Property worth thousands of dollars was on Tuesday destroyed after a building went up in smoke.
Eye witnesses claimed to ZimEye.com the fire which burnt down the building housing number 8A and 8B Luck Street near NetOne building in Harare was caused by an electrical electrical fault.
“Yesterday the whole area had no electricity and we believe that the tenants at this building left electricity on. It could be a stove or something else which emits gas which these people might have left switched on,” said one of the people who first saw the fire.
Another eyewitness told ZimEye the fire could have been caused by the ongoing national strike.
There is no business in Harare, as all shops are closed.
“It is not clear to establish the real cause of the fire because as you can see the whole town is closed and people were threatening to burn down cars and any office which will be opened today,” she said.
But there were no indications that there were people at the building.
The Fire brigade team reacted swiftly but as usual they could not contain the fire because of lack of modern equipment.

Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa was yesterday bashed with eggs in an attack which lasted over an hour in London. Below is an opinion report by the ZimVigil NGO.

Zimbabwean demonstrators confronted Mugabe’s Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa for the second time in two days when he arrived for a money-raising conference in London on Tuesday.

While the Zanu PF state media in today’s publications continued to down-play the people’s protests to shut the country down, former Vice-President Joice Mujuru, threw weight onto the nation-wide demos.
This was at a time when skeptics were doubting the sincerity of politicians wanting to somewhat ride on the wave of the people’s discontent and ultimate uprising for their own self glory.
In a video released late Tuesday evening, Mujuru lamented intolerance in the government she served for over three decades with no qualms.
“Demonstrations are the boils that prove that there is a wound, that is why we say let us examine what has caused the demonstrations, let us fix things so that there are no demonstrations,” she said.
She lamented closed industries as one of the reasons people are lacking their basic necessities. Zimbabweans across the board have spontaneously organised demonstrations against Government misrule.

In another rare feat the hunted and the hunter have joined hands Tuesday after War Vets this evening announced open and unequivocal support for the Wednesday shut down.
In what strongly shows like an irreversible momentum, war veterans have backed the ongoing wave of protests against President Robert Mugabe’s government saying the ruling party has failed Zimbabweans in a big way.
Addressing a press conference in Harare today, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) spokesperson, Douglas Mahiya said people have been pushed to the edge by Zanu PF’s disastrous policies since independence.
“The entire crisis that has befallen our great country is a result of poor governance and endemic corruption which is now bearing its evil fruits that are on verge of consuming the entire fabric of Zimbabwean nationhood,” said Mahiya.
On Monday disgruntled commuter omnibus operators fought running battles with the police and tomorrow, there are more planned protests around the country.
Disgruntlement has been growing against Mugabe’s government, and the war veterans, once a pillar of strength for the ruling party, are now also feeling the pinch as the economy tumbles.
“The Constitution gives Zimbabweans the right to demonstrate but …. people must not destroy properties, it’s not good, as for tomorrow, we heard the issue of stay-away but what I want to urge people is to remain peaceful. It’s  better for them to remain at their homes than giving opportunity to hooligans who want to take advantage of the protests,” Mahiya said tongue in cheek.
Despite feigning unity in Zanu PF, there is apparently no love lost between Mugabe and the ex-combatants who reminded the 92 year old strongman that he has failed the generality of the public and people who lost their lives fighting for independence, mainly because he is surrounded by “liars”.
“Self-seeking people who were entrusted with the task of shepherding and driving our economy have betrayed not only the country but also their principals who end up being blamed for their misdemeanours,” said Mahiya.
The war veterans traced the cash shortages that the country is grappling with to Zanu PF bigwigs whom they said are stashing the greenbacks in offshore accounts.
The ex-combatants who were early this year pummelled by police also took the opportunity to throw a jab at their nemesis.
“Being a police officer has become brisk business in our country where individuals have become filthy rich in a short space of time,” said Mahiya. – Dailynews

ZRP cops must be beaten up and taught a good lesson if they attack civilians, Professor Lovemore Madhuku’s party has said.

The public must be fully aware that anyone in a police uniform must behave accordingly and once they start unleashing violence on citizens they are surely not police officers and members of the public are urged to protect themselves from violent attacks to preserve life, the party said.

Their comments came as Zimbabweans rose up in their groupings across the country and agreed on a total shut down tomorrow, Wednesday, in protest at the worsening situation in the country.

For the first time in Zimbabwean history, a political party has told the public to attack the police in retaliation. This historic juncture also saw the police commissioner Gen Augustine Chihuri yesterday surrendering to public pressure as he ordered junior officers to give in the public demands also strictly instructing them not to agitate the people ( ALSO READ – Chihuri Surrenders to Povo).

A fore-taste was Monday when taxi drivers went on strike, parked their cars resulting in hours of running battles with the police. Several groups including Pastor Evan Mawarire’s #TheFlag campaign, including other shadowy unidentified groups have warned of escalated violence, imploring citizens to remain in doors the whole day, Wednesday.
Civil servants grouped under the Apex-Council will also down tools Wednesday in protest over their salaries, they have not been paid on time.
The police has responded by voicing out threats on civillians. ZimEye can confirm that some riot tankers have been deployed to some volatile towns such as Chitungwiza. Monday’s skirmishes however, saw police in some areas being overwhelmed by angry crowds, and ZimEye can confirm that the order to react against civilians violently has not been fully received by lower police and military ranks who like others have also not received their salaries.
Armoured police trucks were seen along Seke road heading to Chitungwiza on Tuesday morning.
Schools in Harare and other parts of the country have also told pupils not to come for lessons until Friday.
Civil society organisations and opposition political parties are supporting the planned national strike which they say will force President Robert Mugabe to resign.
National Constitutional Assembly party, NCA, has urged the public to retaliate if they are attacked by the police tomorrow.
“The public must be fully aware that anyone in a police uniform must behave accordingly and once they start unleashing violence on citizens they are surely not police officers and members of the public are urged to protect themselves from violent attacks to preserve life that is sacrosanct,” Terence Maoneke, NCA, national youth chairperson said in a statement Tuesday.

Staff Writer| Liberation war hero and stalwart Norman Mabhena has died, at Mpilo hospital.
Shaken family members who spoke to ZimEye.com said the former Zapu Central Committee member who later joined the MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai has been unwell for some time with a heart ailment.
“He has been unwell for some time with a heart ailment. State health system failed Norman Mabhena as his colleagues have been trying to raise funds for him to travel to India for heart surgery,” a family member said. ZimEye will update on funeral arrangements as they come in.
 
 

President Mugabe has battled to fix divisions in his party’s Masvingo wing.
Mugabe ordered warring factions in the province to set aside their differences and work as a united team to achieve socio-economic development and ensure the ruling party is well prepared for the 2018 elections. He made the call over the weekend during his second interface meeting with senior political leaders from Masvingo led by Politburo members Josaya Hungwe and Shuvai Mahofa, who is also the Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister.
The meeting was held at State House on Saturday and pitted ruling party National Assembly representatives from across Masvingo and some traditional leaders from Chiredzi on one side against Hungwe and Mahofa.
It was a follow-up to the first one held two weeks ago at Triangle Country Club in Chiredzi which was called by President Mugabe following a petition by 20 National Assembly representatives from Masvingo who raised complaints against Hungwe and Mahofa.
Zimbabwe Chiefs’ Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira, Chiefs Chitanga of Mwenezi, Marozva of Bikita and Serima of Gutu also attended the no-holds- barred meetings in their capacities as members of the Masvingo Provincial Assembly of Chiefs. Three Chiredzi chiefs — Gudo, Tshovani and Sengwe – acting Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairman Amasa Nhenjana, Women’s League chair Veronica Makonese and Nobert Ndaarombe, the Youth League chair attended both meetings.
Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora was also in attendance.
In his address at the end of presentations by the warring Masvingo parties, President Mugabe set the stage for a new era in Zanu-PF in the province after he demanded an end to factionalism and infighting, saying that senior ruling party leaders were supposed to work in unison with Members of Parliament. President Mugabe had called for an end to infighting in Masvingo.
“The President spoke after all the parties had made presentations and told us to unite and work as a team in Zanu-PF. He was listening attentively throughout as people were making presentations. At the end, he said the leadership of the party in the province ( Hungwe and Mahofa) were supposed to work together with the Members of Parliament,’’ he said.
“The meeting was fruitful and I think it will change the state of Zanu-PF. At the end, I was approached by one of the senior leaders who was not talking to me before telling me to organise a party meeting to be attended by all party leaders from Masvingo to preach the message of unity,’’ added Nhenjana.
Zanu-PF Chief Whip and Gutu Central Member of Parliament Lovemore Matuke who also attended Saturday’s meeting said President Mugabe’s message was centred on the need for unity.
“The second round of our meeting with President Mugabe went on well. After presentations from both sides, he called for unity in Zanu-PF in Masvingo saying that the party leadership and the Members of Parliament were supposed to work together and consolidate the gains of the 2013 elections,’’ he said.
Senator Mahofa said President Mugabe emphasised the need for the ruling party to prioritise programmes that benefited people instead of expending energy on fighting each other. She said the ruling party was set for a new epoch as all the leaders who attended the no-holds barred meeting were told about the need to work as a team.
“The President was frank that he wanted to see unity within the party in Masvingo so that Government programmes are implemented to benefit our people. He said it was pointless for leaders to promote divisions when people were grappling with challenges such as hunger. In short, the President ordered us to go and work together and that is what we will do,’’ said Senator Mahofa.
Others who attended the meeting said Masvingo was never going to be the same again as all the parties had shown preparedness to work together after being admonished by the President for fomenting factionalism to the detriment of development in Masvingo. Zanu-PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, who also attended the meeting, could not be reached for comment.
In his remarks at the first meeting in the Lowveld, President Mugabe also appealed for peace and unity in Masvingo, reminding people that the province was key to the country because it is home to the Great Zimbabwe monuments from where the name of the country is derived.
President Mugabe called the two meetings after a petition from 20 Zanu-PF legislators who directed most of their fire on Senator Mahofa.
She was accused by Chiredzi chiefs and the legislators of favouritism in the allocation of 4 000 hectares of sugarcane plots recently acquired from Lowveld sugar producer Tongaat Hulett.
Senator Mahofa was accused of allocating most of the plots to her allies and relatives. She, however, shot down the allegations saying the allocations were done by her predecessors. She said she was yet to allocate land to even one person in Masvingo from the time she assumed office.
She was also accused of embezzling $20 000 donated by Tongaat Hulett for President Mugabe’s daughter, Mrs Bona Chikore’s wedding. Senator Mahofa reportedly dismissed the allegations saying Tongaat did not send the donation via her office but sent it directly.
She was also said to have illegally collected 900kg of Tongaat Hulett winter maize from each of the 26 legislators who were supposed to get 44,9 tonnes each for distribution to their constituencies.
She dismissed the allegation saying the maize that was collected was for distribution to vulnerable groups in the province such as Children and Old People’s Homes through the social welfare department.
Hungwe and Senator Mahofa were also accused of collecting and diverting donations made to Zanu-PF by the Zimbabwe Sugar Milling Industry Workers Union (Zismiwu) before the ouster of former secretary general of the union Admore Hwarare. But the pair denied the allegations saying the donations were made directly to the party through the then secretary for administration Mr Didymus Mutasa who has since been fired from the ruling party.-state media

Terrence Mawawa| Masvingo Key witnesses are afraid to testify against notorious ZRP officer ,Constable Mercy Dafunwa, who is being charged for pulling prominent human rights activist Prosper Tirirngindi’s genitals, it has emerged.
The case in which Tirindindi filed a complaint against the embattled cop,whose naked pictures in another incident went viral social media, last month,was heard at the Masvingo Magistrate Courts this afternoon and the matter was postponed to July 7.
Key witnesses in the case who are mainly touts based at Pick n Pay terminus, have been threatened by state security agents. It is understood the matter has taken a political twist with members of the Police Internal Security Intelligence(PISI) and CIO agents closely monitoring the case.Police officers who own pirate taxis have also teamed up to discredit Tirindingi,it has emerged.
Sources at the terminus told ZimEye.com some key witnesses in the case were threatened while some were paid $30 each to conceal evidence in the matter. Speaking after today’s court session Tiringindi said attempts by state security agents to threaten key witnesses in the matter would not deter his fight for justice.
“We are not intimidated and we will fight for justice.We are well aware of the fact that key state witnesses have been threatened and we will raise the issue with the relevant authorities.We are therefore prepared to fight to the bitter end,”said Tiringindi.

Terrence Mawawa| Masvingo A local primary school head is in trouble after allegedly squandering $22 000 cash from the school coffers.
The Runyararo Primary school head, Tsungirirai Gono was last week arrested after failing to account for the missing school cash. Runyararo, situated in Mucheke Suburb is one of the biggest council run schools in the old city.
Masvingo Police spokesperson, Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the incident last week.
The matter came to light after an audit had initially implicated school clerk Melody Majaya, who was initially accused of stealing $22 564.
Majaya later in turn implicated the school head and two other senior staff members as having been involved in the theft of the cash.
Audit documents revealed the money was stolen through under banking by Gono , her deputy Jonathan Dumbu Mataru and senior teacher Charity Josiya.
The audit documents indicate that the three connived to steal school cash.
“The head- Gono,deputy head Mataru ,senior teacher Josiya and the clerk are answerable pertaining to the missing cash.Overally the school head initiated the whole process.”
“The school head and her team verified the amounts that were not tallying with the total receipts and took them for banking.There was a deliberate attempt to conceal facts ,”reads part of the audit report.
Last year a school head killed in Bikita himself after failing to account for school funds.

In a rare feat, and for the first time since Britain gave up Zimbabwe to Robert Mugabe, the Police have openly defied orders coming from the Commander In Chief of the Police and Army, their boss Mugabe. Cops have refused to be deployed to man roadblocks tomorrow “fearing for their lives”, reliable sources have revealed to ZimEye.com.

In a first of firsts, a lukewarm Mugabe response was made by a lower ranking officer, Charity Charamba, reflecting confusion and despair in Robert Mugabe’s security apparatus whose staff are without salaries several weeks after pay day.

A senior police officer at Bulawayo Central police station informed ZimEye.com this evening that police officers are reluctant to do duty at roadblocks tomorrow following threats from taxi drivers and crew that they will attack the cops and get them off the road.
The officers fear that the police does not have adequate arms and ammunition to protect themselves,in the event of retaliation by angry taxi drivers and larger public.
” The officers meant to be at the roadblocks have indicated that they will not be able to take that duty if they have not been provided adequate support from the support unit and army, ” he said.
Police officers in Beitbridge, Harare and Epworth have so far been heavily out powered by striking members of the public in the on going sporadic nationwide civic unrests and demonstrations.
In parts of Harare members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces are reported to have taken over from the police who have been defeated by members of the public.
 
 

BREAKING – ZimEye.com is receiving reports that scores of police officers have been beaten up and defeated by angry crowds in the capital city, Harare.
Shocking pictures taken on Monday variously showed police officers being manhandled and humiliated, just as the MDC party voiced saying people are pointedly “putting this regime on notice.”


Below was an audio update from a ZimEye source: ALSO READ – Chaos in Harare as Beitbridge Flames Torch Harare 

“Civil servants have no pay, Zimbabweans are starving, and corruption is rampant in all sectors of the economy,” Morgan Tsvangirai’s party said in hurried statement Monday afternoon.
They continued: “It is ironic that the drivers of the scourge of corruption include the Office of the President and Cabinet and the First Family who recently unprocedurally awarded a multi-million dollar tender for a diesel power plant in Dema to a brother to the President’s son-in-law.
“Zimbabwe is burning. Every sector of the economy is bleeding and only today, commuters and commuter operators in various parts of Harare exercised their constitutional right by demonstrating against the many roadblocks that in essence are State-sanctioned outposts of corruption.
“Zimbabweans themselves are putting this regime on notice and something huge will give if national grievances are not addressed. “

FORMER ZANU PF Central Committee member, Acie Lumumba is this afternoon handing himself to the police.
Fresh from attacking President Robert Mugabe calling using an F’ word last week, Lumumba attracted a flood of controversy last week after he launched his party, VIVA Zimbabwe.
The man’s party told ZimEye.com stating “our Chairman Acie Lumumba will be handing himself in to the ZRP today at 1:45pm at Harare Central Police.
Public opinion swelled against Lumumba after his obscene utterances with many taking exception to his use of vulgar langauge in attacking the head of state, while others did the very opposite, praise him ( ALSO READ Lumumba wins praise.)
The Police wants to questioning him on charges of undermining the President as defined in Section 33 (2) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act after he insulted President Mugabe on Thursday, has gone into hiding.
He uttered the words while launching his party, Viva Zimbabwe, in Harare on Thursday.
Mr Lumumba pronounced himself as chairman of the party saying that Viva Zimbabwe aimed at bringing change in Zimbabwe.
In rantings, Mr Lumumba used the “F” word to insult the President.
“Mr Mugabe, I guess you have not been really insulted,’ said Mr Lumumba. “You are now used to being insulted by protesters. You are used to being insulted by vendors, you are used to being insulted in the hallways.
“You have never seen Zimbabweans really angry. So, here is the red line. Mr President Robert Gabriel Mugabe f*** you.”
Sources close to the investigations yesterday said they were keen to question Mr Lumumba over the utterances.
“We have been trying to locate him, but failing. His whereabouts are still not known and we have launched a manhunt for him,” said the source.
Mr Lumumba claimed that President Mugabe was responsible for the total collapse of the economy. He said Zanu-PF was responsible for gross mismanagement of funds in Government coffers.
“Where is the $15 billion that just went missing? Right now (Patrick) Chinamasa is looking towards trying to clear a debt of $11 billion in a space of 25 years,” he said.
Mr Lumumba, while addressing a handful of supporters, said Zimbabwe needed new blood to effectively run the country.
He said although he was leader of Viva Zimbabwe he was not going to contest the 2018 Presidential elections. Mr Lumumba said he would support any candidate he considered to be the appropriate for the post.
More to follow…

Failure by government to provide housing has resulted in a fresh wave of urban land invasions in Chitungwiza, with over 2 600 desperate home seekers reportedly occupying open spaces.
The worst affected areas are Nyatsime and St Marys, with invaders interviewed saying they had lost faith in the housing waiting list.
They land occupiers said they decided to follow the route taken by Zanu PF youths and land barons, who invade stands and build structures, before exerting political pressure on local authorities and the Ministry of Local Government to regularise their developments.
Last week, Zanu PF Harare provincial chairperson, Robert Kahanana disowned the invaders.“We further state that all those who continue to involve themselves in such misdeeds will be doing so on their own volition and should not in any way involve or purport to drag the party into such illegal actions and activities,” he said.
“In the given circumstances, the law of Zimbabwe should be left to take its course and be applied accordingly and appropriately without fear or favour in order to redress the situation that has gone out of hand.”
But MDC-T provincial chairman, Voice Chinake, was non-commital, saying he needed more time to investigate if their members were involved in the alleged invasions.
Meanwhile, police held a meeting with the land invaders on Saturday, but they refused to budge demanding to be addressed by council officials instead. newsday

Today, Monday 4th July is the naked female ZRP traffic cop, Constable Mercy Dzafunwa’s D Day in court, ZimEye.com can reveal.
Dzafunwa who sexually assaulted prominent human rights activist, Prosper Tiringindi’s at the genitals, and was soon caught in a strip, is being sued for the act.
When contacted for a comment Dzafunwa told Zimeye.com she is not allowed to the media and only ZRP Spokesperson, Charity should be approached.
Masvingo residents were at the time of writing waiting with bated breath to enter court early morning. More to follow as this is a developing story…

Terrence Mawawa, Gweru|A member of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation nearly killed a Gweru City Council employee following an argument over picking up litter.
Members of the dreaded spy organisation have been accused of gross violation of human rights.Hundreds of opposition supporters and innocent civilians have been abducted ,maimed and tortured at the hands of CIO operatives.
Nkosilathi Magama of Mkoba 7 who is a CIO operative, assaulted a female council employee, Hloniphani Sithole with a broom, head-butted her several times and hit her against the wall after Magama’s wife, Tabeth Chikohora, dropped litter on the pavement and refused to throw it into the bin.
According to the prosecution’s papers, Lloyd Mavhiza at the Gweru Magistrate Court last week, the incident happened on June 21 2016, when Sithole was on duty sweeping near Magama’s cocktail bar. Magama got angry after Sithole asked his wife to pick up the litter she had dropped.
He began to shout at Sithole and took a broom and hit her on the neck. He grabbed Sithole and pulled her into his cocktail bar, head-butted her several times and hit her against the wall.
Sithole then reported the matter at ZRP Mkoba leading to Magama’s arrest.
He was however granted $30 bail.
Angry Mkoba residents accused President Robert Mugabe’s dreaded CIO operatives of blatant disregard of human rights and called for a stiff sentence on Magama.

A TSHOLOTSHO woman allegedly charged her daughter’s rapist $350 to conceal the abuse and only made a report when the man’s family failed to pay.
This came out during Admit Mbiriviri’s rape trial before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Mark Dzira. Mbiriviri allegedly raped a domestic worker on June 16 this year and gave her Dettol antiseptic to wash her body afterwards. He pleaded not guilty to rape.
The woman told the court that she notified her mother of the matter and was surprised when she heard that Mbiriviri’s family wanted some negotiations.
Mbiriviri’s lawyer, Mr Tafadzwa Chipare from Sengweni and Partners alleges that the woman’s mother received money for transport from the accused for negotiations and made the rape reports when things turned sour. He applied for discharge at the close of the State Case.
Mr Dzira remanded the matter to Thursday this week, when he will deliver his ruling on the application. Prosecuting Mr Tinashe Dzipe said on June 16 at around 1AM at a homestead where both Mbiriviri and his victim are employed, their employer who was away asked them to get her daughter’s shoes.
“Mbiriviri asked the woman to hold a torch while he entered a hut to get the shoes. He took the shoes and then asked the maid to join him in his bedroom as he had bought a new bed,” said Mr Dzipe.
“He held her hand and when the woman refused, Mbiriviri then forced his way into her room. He pushed her down, raped her once and took Dettol and used it to wipe himself. He also took the same Dettol and gave the woman asking her to wash herself. The woman notified her neighbour the following day and a police report was made leading to Mbiriviri’s arrest,” said Mr Dzipe.-state media

 

A N’ANGA from Nyanga retaliated and brutally axed and knifed his colleague to death after being accused of using witchcraft.
Wonder Ndowa (59) of Sanyabako Village in Chief Saunyama’s area was arrested soon after committing the heinous act.
He allegedly axed Wilbert Mautse (59) of the same village several times on the head and right hand, before cutting off his right fore-finger.
Mautse allegedly visited Ndowa on June 23 and handed him a letter demanding several properties as compensation for bewitching him.
He threatened to deal with him if he failed to give him his dues.
The axe-wielding Mautse returned the following day demanding his dues. He stabbed Ndowa on his ribs.
His second attempt to stab him was met with resistance.
“The infuriated Ndowa retaliated and tossed him down. He grabbed Mautse’s axe.
Ndowa used Mautse’s axe to hack him three times on the head, twice on his right hand before cutting off his right fore-finger.
“He took a knife and stabbed him on his right cheek. He bled profusely and died on the spot,” said deputy Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda.
Ndowa rushed to Ruziwa Business Centre and told David Gwezere about the incident who reported the matter to the police. Ndowa was arrested.
Asst Insp Chananda confirmed the grisly murder, which sent tongues wagging in Nyanga District.
“Ndowa is now in our custody and is assisting us with investigations. We are appealing to members of the public to solve disputes amicably by seeking advice from church and village elders or relatives.
“We also have a public relations department which is open to everyone where we can proffer solutions and settle differences professionally and amicably.
“Emotions and overreacting can cause warring parties to regret and often lead to unnecessary loss of lives. We will not hesitate to arrest people who put the law in their hands,” said Asst Insp Chananda.
Acting Chief Saunyama in an interview said the incident was shocking and urged people to solve disputes maturely and always seek assistance at the traditional courts.
“Our courts are also there to solve domestic and marital disputes amicably. We also offer professional counselling to people. This is a great concern to traditional leaders in Nyanga and we urge people to desist from resorting to violence to settle disputes,” he said. – state media

As a result of an apparent curse the life of Mr Philip Makiwa of Mhokore Village under Chief Njelele in Gokwe has turned into a nightmare after his three children aged two, four and 10 died mysteriously early last month.
Mr Makiwa is now living in fear after the village head, Mr Jorum Kudhela allegedly told his relatives at a joint funeral of the children that he had bewitched them after the former’s two-year-old daughter accidentally killed his three chicks while playing.
Narrating his heart-rending ordeal last week, Mr Makiwa said he had a misunderstanding with Mr Kudhela who is his cousin after his two-year-old daughter killed the latter’s three chicks which had strayed into his yard.
Mr Makiwa said Mr Kudhela then evicted him from the village after he refused to compensate for the chicks but he stayed put arguing that the village head had no authority to evict him over petty matters.
“After I stayed put, my wife started having weird dreams of the three chicks visiting her while she was sleeping. We went to church elders and we were told that Mr Kudhela was responsible to which he admitted. He was then told to bring his suspected goblins so that they could be destroyed but he refused and stopped coming to church,” he said.
“After a few days, my two-year-old daughter just stopped talking and looked like someone who had suffered a stroke. She died two days later. While we were preparing for her burial, our two other children a boy and a girl had the same problem and died three days later.”
Mr Makiwa said Mr Kudhela then called for a village meeting where he barred villagers from attending the funeral. Mr Kudhela, he added, told him and his relatives that his children had died because of the three chicks that his daughter had killed.
“He told me that my children had compensated for the three chicks that one of them killed. We then decided to bring the issue to Chief Njelele,” he said.
Mr Kudhela allegedly admitted at the chief’s court that the children had died because of the three chicks. He also allegedly admitted possessing goblins which he promised to hand over to the prophets from his church.
Chief Njelele fined Mr Kudhela two beasts which he paid and Chief Njelele said he would summon witch-hunters to cleanse the village at Mr Kudhela’s expense if he failed to hand over the said goblins to church leaders so that they are destroyed. sunday news

FORMER Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze says the need to recover over $85 000 he is owed pushed him into fronting a bid to stop the association’s dissolution as well as the proposed formation of the National Football Association of Zimbabwe. In court papers filed at the High Court in Harare, his lawyer, Pauline Kadembo, said Mashingaidze derived his locus standi from being owed by Zifa.
“The applicants’ locus standi arise from the fact that they are owed large sums of arrear salaries by Zifa who is their employer or former employer and they were grossly affected by the sudden unlawful dissolution which left them with no employer and no legal remedy to recover their salaries, since Zifa is now a non-existent association,” wrote Mashingaidze.
“I am personally owed the sum of US$85 338,81 in arrear salaries as at end of April 2016, when I ceased to be an employee of Zifa. I also aver that on top of the non-compliance with the constitution the decision by the respondents to dissolve Zifa and form Nafaz was done in bad faith and is against the tenants of natural justice, public policy and labour laws.
“The dissolution of Zifa was designed to evade obligations to creditors and employees especially considering that the new association Nafaz excluded itself from any of Zifa’s liabilities and did not take over the Zifa employees, most of which are the applicants.”
Mashingaidze’s argument has done little to extinguish speculation that the former Zifa chief executive is trying to take advantage of the confusion at the national association to claw his way back into mainstream football administration barely two months after leaving his lofty post.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Sport, Mashingaidze did not rule out a possible return but said he would only consider one in an environment where he was appreciated.
“I have clearly stated the reasons for my interest in this case but it’s also a fact that I am a servant of football and will always be ready to serve in any capacity. But one needs to work in an environment where they feel appreciated and I think that appreciation was no longer there when I left Zifa.
“While football can never be about personalities, there are some people like (Zifa vice-president) Omega (Sibanda) and (Southern region president Mussa) Mandaza whom I think I can never be able to work with again because of their never disguised disdain of me,” he said. – state media

Sex deprived wife Noria Garai (20), was bashed by her husband Brighton Madzinga, for demanding to have sexual intercourse with him, the Mbare Magistrates’ Court heard.
The 25-YEAR-OLD Madzinga , yesterday appeared before the court where he pleaded guilty to battering his wife after she demanded her conjugal rights.
Madzinga appeared before magistrate Tafadzwa Miti, who convicted him on physical abuse charges and remanded him out of custody to today for sentence.
The court heard Madzinga and his wife, had had a sour relationship since March this year when Garai, then his girlfriend, claimed she was pregnant.
“She demanded to have sexual intercourse with me on Thursday regardless of the fact that I have denied her the conjugal rights for the past three months,” Madzinga said.
Allegations against him were that on the day in question at around midnight, Garai made sexual advances towards him, but he refused.
The court heard that a misunderstanding then arose between the two, prompting Madzinga to clap Garai in the face and also beat her several times with a belt on her back.
Garai sustained injuries on her lips, but did not go for medical examination.
In mitigation, Madzinga told the court he was not comfortable with having sexual intercourse with Garai because he was disputing responsibility for her pregnancy.
“She also refused to take a pregnancy test earlier that same day, so I was angry,” Madzinga said.
Prosecutor Gerald Date urged the court to impose a heavy fine, saying although Madzinga had been provoked by Garai, he ought not to have taken the law into his own hands. Newsday

In the ever increasing cases of domestic violence a Glen Norah man, Shepherd Mhako, is reported to have appeared at the Mbare Magistrates’ Court yesterday facing an attempted murder charge after he allegedly threw his wife through their apartment’s first floor window.
He accused her of cheating on him.
Mhako (40) was not asked to plead when he appeared before magistrate Stanford Mambanje.
He was remanded in custody to July 14 and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
The State alleges that on Tuesday, Mhako accused his wife, whose name was not disclosed in court papers, of having an extramarital affair before assaulting her.
Mhako allegedly battered his wife with open hands and fists all over the body and then threw her out of the couple’s first floor’s apartment window.
The court heard that Mhako’s wife sustained a broken right leg and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
Daniel Muchimbiri appeared for the State. Newsday

Contrary to statements issued by government, the Beitbridge border post was en-flamed under a state of emergency with heavy police details with their artillery flooding into the town through the night.
State media falsely reported last night that the situation at the border was calm and Beitbridge was going on with business as usual.
ZimEye.com correspondents who spent the night monitoring the situation on the ground, established that the border post remained closed for all travelers exiting the country with the gates chained.
At first a huge contingent of anti riot police arrived in the town in four truck loads from Harare at night accompanied by heavy anti riot artillery.
Other followed suit afterwards accompanied by a helicopter standby force.
According to reports, a semi curfew was imposed in the Dulivadzimu township with police and the army patrolling the streets throughout the night. No one was allowed to be seen walking in the streets at night amid threats of being shot by live bullets if seen pacing the streets.
Meanwhile reports claimed that the local ZANU PF leadership in the town was last night preparing to mobilise for an urgent meeting to be addressed by top ZANU PF and government officials.
Heavy violence rocked the town throughout Friday over the government imposed ban on importing goods from South Africa.
The violence was so far reported to have claimed one life amid property damage running into hundreds of thousands dollars.
A ZIMRA warehouse with impounded vehicles was set on fire during the fracas protest.
Transform Zimbabwe’s Secretary General, Asan Mtembo, on Friday told ZimEye “this is a reaction and it shows people are not happy with the implementation of the new Statutory Instrument (for impounding imported goods)”.

He continued, “People are hungry, people don’t have money. People are unemployed, people are surviving on selling goods and this SI is actually crippling every person who was doing trade”.
Meanwhile, the latest details shown to ZimEye.com states that the border attempted an opening for business at 5am Saturday under supervision of the CIO and police officials deployed from Harare.

President Robert Mugabe’s wife and Zanu Pf Women’s League boss, Grace Mugabe has cancelled her scheduled trip to Neshangwe High School in Chikomba District of Mashonaland East, her home area of upbringing.

Details and explanations of her cancelling the visit to the place where she was expected to address people celebrating Women’s Day, were sketchy and a mystery to the event’s organisers.
Sources claimed to ZimEye.com the reason is that she has other “big business to do”
Many of her supporters who are used to being bused to her gatherings in anticipation of food handouts were left with nothing to say but only disappointment as they had been expecting to feast as they normally do.
Some people in party regalia were seen at Sadza Growth Point some 65 km East of Chivhu town.
At the end of day on Friday, a top ZANU PF source in the area told ZimEye.com Mrs Mugabe at the last minute chose to re-schedule her meeting to Saturday. At the time of writing however, it was not clear if the new meeting will go ahead.

A diasporan man’s wife (25) who forced a 14-year-old relative to have sex with her, resulting in her falling pregnant has been arrested.
The abuser Francina Phiri, of Mbamba area under Chief Mahlathini in Tsholotsho, who is about four months pregnant, told investigators she raped the minor because she was starved of sex. She said she failed to contain her desire after her husband stayed for a long time without visiting her.
Police arrested Phiri on Thursday for aggravated indecent assault. Sources yesterday said she is out of custody but will appear in court on Monday.
A family member who preferred anonymity said Phiri whose husband works in South Africa started abusing the boy in September last year. “The boy told a family member that Phiri called him to her bedroom demanding sex.
“Francina told family members that her husband had been away for a long time and she couldn’t hold herself anymore. She said she finally decided to do it with the boy,” said the relative.
The relative said the incident had come as a great shock to the family, considering the age of the boy who is still in school and the fact that the two are related.
A villager, Minyeni Dliwayo said the affair was a disgraceful scandal for the community.
“Falling pregnant was a curse from God who wanted to reveal this woman was abusing the boy. She should have followed her husband although somehow I blame these injivas for leaving their young wives for too long.”
“I’m not condoning her actions but she could have gone for an older man rather than ruin a young boy’s future,” said Dliwayo.
Ward 15 councillor Ishmael Dube said sexual abusers deserved to rot in jail.
“People should learn that sexual abuse is a serious crime. I urge children to always reveal such issues to their parents before it’s too late,” said the councillor.
Cllr Dube said children should not be afraid of threats from “monsters who abuse them” but should tell their parents or guardians as soon as they are attacked. State Media

She said she was a hard worker despite negative stories that were being written about her by the private media.
Mugabe said the dairy farm was one of the success projects that started from scratch, but was now able to produce unique products that were in high demand on the market. She said the children’s home was one project that she was passionate about as she chronicled how she set up the home and the Amai Mugabe Junior School and the secondary school that is currently under construction with support from some well-wishers who bought into her ideas.
Mugabe said the schools have capacities of 1 000 pupils each and state-of-the-art hostels and dining halls.
She said women had been marginalised for too long adding that she did not compete with women, but men.
Funds permitting, she said, she intended to set up a hospital and a Robert Mugabe University in Mashonaland Central.
She hailed Zim-Asset for the emphasis it placed on value addition.
“I have nurtured this policy because I believe in its objectives and I am pleased with the results that we are realising today in the family business.
“My challenge to you is that you revisit the Zim-Asset document and examine ways in which we can stop the losses we continue to suffer as a country because we have not given value addition the seriousness it deserves.
“When I look at our mining sector, for example, I believe we still need to align mineral extraction to beneficiation to stem the loss of earnings that has partly contributed to our liquidity problems.
“I call upon you Mr (Davison) Norupiri (ZNNC president) and your members to vigorously and honestly interrogate the issue of investment and how this can be strengthened,” she said.
She pledged to continue working hard, encouraged by the award that she dedicated to her family and all those who contributed to the growth of the projects.
Mugabe said an undying commitment to the development and growth of the country’s economy would certainly bring dividends in the future adding that big businesses did not always start big.
Other individual winners were Mrs Smelly Dube, who walked away with the Business Woman of the Year Award. She is the chief executive and founder of River Valley Properties based in Gweru.
In the citation, River Valley Properties with a chain of subsidiaries was said to have developed more than 10 000 properties both residential and commercial.
Univern Enterprises chief executive Mr Serge Levy won the Business Man of the Year Award.
The company has partnered the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) in its computerisation exercise.

THIRTY-ONE percent of paternity tests done at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) over the past 15 months came out negative. This exposes some women as cheats who try to force men to raise kids that are not biologically theirs. The DNA profiling tests, also known as genetic fingerprinting were done at the Bulawayo university’s Applied Genetics Testing Centre (AGTC) between April, 2015 and last month.
DNA testing is the most advanced and accurate technology to determine parentage.
Nust’s AGTC chairperson Mr Zephaniah Dhlamini said a total of 42 paternity tests were done during the period. “The outcomes revealed that there were 29 inclusions meaning the father was positive and 13 exclusions where the results between the father and child were negative. This means 31 percent of the people who were said to be fathers in disputed cases, were not. The paternity test costs $100 per head, so if we’re testing the father, mother and the child the total cost for the tests will be $300,” said Mr Dhlamini.
Doing DNA profiling at Nust costs significantly less than what Zimbabweans pay to have it done outside the country.
A lawyer said it costs about $500 for couples to take their blood samples to South Africa for the test.
Mr Dhlamini said it takes about eight hours to arrive at the results of paternity tests.
“However, it’s more cost effective to do the tests in larger batches. So we’ve resorted to conducting them every two weeks.
“This implies that if you’re lucky and be the last person to submit your samples you can get the required results within 24 hours,” he said.
Nust’s AGTC comes as a relief to some men who were forced to take their samples to South Africa for the test at higher cost.
Historian and social commentator Mr Pathisa Nyathi said some men who fail to raise money to pay for DNA tests might be maintaining other men’s children.
“There are many men who think that they’re parents when they aren’t. They’re many social fathers with social children. This only proves the cultural aspect that says the only person who knows who the father of a child is, is the mother,” said Mr Nyathi.
He said paternity testing is not a new phenomenon as it has always been done traditionally although it was very dangerous.
“Traditionally the child was taken through rituals where they’ll be given some traditional concoction to drink. The father’s family who did the test believed that if the child was one of theirs he/she wouldn’t die after going through the ritual process. But if the child died they won’t be from within that family,” he said.
He said some women chickened out on taking their children through the ritual process.
“This led to their children being called ivezandlebe (children whose paternity is not certain),” said Mr Nyathi.
A local gender activist said women were sometimes forced by “circumstances beyond their control” to cheat.
“We admit that there are women who deliberately cheat men but we must consider that it’s the same men who impregnate women and then deny responsibility. Women who find themselves in this situation can try tricking another man to raise the child considering the costs involved in raising children,” she said.
“We call upon men to be responsible enough and never put women in situations where they’ve to lie to another man to secure a child’s livelihood. Sometimes they fear the social stigma attached to ‘fatherless’ children.”-state media

The Australian government says it has “restructured” its aid assistance programmes in  Zimbabwe with only “forward” funded programmes running until the end of the projects.
Zimbabwe since the year 2000 has been depending on donor funding after economy crashed down following farm invasions sponsored by President Robert Mugabe. Harare was slapped with sanctions by America and the European Union for violently grabbing farms owned by white commercial farmers.
Since then, the country has been unable to produce its own food.
Australia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Suzanne McCourt told ZimEye.com during a tour of projects her country is supporting in Harare, this week that there is no fresh money for Zimbabwe.
“We have restructured the aid programme, a lot of water and sanitation programmes we have here were forward funded and they will run until that money channeled towards them runs out. We have ongoing scholarship commitments and short courses of midlevel professionals for public servants   that are running,” she said.
“We also have ongoing support through Australian NGOs supporting partnering with Zimbabwean NGOs to provide assistance to the communities,” she concluded.

Staff Reporter|Civic organisations and human rights organisations are reportedly flocking to  the Beitbridge border post to join hands with thousands of citizens and cross border traders who have started an uprising there against the government ban on the importation of a wide range of goods into the country.
Reports indicate that the situation is extremely tense at the border with citizens on the rampage overwhelming the police and border security forcing the closure of the border.
Social media postings show that several human rights organisations are now on their way from Harare and Bulawayo to join in the fracas and send a clear message to government.
Meanwhile reports also indicate that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority warehouse at the border post has been set on fire by the striking citizens.

Viva Zimbabwe 1st Press Conference OFFICIAL SPEECH
June 30 2016
Delivered by Party Chairman
Lumumba Lumumba

IF I WAS A MUSICIAN I WOULD SING ABOUT IT all, IF I WAS painter, I would pencil a masterpiece, IF I WAS AN ACTIVIST I would get out on the street and petition, BUT IM NOT that, I am A POLITICIAN, a passion I have held since I was child, politics to me, is the most important conversation our generation needs to take over, not the divisive politics we have become so used to, not the politics that destroys but the politics that’s builds, not the politics that focuses on people who have or want power, but the politics that focuses on what needs to get done with that power, not the politics that creates problems but the politics that solves them, I am passionate about politics that’s kind and not harsh, listens before it attacks, where ideas are exchanged no matter how different, a politics that understands while you may not always be right, you deserve to be listened to, that spends time focused on the future, not just what it looks like but what role we must play in it, THAT is politics this country needs, sadly that politics does not exist, that’s why so many young people struggle to fit in to the political space, because it does not speak to our generation.
Today I am announcing the future of politics in this country. This summer a new political player will be introduced to the country, the only realistic chance we have of constructing a new path for this nation. A path whose roadways speak to the ambitions and ideas of its people.
We are faced with a generational divide between old ideas and new thought, between Rhodesian wounds and democratic messaging, between a generation that has served its purpose and a generation fighting for a chance to serve theirs. It is this disconnect and disregard of our generation that has brought us to a point of forming our own generational consensus and building a youth led political party.
I learnt early on in life that when you are passionate enough about anything it becomes political; this was true when the founding fathers of this country where tested by the clenched fist of the Rhodesian colony, their plight became political, it was true when the land was owned by a minority of Rhodesian farmers at the expense of the black majority, it became political and a generation acted, again when the political founding fathers blocked new ideas it became political and a generation of activists led by Morgan Tsvangirai acted, it is always called on a generation to act when the issues affecting it become so charged they go to the core of politics.
Today it is the state of our economy. We all have a version of a good life that we see when we close our eyes, this version ranges from being able to keep your marriage together, you are working hard but the opportunity to rise or be financially rewarded is dwarfed and looking after your family near the impossible, bringing real heart breaking chaos into many households, for some a good life is graduating from university and being able to apply for a dream job that allows you contribute your skills and talents, for most of us a good life is simply being able to look after our parents, siblings and most importantly our children. Whatever your version of a good life is, today the chances of reaching it are nutured.
Our parents were born in Rhodesia but they lived a better life than we do in current Zimbabwe, look at us, independent on paper but highly dependent in reality, respectful but abused, told we are free but when itai Dzamara was abducted, they said only if he had not acted so free, told to dream, but everyday we wake up to a nightmare reality, we are now so angry so frustrated and so passionate that the issue has become political and so our generation must act, and must act now. It is this generation I am speaking to. The youth of this country. Viva Zimbabwe is the political party we have all been waiting for, not for you to vote for but for you to use as the vehicle to unlock your potential and have a chance of realizing your dreams.
In 25 months we go into the next general election, elections are about the future and what you want it to look like. Your vote is the game changer between opposing visions/ideas and beliefs. So lets talk about the viva vision, its you. The vision is you, not the economy, nor the democracy but you, the idea that you are the most important conversation we should be having as a country, the idea that unlocking your ideas by listening to them, giving them space and supporting them is the single most important expectation you should have from your government.
WE can build our own country, but we will have change our political culture, put measures in place that ensure we can never end up in the place we are in today, and one of the most important ways of doing that is putting in place checks and balances, not everyone who is a good politician should be in government occupying public office.
I will not be contesting for any public office in the next election, but I recognize there are people who can serve this country so much better if they where given the opportunity. Viva Zimbabwe is there to create that chance, there is nothing wrong with this country, that the young people in this generation can not solve, I can not wait until its one of us leading the reengagement process with countries we long since broke relations with, how I dream for one of us to lead the reform of our schooling system, one of us to lead the transition from the old and painful way of accessing a simple birth certificate, to a new and modern way of getting it done.
My ideas are not the best, that’s why we need yours, but if your only idea of politics is crushing the ideas of others because you do not believe it can be done, I only ask that you get out of the way for those of us who believe it can be done.
Our Business community has been overtaxed and under supported for the longest time, you can preform better if government gets out of your way. Enabling structures must be in place, not because you are a special class but because you are to this economy what blood is to the body, we have to look after you if we are to stay healthy, we promise to engage with you at every step of the way, viva Zimbabwe is the answer. Lets transition to a new deal.
We have been taught a racial politics where boxes have been built for us based on the color of our skin, this generation can be the generation to get rid of racism, its ok to go to school with another race, and to do business with them, Zimbabwe is not a race, Zimbabwe is a people. viva Zimbabwe is the answer, lets transition to a new deal.
There are 3 million plus Zimbabwean who are outside this country. They are Zimbabweans before they are anything else, for too long they been left out, they cant vote they cant invest and they cant contribute to the development of their country, not anymore, this country needs not just your ideas but your exposure more than you have been led to believe, we need you! Lets transition to a new deal
To the members of the press, increasingly you have become the game changers who force attention where the old culture of politics have tried to make us turn aside. 1st of all, Thank you. Thank you for keeping the conversation of what is going on in this country in our face and protecting us every time they tried to shut us up. You deserve a better country, viva Zimbabwe is the answer.
To the War veterans like my father, who for almost 40 years has served loyally this country in the military as a civil servant. Under rewarded and now afraid of retirement because he is not sure if his pension will come at the end of the month, viva Zimbabwe is the answer. We honor and respect war veterans for their selfless service, but no one who was willing to give up their life for this country should ever have to be treated the way Zanu Pf has treated you.
To my brothers and sisters, colleagues alike, cdes and friends, youth leaders from other parties – MDC Nelson Chamisa, ZPF- Luckson Kandemiri, ZANU PF Kudzai Chipanga, thank you for the hard work you have been putting in to make sure our generation is not left out, but we lose the battle the moment we start fighting each other, we are stronger together than apart, we are not each others enemy nor are we the oppressor.
I am putting a new deal on the table, tinosvika kupi tichingo shandiswa nemashefu anogara pamba pakanaka, pako hapana gadhi, vano famba nemota dzakana, iwe hauna kana bhutsu, vanodya chkafu chinonaka, isu tichiita zvekubatanidza. Hai hai SOKUKWANILE MADHODHA.
Join viva Zimbabwe and lead me. Lead us in a direction you know better than others how to navigate, if it’s a problem of my leadership. I will make a deal with you,.. You can come and lead instead, but what you can not do is shy away from our generational responsibility. Lets transition into a new deal.
To the civil servants of this country, you are the back bone of this country, you are the most resolute people I have ever come across. You are the midwives munobatsira ana amai zuva nezuva kuzvara vana, ma headmasters, mateacher akatidzidzisa chirungu chatakuvhaira nacho tichidadida pasi rose, mapurisa akatichengetedza kubvira nekubvira , mawuto enyika, pamasana penyu miganhu yeZimbabwe yakachengetedzeka, munyika menerunyararo, you joined because you wanted to serve, ishungu dzenyu nenyika yenyu dzinokutumai.
Through thick and thin you have weathered the storm and no matter the circumstances, you wake up each morning to go to work, to help deliver more children into this country, to put more smiles on the faces of our precious boys and girls, how dare they do this to you. I want to say Thank you. Ndimi ana mai nana baba vakabata hana yenyika. You have educated us, kune tsumo inoti chirere chigokurerawo, thank you educating us, tinokumbira mukana wekukutendai nekukurerai.
Lastly the security chiefs, our fight is not against you. Zanu pf has abused you for too long, they have committed all manners of evil and come to hide behind your protection yet look at the lives of your service men and women. Zanu pf let you down, our police, CIO and military, I am offering a better relationship, one built on common purpose to create a country our children can be proud of. Zanu pf without you are normal men and women, may history remember you as the guardians of the transition and not the obstacle of it. We are not here for chaos, or a revolution, we will not always agree but will listen to your counsel, especially when we disagree. We are here for transition, hope vs fear, faith vs despair, long term economic planning vs short term gains, partnerships vs debt. The road is long and this journey will be hard, today we ask you to take this first step with us. The tide is riding. Welcome to the viva experience.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has distanced himself from the arrest of suspended Harare Mayor Cllr Bernard Manyenyeni saying his ministry is only concerned with the smooth running of the capital.
Minister Kasukuwere said this in the National Assembly on Wednesday evening during the second reading stage of the Local Government Laws Amendment Bill when he was responding to a barrage of criticism from MDC-T MPs who questioned the coincidence of the order by the High Court to reinstate Mr Manyenyeni and his immediate arrest by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.
The Bill, which seeks to provide for the suspension of mayors and councillors through the appointment of an independent tribunal, sailed through the National Assembly late on Wednesday during an emotionally charged sitting.
Minister Kasukuwere said Mr Manyenyeni’s arrest and his suspension by the Government over maladministration were two different processes that should not be mixed and were being carried out by different State arms.
“As the minister in charge of Local Government, we are only dealing with issues to do with the administration of our local authorities and in this particular case Harare. What has happened (has to do) with the Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission (ZACC), which does not report to this Minister. Our hands are clean, we have nothing to do with what has befallen the mayor,” said Minister Kasukuwere.
He said it was strange that MDC-T was silent on the recent arrest of Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation acting chief executive officer Mr Patrick Mavhura.
“Save also to add that a few days ago, ZACC arrested the acting chief executive officer of ZBC. The MDC never made noise, but today because they find that one of their own is in trouble, they want to blame this Government. I think we must allow our institutions to do their work and, in any case, these matters will go to court and we cannot comment on them,” he said.
Turning to Gweru City Council, Minister Kasukuwere said suspended mayor Hamutendi Kombayi was not in office because he had taken Government to court and as the responsible minister he had to defend Government position.
“We suspended the entire council including members of Zanu-PF. We wanted to give them an opportunity to state their case before a tribunal. The same political party rushed to the courts, we also went to the courts. Yes, we lost in the courts, but we are allowed in terms of the law to appeal to the next level in terms of the law. We have appealed to the Supreme Court and that matter stands there. The fact that Kombayi is not in office is as a result of him having taken us to court and we have also gone to defend ourselves,” said Minister Kasukuwere.
He rapped MDC-T MPs for playing succession politics in the wake of reports that some senior members of the opposition party were jostling for leadership positions after it emerged that their leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai ,was unwell after being diagnosed with colon cancer.
“The colleagues on the right were not making contributions to help us in crafting a law that helps the people of this country. It was a succession game, in this party, there is a challenge. They are looking for a new leader, hence all the contributors who were coming in front; all they were doing was campaigning,” said Minister Kasukuwere.
Earlier on a scuffle erupted in the House after Zanu-PF MP John Holder (Zvishavane Ngezi) charged at Kuwadzana East MP Mr Nelson Chamisa after he felt that the opposition MP had made provocative statements insinuating that some legislators were not educated.
This was after Mr Chamisa rose on a point of order in which he said he was going to read the relevant section of Standing Orders for the benefit of those who could not read. Initially Holder interjected saying Mr Chamisa should withdraw his coments, but Mr Chamisa was unyielding.
It was at that stage that Holder left his seat more than 10 metres and advanced towards Mr Chamisa. A scuffle then ensued while other legislators restrained the pair after sensing that there could be a brawl. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Marble Chinomona sat quietly as she waited for chief whips for political parties to calm their members.
After shoving and pushing, Holder was eventually escorted back to his seat. Mr Chamisa then sought to have Holder charged for disorderly conduct.
Chinomona said she would need to study all evidence before making a ruling.-state media

Staff Reporter|Former ZANU PF youth leader Ace Lumumba says that he will not be contesting elections in the 2018 elections in the banner of his new political party, Viva Zimbabwe, because his character is too tainted.
Lumumba uttered the confusing remarks while officially launching his new youth political party in Harare yesterday morning.
The controversial politician said he enjoyed too much money in the hands of ZANU PF at a very tender age that much that he feels he will not be the best person to stand up and contest elections to lead the country anytime soon.
“I was only 23 when ZANU PF introduced me to its system of corruption. You can imagine a 23 year old being given a million dollars and resources to do as he pleases? That’s what I went through,” he said.
“In ZANU PF you would just click and everything is delivered and those are the things that destroyed this country,” he added.
Asked why then he was forming a political party if he was not going to contest elections, Lumumba said that he will lead it to give young politicians a chance to contest elections against ZANU PF while rebranding his image which was tainted by ZANU PF.
Lumumba lamented at ZANU PF “shefs” who use young people to promote their personal gains. He said this calling on the young people in the country to stand up and refuse to be used by ZANU PF and be the new leaders of the country.
“ZANU PF is very good at using us young people to fill up their rallies and push their agendas for nothing. This is now the time that we must take a stance and refuse to be used,” he said.
Speaking to a loud cheer from the predominantly university students at the press conference, Lumumba said the ZANU PF government has failed to deliver a future for the young people turning university graduates into vendors.
He took swipe at President Robert Mugabe for promising young Zimbabweans two million jobs he has failed to deliver. He warned the president to brace himself for a heavy fight from the young people of Viva Zimbabwe.
Former Vice President Joyce Mujuru who also left ZANU PF to form her own party the Zimbabwe People First was also not spared the wrath as she was accused of retaining the ZANU PF mentality of imposing her will on people.
“I was shocked to hear Mujuru announcing that she was forming a new political party but already carrying a party manifesto which she is imposing on people. That’s an old way of doing things,” he said.
According to him Viva Zimbabwe will draw a manifesto from ideas brought through by its members.
In an interview after the press conference, interim party Secretary General, Agent Gumbo said that the youth party is coming in to usher a new dimension into the politics of the country whereby the young people who are the future of the country will have a decision on how the country should be run. He defended Lumumba’s attack of President Mugabe describing it as exactly what the young people of Zimbabwe are feeling.
“We will not apologise for the presumed insult that Lumumba is said to have lashed at Mugabe because what he said is exactly what every young Zimbabwean is saying to Mugabe deep in their hearts just that they do not have the guts to say it. There is now a sudden out cry because one brave person has said it,” he said.
Midway through his otherwise impressive speech, Lumumba shocked people attending his press conference when he threw an F word insult at President Mugabe.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that Lumumba was whisked away by state security agents. ZimEye.com has followed Lumumba up and the upcoming article will reveal his whereabouts.

 Terrence Mawawa, Zvishavane| A self-styled prophet shaved a 17 year old girl’s private parts and inserted his manhood into her private parts in an apparent bid to exorcise demons.
Silence Matena of Mberengwa ,a self styled prophet, was hired by the girl’s family members to exorcise evil spirits since he used to pray for them.
Matena was arrested after raping the girl and appeared at Zvishavane Magistrate’s Court facing rape charges.
Facts of the state case are that Matena was called by the girl’s family on June 7, 2016, to exorcise evil spirits tormenting her.
Matena started his work by shaving the minor’s pubic hair claiming he wanted to remove tattoos that were associated with the evil spirits.
The girl however claims that Matena shaved her pubic hair after noticing that it was infested with lice so he was afraid of being affected by the parasites. After the deception of shaving her pubic hair, Matena instructed the girl to lie on her back and raped her.
Aware of what had transpired the girl then informed a relative who advised her to report the matter to the police, leading to Matena’s arrest. He was remanded in custody to July 20.
Commenting on the incident, Masvingo based social commentator and sociology graduate Edmore Muchechetere said religious leaders were expected to be influential in preventing moral degradation instead of taking advantage of helpless women running away from societal ills.” It is unfortunate the religious leaders who are expected to be the light of the society are feasting on helpless and innocent women.The essence of the church is to define us so that we can behave in line with the conventional rules of social behaviour,” said Muchechetere.