A 49-year-old man who allegedly proposed love to his 15-year-old stepdaughter on Valentine’s Day before having sexual intercourse with her yesterday appeared in court.

The man appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Victoria Mashamba facing charges of having sex with a minor. He was remanded to March 9.

Prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that on Valentine’s Day this year, at around 8pm, the man was accompanied by his stepdaughter to OK supermarket in Mufakose, Harare. They intended to buy meat and vegetables for supper.

It is alleged that the man drove in the direction of Mufakose Polyclinic and parked his vehicle.
He allegedly proposed love to his teenage stepdaughter and she agreed. They had consensual sexual intercourse in the vehicle, it is alleged. The offence came to light when the teenager gave her friend a 50 cent coin.

The friend was questioned by her grandmother and she mentioned the complainant’s name.
When the complainant was called she denied the allegations. – State Media

Her friend later revealed that the money came from the complainant’s stepfather. On interrogation, she revealed that she had had sex with her stepfather. A report was made to the police leading to the man’s arrest.

In a similar case before the same magistrate, a police constable stationed at Morris Depot was charged with having sex with a minor. Const Ngonidzashe Paswavaviri (28) was remanded to March 9 on $100 bail.

It is alleged that on February 18 this year the complainant was walking alone on her way to buy freezits. She passed through Paswavaviri’s house. Paswavaviri, who was standing at his door, invited the teenager into his house.

He had sexual intercourse with her. She tried to resist but was over- powered. He later ordered the teenager to proceed with her journey. It is alleged that three days later the complainant broke down during a school lesson.

Her teacher quizzed her and she revealed that she was raped by Paswavaviri. A report was made to the police leading the arrest of the police constable. Herald

Terrence Mawawa, Zaka |A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) cop lost his ear after being bashed by illegal gamblers who were angry because the officer had confiscated their cash and converted it for his personal use.

Constable Chapeyama of Zaka is nursing serious injuries after being attacked by the angry gamblers. He is currently admitted at St Antony’s Musiso Hospital.The incident happened last week. The cop allegedly seized $60 from the gamblers.

Chapeyama raided the three gamblers and confiscated their belongings -including cash. He however did not take the money to the police station. On noticing that the cop did not take the cash to the police station the gamblers plotted a violent retaliation. The three gamblers pounced on the cop as he was drinking beer at a local bar.

“The three men entered the bar and attacked Chapeyama accusing him squandering their cash on beer.One of the gamblers bit Chapeyama’s ear and tore off a piece. Chapeyama was quickly rushed to hospital following the attack,”said Paul Chigaro, a bar attendant.

Acting Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said he had not received the report. Police in Zaka said one of the gamblers, Douglas Siyawarewa was arrested immediately after the incident and his two accomplices ran away.

Shyleen Mtandwa| Bulawayo residents have rejected the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 1) Bill 2017 saying the current charter has not been fully implemented, needing trial before any amendment.

Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No.1 Act 2017 proposes that the Chief Justice, the deputy Chief Justice and the Judge President of the High Court to be appointed by the President after consultation with the Judiciary Services Commission.

Speaking during a Parliamentary consultation meeting held at, Iminyela Hall, residents resoundingly rejected the constitution amendment with no doubt.

Residents said the Amendment Bill would vest much power on the Executive depriving the Constitution of the separation of powers.

Former Magwegwe House of Assembly member, Felix Magalela Mafa Sibanda, said the President’s role is to protect the Constitution not to come up with the amendments, which satisfy the Executive only.

“I strongly believe in the doctrine of separation of powers meaning the Judiciary must be independent from the Executive and Legislature, therefore the President should not be allowed to choose judges alone,” said Sibanda.

He said they died for the current constitution and every amendment should be done through a referendum.

“The doctrine of separation of power is trying to neutralise absolute power to an institution and l believe correctly that absolute power corrupts absolutely,” said Sibanda.

Previously the appointment of the Judge President was done by the Chief Justice.

Another resident, Duncan Ncube, said the government must tell the public the reason behind the constitution amendment since people were the ones who scribed the current constitution.

“We find it so insulting when we come up with what we want as citizens and the government try to shift public’s view and put their own ideas which are in favour of them alone,” said Ncube.

“Our Constitution is fairly new and very attractive so what are we amending because we haven’t implemented the current constitution fully.”

Other amendments will be in paragraph 18(3) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution titled Commencement of this Constitution, Transit Provisions and Savings, where the amendments will exclude the words “vacancies in the office of Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice”, from the scope of that provision.

Charles Ncube of Pumula said Section 180 of the Constitution allows people to elect Judges but the amendment does not involve public participation in the electing process.

A resident, Kenneth Chirimuda, said amending the Constitution would pave way for undemocratic practices.

“We feel it is too early to amend the Constitution, the reason being we are now opening floodgates of amendments,” said Chirimuda.

He blamed MPs for not bringing the Bill in advance so that people could read it in advance.

“The delivery of Constitution amendment copies clearly shows that the Parliament did not want our views because we cannot debate without fully reading and understanding the paper,” said Chirimuda.

The Bill also seeks to amend Section 174 to clarify conditions of service for judges of the High Court and judges of the Labour Court and Administrative Court.

Another resident Mthokosizi Ncube said Zanu-PF wants its ideologies to be the one’s dominating in the country.

“In this amendment, the President now wants to violate the Constitutional rights since the amendment will give the President absolute power,” said Ncube.

He said the amendment was done for the coming elections so that the ruling party will easily rig the elections.

Another resident, Minenhle Sibanda, said the consultations were just a formality and the findings will not be implemented.

“The Parliament should have consulted us whether to amend or not than to discuss the already amended constitution with the parliamentary views,” said Sibanda.

A UNIVERSITY of Zimbabwe student has dragged outgoing Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku to the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) contesting a ruling that set aside an application challenging the selection of the top judge’s successor.

Romeo Taombera Zibani, whose bid to stop the ongoing process to select Chief Justice Chidyausiku’s successor using provisions in the Constitution fell flat a fortnight ago after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), is now challenging the composition of the bench that threw out his case.

The JSC successfully appealed against a High Court judgment that sought to halt interviews for the next Chief Justice in the Supreme Court.

Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa had backed Zibani’s case, arguing that the government was already in the process of amending the Constitution to give President Robert Mugabe the sole right to pick the country’s top three judges.

On Wednesday, Zibani, through his lawyers Venturas and Samukange Legal Practitioners, filed the latest ConCourt application arguing that the appointment of retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Vernanda Ziyambi, to preside over his matter was unconstitutional.

He cited President Robert Mugabe, Mnangagwa, Justices Chidyausiku and Ziyambi as respondents.

“The appeal was procedurally set down and was heard by Justices Ben Hlatshwayo, Bharat Patel and retired Justice Ziyambi, who was included after her purported appointment, which is the basis of this application,” Zibani said.

“I submit that the fourth respondent (Justice Ziyambi) was not eligible for appointment, having reached the age of 70 and having retired in 2016.

“Her appointment was, therefore, unconstitutional.

“The appointment is in contravention of section 186(2) (of the Constitution), which reads as follows: Judges of the Supreme Court, the High Court and any other judges hold office from the date of their assumption of office until they reach the age of 70 years, when they must retire.”

Zibani averred that Justice Chidyausiku acted unconstitutionally by appointing Justice Ziyambi.

“I submit that when the Supreme Court sat to hear my case on February 13, 2017, it was not properly constituted, as there were only two judges qualified to hear the case,” he said.

“The sitting did not constitute a Supreme Court bench, as is required by law and, therefore, the judgment by that court is a nullity.”

Zibani, who was cited as the first respondent in the JSC matter, was barred from participating in the Supreme Court hearing after the judges ruled that he had not filed heads of argument to enable him to be part of the proceedings.
Justice Chidyausiku is set to retire next week.

The selection of the Chief Justice has been marred by Zanu PF factional politics amid allegations that a faction linked to Mnangagwa wants Judge President Justice George Chiweshe to succeed Chidyausiku.

However, Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba emerged as the top candidate in public interviews held by the JSC in December last year as per the Constitution.

He was followed by JSC secretary Justice Rita Makarau and Justice Paddington Garwe. – Newsday

MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai will this weekend descend on President Robert Mugabe’s stronghold of Mashonaland East province to meet party structures, churches, business and traditional leaders, as he concludes his nationwide consultative meetings on the proposed coalition of opposition parties.

Tsvangirai is punting the coalition as an indispensable strategy to dislodge the 93 year-old leader in next year’s elections.

Top MDC-T officials said Tsvangirai would spend three days meeting village heads, chiefs and other influential leaders in Mashonaland East,

starting this week, as part of his new strategy to penetrate provinces previously regarded as “no-go areas” for opposition politicians.

“He will be in Mashonaland East and will possibly make stops at Uzumba and other rural areas, where he is expected to speak with traditional leaders.

“The final programme has not been released for security reasons,” said an official.

Since the 2000 elections, Mashonaland East has been the bedrock of political violence mostly targeted at opposition supporters. Zanu PF supporters have made the province a no-go area for the opposition, particularly areas such as Uzumba, Mudzi and Mutoko.

MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu, confirmed Tsvangirai’s impending visit to Mashonaland East.

He said Tsvangirai will be consulting party structures and other interested groups on the current economic decay and coalition, among other issues.

“President Morgan Tsvangirai is continuing with his countrywide consultative programmes, where he will be touching base with local opinion leaders and getting their views regarding all pertinent issues such as the economy and political alliances, among other issues,” he said.

“As you know, he has already covered most parts of the country on a similar mission.”

However, Gutu disputed assertions that Mashonaland East and West provinces were Zanu PF strongholds, saying the MDC-T has enjoyed massive support in the areas since its birth in 1999.

“It’s a myth that Mash East is a Zanu PF stronghold,” he said.

“The MDC is the largest and most popular political party in Zimbabwe and we have got thousands of supporters in Mash East and West provinces.

“We are very confident that, just like in all the other provinces that our leader has toured to date, there will be very good attendances in all the three Mashonaland provinces.”

Tsvangirai has covered Matabeleland, Manicaland, Midlands and Masvingo, among other provinces, in his consultative meetings which started last month.

He recently announced that he was close to forming a coalition with former Vice-President Joice Mujuru’s Zimbabwe People First and other opposition parties. – Newsday

Ray Nkosi | Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has once again dumped his allies during the hour need.

This is soon after President Robert Mugabe has declared that he is not grooming a successor going further to state that among those in his leadership none has the leadership qualities to replace him.

Mugabe in his statements effectively snubbed his deputy Mnangagwa who has been angling himself to succeed him as a touted heir apparent.

In a new twist Mnangagwa said those pressing for him to be President while President Mugabe is still in office must be expelled from Zanu-PF. This is a deja-vu moment after Mnangagwa publicly dumped expelled war vets led by Christopher Mustvangwa in their moment of need when they were under siege within the ruling Zanu PF party.

Mnangagwa is reported describing such people “mad” and said some of them had since been expelled from the ruling party.

This is outside the fact that one of Mnangagwa’s most vocal loyalists  Godfrey Tsenengamu who was arrested after he held a press conference, denouncing First Lady Grace Mugabe has been denied bail.

The former Zanu PF provincial youth chairperson, was slapped behind bars for the charges of holding a presser without notifying the police.

“There are these mad young people who move around saying they want Cde Mnangagwa to be President and I told them you are mad. We don’t want to hear that. We have our father (President Mugabe) who has led us for over 60 years. We have travelled with him that far and you hear young people, some of them born after independence, saying such bad things,” said Mnangagwa the state media reports.

“We don’t want that. Yes, even in a family set-up you can have a bad apple among your children. We must all know that if you want to succeed in our country, you must be a member of the ruling party; the party that has a liberation struggle history; a party with leaders we can bank on because they sacrificed a lot for this country,” he said.

“Today we have President Mugabe as our leader. White people might fume and say all sorts of things but President Mugabe will soldier on with his people.

President Mugabe always tells them that he does what the people want, reminding them to mind their own business,” he said.

Mnangagwa said the success of Command Agriculture was because of the fast track land reform programme ushered in by President Mugabe.

“President Mugabe said the principal cause of the liberation war was the land question. He has fought hard to ensure that the landless majority reclaim their land. President Mugabe did not stop there for he proceeded with indigenisation that economically empowered our people. So Command Agriculture is empowering the people,” the VP said.

“Zanu-PF will rule forever and those ruled will forever be ruled and I don’t understand why you opt to move away from the rulers and stay with those being ruled. That’s pure madness. Zanu-PF is the party that brought independence under the leadership of President Mugabe.”
VP Mnangagwa said President Mugabe would be re-elected in 2018 to lead the country.

THE Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Saviour Kasukuwere has fired Gweru Mayor Councillor Hamutendi Kombayi and Clr Kenneth Sithole following recommendations made by an independent tribunal.

Clrs Kombayi and Sithole were among the 15 councillors who appeared before an independent tribunal headed by Mr Isaac Muzenda for alleged gross misconduct, incompetence and mismanagement of council funds and affairs following their suspension in August 2015.

Kasukuwere and Local Government Ministry permanent secretary Engineer George Mlilo visited Gweru and told councillors at the town house yesterday that Clrs Kombayi and Sithole had been fired.

The minister also announced the end of the tenure of the three-member commission headed by Mr Tsunga Mhangami that was running the affairs of the city following the councillors’ suspension.

The commission will hand over the running of the city to councillors before the end of this month.

“The independent tribunal completed its investigations and recommended that Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi and Councillor Kenneth Sithole be discharged.

They were found guilty of the charges they were facing. Other councillors, although they were found guilty have been reengaged,” he said.

Kasukuwere said according to the country’s laws, the two councillors were free to appeal to a higher court.

He said councillors who have been spared would have to start afresh.

The minister said the councillors would be re-inducted into council with a training programme.

“There will be an additional training on conflict management in an effort to bring harmony and progress to the chamber so that we can maintain the momentum started by the commission,” he said.

“Secondly, you need to receive a handover-takeover report from the commission so that any work started by the commission can be brought to its logical conclusion. Thirdly, you will be expected to elect a new mayor and deputy mayor at your first special council meeting, office bearers to lead you with integrity and dignity. Fourthly, the committee system will need to be re-established. Town clerk you are to rearrange the committees and put in place terms of reference so that all aspects of the council activities are covered.”

The minister said all resolutions passed by the outgoing commission should not be rescinded without his authority.

He said the councillors were still on travel embargo and any proposed trips will only be approved by his ministry.

On the contentious mayoral regalia which is allegedly still in the hands of Clr Kombayi, Kasukuwere said from now onwards it would be kept by the town clerk and will only be used for official events.

He said the mayoral vehicle will only be used for official duties. – State Media

PRETORIA/LONDON. – Amid confirmation that MTN’s offices in Nigeria’s capital were vandalised by anti-xenophobia demonstrators, the International Relations Department says South Africa’s ambassador has been summoned by that country’s government to explain the attacks on foreigners here.

The cellphone service provider has issued a brief statement calling on people to remain calm and to exercise restraint.

It’s understood their offices in Abuja were vandalised and office equipment was stolen during a protest against attacks on foreigners in South Africa.

International Relations’ Clayson Monyela has confirmed that South Africa’s ambassador to Nigeria has been summoned to that country’s foreign ministry for a meeting.

“They want to get an understanding of these sporadic attacks in South Africa as reported on some foreign and South African nationals. We did explain that these are sporadic criminal attacks.”

The Nigerian Union of South Africa’s Emeka Collins says they are worried about the anti-immigrant march in Pretoria today, which has been given the green light.

“We hope the protest march tomorrow will not give leverage to setting criminal elements to take the law into their own hands. We have confidence in the authority.”

The police say they will not tolerate any violence.

Nigerians in Abuja reportedly staged an anti-xenophobia protest outside the South African embassy in the capital Abuja on Wednesday, calling on authorities to “stop attacks on African nationals”.

According to BBC Live, the protest, organised by members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, urged the South African government to urgently address the situation.

The protesters carried placards such as “South Africa we say stop killing our people” and chanted slogans denouncing the attacks, the report said.

“We are doing this because of the killings taking place in South Africa, we want to express our displeasure over that and urge them to take measures to address the situation.

“We presented a petition in which we want them to call their people to order. We have foreigners here and it will not be good if there is reprisal attacks that will not make world a peaceful place to live,” one of the protesters was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba yesterday warned unethical businesses that employ illegal immigrants that they are going to be dealt with harshly and the managers will be arrested for not adhering to the law.

“Companies, businesses: Be warned. We are coming for you. We will charge them, there’s no doubt. The manger will be charged. Often times, we focus on the undocumented employee and not the company,” he said.

They would deport the illegal immigrants, he said, but the businesses would not be left unscathed.

Gigaba made an example of a large supermarket group that had employed 63 people without documentation.

Three shops were found to have employed undocumented immigrants, and two managers were arrested, while another manager was not on duty at the time. SA labour laws require businesses to employ a minimum of 60 percent South Africans.

“But we are not saying businesses should only employ 60 percent of South Africans. Go higher,” Gigaba said, briefing media in Cape Town.

Businesses were a critical factor in dealing with some of the challenges facing communities, such as Rosettenville, he said. — News Agencies.

AS the Lazarus Magaya storm hit the public domain on Wednesday, the former Masvingo United coach was forced to skip class in shame at the ongoing CAF A course in Harare.One of the course’s instructors, Nelson Matongorere, warned the participants against sabotaging each other.

Magaya has been working here for the past eight months in which he has coached three teams and Malanti Chiefs co-director, Victor Rodriguez, appealed for psychological assistance to help the troubled coach.

“Lomuntfu akaphilanga kahle la enhloko udzinga lusito (Magaya needs psychological assistance), the earlier the better,” said Rodriguez.

“This is the same stance he pulled on us more than a year, pleading with me to hire him. It’s not amazing at all that he has struck again.

“I have the chats to prove that. We brought him into the country, he trained our team and after we had agreed on a figure he disappeared, changed numbers and at that time he was in touch with Green Mamba and (Manzini) Wanderers officials.

“To me this is a clear sign of a man with a psychological problem who needs help, the sooner the better before it causes further hatred with other coaches.”

Two of the alleged victims to Magaya’s unethical shenanigans, Hebert Maruwa and Julius Chakupewa, said they had long forgiven him. – State Media

THE Plumtree Magistrate’s Court has dismissed an application by Mangwe Rural District Council to evict its former Chief Executive Officer from a council house saying the matter must be resolved by the Labour Court.

The local authority recently dragged Mr Nketha Mangoye Dlamini to court accusing him of refusing to vacate a council house in Plumtree which is reserved for the CEO.

Plumtree magistrate, Mr Joshua Mawere said Mr Dlamini had approached the Labour Court complaining that he was coerced into resigning due to unfavourable working conditions.

He said the matter was pending at the Labour Court and Mr Dlamini could be reinstated if the matter goes in his favour.

“The applicant has approached the wrong court to deliberate on the issue as this is entirely a labour matter. If constructive dismissal is alleged and the matter is before a labour officer one of the available remedies is reinstatement.

“Tendering a resignation doesn’t mean termination of an employment contract. This then ousters the jurisdiction of this court as it can’t make a ruling whether employment relation between the applicant and defendant is terminated or not. Therefore this application is dismissed,” said Mr Mawere.

On November 18 last year, the local authourity filed an application for summary judgment for the eviction of Mr Dlamini who had resigned from his post in May last year.

Mr Dlamini resigned immediately after he was suspended for a month for allegedly issuing a tender for road maintenance works in an unprocedural manner to Enfund Construction Company.

In its application, council which is being represented by council chairperson Mr Roland Mafesi Ncube said the current CEO was now forced to stay at a local lodge in the border town as Mr Dlamini was refusing to move out of the CEO’s house.

Mr Dlamini was employed by Mangwe RDC from 2006 up to May 30 last year when he resigned.

Mr Ncube said Mr Dlamini was first issued with a three months’ notice to vacate the house but refused stating that council owed him money in outstanding salaries and benefits.

He said council issued summons for Mr Dlamini’s eviction but he also failed to comply.

In response to the application, Mr Dlamini said he still had a claim to the house as he was unfairly dismissed.

Mr Dlamini recently dragged the local authority to the Labour Court for alleged unfair dismissal.

He said he was forced to resign because the council chairperson was intimidating and harassing him. Mr Dlamini said the council chairperson had created a hostile environment that made it impossible for him to carry out his duties.

He approached the Labour Court demanding compensation for forced resignation, his outstanding salary and a package.

The court advised the local authority to meet Mr Dlamini to discuss his benefits and outstanding salary. – State Media

President Robert Mugabe unwittingly confirmed Zimbabwe’s worsening rot — which is widely blamed on him and his misfiring government — when he revealed during his annual birthday interview with the ZBC last week that even he kept money at home fearing bank failures.

Mugabe also hinted in that televised interview that Zimbabwe should adopt the South African Rand to mitigate the country’s severe liquidity and cash challenges.

But it was the nonagenarian’s rare, frank and ready admission that he too, along with many other Zimbabweans, kept his money at home rather than with banks that surprised observers.

“They (ordinary Zimbabweans) carry those earnings into their pillows and briefcases back home and hold funds back home and become reluctant to release them. Then the banks will not have any resource and will continue to talk of illiquid banks in the system.

“That is what has happened. Dzimba idzi dzizere nemari (Many homes are full of cash). Tikati kumapurisa nemasoja (If we instruct the police and soldiers to) go house by house and dig for the funds that are being hidden there . . . You will be guilty and I will be guilty.

“I don’t know who will not be guilty here … Dzimwe nguva ukaona tumari twako wotya kuti aah ndikanoisa uko kuti ndizonoitora mangwana hapana (If you have savings you will be afraid of depositing them in the bank because tomorrow you may not get that money).

“So you tend to keep it. It’s not your fault . . . It’s the fault of a system that has not yielded enough cash. Mind you, the (American) dollar is not our currency,” Mugabe said.
He spoke as long-suffering Zimbabweans continue to experiences pain and chaos at banks as they desperately seek to withdraw their money.

This is despite the government’s recent introduction of bond notes in its desperate bid to improve the availability of money.
On its part, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has blamed the shortages of cash on rampant externalisation and high imports.

Last month one of the government’s advisors, Ashok Chakravarti,  revealed that the country only had $304 million in hard cash in circulation, including $73 million in bond notes.

“If you look at comparative studies from other economies cash to deposit ratio should be between 10 (percent) to 12 percent. If an economy has got less than 12 percent, it faces a liquidity crisis … We need $900 million in cash to have adequate liquidity,” he said.

And as Zimbabwe’s economy continues to die, the World Bank last year downgraded the country from its list of improved economies to the unflattering tier of struggling countries, as Harare’s political and economic turmoil continues to escalate.

In its publication titled Africa’s Pulse, the Bretton Woods institution said the country had failed to register significant economic growth over the past few years.

“Zimbabwe’s fiscal deficit has deteriorated as remedial actions have been limited and this has resulted in the country registering a negative correlation between the cyclical components of government consumption and GDP,” it said.

Meanwhile, economists also say average incomes in Zimbabwe are now at their lowest levels in 60 years, with more than 76 percent of families having to make do with less than $200 a month.
This, they add, means that poverty levels have reached “numbing levels”, amid indications that the situation will worsen in 2017, as the government continues to demonstrate its inability to fix the Zimbabwe rot. – Daily News

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| As the political turbulence continues unabated in the faction ridden ruling  Zanu PF party, National Political Commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere, has been accused by members of the rival faction Team Lacoste, of tilting today’s provincial polls in favour of the G-4O Team.

Kasukuwere has also been accused of influencing the reversal of Ezra Ruvai Chadzamira’s reinstatement as the provincial chairperson. The relentless Chadzamira , a strong member of the Team Lacoste said to be firmly behind the Midlands godfather, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa took on Retired Colonel Mutero Johannes Masanganise, a member of the G-40 Team in the battle to land the party’s top post in the province.

Party sources alleged to ZimEye.com that Kasukuwere clandestinely addressed polling officers at the command centre at the Chevron Hotel and instructed them to tilt the elections in favour of G-40 members.

“Kasukuwere was at Chevron Hotel today where he addressed officials at the command centre. He conspired with Masvingo Urban Constituency MP , Daniel Shumba to rig the polls. Perceived G-40 rivals were barred from attending the caucus meeting addressed by Kasukuwere and Shumba,”claimed a party official.

Party officials also accused Kasukuwere of tampering with the electoral college. “The whole process is fraught with irregularities because Kasukuwere has already manipulated crucial documents. He is battling to tilt the results in favour of his G-40 allies,”said the officials. The hefty politician (Kasukuwere) was spotted at Chevron Hotel where he briefed party officials. Efforts to get a comment from Kasukuwere were fruitless.

South African officials will inspect workplaces to see if firms are employing undocumented foreigners, the home affairs minister says.

Malusi Gigaba added that more than 60 employees of retail chain Spar “without documentation” had been arrested.

Mr Gigaba warned that firms would be “penalised” if they breached the law, and said they should not fuel tensions by “playing locals against foreigners”.

His comments come amid concern that xenophobia is rising in South Africa.

Many unemployed South Africans accuse foreigners of taking their jobs.

In the past week, Nigerian nationals have been attacked in the capital Pretoria; on Monday, 34 foreign-owned shops were looted in parts of Pretoria, and a local group has called for a march for Friday to protest at immigrants it says are taking their jobs.

The attacks triggered condemnation by the Nigerian government and a call by MPs for Nigeria’s ambassador to South Africa to be recalled.

But South Africa’s foreign affairs department dismissed claims that Nigerian nationals were targets of xenophobic violence.

Spokesperson Clayson Monyela said the attacks were nothing more than sporadic criminal incidents. The government also said inflammatory social media statements by South Africans and foreign nationals against each other were unnecessary.

However, Thursday saw protesters in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, target the head office of South African telecoms company MTN in apparent retaliation for violence against Nigerians in South Africa.

Mr Gigaba, whose comments have been published on the government’s Twitter account, said South Africans should not be portrayed as “mere xenophobes”.

He added that 33,339 people had been deported in 2015-16.

In his budget speech on Wednesday, South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said that 35% of the labour force was unemployed or had given up looking for work.

South Africa experienced its worst outbreak of violence against foreigners in 2008, when more than 60 people died.

Two years ago, similar unrest in the cities of Johannesburg and Durban claimed seven lives as African immigrants were hunted down and attacked by gangs. – BBC

The Rusape woman, who was mauled by a lion while taking pictures with her boyfriend at a game park is recovering from the disturbing injuries.

Ngoni Hera nearly had her life cut short when she was savagely mauled by a lion on the right hip while interacting with the predator at Eco Nyati Game Park in Headlands.

All this took place while her boyfriend watched from a distance as she was being photographed by a guide.

Hera (34), of 923 Sanzaguru, Rusape, had been taken out for game viewing at Eco Nyati Game Park, by her lover Lovemore Sakarombe (38), of BC 1286, Vengere, Rusape.

She suffered serious injuries on her right hip following an attack by a caged white lion.

Sakarombe rushed Ngoni to Makuma Medical Centre in Rusape and was later transferred to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare where she was admitted.

The incident has gone viral on social media in Rusape, with various theories flying around.

The state media says when Hera and Sakarombe arrived at Eco Nyati Game Park, they paid their entrance fees and were directed to a section where domesticated pets are kept.

There are two species of lions at Eco Game Park, namely the brown ones which are kept in a standard fence and no one goes into the fence, even the guides, as they are very dangerous, and the white lions, perceived to be friendly, which are kept in a separate standard fence where tourists are allowed to enter, with guides, guiding the activity. It is this fence, where other tourists were interacting with the lions that the incident which has become the talk of Rusape, occurred. Sakarombe refused to comment on the incident that left his lover with stitches on the hip, referring the state media to the “one who gave you the pictures and the story in the first place”.

“No comment. Boss, you have to get facts from the person who gave you the photos, please don’t call me,” said Sakarombe, who is popuolarly known as Divine.

When Manica Post journalists insisted that he explains circumstances leading to the attack as several theories were swirling.

“What story do you want to hear from (me) yet (the) online version of The Manica Post makatonyora. Then hear from akakupa story from the first place,” argued Sakarombe.

Manicaland police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringa Kakohwa confirmed the incident.

He said Sakarombe made a report about the attack on his “girlfriend” at Headlands Police Station on February 9, 2017.

“Ngoni was attracted by what the other tourists were doing, and decided to get into the cage to have a feel of the lions. Sakarombe refused to get inside,” said Insp Kakohwa.

Ngoni was accompanied into the lions’ den by Enock Makwanye, a guide at Eco Nyati Game Park.

“The two got down on their knees with the victim playing with the lions, which were tied down around the neck with a leash. Robert Mucharambeyi, also of Eco Nyati Game Park, was taking pictures as the victim played with the predators.

All of a sudden, the lion got wild, went around Ngoni sniffing. The ferocious carnivore got attracted to the pound of flesh at its disposal and went for the bite.

“The lion mauled her once on the right hip before letting go. It locked its jaws, and only released Ngoni and darted off after being poked with a stick by Makwanye,” said Insp Kakohwa.

This is not the first time that the Headlands zoo has hosted problematic lions, as some years ago a pride of lions was wiped out after wreaking havoc in the area. In 2013, a Lions and Cheetah Park employee, who had been dispatched to train workers at the private exotic animal zoo, on how to relate to animals was viciously attacked by rabid lions after failing to lure the lions into another pen after feeding them. Gun shots had to be fired in the air while other guides hurled stones to scare away the vicious animals and safely reach the wounded man. – Manica Post

Expelled Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) elders — Rugare Gumbo and Didymus Mutasa — have threatened to sue the party’s interim leader Joice Mujuru (pictured) for allegedly making “defamatory” sexual remarks against them, unless she publicly apologises.

A fortnight ago, Mujuru accused the pair of seeking to turn her into a sex slave, after proposing that she be the opposition party’s “queen bee” — a claim First Lady Grace Mugabe went to town about at her recent rally in Buhera.

In an audio recording of her addressing provincial structures in Masvingo, which has since been posted on Facebook, she accused the once close allies of asking her to sleep with male colleagues in the party, taking advantage that she is a widow.

“I was supposed to mate with all the men in the party. I was supposed to be their wife. I was supposed to work for them because they had seen that while I was still in Egypt (Zanu PF) I used to work hard. So they wanted to borrow that hard-working spirit to work for them and I told them that I can’t be your queen bee.

“I am a woman of substance even though I am a widow, I have an image to protect and since the death of my husband (Solomon Mujuru), I have no appetite for men. I told them that I am here to work for Zimbabwe and this did not make them happy,” she said.

But Gumbo and Mutasa came out guns blazing yesterday, demanding Mujuru retracts her statement and apologise publicly.

They threatened litigation, if she does not.

In a February 20 letter through their attorney Gerald Mlotshwa of Titan Law, the duo took exception to Mujuru’s allegations.

“Your words were malicious and deliberately intended to tarnish our clients’ respective reputation and standing,” Mlotshwa wrote.

“We have instructions to demand from you, on behalf of our clients, as we hereby do, a full retraction of your allegations along with a public apology in respect of the unfounded statement made denigrating our clients,” he said.

“Should we not have received any such retraction and public apology by close of business this Friday, February 24, 2017, we will have no option but to proceed with our clients’ further instructions to sue you in the High Court for combined amount of $5 million,” Mlotshwa threatened.

Responding to the demands, Mujuru — through her spokesperson Gift Nyandoro, who is also her lawyer — said she was ready to stand trial and described Gumbo and Mutasa as State agents desperate to destroy her political career.

“We are seized with the letter from the two and notwithstanding that, we are in the process of taking instructions from our client. We must hasten to say the claim is ill-advised and misplaced to say the least,” Nyandoro told the Daily News yesterday.

“It is a desperate attempt by the two to decimate Mujuru at all costs and to the full aspiration of the regime being Mugabe and Zanu PF,” he said, adding that “but the battle lines have been drawn because we are ready to expose the two for who they really are and we are ready to face (President Robert) Mugabe’s puppies.”

Mujuru has claimed that the party had been heavily infiltrated. – Daily News

Top Emmerson Mnangagwa aide, Godfrey Tsenengamu who was arrested after he held a press conference, has been denied bail.

The former Zanu PF provincial youth chairperson, was this afternoon slapped behind bars for the charges of holding a presser without notifying the police.

Tsenengamu’s fate comes after he sought to be released from remand because of the state’s failure to obtain the Prosecutor General’s authorisation.

But Tsenengamu was remanded in custody to the 9th of March.

Magistatre Ms Vicky Mashamba ruled that there was no need to set aside the court proceedings, saying the State could always seek the Prosecutor General’s permission to prosecute during trial.

Tsenengamu was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.

BACKGROUND.

On Monday the 20th of February 2017 Tsenengamu held a presser where he said that First Lady Grace Mugabe was not presidential material.

He also said that Grace had only agreed to be President Mugabe’s wife because she wanted to be First Lady and warned her not to talk about President Mugabe’s alleged successor who he said is Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Tsenengamu was initially charged with subverting President Robert Mugabe’s authority before the charges were changed to:

• subverting a constitutionally-elected government,
• undermining the authority of the President
•  conducting a Press conference without notifying the police under the Public Order and Security Act (POSA).

Striking medical doctors yesterday vowed to continue with their industrial action, which started nine days ago, as they accused the government of not taking their grievances seriously.

The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association (ZHDA) said, although the government had taken steps to meet their demands, it had not shown commitment to fulfilling the promises it was making.

“As of today, the Health ministry has made some effort in establishing general medical officer posts, but we still await distribution list of the posts and we also want assurance that registrars, who are working for free in hospitals, will be included in these posts,” ZHDA said in a statement.

“The other two demands have not yet been addressed. The sluggish response (Health) minister David Parirenyatwa has given these issues shows how little he values the healthcare of Zimbabweans.”

Parirenyatwa yesterday said he was touring all public hospitals to assess the situation.

“We have bent backwards almost on everything to attend to their demands,” he told NewsDay last night. “I can guarantee them that all will be sorted and the posts are available.”

Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa had told the National Assembly during question time that Cabinet had tasked Parirenyatwa to engage the striking doctors so that they return to work while their grievances were being addressed.

Mnangagwa said Parirenyatwa had presented a long list of demands that doctors wanted addressed before they could return to work and the ministry was working on them.

Among the demands, the doctors want an increase in their on-call allowances to $720 per month, as well as provision of a facility to import vehicles duty-free into the country. The strike intensified last week after senior doctors from the department of obstetrics and gynaecology joined in, saying they would only resume their duties after the return of junior doctors, as they were now overwhelmed by work.

The doctors alleged that some authorities had resorted to threatening them, as a way to force them back to work.

“This is a major setback to all negotiations we have done so far. Let’s be united in these times and save our healthcare system in Zimbabwe. Let’s be the voice of reason for our patients,” ZHDA said. – Newsday

The People’s Democratic Party notes with concern that President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF are determined to drag Zimbabwe into a civil war.

Mugabe’s recent utterances in which he denigrated his deputies, defining them as unfit to hold office if he leaves, are not only reckless, but must not be said at a volatile stage, which, if not managed, will result in the unfolding of chaos.

The fact that Mugabe criticised everyone while heaping praise on his wife shows that he has already made up his mind, anointing his wife and recklessly choosing to impose a dynastic arrangement on the citizens of Zimbabwe.

Grace lacks the capacity to lead and has no defendable stature, even at least respect from any corner of society. Any reasonable individual will obviously oppose a move which is aimed at her taking over the reins and, sadly, this includes the Lacoste faction.

The fact that the Lacoste faction includes the military junta makes it dangerous for Mugabe to try and impose his wife in a process which must normally be determined by a democratic election. Mugabe has always deprived the people of Zimbabwe their right to freely choose.

The recent utterances by Godfrey Tsenengamu are evidence that the succession wars in Zanu PF are a danger to many Zimbabwean lives, his utterances must be taken seriously.

The current environment is volatile; it has many ingredients for a civil war. The toxic hate speech exchanged every day across the Zanu PF factions is at the same level with that witnessed before the genocide in Rwanda.

As we mentioned in both HOPE and ARREST, Zimbabwe needs a National Transitional Authority (NTA) which must be established to buy peace for the citizens.

We mention in ARREST that part of the NTA’s work must be to ensure a peaceful transition from the current authoritarian set-up to a proper democratic environment where people are free to pursue happiness.

It is our strong view that the political fighting mode that Zimbabwe has been exposed to for a very long time is a recipe for war and bloodshed.

Experience has taught us that once a country plunges into civil unrest and a war erupts, it is very hard to recover; the case of Libya is one example which must give us lessons and demand that an NTA be established to avoid our nation being plunged into war by Mugabe who lacks any care for the Zimbabwean people.

Together another Zimbabwe is possible

A member of the Zanu PF youth, Godfrey Tsenengamu, who is pushing Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Presidential ambitions, has appeared in court, charged with subverting a constitutionally-elected Government or alternatively undermining the authority of the President.

He is also being accused of contravening the Public Order and Security Act by holding a press conference without notifying the regulating authority.

Prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa argued that Tsenengamu be placed on remand until the authorisation letter is provided.

Magistatre Ms Vicky Mashamba will deliver her ruling today at 1415hrs on Tsenengamu’s refusal to be placed on remand.

More to follow…..

Staff Reporter | There was mass confusion this morning at most schools in Bulawayo and Matabeleland South following a two day holiday declaration and immediate reversal by the Ministry Of Education and The President’s Office.

Reports from most schools suggest that most pupils did not report for school today on the basis of the first Ministerial directive. When the late night reversal of the order was made, most kids had gone to bed and missed the directive.

Further to that some schools who refused to be disclosed claim that they have already started receiving some ZANU PF guests who want to use classroom blocks as lodging for the weekend President Robert Mugabe birthday celebrations to be held in Matopos on Saturday.

The ZANU PF youth members who are reported to be already at the schools, are said to be demanding school authorities to remove some boarding pupils for the weekend as “the party needs to use the facilities.”

The schools further claim that all their school buses and vehicles have been called up to transport the guests and schools ordered to fuel the buses. The authorities also claim that almost all of their teachers have been summoned for “national duty” at the celebrations as from today until Sunday.

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has cried out to US president Donald Trump saying the new world leader could remove sanctions. Speaking on the occasion of his birthday, Mugabe said “we are now under sanctions imposed on us not by Donald Trump but by Obama…give him time. He might come up with better policies and even free us from the thrall of sanctions which we have suffered from for so long…” VIDEO:

THE Gweru branch of Nigerian televangelist Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s Christ Embassy Church, has been taken to court over rental arrears and outstanding water bills amounting to $53 000.

According to summons filed at the Bulawayo High Court this week by the property managers, Central Real Estate, the church, also known as Believers Loveworld Incorporated, owes $53 607 in unpaid rentals, water bills and service charges for its rented premises at Alice Centre.

The building is owned by Brainman Investments.

The estate agent said the church was supposed to pay $1 632 monthly as rentals, management, sundries, cleaning, rates and water bills.

“In breach of the 2014 lease agreement, the amount of $14 439 accrued. In 2015, the arrears went to $19 584 and in 2016 the rentals arrears accrued to $53 607, which is now due. Despite demand, the defendant has failed or refused to pay,” the declaration read.

The estate agents prayed for an order for the eviction of the church from its rented premises.

The church is yet to respond to the summons.

Christ Embassy started in Nigeria in 1990 and has grown into an international denomination, attracting millions of followers. – Newsday

Terrence Mawawa, Chiredzi | A 64-year-old man stunned the local community after he raped a 12-year-old Grade Four pupil.

The man, Isaac Masakadze, of Jekiseni Village under Chief Tshovani in Chiredzi appeared before Magistrate Judith Zuyu facing rape charges last week. He was convicted and sentenced to 13 years in prison. The court heard that on June 29, 2016, around 5pm the juvenile was sent by her mother to Masakadze’s homestead to collect a mobile phone which was left on the charger.

On arrival at the homestead she sat on the verandah since Masakadze was in his bedroom. He told the juvenile to collect the mobile phone in the house but she refused. Masakadze emerged from the house and dragged the minor into his bedroom,gagged her mouth and fondled her breasts.

He also proceeded to fondle the girl’s private parts and forcibly removed her clothes. The court heard Masakadze performed crude sexual acts on the minor before releasing her.He threatened her with unspecified action and ordered her not to tell anyone about the incident. The matter came to light when the girl experienced severe stomach pain. In passing sentence Magistrate Zuyu said it was the duty of the courts of law to protect minors.She said the sentence was a stern warning to would be offenders to desist from abusing minors.

PUBLIC Service minister Prisca Mupfumira has come under fire for claiming the majority of civil servants want residential stands in lieu of 2016 bonuses.

In a stinging statement yesterday, the Apex Council secretary-general, David Dzatsunga, said the civil service umbrella union would soon seek audience with President Robert Mugabe over the issue.

“The Apex Council is dismayed by statements attributed to the Public Service minister (Mupfumira) purporting that most workers are for residential stands, but are being let down by their union leaders,” he said.

Dzatsunga accused Mupfumira of violating the Constitution.

“The minister, in her anti-union pronouncements, is unfairly attacking union leaders, who enjoy the mandate of their membership and is in violation of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and International Labour Organisation conventions. The so-called survey by the Civil Service Commission is null and void since the minister, in her statements, already concludes that the majority of workers prefer stands in lieu of bonuses,” the civil servants’ body said.

“Workers are already waiting for their cash bonuses. The manner in which the so-called survey was being conducted is a negation of our role as unions, making the February 27 meeting a prejudged process. The stands-for-bonuses issue is pie in the sky, as there is no formula according to which the government will be able to avail stands for every civil servant in the short run.

“The Apex Council would like to advise its members that our self-initiated housing scheme has no relation whatsoever to the bonus issue. In the event that the cash bonus remains in contention, the Apex Council will be left with no choice, but to seek audience with President Mugabe, who has been consistent in his defence of the workers’ rights to a bonus.”

The government last month proposed to give workers residential stands in lieu of their 2016 bonuses, but this was rejected.

Mupfumira, this week, claimed her office has been inundated with requests for stands by civil servants.

“Many civil servants have been approaching our offices saying they need residential stands as soon as yesterday and considering that a huge chunk of workers are not unionised, we decided to carry out a survey through the Civil Service Commission,” she reportedly said, adding a survey was underway.

The Apex Council represents all government workers. – Newsday

First Lady Grace Mugabe has reportedly sanctioned the removal of two of her women’s league allies from their senior positions after allegations of abuse of funds.

Grace allegedly gave the nod to a resolution by the women’s league to fire her deputy, Eunice Sandi Moyo, and finance secretary, Sarah Mahoka, after allegations against the Hurungwe East legislator during two meetings held at the First Family’s farm in Mazowe early this week.

Zanu PF’s Goromonzi West MP, Beatrice Nyamupinga, reportedly moved a motion that led to the drastic resolution.

“Nyamupinga moved a motion to have Sandi Moyo and Mahoka removed from their positions for alleged abuse of party funds,” a women’s league source said yesterday.

“It could also be some sort of factional re-alignment by Grace in the succession battle.

“Mahoka is accused of abusing party funds for factional programmes, while Sandi Moyo is accused of protecting Mahoka, among others.

“Some people want the two out after claims surfaced that Sandi Moyo was overheard arguing she would not attend Grace’s rallies because they are meant to destroy the party.”

Nyamupinga could neither deny nor confirm that she moved a motion that led to action against the two.

“I do not speak on behalf of the party because I am only a provincial chairperson,” she said.

Mahoka confirmed an executive meeting of the women’s league was held, but said the Grace-led organ had no powers to discipline Sandi Moyo.

“I have no idea about anyone being expelled or removed from a position,” she said.

“We did not hold a meeting at night, but I know we held a meeting of the women’s league’s top 10 to discuss national issues.

“Sandi Moyo is an appointee of the politburo and has a great relationship with the First Lady. She cannot be removed by anyone.”

The legislator, who ruffled feathers in Zanu PF last year, when she publicly accused Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa of promoting factionalism, said she did not abuse party funds.

“I am as clean as Bob (President Robert Mugabe) and no amount of mudslinging will stick,” she said. “I am not moved.”

Sandi Moyo was not reachable for comment over the past two days. Sources said Mugabe was against the decision to fire Sandi Moyo and Mahoka.

“The President was and is still against the idea and the politburo will likely reverse it, but the mere fact that Grace has attempted it points to something brewing,” a source said.

The two have been Grace’s most outspoken backers since she entered politics in 2014 before she was elevated to lead the women’s league. – Newsday

A TRAFFIC cop who is suspected to be part of a gang of armed robbers that raided West Service Station in Lupane on Monday night and was allegedly involved in a shootout with detectives in Bulawayo has been arrested.

Sergeant Alfred Zvapera (31) of Senga 2 suburb in Gweru allegedly surrendered himself at Nkulumane Police Station on Tuesday evening.

He allegedly claimed three armed men kidnapped him and his girlfriend in Gokwe on Sunday and drove around committing robberies.

“Zvapera walked into Nkulumane Police Station around 4PM and made a report that he had been kidnapped with his girlfriend (her name could not be established) by armed robbers who had asked for a lift in his Toyota Noah vehicle in Gokwe,” said a source.

Driving the black Toyota Noah, registration number AED 5411, the robbers allegedly sent police officers scurrying for cover as they hit drums and sped through a roadblock about 150km from Bulawayo.

The source said Zvapera told police that the armed men held them captive as they drove his car committing robberies.

“They robbed a service station in Lupane of $161 and sped off without paying for fuel worth $54.

“The gang proceeded to Bulawayo speeding through roadblocks,” said the source.

Zvapera allegedly said the three robbers released him and his girlfriend at around 3PM on Tuesday somewhere in Nkulumane suburb.

He said they went to Nkulumane Police Station to report the matter.

Police recovered his vehicle in Burnside suburb yesterday morning.

It could not be verified whether Zvapera is also wanted for robbery cases allegedly committed in Mashonaland West, Masvingo and Matabeleland South provinces by the same gang.

Zvapera has allegedly not been reporting for duty since last week.

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Homicide Bulawayo detectives ambushed the robbers at Falls Garage, about 10 km from the city centre as they fled from Lupane but failed to apphrehend them on Monday.

“There was an exchange of gunfire with the detectives as the robbers sped into the city centre. A high speed chase ensued but the detectives lost track of the suspects in Burnside suburb,” said a source.

Meanwhile, Zvapera is said to be in custody at Bulawayo Central Police Station where he is assisting police with investigations.

National police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi could not be contacted for comment. – State Media

THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has warned that residents who block the city’s drainage system will be prosecuted for property damages that may occur due to floods.

Council issued the warning after flash flooding experienced in some suburbs last Friday.

The local authority said it is illegal for anyone to deliberately block the free flow of water and those found guilty will be charged under the Roads Act.

It pointed out that it is an offence for residents to block normal water flow from neighbouring properties passing through theirs.

The city’s Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, said the country’s laws compel residents to ensure that their properties have a functional drainage system.

“BCC wishes to raise public awareness that under Part VIII of the Roads Act [Chapter 13:18], owners, occupiers or users of any land are obliged to take all reasonable steps to ensure that:- water is not prevented, obstructed or impeded from draining into, onto, under or through their land from a public road.

Water, soil or other material is prevented from flowing or falling onto a public road from their land,” said Mr Dube.

He said those who fail to comply with the country’s laws may be charged for the infrastructural damages that may occur due to water blockage.

“Owners, occupiers or users of any land may also be liable if accidents occur as a result of water being prevented from draining off a public road into, onto, under or through their land, or water, soil or other material flowing or escaping from their land onto a public road,” Mr Dube said.

He said residents should also open weep holes on their precast walls to ensure free flow of water.

Mr Dube said failure to heed the council’s notice will be a violation of the Environmental Management Act.

“It is an offence not to comply with such a Notice, or with any Planning Enforcement Notice, which if pursued through the courts may result in prosecutions and fines,” Mr Dube.

“Please further note that without the consent of Bulawayo City Council, it is an offence to: Scour, deepen, widen or fill in any existing drain or excavate any new drain within the boundary of a public road. Interfere with, or carry out any works which interfere with a bridge, culvert, retaining wall, embankment or other structure providing lateral or other support for a public road”. – State Media

THE Meteorological Service Department (MSD) has predicted more rain and thunderstorms in the next 10 days, although the downgraded Cyclone Dineo phenomenon has left the country.

Last week, the tropical storm hit the southern parts of the country destroying homes in Midlands and Matabeleland provinces.

In an interview yesterday, MSD forecaster Mr John Mupuro said the country will continue to experience heavy rains.

He said the rains will be concentrated in the northern parts of the country but Matabeleland North and Midlands in the south will also receive heavy rains.

He said lesser downpours are expected in Matabeleland South and Masvingo provinces.

Mr Mupuro said flooding remains a matter of concern as the ground is soaked resulting in increased run-off.

“Run-off may cause flooding especially in areas near riverbanks and we urge the people not to attempt crossing flooded rivers. They should also stay indoors especially when they see that a storm is brewing,” said Mr Mupuro. – State Media

One of Zimbabwe’s prominent no-nonsense judges, Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba is taking over the Chief Justice job.

Justice Malaba in 2013 (in a case in which Jealousy Mawarire sued Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe compelling the two to set the date for the election), was one of only two dissenting judges together with Justice Patel opposing Mawarire.

Malaba will now take over as acting Chief Justice in the next five days when the incumbent Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku retires after reaching the mandatory age of 70.

The appointment is according to the terms of the Constitution.

Malaba will act until Mugabe appoints a new Chief Justice.

Section 181 (1) of the Constitution provides that: “If the office of the Chief Justice is vacant or if the office holder is unable to perform the functions of the office, the Deputy Chief Justice acts in his or her place, but if both offices are vacant or both office holders are unable to perform their functions, the next most senior judge of the Constitutional Court acts as Chief Justice.”

It is not clear which route the President will use to appoint the new Chief Justice since there are two legally permissible processes in place.

The first is for President Mugabe to choose one candidate from the list of three candidates submitted to him by the Judicial Service Commission after public interviews.

The three are DCJ Malaba, Justice Rita Makarau and Supreme Court judge Justice Paddington Garwe.

Another route is for the President to wait for a constitutional amendment, currently underway, to be completed and if passed, to pick a candidate of his choice.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs secretary Mrs Virginia Mabiza yesterday said in terms of the Constitution DCJ Malaba would take over in the interim.

In terms of modalities on how DCJ Malaba assumes the office, Mrs Mabiza said she had written to Attorney General Advocate Prince Machaya seeking advice on the proper procedure to follow.

“What we normally do with such executive posts is that we write a Cabinet minute for the President to confer authority to the incoming candidate,” she said.

“In this case, a vacancy has arisen by operation of law so I have written to the AG seeking advice on the proper procedure to follow, that is, if there is need for the acting CJ to take oath of office or assumption of office has to be automatic.

“We are still waiting for the AG’s response to guide us.”

Advocate Machaya refused to share his views on the matter with The Herald yesterday, saying: “My duty is to advise Government. I will respond to the request from the Ministry of Justice and it will be up to them to share with you my response. It will not be proper for them to start to hear my response from the media.”

Constitutional lawyer and University of Zimbabwe lecturer Professor Lovemore Madhuku said the acting Chief Justice should not act for a period exceeding six months, otherwise the President might be sued for breaching the Constitution.

He said although the Constitution was silent on the specific timeframe when the President should appoint a substantive Chief Justice, the period must be reasonable.

“There is a time limit within which the President should appoint a new CJ,” said Prof Madhuku.

“The time limit is a reasonable period. That period is not defined in terms of days or weeks or months or years. If an acting CJ acts for unreasonable time, the President may be sued for breaching the Constitution. A benchmark for reasonable period is defined in the Constitution where it provides that if a vacancy arises in the Office of the President, the acting President should act for 90 days and that is reasonable period. The office of the Chief Justice is not as important as that of the President and as such the person acting in that capacity should not exceed six months. Section 342 (1) obligates the President to fill in such constitutional positions.”

Section 342 (1) says: “A power, jurisdiction or right conferred by the Constitution may be exercised, and a duty imposed by this Constitution must be performed whenever it is appropriate to do so.”

Prof Madhuku said the answer on the route that President preferred to follow to appoint the new Chief Justice could be sought by raising a question in Parliament.

Wife of senior Bulawayo journalist, Innocent Kurwa, Getrude and her mother died when the vehicle Getrude was driving collided head-on with a bus in Gweru on Tuesday.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the accident.

She said Mrs Kurwa died on the spot while her mother died later at Gweru General Hospital.

“I can confirm that the accident occurred near Regina Mundi High School and one person died on the spot,” she said.

In Bulawayo mourners are gathered at the Kurwa family house at number 103 Walsingham Drive in Sunninghill.

Mr Kurwa said yesterday that burial dates will be announced in due course. Mrs Kurwa is survived by husband and three children. – State Media

TWO men armed with a gun pounced on Blue Skies Shop in Bulawayo’s Mpopoma suburb and robbed a shop attendant of $28.

The shop owner, Mr Enos Nkani said the robbery occurred at around 8PM and only his shop, which he opened two weeks ago, was robbed at Thikili shopping centre.

“Two unidentified men arrived at the complex and one of them entered my shop. He produced $1 and ordered one tablet of bath soap. He thereafter ordered a soft drink can and a 20 cigarette pack. As my shop attendant collected the ordered stuff, she heard the sound of a gun being cocked,” said Mr Nkani.

He said the shop attendant turned to see a man pointing a gun at her.

“The one who had pretended to want to buy, quickly changed tone and demanded all the cash she had. She didn’t resist but pointed to a blue lunch box which contained cash under the counter.”

CHIPINGE South legislator Enock Porusingazi’s farm equipment and vehicles worth $99 000 have been attached over an outstanding loan with Interfin Banking Corporation Limited.

Porusingazi entered an agreement with the bank which resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars being extended to him in batches, but failed to fully service the loan.

By February 11 2011, he had partly paid back the loan but left a balance of $80 024 plus interest.

Interfin Bank, through Mr Raymond Nembo of Sawyer and Mkushi law firm issued summons against the politician at the High Court.

Justice Owen Tagu in 2014 ordered Cde Porusingazi to pay $94 371 plus interest calculated at the rate of 15 percent per annum from July 2013 to date of payment in full.

A writ of execution was obtained against Porusingazi and property was attached at the politician’s Middle Sabi farm in Chipinge.

The property include:

Combine harvester (wheat) serial number 580R205763

Tractors x3

Ford Everest (ACY3330)

Mercedes Benz (ACI 1667)

Toyoace Truck (ADG 9684)

When the property was attached, Porusingazi engaged the bank for a settlement and managed to stop execution.

The property remained under judicial management for some time, but no payment has been effected.

Interfin Bank’s lawyers last week instructed the Sheriff to remove the attached property and take it for auctioning.

“Proceed to remove and auction the first and second judgment debtors’ (Porusingazi and wife Joyline) property situated at Lot 33 AB, Middle Sabi, Chipinge.

The lawyers have since transferred $1 500 into the Sheriff’s bank account for use in ferrying huge machinery like combine harvestors and tractors to the auctioneer.

In January 2011, the parties entered a credit facility agreement in which sums of money were advanced to Porusingazi.

The credit facility was for $275 990.

Under the revolving credit facility, Cde Porusingazi made capital withdrawals of $275 990.

The bank charged total interest in the sum of $9 478 and bank charges to the tune of $623.

That left the total payable amount at $286 092.

As at February 11 2011, Porusingazi had repaid a total sum of $206 067, leaving a balance of $80 024.

Despite demand,  Porusingazi and his wife failed to settle the debt, prompting the bank to approach the High Court.

When the property was attached, the debt had ballooned to $99 412 including the Sheriff’s costs.

The total debt could be now in excess of $200 000 including interest. – State Media

The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr Christopher Mushohwe has castigated the leader of South African opposition Democratic Alliance party, Mmusi Mmaimane, for calling on President Robert Mugabe to step down.

In a statement to the ZBC News, Dr Mushowe said an elementary knowledge of the genesis and growth of Apartheid in South Africa, and the subsequent trans-border expansion and entrenchment of white settler colonial interests in the rest of Southern Africa towards the close of the 19th century, will help the SADC region understand and situate an emerging, trans-border opposition narrative vainly agitating for a post liberation era in Southern Africa.- State Media

Terrence Mawawa, Chivi | A local man shocked all and sundry after he brutally killed his 12-year-old brother and dumped his body in a church toilet.

Ezekiel Mabhiza (24) was arrested last week after allegedly killing his brother Israel Mabhiza. He dumped the body in a toilet at the ZAOGA premises at Mhandamabwe Business Centre. Israel was doing Grade Six at Sukwe Primary School.

Acting Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and said the suspect had appeared at Mashava Court for initial remand. According to local villagers, Ezekiel used a hoe and an unidentified object to attack his brother. He then carried the body to Mhandamabwe where he dumped it in the ZAOGA Church toilet. Ezekiel claimed he was possessed by the spirits of his late ancestors.

He further claimed his ancestors had instructed him to kill his brother. “My ancestors instructed me to kill my brother. They said I would get a wife after killing my brother,” said Ezekiel. Fine ground tobacco was found at the scene of the crime.

“We were shocked by what happened and we believe Ezekiel was possessed by evil spirits.He brutally killed his brother under unclear circumstances.He claimed his ancestors had instructed him to murder his brother.It is very sad and unfortunate,” said a local villager.

A FAMILY of Christ Church pastor has been dragged to the maintenance court by his wife seeking $788 for the upkeep of their two children and spousal maintenance.

Rodwell Marumahoko told Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya that he could only afford to give his wife Beatrice $100 per month.

The pastor said he had stopped maintaining his wife because they were in the process of getting a divorce and she was a businesswoman.

“I cannot maintain her because she is a businesswoman who owns mines and has a lot of money. She deserted me and bought a house in Burnside suburb.

She took our children and l heard that they are paying school fees of $1 500 per term each,” said Mr Marumahoko.

He said he has a lot of responsibilities including clearing a water bill which has accumulated to $2 360.

Mrs Marumahoko rejected the $100 maintenance offer saying it was too little.

“Man of God why are you lying in court? You know that these days l am broke and l am not working. You need deliverance, maybe you will know what you are supposed to do as a man,” she said.

“I wonder what you tell your congregants if you are failing to tell this court the truth. The reason why you don`t want to pay spousal maintenance is because last Christmas we left you when we were flying to Durban with my children for an outing.”

Mrs Marumahoko told the court that she left the pastor because he was an abusive man who used to assault her in the presence of their children.

She said she needed $788 a month to start a business and pay school fees for her children.

“Your Worship, l swear if l get back on my feet l will come and discharge maintenance. If l do not do that, may this court send me to prison for six months as punishment,” Mrs Marumahoko said.

Mr Tashaya ordered the pastor to pay $388 per month for the upkeep of his wife and children. – State Media

Education Minister Lazarus Dokora has cancelled all school lessons in Matebeleland for Robert Mugabe’s birthday. Below are some of the official correspondences:

Ray Nkosi | Teachers have rejected a proposal by government to offer them stands for bonuses, a situation likely to lead to another showdown in a strike action by the teachers similar to what doctors are currently undertaking.

Doctors today entered the fourth day of their strike action with the army being roped in to avert a serious health crisis in the hospitals.

Below is the RTUZ statement;

22 February 2017

Rural teachers and the generality of teachers have rejected the bogus offer of stands for bonus which the government is saying to be offering as bonus.

In a nationwide survey being conducted by the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), teachers have rejected the government’s offer demanding that their bonuses be paid in cash.

The survey comes in the wake of the government cancelling a meeting to finalise the bonus issue which was scheduled for 20 February 2017. On the same day ARTUZ automatically embarked on a strike action as the date coincided with the 14 day notice it had given to government to issue dates for bonus payments.

In its miserable defense, the government claims that it has deployed Civil Service Commission (CSC) inspectors across the country to consult civil servants on the option of stands offer as bonus.

This however is patently false and cheap propaganda as no such inspectors have visited any known school to date with such information save to intimidate the teachers who are on strike.

What is clear though is that the CSC Inspectors that were seen in schools were collecting forced donations for President Mugabe’s birthday junket.
So far the ARTUZ survey has covered the 3 Mashonaland provinces and some parts of Manicaland an average of about 90% of the respondents rejected the government offer.The major reason was that shelter is a constitutional right and can not be used as a package for bonuses. Further most of them are already part of developmental schemes that are offering stands and housing units including those being offered by their unions and building societies.

Meanwhile, the strike action continues to gather momentum with an increase from 30% on day 1 to 45% of ARTUZ members across the country.

We will keep giving you updates on the strike .

Released by;
ARTUZ Information Department
+263 776129336/ 775643192

South Africa’s decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been ruled unconstitutional by the country’s High Court, the opposition party which brought the challenge to the government’s move said on Wednesday.

South Africa has officially notified the United Nations of its intent to withdraw from the Rome Statute, the 1998 treaty establishing The Hague-based court.

The International Criminal Court, which opened in July 2002 and has 124 member states, is the first legal body with permanent international jurisdiction to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.-Reuters

Former Premiership side Buffaloes’ right-back Simbarashe ‘Smallie’ Nyauzima collapsed during a pre-season training session at Mutare Showgrounds and died on the way to hospital on Monday afternoon.

The Buffaloes utility player, who once turned out for Black Rhinos, was confirmed dead aboard an ambulance.

Together with his teammates, Nyauzima had gone through an intense running session.

Administrative Staff Officer Grade Two Major Tendai Gaure confirmed the death of Nyauzima.

“What happened is that the players had gone through their normal training session at Mutare Showgrounds,” he said.

Terrence Mawawa, Shurugwi | A local sex pervert was caught filming a nude minor last week. Gerald Makado an employee of Unki Mine was arrested by the police last week for allegedly filming a nude form two pupil while she was having a bath in the toilet.

Acting Midlands Police Spokesperson Ethel Mukwende confirmed the incident and said Makado allegedly used his mobile phone to film the minor.

“I can confirm that we received the case. Makado was arrested and released pending further investigations. The police in Shurugwi are investigating the matter,” said Mukwende. The minor’s mother said:”The incident happened around 5am.

My daughter noticed the light coming from Makado’s phone.When she saw Makado on the door she screamed. My daughter managed to describe Makado’s clothes.” The minor’s mother also said Makado apologised for what he had done but she had already reported the matter to the police.

“Makado apologised for what he did but we had already reported the matter to the police.We therefore told him to bring a written apology,”said the minor’s mother. Although Makado was not immediately available to comment on the matter,his relatives claimed the story was baseless. “It is not true I know Makado he cannot do such a thing,”claimed one woman who declined to be named.

A 25-YEAR-OLD Epworth man allegedly fatally stabbed his wife and smashed window panes at his parents’ house, over a yet-to-be-disclosed domestic dispute.

The incident occurred on Sunday and the suspect, Godknows Mutyoramwendo, was yesterday remanded in custody to February 28, when he appeared before Harare magistrate, Elijah Singano, who also ordered that he be mentally examined by two doctors.

He is believed to have a history of mental illness.

The State alleges that on the fateful night, Mutyoramwendo had a heated argument with his wife, Samantha Gumi, before he fatally stabbed her with a kitchen knife.

After the act, Mutyoramwendo allegedly locked the deceased’s body inside the house and ran after his younger brother, Joseph, accusing him of being disrespectful.

The State alleged that his father, Talkmore, later intervened to stop the pandemonium. The suspect then turned to his father’s house and smashed all the window panes, forcing the family to seek police intervention.

When police officers arrived at the scene, they found his wife lying dead in a pool of blood.

Sebastian Mutizirwa prosecuted the matter.

In an unrelated matter, a serving member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Langton Chagwiza, yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate, Lazini Ncube, charged with illegal possession of two live pangolins valued at $10 000.

Chagwiza (37), who is based at Zengeza Police Station in Chitungwiza, and his alleged accomplice, Tichaona Magwegwe (32), denied the charge and their trial is expected to continue today.

It is the State’s case that on February 4 this year, detectives from the Minerals and Border Control Unit received a tip-off that Chagwiza and Magwegwe were carrying two live pangolins, which they allegedly intended to sell at Kamfinsa shopping centre in Greendale.

Police and the whistleblower immediately set up a trap at the shopping centre, leading to the suspects’ arrest and recovery of the endangered animals.

Their two other alleged accomplices, Ranganai Mushai and Asher Nyagumbo, have already been convicted on the same charge.

Francisca Mukumbiri appeared for the State. – Newsday

AN attempt by Highfield West MP, Psychology Maziwisa (Zanu PF) to force Parliament to wish President Robert Mugabe a happy birthday, was blocked by MDC-T legislators, who said the National Assembly was not a political gathering.

Maziwisa requested that the National Assembly sing and offer a congratulatory message to Mugabe, who turned 93 yesterday, but noisy MDC-T MPs shouted “No! No!” as they objected.

“I rise on a point of order requesting that this House gives a congratulatory message to President Mugabe on his 93rd birthday,” Maziwisa said.

Before he could finish his statement, MDC-T legislators, led by Musikavanhu MP, Prosper Mutseyami, objected, forcing the stand-in Speaker of the National Assembly, Reuben Marumahoko to rule that if the Zanu PF MP wanted Parliament to congratulate the President, he should bring it as a motion.

An attempt by Hurungwe East MP, Sarah Mahoka to have a favourable ruling on the matter failed, as the opposition lawmakers continued to object.

Meanwhile, Chirumanzu-Zibagwe MP, Auxillia Mnangagwa (Zanu PF) yesterday tabled a Home Affairs, Defence and Security Services portfolio committee report on the state of service delivery by the Registrar–General’s department.

In her report, which was supported by MDC-T lawmaker, Gift Chimanikire, Mnangagwa said most Registrar’s Offices countrywide were in a sorry state and staff morale was low.

The report alleged favouritism in the allocation of resources, with Mashonaland West said to be getting more resources than other provinces.

“The core values of the organisation were not being shared among staff, resulting in negative attitudes and poor service delivery to the clients. This impacted negatively on service delivery,” she said. – Newsday

OPPOSITION parties under the National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera) banner are planning to hold nationwide demonstrations against the government’s decision to “hijack” the procurement of the biometric voter registration (BVR) kits from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) last week said the government had taken over the process of procurement of BVR kits from UNDP.

But Nera, in conjunction with other opposition political parties, under the auspices of Coalition of Democrats (Code), said the government’s decision did not only prove that Zec is a captured institution, but showed President Robert Mugabe’s resolve to rig the 2018 general elections.

Zimbabweans United for Democracy (Zunde) president, Farai Mbira, said Nera and Code would be left with no option, but to take the Zanu PF government head-on if it insists on “hijacking” the process.

“We, therefore, demand that the current UNDP procurement process proceed undisturbed,” he said.

“We call upon all Zimbabweans from all walks of life to resist the rigging. To that extent, Nera and Code will close ranks in order to fight these attempts to manipulate the electoral process. A legal suit, as well as massive nationwide demonstrations, will be launched should the government persist with its evil agenda. To that end, the political parties will work together to ensure that the rights of the Zimbabwean people are not trampled under foot by this vile regime.”

The meeting was attended by MDC-T secretary-general, Douglas Mwonzora, Renewal Democrats leader, Elton Mangoma, MDC-T deputy national chairman, Morgen Komichi, and Kudakwashe Bhasikiti from a ZimPF faction led by Rugare Gumbo and Didymus Mutasa, among many others.

Nera, last year, held a series of demonstrations demanding electoral reforms ahead of the 2018 general elections. Some of the demonstrations culminated in violence that left many opposition supporters hospitalised, as police responded with brute force.

Mbira said opposition parties were shocked by the government’s decision to elbow out UNDP, saying: “Even more flabbergasting was the decision by Zec to endorse this illegal move by the government.

“This is now government rigging the next elections and we cannot allow that to happen with our complicity or agreement.”

Mbira said Zimbabwe was part of the United Nations and any programme involving UNDP and Zec could not be said to be violating the country’s sovereignty.

Nera called for an independent Zec that does not operate on the whims of the ruling party.

“We, therefore, demand that Zec be disbanded and reconstituted by agreement of all political parties. If that cannot be done, then we resort to the 1980 vote system, where voters needed to produce an identity card on voting day only,” Mbira said.

On Monday, Mwonzora, who is the Nera head of legal affairs, wrote to Zec chairperson, Justice Rita Makarau, demanding an explanation on the government’s decision to take over the procurement of the BMV kits.

“We, therefore, demand that the current procurement process must proceed undisturbed. We would appreciate your response as soon as possible. We should make it clear that we will resist (through lawful means, of course) any move by the government and Zec to change goal posts at this stage,” part of Mwonzora’s letter to Makarau, dated February, 20 read. – Newsday

A MAN from Gwanda lost an eye after he was attacked by four men in an alleged daylight robbery in Mtshabezi last week.

Mr Hloniphani Ncube (36) of Nyandeni Village Mtshabezi district is admitted to the United Bulawayo Hospitals following his transfer from Mtshabezi Mission Hospital.

Mr Ncube was moved to the Bulawayo hospital to undergo an emergency eye operation.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Ncube said he was lucky to be alive as he believes the robbers wanted to kill him.

“I think I am lucky to be alive. I am grateful for that. Those guys are from a neighbouring village so they could have wanted me dead so that no trace would be left of what happened to me,” he said.

“They told the police that we fought over a name because one of them is also called Hloniphani, but I think it was just a cover up. I think they thought I had money because they had seen me carrying some people who had hired my truck. So they decided to pounce on me when I went to use a public toilet at Nyandeni Shopping Centre.”

Mr Ncube said as he was about to get out of the toilet, one of the robbers came from behind and struck him with a log on the face and he fainted.

“When I woke up, my left eye had popped out and I was in so much pain. I know that one of the vendors at the centre witnessed everything and called for people to come and help. Someone called my family and they pursued the gang,” he said.

“They took away my clothes, shoes and a wallet with some money. But I have lost my sight.”

Hloniphani’s father, Mr Regi Ncube, said he was at a loss for words.

“Now what is more disappointing is that these people are from a neighbouring village and we know each other well. The family has not approached us to offer apologies and show any remorse. My son earns a living from driving our family truck, now they want to take that away from him by damaging his eyesight? We want justice,” he said.

Regi said Hloniphani’s sibling Thuli and neighbours drove to Skula village where the suspected robbers were throwing a beer drinking party.

He said they effected a citizen’s arrest and handed them to Gwanda police station.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Mr Philisani Ndebele was not immediately reachable for comment. – State Media

THREE illegal gold panners are battling for life after two brothers allegedly attacked them with an axe, machete and knife in Fort Rixon.

Casimiya Ngwenya and his sibling who is yet to be identified were accusing the panners of assaulting one of the brothers’ wives.

The duo from Bhibhi area are on the run for the suspected attempted murder cases committed at Pioneer Business Centre on February 13 and 14.

Mr Maxwell Moyo, one of the injured men who was axed, is reportedly in a coma at Gweru General Hospital.  Mr Shepherd Zondwayo (24) and another only identified as Dala are admitted at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).

Mr Zondwayo, speaking from his hospital bed, said the Ngwenya brothers ripped open his upper back with a knife.  He said he was bleeding internally following the attack.

“They stabbed me from the back and as a result nurses have inserted a tube to drain blood which could clot in my system,” said Mr Zondwayo.

He said he narrowly escaped from his attackers who threatened to chop off his hand.

“They told me that they wanted to chop off my hand and my uncle’s. I don’t know what they wanted to do with our hands,” Mr Zondwayo said.

His uncle who had visited him at the hospital, Mr Wilson Masina, said Fort Rixon has become a war zone where people are randomly assaulted for no reason.

“This has become routine. People are being savaged daily. What is even more worrying is that the people who are involved in these crimes are not originally from Fort Rixon,” said Mr Masina.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele said they are looking for the suspects.

“We are appealing to members of the public to assist us with information leading to the arrest of the two dangerous men. One of them was identified and we hope the local community cooperates                                                             and help us in apprehending the dangerous beings in their community before they injure more people,” he said.

Insp Ndebele said illegal gold panners in the area unwind through beer binges, resulting in violence at the end of each day.

“Many of them fight over silly issues. Some of the vicious assaults and attempted murders, among other crimes, are not even reported and this must come to an end,” he said.

“Anyone seen walking around armed with dangerous weapons such as machetes and knives will be dealt with by police”.

A villager who preferred anonymity said: “At least two people are stabbed or assaulted on a daily basis at the mine. Where there is gold, there is always chaos and police need to come closer to the community.”

He said the worst part about the behaviour of the illegal miners is that they injure or kill each other over petty issues.

“These panners have seriously polluted our communities. There is a lot of prostitution; marriages are wrecked, young girls engaging in prostitution resulting in the spread of HIV and Aids. Our children no longer see the need for education as they see the illiterate making fast cash in the shafts. We appeal to the police to establish a base in the area,” the villager said.

He said the two brothers alleged that an unknown gang beat up Casimiya’s wife and so they were out for revenge. – State Media

GROUP Five, a South African firm contracted to upgrade the 800km Plumtree-Mutare highway in a $206 million deal, reportedly swindled Government of close to $50 million, it has emerged.The Johannesburg-headquartered construction concern allegedly coerced Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) to pay Value Added Tax amounting to $28 million.

However, Zinara board chairman Mr Albert Mugabe yesterday said there was nothing sinister in the way the deal was hammered.

“It’s not untoward in agreements of this nature for the contracting parties to review and engage on the word and spirit of the agreement. Given the quantum in this set of agreements, it’s prudent to regularly compare processes brought into effect by agreement and ensure that they reflect the intention of the contract. I am aware that such an engagement is underway, but I cannot confirm that it speaks specifically to the issues that you have highlighted.”

However, impeccable sources said the South African firm over stated its bills by over 10 percent, further prejudicing the State.

The Herald is reliably informed that the scandal was picked by an audit ordered by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development.

“According to findings of a recent audit ordered by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Group Five applied undue pressure and bullied Zinara into reimbursing it a $28 million Value Added Tax (VAT) fee which it had paid to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority,” a source told The Herald.

Group Five was liable to pay VAT as per contract.

The company reportedly threatened to abandon the contract if Zinara did not reimburse the VAT it had paid Zimra. Zinara has made several efforts to recover the money from Group Five without success.

In a letter to Group Five project director Mr Ham Coetzee dated January 23, 2017, Zinara chief executive officer Engineer Nancy Masiyiwa Chamisa, demanded a refund from the company.

It reads: “Pursuant to numerous meetings between the parties and a comprehensive review by Infralink and Zinara on matters arising from Group Five’s engagement as EPC Contractor to the project, and as a result have identified that Group Five appears to have been imposing additional billings on Infralink (the employer) and by extension also on Zinara, which are clearly irregular and not permissible.”

Infralink is a 70 and 30 percent joint venture between the Zimbabwe National Road Administration and Group Five Limited of South Africa.

“We note as follows – Group Five claimed reimbursements from Zinara in respect of Value Added Tax levied by Zimra on Group Five’s activities as contractor to the project. Under the EPC agreement, Group Five was employed by Infralink on a fixed contract price basis.”

The EPC contract states that the contractor pay all taxes, duties and fees as required by the laws in relation to the design, execution and completion of the works and the remedying of any defects.

It further states that the contract price “shall not be adjusted for any of these costs, except as adjusted for changes in legislation”.

Eng Masiyiwa Chamisa said “the employer was no under obligation to reimburse Group Five for taxes imposed on Group Five under the Laws of Zimbabwe”.

“Zinara has, in the mistaken but bona fide belief that it was obliged as majority shareholder of the employer to refund the VAT to Group Five, reimbursed and or undertaken to reimburse such amounts to Group Five. It is clear from the express terms of the EPC contract that, in the first instance, Zinara is not party to the EPC contract and bears no liability thereafter. Secondly, the EPC contract does not disclose a legal basis on which Group Five may validly claim reimbursement of tax from the employer,” stated Eng Masiyiwa-Chamisa in the letter to Mr Coetzee.

She added: “Accordingly, the payment by Zinara was sine causa, and Group Five has been unjustly enriched in the amount mistakenly paid, if any, by Zinara as reimbursement for VAT, alternatively would be unjustly enriched were Zinara to pay any such claims. We further place it on record that Group Five unlawfully threatened to discontinue work on the project as a result of the outstanding VAT and Zinara was accordingly placed under duress to make, alternatively, guarantee, the above payment ($28 million).

Eng Masiyiwa-Chamisa demanded repayment from Group Five.

“In the circumstances, Zinara hereby demands that Group Five repay all amounts it received, if any, from Zinara in respect of VAT reimbursement within seven days of date hereof, together with mora interest at the rate of 10.25 percent per annum from date of this letter to date of payment in full. Alternatively, any claims raised on Zinara or Infralink for such VAT refund claims are, in the circumstances, null and void, and should in future be directed for resolution to Zimra.”

Documents in The Herald’s possession also show that Group Five raised significant charges on Infralink and by extension Zinara that the road administration deems “irregular”.

“Group Five has charged Infralink an amount of $12 312 577.00 for financing charges allegedly incurred as a result of inter alia, delayed payments under the EPC contract. The EPC contract provides for financing charges to be calculated at the annual rate of three percentage points above the discount rate of the central bank in the country of the currency of payment. The currency of payment in terms of the EPC contract is the United States Dollars. The central bank for purposes of calculating the financing charges is accordingly the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States of America. Group Five has erroneously calculated the financing charges using the Zimbabwe Reserve Bank rates. This means Group Five have calculated the financing charges at 16.3 percent and in instances even higher than that, per annum, whereas the rate of 3.25 percent (being the Federal Reserve Discount rate 0.25 percent plus 3 percent) is the appropriate and correct rate of use,” said Eng Masiyiwa Chamisa in her correspondence with Mr Coetzee.

She added: “It is clear that Group Five have over charged Infralink to an extent of at least $9 857 615 in respect of these financing charges. Furthermore, in terms of the contract entered into, the contractor may only level financing charges on the amount unpaid during the period of delay, which is calculated with reference to the due date being 28 days after receipt of a statement and supporting documents in respect of the amount claimed.”

Eng Masiyiwa Chamisa demanded repayment by Group Five within seven days for any payments already made “with regards this claim and which exceed the permissible amounts in accordance to the interest rates aforementioned”. – State Media

Ray Nkosi | President Robert Mugabe says he is ready to face the opposition which includes veteran opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and perhaps #ThisFlag Pastor Evan Mawarire in the crucial forthcoming 2018 Presidential elections.

Asked in an interview by the state media on Zanu PF’s readiness for the 2018 polls, Mugabe responded, “Zanu-PF is ever ready. You know that battery, which is written Everready, always yielding power. We stand ready all the time, but the issue is that of ensuring unity within us.

Zanu-PF infighting won’t stop the revolutionary party from posting a resounding victory, Mugabe said.

In any case, the President and Zanu-PF First Secretary said, all differences were being ironed out through the relevant party structures. He made the remarks in a wide-ranging interview with ZBC-TV to mark his 93rd birthday yesterday. Born on February 21, 1924, President Mugabe will have his official celebrations in Matopos on Saturday.

“The quarrels within the party, suspicions within the party, we are remedying those ones. So, it will not take us time to be in full gear. We do not have differences that can really mar our participation in the election. We have been at this game for a long time and we are not vana Zim (People) First. It’s born in the morning and before sunset, it has become something else.”

He scoffed at accusations by opposition parties that zanu-pf was infiltrating them and causing their disintegration.

“Well, where are we infiltrating them?” he asked.

“Have they given us the persons? Infiltration is an act of getting your people clandestinely into their organisations. Infiltrate MDC-T, kuti tidii? We haven’t done such a thing. It’s failures on their part and quarrels, of course, within them.”

President Mugabe added, “They are not as well organised as ourselves, our party, no definite principles guiding them. Look at the Press. Day in, day out, just attacks on us, Zanu-PF, something about Mugabe, something about the First Lady, to sell their organs. But what do they talk about? Our industries, by way of policies that they envisage, mining industry, agriculture, the utilities, infrastructure? What are the policies that they have in these areas of the sectors of our economy? Hapana!”

Mugabe also ruled out the possibility of a successor at the moment, a statement many viewed as a snub to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa who had positioned himself as heir apparent.

SEVEN villagers from Plumtree who were part of a 10-men gang that fatally assaulted two border jumpers for stealing mealie-cobs in their fields were yesterday each sentenced to five years in jail.

Gadzanani Dube (49), Musa Ndlovu (29), Norman Dube (64), Twopac Nkomo (36), Vincent Berejena (30), Obedience Ndlovu (41) and Dingumuzi Moyo (42) all from Nxele Village were initially facing a murder charge in connection with the death of Benedict Ncube who was aged 26 and Xolisani Sibanda who was aged 19 in February 2008.

The other two suspects Mbuso Tshuma (34) and Sipho Mdlongwa, whose ages were not given, are still at large while the third one, Godfrey Sebenzo (34) is now late.

The seven were convicted of a lesser charge of culpable homicide by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Maxwell Takuva.

They will each serve an effective three years in jail after two years were suspended for five years on condition that they do not within that period commit a similar offence.

The seven villagers tied the deceased persons’ hands and indiscriminately attacked them resulting in the two men sustaining injuries that led to their deaths.

In passing sentence, Justice Takuva condemned acts of violence saying the courts frowned upon vigilante justice.

“Two young and innocent lives were lost as a result of your negligence. These young people wanted to cross to Botswana through undesignated crossing points to look for employment and it is hunger that forced them to steal.

“This case has all the hallmarks of vigilante justice and the message should go out to the community that people should not take the law into their own hands and hence the need to eradicate vigilante justice,” said the judge.

Justice Takuva said culpable homicide arising from public violence is a serious offence which requires a deterrent sentence.

“The law prohibits anyone from taking away another person’s life. The courts have a duty to protect the sanctity of human life and therefore we will not allow the rule of law to be replaced by the rule of the jungle,” he said.

Justice Takuva blamed the accused persons for failing to take the two border jumpers to the relevant authorities.

“Normally such a crime would attract a sentence in the region of nine to 12 years. In this case we will reduce that range because of the delays and other mitigatory factors,” said the judge.

Prosecuting, Mr Khumbulani Ndlovu said on February 25 in 2008 at about 1PM, Gadzanani and Musa were at a grazing land at Nxele village to look for their cattle when they spotted footprints of trespassers in Norman’s field.

They became suspicious and started tracking the footprints which led them to a bushy area where they found Ncube, Sibanda and their friend Mzingaye Dube roasting mealie cobs.

“They confronted the trio and demanded to know where they got the maize cobs from. They tied their hands and frog marched them to Norman’s maize field where the three men showed them the spot where they had plucked out the mealie-cobs,” said Mr Ndlovu.

He said Gadzanani and Musa were later joined by Norman and Tshuma and they teamed up to assault the three friends all over their bodies using switches.

Berejena, Nkomo and Obedience came and joined in attacking the trio resulting in Benedict collapsing.

He was taken to Plumtree District Hospital where he succumbed to injuries two days later.

Sibanda was also later picked by passers-by at a bushy area where he had been abandoned by his assailants. He was taken to the same hospital where he died on admission.

Mr Liberty Mcijo of Liberty Mcijo and Associates represented the seven men. – State Media

Terrence Mawawa, Chiredzi |In an incident that epitomises the shocking gravity of Zanu PF factionalism, Masvingo State Minister Shuvai Ben Mahofa has called on party supporters to vote against sitting MPs in the area.

The incumbent MPs here are perceived to be members of the G-40 Team ostensibly led by the First Lady, Grace Mugabe. Addressing party members at a district meeting mainly attended by Team Lacoste members, Mahofa openly castigated Darlington Chiwa (Chiredzi West), Kalisto Gwanetsa (Chiredzi South) and Robert Mukwena (Chiredzi North).

She accused the three MPs of calling for the reversal of the Tongaat Land occupation exercise. Mahofa is bitter after losing the fierce battle for the invasion of Tongaat Land. Party sources have revealed to Zimeye.com Mahofa has an axe to grind with the G-40 MPs she accuses of using Mrs Mugabe’s influence to overturn key party decisions.

Mahofa urged party supporters to snub the three G-40 MPs ahead of the 2018 polls. “You should vote all these MPs out because they are incompetent.You can see it for yourself that they are not at this crucial meeting.You cannot elect people who are sabotaging party programmes. There are many potential candidates among you,”said Mahofa.

Responding to Mahofa’s sentiments Chiwa said he did not attend the meeting because he was not invited. “The words came from a crazy person. Mahofa must remember that she has a history of electoral defeats in Gutu South Constituency.We are not like Mahofa because we were elected by the people. Mahofa is leading a clique of misguided elements,”said Chiwa.

An award-winning former Southend headteacher has been fined for sending a fraudulent letter to get a job at a school.

Dr Tawanda Madhlangobe, 47, who was head teacher at Seabrook College on Burr Hill Chase in 2013, was ordered to pay £910 at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on February 14, after admitting committing fraud in Brentwood on September 28, 2015.

When Madhlangobe, who lives in Norfolk, applied to be headteacher at Horton Education and Care school in Hull in 2015, he was asked why he had recently failed to get a job at the nearby Bridlington School.

He had been rejected because of a caution for common assault on his wife in 2009, but he asked Sarah Pashley, who had interviewed him for the Bridlington post, to tell Horton that it was due to personal reasons.

She refused, but while in Brentwood he sent a letter to Horton, which purported to be from her.

Prosecutor Stephen Sparks said: “He used the first school’s letterhead and paper. He was shortlisted and interviewed at the second school.

“After the interview there were concerns, and they wanted to test the letter’s legitimacy.

“When they contacted the first school, it transpired that the letter was fraudulent.”

Madhlangobe, who is unemployed and living on an overdraft, was arrested by police while on a plane that had just landed at Heathrow Airport from his home country Zimbabwe.

The separated father of two, who has a doctorate in education from the University of Hertfordshire, won secondary school teacher of the year at the 2008 London Teaching Awards for work at Pavilion Study Centre in Barnet.

Mitigating, Jemima Ivens said: “The caution in 2009 was for a row with his wife. He kicked an ironing board, but there was no laying of hands. – EssexLive

The six-day strike by doctors has crippled operations in most central hospitals with patients being turned away while hospitals have started merging departments and roping in professionals from the uniformed forces to minimise impact of the strike.

Some referral patients are turning to mission and private institutions after failing to get service at public institutions.

Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr Gerald Gwinji said Government was addressing the immediate needs of the doctors and would continue to encourage them to return to work.

“We will continue engaging with them through various levels so that we get a clear understanding of the impasse,” said Dr Gwinji.

He said to mitigate the effects of the strike, hospital clinical directors were rearranging and merging their departments to maximise coverage by the few doctors at work.

“When some people are not coming to work there is bound to be an impact on service delivery and because these cadres on strike are at the first level of care, the impact is greater.

“Clinical directors are however trying to re-arrange their departments to see how they can continue providing a service although it’s a bit more work on those available,” said Dr Gwinji.

He said in terms of the availed posts, Government had come up with a preliminary list of each hospital’s allocation and that the doctors would soon make their choices for deployment.

Meanwhile, most referral patients are being turned away as the few doctors are struggling to cope with pressure. – State Media

Controversial preacher Pastor Paul Sanyangore says he receives phone calls from God. The preacher says he has a direct line which he can call the heavens and get instructions on how to help his followers and on Sunday he says he got call during his church service at Kingstones House in the capital.

“I have a direct channel, actually I have his number and I can call Him when need rises,” said the preacher. Sanyangore was responding to questions on a video doing rounds on social media yesterday on which he was prophesying on a congregant while on the phone. He addressed the person on the other end of the call as the ‘heaven’ and God- prophesying on a

certain lady telling her of her background.

‘Doubting Thomases’ who spoke to H-Metro argued the preacher could have been on the line with someone with information on the woman.

He responded, “It is possible to talk to God, why would you doubt that I got a call from Him? I actually have a direct line which I can call Him and get instructions on how to proceed. I got this when I was praying and I heard a voice telling me to call direct,” he said.

“I got instructions on the phone on what to do or say and that is what happened on Sunday. If the heavens spoke to Abraham why not us? You are of little faith and people will always have doubts while others are being delivered,” he said.

“I know people say whatever they want, some might feel it is a publicity stunt and it is all fine. We don’t do things for publicity, what will we get from that?” He queried.

The preacher, who is in the process of creating a television channel, said he will actually launch a session called ‘Heaven Online’. “You will actually see more of this. We are hoping that we will be on TV this year and we will actually have a session called ‘Heaven Online,” he said. -H metro