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

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

She could not give further details.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He said the situation was now unsustainable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Money on trees. Literally.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He was remanded in custody to March 9.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The mine is located in the Springs area of Benoni.

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

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

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

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

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

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

So far only eight have been arrested.

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

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

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

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

Two escapees are Botswana nationals while the rest are Zimbabweans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He was intercepted by police detectives.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Buckles and Langa are yet to respond.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kasukuwere is said to be backing Mafios.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The MSD also said people should avoid crossing flooded rivers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

They also described Nyoni as a violent person.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There is renewed fear among both businesspeople and ordinary Zimbabweans that the country’s economy may soon hit the disastrous lows of 2008 — as bond notes continue to lose their value against the United States dollar, with the coveted greenback now almost completely unavailable on the open market.

This comes as economists have also warned of a fresh round of sharp rises in the prices of basic goods, including foodstuffs — as the US dollar continues to vanish from the market, leading political analysts to forecast renewed civil unrest.

However, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor, John Mangudya (pictured), is adamant that the value of bond notes is not tumbling — asserting to the Daily News on Sunday yesterday that the surrogate currency was still trading at par with the dollar.

He also dismissed strongly recent State media reports that the under-pressure central bank would soon introduce $10 and $20 bond notes to ease the country’s severe cash shortages — claims which fuelled suspicion that Mangudya was about to flood the market with the surrogate currency.

But long-suffering Zimbabweans who spoke to the Daily News on Sunday said bond notes were “definitely devaluing”, adding that many shops around the country were also beginning to reject them.

It was also established yesterday that some garages were giving preference to motorists buying their fuel in hard cash — particularly those paying in US dollars.

An informal foreign currency dealer who plies his trade around Africa Unity Square also said he was selling one American dollar in hard cash to the equivalent of $1,30 in bond notes, meaning that the surrogate currency had lost value to the tune of 30 percent.

Economic expert Prosper Chitambara said bond notes were losing their value while US dollars were disappearing from the market because importers needed greenbacks to replenish their stock — and given the scarcity of the dollar and the demand for it, a premium was now placed on the American currency, with an inevitable parallel market emerging.
“What is causing all this is that the bond note is not internationally tradeable. If you are a business that relies on imports, you can’t use bond notes to import, which has affected their value.

“Value in this case is determined by market forces of supply and demand,” Chitambara told the Daily News on Sunday.

Another economist, Witness Chinyama, said the economy was now dominated by bond notes, which the market perceived as “bad money”.

“The good money (dollars) has been driven out of circulation by the bad money, as bond notes can’t be used to import goods.

“While at official level the currencies are still at 1 to 1, for the importer, the bond note is weaker. The dollar is now the reserve currency,” Chinyama said.

But Mangudya vehemently denied that the value of bond notes had tumbled.
“Have you seen twin-pricing in OK (supermarket) or other major outlets? We can’t talk of backdoor shops … Go to the formal market, there is no weakening of value there … we can’t talk of out-layers,” he said.

Asked about some supermarkets which are charging three to five percent more for goods bought using debit cards, Mangudya said: “Thank you for the information. We will use it to assist the market. It’s important what you are telling me. It’s good information”.

Former Finance minister, Tendai Biti, was among those who also said multiple exchange rates were now in existence in the market, adding that the government was effectively running “a Ponzi scheme” — a form of fraud.

“You have four sources of the Ponzi scheme. First is dollar bank balances sitting in the bank, with depositors unable to get their money. Depositors have been transacting through RTGS (real-time gross settlement) and debit cards.

“Wherever you use debit cards, it’s just transactional. We are circulating hot money, and it’s huge. We need an audit of how much money has been created through the circulation of hot money,” Biti told the Daily News On Sunday.

“The second challenge is money being deposited into exporters’ accounts. The RBZ is crediting accounts with RTGS balances. The real money is not coming out. That money is being recycled and rechannelled.

“Government has been borrowing, issuing treasury bills and using them as a source of currency. Take the RBZ debt of $1,5bn — all of it was paid by treasury bills.

“We now have billions worth of treasury bills, some of which will be redeemed as late as 2028. Meanwhile, importers have queues ranging between one month and six months. And applications for import permits are not being processed.

“We need a change in government to restore trust. We need to start producing … factories, mines have to start working. We need a whole raft of reforms which Zanu PF is not capable of,” Biti added.

Many economists and businesses have been pushing for the adoption of the South African rand to avoid the country plunging into an economic crisis. President Robert Mugabe also backed Zimbabwe’s greater use of the South African when he spoke in an interview with the ZBC to mark his 93rd birthday a fortnight ago.

The nonagenarian has also since said that bonds notes are a temporary measure to mitigate cash shortages in the country. “Bond notes are just a temporary thing. We want you to bear with us. We want you to bear with us. We wanted to adopt them for a short period,” he said.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC says bond notes were “always going to be a disaster”.

“Bond notes were always bound to flop. It’s just a matter of time before the bond notes
experiment blow up in our faces. We don’t see these bond notes holding sway until July this year,” MDC spokesman Obert Gutu said.

“The economy is in free-fall and our export earnings continue to decline at an alarming rate. Essentially, bond notes are nothing more than useless pieces of very cheap paper,” he added.

Cape Town-based think tank, NKC, has also said that the shortage of US dollars on the market were fuelling price spikes.

“Upward price pressures could potentially be driven by the rise in the cost of goods and
services (mainly bread, cereal, seafood and oils) as a result of US dollar shortages,” it said. DailyNews

Former vice-president Joice Mujuru’s profile as a major opposition leader is set for a great leap this week when she addresses British legislators in London.

The National People’s Party (NPP) leader is expected to address British MPs, African ambassadors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and think tanks.

She was in London last October at the invitation of Chatham House — a British-based international think-tank, where she was given an opportunity to explain to the world her vision for Zimbabwe.

Mujuru was leader of a newly-born opposition political party, ZimPF, which she abandoned last week for a new name, NPP, after squabbles with some of the party’s founding stalwarts Rugare Gumbo and Didymus Mutasa.

This time, the NPP leader will be visiting London at the invitation of Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa, Institute for Global Affairs, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

She will be expected to put aside her problems back home to be one of the panellists at the event to be graced by British MPs.

She will speak at the LSE on the topic, Women leaders on the Global Stage, Lessons for Africa, but will also have an opportunity to interact with British MPs at the meeting to be held in Portcullis House, part of the House of Parliament, according to the programme of events seen by The Standard.

“I am writing to invite you to participate in a public event to be held at LSE on March 7 2017 to celebrate International Women’s Day,” part of the invitation by Tim Allen, Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa director dated October 16 2016 read.

“If you accept this invitation, you will be part of the panel, which includes another female politician from the African continent and a member of civil society organisation working to increase female political representation.”

The event will examine the barriers confronting women political leaders in different countries across Africa and how they can be overcome and what lessons can be taken from women leaders across the globe.

The event will be hosted by Maria Miller MP, the chairperson of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, and Mujuru will have an opportunity to network with invited guests, who include MPs, African ambassadors, academics, LSE African students, as well as representatives of Africa-focused, London-based NGOs and think tanks.

The presentations will be followed by a question and answer session with the audience.

NPP spokesperson, Jealousy Mawarire confirmed Mujuru’s London engagements, saying it was an honour for the former VP to interface with some British MPs and other revered African female politicians.

“We are excited that the sterling job that Dr Mujuru has done, and is doing, is being recognised, not only in the country but yonder,” Mawarire said.

“Dr Mujuru is passionate about her work and the uplifting of the girl child, hence, she organised women’s groups in the country to meet and brainstorm on her presentation, sharing ideas on the different experiences that women have in our country.

“She is also excited that the presentation in London, which is going to be attended by a lot of Zimbabwean women in Britain, gives her an opportunity to share with the world and her Zimbabwean counterparts, the section 56 campaign launched by Women’s Coalition, which promotes gender equality and non-discrimination.”

Mujuru is expected to leave the country today and her advance team is already in London ahead of the event. – Standard

President Robert Mugabe has arrived back home this Sunday morning from Singapore.

Mugabe had left Harare on Wednesday morning for medical checkups in the South East Asian country.

Accompanied by his daughter, Bona Chikore, Mugabe’s plane touched down at the Harare International Airport just after 6.am.

He was met by the two vice presidents; Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, cabinet ministers Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, Dr Joram Gumbo and Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Minister of State for Harare Province Miriam Chikukwa, Chief Secretary to the President Dr Misheck Sibanda, other senior government officials and service chiefs.

Mugabe took some time to chat with his two deputies Mnangagwa and Mphoko, and proceeded to acknowledge the presence of service chiefs before taking his leave.

Former vice-president, Joice Mujuru has presented herself as a shrewd political strategist by changing the name of her political party, dumping the name Zimbabwe People First that had been at the centre of controversy with former allies-turned arch-rivals, analysts have said.

Mujuru on Friday changed the name of her party from ZimPF to National People’s Party (NPP) after weeks of haggling with former party elders and Rugare Gumbo and Didymus Mutasa, who claimed that the name ZimPF belonged to them.

Gumbo, Mutasa and five others were fired from ZimPF last month on allegations of trying to topple Mujuru and spying on behalf of Zanu PF.

The two were immediately appointed caretaker leaders of the rival faction, opening the door for squabbles over the use of the name ZimPF, until Mujuru announced the change of name and intention to restructure the new outfit.

Before the change of name, three outfits — Mujuru, the Gumbo and Mutasa camp and another party led by Max Zeb Shumba — were using the same political party name, ZimPF.
MDC-T official, Job Sikhala, who once abandoned the Morgan Tsvangirai-led party to form MDC99 before returning to his former party, said Mujuru’s move was a show of political genius from the former guerrilla fighter.

“That was a masterstroke from a political genius,” he  said. “There is nothing in a name but an idea. Zimbabweans follow leaders and ideas, not names of the political parties. I vividly remember how we stuck to the name MDC after the acrimonious and unfortunate 2005 split but people went with Morgan Tsvangirai after he rebranded the party [and renamed it] MDC-T.

“So, it is the same with Joice Mujuru; people will follow the leader they know, not those addicted to politics of splits. It will even happen in the MDC-T today that if people rebel against Tsvangirai and tussle over the name MDC-T, he can announce another name tomorrow and people will go with him even if he remains by himself.”

The MDC-T has split twice since its formation in 1999. There has been a fight over the  party’s name each time there were splits, leading to the formation of Sikhala’s MDC99 and Welshman Ncube’s MDC, a move analysts said confused voters.

Phillip Pasirayi, a communications and political analyst said: “The launch of the new party was a victory over the elders [Gumbo and Mutasa]. It was a good strategy to pre-empt the elders ,who were certainly bracing for a fight over the party name and symbols.

“Again, Mujuru has outwitted her foes but she should now work round the clock to sell the new party. It was important for Mujuru to re-brand given the confusion and contestation over who was in charge between Mujuru and the elders.

“If she had left it too long, it was certainly going to haunt her. Now that she has re-branded, she should ensure that the new party is not again infiltrated by Zanu PF and state agents, who will cause confusion to weaken her party and scuttle the proposed coalition.”

More Panganayi, a political analyst, weighed in saying: “Dropping the PF nomenclature shows that she is restrategising, but then the question that comes to mind is: Is this change cosmetic or it also includes change in ideology and focus?”

However, he warned that the move would be meaningless if  it was not accompanied by a shift in ideology and composition of the faces in the party.

“The politics of personalities has again won. Again, the purported rebranding confirms the fractionalisation of opposition politics and to the voters we are going down the same alley we have been before,” he said.

“However, over the elders, she has scored a victory and has shown that she was not handled by them as Gumbo had alleged. Mujuru has shown that she is her own boss.”
Researcher and political analyst, Dewa Mavhinga said:  “Changing the name of her party was a smart and logical move by Mujuru, it removes reason for unnecessary conflict and confusion and presents her with the opportunity to rebrand.”

He added: “Protracted legal battles over the party name would have been needless distractions at a time when focus should be on building credible alternatives to Zanu PF and finding ways of operationalising an opposition grand coalition that will push for much-needed reforms to level the electoral field.”

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former MDC-T official, Settlement Chikwinya said identity was critical when building a brand.

“Mujuru has set one foot ahead in terms of rebranding her political outfit by establishing a new name that is devoid of all the toxins that had come to be associated with People First,” he said.

“She now needs to move fast in making sure that the new name is attached to good work on the ground and that largely depends on her political programmes and more so, how she conducts herself as the leader in the public and political domain.”

But UK-based former Harare Polytechnic Mass Communications lecturer, Reward Mushayabasa said name changes were immaterial for political parties.

“What is in a name? I don’t think we need to read too much into the name changes. I don’t think the name changes are very critical at this point. The Zimbabwe electorate is not very much concerned about names,” he said.

“What is fundamental to the electorate is what the party stands for and whether it can proffer any sustainable solutions to the country’s political quagmire.

“People are tired of getting more of the same. What Zimbabwe needs is not more splinter parties.
“The country has an oversupply of these parties. What Zimbabwe needs is a coalition of all political parties to challenge Zanu PF’s political hegemony. Without this radical shift in mindset among the opposition parties, the future of politics in Zimbabwe looks very bleak.”

Political analyst, Blessing Vava said Mujuru’s move could be a double-edged sword as it could be interpreted to mean she lost the battle to Gumbo and Mutasa.

“She has basically succumbed and surrendered,” Vava said.
“By announcing NPP through a press conference, she has shown a lack of political acumenship. what was immediate and most important was for her to preside over the long-overdue convention to give her the political legitimacy to make such decisions.”

PDP official, Vince Musewe said the change of name by Mujuru may not change her fortunes.
“One thing I can, however, predict is that it will be the same old people just rebranding themselves and hoping to convince us they are the best suited to create the new Zimbabwe we imagine,” he said.

“I doubt that because we have politics of recycling and opportunism.”
Mujuru has been negotiating a coalition with Tsvangirai to fight President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF in next year’s elections. – Standard

By Staff Reporter |Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa, has said the Norton Town Council risked being dissolved for ignoring to implement service delivery policies which the local authority was given by government many years ago.

The law maker recently requested the Norton Town Council to avail to him documents which they use in the administration of the town.

Since then the local authority has been snubbing meetings which Mliswa invites them to attend.

One such a crucial meeting was the last Friday’s meeting with Primary and Secondary Schools minister, Lazarus Dokora, where Mliswa had invited the controversial government official to address the Norton community on the new education curriculum.

“It was however a shame to say the least that Norton Town Council was unrepresented at this auspicious event despite having been invited and it really leaves quite a lot of to be desired and piles up more questions on their commitment to the People of Norton,”Mliswa complained on Sunday.

“As elected persons, we should take the voters seriously and show effort in issues that touch their day to day lives. I am not saying im perfect but i give the voters ample attention and time to correct me when i go wrong and i expect more from Council where all development starts from,”he said.

“To the Electorate, I hope this gives you enough reasons to elect wisely in 2018 and put capable individuals in these offices of influence while shunning away from Political Brand-based voting”,said the disappointed MP.

Mliswa said he was going to invite Local Government minister, Saviour Kasukuwere, to come and deal with the Norton Town council.

“Nevertheless, progress is not ending this week, as you are aware of, the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Hon Kasukuwere will be coming to Norton this coming week to address and deal with the raised Norton Town Council Management and Implementation issues”,said Mliswa.

Staff Reporter | ZANU PF members in Bulawayo are currently brutally beating each other up at the party office in Davies Hall Bulawayo, ZimEye.com can exclusively reveal.

ZimEye.com sources within the party premises report that the offices have been turned into a war zone amongst provincial members who had gathered to do a postmortem of the chaotic 93rd birthday celebrations held for President Robert Mugabe a week ago.

The sources claim that the closed door meeting which started at 11:00am this morning did not last an hour before the members inside the closed room were on each other with fists and boots flying in all directions. The members are reported to have opened the door out of the boardroom with some coming out in full speed fleeing the bloody violence inside.

In a bid to conceal the chaos, security personnel manning the office rushed to close and lock the gates but not before several of them had made their way into the streets where the fights continued this time with stones and everything that could be turned into a weapon was used.

At the time of writing, anti riot police are reported to be making their way into the offices to try and control the fighting.

ZimEye.com is keeping watch of the events as they unfold and information will be made available. Reports claim that the ZANU PF security members are beating up members of the public who have gathered around the area to witness the fighting.

At 97, Rosina Dube’s face, covered with loose folds of skin often associated with old age and her blood-flecked eyes tell a sad and sorrowful story.

Wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, the granny born on November 7 1920 said at one point, she accepted her time had come.

She had given up on life and on the fighting spirit that has kept her alive for the past 97 years.

Dube was marooned with several other villagers at Tsholotsho’s Mapili village, clutching each other’s hands and moving from one area to the next to avoid being swept away.

“It was scary, so frightening,” Dube, who was wearing a washed out blouse and an A-Line skirt —those that fit closely around the waist, but are slightly wider at the bottom — said.

“I am blessed to have had such a long life, experienced near death experiences but nothing of that sort came close to what I witnessed that Wednesday after our homes were flooded,” she added.

Dube was airlifted to safety with several others by an Air force of Zimbabwe helicopter.

She narrated her tale.

“It was not raining. In fact, it had not rained for two days. We were about to have supper when we started hearing roaring sounds of the Gwayi River,” she said.

“The river was quiet, and within a flash, water started seeping through the doors, from ankle level, rising with every minute up to knee level, forcing us to leave the kitchen.”

“Gwayi River had burst its banks, and overflowed to their homestead, and several others.

“We moved to the next homestead and they had also moved out to the next where there was higher ground,” she said.
“We saw property being swept away, houses being razed to the ground…it was a frightening sight, and the sounds of the water made it even scarier.

“We kept moving in groups, clutching each other’s hands from one high place to the next but the water levels kept rising, way up to the chest. How we were not swept away, only God knows,” she added.

But the muddy clay soils kept slowing them down, as “we would be swallowed to knee level” like quicksand as “we moved to safer grounds”.

The floods left her with nothing. Not even a cup or a plate!

All her life savings were washed away, and it still rings like a dream to her that she has nothing, she said wiping tears that flowed down her aged cheeks.

All her property, including a bed and kitchen utensils, goats, chickens and four pole and mud huts were all swept away when the river burst its banks and flooded several villages of Tsholotsho.

“And at my old age, where do I start from? They are talking of relocating us, but I don’t have that energy. Sometimes I wish I could have just died,” she said.

“It stresses me a lot when I think of what I have become in a flash. It will not be a surprise if hypertension kills me, or if I suffer a stroke.”

Dube and several hundreds of villagers are now temporarily sheltered at the Sipepa flood victim camp following the floods that since been declared a national disaster.

Schools, bridges, planted crops and various infrastructure have been swept away, with reports the floods claimed more than six lives.

Liver Ndebele, from Mapili village, was also left counting her losses.

“I am still searching for my cows. My prayer is that I locate my cattle. I have been searching for my cattle but I believe they were swept to faraway places.

“As for the rest, the only thing that survived the floods are the poles that supported the bedroom hut. Everything that I worked for, and owned was swept away,” Ndebele, aged 75, said.

Dube said she was praying that the government or non-governmental organisations provide some financial assistance to help her buy “anything to kick-start my life”.

“Very soon, we will be out of this camp and where will I go? Who will feed or clothe me or let alone, buy underwear for me?

“It’s de-huminising and that is why many of us here who lost all belongings ask for some kind of assistance to kick-start our lives,” Dube said.

Last Friday, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs minister, Cain Mathema led a government delegation comprising Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology minister Jonathan Moyo, who is the area’s MP and his Primary and Secondary Education counterpart,  Lazarus Dokora, to assess the situation at the Sipepa camp, where the flood victims have been temporarily accommodated.

According to an October 2016 disaster situation report by the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), about 2 000 homesteads have been destroyed by floods, with Tsholotsho named as the worst affected.

CPU deputy director, Sibusisiwe Ndlovu said Sipepa in Tsholotsho still remained at high risk of flooding.

“This is arguably the most severely affected district [Tsholotsho] in the country to date and a considerable number of households have lost their homes to flooding or excessive moisture,” Ndlovu said.

“The total number of the displaced is 850 to date, inclusive of schoolchildren and infants. The local school also flooded and children can no longer access the school.”

Government said new lands had been identified to relocate the Tsholotsho flood victims, but would-be beneficiaries say “this is not enough”.

“It’s not like we want to be a welfare case, but here we are talking of several, if not hundreds, who have virtually nothing, no income whatsoever to re-build their lives.

“Land will come, but then what?” asked Getrude Sibelo, aged 62.

“Personally, I am praying for a food-for-work kind of scheme, where we are employed for road works and other jobs for payment so we re-start our lives and not become a charity case.”

Air force of Zimbabwe helicopters were used to airlift 855 villagers that were marooned following the heavy rains that pounded the flood-prone district.

Among those rescued were 86 terminally ill people and 501 school-going children.

While the swift response saved lives, a recent report by Matabeleland North provincial administrator, Latiso Dlamini painted a gloomy picture of the situation at the camp and the district in general.

Dlamini said the Sipepa camp urgently needed food, blankets, medical supplies, sanitary wear, stationery for schoolchildren, stationery for administration, plates, cups, cooking pots, tents, protective clothing, mobile toilets, soap, and cooking oil.

She said the CPU’s reaction to the disaster had been crippled by poor communication, inadequate resources, lack of suitable vehicles, poor road network, lack of allowances, impassable bridges, continuous rains and lack of experience in setting up such a camp. – Standard

Depositers were stranded on Friday as several banks in the central business district ran out of money, a snap survey revealed.

The country has been facing persistent cash shortages on the back of low exports. The introduction of bond notes seem not to have resolved the cash crisis as queues at banking halls remain long.

During the snap survey conducted in the central business district of Harare on Friday, a depositor at one of the CBZ branches in the city said he had spent the entire morning in the queue, only to be served at around 2pm.

“It is bad, I tell you. Yes, they say they have money, but the queue has been moving very slowly and I do not know why. I have been standing in the queue since 5:30am and only reached close to the ATM [automated teller machine] at well after lunch time,” he said.

“They are only allowing a withdrawal limit of $120 but you have to put your card into the ATM twice as you are only allowed to withdraw that amount in two batches of $60. According to them, they are doing that because all the money is in $2 bond notes so the ATM can only handle so much.”

Both Stanbic Bank and Standard Chartered Bank of Zimbabwe were giving out United States dollars, with the former giving a maximum of $50 while the latter was allowing up to $100 depending on what was available in the bank.

At a Cabs branch, a depositor, Mucheche Aaron told Standardbusiness that the bank was allowing a maximum of 160 depositors per day to withdraw money.

“There is no money. Right now I am sitting in the bank but they reached their 160 [people] limit in the morning. They are only allowing a maximum of $100 a day and it is disbursed in bond notes only,” Aaron said.

The People’s Own Savings Bank was giving out a maximum of $100 a day — all in bond notes. – Standard

Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Francis Bere has acquitted and discharged Nigerian businessman Chief Oma Alphonsus Achinulo who was facing charges of theft involving over $70 000 from his business partner in a stands deal.

Achinulo (48) of Suburbs in Bulawayo, who is also a Liberation Centre pastor in Bulawayo was facing 14 counts of theft involving more than $70 000 following claims by his business partner Mr Nicholas Masuku of N and S Properties that he had been duped in a stands project.

The matter was reported in Bulawayo but failed to take off before it was transferred from Bulawayo regional court to Gwanda regional court last year. However, in Gwanda it also failed to be concluded after the start of the trial because Achinulo who had pleaded not guilty applied to the Bulawayo High Court for the regional magistrate, Mr Joseph Mabeza to recuse himself.

He argued that he would not get a fair trial after he claimed the magistrate dined with State witnesses. Mr Mabeza then recused himself and the matter was transferred from the regional court to the provincial court where it was tried by Matabeleland South provincial magistrate Mr Willard Maphios Moyo. Four witnesses testified in the matter.

Achinulo through his lawyer then, Mr Lison Ncube applied for a discharge at the close of the State’s case but the magistrate, Mr Moyo dismissed the application. He, however, ruled that Achinulo had a case to answer and should be placed on his defence.

Achinulo then rushed to the Bulawayo High Court again through his new lawyer, Mr Sifelilizwe Mguni under case number HC 1699/16 seeking an order for stay of the magistrate’s ruling and acquit him. He cited the State and Mr Moyo as the first and second respondents. In his ruling, Justice Bere said the court erred in dismissing Achinulo’s application.

“The court erred in arriving on a finding that the plaintiff should be placed on his defence. After reading arguments this Honourable Court finds no evidence linking the plaintiff to the commission of the offence. He is hereby found not guilty, acquitted and discharged,” ruled Justice Bere.

The Nigerian’s partnership with Masuku involved the servicing and development of residential stands in Feinspruit Township, Umzingwane District and Achinulo, who was the financial director in the project was accused of having used $70 533,34 meant for buying water reticulation pipes and materials, for other purposes. – State Media

THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) will open flood gates of dams that are now full in flood prone areas in a bid to safeguard lives and destruction of infrastructure amid revelations that the country is likely to experience another tropical cyclone soon.

The Meteorological Services Department has forecasted that Zimbabwe was likely to experience another tropical cyclone in the coming days.

The imminent tropical cyclone is brewing east of Madagascar and is most likely to affect the country. This comes against the backdrop of Cyclone Dineo that resulted in floods that affected all parts of the country.

“The cyclone is coming at a time when most of the country’s dams are now full and spilling, raising the risk of flooding in areas downstream of the dams and those traditionally flood-prone areas. To ensure dam safety and the safety of people and property, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority would like to advise the nation that it will be opening flood gates and valves of those filled up to release water and create space for the dams to handle the anticipated flood water inflows,” said Zinwa corporate communications and marketing manager Mrs Marjorie Munyonga in a statement.

She said Zinwa has already deployed personnel in flood prone areas such as Chikwalakwala, Gokwe North, Gokwe South, Tsholotsho and Muzarabani to monitor and report flooding in dam basins, roads and low lying areas as well as monitor and report the safety of all dams and water infrastructure.

“The authority is working closely with the Local Civil Protection Unit personnel and other stakeholders in disseminating information and to alert communities who could be potentially affected by flooding. Communities will be advised at district level on flood risks in their areas as well as the available flood response and mitigation measures,” she said.

Zinwa has urged communities to remain on high alert and observe any dams in their areas that may be under threat.

For emergency members of the public should alert Zinwa on the following 24 hour emergency numbers: 0774859958, 0712632970 and 0779407109. – State Media

Two men, among them a herdboy from Jotsholo are feared dead, after they went missing close to the boundary of Hwange National Park in two separate incidents.

Fisani Moyo a herdboy in Jabatshaba in Jotsholo, Lupane went missing on 16 February while Tabani Shoko (31) from Gamba village, Lukosi in Hwange went missing on 3 February close to the Hwange National Park.

Both men are suspected to have been attacked by wild animals, probably lions because there have been reports of lions being seen in areas they went missing from.

Acting Matabeleland North police provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Namatarira Mashona could not immediately confirm the reports saying she was yet to receive information on the two incidents.

“We are yet to receive reports of the two cases so we cannot comment at the moment,” she said.

Villagers in Jabatshaba told Sunday News that they feared that Fisani could have been attacked by wild animals especially lions as some of the animals have strayed out of the park due to rains. The Civil Protection Unit reported last week that due to flooding in some areas in the province, lions, zebras and buffaloes were being spotted in some areas close to villages, raising fears among the people. Villagers said the fear over the missing men has also been heightened after reports that a professional hunter shot and injured a male lion and failed to track it down.

“Villagers are prone to wild animals attacks especially lions and hyenas and of late we have been living in fear as lions were spotted in the areas. We also understand that on 15 February there was a hunt that went wrong when a hunter shot a lion but failed to track it. The lion has not been located and we know that a wounded lion is very dangerous to people,” said Mr Martin Moyo, a villager from Jabatshaba near Halfway hotel.

Areas which have also been affected by the attacks are Ngundwane, Manganganga and Quarry in Lupane District.

According to Fusani’s employer, Mr Headman Nkomo, the herdboy drove the cattle to the grazing area on 15 February but never returned.

“We got worried when he didn’t return and tried to look for him but only found the cattle unattended and since it was dark we went back home thinking he would return. At first we thought he had gone to visit a relative or friend and was failing to return because of the rains. We have been searching for him but we are not getting any luck. We have since reported the matter to the police,” said Mr Nkomo.

He said combined searches by the police, rangers and members of the community in suspected areas had yielded nothing.

Meanwhile, Zimparks rangers said on 3 February Shoko and Mr Tapiwa Zulu went to Sinametela National Park intending to poach. After setting their wire snares, the two retreated close to the Hwange National Park boundary where they started a fire to roast some meat.

“After a while Shoko informed his friend that he was going to check on the wire snares and that he would return shortly but he never returned. Zulu ended up heading back home after efforts to locate his friend failed,” said a ranger who could not be named since he is not authorised to speak to the media.

The matter came to light on 23 February when Shoko’s parents confronted Zulu over their missing son since he was said to be the last person who had been seen with him. They made a report police in Hwange who together with the rangers conducted a search but to no avail.

Shoko was on a warrant of arrest after he failed to turn up for sentencing in January when he was found guilty of possession of wild game meat. Search efforts have also been hindered by the rains pounding the area.

Zimparks spokesperson Mrs Caroline Washaya-Moyo could not be reached for a comment. – state media

Hundreds of women from different church denominations were on Friday gathered at United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) in Njube, Bulawayo praying for the end to domestic violence and abuse to women under the theme, “Am I Being Unfair to You”.

The event was to mark the World Day of Prayer, which is a global movement which brings together Christians of many traditions and churches to observe a common day of prayer each year. Through preparation and participation in the worship service, people come to know other countries, languages and cultures. It is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday of March. The movement aims to bring together women of various races, cultures and traditions in a yearly common Day of Prayer, as well as in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.

The chairperson of Better Bulawayo, Mrs Evans Mthombeni, said they were in solidarity with all women across the globe.

“We can hear their concerns and needs and can feel ourselves in solidarity with them as we pray with and for them. In this way, it is possible to enrich our Christian faith as it grows deeper and broader in an international, ecumenical expression.”

Reverent Japheth Masuku said; “We are happy to have such a great day because it’s the only day we have as Christians to come together, from different denominations and pray to God.”

He said that the attendance had improved compared to the previous year and with different churches coming on board.

“People who have their different ways of worshipping and praising God were able to come together, putting aside their differences. Even some of the pastors are here to intercede for the people who are facing difficulties in their daily living,” he said.

A number of churches brought food and money, which organisers said will be donated to the less privileged, who come from different communities.

He said that 85 percent of people in Zimbabwe are Christians and if they stop corruption the country will move in “correct and orderly ways because of the influence that they (Christians) have in the nation as a whole.”

Rev Masuku encouraged people to continue praying for their denominations and their leaders. – State Media

Three people died while four others were injured when a Volkswagen Golf they were travelling in collided head-on with a Toyota Corolla along Harare-Bulawayo highway on Friday night.

The accident occurred at around 11pm at the 268km peg along the Harare-Bulawayo highway near Regina Mundi High School when a Gweru-bound Volkswagen Golf which had five people on board encroached onto the right lane ahead of an oncoming Toyota Corolla resulting in the head on collision.

Gweru Provincial Hospital medical superintendent Dr Fabian Mashingaidze confirmed that three bodies from the accident were taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary while the four injured persons were treated and discharged.

“I can confirm that we received three bodies of people who died in an accident which occurred along the Harare-Bulawayo highway on Friday night.

“Four people were injured in the same accident but they were treated and discharged because they sustained minor injuries,” he said.

A police officer told Sunday News that the two vehicles collided head on when the driver of the Volkswagen Golf encroached onto the right lane, resulting in the head on.

The officer said three people, one person from the Toyota Corolla and two from the Volkswagen Golf died on the spot.

He said the bodies of the three were taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary while the injured people were taken to the same hospital for treatment. – State Media

THE Bulawayo City Council has passed a resolution to establish an new high density suburb with more than 2 000 stands, at a time when the new mortgage lender, the National Building Society (NBS) has announced that it will deliver 10 000 units of houses this year across the country with priority given to Harare and Bulawayo.

The new suburb to be known as Norwood Tracks Phase One is located in an area adjacent to Cowdray Park Phase One.
According to the latest council report, the new suburb is meant to cater for the low income earners as well as self-employed members of the society. The local authority has since submitted plans for the new suburb to the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for approval.

“The proposed Norwood Tracks Phase One residential development is meant to cater for the low income earners as well as self-employed members of the society, who are increasing in numbers on a daily basis as evidenced by the council waiting list which now is fast approaching the
200 000 mark.

“The area is located approximately 11 kilometres north-west of the Central Business District, off the Cowdray Road. The site lies adjacent to the existing Cowdray Park Phase one suburb. To the south-east the site is bounded by the famous Ngozi Mine, to the south by Umvumila Industrial Site. In terms of the operative city of Bulawayo Master Plan, the proposed site is zoned for agricultural or residential development,” read part of the report.

The suburb measures a total of 165,68 hectares and the area will be connected to the existing water lines in Cowdray Park.
“There will be 2 020 residential stands proposed, each covering an average area of between 200 square metres in extent. In addition to these, a flat or detached housing is left aside to accommodate more deserving members of the society.

“There are open spaces within the planning area with the largest located along streams which traverse the planning area, particularly on the stream banks. On these spaces the planting of lawn, deciduous trees and shrubs will be encouraged. By doing so, the original flora and fauna will be kept intact within the built environment,” reads part of the report.

Among the institutional sites which will be located at the new suburb include community facility sites, local authority sites, a secondary school site, and sites for place of assembly. The local authority has also put in place two commercial sites in the suburb to cater for the community.

In terms of electricity, the local authority noted that connecting the new suburb will be relatively cheap, as in Luveve, an adjacent suburb there are facilities and there is an existing underground and overhead cable traversing the area from the Zesa sub-stations in and around the proposed development.

“In designing this high-density residential suburb, a number of town planning issues were taken into consideration. These include safety, convenience, compatibility and uniformity. Other considerations were those of connectivity and environmental sustainability.

“There are existing 40-metre roads that serve as major roads on the site linking the proposed development to the adjoining suburb. The site is also accessible through the 20-metre road that runs north to south to the existing Cowdray Park Phase One,” reads the report. Norwood would have on site sewer treatment facilities.

Meanwhile, NBS head of marketing Mr Andrew Tawodzera said the bank has identified development partners across the country including Bulawayo to finance the delivery of the affordable low cash housing. In Bulawayo, he said the bank has agreed with the local authority to avail land where housing units will be developed although he could not readily identify the areas. The same facility has also been arranged with Umguza District Council.

Last month, NBS embarked on a number of nationwide roadshows where they sought the engagement of strategic partnerships with players in the housing development. Bank officials met with various land developers, contractors and building material suppliers in areas that included but not limited to Harare, Mutare, Masvingo, Bulawayo and Gweru.

“It is through these events that NBS identified development partnerships throughout the country and is still looking for additional partners for collaborative relationships towards the delivery of affordable low cost housing. Beyond the housing development projects NBS also extends mortgage finance to individuals who may already have stands or require assistance in finishing houses that are already under construction within any urban development area,” said Mr Tawodzera.

He said the bank’s primary target market was the low to middle income earners as well as individuals in the informal sector and small to medium enterprises.

“We believe that our mortgage product is the most competitive on the market. Our interest rates are between 9,5 percent and 11,5 percent per annum with the lower applying to first time home owners who want mortgages in the high-density developments while the later interest rates will apply to individuals applying for medium density housing establishments,” he said.

The bank will also open four branches and a number of agencies in various parts of the country as well as introducing a number of mobile cash transaction platforms as it moves to improve convenience and efficiency to its clients. – State Media

Doctors and nurses will resume duties tomorrow after reaching an agreement with Government to report for work while their grievances are being addressed. Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr Gerald Gwinji said Government reached an understanding with doctors and nurses’ representatives on Friday.

“They will be returning to work but the bonus meeting will be held on Monday. We reached an understanding in terms of on-call allowances which will be increased while night duty for nurses will also go up. Re-grading issues were resolved while 2 000 posts for nurses and 250 for doctors will be availed,” he said.

Dr Gwinji urged healthcare practitioners to put the lives of patients first.
“There are other issues such as vehicle purchase which take a little longer to put in place but we are saying let’s talk about those while offering services,” he said.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association secretary-general Mr Enoch Dongo said, “We did not agree but compromised because we are also human beings and we don’t want to lose lives.
‘‘We have agreed to go back to work on Monday (tomorrow) and we will be waiting for the outcome of the bonus meeting,” he said.

Nurses’ night duty allowances were increased from US$50 to US$65, although Mr Dongo said they wanted more.

“The US$15 increase is a mockery; it’s not a welcome development. However, people are dying and we are going back to work to save lives,” he said.

Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association president Dr Edgar Munatsi said they would “begrudgingly” report for duty.

“The ZHDA members will begrudgingly retreat, advise its members to resume duties as we strategically canvass for a fresh, nationwide strike … The ZHDA will not rest until the on-call allowances are revised upwards to a minimum of US$720 as agreed upon in 2014, the motor vehicle assistance programme is in motion and all doctors are rightfully graded and are assured of employment from university and Internship,” he said.

Doctors last month downed their tools demanding on-call allowances be increased from US$288 to US$720.

Nurses joined the strike a week later, demanding a review of night duty allowances. Some hospitals have been turning away patients following the strike, and military healthcare professionals immediately stepped in to try and avert unnecessary loss of lives.- State Media

State-run primary and secondary schools will get US$4 000 each while those with farms will get irrigation equipment to support implementation of the updated education curriculum. The United Nations Children’s Fund has already released US$5 million towards the initiative, with public-private partnerships expected to fund irrigation.
Zimbabwe is implementing the updated curriculum that focuses on developing learners’ cognitive and psychomotor skills, among other areas.
The US$5 million chest will cover essential teaching and learning materials, while schools with farms will retain 20 percent of proceeds under the irrigation initiative.
The remaining 80 percent will pay for irrigation equipment purchased on credit.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora told The Sunday Mail last week, “We are distributing US$4 000 to each primary school in the country under school improvements grants. Some satellite schools will also benefit from the scheme.
‘‘The money is primarily meant to improve our children’s learning environment.
“We want every child to access quality education, and these grants might be used to buy computers or anything school administrators and parents might see necessary. On the overall, implementation of the new curriculum is progressing well in spite of unfounded allegations and misconceptions circulating on social media.”
Regarding irrigation support, Dr Dokora said, “This will mean that apart from our learners experiencing agricultural activities during their studies, schools will also benefit because they will be feeding themselves, especially boarding schools or those under the National School Feeding Scheme.
“The irrigation facilities will see schools grow crops throughout the year, and we are also encouraging breeding of small livestock. What is more, the public-private partnerships we have proposed mean that participating schools will retain 20 percent of produce while the balance will be put on the market. The arrangement also involves agricultural extension officers so that schools benefit from their vast practical experience.”
Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association secretary-general Mr John Mlilo said, “The coming in of our partners to improve the learning environment of our children is welcome, and has come at the right time.
‘‘It shows that the direction we are taking is positive in implementing the new curriculum. The drilling of boreholes will also ensure that our teachers and learners will have access to clean and safe water.”
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe added: “I hope this development will not turn our schools into concentration camps or institutions that focus more on agriculture at the expense of other learning areas. But like what I have always said, these things should involve all stakeholders in the sector for them to get optimum support.” – State Media

The biometric voter registration (BVR) kit supplier for the 2018 harmonised elections will be known on March 20, 2017 in keeping with a Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s roadmap for the polls. The supplier will be picked from three companies shortlisted from an initial list of 12 comprising Zimbabwean, Belgian, Canadian and Israeli firms.
The BVR system will capture prospective voters’ biometric data such as fingerprints and photographs to eliminate voter duplication and remove deceased people’s names from the voters’ rolls.
Government and the United Nations Development Programme will jointly purchase the US$30 million equipment, marking the first time Zimbabwe will use such technology.
Many countries have adopted the innovation, which engenders greater transparency and minimises the possibility of electoral disputes.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail last week, ZEC Chairperson Justice Rita Makarau said the State Procurement Board would assist with adjudication.
“We are in the process of procuring BVR kits, and have set the 20th of March for site validation tests after the three top bidders have shown us what they have. The process of site validation means that we want the companies to do the tests locally and demonstrate how the equipment will be used so that we have a practical test of how the process will be conducted.
“The names of the three companies will be made public once they have confirmed their coming to Zimbabwe to undergo the evaluation process,” she said.
Justice Makarau said polling station demarcation could be extended to accommodate areas that have become inaccessible due to flooding, and ZEC now expected to complete the mapping process in the first week of April instead of the end of March.
“However, the mapping delays will not affect our deadlines and plan to start voter registration by the end of March or the beginning of May. We are still working with that timeframe in mind,” she added.
ZEC is working with July 31, 2018 as the deadline by which harmonised elections must be held, and it plans to wrap up major logistics this year.
Between 800 and 1 500 voters will be assigned to a particular polling station within their ward. – State Media

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating 40 serving and former Harare councillors and executives over a US$13 million tender to rehabilitate Firle Sewage Works. Information gathered by The Sunday Mail last week shows that Zacc opened the probe two months ago, with indications that 32 councillors and eight top officials could have connived to prejudice ratepayers of millions of dollars.

In 2011, Harare City Council is said to have unprocedurally awarded Energy Resources Africa Consortium a US$13,8 million tender when the company was not registered in accordance with Zimbabwe’s laws.

Zacc investigators told this publication that the net was fast-closing in on some councillors who served under former mayor Mr Muchadeyi Masunda’s administration and some executives led by ex-town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi. The investigators said Mr Masunda’s was not under investigation.

The matter came to light after a special investigation committee comprising lawyer Mr Francis Nyamayaro; Engineer Israel Rwodzi; financial specialist Mr Clifford Mteneri; and councillors Joshua Nyatsuro, Joseph Rose, Samuel Chinyowa and Luckmore Mangawa alleged procurement procedures had been thrown out of window.

The committee established that Erac was awarded the tender ahead of Specgas, whose charges were US$1,5 million lower. The then Harare Water director Eng Christopher Zvobgo told the committee that Specgas lost because it did not have a bid bond. However, the committee determined that Erac, which had a bid bond, was unregistered and had no tax clearance.

Zacc is also looking into allegations of possible tax evasion, externalisation, forgery, perjury, contract fraud and collusion by City of Harare and Portriver Investments which was part of Erac. This came to light after one of Erac’s directors, Mr Dave Mashayamombe, blew the whistle on his former partner in Erac, Mr Harold Crown of Portriver Investments.

According to documents seen by The Sunday Mail, Mr Mashayamombe’s lawyer Mr Gerald Mlotshwa wrote to Zacc on December 5, 2016 saying, “We refer to proceedings between litigants in several High Court cases: HC9749/15, HH945-15, HC 1437/16, HC 5388/16, HC 11841/16. Pleadings and evidence filed in the court record have given rise to our client’s complaint of possible tax evasion, externalisation, forgery, perjury, contract fraud and collusion by the City of Harare and a company called Portriver Investments (Private) Limited wholly owned by a South African entity.

“… The court record filed therein, however, exhibits evidence of possible criminal acts that contravene Sections 136, 137, 171, 174 and 183 of the Criminal Law (Codification) Act (Chapter 9:23).”

In his judgment in a dispute between Messrs Mashayamombe and Crown, Justice Owen Tagu raised concern over non-payment of taxes to Zimra by Mr Crown’s Portriver Investments.
“… What is clear as day light is that the respondents (Mr Crown and Portriver Investments) want to continue trading and receiving large sums of money without paying taxes. This is unacceptable. There may be disagreements over other issues that resulted in the issuance of summons which is pending but that does not stop the parties from complying with the mandatory requirements of the law.”

Harare city councillors and officials also stand accused of manufacturing minutes of a meeting between the local authority and Mr Crown.
According to a letter dated June 29, 2016 by Mr Chris Mutangadura of the National Prosecuting Authority to the Department of Immigration concerning Mr Crown’s immigration status, allegations of fraud and perjury were also raised.
He wrote, “Pleadings filed in the court record have given rise to a complaint of perjury and fraud as against some employees of City of Harare who alleged that Mr Harold Crown participated in a meeting with City of Harare employees. Those minutes are allegedly manufactured to influence the outcome of the proceedings.
“In order for us to determine whether or not there is a criminal offence as suspected, we kindly request your good office to provide us with details of entry or exit of Mr Harold Crown from 1 October 2015 to 10 October 2015. Mr Crown is a South African citizen with I.D Number 6711225167085 date of birth 22 November 1967. This period alone will highlight the details of whether or not the alleged meeting between Mr Crown and City of Harare employees took place in Harare on the 6th of October 2015.”
On July 1, 2016, Mr P Kambarami of the Department of Immigration responded to Mr Mutangadura saying there was no evidence that Mr Crown was in Zimbabwe between October 1, 2015 and October 10, 2015.
“Diligent checks on both our manual and electronic systems for both entry and exit records were made. Harold Crown is not appearing in either for the period cited, that is 1 October 2015 to 10th December 2015,” he said.
A council special investigation committee raised a red flag regarding Mr Crown’s contracts given that he was involved in Crowborough Works via Cemo Pumps when the main contractor was Sidal Engineering, and on Firle via Port River with Erac as the main contractor.
Investigators suspect that Harare councillors and executives were conniving to implement some of the projects for their personal benefit. – State Media

The Zanu PF enemies of vocal businessman-turned-politician, Energy Mutodi, moved closer to kicking him out of the warring ruling party — after its Mashonaland East executive held a disciplinary hearing in the wake of his recent statements on the former liberation movement’s burning succession riddle.

The outspoken Mutodi, a self-confessed supporter of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has been critical of President Robert Mugabe’s unwillingness to groom a successor — blaming the 93-year-old for allegedly fuelling Zanu PF’s ugly tribal, factional and succession wars.

“The hearing has ended and there is no ruling yet.
They said they will advise me,” Mutodi told the Daily News yesterday, adding the panel that had presided over his case appeared clueless about the law.

Mutodi was slapped with a litany of charges by his Zanu PF comrades in February, weeks after images of him with Mnangagwa holding a coffee mug were made public.

Since those images surfaced, where Mnangagwa was seen holding the coffee mug inscribed with the words “I Am The Boss”, the VP’s party foes have gone to town about the issue, interpreting it as his open statement that he harbours unbridled presidential ambitions.

Matters were not helped when Mutodi seemingly stoked the raging fires further, when he implored Zanu PF to hold a special congress to choose Mugabe’s successor.
It was in the wake of these statements that the Mashonaland East Zanu PF executive summoned him to appear before a disciplinary hearing, to answer myriad charges.

“The hearing is to consider and discuss disciplinary allegations of misconduct charges that include undermining the authority and powers of the national people’s conference to declare the president of the party elected at the congress as the State presidential candidate of the party, as outlined in the Zanu PF constitution of 2014, Article 6 on membership section 33 (3).

“If you are found guilty of the allegations . . . then we may recommend disciplinary sanctions, including suspension and cancellation of your Zanu PF membership,” read the letter which contained the charges which Mutodi was answering to yesterday in Marondera.

The ruling party is deeply divided mainly over its unresolved succession riddle, which has split the former liberation movement right through the middle — with the Team Lacoste faction rallying behind Mnangagwa’s mooted presidential aspirations, and the Generation 40 (G40) group rabidly opposed to the Midlands godfather succeeding Mugabe.

In January, Mutodi threw the cat among the pigeons when he implored Zanu PF to hold an extra-ordinary congress to choose Mugabe’s successor.

He claimed then that Mugabe had become so unpopular in Zanu PF that “99 percent” of the party’s
members now wanted him to resign before the eagerly-anticipated 2018 national elections, as there was allegedly no way that the nonagenarian could win elections against the popular Tsvangirai.
“Mugabe must retire. What we must be discussing now is how we share power in Zanu PF post-Mugabe.

“It’s up to Mugabe himself to be really thankful to his loyalists who have helped him to remain in power for this long and not the opportunists who praise him during the day and denigrate him during the night,” Mutodi said.

This week Mutodi, while welcoming Mugabe’s hint that Zanu PF could hold a special congress if he felt he was no longer able to continue, said it was unimaginable that anyone would want the nonagenarian to stand in the 2018 elections.

“Since he (Mugabe) has said he does not want to impose anyone on the people, the elective extra-ordinary congress is the only way to go.

“We cannot fathom the fact that some amongst us are still calling for him to stand in 2018. Surely when do they want him to rest? A good leader cannot plan to rest in his grave. A good leader earns respect by allowing others to lead while he takes rest.

“A bad leader, however, thinks that no one is better than himself. When Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United with the best premier league record, he was not too old to lead but he realised that he needed to rest and give others a chance,” Mutodi told the Daily News.

“Nelson Mandela was also not too old to lead when he retired for (Thabo) Mbeki. The same can be said about Sam Nujoma, Julius Nyerere, (Ian) Khama and even (Eduardo) Dos Santos of Angola who will not seek re-election in 2018,” he added. Daily News

The United States (US) embassy in Harare will be reaching out to President Donald Trump not to slash foreign aid to Zimbabwe, ambassador Harry Thomas Jnr has said.
This comes as Trump has proposed large cuts to foreign aid at a time of acute need in Zimbabwe.

The details of Trump’s budget proposal have not been released, and so far, US funding for the hunger and health crises in Africa has come out of a budget approved last year under ex-President Barack Obama.

Responding to a question on Thursday whether the move would affect Zimbabwe during a tour of Musasa Project — a recipient of US aid — Thomas said they would be negotiating with Washington.

“We will have to see what our administration wants to do, but our messages to Washington will be: look at performance and results. In Zimbabwe, HIV and Aids, we have reduced that greatly from 25 per cent to just over 12 percent prevalence. So, it has been effective use of American tax payers’ money.

“We are humanitarians, and in feeding food-insecure people, we do that without regard to nationality. We are the world’s oldest democracy; we want to help sustain democracies in every country.

“And I think every American that we speak to would want us to continue to find ways to help projects like Musasa,” Thomas — a former director-general of the Foreign Service at the US State Department said.

“ . . . We are very proud that the US government is the largest donor to Zimbabwe, that we are giving a $150 million each year to combat HIV/Aids, another $150 million to feed 2,1 million food-insecure people of the 4,8 million in Zimbabwe, $10 million for democracy and governance; and of course, we are one of the leading, if not the leading, provider of fellowships and scholarships with over 1 300 Zimbabweans studying in the United States.”

The White House Office of Management and Budget proposed cuts of 37 percent at two agencies that provide US foreign aid, as part of Trump’s plan to fund an increase in defence spending, according to reports.  The State Department and USAid had requested more than $50 billion for 2017.

Thomas said Zimbabwe would help this endeavour by improving human rights and democracy and the holding of violence-free and credible election

“We have increased funding every year for the last 15 years under president (George) Bush and president (Barack) Obama, we have to see where we are going with (president) Trump. Our message to Zimbabwean government is we support and encourage economic reform, the Lima process, we would hope that will continue. – Daily News