Embattled War Veterans minister Christopher Mutsvangwa, who was slapped with a three-year suspension from Zanu PF on Thursday, says he does not care for his Cabinet and former politburo positions.
The outspoken minister and war veterans’ boss said prior to his suspension, he actually requested Mugabe to fire him because he voluntarily rejoined Zanu PF in 2000 to save the ruling party “ethos and not to be served”.
Mutsvangwa said after his “bitter” experience as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to China, he now has a general loathing for assignments that solely depended on an individual’s discretion.
“I neither care for that politburo post, nor indeed for the ministerial appointment,” Mutsvangwa said yesterday.
“So Norton constituency, yes; war veterans’ chairmanship, yes; politburo and Cabinet appointments – I don’t’ really care. In fact, two days ago I asked His Excellency for the honour of dismissing me because I only came in to save the revolutionary ethos and not to be served.”
Mutsvangwa was suspended on allegations of convening a war veterans meeting without informing Mugabe, the war veterans patron. His wife Monica was also slapped with three-year suspension for allegedly undermining First Lady Grace Mugabe.
The two were reportedly linked to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Team Lacoste faction that is battling with G40, another Zanu PF faction which has Grace, Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo, Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere and Indigenisation minister Patrick Zhuwao, in the race to succeed Mugabe.
The two were suspended alongside Zanu PF women’s league secretary for administration Espinah Nhari, while 14 party members from the youth wing were expelled for undermining Grace.
Mutsvangwa said when he requested Mugabe to fire him, the 92-year-old leader started reminiscing about their long association since 1975 when he and four other students absconded from the then University of Rhodesia to join the liberation war.
“I came back into politics voluntarily in 2000 to help confront the menacing threat of nascent MDC. This was after years in the lucrative cellular and Internet business,” he said. “Between 2007 and 2013, I was again out of government commission. As a war veteran-turned-businessman, I don’t have a craving for a public job if it is not elected. You will recall I spurned the offer of a second ambassadorship to Germany in 2006.”
Mutsvangwa added: “To understand that, over the years I developed autonomous self-actualisation capabilities stemming from the sustained hostility by his (Mugabe) government even as he showed partiality to me.”
“So I have no sobs over the abuse of his high office to hound me,” he said.
Mutsvangwa had no kind words for G40, which he said now had a “clutch hold of State House”.
“I am in a different mould from the vapid and vacuous ‘Gang of Four’ of Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere and Zhuwao. They are clutching on the robes of Jiang Jing and Mao era Gang of Four lunacy.”
In recent weeks, Mutsvangwa had nasty public exchanges with Moyo, who he described as the late Ndabaningi Sithole’s son and a thief who stole a radio from his “stepmother” Vesta Sithole.
He described Moyo as a Gregory Rasputin. Moyo fired back, also accusing Mutsvangwa of stealing female combatants’ undergarments and selling them during the liberation struggle. newsday
Chidhakwa In Contempt Of Court
MINES minister Walter Chidakwa, and government companies operating in Chiadzwa diamond fields, are facing contempt of court by High Court judge Justice Joseph Mafusire, following their non-compliance with a court order issued in favour of Grandwell Holdings last month.
Newsday reports that the judge’s ruling comes at a time when President Robert Mugabe, during his birthday interview with the State broadcaster, maintained his hard stance on consolidating all the diamond mining firms in Marange.
Justice Mafusire had on February 29 granted an order sought by the diamond mining firm, which has a huge stake in Mbada Diamonds.
The government was ordered to allow Mbada security personnel back on site to safeguard its property following the decision to withdraw mining licences for all the nine diamond mining firms.
However, when the security officers of the diamond firm approached the mining site as per the court order, they were denied access by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), prompting them to approach the court for recourse.
“It is declared that the order of this court on 29 February has not been complied with. The non-compliance aforesaid was due to the wilful and/or deliberate acts of commission or omission by the first, second, third and fourth respondents (Chidakwa, Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), Marange Resources, Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) and Mbada Diamonds),” Justice Mafusire said.
“By reason of the foregoing, the first, second, third and fourth respondents forfeit their right of audience with this court in this matter, and the corollary obligation of this court to extend its jurisdiction over their cause is hereby withdrawn until such time that they have purged their default.”
Justice Mafusire postponed the hearing of the matter to Tuesday next week.
Justice Mafusire warned: “At the resumption of the matter as aforesaid, unless there is evidence of compliance with the order in question, all documents filed by the first, second, third and fourth respondents in opposition to the applicant’s case shall be struck off and the matter shall proceed as if in default.”
Meanwhile, another diamond mining company, Anjin Investments, has also approached the High Court seeking to have Chidakwa’s directive declared null and void.
In his founding affidavit, the Chinese company’s director Zhang Shibin said he was seeking the intervention of the court to set aside Chidakwa’s directive on the basis that his firm had not violated any terms of the mining agreement in Chiadzwa.
Shibin said Chidakwa’s averments that the mining firm’s licence had expired were not correct since all the mining firms in Chiadzwa had signed agreements that simply allowed them to operate in the area without a specific period being stated.
“The first respondent’s (Chidakwa) attempt to use the apparent omission of the period as the basis of cancellation of the Special Grants is, therefore, not valid, legitimate or reasonable,” he said. “In any event, if the period of the Grants was omitted when issued by the Secretary of Mines, such omission was made in the office of the first respondent.”
Shibin further said he wanted his firm to be allowed back on site as he feared for the safety of his gems since the take-over of security on the site by heavily-armed police officers who apparently directed his employees to open the strongrooms where diamond stocks are stored.
The matter is yet to be set down for hearing.
WATCH:Kid Injected with HIV Blood, Story Hoax
Woman Helps Husband To Rape Own Daughter
By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|A rogue Zvishavane woman known for hiring sex workers for her husband, shocked the local community when she assisted her husband to rape their 14 year old daughter.
In an incident that has left the entire community dumb struck, Netsai Sibanda who has the habit of hiring women for her husband because of fatigue, locked her husband Philemon Tauze(30) and their 14 year daughter in the couple’s bedroom and watched as her husband raped the minor.
Tauze appeared before Zvishavane magistrate, Shepard Munjanja, facing rape charges. He pleaded guilty to the charges.
The incident happened in Mhike Village Zvishavane when Tauze and Sibanda took their daughter into the bedroom and locked her up. Tauze then raped the minor while the mother watched. Tauze had sex with her daughter twice in full view of the minor’s mother. The minor later reported the matter to a neighbour leading to the couple’s arrest. They are both being charged with abuse of the minor.
The two will be back in court on March 9.
Angry villagers who attended the court hearing accused Sibanda and Tauze of being heartless parents urging the court to impose a stiff penalty on the couple. The two’s neighbours angrily described them as mentally retarded social misfit who deserve a harsh sentence. The entire community now eagerly anticipates the court ruling expected next week.
“We do not feel sorry for the two-let them face justice because they destroyed the child’s future,” an angry relative told ZimEye.com
Dynamos vs Highlanders clash goes to boardroom
The battle of Zimbabwe between Dynamos and rivals Highlanders will this weekend be played in the Premier Soccer League board room.
Dynamos Chairman Kenneth Mubaiwa squares up against Highlanders chairman Peter Dube in the PSL elections to elect a new Board Chairman to replace ousted chairman Twin Phiri.
The club bosses have drawn the battle lines with the canvassing for votes on full throttle for the weekend election.
The sixteen team PSL council to be involved in the election is reportedly totally divided with just a day left for the crunch election.
Some sports analysts however give the tide to the Highlanders chairman under the belief that the Southern Region clubs who are a majority in the league will vote for Dube while the fewer Northern Region clubs will back Mubaiwa. The analysts further claim that the Dynamos boss might lose a northern region vote from perennial Harare rivals CAPS United who enjoy better relations with Highlanders than with Dynamos.
Dube who has been acting chairman since the departure of Phiri has tagged an election message saying “Vote for continuity” while Mubaiwa has tagged his as “Vote for Change.”
It remains to be seen which outcome between change and continuity shall prevail at the end. Will Dembare extend their dominance over Bosso beyond the field of play? All that will be answered by the end of the week.
Robert Mugabe pengirl Dies | DIANA MITCHELL
Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo’s top scribe who built their fame during the Chimurenga bush war, Diana Mitchell is no more.
Mrs Mitchell, who wrote the popular Rhodesian, “African Nationalist Leaders in Rhodesia Who’s Who,” and spent stretches of time with the comrades in Zambia and Mozambique, died at the age of 83 on January 8th.
She had been domiciled in the UK at the time of her untimely departure.
Mitchell personally canonised Mugabe, Nkomo and other black nationalists at a time when they were labelled terrorists making it possible for the two to be legitimately recognised internationally later facilitating independence in 1980.
Before her death, she predicted on ZimEye.com her view that the ZRP backed Baba Jukwa frenzy would go nowhere. This was way back back in 2013 after the national elections. – READ MORE- CLICK HERE- Mitchell Dismisses Baba Jukwa.
She also revealed that former opposition leader Edgar Tekere had never been a credible challenge to Robert Mugabe being a drug addict.
Below was her obituary published by the Guardian, UK:
Zimbabwean writer who was a determined opponent of the racist policies of Ian Smith’s Rhodesian Front government
The Zimbabwean political activist and writer Diana Mitchell, who has died aged 83, was an active opponent of Ian Smith in the 1960s and 70s, and later used her political skills in an equally determined critique of Robert Mugabe’s regime in the 90s. A suburban housewife and teacher, she had a flair for grasping media attention and an extraordinary ability to create wide-ranging networks and political relationships that were a source of inspiration for liberals and nationalist fighters alike.
Mitchell made a name for herself as a liberal campaigner in the 60s, regularly writing letters to the state-controlled Rhodesia Herald newspaper criticising the racist policies of Smith’s Rhodesian Front (RF) government. Her first tangible political engagement began in 1966 when the Forest nursery school in Salisbury (now Harare) for the children of black domestic servants was bulldozed by the government. What began as a campaign to save one school led Mitchell to establish a national drive for better education of black children.
Arguing for this cause exposed her to intransigent government ideology – one minister told her that education for black children would “spoil them” and make them “discontented with their lot” – and it pushed her to work directly for the regime’s end. She helped establish the Centre party in 1968, at the time the only party dedicated to a non-racial future, and became its press and public relations officer. Despite her support for the Centre party, she stood (unsuccessfully) as an independent in the 1974 parliamentary elections, mainly due to frustration that the party was sidelining qualified women. Political life was notoriously chauvinistic in 70s Rhodesia, and in his 1984 book White Liberals, Moderates and Radicals in Rhodesia, Ian Hancock wrote: “This was especially true of the liberal parties, and of the CP, which brought together men who could be hesitant and preoccupied and women who were bright and energetic. An excellent example of the latter was Diana Mitchell.”
It was in the late 70s, as civil war and diplomatic pressure finally began to erode the RF’s hold on power, that Mitchell came into her own. Commissioned with the task of getting nationalist and RF leaders to talk to each other, she built up an unrivalled knowledge of the key players in the nationalist struggle. Working with the British-born journalist and broadcaster Robert Cary, and with the support of her friend the journalist Willie Musarurwa, she began to compile a detailed inventory of African nationalist leaders in Rhodesia.
Travelling as far as Zambia and Tanzania, where many worked in exile, she interviewed members of this barely documented group, largely viewed by Rhodesia’s white population (and many in the west) as communist terrorists. Her subsequent potted biographies of 66 nationalists, published in 1977 as African Nationalist Leaders in Rhodesia: Who’s Who, featured many figures who would go on to become key players in the post-independence government. It was described in Rhodesian military circles as “Mrs Mitchell’s Gook Book”, but was seen by those it featured as a badge of honour.
Diana Mitchell with the journalist Willie Musarurwa at her home in Highland, Harare
The book soon became an indispensable source for all sides. During the flurry of meetings and celebrations at independence in 1980, Mitchell found herself sitting between Ken Flower, Smith’s chief of central intelligence, and Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s security chief, who is now vice-president. Both told her: “We get all our information from your book.”
Despite her delight at independence, Mitchell soon became a critic of Mugabe’s government, as, by the middle of the 80s, details emerged of a state clampdown on opposition supporters in Matabeleland. She began a weekly column in the Financial Gazette, voicing her growing dissatisfaction with the Mugabe regime and in particular the restrictions it placed on the media. In 1991 she was a founding member of the Democratic Forum party (later the Forum party), which was in favour of multiparty democracy, judicial independence and the reinstatement of a free market. Although never shy to criticise political injustice, Mitchell maintained friendships with figures across the political spectrum. Her work on Zimbabwe’s politics drew its strength from a fascination with people as shapers of history.
Her ability to relate to people from different backgrounds and ideologies began early. She was born in Salisbury to Elliott Coates, an officer in the merchant navy, and Mary Peck, an actor. The marriage, which was enforced after Mary became pregnant, resulted in near destitution after Elliott was dismissed from the navy and disowned by his family. In Salisbury, Elliott worked as a labourer and Mary as a fortune-teller. The marriage ended in 1937, and Diana was fostered during the second world war while her mother worked in a munitions factory.
Despite material deprivation, Diana benefited from access to a good and relatively liberal education. She attended Evelyn high school in Bulawayo, where she remembered being taken to listen to black liberationist leaders, and then the University of Cape Town in South Africa in 1951, where she studied history and Shona, one of Zimbabwe’s main languages. After taking a diploma in education she taught at secondary schools in Gwelo, Fort Victoria and Salisbury, lectured on science education at the University of Rhodesia, and was principal of the Harare Polytechnic business studies department for several years until 1984, when she retired from teaching to concentrate on her journalistic writing.
She was an avid collector of political cuttings and documents relating to Rhodesia and Zimbabwe, and her collection was later split into two archives, the first acquired by the University of Cape Town and the second by the Hoover Institution at Stanford University in the US.
She married Brian Mitchell, a hydraulic engineer, in 1956, and the couple had three children, Catherine, Tim and Andy. Having eventually grown weary of life under the Mugabe regime, Diana and Brian moved to the UK in 2003.
Brian died in 2010. She is survived by her children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
• Diana Mary Mitchell, political activist and writer, born 16 November 1932; died 8 January 2016
Mugabe Decimates Mnangagwa
THE Zanu PF politburo on Thursday descended heavily on Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Team Lacoste faction, expelling 16 of its key members while War Veterans minister Christopher Mutsvangwa and his wife Monica were suspended for three years.
Mutsvangwa, who sits in the politburo as deputy secretary for war veterans, was accused of undermining First Lady Grace Mugabe.
The Mutsvangwas are believed to be staunch supporters of Mnangagwa’s faction, which is locked in a fierce succession battle against the G40, which Grace is said to belong to.
Thursday’s suspensions came as Mutsvangwa had reportedly met Mugabe and invited him to attend a war veterans meeting scheduled for next week and there were also reports relations between the two had improved following the President’s public censure of the War Veterans’ minister.
Zanu PF women’s league secretary for administration, Espinah Nhari was also suspended for three years for allegedly chanting an anti-G40 slogan at Grace’s rally in Masvingo last year.
Seven provincial youth leaders Godfrey Tsenengamu (Mashonaland Central), Godwin Gomwe (Harare), Vengai Musengi (Mashonaland West), Khumbulani Mpofu
(Bulawayo), Edmore Samambwa (Midlands), Tamuka Nyoni (Matabeleland North) and Washington Nkomo (Matabeleland South) were expelled from the party.
“Seven provincial youth chairmen have been expelled from the party for gross indiscipline and misconduct,” party spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo said.
The axed youth leaders had formed their own advocacy group, Save Zanu PF Campaign, to counter activities of the G40 faction.
Seven other leaders of Zanu PF affiliate organisations that include Tonderai Chidawa (Zicosu), Norest Makururu (Youth in Mining), Collen Machingura (Youth in Farming), leader of the National Youth Services among others, were also expelled from the party.
Moyo said disciplinary cases for the suspended three provincial chairpersons Kizito Chivamba (Midlands), Ezra Chadzamira (Masvingo) and Joel Biggie Matiza (Mashonaland East) are still to be brought before the politburo.
“Three cases were suspended for three years,” he said.
“I will start with one of Mashonaland West (and) Christopher Mutsvangwa has been suspended for three years and, therefore, must not hold any position in the party for the same period but remains, of course, a member of the party and a Member of Parliament.
“Midlands’ Espinah Nhari has also lost her position in the women’s league as secretary for administration and has also been suspended for three years.
“Monica Mutsvangwa has also lost her position in the women’s league and has also been suspended for three years.”
Four others Tendai Makunde, Fellix Mona, a W Masvaire and a G Katsande were reprimanded and pardoned.
The affected officials have been very vocal in attacking the G40 faction, and openly challenging Mugabe to rein in his wife Grace, whom they described as divisive.
The provincial youth chairpersons at one time left their posts en-masse accusing national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere of trying to arm twist them in their operations.
Mugabe recently reprimanded Mutsvangwa in an impromptu state of nation address before opening floodgates for further purging at his birthday bash in Masvingo, where he chided Mnangagwa’s faction.
The faction is accused of trying to topple Mugabe. -NewsDay
Kwekwe Accident Declared National Disaster
The death toll in the accident that occurred along the Bulawayo-Harare highway about 20 kilometres outside Kwekwe near Zongororo farm has risen to 31 after another person died in hospital.
The horrific accident has been declared a state of disaster. 15 victims have so far been identified.
The accident involved a Pfochez bus which had about 60 passengers on board and a benz sprinter which had about 14 passengers.
The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Cde Saviour Kasukuwere visited the accident victims at Kwekwe General Hospital in the company of the Minister of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa, Midlands Minister of State Cde Jason Machaya and Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Cde Chiratidzo Iris Mabuwa.
During a briefing, Cde Kasukuwere announced that President Mugabe has declared the accident a national disaster.
Later the delegation led by Midlands Minister of State Cde Jason Machaya visited the scene of the accident where he commended everyone who assisted.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa says some money from ZINARA should be used to create a disaster fund that will help the health delivery system to assist victims of road accidents.
Officer Commanding Midlands Province Senior Assistant Commissioner Abigal Moyo says the accident could have been avoided if the other driver who was coming from Harare had reduced his speed.
The accident occurred when a Pfochez bus with about 60 passengers on board travelling from Bulawayo to Harare burst its right front tyre, swerved and encroached on the lane of an oncoming Benz Sprinter resulting in a head on collision.
The roof and side of the Benz Sprinter were ripped off killing 12 passengers in the sprinter and 19 in the Pfochez bus.State Media
$13 Billion Diamonds Stolen from Zimbabwe
Illicit trade in Zimbabwean diamonds cost the economy more than $13 billion, forcing the state to create a new company that’s taken control of the country’s deposits, President Robert Mugabe said.
The government on Feb. 22 ordered all diamond-mining companies to end operations and vacate their premises in the Marange and Chimanimani areas and announced the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Co. will take over mining. The state has earned about $2 billion from the gems as about $15 billion was generated by the industry, Mugabe said Thursday on state television in the capital, Harare. He didn’t provide a timeframe.
“Lots of smuggling and swindling has taken place and the companies that have been mining, I want to say robbed us of our wealth,” Mugabe said. “That is why we decided that this area should be a monopoly area and only the state should be able to do the mining in that area.”
Mining is the biggest source of foreign exchange for Zimbabwe, which has the world’s largest platinum reserves after South Africa and also has chrome, gold and iron ore. Production of diamonds in the nation fell to 420,000 carats in the first five months of 2015 from 660,000 carats a year earlier.
Diamonds prices are at six-year lows after slumping 18 percent in 2015, the most since the 2008 global financial crisis, according to data from WWW International Diamond Consultants. Demand in China, the biggest market after the U.S., has shrunk along with a slowing economy and a crackdown on corruption that’s discouraged open displays of wealth.
Assets Nationalized
The creation of the state-owned diamond company followed a refusal by Anjin Investments Ltd., the Diamond Mining Co., Jinan Mining Ltd., Kusena Diamonds, Marange Resources Ltd. and Mbada Diamonds to accept the nationalization of their assets, Mines Minister Walter Chidakwa said last month.
“You cannot trust a private company in that area,” Mugabe said. “We should have learnt from the experiences of countries like Botswana, Angola, Namibia. We might go partner with a leading diamond company, one already well-established.”
New York-based Human Rights Watch said in 2009 that more than 200 illegal workers were killed in Marange as they were being driven off the site by the military. Some were shot from a helicopter, the group said, citing an unidentified eyewitness. The government denied allegations of any human-rights abuses. – Bloomberg
Mutendi:Mugabe is Greater Than Bible Icon Moses
By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|Church leader Nehemiah Mutendi has said President Robert Mugabe is greater than Bible Pentateuch author, Moses (BC 2000).
Mutendi who is the bishop of the Zion Christian Church courted controversy by saying Mugabe is greater than Moses because the president has managed to deliver Zimbabwe from the colonial regime while the bible author did not manage to take the Israelites to Canaan.
Mutendi made the controversial remarks during President Robert Mugabe’s belated birthday bash at Great Zimbabwe last Saturday. The preacher stunned delegates when he said Moses was inferior to Mugabe because of what he described as the president ‘s heroics during and after liberation struggle. “You(president) have managed to do what Moses could not achieve because Moses did not go with the people of Israel to Canaan but you were with us at independence and you are still with us ,” he said.
History has it on record that Mugabe did nothing special to bring black rule to Zimbabwe and by 1979 ZANLA and Joshua Nkomo’s ZIPRA forces had been defeated and the much celebrated conquest against the Rhodesian government is solely to the thanks of the South African government who closed down their border to stop vital fuel supplies crumbling the country’s economy, a development that led to independence negotiations accelerating.
Mutendi also said Mugabe would rule the country even up to the age of 120 and beyond, drawing the ire of fellow Church leaders who felt Mutendi had gone into overdrive in a bid to please Mugabe.
“I pray that the president lives up to 120 years and beyond ,” said Mutendi.
Local Church leaders said Mutendi had become overzealous in a frantic attempt to please Mugabe and his wife Grace. Angry Church leaders told ZimEye.com it was unfortunate Mutendi came up with a spirited attempt to idolise and hero-worship Mugabe to the extent of equating him to the iconic biblical character.
“While we all know that Mugabe has played his role as the leader of Zimbabwe, it is totally unacceptable to equate him to biblical figures. In fact this is an attempt to coerce the nation into worshipping Mugabe. The bishop portrayed Mugabe as an invincible character which is sad and uncalled for. We all know what is happening in the country under Mugabe’s controversial reign so Mutendi went too far in a desperate attempt to please the president,” said a local member of the Christian Voice International. Mutendi has also in the past declared open allegiance to the 92 year old president who also enjoys a large following among members ZCC members.
Not Until I Hit A Century – Mugabe
President Robert Mugabe says that for as long as he lives no one should think of taking over the presidency of his party ZANU PF and the country.
Speaking in a press interview to mark his 92nd birthday last night, Mugabe said at 92 he feels still very energetic and raring to go like an athlete picking pace at the home stretch.
The nonagenarian president said that his ultimate challenge is to reach a century when he will consider himself ready to retire.
“I have eight more years to go before my ultimate goal and am now on the home stretch,” he said.
On who will possibly succeed him when he eventually decides to quit, the President said that it is not up to him to nominate a successor but the party members will decide by means of a vote at a congress.
“Those who are trying to find their way to presidency by an any other means must just forget about it. The people will decide at a formal congress by election who should take over,” he said.
On the possibility of First Lady Grace Mugabe taking over, President Mugabe insisted that he was not the one to decide adding that the First Lady has decided to go into active politics at her own discretion and could be up for consideration like anyone else if she so wishes.
Mujuru Angers Matabeleland
Matabeleland based Joice Mujuru’s Zimbabwe People First party supporters have expressed anger and disappointment at the former Vice President’s selection of her party’s management committee which has only one person from the region.
Addressing journalists at her much awaited press conference on Tuesday, Mujuru announced an interim party leadership which she called her management committee that only included Esnath Bulayani from Bulawayo as the only person from the Matabeleland regions.
The supporters were further infuriated by the fact that the leadership of the so called inclusive party was made up of predominantly former ZANU PF members who are all men.
Included in the team are what the members described as “spent forces ” such as former ZANU PF legislators Didymus Mutasa, Dzikamai Mavhaire, Rugare Gumbo, Brighton Matonga, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti among others.
“We cannot allow revival of old spent former ZANU PF forces to lead the party otherwise people will not have confidence in the party,” complained a member.
In a social media discussion, the supporters called on Mujuru to immediately revise her management team to show the inclusiveness of the party she has always been talking about.
“We might just be on our way to being used to formulate ZANU PF 2,” wrote one member.
“Where are our people in this set up? We didn’t even see their faces at the press conference but only the ZANU PF group,” he added.
Announcing the establishment of her new party at the press conference, Mujuru said that it is not an offshoot of ZANU PF but a new organisation inclusive of people from all political parties and regions in the country.
Chiadzwa Free for All Diamonds-Rush 20 Feared Dead
While the state media reports that only (3) three people have so far died in the rejuvenated diamond rush at Chiadzwa mines, locals say no less than (20)twenty people have been killed in the mines in the last few days.
Two weeks ago government kicked out all the companies that have been mining diamonds in the area after failing to agree on government terms.
The immediate removal opened up a free for all illegal diamonds panning at the disused mines.
Early this week a section of one of the mine shafts collapsed under pressure of the huge number of the illegal miners. According to local people, no less than (20)twenty people died in the collapsed shaft.
In a bid to try to protect its image, government is instead reporting that only (3) three people died.
A very high powered government delegation led by Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Mendy Chimene and local chiefs visited the mines yesterday to try and beg the illegal miners to move out of the claims. Hundreds of them however instead fled from the delegation and took refuge in the unsafe mining shafts under-ground.
Meanwhile, police in the area have introduced an operation code named “Operation hatidzokere” which seeks to stop people from going back into the diamonds mining since the removal of the mining companies. Thousands of Zimbabweans flooded the area when the diamonds were first discovered at the turn of the century resulting in violent attacks by the army that left hundreds of people dead.
In nearby Mutare an influx of international diamond buyers has been reported by the police.
Diamond Miners Crushed To Death At Chiadzwa
Three illegal Diamond miners were crushed to death when a tunnel they were working collapsed trapping them from within.
According to state television about 13 miners were trapped but the other 10 managed to escape.
The illegal miners are resurfacing at Chiadzwa following the government’s directive to suspend mining activities in the area.
With the astronomical rate of unemployment in Zimbabwe, there is likely to be an increase in the number illegal diamond mining at Chiadzwa, social and political analysts have said. Minister of State for Manicaland Province Mandi Chimene said the illegal diamond miners must wait for the government to properly set up structures that will ensure safety and sanity at the place.
“Let us be patient as the government works on the Chiadzwa issue.We have a disaster here but let us avoid similar consequences in future,”she said.
Zanu PF hawks and top government officials have been looting the Chiadzwa diamonds, depriving the nation of revenue collection and the suspension of mining operations has reportedly shaken some bigs within the rank and file.
Caps, Harare City Striker Disaster
HARARE City chief striker Francesco Zekumbawire has been ruled out of the clash against Caps United in the ZNA Charity Shield at Rufaro on Sunday owing to injury.
The big striker picked a knock during their 3-1 victory over AS Adema in the Caf Confederation Cup tournament in Madagascar at the weekend. That victory qualified them to the first round of the tournament on a 6-3 aggregate, having defeated their opponents in the first leg in Harare 3-2. They will now meet Zanaco of Zambia, whom they host in Harare in two weeks’ time.
But before that, they have to deal with city rivals Caps United in the battle for the ZNA trophy.
Caps United assistant coach, Mkhuphali Masuku said they were taking the game against Harare City seriously.
“Our focus now is the game against Caps United, we are looking forward to the match,” Masuku said.
“All our players are ready for the match except for Zekumbawira, who picked a knock in Madagascar. The game will be balanced. We are playing in the Caf Cup and Caps United were in Mozambique, where they played competitive matches there.”
Caps United team manager Shakespear Chinogwenya said they were looking forward to the match. He said all their players were ready for selection except Simba Nhivi who had a toothache.
“All our players are available for selection except, maybe, Nhivi, who has a toothache. He might start training tomorrow (today), but those available are ready for Harare City. If they apply what they have been doing in Mozambique, they will beat Harare City,” he said.
The Sunshine City Boys will be hoping new signings from Dynamos – defender Blessing Moyo and midfielders Ronald Chitiyo – and Raphael Manuvire who joined from ZPC Kariba will be in form for the match against Caps United.
Manuvire has been a revelation in the tournament since joining from the Kariba outfit. He has scored three goals in the campaign so far.
After playing the Mozambique opponents, the Green Machine will use the match to gauge their readiness for the season against local teams. The first ZNA clash pitted Dynamos and ZPC Kariba and the Harare giants were booted out following a 1-0 defeat. – Newsday
BLOODY ATTACK:Man ‘Castrates’ Wife’s Lover
By Terrence Mawawa Gutu| A Gutu man stunned the local community here when he attacked and castrated his wife’s suspected lover with a pair of pliers and vanished.
The horrific incident happened last Monday in Gondwi Resettlement area when the enstranged man Masara Chamisa lured Itai Tsogo the man he suspected of having an affair with his wife, to the Chamisa homestead.
He used his wife’s cellphone to send text messages to entice Tsogo to come to the homestead. His wife had gone to a church service.
Chamisa severely assaulted Tsogo before using the pair of pliers to crush the latter’s private parts.
As a result of the exruciating pain Tsogo collapsed and Chamisa disappeared from the scene.
Staff members at the nearby Chindito Secondary School reported the matter at Chatsworth Police Camp before rushing Tsogo to Gutu Mission Hospital where he is said to be in a critical conditition. The police have since launched a search for Chamisa who is on the run.
ZimEye.com was informed Chamisa ,who works in Harare got a tip off from his relatives about the affair between Tsogo and his wife.
Chatsworth Police confirmed the story but said investigations were under way. A shocked villager said: “the incident was bizarre and everyone is still shocked by Chamisa’s heinous behaviour. He never communicated with anyone which is very unfortunate,.”
Grace: I Don’t Want Presidency, Honestly!
President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace’s spokesperson says she is not interested in the Presidency.
The highly vocal Sarah Mahoka, for the second time in seven days, spoke claiming Grace does not want the Presidential ‘throne’ contrary to her own claims.
This is the fourth time in 3 weeks Grace has been seen receeding on her own words after she even announced she now “rules” the country as defacto President.
She does not have any ambitions to be the Vice President of this country and she remains content with her position as the secretary for Women Affairs in Zanu-PF, Mahoka said.
Addressing the party’s Harare provincial women’s league members yesterday, the national secretary for finance pleaded with all raging senior party members and youths to cease their insults of Grace.
“To start with, Amai Mugabe was never interested in taking up her current position as Women’s League leader, but we had to put pressure on her until she finally accepted. We believed in her leadership and even now we still have confidence in her.
“However, we do not want her to be the Vice President and she also personally does not want to be the Vice President of this country.
“We do not know where such false claims are coming from. What we know is that she is content with her current position and nothing has changed,” said Mahoka.
Mahoka, who is also Hurungwe East legislator, brushed aside the claims as unreasonable saying there was no way Grace could deputise her own husband in the same Government.
“Where in this world have you heard of the president’s wife being the vice president? That thought is just ridiculous and we as the Women’s League are tired of all lies being levelled against our mother, the President himself and the First Family at large,” she said.
Mahoka said the false claims were the reasons why the First Lady was being insulted and vilified by some errant party members before urging the culprits to stop it.
She took a swipe on the conduct of expelled youth leaders Godwin Gomwe and Godfrey Tsenengamu.
“Gomwe and Tsenengamu are very young and misguided boys who lack respect for their elders and party leadership. They are very green politically and they must desist from such conduct,” said Mahoka.
Mugabe:Chinese Companies Stole Diamonds
President Robert Mugabe says Government has not received meaningful returns from the Chiadzwa diamond fields because Chinese and other companies mining there have robbed the State.
He claims the consolidation of mining activities in Chiadzwa has not in any way affected relations between Zimbabwe and China.
This comes in the wake of reports that the move is to damage relations between Harare and Beijing given that one of the affected companies (Anjin) was of the Chinese origin.
In his 92nd birthday interview with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation aired Thursday night, Mugabe said he told his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping during his State visit here last year that Government was not happy with Anjin’s operations.
“I don’t think it has affected any of our relations at all. I told President Xi Jinping that we were not getting much from the company and we didn’t like it anymore in this country,” said President Mugabe.
“So we wanted it to go back. I told him that here in this house.” He said less than $2 billion was remitted from diamond proceeds and those seconded by Government to work with the private companies did not help matters as they also failed to account for the gems.
“We have not received much from the diamond industry at all,” he said.
“Not much by way of earnings. I don’t think we have exceeded $2 billion or so and yet we think that well over 15 or more billion dollars have been earned in that area.
“So where have our gold or carats have been going — the gems and there has been quite a lot of secrecy in handling them and we have been blinded ourselves.
“That is our people who we expected to be our eyes and ears have not been able to see or hear what was going on and lots of swindling, smuggling have taken place and companies that have been mining virtually I want to say robbed us of our wealth and that is why we have decided that this area should be a monopoly area and only the State should be able to do the mining in that area.
“You cannot trust a private company in that area, none at all and we should have learnt from the experiences of countries like Botswana, Angola, Namibia etc. We might go partner with a leading diamond company one which is already well established fine, we may be able to do that but then on good terms.
“Botswana was telling us the idea, that is President (Ian) Khama that the De Beers they have had to demand a beat more than 70 percent of the earnings that are made by De Beers itself because they reckon that over years De Beers have been having a lion’s share of their diamond wealth and this is what we are trying to do now — start afresh.
“After all, the real kimberlite mining has not been done it was all alluvial so far.
“Just doing the sands, the loose earth and the conglomerate of course, cutting stones through and getting whatever carats. That is what this Chinese company Anjin was doing.”
President Mugabe said the economy was not performing to expectations due to various difficulties.
Among the challenges, the President said, was Zimbabwe using the US dollar which it does not have control over.
“Anyway the American dollar is not the currency of Europe, but when we pay Europe what we have here is the American dollar so the same story happens,” he said.
“So we do not print the American dollar and we do not control its flow, international flow the regulation of that flow is by America and so your progress is inhibited. You have to find ways of circumventing these impediments that faces us in trading with other countries and that have just slowed us tremendously.”
Internally, the President said economic growth was also being slowed by corruption. He said the country had set the Anti Corruption Commission to deal with the vice. “Then of course we have got some inbuilt forms of resistance,” said President Mugabe.
“You have in the same system some people who don’t think the way you do and have different ideas and do not therefore take the same stance as yourself so they are slow or they think the policies we are taking are not the correct ones so they are not happy and you have also quite some level of corruption in the system private and public and we are looking at how we can get rid of these kind of corruption.”
Mutsvangwa Axed | BREAKING NEWS
War Vets leader Christopher Mutsvangwa has been suspended from the party for three years for indiscipline.
The development comes a day after he met President Robert Mugabe in a private meeting in what was thought to have constituted a reconciliation. Contacted by ZimEye.com, Mutsvangwa remained mum following the humiliation which also comes as a secret Jonathan Moyo interview charged that Mutsvangwa did not fight in the liberation struggle as previously claimed.
ZANU PF following its politburo meeting today also suspended for three years his wife Monica Mutsvangwa (Women’s League spokesperson) and Esphina Nhari (Women’s League secretary for administration).
Seven former provincial youth chairpersons Godfrey Tsenengamu, Godwin Gomwe, Washington Nkomo, Kumbhulani Mpofu, Vengai Musengi, Edmore Samambwa and Tamuka Nyoni were expelled. ALSO READ –
HORRIFIC ACCIDENT- 37 Feared Dead in Kwekwe Crash
BREAKING: – Relatives seeking details of their loved ones can contact Kwekwe Police on local numbers: 22208 and 24524.
37 people are feared dead after a Harare bound Pfochez bus burst its front tyre and encroached into the lane of an oncoming Sprinter leading to a disastrous crash. PICTURES
The accident was confirmed by Kwekwe General hospital authorities. A staffer told ZimEye the institution was this afternoon battling with inquiries and the police has since documented the full list of the deceased. Without disclosing the exact number of the dead, they referred relatives to contact Kwekwe Police for assistance.
The bus after crashing with the Sprinter, veered off the road into the bush on the right side of the road and landed on its left side.
The wreckage of the Sprinter without its roof was left about 15 metres away from the tarmac.
Bodies of deceased and the injured ones were strewn at the scene “all over the place,” as described by a witness.
The injured ones were rushed to Kwekwe Gen Hospital.
The road patch is the same stretch which claimed 7 lives last year involving a head on collision of a Honda Fit and a B1800 pickup.
BREAKING NEWS- Gomwe Expelled from ZANU PF
ZANU PF has expelled former provincial youth chairpersons Godwin Gomwe (Harare), Vengai Musengi (Mashonaland West), Godfrey Tsenengamu (Mashonaland Central), Washington Nkomo, Kumbhulani Mpofu, Edmore Samambwa and Tamuka Nyoni.
The youths were kicked out for disrespecting First Lady Grace Mugabe by referring her as the President’s wife instead of under the title “Secretary for Women’s Affairs,” ZimEye.com is reliably told.
Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy leader Temba Mliswa told ZimEye.com the outcome of today’s politburo meeting shows that there is no democracy in ZANU PF.
“…it is pretty clear that there is no democracy in ZANU PF,” he said.
Mliswa added saying the development is a reflection of the outcome of the 2018 elections.
This comes as clashes between two rival factions, the G40, and Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Lacoste escalated. MORE TO FOLLOW…
REVEALED-Mujuru’s Senior Committee
Below is former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s committee for her newly formed party, People First. Dr. Mujuru sits at the top deputised by two founding elders, Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo.
Beyond this committee, are national coordinators for the UK and the other for South Africa.
NATIONAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
1. President Dr. JTR Mujuru
2. Founding Elder/Advisor Didymus Mutasa
3. Founding Elder/Advisor Rugare Gumbo
4. Office of the President/Secretariat Sylvester Nguni & Cougan Matanhire
5. Mobilisation Committee Chair Dzikamai Mavhaire
6. External Relations Committee Chair John Shumba Mvundura
7. Inf & Publicity Committee Chair Methuseli Moyo
8. Legal Committee Chair Gift Nyandoro
9. Provincial Security Committee Chair Christopher Ndiweni
10.Research & Strategy Committee Chair David Butau
11.Committee Members TBA
“Mutsvangwa Never Fought In Liberation War”
Beleaguered War Veterans leader Christopher Mutsvangwa did not fight in the liberation struggle, Professor Jonathan Moyo says.
Moyo said this during an explosive interview with broadcaster ZiFM revealed by ZimEye.com.
“Tell[ask] him which front (he fought) ?,” Moyo said.
The interview which ZiFM blocked from the public, reveals Moyo saying contrary to Mutsvangwa’s claims that he ran away from the war-front, Moyo was actually a ZANU PF expat in New York with the late senator Kumbirai Kangai where he was manning the office there during the war.
He says he was sent by ZANU PF to school where he was the party commissar in California, US. INTERVIEW –
Jonathan Moyo’s explosive was conducted after he was ambushed by Presidential Spokesman George Charamba over the hot Presidential succession matter.
Jonathan Moyo Explosive ZiFM Interview
ZimEye.com reveals the Jonathan Moyo interview by broadcaster ZiFM which they blocked from coming out to the public.
[ALSO READ- “Mutsvangwa Never Fought In Liberation War” ]
Jonathan Moyo’s interview was conducted after he was ambushed by Presidential Spokesman George Charamba over the hot Presidential Succession matter. BELOW IS THE INTERVIEW:
MUGABE BASH:Villagers Walk For 30 Km After Being Dumped
By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|Scores of villagers were stranded for hours at Great Zimbabwe after failing to secure transport to travel back home after President Robert Mugabe’s lavish birthday bash on Saturday.
After being ferried by haulage trucks and buses to the monuments it was not rosy for the Mugabe loyalists-mainly from Hwendedzo and Zishumbe areas respectively-who had to walk for 30 km back home after being stranded for hours at the monuments.
The two areas are now occupied by mainly Zanu PF supporters since 2000 -following the controversial land grab exercise. The villagers had to endure several hours until they decided to walk back home around midnight. Despite the chilling weather and drizzle, the villagers still managed to walk back to their respective homes.
Tererai Chaduka a resettled farmer from Zishumbe area said he could not manage to link up with the truck driver who ferried him and his family to the venue.
“There was confusion on the night so we could not link up with the truck driver. We tried to raise the issue with the provincial leaders but they were nowhere to be found. Everyone was busy so we braved the drizzle and walked back home. Of course we were given food but no one cared about the transport logistics,” said Chaduka.
Mbuya Mare an elderly woman from Hwendedzo area in Masvingo District village B also walked back home after being stranded at the venue.
ZimEye understands scores of several other people went back home in frustration after being left stranded at Great Zimbabwe into the night.
Analysts say Mugabe’s birthday bash chewed up close to one million dollars -yet the ruling party failed to reflect courtesy after dumping its loyal supporters at the venue.
Surprisingly some of the villagers told ZimEye.com they would continue to support Mugabe despite the humiliation.
Fireworks, Joy At Zim Dancehall Awards Ceremony
All is set for the 3rd edition of the Zim Dancehall awards ceremony to be held in Harare tonight (Thursday) with the organizers of the colourful event promising some “fire-works”.
Notable on the nomination list of the prestigious event are eight female Zim Dancehall artists among them, the controversial Lady Squanda, Lypsy and Bountie Lisa, who are all battling for the best female artist award.
A representative of the event organisers, Tatenda Nyevera told ZimEye.com that they have prepared a memorable ceremony.
“We promise Zim -dancehall lovers a memorable event, it is going to be a special night, and in short I am there will be ,” said Tatenda Nyevera.
In previous music competitions complaints have been raised over the winners’ selection criteria where a single artist would scoop more than five awards in different categories with one entry.
Artists have questioned how a song which would have been released some few days before the call for completion nominations would win.
“I don’t see why the organizers of awards always want to nominate songs which are released towards end of year while we have songs which would have been on the hit for the better part of the year, I’m actually referring to Winky D who released his hits towards the end of last year beating Killer T whose songs had become a national anthem throughout the same year,” said a young digital musician who identified himself as the Dance Hall Minister before commending the organisers of Thursday’s event.
Launched in 2013, Zim Dancehall Awards strive to honour, talent, authenticity, hardwork and commitment which would have been exhibited by Zim Dancehall genre artists ranging from Djs, Producers, Managers, Promoters and stake holders.
Parliament Building Now A “Flea Market”
Parliament Of Zimbabwe workers have turned the parly building into a flea market, through selling different wares for survival as government fails to to pay them in time, an opposition legislator has said.
According to Newsday, Glen View North legislator Fani Munengami (MDC-T) on Tuesday said most Parliament staffers were selling different items in their respective offices in order to survive.
“We cannot blame Parliament staff for doing this because they are also suffering like other civil servants,” he said.
Munengami said the Parliament Standing Rules and Orders should deal adequately with issues of salaries of Parliament staff and MPs, some of whom have been spotted boarding cheap buses to get to Harare for sittings.
“Honourable (Robert) Mukwena travels all the way from Chiredzi, which is 800 kilometres from Harare. He has become well known at bus terminuses boarding ‘chicken buses’ to attend Parliamentary sittings. It is not about him only. It is about every MP who is suffering,” he said.
Buhera South legislator, Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu PF) congratulated President Robert Mugabe on turning 92, describing him as “God-given”.
“He (Mugabe) is different from other presidents who have photos taken with prostitutes,” he said in apparent reference to MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, who recently made media headlines over pictures of him with a number of women, some seemingly scantily-dressed, outside a lodge in Gweru.
Tsvangirai has since defended the pictures, saying the women in the photos were just his “fashionably dressed” supporters.
It has turned out the women were on holiday and had requested Tsvangirai for the photo shoot.
Munengami went on to raise a point of order with Deputy Speaker Mabel Chinomona, saying the word “prostitute” was un-Parliamentary and illegal.
Proportional Representation MP Nomvula Mguni (MDC-T) also contributed to the debate, saying Bulawayo was now a ghost town due to lack of investment, policy inconsistency and corruption.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe National Defence University Bill sailed through the National Assembly, with Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi saying it would also enrol civilians and include departments where students will learn manufacturing of modern equipment.
Southerton MP Gift Chimanikire (MDC-T) said while the university was welcome, the curriculum should not produce military personnel that were partisan.
Mbanje Intoxicated MDC Official Assaults Police Officers
Staff Reporter| A highly intoxicated Welshman Ncube led MDC official based in Gwanda yesterday thoroughly assaulted two police officers on patrol accusing them of planning to break into a local POSB banking hall.
Ndaba Mpande who is a senior security personnel at the party’s provincial office in Gwanda is reported to have heavily assaulted the two members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police on patrol in front of the town’s POSB next to the MDC offices accusing them of suspiciously walking around the banking hall.
Mpande who is allegedly reported to have been highly intoxicated at the time of the incident assaulted the two police officers with clenched fists and boots leading to the officers fleeing the area and leaving behind their patrol note books. The infuriated MDC official took the books and wrote that he had taken over control of the patrol duties assigned to the officers who he accused of plotting to break into the bank.
The officers reported their ordeal to other police officers who were on patrol in the area leading to Mpande’s arrest.
Officers at the scene said that they suspected the dreadlocked Mpande to have been high on heavy drugs most probably mbanje at the time he assaulted the police officers who were on their routine duties.
“No one in his normal senses would have performed such a weird act except if they were high on drugs,” said a police officer on duty at the time.
Mpande is expected to appear at the Gwanda magistrates court today facing two counts of assault with intension to cause grievous bodily harm.
Tomana Appeals For A Foreign Judge
Prosecutor General Johannes Tomana has filed an application seeking the court to allow him to be tried by a foreign judge.
Tomana is on bail for criminal abuse of duty as a public officer or alternatively defeating or obstructing the course of justice after he allegedly ordered the release of Makumbe and Pfupa and turned them into witnesses.
Pfupa and Makumbe — who are attached to 1 Field Regiment and Zimbabwe Intelligence Corps, respectively — are challenging their placement on remand on the basis that Tomana had not authorised their prosecution.
The two soldiers are accused of trying to petrol-bomb the First Family’s Alpha Omega Dairy Farm in Mazowe.
According to the state media Tomana is of the opinion that judges in Zimbabwe will not be impartial in dealing with his case.
The High Court is expected to determine the matter next week.
PG Tomana is challenging the Judicial Service Commission’s intentions to investigate his suitability to continue holding office.
The JSC is basing their arguments with the cases in which he is believed to have erred.
FULL TEXT: Mujuru’s Press Conference Speech
A Time for Truth, A Time for Transformation and A Time to
BUILD
Today is a historic day.
Today we present ourselves to you in humility and the humbling
comfort of the people’s support. There has been intense speculation
from our detractors. There has been strong anticipation from our
supporters. We had to resist the temptation. The temptation to
formalize our being and existence without adequate consultation with
the people of Zimbabwe. This is a day of great significance in our
great country’s political history. Today we confirm the existence of a
viable, home grown and inclusive political party. It is now public
knowledge that:
ZIMBABWE PEOPLE FIRST IS HERE!
ZIMBABWE PEOPLE FIRST IS NOW!
The times we are living in call for truth to correct our past wrongs,
change for good, unity and determination to BUILD a new Zimbabwe
in peace. Zimbabwe faces an urgent need for political, economic, and
social reform.
2.We are living under an unjust system. There is selective application of
the law, one for the poor and powerless, one for the rich and
powerful, one for opposition party supporters and one for ruling party
supporters.
The right to self-determination and self–dignity has disappeared. The
ordinary person’s capacity to earn a living continues to disappear.
People’s savings have long since disappeared. Government itself
faces a severe cash squeeze. Many of our civil servants work
tirelessly without adequate tools or resources, not to mention lack of
timely and adequate remuneration.
Zimbabwe does not even have a currency of its own for nearly ten
years now. Infrastructure is old and dilapidated and urgently in need
of repair, if not complete replacement with the most modern
technology. The investment environment is crowded by multiple
incoherent policies; inadequate and unaffordable credit finance and an
urgent need to reform a parasitic, non-performing parastatal sector.
3. This has given rise to economic decay in both urban and rural centers
across the whole country. Zimbabwe urgently needs investor friendly
and market driven policies to stimulate economic activity. In order for
all this to take effect, the scourge of corruption will need to be totally
uprooted so that the nation is rid of this cancer and evil spirit.
There is an urgent need to create jobs for the huge growing army of
unemployed and hopeless people out there. A wholesale review of the
Indigenisation Act will be effected. We shall instead, emphasise
Economic Empowerment that attracts investment and promotes the
broad based socio-economic and infrastructure development
objectives of BUILD. The Agricultural, Banking, Financial,
Manufacturing, Mining and Tourism sectors are all in need of well
designed restructuring to make them geared to a 21st century
emerging African economy that creates jobs and promotes economic
growth.
4. Faced with an imminent drought season and a political management
team without focus, there is no credit finance, no irrigation
infrastructure and no marketing mechanisms to mitigate the
agricultural challenges that lie ahead. Farmers lack adequate inputs
and where the few farmers produce, they find no markets. A welldefined
land policy should be instituted and properly administered to
ensure full and sustainable utilization of land by recipients. There
should be an independent land audit to weed out multiple farm
ownership and to support sustainable land use.
A more acceptable security of tenure will replace the “offer letter”
which leaves both recipients and lenders very insecure. Bankable and
transferable leases are not an option but a given.
Zimbabwe is a broken country. In dark times such as this, we look to
the government of the day to serve as BUILDERS of a better country
for all. We look to the government of the day to bring the change that
is desired by all. We know we will not get this from the government
of the day. It has broken the social contract that should exist with the
Zimbabwean people. The people of Zimbabwe voted for a new
democratic constitution in 2013 but it is still to be fully implemented.
In line with the new constitution, we need the electoral laws reformed
to ensure a free and level playing field. Is the government of the day
5. looking at this? NO. The suffering masses through their political
representations, need to make this point loud and clear, so that the
next election is not in any way disputed or considered flawed or
rigged so as to deny legitimacy to any outcome thereof.
Our great nation is crying out for transformation.
My fellow citizens, change and hope lie in the promise of honesty and
hard work. Zimbabwe People First stands for accountability, hard
work and transparency to BUILD a better Zimbabwe. Corruption in
any form at any level has no room in a Zimbabwe People First
government. This is the commitment of Zimbabwe People First to
you. The commitment to serve Zimbabwe honestly and justly. The
commitment to bring about change. Our Blueprint to Unlock
Investment and Leverage for Development (BUILD) outlines our
policy thrust to change Zimbabwe for good.
6. Zimbabwe People First believes in a Zimbabwe that belongs to all
people who call it home, regardless of disability, ethnicity, gender,
nationality, political affiliation, race, or religious affiliation. This was
an important value of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and Zimbabwe
People First is entirely devoted to this particular value. Zimbabwe
People First is therefore an inclusive party. It is a party made of many,
a diversity of Zimbabweans brought together by common values
inherent in us and the vision for our nation that we carry and the
realization that we have to save this great nation from wanton
destruction by those who do not see what the people value and want.
Zimbabwe People First is informed by the values of Zimbabwe’s
liberation struggle. The legacy of the liberation struggle belongs to all
Zimbabweans. We fought for the right to self determination, the right
to freedom, the right to vote under the principle of one person one
vote and NOT one “man” voting for us ALL. One of Zimbabwe’s
greatest sons in the liberation war, General Josiah Magama
Tongogara, once said: “We are not fighting against the white man.
We are fighting against a system. It is the system, the system, that
system which is unjust”. Today that unjust system ZANLA, ZIPRA
and the Zimbabwean masses fought against, remains a noose around
our necks, as that system has stolen any hope for the people of
Zimbabwe.
7. Zimbabwe People First is a dynamic party that embraces the future. A
party that offers transformation and hope to the young and old people
of Zimbabwe. A party that will remove the unjust system once and
for all through economic, political and social reform.
Zimbabwe People First believes in a Zimbabwe where the civil
service is apolitical, efficient, meritocratic, professional and
transparent in its conduct. Without these traits, we cannot BUILD a
better Zimbabwe. We cannot bring about change and restore hope.
The effective civil service we shall assemble provides a basis for the
vibrant economy we aim to BUILD. We shall encourage and institute
e-government throughout the service to achieve set targets by set
timelines and curb corruption. We shall ensure that government’s role
is to facilitate, promote, regulate for a level and a sustainably stable
economic playing field.
8. Zimbabwe People First is committed to ensuring that Zimbabwe
regains its rightful place in the global community of nations. We shall
rejoin the Commonwealth. We shall be committed to meeting our
international debt obligations. We will seek rapprochement with
countries that currently have poor diplomatic and difficult economic
relations with Zimbabwe, without sacrificing our national
sovereignty. Zimbabwe shall strengthen its relations with all those
countries it currently enjoys good relations.
Let me now address a certain level of skepticism, which is bound to
be directed at Zimbabwe People First by some stakeholders. That
skepticism which says: “you were in ZANU PF for many years. Why
then should we believe that you will transform this country?” My
simple answer is that Zimbabwe People First is a new entity, with
new values and followers from every political party in Zimbabwe,
including those who had never joined any political party before, from
every province and ethnicity. We are the People and what brings us
together, all of us, is our desire to transform and to BUILD a better
Zimbabwe.
9. We are not a one- simple woman party. What we are, is a
party with a one People Center of Power.
I must also speak for myself. I have known only one political party
since I joined the liberation struggle. I am now outside that party. I am
neither an assassin nor a witch. This is now there for all to see. I have
never been a pretender that is why you never heard me encourage or
promote hate speech. If there is any crime that I am guilty of, it is the
belief in the periodic constitutional and democratic renewal of
leadership from within, and this is the same position I am now
promoting within Zimbabwe People First.
In the coming months, Zimbabwe People First will make preparations
for an inaugural Elective People’s Convention to usher in substantive
leadership to all positions within the party, from the Ward to the
National level. To this end, I will be announcing a national
management committee to spearhead this process. The emphasis and
objective being to hold a successful inaugural Elective Convention.
10. At this stage let me highlight Zimbabwe People First’s position on
coming and working together with other likeminded political
organisations. We will stand by and support all those that believe in
what we stand for: Peace, Freedom, Democracy and Prosperity for all.
To this end, we will strive to ensure a coming together and meeting of
minds on this vision. To this end, we will encourage and promote
dialogue amongst all likeminded organisations. To this end, we will
support a convergence of minds and views under an objective to attain
peace, freedom, democracy and prosperity for all. To this end, we will
seek the mandate of the People First members to take this to its
logical conclusion.
Let me conclude by calling on all Zimbabweans within and without
our borders, from all walks of life to be part of this agenda to restore
practical and meaningful hope to our people. We accept political
diversity. We embrace political tolerance and abhor political violence
and intolerance in any form whatsoever. We wish well to all the
people of Zimbabwe as we embark on this huge challenge of
transforming our country to embrace and adopt all the above. We urge
all our War Veterans, the Police, the Army, the Air Force, and
Intelligence services to defend the Constitution of Zimbabwe. So
people of Zimbabwe let us bring the transformation that brings the
hope that everyone is looking for.
11. Zimbabwe People First is carrying the desire for transformation and
hope for all Zimbabweans.
On behalf of People First, I want to appeal to all Zimbabweans to
rally behind this call to BUILD our country in peace, whilst some
revolutionaries are busy pulling Zimbabwe down.
12. Thank you and God bless you all.
Dr. Joice Teurai Ropa Mujuru
President, Zimbabwe People First
Kombi Driver Assaults Traffic Cop
A police officer was allegedly assaulted by a kombi driver. The cop had arrested the driver for avoiding a roadblock in Bulawayo
Terrance Zulu, 23, of Emganwini suburb, yesterday pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. Western Commonage magistrate Tancy Dube heard how Zulu teamed up with a tout, who was not named in court, to assault Adonia Musinachirevo, 28.
Dube remanded Zulu out of custody to March 9. The court heard that sometime last month, Zulu, allegedly drove past a police roadblock after he was instructed to stop. Musinachirevo, who was on duty with Constable Makotore, seized Zulu’s kombi at Emganwini shopping centre, days later.
The court heard how the two police officers entered the vehicle and instructed Zulu and the tout to drive to Tshabalala police station. Zulu sped off along Bulawayo-Plumtree Road where he parked the kombi in a bushy area, the court heard.
Zulu allegedly forced the two police officers out of the kombi and assaulted Musinachirevo.
Prosecuting, Tendai Binha said Zulu slapped and punched Musinachirevo.
He said Zulu threw stones at the police officer before taking Constable Makotore‘s police identity card and breaking it into pieces.
The prosecutor said Musinachirevo sustained bruises on his back. Binha said Zulu was arrested following investigations – state media
Government Orders GMB To Reduce Price Of Maize
The Grain Marketing Board has been ordered by the government to reduce the price of maize from $23 per 50 kg bag to $15 to enable the majority of people affected by the El Nino-induced drought this year to buy the staple food.
In the mean time, Government will continue distributing maize for free to vulnerable families countrywide. The country has stocks enough to feed the nation for the next three months.
It is importing more grain that is expected to arrive before available stocks run out. This was revealed by Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira during a Questions without notice Session in the National Assembly yesterday.
“We are aware as Government that the price of maize at the Grain Marketing Board was high at around $23 per bag. We have asked that the price be reduced, so we agreed in Cabinet yesterday that the price must come down to $15 per bag for households. That is for households and not business.”
Earlier in the day, Minister Mupfumira and her Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development counterpart Dr Joseph Made had assured Zanu-PF Members of Parliament who attended a party caucus at Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare that Government had put adequate mechanisms in place to ensure no one starves.
Zanu-PF Chief Whip Mr Lovemore Matuke said the two ministers assured them that Government was now seized with distributing the food to all communities across the country. “In the reserves, the minister (Made) pointed out that we have more than 100 000 tonnes and we have got enough stock to feed people for the next three months,” he said.
“That period will also allow us to bring in more maize before we finish the existing stocks. The minister pointed out that they have raised more than $200 million to buy the grain and they have since started moving the grain to different GMB depots and we have been promised that people will not die of starvation.”
Mr Matuke said the ministers explained to the MPs that food distribution had started and would be coordinated in a way that no one is left out. “Its now confirmed we are having drought this year and part of next year. The issues were raised and the Minister of Agriculture was able to explain to the MPs on the distribution pattern of the grain and the reserves we have in GMB.
“We were getting reports from the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. “They said they are going to have committees at district level that are going to deal with distribution of food. The programme is ongoing. The MPs needed to be updated on the current situation so that they can take the same information to their constituencies.
“There is a lot of maize which is coming from abroad to ensure that everybody will be able to receive adequate food,” said Matuke. President Mugabe last month declared a state of disaster to allow for mobilisation of resources to mitigate the effects of drought – induced hunger facing the country.
Government subsequently appealed for food assistance from both local and international partners to the tune of at least $1,5 billion to cater for about 3 million vulnerable people. It is understood that in some areas villagers were buying a bucket of maize for about $8.
Zimbabwe requires about 2 million tonnes of maize for livestock and human consumption annually, while the country only harvested about 700 000 tonnes last season. Efforts are being made to import more food amid reports that the number of people needing food aid has risen from 1,5 million to 3 million. – State Media
Crocodile Kills Teenager
A Chivi teenager was last week killed by a crocodile while fetching water in the Runde River, in an incident that left local villagers in a grip of shock.
The teenager Charles Sibanda (15), had gone to the river to fetch water with an ox -drawn scotch in the company of Ezekiel Sibanda and Timothy Banda when the tragedy happened, ZimEye.com can reveal.
As they were fetching water, the scotch cart developed a tyre puncture prompting Ezekiel and Timothy to fix the tyre while Charles continued to fill the drums.
The two heard a deafening scream and when they drew closer to the river Charles was missing. As they continued to investigate what had transpired they saw Charles being dragged into the river by the reptile.
They alerted other villagers but it was too late to save Charles. His bone crushed, badly mauled body was later discovered following a thorough search by divers.
Charles’ relatives expressed shock at his untimely and painful death.
“We are in deep sorrow because of what happened. His death has shocked the entire family,” said a relative. Masvingo Police Spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the incident .
She called on villagers to exercise extreme caution when fetching water from crocodile infested rivers. It is understood several people have been attacked and killed by crocodiles in Runde River in the past few years.
Mnangagwa Fake Break In
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office was not broken into by thieves and the suspected objects found on the ground yesterday were a result of water leakages through the ceiling, police have confirmed.
In an interview, chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, said this was arrived at following an analysis of the objects by police and other security agents.
“An official report was received from VP Mnangawa’s office to the effect that they had observed some abnormalities when they reported for work in the office of the Vice President.
“Following that report, a Ferret Team comprising of ZRP and other security sister organisations visited the crime scene and made an analysis. They observed that there were no visible disturbances in the office,” she said.
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the team observed a hole on the ceiling panel on the western side of the office.
“The team observed some fallen panel chips on the carpet directly below that hole. So they conducted investigations as a team. They also summoned the Police Forensic Science experts.
“They examined the carpet area and so far initial investigations indicate that there was no evidence of drilling and the hole appeared to have been perforated by dripping water. The fibre glass within the hole was unbroken and intact suggesting that no object was used to perforate the hole,” she said.
“Also observed was an initial development of a similar hole manifesting on the same panel due to water dripping and seepage. There was a roof bolt directly above the hole. The ceiling panel in question is adjacent to the previous panel from the January 13 incident.”
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the findings indicate that there were no signs of forced entry into the VP’s office through the door, window and ceiling.
She said the ceiling and the panel that had a hole was beyond reach from within the ceiling. Snr Asst Comm Charamba said police and other security organisations were still investigating the other cases in which VP Mnangagwa’s office was broken into by unknown culprits.
In January, there was a break-in at VP Mnangagwa’s office and Government expressed concern at continuous attempts on his life as it pledged to bring the culprits to book.
This was the sixth time unidentified culprits had tampered with VP Mnangagwa’s offices in Government and at the Zanu-PF headquarters.
VP Mnangagwa’s offices have been broken into four times at the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and once at Defence House when he was Defence Minister.
His offices at Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare were broken into by unknown elements in 2014 who laced his desk with cyanide, poisoning his secretary who had to be hospitalised.
In the latest break-in at the Government Complex, the culprits drilled a ceiling panel to gain entry. There were no indications of anything stolen.
VP Mnangagwa could not be reached for a comment as he is out of the country on official business.-Daily News
Kasukuwere Caught In Land Scam
A ZANU PF national youth executive member and younger brother of Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere is embroiled in a wrangle with the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association (Zaha) over the ownership of 16 stands in Norton, which he allegedly wants to be given for free.
Stanley Kasukuwere has since approached law enforcement agents to try to force Zaha to “donate” the stands to him, arguing that they had been originally given to him by the former land owner, Norton Brooke.
The stands, on former Galloway Estates in Norton, were initially owned by Galloway Agricultural Enterprises before they were in turn sold to Brooke.
However, Brooke breached the agreement of sale by failing to pay the full amount and the land was sold to Zaha. Before the land was sold to Zaha, the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Board (NIEEB) wrote to Galloway Estates, asking them to save the agreement, reportedly at Stanley’s behest.
In return, Brooke allegedly “donated” 10 residential stands to Kasukuwere as a “thank you” gesture.
Kasukuwere allegedly sold these stands to 16 people, who wanted land. The 10 stands were now at the centre of the wrangle between the parties.
Sources within Zaha confirmed being called to CID Law and Order for questioning over the land yesterday.
“Yes, we were called to the police,” a source said.
“We will not budge from any pressure from anyone. We are prepared to go to any highest court in the land. Our request is for the police to fully investigate the case and advise Kasukuwere accordingly.”
The source said they feared innocent homeseekers may have been duped of their money by people claiming they had stands at Galloway.
Zaha director Killer Zivhu was not available for comment, as he was said to be out of Harare on business.
Kasukuwere last night said he could not comment, as the matter was now before the police. Newsday
Barclays: We Are Not Leaving Zimbabwe
BARCLAYS Zimbabwe said yesterday the bank was here to stay on a day in which its parent company downgraded it to a non-core division and announced plans to sell the unit.
The British multinational banking giant, Barclays Plc, announced yesterday that it was putting the local unit in its non-core division with an intention to sell in future. Barclays Plc owns 68% shareholding in Barclays Zimbabwe. It said it could not continue to combine Barclays Bank Zimbabwe with Barclays Africa Group Limited and the business “is no longer a good fit with Barclays core strategy”. It also said it would reduce its 62,3% interest in Barclays Africa Group Limited over the coming two to three years, “to a level which will allow it to be deconsolidated from a legal and regulatory perspective”.
Barclays Zimbabwe managing director George Guvamatanga told journalists that the local unit was still part of the Barclays Plc group. He said the switch to non-core business was an internal matter.
“We will continue to pursue our strategy. It’s a better platform today. The balance sheet is stronger and we are getting rid of non-core assets. We will accelerate our pace for growth in the interim period. We are one of the most solid banks,” Guvamatanga said.
In its financial results for the year ended December 31, Barclays Zimbabwe’s net interest income was up 18% to $16,6 million from $14,1 million in the same period in 2014.
Total income was down 0,4% to $46 million. Profit after tax was 41% to 6,6 million from the $3,9 million recorded in the same period in 2014.
Loan loss ratio was 1,2% up from 0,4% in 2014. The bank attributed the increase to the growth in the loan book and the basis of general provisions having been reviewed to reflect emerging trends from the global and local economic cycles.
Chief finance officer Sam Matsekete said the bank had $29 million in Afreximbank’s guaranteed securities of its $30,9 million in investment securities.
Guvamatanga said the bank would ensure that risk was controlled in 2016 within an acceptable risk appetite saying the institution had demonstrated “our ability to manage the risks within the levels”.
He said the bank would broaden its product range and would introduce home loans during the course of the year. Guvamatanga said there was need for realignment of the economy in terms of pricing taking into account the depreciation of the South African rand and the drop in fuel prices.
“We have expectations as a bank to our suppliers for prices to be realigned,” Guvamatanga said.-Newsday
Murder Cases On The Rise-Police
At least 13 people have died in murder related cases within a space of one week throughout the country ,the Zimbabwe Republic Police has said.
Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba told reporters in Harare Tuesday that said most of the murders were due to domestic disputes, drug abuse and other social misunderstandings.
“According to statistics gathered from February 9-16, 2016, a total of 13 murder cases were recorded across the country. Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North had three cases each, Midlands and Matabeleland South had two each, while Bulawayo, Masvingo and Mashonaland Central recorded one case each,” Charamba said.
“Consequently, people use dangerous weapons such as knives, machetes and stones to commit these offences. In most cases recorded, accused persons are stabbing their victims using sharp objects.”
The police urged people to resolve their differences amicably as many disagreements and conflicts resulted in domestic violence, which later turn into murders.
Charamba said some of the murder causes were from mere misunderstandings such as fights over girlfriends and other minor issues.
Prophets Flee With Corpse From Funeral
By Terrence Mawawa, Chiredzi|Five self proclaimed Madzibaba prophets stormed a local funeral wake last week and forcibly took the corpse to the mountains claiming they wanted to declare life to the deceased.
Chaos reigned at the funeral in Nyamangambe Village when Piason Musimari and four other self confessed prophets forcibly took the body of the late Michael Garapo to a nearby mountain claiming the deceased would come back to life.
The late Garapo was expected to be buried last Tuesday but as the mourners were making final preparations for the burial, the five Madzibaba prophets told the mourners they were about to bury someone who was alive.
During the scuffle the five men forcibly took the corpse to a nearby mountain . Moses Mangule, a local villager said the entire community was shocked by the prophets’ behaviour.
Musimari was briefly detained by the police but later released.
Local villagers said the prophets stayed with the corpse in the mountain for three days and they only released the body following police intervention.
“They stayed with the body for three days in the mountain and we were really puzzled by their behaviour. Garapo’s decomposing body was later buried under police supervision since everyone was in a state of shock,” said a local villager.
Woman Infect Child with HIV Blood: STORY DODGY, FALSE
OTHER than murder and rape, it was the most heinous crime a 24-year-old woman could be accused of: using a syringe to draw her own HIV infected blood and injecting a two-year-old boy, the son of her new boyfriend with another woman.
In an instant, Harare model Tafadzwa Mushunje’s life was turned upside down after she was arrested and charged with deliberately transmitting HIV to the toddler and assault for allegedly making the boy drink her urine.
Her face was plastered on the front pages of newspapers and sent around the world on the internet.
Except it was all not true! Yesterday, Mushunje left the Harare Magistrates Court a free woman after the Prosecutor General’s Office withdrew charges following the release of medical tests showing that neither she nor the child was HIV positive.
Mushunje was arrested after the boy’s mother, Sihle Tracy Harry, went to the police claiming that she had left the tot with its father, Colin Kanonge, who was in the company of Mushunje. The boy had been returned to her with “strange marks”.
She told investigators that she had received information from a friend, pointing her to a link on a notorious and highly defamatory sex and sleaze website called Musvo Zimbabwe, which claimed that “Mushunje assaulted the child whenever his father left the minor with her.”
The website added: “When the father was away, Mushunje drew HIV infected blood and injected the child… She beats the child saying return to your mother and makes him drink her urine.”
It was after reading these claims, said prosecutors, that Harry — who describes herself on the internet as “a Nyasarand (someone originally from Malawi) and not a mukharadi (mixed race)” — linked the report to the marks on the child.
Astonishingly, police went on to arrest Mushunje even before they could establish if indeed she was HIV positive, and that she had indeed infected the child with the virus that causes AIDS.
No other evidence, including the syringe allegedly used, or injection marks on the child, was produced for prosecutors before charges were filed.
The Prosecutor General’s Office could still have declined to lay charges, but the case went to court where it collapsed spectacularly yesterday with Mushunje being left to pick up the pieces — her name and reputation well and truly in the dump.
Top Harare lawyer Jonathan Samkange last night told The State Media that Mushunje was entitled to sue the girl’s mother for malicious prosecution to repair her reputation. “She has a right to sue for damages that will compensate her for the mental torture she went through before she was acquitted,” Samkange said.
“Stories which have been generated about her must have forced her colleagues, family, friends and relatives to look at her with horror thus she is entitled to psychological and psychiatric treatment fees.”
Samkange said the case was not a prima facie — accepted as guilty until proved otherwise — and Mushunje could now sue whoever initiated the prosecution.
“Somehow, the police and the prosecutor can’t be sued as they’re not experts or judges to have stopped the matter from going into court,” the lawyer added.-Chronicle
Tomana Decision Reversed
The National Prosecuting Authority has nullified a decision by Prosecutor-General Johannes Tomana to drop charges of possession of weaponry for sabotage against two soldiers accused of trying to petrol-bomb the First Family’s Alpha Omega Dairy Farm in Mazowe.
Solomon Makumbe (29) and Silas Pfupa (37) appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Sandra Mupindu charged with possession of weaponry for sabotage after the State reinstated the charges which had been withdrawn before plea.
Tomana is on bail for criminal abuse of duty as a public officer or alternatively defeating or
obstructing the course of justice after he allegedly ordered the release of Makumbe and Pfupa and turned them into witnesses.
Pfupa and Makumbe — who are attached to 1 Field Regiment and Zimbabwe Intelligence Corps, respectively — are challenging their placement on remand on the basis that Tomana had not authorised their prosecution.
Through their lawyers Mr Shingai Mutumbwa, Mrs Gamuchirai Dzitiro and Mr Taurai Mandiki, the duo made an application barring the media from covering proceedings.
They argued that they had previously gone to the High Court and had been granted an order for the trial to be held in camera.
“The High Court has considered that this matter is so sensitive that it must be held in camera,” Mr Mutumbwa said.
The prosecutor Mr Michael Reza opposed the application. “Indeed there is such a document from the High Court but the record referred to in the High Court order is different from the record before this court. In view of the differences on the record numbers and contents, the High Court does not extend to this record.”
Mrs Mupindu concurred with the State and dismissed the application. This was their second bid to have the matter held in camera after they unsuccessfully made the same application before Harare Provincial magistrate Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe.
Makumbe and Pfupa made another application to cancel the summons issued to them to appear in court arguing that the PG had not authorised their prosecution according to section 34 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.
Mr Mutumbwa said: “On January 26 the Prosecutor General withdrew charges against these two. It is inconceivable therefore that he would turn around and authorise their prosecution.”
Mr Reza tendered a document signed by Mr Tomana’s deputy Mrs Florence Ziyambi authorising the prosecution of Makumbe and Pfupa.
“Your Worship Mrs Ziyambi has such delegated authority therefore the application for cancellation of the summons ought to be dismissed since the State has complied with all the statutory requirements for this prosecution,” he said.
Mrs Mupindu is expected to rule on the application today. Their alleged accomplice Owen Kuchata (34), who is the leader of Zimbabwe People’s Front, pleaded guilty to the charges and was jailed nine years.
Another suspect Borman Ngwenya (30) is on trial.
Mujuru Joice Jets Into Jericho Zimbabwe?
“It’s time to build a new Zimbabwe in peace. It needs reform in all sectors,” she said to a roaring crowd of supporters.
Joice Mujuru – Zimbabwe’s biblical Joshua?
By Grace Kwinjeh| Former Vice -President Joice Mujuru has come out with a bang, at last officially joining opposition ranks, with many speculating as to whether her Zanu PF past is redeemable and that she would at this political juncture, be the game changer – the biblical Joshua (oppression wall destroyer) that Zimbabweans have expectantly been waiting for.
The veteran politician had over the past months played her cards close to her chest, as she kept both foes and friends guessing on what her political game plan is, working quietly behind the scenes and finally choosing this moment to launch and speak.
Mujuru addressed a press conference, which was held at the Meikles Hotel, attended by mostly influential former members from the Zanu PF party, scores of disgruntled war vets, who came out in full support of the former Vice President.
Among these were: John Mvundura, former Manicaland Chairperson, former Deputy Information Minister Brighton Matonga, former MDC T Harare Councillor Friday Nleya, Rugare Gumbo, Sylvester Nguni, Didymus Mutasa , Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Henry Muradzikwa, Retired Colonel Caudious Makova, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Kudzai Mbudzi and Retired Brigadier Elliot Kasi.
Mujuru in her speech played to different galleries in her audience whose support is crucial to her building a momentum for People First, as she seeks to capitalise on the internal strife within Zanu PF, despondency in opposition ranks while gaining support from the diplomatic community, with the hope of being elected the first female President of Zimbabwe in 2018. “We shall rejoin the Commonwealth. We have ties with other countries, we can have diplomatic relations without affecting our sovereignty,” she told the gathering.
Also crucial to her party’s fortunes in this strategy is the overall gloomy political and economic environment, from which People First hopes to capitalise, despite the fact that they are part and parcel of the leadership who are collectively blamed for the rot.
These are some of the political Grey areas the veteran politician, who spoke with calm and maturity has to deal with as she courts the support of despondent and skeptical Zimbabweans.
“It’s time to build a new Zimbabwe in peace. It needs reform in all sectors.” She said to a roaring crowd of supporters. She also said that people live under an unjust system that applies the law selectively. “The ordinary person’s capacity to earn a living has disappeared, government faces a cash squeeze.”
In this regard Mujuru was well guarded in her speech not to throw spanners in the works and upset those in Zanu PF, the party she cut her political teeth in. She carries an impressive political C.V from being one of the first female commanders in ZANLA , to after independence under the mentor-ship of President Robert Mugabe, rising through the ranks, when she was appointed one of Zimbabwe’s first female ministers, rising to the position of first female Vice-President.
Justifying her response and respect when asked about President Mugabe she said, “I don’t believe in talking about other people’s characters, I am not God. Yes, Mugabe was my boss for a long time and I will not discuss his character. Let’s focus on progressive issues, for the development of our country.
During her time in Zanu PF, mai Mujuru also enjoyed the largess and protection of her powerful husband, General Solomon Mujuru, who later died under mysterious circumstances at their Alamein Farm in 2011.
Then she fell from grace a victim of the internecine wars which continue to claim scalps of senior party leaders in Zanu PF.
Consequently, whether her opponents like it or not this part of her history gives her a certain gravitas on the political scene to earn the support especially of the often troublesome and hardliner security forces, who have given veteran opposition politician Morgan Tsvangirai a torrid time in politics because of his lack of war credentials. Sadly, it is also an area hurting and traumatised Zimbabweans need more convincing that indeed she is the Joshua who will lead them across the river Jordan.
There is a background to the cautiousness by Zimbabweans as others like Edgar Tekere before Mujuru, came on the political scene, with much fanfare which amounted to nothing other than dissipating opposition energies, leaving it weakened.
Consequently, Mujuru cannot have it two ways, that is to speak on human rights while in the same breadth heaping praise on known perpetrators such as her right hand man, Dydimus Mutasa among others whose history is well documented and begs the question when People First talks justice; are they saying by breaking ranks from Zanu-PF they automatically become both clean and immune to prosecution?
Mujuru also spoke on other opposition players, saying she is yet to meet Morgan Tsvangirai and other political parties. “Let’s bring the transformation everyone is looking for and build our country in peace, while some revolutionaries are pulling Zimbabwe down. Zimbabweans, be part of this agenda to restore practical hope to our people. We abhor political violence and intolerance. The civil service should be apolitical, efficient and professional. We are fighting against a system, it is that system which is unjust. This system has stolen any hope for the people of Zimbabwe.”
Mujuru also dispelled the rumour that she met Tsvangirai before, and said she will officially meet him and that People First is open to dialogue. Many seem to be advocating a united front to dislodge Zanu PF how feasible this will be is a matter of time.
For now it is game-on for Joice Mujuru who still has to battle it out on the political-grand stage with her erstwhile colleagues, who include First Lady Grace Mugabe, among others.
BOMB EXPLOSION:Robbers Attack Police Station atm
By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|In an incident that has left the Zimbabwe Republic Police humiliated, robbers raided a Steward Bank ATM machine adjacent to Masvingo Central Police Station.
They made off with an undisclosed sum of cash and other valuables.
The incident happened Monday night when the men pounced on the ATM machine after blowing it off with some explosives, all this happening less than 50 metres from the main police station.
Police officers manning the premises declined to comment and referred ZimEye.com on all questions to provincial police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula who could not be reached for a comment.
It is understood police officers only checked the cause of the explosion 30 minutes after the robbers had already vanished. A security guard at the premises said he alerted the police when he noticed the robbers were armed. The men stole an undisclosed amount of money and several computerised gadgets.
Bank clients have since slammed the police for failing to act on the case of armed robbery while concentrating on what they termed “tormenting motorists”. The police’s pedestrian approach towards nabbing the robbers has also attracted the ire of local businesspeople who accused the law enforcement agents of being obsessed with the need for kickbacks.
“This incident has exposed our police force. How on earth could they fail to nab robbers who stole cash and valuables at an ATM installed a stone’s throw from the main police camp. The incident has reflected the police’s inefficiency. They concentrate on tormenting motorists but they cannot get rid of robbers who had the guts to raid an ATM machine near the main police station in the province,” said a local Internet Cafe owner who declined to be named.
Police sources claimed to ZimEye.com the robbery was an inside job, although to date they still have not picked up any suspects.
Mujuru To Investigate Mugabe Political Violence Cases
Zimbabwe People First leader Joice Mujuru says she has witnessed “horrifying” conditions where people have shown her scars of wounds which emanated from political violence which was perpetrated on them by Zanu PF.
The President Robert Mugabe’s former deputy said this when she was announcing her long awaited Zimbabwe People First’s political party, in Harare Tuesday.
“Through our meet the people meetings, I have met horrifying situations where people have been showing me scars which have been inflicted over the years and up to now no medical attention has been given to those in order to heal the wounds,” she said.
“The surprising thing is that whenever we meet for these meeting we start by a prayer and a real one, and we tell people to make an oath before they give their testimonies”.
Mujuru said unlike what they used to do when she was a member of Zanu PF; they have put investigations of political violence and human rights cases on the agenda of their political movement.
“At the moment we have one thing and one thing first that is of working out a united force to build Zimbabwe and everything else becomes second”.
MDC-T is on record complaining that its supporters continue to be persecuted by Zanu PF.
Mnangagwa’s Office Broken-Into Again
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office was on Monday night broken into again, police officers say.
Intelligence and police officers on Tuesday morning rushed to the VP’s office as investigations commenced.
This is the seventh time unidentified culprits have tampered with or intruded into Mnangagwa’s offices in Government and at party level, according to the State Media.
Mnangagwa’s offices have been broken into four times at the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and once at Defence House when he was Defence Minister.
His offices at Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare were broken into by unknown elements in 2014 who laced his desk with cyanide, poisoning his secretary who had to be hospitalised. In the January break-in at the Government Complex, the culprits drilled a ceiling panel to gain entry.
Like the January incident at the first, in last night’s attack, there were no indications if anything had been stolen.
The development comes as Mnangagwa faces the succession storm against President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace.
Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Christopher Mushohwe after the January break in, said Government was concerned with relentless break-ins at Acting President Mnangagwa’s offices.
“We are concerned, especially with this one because you can see the holes that they drilled and pulled the ceiling from the roof and used the hole as an entrance. We do not know what they wanted here or what they have done or taken from the office because experts are yet to do thorough investigations,” he said.
PICTURES, FULL AUDIO: Mujuru Mobbed by Massive Crowd in Harare
Former Vice President Joice Mujuru was mobbed by a large crowd at Meikles hotel where she conducted her first first press conference on Tuesday morning. Below was her full address:
Seriously Ill Mahofa Misses Mugabe Birthday Bash
Bedridden Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Shuvai Mahofa at the weekend failed to attend President Robert Mugabe’s 92nd birthday bash in the province, amid reports of deteriorating health.
Mahofa has not reported for duty since the beginning of the year and has been bedridden for close to three months after her health deteriorated soon after the Zanu PF conference last December, amid speculation she ate poisoned food.
She is currently in South Africa where she is receiving medical treatment.
News Day reports that Mahofa’s close family members have dismissed the narrative as false, saying she has a heart and kidney problem.
At Mugabe’s bash on Saturday, Mahofa had been slotted in as one of the speakers, but Psychomotor minister Josaya Hungwe stood in for her.
Mugabe, in his speech, confirmed Mahofa’s absence and urged party members to pray for her.
“We are sorry that Mai Mahofa is still ill, but we hear she is recovering. We pray that God gives her strength to recover and come back to work,” he said.
Mahofa, dubbed the Iron Lady of Masvingo, set tongues wagging ahead of the party’s conference after she rejected First Lady Grace Mugabe’s presidential bid, saying she only recognised her as the Women’s League chairperson and wife of the President.
Grace is locked in a bitter succession war with Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s faction – to which Mahofa reportedly belongs – to replace Mugabe, who is now in his twilight years.
Child Mauled to Death by 8 Dogs
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy was mauled to death while another 10-year-old child was left for dead allegedly by about eight vicious dogs in Masvingo’s Eastvale suburb. Success Kasanhayi of Shakashe Street was playing with four other children outside his parents’ house when the dogs belonging to Ahamad Amon and one Mukaratirwa pounced on him on Sunday at around 4 PM.
The dogs allegedly dragged Success into a nearby bush and mauled him all over the body, leaving him bleeding profusely. He was rushed to Masvingo General Hospital by one of the owners of the killer dogs, Amon, where he was pronounced dead hours after admission.
The dogs, which were roaming around the medium density suburb, allegedly set upon a 10-year-old boy, two hours after they pounced on Success. “When we were still seized with Success’ matter at the hospital, I received a call from home that my dogs had again attacked another boy. I then came back, only to find the boy writhing in pain with injuries on his hands and legs. I rushed him to hospital,” Amon said.
When The Chronicle visited Eastvale suburb at around 1PM yesterday police, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and officers from the department of veterinary services were hunting down the dogs.
By yesterday afternoon, they had tracked and put down four of the dogs. Success’ mother, Charity Mabhiza, 24, was distraught.
“I left my son at home playing with his friends while I went to buy some onions in town. My husband was at the shops,” she said. “On my way back, I met my husband and he instructed me to follow him without explaining where we were going. We then caught a taxi which was going to Masvingo General Hospital and when we got into the children’s ward, I was taken aback to see my son on life support.”
Mabhiza said she suspects that excessive bleeding caused her son’s death. The boy’s father, Grafton Kasanhayi, 30, said when he heard children screaming, he rushed to the scene but his son had already been rushed to hospital.
“It’s devastating but there is nothing we can do. But I feel the owners of the vicious dogs have a case to answer,” said Kasanhayi. Amon said he regretted the unfortunate incident. He said his dogs were last vaccinated four years ago and offered to have them put down.
“I want to testify that my dogs had not been vaccinated against rabies or any diseases for four years now. We last took them for vaccination in 2012. I’ve six vicious dogs and am keeping them for security reasons. I stay with my mother who is 94-years-old and she needs security since most of the time she’s left alone. Of late there are fuel thieves around and at one time I was a victim,” said Amon.
SPCA Masvingo provincial manager John Chikomo said if the dogs were not vaccinated, the owners should be charged by the police. “The owner of the six dogs told us that they were not vaccinated. That’s a crime on its own but it’s left to the department of veterinary service to write a report which will be used by the police to do their job,” said Chikomo.
He said the unfortunate incident could have been avoided if the dogs had been locked inside the yard. Acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa confirmed the incident but said he was still waiting for finer details.-State Media
Diamonds Have Been Stolen, Says Mbada
Government has instructed the Attorney-General’s office to contest yesterday’s High Court order compelling the State to allow the return of Mbada Diamond Private Limited to its diamond mining site in Chiadzwa to secure its diamonds and equipment pending determination of the dispute between the firm’s Mauritius-based shareholder Grandwell Holdings and the Government of Zimbabwe.
In an interview with ZiFM last night, Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa said Government intended to contest the High Court decision.
“We have instructed the Attorney-General’s office to look into the matter and file an appeal. Maybe tomorrow, we will be filing the appeal,” said Minister Chidhakwa.
Justice Joseph Mafusire issued the court order yesterday after postponing the urgent chamber application by Grandwell Holdings to tomorrow (Wednesday).
Grandwell Holdings and Marange Resources entered into a joint venture mining partnership in which the two held 50 percent each some seven years ago.
A diamond joint venture company, Mbada Diamonds was formed, which carried out diamond mining activities in the Chiadzwa area in terms of the set conditions.
Government ordered all diamond mining companies off the Chiadzwa fields after they defied a policy directive for all to merge into a single company called the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC).
Mbada, among other diamond firms, was given 90 days to remove its equipment and other assets from the site.
However, Grandwell is seeking the eviction of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and representatives of the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation, Marange Resources and the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company from the mining site.
The company is also seeking restoration of its full control, peaceful and undisturbed possession of the mining site.
Pending determination of the urgent chamber application set for Wednesday, Justice Mafusire granted an interim relief that will see Mbada temporarily having full access to the diamonds, equipment, site and other properties as a security measure.
The order reads:“The matter is postponed to Wednesday 2nd of March 2016 at 1430 hours.
“As a contingency plan pending the hearing of this matter on Wednesday, 2 March 2016 as aforesaid or such other day as it might be heard, all the fifth respondent’s (Mbada Diamond) security personnel, with all their chain of command, shall forthwith return to the fifth respondent’s mining site in the Chiadzwa Diamond concession and the first, second and fourth respondents (Minister of Mines, ZMDC and ZCDC) shall allow such security personnel full access to the mining site, full access to all the relevant premises thereat, including residential premises; full access to all the equipment, diamond ore, and any other assets belonging to the fifth respondent for the purposes of safeguarding such assets in every manner possible and the first, second and third respondent shall desist from interfering with such personnel.”
Advocate Thabani Mpofu acted for Mbada Diamonds while Mr Sternford Moyo and Evans Moyo and Mr Brighton Mahuni of Scanlen and Holderness represented Grandwell Holdings.
Mr Ralph Tsivama represented ZMDC, Marange Resources and ZCDC.
Grandwell Holdings holds 50 percent of the issued share capital of Mbada while the remaining 50 percent is held by Marange Resources, which is wholly owned by ZMDC.
In a founding affidavit deposed by Grandwell Holdings chairman Mr David Kassel, the Government scheme that has resulted in the eviction of Mbada and other companies was described as “unlawful”
“As appears from what is set out below, the Government respondents have embarked upon an unlawful scheme which is designed to facilitate the nationalisation and/or expropriation of Mbada’s assets,” he said.
Government accused Mbada of failing to renew the special grant, hence the expiration of such grants now requires the company to shut down its operations and vacate the premises.
However, Grandwell in its application, argued that Marange Resources, a Government company, undertook to do the renewal of the grants among other warranties on behalf of the joint venture company.
“Part of the Principal Agreement reads: “Marange Resources undertakes that it shall forthwith after the signature date and thereafter for the duration of this agreement:
“Pay all necessary fees and make application for the renewal and/or continued existence and of all that may be necessary so as to ensure that the special grants and rights thereunder are in good standing and remain valid for the duration of this agreement allowing Marange to mine and prospect the concession areas in perpetuity”
Grandwell argued that Government, through Marange Resources, undertook to protect the rights of the foreign investor and to “observe the utmost good faith and not do, or omit to do anything which might prejudice or detract from the rights or interests” of the foreign investor.
The company argued that Government had wilfully and with malice, breached its obligations and undertakings.
Grandwell chairman Mr Kassel said Mbada, over the existence period of the joint venture agreement, paid $472 million into the fiscus, the figure which will drop to zero if the company’s operations are permanently shut down.
The company stated that diamonds were being stolen from the mining sites in the absence of Mbada’s security personnel and there was need for an order compelling Government to allow the diamond company’s security team back to the site.
It was also claimed that Mbada’s equipment was being misappropriated and damages were being sustained on an on-going basis.State Media
Anti-Tsvangirai People First Fliers Flood Chiredzi
Terrence Mawawa, Chiredzi|In a move suspected to be a ploy by Robert Mugabe’s CIO agents to decimate opposition parties, flyers bearing the Zimbabwe People First logo flooded the lowveld town last week carrying derogatory words against MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
The two parties have already started trading accusations over the fliers with the MDC describing the distribution as a reflection of naivety and cowardice while the Zimbabwe People First claimed Tsvangirai has dismally failed to defeat Zanu PF.
The fliers described Tsvangirai as a liablility and political spent force who had overstayed in opposition politics.
“Tsvangirai and his followers must realise they have failed to win elections for the past two decades and they must join a more vibrant party-the People First,” read the message on one of the fliers.
MDC provincial spokesperson Dust Zivhave described the development as a desperate attempt to denigrate the MDC and its leader Tsvangirai.
“Whoever is behind the printing and distribution of the fliers is misguided. We will not be deterred by such trivial issues,” he said.
The MDC also said in a statement last week:”This is clearly the work of the CIO and Zanu PF. They want to turn our attention from mobilising the people for 2018 because they are afraid of Tsvangirai.
The increasing war of words between Tsvangirai’s MDC and former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s Zimbabwe People First have put the expected formation of the highly expected grand coalition in a quandary with Tsvangirai saying his party was not desperate for the formation while Mujuru’s party said the former premier must join her instead in order to salvage his dwindling political career. Observers feel a grand coalition is likely to end decades of chaotic governance by President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF bandwagon.
Teacher Sits Exam for Girlfriend
Three Kwekwe teachers have appeared in court accused of conniving to let their friend sit an O-Level Maths exam for his girlfriend. The Zideco College teachers, Canaan Gombe, Wellington Masiiwa and Courage Nyathi, whose ages were not given, appeared before Gweru magistrate Musaiona Shotgame for contravening the Zimsec Act.
The three pleaded not guilty and were remanded out of custody to March 11 on $50 bail each. Prosecuting, Munyaradzi Guvheya told the court that in November last year, the three connived to write a Zimsec Mathematics Paper Two examination for Gombe’s girlfriend, Lyn Chenesai Charumbira.
Guvheya said Gombe, who is a Mathematics teacher, approached Masiiwa and Nyathi who were invigilating and asked to see the examination paper.
“He went and wrote the paper and brought a draft answer sheet which he handed to Charumbira who then copied all the answers to her answer sheet using her own handwriting so that she would not be suspected,” said Guvheya.
The court heard that Charumbira accidentally attached the answers she was given by Gombe to her answer sheet and submitted it to the invigilator. Guvheya said the matter came to light when a marker discovered two answer sheets written in different handwritings prompting Zimsec to launch investigations that led to the trio’s arrest.
According to the Zimsec Act, any person who reveals contents of any examination material to an unauthorised person or anyone who seats or offers or attempts to present himself at an examination with the intention of impersonating another person faces up to one year in jail.-State Media
Diabetes: Sadza Poison and Health Claims False
A detailed response to Sadza Linked to Diabetes article
Sadza not the problem| By Margaret Zondo
“You are what you eat” is a very popular saying among nutritionists. I wish to comment on the article that appeared in the ZimEye online news publication of February 28 2016. Contrary to the assertion that sadza is linked to diabetes, it is my belief that sadza is not the problem but one of a number of factors that all add up to deterioration in the well-being of fellow Zimbabweans and the high incidence of diabetics in Zimbabwe. It is therefore an incomplete argument to ask Zimbabweans to consider sadza as the cause of diabetes and under performance of schoolchildren. Sadza is rightfully the staple food for most African and Caribbean cultures for both historical and cultural reasons.
Although prevention is better than cure, with the rise in persons afflicted by diabetes in Zimbabwe and globally, it is important to focus on how to deal with the condition by making a few changes to one’s lifestyle without abandoning sadza.
Portion Size
It is a proven fact that diabetics need to control the portion sizes of food they consume especially starchy food like Sadza, potatoes and rice. Whole grains and unrefined mealie meal is better than refined mealie meal which has been stripped of all nutrients and is considered empty calories.
Diabetics are encouraged to eat small several meals a day and avoid hunger pangs.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
A good balanced diet for both adults and children should include the essential vitamins and minerals which in Zimbabwe, can be sourced from easily accessible and affordable foods to provide one with a daily requirement of protein, starch, fat, fruits, whole grains, water and vegetables. In looking at the universal list of essential vitamins and minerals, these are available in one form or another in Zimbabwe. These essential nutrients can be found in simple common foods like nuts, legumes, leafy green vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, black tea, eggs, milk, bananas, liver, avocado, cereals, watermelon, wild loquats (mazhanje), mopani worms (madora), termites (ishwa), mangoes, Papaya, ginger, bitter greens like (runi) and other wild fruits and vegetables. In these hard times when most families are struggling to feed their families, it is critical that we go back to basics and adopt the traditional ways of feeding ourselves. This will assist in preventing ailments like high blood pressure and diabetes. The key word is improvising and using local products based on their availability, accessibility, affordability and appropriateness.
Raw Food
Although Zimbabweans are open to eating raw vegetables in the form of lettuce, cabbage (coleslaw) for those that can afford mayonnaise and other ingredients needed and to snack on raw carrots, it may not be practical to include raw food in one’s diet every day. Moreover, some individuals are unable to properly digest raw food leading to all kinds of digestive issues. Certain foods are best cooked without depleting them of the vital nutrients.
Sugar and Salt
The excessive consumption of salt and sugar also contributes significantly to the rise in diabetic cases in Zimbabwe and elsewhere. I am amazed at the amount of added salt or sodium in spices and artificial flavorings. By international standards, these products should be taken off the shelf since they are “killing” people. Soft drinks are another culprit in increased risk to developing diabetes and other preventable ailments. The best way is to cook foods using natural fresh food enhancement products like onions, garlic, tomatoes and peanut butter that also are good for one’s health. This does not mean ditching salt and sugar altogether but as with everything else, it must be used in moderation. There is no reason why Zimbabweans cannot make their own homemade drinks from ginger, watermelon where possible and in this way control the amount of sugar consumed. Lacto or the home made version for instance, is great for digestive health. In the West they call it kefir. Kefir has become very popular in developed countries and yet it is derived from sour milk that Zimbabweans have consumed with their sadza since time immemorial.
National Food Policy
A number of countries have come up with a national food policy that recognizes the rich history of foods and the introduction of other previously unfamiliar but popular foodstuffs and finding a workable balance so that everyone’s taste is considered with an overall objective of influencing peoples’ choices in food for good nutrition and well-being. Education is key and a culture of self-sufficiency where both rural and urban residents are encouraged and supported in growing their own vegetables and planting fruit trees. There are already many community initiatives in both the rural and urban areas of Zimbabwe that are focused on empowering individuals to grow their own produce. These projects usually expand to include other beneficial activities that grow strong resilient communities.
Conclusion
While fully acknowledging the worrisome increase in cases of diabetes in Zimbabwe and most other developing countries mainly because of the adoption of Western practices, the real issue is that sadza is to focus more on prevention by using local and familiar foodstuffs and traditional practices that have been tested and proven. In the West Indies for instance, fresh diced okra (derere) is added to sadza making it more nutritious than on its own. The dish is called cou cou and is eaten with fish, green vegetables, beef or chicken stew.
Our people should be cautioned against foods that come in boxes and cans but instead embrace our traditional eating habits that kept communities well-nourished and health. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, more so for school-going children, pregnant women and those with a compromised immune system. The focus should be on whole foods to attain maximum benefit.
It is important to note that the West is shying away from processed foods and empty calories and adopting the sustainable healthy habits and eating practices of other nations. This has been prompted by the realization of the link between excessive consumption of starch, sugar and salt in its processed forms and diabetes. In North America, some adventurous individuals have started serving edible insects as part of their menu. There is opportunity for Zimbabweans to promote mopani worms and termites globally as high protein foods.
Margaret Zondo
World Crops, Food Security & Nutrition Consultant
Small Scale Organic Farmer
Ontario, Canada
Hell Breaks Loose for Tomana, D Day
The High Court will tomorrow determine whether or not the Judicial Service Commission should go ahead with setting up a tribunal for the removal of Prosecutor General Mr Johannes Tomana from office.
JSC has since initiated the process through letters written to Mr Tomana to hear his side of the story on his suitability or otherwise to continue holding the esteemed office.
Mr Tomana, who is facing criminal charges at the Harare Magistrates’ Court involving Gushungo Dairy bombing, was in October last year slapped with a 30-day jail term for contempt of court after he defied court orders to issue certificates for the private prosecution of Bikita West legislator Dr Munyaradzi Kereke and Telecel shareholder Dr Jane Mutasa.
Kereke was accused of raping an 11-year-old relative while Mutasa was facing charges of swindling the company of airtime recharge cards worth millions of dollars.
Tomana was fined by a nine-member judges’ panel of the Constitutional Court led by Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku.
The sentence was, however, wholly set-aside on condition that he complied with the court orders and issued private prosecution certificates to Mr Francis Maramwidze and Telecel within 10 days, failure of which he would be barred from practising as a lawyer in Zimbabwe.
The following month, Tomana was again at the centre of another storm for allegedly abusing the court process to rubber-stamp the acquittal of former Zupco board chairman, Professor Charles Nherera, who was charged with corruption.
The abuse reportedly occurred at the time when Tomana was the Attorney General.
Prof Nherera was acquitted by the High Court in November 2009 barely a year after Tomana was appointed to the post of then AG.
Upon receipt of the letters from JSC demanding his explanation of the two court orders he failed to comply with, Mr Tomana, through his lawyers Mambosasa Legal Practitioners, filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court seeking to bar JSC from recommending his removal from office and proceeding with the disciplinary process.
In terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the PG is placed on the same level with a Supreme Court judge and the same supreme law of the country provides that the PG must be removed from office the same way judges are expelled.
Mr Tomana’s lawyer Mr Alex Mambosasa confirmed Wednesday March 2, 2016 as the set down date.
“Yes the matter has been set down for March 2 at the High Court before Justice Lavender Makoni,” said Mr Mambosasa.
Part of the letter by the High Court registrar Mrs Faith Mushure to Mr Tomana’s lawyers reads:
“The Honourable judge seized with the matter has directed that the matter be heard on March 2 2016 at 1430hours.
“The Honourable judge has also given directions which have been endorsed on the notices of set down . . .”
In the urgent chamber application, Mr Tomana is seeking to stay the removal process in the interim, pending the finalisation of the matter.
He argues that the process seeking to remove him from office was unlawful and was activated by the JSC.
Mr Tomana argues that the Constitutional Court judgment which committed him to jail unless he issued certificates for private prosecution was issued from a court of no jurisdiction.
“The orders I was held to have been in contempt of are orders of the High and Supreme Courts respectively,” said Tomana. “Compliance with those orders is enforced by the High Court. In fact, as at the date of the order of the Constitutional Court, proceedings for contempt had been instituted in the High Court. The constitutional Court has no jurisdiction to relate to a matter which was within the purview of the High Court.”
He also contends that the order was also invalid in that the Constitutional Court dealt with a matter which was not before it.
The Constitutional Court, he added, cannot at law deal with a contempt of court matter.
Mr Tomana said the matter that was before the apex court was an ex-parte application he had made which sought the declaration on the question of his independence.
He also argues the proceedings that gave rise to Constitutional Court order were a nullity given that the Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba was not part of the bench when the order was granted.
“Constitutionally, the Constitutional Court cannot be properly constituted within the first seven years of its life if it does not consist of the Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice who must sit together in hearing any and every matter,” he argues.
“An order by an improperly constituted court is obviously a nullity.”
Mr Tomana also argues that a citizen, Rooney Kanyama, has challenged the validity of the Constitutional Court order committing him to jail.
He attached Kanyama’s application that was filed in the Constitutional Court last week.-State Media
Dzamara ‘Deadly’ CIO Connection | INVESTIGATION
-Patson Dzamara’s interaction with Happyton Bonyongwe’s wife days after Itai’s abduction-
Since the disappearance of democracy activist Itai Dzamara on the morning of the 9th March 2015, the public have raised several questions on the Dzamara family’s privileged connections with the notorious Central Intelligence Organisation, CIO. ZimEye early this year sought out to investigate on this matter following the public outcry which they say might solve the mystery to Itai’s abduction. Some of the questions raised were:
How in this world could Itai’s brother, Patson converse with the country’s most senior intelligence agent’s wife and forget to say a thing about his missing brother? Furthermore since that day last year, why is it that (12)twelve months later Mr Patson Dzamara has not once telephoned the Bonyongwes back even at the least to seek help on his missing brother, since the CIO has clear unrestricted access to anywhere in the country?
Below is the beginning of the findings obtained from Patson’s own word of mouth testimony.
The man was asked when and how he was found linked up with the Bonyongwes within just nine (9) days of his brother’s disappearance. His actions and that of the rest of the Dzamara family have thus all been brought under the public microscope.
He began by saying the following: “there is nothing for me to hide on the whatever Bonyongwe connection. You will even realise that there is no story to publish at the end of the day,” he said.
He continued, “you know what? I only spoke to that woman once over the phone…She was coming to (the summit) in her capacity as the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange boss, nothing else….
He went on, “For me to get to her, it was my board chairman who said I sit on the same board at (sic)University with her and so since one of the ladies has pulled out, why don’t we bring in Mai Bonyongwe?
“I said, why not? It serves the purpose of what we are trying to do, and it did not have anything to do with Itai. So I only talked with her for two minutes over the phone, that was it…”
Since that day Patson Dzamara nearly a year later says he still sees no need to telephone the Bonyongwes concerning his missing brother’s welfare.
He was then asked why it is that he failed to say a thing or two or even weep for his brother. To this he replied saying, “in that case manje, you are now trying to tell me what I should do regarding my brother. Look we have adopted our own model handitika?. That isusu – we as a family this is how we are going to deal with this matter, and that is really up to us. Whether we ask whoever, whatever, it’s really up to us at the end of the day, and so you as a concerned person, kana ndine number dzake – since I have the number, ask for it (sic), then look for Mrs Bonyongwe not me.
PART TWO of this investigation will reveal the Patson Dzamara’s response when asked by ZimEye why the Dzamara family has been adrift on questioning the CIOs.
More to follow…
Nyagomo PDZ Rallies Across Zimbabwe
By Grace Kwinjeh|Determined and raring to go opposition politician and leader of the Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe, Barbara Nyagomo, this weekend officially launched her party in the rural Gombe village, Seke.
The increased recent visibility of women in Zimbabwe’s national politics, does indeed, beg the question whether the country is now ready for a female President. Nyagomo is counted among notable women who have over the years, been building their profiles and portfolios to challenge Zanu PF’s hegemony in national politics in the next and very crucial 2018 Parliamentary and Presidential elections.
The 2018 election is a crucial make or break for a country which was once the bread basket for Africa, now brought down to its knees by years of lack of accountability and unbridled corruption, causing millions among them Nyagomo to leave for the Diaspora to make a fresh start.
Even though in 2013 the Zimbabwean government adopted and implemented in the constitution a special quota for women in Parliament, their total representation remains at 35 percent in the current Parliament, a celebrated increase from 17 percent in the 2008 Parliament. This means the women still have a long way to go in making an impact in political leadership to increase their visibility.
However, Nyagomo a health and social worker is back in her home country with a fierce determination to be part of the national discourse for a better and prosperous Zimbabwe as she pushes the agenda of the party she formed in 2014. Membership cards for the party are being sold at $1USD.
”PDZ will not make unrealistic promises of two million jobs and houses for all by 2020 – but will create a democratic, enabling environment for economic transformation, where there is respect of the law and fundamental human rights,” reads a statement issued by her information department.
In what her campaign team have dubbed “The Meet the President Tour,’ the humble leader of one of Zimbabwe’s new and upcoming opposition political parties, vowed to carry out her campaign using public transport. “I refuse to move around in a fancy car whilst people are struggling,” she wrote on her Facebook page.
Her campaign has taken her to visits of impoverished and neglected areas such as Matapi hostel in Mbare, to meeting with traditional chiefs and engaging a small but growing rural support base.
”The formation of PDZ was the culmination of many years of suffering and failed attempts to reach out to the elite leadership who have formed a social class that is above its people. In addition, many years of research and discussions have been undertaken to ensure a clear identification and understanding of the citizen’s fears, concerns and hopes for a better Zimbabwe are taken into consideration,” she said.
Her connection to the rural community being her own humble beginnings as she identifies with the struggles, the rural peasants whose support she is now courting daily face. The Zimbabwean government was earlier this month forced to declare a state of disaster in order to win international sympathy and receive more aid for the impoverished and needy communities.
Zanu PF politicians continue to bicker for power while Zimbabwe burns with an incredible indifference to the suffering masses who elected them to office in the first place. Zimbabwe is suffocating over the unresolved and deadly succession dispute within Zanu PF and politicians like Nyagomo who take time, to be with the people and hear their needs offer the much needed relief.
The World Food Programme for instance estimates that about a quarter of the population are in urgent need of food aid, apart from a plethora of social ills the country is struggling with.
The United Kingdom based social worker has been slowly and surely building her PDP party, sponsoring candidates who stood against Zanu PF in the by-elections held last June. “I think we are going to do very well, if we strategically move, because we are at a point where people need new ideas, new politics, young people, youth and women to participate,” she told journalists at the time.
The PDP did well in the Nkulumane constituency where it came second to Zanu PF, beating other opposition parties that contested elections.
Nyagomo and her PDP party are also part of the National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) process which aims to push for electoral reforms, to enable free and fair elections in 2018.
According to the PDP information department Nyagomo deliberated on the following issues in her meet the people tour:
✌the founding of PDZ in September, 2014
✌challenges & successes
✌challenges,
✌The Nkulumane by – elections
✌party logo any sign
“Supporters had a chance to throw questions her way and she tackled them like the seasoned leader that she is. Issues of youth unemployment, projects, sanitation, roads, access to education and health facilities were raised,” reads a statement they issued.
Her unrivaled humility was clear for all to see as she was swarmed by children, mothers and grannies -as they jostled for a photo moment with the president.
Barclays Pulling Out of Zimbabwe
Barclays Bank Plc is set to pull out of Zimbabwe as part of an Africa-wide exit to focus on its core British and American markets, the Financial Times has reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Barclays Plc’s new chief executive Jes Staley, who was appointed three months ago, has led a review of the banking group’s Africa operations and reached a decision to divest from the continent with many sub-Saharan economies in turmoil.
Staley is expected to lay down the plans and the group’s shift to focus on high performing units at Barclays Plc’s 2015 results presentation on Tuesday.
Barclays’s assets in Africa include a 62.3 percent in Barclays Africa (formerly ABSA), which has operations in 11 African countries as well as direct subsidiaries in Zimbabwe and Egypt. A bid by Barclays Plc to sell the Zimbabwean and Egyptian banks to Barclays Africa failed last year after the parties could not agree on price.
The Zimbabwean and Egyptian banks are now most likely to be sold as part of the new strategy, the FT reported on Friday.
Barclays’ exit from Zimbabwe, where it has operated since 1912, making it the second oldest bank in the country after fellow British bank Standard Chartered.
Barclays Plc owns 68 percent of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed Barclays Bank Zimbabwe, which employs 713 workers and operates from 28 branches nationwide, according to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe data.
Barclays Zimbabwe’s assets stood at $311 million at half-year 2015, while net profit was $1.3 million in the period.
It remains to be seen whether Barclays Africa, which on Monday issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to Africa, will revive plans to acquire the Zimbabwean and Egyptian banks after Barclays Plc’s exit. Talks between Barclays Africa and Barclays plc over the sale of the two assets broke down in December last year.
The two operations were excluded from a 2013 deal that saw Barclays Africa, formerly ABSA, acquire eight African operations from its parent company because of political uncertainty, although it already manages their operations.
Barclays Africa chief executive Maria Ramos said at the time that Egyptian banks and insurers in particular were highly prized and expensive.
Barclays’ exit from Africa comes at a time when its former chief executive Bob Diamond has made a big play for the continent, leading his Atlas Mara through a string of acquisitions of African banking assets.
BRIEF HISTORY:
Barclays Bank Plc, which owns 68 percent of Barclays Bank Zimbabwe Limited, is on Tuesday expected to announce its exit from Africa as it seeks to focus on the British and American markets.
This move could see Barclays ending its 104 year history in Zimbabwe, where it has run the second oldest bank after fellow British bank Standard Chartered.
Below is a pen-pix of Barclays’ Zimbabwe operation:
Type of bank: Commercial Bank
Date of establishment: 1912
1912; Opened first branch after Bank of Africa was acquired by National bank of South Africa and effectively became Barclays Bank controlled from South Africa.
1928; as the business grew, the first Barclays Committee was established, responsible for local controls based in Bulawayo. 10 branches were opened by that time.
1956; Barclays was the first bank to introduce computers making banking service delivery increasingly efficient. During that time Barclays was implementing a comprehensive training programme running between 1951-1958.
1960; Barclays was the first to introduce the first night safe and safe deposit facility featured on its newly established 8-storey head office in Harare built out of diamante sandstone on a black granite plinth and designed by Francis Lorne.
1987; the first country branch was established in Gokwe officially opened by the then Deputy Prime Minister who praised Barclays for heeding the government’s call to bring banking to rural people.
1991; Barclays was the first financial institution to offer 30% of its shares to the public in an effort to encourage Zimbabwe to become first time investors. The issue was oversubscribed five-fold and caused a record rise in stock market prices.
1993; Barclays was one of the only two banks to have installed ATMs to improve service delivery and by the end of that year had 50 ATMs.
2008-2012; Barclays rationalised its support structures and foot print in line with business levels obtaining which resulted in reduction in fulltime employees from a peak of 1,423 in January 2008 to around 700 currently.
Ownership: Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe Limited is a subsidiary of Barclays Bank plc, which is the majority shareholder of the bank. It is locally registered and is a publicly quoted company with the investing public holding 32.04% shares.
Major shareholders in the bank AS AT 30 JUNE 2014 are:
Afcarme Zimbabwe Holding PL 67.68%
Old Mutual Life Assurance LTD 4.50%
STANDARD CHARTERED NOMINEES (PVT) LTD –NNR 3.03%
FED NOMINEES (PVT) LTD 2.42%
Chairman: Mr Anthony Mandiwanza
Chief Executive Officer: Mr. George Guvamatanga
Auditors : KPMG Chartered Accountants
Number of employees: 713
Number of branches : 28
The Source/RBZ
Mnangagwa Kicked Out of Mugabe Race
As the fierce Zanu PF war to succeed President Robert Mugabe escalates, former ruling party stalwarts, current insiders and analysts say embattled Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s chances to rise to the throne look “as good as dead”.
Speaking last week, former senior Cabinet minister and Zanu PF politburo member, Dumiso Dabengwa — now leader of the opposition Zapu — claimed that Mugabe had “already hand-picked” a successor who was not Mnangagwa, and whom he would reveal soon.
This comes as both party insiders and analysts warn that Mugabe’s failure to outline a clear succession plan is the main reason behind Zanu PF’s deadly and seemingly unstoppable factional wars.
It also follows the ruling party’s decision at its disputed 2014 congress to change its constitution to allow Mugabe to appoint his deputies — giving the increasingly frail nonagenarian the power to anoint his successor as its “sole centre of power”.
“There is a (succession) programme. It will be unveiled soon … his programme, not the party’s programme,” Dabengwa told the Voice of America’s Studio 7 last week — but refused to name names, while wholly discounting Mnangagwa’s chances.
“I wouldn’t want to hazard a guess, but there is a candidate in mind and all that is being done (the succession wars) is in order to clear the way for the preferred succession candidate,” Dabengwa added.
Several names have been thrown into the succession ring over the past few years — including Mugabe’s powerful wife Grace, vice presidents Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere and former Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono.
While virtually all of these people have said that they are not in the running to succeed Mugabe, the first lady has hinted at the kind of individual Mugabe has in mind to take his throne.
She said recently that, “Mugoti unopihwa anyerere (the throne will go to someone who is quiet and not campaigning for it)”.
University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer Eldred Masunungure told the Daily News yesterday that in light of all this, Sekeramayi was in the succession frame.
“The real question is who will get the cooking stick, who is the quiet one? Would you say it’s Mphoko or Mnangagwa? Certainly not, given how they have been involved in the ongoing factional war?
“Would you therefore say it is Sekeramayi? One is tempted to say yes, to the Defence minister for various reasons.
“The fact that Sekeramayi has been appointed to sensitive portfolios of State security and defence for an unbroken period shows that Mugabe trusts him because he would not be comfortable with someone who differed with him in principle and ideology.
“Furthermore, the Defence minister has surprisingly survived the turbulent times that Zanu PF went through that led to the sacking of (former vice president Joice) Mujuru.
“How did he survive when he was one of the people suspected to be backing her?
“Why was he kept at the head of a sensitive ministry? The other thing that works in his favour is that Sekeramayi does not invite media attention. He is possibly the quiet one,” Masunungure said.
But academic and publisher Ibbo Mandaza said he was convinced that Mugabe wanted to die in office — adding that claims that there was a succession plan were “far-fetched”.
He said it was most likely that Mugabe’s successor would only be decided by the party upon the nonagenarian’s passing on or incapacitation, with no guarantees that any of the current frontrunners would make it in the event of a special or extraordinary Zanu PF congress.
“Talk about Mugabe’s successor is hearsay because on several occasions Mugabe has expressed his desire to rule until his death and he has also said publicly that his party had the mandate to choose his successor.
“If you go to the current Zanu PF constitution, you will notice that there is now a provision for a special congress to determine who will take over in the event of the president being incapacitated,” Mandaza said.
University of Zimbabwe War and Strategic Studies lecturer Wesley Mwatwara said military men, including Defence Forces commander Constantine Chiwenga, should not be written off the succession matrix.
He said top military officers were “part and parcel of Zimbabwean politics”, which explained the fierce resistance Zanu PF had mounted regarding security sector reforms that were demanded by the opposition and the international community.
A senior Zanu PF official said Mugabe regarded Gono “highly and credits him with saving the country from
total collapse during the 2008 economic meltdown” that spawned critical shortages of basic goods and foodstuffs, as inflation scaled supersonic levels.
Mujuru: Mugabe Didn’t Fire Me
In a surprising revelation, former Vice President Joice Mujuru said at the weekend that contrary to the widely-held belief that she had been fired from the warring Zanu PF, she had in fact left the party on her own accord.
Addressing hundreds of war veterans in Chegutu on Saturday, Mujuru explained for the first time in great detail the circumstances that had led to her dramatic exit from the governing party in late 2014 — after she told President Robert Mugabe that if he could not stop his wife Grace’s unprovoked attacks on her, she would happily leave the former liberation movement.
She also told the captivated war veterans that Mugabe had initially professed total ignorance about the myriad and sensational accusations that the First Lady was levelling against her — with the nonagenarian going on to advise her to call a media conference to answer back to the charges.
To Mujuru’s complete surprise, Mugabe was singing a different tune when she met with him the next time she went to confront him about the worsening attacks on her — with the 92-year-old now seemingly of the genuine belief that she wanted to kill him.
“I said to Mugabe in the first meeting, ‘I think your wife should stop talking about me on TV. Let her call me so that we can sit down as adults if she has any issues with me.’ To my surprise, he said I could call for a press conference and answer back.
“I said to him because of the way I was raised, my culture and my training, I could not do that, as I was not brought up to behave that way. I then told him that if this (the vilification) continued, I was prepared to leave the VP post and go and look after my mother and the people left by (her late husband Solomon) Mujuru,” she revealed.
The former VP said after she confronted Mugabe over his wife’s vitriolic attacks on her at her “meet-the-people” rallies around the country, the “false” assaults on her in fact increased in both their tempo and brutality.
“After realising that the attacks were not receding, I went to meet him again on December 1, 2014. I told him that I had been born in a Christian family and that I had never dreamt of doing the things that he was accusing me of doing.
“I also told him that my hands and heart were clean. I have never planned to harm or kill anyone and I said to him that tomorrow (at the next day’s politburo meeting) I won’t be among you. I’m leaving Zanu PF and I am happy to do that with my hands clean.
“I am the one who bade him farewell. He did not expel me,” Mujuru told the enraptured veterans of Zimbabwe’s war of liberation.
She also explained that when Mugabe realised that she was no longer coming for politburo meetings and that she would not attend the Zanu PF congress on December 6 of that year, it was then that the nonagenarian wrote a letter “pretending to expel me, but the fact of the matter remains that I had bade him farewell and told him I was pleased to leave Zanu PF with my hands and heart clean, since I was not guilty of the accusations he was laying against me”.
Mujuru admitted that her departure from Zanu PF had been “inevitable” as she was clashing with Mugabe regularly over policy matters up to the time she decided to leave.
“I had many wonderful plans, for example, on the Zambezi water project. I wanted to open 500 000 hectares of land under irrigation along the route that the canal would take, but he (Mugabe) would always remind me that as vice president I had no budget allocated to me, so I could not carry out the projects I envisaged.
“These are some of the things that angered Mugabe. These are the things that created enemies for me in Zanu PF,” she explained — sending her audience into laughter when she said Mugabe had once admonished her for the chicken projects that she was promoting throughout the country.
“He would frustrate the poultry projects I was promoting throughout the country. He said ‘do you want my country to be run by chicken money’?
“When I started my poultry business, I wanted to show him that yes, you can run a country by selling chickens, millions of them, not two or three,” she said amid wild applause.
Despite the “hate and ugliness” that she had encountered in Zanu PF, Mujuru implored war veterans to desist from violence as they agitated for change and democracy in the country, but to inculcate in themselves “a culture of peace and hard work”.
“When we fought the liberation war, we were saying we are liberating ourselves so that we can work for our betterment and for that of the country. But our people are now saying we have been made street kids.
“2018 is not very far, we will refuse to be street kids. Our people will vote People First in 2018 and together, we will make this country great and a first world.
“Our people want to work for themselves, they don’t want hand-outs. We don’t want a situation where someone’s son brings me a tonne of salt at a rally. I want to be able to buy the salt on my own. That is the mentality of our people. Let us help them realise their dreams,” she said. DailyNews
Zanu PF Councillors, Traditional Leaders Looting Food Aid
Zanu PF Councillors and traditional leaders in the Midlands province are looting drought relief maize meant to benefit the starving members of the community, a senior government official has said.
Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Jaison Machaya told reporters at the weekend that he has received reports from Zvishavane and other areas in the province of officials looting food aid.
“These reports are disturbing and we want to warn such individuals that the long arm of the law is going catch up with them,” he said.
“These are leaders who should be in the fore front of protecting their people and it is a shame to hear that they are abusing their authority”.
Meanwhile a Zanu PF councillor and three party youths have been slapped with an 18-month jail term each for stealing drought relief maize meant to benefit underprivileged members of their community.
The four according to News Day — Makonde-Obva ward 8 councillor Wilbert Kanyama (46), Zanu PF youths Gift Chikoreki (33), Tapiwa Handiseni (36) and Grahem Mareva (40) — were convicted and sentenced by Chinhoyi magistrate Brenda Dhliwayo last Friday.
The court, however, set aside six months of the sentence on condition of good behaviour and another 12 months on condition they performed 410 hours community service starting today.
Zanu PF Land Baron Fails To Re-Pay Bank Loan
At least 200 families in Chitungwiza are on the verge of losing their houses to a local bank after a Zanu PF land baron Fredrick Mabamba failed to service a land development loan he secured from the bank.
According to officials from NMB bank, Mabamba who is the former Zanu PF Chitungwiza Ward 25 Councillor borrowed hundreds of thousands of dollars for land development.
Mabamba is also on $2000 bail on allegations of selling nearly 4000 stands worth $8 million on land belonging to Chitungwiza Municipality.
Some of the land Mabamba sold was reserved for cemeteries, open spaces, schools, wetlands and road buffers.
The officials who refused to be named said the Mabamba had given as surety some 200 stands for the loan which he is now failing to service.
ZimEye.com talked to some of the people who are set to lose their houses.
“We are confused to hear that NMB is the owner of the land which we bought from Mabamba,” said one elderly woman.
“ We have been paying rates to the council on the pretext that they are the owners of the land but now we are told that there is a bank which wants to take our houses,”said another affected house owner.
Efforts by ZimEye.com to get a comment from Mabamba were fruitless as his phone was not reachable.
Gay Food Donations Not Welcome: Mugabe
Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| President Robert Mugabe on Saturday urged the people of Zimbabwe to reject food donations from gay associations, despite the critical food shortage the nation is facing.
Speaking during the 21st February Movement celebrations at the Great Zimbabwe monuments, President Mugabe described food from donor agencies as ‘dirty’ and called on Zimbabweans to reject such donations. Despite severe drought ravaging the nation, especially Masvingo, Midlands and parts of Matabeleland South provinces, Mugabe said the government had the mandate to thoroughly vet who should bring food aid to the country.
Ironically senior government officials including acting Masvingo State Minister Josaya Hungwe have appeared on national television appealing for food aid from well wishers. Mugabe reflected his resentment for same sex marriages when he reiterated that Zimbabwe would never accept such marriages. “We will not accept food aid from gay associations and we will reject such assistance. We will never accept food donations from some gay associations that masquerade as food relief agencies. In Zimbabwe we will never tolerate same sex marriages. Let them keep their dirty food items we do not need them. No we will not accept it.” said Mugabe.
Although Mugabe did not clarify the relief agencies he was referring to many observers said the ageing president could dent food relief efforts through his reckless utterances.
The government has already indicated it does not have the capacity to feed millions of hungry Zimbabweans. Mugabe also attacked some western donor agencies for pushing for regime change in Zimbabwe adding the government will watch out for such organisations.
Mugabe’s comments are likely to frustrate food relief efforts since donor organisations could feel unsafe to operate in Zimbabwe following Mugabe’s sentiments.
Sex Worker Forces Man To Pay
A sex worker from Chikanga was angry when her client failed to pay the agreed $10 for services provided.
When a man allegedly failed to honour his promise, the hooker hired bouncers who threatened and forced the man to sell his Huawei smart phone for $10.
Nomatter Masamba (28), was arrested after Brian Makura (32) reported her to the police.
She denied the assault charges when she appeared before senior Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiundura.
She argued that she did not assault Makura as alleged, but only poured a bucketful of water on him after he had tried to have unprotected sex with her.
It was the State’s case that on February 8, Masamba together with two accomplices assaulted Makura and forced him to sell his cellphone for $10 so that he could pay her the money for services rendered.
Masamba told the court that Makura had hired her for a one-night stand, but nothing happened as he fell asleep before the act.
She said he woke up an hour later and tried to have unprotected sex with her.
“I met him at around 3am in town and he hired me for sex. He was supposed to pay me $10 after the session, but we did nothing because when we got home he suddenly fell asleep.
“An hour later he tried to have unprotected sex with me, but I pushed him aside and poured water on him since he was acting against my will,” said Masamba.
It is reported that the complainant allegedly sustained injuries and was referred to Mutare Provincial Hospital for medical examination. – state media
ZANU PF In Shreds – Sibanda
Controversial former war veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda says President Mugabe is struggling to keep Zanu PF intact.
He said it is not surprising that some factions – one calling itself Team Lacoste led by Emmerson Mnangagwa and the other Generation 40 backing First Lady Grace Mugabe to succeed her husband – are fighting for the control of the party.
Sibanda noted that there is nothing that these factions are fighting for as Zanu PF is now in tatters.
“There is nothing to grab … There is nothing to grab, now it’s a disappointing issue to be a president or to be in the presidency of Zanu PF or the governing party. I don’t see them (factions) changing their attitudes or their modus operandi in a short space of time. I don’t see that. So, there is nothing to inherit there (in Zanu PF).”
Sibanda, who was expelled from the ruling party after he claimed that First Lady Grace Mugabe had staged a bedroom coup, said Team Lacoste and Generation 40 are hopeless groups of people.
He had no kind words to Generation 40. “I wonder if there is somebody who is 40 among that generation or there was somebody who was 40 three years ago and remained 40 two years ago, remained 40 last year, remains 40 today and will be 40 next year it’s impossible.
So, that organization represents something that is unknown to Zanu PF, unknown to our culture, unknown to our country.
“So, these two the Lacoste … The Lacoste is something that we don’t know, it’s foreign … that is a fashion or style. We don’t know what it is. But whatever these two things are what they have managed to do is to drop the living standards in our country where people are unemployed, where tribalism works so much that people are now divided on tribal lines and if you go to our hospitals there is no medicine.”
Sibanda further said there is no way that the two factions will heed President Mugabe’s calls for unity in the party.
Mr. Mugabe made the call after war veterans said to be backing Mnangagwa were forcibly dispersed from the streets in Harare by the police recently.
Sibanda said the war veterans won’t heed the president calls for unity.-VOA
Bash for the World’s Oldest Leader
MASVINGO — President Robert Mugabe — the world’s oldest leader — yesterday celebrated his 92nd birthday at a lavish affair.
Thousands of party loyalists, foreign representatives and members of the public watched as Mugabe released 92 balloons in the air, with songs and ululations ringing out around him.
Several cakes were on display at the public festivities, one in the shape of Africa, another a whopping 92-kg replica of the party venue: the Great Zimbabwe ruins, a Unesco world heritage site built in the 13th Century as the headquarters of the Munhumutapa empire.
Balloons and cake, however, did little to hide the infighting that has defined the ruling Zanu PF party in the last year as Mugabe continues to avoid naming a successor, despite his advanced age and recent speculation over his health.
Mugabe, who turned 92 last Sunday, has ruled for 36 years during an era marked by vote-rigging, mass emigration, accusations of human rights abuses and economic decline.
On his actual birthday, State media poured praise on his leadership since independence from Britain.
In its 16-page special supplement, The Sunday Mail said on its front cover: “Thank You Bob, We now have a voice, since 1980”.
Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa is viewed as the likely next president, but in recent weeks he has been publicly criticised by Mugabe’s wife Grace in a sign of growing rivalry.
The scale of the celebrations, costing a reported $800 000 this year, attracts annual controversy in Zimbabwe, which recently declared a “state of disaster” due to an ongoing regional drought and widespread food shortages.
“There is very little to celebrate for a 92-year-old who has presided over the collapse of the economy, reducing the country to a nation of vendors and beggars,” Takavafira Zhou, a political analyst at Masvingo State University, said.
Zimbabwe has suffered a series of food crises and hyper-inflation since Mugabe’s land reforms when farms were seized from white farmers for redistribution.
On Tuesday, scores of young supporters from the MDC-T party staged a protest in Masvingo.
Protest placards read: “No birthday when children are starving” and “We want jobs, not bashes.”
Local media reported that party activists ordered teachers and villagers in the rural districts of Masvingo to make cash donations to help pay for this year’s celebrations.
The MDC-T called the celebrations “obscene”.
Mugabe has dominated Zimbabwe politics since independence from the UK in 1980.
The event, which was televised and featured schoolchildren reading poetry about the president, was held in the drought-stricken Masvingo.
Money used for the event should be used to import maize “to avert the impending starvation” in Masvingo and other areas, said Obert Gutu, the MDC-T spokesman.
Eddie Cross, an MP for the MDC-T said: “The obscenity of this particular exercise is that he throws this bash not just based on public funds… but he does it in one of the worst-affected drought-stricken parts of the country.”
The UN’s World Food Programme said food production had fallen by half compared to a year earlier, because of a severe drought.
The government said about three million people were food insecure and earlier this month it asked for nearly $1,6 billion in aid.
Mugabe has blamed his country’s economic troubles on Western meddling.-Standard
Mugabe Death, President’s Announcement| Letter by Kaitano
Dear Editor,
President Robert Mugabe, the world’s oldest head of state, made a statement in January this year which left many people worrying. He said he is to rule Zimbabwe until God says come.
Just recently, we were told by non-other than the Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Charles Utete, that our old president’s faculties are all functioning well and that he has a sharp memory and knows everything that he does and says. If we are to trust Dr. Utete’s description of our dear president, then our old dear president should be fully aware that the constitution of Zimbabwe has a term limit, and that the longest he can be in office going by the constitution is 2023.
So there are three things here: it’s either our dear president wants to violate the constitution and remain in power after his second term as president in 2023, assuming he wins the 2018 elections; he wishes himself dead by 2013; or he is certain he will not last beyond the 2023 elections.
Food for thought.
God help Zimbabwe
Kennedy Kaitano
Mutare
Grace Dithers on Presidency
First Lady Grace Mugabe has dithered on the Presidency retroceeding on her own words.
Until last week, Robert Mugabe’s wife was directly vocal on her intentions for succeeding her husband.
Grace’s deputy Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo has however since communicated through the State Media she is not interested in taking over from her husband.
This is the third time that Mrs Mugabe has backtracked on her own words. Last year she dithered many times alleging she was not interested in the top job and then soon afterwards changing her mind.
In an interview with the State Media, Moyo said the subject was discussed during the Women’s League national executive meeting in Harare on Wednesday, where the leadership expressed concern over the misconception over the First Lady’s position.
“The issue of the First Lady harbouring ambitions to succeed His Excellency (President Mugabe) is misleading. We’ve not discussed that as the Women’s League and we don’t know where it’s coming from,” she said.
Moyo said the Wednesday meeting discussed the Women League’s resolutions ahead of the December 2015 zanu-pf annual national people’s conference, which seem to have been misconstrued.
The party’s conference was held in Victoria Falls.
“It came to our attention as the Women’s League executive that our resolutions for the conference were not clearly understood hence we needed to clarify that.
“Resolution number three talks about the restoration of the position of women in the Presidium, which must be done through an amendment to the party’s constitution so that one of the Vice Presidents is a woman,” Moyo explained.
“We’ve said we wanted the constitution to be amended by 2016 and not that we wanted the Vice Presidency by 2016. What we want this year is to have the constitution corrected so that when the time to elect leaders comes (at congress in 2018) one of the VPs will be a woman. This has to be clear so that we’re protected by the constitution as women.”
Moyo, who is also Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo, said the league’s recommendation for a constitutional amendment should not be taken out of context and be confused with “succession” politics.
She said as an organ of the revolutionary party, ZANU-PF, the Women’s League was fully behind the First Family.
“We want to set the record straight because some people are being misled. As the Women’s League we’re in solidarity with the First Family. We always work and go with the First Lady and at no point has she declared an ambition for any higher post. In fact, she has said she is content where she is. People should stop giving her a position she has not asked for.”
ZESA Price Increase: Another Massive Demo
By Chrispen Tabvura|A massive demonstration against ZESA’s tariff increment is at an advanced stage following the announcement by the company management that they will still go ahead next month.
ZimEye.com is reliably informed by the leaders of Bulawayo’s 29 residential community leaders, that more than 300 000 residents have appended their signatures to march to the regional office to offload their displeasure.
“We have informed our 29 ward Councillors and our Community Action Team Leaders that we will this coming week demonstrate at ZESA offices in Bulawayo, and also hand over our petition to the management to stop their evil decision,” said David Moyo of the Bulawayo Residents’ Association.
The demonstration that is set to attract police action, a few days after the bashing of Zimbabwe’s Liberation War Heroes, is expected to cause chaos as the cops are also affected by ZESA’s poor services.
ZimEye.com attended the residents meeting in Mpopoma yesterday where more than 200 residents gathered at the community hall.
Last year, close to seven hundred thousand residents thronged the streets of Bulawayo, and business was put to a halt over pre-paid water meters.
Bulawayo City Council ended up suspending their plans as a result.
ZESA officials who preferred anonymity told ZimEye.com today (Sunday) that the increment will still go ahead.
Efforts to get comment from ZESA’s western region area manager, Lovemore Chinaka, were fruitless, as his mobile was not reachable at the time of going to press.
Zimbabwe Crushed By Windies|CRICKET
West Indies started their tour of the United Arab Emirates on a winning note with an 18-run victory over Zimbabwe at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Batting first, the regional side made 147 for seven from their 20 overs, before limiting Zimbabwe to just 129 for seven from their 20 overs.
Allrounder Dwayne Bravo was the Man-of the-Match with 55 off 48 balls including four fours and two sixes.
He added 60 for the fourth wicket with wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin, who made 40 off 33 balls – with two fours and two big sixes.
Bravo was also the best bowler, taking two wickets off consecutive balls in the penultimate over — which went for just four runs.
He was backed up by left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn who took 2-25 off his four over.-BarbadosToday
Sadza Linked to Diabetes
THE rapid increase in diabetes cases and the poor pass rate in schools has been directly linked to the country’s dietary staple — sadza.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, diabetes cases have increased by 300 percent over the past 10 years and one in every three children are stunted in Zimbabwe, while an organisation promoting healthy eating has revealed that micronutrient deficiency as a result of an unbalanced diet lowers intelligence quotient (IQ).
Sadza, meat and vegetables make up the most basic and staple meal for lunch or supper for an average Zimbabwean family. For decades, Zimbabweans have delightfully survived on this basic diet which has become a definitive part of their culture. Isitshwala is the constant in this diet equation in which the relish alternates between beef, chicken or fish and at times vegetables in the form of rape, chomolia and cabbage.
After partaking this Zimbabweans boldly claim to be eating healthy. But alas! They may actually be feeding themselves to an array of ailments ranging from anaemia, diabetes, depression, low IQ, and stunted growth in children among other conditions.
Zimbabweans could be living at the mercy of that which they relish the most.
Dieticians and nutritionists recommend that a balanced diet should consist of 25 percent starch, 25 percent protein and 50 percent vegetables, preferably in their raw form. However, researchers have established that an average meal for a Zimbabwean consists of 80 percent starch while the rest of the nutrients make up the remaining 20 percent.
Naturopathy physician Dr Trust Gumisai Marandure told Sunday News that humans are feeding themselves to their death due to poor eating habits and lack of knowledge.
“People are in the dark about the food they eat, they are basically eating junk food which has no nutritional value on them at all and this is leading to all sorts of diseases that are killing people,” said Dr Marandure.
He said people have to eat raw food which he said is safest. “Raw food is healthy food, people should eat fruit and vegetables, that is what is recommended because if we cook our food we are killing it and our bodies do not need dead food which makes raw foods greatly recommended,” he said.
The naturopathy physician said raw food should be included in one’s diet on a daily basis so as to prevent diseases and for the body to produce clean blood.
“The meat and sadza diet is problematic as meat contaminates blood and we become infected with disease. Worse for those that are HIV positive, the virus is happy when you eat meat. Same applies for people who have a history of hypertension; meat is not recommended as a daily dose,” said Dr Marandure.
The World Food Program (WFP) estimates that 89 percent of children in Zimbabwe are falling short of the minimum required diet. WFP also notes that dietary diversity is generally poor and consumption of protein is insufficient. Only 11 percent of Zimbabwean children six to 23 months old receive a minimum acceptable diet. One-third of Zimbabwe’s children are stunted or short for their age. Ms Shelley Lasker, a director at e-Pap Zimbabwe, said billions of people around the world suffer from “hidden hunger’’ or micronutrient (vitamin and mineral) deficiencies.
e-Pap technologies uses state-of-the-art nutritional chemistry to produce fortified, pre-cooked foods formulated to address “hidden hunger” and to restore the consumer’s optimum micronutrient status in a cost effective way.
Ms Lasker said people do not get enough micronutrients required to lead healthy productive lives from the foods that they eat. Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin A, zinc, and iron) and are absolutely essential for good health.
“Micronutrient deficiencies can lower IQ, cause stunting and blindness in children, lower resistance to disease in both children and adults, increase risks for both mothers and infants during childbirth and reduce productivity in adults and children. It is estimated that about one million of the three million child deaths that occur each year as a result of under nutrition are due to hidden hunger,” she said.
Latest data from the National Micronutrient Survey of 2012, shows that 19 percent of children between the critical ages of six and 59 months are vitamin A deficient, 72 percent are iron deficient and 31 percent are anaemic while 23,9 percent of women of child-bearing age (15-49) are Vitamin A deficient and 26 percent are anaemic.
Micronutrient malnutrition also referred to as ‘‘hidden hunger’’, as a consequence of these and other micronutrient deficiencies, has prevented more than five million Zimbabweans from realising their full potential as students, workers, parents and citizens.
“The problem with the average Zimbabwean diet is that up to 80 percent of the person’s diet consists of starch, usually mealie-meal. As most mealie-meal available today is refined, given the drought situation and shortage of rural maize, the sadza is high in carbohydrate but lacking in critical vitamins and minerals. Sunday News
REVEALED: Grace Mugabe’s Kitchen Cabinet
First Lady Grace Mugabe’s now infamous “meet the people” rallies have left Zimbabweans scrambling for answers to questions about her motives and the source of money oiling her subtle campaigns to influence her husband’s succession.
A closer look shows there is a coterie of Zanu PF women’s league leaders and a network of businesspeople that have become a permanent feature at the theatrical rallies.
The team, which has property developer, Jimaya Muduvuri and South Africa-based Zimbabwean businessman, Agrippa Bhopela Masiyakurima, among others, started oiling Grace’s machinery from the time she burst into the political scene in 2014.
The former typist announced her entry into politics with a brutal campaign against former vice-president Joice Mujuru, which resulted in the war veteran’s unceremonious departure from Zanu PF and government a few months later.
A hallmark of Grace’s rallies has been the dishing out of trinkets and food hand-outs to the poverty-stricken communities she visits.
Besides the funding of the rallies and hand-outs that are given to villagers, the organisation of the meetings has also been a task of a few in the inner cycle that includes, deputy secretary for women’s league, Eunice Sandi-Moyo and secretary for finance, Sarah Mahoka.
At all the rallies addressed by the First Lady, the “kitchen cabinet” is present and would be cheering her on as she savages party leaders that she thinks are eyeing her husband’s throne.
However, Mahoka said she “is in no one’s kitchen cabinet even though she was behind the First Lady’s rallies. I am the secretary for finance in the women’s league and the First Lady is my boss so I go wherever she goes,” she said.
“If she gives me a responsibility, I do accordingly, so you can’t say I am in a kitchen cabinet.”
Before a rally is held, Mahoka — who is by and large energetic, according to party insiders — is among a few people who visit the proposed rally site in the company of other members aligned to the G40 faction for inspections.
In her pre-rally visits, she would be in the company of State security agents attached to the First Lady, making her one of the most feared people in the women’s league.
Mahoka is also said to be in charge of the mobilisation working with the provincial structures — a task that should normally be handled by the secretary for commissariat, Marble Chinomona.
“I do all those duties under the instruction of the First Lady as you may be aware; I am the secretary for finance, so we do the sourcing of funds to bankroll our activities. I do not overstep anyone’s authority but I just do as assigned,” Mahoka said.
Muduvuri said he supported the First Lady because he believed in her vision.
“I have been supporting the party through and through and it should not be a surprise to anyone that I am doing it through the First Lady,” he said. “Whatever I give, I know it will find itself in the hands of the people, hence I support her.
Asked if the donations he made were being channelled through the party structures, Muduvuri said, “what other party structures do you want? Is the First Lady and her women’s league not a structure enough?”
At Grace’s last rally in Chiweshe, Zanu PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, who is also a permanent feature at these gatherings among other youthful politicians said to be aligned to G40, introduced Muduvuri and Gweru-based businesswoman Smelly Dube as the women’s league benefactors.
Some of the benefactors are said to be staying in city hotels burning the mid-night oil plotting the First Lady’s programmes — all this at their expense.
At most of her rallies, the First Lady has with her secondhand clothes that would have been allegedly confiscated by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority from cross-border traders.
Although Zimra did not respond to emailed questions, last year the First lady told a rally in Zvimba that she had been given second-hand clothes seized from informal traders.
The First Lady has been tapping into the $98 million agricultural equipment loan facility, extended to Harare by Brazil under the Zimbabwe-Brazil More Food for Africa Programme, to finance partisan donations at her rallies.
According to insiders, the maize donated at these rallies also belongs to the State, but the kitchen cabinet is responsible for sourcing other hand-outs such as foodstuffs and clothes.
At one rally in Chimanimani, the First Lady donated two tractors, two planters, a fertiliser spreader and 120 knap sack sprayers to Nyanyadzi and Nyakohwa irrigation schemes, while Cashel Valley received six tractors, six planters, a fertiliser spreader and 120 knapsacks.
She also donated various food stuffs that included 250 tonnes of maize, clothes and blankets whose funding is still unclear.
In Rushinga, she donated various farming equipment, including eight tractors, planters and fertiliser spreaders.
She also donated 300 tonnes of maize, 50 tonnes of which was distributed at the venue. She gave an order that the remaining 250 tonnes be collected from Rushinga Grain Marketing Board depot using coupons.
Political analysts said the First Lady was trying to build a social base so that she can challenge Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa — widely seen as the favourite to succeed President Robert Mugabe.
University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer, Eldred Masunungure said the way her rallies were organised showed that she had her own people running the show, but at the same time abusing her proximity to power.
“Most of the people donating are doing so because they want to protect their businesses,” he said.
“They would rather donate than lose government tenders and have their enterprises attacked by the State.”
“It’s out of fear and patronage, hence they donate.”
Grace denies that she has ambitions to become Zimbabwe’s next president. But at her rally in Chiweshe, she said she was already in power. Standard
Police in Fake Driving Licence Spree
Following the Commissioner General of Police’s recent swipe on cops who are involved in illegal acts hiding behind their jobs, officers in Lupane Matabeleland North have reportedly gone into a rush to acquire fake driving licences.
Information made available to ZimEye.com by impeccable sources within the police station at the Matabeleland North Provincial capital claim that at least eleven officers who for a longtime have been driving personal and police vehicles without driving licences, sourced the fraudulent disks from a man who is a “ZRP agent” at the Vehicle Inspection Department in the Hwange.
The sources claim that the Officer In Charge at Lupane Police is aware of the allegations as they were reported to him via a tip-off from members of the public. According to the sources, the senior official did not do anything about the information despite the names of the concerned officers having been given to him.
One of the officers involved in the scam is reported to have been involved in an accident recently and failed to produce a driver’s licence as he feared producing it. The case is still at court.
A comment could not be immediately obtained from the Officer In Charge at Lupane who was said to be out of office on police business in Masvingo.
Chicken Inn Defeated by Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns ………………………………………….. (1) 2
Chicken Inn …………………………………………………………….. 0
(Chicken Inn lose 2-1 on aggregate)
ZIMBABWE’S representatives in the Caf Champions League, Chicken Inn, bowed out of the contest after they went down 2-0 to Absa Premiership giants Mamelodi Sundowns in a match that was played at Pretoria’s Lucas Moripe Stadium last night.
The two goals came from Wayne Arendse and Katlego Mashego. The former scored in the 35th after he nodded home a Khama Biliat free kick from just outside the box. The second goal came at the death of the match when Chicken Inn right back Passmore Bernard was adjudged by Madagascar referee Andofetra Avombitara Rakotojaona to have fouled Billiat inside box. Consequently, Downs were awarded a penalty that was converted by Mashego.
Gamecocks had edged the hosts 1-0 in the first leg that was played at Babourfields. The Brazilians will now meet Congo’s AC Leopards in the second round of Africa’s prestigious inter club football contest.
The hosts started the match on the offensive forcing a corner in the second minute. In the sixth minute Sundowns were awarded a free kick just outside box after Chicken Inn captain brought down Langerman Tobogo.
Zimbabwe international Billiat took responsibility but his clever chip did not yield anything for the Absa Premiership pacesetters. Gamecocks were continuously kept in their half, a development that saw their goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze being called into action.
In the 17th minute Chipezeze punched Billiat curling effort for a corner. Two minutes later Chipezeze saved Hlompo Kekana’s powerful header with Chicken Inn only managing force their first corner kick of the match 21 minutes of play.
After finding their rhythm, Chicken Inn’s trio of Edmore Chirambadare, Mitchell Katsvairo and Obadiah Tarumbwa began to ask questions from Mamelodi Sundowns’ rearguard.
However, the wet and slippery pitch, which was surprisingly watered five minutes before kickoff, disadvantaged a number of Chicken Inn players chief among them being Chirambadare who kept falling down.
Against the run of play, Billiat was released just after the centre circle in the process outpacing his markers only to be brought down by Danny Phiri about 20 metres outside the box. Billiat went behind the ball and his inviting chip was headed home by towering Arendse.
In the 42nd minute Chirambadare roasted his marker inside-out inside the box only to be let down by his weak shot. A minute later the Innscor-sponsored outfit thought it had found an equaliser when Katsvairo’s blistering shot grazed the paint off the upright post after he was set up by Tarumbwa.
After the match, Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas praised his charges for a good fight, but pointed out that he felt the penalty decision was not the right call, “though it happens in football.”-State Media
Bomb-Split to Hit Mujuru – Mugabe
President Robert Mugabe says former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s People First party is to explode into factions.
Speaking at his birthday party yesterday, Mugabe indicated a bomb of confusion is soon to hit Mujuru’s organisation.
Mugabe who is blamed for splitting many parties using notorious spies, on Saturday boasted that some entities have dissipate beyond recognition and you “can’t even patch them up together”.
“People showed us in 2013 that they are behind us. Some parties have split beyond recognition and you can’t even patch them up together anymore. Those who split from MDC-T, you can’t even tell what they call themselves now. There are also those who came from us. They have tried taking our name but modified it a little bit and called themselves People First. Soon they will split and you will soon hear there is a people second, people third and people fourth,” said Mugabe.
He paid tribute to Zanu-PF Secretary for Youth Affairs Pupurai Togarepi for the successful hosting of the party.
“I’m proud of you but be strong because there are some wayward youths, we want to see discipline, direction and principles,” said Mugabe who also described Togarepi’s deputy Kudzai Chipanga as dynamic and jokingly spoke about how he was on the news for allegedly threatening war veterans before clearing the air that the youth leader actually did not threaten the former freedom fighters. The said the youths have to work harmoniously with the former freedom fighters.
Mugabe attempted to unite youths and war veterans. “Now together, we must find our way to the problems that we face together. They will have a lot to learn from the war veterans of course because they are war veterans, they fought the war but I don’t want them (youths) to be bullied,” he said.
“Let us use that principle, take advantage of that principle of sitting down to discuss our differences. They call it the principle of dialogue. We should remain united and use proven channels to solve our differences.”
Mugabe said while people embrace Information Communication Technology (ICT) particularly social media in broad areas of research and communication, there was a need for responsible use of those platforms as they should not be used to carry anti-social and divisive activities.
Commenting on the choice of the historically rich Great Zimbabwe Monuments, Mugabe said, “We have come to this special place. There were our fathers, our ancestors, the likes of Munhumutapa. Your decision to host this party here was no coincidence. It’s a decision that has a lot of intrinsic significance. We get the inspiration from our ancestors and ancestral spirits will inspire us to leave this place with a new spirit to work for Zimbabwe.
Fuel Prices Climb Down
The prices of fuel are climbing down during the next coming weeks as brent crude oil on the world market plummet, a Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) official has said.
Zera chief executive officer, Engineer Gloria Magombo told our Harare Bureau last week that, “We are happy that the regulatory cap prices of blend (petrol) decreased from the previous levels of US$1,27 to US$1,24 per litre while the diesel price has fallen to US$1,00 per litre from US$1,05 in February.
“Both diesel and petrol prices will fall further due to the continued decrease of crude oil on the global market,” she said.
Engineer Magombo said the decrease in fuel prices would reduce the import bill and improve the cost of production hence goods and commodities are likely to decrease in the near future.
In the past two years, crude oil prices have been nose-diving. From 10 January to 22 January this year, crude oil fell from US$35 to US$28 per barrel.
Zera said the drop of prices recorded in recent weeks was the lowest in the past 11 years.
Currently, Zera commissioned the Petroleum Sector Pricing Study in order to review and update the current pricing models.
“We shall continue to monitor all the service stations to comply with the new price review of the fuel and we expect prices to continue falling for the good of our people,” she said.
She said the current pricing model was based on free on board (FOB), Government levies and taxes, storage and handling plus margins for wholesalers and retailers summarised in Statutory Instrument (SI) 80 of 2014 which has been updated with SI 20 and 100 of 2015.
The review on fuel pricing shows that the average profit made by fuel dealers off every litre of either diesel or petrol was six cents.
A recent research drew comparisons among 10 regional countries neighbouring Zimbabwe, namely Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Lesotho, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Swaziland.
The research showed that the average petrol and diesel price per litre is US$0,92 and US$0,85 respectively, lower than the current local prices.
It also revealed that Zambia’s average fuel prices for petrol and diesel were $0,89 and $0,77, Mozambique US$1,04 and US$0,81, Malawi US$1,13 and US$1,16 Botswana US$0,75 and US $0,71, and South Africa US$0,80 and US$0,65 respectively.
Don’t Abuse My Wife, Grace- President
President Robert Mugabe yesterday castigated attacks on the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe by some Zanu-PF youths saying such lack of discipline would not be tolerated in the party.
Speaking at his 92nd birthday celebrations at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments in Masvingo, Mugabe bemoaned lack of discipline among some youths who have been attacking the leadership lately saying the Youth League would be supported in censuring those found on the wrong.
Mugabe also condemned leaders fanning factionalism within the party by sponsoring youths to pursue their agendas. Responding to Zanu-PF Secretary for Youth Affairs Pupurai Togarepi’s earlier address, Mugabe said he was happy with efforts to preserve the status of the structure by strongly discouraging wayward and disrespectful behaviour among its ranks.
“Now if you look at the way they are behaving, you wonder if they are drunk or they would have smoked marijuana. They insult elders and even go on to insult party leaders. It’s shameful. They even insult Amai Mugabe, the wife of the , taking them (insults) to Al Jazeera, composing and recording songs on that. Who are they doing this for? Who are the enemies amongst us? Youths who were brought up in proper homes, with their fathers and mothers would not dare say such words,” said Mugabe.
“We got to a point of asking if the Youth League was aware of all this, but I was relieved when I heard Togarepi saying they would deal with such elements, discipline them and chuck them out of our party. We cannot have people with such mentality. Never, never! We cannot lead such misguided youth. No! The youths have got to be well disciplined, well behaved and respectful, and among ourselves too as elders, because we are the ones who will be behind these youths, inciting them. We’ve got to know, understand that as we destroy the culture of respect among ourselves, we are destroying the unity of our nation and oneness we need for our people to continue to work together. We don’t want that.”
Mugabe called on the youth to blow the whistle on officials causing divisions and factionalism in the party saying some senior members were behind the sponsoring of factionalism in the party.
“Factionalism, factionalism and I repeat, factionalism has no space, it has no place at all in our party Zanu-PF. It should never be allowed to exist because we have platforms for discussions, platforms for pitting one idea against another and for entertaining even views which are negative, we examine them and throw them out even if we don’t see any merits in them,” said Mugabe.
“The genesis of factionalism seems to be coming from the senior party members, the so called political gurus who are using the youth in pursuit of their own evil interests, taking advantage of the challenges affecting the youths today. Power will never come through such means. You don’t get into power through fighting among yourselves. There is only one way, just one way which is the Zanu way, to any position or positions in the party. It is the way of the people, you must be chosen by the people and the people must see you and judge you from your works, from what you do, what you say, how you act, how you interact. Are you a well behaved person, are you a hard worker, what record have you in the party to deserve this position or that position? Those things must be taken together.”
Mugabe pledged his support to the Youth League but said there was a need for discipline in all the party’s wings.
“If the youths lose focus, we are done, if the Women’s League does the same, we are done as a party. Those wings should be strengthened so that there is unity. The idea of insulting each other, we have always said down with that,” said Mugabe adding that the party needs to work hard to maintain its dominance in the political playing field.
“People showed us in 2013 that they are behind us. Some parties have split beyond recognition and you can’t even patch them up together anymore. Those who split from MDC-T, you can’t even tell what they call themselves now. There are also those who came from us. They have tried taking our name but modified it a little bit and called themselves People First. Soon they will split and you will soon hear there is a people second, people third and people fourth,” said Mugabe.
He paid tribute to Togarepi for the successful hosting of the party and also revealing that the Youth Affairs Secretary had assured him that there won’t be any incident of chaos at the event.
“I’m proud of you but be strong because there are some wayward youths, we want to see discipline, direction and principles,” said Mugabe who also described Togarepi’s deputy Kudzai Chipanga as dynamic and jokingly spoke about how he was on the news for allegedly threatening war veterans before clearing the air that the youth leader actually did not threaten the former freedom fighters. The said the youths have to work harmoniously with the former freedom fighters.
Mugabe called for discipline among the youths and war veterans and for both to adhere to discipline and the principles of the party. He also spoke against the abuse of liberation war credentials by some war veterans who want to use their status to domineer over others as everyone was important in the party.
“Now together, we must find our way to the problems that we face together. They will have a lot to learn from the war veterans of course because they are war veterans, they fought the war but I don’t want them (youths) to be bullied,” he said.
“Let us use that principle, take advantage of that principle of sitting down to discuss our differences. They call it the principle of dialogue. We should remain united and use proven channels to solve our differences.”
Mugabe said while people embrace Information Communication Technology (ICT) particularly social media in broad areas of research and communication, there was a need for responsible use of those platforms as they should not be used to carry anti-social and divisive activities.
Commenting on the choice of the historically rich Great Zimbabwe Monuments, Mugabe said, “We have come to this special place. There were our fathers, our ancestors, the likes of Munhumutapa. Your decision to host this party here was no coincidence. It’s a decision that has a lot of intrinsic significance. We get the inspiration from our ancestors and ancestral spirits will inspire us to leave this place with a new spirit to work for Zimbabwe.
“We called ourselves Zimbabwe not Rhodesia because of this place, so that we stay in touch with our ancestors and be one with those that left, those who are here and our future generations. That spirit should fill you, it should fill you and inspire you to desist from tribalism. Yes, Masvingo people are the custodians of this place, no one doesn’t know that they are the hosts, but this does not mean that Togarepi who is from here should give people from here priority. Even us, as we come from where we come from we must shun nepotism. If one is your relative and they are qualified you may give them the position, it is allowed. We don’t want nepotism.
“These structures would not have been, had our ancestors not been united, these structures were not built by people who were not united, they were not built by people who were not brave, they were not built by people who were not focused. This would not have been possible if people were fighting among themselves. There were ways, ways which we inherited from our elders, ways that came from ancient times.”
In his address, Togarepi said there were some misguided elements within the youths bent on destabilising the party and threatened to rein over those found on the wrong side. He also deplored the use of social networks to create discord within the party instead of tackling developmental issues that will help the country.
“I feel ashamed when the First Family is denigrated by our youths. Some youths want to cause destabilisation within the party and we want to rein over them. When attacking the First Family, these youths are targeting our revolution. I would ask for permission from you, to discipline misguided elements within our youth and even remove them from positions with your guidance,” said Togarepi.
He said that youths are behind the First Family and guard Mugabe’s legacy as young people without fear.
“As youths we are going to guard your legacy jealousy and support one centre of power, Gushungo. We call upon the Government to regulate the national youth services in schools for our young people, the same way the party wants to establish Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology,” he said.
Masvingo acting Zanu-PF chairman Amasa Nenjana distanced the province from the attacks that the First Lady received from some malcontents and declared unconditional support on her.
“We are not part of those who attack the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe. We are fully behind her and those who are talking bad about her do not belong to us. We are united here in Masvingo and we would continue supporting the and the First Family,” he said.
National Youth Political Commissar Innocent Hamandishe said attacking the First Lady was tantamount to attacking the youth and that will not be tolerated.
“We respect our leaders as youths and it is a lie that our Deputy National Youth Secretary Kudzanai Chipanga attacked the war veterans as it has been reported in the media. We respect our war veterans and besides, his father is a full war veteran and the mother is in the structures,” said Hamandishe.
Secretary for Administration Luis Matutu thanked Mugabe for helping the youth in shaping their future through education but, however, apologised for the insults that some members have uttered to the party leadership.
“We thank you, Gushungo for the direction you have showed us. We are indebted as youths and we shall continue supporting the revolution. We, however, apologise for wayward behaviour shown by some of our youths,” said Matutu.-State Media
Mliswa Arrested
Former ZANU PF Chairman for Mash West, Temba Mliswa has been arrested.
Mliswa was harassed and arrested by police officers at Maphisa, in Matebeleland South Saturday afternoon.
The man was taken by cops at a private YARD(Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy meeting this afternoon. The development came after his organisation YARD staged a demo against President Robert Mugabe’s birthday celebration in Masvingo.
His office confirmed Mliswa’s arrest, adding that details were still sketchy. “I am advised that Mr Mliswa was today arrested afternoon,” his secretary told ZimEye.com.
However it turned out the police had no case at all and Mliswa was released within the hour.
ZimEye.com can reveal Mliswa at 5pm was now a free man after the cops failed to lay charges at him.
Mugabe Defends G40 Again, Fires Warning Shots at Everyone Attacking Grace
President Robert Mugabe has thrown weight behind his wife Grace and the G40 Team during his birthday bash at Great Zimbabwe monuments.
Mugabe described those attacking his wife as detractors of unity and peace adding some unruly elements were being used to destabilise the party.
Mugabe said attacking his wife was a reflection of flagrant disregard of his person as the president of the country. Addressing thousands of rain soaked delegates this afternoon, Mugabe defended party National Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere over the suspension of provincial chairpersons and ordered the disgruntled party members to stop the noise making.
“We hear a lot of misguided party members attacking my wife and that is very rude. These people do not respect us . We know there are some youths who are being given dagga to demonise their leaders and we will not accept that. We also hear some people attacking Kasukuwere over the suspension of party members. You have to know that Kasukuwere has the right to execute his duties without fear or favour because he is the man on the ground to defend the party,” said Mugabe.
Mugabe also took time praising his wife before coaxing the former liberation fighters. “I am also a war veteran so can I go against the war veterans. Yes we fought in the liberation but then we must not reject advice from our fellow comrades,” said Mugabe.
Mugabe also heaped praises on G40 frontman youth Pupurai Togarepi, for working hard to ensure the success of the birthday bash .
Mugabe’s utterances could deliver the killer punch to the Team Lacoste camp as the president delivered a technical knockout to so called successionists -largely perceived to be sympathetic to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
LIVE UPDATE: Mugabe Birthday Bash
State Media Updates:
President Mugabe is now cutting the cake.
1519: President Mugabe has promised to take the youth’s suggestion that 21 February be made a youth day by taking the suggestion to the party and if it’s agreed it will be taken to parliament. He has finished his address.
1514: President Mugabe laments the bad agricultural season and says they have had to ask for help as they seek maize and other forms of grain.
“We are doing our best to feed our nation..yes, we need more funding in order to buy it…we shall certainly get through this bad patch. I just want to say to the youth league well done..I’m sure we shall be well fed.”
1510: “I fail to get what is to get these people to abuse children, if it was one incident you would say maybe it’s madness but it’s now so widespread. There have been suggestions that the punishment being given by the courts is not enough.”
1309: “Let us recognise that although we may differ, although we may have different affinities..there is room in our country for all us and that must be recognised, that is the right of self determination, we work together, we allow democracy to have it’s role in society and accept the rule of law and the fact that we have a Constitution.
“Compliance with that Constitution is a must that’s the start of the rule of law, elections must held when they are due but they must be free and fair just like the 2013 elections were free and fair.”
If aid is going to be given on the principle that we accept gay marriages then let that aid stay were it is, it is rotten aid, filthy aid…I thank the Zanu-PF youth league for organising this event…to everyone here celebrating my 92nd birthday I want to thank you all.”
1500: “The youth league is our vanguard in the revolution in the event of divisionists coming to divide the party, you the youth should blow the whistle…the youth should always embrace the use of ICTs in various facets of our development…however the use of social media platforms should be used for the development spectrum of the nation.”
1456: “We should remain united and use proper channels to solve our differences.”
1454: “I’m glad to share with you that i treat this event with the seriousness it deserves….the movement is dedicated towards the development of youths in all walks of life….The situation nin country socially, politically and economically has not been favourable to our youth mainly caused by the illegal sanctions…the British and Americans have utilised this opportunity to individuals from outside and within which has led to factionalism.”
1448: He addresses Kudzanai Chipanga saying the youth should find a solution and a workable relationship with war veterans and not deride each other. He says people can’t say they fought the war like they fought alone. The youth have a lot to learn also from the war veterans they fought the war.
President Mugabe is now introducing other VIPs on the podium.
1439: “May I on behalf of my family…my lovely wife apa Grace, and my daughter Bona and her husband Simba, then Robert Tinotenda, he’s the tallest in the family akuita architecture and Bellarmine..Vakwashawo vauya futi Reverend Chikoore ve ZAOGA naMai vauyawo futi.”
1435: “Tauya kuno kuZunde..nzvimbo yakakosha..kusarudza kwamakaita ana Togarepi tigovapano handifungi kwaive kwekungoti kunonzi Great Zimbabwe saka handei asi kusarudza kwaiva nekufunga kwaka dzama…It was a choice to have the ancestral spirits inspire us to work for the people. Ko takazviti Zimbabwe pamusana penzvimbo ino.
“Tirege kuva nepfungwa yekuti uyu anobva uko uyu anobva uko…hongu Masvingo ndovachengeti vemusha uno..sevatungamiri torega nyaya yekuti uyu mzukuru wangu saka ngaaende pachigaro ichi kwete.”
1429: “Zvikwata zviri kungotuka izvo takati pasi nazvo….Zanu-PF will remain Zanu-PF very strong, I thank you for the respect you have given me.”
1426: “I want to thank our children in the youth league of our party for this event which is an event to show respect not only to me but all elders both men and women coming from the youth league. We heard what they have said led by Togarepi and the pledge of respect…while we are here at Great Zimbabwe, this was the pillar of the house of Munhumutapa, this is the place that has given us a new life. We fought with the life that was here in our minds.
“The unity they had ensures the spread of their rule all over, across the Limpopo even if you go to Mapungubwe or Khami Ruins…this could never have been built by a people who were not united. There was a way of life, a life we have been given…we wonder whether some youths would have smoke ganja by some youths..it’s quite unbecoming the way the President’s wife has been abused with some even giving news to the likes of Al Jazeera…I was happy to hear Togarepi say that they would be punished even chased from the party.
We cannot lead such misguided youths, no, the youths have to well disciplined..respectful. We, the elders need to be straight forward also because we will be behind..we don’t want that..powers and positions are not won by attacking each other, there’s only way which is the Zanu way to any positions in the party. It is the way of the people, you must be chosen by the people…are you a well behaved person, what record have you in the party.”
1414: President Mugabe is now on the podium.
1342: The youth league invited President Mugabe’s inmates when he was incacerated during the colonial era and they have now been invited on stage to meet with the President.
1339: He warns those involved in corruption saying the youth league will face them head on. Togarepi says the youth league has put in place programmes to enhance productivity that include housing projects with financial support being already in place, ideological training amongst other projects.
He says the President’s name will always be remembered and he wishes him more years. He proposes that the 21st of February be a holiday.
1328: Secretary for youth affairs Pupurai Togarepi is now on the podium. He says the youth leadership has shown great maturity and leadership in making the event a success. He praises President Mugabe for good leadership of the African Union and Sadc. Togarepi lauds the President’s stance on the reformation of the United Security Council as well as his stance on unity in the Southern African region.
He says the party’s resounding victory in the 2013 elections is testimony of the people’s confidence in the President. Togarepi says the youth league has been working hard on the empowerment of youths. He lambasts the abuse of social media as a weapon to disrupt the party. He says the target is the revolution. He says any member of the youth league who abuses social media should be removed from their positions.
1313: Zanu-PF youth league national secretary for commissariat Innocent Hamandishe is the Master of Ceremony for the day.
1310: School children are now reciting poems.
1253: Josiah Hungwe is now addressing the gathering on behalf of Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Shuvai Mahofa who is ill. He welcomes those gathered and urges them to enjoy the celebrations.
1239: Six foreign youth league organisations are also at the celebrations and they include BDP from Botswana, FRELIMO from Mozambique, ANC from South Africa among others
1232: Matutu is now introducing the youths who are part of the celebrations.
1231: He says the 21st February Movement is a non partisan development organisation. He calls upon all citizens of Zimbabwe to unite because unity is the glue that binds the people together.
Matutu says it is disheartening the way the young and others behave in the party yet unity is what is needed. He apologises on behalf of the youth.
1228: Zanu-PF youth league national secretary for administration Lewis Matutu is now on the podium.
1212: Tha National Anthem is now being played.
1203: President Mugabe and Amai Grace Mugabe have arrived to wild cheers and ululation.
1155: VP Mnangagwa and his wife have arrived.
1150: Walter Chidhakwa, Simon Khaya-Moyo, Dr Ignatius Chombo and Dr Lazarus Dokora have arrived.
1121: School children are now reciting poems.
1109: ZCC Mbungo Choir has got the delegates on their feet with their energy filled music and dance.
1101: Senate president Edna Madzongwe, chief secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Sibanda and Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Patrick Zhuwawo are also among the delegates.
1046: VP Phelekezela Mphoko has arrived accompanied by his wife Luaurinda.
TB Drugs Expire While Thousands Die, Govt Admits
Tonnes of Tuberculosis (TB) drugs are expiring in the country’s public hospitals at a time thousands of patients are dying, a senior government official has said.
“We have ballooning stocks of TB drugs in our hospitals and if they were vitamins we could all them, but the unfortunate thing is that they are expiring ,”HIV/TB deputy director in the ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Charlse Sandy told reporters attending a TB reporting workshop which was organised by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) in Kadoma this week.
According to government records Matebeleland has the highest number (27%) of people dying of TB.
But Dr Sandy said the rising number of TB deaths cases were not related to the availability of drugs which are expiring.
“It could be delays in seeking care and that’s where issues needs to be addressed on raising awareness in communities on the symptoms of TB and what are the available facilities for those who might need them,” he said.
“Other cases might be emanating from people who might not be resident in the country; they come back at the time their situation has deteriorated”.
It also emerged at the workshop that in some parts, the people walk for at least 20 kilometres to the nearest health care centre for services.
It was also highlighted that there are few facilities which offer both TB and HIV services.
Statistics show that least 70% of TB patients have HIV.
An official with International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), an organisation which provides TB and health services to communities said they were going to assist government in expanding one stop HIV/TB service shops throughout the country.
Currently there are 26 such centres and most of them are in urban areas.
Teacher Weeps In Court
A 58 year-old teacher burst into tears as she begged the mother of a victim she allegedly assaulted with an electric cable to withdraw charges before the case could be heard in court.
The prison guards had hard work trying to calm the teacher down as they took her to the holding cells in preparation for the case on Thursday. Olivia Ndlovu, a teacher at Hillside Primary school in Bulawayo, begged in vain as the pupil’s mother seemed untouched by her tears.
Reports are that Ndlovu allegedly beat the Grade Seven pupil for being “dull.” She pleaded guilty to two counts of assault before magistrate Tinashe Tashaya. Ndlovu, who has been a teacher for 37 years, told the court that it was not intentional to cause bodily harm to the pupil.
“I admit that I assaulted the pupil, but I used a rubber stick not an electrical cable to assault him. It wasn’t my intention to cause him bodily harm. I was trying to intimidate him. I want him to take his school work seriously and become a better person in future,” she said.
Ndlovu was remanded out of custody to Monday for sentencing. Prosecuting, Nathaniel Mutsikwa told the court that on unknown date to the prosecutor but between January and February at Hillside Primary School, the accused gave the pupil a Mathematics exercise to do.
“The complainant failed and the accused person assaulted the pupil with an electrical cable calling him a dull person. On February 6, 2016 the complainant got ill and he did not go to school. On the day he felt better he went to school and the accused allegedly assaulted him again using an electrical cable which resulted in him sustaining injuries,” said the prosecutor.
He added that the accused assaulted the complainant on his left arm and he sustained internal injuries. The pupil had bruises on his arm and back.
The pupil’s mother reported the matter to the police leading to Ndlovu’s arrest.
Police Base Invaded By Thieves
TWO female police officers bravely fought off a knife wielding five-men gang that attacked a police base and tried to rape one of them. Licking their wounds, the gang fled from the base, near Amakhosi Cultural Centre in Bulawayo, minutes before reinforcements from the canine section arrived at the scene. The incident happened at about 1AM yesterday.
Police with sniffer dogs tracked down and arrested two of the suspects. A manhunt has been launched for the other three. Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango referred questions to national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi.
Chief Supt Nyathi could not be reached for comment as his cellphone rang unanswered. Police sources said three police officers, one male, were at the tent which is used as the base.
“When the five arrived, the male police officer was outside. Apparently unaware of his presence, they immediately attacked the women,” said a source. The source said a scuffle
ensued as one of the attackers tried to rape one of the officers.
“The two female officers fought hard to keep their attackers at bay while the male officer called for backup at Bulawayo Central Police Station,” said the source.
“The raiders apparently realising they were coming out second best, fled into the bush and a few minutes later, the reinforcements arrived.” The male police officer, said the source, showed the dog squad the direction taken by the fleeing criminals.
“The dogs immediately picked the scent and two of the fleeing suspects were arrested,” the source added. It could not be ascertained yesterday why the gang raided the police base.
Following their arrests, the bruised suspects were taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station where they are assisting with investigations. The Chronicle visited the police base yesterday and it was business as usual. Officers at the base refused to shed light on the matter saying only their public relations officers were allowed to speak to the Press. – State Media
Let’s Embrace Mujuru – Welshman Ncube
The leader of the troubled MDC formation Professor Welshman Ncube has called on other opposition parties to seriously consider twinning up with ZANU PF outcasts led by former Vice President Joice Mujuru to dislodge ruling ZANU PF at the next election.
Writing in his weekly media column Prof Ncube urged all the opposition parties in the country to join hands and fight ZANU PF as one unit if they ever entertain any hopes of dislodging ZANU PF.
In the write up, Ncube called on all Zimbabweans to bury previous misunderstandings and differences for once and focus on removing the failing ZANU PF government and start building new governance policies beyond ZANU PF rule.
“We all have grievances on the rights and wrongs of the past on what went wrong with our struggle to free Zimbabwe from the clutches of the disaster that is ZANU PF rule.”
“We cannot undo history but we can create the future. Our responsibility today is to seize the moment and ask ourselves how we can regain our country from the clutches of cruel, uncaring, very selfish rulers,” writes Ncube before challenging the MDC formations who have been fighting ZANU PF without success to start considering joining hands with Mujuru to attain victory.
“Is it not a serious indictment on all of us who have toiled in the trenches of the battles against ZANU PF since the formation of the united MDC that today a large number of our citizens have come to the conclusion that the future may be better secured for them by those who fought relentlessly against the democratic movement for decades from within ZANU PF in all its ugliness, until it started to devour its own children; and only decided to stand up against ZANU PF after being jettisoned from the gravy train?”
“Is it not ironic that we find ourselves in circumstances where ……we should include in our actions the means of working with rather than against those who were yesterday towers of the defence of ZANU PF rule?”
Ncube further challenged the opposition parties to first consider working together as long standing oppositions before joining with the former ZANU PF leaders.
“More poignantly, if we were to consider working with former ZANU PF stalwarts, surely we must find within ourselves the necessary resolve to work with those with whom we have disagreed and still disagree who were and still are part of the democratic movement.”
In his call to work with Mujuru’s Zimbabwe People First Party, Ncube urged Zimbabweans not worry too much at this juncture on the kind of government that will be formed after ZANU PF is gone but focus on removing the ruling party first.
“We might not even agree on what kind of government is to be put in place, guided by what policies after ZANU PF is gone, but we must unite around the imperative of removing ZANU PF from power and leave the post ZANU PF future to be fought over when ZANU PF is gone.”
“It might yet turn out to be false revolution, but it is difficult to imagine how it can possibly be worse than this” says Ncube.
The coming in of the Joice Mujuru led party appears to have caused major panic amongst not only the opposition parties but within ZANU PF itself as the party continues to recruit massively from all the political parties.
Welshman Ncube’s MDC appears to have suffered the most exodus of members to the Mujuru party. His write up comes barely a week after he urged his party supporters to seriously consider the future of the party.
Man Rapes Girl 6 Times in 24Hours
A Bulawayo man was arrested for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl six times in one day. Ndodana Ndlovu, 33, of Nkulumane appeared before Provincial magistrate Abednico Ndebele to answer rape charges and was remanded in custody to March 3.
The court heard that on Tuesday last week the teen’s mother sent her to collect money from Ndlovu who had bought eggs from her on credit.
Prosecuting, Stewart Madzore told the court that on February 16 the girl set out but failed to locate Ndlovu’s house. “She decided to sleep at her aunt’s house in Nkulumane.
“The next day she woke up and went to look for Ndlovu and met him on the road,” said Madzore. “The accused who was with a co-worker greeted the complainant and they invited her into a kombi that he was driving.”
The prosecutor said Ndlovu took the girl to his house where he ordered her to strip naked. “The accused raped the complainant six times,” said Madzore. The girl later reported the assault to her brother leading to Ndlovu’s arrest.
ZIFA Set to Get $5Million as FIFA Elects New Boss
Zifa are set to get a $5 million payment after Gianni Infantino was elected the new FIFA president yesterday, with the Swiss lawyer being hailed for being “not a politician, not a superstar” and a reform-minded administrator, who can lead the scandal-plagued football body into a brave new world.
The 45-year-old multilingual Swiss-Italian lawyer ended Sepp Blatter’s controversial, rollercoaster 18 years in charge. Infantino promised every member association here yesterday that he would ensure they get $5 million each from FIFA in development aid, something that appeared to swing the vote in his favour.
ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa was one of those who quickly congratulated Infantino with the Harare businessman being seen, live on BBC, embracing the new FIFA president and spending a moment discussing with him.
It is believed that Southern African nations voted for Infantino, after he toured this region last week and even visited Robben Island. “He’s not a politician. He’s not a superstar. He’s just very together, very organised,” said Greg Dyke, chairman of England’s Football Association.
“He has run Uefa really well and he’ll be great as the president of Fifa.”
“I think we can be more optimistic about the future of Fifa now than we could have been certainly a week ago, after a terrible year. It’s been a corrupted organisation for a long time and now I think this is some hope for the future.”
Infantino had served for seven years as general secretary of Uefa where he was Michel Platini’s right-hand man. But with Platini serving a six-year ban, Infantino entered the race and sensationally snatched the job so coveted by Platini.
Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko, whose country controversially won the 2018 World Cup, also said Infantino was the right man for the job. “I am satisfied. We have supported him from the start,” Mutko told TASS news agency.
“I hope that everything he has planned will be realised. Football needs a pragmatic and experienced man like him.”
Francois Carrard, who headed Fifa’s independent reform committee, said Infantino represented the “best possible outcome”.State Media
Soldier Duped $300 by Prostitute
A soldier lost $300 to a hooker he had hired for a one night stand. But the prostitute says she took the money as revenge as the soldier had removed her female condom during sex.
Priviledge Manyora (21) of Dangamvura, pleaded guilty to stealing $150 from Trymore Zviitirei (26) when she appeared before senior Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiundura.
The State did not accept the limited plea and she was granted $20 bail. The case goes for trial on March 4.
Manyora told the court that she stole the money from Zviitirei who is stationed at 3.1 Combat Group as revenge after she found out that he had removed the female condom she was wearing when they were being intimate.
“We agreed that he pays $10 for one night. After having sexual intercourse, I observed that he had removed the female condom I was wearing. I discovered it in the morning after we were done. I took $150 from his pockets because I wanted to use it for medication and to get tested. I fear for my health, so he should pay for that. He is now fabricating that I took $300,” she said.
Mrs Chiundura advised her to look for better ways to make a living.
“Aren’t you ashamed of your behaviour? You should find something to do rather than stealing or being a prostitute,” she said.
Allegations are that that Manyora stole $300 from Zviitirei’s pockets and left him sleeping in her house.
A total of $150 was recovered from Manyora’s friend, Abigail Stima. Manica Post
SEX IN CHURCH: Largest Church ‘in Europe’ About to Collapse
Dear Editor,
I am kindly writing to share and expose the evil acts being carried out by the founder of History Makers Bible School in London, Pastor Sunday Adelaja who formally was a member of the Anglican Church in Nigeria before commencing his studies in Journalism in USSR. I have also suffered due to his actions and many more people are still suffering. Therefore I feel the responsibility of exposing some of the acts to rescue victims in Europe especially women who are facing victimization for attempting to report sexual abuse. In the December while attending a conference hosted by Mikhail Shagas some fellow members approached me and shared with me their own experiences which led me to share my personal experience. After opening up to each other in good faith we compiled some information and evidences of the allegations including meeting with few of the victims. Since there is so much to share we decided that I would search for a reliable christian newspaper in the USA or England to share this information in short summary then after publication share all evidences in our possession. Please kindly find the summary in bullet point as follows:
Meanwhile men in Ukraine are fighting to save their country a different war of saving relationships between spouses is been waged in the City of Kiev. At the centre of this war is none other than the clergyman who leads the largest denomination in Europe, Sunday Sunkanmi Adelaja. In times past Sunday’s church has fought against be labelled a sect but evidences provided by his victims of sexual abuse which involved more than 100 women proves that Embassy of God has over the years drawn closer to cultism revolving around Sunday Adelaja himself.
Amid allegations of sexual misdemeanours, former members of his church have revealed how much they have suffered loss of thousands of dollars through the various financial schemes initiated by the Nigerian born clergyman including the Kings Capital, which has been pending in court since 2008. Over the years, efforts to bring these allegations through the judicial system in Ukraine have been fruitless due to corruption in the system of which Sunday continues to bribe. Some of His victims have also shared their fears of being named other than being interviewed secretly due to Sunday’s connection with the Government of Ukraine which he influences his members to vote for while he gets paid and guarantee him to drop his Kings Capital trial by prolonging the court case.
While more of members are getting to know about who he really is, Adelaja is planning his next move to return to his birth country once he lays hold of at least 1 billion dollars to invest under the new Government for his other business ventures instead of establishing a church in Nigeria as there are more than enough churches in the country that he is willing to help according to Adelaja who also appears weekly on a series “Ask Pastor Sunday” along with his co-host. Sources who for security reasons did not want to be named said that Adelaja has been tirelessly posting articles about Nigerians’ in the diaspora and the Nigerian Government in the desperate hope of being awarded some kind of immunity leading to safe repatriation back to Nigeria. However, since this option seems too long-winded, Adelaja is most likely going to pay local corrupt Psychiatrist and Psychologist to certify him as having mental illness caused by allegations levied against him especially the Kings Capital Court case.
The source who has been a member since the beginning of the Embassy of God For All Nations in 1995 till December 2015 when some elders confronted Adelaja about his sexual misconduct went on to say that, Adelaja is a master at playing the victim and presenting all allegations as persecution because of his love for the truth which is a heap of lies. Perhaps another reason why people around the world don’t know this about Adelaja is because of the language barrier where majority of his activities are conducted in Russian of which Adelaja speaks very fluently and eloquently that he could impress all the different females he continues to sleep with. Adelaja has since announced to the congregation in Kiev that he is leaving Ukraine and go to the rest of the world after stopping by Nigeria.
Therefore please spread the following warming, “World be ready for the coming of Sunday Adelaja for no one knows the hour neither does Sunday himself know”.
To interview Pastor Sunday Adelaja you can call him on +380-xx-xxx-x0-22. For more details please feel free to write me. I hope to hear from you at the earliest opportunity.
Best Regards,
Ana Topoto
BREAKING NEWS- Grade 2 Drop Out MP In Car Accident
Kwekwe Central MP Masango ‘Blackman’ Matambanadzo has been involved in a car accident, details reaching ZimEye.com claim.
The accident occurred on the Kwekwe, Mvuma road.
His car was yesterday afternoon towed with the central police station taking the case, a report says. Further details on how it all occurred were sketchy at the time of writing.
Sources told ZimEye Senior police officers were still inspecting the vehicle at around 5pm Thursday.
There were no injuries.
More to follow…
Tsvangirai no ‘sugar daddy’ – Dzamara
I do hereby wish to register my displeasure with a Facebook post, written by Hon. Psychology Maziwisa which is demeaning of our mothers, sisters and daughters.
My displeasure has two tangents.
The first tangent has everything to do with what I perceive as an incessant inclination towards romancing trivia on the part of my ‘Honourable’ Member of Parliament.
I do not care much about his delusional stance and the apparent hatred he harbours against Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) President Morgan Tsvangirai and his party spokesman Hon. Obert Gutu.
What does the MDC-T leader’s posing for photos with his supporters have to do with anything?
The second and most important tangent has everything to do with women. In his post, Maziwisa makes denigrating and disgusting remarks about women and that is not acceptable.
“With shameful and breath-taking arrogance, the MDC-T hapless and incompetent spin doctor denied yesterday that the pictures of his party leader posing with erotic women were genuine…It is now obvious that he is now unable to honour his promise to the people of Zimbabwe that he is capable of being a morally upright and exemplary opposition leader,” writes Hon. Maziwisa.
I wonder what makes him conclude that women are mere objects? I am sure the threshold of his worldview and conscience inform his poor Judgment in this case.
How can you derive erotic pleasure from young, innocent joyful girls posing for a picture with the leader of their party?
No wonder rape even of toddlers remains a big issue in our country, because of psychotic messed up men who see sex in anything – lo and behold even donkeys are raped.
Women are not objects. They are our mothers, sisters and daughters. I demand that you respect them and desist from making irresponsible statements inebriated with innuendos, stereotypes and sexist prejudices.
Patson Dzamara
ZRP Cops Stormed by Civilians
By Chrispen Tabvura|Following the arrest of Sgt Kwashirai of Police Protection Unit and another unidentified police officer at an unsanctioned road-block in Kuwadzana Extension, recently, motorists in Bulawayo and Harare are now on full alert for fake road blocks.
Several motorists from Bulawayo yesterday vowed to end police corruption for what they termed ‘Policing the Police’, who they accuse of turning into criminals in government uniform.
“We need to end this corrupt situation that is rocking our police force,” said Vusa Bhebhe a businessman from the City of Kings.
His sentiments were echoed by those of retired Chief Inspector Silas Moyo, who was in the Police Traffic section in the early 90s. “We need to bring back the lost police pride and professionalism. Police these days has been invaded by young men who do not join the force for duty, but do it to make money and get rich via crude tactics,” he said.
Sgt Kwashirai who was manning an unofficial road block in Kuwadzana, ran out of luck after having arrested a white motorist and over-charged him. The arrested man then demanded to be taken to a nearest Police Station for dialogue with the Officer in charge.
According to police sources who attended to the case in question, Sgt Kwashirai instead of taking the motorist to the nearest station, bolted to his car and sped off, before he got involved in an accident that led to his arrest and detention. His other accomplices are also in custody awaiting the completion of investigations.
The police sources also told ZimEye.com that the other officers present, were involved in an accident while trying to avoid humiliation, leading to Sgt Kwashirai being apprehended by members of public and found with a fake Retention Book as well as money amounting to US$800.
According to police sources close to the case, Sgt was immediately detained at Kuwadzana Police Station.
Efforts by ZimEye.com to obtain a comment from Police National Spokesperson Charity Charamba hit a brickwall as her phone kept ringing without being answered.
War Veterans Plot To Undress Grace, Moyo At Mugabe Bash
By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|In yet another development likely to further shake the disjointed ruling party Zanu PF, war veterans have vowed to embarrass First Lady Grace Mugabe and Higher Education Jonathan Moyo at the 21st February movement celebrations on Saturday.
The former freedom fighters are unhappy with the way Mrs Mugabe is denigrating them while Mugabe is seemingly unable to rein in on his rampaging wife.
Last week the liberation war heroes were barred by the police from travelling to Harare where they intended to meet their patron Mugabe while their counterparts were brutally assaulted by anti-riot police details .
Controversial war veteran Francis Zimuto also known as Black Jesus told ZimeEye.com the former freedom fighters would push to meet Mugabe over his wife’s reckless utterances.
“I cannot rule out chaos because of what is happening. The war veterans are angry because of what is happening.We demand an explanation of what is happening from the president,” he said.
Although Masvingo Province war veterans chairman Tendeukai Chinooneka rudely refused to speak to ZimEye.com, it is understood the liberation war heroes have vowed to undress Grace and Moyo during the 21st February Movement celebrations.
The war veterans are also heaping pressure on Mugabe to act on his enstranged wife who has of late developed a penchant for vitriol.
An irate war veteran who declined to be named said:”Mrs Mugabe has gone off the record and she has to apologise to us for what she said. We know they are working with Moyo and Saviour Kasukuwere to denigrate us. We will not allow the so called G40 to reverse the gains of the liberation struggle.”
Mugabe Donates Cattle To AU
President Mugabe who pledged 300 head of cattle to the African Union Foundation last year has honoured his promise. The President has met with Mr Erastus Mwencha, the AU Commission deputy chairperson who in the country yesterday to receive the cattle.
The President, who was by then AU and SADC chairman when he made the pledge last year in June made the donation as a way of dissuading Africa from over-reliance on external partners whose donations come with strings attached.
Speaking after meeting President Mugabe at State House, Mr Mwencha said the cattle contribution would go a long way in capacitating the Foundation.
“I am here for very good news,” he said.
“His Excellency the President during his tenure as chairperson of the African Union made a contribution and a donation to the private sector and as we know that last year when we had Ebola the private sector came up in a very strong way to support the African Union. So His Excellency also showed his commitment in that direction.
“He made a donation of some 300 cattle which will be a contribution to support our programmes including, for instance, building our health capacity and also strengthening our education for the continent.”
The African Union Foundation is the brainchild of African Heads of State and Government and was created for the purposes of collaborating with the private sector, philanthropists, individuals and the Diaspora to solicit donations and seek voluntary contributions towards the financing of Africa’s development priorities in pursuit of Agenda 2063.
The Foundation seeks to promote the development of skills and human resources on the continent, women empowerment and gender equality and to promote integration and management of diversity, youth development and entrepreneurship, advocacy and support for the African Union
Mr Mwencha said they were yet to make a decision on whether to sell the cattle or “get a place to keep them so that they multiply”.
President Mugabe, who has repeatedly called on African countries to depend on themselves, said he hoped the donation would “keep the foundation going”.
“I am happy that the gift we offered to the AU is at last received by the beneficiary,” he said.
“I just decided that we make a gift in kind, it just struck me that no one had ever thought of a gift by way of cattle to the AU and since we are cattle people why shouldn’t we also make a gift to the AU in cattle form? So we are very happy to make such a contribution, it (AU) is our organisation. And we hope the cattle, as will be decided now by the AU, will play some part in establishing the foundation, making the foundation keep going.”
Kadoma businessman Mr Jimayi Muduvuri, who is looking after the cattle, said he had seen it fit to assist President Mugabe who always had a busy schedule.
“I am the one who said President you cannot do that for yourself, being the chairman for AU (by then), it is not his job. He is working for us and that is our duty to support our President,” he said.
Mr Mwencha is expected to go and see the cattle at Vuka Farm in Karoi today. – State Media
MDC Youths Protest Against Mugabe Bash
By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo |Tension continues to mount ahead of President Robert Mugabe’s birthday bash scheduled for Saturday with MDC youths staging a demonstration against the president’s lavish ceremony while millions of Zimbabweans are facing starvation.
Placard wielding MDC youths on Tuesday marched along the streets of Masvingo expressing concern at the state of the economy and starvation while Mugabe ‘s bash chewed up at least $800 000. MDC national youth chairperson Happymore Chidziva urged Mugabe and Zanu PF to address matters of national concern instead of blowing close to a million dollars on the bash.
“It is unacceptable to blow up such a lot of money just to celebrate Mugabe’s birthday while millions of people are hungry. So our message is very clear, Mugabe must address the disastrous situation with immediate effect. The economy is crumbling everyday and hundreds of graduates are roaming the streets so we call upon the government to address these matters of national importance,” said Chidziva.
The MDC youths also slammed the current infighting in Zanu PF saying ruling party stalwarts were concentrating on factional battles ignoring the plight of the people of Zimbabwe. “Zanu PF bigwigs are fighting each other while the entire nation is suffering. What we want is food on the table.We want jobs not Mugabe’s bash which does not benefit the nation. Masvingo Province is hard hit by drought and instead of wasting money on the bash, Mugabe must feed the nation and the province of Masvingo,” said Chidziva. Meanwhile members of Mugabe’s security team have occupied all the luxurious lodges and hotels in the city of Masvingo.
Analysts say thousands of dollars have been committed towards Mugabe’s personal security at a time drought is ravaging the province of Masvingo and parts of Midlands and Matabeleland provinces respectively.
Grace Mugabe Not After Presidency – Claim
Grace Mugabe who is the Zanu-PF Women’s League secretary is not interested in succeeding her husband, the State Media reports claiming.
Her deputy Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo quoted by the state broadsheet media has rubbished the stories which she said are being peddled by sections of the private media.
During the interview Moyo said the subject was discussed at the Women’s League national executive meeting in Harare on Wednesday, where the leadership was concerned about the misconception over the First Lady’s position.
“The issue of the First Lady harbouring ambitions to succeed His Excellency (President Mugabe) is misleading. We have not discussed that as the Women’s League and we don’t know where it’s coming from,” she said.
Moyo said the Wednesday meeting discussed the Women League’s resolutions ahead of the December 2015 zanu-pf annual national people’s conference, which seem to have been misconstrued.
The party’s conference was held in Victoria Falls.
“It came to our attention as the Women’s League executive that our resolutions for the conference were not clearly understood hence we needed to clarify that.
“Resolution number three talks about the restoration of the position of women in the Presidium, which must be done through an amendment to the party’s constitution so that one of the Vice Presidents is a woman,” Moyo said.
“We have said we wanted the constitution to be amended by 2016 and not that we wanted the Vice Presidency by 2016. What we want this year is to have the constitution corrected so that when the time to elect leaders comes (at congress in 2018) one of the VPs will be a woman. This has to be clear so that we are protected by the constitution as women.”
Moyo is also Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo. She went on to Say the league’s recommendation for a constitutional amendment should not be taken out of context and be confused with “succession” politics.
She pointed out that as an organ of the revolutionary party, Zanu-PF, the Women’s League was fully behind the First Family.
“We want to set the record straight because some people are being misled. As the Women’s League we’re in solidarity with the First Family. We always work and go with the First Lady and at no point has she declared an ambition for any higher post.
In fact, she has said she is content where she is. People should stop giving her a position she has not asked for.” – state media
Tomana Faces Axe
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) says Johannes Tomana is not a “fit and proper person” to continue in the esteemed office of Prosecutor-General in the wake of defying court orders from the superior courts.
In terms of the Constitution, for one to hold the office of Prosecutor-General, he/she “must be a fit and proper person”.
However, Tomana yesterday filed an urgent chamber application seeking an interim order staying the process for his possible removal from office.
Tomana, who is facing criminal charges at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts’ involving Gushungo Dairy bombing, was in October last year slapped with a 30-day term of imprisonment for contempt of court after he defied court orders to issue certificates for the private prosecution of Bikita West legislator Dr Munyaradzi Kereke and Telecel shareholder Dr Jane Mutasa.
Kereke was accused of raping an 11-year-old relative, while Mutasa was facing charges of swindling the company of airtime recharge cards worth millions of dollars.
Tomana was fined by a nine-member judges’ panel of the Constitutional Court led by Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku.
The sentence was, however, wholly set-aside on condition that he complied with the court orders and issue private prosecution certificates to Mr Francis Maramwidze and Telecel, within 10 days, failure which he would be barred from practising as a lawyer in Zimbabwe.
The following month, Tomana was again at the centre of another storm for allegedly abusing the court process to rubber-stamp the acquittal of former Zupco board chairman, Professor Charles Nherera, who was charged with corruption.
The abuse reportedly occurred at the time when Tomana was the Attorney General. Prof Nherera was acquitted by the High Court in November 2009, barely a year after Tomana was appointed to the post of then AG.
It emerged yesterday that the JSC has taken steps towards removing him from office, when it wrote to him about his unsuitability to continue holding the office of Prosecutor-General.
He was given 10 days to respond to the letter dated February 12 2016 signed by the JSC chairman Chief Justice Chidyausiku.
Attached to the letter were two judgments one from the Constitutional Court and the other from the High Court.
“ It is the view of the Judicial Service Commission that they both speak to your suitability to continue to hold the office of Prosecutor-General,” reads the letter. “ On the basis of these judgments, the JSC is of the view that a prima facie case exists for it to act in terms of Section 259(7), as read with Section 187, of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, subject to any submissions you may wish to make in this regard.”
He was given 10 days to respond, failure to which the JSC would proceed to determine the matter on the basis he had no submissions to make. On Tuesday Chief Justice Chidyausiku wrote again to Tomana explaining what he meant in his first letter.
He explained that the Constitutional Court had found as a fact that he disobeyed orders of the court. “ This was common cause and, in my view, no detailed reasons are required in this regard,” said Chief Justice Chidyausiku. “ I, however, attach to this letter two judgments whose orders you failed to obey. The Constitution Court considered your failure to obey these court orders constituted a violation of Section 165 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and imposed on you what it considered appropriate punishment for such transgression.
“ The fact that the Constitutional Court found as a fact that your disobedience of the court orders merited the punishment it imposes triggered, together with the other allegation, the mechanism for the Judicial Service Commission to consider whether or not it should exercise the power conferred on it in terms of Section 159(7) as read with section 187, of the Constitution.”
The Chief Justice said in determining Tomana’s case, the JSC will look into whether or not he disobeyed court orders. If he did disobey court orders, what are the legal consequences that flow from his conduct?
In particular, whether or not Tomana’s disobedience of court orders constitutes contempt of court which, as he knew, was a criminal offence. The JSC, furthermore, would consider that by disobeying court orders did Tomana violate section 164(3) of the Constitution, as the Constitutional Court found. If it found that Tomana violated the section alluded to, does that constitute a violation of his oath of office to uphold the Constitution.
“It is hoped that your submissions on the above will assist the Judicial Service Commission in determining what advice, if any, it should give to the President in terms of section187 of the Constitution,” said Chief Justice Chidyausiku.
“It is not for the Judicial Service Commission to delve into details of the allegations or determine whether such conduct constitutes a violation of section187 (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the Constitution. That is the function of the Tribunal, if one should be appointed. I am making the above observation in the hope that it helps in understanding the process of the JSC.” Tomana yesterday responded to the matter by an urgent chamber application in the High Court seeking to stay the process in the interim, pending the finalisation of the matter. He argues that the process seeking to remove him from office was unlawful and was activated by the JSC.
In his application, Tomana cited the JSC and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa as respondents.
“…I seek a declaratory order bearing on the invalidity of the process which has been commenced by the first respondent (JSC) purportedly in terms of section 187 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” said Tomana 11-page affidavit.
“Pending determination of this matter I seek in the interim a temporary interdict stopping the commencement of the process.”
Tomana argues that the Constitutional Court judgment which committed him to jail unless he issued certificates for private prosecution was issued from a court of no jurisdiction.
“The orders I was held to have been in contempt of are orders of the High and Supreme Courts respectively,” said Tomana. “Compliance with those orders is enforced by the High Court. In fact as at the date of the order of the Constitutional Court, proceedings for contempt had been instituted in the High Court. The constitutional Court has no jurisdiction to relate to a matter which was within the purview of the High Court.”
He also contends that the order was also invalid in that the Constitution dealt with a matter which was not before it. The Constitutional Court, he added, cannot at law deal with a contempt of court matter. He said the matter that was before the apex court was an ex-parte application he had made which sought the declaration on the question of his independence.
He also argues the proceedings that gave rise to Constitutional Court order were a nullity given that the Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba was not part of the bench when the order was granted. “Constitutionally, the Constitutional Court cannot be properly constituted within the first seven years of its life if it does not consist of the Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice who must sit together in hearing any and every matter,” he argues. “ An order by an improperly constituted court is obviously a nullity.”
Tomana also argues that a citizen, Rooney Kanyama, has challenged the validity of the Constitutional Court order committing him to jail. He attached Kanyama’s application that was filed in the Constitutional Court yesterday.
“The main order upon, which the first respondent seeks to proceed is, therefore, under challenge. I will shortly be filing my position to the matter of the challenge of the order.”-State Media
CBZ Holdings Records 7% lncrease In Profit
Zimbabwe’s largest financial group, CBZ Holdings, on Wednesday reported a 7 percent increase in after-tax profit to $35.2 million in the full year to December 2015, but said it had written off $24 million in bad debts as the country’s deteriorating economy adversely impacts asset quality.
CBZ, which operates the country’s biggest retail bank as well as insurance and asset management subsidiaries, reduced the amount of total loans advanced to $1,021 billion during 2015, down from $1,126 billion previously. In 2014, the bank wrote off $4,45 million.
Zimbabwe’s central bank has created a special purpose vehicle to buy bad loans from the banking sector, thereby reducing the industry’s non-performing loan ratio from about 20 percent in June 2014 to 10.9 percent by December 2015. The central bank’s asset manager has so far purchased nearly $300 million bad loans from banks, improving their asset quality.
CBZ’s non-performing loan ratio did improve marginally to 7.45 percent in 2015, from 7.63 percent in 2014, with interest having been suspended on loans worth $76 million, their financial statements show. The bank’s decision to keep a huge chunk of non-performing loans in-house, as opposed to selling them off to the state asset manager, suggest they are betting on their ability to recover some value.
The group’s total assets grew 18 percent to $1.974 billion, while total income, minus interest expense, was $184 million, a 19 percent improvement on the prior year. CBZ’s insurance business weighed in with net underwriting income of $12.5 million last year, up from $8 million in 2014.
CBZ’s flagship commercial banking unit weighed in with $140 million, or 76 of total income. The banking subsidiary’s after-tax profit for 2015 was $26.1 million, up from $16.3 million in 2014.
The group had closed the year with $42.5 million cash in the bank, down from $73 million in 2014. – The Source
Mugabe Deserted
Liberation war veterans who fought under the ZAPU aligned Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) have resolved to pull out of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association and form their own association as they can no longer stand being used in Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF factional fights.
The veterans made the decision at a meeting held in Bulawayo over the weekend. The resolution says that the ZIPRA cadres must immediately pull out of the ZANU PF aligned war veterans association and start a new association which will back former Vice President Joyce Mujuru in the next elections.
According to minutes of the meeting made available to ZimEye.com, the veterans claim that the current association has over-indulged itself in the ZANU PF factional wars and now uses the liberation fighters to move the wishes of different factional leaders. The minutes accuse the war vets association of diverting from being a welfare organisation to a Mugabe militia arm.
The convergence which was a follow up to a meeting held at the beginning of the month and exclusively reported by ZimEye.com further resolved that the new association will seek means of inviting fellow veteran and intelligence officer Dumiso Dabengwa now leader of ZAPU to be involved with them and work with Mujuru to dislodge Mugabe.
The veterans will lobby Mujuru to allow Dabengwa a top leadership position in the Mujuru led party. Several other former ZIPRA cadres are being mentioned for legislative positions in the Zimbabwe People First party to be led by Mujuru.
The new association is expected to be launched in Bulawayo on the 20th of March.
Council Workers Choke to Death In Sewer
Two Harare city council employees yesterday chocked to death during an operation to unblock a wastewater line.
The two Wilson Nyerukai (43) and Mugove Musariri (33) died in an accident that happened on the corner of Penny Close and Bay Close.
“The City of Harare announces with a deep sense of sorrow the death of two of its employees today (yesterday) in Msasa Park during an operation to unblock a wastewater line,” reads the death notice from City of Harare.
According to the notice, “One of the officers Wilson Nyerukai (43) (senior wastewater operator) went into the wastewater manhole to unblock a sewer line. He was overwhelmed by the force of flowing unblocked wasterwater and the gas in the seven metre deep manhole. His workmate Mugove Musariri (33) then entered the manhole to rescue him but he also choked to death.”
Fire brigade squad attended the scene and retrieved the bodies, which were then collected by the police. Nyerukai and Mugove joined council in 1999 and 2010 respectively.
New US Envoy Vows To Challenge Mugabe
The new US envoy to Harare Harry K. Thomas (Jr) says he will challenge President Robert Mugabe on human rights violations, if any happens during his term of office.
Since 2000 when she slapped Mugabe with sanction on allegations of gross human rights violations, America has been encouraging Harare to respect human rights.
“The Government of the United States and the Government of Zimbabwe share the desire for a better future for the people of this great nation and whenever we may differ on the best means of achieving these goals, I will seek to engage in a dialogue that is respectful and that seeks to uphold the universal values and rights that Zimbabweans fought so hard to gain 36 years ago,” Thomas told President Mugabe when he met him this week.
US said respect to rule of law and human rights remained its benchmark towards the re-engagement process.
“We stand by the commitments that we made to the people of Zimbabwe at independence in 1980; to work together to promote democratic institutions, equitable economic growth, public health, and food security,” he said.
“The United States shares the desires of the people of Zimbabwe, who want to see a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous Zimbabwe that provides for its people and contributes to regional stability”.
“To realize these goals, we strongly believe that it is important to engage with government and non-governmental entities alike to promote our shared values and to work together in areas of common concern. We view this ongoing dialogue as part of building the bilateral relationship”.
Condemn The “New” Undemocratic Charter -Chivasa
Since the adoption of the new constitution some years ago sober minded people should be at least by now slowly realizing the deficits of the document. The new constitutionis in itself a manifestation of ZANU PF mentality. It is now operational for some time with no visible incremental gain as purported by those who crafted it.
It’s disappointing that the new constitution was adopted after a massive campaign in favour of the document by some mistaken sections of civic society and opposition parties. In doing so they claimed that the new constitution was going to bring the changes needed to allow free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. They did not only campaign for a “yes” votetogether with ZANU PF but they even adopted the use of ZANU PF unorthodox methods of insulting and calling names to other voices who were against the new constitution.
As I write the country is governed by a constitution that says that if a councilor or MP leaves office a by election must be held but if the President vacates office no by election is conducted. Instead the political party with the sitting President gives the nation a replacement and this is stated in Schedule 6 Paragraph 14 (4b). The method of coming with such a replacement is not subject to any law they are merely expected to notify the speaker of parliament. I am yet to be convinced with the logic in this unreasoned provision. Who benefits from such an illogical provision in this new constitution? More surprisingly how can Zimbabweans endorse such an awkward arrangement?
The power of the President in the new constitution is alarming and prone to abuse. The President is given powers to appoint an unlimited number of cabinet ministers (Section 104). No wonder why we have a whole battalion of useless people as ministers. They are all entitled to unimaginable luxury that syphon government’s nearly empty coffers. To imagine that Zimbabweans had a chance to stipulate the number of cabinet ministers when they were writing the constitution but chose to leave the discretion to the President is something that is unfortunate.
The most disturbing power of a sitting President in the constitution is that of appointing individuals to all commissions including the Electoral Commission (ZEC) and the media commission (Section 237). After such treacherous provisions poor Zimbabweans were told that indeed the new constitution will take away the powers of a sitting President. Infact Zimbabweans were made to believe that the new constitution will result in an Electoral commission capable of running a free and fair election!
The new constitution gives the power to the President to have a final say on the appointment of judges (Section 180).If one person is given such powers how can we ever dream of an independent judiciary in the country? What happens to the concept of separation of powers if the same executive is responsible for appointing judges who are a cornerstone of any judiciary system? The same system in the old constitution was returned in the new constitution when the assumption was that all we needed as a country was to get rid of such an absurd arrangement.
Instead of reducing government expenditure by reducing the number of useless people such as MPs the new constitution increased the number of this grouping that is resented by the majority of citizens. (Section 124). Honestly who can ever think that Zimbabwe’s problems will end by increasing the number of representatives in parliament? The majority of MPs will, as usual, not contribute anything in parliament if at all they are even aware of their role. All they know is to book in expensive hotels and claim sitting allowances. Why will a new constitution increase the number of known useless people majority of which are in parliament for chanting party slogans?
We have a new constitution that will not allow people in the diaspora to vote. Given the fact that Zimbabweans in the diaspora contribute to the country’s coffers it’s only logical to allow them to vote in elections. So many African countries recognize the importance of their citizens in the diaspora and they put mechanisms to ensure that they participate in important national processes such as elections. Our own new constitution does not give a provision to allow Zimbabweans in the diaspora to vote. The money from these Zimbabweans in diaspora is still much needed though and the government itself will even put enough measures to receive resources from diaspora. Receiving their money is easy butwhat is difficult is to put same mechanism to allow them to vote! Zimbabwe does not afford a new constitution that prohibits people in the diaspora to vote.
What is apparent now seems to be that the new constitution is a ZANU PF document meant to enslave Zimbabweans under the rule of ruthless leadership that is selfish and greedy. The new constitution is a living testimony of how majority of Zimbabweans endorsed an undemocratic constitution that will entrench dictatorship in Zimbabwe. The new constitution is a mockery to democracy and insult to Zimbabweans.
BY MADOCK CHIVASA
(The writer is the National Spokesperson of opposition NCA party. The views expressed in this article are his personal opinion and can be contacted on email [email protected]).
Cafca Profits Tumble Down
Cables manufacturer Cafca has warned that it expects a 30 percent drop in turnover in the half-year to March with profits hit by poor sales.
Cafca primarily operates in Zimbabwe but is listed on both the Johannesburg and Zimbabwe stock exchanges. Last week managing director Rob Webster told the annual general meeting that sales in the first quarter were 31 percent down year on year.
Profit for the same period was down 84 percent although volumes were 25 percent lower. The poor performance of regional currencies, particularly the South African rand had hit export earning, Webster said at the AGM.
Apart from supplying the local market, the company exports its product to South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia.
“Profitability has been adversely affected by the anticipated 30% drop in turnover from both a drop in local sales due to lack of liquidity in the market and a drop in export sales due to foreign exchange shortages and devaluation in our primary export markets currencies to the US$,” Cafca said in a statutory trading update on Tuesday.
In terms of the JSE listings requirements, companies are required to publish a trading statement as soon as they are satisfied that a reasonable degree of certainty exists that the financial results for the period to be reported upon next will differ by at least 20 percent from those of the previous corresponding period.
“Basic earnings per share and headline earnings per share for HI FY 15/16 will be approximately 0.6 US$ cents per share which is 75% lower than the 2,59 US$ cents per share of HI FY 14/15,” Cafca said.
In the six months to March last year, the firm revenue grew by 41 percent to $14 million while operating profit stood at $1,1 million.-The Source
Sex with Grade 6 Pupil Headmaster Resurfaces
By Terrence Mawawa Masvingo|A local school head who was caught having sex with a grade six pupil and vanished from the school last year, was nabbed last week after months in hiding.
Former Nandi Primary School head Christopher Mangwendere was caught abusing the 12 year old minor and vanished last year after local parents stormed the school baying for his blood.
Mangwendere appeared before Chiredzi Resident Magistrate Constance Mutandwa last week facing charges of indecent assault and abuse of minors.
He would call the 12 year old girl to his office where he fondled her breasts and private parts and eventually raped her. Mangwendere was caught in the act but he vanished from the school after local parents went to the school demanding his resignation.
The child said she had been instructed by the man to arrive early at the school to carry out sweeping duties and Mangwendere would call her to his office where he carried out his abuses on several occasions. Sometimes she would be asked to remain behind after normal lessons.
Giving evidence under camera the minor said :”The head used to dismiss my friends leaving me with him.I can remember that one day he called me to his office and began to fondle my breasts and he caressed my body from top to bottom,” she said.
Mangwendere also abused another 13 year old girl and the matter only came to light later on when the 13 year old told the 12 year old that she had also been abused by the head.
Mangwendere who has been on the run for the past three months was arrested in Chiredzi last week.