Powers to prosecute are not vested in an individual, but in the National Prosecuting Authority, contrary to claims by arrested Prosecutor General Johannes Tomana, in a case in which he is challenging his placement on remand, the State has said.
Tomana is arguing that his arrest for allegedly releasing suspects who wanted to petrol bomb the First Family’s Alpha Omega Dairy was unconstitutional.
Tomana said prosecutions were conducted under his authority and in this case he had not instituted the criminal process.
But prosecutors Mr Gwinyai Shumba and Mr Timothy Makoni said the new Constitution vested prosecutorial powers in the NPA, a change from provisions of the old Constitution.
They said the Prosecutor General was only a member of the National Prosecuting Authority. Tomana, through his lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu instructed by Mr Tazorora Musarurwa and Mr Alex Mambosasa, also argued that Mr Shumba and Mr Makoni had no right and powers to prosecute him since they were his juniors.
But the two said prosecutors do their work on behalf of the State not the Prosecutor General.
“The certificates given to individual prosecutors is merely evidence of title given by the PG to an individual prosecutor to prosecute on behalf of the State,” they said.
“In fact, the saving provisions of the NPA Act make it clear that all prosecutors who had the title to prosecute shall continue with the same title to prosecute in all matters.
“There is no requirement of law that in each emerging case, the PG grants authority to prosecute.”
Tomana said he was immune to prosecution, hence his arrest was a violation of constitutional provisions guaranteeing his independence and protection from intimidation in the exercise and discharge of his functions.
But the State said: “It is clear that the law only immunises the President during the pendency of his office and not after he has ceased holding office.
The immunity that the accused wants to legislate for himself in the constitution, if necessary must be by way of constitutional amendment and referendum. The independence which the PG enjoys does not entail acting arbitrarily and contrary to the dictates of the law.”
The State agreed with the defence that the police take directives from the PG, but they argued that section 219 of the Constitution, which provides for the police service and its functions did not exclude criminal abuse of duty by State functionaries from being detected.
The State further argued that most issues raised by Tomana in his application were liable to trial, adding that the application was not sound at all as the constitution placed everybody below the law.
The magistrate Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe ordered the State to recall the investigating officer Assistant Commissioner Thulani Ncube on the witness stand and clarify the validity of Tomana’s arrest.
Asst Comm Ncube said Tomana’s arrest was not illegal, adding that he was the one who instructed his subordinates to arrest him. Advocate Mpofu questioned who the complainant was in the matter.
“You made yourself the complainant, you caused his arrest and you took the decision to take him to court so that he be prosecuted. From what you have said, do you see that this is a police prosecution.”
After hearing submissions from both counsels, Mr Chikwekwe remanded the matter to Monday next week for ruling.
Tomana is facing criminal abuse of duty as a public officer, or alternatively defeating or obstructing the course of justice after he allegedly ordered the release of Silas Pfupa and Solomon Makumbe suspected of trying to petrol-bomb the First Family’s Alpha Omega Dairy farm in Mazowe.State Media

By Terrence Mawawa |Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko a self confessed disciple of the First Lady Grace Mugabe is under fire for his sensational claims that the Karangas will never take over the presidency of the country.

The bootlicking Mphoko went out of the way when he claimed the Karangas will never rule the country, drawing the ire of politicians across the political divide in Masvingo. Mphoko who has aligned himself with the G40 camp stunned all and sundry when he claimed Karangas would never rule the Zimbabwe. Senior Zanu PF officials known to be sympathetic to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Mphoko was a man of stature but he had little brains.They said Mphoko’s utterances were calculated to belittle Karanga politicians -particularly Mnangagwa.
“Mphoko’s comments are unfortunate, reckless and uncouth. He made a clear insult to us. Mphoko must quickly retract his utterances before the 21st February Movement celebrations -otherwise we will stage a demonstration against him and his supporters,”  said a Member of Parliament who chose not to be named. In a rare alliance, albeit of perceptions, former Zanu PF politburo member Dzikamai Mavhaire said, “Mphoko’s views are full of hatred .All people have the right to choose their own leaders despite tribal backgrounds.We do not tolerate such kind of talk”.
Former MDC MP and current PDP deputy national secretary general Tongai Matutu said Mphoko did not deserve to lead the national healing committee . “We have been segregated by Mphoko’s comments. He must apologise for his utterances,”said Matutu. Political analysts here said Mphoko insulted the entire Karanga tribe through reckless comments meant to please his boss Grace Mugabe in the G40 formation.
Mphoko has torched yet another fire in the already raging storm in the ruling party and the Vice President’s sentiments have ignited further tension in the troubled party. Mphoko’s sentiments have triggered anger even outside the ruling party.

Prosecutor General Johannes Tomana is part of a (CIO) Central Intelligence Organisation boob that eventually led to his arrest, emerged on Thursday as the court heard.
The magistrate hearing his case’s submissions was on Thursday told the two accused people in the Gushungo Dairy farm bombing whose charges Tomana withdrew are in fact members of the CIO wing in the military.
Representing Tomana, the lawyer Thabani Mpofu revealed to the court the two accused persons whose charges were withdrawn were members of the military intelligence who had been deployed to foil the bombing plot.
The court was told that the Prosecutor General withdrew the charges to make them witnesses.
Harare provincial magistrate Vakai Chikwekwe ordered the state to call the investigating officer Assistant Commissioner Thulani Ncube to explain the validity of the arrest of Mr Tomana.
This was after the defence argued the state did not place before the court sound evidence that can warranty the dismissal of application challenging prosecution of the Prosecutor General.
Cross examining the investigating officer, Advocate Mpofu said the constitution of Zimbabwe clearly outlines that the Prosecutor General is the one who has the mandate to review work by the Commissioner General of police not the other way round.
Advocate Mpofu queried the authority of prosecution as the area prosecutor Jonathan Murombedzi is alleged to have recused himself from prosecuting Mr Tomana.
The advocate indicated the arrest and prosecution of his client was driven by the police and not the laws of the land.

Victims of the Airport road housing demolitions who were dumped at Stoneridge Farm in Harare South are claiming that members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and known members of some housing cooperatives are corruptly parceling out stands at the Farm.
The desperate residents were early this year left homeless after government demolished their houses.
The directive to raze down the settlement was given by President Robert Mugabe in November last year after the veteran leader had argued that the settlement was an “eyesore” that tarnishes the image of the country.
Residents who spoke to ZimEye.com Thursday said they were being threatened with evictions by members of the CIO and housing cooperatives leaders who are demanding cash for settling at the Farm.
“The same people and cooperatives which are supposed to be controlling the process are together with some CIOs , busy looting the stands giving them their relatives,” said the residents.
They said that the corrupt officials were subdividing some of the stands so that they get more money from desperate home seekers.
“What is really disheartening is that they are even re-pegging the stands, allocating people some small portions which can only accommodate   a small two roomed or one room cottage and we wonder if this is what should be happening or is the beginning of yet another problem,” they said.
“We are appealing to the government for a stakeholders meeting so that they explain to us if what is happening is legal. It is also our wish that the government sets up a commission of inquiry and investigate this corruption”.
 
 
 

Dear Editor,

By Terrence Mawawa |Masvingo| A 63 year old man raped a 13 year old girl at knife point and infected her with a Sexually Transmitted Infection(STI) in the process.
Samuel Gozhori Ushe of Ushe Village in Bikita appeared before Masvingo Regional Magistrate Collet Ncube facing trial for three counts of rape. It is understood some time in February last year Ushe sneaked into the minor’s bedroom at around 8pm wielding a knife. While pointing the knife at the minor Ushe threatened to cut her head off if she resisted. He the forcibly removed her clothes and had sexual intercourse with the minor once.
Ushe came to the complainant’s house on again on different dates and raped her after threatening to cut off her head. The matter came to light when the girl fell sick and as she sought medical attention it was discovered clear signs of an STI were noticeable. The matter was reported to the police leading to Ushe’s arrest. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
The motive behind the crime could not be established. Following the latest ruling on child marriages and abuse of minors, cases of such magnitude are likely to top the list in the country’s courts and human rights and children’s right groups have strongly condemned paedophilic tendencies.
Women and Children’s rights groups are calling for stiffer penalties against perpetrators of such crimes. Local villagers expressed shock at Ushe’s behaviour.

A woman allegedly chopped off her one-year-old daughter’s head with an axe before attempting to commit suicide by stabbing herself with a knife. Keresia Hlabangana, 32, of Sivukwe area in Lupane district, allegedly breastfed her baby before decapitating her on Saturday.
She is under heavy police guard at St Luke’s Hospital in Lupane where she is admitted in the intensive care unit. The motive for the murder is yet to be established.
Hlabangana’s family told The Chronicle that she was acting strangely last Friday when she arrived home from her brother’s burial in Pupu, her home village also in Lupane.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Cornelius Phakathi said Hlabangana locked herself in a hut before axing the baby and stabbing herself.
“It happened around 6PM on Saturday when her husband left her home with their four children. We came back from her brother’s burial on Thursday and she arrived on Friday but her behaviour was weird. We assumed she had been affected by her brother’s death,” said Phakathi.
He went on: “On that day her eldest daughter came running saying her mother was bleeding. We asked her husband, Mlauzi, to rush home and check. That’s when he came face to face with a shocking sight of a lifeless body of the child while the mother was also lying unconscious after stabbing herself in the abdomen near the navel.”
Phakathi said Hlabangana was still holding the okapi knife in her hand while an axe was beside the baby’s body.
He said she axed her from the back of the neck and only a thin layer of skin was left joining the head to the body.
“She breastfed the baby first before locking herself in the bedroom hut after sending all the other children outside saying she wanted to bath. The children returned moments later to find the grisly scene.”
Phakathi said the family was shocked by “untruths” being circulated on social media that his nephew and wife fought resulting in her committing the crime.
Hlabangana’s uncle, Robert Hlabangana, said his niece could have been affected by her elder brother’s death.
“She doesn’t have a history of mental illness and we wonder what could have happened to her,” he said.
The tot was buried on Tuesday after a post-mortem was done at the United Bulawayo Hospitals. Hlabangana’s husband, Patrick Mlauzi, said: “My wife couldn’t say a word and up to today I don’t know what came over her to do that.
“When I got to the hospital, she asked me about the whereabouts of the baby and I lied that she was at home.
“She appeared to have lost her mind as she asked me how she had ended up in hospital and if I had brought her some clothes.”
Mlauzi and Hlabangana married in 2002 and have four children – the eldest being 13-years-old.
Mlauzi said he was concerned about “false” claims circulating on social media that he and his wife were having marital problems and that the family had been visited by tsikamutandas which might have caused her to kill her baby.
He said his wife was once bedridden for six months last year with a heart ailment which could have affected her mentally.

In preparation for the looming drought that might see the whole country face starvation,the government has secured 150 000 tonnes of maize from Zambia and 500 000 tonnes from Ukraine.
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is chairperson of the Food Security and Nutrition Committee says the government is on top of the things as the hunger and drought situation experienced in Zimbabwe is under control.
Vice President Mnangagwa has revealed the government has secured funding from the Exim Bank of China and has procured more than 650 000 tonnes of maize. He added logistics are underway to transport the maize.
“We are aware of the drought situation and government has moved in to purchase maize from friendly countries. We have secured 150 000 metric tonnes of maize from Zambia and 500 000 tonnes from Ukraine,” said Mnangagwa.
There has been speculation that Zimbabwe might be affected by Zambia’s decision to ban the exportation of maize but Mnangagwa says everything is in place.
The food security and nutrition committee has worked out the quantity the country might need this season to about 1.4 million tonnes for the government to feed the over three million people who need food aid. -State Media

By Terrence Mawawa Masvingo|A prominent Zvishavane motor vehicle mechanic who was caught having sex with a donkey claims the act was a remedy for a ‘deadly’ Sexually Transmitted Infection(STI).
Police records seen by ZimEye.com show Denis Muteyo (44) is on line to appear in court facing bestiality charges.
According to the police report, Muteyo was driving his motor vehicle past Tawona Bottle Store in Zvishavane on January 29 when he spotted four donkeys grazing at night.
He parked his motor vehicle, disembarked and advanced towards one of the donkeys and had sex with it, the report narrates. Police say the donkeys had been left unattended by the owner as he walked away to drink beer.
“Muteyo was caught red handed sex with a donkey around 2300hours when the owner of the donkeys intercepted him. He even tried to bribe the owner,” read the police report.
Muteyo claimed the act was meant to cure a sexually transmitted ailment(HIV) he was suffering from. He further claimed a traditional healer had advised him to have sexual intercourse with the donkey so that he would be immediately cured.
The case has left the local community stunned since Muteyo is a prominent mechanic in the area. Such cases have been on the increase with people getting involved in bizarre rituals.
Meanwhile ZimEye.com can reveal Muteyo has asked for extra time to recover from sickness.

A stripper from Harare shocked revellers at one of the Bulawayo night clubs when she allegedly stripped naked and went straight for one of the male reveller’s private parts.
The woman was quickly whisked away by the police and locked up only to be released after paying a $20 fine the following morning.
According to the Zimbabwe Censorship Board, the rules and regulations governing strip tease are that performers are not allowed to strip beyond the G-string level and physical contact with patrons is prohibited.
Sandra Munetei (22) of Malbereign in Harare learnt the hard way that violating the working conditions of her stripping licence had repercussions when she was arrested after pleasuring a male patron.
A source that was present at the night spot told B-Metro that the stripper almost caused a stampede with men jostling to get their turn with the organ sucking stripper.
“She took everyone by surprise when she completely stripped naked in the closing stages of her performances and as if that was not enough she proceeded to suck the organ of one male patron. This excited other men who started pushing and shoving to get their turn,” said the source.
Moments later the stripper found herself in handcuffs.
When contacted for comment, the stripper claimed she had been forced into going nude and sucking the patron’s organ by the night club DJ who threatened her with non payment if she did not comply with his ‘orders’.
“The DJ told me that the revellers were not happy with my performance so I would not get paid if I did not do something extra ordinary. I was desperate for the money and decided to strip naked. The law does not allow me to remove my panties but he (DJ) begged me to remove just once so as to entice the revellers,” said Munetei.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the incident.
“I can confirm that a dancer at a nightclub in the city centre who was stripping was arrested under the Censorship Act.
“We are appealing to club owners not to allow dancers to strip, or to remove any of their clothing because it is an offence to remove a bra or pant. We will arrest club owners,” said Inspector Simango. – State Media

Despite the fact that the government is struggling to raise cash to pay civil servants their bonuses, It has approved the increament of monthly allowances for mayors and councillors by more than 200 percent.

A circular titled “Financial Prudence” sent  to all local authorities by the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, the mayor of Harare will now pocket $1,250 per month, up from $450 while his deputy pockets $840, up from $350.
Harare city committee chairpersons will earn $560 with councillors getting $550 up from $300.
The Mayor of Bulawayo will get $1,000, his deputy $660, committee chairpersons $450 and councillors $400. Mayors of other cities will pocket $840, their deputies $550, committee chairpersons $370 and councillors $350.

Mayors of municipalities will be awarded $600, while their deputies will receive $400. Municipality committee chairpersons will receive $360, councillors $300. Towns and local boards mayors will get $560 and their deputies will earn $350.
Their committee chairpersons will receive $300 while councillors will get $250. Lupane/Chirundu mayors will get $350, deputies $280, committee chairpersons $240 and councillors $200.
The highest paid councillor in all local authorities was pocketing $477 while the lowest took home $80 a month while Members of Parliament take home more than $1,900. – state media

Deadly tribal war hits illegal gold mine 

At least four people are suspected to have died when Ndebele speaking illegal gold miners attacked Shona speaking fellow miners at disused Gealong Gold Mine in Gwanda.
Impeccable sources from the mine who would not be named exclusively revealed to ZimEye.com that the feud between Ndebele and Shona speaking miners has been on going for a while only awaiting a final boiling point.
The sources claim that the Ndebele speaking miners have for long not been happy with the presence of the Shona speakers who they want out of the rich mining area. The local Ndebele miners claim that the Shonas are taking their space and should leave Matabeleland and go and mine in Mashonaland.
The feud finally got to it’s boiling point at the beginning of this month after a group of Shona miners hit a rich gold belt from an area previously rejected by a group of Ndebele miners who had worked in the area for a long time and got very little gold from the area.
After more than two weeks of large returns by the Shonas, the Ndebeles got angry and demanded their counterparts to immediately leave the area, an order which was not accepted. The Ndebele miners left the area on Saturday evening giving the Shona miners 48 hours to leave the area. On their return on Tuesday morning they came back with a reinforced group of over twenty other miners triggering a huge fight between the two groups. Deadly objects like picks, shovels, knives and any other implements used for mining were turned into weapons resulting in a bloody exchange.
The Shonas were overcome by the large contingent as they fled leaving behind at least four of them dead according to sources.
Police in Gwanda expressed ignorance on the matter referring all questions to the police general headquarters in Harare. However a source at Gwanda Provincial Hospital confirmed that a number of badly injured informal miners was received at the hospital. The source could however only confirm one body as having been received from the mine without giving any further details.
At the time of going to press, sources around the mine area reported that there was heavy police presence in the area and at least six people have been seen handcuffed.
ZimEye.com is monitoring developments from the mine as more information is sourced.

The Prosecutor General, Mr Johannes Tomana has filed an application challenging his placement on remand, saying those prosecuting him have no authority to do so.
Tomana, who was back in court for his routine remand, argued through his legal representative that under the constitution of Zimbabwe, the Prosecutor General is the one who gives authority to prosecute.
The state is expected to file its response this Wednesday.
Tomana is facing charges of abuse of office after ordering the release of two people implicated in the attempted bombing of the Gushungo Dairy farm.
Meanwhile, Harare Provincial Magistrate, Vakai Chikwekwe has disregarded a high court order that barred the media from covering the story of the suspect accused of attempting to bomb Gushungo Dairy farm.
The order was granted by High Court judge, Justice Lavender Makoni after the military intelligence officer filed an application seeking the case to be held in camera.
The order was presented by Mr Taurai Mandiki, who is representing Solomon Makunde and Silas Pfupa.
In her ruling, Mr Chikwekwe said the lower court has constitutional rights to independence and any direction from other courts is tantamount to interference and usurping the powers of the magistrate’s court.
The case has been remanded to 1 March.-State Media

READERS’ NOTE – ZimEye.com on Tuesday evening interviewed ZANU PF Women’s League Finance boss, MP Sarah Mahoka, and she appeared factually disconnected from the claims that she is being threatened with death by “Mnangagwa’s assailants”. When raised on the issue of death threats coming from the Mnangagwa camp, she replied, “who said it was the Mnangagwa camp?” In a twist and turn spin when pressured on the claims now in full print, she was quick to cut the phone off saying: “I will call you later. At the time of writing (2)two hours later, she had not (yet) honoured her word”

By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|People’s Democratic Party(PDP) leader Tendai Biti sneaked into the city of Masvingo last Saturday where he told party supporters he will never beg to join to former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s People First.
Biti told party members during a provincial executive meeting held at Target Kopje, Masvingo, he was not desperate to join Mujuru as suggested by some sections of the media.
Biti’s recent comments have once again put a dent on hopes of the much anticipated grand coalition many believe will unseat President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF.
The former MDC secretary general described the People First as a group of people who are yet to reflect their seriousness to contest in the 2018 polls.
“The People First issue is about a group of people who are yet to make their intentions clear. What we want is to win the battle against Zanu PF and Mugabe. As for the People First let me clearly say we cannot engage individuals,”said Biti.
He also took a swipe at former party members who defected to People First saying they were desperate and confused.
“There are some of our former members who are trying to lure our supporters to People First and they are approaching our structures claiming we are now working with Mujuru -which is not true,” he said.
The people of Zimbabwe are clamouring for the formation of a grand coalition to take on Mugabe in the 2018 polls but the main players expected to spearhead the coaliton are seemingly unwilling to commit themselves towards a unified force.
Two weeks ago People First national spokesperson Rugare Gumbo fired a salvo at MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai saying he did not deserve to lead the coalition.

The High Court has reprimanded the Harare City Council (HCC) for demolishing houses along the Airport Road without first securing a court order.
This followed an application filed by two residents; Jean Pierre Dusabe and John Peter Mutokambali, who were left homeless.
In the application, the residents cited HCC, Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere and Lands minister Douglas Mombeshora as respondents.
High Court judge Priscilla Chigumba said that the demolitions were illegal.
“It is a disgrace for two government departments to admit that houses which had been built without the requisite planning authority were demolished and razed to the ground without a court order, without notice in writing being given to all those likely to be affected,” the judge said in a scathing ruling.
“The process was not procedurally fair.”
She said that government departments were not at liberty to unilaterally and arbitrarily demolish any structures in the absence of a court order even if the structures were an eyesore or were without building plans.
“This is a democratic society in which such conduct, especially on the part of government departments whose operations are funded by taxpayers’ money, is not justifiable,” Chigumba said.
The residents told the court that they were left destitute after their homes and property worth several thousands of dollars were destroyed.
Chigumba said the residents, members of Nyikavanhu Housing Cooperative, were not entitled to compensation because the land was illegally sold to them.
She said the problem was caused by the cooperative, which accepted money from the residents against its mandate and permission from the responsible authority to do so.
“The culture of impunity that has pervaded and corroded our government departments should be roundly condemned.
“As a mark of its displeasure at the unlawful conduct of the first and second respondents, a punitive order as to costs will be made against them to discourage such blatant disregard of the law in future,” she said

A self-proclaimed prophet of the Johanne Masowe Apostolic Sect dragged his wife before the Harare Civil Court accusing her of witchcraft.
Norman Senzere alleged that his wife, Esther Charamba, bewitched his first wife and caused her death.
Senzere, who was seeking a protection order against Charamba told magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa that she threatened him with death despite divorcing her.
“We divorced, but she is refusing to leave my house after I gave her parents a cow as a divorce token,” he said.
“She caused the death of my first wife after bewitching her. She is a witch and everyone she threatens with death will die.
“She is also threatening my other wife. She harasses her and scolds her using vulgar words. I want her to leave my house and be barred from coming to my workplace because I am no longer a happy man,” Senzere said.
Charamba refuted the allegations. She told the court that it was, in fact, Senzere who was abusing her forcing her to drink concoctions.
“All that he has said are lies,” Charamba said.
“I have never killed anyone nor am I a witch. He is a prophet from Johanne Masowe but he is manufacturing allegations against me.
“He is only trying to get rid of me since I became disabled but he is the one who did not want me to go to the hospital for treatment saying his church does not allow that,” she said.
Mrs Gofa dismissed Senzere’s application citing lack of proof of violence perpetrated against him.-State Media

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) provincial chairpersons have thrown their weight behind the Christopher Mutsvangwa-led executive.
At a meeting in Harare, the veterans of the liberation struggle from the country’s 10 provinces, called for a special general meeting to deliberate on the recent developments, which saw the booting out of the Mutsvangwa-led executive through a vote of no confidence.
Mutsvangwa was booted out on Friday together with his wife, Monica Mutsvangwa, ZNLWVA Vice Chairman Headman Moyo and Secretary General Victor Matemadanda.
They have since been replaced by Mandi Chimene as Chairperson, George Mafa as Vice Chairman, and Michael Mapfumo as the new Secretary General, on an interim basis.
However, war veterans chairpersons from the country’s 10 provinces are against the move and they argue that the association’s constitution has no provision of a vote of no confidence.
Matemadanda said the disharmony in the association is meant to weaken the obtaining centre of power by creating divisions.
Mutsvangwa added that the special congress dates will be announced in consultations with the patron, President Robert Mugabe.
“At a time when I am under threat from many corners, you have come in full force behind me, you have shamed them,” said Mutsvangwa.
The meeting was attended by national executive members of the association, members of the Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators Association and Children of the War Veterans Association.-State Media

A woman from Bulawayo had a breakdown in court while narrating how she was gang raped by three men welding knives. Her emotional state forced the magistrate to postpone the case in which two of the men who allegedly tore open her clothes using a knife before raping her in turns, appeared facing charges of rape and robbery.
The woman was serious injured when one of the suspects, who is on the run, allegedly kicked her on her private parts after she said she was on HIV medication.
Prosecuting, Robin Mukura called the woman as the second State witness after the first witness, a taxi driver, told the court that Dumile Dungeni, 32 and Mlungisi Khumalo, 34, robbed him and the woman of property and gang raped the woman before driving off in his vehicle.
The woman wept uncontrollably as she told the court how the trio robbed and raped her. “I know the two men as our attackers who pounced on me and my friend while we were driving in Cowdray Park. After tying us up with ropes, they drove to a certain spot where one of them dragged me out of the car and used a knife to undress me,” she said and immediately began sobbing.
Senior regional magistrate Tranos Utahwashe adjourned proceedings and the woman was taken for counselling. The session failed to produce results. The woman wept continually and could not continue with her testimony, forcing Utahwashe to postpone the matter to tomorrow.
Dungeni and Khumalo allegedly robbed the taxi driver before taking turns to rape the woman several times.
The third alleged robber did not rape the woman after she claimed that she was on HIV medication. He, however, allegedly kicked her privates and she sustained serious injuries.
“It was last year on August 1 when the woman called her friend who is a registered taxi operator and asked him to take her home at around 8PM. She had some goods and they went home before proceeding to her brother’s place, also in Cowdray Park,” said Mukura.
“On their way back, someone smashed the windscreen from outside with an unknown object. As they tried to figure out what was happening, three men emerged from the darkness and opened the car doors.”
He said the trio slapped and threatened to hit them with machetes, knives and iron bars.
“One of the men jumped onto the driver’s seat and drove while they sat at the back in-between the two men who continued to assault them, forcing them to look down,” Mukura said.
After a while, the men allegedly stopped the car and one of them dragged the woman out of the vehicle and used a knife to cut her leggings and panties. He raped the woman once and force marched her back into the car, the court heard.
“He would stop after a few kilometres, rape her and drag her back into the car. He did this three times,” Mukura said.
The court heard that the other suspect also raped the woman. “The third man failed to rape her as she begged him saying she was on ARVs. He, however, kicked her privates until they were sore,” Mukura said.
“They drove along a dusty road in a bushy area connecting Bulawayo and Nyamandlovu and dropped the pair before driving off.” – State Media

Government through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary education has ordered an immediate introduction of semi military ethics to be observed by all learners throughout the country.
In a circular sent out to all Primary and Secondary Schools in the country last week, the Ministry has orders all learners to daily recite an oath of loyalty to the sitting government.
The oath of loyalty is varied in content between the levels of the school systems. In the oath, children have to swear to respect the country’s president and all the country’s leaders and vow never to disrespect the authorities.
The oath is a duplication of the oath that the infamous ZANU PF youth known as Green Bombers chant every day throughout their training at the Border Gezi training youth training centres.
Over and above the oath of allegiance, learners are now required to march and salute the national flag in military fashion. Whenever the children sing the national anthem, the circular instructs the learners to stand at attention with one hand holding their chest while the other is raised with a clenched fist. The raised clinched fist is ZANU PF’s symbol.
Added to the school curriculum through the same circular is the dictation that schools must teach all learners mass displays as part of their extra curriculum activity. Mass displays are normally an entertainment feature at state and ZANU PF gatherings.
Meanwhile, Primary and Secondary education Minister Lazarus Dokora will tour the country’s ten provinces emphasising the new requirements. On Saturday the Minister kicked off his nationwide tour in Manicaland Province.

Election Resource Centre (ERC) said they are worried by the behaviour of some elected officials who are afraid of meeting their constituencies.
ERC director Tawanda Chimhini made the revelations at the weekend when they were launching a community engagement project titled “Communities in Action”.
Chimhini who was reluctant to mention names of politicians who are snubbing constituency meetings said they are several politicians who are not comfortable with the initiative.
“We have seen leadership that thrives on an ignorant society and some of these politicians have been very uncomfortable, they felt threatened and thought that we are now chasing away their pray,”said Chimhini.
“But this programme is not a witch hunting initiative because it is also assisting elected officials to meet with their constituency’s .So we are giving both the politicians and communities a platform to interface because some of the politicians have been complaining that people are not coming to their meetings”.
The initiative which Chimhini‘s organisation is engaging communities in is aimed at creating citizens as opposed to voters.
“Where we are going is where communities see the vote beyond simply putting an X because is about employing someone to provide a service.
“So once every vote is based on the issues and priorities of the communities then you have an empowered community and this is exactly where we are going,” he said.
 

Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy (YARD) Temba Mliswa has accused the First family of practicing witchcraft because of their “strong” belief in the practice.
The firebrand politician was reacting to the arrest and subsequent harassment of one of his members by the police on Saturday when they were having a pre-Valentine’s Day march in the city centre.
Mliswa told the reporters on Monday in Harare that all the frustrations Zimbabweans have were a result of Zanu PF’s continued in fighting at a time they were supposed to be concentrating on the ailing economy.
He said castigated Grace for continuously accusing fellow party members of plotting to kill her husband saying that he believes that the first family performs witchcraft.
“It is pretty clear that the first family believes a lot in witchcraft, they are constantly accusing people in witchcraft, “he said.
“You can accuse people of witchcraft when you also partake in witchcraft that is very clear and we cannot have hypocrisy and a situation when we say we pray then you say Mai Mujuru and her cabal including me allegedly wanted to kill the President.”
The former Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman said Grace is also a lady of loose morals.
“The last time she spoke about how Mai Mujuru would then go and see the President in a short skirt ,but who worked in the President’s office and ended up being the first lady? , when  the President was married to the late Sally Mugabe,”said Mliswa.
“We are talking about morals and a party that respects morality.
“She has decided to denigrate and humiliate people in public out of morality, Zimbabweans are not stupid and we know who our first lady is and because of being the wife of the President we have given her the respect regales of her background”.
 
 

A TODDLER was burnt beyond recognition while his granny escaped with serious burns after their family home was gutted by fire in Bulawayo’s Nketa suburb. The fire is suspected to have been ignited by the deceased’s four-year-old brother who was playing with matches.
Olwethu Moyo, 2, died on the spot while his brother escaped to safety.
The incident happened on Friday.
Their grandmother, Sithabiso Bhebhe, was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals where she was treated and discharged. She suffered burns on her face and left arm.
The boys’ mother is said to be in South Africa.
The State Media yesterday caught up with Bhebhe who said she tried in vain to rescue the child.
“I was washing plates outside when I suddenly saw flames coming through the window. I tried to dash into the house knowing there were children inside,” said Bhebhe.
She said searing heat from the flames kept her at bay.
Bhebhe said she screamed for help and her neighbours rushed to assist her.
“I heard the baby screaming once in the burning house. As neighbours came to my aid, I thought his four-year-old brother was also inside the house. I tried to ignore the flames and force my way into the house but neighbours restrained me,” she said.
“They called the Fire Brigade but it was already too late. The neighbours tried to extinguish the fire using buckets.”
Bhebhe said she was somewhat relieved when she saw her four-year-old grandson rushing from the backyard as she thought he had also been burnt to death.
Bulawayo Fire Brigade Senior Divisional Officer Linos Phiri urged parents and guardians to keep matches out of reach of children.
He said some fire incidents could be avoided.
“We want to urge parents to make sure they keep matches out of the reach of children. We know children can be very naughty and want to experiment with anything. But we wouldn’t be talking about this if they had kept matches out of their reach,” said Phiri.

Zimbabwe’s MPs are under-utilised, and the public here know more about South Africa’s parliamentary affairs than they do their own country’s, Harare West legislator Jessie Majome writes lamenting, saying there is an urgent government need to rope the public in on the-goings-on in parliament.

On Wednesday 10 February I participated in the Youth and Policy Maker Dialogue which was organised by the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT).
I got a chance to demystify my role as a legisltaor to Harare youths mostly from Chitungwiza. Unfortunately the organisers did not invite Harare Westerners.
At the meeting I spoke on how all political issues and ‘youth issues’ are inseparable and therefore vital that youths understand and participate in parliamentary processes as required by Section 141 of the Constitution.

I shared my view that political patronage has shortchanged people of the real value they can get from parliamentary democracy and instead created an MP who is more of an ATM, funeral policy and bursary than a legislator, government policy overseer and representative. I make no apologies for not consuming my parliamentary tenure with “projects” and rather engage the constituency and work on advocating government policy to the better and more effective in improving lives.
I lamented how MPs we are ill equipped to represent our constituencies as there is no staff or public meeting hall hire finances, or even offices to work from. I have to employ someone from my personal resources and opened my virtual constituency office as a way to interact with Harare Westerners and exhibit my work.
It struck me as sad that only a small and usually distorted and sensational fraction of what happens in Parliament is covered in the media, thence distorting the public’s view about what we do in parliament. Zimbabweans know more about S A parliamentary proceedings than ours and some think we only ask questionscbecause that’s all ZBC covers. I hope that with the advent of social media’s popularity more parliamentary information will be shared freely.
Your MP
Jessie Fungayi Majome

TWO police officers from Masvingo tortured a man to death after he had won a fight against one of them following a row over a fake $5 note. Brian Magama, 34, and Isaac Kachena, whose age was not given in court, severely beat up Luckson Muringani of Chivhiko Village under Chief Sengwe for the whole night at Chibwedziva police base in 2010.
Muringani later died in hospital after sustaining a fractured skull during the prolonged assault. Kachena is on the run.
Supreme Court Judge Justice Susan Mavhangira on Friday heard how the duo used truncheons and kicked and punched Muringani for more than 10 hours.
Justice Mavhangira is back in Masvingo on circuit to clear outstanding High court cases.
Magama had pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder but Justice Mavhangira, sitting with assessors Samuel Mutomba and Joseph Mushuku, convicted him due to overwhelming evidence.
Sentencing him to 16 years in prison for murder with actual intent, Justice Mavhangira said it was clear that Magama and Kachena intended to kill Muringani.
“The fact that you tortured a defenceless person for the whole night brazenly shows your hard heartedness.
“Being a police officer is never a passport for depriving a person of liberty and life. You’re held responsible for tarnishing the image of the police service. You could’ve used the law to bring him before the court in place of torturing him to death,” she said.
Justice Mavhangira said while the court would not lose sight of Magama’ young age when he committed the offence (he was 28-years-old), it had a duty to protect the sanctity of life.
“You committed a serious crime of spilling blood. You deserve a deterrent sentence that will send a clear message to other police officers not to take the law in their own hands.
“There is no law which gives you powers to kill suspects,” she said.
In his defence, Magama, who was represented pro deo by Frank Chirairo, argued that Muringani might have fallen off a moving vehicle days after the assault and possibly smashed his head, leading to his death.
The prosecutor, Elson Chavarika, said sometime in March 2010, Magama and Kachena tortured Muringani to death after accusing him of assaulting Kachena over a counterfeit $5 note.
Muringani died six days after the assault at Chiredzi Hospital.
“Sometime in March 2010, the fugitive, Kachena, had a misunderstanding with Muringani over a fake $5 which degenerated into a fist fight. Muringani emerged victorious. Kachena and Magama decided to take revenge on Muringani several weeks later, on April 17,” said Chavarika.
The court heard that the two police officers approached Muringani and dragged him out of a bottle store where he was relaxing with friends.
“The two force-marched Muringani to Chibwedziva Police Base where they took turns to brutally assault him with truncheons,” said the prosecutor.
“They kicked, punched and slapped him all over his body the whole night until the following morning.”
In the morning, Chavarika said, Muringani fainted and the two revived him by pouring cold water on him. He said the police officers continued beating Muringani after realising he had regained consciousness.
Chavarika said the cops released Muringani when they were about to knock off but he complained of pain and dizziness.
The court heard how family members rushed Muringani to Chibwedziva Clinic.
Due to his deteriorating condition, the nurses at the clinic referred him to Chiredzi Hospital where he was attended by a doctor on April 20 and discharged the same day.
“Muringani was discharged and went home but his condition didn’t improve after which he was taken back to Chiredzi Hospital where he died on admission,” Chavarika said.
A post-mortem report produced in court showed that he died from a fractured skull sustained during the torture.

By Terrence Mawawa  Chivi| A self proclaimed  prophet here ordered five men to dig a grave last week claiming he had been shown a vision of a lot of cash stashed behind human bones.
In an incident that has left the local villagers stunned, Mavhuma Farai Madzivire and his four friends were instructed by a local prophet to go and exhume the bones to extract cash from the grave. Madzivire was accompanied by Claudius Mafudza, Tazviona Hove, Edward Siziba and Innocent Mpofu.
Masvingo Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the incident to ZimEye.com.
The five are being charged with the violation of a grave .
After being instructed by the prophet, Madzivire and his four friends went to the graveyard in Madyira Village and began to dig one of the graves belonging to Madzivire’s grandfather. The prophet told him he had seen in a vision a lot of money stashed in the grave.
Two villagers caught the man digging the grave and alerted other villagers leading to the arrest of the five men who were taken to Ngundu Police Station.
Due to the current economic challenges many people are flocking to prophets and spiritists seeking divine assistance and some have been forced to do sinister things in a desperate bid to amass wealth.
The prophet has since disappeared from Madyira village following the tension sparked by the incident.
Although the prophet’s name could not be established, it is understood he is a member of the Johane Masowe Apostolic sect.
Self proclaimed prophets have also been widely criticised for diverting the essence of the gospel all for their gain in the wake of the current socio-economic challenges.

A man and his 30-year old wife have appeared in court after the husband allegedly raped a four-year-old relative backed by the wife who stood by him during the attack.
The 4 year old baby has been found with an STI.
The woman stood guard as her Botswana-based husband raped the child, the court heard.
The woman and her husband appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe last week facing rape charges.
They were remanded in custody to February 24.
Mr Mahwe advised the couple to seek bail at the High Court.
The woman lives in Esigodini.
Prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa told the court that the offence was unearthed by the victim’s grandmother after she noticed that the girl’s genitals were bruised.
The girl was also discharging yellow fluids.
The victim opened up on the assault upon interrogation.
The matter was reported to the police.
A medical report confirmed the assault.-State Media

Below is the latest update at 1650Hours following the bomb scare at Holiday Inn, Harare: Click here to READ the background story

Five teams of army and CIO agents have cleared all floors of the Holiday Inn hotel.
Nothing has been reported to have been found in the building ever since the alert was raised two hours ago. The two callers who raised the bomb-alert have been identified by their accent to be of both American and Jewish origin.
A hotel staffer 10 minutes ago told ZimEye.com she was confident of the way the army are handling everything. “I am confident they are doing their job well, you know are boys don’t mess about,” she said.
Sideline afforts are being made to also ascertain the callers’ exact identity so that the investigation can be satiated.
Meanwhile guests and staffers are still outside waiting for an update. READ MORE .  More to follow on ZimEye.com

FORMER vice-president Joice Mujuru believes her successor Emmerson Mnangagwa is tasting his own medicine after First Lady Grace Mugabe turned on the Midlands strongman on Friday, accusing him of plotting against her husband.
Grace accused Mnangagwa of a plethora of things, including linking him to an alleged plot to kill her son — Chatunga — and the recent attempt “to bomb” her Gushungo Dairy in Mazowe.
She has threatened to reveal more information allegedly exposing the so-called plot against Mugabe.The setting for the attacks against Mnangagwa — a rally in Mazowe South — and the language laced with innuendos and hate speech had a striking similarity to Grace’s unrestrained attacks on Mujuru in 2014.
Mujuru, who on Friday registered her own political party — Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) — said she does not feel any pity for Mnangagwa.The VP is believed to have been one of the architects of Mujuru’s demise after years of jostling for control of Zanu PF with the war veteran.
“I have no advice that I would give him,” Mujuru told The Standard. “They were together when lies were peddled against me and many in the party, so he is just having the same treatment that I got and they are tasting their own medicine.
“They knew that all that was being said about me were lies, but they believed it; that is when I realised that a huge disaster was imminent in Zanu PF because the leadership allowed it [my persecution] to happen.
“I decided to keep quiet and watch the party disintegrate.”
She added: “I don’t feel pity for him and anyone there at all! That is what they wanted.”
Mujuru said Mnangagwa was welcome to join ZPF party, but on condition that he starts from grassroots.
Mnangagwa took over from Mujuru in December 2014 after she was kicked out of the party on allegations of plotting to kill Mugabe through consulting witch-doctors, among other accusations.
She denied the allegations and challenged Mugabe to prove the claims in court. At the time, Mujuru described the charges as politicking by those who wanted power at all cost.
War Veterans minister Christopher Mutsvangwa, a key Mnangagwa ally, was also singled out for a tongue lashing by a visibly angry Grace on Friday.
Zanu PF is divided into two distinct factions, with one backing Mnangagwa and another G40 which reportedly has the backing of the First Lady.
Mujuru said the chaos in Zanu PF was a sign of a failed leadership but vowed never to return to the ruling party as she was not fully committed to ZPF.
“That is what they wanted (destruction of Zanu PF) because the leadership allowed it to happen,” she said. When everything is done, the party will be launched and we will let you know,” she said.
In her parting shot, Mujuru said Mnangagwa would not qualify for a top post at ZPF.
“He will have to go to his province that is where he will be entertained not at our position (national),” she said.
Like Mnangagwa, Mujuru was at one time being tipped to succeed Mugabe who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980.

Barely a day after she threatened she “will kick” everyone who does not listen to her, First Lady Grace Mugabe Grace has had her G40 faction push out three provincial chairpersons.
Zanu-PF Political Commissar Saviour Kusukuwere yesterday announced the suspension of three provincial chairpersons for alleged disobedience and inciting insolence.
Kizito Chivamba (Midlands), Ezra Chadzamira (Masvingo) and Joel Biggie Matiza (Mashonaland East) were suspended and are under investigation.
In the interim, Kasukuwere said, Tapuwa Matangaidze (provincial secretary for administration) takes charge of Midlands, while Mashonaland East deputy chair Bernard Makokove replaces Matiza.
However, the Midlands leadership has disputed the major allegations leading to Chivamba’s suspension.
And Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association executive members who received no-confidence votes along with their leader Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa on Friday also maintained their ouster was “null and void”.
At a Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial co-ordinating committee meeting in Lupane, Kasukuwere said errant party members would be dismissed.
Among those present were Zanu-PF politburo members Professor Jonathan Moyo, Dr Obert Mpofu, Cain Mathema and Patrick Zhuwawo; and Matabeleland North provincial chair Richard Moyo and Central Committee member Clifford Sibanda.
Kasukuwere said, “We have suspended Chivamba because he was no longer coming for meetings. Secondly, he blocked members of the Women’s League from coming to Harare to welcome the President. He also went to the Press, making statements that undermine (the party) leadership.
“The same with Matiza in Mashonaland East … He was harassing women there and we have said to him ‘enough’. He came for the meeting, but made sure there was pressure on women not to attend that meeting.
“In Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira had the same problems, and we have told him to step aside. We can’t have insolence in the party; such arrogance and disrespect for leadership.”
He said Zanu-PF was well-prepared to thwart elements fanning instability and attempting insurgency against President Mugabe.
“We know there are people who wear clothes with President Mugabe’s picture and sing his praises in the afternoon, but turn against him at night. They caucus at night, telling each other that the President must leave office. You think we don’t see you?
“You make our President your legitimate target and think that we will just stand there and watch? That won’t happen … If you want to destroy yourself in Zanu-PF, go against a man called RGM. If you want to be finished, plot against him.
“We know some people go to a house in Kwekwe where they are told all sorts of things and think that we don’t know. You must know that whatever you say in the cover of darkness, we will always know about it. If you are called for a private (meeting), refuse. Hold formal meetings such as this one where there are minutes which can be referred to in future.”
He added that the party would not rescind no-confidence votes. “Some are now saying let’s sit down and review the votes of no confidence; let’s go for a hearing. We have some who are lawyers who say, ‘No, let’s have a meeting and have natural justice’.State Media

A body of a man from Mt Darwin was discovered, his head was battered and his left ear missing. This was one of the most horrific murder cases recorded by the police recently.
Edmore Mwedziwendira (43) of Chibaya Village, Chief Nembire in Mt Darwin had a deep cut on the neck and a deformed skull. The police have since apprehended three suspects.
The chilling murder is one of the disturbing cases that the police have cracked in recent weeks, as the force moves to clamp down human killers.
The police said murder cases had shot up to as high as 12 cases per week between December and January. However, such cases are now on the decrease.
Giving an update on homicide cases to The Sunday Mail last week, National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said the police had apprehended Mwedziwendira’s suspected killers within three days.
“After their arrest; Tinashe Nyarunge, Kilford Mutimure and Takesure Chiunza confessed to the crime and are in police custody awaiting trial in April,” she said.
‘‘The deceased (Edmore Mwedziwendira) was the owner of Mwedziwendira Shop at Chikwira Business Centre. On the day in question, he and his son, Tatenda Mwedziwendira, closed the shop and they retired to bed in their respective bedrooms.
“Later on, Tatenda proceeded to the deceased’s bedroom and discovered that the door was locked from outside. Tatenda force opened the door and noticed some blood stains on the floor.
“He reported the matter to the police and they attended the scene.
“Police conducted a search and found the body of the deceased lying in a grave yard about ninety metres from the shop.
“The police observed that the deceased had a deep cut on the neck and a deformed skull. The left ear was missing and the head was completely skinned.”
In their confession, the trio said the killing was part of a ritual process and implicated a Harare prominent woman.
“However, their statements about the woman were not corroborating so we were not able to ascertain her whereabouts,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.
In another disturbing homicide case that took place in the wee hours of last Friday morning, a soldier based at Inkomo Barracks axed his wife to death following a domestic dispute.
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said police were finalising investigations on the case.
“On 12 February 2016 at around 0130 hours, complainant Rudo Mandizha had a misunderstanding with her husband Maxwell Nyamuri at Mandaza village, Mubaira, Mhondoro.
“The husband is a soldier stationed at Inkomo Barracks. ‘The complainant screamed for help and this awakened neighbours who went to investigate and found the house ablaze,” she said.
“The accused had struck the complainant with an axe before setting the house ablaze. The three children were nowhere to be found.
‘‘Police are still finalising investigations and more details will follow.” In yet another appalling murder case in Mhondoro, Simbarashe Munakamwe of Suku Village, Chief Mangwende in Murewa stabbed a 15-year-old secondary school pupil at Chitemerere Secondary School.
Munakamwe, who is in police custody, stabbed the juvenile after she had rejected his love proposal.
Snr Asst Comm Charamba also urged members of the public to be wary of armed robbers.
Last week, three unknown men pounced on Engen Service Station in Chitungwiza, physically assaulted three fuel attendants — Elias Tekenende, Melody Romosi and Tendai Mafala — before getting away with valuables and US$705 in cash. – State Media

In a bizarre incident, an eight-year-old boy from Marange shot and killed his friend (7) with a home-made rifle last Saturday.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, confirmed the incident which happened at Village 15B, Mt Zuma.
He said the incident happened after Paul Changadzo (56) came back home from Mutandanda Range where he was hunting with a home-made rifle.
“Upon arrival, he headed straight to the cattle kraal to milk his cow. He left the gun hanging on a pole which was near the kraal.
“The now late seven-year-old boy came together with his eight-year-old friend who grabbed the firearm.
“He shot the seven-year-old boy on the right shoulder. He died on the spot,” said Insp Kakohwa
Changadzo rushed to check upon hearing the gun shot and found the boy lying down dead.
He made a report at Odzi Police Station.  The police attended the scene and recovered the firearm.

As hunger looms and drought worsens in Zimbabwe, most Zimbabweans are crossing over into neighbouring Zambia to buy mealie-meal.
One of the Zambian newspapers, The Post reported that Zimbabweans are now being blamed for the shortages of mealie-meal in the resort town of Livingstone, as they are buying the commodity in bulk.
“A check at the Victoria Falls bus station found many Zimbabweans and Zambia loading bags of mealie-meal into minibuses and taxis destined for Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls,” the paper reported on Wednesday.
“A taxi driver, who operates between the Zambia and Zimbabwe border, said an average of 40 to 50 Zambians and Zimbabweans hire him every day to transport mealie-meal across the border to the Zimbabwean side.”
He said most Zambians were now engaging in barter trade with Zimbabweans where they exchanged the sought-after commodity for basics.
“We have many of our (Zimbabwean) friends coming in every day to buy mealie-meal. We also have many Zambians, especially those that cycle, crossing over with bags of mealie-meal and returning with cooking oil, fruit juice, sugar and rice, which are relatively cheaper in Zimbabwe than in our Zambian shops,” the taxi driver was quoted saying.
A spokesperson for the opposition Rainbow Party, Paul Sensele, said there was a looming mealie-meal shortage in Livingstone because of the influx of Zimbabweans.
“We are destined for a shortage of mealie-meal in Livingstone if the trend remains the same,” he told The Post. “However, our friends are also human and they need to eat just like us, but the problem is the millers are not meeting the demand for the commodity.”
Zimbabwe this week appealed for help to raise $1,5 billion to feed at least three million people until the next harvest, citing massive crop failure due to drought.
The country usually imports maize from Zambia, which accommodated many white commercial farmers that were displaced by Zimbabwe’s violent land reform programme spearheaded by President Robert Mugabe at the turn of the millennium.
However, this year, the entire southern African region is facing maize shortages due to drought and the Livingstone mealie-meal supplies may soon dry up for starving Zimbabweans.

In the picture below is provincial Minister Martin Dinha kneeling before First Lady Grace Mugabe in a worshipping posture at her Chiweshe rally in the fields belonging to the late First Chimurenga witch doctor Nehanda Nyakasikana yesterday. The ZANU PF Women’s League says Grace is the reincarnation of the dead Nehanda’s spirit.

Grace is flanked by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko (left) and other officials.

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko says his counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa is not President Robert Mugabe’s successor in the wait as has been assumed.

Grace Mugabe yesterday attacked War Veterans Minister Chris Mutsvangwa calling him a “despicable” man for claiming that Higher Education Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo’s father was in fact the late nationalist, Ndabaningi Sithole.
She said this without naming him, but giving away enough for her audience at a rally in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central to know who she was referring to. The First Lady said Mutsvangwa thought of himself as a super war veteran who is above everyone else.
During a very public verbal war with Prof Moyo over the last month, Mutsvangwa first claimed the Tsholotsho North MP was Sithole’s nephew, and later revised his story to say he was in fact Sithole’s biological son.
Grace Mugabe said: “There’s nothing as despicable as insulting people by questioning their paternity. It’s not nice at all. What if we told you that the children you think are yours aren’t really yours?”

The First Lady said there had been a push in the party to tarnish Prof Moyo’s name so much so when she spoke at the Zanu-PF headquarters last Wednesday urging leaders not to insult each other, an official newspaper had reported the next day that she had warned Prof Moyo to stop abusing fellow Zanu-PF officials on social media where he is active on Twitter (@ProfJNMoyo).
“Jonathan, were you just shouting at people without provocation? Are you mad?” Grace said, turning to Prof Moyo. “Jonathan isn’t crazy that he would just start shouting at people. Such an intelligent person can’t be crazy. He shouts at those who shout at him.
“You then begin to see who’s controlling the paper. Some journalists are taking money to write these things.”
A push to ban Zanu PF officials from using social media came to grief at the Politburo last Wednesday after Prof Moyo and other officials said it was not just social media open to abuse but “all forms of media”, including newspapers.
Prof Moyo joined Twitter on February 9 last year after being appointed Zanu-PF’s secretary for science and technology. In the 12 months, he has gained nearly 46,000 followers — a phenomenal feat. Zimbabwe’s most followed Twitter accounts took longer to rack up such numbers — David Coltart’s current 50,000 were built up since December 2008, Trevor Ncube’s 46,000 since March 2009, Kirsty Coventry’s 41,000 since July 2010 and Saviour Kasukuwere’s 38,000 since April 2010.
Introducing Prof Moyo at the rally in Chiweshe yesterday, Kasukuwere — who is Zanu-PF’s national commissar — joked: “Twitter is his job. It’s part of his role as technology minister. We’ve some people who want to stop this man from going to work.” – state media

ZANU PF youth icon Fidelis Fengu has been appointed preacher Sisonke Ndlovu’s spokesman.
The preacher who is UK based Uebert Angel’s “spiritual son,” in an official announcement said “due to the ever increasing demand and growth of ministry work it has become necesary to extend the work accordingly
“It is therefore with great joy and much relief that we unveil our ministry spokesperson Fidelis Fengu.
“He takes the reigns on all official communications and will hereon be known as our INTERNATIONAL SPOKESPERSON for Living God Ministries International.
“Any official liason with the ministry or the prophet shall henceforth be known to the public through him.
“He brings in a wealth of experience in public relations and people management and we believe God will guide us going forward.
Congratulations Fidelis welcome to the team.”
 

I am writing to you today a message from my heart which though painful is best that I write you . The purpose of this message is that you may know some important truths about my life which to the present date I thought best to keep private for the sake of the work that God has been doing in your and other people’s lives through me. During the past two or so years I have however prayerfully made decisions about my life and future which for the same reasons make it necessary for me to now appraise you  of my situation.

 
Well over ten years ago I and Dr R.F. Wutawunashe separated and stopped living as husband and wife. This was for reason of differences which because of who I am to you before God it would not be fair or right for me to make you the judge of . At that time I prayerfully decided that though I had come to this place of differences with her, our personal human differences should not be allowed to end the work which God was doing through me, and also through her. For this reason I continued to leave her free to pursue her calling to lift up women in the context of the African Revival. I continually sought the Lord in prayer for direction in my marital future.
 
In 2013 I increasingly felt that the direction God was giving me after years of prayer concerning this situation was to officially end my marriage . I received direction that the Lord would supernaturally bring Dr R. F. Wutawunashe to me and that I must minister to her and impart what God had put in me for her before this parting. This happened in July 2013 at the Botswana Convention . Among other things the Spirit indicated here that her ministry to women came not through me but direct from the Lord and would now spread not as an in house Family of God Church work, but as an independent ministry which would touch women across church, social and political lines. Some time after this event , I met her and made it clear to her that to my spiritual understanding, this event heralded our imminent and urgent official parting. I had also indicated that it would be best for her ministry to operate independently, which in any case it had been doing. It was during this season also that I saw clearly that my future involved a new marriage .
 
It is now imperative that you know that my marriage is coming to an official end after over ten years of separation, but without recrimination. I want you to know that in this entire period I strove to faithfully minister to you all that the Lord gave me for you, and that though this change has come to my life, I humbly desire to continue ministering to you all that God gives me for you. I also want you to know that as soon as it is legally permissible, I am persuaded that I should end the season of these past ten years or more by getting married sooner rather than later.
 
I ask your forgiveness that as a father I should fail you in this critical area of life. Yet, by the grace of God, I am also persuaded that it is best that I live and walk according to my realities,  in truth. I pray that after this knowledge of my state the Lord will help you to make the right decision, as is your right, concerning continuing with me. Yet I hasten to emphasise that I desire to continue ministering to your life as the Lord grants me grace.
 
Not surprisingly, there may  arise many versions and speculations, but I ask you that should there be in your circle sincere children of God, you share with them what I have said to you, for it is the truth.
 
 
God’s Servant for you
Apostle Andrew Wutawunashe

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| The Province’s leading referral centre, Masvingo Provincial Hospital is facing a severe shortage of essential drugs, triggering a high mortality rate at the government run health centre.
The worst affected departments include casualty, chronic illness and children’s wards respectively. Asthmatic patients have not been receiving treatment for the past few months because the nebuliser machine developed a fault and had since not been maintained . Sources at the hospital told ZimEye.com yesterday there was a sharp increase in the mortality rate among infants and patients referred to the casualty section due to the critical shortage of essential medicine.
“The situation here is terrible because we are recording an uncharacteristically high mortality rate especially in the paeds(children’s) wards as a result of drug shortages. The casualty section is also hard hit by the dearth of medicine. We are also struggling to supply drugs for asthmatic patients. Workers here are frustrated by the fact that they are watching helplessly as patients succumb to treatable ailments,”said a senior staff member at the government hospital.
Provincial Medical Director for Masvingo Dr Amadeus Shamu confirmed there was a shortage of drugs at the province’s largest referral centre. “There is a critical shortage of drugs at Masvingo hospital and all our hospitals across the province. I will make further enquiries at the hospital,”said Dr Shamu. The state of government hospitals in the country has endangered the lives of patients.
Many people now opt to take their relatives to private hospitals despite the high admission costs.

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe is considering a cabinet reshuffle which government and party insiders say is informed by the need to calm stormy relations within the party as well as read the riot act to warring factions that have taken their factional fights to the public sphere in an unprecedented fashion.
Mugabe, who is said to be under pressure from Zanu PF’s two major factions has to walk a fine line between balancing the interests of the opposing fronts and sending out a clear warning that their public spats which have been played out on social and mainstream media will no longer be tolerated.
The succession fight pits Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his loyalists against a group of young Turks known as Generation 40 (G40). The group, whose most vocal members are Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo, Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere and Mugabe’s nephew Patrick Zhuwao, reportedly has the support of First Lady Grace Mugabe and Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko.
“His Excellency has to walk the tight rope to achieve and maintain a balance between the competing interests of the two factions with each seeking to have its opponents kicked out,” one government source said, adding that: “The Mnangagwa group wants a number of ministers kicked out but their major target is Jonathan Moyo. The G40 group, on the other hand, wants (War Veterans minister Christopher) Mutsvangwa to get the boot. There is already a G40-induced vote of no confidence on Mutsvangwa by the Mashonaland West executive, so the push is real.”
If Mugabe buckles to pressure, and reshuffles his cabinet or drops some ministers, it will be the third time since he controversially won elections in 2013. In 2014, he reshuffled his cabinet after axing former vice-president Joice Mujuru and her allies over untested allegations of plotting his ouster and assassination.
In his last reshuffle in September last year, Mugabe, under pressure from the Mnangagwa faction moved Moyo from the information ministry to the Higher Education ministry. The Mnangagwa camp felt Moyo was abusing the media to attack and denigrate the vice-president.
“There is also a push from the G40 side that Mugabe drops his spokesperson George Charamba, whom they feel is firmly in support Mnangagwa. That is the reason why Sarah Mahoka (Women’s League secretary for finance) openly asked the president to confirm whether Charamba was speaking on his behalf when he attacked senior government officials for allegedly fighting Mnangagwa,” said the official.
Charamba however denied Mugabe is contemplating a reshuffle, saying “there will be no cabinet reshuffle”. independent

A judge dismissed a bid by two contractors on Monday to stop their trial for criminal negligence over a building collapse at a Nigerian megachurch that killed 116 worshippers, most of them South Africans.

Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbola Fatiregun challenged their prosecution over the tragedy at pastor TB Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos in September 2014.
Judge Lateef Lawal-Akapo, dismissed the defendants’ appeal for the case to be dismissed, saying in the Lagos High Court it had “no merit”.
Both are due to appear with Joshua on February 18 to be charged, despite another legal challenge from the popular televangelist and preacher.
Joshua repeatedly refused to give evidence at an earlier coroner’s inquest, despite multiple court summonses.
He suggested the collapse was caused by a mysterious “hovering” aircraft seen over the building before the tragedy.
The coroner attributed the collapse to the unauthorised addition of extra floors to the guesthouse on the sprawling church compound. – AFP

Zanu PF’s Young Turks, who are known as the Generation 40 (G40) group, backed by Grace Mugabe, demonstrated beyond doubt yesterday that they currently have the upper hand in their brutal ruling party slugfest with the faction linked to embattled Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
And very ominously for the Midlands godfather and his Zanu PF allies, Mugabe also all but endorsed demands by the party’s women’s league for a return of the quota system, that is set to see the nonagenarian appointing a woman as one of his two deputies this year.
Addressing Zanu PF supporters in Harare yesterday — the majority of whom were G40 and women’s league members — ahead of the brawling ruling party’s keenly-watched politburo meeting, Mugabe emphasised the importance of the women’s league to the former liberation movement, and how it had a deserved history of always getting what it wanted.
This followed concerns by the forthright women’s league secretary for finance, Sarah Mahoka, who bemoaned the fact that there were elements in the party who were accusing the league of plotting against Mnangagwa because they were demanding that one of their own be elevated to the presidium.
She also claimed that Mnangagwa’s allies in the Midlands province had allegedly harassed the league’s members and blocked buses that had been hired to ferry the women to yesterday’s gathering in the capital, to thank Mugabe for his “achievements” during his tenure as African Union chairperson.
“Zvisinei nezvipingaidzo zvamunosangana nazvo apo neapo, maitiro amaita musangano uno maratidza varume kuti mada kuita chiro munobuda shudhu (With the way you have organised this meeting, you have demonstrated to men that when you want something you go for it as a united, determined force).
“We are sorry that some women who were coming for this meeting were beaten up and that is wrong. We do not tolerate that in the party.
“Even at the provincial level there are rules … and it is those people who must be sanctioned for their behaviour. So, commissar will have to know kuti ndekupi nekupi kwaitwa izvozvo (who has been responsible for the anarchy),” Mugabe said.
The nonagenarian spoke in the wake of the women’s league resolution at the party’s annual conference last December that one of Mugabe’s two deputies should be a woman, and that this must happen in 2016.
Speaking ahead of Mugabe, Mahoka — who was the runaway star of the pre-politburo show — lashed The Herald newspaper for “lying”, savaged Information permanent secretary George Charamba for his factional politics, and panned senior party officials who she said were disrespectful of the First Lady Grace Mugabe.
She also reiterated the league’s challenge to Mnangagwa earlier this week to publicly declare his interest in succeeding Mugabe, in the light of the campaign for him by his allies.
Mahoka added that Mnangagwa’s seeming reluctance to distance himself from the claims that he wanted Mugabe to step down ahead of the 2018 national elections gave the impression that those campaigning for him had his blessings.
“The VP is my brother and today we are asking you to reprimand people abusing your name. Do not behave like a duck that looks down while its children are being eaten. Stand up and say something like what VP Mphoko has done.
“I will say it publicly because I am not afraid to say so, although I know that I am now a target … tinoona vana vakapfeka ma T-shirts akanzi Team Lacoste (we see youths wearing T-shirts with the Team Lacoste label) and so if you want to be president tell us.
“We also want to know president if you are the one who sent George Charamba to attack Cabinet ministers that you appointed, because he said he was speaking on your behalf,” Mahoka said, as Mnangagwa watched stone-faced.
Responding to this, Mugabe said he expected the party’s leadership to act responsibly and respect women, whom he described as the cornerstone of the ruling party.
“Tisina women’s league chokwadi hatikunde kana election kana kuhwina, saka hamusi vanhu vekutsvinyirwa kwete (Without women we would not win a single election, so we must treat you with respect).
“Mai Mahoka vangobata bata apo neapo asi tazvinzwa zvavanga vachitaura. (Mahoka has just touched on many things and we all got the gist of what she was saying).
“We need to look at the reasons why the people are complaining against us. We must talk about it so we can see. If the foundation is not well laid imba inodhirika (the house will fall). It will be affected by ants.

Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo yesterday slammed belligerent Information permanent secretary George Charamba on ZiFM Stereo, after the commercial radio station that is owned by ICT minister Supa Mandiwanzira granted him a right of reply to Charamba’s invective of last week.
In the explosive interview, Moyo panned Charamba roundly, suggesting that his former aide was overstepping his mandate as President Robert Mugabe’s press secretary.
Yesterday’s interview came after ZiFM Stereo pulled out of an earlier interview that it had granted Moyo to discuss a government scholarship programme in which the State plans to pay full school and boarding fees for all students in public schools who register for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) subjects this year.
Stem is being promoted as a key part of Zimbabwe’s long-term human capital development project.
The irate Moyo suggested then that political machinations had been behind the station’s last-minute decision to decline to host him after it aired Charamba’s controversial interview last week, in which the presidential spokesperson denigrated Moyo and other perceived opponents of embattled Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
ZiFM Stereo strongly denied that it had “blacked out” Moyo, leading to the station interviewing him yesterday.
Moyo refuted Charamba’s claims that he had used his interview with the station last week to communicate Mugabe’s deep-seated concerns about Zanu PF factionalism.
“There is a certain decorum associated with the office of the president. He (Charamba) was angry, as if someone had snatched his girlfriend or owed him money,” the sharp-tongued Moyo said, criticising Charamba’s tone in his interview.
The clash between Moyo and Charamba comes as the ruling Zanu PF’s factional and succession wars are getting nastier and more confused by the day, amid growing frustration by the party’s Young Turks known as the Generation 40 group — who are opposed to Mnangagwa — that they are being blacked out by State media and other mass media outlets linked to senior party officials.-DailyNews

Following the idea that Zanu PF has been asking for donations in a bid to raise cash for the President’s birthday party, the MDC-T has a different idea. Organising secretary, Abednico Bhebhe, has urged President Robert Mugabe to turn his 92nd birthday celebrations into a charity event, visit hospitals and the needy, as his leadership has left the majority of the population impoverished.
Bhebhe made the remarks yesterday as preparations for Mugabe’s birthday bash, slated for Masvingo province this month, gather momentum, with ruling party youths targeting to raise $800 000 for the party.
“The $800 000 should be spent on worthy causes like replacing dilapidated equipment for hospitals or just buy food for starving people,” said the Nkayi South legislator.
“There is no reason to spend all this money celebrating a birthday for someone who, with all due respect, should no longer be President because he is too old for the job.
“Instead of blowing money, which is needed elsewhere, Mugabe should spend the day visiting hospitals and other needy areas of our country. Thereafter, he should use the day to announce his resignation.”
Bhebhe queried what Mugabe was celebrating, as the country’s fortunes had deteriorated with him at the helm.
“What exactly is Mugabe celebrating when the roads in cities are now littered with potholes, when millions of people go for days without proper meals, when the economy is on a free fall, when thousands are losing jobs?
“Even the most powerful man in the world, United States President Barack Obama, celebrates his birthday, but surely it will not be turned into a national event, as is the case in Zimbabwe, a poor nation,” he said.
This came as Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president, Takavafira Zhou, claimed that an estimated 15 000 teachers in Masvingo had been ordered to make financial contributions towards the celebrations.
“We have been inundated with calls and reports from teachers from all over the province saying they are being intimidated and forced to pay $5 to $7 depending with the districts. Those who refuse are facing threats of violence come election time,” Zhou said.
But, Zanu PF provincial chairperson Ezra Chadzamira denied the allegations.
“No, no, no, that is not true. We do not seek donations from poor people,” he said.
However, one teacher from Bikita claimed they had been approached and succumbed to the request out of fear.
“We had no option but to pay. They threatened to mobilise demonstrations to evict us from the school,” the teacher, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said.
Zhou said it was extortion to force the teachers, who were yet to get last year’s bonus, to fund a private party function. “It should not be mandatory to donate towards the President’s party,” he said.
Zhou said his union will soon petition Primary and Secondary Education minister Lazarus Dokora over the issue. – state media

In a bid to stop the online squabbles, insults and accusations among it’s members, Zanu-PF has given its members a warning that they should desist from using social media to communicate party issues saying anyone who defies this directive will be dealt with in line with the party’s rules.
The members have also been ordered to only use conventional media on party business with authorisation.
This comes in the wake of hyper-tweeting by Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo, attacking fellow Cabinet ministers and Politburo members as well as issuing veiled threats on journalists on social media.
This came out of the party’s first Politburo meeting for 2016 held in Harare yesterday.
Speaking to journalists after over 10 hours of intense and frank discussions at the party headquarters, Zanu-PF secretary for Information and Publicity Mr Simon Khaya Moyo said the party also reiterated that it had one centre of power in President Mugabe who is the only elected leader at congress.
“Expressing oneself through the Press, including the use of social media must stop with immediate effect,” said Moyo.
“Leadership calls for responsibility and not for rumour-mongering and insults. The party has structures and procedures to be religiously adhered to. The party is not run through the Press, so we are not allowing any member of the party at whatever level to run the party through the Press. We must maintain and safeguard our party principles and we must never lose focus so said the President.
“We must always exercise introspection and check within yourself whether what you are saying is based on any facts. In life, there is always room for compromise should you have any differences.

Grace Mugabe has urged Zanu PF leaders to spend their energy on meeting the promises the party made in the July 2013 elections and less on pointless quarrels.
The First Lady, speaking to over 10,000 supporters who met outside the Zanu-PF headquarters to congratulate President Mugabe on his successful stewardship of the African Union during 2015, said the Politburo – which was meeting last night – should be focusing on issues of improving livelihoods instead of being pre-occupied with disciplinary issues.
“I always say as Zanu-PF, we got an upper hand now and the people know that it’s the party representing them and working to fulfil their needs,” she said.
“So what’s all this fighting for? Why are you doing that? You stop it, all of you! We don’t want that. Don’t appear as if you want to create friction between the President and those he chose to work with. If you see us quiet, don’t think we’re foolish, we’re watching you.
“It appears some of you went to school to learn about obscenities only. Just abusing others, to show that you’ve a better vocabulary than the next person. You think as women we’re not able to shout at each other? We’re capable, but we know it doesn’t bring food to the table. If you’re educated, your talk and behaviour should reflect that. Respect those who respect you.”
Higher Education Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo and War Veterans Minister Chris Mutsvangwa have been trading harsh words in the media, the dispute centred on what the former says is an attempt by the latter to rush President Mugabe out of power and ease in Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mutsvangwa, meanwhile, accuses the former university lecturer of being a divisive and destructive force in Zanu-PF.
“Right now, the rains have not been coming and that’s what we should focus on. If there’s peace, the leadership will be able to work without any hindrance and you think with all these petty fights it is possible?” sked Mrs Mugabe.

“Vice Presidents Mnangagwa and Mphoko are forced to take their attentions from looking for grain to feed the people to deal with petty fights. You want the Politburo to always sit and talk about petty issues?
“We need progressive things, not to have disciplinary issues year in and year out. We want to talk about serious issues and I think those doing that should be told to shut their mouths because they’re distracting Zimbabwe. We’ve work before us, as we made promises to the people during the 2013 harmonised elections and that’s what we should deliver.”
She said most infighting was being done by male figures in the party and as the mother of the party, she would not hesitate to reprimand them.
The Women’s League said the show of support yesterday was also designed to send a solidarity message to the First Family after four men tried to bomb their private business, Gushungo Dairy, in Mazowe. One of the men has been jailed for nine years after police foiled the January 29 plot.
The First Lady said the individuals behind the plot had demonstrated that they were also prepared to bring harm to the First Family, beyond bombing their private business.
“It means you even want to kill my children. We can’t have a Zimbabwe like that,” she said.
She said in the face of the illegal sanctions imposed by the West, Zimbabweans should have a unity of purpose and work for the development of the country.
She also urged journalists to report responsibly, saying negative reports would never take Zimbabwe anywhere.
“This is our country and all these negative stories are heard all over and if instability is to come, it doesn’t affect me alone but you’ll be also included. You might write your paper but it will not be bought because the purchasing power would have diminished.
“Let’s be patriotic despite our political affiliations. Let’s write stories which don’t drive away investor.” – state media

A woman from Mvuma has appeared before a magistrate and given 280 hours of community service after being convicted of having sexual intercourse with a minor.
But the sentence has raised mixed feelings in the community with some saying she should have been given a stronger punishment.
19 year- old Beauty Madzinga is also HIV positive.
Beauty was also jointly charged with her colleague Patience Majoni, also 19,  for allegedly performing an indecent act with a young person.
The two women from Mashayavhudzi suburb in Mvuma called two boys who were passing by their home and told them they were looking for someone to have sex with.
They allegedly ordered the two boys to unzip their trousers and display their manhood before selecting one boy and took him into a room. Once inside it is alleged Beauty Madzinga had sex with the boy.
The other boy witnessed the act as he was peeping through the window and reported it to his grandmother who in turn alerted the complainant’s grandmother.
Meanwhile, the sentence imposed by Mvuma magistrate Ms Vimbai Makora has sparked anger among the community who feel the two offenders should have been given a jail term.
Experts, however, say the lenient verdict is not unreasonable given the circumstances in which the crime was committed.
Beauty had sexual intercourse with a young person with his consent although the law says someone aged 15 is incapable of consenting.

A MARRIED man from Bulawayo has appeared in court for allegedly raping a prostitute he had hired for a one night stand in Magwegwe suburb.
Mthokozisi Nkomo, 28, of Old Pumula, told Provincial Magistrate Abednico Ndebele that he never raped the alleged prostitute (name withheld) of Magwegwe North suburb.
He was not asked to plead and remanded in custody to yesterday for bail hearing.
Nkomo said the woman was only trying to fix him for failing to pay for the rendered sex services after they slept together on Saturday.
“I never raped her. She is trying to fix me for failing to pay $5 for the night I spent having sex with her. I met her at a bar where I had been drinking. She suggested we go to her place after I told her that we could not go to mine because my wife was around,” said Nkomo.
“When I woke up in the morning, I went through my wallet and realised that it was empty. I don’t know what happened to the money which was inside the wallet since I cannot remember what transpired due to my drunken state. “And because of that I failed to pay her.”
Prosecuting, Mufaro Mageza told the court that on February 6 at around 10PM, the woman met Nkomo in Old Pumula near a clinic while she was on her way home in Magwegwe North.
“The accused person asked the complainant were she was going and she told him. He also said he was heading in the same direction and the two proceeded to walk together.
“After walking for a short distance, the accused pulled the complainant’s hair and ordered her to remove her underwear and to bend holding the clinic fence,” said Mageza.
“The accused person dropped his pants to knee level and had sexual intercourse with the complainant once without using protection and without her consent.”
The prosecutor said the woman pursued Nkomo after he left following the alleged rape.
“The complainant secretly followed the accused person and was able to get his place of residence. She then proceeded to make a police report at a Pumula police station leading to the arrest of the accused,” said Mageza.
The prosecutor said Moyo was referred to the United Bulawayo Hospitals and a medical report can be produced in court as an exhibit.

Vice President Phelekezela Mpoko has snubbed a National Healing meeting which was organised by the civil society, because of the ongoing Politburo meeting.
Mphoko was supposed to address the meeting at 7pm at Monomotapa hotel but failed to pitch up.
The politburo meeting was said to be on by 8pm when ZimEye.com sought to confirm why Mpoko failed to attend.
Attendants at the civil society meeting struggled into the meeting as a result.