National carrier, Air Zimbabwe (AirZim) has dragged a local safari operator, Zimbabwe International Travel and Tours, to the High Court demanding over $17 885, which the firm allegedly failed to remit after selling tickets on behalf of the airline.

The national airline issued the summons sometime in December last year after efforts to have the cash paid failed to yield results.

In its declaration, AirZim said sometime in October last year, Zimbabwe International Travel and Tour, its agent, acknowledged, in terms of a deed of settlement, its indebtedness to the airline to the tune of $17 885, 62.

The cash was an outstanding amount in respect of manual ticket sales, which the firm had failed to remit.

“It was a term of annexure A that the defendant (Zimbabwe International Travel and Tours) would liquidate the sum of $17 885,62 through successive monthly instalments of $5 000 on the 30th of every month commencing on October 30, 2016 until the debt is fully discharged,” AirZim said.

“It was further a term of annexure A that if defendant fails to comply with any of its obligations under annexure A the outstanding amount would become immediately due and payable and the plaintiff would be entitled to institute legal proceedings against the defendant without notice to it for the recovery of the outstanding amount.”

AirZim also argues that its agreement with agents states that safari operators are responsible for costs incurred by the airline in enforcing the agreement.

“The defendant is, therefore, liable to plaintiff in the sum of $17 885, 62 and interest thereon at the rate of 5% per annum calculated from November 1, 2016 to date of payment in full,” AirZim said. In response to the claim, the safari firm disputed the amount owing, saying it had reduced the debt by $4 500.

The firm said part of the money was transferred into the airline’s lawyers trust account and the other part was paid directly to the airline.

The matter is still at the pre-trial stage. – State Media

MDC leader, Welshman Ncube has warned opposition parties against pressing the self-destruct button by throwing unnecessary conditions around the issue of a proposed coalition ahead of general elections next year.

The warning comes following pronouncements by MDC-T vice-president, Thokozani Khupe declaring that the country’s biggest opposition party, by parliamentary representation, does not need partners particularly in the Matabeleland region.

But MDC spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi said the 2008 elections “taught” opposition parties not to be reckless lest they “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.”

“Those responsible for prevailing on others to walk away from the 2008 coalition agreement need be careful that they are not seen today to be working against the clear public sentiment that we must all do everything in our power to give the people of this country a fighting chance to remove the ruinous Zanu PF regime from power in 2018,” he said in a statement.

Chihwayi said the proposed coalition should be constructed in such a way that it provides a winning platform for its presidential candidate.

“We would have thought that some basic common sense dictates that winning parliamentary seats in whatever parts of the country and in whatever quantities is wholly irrelevant, to the primary question of garnering the requisite number of votes for the presidential candidate, which is what is required to cause a change of government,” he said.

In 2008 MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai defeated Mugabe, but failed to reach the required 50% plus one vote, only for the Zanu PF leader to force through a violent and blood-y run-off from which the opposition pulled out at the 11th hour.

Tsvangirai was tripped by Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn leader, Simba Makoni’s 8%.

Khupe on Thursday literally threw the cat among the pigeons after questioning the rationale of the proposed coalition stretching to areas in which the MDC-T already commands majorities.

“It is clear our gap is in Mashonaland East, West and Central, where we have consistently not done very well. So, when looking for a coalition partner, you must look for a partner, who is going to be able to cover
that gap,” she said, in comments critics say are aimed at ring-fencing the region she views as her political castle.

Khupe’s political star is waning following Tsvangirai’s decision to appoint two more deputies last year, a move seen as a vote of no confidence in the former deputy Prime Minister.

Tsvangirai has just concluded a 10-day consultative visit to Matabeleland and announced he had received overwhelming support for a coalition, especially with former Vice-President and Zimbabwe People First leader Joice Mujuru. There are reports of internal ructions over the proposed alliance within the MDC-T. – Newsday

A PROMINENT Bulawayo businessman survived a terrifying ordeal when three armed robbers raided his home in Hillside suburb and tied his hands and legs before getting away with $1 000 and property worth $1 400 .

Mr Rahmn Bhai Patel, the owner of DG Patel Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market at the corner of Robert Mugabe Way and 4th Avenue, lost the money and property to the gang that hit him on the head twice with the butt of a pistol.

The suspects covered his bleeding head with a sheet, tied his hands and legs with belts before they fled with the loot.

The incident happened on January 15 at about 10.30AM.

One of the assailants, Raphael Ngwenya (25) of Entumbane suburb, has since been arrested but his two accomplices Bhekani Ndlovu and Shakes Ndlovu are still on the run.

Ngwenya appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza yesterday and was not asked to plead to an armed robbery charge.

He was remanded in custody to Monday.

The State, represented by Mr Tinashe Dzipe, alleged that Bhekani and Shakes went inside the house while Ngwenya stood guard in their getaway car — a Toyota Quantum with South African registration numbers.

“Ngwenya drove the car to Hillside suburb and parked it at corner Pembroke and Weir Roads. Shakes was the one carrying the gun. He and Bhekani proceeded to the complainant’s house. They jumped over a pre-cast wall,” said Mr Dzipe.

“They gained entry into the house through a kitchen door that wasn’t locked. Complainant was watching television in the lounge. Shakes approached him and struck him twice on the head with the pistol butt.”

He said the duo force marched Mr Patel into all the bedrooms demanding cash.

“Complainant gave them $1 000 cash he had in the house. He also gave them a Seiko wrist watch, Apple I-pad, Samsung S5 and Samsung Note 1 all valued at $1 400. Ngwenya sold two of the stolen phones to a computer technician in the city centre on January 21,” Mr Dzipe said.

He said Ngwenya was raided by police at his home in Entumbane suburb at 4AM on January 27.- State Media

Air Force of Zimbabwe Group Captain Raymond Stanford Mharapara, who died at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on Tuesday, was yesterday buried at Glen Forest Cemetery in Harare.

A funeral parade was held at National Defence College.Speaking during the funeral parade, Air Vice Marshal Michael Tedzani Moyo, the commandant of National Defence College, expressed sorrow for the loss of Group Captain Mharapara and commended him for his good leadership.

“Allow me on behalf of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and in particular, the Air force of Zimbabwe and the National Defence College to express my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences on the sad loss of our beloved and illustrious senior officer,” said Air Vice Marshal Moyo.

“It was indeed with the utmost shock that we all learnt of this untimely loss, such that we are still struggling to comprehend why such a vibrant, principled, loyal and experienced senior officer could be taken away at this critical period when his invaluable contributions were still required.”

Family spokesperson Mr Godfrey Andrew Manyere paid tribute to Group Captain Mharapara, describing him as a committed and responsible man and that his untimely death was a great loss to the whole family.

Group Captain Mharapara died after fighting severe bleeding while undergoing a minor bile duct operation at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

In recognition of his outstanding performance, he was promoted to the rank of Air Lieutenant on August 7, 1983, Flight Lieutenant on June 28, 1985 , Squadron Leader on August 25, 1989, Wing Commander on May 28, 1991 and Group Captain on June 6, 2012.
Group Captain Mharapara is survived by his wife Constance and five children. – State Media

PROPORTIONATE Representative MP Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (MDC) on Thursday asked Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda to rule if a journalist from our sister paper The Herald was not in contempt of Parliament after a report on her bringing flowers into the House.

The outspoken legislator gave Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa the flowers during debate in the Chamber on Tuesday, which she said should be delivered to a female official in his ministry.

Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga also gave Minister Chinamasa a T-shirt inscribed with his Shumba totem for him to wear.

Both presents were meant to show her appreciation of the ministry’s decision to remove duty on sanitary wear in the 2017 National Budget that Minister Chinamasa presented last year.

“The positive that I found in this budget was obviously the issue around sanitary wear,” said Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga during her contribution. “I just want to thank the Honourable Minister, after all these years begging him to do something about sanitary wear, we see that he actually did something about it.”

Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga commended Minister Chinamasa for introducing her to a lady in his Ministry, a Mrs Mhini, to discuss about the removal of duty on sanitary wear.

“So, I have a present for Ms Mhini, which I am going to ask the Honourable Minister to take to her, just to thank her and say, that is what we expect from all women,” she said.

“Mr Speaker Sir, I want to thank the Honourable Minister for accepting to do this. In a typical and traditional way of thanking our males and men, we normally use the totem. I have this T-shirt for him (Minister Chinamasa), it is called Mazvita and printed Shumba, thank you so much.”

Her contribution, which lasted almost 20 minutes, touched on various issues about Minister Chinamasa’s ministry and other legislators who spoke after her also gave complimentary remarks to him.

In her complaint to Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga took exception on why three legislators were quoted verbatim by The Herald when her contribution was paraphrased.

She also disputed that she had commended Minister Chinamasa on the work he is doing on the economy.

Adv Mudenda said he would want to study her complaint before making a ruling next week.

This was not the first time Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga brought aids into the House to create visual and interactive experience for fellow legislators.

In July 2015, she caused drama when she brought underwear and waved the used panties, before charging at Gokwe-Nembudziya MP Justice Mayor Wadyajena (Zanu-PF) whom she accused of undermining her on the floor.

She was ejected from the House for charging at Wadyajena, who had pulled her jacket and passed a comment.

Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga was protesting against the importation and sale of second-hand women’s undergarments, which she said exposed women to diseases.

In another stunt in December 2015, Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga brought an infant into the House when it was in session.

She sought to make her point while asking Parliament to appreciate the need to put mechanisms in place to cater for nursing mothers.

Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga also once brought samples of sanitary wear into the House to illustrate a point on the need to remove duty on them. – State Media

TWO people, one of them a teacher, are feared dead while nine others narrowly escaped death when a truck they were travelling in was swept away by a flooded river in Lupane District.

The incident happened at the Bubi River Bridge at about 6PM on Thursday .

The bridge is on a gravel road linking Daluka Ward 19 to St Luke’s area in Kusile Rural District.

The driver of the truck, a seven-tonner, which was coming from delivering food aid, allegedly missed the bridge and hit side pillars before the truck fell into the river.

The teacher, who could not be named immediately, was reportedly stationed at Zwangendaba Secondary – a few hundred metres from the scene of the accident.

The other victim is believed to be a local villager.

By last night, the two people were still missing but the nine other passengers and crew were all accounted for.

The truck was dumped by the water about 60 metres downstream.

The truck’s crew comprising of three people including the driver, were coming from delivering drought relief food in Daluka in the same district when they offered eight local people a lift.

The Chronicle visited the area yesterday and Bubi River was still flooded with villagers and school children failing to cross.

Villagers from either side of the river embarked on a search in the river while waiting for divers from the police Sub-Aqua Unit who arrived late in the afternoon.

Some villagers reportedly assisted a heavily pregnant woman cross the river to St Luke’s Hospital where she was due for delivery.

Acting District Administrator for Lupane, Mr Zachariah Jusa, who is also chairman of the local Civil Protection Unit, confirmed the incident.

“The accident occurred at around 6PM when the truck, which is part of those that carry drought relief food in the district, was returning to base. I was at the bridge in the morning when the truck crossed as I was doing routine checks to assess the situation. Unfortunately when they returned in the evening, I think the water level had risen as the bridge was submerged,” he said.

Mr Jusa said the driver missed the bridge after hitting a hump.

“I think the driver could have gauged that his truck would cross but hit a hump which caused the truck to swerve. That’s when he missed the bridge and the truck fell into the water throwing out the eight people who were in the back and the three crew members in front,” he said.

“I think it’s prudent that people don’t spread falsehoods as what has been circulating on social media that the bridge was swept away isn’t true.”

Yesterday, the river was still flooded and villagers said it was worse than the previous night.

Bubi-Lupane Dam downstream near Lupane Centre was also said to be full, contributing to the flooding in the area.

One of the survivors who was in the truck, Mr Bongani Moyo, said he was still in shock.

“It was so sudden. All was well as the driver tried to drive through but lost control when he hit a hump and that’s when we heard the truck hitting some pillars,” he said.

Matabeleland North Provincial Education Director Mrs Boithatelo Mnguni confirmed that a teacher was among those involved in the accident.

“The teacher taught at Zwangendaba High School in Lupane. I can’t give more details because the CPU and the police are dealing with the matter,” said Mrs Mnguni.

CPU acting director Mrs Sibusisiwe Ndlovu also confirmed the incident, saying they informed the police sub-aqua unit in Bulawayo after receiving the report.

“We received a report from Matabeleland North Province and we communicated with the sub-aqua unit in Bulawayo to attend to the incident,” said Mrs Ndlovu.

She warned people against attempting to cross flooded rivers.

A number of people have been rescued after being marooned in Matabeleland South and the Midlands provinces. – State Media

Matebeleland South has raised only $3 300 but pledges are said to be trickling in for this year’s 21st February Movement Celebrations to be hosted by the province.

The celebrations to mark President Mugabe’s birthday will be held at Rhodes Estate Preparatory School (Reps) at Matopo Research Station.

Yesterday committees tasked to spearhead the preparations for the event met in Gwanda and received the pledges. Ten cattle, 600 litres of fuel and 300 bags of 50 kilogrammes of mealie-meal were pledged and cash amounting to $3 300 was paid.

Addressing the committees, the Minister of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage, Abednigo Ncube, urged members to work as a team so that the event becomes a success.

“The national executive chose Matabeleland South to host the celebrations so we should work as a team so that the day becomes a success. Business people from Matabeleland should donate in cash and kind for this noble cause. The date for the celebrations has not been set but our deadline for all pledges should be 15 February. All the pledges should be fulfilled before this date,” said Ncube.

Last week, Zanu-PF National Secretary for Youth Affairs,  Kudzanai Chipanga, said this year’s venue was in line with the youth league’s theme of promoting domestic tourism which they adopted two years ago. – State Media

A KOMBI driver has attacked two cops manning a roadblock along the Mutare-Chimanimani Highway alleging that they stole his $21.

The kombi driver who had his shirt torn in the ensuing fracas was being handled by two of the cops. He accused the cops of stealing his money and insisted that he was going nowhere without getting back the cash.

His claims were confirmed by some of the people at the scene who said they saw the cops stealing from him.

However, on the other hand, the police officers, who had now arrested the kombi driver and were handling him by the belt, rubbished the theft claims.

Instead they accused him of resisting arrest as well as assaulting them. The commotion continued for close to an hour, making the busy highway impassible.

The kombi driver was subsequently taken to Mutare Central Police Sta­tion where he spent the weekend in holding cells.

On Monday, Benjamin Chigwedere (30) was hauled before the courts on allegations of resisting arrest and assaulting the two cops.

He denied both counts when he appeared before Mr Poterai Gwezhira. Allegations were that he assaulted Constable Everson Mark Marozva (32) and Sergeant Penelock Man­jonhi after having been stopped at the roadblock.

Public Prosecutor, Mr Fletcher Karombe said constable Marozva who was in the company of Consta­bles Mapforere, Mujera and Sergeants Mangundu and Manjonhi were man­ning a police roadblock at Fashu when they stopped Chigwedere who was driving a commuter omnibus.

“With the intention of arresting the driver for carrying excess passen­gers, Marozva stopped the commuter omnibus which Chigwedere was driv­ing. The suspect however, shouted at the police officer using vulgar words saying the police were used to taking people’s hard earned money for free.

“Marozva tried to arrest the sus­pect for his conduct but he resisted and went on to assault the officer and tore off his police uniform,” said Mr Karombe.

It is further alleged that Chig­wedere grabbed the handcuffs from Manjonhi and started hitting him on the mouth several times and on the chest with the handcuffs.

Marozva and Manjonhi sustained injuries and were taken to Mutare Provincial Hospital where they got treatment. Chigwedere was remanded out of custody and the matter goes for trial on February 14. – State Media

MDC vice president, Thokozani Khupe, has joined the loudening chorus by opposition and civil society groups who are calling for a boycott of President Robert Mugabe’s 93rd birthday celebrations in Matobo.

The bash, organised by the 21st February Movement, will be hosted by Matabeleland South Province at the Rhodes Estate Preparatory School (Reps) in Matobo, where the Gukurahundi massacres took place between 1983 and 1987 when the national army’s Fifth Brigade unit crushed dissent by so-called “dissidents” — disgruntled former guerrillas and supporters of the late Joshua Nkomo’s Zapu — killing thousands.

Khupe’s sentiments are on the back of the Matobo Business Community this week calling on opposition parties and civil society groups to institute measures to block Zanu PF from holding the celebrations in the area.

“I have never seen such insensitivity because you can’t go and provoke people who are still bearing wounds and scars. What kind of disrespect is that?” Khupe queried.

“Instead of Mugabe apologising because of what happened during Gukurahundi where over 20 000 civilians were massacred, you (Mugabe) have the audacity of celebrating your birthday while other people are still buried in shafts like Bhalagwe,” she said.

Speaking at Nkomo’s memorial service on July 2, 2000, Mugabe admitted that “thousands” had been killed during the campaign, calling it an “moment of madness”.
Khupe called for a total boycott of the event.

“Those who are calling for a boycott are justified because honestly we cannot try and sanitise something which cannot be sanitised. People must not attend this unholy event. They must just stay away from this madness,” she said.

The former deputy premier accused some Zanu PF hardliners of misleading the nonagenarian leader, a development she said has contributed to many challenges the country has been battling for decades now.

“Some of the people in Zanu PF must advise Mugabe properly because it is not the right choice. Honestly, thousands of dead people have not been given a proper burial, for me it is just unheard of. It’s a sign of serious disrespect to that particular community. It’s a sign of being insensitive to issues at hand.”

Zanu PF youth secretary, Kudzai Chipanga, has declared that the ruling party would not be dictated to by the opposition.

“The issue around Gukurahundi was dealt with by our elders … Mugabe and the late…Nkomo. Matabeleland South is a Zanu PF stronghold with the party having won all seats in the province, Matobo included, where we have two Zanu PF legislators. As a party, we will not be driven by the opposition but our members,” Chipanga told State media.

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe documented at least 3 750 killings and speculated that the actual number could be double that, or higher, since its coverage was limited to the Tsholotsho districts of Matabeleland North and the Matobo districts of Matabeleland South.

Locals put the figure at between 20 000 and 30 000. In a unanimously adopted resolution in 2005, the International Association of Genocide Scholars estimated the death toll at 20 000. – Daily News

Ray Nkosi | Zimbabwe People First President Joice Mujuru this morning brought Bulawayo business to a standstill, after she volunteered to leave the comfort of a guarded convoy of cars and walk in the streets of Bulawayo unguarded “to introduce herself to the ordinary people” in the city.

ZimEye.com can exclusively reveal that hundreds of excited people left their vending bays, offices and taxis to throng the streets doing some toyi – toyi march and singing IsiNdebele traditional revolutionary songs as they followed the former Vice President, mix and mingle with the people on the streets.

From the City Centre, Mujuru asked to be taken into Nkulumane High Density Suburb where she further walked around Sekusile Shopping Centre and made courtesy calls into a few houses in the township where she sought to speak to the people in the streets asking for their opinion on how they would want to see the country’s ills addressed.

Residents who spoke to ZimEye.com in the streets where Mujuru went through hailed the former ZANU PF stalwart for her humility and ability to open up and speak to ordinary people on the ground.

The residents who managed to get close to her praised her for openly asking the people to forgive her for the time she was associated with ZANU PF and asked to be accommodated into the fight for a new democratic Zimbabwe.

“I was almost in tears when I spoke to her and she said to me she apologises for being associated with the party that has brought our sufferings and wants to join us and work on new solutions for the country with all of us,” said Mr Thamu Sibanda a vendor at Egodini Terminus.

“Guaranteed she now has my vote,” said Sibanda.

Mujuru remains in the City overnight where she is expected to meet with the Bulawayo Province Executive Committee to sort out some factional fights affecting her party in the province. She is also expected to visit Binga in Matabeleland North over the weekend.

A Zimbabwean pro-democracy campaigner has warned that social movement activist and cleric Evan Mawarire may become victim of the country’s “subverted” legal system when he is expected to appear in court today (3 February).

Pastor Evan Mawarire, the face of Zimbabwe’s #ThisFlag protest campaign, who was detained at Harare airport on 1 February as he returned to the country after six months in exile, was detained at Harare Central Police Station. He was then handed fresh charges of “insulting” the Zimbabwean national flag, inciting public violence and subverting a constitutionally-elected government.

The priest is expected to appear in court this afternoon, as he reaches the expiry of the 48-hour police custody period limit.

IBTimes UK spoke to human rights and democracy activist Linda Masarira, who says she has herself been repeatedly dragged through courts over trumped up charges, ahead of Mawarire’s court appearance. Speaking outside the Harare Magistrates Court, Masarira, said supporters have been told there was no time set for the priest’s appearance in court. “Authorities said prisons were not bringing people to court today because they have no fuel,” she said.

“How did we get to a stage where a government organisation – prisons – is not sure to take prisoners to court? That is an infringement of prisoners’ rights, of their freedom of liberty. You are innocent until proven guilty,” Masarira said in an exclusive interview.

Under Zimbabwean law, the court is supposed to give the detainee bail, but the activist said she was “scared” magistrates would “find a reason not to give him bail”, suggesting court may deny the clergyman bail because of fears over his influence.

“I actually pray that they give him bail, but I know that even if they do, it will be so exorbitant. Remember, in June, when they gave bail for $1,000? In a country where there is no jobs, where is one supposed to get $1,000 from?”

The activist, who many describe as President Robert Mugabe’s nemesis, was released in late September after she was incarcerated on 6 July over her participation in anti-government demonstrations that rocked the African nation.

Masarira was arrested again in October last year alongside four other activists including Dzamara Patson, whose brother Itai, a journalist turned activist, has been missing since his abduction on 9 March 2015.

“The problem that we have had for a very long time in Zimbabwe is the absolute absence of the rule of law. We have Zanu-PF [Mugabe’s ruling party] in our courts and magistrates being told what to do. They can not make their own decisions.”

Zanu-PF party, which has been in power since the country gained independence from the UK in 1980, is accused of having repeatedly repressed political opponents and allegedly carrying out mass atrocities against civilians to consolidate power.

In this environment, “no one really knows what the outcome [for Mawarire] will be but the Zanu-PF is harassing and abusing the Pastor and trying to suppress his freedom,” Masarira said.

“I foresee them incarcerating him, because why would they come up with the charges of subverting a constitutional government, which carries a sentence of 20 years? They are just trying to frustrate people and quell [protests that they see as] a problem in Zimbabwe.

She added: “When [the people] find that someone who has been trying to protest – a protest leader to be precise – has been charged for 20 years, naturally people will go back to their homes and stop protesting for fear of being arrested. That’s what happened to me.”

Police officers, who charged the clergyman yesterday, claim Mawarire circulated several videos on social media encouraging Zimbabweans “to stage violent demonstrations to subvert the constitutional government of Zimbabwe and resultantly from August 2016 to January 2017 there have been violent demonstrations in the country where several property was destroyed.” – BT News

Evan Mawarire, who is being charged with subverting a constitutionally-elected Government or alternatively inciting to commit public violence, was today remanded in custody to February 17 after his application challenging his placement on remand was dismissed.

Harare provincial magistrate Mr Elisha Singano advised Mawarire to apply for bail at the High Court. – State Media

A mum-of-four who was found dead in a car outside a Lidl supermarket had died from head injuries, a post mortem has revealed.

Gillian Zvomuya was discovered outside the Kitts Green branch of Lidl in Mackadown Lane at around 4.45am on Monday.

Police initially said the victim died as a result of stab injuries, but a post portem examination has revealed that she died from head injuries. However, police confirmed that Mrs Zvomuya also suffered injuries from a “bladed article” in the attack.

Tributes have been paid to Gillian, who has not been officially named by police as the victim.

Posting a tribute on Facebook, one of her friends said: “I am still in shock. I can’t believe u are gone. Why, why, what about the kids?

“May you (sic) soul rest in peace my friend. God has taken one of his angel. What a way to die.”

Another friend posted on Facebook: “RIP Gillian…gone so soon …so shocked and hurt.”

Police initially said the victim was attacked with a “bladed weapon” and pronounced dead at the scene.

“Tragically the woman was pronounced dead at the scene and the man was arrested on suspicion of her murder.

“While her identity is yet to be confirmed, at this stage we believe her to be the arrested man’s wife.”

Detectives also examined the couple’s home and spoke to neighbours and obtained CCTV footage. – Birmingaham Mail

Villagers in Ward 19 in Lupane are still searching for two people that went missing after the 8-tonne truck they were travelling in was swept away as it crossed a flooded river.

The incident occurred around 5pm this Thursday (yesterday).

According to some of the people that were in the truck, the driver missed the bridge and the truck hit pillars before it over turned.

The 10 passengers that were at the back of the truck then jumped off and some were rescued, with injuries and taken to St. Lukes Hospital for treatment.

There are fears that the two missing people could have been killed by crocodiles and children have stopped going to school until the water levels drop.

Members of the police sub-aqua unit and the civil protection unit are still to attend to the incident.

Meanwhile, villagers this morning assisted a pregnant woman in labour to cross the flooded Bubi River to St. Lukes Hospital for delivery. – State Media

A top UK envoy began a two-day visit in Zimbabwe on Monday to gauge its progress in its re-engagement with the international community and assess the human rights situation, a rare visit by a top UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) leader in a decade.

Karen Pierce, UK FCO chief operating officer, is expected to press Zimbabwe to adhere to its international commitments under the Lima Plan.

Zimbabwe’s Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa last year proposed an arrears repayment plan at the IMF/WB annual meetings in Lima in Peru where consensus was reached with creditors on a repayment strategy which entailed the clearance of the country’s $1,8 billion arrears.

Britain, Germany, France, US and others are part of the Paris Club — a forum where Zimbabwe’s debt to the international financial institutions (IFIs) is discussed and agreementis reached on how to manage that ballooning debt.

While in Zimbabwe, Karen, the most senior FCO visitor to Zimbabwe for several years, will meet with influential Zimbabwean women and representatives of the business community, as well as a call on the deputy Foreign minister Edgar Mbwembwe and members of the opposition. During her visit, Pierce — who has previously served as ambassador in Afghanistan, ambassador to the UN in Geneva and deputy permanent representative to the UN in New York – will gain more insight into the operations of the British Mission in Zimbabwe.

“We are excited to be hosting one of the FCO’s most senior officials and to share with her some of our successes as the Britain Mission in Zimbabwe,” UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe Catriona Laing said yesterday.

“She will also have a chance to meet with the business community, learn about the British Mission’s impact on Zimbabwe’s development and meet government and opposition figures. “Karen’s visit is particularly important because the UK, driven by our manifesto commitment to stand up for human rights and the rule of law, wants to see Zimbabwe return to a more normal relationship with the international community.”

Presently, multilateral financial institutions are barred by law from extending loans to Zimbabwe because of outstanding debts. Clearance of the arrears is anticipated to pave way for lines of new capital.

Zimbabwe — saddled with an external debt of over $7 billion — has just settled the IMF’s $124 million in arrears accrued since 2000, but still owes another $600 000 to the AfDB while an additional $1 billion is characterised as WB debt.

To honour these arrears, Zimbabwe is borrowing from the Afrexim Bank in Egypt while it clear the IMF arrears by drawing rights of about $130 million from the Breton Woods institution.

Relations between the UK and Zimbabwe have moved to a new level in the past two years as London seeks to revive relations with a key ally in southern Africa, but the socialist nation’s zero-tolerance approach to its detractors remains a sticking point.

The UK has been intensifying efforts in building stronger ties with Zimbabwe in reducing poverty, helping in health, education, environment, energy and recently has been giving cash transfers to help the most vulnerable, including older people, vulnerable children and people with disabilities — to boost its influence.

Through the Department for International Development (DFID), the UK has also made an additional £40 million contribution resulting in a total contribution of £55,6 million ($73,3 million) to Zimbabwe’s drought mitigation.

Diplomatic ties between the UK and Zimbabwe soured during the turn of the century over charges that President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF party had rigged elections and used violence to cling to power.

Mugabe, Africa’s oldest leader who has held power since independence in 1980, insists London treats Zimbabwe as its colony and seeks to maintain influence in the mineral-rich country. British conglomerates have also divested from Zimbabwe during the 2000-2008 period at the height of an economic crisis, put off by Britain’s frosty ties with its former colony after Mugabe’s often-violent grab of commercial farms belonging to white farmers. – Daily News

The new Zanu PF constitutional arrangements allow President Robert Mugabe to fire his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa at any time. Mnangagwa’s future in Zanu PF hangs in the balance, as his boss starts a cabinet reshuffling process.

The local weekly paper The Independent reports that Mugabe, who effectively started work on Wednesday this week when he chaired a cabinet meeting, is mulling a reshuffle that might see Mnangagwa losing control of the Ministry of Justice and several ministers shunted around or removed. 

Senior government officials told the Independent this week that several ministers could be affected by the reshuffle, which is expected to take place in the first quarter of the year. The reshuffle would be informed by the state of the economy, performance by ministers, factional realignments and succession considerations, among other issues.

Officials said Mugabe was eager to realign the balance of forces within Zanu PF and government so that he reasserts control in the wake of the ever-intensifying succession battles, which are causing conflict and fragmentation ahead of next year’s elections.

Officials say he is also worried about the state of the economy ahead of general elections next year. Poor performance by several cabinet ministers is also said to be of grave concern to Mugabe.

“The biggest casualty might be Mnangagwa, who is likely to lose control of the justice ministry although he will retain the vice-presidency. He will also continue overseeing the ministries under his purview,” a senior government official said. “Former Justice deputy minister Fortune Chasi is being considered as a candidate to take over the ministry.”
Chasi was fired from government in December 2014 for supporting former vice-president Joice Mujuru’s ambitions to succeed Mugabe.

He was a subject of vitriolic attacks by First Lady Grace Mugabe during her “meet-the-people” rallies which set the stage for Mujuru’s ouster and unprecedented purges of her
supporters.

Chais has however made peace with the First Lady and attended some of her rallies.

Government officials said while there are many factors which spurred Mugabe to contemplate removing Mnangagwa from the Justice ministry, the trigger is the fallout over Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku’s succession.

Mugabe is reportedly not happy Mnangagwa clandestinely put Chidyausiku on early retirement and appointed Judge President George Chiweshe – his ally and favourite candidate – as acting chief justice without his knowledge.

Mnangagwa also fuelled the crisis yesterday when he challenged the shortlist, which includes Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba, Justice Rita Makarau and Justice Paddington Garwe, given to Mugabe by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to appoint Chidyausiku’s successor from.

Grace and her faction want Makarau as the next chief justice.

Chiweshe was appointed acting CJ notwithstanding the fact that Section 181(1) of the constitution states “if the office of 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 unable to perform their functions, the next most senior judge of the Constitutional Court acts as Chief Justice”.

Chidyausiku, seen by some as a stumbling block to Mnangagwa’s succession ambitions, left under intense pressure and slipped away for about two months until he met Mugabe by chance at a funeral and bounced back.

Mugabe asked Chidyausiku about his work, but was shocked to learn that he was no longer at work purportedly in line with a directive from the executive. Mugabe then ordered Chidyausiku to report back for work. If he stripped of the Justice ministry, Mnangagwa will remain in charge of the tourism, mining, agriculture, public service, higher education, sports and small and medium enterprises ministries.

Sources said ministers likely to be moved from their current portfolios include Mines minister Walter Chidhakwa, Energy minister Samuel Undenge, Indeginisation minister Patrick Zhuwao, Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo, Tourism minister Walter Muzembi and Information minister Christopher Mushohwe.

Mugabe is also reportedly not happy with the lacklustre performance of War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube, Psychomotor minister Josiah Hungwe and Rural Development minister Abednico Ncube. Dube has presided war veterans’ revolt against Mugabe’s leadership.

The sources said Moyo could be moved the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund saga under investigation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and the need to take him back to resuscitate the dysfunctional Information ministry ahead of elections.

Mushohwe is being criticised internally largely because of complaints that under his tenure the public media has been captured and become factional. There have been complains about this in cabinet.

Although he is related to the president, Chidhakwa is said to be under fire because of the fiasco surrounding the consolidation of diamond mining companies. The plunge in mining revenues, especially from diamonds, since Chidhakwa took over the ministry is a major cause for concern to his boss.

At their peak diamond mining companies contributed about US$50 million a month to Treasury, but the new Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company is now contributing a paltry sum of less than US$100 000 a month. Officials also said there was a likelihood former mines minister Obert Mpofu could make a return to the ministry, although his tenure was marred by allegations of corruption and looting.

“Undenge could be moved because of the scandals at Zesa where he was fingered in a series of dodgy deals, while Mzembi could be on the way out as there is a feeling he is looking for a way to jump ship,” one official said.

Mzembi is campaigning to become the United Nations World Tourism Organisation secretary-general.

Mugabe is also reportedly unhappy with how his nephew Zhuwao has been handling indigenisation issues.

Although there was talk last year that Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa could be replaced by former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono, government officials said Mugabe was content with him as he spears the Lima re-engagement plan.

Other ministers who are likely to continue in their current positions include Transport minister Joram Gumbo, Home Affairs minister Ignatius Chombo, Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Information Communication Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira and Sports minister Makhosini Hlongwane. Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi is also likely to remain in his position, they said.

If the reshuffle goes ahead, it will be the third time since he controversially won elections in 2013. In 2014, he reshuffled cabinet after axing Mujuru and several ministers over unproven allegations of plotting his ouster and assassination.

In his last reshuffle in September 2015, Mugabe, under pressure from the Mnangagwa faction, moved Moyo from the Information ministry to Higher Education. The Mnangagwa accused Moyo of abusing the media to attack and denigrate the vice-president.

Government officials said Mugabe wanted to reshuffle cabinet last year, but stopped after being advised that frequent changes would give an impression that he was at sea over what to do.

“The need to improve government ahead of the elections and the desire to reassert control and manage the succession dynamics ahead of the elections will however force him into a reshuffle this time around,” another official said. – Independent

A former friend of the Archbishop of Canterbury who left Britain amidst child abuse claims was later charged with killing a teenage boy in Zimbabwe.

Hampshire Police yesterday launched an investigation into claims that John Smyth QC, described by the Most Rev Justin Welby as a “charming and delightful” man, forced young men to endure savage sado-masochistic beatings after grooming them at Christian holiday camps in the late Seventies.

Channel 4 News will tonight report that Mr Smyth, who left Britain after the abuse claims emerged, went on to face charges of killing a 16-year-old boy who was found dead in a swimming pool at a Zimbabwean holiday camp.

The barrister was also accused of swimming naked with Zimbabwean teenagers, showering with them in the nude, and encouraging them to talk about masturbation.

One alleged victim told the broadcaster that Mr Smyth administered savage beatings with wooden bats, in a chilling echo of the allegations made against him in Britain.

Mr Smyth, 75, was the head of the Christian charity the Iwerne Trust in the late Seventies, when he ran holiday camps for boys from elite public schools that were also attended by the Archbishop.

On Tuesday Archbishop Welby issued an “unreserved and unequivocal” apology after it emerged that the barrister and part-time judge had not been forwarded to police after the British abuse claims were reported to the Christian charity in 1982.

Mr Smyth moved to Zimbabwe in 1984, where he founded Zambesi Ministries, which recruited boys from that nation’s leading schools to take part in holidays similar to the Iwerne camps.

In 1997 he was arrested over claims that he had killed Guide Nyachuru, a 16-year-old boy whose body was discovered at the bottom of the camp’s swimming pool in December 1992. The case of culpable homicide was subsequently dismissed.

He also faced charges of injuring the dignity of five other boys who said they had been subjected to savage beatings.

Court documents from the time state: “The particular allegations are that [Mr Smyth] made the complainants walk naked to the swimming pool at night; that he took showers with them in the nude; that he talked to them about masturbation and told them to be proud of their ‘dicks’; as Jesus Christ had one; and that he assaulted them on their ‘rear bare buttocks’ with a table tennis bat.”

The case against Mr Smyth collapsed in 1998, after he successfully persuaded Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court that prosecutors had overstated the claims and failed to follow proper procedures.

A lawyer involved in the case told The Telegraph he had been “shocked” after the barrister privately admitted showering with the boys, and said he had warned Mr Smyth to stop.

Channel 4 News has tracked down boys who attended the camps, who insist that the allegations are true.

Rocky Leanders, one teenage camper, said Mr Smyth had encouraged boys to talk about masturbation and told them to “just feel free to embrace your body and love your body”.

He told the broadcaster the barrister told the boys to swim naked, adding: “John took part in the activity. He certainly went in the pool. He was at various places throughout still naked, watching that we all went out and all came back in.”

Later the boys claimed they were subjected to beatings with a table tennis bat and a jokari, another type of wooden racquet. Mr Leanders said he recalled one boy being beaten so hard that the table tennis bat broke. He said: “I remember I could barely sit down because my bum cheek was so sore.”

Mr Nyachuru’s sister, Edith, said that had Church authorities reported Mr Smyth to the police in Britain in 1982, “my brother wouldn’t meet the fate he met”.

Approached by Cathy Newman, the Channel 4 newsreader, Mr Smyth said Mr Nyachuru’s death was “a very unfortunate drowning incident”.

He said he had not left Britain because of abuse claims, but because “God called us to Zimbabwe”.

The Archbishop yesterday pledged to co-operate fully with a police investigation into his former friend.

In an interview yesterday, he repeated his “unreserved and unequivocal” apology to the alleged victims. He insisted he had “never heard anything at all” about the abuse claims, and had never encountered beatings in his religious life.

It has emerged that two friends of the Archbishop have known of the abuse claims since they first came to light, although a spokesman said neither informed him of the allegations.

A 1982 report into the claims, commissioned by the Iwerne Trust, was carried out by Mark Ruston, the vicar of the Round Church in Cambridge, with whom the Archbishop lodged during the late Seventies, in his final year at university.

The Archbishop has said his friendship with the Reverend Ruston was “extraordinary privilege” and he was “inspired” by him.

A second friend of the Archbishop, the Reverend David Fletcher, was the trustee of the Iwerne Trust who led the investigation into the incidents.

Rev Fletcher opted not to pass the claims to police. He said: “My top priority was that John Smyth should be stopped and second that the men he beat were cared for.”

A spokesman for the Archbishop said he “has not seen the Rev David Fletcher more than once or twice casually since the late 1980s”.

Watch Channel 4 News investigation ‘An Ungodly Crime?’ on Friday at 7pm. – UK Telegraph

Ray Nkosi | The ZANU PF national youth leadership has attacked the Matabeleland South provincial organising committee of the 21st February Movement, for falling under public pressure, by moving the venue of President Robert Mugabe’s 93rd birthday celebrations from its original site at Matopo National Park to Rhodes Estate Primary School.

Very reliable sources within the provincial organising committee told ZimEye.com in confidence that the national youth committee led by Kudzai Chipanga blasted the provincial organisers, describing them as being spineless at a briefing before the national committee met with the provincial committee to check on the progress in the preparations for the $2 million bash.

The sources claim that Chipanga and his colleagues in the youth National Executive Committee said that it was a serious weakness on the side of the local team to bow to pressure groups who were castigating ZANU PF for holding the bash at the park where thousands of people killed during the Gukurahundi atrocities of the eighties effected by ZANU PF lie buried in shallow graves and disused mine shafts.

The upset sources who are in the provincial organising committee claim that the mood in the organising team is very tense as there are clear factional fights within the team. The people who are said to have fronted the shift of the venue are said to be linked to the Emerson Munangagwa camp and pushed for the change of venue at the summit of the preparations to first exhibit a rare weakness within ZANU PF and secondly to distract the preparations and spoil the function.

The sources also claim that Chipanga and his crew further blasted the committee for moving the venue from the perceived Gukurahundi site to a colonialism depicting site inside Cecil John Rhode’s Estate.

At the progress review meeting Chipanga is further said to have told the local organising committee which had complained of shortage of funds to “go out to every business person in the province and get money from them.”

The provincial committee is said to have promised to visit fiery Minister of Provincial Affairs for the province Abednico Ncube to get a letter signed by him demanding for donations from the business people. According to the sources a hurried fund raising dinner will also be held in Gwanda within the next few days where business people will be forced to buy expensive dinner tables to raise funds.

The sources further revealed that so far local ZANU PF farmers recently resettled in the province have been pushed to contribute a total of 66 head of cattle of a budgeted 100 which will all be slaughtered at the birthday bash set for February 25.

Terrence Mawawa, Chivhu | Prominent Traditional leader, Chief Mutekedza has been threatened by state security agents for inviting Zim PF members to a meeting he chaired.

Chief Mtekedza also invited Zim PF supporters to his Zunde Ramambo project.

The move did not augur well with members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) who warned him to desist from associating with Mujuru’s party. Zanu PF is panicking after it emerged traditional leaders are deserting the ruling party to work with Mujuru’s party.

Despite factional battles rocking Zim PF the party has gained ground in many rural constituencies. Sources told ZimEye.com Zanu PF Provincial Chair for Mash East,Bernard Makokove assigned CIO operatives to investigate Chief Mtekedza. Chikomba Central MP Felix Mhona also warned the Chief to distance himself from Zim PF programmes. A defiant Chief Mtekedza said he would continue to work with all villagers in his area regardless of their political affiliation.

“I am a traditional leader and I have to work with all people despite their political differences.I cannot stop the villagers from participating in the Zunde Ramambo Project,” said Chief Mtekedza.

He added:”I am very bitter and I want Mhona to apologise to me.I am not of afraid of some individuals who are threatening me.I will not stop people from doing voluntary work because of political affiliation.” Traditional leaders have played a leading role in campaigning for Zanu PF and Mugabe.

Econet Wireless says its extraordinary general meeting to consider a proposed $130 million capital raise will go ahead as planned on Friday, setting itself on a collision course with the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange which directed the company to postpone it until ‘certain technical issues’ are clarified.

The rights issue has generated some controversy largely due to its requirement that shareholders pay abroad to subscribe, a move that analysts say would disadvantage pension funds and other minorities who might not be able to follow their rights.

Econet says it needs to raise the cash offshore to pay off its external debt, which it has increasingly struggled to amortise due to Zimbabwe’s foreign currency crisis.

ZSE chair Caroline Sandura said in a statement issued late on Wednesday the bourse asked Econet to defer its vote on the transaction.
But Econet countered with its own statement in which it said it had, along with the central bank, put up a facility to allow local shareholders to participate in the rights offer.

It said a rights offer account has been opened with Econet’s wholly-owned subsidiary Steward Bank, where local shareholders would deposit the proceeds of the rights offer in accordance with the timetable published in the company’s circular dated 17 January 2017.
The underwriter, Econet Global, will pay the equivalent of the amount contributed by the resident shareholder to the international receiving bank, Afreximbank.

“Those resident shareholders who follow their rights by paying into the designated local account shall be deemed as having discharged their obligations as set out in the Rights Offer Circular and shall be entitled to the issue and allotment of their Rights Offer shares,” said Econet.

“In the circumstances, members are advised that the extraordinary general meeting shall proceed as published in the circular,” it added, saying members should disregard “any notice to the contrary not coming from the company.”

ZSE’s Sandura is yet to respond to the latest move by Econet. – Sources

Terrence Mawawa, Chivhu |The local community has been stunned after a man raped a 25-year-old woman and crushed her head. The man Lovemore Mudavanhu (48) of Kanono Village raped the woman at a bus stop near Sadza Growth Point on Tuesday.

Mashonaland East Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Tendai Mwanza, confirmed the incident. The police suspect Mudavanhu is mentally challenged. A security guard at a local shop heard some noise and went to find out what was happening. He was shocked to find the naked Mudavanhu crushing the hapless woman’s head with a stone.

“The man was found sitting on top of his victim holding a stone in his hands.He raped the woman and killed her.We suspect the man is mentally challenged. He never attempted to run away after killing the woman,”said Mwanza.

He said people should closely monitor their mentally challenged relatives. “We are investigating the matter but I wish to urge people with mentally challenged relatives to monitor them closely.We are yet to come up with comprehensive details,”said Mwanza.

Stephen Kanono ,the security guard said:”I heard some noise and I went to check what was happening.I found the man sitting on top of the woman holding a stone in his hand.There was clear evidence he raped the lady before killing her.I then alerted other villagers.The man did not attempt to run away .We tried to take the woman to hospital but it was too late.”

Norbert Chikerema, aged 42, who has been charged with the murder of his wife Gillian Zvomuya (Nyasha Kahari) was hurled before the courts on Thursday and has since been ordered to re-appear on Monday.

Chikerema of Overdale Road, Quinton appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’s Court Thursday morning charged with the murder of Zvomuya, who post-mortem reports indicate died of head injuries.

Chikerema was remanded in custody and will appear again at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday.

The family of a woman found dead in a Lidl supermarket car park have paid tribute to the “caring and hard-working” mum-of-four.

The body of Nyasha Kahari, from Sheldon, was found in car outside Lidl in Kitts Green at around 4.45am on Monday.

The 35-year-old, who is also known by friends as Gillian, died as a result of head injuries.

Officers had been searching for a couple after they were reported missing from their home in Quinton by friends at 2am.

In a statement, her family said: “Gillian was a decent, loving mother of four children, two boys and two girls. She was a caring and hardworking woman who always strived to keep her family happy.

“She will be missed by her family and all those who knew her. We hope that for her sake justice will prevail and closure can be brought to this unprecedented chapter.”

A Go Fund Me page has now been set up to raise £10,000 for Gillian’s children.

“Rest easy now Gillian, your children are in our hands now.”

Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/gillians-children.

A post on the website reads: “Please support her kids to continue to live and spread the same spirit she lived by. After the storm is the rainbow, the sun will shine again. – Birmingham Mail

SPEAKER of Parliament Jacob Mudenda’s son, Donald McKenzie, was last week issued with summons for civil imprisonment after a local property owner, Mark Lorenco, stepped up efforts to execute judgment to recover rent arrears amounting to over $22 000.

Lorenco, who is cited as the plaintiff in case number 7544/14, is represented by a local law firm, Mapendere and Associates, and the matter has been set down for hearing in the Motion Court on February 15 this year.

Part of the summons reads: “If you (Mudenda) fail to pay the sum specified above ($22 444,73), you must appear before the Magistrate Court at Harare … to explain why you have not paid it and to show cause why an order of your imprisonment should not be made on account of your failure to pay.”

Court papers show that, Mudenda was sometime in 2015 ordered by Harare Civil Court resident magistrate, Brighton Pabwe, to pay the money together with an order evicting him from Lorenco’s business property at Number 37 McLaughlin Road, Kensington in Harare.

Lorenco had approached the court seeking an order compelling the Speaker’s son to pay rent arrears, as well as electricity and telephone bills. The property mogul also wanted the court to force Mudenda to vacate his property, which he rented for a company called Dynamic Success (Pvt) Ltd.

His lawyer, Elias Mapembere, confirmed he had sought the court’s intervention, accusing Mudenda of being evasive.

“We have since applied for civil imprisonment against Mudenda. The predicament we are facing right now is that he cannot be found. We, at one point, sent the messenger of court to attach property at a house in Bulawayo, but it later turned out the said property was a family house,” Mapendere said.

According to the court papers, sometime in March 2013, Mudenda and his company entered into a lease agreement with Lorenco for a property in Kensington, Harare.

The Speaker’s son later accrued rental arrears amounting to $10 900, for which, in spite of proper demand, he allegedly refused, neglected or failed to pay. – Newsday

Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) has suspended five executives for allegedly siphoning millions of dollars at the height of the mega salaries scandal under former group chief executive officer, Dr Cuthbert Dube.

The five are head of communications and stakeholder relations Ms Mavis Gumbo, head of marketing Mrs Anna Mtengwa Mangwiro, Mr Richard Mutasa (head of risk and audit), company secretary Mr Cosmas Mukwesha and head of managed care, Dr Nicholas Munyonga.

They are expected to appear before a disciplinary hearing in the next 14 days to answer to charges of swindling the medical aid society.

The five were exposed by an audit instituted to look into the salaries scandal at PSMAS after the expulsion of Dr Dube, who was reportedly taking home more than $500 000 per month in salaries and allowances.

The society has already instituted legal proceedings against other executives who have left.

They are Dr Dube, former finance director Mr Ernest Gwinyai, former operations director Mr Enock Chitekedza, Mr Raphel Paradzai and Mrs Juliana Sabarauta.

They were all implicated in the audit report for defrauding the society through, among others scams, not paying tax, masked transactions, board fees and allowances for non-PSMAS business.

PSMAS board chairman Mr Jeremiah Bvirindi confirmed the latest suspension of the five executives yesterday.
He said the board recommended that management implements the findings and recommendations of the audit report.

“We have now completed studying the report and we resolved that we pursue the criminal cases in terms of the PSMAS code of conduct. This resulted in senior managers being suspended pending their appearing before a disciplinary hearing,” said Mr Bvirindi.

“We are not saying they are guilty. They are still innocent until they are proven guilty before the disciplinary hearing.”

The five executives were served with suspension letters on Wednesday and are expected to appear before a disciplinary hearing within 14 days.

Asked why it had taken the board so long to implement the audit report, Mr Bvirindi said they were still new and needed to put structures and policies in place.

The new board also needed to study the audit report, consult financial and legal experts and implement measures accordingly, he said. – State Media

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) will today release November 2016 Ordinary Level results.

Police yesterday warned pirate taxi and kombi drivers that they risk having their vehicles impounded if they are found with touts hanging at the back or on the doors of their vehicles.

In a statement, chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said they had noted with concern such unacceptable behaviour.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has noted with concern the unacceptable behaviour by some touts, who cling precariously on the back of commuter omnibuses and doors of small vehicles that are used by illegal transport operators (Mushikashika) to ferry passengers while these vehicles are in motion,” she said.

She said police have recorded incidences where some touts had fallen and were eventually run over.

“Clinging or hanging out of moving vehicles is illegal and against public safety.

“The so-called touts are tarnishing the image of the transport industry and the country at large,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

She urged commuter omnibus operators to rein in their drives and conductors against such acts.

“Stern action will be taken against offenders and commuter omnibus operators will be held responsible for this uncouth behaviour by their crews.

“Any vehicles found on the road with anyone hanging and clearly exhibiting carelessness and life-threatening behaviour will be impounded,” she said.

In October last year, the ZRP said they were pressing for the enactment of a law that deals with pirate taxis.

This came after 123 unlicensed drivers were arrested countrywide last year after being involved in road traffic accidents.

The current legislation does not have deterrent measures against the pirate taxis and errant commuter omnibus crews.

The unlicensed drivers were arrested between January 1 and September 30 last year.

They faced charges of driving without driver’s licences, negligent driving and culpable homicide.

The officer commanding national traffic, Senior Assistant Commissioner Fellie Chikowero-Mjanga, said there was need for a new law to deal with the pirate taxis and omnibus crews.

She said the force had noted that deterrent measures could instil discipline among motorists.- State Media

Zanu PF women’s league has said it will soon meet to finalise a planned campaign to mobilise support for 92-year-old President Robert Mugabe ahead of the 2018 elections, a senior official has said.

The league’s secretary for finance, Sarah Mahoka, told journalists that now that President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace — leader of the women’s wing — is back from a month-long annual holiday, they can “meet as national executive to map the way forward”.

“…she (Grace) will rest a while before we come together as the national executive, probably next week or the other, to also allow provinces to conclude their on-going provincial coordinating committee meetings countrywide,” the First Lady’s ally said.

“Our focus this year is to make sure that we mobilise our supporters to rally behind…Mugabe, who is our candidate for the elections next year,” Mahoka said.

“We will mobilise all women to come forth and defend our president,” she added.
While Mahoka declined to give details of other important programmes the women’s league will be pursuing, the outspoken Hurungwe East legislator told the Daily News in a separate interview that they will also emphasise their desire to regain one of the ruling party’s two vice president posts by pressing  for constitutional changes to that effect.

She said following complaints by Mugabe over non-implementation of Zanu PF conference resolutions, the women’s league is going to vigorously pursue all its resolutions including the one calling for the re-introduction of a woman vice president that was adopted in 2015.

“The president made it clear that he was not happy with a situation where the party makes resolutions that are not implemented, Amai (Grace) said we should start implementing all our resolutions now by making sure that the women’s quota clause is incorporated in the party constitution,” Mahoka said.

The league, which was the only organ given the chance to outline its own resolutions to the Masvingo conference, made the issue of representation in the presidium, consisting of the party’s president and his two deputies, very clear.

Its deputy secretary, Eunice Sandi-Moyo, told the December 2016 Zanu PF conference: “We are concerned with lack of implementation of party resolutions made in 2015 in Victoria Falls.”

“We made it clear that we wanted the constitution to be changed to allow an earlier provision that one of the two VPs should be a woman. This has not been implemented.”
Observers say the move by the women’s league is aimed at ousting Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who they do not want to succeed Mugabe.

Zanu PF is divided along factional lines, with the Mnangagwa faction fighting a war of attrition with the rival G40 faction that is believed to have coalesced around Mugabe’s wife. – Daily News

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has released five dollar bond notes worth fifteen million dollars into the domestic market starting today (Thursday).

The RBZ Governor Doctor John Mangudya confirmed this latest development saying this brings the total amount of bond notes released to date to US$87.9 million which is 77.8 percent of the aggregate value of the export incentive scheme.

Dr Mangudya also said the security features of the five dollar bond notes are similar to those of the two dollar bond notes. – State Media

Evan Mawarire who was arrested last night on his arrival from the United States of America is expected to appear in court tomorrow morning.

News hounds from both the local and international media houses flocked to Harare Magistrates Court today expecting to get the latest update on Mawarire’s story following his arrest yesterday evening but Mawarire was in no show as he is said to be still in police custody.

His lawyer Harrison Nkomo said his client was not on the police wanted list when he left the country as he had been acquitted on the charges he faced.

Nkomo added that Mawarire faces two charges relating to subversion and another relating to incitement.

Expectations are tomorrow morning Mawarire will appear before a Harare Magistrate to answer to the charges raised against him by the state.

Meanwhile, the controversial return of Pastor Evan Mawarire has been described as a foiled stage managed mission orchestrated by his Western handlers to try to cause disharmony and portray a bad picture of Zimbabwe ahead of the 2018 harmonised elections.
Pastor Mawarire returned yesterday from his self imposed exile but was immediately arrested on arrival at the Harare International Airport.

“The controversial return of Pastor Mawarire has nothing to do his so called fight for democracy by a pastor-cum political activist, but a calculated stage managed ploy by his sponsors which should be treated with the contempt it deserves,” says a legal practitioner James Makiya.

Political analyst Mr Psychology Maziwisa says the fictious landing of Mawarire can best be described as an unholy search of unnecessary attention and unacceptable.

Pastor Mawarire was arrested yesterday at the Harare International Airport and police is quoted saying the controversial pastor was on a warrant of arrest. – State Media

Terrence Mawawa, Gutu |A Zimbabwe Republic Police Sergeant, Amos Mandiwadzira ran amok and assaulted fellow cops after being caught having sex with a junior police officer’s wife. Mandiwanzira(42) went berserk and assaulted Constable Liberty Kashiri who had accompanied Constable Brian Chikono to the latter’s house.

Chikono is married to Madeline Makonese who had a secret affair with Mandiwanzira. The case was heard before Gutu Magistrate Edwin Marecha last week. Chikono was accompanied by Kashiri and other police officers to his house in Gonville , Mupandawana. Upon arrival at the house Chikono broke the door and found his wife having sex with Mandiwanzira. Kashiri stood at the door to stop Mandiwanzira from running away.

However,  Mandiwanzira assaulted Kashiri and pushed him as he tried to run away. “Mandiwanzira became violent when Chikono caught him in a compromising position.He assaulted Kashiri and tried to run away from the scene.However he was caught before he escaped,” the court heard. Mandiwanzira was apprehended after a group of police officers teamed up with Gonville residents to stop him from fleeing.

“Mandiwanzira became violent and he was only apprehended when police officers-including Chikono teamed up with Gonville residents,” read part of the state outline. However Magistrate Marecha has recused himself from the case.He also said he would refer the case to another court. The magistrate did not state the reasons for recusing himself.

– I was not part of the system (when I was Minister & VP)

– During Gukurahundi I was an innocent party…Mugabe was responsible

– (On diamond looting) I was nowhere near Chiadzwa activities…

– On looting Chiadzwa diamonds to Spain, “I have never been to Spain…”

– On declaring private assets publicly, I am prepared to declare my accounts any minute.

 The factional fights in the ruling Zanu PF get more nasty, with Prof. Jonathan Moyo in the letter below exposes some of the shenanigans that have been taking place behind the scenes, by the Emmerson Mnangagwa led faction to among many moves, bar him from attending Politburo meetings.

PRESS STATEMENT

My attention has been drawn to a media statement by successionist elements in the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), first reported by ZBC News on Saturday evening, 30 January, 2016 and subsequently carried by NewsDay and the Daily News on Monday 1 February, 2016.

The Statement declares support for scurrilous and unprecedented political attacks on Cabinet Ministers, including myself, who are also Politburo members by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services, George Charamba. In particular, the statement threatens to physically bar me from attending the next Politburo meeting and purports to bar me from accessing the 16th Floor of ZANU PF Head Quarters, which 16th floor does not exist except only in their ignorant minds.

Apparently, the said statement was issued after a provincial meeting of ZNLVVVA held on Saturday, 30 January, 2016 at Dzivarasekwa Presidential Barracks which was chaired by John Guta and officiated by ZNLWVA National Chairman, Chris Mutsvangwa and its Secretary General Victor Matemadanda.

It is extraordinary and indeed scary that the Dzivarasekwa Presidential Guard Barracks was used as a venue for a meeting whose purpose was to plot and threaten physical harm against a Cabinet Minister and Politburo member appointed to both offices by His Excellency, the President. This was a gross and unacceptable abuse of a State facility. The fact that this unprecedented abuse of a State Barracks was officiated by Chris Mutsvangwa – a Cabinet Minister and Politburo member – not only raises eyebrows about (what) else was plotted but also clearly demonstrates the extent to which Chris Mutsvangwa has gone rogue in pursuit of not just a factionalist agenda but also a desperate successionist plot.

It should be remembered that ahead of the 2015 ZANU PF’s National People’s Conference, the same Chris Mutsvangwa availed his Ministerial office to a shadowy youth group from which it made violent statements barring Cdes Saviour Kasukuwere, Patrick Zhuwao and myself from setting foot at the National Heroes Acre. Abusing a Government Ministerial office for that outrageous purpose was bad enough but abusing Dzivarasekwa Presidential Guard Barracks in pursuit of a successionist plot is just going way too far.

For the record, I wish to state that it is false and insulting to His Excellency, the President, to claim that he sent George Charamba to savage his Cabinet Ministers and Politburo Members on public radio with all of primitive insults such as “uneducated fools”; “little men” among other unprintable epithets. Cabinet Ministers and Politburo members are not civil servants but are Presidential appointees with whom His Excellency the President has direct communication as their boss.

In the same vein and for the avoidance of doubt, I reiterate that only a blithering idiot will say or believe that I am working with Joice Mujuru‘s People First project which exists only in the media.

Finally, nobody should make the mistake of thinking for a moment that they can block me from attending a Politburo meeting called and chaired by President Mugabe. That can never happen. Only the President can stop anyone from attending any meeting he convenes or chairs. For anyone else to seek to do that under any pretext whatsoever will be tantamount to usurping the President’s prerogative and authority, something which is not different from a successionist attempt at a coup.

Hon. Prof. Jonathan N Moyo MP
Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development
1 February, 2016

Terrence Mawawa, Mwenezi |The ruling Zanu PF party has launched its campaign for the Mwenezi East by-election in a violent manner it has emerged. Sources in Mwenezi revealed to ZimEye.com that Zanu PF held several meetings at the weekend and villagers were intimidated ahead of the by-election.

The by-election will be held to replace the late Zanu PF MP for the area,Joshua Moyo who died in December. “Zanu PF is intimidating villagers here.Party officials addressed a meeting in ward 13 at the weekend.They said people will be assaulted if they do not vote for the ruling party.

They also instructed village heads to submit names of all members of opposition parties.They forced business people to close their shops at the weekend.The terror campaign has already started here.

Fear has gripped the Mwenezi Community,”said a local villager. Zanu PF Provincial Political Commissar Jeppey Jaboon confirmed the ruling party had launched the campaign for the Mwenezi East by-election and denied there were cases of intimidation in the area. “I was in Mwenezi on Sunday for a meeting and we are finalising matters. We are not looking back.We will win the seat at all costs and let me tell you that Zanu PF is not afraid of Bhasikiti who wants to contest on a Zim PF ticket,”said Jaboon.

Zanu PF’s Beauty Chabaya won the Bikita West by-election following a violent campaign and intimidation of villagers. Opposition parties say the Zanu PF wins elections through rigging ,violence and intimidation of perceived opponents.

SHOCKING details of a plot to nail Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Jonathan Moyo over the alleged abuse of funds from the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (ZIMDEF) emerged this week as the dog-eat-dog factional fights in the ruling party spilled to its youth wing, the Financial Gazette can exclusively report.

The Zanu-PF Politburo member was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) in November last year for alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of more than US$400 000 of ZIMDEF funds.

Moyo, along with his deputy, Godfrey Gandawa, are facing several allegations, among them, abusing ZIMDEF money to acquire bicycles for traditional leaders in Tsholotsho North, a constituency under Moyo, and influencing the Fund to release 100 000 litres of fuel worth US$118 500, which was said to have been diverted to the black market.

Both ministry officials denied the charges, arguing that they never used the money for personal gain, but for charity and to fund Zanu-PF activities.

Moyo confirmed last year to have donated, through ZAIMDEF, 100 000 litres of fuel coupons towards the one-million-man march, staged by the party’s Youth League in May, in solidarity with President Robert Mugabe, who was facing protests at the time from former liberation war fighters, disenchanted with his rule.

Following his arrest last year the Higher Education Minister could not be arraigned before the magistrates court after he successfully approached the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) seeking relief on the basis that ZACC had no powers to arrest and detain him.

In its ruling the ConCourt suspended his arrest until a determination of his application challenging the consttutionality of the arrest. The court is still to make a ruling on the application

The Financial Gazette can reveal that the Zanu-PF Youth League is currently divided right through the middle over ZACC’s investigations.

A faction campaigning for Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa to succeed President Mugabe now stands accused of sinking to desperate depths to nail Moyo who, lately, has not been hiding his disapproval of Mnangagwa ascending to the top office in the event that the current holder retires.

In an unsigned letter to the ruling party’s secretary for administration, Ignatius Chombo, members of the Zanu-PF Youth League, who signed off as “worried youths”, alleged that the party’s head of the secretariat, Dickson Dzora, was putting pressure to bear on them to “mislead” ZACC investigators into believing that the fuel coupons never reached their office at the party’s headquarters in Harare.

They specifically alleged that Dzora had been attempting to push his agenda through Blessing Mupaya, the league’s national director.

Dzora, who denied the accusations this week, is also being accused of promoting factionalism by coercing party youths to align themselves with the Team Lacoste faction to secure their jobs because its kingpin was most likely to succeed President Mugabe.

Team Lacoste and Generation 40 (G40) are the two camps in Zanu-PF. The former is campaigning for Mnangagwa to succeed the incumbent while the latter favours the status quo.

The “worried youths”, said Dzora was working closely with Goodson Nguni, a known Mnangagwa ally who works as the commissioner in charge of investigations at ZACC.

“Comrade secretary (Chombo), I (sic) bring to your attention serious interference by Mr Dzora and abuse of office to promote factionalism. Mr Dzora is working with Mr Nguni to promote factionalism. They are using Vice President Mnangagwa’s name and they are pressuring us as the Youth League secretariat to say we did not get any funding from ZIMDEF and Professor Moyo to support our programmes,” reads part of the letter, copied to the party’s national political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere; secretary for youth affairs, Kudzai Chipanga; secretary for security, Sydney Sekeramayi; Moyo and Gandawa.

The letter also accuses Dzora of being an ally of former vice president, Joice Mujuru, who was expelled from Zanu-PF on allegations of attempting to topple President Mugabe from power, unconstitutionally.

“Mr Dzora is offering us money and paying us to lie that Tongai Kasukuwere and Chipanga are covering up for Professor (Moyo), but the truth is that we got assistance from ZIMDEF…He is also saying we will get good jobs once VP Mnangagwa takes over from President Mugabe. As such, we are now divided since some are co-operating with Mr Dzora and Nguni in their plot to destroy Professor Moyo and Dr Gandawa accusing them as sponsors of President’s programmes and G40,” further reads the letter.

But a section of the Youth League believes the wing’s leadership was attempting to mislead ZACC and protect some of their colleagues who might have abused the fuel coupons sourced from ZIMDEF.

This group is arguing that while Moyo and Gandawa confirmed donating 100 000 litres of fuel coupons during the million man march organised by party youths in support of President Mugabe in May last year, there was no record at their offices showing that the donation reached its intended destination.

The furore has since claimed the scalp of Mupaya, who allegedly lost his job after informing ZACC investigators that he penned the letter to Chombo on behalf of the youths under duress.

Mupaya’s “confession” was said to have angered Chipanga; secretary for finance Tongai Kasukuwere; secretary for commissariat, Innocent Hamandishe; and secretary for administration, Xavier Kazizi, who then allegedly instigated his dismissal.

Mupaya confirmed to the Financial Gazette that he had indeed lost his job, but refused to shed more light.

“Please sir, I do not want to talk about that issue, thank you,” he said before terminating the phone call.

Kasukuwere, Hamandishe and Kazizi all declined to comment, referring questions to Chipanga.

“I do not want to comment on that matter. Talk to Chombo or (Dickson) Dzora who are in charge of party employees,” Chipanga said over the phone from his farm in Headlands.Efforts to get a comment from Chombo were futile.

Although Chombo has been ducking appointment requests from the Financial Gazette for the past two weeks and ignoring calls and messages to his mobile phone, sources close to him confided that he had received the letter, but decided to ignore it.

Dzora, who is said by sources to have strongly defended Mupaya, sought to downplay the issue, charging: “There are no such problems here. Where did you get that?”

Kasukuwere, Moyo and Gandawa confirmed receiving the letter from the “worried youths” yesterday while Sekeramayi, who is the secretary for defence in the Politburo promised to give his response after the Cabinet meeting. He was yet to do so by the time of going to print.

“It was delivered to my office secretary who signed for it. I only advised that it should be filed. I could not do anything about it since it was not addressed to me,” said Kasukuwere.

In an emailed response, Moyo said: “Yes I got a copy of the letter early last month and passed it on to my lawyers for their attention.”

In a telephone call Gandawa said: “I saw the letter and filed it.”

The Financial Gazette understands that things came to a head during the wing’s January 19 meeting to prepare for the 21st February Movement celebrations to mark President Mugabe’s 93rd birthday to be held in Matabeleland South’s Matobo district.

During the closed door meeting one of the youth delegates is said to have demanded transparency and accountability regarding donations that would be made towards the celebrations while citing the alleged case in which 100 000 litres of fuel donated by ZIMDEF for the million man march could not be accounted for.

Chombo, who had been invited to preside over the meeting, had to cool down tempers after youths started exchanging harsh words.

ZACC spokesperson, Phyllis Chikundura, refused to disclose details of the investigation, evasively saying: “ZACC is not doing anything about the alleged report. I hope this helps you in the article you are writing.”

She ignored further probing by the Financial Gazette.

Ray Nkosi | #ThisFlag Pastor Evan Mawarire was yesterday arrested at the Harare international airport as he touched down in Zimbabwe.

Pastor Mawarire was charged late last night with subverting a constitutional government in contravention of Section 22 (2) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

His lawyer Harrison Nkomo is reported to have seen him this morning, at Harare Central Police Station, where he is detained. Below is a full legal brief by Lawyers for Human Rights;

HRDs Alert
02 February 2017

PASTOR MAWARIRE CHARGED WITH SUBVERTING CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT

Ray Nkosi | Matabeleland South Minister for Presidential Affairs, Abednico Ncube, has instructed authorities at Gwanda Provincial Hospital, that his office will provide them with names of people they should enrol as trainee nurses for the May and September intakes.

Very reliable sources within the hospital administration told ZimEye.com, that the hospital has been instructed to only recruit a quarter of the prospective trainees of which the balance will be provided by the Minister’s office.

The sources indicated that the Minister’s office is also currently receiving applications mainly from the ZANU PF run National Youth Service graduates with priority being given to graduates who are currently in the Police and Prison Services.

According to the sources some applications are being submitted at the ZANU PF offices and only those with recommendations from their ZANU PF cell leaders are being accepted.

The hospital sources told ZimEye.com that the hospital authorities are tied to the Minister’s directive and will be forced to oblige.

Staff Reporter | Gokwe magistrate is on the verge of collapse from massive erosion that has wiped away the road adjacent to the government building.

The road which leads to Nemangwe and Chitekete growth point from Gokwe centre has been closed a result of the gorge that has been developing since 2001.

The gorge is now moving slowly towards the Gokwe magistrate court with the local authority doing nothing to address the impending disaster.

By Staff Reporter | Armed riot police on Wednesday stormed 4th street bus terminus and destroyed “illegal” marketing malls while beating up vendors in the process.

ZimEye.com caught up with armed police and Harare city council police in their trucks heading to 4th street for the operation.

Eye witnesses said the police indiscriminately destroyed the malls without giving prior warning to the informal traders.

“They were not even negotiating with anyone when they arrived. They destroyed all the malls and the stuff which was inside, “said one eye witness.
“Had they warned us in advance we could have removed our wares which they did not allow us to take out of the malls which they destroyed,” another vendor said.

Amnesty International has castigated President Robert Mugabe’s government for arresting Pastor Evan Mawarire of #ThisFlag, who was arrested Wednesday in Harare when he returned home after a six-month stay in the United States.

Mawarire, using the national flag, teamed up last year with Tajamuka-Sesijikile Campaign and staged crippling public protests against the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe.

THE Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) has softened its stance on the minimum conditions that were to be met by other opposition in order to consummate a coalition to confront President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF party at the polls in 2018.

Under pressure from its members to coalesce with other opposition movements ahead of make-or-break elections next year, Zimbabwe’s largest opposition party this week said it will no longer discriminate against any political party in discussions to form a coalition as had been suggested last year.

Last year, Morgan Tsvangirai’s party set what it termed minimum conditions that were to form the basis of negotiations for the coalition.

As part of the conditions, the party had ruled out working with smaller opposition parties.

Given the rivalry between Tsvangirai and leaders of parties that emerged from his movement, the preconditions had been seen as meant to push away Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube from the negotiating table.

Ncube’s MDC party splintered from Tsvangirai’s formation in 2005, while Biti exited the labour-backed party in 2008 to form the People’s Democratic Party.

According to the MDC-T national executive and national council, a coalition was to be based on internationally accepted and tested principles. These included a condition that the coalition partners were to field one presidential candidate and one parliamentary and one local government candidate per contested seat.

The presidential candidate was to be selected on the basis of the best individual who could win an election for the coalition against the incumbent; the party, which, based on past performance and/or other factors, was the strongest electorally in a given constituency was to field the candidate for the coalition; parties were to agree on the institutional framework (structure) for the management of the coalition and were to have common ground and agree on key policy issues before the election.

But Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka told the Financial Gazette this week that they were not going to leave out other parties in the discussions.

“We are not going to be exclusionary in working with political parties as long as they meet the requirements set by the national council. The conditions for the coalition did not mention names of any political party which we said we do not want to work with. Our goal is that come 2018 it must be (President) Mugabe versus the nation of Zimbabwe,” he explained.

Political analyst, Rejoice Ngwenya, said the move was welcome as it affords all the political parties a chance to unite against Zanu-PF.

“While I feel that the country has almost 40 opposition parties, some of which need to be treated with skepticism, the development if effected will give opposition parties leverage to speak with one voice on a collective scale. This will be more advantageous because if the political parties are to resolve that they will not participate in elections because of lack of electoral reforms, no smaller political party will legitimise the election. This is so because no one can dispute an election in which an opposition party and a ruling party participates in,” said Ngwenya.

Media practitioner, Admore Marambanyika, said the MDC-T had realised that most of the opposition political parties do not meet the conditions that had been set earlier since no political party had managed to defeat Zanu-PF.

“…the only political parties and independent candidates who have made it against Zanu-PF did so after being backed by the MDC-T. The implications are that Tsvangirai commands opposition politics and softening of conditions is meant to mop up all voters who participate in elections for different reasons,” said Marambanyika.

In the 2002 presidential elections, Tsvangirai polled 42 percent of the vote losing to President Mugabe who polled 56 percent. The remainder was shared by other opposition parties.

The next round of presidential elections held in 2008 saw Tsvangirai scooping 47,9 percent, while President Mugabe took 43,2 percent, forcing a run-off because the former trade unionist’s win was not enough for him to land the presidency.

Other opposition leaders who participated in the election such as Simba Makoni garnered 8,3 percent while Langton Tawungana polled 0,6 percent.

Tsvangirai then went on to pull out of the run-off citing violence against his supporters, leaving President Mugabe to romp to victory in a one-man race.

The last round of elections held in 2013 saw President Mugabe winning after getting 61,09 percent of the ballot while Tsvangirai got 33,94 percent.

Ncube managed a paltry 2,68 percent while Dumiso Dabengwa polled 0,74 and Kisinoti Mukwazhe got 0,29 percent.

That opposition political party leaders attained a combined overall percentage poll of 56,8 percent of the vote in 2008 compared to President Mugabe’s 43,2 percent, demonstrates the power they can amass if they pull together in the same direction.

Legal expert and ZimRights chairperson, Passmore Nyakureba, said if the MDC-T was to go into a coalition with reputable political forces, the opposition would dislodge President Mugabe and Zanu-PF from power.

“In the previous elections Zanu-PF has been taking advantage of a divided vote as exemplified in 2008. Going into the elections jointly will maximise the opposition’s chances to claim victory,” he said.

South African-based Zimbabwean researcher, Lovemore Fuyane, said there was need to find ways to tap into the Diaspora vote if the opposition was to stand a chance with Zanu-PF.

“The 2013 elections saw around 3,5 million voters turning out with just 2,1million of those voting for President Mugabe. Now if the Zimbabwean Diaspora numbers of three million, as per some conservative estimates, are taken into account that would place them at a number potentially equivalent to the combined total obtained by Zanu-PF and the MDC-T,” he said.

He said that the Diaspora vote would have a significant say in how the proverbial rolling dice lands in Zimbabwe.

Political analyst and academic, Ibbo Mandaza, said it was imperative for the MDC-T to focus on more crucial issues that have stifled victory against President Mugabe in the past years.

“Focus must rather be directed at pushing for meaningful reforms. For instance, there is need to separate Zanu-PF from the State and also to dismantle the country’s securocrats, who are responsible for instigating political violence during election periods. These securocrats are also interfering with the running of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission hence forming a coalition might not help if these barriers are not dealt with,” he said. – Fingaz

ZANU-PF yesterday dismissed protests by opposition parties against the holding of the 21st February Movement celebrations in Matobo as cheap politicking to gain mileage through revisionism of the emotive issue of post-independence disturbances.

This year’s 21st February Movement celebrations will be hosted by Matabeleland South province and held at the Rhodes Estate Preparatory School (Reps) in Matobo.

The MDC-T, MDC and other opposition parties were quoted in the private media saying the ruling party was insensitive by hosting the celebrations in Matobo which they claim will reignite memories of the disturbances in the area.

However, Zanu-PF secretary for Youth Kudzai Chipanga hit back at the opposition saying that the ruling party would not be dictated to by the opposition.

“The issue around Gukurahundi was dealt with by our elders President Mugabe and the late Vice President, Dr Joshua Nkomo. The people who want to talk about the issue must have a very short memory to forget that,” said Chipanga.

He said it was ridiculous that the opposition wanted to arrogate itself a representative role for the people who rejected them in the 2013 elections.

“Matabeleland South is a Zanu- PF stronghold with the party having won all seats in the province, Matobo included, where we have two Zanu- PF legislators. As a party, we will not be driven by the opposition but our members,” said Chipanga.

“If our members are happy about the venue, then we will stick to the venue so that issue is final. We will be going on with our preparations, let the opposition oppose, it’s their role yet ours is to govern having derived our mandate from the people including those from Matobo who voted for Zanu-PF in the 2013 polls.”

Zanu-PF Matobo North legislator Never Khanye, in whose constituency the celebrations will be held, weighed in saying the party would forge ahead with preparations for the event.

“We are going to ignore them, we will not be dictated to by the opposition because all they do is opposing just for the sake of it. We won’t be swayed by detractors,” said Khanye.

“They were against irrigation at Antelope but look how much it has become a success and a key pillar in the implementation of the Zim- Asset government programme. The celebrations will bring business to the local community. The opposition are anti-development.”

Last year, Masvingo province hosted the celebrations which were held at the Great Zimbabwe monuments. – State Media

SOCIAL activist and cleric, Evan Mawarire, of #ThisFlag movement, made a surprise return to Zimbabwe late yesterday afternoon, and was immediately arrested by State security agents as he landed at Harare International Airport.

Sources revealed that Mawarire – who left the country six months ago – did not even go through immigration formalities, but was approached by three man, who immediately arrested him.

His lawyer, Harrison Nkomo, revealed earlier that Mawarire was being held at the airport.

“It’s true, he arrived at the airport and was immediately arrested. I have not been able to see him though and I am still trying,” he said at the time.

A grainy picture obtained by NewsDay later showed Mawarire being driven into town at the back of a police vehicle.
Police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, also confirmed the cleric was being held by State security agents.

“I can confirm that he has been arrested. There are no fresh charges, he has an outstanding warrant of arrest,” she said.

It was not immediately clear when the said warrant was issued and which magistrate or judge had issued it.

Later, Nkomo told NewsDay that Mawarire had been moved to Harare Central Police Station’s Law and Order Section charged with subversion.

“Mawarire is being charged with subverting a constitutionally-elected government. He is likely to appear in court tomorrow (today),” he said.

Mawarire, Nkomo said, was travelling alone and it was not clear why he returned to Zimbabwe, as many had long assumed he was living in exile.

Mawarire formed social movement, #ThisFlag, after releasing an emotional video calling on Zimbabwe to stand up against President Robert Mugabe’s regime and demanding change.

He led demonstrations against corruption by Mugabe’s government.

Mawarire was first charged with subverting a constitutionally-elected government last July, but a Harare magistrate threw out the charge on a technicality, sparking mass celebrations after a tense vigil at the courts by ordinary people.

#ThisFlag used its Twitter account yesterday to announce Mawarire’s arrest: “Sadly PastorEvanLive has been detained at Harare International Airport after arriving back from SA this afternoon.”

South African media early yesterday reported that Mawarire had nervously announced: “I am going home.

“I only get a few hours a night at the moment. I stay up thinking about what is going to happen to me when I arrive,” he told Daily Maverick on Tuesday.

“At some point, one has to stop wishing they were home, and actually pack their bags and go home.”

Mawarire reportedly spoke using an “encrypted phone”, while still in the US, before flying into South Africa this week indicating he had always wanted to return home.

“Zimbabwe is home for me and my family. That’s the place where we have a right to be without acquiring a visa, we are citizens of Zimbabwe,” he said.

“The President of Zimbabwe made comments to the effect that I was not welcome in Zimbabwe, but he doesn’t get to make that decision for me. I have not committed a crime, I’m not a fugitive, I’m a citizen, and an upstanding citizen for that matter.”

Mawarire said he was aware of the dangers looming ahead as he flew into the country.

“You can never be 100% safe. But I think the amount of work that’s been done over the last couple of months, the different recognition from different platforms and the galvanising of many Zimbabweans that has taken place, for me is a very important constituency for safety,” he said.

In a short video clip with lawyer, Fadzai Mahere, a calm Mawarire – in handcuffs – said he was hopeful he would prevail.

“This is what has happened. Hello everyone, we thank God that I am well. Unfortunately, I have been arrested again,” he said.

“I hope we will get through this. This is home and I have committed no crime and I am allowed to come back home.” – Newsday

NORTON legislator, Temba Mliswa (independent) yesterday exposed Zanu PF’s partisan food distribution, telling Parliament that during his tenure as the ruling party’s provincial chairman, he had received orders that government-sourced food aid was only meant to benefit ruling party supporters.

Mliswa spilled the beans after Public Service deputy minister Tapiwa Matangaidze had denied allegations of partisan food distribution.

“When I was chairman of Zanu PF (Mashonaland Central), we used to be ordered to distribute food to our party members only. Is the deputy minister now telling us that the system has changed?” he asked.

“The moment I became an independent MP, I was no longer called to collect food to distribute to vulnerable people, and how does the minister then claim there is no partisan distribution of food?”

But, Matangaidze insisted opposition activists had also benefited, accusing Mliswa of having a hand in the scam when he was Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson.

“Mliswa was very irresponsible in what he was doing because government policy is very clear that we do not condone distribution of food in a partisan manner. President Robert Mugabe himself said no one must be denied food aid,” Matangaidze said.

Other MPs, including Zanu PF members, claimed their vulnerable constituencies were not accessing food aid.

Bulawayo Central MP, Dorcas Sibanda (MDC-T) demanded to know the role of the police in food distribution, while Southertom MP, Gift Chimanikire (MDC-T) claimed Centenary Central Intelligence Organisation operatives were removing names of opposition supporters from the list of vulnerable beneficiaries.

Matangaidze said the police only preserved peace in food distribution.

Mliswa was kicked out of Zanu PF as part of a brutal purge in 2014 at a time former Vice-President Joice Mujuru was also booted on allegations of plotting to topple President Robert Mugabe.

The former Hurungwe West MP then bounced back into Parliament late last year after winning the Norton by-election. – Newsday

OPPOSITION senator for Matabeleland South, Joyce Ndlovu (MDC) is facing civil imprisonment after a Bulawayo property owner sued her for outstanding rental arrears.

Jitendra Investments (Pvt) Limited’s lawyer, Bruce Masamvu, yesterday said he had served Ndlovu with summons after she failed to pay $8 630 being rental inclusive of $1 200 legal costs for the property she leased in the city, but failed to settle.

“Ndlovu is also accused of ignoring a court order issued last year to settle the debt.

“If you fail to pay the sum specified, you must appear before the magistrate court at Bulawayo … to explain why you have not paid it and show cause why an order for your imprisonment should not be made on account of your failure to pay,” the summons read.

Ndlovu has also been asked to provide evidence of her financial status, including proof of expenses such as rent receipts, water and light accounts for school fees, insurance policies and any other liabilities to which she may be subject to.

“The court will conduct an inquiry into your financial position depending on the circumstances, it may not commit you to prison but instead give you more time to pay the sum due to you or direct you to pay in instalments over a specified period of time.

“You are at liberty to approach the judgment creditor before the date of the hearing and make an offer for settlement of the sum due,” part of the summons read.

The facts of the case are that the two parties on February 27, 2015 agreed that she occupies number 2 Wolverhampton Donnington building in the city and was to pay $600 per month.

In breach of the agreement, Ndlovu refused, failed or neglected to pay the $6 980 as at March 2015. The court ordered her to pay but she neglected to do so.

Ndlovu later filed a stay of execution application, which was dismissed by Bulawayo magistrate, Sheunesu Matova leading to the latest civil imprisonment lawsuit. – Newsday

A 39-YEAR-Old man from Tsholotsho was allegedly stabbed to death by a man who accused him of snatching his girlfriend.

Tapiwa Dube (25) allegedly stabbed Mduduzi Gumbo of Sipepa Area under Chief Mathuphula twice with an okapi knife after accusing him of snatching his girfriend.

The incident occurred at around 8PM on Monday.

Gumbo died upon admission at Sipepa Hospital the same night leading to Dube’s arrest. National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi confirmed the alleged murder.

“Circumstances are that on January 30 at about 2030 hours, a male adult aged 39, was walking along Sipepa- Lupane Road from Sipepa Business Centre in the company of his girlfriend.

“The accused person who was also at Sipepa Business Centre followed the duo and caught up with them at a certain point along the said road. The suspect accused the now deceased of snatching his girlfriend and an altercation ensued. He withdrew an okapi knife from his pocket and stabbed the now deceased twice before he disappeared into the bush,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.

He said the suspect was in police custody and will appear in court soon. The deceased’s brother, Mr Sikhumbuzo Moyo said the family was shaken by Gumbo’s sudden and violent death.

“We are one member less because of a person who clearly does not value human life. We are however grateful to the police for quickly arresting the suspect, ” he said. – State Media

Robert Mugabe’s MP for Harare East Terrence Mukupe has been mentioned in the fuel scam involving four tankers that entered the country with 140 000 litres of diesel purportedly in transit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose contents were emptied in Chitungwiza and replaced with water.The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority did not charge excise duty for the fuel at Forbes Border Post after being duped the cargo was destined for the DRC. This prejudiced the State of $55 650.

Zimra intercepted the four tankers at Chirundu Border Post after detecting a suspicious detour using its newly installed electronic cargo tracking system, and upon inspecting the trucks discovered that they were now carrying water.

Mukupe referred the state media to his lawyer, Mr Brian Hungwe, who confirmed in written responses that the legislator got involved in the matter as an agent for the owners of the fuel.

Mr Hungwe said Mr Mukupe followed the trucks up to Chirundu Border Post where they were intercepted, saying the deviation to Chitungwiza had been communicated at Forbes.

“Our client visited Chirundu as an agent of the owners of the fuel,” Mr Hungwe said. “His visit to Chirundu was a follow up to his seized trucks because Zimra had refused to inspect the trucks and had shockingly chased away the logistics company drivers,” he said.

“There was a genuine fear that the contents of the trucks would be tampered with. Zimra has not yet contacted Mr Mukupe and no correspondence exists that they are holding any goods that he owns,” said the lawyer.

“Our client is shocked that the Zimra statement (issued on Tuesday) was issued without any prior interview or communication with him.”

Mr Hungwe said they had been instructed by their client to file an appeal to the Acting Commissioner General of Zimra.

“No one from Zimra has communicated anything to Mr Mukupe, and he is having to rely on some information posted on their website to appeal,” he said.

“Zimra does not dispute the fact that the seals were not tampered with from Forbes Border Post, the point of entry, to Chirundu. Any tampering with the electronic device would have been picked up. The deviation from the route to Chitungwiza was communicated at the point of entry,” said Mr Hungwe.

“The Zimra officers that visited the trucks in Chitungwiza did not notice any tampering with the seals. They were intact, it did not provoke any suspicion. At Chirundu Border Post, again, Mr Mukupe avers that there was no evidence of tampering of the seals found. Whatever the contents that were inside, Mr Mukupe says he has no information or evidence that indeed it was water found inside the containers.”

After referring the state media to Mr Hungwe, Mukupe accused the newspaper of working on a “defamatory story” and alleged that money had been offered for its publication to tarnish his image by the so-called G40 faction in Zanu-PF.

“Handiti watonyora a defamatory article,” he said in a text message response in reference to this newspaper’s story in yesterday’s edition, which ironically did not mention his name.

“Go to company records and check your facts. Dzorera G40 mari yavakupa… I have nothing to say to you my brother. Continue with Zimra and your sources.”

Insiders told the state media that investigations indicated that Mukupe had interests in the company – New Corp Energy – that imported the fuel using trucks owned by Tanom Logistics that had three tankers and another owned by Success Enteprises.

The sources told the state media that the four trucks intercepted and seized by Zimra at Chirundu were owned by Success Enterprise – truck registration number ACQ 6489 of 3792, Shumba Road, Ruwa – and three Tanom Logistics trucks registration numbers ABN 4008, ACZ 0771 and AAS 6386 of stand number K2804 of Katanga, Norton.

One of the drivers was arrested at Chirundu, while the other three disappeared before physical inspection of their trucks after picking up that Zimra had tracked them.

“Zimra inquired with Mukupe why the trucks had diverted and he said the drivers were resting, but would proceed on their journey on 30 January,” said the source. “Apparently, the MP drove to Chirundu trying to negotiate with the Zimra manager there to clear the cargo. But the manager told him the trucks were under tracking from Harare.”

Another source added: “When Zimra then physically examined the cargo they found that the tankers were carrying water instead of diesel that they declared at Forbes.

“ Mukupe almost left his car at the border post, running away thinking that he was going to be arrested. So, he has been calling people at Zimra from his hiding place.”

Zimra board chairperson, Mrs Willia Bonyongwe, said evasion was one of the major problems facing the revenue collector.

“It’s so sad from where I sit that daily we get reports of smuggling, under-declarations using low values or wrong tariffs,” she said. “It is sad what we are doing to our country when you look at our roads and our hospitals. I believe without evasion we could collect enough for all our recurrent and most of our capital expenditure as a nation.”

The New Corp Energy directors are listed as Sithembiso Nyoni, Graham Pearce Mommsen and Lawrence Johannes Hoffman, but the company file was last updated in 2007.

Small to Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni told the state media that it was probably her namesake listed as one of the directors. – state media

GOVERNMENT will review Treasury’s 50 percent reduction of budgetary allocation to State universities in the 2017 National Budget, Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa has said.

He said the cut had been made in error. Minister Chinamasa also decried the high wage structure in the country, which he said needed to be looked into. He said other countries paid lower wages in US dollar terms.

On the reduction in the allocation to State universities, the minister said this would lead to an increase in students’ tuition fees if it wasn’t reviewed, while lecturers risked having their salaries cut.

He said the reduction was made in error, but queried how universities used tuition fees paid by students.

Responding to contributions by Members of Parliament during debate on the 2017 National Budget on Tuesday this week, Minister Chinamasa said the cut in budgetary votes for the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development was made in error.

He also proposed to increase the vote to Parliament to cater for unpaid allowances.
“There was the issue of the unallocated reserves in 2000 and I was surprised that it was $10,6 million. I am going to propose an amendment because there was some error that was done,” said the minister.

“I am going to propose an amendment to increase the vote of Parliament for the unpaid allowances from last year’s $9 million. The $10 million is already there. That will bring the Budget to $49 million for their vote,” he said.

“The amendment will also address the issue about a mistake. Maybe it is not a mistake, but whoever did it, in the estimates, the vote to universities was reduced by 50 percent. That was never the intention and is going to be corrected,” said Minister Chinamasa.

“What it means is that, by correcting it, it will reduce the amount in the unallocated reserve by the amount that is going to go towards collection of the allocation to the universities.”
Minister chinamasa said the error in allocation was never intentional.

“Let me make it clear, in my conversation with the Minister responsible for Higher and Tertiary Education, I am engaging everybody, every Minister, every department to understand what is going on and I pray and plead with colleagues and with whoever I interact with, it is not out of malice,” said the minister.

“With the universities, I know they collect tuition fees. I just want to understand and I ask this question, where is the tuition fees being applied to and to what purpose?”

Early this week, there was an outcry from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education,
Science and Technology Development and vice chancellors of State universities over the reduction of budgetary allocation.

They said this would force an increase in students’ fees when they were already struggling to pay the fees at current levels.

On Tuesday Minister Chinamasa said he would make the necessary adjustments together with the budgetary vote for Parliament to cover for unpaid allowances.

The legislators slammed Treasury for taking them lightly despite the fact that the Constitution recognised Parliament as the third arm of the State alongside the Judiciary and the Executive.

Minister Chinamasa said he expected honest responses from ministries and departments when he makes enquiries.

“I would not want colleagues or any departments to feel defensive because we then cannot correct anything. We cannot continue to do the same thing and hope to achieve a different outcome,” said Minister Chinamasa.

“Let us understand what we are doing and if it needs corrections, let us correct it honestly. Let us have a constructive dialogue so that we can move forward. No one should feel defensive when we are trying to find solutions to our problems,” said Minister Chinamasa.

The minister also said one of Zimbabwe’s challenges was that its wage structure was too high compared to other countries.

“We do not compare with other countries. We are too high. These are United States dollars and not Zimbabwean dollars that we are talking about,” he said.
“In Ethiopia, it is US$100 per month for an engineer coming from university. This is also similar to Tanzania,” he said.

“If we compare ourselves with respect to competitiveness, where would an investor go? To Zimbabwe where you have to pay US$500 and Ethiopia is paying US$150? Right now in Tanzania, they are spending 40 percent of revenue towards wages. We are at above 90 percent. Let us understand those comparisons and we will see where we should be,” said Minister Chinamasa.

When legislators complained that certain ministries were being underfunded, Minister Chinamasa said he was working with available resources. – State Media

EIGHT people have been hospitalised following bloody skirmishes in which villagers attacked each other using machetes and spears over grazing land in Bubi District.

Bubi Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Mr Patson Mlilo said the “war” started last Thursday.

Occasional fights are still being reported in Bubi’s wards 4 and 5, he said.

The impounding of 186 cattle belonging to ward 4 villagers by those in ward 5 is alleged to have triggered the bloody clashes.

Mr Mlilo said six men were hospitalised at Inyathi District Hospital while two others were taken to Mpilo Central Hospital following the running battles.

The condition of those injured could not be immediately ascertained.

Mr Mlilo said the belligerents used machetes, axes, spears, knobkerries and sjamboks to attack each other.

“Villagers in ward 4, Lubanda village are fighting those in ward five, Ntoli village over the grazing which is  between the two wards. According to my office records, the grazing land is under ward 5,” he said.

Mr Mlilo said as a local authority they did not expect adults to resort to violence to resolve such disputes.

He said community leaders from the area had since been asked to bring the warring parties together in order to resolve the dispute.

Mr Mlilo said when he visited the disputed area last Thursday, it resembled a war zone.

Bubi District Administrator Mr Juma Dube said he had asked the police and council officials to meet traditional leaders in order to resolve the dispute.

Mr Dube said the information he received was that ward five villagers impounded cattle belonging to ward 4 villagers after the cattle destroyed their crops.

He said this sparked the fight between the two groups.

Ward 5 Councillor Silvia Luphahla yesterday said she was in a meeting with villagers from both wards.

“Villagers are living in fear as a result of this grazing land dispute,” she said.

It could not be established immediately if any arrests had been made following the violence as police could not be reached for comment.- State Media

ZimEye.com broke the news earlier today that exiled Pastor Evan Mawarire has returned home to Zimbabwe. The state media has now confirmed too, that indeed Mawarire has been arrested.

Mawarire, who made a name by mobilising people to illegally demonstrate against Government, has been arrested.

Mawarire was arrested at the Harare International Airport today.

It is not clear where the controversial clergyman was coming from when he was arrested on landing at the airport.

Zimbabwe Republic Police national spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed his arrest.

“I can confirm that he was arrested at the Harare International Airport. He was on a warrant of arrest,” she said.

It is not clear on which case Mawarire was on a warrant of arrest.

“I am not yet sure when he will appear in court,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

His lawyer Mr Harrison Nkomo said he was busy and would provide details when ready.

Details to follow….

Below is the latest video of arrested Pastor Evan Mawarire in police custody.

https://youtu.be/4mRBdG5pEvc?t=3

Ray Nkosi | Education Minister Lazarus Dokora, has been dragged to the Constitutional Court by a parent challenging his introduction of the national pledge that every child is forced to recite. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, reports that the ConCourt has reserved judgement on the application filed by a parent Mathew Sogolani. Below is the ZLHR media alert;
NATIONAL PLEDGE CHALLENGE: CONCOURT RESERVES JUDGMENT
THE Constitutional Court on Wednesday 01 February 2017 reserved judgment on an application filed by an aggrieved parent, who is challenging the government’s move to force all school children to recite a national pledge which he alleges violates his children’s fundamental rights.
The contentious national pledge, which was introduced in May 2016, is recited by all pupils enrolled in the country’s primary and secondary schools.
But 46 year- old Mathew Sogolani challenged the constitutionality of the national pledge, arguing that it violates his children and his own constitutional rights.
In his application, which was filed in the Constitutional Court on Tuesday 19 April 2016 by David Hofisi of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Sogolani, whose three minor children are enrolled in infant, primary and secondary schools respectively, argued that forcing children to recite contents of the pledge run contrary to the family’s religious beliefs.
Sogolani, a member of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) church, wants the Constitutional Court to suspend the requirement that schoolchildren recite the pledge.
Hofisi said his client finds the national pledge offensive to his faith as it includes secular salutations in an address to Almighty God.
The human rights lawyer argued that the pledge would vitiate Sogolani’s rights to dignity, freedom of conscience, freedom of expression and equal protection of the law – rights that are all enshrined in the Constitution.
The human rights lawyer added that the pledge is formulated “in the manner of an oath, a prayer and seems, in the very least, a religious observance”.
In his founding affidavit filed at the court, Sogolani argued that the national pledge is offensive to his religious convictions and thus in violation of Sections 51, 56 (1), (3), 60 (1), (2), (3) and 61 (1) (a) of the Constitution.
Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba, who sat together with the Full Bench of the Constitutional Court, reserved judgment after hearing arguments from Hofisi and Advocate Lewis Uriri, who represented the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and which opposed the application.
ENDS
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
6th Floor, Beverley Court
100 Nelson Mandela Avenue Harare, Zimbabwe
Phone+263 4 764085/705370/708118
Email: [email protected]
www.zlhr.org.zw
FOLLOW US:@ZLHRLAWYERS ON TWITTER | ZIMBABWE LAWYERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ON FACEBOOK

A NYANGA-based lady of the night has been jailed for 12-months after being convicted of sleeping with a 15-year-old teenager at her lodgings on December 31 following a consensual $4 quickie.

Tatenda Munembe (20) from Nyamhuka will, however, do unpaid work after Nyanga provincial magistrate, Mr Ignatio Mhene, set aside three months on condition of good behaviour and the remaining nine months on condition that she performs 315 hours of community service.

She was facing charges of contravening Section 70 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act which criminalises being intimate with a minor.

Public prosecutor, Mr Kelvin Mufute, told the court that on December 31, the suspect was intimate with the teenager.

“The complainant is a juvenile doing Form Three at Nyangani High School. On December 31 at around 9pm, the complainant was at Nyamhuka Business Centre in the company of his friends when he was approached by the accused who was soliciting for men.

“The accused asked the teenager if he was interested in being intimate with her and the complainant agreed to sleep with her. He revealed that he had $4 for the session,” he said.

The hooker then took the teenager to her homestead and slept with him.

After the act, the complainant paid $4 for services rendered and they later returned to the business centre.

On January 5, the teenager’s mother heard from the grapevine that her son had been intimate with a hooker and she confronted him.

The teenager narrated the abuse to his mother and the case was subsequently reported to the police.

The complainant was referred to Nyanga District Hospital where he was medically examined. – Manica Post

President Robert Mugabe’s spokesperson, George Charamba is working overtime in a desperate bid to assist Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidential succession bid in the faction-riddled party Zanu PF leader, analysts say.

Mugabe’s party is sharply divided into two distinct camps, Lacoste – linked to Mnangagwa, and G40 – said to be fronted by former government spokesman Jonathan Moyo and other so-called Young Turks, among them Zanu PF national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere and Mugabe’s nephew Patrick Zhuwao.

Lacoste wants Mnangagwa to succeed Mugabe by virtue of being the first vice president while G40 wants the heir apparent anointed by the veteran leader of subjected to party elections.

But in recent weeks Nathaniel Manheru, a columnist in the state-controlled The Herald, widely thought to be Charamba, Mugabe’s spokesperson has been evidently rooting for Mnangagwa in his writings as the race to succeed the soon to be 93-year old leader reaches a crescendo.

Charamba, who is also permanent secretary in the ministry of information, media and broadcasting services, has never denied he is behind the acerbic and vitriolic Manheru column although in the past, has been exposed as the writer of the articles by his former boss at the ministry, Moyo. The two now appear sworn enemies.

Critics note that Charamba has occasionally used the long-winding column to take pot-shots at the Zanu PF leader’s perceived enemies and recently, those perceived to be opposed to Mnangagwa’s ascendancy to the throne particularly Moyo who has publicly stated he would not support his bid for presidency of Zanu PF and possible the republic.

Two weeks ago, the columnist lashed out at Jonathan Moyo and warned him against dabbling in the Zanu PF succession matrix by allegedly rubbishing the Midlands strongman’s succession bid in the cut-throat race.

Instead, Manheru, read Charamba, intimated the succession issue “has its own people” and Moyo was not one of them, a remark political analysts view as meant to present Mnangagwa as the sole candidate and in the process drumming up support for the Lacoste camp which critics claim is leaving no storm unturned to ensure Mnangagwa eventually steps into the shoes of Mugabe when the Zanu PF leader eventually decides to exit politics or dies in power.

“It is clear he (Manheru) is doing Mnangagwa bidding by abusing the state media,” said Ricky Mukonza, a political analyst, who teaches public management at a South African university.

In his latest long-winding article, the columnist hit-out at human rights lawyer-cum opposition politician and author, David Coltart for intimating in his autobiography, The Struggle Continues: 50 Years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe, Mnangagwa and other Zanu PF politicians were complicity in the murder of an estimated 20 000 defenceless civilian in some parts of the Midlands and Matabeleland during the early 1980s.

In his book, Coltart states that Mnangagwa was in charge of state security during Gukurahundi, suggesting chances were high the vice president and justice minister could have known about the killings, charges which appear to have rattled the Lacoste camp of which Charamba is thought to belong.

Coltart has also made reference to stories carried in the local state controlled media during the time in which Mnangagwa alluded to the presence of state security agents sent to deal with the alleged dissident menace in Matabeleland provinces and some parts of the Midlands.

But a livid Manheru on Saturday referred to Coltart as an unrepentant white who fought for the supremacy of racists Rhodesian, defended white settler interests by gun, suggesting the former cabinet minister’s book was wrongly apportioning the Gukurahundi killings to Mnangagwa.

The columnist further stated that Coltart was behind the report Breaking Silence, a damning human rights report which chronicled the Gukurahundi killings, adding that it is not a coincidence that he has authored another book linking Zanu PF politicians to the massacres in the Matabeleland and the Midlands.

Manheru said while Coltart had no qualms in his book in accusing Zanu PF politicians of complicity in the Gukurahundi killings, the MDC politician has been conspicuous by his silence in the role that he played in defending racist Rhodesian, in what analyst say are attempts to rubbish Coltart book, particularly its version of who was responsible for the killings.

Coltart, however, on Tuesday hit back at the author of the column in an interview with RadioVOP, saying it is clear Mugabe’s spin-doctors wanted to airbrush the Zanu PF politician’s role in the early 1980s political disturbances in the two southern region provinces as the dog-fight to succeed Mugabe hots up.

“Whoever Manheru is does appear to be using this column to paint Mnangagwa in the best possible light,” said Coltart.

“If Manheru is in fact Charamba then it would indicate that he is doing all he can to discredit the existing narrative about Gukurahundi which will assist Mnagangwa’s aspirations. So it is not surprising that he would seek to delegitimise me and the revelations made in my book about Gukurahundi and Mngangwa’s role in it.” – VOP

A nurse whose teenage son was stabbed to death today said she hopes the life sentence handed to his killer acts as a “deterrent” for other youngsters.

Charlie Kutyauripo, 16, was declared dead in hospital after being knifed by a childhood friend outside a birthday party in Woodford, east London, in January last year.

Aaron Gaiete, 17, was yesterday sentenced to indefinite detention with a minimum term of 14 years after being convicted of the murder, which the Old Bailey heard was the result of a “trivial” row over a borrowed tracksuit.

Charlie’s mother Matilda Chiswanda today said the tragedy had left her unable to return to work as an A&E nurse. “I won’t be able to do that any more — on a casualty ward you face too many similar things,” she said.

Mrs Chiswanda, 46, lives in Romford with Charlie’s father Farai Kutyauripo, 48, and their eldest son Dennis Kutyauripo, 22, a law student.

She told how the family moved to Britain from Zimbabwe seeking a safe environment for their children. “I brought my son to the UK for safety only for him to be stolen away from us in such a cruel and violent way by someone I treated as my own son,” she said.

“There are no words to express the pain and agony that has no become our day-to-day life. I wake up every day hoping to see our Charlie, hoping this is going to end. No mother or family should have to suffer as we are.” She added: “No punishment will bring our son back but I hope his sentence will not only serve as a deterrent for him, but for other youths.”

The court heard that Gaiete, of Ilford, had been close friends with Charlie at King Solomon High School. But prosecutor Louis Mably said they had fallen out over a tracksuit the defendant had borrowed and refused to give back.

They were both invited to a girl’s 16th birthday party on January 9 last year but after Gaiete arrived he confronted Charlie outside. Jurors saw CCTV of the defendant stabbing the victim twice, dropping the knife and running off.

The court heard that DNA on the knife handle was matched to that of Gaiete. He denied murder, claiming he had acted in self-defence.

As she passed sentence, Judge Rebecca Poulet QC issued a warning to young people: “It must be understood that taking a knife out in public whether for an offensive or defensive purpose is in itself a criminal offence.” – standard.co.uk

Robert Mugabe and Donald Trump are welcome to the United Kingdom, the imperial nation’s Foreign Secretary says.

Donald Trump is no worse than ageing Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe, Britain’s foreign secretary Boris Johnson has suggested.

Johnson has defended the under-fire new US president’s right to a state visit to Britain by saying that Queen Elizabeth II has previously hosted Romanian dictator Nicolai Ceausescu and Mugabe, so could “probably cope” with Trump, The Independent reports.

Mugabe was awarded a knighthood by the Queen during the Zimbabwe leader’s state visit to the UK in 1994. He was stripped of it in 2008, following outrage over rights abuses and election violence.

Currently attending an AU summit in Ethiopia, the Zimbabwe leader hasn’t publicly commented on Trump’s election although officials close to him appear to be very pleased with it.

Caesar Zvayi, the editor of the pro-Mugabe state media, tweeted triumphantly on Tuesday morning: “In US, the President chooses Supreme Court judges.” That was an attempt to justify Mugabe’s recent move to change the constitution so that he alone can appoint a new chief justice. Critics and the opposition are strongly opposed to this move. – News24

Terrence Mawawa, Beitbridge A ZRP Cop was last week thoroughly bashed after arresting a man wearing military camouflage, worn by Jah Prayzah fans.

Detective Constable Rodrick Nanga of Beitbridge Police Camp ran for dear life after an angry mob assaulted him for arresting the man, Brian Ncube (20) for wearing military camouflage.

Nanga confronted Ncube accusing him of wearing military gear.

Nanga argued that the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) had publicly announced it was illegal to wear military gear in public without the army’s approval. State Prosecutor Munyonga Kuvarega told the court that on January 13, 2017, around 4pm, Ncube and one Edson Chivivi were together at Mbedzi Business Centre in Beitbridge when Nanga arrested Ncube for wearing a military cap and a pair of trousers.

As the two were walking towards the police station Chivivi struck Nanga at the back of the head and ordered him to release his friend. Angry residents also slapped Nanga and he fled from the scene. He made a report at Beitbridge Police Station and Chivivi and Ncube were arrested. The two were fined $101 dollars each or alternatively 20 days in prison. Analysts say the incident reflects the animosity between the police and the public.

“This reveals the level of animosity between the police and the public. Instead of cooperating with the police people have developed a negative attitude towards the highly partisan and unprofessional cops,”said Beitbridge resident.

Ray Nkosi | Several Matabeleland based pressure groups and regional political parties are reportedly grouping up to strongly protest against ZANU PF youth wing aligned 21st February Movement from holding President Robert Mugabe’s 93rd birthday celebrations in Matobo.

Sources within the organisers of the protest told ZimEye.com that over ten organisations that include political parties based in Matabeleland will bus hundreds of people into Matobo, a day before the birthday bash to demand that the bash be not held within the area which hosts graves of thousands of people that were killed during the Gukurahundi atrocities in the eighties under President Mugabe’s watch.

The organisations say that the move by ZANU PF to hold Mugabe birthday celebrations in the area will not be allowed to proceed as “these will be an insult to the spirits of the people the very same Mugabe killed.”

“We will not allow Mugabe to come and celebrate his birthday on the very same graves of the people he killed,” said one of the organisers. “Allowing this to happen will be an insult to the spirits of the people that the very same Mugabe killed. It will be like we are saying they died in vain,” he added.

Meanwhile, reports from Matobo district are that ZANU PF youth deployed into the area to mobilise for the birthday celebrations have been in door to door campaigns threatening villagers of unspecified consequences if they sabotage the event in any way.

According to the villagers soldiers and military trained members of the ZANU PF National Youth Service popularly known as “Green Bombers” have been deployed into the area to intimidate people not to stand against the event being held in the area.

The organisers of the proposed demonstration against the event claim that they will be notifying the police of their intentions to demonstrate as required by the law and will proceed with the action regardless of the possible violence that will be effected on them by the state security.