OVER 200 Zimbabwean women are reportedly stranded in Kuwait after they were lured to the Middle East country on the pretext that they were going to be offered lucrative jobs by a local human trafficking syndicate, it has been learnt.
Sources revealed yesterday that most of these women had their travelling documents confiscated on arrival in Kuwait. It is believed the women were sold for amounts starting from $2 500 each to individuals that needed cheap labour for a period of over two years. Most of the women had been employed as housemaids under harsh conditions and were not allowed to leave, denied enough food, forced to work for long hours while others were reportedly forced into prostitution.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday urged people not to respond to advertisements in which offered to take them out of Zimbabwe for employment under unclear circumstances.
“We would like to urge the public, especially the youths, not to respond to such advertisements because they will be risking their lives because they will end up being slaves in foreign countries,” she said.
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said job seekers should be careful when responding to employment advertisements. Police have since embarked on awareness campaigns to educate people on the matter. The Herald has it on good authority that the Zimbabwean Embassy in Kuwait has informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here about the 200 young women stranded in that country.
Most of the victims were lured through advertisements in local media and were promised hefty salaries, good working conditions, air tickets and education. Sources say the Foreign Affairs Ministry has since handed over the communication to police for investigations.
However, Foreign Affairs Minister Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and his secretary Mr Joey Bimha could not be reached on their phones yesterday. Kuwait Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ahmed Khalid Al Jeeran’s home number went unanswered yesterday.
Last month Government set up a Human Anti-Trafficking Inter-Ministerial Committee to curb these rampant cases of human trafficking in the country. Addressing journalists recently, Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo said trafficking in persons was a heinous crime that was robbing individuals of their fundamental human rights.
He said some of the rights that they were being robbed of included rights to human dignity, personal security, right to personal liberty and freedom of movement. “Globally, it has affected millions of people and it has turned into a multibillion-dollar industry where a few individuals are benefiting from violating vulnerable groups. The crime of trafficking in persons can occur within the country or transnationally,” Dr Chombo said.
He said as one of their awareness initiatives they intended to enlighten all Members of Parliament on the crime of trafficking in persons so that they could help pass the information to grassroots levels where the most vulnerable are found.
Kuwait is a destination country for men and women who are subjected to forced labour and to a lesser degree, forced prostitution. Men and women migrate from India, Egypt, Bangladesh, Syria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, Iran, Jordan, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Lebanon and Kenya to work in Kuwait, mainly to join the domestic service, construction and sanitation sectors.
Uganda this year warned its nationals against travelling to Kuwait.
In the last year, there was a reported increase in migrants from Ethiopia, Uganda and Madagascar, while Filipino and Sri Lankan women represent a significant percentage of Kuwait’s domestic worker population.
Though most migrants enter Kuwait voluntarily, upon arrival some sponsors and labour recruitment firms subject them to forced labour, including non-payment of wages, long working hours without rest, deprivation of food, threats, physical or sexual abuse and restrictions on movement, such as confinement to the workplace and withholding of passports.
Many of the migrant workers arriving in Kuwait have paid exorbitant fees to recruiters in their home countries or are coerced into paying labour broker fees in Kuwait that, by the Middle East laws, should be paid by the employer—a practice that makes workers highly vulnerable to forced labour, including debt bondage.
Kuwait’s sponsorship law, which ties a migrant worker’s legal residence and valid immigration status to an employer, restricts workers’ movements and penalises them for “running away” from abusive workplaces; as a result, domestic workers are particularly vulnerable to forced labour inside private homes.
While Kuwait requires employers to use a standard contract for domestic workers delineating some basic rights, Kuwait lacks a domestic labour law to govern the relationship between domestic workers and sponsors; thus, many workers report work conditions that are substantially different from those described in the contract.
Some workers never see the contract at all.
In addition, sources report that runaway domestic workers fall prey to forced prostitution by agents or criminals who exploit their illegal status.
The Government of Kuwait does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making sufficient efforts to do so.
The government did not demonstrate efforts to prosecute nor convict trafficking offenders using the 2013 anti-trafficking law or other laws that address trafficking crimes.State Media
Mnangagwa: Noone Will Die Of Hunger
Zimbabwe will stop importing grain in the next two years if communities fully utilise water bodies surrounding them and maximise use of agricultural equipment being sourced by Government. Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa said no one would starve this year as Government had put in place mechanisms to fend off the El Nino-induced drought
Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Chiratidzo Mabuwa also told the Upper House that Government was committed to reviving local industry as evidenced by various interventions.’
-State Media
Husband and wife swept away by flooded river| BREAKING NEWS
A man and his wife were swept by a flooded river at Masase Mission in Mberegwa late Friday afternoon.
Reports coming through from the area indicate that the couple were swept away into Gwamatisha after attempting to drive through the heavily flooded river.
Eye witnesses at the scene told ZimEye.com the couple had initially crossed the flooded river on their way to a drop a sick neighbour at a local health centre situated across the stream.
On return from the health centre the couple is reported to have picked up five local teachers coming from a school also across the river going to the other side. Midway through crossing, the vehicle reportedly developed a technical fault probably because of the large amount of water and the engine switched off.
When the engine failed, all the six passengers got out of the vehicle and attempted to push it
across the river and where then all in the water over powered with the car.
The eye witnesses say that on seeing the vehicle being swept away, the five who were pushing the vehicle including the wife, escaped to safety back on the other side of the river. Upon getting to the safe side witnesses claim that the wife could not stand seeing her husband who remained still trapped in the car as he drowned. She then jumped back into the river hoping to rescue her husband and was also immediately swept away by the river.
At the time of going to press at about midnight, members of the police subaqua unit from Fairbridge support unit in Bulawayo had arrived at the scene and managed to recover the wife’s body. Search was still on for the husband who is also believed not to have survived the huge water current.
The police national public relations office has in the last few weeks been warning members of the public not to attempt crossing flooded rivers no matter the concerns.
Man Axes Father To Death
By Terrence Mawawa Gutu| A local man shocked neighbours here when he axed his father to death in a grisly murder incident.
The shocking mishap happened last Saturday night when Renias Vhembo of Vhembo Village struck his father with an axe on the forehead, killing him instantly.
Renias who had just finished having supper with his parents left the kitchen and came back armed with an axe and struck his father Wilson Vhembo on the forehead.
A shocked neighbour said there was no confrontation between Renias and his father.
“What surprised us all is that there was no argument between Renias and his father. He had just finished having supper with his parents when he went out of the kitchen and returned with an axe. He struck and killed his father who was relaxing with his back on the wall,” said the shocked neighbour.
After killing his Father Renias charged for his mother Tambudzai Mufuratirwa and his sister Rumbidzai who both fled and locked themselves in the bedroom. Neighbours then confronted Renias who did not make an attempt to run away. “He just sat near his father’s corpse and he never attempted to run away.It was really shocking. Asked why he killed his father he said he wanted to kill all his family members,” said a relative identified as Muzvidziwa.
Renias has since been arrested and is expected to appear in court soon facing murder charges.
Tsvangirai party Speaks On Kombayi Arrest Outrage
Party Statement:The MDC-T condemns in the strongest terms the arrest of Councilor Hamutendi Kombai, the Mayor of Gweru. The arrest which comes barely a week after the High court ruling to reinstate him and the entire council back to their offices is clearly deplorable and downright irrational. 
This action typifies the perennial harassment of MDC elected officials by the faction-ridden of Zanu PF regime. The wanton and blatant disregard of the rule of law to reinstate Mayor Kombayi as determined by the High Court is not only a sad indictment on the justice delivery system in Zimbabwe but it is also tantamount to a total disregard of the Constitution. It is clear that this is yet another attempt by the faction-ridden Zanu PF regime to divert attention from the pressing issues bedeviling this country.
That this arrest also comes after Mugabe’s botched jaunt to India raises more eyebrows and betrays the Zanu PF regime’s tired and archaic tactics of hoodwinking the generality of Zimbabweans from the bread and butter issues that the crumbling regime has clearly failed to deliver to the people.
Any such attempts by the crumbling Zanu PF regime to prop up its waning fortunes will not only fail dismally but shall be resisted fiercely by the people of Zimbabwe. The yesteryear party’s stubborn reality of being fronted by a totally incapacitated 92 year old President will not be wished away by creating fictitious court cases against innocent citizens.
Mugabe’s dream to remain in power for life is certainly turning into a terrible nightmare as he finds himself trapped between the frustration of failing to bring order into his chaotic party and the reality of a crushing defeat in 2018. It does not need a rocket scientist to notice how lately Mugabe has come across as an incoherent, disoriented, rambling and tired old man who wants to remain President for life without any compelling national reason.
While Mugabe’s irrational desire to remain in office for life by hook or by crook is unfortunate, it is utterly shocking to see that there are some people within his collapsing party, like Saviour Kasukuwere, who are desperate to force his re-election bid through foul means come 2018, including using harassment of citizens and wanton disregard of the rule of law.
The people of Zimbabwe will not accept to be abused and trashed by the insensitive and insipidly corrupt Zanu PF regime. The day of reckoning is nigh. Kombayi is spending another in police cells.
Zimbabweans Enslaved In Kuwait
Seven people have appeared in court for operating dubious travel agencies and recruiting people to go and work in Kuwait.
The seven are facing charges of contravening Section 3(1) of the Trafficking in Persons Act chapter 925. The development follows a story run by the ZBC on the growing trends of human trafficking where Zimbabweans are allegedly living in slavery in Kuwait.
The seven suspects, who have been running bogus employment agencies, are: Lucia Chibayambuya, Lawrence Chibayambuya, Faith Magora, Josephine Gondo, Tonderai Gondwa, Fadzai Nyandoro and Edgar Gora.
According to state papers, Gondo, Gondwa and Nyandoro connived with one, Tinashe Nyandoro, who is based in Kuwait, to recruit and transfer people to Kuwait.
They misrepresented to the complainants that Tinashe Nyandoro had a travel agency in Kuwait and had the capacity to help them secure employment and work as waitresses.
It is understood that after going through some vetting processes, Tinashe sent air tickets.
On arrival in Kuwait, Tinashe is believed to have taken complainants to different places where they are allegedly employed as housemaids instead of the promised job of waitresses.
The complainants are understood to be working for more than 22 hours a day and the payment is being forwarded to Tinashe. The complainants contacted their parents and informed them of the abuse and the matter was reported to the police back home.
In another similar case, the state represented by Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleges that Lucia Chibayambuya was once employed as a maid in Kuwait before she was deported after being diagnosed of Hepatitis B.
She allegedly connived with Lawrence Chibayambuya and Faith Magora to recruit people to work in Kuwait and advised complainants to contact James Maroodza, an employment agent.
Maroodza is believed to have misrepresented to the complainants that he had secured employment as a waitress yet he actually knew they were going to work as housemaids.
Meanwhile, police investigations indicate that the government is trying to repatriate its nationals from Kuwait who are currently living in slavery.
Mugabe to Compensate White Farmers
Zimbabwe plans to compensate white farmers for land seized for redistribution to blacks and has begun evaluating the properties, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa said on Friday.
President Robert Mugabe’s controversial and sometimes violent land reforms, which began in 2000, have been blamed for plunging the country into an economic crisis.
Around 4 000 white farmers were driven off their land and have struggled for years to obtain any payment for their loss.
The move towards compensation comes as the government shows signs that it wants a rapprochement with western donors and the International Monetary Fund to help heal the economy.
“It [compensation] is under our constitution, this is an obligation under our constitution as far as I am concerned,” Chinamasa told AFP.
Chinamasa said the government had started working out the value of the farms to determine the amount of compensation to be paid, but he refused to be drawn into how the cash-strapped government would finance the exercise.
“I want to settle any issues or disputes arising from our resolution of our land question,” Chinamasa said.
“It is not good for agricultural development that we should make and perpetuate dispute or discontent around the land question.”
The minister did not say when the dispossessed farmers could expect to be paid. The compensation would differ between farms that fall under Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPAs) and properties taken from individuals, he said.
“The farmers who are protected under the bilateral investment agreements are under our constitution entitled to full compensation for both land and improvements on the farms.
“The farms which fall outside BIPPA, we are only required under the constitution to pay compensation only for improvements.” The majority of farms fall outside BIPPA.
“Of the 6 000 or so farms that we compulsorily acquired only about 1 500 have been evaluated,” Chinamasa said.”So it means there is a lot of work that we need to do to get the figures first.”
“After the figures have been obtained then we can look into the modalities how that compensation will be paid.
“Any story giving you figures is nonsense and has not come from government.”
The land reforms were aimed at reversing historical injustices which saw white colonialists push black Zimbabweans off the best farming land.
But critics say that the redistribution of farms favoured the government elite, while ordinary people who did receive land often lacked the means to use it productively.
The result has been a perennial food deficit which has reduced the former regional breadbasket to a regular food importer. AFP
Villagers Order Cops To Clean Up Their Compound
Villagers from Guyu Village South of Gwanda last week demanded police authorities to order officers at Guyu Police Post to clean up their dwelling compounds after a cow fell ill upon swallowing an improperly disposed used condom.
A community leader from the village revealed to ZimEye.com that the villagers approached the Officer In Charge at the police post asking him to order his officers to clean up the massive litter that was thrown all round the police post and the officers’ residential area.
Feeding lots of the drought stricken area have run out of feed for livestock forcing the animals to scavenge for food around the police officers’ residential areas. The cattle feed on the waste thrown around which includes plastic paper and other solid waste.
Two weeks ago a villager almost lost a cow after it swallowed a used condom at the police compounds forcing the villagers to summon the officers to clean up their area.
An officer at the police post confirmed that officers at the police post were last week involved in a “routine” clean up exercise around their area but declined to confirm that the clean up was as a result of the issue of a cow that swallowed a used condom.
The officer referred all further questioning to the Officer In Charge who was out of office at the time.
Last year, villagers from nearby Garanyemba Village also summoned officers to clean up litter that was scattered around a road block point manned nearly full time by officers from the same police post.
Amongst the litter which residents of Garanyemba complained about at the road block point included empty containers of beverage drinks, plastic paper, human waste, used toilet paper and even used sanitary pads. Again the officers were ordered to clean up the area.
Comment could not immediately be obtained from the Environmental Management Authority EMA on the unhealthy waste disposal reports from the police officers.
ZANU PF MPs Try To Snatch Gold Mine
Staff Reporter
A representative of troubled gold mining giant Duration Gold has accused ZANU PF for fighting to grab Gwanda gold mine Vumbachikwe from its ownership.
Duration Gold Managing Director Raymond Smithwick told the Parliamentary Committee on Youth, Indigenization and Economic Empowerment that Gwanda Central Member of Parliament Edison Gumbo and Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Fred Moyo were deliberately frustrating operations at the mine so that the owners would eventually quit the mine and they take it over.
Under blitz from the parliamentarians in the portfolio committee, Smithwick battled to prove that indeed the two parliamentarians wanted to take over the mine. The mining mogul was failing to explain to the parliamentary committee why the once big mine had taken a sudden slump in operations since Duration Gold took over the mine from previous owners Forbes and Thompson.
According to Smithwick, Gumbo who is a former employee of the mine while still under old management made a report to the Ministry of Mine authorities in Bulawayo that the mine was practising unsafe mining procedures which led to a section of the mine closing down thereby reducing the productivity of the mine and the quality of the gold produced.
The predominantly ZANU PF members of parliament in the committee refused to accept the mine authorities’ assertion that their fellow parliamentarians were interfering with the operations of the mine with a view to take over the mine.
Vumbachikwe mine has been making headlines in recent weeks with employees going for months without getting their salaries. The new owners of the mine, Duration Gold have also been under government scrutiny as they are suspected of several clandestine gold dealings.
Last month wives of miners employed at the mine staged three very dirty demonstrations in as many weeks in which they were striping exposing torn underwear claiming that their husbands could no longer afford to purchase them new underwears due to non payment of salaries. The women also called on mine management to come and satisfy their matrimonial needs as their husbands were failing to perform their duties due to stress from unpaid wages.
Mugabe’s Health
President Robert Mugabe’s health is under review once again after he this week wasted thousands of dollars on a fake trip to India.
From wrong trips to wrong speeches, and then recurring slurred speeches, Mugabe has furthermore failed to walk while manifesting shocking signs of diminished reasoning.
Mugabe last year September delivered the wrong speech at the opening of a new session of parliament, repeating an address he gave to the legislature the previous month.
The 92-year-old leader read the entire 25-minute-long speech through to the end completely unaware that he was delivering the same text he presented during his state of the nation address.
During the same year, he undressed himself while denouncing his own party saying “Pasi ne ZANU PF,” while also offloading ZANU PF top secrets including election loss to Morgan Tsvangirai in 2008.
It was not clear at the time of writing when parliament is to raise the issue of the President’s capabilities for debate.
Chiyangwa Slapped with Court Action Over Match Fixing Case
The suspended ZIFA official Edzai Kasinauyo has begun court proceedings against Phillip Chiyangwa and his ZIFA leadership over his suspension on allegations of match fixing.
The development is likely to pour more humiliation following Chiyangwa’s recent climb down on coach Kalisto Pasuwa.
Kasinauyo’s lawyers have demanded that ZIFA furnish them with the evidence they used to implicate him, in the match-fixing scandal rocking Zimbabwe football, by 11am today or face an urgent High Court showdown where he will challenge his suspension from domestic football’s leadership.
The lawyers claim Kasinauyo has never fixed any football games and for ZIFA to suspend him from the Board without a hearing, and affording him a chance to defend himself, was a violation of not only the association’s constitution but also the Zimbabwe Constitution and FIFA Statutes.
Mhishi Legal Partners, the lawyers representing Kasinauyo, said their client had been tried, convicted and left to hang without, crucially, being afforded the chance to defend himself or to have access to the material that ZIFA were using to punish him.
The lawyers said the Monday indaba, where a decision to suspend their client was taken, was not a duly constituted ZIFA board meeting, as provided for by the Association’s Constitution, and the resolutions from that meeting were null and void.
“(i) The Executive Committee must necessarily convene a meeting for it to be able to act in terms of Article 34 (n). Such a meeting is convened in terms of Article 33 of the said constitution,” the lawyers said in their letter to ZIFA.
“This entails the calling of such by the president or, by at least, 50 percent of the Executive Committee members. An agenda of the meeting is prepared with the participation of the Executive Committee members before the meeting is convened.
“Upon the finalisation of the agenda, it must be sent out to the Executive Committee members at least four days before the meeting.
“(ii) It is common cause that no Executive Committee was held. Our client, who is an Executive Committee member, was certainly not served with a notice of the convening of such a meeting nor the Agenda. To that end, the alleged suspension which is further alleged to have been done in terms of Article 34 (n) of Mr E Kasinauyo is a non-event and void abinitio.
“The act of suspending our client appears spurious. There is an allegation by ZIFA of it being in possession of ‘evidence implicating’ our client in match-fixing activities relating to the match against Swaziland.
“Regrettably, not even a single piece of evidence has been furnished to give some credence of sorts to the base allegations. One of the pillars of the principle of natural justice is that one must be informed of the nature of allegations that they are facing and be given an opportunity to defend themselves.
“The suspension letter shows a disdainful and blatant disregard of such basic and elementary tenets of the principle of natural justice upon which civilised societies are built. The ‘Executive Committee’, which allegedly suspended him invariably became privy to the information forming the basis of the allegation. One assumes that such was discussed before a decision to suspend him was made.
“Surely, he should have been given an opportunity to answer the allegations before the decision to suspend him was made. The actions of ZIFA amount to a clear disregard of Section 70 of the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe and, indeed, the principle of natural justice, audi alteram partem.
“It is inconceivable how a national organisation, which banks on good corporate governance as its selling point to attract business partners, could be so blatant in its breach of the law.”
The lawyers said in their letter that the allegations against Kasinauyo, fingered by ZIFA as a member of the cartel of match-fixers that also include former Warriors’ coach Ian Gorowa and former ZIFA chief executive Henrietta Rushwaya, were false.
“The allegations in the suspension letter are false. Our client has never been involved in any match-fixing shenanigans,” the lawyers said in their letter.
“Despite not having any tangible evidence, the ZIFA president (Philip Chiyangwa) and his deputy (Omega Sibanda), caused to be held a Press conference on the 9th of March 2016 wherein they published the match-fixing falsehoods to the world.
“The article was also carried in the daily print media of the 9th and 10th of March 2016. To cap all this up, the suspension letter carrying the falsehoods was copied to FIFA, CAF and the director-general of the Sports and Recreation Committee.
“The publication of these falsehoods have soiled his good name and standing in society and, indeed, against his peers in the footballing world. In this regard, our client’s rights are reserved.
“Our instructions are to demand, as we hereby do, by 1100 hours of 11th March 2016, you avail directly to our offices, ALL pieces of evidence of our client’s alleged involvement in the so-called match-fixing, failing which we shall proceed to court to:
i) Compel you to release such information
ii) Sue for defamation.”
The letter was copied to FIFA officials, Luca Nicola and Ashford Mamelodi, CAF secretary-general Hicham El Amran, Sports Commission director-general Charles Nhemachena, ZIFA president Chiyangwa, his deputy Sibanda, the ZIFA Assembly members and ZIFA legal guru Itayi Ndudzo.
Meanwhile, the South African Premier Soccer League said they would not comment whether matches in their league were manipulated.
Our correspondent in Swaziland, Noel Munzabwa, who is in Mbabane, Swaziland, reported yesterday that the National Football Association of Swaziland were saying their hands were clean.
“There is nothing official we have received on this matter but we have learned from online publications in Zimbabwe of what is said to be happening,” Swazi Football chief executive Frederick Mngomezulu said.
“I can, however, assure the nation and other stakeholders that we are clean.
“As NFAS, we play by the rules and are preparing for this game normally. We have no intention of engaging in such practices.
“Such things cannot be taken lightly and we will be on the alert at all costs.
The good thing about this also is there is no mention of Swaziland officials but only people from Zimbabwe.”
The Missing $15 Billion Cash Finally “Discovered” | GRAPHIC
The missing $15 billion diamond public cash has been found, the prolific newsreader popularly known as “Nikuv Riggington” claims. Graphic below:
SA Fires 300 Zimbabwean Teachers |BREAKING NEWS
By Terrence Mawawa|The South African government has offloaded at least 300 Zimbabwean teachers in Mpumalanga Province, triggering further woes for the troubled education sector. Thousands of teachers who left Zimbabwe to seek greener pastures in the neighbouring country are set to be affected by the move since the ANC government is creating space for South African citizens ahead of the upcoming municipal polls.
It is understood hundreds of teachers from Gauteng and Limpopo provinces have also been sacked under a programme code-named Fundza Lushaka(the same name used for a student support scheme). The teachers’ contracts were terminated without due notice, reports from South Africa state.
Hundreds of teachers are flocking back out of that country to seek employment in government and in the private sector- in a country already hard hit by an disturbing unemployment level. A returning teacher who declined to be named told ZimEye.com:”Our future looks bleak and we do not know where to start from. I was based in Mpumalanga province but my contract was terminated without due notice. I am trying to run around looking for employment but the Ministry views returning teachers as rebels.”
To worsen the returning teachers’ plight, Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Lazarus Dokora has already indicated in a statement the education sector is grappling with overstaffing. “We are reaching a saturation point for primary and secondary school teachers,” said Dokora.
However Zimta Secretary General, John Mlilo, said the government has to immediately put in place measures to boost the economy in order to accommodate the teachers returning from exile. The majority of the teachers left the country at the height of socio-political challenges in the country. Some of the teachers left the country following direct persecution from Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF activists.
Kereke Nags Magistrate for Cash
The rape case of Zanu-PF Bikita West legislator Munyaradzi Kereke yesterday saw the man demanding cash compensation from magistrate Mr Noel Mupeiwa.
Kereke demanded compensation for legal costs after prosecutor, Mr Charles Warara, handling his rape case failed to turn up for trial due to illness.
Kereke is on trial for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl in 2010 and indecently assaulting her sister who was 15 years at the time.
Mr Warara closed his case after calling seven witnesses.
However, Mr Warara who is reportedly sick and bedridden, sent an officer from his law firm, Mr Raymond Wenyevhe, yesterday to seek a postponement.
Kereke’s lawyer, Mr Erum Mutandiro, accused Mr Warara of deliberately stalling proceedings.
“Now this is an opportunity for our client to clear his name and to be heard, the prosecutor suddenly falls sick on the 11th hour,” said Mr Mutandiro.
“It raises eyebrows that Mr Warara’s junior lawyer sent to apply for postponement also lost his practising credentials, it is bizarre.
“Prosecution has to meet the costs accused has incurred bringing witnesses from rural areas and ensuring the presence of his counsel.”
The magistrate, Mr Noel Mupeiwa, ruled that Mr Warara is a human being and the court cannot assume he is immune to diseases.
“On the issue of compensation, defence must be reminded that in criminal matter parties do not get compensation costs unlike in civil matters,” he said.
The matter was postponed to April 4 pending improvement of Mr Warara’s condition. Allegations are that sometime in March 2010, Kereke called the girl into the house after the girl’s aunt, who happens to be Kereke’s wife, had allegedly gone to the shops to buy him some beer.
It is alleged that Kereke grabbed her by the waist and pushed her onto the couch before fondling her breasts.
The girl allegedly screamed, but no one heard her. On August 22, 2010, the younger girl was allegedly asked to babysit by Kereke’s wife. The court heard that she went to her aunt’s bedroom where the baby was and Kereke followed her.
After the baby fell asleep Kereke allegedly started fondling her.
He allegedly pointed a gun at the girl before raping her once.-State Media
Grace Mugabe Praised for Teaching Chinese
Beijing International Chinese College (BICC) vice president Ms Gui Fan said that they were happy to co-operate with the First Lady. She said language was important in relations between countries and graduates from the school would be expected to make life easier for both countries through enhanced communication.
After noticing the gap in cultural exchanges between the two countries, Grace asked the Chinese government to provide Chinese language teachers at her Grace Junior School that was established a few years ago.
This resulted in BICC sending two educators at a time to the school, who are teaching the Chinese language to pupils from pre-school to Grade Seven.
Grace herself enrolled for Chinese language at Renmin University of China in 2007 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Chinese in 2011.
“The teaching of Chinese language at the school is important,” said Ms Fan.
“BICC has discovered that the kids are keen to learn Chinese and they really love it. It is a generation that will bring the two countries together and increase co-operation through easy communication. So, we are happy to do this co-operation with Zimbabwe.”
Ms Fan said the visit to the school by Chinese First Lady Madame Peng Liyuan in December last year was a milestone in the co-operation between China and Zimbabwe.
She said it was important that Grace’s school acts as the epicentre of teaching Chinese in Zimbabwe.
“In the near future, we really want to expand our services of Chinese language teaching into other regions in Zimbabwe,” said Ms Fan.
“We are going to rely on our teachers there to teach in the schools. On the other hand, we also want to help residents around the school area to learn Chinese.
“We started to send our Chinese teachers to the junior school after the approval by the Zimbabwean Government and the first batch of the teachers is back and we have since sent another batch there. We really need this cultural exchange and we want the Chinese government to continue sending Chinese teachers to teach the language and culture.”
During her visit to the school, the Chinese First Lady was enthralled by the philanthropic work being carried out by Grace, who also runs a children’s home at the centre which caters for orphans.
“It is simply great that we have two Chinese teachers here and from the song they (children) sang when we came here, I can tell they are doing well,” she said.
“Though there is a great distance between our countries, our hearts are always together.”
During the visit, Grace chronicled how she set up the children’s home and the Grace Junior School with the assistance of the Chinese.
One of the former Chinese teachers at the school, Ms Gao Yuan, yesterday hailed the First Lady for considering the Chinese language.
“During my time there, the First Lady visited the school several times,” she said.
“It was my great pleasure to see her at the campus. The first impression I got was that the First Lady was tall, very elegant and beautiful. She cares for a lot of children at the place and she also donates a lot to the school to ensure that the children, who live in cluster families, have sweet lives and I do appreciate what the First Lady is doing to the kids.” -State Media
Zimbabwe Beats Scotland
Zimbabwe beat Scotland by 11 runs to register their second consecutive win in the ICC World T20 qualifiers in Nagpur on Thursday.
Zimbabwe opener Hamilton Masakadza crashed his way to 12 at the start but a collision led to his dismissal in the third over. His fellow opener Vusi Sibanda set off for a single and, with both batsmen ball-watching, they bumped helmets and Masakadza was run out.
Sibanda needed medical attention after the incident and was clearly affected as he clipped Alasdair Evans to deep square leg where Matt Machan was waiting in the next over.
Zimbabwe’s innings was underpinned by another classy knock on the world stage by left-hander Sean Williams.
The 29-year-old, who averaged 68 in last year’s 50-over World Cup, was in control throughout his innings as he swept his way to his third international T-20 half-century.
Elton Chigumbura was Zimbabwe’s next top scorer, hitting a belligerent 20 at the back end of the innings.
Mark Watt, Alasdair Evans and Safyaan Sharif took two wickets apiece for the Scots, but failed to save their team from elimination from the competition.
“We played really well, the guys are starting to gel and it’s looking positive for us. The boys are believing in themselves more and going out and impressing themselves,” Zimbabwe captain, Hamilton Masakadza said.
“It was a difficult start for us, they bowled well up front and we had the chance to have a crack at the end. We knew we had to be positive, and had that partnership with Richie Berrington gone on another two or three overs, we might have made it,” Scotland captain, Preston Mommsen said.
Zimbabwe, who beat Hong Kong by 14 runs on Tuesday, face Afghanistan in a match which is likely to determine who qualifies to face ICC full members at the World Cup.
Tsvangirai Girlfriends Hotel Cash: Mayor, Town Clerk Arrested
Suspended Gweru Mayor, Hamutendi Kombayi and Town Clerk, Daniel Matawu were on Thursday afternoon picked up by the police on allegations of theft, fraud and criminal abuse of office after they allegedly used council funds to pay for MDCT leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his huge entourage’s lodging at the upmarket Antelope Park Lodge in Gweru.
In a development seen to be aimed at destroying the MDC leader’s reputation, Tsvangirai’s entourage is alleged to have been amongst senior MDCT officials including several young ladies who are not in the MDCT structures.
The total cost of the weekend outing settled using council funds is reported to have totalled $185 000.00.
A picture of Morgan Tsvangirai with the women at the lodge made massive media headlines in recent weeks.
Sources at the lodge who spoke on condition of remaining anonymous confirmed to ZimEye.com that an entourage of senior MDCT officials and guests spent two nights at the expensive lodge drinking and eating resulting in a bill that ran into thousands of dollars.
According to the sources, it took several days before the hotel bill was settled as some officials and their guests remained at the lodge for a couple of days more after the rest had checked out.
The officials would not confirm the source of the money that immediately settled the bill.
ZRP Acting Midlands Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the arrest, saying the two are in police custody assisting with investigations.
During his familiarisation tour recently in Gweru, the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Saviour Kasukuwere instructed the commission currently running the affairs of the city to fire any official implicated for any wrong doing.
The City of Gweru is battling with service delivery and owes its workers over six months in salary arrears.
At the time of writing ZimEye.com was still investigating the allegations of (council)funds abuse amid questions on the possibility of Kombayi accessing the money at a time when he is under suspension. More to follow…
Dzamara Had Secret NIKUV Rigging Files
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai made sensational claims yesterday that missing human rights activist, Itai Dzamara, was abducted by suspected State agents because he had in his possession damning evidence of ballot fraud from the controversial 2013 polls.
The former prime minister in the government of national unity made the claim after joining the Dzamara family and hundreds of other Zimbabweans who marched in Harare to commemorate the first anniversary of the disappearance of the “Occupy Africa Unity Square” movement leader.
In the meantime, embattled Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa told lawmakers in the National Assembly that police still had no leads on the journalist-cum-democracy activist’s whereabouts.
Dzamara was abducted on March 9, 2015, two days after he had addressed an MDC rally at Zimbabwe Grounds, in the Harare high density suburb of Highfield.
Addressing the huge crowd that gathered at Africa Unity Square, the popular park where Dzamara used to operate from during his brave demonstrations in which he called upon President Robert Mugabe to step down for misgoverning the country, Tsvangirai disclosed that the missing activist had damning information on the disputed 2013 elections.
“Ndinoziva (I know) Itai was somebody who was very knowledgeable about how the 2013 election were rigged. He told me, and we cannot accept this, especially me. I witnessed the abductions of people in 2008.
“We have a right to demonstrate. The police should not tell us what to do. Why do they always try to block peaceful demonstrations?” the MDC leader said, referring to the earlier attempt by police to ban yesterday’s demonstrations.
High Court judge Clement Phiri eventually had to intervene to allow the Dzamara family to proceed with its planned peaceful march, to mark exactly one year since the activist disappeared.
“This government has mismanaged the economy and now it is threatening the safety and security of citizens that is guaranteed by the Constitution. We demand that this government returns Dzamara, whether dead or alive, so that there is closure on this emotive issue
“Itai Dzamara’s disappearance presents the unacceptable face of this regime, the face of a regime that embarks on abducting people because they have different views,” Tsvangirai charged.
After the speech, Tsvangirai joined the Dzamara family in a solidarity march on the streets of Harare, while the issue caused rancour in Parliament, where legislators demanded answers on the activist’s whereabouts.
“I assure this house that government will leave no stone unturned in the investigation of the disappearance of this citizen of ours. Also this matter went to court … So let me assure this house that this concern is not only the family’s concern, but it’s the concern of every citizen of this country.
“I don’t know if there is any honourable member who does not care or is not worried about this disappearance. I doubt it because you won’t want a citizen of this country to disappear without a trace.
“We are all concerned. And anybody with any information, confirmed or unconfirmed, let them come forward so that, that information is examined,” Mnangagwa told Parliament.
Home Affairs deputy minister, Obedingwa Mguni, said his ministry had intensified its search for the activist and had now set a reward for any information on Dzamara’s whereabouts.
“Let me say it’s a big concern to all of us … the police have formulated a committee that involves human rights lawyers, Itai Dzamara’s family and friends. They sit every month to discuss issues that may lead to the recovery of the great man,” Mguni said.
But Oliver Mandipaka, the Zanu PF MP for Buhera West, rose to ask: “What was so great about Dzamara?”, to which Mguni, in a sharp retort, said: “Honourable, every citizen in Zimbabwe is a great person”.
In a statement issued later, the US Embassy in Harare said it remained deeply concerned about Dzamara’s whereabouts and wellbeing.
“The United States urges the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure that the constitutionally-guaranteed fundamental rights and freedoms are honoured and enjoyed by all Zimbabweans, regardless of political affiliation.
“We also encourage the Government of Zimbabwe to fully investigate cases of politically-motivated violence and abductions to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted and victims receive justice,” the embassy said.
On its part, the Canadian Embassy said it also remained troubled by the lack of progress in the investigation of the matter, as well as the dearth of information about the case.
“The Embassy of Canada calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to pursue its efforts to resolve this prolonged and untenable situation, for the relief of the family and friends of Mr Dzamara.
“Canada remains concerned about human rights, democracy, freedom and the rule of law in Zimbabwe and will continue to work to foster a more peaceful, democratic and prosperous future for all Zimbabweans, consistent with Zimbabwe’s own Constitution,” the embassy said.-DailyNews
Biti, Mangoma, Mujuru Bunked Dzamara Prayer
By Prof Nicholas Masiyiwa
TO: Mr Tendai Biti, Mr Elton Mangoma, Mr Simba Makoni, Mrs Joice Mujuru, Prof Welshman Ncube, Mr Dumiso Dabengwa
I want to register my displeasure over the way you handled a situation that we all have understood to be very important and of national interest, following the disappearance of Itai Dzamara exactly a year ago. You were invited by Patson Dzamara to at least take part in the commemoration at Africa Unity Square, of which you promised to support the cause but to only fail to pitch up on the very day except a few and very junior reasonable cadres from your respective parties. Though it is your right to attend such or not to, but it defies logic that, as national leaders in the opposition and most importantly taking in mind that there is a national call for unity of opposition ahead of 2018 elections, you decided to show antipathy over the commemoration and particularly the disappearance of many Zimbabweans without trace.
I personally think that your actions were very much suspicious and makes everything the majority of Zimbabweans have been saying about you to be true, among many accusations being that you are ZanuPF agents meant to dismantle the opposition by getting rid of Dr Morgan Tsvangirai, the key opposition figure. Why did you disregard this noble idea from the abducted Dzamara’s brother, especially when the idea sought to make the government that is accused of abducting Itai to bring them to account? Does it mean you snubbed the event just because Morgan Tsvangirai was in attendance? Your hate for Morgan Tsvangirai is deep and sucks!
Zimbabweans have been disturbed, particularly with Joice Mujuru who called for a stop of the abduction of innocent civilians in her recent press conference in Harare. It’s likely that you may not even be aware of the implications of your actions, but I can assure you that not only will you need a lot of explanations over this issue, but that you also need to clear yourselves on accusations raised by the generality of Zimbabweans about your alleged involvement in the current ZANUPF establishment to destroy Tsvangirai and the MDCT brand. It is very distracting to us, the majority, to witness a snub of an event that was made national news days before the very day. There are often times that we can disregard some of the accusations levelled against you, but this event exposed who you really are; ZANUPF morons masquerading as opposition figures.
I’m sure you’re probably aware of the fact that ZANUPF and/or the CIO establishment is believed to be behind the disappearance of Itai Dzamara a year ago, and your actions appearing to be siding with them makes you part of them. We have often heard you saying ZANUPF is at the centre of these abductions, but your yesterday’s actions suggests something else different.
Furthermore, the spirit of “oneness” in face of tyranny needs to be maintained especially in situations like these, but you have shown your uncaring attitude towards that spirit, and indeed to democratise Zimbabwe. We certainly hope that you can address this issue and probably call for a press conference to clear yourself of what will otherwise become an impediment to whatever you plan in your political lives. We ask that some humane measure be taken to help reduce the impact of ZANUPF dictatorship, and can only be possible if all of us in the opposition stand up with one voice rather than act the way you did yesterday.
While I assume that you wanted to be given more time and special treatment to attend the occasion, your clever comments (in relation to Mrs Mujuru) in this matter is completely inappropriate, not only with regards to Dzamara’s disappearance, but also in the opposition circles in general. Denying someone (an abducted democratic activist) a special remembrance on the day he was surely taken away from us by the regime which some of you were part of, purely based on the existence of Tsvangirai, violates the cause of the democratic struggle you purports to be fronting. Also, making that sort of generalization about the commemoration as it was is both very hurtful and hateful.
This kind of behaviour needs to be discouraged in all facets of life and particularly in the opposition. It is my expectation that you will be more conscious of the implications of such behaviour and avoid them in the future at all costs. Knowing your character, I did not believe you could serve ZANUPF interests in the manner you did yesterday. It was simply carelessness in an isolated matter.
Please don’t mistake this letter for an intolerance of your liberties in association. It’s just that your incessant barking over democracy and the rule of law has become a real nuisance, seeing that you don’t practice what you preach daily.
Regards
Prof Masiyiwa Snr
Tsvangirai Wife In Cancer, Psychosis Scare
Former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s other half has been hit with a cancer rumour as party supporters raised fears she has endangered herself through severe skin bleaching in a bid to spruce her appeal.
Health experts raised warning that Mrs Elizabeth Tsvangirai(Macheka) has severely whitened her skin following her marriage to the opposition politician three years ago when he wielded national power, wealth and glory.
Bleaching is the process of whitening the skin using artificial chemicals which attracts several side effects key of which is psychotic disorder. Mrs Tsvangirai has already manifested disturbing psychotic signs including attacking her husband saying he has erectile problems while yet concurrently sexually engaging him. The long list of side effects are as follows:
Skin cancer
Psychiatric disorder
Neurological and kidney damage due to high level of mercury used in the creams
Severe birth defects
Acne
Swelling of the skin
Thinning of the skin
Cataracts
Setting down of fat on face, chest, upper back and stomach
Increase in appetite and weight gain
Osteoporosis
Dark grey spots
Asthma
Liver damage
Some of these side effects could be seen almost immediately while some are seen after prolonged use of skin whitening creams, one expert warned on Tuesday.
Sekeramayi Backed Mutsvangwa In Politburo Meeting
ZANU-PF’s Politburo meeting last week was tense and highly emotional, clearly separating members on factional lines as suspended war veterans’ leader Chris Mutsvangwa’s fate was being discussed, sources said this week.
Mutsvangwa, who was facing charges of undermining President Robert Mugabe and fomenting divisions in the party, stirred the hornet’s nest after launching a scathing attack on one of the party’s factions generally known as Generation 40 or G40.
The faction is battling to thwart Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa from succeeding the incumbent. Mnangagwa’s allies are countering this plot through their faction called Team Lacoste.
At last week’s Politburo meeting, discontent emerged after members were asked to debate a report by the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) presented by the party’s secretary for legal affairs, Patrick Chinamasa, on behalf of Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, who chairs the organ.
The NDC also handled dozens of other cases that were tabled at the meeting.
The NDC report focused on cases handled the previous week, principally those of Mutsvangwa, his wife Monica and Espinah Nhari who was ousted from her position as national secretary for administration in the Women’s League last year for chanting “pasi neG40 (down with G40)” at First Lady Grace Mugabe’s rally in Gutu.
The slogan was deemed divisive, though Mphoko and his allies have said G40 is a myth.
The sources said sharp divisions emerged between the two camps during the Politburo meeting, with G40 members calling for the outright expulsion of the Mutsvangwas and Nhari.
Mnangagwa’s sympathisers leapt to his defence, arguing that expulsion was a harsh and unjust punishment considering the nature of the accusations levelled against the trio, particularly Mutsvangwa.
Charges against Mutsvangwa arose after he attacked national political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere, saying: “We always respect the institution of marriage and he is confused and conflating the institution of marriage and that of the State.” The statements were read by G40 members as an attack on the First Family.
Mphoko, who has been heavily linked to G40, is the one who moved the motion for Mutsvangwa’s expulsion. A Politburo member who spoke on condition of anonymity said Mphoko tried to justify the sanction by alleging that Mutsvangwa was a troublemaker since the liberation war days. He is said to have gone as far as alleging that Mutsvangwa had plans to topple President Mugabe if left unchecked.
“Mphoko was pushing hard. He told the meeting that Mutsvangwa should be expelled because he has a tradition of being a nuisance dating back to the days of the liberation struggle. He even alleged that Mutsvangwa harboured presidential ambitions and if left unchecked, could topple the President,” the source said.
Mphoko is also said to have indicated that getting rid of Mutsvangwa was the best way to identify the forces behind him, giving the party an opportunity to nip factionalism in the bud.
“He gave the illustration of the relationship between a cow and a calf, saying if someone wants to know which among a herd of cattle was the mother of the calf, the best possible method was to grab the calf and the mother would come charging,” added the source.
Kasukuwere, Higher Education Minister, Jonathan Moyo, deputy secretary for women’s affairs, Eunice Sandi Moyo and deputy secretary for youth affairs, Kudzanai Chipanga, all vigorously agitated for Mutsvangwa’s expulsion, the source said.
Kasukuwere reportedly accused Mutsvangwa of undermining the NDC by refusing to answer allegations of attacking the First Family. He further told the meeting that this was clear indication that Mutsvangwa had committed the offense and therefore should be expelled.
The source said Moyo, who had also been previously attacked by Mutsvangwa, equated the charges against Mutsvangwa to those preferred against Jabulani Sibanda who was expelled from the party for suggesting that there was a bedroom coup in ZANU-PF.
The statements insinuated that the First Lady was usurping President Mugabe’s executive powers and effectively running the country and ZANU-PF.
The source, however, said, Mnangagwa’s backers refused to be cowed, launching a spirited defence for Mutsvangwa. They also allegedly got the backing of nationalists such as Defence Minister, Sydney Sekeramayi and Kembo Mohadi.
“The two, however, received backlash from the First Lady when they tried to speak against expulsions and they kept quiet thereafter throughout the meeting,” said the source.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, reportedly led the defence of Mutsvangwa.
A lawyer by profession, Mudenda produced a copy of the ZANU-PF constitution adopted at the December 2014 congress and used it to argue his case.
“Mudenda was of the opinion that Mutsvangwa committed no offense at all and should be cleared of any charges. He pointed out that the party constitution does not have a provision which renders Mutsvangwa’s sentiments (of conflating the institution of marriage) as a punishable offence,” the source said.
Mudenda also urged the Politburo to abide by the constitution and according to the source, President Mugabe agreed with him, saying: “…you are right there Mudenda, let us follow the constitution.”
“Mudenda went on to say the issue of conflating the institution of marriage did not come out as some members wanted it to be, adding that unless there were other words he said which everyone else was not aware of, in terms of the charges, punishing him (Mutsvangwa) would be far too severe,” the source said.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, reportedly told the meeting that the charges against Mutsvangwa were baseless, adding that the severest punishment he deserved was a reprimand.
At that juncture, G40 members somersaulted from their earlier call for expulsion and recommended, through Chipanga, that Mutsvangwa should be suspended from the party for three years.
Still, Mudenda countered the suggestion.
“He again went through the constitution, reading the sections spelling out each offense and its punishment. He argued that even that suspension is not appropriate given that the charges against Mutsvangwa were not enshrined in the party charter,” a Politburo member who attended the meeting said.
But G40 members kept pushing for the suspension until Mnangagwa backers capitulated, but put a caveat which said Mutsvangwa should be allowed to retain his Cabinet position and his Norton legislative seat.
The suggestion came from Transport Minister, Jorum Gumbo — another politburo member believed to be a key Mnangagwa backer who had defended Mutsvangwa — and was agreed to by everyone, even President Mugabe.
The Politburo also agreed that the punishment given to Mutsvangwa should be applicable to both his wife and Nhari.
But they would get the shock of their lives only the following day when President Mugabe dribbled the Politburo by firing Mutsvangwa from government and quickly replaced him with retired colonel Tshinga Dube.
“We were shocked when we then heard that the President had fired Mutsvangwa and was replacing him with his deputy only hours after we agreed that that was not going to happen. We understand that he was pressured into making such a decision by some party members close to him after the Politburo meeting. They want to isolate him for their own ulterior motives, but they are not doing the President any favour. We should all feel sorry for him because every leader surrounded by such ambitious people would act in the same manner that he is doing,” the source said.
Sixteen members of the Youth League, including seven provincial chairpersons of the organ, were expelled from the party at the same meeting while four other members were reprimanded as the war to succeed President Mugabe intensifies, with players keen to depopulate the political field.
ZANU-PF spokesman, Simon Khaya- Moyo, refused to comment.
“I gave a statement already on what transpired in the Politburo.
“I only comment on official positions of the party and not rumours you get from moles,” he said when contacted for comment yesterday. Financial Gazette
Mujuru’s Mutasa Protects Evil Dzamara Abductors
Vice President Joice Mujuru’s senior elder Didymus Mutasa is protecting the abductors of Jestina Mukoko and those responsible for Itai Dzamara’s disappearance, it has emerged.
BY SILENCE CHARUMBIRA| The Zimbabwe Peace Project director challenged Zimbabweans to hold the State accountable for human rights violations that include enforced disappearances.
Mukoko was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of a publication titled Enforced Disappearances by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) in Harare yesterday.
She said despite an undertaking by the police to charge her abductors, Mutasa issued a ministerial certificate in 2009 prohibiting the disclosure of their identities, resulting in their protection.
“When I disappeared, the police actually made an undertaking; they actually wrote a letter that was signed by their legal adviser Assistant Commissioner Nzombe who said the people who had taken me from home were going to be charged.
“When my lawyer now wanted to know the identities of the people who did this, Minister Mutasa issued a ministerial certificate which said those people were not going to be identified because they were on State business,” she said.
Mukoko added: “So Mutasa knows the people who abducted me, the people who held me incommunicado, the people who handed me over to the police, but he protected their identities.”
Mukoko said the fact that Mutasa was now with the Zimbabwe People First party would not take away the pain and suffering she endured at the hands of Mutasa’s then subordinates.
“The new face does not change anything. It does not rub that I was abducted, I was tortured and I was not protected by the law and the people who did this to me have had their identities protected.
“It does not change anything that he is no longer with Zanu PF and he is now with People First; he is still Didymus Mutasa,” Mukoko said.
“The message to Zimbabwe is that as Zimbabweans, we need to hold people to account. People need to be responsible for their actions because for as long as people are protected, what is there for them to desist from doing these things?”
Mutasa could not be reached for comment yesterday.
ZLHR programmes manager Dzimbabwe Chimbga said the publication was motivated by the country’s long history of enforced abductions with the view of articulating international, regional and domestic guidelines on human rights protection against enforced disappearances.
He said the book also addressed situations where the state reneged in the enforcement of High Court orders and said it was not surprising when the State ignored court orders.
“For us it is not surprising because in most cases of enforced disappearance the State actually participates directly so we are saying when those actions happen it must be condemned and the individuals in the State agencies must be sued in their individual capacities,” he said. – Newsday
BREAKING NEWS- Gun Loaded Poachers Arrested
Three suspected elephant poachers have been arrested in Symchembu, a poaching hot spot close to Chirisa Safari area.
Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers moved into the area and managed to apprehend the three without difficulty. PICTURES:
The accused were found in possession of one pair of elephant tusks and a 303 rifle, the Matusadonha Anti Poaching Project report saying.
“All the accused will attend Gokwe Magistrates Court this morning and they are expected to receive the minimum sentence of nine(9) years and join the large number of other ivory poachers and dealers who have been arrested and jailed this year.
“Additional charges will be placed on the owner of the illegal weapon.
“The masterminds behind poaching are known and will soon be dealt with. If you have any information related to poaching please report it to the information hotline number on 0783465409. Good rewards for information that lead to arrest are offered.”
Police, CIO Raid MDC-T Leader’s House
By Terrence Mawawa Masvingo|Police details and suspected state security agents last week raided MDC Masvingo Urban youth chairperson Peace Mapope’s house accusing him of masterminding the demonstration against President Robert Mugabe’s birthday bash.
The police with the help of state security agents are secretly trailing individuals suspected of taking part in the demo.
ZimEye.com is reliably informed the police in the company of suspected CIO operatives, searched Mapope’s house claiming he was hiding guns and explosives. He was taken to Masvingo Central Police Station where he was detained for more than 24 hours.
MDC national youth chairperson Happymore Chidziva confirmed Mapope’s arrest and condemned the police and the CIO for ‘acting like Zanu PF political commissars’.
“It is true Masvingo Urban youth chairman Peace Mapope was arrested by the police with the help of state security agents.They accused him of concealing guns and dangerous explosives -but we are not intimidated at all.We will keep on fighting for social justice.They released Mapope after failing to come up with tangible facts to prosecute him.All the same it is a passing phase because Zanu PF is in a state of panic,”said Chidziva.
Masvingo Police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula said she was locked up in a series of meetings adding she was not in a position to comment on the matter.
MDC provincial spokesperson Dust Zivhave condemned the incident while the party’s national spokesperson Obert Gutu said the protests reflected the mood of the youths tired of being exploited by Mugabe and his Zanu PF party.
It is understood CIO operatives and the police are secretly trailing targeted individuals thought to be part of the MDC youths who took to the streets protesting against Mugabe’s birthday.
“We are now living in fear because we do not know what will happen to us. We are seeing suspicious looking individuals around our home area. Strange faces are seen around our house during odd hours,” said an MDC Youth Assembly member (name withheld).
Mutodi, Jaboon Clash in Bikita
Flamboyant and controversial musician cum businessman, Energy Mutodi has clashed with incumbent Bikita South legislator Jeppy Jaboon in the race to represent the party in the 2018 polls.
Although Jaboon who is also the provincial secretary for commissariat, said the party had not yet called for interested candidates, sources told ZimEye.com Mutodi was on the ground canvassing for support in the constituency.
Former police Assistant Commissioner Edmore Veterai is also keen to take on Jaboon in the race to represent the constituency.
Mutodi’s sudden interest has already shaken party bigwigs who view it as a springboard for the businessman’s ascendancy to the summit of political affairs in the province.
Jaboon however was quick to point out that the party had not officially invited interested candidates to submit their CVs .
“What you are hearing is mere speculation because the party is yet to officially invite candidates .As far as I am concerned ,there is nothing of that sort .The time will come for interested candidates to be formally invited,” said Jaboon.
Meanwhile Masvingo Urban Constituency MP Daniel Shumba is also facing stiff competition from local businessman Goddard Dunira who is already moving around the constituency dishing out residential stands to would be allies.
Shumba said he took up the matter with the provincial executive .
“I have submitted the name of someone who is on the ground canvassing for support in my constitiuency and I hope the provincial executive will act on the matter,” said Shumba.
BREAKING NEWS: Mugabe Conned Into Hindu Religious Scam In India
As Robert Mugabe ages, his ability to discern things declines. ZimEye.com can reveal the Head Of State was duped into flying thousands of miles to India for what was a mere religious function.
Mugabe blew thousands of taxpayer money only to discover upon arrival in India he had been invited to a cheap religious function that was going to soon (among other things) severely humiliate him. The development left his spokesperson George Charamba downplaying the issue claiming that other Presidents expected to attend the summit also withdrew due to security concerns, saying the cancellation follows substantial inadequacies in protocol and security arrangements around the event.
But ZimEye.com can reveal that is not the truth. The Art of Living festival in New Delhi Mugabe travelled for was disguised as an international political cultural event. It is just a gathering of a religious cult called The Art of Living.
By inviting famous international dignitaries, this group claims credibility. However, in its core, the Art of Living is a variant of Hinduism.
A ZimEye.com investigative theologian today reveals of the sect that:
1. It practices Sudarshan Kriya breathing practice the Hindu belief that people can be happy and healthy by controlling breathing
2. It practices Sahaj Samadhi meditation . While this may be disguised as a secular/ scientific technique just as Yoga is, in reality, it is a hindu meditation technique like Yoga.
3. The art of living is not run by secular managers but by members of the family of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder.
4. This religious group has been accused of being a money making racket. While funds are raised for charity, many people say it is just a money making racket using the name of religion but in reality providing wealth to the family of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
5. If you attend the classes you have to eat a vegetarian diet, something I am sure Mugabe would not have liked; Nor are you permitted to wear anything with leather [Leather Mercedes seats not permitted, leather watch straps and wallets and belts and so forth.
6. The art of living religion teaches non violence. This may have caused Mugabe to depart from the religious event in a hurry as he was likely to be embarrassed as the non violence stance of this religion would have forbidden the use, appearance or even presence of guns, therefore clashing with Mugabe’s need for a gun (revolver) totting bodyguard.
UK: Zimbabwean Man Threatens to Beat Up Police Officer
By WiganToday|A Zimbabwean man who threatened to bash a police officer with an iron bar, has been jailed for 6 years.
George Chereni(40), chillingly stalked a young couple in Wigan town centre then tried to mow them down with his car has been caged for six years.
A court heard that when an off-duty police detention officer went to try to help the terrified victims the driver, George Chereni, threatened her with a metal bar.
The 40-year-old defendant was told by a judge that the case was “extremely disturbing.”
Liverpool Crown Court heard that at about 5am on New Year’s Day this year Megan Cohen and Aaron Roper were walking through Wigan when they noticed a Renault Megane.
Mr Roper approached the car thinking he knew the driver but when he realised he did not he and Miss Cohen carried on walking towards Platt Bridge. The car followed them and when they stopped at a bus stop Chereni wound his window down.
“They told him to leave them alone. He smiled. Miss Cohen became alarmed and warned the driver they would phone the police,” said Ken Grant, prosecuting.
They ran down an alleyway but when he followed them Miss Cohen decided to challenge him and when she asked what he wanted he replied: “I’m attracted to you.”
She told him to leave them alone and they ran off but the car, in which there was a male passenger, followed them again. She rang the police and the couple walked back to the cemetery gates to wait for officers to arrive.
“As they were standing on the pavement waiting for the police to come the vehicle, driven by the defendant came towards them, mounted the pavement and drove straight at them,” said Mr Grant.
Miss Cohen managed to jump out of the way but Mr Roper slipped as he tried to get up was struck in the chest by the car and he was propelled over the vehicle and onto the pavement.
The car ploughed into a lamp post and a civilian police detention officer, Janet Speakman, came across the scene on her way home and went to help the couple. Chereni approached her carrying a silver-coloured metal bar and she told him she was just helping them and stood behind a car for protection.
He claimed they had just tried to kill him and ran off. The vehicle registration was traced to Chereni’s wife and when interviewed she said that he took her car about 1am “to get a drink” and came back about 7am.
When spoken to by police he said it had been his birthday and he had been drinking since the day before.
Chereni, of Kendal Road, Ince, pleaded guilty to attempted wounding with intent, dangerous driving and making threats with an offensive weapon. He was banned from driving for five years and must take an extended test before he can get back behind the wheel.
Sentencing him the judge, Recorder Vincent Fraser, QC, said that Mr Roper had been lucky that he “sustained remarkably light injuries as a result of this terrible attack. You are fortunate you did not kill one of these people.”
He added that his actions had “no doubt scared the life out of them.”
Recorder Fraser said that Miss Cohen’s self-confidence has been badly affected and she was left suffering from flashbacks and nightmares.
The court heard that Chereni’s only previous conviction was for driving with excess alcohol and the offence was out of character.
Uebert Angel: Everyone Who Criticises Mugabe Is Poor
Every-one who criticizes President Robert Mugabe and South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma is poor, exiled controversial preacher Uebert Angel says.
In a televised sermon, Angel said every news analyst and critic of politicians is poor. “Every single critic of Mugabe, Zuma…every political analyst is poor,” said Angel (real name-Mudzanire) in a sermon on miracle money.
He was preaching at the church of the late Kobus Van Rensburg in Stilfontein, South Africa. The preacher is currently domiciled in the UK and has not returned home ever since fraud charges were opened, despite off-loading a large out of court settlement lump-sum to buy the case out.
Mugabe Resigns, Quits, Flees Meeting
President Robert Mugabe has shocked the Indian government and community after immediately withdrawing his participation from the on going World Culture Summit in the Indian capital.
President Mugabe was meant to be the guest of honour at the summit.
Sources very close to the country’s top office say that President Mugabe withdrew from the summit after the Indian authorities and organisers of the summit failed not concede to several of his security demands.
Other sources however said it was due to the President being humiliated that he decided to leave the nation in a hurry. ALSO READ – Mugabe Conned Into Religious Scam
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba however down played the issue claiming that Mugabe and several other unnamed African leaders who were expected to attend the summit also withdrew due to security concerns. Charamba said the cancellation follows communication from organisers who have acknowledged substantial inadequacies in protocol and security arrangements around the event.
“His Excellency, the President Cde RG Mugabe, has called off his engagement in India where he was scheduled to be guest of honour at the World Culture Festival. The event, which is a celebration of peace in multiculturalism and ecumenicity, was scheduled to begin tomorrow (today) March 10, 2016,” Charamba said yesterday.
President Mugabe is well known for his very tight personal security every time he goes out of the country. In most world and regional summits, Mugabe is usually the only leader who addresses conferences with a security detail from home standing watchfully behind him.
Mphoko Takes Grace Mugabe Clacker
Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday took Grace Mugabe’s anti-war veteran jabble and began castigating ex-fighters.
Mphoko attacked those he said spend most of their time bragging about their war time achievements at the expense of production.
Addressing people at Magure Farm after a tour of a dairy project owned by Mr Lovemore Mugabe in Wedza today, Mphoko slammed some war veterans who do not want to be productive on their land but spend time bragging about their war time exploits.
“Land does not produce goods without anyone working on it. We want people who are productive on land they were given by government and not those who spend time just talking about their war credentials,” he said.
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Retired Brigadier General Ambrose Mutinhiri, a war veteran himself, said war veterans have no business directing party business as the gun never commanded the party during the war.
Farm owner, Mr Mugabe, who is one of the biggest dairy farmers in Mashonaland East province, said the industry is facing a number of challenges, among them high cost of stock feed and power shortages.
Magure Farm has a dairy herd of 600 cattle and has a capacity to produce 4500 litres of milk per day.
Mr Mugabe supplies the milk to Nestle Zimbabwe.
LATEST Rushwaya Caught In New Match Fixing Scam
Football governing body, ZIFA, has named its former chief executive, Henrietta Rushwaya, as part of a syndicate they claim has been involved in match-fixing in the past six years while the organisation axed Nation Dube from his post as Warriors’ assistant coach.
Dube, the Hwange coach, has been fingered by ZIFA as being part of the match-fixing cartel, run from South Africa by a shadowy figure named yesterday only as “Chief”, whom the association claims is the brother of serial match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal of Singapore.
ZIFA have already suspended one of the board members, Edzai Kasinauyo, claiming that he is part of the rot while former Warriors’ coach, Ian Gorowa, has also been implicated in the scandal.
Philip Chiyangwa, the ZIFA president, told a media conference in Harare yesterday that the cartel was set to try and fix the Warriors’ upcoming 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers against Swaziland, on Easter weekend, and also move in to try and manipulate matches in the domestic Premiership.
Chiyangwa said their “chief witness”, a whistleblower who had turned against the cartel, arrived in Harare yesterday with loads of information that implicate those who have been fingered in the unfolding scandal.
The Harare businessman dismissed reports that Warriors’ talisman, Khama Billiat, was one of the players implicated but said the cartel had penetrated the South African Premiership and was allegedly fixing matches in Super Diski.
Sports and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane said Government was concerned about the latest reports and would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the culprits were brought to book.
“On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and the Ministry of Sport and Recreation, and indeed on my own behalf, I would like to inform the nation that as indicated in the various media, it has come to our attention that there have been serious allegations of underhand dealings within the game of football in Zimbabwe,” said Hlongwane.
“It is alleged that the underhand dealings involve a multinational syndicate.
“Government categorically deplores this disturbing development in the game of football as it has an unsalutary impact on the whole sport sector in Zimbabwe and has the potential to sully the image of Brand Zimbabwe at home and abroad.
“It is indeed disheartening to learn that this intricate web of deceit has been in existence for quite some time, and it implicates some of those people we had invested our trust to administer the popular game of football.
“In this regard, I can assure the whole nation that Government, in tandem with its policy of zero tolerance to corruption and unsportsmanlike conduct, will play its part in expediting the resolution of this matter. Indeed, no stone will be left unturned.”
The Confederation of African Football yesterday said allegations were of a “serious” nature and had activated mechanisms to ensure that the integrity of the game, including the matches between Zimbabwe and Swaziland, would not be compromised.
“The facts reported are very serious and CAF has noted the precautionary measure taken by the Zimbabwe Football Association, whilst opening a serene investigation into the case in respect of the rule of law.
“We reaffirm the commitment of the CAF president and the executive committee to eliminate any threat that will influence the integrity of the game on the continent, either through match fixing or illegal betting.
“We will, immediately, in consultation with FIFA, investigate and activate the mechanisms necessary to ensure that similar actions will not come to affect the course of any match, be it in the context of the AFCON 2017 qualifiers, or any other future competition,” said CAF who also requested for more information and evidence.
Chiyangwa said they had put in place mechanisms to deal with the latest case and said the association has gathered enough material to nail the suspects and they were still working on more evidence to beef up their case.
A decision is expected to be taken at the association’s congress at the end of this month and thereafter the police could be called in to bring the perpetrators to book.
According to evidence gathered so far, Chiyangwa said match fixing has been going on for a while despite the negative light the country had received because of the Asiagate scandal a few years ago.
Chiyangwa said it was disturbing that the alleged match fixers were now targeting the Warriors and wanted them to lose the two matches against Swaziland and revealed that he deliberately blocked coach Callisto Pasuwa from naming his squad this week to trap the suspects.
“Any player who received cash from Nation Dube in Rwanda, that player will not be in the team. That will be the end of his career,” said Chiyangwa.
“Even those who are based in South Africa, if they get implicated, I will write to their teams in South Africa and SAFA to bring them back home.
“This one will nail them. This one is bad news. It’s not about Zimbabwe only, these guys had plotted to destroy other leagues even outside our borders.
“That’s where I have a problem with anybody who has been doing this because they were determined to destroy the football that we all had been enjoying peacefully.
“Where there is peace there must also be fairness but in this case there was no fairness. They wanted to destroy that and that’s why I want to deal with them ruthlessly. They cannot do this.
“I am new in this office and I had forgiven people who had done what they did previously but to start it again while I am in office, I can’t just fold my hands.
“Everyone who has been associated or involved, in fact what FIFA says about match-fixing, even any official who knew this was happening when these people were plotting and planning and did not inform me will go home.”
The ZIFA president said it was worrying the match-fixing syndicate had also targeted some matches outside the country’s borders as it also emerged that FIFA were investigating some match-fixing allegations in South Africa.
“It’s sad because what I am hearing from the guys (working on the evidence) is bad news. These guys are determined.
“They have saturated the South African league with match-fixing and they were now coming here when our league starts.
“For your own information, our league was delayed purposely because we were aware of this. So I wanted to deal with these people decisively.
“I want to hit them here and then follow them to South Africa to make sure that they are brought to book. We can’t have such in football,” said Chiyangwa – State Media
Mutsvangwa’s Wife Kicked Out of Govt
Macro Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Deputy Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has been sacked by President Mugabe.
Mutsvangwa along with her husband, Christopher, crossed swords with First Lady Grace Mugabe and both have now been sacked from the government.
The couple will not hold any positions in the party during their suspension, but will continue holding their parliamentary seats. Cde Mutsvangwa is the Norton National Assembly representative while his wife is Senator for Manicaland.
When The Herald sought Cde Mutsvangwa’s comment over her dismissal, she said: “Ask the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr (Misheck) Sibanda.”
The Zanu-PF Women’s League passed a vote of no confidence on Cde Mutsvangwa as the league’s spokesperson last year for indiscipline.
This was after she participated in an illegal meeting that tried to overturn the ousting of Manicaland chairlady Cde Happiness Nyakuedzwa. Cde Nyakuedzwa was kicked out for disrespecting the First Lady, Amai Grace Mugabe.
Amai Mugabe is also the Zanu-PF Secretary for Women Affairs. On the other hand, Cde Chris Mutsvangwa was suspended after the Mashonaland West provincial executive last year recommended his expulsion, accusing him of insulting the First Family and undermining the authority of the President,
This followed his utterances in the media where he was quoted as saying: “We will always respect the institution of marriage and he (Cde Saviour Kasukuwere) is confused and conflating the institution of marriage and that of the State.”
His woes mounted when he tried to convene a meeting of war veterans without notifying the relevant authorities, including getting police clearance.
The freedom fighters, who gathered for the unsanctioned meeting, were dispersed by police using teargas and water cannons.
The development irked the patron of the war veterans, President Mugabe, who had no kind words for Cde Mutsvangwa. Also suspended for three years was the Women’s League secretary for administration Cde Esphina Nhari, who had a vote of no confidence passed on her by the wing for chanting the slogan “Pasi NeG40” at a rally in Gutu last year.
Seven former youth provincial chairpersons were also expelled after some of them issued a Press statement insulting and denigrating the First Lady.
These are Godfrey Tsenengamu (Mashonaland Central), Godwin Gomwe (Harare), Vengai Musengi (Mashonaland West), Washington Nkomo (Matabeleland South), Khumbulani Mpofu (Bulawayo), Edmore Samambwa (Midlands) and Tamuka Nyoni (Matabeleland North).
Another seven youths leaders from associations aligned to Zanu-PF were also expelled from the party.State Media
Prophet Rapes Church Member After Service
By Terrence Mawawa, Zvishavane| A self declared prophet from Madzibaba apostolic sect raped a 43 year old congregant on their way home after service.
Peter Chitiyo, a Zvishavane based self styled prophet appeared in court here facing rape charges.
The incident happened early this year in Kosoro Village when Chitiyo asked the woman to remain at his shrine after the service.
As the two were walking home Chitiyo suddenly grabbed the woman and dragged her into a nearby bush.He then tripped the woman and forcibly removed her pants.
Chitiyo then had sexual intercourse with the woman without her consent.
Chitiyo was remanded in custody and he was advised to apply for for bail at the High Court.
Meanwhile pressure groups and women’s rights organisation have expressed concern at the increase in cases of sexual abuse of women and girls by self proclaimed prophets under the guise of performing healing acts.
Chitiyo was in the company of one Izaya Park who is said to be his assistant when he committed the crime and it is understood Park watched from a distance as the incident happened.
A Zvishavane based pastor who attended the court hearing said:”I would like to urge women to develop a prayerful habit because they end up being tricked by these bogus and self confessed prophets who are abusing the word of God.”
Mujuru Bunks Dzamara Protest, Attacked
Former Vice President Dr.Joice Mujuru and her senior elder Didymus Mutasa are under attack for not turning up for the Dzamara protest march.
Mujuru already under fire for her inclusion of Zimbabwe’s most hated personality in her “People First” party echelons, Mutasa, was not present during today’s historic march which was attended by opposition leaders, Morgan Tsvangirai, Barbara Nyagomo(PDZ), YARD leader Temba Mliswa, Lynette Karenyi, among a host of others who supported by the Lawyers for Human Rights, thronged Harare’s streets Wednesday calling for an end to abductions.
Mutasa is on record boasting of personally assassinating citizens deemed to be his enemies.
The protesters held banners that honoured abducted activist Paul Chizuze, and Itai Dzamara. The event was held on the anniversary of Itai’s abduction. The man disappeared on the 9th March after being taken by suspected intelligence agents.
Mujuru who was unavailable for comment at the time of writing, had a spokesperson of hers later responding saying, “it’s the first time I am hearing about such a protest march. In future I am sure with due notice being received and after careful consideration of all factors, its an initiative which can be considered.”
Mujuru was mocked on social media with one Facebooker writing, “Where was Cde Yokozuna Mujuru and Cde Dhiziri if they are serious with their Poop First movement about looking out for fellow Zimbabweans?”
Beat a Child Go to Jail – Minister Dokora
THE Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Lazarus Dokora has warned teachers against administering corporal punishment on pupils saying anyone found doing so would be prosecuted.Addressing parents and school administrators from 576 primary and secondary schools in the Midlands province in Gweru, Minister Dokora said corporal punishment was primitive.
He said a memorandum was on the way to reinforce that position. “Beating up pupils is a thing of the past. It’s a thing of the past. Teachers please don’t beat up your pupils,” he said.
“If you beat up a child and the parents report you, you’ll be prosecuted.”
Minister Dokora said with the new education curriculum which also emphasises on continuous assessment of pupils work, there was no room for beating up pupils.
“With the new curriculum, there is no time for laziness or bad behaviour by the pupils. It’s strictly learning and teachers must strive to know the weaknesses, and the strengths of their pupils. I read in the paper last week of a headmistress who was pleading with the parents of a child she had assaulted to drop the charges. And for what? She had beaten up the boy because he had failed some work she had given him,” he said.
Minister Dokora said continuous assessment of pupils was prudent in preparing them for tertiary education.
He said the new curriculum was going to make education easier for pupils because from early childhood development (ECD), pupils would be taught in their mother language.
“Physical education, visual and performance skills will be part of the early education. The pupils will be trained on mass displays.
“Kids at that age should be taught to be familiar with numbers so that they think scientifically. “That will also call for laboratories in primary schools because we want to catch them young,” he said. State Media
Tsvangirai Joins Dzamara Prots
MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai today joined the Itai Dzamara family and hundreds of Zimbabweans in a march in the streets of Harare to commemorate the first anniversary of the disappearance of the journalist-cum-human rights activist abducted by State security agents last year.
Before the march, Tsvangirai had addressed Zimbabweans gathered at Africa Unity Square, the venue Dzamara used to occupy during his public demonstrations to call upon Robert Mugabe to step down for misgoverning the country
“Today, we must send a clear message to the regime that never again will one of us disappear while we remain silent,” President Tsvangirai said.
“This government has mismanaged the economy and now it is threatening the safety and security of citizens that is guaranteed by the Constitution. We demand that this government returns Dzamara, whether dead or alive so that there is closure on this emotive issue.”
After the speeches, Tsvangirai joined the Dzamara family in a solidarity march in the streets of Harare.
Among the marchers were civic society leaders, representatives of the church, party vice President Thokozani Khupe, vice chairperson Morgan Komichi, secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, organising secretary, Abednico Bhebhe, spokesperson Obert Gutu, National Executive members and several party MPs.
Dzamara was abducted by State security agents on March 9 2015, two days after he had addressed an MDC rally at Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield.
PICTURES: Rugby Int’l Expert Jets Into Zimbabwe
Top international rugby supremo who is France’s national coach in charge of vocational training, Jean-Marc Bederede has landed in Zimbabwe.
Bederede is spending a week long training session with the Zimbabwe U20 rugby team selection.
Together with ZImbabwe’s national coaches, Jean-Marc’s training sessions will address breakdown management and attack framework amongst other things.
Jean-Marc is here from Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) to assist the Zimbabwe U20s rugby team in their preparations for the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2016 scheduled for Harare.
The dates are as follows:
Tuesday 8 March, Thursday 10 March
Time: 1130 – 1300
Venue: St Georges College
Mugabe Stolen $15Billion Diamonds Prove President Now Useless
The $15billion diamond revenue looted under President Robert Mugabe’s watch proves the man is now too old, incompetent, and a danger to himself, millions of citizens have charged.
Speaking in a belated 92nd birthday interview on state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation on Thursday night, Mugabe announced that the state treasury received less than $2 billion.
Mines and Mining Development minister Walter Chidhakwa had previously stated that the amount which reached the public purse was a paltry $600 million.
In frank remarks that have stunned Zimbabweans, Mugabe also revealed that the country had failed to learn from neighbouring Botswana, Namibia, and Angola on how to manage its diamond sector.
He spoke glowingly of Botswana President Ian Khama and said that he had fared much better than Zimbabwe in ensuring that Botswana’s diamond income contributed to socio-economic development.
Mugabe has a testy relationship with Khama, who accused the Zimbabwean strongman of violating human rights and rigging elections.
Such praise from Mugabe is rare.
“We have not received much from the diamond industry at all. I don’t think we have exceeded $2 billion, yet we think more than $15 billion has been earned,” Mugabe said.
Last year, Mugabe’s government sent a team of technocrats to Botswana to learn about international best practice on diamond mining, but analysts said the move came too late.
Diamonds have been mined in eastern Zimbabwe since 2006. In 2011, government officials announced that the country had vast gemstone deposits which would account for 25 percent of the world’s rough-diamond supply.
In 2013, the state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) projected that the Marange diamond fields would produce 16,9 million carats, making the project “the single largest in the world in terms of carats produced annually.”
The country stood to earn upwards of US$2 billion per year, government officials claimed, yet in 2012, the then Finance Minister Tendai Biti complained that only a measly US$19 million actually reached the state treasury.
The Zimbabwean leader defended last week’s dramatic eviction of nine diamond-mining companies from the Marange area, including Chinese firms Anjin and Jinan.
“The state will now own all the diamonds to cut and polish,” he added.
When asked whether the eviction of the Chinese companies was straining bilateral relations with Beijing, Mugabe said he foresaw no problem.
“I don’t think it has affected our relations at all,” Mugabe said. He added that China has many firms operating in Zimbabwe, therefore relations could not be defined by one or two firms being evicted.
One of the evicted firms, Anjin Investments — a joint venture between the government-run Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) and China’s Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group — boasted in 2011 that it had become the largest producer of rough diamonds on the planet.
Four years down the line, Anjin’s real production statistics are shrouded in secrecy.
Zimbabwe’s Auditor-General Margaret Chiri reported last year that all the diamond companies were now bankrupt – a revelation which jolted the government into taking action.
The eviction of the diamond companies came a month after the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe John Mangudya complained about the non-transparent operations of the firms.
Mangudya, lamenting the difficulties faced by the government in funding this year’s $4 billion national budget, said the authorities did not know what the gem production volumes were, or what was being exported.
Chidhakwa said the government has now formed the Zimbabwe Diamond Consolidated Company to exclusively mine the Marange area. – African News Agency (ANA
POLICE ATTACK:Man Battles For Life After Brutal Assault
By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|Police in Chivhu last week brutally assaulted a commuter omnibus operator, leaving him for dead.
Munyaradzi Burawa, a Chivhu based operator sustained serious head and facial injuries following a police raid in the town. Burawa is battling for his life at Chivhu General Hospital following the violent attack on him by the police.
Cases of road operators being physically abused by the police have been on the increase with members of public calling on the ZRP to stop such uncouth actions.
Burawa was assaulted by three police officers at a roadblock along the Chivhu-Murambinda road last Sunday. The cops were identified as constables Zowa,Munyuki and Mangwana respectively. Eyewitnesses said Burawa was driving his Toyota Hiace vehicle towards Nharira to drop off members of the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe when he was stopped by the police.
“The police stopped Burawa and solicited for money but he told them he only had $5.The police the forcibly took the vehicle keys and they began to assault him. During attack he lost consciousness,” said Amos Tipedzi who witnessed the incident.
Dr Alice Kanyemba of Chivhu General Hospital confirmed the incident and said she attended to someone who had been assaulted by the police.
Chivhu District Police Superintendent responsible for crime Lameck Mutetwa said:”Police are carrying out investigations into the matter. We are yet to establish what really transpired. We have heard such a report,” he said.
Apostolic sect communities in Zimbabwe – THE TRUTH
By Dr Brighton Chireka| Apostolic sect communities in Zimbabwe are a large population that need full engagement. I have been reading a lot of bad things being said about certain members of the apostolic sect communities. In these writings and discussions all the apostolic sect communities get attacked and called all sorts of names. Apostolic sect communities are said to be backward, unlearned and retrogressive, child molesters and criminals that must be arrested. We see half baked solutions being implemented but sadly failure is inevitable. The end result is that the police will be involved to arrest some of these members.
Firstly reporters need to be responsible in their reporting. One cannot say certain Christians do this and that because there are so many . It’s fair to be particular about which group of Christians one will be referring to. The same applies to the apostolic sect communities. There are several apostolic sects and all have names. A responsible reporter should be able to name those groups so that innocent ones are not painted with the same brush.
I have to declare my interests here so that readers can make their judgement about what I am writing about. I am a member of the apostolic sect community. The views that I am expressing here are personal and do not represent the response from the church. I am presenting my views as a concerned member of the apostolic sect community. I practice modern medicine and my children are vaccinated and my church or religion does not stop me from doing that. I am instead encouraged to make full use of modern medicine.
I am aware that there are certain apostolic sects that do not embrace modern medicine. However the majority are embracing it. The problem that we have is at times our leaders do not know how to reach the so called “hard to reach” groups. I personally do not believe that we have a group that should be called hard to reach. It only means that the leadership has not found yet methods of reaching that group . It’s not that the group is hard to reach but it’s the leadership that has not yet find ways and means of reaching the group.
We have medical professionals in all these apostolic sects who must be engaged and helped to become health champions. A health message coming from the leader of a church will easily be received by the congregation. And a health message coming from a fellow apostle will similarly be well received. I have heard of initiatives that are being done to have health champions within the apostolic sects but it seems it was a one off exercise.
Initiatives to engage with the apostolic sect communities must not be reactionary but proactive. One cannot expect full engagement when you approach the apostolic sect community at the last minute about vaccination. Sadly you find some of the misguided people in the apostolic sect community hiding their children. Measures are needed to engage with these communities in advance so that their fears are addressed. Community health champions must be a permanent thing. They must also be supported to continue daily engagement with their communities.
I know a research was carried out by Dr Brian Maguranyanga and he made some good recommendations . I was privileged to have a quick discussion with the learned doctor. He challenged me to champion the cause for the apostolic sects. This is the main reason why I am writing this article.
Research by Dr B MAGURANYANGA
People are not being difficult at times but they are resisting the process being implemented . We need to understand the cycle of change. We also need to appreciate that we may not be at the same stage of change . Some may be at the stage of pre-contemplation whilst some are at various stages such as contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance. We need to move with them until they complete the full cycle of change. Let us join hands and influence one another in raising health awareness.
This article was compiled by Dr. Brighton Chireka. He is a GP and a Health Commissioner in South Kent Coast in the United Kingdom. You can contact him at: [email protected] and can read more of his work on his blog at DR CHIREKA’S BLOG.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Dr Chireka has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Views expressed here are personal and do not in any way , shape or form represent the views of organisations that Dr Chireka work for or is associated with.
Tsvangirai Youth Killed by Own Cadres
By Terrence Mawawa Masvingo|An MDC Youth Assembly member was found dead on Saturday morning after being dropped from a moving vehicle by members of a rival faction.
The incident which has ripped apart the Morgan Tsvangirai led party here could be yet another body blow to the former premier’s hopes of salvaging his waning political career.
The MDC youth Blessing Mushava from ward seven, Rujeko in Masvingo Urban picked up an argument with fellow party members on their way to Gutu for a memorial service on Friday night. ZimEye.com heard the group was travelling in the party’s provincial truck and when they were approaching Roy Business Centre, Mushava was forcibly thrown out of the vehicle and he sustained serious injuries. He was only found dead on the following say.
There are two factions that are battling for supremacy in the opposition party with one group rooting for Tsvangirai while the other group is sympathetic to former National Organising Secretary Nelson Chamisa. Mushava was allegedly attacked by pro-Tsvangirai elements.
“The issue is very sensitive because the MDC brand has been dragged into the mud by a few hooligans who purport to represent the party.We still have questions regarding the manner in which Blessing died.Why did fellow party members dump him in the middle of the jungle.The issue is shrouded in mystery and controversy,”said a member of the party’s ward executive in Rujeko suburb.
Although a party official claimed Mushava attempted to jump from the moving truck,MDC supporters blamed factional wars for Mushava’s death.
“Some overzealous party members attacked the young man and the whole story is quite unfortunate,”said another party official who declined to be named.
Mushava was buried today in the city of Masvingo but some MDC members were barred from attending the funeral as tempers soared.
Mutsvangwa Wins Reprieve
Humiliated war veterans leader Chris Mutsvangwa won a temp reprieve yesterday when the new minister of War Vets announced he can remain as substantive leader.
In what analysts say could be a damage control attempt, the new Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees, Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, said only war veterans have the right to remove or retain their chairperson, Christopher Mutsvangwa.
He said he had no power to remove Mutsvangwa as the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA) — which Mutsvangwa leads — was an affiliate of Zanu-PF.
This follows impeccable reports quoting Col Dube that Mutsvangwa was no longer the chairperson of the war veterans after being suspended from Zanu-PF for three years and removed from Government last week.
He was also quoted as saying that the freedom fighters should immediately convene a meeting to elect a new leadership.
Mutsvangwa was dismissed for “gross misconduct and disloyalty”.
Rtd Col Dube said he was misquoted and it was not his prerogative to coerce war veterans to elect leaders and yesterday he demanded retraction of the story from Chronicle who originated it, and The Herald who reproduced it.
In a statement, Dube said:
“The ministry, indeed, respects and recognises the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association as a private voluntary organisation that has and is guided by its own constitution.
“In this regard, the ministry will only exert its authority to ensure that all its client communities are well organised and united so that their members can effectively access their statutory welfare benefits, be economically empowered and be socio-politically mainstreamed in society, without at the same time meddling unduly in their internal affairs,” reads part of the statement.
Minister Dube dismissed the statement describing the report as mischievous and the evil work of agenda-setting by some individuals.
“Honourable Minister Dube would like to categorically state that he made no such suggestion and that he has no quarrel, either personal or organisational, with Honourable Mutsvangwa.
“He, therefore, believes this mischievous reportage to be the evil work of agenda-setting individuals which must be condemned in the strongest terms.”.
“That I said Mutsvangwa is no longer chairman is not correct, I was misquoted,” he said.
“() Mutsvangwa was elected by the war veterans and they are the only ones who can dismiss him and his Excellency (President Mugabe). I have no power to do that. I never said that we are going to have elections.”
He said his focus was on uniting the freedom fighters and ensure their welfare was addressed.
“When I took over, I said our aim is to unite the war veterans, but because of the problems that there are too many factions, we might have to call them to come up with a structure to unite them not for them to have elections,” Rtd Col Dube said.
“I cannot determine how these people solve their leadership issues and our problem is simply to have them united at all costs.”
The Zanu-PF Politburo, which suspended Mutsvangwa, resolved that he will not hold any position in the revolutionary party during his suspension, but will remain the National Assembly member for Norton.
The ZNLWVA has rallied behind Mutsvangwa, saying they would continue supporting him and their patron, President Mugabe. They said his suspension would allow them to have more time with him as they push for a redress of challenges affecting their well-being.
Also suspended for three years was the Women’s League secretary for administration Esphina Nhari, who had a vote of no confidence passed on her by the wing for chanting the slogan “Pasi NeG40” at a rally in Gutu last year.
Mutsvangwa’s wife, Monica, was also suspended for three years after she participated in an illegal meeting that tried to overturn the ousting of Manicaland chairlady Happiness Nyakuedzwa last year.
Nyakuedzwa was kicked out for disrespecting First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe, who is the Zanu-PF Secretary for Women Affairs.
Seven former youth provincial chairpersons were also expelled last week after some of them issued a Press statement insulting and denigrating the First Lady.
Seven youths leaders from associations aligned to Zanu-PF were expelled for naughtiness.
Disabled Family Hit By Hunger, Disease
A Bulawayo disabled family of three is crying out for help, as they cannot provide for themselves due to disturbing limitations.
John Jemwa is visually impaired, his wife Vimbai, physically disabled, and their daughter Tasimbiswa was born with one eye. Their girl Tasimbiswa needs an eye treatment and they do not have the finances needed for the medical expenses. It is difficult for them to raise this money on their own, hence their appeal.
The family is one of thousands of struggling people under the Jairos Jiri Association who have been pushed onto the streets as the organisation transformed itself into a vocational training centre, no longer a rehabilitation institution as its status proffers.
Jemwa has several registered projects that he would like to run, but cannot due to financial constraints. The projects include a kiosk and a fresh fish packaging venture. He needs $2500 to start running the kiosk.
Jemwa believes if he could get funds to run his projects, they will be able to raise money to cover their problems.
So far, two well wishers have paid for their residential stand at Bulawayo Council a total of $4000.00. New donors have been asked to help Mr. Jemwa via his numbers +263773661922 or +263712587170 .*** The alternative projects Jemwa wishes to run to sustain the family are:
1 Ecocash Agent services
2 Groceries and food stuffs
3 handset accessories
4 WiFi services
5 refreshments
6 Electrify Cash Power voucher
All accounts of these services are registered but not operating due to lack of funds.
DONATIONS CAN BE SENT TO Ecocash number: +263773661922 or +263712587170
Govt Climbs-Down on Chiadzwa
Government has complied with a court order for Mbada Diamonds (Pvt) Limited security team to return to the diamond mining site in Chiadzwa to secure its gems and equipment after the High Court last week threatened to refuse it audience until full compliance.
Justice Joseph Martin Mafusire last week issued a stern warning against Government for defying court orders. Yesterday the hearing into the dispute pitting Mauritius-registered Grandwell Holdings and Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa and three other co-defendants resumed after the judge was satisfied Government had fully complied with the order he issued on February 29, this year.
“We have had a preliminary discussion in chambers proper and I was advised that there was substantial compliance with my order of 29 February 2016 and the issue of jurisdiction over first to fifth respondents has fallen away,” said Justice Mafusire, before the hearing commenced.
Grandwell Holdings, which holds 50 percent controlling stake in Mbada, is suing Minister Chidhakwa, Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), Marange Resources (Private) Limited, Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), after being ejected from the Chiadzwa diamond fields.
Justice Mafusire yesterday heard arguments both on preliminary points and on the merits of the matter and reserved judgment. Grandwell Holdings is challenging Government’s decision to eject Mbada out of Chiadzwa. Mr Sternford Moyo of Scanlen and Holderness, who is acting for Grandwell, argued that the structure created by the agreements between the parties coupled with the conduct of the minister and his co-respondents created a derivative action against them.
“A shareholder is allowed to appear as plaintiff,” said Mr Moyo citing several case laws to buttress his argument.
“He acts not as representative of the other shareholder, but as representative of the
company to enforce rights derived from the company. The action is brought by him in his own capacity to vindicate the company’s rights.”
In this case, Mr Moyo submitted that the order was being sought on behalf of Mbada Diamonds which was ejected from the diamond mining site.
He said Minister Chidhakwa and his co-respondents disregard of contractual was intentional with ulterior motive of seizing possession of Grandwell’s mining site.
“It appears to be part of a scheme of unlawful dispossession and therefore an element of spoliation,” he said. “ It certainly is illustrative of bad faith on behalf of respondents. That they are all represented as they are, confirms that they have been acting in concert.”
Advocate Thabani Mpofu, who is representing Mbada though cited as respondent, made submissions in support of Grandwell.
“The interest of justice dictates that given the exigence of the matter, shareholder must sue,” he said. He said once entered into contracts it is obliged by law to behave like a contractor. “Its rights and obligations are set out in the contracts,” said Adv Mpofu. “The State cannot turn around and seek to rid itself of obligation in the contract.”
Adv Lewis Uriri, appearing for Minister Chidhakwa, made submissions opposing the application together with Adv Sylvester Hashiti acting for ZMDC, Marange Resources and ZCDC.
Adv Garikayi Sithole, who represented Commissioner-General of Police Dr Augustine Chihuri, maintained that police were there to ensure law and order at the diamond mining site.State Media
Govt Attacks Farmers, Starts Charging Rent
THE government has started charging new farmers rent for occupying houses on more than 6,200 farms countrywide allocated to them under the land reform programme.
On average, occupants of the farmhouses will pay between $400 and $1,000 per annum depending on the size and condition of the houses.
These new rentals are over and above the $5 per hectare farmers are paying to the government annually as land rent.
The Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement has already deployed teams of valuators countrywide to determine the value of the farmhouses vacated by white former farmers.
However, farmhouses taken over by the government departments and converted into makeshift schools or clinics among other utilities are exempted from paying rentals.
Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister Douglas Mombeshora yesterday confirmed that his ministry had started collecting farmhouse rentals throughout the country.
Mombeshora said those interested in leasing the vacated farmhouses were supposed to formally apply for consideration.
“We give priority to government departments to take over these properties (farm houses) and we have the Estates Department that handles those issues,’’ he said. “In cases where there are no government departments who are prepared to take over the properties we then lease out the buildings to individual farmers who want to take over. The individuals should make an application and their application is then assessed but the size of the rentals differ from one area to another,’’ said Mombeshora.
According to a joint United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Project Action Plan for 2014 to 2016, 6,240 farms were acquired for resettlement purposes by the government since the inception of the land reform programme.
This means the government is going to collect rent from the over 6,200 farm houses dotted on farms.
The collecting of farmhouse rentals from beneficiaries of the land reform programme is being spearheaded by the Estates Section that falls under the Department of Acquisition in the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement.
The rentals would be paid to the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement for onward transmission to Treasury.
There are mixed feeling on the new government approach, with farmers saying the rentals would be a burden.
The government last year said it had set a target to raise $22 million from land rentals aimed at developing infrastructure in the resettlement areas and also compensate white farmers who lost their land.
A1 resettled farmers pay $15 land rental per annum while A2 farmers pay $5 land rental per hectare.
Over 300,000 people were allocated land under the A1 and A2 farming models.State Media
Kasinauyo Caught In Match Fixing Alleg
The Zimbabwe Football Association ZIFA has suspended Board Member Edzai Kasinauyo allegedly for trying to fix the upcoming AFCON qualifier against Swaziland.
The former national team midfielder was voted into the Zifa board on December 5, 2015, and is allegedly part of a syndicate that was planning to fix the Warriors’ two-legged 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Swaziland later this month.
In a statement issued by the ZIFA executive committee last night, the national football governing body said that investigations into the matter are on-going and ZIFA chairman Philip Chiyangwa will be giving a statement after consulting government and other football stakeholders.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association Executive committee would like to inform the football fraternity and the nation at large that following its meeting held in Harare today (Tuesday, March 08 2016), it has provisionally suspended Executive Committee member Edzai Kasinauyo.
The suspension has been occasioned by allegations of match fixing ahead of the 2017 Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Zimbabwe and Swaziland,” reads the statement.
“Mr Kasinauyo has been fingered in the match fixing scam and investigations are going on. The ZIFA president Dr Phillip Chiyangwa will issue a statement after consultations with COSAFA, CAF , FIFA and the Government of Zimbabwe,” the body announced.
Mujuru A Wiz Kid at School
Former Vice President Joice Mujuru was a wiz kid at school, ZimEye can reveal.
Veteran teachers at Chahwanda primary school in 1964 have told ZimEye of their high praise of Mujuru saying she outclassed streams of pupils way above her age group.
One male teacher now in his late 70s (name withheld) told ZimEye.com, Joice was super bright and above everyone else her age. “She used to perform extremely well…and I recall her beating pupils older than her at debating. They engaged in debate competitions and she outclassed everyone.”
“She was just the best.” he added.
Mujuru’s public speaking abilities were also evident when at independence in 1980, President Robert Mugabe catapulted her to the position of a cabinet minister when she was not adequately educated for the job, at the time.
Followed up for comment, Mrs Mujuru vividly recognised one of the tutors, as she said, “he said to me ‘perfect your job because it reflects who you are in side.’ Since then 1964 till now it rings always.”
During those years Mujuru was still called Runaida Mugari, a name she later changed in 1969 to Joice.
BREAKING NEWS- Dzamara Protest Gets High Court Pass
Zimbabwe’s High Court Judge Justice Clement Phiri on Tuesday ordered the Zimbabwe Republic Police not to prohibit the Dzamara family from staging a march on Wednesday 09 March 2016.
The march is meant to mark one year since pro-democracy activist and freelance journalist Itai Dzamara disappeared, is now to go ahead.
The Dzamara family was represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights advocates Jeremiah Mutongi Bamu, Kennedy Masiye and Sharon Hofisi.
The three mounted a successful challenge against the police attempt to block the prayer march and Zimbabweans are now to converge in Harare for the do. PIC: Itai Dzamara weeks before he was abducted.
Steward Bank Hit By ex-Worker Protests
Scores of former Steward Bank workers on Tuesday demonstrated against the bank, accusing it of failing to compensate them following their dismissal from the financial institution last year.
Steward Bank, a subsidiary of the Econet Wireless group, dismissed at least 39 workers following the now infamous July 17 High Court ruling that allowed employers to dismiss workers on three months’ notice without packages.
Trade unions estimate that over 25 000 workers lost their jobs as a result of the judgement.
The former workers, with support from the Zimbabwe Banking Allied Workers Union (Zibawu) picketed the bank’s Avondale branch, handing out petitions to Steward Bank clients to appeal to the institution’s management on their behalf, to address their plight.
Besides drum beating and dancing to attract customers attention, they also waved placards with messages that read, “Dear customer, tell Steward Bank to be ethical,” “Workers’ rights are human rights” and “Dear customers, tell the bank to be a good Steward.”
In the two-page petition, the workers said the decision by the bank to terminate their employment and fail to compensate them was in sharp contrast with the institution’s values of “Ubuntu, excellence, integrity, professionalism and honesty.”
“We, the affected workers hereby petition the customers of Steward Bank and the public at large to appeal to Steward Bank for it to amicably resolve issues with its workers who have been thrown into the cold without any compensation,” read the petition.
The workers said the bank must in line with the requirements of the labour laws as amended last year and “compensate the affected workers fairly.”
“Dumping of its employees onto the streets without compensation raises serious ethical and corporate social responsibility concerns thus seriously compromising its otherwise perceived esteemed image and values.”
They said they had also been surprised by the banks’ decision to go on a massive recruitment exercise hardly a year after their dismissal.
Zibawu president, Farai Katsande said the demonstration would end on Wednesday.
“Their decision to throw workers onto the streets surprised us, not many banks did that,” he said.
Some customers who walked into the Avondale branch took time to talk to some of the workers to understand their grievances.
Efforts to get a comment from the bank were fruitless.-The Source
Dzamara Bonyongwe Mystery: “CIO Not To Blame,” Says Brother Patson
- CIO not to blame – Patson Dzamara
- Purchased fake doctorate degree months before Itai was abducted.
- Enter ZRP Inspector Makedenge
The brother of missing rights activist Itai Dzamara has officially confirmed links with (CIO)Central Intelligence Organisation boss Happiton Bonyongwe family, furthering a web of mystery and questions on why he has not and continues to refuse to engage with Zimbabwe’s most powerful man for his brother’s welfare. Twelve (12)months after Itai disappeared, Paston says he is not interested at all in pushing the CIO on Itai’s welfare.
Patson Dzamara says himself and the entire Dzamara family are content and will rather continue under the help from the notorious CID inspector Chrispen Makedenge.
These issues emerged in the last few weeks after Patson Dzamara begged ZimEye.com if he can print his mentor-ship articles on the site to which he was challenged on these lingering issues raised by newsreaders. He later conceded to have the matter put back to the public for people to evaluate.
Some of the questions raised were: How in this world could Itai’s brother, Patson converse with the country’s most senior intelligence agent’s wife and forget to say a thing about his missing brother? In our Shona culture this inconsistent with ubuntu because where a person has either dies or has disappeared, hapashayiwi “muroyi.” Furthermore since that day last year, why is it that (12)twelve months later Mr Patson Dzamara has not once telephoned the Bonyongwes back even at the least to seek help on his missing brother, since the CIO has clear unrestricted access to anywhere in the country?
Patson Dzamara was asked when and how he was found linked up with the Bonyongwes within just nine (9) days of his brother’s disappearance. His actions and that of the rest of the Dzamara family have thus all been brought under the public microscope.
He began by stating the following: “there is nothing for me to hide on the whatever Bonyongwe connection. You will even realise that there is no story to publish at the end of the day,” he said.
He continued, “you know what? I only spoke to that woman once over the phone…She was coming to (the summit) in her capacity as the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange boss, nothing else….
He went on, “For me to get to her, it was my board chairman who said I sit on the same board at (sic)University with her and so since one of the ladies has pulled out, why don’t we bring in Mai Bonyongwe?
“I said, why not? It serves the purpose of what we are trying to do, and it did not have anything to do with Itai. So I only talked with her for two minutes over the phone, that was it…”
Since that day Patson Dzamara nearly a year later says he still sees no need to telephone the Bonyongwes concerning his missing brother’s welfare.
He was then asked why it is that he failed to say a thing or two or even weep for his brother. To this he replied saying, “in that case manje, you are now trying to tell me what I should do regarding my brother. Look we have adopted our own model handitika?. That isusu – we as a family this is how we are going to deal with this matter, and that is really up to us. Whether we ask whoever, whatever, it’s really up to us at the end of the day, and so you as a concerned person, kana ndine number dzake – since I have the number, ask for it (sic), then look for Mrs Bonyongwe not me.
Chrispen Makedenge
When queried further on why Patson even refuses to simply telephone the Bonyongwe and ask for help on finding his brother since he has at least the wife’s cellphone numbers, the man replied saying: “We have our own script. We as a family have our own script; we were given inspector Chrispen Makedenge working on the case.”
Patson indicated he has never blamed the CIO. ” I really don’t know who abducted Itai, whether it was the CIO or the MDC,” he said. The man however is on record blaming the intelligence organisation soon after Itai disappeared and has since changed statements.
Fake Ph.D
Meanwhile Patson has admitted he holds a fake doctorate certificate and purchased it from an Indian institution months before his brother, Itai disappeared. He then uses the “Dr” prefix to add credit to his name so he can make money from his book and conference sales. He also revealed he is working to raise money so he can purchase another fake degree.
PART 3 of this investigation will play back Patson Dzamara’s deliberations on the CIO link in particular the referral to the notorious CID inspector Chrispen Makedenge. It will also reveal Patson’s confessions on the fake doctorate degree.
– MORE TO FOLLOW
Viomak In Hot Soup for Musvo Libel, Crime
Birmingham- UK based cyber bully Viola Makande is in trouble with the law in Birmingham for harassment and bullying.
ZimEye.com is reliably informed police and lawyers have closed in on the single woman whose file of abuses has reached alarming levels. It comes after she caused the horrific physical abuse of a Harare woman Tafadzwa Mushunje, Viomak claimed the woman injected HIV blood into a child’s body. Viomak also consciously published vile allegations claiming a UK based woman Margaret Dhokwani stole £3000 and that she infected a man with an STI.
The aforementioned together with at least ten are on the list of victims with tens of others on another batch on file with the local police. The women are demanding the immediate deletion of the harassing posts. An officer working on the case said there was evidence Viomak has in the last few days tampered with the posts by editing to remove the libellous elements. “None of the editing will absolve, the only way out being a complete removal,” the man (who due to investigations cannot be named at present), said.
Viomak has been tracked down and details of her access to social welfare funds while carrying out the harassing acts, are soon to be spilled into the British media.
Viomak has over the years engaged in the habit of posting harassing attacks on citizens under the guise of citizen journalism. The posts have been in the form of allegations for which she then poses as a god mother appearing to empathise with the public. She publishes the the vile attacks on her Facebook page as well as her website known as Musvo*******
More to follow…
Kasukuwere Blocks “Grace” Salary Audit
By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has blocked independent auditors from carrying out a salary and expenditure analysis at Masvingo City Council fearing the move will expose his G40 (Grace Mugabe) allies.
The troubled local authority is under pressure from the civic society to allow independent auditors to analyse the city council’s accounts . An independent audit is expected to drastically whittle the huge salary bill so that the funds can be channelled towards service delivery.
However efforts to bring independent auditors to analyse the city council ‘s accounts at the Civic Centre -the local authority’s headquarters-have been thwarted by Kasukuwere. The Local Government Minister issued a directive barring auditors from heading to the Civic Centre.
Top city council bosses including town clerk, Adolf Gusha, a known Grace Mugabe ally, are said to be earning hefty salaries ranging from $10 000 to 20 000.
Kasukuwere also blocked efforts by the civic society to put pressure on Gusha to publicly declare his salary.
The local authority is also under pressure from stakeholders for coming up with a budget described as astronomical in order to increase salary perks for the council bosses.
“There is mounting pressure from stakeholders to bring independent auditors to the Civic Centre but Kasukuwere has since resisted the move because he fears his allies will be exposed ,” said a senior council employee.
Kasukuwere has also been accused of playing the mind game by purporting to curb corruption while he is shielding Zanu PF bigwigs -mainly members of the controversial G40 group.
Masvingo City Council is furthermore under fire for paying hefty perks to a few bosses at a time the local authority is battling to supply clean water.
The city council is currently grappling with a ballooning debt in the form of unpaid salaries for its workers.
Mutasa, Mujuru Assassination Plot | OPINION
Self confessed assassin Didymus Mutasa who says he kills all his opponents, is plotting another murdererous act, an attack on the truth.
By Patrick Guramatunhu| “We are fighting against a system, it is that system which is unjust,” said Joice Mujuru at the Press Conference on 1 st March 2016. She was quoting the late General Josiah Tongogara. “This system has stolen any hope for the people of Zimbabwe!”
By the time Zimbabwe gained her independence in 1980 many people had heard that repeated many, many times by Tongogara, President Mugabe, Hebert Chitepo and many other liberation war leaders as well as other nationalist leaders. It was the standard answer repeated over and over again, especially to allay white fears that the liberation struggle was a race war and the blacks were hot intent on driving all the whites out of the country.
It was only at Zanu PF members only meetings or “off the record” one to one discussions that many of these leaders would tell you in no uncertain terms that the struggle was to replace white domination with black domination and take back all the whites had “stolen” from the blacks.
The reason why the violent white farm invasions of 2000 onward had such a strong appeal to many blacks especially the war vets is this was fulfilling the pre-independence promise that blacks will have their revenge and settle old scores with the whites.
After independence, President Mugabe soon raked huge political capital by upholding the “on the record” position that Zanu PF was fighting “the system” and not a racial war. He was knighted by the British, a singular honour bestowed on very few nationalist leaders who fought to end British colonial rule. Mugabe reversed his position to the “off the record” position of going out of one’s to punish the whites. There is no doubt that Zanu PF leaders and their thugs on the ground derived a lot of pleasure from the harassment, wanton violence and mental stress they inflicted on the white farmers.
Mai Mujuru and her Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) party followers know Zanu PF is an incompetent, corrupt and murderous regime that lost the support of the ordinary people years ago. But since she and many of her ZPF party members like Didymus Mutasa, Rugare Gumbo, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Jabulani Sibanda and many others were Zanu PF members until 2014, the new party desperately needs to convince the Zimbabwe public that it is as different from Zanu PF as chalk and cheese. And what better way of underlining the difference between Zanu PF and ZPF than evoking the same pre-independence sentiment of fighting an “unjust system”!
How ironic that people like Mai Mujuru and many other ex-Zanu PF members now calling the dictatorship an “unjust system” and undertaking to “fight” to end it, have spent the last 34 years creating it and then ramming it down the nation’s throat. Are they just playing the old game again of “on the record” fighting the unjust system and “off the record” making sure the dictatorship is not dismantled?
Joice Mujuru and ZPF’s agenda to end the dictatorship and deliver free, fair and credible elections or is the party interested in ending the Zanu PF dictatorship and removing the dictator Robert Mugabe only to install in its place a ZPF dictatorship headed by a new dictator Joice Mujuru.
Anyone who believes even for one second that Mujuru has ever cared about democracy, freedom, human rights, free and fair elections, etc. is very naïve or dishonest. All she has ever cared about is absolute power and as soon as her position on the feeding trough was secured she never lifted a finger to fight for any of these things in all her 34 years in power. When she lost her position on the feeding trough she has, once again shown interest in democracy, justice, etc. but only as the only means for her to regain her position on the feeding trough.
Our aim should be to end the Zanu PF dictatorship and remove the dictator Mugabe and replace it with a healthy and functional democracy and accountable and competent leaders. We must not allow ourselves to be fooled by Mujuru and her ZPF into settling for a half-way house of replacing the Zanu PF dictatorship with a ZPF dictatorship!
HORROR: 12 Dead Bodies Stuck at Hospital
Bodies still lie unidentified at Kwekwe hospital
– ALSO READ – Embrace ZANU PF for Funeral Assistance, Kwekwe Accident Victims’ told | ZimEye
Chaotic and horrific scenes have rocked Kwekwe General hospital which is urging people to follow up the whereabouts of their relatives who they have not seen for the last five (5) days. The infirmary is still stuck with unidentified bodies of victims of the Kwekwe bus disaster.
Hospital personnel say that the centre is still holding onto twelve bodies yet to be identified. The authorities further claim that the hospital mortuary cannot continue to keep the bodies due to it’s small holding capacity.
33 people died on Wednesday last week after a Harare bound Pfochez bus burst its front tyre and veered into the lane of an oncoming Mercedes Benz Sprinter colliding head on with 30 people dying on the spot. The bodies of the deceased were all taken to Kwekwe general hospital which has a maximum carrying capacity of only 18 bodies. Arriving at the institution on Monday ZimEye.com witnessed disturbing scenes as staffers battled the chaos.
” This accident is the worst horror this year; it is too much to bear. How we have managed to handle so many dead bodies is a mystery,” said a hospital attendant.
The government declared the accident a national disaster which means that all burial expenses will be met by government.
Mugabe Off to India, Leaves Zim In Chaos
President Robert Mugabe flew out of Harare on Monday to attend a World Cultural Festival in New Dehli, India, leaving his ruling Zanu PF party in a crisis as factionalism deepened.
Mr. Mugabe’s term may be ending in 2018 but his advanced age – 92 (making him the world’s oldest president) and frequent trips to seek medical attention in the Far East – are said to be fueling succession fights in his party.
The World Cultural Festival 2016 is a celebration of The Art of Living’s 35 years of service, humanity, spirituality and human values. The three-day event starts on March 11th. The festival this year celebrates cultural diversity in the world.
Mr. Mugabe is on the European Union and American sanctions list and his trips have been limited mostly to Asia.
As he left for India, the hemorrhaging in the ruling Zanu PF continued with a new war front being opened pitting newly elected War Veterans Minister Tshinga Dube and the veterans of the country’s war of independence.
Dube, who was appointed minister Saturday, has mounted pressure on his predecessor Chris Mutsvangwa saying he must relinquish his position as chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWA).
Mutsvangwa was suspended from the party for three years after being accused of “disrespecting President Robert Mugabe and his wife”.
Dube, who ironically attended the controversial press conference that contributed to the ouster of Mutsvangwa, has according to the Chronicle newspaper instructed the ZNLWA to dump Mutsvangwa saying they cannot be led by someone suspended by Zanu PF.
Dube has put this as a condition before he facilitates a meeting between war veterans and their patron, Mr. Mugabe. Mutsvangwa is allegedly linked to a Zanu PF faction called Team Lacoste that is backing Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa to succeed President Mugabe.
The faction is engaged in a bitter conflict with a faction called Generation 40 of Young Turks which enjoys the support of first lady Grace Mugabe.
ZNLWA secretary general, Victor Matemadanda, told VOA Studio 7 that Dube is overzealous and they will defy him.
Matemadanda claimed that “Tshinga Dube is not a member of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association. He has no right to speak for us. He has no right to select a leader for us.”
YOUTHS ARRESTED
On Monday, three former Zanu PF youth chairpersons – Vengai Musengi of Mashonaland West province, Godfrey Tsenengamu Mashonaland Central and Godwin Gomwe of Harare province – who were fired from the party Thursday, were briefly detained by the police and accused of trying to incite riots in the country.
Tsenengamu told VOA Studio 7 that they were interrogated at Harare Central Investigation Department Law and Order Section. Police accused them of sending messages on WhatsApp – a cross-platform mobile messaging application
The three were taken to Harare magistrate court where they were released on US$500 bail each.
But intelligence sources told VOA that what rattled authorities was a press conference held by the youths on Sunday in which they attacked Mr. Mugabe for causing factionalism in the party.
Tsenengamu said, “We have also noted that Mugabe has continued the habit of playing divisive, manipulative and arm-twisting politics and being the real force behind the creation of factions in the party as a grand strategy to assist him to hold on to party leadership and power without genuinely and sincerely addressing critical issues affecting the organization.”
He added that “Mugabe has the tendency of setting up his fellow comrades against each other so as to shift focus from his wayward and self-aggrandizement leadership style.
“And we doubt his sincerity in promoting cohesion and harmony in the party as he seems to enjoy leading and presiding over a divided membership which in turn promotes his continued rule in the party,”
VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE
Meanwhile, reports also said late Monday, Zanu-PF Youth League secretary and an alleged Mnangagwa ally, Pupurai Togarepi whose son Gabriel, named after President Mugabe and was also expelled Thursday, is now being pressured by some youths to quit.
The Youth League deputy secretary Kudzai Chipanga is leading the charge against Togarepi. The two clashed last month when Chipanga allegedly said the youths were ready to fight war veterans who were backing Mangangagwa.
Togarepi though distanced himself from the utterances saying, “The position of the Youth League is that these founding fathers of our revolution are critical for us to learn from and move forward with our revolution.”- VOA
Mujuru Is An Oppressor | PDZ
PDZ position on ZPF.
We the Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe dissociate ourselves from both Zanu (PF) and Zimbabwe People First.
Indeed, it is a fact that the history of our liberation cannot be complete without the mention of gallant sons and daughters who sacrificed their lives for our emancipation from colonial rule.
Names like Joyce Mujuru, Didymus Mutasa and their kin cannot be ignored.
However, they are the same liberators who turned to be oppressors of their own people.
They are the same people who, until their ouster from Zanu (PF) were at the forefront of looting our national resources, Mujuru being the baroness of Chiyadzwa gems.
They oversaw the dilapidation of our economy.
They masterminded the death of the rule of law.
They rigged elections left, right and centre.
Yes, they are the same individuals with whom Mugabe plotted his tyranny.
They are the same ‘mashef’ who swore on their mothers’ names in defence of Mugabe.
They have innocent blood on their hands.
We represent a completely different ideology of progressive, liberal politics, governed by principles of ubuntu, ethics and morals.
We believe in the youth as inevitable bearers of our destiny.
Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe does not share a common vision and values as Zimbabwe People First and Zanu (PF).
We do not believe that they have what it takes to bring about the necessary socio-political changes that can take us out of our current quagmire.
Zimbabweans, I think change comes from small fires and small initiatives by the younger generation of our country. When these small fires are lit and fanned, they grow and become big, wild flames.
We cannot wait for some great vision from one great person. Our collective efforts can make a difference. It is up to us, the younger generation to light up our own fires to bring about the change we want.
Zimbababwe, I am not great and do not want to be. What I am doing is to light up my own small fire in the darkness hoping that you too will do the same.
Together we can make our country work again.
Come, let us all join hands.
We belong together as a community. Zimbabwe is our motherland. We must all fight for our dignity. Let’s rid of the inhumanity and indignity that has reduced us to be paupers in our own country.
Tora kapadza urime.
LEADERSHIP TO THE PEOPLE!!!
# PDZTeam2018
Barbara Nyagomo
Tomana Trial Date Announced
The trial date of Prosecutor-General Johannes Tomana, accused of releasing two suspects linked to an alleged attempt to petrol-bomb the First Family’s Alpha Omega Dairy, has been set for April 27.
Tomana, who is facing charges of criminal abuse of office, or alternatively defeating the course of justice had his bail conditions eased by magistrate Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe.
Through his lawyer, Mr Tazorora Musarurwa, Tomana made an application for relaxation of reporting conditions.
Tomana, who is on $1 000 bail, has been reporting thrice a week to CID Law and Order section. Mr Chikwekwe yesterday altered the reporting conditions to once a week.
Prosecutor Mr Timothy Makoni was not opposed to the application.
It is the State’s case that Solomon Makumbe, Silas Pfupa, Owen 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 green light 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 full well 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 thus released from remand.
It is alleged that Tomana 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.
Al-Shabaab Boss Finally Caught
MOGADISHU. — Africa Union peacekeeping forces (AMISOM) backed by Somali National Army troops on Sunday arrested a senior Al-Shabaab commander during a security operation in an area close to Qoryolay town in lower Shabelle of southern Somalia.
Somali government’s army commander in Qoryoley, Ahmed Gabow Bule confirmed that the allied forces captured Mohamed Ali Gele, the militants’ commander who was operating in many areas in lower Shabelle region after a long search for him.
“The joint forces captured Mohamed Ali Gele, Shabaab’s Commander for Qoyoley, Janale towns and many other villages in the region. We were looking for him for a period of time. We arrested him in a security operation which was conducted in the region,” Bule said.
“The police are questioning him; we will transfer him to the central government of Somalia after the investigation. This was a very successful operation that resulted in the arrest of one of the senior Al-Shabaab commanders,” he added.
Government and regional leaders said they are going to intensify security operations against Al-Qaida linked group of Al-Shabaab across the Horn of Africa nation. — Xinhua.
Togarepi Axed? | BREAKING NEWS
The Zanu Pf National Youth Executive has reportedly just passed a vote of no confidence in politburo member Pupurai Togarepi.
Well placed sources claim that Togarepi, Lewis Mathuthu and Sibongile Sibanda were today dislodged at a just ended meeting at ZANU PF HQ, Harare.
The development comes as First Lady Grace Mugabe took control of ZANU PF through her internal surrogates.
Details were sketchy at the time of writing and ZANU PF spokesman Simon Khaya Moyo was not available for comment.
More to follow…
Embrace ZANU PF for Funeral Assistance, Kwekwe Accident Victims’ told
Families of victims of the Kwekwe road disaster have been ordered to make sure that ZANU PF officials in their areas take charge of the funeral programmes in their areas as an appreciation for the government burial assistance.
President Robert Mugabe on Friday declared the accident where 30 people died and several more seriously injured, a national disaster.
The declaration means that the victims will all be given a state assistant funeral in which government will provide for coffins and other expenses.
At least four of the families that have so far managed to go through the process claim that as soon as they settled in to prepare burial arrangements, local ZANU PF officials in the company of suspected intelligence personnel ordered the families to let the ruling party take over the planning and running of the programme.
The families all say that the ZANU PF officials told them that they had not come to negotiate on the issue but to take over the funeral proceedings as the funding is coming from the party not government.
“They told us that the funeral assistance is not from government as government has no money but the money is from ZANU PF and First Lady Grace Mugabe,” said a family relative from one family.
The families claim that they had no alternative but to hand over the programme to the ZANU PF local structures to decide who should preside over the function.
At the time of going to press none of the four families had yet been able to proceed with the burial of their loved ones while they wait for ZANU PF to finalise the burial arrangements.
Kwekwe Victims Named
Police have named 18 of the 31 people who died in a road traffic accident involving a bus and a commuter omnibus near Kwekwe, along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway last Thursday.
The accident has since been declared a national disaster and Government, through the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), pledged to meet all funeral expenses.
In a statement yesterday, chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said the other 12 people were still to be identified.
“The ZRP would like to inform the nation that 18 victims of the fatal road traffic accident which occurred on March 3, 2015 at the 232km peg along the Harare-Bulawayo Road near Kwekwe have been identified,” she said.
Those identified are Mhuka Mashura (Kwekwe), John Wireless (Bulawayo), Gift Chirape (Bulawayo), Lister Nyathi (Kwekwe), Palmen Manzini (Kadoma), Lawrence Tsvuura (Harare), Jane Nyanhete (Harare), and Micah Makause (Sanyati). All their ages are not known.
Others are Nashly Kamwendo (10 months) of Kadoma, Fanuel Kwashire (78) of Bulawayo, Nyasha Sibanda (20) of Kadoma, Sipiwe Mashababe (58) of Zhombe, Willard Nyota (48) of Murehwa, Epi Nyoni, Zihle Ncube, Bekimpilo Tshuma, Prince Mabhena (34) and Bonisile Mabhena (34).
“The other 12 are yet to be identified. Police are appealing to those who are missing their relatives to proceed to Kwekwe General Hospital and identify the remaining unidentified 12 bodies,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.
Last week, President Mugabe expressed grief over the loss of the 31 lives in the road traffic accident.
In a statement, the President said the current wet spell had created treacherous conditions on the roads, requiring that drivers and motorists exercise maximum care and responsibility.
The same wet conditions, he added, enjoined owners of vehicles, especially those catering for the commuting public, to ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy.
Meanwhile, three mourners died in another road traffic accident involving a pick-up Ford Bantum on Saturday at around 1:15am in Rutenga.
The Ford Bantum was travelling along Neshuro-Matibi Road with seven passengers and a dead body on board.
“On approaching the 1km peg, the driver failed to drive up a steep slope and the vehicle rolled backwards until it fell into Chishonga River.
Three passengers who were in the loading box drowned while the other four passengers managed to swim out of the river,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said
Mnangagwa Cloistered
Zanu PF insiders say the ongoing suspensions and expulsions of party officials loyal to embattled Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa had left the Midlands godfather “in the cold” as the brutal war within the former liberation movement to succeed President Robert Mugabe begins to peter towards an anti-climax.
This sentiment follows last week’s savage purging of yet more of the beleaguered VP’s alleged supporters — with dozens more said to be preparing to jump Team Lacoste’s sinking ship, as they seek to save their political careers.
Among some of the party bigwigs said to be loyal to Mnangagwa who were shown the exit door last Thursday are fired War Veterans minister Christopher Mutsvangwa and his wife Monica, who were both suspended from the party for three years.
In addition, the party also summarily expelled from within its ranks 14 youth leaders — including Godfrey Gomwe, Godfrey Tsenengamu, Vengai Musengi and Edmore Samambwa — all of them seen as key allies of Mnangagwa.
“Look, Ngwena (Mnangagwa) is on his knees, if not down and out in the war to succeed Gushungo (Mugabe). He is standing on his own now, with many of his generals and foot soldiers lying dead in the battlefield.
“We even understand that some of his men such as (the three suspended provincial chairpersons) Biggie Matiza (Mashonaland East), Kizito Chivamba (Midlands) and Ezra Chadzamira (Masvingo) have apologised to the party.
“They are said to have approached key members of the G40 camp, asking for forgiveness,” one of the Daily News’ sources said, adding that there was “total despair” among the ranks of Team Lacoste.
“Many of Mnangagwa’s allies have learnt the hard way that their leader is a coward and toothless bulldog. He is currently fighting for his own survival, leaving his team facing purges, without him raising a finger,” another source linked to the G40 said scathingly.
“In Masvingo, the whole provincial executive that used to be behind him is now aligned to G40. They shifted to G40 after they discovered that Ngwena and Team Lacoste are completely finished,” the source added derisively.
Speaking to the Daily News yesterday, Zanu PF Masvingo political commissar, Jappy Jaboon, said to be a staunch G40 member, said the province was fully behind Mugabe and his powerful wife Grace.
“The province is fully behind President Robert Mugabe and Amai (Grace). There were some elements who were trying to fan factionalism but we got rid of them,” he added. Daily News
Man Steals Cash From Police Roadblock Hideout
By Terrence Mawawa Gutu| In a typical movie style incident, a daring Gutu man stole cash from a police roadblock hideout after watching the cops stashing the regular money collected from motorists.
Eston Mavengano of Old Location, Mpandawana Town, spotted three cops -Constables Matutu, Nyenje and Nyakomaba -stashing the money some few metres from the roadblock.
Speaking at the Gutu magistrate’s court, last week, Mavengano said the cops had the habit of sharing the lumpsums among themselves so he says he wanted to take the money to the Gutu Officer in Charge. Unfortunately Mavengano later contradicted himself during cross examination.
“I heard people saying it is easy to take cash from corrupt police officers so I decided to watch their actions. I saw them placing the cash at their hideout. I then decided to take the money. One of them spotted me and they began chasing me. I only managed to take $12 since I dropped the rest of the notes. The cops threw stones at me and one of the officers confiscated my cell phone. The police officers then arrested me and I was brutally assaulted,” said Mavengano.
He further claimed the cops accused him of attempting to attack them while doing their normal duties.
“They severely assaulted me and they also forced me to change my statement,” he said.
The three cops also threatened Mavengano to remain mum on the cash hiding-place. The case is expected to continue next week.
Tobacco Auction Floors Nears Total Collapse
PREMIER Tobacco Auction Floors is reeling under financial constraints amid indications that it may fail to obtain a licence for the forthcoming marketing season, sources said. Insiders told The Herald Business that Premier, the country’s third largest auction floor is weighed down by debts, mainly outstanding tobacco levies and unpaid wages.
The tobacco levy on growers was re-introduced at a rate of 1,5 percent of the selling price last year to finance reforestation and research activities. However, in light of the potential impact of the El-Nino induced drought on tobacco output, Government reduced tobacco levy from to 0, 5 percent, with effect from January 1 this year.
“By the end of last year, the company had not remitted about $1 million collected from tobacco levies and this really puts them in a tight corner in terms of obtaining a license for the forthcoming season,” an official who requested not to be named said.
“Again, there is a lot of pressure from many workers who are also owed a lot of money.” Some disgruntled workers claimed the deteriorating financial situation was due to poor management, saying the company may suffer the “consequences” of their alleged mismanagement.
Efforts to get an official comment from Premier proved fruitless. Last year, the company also faced challenges in obtaining the license due to statutory debts. Zimbabwe has three tobacco auction floors – Tobacco Sales Floor, Boka and Premier.
In the recent years, Millennium Tobacco Auction Floor and Zimbabwe Tobacco Auction Floor collapsed after experiencing financial challenges that saw failing to pay debts. The 2006 tobacco selling season will open on March 30, Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board chairperson Mrs Monica Chinamasa said last week. She said 23 buyers have been licensed to buy on the auction floors while 15 merchants have been licensed to buy for contract sales.
She could not be reached to comment on licensed auction floors.
Zimbabwe’s tobacco output will decline by 20 percent due to the late start of the cropping season and the effects of El-Nino induced drought, according to TIMB. Last year, the country produced nearly 200 million kilogrammes of tobacco, down from 216 million kg produced a year earlier, the record tobacco output in just over a decade.
Zimbabwe earned $855 million from tobacco exports in 2015, about 11 percent higher than the previous year on higher prices and demand from China, according to the TIMB. This makes tobacco the country’s single largest export commodity, ahead of gold and platinum.-State Media
Mujuru: Men Have Flinted Me
People First leader Joice Mujuru says men have hardened her. She spoke responding to questions surrounding her late husband, Gen Solomon Mujuru’s death, saying she has been taught a tough lesson.
Below is her (JM) wide ranging interview with ZimEye.com’s Grace Kwinjeh (GK):
GK: Who is Joice Mujuru?
JM: Joice Mujuru is a freedom fighter, mother, grandmother, widow, development activist, Christian and farmer not necessarily in that order!
GK:You went to war at a very young age and made a very huge sacrifice. What is your take on the state of the war veterans today?
JM:Betrayed, neglected, short changed and used.
GK: How do you view the way the liberation struggle is being narrated from within the party you once belonged to Zanu PF?; And outside, you have those like the late Wilfred Mhanda and Masipula Sithole with slightly different views?
JM: Skewed, selective emphasis, underplaying certain people’s roles and so on: biased against other players, the role of ZANLA /ZANU, ZIPRA/ZAPU and the role of the generality of the masses; literally rewriting history in the process.
GK: You have had the opportunity as a female to serve in government in various capacities, leading to you being the first female Vice-President in Zimbabwe. What challenges did you have to deal with? What good memories or lessons have you carried to this day?
JM: Male dominance and chauvinism has hardened me to resolutely stand up for self and the downtrodden, not only women and not as a feminist but humans. I have learnt to be principled and not a pretender.
GK: You worked directly under the mentorship of President Robert Mugabe and now you two have since fallen apart. Do you feel vindicated by the chaos in Zanu PF at the moment? Do you feel sad given your own sacrifices in building one of the most formidable political parties of our times? How do you see Zanu PF’s future?
JM: Would rather not comment much on this still unfolding drama.
GK: You are now openly talking about your husband’s death. Had he been alive today given what is going on in the party and how the country itself is a total mess, how do you think he would have responded?
JM: No comment. I don’t know, who knows?
GK: Had he been alive, do you think you would have been persecuted the way you were by Zanu PF? And why did you soldier on in Zanu PF after his death?
JM: This is unfortunate. We have different backgrounds, upbringing and different ways of looking at things and events. One wishes to see how events unfold, continue to unfold and this is where we are. I am sure there is more to come?
GK: You have, however, been very gracious in dealing with those who persecuted, moving on and forming your own political party. What inspired the name People First?
JM: Our core value. We put the wishes of the people at the fore.
GK: You play your cards close to your chest keeping your opponents guessing on your next move, for instance your position on forming a coalition with other opposition formations seems to be not clear. Would you accept such an arrangement?
JM: Our people, our membership will discuss and decide on the matter.
GK: You seem to be at the centre of the country’s politics drawing support from all the other political formations. Some are not happy with this. What has your response been to the idea of fishing from certain dams as they claim? Should supporters be denied the opportunity to decide where they will go?
JM: We believe in the freedom of association.
GK: There are some hard questions some Zimbabweans still have for some of your lieutenants for instance their role and participation in human rights violations when they were still in Zanu PF. What is People First’s policy on this?
JM: We have courts of law in this country; they should deal with all matters in terms of the law.
GK: What is your message for Zimbabwean women based on your journey, life experiences and decisions you have had to make?
JM: Society in general and the State in particular should provide equal opportunities to lead to true and real empowerment of the girl-child. In turn women and the girl-child should be forthcoming and take up the challenge to contribute meaningfully in all spheres of life. – ENDS
Prophet Challenges a Lion
A Zion Christian Church prophet who was filled with “the spirit” recently ‘challenged’ a lion to do battle in the Kruger National Park.
Prophet Alec Ndiwane who is based in the Pretoria Soshanguve was with fellow church members in the Kruger National Park where they were watching animals. It is believed the prophet went into a trance and started to speak “in tongues”. Ahead of them was a pride of lions busy eating an impala they had caught.
Alec must have thought he was the biblical Samson as the prophet opened the car door and went charging towards the lions. Upon seeing the man running towards them, the lions could not believe that manna was coming straight from heaven and instead ran towards the prophet.
Alec must have then come to his senses as he quickly realised his anointing was not working at all, and this was not going to end well. He then made an immediate turn and ran back to safety.
But before he could safely reach the confines of the car, one lion had snapped its paws on him thus causing major damage to his toilet sitting tool. His flesh at the backside was severely torn causing an instant gush of blood during the melee.
Luck for the preacher only came by when a game ranger standing nearby fired some shots with his gun to scare the lions away. This was the man’s moment of salvation, a moment they will live to remember.
But so severe was the lion inflicted injury that Alec had to be rushed to hospital for emergency surgery. The man was fearing he would lose his bum but the doctor’s assured him he would still have his left bum intact.
“I do not know what came over me’, Alec soon confessed, ‘I thought the Lord wanted to use me to show his power over animals. Is it not we were given dominion over all creatures of the earth’, Alec added.
The preacher was eventually stitched up and discharged after spending an entire night at the hospital.
Chindori-Chininga’s “Killer,” Mutasa Says: I Am No Murderer
The man fingered by the late Mines Minister Edward Chindori Chininga as the latter’s tormentor, Didymus Mutasa, says he is no murderer at all. The former State Security minister Didymus Mutasa (DM) is the one who once openly boasted of killing political opponents using gamatox poison.
The man was one of the leading figures present at former vice-president Joice Mujuru’s side when she addressed her inaugural media conference as Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) leader.
The weekly Standard’s reporter Richard Chidza (RC) spoke to Mutasa about his previous life as President Robert Mugabe’s closest ally and his new role as an opposition figure. Below are excerpts of the interview.
RC: What is your role in ZimPF?
DM: My role will not be different from any other member. We are a new organisation, therefore, every member needs to work as hard as they can without leaving the load on others.
It is an important organisation which should turn a new leaf for our country. As the president [Mujuru] has said, we will not tolerate violence.
We want to use Mahatma Ghandi’s principle, which I think is good for the country.
The youths in this country are violent and for no reason. They cause mayhem for no reason and that has to come to an end. We, along with the likes of Cde [Rugare] Gumbo and all other members will also push for the new policies that our president enunciated, including on land.
RC: Do you think you still have a role to play in the new party’s leadership, given your age?
DM: Yes, very much so. Some people have said we are too old. Indeed we are old, but we are beginning a new party.
The party has been founded by us the old people and so we have a tremendous role to play in supporting the youngsters when they are being harassed and giving them confidence.
The experience we got in Zanu PF, we took with us, but we are not going to use that experience to support Zanu PF.
Like president Mujuru said, we will not return to Zanu PF. We are going to work for this party for the benefit of Zimbabweans, not Zanu PF.
RC: During your stint in Zanu PF, did you ever try to convince Mugabe to retire or transform the ruling party from within?
DM: Not exactly to pass on the baton; leadership in Zanu PF changes hands at congress because these are elective and the people in Zanu PF would have and will have a chance to elect new leaders or keep on with Cde Mugabe.
That is the opportunity we will give to our members at our elective convention; the chance to elect a leader that they want. We will not say because we started it, we should be elected.
We have genuinely set up this party for the reconstruction of our country. Our people have suffered, yes. Some of them at our hands, we can’t deny that. But [what] we are going to say very definitely is that all those things we did while we were in Zanu PF will remain there. We have not carried them with us into ZimPF.
RC: Do you feel that you have an obligation to apologise for your role in the suffering of the people?
DM: Very much so, I have said so from the beginning, that we are very sorry for all the mistakes we made in the name of Zanu PF. And we genuinely want to say sorry to the people who suffered during the time we were in government.
We can’t divorce ourselves from the things done by an organisation we were members of.
We can only say we are sorry, and genuinely reform ourselves into the new organisation we have launched and hope that within that organisation, mistakes that happened when we were in Zanu PF will never be tolerated or happen again.
The people in ZimPF will determine our actions and they will take us to task for any mistakes we may commit in that organisation.
I would like to urge them very strongly not to wait before they question their leaders for any mistakes. They should start now and not wait.
RC: Do you think Zimbabweans were not being vigilant enough?
DM: Well, there may not have been any allowance to do that, but courageous people like Temba Mliswa were there at that time and they are still here.
They must be encouraged to speak on behalf of all the people of Zimbabwe and question all leaders if there are things that they do not agree with.
Yes, you may blame us for the things that happened but an interesting question is: Where were you? Where were the people of Zimbabwe when all these mistakes were taking place?
There are mistakes still happening in the country and where are we as citizens? Why do we not question these things?
RC: But people are terrified of the State, would you agree?
DM: Yes I do. But do not blame us for people being afraid. Blame those who are afraid. Let us encourage them to stand up and be counted.
If they continue to be afraid of the State machinery, there will be still state machinery under ZimPF and people will still be afraid.
So the change we are promising them will not take place if people live in fear.
We are encouraging people to be full citizens and not half owners of their country. We are encouraging women, men and the young to stand up and be counted.
There is no other country for them other than Zimbabwe to which they belong.
RC: In 2013 you were accused of having a hand in the death of an MDC-T supporter’s child known as Christpower Maisiri of Headlands. Did you play any role in the murder?
DM: I had no role whatsoever and as a matter of fact, this [Friday] morning I had gone to court to face Tendai Biti [People’s Democratic Party leader] who first accused me of the crime.
He said this in Cabinet and we told him frankly and truthfully that I had no role. He did not stop there [as] he went to the graveside and maintained that I was involved in the murder of the child.
It is a very sad thing. I must repeat that I had no hand in the death of that child. If you perhaps ask the parents now, they might be in a position to say how that child died.
RC: What do you know about the Gukurahundi massacres in Matabeleland and Midlands?
DM: I was Speaker of Parliament in the first 10 years of independence and Gukurahundi happened at that time. I had no role even as Speaker to question or to ask for details of Gukurahundi.
But as a citizen, I saw it happen like everyone else. It appeared as though it was a clash of the two liberation movements.
We wondered how liberators could turn against each other. It was a very sad incident which should have been stopped before so many died.
RC: Do you think Mugabe genuinely regrets the atrocities?
DM: No. We never talked about things that had happened in the past. We talked about contemporary things, issues that were happening at that time but never the past.
RC: How democratic is Zanu PF and in particular, the politburo?
DM: People are free to say what they want to say and currently I think people are now speaking openly than before.
At the time there was really nothing obviously wrong and so people tended to be quiet. That helped establish the so-called one centre of power. I think it should stop because it is undemocratic.
RC: Would you describe him [Mugabe] as an autocrat, a dictator?
DM: Not before but currently, how would you describe him?
RC: So you think he has turned into a dictator?
DM: I do not want to really judge him because he is not a member of my party.
RC: Surely, you would have seen traits of dictatorship during your days working together?
DM: No, they were not that obvious and if they had been noticeable, I would have talked to him about it during the course of our work.
RC: So he was open with you and to your criticism?
DM: Yes, he was. He would tell me things in advance. Even as we sat to prepare for Politburo meetings, we would discuss a lot of things. If there are things that happened during my time as secretary-general of Zanu PF [secretary for administration] then they are errors of a collective, they were mistakes we made together.
RC: Do you think as a party, Zanu PF has a role to play in the reconstruction of the country?
DM: As a party, no. But as individuals, yes, because this country is made up of individuals but they would have to re-dedicate themselves to rebuild Zimbabwe.
RC: Are there members of Zanu PF who are aligned to your group?
DM: Yes, senior members of Zanu PF and they should be honest. It is up to them to stand up and be counted. It is not for me to name them.
They are people who we agreed with that Mujuru had done nothing wrong, that she led no faction. We argued that Mujuru was clean and if ever she was part of faction then it was Mugabe’s faction.
RC: Was there a plot to kill Mugabe?
DM: Never. I do not know where the president dreamt that from and if anyone fed him with that, then they should stand up now. It was all a lie. I could never be party to it.
RC: Did Zanu PF ever rig elections?
DM: Laughs… I do not know. Well, the rigging could never have been done by members of the party because they did not take part in the administration of the elections. If there was a structure to rig, then the minister responsible for elections should tell us.
RC: But did you think there was some underhand dealing in how the party won elections?
DM: No. If I had I would have discussed this with the president. I would have faced him on it. There are many things we told him, that they were not correct. I have written letters to tell him such and such is wrong.
RC: Now that you are in the opposition, do you think there is a structure somewhere used to rig elections?
DM: Yes. And this is why we are demanding electoral reforms and setting up of a structure within the confines of the Constitution to administer elections independently.
RC: You do not think the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is independent?
DM: I do not think so. The chairperson of ZEC [Rita Makarau] is involved in discussions on whether [prosecutor-general Johannes] Tomana is right or wrong. She cannot be independent.
RC: Do you see it now or have you always thought so?
DM: I saw it all the time.
RC: So the security services could have been involved in rigging?
DM: Yes
RC: And you were responsible for one of the ministries?
DM: Yes, I was responsible for the CIO (Intelligence)
.
RC: You think the CIO was involved?
DM: I don’t think so
RC: So which security ministry would you think was involved?
DM: I don’t know. If you think there was rigging, then ask the ministers who are responsible now.
RC: But if the rigging happened under your watch, you should have known?
DM: I was joking with [Morgan] Tsvangirai [MDC-T leader] the other day that how could he run away from his victory
RC: You think he won the elections?
DM: Well, that is what the president said. He said it at a party meeting. I do not know why you did not hear it, that Tsvangirai won by 73%.
RC: We all thought it was a slip of the tongue.
DM: No it wasn’t, you cannot allow your tongue to slip three times in the process of saying something. He said it three times, that Tsvangirai won by 73%. That is what the man at the top is saying now. Why would I not believe it?
RC: Do you think Mugabe has sold the revolution?
DM: You do not have to ask me that question. That is what you believe and I may agree with you.
RC: Your final message to Zimbabweans.
DM: Let us forget the past. Let us be friends. Let us work to turn our country into a first world country. We have the resources, both human and material. Our people are poor not because they lack resources but because of lack of leadership. – The Standard
Biti Pulls Crowds in Bulawayo
By Chrispen Tabvura|In what is said to be the dismantling of Movement for Democratic Change support base in Bulawayo, former Minister of Finance, Tendai Biti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) drew impressive crowds during Sunday’s Bulawayo meetings.
Biti who was accompanied by his deputy Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, Secretary General Gorden Moyo, National organizing Secretary Solomon Madzore, National Chairperson Lucia Mathibenga,
Their first ward meeting which was in ward 2, was attended by more than 500 people somewhat indicating the birth of a challenge for both ZANU PF, People First and MDCs.
Women’s Assembly chairperson Roseline Nkomo and Willias Madzimure, to mention but a few received a warm welcome in all the four Wards visited.
Biti received a standing ovation, telling the masses that his party has decided to go on a building exercise in preparation of the forthcoming 2018 election and after.
The meetings were spiced by the presence of Samuel Spepa Nkomo, who told the people to rally behind Biti, for a better future.
“Biti is our brilliant young leader who is capable of taking us out of poverty, as you all know how he turned around the economy during the GNU. He was the only minister in the history of Zimbabwe, to take Mugabe head on concerning theft of diamonds and limiting the expenditures of Mugabe’s globe-trotting,” said Nkomo
Mugabe Squeaky Clean – Didymus Mutasa
People First leader Joice Mujuru’s right hand man Didymus Mutasa alleges Robert Mugabe has been clean since independence and only became wrong when he expelled the Mujuru lot from ZANU PF.
Mutasa indicated to the weekly Standard paper there has been nothing to blame Mugabe all these years until the day he reshuffled his cabinet and politburo removing him and the rest of the Mujuru cabal.
The development is set to cast bad light on Joice Mujuru herself as she honoured Mutasa with the position of an elder in her privileged committee.
Below is an excerpt of the interview:
RC: How democratic is Zanu PF and in particular, the politburo?
DM: People are free to say what they want to say and currently I think people are now speaking openly than before.
At the time there was really nothing obviously wrong and so people tended to be quiet. That helped establish the so-called one centre of power. I think it should stop because it is undemocratic.
RC: Would you describe him [Mugabe] as an autocrat, a dictator?
DM: Not before but currently, how would you describe him?
RC: So you think he has turned into a dictator?
DM: I do not want to really judge him because he is not a member of my party.
Meanwhile on the Gukurahundi massacres subject, Mutasa said he held the view that the killings were a clash of two warring groups ZANLA and ZIPRA. “I was Speaker of Parliament in the first 10 years of independence and Gukurahundi happened at that time. I had no role even as Speaker to question or to ask for details of Gukurahundi,” he said.
He continued, “but as a citizen, I saw it happen like everyone else. It appeared as though it was a clash of the two liberation movements. We wondered how liberators could turn against each other. It was a very sad incident which should have been stopped before so many died.”
Mugabe-Old Woman Wins UK Visa Fight
Agency – A Robert Mugabe age-mate who was threatened with deportation from UK, has won her immigration fight.
The sick and frail 92-year-old South African widow, says she is “overwhelmed” to be allowed to stay in Britain.
Myrtle Cothill feared she would be sent back to her native South Africa despite suffering from heart problems, losing her eyesight, being unable to walk unaided and having to be looked after by her daughter, Mary Wills, in Poole, Dorset.
She had been ordered to leave Britain and was even booked onto a flight to Johannesburg in February, despite having no family to care for her there.
On hearing she had been granted limited leave to remain in the UK, Mrs Cothill told ITV News: “I am feeling very happy, overwhelmed. It is unbelievable.”
She said it was like going “from darkness to lightness, from night to day”.
Mrs Cothill’s lawyers presented medical evidence about the state of her health and she has now been told she can stay. She will have no recourse to public funds, including the NHS.
Immigration minister James Brokenshire said: “Last month Mrs Cothill’s family were given the opportunity to provide further evidence about her health and fitness to travel.
“I asked that this evidence be carefully considered as a fresh application under the rules. In the light of this assessment, I have decided that Mrs Cothill should be granted limited leave to remain in the UK with her family given the compassionate and exceptional circumstances of this case.”
Mrs Cothill’s health deteriorated after she came to Britain in February 2014 on a six-month visa.
Mrs Wills lives with her husband David, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and has heart problems.
She could not travel to South Africa to look after her mother there because they have no right to live in the country, and her husband’s health would not allow it.
The case attracted a huge amount of public support on social media, with more than 75,000 people signing a petition calling for her to be allowed to stay.
Mrs Cothill said: “I feel like a weight has been lifted off me. I want to thank everyone who has supported me and God bless them all. It has made such a tremendous difference to me.”
Mrs Wills said: “Words cannot explain how I am feeling. I am overwhelmed. It is the best Mother’s Day present we could have hoped for.”
Her lawyer Jan Doerfel said the stress of the situation had left Mrs Cothill suffering from severe anxiety and depression and that doctors had given her just months to live if she was deported.
Doctors who examined Mrs Cothill said there was a considerable risk of mortality within the first three months of her return due to her physical and mental frailty, advanced age and emotional and physical dependency on her daughter for the provision of food, medication and self-care.
Mr Doerfel said: “It has been a heartbreaking situation. It would have been a permanent loss of her daughter, a permanent separation and there was an increased risk of her dying within three months of returning to South Africa.”
Mrs Cothill and her family have been under “incredible stress” since September 2014 when she was refused leave to stay with her daughter.
Fearing she could be parted from her only daughter Mrs Cothill began her legal battles to stay. Mr Doerfel said “not surprisingly, this has taken a toll on Myrtle’s heath”.
The family are calling for a change in the law because immigration rules which do not allow relatives to look after vulnerable loved ones are causing “untold suffering” to many people.-Telegraph/ITV
WARNING-DISTURBING PICTURES: ZANU PF Violence Hits Mbare
Violence erupted in the Mbare suburb as Zanu pf youths descended on a pre-booked MDC Harare Province Youth Forum.
Despite the forum having been pre-arranged in good time, ZANU PF youths and hooligans felt politically threatened and raided the place brutally assaulting opposition members.
The MDC says its “Harare Province Youth Assembly had booked a forum at number five (5) grounds in Mbare along Ardebernie Road. The forum was meant to educate first time voters about the core values of the party, and furthermore it was a visibility function”.
When they were attacked, the police failed to disperse the ZANU youths and it emerged the force was actually part and parcel of the mob.
“Our youths vigilantly stood their ground and dispersed about 300 ZANU hooligans who had occupied the venue,” the party said in a statement.
It was at that point that as this had not go on well with the ZANU youths, they left the place “to seek assistance from their reserve friends including police officers who all then re-grouped and returned to attack us.”
Many were assaulted and one woman was bleeding profusely at the time of writing.
A comment from the police could not be obtained at the time of writing.
Bosso 11 – DeMbare 4: Peter Dube defeats Keni Mubaiwa
Highlanders chairman Peter Dube will lead the Premier Soccer League (PSL) for the next two years following a 
The veteran Highlanders administrator becomes the latest addition to the Zifa board led by Phillip Chiyangwa.
The Zifa president — who was also present to witness the poll — immediately invited Dube to the country’s ultimate football governing caucus.
Dube, who was the acting chairman since Twine Phiri was elbowed out by the new Chiyangwa-led Zifa board in December, garnered 11 of a total 16 votes, which is the number of football teams in the league. Mubaiwa got four.
Only 15 clubs voted because ZPC Kariba could not partake in the electoral process, as their secretary Robert Mamvura, who was representing his club, was barred from voting.
The PSL constitution states that only club presidents or chairpersons have the right to vote.
It is understood that ZPC Kariba chairman Tungamirai Mazarire could not be part of the elections in the capital, as he was attending to his wife, who was involved in a road accident on Thursday.
“I am happy that I won, but this victory is not as you guys [the media] interpret it. It was rather a rearrangement of a sitting system in our governors structure rather than having a loser or winner. In this instance, we remain so close in working together, not only with Keni, but all the other governors,” Dube said soon after being declared the winner.
“I have always said during the week that the PSL is a closely-knit family. It’s a body that makes collective decisions, meaning that at the end of the day, after what has just happened today, as far as we are concerned, there are no winners or losers.
“All I want to say is let’s unite and work for football in Zimbabwe and under these difficult times. It’s important that we work to preserve the dignity of the league, so that we keep the sponsors we have and attract more to join us.”
For Mubaiwa, who lost to Phiri in the previous PSL election, it’s time to focus on his club Dynamos as they try to reclaim the league’s bragging rights, having relinquished them to Chicken Inn after four consecutive years at the top.
“I am happy the governors have shown confidence in Dube to lead us for the next two years and I promise to support Dube throughout, so that at the end of the day, football is the winner. This is my second time losing in an election and I thought maybe this time, I had done well to prepare, but unfortunately, I lost,” Mubaiwa said.
He revealed that he was, by no means, deterred by the latest setback, adding he would keep on contesting for this position at every opportunity.
“The problem is that other governors are not interested in leading PSL. So you find that there are only two contestants each time there are elections, but with me, I will not stop. I will keep on trying. One day, I know it will be my turn.”
Even before the elections, there were tell-tale signs at the venue showing that Mubaiwa had an uphill task to upstage Dube — who appeared popular among the governors. Cracks of laughter followed him wherever he was at the venue.
Meanwhile, Mubaiwa cut a lone figure most of the time and looked rather tense and jittery, especially as he tried to mingle with governors from the south.
Retired High Court judge Sello Nare led the electoral committee, which also has Tendai Madzorera, Elizabeth Banda, Charles Sibanda, Tinopara Hove and Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze.-Standard
“You Are Stupid!” … Dokora Tells Bulawayo Journalists
Chrispen Tabvura|Bulawayo- Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Lazarus Dokora emotionally charged at Bulawayo Journalists during a presser, accusing them of asking questions he considers “stupid”.
The Education Minister threatened the scribes warning them against asking questions he does not want to answer.
“You are asking stupid questions, which are not supposed to be asked me. I am not responsible for deploying teachers. Public Ministry does that.
“You must listen to me carefully, I have been restructuring the curriculum for the improvement of education and you ask me nonsense,” he charged after Tinomuda Chakanyuka and Chrispen Tabvura asked for clarification on forcing parents to accompany their children to salute the national flag on May 3rd this year.
Dokora’s temper was also further provoked after Tabvura asked him to answer on accusations by Matabeleland community, that his Ministry has been for 35 years disempowering the region’s children, by deploying non-Ndebele speaking teachers to the region. He also became vicious after he was asked to answer a question on why there are few science laboratories in Matabeleland North schools.
“We need to clarify this once and for all that we are now in the process of rectifying the problem. We are not supposed to be accused of disempowering anyone, as this is a national problem,” he added.
Dokora also said that he was not responsible as a minister to reduce himself to go and monitor classroom problems. He was responding to ZimEye.com’s question, on why he doe not visit the community schools to see the situation for himself.
“I cannot reduce myself to a class teacher by visiting classes and see their problems. I am a minister mind you. I cannot do that, I don’t have time for such small issues,” he said.
Dokora’s tours of the Matabeleland region have seen angry parents and community blasting him for what they termed “destroying” their language by deploying non Ndebele speaking teachers to primary schools in the region.
PICS: Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Lazarus Dokora captured threatening journalists last night. Pic By Chrispen Tabvura
Minister Dokora captured vending his anger to journalists during a presser in Bulawayo yesterday. Pic By Chrispen Tabvura
Harare Blows 100K On Expensive Rented Cars
HARARE City Council has spent about US$100 000 on renting cars even as it sits on a five-month salary backlog.
At the centre of the storm is finance director Mr Justin Mandizha — an uncle of mayor Councillor Bernard Manyenyeni — whom councillors accuse of unilaterally suspending a January tender to buy 20 vehicles. The 20 cars were for the revenue collection department.
Documents seen by The Sunday Mail show that council could have bought five vehicles already at a cost of US$19 000 each instead of spending about US$100 00 on renting cars.
The figure will rise given that the council is still leasing the vehicles at US$70 each per day.
A councillor who preferred not to be named said, “Why is council hiring cars instead of buying? If a brand new vehicle cost US$19 000, why then spend US$51 000 per month on cars that will be returned to the owner while council remains poorer? Who is benefiting in this deal?”
“This is a clear case of misplaced priorities and a waste of ratepayers’ money. Mr Mandizha is supposed to oversee the good use of council money but it seems he is sleeping on duty. That explains why he is still on probation for six months.”
Cllr Manyenyeni declined to respond to our questions, referring The Sunday Mail to acting town clerk Mrs Josephine Ncube, who in turn directed questions to council spokesman Mr Michael Chideme. Mr Chideme could not immediately respond.
It is unclear if the council went to tender before hiring the vehicles. The scandal has riled employees, with Harare Municipal Workers Union leader Mr Cosmas Bungu questioning the deal and also querying why the council was failing to pay workers’ salaries when it collected about US$15 million monthly.
Mr Bungu appealed to President Mugabe and Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere to intervene and clean up the mess in the municipality.
“MDC-T, which is a labour party has its representatives running council affairs failing to pay workers yet the revenue collection offices are cashing in everyday . . . Where is the money going? Are these guys playing politics?”
Mutsvangwa Can Appeal for 2nd Chance
People expelled or suspended from Zanu-PF last week can appeal to the Central Committee, party spokesperson Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo has said.
The appeals will be handled in the spirit of natural justice where accused persons are given the opportunity to defend themselves.
Zanu-PF has clearly defined tenets of justice and has been vigorously pursuing them at President Mugabe’s instigation.
Accused persons first appear before a disciplinary committee whose report should capture all sides of the story. That report is then presented to the National Disciplinary Committee, which in turn makes recommendations to the Politburo.
Article 10:68 of Zanu-PF’s constitution says, “The Central Committee may, on appeal or review, confirm, amend or reverse the decision of the National Disciplinary Committee.”
Last Thursday, Zanu-PF suspended Deputy Secretary for War Veterans Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa, his wife Cde Monica Mutsvangwa, and Women’s League
Secretary for Administration Cde Esphina Nhari for three years for gross misconduct and disloyalty.
Provincial youth chairpersons Cdes Godfrey Tsenengamu (Mashonaland Central), Godwin Gomwe (Harare), Vengai Musengi (Mashonaland West), Washington Nkomo (Matabeleland South), Khumbulani Mpofu (the Midlands) and Tamuka Nyoni (Matabeleland North) were expelled for indiscipline and misconduct.
Also expelled were leaders of Zanu-PF affiliates: Cdes Tonderai Chidawa (Zicosu), Norest Makururu (Youths in Mining), Collin Machingura (Youths in Farming), Memory Masengu (Youth Against Sanctions), Absolom Madusure (National Youth Service), Gabriel Togarepi (Ziliwaco Trust) and Innocent Mhlanga (Children of War Veterans); and party members Ms Rosiwita Chinyaure and T Bhasera.
Some of them have protested their suspensions/expulsions informally.
Ambassador Khaya Moyo said: “During one of the last Politburo meetings we held last year, we resolved that disciplinary action should now be conducted in a standardised way.
“The President also made it clear that any accused persons should be allowed to defend themselves and have right of appeal. The idea is that we are not just kicking people out of the party without due procedure. This is why we are having members coming to defend themselves first before any action is taken against them.”
He added, “(Expelled/suspended members) are free to appeal to the Central Committee. This is what the (party) constitution says.
“They can also appeal to Congress, which is the highest decision-making body of the party. This is also in line with our constitution.” Sunday Mail
Mugabe Allowed Diamond Looting
Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti, who was in Zimbabwe’s Government of National Unity (GNU), says he furnished President Robert Mugabe with all details that diamond revenue from Marange in Manicaland province was being looted but he refused to act.
The GNU was a coalition government between three major political parties in Zimbabwe formed on February 13th, 2000, after the signing of a Global Political Agreement.
The need for a coalition government arose after the 2008 parliamentary as well as presidential elections which were marred with violence and human rights violations.
In a belated 92nd birthday exclusive interview on state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation on Thursday, Mr. Mugabe said the state treasury received less than $2 billion from the controversial diamond fields.
The president said, “We have not received much from the diamond industry at all. I don’t think we have exceeded $2 billion, yet we think more than $15 billion has been earned.”
But Biti dismissed Mr. Mugabe’s remarks saying, “These are words and sound bites of a hypocrite and a dishonest person.
“When I was in government I gave him the figures. I gave him the statistics. I gave him the secret reports produced in Brussels. I gave him the secret report produced by Kimberley Process … and the reports showed that diamond mines were producing over US$2 billion per year but we were getting nothing.”
Biti said Mr. Mugabe was dismissive when he approached him with the evidence of looting. “No one supported me. The reason was very simple. Zanu-PF took a deliberate decision that the diamond companies would not give money to treasury for fear that an MDC (opposition Movement for Democratic Change and coalition partner) minister would perform and make a difference. And we also knew that these diamond companies were paying rent to private individuals. And one of the things Mugabe used to say to me was, why go after diamonds, how about platinum …”
In 2013, the state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) projected that the Marange diamond fields would produce 16,9 million carats, making the project “the single largest in the world in terms of carats produced annually.”
In 2012, Partnership Africa Canada, a member of the Kimberley Process charged that at least US$2 billion worth of diamonds had been stolen from Zimbabwe’s eastern diamond fields and had enriched President Mugabe’s inner circle, international gem dealers and criminals.
Zimbabwe’s Marange fields have seen “the biggest plunder of diamonds since Cecil Rhodes,” the colonial magnate who exploited South Africa’s Kimberley diamonds a century ago, Partnership Africa Canada said then.
But then Mines Minister Obert Mpofu dismissed the report. Mpofu told the Voice of America that the report was “nonsensical” and the work of detractors.
“The first thing about detractors is … Who do they want to please by raising issues which are only nonsensical? They always run around to do those things. This is sponsored by their governments who imposed sanctions on us. It is real a desperate attempt by people who are criminals just to create a smokescreen.”
Biti said in his 2012 budget he had been promised $600 million in diamond revenue for the national treasury to help re-finance crumbling health, education and other public services, but only one-fourth of that pledge was received. VOA
Mujuru Hunts Down Hubby’s Murderers
Former Vice President Joice Mujuru is hunting down her husband’s killers.
Mujuru said she will do everything in her power to get to the bottom of the controversial death of her decorated liberation struggle hero husband, Solomon — who she says was murdered before his body was burnt to ashes.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Daily News on Wednesday, Mujuru described the official inquest that looked into Solomon’s death as “wishy-washy”, pointing out that this had left her family with dozens of questions, instead of finding closure.
“There won’t be closure because there was never closure before. You remember us as the family, after the inquest, the local one that was somewhat wishy-washy, we had requested that we be allowed to set up an independent inquest but were declined by the High Court and that left us with a lot of questions on why it was declined.
“Up to now we are still searching for answers, and we hope to find them,” she said.
Speaking in an interview with the United Kingdom-based Sunday Times newspaper recently, Mujuru said she was certain that Rex Nhongo (Solomon’s liberation struggle nom de guerre) had been murdered, but would not say who had carried out the evil assignment.
Her views contrast starkly with the findings of the government-appointed coroner who ruled out foul play following a two-week long inquest — after the late general’s charred remains were retrieved from his Beatrice farm, about 40 kilometres south of Harare in August 2011. In her interview with the British weekly, Mujuru also disputed the official version of the circumstances under which her revered husband died — vowing that the truth would eventually come out.
“There was a blue, blue flame, almost one-and-a-half to two metres high, (which is) not normal at all. It seemed to me there was some kind of accelerant,” she said — referring to the inferno that is said to have taken Solomon’s life.
“I can’t say who did it, but they know the people in power. It will come out,” she added.
Asked in her interview with the Daily News if she and her husband, who was referred to by some as the kingmaker in Zanu PF, were plotting to remove Mugabe from power as far back as 2007, Mujuru said those with proof should come forward and nail her.
“Can they prove it? That is hearsay. I didn’t know that Simba Makoni was forming his party. I didn’t know that (MDC leader Morgan) Tsvangirai was forming his party … There are some people who just make things,” Mujuru said.
While Mujuru is more restrained on her husband’s death, her brother-in-law, Joel, told the Daily News last year that there was a team that was leading investigations into the death of one of Zimbabwe’s most revered sons.
“There are 12 people leading the investigations and even if I die today they will carry on. We are going to find who killed Solomon. It is not a problem.
“There are a lot of things that should be done during an inquest that were not done with Solomon. Solomon was fast-tracked to the Heroes Acre even when his relatives didn’t know what had happened, why?
“And people say we should not ask questions or seek answers. Who told them to remove his charred remains, anga ari ani kuna Solomon; I am the only one left nevana and my sister.
“And yet when went to the farm his corpse was being carried away. Who told them to take the body? Ndiani akati chitunha ichi ndiSolomon (who identified Solomon’s charred remains). How did they know that? Solomon was burnt beyond recognition, how did Solomon die?” the elder Mujuru queried.
The Mujuru family wanted Rex’s body to be exhumed and re-examined, arguing at the time that the State pathologist, Gonzales Alvero, had done a shoddy job and skipped key processes of the inquest — amid a widespread feeling that the coroner had acted unlawfully and that there had been “behind-the-scenes political interference” in the inquiry.
All this has led the family to make public demands for a second inquest, to examine, among other issues, the exact circumstances that caused the fire that killed Solomon, and whether he was still alive when the fire started. Daily News
Grace-40 Plotting Murder, Massacres| ENERGY MUTODI
By Energy Mutodi|A faction in ZANU PF known as the Generation 40 that is reportedly linked to First Lady Grace Mugabe has reportedly lined up a list of individuals it wants killed or at least expelled from the party.
You will remember that President Mugabe gave the faction an open cheque to fire anyone opposed to it during his Masvingo birthday celebrations when he told the gathering that Saviour Kasukuwere had the right to fire anyone and the affected people only had one option, to engage him respectfully and not to demonstrate against him.
In the recent Politiburo meeting, seven youths were expelled from the party and all of them critics of the G40 faction. War Veterans Deputy Secretary Christopher Mutsvangwa was also suspended for three years together with his wife and a Women’s League official Espinah Nhari who once chanted a slogan against the G40 faction in the presence of the First Lady in Masvingo.
This effectively means that the G40 has now taken control of ZANU PF and anyone who dares to criticize it faces the boot no matter how constructive the criticism can be.
These developments have now exposed ZANU PF as an oppressive regime and a dictatorship that is there only to serve a few and does not accept new ideas and neither does it tolerate dissent.
It will therefore go into the books of history that Zimbabweans were not liberated in 1980 but rather were transferred from a white minority oppressive regime led by Smith to a dictatorship, authoritarian and corrupt black leadership that has not only destroyed the economy but has also dampened the people’s hopes for freedom of expression, economic revival, infrastructure development and poverty eradication.
Self-declared political thugs who unleash violence on their political foes are praised by the president and his wife. It’s very unfortunate that this is the legacy that the president will leave behind him whenever he leaves office.
Compared to the Smith regime that managed to maintain a solid economy, the ZANU PF regime has reduced the majority from workers to beggars and has sinned against its own black people
Mutsvangwa Axed as Minister, Replaced
War Veterans Minister Christopher Mutsvangwa has been fired from his post with Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube taking over the portfolio.
President Mugabe swore in Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube at State House this afternoon. Speaking to journalists after the swearing in ceremony Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube pledged to improve the welfare of war veterans and uniting warring factions of ex-combatants. State Media
3Million Zimbabweans Hit By Hunger
An estimated three million Zimbabweans — 23 percent of the country’s population — is food insecure in the wake of one of the worst droughts to ever hit Zimbabwe, a government official has said.
Zimbabwe Food and Nutrition Council director George Kembo told delegates at the signing ceremony of a $10 million donation from the US government for hunger alleviation on Thursday that at the end of January, Zimbabwe had received less than 75 percent of the expected rainfall.
“The Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (Zimvac) had initially said that about 1,5 million would be food insecure, a figure that rose to 2,8 million then the current three million.
“After all the preliminary work has been done, we do not expect the figure to rise significantly from this,” Kembo said.
At the event, the US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Harry Thomas, announced an additional $10 million in response to the food security situation in Zimbabwe.
The country has already declared a drought emergency and is now appealing to the international donor community to offer aid promptly for relief operations in order to avert the crisis.
The $10 million, provided through the US Agency for International Development (USAid), brings the total US funding for drought relief since June 2015 to $35 million, ensuring 600 000 rural Zimbabweans have adequate food supplies to cope with the drought.
Of this, $10 million contribution, $5 million will be allocated to Word Food Programme (WFP) to enable it to provide food rations and cash transfers for the purchase of food to the most vulnerable Zimbabweans.
Guided by the results of the Zimvac Rural Livelihood Assessment, WFP will target three additional districts — Chipinge, Mangwe, and Uzuma Maramba Pfungwe — and scale up operations within the eight districts currently receiving assistance — Zvishavane, Mudzi, Hwange, Binga, Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Kariba, and Mbire — to reach an increasingly food insecure population.
Poor weather conditions in Zimbabwe, including erratic rainfall and long dry spells, have contributed to large-scale crop failure and livestock deaths across the country.
The country was recently ranked number 18 in the top 20 countries most prone to hunger in 2016 by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), in its Global Hunger Index (GHI).
Zimbabwe, which has been receiving unreliable rainfall in the past two years, will according to the GHI see “starvation-ranking hunger” in 2016.
Current weather patterns are being influenced by the El Nino phenomenon, a climatic pattern that occurs above the Pacific Ocean every five years and causes extreme weather conditions such as droughts and floods in many regions of the world.
Mutsvangwa : I Don’t Care A Thing
Embattled War Veterans minister Christopher Mutsvangwa, who was slapped with a three-year suspension from Zanu PF on Thursday, says he does not care for his Cabinet and former politburo positions.
The outspoken minister and war veterans’ boss said prior to his suspension, he actually requested Mugabe to fire him because he voluntarily rejoined Zanu PF in 2000 to save the ruling party “ethos and not to be served”.
Mutsvangwa said after his “bitter” experience as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to China, he now has a general loathing for assignments that solely depended on an individual’s discretion.
“I neither care for that politburo post, nor indeed for the ministerial appointment,” Mutsvangwa said yesterday.
“So Norton constituency, yes; war veterans’ chairmanship, yes; politburo and Cabinet appointments – I don’t’ really care. In fact, two days ago I asked His Excellency for the honour of dismissing me because I only came in to save the revolutionary ethos and not to be served.”
Mutsvangwa was suspended on allegations of convening a war veterans meeting without informing Mugabe, the war veterans patron. His wife Monica was also slapped with three-year suspension for allegedly undermining First Lady Grace Mugabe.
The two were reportedly linked to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Team Lacoste faction that is battling with G40, another Zanu PF faction which has Grace, Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo, Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere and Indigenisation minister Patrick Zhuwao, in the race to succeed Mugabe.
The two were suspended alongside Zanu PF women’s league secretary for administration Espinah Nhari, while 14 party members from the youth wing were expelled for undermining Grace.
Mutsvangwa said when he requested Mugabe to fire him, the 92-year-old leader started reminiscing about their long association since 1975 when he and four other students absconded from the then University of Rhodesia to join the liberation war.
“I came back into politics voluntarily in 2000 to help confront the menacing threat of nascent MDC. This was after years in the lucrative cellular and Internet business,” he said. “Between 2007 and 2013, I was again out of government commission. As a war veteran-turned-businessman, I don’t have a craving for a public job if it is not elected. You will recall I spurned the offer of a second ambassadorship to Germany in 2006.”
Mutsvangwa added: “To understand that, over the years I developed autonomous self-actualisation capabilities stemming from the sustained hostility by his (Mugabe) government even as he showed partiality to me.”
“So I have no sobs over the abuse of his high office to hound me,” he said.
Mutsvangwa had no kind words for G40, which he said now had a “clutch hold of State House”.
“I am in a different mould from the vapid and vacuous ‘Gang of Four’ of Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere and Zhuwao. They are clutching on the robes of Jiang Jing and Mao era Gang of Four lunacy.”
In recent weeks, Mutsvangwa had nasty public exchanges with Moyo, who he described as the late Ndabaningi Sithole’s son and a thief who stole a radio from his “stepmother” Vesta Sithole.
He described Moyo as a Gregory Rasputin. Moyo fired back, also accusing Mutsvangwa of stealing female combatants’ undergarments and selling them during the liberation struggle. newsday
Chidhakwa In Contempt Of Court
MINES minister Walter Chidakwa, and government companies operating in Chiadzwa diamond fields, are facing contempt of court by High Court judge Justice Joseph Mafusire, following their non-compliance with a court order issued in favour of Grandwell Holdings last month.
Newsday reports that the judge’s ruling comes at a time when President Robert Mugabe, during his birthday interview with the State broadcaster, maintained his hard stance on consolidating all the diamond mining firms in Marange.
Justice Mafusire had on February 29 granted an order sought by the diamond mining firm, which has a huge stake in Mbada Diamonds.
The government was ordered to allow Mbada security personnel back on site to safeguard its property following the decision to withdraw mining licences for all the nine diamond mining firms.
However, when the security officers of the diamond firm approached the mining site as per the court order, they were denied access by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), prompting them to approach the court for recourse.
“It is declared that the order of this court on 29 February has not been complied with. The non-compliance aforesaid was due to the wilful and/or deliberate acts of commission or omission by the first, second, third and fourth respondents (Chidakwa, Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), Marange Resources, Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) and Mbada Diamonds),” Justice Mafusire said.
“By reason of the foregoing, the first, second, third and fourth respondents forfeit their right of audience with this court in this matter, and the corollary obligation of this court to extend its jurisdiction over their cause is hereby withdrawn until such time that they have purged their default.”
Justice Mafusire postponed the hearing of the matter to Tuesday next week.
Justice Mafusire warned: “At the resumption of the matter as aforesaid, unless there is evidence of compliance with the order in question, all documents filed by the first, second, third and fourth respondents in opposition to the applicant’s case shall be struck off and the matter shall proceed as if in default.”
Meanwhile, another diamond mining company, Anjin Investments, has also approached the High Court seeking to have Chidakwa’s directive declared null and void.
In his founding affidavit, the Chinese company’s director Zhang Shibin said he was seeking the intervention of the court to set aside Chidakwa’s directive on the basis that his firm had not violated any terms of the mining agreement in Chiadzwa.
Shibin said Chidakwa’s averments that the mining firm’s licence had expired were not correct since all the mining firms in Chiadzwa had signed agreements that simply allowed them to operate in the area without a specific period being stated.
“The first respondent’s (Chidakwa) attempt to use the apparent omission of the period as the basis of cancellation of the Special Grants is, therefore, not valid, legitimate or reasonable,” he said. “In any event, if the period of the Grants was omitted when issued by the Secretary of Mines, such omission was made in the office of the first respondent.”
Shibin further said he wanted his firm to be allowed back on site as he feared for the safety of his gems since the take-over of security on the site by heavily-armed police officers who apparently directed his employees to open the strongrooms where diamond stocks are stored.
The matter is yet to be set down for hearing.
WATCH:Kid Injected with HIV Blood, Story Hoax
Woman Helps Husband To Rape Own Daughter
By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|A rogue Zvishavane woman known for hiring sex workers for her husband, shocked the local community when she assisted her husband to rape their 14 year old daughter.
In an incident that has left the entire community dumb struck, Netsai Sibanda who has the habit of hiring women for her husband because of fatigue, locked her husband Philemon Tauze(30) and their 14 year daughter in the couple’s bedroom and watched as her husband raped the minor.
Tauze appeared before Zvishavane magistrate, Shepard Munjanja, facing rape charges. He pleaded guilty to the charges.
The incident happened in Mhike Village Zvishavane when Tauze and Sibanda took their daughter into the bedroom and locked her up. Tauze then raped the minor while the mother watched. Tauze had sex with her daughter twice in full view of the minor’s mother. The minor later reported the matter to a neighbour leading to the couple’s arrest. They are both being charged with abuse of the minor.
The two will be back in court on March 9.
Angry villagers who attended the court hearing accused Sibanda and Tauze of being heartless parents urging the court to impose a stiff penalty on the couple. The two’s neighbours angrily described them as mentally retarded social misfit who deserve a harsh sentence. The entire community now eagerly anticipates the court ruling expected next week.
“We do not feel sorry for the two-let them face justice because they destroyed the child’s future,” an angry relative told ZimEye.com
Dynamos vs Highlanders clash goes to boardroom
The battle of Zimbabwe between Dynamos and rivals Highlanders will this weekend be played in the Premier Soccer League board room.
Dynamos Chairman Kenneth Mubaiwa squares up against Highlanders chairman Peter Dube in the PSL elections to elect a new Board Chairman to replace ousted chairman Twin Phiri.
The club bosses have drawn the battle lines with the canvassing for votes on full throttle for the weekend election.
The sixteen team PSL council to be involved in the election is reportedly totally divided with just a day left for the crunch election.
Some sports analysts however give the tide to the Highlanders chairman under the belief that the Southern Region clubs who are a majority in the league will vote for Dube while the fewer Northern Region clubs will back Mubaiwa. The analysts further claim that the Dynamos boss might lose a northern region vote from perennial Harare rivals CAPS United who enjoy better relations with Highlanders than with Dynamos.
Dube who has been acting chairman since the departure of Phiri has tagged an election message saying “Vote for continuity” while Mubaiwa has tagged his as “Vote for Change.”
It remains to be seen which outcome between change and continuity shall prevail at the end. Will Dembare extend their dominance over Bosso beyond the field of play? All that will be answered by the end of the week.
Robert Mugabe pengirl Dies | DIANA MITCHELL
Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo’s top scribe who built their fame during the Chimurenga bush war, Diana Mitchell is no more.
Mrs Mitchell, who wrote the popular Rhodesian, “African Nationalist Leaders in Rhodesia Who’s Who,” and spent stretches of time with the comrades in Zambia and Mozambique, died at the age of 83 on January 8th.
She had been domiciled in the UK at the time of her untimely departure.
Mitchell personally canonised Mugabe, Nkomo and other black nationalists at a time when they were labelled terrorists making it possible for the two to be legitimately recognised internationally later facilitating independence in 1980.
Before her death, she predicted on ZimEye.com her view that the ZRP backed Baba Jukwa frenzy would go nowhere. This was way back back in 2013 after the national elections. – READ MORE- CLICK HERE- Mitchell Dismisses Baba Jukwa.
She also revealed that former opposition leader Edgar Tekere had never been a credible challenge to Robert Mugabe being a drug addict.
Below was her obituary published by the Guardian, UK:
Zimbabwean writer who was a determined opponent of the racist policies of Ian Smith’s Rhodesian Front government
The Zimbabwean political activist and writer Diana Mitchell, who has died aged 83, was an active opponent of Ian Smith in the 1960s and 70s, and later used her political skills in an equally determined critique of Robert Mugabe’s regime in the 90s. A suburban housewife and teacher, she had a flair for grasping media attention and an extraordinary ability to create wide-ranging networks and political relationships that were a source of inspiration for liberals and nationalist fighters alike.
Mitchell made a name for herself as a liberal campaigner in the 60s, regularly writing letters to the state-controlled Rhodesia Herald newspaper criticising the racist policies of Smith’s Rhodesian Front (RF) government. Her first tangible political engagement began in 1966 when the Forest nursery school in Salisbury (now Harare) for the children of black domestic servants was bulldozed by the government. What began as a campaign to save one school led Mitchell to establish a national drive for better education of black children.
Arguing for this cause exposed her to intransigent government ideology – one minister told her that education for black children would “spoil them” and make them “discontented with their lot” – and it pushed her to work directly for the regime’s end. She helped establish the Centre party in 1968, at the time the only party dedicated to a non-racial future, and became its press and public relations officer. Despite her support for the Centre party, she stood (unsuccessfully) as an independent in the 1974 parliamentary elections, mainly due to frustration that the party was sidelining qualified women. Political life was notoriously chauvinistic in 70s Rhodesia, and in his 1984 book White Liberals, Moderates and Radicals in Rhodesia, Ian Hancock wrote: “This was especially true of the liberal parties, and of the CP, which brought together men who could be hesitant and preoccupied and women who were bright and energetic. An excellent example of the latter was Diana Mitchell.”
It was in the late 70s, as civil war and diplomatic pressure finally began to erode the RF’s hold on power, that Mitchell came into her own. Commissioned with the task of getting nationalist and RF leaders to talk to each other, she built up an unrivalled knowledge of the key players in the nationalist struggle. Working with the British-born journalist and broadcaster Robert Cary, and with the support of her friend the journalist Willie Musarurwa, she began to compile a detailed inventory of African nationalist leaders in Rhodesia.
Travelling as far as Zambia and Tanzania, where many worked in exile, she interviewed members of this barely documented group, largely viewed by Rhodesia’s white population (and many in the west) as communist terrorists. Her subsequent potted biographies of 66 nationalists, published in 1977 as African Nationalist Leaders in Rhodesia: Who’s Who, featured many figures who would go on to become key players in the post-independence government. It was described in Rhodesian military circles as “Mrs Mitchell’s Gook Book”, but was seen by those it featured as a badge of honour.
Diana Mitchell with the journalist Willie Musarurwa at her home in Highland, Harare
The book soon became an indispensable source for all sides. During the flurry of meetings and celebrations at independence in 1980, Mitchell found herself sitting between Ken Flower, Smith’s chief of central intelligence, and Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s security chief, who is now vice-president. Both told her: “We get all our information from your book.”
Despite her delight at independence, Mitchell soon became a critic of Mugabe’s government, as, by the middle of the 80s, details emerged of a state clampdown on opposition supporters in Matabeleland. She began a weekly column in the Financial Gazette, voicing her growing dissatisfaction with the Mugabe regime and in particular the restrictions it placed on the media. In 1991 she was a founding member of the Democratic Forum party (later the Forum party), which was in favour of multiparty democracy, judicial independence and the reinstatement of a free market. Although never shy to criticise political injustice, Mitchell maintained friendships with figures across the political spectrum. Her work on Zimbabwe’s politics drew its strength from a fascination with people as shapers of history.
Her ability to relate to people from different backgrounds and ideologies began early. She was born in Salisbury to Elliott Coates, an officer in the merchant navy, and Mary Peck, an actor. The marriage, which was enforced after Mary became pregnant, resulted in near destitution after Elliott was dismissed from the navy and disowned by his family. In Salisbury, Elliott worked as a labourer and Mary as a fortune-teller. The marriage ended in 1937, and Diana was fostered during the second world war while her mother worked in a munitions factory.
Despite material deprivation, Diana benefited from access to a good and relatively liberal education. She attended Evelyn high school in Bulawayo, where she remembered being taken to listen to black liberationist leaders, and then the University of Cape Town in South Africa in 1951, where she studied history and Shona, one of Zimbabwe’s main languages. After taking a diploma in education she taught at secondary schools in Gwelo, Fort Victoria and Salisbury, lectured on science education at the University of Rhodesia, and was principal of the Harare Polytechnic business studies department for several years until 1984, when she retired from teaching to concentrate on her journalistic writing.
She was an avid collector of political cuttings and documents relating to Rhodesia and Zimbabwe, and her collection was later split into two archives, the first acquired by the University of Cape Town and the second by the Hoover Institution at Stanford University in the US.
She married Brian Mitchell, a hydraulic engineer, in 1956, and the couple had three children, Catherine, Tim and Andy. Having eventually grown weary of life under the Mugabe regime, Diana and Brian moved to the UK in 2003.
Brian died in 2010. She is survived by her children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
• Diana Mary Mitchell, political activist and writer, born 16 November 1932; died 8 January 2016
Mugabe Decimates Mnangagwa
THE Zanu PF politburo on Thursday descended heavily on Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Team Lacoste faction, expelling 16 of its key members while War Veterans minister Christopher Mutsvangwa and his wife Monica were suspended for three years.
Mutsvangwa, who sits in the politburo as deputy secretary for war veterans, was accused of undermining First Lady Grace Mugabe.
The Mutsvangwas are believed to be staunch supporters of Mnangagwa’s faction, which is locked in a fierce succession battle against the G40, which Grace is said to belong to.
Thursday’s suspensions came as Mutsvangwa had reportedly met Mugabe and invited him to attend a war veterans meeting scheduled for next week and there were also reports relations between the two had improved following the President’s public censure of the War Veterans’ minister.
Zanu PF women’s league secretary for administration, Espinah Nhari was also suspended for three years for allegedly chanting an anti-G40 slogan at Grace’s rally in Masvingo last year.
Seven provincial youth leaders Godfrey Tsenengamu (Mashonaland Central), Godwin Gomwe (Harare), Vengai Musengi (Mashonaland West), Khumbulani Mpofu
(Bulawayo), Edmore Samambwa (Midlands), Tamuka Nyoni (Matabeleland North) and Washington Nkomo (Matabeleland South) were expelled from the party.
“Seven provincial youth chairmen have been expelled from the party for gross indiscipline and misconduct,” party spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo said.
The axed youth leaders had formed their own advocacy group, Save Zanu PF Campaign, to counter activities of the G40 faction.
Seven other leaders of Zanu PF affiliate organisations that include Tonderai Chidawa (Zicosu), Norest Makururu (Youth in Mining), Collen Machingura (Youth in Farming), leader of the National Youth Services among others, were also expelled from the party.
Moyo said disciplinary cases for the suspended three provincial chairpersons Kizito Chivamba (Midlands), Ezra Chadzamira (Masvingo) and Joel Biggie Matiza (Mashonaland East) are still to be brought before the politburo.
“Three cases were suspended for three years,” he said.
“I will start with one of Mashonaland West (and) Christopher Mutsvangwa has been suspended for three years and, therefore, must not hold any position in the party for the same period but remains, of course, a member of the party and a Member of Parliament.
“Midlands’ Espinah Nhari has also lost her position in the women’s league as secretary for administration and has also been suspended for three years.
“Monica Mutsvangwa has also lost her position in the women’s league and has also been suspended for three years.”
Four others Tendai Makunde, Fellix Mona, a W Masvaire and a G Katsande were reprimanded and pardoned.
The affected officials have been very vocal in attacking the G40 faction, and openly challenging Mugabe to rein in his wife Grace, whom they described as divisive.
The provincial youth chairpersons at one time left their posts en-masse accusing national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere of trying to arm twist them in their operations.
Mugabe recently reprimanded Mutsvangwa in an impromptu state of nation address before opening floodgates for further purging at his birthday bash in Masvingo, where he chided Mnangagwa’s faction.
The faction is accused of trying to topple Mugabe. -NewsDay
Kwekwe Accident Declared National Disaster
The death toll in the accident that occurred along the Bulawayo-Harare highway about 20 kilometres outside Kwekwe near Zongororo farm has risen to 31 after another person died in hospital.
The horrific accident has been declared a state of disaster. 15 victims have so far been identified.
The accident involved a Pfochez bus which had about 60 passengers on board and a benz sprinter which had about 14 passengers.
The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Cde Saviour Kasukuwere visited the accident victims at Kwekwe General Hospital in the company of the Minister of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa, Midlands Minister of State Cde Jason Machaya and Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Cde Chiratidzo Iris Mabuwa.
During a briefing, Cde Kasukuwere announced that President Mugabe has declared the accident a national disaster.
Later the delegation led by Midlands Minister of State Cde Jason Machaya visited the scene of the accident where he commended everyone who assisted.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa says some money from ZINARA should be used to create a disaster fund that will help the health delivery system to assist victims of road accidents.
Officer Commanding Midlands Province Senior Assistant Commissioner Abigal Moyo says the accident could have been avoided if the other driver who was coming from Harare had reduced his speed.
The accident occurred when a Pfochez bus with about 60 passengers on board travelling from Bulawayo to Harare burst its right front tyre, swerved and encroached on the lane of an oncoming Benz Sprinter resulting in a head on collision.
The roof and side of the Benz Sprinter were ripped off killing 12 passengers in the sprinter and 19 in the Pfochez bus.State Media
$13 Billion Diamonds Stolen from Zimbabwe
Illicit trade in Zimbabwean diamonds cost the economy more than $13 billion, forcing the state to create a new company that’s taken control of the country’s deposits, President Robert Mugabe said.
The government on Feb. 22 ordered all diamond-mining companies to end operations and vacate their premises in the Marange and Chimanimani areas and announced the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Co. will take over mining. The state has earned about $2 billion from the gems as about $15 billion was generated by the industry, Mugabe said Thursday on state television in the capital, Harare. He didn’t provide a timeframe.
“Lots of smuggling and swindling has taken place and the companies that have been mining, I want to say robbed us of our wealth,” Mugabe said. “That is why we decided that this area should be a monopoly area and only the state should be able to do the mining in that area.”
Mining is the biggest source of foreign exchange for Zimbabwe, which has the world’s largest platinum reserves after South Africa and also has chrome, gold and iron ore. Production of diamonds in the nation fell to 420,000 carats in the first five months of 2015 from 660,000 carats a year earlier.
Diamonds prices are at six-year lows after slumping 18 percent in 2015, the most since the 2008 global financial crisis, according to data from WWW International Diamond Consultants. Demand in China, the biggest market after the U.S., has shrunk along with a slowing economy and a crackdown on corruption that’s discouraged open displays of wealth.
Assets Nationalized
The creation of the state-owned diamond company followed a refusal by Anjin Investments Ltd., the Diamond Mining Co., Jinan Mining Ltd., Kusena Diamonds, Marange Resources Ltd. and Mbada Diamonds to accept the nationalization of their assets, Mines Minister Walter Chidakwa said last month.
“You cannot trust a private company in that area,” Mugabe said. “We should have learnt from the experiences of countries like Botswana, Angola, Namibia. We might go partner with a leading diamond company, one already well-established.”
New York-based Human Rights Watch said in 2009 that more than 200 illegal workers were killed in Marange as they were being driven off the site by the military. Some were shot from a helicopter, the group said, citing an unidentified eyewitness. The government denied allegations of any human-rights abuses. – Bloomberg
Mutendi:Mugabe is Greater Than Bible Icon Moses
By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|Church leader Nehemiah Mutendi has said President Robert Mugabe is greater than Bible Pentateuch author, Moses (BC 2000).
Mutendi who is the bishop of the Zion Christian Church courted controversy by saying Mugabe is greater than Moses because the president has managed to deliver Zimbabwe from the colonial regime while the bible author did not manage to take the Israelites to Canaan.
Mutendi made the controversial remarks during President Robert Mugabe’s belated birthday bash at Great Zimbabwe last Saturday. The preacher stunned delegates when he said Moses was inferior to Mugabe because of what he described as the president ‘s heroics during and after liberation struggle. “You(president) have managed to do what Moses could not achieve because Moses did not go with the people of Israel to Canaan but you were with us at independence and you are still with us ,” he said.
History has it on record that Mugabe did nothing special to bring black rule to Zimbabwe and by 1979 ZANLA and Joshua Nkomo’s ZIPRA forces had been defeated and the much celebrated conquest against the Rhodesian government is solely to the thanks of the South African government who closed down their border to stop vital fuel supplies crumbling the country’s economy, a development that led to independence negotiations accelerating.
Mutendi also said Mugabe would rule the country even up to the age of 120 and beyond, drawing the ire of fellow Church leaders who felt Mutendi had gone into overdrive in a bid to please Mugabe.
“I pray that the president lives up to 120 years and beyond ,” said Mutendi.
Local Church leaders said Mutendi had become overzealous in a frantic attempt to please Mugabe and his wife Grace. Angry Church leaders told ZimEye.com it was unfortunate Mutendi came up with a spirited attempt to idolise and hero-worship Mugabe to the extent of equating him to the iconic biblical character.
“While we all know that Mugabe has played his role as the leader of Zimbabwe, it is totally unacceptable to equate him to biblical figures. In fact this is an attempt to coerce the nation into worshipping Mugabe. The bishop portrayed Mugabe as an invincible character which is sad and uncalled for. We all know what is happening in the country under Mugabe’s controversial reign so Mutendi went too far in a desperate attempt to please the president,” said a local member of the Christian Voice International. Mutendi has also in the past declared open allegiance to the 92 year old president who also enjoys a large following among members ZCC members.
Not Until I Hit A Century – Mugabe
President Robert Mugabe says that for as long as he lives no one should think of taking over the presidency of his party ZANU PF and the country.
Speaking in a press interview to mark his 92nd birthday last night, Mugabe said at 92 he feels still very energetic and raring to go like an athlete picking pace at the home stretch.
The nonagenarian president said that his ultimate challenge is to reach a century when he will consider himself ready to retire.
“I have eight more years to go before my ultimate goal and am now on the home stretch,” he said.
On who will possibly succeed him when he eventually decides to quit, the President said that it is not up to him to nominate a successor but the party members will decide by means of a vote at a congress.
“Those who are trying to find their way to presidency by an any other means must just forget about it. The people will decide at a formal congress by election who should take over,” he said.
On the possibility of First Lady Grace Mugabe taking over, President Mugabe insisted that he was not the one to decide adding that the First Lady has decided to go into active politics at her own discretion and could be up for consideration like anyone else if she so wishes.
Mujuru Angers Matabeleland
Matabeleland based Joice Mujuru’s Zimbabwe People First party supporters have expressed anger and disappointment at the former Vice President’s selection of her party’s management committee which has only one person from the region.
Addressing journalists at her much awaited press conference on Tuesday, Mujuru announced an interim party leadership which she called her management committee that only included Esnath Bulayani from Bulawayo as the only person from the Matabeleland regions.
The supporters were further infuriated by the fact that the leadership of the so called inclusive party was made up of predominantly former ZANU PF members who are all men.
Included in the team are what the members described as “spent forces ” such as former ZANU PF legislators Didymus Mutasa, Dzikamai Mavhaire, Rugare Gumbo, Brighton Matonga, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti among others.
“We cannot allow revival of old spent former ZANU PF forces to lead the party otherwise people will not have confidence in the party,” complained a member.
In a social media discussion, the supporters called on Mujuru to immediately revise her management team to show the inclusiveness of the party she has always been talking about.
“We might just be on our way to being used to formulate ZANU PF 2,” wrote one member.
“Where are our people in this set up? We didn’t even see their faces at the press conference but only the ZANU PF group,” he added.
Announcing the establishment of her new party at the press conference, Mujuru said that it is not an offshoot of ZANU PF but a new organisation inclusive of people from all political parties and regions in the country.
Chiadzwa Free for All Diamonds-Rush 20 Feared Dead
While the state media reports that only (3) three people have so far died in the rejuvenated diamond rush at Chiadzwa mines, locals say no less than (20)twenty people have been killed in the mines in the last few days.
Two weeks ago government kicked out all the companies that have been mining diamonds in the area after failing to agree on government terms.
The immediate removal opened up a free for all illegal diamonds panning at the disused mines.
Early this week a section of one of the mine shafts collapsed under pressure of the huge number of the illegal miners. According to local people, no less than (20)twenty people died in the collapsed shaft.
In a bid to try to protect its image, government is instead reporting that only (3) three people died.
A very high powered government delegation led by Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Mendy Chimene and local chiefs visited the mines yesterday to try and beg the illegal miners to move out of the claims. Hundreds of them however instead fled from the delegation and took refuge in the unsafe mining shafts under-ground.
Meanwhile, police in the area have introduced an operation code named “Operation hatidzokere” which seeks to stop people from going back into the diamonds mining since the removal of the mining companies. Thousands of Zimbabweans flooded the area when the diamonds were first discovered at the turn of the century resulting in violent attacks by the army that left hundreds of people dead.
In nearby Mutare an influx of international diamond buyers has been reported by the police.
Diamond Miners Crushed To Death At Chiadzwa
Three illegal Diamond miners were crushed to death when a tunnel they were working collapsed trapping them from within.
According to state television about 13 miners were trapped but the other 10 managed to escape.
The illegal miners are resurfacing at Chiadzwa following the government’s directive to suspend mining activities in the area.
With the astronomical rate of unemployment in Zimbabwe, there is likely to be an increase in the number illegal diamond mining at Chiadzwa, social and political analysts have said. Minister of State for Manicaland Province Mandi Chimene said the illegal diamond miners must wait for the government to properly set up structures that will ensure safety and sanity at the place.
“Let us be patient as the government works on the Chiadzwa issue.We have a disaster here but let us avoid similar consequences in future,”she said.
Zanu PF hawks and top government officials have been looting the Chiadzwa diamonds, depriving the nation of revenue collection and the suspension of mining operations has reportedly shaken some bigs within the rank and file.
Caps, Harare City Striker Disaster
HARARE City chief striker Francesco Zekumbawire has been ruled out of the clash against Caps United in the ZNA Charity Shield at Rufaro on Sunday owing to injury.
The big striker picked a knock during their 3-1 victory over AS Adema in the Caf Confederation Cup tournament in Madagascar at the weekend. That victory qualified them to the first round of the tournament on a 6-3 aggregate, having defeated their opponents in the first leg in Harare 3-2. They will now meet Zanaco of Zambia, whom they host in Harare in two weeks’ time.
But before that, they have to deal with city rivals Caps United in the battle for the ZNA trophy.
Caps United assistant coach, Mkhuphali Masuku said they were taking the game against Harare City seriously.
“Our focus now is the game against Caps United, we are looking forward to the match,” Masuku said.
“All our players are ready for the match except for Zekumbawira, who picked a knock in Madagascar. The game will be balanced. We are playing in the Caf Cup and Caps United were in Mozambique, where they played competitive matches there.”
Caps United team manager Shakespear Chinogwenya said they were looking forward to the match. He said all their players were ready for selection except Simba Nhivi who had a toothache.
“All our players are available for selection except, maybe, Nhivi, who has a toothache. He might start training tomorrow (today), but those available are ready for Harare City. If they apply what they have been doing in Mozambique, they will beat Harare City,” he said.
The Sunshine City Boys will be hoping new signings from Dynamos – defender Blessing Moyo and midfielders Ronald Chitiyo – and Raphael Manuvire who joined from ZPC Kariba will be in form for the match against Caps United.
Manuvire has been a revelation in the tournament since joining from the Kariba outfit. He has scored three goals in the campaign so far.
After playing the Mozambique opponents, the Green Machine will use the match to gauge their readiness for the season against local teams. The first ZNA clash pitted Dynamos and ZPC Kariba and the Harare giants were booted out following a 1-0 defeat. – Newsday
BLOODY ATTACK:Man ‘Castrates’ Wife’s Lover
By Terrence Mawawa Gutu| A Gutu man stunned the local community here when he attacked and castrated his wife’s suspected lover with a pair of pliers and vanished.
The horrific incident happened last Monday in Gondwi Resettlement area when the enstranged man Masara Chamisa lured Itai Tsogo the man he suspected of having an affair with his wife, to the Chamisa homestead.
He used his wife’s cellphone to send text messages to entice Tsogo to come to the homestead. His wife had gone to a church service.
Chamisa severely assaulted Tsogo before using the pair of pliers to crush the latter’s private parts.
As a result of the exruciating pain Tsogo collapsed and Chamisa disappeared from the scene.
Staff members at the nearby Chindito Secondary School reported the matter at Chatsworth Police Camp before rushing Tsogo to Gutu Mission Hospital where he is said to be in a critical conditition. The police have since launched a search for Chamisa who is on the run.
ZimEye.com was informed Chamisa ,who works in Harare got a tip off from his relatives about the affair between Tsogo and his wife.
Chatsworth Police confirmed the story but said investigations were under way. A shocked villager said: “the incident was bizarre and everyone is still shocked by Chamisa’s heinous behaviour. He never communicated with anyone which is very unfortunate,.”
Grace: I Don’t Want Presidency, Honestly!
President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace’s spokesperson says she is not interested in the Presidency.
The highly vocal Sarah Mahoka, for the second time in seven days, spoke claiming Grace does not want the Presidential ‘throne’ contrary to her own claims.
This is the fourth time in 3 weeks Grace has been seen receeding on her own words after she even announced she now “rules” the country as defacto President.
She does not have any ambitions to be the Vice President of this country and she remains content with her position as the secretary for Women Affairs in Zanu-PF, Mahoka said.
Addressing the party’s Harare provincial women’s league members yesterday, the national secretary for finance pleaded with all raging senior party members and youths to cease their insults of Grace.
“To start with, Amai Mugabe was never interested in taking up her current position as Women’s League leader, but we had to put pressure on her until she finally accepted. We believed in her leadership and even now we still have confidence in her.
“However, we do not want her to be the Vice President and she also personally does not want to be the Vice President of this country.
“We do not know where such false claims are coming from. What we know is that she is content with her current position and nothing has changed,” said Mahoka.
Mahoka, who is also Hurungwe East legislator, brushed aside the claims as unreasonable saying there was no way Grace could deputise her own husband in the same Government.
“Where in this world have you heard of the president’s wife being the vice president? That thought is just ridiculous and we as the Women’s League are tired of all lies being levelled against our mother, the President himself and the First Family at large,” she said.
Mahoka said the false claims were the reasons why the First Lady was being insulted and vilified by some errant party members before urging the culprits to stop it.
She took a swipe on the conduct of expelled youth leaders Godwin Gomwe and Godfrey Tsenengamu.
“Gomwe and Tsenengamu are very young and misguided boys who lack respect for their elders and party leadership. They are very green politically and they must desist from such conduct,” said Mahoka.
Mugabe:Chinese Companies Stole Diamonds
President Robert Mugabe says Government has not received meaningful returns from the Chiadzwa diamond fields because Chinese and other companies mining there have robbed the State.
He claims the consolidation of mining activities in Chiadzwa has not in any way affected relations between Zimbabwe and China.
This comes in the wake of reports that the move is to damage relations between Harare and Beijing given that one of the affected companies (Anjin) was of the Chinese origin.
In his 92nd birthday interview with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation aired Thursday night, Mugabe said he told his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping during his State visit here last year that Government was not happy with Anjin’s operations.
“I don’t think it has affected any of our relations at all. I told President Xi Jinping that we were not getting much from the company and we didn’t like it anymore in this country,” said President Mugabe.
“So we wanted it to go back. I told him that here in this house.” He said less than $2 billion was remitted from diamond proceeds and those seconded by Government to work with the private companies did not help matters as they also failed to account for the gems.
“We have not received much from the diamond industry at all,” he said.
“Not much by way of earnings. I don’t think we have exceeded $2 billion or so and yet we think that well over 15 or more billion dollars have been earned in that area.
“So where have our gold or carats have been going — the gems and there has been quite a lot of secrecy in handling them and we have been blinded ourselves.
“That is our people who we expected to be our eyes and ears have not been able to see or hear what was going on and lots of swindling, smuggling have taken place and companies that have been mining virtually I want to say robbed us of our wealth and that is why we have decided that this area should be a monopoly area and only the State should be able to do the mining in that area.
“You cannot trust a private company in that area, none at all and we should have learnt from the experiences of countries like Botswana, Angola, Namibia etc. We might go partner with a leading diamond company one which is already well established fine, we may be able to do that but then on good terms.
“Botswana was telling us the idea, that is President (Ian) Khama that the De Beers they have had to demand a beat more than 70 percent of the earnings that are made by De Beers itself because they reckon that over years De Beers have been having a lion’s share of their diamond wealth and this is what we are trying to do now — start afresh.
“After all, the real kimberlite mining has not been done it was all alluvial so far.
“Just doing the sands, the loose earth and the conglomerate of course, cutting stones through and getting whatever carats. That is what this Chinese company Anjin was doing.”
President Mugabe said the economy was not performing to expectations due to various difficulties.
Among the challenges, the President said, was Zimbabwe using the US dollar which it does not have control over.
“Anyway the American dollar is not the currency of Europe, but when we pay Europe what we have here is the American dollar so the same story happens,” he said.
“So we do not print the American dollar and we do not control its flow, international flow the regulation of that flow is by America and so your progress is inhibited. You have to find ways of circumventing these impediments that faces us in trading with other countries and that have just slowed us tremendously.”
Internally, the President said economic growth was also being slowed by corruption. He said the country had set the Anti Corruption Commission to deal with the vice. “Then of course we have got some inbuilt forms of resistance,” said President Mugabe.
“You have in the same system some people who don’t think the way you do and have different ideas and do not therefore take the same stance as yourself so they are slow or they think the policies we are taking are not the correct ones so they are not happy and you have also quite some level of corruption in the system private and public and we are looking at how we can get rid of these kind of corruption.”
Mutsvangwa Axed | BREAKING NEWS
War Vets leader Christopher Mutsvangwa has been suspended from the party for three years for indiscipline.
The development comes a day after he met President Robert Mugabe in a private meeting in what was thought to have constituted a reconciliation. Contacted by ZimEye.com, Mutsvangwa remained mum following the humiliation which also comes as a secret Jonathan Moyo interview charged that Mutsvangwa did not fight in the liberation struggle as previously claimed.
ZANU PF following its politburo meeting today also suspended for three years his wife Monica Mutsvangwa (Women’s League spokesperson) and Esphina Nhari (Women’s League secretary for administration).
Seven former provincial youth chairpersons Godfrey Tsenengamu, Godwin Gomwe, Washington Nkomo, Kumbhulani Mpofu, Vengai Musengi, Edmore Samambwa and Tamuka Nyoni were expelled. ALSO READ –
HORRIFIC ACCIDENT- 37 Feared Dead in Kwekwe Crash
BREAKING: – Relatives seeking details of their loved ones can contact Kwekwe Police on local numbers: 22208 and 24524.
37 people are feared dead after a Harare bound Pfochez bus burst its front tyre and encroached into the lane of an oncoming Sprinter leading to a disastrous crash. PICTURES
The accident was confirmed by Kwekwe General hospital authorities. A staffer told ZimEye the institution was this afternoon battling with inquiries and the police has since documented the full list of the deceased. Without disclosing the exact number of the dead, they referred relatives to contact Kwekwe Police for assistance.
The bus after crashing with the Sprinter, veered off the road into the bush on the right side of the road and landed on its left side.
The wreckage of the Sprinter without its roof was left about 15 metres away from the tarmac.
Bodies of deceased and the injured ones were strewn at the scene “all over the place,” as described by a witness.
The injured ones were rushed to Kwekwe Gen Hospital.
The road patch is the same stretch which claimed 7 lives last year involving a head on collision of a Honda Fit and a B1800 pickup.