a local woman, became intimate with the corpse before cutting her body parts and handed them to a local businessman.

Johannes Samungure revealed the spine-chilling murder during an avenging spirit appeasement ceremony in Village Eight in Nyajezi Resettlement Scheme last Saturday. The family was appeasing the spirit of Eva Mandikwaza killed in the same area in 2004.

Apparently Johannes killed Mandikwaza together with Israel Makape after the latter was approached by a local businessman (name withheld) to kill a human being and get body parts to enhance his supermarket and grinding mill businesses.

The Weekender learnt that Makape colluded and committed the heinous crime because he had impregnated Eva and was trying to gag her from revealing the adulterous affair to villagers since he was married. Makape and Samungure cut Eva’s tongue, fingers, breasts, womb and brains before sucking her blood.

Samungure also became intimate with Eva’s corpse before they handed over the body parts to the businessman.

Mandikwaza’s unsettled spirit manifested through her aunt claiming that she wanted 11 beasts and a goat as well as $400. She also demanded $200 for groceries to appease her spirit.

The case which was earlier heard at Chief Saunyama’s court drew scores of villagers who gathered at Samungure’s homestead where popular traditional healer and exorcist, Shingirai Mukotsanjera conducted the session.

Samungure revealed to The Weekender, which was present during the appeasement session that he was intimate with Mandikwaza’s corpse as part of the ritual process so that she would not wreak havoc in his family.

“The businessman approached Makape to kill anyone in the village and surrender to him the person’s body parts and blood. Makape engaged my services and we pounced on Eva since she was carrying his baby. He wanted her dead because he could not keep the promise he had made earlier on that he would marry her despite him being married to another woman. We killed her and removed her tongue, some of her fingers, breasts, womb and brains. I became intimate with her when she was already dead as part of the rituals. Makape left for South Africa soon after the incident,” he said.

Samungure’s family revealed that they were suffering several misdemeanors and calamities because of the ritual killing.

“We decided to appease Eva’s spirit because of mysterious deaths and illnesses that were plaguing our clan. We have almost everything that the Mandikwaza family needs, including money and livestock and we believe that the problems will come to an end,” said one of the eldest family members.

Mandikwaza, speaking through her aunt said it was unfortunate that Samungure and Makape decided to kill her for rituals because she was carrying the latter’s pregnancy, which he was denying responsibility.

“Makape was married, but he impregnated me. We were deeply in love and he had promised to marry me. He showed me a stand where he said we would stay together after our marriage. I was two months pregnant when he decided to kill me. I remember it was on a Friday. As usual, we met and started talking. He grabbed me and tripped me to the ground. He said it was the end of my life. He was with Samungure who cut my throat before cutting my privates as well as fingers. Samungure went on to sleep with me even though I was dead.

“My spirit never rested till today where he is paying for his sins. I will go on to torment Makape’s family until he comes back from wherever he is,” her spirit said through her aunt.

Said village head, Mr Jeremiah Mukotsanjera: “We were all left shell-shocked when the incident happened back then. Yes, the businessman in question is still alive, but he is now dead broke. By then, he was so rich and powerful. Everyone respected him, not until when this issue came to light, thanks to the exorcist and traditional healer, Shingirai with the assistance of Chief Saunyama who have been doing a lot to make sure that such cases of ritual killings comes to light.”

Acting Chief Saunyama, said it was refreshing that the Samungure family had decided to appease Mandikwaza’s spirit.

“It was long overdue. Mandikwaza’s spirit was tormenting the Samungures. The case was heard at my court after the deceased’s family approached us over the issue. We engaged Mukotsanjera to lead the appeasement ceremony. There are numerous cases of that nature in my area, some of them were committed decades ago,” he said.

The Mandikwaza family confirmed that they buried Eva without some body parts. –  Manica Post

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo | In ugly scenes of intra-party violence in the MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai a councillor was severely assaulted by angry youths last week.

This followed a heated argument during a provincial meeting as rival camps in the party clashed over the selection of candidates in Masvingo Urban Constituency. Ward four councillor Godfrey Kurauone was beaten up by Masvingo Urban district youth chairperson, Peacemaker Mapope and a group of party youths after he spoke against Takanayi Mureyi an aspiring candidate for the constituency.

Kurauone was assaulted in front of provincial youth chairperson, Philip Chingini who never made an effort to restrain the marauding members. Kurauone took to his heels after the rowdy youths had mobbed him.

Kurauone said he was assaulted and added the party was looking into the matter. “Yes I was assaulted and I am sure the party will deal with the issue via the proper channel,” said Kurauone.
In Masvingo Urban Constituency three aspiring MDC candidates are battling it out for the sole berth to represent the party in the tussle for the parliamentary seat.The three are Mureyi,Boniface Mazarire and Tongai Matutu. Chingini claimed there was a freak altercation between the two party officials.

“Kurauone was not assaulted but there was a minor misunderstanding between the two,” said Chingini. Sources said efforts by party leader, Morgan Tsvangirai to quash factionalism did not materialise last month.

Ray Nkosi | Pastor Phillip Mugadza is at last a free man.

“In Harare, ZLHR lawyer Obey Shava has ended the lengthy detention of Zimbabwean clergyman Pastor Phillip Mugadza after securing his release on bail at the High Court,” wrote the Lawyers For Human Rights.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers, who arrested the clergyman claimed that the Remnant Pentecostal Church leader on Friday 13 January 2017 unlawfully acted in a manner which is likely to create a nuisance by giving a prophesy that President Mugabe is going to die on 17 October 2017.

The law enforcement agents charged that Pastor Mugadza contravened Section 46 (2) (v) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23, when he allegedly misrepresented to members of the public that the prophesy was a true prophesy.

However, Pastor Mugadza denied the charge.

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has dragged former Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti to court demanding $133 663 for electricity supplied to his ranch in Rutenga.

The former legislator reportedly owns Moria Ranch in Mwenezi.

In its declaration through its lawyers, Chihambakwe, Mutizwa and Partners, the power utility said despite several demands, Bhasikiti had refused to fulfil his contractual obligation.

“The defendant (Bhasikiti) is indebted/liable to the plaintiff (ZETDC) as at February 20, 2016 in the sum of $133 663,73, being charges in respect of power/electricity supplied by the plaintiff to the defendant at the latter’s special request and instance in terms of the running electricity supply contract between the two,” ZETDC said.

“Which amount is arrived at as shown in the table below: Moria Ranch first point $48 857,01 and Moria Ranch second point $84 806, 72. The defendant has failed, neglected and/or refused to pay the above amount/sum despite written demand.

“By reason of the said failure, neglect or refusal to pay the above sum/amount, the defendant is obliged to pay the same with interest at the prescribed rate, which is currently 5% per annum.”

Through his lawyers, Chuma, Gurajena and Partners, Bhasikiti entered an appearance to defend himself on March 7 this year after receiving summons on the March 3.

The matter is still pending at the High Court. – Newsday

The Prosecutor-General (PG)’s Office has urged the High Court to deny Kariba-based Remnant Church Pastor Patrick Philip Mugadza bail on the basis that the cleric had a propensity to commit similar offences while on bail.

Mugadza is accused of committing a criminal offence by “prophesying” that President Robert Mugabe would die on October 17 this year.

The cleric yesterday appeared before High Court judge Justice Priscilla Chigumba appealing against the magistrates’ court decision to deny him provisional liberty pending his trial, which has now been set for March 30 this year.

Judgment on the appeal is set to be delivered today.

Through his lawyer, Obey Shava from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Mugadza argued he was a proper candidate for bail given that the State’s fears in denying him liberty were based on the wrong interpretation of the law.

In his submission, Shava said the State did not deny that the offence for which his client was previously convicted of was,in fact, a first schedule offence.

“The State does not deny that the offence the appellant is facing is not the one described in the first schedule offence,” Shava said before being interrupted by the court, which said it had already read his papers.

In response to Mugadza’s application, prosecutor Editor Mavuto said the magistrates’ court did not err when it denied the cleric bail on the basis that he had a propensity to commit further offences.

“Respondent (State) is of the view that the court a quo (which heard the matter) judiciously exercised its discretion in denying the appellant bail pending trial. His finding that appellant (Mugadza) had the propensity to commit further offences was substantiated by the evidence led by the State to the effect that he had another pending case similar to the present offence,” Mavuto said.

According to the court papers, on January 12 this year, Mugadza was interviewed by the Zimbabwe Mail, an online publication, and the State alleges he caused to be published a story captioned, Pastor Mugadza says President Mugabe to die in October 2017, which appeared on the same publication on January 13 this year.

The State alleges in the interview Mugadza committed an offence and insulted the Christian religion and African tradition by uttering words which are taboo by predicting someone’s death. – Newsday

Terrence Mawawa, Mwenezi| An irate parent assaulted a teacher for failing to attend lessons, it has emerged.

The incident happened on Monday at Masogwe Primary School. Police are investigating the matter. The teacher, Turner Muhangu was allegedly assaulted by a parent, identified only as Chauke. He accused Muhangu of conducting personal business during working hours.

The incident happened in the deputy head, Misheck Hlongwane’s office. However, villagers here claimed Muhangu was assaulted for publicly insulting President Robert Mugabe. The melee brought the whole school to a virtual standstill as Chauke chased a fleeing Muhangu.
He followed Muhangu to the deputy head’s office and assaulted him.

“Chauke accused Muhangu of neglecting his duties. He chased Muhangu all the way to the deputy head’s office where he assaulted him. However, Muhangu managed to overpower Chauke with the help of other staff members,” said a source at the school. The school head, Emmaculate Chuma confirmed there was a scuffle between Chauke and Muhangu. “We have since reported the matter to the police and as we speak, there are ZRP officers working on the issue,” said Chuma.

Mwenezi District Schools Inspector, Lackson Zanamwe said he was unaware of the issue. “We are yet to receive such a report,” said Zanamwe.

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday called on First Lady Grace Mugabe to be punished for using goods confiscated by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) to allegedly buy votes ahead of next year’s crunch general elections, where President Robert Mugabe (93) is expected to face a united opposition.

Speaking at a Press briefing soon after chairing the first MDC-T national executive committee meeting after month-long countrywide consultations with opinion leaders, Tsvangirai also claimed that Zanu PF had put in motion plans to rig elections using Israeli firm, Nikuv International Projects.

“Vote-buying by any means should be made a serious, punishable offence. We have seen key government actors associated with Zanu PF overtly buying votes with rice and Zimra-confiscated items, among other vote-buying gimmicks,” Tsvangirai said in apparent reference to Grace.

This came as Zanu PF has reportedly been dishing out government-sourced food hampers, agricultural inputs and stands to supporters at its rallies throughout the country.

During the recent parliamentary by-elections in Norton, Chimanimani and Bikita West, the party also distributed food hampers, groceries and unserviced land as residential stands to sway the votes in favour of its candidates.

At a recent rally in Buhera, Grace admitted that the goods she distributed during her whirlwind tours were confiscated by Zimra from smugglers and importers who failed to pay customs duty.

She claimed that her enemies in Zanu PF were writing letters so that she would not receive material support for her rallies.

“Letters have been written so that I will not be given anything to come and give you. I am the First Lady and can I go to the people empty-handed? I don’t think that is proper and I will not do that,” she said.

But Tsvangirai said such vote-buying actions by Grace and Zanu PF functionaries were abuse of State resources.

“We saw these antics in Norton and Bikita West, as well as in Buhera where Zimra goods were donated at the same time when the nation was being threatened with a corpse as a Presidential candidate. Apart from being a punishable offence, vote-buying should be a basis for disqualification, even before the election is held,” he said.

The MDC-T leader, who will be contesting against Mugabe for the fourth time since 2000, reiterated his calls for the compilation of a fresh and credible voters’ roll ahead of the 2018 polls.

“A credible voters’ roll is mandatory and if there is continued dithering and subversion of the biometric voter registration (BVR) process, then we can ensure that prospective voters simply produce their IDs, as happened in the election of 1980,” Tsvangirai opined.

The main opposition leader said the government’s aim was to subvert the procurement of BVR kits because it wanted Nikuv to get registered under surrogate names to enable it to win the tender to supply the kits.

Opposition parties accuse Nikuv of rigging elections in behalf of Zanu PF.

“If Zimbabwe proceeds to use the BVR system, which Zanu PF is not keen to do, we are also aware of plans to have Nikuv International Projects work with some named Indian companies in hacking or engaging in cyber-attacks on the whole electoral system once it becomes clear that the results are not going in Zanu PF’s favour,” Tsvangirai claimed.

He called on the opposition to unite and demonstrate against “this theft” of elections later this month.

“Whether in the courts or in the streets, we shall fight all attempts to steal the next election and we fully endorse the resolution that we took with others under the banner of Nera (National Electoral Reform Agenda) to mobilise Zimbabweans for a public protest on March 22,” Tsvangirai urged his supporters. – Newsday

A MAN from Old Pumula suburb in Bulawayo died instantly after allegedly drinking cyanide in a suspected suicide.

Edrich Moyo (26) is said to have taken his life in company of his wife on Monday.

It is not clear why Moyo, an employee at Amazon Mine in Filabusi, decided to end his life.

Yesterday, The Chronicle visited the Old Pumula house where Moyo was a tenant and a woman said Moyo’s family had taken his body for burial in Nkayi.

“This occurred on Monday in the afternoon. It seems he drank cyanide because he died seconds after downing the chemical. He entered a bathroom where he drank the poison and came out groaning. He told his wife that he was dying before collapsing,” said the woman.

“A cup with the poison was found in the bathroom and initially people thought it was rat poison but it was later discovered that he drank cyanide.”

She said Moyo’s wife called a prophet to come pray for him, not realising that he was dead. “It seems he had a condition, but I’m not sure what it was.

There was a prophet who used pray for him, so when he collapsed his wife called the prophet. The man came and prayed in vain,” the woman said.

She said police attended the scene and pronounced Moyo dead.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the sudden death.

“We are concerned over the loss of lives due to suicide. Members of the public should seek help from third parties whenever they encounter problems,” said Insp Simango.

On Monday, police retrieved the decomposed body of Ngqwele Sibanda (28) from his home in Nkulumane.

He had allegedly committed suicide the previous week following an argument with his girlfriend over a whatsApp profile picture.

The police officer who is alleged to have robbed a Total Service Station in Bulawayo at gun point last month, appeared in court yesterday.

Amos Hlori (39) works under the Police Special Tactics (PSTT) unit and is stationed at Fairbridge Police Camp.

He allegedly robbed the service station of $158 and a cellphone belonging to a petrol attendant using an AK 47.

The robbery was captured on closed circuit television (CCTV) and the victim positively identified Hlori at a parade.

Bulawayo Magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya did not ask Hlori to plead to attempted murder and armed robbery charges and remanded him in custody to March 15.

State allegations are that on February 8 at 3AM, Hlori arrived at the service station with his head covered with a jacket hood.

Prosecuting, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo said Hlori found one Mr Munyaradzi Mujajati (35), a petrol attendant, alone on duty, drew an AK 47 from his jacket and demanded money.

“Complainant panicked when he saw the gun. He fled into an office and pressed a panic button. Accused followed complainant and fired one shot into the office. The bullet penetrated a glass door panel, slightly missing complainant,” said Mr Dlodlo.

“Fearing for his life, Mujajati handed Hlori $158 from a fuel safe and his cell phone. The robbery was captured on CCTV. Fawcett Security Rapid Response arrived 10 minutes after accused had left.

“A police report was made. Investigating officers tracked and recovered complainant’s cell phone from a person the accused allegedly sold the gadget to.

The person implicated the accused person. Complainant managed to identify accused person at a parade”. – State Media

Disgruntled war veterans were weighing up their options last night after panicking authorities banned their planned get-together in Harare tomorrow — a move they say is meant to pressure them to ditch their withering criticism of President Robert Mugabe as Zanu PF’s ugly succession wars intensify.

This comes after police revealed yesterday that they had not cleared the crucial indaba which the vocal leadership of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) says it had called to discuss the welfare of former freedom fighters, as well as the ever-deteriorating social and political situation in the country.

At the same time, well-placed Zanu PF sources told the Daily News that panicking party bigwigs had claimed that the disaffected war veterans’ meeting had not been sanctioned because they were allegedly planning to discuss the warring ruling party’s divisive succession riddle.

But police said the planned meeting had been banned on the grounds that the war vets did
not meet the full requirements of the much-criticised Public Order and Security Act (Posa), which governs the convening of public meetings.

Contacted by the Daily News, a seething ZNLWVA spokesperson, Douglas Mahiya, denied vehemently that the planned indaba was going to be a political gathering, also accusing the police of applying the law “selectively”.

“Listen, this meeting is not a political party meeting. We are looking forward to have all war veterans gathering for the purpose of reviewing the country’s political, economic and social progress since Zimbabwe’s independence from Britain in 1980

“The law is being applied selectively and we would like to ask why this is so? Our requirements are being stifled. The MDC and other parties are granted permission to have their programmes but not war veterans.

“Why is it that war veterans are being denied their rights? Where have we gone wrong? Yet we are simply talking about issues affecting people and our suffering.

“We are very worried about the position that has been taken by our party. Although we have given everything to the party, when it comes to enjoying the power that many sacrificed for, war veterans are being treated like second-class citizens,” Mahiya complained.

He emphasised that tomorrow’s planned meeting had been called to discuss and map the way forward after Mugabe and the Zanu PF government had failed to honour their pledges which they made during the two parties’ meeting in April last year.

“We pose no threat to anyone at all. We were tear-gassed and beaten last year even as the truth is that we want peace.

“We held a meeting last year and we did not discuss the issues affecting us. So, the reason we plan to meet is the same, our welfare.

“We also wanted to discuss why we are now being regarded as useless people in Zanu PF politics, yet we freed the country. Comrades should be patient, because we are going to have the meeting.

“We now feel like aliens in our own land. Even the ministry (of War Veterans) does not show that they are concerned about us,” Mahiya said, adding that it was baffling to many why the Zanu PF youth and women’s leagues were not being subjected to the same poor treatment that was being meted out to war veterans.

In February last year, war veterans were battered by heavily-armed police after they trooped into Harare for a meeting with Mugabe, who later held a televised address to the nation after the incident denying that such a meeting had been organised.

Without mincing his words, Mugabe also pointedly accused war vets chairperson and former Cabinet minister Christopher Mutsvangwa of having misled the former freedom fighters to come to the capital for the unscheduled meeting.

“For him (Mutsvangwa) to have called a meeting which we knew nothing about, in circumstances in which he had not clearly sought permission from the authorities in violation therefore of the law, and he being a minister, he cannot at the end, after the law and order officers have taken action against the meeting and the war veterans, complain that he was ill-treated.

“He must bear the responsibility,” Mugabe thundered, adding that Mutsvangwa would pay for his misdemeanours.

Police fired teargas and sprayed water on the gathered group of war veterans who had trickled into the capital to attend the planned meeting at the City Sports Centre.

The war vets later managed to secure a meeting with Mugabe, who promised them that his government would address some of their grievances, including paying school fees for their children.

The ex-combatants’ close to 42-year relationship with Mugabe ended mid last year over their worsening plight, and the country’s deepening political and economic rot.
Since that fallout, which hit media headlines after they released a damning communiqué in which they savaged the Zanu PF leader before serving him with divorce papers, the ex-combatants have not missed an opportunity to attack Mugabe.

Until that fallout, the fed-up ex-combatants had served as Mugabe and Zanu PF’s main power base, waging particularly brutal campaigns against popular opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC, especially in the bloody elections of 2000 and 2008.

But the nasty divorce had severe consequences for the leadership of the former freedom
fighters as Mutsvangwa was fired from both the Cabinet and the ruling party, while many of their other leaders were banished from the imploding former liberation movement, in addition to being hauled before the courts.

In ending their relationship with Mugabe, war vets  claimed that the nonagenarian’s continued stay in power was now a stumbling block to the country’s development, adding rather derisively that Zimbabwe’s long-ruling leader would be “a hard-sell” if he ever contemplated contesting next year’s  presidential poll.

The disgruntled former freedom fighters have also since been ratcheting up their loud calls for Mugabe to retire immediately and pave the way for his long-time aide, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to take over the reins at both party and government levels.
Analysts said yesterday that the refusal by the police to sanction the war veterans’ planned meeting tomorrow was consistent with claims by the opposition and pro-democracy groups that authorities applied the law selectively.

“It shows that the police are partisan and act selectively in applying the law. It also shows that for Mugabe, the succession debate remains taboo, no matter who raises it, and that
includes VP Mnangagwa and the war veterans.

“It seems there will be no succession debate or identification of a successor while Mugabe is around,” political analyst Dewa Mavhinga told the Daily News. – Daily News

ZANU-PF National Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere yesterday called for an immediate end to the chaos rocking Bulawayo structures warning that such acts would result in the party performing badly in next year’s elections.

Kasukuwere’s sentiments come following violent demonstrations that rocked the party last Thursday and Sunday as a culmination of infighting within the provincial youth league.

Addressing a Provincial coordinating Committee at the Davies Hall provincial offices, Kasukuwere said the fights rocking Bulawayo bordered on pettiness saying the party would not tolerate such behaviour.

He said Bulawayo was backsliding to its former chaotic set up where the party was run through petitions and demonstrations.

“Zanu-PF is not in Bulawayo alone. Zanu-PF is in Zimbabwe, there are other places where the party is moving nicely, why shouldn’t it be in Bulawayo?

Why do we think that Bulawayo is where we can cause disturbances? To what end?

“What has happened in Bulawayo? Comrades we want order in Bulawayo, where there are differences, sit down, close the door and talk. The direction which you are taking unfortunately will not help anyone. It will not help the party,” said Kasukuwere.

“Insults against each other is not the way to go in the party, the party is about working together, be respectful of each other, yes among people there will be differences but those differences must not affect the party.”

He challenged the party to make sure that it retains the six MPs who were voted into office during the 2015 by elections and not leave the party in disarray.

“What is happening here is that you will end up without anything to talk about. My appeal here is let’s get together and stay focused. Let’s not focus on petty fights, let’s focus on the bigger issue of strengthening our party. Don’t you want Zanu-PF to be strong?

“Don’t you want to overcome the MDC?” asked Kasukuwere.

He warned some members to desist from engaging in acts that embarrass Zanu-PF yet they contribute nothing to the party.

“You want to make a lot of noise like you brought anybody but when we say show us the people you have recruited, they don’t even constitute half of a district,” said Kasukuwere.

“What you are doing is a self defeating exercise. Any commotion in the party will not auger well for Zanu-PF. If you love Zanu- PF, stay focused.”

Responding to reports of some youths who resigned from their positions in Bulawayo, Kasukuwere said the party did not have a shortage of manpower and replacements would be found.

He said the party does not have any credible opposition with divisions rocking the MDCs and the problems bedevilling Dr Joice Mujuru to the point of forming a new party.

He said the party was being infiltrated by negative forces hence the need for vigilance and to rally behind President Mugabe ahead of the 2018 elections.

Kasukuwere said the party has withstood previous challenges and warned those working towards destabilising President Mugabe’s rule that the sun would soon set on them.

He said there were some characters who heap praises on President Mugabe during the day and plot his downfall under the cover of darkness. “We see some who are getting closer to treason, you are about to cross a line that should not be crossed. Don’t be used to do some things that will cost you,” saidKasukuwere.

He said the party was also aware of individuals disbursing money to fuel divisions in the party.

Meanwhile, Kasukuwere yesterday revealed that Mpehlabayo Malinga had been promoted to the position of National deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs. Previously he held the position of Secretary for External Affairs. – State Media

The 14 people from two families who perished in an accident in Bulawayo on Wednesday night were travelling to Masvingo to bury their teenage child.

The young boy, Hopewell Masukume (14), passed away at Mpilo Central Hospital on Monday after a long illness.

The families were heading to Mwenezi for the burial which had been set for yesterday morning.

Speaking to state media, the boy’s maternal grandfather, Mr Kenny Sibanda, said he heard news of the tragic accident in the morning.

“I saw the accident on the early morning news on TV and I knew it was my family as I had last spoken to them at 9PM before departure from Bulawayo. I called other relatives to seek clarification and it was confirmed they are indeed my family. It’s such a loss and I’m yet to come to terms with it,” said Mr Sibanda.

He said Hopewell was his daughter’s son and he had been footing his medical bills since December.

“He was supposed to be in Form Two but he was no longer attending school due to illness. I was constantly buying blood for transfusion,” said Mr Sibanda.

He said he survived the horror crash because his bosses did not allow him to travel for the funeral.

“They told me the only funerals I could attend were my wife’s or those of my biological children, hence I failed to travel,” said Mr Sibanda.

He said Hopewell’s father who had separated with his daughter was now based in South Africa and was already in Mwenezi for the burial.

Mr Sibanda said among the deceased were his three children, Gift, Gracious and the boy’s mother Savia, his brother Luke, ex-wife and mother to the three deceased, Rebecca Dube and her younger sister Margaret.

The other two, he said, are his niece, Sibonile Mbele and a neighbour Gladys Phiri who was accompanying the mourners.

He said among the survivors were his wife Ruth, nephew Isaac Ndlovu and niece Enert Sibanda.

“I heard that my wife’s condition is stable, she suffered chest injuries. My nephew is at Mpilo where he is nursing a broken leg but I understand ukuthi kasakhulumi,” said Mr Sibanda.

He said the other deceased were from the Masukume family and they had no contact with them.

Mourners are gathered at 5621 Emganwini suburb. – State Media

Top Health Services Board (HSB) executives are allegedly abusing five Global Fund programme vehicles meant for the fight against Aids, tuberculosis and malaria by using them as executive cars. This comes after the same institution was criticised by the office of the Auditor-General in her 2014 report on State enterprises and parastatals for hiring vehicles for executives and board members at a cost of $3 000 each a month, resulting in them gobbling about $450 000 on car hire in 2014 alone.

The state media says that a Ford Everest registration number GHCW is being used as an executive car by board member Mrs Tendai Watungwa, Ford Ranger ADR 6605 is being used by the executive director Ms Ruth Kaseke.

Toyota Hiluxes registration numbers GHCC 1866 and GHCW 1452 are being used by general manager administration and finance Mr Assail Machakata, and human resources manager Mrs Nornah Zhou.

Monitoring and evaluation manager Mr Angelbert Mbengwa is using a Toyota Hilux GHCW 1019.

This is contrary to the loan agreement for the vehicles signed between the UNDP and the HSB.

According to the loan agreement, the vehicles are to be used only for United Nations Development Programmes supported by the Global Fund.

These programmes include monitoring staff retention in health institutions dotted across the country.

“Under no circumstances should a project vehicle be used as if it was the personal property of the sub-recipient (HSB) staffs/manager or their families.

“The use of UNDP vehicles on non-business days/holidays should be avoided as far as possible,” reads part of the agreement.

“It is understood and agreed that the vehicles must be used only for official business in support of the implementation of UNDP projects financed by the Global Fund and it is prohibited to use these vehicles for other purposes.

“It is also understood and agreed that after office hours, or when not in use, vehicles must be parked at a garage or in secure area designated in writing by the sub-recipient and approved by UNDP,” further reads the agreement.

In contrast to the agreement, sources close to the happenings claimed that the officials were using the vehicles as executive cars and taking them to their homes at the expense of programme implementation in provinces.

“There are HSB monitoring and evaluation officers who are failing to get to the districts because they do not have vehicles,” added the source.

Contacted for comment, HSB monitoring and evaluation director Mr Mbengwa insisted that the board was adhering to the defined policy and administrative provisions governing the use of the vehicles.

“There are specific activities defined in the Global Fund project and the resources for the implementation of those activities are used as per the agreement,” said Mr Mbengwa.

He said HSB had continued with field visits to central hospitals, provinces and districts in line with the approved work plans and had even submitted field visits reports as required by the programme.

In addition, Mr Mbengwa said the HSB had always availed itself for auditing by the Global Fund and other related agencies — the latest of such audits having been carried out three weeks ago. He, however, bemoaned lack of adequate funding for the board to respond to conditions of service for its executives and fund general operations saying HSB sorely relied on funding from the fiscus.

“The limited fiscal space that has been reported widely in the Press, therefore, negatively impacts on the board’s operations. Nonetheless, efforts are being made to address the issue of conditions of service vehicles for senior members and general operations,” he said.

The HSB was created in terms of the Health Service Act (Chapter 15:16) to superintend over the human resources for health policies in the public health sector, including the welfare of all public health workers. – state media

Recent remarks by President Robert Mugabe suggesting that none of his two deputies — Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko — are considered “by the people” as suitable candidates to succeed him have opened wide the cutthroat succession race, creating the real possibility of dark horses emerging to take the coveted prize.

Analysts who spoke to journalists this week said President Mugabe’s comments had the effect of taking away a semblance of predictability that was beginning to develop in the race to decide who would take over the leadership of the ruling ZANU-PF party, and possibly the country as well, from the veteran leader.

During his traditional birthday interviews, President Mugabe dropped a bombshell when he revealed that his two Vice Presidents did not have the confidence of the people to take over from him.  “The majority of the people feel that there is no replacement, a successor, who to them is acceptable, as acceptable as I am,” he said.

He pointed out that his ZANU-PF party had just re-posited on him a fresh mandate to contest the 2018 presidential election in spite of his age which to him was a clear sign of the lack of confidence in his two deputies.  “The call to step down must come from my party, my party at congress, my party at Central Committee. But then what do you see? It’s the opposite.

“They want me to stand for elections. Of course, if I feel that I cannot do it anymore, I will say so to my party so that they relieve me. But, for now, I think I can’t say so…” The remarks were seen as effectively slamming the door on Mnangagwa, who until the latest development was being touted as President Mugabe’s heir apparent as he was seen — and also behaved — as someone who was already having one hand on the trophy.
The fight to decide who will succeed President Mugabe has seen his party being divided along two clear factions, Generation 40 (G40) and Team Lacoste.

The latter, backed largely by war veterans, favours Mnangagwa to take over, while the former — comprising mostly women and the youths — wants the incumbent to rule for life.
Mnangagwa has publicly distanced himself from Team Lacoste and its members who claim to be speaking on his behalf.

And from this messy political infighting a dark horse may emerge to land the presidency.
The term dark horse — first used by Benjamin Disraeli in the novel, The Young Duke — comes from an unknown horse that won a race much to the chagrin of bookmakers who had not anticipated its victory.

This is a possibility that analysts says now exist in the race to succeed President Mugabe.
University of Zimbabwe lecturer, Eldred Masunungure, said President Mugabe’s comments defeat the purpose of him having deputies both at party and national levels because the idea of having them in the first place is to help him in the performance of his duties and to facilitate a smooth transfer of power.

Masunungure — who is also the director of the Mass Public Opinion Institute — said a dark horse scenario was only possible with the incumbent’s active involvement.
“It depends almost entirely on one of two likely scenarios. The scenarios are simply: (a) the succession during President Mugabe’s lifetime; and (b) the succession after (President) Mugabe,” he said.

“As I see it, the dark horse possibility is only applicable under scenario (a) and not scenario (b). The dark horse can only emerge through (President) Mugabe himself anointing his successor; that is choosing his successor during his lifetime. Further, he will then shepherd the transition of power from himself to the dark horse and market the latter to his party and nation. In addition, (President) Mugabe would need to live long enough thereafter to allow the dark horse to consolidate power around him/her. This means that if there are any dark horses lurking out there, they should pray that they are anointed while the President is still around and that the President lives long enough to do so.

“The second scenario — succession after (President) Mugabe — does not allow for a dark horse. This scenario only allows for hard politics based on hard power where those who possess or can muster the hard power resources will win State House. This scenario does not provide for anointment by the incumbent and therefore does not provide for a dark horse. The fundamental question then is, which scenario is most likely. That can only be answered by our maker,” said Masunungure.

Another analyst, Ibbo Mandaza, an academic, said it was clear from President Mugabe’s comments and the other developments that have taken place in the party since the beginning of the year that cold water has been poured on the Mnangagwa option.

“First it was the interview by Jonathan Moyo in a local weekly (in which Moyo, a fairly political lightweight in the party, made disparaging remarks about Mnangagwa’s suitability to succeed President Mugabe)… it was clear that he was not speaking without some backing.
Then there was the (Buhera) rally by the First Lady. And then came the birthday interview which was followed by his (President’s) speech at his birthday,” Mandaza recalled.

He said the sum total of all these developments clearly showed that President Mugabe had someone in his mind, but he has so far managed to keep the identity of that person to himself.

Mandaza, however, pointed out that one of the dark horses that could emerge from this development was current Defence Minister, Sydney Sekeramayi — who turns 73 this month — a medical doctor and veteran of the liberation struggle who has not shown any public interest to contest in the fierce race.

The soft-spoken, physician who left Swedish medical school in the mid-70s and headed straight to join the Zimbabwe National Liberation Army forces in Mozambique, is seen as a loyalist of President Mugabe who has managed to keep himself clear of the factional fights in ZANU-PF.

A level-headed politician and none of the two factions hate him, although none of them can claim to love him.

A career Cabinet minister since 1980, Sekeramayi has presided over virtually most of the key ministries and he has the added advantage of being one of the few politicians less tainted by allegations of corruption.

There are also suggestions that President Mugabe could be seriously considering grooming his wife, Grace, to take over from him if he cannot get someone whom he can trust to continue safeguarding his legacy as well as to insure the security of his fairly young family.
Currently, the leader of the ZANU-PF Women’s League, has been holding whirlwind rallies across the country, rallies that many have viewed as possibly testing the waters before making up her mind on whether to sponsor someone or to get into the race herself.

With a solid women and youths backing behind her, she could emerge a serious contender for the throne if President Mugabe could give her the much-needed head start.

A number of politicians who have no liberation war credentials, among them Ignatius Chombo, David Parirenyatwa, son of the late nationalist, Samuel Tichafa Parirenyatwa, and Edna Madzongwe are also being mentioned in ZANU-PF corridors as capable of springing up surprises.

Chombo has risen the fastest in the ZANU-PF, and occupies position number four in the top echelons of the party, as secretary for administration.

Parirenyatwa is one of the few children of former liberation war stalwarts President Mugabe has accommodated in his Cabinet. He is seen providing the bridge between the future and the past.

The succession debate has been raging on for several decades now. – Financial Gazette

A Harare woman recently set her two ferocious dogs on debt collectors who had visited her house to serve a threatening letter of demand over an outstanding water bill.

“They knocked at the gate once and stormed my property without permission. The dogs leapt from that tree shed and sped in their direction,” she said, gesturing as she tried to describe the action at her home in Waterfalls.

“They screamed, dropped the letter and took to their heels, noisily slamming the gate behind them to shut the dogs in. I did not restrain the dogs because I wanted them to get a taste of their nuisance,” she recounted without any regret.

She insisted she did not owe the local authority a dime as she pays her bills religiously.
With many of the country’s citizens reeling in debt due to economic challenges, getting payment from those who owe money has become a huge business for legal practitioners — with plenty of opportunities for lawyers to find work.

Ideally, a debt should be paid the moment it falls due. Sadly, Zimbabweans are developoing a habit of not paying their debts. Part of the reason is that the ruling ZANU-PF party has been spoiling the electorate with freebies in order to get votes.

In the run-up to the 2013 polls, power utility ZESA Holdings and local authorities were directed to write-off debts owed to them by the public.

This generosity did the trick for the party, as ZANU-PF romped to victory in the elections.
It did the exact opposite to councils, as their financial positions deteriorated further, resulting in service delivery worsening.

The freebies extended to farming inputs such as seed and fertilisers which were dished out to farmers like confetti at a wedding.

Because they are now used to free things, most Zimbabweans are not ashamed at all to default on their debt payments. Former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor, Gideon Gono, can bear testimony to this.

After launching the Farm Mechanisation Programme in 2007, the RBZ distributed millions of dollars worth of equipment to farmers in the hope that they would pay for it after their harvest in 2010.

Nothing of the sort happened. In the end, government was forced to inherit the debt through the RBZ Debt Assumption Bill of 2015, which was enacted into law that same year.
Most institutions are sinking because of poorly performing debtors, on top of the pile being public institutions such as ZESA, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, municipalities and public hospitals.

In order to rein in on defaulters, most institutions are seeking the services of debt collectors to hunt down their debtors at a fee.

But this has created a big mess whereby illegal debt collectors have proliferated, taking advantage of citizens who are ignorant of the law.

The debt collectors operate without any legal mandate and mete extrajudicial settlement — one that is not legally authorised or not made in court.

Zimbabwean laws do not provide for the existence or operation of debt collectors.
Essentially, debt collection is a specific type of litigation, and only lawyers certified by the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) are required to follow up on debts on behalf of clients, and they can only attach people’s assets through the Messenger of Court or the High Court sheriff after a court order.

This is enshrined in the Legal Practitioners Act (part five), which clearly specifies that only lawyers can collect debts on behalf of clients.

Explaining the process to be followed, top lawyer Davison Kanokanga said a creditor can issue a final demand for payment in the event of a claim arising from the failure to pay for services rendered, or for goods sold and delivered or failure to service a loan according to the terms agreed between the creditor and debtor.

“The Sheriff or Messenger of Court delivers the warrant to the debtor (who is now, after the judgment has been given, called the judgment debtor) and the debtor either pays the debt or if the debtor cannot or will not pay the debt the Sheriff or Messenger of Court attaches (and possibly removes for sale) items sufficient to cover the judgment debt and costs. After selling attached property, the Sheriff or the Messenger of Court pays the judgment creditor what is due to him/her in terms of the court order,” he said.

Admittedly, high legal costs are driving many people from lawyers in preference for debt collectors.

While there are some success stories among those who sought the services of debt collectors, others have ended up regretting it after their attempts fell through due to their illegality.

Interestingly, even organisations such as the City of Harare, which has a fully-fledged legal department, have been engaging the debt collectors to collect money owed by residents in water bills and rates.

The company contracted by the city fathers has been wreaking havoc around the capital as it distributes threatening letters of demand, giving residents stringent deadlines and promising aggressive action ranging from attachment of assets and civil imprisonment in the event that the amount owed — which in some cases runs into thousands of dollars — is not paid in full.

Ominously, in some instances, money is being demanded from people who would have fully settled their bills while in other cases, people who do not have access to piped municipal water are asked to pay.

For example, some areas such Mabvuku, Msasa Park and Highlands have not had council water for years, including some parts of Kuwadzana and Budiriro that have new settlements yet to be connected to the Harare water system.

Notwithstanding the lack of provision of water, people in these areas are also being accused of failing to pay for water bills.

Some of the threatening letters have also been sent out to residents of illegal settlements, which the local authority does not recognise and has repeatedly threatened to demolish.
The city has also allowed the debt collecting company to set up a temporary banking hall at its Rowan Martin building where petrified residents could be seen flocking to make payments or negotiate payment plans.

Defaulting ratepayers are given a final urgent notice of 48 hours to pay the full amount in question.

A penalty fee based on the prevailing rate would be charged if they do not pay within the stipulated period.

“Note that you shall pay the overdue amount plus summons costs as court fees and interest thereof as well as further legal costs incurred by engaging a Messenger of Court in pursuant of the debt. Civil imprisonment proceedings shall be taken against you if you do not have enough assets to clear your debt,” reads part of a notice from the debt collector seen by the Financial Gazette.

At law, there are no 48 hour notices. This felonious partnership between councils and debt collectors has courted the wrath of legal advocacy groups, civil society organisations and legal experts who have been critical of the existence, behaviour and operations of debt collectors.

Lawyers canvassed by the Financial Gazette said while the Legal Practitioners Act prohibits abuse by debt collectors, such as harassing phone calls and deceptive letters, no-one is paying attention to it.

Facebook“That’s like a lion trying to catch an impala,” said Harare lawyer, Takudzwa Mafongoya referring to City of Harare’s bid to unleash debt collectors on its multitude of debtors.

“It gets one from the herd, but there’s no threat to the others, yet in any case it is violation of the law and it should not be tolerated,” he said, describing debt collectors as “fake sheriffs and phantom firms”.

Sometimes the behaviour of debt collectors is egregious to the point of being ridiculous. Some debtors are called incessantly, often well into the night.
Others reported being threatened with arrest by collectors, which is prohibited.
Some debt collectors even go to the extent of dressing and branding their cars as deputy sheriffs so that they could deliver fake subpoenas.

“They are taking advantage of people when they are most vulnerable, at the worst times of their lives,” moaned outgoing LSZ president, Vimbai Nyemba.

“Debt collection work is for legal practitioners alone and whoever attempts or purports to hold himself/herself out as a debt collector will be seriously breaching the law. In addition, such a person will also be snatching away legal work that should otherwise legitimately be
that of legal practitioners,” she said.

Curiously, none of the government agencies that should be taking up these issues are bothered.

Parliamentarians are also too busy with other things while the people they purport to represent are being harassed left, right and centre without them raising a finger.
Recently, a grouping of debt collectors drew their own constitution to govern their sector although legal experts dismissed the charter as an illegal document which is invalid in terms of the law.

“I have read somewhere that there is actually a constitution they rely on as their regulating document. However, as long as they deal with the greater public, they ought to be pushing for an Act of Parliament to regulate their affairs if they really want recognition,” said Harare lawyer, Philip Nyakutombwa.

“No citizen should lose their property for a debt without due process and a court order being secured, but you get a client calling to say there is a debt collector at my house to get my property, without even a court order,” he added. Financial Gazette