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.
BREAKING NEWS- Gomwe Expelled from ZANU PF
ZANU PF has expelled former provincial youth chairpersons Godwin Gomwe (Harare), Vengai Musengi (Mashonaland West), Godfrey Tsenengamu (Mashonaland Central), Washington Nkomo, Kumbhulani Mpofu, Edmore Samambwa and Tamuka Nyoni.
The youths were kicked out for disrespecting First Lady Grace Mugabe by referring her as the President’s wife instead of under the title “Secretary for Women’s Affairs,” ZimEye.com is reliably told.
Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy leader Temba Mliswa told ZimEye.com the outcome of today’s politburo meeting shows that there is no democracy in ZANU PF.
“…it is pretty clear that there is no democracy in ZANU PF,” he said.
Mliswa added saying the development is a reflection of the outcome of the 2018 elections.
This comes as clashes between two rival factions, the G40, and Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Lacoste escalated. MORE TO FOLLOW…
REVEALED-Mujuru’s Senior Committee
Below is former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s committee for her newly formed party, People First. Dr. Mujuru sits at the top deputised by two founding elders, Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo.
Beyond this committee, are national coordinators for the UK and the other for South Africa.
NATIONAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
1. President Dr. JTR Mujuru
2. Founding Elder/Advisor Didymus Mutasa
3. Founding Elder/Advisor Rugare Gumbo
4. Office of the President/Secretariat Sylvester Nguni & Cougan Matanhire
5. Mobilisation Committee Chair Dzikamai Mavhaire
6. External Relations Committee Chair John Shumba Mvundura
7. Inf & Publicity Committee Chair Methuseli Moyo
8. Legal Committee Chair Gift Nyandoro
9. Provincial Security Committee Chair Christopher Ndiweni
10.Research & Strategy Committee Chair David Butau
11.Committee Members TBA
“Mutsvangwa Never Fought In Liberation War”
Beleaguered War Veterans leader Christopher Mutsvangwa did not fight in the liberation struggle, Professor Jonathan Moyo says.
Moyo said this during an explosive interview with broadcaster ZiFM revealed by ZimEye.com.
“Tell[ask] him which front (he fought) ?,” Moyo said.
The interview which ZiFM blocked from the public, reveals Moyo saying contrary to Mutsvangwa’s claims that he ran away from the war-front, Moyo was actually a ZANU PF expat in New York with the late senator Kumbirai Kangai where he was manning the office there during the war.
He says he was sent by ZANU PF to school where he was the party commissar in California, US. INTERVIEW –
Jonathan Moyo’s explosive was conducted after he was ambushed by Presidential Spokesman George Charamba over the hot Presidential succession matter.
Jonathan Moyo Explosive ZiFM Interview
ZimEye.com reveals the Jonathan Moyo interview by broadcaster ZiFM which they blocked from coming out to the public.
[ALSO READ- “Mutsvangwa Never Fought In Liberation War” ]
Jonathan Moyo’s interview was conducted after he was ambushed by Presidential Spokesman George Charamba over the hot Presidential Succession matter. BELOW IS THE INTERVIEW:
MUGABE BASH:Villagers Walk For 30 Km After Being Dumped
By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|Scores of villagers were stranded for hours at Great Zimbabwe after failing to secure transport to travel back home after President Robert Mugabe’s lavish birthday bash on Saturday.
After being ferried by haulage trucks and buses to the monuments it was not rosy for the Mugabe loyalists-mainly from Hwendedzo and Zishumbe areas respectively-who had to walk for 30 km back home after being stranded for hours at the monuments.
The two areas are now occupied by mainly Zanu PF supporters since 2000 -following the controversial land grab exercise. The villagers had to endure several hours until they decided to walk back home around midnight. Despite the chilling weather and drizzle, the villagers still managed to walk back to their respective homes.
Tererai Chaduka a resettled farmer from Zishumbe area said he could not manage to link up with the truck driver who ferried him and his family to the venue.
“There was confusion on the night so we could not link up with the truck driver. We tried to raise the issue with the provincial leaders but they were nowhere to be found. Everyone was busy so we braved the drizzle and walked back home. Of course we were given food but no one cared about the transport logistics,” said Chaduka.
Mbuya Mare an elderly woman from Hwendedzo area in Masvingo District village B also walked back home after being stranded at the venue.
ZimEye understands scores of several other people went back home in frustration after being left stranded at Great Zimbabwe into the night.
Analysts say Mugabe’s birthday bash chewed up close to one million dollars -yet the ruling party failed to reflect courtesy after dumping its loyal supporters at the venue.
Surprisingly some of the villagers told ZimEye.com they would continue to support Mugabe despite the humiliation.
Fireworks, Joy At Zim Dancehall Awards Ceremony
All is set for the 3rd edition of the Zim Dancehall awards ceremony to be held in Harare tonight (Thursday) with the organizers of the colourful event promising some “fire-works”.
Notable on the nomination list of the prestigious event are eight female Zim Dancehall artists among them, the controversial Lady Squanda, Lypsy and Bountie Lisa, who are all battling for the best female artist award.
A representative of the event organisers, Tatenda Nyevera told ZimEye.com that they have prepared a memorable ceremony.
“We promise Zim -dancehall lovers a memorable event, it is going to be a special night, and in short I am there will be ,” said Tatenda Nyevera.
In previous music competitions complaints have been raised over the winners’ selection criteria where a single artist would scoop more than five awards in different categories with one entry.
Artists have questioned how a song which would have been released some few days before the call for completion nominations would win.
“I don’t see why the organizers of awards always want to nominate songs which are released towards end of year while we have songs which would have been on the hit for the better part of the year, I’m actually referring to Winky D who released his hits towards the end of last year beating Killer T whose songs had become a national anthem throughout the same year,” said a young digital musician who identified himself as the Dance Hall Minister before commending the organisers of Thursday’s event.
Launched in 2013, Zim Dancehall Awards strive to honour, talent, authenticity, hardwork and commitment which would have been exhibited by Zim Dancehall genre artists ranging from Djs, Producers, Managers, Promoters and stake holders.
Parliament Building Now A “Flea Market”
Parliament Of Zimbabwe workers have turned the parly building into a flea market, through selling different wares for survival as government fails to to pay them in time, an opposition legislator has said.
According to Newsday, Glen View North legislator Fani Munengami (MDC-T) on Tuesday said most Parliament staffers were selling different items in their respective offices in order to survive.
“We cannot blame Parliament staff for doing this because they are also suffering like other civil servants,” he said.
Munengami said the Parliament Standing Rules and Orders should deal adequately with issues of salaries of Parliament staff and MPs, some of whom have been spotted boarding cheap buses to get to Harare for sittings.
“Honourable (Robert) Mukwena travels all the way from Chiredzi, which is 800 kilometres from Harare. He has become well known at bus terminuses boarding ‘chicken buses’ to attend Parliamentary sittings. It is not about him only. It is about every MP who is suffering,” he said.
Buhera South legislator, Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu PF) congratulated President Robert Mugabe on turning 92, describing him as “God-given”.
“He (Mugabe) is different from other presidents who have photos taken with prostitutes,” he said in apparent reference to MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, who recently made media headlines over pictures of him with a number of women, some seemingly scantily-dressed, outside a lodge in Gweru.
Tsvangirai has since defended the pictures, saying the women in the photos were just his “fashionably dressed” supporters.
It has turned out the women were on holiday and had requested Tsvangirai for the photo shoot.
Munengami went on to raise a point of order with Deputy Speaker Mabel Chinomona, saying the word “prostitute” was un-Parliamentary and illegal.
Proportional Representation MP Nomvula Mguni (MDC-T) also contributed to the debate, saying Bulawayo was now a ghost town due to lack of investment, policy inconsistency and corruption.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe National Defence University Bill sailed through the National Assembly, with Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi saying it would also enrol civilians and include departments where students will learn manufacturing of modern equipment.
Southerton MP Gift Chimanikire (MDC-T) said while the university was welcome, the curriculum should not produce military personnel that were partisan.
Mbanje Intoxicated MDC Official Assaults Police Officers
Staff Reporter| A highly intoxicated Welshman Ncube led MDC official based in Gwanda yesterday thoroughly assaulted two police officers on patrol accusing them of planning to break into a local POSB banking hall.
Ndaba Mpande who is a senior security personnel at the party’s provincial office in Gwanda is reported to have heavily assaulted the two members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police on patrol in front of the town’s POSB next to the MDC offices accusing them of suspiciously walking around the banking hall.
Mpande who is allegedly reported to have been highly intoxicated at the time of the incident assaulted the two police officers with clenched fists and boots leading to the officers fleeing the area and leaving behind their patrol note books. The infuriated MDC official took the books and wrote that he had taken over control of the patrol duties assigned to the officers who he accused of plotting to break into the bank.
The officers reported their ordeal to other police officers who were on patrol in the area leading to Mpande’s arrest.
Officers at the scene said that they suspected the dreadlocked Mpande to have been high on heavy drugs most probably mbanje at the time he assaulted the police officers who were on their routine duties.
“No one in his normal senses would have performed such a weird act except if they were high on drugs,” said a police officer on duty at the time.
Mpande is expected to appear at the Gwanda magistrates court today facing two counts of assault with intension to cause grievous bodily harm.
Tomana Appeals For A Foreign Judge
Prosecutor General Johannes Tomana has filed an application seeking the court to allow him to be tried by a foreign judge.
Tomana is on bail for criminal abuse of duty as a public officer or alternatively defeating or obstructing the course of justice after he allegedly ordered the release of Makumbe and Pfupa and turned them into witnesses.
Pfupa and Makumbe — who are attached to 1 Field Regiment and Zimbabwe Intelligence Corps, respectively — are challenging their placement on remand on the basis that Tomana had not authorised their prosecution.
The two soldiers are accused of trying to petrol-bomb the First Family’s Alpha Omega Dairy Farm in Mazowe.
According to the state media Tomana is of the opinion that judges in Zimbabwe will not be impartial in dealing with his case.
The High Court is expected to determine the matter next week.
PG Tomana is challenging the Judicial Service Commission’s intentions to investigate his suitability to continue holding office.
The JSC is basing their arguments with the cases in which he is believed to have erred.
FULL TEXT: Mujuru’s Press Conference Speech
A Time for Truth, A Time for Transformation and A Time to
BUILD
Today is a historic day.
Today we present ourselves to you in humility and the humbling
comfort of the people’s support. There has been intense speculation
from our detractors. There has been strong anticipation from our
supporters. We had to resist the temptation. The temptation to
formalize our being and existence without adequate consultation with
the people of Zimbabwe. This is a day of great significance in our
great country’s political history. Today we confirm the existence of a
viable, home grown and inclusive political party. It is now public
knowledge that:
ZIMBABWE PEOPLE FIRST IS HERE!
ZIMBABWE PEOPLE FIRST IS NOW!
The times we are living in call for truth to correct our past wrongs,
change for good, unity and determination to BUILD a new Zimbabwe
in peace. Zimbabwe faces an urgent need for political, economic, and
social reform.
2.We are living under an unjust system. There is selective application of
the law, one for the poor and powerless, one for the rich and
powerful, one for opposition party supporters and one for ruling party
supporters.
The right to self-determination and self–dignity has disappeared. The
ordinary person’s capacity to earn a living continues to disappear.
People’s savings have long since disappeared. Government itself
faces a severe cash squeeze. Many of our civil servants work
tirelessly without adequate tools or resources, not to mention lack of
timely and adequate remuneration.
Zimbabwe does not even have a currency of its own for nearly ten
years now. Infrastructure is old and dilapidated and urgently in need
of repair, if not complete replacement with the most modern
technology. The investment environment is crowded by multiple
incoherent policies; inadequate and unaffordable credit finance and an
urgent need to reform a parasitic, non-performing parastatal sector.
3. This has given rise to economic decay in both urban and rural centers
across the whole country. Zimbabwe urgently needs investor friendly
and market driven policies to stimulate economic activity. In order for
all this to take effect, the scourge of corruption will need to be totally
uprooted so that the nation is rid of this cancer and evil spirit.
There is an urgent need to create jobs for the huge growing army of
unemployed and hopeless people out there. A wholesale review of the
Indigenisation Act will be effected. We shall instead, emphasise
Economic Empowerment that attracts investment and promotes the
broad based socio-economic and infrastructure development
objectives of BUILD. The Agricultural, Banking, Financial,
Manufacturing, Mining and Tourism sectors are all in need of well
designed restructuring to make them geared to a 21st century
emerging African economy that creates jobs and promotes economic
growth.
4. Faced with an imminent drought season and a political management
team without focus, there is no credit finance, no irrigation
infrastructure and no marketing mechanisms to mitigate the
agricultural challenges that lie ahead. Farmers lack adequate inputs
and where the few farmers produce, they find no markets. A welldefined
land policy should be instituted and properly administered to
ensure full and sustainable utilization of land by recipients. There
should be an independent land audit to weed out multiple farm
ownership and to support sustainable land use.
A more acceptable security of tenure will replace the “offer letter”
which leaves both recipients and lenders very insecure. Bankable and
transferable leases are not an option but a given.
Zimbabwe is a broken country. In dark times such as this, we look to
the government of the day to serve as BUILDERS of a better country
for all. We look to the government of the day to bring the change that
is desired by all. We know we will not get this from the government
of the day. It has broken the social contract that should exist with the
Zimbabwean people. The people of Zimbabwe voted for a new
democratic constitution in 2013 but it is still to be fully implemented.
In line with the new constitution, we need the electoral laws reformed
to ensure a free and level playing field. Is the government of the day
5. looking at this? NO. The suffering masses through their political
representations, need to make this point loud and clear, so that the
next election is not in any way disputed or considered flawed or
rigged so as to deny legitimacy to any outcome thereof.
Our great nation is crying out for transformation.
My fellow citizens, change and hope lie in the promise of honesty and
hard work. Zimbabwe People First stands for accountability, hard
work and transparency to BUILD a better Zimbabwe. Corruption in
any form at any level has no room in a Zimbabwe People First
government. This is the commitment of Zimbabwe People First to
you. The commitment to serve Zimbabwe honestly and justly. The
commitment to bring about change. Our Blueprint to Unlock
Investment and Leverage for Development (BUILD) outlines our
policy thrust to change Zimbabwe for good.
6. Zimbabwe People First believes in a Zimbabwe that belongs to all
people who call it home, regardless of disability, ethnicity, gender,
nationality, political affiliation, race, or religious affiliation. This was
an important value of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and Zimbabwe
People First is entirely devoted to this particular value. Zimbabwe
People First is therefore an inclusive party. It is a party made of many,
a diversity of Zimbabweans brought together by common values
inherent in us and the vision for our nation that we carry and the
realization that we have to save this great nation from wanton
destruction by those who do not see what the people value and want.
Zimbabwe People First is informed by the values of Zimbabwe’s
liberation struggle. The legacy of the liberation struggle belongs to all
Zimbabweans. We fought for the right to self determination, the right
to freedom, the right to vote under the principle of one person one
vote and NOT one “man” voting for us ALL. One of Zimbabwe’s
greatest sons in the liberation war, General Josiah Magama
Tongogara, once said: “We are not fighting against the white man.
We are fighting against a system. It is the system, the system, that
system which is unjust”. Today that unjust system ZANLA, ZIPRA
and the Zimbabwean masses fought against, remains a noose around
our necks, as that system has stolen any hope for the people of
Zimbabwe.
7. Zimbabwe People First is a dynamic party that embraces the future. A
party that offers transformation and hope to the young and old people
of Zimbabwe. A party that will remove the unjust system once and
for all through economic, political and social reform.
Zimbabwe People First believes in a Zimbabwe where the civil
service is apolitical, efficient, meritocratic, professional and
transparent in its conduct. Without these traits, we cannot BUILD a
better Zimbabwe. We cannot bring about change and restore hope.
The effective civil service we shall assemble provides a basis for the
vibrant economy we aim to BUILD. We shall encourage and institute
e-government throughout the service to achieve set targets by set
timelines and curb corruption. We shall ensure that government’s role
is to facilitate, promote, regulate for a level and a sustainably stable
economic playing field.
8. Zimbabwe People First is committed to ensuring that Zimbabwe
regains its rightful place in the global community of nations. We shall
rejoin the Commonwealth. We shall be committed to meeting our
international debt obligations. We will seek rapprochement with
countries that currently have poor diplomatic and difficult economic
relations with Zimbabwe, without sacrificing our national
sovereignty. Zimbabwe shall strengthen its relations with all those
countries it currently enjoys good relations.
Let me now address a certain level of skepticism, which is bound to
be directed at Zimbabwe People First by some stakeholders. That
skepticism which says: “you were in ZANU PF for many years. Why
then should we believe that you will transform this country?” My
simple answer is that Zimbabwe People First is a new entity, with
new values and followers from every political party in Zimbabwe,
including those who had never joined any political party before, from
every province and ethnicity. We are the People and what brings us
together, all of us, is our desire to transform and to BUILD a better
Zimbabwe.
9. We are not a one- simple woman party. What we are, is a
party with a one People Center of Power.
I must also speak for myself. I have known only one political party
since I joined the liberation struggle. I am now outside that party. I am
neither an assassin nor a witch. This is now there for all to see. I have
never been a pretender that is why you never heard me encourage or
promote hate speech. If there is any crime that I am guilty of, it is the
belief in the periodic constitutional and democratic renewal of
leadership from within, and this is the same position I am now
promoting within Zimbabwe People First.
In the coming months, Zimbabwe People First will make preparations
for an inaugural Elective People’s Convention to usher in substantive
leadership to all positions within the party, from the Ward to the
National level. To this end, I will be announcing a national
management committee to spearhead this process. The emphasis and
objective being to hold a successful inaugural Elective Convention.
10. At this stage let me highlight Zimbabwe People First’s position on
coming and working together with other likeminded political
organisations. We will stand by and support all those that believe in
what we stand for: Peace, Freedom, Democracy and Prosperity for all.
To this end, we will strive to ensure a coming together and meeting of
minds on this vision. To this end, we will encourage and promote
dialogue amongst all likeminded organisations. To this end, we will
support a convergence of minds and views under an objective to attain
peace, freedom, democracy and prosperity for all. To this end, we will
seek the mandate of the People First members to take this to its
logical conclusion.
Let me conclude by calling on all Zimbabweans within and without
our borders, from all walks of life to be part of this agenda to restore
practical and meaningful hope to our people. We accept political
diversity. We embrace political tolerance and abhor political violence
and intolerance in any form whatsoever. We wish well to all the
people of Zimbabwe as we embark on this huge challenge of
transforming our country to embrace and adopt all the above. We urge
all our War Veterans, the Police, the Army, the Air Force, and
Intelligence services to defend the Constitution of Zimbabwe. So
people of Zimbabwe let us bring the transformation that brings the
hope that everyone is looking for.
11. Zimbabwe People First is carrying the desire for transformation and
hope for all Zimbabweans.
On behalf of People First, I want to appeal to all Zimbabweans to
rally behind this call to BUILD our country in peace, whilst some
revolutionaries are busy pulling Zimbabwe down.
12. Thank you and God bless you all.
Dr. Joice Teurai Ropa Mujuru
President, Zimbabwe People First
Kombi Driver Assaults Traffic Cop
A police officer was allegedly assaulted by a kombi driver. The cop had arrested the driver for avoiding a roadblock in Bulawayo
Terrance Zulu, 23, of Emganwini suburb, yesterday pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. Western Commonage magistrate Tancy Dube heard how Zulu teamed up with a tout, who was not named in court, to assault Adonia Musinachirevo, 28.
Dube remanded Zulu out of custody to March 9. The court heard that sometime last month, Zulu, allegedly drove past a police roadblock after he was instructed to stop. Musinachirevo, who was on duty with Constable Makotore, seized Zulu’s kombi at Emganwini shopping centre, days later.
The court heard how the two police officers entered the vehicle and instructed Zulu and the tout to drive to Tshabalala police station. Zulu sped off along Bulawayo-Plumtree Road where he parked the kombi in a bushy area, the court heard.
Zulu allegedly forced the two police officers out of the kombi and assaulted Musinachirevo.
Prosecuting, Tendai Binha said Zulu slapped and punched Musinachirevo.
He said Zulu threw stones at the police officer before taking Constable Makotore‘s police identity card and breaking it into pieces.
The prosecutor said Musinachirevo sustained bruises on his back. Binha said Zulu was arrested following investigations – state media
Government Orders GMB To Reduce Price Of Maize
The Grain Marketing Board has been ordered by the government to reduce the price of maize from $23 per 50 kg bag to $15 to enable the majority of people affected by the El Nino-induced drought this year to buy the staple food.
In the mean time, Government will continue distributing maize for free to vulnerable families countrywide. The country has stocks enough to feed the nation for the next three months.
It is importing more grain that is expected to arrive before available stocks run out. This was revealed by Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira during a Questions without notice Session in the National Assembly yesterday.
“We are aware as Government that the price of maize at the Grain Marketing Board was high at around $23 per bag. We have asked that the price be reduced, so we agreed in Cabinet yesterday that the price must come down to $15 per bag for households. That is for households and not business.”
Earlier in the day, Minister Mupfumira and her Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development counterpart Dr Joseph Made had assured Zanu-PF Members of Parliament who attended a party caucus at Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare that Government had put adequate mechanisms in place to ensure no one starves.
Zanu-PF Chief Whip Mr Lovemore Matuke said the two ministers assured them that Government was now seized with distributing the food to all communities across the country. “In the reserves, the minister (Made) pointed out that we have more than 100 000 tonnes and we have got enough stock to feed people for the next three months,” he said.
“That period will also allow us to bring in more maize before we finish the existing stocks. The minister pointed out that they have raised more than $200 million to buy the grain and they have since started moving the grain to different GMB depots and we have been promised that people will not die of starvation.”
Mr Matuke said the ministers explained to the MPs that food distribution had started and would be coordinated in a way that no one is left out. “Its now confirmed we are having drought this year and part of next year. The issues were raised and the Minister of Agriculture was able to explain to the MPs on the distribution pattern of the grain and the reserves we have in GMB.
“We were getting reports from the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. “They said they are going to have committees at district level that are going to deal with distribution of food. The programme is ongoing. The MPs needed to be updated on the current situation so that they can take the same information to their constituencies.
“There is a lot of maize which is coming from abroad to ensure that everybody will be able to receive adequate food,” said Matuke. President Mugabe last month declared a state of disaster to allow for mobilisation of resources to mitigate the effects of drought – induced hunger facing the country.
Government subsequently appealed for food assistance from both local and international partners to the tune of at least $1,5 billion to cater for about 3 million vulnerable people. It is understood that in some areas villagers were buying a bucket of maize for about $8.
Zimbabwe requires about 2 million tonnes of maize for livestock and human consumption annually, while the country only harvested about 700 000 tonnes last season. Efforts are being made to import more food amid reports that the number of people needing food aid has risen from 1,5 million to 3 million. – State Media
Crocodile Kills Teenager
A Chivi teenager was last week killed by a crocodile while fetching water in the Runde River, in an incident that left local villagers in a grip of shock.
The teenager Charles Sibanda (15), had gone to the river to fetch water with an ox -drawn scotch in the company of Ezekiel Sibanda and Timothy Banda when the tragedy happened, ZimEye.com can reveal.
As they were fetching water, the scotch cart developed a tyre puncture prompting Ezekiel and Timothy to fix the tyre while Charles continued to fill the drums.
The two heard a deafening scream and when they drew closer to the river Charles was missing. As they continued to investigate what had transpired they saw Charles being dragged into the river by the reptile.
They alerted other villagers but it was too late to save Charles. His bone crushed, badly mauled body was later discovered following a thorough search by divers.
Charles’ relatives expressed shock at his untimely and painful death.
“We are in deep sorrow because of what happened. His death has shocked the entire family,” said a relative. Masvingo Police Spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the incident .
She called on villagers to exercise extreme caution when fetching water from crocodile infested rivers. It is understood several people have been attacked and killed by crocodiles in Runde River in the past few years.
Mnangagwa Fake Break In
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office was not broken into by thieves and the suspected objects found on the ground yesterday were a result of water leakages through the ceiling, police have confirmed.
In an interview, chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, said this was arrived at following an analysis of the objects by police and other security agents.
“An official report was received from VP Mnangawa’s office to the effect that they had observed some abnormalities when they reported for work in the office of the Vice President.
“Following that report, a Ferret Team comprising of ZRP and other security sister organisations visited the crime scene and made an analysis. They observed that there were no visible disturbances in the office,” she said.
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the team observed a hole on the ceiling panel on the western side of the office.
“The team observed some fallen panel chips on the carpet directly below that hole. So they conducted investigations as a team. They also summoned the Police Forensic Science experts.
“They examined the carpet area and so far initial investigations indicate that there was no evidence of drilling and the hole appeared to have been perforated by dripping water. The fibre glass within the hole was unbroken and intact suggesting that no object was used to perforate the hole,” she said.
“Also observed was an initial development of a similar hole manifesting on the same panel due to water dripping and seepage. There was a roof bolt directly above the hole. The ceiling panel in question is adjacent to the previous panel from the January 13 incident.”
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the findings indicate that there were no signs of forced entry into the VP’s office through the door, window and ceiling.
She said the ceiling and the panel that had a hole was beyond reach from within the ceiling. Snr Asst Comm Charamba said police and other security organisations were still investigating the other cases in which VP Mnangagwa’s office was broken into by unknown culprits.
In January, there was a break-in at VP Mnangagwa’s office and Government expressed concern at continuous attempts on his life as it pledged to bring the culprits to book.
This was the sixth time unidentified culprits had tampered with VP Mnangagwa’s offices in Government and at the Zanu-PF headquarters.
VP Mnangagwa’s offices have been broken into four times at the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and once at Defence House when he was Defence Minister.
His offices at Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare were broken into by unknown elements in 2014 who laced his desk with cyanide, poisoning his secretary who had to be hospitalised.
In the latest break-in at the Government Complex, the culprits drilled a ceiling panel to gain entry. There were no indications of anything stolen.
VP Mnangagwa could not be reached for a comment as he is out of the country on official business.-Daily News
Kasukuwere Caught In Land Scam
A ZANU PF national youth executive member and younger brother of Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere is embroiled in a wrangle with the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association (Zaha) over the ownership of 16 stands in Norton, which he allegedly wants to be given for free.
Stanley Kasukuwere has since approached law enforcement agents to try to force Zaha to “donate” the stands to him, arguing that they had been originally given to him by the former land owner, Norton Brooke.
The stands, on former Galloway Estates in Norton, were initially owned by Galloway Agricultural Enterprises before they were in turn sold to Brooke.
However, Brooke breached the agreement of sale by failing to pay the full amount and the land was sold to Zaha. Before the land was sold to Zaha, the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Board (NIEEB) wrote to Galloway Estates, asking them to save the agreement, reportedly at Stanley’s behest.
In return, Brooke allegedly “donated” 10 residential stands to Kasukuwere as a “thank you” gesture.
Kasukuwere allegedly sold these stands to 16 people, who wanted land. The 10 stands were now at the centre of the wrangle between the parties.
Sources within Zaha confirmed being called to CID Law and Order for questioning over the land yesterday.
“Yes, we were called to the police,” a source said.
“We will not budge from any pressure from anyone. We are prepared to go to any highest court in the land. Our request is for the police to fully investigate the case and advise Kasukuwere accordingly.”
The source said they feared innocent homeseekers may have been duped of their money by people claiming they had stands at Galloway.
Zaha director Killer Zivhu was not available for comment, as he was said to be out of Harare on business.
Kasukuwere last night said he could not comment, as the matter was now before the police. Newsday
Barclays: We Are Not Leaving Zimbabwe
BARCLAYS Zimbabwe said yesterday the bank was here to stay on a day in which its parent company downgraded it to a non-core division and announced plans to sell the unit.
The British multinational banking giant, Barclays Plc, announced yesterday that it was putting the local unit in its non-core division with an intention to sell in future. Barclays Plc owns 68% shareholding in Barclays Zimbabwe. It said it could not continue to combine Barclays Bank Zimbabwe with Barclays Africa Group Limited and the business “is no longer a good fit with Barclays core strategy”. It also said it would reduce its 62,3% interest in Barclays Africa Group Limited over the coming two to three years, “to a level which will allow it to be deconsolidated from a legal and regulatory perspective”.
Barclays Zimbabwe managing director George Guvamatanga told journalists that the local unit was still part of the Barclays Plc group. He said the switch to non-core business was an internal matter.
“We will continue to pursue our strategy. It’s a better platform today. The balance sheet is stronger and we are getting rid of non-core assets. We will accelerate our pace for growth in the interim period. We are one of the most solid banks,” Guvamatanga said.
In its financial results for the year ended December 31, Barclays Zimbabwe’s net interest income was up 18% to $16,6 million from $14,1 million in the same period in 2014.
Total income was down 0,4% to $46 million. Profit after tax was 41% to 6,6 million from the $3,9 million recorded in the same period in 2014.
Loan loss ratio was 1,2% up from 0,4% in 2014. The bank attributed the increase to the growth in the loan book and the basis of general provisions having been reviewed to reflect emerging trends from the global and local economic cycles.
Chief finance officer Sam Matsekete said the bank had $29 million in Afreximbank’s guaranteed securities of its $30,9 million in investment securities.
Guvamatanga said the bank would ensure that risk was controlled in 2016 within an acceptable risk appetite saying the institution had demonstrated “our ability to manage the risks within the levels”.
He said the bank would broaden its product range and would introduce home loans during the course of the year. Guvamatanga said there was need for realignment of the economy in terms of pricing taking into account the depreciation of the South African rand and the drop in fuel prices.
“We have expectations as a bank to our suppliers for prices to be realigned,” Guvamatanga said.-Newsday
Murder Cases On The Rise-Police
At least 13 people have died in murder related cases within a space of one week throughout the country ,the Zimbabwe Republic Police has said.
Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba told reporters in Harare Tuesday that said most of the murders were due to domestic disputes, drug abuse and other social misunderstandings.
“According to statistics gathered from February 9-16, 2016, a total of 13 murder cases were recorded across the country. Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North had three cases each, Midlands and Matabeleland South had two each, while Bulawayo, Masvingo and Mashonaland Central recorded one case each,” Charamba said.
“Consequently, people use dangerous weapons such as knives, machetes and stones to commit these offences. In most cases recorded, accused persons are stabbing their victims using sharp objects.”
The police urged people to resolve their differences amicably as many disagreements and conflicts resulted in domestic violence, which later turn into murders.
Charamba said some of the murder causes were from mere misunderstandings such as fights over girlfriends and other minor issues.
Prophets Flee With Corpse From Funeral
By Terrence Mawawa, Chiredzi|Five self proclaimed Madzibaba prophets stormed a local funeral wake last week and forcibly took the corpse to the mountains claiming they wanted to declare life to the deceased.
Chaos reigned at the funeral in Nyamangambe Village when Piason Musimari and four other self confessed prophets forcibly took the body of the late Michael Garapo to a nearby mountain claiming the deceased would come back to life.
The late Garapo was expected to be buried last Tuesday but as the mourners were making final preparations for the burial, the five Madzibaba prophets told the mourners they were about to bury someone who was alive.
During the scuffle the five men forcibly took the corpse to a nearby mountain . Moses Mangule, a local villager said the entire community was shocked by the prophets’ behaviour.
Musimari was briefly detained by the police but later released.
Local villagers said the prophets stayed with the corpse in the mountain for three days and they only released the body following police intervention.
“They stayed with the body for three days in the mountain and we were really puzzled by their behaviour. Garapo’s decomposing body was later buried under police supervision since everyone was in a state of shock,” said a local villager.
Woman Infect Child with HIV Blood: STORY DODGY, FALSE
OTHER than murder and rape, it was the most heinous crime a 24-year-old woman could be accused of: using a syringe to draw her own HIV infected blood and injecting a two-year-old boy, the son of her new boyfriend with another woman.
In an instant, Harare model Tafadzwa Mushunje’s life was turned upside down after she was arrested and charged with deliberately transmitting HIV to the toddler and assault for allegedly making the boy drink her urine.
Her face was plastered on the front pages of newspapers and sent around the world on the internet.
Except it was all not true! Yesterday, Mushunje left the Harare Magistrates Court a free woman after the Prosecutor General’s Office withdrew charges following the release of medical tests showing that neither she nor the child was HIV positive.
Mushunje was arrested after the boy’s mother, Sihle Tracy Harry, went to the police claiming that she had left the tot with its father, Colin Kanonge, who was in the company of Mushunje. The boy had been returned to her with “strange marks”.
She told investigators that she had received information from a friend, pointing her to a link on a notorious and highly defamatory sex and sleaze website called Musvo Zimbabwe, which claimed that “Mushunje assaulted the child whenever his father left the minor with her.”
The website added: “When the father was away, Mushunje drew HIV infected blood and injected the child… She beats the child saying return to your mother and makes him drink her urine.”
It was after reading these claims, said prosecutors, that Harry — who describes herself on the internet as “a Nyasarand (someone originally from Malawi) and not a mukharadi (mixed race)” — linked the report to the marks on the child.
Astonishingly, police went on to arrest Mushunje even before they could establish if indeed she was HIV positive, and that she had indeed infected the child with the virus that causes AIDS.
No other evidence, including the syringe allegedly used, or injection marks on the child, was produced for prosecutors before charges were filed.
The Prosecutor General’s Office could still have declined to lay charges, but the case went to court where it collapsed spectacularly yesterday with Mushunje being left to pick up the pieces — her name and reputation well and truly in the dump.
Top Harare lawyer Jonathan Samkange last night told The State Media that Mushunje was entitled to sue the girl’s mother for malicious prosecution to repair her reputation. “She has a right to sue for damages that will compensate her for the mental torture she went through before she was acquitted,” Samkange said.
“Stories which have been generated about her must have forced her colleagues, family, friends and relatives to look at her with horror thus she is entitled to psychological and psychiatric treatment fees.”
Samkange said the case was not a prima facie — accepted as guilty until proved otherwise — and Mushunje could now sue whoever initiated the prosecution.
“Somehow, the police and the prosecutor can’t be sued as they’re not experts or judges to have stopped the matter from going into court,” the lawyer added.-Chronicle
Tomana Decision Reversed
The National Prosecuting Authority has nullified a decision by Prosecutor-General Johannes Tomana to drop charges of possession of weaponry for sabotage against two soldiers accused of trying to petrol-bomb the First Family’s Alpha Omega Dairy Farm in Mazowe.
Solomon Makumbe (29) and Silas Pfupa (37) appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Sandra Mupindu charged with possession of weaponry for sabotage after the State reinstated the charges which had been withdrawn before plea.
Tomana is on bail for criminal abuse of duty as a public officer or alternatively defeating or
obstructing the course of justice after he allegedly ordered the release of Makumbe and Pfupa and turned them into witnesses.
Pfupa and Makumbe — who are attached to 1 Field Regiment and Zimbabwe Intelligence Corps, respectively — are challenging their placement on remand on the basis that Tomana had not authorised their prosecution.
Through their lawyers Mr Shingai Mutumbwa, Mrs Gamuchirai Dzitiro and Mr Taurai Mandiki, the duo made an application barring the media from covering proceedings.
They argued that they had previously gone to the High Court and had been granted an order for the trial to be held in camera.
“The High Court has considered that this matter is so sensitive that it must be held in camera,” Mr Mutumbwa said.
The prosecutor Mr Michael Reza opposed the application. “Indeed there is such a document from the High Court but the record referred to in the High Court order is different from the record before this court. In view of the differences on the record numbers and contents, the High Court does not extend to this record.”
Mrs Mupindu concurred with the State and dismissed the application. This was their second bid to have the matter held in camera after they unsuccessfully made the same application before Harare Provincial magistrate Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe.
Makumbe and Pfupa made another application to cancel the summons issued to them to appear in court arguing that the PG had not authorised their prosecution according to section 34 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.
Mr Mutumbwa said: “On January 26 the Prosecutor General withdrew charges against these two. It is inconceivable therefore that he would turn around and authorise their prosecution.”
Mr Reza tendered a document signed by Mr Tomana’s deputy Mrs Florence Ziyambi authorising the prosecution of Makumbe and Pfupa.
“Your Worship Mrs Ziyambi has such delegated authority therefore the application for cancellation of the summons ought to be dismissed since the State has complied with all the statutory requirements for this prosecution,” he said.
Mrs Mupindu is expected to rule on the application today. Their alleged accomplice Owen Kuchata (34), who is the leader of Zimbabwe People’s Front, pleaded guilty to the charges and was jailed nine years.
Another suspect Borman Ngwenya (30) is on trial.
Mujuru Joice Jets Into Jericho Zimbabwe?
“It’s time to build a new Zimbabwe in peace. It needs reform in all sectors,” she said to a roaring crowd of supporters.
Joice Mujuru – Zimbabwe’s biblical Joshua?
By Grace Kwinjeh| Former Vice -President Joice Mujuru has come out with a bang, at last officially joining opposition ranks, with many speculating as to whether her Zanu PF past is redeemable and that she would at this political juncture, be the game changer – the biblical Joshua (oppression wall destroyer) that Zimbabweans have expectantly been waiting for.
The veteran politician had over the past months played her cards close to her chest, as she kept both foes and friends guessing on what her political game plan is, working quietly behind the scenes and finally choosing this moment to launch and speak.
Mujuru addressed a press conference, which was held at the Meikles Hotel, attended by mostly influential former members from the Zanu PF party, scores of disgruntled war vets, who came out in full support of the former Vice President.
Among these were: John Mvundura, former Manicaland Chairperson, former Deputy Information Minister Brighton Matonga, former MDC T Harare Councillor Friday Nleya, Rugare Gumbo, Sylvester Nguni, Didymus Mutasa , Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Henry Muradzikwa, Retired Colonel Caudious Makova, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Kudzai Mbudzi and Retired Brigadier Elliot Kasi.
Mujuru in her speech played to different galleries in her audience whose support is crucial to her building a momentum for People First, as she seeks to capitalise on the internal strife within Zanu PF, despondency in opposition ranks while gaining support from the diplomatic community, with the hope of being elected the first female President of Zimbabwe in 2018. “We shall rejoin the Commonwealth. We have ties with other countries, we can have diplomatic relations without affecting our sovereignty,” she told the gathering.
Also crucial to her party’s fortunes in this strategy is the overall gloomy political and economic environment, from which People First hopes to capitalise, despite the fact that they are part and parcel of the leadership who are collectively blamed for the rot.
These are some of the political Grey areas the veteran politician, who spoke with calm and maturity has to deal with as she courts the support of despondent and skeptical Zimbabweans.
“It’s time to build a new Zimbabwe in peace. It needs reform in all sectors.” She said to a roaring crowd of supporters. She also said that people live under an unjust system that applies the law selectively. “The ordinary person’s capacity to earn a living has disappeared, government faces a cash squeeze.”
In this regard Mujuru was well guarded in her speech not to throw spanners in the works and upset those in Zanu PF, the party she cut her political teeth in. She carries an impressive political C.V from being one of the first female commanders in ZANLA , to after independence under the mentor-ship of President Robert Mugabe, rising through the ranks, when she was appointed one of Zimbabwe’s first female ministers, rising to the position of first female Vice-President.
Justifying her response and respect when asked about President Mugabe she said, “I don’t believe in talking about other people’s characters, I am not God. Yes, Mugabe was my boss for a long time and I will not discuss his character. Let’s focus on progressive issues, for the development of our country.
During her time in Zanu PF, mai Mujuru also enjoyed the largess and protection of her powerful husband, General Solomon Mujuru, who later died under mysterious circumstances at their Alamein Farm in 2011.
Then she fell from grace a victim of the internecine wars which continue to claim scalps of senior party leaders in Zanu PF.
Consequently, whether her opponents like it or not this part of her history gives her a certain gravitas on the political scene to earn the support especially of the often troublesome and hardliner security forces, who have given veteran opposition politician Morgan Tsvangirai a torrid time in politics because of his lack of war credentials. Sadly, it is also an area hurting and traumatised Zimbabweans need more convincing that indeed she is the Joshua who will lead them across the river Jordan.
There is a background to the cautiousness by Zimbabweans as others like Edgar Tekere before Mujuru, came on the political scene, with much fanfare which amounted to nothing other than dissipating opposition energies, leaving it weakened.
Consequently, Mujuru cannot have it two ways, that is to speak on human rights while in the same breadth heaping praise on known perpetrators such as her right hand man, Dydimus Mutasa among others whose history is well documented and begs the question when People First talks justice; are they saying by breaking ranks from Zanu-PF they automatically become both clean and immune to prosecution?
Mujuru also spoke on other opposition players, saying she is yet to meet Morgan Tsvangirai and other political parties. “Let’s bring the transformation everyone is looking for and build our country in peace, while some revolutionaries are pulling Zimbabwe down. Zimbabweans, be part of this agenda to restore practical hope to our people. We abhor political violence and intolerance. The civil service should be apolitical, efficient and professional. We are fighting against a system, it is that system which is unjust. This system has stolen any hope for the people of Zimbabwe.”
Mujuru also dispelled the rumour that she met Tsvangirai before, and said she will officially meet him and that People First is open to dialogue. Many seem to be advocating a united front to dislodge Zanu PF how feasible this will be is a matter of time.
For now it is game-on for Joice Mujuru who still has to battle it out on the political-grand stage with her erstwhile colleagues, who include First Lady Grace Mugabe, among others.
BOMB EXPLOSION:Robbers Attack Police Station atm
By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|In an incident that has left the Zimbabwe Republic Police humiliated, robbers raided a Steward Bank ATM machine adjacent to Masvingo Central Police Station.
They made off with an undisclosed sum of cash and other valuables.
The incident happened Monday night when the men pounced on the ATM machine after blowing it off with some explosives, all this happening less than 50 metres from the main police station.
Police officers manning the premises declined to comment and referred ZimEye.com on all questions to provincial police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula who could not be reached for a comment.
It is understood police officers only checked the cause of the explosion 30 minutes after the robbers had already vanished. A security guard at the premises said he alerted the police when he noticed the robbers were armed. The men stole an undisclosed amount of money and several computerised gadgets.
Bank clients have since slammed the police for failing to act on the case of armed robbery while concentrating on what they termed “tormenting motorists”. The police’s pedestrian approach towards nabbing the robbers has also attracted the ire of local businesspeople who accused the law enforcement agents of being obsessed with the need for kickbacks.
“This incident has exposed our police force. How on earth could they fail to nab robbers who stole cash and valuables at an ATM installed a stone’s throw from the main police camp. The incident has reflected the police’s inefficiency. They concentrate on tormenting motorists but they cannot get rid of robbers who had the guts to raid an ATM machine near the main police station in the province,” said a local Internet Cafe owner who declined to be named.
Police sources claimed to ZimEye.com the robbery was an inside job, although to date they still have not picked up any suspects.
Mujuru To Investigate Mugabe Political Violence Cases
Zimbabwe People First leader Joice Mujuru says she has witnessed “horrifying” conditions where people have shown her scars of wounds which emanated from political violence which was perpetrated on them by Zanu PF.
The President Robert Mugabe’s former deputy said this when she was announcing her long awaited Zimbabwe People First’s political party, in Harare Tuesday.
“Through our meet the people meetings, I have met horrifying situations where people have been showing me scars which have been inflicted over the years and up to now no medical attention has been given to those in order to heal the wounds,” she said.
“The surprising thing is that whenever we meet for these meeting we start by a prayer and a real one, and we tell people to make an oath before they give their testimonies”.
Mujuru said unlike what they used to do when she was a member of Zanu PF; they have put investigations of political violence and human rights cases on the agenda of their political movement.
“At the moment we have one thing and one thing first that is of working out a united force to build Zimbabwe and everything else becomes second”.
MDC-T is on record complaining that its supporters continue to be persecuted by Zanu PF.
Mnangagwa’s Office Broken-Into Again
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office was on Monday night broken into again, police officers say.
Intelligence and police officers on Tuesday morning rushed to the VP’s office as investigations commenced.
This is the seventh time unidentified culprits have tampered with or intruded into Mnangagwa’s offices in Government and at party level, according to the State Media.
Mnangagwa’s offices have been broken into four times at the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and once at Defence House when he was Defence Minister.
His offices at Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare were broken into by unknown elements in 2014 who laced his desk with cyanide, poisoning his secretary who had to be hospitalised. In the January break-in at the Government Complex, the culprits drilled a ceiling panel to gain entry.
Like the January incident at the first, in last night’s attack, there were no indications if anything had been stolen.
The development comes as Mnangagwa faces the succession storm against President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace.
Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Christopher Mushohwe after the January break in, said Government was concerned with relentless break-ins at Acting President Mnangagwa’s offices.
“We are concerned, especially with this one because you can see the holes that they drilled and pulled the ceiling from the roof and used the hole as an entrance. We do not know what they wanted here or what they have done or taken from the office because experts are yet to do thorough investigations,” he said.
PICTURES, FULL AUDIO: Mujuru Mobbed by Massive Crowd in Harare
Former Vice President Joice Mujuru was mobbed by a large crowd at Meikles hotel where she conducted her first first press conference on Tuesday morning. Below was her full address:
Seriously Ill Mahofa Misses Mugabe Birthday Bash
Bedridden Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Shuvai Mahofa at the weekend failed to attend President Robert Mugabe’s 92nd birthday bash in the province, amid reports of deteriorating health.
Mahofa has not reported for duty since the beginning of the year and has been bedridden for close to three months after her health deteriorated soon after the Zanu PF conference last December, amid speculation she ate poisoned food.
She is currently in South Africa where she is receiving medical treatment.
News Day reports that Mahofa’s close family members have dismissed the narrative as false, saying she has a heart and kidney problem.
At Mugabe’s bash on Saturday, Mahofa had been slotted in as one of the speakers, but Psychomotor minister Josaya Hungwe stood in for her.
Mugabe, in his speech, confirmed Mahofa’s absence and urged party members to pray for her.
“We are sorry that Mai Mahofa is still ill, but we hear she is recovering. We pray that God gives her strength to recover and come back to work,” he said.
Mahofa, dubbed the Iron Lady of Masvingo, set tongues wagging ahead of the party’s conference after she rejected First Lady Grace Mugabe’s presidential bid, saying she only recognised her as the Women’s League chairperson and wife of the President.
Grace is locked in a bitter succession war with Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s faction – to which Mahofa reportedly belongs – to replace Mugabe, who is now in his twilight years.
Child Mauled to Death by 8 Dogs
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy was mauled to death while another 10-year-old child was left for dead allegedly by about eight vicious dogs in Masvingo’s Eastvale suburb. Success Kasanhayi of Shakashe Street was playing with four other children outside his parents’ house when the dogs belonging to Ahamad Amon and one Mukaratirwa pounced on him on Sunday at around 4 PM.
The dogs allegedly dragged Success into a nearby bush and mauled him all over the body, leaving him bleeding profusely. He was rushed to Masvingo General Hospital by one of the owners of the killer dogs, Amon, where he was pronounced dead hours after admission.
The dogs, which were roaming around the medium density suburb, allegedly set upon a 10-year-old boy, two hours after they pounced on Success. “When we were still seized with Success’ matter at the hospital, I received a call from home that my dogs had again attacked another boy. I then came back, only to find the boy writhing in pain with injuries on his hands and legs. I rushed him to hospital,” Amon said.
When The Chronicle visited Eastvale suburb at around 1PM yesterday police, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and officers from the department of veterinary services were hunting down the dogs.
By yesterday afternoon, they had tracked and put down four of the dogs. Success’ mother, Charity Mabhiza, 24, was distraught.
“I left my son at home playing with his friends while I went to buy some onions in town. My husband was at the shops,” she said. “On my way back, I met my husband and he instructed me to follow him without explaining where we were going. We then caught a taxi which was going to Masvingo General Hospital and when we got into the children’s ward, I was taken aback to see my son on life support.”
Mabhiza said she suspects that excessive bleeding caused her son’s death. The boy’s father, Grafton Kasanhayi, 30, said when he heard children screaming, he rushed to the scene but his son had already been rushed to hospital.
“It’s devastating but there is nothing we can do. But I feel the owners of the vicious dogs have a case to answer,” said Kasanhayi. Amon said he regretted the unfortunate incident. He said his dogs were last vaccinated four years ago and offered to have them put down.
“I want to testify that my dogs had not been vaccinated against rabies or any diseases for four years now. We last took them for vaccination in 2012. I’ve six vicious dogs and am keeping them for security reasons. I stay with my mother who is 94-years-old and she needs security since most of the time she’s left alone. Of late there are fuel thieves around and at one time I was a victim,” said Amon.
SPCA Masvingo provincial manager John Chikomo said if the dogs were not vaccinated, the owners should be charged by the police. “The owner of the six dogs told us that they were not vaccinated. That’s a crime on its own but it’s left to the department of veterinary service to write a report which will be used by the police to do their job,” said Chikomo.
He said the unfortunate incident could have been avoided if the dogs had been locked inside the yard. Acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa confirmed the incident but said he was still waiting for finer details.-State Media
Diamonds Have Been Stolen, Says Mbada
Government has instructed the Attorney-General’s office to contest yesterday’s High Court order compelling the State to allow the return of Mbada Diamond Private Limited to its diamond mining site in Chiadzwa to secure its diamonds and equipment pending determination of the dispute between the firm’s Mauritius-based shareholder Grandwell Holdings and the Government of Zimbabwe.
In an interview with ZiFM last night, Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa said Government intended to contest the High Court decision.
“We have instructed the Attorney-General’s office to look into the matter and file an appeal. Maybe tomorrow, we will be filing the appeal,” said Minister Chidhakwa.
Justice Joseph Mafusire issued the court order yesterday after postponing the urgent chamber application by Grandwell Holdings to tomorrow (Wednesday).
Grandwell Holdings and Marange Resources entered into a joint venture mining partnership in which the two held 50 percent each some seven years ago.
A diamond joint venture company, Mbada Diamonds was formed, which carried out diamond mining activities in the Chiadzwa area in terms of the set conditions.
Government ordered all diamond mining companies off the Chiadzwa fields after they defied a policy directive for all to merge into a single company called the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC).
Mbada, among other diamond firms, was given 90 days to remove its equipment and other assets from the site.
However, Grandwell is seeking the eviction of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and representatives of the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation, Marange Resources and the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company from the mining site.
The company is also seeking restoration of its full control, peaceful and undisturbed possession of the mining site.
Pending determination of the urgent chamber application set for Wednesday, Justice Mafusire granted an interim relief that will see Mbada temporarily having full access to the diamonds, equipment, site and other properties as a security measure.
The order reads:“The matter is postponed to Wednesday 2nd of March 2016 at 1430 hours.
“As a contingency plan pending the hearing of this matter on Wednesday, 2 March 2016 as aforesaid or such other day as it might be heard, all the fifth respondent’s (Mbada Diamond) security personnel, with all their chain of command, shall forthwith return to the fifth respondent’s mining site in the Chiadzwa Diamond concession and the first, second and fourth respondents (Minister of Mines, ZMDC and ZCDC) shall allow such security personnel full access to the mining site, full access to all the relevant premises thereat, including residential premises; full access to all the equipment, diamond ore, and any other assets belonging to the fifth respondent for the purposes of safeguarding such assets in every manner possible and the first, second and third respondent shall desist from interfering with such personnel.”
Advocate Thabani Mpofu acted for Mbada Diamonds while Mr Sternford Moyo and Evans Moyo and Mr Brighton Mahuni of Scanlen and Holderness represented Grandwell Holdings.
Mr Ralph Tsivama represented ZMDC, Marange Resources and ZCDC.
Grandwell Holdings holds 50 percent of the issued share capital of Mbada while the remaining 50 percent is held by Marange Resources, which is wholly owned by ZMDC.
In a founding affidavit deposed by Grandwell Holdings chairman Mr David Kassel, the Government scheme that has resulted in the eviction of Mbada and other companies was described as “unlawful”
“As appears from what is set out below, the Government respondents have embarked upon an unlawful scheme which is designed to facilitate the nationalisation and/or expropriation of Mbada’s assets,” he said.
Government accused Mbada of failing to renew the special grant, hence the expiration of such grants now requires the company to shut down its operations and vacate the premises.
However, Grandwell in its application, argued that Marange Resources, a Government company, undertook to do the renewal of the grants among other warranties on behalf of the joint venture company.
“Part of the Principal Agreement reads: “Marange Resources undertakes that it shall forthwith after the signature date and thereafter for the duration of this agreement:
“Pay all necessary fees and make application for the renewal and/or continued existence and of all that may be necessary so as to ensure that the special grants and rights thereunder are in good standing and remain valid for the duration of this agreement allowing Marange to mine and prospect the concession areas in perpetuity”
Grandwell argued that Government, through Marange Resources, undertook to protect the rights of the foreign investor and to “observe the utmost good faith and not do, or omit to do anything which might prejudice or detract from the rights or interests” of the foreign investor.
The company argued that Government had wilfully and with malice, breached its obligations and undertakings.
Grandwell chairman Mr Kassel said Mbada, over the existence period of the joint venture agreement, paid $472 million into the fiscus, the figure which will drop to zero if the company’s operations are permanently shut down.
The company stated that diamonds were being stolen from the mining sites in the absence of Mbada’s security personnel and there was need for an order compelling Government to allow the diamond company’s security team back to the site.
It was also claimed that Mbada’s equipment was being misappropriated and damages were being sustained on an on-going basis.State Media
Anti-Tsvangirai People First Fliers Flood Chiredzi
Terrence Mawawa, Chiredzi|In a move suspected to be a ploy by Robert Mugabe’s CIO agents to decimate opposition parties, flyers bearing the Zimbabwe People First logo flooded the lowveld town last week carrying derogatory words against MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
The two parties have already started trading accusations over the fliers with the MDC describing the distribution as a reflection of naivety and cowardice while the Zimbabwe People First claimed Tsvangirai has dismally failed to defeat Zanu PF.
The fliers described Tsvangirai as a liablility and political spent force who had overstayed in opposition politics.
“Tsvangirai and his followers must realise they have failed to win elections for the past two decades and they must join a more vibrant party-the People First,” read the message on one of the fliers.
MDC provincial spokesperson Dust Zivhave described the development as a desperate attempt to denigrate the MDC and its leader Tsvangirai.
“Whoever is behind the printing and distribution of the fliers is misguided. We will not be deterred by such trivial issues,” he said.
The MDC also said in a statement last week:”This is clearly the work of the CIO and Zanu PF. They want to turn our attention from mobilising the people for 2018 because they are afraid of Tsvangirai.
The increasing war of words between Tsvangirai’s MDC and former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s Zimbabwe People First have put the expected formation of the highly expected grand coalition in a quandary with Tsvangirai saying his party was not desperate for the formation while Mujuru’s party said the former premier must join her instead in order to salvage his dwindling political career. Observers feel a grand coalition is likely to end decades of chaotic governance by President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF bandwagon.
Teacher Sits Exam for Girlfriend
Three Kwekwe teachers have appeared in court accused of conniving to let their friend sit an O-Level Maths exam for his girlfriend. The Zideco College teachers, Canaan Gombe, Wellington Masiiwa and Courage Nyathi, whose ages were not given, appeared before Gweru magistrate Musaiona Shotgame for contravening the Zimsec Act.
The three pleaded not guilty and were remanded out of custody to March 11 on $50 bail each. Prosecuting, Munyaradzi Guvheya told the court that in November last year, the three connived to write a Zimsec Mathematics Paper Two examination for Gombe’s girlfriend, Lyn Chenesai Charumbira.
Guvheya said Gombe, who is a Mathematics teacher, approached Masiiwa and Nyathi who were invigilating and asked to see the examination paper.
“He went and wrote the paper and brought a draft answer sheet which he handed to Charumbira who then copied all the answers to her answer sheet using her own handwriting so that she would not be suspected,” said Guvheya.
The court heard that Charumbira accidentally attached the answers she was given by Gombe to her answer sheet and submitted it to the invigilator. Guvheya said the matter came to light when a marker discovered two answer sheets written in different handwritings prompting Zimsec to launch investigations that led to the trio’s arrest.
According to the Zimsec Act, any person who reveals contents of any examination material to an unauthorised person or anyone who seats or offers or attempts to present himself at an examination with the intention of impersonating another person faces up to one year in jail.-State Media
Diabetes: Sadza Poison and Health Claims False
A detailed response to Sadza Linked to Diabetes article
Sadza not the problem| By Margaret Zondo
“You are what you eat” is a very popular saying among nutritionists. I wish to comment on the article that appeared in the ZimEye online news publication of February 28 2016. Contrary to the assertion that sadza is linked to diabetes, it is my belief that sadza is not the problem but one of a number of factors that all add up to deterioration in the well-being of fellow Zimbabweans and the high incidence of diabetics in Zimbabwe. It is therefore an incomplete argument to ask Zimbabweans to consider sadza as the cause of diabetes and under performance of schoolchildren. Sadza is rightfully the staple food for most African and Caribbean cultures for both historical and cultural reasons.
Although prevention is better than cure, with the rise in persons afflicted by diabetes in Zimbabwe and globally, it is important to focus on how to deal with the condition by making a few changes to one’s lifestyle without abandoning sadza.
Portion Size
It is a proven fact that diabetics need to control the portion sizes of food they consume especially starchy food like Sadza, potatoes and rice. Whole grains and unrefined mealie meal is better than refined mealie meal which has been stripped of all nutrients and is considered empty calories.
Diabetics are encouraged to eat small several meals a day and avoid hunger pangs.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
A good balanced diet for both adults and children should include the essential vitamins and minerals which in Zimbabwe, can be sourced from easily accessible and affordable foods to provide one with a daily requirement of protein, starch, fat, fruits, whole grains, water and vegetables. In looking at the universal list of essential vitamins and minerals, these are available in one form or another in Zimbabwe. These essential nutrients can be found in simple common foods like nuts, legumes, leafy green vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, black tea, eggs, milk, bananas, liver, avocado, cereals, watermelon, wild loquats (mazhanje), mopani worms (madora), termites (ishwa), mangoes, Papaya, ginger, bitter greens like (runi) and other wild fruits and vegetables. In these hard times when most families are struggling to feed their families, it is critical that we go back to basics and adopt the traditional ways of feeding ourselves. This will assist in preventing ailments like high blood pressure and diabetes. The key word is improvising and using local products based on their availability, accessibility, affordability and appropriateness.
Raw Food
Although Zimbabweans are open to eating raw vegetables in the form of lettuce, cabbage (coleslaw) for those that can afford mayonnaise and other ingredients needed and to snack on raw carrots, it may not be practical to include raw food in one’s diet every day. Moreover, some individuals are unable to properly digest raw food leading to all kinds of digestive issues. Certain foods are best cooked without depleting them of the vital nutrients.
Sugar and Salt
The excessive consumption of salt and sugar also contributes significantly to the rise in diabetic cases in Zimbabwe and elsewhere. I am amazed at the amount of added salt or sodium in spices and artificial flavorings. By international standards, these products should be taken off the shelf since they are “killing” people. Soft drinks are another culprit in increased risk to developing diabetes and other preventable ailments. The best way is to cook foods using natural fresh food enhancement products like onions, garlic, tomatoes and peanut butter that also are good for one’s health. This does not mean ditching salt and sugar altogether but as with everything else, it must be used in moderation. There is no reason why Zimbabweans cannot make their own homemade drinks from ginger, watermelon where possible and in this way control the amount of sugar consumed. Lacto or the home made version for instance, is great for digestive health. In the West they call it kefir. Kefir has become very popular in developed countries and yet it is derived from sour milk that Zimbabweans have consumed with their sadza since time immemorial.
National Food Policy
A number of countries have come up with a national food policy that recognizes the rich history of foods and the introduction of other previously unfamiliar but popular foodstuffs and finding a workable balance so that everyone’s taste is considered with an overall objective of influencing peoples’ choices in food for good nutrition and well-being. Education is key and a culture of self-sufficiency where both rural and urban residents are encouraged and supported in growing their own vegetables and planting fruit trees. There are already many community initiatives in both the rural and urban areas of Zimbabwe that are focused on empowering individuals to grow their own produce. These projects usually expand to include other beneficial activities that grow strong resilient communities.
Conclusion
While fully acknowledging the worrisome increase in cases of diabetes in Zimbabwe and most other developing countries mainly because of the adoption of Western practices, the real issue is that sadza is to focus more on prevention by using local and familiar foodstuffs and traditional practices that have been tested and proven. In the West Indies for instance, fresh diced okra (derere) is added to sadza making it more nutritious than on its own. The dish is called cou cou and is eaten with fish, green vegetables, beef or chicken stew.
Our people should be cautioned against foods that come in boxes and cans but instead embrace our traditional eating habits that kept communities well-nourished and health. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, more so for school-going children, pregnant women and those with a compromised immune system. The focus should be on whole foods to attain maximum benefit.
It is important to note that the West is shying away from processed foods and empty calories and adopting the sustainable healthy habits and eating practices of other nations. This has been prompted by the realization of the link between excessive consumption of starch, sugar and salt in its processed forms and diabetes. In North America, some adventurous individuals have started serving edible insects as part of their menu. There is opportunity for Zimbabweans to promote mopani worms and termites globally as high protein foods.
Margaret Zondo
World Crops, Food Security & Nutrition Consultant
Small Scale Organic Farmer
Ontario, Canada
Hell Breaks Loose for Tomana, D Day
The High Court will tomorrow determine whether or not the Judicial Service Commission should go ahead with setting up a tribunal for the removal of Prosecutor General Mr Johannes Tomana from office.
JSC has since initiated the process through letters written to Mr Tomana to hear his side of the story on his suitability or otherwise to continue holding the esteemed office.
Mr Tomana, who is facing criminal charges at the Harare Magistrates’ Court involving Gushungo Dairy bombing, was in October last year slapped with a 30-day jail term for contempt of court after he defied court orders to issue certificates for the private prosecution of Bikita West legislator Dr Munyaradzi Kereke and Telecel shareholder Dr Jane Mutasa.
Kereke was accused of raping an 11-year-old relative while Mutasa was facing charges of swindling the company of airtime recharge cards worth millions of dollars.
Tomana was fined by a nine-member judges’ panel of the Constitutional Court led by Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku.
The sentence was, however, wholly set-aside on condition that he complied with the court orders and issued private prosecution certificates to Mr Francis Maramwidze and Telecel within 10 days, failure of which he would be barred from practising as a lawyer in Zimbabwe.
The following month, Tomana was again at the centre of another storm for allegedly abusing the court process to rubber-stamp the acquittal of former Zupco board chairman, Professor Charles Nherera, who was charged with corruption.
The abuse reportedly occurred at the time when Tomana was the Attorney General.
Prof Nherera was acquitted by the High Court in November 2009 barely a year after Tomana was appointed to the post of then AG.
Upon receipt of the letters from JSC demanding his explanation of the two court orders he failed to comply with, Mr Tomana, through his lawyers Mambosasa Legal Practitioners, filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court seeking to bar JSC from recommending his removal from office and proceeding with the disciplinary process.
In terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the PG is placed on the same level with a Supreme Court judge and the same supreme law of the country provides that the PG must be removed from office the same way judges are expelled.
Mr Tomana’s lawyer Mr Alex Mambosasa confirmed Wednesday March 2, 2016 as the set down date.
“Yes the matter has been set down for March 2 at the High Court before Justice Lavender Makoni,” said Mr Mambosasa.
Part of the letter by the High Court registrar Mrs Faith Mushure to Mr Tomana’s lawyers reads:
“The Honourable judge seized with the matter has directed that the matter be heard on March 2 2016 at 1430hours.
“The Honourable judge has also given directions which have been endorsed on the notices of set down . . .”
In the urgent chamber application, Mr Tomana is seeking to stay the removal process in the interim, pending the finalisation of the matter.
He argues that the process seeking to remove him from office was unlawful and was activated by the JSC.
Mr Tomana argues that the Constitutional Court judgment which committed him to jail unless he issued certificates for private prosecution was issued from a court of no jurisdiction.
“The orders I was held to have been in contempt of are orders of the High and Supreme Courts respectively,” said Tomana. “Compliance with those orders is enforced by the High Court. In fact, as at the date of the order of the Constitutional Court, proceedings for contempt had been instituted in the High Court. The constitutional Court has no jurisdiction to relate to a matter which was within the purview of the High Court.”
He also contends that the order was also invalid in that the Constitutional Court dealt with a matter which was not before it.
The Constitutional Court, he added, cannot at law deal with a contempt of court matter.
Mr Tomana said the matter that was before the apex court was an ex-parte application he had made which sought the declaration on the question of his independence.
He also argues the proceedings that gave rise to Constitutional Court order were a nullity given that the Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba was not part of the bench when the order was granted.
“Constitutionally, the Constitutional Court cannot be properly constituted within the first seven years of its life if it does not consist of the Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice who must sit together in hearing any and every matter,” he argues.
“An order by an improperly constituted court is obviously a nullity.”
Mr Tomana also argues that a citizen, Rooney Kanyama, has challenged the validity of the Constitutional Court order committing him to jail.
He attached Kanyama’s application that was filed in the Constitutional Court last week.-State Media
Dzamara ‘Deadly’ CIO Connection | INVESTIGATION
-Patson Dzamara’s interaction with Happyton Bonyongwe’s wife days after Itai’s abduction-
Since the disappearance of democracy activist Itai Dzamara on the morning of the 9th March 2015, the public have raised several questions on the Dzamara family’s privileged connections with the notorious Central Intelligence Organisation, CIO. ZimEye early this year sought out to investigate on this matter following the public outcry which they say might solve the mystery to Itai’s abduction. 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? 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?
Below is the beginning of the findings obtained from Patson’s own word of mouth testimony.
The man 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 saying 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.
PART TWO of this investigation will reveal the Patson Dzamara’s response when asked by ZimEye why the Dzamara family has been adrift on questioning the CIOs.
More to follow…
Nyagomo PDZ Rallies Across Zimbabwe
By Grace Kwinjeh|Determined and raring to go opposition politician and leader of the Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe, Barbara Nyagomo, this weekend officially launched her party in the rural Gombe village, Seke.
The increased recent visibility of women in Zimbabwe’s national politics, does indeed, beg the question whether the country is now ready for a female President. Nyagomo is counted among notable women who have over the years, been building their profiles and portfolios to challenge Zanu PF’s hegemony in national politics in the next and very crucial 2018 Parliamentary and Presidential elections.
The 2018 election is a crucial make or break for a country which was once the bread basket for Africa, now brought down to its knees by years of lack of accountability and unbridled corruption, causing millions among them Nyagomo to leave for the Diaspora to make a fresh start.
Even though in 2013 the Zimbabwean government adopted and implemented in the constitution a special quota for women in Parliament, their total representation remains at 35 percent in the current Parliament, a celebrated increase from 17 percent in the 2008 Parliament. This means the women still have a long way to go in making an impact in political leadership to increase their visibility.
However, Nyagomo a health and social worker is back in her home country with a fierce determination to be part of the national discourse for a better and prosperous Zimbabwe as she pushes the agenda of the party she formed in 2014. Membership cards for the party are being sold at $1USD.
”PDZ will not make unrealistic promises of two million jobs and houses for all by 2020 – but will create a democratic, enabling environment for economic transformation, where there is respect of the law and fundamental human rights,” reads a statement issued by her information department.
In what her campaign team have dubbed “The Meet the President Tour,’ the humble leader of one of Zimbabwe’s new and upcoming opposition political parties, vowed to carry out her campaign using public transport. “I refuse to move around in a fancy car whilst people are struggling,” she wrote on her Facebook page.
Her campaign has taken her to visits of impoverished and neglected areas such as Matapi hostel in Mbare, to meeting with traditional chiefs and engaging a small but growing rural support base.
”The formation of PDZ was the culmination of many years of suffering and failed attempts to reach out to the elite leadership who have formed a social class that is above its people. In addition, many years of research and discussions have been undertaken to ensure a clear identification and understanding of the citizen’s fears, concerns and hopes for a better Zimbabwe are taken into consideration,” she said.
Her connection to the rural community being her own humble beginnings as she identifies with the struggles, the rural peasants whose support she is now courting daily face. The Zimbabwean government was earlier this month forced to declare a state of disaster in order to win international sympathy and receive more aid for the impoverished and needy communities.
Zanu PF politicians continue to bicker for power while Zimbabwe burns with an incredible indifference to the suffering masses who elected them to office in the first place. Zimbabwe is suffocating over the unresolved and deadly succession dispute within Zanu PF and politicians like Nyagomo who take time, to be with the people and hear their needs offer the much needed relief.
The World Food Programme for instance estimates that about a quarter of the population are in urgent need of food aid, apart from a plethora of social ills the country is struggling with.
The United Kingdom based social worker has been slowly and surely building her PDP party, sponsoring candidates who stood against Zanu PF in the by-elections held last June. “I think we are going to do very well, if we strategically move, because we are at a point where people need new ideas, new politics, young people, youth and women to participate,” she told journalists at the time.
The PDP did well in the Nkulumane constituency where it came second to Zanu PF, beating other opposition parties that contested elections.
Nyagomo and her PDP party are also part of the National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) process which aims to push for electoral reforms, to enable free and fair elections in 2018.
According to the PDP information department Nyagomo deliberated on the following issues in her meet the people tour:
✌the founding of PDZ in September, 2014
✌challenges & successes
✌challenges,
✌The Nkulumane by – elections
✌party logo any sign
“Supporters had a chance to throw questions her way and she tackled them like the seasoned leader that she is. Issues of youth unemployment, projects, sanitation, roads, access to education and health facilities were raised,” reads a statement they issued.
Her unrivaled humility was clear for all to see as she was swarmed by children, mothers and grannies -as they jostled for a photo moment with the president.