The Harare Residents Trust has blamed unabated graft in the Harare City Council for its failure to provide essential services and also to pay council employees their salaries on time.
This emerged after four Harare City Council officials allegedly diverted 52 000 litres of petrol worth US$70 400 last year and documents with incriminating evidence were destroyed. It is also alleged other important records were not availed for audit, thereby raising fear that more could have been looted.
Implicated in the fuel scandal are Messrs L Mabika, N Chitate, V Fundikwa and I Chirengo who allegedly connived to misappropriate 4 000 litres of petrol per day for 13 days.
It also emerged that 146 goods received notes vanished.
This is contained in an internal report dated April 27, 2016; titled “Systems review audit on procurement of fuel at Harare water”.
Council spokesman Mr Michael Chideme declined to discuss the matter.
However, the internal audit report is expected to be discussed at the full council meeting tomorrow.
Council auditors recommended the department of water to report the looting to police.
“Audit is concerned at the serious breakdown of procurement systems at Harare Water and feels that the misappropriation of fuel could have just been a tip of the iceberg as audit failed to vouch 146 goods received notes, due to failure by stores officer to avail them,” reported council auditors.
The audit report notes that from the onset, it was clear that Mabika had an intention to misappropriate the fuel because the volumes he requested (4 814 — 7 882) were far too large for the Harare Water Highfield’s petrol tank which measures 4 000 litres.
Mabika is accused of witnessing as fuel was loaded at the supplier’s depot. He also signed delivery notes although the fuel did not reach the council’s storage tanks.
Part of the audit report reads: “Stores personnel falsely acknowledged that the fuel was physically received and recorded, by processing the goods received notes for the fuel which was not received. The loss control records also show that the fuel was not physically received.”
Council officials stand accused of destroying 12 copies of fuel purchase order books.
“Fuel receiving books and goods received note books were not availed, raising fears that they could have been more fuel paid for but not received.
“More so, goods received note books at Highfield Stores could not be verified as they were only recorded in the security register on issuing only. Furthermore, some pages for an analysis book for transaction sent for payment by the procurement office during the same period were also destroyed,” reads part of the report. Auditors also unearthed lack of compliance to record goods received which were not entered into the receipt book.
It was revealed that goods received notes numbers 403851, 403855, 406508 and 501601 were fraudulently used as support for payment for goods which were never received.
In response, the Harare Residents’ Trust said: “The main reason the municipality is unable to pay council workers their salaries and provide essential services to the people is that most of the money being generated from viable ventures in being abused. Service delivery continues to deteriorate yet some funds are missing and no action is being taken to punish the culprits.

A united front of churches has called on President Robert Mugabe to resign in order to redeem the flagging fortunes of the country.
Several church organisations met in Harare this week, where a consensus was reached to put pressure on President Robert Mugabe to leave office for allegedly failing to run the country.
The Zimbabwe Divine Destiny (ZDD), Christian Prophetic Voice Zimbabwe, Christian Voice, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, Christian Alliance and Prayer Network Zimbabwe, among others, convened a meeting to discuss efforts and approaches being taken by church organisations in response to Zimbabwe’s challenges.
The convener of the meeting, Ancelimo Magaya, said Mugabe was abusing citizens’ rights and implementing unworkable policies.
“There is a clear indication and consensus that President Mugabe has failed us. We feel very strongly that he is also too old to continue,” Magaya said.
“He has failed and we have made observations that whatever difficulties we are going through right now, it is actually a result of the leadership crisis where a leader has failed to provide servant leadership.”
Magaya said his ZDD would particularly mobilise for Mugabe to realise the need to pave way for others.
“As ZDD, we are going to increase action against reckless policies, ad hoc policies such as the introduction of bond notes. We are also going to resist a situation where a given bunch of people really take our lives for granted. Now we really have to push for his (Mugabe’s) retirement,” he said.
Pius Wakatama, of the Christian Prophetic Voice of Zimbabwe, said the Zanu PF government was politicising food aid, disrespecting the rule of law and was corrupt, urging the church to rise and defend the poor and powerless from abuse.
Opposition parties also threw their support behind the call by churches for Mugabe to step down.
MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said: “The involvement of the church in the country’s politics is a new dawn and vindicates what we have always said. We have always called for democracy and Mugabe to step down, but because we are a generally Christian nation, we hope they will accept the church’s call.”
Zimbabwe People First spokesperson Rugare Gumbo also said they were in full support of the church’s call for Mugabe to retire.
“The church has always been involved in politics even before independence and it played a big role in fighting oppression. The church is now reawakening and we hope the rest of the nation will look at the situation from the church’s perception,” Gumbo said.
Kurauone Chihwayi, the spokesperson for the MDC, also welcomed the stance taken by the Christian denominations.
“We hail the position taken by the clergy since it buttresses and approves the call by opposition political parties and civic society.
There is need for all sections of society to explore and agree on a working political formula or language that Robert Mugabe will understand,” Chihwayi said.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) have urged citizens to be vigilant, tolerant and united in working together towards transformation of the floundering economy.
ZHOCD raised concern over the delays in processing real-time gross settlement payments for a period of up to eight days.
The church leaders urged authorities to ensure that there was no heavy-handedness in ensuring compliance on various measures put forward in the financial sector, while expressing concern over high lending rates by local financial institutions and the introduction of bond notes.
They said if the government decides to carry on with bond notes, they must have an expiry date not going beyond December 2017. They called for the introduction of an independent board to monitor issuance of bond notes and allow respected international monetary institutions to monitor their injection into the financial system.-Newsday

FORMER secretary general in the Professor Welshman Ncube led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Moses Mzila Ndlovu and at least 64 others have terminated their membership and completely cut off ties with the “green” party.
Ndlovu announced he and other former members were finally ending their relationship with MDC at a presser Saturday morning held at the Presbyterian Church in Bulawayo.
The meeting was also attended by about 150 people – most of them former members of the MDC such as Esaph Mdlongwa, Elizabeth Ndlovu, Abednico Moyo, Dudu Dube and former deputy minister of higher education, Lutho Tapela who was in the crowd.
The crowd even chanted “Simunye Mthwakazi, Simunye” meaning we are one nation.
Ndlovu said “serious” deliberations were made but the group realised there were irreconcilable differences which could not be solved between them and MDC leadership.
“The challenges bedeviling the people’s organisation, the MDC have long been a public issue. Of course the public at large might not be aware that while some ugly scenes played out in the media, both formal and informal means were attempted to resolve some of the problems through the laid down internal processes.”
Ndlovu said there “was a minimum of 65 people” who have turned in their MDC membership card and party regalia as a show of leaving the opposition party.
“As Zimbabweans, we have been exposed to cruel ways of terminating one’s party membership like burning t-shirts,” he said. “We are going to do things in a civilised way. If our colleagues insist that it belongs to them, we will engage in negotiations with them. For now, we are keeping custody of this (cards and regalia).”
The former secretary general pointed out despite numerous attempts to resolve the issues, no meaningful results were made.
“Indeed, the problems are deep rooted and complex to even try and narrate then here, suffice to say we have not resolved anything. Hence my acknowledgement and expression of gratitude to colleagues who waited trustingly and confidently for the internal processes to address these issues but unfortunately nothing has happened or even initiated along those lines. At this juncture and chapter of our protracted struggle, it is no longer a question of who did what and why? We have come to accept that let bygones be bygones. It is time to close that chapter,” he said.
“Some of us have taken a decision,” he said. “Since we are at crossroads, we were compelled to decide one way or the other. Indeed, making such profound decisions cannot be easy, but we have done so nonetheless. History will judge us by the decision we have taken. Having carefully studied our situation and the conditions in the MDC, we do not regret in this important decision.”
The former minister of National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration in the Government of National Unity, however, paid tribute to Prof Ncube and “all colleagues we have struggled together in the MDC.”
“There are lifelong lessons we learnt and would continue cherish especially from President of MDC, (Professor) Welshman Ncube,” Ndlovu said.
“Those amongst us who have worked with him since the formation of the MDC are well aware of his many qualities and commitment to democratic change. He always led from the front.”
Ndlovu dismissed suggestion that he is leaving the MDC to lead a regional party, but insisted that, “there is so much energy amongst us, we have no intention to say our departure from the MDC should also mark our departure from politics.”
Elizabeth Ndlovu, a former MDC in Matabeleland South, lamented that the leadership acted unilaterally compromising the party’s standing.
She referred to the infamous case involving Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga where it is alleged Prof Ncube handpicked her to represent Umzingwane constituency to the exclusion of local female candidates.
“I have been hurt and disappointed by the MDC. I started politics long ago where the likes of the late Joshua Nkomo used to respect me but only for me to be disappointed by MDC,” Ndlovu said.
She also encouraged potential male political leaders to behave themselves and respect women and stop making advances at females in the party.
“To the men close your zips, you can’t run a country where the agenda is to have as many women to your name,” Ndlovu claimed.

By Simukai Tinhu Political analyst

Summoned state television journalists were ordered to record the nonagenarian as he reads his “resignation” speech.
Due to ill-health, he reads the speech which interrupts the normal ZBC’s 8pm news bulletin. The president is stepping down and annointing Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa as his successor. Looking exhausted and “frail”, Mugabe finishes his speech by urging the party and nation to rally behind the Midlands heavyweight.
Six months down the line, Mnangagwa is firmly in power. Changes have been sweeping. His government has already introduced more than a hundred changes that include abolishing the elected mayors, city councillors and has closed down private radio stations on the one hand.
On the other hand, thousands of miles away from Harare, in his Saudi Arabian palace — the “Siberia” of deposed African leaders — Mugabe regrets as the three-hour long interview nears its end: “I made a mistake!”
The Guardian newspaper interviewer thinks to himself: the nonagenarian has never admitted to making a mistake before.
“So you think if you had changed the course of your country by introducing progressive economic reforms and liberalising the political system and then mapped out a succession plan, things might have turned out differently for your nation?”
But the former Zimbabwe strongman is talking about something totally different: “No! I mean, I should have seen this coming and finished Mnangagwa off within a year of being vice-president!”
Usually, internal crises of men of Mugabe’s gigantic intelligence take place in those most private and remote regions where we mere mortals can never reach. Did he mean demotion, expulsion or assassination? We will never know.
Mugabe’s stance on succession
In recent months, Mugabe’s room for political manoeuvre has been seriously squeezed by a trend within his own party. Since he ascended to the vice-presidency, those within the ruling party who are in support of Mnangagwa taking over have, on behalf of the reluctant Midlands godfather, been attempting to force out the nonagenarian. The most active in that endeavour have been the war veterans, a group of senior elites in the central committe and politburo and some youth groups who are eager to see the nonagenarian depart from the political scene and hand over the leadership of the party well before the 2018 elections.
In response to this growing pressure, the president has been characteristically outlandish. A couple of weeks ago, the nation’s strongman sanctioned the party’s youth wing to organise what has become known as the “million-man march” in support of his candidature for the upcoming elections.
At the million-man march, Mugabe reiterated that he has no intention, any time soon, of passing on the political baton to anyone, least of them Mnangagwa. His wife, Grace, supported her husband’s position and told the Zanu PF loyalists who thronged Robert Mugabe Square, just outside Harare’s central business district, that her husband was not going anywhere. Instead, he would rule from beyond the grave. According to her, he is “irreplaceable”.
In politics, such outlandish utterances, if said once, can be excused as a mistake or too much excitement by the speaker. The politician concerned might indeed go ahead and apologise and the public might have no qualms in forgiving him or her. But if the politician makes such statements more than once, these statements then form a trend and the public should have a greater interest in their meaning. This is not the first time that the First Lady has said something similar, with the same message being directed at Mnangagwa. Before, she has talked about getting a wheel barrow or a special wheelchair for her husband if his age becomes a stumbling block to eternal rulership.
What more clear message does Mnangagwa need in order to understand that his senior in the party and government has no intention of handing over power to him, any time soon. Indeed, if he continues to forestall his allies in the army and war veterans association’s call for a much more confrontational approach with the president, his ambitions risk suffering a still birth like those of his predecessor, Joice Mujuru.
The Midlands godfather seems to prefer the wait-and-see approach, hoping one day to receive a letter from State House or a hospital in the Far East telling him that Mugabe has succumbed to biology. On the other hand, his allies, in particular the impatient war veterans and Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Constantine Chiwenga, who risks losing his job anytime soon, are urging him to ratchet up the pressure against Mugabe. With Mnangagwa contradicting a confrontational style favoured by his allies, what you have in the Team Lacoste, as the Mnangagwa camp is known, is a muddled grand approach to remove the president.
But with such strong resistance from the president, his wife and their G40 loyalists on one hand and a poor strategy by Team Lacoste on how to undermine the nonagenarian on the other, Zanu PF might as well be represented by a 94-year-old at the 2018 elections. Indeed, time is running out for the 77-year-old Mnangagwa — he is not 74 as officially understood — leaving a coup, whether in the party or government, as the only realistic strategy to push Mugabe out well before the upcoming elections.
Before venturing much into this discussion, let it be understood that writings about a coup should not be interpreted as a deadly suggestion — that is, if you don’t want your elected leaders, you have to get rid of them through extra-constitutional means. Nor should it be seen as an expression of one’s wishes. Writing about coups in our very own context is important in the sense that it helps broaden our imagination to the realms of what can happen to any political system, including our own. Coups have been executed in some of the most unimaginable political situations. Surely, a coup must have crossed the minds of Mnangagwa’, Chiwenga and others at some point.
Now, let’s look at various ways in which Mnangagwa can at least in theory orchestrate a coup.
 
 
Allies in the military
Mnangagwa is close to Chiwenga whom he reportedly intends to make a potential vice-president. In return for the vice-presidency and potentially passing on the leadership baton in the future, the general can facilitate a coup. The nonagenarian could be arrested, pressured to tender his resignation and then hand over power to his vice-president.
Alternatively, the military could declare a coup without directly contacting Mugabe. The claim to “restore democracy and reconstruct the country” could be cited as the reasons for this extreme measure. State of emergency is declared and parliament suspended.
The military will then follow the standard post — coup restoration of civilian order sequence. Initially, they might probably want to run the country themselves with Chiwenga heading a military government for a couple of years whilst “progressive reforms” are being implemented or install a transitional civilian government run by handpicked politicians, mostly from the ruling party, Zanu PF. An election will then have to be organised after at the end of the transitional government. The Midlands godfather will then “win the election”.
However, Mnangagwa is unlikely to take this course. This is because there is a massive chance that a military coup might fail. Mugabe’s allies may call an anti-coup demonstration or protest that might galvanise the president’s support base of women, youths, Mashonaland provinces and rural voters against coup plotters. The security sector itself, in particular, that section of young officers who detest Mnangagwa might turn against the coup. Indeed, they might back off and even join the protesters if the coup faces stiff resistance.
Also, the vice-president understands how seriously Mugabe takes being challenged. If the coup fails and is sent into reverse, this move will certainly have serious consequences for Mnangagwa’s camp. Not only will his ambitions be dealt a huge blow, but also the nonagenarian might take extreme measures.
Hunting down Mnangagwa and his allies will follow if a coup fails. Furthermore, for a man who craves legitimacy, in order to mask his historical human rights abuses and corruption, Mnangagwa understands that ascending to power through a military coup means that all that work that he has undertaken in order to convince the British, in particular, and the West in general that he is the right man for the job, might suddenly unravel.
 
Using party elites
Mnangagwa has not only grown powerful as a result of the security sector support, but also within the party. He has a huge following of party elites within both the politburo and central committee who wants him to take over.
He can use these disgruntled party elites either through the ruling party structures, as Mujuru attempted to do in 2013, or those party elites in the politburo or central committee to openly defy Mugabe thereby undermine his authority. If Mugabe submits to this pressure, this could be seen as a “soft coup” — a palace coup.
This again, is a strategy which is fraught with risks. None in the politburo or party’s central committee who were appointed by the nonagenarian for that matter can openly challenge Mugabe. Not only do these elites risk losing their positions within the party, but they also risk being kicked out of the party or government altogether. This will not only mean loss of political power, but most importantly loss of patronage and access to state resources for personal survival.
Political allegiance in Zanu PF is also fluid making it difficult for the vice-president to have a good estimate of who is and who is not on his side. As the case of three youthful politicians who until recently owed their political careers to the Midlands godfather, Zanu PF elites are ready to jump ship when their political careers are threatened. Mnangagwa used his political capital, resources and networks for the former ZBC reporter, Makhosini Hlongwane, Anastacia Ndhlovu and Tapiwa Matangaidze to further their political careers. However, these politicians have since switched sides to G40, which is led by Grace Mugabe.
Alliance with the opposition
This then leaves Mnangagwa with only one realistic option — an alliance with the opposition.
This can be done in two ways. First, utilising state resources and also his authority within the government, Mnangagwa can use the opportunity provided by the protests against Mugabe’s rule or use his power within the government to provoke a crisis that can be used by the opposition to stage a demonstration. Indeed, Harare’s political rumour mill has it that Mnangagwa, through his ally Patrick Chinamasa, mooted the idea of bond notes, a political move meant to undermine Mugabe’s leadership, or clandestinely encourage the opposition to protest against Mugabe’s rule. Not only will he need to devote resources to that cause, but he also needs to use his connections in the security sector to be restrained in their containment of these protests. The objective of such a strategy will be to erode Mugabe’s authority through delegitimation, forcing him to reconsider his position as party and the nation’s leader.
Second, he can combine forces with the MDC parties and use the legislative approach to push Mugabe out. This would be in the form of an impeachment. The president could be impeached on various grounds, but mostly realistically for corruption and incompetence in government. Mnangagwa would have to persuade a sufficient number of Zanu PF legislators to back his plan and also earn the trust of the opposition which is, however, likely to view that strategy with suspicion.
If it were to be successful, this strategy will allow Mnangagwa to earn legitimacy in the eyes of the international community and possibly some sections of the opposition. The resultant transitional or government of national unity with the opposition will allow him to buy time that he will certainly need to consolidate his position within his party and government in the post-Mugabe era.
Will a coup happen?
Mnangagwa is not a risk-taker. Though many point to the Tsholotsho Declaration of 2004, in which he attempted to circumvent Mugabe’s then choice of vice-president, Joice Mujuru, many have to remember that this was not his idea nor did he execute it personally. It was Professor Jonathan Moyo’s idea and his other allies at the time. Also, without clear signs that Mugabe has been weakened significantly, Mnangagwa is also unlikely to make any move against his senior.
In addition, a coup might set him on a collision course with London, which he is so desperately keen to impress.
But most importantly, almost every coup has been preceeded by strong rumours and in some cases, strong evidence of an impending coup. Indeed, there is always a sense of sweeping of the regime, which any insightful leader such as Mugabe would be able to see. These are both missing in Zimbabwe, and this explains why Mugabe can afford to leave for a month-long holiday in the Far East with the man who wants to take his position in charge of the nation. Such audacity tells us that the prospects of a coup in Zimbabwe are very remote even if politics is unpredictable.
Tinhu is a political analyst based in London.    – Standard

Bank executives and managers are failing to keep their hands off their female colleagues in rampant cases of sexual harassment that have now been brought to the attention of Parliament.
Representatives from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions who appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service Sociological Welfare told of how employers also use the Labour Amendment Act passed into law last year to convert workers’ contracts from permanent to one-year fixed contracts.
They said employers took advantage of employees by applying the carrot and stick method in order to have their way.
ZCTU vice president Mr Peter Mutasa said female employees were the most affected. “We have instances where female employees are now being sexually harassed,” he said. “You have to choose between being abused and a three months’ notice. If it’s a female-headed household you can guess what the employee will choose. “In short, the impact of that amendment is that it eroded all the other pieces of law that seek to protect workers.”
MPs asked that he corroborates his claims by clearly stating where such abuses were rampant.
“We have done a survey in the banking sector and the figures coming from these banks are too high. You hear women testifying that ‘our managers are telling us to book for lodges and hotels using our own money and say call us when you are ready.
“Managers will be holding a three-months termination letter. If you don’t want, you are put on the (termination) list. So people are suffering. Women are suffering much more than men with this amendment. If we don’t protect labour by protecting job security, we are destroying the nationhood of this country which is against our ideals,” said Mr Mutasa.- state media

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Tapiwa Matangaidze has said there is need to review the current framework on vacation leave for teachers as it tends to give them an unfair advantage over other civil servants, since they have three months holiday per year coupled with a three month leave entitlement after seven years.
He said while Government agrees that teachers are entitled to leave, there is need to rationalise the framework.
He was responding to a barrage of questions from several Senators on whether Government would review the leave framework for educators considering that the Labour Court ruled that the State could not unilaterally revoke that right.
Manicaland Senator David Chimhini (MDC-T) wanted to know what the way forward was, considering the ruling by the Labour Court.

“We are bound by the court’s ruling. But the point is there is a good case to argue that the leave days for teachers is excessive and unsustainable.
“There is need for framework to rationalise the leave days. What we have here is a department in Government which is seasonal just like tobacco industry. There is a season when teaching does not occur like January, August and December,” said Deputy Minister Matangaidze.
Harare metropolitan Senator Theresa Makoni (MDC-T) asked why Government wanted to vary conditions that had been in existence since colonial times and after independence.
Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Paul Mavima weighed in saying there is need to do things efficiently and effectively.
He said the fact that the practice had been there before independence did not make it right.
Responding to another question, Deputy Minister Matangaidze said Government had three months’ supply of food for the vulnerable.
He said more food was expected both for the vulnerable and to help under the food for work programme.
“We are currently sitting on enough stock. We have three months’ supply and more is expected,” said Deputy Minister Matangaidze.
He said there had been an increase in the elderly and people living with disabilities who required food owing to drought. – State Media

Top businessman and one of the country’s pioneers in the indeginisation drive ,Aaron Hapagarwi Samuriwo, has died.

He was 89.

Samuriwo succumbed to heart failure at Trauma Centre and Hospital in Harare on Tuesday.

Samuriwo is father to one of the first three pilots in Zimbabwe, Charles.

Family spokesperson Ms Abigail Samuriwo said mourners are gathered at No. 13 Ecstien Road in Marlborough.

“People will leave for our rural home in Chihota, Mashonaland East, tomorrow (today) ahead of his burial on Saturday,” she said.

Terence Mawawa | A self-styled prophet, Isaac Makomichi was forced to run for dear life  being exposed for planting a fake goblin in a home-stead he was apparently ‘cleansing’ of demons. Makomichi,who is a leader of one of the many spiritist churches in the country, the Miracle Healing and Deliverance Ministry, was forced to flee from the homestead after family members discovered he had planted ta fake goblin in the main bedroom of their house, in order to dupe them over his ability to exorcise demons.
He had demanded $490 to carry out the exercise.
The incident happened last week in Chirumanzi where Makochi was invited by Trust Chembesi whose three year old son had fallen ill, to conduct the deliverance session.
“I visited Makomichi last Sunday and he told me there were goblins and demons which were tormenting my son and said there was need to visit my homestead to exorcise the evil spirits,” Chembesi narrated his ordeal with the fake prophet.
He further explained, “Makomichi asked us to pray facing the north and as we prayed one of his emissaries planted the fake goblin in the main bedroom. However, my brother Maxwell noticed it.” At being discovered, Makomichi disappeared into the fields with Chembesi and his relatives in hot pursuit. His Nissan X-trail vehicle was badly damaged as he fled from the scene.
“We then asked him to hand over the so called goblin to us but he refused. He became jittery and fled from the house and we pursued him ,”explained Chembesi.
Makomichi however dismissed the story as baseless adding he never planted the said goblin at the homestead. He also threatened to sue Chembesi for the damages to his car.

Controversial Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe President, Aspher Madziyire , is said to have been involved in a road accident near Mvuma.
According to one of his junior pastors, Judah Danda, who posted on the church’s Facebook page, Madzivire escaped with minor injuries.
“He was with his wife and they are said to be fine. We thank God. Let us pray for them,”posted pastor Danda.

In an exercise which opposition parties have tagged “Fools for Work” a ZANU PF official has told villagers in Matobo to continue working for government in the Food for Work Programme even without getting the promised food aid (reward) as they will be compensated by obtaining an exemption from paying subscriptions for their ZANU PF membership cards and other local levies raised by the party.
The Villagers in the Mbembeswane area of Matobo district who are involved in the ongoing government Food for Work programme have been promised a year’s exemption from forced ZANU PF membership subscription.
Villagers in the Mbembeswane area of Matobo claim that they were recruited by ZANU PF district officials in the province to do the food for work. As payment the villagers were to be paid with a bag of maize for work done.
However, after working for almost (15) fifteen days repairing a road in the area, the villagers have not been assured if they will be get their promised payment. Instead an unnamed ZANU PF district official has told the villagers that they will be given exemptions from paying the compulsory ZANU PF card subscriptions.
According to the villagers, ZANU PF officials responsible for the project refused to assure the villagers that they will get their bag of maize as promised.
The villagers say they approached the local councillor seeking assurance and the latter referred them to District Development Fund authorities who neither would assure them of their grain gain.
The villagers have since threatened to quit the programme unless they get assurance of payment as agreed.

Turning to Zaoga leader Ezekiel Guti, Grace Mugabe said he was in many ways like her husband, President Robert Mugabe.

“When I look at you every time, you remind me of my husband…” – Grace

Report by Newsday |FIRST Lady Grace Mugabe yesterday made security agents and sound engineers run after she complained about the poor sound quality just before stammering through her prepared speech at the official opening of the ZAOGA Forward in Faith Ministries-owned Mbuya Dorcas Hospital (MDH) in Harare.
State security agents moved behind the public address system controls and started giving sound engineers instructions after Grace expressed unhappiness over the echoes coming from her microphone.
“I don’t like the microphone, it’s making echoes,” she said, sending her contingent of security officers into action.
Grace stumbled through words such as “casualty” and “indigenisation” as she read her prepared speech, but later became animated when she started speaking off the cuff.
Turning to Zaoga leader Ezekiel Guti, Grace said he was in many ways like her husband, President Robert Mugabe.
“When I look at you every time, you remind me of my husband. You are such a neat person, very well presented and a very meticulous person and you always glow, you glow because of the thoughts you carry in your heart,” she said.
Although the First Family is renowned for seeking medical attention outside Zimbabwe, after touring the medical facility, Grace said it had world-class medical equipment.
MDH, which has two wings — one for medical health care and the other for spiritual healing, a first of its kind in Zimbabwe — was mooted 50 years ago in the mind of Guti as he preached at Harare Central Hospital.
MDH opened its doors in 2012 and has a state-of-the-art laboratory, A-Grade intensive care unit, maternity ward and paediatric ward.
Health deputy minister Aldrin Musiiwa said while government had moved to accept traditional medicine, it was yet to incorporate spiritual healing into the health care system.
Grace, who arrived amid tight security, was accompanied by daughter Bona Chikore.
Also in attendance were Bona’s husband Simba Chikore, together with their child Simbanashe, who appeared in public for the first time after Bona’s recent return from Singapore, where she had gone to give birth about two months ago.

 
Simbanashe, President Mugabe’s first grandson, yesterday made his maiden public appearance with his parents Bona and Simba Chikore, while accompanying First Lady Grace Mugabe at the official opening of Mbuya Dorcas Hospital in Waterfalls, Harare.
Although Simbanashe did not follow the official proceedings with his parents at the high table, Zaoga Forward In Faith church co-patron Dr Eunor Guti took the platform to congratulate the First Family for the safe arrival of Simbanashe to this world.
Dr Guti said she hoped Simbanashe would grow up to become a doctor and provide his services to Mbuya Dorcas Hospital.
“I want to take opportunity of this platform to congratulate you on the safe arrival of your grandson. I know how it feels to be a grandmother.
President Mugabe cradles his grandson, Simbanashe Chikore, in Singapore at the weekend while First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe and proud mother Bona (partly obscured, right) look on. (Picture by Presidential photographer Joseph Nyadzayo.
President Mugabe cradles his grandson, Simbanashe Chikore, in Singapore at the weekend while First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe and proud mother Bona (partly obscured, right) look on. (Picture by Presidential photographer Joseph Nyadzayo.
“I hope one day he will grow up and be a doctor who will work here at Mbuya Dorcas Hospital and say that I was here before with my grandmother when I was young and I am here again to save lives,” said Dr Guti, to the applause of the gathering.
“You might take it lightly just as an ordinary talk, but it may actually be a vision,” said Dr Guti who is wife to Archbishop Professor Ezekiel Guti.
Amai Guti, who is a nurse by profession, also told the gathering that Professor Guti shared the vision of a Zaoga FIF administered hospital to her and her five colleagues years ago when she was still working as a nurse at Harare Central Hospital.
She said then, she thought she and her friends would be part of the nurses who would be working at the hospital. Fifty-nine years later, Professor Guti’s vision is fulfilled. -state media

Terrence Mawawa, Zvishavane| A Zvishavane man stunned all and sundry when he killed his mother following an argument over food.
Hardlife Mukwari(25)murdered his mother, Juliet Nhokwara, after accusing her of failing to give him food in time.
Mukwari appeared before Zvishavane Magistrate, Peter Madiba last week, facing murder charges. Mukwari hit his mother with a pestle several times on the head and left arm, accusing her of failing to give him food.
On May 23 in Hove village, Mukwari went to his mother’s house and demanded food saying he was hungry. His mother could not give him food since she had already washed the plates. She then went to wash her feet at the back of the house.
Incensed by his mother’s response, Mukwari took a pestle and followed her where she was cleaning her feet and struck her several times. She collapsed on the spot.
Nhokwara’s severely battered body was discovered by passersby who tried to resuscitate her and Mukwari admitted to killing her.
Local villagers then took Mukwari to Zvishavane Police Station where he was immediately arrested.
The magistrate has since ordered doctors to examine Mukwari’s mental condition. The was briefly adjourned to allow the medical doctors to prepare a comprehensive report.
Shocked villagers said the entire community has been shaken by the tragic incident.

Zanu PF has apparently ratcheted up its “political programme” to frustrate and cause the implosion of former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s fledgling Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) party.
Reliable sources within the ruling party claimed to the Daily News that chaotic scenes around an alleged leadership contest, the many recent acts of intimidation and thuggery targeted at ZPF supporters as well as officials were all “well-orchestrated”.
“I can tell you that before 2018 People First will be history. Many of the people in that party have skeletons in their closets and just watch this space to see what will happen to them,” one of the sources said.
Another insider said the current Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) drive was also meant to “rattle” some ZPF officials since they were once in government and several key parastatals.
“As you may know, Mujuru herself has a file hanging over her head, detailing her transgressions. There is gnashing of teeth in that little party,” the Zanu PF bigwig said.
This latter claim tallied with what Mujuru herself said soon after launching her party in February, when she alleged that Mugabe had a file on each of his ministers, which kept them on a string like “puppets”.
And as the charade unfolds, ZPF deputy spokesperson Kudzai Mbudzi confirmed that senior officials were under the gun.
“That is lamentable because we think that corruption should be dealt with not as a tool to fix political opponents. Zimbabweans think that if there is really the political will to genuinely deal with the scourge of corruption, the blitz should star with (President Robert) Mugabe himself who should justify his current economic might that has seen him establish the businesses he owns,” he said.
The ex-senior army officer also admitted that Zanu PF, through State security agents, had infiltrated ZPF.
“We know that Zanu PF has no capacity to infiltrate us on its own but . . . are doing so through the security system. Members of the security sector must be warned, however, that the man they are protecting is in the political departure lounge and they will have to answer for their crimes come 2018,” Mbudzi warned.
Academic and researcher Pedzisai Ruhanya said both the Movement for Democratic Change and ZPF must be wary of infiltration.
He said the two parties must realise that a “broad coalition of meaningful political parties is the way to go”, but warned that such a structure without addressing institutional reforms cannot defeat Zanu PF.
“They (MDC and ZPF) must also do their research because they will be elements, particularly in MDC and People First, who will work day and night to make sure that MDC and PF and the general meaningful parties are not united. It is not in the interests of Zanu PF for such a coalition,” he said.
“They will be people who will be vehement and virulent in opposing a coalition because they will be doing it for Zanu PF and there are some who are doing it for positions within those parties. Zanu PF will invest through the State security to kill prospects of unity between the MDC and PF,” Ruhanya said.-Daily News

A report claims ZRP cops have arrested civil and political rights activists currently staging a 16 day and night protest demanding for the restoration of the rule of law and the economy in Africa Unity Square.
Those who were reportedly arrested and are said to be detained at Harare central police station are Itai Dzamara’s young brother Patson, Makomborero Haruzivishe, Pride Mkono , Oliver Chikumba, and Tatenda Mombeyarara .
Linda Masarira, the spokesperson of the coalition of youth organisations staging the historic demonstration where they are also demanding for the safe return of the abducted human rights activist Itai Dzamara, said that her male counterparts were nabbed in the early hours of Thursday after the police had earlier attempted to disperse them.
“At exactly 23:30 pm three police officers tried to disperse us and we told them they had no constitutional right to disperse us. After 20minutes of heated argument with the police officers they walked away,” said Masarira.
“At exactly midnight two women showed up walking towards us from the corner Third Street and Jason Moyo Avenue and as they approached us I noticed that they were wearing the same hats black and white striped hats, carrying Tshangani bags. They passed us and stopped 10m away and inquired where 4th street was purporting to have disembarked a Kombi from Murehwa. I told them to go where they were going as we were aware of their intentions,” she said.
Masarira said the women who had asked them the directions were the same who claimed that they had been robbed by her colleagues, who had not even moved from “our gathering”.
“The two women came back running screaming mbavha mbavha (thieves thieves). We just watched them as they ran past us. Instead of going straight to Jason Moyo they cut across the park into the dark and we saw three policemen jumping from the hedge. The women accused Patson Dzamara and Makomborero Haruzivishe as the men who followed them and took their filthy, torn Tshangani bags,”she narrated.
She said  “we” see this as a ploy by the state security agents to frustrate “our” demonstration.
“We are not stupid. We will not be abused. We are sick and tired of a partisan police force that serves the interest of ZANU PF. These stage managed shows show that this government has ran out of ideas,” she said.

@Mathuthu @mayor_justice Moment of today's parliament session. Honourable Wadyajena dispelling rumours he is dead! pic.twitter.com/uCBmTFDWuR

— Larry Moyo (@larry_moyo) June 8, 2016

A Gwanda based ZRP cop currently in trouble for abusing vendors, has fallen into a court “dead end” after reports were made that he allegedly assaulted his wife.
Pictures seen by ZimEye.com strongly suggest that Tinashe Gono (24) bludgeoned his wife in an inhuman way.
Tinashe Gono and Takura Mataruse (28) are already under serious charges of extorting vendors. They were allegedly caught in the act demanding so called “protection taxes” from Gwanda vendors. ZimEye.com has previously exposed other accomplices (pictured) at markets in Harare.

 
Poor security at the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) has resulted in the theft of a GOLD coated spear and artefacts belonging to the last Ndebele King, Lobengula.
The spear, measuring 1,2m, was stolen from the historic site on the outskirts of Bulawayo where other artefacts of the Ndebele Kingdom are kept. The incident was discovered on Sunday by a caretaker at Old Bulawayo. Sources said the caretaker, Stanley Gwebu, discovered that the spear, a 45cm black fly-whisk and a small brown clay pot which were placed near King Lobengula’s statue, were missing at around 1:45pm while conducting his chores and reported the matter to the police.
Police chief national spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the incident saying police were looking into the matter.
“I can confirm that there was a burglary at Old Bulawayo where some artefacts were stolen. But I don’t have the finer details on the matter. However, police are investigating the matter,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.
King Lobengula’s descendent, Prince Zwide Khumalo, expressed shock at the incident saying the family had not been notified of the theft. Khumalo rapped the NMMZ for failing to provide adequate security at the historic site saying royal artefacts deserved to be kept in a more secure place.
“It raises a lot of concerns within the family, the Ndebele speaking people as well as other Nguni ethnic groups whose history was being kept at Old Bulawayo. There is something grossly wrong with the security at the national museums. This is not the first time there has been a break in at the museums meaning there is a weakness in their security system,” he said.
Khumalo said the museums should remember that they are custodians of people’s cultures.
Social commentator Cont Mhlanga echoed Khumalo’s sentiments saying the break in exposes NMMZ for its recklessness in preserving culture.
“This is not the first time such an incident has happened. There was a break in four or five years ago. Mahachi (Godfrey director of NMMZ) must address this issue. This falls right on his door step,” said Mhlanga.
He said it was baffling that a cultural site like Old Bulawayo was neglected yet it held priceless artefacts. “It doesn’t make sense that a heritage site of that status can have a single caretaker. There is supposed to be more than one caretaker so that they can work in shifts,” Mhlanga said.
He said there were other cultural sites that are also neglected such as Mhlahlandlela and Entumbane which house King Mzilikazi’s grave and artefacts.
Mahachi was not reachable for comment yesterday.

ONE person died while eight others were injured, four critically, after a Nissan March and a commuter omnibus collided at the intersection of 12th Avenue extension and Park Road in Suburbs, Bulawayo, yesterday.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the accident. “Eight people were injured in an accident that occurred along 12th Avenue extension and Park Road which involved a pirate taxi and a commuter omnibus.
‘‘The pirate taxi was carrying six passengers while the kombi had two people on board,” said Insp Simango.
She said both the driver of the pirate taxi and owner of the vehicle would be charged.
“The driver of the pirate taxi will be charged with culpable homicide and the owner for operating without an operators’ licence.
“We’re appealing to members of the public not to board these pirate taxis and urge all drivers to observe traffic rules and regulations,” said Insp Simango.
Witnesses said Lawrence Mahachi, 20, the driver of the pirate taxi which plies the City-Hillside route, allegedly failed to give way and turned in front of oncoming traffic resulting in the collision.
A woman, believed to be a student teacher at Hillside Teachers’ College, was trapped together with another passenger in the Nissan March and died on the spot.
According to a witness, Megan Williams, the Nissan March came speeding, swerved and collided with the commuter omnibus which was heading towards the city centre.
“It seems the Nissan March driver panicked and tried to swerve to avoid ramming the vehicle ahead of him resulting in the collision.
Passers-by had to use an axe to prise through the body material of the Nissan March in an attempt to rescue two passengers who were trapped in the vehicle before the fire brigade arrived.
Another witness, Khumbulani Moyo, said the Nissan March was speeding as it approached the intersection, while there was another vehicle ahead of it which was waiting to make a turn and drive along Park Road.
“The Nissan March swerved into the opposite lane as the driver was attempting to apply brakes and avoid ramming the vehicle from behind, only to be hit by the on-coming Toyota Hiace commuter omnibus which was in the opposite lane. The kombi dragged the Nissan March for a few metres until it came to a stop,” Moyo said.
Acting Fire Brigade chief fire officer Edward Mpofu said they received a call of the accident at around 7:50AM and rushed to the scene to rescue some passengers who were trapped in the Nissan March.
“A Nissan March from the city centre reportedly turned right in front of an oncoming commuter omnibus. Two people were trapped in the Nissan March and the Fire Brigade extricated the trapped persons although one of them died on the spot,” he said.
Mpofu said eight people were ferried to United Bulawayo Hospitals by different ambulances.
Motorists and residents expressed concern and called on the local authority to erect speed humps or traffic lights at the intersection.
“A week doesn’t pass without an accident occurring here… it has become a black spot particularly on weekends.
‘‘There is a curve which many drivers fail to negotiate resulting in collisions,” said a motorist who declined to be named.
Others blamed the police for being lenient with pirate taxi operators whose driving conduct has left many wondering if they are licensed at all.
“The police are always keen on harassing drivers with all documents but these pirate taxis
have become a law unto themselves.
‘‘Most of them don’t even have licences but they drive around the city putting lives of not only themselves but all other road users at risk,” said Mehluli Mpofu.- state media

A panic stricken Zanu PF politburo on Wednesday sought to find measures to arrest the cash crisis currently frustrating the country’s citizens.
Zanu PF announced after a Politburo meeting that government is working on a raft of measures, including withdrawal limits and increased use of plastic, to address the obtaining cash crisis.
According to the party’s secretary for Information and publicity Mr Simon Khaya Moyo said the measures sought to restore market confidence.
These measures are expected to catalyse the implementation of the economic blueprint, Zim-Asset, which seeks to transform the country’s economic fortunes by 2018. It is hoped that once the measures are implemented, the cash crisis would soon be under control. He said Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa, who is also the party’s secretary for legal affairs, had given a comprehensive report on measures being implemented by Government to address cash shortages.
Mr Khaya Moyo said Mr Chinamasa also briefed the Politburo on progress made on re-engagement efforts with multi-lateral lending institutions.
“The secretary for legal affairs, Mr Patrick Chinamasa, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Economic Development updated the Politburo on the implementation of Zim-Asset with emphasis on measures to address the cash crisis,” said Mr Khaya Moyo.
“These include use of plastic money, charges and fees on the of point of sale machines, Real Time Gross Settlement and mobile banking platforms, cash withdrawal limits, export bonus scheme and enhanced interbank market foreign exchange management.
“He ( Mr Chinamasa) gave a very clear detail on this but I am sure you will be hearing more from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe on these matters. He has already addressed them but certainly the situation will soon be under control.
“The aim of course, of this brief by the Minister of Finance is to restore market confidence. The Reserve Bank governor has been having meetings with key stakeholders on this matter.”
Khaya Moyo said the Politburo received a report from the party’s national commissar Mr Saviour Kasukuwere on the state of the party.
He said Mr Kasukuwere reported that the party was stable in almost all provinces and provincial structures remained the same, adding that the reported changes of provincial structures in Masvingo province were null and void.
“The national commissar Mr Savior Kasukuwere gave a comprehensive report on the status of the party provinces throughout the country,” said Mr Khaya Moyo.

Six children died yesterday morning when a baptism ceremony along Mutorahuku stream in Sadza area, Mashonaland East ended up in disaster.
National Police spokesperson senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said two other children who survived the baptism are admitted at Sadza district hospital and are in a serious condition.
The six had been taken for baptism by Maud Dzuke (30) and Jane Ruvinga (34) who have since been arrested and charged with culpable homicide. newsday

HIT-AND-RUN kombi driver, Wadzanai Mabika, who last month fled the country after fatally knocking down a Form Four Girls High School pupil, Jocelyn Gomba has been sentenced to an effective jail term of six years, eight months.
Mabika (41) was sentenced by provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe yesterday after he pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and five traffic offences.
Mabika was charged with culpable homicide, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident within 24 hours, failing to ascertain if any person is injured or killed after an accident, failing to render assistance after an accident and reckless driving.
He was arrested in Polokwane, South Africa, on Sunday.

Harare – ZimEye.com is receiving reports of a horrific accident at Mvuma (Fairfields) on Wednesday morning, involving a Toyota Hilux and a haulage truck.
One (1) person was killed and two injured, ZimEye.com sources said.
The accident happened at Fairfields, close to Mvuma on the main highway to Harare.
The Toyota Hilux was overtaking a gonyet when it failed to return back int lane”, ZimEye is told.
Fuller details of the circumstances were not clear at the time of writing, and the identity of the the deceased and those of the injured also not released.
Details were sketchy and an official statement from the police unfruitful. DID YOU ALSO WITNESS THIS ACCIDENT? Send in your video, pictures and details of your experience right now to +447426863301

Terrence Mawawa, Chiredzi | A Triangle based cop made a false police report claiming he lost $21 960 and a vehicle in a robbery incident at his house in a bid to avoid payment of debt.
Constable Admire Magodhlo was arrested last week after making the false robbery report at Triangle Police Station since he had accrued an astronomical debt.Magodhlo owns several Ecocash outlets in Triangle and Chiredzi. Magodhlo connived with one Philip Kwangware who works at one of his shops to make the false police report. He told Kwangware he would leave the door at his house open.
Kwangware was also asked to drive Magodhlo’s Honda Stream vehicle to Nuanetsi range where he dumped the car.Magodhlo also instructed Kwangware to apply engine oil on the steering in order to avoid the detection of fingerprints.
The cop promised to pay Kwangware $ 200 after the fake robbery report. However police detectives interrogated Kwangware who disclosed what had transpired, leading to Magodhlo’s arrest.
“The said officer made a false police report in a bid to avoid payment of debt. However after comprehensive investigations we discovered that the whole story was fabricated.We are finalising investigations on the matter,” a Triangle based cop told ZimEye.com

Terrence Mawawa, Gweru | A man from Mkoba 6 who brutally murdered his father has escaped a jail term after doctors discovered he was a mbanje addict and he was mentally unstable at the time he committed the gruesome offence.
Cloud Alick Banda of Mkoba, Gweru, killed his father Alick Dary Banda on December 8 2012 following a heated argument between the two.
Cloud Banda appeared before High Court Judge, Nokuthula Moyo last Monday facing murder charges.
On the fateful day Cloud Banda returned home late resulting in an argument with his father. He proceeded to take an iron bar and hit his father four times on the head.
His father fell to the floor, bleeding profusely and died instantly.
Cloud Banda went to Mkoba Police Station where he met Constable Muzumbi. He narrated how he had assaulted the deceased.
A post mortem concluded that he died of a massive subarachnoid haemorrhage.
In passing sentence, Moyo noted that Cloud Banda was examined by a psychiatrist who indicated that the accused was suffering from “a mental disorder, epilepsy, alcohol and cannabis abuse”.
Moyo therefore passed the verdict of not guilty because of insanity.
Cloud Banda escaped imprisonment and he was taken to Mlondozi Special Institution for people with mental disorders-where he is being treated.

Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni, who was on Monday reinstated by the acting Local Government Minister Jonathan Moyo, has been removed again.
Manyenyeni was this morning given marching orders by the same minister who lifted his suspension on Monday, this time for not instituting an audit on City Park and Harare Sunshine Holdings.
“I have been suspended again for not carrying out the corruption audit for City Parking and Harare Sunshine Holdings,” the Harare Mayor told Newsday.
Manyenyeni was last month suspended by Local Government Minister, Saviour Kasukuwere, on allegations of illegally appointing banker, James Mushore, to the position of a Town Clerk.
He challenged the suspension in court but

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| An unidentified man was brutally killed at the weekend, sending shock waves across the ancient city of Masvingo.
The man was found murdered near Mucheke bus terminus on Sunday Morning.
The man was found lying half naked with a deep cut on his left ear and police are yet to establish the motive of the murder. The man’s body had other deep visible marks strongly pointing that he was brutally killed.
Masvingo Provincial Police spokesperson, Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the incident and said the police were carrying out investigations on the matter.
“We are investigating the matter and we are yet to confirm the name of the deceased.We therefore advise people who are missing a male relative to check with the Police at Chikato Camp,” Mazula told ZimEye.com.
The body of the deceased was discovered by Joseph Deredza. The murdered man wore a blue t-shirt and his body was taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for a post-mortem.
Masvingo Province has recorded the highest number of murder cases in the past few years with a shocking 3 fatal attacks every month.
With the socio-economic hardships the nation is currently experiencing, cases of ritual murders have also increased. Shocked residents of Mucheke suburb appealed to the police to intensify investigations on the matter. “We hope the police will act swiftly to bring the culprits to book. It is a disturbing incident,” said a local resident.

CHOPPIES Zimbabwe director Siqokoqela Mphoko says businesses and ordinary Zimbabweans should embrace the proposed bond notes and rally behind the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya in stabilising the financial services sector.
The central bank has indicated the notes – set for circulation in October and backed by a $200 million bond loan from Afrexim Bank – would be indexed at par with the US$ value to improve liquidity and buttress the multiple-currency system.
As Zimbabwe grapples with a biting cash crisis which has seen banks reducing daily withdrawal limits, some to $50, leaving scores of depositors stranded, the proposal has sparked widespread debate.
Introducing bond notes, to Mphoko, is a progressive stance and a long overdue necessity.
“Bond notes are a necessity in this country and I personally welcome the move.
‘‘Zimbabwe is using a multi-denominated currency system but what’s happening of late is that everybody has shifted to using the US$ only.
“This has attracted a lot of externalisation of money by foreigners and businesses who take the hard currency out,” said Mphoko. “I’m happy that the bond notes would run alongside the US$ backed by the $200 million loan. ‘‘Mangudya is a very seasoned person; he would not print more than that amount.
‘‘He knows what he’s doing and Zimbabweans should support him.” Mphoko dismissed fears that adoption of bond notes would be an inconvenience to business saying the move was actually healthy in controlling abuse in the handling of cash.
“The coming in of bond notes means that business would continue banking their money in US$ terms and if they want to import or procure something outside the country they’ll have to apply to the central bank stating their need and be given the required cash.
‘‘This is a normal procedure in other countries,” he said. “It’s up to us now as Zimbabweans to have faith in bond notes. ‘‘This system will curb externalisation. People have been coming here to externalise funds and that’s why we’ve $15 billion that can’t be accounted for.”
Mphoko said there was no way the RBZ would gamble with the economy given that it has successfully rolled our bond coins, which have been embraced by all and are positively impacting on the economy.
“The government has proved it with bond coins so we’ve to trust them. ‘‘Moreover, bond notes would assist in improving liquidity and recapitalisation of companies. ‘‘People will have more buying power and small businesses stand to benefit as well. ‘‘The accompanying five percent incentives is also a plus,” he said.-state media

The state broadsheet media, the Herald says the alleged Itai Dzamara picture released by the abducted activist’s brother last week is a mere artistic impression officially commissioned by an NGO two months after the man’s disappearance. FULL TEXT: 
The release of an effigy alleged to be that of missing MDC-T journalist-cum-activist Itai Dzamara by his family last week was meant to coincide with the Occupy Africa Unity Square Movement that has since flopped.

The National Prosecuting Authority has filed an appeal to the High Court contesting the recent acquittal of a soldier Borman Ngwenya on allegations of attempting to throw petrol bombs at the First Family’s Alpha Omega Dairy Farm.
Ngwenya was last month freed by a Harare magistrate on the grounds that the prosecution had failed to prove a case against him.
The magistrate, Ms Fadzai Mthombeni ruled that from the trial, it was clear that Ngwenya was a spy working for the military and that his arrest was not justified. Ngwenya was facing two counts of possessing weaponry for sabotage and money laundering.
In the notice of appeal filed at the High Court on May 27 this year, Ngwenya and the trial magistrate Ms Mthombeni were listed as respondents. In the filed papers, the Prosecutor-General wants a re-trial, accusing the trial magistrate of failing to properly deal with the matter.
The prosecution argued in appeal that the magistrate erred in throwing out the case on the basis that Alpha Omega Farm was a private property.
“The second respondent erred in fact in holding that the intended target for sabotage or terrorism is a private property when evidence from police witnesses and Owen Kuchata clearly proves that Alpha Omega Dairies is a property owned by the President,” read the papers.
A chief law officer in the NPA Mr Justin Uladi deposed an affidavit supporting the appeal.
Mr Uladi’s analysis of the matter suggested that the magistrate did not properly handle the matter. “I have noted that the evidence led by the State is largely uncontroverted. The evidence against the first respondent is that the first respondent was found in possession of explosives, and that he had actually purchased the material used to make or manufacture the explosives, and that the explosives were intended for use in acts of terrorism,” read the affidavit.
Mr Uladi said the judgment by Ms Mthombeni was flawed. “My view of the second respondent’s judgment is that it is flawed. I say so because the second respondent failed to grasp the fact that at all relevant times, the intended target was the property of the President of Zimbabwe.
“The first respondent’s co-accused who testified as a State witness clearly stated that (they) targeted Alpha Omega Dairy Farm, because it belongs to the President,” said Mr Uladi.
The State wants the magistrate’s decision to be set aside.
It is also the prosecution’s request that the court must order a fresh trial in the matter before a different magistrate.
Ngwenya was arrested together with Solomon Makombe and Silas Pfupa, who both have links with the military, and Owen Kuchata, leader of the little known Zimbabwe People Front political party.
It was alleged that on January 22, at around 4pm, police received a tip-off that the four were planning to bomb Alpha Omega Dairy’s processing plant and a tuckshop during the night.
Acting on the tip-off, police proceeded to the farm and laid an ambush about 100 metres from the quartet’s target.
At around 10pm, the detectives saw the men approaching the dairy’s processing plant and immediately arrested them.-state media

A Harare woman who was allegedly raped and impregnated by her father when she was 14-years-old in 2010 suffered double tragedy after she was also raped by her grandfather three years later, who claimed an inducement for him not to report an incest case to the police.
The woman is now 20-years-old and her father is on the run after one of her brothers reported the abuse to the police through the suggestion box.
The grandfather (70) was arrested and appeared before Mr Tendai Mahwe who remanded him in custody with instructions to apply for bail at the High Court.
When she was raped by her father, the woman, now aged 20, reported the abuse to a relative and the matter was “solved” at family level without involving the police.
When the grandfather raped her, he also tried to convince the family members to solve the matter without reporting to the police.
The prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that sometime in 2013 the complainant was at home with her child and her grandfather in Epworth.
The grandfather, it is alleged, called her inside the house and ordered her to sit on the bed.
The accused who was also sitting on the bed, reminded the complainant how she had been raped and impregnated by her father who is his son in 2010.
He then requested to have sexual intercourse with her saying it was a way of buying his silence. He said the only way to silence him was to have sexual intercourse with her or else he was going to report an incest case to the police against her and her father.
The complainant was holding her baby and was told to let him go outside and play.
According to the State, out of fear, the complainant gave in and her grandfather raped her.
The complainant later ran away from home and went to stay with her aunt in the same neighbourhood, before moving to Hopley in Harare where she stayed with her brother.
She then told her brothers what had happened and they approached the accused person demanding an explanation.
The accused pleaded with the complainant’s brothers not to report the matter to the police. However, one of them reported the matter to the police through the suggestion box.-state media

Local Government Minister was on Monday left agape as Harare Mayor Ben Manyenyeni who he had suspended bounced back into office.
Below was Manyenyeni’s celebration message:
Back on God’s yoke in the service of the City of Harare.
I returned to Town House this morning on the expiry of the 45-day deadline prescribed by Justice Dube following my legal challenge.
I have a mandate to serve.
I will respect and accept its compelling nature and the undeserved honour of office.
I am most grateful for the support during this turbulence (which may continue!).
Some people were unbelievable in their commitment to this matter – I thank you.
As the last batch of prayer warriors were leaving the mayor’s parlour this afternoon I was handed a letter from the Acting Minister of Local Government Prof. Jonathan Moyo reinstating me as Ward 17 Councillor and Mayor of the City of Harare.”

A ZVISHAVANE man allegedly kidnapped his neighbour’s teenage daughter and raped her in an eight-day hostage ordeal. Victor Beta, 36, of Kofi village under Chief Masunda in Zvishavane appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Shepherd Munjanja facing kidnapping and rape charges.
He pleaded not guilty, saying he had consensual sex with the 15-year-old girl. “Your worship l didn’t rape her. She agreed to have sex with me on the basis that I was going to give her bus fare to Harare. “It’s unfortunate that she says I raped her, but every time I had sex with her it was by consent,” said Beta.
He was remanded in custody to Friday for the continuation of trial. Prosecuting, Talent Tadenyika said Beta found his victim in a nearby bush crying some time in May. Upon inquiry, the victim told him that she had been chased away from home by her father and her stepmother and she needed $15 to go to her biological mother in Harare.
“Beta then took the girl to his home where he raped her on seven occasions in eight days,” said Tadenyika. The court heard that the matter came to light after the girl’s parents reported to the police that she was missing.
The police then received a tip off from a villager that Beta was living with an underage girl whom he had turned into his wife. state media

A principal lecturer at Hillside Teachers College in Bulawayo who was fired four years ago for allegedly receiving a $200 bribe from two desperate applicants who sought to secure places to train as teachers, has taken Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo to court challenging his dismissal.
Maxwell Kumbirai Jahwi, who is the appellant, has filed an appeal at the Bulawayo Labour Court citing Prof Moyo as the respondent.
Jahwi is alleged to have received $40 and R400 from Tinashe Madava in October 2011.
Between November 4 and December 28, 2011, Evidence Zhou deposited $150 into Jahwi’s bank account.
Madava and Zhou had applied for the January 2012 intake to train at Hillside Teachers College and Jahwi had offered to help them secure the places in return for money.
Madava reported Jahwi to the college principal after the deal failed to succeed.
Jahwi was fired after he was found guilty of charges of misconduct (violating provisions of the Public Service Regulation 2000) following a disciplinary hearing.
In his grounds of appeal, Jahwi said the disciplinary authority erred by holding him accountable, arguing that there was no evidence linking him to the offence.
He said the money that exchanged hands was not a bribe, but was held in trust waiting to be deposited with the college’s admissions office.
“I am aggrieved by the penalty prescribed by the board that convened my hearing for misconduct. Although I was not found to have received a bribe, the board nonetheless went ahead and prescribed the ultimate penalty of dismissal. I therefore seek to have the penalty set aside,” argued Jahwi.
Bulawayo Labour Court judge Justice Mercy Moya-Matshanga removed the matter from the roll to allow the Registrar to serve the notice of response to the respondents.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| The Ministry of Information is facilitating a meeting between President Robert Mugabe and a demon possessed woman so that the spirit can help revive the ailing economy, ZimEye.com can reveal.
A government employee who claims to be a spirit medium says the said “ancestral” spirit possessing her has instructed her to meet President Mugabe to unveil a strategy for economic revival.
In a case synonymous with the infamous Chinhoyi diesel incident that embarrassed senior government officials, Tsitsi Munyuki who is a civil servant says the Munyuki ancestral spirit has instructed her to meet Mugabe so that she can perform miracles for economic revival.
Zimbabwe’s economy is currently on its knees.
The Ministry of Information has engaged Munyuki for an appointment to meet the veteran leader, who has been blamed for the current economic mayhem the country is experiencing. “I am possessed by the Munyuki ancestral spirit which hails from the Chirumhanzu area, ” she said.
She continued, “the spirit continuously torments me for ignoring the country which is experiencing perennial drought spells and serious cash shortages.
“I must please it by meeting the President. If I meet the President, the economy will be immediately revived,” she said.
She continued saying, “in addition,the country will also receive normal rains.”
She also claimed she left the Johane Masowe Apostolic sect a few months ago after receiving instructions from the same spirit.
“The spirit which reveals itself in the form of a python strives to turn the economy into a source of national pride. I receive frequent instructions to meet the President for the betterment of the country’s economy,” she said.
While government officials at Benjamin Burombo Building confirmed their facilitation on the woman’s journey to Harare, it was not clear at the time of writing if the schedule to meet the president is succeeding and a direct comment from state house not possible at the time of going to press.

Terrence Mawawa, Gutu | A man from Mnangagwa Village in Gutu who was released from prison under the Presidential amnesty programme has committed suicide after suspecting that his wife had boyfriends while he was in prison.
Ishmael Zinyoro who was released from Mutimurefu Prison under the Presidential amnesty programme killed himself on the second day after his release from prison last week. He arrived home last Wednesday after being released under the Presidential amnesty programme.
Zinyoro hanged himself around 9 pm after his wife had gone to fetch water from a nearby well.
It is understood Zinyoro had a heated argument with his wife and he accused her of having several boyfriends. He also accused her of failing to visit him while he was in prison.
Villagers who spoke to ZimEye.com said Zinyoro was overtaken by emotions and took his life without seeking advice.
“It is very sad because the man took his own life without verifying what actually happened while he was away. We do not know what happened while Zinyoro was away but he was overtaken by emotions,” said a local villager.
Masvingo Provincial Police spokesperson, Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the incident.
Zinyoro was released under the Presidential amnesty programme after being convicted of unlawful entry and housebreaking.
He was buried last Friday in Gutu.