A 37-YEAR-OLD self-confessed Chiredzi prophet landed himself in trouble with the law when he removed a corpse from the coffin, ordered a refill of the grave and the destruction of the coffin before carrying the body to the top of a hill where he spent two days praying for it to resurrect but failed. This was after he was asked to deliver agraveyard sermon immediately before burial. His bid to perform the miracle that Jesus performed on Lazarus was a futility after the corpse continued to decompose at an alarming rate in the 48 hours that he prayed for it. Mourners and relatives had to contact the police after the send-off of their relative Kudakwashe Garapo was somehow disturbed after the man of the cloth Paison Musimari of Batsirai compound in Mkwasine, Chiredzi told them he can give him another lease of life through prayers.
He was arrested last week and has since appeared at the Chiredzi magistrates’ court for “violating a corpse” as defined in section 111 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23. He appeared before Ms Constance Mtandwa and was remanded out of custody to 29 February.
Circumstances as presented by the prosecutor, Mr Liberty Hove, are that following the death of Garapo whose age could not be given, Musimari was asked to preach at the graveyard before burial. It is the State’s case that Musimari took to the stage and started his sermon while Garapo’s body was lying in a closed coffin adjacent to the grave.
The State further told the court that while preaching, the accused gave a prophecy to the mourners to the effect that the deceased would resurrect the following day and warned against burying the deceased saying it was tantamount to burying someone alive.
And much to the chagrin of mourners and relatives, Musimari in a trance-like state went and opened the coffin, removed the body from it and carried it to a hilltop while ordering stunned mourners to carry the empty coffin home or possibly destroy it as well as filling in the empty grave while they wait for him to bring their resurrected relative.
Some of the relatives, however, could not stomach the sight of the unheard of miracle except in the Bible and they reported the case to the police. The following day police officers arrived and found Musimari still with the body at the top of a hill praying for it.
The court further heard that the body was already at an advanced stage of decomposition mostly due to exposure to the scorching sun and since that was the fourth day after death. The accused person was arrested and police ordered the burial of the deceased at Nyangambe that same day.-State Media

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CIZC) says the country is going to experience the worst human rights violations perpetrated on citizens by the military as a result of Zanu PF in fighting.
Reacting to the  attacks on former liberation war fighters by the police in Harare this week, CIZC said armed forces should  protect citizens.
Heavily armed police on Thursday descended on war veterans who had gathered for a meeting in the capital.
They used teargas and water cannons to disperse the peaceful gathering alleging that the Indaba was illegal.
“We fear for the worst in terms of human rights abuses emanating from armed forces’ brutality against Zimbabwean citizens given the current infighting within the ruling party, Zanu PF,”said the civil society representative group.
“We implore the security services to desist from serving partisan interests as enshrined under the country’s constitution”.
Crisis says it is disappointed to note that armed forces are being used by politicians.
“CIZC castigates the manipulation of the security services to push selfish agendas by those in the echelons of power and implores the security sector to respect people’s constitutional rights such as the right to peaceful demonstrations as well as freedom of expression and association”.

By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|A police officer last week brutally assaulted a local motorist accusing him of pirating.

Stephen Radzoka got the shock of his life when Constable Bothwell Razerera pounced on him after he dropped off a woman in the city centre. Razerera accused Radzoka of illegally pirating and he forced his way into the latter’s car. The cop began to assault Radzoka with clenched fists and open palms all over his body.

During the assault Radzoka fell down and sustained a deep cut above the left eye. Radzoka received three stitches on the left eye as a result of the assault.
“When I got up the police officer had already fled from the scene because the crowd came to the place baying for the cop’s blood,” reads part of Radzoka’s statement.
When Radzoka arrived at Masvingo Central Police Station he was surprised when he was accused of beating the police officer and was charged with assault since the cop had made a statement ahead of him.
Sources claimed Razerera demanded a bribe from Radzoka and the latter refused,leading to the scuffle. Radzoka’s lawyer Charles Ndlovu of Ndlovu and Hwacha Legal Practitioners has since filed papers opposing the prosecution of his client arguing he is the one who was bashed by the cop.
Masvingo Police Spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula said she was not aware of the incident.
“We have not received anything to that effect,” she said.
The police have been accused of trying to protect one of their own after the barbaric incident. In Zimbabwe the police have crossed paths with the public on several occasions because of the partisan manner in which they execute their duties.

The Zanu-PF Youth League has distanced itself from utterances by the organ’s deputy secretary Kudzanai Chipanga that the wing was ready to fight veterans of the liberation struggle, as well as staging a demonstration against the State Media.
Chipanga told some youths that they should get ready for war against war veterans whom he said were fewer than the youths whom he said constituted 65 percent of the population.
He also claimed that war veterans were suffering from sugar diabetes, and as such, would not last a protracted confrontation.
But in an interview with the State Media yesterday, Pupurai Togarepi said the youth league respected veterans of the struggle, as such they had no reason to fight them.
“There is no reason to fight the war veterans because we are learning a lot from them,” he said. “They are the people who showed their resilience in liberating this country. So, there is no reason whatsoever.
“The majority of our youths who are in the executive of our structures are children of veterans of the liberation struggle who are war veterans, war collaborators and ex- detainees. So they would not fight their own parents.
“The position of the Youth League is that these founding fathers of our revolution are critical for us to learn from and move forward with our revolution.”
Togarepi said the revolutionary party had mechanisms in place to deal with personal clashes among members of its organs.
“I have talked to my deputy ( Chipanga) about that issue and he showed me that he had no intention to have any misunderstanding with the war veterans but it could have been a statement that was misread or misunderstood.
Togarepi also said the Youth League had no right to demonstrate against the State Media as incited by Chipanga. He said they had no problems with the State Media, or any journalists, but were against denigration of the party leadership by some party officials and some sections of the media.
“the Herald must continue to do its work and must continue to do that without any fear or favour. There won’t be youths coming there to have any confrontation with the media there or any person there. It is not our way of doing things.
“Otherwise we have nothing against any journalist, but obviously we get offended when journalists, time and again, insult our leaders. It has become a norm that journalists will insult the President, insult the Vice Presidents- Mnangagwa and Mphoko, the First Lady and many other leaders are subjected to a lot of abuse,” said Togarepi.
He also confirmed meeting President Mugabe where they deliberated about the conduct of the youths and the role they should play in the development of the country.
“The President said (we should) ensure that youths are busy. They work for themselves and work for this country. He said there is no need for them to involve themselves in areas that affect their stature as responsible youths. So he said do whatever you can to direct youths to be responsible, well-groomed, well-educated and advised as future leaders.
Togarepi who addressed a Press conference earlier, defended the 21st February Movement celebrations saying it was worthwhile, given President Mugabe’s role in the independence of the country.
He was fielding questions from journalists who asked why the party did not direct the money that has been mobilised for the celebrations towards procuring food for citizens facing hunger.
“We are celebrating the life of a person who has brought so much good to his country. These problems are not unique to Zimbabwe. There are authorities in Zimbabwe that are supposed to look after the social needs, feeding needs of our people,” Togarepi said.

President Mugabe is a national leader who remains guided by the wartime mantra of “Mwana wevhu” which pre-empted any notions of tribalism and regionalism leading to the successful execution of the war of liberation, Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has said.
He said tribalism was a political modus operandi of the Rhodesians which should not be tolerated.
“We should promote the notion of ‘son of the soil’ like what used to happen during the war. Not that I am from Manicaland, I am from Masvingo or I am from Matabeleland. No!” said VP Mphoko.
“A ‘son of the soil’ does not come from a region and does not have a creed. He or she is just a Zimbabwean. That is what we should promote. Not that someone is Ndebele and another is a Karanga.”
He said President Mugabe and the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo variously worked with a lot of people from different tribes during the war but never resorted to tribalism.
VP Mphoko was addressing thousands of people at a rally at Marisamhuka Centre in Mhondoro to garner support for Zanu-PF candidate in the Mhondoro-Mubaira by-election George Gangarahwe.
“I want to repeat what I said in Chiweshe. If you see yourself saying that President Mugabe is Zezuru, then you don’t know what we fought for. And if you say that President Mugabe is Zezuru and should be replaced by a Ndau, Ndebele and Karanga that is not what we fought for,” he said.
He said President Mugabe is not Zezuru but a national leader and so is he and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa who are Ndebele and Karanga respectively.
VP Mphoko said no one can claim to be a war veteran, or a member of Zanu-PF while denigrating the President and First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe.
“Those who denigrate the President and First Lady are not Zanu-PF. There is no war veteran under the command who can turn against the President. You cannot have someone break a sweat while denigrating the leadership and claim to be Zanu-PF,” he said.
War veterans gathered at the City Sports Centre in Harare on Thursday to hold a feedback meeting, but it was disrupted by police who said it was not sanctioned.
Vp Mphoko said there are some cadres who were part of the Mujuru cabal who realised the folly of their ways and should be welcomed back into the party.
“Commissar, you have a lot of work to talk to cadres that we have worked with for a long time who have remained loyal to the party so that we welcome them back to the party. People like Shamu (Webster),” he said.
Shamu made a slogan denouncing the upstart Zimbabwe People First party and Dr Joice Mujuru before hailing President Mugabe and First Lady Amai Dr Mugabe. Party secretary for administration Dr Ignatius Chombo said President Mugabe is the sole party candidate for 2018.
“At the Victoria Falls Conference the convocation on page 14 of the party constitution clearly states that our President (Mugabe) as selected at the 2014 Congress will represent the party in 2018,” said Dr Chombo.
“If there is anyone who wants to contest, they can only get the mandate in 2019 to stand for elections in 2023.”
National political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere said Zanu-PF has no shortage of manpower and if any cadres go wayward like Sylvester Nguni they can be expelled and replaced.
Mashonaland West party provincial chairman Ephraim Chengeta said the party had mobilised support for its candidate Gangarahwe in the March 5 by-election. The seat fell vacant following the expulsion and subsequent recall from Parliament of Mr Nguni.
The rally was also attended by Senate president Edna Madzongwe, Mberengwa South legislator Makhosini Hlongwane and Mashonaland West Minister of State Faber Chidarikire among others.

A swimming expedition by three Rusape 15-year-old school boys ended tragically after one of them failed to swim and drowned in Rusape River last Saturday afternoon.
Livingstone Marufu of Mabvazuva high-density suburb a Form Two pupil at St Joseph’s High School was swimming in the company of his friends and classmates, Isaac Jangano and Prosper Muza when tragedy struck.
The young trio was swimming near the gauges of Rusape Dam where there is a footpath that people uses to cross the river when it is not flooded.
Witnesses said when Isaac and Prosper discovered that Livingstone was drowning they called for help and some members of the public attempted to rescue him, but in vain as they claimed that ‘they were also being pulled by something in the water.’
Rusape District police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Muzondiwa Clean, confirmed the incident and warned members of the public against swimming in rivers and also against crossing rivers on undesignated areas.
“Livingstone Marufu went to Rusape River to swim together with his friends, Isaac Jangano and Prosper Muza on Saturday around 3pm. When they were swimming, Livingstone went to the deepest part and failed to swim and drowned.
“Police Sub-aqua Unit retrieved his body on Sunday morning. We continue to urge members of the public not to swim in rivers and to use bridges when crossing rivers,” he said.
The drowning of Livingstone comes barely a month after a decomposed body of a suspected vagrant was discovered by fisherman in the same river, fuelling speculation that there were mermaids in the river.
According to some senior citizens in the town, not even a single female has drowned in the river, fuelling speculation that the mermaid is female.State Media

Suspected members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) have abducted  Tendai Biti led People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Matabeleland South provincial secretary for security, Elliot Shelton, the party has said.
The party’s information department said ,Shelton was on Wednesday afternoon abducted by some unknown men who were driving unmarked two white double-cab vehicles.
“The PDP demands the urgent release of Shelton and we hold the state and Zanu PF responsible for the abduction,” said the party.
“We underscore the need for total change in Zimbabwe where the rule of law is upheld and people are respected regardless of their political affiliations”.
PDP said like what happened to the ex- Journalist-cum human rights activist Itai Dzamara whose whereabouts remain unknown since last year in March the same could have happened to their official.
“As the PDP, we demand that Shelton’s abductors must release him to his family and we will make all efforts to secure his location and safe release,” said PDP.
“Zimbabwe cannot continue to feign being a democracy yet its citizens who dare criticize the rotten Zanu  PF leadership are not guaranteed of safety”.

ByTerrence Mawawa|Workers at Chisumbanje Ethanol company owned by President Robert Mugabe’s business partner Billy Rautenbach, have gone for 8 months without salaries and have had anti-riot police details deployed to crush dissent.
The ethanol plan’s business was granted exclusive state access after Rautenbach deceived government claiming he would provide electricity for the whole of Manicaland year in year out.
Workers at his ethanol plant say employees are passing out on duty due to hunger and efforts to resolve the matter have proved fruitless since the police “are constantly quashing” their protests.
“We have gone for 8 months without salaries and our efforts to engage the management have been ruthlessly thwarted by the police. There are police details who are monitoring the situation round the clock. We are only getting a paltry $ 70 each as part of a working allowance. Rautenbach is nowhere to be seen and we are getting agitated by the situation,” said an employee based at Chisumbanje plant.
The workers also said Rautenbach was riding on political immunity because of his closeness to Mugabe.
“We call upon the president to intervene in the situation before the whole thing gets out of hand . We are tired of working for nothing. In-fact we are generating a lot of money here but we are toiling for nothing ,” said another employee based at Middle Sabi ethanol plant.
Rautenbach is also one of Mugabe’s chief sponsors with reports saying he committed thousands of dollars towards the upcoming 21st February Movement bash.

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Editor,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deadly tribal war hits illegal gold mine 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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