By Ndaba Nhuku| Thirty six (36) years after taking power, President Robert Mugabe has met a weird match from the opposite sex. When one thinks about corruption in Africa, they are quick to finger-point males the likes of Jacob Zuma, Robert Mugabe, and José Eduardo dos Santos, but rarely think a woman will be one of those “dirty ones,” and even worse than them all. In fact the current running trajectory in Africa dictates the notion that women Presidents will change the face of Africa’s corrupt history. But the facts on the ground seem to suggest the very opposite.
Thirty six (36) years after taking power, Robert Mugabe has apart from the recently appointed indigenisation minister Patrick Zhuwao, none of his family controlling government. But less than 11 years into her tenure, Liberia’s much celebrated Head of State Sirleaf Johnson has appointed her son, Charles, the Central Bank Govenor.
She has not stopped there, but has gone further to commit other shocking acts that have left her supporters emotionally injured. Sirleaf has unrestricted powers and interference in her country’s judiciary system making it difficult for law enforcement and the courts to carry out their duties in a neutral and independent way.
And that is because Sirleaf is an imperial President. She is the juror, the prosecutor and the defense attorney in all corruption cases. According to Voice of America (VOA) When Liberia’s Justice Minister, Christiana Tah resigned; she wrote a letter of resignation to the President of Liberia. In the letter, Minister Tah said she could not be the Minister of Justice of the country and not supervise the operations of the security agencies headed by one of the sons of the President.
The letter cited her lack of independence to investigate allegations of fraud against the National Security Agency. Minister Tah also said it had become “unbearable” for her to continue as minister amid “the President’s determination to systematically undermine and gut the portfolio of relevance and effectiveness.
In fact, on madam Sirleaf’s watch, corruption is rampant and capital flight is high beyond her control. As a consequence, inflation is high; prices of basic commodities are prohibitively expensive with corresponding decline in disposable income and falling standards of living. The Sirleaf administration has depleted the national treasury of Liberia to such an extent that there is closed to nothing left to protect.
But that is not all, President Sirleaf did not restrict corruption activities to just Liberia; she attempted to introduce it in Malawi.
This revelation became true when the government of Malawi “only for the sake of diplomacy”, was obliged to deny reports quoting the former President Joyce Banda that she was advised by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia not to fight corruption in Malawi during an election year. But the public knew the truth because President Joyce Banda’s speech was record on radio Malawi. All of this happened during President Sirleaf’s three-day visit to Malawi in February 2014.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf swore an oath to faithfully execute the office of President of Liberia and, to protect and defend the State, the People and the resources. Evidently, she has failed; thereby bringing great harm upon the Liberian people and endangering the country’s National Security interests.
There have been consistent lapses, negligence, incompetence, mismanagement, corruption, and the misuse of state resources that have culminated in a crisis of abject poverty that now threatens the entire population.
In response to the reckless and ineffective leadership of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf government, the People of Liberia must now exercise their rights as prescribed in Article I of their Constitution which states: The people [of Liberia] shall have the right to cause their public servants to leave office and to fill vacancies by regular elections and appointments. (FPA/ZimEye/VOA/Agencies)
Mnangagwa Mocks Chinamasa Over Cash Crisis
Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has jeered at Finance Minister Partick Chinamasa and Reserve Bank Governor John Mangudya for failing to deal with the cash crisis that has resulted in the rapid demise of the economy.
Mnangagwa who was in Masvingo earlier yesterday for the official opening of the country’s third High Court, came face to face with the harsh reality of the cash woes tormenting ordinary his key supporters in the politically-hot Masvingo province which has boldly buffeted his rival, First Lady Grace Mugabe.
Ironically Mnangagwa addressed delegates at the official opening ceremony while watching hundreds of government workers jostling to withdraw cash at CABS bank.
Mnangagwa attacked both Chinamasa and Mangudya for failing to effectively deal with the current economic chaos. “These guys(Chinamasa and Mangudya ) are too theoretical in the way they operate. Their usual excuses are monotonous,” said Mnangagwa.
He continued saying, “if you go to Chinamasa, he will tell I do not have money and if you ask Mangudya he will tell you the economy is about to take off. I have confronted the two over these issues. If you are in such a position you have to justify why you are there. The two guys must immediately resolve the crisis. We expect them to deal with the chaos,” said Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa later surprised delegates at the event when he claimed the government led by President Robert Mugabe upholds democratic principles and the rule of law.
“Who said the rule of law is about politics only? Look at what we have done since independence. We have worked hard to promote democracy.
“So you cannot say the government has failed the people of Zimbabwe. Of course we are experiencing economic challenges but as I earlier said, we will make sure that those responsible deliver the results,” he added.
Woman Loses Ear in Nasty Fight Over $2 Debt
Terrence Mawawa, Chiredzi|A fierce brawl here nearly became fatal when a local woman lost her left ear over a $2 debt. The woman, Muchapareva Mbaimbai, who is a vendor, lost her left ear last week after she was attacked by another vendor over a $ 2 debt she owed her since December last year.
Narrating the ordeal, Mbaimbai said she was nearly killed by the woman identfied as Mai B.
“She approached me at Shingai Market as I was making some orders. She asked me about the money and I told her to come over to my place. However she became angry, grabbed my throat and pinned me to the ground before a passer-by restrained her.”
She said the woman returned after a few minutes with more vengeance. “After a few minutes, she returned and violently grabbed my hands and bit off a part of my ear and spat it on the ground. Another man grabbed her to end the commotion. I bled profusely and I nearly collapsed due to loss of blood. I do not know why she became violent to that extent. I am still devastated by what happened,” she said.
Mbaimbai was later taken to Chiredzi Hospital for medical attention
Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula said she was not aware of the incident.
Kasukuwere Downed as Mnangagwa Opens “Own High Court” in Masvingo
As the race to replace President Robert Mugabe hots up, Vice President and heir apparent, Emmerson Mnangagwa has downed Grace Mugabe loyalists (Saviour Kasukuwere and the rest of the G40 faction) by opening a strategic High Court in the troublesome Masvingo Province (loyal to him) which has gone on record to tell the First Lady to her face that she will not make it to State House. The curious juncture now means that legal cases involving and affecting Mnangagwa loyalists will now be handled in a said “safe” home environment – Masvingo.
The development comes hot in the heels of violent disturbances needing High Court mediation which saw the Zanu PF Provincial Political Commissar Jeppy Jaboon after openly attacking Mnangagwa, surviving an abduction attempt by two unknown assailants (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE).
Mnangagwa yesterday opened Zimbabwe’s third High Court in Masvingo, making it the first to be opened after independence, and the first such in 120 years of Zimbabwe’s entire legal and sovereign life as ZimEye.com reveals. Zimbabwe has been operating with two permanent high courts in Harare and Bulawayo which were built before independence.
120 years later, Mnangagwa has decided to write his own history.
Officially opening the High Court, Mnangagwa said the government endeavors to ensure that justice is accessible to all the people without exception.
“The establishment of the new court here will undoubtedly reduce the back log of cases in the province. Previously, people had to travel to Harare or Bulawayo high courts for cases,” he said.
Masvingo Province has been recording the highest number of murder cases for the past few years, a situation which Mnangagwa said is deplorable, adding that the cases will now be attended to on time.
“It has currently been observed that Masvingo Province records the highest number of murder cases year in year out. You can’t have such a record, we are all ashamed. This high court here will see the fast conclusion of some of these murder cases,” said Mnangagwa.
Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku said the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) used limited resources for the establishment of the Masvingo High Court.
He added that while Midlands Province has the highest backlog of cases, Masvingo was given first priority as there were already premises which they renovated to establish the high court.
“Due to limited resources, we realised that we could not set up courts at all the centres but because we had premises in Masvingo, it will be better to start here as we had just to renovate the magistrates court,” said Chidyausiku.
Mliswa Released Unconditionally
Former Zanu PF lawmaker Temba Mliswa, who was arrested Sunday in Esigodini, Matabeleland South province, together with 23 other members of his Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy on allegations they held a public meeting, has been released on bail by a local magistrate.
Mliswa’s lawyer Lizwe Jamela of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said the other 23 members were eventually released without any charges while the former Zanu PF provincial chairperson for Mashonaland West was charged with allegedly violating some provisions of the Public Order and Security Act.
“They went to a public place, some restaurant in Esigodini to get some refreshments. While they were waiting to be served, we are made to believe that that is when some people and police said that they were holding some unsanctioned meeting,” Jamela said.
Jamela said the magistrate remanded Mliswa to June 22nd on free bail and ordered him not to interfere with witnesses.
Mliswa and his group had earlier clashed with a local councillor who accused him of holding a meeting in his jurisdiction without first informing him.
Jamela said he was not sure whether his client’s arrest had anything to do with his clash with the councilor. – VOA
Wicknell’s Dodgy $5mil Cash Payment Probed by ZESA
The Government owned Zimbabwe Power Company board has begun investigating how jailbird and convicted money launderer, Wicknell Chivayo, received a down-payment of $5 million way before any works commence.
ZESA management unprocedurally made the payment for pre-commencement works on the 100 Megawatt Gwanda solar power project.
In a recent interview, Chivayo told ZimEye.com he is at present even waiting for more money from the ZPC and wanting them to complete the project themselves.
The payment was made in the absence of a performance guarantee to give ZPC security to recover its money in the event that Chivayo’s Intratek Zimbabwe, which won the $200 million contract, fails to perform.
There is nothing in place at the moment for ZPC to cover the risk and protect public funds, the state media reports.
The ZPC board has come under fire from corporate governance experts and Zimbabweans at large for its silence on the issue, despite Energy and Power Development Minister Dr Samuel Undenge and Zesa Holdings chief executive Engineer Josh Chifamba conceding violation of basic corporate governance tenets.
Experts have demanded action against the ZPC management given the strategic nature of the project to the success of Zim-Asset.
ZPC board chairman Engineer Stanley Kazhanje yesterday said they were not protecting anyone and that appropriate action would be taken against culprits.
“We are investigating them and at the same time consulting our seniors on the direction to take because we are part of a group (Zesa Holdings),” said Eng Kazhanje.
“The idea is to investigate first and take appropriate action. We have to carry out due diligence on the matter and also give everyone a fair chance,” he said.
“Our stakeholders are many and we are also carrying out a lot of big power projects. We would not want to appear as if we are protecting anyone. We have to show something, leadership qualities to be precise. We want to get the correct facts before taking action.”
Eng Chifamba has indicated that the power utility’s code of conduct would be applied on officials who erred, while Dr Undenge promised to get to the “bottom of the matter” as a bank guarantee should have been an “inevitable” aspect in the contract.
Said Dr Undenge: “It is true that each time public funds are advanced to service providers, there is a risk that the goods or service, as the case maybe, may not be delivered.”
“To mitigate against this risk, it is a standard requirement that a bank guarantee is secured against possible failure to deliver.
“Such an inevitable requirement should have been considered in the case of the $5 million advance payment to Intratek by the Zimbabwe Power Company.
“In this regard and noting the many energy projects that we are embarking upon, it was necessary for me to engage both management and the ZPC board chairman on this issue. Common ground has been established on the same and in future, the relevant procedures and requirements shall be adhered to.”
He added: “Given the above, it is highly improbable or unlikely that there will be any real prejudice to the Zimbabwe Power Company in respect of this particular advance. Thus, in this ministry’s assessment, whereas the risk was there, in reality, there will be no financial prejudice and this is in no way exonerating those who erred.”
Corporate governance experts have said action is required as managers were turning critical parastatals and state owned enterprises into “petty cash entities”.
Sources yesterday said the ZPC board was taking too long to act yet it was clear that management bungled.
“An effective board will not take that long to act on an irregularity,” said a soure within Zesa.
“Action was quickly taken on NetOne managing director Reward Kangai after irregularities were unearthed and he is on suspension because of action by the board. What is special about this management and board whose Minister and chief executive have admitted that what happened should not have been allowed to happen? There has been an outcry from the public and what is needed is action.”
ZPC is headed by Engineer Noah Gwariro. The $5 million was supposed to cover feasibility studies, topological surveys, way leaves, construction of administrative offices and fencing, among other issues. Only feasibility studies and topological survey have been carried out so far.
Mugabe Classmate Nyasha Thondhlana Drops Gospel Hit
By Grace Kwinjeh| Robert Mugabe classmate Nyasha Thondhlana has dropped a gospel single hit.
“Nyasha T” as he is popularly known who is London based, has recorded a masterpiece album, and at the weekend, shot a single titled “Make Me Whole.”
“Nyasha T” attended school with Robert Mugabe(junior) at the prestigious Hartman House school in the 1990s. While growing up side by side with Robert as an unknown, no one had a clue Nyasha would turn out a celebrated gospel musician.
Today he stages with giants the likes of Muyiwa. [ALSO SEE INTERVIEW BELOW] Below is the link to a teaser and at the bottom the instant repository for purchasing the song-
https://youtu.be/ggSteNUkbUI
iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/make-me-whole-feat.-margeaux/id1116691182
Amazon – http://amzn.to/1TLr56K
Google Play – http://bit.ly/1XZjWlc
Speaking to ZimEye.com on his secrets and what inspired him, Nyasha had this to say:
“Seeing people who need the healing power of God and people who are in pain and seeing the lost is what motivates me.
” Understanding that the music and lyrics God gives me are not my own but are for the people to receive their healing and strength. Also knowing that the best you is the you in Christ.
“I started singing when I was 10, but gave up on singing because a few people told me I wasn’t good enough, I gave up on it. But God kept giving me more songs. I tried to send them to some artists so they could sing them but got no replies. So I was praying and God said how can people sing these songs if you can’t sing them.
“So I started singing seriously again and I picked up guitar because I really wanted to be able to put music to the songs I’ve written.”
Khupe Discovers $15Billion Link
Acting MDC President, Thokozani Khupe, over the weekend led thousands of marchers in Bulawayo, where she took a swipe at Zanu PF’s million man march as a celebration of ‘one man’s longevity and the continued suffering of the Zimbabwean people.’
The former trade unionist who is fluent in Ndebele, Shona and English had the crowd cheering as she addressed issues which resonate with their daily struggles.
Khupe who stood in for her boss Morgan Tsvangirai currently hospitalised over an undisclosed illness said, “Zanu PF’s grand political corruption seen through their looting of 15 Billion US Dollars from Chiadzwa and their self-servicing policies hiding behind indigenization has chased away all potential investors from our country.”
She further implored party supporters to remain resilient in the face of insurmountable challenges they are faced with, “Through this public march, Zimbabweans are saying NO to bond notes, business is saying NO to bond notes, so why does the Zanu PF government want to continue to introduce these so called bond notes against the will of the people?”
She said the Zanu PF government must deal with the economy by creating the right environment for business so that the people get back to work. That way we can export a lot of goods again and earn the much needed foreign currency and move our country forward.
Below is the video recording of her address ..
Chombo Stripped | HARARE EXPOSE’
When Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo condemned corruption last week, laughter echoed across the country.
It is easy to understand why. With his vast property wealth, laid bare in a messy divorce case in 2011, Chombo has become something of a monument to President Robert Mugabe’s refusal to deal with top level graft.
Corruption costs money, because someone always has to pick up the cost of the arbitrage opportunity that arises. Usually, it is the public that pays. In the City of Harare, for instance, documents dating back a decade show just how Chombo has cost ratepayers in land deals.
In 2010, a committee of Harare city councillors was set up to investigate councils land deals. It reported how Chombo had used his influence to acquire prime pieces of land in Harare.
Take for instance, the case of Stand 61 in Helensvale, a prime property area in the affluent northern verges of Harare. In the 1990s, the council had abandoned a plan to allocate the land for residential purposes. Residents of the area had successfully fought against the land being allocated for residential use. A council resolution was then made to keep the piece of land as a natural reserve area. It would not be sold to anyone.
Six different applicants had their eyes on the piece of land, among them churches and private buyers. They applied to the city council for the land. They were told the land was not for residential purposes, according to a council resolution.
Unbeknown to them, Chombo also had an eye on the property. Between 2004 and November 1, 2006, the six applicants were all turned down; the land was not for residential use, they were repeatedly told.
On December 13, 2006, a month after the last applicant had been turned down, a letter arrived at city council from Chombo. Addressed to the then town clerk Tendai Mahachi, Chombo’s letter expressed his desire to buy Stand 61. He wanted it for residential purposes.
“Director (of Urban Planning Services) Psychology Chiwanga responded to the Minister’s application advising him that he would assist Dr Chombo to get the stand,” the councillors investigation found. “The Director also recommended to Council that, the Minister be sold the stand without going to tender as per Council Policy.”
On March 25, 2008, council pegged the price on the property and, the very same day, sold the stand to Chombo. Three days after Chombo bought the property, the council applied for “change of land use,” to allow it to be used for residential purposes. Who did the council apply to? To Chombo himself. It was, predictably, approved immediately.
“Director Chiwanga was acting more like Minister Chombo’s agent since he influenced the Commission to sell the stand without going to tender as per the Council policy and he continuously updated him on progress on the matter,” the report said.
The councillors investigating committee found that the Minister would spot a piece of land he liked, informed his allies at council, have them hold off any other bidders, before having council apply to him for change of land use of the stand he wanted. This is how Chombo ended up with a swathe of properties, all owned through a web of shelf companies.
“The Ministerof Local Government also benefited from these irregularities by acquiring several stands for himself through his Investment Vehicle companies, which include Harvest-net investments, Waywick Investments, Waycorn Investments, Tonewick Investments and Nedbourne Investments.”
Said the councillors: “Contrary to Council policy that an individual must not get more than one residential property from the Council, the Minister acquired vast tracts of land within Greater Harare and registered them in companies associated with him.”
Chombo, according to the report, used these same tactics to acquire three stands in Glen Lorne. He simply “gave a directive” to council to surrender the land for free to the government. There is a “10% commonage” on land retained by government for council. The land is meant for future public developments, such as schools, police stations and hospitals. However, the land Chombo took over, ostensibly on behalf of government, was sold off to private buyers.
Among those who got these stands were Environment Minister Oppah Muchinguri and Debra Marufu, the wife of Reward Marufu, first lady Grace Mugabe’s late brother.
“All the stands were sold to people who were not on the housing waiting list through directives from the Minister. This was against the standing council policies and regulations.”
Because the land transfers were not done by the book, which must include “advice of sale forms”, it is most likely that whoever is holding this prime land is not paying rates. There is no official record of them owning the land, so they may be sitting on the land for free. This is likely costing ratepayers large sums in lost potential revenue up to today.
“According to the Treasury Department, this means these properties are not paying any rates, water charges, sewer charges nor refuse removal charges to Council. The full price for the properties may not have been paid for these properties because no one can trace it when there are no advice of sale forms issued,” the councillors found.
To make the job of grabbing land easier, the report said, Chombo had deployed pliant officials from his office to council, especially in the housing and planning departments, the report said.
For their troubles, the investigating councillors, led by Mt Pleasant councillor Warship Dumba, were arrested at Chombo’s insistence.
Corruption is costing Harare ratepayers money, but beyond the rhetoric, there is no real move to end the bleeding.
If Chombo could break the rules by simply making a call to council, before presiding over his own applications for stands, Zimbabweans can be forgiven laughing each time Chombo, or any senior government official, rails against graft.- TheSource
PICTURE OF ITAI DZAMARA “ALIVE AND WELL” EMERGES
By Ndaba Nhuku|The Itai Dzamara abduction fracas continued Monday to pull controversy after the younger brother Patson, out of the blues, spit-out a live picture of Itai alive, and somewhat healthy.
The shocking picture shows a healthy well built man sitting on the ground in a typical movie style scene while a camera-man photographs at an arms length.
For someone who has been holed up in a dungeon over the past 15 months, Itai looks surprisingly wrapped around at the face with clean expensive white silk fabric, the only extra-conspicuous thing being his bare-feet. He looks starkly different from another abductee, Jestina Mukoko who came out of police custody visibly traumatised and emaciated.
As the younger brother Patson released the picture on Monday in a press statement, he said he has professionally verified that the person pictured herein is indeed his missing brother, Itai. He also said he has verified the picture location as a military intelligence torture camp. Said Dzamara, “the following image is a professionally verified and authentic image of Itai Dzamara in one of the places they kept him.”
Following his comments, questions were raised on the following issues:
1. How did he perform the verification that this is truly Itai ?
2. How did he verify that the location is a military intelligence torture camp?
3. How did he obtain access to this picture ?
4. Who leaked the picture, and why was their identity kept protected?
5. Given the gravity of the matter at hand, that of a missing live human being, at least some sort of mention of how and who leaked the picture, would have demonstrated some level of humanity and sincerity on the part of the younger brother.
6. Who ever gave Patson Dzamara this picture has answers the whole nation wants to know.
Newsreaders said they wish Mr Patson Dzamara explain what is taking place because he only began staging against the government intelligence services after being challenged over his secret access to CIO boss Happyton Bonyongwe in March 2016.
Dokora Muslim Schools Take Off
A development which experts say could place Zimbabwe already a pariah state in an uneasy situation with the rest of the world in the fight against radical Islam and the continued threat to global peace and stability by groups that include the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria – ISIS. Nigeria and Kenya are some of the African countries that have suffered the most incredible and devastating terrorist attacks in recent history.
The most popular Islamic international organisations funded by OPEC include Muslim Brotherhood, Muslim Students Association, Taliban and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
The controversial minister of Primary and Secondary Education, announced over the weekend, that government has since identified sites for the first 17 of the thousands of schools to be funded under the Islamic states arrangement with government.
Dokora has angered Christians in Zimbabwe by seeking to minimise and downplay traditional Christian activities and fellowship within the country’s education system, that has seen the banning of scripture unions in the schools.
Dokora made the announcement while addressing delegates at the official hand over of a Primary school built by China under the China – Africa Friendship programme in Lupane.
“We have managed to get a loan of $20 million from OPEC to build the first seventeen of those schools while the rest is being finalised with other similar international private partners,” he added.
The Minister said government will built 83 schools throughout the country through joint ventures with unnamed international private players while the first 17 of these will be funded by a $20 million loan facility from OPEC.
“The Ministry had identified sites for the roll out of 83 schools to be built in the country and in the next few weeks we should begin to do the financial closures for the projects,” he said.
OPEC is a permanent intergovernmental organization of 13 oil-exporting developing nations that coordinates and unifies the petroleum policies of its Member Countries
Led by Saudi Arabia in its international funding activities, OPEC has been very consistent in emphasising the promotion of Islamic fundamentalism as a prerequisite for the release of its funds.
In a recent revelation by media, Minister Dokora was quoted as having agreed to have Islamic states build up to 2000 schools in the country with the states demanding for the removal of Christianity as the dominant religion in schools and promotion of Muslim.
Addressing the delegates, Dokora assured that government has found partners who will be able to build the 2056 schools needed in the country within the shortest possible period.
Dokora called on Zimbabweans not to resist the opportunity provided by the OPEC countries to build schools in the country.
“This is a key area where everybody has to participate. It would be sad if we miss this opportunity to develop the infrastructure for the schools we need. We need to make rapid progress,” said Dokora amidst confusion in his audience.
In recent debates on the new Finance Bill regulating borrowings by government, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa made an assurance that government will not go into any major borrowing without making public consultations on the proposed borrowings.
In view of the criticism that followed the revelation of the intended relations between Government and the Muslim states it is doubtful if Zimbabweans would have approved of the borrowing from OPEC had government made the public hearings.
Several Western countries have over the years threatened removing aid and financial relations from any countries that directly benefit from Islamic Fundamentalists funding due to terrorist activities funded by the Islamic States throughout the world.
Mujuru Clashes with Mutasa| BREAKING NEWS
People First leader Joice Mujuru has clashed with party founder, Didymus Mutasa.
ZimEye is reliably told Mutasa clashed with party head, Mujuru at the weekend over an undisclosed altercation following from the earlier simmering exposed by ZimEye.com two weeks ago – the Chirenje Uprising(click to read).
ZimEye sources in their various internal postings confirmed that by Sunday yesterday Mrs Mujuru was not seeing Mutasa eye to eye.
Earlier on impeccable sources who requested anonymity waiting on spokesperson Rugare Gumbo to speak first, say at the root of the explosive disappointment are boiling calls for Mutasa’s head. Party faithfuls have been calling for Mutasa’s ouster due to his said “bloody past” in ZANU PF when he was the virtual CIO boss presiding over the killing of many cadres, a development that saw the man even boast that he deliberately poisons anyone who opposes him, shortly before the untimely deaths of the former Deputy Mines Minister Edward Chindori Chininga and Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Director of Elections, Shupikai Mashereni.
Mujuru’s home besieged
Mujuru’s house was surrounded by angry youths on Friday. ZimPF youths accused the party’s old guard of “failing to appreciate the political dynamics of today”, hence Friday’s demonstration at Mujuru’s Harare home, where they demanded that she steps down as party leader.
This came as ZimPF’s Bulawayo interim provincial working committee has passed a no-confidence vote in provincial co-ordinator Esnath Bulayani, accusing her of misconduct and continued disregard of the opposition party’s draft constitution.
Although the party’s security team claimed that Friday’s demonstration was sponsored by Zanu PF and suspected State security agents, ZimPF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo told NewsDay yesterday that all was not well, but was quick to say “it would be sorted out soon”.
“They are mere misunderstandings that are happening, but we are not moved by that. It happens in a large organisation, but what is critical is the resolve to fight with the people through ZimPF,” he said.
“It’s not a big issue, just a mere misunderstanding among cadres, and as you know, when many people meet for a common cause, they will have different views and approaches, but we will not be moved.”
On Friday, disgruntled party members besieged Mujuru’s home where they accused top party officials ex-Zanu PF ministers Sylvester Nguni, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Gumbo and Bright Matonga of blocking them from meeting her.
Gumbo, however, declined to comment over the demonstration at Mujuru’s house, saying he did not have adequate details about the incident.
ZimPF’s security team claimed the demonstrators were hired by Zanu PF to tarnish Mujuru’s political image, but the ruling party yesterday disowned the group and distanced itself from the incident.
“Why would Zanu PF concentrate on something whose agenda and effect is in your papers?” Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo queried.
“We have no time for that and I can’t comment on issues that have no effect to Zanu PF. They [ZimPF] should tell you better why they are demonstrating against each other and stop blaming others.”
The opposition party, formed early this year by fired former Zanu PF top officials, is set to hold its ward elections next month, followed by constituency and provincial polls in August and September, before its inaugural elective congress in October, where Mujuru is set to be confirmed as party leader.
However, a leaked internal memorandum purportedly written by the party’s Bulawayo provincial working committee to Bulayani, painted a gloomy picture.
Part of the letter copied to ZimPF interim national head of mobilisation Dzikamai Mavhaire, interim national women’s wing chair Margaret Dongo and Mujuru read: “Due to the continued disregard of party draft constitution, which acts as our guiding document, . . . conducts by the above-named provincial interim co-ordinator, we, as Bulawayo provincial interim co-ordinators, . . . have found it total unworkable under the direction of the above-named and for the benefit of the province and the party. We, hereby, declare that we are relieving you . . . Bulayani of your current role as provincial co-ordinator with immediate effect.”
They also accused her of dictatorship, failing to unite party members and mobilising membership in the province.
“You use members to spy on one another in return for positions, thereby creating further tension and lies which divide the party deeper. The party is being run on hearsay and rumour-mongering,” the memorandum stated.
But Bulayani yesterday said she had not yet received the alleged document.
“I have not yet received that document. I don’t know it, you may talk to information and publicity committee chairperson, Methuseli Moyo, and hear if he has seen it,” she said.
Contacted for comment, Moyo said: “I am aware of the electronic letter circulating around, about alleged problems in the province. We are attending to the issue, which clearly has been sensationalised beyond proportion. Everything is under control and we are not panicking at all.”
Fuller story to follow…
ZRP Boss Chihuri Starts A Church | BREAKING NEWS
At the height of the ongoing spiritism that has suddenly turned poor unemployed men and women into instant millionaire pastors and prophets, Zimbabwe’s own police boss, Gen. Augustine Chihuri has started a church group of his own leading, ZimEye.com reveals.
The church has Gen. Chihuri as its pastoral head which means officers are forced to attend every day Friday to Sunday, a detailed impeccable report escalated to ZimEye reveals. The development which has since infuriated police officers, was confirmed in an interview with the ZRP spokesperson, Charity Charamba to ZimEye.com on Saturday (interview at the bottom of the article).
At a time officers are meant to be on the streets fighting crime, they are being allegedly “ordered” to attend the church services for stretches of time up to (5) five hours each day.
Cops have since reacted in anger over the new “church” saying they are forced to attend its services adding that Chihuri is the very pastor thereof.
“Police officers are being forced to join the church where the commissioner General Chihuri is the pastor. From Friday to Sunday all police officers are forced to be part of a church service at Ross camp. Where are we going with this human rights abuse?,” a source told ZimEye.
“It is a ZRP church service,” they continued.
“They would have wanted more officers to attend, but they are restricted by the space available. Friday the service started at 1700 hours and ended at 2300 hours. Today(Saturday) it starts at 0800 hours up to 1800 hours and Sunday from 0800 hours to 1300 hours.”
Denial.
When contacted yesterday, Police Spokesperson Charity Charamba charged back in denial saying no officer is forced to attend the services.
“If they (police officers) report to you is it going to change anything?,” she said.
She continued, “Because no one has ever been forced and they are free not to come. No one has been forced. Zimbabwe has got free denomination(sic) you go where you want, no one has ever been forced,” she said.
She went on to say, “our country has got free access to religion, so no one has ever been forced to go to church.”
When grilled over the grouping what classification it is; if it is just an informal fellowship or a full fledged church organisation, Mrs Charamba was non-committal.
It was also not clear at the time of writing if Gen Chihuri collects offering money at the function and to obtain the clarity, Assistant Commissioner Charamba told ZimEye to visit her offices for a face to face interview.
Does not practice what he teaches
Meanwhile, sources slammed Gen. Chihuri saying he is claiming to be spiritual when he allegedly abuses them. “He is the sole preacher in the service but surprisingly during day to day policing, he does not practice what he teaches in the service,” they said.
They continued, “every now and again members are forced to part with their hard earned cash to contribute towards Kuyedza club, a club headed by his wife. Kuyedza club proceeds are believed to be benefiting a clique of few senior officers. Members are again forced to buy stationary used on day to day duties. This is the reason why most of the officers are bitter about being forced to attend the service.”
Kombi Touts Kill Pregnant Woman
TWO suspected touts operating at Mbudzi roundabout in Harare have been nabbed for allegedly punching and causing the death of a 25-year-old pregnant woman last week as she tried to board a Beitbridge-bound bus.
Lyn Chidawaya allegedly died with her unborn baby after she was punched in the stomach by the touts.
National police spokesperson Chief Superitendent Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said two suspects, Chamunorwa Gumboshumba (29) and Shame Ruzha (37), had been arrested in connection with the case.
“We want to send a very clear message to transport operators that they should stop employing these touts. We have engaged them before, but it seems they are not taking heed of our warnings,” he said.
According to her sister, Liona Misi, who was with her at the time, the two arrived at Mbudzi around 8pm on May 23 intending to get transport to Beitbridge.
“A group of about five to seven touts started harassing us as we tried to board a bus. They punched and assaulted us and out of fear of further harm, we boarded their bus,” she said.
Lyn is believed to have sustained internal injuries and was hospitalised, but died two days later.
After the incident, ActionAid Zimbabwe, where Lyn’s husband Tinashe Chidawaya works, partnered with Safe Cities Campaign Network of Zimbabwe, and have embarked on a joint campaign to end violence against women in public spaces.
The couple had recently celebrated their wedding on March 28 this year.
“It is heartbreaking to note that we have lost two precious lives due to unsafe public spaces at a time Zimbabwe and the rest of the world are commemorating the Safe Cities Campaign one year on,” Action Aid country director Ronnie Murungu said.
“In solidarity with our colleague, we unconditionally demand justice to be served and be an example to those who cause violence against women in the public spaces.”
The Safe Cities Campaign is a global initiative which aims to fight gender-based violence in the public.
A baseline survey commissioned in 2013 by the Women’s Affairs ministry and Gender Links noted that violence in public spaces was on the increase. – Newsday
VIDEO:Mliswa Attacked by Notorious Councillor
BREAKING NEWS: Caps United frBoss, Gishon Ntini Dies
Former Caps United and Triangle Football Clubs Coach Gishon Ntini affectionately known as “Gizha” has passed away.
Ntini died in Harare Sunday night after a long illness, sources said.
More to follow.
Magaya Says Will Cure HIV via Air Broadcast
By ANA| Controversial preacher, Walter Magaya on Saturday claimed during a church service in South Africa that he can heal the sick, including those with HIV, through his satellite broadcasts.
Magaya’s outrageous claims attracted about 200 hopefuls to his sermon at the Gallagher Convention Centre on Saturday.
His Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries say they use their satellite services to “heal all sicknesses and poverty”.
Some followers at the service said they paid as much as R200 a month for “partnership cards” that allowed them access to the sermons.
The church, which has a large following in Zimbabwe, makes outrageous claims that its “prophet” can heal those infected with HIV.
In recent months, the South Africa Council for the Protection and Promotion of Religious Rights and Freedoms has probed dubious practices by several churches.
However, it is yet to be established whether the PHD Ministries’ claims that it can heal HIV through satellite services will be investigated by the council.
A woman who identified herself only as Faith said she and other people came to the sermon because of the “healing that they received from prophet Walter Magaya”.
“I have been part of the church for four years now. I had [a] very bad ovarian cyst which stopped my menstruation… I touched the TV during the service and I started flowing,” claimed Faith.
PHD Ministries officials said their services were broadcast at a number of viewing locations in various countries, including Australia, the UK, Zambia, Botswana, and Mozambique.
The main branch of PHD Ministries is in Zimbabwe, where followers have died in stampedes as they sought to get to the front to be “healed” by Magaya.
In November 2014, 11 people died in a stampede in Kwekwe, 200km south of Zimbabwe’s capital Harare.
Witnesses claimed the stampede occurred when people rushed to get to Magaya’s “anointing oil”.
Magaya has amassed incredible wealth in the past few years. Last year in July, Magaya bought a book chronicling the life of Zimbabwe first lady Grace Mugabe in pictures for R786, 000.
He has also sponsored the cash-strapped Zimbabwe national football team.
ZRP Cops Set Vicious Dogs On Hapless Teachers
Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| There was pandemonium on Saturday afternoon here when overzealous police details violently disrupted a winding queue at FBC bank by setting dogs on hapless teachers who were desperate to withdraw their monthly salaries.
The overzealous cops stormed the bank premises around midday and attacked the defenceless teachers who were pressing to get their cash.
In an incident witnessed by ZimEye.com, seven cops from Masvingo Central Police Station beat up the teachers, before setting police dogs on the frightened men and women, forcing them to disperse.
Due to the national shortage of cash, banks countrywide are battling to serve their clients resulting in endless queues at banking halls.
Teachers who spoke to ZimEye.com said they were surprised by the sudden violence committed by the police.
“We are not criminals so we are very much surprised by the police raid. After all we only want to withdraw our cash here. It is unfair for the police to set dogs on hapless teachers. We did not even cause havoc here.
While we were negotiating with bank officials, police officers arrived and began to assault us with baton sticks,” said a local teacher who declined to be named.
Banks here were limiting the daily cash withdrawals to $100 dollars per individual, forcing the teachers to seek audience with the respective bank managers.
Masvingo Provincial Police spokesperson, Inspector Charity Mazula was not available to comment on the matter.
A police officer in the dog section yesterday told ZimEye: “We only follow instructions from our superiors.”
TRAGIC ACCIDENT: ZUPCO Bus Hit By Car
“According to witnesses, the light vehicle was travelling behind a Zupco bus. Suddenly the vehicle drove into the rear of the bus. We’re not sure what exactly happened.
“A 21-year-old man died while the driver, 34 and two others aged 31 and 28 sustained critical injuries. The body of the deceased was taken to Luveve Police Station. Two of the injured were taken to Mpilo Central Hospital while the other one was taken to Mater Dei Hospital,” said Peterson.
Witnesses told The Chronicle that the car, which had four people on board and the bus were travelling towards the city centre when the accident occurred in the early hours of yesterday.
“The car and the bus were both travelling towards the CBD at about 3AM. When they approached the humps opposite Thembiso Children’s Home, the car suddenly rammed the bus from behind. One person died on the spot and three other people were injured,” said a witness who declined to be named.
He said they could not ascertain they type of vehicle due to the extent of the damage. Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Police have expressed concern over the road carnage which has drastically increased over the years. The police have also urged people to avoid driving at night.-state media
Mnangagwa To The Rescue
VICE President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s visit to Arda Jotsholo Estate last week proved to be a blessing for Lupane State University (LSU) as he facilitated for the institution to immediately get a transformer after learning of its power challenges.
University authorities have since said the VP’s intervention will speed up the relocation of the university from Bulawayo to its campus in Matabeleland North. VP Mnangagwa was told about LSU’s transformer problem while touring Arda Jotsholo Estate last Thursday and immediately facilitated for the institution to get one.
The VP said when visiting Arda Estates he travels with Ministers whose portfolios are strategic to the agriculture sector such as the Minister of Energy and Power Development Samuel Undenge. This is meant to address community challenges.
A short time after LSU Vice Chancellor Professor Pardon Kuipa had interacted with the VP’s delegation, the transformer issue had been resolved. “Exactly 10 minutes after LSU’s Vice Chancellor told us of the transformer challenge, the transformer issue has been solved. The Minister of Energy is here. I’m sure he’ll assist you with the transformer,” said VP Mnagangwa.
Minister Undenge responded positively and directed Zesa’s Southern region manager Engineer Lovemore Chinaka to provide the institution with the transformer. “That has been taken care of. We’ve the Southern region Zesa manager here, he will get you the transformer,” said Minister Undenge.
Engineer Chinaka nodded in agreement with his boss. In an interview on the sidelines of the VP’s tour, Kuipa said the university had been struggling to get a transformer and thanked the government for its intervention.
“The electricity issue was hindering our relocation. We couldn’t take the students from an electrified area just to introduce them to candle lights. The transformer will make our relocation easier,” he said. The university was expected to relocate to its Lupane Campus in January but missed the deadline owing to resource constraints.-State Media
Civil Servants To Bleed Ink For Payslips
The government, seeking to clean up the civil service of ghost workers, has devised a ‘vicious’ method of head counting.
The technique will see all civil servants having to ink-down their signatures on special forms every time when they collect their pay slips.
Last year ZimEye readers slammed the government scheme of calling teachers from their annual vacation for a head counting exercise.
But the government through the state media says this particular move is part of the implementation of civil service audit recommendations made last year which has also seen the Government withholding funding for 2 888 teachers in trust schools. Treasury is set to save US$19,8 million annually.
Cabinet is also deliberating a reduction of student teacher allowances from US$329 to US$157. Recommendations from the audit effected so far are set to cut the Government wage bill by $300 million this year.
Civil servants’ salaries gobble 83 percent of the budget but the Government is targeting a wage bill to revenue ratio of 40:60. Among the recommendations that have already been implemented is the cessation of salary payments to 3 307 “highly suspicious” workers.
A report compiled by the Civil Service Commission read by our Harare Bureau last week shows that impromptu spot checks on the Government work stations across the country has also witnessed a massive improvement in worker attendances.
The report shows that 143 workers have had their contracts terminated over the last few months on charges of “fraudulently acquitting pay sheets”. According to the report, there has also been massive rationalisation of workers within the Ministry of Youth Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment. It had emerged from the audit that the Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Ministry employed five youth officers in each of Zimbabwe’s 1 200 wards. This translated to 6 000 civil servants with a cumulative monthly salary bill of US$2, 2 million, assuming each of them earns at least US$380.
Mutsvangwa Blows Praises for President Mugabe
The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairman, Christopher Mutsvangwa, has praised President Mugabe claiming he is a great and excellent listener.
Quoted by the state media, Mutsvangwa said it was a shame for critics to think that war veterans would go against or ditch their commander as they have a better appreciation of his great wisdom than anyone else.
“We want to hail the visionary leadership of President Mugabe as our patron. We know of his astute leadership better than anyone as he is our commander. He has given us an opportunity to say out our grievances and he listened . . . he’s a great listener,” said Mr Mutsvangwa. He said President Mugabe had promised to address most of their grievances and expectations were high that the freedom fighters would be better off.
“We asked our patron on the need to review upwards our allowances and he is looking into that. Treasury is seized with the matter, so is our children’s fees. All children of the war veterans should benefit and President Mugabe has already directed Treasury to release money. Some have received the fees although there are others yet to benefit,” said Mutsvangwa
The war veterans said they welcome the Zanu–PF Youth League’s call for unity and urged all ex-combatants to shun factionalism. He also saluted the visionary and iconic leadership of their patron, President Robert Mugabe, saying they have a better appreciation of his astute skills than anyone.
Speaking during an inter-provincial meeting at Masvingo Polytechnic College on Saturday, Mr Mutsvangwa hailed Zanu-PF deputy youth secretary Kudzai Chipanga’s call for unity when he addressed the wing’s members during the one-million-man march last week in Harare.
The Masvingo meeting was attended by among others the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Shuvai Mahofa, war veterans spokesperson Douglas Mahiya and Zaka West MP Paradzai Chakona.
“As war veterans we support the call by Youth deputy Secretary Mr Chipanga to work together for the cause of the party. We remain the vanguard of the party and we should be seen supporting all activities under Zanu-PF. “What we don’t want is factionalism in the party and those perpetrating this vice should be expelled forthwith. We don’t want anything called G40 or Lacoste. People who fan factionalism here in Masvingo need to be disciplined,” said Musvangwa
Two men Take Turns To Rape Girlfriend
A man from Nkayi, ganged up with his friend and allegedly lured his girlfriend into a bush where he assaulted her with a switch, raped her twice accusing her of being a prostitute.
32 year old Zenzo Sibanda of Badala Village and his friend Lethubuhle Ncube (19) last week appeared before Inyathi magistrate Mr Stephen Ndlovu facing two counts of rape. They were remanded in custody to 10 June for trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Zivanai Hlomayi said on 15 May 2016 around 7am the woman was alone at her home when Sibanda and Ncube arrived and lured her to a nearby bush.
“Since Sibanda is the woman’s boyfriend, she did not suspect anything and thus she did not resist. While in the bush, Sibanda took a switch and assaulted her several times all over her body accusing her of prostitution. “After that he gave his friend Ncube a 25 cent bond coin and ordered him to go and buy condoms at Badala shop and he did,” he said.
The court heard that when Ncube came back with the condoms Sibanda ordered the woman to get tree branches and spread them on the ground, which she did in fear of being assaulted since Sibanda was still holding the switch.
“Sibanda then asked the woman to choose between being assaulted the whole day with a switch or having sexual intercourse with both Sibanda and his friend. The woman pleaded with Sibanda and he threatened to burn her with petrol.
“Sibanda ordered the woman to lie on the ground where she had spread the tree branches and also told Ncube to wear a condom and have sexual intercourse with the woman. He threatened to assault Ncube with a switch if he refused to comply so he had sex with Sibanda’s girlfriend,” said Mr Hlomayi.
“Sibanda watched Ncube as he had sexual intercourse with his girlfriend. He then ordered his girlfriend to hold a tree trunk while bending down before he had sexual intercourse with her, without protection and without her consent. After that he then ordered Ncube to have sexual intercourse with the woman for the second time. The woman tried to dress up but Sibanda stopped her,” said Mr Hlomayi.
The court heard that Sibanda ordered Ncube to put on a condom and have sexual intercourse with the woman again. Since he was holding the switch Ncube complied and he had sexual intercourse with the woman without her consent.
“After that Sibanda took the woman to the tree trunk and had sexual intercourse with her for the second time, without her consent and without protection. He then took the woman to his house where he kept her for three days but did not rape her again. After three days the woman managed to escape and went back to her village where she related the ordeal to her aunt,” said Mr Hlomayi.
They reported the matter to the police and the woman was referred to Inyathi District Hospital for medical examination..
BREAKING NEWS- Mliswa Arrested Again
YARD(Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy) leader, Themba Mliswa, has been arrested together with (23) twenty three friends on allegations of holding an unsanctioned meeting in Esigodini.
Mliswa was at the time of writing currently detained at Esigodini police station where the cops were waiting for the Law and Order section to determine his fate.
He is being represented by his lawyer, Douglas Mwonzora.
He has been charged under the draconian POSA (Public Order and Security Act) which under the new constitution is now illegal.
Sources told ZimEye.com Mliswa successfully pleaded with the police to release his 23 friends (who are YARD members) so that they can return to their universities, remaining incarcerated alone at the end of it all.
Kudzanai Mashumba, the Director for Zimbabwe People Protection Forum, an organization dealing with Political violence, said they are “so worried on why the government has started arresting people who are exercising their democratic right”.
He continued: “We urge the government of Zimbabwe to desist from it character of silencing people who are championing democratic space.
“We as Zimbabwe People Protection Forum will very soon engage Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission over this deteriorating political violence happening in Zimbabwe. We are also worried why yesterday Vice President Mnangagwa officiated offices of the commission in Harare. He emphasized that Zimbabwe must abide by the Global Family of Human rights”.
The whole development was revealed in a press statement released on Mliswa’s behalf by his secretary stating: Today we came face to face with the ruthlessness and brutality of the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Esigodini as I was meeting with the District Executive Command. We met in a private restaurant, and during the meeting, Councillor Patson Sibanda disrupted the meeting and was educated on the constitutionality of the meeting.
However, the Councillor managed to conspire with Sergeant Mhiripiri, acting Officer in Charge for the police station where I have since been detained, together with 23 YARD commanders, for the past 5 hours
As is the responsibility of myself as a father, a mentor and above all, as the Commander in Chief of the Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy, I have taken full responsibility and have decided to personally defend justice and constitutionality against this police harassment. I have hence taken the stance to be charged and detained for as long as it takes in my personal capacity.
We did nothing wrong. Our lawyers are on the matter, an urgent high court application will be drafted and we will be back on track.
Our mission is in redefining the broader national discourse and these small distractions will not deter YARD in carrying out its mandate. Small political fullstops such as sergeant Mhiripiri and Councillor Sibanda have felt the pressure, which will continue to come from the emerging force.
This is part of the struggle, we will continue challenging the flawed status quo, we shall continue to advocate for the people, we shall continue to serve our generation
exMPs Blotch Car Cash Loans
Parliament plans to take legal action against 35 legislators who were expelled by both Zanu-PF and MDC-T after they failed to pay for vehicles procured for them through a parliamentary loan scheme.
Zanu-PF expelled a number of legislators who were associated with former Vice President Joice Mujuru.
The MDC-T, led by Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, dismissed 21 legislators after they joined the MDC Renewal Team led by Mr Tendai Biti.
Parliamentarians are entitled to acquire a vehicle under a Parliament vehicle loan scheme which is repaid during the course of their tenure.
The dismissed legislators have not presented payment plans to Parliament.
In an interview, Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda said they had written to the MPs demanding payment.
“We have written to all the affected MPs about the need for them to pay for the vehicles.
“We want them to come and make payment plans. If that does not produce results and if we encounter challenges, we will not hesitate to hand over the cases to our lawyers,” said Mr Chokuda.
But some of the legislators said they had fallen on hard times and were unable to pay.
“It is not a secret that the economy is not performing. Furthermore, we did not anticipate that we would be expelled, hence there were no contingent measures we had put in place,” said one MP who requested anonymity.
Another legislator said the economic environment was making it impossible for them to come up with payment plans.
“We are not an exception. Either Government must give us more time or they write off the debt. I do not see most of us being able to pay. As you know, it is not easy to get a job that can make you sustain both your family and a vehicle debt,” said the expelled legislator.
Zanu-PF expelled a number of MPs, including Government ministers, for belonging to the Mujuru cabal.
Dr Mujuru was fired from both Government and Zanu-PF after she was implicated in a plot to remove President Mugabe from power through unconstitutional means.
Mliswa Strikes Power with Thousands of MDC Marchers In Bulawayo
Shiellah Sibanda|YARD(Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy) leader, Temba Mliswa stroked power with thousands of Morgan Tsvangirai MDC party supporters yesterday.
In a touching forecast of the promising future of democratic unions, Mliswa took centre stage to engage with the masses in a flaming fighting voice. He demanded the return of the missing $15billion diamond fortune (VIDEO) recently revealed to be a major cause of Zimbabwe’s economic turmoil.
On the side, Mliswa took time to interact with MDC chief whips, Douglas Mwonzora and Eddie Cross, to mention a few, on strategies and means.
Mliswa was kicked out of ZANU PF after exposing several controversial faces the likes of Ignatius Chombo and Phillip Chiyangwa. He now leads the youth organisation which is a formation of youths from various political persuasions united for the common goal of having the youth attain proportional representation in parliament by the year 2018.
PICTURE: Woman Comes Out Alive : CHITUNGWIZA ACCIDENT
She is out of danger, but the same cannot be said of her five-year-old son who remains in Chitungwiza General Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
All she can do is pray.
“I am in physical pain, but that does not compare to the emotional pain and torture I am going through. I lost a niece, and my son is in ICU.
“My heart sinks just thinking of losing him too. I pray he makes it,” she says, covering her watering eyes with a heavily bandaged hand as she speaks to the state media at the hospital.
“Lesley was like my own daughter. Her parents separated some time back, and I assumed custody of her when she was still very young. She was almost the same age as my son; they were like twins.
“She was like my first born. She was in my arms when the accident happened and was one of the people who died on the spot.”
May 26, 2016 began like any other day for Ms Makanda. She woke up around 6am as usual to prepare her son, Takudzwa, and Lesley for school.
She would do her domestic chores when the two were safely in their classrooms.
However, on this particular day, she decided to go back to bed; not feeling up to the task of tidying the house. Her sleep was cut short by a call from the school authorities who informed her that Lesley was unwell.
“When I fetched her from school, she was complaining of a mild headcahe. Somehow, I did not think of visiting the clinic; instead I came home and gave her some aspirin and she seemed fine.
“However, later in the day, she occasionally complained about the headache; therefore, I later called my sister (Lesley’s mother) who advised me to bring her to Marondera.”
At around 5pm, Ms Makanda, Lesley and Takudzwa boarded a kombi, the only one at the bus terminus at the time and headed for Marondera.
And since Lesley was not feeling well, she put her on her lap, while Takudzwa was with another passenger.
Little did she know this was the last time she would hold her in her arms.
It got dark quickly. She thought it was just another early winter night, but never did she imagine what evil was lurking in that darkness.
At the 51km peg along the Chitungwiza-Marondera Road, a Hino truck heading in the opposite direction encroached into their lane, resulting in a head-on collusion with the kombi.
“I did not scream when it happened, though many others in the kombi did. I still cannot explain how I managed to remain calm. I remember being trapped inside the vehicle for some time before being rescued,” says Ms Makanda.
“Some bodies were thrown outside while others were trapped. When I got out, I realised that most children we were travelling with, including my niece, had died.
“Takudzwa was still alive, though badly hurt. Lesley was growing so fast. She had turned into a tall, beautiful little girl and every time she recited the nursery rhyme ‘Myself’, she would say she wanted to be a pilot when she grew up.
“I was devastated to learn that 11 other people had died in that accident. I am still numb. Flashes of that horror keep coming to my eyes – whether I’m awake or asleep.”
Ms Makanda, a cross-border trader, says authorities should improve all roads to reduce such carnage.
“The Chitungwiza-Dema Road is very busy during this time of the year since it connects Harare with farming areas in Marondera and Hwedza. The responsible authorities should widen that road.
“It is by the grace of God that I survived and I am thankful. All I want now is for my son to get well so that I can go on with my life.”
Ms Makanda was discharged from hospital later yesterday – but her mind and heart are still in that ICU, praying that her little one recovers.- state media
Magaya Sex Tapes Begin | EXCLUSIVE
Tsvangirai Bulawayo March Flops – Sunday Mail
The ZANU PF broadsheet, the Sunday Mail reports claiming the MDC Bulawayo march yesterday, flopped.
About 4 000 people yesterday showed up for an anti-bond note demonstration organised by MDC-T in Bulawayo – a far cry from the 30 000 the organisers claimed would flock into the streets of Zimbabwe’s second-largest city.
Coming three days after 3Zanu-PF mobilised more than 100 000 to march in support of President Mugabe in Harare, observers said MDC-T was clearly losing the numbers game ahead of the 2018 elections.
In April, MDC-T organised an anti-President Mugabe march in Harare, with the BBC estimating the turnout for that demonstration was about 2 000.
MDC-T claimed the figure was closer to 10 000, adding that uncertainty over whether or not the march would be sanctioned by the courts had resulted in many of its supporters not showing up.
The opposition said its next march would be bigger and indicate a build-up in mobilisation ahead of the 2018 polls. But yesterday’s showing in Bulawayo pointed to a party struggling to find a message that resonates with the public.
Bed-ridden MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai was not in attendance with his deputy Ms Thokozani Khupe covering for him at the damp squib of an event.
Party secretary-general Mr Douglas Mwonzora tried to downplay the flop, changing tack and saying it was a provincial event even though the party had claimed Bulawayo was its stronghold and the march would be bigger than the Harare farce.
Mr Mwonzora strangely claimed MDC-T’s march yesterday “was bigger than the Million Man March” organised by Zanu-PF earlier in the week.
MDC-T Bulawayo spokesperson Mr Mandla Sibanda said they had expected 30 000 people, and blamed the poor showing on logistical problems.
Snow Horror Hits Gweru| IN PICTURES
Gweru (lower) and other midlands areas have been hit by a horrific snow storm, villagers have complained.
At a time when jail-bird Wicknell Chivayo received a $4million backhand cash lump-sum from government for a dodgy electricity supply project that is totally dysfunctional, poor villagers are wallowing in poverty and under the weather in this first of firsts in Zimbabwe’s recorded history.
The below pictures have been sent to ZimEye.com from various rural outposts in Gweru.
Are you in the Gweru area and did you witness this snow phenomenon? How are you, your family and friends? Send us your recorded audio-comment right now via WhatsApp. Also include if you can, pictures and videos of the incident. +447426863301 www.ZimEye.com
Tsvangirai Missing at Bulawayo March
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, currently unwell with an undisclosed illness, missed his party’s Bulawayo demonstration march on Saturday.
Sources revealed Mr. Tsvangirai is still recovering in neighbouring South Africa.
MDC-T Bulawayo deputy spokesperson, Felix Magalela Sibanda, said Tsvangirai’s deputy Thokozani Khupe was standing in for her boss who was recently flown to South Africa for emergency treatment.
“He isn’t feeling well though recovering very well so we can’t abuse him, he has to fully recover. Our president works with a team, our vice president (Khupe) will be leading from the front accompanied by members of the national standing committee,” said Sibanda.
Earlier on sources within the party had claimed efforts were being made to fly Tsvangirai into Bulawayo Saturday morning. “Tsvangirai is the face of the party and his presence would have a serious impact. Plans are underway for him to fly into the country tomorrow (today) though he won’t be able to march with the party members,” the source was quoted by the Daily News saying.
“If it happens that Tsvangirai comes, he will play a minimal role in the whole thing because he has not fully recovered.”
However at the end of day, Tsvangirai failed to turn up. No further explanation to the effect was available at the time of writing.
IN PICTURES: MDC-T March in Bulawayo
Mugabe Humiliated in Papua New Guinea
President Robert Mugabe has been mocked in Papua New Guinea.
Before jetting into that country, Mugabe was this week debased by journalists there who noted in laughter that he is the only Head of State flying in for a little known summit called the Caribbean and Pacific meeting.
Mugabe is the only Head of State attending the summit.
“The 50 heads of delegations include a president, four vice-presidents, 13 prime ministers, one deputy prime minister, one speaker of the national parliament, 14 ministers and 16 ambassadors,” the report in the Papua New Guinea Today newspaper scoffed.
The report continued:
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration Rimbink Pato said the president was Robert Mugabe from Zimbabwe.
Pato said the meeting would be held at the National Convention Centre and chaired by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
“We may be looking at an attendance of around 500 people, meetings will take place at different venues in Port Moresby, mostly at the convention centre and at the national parliament and Sir John Guise Stadium,” Pato said.
“We are very excited.
“Some of them (ACP leaders) are coming to PNG for the first time.
“Let us show them the hospitality and sell our country to ensure that this is the first of many more of them to keep coming.”
The country’s ambassador to Belgium and the European Union Joshua Kalinoe said he was satisfied with preparations made by the organising committee.
Kalinoe said: “On the prepatory work in Brussels, one of the reasons why we are hosting this type of forum, is to improve the profile of PNG in the ACP regions.
“Not many people in Europe know where PNG is because they think it’s part of Africa.”
Six advanced teams from the ACP nations are already in the country in preparation for their delegations’ arrival from the weekend.
Masuku Is Dead
National Economic Consultative Forum spokesperson and former chairman of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce and Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Mr Nhlanhla Masuku (61) has died.
According to his wife Mrs Carol Masuku, he died at AMI Hospital on Tuesday due to complications from diabetes.
“He was a loving father and husband. He was a great and loving friend. A man who loved his nation and who would do anything in his power to ensure Zimbabwe was empowered,” she said.
He will be buried at his rural home in Ntabazinduna tomorrow.
He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.
At the time of his death he was organising an investment conference for Zimbabwe in London alongside his friend Mr Brian Pearson, the President’s Office and Ministry of Economic Development.
Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colonel Christian Katsande (Retired) paid tribute to Mr Masuku as a man who worked tirelessly for his country.
“We worked with Nhlanhla for a long time.
“President Mugabe said we should bring Government and the private sector together within the smart partnership framework via NECF. Masuku headed the media, information and publicity committee of the NECF and was also chairman of ZITF.
“Briefings to President Mugabe on NECF were also done by him. He also led the NECF interactive guide to brand Zimbabwe locally and internationally. The Tripartite Negotiating Forum was a legacy of foundation established by Nhlanhla,” he said in a speech during Mr Masuku’s funeral service at Nyaradzo Funeral Home yesterday.
Mr Masuku was born in Bulawayo on March 25, 1955 and brought up in Gweru.
He was awarded a scholarship to go to Goromonzi High School for having one of the top two standard 6 results in the country.
He was then asked to leave following what was construed as political unrest which resulted in him having to trek through the savannah scrub with his two friends one of which was Paymore Mangwende to Francistown, Botswana and entered into a refugee camp.
Apart from chairing ZNCC and ZITF, he was a past vice president of the Sadc Chamber of Commerce and Industry, former vice chairman of the Industrial Development Corporation and former director of IDC subsidiaries such as Sunway City, Almin Metal Industries, IDC Agrotech, National Furniture Industries and Modzone.
Mourners are gathered at 2 Cynthia Road, Mt Pleasant in Harare.-state media
Herdboy Impregnates Grade 7 Pupil
Terrence Mawawa, Chivhu|A 21 year old herdboy impregnated a Grade 7 pupil after raping her on four different occasions, forcing the minor to drop out of school.
Gabriel Manyere raped the 12 year old girl at the homestead where he was employed as a domestic worker.
He appeared before Chivhu Magistrate Solomon Jenya facing rape charges. The separate incidents happened in Chivizhe Village. Manyere took advantage of the absence of the minor’s grandmother to abuse the girl.
Manyere would sexually pleasure himself on the minor by pursuing her to the bedroom. He threatened to behead the minor each time he slept with her.
The incidents happened sometime in December 2015. The girl reported the matter to her grandmother on February 29 2016, leading to Manyere’s arrest.
The girl said she reported the matter to her grandmother after visiting a local clinic where she was told she had fallen pregnant. “I told Gab that because of what he had done to me,I had missed my monthly periods and my stomach was bulging. He told me that the pregnancy would be terminated in Chivhu,” she said.
She also produced a knife which she said Manyere used to threaten her. Manyere claimed the minor’s grandmother framed the whole story after failing to pay him his monthly wages since 2010.
“The whole story has been fabricated because the girl’s grandmother failed to pay me the agreed sum of $100 per month since 2010. So she wants to silence me,” he said.
Manyere was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He will however serve 12 years in prison after the magistrate suspended three years on the condition that he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.
Donkeys Ordered to Wear Nappies
BBC|Donkeys have been banned from entering Kenya’s north-eastern town of Wajir unless they wear nappies.
Officials say the rule is to protect the town’s newly laid tarmac road.
A letter told donkey-cart owners they must manage their animal’s faeces “to avoid poop all over the tarmac road creating nuisance”.
BBC Monitoring’s Abdullahi Yusuf Osman in Kenya says cart owners are complying – some sharing t.ips on social media on how to attach nappy sacks.
Donkey carts are a common sight in Wajir’s town centre, our reporter says.
A similar nappy order was issued in Limuru, about 50km north-west of the capital, Nairobi, in 2007 but it was never put into practice, he says.
The authorities in Wajir, which is more than 600km north-east of Nairobi, are probably keen to protect the new tarmac road after waiting decades for such development, our correspondent says.
The new road was built last year and is 27km long.
The nappy notice was issued on Monday and came into affect on Thursday.
“[The county government] appreciates the contribution of the donkey-cart operators to the economy of Wajir… However the town must be kept clean at all times,” it says.
“In view of the above you are directed to manage your donkey poop (faeces)…. No donkey will be allowed in town without this poop-collecting bag.”
“Less than 5,000 at Mugabe March,” Obert Gutu Insists
Patrick Guramatunhu|Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC spokesperson, Obert Gutu says less than 5,000 people turned up for Robert Mugabe’s march in Harare Thursday.
We have all heard of the expression “of the ostrich burying its head in the sand” meaning someone who is refusing to confront or acknowledge a problem. With the MDC ostrich the expression has assumed a more sinister meaning!
“The so-called million men march that was staged by the faction-ridden and crumbling Zanu-PF regime on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 was a spectacular flop,” wrote Obert Gutu.
He continued, “a few thousand people, most of whom had been commandeered to travel to Harare to attend the puerile and utterly purposeless march, turned up for this non-event. In fact, less than 5,000 people turned up for this march, whose main agenda was to massage the ego of a nonagenarian who has run down the former jewel of Africa. What a big yawn, the march was.”
There is no doubt that President Mugabe “has run down” Zimbabwe’s once promising economy the facts on the ground speak volumes; unemployment rate has soared to 90% as the nation has continued to lose jobs and the regime has failed to deliver on its 2013 promise of 2.2 million new jobs.
Yes the march was “to massage” President Mugabe’s humongous ego praising his “visionary and iconic leadership” many of the huge and industrial produced quality placards. Given that he is the one responsible for the country’s economic mess, only someone with a humongous ego would still beam with pride, as Mugabe did, at be showered with such meaningless praise.
It is laughable that 90% of those marching and singing Mugabe’s praise are unemployed. Surely there must be one or two homemade placards at least demanding that the President should honour his promise and create jobs; there were not even one such placard! None!
President Mugabe spend billions of dollars in the last election to pay for his very elaborate and expensive vote rigging scheme in the 2013 elections. He paid the Israeli company that tampered with the voters roll US$10 million and must have spent millions on the hired crowd and on bussing them around the country to attend rallies and then to vote on polling day.
Some people believe it must have costed the regime $200 million to hire and bus this one-million man march crowd (none of them dared raised the lack of employment opportunities or many of the other problems because they were paid to praise the great leader even when that meant lying about his competence). President Mugabe admitted in March that $15 billion in diamond revenue was looted; it is no secret that Zanu PF chefs are the looters including the President himself. President Mugabe paid the $200 million for his one-million man march, it was small change to him!
The one million man march was a “flop” first and foremost because this country has a thousand and one other pressing matters to which the $200 million should have been used. Zimbabweans are very rarely granted a chance to meet President Mugabe and so for these marchers to do so and then say nothing to him about their myriad of economic problems included the lack of job opportunities was a wasted opportunity.
Only a shallow minded person like Obert Gutu would argue the march was a flop because instead of the one-million Zanu PF claims “less than 5 000 people turned up”. He missed the point completely because it is not the head count that is at issue here.
What exposed Gutu for his the proverbial ostrich with the head buried in the sand mentality is his claim that “less than 5 000 turn up” and even gave the list of school buses commandeered by Zanu PF as it to “prove” his case. Anyone who has seen the photographs or videos of the rallies saw there were a lot more that 5 000 people at the rally!
Failure to implement reforms is like ostrich burying its head in the sand to escape grass fire
Tell you what you empty head Gutu; give me $200 million even $2 million and even I Patrick Guramatunhu the son of a peasant with none of your Deputy Minister of Justice in the GNU political credentials, will amass a hired crowd of one million!
Zanu PF’s unfettered access to State human and material resource including the looted wealth from Marange diamonds is at the very heart of its ability to amass a one-million man hired crowd and to rig national elections. This is way we must implement the democratic reforms necessary to stop the regime looting the nation’s resources and then, to rub hot chilli into the nation’s eyes, use the looted wealth to bankroll its vote rigging schemes.
MDC failed to implement even one democratic reform during the GNU allowing Zanu PF to blatantly rig the July 2013 elections. Since the elections MDC-T has promised to implement the reforms but to date, it is only two years now left before the next elections, the party not implemented even one reform.
The fact that Zanu PF has managed to use its ill-got wealth once again to stage this pointless one-million man rally should be a stake reminder to the opposition body politics and the nation at large that unless meaningful democratic reforms are implemented quick-smart Zanu PF will blatantly rig the next elections. Obert Gutu’s pathetic attempt to falsify the size of the hired crowd is the ostrich in him burying its head in the sand, in this case, not to see the fierce grass fire engulfing it!
We can hardly endure another day of this economic meltdown let alone another five years beyond 2018 and yet unless we implement the reforms that is what we will have. We must not allow ourselves be fooled by people like Gutu, the present economic meltdown is hurting us a hell lot more than it is hurting Gutu and his fellow MDC friends who sold-out during the GNU and failed to implement even one reform.
Wutaunashe Blew Thousands on Secret Girlfriend – REPORT
The preacher who claims that God Almighty utilised the 2013 elections to grant Robert Mugabe another chance, the humiliated founder of the Family Of God Church, Andrew Wutaunashe is under fire for allegedly blowing tens of thousands of dollars, being church money, on his secret Tswana girlfriend, while poor church congregants worship under a tree.
The woman, Masego Makhao, whose affair with the preacher was exposed early this year, had been the man’s secret concubine for several years, witnesses reveal.
As Wutaunashe now faces an embarrassing divorce lawsuit with his wife of over 35 years, church members have begun blowing many secrets on the affair open. At the centre of the allegations is the manner in which church funds were managed. Wutaunashe is accused of preaching a “twisted gospel,” in order to gratify his fleshly pleasures, as some former pastors charge.
One of the preacher’s closest relatives, Melody, during the week fingered him for “misappropriation of funds”. She continued, “you are preaching the twisted word zvino munda wava kudyiwa nembwa semakarima nyama”.
She also repeated words previously uttered by Wutaunashe’s wife, Rutendo calling him to repent. “Repent and stop waffling sekuru. All you need is to repent and ask for forgiveness from Mbuya and go back to your family,” she wrote.
She continued, “Don’t force people to give you whilst you are misusing their money.
“Why did you buy Makhao that car worth over US$80,000 yet complain that muzukuru Melody is causing the money drought in your church?”
Before you complain about me, sell that Q7 and donate that money to Kwekwe church who are now attending church under a tree “semarovambira”.
“They did not give for you to buy expensive cars for concubines. I understand you also bought a Fortuner for someone else again, Chakatanga ndochakachenjedza.
“The bible doesn’t say “give for Andrew Wutawunashe to buy boutiques, Q7 and houses for Jezebel.” Those who closed wallets, sando kwamuri. You did well by closing your wallets to AW private limited. ”
Wutaunashe who was unavailable for comment at the time of writing, has gone on record saying that his marital affairs are no one else’s business. In a letter availed to ZimEye.com, he ordered people to avoid asking him questions on this matter.
Mnangagwa to Open New High Court in Masvingo
Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is dashing to Masvingo to open Zimbabwe’s first High Court in that region.
Zimbabwe’s third High Court will be officially opened here on Monday. Mnangagwa is expected to officially open the third High Court in Masvingo Central Business District.
Legal experts have described the event as a noble gesture that will ease congestion in the country’s courts. “We welcome the opening of the third High Court in Masvingo. This will certainly ease congestion in the courts.Apart from that it is a remarkable decentralisation process.We therefore view the development as a step in right direction.Masvingo Province has in the past recorded many murder cases,”said Masvingo based lawyer Rutendo Makoni.
Mugabe Hits the Skies Again
Robert Mugabe once again flew out of Harare yesterday.
He flew to attend the 8th Summit of African, Caribbean and Pacific group of States (ACP) in Papua New Guinea.
Mugabe was accompanied by his wife, Grace, Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha, Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and permanent secretaries Ambassador Joey Bimha and Mr George Charamba.
Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko is now the Acting President.
Mugabe was seen off at the Harare International Airport by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Cabinet Ministers Sydney Sekeramayi and Ignatius Chombo, service chiefs and senior civil servants.
Seventy-nine countries have confirmed attendance to the meeting and will be represented at different levels, said Papua New Guinea Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Mr Rimbink Pato recently.
The summit will discuss the future of the ACP group as a revitalised cohesive force advocating the interests of its member states in the international arena.
The grouping consists of 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific states, with all of them except for Cuba, being signatories to the Cotonou Agreement, also known as the “ACP-EC Partnership Agreement”.
The ACP has been behind Zimbabwe for the past 15 years when Britain and its allies launched an onslaught on the country protesting the land reform programme.
Tsvangirai’s Marches are Useless – Pastor Mawarire
“This Flag,” pastor Evan Mawarire has rubbished MDC-T marches.
Mawarire said they have achieved nothing as he launched an alternative strategy.
On the eve of the much publicised MDC-T demo in Bulawayo slated for Saturday, Mawarire lambasted both MDC and ZANU PF’s technique of holding marches saying they have not delivered any results for Zimbabweans. He launched his alternative method which he titled, “Speak, Ask and Act.” FULL VIDEO:
Mnangagwa Dead End
President Robert Mugabe’s game plan for the million-man march was to shut the door on his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa and present a picture of invincibility — a review paper by the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI) says.
In the paper titled “Zanu PF million-man march: Mugabe’s game plan” ZDI, a respected political and economic think tank, said it was clear that faced with internal revolt, the nonagenarian leader would choreography his most ardent supporters to hold a march similar to the year 2007 when the party was also going through almost similar internal upheavals.
Zanu PF between 2007 and 2008 can be likened to the attendant situation characterised by fissures in all organs of the party,” notes the paper.
In 2007 just like now, Mugabe was facing revolt from a faction that was led by the late Solomon Mujuru, and now the 92-year-old strongman is facing dissent from supporters of Mnangagwa — who want him to pass on the baton before 2018 elections.
“The 2016 march has occurred in almost mirror circumstances to that of 2007 where there is growing discontent within Zanu PF.
“The latest march is not about the youth or Zanu PF it is more about . . . Mugabe himself that those who seek to succeed him should not underestimate his popularity within the party,”
A purge of the Mujuru faction in 2014 that is now led by the wife Joice, failed to cleanse the party of the factionalism ailment — something that Mugabe is still battling with even today.
On Wednesday, Mugabe’s increasingly powerful wife Grace told party loyalists that her husband would rule from the grave, and the nonagenarian went on to describe those fanning factionalism that their actions are tantamount to “treason”.
After a nasty fallout with war veterans, his usual shock-troopers, Mugabe this time turned to the party’s youths — who embody the governing party’s ambitious generation 40 (G40) faction that is opposed to Mnangagwa’s rise.
“These marches also serve to show that despite his advanced age . . . Mugabe is still the only game in town. It is about Mugabe stamping and cementing his authority in Zanu PF.”
Under Mugabe’s watch Zimbabwe is groaning as the economy tumbles, cash is in short supply and millions are faced with starvation.
Analysts say conditions in the country are ripe for disaster — and ZDI said the solidarity march in support of Mugabe was a timely boast to the 92-year-old ego.
“The May 25 march comes as fundamentally a reactionary agenda to both internal and external challenges bedevilling the party and its leader.”
According to the report, the march was about showing rival factions that despite his advanced age, he is still popular in Zanu PF”.
“It also sought to react to opposition protests amid a regressing economy being presided over by Zanu PF.
“As Zanu PF is already in the 2018 election mode, this march served to show that despite growing discontent between war veterans and . . . Mugabe, the party can do without them and rely on the youth to deliver victory.”-DailyNews
Magaya Inserted His Manhood into My Private Parts
A female church member and former worker of controversial preacher, Walter Magaya, says the clergyman sexually pleasured himself on her.
In an official legal letter availed by the South Africa based The Herdboy portal, the woman, Angela Charakupa, says the married preacher used her for his carnal gratification while claiming he would soon marry her.
If the claim proves true, Charakupa would be the second woman to humiliate the preacher after the late Chipo Chakanyuka who two years ago died mysteriously after being forcibly sent by Magaya on a fake Botswana church assignment as the latter’s mother reveals to ZimEye.com.
Charakupa’s letter of demand was reportedly delivered to Magaya’s Waterfalls offices on Thursday.
The Headboy says close links to PHD ministries leaked the contents of the letter delivered by Angela Charakupa represented by DEBWE & PARTNERS LEGAL PRACTITIONERS of 6th floor, Pockets building, Jason Moyo avenue Harare.
The letter of demand reads as follows:-
RE: DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF PROMISE TO MARRY:OUR CLIENT, MISS ANGELA CHARAKUPA.
1. We have been consulted and act for and of behalf of Miss ANGELA CHARAKUPA in the above matter. Please note our client’s interest therein.
2. Our client has instructed us that in March 2014, she joined your Ministry, namely Prophetic Healing & Deliverance Ministries (PHD) and then two (2) weeks later, you recruited her to market and advertise your Ministry on YADAH TV. We are instructed that our client appeared on TV in April, in some of our local newspapers and also on some online publications for the said purpose. Thereafter our client was deployed in your Ministry’s International Relations (IR) office at at Waterfalls and would receive a salary of US$400.00.
3. We are further instructed that thereafter, a love affair developed between yourself and our client. We are further instructed that as a result thereof and in September 2014, you then promised to marry our client, purchase a flat for her, a vehicle of her own choice and also give her some money that would greatly improve her social status in the society. We are also further told that during the existence of the engagement you would give her some gifts and money and engage in sexual intercourse with her on the understanding that you would marry her. We confirm that we have the full particulars of the said sexual relations.
4. However, in or about mid 2015, and to our client’s dismay, you repudiated the said agreement by displaying conduct that clearly amounted to a refusal to proceed with the promised marriage. We are informed that the said repudiation was wrongful and you acted animo iniuriandi.
We are further instructed that the aforesaid breach was injurious to our client resulting in her leaving your Ministry’s employment in December 2015.
5.We are further instructed that as a further result of your breach of the aforesaid contract, our client has suffered both contractual and delictual damages. She has interalia suffered loss of financial benefits of the promised marriage and also damages by the reason of your contumacious breach of contract whereby her personal dignity and reputation have been severely impaired. We are informed that some of her former workmates and other members of your Ministry were aware of the said relationship. We are further informed that our client was a Counselor in your Ministry and as such would be consulted by many girls for counseling sessions, she learnt that you have multiple sexual partners.
As a result thereof, our client is now extremely concerned about her health condition and has been advised by her close relatives to undergo some medical tests.
In the circumstances hereof ,our client has instructed us to demand from you ,as we hereby do and within seven (7) days from date of service of this letter:
(a) payment of the sum of FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS (US$ 500 000.00) in full and final settlement of all her claims against you and
(b) a full and unconditional apology for all what you did to her during the period of your association.
Should we not receive payment of the said amount as aforestated ,our client shall be compelled to approach the High Court of Zimbabwe for relief. Our client’s strict instructions are to proceed with the above matter to its final end and determination and she is in possession of incontrovertible evidence to support her claim.
We now await to here from you.
SIGNED
DEBWE & PARTNERS
Legal Practitioners
Another Accident in Chitungwiza: 15 People Killed | BREAKING NEWS
A horrific accident in Chitungwiza has left a total fifteen (15) people dead.
The tragedy happened when a commuter omnibus travelling along the Chitungwiza –Dema road last night, collided head-on with a haulage truck, ZimEye.com has learnt.
The kombi travelling to Wedza, collided with a lorry carring tobacco. The truck did not have lights and was driving in the wrong lane, ZimEye.com is reliably told.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the accident.
She said 12 people died on spot whilst three more died on admission at Chitungwiza General Hospital.
She added saying an additional eleven passengers are in critical condition. More to follow…
CHIREDZI ACCIDENT DEATH: LATEST
The bus conductor killed in the InterAfrica bus tragedy has been named as Carlos Masando.
Popularly called by his Catholic name, “Gweja Musande,” the man was killed on the spot in the Chiredzi accident while travelling to Mutare, ZimEye has been told.
Masando’s twin brother told ZimEye.com, Carlos was thrown out of the bus after it collapsed on Tuesday.
He is scheduled to be buried at Mbudzi in Harare. Meanwhile donations can be sent over to Masando’s brother whose Ecocash number is +263772846775. READ MORE
DID YOU ALSO WITNESS THIS ACCIDENT? Send in your video, pictures and details of your experience right now to +447426863301
South Africa Launches “Mugabe Horrific” Land-Grabs
South Africa has begun steps to launch Robert Mugabe style farm-land grabbing. Widely termed “expropriation,” the scheme will see white owned farms being forcibly taken away by the government on values sovereignly imposed by the state.
The parliament yesterday approved a bill allowing the government to expropriate land in what it says is “the public interest”.
The measure will allow the compulsory purchase of land to place more in black ownership.
Most of South Africa’s land remains in white ownership two decades after the end of apartheid.
The governing ANC party said the law would tackle injustices imposed by white-minority rule.
However, the opposition Democratic Alliance opposed the bill.
BBC South Africa correspondent Milton Nkosi says land is an emotive issue 22 years after the end of apartheid.
President Jacob Zuma must now sign the bill into law, a move that could take weeks or months.
Under the new law, the state will be able to expropriate land in the “public interest”, paying the owner a value determined by a government adjudicator.
“The passing of the bill by parliament is historic and heralds a new era of intensified land distribution programme to bring long-awaited justice to the dispossessed majority of South Africans,” the ANC (African National Congress) said in a statement.
About 10% of land in white ownership has been transferred to black owners since the end of apartheid, which is only a third of the ANC’s target.
Correspondents say it will not mean the kind of often violent land grabs from white farmers seen in neighbouring Zimbabwe.
President Zuma and the ANC have said that land distribution has to take place in the framework of the law.- BBC/Additional Reporting
Maleme Resistance Chief Dies
Staff Reporter| CHIEF Malaki Masuku of Maleme in Matobo District has died at the age of 81.
Chief Masuku who is famous for leading his people resist the take over of Maleme Ranch by government last year died in the early hours of Tuesday at the United Bulawayo Hospitals.
Matobo District Administrator Robert Muzezewa said the Chief died yesterday morning to end his 23-year reign.
“He died today (yesterday) in the morning. He was a shrewd chief who advised us on how to handle issues the traditional way. He died due to cardiac arrest. The
Chief had been unwell for quite some time,” said Muzezewa.
He said Chief Masuku’s reign began in 1992 following the death of his father.
“He took over from his father Chief Gareth Nzula Masuku in 1992. His father had served in that position since 1988. Chief Masuku is survived by a son, Nkulumane,” he said.
Muzezewa said although burial arrangements are yet to be concluded, Chief Masuku would be buried at his rural
home in Nzula, Nathisa.
“The government is mandated to take care of burial arrangements. The state will provide the coffin while the Ministry of Public Works will prepare the grave as per
the honour prescribed to traditional leaders,” said Muzezewa.
No comment could immediately be obtained from his family or the president of the Chiefs Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira.
Wicknell Chivayo Seeks to Reverse Fraud Conviction
Controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo is fighting to have his 2005 conviction on money laundering quashed by the Supreme Court despite having fully served the three-year prison term imposed on him.
Chivayo was in 2005 jailed five years for money laundering, which involved R837 000 by the High Court. Two years were conditionally set aside, leaving him to serve an effective three years in prison.
He appealed to the Supreme Court against both conviction and sentence, but his appeal could not be heard since 2005 after it emerged that some papers were missing from his court record.
Through his lawyers Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Mr Wilson Manase of Manase and Manase Legal Practitioners, Chivayo this month revived his bid for acquittal by filing supplementary heads of argument.
In the heads of argument, Chivayo argued that the conviction was inconveniencing him and that it must be quashed.
Chivayo argued that since some papers were missing from the court record — coupled with the fact that reconstruction of the same record as directed by the late Justice Wilson Sandura some 11 years ago has not been done — he was entitled to an acquittal.
“No record has been prepared. Appellant has fully served the imposed term of imprisonment. There is no prospect that the appeal will ever be heard. The conviction, however, remains a huge inconvenience to the appellant.
“There is something fundamentally wrong with this state of affairs,” argued Chivayo’s lawyers. The absence of a record of proceedings is a fatal irregularity given that the High Court is a court of record.
“When faced with an incomplete record of proceedings, this court has no option but to quash the proceedings a quo.” The delay in the finalisation of the appeal, the lawyers argued, was a breach of the Constitution.
“The absence of the record is at any rate, a breach of Section 70 ( 5) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“The delay in the finalisation of the appeal constitutes a breach of appellant’s right to a fair hearing within a reasonable period as set out under Section 69 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” argued Chivayo.
The delay, it is argued, also constitutes a breach of his right to access a court as set out under Section 69 (3) of the supreme law.
Chivayo further argued his rights to human dignity and freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment as enshrined under Sections 51 and 53 of the Constitution were also violated.
The matter is yet to be set down for hearing at the Supreme Court. Allegations against Chivayo arose on July 4 and 5 in 2002 when he allegedly received R837 000, which was part of proceeds of a crime.
The money was in form of three cheques, which he deposited into his bank account.
Chivayo pleaded not guilty to the charges but the High Court found him guilty and slapped him with a prison term on August 4 2005.
The High Court dismissed Chivayo’s application for leave to appeal on the basis that there were prospects of success in the challenge.
However, the late Supreme Court Judge Justice Wilson Sandura allowed him to lodge the appeal.
Bail pending appeal was dismissed resulting in Chivayo serving the prison term without being heard on appeal.-state media
Mtukudzi Endorses Mugabe’s Dictatorship
Music superstar Oliver Mtukudzi on Wednesday endorsed President Robert Mugabe’s dictatorship when he performed at the aging leader’s one million-man march held in Harare.
Mtukudzi made a surprise appearance at the controversial pro-Mugabe event which was meant to prop up support for the veteran leader.
Tuku, who sources at the information ministry say regularly, and secretly visit the first family, entertained hundreds of thousands of Zanu PF supporters most of them vendors and senior citizens who had been bussed from all over the country to come and endorse Mugabe.
At the event where Tuku performed, while President Mugabe’s wife, Grace declared that her husband will die in office.
The veteran singer who has never publicly associated himself with Zanu PF, sang only just two songs in between Grace and her husband President Robert Mugabe’s address.
Mtukudzi’s performance excited the entire Zanu PF big wigs seating at the VVIP section who were seen dancing.
But on social media the opposition MDC-T and the general public condemned Tuku for associating with President Mugabe’s party..
“Tuku has sold out his soul for few pieces of silver!” posted MDC-T national spokesperson, Obert Gutu, on his twitter handle.
“Thomas Mapfumo WOYE, Tuku shouldn’t go political!”, he said”
He was however countered by Zanu-PF national political commissar Savoir Kasukuwere and the party’s propagandist Jonathan Moyo who defended Mtukudzi.
“Stop that Obert he is just a musician and if you need him ask ! Stop It,” said Kasukuwere.
“Sounds of Oliver Mtukudzi enveloping #MillionManMarch right now. Everyone here under the spiritual spell of pure musical beauty at work!,”Moyo weighed in.
Jaboon Attacked, Escapes Abduction “Bomb”
Terrence Mawawa, Bikita| Barely a week after Zanu PF Provincial Political Commissar Jeppy Jaboon openly attacked Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, two unknown assailants accompanied by a Zanu PF official pounced on the legislator and made off with his vehicle and party documents.
The incident, which party insiders say is not a robbery case, happened hardly week after Jaboon openly attacked Mnangagwa at a party meeting.
As Zanu PF factional wars continue unabated, party insiders told ZimEye.com, the assailants wanted to abduct the outspoken MP but he was not in the vehicle at the time of the attack.
ZimEye.com can reveal the names of the persons fingered in the notorious attack said to have included the intended use of a petrol explosive.
“The people who raided Jaboon’s aides wanted to abduct the MP but he was not in the vehicle at that time, ” a senior Zanu PF official told ZimEye.com.
They added, “the people searched the car and confiscated party documents before driving the vehicle away. Two unkown men were accompanied by Obvious Madzivanyika, a known Team Lacoste member. He is the driver of Honourable Anna Runganai, a proportional representation legislator for Bikita. So we cannot say it was a robbery incident. Actually they wanted to abduct Jaboon,” they continued.
Contcted by ZimEye.com, Jaboon angrily said he was not in the mood to speak on the matter.
“Talk to the guys who were in the car when the incident happened,” he said. Thomas Chireshe, one of Jaboon’s aides said the assailants confirmed they were on a mission.
“The people who took the car claimed they are working with Bikita (MP’s name withheld) and some senior party officials,” alleged Chireshe.
Party sources warned that the struggle between the G-40 and Team Lacoste could turn nasty as the two rival camps battle for the control of affairs in the ruling party.
ROHR Zimbabwe Ephraim Tapa’s Private Purse
Protest outfit ROHR(Restoration of Human Rights) members in Zimbabwe say the organisation is nothing more than a private purse for the leader Ephraim Tapa and his family. Mass-revolt is boiling up from within.
Four years ago, Tapa was exposed for opening a personal ROHR bank account at the height of an embarrassing audit commissioned by committee members, the development which led to Tapa being booted, afterwhich he formed his own morph using that private bank account. He surreptitiously “took over” ROHR from the rightful founders who include Stendrick Zvorwadza and Grace Mupfurutsa.
After that members who later joined his baby NGO have since begun demanding secondary investigations to rip into Tapa’s conduct.
A message that has been doing the social media rounds over the past few days and now finally circulated to journalists reads in part: “these questions are directed to all Rohr members and Mr Tapa himself. We have made several recommendations on professionalising the organisation through a number of good corporate governance systems which have not been taken on board chief among them the opening of a bank account in Zim. The system of sending money through Western Union to your niece/daughter Locadia Tapa Muchunga for organisational purposes is not proper for a big movement like Rohr Zimbabwe as the system is prone to manipulation and cannot be properly audited or usage of funds followed up since on withdrawal the money is taken and kept in Budiriro at your daughter/Mukwasha’s residence until it is used up without any track.
Which brings us back the question of whether Rohr is a people’s movement or your family project. On numerous occasions you have instructed that money that is send to Zimbabwe be transferred to your personal bank account, be paid to several people, be given to a docile board member in Bulawayo who we have not yet seen and on all these occasions we have questioned your daughter and at one point yourself. Your response was “it’s my personal money and no one can question me.” ”
The communication also queries why Mr Tapa comes to Zimbabwe “on countless occasions” (sic), driving hired vehicles and sleeping in expensive hotels and the role of a board member known as “Mr Muzenda”, who only appears to ROHR members when Tapa is in town.
Understandably, ordinary Zimbabwe-based members of ROHR are starting to feel used as they are requested to take part in demonstrations organised by other activist groups.Pictures of their participation are then sent to the UK. The Zimbabwe-based members of ROHR suspect that such pictures are being used to solicit for funds in the UK. They would not mind so much if the funds being solicited for using their pictures and their participation at these demonstrations were sent back to Zimbabwe, directly to the organisation’s structures rather than to Tapa’s niece/daughter. It is not clear how the funds are obtained in the UK. Mr Tapa himself, during his last visit to Zimbabwe (April 2016), said that a total of £10000 had been received for Zimbabwe. No one within ROHR’s Zimbabwean structures has seen any of this money.
It is also known that each UK branch was twinned with a Zimbabwean provincial counterpart. What is not known is how much money each branch has raised for its twin, and how much of that money has been sent over. “ All provincial structures and newly established districts feel there are being used by you and some of your close people in the UK to further your own personal interests and raise funds for your personal benefits without funding provincial activities. This must stop forthwith.”
There is also the issue of labour disputes, with office bearers demanding compensation for their services. It is understood that it was recommended by the Zimbabwe Chapter of ROHR that all office bearers sign a volunteer contract, but Tapa refused with no explanation. The Zimbabwe Chapter would also like it to be explained how Tapa, being an asylum seeker, manages to visit his native country so frequently. It is also being alleged that he meets CIO bosses and pays them huge sums of money on such visits.
The Zimbabwe Chapter has made the following demands:
1. That there be a full Board appointed in Zimbabwe not two people you and Mr Muzenda only
2. That the UK branches discuss their budgets with their twinned provinces, get authorised by board members and national office and send to the provinces as agreed for the agreed programs
3. That there be a bank account soon and no more funds send through Western Union.
4. That there be volunteer contracts for national and provincial office bearers
5. That an audit of all funds raised for Zimbabwe since August 2015 be done and sent to all provinces in the interests of transparency and accountability.
6. That UK branches have direct communication with their twinned branches in Zimbabwe
The message ends with the ominous: “Failure to meet these demands will be met with stiff resistance and demonstrations here in Zimbabwe.”
Kereke’s Brother: He Didn’t Do It
BROTHER to Zanu-pf Bikita West MP Munyaradzi Kereke yesterday exonerated the politician from allegations of raping a 13-year-old relative in 2010 and indecently assaulting her sister, claiming that he was with the legislator on the day he is said to have committed the offences.
Claitos Kereke told the court that he spent the entire night with Kereke at one of his houses in Mandara.
According to the State, the alleged abuse took place at Kereke’s other house in Vainona. Testifying as a defence witness in the ongoing trial, Claitos said he was sure that Kereke did not commit the offences.
This was after he was cross-examined by private prosecutor Mr Charles Warara on why he was 100 percent sure that Kereke did not go out on the day.
“How could he have gone out when I am the one who locked the doors and took the keys to my room? He went to bed early and left me smoking outside,” he said.
“He told me not to misplace the keys since his car keys were also on that bunch of keys. There is no way he could have gone out.”
Mr Warara accused Claitos of lying. “Witness you are lying to the court and your testimony is tailor-made to suit accused person’s defence.
“Are you saying his house does not have spare keys or even for his car? Do you think he does not have a spare key? Stop lying under oath.”
Claitos said one of Kereke’s wives had gone to Chinhoyi with the spare keys. “How did you know about that information of the spare keys having been taken to Chinhoyi? Mr Warara asked.
“I asked him if he had spare keys to the house. The house has many doors, but all the other ones were locked except for the one we used which was facing the guard’s room,” he replied.
Claitos later stated that he was not sure if there were other spare keys.
“I put it to you that there was a meeting to build up Kereke’s defence. At first you told this court that you actually slept with Kereke in one bedroom and later shifted that he was in the main bedroom, while you occupied the spare bedroom,” he said.
“You are also saying things which are not in your statement to the police. You actually plotted how you were going to defend him and you crammed your defence. Witness stop making a story.”
Mr Warara expressed concern over the manner the police recorded witnesses’ statements.
The trial continues today with Kereke’s security guard testifying.
Mahofa Evicts Starving Chingwizi-Flood Victims
Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| The minister of state for Masvingo, Shuvai Ben Mahofa, has ordered the 30 000 Chingwizi flood victims to relocate from the camp into the hinterland within the next four weeks.
Despite the critical shortage of food at Chingwizi camp, Mahofa told the villagers at the transit camp to relocate to hinterland or face eviction from the government.
The government did not compensate the villagers as earlier claimed 2 years before and last month Mahofa said there was no money to pay them. Despite the cold weather and the absence of clinics and schools, Mahofa said the government would not reverse its position. The villagers told Mahofa the relocation would be disastrous because of severe shortage of food and they would be forced to live in the open.
But a defiant Mahofa said those who attempt to resist the relocation would be ruthlessly dealt with. “I have to warn those who will attempt to resist the relocation programme that they will regret,” she said.
She continued saying, “we are not negotiating with you but we are simply telling you what is going to happen. Food will be given to those who will be moved from this place.
“We have no resources as government so we are going to negotiate with companies who can ferry you. We will take over any company that refuses to assist us and that is how Zanu PF rules,” said Mahofa.
The Chingwizi flood victims, who have experienced the worst humanitarian crisis in the country since independence, told Mahofa they would only move after being fully compensated by the government. The war continues…
Chiwenga:Army Key To Economic Prosperity
Defence Forces boss, Gen Constantine Chiwenga, says the army will create solutions for Zimbabwe’s economic challenges.
Zimbabwe’s industry should invest in research and development and link with the Defence Forces and Government to promote local production and procurement to support economic growth, Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga has said. Presenting a paper on Local Procurement by Uniformed Forces for Economic Recovery at the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries annual general meeting yesterday, Gen Chiwenga made a number of pointers that he said may lead to economic recovery.
These include coming together of industry, the Defence Forces and Government to “think” through solutions to the current challenges.
Also, developing local production capacity, resurrecting troubled industries and strengthening co-operation between military and industry researchers would be critical.
Local procurement would reduce reliance on imports, reduce the import bill and grow the economy.
General Chiwenga said it is important to have co-operation between industry and the Defence Forces in research and development to create solutions to the economic challenges.
He said from a security perspective, local procurement is the best as it assures certainty of supply even in the event of war.
“The capacity to create defence goods must be localised and it is not appropriate for us to be importing almost everything even to the extent of importing swords, berets and buttons for use by the military,” said Gen Chiwenga.
“I therefore, challenge you members of the CZI to invest in research and development that is targeted to meet the needs of the Defence Forces. By this I am stating that the CZI must be innovative and come up with solutions to enable the Defence Forces to develop that capacity required to carry out its mandate and usher in that peace dividend critical for sustainable national economic development.
“Therefore, as your country’s security forces we are aware of the need to support the local industry through appropriate procurement policies.
“The overall procurement guidelines direct procurement officers to consider local producers first before engaging foreign sources for the supply of the goods required by the Defence Forces, in line with the indiginisation laws of the country,” he said.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces is one of the single major spenders of Government which is often expected to stimulate aggregate demand in the economy.
Buying imported goods means exporting cash which is already in short supply. Also, it
means exporting labour.
As such, Gen Chiwenga said procurement officers are fully aware of the effect of defence spending on the economy.
But for local producers to be competitive there is therefore need for business to be aggressive in its approach and reclaim its space. This means that business should also follow and invest where the defence forces create peace in the region.
Gen Chiwenga pointed to the lackadaisical approach by business when the army helped end wars in neighbouring Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo saying business did not move in to invest in the two countries.
“Regrettably, there were no corresponding interests from Zimbabwean businesses to follow in the footsteps of the Defence Forces to establish businesses there, instead South African companies ended up seizing the peace dividend. I certainly crave for the development of a courageous and patriotic crop of businesses that are aggressive, independent and venturesome.
“Get the head out of the sand and let us do something for our country. If our local companies had ventured aggressively into these markets it would have created huge benefits to the Zimbabwean economy,” he said.
There is also need to revive industries that have either folded or are in intensive care.
Due to limited local industry capacity the security forces ended up creating capacity to produce their own uniforms.
“Where is David Whitehead Textiles? Where is Modzone Enterprises? When I received this invitation, I went down memory lane when co-operation was fruitful and weapon platforms like mortars were produced here. You would also readily remember the PUMA vehicle which was locally produced in this country and substantial coach building that was done by such companies as Dahmer.
“Therefore, there is need for that strong deliberate investment in research and development in industry that is geared to support the Defence Forces and the economy at large,” said Gen Chiwenga. -state media
Ecocash Threatens Traditional Banks-Analyst
One of Zimbabwe’s leading advisory firms says robust growth in technology based payment platforms poses a serious threat to the earnings of already frail traditional banks.
In the Banking Industry 2015 Review and Outlook released Thursday, Invictus Securities Zimbabwe said mobile money subscribers had doubled since March 2013, translating into a surge in the volumes of technology based payments, but posing “a threat to traditional banking”.
Fees and charges have become a major revenue earner for banks, as they grow increasingly cautious on lending, their traditional source of income.
Invictus however says income from transaction fees is coming under pressure as customers move to more efficient payment systems.
At the end of last year, mobile money subscribers rose to 7,3 million, from 5,3 million at the end of 2014. This number had been estimated at 2,2 million in March 2013.
“We foresee continued growth in mobile banking as it provides easy access to banking services and facilitates the ease of transferring money and making payments among other benefits, the same benefits that targets the financially excluded,” Invictus said.
“This poses a threat to traditional banking, through reduced transactional volumes and as a result decreased retail service fees. Mobile network operators were quick to respond to financial inclusion than banks. Transferring money and mobile payments constitute the biggest component at 72 percent for mobile money user services, the same core issues targeted by retail banking,” the report added.
It said retail banking would face even more problems as mobile money is projected to record “phenomenal growth” in Zimbabwe, under pinned by a financial inclusion strategy announced by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in March.
“Coupled with pressure from central bank to lower bank charges, we forecast retail services revenue for banks to remain suppressed, hence forcing banks to rely more on interest income, which forms part of core banking.This on its own is a flag to transactional retail services fee income to banks going forward,” added Invictus.
It said the real time gross settlement system still dominated in terms of transactional values, but mobile payments accounted for 87,9 percent of transactional volumes.
Growth in mobile transactions translated to $427 million, equivalent to 7,5 percent of total monetary transactions.
It said going forward, and with the multicurrency regimein force, banks’ earnings would be driven by cost containment to enhance efficiency, as well as loan portfolio management.
“Embracing technology and participation in financial inclusion will also boost income and make banks competitive in the face of accelerated informalisation of the economy, increased mobile penetration rates and popularity of mobile money services,” said the report.
“In the short term, Treasury Bills Trading income and ZAMCO (Zimbabwe Asset Management Corporation) operations will likely drive income but we remain skeptical about the sustainability of these, and hence put doubt on banks that have income components largely driven by these components,” the report added.-The Source
Gumbura: My Wives Can Have Sex with Other Men
Jailed Independent End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura says he has no qualms if any of his wives walks out on him as they have been loyal for more than two years and are only human.
Speaking from his jail cell at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison to ZiFM Stereo Gumbura, who has 12 wives, bragged that he was the one who got the most visits at Chikurubi.
“Even today if I hear they have left, I would not complain if any of my wives decided to leave. They have been loyal for two-and-a-half years, and I get the most visits that sometimes they have to be divided into groups,” said Gumbura.
According to Gumbura, who is currently serving a 40-year jail term, his youngest wife is 24 years old and much younger than some of his 34 children.
The soon-to-be 60-year-old said naturally, he has a high sex drive and did not need to take any medicine or herbs to enhance his sexual appetite.
“I just used to eat healthy; fish, lacto, beans, mangoes, to make me naturally healthy, and you have to be someone with a high sex drive,” he said.
Gumbura, who only regards one as his wife after she has given birth, said he got married to his first wife at the age of 26 and only took the second one at 35.
“Even if I get released today, I will not stop polygamy because I don’t see anything wrong with it.”
Revealing more about how he used to manage his polygamous lifestyle, Gumbura said the practice that many now publicly frown upon is actually smart and civilised.
“I paid lobola for all my wives. Polygamy is a decent marriage. Women are not animals that you have intercourse with one and move on to the next the same night. I would take each wife per night. Remember there were also children in that house, it was orderly, and my eldest is 34,” the incarcerated cleric said.
“And it’s not like sex is just done at night, you can have it in the morning, in the afternoon, or at night, and it can be done neatly and decently.
“My days of sex were Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and then I would go to the farm, or mine, and there are times I would get some off time and go to the farm and there I would get enough time.”
He said even in prison, people were curious to know how he used to manage his oversubscribed sex life — and he told them that his home was a peaceful environment where everyone got along well.
“I love women, and so I would want to change them here and there, I love variety, not particular features on women,” said Gumbura.
However, he said he was worried that his family was failing to cope in his absence and are now struggling with school fees and transport to take the children to school.
Before his arrest Gumbura was a farmer, a gold miner and a pastor. Daily News
Tsvangirai Party Slams Mugabe March
The so-called million men march that was staged by the faction-ridden and crumbling Zanu PF regime on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 was a spectacular flop. A few thousand people, most of whom had been commandeered to travel to Harare to attend the puerile and utterly purposeless march, turned up for this non-event. In fact, the rented, whose main agenda was to massage the ego of a nonagenarian who has run down the former jewel of Africa. What a big yawn, the march was.
The MDC has always stated that Robert Mugabe can afford to rig the economy but he can never successfully rig the economy. In fact, the Zanu PF regime forced public schools and other institutions to provide transport for their thoroughly undeserved march. The following statistics from Mashonaland West province provide an insight into how the fascist Zanu PF regime commandeered schools to provide transport for their uncalled and undeserved march :
Chegutu District :
1.Dudley Hall Primary School – one 63 seater bus
2.Musengezi High School – one 66 seater bus
3.Martindale High School – one 63 seater bus
4.St.Erick Primary School – one 48 seater bus
5.Bryden Primary School – one 30 seater bus
6.Presbyterian School – one 76 seater bus
7.Sandringham High School – one 76 seater bus
8.Vimbai High School – one 66 seater bus
9.Moleli High School – one 76 seater bus
Makonde District :
1.Sinoia Primary School – one 66 seater bus
2.Nemakonde High School – one 76 seater bus
3.Manyame Primary School – one 66 seater bus
4.Hope Tariro Primary School – one 66 seater bus
5.Chinhoyi High School – one 42 seater bus
6.Lomagundi College – one 76 seater bus
Kariba District :
1.Nyamhunga High School – one 63 seater bus
2.Nyamhunga Primary School – one 30 seater bus
Hurungwe District :
1.Karoi Junior School – one 65 seater bus
2.Chikangwe Primary School – one 30 seater bus
3.Magunje Barracks High School – one 65 seater bus
4.Karoi High School – one 30 seater bus
5.Chikangwe High School – one 30 seater bus
Sanyati District :
1.Jameson High School – one 64 seater bus
2.Rimuka 1 High School – one 28 seater bus
3.Rimuka 2 High School – one 75 seater bus
4.Chiguvare School – one 28 seater bus
5.Rubatsiro School – one 28 seater bus
6.Sir John Kennedy School – one 28 seater bus
7.Sanyati Baptist High School – one 75 seater bus
Mhondoro Ngezi District :
1.Ngezi High School – one 76 seater bus
Zvimba District :
1.Banket Primary School – one 63 seater bus
2.Darwendale Primary School – one 69 seater bus
3.Inkomo High School – one 65 seater bus
4.Sodbury Secondary School – one 63 seater bus
5.Cornway College – one 63 seater bus
6.Mutorashanga High School – one 37 seater bus
7.Kutama High School – one 65 seater bus
When the MDC staged the “mother of all demonstrations” in Harare on April 14, 2016 no less than 20 000 people voluntarily took part in the historic march. No single school or public institution was commandeered to provide transport to ferry our supporters to the march. Put simply, the MDC never coerced and/or extorted money and any other material resources from anyone.
Zanu PF operates like a bandit commandist organization. For example, all vendors operating from Mbare Musika in Harare were forced and commandeered to participate in the spurious and fascist march that took place in Harare on May 25,2016.The long- suffering people of Zimbabwe should resolutely refuse to pay homage to a brutal and totalitarian political system that has pauperised and traumatized them over the past 36 years. We say a very big NO to the Zanu PF dictatorship! We should stand up for our rights and refuse to be intimidated and threatened by an illegitimate and corrupt regime that is in the sunset of its life.
Zimbabwe has now reached a defining moment. Never again should we allow the brutal, extortionist and corrupt Zanu PF dictatorship to hold the people of Zimbabwe at ransom. Enough is enough! The people of Zimbabwe should appreciate the fact that the Zanu PF regime is now living on borrowed time. No matter how much repression and suppression is brought upon the toiling masses of Zimbabwe by the crumbling Zanu PF regime, the MDC urges the people to democratically and fearlessly fight for the establishment of an equal and egalitarian society in which the rights of all citizens are upheld and respected.
President Robert Mugabe, as expected, gave a thoroughly banal speech at the so-called million men march. The old man has nothing new that he can offer the people of Zimbabwe. He has superintended the total collapse of a country that used to be an economic giant in Africa. The address by Grace Mugabe was coarse and provocative. How can she contemptuously announce to the world that Robert Mugabe will rule from the grave?
This woman should be taught a little bit of decency. She shouldn’t be allowed to continue insulting the people of Zimbabwe. The time has come for all patriotic and peace-loving Zimbabweans to join hands and ensure that the Zanu PF illegitimate regime is lawfully and constitutionally removed from power. No other option will do.
Obert Chaurura Gutu
MDC National Spokesperson
ANOTHER ACCIDENT: 5 Killed On Chiredzi-Harare Route
Harare – ZimEye.com is receiving reports of another accident on the Chiredzi-Harare route on Wednesday, involving an Inter-Africa bus. (5) Five people were reportedly affected, ZimEye.com sources said.
The accident reportedly happened at the Zaka Jerera turn off. “If you have relatives who were travelling from Chiredzi to Harare with inter Africa please call and confirm; It was involved in an accident and 5 died on the sport including the driver and conductor,” a source wrote to ZimEye.com
The conductor has been named as Mr. Carlos Masando, popularly called by his Catholic name, “Gweja Musande.”
Concerns were heightened last night after an InterAfrica administrator switched the phone when contacted for comment.
Details were sketchy at the time of writing and an official statement from the police unfruitful. DID YOU ALSO WITNESS THIS ACCIDENT? Send in your video, pictures and details of your experience right now to +447426863301
‘For Us Business Is A Calling…’
It is important to line up with God’s calling and purpose, which are always linked to your gifting.
Having the calling and gifting is not the end. You need to develop and nurture your gifts by training and development. Involve the right mentors, coaches and advisors in order to ensure sustainable growth.
Be sure if business is your calling. If it is not, you have two choices. Either stop and do other things you are called to, or you can continue until God clarifies your direction. In this way you will not get disappointed when you get less than expected results. Listen to God.
Doing business in a corrupt environment.
‘Wealth gotten by corrupt means will be maintained by corrupt mean.’ The foundation is critical in determining your path and your future. Choose your path with wisdom. Do not give bribes and do not take bribes. Make up your mind now that you will wait on God’s timing and receive his blessing. Rather wait for a door opened by God, than force it using human effort. Decide today how you will handle this.
There is no substitute for integrity. And the Bible repeatedly states that integrity will be rewarded.
Babies do not grow to maturity in two days
It takes time. Just like a baby, growing and building a business takes time, effort and sacrifice. Therefore you need that character of Christ reflected through the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Avoid get rich quick schemes at all cost. They are not businesses, but just scams.
It is said that 80% of businesses that are started do not last for a year. And another 20% fail in the second year. You need tenacity to make it. It can take up to five years to lay a good foundation of a business and another five years to mature it. Patience is needed and is the fruit of the Spirit.
Do you know Warren Buffet? He made 99% of his money when he was over 50yrs old! Yes. He spent most of his life building a pipeline. At 50 he was worth $600m. This has since grown to over $63.3bn.
If you walk alone you walk fast, perhaps into your destruction. But if you walk with God, you walk into eternity. You work remain for ever. This is the kind of wealth that you can pass to the next generation.
Do not be short sighted. Consider the bigger picture. Put God first.
Have a great day!
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© Copyright 2015 by It’s My Footprint, www.itsmyfootprint.com.
Mugabe fires warning shots
Staff Reporter| If the run up to the 2018 elections has to be weighed on the strength of public demonstrations, the current state of affairs is a convincing ZANU PF 1 – 0 MDC T with ZANU PF probably enjoying a 90% possession.
The ruling party planned for a million man march into Harare and managed to pull an extremely convincing figure of about 300 000 into the capital city to express their satisfaction with the leadership of President Mugabe.
The ZANU PF march comes a couple of months after rival opposition party Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai held a similar march which attracted just under 5 000 people out of a target of 100 000 people.
Mugabe’s march left the whole world stunned as very few people expected Zimbabweans to respond in the numbers they did in support of Mugabe under the current economic conditions in the country.
The MDCT will this weekend attempt another strike at Mugabe by holding another demonstration in Bulawayo.
But commented Mugabe supporter, Dr. Masimba Mavaza on the Mugabe march:”ZANU PF can claim success because they mobilized a significant number of willing masses. This is a serious show of democratic force. The human forces were everywhere. They came in jovial mood, they sang and praised their leader.”
Mugabe to Rule Zimbabwe “for 1,000 Years”, Alludes Grace | ANALYSIS
First Lady Grace Mugabe, says her husband, Robert will continue ruling Zimbabwe as a ghost after his death.
Appearing to borrow a pun from the late former Prime Minister, Ian Smith, who just before independence in 1980 said Zimbabwe will never be ruled by a black person for another 1,000 years, Grace on Wednesday said Mugabe was irreplaceable and would continue to lead the Southern African country from his grave.
Grace was addressing thousands of Zanu PF supporters gathered in Harare for the much touted one million man march in support of Mugabe’s candidature in the 2018 presidential elections.
“You were chosen and put aside because you are special. When sanctions started, we faced difficulties, but because of your consistence and principled, people know you stand for the truth and stand for Zimbabweans and Africans. As women’s league, we support you for 2018, we want you to be life president, you are irreplaceable, will make you our leader even in your grave at the heroes acre,” she said.
The controversial first lady said everyone at the Robert Mugabe Square, where the marchers gathered to be addressed by the nonagenarian leader, including journalists covering the event, had come because they supported Zanu PF.
Grace said Mugabe had been chosen by God because he was a principled leader who was loyal and loved the people of Zimbabwe and Africa at large.- IOL
Mpilo Hospital Boss’ Conviction Quashed by Judge
THE High Court has quashed both the conviction and sentence of former Mpilo Central Hospital staffer, Edgar Mdongo, who was jailed for five years for defrauding the hospital of R200,000.
Mdongo, who was the hospital’s chief medical equipment technician, was in December 2012, convicted of fraud after he, together with a former buyer, Dumisani Sibanda, inflated a quotation of R48,000 to read R248,000, prejudicing the medical institution of R200,000.
It was also alleged that he had been accessing the equipment department and other departments.
Mdongo was sentenced to five years imprisonment, three of which were suspended on condition that he restitutes the R200,000 while Sibanda was acquitted.
He was granted bail by the High Court in 2013 pending appeal against both conviction and sentence after arguing that the element of prejudice was not proved in his case.
Justice Francis Bere, sitting with Justice Maxwell Takuva at the criminal appeals court, upheld Mdongo’s appeal.
“The court is satisfied that both conviction and sentence were improper and accordingly the appeal is upheld,” ruled Justice Takuva.
Mdongo was the appellant while the state was cited as the respondent. Both the state and defence counsels concurred that there were gaps in the state’s case which arose from the failure by the prosecution to produce some of the key evidence pertaining to the award of the tender.
Nokuthaba Ngwenya, for the state, conceded that the prosecution failed to prove beyond any reasonable doubt the essential elements of the offence.
In his appeal, Mdongo, though his lawyers, Mutuso, Taruvinga and Mhiribidi Legal Practitioners, said the tender was won based on the lowest quotation but for the wrong specification of the equipment ordered.
He argued that the correct equipment was subsequently quoted R248,000 hence he did not prejudice the institution.
The lawyers said the lower court was misdirected, arguing that its judgment was unclear as to what had actually happened. state media
Mukaro High School Shut Down
The Masvingo school which recently had one of its dormitories burnt down, Mukaro High School in Gutu, has been closed.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Masvingo has closed Mukaro with immediate effect in protest against the continued presence of two teachers accused of having masterminded pupils’ protests in 2012.
The girls only boarding school has an enrolment of more than 700 pupils. Pupils were yesterday caught unaware by the action and were ferried home by buses, some from Catholic schools in Masvingo.
In a statement, the Education Secretary of the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo, Father Raphael Zindova, said the school has encountered challenges since 2012 and the situation remains tense due to the two “stubborn teachers.”
Zindova did not name the two teachers, but four years ago Martin Matenhere and Musana Chirikure were suspended for allegedly inciting pupils to strike but they appealed to the High Court and won their case.
The High Court ordered the school to lift the suspensions and interdicted the institution from transfering them.
The teachers have been reporting for duty but the relationship between them and their employer is said to have irretrievably broken down.
“Mukaro High School has encountered challenges since 2012. The situation has continued to be untenable, tense and disruptive due to the two stubborn teachers at the school. The responsible authority has been co-acted to close the school with immediate effect. Any query should be directed to Mr Zedius Chitiga, the Provincial Education Director of Masvingo Province,” reads the statement.
Chitiga was said to be out of office and his mobile phone rang unanswered yesterday.
His deputy Andrew Chikwange said they were still trying to ascertain the reasons for the school’s closure.
“Mukaro High School has been closed but we’re yet to establish the goings-on at the school. We’re currently seized with the matter. I hope we’ll have a position when my boss, Chitiga is in the office,” said Chikwange.
Sources said church authorities led by the Vicar General, Father Walter Nyatsanza, went to the institution yesterday morning and announced that the school was closing.
They allegedly cited the continued presence of Matenhere and Chirikure as the reason for the closure.
Parents with children at Mukaro High who spoke on condition of anonymity yesterday expressed outrage at the decision to close the boarding school over the stand-off with two teachers.
The parents said it was shocking that their children were ordered to return home from school yet they had paid full fees.
They said the fight by the school authorities was not supposed to infringe on their childrens learning activities.
Problems at Mukaro have been brewing up since July 2012 when over 700 girls staged a protest and walked on foot to Mpandawana Growth point to meet ministry of Education authorities over a plethora of grievances.
The students were unhappy with the quality of food served at the school that was also chronically beset by water problems as three boreholes that supplied the institution were overwhelmed. – state media
Killing of School Girl by Kombi Driver
Press Statement on the running over of Queen Elizabeth Pupil on 23 May 2016 by Kombi
Passengers Association of Zimbabwe joins the families and friends of Jocelyn Gomba (17) and Mr. Oldwell Mabanga and Queen Elizabeth school’s staff and pupils in mourning. These two are victims of the lawlessness and disregard of lives being practiced by kombis as evidenced by the fact that they were run over and dragged by one of the kombis that use an undesignated pick up point at the corner of Park Lane and Leopold Takawira Street, on Monday 23 May 2016. Two other pupils were injured. The ubiquitous and nefarious existence of Mishikashika even at the gates of schools such as Queen Elizabeth and Girls High must come to an end. Things can no longer continue to fall apart, the centre must hold.
How many more pupils like Queen Elizabeth’s Jocelyn Gomba can we continue to lose? How many daughters, sisters or friends like her? How many bread winners, brothers, fathers or sons like Oldwell Mabanga? Even as we say may their dear departed souls rest in peace we call for an end to accidents of this nature. More so, as the owner of the kombi acted rather negligently by employing a driver who had acquired a driver’s license one year and four months before in defiance of the Road Traffic Act that makes it a prerequisite that one should have a five year experience.
The memorial march by Girls High and Queen Elizabeth School during a memorial service for their colleague does not only resonate in the heart of every individual who has been injured or has suffered the loss of a loved one or colleague in similar circumstances. Indeed, it is a wakeup call to the fact that the traffic jungle must be tamed. Kombi operators and crews must learn to obey the law. If they continue to act as if they are the law to themselves then legislators, the judiciary, law enforcement agents, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Harare and other municipalities and councils must work together in order to put a leash or to put down these rabid and rogue elements.
As PAZ we call for immediate action by the Municpality of Harare and ZRP Traffic Branch to remove the Park Street/ Leoplod Takawira Street “terminus”. The rank does not have a toilet such that kombi crews and vendors would relieve themselves at an abandoned and incomplete Leopold Takawira and Samora Machel Service Station, formerly a car sale. The students also continue to be harassed by touts and kombi crews. They are also blocked on both sides making their travelling from school to the CBD difficult.
SAY NO TO
ROAD ACCIDENTS
Your safety and rights are our goals
Contact:
Tafadzwa George Goliati
President
Mugabe Frees Thousands of Prisoners
ZANU PF leader, Robert Mugabe has issued an order granting thousands of prisoners release on Presidential Amnesty.
The Government Gazette of 23 May 2016 says that President Mugabe has ordered the country’s prisons to release up to 5700 prisoners on his clemency.
However, prisoners serving time for violent crimes such as murder, armed robbery, rape and others alike will not be eligible.
The country’s major prisons started releasing the prisoners on Tuesday. Though official figures of how many each prison is releasing were not available, ZimEye.com is reliably informed that a great number of female prisoners in the country are part of the amnesty.
The country’s prisons are currently holding about 160% prisoners to it’s capacity and battling to sustain the huge population. Starvation, sicknesses and death is the order in almost all of the country’s prisons due to over population and lack of resources.
Until this week, the Justice ministry had for some time been calling on the system to consider merely penalising offenders with non-custodial sentences as the prisons are failing to cope.
WATCH: China Unveils Bus that Drives Over the TOP of Other Cars
The idea is that passengers sit far above other vehicles on the road, allowing cars to pass underneath.
In a model of the vehicle, it appears to run on a set of fixed rails embedded on the road.
It means the vehicle is more like a cross between a tram and a bus.
Engineers hope the design will increase the availability of the road space, and cause fewer traffic jams than regular buses.
It is also expected to save costs compared to other public transport options, like the subway.
‘With a carrying capacity of 1,200 people at a time, the TEB has the same functions as the subway while its cost of construction is less than one fifth that of the subway,’ said Bai Zhiming, engineer in charge of the TEB project said in a YouTube video showing an interview with CCTV News. – CCTVNews
ZANU PF Members Beat Each Other Up as Mugabe watches
ZANU Pf members beat each other up today as President Robert Mugabe watched during the so called 1 million-man march.
It was chaos when the roudy youths fought each other over food and t-shirts. – VIDEO AND picture:
Tsvangirai Speaks from Hospital
By Morgan Tsvangirai| Fellow Zimbabweans, I write to express my heartfelt thanks to you all for the overwhelming support you continue to give me in my temporary period of indisposition.
The personal messages and the support you are giving me and my family is humbling. I want to thank you all for that awesome support to the party and the family, including my loving wife who is by my side as I return to full recovery.
I am equally aware, however, of the morbid wishes of some of my fellow countrymen. But I want to assure them that Morgan Tsvangirai will soon be back to be the usual pain to those at the helm of mis-governance; those who oppress the people and who are turning a blind eye to all this sickening poverty around us. I remain fully aware of and concerned with what we are all going through collectively as a people and as a country.
I am told that they have closed the country down today. All the suffering and struggling vendors have been asked to close shop and join a march to prop up the ego of Robert Mugabe. It is lost on them that it is the country–and not the people–that must be on a brave march to stability and progress.
To friends and foe alike, I want to assure you that I am recovering. I assure you that I must not be the cause of any national uncertainty. The irony is that yes, I may be indisposed, but I am more worried about my country and its economy that seem to be in a far much worse state than my personal state of health. It is the country that we all love that needs urgent healing. It is our country that must be the biggest worry for all of us, not only for our personal sake but for the sake of the legacy we must leave behind for future generations.
Rest assured, I am on the path to full recovery and I will be joining you soon to continue with the struggle for freedom, peace, democracy and national prosperity.
I wish you all a happy Africa Day.
Grace Mugabe Caught on Camera Frowning At Mnangagwa
Terrence Mawawa| Despite claims by ruling Zanu PF fanatics that there is no animosity between powerful First Lady Grace Mugabe and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the president’s wife was captured on ZBC television frowning at her husband’s deputy.
Mnangagwa, said to be Mugabe’s blue eyed boy years before, took to the podium to chant praises for the nonagenarian. But looking directly at him, Mrs Mugabe flung an exterior towards him looking sideways and broadly frowning in the process.
On realising the antagonism, the ZBC camera personnel attempted to divert attention to the cheering Zanu PF supporters, but it was too late to conceal the hostility.
Mrs Mugabe was also seen folding her arms as the Midlands godfather chanted slogans praising Mugabe.
Mrs Mugabe later went to the podium where she said Mugabe irreplaceable. “The truth is that President Mugabe cannot be replaced by anyone.He will rule until he dies in office.Even if he dies he will still rule.Therefore you must stop making noise.As far as I am concerned there is no one who can replace him. We know that there are people who are saying too many things but we are not even worried about that. Even if we bury him at the Heroes’ Acre, he will still remain in power,”she said.
Mrs Mugabe also took the opportunity to attack former freedom fighters, believed to be strongly behind Mnangagwa.
“We know that some you went to war but then we have to move forward. Why do we have to keep on looking behind our shoulders instead of looking at what is ahead?We are here to stay,” she said much to the delight of her G-40 allies. The First Lady said Mugabe, who will be 94 in 2018, was the party’s sole presidential candidate.
WATCH LIVE: Mugabe’s 1 Million March in Harare
Archbishop Flees As Clash Over Congregants Turns Nasty
Terrence Mawawa, Bikita| The Zion Apostolic Church(ZAC), Arch-bishop, Felix Peresu Masuka’s car was pelted with stones by a group of youths sent by his younger brother following fierce clashes over congregants.
Masuka was ambushed by his younger, Jacob Masuka and a group of youths while driving home from Chikuku Business Centre, after conducting a church service, church sources told ZimEye.com.
Jacob is accusing his elder brother of snatching his followers.
Jacob and a group of youths blocked Masuka with the former’s wife lying in the middle of the road. “When the archbishop stopped his vehicle, a group of youths planted in the nearby bushes began to pelt the car with stones. The windscreen was badly damaged in the process. The archbishop and his team managed to flee from the scene. The archibishop later mobilised youths who assaulted Jacob at his homestead. Jacob has since vanished and we do not know where he is up to now,” said a church congregant who declined to be named.
However the elder Masuka has vehemently denied the issue.
“As far as I am concerned everything is well in my church so I do not know what you are talking about. I am actually on my way to South Africa ,” he said.
On the contrary, Enos Muroorwa Masuka, a relative of the two brothers told ZimEye: “We are making efforts to unite the two. We even went to Chief Budzi seeking guidance in the same matter.”
ZANU Youths Shut Down Harare
Zanu PF will today literally shut down the capital city as hordes of its supporters engage in a controversial “one million-man march” that will see them congregating at the so-called Robert Mugabe Square near the Harare Show Grounds.
While today is Africa Day and therefore a public holiday, residents of Harare will be certainly caught up in the march that is being staged in support of 92-year-old President Robert Mugabe.
From the information released by the Zanu PF youth league that is organising the event, the controversial demonstration dubbed one million-man march will see roads such as Samora Machel Avenue, Robert Mugabe Road, Second Street, Rotten Row and Prince Edward Road and several other feeder roads being affected.
Zanu PF youth league deputy secretary Kudzanai Chipanga told the Daily News that provinces will camp at designated provincial assembly points just outside the central business district.
He said more than one million party supporters will descend on Harare since some provinces “did extremely well in terms of mobilisation”.
“It’s all systems go now because we have done what was supposed to be the difficult part that is mobilisation but we surprised even ourselves in that regard as we expect more than one million people after some provinces surpassed what we had envisaged.
“Yet transport is not a challenge because Zanu PF is one of the biggest and oldest political parties so that is solved. By tomorrow, (today) everything will be in place,” Chipanga told some stakeholders during a tour of the venue yesterday.
The National Sports Stadium has been reserved for all Matabeleland provinces as well as Midlands, while party supporters from Mashonaland West will assemble at Kensington Shopping Centre and East 24 will play host to Manicaland and Mashonaland East provinces.
Harare province will assemble at Raylton Sports Club with Rufaro Stadium hosting Masvingo. Mashonaland Central province will be at corner Cork Road and Sam Nujoma Street near the South African Embassy.
The provinces are expected to then march from these points from 0900 hours towards “Robert Mugabe Square” (which opposition parties refer to as Freedom Square) where they will be addressed by the party’s nonagenarian leader. Daily news
Mugabe Dead and Buried, Says Zambian Politician
Sakala, a former member of the National Restoration Party of Zambia(NAREP) said the people of Zimbabwe would soon be liberated from three decades of political bondage under Mugabe’s firm grip on power.
The 92 year old President,who will be 94 in 2018, has indicated his willingness to contest in the crucial polls,despite his advanced age.
Speaking at a Public Forum, organised by the Barbara Nyagomo led Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe(PDZ) last night, Sakala said Mugabe had outlived his mandate and he had nothing new to offer to the restive and long suffering Zimbabweans.
“The people of Zimbabwe have to maintain their focus because I know the conditions are very tough. Everything has been criminalised in Zimbabwe.Things are a bit different in Zambia.What I know is the people of Zimbabwe are in bondage but let me reiterate the fact that Mugabe will fall even before 2018.The economy is crumbling with each passing day so his government is doomed,”said Sakala. He said Zimbabwean opposition parties must focus on grassroots mobilization.
“I believe opposition parties must concentrate on grassroots mobilisation. I am happy I have been invited to the Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe forum.My advice to them and all opposition parties is that in Africa elections cannot be won on social media.There is need to put roots on the ground in order to defeat Zanu PF. As a politician, I believe in honesty,commitment, responsibility, humility,heart for the people,issue based politics and sense of community belonging,” said Sakala.
Ironically thousands of people have been bussed from different parts of the country for the Mugabe solidarity march.School pupils will be force marched to the event in a bid to portray Mugabe as an icon of Zimbabwe and Africa.
Chiyangwa Resignation Threat
ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa has threatened to resign if the Warriors fail to win international matches.
Chiyangwa said his number one priority is to ensure that the national teams win matches in their international
assignments and he promised to quit should they fail in that
mission.
Speaking at a media briefing where the Warriors squads for upcoming AFCON qualifier against Malawi and COSAFA Cup
tournament were announced yesterday by coach Callisto Pasuwa, Chiyangwa said everything else comes secondary.
The Warriors, the Mighty Warriors and the Young Warriors are all involved in big commitments, which urgently require funds.
“For me to put these teams together I need a budget of $485 000 that is for Uganda, Malawi and COSAFA matches,” said
Chiyangwa.
“So, in order for us not be crowded with financial issues, it is better for them (Mighty Warriors) to go away and we deal with
this present problem, that is financial engineering.
“Otherwise you know all of you that ZIFA has zero, it has a minus of $6 million dollars.
“I entered an office where there is a debt facing me of $6 million and I am expected to do as good as anybody else, which is what
you have seen me do, which is to put the debt issue aside, concentrate and focus at producing results because as long as I
don’t produce results as president of ZIFA, I will resign.
“If the national teams continue to lose I will resign because if I don’t resign you will finish me off you media guys.” Chiyangwa said he plans meticulously with his technical team ahead of such big games like the Malawi showdown.
“I plan to win, these guys (technical team) were here this morning at 8 ’clock for meetings. I plan to win, my game plan is to win, I don’t expect anything else from the technical team, that is why I asked them to take the best players we have in the world
wherever they are and I will look for the money to fly them in,” said Chiyangwa.
“We want to win because if we lose I will be finished.
“If the team begin to lose I will leave so that others can lead, that is
my story.”
As part of the reforms that will get the association up and running again, the Harare property mogul also revealed that ZIFA would
be re-branding in the coming fortnight.
Currently, the mother body is operating without a substantive general secretary following the departure of Jonathan
Mashingaidze, whose contract was not renewed.
Former chief operating officer Joseph Mamutse is acting in that capacity but a new chief executive is expected amid other changes as part of the re-branding strategy to be announced in two weeks’ time.
“In about two weeks’ time we would be re-branding ZIFA. We are changing everything that is happening at ZIFA and I mean everything that is all I can say,” said Chiyangwa.
Chiyangwa was also asked about his partner Wicknell Chivayo and the ZIFA boss said as far as he was concerned, their partnership was alive and well.
Chivayo bought a luxurious car for Warriors skipper Willard Katsande in Johannesburg and treated the duo of Knowledge Musona and Costa Nhamoinesu to a shopping spree in Paris, which was said to have cost $10 000 per player.
“What I am happy with is that the players like this guy who spoils them.
“They haven’t brought any complaints and I am also happy because this guy has done something that no other guy has done in the history of Zimbabwe football,” said Chiyangwa.
“If it was not for him, we would not be playing in the 2022 World Cup and he paid more than $180 000 for Tom Saintfiet.
“He is my partner and the relationship is between him and me and not ZIFA and so far I am happy with how things are going.”
Warriors manager Shariff Mussa said the players were happy with the gifts they were getting from Chivayo. -DembareDotComs
Warriors Squad Named for Malawi Afcon Clash
WARRIORS COACH Kalisto Pasuwa has named an indefatigable 26-member squad that will go into camp on Sunday night to begin preparations for Zimbabwe’s penultimate Group L 2017 Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Malawi at the National Sports Stadium on June 5.
The history making coach has made a few changes to the squad that was involved in the last Group L assignments against Swaziland on Easter Monday.
Pasuwa has brought in rookie goalkeeper Tapiwa Chilenga with the young Triangle goal minder coming in for University of Pretoria’s Washington Arubi.
The coach also left out defenders Partson Jaure and Eric Chipeta from the squad.
He however, included hitherto unheard of young midfielder Andrew Gwaze who is playing for Gornik Zabrze in Poland as part of his drive to give more opportunities to younger players.
The younger players also form the bulk of the COSAFA Castle Cup squad which was also announced at a press conference on Tuesday.
The AFCON squad will be the first to go into camp with the COSAFA players coming in on Monday June 6.
Coach Pasuwa explained that he had been following Gwaze’s progress from the days when the player was a junior at former Premier Soccer League side Monomotapa.
“I have been monitoring him and I have some videos of him and he has been playing well at his club
“Like I have always said we have an open door policy in the national team and any Zimbabwean player who will be doing well will be considered and Gwaze has been playing very well.
“I will also consider such players like Tino Kadewere for future assignments,’’ Pasuwa said.
The Warriors coach who was flanked by team manager Sharif Mussa and ZIFA president Dr Philip Chiyangwa also explained that Jaure and Arubi’s club – University of Pretoria – had requested not to release them as they have to play relegation- promotional play-offs in the South African Premiership.
Pasuwa who is happy with the club form of such players like Khama Billiat and Tendai Ndoro warned against complacency against Malawi who are already out of the running for qualification for the 2017 Nations Cup in Gabon.
Although he dropped a few players, Pasuwa kept faith the core of the squad that currently enjoys leadership of the group log standings with eight points following wins over Malawi (away and Swaziland (home) which have sandwiched 1-1 draws against Guinea at home and Swaziland away.
Key players who include captain Willard Katsande, goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva, Costa Nhamoinesu, Knowledge Musona, Danny Phiri, Marvelous Nakamba and Nyasha Mushekwi have all been retained.
The Warriors will, move a gear up in their preparations when they host Uganda in an international friendly in Harare on May 31.
Meanwhile Jomo Cosmos striker Charlton Mashumba is the only foreign-based player in the COSAFA squad with the coach opting to use the regional tournament as a platform to continuously develop locally-based talent.
The Afcon squad
Goalkeepers: Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos), Donovan Bernard (How Mine), Tapiwa Chilenga (Triangle)
Defenders: Costa Mhamoinesu (Sparta Praga), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Hardlife Zvirekwi (Caps), Bruce Kangwa (Highlanders), Onismo Bhasera (Bidvest FC), Elisha Muroiwa (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (Chicken Inn), Blessing Moyo (Harare City)
Midfielders: Willard Katsande (Kaizer Chiefs), Marvellous Nakamba (Vitesse Arnhem FC), Danny Phiri (Chicken Inn), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Golden Arrows), Marshal Mudehwe (FC Platinum), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Chicken Inn), Farai Madhanhanga (Harare City), Andrew Gwaze (Gornik Zabrze)
Strikers: Knowledge Musona (Ostende KV), Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundows), Nyasha Mushekwi (Dalian Yifang), Evans Rusike (Maritzburg), Cuthbert Malajila (Mamelodi Sundowns), Matthew Rusike (Helsingborgs IF), Tendai Ndoro (Orlando Pirates)
Cosafa squad
Goalkeepers: Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos), Donovan Bernard (How Mine), Nelson Chadya (Ngezi Platinum)
Defenders: Hardlife Zvirekwi (Caps United), Blessing Moyo (Harare City), Bruce Kangwa (Highlanders), Ronald Pfumbidzai (Caps), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Teenage Hadebe (Chicken Inn), Elisha Muroiwa (Dynamos), William Stima (Tsholotsho)
Midfielders: Marshal Mudewhe (FC Platinum), Danny Phiri (Chicken Inn),Nqobizitha Masuku (FC Platinum) ,Farai Madanhanga (Harare City), Raphael Manuvire (Harare City), King Nadolo (Highlanders), Talent Chawapiwa (ZPC Karibha), Hillary Bakacheza (FC Platinum), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Chicken Inn)
Strikers : Mitchel Katsvairo (Chicken Inn), William Manondo (Harare City),Walter Musona (FC Platinum), Chalton Mashumba (Jomo Cosmos), Obadiah Tarumbwa (Chicken Inn)
Rev Tutu Is Gay
The reverend daughter of former Cape Town Archbishop Desmond Tutu has announced she will give up her Anglican church licence after marrying a woman.
The Rev Canon Mpho Tutu-Van Firth said that she had chosen to make a “dignified” exit rather than be stripped of her right to practice, since the church does not recognise gay marriage.
“Because the South African Anglican Church does not recognise our marriage, I can no longer exercise my priestly ministry in South Africa,” she said.
“The bishop of the (Cape Town) diocese was instructed to revoke my licence. I decided that I would give it to him rather than have him take it.”
The loss of a respected and well-known church figure could however strengthen the hand of modernisers in Africa’s most liberal country, who could push at a provincial meeting in September for a more nuanced approach to gay clergy in South Africa.
While same-sex marriage was legalised in South Africa in 2006, the South African Anglican law on marriage states: “Holy matrimony is the lifelong and exclusive union between one man and one woman.”
Bishop Raphael Hess, Tutu’s senior in whose diocese her Cape Town base falls, said he was “vexed” by the need for her to renounce her clerical duties but that he hoped it would be short-lived.
“The time has come for us to exercise pastoral care, for us to demonstrate a shift that is reflected in the law,” he said.
“We would be able to have Rev Canon Tutu be able to minister. At the moment she cannot and she has accepted that but we are hoping that there might be a window for us to change it.”
Tutu is one of five children of Desmond Tutu, the former Archbishop of Cape Town who won the Nobel Peace Prize for standing up to the apartheid government and seeking to reconcile South Africans. He has also spoken out in favour of gay marriage, saying he would refuse to go to a “homophobic heaven”.
Tutu is executive director of her parents’ eponymous charitable foundation and divorced with two children. She married her long-time partner Marceline Van Furth, an atheist academic who is also divorced with children, in her native Netherlands in December.
The pair held a second ceremony that was attended by the Tutus and officiated by Rev Charlotte Bannister-Parker, a priest from Oxford, on Sir Richard Branson’s wine farm in Franschhoek earlier this month.
Desmond Tutu was given permission by the Archbishop of Cape Town, the head of the Anglican church in Southern Africa, to give the union a “father’s blessing”. – Daily Telegraph UK
Mugabe Blotched in Cog-Boob
President Robert Mugabe has been blotched by ZANU PF youths.
Party youths preparing for the so called 1 million man march today printed a poster with Mugabe’s name mispelt.
Mugabe’s name was printed as “Mubage.”
The development saw discussions opening on social networks to mock the ZANU PF leader who has held onto power since 1980.
Bona Mugabe Adoption Is Better Than Abortion! |LIVE DEBATE
Noel Manyanga But guys. I am not a politician. But is it wrong or what? This is a young couple from the royal family let them enjoy zvinebasa rei? Adoption is not abortion. This is their own decision haina chekuita na baba kana amai regai vana vaite zvavanoda.
Shamiso Gunda Adopted in African culture. If Africans can now adopt then we should begin to see less kids in the streets. Though for a month old the baby looks like a 3 months old
I guess he was a 5kg baby Like · Reply · Message · 3 ·
I guess he was a 5kg baby Like · Reply · Message · 3 ·
Bona's child was adopted ? | LIVE DEBATE | https://t.co/qoHVmJPxMG
— #ThisFlag ZimEye (@ZimEye) May 25, 2016
Mugabe Blows $4million for Singapore Grandson’s Trip
President Robert Mugabe has blown over $4million dollars for his Singaporean trip, a Finance Minister (former) has revealed.
In fact Mugabe is squandering the same amount every time he leaves Zimbabwe for overseas destinations, Finance guru and Zimbabwe’s top barrister, Tendai Biti, revealed yesterday.
Speaking in a forum discussion on the VOA channel, Biti said Zimbabwe’s corporate purse is at Mugabe’s mercy. “There are some people, the President for example, each time he goes out, 4 million goes out, that’s not sustainable for an economy like this,” said Biti.
Mugabe flew to Singapore on Friday after returning from South Africa. He traveled to the Far East to see his (1) one month old grandson, Simbanashe Chikore who was born there. The decision to give birth in Singapore was made by Mugabe’s daughter, Bona seeking the foreign nation for her maternity health care. The moves comes as Zimbabwe’s health infrastructure is fast crumbling.
The infant mortality rate of Singapore is by far better than Zimbabwe’s.
INFANT MORTALITY RATE
COUNTRY (DEATHS/1,000 LIVE BIRTHS) DATE OF INFORMATION
SINGAPORE 2.48 2015 EST.
ZIMBABWE 26.11 2015 EST.
It further emerged that Zim local hospitals will from the 1st July 2016 start deliberately blocking the health-care of all medical aid policy holders following Bona’s father, Robert’s new tax regime on clinics and hospitals.
Tsvangirai, Locadia Chief Steals Fertilizer | COURT CASE
Zanu PF puppet, Chief Negomo has been dragged to the courts for stealing the President Robert Mugabe sponsored agriculture inputs.
Negomo, in 2012 working under Zanu PF, ordered the MDC-T leader and former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, to pay two beasts and two sheep for the “crime” of paying a bride price for ex-girlfriend Ms Locadia Karimatsenga in the so called “sacred” month of November.
Tsvangirai had paid the bride price for Locadia Karimatsenga who he wanted to marry.
The case was later heard in the High Court after the former Premier had refused to comply with the chief’s order.
Negomo, whose real name is Lucias Chibvongodze, was arguing that it was culturally taboo to marry in the month of November.
It is the state’s case that Negomo defrauded Mvurwi Grain Marketing board of 140 bags of compound D fertiliser which were meant for villagers under the Presidential summer crop season.
He appeared before a Bindura magistrate on Monday and will reappear on the same courts on 6 June for trial.
Tsvangirai Girlfriend Pick | LIVE DEBATE
Kereke Rape Trial:Chief Warns Prosecutor
Chief Mkanganwi of Bikita yesterday cautioned the private prosecutor in legislator Munyaradzi Kereke’s rape case to stop threatening him into answering questions because as a chief he also has power to preside over matters back in his village.
This was after he was cross-examined by private prosecutor Mr Charles Warara on his relationship with Kereke. However, the presiding magistrate intervened and advised Chief Mkanganwi that although he is a chief, he was standing in court as a witness.
Zanu-PF Bikita West MP Kereke is accused of raping a 13-year-old relative in 2010 and indecently assaulting her sister who was 15 years at the time.
Chief Mkanganwi, born Alpheus Njodzi is testifying as a witness in Kereke’s defence case.
Asked by Mr Charles Warara if Kereke is one of the people who help him in Bikita, the chief said he never received a cent, bus fare or a drink from Kereke.
“I get assistance from my child who is a police officer. I have enough resources. The accused helps other people in the community,” said Chief Mkanganwi.
The prosecutor asked if the chief attended a series of meetings in Harare in 2013 to campaign for Kereke to be elected member of Parliament.
“We came individually as five chiefs to Harare to request that accused contest as a Member of Parliament for Bikita in 2013 elections,” replied Chief Mkanganwi.
“Why did you want accused to contest in your district?” asked the private prosecutor.
Chief Mkanganwi replied that they had seen that the accused could win the elections and represent them.
“Is that the practice that chiefs nominate who contests?” asked Mr Warara.
“We came to make a request like others knowing that he is the one who could win,” he replied.
Mr Warara asked why the accused was rejected, prompting the chiefs to come and see the former Vice President Joice Mujuru.
“Accused was not rejected, but the opposition was celebrating saying that if he did not contest they would win. We heard the suspicion that he might not contest,” said Chief Mkanganwi.
Mr Warara asked if the chief was happy that Kereke won as MP and he said he was very happy.
“You wouldn’t want him to go to jail?” asked Mr Warara. The chief replied; “If he is found guilty he should be sentenced accordingly. As chiefs, we are not allowed to adjudicate such matters. We were told by former VP Mujuru that accused was facing rape charges and we asked why he was not arrested and prosecuted.
“We were told that the accused stole documents and sold them and that he was fighting with former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Dr Gideon Gono.”
Kereke called his brother Claitos Kereke as the next witness.-State Media
SchoolGirl Killed by Kombi Driver
This follows the accident in which a Form Four pupil Jocelyn Gomba (17) and 35-year-old Mr Odwell Mabanga were run over and dragged to death by one of the commuter omnibuses on Monday, that have established a rank near the entrance of Harare Girls High School.
Mr Mabanga had sustained serious spinal injuries, but died yesterday at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. Police spokesperson Chief Superitendent Paul Nyathi yesterday said: “We have questioned the owner of the kombi, Albert Guyo of Southlea Park in Harare South and he has given us information that Wadzanayi Mabika (41) of Plot 2 Nyabira was the driver. We also discovered that Mabika had one year four months driving experience after obtaining his licence in 2015.
“We are going to take action against the employer for employing someone who does not have the mandatory five years experience as required by the Road Traffic Act.”
The kombis, which ply the city to Inkomo route, have established a rank that operate from the entrance to the school at Park Lane and normally wind into Leopold Takawira Avenue.
A memorial service for Jocelyn was conducted yesterday at the spot where she died .
Two other pupils sustained minor injuries. District education officer Mrs Anatoria Ncube said they were appealing to the city and responsible authorities for kombis to be removed from the area.
“As ministry we are concerned about the safety of pupils in particular the girl child. If you look at where the kombis are stationed, you wonder what kind of criteria was used by the City of Harare to designate that area as a pick up and drop off point because the touts and kombi drivers are causing havoc at the area. They make a lot of noise touting and causing disturbances to the learning process,” she said.
“We hope this is enough signal to force authorities to enforce the law.”
The Harare Girls High School head Dr Beauty Mutsambiwa hoped that the kombis would be removed soon.
“I am hurt because it is not good for people not to be sensitive. Even if they want to make money, they have to respect pedestrians. “Last term, two of our pupils and one teacher were injured after being hit by the kombis.
“We expect council to remove that pick up point because it is creating problems for us.
“These touts and drivers harass the girls and shout obscenities to them. They also name call them, further eroding their confidence.”
Pedestrians also blasted city officials and police for having failed to bring sanity to Harare’s road traffic jungle. They accused police and the city’s traffic officers of collecting bribes from the touts and drivers operating at the rank while ignoring the danger they posed.
The city’s acting corporate communications manager Mr Michael Chideme said the city would force the kombis back to Market Square where they are designated.
“All transporters should stick to designated points, because those have provisions for picking and dropping passengers,” he said.- State Media
Mugabe Agents Grab School Buses
The Zanu PF Youth League is allegedly forcing schools to handover buses to party activists who are set to join the so-called million-man-march in Harare on Wednesday to show support for President Robert Mugabe.
Though school officials declined to comment in fear of being victimised, some parents of children attending schools in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West province, expressed dismay over the issue saying they are not obliged to release buses to any political organization.
The Zanu PF Youth League, which wrote a letter recently instructing all public and private schools to provide buses for the million-man-march, allocated locally-available buses to various districts without the knowledge of headmasters and school development associations.
One of the schools, Lomagundi College, has already indicated that they won’t provide any transport, much to the chagrin of the Youth League members who are now threatening to take unspecified action against the headmaster.
Most school authorities declined to comment on the issue in fear of being victimised. But parents with children attending some schools in the province said they are not happy with what Zanu PF youth are doing.
Tabeth Chifamba of Sinoia Primary School said she is now expected to pay more money for her Grade Five child since she is funding some Zanu PF activities.
Another local parent, Phelimon Svosve, said it is unfair for Zanu PF to use force to get what it wants from poor people in Mashonaland West province.
Chifamba said headmasters are finding themselves in a tight situation as they cannot release the requested buses before getting the greenlight from parents of school-going children.
Svosve added that parents are now expected to pay for fuel costs and drivers’ allowances while on Zanu PF business.
But Zanu PF local youth coordinator, Tatenda Chitate, said every government ministry should support President Mugabe’s leadership by providing all the necessary help to ensure that the million-man-march is a big success.
Provincial director of the Ministry of Education in Mashonaland West, Sylvester Mashayamombe, said his office cannot issue any statement at the moment as they are still consulting relevant authorities over this issue.
He confirmed that some of their district offices received a letter from Zanu PF requesting schools to release buses for the march.
In response to questions posed by Studio 7, permanent secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, Dr. Sylivia J. Utete-Masango, said supports any solidarity shown to President Mugabe and as a result, they ordered all schools to provide buses for the event.
Most people say that the march expected to cost at least $600,000 is a waste of resources. VOA
Chivayo’s $5Million Cash Payment Illegal, Minister Admits
Energy Minister Samuel Undenge has admitted that rules were not followed in the payment of a $5 million advance to controversial firm Intratrek, but still insisted that the payout would not result in the loss of public funds.
Undenge is under pressure to explain an unsecured advance of $5 million by the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), the energy infrastructure subsidiary of power utility Zesa Holdings, to Intratrek, a company fronted in Zimbabwe by Wicknell Chivayo.
The payment was purportedly for preparatory work on the 100MW Gwanda solar plant, one of several power contracts that Intratrek has been awarded by the government.
In a statement on Tuesday, Undenge said ZPC had “erred” in awarding Intratrek the $5million without following procedure.
“It is true that each time public funds are advanced to service providers, there is a risk that the goods or service, as the case may be, may not be delivered. To mitigate against this risk, it is as a standard requirement that a bank guarantee is secured against possible failure to deliver. Such an inevitable requirement should have been considered in the case of a $5m advance payment to Intratrek by the ZPC,” Undenge said.
He said he had now met ZPC to ensure that “going forward, the relevant procedures and requirements shall be adhered to.”
However, while Undenge admitted that rules were not followed, he defended the payment, saying it would not prejudice ZPC in any way.
The $5 million would pay for a feasibility study, environmental impact assessment, topographical and geophysical surveys, site civil works as well as fencing of the site, Undenge said. Subcontractors were already on site, he claimed.
“Given the above, it is highly improbable or unlikely that there will be any real prejudice to the ZPC in respect of this particular advance. Thus, in this ministry’s assessment, whereas the risk was there, in reality, there will be no financial prejudice and this in no way exonerates those who erred.”
The government is under fire for awarding $600 million worth of power contracts to Intratrek and its partners, many of which have no record in energy, are facing fraud charges or are facing bankruptcy. In his statement, Undenge said he is never involved in the awarding of tenders by ZPC.
“In terms of the state procurement act, tenders relating to state enterprises or parastatals are administered by the head of the appropriate state enterprise or parastatal,” he said.
These managers, he insisted, decide on who gets the tenders before recommending them to the State Procurement Board.
“One hopes that this account dispels the unfortunate misunderstanding that seems to prevail that my ministry decides on tenders relating to Zesa and its subsidiaries. For the avoidance of doubt, the management of these tenders is the responsibility of the relevant account officers in respect of their tenders and the ministry is not involved nor does it interfere with processes.”
Undenge defended Intratrek’s foreign partner on the Gwanda project, CHINT Electric, describing it as“a well established Chinese international company” that has previously undertaken other power projects in Zimbabwe.
Undenge also referred to reports that he had ordered Zesa Holdings to contract Fruitful Communications, a PR company owned by Zanu PF MP Psychology Maziwisa. Without admitting his own role in the matter, Undenge said such contracts were common but should follow “due process”.
“It is common practice for big companies to outsource some of the services they require. Such outsourcing must be based on an appreciation of internal or in-house capacities or competencies. In other words, due process must be undertaken and only when the outsourced service will add value are such external services engaged.” – The Source
Bona Mugabe’s Baby Adopted? | PICTURES
A cross section of Zimbabweans on social media have disputed the maternity of President Robert Mugabe’s grand-child.
Social media cycles were on Monday abuzz with postings by people charging that the baby looks far much older than the age proclaimed for the baby and the First Family may have played the “Gilbert Deya trick” of smuggling someone else’s child after faking a
pregnancy.
Most queried was the size of the baby’s hair which people said cannot in any way be that of a four week old baby. ZimEye readers exchanged barbs over the sensation as they drew a spectrum of pictorial comparisons. Pictures below show comparisons between Bona’s “one month” child with other children far older than one month.
Pictures of members of the First Family in Singapore show a bouncing baby boy with big hair, wide open eyes and sometimes with smiling mannerisms that “cannot be performed by a baby of the age proclaimed.”
Some people also said in one of the pictures taken on Sunday, the little baby furthermore appears holding onto President Robert Mugabe’s finger with a clenched grip which they say is an act that cannot be performed by a four week old baby.
Some went to the extent of questioning Bona Mugabe’s pregnancy claiming that there was never a photo showing her in her pregnancy but the family is quick to publish her photos with the “new born” baby.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba could not be reached for comment on the matter as his mobile phone was not reachable at the time of writing.
Mayor’s Car Chews UP $50 000
Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo | As the Masvingo City Council battles to supply clean water to an estimated 100 000 residents, the local authority has purchased an expensive vehicle for the mayor, much to the disappointment of ratepayers and residents.
Masvingo City Council town clerk, Adolf Gusha, last week confirmed in an interview with the state owned ZBC tv on Saturday, the local authority did not have the capacity to supply the required mega litres of water per day.
Ironically the council has purchased a luxurious Isuzu KB 300 worth $54 000 for Mayor Hubert Fidze, at a time the residents of the anciety city are drinking poorly treated water.
Fidze confirmed the development adding he had already received the vehicle. “It is true that the council bought a vehicle for me and I am already using it for official council business,” he told ZimEye.
Angry residents described the move as reckless and inconsiderate.
Outspoken Masvingo Residents’ Trust leader, Prosper Tiringindi, said although it was noble to purchase cars for council officials, the buying of the posh vehicle was ill-timed.
As a result of prolonged water cuts, local industries have been forced to scale down operations thereby triggering further job losses.
The council is also owed millions of dollars by parastatals and government departments.
The city council also lost property after losing a series of labour disputes invoving former employees.
Man Inserts Manhood Into Sister’s Private Parts
Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|A 23 year old man from Mukavhi Village in Bikita forcibly inserted his erect manhood into his form 2 half sister’s private parts and proceeded to rape her.
Terrence Peter forced himself on top of his 15 year old sister and abused her.
Peter appeared before Masvingo Regional Magistrate Collet Ncube last week facing rape charges.
The incidents happened on July 28 2015 and at an unknown date respectively.
Peter who was at home with the minor, followed her into her room where she was sorting her clothes and forced her to lie down, threatening to stab her with a knife if she did not comply.
He forced himself on top of the minor, forcibly removed her pants and skirt before unzipping his pair of trousers.
He proceeded to pleasure himself on her without her consent.
The girl later informed her stepmother, who is Peter’s mother but she threatened her, the court was told. She ordered the minor not to tell anyone about the incident.
Peter also abused the minor on an unknown date after following the girl to a nearby bush where she had gone to fetch firewood.
The minor later informed her blood brother leading to Peter’s arrest.
He was sentenced to an effective 12 years in jail.
In passing the judgement,Magistrate Ncube said:” Since you pleaded guilty,I will be lenient with you. However the girl suffered a lot and this will affect her for the rest of her life.
“You are her brother and you were expected to look after her, therefore a custodial sentence is necessary.”
Man Axes Wife, Kills Self
A MAN from Pelandaba suburb in Bulawayo allegedly committed suicide after striking his wife with the back of an axe on the forehead, hours after the couple had visited a police station for counselling on their marital problems.
Emmanuel Mapetero, 40, and his wife Tsitsi Kwindingwi allegedly sought counselling services at West Commonage Police Station before going home where they fought again on Saturday.
Mapetero was allegedly accusing his wife of infidelity and after attacking her, she escaped and headed to the police station.
When she returned home with some cops, her husband had already taken his life.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said it was sad that a life was lost after the couple had sought counselling.
“We’re investigating a sudden death by hanging. The deceased was having challenges with his wife and had earlier sought counselling services from the police,” said Insp Simango.
She urged members of the public not to resort to violence as this does not solve their problems.
Insp Simango said people should seek assistance from elders in their communities, church leaders, and the police among other people who can assist them to solve disputes.
A source said the incident occurred when Mapetero accused his wife of cheating resulting in the couple seeking counselling from the police.
But hours after returning from the police station, a fight erupted again resulting in Mapetero hanging himself.
“They were having marital problems. Mapetero was accusing his wife of infidelity. On Saturday they went to West Commonage Police station where they were counselled. But it seems they failed to understand each other so when they returned to their home they fought again,” said the source.
The source said Mapetero struck his wife with the back of an axe on the forehead but she managed to escape to safety.
“Kwindingwi escaped and went back to the police station where she reported the attack. She went back home in the company of two police officers and found her husband dead,” the source said.
“He had locked the gate and doors of the house. Police officers had to break the door of one of the rooms to gain entry. They found him hanging from the roof trusses in a corridor.” state media
Lifestyle Audits for Ministers
PARLIAMENT will soon institute a lifestyle audit for legislators including Cabinet Ministers that is expected to compel them to declare their assets in compliance with the provisions of the new Constitution and the House’s Standing Rules and Orders.
The regulations provide that public officials including parliamentarians must make regular disclosures of their assets.
Parliament’s Standing Rules and Orders Committee last month approved a draft Asset Declaration Register that spells out the kind of assets that MPs will be expected to declare.
The Clerk of Parliament, Kennedy Chokuda, said the development was meant to make MPs accountable to the public.
“This is within our Standing Rules and Orders that were approved way back during the Sixth Parliament,” he said.
“We’re now giving MPs an opportunity to make their input into the register. Remember MPs hold other people to account so this will also help members of the public to also hold them to account.
“But there are things that will be confidential and can only be made public with the approval of the Speaker of the National Assembly and the President of the Senate. So those who want that information would have to apply.”
Senate president Edna Madzongwe last week told Senators that MPs were requested “to consider and submit their views and recommendation on the Asset Declaration Register” for consideration by the committee on Standing Rules and Orders by May 31, 2016.
The draft document seen by our Harare Bureau indicates that legislators would be required to declare their assets, which include land, in and outside Zimbabwe, buildings, movable assets, financial assets and other assets such as jewellery worth more than $25,000.
The preamble of the register states that the development was in line with Section 198 of the Constitution that provides for regular disclosure of assets as well as Standing Orders 48 and 49 of the Senate and the National Assembly respectively that provides that, ‘Every member shall register all his/her financial interests in a book to be maintained under the direction of the Speaker and the President of the Senate and such registration shall be in a manner specified in the Code of Conduct’.
On land, legislators will be expected to state their address, category, year of purchase, area, percentage, type of acquisition and the owner.
The categories are farming land, forests, land inside localities, water surface and other categories of land outside localities if included in the civil circulation.
The MPs will be expected to state the owner’s name such as holder, spouse or child while on co-owned assets they were expected to clarify the owned percentage and names of co-owned assets.
On movable assets such as motor vehicles, tractors, farming machinery, boats and yachts and other means of transport that are subject to registration under the law, they were also supposed to declare them.
They will be expected to state the type of vehicle, brand, number of items, manufacture year and acquisition type.
On precious metals, jewellery, art and religious items, art collections and coins, items of the national or worldwide cultural heritage worth over $25,000, MPs will be expected to indicate all assets whether they are in Zimbabwe or outside the country.
They will be expected to give a brief description of the assets, year of acquisition and estimated value.
MPs will also be expected to declare movable assets worth over $15,000 and real estate alienated in the past year stating the type of the alienated asset, date of alienation, person the asset was alienated to, type of alienation and value of the asset.
On financial assets, MPs will be expected to declare bank accounts and deposits, investment funds, equivalent savings and investment forms if their total worth exceeds $25,000.
MPs will be expected to indicate those that are in banks and institutions outside the country stating the administrating institution and address, type, currency, opening year and updated balance or value.
Equivalent funds, including private pension funds or other savings systems as well as investments, bank deposit, placements or loans given worth over $25,000 as well as other net income generating assets that exceed a total annual equivalent of $25,000 are also subject to declaration.
Legislators will also be expected to declare their debts and liabilities outside the country including outstanding taxes, mortgages, warrantees issued for the benefit of a third party, leasing assets among others if their worth exceeds $25,000.
The draft declaration form also states that MPs must declare gifts, services or advantages free of charge or subject to subsidies as compared to the market value received from persons, organisations, companies, autonomous administrations, national companies or foreign public institutions, including scholarships, loans, warrantees, expense disbursements or the like of an individual worth over $4,500.
Under the provision, MPs will be expected to state whether it’s the MP, their spouse or children who generated the income, the source of the income, provided service or income generating item as well as collected annual income.
However, they will not be expected to state “usual gifts or treats received from relatives of first or second degree”.
MPs will also be expected to declare their stake in trading companies, national companies, credit institutions, economic groups as well as membership in associations, foundations or other non-governmental organisations where they will state name of the firm, position held, and number of shares as well as total value of shares.
By signing the declaration register, MPs commit to being held “responsible under the criminal laws and contempt of Parliament for any inaccuracy or the incomplete nature of the aforementioned information”.
The Clerk of Parliament will be expected to enter the register of declared assets.-state media
Boy Rapes 3 Primary School Pupils
A FORM Four pupil at Njube High School in Bulawayo has been arraigned for allegedly raping three primary school girls.
The 16-year-old boy, whose name cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, allegedly raped the minors aged 8, 10 and 11 years on three different occasions.
The court heard that the three girls, who are not related, all live in Njube suburb. The boy yesterday appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Themba Chimiso facing three counts of rape. He was not asked to plead and remanded out of custody to June 6. The juvenile will be in the custody of his guardian until the matter is finalised, prosecutors said.
Prosecuting, Mufaro Mageza said the boy allegedly raped two of the girls this year and the other one last year. Mageza said in the first incident, the juvenile allegedly asked his 10-year-old victim to accompany him to the shops to buy electricity before he took advantage of her in January this year.
“On January 28, 2016 at around 2PM, the complainant was at her place of residence when the accused person arrived and asked her to accompany him to the grocery shops. The complainant agreed and while the two were walking, the accused person diverted to a certain house where he unlocked the door and got inside with the complainant,” said Mageza. “The accused locked the door and led the girl inside a bedroom where he forced her to lie down before he had sexual intercourse with her.”
He said the boy also lured an eight-year-old girl using mangoes earlier this year. “During the month of January 2016 at around 2PM, the complainant was playing with her friend when the accused person arrived at her place of residence. The accused person asked her to accompany him to run an errand at a house after promising to give her some mangoes and she complied,” said Mageza. “The accused led the girl to a house where they got inside and he locked the door. He then forcibly grabbed the girl and had sexual intercourse with the minor without her consent.”
He said in 2015, an 11-year-old girl was playing with her friends at her house when the juvenile joined them.
“The accused person lured the complainant into a room that is under construction and made her to lie down on the floor. He forcibly removed her clothes and lay on top of her where he had sexual intercourse with her” said Mageza. Chronicle
Explosion Blast Bang in Harare | BREAKING NEWS
Residents in the Harare South on Monday afternoon complained of what they described as a loud “explosion blast.”
ZimEye.com was late Monday afternoon inundated with message calls inquiring what could be taking place in the city.
“The explosion shook houses here at this place where I am in Stoneridge. There is a lot of dust all over,” wrote one resident. They posted the below pictures showing rising dust.
They continued commenting, “the pictures I have posted here are from Stoneridge West of waterfalls East of Southly (sic) Park. Dust has engulfed the whole area can’t drive safely.”
Another facebooker, Tatenda Chikanga confirmed the blast saying they ended up assuming it was from stone crushers who use explosives. “My aunt vatoti wats that sound & i was like vanhu vanoputitsa matombo. Aikaka ndozviri kutoitika nhai?,” she said.
Others from the area continued complaining of the same issues.
ZimEye.com was at the time of writing reaching out to the police, fire service and legislators to obtain more information on the source of the alleged explosion.
This is a developing story…. more follows here on ZimEye.com.
Have you been affected? Send us your pictures, videos relating your experiences – +447426863301
Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa – It is not over till it’s over!
As popular media celebrity and radio presenter, Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa, continues to hog the limelight after her bosses at ZiFM made a public statement disowning her earlier claims that she had not invited the humiliated “diamond crook” Tafadzwa Musarara to her ‘The Platform’ program, loud screams were printed across digi-networks on Monday.
While Parirenyatwa after being contacted by ZimEye.com said she had no comment, a twitter update seemed to strike a note of defiance : “this week I make lemonade,” she wrote. In apparent reference to the adage, ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade,’ insinuating whatever her enemies throw at her, Ruvie appeared to say she has the weaponry to turn all around into her favour.
As Parirenyatwa’s popularity soars as a media celebrity this is the first time she has had to handle and deal with corporate politics publicly, with a groundswell of solidarity growing in her favour.
Consequently, it is gloves off at ZiFM after Musarara also released a statement widely published in the media saying that ‘Ruvheneko is a liar.’
The public now anxiously awaits Parirenyatwa’s counter-response and account of what transpired on that fateful night.
Speculation is rife concerning several aspects related to this event that had on it the famous #theflag Pastor Evan Mawarire. Among the issues being discussed include the possibility that Ruvheneko was ‘forced’ to invite Musarara as the Whatsapp messages he has since released into the public domain are neither conclusive nor convincing. Also of interest is who leaked the video recording of the scuffle that took place after the interview in which cabinet Minister Super Mandiwanzira was seen in an embarrassing scuffle with Pastor Mawarire. To Be Continued…
Mnangagwa Shock U-turn:War Vets Hijack One Million Men Mugabe March
War veterans have hijacked the one million men march being planned by Zanu PF’s youth league in Harare in support of President Robert Mugabe.
The former war liberation fighters who had initially threatened to boycott the pro-Mugabe march sniffing it out as a G-40 plot to denounce vice President Emerson Mnangagwa on Monday said they are to the contrary now going to participate “actively” and “effectively” in the march.
“We are not going to organise another march, but we are going to join and attend the one which has been organised and we are going to participate actively and effectively,” Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association secretary general, Victor Matemadanda told reporters in Harare Monday.
Matemadanda said the war veterans initially had not been consulted when the march was being organised and now that they have been invited they were going to take charge of the event.
“The question then was about misinformation. People were not given information and they were saying that we cannot join if we do not know the purpose of the event because there was a lot of speculation and this is what has been rectified, and they have given us the information that we wanted; and we have no doubt that the march is in support of President Mugabe and we have no reason of not to attend(sic),” he said.
“These are our children and yes they might have their own position but they remain our children. When we get there we are parents and parents do not necessarily lead but they advise; and advice is leadership because you are giving knowledge which is new to them but which you have used before,” said Matemadanda.
Ruvheneko Is Lying – Musarara
By Tafadzwa Musarara| I make reference to the last held edition of the PLATFORM of Monday, 16 May 2016
and the subsequent misleading comments attributed to Ms R. Parirenyatwa on social media claiming that she did not invite me to attend the program.
I aver that on the same said date Ms Parirenyatwa first sent me a SMS, at 6:26pm (one hour before the commencement of the show) that read..
”Mr. Musarara please call me.Its urgent. Ruvheneko”.
The message was sent from mobile no 0731525683, which I believe its Ms Parirenyatwa’s work assigned mobile no.
I took the liberty to send screenshot of the same to the Station Manager, Mrs Madondo and the Head of News and Current Affairs Mr. Jakachira, Ms Parirenyatwa and yourself.
Ms Parirenyatwa later managed to get through and she personally begged me to appear on the program- despite the short notice. Initially I refused but she pleaded with me to attend until I agreed.
30 minutes later, I met her at the station and she thanked me for coming and briefed on the program, gave me the profile of the other guest and requested me to oppose his views, and that needed an experienced live debater who has competency in economic and political matters.
When Evan Mawarire arrived, we all agreed to my presence and participation in the program. I must put on record that this is not the first time that I have appeared in her anchored programs, albeit, at her invitation and at a short notice.
Radio and television personality Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa
Radio and television personality Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa
I am dismayed, disappointed and aggrieved with her comments stating that she did not invite me to attend the show. By insinuation, I gate crashed into the program? Why did she proceed with a program with an uninvited guest?
ZiFM ,as a media institution, is encumbered, at common law, with the responsibility to protect its sources, guests and interviewees.
With respect, I feel that her conduct in this regard stands as indictment on your institution to rein in on your personnel regarding press/public statements relating to the station programs. More importantly to note is that she is lying.
I, therefore, demand, as I hereby do that the station tell its audience the truth.
I remain,
Tafadzwa Musarara.
Mugabe Million March to Blow $600,000
Sources involved in mobilising resources for the political jamboree, which has been dismissed by opposition parties as a waste of resources, said they have agreed on a provisional budget of $600 000 to fund transport needs for all 10 provinces, food and accommodation for the delegates.
All the provinces have been ordered to transport at least 100 000 members, who would march to an open space next to the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare, where they would be addressed by Mugabe.
Youth league secretary for finance, Tongai Kasukuwere, said each province had been tasked to raise enough money to transport and feed its delegates, while the national executive would be responsible for hosting invited guests and printing solidarity T-shirts for the march.
“We don’t have a national fundraising team because we have assigned each province to mobilise its own money and see how they can fund their programmes. We will be receiving people here and, of course, we will take care of invited guests and other necessities,” he said.
In a letter soliciting donations, Bulawayo youth league secretary for finance, Davies Muhambi said they were targeting to spend at least $50 000 as a province.
“Our budget requirement for the event stands at $50 000,” he wrote.
“The amount will go towards meeting the requirements in the following categories: diesel — 26 000 litres, flour — six tonnes, juices — 5 000 litres, 100 buses and cash towards various payments.”
Loss-making parastatal, Zupco has also been ordered to release nearly 200 buses, while government and mission schools have been commandeered to donate their buses, lorries and small vans to ferry the youths from various provinces.
The host, Harare, has reportedly been tasked to raise $50 000 for printing of more than 200 000 T-Shirts, caps, bottled water and to feed senior party members.
Zanu PF deputy secretary for youth affairs, Kudzai Chipanga yesterday said: “All the provincial executives met at the weekend to finalise on modalities. Each and every province will carry its own people to and from Harare.
“Masvingo and part of Mashonaland provinces will assemble at Rufaro Stadium, Manicaland and the bulk of Mashonaland East and West provinces will be at East 24, Mashonaland Central at Cork Road close to South African Embassy, Harare, Matabeleland South and North and Bulawayo provinces will assemble at the National Sports Stadium.”
The Wednesday event comes against a backdrop of grinding poverty, where at least four million people need urgent food aid as the economy continues to nose dive.
But all this has not deterred Mugabe, who last month blew $2 million hosting over 10 000 war veterans during a meeting, which only lasted three hours.
Early this year, Mugabe shelled out $800 000 on his lavish 92nd birthday celebrations in drought-stricken Masvingo province.
This came shortly after his party, Zanu PF, had flown its entire central committee membership from Harare to Victoria Falls for the Zanu PF national people’s conference in December, blowing nearly $300 000 on travel alone and another $10 million in accommodation and food.
Former Finance minister Tendai Biti has claimed that Mugabe always withdrew $4 million from Treasury each time he travelled out of the country.
This year alone, the President has travelled more than 20 times, meaning he would have spent $80 million in travel alone if Biti’s projections were true.
Opposition parties and activists have also blasted government after it emerged that it was funding First Lady Grace Mugabe rallies at taxpayers’ expense.-Newsday
Ministry of Information Official Up For Sexual Assault
A Zvimba based Ministry of Information official, Johannes Kachikuli has been arrested for sexually assaulting a female journalist.
Kachikuli, who is the Zvimba District Information Officer, has also been suspended from his post as Vice Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) Chinhoyi chapter.
According to the state media, the indecent assault charges against Kachikuli were filed at Chinhoyi Central Police Station under crime report number 64/5/16.
Kachikuli (46) is alleged to have sexually assaulted an intern during a media tour in Karoi, where he is alleged to have held her by the waist and tried to be intimate with her.
The case has since been referred to Karoi for further investigations.
Kachikuli, who was allegedly drunk, demanded to be intimate with the journalism intern in exchange for beer.
Journalists from Chinhoyi and Zanu PF Women’s League Secretary for Gender, Jennifer Mhlanga have condemned the abuse of journalism interns, saying female journalists should be respected.
Walter Nyamukondiwa of the Herald newspaper has since been elected ZUJ Vice Chairperson Chinhoyi Chapter following Kachikuli’s suspension.
Tobacco Farmers Stranded: Banks Run Out Of Cash
Terrence Mawawa, Harare| Hundreds of tobacco farmers were stranded in the capital, Harare on Saturday after failing to get cash from their respective banks.
The RBZ has since issued a directive to banks to maintain a minimum withrawal limit of $10 000 per day, despite the fact that several banks do not have the cash . Disgruntled farmers said banks in the rural areas had no cash, forcing them to travel to Harare to access their money. “We are struggling to get our money after selling tobacco. Rural banks do not have cash so we have to travel to Harare.However, we have been stranded in the capital for several days because the banks are failing to release the RBZ stipulated $10 000 withdrawal limit per day.As a result farmers have been stranded at the Boka Tobacco Auction Floors for days.The situation has become unbearable,”said a Chegutu based farmer.
Despite government claims that the country’s economy is stable, queues have resurfaced since banks are limiting daily withdrawals. Civil servants no longer have a fixed pay date as a result of the worsening economic conditions in the troubled nation.
Economists have warned the introduction of the bond notes will further plunge the country’s comatose economy into further abyss.
Hospitals Raided by Zimra, “No More Treatment!”| BREAKING NEWS
ZIMBABWE’s hospitals have been raided by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority in ways that will see millions of patients failing to access medical treatment from July this year.
Zimra has made sudden demands that every hospital, clinic and medical institution must now pay tax on every unpaid medical claim in their books of accounts (even though unpaid).
Frustrating the already struggling hospitals’ and clinics’ bank accounts, the impact of the raid will be like a bomb affecting every clinic and health institution across the country in catastrophic ways that will leave millions without access to vital health care, analysts warned.
Most workers are on medical aid provided by Premier Services Medical Aid, CIMAS and other health insurance companies.
The Zim Medical Association has issued a warning that from the 1st July, hospitals, private doctors, clinics and other health providers “are to stop accepting medical aid as they have to pay tax on unpaid medical claims…”
@ZimEye this is the sickest, craziest and most sadistic move of this broken, sick State ever!
— Jessie F. Majome (@JessieFMajome) May 23, 2016
As government coffers continue to shrink, the Zimra has intensified its raids on companies, which is speeding up company closures, dealing a further blow to the near comatose economy.
The authority which has so far garnished over US$50 million from companies in the diamond other sectors, and several companies, most of which are struggling, had not until this year turned its “armoury” onto the nation’s health care industry. ZimEye Discussion: ⚡Should any nation charge tax on medical care?
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BONA MUGABE’S RICHES: Sickening Gap Between Rich and Poor
President Robert Mugabe’s daughter, Bona’s riches came under the spotlight on Monday morning as her baby was announced to the world.
Zimbabweans took to social networks to express their disgust utilising gripping visuals that display the heart wrenching reality of the rich people’s stranglehold over the poor.
Pictures comparing Bona’s child with children born of less privileged parents were splattered on social networks on Monday, as it further emerged local hospitals will from July 2016 start deliberately blocking the health-care of all medical aid policy holders following Bona’s father, Robert Mugabe’s new tax regime on clinics and hospitals.
The Mugabe family chose Singapore as the country of birth for the President’s grandson in what has now irked many Zimbabweans whose low incomes have to pay for un-affordable health costs. The infant mortality rate of Singapore is by far better than Zimbabwe’s.
INFANT MORTALITY RATE
COUNTRY (DEATHS/1,000 LIVE BIRTHS) DATE OF INFORMATION
SINGAPORE 2.48 2015 EST.
ZIMBABWE 26.11 2015 EST.
Commented one Zimbabwean man: “the poverty gap between babies born of rich politicians and the downtrodden is sickeningly widening & inhumane.”