Police have blocked a march called to commemorate the disappearance of anti-President Robert Mugabe activist Itai Dzamara scheduled to be held in Harare’s central business district (CBD) tomorrow.

Itai’s younger brother, Patson, told journalists yesterday that the police advised them to hold the commemoration at Freedom Square — an open space way outside the CBD.

“They (police) said the situation in the CBD is volatile,” he said.
“We were planning to start our march at Africa Unity Square but the move by the police will not deter us. We are going to have the commemoration at Freedom Square,” Patson said.
Itai — who became popular after staging one-man anti-Mugabe protests dubbed “Occupy Africa Unity Square” — mysteriously disappeared in March 2015 and his unknown whereabouts reach exactly two years tomorrow.

The missing activist’s family accuses Mugabe’s government of being involved in his disappearance, with commissioned police investigations pointing to nothing so far.
In May last year, the Dzamaras released a horrifying and grotesque image which they alleged was of Itai taken from captivity by his alleged abductors.

At a media conference where the images were released, Patson claimed that the country’s feared military intelligence had been responsible for the missing social justice campaigner’s brazen abduction last year.

During last year’s commemorations, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai sensationally claimed that State security agents abducted Dzamara because he had intricate details on how the 2013 elections were rigged by Zanu PF.

After his broad-daylight kidnapping, Dzamara’s wife, Sheffra, approached the High Court in a bid to force the police and the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) to search for her husband.

During the hearing, both the police and CIO denied knowledge of his whereabouts, with authorities saying that investigations into the abduction had hit a dead end.- Daily News

Heartened no doubt by the enthusiastic welcome he got in Ghana, ageing President Robert Mugabe is finally back home to a flood-wrecked, restless Zimbabwe.

The state ZBC broadcaster announced the 93-year-old president’s return late on Tuesday night. The official Herald newspaper said “hundreds” of Ghanaian journalists had thronged the president’s Accra hotel to interview him as he attended the west African country’s 60th anniversary celebrations. It was Mugabe’s second foreign trip in a week after a visit to his doctors in Singapore – and that has brought the president criticism from a number of Zimbabweans.

Tweeted prominent journalist @BrezhMalaba: “He’s back on home soil. But how many hours before he flies off again? Just one load of Jet A1 can build new homes for flood-hit villagers.” The CEO Magazine Zimbabwe asked: “Is he aware that there were floods in Zim. A concerned person wld take the time to visit the area & affected [people]”.

The full extent of Zimbabwe’s damage from recent floods is still emerging. At least 900 people are currently being housed in a camp for flood victims in the southern Tsholotsho district, eyewitness reports Wednesday said. A report in the Bulawayo-based Sunday News said that 17 children from a school in Binga district were injured when their classroom fell on them during the recent rains. In Hwange district it’s emerged that two preschoolers drowned in a ditch, the paper said.

Meantime in a move almost certain to intensify anger among poorly-paid doctors, the government’s permanent health secretary Gerald Gwinji announced in a statement that junior doctors who took part in a just-ended strike could be  forced to repeat part of their training and have their holidays docked. News24

A Harare magistrate’s court Tuesday freed 65 residents from Epworth, among them nine juveniles, who had been accused of public violence allegedly committed last year.

The offence emanated from their alleged involvement in last July’s protests against police corruption and a government ban on imports.

The accused were arrested between Mabvuku high-density suburb and Zimre Park medium density suburb and along the Harare-Mutare highway.

Police claimed the group barricaded the road with stones and burning tyres and violently harassed motorists and commuters resulting in their disturbing the peace, security or order of the public.

Police in Harare have dismissed as false, reports in the media that they had allowed war veterans to meet for their indaba in the city. In a statement yesterday, Harare provincial spokesperson Assistant Inspector Tarirai Dube said the war veterans had to comply with the provisions of the law to conduct their meeting.

“The police want to make it very clear that they did not ‘OKAY’ the war vets indaba as alleged. The applicant has to comply with the provisions of the law as enshrined in the Public Order and Security Act Chapter 11:17.

The MDC-T will continue its door-to-door voter education exercise in Beitbridge despite a police crackdown on its members, Matabeleland South spokesperson, Ekem Moyo has said.

Police arrested 11 MDC-T members in the border town, including its 2013 parliamentary election losing candidate, Morgan Ncube and a woman with a baby, while conducting a door-to-door voter registration awareness exercise.

“As MDC-T Matabeleland South province we condemn the barbaric act and cruelty perpetrated on our members as inhumane and unthinkable.

“Our members were doing what is right according to the Constitution, but according to State-sponsored agents the right thing is wrong,” Moyo said yesterday.

The group spent the weekend in custody and was only released on Monday on free bail when they appeared at the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court. Police accused the MDC-T members of running an unsanctioned voter registration awareness exercise.

The MDC-T Matabeleland South spokesperson, however, described the arrests as intimidation tactics, which he said will not cow them to abandon the voter registration awareness exercise.

Moyo argued that the programme, which is also running in other provinces as the opposition party prepares for next year’s general elections, was a legitimate political exercise

“We are following the dictates of our Constitution which allows us to campaign freely without fear not what Zanu PF wants. The one-sided application of the law by State security agents totally defies logic and it leaves our laws in a sorry and vulnerable state.

“The MDC-T Matabeleland South province will never be intimidated by the inhumane arrests and abuse of power,” he said.

The government has allocated $8,3 million to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission against $29 million the commission had requested to enable it to acquire vehicles for the voter registration exercise.

Independent election observer group, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network said the funding shortfall compromised the voter registration exercise, resulting on a situation where eligible voters could be disenfranchised. – Newsday

Cabinet ministers who had gained notoriety for absconding Parliament have started trooping back to the House after Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda read the riot act and threatened to seek the intervention of President Robert Mugabe.

Mudenda’s threats followed protests by MPs that the continued bunking of Parliament business by ministers was a sign of disrespect to the House.

But following Mudenda’s threat to write to Mugabe complaining about the truancy, some ministers who had not attended the House for months last week showed up.

These included Foreign Affairs minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Women Affairs minister Nyasha Chikwinya and Youth minister Patrick Zhuwao.

“I must say when I walked into Parliament I nearly fainted when I saw the Minister of Foreign Affairs [Mumbengegwi]. True to your (Mudenda) word, he is here and we would like to welcome him to Parliament, especially today when the xenophobia debate is being discussed,” Norton MP Temba Mliswa (Independent) said when Mumbengegwi turned up.

MPs welcomed Mumbengegwi’s presence as there were four important motions on Foreign Affairs issues that have been on the National Assembly Order Paper since 2016. The motions have been awaiting the minister’s response before they are concluded.

One of the motions by the Kindness Paradza-led Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs was discussed in November 2015 and to date Mumbengegwi has not yet responded to the issue.

The motion discussed the decay of foreign missions abroad, and Paradza had to reinstate the motion back into the National Assembly Order Paper so that Mumbengegwi responds to it.

Another motion on Foreign Affairs that had to be reinstated in the Order Paper was on a report of the delegation to the bilateral visit to the Parliament of Kuwait, which was debated in April 2016 and discussed the topical issue of young Zimbabwean women being enslaved in Kuwait.

A motion on the Foreign Affairs committee report on the exchange visit to the Palestine Legislative Council, which discussed Zimbabwe’s position in relation to the disturbances in Israel that was debated last year, had to be reinstated again in the Order Paper to allow Mumbengegwi to respond it.

Several motions that MPs gave notice to move in the National Assembly have clocked several months in the Order Paper without legislators debating them.

Mudenda told MPs that any motion that remained undebated for 21 sitting days would automatically fall off the Order Paper in terms of provisions of Standing Rules and Orders number 103.

Most Cabinet ministers have been absconding Wednesday’s Question and Answer Session where they are expected to respond to the legislators’ questions on government policy. The MPs also blasted the ministers for lacking seriousness in attending to government policy work at a time the economy continues to plummet.

Some ministers had gone for months without attending Parliament, resulting in some questions regarding their respective ministries going unanswered. – Newsday

Police in Bulawayo are appealing for help from members of the public who may have information that can lead to the location of two missing teenagers.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said one of the teenagers, Nqobani Moyo (18) of Northend suburb was last seen by his mother on January 9 this year.

She said Moyo is light in complexion and is of medium height and built.

“He was last seen by his mother at their place of residence at number 10 Gisborne Rd in Northend at 9AM. He is light in complexion and has black hair,” said Insp Simango.

She said anyone who may have information on Moyo’s whereabouts can contact ZRP Bulawayo Central on 09 71515 or any nearest police station.

Insp Simango said the other missing teenager, Previous Nyathi (19), of Emakhandeni suburb is mentally challenged.

“Nyathi was last seen by his aunt Brenda Mathe at 3406 Emakhandeni suburb in Bulawayo. He is 1,6 metres tall, medium built and has brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a striped t-shirt, a navy blue track bottom and a pair of black and white tackies.

“Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can contact the investigating officer constable Pretty Gadzai on landline 09-418066 , mobile number 0775821789, the missing person’s uncle Leonard Nyathi on 0779252069 or any nearest police station,” she said. – State Media

A 34-YEAR-OLD man who allegedly fatally struck his cousin with a hoe for refusing to lend him P10 to buy beer has appeared in court facing murder charges.

Bongani Mhlanga of Lower Gweru allegedly killed Bright Sibanda (24) while they were drinking beer at a bottle store in Botswana on March 1.

The two worked illegally in the neighbouring country and following the attack their friends helped them to cross back into the country through an illegal entry point, but Sibanda died on his way to a clinic in Mangwe.

Mhlanga appeared before Plumtree magistrate, Mr Joshua Mawere and was remanded in custody to March 20.

Mr Mawere advised him to apply for bail at the High Court if he wished to make such an application.

Prosecuting, Mr Elisha Mazorodze said Mhlanga and Sibanda were working illegally in the neighbouring country at the time when they had a misunderstanding.

Mhlanga allegedly asked his cousin to lend him P10 as he wanted to buy more beer at a bottle store.

Mr Mazorodze said the suspect allegedly promised to pay back the money within a week but Sibanda refused to give him triggering the fatal attack.

“Mhlanga and Sibanda were drinking at a bottle store when they had a misunderstanding over P10. Sibanda struck Mhlanga with a spirit level twice on the head.

“Mhlanga followed Sibanda as he turned to walk away and attacked him with a hoe on the head. Sibanda lost consciousness as a result of the attack,” he said.

Mr Mazorodze said Sibanda and Mhlanga were helped by their friends to cross back into Zimbabwe through an illegal entry point near Maitengwe Border Post.

He said Sibanda died while on his way to Hingwe Clinic resulting in Mhlanga’s arrest.

Mr Mazorodze said Mhlanga and Sibanda were illegally employed as field workers in the neighbouring country. He said upon Mhlanga’s arrest, he was found in possession of blood stained clothes and the hoe which he allegedly used to attack Sibanda was also recovered. – State Media

Two Zanu PF factions are reportedly jostling to field candidates for the post of Gweru mayor, which recently fell vacant following the sacking of MDC-T’s Hamutendi Kombayi on allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of funds.

Well-placed sources said Ward 5 councillor, Simon Chapukira reportedly aligned to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s camp has shown his interest to contest the post, which is also being eyed by Tiripayi Chipondeni, who is viewed to be loyal to the G40 faction.

The G40 camp is allegedly loyal to First Lady Grace Mugabe and reportedly has, among its ranks, the likes of Local Government minister, Saviour Kasukuwere.

Both camps have, however, repeatedly denied the existence of factions.

The elections, which will also see a deputy mayor and committee chairpersons chosen, were postponed to tomorrow.

“There is jostling within Zanu PF as two camps, team Lacoste and G40, want their preferred candidates to land the top post,” a source in the ruling party said on condition of anonymity.

“The Mnangagwa faction wants Chapukira, while G40’s preferred candidate is Chipondeni.”

The source, however, said there were efforts to unite the two Zanu PF councillors and field one candidate before Thursday’s elections.

Chipondeni, however, said he was not interested in contesting the election.

“These are just words coming from people, given our number (as Zanu PF councillors) that we are few, I can’t be interested,” Chipondeni said.

Chapukira could not be reached for comment.

MDC-T councillor and Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions central region, regional officer, Charles Chikozho is the preferred opposition party candidate. – Newsday

Former Higher and Tertiary Education minister, Olivia Muchena has been dragged to court by Parliament of Zimbabwe which is seeking to recover $32 653 the ex-Mutoko MP still owed under a vehicle loan scheme.

The money is balance of what remained from the $35 000 vehicle loan which was advanced to the former minister after Parliament deducted allowances and fuel amounts due to her before she was expelled from Zanu PF in 2015.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| A Chivi man killed his friend and neighbour for calling himself by Soul Jah Love’s “chibaba” street cache-word.

The chant chibaba was coined by popular Zim Dance Hall musician Soul Jah Love.

32-year-old Lameck Charidza of Giri Village under headman Chipundu will appear in the High Court this week. He will be charged with murder as defined in Section 47(1) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23.

On June 3, 2015, around 1900 hrs, Charidza was drinking beer with Prosper Chamaona(24) at Mupanguri Primary School and a dispute arose between the two over who should be called chibaba.

The dispute degenerated into a fierce fist fight as Charidza indicated he was supposed to be called chibaba.

Sausseki Nyandoro, a teacher at the school, called Berejena Police after failing to stop the fight.

The two were taken to Matibi Hospital where Chamaona was pronounced dead on arrival.
A psychiatrist at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, Dr Mhaka indicated that Charidza was mentally challenged at the time he committed the offence.

Charidza’ s relatives also said he had a history of mental illness.

“He(Charidza) has a history of mental illness. The incident was very unfortunate. Nobody expected him to kill his friend although it was well known he had a mental problem,” said Charidza’s brother.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora has reiterated his comments that Islam was Zimbabwe’s first religion in 1980.

Two weeks ago Dokora ranked Islam as the nation’s first religion in 1980 while placing Christianity at number 4. He even claimed Islam is the nation’s designated religious faith.

Speaking last week in Norton, Dokora used the word, “peace” a direct antonym of “war” to reflect what people would face if they reject his new controversial curriculum in which Islam is listed as the first national religion at independence.

Dokora claimed to parents and teachers last week Monday that at independence in 1980, Islam was Zimbabwe’s first religion also calling it the nation’s “re-designated indigenous religion.”

The minister last year banned the Bible and voluntary club Scripture Union before reinstating the organisation following protests after falsely claiming that it is part of the education curriculum.

Speaking on the day, Dokora listed the Islamic religion as number one for Zimbabwe while pushing Christianity down to number 4.

While addressing panelists Dokora responded saying:
“And then of course there were the questions raised that: ‘is my my child going to be taught Islam?, is my my child going to be taught indigenous religion?’ said Dokora.

He continued saying, “in 1980 the curriculum that we fashioned for the republic, includes Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, Bhudiism,” he voiced while using his fingers to elaborate the importance by order.

He emphasised saying, “I was a teacher, I was just a teacher in the classroom, and those were introduced at Grade 2.”

He reiterated his comment saying that the curriculum has always had the religions in the order laid out according to his list.

“Do you think we should take these themes and teach them to ECB?  Can I follow your thread, because you think its a new thing, and I am trying to get you to appreciate that it has always been there in the formula (order) that I have described to you..” WATCH THE FULL VIDEO BELOW:

AT least three Zimbabweans are suspected to be part of 14 illegal miners that were shot dead in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, about 20km outside Johannesburg in South Africa in vicious fights over gold.

Six of the bodies were found lined up in a valley on Monday, while eight were found yesterday.

Johannesburg police spokesperson Colonel Lungelo Dhlamini said the recovered bodies were being kept at Springs mortuary pending a postmortem.

“We’re yet to identify most of the victims and no arrests have been made as yet but investigations are in progress.

“I’m not able to give you the nationalities of the victims at the moment until we exhaust all identification procedures,” he said.

Col Dhlamini said some of the bodies had gunshots wounds while others had sharp stab wounds.

A miner who stays in the Springs area, Mr Gordon Manzou, said he knew three of the victims who hailed from Kwekwe.

He said the killings have been going on in the mine shaft since last week.

“We’re still searching for more bodies. Some of the assailants are still hiding in the mine shaft, while the others escaped through the mine’s various openings.

“The assailants, most of whom are locals, claim to own this place and demand that we pay them R50 as access fees to the mine.

“When we get out we share proceeds on a 50-50 basis,” he said.

Mr Manzou said the gang went berserk and stripped them of the gold they had put together.

A Zimbabwean illegal miner Mr Endurance Kazembe told The Chronicle yesterday that his colleagues were ambushed by an armed gang who killed them while they were mining underground.

He said three of the miners were Zimbabweans.

“The people who were killed were my colleagues and three of them are Zimbabweans. I was at home when they were killed. These gangs always come threatening to kill us.

“They will be demanding gold from us,” said Mr Kazembe in a telephone interview as he walked home from the mine at about 7PM yesterday.

Asked why he went to work at the mine where people have lost their lives, he said:

“The mine is big. My family needs to survive.”

Mr Kazembe cut the conversation short, saying he had come across some suspicious local people and didn’t want to be heard speaking his native Shona language, before switching off his cellphone.

Zimbabwe’s consul-general in South Africa Mr Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro yesterday confirmed the killings.

“We received a report that 14 people have been killed in Benoni. Six bodies were found yesterday while eight were found today. All the bodies had gunshot wounds and they were lined up in a valley.

“Police in the area have said they have collected the bodies. They will screen the bodies to see if there are locals. They will take fingerprints of the remaining bodies and give them to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho officials here in South Africa so that we send them to our respective countries for identification,” said Mr Mukonoweshuro.

He said by next week, South African police would have finished screening the bodies and identifying the locals, if there are any.

Mr Mukonoweshuro said he would send the finger prints to the Registrar General and the police back home to try and identify the bodies.

“It’s highly likely that most of the people killed are foreigners but it’s unfortunate that most of these illegal miners never have identity particulars. They even use pseudo names, which makes it difficult to identify them.

“Such incidents happen all the time but it would be one or a few people killed not a big number. We rarely find it easy to identify the victims,” said Mr Mukonoweshuro.

A recently discovered gold mine shaft thought to have a lot of gold is said to be behind the turf war that has left 14 illegal miners dead.

An illegal miner said a newly discovered gold rich shaft number 6 in Benoni was at the centre of the deadly wars.

“The Basothos and Zulus are fighting over this new shaft, no one is willing to part with it as it contains lots and lots of gold. All the other Zimbabweans that were killed were caught in the cross fire,” he said.

He said that zama zamas (amakorokoza) make good money with the gold they sell to the “buyers” he did not want to disclose.

Buyers pay the illegal miners as much as R450 per gram which they sell for almost double on the black market.

In 2015, South Africa emergency workers retrieved 11 bodies of Zimbabweans who were killed when a generator they were using in a disused underground mine in Benoni exploded. The group, which comprised 15 people among them Zimbabweans and Mozambicans, reportedly entered the mine on August 27 using the generator for lighting and drilling.

During the process, they started a fire using planks which produced toxic gases which then mixed with carbon monoxide from the generator and exploded.

The 11 died of asphyxiation (oxygen deprivation) while a few managed to escape and made a report to the police.

The incident came a year after 22 Zimbabweans perished in a disused gold mine in Roodeport in May 2014. – state media

A MAN from Emganwini suburb in Bulawayo allegedly locked himself in a house and committed suicide following an argument with his girlfriend over a WhatsApp profile picture.

Tenants who shared the same house found Ngqwele Sibanda (28)’s body in an advanced state of decomposition yesterday – a week after he allegedly killed himself.

Sibanda and his girlfriend, only identified as Brie, allegedly quarrelled after the former posted a picture of himself with another woman on his WhatsApp profile.

A post mortem conducted at the United Bulawayo Hospitals was inconclusive on the cause of death.

A tenant who declined to be named said she had last seen Sibanda on Sunday last week.

She said they (tenants) became concerned after an unpleasant odour emanated from Sibanda’s room.

“It smelt rotten but we never suspected it was a body. We did not bother checking on Sibanda as it was common for him to go for days without anyone seeing him,” said the tenant.

Sibanda is said to have been living with his younger brother who was away due to work commitments.

The tenant said Sibanda was also a lodger at the house but was responsible for buying electricity.

She said when the house ran out of power, they smelt a bad odour but the other tenants assumed it was meat that had gone bad in Sibanda’s fridge.

The woman said she started receiving calls from Brie who was also worried about him following their fight.

“He had a major fight with his girlfriend after he uploaded a picture of himself with another woman on WhatsApp. They fought and exchanged harsh words resulting in Brie reporting the matter to the police. Sibanda threatened to kill himself,” said the tenant.

She said Brie later called saying she had withdrawn the case against Sibanda.

“Brie joked saying we should check his room because he might have committed suicide. But I laughed it off saying a man doesn’t commit suicide over a woman, it’s something that can only be done by women,” said the tenant.

The tenant said Sibanda’s younger brother arrived home on Sunday but could not access their room.

“On Monday we asked one of the boys to peep through the window. He looked spooked and tried to run away. He struggled to say what he had seen before he eventually told us that Sibanda’s body was in the room,” she said.

She said a report was made to the police who broke into the house.

Sibanda’s relative, Mr Richard Mkandla, said: “When I arrived the police had removed the body but there were some blood stains on the floor. The smell was horrible… we had to use sand mixed with some chemicals to clean the floor. But it took us hours to make the room habitable.”

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the sudden death saying investigations were underway.

@nqotshili – state media

President Robert Mugabe has been named the sleeping President who must be retired. A group of CSOs who include Bulawayo Youth Arise, #ThisConstitution, and Tajamuka met in Bulawayo where they swore they will “stop this nonsense.”

Mugabe even sleeps in the toilet (chamber), said BUYA leader, Mthwakazi Ncube. VIDEO:

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has finally resolved a dispute with one of its top managers, Ms Sukai Tongogara, who had threatened legal action, following her reassignment to an inferior post in the organisation. Ms Tongogara is now general manager, prevention and corporate Governance. In terms of the deed of settlement, Ms Tongogara remains on her current salary and benefits.

Her lawyer Mr Joel Mambara of J Mambara and Partners confirmed the parties have hammered a settlement.
“The anti-corruption commission has settled the matter between itself and my client,” said Mr Mambara.

“The initial intention was to transfer her from the post of general manager Investigations to an unauthorised post of general manager External Relations and International Conventions.

“After referring the dispute to the labour office as an unfair labour practice, the parties have resolved that she be transferred from general manager investigation, to a general manager Prevention and Corporate Governance.”

Ms Tongogara was redeployed last year, following her acquittal of two counts of improper conduct in July last year.

She contested the re-deployment and demanded reinstatement to her position of general manager Investigations, arguing her redeployment was victimisation and unfair labour practice.

Ms Tongogara threatened legal action if the commission refused to reinstate her.

In July last year, Ms Tongogara was cleared of charges of misconduct following a disciplinary hearing last month.

She was accused of being part of the secretariat that formed a private company called Private Mortgage Company (PMC), without the knowledge or resolution of the commission.

It was further alleged that Ms Tongogara and three others diverted $1,7 million from Treasury to buy individual shares in a private company. This was said to be tantamount to theft of public funds and making improper use of public funds.

Ms Tongogara denied both allegations.

In a scathing letter, Mr Mambara said his client was maliciously charged with certain acts of misconduct and unlawfully suspended from work.

But a fully-contested hearing absolved her. – state media

State Media – Police in Harare have dismissed as false, reports in the media that they had allowed war veterans to meet for their indaba in the city. In a statement yesterday, Harare provincial spokesperson Assistant Inspector Tarirai Dube said the war veterans had to comply with the provisions of the law to conduct their meeting. “The police want to make it very clear that they did not ‘OKAY’ the war vets indaba as alleged. The applicant has to comply with the provisions of the law as enshrined in the Public Order and Security Act Chapter 11:17.

“Any gathering without compliance to the provisions of the law will be deemed unlawful,” she said.

The sentiments come after the NewsDay carried a story yesterday headlined “Police Okay War Vets Indaba”, in which they alleged that the force had finally allowed war veterans to meet in Harare for their indaba meant to discuss “Zimbabwe’s deteriorating economic, social and political crisis”.

The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA) spokesperson Mr Douglas Mahiya was quoted saying police had given them the greenlight on Monday and that war veterans, Government and Zanu-PF officials were expected to attend.

In an interview yesterday, Mr Mahiya said if police had issued a statement pertaining to the issue, it means that they had denied them permission to conduct the meeting.

“They are the regulatory authority and if they have issued that statement, it means that they have denied permission. What else do you want me to say?” he said.

12 ZRP cops based at Zaka Police Station have been arrested on allegations of circumventing laid down procedures when clearing cattle, in a development that saw villagers losing thousands of dollars to stock thieves. The suspects have also since been hauled before a police internal disciplinary hearing to answer to charges of violating the Police Act. Police chief national spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the incident yesterday.

“Have those police officers not yet appeared in court by now? They should have appeared in court, however, if they have not yet, they will appear soon and this is a clear sign that as police we do not condone corruption within the force,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

She could not give further details.

Investigations by The Herald showed that the suspects were yet to appear in court.

Indications are that investigations are at an advanced stage and the cops will soon appear in court.
Police sources said the officers would be charged with criminal abuse of office.

Their dockets were yesterday said to be on the verge of completion.
Several villagers in Zaka and surrounding areas allegedly lost more than 20 beasts to con-men and stock thieves who took advantage of the laxity in the cattle clearing system by the officers at Zaka Police Station.

The sources said the 12 police constables were last week nailed for breaching the Police Act when they appeared before a police disciplinary hearing panel.

‘’They could have been charged with stock theft for abetting theft of cattle by clearing beasts without following clearly laid down regulations but it was hard to come up with tangible evidence that would be admissible in a court of law for them to be charged with stock theft hence criminal abuse of office charges,’’ said a police source.

The sources said some of the arrested police officers would clear cattle while in beer halls or at their homes.
This allowed con-men and stock thieves to take advantage of the loop hole to steal villagers’ cattle.

The matter came to light after the Masvingo Provincial Anti-Stock Theft team reportedly received a tip-off.
Investigations spearheaded by Officer Commanding Crime in Masvingo Province Assistant Commissioner Crispen Makedenge were then launched.

It is suspected the cops were cutting corners in clearing cattle and could have been financially benefiting from the arrangement.

Zaka is one of the districts hardest hit by stock-theft in Masvingo Province. – state media

Over half of Harare residents are not paying their bills while Government and business are also major defaulters, a situation that has seen council being owed over $615 million.

Acting finance director Mr Tendai Kwenda said Harare collects between 45 and 50 percent of what it bills residents.

He said the situation was now unsustainable.

“What it means is that half of the people in Harare are not meeting their obligations to council and the same half still expects council to provide services. I do not know how. We have people who have not bothered to pay a single penny since the debt write off that was in June 2013 and we are in 2017.” – State Media

Businessman Wicknell Chivayo accused of insulting Sunday Mail Features and Opinions Editor Garikai Mazara yesterday handed himself over to Harare Central Police Station on his return from London. Chivayo, who was accompanied by his lawyers Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Advocate Sylvester Hashiti, denied the charges levelled against him and signed a warned and cautioned statement before being discharged.

The businessman yesterday confirmed handing himself over saying he had nothing against the Sunday Mail staffer.

“As a law-abiding citizen who is not above the law I had to hand myself in as soon as I got back from London on Monday. I have nothing against Mr Mazara. My lawyers are handling the matter,” he said.

The matter was reported under case number CR 2607/2/2017 at Harare Central Police Station last week. Reports say on Tuesday February 14, 2017 at 13.52 hours, Mazara sent a set of questions to Chivayo inquiring about progress of the Gwanda national solar project that his company, Intratek, is implementing.

Chivayo then referred Mazara to his project manager. Mazara proceeded to write a story, which was published on February 19, under the headline, “Chivayo explains progress”, in which the project manager outlined work so far carried out on the project.

In some WhatsApp massages revealed to The Herald, Chivayo hurled insults and obscenities at Mazara. “Urimbwa, unofa uchishupika. (You are a dog and you will die poor),” read one of the messages.

He went on to critique Mazara’s profile picture insinuating that he was HIV positive.
“On your profile picture muromo wakafunuka. I’m sure inzara and mapundu ese ayo, asi une Aids?” reads one of the messages. Some of the messages contain unprintable vulgar language. -state media

Police in South Africa have recovered eight more bodies with gunshot wounds which are believed to be of illegal miners, near an area where other six bodies were found in an open veld next to a railway line in Benoni, Ekurhuleni on Sunday.

According to South African Police Service (SAPS) website, the eight bodies were found on Monday.

In a statement SAPS said the Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Khomotso Phahlane, condemned in the strongest terms the senseless murder of the 14 people whose bodies were found over the past two days.

“The discovery of these bodies comes at a time when generals from all levels within the South African Police Service have gathered for two days at a strategic session in Mpumalanga, deliberating on operational interventions and measures to further reduce the incidents of crime in affected areas of our country,” read part of the statement. – State Media

By Shyleen Mtandwa | Lawyers representing human rights activist, Linda Masarira, are filing papers with the High Court challenging both the conviction and subsequent sentencing of the activist on Tuesday.

Masarira was on Tuesday sentenced to 385 hours of community service after she was found guilty of public violence.

Her lawyer, Kudzayi Kadzere from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said he was challenging his client’s conviction.

“We are going to appeal against both conviction and sentence. The State failed dismally to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and we have no doubt that an appeal court will set aside this conviction. We will certainly file our appeal in the coming days at the High Court in Harare, “he said.

FIVE people were seriously injured while several others escaped with minor injuries when the driver of a 30-seater mini bus travelling from Harare to Mutare lost control of the vehicle about five kilometres outside Rusape after one of the rear tyres had burst, forcing the mini bus to veer off the road and overturn.

The injured were ferried to Rusape hospital by an ambulance and a Ministry of Health vehicle which arrived at the accident scene after about 40 minutes. One of the seriously injured women cried and groaned, complaining of a back injury.

A male passenger travelling to Rusape who was aboard the mini bus said the vehicle was speeding and the driver lost control after a tyre burst.

The number of passengers on the mini bus was not readily available as traffic police officers who attended the accident referred The Manica Post to the provincial spokesperson who was not available for comment. – State Media

Shyleen Mtandwa | A Mbare magistrate has sentenced Linda Masarira, a pro-democracy activist to 385 hours of community services.

Handing over the sentence the magistrate who noted that Linda has five children who she looks after said ruled the activist should perform 385 hours of community service at Malborough clinic.

“I have been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. However 7 months have been suspended on condition that I do not commit a similar offence for five years. The remaining 11 I have been given an option to perform 385 hours of community service at Malborough clinic on a on a daily basis from 0800hrs to 1600hrs for 12 weeks”, she told ZimEye.com Tuesday soon after the court session.

Linda was facing charges if political violence emanating from last year’s national protest which led to the total closure of business in Harare.

The state found her guilty of barricading the roads in Mufakose, with the intention of discouraging motorists from entering the city centre.

“This is a Micky Mouse sentencing from a bogus conviction in a kangaroo court in a failed state”, said a commentator.

A bid by Dendera maestro Sulumani Chimbetu for a downward variation of maintenance for his two minor children was dismissed at the Harare Civil Court.

Harare magistrate Mrs Barbara Mateko dismissed the singer’s application in which he sought an order to reduce maintenance fees for his children with former wife Marygold Mutemasango.

Chimbetu argued that the court had previously granted an order that he pays $500 for his two minor children without taking into account his modest income.

He also said that Mutemasango was gainfully employed and led a comfortable life,a sign that she can afford to cater for the children.

Chimbetu also told the court that he was dependent on his current wife for his sustenance.

However, Mrs Mateko argued that Chimbetu had failed to provide the court with proof of his income or his standard of living as there were misdirections in some instances.

It was also noted that although the musician’s livelihood was mainly supported by a well-wisher, he still has other substantial sources of income and was, therefore, misdirecting the court with regards to his earnings.

Chimbetu failed to convince the court or justify his claims, hence the dismissal of his application. – State Media

President Robert Mugabe’s government announced a deal this afternoon to hand its employees $180 million in 2016 bonuses, only just managing to head off a planned strike.

With an election due next year, the Mugabe government is keen to keep a lid on passions, at whatever cost.

As news of the bonus deal broke, statutory pension fund National Social Security Authority (NSSA) announced the government had given it treasury bills worth $181 million, primarily to clear arrears for the three years when the state could not remit its contributions to the fund as an employer.

It is no secret that government has been struggling to meet payroll and, equally, not surprising that it has defaulted on its employees’ pension contributions and medical insurance.

Last year, it took government six months to eventually pay off all 2015 government bonuses.

Even so, this came at a price as government defaulted on the June payroll, triggering a civil servants’ strike that was seized upon by some anti-government activists to create the biggest protest against Mugabe in recent years.

The situation is similar this year, with payments staggered over five months to August.

There are compelling arguments against the payment of automatic bonuses to a bloated workforce of a government whose fiscal position is, at best, fragile. But that’s not an argument a wasteful government which splurges on luxury cars and avoidable foreign travel can make.

Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa, who has fought a losing battle to at least suspend the bonuses over the past two years, put on a brave face on Monday as he told reporters “government will certainly mobilise the resources”.

Recent history points to one obvious source of funding: paper. Government paper.

Money on trees. Literally.

As it has done with reckless abandon since 2012, government will issue treasury bills, mop up cash from the domestic financial market and crowd out the productive sector, as Chinamasa himself admitted during his 2016 mid-term budget statement.

At the time, the Treasury chief had also warned about a runaway budget deficit as government was a third into $1.2 billion budget deficit for the year.

For a government which had virtually no domestic debt between 2009 and 2011, the explosion of local borrowings from around $300 million in 2012 to $3.7 billion by October 2016 is alarming.

The bulk of the debt is in the form of government paper which, according to central bank governor John Mangudya, currently stands at $2.1 billion.

Analysts have criticised the government for going into overdrive with its treasury bill issues, worsening a liquidity crisis that has hobbled the economy.

Not that government will listen to any advice to curb its appetite to spend, or institute the necessary reforms that will see it moving away from the current ridiculous situation where 97 cents out of every dollar the state raises go towards employment costs.

Last year, Mugabe’s Cabinet publicly rebuked Chinamasa for proposing 25 000 job cuts and suspending bonuses among other cost-reduction measures which he said would save $355 million over two years.

As Zimbabwe heads to next year’s election, government’s instinct will be to spend more, not less.

And, over the years, Mugabe has shown that he is not averse to making bold, costly promises to segments of the electorate he views integral to his electoral ambitions.

But there are limits to kicking the can down the road each time you’re faced with difficult decisions.

This is why Zimbabwe’s current path to financial ruin is worryingly familiar.

The economic meltdown which reached its peak in 2008 was the outcome of a series of poor decisions — price controls, unrestrained money printing — by a government which insists on turning economic orthodoxy on its head.- The Source

Ray Nkosi | Former Minister for Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart  has castigated President Robert Mugabe’s government move to pay civil servants their bonuses, saying the nation cannot afford such a move.

This is after government on Monday gave in to the demands by civil servants to have their bonuses paid in cash and not residential stands as previously proposed.

Coltart questions where the money to pay the bonuses is going to come from, “We already know that government expenditure to the end of November last year exceeded revenue by over US$ 1 billion . These bonus payments simply add to that deficit.”

Wrote the former minister, “whilst I am sympathetic towards teachers in particular who desperately need to be paid more, the Nation cannot afford the payment of bonuses at present. Inevitably the decision to pay bonuses, announced yesterday, is ultimately going to make things even harder for civil servants.”

Coltart sides with Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa who he says recognized this but it was overridden by populists who don’t have a clue how to run an economy.

Terrence Mawawa, Mwenezi| A daring man dragged his neighbour’s wife into a nearby bush and raped her at knife point.

The incident happened on February 13, 2017. The man, Isaac Moyo(30 ), of Maheresa Village, under Chief Mutusi, entered his neighbour’s bedroom, dragged the wife into the bush and raped her.

Moyo appeared before Magistrate Honest Musiiwa, facing rape charges last week. He was not asked to plead. Facts by the State Case were that Moyo took advantage of the absence of the woman’s husband and entered the couple’s bedroom.

He then grabbed the woman by the neck and dragged her into the bush. Moyo threatened to stab the woman with the knife he was holding if she screamed. Moyo tripped the woman, removed her clothes and had sex with her.

After the act Moyo vanished into the darkness. He was later arrested in his field.
Local villagers also recovered a torch Moyo had stolen from his neighbour’s bedroom.

He was remanded in custody to March 9.

Local villagers said they apprehended Moyo and took him to police station.

“We apprehended him and took him to the police station. Moyo took advantage of his neighbour’s absence and raped his wife,” said a local villager.

THE MDC-T has taken a potshot at First Lady Grace Mugabe’s lavish spending as citizens grapple with devastating floods across the country.

“If individuals in high places can afford to spend $1,3 million in anniversary rings, it means we can afford to do more for deserving situations such as the disaster in Matabeleland,” the statement read.

“It is sad that the rains pounding the country have led to a humanitarian crisis of great magnitude, particularly in Matabeleland North province where we have lost villagers and livestock while some of the human and animal life has had to be evacuated.”

Instead of attending to the desperate flood situation in the country, President Robert Mugabe has been traversing the globe reportedly to seek medical attention. Mugabe passed through Zimbabwe at the weekend and was yesterday attending Ghana’s 60th independence anniversary celebrations.

The main opposition party said it was saddened by the statistics of flood victims.

“The statistics make for sad reading that speaks to a national catastrophe: the floods have claimed six lives, 855 marooned villagers have been airlifted, while among those rescued were 86 terminally ill people and 501 school-going children,” the MDC-T said.

The flash floods have swept away crops and key infrastructure such as bridges, roads and houses.

The MDC-T said key institutions such as the Civil Protection Unit were severely incapacitated to deal with the dangerous situation facing mainly rural peasants, urging citizens to help out. – Newsday

A sinister plot to ambush former Vice President Joice Mujuru when she arrives in the United Kingdom has been exposed.

Mujuru is in the UK at the invitation of the Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa, London School of Economics and Political Science.

The last time the former VP and now leader of the National People’s Party (NPP), she was leader of the united Zimbabwe People First party, which has now split.

According to leaked WhatsApp chats, a plot by the Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) led by her erstwhile comrades, Rugare Gumbo and Didymus Mutasa, to embarrass her in front of an international audience likely to include British MPs, was underway.

Mujuru dumped ZimPF last week and formed the NPP after her former allies-turned-arch-rivals Mutasa and Gumbo threatened a bruising legal fight over the use of the party name. The trio fell out last month after Mujuru expelled seven senior ZimPF officials over an alleged plot to unseat her.

While the change of name might have cooled tempers, reports of the UK plot show the fight is still on.

Mujuru arrived in London yesterday morning where she is expected to address British MPs, African ambassadors and non-governmental organisations beginning today.

The event is part of celebrations to mark International Women’s Day.

The leaked chats between one Fungai Murisa, a Mutasa ally, Margaret Dongo, Mujuru’s former women’s league boss, and Marakia Bomani, who reportedly heads the ZimPF UK branch, showed Gumbo and Mutasa loyalists have hatched a plot to confuse her in front of the international audience and steal her glitter.

“I think in Britain there should be a team of questioners to make her sweat unconditionally,” Murisa suggested.

“Bomani, your territory cannot be messed by Runaida [Mujuru]. Be as journalist ikoko (there) (sic), Haanonoki kutiza akawandirwa nemibvunzo (She is quick to flee if she is bombarded by too many questions.”

Another official, Andrew Muranda, agreed Mujuru could be easily overwhelmed.

“During the Chatham House invite, she made the land compensation blunder. What now? However, publicity is publicity. There is nothing like bad publicity,” he said.

Although Dongo was not picking calls yesterday, in the chats, she asked Bomani to arrange women to go and challenge Mujuru during question time about her dictatorship.

Bomani queried the purpose of Mujuru’s London visit, saying: “That she is coming here for International Women’s Day celebrations is nonsense. This is just a cover-up.”

He confirmed the chats, although he said he would not attend the Mujuru function.

“Whoever is giving you the information is mischievous and wants to solicit support and sympathy for Mujuru,” Bomani said yesterday.

“I won’t go there because I am not an NPP member, but ZimPF. So I don’t have any business there. You can see from the chats, I was only asking whether Mujuru was no longer on the sanctions list to frequently visit London.”

NPP spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire accused the rival group of being State agents.

“We have always known these characters are not genuine opposition elements. They are Zimbabwe government secret agents who are there to create false revulsion of opposition political parties.

“That people like Margaret Dongo are in it is not surprising since they are the ones who, last time, fabricated false reports that Dr Mujuru was using a Zimbabwean embassy Mercedes Benz when it is clear Zimbabwean embassies have no such vehicles, are broke and can’t even pay rentals for their offices,” Mawarire said. – Newsday|Agencies

Commander In Sleep, Robert the dozer, Zimbabwe’s President caused a scene in Ghana yesterday sparking an international mockery of Zimbabwe with the West African country’s journalists taking turns to literally spit on the 93 year old. That ambush left Zimbabweans with no choice but to cover run for cover and the only way was to talk about it all openly, face it and brace it! Below were some of the comments:

A MBERENGWA High School teacher who fell in love with a Form Two pupil (15) and impregnated her has been fined $200.

In her warned and cautioned statement, the complainant said her woodwork teacher at Mpandashango High School Zibusiso Msindazi had sexual intercourse with her since last year until she fell pregnant.

Msindazi appeared before Mberengwa resident magistrate Mrs Evia Matura facing charges of having sexual intercourse with a young person. He pleaded guilty to the charge, but said the two were in love.

Mrs Matura fined him $200 or alternatively the teacher faces a three month imprisonment term if he defaults on the fine.  It was not said in court if the girl had delivered. Prosecuting, Mr Stanley Ncube told the court that Msindazi proposed love to the pupil in 2015 and she agreed.

“On May 26 last year, the accused person invited the complainant and her friend to sleep at his house. The complainant agreed and she was accompanied by her friend.

“The complainant’s friend was told to sleep in the same room with the accused person’s sister whilst the complainant slept in the sitting room on a sofa,” said Mr Ncube. He said the teacher who was sleeping in his bedroom woke up at around midnight and went into the room where the complainant was sleeping.

The court heard that the two had consensual sex twice that night. On May 31, Mr Ncube said, the accused person asked the complainant and her friend to come to sleep at his house again and they agreed.

“When the complainant’s friend was asleep, the accused person had sexual intercourse with the complainant twice with her consent. “The accused person and the complainant continued to have sexual encounters until her grandmother discovered that she was pregnant.

“She asked her who was responsible but the complainant refused to tell her grandmother. The complainant’s friend who was questioned by the complainant’s grandmother told her that the complainant’s teacher was responsible and the complainant confirmed it,” said Mr Ncube.

He said the complainant’s grandmother accompanied the complainant to make a report to the police leading to the arrest of the accused person. – State Media

MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s coalition bid in 2013, when he tried to mobilise opposition forces to challenge President Mugabe, continues to haunt him as the Labour Court is set to rule on allegations that he reneged on a pledge to pay emissaries who facilitated talks with his prospective allies.

Labour Court judge Justice Lillian Hove yesterday heard how Mr Tsvangirai allegedly engaged Voice of People leader Mr More-precision Muzadzi and Zimbabwe Development Party leader Mr Kisnot Mukwazhi to facilitate fellow opposition parties to throw their support behind him to avoid splitting votes during the 2013 harmonised elections.

Mr Muzadzi approached the Court to compel Mr Tsvangirai to pay $7 000 as well as hand over a vehicle that he promised him for bringing opposition parties together to rally behind him.

In yesterday’s hearing, Justice Hove reserved judgment on a preliminary point on whether the Labour Court was the proper tribunal to hear the case.

In his papers, Mr Muzadzi said he hailed from the same village in Buhra as Mr Tsvangirai, making it easier for him to work with the MDC-T leader in the task that was at hand.
Mr Muzadzi detailed how he travelled the length and breadth of the country and convened several meetings with MDC-T and Western embassies for funding, in a bid to form a grand coalition for Mr Tsvangirai’s presidential bid.

Mr Muzadzi said he used his links with fellow opposition parties and his strategic position as Mr Tsvangirai’s homeboy and approached the latter’s younger brother, Manasa and sold them the idea of a coalition.

“After Manasa conferred with Morgan Tsvangirai, they engaged me to negotiate with all opposition presidents to rally behind Tsvangirai against President Mugabe. The project was named One Zimbabwe, One presidential candidate,” reads the summons.

He chronicled that several meetings were held with opposition parties and Western embassies, where it was agreed that he would get cash and a Nissan NP 200.

“With almost all opposition presidents on board, our project was now complete and Morgan Komichi (MDC-T national deputy chairperson) took us to meet Tsvangirai at his residence on April 20 2013.

“Mr Tsvangirai was happy and said ‘I endorse it’ and then appointed his technical team to draft a Memorandum of Understanding, and also told us to make a budget to reimburse us of the costs we incurred and also include our allowances saying, ‘hamuna mari ndozviziva.’ We made the budget, which stated our allowances at $7 800 each and two vehicles, and submitted them to him,” said Mr Muzadzi.

“A week before the general elections, I brought coalition leaders to Tsvangirai’s Harvest House office at his request for a press conference with Tendai Biti (the then MDC-T secretary- general). Some voiced their displeasure over Tsvangirai’s technical team and some wanted assurances over positions in the event of a coalition victory.

“Komichi was arrested that day over those lost 2013 special ballot papers at Rainbow Towers, and my partner (Mr Mukwazhi) got mad with Tsvangirai over our unpaid allowances and vehicles and then jumped ship and went on to support President Mugabe. I disagreed with my partner in negotiations and remained, keeping the philosophy of complaining after work.”

Mr Muzadzi said he has had several heated exchanges over the unpaid allowances with Mr Tsvangirai, intimating that he (Tsvangirai) was broke, and that the coalition did not eventually win as the excuse for not paying him. – State Media

A High Court judge has slammed alcohol and drug abuse saying they were fuelling murders with some of the killings being committed brazen in full view of witnesses.

Officially opening the Hwange High Court session here yesterday, Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Maxwell Takuva bemoaned moral decay in society.

Seven out of 11 murder cases set down for trial at the Hwange Circuit were committed by people abusing alcohol.

“Eleven murder cases have been set down and seven of these were committed after alcohol abuse by accused persons. This is a worrying trend as people are butchered at business centres where they will have gone to make merry with friends and relatives,” he said.

“What is more worrying is that the murders are committed brazenly in full view of witnesses.

“Dangerous weapons like axes, knives, knobkerries and iron bars are used to inflict fatal injuries targeting the head and chest.”

Justice Takuva also bemoaned an upsurge in drug abuse saying it was leading to violent behaviour.

“According to psychiatrists, there has been an undeniable upsurge in illicit drug use in Zimbabwe and this has directly or indirectly led to an increase in mental health issues,” he said.

The judge said some of the substances being abused include Broncleer also known as bronco, cannabis, maragada, diazepam, musombodia, steroids, tegu-tegu, zed and tetankau.

“Drugs cause a lot of excitement in those who abuse them and leads to violent behaviour among other effects,” said Justice Takuva.

The judge said most young people who abuse drugs often have social, family, academic and violence-related challenges.

He called for strategies that address drug abuse among all age groups.

Justice Takuva slammed corruption saying it was a cancer the country can’t afford to fold its hands on while it prevails as it scares away investors.

“The judiciary plays a key role in the administration of justice. This role is thrust on it by the constitution which requires judges to exercise judicial power and functions impartially, promptly and in a manner that embraces public confidence.

“It appears that there is a perception that Zimbabwe is past the tipping point and heading to a point of no return with regards to corruption. In my view, it’s not so deep that we can’t do anything about it anymore and we as Zimbabweans mustn’t pay lip service to corruption but concentrate on ways of getting rid of it,” he said.

“We can’t afford to give up and let this evil win. If everyone plays their part we can win. Indeed humanity will judge us harshly if we were to surrender and allow the country to be devoured by this cancer.

“It’s been said that corruption is a cancer that erodes a citizen’s faith in democracy, diminishes the instinct for innovation, creativity and scares away both foreign direct and domestic investment”.

Justice Takuva also called for stiffer measures against poachers saying the country was fast losing wildlife to illegal hunters.

The Hwange High Court Circuit opening ceremony started with a procession from the Magistrates’ Court to the social centre led by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Band.

Justice Takuva then inspected a quarter guard mounted by the Zimbabwe Republic Police before his address.

Present were Chiefs Shana, Whange, Nekatambe and Dingane-Nelukoba all from Hwange district, service chiefs, prosecutors, magistrates, lawyers and Judicial Services Commission staff as well as company executives, heads of government departments and officials from Hwange and Victoria Falls local authorities. – State Media

South African Police are investigating murder cases after six bodies, all with gunshot wounds and believed to be illegal miners, were found in an open veld next to a railway line in Benoni, Ekurhuleni.

There are fears that among the deceased were Zimbabweans as the area is known to be frequented by foreigners who engage in illegal mining.

Many Zimbabweans live in South Africa with the majority of them doing menial jobs.

According to Gauteng Police, a passer-by called police after he came across the bodies at about 9am on Sunday.

SAPS is still investigating the case and is in the process of identifying the bodies.

“Police found that all (the) bodies have gunshot wounds on the upper body. It is suspected that the deceased were killed elsewhere and taken to where they were found as they were put in a pattern. It is also suspected that the deceased are illegal miners.

“The motive for the killings is still unknown and the bodies have not yet been identified.

“Police have opened six cases of murder, and the investigation is continuing,” SAPS said in a statement.

In 2015, South Africa emergency workers retrieved 11 bodies of Zimbabweans who were killed when a generator they were using in a disused underground mine exploded in Benoni, 35km outside Johannesburg, South Africa.

The group, which comprised 15 people —among them Zimbabweans and Mozambicans — reportedly entered the mine on August 27 using the generator for lighting and drilling.

During the process, they started a fire using planks which produced toxic gases which then mixed with carbon monoxide from the generator which also exploded.

The group died of asphyxiation (oxygen deprivation) while a few managed to escape and made a report to the police.

The mine is located in the Springs area of Benoni.

The incident also came a year after 22 Zimbabweans perished in a disused gold mine in Roodeport in May 2014.

Zimbabwe’s Consul-General to South Africa, Mr Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro, recently appealed to Zimbabweans living outside the country to avoid engaging in dangerous activities.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and their Botswana counterparts are still looking for 10 of the 18 prisoners who escaped from lawful custody at Gerald Estates Centre for Illegal Immigrants in January.

According to media reports from the neighbouring country, some of the fugitives are believed to have fled to Zimbabwe and their whereabouts are still unknown.

Botswana police recently acknowledged that the search for the 10 prisoners wass proving difficult. They have since engaged their counterparts to help find the fugitives.

The prisoners who have been classified dangerous by the Botswana authorities escaped after destroying a fence with a manhole cover.

So far only eight have been arrested.

The escapees were on remand and were facing charges for dangerous offences such as murder and robbery.

Botswana police, prison officials and soldiers have been working around the clock to bring the culprits to book.

Gerald Estates Police Station commander Superintendent Edward Leposo was quoted as saying that the leads provided to the police had turned cold.

Those still at large are Chakalani Barati, Musa Willy, Elvis Ndlovu, Dzikhamani Ndebele, Innocent Nyoni, Edwin Ncube, Sunganai Tafiraushe, Givemore Chaloba, Brilliant Thabisani and Bruce Masuku.

Two escapees are Botswana nationals while the rest are Zimbabweans.

“We have been getting various leads about the whereabouts of the prisoners, but they have produced nothing.

“We are on the ground trying our best, but the search is proving to be difficult. What is key is that we are getting many leads from the public and we remain optimistic that they will lead to more arrests,” Supt Leposo said.

One of the escapees, Thabani Ncube, was arrested in Zimbabwe where he is facing a theft charge and authorities are processing his extradition to Botswana.

Other prisoners who have been arrested are Rowland Moyo, Gaomodimo Molosiwa, Mlindeli Moyo, Sicelo Sibanda, Godwin Mapunganyika, Charlotte Ndlovu and Methuli Sibanda.

The prisoners were arrested in Francistown, Masingwaneng and Tutume. – State Media

An ex-cop has been jailed for nine years for stealing four beasts worth $1 450 from a farm in Figtree.

James Muleya (63), who is also involved in farming activities in the area, pleaded not guilty to stock theft charges but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence by Plumtree magistrate, Mr Joshua Mawere.

Muleya stole the cattle from two farmers at Sizanani Farm and transported them in his truck in the middle of the night.

He was intercepted by police detectives.

In his defence, Muleya, a retired police officer, alleged that he was hired by Mr Fanekiso Ncube who is also a farmer to transport the beasts to Dombodema.

He said he did not know that it was necessary for him to have documents authorising him to transport the cattle.

Passing sentence, Mr Mawere said it was clear that Muleya chose to transport the cattle at night as he knew that he was committing an offence.

“You transported the cattle in the middle of the night to evade police as you hadn’t cleared the cattle. From the evidence given it’s clear that you knew that the cattle were stolen and you were transporting them,” he said.

Mr Mawere sentenced Muleya to an effective nine years mandatory jail term.

Prosecuting, Mr Stanley Chinyanganya said Muleya was intercepted on October 22 at around 2AM along the Plumtree-Dombodema road while transporting the four beasts.

“Muleya went to Sizanani Farm in Figtree area and stole four beats belonging to Mr Michael Ngwenya and Mr Mbekezeli Mpofu who are both farmers in the area. He loaded them into a Mazda B1600 truck and proceeded with them to Dombodema area in Bulilima.

“He was intercepted by police detectives at the seven kilometre peg along the Plumtree-Bulawayo Road. Police asked him to produce a police stock clearance form and stock movement permit but he didn’t have any,” he said.

Mr Chinyanganya said police questioned Muleya and he failed to give a satisfactory answer on why he was transporting the beasts. He also failed to produce proof that he was the owner of the beasts.

The prosecutor said Muleya was arrested immediately and investigations revealed that the beasts had been stolen from Sizanani Farm.

Mr Chinyanganya said Mr Ngwenya and Mr Mpofu were called to the Plumtree Police Station where they positively identified their missing cattle.

In mitigation, Mr Prince Butshe of Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers, who was representing Muleya, begged the court to be lenient with his client.

“Your Worship my client is married with six children and he is the sole bread winner of his family. One of his children is disabled and requires special attention. My client is aged, he is now 63.

“He is diabetic and is due for a prostate cancer operation. I’m aware that the court’s hands are tied with regards to penalties in such cases but I pray that you make an exception,” said Mr Butshe. – State Media

Terrence Mawawa,  Masvingo | Opposition parties have have expressed concern at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)’s decision to start the mapping process for polling stations without notifying key stakeholders.

ZEC has begun the mapping of polling stations, a move that has been widely criticised by opposition parties. ZimEye.com is informed ZEC is carrying out the exercise to confirm ward, constituency and district boundaries ahead of next year’s polls.

The process has already been completed in Harare, Masvingo, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West and Masvingo Provinces respectively. Opposition parties last week said the move was calculated to rig the polls. MDC-T National Secretary General,Douglas Mwonzora, last week said ZEC’ s decision was clandestine and dubious.

The Director of Elections in the MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube, Henry Chimbiri said the exercise was a deliberate attempt by ZEC to rig the polls in favour of Zanu PF. “We have always stated that the whole process is fraught with irregularities. The whole thing has been plotted to influence the outcome of the polls. The ZEC officials have left out stakeholders in the crucial process-which is unfortunate,” said Chimbiri.

Election Resource Centre Director, Tawanda Chimhini, said ZEC should carry out the mapping exercise in a transparent manner. “ZEC must include all stakeholders in the crucial programme.The process has to be conducted in a transparent manner,” said Chimhini.
ZEC chairperson,Justice Rita Makarau was not immediately available for a comment.

Former Presidential Affairs minister and one of the caretaker leaders of the Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) party, Didymus Mutasa, says the popular former prime minister during the government of national unity, Morgan Tsvangirai, is the only person “capable and deserving” of leading the country’s mooted opposition coalition.

Speaking to the Daily News in an interview yesterday, Mutasa said while there were many people who aspired to lead the planned grand alliance, only Tsvangirai had the support and “the credentials” to take that position — completely rubbishing in the process both the capacity and chances of former Vice President Joice Mujuru to lead the opposition.

Mutasa was effusive in his praise of Tsvangirai, making special mention of the way the MDC president had persevered against all odds in his push for a more democratic Zimbabwe, including taking on President Robert Mugabe and a Zanu PF that often behaved thuggishly when challenged.

Mutasa’s sentiments resonate with those of a large cross section of Zimbabweans, including political analysts and civic groups, who all say that the former trade union leader is the only opposition leader capable of giving Mugabe and the warring Zanu PF a run for their money in the eagerly-anticipated 2018 national elections.

The gushing Mutasa described Tsvangirai as a “real fighter for democracy”, adding that the dogged former premier was the “natural leader” for the opposition.

“For me Tsvangirai is the natural leader of the coalition because of who he is … What the National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera) is today stands for what Tsvangirai and the MDC built. The rest of us are latecomers in this game.

“We want a leader who will do what we thought Mugabe would do, but failed to do, and as ZPF we want to have discussions about who should lead the coalition because when we wanted to do it while we were still with Mujuru she prevaricated,” Mutasa told the Daily News.

“As a party we cannot accept a situation where Mujuru leads the coalition having proved her lack of capacity with ZPF, although she is welcome to be part of the coalition because we need everyone,” he added without hiding his disdain for the leader of the National People’s Party (NPP).

The former senior Cabinet minister and other ZPF bigwigs have been engaging in an ugly feud with Mujuru, ever since their spectacular public fallout last month.

This happened after Mujuru announced that she had expelled Mutasa, another ZPF elder Rugare Gumbo and five other party heavyweights — on account of them being alleged Zanu PF agents, and working to topple her from her then interim ZPF position.

But no sooner had she announced her surprise decision than the situation turned into a complete farce, when Mutasa and Gumbo announced at their own press conference that they had also similarly and summarily expelled Mujuru from ZPF.

Mujuru was later dealt a further body blow when she suffered mass desertions, including receiving resignations from some of her longtime top aides such as Sylvester Nguni, Ray Kaukonde and retired brigadier-general Aggripa Mutambara.

Last week, Mujuru moved to formally cut her ties with ZPF when she formed the NPP, ending her relationship with her erstwhile colleagues which dated to their time in Zanu PF.
Before problems rocked ZPF, Mujuru had been working behind the scenes with Tsvangirai and other smaller parties towards the formation of the planned grand opposition coalition.
And Tsvangirai has since given Mujuru some political oxygen of sorts, despite his being disappointed by the ructions which eventually led to her departure from ZPF.

However, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Tendai Biti said yesterday that the question of who should lead the mooted opposition coalition was not an issue at the moment as there were more pressing issues to deal with.

“The issue of leadership is the least difficult of the hurdles we are faced with because coalitions are already there in the Coalition of Democrats (Code) and Nera, but the challenge is bringing the leaders from the two groups under one roof to discuss why we need a coalition.

“As long as there are some among us who think they can win against Mugabe by themselves we are not going anywhere. We need a rebirth, a reawakening of the opposition in this country,” Biti said, adding that Mutasa was, however, entitled to his views.

On her part, Mujuru herself has said that she remains confident about her involvement in the mooted grand opposition coalition ahead of the 2018 polls.
“In line with our core values of inclusivity, we remain committed to a coalition of all progressive and democratic opposition forces to ensure we end the country’s autocratic rule in the 2018 elections.

“To that end, as the NPP we would like to inform our members, supporters, sympathisers, well-wishers and Zimbabweans from across the political divide that we remain committed to a democratic Zimbabwe.

“We remain builders of Zimbabwe in peace. We are the future, and we have the solutions,” she said last week as she announced the formation of the NPP.

Analysts have previously told the Daily News that a united opposition, fighting with one purpose, can finally bring to an end Mugabe’s long rule, especially at a time that the nonagenarian is fighting to keep his warring Zanu PF united.

They also say Mujuru, whose liberation struggle nom de guerre was Teurai Ropa (Spill Blood), and whose late husband Solomon was the first black post-independence army commander, could provide the much-needed bridge that opposition parties have been missing to ensure the smooth transfer of power if they win the 2018 elections. Daily News

Buhera South Zanu PF MP Joseph Chinotimba’s bid to become a life president of the Zimbabwe Urban and Rural Council Workers’ Union (ZURCWU) has been challenged by the union’s current executive.

In a High Court challenge, the union’s general secretary Bernad Dhanda said Chinotimba was no longer eligible to lead the union as he was now a legislator. The hearing has been set down for March 8.

ZURCWU wants the court to order Chinotimba to “stop masquerading as the union’s president”. “Unmoved by his status, which had been conveyed to him by ZURCWU members, Chinotimba has been going around various branches of the applicant and various local authorities masquerading as the president of the applicant,” the court application reads.

“The first respondent (Chinotimba) has caused a lot of mayhem and confusion in the local authorities to the extent that some local authorities have suspended the check-off system to the detriment of the trade union and its members.

“The first respondent has caused the freezing of the bank account of the applicant and this has adversely impacted on applicants’ operations.” The union operates in 19 local authorities across the country.

Dhanda said Chinotimba claimed to have been given powers to lead the union for life by former Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo and former Labour minister Nicholas Goche.

Dhanda said Chinotimba was dethroned in 2008, and the union held three elections after that to choose presidents of the union, which Chinotimba never participated in.

“On Saturday July 19, 2014, the first respondent held a meeting at the Zanu PF provincial headquarters where he announced that he was authorised by ministers Chombo and  Goche to take over the leadership of  the union and he solicited for a move to amend the applicants’ constitution to make him life president. He must be censored and if not censored, he is bound to destroy the applicants.

“Chinotimba was a president on the basis that he was a founding father only. He was never elevated to the position of executive president or patron. “In any case the applicant’s constitution does not provide for such positions.”

In 2008, Chinotimba relinquished the post of the union’s president to contest the Buhera parliamentary seat.

“He lost (union) elections and did not come back to the fold of the applicant.
“Even if he wished to do so, he did not qualify by virtue of the fact that he was no longer employed by any local authority.

“He has also resigned from the City of Harare where he worked as a municipal police officer,” Dhanda said in his court papers. – Daily News

By Staff Reporter | A Mbare magistrate has preferred a non custodial sentence on Linda Masarira, a human rights activist who is facing public violence charges.

The case in which Masarira has been tried for and was last week found guilty of arose from last year’s national protest which led to the total closure of business in Harare.

The state alleged that while partaking in the demonstration in Dziveresekwa, Masarira put some barricades on the roads to block motorists from entering the city centre.

Masarira who was convicted on Friday pending sentence, was on Monday again told to come back on Tuesday.

Speaking to ZimEye.com after her court appearance on Monday, Masarira said she had been relieved by the out come of the case.

“The state is recommending a non custodial sentence in the form of community service or a fine since a custodial sentence will be a punishment on my minor children,”she said.

“Defence lawyers are recommending a suspended sentence or a fine. Magistrate is delivering his ruling tomorrow morning 8.30 AM,”she said.

Ray Nkosi | Harare East MP for Zanu PF Terrence Mukupe (40) who is currently on remand for fraud charges, has survived a fatal car accident while travelling from South-Africa.

Mukupe took to twitter to write, “The devil is a liar, I will only die when God says it’s time!!! Back to sender, I’m alive!!!”

Mukupe whose trial was set to begin today at the Karori Magistrate’s Court, seems to have escaped with minor injuries.

The allegations against Mukupe follow an incident, where zimra officials at Chirundu Border post discovered that three tankers that were headed for the DRC were filled with water instead of diesel.

It is reported that the diesel had not paid any duty when it entered the country because it was destined for another country. It is alleged that Mukupe and his accomplices emptied the tankers and replaced the diesel with water to avoid paying customs duty. The state was allegedly prejudiced of $41 692, 82.

ZANU-PF Insiza North MP and former Sports Minister Andrew Langa has been sucked in a fierce legal wrangle over the ownership of a farm in Insiza District, Matabeleland South province.

Mr Zenzele Sibanda, a resettled farmer, is accusing Langa and a white farmer, Mr Peter J Buckle and his son, Peter (jnr) of allegedly mobilising war veterans and the local community to facilitate the illegal occupation of his property Blinkborne Farm.

Mr Sibanda said the farm was allocated to him by the Government in 2012.

The disputed farm belonged to Mr Buckle before it was acquired by Government five years ago for redistribution under the land reform programme.

Mr Sibanda filed an urgent chamber application at the Bulawayo High Court citing Langa,  Mr Buckle and his son Peter as respondents.

In his founding affidavit, Mr Sibanda accused the former minister of flexing his political muscle and colluding with the ex-owner of the farm to chase him out of the farm using war veterans.

Sibanda through his lawyers Dube-Banda Nzarayapenga and Partners is seeking a spoliation order interdicting Langa and the Buckles from interfering with his activities at the farm.

He also wants the respondents to be ordered to remove their cattle from the farm, arguing that                            he was the sole owner of the property measuring 820 hectares.

“In year 2012, I was allocated the whole of Blinkborne Farm in Insiza district measuring 820 hectares under the Government’s land reform programme through an offer letter dated 5 September 2012.

“During the course of the same year, Peter J Buckle acting on behalf of his son, Peter A Buckle, being the second respondent and with the assistance of third respondent (Langa) mobilised war veterans, police and the local community members to evict me from the farm. I was illegally and forcibly removed from the farm as the first respondent (Peter J Buckle) insisted that the farm still belonged to his son,” Sibanda said.

He said after his eviction he approached the district lands committee over the matter.

“On 2 March 2015, the district lands committee chairman wrote a letter directed to the second respondent advising him on the decision to repossess Blinkborne Farm and give it back to me as the holder of the offer letter,” said Sibanda.

Mr Sibanda said despite receiving the letter from the district lands committee, the respondents have not handed back the farm.

“In January 2017, I retook occupation of the farm and brought in part of my herd of cattle. I have been in peaceful occupation of the farm from the beginning of the year until 15 February 2017 when Buckle (Snr) visited the farm and threatened my workers, telling them that the farm belonged to his son,” he said.

Sibanda said Mr Buckle (Snr) told his workers that he was authorised by Langa to remove him from Blinkborne Farm.

“Buckle has already brought in his cattle into my farm and he is refusing to remove them. He said he was well-connected politically after Langa authorised him to evict me,” he said.

Sibanda said he approached the district lands committee and on enquiring about the ownership of the farm, he was told that his offer letter was still                valid.

“It is clear and not in dispute that I am the rightful owner of Blinkborne Farm since I am the sole holder of an offer letter from the Ministry of Lands and Rural. The respondents have not taken any formal steps to challenge my ownership of the farm but instead they have resorted to using violence and intimidation to deprive me of my farm,” said Sibanda.

The Buckles and Langa are yet to respond.

A 33-year-old man from Gweru has appeared in court for allegedly abducting and assaulting two friends, before throwing one of them into a river.

Anusa Marima of house number 1113 Mkoba 1 appeared before Gweru Magistrate Ms Judith Taruvinga facing two counts of assault and kidnapping.

He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to March 8.

Prosecuting, Mr Daniel Tapfuma said on January 6 this year at around 12AM, Marima and four of his friends were  drinking beer at Mkoba 6 Business centre near Club Shumba.

The court heard that Nyasha Mangoma and his friend Brighton Vandirai were also drinking beer at the same centre.

A misunderstanding then allegedly arose between Marima and Vandirai. Mangoma allegedly tried to stop his friend from quarrelling and it did not go well with the accused person.

“The accused and four unknown persons who are still at large started  assaulting the complainants using fists and struck them with stones,” said Mr Tapfuma.

The court heard that after assaulting Mangoma and Vandirai, Marima and his alleged accomplices pushed the two friends into a silver grey Honda Fit and drove them to Ivene in Gweru.

They then allegedly threw Vandirai into a nearby river and left.

Vandirai sustained some head injuries and reported the matter to the police. – State Media

DESTINY for Africa Network founder, Obadiah Musindo has given beneficiaries of his housing scheme in Mutare a three-month ultimatum to settle their debts or face eviction.

Musindo told a meeting in Mutare on Saturday that his organisation was preparing for the 2018 elections in support of President Robert Mugabe through various programmes.
“We are continuing with our programmes, but we have issues with people who are not settling their debts. Some have not finished paying their debts for five years now. Let us prepare for evictions, from those in Devonshire and Hobhouse. We are giving you up to June 30 this year to settle your debts,” Musindo said.

“We wrote letters to you over the matter and we will take you to court if you fail to pay the debts. We want now to handover the stands to council and by December we want you to have title deeds and you should also be supporters of Zanu PF as we are preparing for the 2018 elections.”

The Zanu PF-linked cleric said they were targeting to create 10 000 jobs through their Zimbabwe Builders’ Association, before saying they have formed a social welfare department to cater for disadvantaged people.

“We are growing as an organisation, through our Zimbabwe Builders Association (ZIBA), we want to create a strong workforce, there are 10 000 jobs on offer, we need painters, builders, plumbers, among other people.

“We have set up a social welfare department to assist the under-privileged people. There are people out there who need our help, there are disadvantaged people who are even failing to build their houses,” Musindo said.

Musindo, last year, offered 25 stands for free to blind people in Mutare and most of them were now struggling to build decent houses although he helped to put structures for some of them.

Meanwhile, Musindo said at the same meeting he would soon launch an ambitious car and furniture acquisition scheme for low-income earners across the country.

“In 2017, we are going to launch a vehicle and furniture scheme, so for those who are building leave enough space to park your cars, we are offering the cars on affordable prices. We are going to give you wardrobes, beds among other things,” he added. – Newsday

Police have objected to a request by fugitive Lebanese businessman Jamal Ahmed to compel detectives to disclose their investigation plan in an assortment of criminal allegations against the foreigner.

Ahmed is being accused of defrauding First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe of $1,3 million, among several other criminal charges.

Opposing an application by Ahmed to have the police joined as respondents in a civil case he seeks to evict police guards from his three houses in Harare, Government lawyers accused the businessman’s lawyer, Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, of seeking to interfere with investigations and to destroy evidence against her client.

Ms Mtetwa, on behalf of her client, took First Lady Grace Mugabe and her son, Russel Goreraza, to the High Court seeking their eviction from No. 409 Harare Drive, No. 18 Cambridge Road, Avondale and No. 75 King George Road, Avondale, properties.
A High Court order was obtained against Grace, Goreraza and a police Superintendent Kennedy Fero.

Ms Mtetwa has now shifted her attention to the police and filed an application to have Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, Assistant Commissioner Thulani Ncube and Detective Superintendent Nyambo Viera cited as respondents.

On behalf of the three senior officers, Deputy Director Legal Services in the police force Assistant Commissioner Takawira Nzombe applied for permission to be able to file the police’s opposing papers out of time.

He told the court that the papers reached them late and they failed to meet the time frames to file opposing papers to the application for joinder in time.

Detective Supt Viera, in an opposing affidavit attached to the application for condonation, argued that Ms Mtetwa was seeking to interfere with investigations.

“Ms Mtetwa is surreptitiously hoping to get information, which concern police investigations by seeking the joinder of the law enforcement agent in her civil action,” he said.

“I aver that joining the police to the civil action will seriously prejudice police investigations, as information which is going to be used against the first applicant (Ahmed) will be availed to him and that would afford him an opportunity to conceal or destroy evidence, thereby defeating police efforts.”

Detective Supt Viera challenged Ahmed to avail himself and face justice.
He dismissed as false claims by Ahmed and his lawyers that the First Lady was behind the occupation and protection of the fugitive businessman’s property by the police.

“I reiterate that first applicant, who is a peregrinus, is a fugitive who should avail himself so that he can have his day in court,” said Detective Supt Vera.

“The insinuation that the police are acting in concert with the second and third respondents in the main matter (Dr Mugabe and Mr Goreraza) is ludicrous and meritless.

“The police are carrying out their mandate by investigating cases in which the second respondent (Dr Mugabe) is a complainant.”

Detective Supt Viera accused Ms Mtetwa, who is an officer of the court, of assisting her fugitive client to play hide and seek with the police.

He said he was investigating Ahmed on allegations which include fraud, theft, money laundering, contravention of the Exchange Control Act, contravention of the Immigration Act, as well as his dealings in diamonds. – State Media

OVER a hundred Zanu PF women miners in Mashonaland Central province have petitioned President Robert Mugabe, asking the 93-year-old leader to “stop” party commissar Saviour Kasukuwere and his brother Dickson Mafios from interfering with their operations.

Kasukuwere, who is also Local Government minister and Mafios – the Zanu PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairperson are being accused of “corrupt” practices that could threaten the party’s chances in general elections next year, the women warn in the petition.

The petition is part of court papers, in which Women in Mining Trust, Rass Mining Syndicate, Chehumambe Mining Syndicate and Community Mining Syndicate have approached the High Court seeking an interdict against Kasukuwere, Mafios, Mines and Mining Development minister Walter Chidhakwa, a Chief Superintendent Chikuma, Superintendent Chiparaushe and Commissioner-General of Police, Augustine Chihuri.

“Lest we forget the electoral loss which was a heavy drubbing, that the party (Zanu PF) suffered in all the 12 local council wards to the opposition (MDC-T) in 2008 general elections. Mafios and crew are taking advantage of their close relationship to Mr Rwafa the provincial Environmental Management Authority manager to victimise us and to disrupt our mining activities,” the petitioners said.

“We being loyal and die-hard Zanu PF cadres fully know the effect of disruption of mining activities at Kitsiyatota to the party’s electoral performance in Bindura. This ‘coup detat’ type of takeover of our mine that Mafios and company wants to employ is tantamount to destroying the party in Bindura because the majority of residents earn their living from mining activities at Kitsiyatota …”

Mafios, according to the petition, wants to seize the gold claims under the pretext that they would benefit Zanu PF ahead of elections, yet it is for his “pension” as he had worked for the ruling party but remains poor.”

“The plans by Mafios and his ‘comrades in corruption and looting’ to take over our mine under the false pretence that it will be a party project to raise funds for the party’s election campaign when it is common knowledge that it is for self-aggrandizement driven by greed and selfishness on their part and that Mafios wants to use the monetary proceeds from the purported mining activities to settle his ever ballooning debt with CBZ Bank,” the petition read.

Kasukuwere is said to be backing Mafios.

“Kasukuwere addressed a provincial co-ordinating committee meeting at Mayfair Lodge in Bindura last month, where he boldly declared in no uncertain terms that he is going to instruct Chidakwa, to cancel our certificates with immediate effect,” the women allege.

“Kasukuwere, being the most senior party official in our province has been using threats and victimisation to have his way such that all the provincial members and the general membership of the party in the province is afraid to stand up to him concerning our issues for fear of being expelled from the party.”

With police having reportedly been roped in, the miners allege a death has already been recorded after a colleague was chased into a hole using dogs.

In her founding affidavit, one of the founding members of Women in Mining Trust, Shantel Mbereko, urged the court to grant them an interdict, adding using politics to claim what belongs to them in the province was a sheer wastage of time.

“This matter has a long, chequered, if not unfortunate history in so far as such history speaks to political victimisation, gender inequality, injustice and brazen corruption by various individuals in power,” Mbereko said.

“By virtue of being Zanu PF political commissar, Honourable Kasukuwere arrogates to himself powers that, de facto, make him superintend other government ministers. The unfortunate consequence of this development is that he openly brags that he orders around other government ministers, especially, where he stands to corruptly and personally benefit from doing so.”

Mbereko described Kasukuwere as “arrogant” and his actions “unconstitutional”.

The trust said it had cited Chihuri and Chidakwa and other senior police officers as respondents in the matter in order to stop them from taking orders from Kasukuwere. – Newsday

A 33-year-old Harare man who is accused of printing counterfeit $5 bond notes at a house in Dzivarasekwa Extension was last week granted $300 bail.

Elton Nyamudahondo of Sunningdale 2, is charged with possessing articles for criminal use.
Harare magistrate Ms Tilda Mazhande set his trial date as April 3.

As part of his bail conditions, Nyamudahondo was ordered to reside at his given address and not to interfere with State witnesses pending finalisation of the matter.

The prosecutor, Ms Stylon Marufu alleged that on February 25, detectives from CID Homicide Harare received information that Nyamudahondo was printing counterfeit $5 notes at his house.

The court heard that detectives went to his house in Sunningdale 2, but failed to locate him.
It is alleged that they gathered information that he was at another house in the same suburb.

The court heard that Nyamudahondo was found holding a sheet of munic paper on which were printed four $5 counterfeit bond notes.

There was an HP Office Jet 5601 scanner in the room. The detectives recovered 31 complete fake $5 bond notes, 103 semi-complete fake $5 bond notes, 47 plain sheets of munic paper and 6 HP cartridges on the bed Nyamudahondo was sitting. – State Media

MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai will engage in coalition talks with both ex-Vice-President Joice Mujuru as well as her erstwhile comrades led by Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo.

Mujuru broke up with Mutasa and Gumbo last month in a nasty bust-up in the Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) party. The former Zanu PF number two has since formed the National People’s Party (NPP) in a move seen as avoiding a looming fight over the party name.

An outbreak of malaria has so far claimed 10 lives in Bikita, where 450 cases of the disease have been reported over the past few days following rampaging floods that also devastated infrastructure in the district.

The Civil Protection Unit through the Ministry of Health and Child Care will today start an anti-malaria spraying programme targeting water-logged areas in Bikita.

Since the beginning of the heavy rains that induced floods, malaria has killed 10 people in Bikita with District Administrator and chairperson of the Civil Protection Unit in the district Mr Bernard Hadzirabwi saying the disease continued to pose a threat to communities.

Mr Hadzirabwi said recent floods that swept through the district had created many breeding grounds for mosquitoes, leading to an outbreak of malaria.

Among the areas worst affected by the outbreak were Devure 1 and 2, Ngorima, Mutikizizi, Odzi, Ruponeso and Negovano.

Mr Hadzirabwi said the district had since rung the alarm bells, with the national Civil Protection Unit directorate coming in to contain the deadly disease.

“So far 10 people have died because of malaria in Bikita with a total of 450 cases of the disease having been reported at various clinics in the district since the beginning of the floods,’’ he said.

“We alerted the national CPU office and teams from the Ministry of Health and Child Care will begin a anti-malaria campaign in hotspot areas for the deadly disease.’’

Mr Hadzirabwi said fears abound that the disease might claim more lives unless action was taken to curb it in the wake of numerous breeding grounds created by floods.

Bikita is one of the districts that emerged worse off from heavy rains that led to flooding across most parts of Masvingo.

Besides the malaria outbreak, the floods also caused landslides that claimed the life of a Grade Two pupil in Mudzami communal lands in Bikita.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere revealed on Thursday last week that some districts in Masvingo received some of the highest amounts of rainfall in a 24-hour period. Rupike, which is 70km from Masvingo City, received 224mm, Bikita District received 200mm, and Zaka District received 196mm.

Government has already made an international humanitarian appeal to mitigate the effects of the floods after President Mugabe declared a state of disaster.

At least $100 million is required to repair infrastructure damaged by the floods that claimed 246 lives, injured at least 128 people while 1 576 were marooned.

Nearly 2 000 people were left homeless by the floods that breached about 70 dams and damaged five health institutions countrywide. – State Media

Heavy rains that pounded Masvingo last Monday have broken a 64-year record for rains received in a day.

Responding to questions sent by The Chronicle, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) yesterday said the 223mm received in Rupike in Masvingo within 24 hours last week on Monday broke a record that was set in February 1953.

“Rupike in Masvingo received the highest rainfall of 223mm within 24 hours breaking a record of 196mm received in 1953 at Nyanga meteorological station in the same month of February,” said the MSD.

It said heavy falls are expected to continue in most parts of the country.

The department urged members of the public to stay indoors if possible during heavy rains.

The MSD also said people should avoid crossing flooded rivers.

“It’s important for members of the public to avoid driving on a road covered by water and be cautious at night when it’s harder to recognise flooded areas.

“Those caught outdoors by thunderstorms should seek shelter immediately but not under trees or in isolated sheds,” said the department.

Heavy rains that have been pounding the country have resulted in the destruction of roads, bridges and some houses.

Last Wednesday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo said more than $80 million was required to repair damaged roads and bridges.

He said his Ministry had engaged the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing as well as the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) to mobilise the required resources. – State Media

A 26-YEAR-OLD woman allegedly stabbed her 50-year-old husband to death in Beitbridge following a row over the paternity of “their” five-month-old daughter.

The incident, which has since become the talk of the border town, happened on Saturday night at the couple’s home in Dulivhadzimu suburb.

Majahana Mazibuko died on the same night, a few minutes after he was admitted to Beitbridge District Hospital.

Neighbours and relatives told The Chronicle yesterday that Mazibuko and his wife, Geraldine Nyoni had a long standing domestic feud centred on the paternity of their only daughter.

They also described Nyoni as a violent person.

Mazibuko’s brother, Mr Vusa Matshudula, said it appears that the issue of paternity triggered the alleged brutal killing.

“My brother and his wife had a long standing domestic dispute. It looks like on that particular night, the major problem that actually triggered the fight was the issue of paternity of their daughter.

“The wife had earlier told my brother that the baby was not his and this degenerated into a dispute,” said Mr Matshudula.

He said soon after committing the alleged crime, Nyoni went to Dulivhadzimu Police Base where she reported her husband for refusing to give her custody of their daughter.

“When my sister-in-law went to the police base she lied to the police alleging that my brother was refusing to give her their daughter.

She claimed that he had snatched the daughter. However, when police later received a death report they subsequently hunted her down leading to her arrest,” said Mr Matshudula.

He said he learnt of his brother’s death from his sister.

“The baby was picked up by one of my sisters who found her lying on the blood-stained floor crying,” said Mr Matshudula.

The blood-stained knife, which was allegedly used in the killing was found at the house.

A neighbour who declined to be named, said she was watching television when she heard people shouting and someone screaming.

“I was watching a movie on TV when I heard people shouting at each other and the next thing it was a scream.

“When I went outside to investigate, I saw a man storming out of his room with blood gushing out of his neck and he was screaming and shouting for help,” she said.

When The Chronicle news crew visited the scene of the killing, scores of people from the neighbourhood where milling outside the house with some busy taking photos using their mobile phones.

Blood was splattered all over the floor and near the gate. The couple’s bedroom resembled a battlefield as teaspoons and plates were strewn all over the place.

A witness, Ms Nompilo Moyo, said: “This is shocking. I had never seen such a gruesome murder, especially by a woman for that matter. I actually saw the victim storming out of the house and his clothes were drenched in blood. His wife was the first to storm out of the room and fled.”

Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident. He however, could not give details saying investigations were underway. – State Media

Terrence Mawawa, Gweru | Axed Gweru City Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi, has vowed to fight his dismissal by Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere.

Kombayi was fired alongside ward 4 councillor, Kenneth Sithole largely on trumped up allegations of gross misconduct and maladministration. A tribunal set up by Kasukuwere found the two guilty of gross incompetence.

Kombayi was also accused of bankrolling MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai using council funds.
Kasukuwere is battling to take control of all MDC dominated local authorities, it has emerged. Kombayi’ s lawyer, Brain Dube said he was working on the matter as he sought to get the tribunal ‘s ruling reversed.

“We want to challenge the tribunal’s ruling. We feel the convictions are wrong.The penalties are manifestly excessive and exaggerated. We will definitely file papers to oppose the tribunal’ s ruling,” said Dube. Surprisingly Kasukuwere has indicated that 10 other councillors who had been suspended are not guilty,a reflection of the minister’ s intention to divide the officials-to gain political mileage.

“Kasukuwere called the councillors and threatened them.Those who refused to be intimidated were further persecuted,” said a council official. Council sources said Kasukuwere felt Kombayi was an impediment to the shrewd Zanu PF tactician’s attempt to plunder resources.
“Kasukuwere feels Kombayi is a tough man who does not subscribe to cheap political gimmicks. This means Kasukuwere wants to annihilate Kombayi,” council sources said last week.

The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has alleged that authorities are forcing residents of Mwenezi East to obtain birth certificates and identity cards to enable them to register in the forthcoming by election.

In an alert issued yesterday, ZPP said the registration took place at Chingwizi Primary School in ward 13 from February 24 to March 1. “It is alleged that Hardlife Mudavanhu and the Rutenga Registration Department are demanding $5 to $10 from villagers in order to obtain these national documents for them,” the human rights watchdog said in the alert.

“Those villagers who cannot raise the money are being asked to give up their goats or chickens in order to obtain the national documents. “Those without money or livestock were not attended to. Ruling party cards and name tags were also given to those who participated in the programme.”

ZPP said Home Affairs deputy minister, Obedingwa Mguni said that citizens may pay a small fee in cases where national documents were lost.

“He described taking of livestock for purposes of paying for national documents as outright criminal and urged those affected to report the culprits to the nearest police station,” said the group.

Section 35(3)(c) of the Constitution stipulates that all citizens are entitled to birth certificates and national IDs.

The Constitution does not make any provisions for citizens to pay for the services of the registrar general using livestock.

“National registration documents must not be given at partisan political events in pursuit of narrow political interests,” ZPP said.

“The actions of the Rutenga Registration Department amount to unjustified deprivation of property of villagers, who are already suffering from the adverse economic conditions obtaining in the country.”

The watchdog urged the ministry of Home Affairs to investigate the officers involved in the matter and take corrective action.

“Those, who lost their livestock under this scam, must be restituted and the natural consequences of the law must follow,” it said.

The Mwenezi East by-election will be held on April 8 to fill a vacancy created by the death of Joshua Moyo of Zanu PF in December last year.

Zanu PF’s Joosbi Omar will battle it out with Zimbabwe People First official, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Welcome Masuku of the National Constitutional Assembly and Turner Mhango of Free Zimbabwe Congress Party. – Agencies