Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| Scores of teachers from the rural areas were stranded in the ancient city of Masvingo after failing to get their salaries from their respective banks, amid indications the 2008 chaos could resurface.
The teachers were forced to sleep on the pavements after being told the banks had no cash. Some of the teachers travelled from as far as Mwenezi about 180 kilometres from Masvingo. In a snap analysis carried out by ZimEye.com yesterday some banks limited the daily cash withdrawal to $200 while others did not have the money to pay the desperate civil servants. As the country’s economy continues to deteriorate, there are speculations the chaos that rocked the nation in 2008 could resurface.
Economists have warned the treasury has been overburdened with expenses while the nation’s industry is stagnant. Speaking on Independence day last week President Robert Mugabe surprised all and sundry when he claimed the nation was experiencing economic prosperity,in sharp contrast to the plight of the civil servants. Teachers who spoke to ZimEye.com said they spent the whole night sleeping on the pavements despite the biting cold as winter approaches.
“I am from Mwenezi and I slept on the pavement because I had no money to go back home. I had no option but to sleep on the pavement. I might be forced to sleep here (on the pavement again) since I have to wait for bonus.I need at least $14 to travel to and from Mwenezi. I do not have any extra cash and last night I only drank a bottle of water,” said the teacher from Maranda Mwenezi.
Another female teacher from Rutenga, Mwenezi said : “I don’t know anyone here so I slept on the pavement. I went to BancABC and there was no cash.We were told to wait for another day.Hundreds of teachers are stranded .The situation is highly critical.”
The government has claimed agents of regime change are working tirelessly to sabotage the country’s economy. It remains to be seen whether the teachers will get their bonuses on Saturday as earlier announced by Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|$200,000 has reportedly disappeared as a raging storm brews at the Roman Catholic owned St Antony’s Msiso High School with parents accusing the head of gross abuse of funds.
Disgruntled parents yesterday accused the school head Emmaculate Tinago of rampant corruption and gross embezzlement of school funds to the tune of USD200,000.
The parents also accused Tinago of constructing a sub standard structure at the boarding school after failing to account for the hostel construction levy collected from the parents for over six terms.
The parents said the school constructed the below standard structure claiming it cost $ 200 000.
“We have been paying the hostel construction levy for more than six terms. Initially she told us the levy will be paid for six terms but to our surprise the payment period has been extended. The head also took school equipment to her farm. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is deeply reluctant to act on the matter. We have written several letters to the ministry to no avail. The head has a habit of inflating figures.
She also inflated figures for the borehole construction project at the school. We have gathered evidence that she also demands kickbacks from companies that supply goods at the school,” said one parent who spoke to ZimEye.com.
Efforts to get a comment from Tinago did not materialise but sources at the school claimed the head was being protected by senior education officials. Another angry parent said:”The Ministry has to send a team of auditors to analyse the school’s financial records. The head is concealing a lot of sinister motives. She spends most of her time at her farm in Chiredzi. The school’s high standards are waning with each passing day.”

A MARRIED man from Gweru who sodomised his neighbour’s 12-year-old son has been slapped with a 15-year jail term.
Never Noah, 24, of Chihota Farm, appeared before Gweru Regional Magistrate Morgan Nemadire facing one count of indecent assault. He pleaded guilty and was jailed for 15 years.
Noah will, however, serve 12 years of the prison term after Nemadire suspended three years for five years on condition of good behaviour. In passing sentence, Nemadire bemoaned the increase in sodomy cases in the Midlands province.
“Indecent assault cases have increased and that’s a cause for concern. You were cruel in the manner you committed the crime on a young boy aged 12. You weren’t sexually starved since you’re married. You deserve a long prison term and hence l’ll sentence you to 15 years in prison. Furthermore, three years will be suspended on condition of good behaviour,” he said.
Prosecuting, Andrew Marimo said on April 24 this year, the complainant was walking alone along Matobo Road in Gweru when he met the accused.
“Noah grabbed the complainant, dragged him into a nearby bush where he laid him on his chest before he removed his trousers and sodomised him once,” said Marimo.
The court heard that the boy was screaming for help as Noah sodomised him.
Noah, the court heard, released the complainant when some people were approaching the scene.
“The accused was chased by John Deke who was among the people who heard the boy’s screams. He was caught after sprinting for a distance of 200 metres. The accused was handed over to the police,” said Marimo. – State Media

Prosecutor-General Johannes Tomana erupted in court complaining that the stalling of his criminal abuse of duty trial by the State was prejudicing his functions.
The trial, which was scheduled for yesterday, was reset to June 1 and Tomana’s bail condition was relaxed to reporting once a fortnight at CID Law and Order instead of every Friday.
Tomana is charged with criminal abuse of duty as a public officer or alternatively defeating or obstructing the course of justice after he allegedly ordered the release of two men — Solomon Makumbe and Silas Pfupa — suspected of trying to petrol-bomb the First Family’s Alpha Omega Dairy Farm in Mazowe.
Through his lawyer, Mr Tazorora Musarurwa, Tomana insisted his trial should have started yesterday.
“When the matter was last remanded, April 27 was set as the trial date, this means today (yesterday) trial should have started,” he said. “On February 14 we went to the national director of prosecution informing them that we had not yet received State papers.
“They said we should be served with State papers immediately so that trial could start. Today we are served with witness statements, which were recorded at the beginning of February.
“There is no reason State failed to serve us in time. We thought with the sensitivity of the matter State would want to conclude it in time.”
Mr Musarurwa said they wanted an earlier trial date and Tomana should be removed from reporting every Friday at CID Law and Order because it was affecting his functions as the Prosecutor General of the country.
The prosecutor, Mr Timothy Makoni, submitted that the judiciary system is like a conveyor belt and other matters are already in queue.
“It would be unfair to remove other matters to accommodate the accused. He should wait his turn in that chain of events,” said Mr Makoni. “We are amenable to have accused’s reporting conditions reduced to once a fortnight.”
Harare magistrate, Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe, adjourned the matter and relaxed Tomana’s reporting conditions. He is on $1 000 bail.
It is the State’s case that Makumbe, Pfupa, Kuchata and Borman Ngwenya were arrested for possession of weaponry for sabotage and money laundering for terrorism purposes.
On January 25, their request for remand placement forms were taken to the National Prosecuting Authority where Mrs Ziyambi, Mr Mutsonziwa, chief law officers Michael Mugabe and Chris Mutangadura went through the documents and gave the greenlight for the four to be placed on remand.
The quartet was taken to court for initial remand and was remanded in custody.
On January 29, the ,State alleged Tomana, knowing that police investigations were still in their infancy and without having sight of a complete docket, directed the withdrawal of charges before plea against two of the accused Makumbe and Pfupa.
The two were released from remand. He unilaterally suggested that the two be treated as witnesses, which was contrary to the evidence at hand which is linking them to the offence, the court heard.-State Media

ZANU PF businessman, Wicknell Chivayo is said to have rescued 32 Zimbabwean women who were lured to Kuwait to work as housemaids but ended up being abused as sex slaves.

Mr Chivayo bought return air tickets worth US$58 900 for the stranded women, the state media reported.
The news came as MDC legislator Priscilla Mushonga complained that government has failed to pay the remaining USD12,000.00.
She announced last night in writing saying, “I am in Kuwait with the Speakers delegation. We have been on our missing girls here. The Speaker has managed to get the authorities to where to the girls’ repatriation”.
She continued saying, “what I am mad about is my government. The minister of Foreign Affairs has callously told us that government has no USD12,000.00 to pay for the tickets of these traumatized girls, whose stories amount to human trafficking, and we call ourselves a government. My hero is the ambassador here and the Speaker, they have been amazing. As for Simbarashe Mumbengegwi I can’t wait to get home and give him my piece of mind,” she said.
The women were rescued by a parliamentary delegation led by National Assembly Speaker Advocate Jacob Mudenda and chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs Kindness Paradza who left for Kuwait at the weekend after it emerged that several Zimbabwean women were stuck in the Gulf country and being were abused as sex slaves.
Other members of the delegation are MDC legislator Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, Zanu-PF MP Sabbina Thembani and senator Chief Musarurwa.
Paradza told The Herald yesterday that they met with Kuwaiti authorities to discuss the situation.
“Today we met the ruler of Kuwait His Highness, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, where a directive was issued that the women should be repatriated in order to avoid the deterioration of good relations between the two friendly nations through these criminal activities perpetrated by a syndicate of human traffickers in Kuwait and Zimbabwe,” said Paradza.
“We also met the Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait Marzouq Ali Al Ghanem at his offices and had the opportunity of attending one of the live sessions.”
Paradza said the first batch of the young women will start arriving on Saturday.
“The Speaker had to intervene following strong representations from families and relatives of the women that have been living under modern-day slavery in the Gulf state, rich in oil reserves.
“The women were located with the help of Zimbabwean Ambassador to Kuwait Mark Grey Marongwe. The actual number of the women still unaccounted for is unknown but it is believed they number up to about 200. So far, the embassy has assisted the repatriation of 44 distressed women back to Zimbabwe,” said Paradza.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Government did not have money at the moment to repatriate the young women.
“The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, told Adv Mudenda through his deputy Edgar Mbwembwe that his ministry had no budget to bring the girls home.
“The Speaker then made frantic efforts to secure money for the air tickets and is grateful to Wicknell Chivayo who immediately rescued the situation and instructed his travel agent to issue one-way tickets for the women to come back home,” said Paradza.
Contacted for comment, Mr Chivayo said he felt duty-bound to respond to the request
“I bought the tickets wholeheartedly without thinking twice. As a patriotic Zimbabwean, it pains me to hear my fellow sisters are being abused and used as sex slaves.
“As captains of industry, it is our obligation to respond expeditiously where there is a worthy cause. We should all emulate President Mugabe’s heart who has spent the greater part of his life to liberate others and has suffered for that.
“I was told that nine of the 32 women have passports while the Zimbabwean embassy in Kuwait is busy preparing emergency travel documents for the remaining ones.
“In view of the financial challenges (faced by) the Government, I felt it necessary to chip in after the distress call from Paradza from Kuwait on behalf of the Speaker,” said Mr Chivayo.
The youthful businessman has also poured in more than $600 000 including paying the Zifa debt to ensure Zimbabwe remained in the 2022 World Cup.
Paradza said Adv Mudenda was appealing to relatives and families back in Zimbabwe to contact the embassy in Kuwait on cellphone number +965 65965310 or landline +96525621517/25620845 to inquire about the whereabouts of their loved ones.

Luscious Chibvongodze, popularly known as Chief Negomo (widely known as Morgan Tsvangirai’s estranged girlfriend, Locardia Karimatsenga’s chief) has been arraigned before a Bindura magistrate after he reportedly stole presidential farming inputs for the 2013/2014 season.
Chibvongodze appeared before the court yesterday to answer to fraud charges. It is alleged that Chibvongodze made a misrepresentation to the Grain Marketing Board, intending to deceive Sondelani Mhlanga.
Chibvongodze reportedly compiled a list of 140 different people. He allegedly misrepresented to Mhlanga that the names belonged to beneficiaries of ward 14 and 16 from the Mazowe district, who were entitled to the 2013/2014 presidential summer cropping season inputs.
According to court papers, after presenting the list, Chibvongodze was given 140 x 50kg of fertiliser, which he reportedly converted to his own use.
Chibvongodze became famous after he summoned MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai over claims that he had breached traditional laws in his area by marrying during the month of November. daily news

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa today admitted to the presence of corruption in his boss Robert Mugabe’s administration. Speaking at the (ZITF) Zimbabwe Trade Fair in Bulawayo attended by ZimEye, Mnangagwa said even the Mugabe appointed Anti Corruption Commission itself, was recently found to be corrupt. AUDIO:

At least seven homes belonging to Elton Mangoma’s Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe party supporters have been razed down in Manicaland’s Chiendambuya rural areas.
One of the party officials in Harare who requested not to be named until “we” have verified the arson, said they were rushing to the scene to establish the facts.
“We have just been informed that there are seven homes which have been burnt by suspected Zanu PF supporters in Chiendambuya ,” she said.
“As we are speaking we are on our way there and we will give you details when we get there”.
More to follow…….
 

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s wife, Auxillia, is hunting down faction gangs deployed in the Midlands area.
Auxillia Mnangagwa was appointed by the ZANU-PF Midlands leadership among a seven-member taskforce moving around the province looking into the causes of rampant factionalism by members of First Lady Grace Mugabe’s G40 faction.
The decision was made during the first Midlands provincial coordinating committee meeting held at the weekend following the appointment of Joram Gumbo as the acting provincial chairperson.
Provincial spokesperson Cornelius Mupereri told the state media the holding of the PCC meeting was a move in the right direction towards returning to normalcy in the Midlands.
Members of two factions that were holding parallel meetings before the Politburo dispatched national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere to deal with factionalism in the province recently, attended the weekend’s PCC.
“We had a PCC over the weekend, the first after the intervention of the Politburo. All provincial members were present as we work for the greater good of the party,” said Mupereri.
He said a taskforce to find out problems bedevilling the province was set up and its findings would be presented before the Politburo.
Mupereri said the seven member taskforce was headed by Gumbo who was going to be deputised by Auxillia Mnangagwa.
“So the taskforce is made up of seven members from the central committee.
“They’re going to look into the root causes of the problem we’ve been experiencing as a province,” he said.
Mupereri said the taskforce was going to visit all the eight districts in the province to interview party members. ‘‘After their findings, they’ll report back to the Politburo,” he said.
Tapiwa Matangaidze, who had been acting as the provincial chairperson, reverted to his position as provincial secretary for administration, while Daniel Mackenzie Ncube remained as the deputy provincial chairperson.
Before Kasukuwere’s visit, Matangaidze was acting chairman.

A FORM three pupil at Zwangendaba Secondary School in Lupane has been arrested for sodomising a six-year-old neighbour after promising to give him a memory card.
The 17-year-old boy and his victim, a Grade one pupil, both live in Daluka Village in Lupane.
The schoolboy pleaded guilty to aggravated indecent assault when he appeared before Hwange regional magistrate Dambudzo Malunga.
The teenager who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded for leniency. “May the court have mercy on me. I will never do it again,” he said in mitigation. Malunga sentenced the pupil to a wholly suspended two year jail term.
The schoolboy will also receive four strokes with a rattan cane to be administered by a prison officer. Prosecuting, Tawanda Sigauke said the incident occurred on March 18 at Daluka Village.
“On March 18, the complainant was herding goats with friends at around 4PM when the accused approached them indicating that he was selling a memory card. The complainant’s 11-year-old friend told him that they didn’t have money,” said Sigauke.
The court heard that the teenager then asked the complainant to accompany him if he wanted the memory card.
“The complainant agreed and followed. While they were in the bush the accused grabbed the complainant by both hands and forced him to lie on his stomach. He pulled the boy’s pair of shorts to knee level and mounted and had anal sex with him once,” Sigauke said.
He said the teenager threatened his victim if he revealed to anyone what had happened.
The little boy went back to his friend and narrated the incident.
His friend informed the victim’s father who then reported the matter to the police. State Media

FOUR highway robbers fired a gun shot before pulling a woman from a vehicle and gang-raping her, police said yesterday.
A haulage truck driver and his male passenger were robbed of their belongings and stripped naked in the incident on Monday night near the Mahatshula North suburb turn-off in Bulawayo.
Police say they are looking for four men who are believed to be armed and dangerous. They have appealed to the public for help to arrest the gang.
A haulage truck driver stopped for the four men in Shangani and offered them a lift to Bulawayo. The truck already had three other passengers — another driver whose haulage truck had developed a mechanical fault and two women, according to national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi.
Chief Supt Nyathi said the four men, who pretended to be innocent hitchhikers, turned out to be criminals.
After picking up the quartet, Chief Supt Nyathi said one of the female passengers disembarked at Kombo in Insiza. “As they reached Mahatshula turn-off, one of the four men told the driver that he had reached his drop off point.
“After disembarking, he went to the left side of the haulage truck, which is the driver’s side, while his accomplices remained inside,” he said.
Chief Supt Nyathi said the man pulled the driver out of his vehicle before firing a shot at the truck. “He fired once using a pistol and his accomplices joined in as they started assaulting the two male passengers and the remaining female passenger. One of the men dragged the female into the bush where he raped her before exchanging her with his other three colleagues,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.
After raping her, the suspects robbed and stripped the driver and his male passenger before disappearing into the darkness.
“The three — the female, the driver and male passenger — were assisted by members of the public with clothing before they took them to a police station to report the incident. They were robbed of valuables including cellphones, money and clothes among other things,” he said.
Chief Supt Nyathi urged members of the public who may have information that may lead to the arrest of the four criminals to come forward.
He urged motorists to desist from offering lifts to strangers as they risked falling victim to criminal gangs.
“We want to encourage motorists, be it haulage truck drivers or private vehicle drivers, not to divert from the purpose of the journey and start picking up passengers no matter how desperate they seem.
“Some of the hitchhikers are turning out to be criminals,” he said.State Media

By VOA|United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Harry Thomas Jnr. held a meeting Tuesday with Movement for Democratic Change founding president Morgan Tsvangirai at the party’s Harvest House headquarters in Harare.

Ambassador Thomas Jnr. told Studio 7 that the meeting is part of his efforts to engage the country’s political and civil society leaders.
Tsvangirai’s spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka confirmed that the meeting took place and said the MDC-T president was accompanied by party secretary general Douglas Mwonzora and secretary for foreign affairs, Theressa Makone.
Thomas Jnr. said in an exclusive interview that he is keen to engage Zimbabweans across the board.
The United States and other nations imposed targeted sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle following claims of election rigging and human rights violations.
President Mugabe has over the years claimed that the restrictive measures were meant to punish Zimbabwe for implementing a land reform program that pushed over 3,500 white commercial farmers from prime land.

Critics say the program only benefited people closely-linked to the Zanu PF party.

HIGH Court Judge Justice Justice Mary-Zimba Dube has today reserved ruling after presiding over an urgent chamber application filed by Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni seeking an order setting aside his suspension by Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere.
Justice Dube reserved ruling after hearing arguments from lawyers representing Minister Kasukuwere, who opposed the urgent chamber application and those representing Councillor Manyenyeni namely David Hofisi and Dzimbabwe Chimbga of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), who faulted the minister for breaching the country’s governance charter by meddling in the management of the local authority.
Hofisi and Chimbga argued that in terms of the Constitution, the removal of Mayors, Councillors and Chairpersons is done by an independent tribunal in terms of an Act of Parliament and there is neither that Act of Parliament nor an Independent Tribunal hence Minister Kasukuwere has thus arrogated to himself powers he no longer has to suspend Councillor Manyenyeni in violation of the Constitution.
The power to remove a Mayor, Chairperson or Councillor, Hofisi and Chimbga argued is no longer vested in a Minister but in an Independent Tribunal set up in terms of an Act of Parliament and thus there is no way that Minister Kasukuwere can purport to suspend or remove Manyenyeni from office. Minister Kasukuwere’s authority to do so, the human rights lawyers argued, can only emanate from an Act of Parliament which provides for the establishment of an Independent Tribunal pursuant to the provisions of the current Constitution of which that Act of Parliament is yet to be promulgated.
Therefore Minister Kasukuwere’s hands are tied and he should seek legislative intervention to get a lawful basis to set up the Independent Tribunal contemplated by the Constitution, argued Hofisi and Chimbga.
Councillor Manyenyeni, Hofisi and Chimbga argued, is suffering harm and prejudice as he has been suspended from office without lawful cause. Apart from his suspension from office, Minister Kasukuwere also suspended payment of his allowances and is not permitted to conduct any council business. The human rights lawyers asked Justice Dube to order Minister Kasukuwere to refrain from suspending, dismissing or engaging in any other activity with a view to removing Councillor Manyenyeni from the office of Mayor of Harare. State Media

HIGH Court Judge Justice Justice Mary-Zimba Dube will on Tuesday 26 April 2016 preside over an urgent chamber application filed by Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni seeking an order setting aside his suspension by Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere and allowing him to continue carrying out council business.
Minister Kasukuwere on Wednesday 20 April 2016 suspended Councillor Manyenyeni from serving as Mayor of Harare and councillor and justified that he had done so in terms of Section 114 (1) (d) (ii) of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15]. In suspending Manyenyeni, Minister Kasukuwere indicated that the Harare Mayor and some City of Harare Councillors had acted unlawfully and defied his directive ordering them not to approve the appointment of seasoned banker James Mushore to the position of Town Clerk for the City of Harare.
This prompted Manyenyeni to engage his lawyers David Hofisi and Dzimbabwe Chimbga of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) to file an urgent chamber application on Thursday 21 April 2016 challenging Minister Kasukuwere’s decision as unlawful and unconstitutional on the basis that he has no such powers in terms of the Constitution and as has been previously held by the High Court in the cases of Hamutendi Kombayi and Ten Others vs Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing HB 188-15 and Hamutendi Kombayi and Ten Others vs Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
In an urgent chamber application filed on Thursday 21 April 2016, Hofisi and Chimbga argued that in terms of the Constitution, the removal of Mayors, Councillors and Chairpersons is done by an independent tribunal in terms of an Act of Parliament and there is neither that Act of Parliament nor an Independent Tribunal hence Minister Kasukuwere has thus arrogated to himself powers he no longer has to suspend Councillor Manyenyeni in violation of the Constitution.
The power to remove a Mayor, Chairperson or Councillor, Hofisi and Chimbga argued is no longer vested in a Minister but in an Independent Tribunal set up in terms of an Act of Parliament and thus there is no way that Minister Kasukuwere can purport to suspend or remove Manyenyeni from office. Minister Kasukuwere’s authority to do so, the human rights lawyers argued, can only emanate from an Act of Parliament which provides for the establishment of an Independent Tribunal pursuant to the provisions of the current Constitution of which that Act of Parliament is yet to be promulgated. Therefore Minister Kasukuwere’s hands are tied and he should seek legislative intervention to get a lawful basis to set up the Independent Tribunal contemplated by the Constitution, argued Hofisi and Chimbga.
Councillor Manyenyeni, Hofisi and Chimbga argued is suffering harm and prejudice as he has been suspended from office without lawful cause. Apart from his suspension from office, Minister Kasukuwere also suspended payment of his allowances and is not permitted to conduct any council business.
The human rights lawyers want the High Court to order Minister Kasukuwere to refrain from suspending, dismissing or engaging in any other activity with a view to removing Councillor Manyenyeni from the office of Mayor of Harare.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

Terrence Mawawa, Gutu | President Robert Mugabe’s perennial political arch rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, has firmly warned of a possible election boycott if reforms are not implemented before the crucial 2018 polls.
The MDC leader, who has been criticised by many political analysts as a political liability, called the shots at the weekend as he addressed party supporters at Man’a Business Centre,ward 27 Gutu South Constituency.The event was organised to celebrate Councillor Jefrey Tangemhare’s victory in the 2013 polls.
Although local political analysts dismissed Tsvangirai’s remarks as cheap and typical political rhetoric,the opposition leader said the MDC will make sure all the necessary reforms are put in place ahead of the plebiscite. Tsvangirai did not mention how the party will stop Zanu PF from manipulating the electoral process.
“We will make sure that all the necessary reforms are implemented before the elections and we will not participate in a flawed electoral process. This time we will not take part in the elections if there are no reforms.We are tired of electoral theft and rigging. Many people have been pressing us on the issue of elections. The MDC position is very clear,there must be genuine reforms first before elections. We will make sure that has been put in place,”said Tsvangirai.
He said the MDC was not desperate for a coalition but the party would embrace all democratic forces to fight the Mugabe regime.
“A lot has been said about the coalition of opposition parties and let me reiterate the fact that the MDC is not desperate for any form of union. Rather we are willing to work with pro-democracy groups so that we can fight Mugabe,” he said.
Although some political observers view the former premier as a tired war horse, the crowd that attended the rally on Saturday could be a testimony the veteran opposition leader still has a considerable degree of influence in the political sphere in the country.

A MAN who turned his 18-year-old daughter into a sex slave with the knowledge of his wife has been jailed for an effective 13 years.
The 46-year-old dad of six, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim, started raping his daughter in 2011 when she was then aged 13. Even after she got married early as a way of escaping the abuse, her father seemed undeterred as he ordered her to return home after every three days to have sex with her. She eventually fell pregnant.
Regional magistrate Dambudzo Malunga slapped the rapist, who is from Lupane, with a 15-year jail term before conditionally setting aside two years.
She, however, had no kind words for the convict whom he labelled a cruel man who had tormented and traumatised his own daughter by threatening her with death and disappearance.
“You’re a cruel man who traumatised your own daughter by threatening her with death and disappearance so you would continue raping her. You were supposed to protect her but you turned aggressor and a long custodial sentence is appropriate considering the circumstances that you impregnated her,” said Malunga.
The girl’s three-month-old pregnancy was legally terminated at Mpilo Central Hospital. The victim’s mother told the court that she was afraid to denounce her husband’s actions as he had threatened her with death and was a well-known violent person.
“I knew about my daughter’s abuse from the time it started because every time he would want to rape her he would tell me. I was afraid to report it to the police because of the death threats that he would make against me and my daughter. Knowing my husband’s short temper and his violence tendencies which are well known in the area where we live, I decided to keep quiet,” she said, fighting back tears.
In January this year, the victim’s former teacher sensed that something was amiss with her former pupil and when she interviewed her, she opened up on the years of abuse. Chronicle

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said his party is not involved in any coalition talks with the Joice Mujuru-led Zimbabwe People First.
Tsvangirai, speaking in Gweru last Friday, said there is no truth to reports of the alleged talks with Mujuru. “Coalition with ZimPF, there is no truth in that. It remains a speculative position by the media. Some have even concluded that the MDC has walked away from the talks. There’re no talks, if there’re talks, the nation would be informed and if there’re any points of difference or agreement for convergence, the nation will know but we can’t work on the basis of speculation by the media,” he told The Chronicle in an interview.
The MDC-T leader claimed that a “national convergence of opposition parties” was needed if they were going to entertain any thoughts of winning the 2018 election. “A national convergence position is needed to make sure in 2018, the country take a new direction. We said we need a big tent so there’s need for people to discuss to negotiate and work together,” he said.
Tsvangirai was also overcome by nostalgia for his days working with President Mugabe and claimed that the two worked reasonably well during the Government of National Unity (GNU) between 2009 and 2013 when his party lost dismally to Zanu-PF.
He said during the GNU, he shared some private moments with President Mugabe which he said were not forced upon the leaders. “We shared some private moments because we had to share since we had agreed. We had to share State issues, issues of government work programmes and we worked reasonably well and achieved positive results,” said Tsvangirai.
He said demonstrations held two weeks ago in Harare and others planned in the remaining provinces were just a way by the MDC-T to express itself and not to stage a coup as the government in place was constitutional. This is a departure from the MDC-T’s leader’s unsubstantiated claims of vote rigging in the aftermath of the 2013 polls.
“We said that our intention of expressing ourselves is never to be misinterpreted as an attempt to oust or overthrow the government. We made that clear. This isn’t an expression of overthrowing a government which is constitutionally in place,” he added. Chronicle

Caps United skipper Method Mwanjali who is charged with attempted murder was today granted $100 bail by Justice David Mangota at the High Court.
The State did not oppose bail. The footballer was arrested on Sunday on allegations of stabbing Tonderai Nhunzvi and was sent to remand prison on Tuesday while teammate Archford Gutu, who was with him when the alleged offence was committed, was freed on bail by the magistrates’ court.
Mwanjali’s first bid for freedom fell on the technicality that he was detained for more than 48 hours faltered and he was remanded in custody until May 4.
It is alleged Mwanjali and Gutu had an altercation with Nhunzvi and three other men who were in the company of the complainant. Gutu is accused of smashing the rear windscreen of Nhunzvi’s vehicle, which triggered a physical confrontation.
It is then that Mwanjali is alleged to have produced a knife from their car which he used to stad Nhunzvi twice in the abdomen.-State Media

Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe has been slapped with what will be his first international criminal court action for torture and unlawful arrest.
Former army captain Albert Matapo, the United Crusader for Achieving Democracy (UCAD) party leader, who endured 7 whole years under unlawful arrest in 2007, made the chilling announcement at the weekend. Breaking the news in the ZimEye newsroom, Matapo who now lives in exile, revealed Mugabe is in trouble.
A High Court (Zimbabwe) verdict seen by ZimEye.com declares that Matapo’s 7 year prison stay (with neither conviction nor trial), was illegal.
Matapo was in 2007 accused of trying to topple President Robert Mugabe and replace him with Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa. This was at a time when expelled former VP Joice Mujuru was in charge and Matapo was subjected to four days of torture having been blindfolded and driven away at high speed for interrogation for four days, afterwhich he was imprisoned for alleged treason for which neither conviction nor trial materialised for a whole 7 years.
His alleged accomplice, Mnangagwa was never touched.
High Court judge Justice Yunus Omerjee in a 2010 ruling said of Matapo and several of his colleagues, “It is apparent that the appellants should not have been commuted to custody.”
ZANU PF legal analysts scoffed at Matapo saying it is impossible for Mugabe’s court prosecution to proceed since Zimbabwe is not signatory to the Rome statute that extends the jurisdiction powers to the International Criminal Court at the Hague. But independent legal analysts said it is still possible for ICC to prosecute such cases simply utilising UN special charters.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|A form two pupil at Zvamahande Secondary School has dramatically reversed her statement that a teacher at the school fondled her breasts.
The minor reported the case at ZRP Mashava in August last year, claiming the teacher, Kudakwashe Dhliwayo fondled her breasts and caressed her buttocks.
The minor appeared before Chivi Magistrate Bishard Chineka for falsely reporting that the teacher had fondled her breasts twice and caressed her breasts.
After reporting the matter to the police, the minor later changed her statement saying she had made a false report about the incident of indecent assault. She did not specify the reasons for falsely implicating the teacher.
The magistrate sternly warned the minor before dismissing her.
Sources at Zvamahande Secondary School said the juvenile also recently refused to live with her parents for unknown reasons.
Speaking to ZimEye.com at the weekend, sources at the school said the pupil surprised all and sundry by making false and unfounded allegations.
“We are still liaising with the girl’s parents to establish what is happening in the family because the minor made a false report against one of our staff members. The minor lied that the teacher sexually abused her,” said a senior staff member at the school.
The incident has left entire local community stunned. The girl has also refused to disclose her motive for “lying”.

News24 – A ZIMBABWE pastor’s searingly honest account of both loving and feeling alienated from the flag of the country of his birth has stirred the emotions of thousands and prompted a flood of “flag selfies”.
In a video that’s had more than 85 000 views in just three days, Evan Mawarire, a well-known Harare author, speaker and church leader, details the mixed emotions Zimbabwe’s black, red, yellow and green flag provokes in him.

The clip was posted early on Wednesday, two days after Zimbabwe marked its 36th anniversary of independence.
Staring into the camera as he twists the flag in his hands, Mawarire acknowledges the “official” meaning of each colour as millions of Zimbabwean schoolchildren will have learnt.
In words that appear to have resonated with many Zimbabweans torn between unshakable loyalty to their country and pain at a difficult economic and political situation that has gone on for years, Mawarire says: “This flag, this beautiful flag, they tell me that the green is for the vegetation and the crops. I don’t see any crops in my country.
“The yellow is for all the minerals… I don’t know how much is left. I don’t know who they sold it to and how much they got for it.”
His words appear at least in part to be a reference to controversy over Zimbabwe’s missing diamond wealth, with a recent acknowledgement from President Robert Mugabe that up to $15bn worth of gems had disappeared in recent years.
“They tell me that the black is for the majority people like me and yet for some reason I don’t feel like I am a part of it,” Mawarire says.
Mawarire’s words prompted an outpouring of emotion on social media, with hundreds of comments and nearly 2 000 shares.
Dozens have adopted his #ThisFlag hashtag, posting pictures of themselves with Zimbabwe’s flag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Among them was business mogul and former banker Nigel Chanakira who tweeted: “#ThisFlag. Make a bold statement for Our nation Zimbabwe. We can do better!”
Zimbabwean mbira player Hope Masike posted photos of herself with the flag on Instagram, urging Zimbabweans to “Share, tag your tribe”.
Mawarire, who sprung to prominence with his books about sex and marriage, has not made such a strong public statement about Zimbabwe’s long-running crisis before. He does not name Mugabe or his government in the video.
After more than three decades in power, the 92-year-old president does not take kindly to criticism from churchmen.
Several who have dared voice criticism have found themselves humiliated.
Pius Ncube, an outspoken former archbishop in the Roman Catholic Church had to resign in 2007 after he was shamed in a sex scandal that many still believe to have been a set-up.
Mawarire posted to Facebook: “At some point one has to throw caution to the wind and jump. Tired of standing on the edge.”
In his video he says of the Zimbabwe flag: “The green represents the power of being able to push through soil, push past limitations and flourish and grow. That’s me, my flag. I will fight for it and live for it and stand for it.”
He has acknowledged that some people are “upset” with the clip.
Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party is torn by increasingly public bitter struggles for power as hunger grows on the back of the drought.
Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa told a politburo meeting in early April that as many as 5m Zimbabweans could be in need of food aid, according to a report from the state ZBC broadcaster.

Terrence Mawawa, Zvishavane|A Zvishavane man last week placed his hand on a chair that a woman was about to sit on and proceeded to poke the lady’s private parts.
Evans Sibanda in submissions seen by ZimEye.com has since denied the accusation claiming he accidentally placed his hand on the chair.
He appeared before Magistrate Peter Madiba last week and was remanded in custody.
The court heard that Sibanda caressed the complainant’s buttocks before poking her private parts when she sat on the chair in the hair salon.
The woman arrived at the Salon at Makarios Building on March 2 and she picked one free chair and sat on it without realising that Sibanda had placed his hand on the chair. She only realised it when Sibanda poked her private parts.
The complainant reported the matter to the police leading to Sibanda’s arrest.
Sibanda argued he placed his hand on the chair by mistake, however the court dismissed his claim.
Meanwhile eyewitnesses also maintained Sibanda deliberately touched the woman’s buttocks.
“There was no coincidence in the matter because Sibanda deliberately touched the woman’s private parts,” said an eyewitness.
They continued saying, “it happened in broad daylight in the hair saloon. He even touched the woman’s buttocks and it was a deliberate move. We were all surprised by Sibanda’s action.
“Although he claimed the woman sat on his hand, we witnessed what actually transpired. The woman wanted to have her hair done,” the witness said.

MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday summoned acting Harare mayor Chris Mbanga, amid fears by the party the councillor appears willing to take Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere’s instructions on the ongoing dispute surrounding the appointment of a new town clerk.
The MDC-T was left in a quandary last week after Mbanga gave in to Kasukuwere’s demands to stop new town clerk James Mushore from reporting for work despite the party’s position to challenge mayor Bernard Manyenyeni’s suspension on constitutional grounds.
Kasukuwere suspended Manyenyeni last week for refusing to heed his directive to stop Mushore from coming to work.
MDC-T local government secretary Eddie Cross confirmed that they were bewildered by Mbanga’s action, contrary to the party’s position that Kasukuwere’s directives were a legal nullity.
“Our decision to appoint Mushore is irreversible and currently Mbanga is meeting the party president to discuss the issue,” Cross said.
Cross also said MDC-T had rejected a Zanu PF proposal to settle the impasse outside the courts.
“They have approached us to stop the court action against Kasukuwere and have talks to settle the matter, but this has been scuttled by the minister’s insistence that Mushore should be stopped from coming to work,” he added.
Tsvangirai’s spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka confirmed the meeting, but did not disclose the nature of the discussions.
“Tsvangirai meets party members every day and it’s true that he met with deputy mayor Mbanga,” Tamborinyoka said.
Tsvangirai’s former advisor Alex Magaisa yesterday publicly questioned Mbanga’s action on social media and how he was voted deputy mayor.
“Where is Mbanga getting the audacity to do what is patently unreasonable and against the principled position which the party or any of its councillors should take?” questioned Magaisa. “Does he have powerful backers within the party who are advising him that it’s okay or has he simply gone rogue?
“Did the MDC do any due diligence on this chap before they nominated him to be deputy mayor?”
Kasukuwere’s suspension of elected mayors, particularly from MDC-T controlled councils, is widely seen as a move by Zanu PF to gain control of urban areas through the back door.
Manyenyeni’s suspension follows Kasukuwere’s decision to suspend Gweru mayor Hamutendi Kombayi and his entire council on charges of financial impropriety.
The Gweru city fathers successfully challenged their suspension at the Bulawayo High Court, but Kasukuwere is defying the court order as he is yet to reinstate them. Standard

ZANU PF has won yet another by election by a large margin.
The ruling party won the Guruve South by election polling 9 153 against Nca’s 818.
The seat fell vacant following the expulsion of former ZANU PF legislator Chriswell Mutematsaka from both party and parliament on allegations of planning to removing President Mugabe from power unconstitutionally.
The main opposition political parties continue to boycott by elections being held in the country demanding electoral reforms before they can take part in elections.

FOUR managers at the struggling Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) are set to be retrenched as the coal mining firm has started restructuring as part of its survival programme, it has been learnt.
In an interview yesterday by telephone, the company’s managing director, Mr Thomas Makore said the retrenchments have been approved by the board.
“We are now at a point where the company has started the restructuring programme which was approved by the board and the major shareholder. It will start at management level cascading downwards.”
Mr Makore refused to say which management positions have been identified for retrenchment.
“Obviously, we are dealing with human beings here and we have to be careful how we handle the matter and therefore, I don’t think it would be fair to start naming individuals,” he said.
However, sources within the company said four managers who are likely to lose their jobs have been identified for the exercise. The former coal mining giant is now a pale shadow of itself saddled with debts worth millions of dollars resulting in some of its property being auctioned. Workers at the mining company are owed about two years in unpaid salaries amounting to more than $16 million.
But the company’s managing director said he was optimistic that once the restructuring programme which is part of efforts to turn around the concern’s fortunes is put in place, HCCL should be back on its feet.
Last month, the HCCL acting chairman, Mr Jemester Chininga announced that the restructuring programme would result in a reduction of the wage bill by $15 million.
As of December last year, the company owed its creditors $287,3 million. Recently, the company’s workers took their employer to court alleging corruption and asking for it to be put under judicial management. They also sought HCCL’s delisting from the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, the Johannesburg bourse and the London Stock Exchange as part of the turnaround strategy they were proposing for the company.-Sundaynews

State Media – ZANU-PF members should stop unnecessary mudslinging and wanton purges as this could see disgruntled individuals joining other political parties.
Ruling party’s National Secretary for Legal Affairs Patrick Chinamasa said this while addressing an extraordinary Manicaland provincial conference at Mutare Polytechnic yesterday.
“There was a culture of vote of no confidences which had crept into the party where some innocent members were booted out. At the end of the day we are forcing these disgruntled members to find a safe haven in the opposition parties,” he said.
“Some members slackened as a result of this unnecessary mudslinging and it is Zanu-PF that suffers most. We should be seen to be working towards strengthening the party and not allow personal differences to influence our decisions.
“From now onwards, we want people who come forward and name and shame those organising and attending clandestine meetings. These people should be bold enough to stand as witnesses when the people they alleged to be fanning factionalism are called for disciplinary hearings.”
Chinamasa’s comments came after provincial youth chairman Mubuso Chinguno had told the meeting that they had gathered information of a clandestine meeting held in Vumba recently to push for the ouster of Manicaland chair, Dr Samuel Undenge.
Chinamasa said vote of no confidence petitions should be done constitutionally, with two-thirds of the membership of that particular wing agreeing.
“Some people are now on the sidelines because of unfounded allegations. Most people who signed votes of no confidence petitions were misled into doing that,” he said.
“A lot of lies were being peddled to force some people to sign votes of no confidence. We shall be circulating a circular very soon giving clear guideline on disciplinary procedures that should be followed.
“Those who would have erred should be hauled before a properly constituted disciplinary committee chaired by the provincial vice-chairperson and the allegations should be clearly spelt out to them. Only the Central Committee can endorse the ouster of a member from the party.”
The Zanu-PF legal bosss called for unity among members.
“Unity was fast becoming a rare commodity in Zanu-PF. We should speak with one voice and rally behind the leadership of President Mugabe. We are all in agreement that President Mugabe is our candidate for the 2018 elections.
“We will be shooting ourselves in the foot if we go into an election while divided. An election is a game of numbers and we should consolidate our numbers.”
The meeting also dealt with the issue of former Politburo member and Member of National Assembly for Chimanimani West, Munacho Mutezo who is alleged to have crossed the floor to join Zimbabwe People First.
The issue was earlier this month referred back to the province by the Politburo and there was unanimous agreement that Mutezo, Joe Zviuya and Lovemore Changadzo be booted out as they were openly campaigning for Zimbabwe People First.
In moving the motion to have Mutezo fired from Zanu-PF, Mubuso said: “I come from Chimanimani West where Mutezo also hails from. He is openly campaigning for the Zimbabwe People First. We also have a picture of him that was published in the local Press while attending a Zimbabwe People First meeting held here in Mutare.
“He was sitting in the front. Last Thursday he attended a funeral in our area where he openly denounced President Mugabe. We are saying Mutezo should go.”
His motion was seconded by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Mandi Chimene. Chinamasa explained to the house why the issue was referred back to the provincial disciplinary committee.
“When the issue was brought to the Politburo, it appeared as if it was coming from Chimanimani and not Manicaland. That is why it was referred back to the province for deliberations. If there is overwhelming evidence against Mutezo, then we erred in referring it back here, but, however, the proper channels have been done and this issue will be finalised soon,” said Chinamasa.

MDC-T Vice President, Thokozani Khupe, has praised the overwhelming support from her party structures forecasting that victory is certain in the next elections.
Khupe who met party members from the Makokoba district in Bulawayo said: “the passion among our activists has not abated even under the current circumstances, and the ward leadership was convincing that the party is headed for more thumping victories against all others in the future elections.”
Khupe was meeting structures in the constituency she once led as MP under a programme dubbed the State of The Party Assessment program that is on-going countrywide.
“It was all systems go as all Ward and Branch heads turned out to showcase that their ward is a well oiled machine ready to carry out its duties in the MDC party,” said Khupe.

A RANDY man from Nketa suburb in Bulawayo was arrested for rubbing his penis against a woman’s buttocks during Independence Day celebrations at White City Stadium on Monday.
Thulani Mhlabi, 37, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Tancy Dube facing an indecent assault charge. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody to April 27.
Mhlabi, the court heard, unzipped his trousers and rubbed his member against Nomazulu Nyoni, 23, of Entumbane suburb as she was cheering proceedings at the event.
Nyoni told the court she suddenly felt “unusual heat” on her buttocks and she turned around to find Mhlabi rubbing his tool against her. Sibekithemba Dube, prosecuting, said the alleged assault happenned at around 2PM on April 18.
As crowds joyfully celebrated 36 years of independence from white colonial rule, Mhlabi is alleged to have given his sizeable member forbidden freedom to colonise Nyoni’s ample rear.
Said Dube: “Mhlabi proceeded to where Nyoni was standing and stood behind her. Mhlabi unzipped his trousers and pulled out his manhood which he pressed against Nyoni’s buttocks.”
Dube told the court Nyoni immediately alerted police officers on patrol at the stadium who arrested Mhlabi. state media

Terrence Mawawa Masvingo|A cunning Masvingo man ran out of luck after feigning his son’s death in a desperate bid to defraud First Mutual Life of $1,500 cash.
The case was heard before Masvingo Magistrate Langton Ndokera last Friday.
The daring man, Godfrey Kutadza, of Mazarira Village under Chief Chikwanda, went to the First Mutual Life offices and made a funeral cash request for the supposed burial of his son, Shepherd, who is aged 18.
He then produced a fake Burial Order number 86/89 to support his claim.
The attempted fraud was thwarted after First Mutual Life made some verifications with Kutadza’s village head who revealed the man’s son was alive.
Kutadza, who is a general hand at Victoria Junior Primary School in the city of Masvingo, in mitigation said he had pressing financial challenges that forced him to commit the offence.
He said he had no bad intention in committing the offence since he only wanted to get some cash to cushion himself against glaring challenges.
Joseph Gundura, the village head expressed shock at Kutadza’s surprisingly anti-social behaviour.
Speaking to ZimEye.com in separate discussions, Kutadza’s relatives said the incident has shaken the entire family.
“This is unheard of -we are disturbed by what happened. We are still trying to come to terms with what transpired. It is highly prohibited to feign someone’s death. We are now eagerly awaiting the court ruling,” a shocked relative told ZimEye.

Tsvangirai out of mansion – Bret Muvet

This message is directed at MDC-T itself and all those who support it.
The recent decision by the Junta to dismiss the MDC-T Mayor is indeed
unjustified and against the will of the people who overwhelmingly voted
for your party. Without doubt, you are the biggest opposition entity
currently in Zimbabwe politics.
However, Servants, this issue of council is really very straight forward,
and perhaps the recent action by the junta could be a blessing in
disguise.
In this council, where the people voted for MDC-T, who really makes the
policies and has the final decision? The answer to that is it is the junta
controlled ministry of Local Government. Added to that is the budget issue,
where the central government controlled by the Junta make sure they do not
finance anything that will reflect positively on the MDC-T. Further to
that, the opposition has always had the slogan of TONGAI TIONE.
Now Varanda, how are you going to make any meaningful difference in
council without a budget? No money for programs or any improvements due to
the junta moving finances to their own councils with their own people? How
do you make policy changes if they get shot down by the minister anyway?
And lastly why do you say tongai tione, when you are actually the ones
ruling in the cities?
You see, by being in charge of the cities, and the junta sabotaging the
running of those cities, all it does is show the voters that MDC-T is
useless. The city has no water, roads are bad, electricity is erratic, the
people are just told MDC-T is in control so blame them!!! Apa it’s the
minister and the Junta who are sabotaging council activities. You as MDC-T
are playing into the hands of the Junta. They control council, appoint
their cronies there and yet you get the blame when things go wrong!!
RESIGN EN MASS cadres!!!
Let them rule and see what happens. Siyanai navo. Don’t try and help a
junta stay in power. Get out of that mansion, take back those cars and
4x4s, remove yourselves from parliament, senate, any form of government.
TONGAI TIONE must be implemented strictly and you cant do that if you are
participating in the very Junta government.
If you continue on this path of participation in government, with no
meaningful ability to changes things, all you are doing is destroying the
MDCT brand even further.
That’s my 5 cents of advice. Take it, leave it, hameno ikoko.

President Robert Mugabe’s nephew, the Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister, Patrick Zhuwao has performed a u-turn on the Indigenisation Act.
Zhuwao yesterday admitted to bungling on the law, revealing he misinterpreted “certain issues”.
Zhuwao said his uncle’s interpretation of the Act was “perfect” and final.
He made the admission of error at a Press conference at his office after the launch of Zimbabwe Youth Empowerment Investment Committees’ Zero Draft Overview.
“I am appointed by the President and as l take directions, it is quite possible that l can misinterpret certain things. I must be able to listen to my boss when my boss explains that l am misinterpreting certain things,” he said.
President Mugabe a fortnight ago moved in to clarify the confusion over the interpretation of the indigenisation law, which he said undermined business confidence in the country.
Cde Zhuwao said the resultant confusion had increased the cost of doing business while weakening the country’s competitiveness in the wake of a public spat between Cabinet ministers.
Minister Zhuwao had attacked his Finance and Economic Development counterpart Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Reserve Bank governor Dr John Mangudya for asserting that the financial services sector had met the indigenisation requirement ahead of the March 31 deadline.
Asked about the deadlines he had issued to foreign companies to comply with the country’s indigenisation laws, Minister Zhuwao said: “The pronouncement by the President has helped significantly. That is also clarified in the statement,” he said.
Asked to comment on the war of words between him and former chairperson of the recently formed steering committee on the Zimbabwe Youth Empowerment Strategy for Investment, Mr Acie Lumumba, Minister Zhuwao said the reason for Lumumba’s ouster was based on a conflict of interest between his job description and a private company he owned.
He however, said he had not fully investigated Mr Lumumba’s allegations on social media and that if he had known that there was a potential conflict, he could not have appointed him.
Mr Lumumba, in a recorded video which has gone viral on social media, said Minister Zhuwao was not fit to hold any public office.
In the video, he alleges that their conflict arose after Minister Zhuwao gave him an ultimatum in front of ministry officials last week to deliver three percent of shares from Old Mutual funds to his office.
“I don’t spend too much time looking at those allegations because l primarily believe in terms of section 61 of the Constitution, which says everybody has a right of expression and freedom of the media. I am not going to focus on that because l am an appointed Minister of Government, and l have a specific responsibility that l must focus on,” said Minister Zhuwao.
He also said that Mr Lumumba’s allegations were ‘false’: “l absolutely have no idea what triggered him to say that. I wish I was a prophet. If there is any impropriety, he must report me to the authorities and I am investigated if there is anything l did wrong. You must never threaten to be a person of integrity. It is something you can never threaten. He has an obligation as a citizen to reveal more,” he said.-State Media/ Additional Reporting

A prominent Zimbabwean liberation war voice, leader of the popular Light Machine Gun Choir, Given Nare, has died.

Nare died at Gwanda Hospital on Wednesday evening. He was 82.
Nare was founder and lead singer of the ZIPRA forces liberation war choir, well known for its songs; “Yithi labo” , “Emoyeni” and “Sasuka emakhaya.”
The choir was founded in Zambia in 1977 when Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle was at its peak. They sang songs to encourage fellow fighters to press harder as victory was certain.
They were later chosen to accompany ZAPU, President Joshua Nkomo, on his historic return home in 1979 at the end of the war.
Nare will be buried at his Gwanda rural home on Saturday. At the time of going to press, a family member said they were still waiting for ZANU PF to notify them of the hero status to be accorded to the veteran fighter if any.

SCORES of former Zanu PF officials, including ex-cabinet ministers Francis Nhema, Flora Bhuka, Webster Shamu and Nicholas Goche, who were either expelled or suspended from the party for supporting former vice-president Joice Mujuru’s presidential bid, are set to bounce back through the central committee.
The move is aimed at disabling Mujuru’s Zimbabwe People First party while also providing arsenal to the two main factions in the party, particularly the G40 group, which has been hunting for heavyweight candidates to challenge Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Sources in the party revealed the party had received numerous appeals by former officials expelled or suspended from the party without going for hearings, following President Robert Mugabe’s directive that the central committee should reconsider the purges. Shamu, Goche and Nhema are believed to be among those who appealed. Mugabe made the directive at a politburo meeting a fortnight ago and repeated his assertions at the party’s central committee meeting the following day.
Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo confirmed the party had received numerous appeals.
“What I know is that the constitution provides that whoever feels aggrieved by the decision taken by the National Disciplinary Committee and endorsed by the politburo can approach the central committee. As you know many people went without hearings. I’m told some have appealed to the secretary of administration, but I don’t have the names and the numbers,” he said.
“The central committee can’t in terms of numbers sit in one place for the hearings, because there are 300 people in the body, but modalities are being worked out.”
Asked specifically if Mujuru’s supporters will be readmitted, Moyo said: “Of course others may not think about appealing, but others, even those who went for hearings are free to appeal.”
Sources in Zanu PF said although Mugabe made the directive following complaints from Mnangagwa and his backers, after the vice-president’s backers were suspended without facing disciplinary hearings, the G40 faction has for some time been engaging Mujuru’s former allies to bolster its numbers. The faction wants to use the opportunity to bring on board sympathisers, who were loyal to Mujuru.
“Mugabe’s order will pave way for several officials to bounce back including those whom the G40 faction has been trying to bring back on board. This includes the likes of Goche, Shamu and former politburo member Tendai Savanhu among others,” said an official.
“It is however not clear, whether if the suspensions or expulsions are overturned, they will work with the G40 faction because some of the officials have bad relations with key G40 members. It may not be as straight forward as it looks because some of Mujuru’s former backers such as Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi have refused to work with the G40 faction despite their overtures, choosing instead a middle of the road approach.”
Mujuru lost the party and state vice-presidency in December 2014 before being expelled alongside several heavyweights, among them former Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa and former spokesperson Rugare Gumbo. Nine provincial chairpersons were also expelled ahead of the party’s December congress.
Mugabe also removed several senior officials from their government positions in addition to the suspensions and expulsions. Among the affected were Mutasa, who lost his Presidential Affairs ministerial post, and former political commissar Webster Shamu, who was also the Information Communication Technology minister. Other high-profile casualties included Francis Nhema (Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment), Olivia Muchena (Higher Education), Dzikamai Mavhaire (Energy), Nicholas Goche (Public Service), Andrew Langa (Sports), Simbaneuta Mudarikwa (Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister) and Munacho Mutezo (Energy deputy minister).
Flora Buka (Minister of State for Presidential Affairs), Paul Chimedza (Health deputy minister), Sylvester Nguni (Minister of State in former Vice-President Mujuru’s Office), Tongai Muzenda (Public Service deputy minister), Petronella Kagonye (Transport deputy minister), Fortune Chasi (Justice Deputy minister) and Tendai Savanhu (Lands deputy minister) were also not spared.-Standard

ZIMBABWE’S public health institutions need about 8 000 new nurses to meet growing demand for health services despite government’s decision to freeze recruitment in the civil service, it has been established.
The shortage of health workers has compromised the country’s health delivery system, which is also plagued by a number of problems among them a shortage of drugs and critical equipment.
Currently, public nursing staffing levels are in line with standards approved soon after the country attained independence in 1980, leaving a huge gap at state clinics and hospitals, Health minister David Parirenyatwa said.
But a freeze on new recruitments, which was adopted in 2011 to contain a ballooning public sector wage bill has left many health care centres understaffed.
“If we go around the country you will see that our country needs between 7 000 and 8 000 nurses but we have 3 000 nurses that are qualified sitting at home,” Parirenyatwa said at Chivhu Hospital last Friday.
“This staff establishment is based on 1983 models but the population has increased and the patterns of diseases has also changed so we need to absorb all the nurses that are unemployed,” Parirenyatwa said, adding, “I recently went to Masvingo General Hospital and I was told they have 188 nurses but they needed 40 more nurses.”
Zimbabwe’s population is estimated to have more than doubled since 1980 to about 14,6 million.
“I recently went to Maphisa hospital which used to be Antelope Mine and I noticed there are accommodation problems, what used to be the doctors, house which was occupied by my late father is now full of nurses. We still need a lot of accommodation as our institutions grow bigger,” added the health minister.
“The morgue also is too small. I was shown a compartment at the morgue which carries six people but there were 10 bodies meaning some bodies were put on top of other bodies. This is bad and we need to respect the dead.”
He said government was struggling to mobilise resources for drugs and staff remuneration due to funding challenges hence the need for donor support.
Going forward, Parirenyatwa said government plans to decentralise critical services such as x-ray scanning to improve health delivery and efficiency.-Standard

THE orphaned minor who was allegedly sexually abused by Hartzell High School headmaster, Shorwi Kawadza, remained adamant that she had several sexual intercourses with the school head during cross-examination at Mutare Magistrates’ Court last Friday.
Fielding questions by defence counsels, the complainant said she had one sexual intercourse with Kawadza in a bush near the school grounds after some sporting activities, other sexual intercourses in his office as well as at the Old Mutare Mission school’s guest house.
Kawadza is the first accused in a case that he is alleged to have contravened the Sexual Offences Act by sleeping with a minor and infecting her with a Sexually Transmitted Disease, while Fairfield Children’s Home staffer, Cecelia Thobani is the second accused facing similar charges.
Mr Victor Chinzamba of Mugadza, Chinzamba and Partners, who is representing Kawadza, put it to the minor that she was being inconsistent in her narrative and that she appeared to have been told what to say by people masterminding the downfall of Kawadza.
Mr Chinzamba said there was a recorded telephone conversation between the survivor and a Social Welfare attaché identified as Sister Molly in which the minor exonerated both Kawadza and Cecilia Thobani (Accused Two) of any wrongdoing.
“It is clear that you have been subjected to severe interference by people who want to see the downfall of Accused One.
“Why do you keep changing your story? You must forget about those people.
“This is about your life. The coincidences in your account are too much. Surely no-one saw you, not even on your way on all the occasions that you say you had sex with Accused One.
“You have demonstrated to this court that your evidence is inconsistent with the reality,” argued Mr Chinzamba.
However, in response, the complainant denied having been coached on what to say in court.
“I did not exonerate Shorwi Kawadza. We had several sexual intercourses. I have never changed my story.
“I only mentioned that Cecilia Thobhani (second accused) has nothing to do with this case.
“I only mentioned another name during a telephone conversation with Sister Molly because she was pestering me, forcing me to say another name different from Kawadza.
“I exonerated him (Kawadza) because Sister Molly kept saying I should mention another name.
“I was not seen by anyone during the several times I went to have sex with Kawadza.
“In fact, when we had sex at the school grounds, the guards at the school gate must have been busy with the vehicles moving in and out of the gate for them to notice us and I was also not going to school when we had sex at the guest house, while all the other children were at school, hence no-one noticed it.
“When we had sex in the bush near the school ground it was after the sporting activities that had been held at the grounds.
“We had actually made an appointment the day before, so it was planned.
“I was never coached by anyone on what to say in this court. Accused Two does not know anything about this case.
“It is the police who said they did their investigations and found out that she had given me pills to terminate pregnancy.
“I never told Sergeant Chandata that Accused Two gave me pills to terminate pregnancy,” said the complainant who was a 14 year old inmate at Fairfield Children’s Home at Old Mutare Mission when the crime was allegedly committed.
In exonerating Thobani (Accused Two), the teenager went against the evidence given by the Investigating Officer Sergeant Itai Chandata of Penhalonga Police Station who recently testified in court that the minor told her during investigation that Thobani told her never to mention the headmaster, but Mr Mukwindidza as the perpetrator.
“She also told me that Accused Two (Thobani) would call her to her office and ordered her to go and see Accused One (Kawadza) at the guest house.
“She said she was also told by Accused Two (Thobani) that she should never mention the headmaster, but Mr Mukwindidza as the perpetrator.
“Having that information I went on to verify some facts that I could and went on to arrest Kawadza and Thobani,” said Sgt Chandatya when she recently testified in court.
However, in last Friday’s session, the teenager drew gestures of misgiving from the gallery when she admitted that she consented to Kawadza’s love proposal and sexual manoeuvres because she was used to sex.
She also told the court that she had terminated pregnancy three times without the knowledge of Thobani
“When we had sex with Kawadza I had agreed to it because I was used to it.
“Yes, I terminated pregnancy three times, but I was never assisted by Cecilia Thobani,” she said.
Kawadza is being represented by Mr Chinzamba, while Thobani was represented by Mr Ranga Muhloro-Mubata of Mubata, Chigadza and Associates.
Trial continues on April 25 when two other witnesses are expected to testify. Manica Post

by Grace Kwinjeh |Being totally blind has not limited Moreblessing. She speaks with a passion, conviction and a fierce determination as she narrates her life journey, her dreams and aspirations.
Moreblessing (not real name) in the above audio clip talks to founding member of the Zimbabwe Blind Women Trust (ZBWT), Miss Jules Daudi.
When asked what message she has for other visually impaired or blind people, Moreblessing boldly states: “’Those people who are totally blind especially ladies, my speech is directed towards ladies. Never give up, even no matter at what age even if you are 65 years old, you can start something- it will never be late.”
Walking the talk – Moreblessing 26 years ago, did her her O’ levels , completed a course as a switchboard operator, went on to attain a diploma in business studies; and now she has a vision to complete her A’ level studies in November with the hope of furthering her studies to become a lawyer or a teacher.
According to the 1996 Disabled Persons Act of Zimbabwe; ‘a person with a physical, mental or sensory disability, including a visual, hearing or speech functional disability, which gives rise to physical, cultural or social barriers inhibiting him or her from participating at an equal level with other members of society in activities, undertakings or fields of employment that are open to other members of society.’
Women like Moreblessing have risen above the challenge especially societal biases that include negative stereotypes, creating a new foundation and ethos based on the mantra that ‘disability is not inability’.
With the help of the Blind Women Trust led by mentors Daudi and Irene Sithole, which is aimed at addressing the personal and social development of the visually impaired, most of who have suffered crude marginalisation being reduced to street beggars, have broken the walls of prejudice.
“As a lady with a disability I am so happy in life that in our country we are offered the chances to get educated and become self reliant. So far I have not acquired the required qualifications to become employed either as a teacher or a lawyer, and at the moment I am studying for my A’level,” says Moreblessing.
However, for Moreblessing to be able to continue with her studies successfully, she needs to be empowered with the right tools, which include a laptop or a Perkins Brailler, especially to write her A’level exams in November. She is also appealing for assistance for exam fees and other fees for her to do computer training at the Dorothy Duncan Centre.
“The challenge is I can’t get the funds for my examination fee; I think very soon the schools will open in May. The May deadline for the examination fees is fast approaching and at the moment I still have not got anything to pay for it,” she says in her appeal.
Moreblessing has not enrolled in a formal institution for her studies, but rather has lecturers who have been coaching her; “I have a combination of arts subjects which I am studying so hard for. I am so grateful for those teachers and lecturers who are coaching me, but to add on to my need for exam fees, I also need a need a machine so I can write the exams. I do not have the funds for this.”

The Zimbabwe Blind Women Trust seeks to deal specifically with the plight of visually impaired women. Doing the interview, Daudi, a High School teacher, who herself lost her sight when she was six years old, is reaching out and giving hope to other women like Moreblessing.
The trust also seeks to demystify certain stereotypes and negative attitudes towards persons with disabilities, that for instance entrench superstitions which blame witchcraft or maternal promiscuity, for the various conditions.
People with disabilities have as a result suffered shame and exclusion in their families and society at large. Daudi and her peers are confronting these attitudes head-on, as they work daily to change these warped perceptions for the dignity and standing of people with disabilities.
Moreblessing also loves to read and does craft-work in her spare time. Well wishers with the heart to support her professional journey to become a lawyer or a teacher, can contact the ZWBT on… Ecocash;+263772941126
Name: Moreblessing Nyabocho

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi has lambasted the Zanu PF factional battles for significantly contributing towards the decline in the number of tourists visiting the country.
Speaking during a public lecture at Great Zimbabwe University last week, Mzembi said the relentless Zanu PF warring has led to the decline in the number of tourists visiting the country.
Despite strongly attacking what he called protagonists in the succession battles, Mzembi is viewed by Zanu PF insiders as a member of the G40 group pushing for First Lady Grace Mugabe’s rise to the helm of the party, paving way for her to replace her 92 year old husband.
Mzembi said his ministry has been badly affected by the endless factional battles in the troubled ruling party. “Factional battles discourage tourists because they are no longer eager to visit the country. Negative publicity has also contributed towards the decline in the number of tourists coming to Zimbabwe,” said Mzembi.
The charismatic minister has in the past been blamed by party hawks for being too smart in his political career. Party stalwarts feel Mzembi is too professional in his approach towards political issues.
He also blamed the poor road networks for further discouraging tourists.
“There is need to improve our road network system so that we can attract more tourists -otherwise we will continue to experience a sharp decrease in the number of foreigners who visit our country. These are some of the areas we have been overlooking,” said Mzembi.

An army major has been named in the trial proceedings following the jailed Zimbabwe People’s Front political party president, Owen Kuchata, who the state says attempted to petrol bomb the First Family’s Alpha Omega Dairy Farm.
Kuchata, according to state papers, paid $20 to one of his alleged accomplices – a soldier – so that he could source army uniforms to use when committing crimes.
Borman Ngwenya (30) told the court that Kuchata wanted more than five pairs of army regalia.
Ngwenya said he was a member of Kuchata’s political party after he had been ordered by his superiors at the ZNA to join Kuchata and spy on him. He maintained that it was a military-sanctioned operation which he had been tasked to do by one Major Mashava and Sergeant Mahachi.
Ngwenya said he kept Major Mashava informed of the activities. He appeared before magistrate Ms Fadzai Mthombeni for continuation of trial. “Major Mashava came to me in the company of Sgt Mahachi and Makumbe. As an intelligent officer, Major Mashava said he wanted to use me so that they could apprehend Kuchata. He said I should join his political party and spy on him and relay the message back to ZNA,” he said.
“After convincing Kuchata, I joined his party and he told me he wanted brave and strong men in the party. After some days he told me of his plans to bomb President Mugabe’s properties. I kept informing Major Mashava of our meetings with Kuchata and his plans. Major Mashava told me to play along adding that Makumbe was also going to join me.”
He added, “Kuchata later asked if it was possible for me to source army uniforms from our factory. He then gave me $20 to bribe the person who was going to give us the uniforms. After informing Major Mashava, he told me to use the $20 for transport so that I would be able to meet Kuchata whenever he wanted us to meet. As per Major Mashava’s advice, I kept lying to Kuchata that the uniforms were coming.”
Ngwenya further said that he then introduced Makumbe to Kuchata as the person who was going to give us the uniforms.
He said they went to President Mugabe’s rural home on January 1 for reconnaissance adding that Kuchata had also planned to bomb his rural home.
Ms Mthombeni rolled over the matter to today for continuation of trial.
Ngwenya is being represented by Mr Exactly Mangezi while Mr Michael Reza is prosecuting.
It is alleged that on January 22, around 4pm, police received a tip-off that the four were planning to bomb Alpha Omega Dairy’s processing plant and 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.

Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere was yesterday labelled “dumb” following his suspending of the Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni.
“He calls himself Tyson and seems to get his inspiration from Mike Tyson,the boxer. He needs more brain than brawn, honestly,” wrote MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu.
The suspended Manyenyeni yesterday approached the High Court challenging his suspension which he terms to be unlawful and in contravention of provisions of the Constitution. Clr Manyenyeni was suspended this week by Local Government, Kasukuwere for unprocedurally appointing former NMBZ chief executive Mr James Mushore as the city’s town clerk in violation of the Urban Councils Act.
In an urgent chamber application filed in the High Court yesterday, Clr Manyenyeni listed Minister Kasukuwere and Attorney-General Advocate Prince Machaya as respondents. Clr Manyenyeni, who enlisted the services of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights — Mr Dzimbabgwe Chimbwa and Mr David Hofisi, contends that in terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, removal of mayors, councillors and chairpersons is done by an independent tribunal in terms of an Act of Parliament.
“There is neither that Act of Parliament nor independent tribunal,” argues Clr Manyenyeni. “The first respondent (Minister Kasukuwere) has thus arrogated to himself powers he no longer has in violation of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.”
Pending the final resolution of the matter either in the court of first instance or on appeal, Clr Manyenyeni is requesting the court to suspend the letter of his suspension and continue with his mayoral function with full benefits.
He also seeks the court to stop Minister Kasukuwere from suspending, dismissing or engaging in any other activity with a view to removing him from office of Mayor of Harare. Minister Kasukuwere also threatened to suspend corrupt councillors.
In his application, Clr Manyenyeni says, the council resolved to appoint Mr Mushore to the post of town clerk following an open and transparent process of advertising and interviews. Mr Mushore emerged as the highest scorer in terms of the process. Further to the resolution, Clr Manyenyeni argues that Mr Mushore was offered a contract of employment.
Clr Manyenyeni premised his argument on Section 278 (2) and (3) of the Constitution which provides that:
(2) An Act of Parliament must provide for the establishment of an independent tribunal to exercise the function of removing from office mayors, chairpersons and councillors, but any such removal must only be on the grounds of;
(a) inability to perform the functions of their office due to mental or physical incapacity;
(b) gross incompetence;
(c) gross misconduct;
(d) conviction of an offence involving dishonesty, corruption or abuse of office; or
(e) wilful violation of the law, including a local authority by-law.
(3) A mayor, chairperson or councillor of a local authority does not vacate his or her seat except in accordance with this section.
To buttress his case, Clr Manyenyeni also cited Section 2 of the Constitution which states that the Constitution is the supreme law of Zimbabwe and any law, practice, custom or conduct inconsistent with it is invalid to the extent of the inconsistency.
It further reads; “The obligations imposed by this Constitution are binding on every person, natural or juristic, including the State and all executive, legislative and judicial institutions and agencies of Government at every level and must be fulfilled by them.”
In this regard, Clr Manyenyeni argues that the Constitution is binding on all persons including Minister Kasukuwere. “Any conduct, law or practice inconsistent with the Constitution is invalid,” he says.
“The constitution provides for the removal of mayors such as myself. Such removal can only be in terms of Section 278. That section requires an independent tribunal to be set up in terms of an Act of Parliament.
“The power to remove a mayor, chairperson or councillor is no longer vested in a Minister, but in an Independent Tribunal set up in terms of an Act of Parliament,” he argues.
“Thus there is no way that the minister can purport to suspend or remove me from office. His authority to do so can only emanate from an Act of Parliament which provides for the establishment of an Independent Tribunal pursuant to the provisions of the current Constitution.
That Act of Parliament is yet to be promulgated. “The first respondent’s hands are therefore tied. He should seek legislative intervention to get a lawful basis to set up the independent tribunal contemplated by the Constitution.”
Government rescinded the appointment of Mr Mushore soon after a council meeting that announced his appointment, saying council flouted procedures of appointing a town clerk as outlined in the Urban Councils Act and the Local Government Board.
The minister had told the city that the former banker’s appointment was illegal, but the defiant council proceeded to give Mr Mushore the job.
Mr Mushore was still reporting for duty despite the two orders, with Clr Manyenyeni saying he was waiting for the High Court to rule on the matter.- state media/additional reporting.

State Media – Government is committed to creating an environment that promotes investment as evidenced by the recent clarification of the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act by President Mugabe.
Acting President Mnangagwa made these remarks when he officially opened the Third Zimbabwe Accountants Conference in Harare today, saying investment would enable the country to meet its triple objectives of poverty reduction, economic growth and shared prosperity.
He also implored accountants to help Government fish out corruption both in the public and private sectors.
“A lot of confusion had arisen regarding the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment policy with the unfortunate effect of undermining the confidence of the business community, including current and potential investors,” said Acting President Mnangagwa.
“This was owing to conflicting positions regarding the interpretation of the policy. His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde R.G Mugabe recently clarified Government’s position.
“The policy was introduced to deliberately empower the historically disadvantaged indigenous Zimbabweans and to grant them ownership and control of the country’s means and factors of production. The objective is to enable Zimbabweans to be significant players in the mainstream of the country’s economy.”
The conference is running under the theme: “Partner, collaborate and grow”.

Below is the latest update concerning rumours that disgraced preacher, Andrew Wutaunashe, who cheated on his wife, has turned to slap the same victim (his wife) with a lawsuit for defamation.

It was two weeks ago reported that Wutaunashe had sent out court summons to sue his wife for defamation concerning an interview she had with ZimEye.
Wrote one Isaac Zhou, “Can someone explain to me.  You cheat on your wife for ten years she finds out and is willing to forgive you but now you want to divorce her; as if that’s not enough evil, you now want to sue her for defamation of character?
“How evil can this be people?”
Zhou continued, “Dr RF is now being sued by Andrew Wutawunashe for defamation of character because of the interview she had with ZimEye where she called him out to repent.
Court Summons have already been sent.”
But two weeks later, ZimEye has found out the said summons are nowhere to be seen. Mrs Wutaunashe on Tuesday told ZimEye there are no summons at all delivered at her address to date. She was speaking during her weekly program.
She challenged the silent-abuse women endure in marriages. “Jesus Christ was beaten and rejected to redeem the woman from violence and abuse”, she said. On her divorce she replied saying in part she has “not seen any summons,” sent her.
The full interview is being streamed today, Thursday.  More to follow…

A MAN from Magwegwe suburb in Bulawayo allegedly dumped his ex-wife’s four year old daughter in a bush at midnight, saying he could no longer be responsible for the child, a court heard.
Garayi Ndlovu, 40, allegedly dumped the girl, whose name cannot be disclosed for ethical reasons, at a bush near Khami dam.
The court heard villagers found the girl wandering near the dam. In his first appearance in court on Saturday, Ndlovu pleaded guilty to an ill-treatment and neglect of child charge before Provincial magistrate Abednico Ndebele.
Then, he said the child was his. “I admit the child is mine and I left her beside the road at around 3AM in the morning. I dumped her there because I can no longer take care of her,” said Ndlovu.
Yesterday he claimed that the child was not his biological daughter.
“When I married the girl’s mother she was already eight months pregnant. I didn’t notice she was pregnant until she gave birth because she had a big body. She ran away and left her child in my custody,” said Ndlovu.
Ndebele remanded him in custody to April 29. The child is staying at a children’s home, which was not disclosed in court. The prosecutor, Sibekithemba Dube told the court that on March 31 at around 12AM Ndlovu took the girl from his house and went to the dam.
“Accused person left his child unattended near Khami Dam. The victim was found by villagers who were fetching firewood and they took her to Pumula Police Station,” said Dube.
“The victim told the police where she stays. They then carried out investigations which led to the arrest of the accused.”

A 95-YEAR-OLD man has been acquitted of raping his neighbour’s two children aged six and four years and infecting them with a sexually transmitted disease. Kennias Zvidza Mazvihwa went into the Gweru Magistrates’ Court crawling as he is no longer able to walk unaided.
He denied rape, insisting he was no longer sexually active. Prosecutors had alleged that Mazvihwa bought the girls’ silence with sweets and jiggies.
Testifying, the children’s mother — who cannot be named to protect the identity of the children — said she used to send her children to Mazvihwa’s homestead to assist him with household chores since he lives alone.
“The accused is my neighbour and he’s now very old, so I used to send my children to his homestead so that they assist him to clean the yard and gather firewood. l didn’t know that he would do such an evil act to my kids,” she told court.
“Why I implicated him in the matter is because my children were infected with gonorrhoea. The accused was also tested and found to be infected with the same disease.”
She said her daughters told her the old man bought sweets and jiggies for them not to reveal the abuse.
But magistrate Morgan Nemadire was not pursuaded as he acquitted the old man. Nemadire pointed to inconsistencies between the mother’s testimony and facts presented by the prosecution.
She told court the children were raped between August and October 2015, when the state had provided a different time frame.
“The nature of the report doesn’t satisfy the court for the accused to be placed on his defence. Also the time frame, from August to October 2015, and considering the age of the victims their mother should have noticed that they were sexually abused.
“At the same time, the mother of the children admitted that sometimes she would leave her kids alone at home and considering the set-up of the compound they might have been sexually abused by someone else,” said Nemadire.
Mazvihwa said he was too old to engage in sexual intercourse and as such he could not have raped the children, whom he considers as his granddaughters.
“I didn’t rape her kids, I’m very old now to commit such a crime,” said Mazvihwa. “I’ve been married since 1946 and have never committed a single crime in my life. At my age I’ve passed the stage of engaging in sexual activities.”
Kelvin Guveya, prosecuting, said between June and October 2015, the two girls were raped by Mazvihwa.
He said they allegedly did not disclose the alleged abuse after he told them that if they did, he would not give them sweets and jiggies.
The matter, Guveya said, came to light when their mother noticed that one of her daughters – the six-year-old – had developed an STI when she was bathing her.
The court heard that the child refused to disclose what had happened to her.
“Her mother beat her up before she revealed that Mazvihwa had raped her. The mother examined the other victim and noticed that she was also infected with an STI,” said Guveya.

By Chrispen Tabvura|Zimbabwe’s Harare based Jazz musician Vengai Kanhema, popularly known as Vekann has defied the ZANU PF government in his individual capacity, by travelling 439 kilometres to clothe the dumped former industrial workers’ families, who are now residing at Bulawayo’s main dump-site.
Kanhema travelled from Harare where he is based, to deliver clothes and exercise books worth thousands of United States Dollars, at a time when the government has been splashing hundreds of millions of the same currency in countless globe trotting flights.
Ngozi dumpsite, which is now commonly known as Ngozi Mine, is now home to more than 1000 families, whose life nosedived after the abrupt closure of several Bulawayo factories. Kanhema who was accompanied by Ronald Sigauke a broadcasting journalist and Pastor Maponga, first met the Sidojiwe Children whose parents cannot afford clothing and school fees due to non-payment of their salaries.
Kanhema’s first port of donation Sidojiwe, is where most of CSC and National Railways of Zimbabwe employees are residing, following years of not receiving their salaries.
“I am not here to be seen that I am assisting my fellow brothers, sisters and children, but I am here to share what I have from deep down of my heart. I was touched when I read about the plight of these people from a community based organisation website.
I decided to budget for clothing and exercise books as we all know that if someone is clothed and educated, there will be a promising tomorrow,” said Vekann.
Both Sidojiwe and Ngozi community expressed gratitude for the donation and prayed for the musician’s safe travel back to Harare, so that he can return anytime soon with more help.
“God bless baba Vekann, we are praying to our Almighty to give you more days of life and that you must be given more energy to work and [also] open factories here to employ our suffering children, who are certainly facing a bleak future as long as this current government is in existence,” said Robert Tshuma, a community chairperson.
Pastor Maponga who also accompanied the musician to both places, applauded the artiste for his kind heart.
“I am taking this moment to praise the Lord for your donation. I say to you Vekann, you are a blessing for Zimbabwe and beyond. For you have shown to the world that you have the heart of a leader. You have a heart of blessings and I say to you be blessed and keep up the spirit,” he said.

A Harare magistrate yesterday remanded CAPS United captain Method Mwanjali in custody, ruling that he was facing serious charges after he allegedly stabbed a motorist twice in the stomach following an altercation.
Mr Tendai Mahwe also ruled that Mwanjali was not over-detained and should be placed on remand.
He then remanded him to May 4.
Mr Mahwe advised Mwanjali to apply for bail at the High Court due to the gravity of his offence, adding that the lower court had no jurisdiction to entertain bail issues in Third Schedule offences.
Mwanjali is facing attempted murder charges and the man he allegedly stabbed, Tonderai Nhunzvi, is said to be on life support system battling for his life at a local hospital.
“It is clear that the complainant was allegedly stabbed at around 4am, hence it is not logical to think that accused person (Mwanjali) was also arrested at that same time.
“He could not have been arrested for something that had not been reported because the complainant is said to have made a report at around 5:30am.
“4am was the time the offence was committed not the time the accused was arrested. A simple mathematical calculation shows that he was not over-detained,” Mr Mahwe said.
The ruling comes after Mwanjali had made an application through his lawyer, Mr Tinofara Hove, challenging his placement on remand on the basis that he was arrested on April 17 at around 4am and by the time they were brought to court on April 19, 48 hours had lapsed without a warrant of further detention issued by a magistrate.
Mwanjali said, in terms of Section 50(2) of the Constitution, he should have been brought before a magistrate within 48 hours of his arrest.
The CAPS United skipper was brought to court on April 19 at around 8:30am and his argument was that the 48-hour period had lapsed at 4am of that day.
Prosecutor Ms Francesca Mukumbiri called the investigating officer, Constable Batsirai Wafawanaka, to the witness stand and he corroborated the State’s submissions that Mwanjali was not over-detained.
Cst Wafawanaka told the court that the offence was committed on April 17 at around 4am and the complainant made a report at around 5:30am.
He said Mwanjali and Archford Gutu, another CAPS United player, later came to the station at around 8:30am, intending to make a report of malicious damage to property against Nhunzvi.
He added that they were placed under arrest at around 2pm not 4am as alleged.
Mwanjali’s alleged partner-in-crime, Gutu -accused of smashing Nhunzvi’s car windscreen – was also formally placed on remand, and was remanded to May 4.
Gutu, who is facing a charge of malicious damage to property, is out on $100 bail.
After committing the offence, the court heard that Mwanjali and Gutu fled from the scene leaving their vehicle behind. When they returned to the scene four hours later, they discovered that their vehicle tyres had been deflated.
Interestingly, they proceeded to the police station where they made a report of malicious damage to property, citing that their vehicle had been damaged oblivious that Nhunzvi had already made a report against them.
That is when they were arrested. The State alleged that the parties met at an intersection in the Longcheng Plaza complex and their vehicles almost collided.
Gutu, who was behind the wheel, got out of the vehicle and charged towards Nhunzvi who had three passengers on board before confronting and accusing him of reckless driving.
As Gutu was shouting, Nhunzvi closed his car windows and this irritated Gutu who then smashed the windscreen using an unknown object.
Mwanjali joined in the melee and took a knife out, before stabbing Nhunzvi twice in the stomach. Nhunzvi’s friend, Lionel Muchena, who tried to stop Mwanjali from stabbing Nhunzvi, was also caught in the crossfire and sustained a cut on his hand.State Media

Zanu-PF youth activist, Mr Acie Lumumba, has been fired as chairman of a Steering Committee on the Zimbabwe Youth Empowerment Strategy for Investment following allegations of misappropriating funds meant for the Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC).
Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Patrick Zhuwao, confirmed firing Mr Lumumba on Tuesday.
He declined to shed light on the allegations leading to Mr Lumumba’s sacking. He said he wanted time to clarify the issues from the accounting officer in his Ministry.
“I have removed Mr Lumumba as the chairman of the Steering Committee for the Zimbabwe Youth Empowerment Investment.
“My decision is based on an apparent conflict of interest between the duties entrusted on him as the chairperson of the Steering Committee and representative of young people on one hand, and his personal interest in a company called Cornerstone Consulting on the other hand,” he said.
Mr Tafadzwa Sengwe immediately replaced Mr Lumumba.
However, sources told the state media yesterday that Mr Lumumba misappropriated money from a local financial institution that was meant for a youth conference. The funds were alleged to have been transferred from a ZYC account to Mr Lumumba’s company Cornerstone Consulting account without the knowledge of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry. Mr Lumumba reportedly did not acquit the money he received from a local financial institution through the ZYC account, and this was said to have led the Minister to issue a memorandum to the Permanent Secretary instructing him to undertake an internal audit, a source revealed.
However, Mr Lumumba yesterday said he sourced the money with the full mandate given him by Minister Zhuwao. “The conference was organised by myself in partnership with the Ministry and the financial institution and 75 different youth associations, each association represented by one person. As far as funding of the conference is concerned, the Minister and the Ministry are well appraised on how I sourced the money in full mandate given to me by the Minister (Zhuwao).
“So, any suggestion of misappropriation of funds I am sure can and will be dealt with by the Ministry.
“I have had long conversations with the Minister about the apparent conflict, and as far as I am concerned, the conflict has nothing to do with abuse of funds but it has everything to do with me not agreeing with the Minister’s way of doing things,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister Zhuwao appointed two students, Netsai Nhemachena, a law student with the University of Zimbabwe and Tanaka Sanyamahwe, an economics student from Midlands State University as student representatives to the committee.
“I have also appointed the Child President, His Excellency Samuel Nyirenda and the two Child Vice Presidents, Tatenda Maramba and Otis Mashayanyika.
“Also appointed to the Steering Committee are two winners of Total Zimbabwe’s Africa State Upper initiative, Tawanda Chikosi and Mercy Manyuchi,” he said.
The current Steering Committee now comprises members drawn from the country’s 10 provinces.State Media