Tertiary students have requested a meeting with Higher Education minister, Jonathan Moyo, and a parliamentary panel to discuss the re-introduction of students’ grants.

University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Students’ Representative Council (SRC) has since written to Parliament and Moyo’s office over the engagement, which they said would also help clarify government’s position on tertiary fees and attachment issues.

In December last year, Moyo promised to re-introduce student loans this year, at a Zanu PF conference.

But the students fear the minister could have been grandstanding as there was no clarity over how the grants would be introduced, a few weeks before the commencement of the 2016/2017 second semester next month.

“It would be folly of the highest kind and unparalleled naivety for us to just accept Moyo’s promise as it is and not make any follow up.

“The government has promised to bring back loans before without actually doing so,” UZ SRC spokesperson, Tafadzwa Chabata, said.

“This is what has motivated us to seek a meeting with Moyo so we can hear from the horse’s mouth exactly when and how loans are going to be availed to students,” he said.
“We want to know the number of students the loan facility is going to cater for, the total amount that will be available, conditions for accessing of loans and conditions for repayment among other things.”

Moyo said the student loans would improve skills and manpower development.
Student representative bodies have reported massive dropout rates at universities because of tuition fees challenges, with the  Zimbabwe National Students’ Union (Zinasu) claiming that at least 12 000 threw in the towel in the first quarter of 2016 alone.

In a January 16 letter to Moyo, UZ SRC president Tinotenda Mhungu said they also wanted to meet the minister so they could work out how Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef) funds can help students doing research.

“We propose the following matter to be considered as part of the agenda in the meeting; clarity on dates and structure of the proposed re-introduction of students’ grants and or loans,” Mhungu said.

The proposed matters include “rationalisation of academic fees particularly for students on attachment, establishment of a gender charter for the protection of the girl-child, explanations on the Zimdef and how it can benefit and assist university students in their researches as well as engagement on the urgent need for the amendment of Ordinance 30 and re-alignment of the Universities Act to the current Constitution”.

In another letter to Parliament, the students said they believed the legislature could intervene in contentious issues that were affecting students’ welfare in the country.
“This need comes in the wake of lack of clarity on certain debates and issues affecting students and the satisfaction of engagement between the student representatives and your office as the immediate parliamentary committee responsible for representation of all student welfares and liaisons of universities with government,” Mhungu wrote. – Daily News

Below is Jelousy Mawarire’s response to a note circulating on social media, purporting to have been written by his nephew. In it ‘Jealousy Mawarire jnr’ claims that his uncle Mawarire senior is a former Central Intelligence Organisation operative, and that he stumbled upon information that senior Zim PF officials are still on the CIO payroll.

Jealousy Mawarire | I have been alerted that there is someone masquerading as Jealousy Mawarire jnr on Facebook claiming to be my relative. I have no relative who carries my name, it’s not our culture in the family to name relatives after ourselves that is why even my son has his own name. We understand that there are leaders of some briefcase parties who are desperate for relevance who have been using social media and some gullible publications to peddle vitriolic stuff especially against Dr Mujuru in order to attract attention to their moribund political formations. We know as we have communicated in December 2016, that Zanu-PF is desperate to scuttle coalitions talks between Dr Mujuru and Dr Tsvangirai and the media gimmicks that we are witnessing show us that some briefcase party leaders are fronting Zanu-PF’s desperate bid to destroy the on going talks. I challenge the so-called Jealousy Mawarire jnr to publish his picture with any of my relatives especially my Father if he is a close relative who claims to have been at my house on Christmas day. The Zanu-PF regime is desperate and the false death stories on Dr Tsvangirai a few days ago show the desperation that has gripped this dying regime. Everything that this Jealousy Mawarire jnr is saying is a lie because such a person does not exist in the Mawarire family that sired me. I thought you should know.

EFF STATEMENT ON ZANU-PF’S RESPONSE TO CALLS FOR PRESIDENT MUGABE TO STEP DOWN

24 January, 2017

The Economic Freedom Fighters party has released a statement in response to Zanu-PF, confirming their point that President Robert Mugabe must leave power.

The EFF reaffirms its position that President Mugabe’s occupancy of the position of president is not good for the radical African political program. He is the bastion of the reactionary phenomenon of “lead to the death” that has crippled the image and praxis of post-colonial Africa. President Mugabe is not only the contemporary engine of personality cult, but he is protected by a group of cowards around him who hypocritically defend him everyday, whilst harbouring ambitions to lead soon.

We are unequivocal that revolutions ought to promote programs and not personalities. The continent needs heroes who will be able to stand firm on the objectives of the African revolution whilst allowing democratic practices and succession of leadership. His example is contradictory to this ideal since it directly or indirectly promotes the phenomenon of refusing to leave office until death.

Before the ZANU-PF and its youth wing respond to the EFF about the charge that they are cowards; they should ask themselves a simple question – what is revolutionary about being led by a person in old age; who sleeps all the time in meetings, can no longer even hold a pen or write half a page? Failure to respond to this question signifies not that they are afraid of others, but of President Mugabe.

When youth movement across the continent are fighting for change, questioning the transformation of liberation movements into old age homes and general gerontocracy. The ZANU-PF youth is instead defending and advancing an essentially anti-youth statuesque. This is because there is actually no youth in the ZANU-PF Youth; what you find are middle age men and women, half of which are suffering from a mid-life crises. They should be ashamed of themselves for holding the future from being born in Zimbabwe.

We shall never tell lies as revolutionaries; all the anti-colonial struggle icons like Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerere knew when it was enough and handed over the baton to others. The African revolution must always distance itself from all forms of personality cults; insistence that President Mugabe must lead to the grave is a sign that ZANU-PF is drowning in cowardice.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

MBUYISENI QUINTIN NDLOZI (National Spokesperson)

Luke Tamborinyoka | President Tsvangirai yesterday paid his condolences to chief Siyachilaba in Binga North following the death of nine members of his community who were struck by lightning at a funeral.

As a true national leader he is, President Tsvangirai took some time off his busy schedule
to be with the families of the bereaved.

President Tsvangirai who provided food packs to the bereaved families said, in the true spirit of solidarity, it was important to make sure that the nineteen children who were orphaned following the sad incident in the Siyachilaba community continue to go to school.

He was accompanied by the two Binga MPs Hons. Prince Sibanda and Joel Gabbuza.

Among the national leaders travelling with the President are Vice President Thokozani Khupe, National Organising Secretary Abednico Bhebhe, Deputy National Organising Secretary Hon. Amos Chibaya, Secretary for Elections Murisi Zwizwai, Deputy Treasurer General Charlton Hwende and the National Youth Chairperson Happymore Chidziva.

President Tsvangirai is on a nationwide tour to solicit ideas from the people on the new government architecture people aspire for, ahead of 2018 elections.

He is also soliciting for the same on the alliance building process adopted by the national council and wants public participation in the party’s thrust to work with other political parties in the cow horn formation on Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF.

Today President Tsvangirai will address Matabeleland North provincial council in Lupane before proceeding to Hwange tomorrow.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications
Movement for Democratic Change

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) is this week attending a meeting called by government to address the burning bonus issue.
The meeting dubbed, ‘a bonus indaba,’ comes in the wake of the rural teachers having heeded the call by ARTUZ to embark on a go slow.

The first meeting began yesterday, 24th of January.

If the meetings are unfruitful, ARTUZ says it will escalate the job action.

Teachers were last year giving fake promises for bonuses.

ZimEye will update our valued readers on developments.

Ray Nkosi | Controversial Member of Parliament for Norton Constituency caused a stir in Parliament when he castigated First Lady Grace Mugabe’s extravagant lifestyle.

He said,  “If people are buying rings for over a million dollars, if they were bond notes, would they buy the rings for a million dollars – no they would not.

“I do welcome bond notes and to also stop those leaders who are extravagant in terms of using taxpayers money to be able to expend on luxury items like rings which absolutely mean nothing to the welfare of the people of this country.

We have hospitals, schools and many things. I personally am a Member of Parliament in Norton and there is not even a decent mortuary at Norton Hospital so that people can be put there but we hear that the First Lady is spending and I will not hide this”.

In a point of order raised for him not to mention the First Lady as she was not there to defend herself the streetwise Mliswa responded, “Mr. Speaker, I did not name the First Lady and I did not put a name to it. Your wife is the First Lady in your house unless she is not. My mother is the First Lady in my house.”

Ray Nkosi | The City of Bulawayo this morning woke up to a huge relief at the news that four man have been arrested on suspicion of murdering long serving Pelandaba Seventh Day Adventist church security guard Buton Sikalongo last week.

The four thugs who the whole of Bulawayo wanted arrested whatever it took are Onias Bhebhe (43), Thompson Phuthi (40) Martin Bhebhe (36) and Nozinhle Bhebhe (24) were picked up by the police in the city after a massive search for the brutal murderers.

Their victim, whom they allegedly savagely attacked, died upon admission at Mpilo Central Hospital last Wednesday morning and was buried at Solusi Mission on Sunday.

National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of the four man all from Pelandaba suburb and are now facing armed robbery and murder charges in connection with the crime committed last week on Tuesday.

The brutal murder of Sikalongo left residents of Bulawayo shocked as the long serving member of the church was known throughout the city particularly for his commitment to the church and community of the city.

The four men brutally stabbed Sikalongo with knives and chopped him with an axe in probably the most brutal murder the city ever expected on an innocent man whose whole life was spent around the church.

Staff Reporter| An MDC-T councillor in Mt Darwin, Mrs Fungai Mavhura and her accomplice have been arraigned before a Mt Darwin Magistrate Court for theft of Presidential Scheme inputs.

Pfura Rural District ward 34 councilor Mrs Fungai Mavhura and Kamutsenzere GMB Depot Clerk, Paddington Chinembire have appeared before Mt Darwin Magistrate Mrs Tendai Chifamba charged with theft of trust property.

The state represented by Prosecutor Mrs Lynette Masango alleged that the two connived to steal 25 bags of urea fertilizer sourced for beneficiaries in ward 34 Kamutsenzere under the Presidential Inputs Scheme.

After sourcing for a buyer and being paid US$600 councilor Mavhunga is alleged to have conspired with Chinembire to steal the fertilizer which was being kept at Kamutsenzere GMB depot.

Following an anonymous tip, Dotito police managed to intercept the truck loaded with the loot at Sohwe roadblock leading to the arrest of the two.

Magistrate Chifamba adjourned the trial to the 1st of February after granting the two accused US$100 dollars bail each.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo | Dendera Music icon Sulumani ‘Sulu’Chimbetu has denied recent claims that he attacked President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF in his latest album ‘Jamboree’. The musician who inherited the Dendera legacy from his father, the late Simon Chopper Chimbetu, hit the headlines following the release of his latest album said to be loaded with political messages.

Sulumani attended the Zanu PF campaign rally addressed by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko in Bikita last week. The rally was held to drum up support for Zanu PF candidate Beauty Chabaya who eventually won the Bikita West by-election by a wide margin, albeit under controversial circumstances.

It is believed Sulumani belted it out at the Zanu PF rally to atone for the controversy he created through his album. In the album Sulu likens the situation in Zimbabwe to the suffering experienced by the Israelites in Egypt. However, the Dendera Music icon has vehemently denied he attacked Mugabe in his latest production.

“Where did you get that ? I did not attack the President. Sometimes people interpret songs in different ways. However, as I indicated why would I attack the President? People are like that,”said Sulu.

Asked why he had performed at the Zanu PF rally in the wake of the controversy surrounding his album Sulu said he would clarify the position through his publicity desk. It is believed the Dendera Maestro panicked following connotations attached to his lyrics and sought to please Mugabe by performing at the Zanu PF rally.

SOUTH African police are investigating the cold-blooded murder of Zimbabwean businessman, Jimmy Choeni, who was shot by two unidentified gunmen at his base in Musina on Monday night.

Choeni, who owned a private security company, was allegedly shot three times in the back by the assailants, and died on the spot, while his unidentified female companion walked away unscathed.

Ray Nkosi | Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairperson Rita Marau, says her commission never promised to use any electronic means of voting for the 2018 elections.

Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Makarau said the biometric system will only be used in voter registration and not in the actual voting.

The surprise new development from the elections commission will likely cause more confusion to the electorate and opposition parties who have been preparing for an electronic system of vetting voters in the elections to avoid multiple voting which has dented previous elections in the country.

Makarau said that the biometric system will only be confined to the registration process leaving the actual voting system as was in the much disputed 2013 election. She said that the new technology will only be used to compile a new voters roll which will eliminate ghost voters that have been hinted in previous election.

“Only living people will be in the voters roll as no dead person will ever be able to walk to register in the voters roll,” she said.

Makarau warned that people who will not register in the new biometric based voters roll will not be allowed to vote in 2018.

According to Makarau ZEC has not yet awarded the tender to supply the equipment and method to be used in the registration process. She said that her commission is still waiting on potential tenders to complete the process which should be ready by March for voters to start registering.

“We will have a trial run in February before opening up for the registration process in March,” she said.

Terrence Mawawa, Chivhu| The husband of a police officer based at Sadza Growth Point stole a laptop from a house at the local police camp and hid the gadget in the refrigerator.

A woman who stays at Sadza Police Camp Revai Gumbo, left her house for a few minutes to pick her child from the neighbourhood. When she returned she was shocked to notice the door at her room had been opened and an HP255 Laptop had been stolen.

She immediately made a report at the camp. The police began to search the houses at the camp.

They then approached Sindiso Ncube’s house and knocked at the door but he did not respond. Ncube is married to a police officer.

Police officers then advised Ncube who was hiding behind a bed they were looking for a stolen laptop.

The police officers then forcibly entered the room and found the laptop hidden in the refrigerator.

“Constable Muchato and Sergeant Chikwema searched the house and a jittery Ncube was found in possession of the laptop (in the fridge),”the court heard.

The matter was heard before Chivhu Residential Magistrate Story Rushambwa last week.

Magistrate Rushambwa said Ncube had embarrassed his wife by stealing the laptop.

Ncube was sentenced to 18 months in prison and 12 months were suspended for five years.

The stolen laptop is valued at $300.

A GOOD Samaritan has lost a vehicle worth about R200 000 to a man who had volunteered to clean it.

Zibusiso Ndlovu (22) of Emganwini suburb in Bulawayo allegedly approached Mr Ian Mpofu, a cross border driver and told him that he did not have a place to stay as he had been kicked out of his parents’ house.

Mr Mpofu of Mzilikazi suburb — whose employers are in South Africa — decided to employ Ndlovu as a conductor but is now regretting his decision after he lost the vehicle.
He said Ndlovu disappeared with the Toyota Quantum registration number CD49DM GP on Monday last week at around 2PM.

Mr Mpofu said the vehicle was worth R200 000 and belonged to his South African employers.

“Through pity and trust, I recruited Ndlovu as my conductor. I took him into my home after he told me he didn’t have a place to live as he had been kicked out of his parents’ home in Emganwini suburb,” he said.

“We had travelled together on two trips and he seemed like a quiet, trustworthy young man.”
Mr Mpofu said they arrived home on Monday morning from South Africa intending to go back the following day.

“When I woke up to clean the car in the afternoon, he offered to clean it. I took a bath and dozed off on the sofa only to be awakened by my nephews who had come from school. That is when I noticed that the car was not there.

“I phoned him and he said he had gone to pick-up some customers in the Western suburbs. I asked him why he had done that because he doesn’t even have a licence and we were not returning (to SA) that day. He said he was returning immediately, but until today I have not seen him,” he said.

Mr Mpofu said Ndlovu never returned and his phone went off at midnight and has not been reachable up to now.

National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said investigations were underway.

“A commuter omnibus conductor stole a Toyota Quantum after the driver of the vehicle gave him car keys so that he could clean it. The driver retired to bed and the accused drove the vehicle to an unknown destination.

“The complainant reported the case to police and investigations are in progress,” she said.
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said police were urging motor vehicle owners to be wary of persons they entrust with their car keys as unscrupulous people may end up stealing their vehicles. – state media

ZANU-PF Matabeleland South chairman Rabelani Choeni, who was involved in an accident early this month, has fully recovered and is expected to resume party duties after his review next week.

Choeni and four others were involved in an accident along the Beitbridge–Bulawayo road near West Nicholson when his vehicle burst a rear tyre and overturned.

He and a pregnant passenger were admitted at Gwanda District Hospital; him for five days and the woman for six days. Two other passengers were treated and discharged.

In an interview, Choeni said he had fully recovered and was waiting to go for his review next week.

“I am now feeling fine. I feel I have recovered but will go for my review end of this month to ascertain my recovery. I have not yet resumed duty but after the review, I will go back to official party business,” he said.

“However, party business should go on. It should not stop because I am not there or dead. Preparations for the 21st Movement, I gather, are going on well. Although I have not been attending the meetings, I will be briefed on the progress but from what I hear all is going on smoothly.”

Choeni said his vehicle veered off the road and overturned.

The accident happened at Johnsley Resettlement area just before West Nicholson when he was on his way to Matopos National Park to identify the site for hosting the 21st February Movement Celebrations next month.

The party has started fundraising for the event following the setting up of 10 committees to spearhead preparations.- State Media

Government has declared Harare roads a state of disaster and has moved in to assist the city to rehabilitate the “untrafficable’’ roads some of which are contributing to major accidents.

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development yesterday deployed a team to start work on Seke Road, while Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere said Government would engage companies to carry out road maintenance around the city.

Incessant rains have worsened the condition of most roads.

Minister Kasukuwere and Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joram Gumbo, Acting mayor Clr Herbert Gomba, town clerk Mrs Josephine Ncube and other city officials toured some of the potholed roads in Harare and inspected workers patching potholes along Seke Road.

Minister Kasukuwere said Government would use its existing contractors and engage other companies to speed up repairs of Harare roads.

“We will certainly write to the Office of President and Cabinet and waiver some of the requirements because we have a state of disaster,” said Ministe Kasukuwere.

“We have not had sufficient funding in the City of Harare to look after the road infrastructure. We actually have a state of disaster. We have to mobilise as much resources as possible and I am happy the Minister of Transport has come to give us that support for us to be able to repair and also maintain most of our roads.”

He said allowing the current state of roads to continue as it is for the next two to three weeks, the city might not have any road to talk about in Harare.

“As it stands, we are now even affecting the foundation of the roads because the tar is gone,” he said.

“I think the point the Minister (Minister Gumbo) has made is that Harare is not the Vatican. Harare is not on its own. We are together City of Harare and Government because Harare is the capital city.”

Minister Kasukuwere said Harare could not be left to a few individuals as more than 60 percent of the 5 000 kilometres of the road was impassable.

He said the rains had hit the city hard compared to many other years because of lack of general maintenance that is required.

“The City of Harare cannot cope. Clearly what you can see is that they have failed on their own to look after this situation hence we had to ask the parent Ministry of Transport to assist us in maintaining the roads,” he said.

He said he was happy that Minister Gumbo had already deployed teams from ministry and City of Harare to work together on the project.

Minister Gumbo said most of the country’s roads were in a deplorable state and required urgent attention.

“We are here to complement the City of Harare. We know that the funds they get from the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) are not enough for them to maintain the roads as it were, so we are here and we promise we are going to do the best we can,” said Minister Gumbo.

“We are also aware that some of the roads belong to us, those ones we call the through roads which pass through City of Harare and we cannot leave that responsibility to the city.

“It is important and critical that we work together with City of Harare and make sure that our people in the capital city find themselves using good roads. Harare is our capital city. We must make it. We can include other service providers to make sure we arrest the situation.”

Minister Gumbo said most of the country’s roads required urgent attention hence he had met all the road authorities around the country.

“They are also busy doing that (rehabilitating roads) but as you can see the concentration of people and cars in Harare is far bigger than what you meet outside but already there is a machinery going on throughout the country,” he said.

“We have already asked the Ministry of Finance to allow us to use some of the money we call road access funds to rehabilitate the Harare- Beitbridge -Victoria Falls Road, Beitbridge Chirundu Road and all those other roads you are talking about. Our last meeting was in Bulawayo over the weekend.”

Acting Mayor Gomba said he was happy Government has come to work with council in maintaining and repairing roads. – State Media

PROSECUTORS yesterday withdrew before plea charges of criminal insult against Zanu-PF legislator for Gokwe-Nembudziya Justice Mayor Wadyajena, an Emmerson Mnangagwa ally. 

The withdrawal, which was opposed by the defence, came after the complainant Letina Munamato Undenge, who is Energy and Power Development Minister Samuel Undenge’s wife, filed an affidavit saying she was no longer interested in pursuing the case.

“The State wishes to withdraw charges before plea as the complainant has filed a withdrawal affidavit. The State will stick to that since the accused had not been formally charged,” said prosecutor Mr Takunda Ndovorwi in court.

The complainant, who last month also skipped court when trial was supposed to kick off, didn’t give reasons why she was no longer interested in pursuing the matter.

Wadyajena (35), hadn’t been asked to plead to the charge.

In response, Wadyajena’s lawyer Mr Givemore Muvhiringi of Dube and Company challenged the withdrawal before plea saying it gives the state an unfair advantage over the legislator as charges can be revived later.

“The accused feels prejudiced by attending this court so many times after the state elected to charge him. This is clearly in violation of his right and he feels he should have been afforded time to clear his name,” said Mr Muvhiringi.

The defence wanted charges to be withdrawn after plea.

“It is proper that if the State is to withdraw charges, the withdrawal has to be after plea since the accused has already filed his defence outline,” said Mr Muvhiringi.

He cited Section 56 of the Constitution which provides for the right to protection of the law and Section 44 which speaks of the court’s obligation to implement constitutional provisions.

Victoria Falls resident magistrate Ms Lindiwe Maphosa accepted the withdrawal before plea, saying the fact that a defence outline had been filed made no difference.

The legislator was on $800 bail while the court had allowed him to apply for the release of his passport for convenience whenever he intended to travel on Parliament business.

Last year, Cde Wadyajena abandoned his application to the Constitutional Court challenging the constitutionality of the charges, opting to stand trial.

He was accused of committing the crime in December 2015 during Zanu-PF’s 15th Annual People’s Conference in Victoria Falls.

Another Zanu-PF member and the MP for  Mashonaland West, Cde Jimayi Muduvuri, he was also alleged to have insulted also withdrew the charges claiming the move was meant to foster unity in the revolutionary party.

Allegations were that on December 11, 2015, Cde Wadyajena saw Cde Muduvuri travelling to Elephant Hills Resort along Park Way road in his Mercedes Benz ML320, which had pictures of the First Lady Cde Grace Mugabe with the words “Munhu wese kuna Amai” (Everyone should rally behind the First Lady) inscribed below the images.

Wadyajena, who was standing beside his car, is alleged to have shouted: “Iwe Jimayi uri mboko . . . Unongoti munhu wese kuna Amai sei. Get away,” loosely translated, “Jimayi you’re an idiot, why do you say everyone should rally behind the First Lady? Get away.”

Prosecutors allege that the following day while at Elephant Hills Resort reception area, he allegedly insulted Undenge.

Some words allegedly uttered by Wadyajena were allegedly unprintable. – State Media

A MAN from Mwenezi was severely injured on his right leg when a crocodile attacked him during a fishing expedition.

Mr Munei Hofisi (47) of Munhundugwe Village under Chief Mawarire is battling for his life at Matibi Rural Hospital after being attacked by the crocodile while fishing in Pambe Dam in Mwenezi.

Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula said the incident occurred on Saturday at around 3PM when Mr Hofisi was fishing using nets.

“Mr Hofisi survived the attack but had his right leg badly injured. He was rushed to Matibi Rural Hospital for treatment where his condition is said to be critical,” said Insp Mazula.

She appealed to members of the public not to fish in crocodile infested water bodies as this leads to loss of precious lives.

According to a relative, Mr Albert Hofisi (34), Munei left home with his brother at around 2PM intending to catch fish using nets and was attacked from behind while fishing.

“Mr Hofisi left home at around 2 PM for Pambe Dam for a fishing expedition. While at the dam setting nets at around 3 PM, he was attacked by a crocodile from behind and sustained serious injuries on his right leg,” he said.

“His leg looked like it had been chopped by a machete.”

Other fishermen administered first aid on Mr Hofisi and bandaged the leg before he was rushed to hospital.- State Media

A 27-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo woman was kidnapped and held captive for seven days by her ex-boyfriend who repeatedly raped her during that period.

Kudakwashe Antony Mapwevo (27) of New Lobengula suburb appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube charged with four counts of malicious damage to property, assault, rape and unlawful detention.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded to January 27 for trial.

Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza said Mapwevo allegedly sent a message to the complainant, whose name has been withheld for ethical reasons, via her grandmother, asking to meet her.

“On January 11, this year at around 9AM, the complainant was phoned by her grandmother to the effect that the accused person was looking for her.

“She proceeded to the accused person’s home, where she found him standing outside with his brother,” said Mr Mageza.

The court heard that Mapwevo became violent in the middle of the ex-lovers’ meeting, allegedly angry that she was late.

He allegedly grabbed her phone and smashed it against a wall before forcing her into the house.

“He force-marched her into the house where he held her hostage until January 19, depriving her of her right to freedom of movement,” said the prosecutor.

Mr Mageza said Mapwevo raped the complainant several times after forcing her into the house.

“The accused person had sexual intercourse with the complainant from January 12 to January 19 without her consent,” he said. – State Media

A 20-YEAR-OLD woman from Bulawayo yesterday dragged her father to court seeking $90 for school fees.

Ms Nolic Gumpo of Pumula South suburb told a court that she wanted her father Dumisani Ncube to assist her achieve her dreams.

Ms Gumpo said she failed to obtain her Ordinary Level results at her previous school as they were withheld because she lost three text books.

She said her father refused to give her money to buy the text books.

“I am a former student at Mpopoma High School and l lost three text books. My teacher informed me that l passed four subjects but when l approached my father he refused to buy text books in order for me to collect my results,” Ms Gumpo said.

She said she has decided to repeat her O-Levels and has secured a place at Mcumbatha Secondary School in Nkulumane suburb.

“Your Worship, my father refused to give me money to buy text books and collect my results. I’ve since secured a place at Mcumbatha Secondary School to repeat my Form 4. I need $45 for school fees and $45 for food, transport and clothes”.

In response, Ncube said his daughter was a stupid child because she had dragged him to court.

“She is stupid! I wasted my time coming to this court. I paid for her school fees last time but she did not bring her results. Instead of showing me her results she told me stories of text books,” he said.

Bulawayo Magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya ordered Ncube to give her child the money to buy text books and postponed the matter to February 10. – State Media

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has made a surprise turn around announcing that there will be no biometric voting. Among the companies that made a bid to provide biometric equipment was the discredited NIKUV, raising fears among Zimbabweans of another rigged election.

However, the state media reports that there will be no biometric or any electronic voting in next year’s harmonised elections as the new technology that the Zimbabwe Electrical Commission is set to acquire will only be confined to voter registration.Although the voting system remains the same, those who fail to register afresh using the biometric technology would not be eligible to vote. The biometric voter registration, which is expected to start in March, would capture biometrics such as a person’s unique physical traits and finger prints among other things.

These features can be detected and recorded by an electronic device as a means of confirming identity. Zec chairperson Justice Rita Makarau told The Herald yesterday that nothing, in terms of voting, would change.

“The biometric technology is for voter registration only,” she said. “It’s not biometric or electronic voting. The technology is going to assist us to compile a bit more accurate voters’ roll. When it comes to voting. we use our usual process like the one we used in the recent Bikita West by election.”

Justice Makarau said at least 12 companies had submitted bids to supply the biometric voter registration kits. She said all the bids were being evaluated with a view to come up with the final three.

“We will invite the last three to bring their kits for demonstration before we settle for the final supplier,” she said. “We expect to do the demonstrations in early February after which the final supplier would be announced.”

Among other things, Zec would also embark on massive voter education campaigns likely to start during the first quarter of this year. Justice Makarau was optimistic that everything would be in place before the elections.

Recently, Justice Makarau said the new biometric voters’ roll would contain the so-called ghost voters.

“Because we are capturing people’s biometrics, the dead will not be on the voters’ roll because they won’t be able to present their biometrics,” Justice Makarau said.

“Only the living with fingerprints and their faces will be able to present themselves. To that extent, our voters’ roll is going to be very accurate. The biometric voter registration kits are coming with a software that detects multiple or double registrations. Your face and fingerprints would help us to weed out all those who try to register twice.”

Justice Makarau went on: “Because human beings are prone to die anytime, some of those registered may die before voting day and we may have a few of those remaining on the voters’ roll. Do not come to us and say so and so died two days ago and is still on the voters’ roll.”

The biometric voters’ roll would be polling station-based, meaning that the name of a voter will only appear at a particular polling station.

Justice Makarau allayed fears that capturing a person’s biometrics would intimidate the voter saying biometric voter registration was “a voter registration technology which had nothing to do with what will happen on the voting day.”

The electoral body is engaging political parties at regular intervals and had since agreed to form nine sub-committees that would assist it to prepare for the polls. – State Media

The Zimbabwean government has castigated South African Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema for his recent utterances calling President Robert Mugabe to step down.

Malema also labelled Zanu PF members as cowards who are afraid of telling the president to step down.

In a statement to the state media, the Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr Chris Mushohwe, said Zimbabweans view Malema as a loud-mouthed “Gucci”revolutionary who acquired the infamy of deserting and betraying politics of liberation as espoused by the ANC.

“We pity and dismiss him as an ignorant youth, ‘rema’in Shona, one abortively trying to punch above his life long weight. Simply, he is nothing more than a shrunken, talkative joke. And in typical fashion of political charlatans, he seeks to make up for his inner political deficiencies by projecting himself as a trans-border and continental politician who fancies himself big and cute enough to pass comment and judgement on developments elsewhere on the continent,”said Dr Mushohwe.

Dr Mushohwe added:  “What makes Malema’s statements irritatingly despicable is an informing presumption that in spite of his threadbare, prodigal political career, he visualised himself as important enough to comment and pass judgement on the leadership credentials and political career of so iconic a figure as President Mugabe.”

He said Malema’s inspiration lies elsewhere, and no amount of taping from the proud record of Zanu PF and Zimbabweans, or of invoking the name of  Zimbabwean leader and President, will grant him even a patina of respectability, whether at home, on the continent or abroad.

Other Zanu PF members also lashed out at Malema, describing him as a shallow minded politician, who is too young to lecture on Zimbabwe and President Mugabe.

“A drunkard and shallow minded political prostitute like Julius Malema has no authority to lecture on patriotic Zimbabweans to turn against their constitutionally elected president,” the Zanu PF youth leader, Kudzai Chipanga.

Businessman and politician, Jimaya Muduvuri scoffed at Malema’s utterances, saying the wanton attacks clearly highlight the political immaturity of Malema.

“He has also demonstrated to be an accomplished sellout and a rebel, whose hidden agenda towards the African icon is bound to backfire on him,” he said.

Zanu PF legislator for Highfield West, Psychology Maziwisa said Malema is a nonentity in Zimbabwe and African politics whose anti-Mugabe antics are just nonsensical and will come to naughty.

Other observers described Malema’s sudden attack on President Mugabe as coming from a political opportunist and renegade whose premature political utterances should be dismissed with the contempt they deserves. – State Media

As South descends into elections northern neighbors Zimbabwe have taken center stage as all political parties make mention of it at every opportune time.

The latest, EFF leader Julius Malema, described Zimbabweans as cowards for failing to dislodge 93-year old ruler Mugabe.

Malema said, “The situation in Zimbabwe is bad . . . I know that people from Zimbabwe will respond with insults but people in Zanu-PF are cowards. How can you fail to say to Mugabe, with all due respect, please step aside because currently what Zanu-PF is doing is it is burdening Mugabe.”

He went on to give the example of “Commandant Fidel Castro” who when he reached the advanced age passed the baton stick to his brother Raul.

South Africa heads for polls in 2019, but critically the ruling party ANC has its elective congress at the end of the year which will see six candidates battle it for the top post which is a straight jacket to country presidency.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba of ANC, was the first to make the mark with Zimbabwean in political politics when he said Zimbabweans with Special Permits must seek other options if they wish to continue to stay in the rainbow nation.

Not to be outdone, Johannesburg Herman Mashaba of DA launched a veiled attack on Zimbabweans when he said all illegal foreigners are criminals, and must leave his city.

Political analysts opine that sending foreigners out of South Africa will appease locals who claim they are taking their jobs.

Zimbabweans total an estimated 4million in South Africa, though the only less than a quarter are documented. – Agencies

Luke Tamborinyoka | President Morgan Tsvangirai today met opinion leaders in Binga, Matabeleland North province where the community here expressed concern over their underdeveloped area, among other concerns.

They gave thumbs up to the proposed alliance of opposition parties, expressing hope that the new government will deal with the interests and concerns of ethnic minorities such as the Tonga people.

They had grievances over the lack of proper schools and hospitals, blaming Mugabe and Zanu PF of pursuing exclusive policies that sidelined other people and groups.

The community leaders had issues with the stringent fishery regulations that failed to take into account the fact that their lives revolve around fishing in the Zambezi.They said they had hope in the 2018 election and that the coalition of opposition parties would overthrow the Zanu PF culture of exclusion.

President Tsvangirai assured the Tonga community that the new government would take seriously their concerns and usher in a new governance culture in full compliance with the Constitution.

President Tsvangirai is on a tour of all the country’s provinces, listening to the concerns of the people and allowing them to input into the sculpting of the governance architecture of the new government of 2018.

The Tonga community welcomed the alliance of opposition parties and the creation of a common front in 2018, saying it gave them hope that this time around, Zanu PF would be consigned to the dustbins of history.

In the next two days, President Tsvangirai will engage opinion and party leaders in Lupane and Hwange.

Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications

Businessman Simon Rudland has approached the High Court demanding over $30 000 in adultery damages from Timothy Tombras — a man he accuses of dating his wife, Leigh Anne.

According to court papers, the ex-transport and bus tycoon alleges that Tombras was in an adulterous relationship with his wife between 2013 and 2014.

“As a consequence of the adulterous relationship, plaintiff (Rudland)’s relationship with his wife broke down resulting in among other things, plaintiff having to vacate his matrimonial home,” he said.

Rudland added that “as a result of the adulterous relationship, plaintiff has suffered damages in the amount of $20 000, being $15 000 for contumelia, and further $5 000 for loss of comfort and society of his wife”.

He said soon after he left his matrimonial home, Tombras moved in and continued having an affair with his wife.

“For the period that the defendant (Tombras) remained in occupation of the plaintiff’s residence, he used and abused plaintiff’s motor vehicle, a Toyota Hilux double cab,” Rudland claimed in the court papers, further claiming that Tombras used the car without his knowledge and consent.

He further accused Tombras of abusing the motor vehicle and damaging it in the process, resulting in him requiring $7 551 to repair it.

“During the time that the defendant took occupation at his residence, he took away without plaintiff’s knowledge and consent two submersible pumps from plaintiff’s purification plant. The reasonable replacement cost of each pump is in the amount of $1 050.”

The businessman said Tombras is liable to the replacement of the pump at a price of $2 100 and the repair of the water purification plant, which costs $3 025.

He further accused his wife’s boyfriend of taking away his television set and 6 000 litres of diesel.

“Despite lawful demand, defendant has refused and or neglected to pay the various amounts claimed…or indeed to indicate a willingness to make good the damages,” Rudland said.

Tombras has not yet fully responded to the claim, but has since filed an appearance to defend in the matter, yet to be heard on merits before the High Court.

Last week, the defendant all but admitted — in a separate case at the magistrates’ courts — that he was indeed in an unholy relationship with Rudland’s wife, which could swing the flurry of litigations into the cigarette trader’s favour.

“Accused will State that he is a drug and alcohol abuse rehabilitation counsellor by profession and that is how he became acquainted with the complainant’s wife Leigh Anne Rudland,” Tombras told magistrate Blessing Murwisi in the underway criminal case.

“When the complainant and his wife separated and at the inception of the divorce proceedings, that is when he began counselling her as she had alcohol abuse issues,” he said, adding he had “rendered his services at the specific request and instance of Rudland’s wife, and mother-in-law”. – Daily News

STOP THE EVICTIONS: HIGH COURT OF ZIMBABWE ORDERS CITY OF HARARE AND ZRP.

Staff Reporter| Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere and Police boss Augustine Chihuri were this afternoon slapped into line by a top judge.

The High Court of Zimbabwe’s Justice Mangota issued an interdict banning the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Harare City Council from evicting vendors operating within the Central Business District of Harare pending the determination of Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET)’s urgent High Court application against the evictions.

The next hearing will be on Tuesday, the 31st of January 2017.

The case was heard this afternoon before Justice Mangota in the Judge’s Chambers. Respondents in the case were The City of Harare, The Ministry of Local Government and The Commissioner General of the Police Augustine Chihuri. – ZimEye

Ray Nkosi | The exclusive picture sent to ZimEye by sources is proof of how Zanu PF used the military in its election logistics during the Bikita-West election. ALSO READ – We were forced to vote ZANU PF. 

Namhla Ntandwa | Higher Education Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo has rubbished Julius Malema’s much publicised attack against President Robert Mugabe.

In a video that has gone viral on social media, said Mugabe’s continued stay in power was not good for Zimbabwe, Sadc and “the African revolution project”.

Said Malema in a passionate plea for Mugabe to step down; “Zimbabwe’s situation is bad. President Mugabe can’t even control a spade. He is no longer capable of discharging his responsibilities.”

“We don’t hate the man. They can respond and insult us anyhow they want, but they are a group of cowards, those comrades in Zanu PF, to be scared to say to an old man like President Mugabe, please, with due respect, let go.”

Moyo took to twitter to downplay Malema’s comments; “I think Malema will always be Malema while everything else is obladi oblada as life goes on!”

It would appear as though the Israeli Security Company, Nikuv International Projects is one of the twelve bidders that have answered the call by ZEC to supply the electoral commission with Biometric Registration Kits and Software.

Before end of year last year, the Electoral commission advertised a tender that welcomed willing local and international tech savvy companies with the capacity to supply biometric voter registration kits. Apparently ZEC opened the bids in the presence of selected few stakeholders of the economy excluding the fourth arm of the state, the watchdog of the state,the media. Which has been an eyebrow raiser.

All that is known from a reliable source who attended the opening of the tender by ZEC, is that twelve companies submitted their bids and one of them is Nikuv. It is said that worry registered on the faces of those in attendance at the possibility of Nikuv being the victor for the tender that was up for grabs.

We are well aware of the bad history that Zimbabwe has with Nikuv with regards to elections during the last election that Zimbabwe had. In 2013 this security firm was accused of facilitating a fraudulent election, in fact it was fingered as having aided in the results that were greatly disputed by opposition party MDC then.

Out of the twelve companies it is has been availed that they submitted tenders whose value ranges from between $3,7 million and $10,7 million. ZEC is quoted to have submitted that it will look for the cheapest and best qualified company to best provide the kits.

There shall be the shortlisting of the companies and the three shortlisted are expected to carry out a pilot scheme between the 8^th and 9^th of February this year. This pilot scheme shall make use of school going children below the legal age of majority, which is 18 years. This is so as to demystify the notion that voters names will be registered in the voters roll to be used in the anticipated 2018 election.

ZEC has long since confirmed that the registration process to vote shall begin in May and should be complete after eight months thereafter. It is anticipated that 1500 kits will be used for voter registration at 10 000 polling stations across Zimbabwe and ZEC officials will be positioned at each polling centre for 15 days.

Each polling station shall be endowed with a finger print scanner, kit box , camera and solar kit whilst a printer, ID scanner , barcode scanner, document and signature pad are optional.

Other jurisdictions that have engaged the services of Nikuv International  Projects especially for elections include Botswana, particularly the Botswana Democratic Party in the 2014 election. And of course not forgetting the controversial elections in Zambia in 1996 where its services were engaged to manage and computerise voter registration by the Movement for Multiparty Democracy party( MMD). So it wll most probably be the first time they actually provide BVR kits.

Among other services that the firm offers , Nikuv provides package solution, knowledge and expert skills that any government may require to leverage advanced technologies in the areas of administration ,security,civil planning and infrastructure development as per nikuv website. Open Parl

Harare – Zimbabwe’s education minister says “sport and mass display” will now be a compulsory school subject up to age 16 – and students will be examined in it.

The proposal, contained in an article in the state media has provoked outrage online, as well as comparisons with North Korea’s mass indoctrination strategies.

In fact, “physical education, sport and mass display” gets more importance in Zimbabwe’s new school curriculum than computer science does. Computer science is on the list of optional O-level subjects that students can choose from, along with history, geography, chemistry and biology. But PE, sports and mass display and heritage studies will now be compulsory for all students, whatever their abilities in the subject areas.

Unpopular education minister Lazarus Dokora told the Sunday Mail: “We are now encouraging our students to take sports, arts, ICT seriously so as to apply whatever they learn to real-life terms.”

Not everyone is convinced, especially with elections 18 months or so away.

“Sounds like a way of trying to teach our kids Zanu-PF pungwe songs,” tweeted prominent journalist @zenzele. A pungwe is a political meeting often held in the community at night, sometimes to politically “re-educate” community members.

“The method behind [Minister] Dokora’s Mass Display madness is born from Chinese/North Korean mass indoctrination strategies,” tweeted @BusieBhebhe. North Korea holds a “mass games” display of dance and gymnastic every year with up to 100 000 participants in what is reported by the BBC to be a “state propaganda extravanganza”.

At the weekend Mugabe’s ruling party won a by-election in Bikita West, southern Zimbabwe, after a run-up in which there were some complaints of violence, intimidation and vote-buying. – News24

The Emmerson Mnangagwa controlled state media makes unconfirmed reports that MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been stopped by party structures from forming a broader coalition with other opposition groups, which include former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s Zim People First.

Quoting sources who are not named, the reports claim that Tsvangirai made proposals that would have relegated Ms Thokozani Khupe from her current position as deputy president.

“He (Mr Tsvangirai) comes face to face with reality in Gwanda where people told him point blank that we have been in the struggle alone for a long time and why should we accommodate late comers now,” said the unnamed source.

Another source added: “This coalition is just useless and why should we be used as a springboard by Mujuru who is testing opposition politics for the first time? Our resolve was emboldened by the fighting spirit that was showed by our structures in Gwanda. I think it is an issue that the national council is going revisit.”

The state media reports run contrary to Tsvangirai’s own spirited announcements last December, after a meeting of the supreme decision-making body the National Council, where he said he was ‘heartened’ by events in Ghana and Gambia where the opposition won resoundingly against the ruling parties. Tsvangirai’s new optimism was derived from the Ghana and Gambia experiences, that they can be repeated in Zimbabwe, rushing to quickly make another commitment to participate in the 2018 elections.

“We are heartened by the developments in Africa, where credible elections are taking place and where sitting parties and governments are conceding defeat. Ghana and the Gambia are such examples, even though Gambia’s Yahya Jammeh is now singing a different tune after initially conceding defeat,” said Tsvangirai who later attended the inauguration ceremony in Ghana.

TWO Pakistani nationals, who allegedly assaulted and threatened to kill their compatriot’s family, yesterday appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court charged with assault and threats to commit murder.

Ibrah Ijaz (31) and Sajid Irfan (37), appeared before magistrate Sekai Chiundura and were remanded to February 23 on $50 bail each.

Zaheer is said to be a former business partner of the two suspect’s father, Mohammad Asghar Ali (56), who is also an alleged accomplice in this matter and is said to be at large.

It is the State’s allegations that on January 14 this year, Zaheer was at his shop along Kaguvi Street with his shop assistant, Nyasha Takura, when they were approached by Ijaz and Irfan, who went on to ask about the whereabouts of Mohammad Waheed.

The State alleges Zaheer did not respond kindly to the inquiry telling the suspects to contact Waheed on his mobile phone, as he had already given them his contact details.

This did not go down well with the trio, who allegedly then assaulted Zaheer with fists and some vehicle spare parts, which were in the shop.

It is the State’s case that the suspects then threatened to kill Zaheer’s parents and relatives based in Pakistan and also threatened to kill him.

As a result of the threats, the State alleges, the trio instilled in the complainant reasonable fear that they were going to kill him and his relatives, prompting him to report the matter to the police.

Zaheer, who was represented by Roy Mabhena, also appeared in another court on allegations of assaulting Ijaz and Irfan and was granted $50 bail. He was also remanded to February 23 for trial.

Desire Chidanire appeared for the State. – Newsday

FIREBRAND South African opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, yesterday blasted President Robert Mugabe, saying his continued stay in power was not good for Zimbabwe, Sadc and “the African revolution project”.

Malema, who is often described as an ideologue taking after Mugabe, told journalists in Braamfontein, South Africa, that what was happening in Zimbabwe was bad and chided Zanu PF members for being cowards in failing to tell the Zimbabwean leader to go.

“Zimbabwe’s situation is bad. President Mugabe can’t even control a spade. He is no longer capable of discharging his responsibilities,” Malema said.

“We don’t hate the man. They can respond and insult us anyhow they want, but they are a group of cowards, those comrades in Zanu PF, to be scared to say to an old man like President Mugabe, please, with due respect, let go.”

Malema said the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro was wise enough to let go when he realised that his strength was letting him down.

“Commandant, Fidel Castro, when he realised that it was no longer doable, he let go, so President Mugabe should let go, the legacy of the land question will carry it. We are following in his footsteps, we are proud of the actions he has taken, but his overstay is not doing justice on the African revolution project, he is destroying his own legacy, it’s bad,” he said.

Malema said Mugabe should celebrate that he was not a South African president, as he would have been removed a long time ago.

Mugabe has been in power since Zimbabwe’s independence from British colonial rule in 1980. Turning 93 next month, Mugabe has already been nominated as the Zanu PF presidential candidate for next year’s general elections, with his diehard party supporters vowing to have him as their leader as long as he is still alive, something Malema took exception to.

“President Mugabe’s stay in power and him being a presidential candidate in 2018, those comrades in Zanu PF can insult us anyhow they want, we are not going to be good friends if we are not going to tell them that which they are doing (sic) is not good for the Zimbabwean people, is not good for Sadc, is not good for the struggle of reclaiming the land in Africa, because those who are leading that struggle then they overstay and destroy that legitimate programme,” he said.

“We say this out of love, not because we hate him. We celebrate Mugabe, we celebrate what he has done. But, grandpa, it’s enough.

“Now you must let go and allow other people to continue with that legacy.”

Malema said there many young radical and capable people who could lead Zanu PF and continue with the revolutionary mantle.

Contacted for comment over Malema’s remarks, Zanu PF youth league leader Kudzai Chipanga said: “Malema is a double coward. The fact that he left a revolutionary party, the ANC, to form that burial society (EFF), which is more like a drunkards’ club, he is a good candidate for being a coward. From his revolutionary background, he knows that when we chose leaders, we chose revolutionaries.

“You cannot talk of revolutions leaving out the names of Mugabe, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Reginald Tambo, Joshua Nkomo and Kwame Nkrumah, just to mention a few. The fact that our own hero is still alive, why does he want us to ditch him and opt for second-hand characters?

“He can import the person he thinks is a competent leader to join his EFF club, it’s high time Malema minded his own business and stopped interfering in ours.

“Since he left the ANC, he has never received a call from us. We also don’t expect him to come to us, our former colleague can certainly go to hell and hang.”

Leading figures in Zanu PF are locked in a bitter tussle for power as they look beyond Mugabe, but continue to sing the nonagenarian’s praises, even as it becomes apparent that nature is taking its toll on the Zimbabwean leader, who turns 93 next month.

Malema also blasted opposition MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai and his party, describing the former Prime Minister as an “imperialist puppet that seeks to undermine the legitimate land question in Zimbabwe”.

“We are not even talking about MDC. MDC is not an alternative in Zim. It’s [an] imperialist puppet that seeks to undermine the legitimate land question in Zimbabwe,” he continued.

“We are not aligned to anything that seeks to reverse the land question and we genuinely believe that comrades in Zanu PF, who are young, can continue.” — eNCA/Staff Reporter

 Terrence Mawawa Masvingo | Soccer fans here have been left in utter disappointment after Local Government Minister, Saviour Kasukuwere blocked Masvingo City Council from funding a local football team the Masvingo City FC.

Soccer fans here were hoping Masvingo City FC, wholly funded by the city council, would win promotion in the top flight. However Kasukuwere issued a directive to the local authority -blocking the lucrative sponsorship deal in the process. Sources at the Civic Centre, the council headquarters told ZimEye.com at the weekend that Kasukuwere was afraid the MDC -T dominated local authority would gain political mileage through funding the football team.

Kasukuwere did to state the reason for blocking the funding deal. “It is a political war, Kasukuwere has blocked the funding deal because he is afraid the MDC-T dominate council would score political points ahead of the 2018 polls “claimed the source. Asked for a comment on the matter Masvingo Mayor, Councillor Hubert Fidze was evasive.

“It is true the sponsorship deal for Masvingo City FC was agreed on by the full council management but the minister had other plans so the deal collapsed.We know people are waiting for the return of Premier Soccer League football to Masvingo but sadly our plans could not materialise,”said Fidze.

Angry soccer fans described Kasukuwere as an overzealous politician desperate to please his bosses. “Kasukuwere is keen to please his bosses by thwarting a noble and sincere corporate social responsibility programme.That is the typical Zanu PF ideology.The Zanu PF politicians have an active desire to torment the people of Zimbabwe,”said Masvingo City FC supporter.

THE Zanu PF youth league has equated President Robert Mugabe to Jesus Christ, saying his birthday should be celebrated as if it is Christmas Day, because to them, the 93-year-old leader is “The Messiah”.

In an interview last week, the ruling party’s national youth leader, Kudzai Chipanga, declared that Mugabe’s birthday, which falls on February 21, should not be treated like an ordinary day, but given the same status as Christmas Day, which is celebrated annually by Christians as Jesus Christ’s birthday.

“To us, February 21 is not just a day. To us, it is a special day we treat in the same manner Christians treat December 25, the birthday of Jesus Christ. I don’t want to be blasphemous, but in my humble view, President Mugabe is second to Jesus Christ. He is our saviour, so his birthday means a lot for us the youths of Zimbabwe,” he said.

Chipanga went into overdrive, saying Mugabe, approaching 93, was also blessed with divine wisdom and was the only person capable of steering Zimbabwe from its current economic mess.

“We will not allow those plotting to take over his post, saying he is old to do so. Look, this is not an age contest that we have at hand, but dealing with wisdom, not just wisdom, divine wisdom for that matter,” he said.

However, his declarations have been met with scorn by civic society and opposition parties.

Political commentator, Blessing Vava said Chipanga’s thinking reflected the “dead end”, which Zanu PF had found itself in relying on a man, who was past the afternoon of his life.

“It has gone beyond bootlicking. It, however, shows Zanu PF has reached a dead end. They can’t even see beyond Mugabe. There is nothing divine about Mugabe and it’s actually sad that you have a young man celebrating and idolising a very old man, who is now incapacitated. Zimbabwe is bigger than Mugabe and any other individual,” he said.

MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu said Chipanga should not be taken seriously, as the 34-year-old Zanu PF youth leader was singing for his last supper.

“Chipanga is a lost cause. He is singing very loudly for his supper. Let me tell him straight in his face, that Robert Mugabe is the biggest and most lethal problem that Zimbabwe has ever faced on both the political and socio-economic fronts since the country attained independence in April 1980,” he said.

“It is not only blasphemous, but also downright daft and degrading to compare Jesus Christ with a cruel, corrupt and intolerant dictator in the mould of Robert Mugabe.”

MDC spokeperson, Kurauone Chihwayi said: “Kudzi Chipanga is a badly groomed G40 gang member growing up among merciless vultures and jackals. That is a blasphemous statement by a misguided trainee Zanu PF bully. The young man is too blunt to know, learn or see the difference between the two.” Newsday

A CATHOLIC church-run boarding school in Insiza District is failing to attract pupils as parents in surrounding areas cannot afford fees.

Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director Mrs Tumisang Thabela said Kusileni Secondary School has struggled to attract adequate numbers of pupils as parents cannot afford its fees.

She said the school was viable before independence but as Government constructed more schools in the area it has struggled to attract pupils.
Mrs Thabela said the school is remotely located but well resourced.

“The school is located too deep in the rural areas, yet it’s a boarding school. Local parents do not want a school that is expensive so that explains why it fails to attract learners.” she said.

“The school was viable before independence but after independence the Government constructed other schools in the area. That seems to be affecting it in terms of day scholar population.”

Mrs Thabela said initially they assumed that the school was experiencing a low turnout due to children failing to cross flooded rivers.

She said authorities have to find a way to ensure that the school is not closed.
“Initially they (Ministry) had assumed that pupils were not coming to school due to rains. It’s just a school not getting enough pupils. They were thinking that because of the river children might have been finding difficulties to go to the school. But the latest report says they are not having those challenges,” said Mrs Thabela. – State Media

A man who returned from jail to find his wife married to another man is demanding his wife back.

Christopher Nyoni is threatening to use violence to get his wife back.The other man, Stephen Khoza from Queens Park West suburb in Bulawayo has rushed to the courts seeking a peace order against Nyoni.

“Your Worship, I have not known peace since this man was released from prison. He hides in street corners waiting for me every morning and I fear for my life because sometimes he carries weapons,” said Khoza before Bulawayo magistrate Sheunesu Matova.

“He said he will rather kill me and go back to jail because if he can’t have his wife back he can’t watch her live with another man while he’s still alive,” added Khoza.

Nyoni was there to state his case. He simply wants his wife back.

“Your Worship, the woman is mine, this man should just leave my wife alone. The fact that I went to jail doesn’t mean that I no longer love my wife. She’s mine,” Nyoni said.

The magistrate warned Nyoni, branding him dangerous and that he should leave Khoza alone as the peace order was granted. – State Media

The Government of South Africa yesterday dismissed as false reports that they will conduct an anti- immigrants crusade, where they would carry out mass deportations of all foreigners living in that country.

Since the beginning of the year, social media has been awash with xenophobia-motivated attack messages where foreigners, including Zimbabweans living in that country would be targeted starting from yesterday.

The messages had caused a lot of anxiety and sparked fears among foreigners especially those from Sadc. In a statement yesterday, the Department of Home Affairs called for co-operation among stakeholders to ensure the safety of all citizens.

According to the department, their Cabinet has since established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration to focus on key migration issues and how they impact on the nation.

“The Department of Home Affairs distances itself from messages circulating on social media networks and Short Message Services (SMS) alleging that it has ordered immediate deportation of undocumented migrants from Monday 23 January 2017.

“We wish to inform the public that such information is false. No such statement was made or issued by the department or any official. Home Affairs acts consistently within the confines of the Constitution of the Republic and seeks at all times to uphold the rule of law. This would run contrary to the laws of our country to instruct citizens, as purported in the malicious messages, to take the law into their hands, and to close companies down without due process,” read part of the statement.
The department said they enforced immigration laws in terms of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 and regulations.

They said they had an inspectorate which ensures people in that country are correctly documented and that they stay on a lawful basis and acquire documents and status lawfully.

“It has standardised systems relating to the detection, detention and deportation of illegal foreign nationals in South Africa. The Minister of Home Affairs will soon explain in more detail the department’s approach on this important matter of immigration and asylum-seeker management.

“He will shed more light on South Africa’s implementation of systems for managing processes relating to asylum and undocumented migrants, among others,” said the department.

They advised all those resident in South Africa to ignore the false alarm, which they said was aimed at fuelling tensions south of the Limpopo River.

“It is in the best interest of the country for government and citizens to do all in their power together to work for stability and peace, while combating illegal migration and other crimes through lawful means,” read the statement.

Zimbabwe’s Consul-General to South Africa, Mr Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro advised people must not panic or speculate, but they should instead seek clarity from relevant authorities whenever they come across dubious reports.

“We want to urge Zimbabweans not to panic and to report any genuine incidents to authorities for further management and to stop speculation caused by false reports on social media,” he said.- state media

ZRP cops have admitted knocking down a woman on Saturday.

There was a gory scene with blood strewn on the tarmac on Saturday when police officers crashed into a woman while on a wild chase for a kombi.

In a statement the police spokesperson Charity Charamba confirmed the accident, but said the victim had only sustained injuries.

She vehemently denied claims of death.

“Circumstances are that the police vehicle, a Ford Fiesta, was travelling due south long Rotten Row, Harare, when the driver knocked down a pedestrian near the intersection with Jason Moyo Avenue,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

In terms of the Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2016, the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has power to suspend councillors, mayors and council chairpersons on his own, a situation which the opposition party argued to be against the spirit of the supreme law.

The opposition party argued that the new law was in disharmony with the Constitution, which provides for the setting up of an independent tribunal to decide on whether or not a councillor should be removed from office.

MDC-T last week filed an application for direct access to the Constitutional Court, arguing that the new law should be declared unconstitutional.

The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Saviour Kasukuwere, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Attorney-General Advocate Prince Machaya and the Speaker of Parliament Adv Jacob Mudenda were cited as respondents in their official capacities.

Section 278 of the Constitution provides for the promulgation of an Act of Parliament which provides a legal framework for the removal of councillors from office through a tribunal.
Section 278 reads:
“An Act of Parliament must provide for the establishment of an independent tribunal to exercise the function of removing from office mayors, chairpersons and councillors, but any such removal must only be on the grounds of,
a) Inability to perform the functions of his or her office due to mental or physical incapacity, or
b) Gross incompetence, or
c) Gross misconduct, or
d) Conviction for an offence involving dishonesty, corruption or abuse of office, or wilful violation of the law, including a local authority by-law.”
MDC-T argued that the Section 2(i) of the Act does not comply with the Constitution because it was silent on the setting up of a tribunal.

“Clearly, the Constitution says there shall be an independent tribunal to remove mayors, chairpersons and councillors, but any such removal shall be on the grounds provided,” reads the application.

“By omitting to mention the independent tribunal from the onset, the Act proceeded as if chairpersons, mayors or councillors could be removed by anybody. The Act has already lost the correct trajectory.”

The opposition party argued that Section 2(2) of the Act gives the minister power to suspend councillors, mayors and chairpersons if he or she has reasonable grounds for suspecting acts of misconduct.

“The minister is not an independent tribunal and there is no room for ministerial intervention left by the constitutional provision. This is blatantly unconstitutional. Suspension is removal, albeit temporarily,” the MDC-T said.

“It is incredible that the Act seeks to smuggle the minister into the law by merely replacing removal with suspension.”

The party also attacked Section 2(4) of the Act which gives the minister the mandate to conduct a thorough investigation whenever he suspects misconduct.

The listed respondents are yet to file their responses to the application. – state media

The Law Society of Zimbabwe has warned the public against engaging briefcase lawyers as this has resulted in some clients being duped of their hard earned money.

Corruption and other malpractices remain a challenge for the Law Society of Zimbabwe as its moves to improve the integrity of the profession.

Law Society of Zimbabwe President, Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, said the public must be wary of dubious lawyers and always seek to trace the track record of lawyers before engaging them.

Mrs Nyemba also encouraged senior legal practitioners to accommodate upcoming lawyers and mentor them into responsible members of the profession.

The law society is an important stakeholder in the justice delivery system.

The organisation has successfully managed to regulate its operations as an independent body through de-registration and suspension of corrupt lawyers. – State Media

A money hungry father-in-law took the advice of his sangoma and slept with his son’s wife hoping the taboo act would make him rich. Jonathan Mutoro of Maravanyika Village under Chief Chireya of Gokwe North is now at loggerheads with his son John Mutoro after bedding his wife Easter Shoko.

Mutoro, a father of six, was caught red handed enjoying his daughter-in-law’s forbidden fruit.

“Mutoro and Shoko were caught red-handed making love by his daughter. The daughter told her brother who is Shoko’s husband and a report was made to my traditional court,” Chief Chireya said.

Mutoro allegedly confessed that a certain traditional healer advised him to have se_x with his daughter-in-law in order for him to get rich quickly.

He admitted that he committed the offence and he also apologised to his son and to his wife. He confessed that a certain traditional healer had told him to sleep with his son’s wife if he wanted to be rich within a short space of time,” said Chief Chireys.

Shoko had been promised a piece of the riches. “She couldn’t refuse her father-in-law’s se_xual advances since she promised her a share in the event that the riches start trickling in,” said the Chief. For their illicit affair the two were ordered to pay three head of cattle.

“I ordered them to give three cows to Maravanyika Village for having sexual intercourse within a prohibited degree of relationship because in our culture it is considered a taboo,” said Cjief Chireya. – B metro

Some of the 213 new sugarcane farmers who have been ordered to move out of Tongaat Hullet estates after briefly getting offer letters are resisting eviction.

The new farmers who include several diasporans, say they had invested their life savings and were going nowhere. But their offer letters were withdrawn by the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Douglas Mombeshora and have been told to move out. They are now becoming hostile.

Sugar Production and Milling Workers Union of Zimbabwe (SPMWUZ) General Secretary Adonia Mutero confirmed the latest development. He said after the issuance of withdrawal letters some of the farmers are threatening Tongaat workers who are moving back to work.
In some places the company has actually been forced to withdraw its workers, said Mutero.

“The company had resumed operations in Section 13 of Triangle and all other sections of both Triangle and Hippo Valley. In section 13 of Triangle the farmers teamed up, came to the workers and intimidated them and the employer had no option but to withdraw them. We are still receiving reports but the situation is the same in Hippo Valley where resumption of work on the fields is being heavily resisted” said Mutero.

Tongaat Hulett resumed operations on the grabbed land after receiving the green light from Permanent Secretary of Lands and Rural Resettlement Ambassador Grace Tsitsi Mutandiro through a letter dated 28 December 2016 and directed to Sydney Mutsambiwa the managing director of the sugar giant. The letter advises Tongaat to assume complete and total control of the sugarcane plots once allocated to the farmers with effect from December 31, 2016. – Mirror

On the 17th of January 2016, Women for Women Solidarity Zimbabwe (w4w) rolled out its first activity which was in the form of a consultative platform for young women to formulate a pro women agenda in anticipation of the 2018 election.

#SheVotes2018 campaign is a non partisan that is independently coordinated by Women for Women Solidarity Zimbabwe (w4w). A brain child of some dynamic young women who came together and saw it fit to serve their generation. Including, the National Coordinator of Women for Women Solidarity Zimbabwe , Maureen Kademaunga.

The event drew about 100 women from a diverse walk of life. Namely, young women from different prominent political parties, civic society, churches and business. These women came together to discuss the challenges  that deter young women from actively participating in electoral processes.

So many challenges were brought up in the discussion which was graced by guest of honour Sally Dura from Sally’s Institute for Women. Sally reiterated that nothing for the woman without the women and that as women are 52% of the population demographic in Zimbabwe should use this to swing things in their favor as politics is a game of numbers.

Some bemoaned lack of access to public information on voter processes ie there is little voter education taking place. Fortunately, the meeting had a representative from the Electoral Reforms Commission (ERC) who adequately broke down into laymen’s terms the implications of the Biometric Registration process of voting that Zimbabwe shall embark on in a few moths time. Others spoke of the dragging of feet by the relevant authorities when it came to the implementation of electoral reforms. In addition, young women raised the possibility of electoral violence as their greatest hurdle especially for those with ambitions to run for political office in their come 2018.

Of importance was a concern they raised which against their male counterparts left them powerless. This is the lack of resources and support that they need to overcome if they are to actively and meaningfully participate in the 2018 election. They observed that in their wards their competition were men who easily provided stands,beer and other vote buying items to incumbents of that particular ward. They said as  women the picture that would be derived by you doing the same and being found in a beer-hall trying to appease the electorate had far reaching implications. Plus most women depend on their husbands for sustenance thus they have limited or no resources to spare outside their families.

It was a resounding consensus during the discussions that with no significant representation of young women in the halls of power ie in decision making structures such as Parliament and Local Government, issues peculiar to young women would always be sidelined or neglected.

The forum declared  2018 as the year that young women take charge and made history by exercising their right to participate either as candidates or as informed voters. This time women are taking seriously their responsibility to lead and indeed are eager to stand counted. By doing so they will ensure that structural , economic and political marginalization of young women in the electoral process is eradicated.

Thus, a support system like #SheVotes2018 Campaign will be working to  mobilize young female voters and supporting young female candidates in the 2018 election. A similar meeting is scheduled to take place in Bulawayo next week as the campaign is being shall be visiting all the provinces on a similar process to reach out to young women.

ZIMBABWE People First (ZimPF) leader, Joice Mujuru had a baptism of fire at the weekend when her Bikita West parliamentary candidate, Kudakwashe Gopo, was hammered by Zanu PF’s Beauty Chabaya in an election where some of her lieutenants blamed factionalism for the opposition party’s poor showing.

Zanu PF retained the Bikita West parliamentary seat with its candidate, Chabaya, polling 13 156 votes against Gopo’s paltry 2 453 votes.

The result will come at a cost to Mujuru, who had been seen as the biggest threat to President Robert Mugabe’s continued stay in office.

The defeat, which came at a time Mujuru is negotiating a possible coalition with Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC-T party, punched a big hole in her bargaining powers, as she would have wanted to use her Bikita West victory as a trump card in the coalition talks.

Leaked WhatsApp chats from senior ZimPF officials indicate that some party members were now blaming Mujuru for railroading them into the election without adequate preparations.

They also accused her of failing to rein in some of her top leaders in Masvingo, who were said to be clandestinely backing independent candidate and former Bikita West MP, Heya Shoko, thus, splitting votes.

Shoko is ZimPF Masvingo provincial secretary for education.

The chats warn of possible implosion in ZimPF in the province, with a domino effect on the party’s national structures, classifying the extent of the problems as the biggest ever to be encountered by Mugabe’s former deputy since the formation of ZimPF in 2015.

Sources told NewsDay problems started when provincial co-ordinator, Claudius Makova allegedly imposed Gopo as the ZimPF candidate for the by-election.

Makova, the source said, was banking on the support of a Zanu PF faction, Team Lacoste, loyal to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa that was unhappy with Chabaya, whom they claimed was imposed by Bikita South MP, Jeppy Jaboon, who is aligned to the rival G40 faction.

Efforts by the Masvingo ZimPF provincial executive to force Mujuru to withdraw from the by-election failed to materialise, forcing her to join in the campaign at the last minute just to save the party’s image.

This saw some party members supporting Shoko, who, however, polled a measly 76 votes.

The claims were confirmed by WhatsApp exchanges among ZimPF top officials that painted a gloomy picture of the state of affairs in the party, with some expressing dismay at the party’s chocked internal democratic system.

“Upon realising the danger and the negativity of it all, some of us took a decision to engage them, with[out] meaningful success, but failed to convince others. About two weeks later, and two days before nominations for Bikita West by-elections, Gopo was declared ZimPF candidate by Makova and endorsed by [the] main wing’s national elections committee chairman [Kudakwashe] Bhasikiti,” the leaked chats reveal.

“This angered many people, who charged that ZimPF is a Zanu PF project, whose positions are a special preserve for former Zanu PF activists. I here (sic), other than [Dzikamai] Mavhaire, Masvingo province leadership and membership in general has boycotted Bikita West campaign and totally distanced themselves from everything to do with Makova, Bhasikiti, Madzivire and Gopo.”

The chat added: “A disaster isn’t it? If the party leadership is not going to move in with speed to intervene, we are bound to witness a total disintegration of ZimPF in Masvingo province.”

Another member chipped in saying: “Allow me to correctly advise the ZimPF leadership, the Masvingo crisis is yet to become the worst since the formation of ZimPF to date. Almost everyone seem[s] to deny our leadership of the reality on the obtaining political environment in Masvingo.

“This is a mirror hidden away from the president and the rest of the progressive leadership. It is worthy the executive leadership’s attention much earlier than people can go for their Christmas. We should not watch helplessly while the problem escalates.”

Contacted for comment yesterday, ZimPF spokesperson, Jealousy Mawarire professed ignorance over the alleged infighting.

“I don’t know of anything like that. Gopo’s participation was a party decision. That is the official position. We lost together as a party,” he said.

Gopo said he begrudgingly accepted the results, though the by-election was not free and fair.

“The election was not free and fair, we had a lot of issues that we had raised that needed to be addressed before the polls, but we did not get any recourse,” he said.

Poll monitors expressed concern over the high number of assisted voters, who had been allegedly told to feign illiteracy by Zanu PF activists. They also reported isolated cases of voter intimidation.

Election monitoring groups claim there was massive intimidation, vote-buying and violence leading to the by-election. – Newsday

A prominent Zvishavane businessman (name supplied) who owns a brick yard near Mandava Stadium was allegedly caught by a security guard naked and crying before a bucket that was filled with water and US$ notes.

The incident is said to have happened at midnight last week.

A guard manning the area allegedly heard the businessman crying at the brickyard and approached thinking that it was a thief but to his shock, he realised that it was his boss.

“I was on patrol when I heard a voice crying and I approached the scene. I then brought out my gun thinking it was a thief and instructed the man to lie down and to my surprise it was the boss,” said the security guard who identified himself as Tawanda Mudereri.

The businessman refuted the allegations in an interview with The Mirror. He accused the security guard of trying to blackmail him for unspecified reasons.

“Those are lies. We are in business and such people are paid to tarnish my image so that I lose business,” said the businessman.

Mudereri said he was shocked to see a bucket full of US$ notes immersed in water while the bulky businessman was crying.

“When I asked him what he was doing, he said he was bathing as it was hot. He further said he was crying because his money had dropped into water together with his Samsung phone,” said Mudereri. -Masvingo Mirror

Staff Reporter |In the Video below South-Africa’s President makes a big ambarrasing blunder. Ingquza is a female sex organ in Zulu/ Ndebele/ xhosa and also there is a place in S.A. called Nquza but in a different tone. Jacob Zuma made a mistake and pronounced that place as ingquza meaning an organ of a woman.

https://youtu.be/KqXO_dKXJqE?t=2

Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo’s public spats with Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa have intensified since the minister’s arrest last year on charges that he abused money from the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund.

The fight raging in the State media and on social media networks has largely been between Moyo and some members of a Zanu PF faction known as Lacoste, while Mnangagwa has remained quiet.

War veterans boss Christopher Mutsvangwa is one of the most vocal Mnangagwa supporters who have taken the war to Moyo as the dispute has now turned into a war over who should succeed the soon-to-be 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe’s spokesperson George Charamba upped the ante recently when he told Moyo to stay away from the succession debate, saying the minister had already lost the war.

Moyo (JM) last week spoke to our chief reporter Everson Mushava (EM) on his beef with Mnangagwa and the minister pulled no punches.

Below are excerpts of the interview.

EM: You are associated with the Generation 40 faction in Zanu PF. It has been reported that you are intent on blocking Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s path to the presidency. Any truth to that?

JM: It is not in my power to block anyone’s path or destiny. But because this issue keeps coming up as if Zanu PF members have a constitutional or divine duty to support Mnangagwa’s presidential ambitions, let me make it clear that I don’t and I will not support his ascendancy to the presidency.

First and foremost, the position of president is not vacant and my support and loyalty is 100% with and behind the incumbent, who is my appointing authority and whose mandate is not from a self-proclaimed and self-important cabal that takes Zimbabwe as chinhu chavo [their thing], but from the people who are real stockholders of this country.

As such, it would be difficult and even impossible for me to support Mnangagwa for the presidency given his well-documented cruel history of his abuse of the various public positions he has held to cause harm, misery and worse to people who disagreed with him or did not associate with his politics in our country’s dark past.

Mnangagwa’s penchant for the capture and abuse of state institutions, along with his shocking disregard for due process, all for selfish political reasons, is a matter of grave concern to me.
I have also come to know that he is given to disturbing disloyalty to those who support him because apparently, the only thing that matters to him is his personal position and interest. The law and public interest do not matter to him.

I take this view as an adult and I express it as my natural and constitutional right. Those who think Zimbabweans have no choice but to support Mnangagwa for the presidency because he is allegedly the only one to support, have a serious problem and are setting themselves up for a major and even catastrophic disappointment.

EM: If you will not support Mnangagwa, then who?

JM: You are asking me a question that does not arise. There’s no vacancy in the presidency, either in Zanu PF or in the country. I fully support Mugabe as the first secretary and president of our party, whose mandate runs to 2019, and as the country’s head of state and government whose mandate runs to 2018. Bringing Mnangagwa or anyone else for that matter into this equation is mischief of the highest order and I don’t want to be part of it. I learnt my lessons in the infamous Tsholotsho Declaration and repeating that history would be a farce.

EM: You and your identified G40 associates like Patrick Zhuwao and Saviour Kasukuwere are known to react with indignation at the mere mention of succession in Zanu PF. President Mugabe is 93 this year, why is your side of Zanu PF so reluctant to face the reality that Zanu PF is ripe for leadership renewal?

JM: Well, well to the extent that’s a reality, it ain’t a reality for Moyo, Kasukuwere and Zhuwao, but a reality for Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans.

The real compelling reality is that Mugabe is serving a mandate that runs into 2018 bestowed on him by the electorate in terms of our Constitution and that mandate and the Constitution must be respected. The on-going shenanigans are simply shameful antics to effect a coup by any other name.

On the issue of leadership renewal, it is dishonest for anybody, including that foolish successionist cabal that thinks Zimbabwe is their thing, not to acknowledge the strides that Zanu PF has taken through Mugabe’s very public interventions to foster leadership renewal in the party and in government.

Mugabe has appointed young and dynamic cadres such as Kudzai Chipanga in the politburo and Makhosini Hlongwane [Sport minister] in government. The majority of deputy ministers appointed by Mugabe in 2013 are young people and the entire leadership of the Zanu PF youth league is made of dynamic young cadres.

Look at Zanu PF Members of Parliament and you will see a new generation of young and dynamic politicians already providing leadership in their constituencies, in Parliament and in the country.

All this speaks to real leadership renewal being spearheaded by Mugabe.

Against this backdrop, the claim that we are reluctant to face the reality that Zanu PF is ripe for leadership renewal is a dishonest mantra of successionists who not only disrespect the party’s and national constitutions, but who are also electoral cowards and are blind to the realities on the ground about the leadership renewal that is being engendered by Mugabe.

EM: Nathaniel Manheru, a State media columnist believed to be George Charamba, the President’s press secretary, has advised you not to comment about Zanu PF succession. In his words, “chine vene vacho chinhu ichi”, which suggests who comes after Mugabe has already been decided. Your response?

JM: This very sick cabal notion of entitlement that chine vene vacho chinhu ichi is not only unacceptably tribal, but it is also illegal because it violates the Constitution which vests executive, legislative and judiciary authority in the people. Entitlement is not just morally and legally wrong, but it is also evil. So only an idiot can say on behalf of fellow idiots that chine vacho chinhu ichi. The liberation war was not fought to turn certain individuals like Mnangagwa into manifestos. That’s insanity.

So, I want to repeat and make it very clear that anyone who thinks or believes that who comes after Mugabe has already been decided is an idiot. This is for the simple, but very important reason that the decision on who will succeed Mugabe, when the time comes, will be decided not by a self-selecting cabal, but by the people of Zimbabwe in terms of the Constitution. So it’s not about me, but about the people of Zimbabwe who will decide as they constitutionally must.

EM: There seems to be no love lost between you and Charamba. What is the reason behind the acrimony?

JM: If there’s acrimony, it’s certainly not mutual. There’s absolutely no reason to personalise public issues.

But who is Charamba outside their mafia-like scheme? Who is he?

He is said to be controlling and running all Zimpapers titles.

Just look at how incompetent he actually is and how he is in fact their own worst enemy because he has dismally failed to package their successionist messages, with the most telling example being how he botched up Mnangagwa’s mug fiasco about a 10pm Christmas gift – opening family affair getting invaded by intruders like Energy Mutodi masquerading as an MP at a time when Mnangagwa was acting president.

EM: Do you believe Charamba speaks on behalf of Mugabe when he writes about succession?

JM: No. I don’t believe that Charamba’s successionist outbursts on behalf of Mnangagwa represent Mugabe in any way, shape or form.

Quite clearly, the cat has come out of the bag that Charamba is now a rogue presidential spokesman and everybody can see that. That’s why you guys in the media no longer take him seriously. He has become a laughing stock.

EM: What do you think is the reason a section of the war veterans leadership wants you out of Zanu PF, and are you the reason the party is divided today?

JM: Please be serious. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure that one out. In any event, how can I, or why do you think I should be concerned about the garbage that renegades who are outside Zanu PF or who were expelled from Zanu PF are saying about me? Garbage in is garbage out!

EM: You have stated that there is something “troubling” about a picture of Mnangagwa drinking whisky from a mug that bears the words ‘I Am The Boss’. Is it the inscription on the mug or the company that he was keeping that’s problematic for you, or both?

JM: What would you or any other rational person make of a situation where a vice-president of the country who, at the time, is acting president of the country is pictured smugly with a mug inscribed “I am the boss” at 10pm at his rural residence wining and dining with scores of renegades who were expelled from the party for a range of reasons and when, on the day or the day after, those people pictured with him start posting on social media and get reported in newspapers insulting Mugabe and calling on him to step down and for the VP who was pictured with them to take over?

What would you conclude if the VP and his supporters give a childish, incongruous and improbable explanation for the event attended not only by the renegades, but also by some government and military officials?

As far as I’m concerned, those who have dubbed that event the Mug Declaration have a point that Zanu PF members and indeed Zimbabweans can ignore only at their own peril.

EM: You have used Twitter to voice your disquiet with this incident and many others surrounding the person of Mnangagwa or what you have termed “successionists”. Is that not going against Mugabe’s advice to use internal party processes to discuss party issues?

JM: The cabal that calls Zimbabwe chinhu chedu [our thing] and foolish running dogs at Zimpapers are attributing a lot of nonsense to Mugabe these days.

The evidence for that is now out there for all to see! So I’m not bothered by that because I know as well all do that Mugabe does not suffer fools.

He knows better and he is on top of the situation. That’s why none of the shenanigans that are too many to mention have succeeded.

And let me say Twitter in particular and the social media in general is the communication platform of choice in the digital era.

That is inescapable. If you are not on the social media today, you are nowhere and you don’t count.

EM: You recently appeared particularly exercised by Mnangagwa’s interview with a British magazine, The New Statesman, published over Christmas. What about that interview got him in your cross hairs?

JM: That interview is a manifesto of what has been happening since the 2014 Zanu PF congress that saw the ouster of Joice Mujuru.

While many in the party thought Mujuru’s ouster was precipitated by her plots to undermine and usurp Mugabe’s authority in general and his 2013 electoral mandate in particular, it is now emerging that the cabal that views Zimbabwe as chinhu chedu actually engineered Mujuru’s ouster in order to position itself to grab power.

This is not to say Mujuru did not have her own ill-conceived designs to grab political power, but to say that her case was blown out of proportion and exaggerated on account of shocking and vile anti-Zezuru tribal grounds that have since been amply revealed particularly by Temba Mliswa, but also by Mutodi and some rogue war veterans.

The background to the shocking anti-Zezuru tribal sentiments is in the New Statesman interview.
Primitive tribal finger pointing in 2017 is wholly unacceptable.

Anybody who wants to be president of Zimbabwe on tribal grounds must be rejected without any fear whatsoever.

I was also shocked to learn from the interview that a whole VP had no qualms about giving an informally organised interview to an unaccredited British foreign correspondent, Martin Fletcher, who is widely known to have close working ties with British intelligence.

That raises eyebrows as it was in blatant violation of standard practice and the law.

Then there’s the fact that the interview referred to the so-called Blue Ocean document in a matter-of-fact way and attributed it to Mnangagwa’s faction.

In this connection, the interview reported that Mnangagwa controls the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) which is being used to politically target alleged G40 leaders such as myself in order to clear the way for the VP’s presidential ambitions.

That’s very disturbing in light of what Zacc has done at the behest of fugitives, ex-convicts and extortionists who are demanding that Mnangagwa must take over the presidency.

But, most disturbing of all, the New Statesman interview gives Mnangagwa a British platform to distort his Gukurahundi role by enabling him to claim that he was not a Gukurahundi enforcer, ostensibly because he was not “the president, Defence minister or commander of the army”.

This very same line has been picked up by Mnangagwa’s surrogates like Mliswa and rogue war veterans to stir up incendiary tribal outbursts.

First and foremost, it was very irresponsible for Mnangagwa to claim to the magazine that he was not the enforcer because he was not the president, Defence minister or army commander.

Secondly, it’s a well-known fact that the worst culprits in the Gukurahundi atrocities are the misinformers in the national leadership who connived with Rhodesians then in the Central Intelligence Organisation, South African Intelligence under apartheid and British Intelligence to not only lie about the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo and PF-Zapu, but to also create and fund dissidents under the treacherous banner of Super Zapu.

The New Statesman interview sought to rewrite the history of this tragedy of misinformation. It’s known that the dossiers crafted from this web of misinformation fuelled Gukurahundi in the same way the CIA’s misinformation about Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction led to the American invasion of Iraq and the disaster that has today led to the creation of Isis. If the truth be told, misinformers are the enforcers!

EM: Your relationship with Mnangagwa appears to have deteriorated over the past year where you accused him of trying to orchestrate your arrest. Could you give us a background to the dispute and your relationship at the moment?

JM: Look, I have nothing but respect for Mnangagwa as Mugabe’s appointee. Anytime he directs me to jump to implement the president’s policies or party and government programmes, I will ask him how high. I’m very cool with that. No problem.

But the idea that I should support him for his run for the presidency is a non-starter. I have the same relationship with VP [Phelekezela] Mphoko. If Mphoko asks me to support him to replace Mugabe I would say “no, no, forget it Cde Mphoko”.

On the Zacc issue and reports that Mnangagwa orchestrated my illegal arrest, yes, indeed I’m now convinced more than I was when I first said or implied it.

I have incontrovertible evidence to that effect including from what Goodson Nguni [Zacc commissioner] has said to various people, some of whom have either said so in affidavits or are prepared to testify.

Nguni has revealed and boasted about this to too many people. Rine manyanga ariputirwi [the truth will always come out].

Brace up for major and scandalous disclosures that will show beyond any doubt that Mnangagwa is not only mean and cruelly spirited, but that he does not have respect for due process as demonstrated not only in my case but also in others, yet he is a lawyer and is responsible for the administration of justice in the country.

EM: In your previous life as a political scientist and a friend of the media, you were very helpful in analysing and predicting political events. What major political developments do you foresee between now and December 2018?

JM: You are asking me to do as a politician what I used to do as an academic. That’s neither fair nor rational. Politics as a vocation is not the same as politics as a science. Accordingly, I cannot reasonably make a political prediction without tainting it with my aspirations and I don’t want to label those aspirations science.

EM: Do you think after such acrimonious infighting Zanu PF can heal in time for 2018?

JM: The infighting, to the extent it exists, is not among the people. The masses are not fighting each other. It’s just an elite imbroglio. As such, it is irrelevant in the scheme of things.

This is because the membership of the party is not an overnight proposition amenable to manipulation by puppeteers and their puppets seeking to grab power by means foul. The Standard