Zimbabwe’s government, which is run by a globe trotting President, has completely nothing to offer for its people, as revealed by one of recently appointed Masvingo’s Provincial Affairs Minister Shuvai Mahofa.
While Mugabe is busy complicating the operations of Non-Governmental Organisations, his colleagues are bleeding from inside, as the donor funding is the only gateway to Zimbabwe’s economic woes.
Addressing Gutu East community this weekend, Shuvai Mahofa said, “It’s something really wonderful, in such remote areas that you keep helping the disadvantaged people help. Please continue giving the help that you started, we can only survive through you donors.” Minister Mahofa was applauding Oxfam and its partners, who have come to the rescue of Zimbabwean community with rural sustainable energy through developmental projects. Zimbabwe’s head of state is well known for denigrating NGOs, but never substituted their services, with whatever he promised. The Zimbabwean electorate are still waiting for promised deliveries after 2013 elections, which most people said were peacefully rigged, as nothing has come out of promised ZimAsset. The Gutu East project was funded by the European Union focusing on promoting enterprise development through increased uptake for solar energy products by poor and marginalised communities.
“Members of Parliament for Masvingo told me of the situation, and I saw it for myself when I was coming here. People’s lives are in danger, because of this drought,” said Mahofa, while praising the NGOs efforts to improve lives of the neglected community who are only remembered during election time. Gutu East MP Berita Chikwama also concurred with Mahofa, as she echoed the same sentiments of NGOs looking after the community than the Government.
“There is drought in the area, and we thank all NGOs organisations for their efforts in improving the lives of people. You have rekindled the lost hope to the people. I want to thank Oxfam, EU, French deputy Ambassador and Practical Action. We appreciate what you are doing. NGOs please keep on helping Gutu people to serve them from this poverty.” Said Chikwama.[lightbox link=”http://www.zimeye.com/wp-content/live_images//2015/04/shuvai-mahofa.jpg” thumb=”http://www.zimeye.com/wp-content/live_images//2015/04/shuvai-mahofa-180×232.jpg” width=”180″ align=”none” title=”shuvai-mahofa” frame=”true” icon=”image” caption=””]

Zanu-PF conducted primary elections on Saturday in eight constituencies in Harare, Midlands and Manicaland and has announced candidates who will represent the party in the by-elections set for June 10.
Spin doctor Psychology Maziwisa is set to become an MP after winning the Highfield West bi election.  He will represent the party in Highfield West after polling 840 votes, beating Emmanuel Juta (270), Alexander Matafi (200), Norbert Chikumbo (34) and Regis Muguva (23).
In Glen View South, Pious Madzinga won with 191 votes, beating s Doubt Mhike (159), Tawanda Musengi (103), Gladys Muvuti (68) and Musafare Muchemwa (7).
Betty Kaseke will represent Kuwadzana after managing 572 votes ahead of s Lloyd Makuwe (308), Tauya Mauka (36) and Joseph Mutezo (148). In Kambuzuma, Tinashe Maduza got 891 votes beating Oliver Chidau (378), Samuel Mvurume (66) and Samuel Chinyowa (62).
The Dzivaresekwa primary election was won by Omega Hungwe who polled 679 votes to beat s Never Kowo (253), Francis Chanduru (66), William Muhipe (47) and Tichaona Kapfunde (5).
Terrence Mukupe polled (651) in Harare East, beating s Mavis Gumbo (369), Stanley Mau Mau (111), Chris Chuchu (14), Justice Zvandasara (151), Margaret Sithole (20) and Milton Chaniwa (31).
Speaking after the elections, Mau Mau said he was ready to work with Mukupe since he was “the best candidate” for the constituency.
Vongaishe Mpereri polled 2 299 votes against Knowlet Hove in Kwekwe Central, while Esau Mupfumi will represent the party in Dangamvura-Chikanga after garnering 1 110 votes followed by s Yard Binali (745), Reketai Duru (586), Kenneth Muchina (522) and Future Pariyana (67).

Concern is growing for a missing 23 year old vulnerable Zimbabwean youth in Manchester, Tinashe Ashleigh Hombarume.

At at time when Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF is destroying itself through bitter purges, the MDC-T has firmly set its eyes on the upcoming 2018 elections beginning its first massive fund raising shows in the United Kingdom.
A team of officials led by Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora are on their way to be in England early in July in preparation for a massive music gala fund-raiser in the posh city of Oxford, ZimEye.com can reveal.
Fund-raising has become vital after the ZANU PF government strangled the MDC parties by failing to release up to $3million of political party funds as allocated by the Constitution.
The trip has been facilitated by the MDC-T party’s most organised branch, Oxford, led by the prolific chairman Chrispen Chamburuka who has outshined many both within and outside Zimbabwe. Oxford has for years financed the MDC party from its cashbook including ensuring that the party retains Thabitha Khumalo’s Bulawayo East constituency.
Accompanying Mwonzora is Treasurer General Theresa Makone, Abednico Bhebhe, and Deputy Spokesperson, Thabitha Khumalo.
The function will be held on the 1st August, at the large Exeter Hall, Oxford, OX5 1AB(picture below)

FIRED former Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman and Hurungwe West independent candidate Temba Mliswa was arrested at Sengwe business centre yesterday and allegedly charged with disrupting the ruling party’s meeting.
Mliswa was still in police custody by the time of going to print last night.
His campaign team member Farayi Kuvheya said they were taken to Magunje Police Station and charged with interfering with an authorised meeting.
“We were just moving around the constituency organising our campaign teams at Sengwe Township 500 metres away from Nyamhunga School where Zanu PF was holding a rally,” Kuvheya said.
He claimed that some people at the business centre mobbed Mliswa, assuring him that they would vote him in the by-election scheduled for June 10.
“Mliswa’s mob attracted people who were going to the rally, prompting the police to arrest him and members of his team,” Kuvheya said.
Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara refused to comment on the issue.
Mliswa is contesting the by-election against Zanu PF candidate Keith Guzah.
The constituency has of late become a favourate hunting ground for Zanu PF heavyweights who have made various pledges to the electorate during campaigns for Guzah.
The National Constitutional Assembly which participated in recent by-elections held in Chirumanzu-Zibagwe and Mt Darwin West, did not field a candidate hoping to give Mliswa an opportunity to defend his forte.
Zanu PF secretary for administration Ignatius Chombo and national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere were among some top ruling party officials who have held rallies in the constituency where they have publicly denounced Mliswa and promised to upgrade public infrastructure.
“We will bring four graders to rehabilitate roads in the constituency and each ward will have new boreholes drilled,” Kasukuwere said at a recent rally in the constituency.
Chombo also told Zanu PF supporters that the farming inputs that Mliswa distributed recently were not his, but came from government.
Mliswa was expelled from both Zanu PF and Parliament a few weeks ago on charges of fanning factionalism and sympathising with former Vice-President Joice Mujuru.
Guzah is the current Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial vice-chairperson and former president of the Affirmative Action Group.
Zanu PF, according to observers, was working hard to ensure that the seat located in President Robert Mugabe’s home province backyard remained under its control.
Mliswa, who last Wednesday successfully filed his nomination papers, has premised his campaign on his track record in Parliament for the past 20 months.
He also enjoys the backing of traditional leaders, war veterans and other disgruntled Zanu PF members. – Newsday

The Central Intelligence Organization boss Happyton  Bonyongwe  has put new measures  which have seen junior members of the organization having ‘less powers’, ZimEye.com has learnt .
Highly placed sources within the CIO said Bonyongwe has directed the police and local authorities not to tolerate them when they approach them ‘while on duty’. 
“He wrote letters to the ZRP instructing them to arrest any member of the CIO who would have been caught say driving without a license. He did this saying he wanted to bring sanity in the organization”, said the source.
“He has also directed all local authorities throughout the country to clamp our cars should they find them parked in the city without some parking discs.
“This is unusual because the nature of our duty sometimes demands that we spend 10 hours parked at a certain point carrying out some investigations.” 
They also said the CIO Boss had ordered financial institutions to stop giving his members loans.
“We used to easily access loans from banks and other financial institutions and this was also blocked. We have a housing scheme which used to give us some loans and housing stands and again the facility is now a preserve of the top officers,” complained the CIO members.
“There is also heavy militarization of the organization with most of the heads of departments being recruited from the Army. In fact he is saying that every member should have a military background and very soon we will see ourselves getting military training”. 
The officers however believe Bonyongwe is  trying to convince President Robert Mugabe that he does not belong to the ousted former Vice President Joice Mujuru camp.
Bonyongwe is in the ZANU (PF) firing queue together with Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Commissioner General Paradzai Zimondi, Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri and Perence Shiri  the Air force of Zimbabwe Commander. 
The security chiefs are accused of siding with the former Vice President Joice Mujuru who was fired from both the government and the ZANU(PF)  party by President Robert Mugabe.

A  pastor from Zimbabwe, who was fined P500 or four months in prison in default of payment for entering Botswana illegally, is facing deportation
Shadreck Lovedale 36 was found guity last Tuesday after admitting to have entered Botswana through an ungazetted point at Matsiloje on October 25 2013, by the principal magistrate Sijabuliso Siziba.
The sentence was suspended for one year on condition he does not commit any offence that has an element of dishonesty.
Lovedale is a pastor and founder of Gospel Impact Church in Francistown. He was arrested during a church service on Saturday evening.
He told the court that although he did not have any legal justification for having committed the offence, he was forced to overstay in the country to oversee the growth and progress of his infant church.
“I applied for residence and work permits and was at first rejected by the minister of Labour and Home Affairs,” he said.
“I then reapplied and my days were exhausted while awaiting a reply from the minister.
“I wanted to teach some of my congregants how to run the church in my absence while waiting for the reply from the minister, but unfortunately found myself in this situation.
“I sincerely apologise for my unlawful actions,” Lovedale said.
Sentencing the accused, Siziba said he took into consideration that the accused was a first offender.
However, the magistrate said the accused had committed a serious offence that carries a maximum sentence of four years in jail and a fine of P4 000 or both.
“First offenders should be treated with leniency although the court does not condone their unlawful actions,” Siziba said.
“Also, this court is inundated with cases of foreigners entering Botswana through ungazetted points of entry.
“Nonetheless, your motive in the commission of the offence shall be taken into account.”
Kutlwano Police Station commander Letsholathebe Mothibi said Lovedale had been handed to the Centre for illegal immigrants for deportation.
He said the pastor might be allowed to come back to Botswana to preach after normalising his work and residents permits. – Mmegi

Yesterday the Zanu-PF Bulawayo Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) announced the names of candidates who will take part in primary elections set for this week.
Out of the five constituencies in Bulawayo, there will be no elections in two constituencies where Mr Joseph Tshuma (Mpopoma-Pelandaba) and Mr Godfrey Malaba (Pumula) sailed through unopposed.
In Makokoba, Mr Tshinga Dube will battle it out in the primaries with Mr Michael Mukarwa. Anna Moyo and Ntando Mlilo will square off in Luveve while Tariro Zhou and Maidei Mpala will contest the Magwegwe constituency.
Bulawayo interim provincial chairperson Alderman Dennis Ndlovu yesterday told The Chronicle that the recommended candidates were confirmed by the party’s national elections directorate (NED) in Harare.
“We recommended the names, which were submitted to us and the party’s NED has confirmed them because everything was done above board. We’re now geared to successfully hold our primaries between Tuesday and Wednesday,” said Ndlovu.
On Saturday, Zanu-PF held primaries in nine constituencies in Harare, Manicaland and Midlands provinces ahead of the 16 by-elections set for June, 10.
In Harare primaries were held in six constituencies namely Highfield West, Glen View South, Kuwadzana, Kambuzuma, Dzivarasekwa and Harare East, while other polls were held in Manicaland’s Dangamvura-Chikanga constituency and in the Midlands province’s Mbizo constituency.
The by-elections were necessitated by the recall last month of 21 MDC-T legislators who had defected to the MDC Renewal Team. MDC-T will fill seven seats which it won on proportional representation in the July 2013 harmonised elections, but the opposition party has resolved not to contest in the by-elections.
Zanu-PF’s national secretary for the commissariat Mr Saviour Kasukuwere on Friday announced that primaries for the five vacant constituencies in Bulawayo would be held this week. Last week the party’s provincial leadership in Bulawayo disqualified some aspiring candidates for the primary elections. The Central Committee and Politburo members in the province resolved to disqualify party members who had submitted their names after the vetting process which was done on March, 29.
Thirty two party members in Bulawayo had expressed interest in contesting in the primary elections for the five constituencies.
Politburo member Sikhanyiso Ndlovu pulled out of the party’s primary elections for the Mpopoma-Pelandaba constituency, while Central Committee member, Mr Mpehlabayo Malinga, also withdrew his candidature for Makokoba saying his name was submitted while he was abroad.
President Robert Mugabe proclaimed April, 16, as the date for the sitting of the Nomination Court for the June 10 by-elections. -chronicle

A 47-year-old Mbare man who has received a 10 day prison sentence for bashing his wife over sex has pleaded saying he was overcome by a strange burning sensation for intimacy which made him attack his spouse, Durai.

Sibangani Bandera appeared before Mbare magistrate Ms Gladys Moyo charged with contravening the Domestic Violence Act.

It is the State’s case that on April 5 this year, Bandera woke his wife, Durai up in the late hours of the night and asked her for sex. The court heard that Durai refused to be intimate with Bandera and this did not go down well with him.

He then bashed Durai in reaction to the refusal.

“I admit I did it. I was consumed with an unusual sex flame and I am sorry,” Bandera said.

In passing sentence, Ms Moyo considered that Bandera was a first time offender who had demonstrated remorse by pleading guilty to the charges.

Ms Moyo handed Bandera a court fine of $50 or 10 days in prison after he was convicted of bashing his wife over sex.
“I have taken into account that you have lived a criminal-free life up to this age and you have shown remorse for what you did. However, you did something wrong and you have to face the consequences of your actions, ” she said.

She continued, “You have to learn to talk things over with your wife and not turn to violence when you have misunderstandings,” she added.

Mr Chamunorwa Manyere prosecuted.

A-37-YEAR old Mzilikazi man died on the spot after he was stabbed in the neck and stomach for admonishing a youth he found insulting his aunt minutes after walking into a beer garden.
Simon Ncube, 23, allegedly stabbed Nkululeko Vuma with an okapi knife at around 9PM at Mzilikazi’s Manwele Beer Garden in Bulawayo on Friday following a misunderstanding after he told the murder suspect not to insult his aunt, only identified as Rita who was in the bar.
It is alleged that Ncube was angered by Vuma’s intervention as he was hurling insults at the elderly woman and started poking him on the forehead and later stabbed him.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said: “We’ve received a murder report and we’ve since arrested a suspect and he’s assisting us with investigations.”
A Chronicle news crew yesterday visited Vuma’s home in Mzilikazi suburb and managed to talk to family members.
Vuma’s widow, Jennet Nyoni, 31, said her husband left home for a drink at the beer garden soon after arriving home from work at Power Sales Stores where he was employed
“Upon arrival at the beer garden, he saw Simon insulting our aunt Rita. My husband asked Simon why he was insulting a person as old as his mother. This angered Simon who went on to point his finger at my husband’s forehead. I’m told that he said, ‘uzangenzani wena ungumfazi akulalutho ozangeza lona’ (What can you do to me, you’re a woman),” said Nyoni.
“They started fighting and Simon drew an okapi, stabbed him in the neck and stomach. He died on the spot. Simon ran away to his sister’s place in Hillside but was later apprehended by the police. Vuma was a quiet person.”
His uncle George Moyo, said they were saddened by Vuma’s demise in a violent and cruel manner.
“It’s very painful to lose a son in such a manner. Nkululeko was a quiet man. We urge the judiciary to consider death sentence for Simon. He must be killed as well, he doesn’t deserve to live,” said Moyo, angrily.
Moyo said police took Ncube to Manwele beer garden for indications.
Vuma is survived by his wife Nyoni and three children, two boys, aged 10 and 12 and a girl aged 16.
The city has witnessed an upsurge in murder cases over petty issues. – Chronicle

Social networks were abuzz at the weekend as Zimbabweans poured their outrage at President Robert Mugabe who recently said he does not talk to white people. This came as an undated photograph of him surfaced as he kissed a white male priest’s hand (picture). Mugabe told a white journalist in South Africa last week he does not speak to white people. READ MORE -VIDEO: Mugabe Refuses to Talk To Journalists After Spotting a White Face

• “We have a tremendous following” – Mutasa

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has sent out a public message to expelled ZANU PF strongman Didymus Mutasa that he is open to secret talks and those which would not accessible to the media.
Tsvangirai blew this revelation in a presser on Friday.
This came as Mutasa expressed he wishes to unite with Tsvangirai following the breakdown of his relations with his former boss Robert Mugabe.
Mutasa (who thousands of Tsvangirai’s supporters have not forgiven for the alleged killing of toddler Christpower Maisiri three years ago), said he wishes to form a united front within a matter of weeks. “It is only be a  matter of time before we publicly launch such a party. We have a tremendous following. This is going to be a coalition of all political parties within Zimbabwe,” said Mutasa.
The announcement was made last week as Mutasa lost a court bid against his expulsion from ZANU PF.
The development has attracted a rise in internal calls to take Mutasa seriously. “Mutasa is coming at an important time,” said one senior Tsvangirai officer . “It comes at a time when we are trying to launch the last arsenal on Mugabe,” they said.
Responding to Mutasa’s calls, Tsvangirai spoke calmly relating to the calls as a dating proposal.
“If you are proposing love to a girl you do not do that in the media or in public. Mutasa has not approached me and if he really wanted to engage me at that level he would have come to me through the right channels,” said Tsvangirai. ALSO READ- EXCLUSIVE:Horrific Photo of 12 Year-Old Burnt In Headlands

The convicted “Emmerson Mnangagwa coup plotter,” as reported by ZANU PF, Albert Matapo has hit the headlines in Europe.
ZimEye.com can exclusively reveal that Matapo’s 8 year old party has struck a note in the UK and the rest of Europe.
Matapo was accused of trying to replace Mugabe with Emmerson Mnangagwa, allegations which both he and Mnangagwa vehemently deny. This was at a time when expelled VP Joice Mujuru was in charge and Matapo was subjected to four days of torture  having been blindfolded and driven away at high speed for interrogation for four days, afterwhich he was imprisoned for treason.
His alleged accomplice, Mnangagwa was never touched.
After coming out of prison last year, Matapo said that the reason why he was targetted was because he had at the time started his party, the UCAD (United Crusade For Achieving Democracy) and CIO agents were just punishing him for it.
Now in exile, Matapo’s party has reinvigorated itself. Below is their authoritative manifesto revealed by UCAD’s UK chair Lovemore Taruvinga.
 
UCAD is a political party which is campaigning to bring a democratic change in Zimbabwe through non-violent means. UCAD believes that to bring a real and democratic change in Zimbabwe there should be a change in the political, economic and social governmence.

The political, economic, humanitarian and social crisis in Zimbabwe has long been marked by a repressive political climate systematically managed and sustained by the dictatorial regime of Zanu PF under Robert Mugabe. The government of the callous Zanu PF has carried out too many sadistic projects since 1980 and continues to oppress the patient people of Zimbabwe to this day. A few cases in point include;
I.        The Matabeleland Massacre called Gukurahundi, executed between 1982 and 1987 in which more than 20 000 innocent civilians were murdered, and over 60 000 women were raped. This was also exacerbated by victimisation, persecution and complete marginalisation of both the minority Matabeleland people and all those not identified with Zanu PF.
 
II.        The carrying out of so many private and secret extra judicial killings over the years
 
III.        The privatisation of the county’s judicial system which is now being absolutely controlled and directed by those who wield power in the desperate institution of Zanu PF.
 
IV.        The chaotic farm invasions in which farmers’ assets were grabbed by Zanu PF and the accompanying persecution and killing of some white farmers as well as the replacement of over a million farm workers and the concomitant loss of their livelihoods as death from murder, poor nutrition and health.
 
V.        The demolition of people’s houses and small businesses under Operation Murambatsvina (Operation remove trash), particularly in those urban centres believed to be opposition strongholds.
 
VI.        The privatisation of our resource- rich country and the eventual handover to a new colonialist called China.
 
VII.        The unlawful abductions, detentions, torture, killing and imprisonment of those opposed to Zanu PF.
 
VIII.        The massive grabbing of both public and private resources from those known and suspected to oppose Zanu PF
 
IX.        The massive and pervasive election rigging
 
X.        The militarisation of state institutions
 
XI.        The total disregard of the rule of law. Indeed, the regime has totally mismanaged the economy and is guilty of dereliction of duty through failure to respect international laws, government, profligacy and spectacular failure to deliver on its judicial function to Zimbabweans. Zanu PF has excelled in maliciously preaching lies, thwarting opposition politics, misinterpreting national laws to suit their institutional needs, institutionalising corruption and murder, and promoting tribalism, racism and gross immorality. The activities and policies of the regime coupled by its sheer economy management incompetency have caused immense suffering to the people, significant increase in loss of lives, haemorrhaged the economy and driven over 6 million Zimbabweans into forced exile in not only neighbouring countries like South Africa and Botswana, but also in some overseas countries including the UK, USA, Germany, Austria, Canada, Australia and Newzealand. There was a Government of National Unity(GNU) in which Zanu PF joined hands with both the MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai and that led by Welshman Ncube and Professor Arthur Mutambara that ran the country from February 2009 to July 2013. The GNU spectacularly failed to deliver Zimbabweans from Zanu PF as the regime took advantage of every positive development that was a product of the GNU. The international community supported the GNU and resultantly, Zanu PF became increasingly stronger. Zanu PF even managed to get closer to the opposition top leadership, once viewed as genuine, like Morgan Tsvangirai and Tendai Biti among others. In the process MDC’s leadership was severely permeated and characteristically reconfigured by the impermeable Zanu PF. However, as these formerly truthful torch bearers of Zimbabwe’s democracy have not openly joined Zanu PF, it is difficult for ordinary people to find it easy to believe simply because they have ordinary understanding of politics.

More to follow….

THE Chiadzwa diamond fields will be temporarily closed and seven chief executive officers and 60 board members of mining companies will lose their jobs within the next three weeks as Government collapses the entities into one firm.
Government is already in the process of merging Mbada Diamonds, Anjin, Marange Resources, Gye Nyame, Kusena, Jinan and Diamond Mining Company into the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC).
Mines and Mining Development Permanent Secretary Professor Francis Gudyanga told The Sunday Mail that Government would control the 150 000ha Chiadzwa diamond fields.
This, he explained, would improve accountability and transparency in diamond mining amid continued suspicion that the sector is haemorrhaging the economy instead of being a driver of growth.
Prof Gudyanga said: “The initial plan to consolidate Marange Resources with Kusena and Gye Nyame was subsumed in the broader consolidation of all the seven mining companies in Marange diamond fields together with Murowa diamonds and DTZ-OZGEO. So there was never a plan to have other groupings for consolidation.
“The emerging company after consolidation, ZCDC, will assume all the assets and liabilities of all the companies that are being merged. The shareholding of these small companies will be determined by their equipment assets plus what they financially inject into ZCDC for its capitalisation and exploration.
“The process is expected to be completed by end of April or early May 2015 bar the unforeseen. There is a committee working on the arrangements that will be made after consolidation including business plan of the ZCDC.
“The chief executive officers and boards of the current companies will be dissolved but the workforce will essentially be retained subject to conditions that may be set.”
Government resolved to take charge of Chiadzwa after companies failed to satisfactorily declare royalties and taxes. Some of the entities misrepresented to Government that they were dysfunctional despite operating for over four years.
In January 2014, Gye Nyame Resources said it was moribund and was looking for investors to help it resume operations. This was after a Ghanaian investor was accused of being involved in underhand dealings. Gye Nyame was also accused of wantonly violating environmental laws.
On the other hand, Marange Resources — owned by Government through its mining arm, the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation — was implicated in a fraud scam by a 2014 forensic audit.
The audit revealed that management siphoned money from the firm by inflating the value of equipment purchases.
Kusena Diamonds failed to declare royalties despite digging up precious stones.
DTZ-OZGEO is a 60/40 percent joint venture between Econendra of Russia and the Development Trust of Zimbabwe.
While the other operations are 50-50 joint ventures between ZMDC and foreign investors. Prof Gudyanga said earlier plans to cancel licences of under-performing companies were shelved.
“The question of cancelling licences for under-performing companies is now not going to arise. All the current entities will no longer exist or transact as they do now. There will be one CEO, one board, and the Government will have 50 percent shareholding.
“Government had no participation in Murowa diamonds and DTZ-OZGEO. However, like other companies in the country, they were being approached so that they comply with indigenisation laws of the country.
“The consolidation process is now causing these companies to be compliant with the indigenisation,” he said.
Rio Tinto Plc has a 78 percent stake in Murowa Diamonds with the remaining 22 percent owned by RioZim Limited — a Zimbabwean-listed entity.
Murowa Diamonds communications and external relations manager Mr Lovemore Chimuka said the company had already submitted its indigenisation plan.
“While the ownership and control of Murowa Diamonds remains unchanged, Rio Tinto’s intention is to engage fully with the Government to understand its position on the future of diamond mining in Zimbabwe.
“In 2014, Rio Tinto paid the Zimbabwean Government a total of US $14 million in taxes and royalties.
“We intend to continue to work in this spirit even though we are concerned about a number of steps recently taken by the Government with regards to the tax and regulatory environment. We will continue to discuss these issues with the Government in a constructive manner as they are threatening the viability of Murowa diamonds as a going concern.
“Murowa diamonds has duly submitted its indigenisation plan and is awaiting a formal response from the Government,” he said. sunday mail

Wishes transformed into horses in Bikita at easter when the nation’s most detested politician next only to the century-bleaked Robert Mugabe, Vice-President Emmerson Munangagwa, rode on his own holy-phantom beast.
Mnangagwa wore a preacher’s hat when he attempted to preach the word of God at Zion Christian Church in Bikita on Easter Sunday.
The Jonathan Moyo controlled media reports stating in full that:
Hundreds of people from across the country and beyond gathered under the leadership of Bishop Dr Nehemiah Mutendi at Mbungo Estates to celebrate the Easter season.Deducing his message from John 8v12, VP Mnangagwa said one’s salvation had nothing to do with one’s close relations to men of the cloth.“Imi munofunga kuti chiyedza chenyika izuva, kwete. Chiyedza chenyika ndiye Jesu Kristu, ndiye Mwanakomana waMwari, wakaburutswa kuti tiwane kuponeswa. Ndiye chiedza. Nokuti pane angafunga kuti zuva ndiro chiedza chenyika, ayihwa. Hongu Jehova vakati ngakuva nechiedza 12 hours tombova nerima 12 hours.
“The light of life inongobva kuna Jesu Kristu, ndiye woga. Hazvina witness, hazvina chii! Isu kana tiri muCabinet tinodebater nyaya vamwe vachiinda nekuku vamwe vachiinda nekuku. VaMugabe vakateerera vozopendera nyaya inenge iripo. Makambohwa here kuti Mwari anodebater nengirozi ozopendera?
“Bodo! Anopa instruction. Ngakuve nechichi, chovako. Haaite mainstruction gumbo rako richirwadza oti ndoporesa zvandambotaura? Bodo! Ndiye Mwari watinonamata, ndiye Mwari mupenyu,” said VP Mnangagwa.
He added that God’s ways are above men’s who change goal posts now and then.
“Asi isu kana tapinda muCabinet tinombopasser zvimwe kana tafunga tozozvibvisa toisa zvimwe tichingodaro. Zvasiyana munhu nezva Ishe ari kumusoro kudenga. Zvedu zvinoda a witness but the spirit of the Lord, the light of the Lord hazvina witness zvinoda commitment yako, kuzvipira kwako,” affirmed VP Mnangagwa.
He further preached from Acts 2v14-24, emphasising that now is the time God is pouring his spirit in all kinds of people
“Imi mhuri yeJudea, imi maZion makaungana pano tererai shoko iri randinokutaurirai Peter. Kana mazuva angu okupedzisa asvika ndiwo mazuva angu iko zvino ndichaburutsa mweya wangu ugofamba pamusoro penyu ndiJesu Kristu. Nhanhasi uno mweya unobva kudenga uchiuya pamusoro pevapenyu.
“Vanakomana, vanasikana vachaporofita ndonhaka yatakapiwa naJesus. Munoona musingaonesese. Matana, vakweguri venyu vacharota hope. Hamungazvioni here pakati penyu. Ndozviriko nhasi asi zvakataurwa kare Jesu achitaura paverse rake. Munohwa musingahwisisi.
“Nguva yekugumisira isati yasvika muchaona zvishamiso zvakawanda kudenga napasi,” preached the Vice- President.
He also implored Christians to seek the Lord with true and committed hearts. – SundayMail

A SELF-CONFESSED teenage witch (16) from Chief Zimunya’s area claimed she was a proud owner of 10 hyenas and 10 snakes which she uses in her nocturnal activities.
The teenager (name withheld) shocked people gathered at Acting Chief Zimunya’s court recently when she vividly narrated their spine-chilling underworld trade which has resulted in the deaths of some villagers in the peri-urban area which has over the years sent tongues wagging because of acts of sorcery.
The witch claims that she is now being haunted by the avenging spirit of one of her group’s victims who is baying for her blood.
In a macabre real-life drama, the girl stunned the court when she disrupted proceedings for a few minutes, crying, claiming she was seeing the ghost of Tracy Mutendi, whom she allegedly caused her death through witchcraft.
The girl’s mother, Francesca Chitambo-Bhasera, said she was not sure whether the incision marks on the teenager’s body were from the girl’s paternal side or from the wife of her husband’s elder brother, Alick. Francesca said she came to the chief’s court to seek his counsel on how to handle the case which has now divided the family. The girl confessed to being a witch claiming that she was initiated by her paternal grandmother.
She said her tools of the trade include 10 hyenas and the same number of snakes.
What, however, surprised the court was that in her confession when she was asked her name, the girl claimed to be Portia Bhasera, the wife of her stepfather’s elder brother.
“I have incision marks inserted on me by my grandmother. I have eaten over 25 corpses and human meat tastes good. We ate the body of Tracy Mutendi who is now haunting me. She is now summoning others baying for my blood and I am having sleepless nights . . .
“My name is Portia. My husband (Portia’s husband Alick) is my horse. I have 10 hyenas and 10 snakes. My other snakes are in Gombakomba where they feed on milk from Portia’s grandmother, but she does not know this,” she ranted unperturbed in her manifestation.
She claimed that the black mambas that were currently being seen in Madziva Village chasing people were hers.
One of the snakes allegedly chased her stepfather Edmore Bhasera when he was coming from the fields recently and the other snake chased their neighbour’s little boy who escaped death by a whisker by seeking refuge at the Bhasera residence.
“You (referring to Edmore) were supposed to die because you talk too much. That day that snake was supposed to kill you. As for that boy, he was lucky because he ran towards the Bhasera residence. He was meant to die,” boldly declared the girl.
She, however, said she was tired of the trade and wanted to lead a normal life again.
Francesca said the problem started in 2013 when Portia used to fall into a trance. She said she sought the assistance of a local prophet, Mai Zingwe, who managed to make the spirits possessing her daughter speak.
Mai Zingwe told the court that the girl was being used by her late uncle and aunt to boost their businesses, but she cured her.
“I managed to remove a scorpion and a snake from the girl. She was well for a while in December and the problem started again recently. But now the spirit is manifesting again claiming to be Portia.
“I told the stepfather, Edmore, and asked him if I should perform the same ritual we had performed to cast out the spirits haunting her, but he told me to wait until he talked to his brother,” said Mai Zingwe.
Spine-chilling testimonies were revealed about people who the girl and other witches ate in surrounding villages.
Acting Chief Zimunya said they should come back on April 30 and go to a traditional healer for consultation. He instructed both Edmore and Alick Bhasera to each look for $150 for the traditional healer’s consultation fee and another $30 each for the chief’s aide who will escort them.
Acting Chief Zimunya said he would pass his verdict based on the outcome from the traditional healer’s consultations.
“This matter involves human lives, so appeasement is needed. We must unearth the truth first,” said Acting Chief Zimunya.
In October last year, another 15-year-old girl from Zimunya appeared at Chief Zimunya’s court confessing to witchcraft after being involuntarily inducted at the age of 10 by her grandmother.  – Manica Post

Calls for Midzi, Chikukwa expulsion
The Zanu PF Harare province has recommended the expulsion of former chairman Amos Midzi and several other officials fingered in acts contrary to the party’s code of conduct.
 
The province has also recommended that Miriam Chikukwa and others be suspended for five years.
The Acting Zanu PF Harare Chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa says the provincial co-ordinating committee has recommended that 16 members who were actively involved in the plot to unseat President Robert Mugabe from power should be expelled from the party as they are a security threat.
“That the offences committed by Noah Mangondo, Tendai Savanhu, Bonifce Karoro, Right Banda, Amos Bernard Midzi, Christopher Chigumba, Angeline Matambanadzo, Prince Shinya, Torongo Torongo, Tongai Nheta, Brian Hwenjere, Andrew Tiriboyi, Munyaradzi Mugomeza, Olivia Mususa and Tendai Diwa constitute acts of disloyalty and treachery and they should be expelled from the party in line with Article 267(c) of the party’s constitution,” said Cde Masimirembwa.
Masimirembwa also told the media that the province has agreed that 25 members who had votes of no confidence passed against them at the end of last year be suspended from the party for a period of five years.
“The party ruled that offences committed by Edith Kagoro, Tsitsi Jadagu, Idah Mashonganyika, Albertina Bwititi, Varaidzo Mupunga, Miriam Chikukwa, Eva Chaneta, Susan Chuma and Clyde Mutero constituted acts of gross misconduct, hence it was recommended that they be suspended from the party for five years,” Masimirembwa added.
The province says the move is meant to strengthen the party.
Former Vice President Joice Mujuru had led a faction that intended to unseat President Mugabe from power.
State media

A maid from Bulawayo facilitated the rape of a 15 year old girl by a prophet claiming she was possessed by evil spirits.
Silibaziso Khupe of Cowdray Park was looking after the girl while her parents lived in South Africa.
Khupe (21) yesterday appeared before the Western Commonage provincial magistrate Willard Mafios Moyo facing rape charges for allegedly assisting Herbert Khumalo to sexually abuse the girl.
Khumalo is still at large and Khupe was remanded in custody to April 15.
Prosecutors said the prophet turned the girl into her sex slave after Khupe convinced her that she needed to be cleansed of evil spirits.
Testifying in court, the girl said she was told that she had been bewitched by her grandmother and needed to be cleansed of the evil spirits.
Prosecutor Mufaro Mageza said at a date unknown to the State, Khupe connived with Khumalo to sexually abuse the girl.
The abuse started immediately after the girl’s parents had left for South Africa.
The victim said when the abuse started, she woke up preparing to go to school and heard Khupe talking on the phone inviting someone to their house.
After taking a bath she was forced to drink an unknown liquid which she was told would prevent her from becoming pregnant.
Khumalo later arrived at the house and Khupe told the girl to go into one of the bedrooms so the prophet could pray for her.
“When I entered, he locked the door and shoved a piece of cloth into my mouth to prevent me from screaming,” she said.
Khumalo told the girl that she was being bewitched by her grandmother before he raped her. He abused the girl every weekend for six weeks until her parents returned from South Africa.
The girl’s mother noticed that her behaviour had changed and quizzed her. She opened up on the abuse, leading to Khupe’s arrest.-southern eye

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has announced a reversal of his party’s emergency motion to contest in the bi-election.
The MDC-T met on Friday afternoon in a make or break National Council as Mr Tsvangirai and top lieutenants pondered reversing a congress resolution not to contest in bi elections until reforms have been implemented.
Tsvangirai was going to field for the by-elections Theresa Makone, Thokozani Khupe, Douglas Mwonzora, Obert Gutu, and his own uncle, Hebson Makuvise who were all “vying for the big job” which has several benefits besides a salary, sources said.
But Tsvangirai’s deputy Thokosani Khupe stormed out of the meeting in protest when the decision was made, a source said, just as Tsvangirai made his announcement,
The meeting confirmed by spokesperson Obert Gutu that it would be a heated one, confirming an earlier exclusive ZimEye.com expose on the development (READ MORE- ), came as pressure mounted from perceived potential international donors that Mr Tsvangirai crucified himself for Robert Mugabe’s gain when he recalled Tendai Biti and his group of MPs the MDC-T say are “rebels.” The “rebels” include popular activist Solomon Madzore millions of Zimbabweans label Zimbabwe’s Nelson Mandela and pulled away untold thousands from Tsvangirai’s support base.
But following media pressure, Tsvangirai announced the council decision at the end of day,
“We have considered the congress resolution regarding the recall of 21 MPs from parliament and council was very emphatic that the position taken in October that reforms must preceded any election in Zimbabwe has been vindicated by the stories coming from across the country regarding the few by-elections that have been held because they are also shambolic,” he said.
The move analysts say, reflects that Tsvangirai committed political suicide when he chose to expel Tendai Biti and his Renewal Team legislators, since ZANU PF which controls the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, will now effortlessly swallow all the parly seats.

As this week marked one month since pro-democracy activist Itai Dzamara was abducted by suspected state security agents, new details have emerged pointing to the government’s Central Intelligence Organisation.
Email evidence in possession of this journo shows an intelligence agent writing to a colleague on the day Dzamara was taken from his Glen View surbub, saying that “he has become a security threat.”
In the same email the agent, (Name Supplied), then complains that Dzamara had been allegedly handed $200,000 by western donors.
“How can one person receive $200,000 against $180,000 for the whole country’s agriculture what is that?,” the agent, a man, states.
He then follows at the footer saying that Dzamara would be released after interrogation.
The western donor’s name is not declared in the email.
The evidence once accepted by the courts, is now set to buttress the legal challenge against the government.
Dzamara’s lawyers have voiced that they are concerned by the silence of the government, while his colleagues say they fear for their lives and threatened to sue the CIO for contempt of court.
ZRP cops say Dzamara’s wife last saw her husband when five men forced him into a car before driving off.
Lizwe Jamela is with Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, an organization which sought an order to compel state agents to locate the anti-Mugabe activist. He explains how it has been since Dzamara disappeared.
“From lawyer’s perspective, it is so sad to work on a case where you do not actually talk to your client. Where he vanishes in the air. Nothing is really leading to where they [Dzamara] are. In as much as there are statements by the authorities that they are investigating, so far we have not had any updates,” said Jamela.
The statements the lawyer mentioned is a reference to a denial by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa that Harare had an issue with the missing activist.
“We are a democratic society and anybody in this country who commits a crime must account for the crime that is committed. That is why we have institutions like the Zimbabwe Republic Police to deal with this. I can assure the House that it [Dzamara’s abduction] is a barbaric act and we want those responsible to come to book,” said Mnangagwa.
The accusations stemmed from the fact that Dzamara had been calling for President Robert Mugabe’s resignation. Dzamara along with other activists accused Mugabe of ruining once-prosperous Zimbabwe and of disregarding human rights. (ZimEye/ Additional Reporting VOA)

The late General Solomon Mujuru’s estate may be exposed to liabilities in excess of $21 million being creditors of the now under liquidation Limpopo Mining Resources Limited, preliminary investigations have established.
Creditors for LMR, formerly River Ranch Diamond Mine, include Rani Investments which is owed $21 million while seven other companies are owed thousands of United States dollars.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the executor of the estate, Mr Stern Mufara of Nyika, Kanengoni and partners also revealed that Gen Mujuru has four properties registered in his name.
These are Stand Number 810 Land Park, Marondera measuring 2 240 square metres, held under deed of transfer 6763/91. Another two pieces of land Number 95 and 96 Hogertyhill township measuring two hectares and stand number 449 Bindura Township measuring 1,5 ha.
“We are in the process of investigating other properties which may be registered through various city councils, which properties may not reflect in the office of the Registrar of Deeds,” said Mr Mufara.
“We are also searching for companies that own some of the properties that are listed on the inventory as the deceased’s property.” Mr Mufara said during his life time, Gen Mujuru managed his businesses through a company called Kalmic Investments. He said all rentals collected from Gen Mujuru’s properties were paid to the company.
“It has come to our attention that Kalmic is no longer managing the assets,” said Mr Mufara. The company called Ruzirani Investments (Pvt) Ltd is now collecting rentals. It started managing the property after the death of Gen Mujuru.”
Mr Mufara said he was now in the process of establishing who controls Ruzirani, but it is believed one of Dr Mujuru’s daughters Kumbirai is one of the directors.
As the administration of the late national hero’s estate gathers momentum, Mr Mufara has scheduled a meeting next week with lawyer Mr Thekor Kewada who used to act for Gen Mujuru. Mr Kewada is expected to furnish the executor with documents relevant to the administration of the estate.
But former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru’s lawyer Mr Addington Chinake denied that he was in possession of documents necessary for the winding up of the estate in a letter to the executor last week.
“We refute the suggestion that Kantor and Immerman may have in its possession any of the documents you have requested,” said Mr Chinake. “We suggest that in future you separate client matters from the firm.”
He said he had since forwarded the executor’s letter to Dr Mujuru for consideration.
Gen Mujuru, who died in an inferno at his Ruzambo Farm, Beatrice in August 2011, is reported to have left multi-national investments in mining, real estate, agriculture and tourism.
His interests covered River Ranch Diamond Mine, Zimbabwe Mining and Smelting Company, Marange Diamonds, Trojan Nickel Mine, Kalmic Investments and Ruzirani Properties. He also held stakes in hotels and lodges in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique among many other investments.
The executor is still to meet with beneficiaries of the estate who are listed in the Deed of Trust which Mr Kewada filed with the Master of High Court office.
The Deed listed only 12 children and former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru as the beneficiaries.
However, the Deed is dated June 22, 2003.
There is a possibility that there may be more children and beneficiaries in view of reports that the national hero could have sired 90 children with different women. – Herald

Grace Pfumbidzayi

Two former Air Zimbabwe executives  who brought the company down to its knees  in one of country’s biggest corporate fraud scandals have been each  jailed for 10 years.
Air Zimbabwe lost nearly $10 million between 2009 and 2013 in a “well planned and well executed” aviation insurance fraud, which a magistrate said was “pre-planned” by its top executives who circumvented laid down procurement procedures.
Relatives of the former CEO, Peter Chikumba, 60, and the airline’s suspended company secretary Grace Pfumbidzayi, 50, wailed uncontrollably as a Harare magistrate handed down the sentences following their conviction for criminal abuse of office at the end of their high-profile trial on Thursday.
Police had hard times clearing the courtroom of the wailing relatives. Magistrates in adjacent courtrooms had to send their court orderlies to disperse the relatives who were disturbing proceedings.
Pfumbidzayi’s sobbing sister cried out: “Maihweee kani Mwari imi madarireiko, ko vana vake ndonovaudza kutiiko? Ndovaudza kuti mai vavo vayendepiko? Kudakwashe ndomutiiko, ndarwadziwa kani [Oh, dear God why did you let this happen? What will I tell her children? Where do I say their mum went? What will I do with Kudakwashe? I’m hurt].”
Regional magistrate Fadzai Mthombeni sentenced Chikumba and Pfumbidzayi to 10 years each before conditionally suspending three years. They will each serve an effective seven years.
In jailing the duo yesterday, Mthombeni appeared to invite prosecutors to pursue fraud charges against the pair.
“What the two accused persons did cannot be tolerated and they must be punished accordingly,” she said. “There was a lot of prejudice caused to Air Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd by the actions of the two, although the State did not go deeper and dig out the fraud charge.”
She added: “Lots of companies are collapsing because of crimes committed by people holding high positions in the companies and abusing those positions.
“The courts must put a stop to that and punish the offenders to send a clear message to the society. These two convicted persons brought the airline to its knees.”
The two shamed executives’ lawyers, Admire Rubaya and Advocate Webster Chinamhora – instructed by Andrew Muvirimi – notified the court of their intention to approach the High Court for bail pending appeal against both conviction and sentence.
“Good luck,” was Mthomben’s reply.
Pfumbidzayi and Chikumba bled the national flag carrier of millions of dollars in a fraudulent aviation insurance deal after they appointed Navistar Insurance Brokers in opaque circumstances as the airline’s local broker.
The airline, which previously paid Marsh Insurance Brokers 125,000 euros (about $171,000) per annum in brokerage fees, suddenly found itself paying Navistar 300,000 euros (about $410,000) per quarter, translating to 1,2 million euros (about $1,6 million) annually — nearly 10 times what Marsh was charging.
The upward spike in premiums was not matched by any commensurate increase in Air Zimbabwe’s fleet size or expansion of its route network. In fact, some aircraft were grounded at the time.
An audit report by BCA Forensic Audit Services, which triggered the arrests, also implicated Pfumbidzayi’s uncle, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development Munesu Munodawafa, for “conflicted” interference in trying to expedite payments to Navistar.
Working with other senior managers, Pfumbidzayi actively pushed through “fraudulent” payments to Navistar. Once, when there was a delay of a $305,000 payment, Munodawafa wrote to Air Zimbabwe asking them to expedite the payment. The auditors concluded Munodawafa – a former principal director in the former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s office – was “conflicted”.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, magistrate Mthombeni said the crime was well planned and well executed.
After hearing the guilty verdict, Pfumbidzayi wept in court and told the magistrate: “Whatever I did, and no matter how misguided it was, I did it in good faith. The court found out that it amounted to a criminal conduct and for that I apologise for my actions.”
Joined by Chikumba, they pleaded for a non-custodial sentence, stating that they were even ready to perform community service.
In aggravation, prosecutor Daniel Muchimbiri urged the court to impose a custodial sentence, arguing that the pair had been convicted of a serious crime which attracted a prison term of up to 15 years.
The convictions have been welcomed by anti-corruption fighters who, however, remain sore that Navistar bosses beat fraud charges on a technicality after being tried before a different magistrate.
Harare magistrate Noel Mupeiwa acquitted Givemore Nderere, 46, Vukile Hlupo, 46, and Orten Mawire, 61, of fraud, stating: “The State missed it when it decided to separate accused one, which is Navistar, from the three accused persons. Navistar was put on judicial management, consequently all judicial proceedings against it were suspended. The State then decided to proceed with the trial of the trio.”
Prosecutors are studying the judgment with a view to launching an appeal. -chronicle

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe told a crowd of media and spectators on Thursday while visiting Hector Pietersen Memorial in Soweto, “I don’t want to see a white face”. Watch.
An SABC reporter described the incident as Mugabe exited the museum, he walked past a television journalist who asked whether the tour had evoked any emotion. 
When Mugabe saw a white journalist behind her, he pushed the microphone away and reportedly said: “I don’t want to see a white face.”
Mugabe’s comment can be heard in the above video.

 – Expelling Gamatox ‘Agents’ –

Update: 1515Hrs |Roudy ZANU PF youths are currently gathered at ZANU PF Harare province headquarters where there is fiery commotion just as the party sinks deeper. Friday afternoon saw a new bill of names singled out to be so called ‘Gamatox’ members and now set to be humiliated and expelled. One of the people on the list is Harare province supremo Shadreck Mashayamombe.
Barely weeks after the liberation party expelled Joice Mujuru, Didymus Mutasa, and Temba Mliswa, Robert Mugabe’s private institution has continued on the decline with accusation upon accusation, conflicts which have at other times turned bloody. PICTURES:

As the noise and confusion continued, the Acting Zanu PF Harare Chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa soon stood up voicing out the expulsion of former chairman Amos Midzi and several other officials fingered in acts contrary to the party’s code of conduct.
He also recommended that Miriam Chikukwa and others be suspended for five years.
Masimirembwa said the provincial co-ordinating committee has recommended that 16 members who were actively involved in the plot to unseat President Robert Mugabe from power should be expelled from the party as they are a security threat.
“That the offences committed by Noah Mangondo, Tendai Savanhu, Bonifce Karoro, Right Banda, Amos Bernard Midzi, Christopher Chigumba, Angeline Matambanadzo, Prince Shinya, Torongo Torongo, Tongai Nheta, Brian Hwenjere, Andrew Tiriboyi, Munyaradzi Mugomeza, Olivia Mususa and Tendai Diwa constitute acts of disloyalty and treachery and they should be expelled from the party in line with Article 267(c) of the party’s constitution,” said Masimirembwa.
Masimirembwa also told the media that the province has agreed that 25 members who had votes of no confidence passed against them at the end of last year be suspended from the party for a period of five years.
“The party ruled that offences committed by Edith Kagoro, Tsitsi Jadagu, Idah Mashonganyika, Albertina Bwititi, Varaidzo Mupunga, Miriam Chikukwa, Eva Chaneta, Susan Chuma and Clyde Mutero constituted acts of gross misconduct, hence it was recommended that they be suspended from the party for five years,” Masimirembwa added.
More to follow…

Masvingo – Parents in Masvingo province are breathing fire over what they have branded a rapist habit, by teachers who are supposed to be guardians during their absence. Parents who have organised themselves, to demonstrate at all victim schools, that have recorded rape cases by teachers, are appealing to relevant authorities for the castration of all criminal teachers.
“We are now shattered of habitual rapist teachers who are sexually abusing our unsuspecting and innocent children. We want them castrated and also locked for a long time in custody, to implant distress in their colleagues, who might want to do the same,” said Mr Enock Chiumburu, a parent and village head.
Another villager and relative to one of the abused girl child, told ZimEye that she will fight to the bitter end, to make sure that all rapist teachers are castrated and sentenced to death. “We have organised ourselves as parents from three districts of Masvingo, Zaka, Gutu and Bikita, to lobby for the castration of all perpetrators of rape at all our schools,” said Mrs Rudo Chatira.
Recently, a teacher at Makwau Secondary School in Zaka allegedly raped one of his Form 2 pupils after he proposed love to her and she eventually accepted.
It is alleged that the teacher, Tawanda Zinyemba started proposing love to the pupil (name withheld because of age) in 2014 when she was 14-years-old.
Zinyemba would ask the victim to take some pupils’ exercise books to his house for marking and tell her to wait for him in the house. He proposed love to her but she initially refused.
As a way to persuade the pupil, Zinyemba started to give her money so that she would comply. The teacher allegedly continued giving her money until she consented to having sexual intercourse with him.
The matter came to light when some villagers from Mawoneke under Chief Nyakunhuwa became suspicious on the way the pupil was behaving. They probed the girl and she disclosed everything, including their sexual expedites in class rooms.
The matter was reported under case number 3703/2015 at Zaka Police, and the teacher appeared before Zaka Magistrates Courts.
Meanwhile, another Gutu teacher, Simon Gwatiringa, appeared in court for raping a 15 year old form three student, after buying her food and school uniform, a situation that seduced the girl into submitting to the rapist teacher’s intention. The matter is still in the courts at Gutu.
Last month in Bulawayo, a Form two teacher was sentenced to 21 years in prison, after he was convicted of sodomising six teenager boys on several occasions, during break and lunch time.

Scotland based Zimbabwean preacher who has been served several sex assault charges including making a minor massage his body with oil, appeared in court on Wednesday.
This is the second time the preacher has appeared before the court in a week.
The case which is on a rail till Monday, commenced with first court diet session at Falkirk.
He is being tried before a jury.
During the session the charges were debated upon in session and finalised for the final trial. Masocha defence attorney speaking on the issue of the use of oil, said the case is “complex.”
The final trial is now set for on Monday 13th, next week.
However it may be another 14 days before a verdict is made.
The case number is SCS/2014-157867.    FULL REPORT  – READER MORE  –

A SENIOR SECURITY guard and supervisor in Gwanda died allegedly while being intimate with a junior workmate. Married Maxwell Gwatipedza, 54, a Role Security company inspector, was found half naked with his underwear at knee level at about 2PM on Wednesday.
Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Thabani Mkwananzi confirmed the incident.
“I can confirm that we’re investigating the sudden death of a 54-year-old man who died in Gwanda Town. The causes of his death will be revealed by post-mortem results,” he said.
Sgt Mkwananzi said Gwatipedza had left his work place after some routine checks at the Government Complex premises which they were guarding.
“However, at about 2PM, he was found dead on a bed at his residence by a workmate who had visited him. A report was made to the police and the body was taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital where he was certified dead. The body is at the hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem,” said Sgt Mkwananzi.
Sources said used condoms and female underwear were found at the scene. Gwatipedza, who is reported to have had a chest problem, was alleged to be in a relationship with Linnet Hlatshwayo, one of his subordinates.
Hlatshwayo, who informed their colleagues of Gwatipedza’s death, had visited the deceased at his house when the incident happened. She told The Chronicle she was not in a relationship with Gwatipedza.
“I’d gone there to collect some money which he had promised to lend me so that I could pay my rentals. When I got there, I discovered that he couldn’t wake up so I rushed to inform others. It’s a lie that we had an affair. I’ve my boyfriend whom I live with and I don’t know anything about his death,” she said.
Gwatipedza’s subordinates, however, were adamant that she was in a relationship with him.
“Everyone knows that she was having an affair with him, so it’s very suspicious for her to say that she found him already dead and with his pants down,” said one security guard.
Upon seeing that Gwatipedza had died, Hlatshwayo, in the company of another female security officer, informed their colleague, Dexter Tshababa, about the incident. Asked about the issue yesterday, Tshababa admitted to being approached by a visibly shaken Hlatshwayo about the death of Gwatipedza.
He said when they went to Gwatipedza’s place, they found him half naked with his manhood exposed.
“At first I thought it was just a joke, but I was shocked when we went to his house and discovered that he was indeed dead. He was not wearing his trousers and his underwear was a bit lowered. I had to dress him properly,” said Tshababa. – State Media

A SUSPECTED prostitute was arrested after assaulting her rival with an empty bottle in the stomach and several times on the head for stepping on her client’s foot at a Bulawayo night club.
Sifikile Baloyi, 30, of Pumula East appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Marylin Mtshina charged with assault.
She was not asked to plead and remanded out of custody to April 16 on $100 bail.
It is alleged Cleopatra Ncube, who was severely assaulted by Baloyi, almost lost her front row teeth as they were left loose.
The state’s case as presented by Taurayi Hondoyemoto is that on April 6, this year at around 12AM, Baloyi was at Waverley night club located at corner Lobengula Street and 13th Avenue in the city centre.
Hondoyemoto told the court that Baloyi was sitting with an unidentified man.
“When Ncube was passing by, she accidentally stepped on the man’s foot,” he said.
The court heard that Baloyi started insulting Ncube before assaulting her once on the stomach with an empty bottle.
Hondoyemoto said Baloyi assaulted Ncube several times on the head with fists.
He told the court that Ncube managed to run away but Baloyi followed her outside the club.
“While outside she continued assaulting the complainant until she sustained injuries on the left breast,” said Hondoyemoto.
The court heard that Ncube also sustained bruises on her upper lip and neck.
“Due to the assault, Ncube’s two front teeth are loose,” said Hondoyemoto.

AN Inyathi man was yesterday sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping and impregnating his step granddaughter. Obert Mpofu, 56, who was initially charged with raping two of his granddaughters aged 12 and 13, was lucky when one of the victims’ mother chose to support him in court resulting in the State dropping the second charge.
The court heard that he had turned his granddaughter into a sex slave for a year during which he paid her off with packs of Jiggies and sweets. The granddaughter aged 13, a Grade Five pupil, fell pregnant when she was 12 and was taken in by Musasa Project where she divulged that she together with her cousin were being sexually abused at home.
Regional Magistrate Chrispen Mberewere rebuked Mpofu for turning the girls into his sex objects saying criminals like him were better off in prison.
“It’s common cause that the girl was abused and you were lucky as one of the mothers chose to defend you instead of supporting her own child. We are aware that a family meeting was held to discuss the abuse of these children and its clear to this court that you did it,” said magistrate Mberewere.
He said a medical report submitted as evidence before the court showed that the girl was sexually active and this was proof enough that the girl was raped numerous times.
“You are therefore sentenced to 20 years in prison of which three years are suspended on condition of good behaviour. The court condemns sexual abuse of children and it is our duty to curb the crime.”
When the girl gave her testimony in camera, she said Mpofu used to call her to his bedroom where he would rape her together with her cousin.
“He used to call me or my cousin and rape us one after another before giving us sweets and Jiggies. Sometimes he would rape me in my cousin’s presence. He made us promise to keep the abuses a secret after buying our silence with food,” she said.
The girl also said at one point, she was raped while her mother had gone to the district hospital to deliver. Prosecuting Trust Muduma told the court that sometime in 2012, Mpofu used to go to a local beer hall and come back drunk. He said Mpofu would then call the girls to his bedroom to dance for him.
On an unknown date but from the period extending from January 2012 to July 2014, Mpofu had sexual intercourse with the girls, one after the other. The matter came to light when one of the girls told her stepfather who was helping her do homework that Mpofu was having sex with them.
A family meeting was called and the girls revealed that Mpofu had been raping them. The matter was not reported to the police as it was settled at family level
Mpofu ran out luck when police got an anonymous tip off and instituted investigations.
One of the girls was already pregnant and she told Musasa Project counsellors that her step grandfather had been raping them for some time. – Chronicle

Johannesburg – As President Jacob Zuma and his Zimbabwean counterpart, Robert Mugabe, met for a second day of bilateral talks in Pretoria, the wife of former National Assembly speaker Max Sisulu, Elinor, said the two had failed to deal with the “shit of xenophobia” in front of them.
She said it was very probable that the issue of xenophobia was not on their agenda.
“They sit on a table and there’s lumps of shit on the table.The shit is xenophobia and its stinking there, but they will look elsewhere to put the blame yet and say kukhona okunukayo [something stinks], open the windows. They don’t deal with the shit. They talk about things which have no relevance to the people,” she said to applause.
She was speaking at a press conference on xenophobia in South Africa hosted by the African Diaspora Forum in Johannesburg.
Sisulu said xenophobia was not just a South African problem, but an issue all over the continent.
Listing a number of solutions, she called for better education on Africa in schools and society.
“People are operating on ignorance,” she said.
She also called on leaders to be careful and responsible on how they spoke about migrants in the country.
“When people beat each other up because of what you said, you say ‘oh no, I was quoted out of context’,” she said.
The conference was attended by SA Human Rights Commission, the King of the Batlokoa tribe, the Protection of Foreign Business and Citizens, the Nigerian Traders Union, human rights activists as well as foreign nationals. – News24

Expelled Vice President Joice Mujuru has opened fire on her “hateful” boss Robert Mugabe demanding answers on the mysterious death of her husband, General Solomon Mujuru, and also on the disappearance of activist Itai Dzamara.

Mujuru last night bluntly told her Zanu PF foes that she could never be expelled from the “genuine” ruling party, while also openly querying for the first time the mysterious death of her husband, General Solomon Mujuru, whose remains were found after an inferno at their Beatrice farm in 2011.
In a statement released by her aides, Mujuru also savaged Zanu PF bigwigs for showing no care for the life of abducted journalist turned pro-democracy activist Itai Dzamara, as well as the welfare of his young family.
“On the eve of the holiest day on the Christian calendar, the politburo chose to dwell on its relentless, unsubstantiated, malicious and hateful campaign against the person of Amai Mujuru.
“As if this was not inhuman enough, the much-decorated national hero, the late General Mujuru, who passed on in yet unclear circumstances, was not spared as well. It is un-Zimbabwean to desecrate our dearly departed. Hunhui ihwohwo / Ubuntu bani lowu?
“One wonders if the politburo ever spared any moment to enquire on the disappearance or lack of news on the whereabouts of young Itai Dzamara and what his young family is going through. My prayers go to ALL those who are hurting in silence.
“Given the prevailing economic hardships, the looming food crisis (tutsawona) and the declining inflows to the fiscus, the politburo’s silence on these matters is deafening.
“Ini handidzingike mu-original (I cannot be expelled from the original) and genuine Zanu PF!!!,” the hard-hitting statement said.
The statement came after President Robert Mugabe’s warring Zanu PF said they had summarily expelled her from the party last week, and at a time that the ruling party is on fire over contentious claims that her husband, whose war-time name was Rex Nhongo, plotted with her to oust and assassinate the nonagenarian before the revered late liberation war icon’s charred remains were found after the mysterious 2011 inferno.
It also came as Zanu PF has now officially split into two distinct and bitterly-opposed formations, with disaffected party stalwarts — including liberation struggle pioneers, war veterans and security sector bigwigs — coalescing under the banner and principles of the “original Zanu PF” and using the slogan “People First”.
The divisive allegations against Gen Mujuru, whose funeral at the Heroes Acre in Harare drew the largest crowd ever seen at the burial site, were contained in a report prepared by Zanu PF’s disciplinary committee and that was adopted by the party’s politburo last week.
The shocking claims have since prompted the Mujuru family to plan an urgent meeting to discuss the “disturbing and extremely serious” allegations, what the allegations mean and whether this had “played a part” in the death of the liberation pioneer.
Ironically, the late general is widely credited with catapulting Mugabe to the leadership of Zanu PF in the mid 1970s. However, he was also seen as the only senior party official who could challenge the nonagenarian.
His wife, who was once seen as Mugabe’s de facto successor, was booted out as Vice President of both the ruling party and the government last December following a vicious political assault on her by controversial First Lady Grace Mugabe.
The former VP was then subsequently expelled from the party altogether last week, the day that Grace resurfaced in the public domain after weeks of speculation regarding her health.
Investigations earlier this week have showed that the disaffected Zanu PF stalwarts who are involved with Zanu PF “People First” have been meeting regularly with many prominent Zimbabweans for some time now, to plan “the operationalisation” of the party in a bid “to reclaim the original Zanu PF”, which they allege has been hijacked by power-hungry mafikizolos.
Sources said many expelled and serving Zanu PF ministers, Members of Parliament, Youth and Women’s league officials who had been victims of the party’s harassment and brutal purges of the past few months, which had been fronted by Grace, supported the idea of Zanu People First and were pushing Mujuru to lead the party.
Former Presidential Affairs minister, Didymus Mutasa, who is a former top aide of Mugabe, has said that the group is pinning its hopes on the popular widow to lead the party.
“There is no doubt that the person that will take Zimbabwe from the current political and economic mess is Amai Mujuru. The government has failed and the Look East policy only makes a few people rich.
“Only until there is a real change of government, we are all going to suffer. The only person capable of changing this is Amai Mujuru.
“We are members of the original and genuine Zanu PF which was formed on August 8, 1963. We constitute the nucleus that bore the brunt of the national struggle. Unlike the mafikizolos who constitute the new-look and illegal central committee and politburo of the 2014 Zanu PF.
“Our membership is composed of the original and seasoned politicians, commanders of the Zimbabwe African National Army (Zanla), Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (Zipra) and Zimbabwe People’s Army (Zipa) forces who are now being marginalised,” Mutasa said. – DailyNews

Rising gospel musician; Kuda Mutsvene has released another video for the single “Mhururu” from his album “Chirangano”

Displaying his high levels of choreography and creativity skills; the video which is shot with a retro and urban feel; defines the future for this young man which is definitely looking bright. He featured his sister, Mercy Mutsvene another gospel ace who rocked during her days on this video and they displayed their unmatched talent as they melodiously sang this chorus.
 
Shot in the rural district of Seke and in the city of Harare; the video is well choreographed with dances that are mind blowing and will most certainly get people in the praise and dance mood be it at weddings or in the church. The song has also received rare reviews and is currently topping the gospel charts on local radio stations.
The album is marketed and distributed by Gospel Nation and is available for download on iTunes; Amazon and Google Play
Click on the links below and watch the video
 
Google Play: http://goo.gl/i59HsS
iTunes: http://goo.gl/wsX36T
Amazon: http://goo.gl/PA4CaC

As prominent activist Itai Dzamara’s disappearance reached a full month of cold suspense, the United States govt on Thursday raised the horn for justice and freedom.

The US said,  “today marks one month since the initial reports of the forced disappearance of Zimbabwean civil society activist Itai Dzamara.  The United States remains concerned about Mr. Dzamara’s whereabouts and wellbeing.

“On this date, we reiterate our call to the Zimbabwean authorities to mobilize their full resources to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr. Dzamara’s abduction and to ensure the protection of his fundamental human rights and freedoms.

“The United States stands together with Mr. Dzamara and the people of Zimbabwe in supporting their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.  We call for Mr. Dzamara’s immediate and safe return to his family and friends.”

Dzamara was abducted on the 9th March at a barbershop in Glen View by men who presented themselves as police officers and told him they were apprehending him for cattle theft.

While most of the elite travel to overseas for medical attention, Zimbabwe’s povo and their livestock are bearing the government’s failure to capacitate health institutions and veterinary services.
Midlands’s provincial veterinary officer, Dr Thomas Sibanda said it was difficult to contain the outbreak because the Government does not have the necessary resources.
While farm invasions are still taking place, and little being done to contain foot and mouth, Zimbabwe is going to face another serious epidemic. “Foot and mouth outbreak in Zvishavane and some parts of Matabeleland, started sometime last year but the Government is failing to contain the outbreak because of lack of resources in the department to treat the disease,” said Sibanda.
Farmers who spoke to the media expressed anxiety over the situation and urged the Government to assist farmers in mobilizing resources to fight the outbreak.
“The virus does not kill the cattle immediately but this is a worrisome disease. We appeal to Government to visit our different dip tanks and organise farmers to contribute money towards the procurement of the necessary drugs,” said one villager at Mapazuli deep tank in Mapanzure.
Reports have become far and wide on the failure of local health institutions , to cater for its own people. The Ministry of Health has also been failing to answer questions from the povo, as to why the First Family travels to Asia for their medicals, while they claim that Zimbabwe’s health facilities are in good shape.
The answer to all this is for the povo to digest. The lumpy skin, foot and mouth diseases which broke out in Zvishavane and Matabeleland last November has not been contained because Government lacks the resources to fight the outbreak, as confirmed by a senior veterinary officers.
Foot and mouth virus only affects animals with horns. It affects the tongue and stops cattle from grazing resulting in them starving to death.
Human beings are affected by foot and mouth if they eat contaminated meat and there are fears that the outbreak could be fuelled by some butcheries, who are selling un-inspected meat.

Tourisn Minister Walter Mzembi has opened fire on First Lady Grace Mugabe’s close friend and Resident Minister for Masvingo, Shuvai Mahofa saying that the Minister is ideologically bankrupt.
Mzembi who was for months rumoured to be a Joice Mujuru ally, took a direct swipe at Mahofa following the contentious issue of a large farm Mzembi wants to seize for himself, and which Mrs Mahofa has blocked from being taken over.
According to Mahofa Mzembi does not need any extra farm as he has too many properties already .
“We have already written a letter to the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement (Dr Mombeshora) informing him of our decision to have Minister Mzembi’s offer letter at Barquest Farm withdrawn and nothing is going to change on that,’’ Mahofa said.
She continued, “Our decision as the provincial land committee cannot be challenged because it is us the people of Masvingo who decide what should happen with our land. The Minister of Lands cannot turn down what we would have recommended because he does not live here. The issue of Barquest Farm is a closed chapter and we have already assured the owner of the farm, Mrs Mitchell, that she is safe because the hatchery project there is very important to us,’’ added Senator Mahofa.
However, responding to the attack Mzembi opened fire on Mahofa saying: ”
“It is, in the circumstances, inconceivable and ideologically bankrupt for a senior Government official, who should know better, to defend both iniquities, let alone when such iniquities are by old colonial settler farmers.”
“The ongoing narrative about some farms being too strategic to take over is a misplacement of priorities. All land is strategic and should never be used as a tool for political revenge, vengeance or retribution by blacks against their own kind, as seems to be the case here,” he continued.
The Masvingo provincial land committee recently blocked Mzembi from moving onto Barquest Farm arguing that the hatchery project was of strategic importance as it supplied day-old chicks to Masvingo, Manicaland and Midlands provinces.
The Minsiter of Lands Sydney Mombeshora spoke saying he was still investigating.
“We will resolve the matter away from the media. We do not handle it in the media,” said Minister Mombeshora.
Mombeshora said his ministry was seized with the case.
 

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has performed a surprise u-turn on participating in the upcoming June bi-elections and will now meet Friday to debate on overturning a congress resolution which bars participation in elections until electoral reforms are implemented.
The move confirmed by spokesperson Obert Gutu, will have the party’s national council meet to make the decision that could decide the direction the party will take.
“The issue of by-elections will come under discussion by our national council on Friday because it is the highest decision-making body outside congress and has power to set-aside its resolutions,” said Gutu.
Gutu indicated the meeting will be a heated one, confirming an earlier exclusive ZimEye.com expose on the development (READ MORE- )
 
This came as pressure mounted from perceived potential international donors that Mr Tsvangirai crucified himself for Robert Mugabe gain when he recalled Tendai Biti and his group of MPs the MDC-T say are “rebels.”
 
The “rebels” include popular activist Solomon Madzore millions of Zimbabweans label Zimbabwe’s Nelson Mandela and pulled away untold thousands from Tsvangirai’s support base.
 
Impeccable senior sources in Tsvangirai’s office told ZimEye.com, Spokesman Obert Gutu’s announcing that the party is not going to participate but will hold an emergency National Council is the first sure step to reversing the boycott.
“That very same National Council unless Tsvangirai himself twists the decision, is the meeting that will reverse the 2014 Congress Resolutions that stops us from participating,” they said.
They also added that Tsvangirai is currently consumed in regret. “This has given the president a headache to ponder the loss of such a huge number of MPs whose presence diluted ZANU PF’s legislative stranglehold.”
 
“It is a great lesson learnt and the party has taken this issue seriously to avoid such developments in future,” they added.
It was not clear at the time of writing the full list of names of people Tsvangirai intends to field for the by elections but party heavyweights suggested that Theresa Makone, Douglas Mwonzora, Obert Gutu, and Tsvangirai’s uncle, Hebson Makuvise are all vying for the big job which has several benefits besides a salary.
The development if it goes according to plan, will also leave an embarrassing challenge to another prominent member of the party, Job Sikhala who has vowed to resign from politics altogether if his party participates in the said by-elections. One analyst last night loudly paused the following question, “What will Sikhala do?”

Didymus Mutasa has been eliminated from the by-election race under the Zanu PF ticket after his papers were rejected by the Nomination Court.
Mutasa was disqualified after a ZANU PF official approached the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission alleging Mutasa is prejudicially abusing the ZANU PF name in his favour.
His nephew Mliswa was accepted when he approached the Nomination Court for the Hurungwe West by-election, as an independent not as ZANU PF.
The development means three candidates will now contest in the June 10 by-election.Mutasa attempted to present his papers under Zanu PF when the Nomination Court sat today but his papers were rejected after the Zanu PF Manicaland provincial leadership objected to the submission of nomination papers under the name and symbol of the party.
The development left only three candidates battling for honours in the June 10 Headlands by-election.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Provincial Elections Officer, Mr Moffat Masabeya announced at the close of the Nomination Court at the Mutare Magistrate Court the three successful candidates that were duly nominated and those whose papers were rejected.
Zanu PF is being represented by Christopher Chingosho, while NCA will be represented by Mukunda David, with Mr Mukaratirwa Albert standing in as an independent candidate.
All the three party representatives expressed confidence of winning the Headlands legislative seat.
Zanu PF Acting Manicaland Provincial Chairman, Dr Samuel Undenge said the party will retain the Headlands constituency and demonstrate that Zanu PF is a people-centre party with the interests of the people at heart.
The Headlands Constituency fell vacant after the expulsion of former Zanu PF National Secretary for Administration, Didymus Mutasa and his subsequent recalling.
All the three candidates will battle it out to win the sole Headlands legislative seat.-State Media

Pretoria – Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe thanked South Africa for “taking care” of Zimbabweans who live and work in the country and called for support for President Jacob Zuma.
“You know that we owe you not just a gesture of thankfulness, which we must express, but we owe you that thankfulness for the tolerance there has been on the part of the government here, as our people have really offended your system by jumping the border and disturbing even the social system here,” he said at a media briefing with Zuma, while on a state visit.
“Where they have come as workers, well and good – we say thank you for providing them with that work.”
Relations between the two countries must be strengthened, he said.
He astounded and amused the media, who he called comrades, with long chats about various topics, and thanked them for the “publicity'” about him.
“You focused on me as a real dictator. Yes. A dictator would have cut the throat of Ian Smith,” he said referring to one of that country’s last white heads of state.
“I said, ‘let us turn our swords and ploughshares and work together’.”
He said Zimbabweans had vowed that those who were guilty of apartheid, would not get away with it, but that was “anger that comes with struggle”.
“Those who were enemies yesterday, they are friends.”
He continued with:”The Afrikaners say they came the moment (Jan) van Riebeeck set foot in the Cape and they forgot they had a home in Holland.
“But did they have apartheid? No. But then they want peace and peace does not mean you must have the lion’s share and the others have the baboon’s share.
“No, you are all together, let’s be equal. We did not send away whites. We took away land in accordance with what the British government and ourselves agreed upon.”
He said former UK prime minister Tony Blair reneged on that agreement and did want to pay the compensation.
“Blair. Who is he? He (was) the prime minister of Britain. I am president of Zimbabwe. It is our land, we will take it.”
He urged people to be supportive of Zuma.
“He has been in your press a lot. For what for?” he asked in a coaxing voice.
“We are South Africans, we can’t demolish our president.”
He offered Zimbabwe’s support to South Africa, saying: “We will support you. You will become a Bafana Bafana politically.”
Bafana Bafana is South Africa’s national soccer team.
“Thank you for listening to me – I can go on and on.”
News24

President not in SA to beg: Charamba
Presidential spokesperson, Cde George Charamba, who is also Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary, has dismissed claims by some sections of the media that President Mugabe is in South Africa to extend a begging bowl.
Charamba said the President in fact on a mission to upgrade bilateral ties with his southern neighbour, adding that Zimbabwe is seeking a special relations with South Africa based on mutual benefits and equality and not weakness.
 
Briefing the media in Pretoria, Charamba said Zimbabwe is also looking for fair and reciprocal trade with South Africa and the lifting of trade barriers given the fact that SA is the economic powerhouse on the African continent.
“Zimbabwe would want to attain a position where there is free flow of trade in both directions to ensure prosperity for both countries,” said Charamba.
He said as mining countries, there is need to recognise the fact that whatever happens in the sector in Zimbabwe also affects the sector in SA, hence the need for cooperation in that area.
“Zimbabwe is seeking for assistance to value-add its minerals, contrary to the notion of hand outs as purported by some sections of the media. With thousands of Zimbabwean experts and artisans employed as experts in SA it is also Zimbabwe’s belief that their contribution to the SA economy be recognised,” added Charamba.
Sources close to the meeting held soon after Mugabe’s arrival said ”South Africa wants us to have open mouths in which they pour their cereals ” and emphasized the need for Zimbabwe  to promote and grow her own industries to ensure it has something to trade in as opposed to consuming only without producing.
 
Meanwhile, President Mugabe who is on a historical 3-day state visit to South Africa is currently holding talks with his counterpart President Jacob Zuma at the Union Building in Pretoria.
Mugabe arrived at Union Building at 10 am and was welcomed with a gun salute and the singing of the national anthems of the two countries in a welcome ceremony in the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre.
After the welcome ceremony the two leaders proceeded into a closed door meeting.
Official talks and a signing ceremony will follow the session at around mid day.
A total of 8 agreements are expected to be signed after the deliberations between the two leaders.
 
The agreements include the one on the establishment of a bi-national commission, MoU on diplomatic consultations, an agreement on mutual assistance between customs administrations, and an agreement on cooperation in water resource management and establishment and functioning of the joint water commission.

Parliament is broke and this has forced it to adjourn indefinitely, several MPs have said.

According to the March 19 edition of Hansard, the speaker, Jacob Mudenda, announced the adjournment of parliament to May 5. But several MPs said the break was likely to be longer than this due to a biting liquidity crunch that was making it difficult to fund parliamentary business.
The speaker did not give a reason for the adjournment of business after parliament resumed work on January 27 after the Christmas holiday.
“This does not augur well. Government and parliament were struggling to fund our trips and normal parliamentary business, but there is uncertainty around this closure. There is talk that it could be extended due to the poor financial position,” said an MP who declined to be named.
MPs and senators routinely claim money to cover fuel, accommodation, food and allowance expenses. Government already owes the legislators hundreds of thousands of dollars, with some former MPs still battling to get what is owing to them since their term of office.
 
Hotels turn MPs away
Some hotels are now turning away MPs who needed accommodation owing to the accumulation of huge bills that government is failing to honour.
Currently, parliament does not even have a substantive clerk after the mysterious departure of Austin Zvoma last year. Zvoma was reported to have been forced out owing to his alleged links to the faction led by Joice Mujuru, who has since been fired from the ruling party.
Another MP said that most MPs were using their personal resources to attend parliamentary business, and had been doing so for some time.
“We keep getting promises that we will be reimbursed soon, but it seems there is no money to do that. After battling for some time, quite a number of MPs have now resolved not to attend parliament and their grievances have been made known to the acting clerk and the speaker.
“As it stands, treasury is struggling to raise money and it might take months before we are back in the House,” said another MP. She added that ad hoc adjournments would worsen the backlog of bills and other parliamentary processes.
Little progress
Currently, the national assembly and senate are supposed to be deliberating on hundreds of laws that need to be aligned to the constitution adopted in 2013. Little progress has been made since the elections that took place the same year and ushered in the eighth parliament.
“At this rate, the year will end without any progress being made to align the laws with the new constitution. That would mean we would have gone for two years without doing anything on the laws and the new constitution. This has negative implications on reforms relating to elections, the media and other key issues,” she added.
 
Don’t cause trouble
The main opposition party, the MDC-T, insists that it will not take place in any by-elections or major polls without electoral reforms. The MP added that the adjournment of parliament could be used to serve Zanu (PF) political interests.
“Given our current political and economic problems, it seems government is of the view that MPs are likely to worsen the situation through parliamentary committee actions and general motions that would whip up people’s emotions. The government would rather have the MPs out of the picture so that they don’t cause unnecessary trouble,” she added.
Administrative staff is also said to be facing operational problems as the secretariat is reportedly struggling to purchase small items like stationery.
The government is struggling to pay civil servants and soldiers have been forced to go on lengthy breaks to cut down on operational costs.
Most key government programmes have been put on hold while referral hospitals are fast running out of essential drugs, with health ministry officials saying only 40 percent remains. Currently, government is relying on the donor community for more than 90 percent of its drug stocks.
Unemployment has risen to more than 80 percent, according to independent researchers, as companies continue to close down. Mudenda, who is a senior Zanu (PF) member sitting in the party’s politburo, could not be reached for comment. – The Zimbabwean

Somabhula-Disgusted parents at Brunsguard Primary school in Somabhula (in Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s home Midlands province area) have fired an onslaught at the school administration for incompetence.
This comes after the local school recorded zero percent for the past thirty(30) years, as ZimEye.com reveals. Parents with children learning at the school have since threatened to remove them next term, a development that will affect its sustainability.
According to displeased parents there was drama at the school as parents disrupted the main Annual general meeting (AGM) agenda accusing the teaching staffs of being incompetent, citing series of massive grade 7 failure rates. They alleged since Zimbabwe got its Independence in 1980,the school recorded dismal academic performance.
“I personally think the school should seek for divine intervention from prophets like Magaya and Makandiwa. The school administration got torrid time as (us) parents quizzed them for failing to troubleshoot the long failure rate problem.
“To be honest as parents we wonder why Brunsguard has failed to impress all these years. The school was built around 1977 by a commercial white farmer and by then it was one of the best farming schools attaining very good results. But at this juncture eeish, our pupils gets as far as grade 7 hardly constructing  a single simple English sentence let alone speaking in the language,” said the seemingly troubled parent .
Another source said most burning concerns by parents were raised at the school’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the institution last Thursday where she said a senior teacher; Mr Douglas Zvaravashe was on fire for absenting himself from school.
“I think there is need of serious inspection by the Education Ministry about the goings on here. Some teachers here willy-nilly abscond and come for lessons late as they first attend their farm fields. We are extremely worried because of the carefree attitude displayed by the tutors. We have every reason to care because these problems do kill the future of our children,” he said.
The wearisome parent who however said the community must not paint all the teachers at the school with one brush, appealed to the Ministry of Education to help them remove the rotten tomatoes before they spoil the whole basket failure of which he threatened to remove all her four children at the school.
The School head, Mr Dumisani Ndlela refused to comment and was quick to refer all questions to the District Education officer.
Several efforts to contact the Provincial Education Director (PED) Agness Gudo were fruitless as her mobile phone was not reachable by the time of going to print.

JOEL Mujuru, elder brother of the late Retired General Solomon Mujuru, yesterday dismissed reports that his younger brother sired about 90 children with different women, saying the family was only aware of nine children from three wives including the former Vice-President Joice Teurai Ropa Mujuru.
Joel described all the other women and children who were now emerging from the woods seeking to claim a stake in the late army commander and national hero’s estate as “street kids and gold diggers” seeking to reap where they did not sow.
Mujuru died mysteriously in an inferno at his Beatrice farm in 2011. His multi-million-dollar estate has not yet been distributed and is currently at the centre of a fierce fight with several beneficiaries and claimants, among them Joice and her five children, lining up for a share of the spoils.
His official wives, according to Joel, were Joice, the late Simbiso — who had two children — and another woman he only identified as “Maidei’s mother”.
His vast business empire included mining and farming ventures.
But Joel said what was disturbing and suspicious was that several children were now surfacing at the courts before they introduced themselves to him, the only known surviving elder brother of the deceased.
“The rest who now claim to be Solomon’s children are street kids who are after his wealth,” Joel said.
“What kind of children are they who appear at the courts without even coming to see their father’s relatives? We like Solomon’s children, but those we don’t know should go for paternity tests first before we can accept them. Where were they when Solomon was still alive?”
The family is currently embroiled in a war over the estate, with many children surfacing at the High Court to claim their share of the vast empire amid reports that the former Vice-President had hidden her late husband’s will to deny other children born out of wedlock their share of the inheritance.
When the family met at the High Court recently to choose an executor, about 20 children were reportedly named as the late General’s children.
Some of them claimed that the former VP had changed ownership of some properties and demanded an audit of “their” father’s estate before it was distributed.
But Joel said his brother’s estate was still intact.
“If they want to know about Solomon’s estate, they should ask us. They should only go to the courts if there is a dispute. I am not supporting Teurai, but we cannot ignore her, she is Solomon’s wife. After all, as the Mujuru family, we don’t want anything from Solomon’s estate. It should be shared by his wives and children. But those that emerge now should go for paternity tests first,” Joel said.
He added: “I want everyone — including Teurai — to know that we don’t need anything from Solomon’s estate. If Teurai also thinks that we want her husband’s wealth, she is mistaken.”
Meanwhile, former Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo said the Zanu PF national disciplinary committee’s report which implicated the late General Mujuru in a plot with his wife Joice to oust President Robert Mugabe as way back as 2004 was a desperate attempt to besmirchthe former VP.
Mujuru was recalled from her VP post and Zanu PF position in December, and summarily expelled from the party last week for allegedly plotting to kill Mugabe.
“For them to now say the late General was plotting to kill the President, and yet they buried him at the National Heroes’ Acre, shows a desperate attempt to find fault in his wife. Why were they quiet all along and say it only when he is dead and punish his wife for that?” Gumbo queried.
Gumbo, Mujuru and former Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa were expelled from the party for allegedly plotting against Mugabe. – Newsday

A LOWER Sixth student at St Dominic’s Chishawasha Secondary School, who scored 9As and 2Bs in her “O” Level examinations in 2013, might soon find herself out of school as her maternal grandparents have failed to raise the required fees.
Ayshire Mapeture has since sent out an SOS through her headmistress Sister Rose Rushwaya.
In her letter of appeal dated March 30 2015, Ruswaya said her institution could not continue to take care of Mapeture’s needs because of other pressing financial commitments.
“We have admitted her into school because she is well-groomed and we see that she has potential that given a chance, she will make a difference in society,” Rushwaya said.
“Mapeture passed her ‘O’ Levels with 9As and 2Bs, but could not collect her results as soon as they were released early 2014 because she had arrears in the school accounts.”
Mapeture stays with her maternal grandparents in Norton. She is the first born in a family of two.
Her parents are separated and both stay in South Africa in different households, but without stable employment.
She is currently studying Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry and dreams of becoming an optician.
Any financial assistance should be channelled through the headmistress’ office or call Rushwaya on +263 774 229 828 or +26377 276 7025.
-The above article first appeared in the Newsday paper-

News24|  *Mugabe arrives in SA for first state visit in over 20 years
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is due to arrive in South Africa on Tuesday afternoon, his country’s biggest trading partner, three days after his spokesperson suggested he would “soon bow out”.
The 91-year-old leader will arrive at 15:00 on board a plane from the struggling Air Zimbabwe state carrier. He will be accompanied by business leaders, government ministers and his wife Grace, who has recently been ill.
This is the first state visit Mugabe has paid to South Africa since 1994.
An official statement from the department of international relations said the visit will focus on “bilateral and economic co-operation” as well as “regional and continental matters”.
The Zimbabwe Independent newspaper reports that Mugabe may ask President Jacob Zuma to help fund a Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit on industrialisation, which is due to take place in Harare on April 26.
“He could be looking for some [financial] reprieve of some sort,” Pedzisai Ruhanya, of the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute told News24.
Twenty months after elections that returned Mugabe to power, Zimbabwe’s economy is shrinking. A tightly-stretched budget means he is struggling to pay civil servants and pay for commitments Zimbabwe has taken on after Mugabe’s election to the chair of both the SADC and the African Union.
Ruhanya told News24 that Zimbabwe’s failure to address concerns over indigenisation, which requires foreign-owned firms to part with majority shares, continued to be a deterrent for foreign direct investment, including from South Africa.
“There are no fundamental reforms in our politics,” he said.
Zimbabwe is still a major market for South African-produced goods. Critics, including some cabinet ministers, insist this is to the detriment of local industry. Zimbabwe’s ageing factories haven’t been able to recapitalise and they struggle to compete with their more efficient competitors in South Africa.
“As a political concern, Zimbabwe is no longer an issue in South Africa,” said MacDonald Lewanika, the director of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.
“I think this has been demonstrated through various inactions they have taken since they relinquished their role as facilitator [in the Zimbabwe political crisis].”
“Their [South Africa’s] interest seems to be more economic than it does around values and political issues. All of these things are part of what inform the environment ahead of the president’s official visit to South Africa,” Lewanika told News24.
Zimbabwe’s political scene is currently dominated by bitter infighting within Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party. The party last week finally expelled former vice president Joice Mujuru, who was sacked in December when her growing popularity appeared to threaten Mugabe and his family’s hold on power.
State media at the weekend carried a suggestion that Mugabe would soon “bow out”. A column in the official Herald, widely believed to be written by Mugabe’s spokesperson George Charamba, said Mugabe had “discharged a key assignment to do with succession” in what appeared to be a reference to his placing of new Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa in direct line to succeed him.
Grace, 49, also appears destined for high-level politics following her election to the post of Zanu-PF women’s league chair in December.
– News24

EXPELLED FORMER VICE PRESIDENT Joice Mujuru has followed Morgan Tsvangirai’s trail by branching out of the ruling party and forming her own party, an insider has cast-all.
Tsvangirai used to be a powerful ZANU PF commissar but in 1999 decided to desert Robert Mugabe and form the MDC party together with a crawl of academics and  activists all disgruntled with ZANU PF’s perversion of the political pool.
Mrs Mujuru’s latest move likely was revealed by her top lieutenant Didymus Mutasa who said the party will bw called ZANU (People First). Mutasa who is popularly known under the nickname, “Gamatox,” said members of the “original and genuine Zanu PF which was formed on August 8, 1963” had decided to form “People First“ after the ruling party was taken over by a bunch of mafikizolos at the December 2014 congress.
Mutasa warned that the proposed new party would rock the ruling party since it had the backing of key figures in the security establishment as well as former Zipra and Zanla commanders.
“We want to have a party, but we are still talking about it. We are with Mai Mujuru, Rugare Gumbo and all those who were removed from the party,” he told a privately-owned radio station.
“It is many of us from different oppositional parties such as Simba Makoni, Dumiso Dabengwa and a lot of others who were no longer supporting Zanu PF.
“Our membership is composed of the original and seasoned politicians, commanders of the Zimbabwe African National Army (Zanla), Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (Zipra) and Zimbabwe People’s Army (Zipa) forces who are now being marginalised,” he said.
 
Mutasa hinted that many big names of disgruntled former Mugabe loyalists are warming up to the move.
Margaret Dongo, who left Zanu PF in the 1990s to stand as an independent candidate also appeared to warm up to the idea of a new party yesterday.
“A Zanu PF returning to the ideals of the liberation struggle is long overdue. It will attract war veterans, nationalists and all those who were wrongly expelled from the party. The generation that waged the liberation war is still there and should lead the party not these mafikizolos.
“Fortunately, these guys have seen the light and there are a lot of war veterans who have been looking for shelter,” Dongo said.
And despite the public bravado after expelling Mujuru and her allies, it is widely known that the People First movement has rattled the ruling party, amid fears that party hardliners may resort to extreme violence to thwart their opponents.
But Mutasa and team are not deterred.
“We should all converge to save our country from the corrupt and selfish leadership of the illegal 2014 Zanu PF. We will accept as members all Zimbabweans from all walks of life who are determined to work for a new Zimbabwe.
“We envisage a Zimbabwe where every member of society matters. Hence we shall require that in all considerations people must come first. Hence our slogan People First,” he said.
Gumbo said yesterday that the expulsion of Mujuru from the post-congress Zanu PF was a blessing in disguise as it would open the door for “like-minded persons” to work together towards a common objective.
“The expulsion of Mai Mujuru just shows vindictiveness on the part of those who are in the party’s politburo, but they have also played into our hands,” he said cryptically.
 
“Just a money-faction” – Prof Moyo
Commenting on the development ZANU PF spin doctor Jonathan Moyo scoffed at the move.
“Media dreams of a split will come to grief not least because the nefarious pursuits of expelled malcontents in the wilderness cannot be rationally described as a split,” Moyo said.
Dumiso Dabengwa’s 2008 foray into the political wilderness was not a split in Zanu PF nor was Simba Makoni’s Mavambo in the same year which ended up as Magumo in 2013.”
He continued, “it is also notable that the expelled Mujuru-Mutasa-Rugare cabal was widely seen as the money-faction before its long overdue expulsion because money was, as it still is, more important to the threesome than ideology.”
 

The MDC-T  youth have staged a protest in Bulawayo’s  Mpopoma -Pelandaba constituency citing that the ruling party is preparing to rig the parliamentary by- elections set for the 10th  of June .
As the country  prepares for elections after MDC-T recalled at least 21 MPs aligned to MDC-Renewal led by Sekai Holland last month, tension is rising between the two parties Zanu PF and MDC-T.
Five of the constituencies are in Bulawayo and Zanu PF has declared its intention to reclaim the seats lost in 2000 to the then newly-formed MDC.
MDC-T youth secretary for Mpopoma-Pelandaba constituency Mthokozisi Ncube said yesterday’s protest was sparked by a Zanu PF door-to-door campaign to recruit potential voters.
He claimed the party had embarked on a door-to-door campaign where it was recording names of unregistered voters and trying to intimidate them into voting for Zanu PF.
“We staged protests today (yesterday) against Zanu PF in the constituency. We noted that Zanu PF members have begun their door-to-door visits registering children aged between 15 and 17,” he claimed.
“They are told they would vote in the by-elections. We totally condemn such moves of forcing people to vote against their will.”
Ncube said the demonstrations targeted potential Zanu PF candidates Sikhanyiso Ndlovu and Joe Tshuma.
“Although we never saw Tshuma and Ndlovu, our message was clear, they should stop forcing people especially, children to vote,” he said.
“Tshuma should tell his other central committee members in their next meeting to stop it.”
However, Ndlovu who last week declared that he was interested in representing Zanu PF in the polls said he was not aware of the demonstration.
“No one has told me about the protests. In any case, I am in Harare now,” he said.
MDC-T has threatened to boycott the by-elections demanding electoral reforms. Zanu PF has scoffed at the boycott threats saying the opposition is afraid of certain defeat. -southen eye

A 28-year-old Harare man allegedly stabbed his ex-wife more than 10 times, killing her instantly following a dispute over the custody of their two minor children. Sydney Mudiro later drank poison in a bid to end his life, but was rushed to hospital.
According to the State Mudiro, of No. 3 Hopley Zone 5 Waterfalls, last week followed his ex-wife (name not given) of nine years to her new lodgings at house Number 308 Ushewokunze Phase 1 and demanded to have custody of their kids aged six and three.
The now deceased is said to have refused to give Mudiro the children and in a fit of rage he fatally stabbed the woman. Witnesses who saw the scene say there was blood all over the place.
Mudiro appeared in court last Thursday before magistrate Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe, charged with murder.
He was not asked to plead to the charge. Mr Chikwekwe remanded him in custody to May 16 and advised him to apply for bail at the High Court due to the gravity of the offence.
Mr Chikwekwe told him that the lower court had no jurisdiction to entertain bail issues in such cases.
The State, led by Mrs Leonellah Chitanda-Matowa, alleges that on April 1 at around midday, Mudiro went to his ex-wife’s house in Hopley.
It is alleged Mudiro tried to take their two minor children from her by force.
An altercation ensued between Mudiro and his ex-wife, the court heard.
It is the State’s case that Mudiro told the mother of his children that he wanted to have custody of the children, but the woman refused to give him the children. She allegedly told Mudiro that according to the law she was entitled to have custody of the kids.
This did not go down well with Mudiro, who then produced an okapi knife and stabbed the woman several times all over her body. The court heard that Mudiro went on to drink poison in an attempt to take his own life.
Neighbours made a report to the police and Mudiro was rushed to hospital. It is further alleged that Mudiro, who was under police custody in hospital, attempted to escape but was apprehended.-Herald

A male police officer kombi operators allege is notorious for bribery in the Highfield area, was last month knocked down by a passing kombi at a roadblock in the afternoon of the 22nd March.
The cop (name withheld) who survived the accident, is still recovering from the injuries sustained medics say are serious.
A 39-year-old man appeared in court last Thursday for allegedly knocking the policeman.
Lloyd Chirombo appeared before Mbare magistrate Ms Anita Tshuma charged with negligent driving.Ms Tshuma remanded Chirombo in custody to April 16. Prosecutor Ms Miriam Chiba said Chirombo was not a proper candidate for bail because he was likely to abscond as it took the police two weeks to apprehend him.
“Chirombo is not fit to be granted bail because he was on the run and our fear is that if he is remanded out of custody he might not come to court. More so, he committed a very serious offence considering that he knocked down a police officer who was clad in his uniform and was on duty,” she said.
Chirombo told the court that he was denying the allegations on the basis that he was not the one who was driving the motor vehicle on the day in question.
“I was off duty on the day in question. I was not running away from the police because I did not even know that the police were after me,” he said.
Allegations are that on March 22 this year at a roadblock in Highfield, Chirombo was driving a commuter omnibus.
The court heard that he knocked down a police officer in uniform who was carrying out traffic duties but he did not stop.

Public relations manager of  National Railways of Zimbabwe, Fanuel Masikati has expressed concern over the increase in cases of people committing suicide by throwing themselves in front of on-coming trains.
According to the NRZ, 147 people died between January 2007 and February 2015 on the country’s railway lines after throwing themselves in front of on-coming trains.
In a statement, NRZ Public relations manager  said many of the suicide cases involve women carrying young children.
Masikati did not, however provide figures for this year alone.
“Suicidal cases involving people who throw themselves in front of on-coming trains and those that seat on the railway lines are on the increase, a scenario which is of major concern to the NRZ and the public at large. People should seek counselling when confronted with challenges and seemingly difficult situations,” said Masikati.
“Some children and adults have been seen lying and sitting on railway lines, which is dangerous. These practices should be discouraged as they may result in people losing their lives. We’re appealing to the general public to desist from such retrogressive acts and report such cases to the nearest police or railway security stations.”
He said statistics show a trend where many people committ suicide in January, September and December, a situation he attributed to the so called “January disease” and school fees dilemma among other social challenges.
“It is common knowledge that many people are faced with hardships and social problems, but it is not an option or solution to commit suicide,” said Masikati.
He said rejection, negligence and societal stigma were also contributing to prevalence of suicide cases.
Masikati also said between January 2007 and February 2015, 167 people died and 581 were injured in accidents at rail level crossings.
He appealed to all motorists and public transport drivers to exercise extreme caution, when approaching rail level crossings.
“There are many people dying or being injured at rail level crossings as well as those involved in suicidal cases. Let’s all be responsible when driving on our roads. Remember, you cannot win an argument with a train,” said Masikati.
He said there were also people who were digging for gold along the railway lines as well as under the railway lines while others have been seen ploughing along the railway lines.
“This is risky to the movement of both passenger and freight trains throughout the country, particularly during the rainy season as it causes wash aways that have resulted in the derailment of trains,” he said. -chronicle

A diaspora group has splashed a liquid reward offer of $10,000 for information leading to the rescue of Itai Dzamara who was abducted on the 9th March in Glen View, Harare.
Suspected CIO agents pretending to be police officers took Dzamara in March after saying they were arresting him on the grounds of stealing a cow. He was abducted following his civic action calling on Robert Mugabe to step down as he is now too old.
The ZDA group led by Australia based Frank Dube called on Zimbabweans to call in (Harare number 0772889217) with “credible information” on the kidnapping.
The statement said a reward will be handed to anyone who “volunteers credible information that will lead to Dzamara’s location.
The statement came as the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition NGO also announced they are set to make a handsome offer for Dzamara’s find.
“We are putting together something and will be introducing a reward to anyone with information pointing to Dzamara’s whereabouts, and the person will be protected because we know that people might be afraid of disclosing who took him,” said the NGO’s Coordinator Nixon Nyikadzino.
Meanwhile, a lawsuit was in the way at the time of writing as Human Rights lawyers said they are dragging the CIO to court for failing to cooperate for the Dzamara’s release.

Touts and rank marshals captured performing press ups on top of a grave during the burial of the late Mbongeni, a local Bulawayo Hwindi/Tout.

A MAN from Mvuma allegedly raped and strangled a 22-year-old milk vendor and struck her head with an unknown object before raping the dead body, police have confirmed.
The unidentified man in his mid 30s and believed to be a serial rapist in Mvuma who preys on travellers waiting for transport along Masvingo-Harare near Chicken Slice allegedly went on to attempt to rape another woman who was coming from Chicken Slice Mvuma on her way home.
The incident occurred last week Tuesday when the victim, Privilege Mutara of Chivhu resettlement area was found dead by a passerby who sought to rescue yet another rape victim who had escaped death by a whisker from the same assailant.
Acting Midlands police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the tragic incidents saying the police had launched a manhunt for the suspect who is believed to be behind a spate of rape cases in Mvuma town.
“I can confirm that we are investigating a case of attempted rape and murder after a woman was allegedly sexually harassed by an unknown male adult and another brutally murdered after being raped.
It is alleged that a female adult from Mvuma was walking towards Shayamavhudzi Township in Mvuma town using a bushy path coming from Chicken Slice. While on her way, she met the suspect and he tripped her to the ground and attempted to rape her. The complainant screamed but the suspect tried to gag her by pouring a handful of soil into her mouth,” she said.
However, luck ran out for the suspect when a passerby heard the complainant crying out for help and ran towards the bush where he found the suspect attempting to rape the complainant.
“The passerby chased after the suspect but came across Matara’s body which had been stripped naked. The passerby reported the matter to the police who attended the scene and discovered that Matara had been sexually abused,” said Asst Insp Mukwende.
She said the suspect was still at large.
“We are appealing to the members of the public who might have information pertaining to the whereabouts of the suspect to report to any nearest police station.
“We want to warn Mvuma residents to be wary of the suspect as he has reportedly raped many women in the area using the same method,” said Ass Insp Mukwende.
Meanwhile, Matara’s parents were up in arms with her husband after she went missing for three days but he did not make a follow-up on the matter.
Sunday News is reliably informed that the parents are demanding money from her husband and have reportedly vowed not to bury her if he fails to pay the money. – State Media

TWO Bulawayo men who were allegedly caught pants down while masturbating inside their parked car at a secluded place earlier this year have been acquitted.
Bulawayo magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze said the State had failed to prove its case beyond any reasonable doubt against Rodney Joseph (36), of Northend suburb and William Chimunhu (36) of Westgate.
Joseph and Chimunhu, who were being charged with public indecency, had pleaded not guilty arguing that they were only relaxing in their car.
“If indeed Joseph wanted to do the act I am sure he was going to switch off the light inside the car and go to the back seat where Chimunhu was. From the evidence given, I don’t think the State has a case against these two men and as such I retain a verdict of not guilty and accordingly they are acquitted,” ruled Msipa-Marondedze.
Allegations against Joseph and Chimunhu were that on January 22, shortly after 3AM, Sergeant Dominic Takawira of ZRP Westgate was on night patrol when he spotted a car parked at a secluded place near Sizinda Clinic in Westgate.
Takawira became suspicious and went close to the vehicle to investigate.
“Takawira peeped through a window of the car and found Joseph and Chimunhu inside.
“He saw Chimunhu lying on his back on the car seat and he was half naked while Joseph was busy fondling his erect manhood,” said Nkathazo Dlodlo, prosecuting.
The two men allegedly sprang to their feet when they realised that they had been spotted.
Takawira arrested them. chronicle

Diaspora No to Mugabe – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 4th April 2015
If further evidence was needed that Mugabe is crazy it came with his appeal to the diaspora to give him more money – presumably for his non-stop travels in search of eternal life.
Whatever Zanu PF in the UK says, no sane Zimbabwean here would dream of putting their money anywhere within Zanu PF’s grasp. The party’s UK spokesperson says Zimbabwe is a ‘victim’ of a vicious depression as well of course as ‘illegal’ sanctions but he happily proclaims that ‘the economic renaissance (is) already in motion’ (see: Zimbabwe Herald article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201504040103.html – Zimbabwe: Zim-Diaspora Policy Needed As Soon As Yesterday).
We don’t see any sign of an economic renaissance in Zimbabwe. Sure the UK diaspora supports our families at home – otherwise they would starve, die of preventable diseases or drop out of school. But Mugabe’s deluded hope of financial help from the diaspora only shows how out of touch he is with reality. Zimbabwe is a basket case and the diaspora doesn’t have any spare coins to toss in the begging bowls of crooks and con men.
Even genocidal maniac Mutasa (‘we only need 6 million people so long as they all support Zanu PF’) has now seen the light and tells the BBC he fears for his life. ‘You see people disappearing . . . so will they spare my life or send a sniper to shoot at me?’ he asked, adding that the fighting in Zanu-PF was worse than the situation under former white minority leader Ian Smith. ‘The Smith regime was not as bad as the current regime – it’s really terrible,’ Mr Mutasa said (.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-32176164 – Zimbabwe ruling party expels Mugabe rival Joyce Mujuru 3 April 2015).
We at the Vigil ask who will invest in a country where a high profile human rights activist like Itai Dzamara can be ‘disappeared’ by the intelligence service? Or, for that matter, where the boss of the State Procurement Board – a plum rip-off job – owes more than a million dollars in unpaid tax on his earnings – let alone his bribes! The brazen Charles Kuwaza sees no need to pay taxes because ‘my contract is with the President’ (see: SPB boss racks up $1m tax arrears – http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/zimsit_w_spb-boss-racks-up-1m-tax-arrears-the-herald/).
We note that Zanu PF has expelled Joice Mujuru, describing her as ‘the Godmother of all the corruption, including that which has brought strategic parastatals like Air Zimbabwe, ZBC, NRZ, IDC and GMB to their knees’. (What about Mr Kuwaza’s SPB?) Apart from engaging in witchcraft and sorcery in her attempts to render the President unfit to govern, Mujuru is apparently the leader of fifth columnists. We wonder if they are talking about the fifth-rate columnists on the Herald? (See: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/zanu-pf-expels-joice-mujuru%e2%80%a2-slew-allegations-cited-%e2%80%a2-plots-traced-far-back-2004/ – Zanu-PF expels Joice Mujuru – Slew of allegations cited – Plots traced as far back as 2004).
A meeting of the Zimbabwe Action Forum after the Vigil decided to ask for police permission to present a petition to the Zimbabwe Embassy at 11 am on Friday 17th April 2015 – the day before Zimbabwe Independence Day. The petition will focus on the abduction of Itai Dzamara. The protest follows a series of approaches to the Embassy by concerned Zimbabweans hoping to present a letter asking for an explanation of the abduction. In the latest protest, on Tuesday 31st March, Martin Chinyanga of Diaspora Feels It was taken into police custody for some hours and told not to approach within a yard of the Embassy after a complaint to the police by the Zimbabwean Ambassador.
Others taking part in the Tuesday protest were: Mary Muteyerwa, David Kadzutu, Noobukhosi Moyo, Hilda Gwesele, Tafadzwa Mushakwe, Enniah Dube, Rhoda Majoni, Mavis Chisvo, Linton Magume, Clever Manjoro, Epiphania Phiri, Danny Kadiki, Arthur Molife and Tendai Dlamani.
We are preparing a letter to the police detailing the concerns which prompt our approaches to the Embassy.
Other points
· The Zimbabwe Association is holding an exhibition ‘12 Years: Zimbabwe Association Exhibition Launch’ on Tuesday 5th May from 6 – 8 pm. The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery and shares the oral histories of Zimbabwean asylum seekers’ experiences in the UK from 2001 to the present. This exhibition contains material from the Zimbabwe Association archive, an extensive collection of records of individual cases, legal documents, press cuttings, reports, correspondence, and TV and radio recordings. For more details of the event check ‘Events and Notices’.
· For a short documentary by fellow journalists and activists on the abduction of Itai Dzamara check: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1Pn3UKA5UY.
· Tendai Kwari of Occupy Africa Unity Square UK advises us that one of our supporters, Epiphania Phiri, has raised £50 which she has sent to the Dzamara family. He thanks her for her dedicated work.
· Thanks to those who came early to help set up: Eunice Mucherechedzo, Charles Dhumisani Ndlovu, Danny Kadiki, Piyo Choga, David Kadzutu, Mary Muteyerwa, Bridget Mupotsa and Fungayi Mabhunu.

A suspected South African poacher and his Zimbabwean accomplice were shot dead in Zimbabwe’s most exclusive wildlife sanctuary.
The two suspects died during a shoot-out with game scouts at Malilangwe, in south-eastern Zimbabwe.
The dead South African hasn’t yet been named, but he was working with a 28-year-old Zimbabwean from the southern town of Gwanda.
Police told the state-run Chronicle newspaper on Thursday that they wanted to first inform his next of kin.
The pair reportedly snuck into Malilangwe before dawn on Saturday.
But the private conservancy, which has hosted high-profile visitors like Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas, is tightly patrolled by rangers, who spotted the intruders.
They were killed in a gunfight and their bodies are at the local hospital in Chiredzi.

Expelled former ZANU PF Mash West boss and ex-legislator Temba Mliswa, has vowed to destroy President Robert Mugabe’s authority in his constituency and before the 2018 elections, to form a powerful union with MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s party.
Mliswa who has declared that ZANU PF will be finished by the year 2018 and a grand coalition of parties will ground his former boss Mugabe’s stranglehold for good, staked his blood against Mugabe’s government saying, “It is the state versus Temba Mliswa in the upcoming Hurungwe West by-election,” speaking of the upcoming by-elections in Hurungwe West following his ouster from ZANU PF.
 
“Reconciling with Mugabe”
Ironically however this came at a time when he was also seeking to meet President Robert Mugabe in order to reconcile. “I would like to meet the President. That’s the truth of the matter because he is the centre of power,”
“In terms of the (ZANU-PF) constitution, everyone has the right to meet the President  the party and give their side of the story but that opportunity has not been accorded to me. I have utmost respect for the President. I have spoken to him before. He has given me time and has listened to issues that I have brought to his attention and he has acted timeously and professionally,” he said.
 
Accusing Mugabe of abusing power
But Mliswa has also spoken out hinting at Mugabe’s alleged abuse of state powers to crush opposition politicians. He blasted his boss’ party saying, “Zanu PF has no capacity to mobilise and that is why they have always resorted to assistance from the state apparatus to force people to attend their rallies and vote for them. But even with rigging they will lose in Hurungwe West,” he said.
He continued,  “I will not be campaigning in Hurungwe for fear that people will be victimised, there will be terror and we know that despite their intimidation tactics they have been failing to get people to buy into their preferred candidates. There will be no t-shirts because people will be victimised.”
“Zanu PF has forgotten that Hurungwe West rejected both the party and president in 2008 and I had to persuade people to vote for me in 2013.
“I had to persuade them that the president is the right person to lead this country. I had to preach non-violence and people were actually shocked that a Zanu PF member preaches anti-violence ahead of elections.”
 
ZANU PF splitting in 2018.
The spit-firing politician blasted his former party saying it will split before 2018.
“Zanu PF will split; it is a split organisation anyway but the MDC will remain. There will be a coalition of opposition forces. I am for change and if the opportunity comes I will be willing to grab it, he said.
He added that he will work with Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC-T. He said, “I would like to work with young people, like Chamisa (Nelson former MDC-T organising secretary) and Jessie Majome (Harare West lawmaker). They have brilliant ideas for the country, for the governance of the country which what we lack now,” he said.
He continued saying “there will not be a single party majority and, in any case, most of the Zanu PF MPs are on their way out because they do not work.”

The Mujuru family has been gripped by a grid of fear after the ZANU PF politburo’s latest statement upon booting former Vice President Joice Mujuru struck a direct link between the mysterious death of her husband General Solomon Mujuru and Joice’s expulsion.
As a Mujuru daughter spoke to a local weekly, another Mujuru relative and aunt of the deceased’s children told ZimEye.com the whole family is now daily in fear.
The development has been confirmed by ZANU PF Politburo member Cephas Msipa who last year rushed to stop a war veteran Zanu PF Kwekwe DCC chairman and war veteran George Valentine Makombe from revealing intimate details of a conversation he made with the late retired General Solomon Mujuru, three years ago, which revelation blows open the fact that a day before Mujuru perished in an unexplained inferno at his Beatrice Farm on August 15 2011, Msipa travelled to the Midlands where he met Makombe and informed him that some Zanu PF vultures were plotting to remove his wife, Joice from the Vice-Presidency. Mujuru returned to Harare that Saturday, and the following night his house was gutted by a fire that killed him.
Speaking to ZimEye.com, Mrs (Name Withheld) has revealed she is haunted by visions of her cousin brother Solomon Mujuru’s death five years since his body was found brutalised and burnt up at his Chegutu farm.
“No relative should ever have to bury their own but the nature of Solo’s death was so violent that I can barely sleep at night, haunted by the images of him alone, attacked by his own bodyguards, and then burnt up alive.
“Whenever I close my eyes I see Solo covered in blood and then ashes afterwards.
“When I later fall asleep I have horror nightmares in which I am running to the farm try and save him,” she said.
General Mujuru died in a mysterious inferno at his Ruzambu Farm in August 2011 and the State opposed attempts by the family for an independent autopsy to determine the cause of his death.
The Mujuru family was suspicious of the manner of his death and was not satisfied with the findings of the government sanctioned inquest which ruled out foul play.
In separate interviews with Independent journalists yesterday, Mujuru’s family members and close associates added weight saying the vicious attack on the Mujuru family has rekindled their suspicions that General Mujuru had been murdered and now raised the possibility that they too could be targeted.
Mujuru was one of the most powerful people in Zanu PF and was said to be the only person who could look President Robert Mugabe in the face and speak his mind.
There was little doubt that he was the kingmaker in Zimbabwean politics and historians and politicians agreed Mugabe owed his acceptance as leader in Zanu PF to the late general who convinced liberation fighters to accept him in 1976.
Mujuru family members, close associates and friends said following the former VP’s expulsion from Zanu PF on Thursday and the labelling of the late decorated army commander as a coup plotter, they now feared for the worst.
One of Mujuru’s children told The Standard yesterday on condition of anonymity that they now lived in fear, as the claims by the party’s national disciplinary committee could be used by enemies of the Mujuru family as justification to harm them.
She said the way her mother was treated had left her traumatised. Joice has been vilified as a coup plotter, a dishonest person, a witch and morally loose by President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace.
Mugabe has not relented on his attacks on her, even though the former Vice-President has retreated to her farm where she is engaged in full-time farming.
“She [former VP Mujuru] has gone through a lot in the short period. He [the late General Mujuru] died in 2011 under mysterious circumstances and before we could fully recover, we are unjustifiably hit this hard again. I think the best way for her is to remain quiet and give all to God,” she said.
Mujuru’s daughter said the allegations by the politburo that her father wanted to remove Mugabe could explain why he was killed in the inferno.
“We then begin to suspect whether that was the reason he [Mujuru] died such a painful death. She [Joice] is spending Easter with her grandchildren probably at the farm but news of her expulsion from the party has aroused fears for her life and our lives too. We do not feel safe anymore.”
The Zanu PF disciplinary report presented by legal secretary Patrick Chinamasa to the politburo on Thursday claimed that Mujuru and her husband started plotting against Mugabe in 2004 and were instrumental in the 2008 “Bhora Musango” project which Zanu PF claims cost it elections that year.
“As way back as 2009 the government and the party was aware that Joice Mujuru and her late husband, the late Rex Nhongo Mujuru, were plotting to remove President Mugabe,” the report said.
It was known to the party that they plotted to block the nomination of President Mugabe as the party’s leader at the 5th people’s congress working in collusion with provisional chairmen.”
The report does not however say why no action was taken while General Mujuru was still alive.
Joice was yesterday said to be too busy with numerous Easter programmes at her Salvation Army church to respond to her sacking.
The Standard was however told by people close to her that she could draft a statement that could be released after the holidays.
Commenting on Mujuru’s expulsion from Zanu PF, former party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo said: “They [Zanu PF politburo] want to destroy roots, trunk, branches and leaves, but I tell you that we have very strong roots and will win in any election. We will continue to support our leader [Mujuru] and the expulsion will definitely have no effect on our support base.”
Analysts said the firing of Mujuru from Zanu PF was clear indication of the fear in the rival camp who felt Mujuru remained a threat for as long as she was in the party.
Academic Ibbo Mandaza said: “For me, it’s a self-obituary on Mugabe PF. That has nothing to do with the Zanu we know. It’s interesting to see that latter day lawyers like [Patrick] Chinamasa are preparing the charge sheet against Mujuru. It’s a bunch of outsiders passing judgements on liberation heroes.”
Another analyst Charles Mangongera said: “This is the calculation on the part of Machiavellian schemers in the Mnangagwa camp. They see her [Joice Mujuru] as a threat to their ambitions and had to make sure she is out of the picture because if Mugabe is gone either naturally or otherwise, she would have a legitimate claim that her removal from office was illegal.” ZimEye/ Additional Reporting Standard

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is suing the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation, CIO, for refusing to release social and human rights activist Itai Dzamara.
Dzamara was abducted by members of the Central Intelligence Organisation, CIO, in Glenview last month.
Dzamara was challenging President Robert Mugabe to step down ‘because he has failed the country’.
Rights lawyers had earlier approached the High Court seeking for his release and on 13 March an order for his intensified search was given to the CIO.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights at the weekend said they were frustrated by government’s arrogance and continued abduction of Dzamara.
They said they were preparing some contempt of court papers against the state security.
“While others are enjoying the holiday break, in Zimbabwe, human rights lawyers have commenced Contempt of Court proceedings against Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi, Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, Central Intelligence Organisation Director-General Happyton Bonyongwe and State Security Minister for failing to comply with a High Court order issued on Friday 13 March 2015 by Justice David Mangota which obliges them to report after every two weeks on progress they have made in searching for the missing Dzamara”, said Kumbirai Mafunda the ZLHR publicist.
 

A HONDE-VALLEY man was fined $60 for kissing and fondling a 13-year-old’s breasts last week. Taurai Zindi Chemutsanga (21) of Marekera Village, Zindi, pleaded guilty to the offence of kissing and fondling a 13-year-old’s breasts.
Presiding over the matter was Mutare senior magistrate Mrs Sekai Chiundura and prosecuting was Mr Douglas Matiure. The court heard that on March 8, Chemutsanga and the minor, who were lovers, were in the kitchen when the accused began kissing her. Chemutsanga proceeded to fondle her breasts.
“The minor’s mother entered the kitchen and caught the accused red-handed and a police report was made which led to Chemutsanga’s arrest,” said Mr Matiure.
In his defence, Chemutsanga told the court that the complainant was his girlfriend and therefore he thought there was nothing wrong in kissing her as well as fondling her breasts.
“She consented to my actions, Your Worship, and by the look of it, she was also enjoying as well as I was,” he told the court.
Mrs Chiundura, however, told him that it was an offence to act in such a manner even with a consenting minor.
“She is a minor and does not know the consequences of what she was doing. The law does not even permit you to be in a love relationship moreover a sexual relationship with someone who is under the age of 16.”
He was also warned to stay away from young children. – Manica Post

AN INJIVA who disappeared for 18 years, only to return early this year threatening to shoot his former girlfriend for falling in love with another man, has appeared in court.
Maria Ncube said she started dating Sihlobo Ndlovu in 1994 and he disappeared without a word in 1997, only to return early this year when she had moved on with her life.
Ncube and Ndlovu both reside in Gwabalanda and the woman said her ex-boyfriend had threatened to shoot her as well as her new lover on several occasions.
She told magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure that Ndlovu harasses her when he sees her with her new boyfriend who promised to marry her.
“Your Worship, I’ve reported him to the police several times but he still comes back threatening to shoot me. I’m no longer free to be with my boyfriend at my place because he banned him from coming to visit me and threatened to kill him,” she said.
Magistrate Mashavakure granted the protection order and ordered Ndlovu to stop abusing Ncube.
Ndlovu told the court that for the past 18 years he was in jail in South Africa but did not state for what crime.
He said he did not understand why Ncube wanted a protection order after they were intimate when he came back from the neighbouring country.
Ndlovu told the court that when he came back from South Africa this year, he was welcomed in the city by Ncube who took him to her place.
“Your Worship, I’m surprised because everything was well when I came back. I told her the reason why I was not communicating with her and we even made love,” Ndlovu said.
Ndlovu said he now wanted all his belongings that he left at Ncube’s place but Ncube said she did not have anything that belongs to him because all she had was what he gave her as gifts. -Chronicle