By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has said the prepaid vending system has been restored and customers can now use the platform to buy electricity tokens.

Earlier, ZETDC, a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), had said the system would be down from the 5th to the 6th of May due to scheduled maintenance. It said:

This notice serves to advise all Valued Clients on the unavailability of the prepaid electricity token purchase system from 5 May 2023 at 1630 hours to 6 May 2023 at 2400 hours. This is to allow for major system maintenance on the prepaid vending system.

Clients are therefore advised to make arrangements to purchase sufficient electricity tokens to sustain them during the service disruption period.

In a public notice issued on Saturday night, ZETDC said the prepaid vending system has been restored. Said ZETDC:

Good evening, our valued clients nationwide. Kindly take note, the prepaid vending system has been restored, you can now purchase your electricity tokens through the usual vending platforms.

Some ZESA customers have experienced challenges when buying electricity tokens.

The problems encountered include delays in receiving tokens, incorrect token codes, unavailability of tokens and poor customer service.

By A Correspondent- The bus ride to town was always full of drama. It was unusual to find a new face among the passengers.

The mini buses driven mostly by semi demented young men were always an option in case one failed to catch the Zupco bus on time. Most of the mini bus drivers were always high on weed and partook hard substances which made them reckless on the roads.

Some of them would drive dangerously like daredevils through red robots and stop signs. And if there was an amplifier, the music would damage the eardrums permanently. I am not sure as to who told Africans that you can only enjoy music when it is blaring loudest?

It was therefore, little wonder that for some of us, the Zupco bus became the next best thing to safe public transport despite the gully-like potholes on some of the roads.

Our driver was always the same white-haired old chap except for weekends when he was off duty. It was surprising that after all this time, I still did not know his name. One odd thing about the driver is that he was always chewing something.

He reminded me of a cow chewing cud, the jaws always grinding up and down.

It so happened that on this particular day, I boarded the bus in quite a jovial mood. And as usual I took my favourite seat right at the back of the bus by the window. Mabhatiri took the other corner and then Mai John, a very chubby woman, squeezed next to me.

She almost squashed me against the window, restricting the free circulation of air. Her cheap perfume almost suffocated me. As the bus filled up, we were joined by three other passengers to make us six at the back, packed like fresh kapenta.

The seats in front of us filled up very fast. I saw Rasta taking his familiar seat just behind the driver.

“Driver we are late, can we go now?” That was Sister Florence. She was always late and complained bitterly all the way to town. She would start on a tirade as to how life was unfair to her and that since her husband had died, no man had as good as looked at her. And now she had to take care of her three children, all on her own. She was supposed to take the mini buses which drove recklessly faster. But for one reason or the other, she always found herself on the bus. Brother James, a well known devout Christian came and occupied the seat just in front of me. Sometimes Brother James took to preaching in the bus and he was also known to do some street preaching. He was joined by Mai Sekai, one of the biggest gosssipers in the ghetto. She worked for an Indian family as a maid. I had never met the Indian family but I knew what they are, ate, drank and all about their culture and religion.

There was quite some noise which was coming from the passengers in the front row. However my attention was hooked to Brother James’ android phone. I could not help it as I could see that he was busy chatting with someone on WhatsApp. He was oblivious to everyone.

“I am not the father of your prǝgnancy,” he typed.

“You are the only man I slǝpt with all the time,” came the curt response from the other end.

“I don’t believe you. Don’t take me for a fool. You must go for an ab0rtion,” he typed furiously.

By this time, my eyes were almost popping out at this intrigue. I felt sorry for Brother James. Things were looking bleak for him.

“How can you say that? I am not going for an ab0rtion. You are a fake man of God.” The reply came back quickly.

“Stop that, you will destroy my reputation. You know I can’t marry you. We were just playing,” he responded.

At this point, I am not sure what happened. I saw his body stiffen as he suddenly looked backwards. Our eyes met instantly and before I could do anything he suddenly stood up from his seat. The seat had suddenly become too hot for him. “Oh my God!.” He groaned.

He was frightened and nervous. He gave me one last look as he moved forward to the front row. I was ashamed of myself. I had surreptitiously allowed curiosity to get the better of me. Indeed curiosity killed the cat.

I was embarrassed for being caught red handed. He was nervous. I was afraid for him. I hope he was not going to do anything stupid. The ghetto has no secrets. When I looked at Mai John who was sitting next to me, she looked amused. It seemed she was also guilty of reading the chats on Brother James’ phone.

By the time we reached our destination I had already made up my mind to keep this to myself. This had nothing to do with me. When I disembarked from the bus, I was a bit taken aback to see Brother James waiting nervously for me. There was an awkward silence at first. I was quite perplexed.

“I can explain this, please don’t let this out,” he pleaded. I was equally embarrassed for being a peeping Tom. I shrugged my shoulders and quickly moved away. His secret or scandal was safe with me. He had to reckon with Mai John who had also peeped at his chats.

Privacy in the ghetto is like gold which is ever elusive to fortune seekers.

— The Standard

By A Correspondent- Eddie Cross said that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is planning revenge against self-styled prophet Uebert Angel for embarrassing him through incriminating comments contained in the “Gold Mafia” documentary aired by Al Jazeera recently, reported ZimLive.

Angel told undercover Al Jazeera journalists that he could use his diplomatic status and links to the First Family to launder over US$1.2 billion on behalf of the journalists who posed as criminals.

The controversial preacher also told the Al Jazeera journalists that Mnangagwa has stashed US$240 million in personal funds for general elections expected this year.

Cross, who is Mnangagwa’s biographer, recently featured in a local podcast interview where he claimed that if Angel, who is based abroad returns to Zimbabwe, will face “consequences.”

Cross, who is a former MDC MP, said Mnangagwa lived up to his moniker, “crocodile”. He said:

Eubert Angel embarrassed the government of Zimbabwe; worse than that, he embarrassed the President and I want to tell you, when that happens there are consequences.

A small cabinet committee has been informed and they have reviewed the programmes; all four and appropriate action has been taken and if I was Eubert, I would stay in the UK, look after his British passport and burn his Zimbabwean passport.

Because he is not coming back. If he comes back here, there will be consequences.

… Crocodiles attack fast and when they do attack, it’s often fatal but you don’t see it coming.

He (Mnangagwa) is not a man who makes his views public.

He is a very reserved man as a matter of fact.

The Government said recently it has frozen the assets of those implicated in the Gold Mafia documentary including Angel.

However, in a statement made through his lawyer Lovemore Madhuku last month, Angel said he was not involved in illegal gold dealings and money laundering.

He said he cooperated with the journalists as part of a covert national intelligence operation investigating if the “investors” were genuine.

By A Correspondent- The Government says it is on high alert to ensure that schools desist from illegal fee hikes as the 2023 Second Term commences on 08 May.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Taungana Ndoro on Saturday told State media that Government schools should follow laid-down guidelines on school fees increases. He said:

We will be on high alert, closely monitoring those schools that would have illegally hiked school fees.

Any fees hike outside the stipulated regulations, which include parents’ consent and approval by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, is illegal. Schools should follow the ministry’s policies and regulations.

Meanwhile, parents and guardians with children at private schools have bemoaned the pegging of fees in black market foreign currency exchange rates. Said a concerned parent:

Private schools do as they wish. The fees are pegged in speculative foreign currency black market rates and the attitude is “take it or leave it”.

It’s the second term and surely you can not withdraw your child from the school. Those in private schools are suffering silently unlike those in Government or church-run schools where Government can easily intervene.

The fees are pegged in local currency, but if you ask to pay in US dollars you then realise that the figures in local currency were arrived at using a speculative black market rate, which is higher than the one being used in the streets.

This comes as Falcon College in Esigodini, Matabeleland South has increased school fees for the Second Term to ZWL$11 330 000.

This is approximately equivalent to US$10,600 based on the official exchange rate of 1,070.

The cost of education in Zimbabwe has risen over the years due to a combination of factors, including inflation, currency devaluation, and the high cost of educational resources such as textbooks and school uniforms.

By- CCC deputy chair and Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala is planning to appeal his conviction for obstructing or defeating the course of justice by a Harare magistrate.
The charges were in connection with police investigations into the murder of Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Moreblessing Ali in Nyatsime last year.
Last week Harare Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa sentenced Sikhala to six months in prison or a fine of US$600.
Sikhala’s lawyer Harrison Nkomo said they would appeal the conviction at the High Court. Said Nkomo:
We have instructions to file to the High Court. The accused person believes very strongly that he stands a better chance in the High Court on review, a superior court might arrive at a different decision altogether.
Obstructing the course of justice refers to any act that interferes with the administration of justice, such as destroying evidence, making false statements to the police or courts, threatening witnesses, or bribing officials.
Sikhala has been in remand since June 2022 and remains in custody for three other charges that are before the courts.
The CCC vice chairman, who has 12 children, is in high spirits in spite of his conviction, according to Nkomo.
CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Ostallos Siziba told reporters that the opposition party is not happy with Sikhala’s conviction, saying “everyone is in a state of shock.” He added:
This happens as we are entering into the shadows of an election where political leaders are persecuted. Most of our leaders are in and out of the courts for different concocted political charges.
Sikhala’s conviction comes days after the leader of the opposition Transform Zimbabwe party Jacob Ngarivhume was sentenced to an effective three years in jail for incitement to public violence.

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa is planning revenge against self-styled prophet Uebert Angel for embarrassing him through incriminating comments contained in the “Gold Mafia” documentary aired by Al Jazeera recently, his advisor Eddie Cross has said.

Angel told undercover Al Jazeera journalists that he could use his diplomatic status and links to the First Family to launder over US$1.2 billion on behalf of the journalists who posed as criminals.
The controversial preacher also told the Al Jazeera journalists that Mnangagwa had stashed US$240 million in personal funds for general elections expected this year.
Cross, who is Mnangagwa’s biographer, was recently featured in a local podcast interview where he claimed that if Angel, who is based abroad, returns to Zimbabwe, he will face “consequences.”
Cross, who is a former MDC MP, said Mnangagwa lived up to his moniker, “crocodile”. He said:
Eubert Angel embarrassed the government of Zimbabwe; worse than that, he embarrassed the President and I want to tell you, when that happens there are consequences.
A small cabinet committee has been informed and they have reviewed the programmes; all four and appropriate action has been taken and if I was Eubert, I would stay in the UK, look after his British passport and burn his Zimbabwean passport.
Because he is not coming back. If he comes back here, there will be consequences.
… Crocodiles attack fast and when they do attack, it’s often fatal but you don’t see it coming.
He (Mnangagwa) is not a man who makes his views public.
He is a very reserved man as a matter of fact.
The Government said recently it has frozen the assets of those implicated in the Gold Mafia documentary including Angel.
However, in a statement made through his lawyer Lovemore Madhuku last month, Angel said he was not involved in illegal gold dealings and money laundering.
He said he cooperated with the journalists as part of a covert national intelligence operation investigating if the “investors” were genuine.
-ZimLive

By A Correspondent- Beitbridge border security officials are investigating another case of murder after a Zimbabwean man known only as Welly, was killed at the Old Limpopo Bridge on Thursday morning on the South African side by another Zimbabwean known only as Tinashe, who then fled.

The motive behind the murder is yet unknown.

The police officer commanding Beitbridge district, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo, said the Zimbabwean police had been formally informed of the killing by the South Africans.

“The matter is being investigated by our South African counterparts since it occurred on their side of the border. However, the South African police came to the border post and informed us that they had a murder case of a Zimbabwean national who is only known as Welly who was murdered at the Old Limpopo Bridge.

“The deceased is said to have been murdered by another Zimbabwean national only known as Tinashe”.

By A Correspondent- An Epworth man who allegedly faked to help a woman who was running away from a suspected robber and later rɑpǝd her numerous times with his friend appeared in court yesterday.

The incident occurred on January 31, at around 10pm when the 39-year-old complainant who was in the company of her male friend only identified as Jose were coming from Msasa Shops.

The other co-accused, who is still on the run, met the complainant and started assaulting her.

Jose ran away.

Ibrahim Mohammed passed by and was recognised by the complainant who begged for help.

Mohammed pretended to help her and took her to his house where he ganged up with his friend who is still at large and took turns to rɑpǝ her without protecti0n.

Mohammed (29) appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa charged with rɑpǝ.

He was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.

The matter was remanded to July 25 pending finalisation of investigations.

GWERU-A drunk Gweru man allegedly killed his father whom he assaulted all over the body with a log after the former tried to refrain him from assaulting his sister.

Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident which occurred on 30 April, 2023 to The Mirror.
Circumstances are that Amos Tshuma (43) of Kurimakwakanaka Village under Chief Gambiza went to his father, Remias Tshuma (76) house and found his sister home.

The two had a misunderstanding and Amos began assaulting his sister. His father tried to refrain him and Amos began assaulting him with a log all over the body…Chipinge Times

By A Correspondent- Former prosecutor in charge of Bulawayo regional courts, Patrobs Dube, has fallen on hard times after he was fired by ex-Prosecutor-General Johannes Tomana in 2012.

Dube was dismissed for leading an industrial action against poor working conditions. He is failing to pay R6 747 for the release of his LLB certificate held by the University of South Africa (Unisa) over outstanding fees.

As if that is not enough, Dube has become partially blind.

Dube has now launched a Facebook campaign #SOSPatrobs#HoldMyHand seeking assistance to have his certificate released by Unisa.

“#HoldMyHand to help me access my LLB Degree. If wishes were horses … I would by now long have had my LLB Degree results and I would have long registered and become a fully-fledged legal practitioner!!,” Dube posted on Facebook.

He told Southern Eye Weekender that he was struggling to clear outstanding fees of R6 747 which he owed Unisa.

“In 2012, I was unfairly dismissed from my job of public prosecutor by the government of Zimbabwe following a strike by prosecutors which was organised by the Prosecutors Association, of which I was the deputy chair,” Dube said.

“What followed was a long and protracted court and legal battle between the government and me, with me fighting for the vindication of my constitutional rights and, indeed, my life and the government obfuscating and bent on stifling and reducing me to an effigy of sorrow. It is at times like these, with your back against the law, that you reflect and cannot help, but be cynical about modern law which saves us from barbarism, and in its place gives us the barbarism of the law!”

The High Court ordered his reinstatement.

“The court ordered my reinstatement or payment of damages. The Judicial Service Commission applied to the High Court for review. The commission attempted twice to have the Labour Court judgment rescinded and failed on both occasions,” Dube said.

However, he has not been reinstated.

“What must I do now to persuade the powers-that-be to comply with the rule of law? I have lost my employment, my sight and dignity. My family and children’s future are bleak, but why? I ask again, but why?”

By A Correspondent- Fed up with government inaction, the tenacious villagers of Hope Fountain in Umguza, Matabeleland North province, have joined hands to repair their heavily damaged roads.

The roads in Hope Fountain were hit hard by the recent rains, compounding the woes of the villagers, who feel neglected by the motoring public.

Determined to bring change, the villagers have mobilised through their village committee and are pushing for the restoration of the major roads connecting Hope Fountain with Bulawayo.

These roads have suffered significant damage over the years.

Despite the District Development Fund’s (DDF) mission to provide assistance to resettlement areas, the central government has consistently failed to allocate adequate funding, leaving the area with little to no financial support in recent years.

According to Vusa Sibanda, a member of the village committee, the road works were initiated in 2022.

“Our roads are not in a good shape and very hazardous to users, therefore as a committee, together with the community, we saw a need for us to rise and answer the call,” Sibanda says.

Hope Fountain, previously owned by missionaries, was handed over to its current owners by the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa in 1980.

The area is located near How Mine.

The villagers have mobilised through their village committee and set a deadline of December 2023 to complete the project.

According to sources, on March 31, 2023, the village committee presented a budget to the community for the rehabilitation project.

“The budget, which includes other developments in the area, was well appreciated by the rest of the community. We are positive that all will be well,” says Sibanda.

According to Thokoza Mathe, a resident of Hope Fountain, the community is optimistic that their diligent work and sacrifices will yield positive results, ultimately leading to accessible roads in the area.

“We work together and are confident we will succeed,” Mathe said.

“We will hold meetings that will further enlighten all stakeholders about the benefits of the project while urging community members to participate through providing labour or any other resources needed,” Mathe added.

According to Sibanda, one of the targeted roads runs from the shopping centre through Mthombothemba Primary School to How Mine, with the aim of connecting people to schools, clinics, and facilitating the sale of farm products, thus generating income for the community.

According to the 2023 Zimbabwe Infrastructure Investment Programme report, $3 billion will be allocated to rural road infrastructure, to be implemented through DDF.

Sibanda says one of the project’s shortcomings is that some community members fail to contribute on time, which affects progress.

Additionally, some community members have yet to fully understand the project, which results in low participation rates, Sibanda adds.

“Other villagers delay paying their contributions, causing delays in the development of such programmes. Some feel that the idea is too big for a small community like ours,” says Sibanda.

Fisani Nkomo, a villager with a low income, says she faces difficulties paying her contributions towards the project on time.

This challenge, in turn, makes it hard for her to meet the project demands.

However, Sibanda notes that community members have realised that working together on the project has been a valuable learning experience.

Their collective efforts and perseverance have inspired others to join in.

Moses Dube, a resident and participant in the project, says the committee has reached out to mining companies to collaborate and augment the community’s efforts.

“We wrote a letter to How Mine earlier this year. They have promised to reach out soon. We need machinery and other essential equipment for rehabilitation. Some of the funding will come from local contributions (homestead subscriptions),” Dube says.

Alexander Mhlanga, the ward 1 councillor for Umguza Rural District Council, expressed his support for and happiness with the community project.

By A Correspondent- A 42 year old man from Chiwundura raped and stabbed his ex-girlfriend after she turned down his request to reconcile with him.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident that occurred last week.

Mahoko said the victim, a 20-year-old woman, is battling for life at a hospital in Bulawayo.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirms the arrest of (name withheld) in connection with rape and attempted murder cases which occurred at Maveni village under Chief Gambiza,” he said.

“Reports indicate that at around 2pm, the woman from the same village in Chiwundura went to fetch firewood at a nearby bush in the company of her cousin sister.

“They met (the suspect) who resides in the same village and a misunderstanding arose between them. The suspect withdrew a knife from his pocket and threatened to stab the complainant.”

Mahoko added: “He allegedly raped the complainant before stabbing her with a knife all over the body.”

The woman was later rushed to Gweru Provincial Hospital by a well-wisher.

She was later transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo due to the serious nature of her injuries.

By A Correspondent- Two male adults who were wielding knives and a pair of pliers pounced on a Nyanga family, threatened an 82-year-old woman with unspecified action and vanished with US$160.

The incident happened in Sarutani Village under Chief Hata’s area on April 17 at around 8pm.

“The two suspects who were armed with a knife and pliers entered into Mrs Taurai Mushayi’s room as she was sleeping. She was alone. One of the suspects grabbed her by the neck and ordered her to keep quiet.

“They gagged her mouth with a cloth while the other suspect ransacked the house. They took USD160 then disappeared into the darkness,” said Inspector Muzondo.

Police are appealing to members of the public with information leading to the arrest of the suspects to contact their nearest police station.

By A Correspondent- Upmarket Falcon College has pegged its second term fees at a staggering US$10,588.79 just as University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students celebrate a High Court judgement barring the institution from hiking their fees to US$467.

A notice released by the school on April 26 reveals parents and guardians will have to part with ZW$11,330,000 which translates to US$10,588.79 at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s (RBZ) inter-bank rate or US$5,665 at the popular black market rate.

Despite efforts to defend it by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, Zimbabwe’s local currency has devalued at an alarming rate since its re-introduction by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

The notice, signed by Board of Governors Chairman Andrew Marchussen and Headmaster Dave van Wyk blames Zimbabwe’s waning economy for the hike.

It is absolutely necessary if we are to continue to not just survive but thrive in this economy,” it reads.

The eSigodini school’s alumni includes former Chevrons captain Heath Streak, fellow cricketer Meluleki Nkala, Charles Knaggs who is a Colonel in the British army and former European Parliament member Robert Jackson.

The school sits on 2,000 hectares of what was once Bushtick gold mine in Matabeleland South.

It boasts of a kilometre long airstrip, a golf range and 810 hectares of a nature reserve and wilderness area.

Sports and clubs at the facility include fishing, mountain climbing, karate, photography and investment; most of which are not at ordinary schools across the country.

By A Correspondent- Majority of citizens have dumped the Zimbabwean dollar with 97% of transactions for basic commodities being conducted in United States dollars, a World Bank official said yesterday.

World Bank senior economist Dhiraj Sharma said the local currency was “rapidly losing value”.

Sharma was presenting the findings on the poverty, income, consumption and expenditure surveys (PICES) conducted between July 2020 and January 2023 through telephone interviews by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), in partnership with the World Bank and United Nations Children’s Fund.

Nine rounds of the PICES survey were conducted between July 2020 and January 2023.

“One thing that the survey started to track on was the use of foreign currency on domestic transactions,” he said.

“So overall, we see, to a larger extent, other currencies are being used almost exclusively. People use the Zimbabwe dollar for transactions for about less than 3% of the transactions. And this is for five key food items which are maize meal, cooking oil, rice, beef and bread.”

Prices of basic commodities have been skyrocketing, with the local currency on a free fall.

Some goods are now being exclusively sold in United States dollars.

The parallel market rate of the United States dollar against the local currency spiralled to $2 700 while the official rate stands at $1 097.

Sharma said dollarisation was more prevalent in rural areas than in urban areas.

“The US$ is being used for almost two-thirds of the US dollar or the South African rand for transactions, for 9% and the Zimbabwe dollar for 23%,” he said.

“The use of foreign currency is more widespread in rural areas, which is also a novel finding. Among the five basic food items, the use of foreign currency was higher in some than others, for example cooking oil and rice.

“But overall, this shows the extent to which people are using alternative currencies because the local currencies cannot function properly as stores of value and medium of exchange.”

Government has resisted growing calls to redollarise. President Emmerson Mnangagwa reintroduced the local currency in 2019 after a decade of dollarisation.

By A Correspondent- United States-based Zimbabwean preacher, Passion Java has said the imminent death of Ezekiel Guti will divide ZAOGA into two.

In a statement, Java said he had a vision in which he was shown Guti’s imminent death. 

Guti, the founder of the Forward in Faith International Ministries known simply as ZAOGA in Zimbabwe, turned 100 this Friday, May 5, 2023. In a message to commemorate Guti’s birthday, Java said:

Baba Guti is about to die.

This is not a skit but a Prophetic word from God unto Baba Ach bishop Ezekiel Guti.

Our death is not the end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation.

For they are us and we are them. Our bodies are only but wilted leaves on the tree of life, and the distinction between past, present, and future is death.

While the whole world was celebrating your birthday, Baba, As l was ministering to the Lord in prayers and fastings, while in Dubai. l saw Celestial Beings celebrating your coming home, and l saw one who was holding a trumpet and a golden bowel saying, “lt is time, and the time is now”.

You have fought a good fight, you have kept the faith. Put thine house in Oder because at your departure, Z.A.O.G.A will be divided into two.

Hebrews 9:27
Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that, judgment comes.

Happy Birthday, Baba

By A Correspondent- Police in Masvingo have arrested two notorious armed robbers linked to 25 cases recorded in the province.

Nelson Matsvange (44) and Frank Tirivani (36) committed the crimes between March 2022 and May 2023 in the province.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday said Matsvange was arrested on May 1 at village 13 Crown Range in Zaka after CCTV footage linked him to a case of armed robbery which occurred at Musvovi business centre in Renco.

The arrest led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle which was hidden in a cave in Chivamba area, Zaka, with a magazine of 31 live rounds of ammunition, five cellphones, an HP laptop, a satchel, two machetes, a comforter blanket and US$50 cash.”

hey face 25 charges of armed robbery, including one of unlawful entry and theft which occurred at Manjirenji Game Park, Chiredzi in March 2022 where the firearm was stolen.

“Police implore business owners to enhance security systems at business premises. Meanwhile, armed robbery syndicates are warned that the long arm of the law will catch up with them as police crack teams are on high alert to ensure that the law takes its course,” Nyathi said.

By A Correspondent- A Harare woman who boarded a private vehicle at BP Service Station in Mutare got robbed of US$3 220, a cellphone and clothes by armed robbers who had offered her a ride.

The five suspects, including a woman, dumped the victim, Ms Diana Pamire, in a bush near Nyazura before driving off.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Norbert Muzondo confirmed the incident which happened at around 8:30am.

Pamire (30) boarded a silver Honda CRV at BP Service Station intending to go to Harare. She had a purse and a bag which contained cash, clothes and other belongings. In the vehicle were four unknown male adults and a woman.

“Pamire seated at the back seat and upon approaching Bridge Store in Nyazura, one of the accused who was seated next to her ordered her to surrender her purse which contained, among other things, a cellphone and US$220. Out of fear she complied.

“The driver turned off the main road and drove for about 200 metres in a dust road and stopped. The accused persons pushed the lady out of the car and left her stranded in the bush.

“They drove away with the bags containing a total of US$3 220 and clothes. Pamire reported the matter to Nyazura police. No arrests were made and nothing has been recovered,” said Inspector Muzondo.

By- A Cabinet minister is forcing a university student to fall in love with him because he assisted her in getting a university place.

Minister of State responsible for Agricultural Colleges, Water Resources, and Irrigation Development, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Davis Marapira, has allegedly brought a National University of Science and Technology (NUST) female student to the brink of mental breakdown through persistent love messages, threats and invitations to join him at hotels.

Marapira assisted the 19-year-old brilliant but disadvantaged first year Biotechnology student with fees since she was in Form 5 at Zimuto High School in Masvingo.
The Mirror called Marapira for a comment yesterday, but he hung up once he got the gist of the issue. He later sent a text message to say that he was in a meeting.
Marapira allegedly started pestering and threatening the girl in 2021 when she was in Form 6.
The girl, who is also a top performing artist with various national awards to her credit confirmed that the messages in the hands of The Mirror were indeed exchanged between her and the Minister. She also accused Marapira of sending an article about a man who sponsored his lover through university education and later killed her for dumping him.
“The Minister asks me to see him at night, invites me to his hotel room whenever he is in Bulawayo and the latest being at the 2023 ZITF last week. He gets so angry if I refuse his advances. He makes long calls and persistently sends messages which I politely told him I was uncomfortable with. He says he has all along been waiting for me to turn 18 and become an adult.
“He threatens to stop paying my fees at registration time or just before I sit for exams and this is the time where he knows I am most vulnerable.
“I am confused and frightened that the Minister may do the unimaginable and kill me. I come from a less priviledged family, and when he offered to sponsor my education, I thought he was a Good Samaritan, a leader and a father who was genuine about my future.
“I never imagined that he was going to ask for sex or love from me. If this is the condition for the scholarship am ready to drop out of school and stay at home. I thank him for all the support that he gave me, but if this is what he is doing to all the girl-children he helps then this is tragic,” said the student.
The girl’s mother also confirmed the matter to The Mirror and said she once approached a woman from Zanu PF Women’s League to ask the Minister to stop his advances. This did not help as Marapira allegedly told the woman that colleges and universities are fertile hunting grounds for girls. The mother later phoned the Minister, but Marapira was allegedly evasive.
“Like any other mother, I get worried when anyone threatens the future of my child. I approached a woman in the Women’s League and she told me that the Minister said kumaUniversity ikoko ndiko kwatinotowanira vasikana. I then called the Minister and he said his priorities currently were the elections and looking for school fees for my daughter. He changes the subject each time I call him. Now he ignores my calls,” said the mother.
The girl’s arts mentor who is a teacher said she is shocked by Marapira’s alleged predatory tendencies towards the girl.
“The Minister knew the girl as a little primary school girl. I am shocked that this was his intention. I think there is certainly something wrong in Marapira’s head,” said the mentor. Masvingo Mirror

By A Correspondent- Six youths, suspected to be drunk, escaped with minor injuries when the driver of a Ford Ranger they were travelling in lost control of the vehicle before it veered off the road and landed on its roof near Dangamvura Link Road, Mutare this morning.

Witnesses said the vehicle was speeding and suspected that the driver was drunk as all the passengers were also intoxicated.

The driver and the passengers were still in panic mode after they were pulled out of the vehicle by passersby before police attended the scene.

The vehicle had just overtaken us at Dangamvura Link Road and I tried to caution the driver by flashing lights after they drove past us. Moments later, we saw the vehicle involved in an accident after it overturned. We managed to pull out the driver and all the passengers from the vehicle after tilting it. They looked drunk and could not clearly explain what had transpired as they were panicky,” said a witness who declined to be named.

The accident comes barely a week after a kombi veered off the road and landed in a ditch near the same spot.

By- Mudiwa Hood has relocated sungura musician Paradzai Mesi from his rural home to a new home in Harare, where he has paid rentals for the whole year. 

This comes after pictures of Paradzai Mesi’s dilapidated rural home were shared on social media. 

In a post Mudiwa Hood said he had kept his promise to Zimbabwe and secured Papa Paradzai Mesi a new home. He posted:

At least for the next 12months, 1 year rent paid! I am not at liberty to share exact location but it is in Harare.

It will help him with his shows as most of the shows are in Harare.

4 Bedroom, dining, kitchen, tiled house, fully electrified and has a garden ne kamunda as well as fowl run.

I chose big a yard to help him be, not so crowded place, mainly for privacy ….iceleb redu iri

The closest school there is 200 metres from the house, will transfer the kids and pay the fees.

Mudiwa Hood said he would ask for Paradzai Mesi’s permission on how to use the donated money, which could be used for household items. He said this is a new start for Mesi, and anyone who wants to help with beds, kitchen furniture, tables, TVs, spoons, or anything else is welcome. Mudiwa urges people to do good for no reason and be kind for no price, and thanks those who sent money through different platforms, wishing God to bless them. 

The last Update on contributions is as follows:

• Mukuru 200 rands
• Ecocash 239 000
• Ecocash USD 143
• Innbucks 108
• Steward rtgs 16000

He said those who still want to assist can send money through these platforms and it will be accounted for by his Manager Mr Jusa

• Ecocash: 0776956169 Andy Jusa
• Innbucks : 0776956169 Andy jusa
• Andy Jusa; Steward bank rtgs; acc 1046869757
• Andy Jusa; Zb bank nostro; acc 4151280499405

By- The President Emmerson Mnangagwa-led government has banned an explosive media conference on journalism, political tolerance and phobias.

The indaba was at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Thursday after some high-profile delegates viciously tore into the ruling Zanu PF’s growing authoritarian rule and political repression, as well as its well-documented history of intolerance and ruthlessly crushing dissent.

Zanu PF is now targeting critical voices, including suppressing academics and academic freedom at universities, opposition parties and civil society ahead of elections in August. Following the stinging criticisms that cut President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime deep to the bone, it was abruptly announced that the conference was banned. This reflected Zanu PF fascist intolerance, repression and brutality; the party’s DNA. The conference programme was loaded with powerful critical voices which took no prisoners, lambasting Zanu PF’s political violence and brutality despite that the constitution recognises and protects diversity, hence tolerance. University of Zimbabwe Professor Fainos Mangena, Dean for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, set the ball rolling presenting his introductory remarks, followed by the Department of Creative Media and Communication chair Dr Ngonidzashe Muwonwa, Professor Lovemore Madhuku and Dr Alexander Rusero, a university lecturer of politics, international relations and media studies. Rusero’s observations were enlightening and withering, saying Zimbabwe is not yet free. There were also deliveries by Dr Pedzisai Maedza, an Intercultural Performance Scholar and playwright. Local media practitioner Zenzele Ndebele rocked the boat and fuelled official hostility when he zeroed in on Gukurahundi to show the dynamics between political intolerance, phobias and media. Ndebele’s examples drawn from the Gukurahundi hit Mnangagwa hard as he accused him of hate speech, leading to genocide. In his presentation, Ndebele also said media was complicit in the Gukurahundi genocide then and now as it continues downplaying atrocities and bloodshed, calling them “disturbances”. Presenters said while the media plays an influential positive and negative role on reporting and mediating political intolerance, phobias and violence, the truth is that politicians in Zimbabwe are the main architects of the problem. Zanu PF’s youth representative Tendai Chirau and main opposition CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Ostallos Siziba also delivered addresses. Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba chickened out. Other big guns who were due to present include Professor Herman Manyora from Kenya, Dr Admore Tshuma, a Zimbabwean journalist-turned-academic from the University of Bristol, and decolonisation studies guru Professor Sabelo Ndlovu Gatsheni, who leads research on Epistemologies of the Global South at the University of Bayreuth, Germany.

By-Cleopas Chidodo, the security manager of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), has retracted the allegations he made about former First Lady Grace Mugabe in Al Jazeera’s Gold Mafia documentary.

In the documentary, Chidodo claimed that Mugabe had used her influential status to smuggle diamonds and ivory out of Zimbabwe without her late husband’s knowledge. However, in a video recording, Chidodo apologised to Mugabe and the former first family, stating that the allegations he made were false and retracting them in full. He said:

I wish to render my unconditional apologies to Dr Grace Mugabe and the entire former first family for the falsehoods I mentioned about them in the said episode…

I wish the general public to know that it is untrue that Dr Grace Mugabe did the various illegal things that I mentioned in the video. Specifically, it is untrue that Dr Grace Mugabe killed elephants for ivory. It is untrue that Dr Grace Mugabe smuggled said ivory in hoards of containers through Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. It is untrue that Dr Grace Mugabe would send a plane to Chiadzwa mining fields to collect diamonds and smuggle them outside of Zimbabwe. It is untrue that Dr Grace Mugabe devised a scheme to smuggle minerals and ivory behind the late former President Robert Mugabe’s back. It is untrue that the former first family made a lot of money smuggling minerals outside the country,” he added.

Chidodo said he was tricked by the Al Jazeera news network into making false allegations against Grace Mugabe. He claimed that the individuals who secretly recorded him had lied and initially approached him with an offer of scholarships for his family, but then changed the subject to smuggling minerals out of Zimbabwe. Chidodo also alleged that he was drugged during the recording, which affected his mental state and made him say things he did not remember saying.

Chidodo’s assets, along with those of three other Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe officials, were frozen last month as investigations into their alleged involvement in a gold smuggling scam continue. The government has requested evidence from Al Jazeera regarding the allegations of gold smuggling and money laundering, after President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his wife were implicated in the documentary. Uebert Angel, Mnangagwa’s ambassador-at-large, was also featured in the documentary revealing information and naming prominent individuals.

By- Controversial preacher and Zanu Pf apologist Passion Java has prophesied the imminent death of ZAOGA founder Ezekiel Guti.

In a statement, Java said he had a vision in which he was shown Guti’s imminent death. 

 Guti turned 100 today, May 5, 2023. In a message to commemorate Guti’s birthday, Java said:

Baba Guti is about to die.

This is not a skit but a Prophetic word from God unto Baba Ach bishop Ezekiel Guti.

Our death is not the end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation.

For they are us and we are them. Our bodies are only but wilted leaves on the tree of life, and the distinction between past, present, and future is death.

While the whole world was celebrating your birthday, Baba, As l was ministering to the Lord in prayers and fastings, while in Dubai. l saw Celestial Beings celebrating your coming home, and l saw one who was holding a trumpet and a golden bowel saying, “lt is time, and the time is now”.

You have fought a good fight, you have kept the faith. Put thine house in Oder because at your departure, Z.A.O.G.A will be divided into two.

Hebrews 9:27 

Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that, judgment comes.

Happy Birthday, Baba

By-Forward in Faith International Ministries (ZAOGA) founder Bishop Ezekiel Gutu has turned 100.

 Guti was born on May 5, 1923, in Ngaone, Chipinge, Zimbabwe.

Archbishop Ezekiel Guti posted on Facebook:

100 years of God’s grace, with several church leaders joining in to celebrate his birthday.

Pastor Mukhuba celebrated the 100th birthday of Archbishop Dr Ezekiel Guti, calling him a man of God who is still going strong and acknowledging it as the grace of the Lord. Pastor Mukhuba said:

Happy Birthday to the Archbishop & we are really inspired. We honor this general because God has been using him to impact many lives & he has done a lot for the Kingdom of the Father. Wow!

Apostle Pride Sibiya of Bethel Worship Centre of Glory Ministries celebrated Guti by quoting Habakkuk 2:2-3, saying that every visionary should come and write their vision clearly so that those who read it can run with it and that the vision will come at its appointed time and not tarry. He added:

What a life well lived, Archbishop Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti!

The Fullness of Life Ministries Int’l celebrated the 100th birthday of Apostle Ezekiel Guti, also celebrating his 75 years of active ministry and his position as the general overseer of Forward in Faith Ministries in Zimbabwe. They called him a “God’s general” and asked people to pray for him and bless him on this occasion.

Christ Revealed Worldwide Ministries celebrated the 100th birthday of Apostle Ezekiel Guti, describing him as their spiritual father and expressing gratitude for his apostleship and the impact it has had on their prophet. They used the hashtags #CRWMAltar and #ZVATENDERWA-HP&HG.

Divine Kingdom Baptist Ministries, led by Dr. Ian Ndlovu and their leadership board, wished Apostle Ezekiel Guti a happy 100th birthday. They praised his leadership, work ethic, integrity, church planting and soul-winning efforts, and humility, and called him an example for Christians in Zimbabwe and worldwide to emulate. They prayed for God’s blessings on him and his ministry for many more fruitful years.

Tinashe Michael Sello celebrated the life of Apostle Ezekiel Guti, calling him a true legend who has touched the lives of millions of people around the world through his dedication to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sello praised Guti’s kindness, generosity, wisdom, and unwavering faith, as well as his commitment to the growth and development of the Zaoga Church and the countless lives transformed through his ministry. He added:

Happy birthday, Apostle Guti!

G.N Exploits Ministries wished Archbishop Ezekiel Guti a happy 100th birthday, calling him a man of God, a general sent from God to show the way. They emphasized the importance of celebrating elders and fathers as young ministers and wished Guti a long life and a joyful birthday in Jesus Christ’s name.

Apostle B Java Ministries celebrated Archbishop Dr. EH Guti with a picture and a caption that read “Celebrating you.”

Some Zimbabwean musicians also congratulated the preacher for attaining 100 years.

Musician Sir Benjamin Rupapa celebrated Archbishop Ezekiel Guti’s 100th birthday by honouring the impact Guti has made on his life and the lives of people around the world through 75 years of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Rupapa shared a video in honour of Guti and joined in the celebration with ZAOGA FIF MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL, calling Guti a great apostle, a legend, and a bondservant of God.

Musician Mathias Mhere wished a happy birthday to Professor Ezekiel Guti, calling him “baba vedu” (our father) and using the hashtag #centenarian. Mhere prayed for God’s continued blessings on Guti.

Musician Janet Manyowa wished Archbishop Ezekiel Guti a happy 100th birthday, praising him as a leader and servant of God who has dedicated his life to the gospel and shown wisdom in his service. She prayed for God’s blessings on Guti and wished him more life.

By A Correspondent- An angry mob urinatǝd on three robbers, whose luck ran out when a car they had stolen crashed into a kombi, at Chigovanyika Shopping Centre in Chitungwiza on Wednesday evening.

Four suspected robbers pounced on a man, who was closing his shop at the end of business, before speeding off in his car with his wife, who was in the vehicle.

The car then rammed into a commuter omnibus.

One witness said: “The guy was closing for the day when the robbers pounced on him as he was getting into his car.

They pushed him out of the car and fled away with the car and the day’s takings.

“He screamed and some Good Samaritans made efforts to chase after the car, with some even throwing stones.

“Then, there was someone who gave chase with his car before the car (which the robbers had stolen) rammed into a kombi and another vehicle close to Chigovanyika Shops and overturned.”

Three robbers were seriously injured while the fourth one made off with the bag, which had cash.

“The wife was not seriously injured.

“Police came and took them but vanhu vanga vachingovarova zvakadaro, vamwe vachivaitira weti.

“One of the suspected robbers is one Madzibaba Levy, ane sowe in St Mary’s.”

Another witness said:

“The owner plies his trade at Huruyadzo Shopping Centre and, on this day, he was logging off for the day when the suspects jumped into his car.

“They sped towards Chigovanyika Shopping Centre and during their escape the driver lost control before the car overturned.”

A third witness said.

“Team iri rakangopinda mumota fast and he was screaming seeking help. So they drove towards a curve and the one who was driving rammed into an oncoming car.

“The car then overturned before landing on its roof.

When we got to the scene, one of the suspected robbers had escaped from the scene.”

The witnesses added: “These guys were four and one escaped. The owner of the car was injured after the accident.”

— HMetro

 By A Correspondent- A man who assaulted his wife after he found her in the company of a prophet spraying muthi at their house has appeared in court.

Nicholas Khuphe (51) appeared before Western Commonage Court magistrate Shepherd Mnjanja charged with physical abuse.

He pleaded guilty and was remanded out of custody to 9 May for sentencing.

The court heard that Khuphe from Old Magwegwe suburb came home unexpectedly and was sh0cked to find his wife Knowledge Khuphe (48) in the company of a man only identified as Bonani and was told he was a prophet.

The court heard Nicholas was surprised to find Bonani spraying muthi in the sitting room while his wife was seated on a sofa and that did not go down well with him.

It is said he fumed at his wife before he struck her with a knobkerrie all over her body leading her to sustain a fractured arm.

Knowledge reported the incident to the police leading to the arrest of her husband.

By A Correspondent- Friends of Job Sikhala Trust yesterday said the conviction of Zengeza West legislator, Job Sikhala (Citizens Coalition for Change), was unfortunate because of his health condition.

Sikhala was convicted on a charge of obstructing the course of justice and fined US$600, becoming the third opposition figure to be convicted in less than a month.

He has been in pre-trial detention since June last year.

Friends of Job Sikhala Trust spokesperson Emmanuel Zellers Gumbo told NewsDay that Sikhala’s conviction was unfortunate.

“Though his health is still unstable, he still suffers from abdominal pain, his fighting spirit is still alive, his conviction to fight will never be deterred by imprisonment nor by any form of persecution,” Gumbo said.

He said attempts by the legislator to consult a doctor of his choice reportedly fell flat after he was refused the privilege.

“The last time he attempted to consult a doctor of his choice, they denied him of that,” he said.

“The conviction did not come as a surprise, we saw it coming. The conviction confirmed one thing — that this is a clear case of political persecution.

Job Sikhala was arrested for demanding justice for the callously murdered Moreblessing Ali. Where on earth will a whole magistrate mistake such for obstruction of justice?”

In a heart-wrenching letter in January this year, Sikhala revealed that his health had severely deteriorated amid fears that he could have developed cancer of the colon.

This saw his close allies petitioning President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene to ensure the release of the legislator on medical grounds.

Government spokespersons, however, said Mnangagwa could not intervene in respect of the separation of powers.

Sikhala faces two other separate charges.

He faces a charge of incitement to violence following the violence that occurred at the funeral of Ali.

He is charged alongside fellow legislator Godfrey Sithole and 14 other Nyatsime residents.

Sikhala faces another charge of disorderly conduct. He insists that he is a political prisoner.

“Over 10 months, I have been kept from my people and from carrying out my duties and even though I have been kept in prison confinement, I know (South Africa’s anti-apartheid stalwart) Nelson Mandela was kept in prison, but his spirit was never broken and never will be mine,” he said in his mitigation before sentencing on Wednesday.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- In a horrifying incident four armed robbers raided a farm on the outskirts of Bulawayo and robbed workers of various items including cash before allegedly rɑp!ng five women while other farm workers and their children were watching.

Two of the suspects Luckson Moyo (22) and Sibongisani Ndlovu (40) have since been arrested while the two only identified as Muzi and Mbekezeli are reportedly on the run.

The four robbers who were armed with machetes, axes, and knives raided a farm shortly after 9pm last week on Saturday.

A source at the farm who spoke to B-Metro on condition of anonymity said the four robbers first went to a compound which is situated next to the shop in the farm.

They found a couple and their children sitting around a fireplace. They ordered them to lie on the ground, and the startled family complied. The robbers then assaulted them while demanding money.

After that two of the robbers took turns to rɑpǝ the woman while her husband and children were watching,” said the source.

After that two robbers remained guarding the family while the other two went to a sports bar where they found six people who were drinking beer while seated outside the closed bar and demanded cash.

As they demanded cash they threatened to kill them but they told them that they had nothing. They then demanded keys to the bar and shop and they again told them that they don’t have them.

“That, however, did not go down well with robbers who then ordered them to lie on the ground and assaulted them. After that they rɑpǝd three other women,” said the source.

The source added: “They robbed them of their cellphones, three handbags and US$45 before they headed to another compound where they found a couple slǝǝping and woke them up.”

“They demanded cash and they were given US$45 and after that they dragged the woman behind the compound where they rɑpǝd her at knife point.”

It is reported that the robbers went to three other compounds where they ransacked the rooms looking for cash.

“They took several items including speaker boxes, cash and handbags before they fled,” said the source.

The farm owner reported the incident to the police before he rushed the victims to hospital for treatment.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident and said: “We urge farmers to beef their security at their farm compounds.

“We would like to applaud members of the public for supplying police with information which led to the arrest of two robbers and we appeal for information that might lead to the whereabouts of the robbers who are still at large.”

— BMetro

By A Correspondent- Former Zimbabwe national football player, Tinashe Nengomasha’s marriage to Samantha Mtukudzi has been ruled as officially over by the High Court. 

The two were involved in a nasty break-up, with the court process having been initiated by Samantha, daughter of the late musician, Oliver Mtukudzi.

Samantha had demanded custody of their two children.

She then amended her summons in 2021 and asked the court to award her custody of the couple’s Maltese dog called Alvin Jazz, which they acquired when they were still staying together.

Nengomasha challenged the divorce, but High Court judge Justice Neville WaMambo ruled that there were no chances of the two reconciling.

A full judgment is not yet available.

“Whereupon, after reading documents filed of record and hearing counsel who applies for a decree of divorce and other relief on the grounds of irretrievable breakdown under the provisions of section 5 of the Matrimonial Causes Act (Chapter 5:13), it is ordered that the divorce order dated April 20, 2023 be and is hereby amended as follows: “A decree of divorce be and is hereby granted,” the judge ruled.

Nengomasha was granted custody of the minor children.

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF is dangling title deeds to almost 1,3 million people before this year’s harmonised elections in what analysts say is a desperate campaign gimmick.

Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa told NewsDay yesterday that they want to shut the door on land barons.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently issued 265 deeds of grant to Epworth residents, a year after making the promise.

“We now have a system that creates title deeds. We are targeting to issue a prospective 1,3 million title deeds before elections. The houses have been built by developers and owners of the properties and they have been physically identified,” Mutsvangwa said.

“What is only left with is the regulatory framework which is the most painstaking process because we can’t make a mistake with a title deed because it is a document which can be passed from a generation to a generation and people can now apply for loans at the banks because of the title deeds.

“Issuing the title deeds to the Zimbabweans is a blow to the land barons because they are the ones who were causing confusion in the parcelling of land and causing evictions.”

Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya cast doubt on Zanu-PF delivering on the promise.

“We have seen these promises before elections,” Ngwenya said.

“However, as long as the surveying, boundaries are done and properties don’t violate environmental and other development laws, it can be done if they are genuine.”

Zanu-PF has been accused of making empty promises towards elections.

By A Correspondent | 44 year old Siqokoqela, the son of the late President Robert Mugabe’s successor, former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko, was given an effective 20-year sentence for raping a family member.

Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Elijah Singano stated that Mphoko had three times pushed himself on the little victim, threatening her with death.

Ruled the magistrate: “Rape remains an extremely serious offence and offenders must be punished. It violates and demoralises the victim. The criminal law and codification act stipulates that for an offence such as rape the courts should issue a sentence of life imprisonment or less,” Singano said.

He added: ““The accused used threats of death on the victim if she ever disclosed the matter to anyone. The complainant stayed at the accused’s house and looked up to him as a father and so he violated the trust of the complainant and the family at large.

“The court has to act in the best interest of the child. Many of the victim’s constitutional rights have been violated such as the right to privacy, good health, education, and dignity, I could go on and on. All these have long lasting effects on the minor,” he said.

“Lawfully each count of rape is equal to 10 years in prison and sentencing the accused 30 years for each count will be on the harsh side considering that it is the same victim and in a short space of time. The court is inclined to impose 20 years of imprisonment for all three counts and unfortunately, the court cannot further suspend this sentence as it will be taken for belittling this serious crime.

“The accused is therefore sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison for count one to three and two months for count four which will be served concurrently with the previous counts,” Magistrate Singano ruled.

Mphoko’s lawyer Zibusiso Ncube mitigated saying his client should be given a lesser sentence as he has a medical condition.

“The accused is aged 44 years and lives with a medical condition that needs him to be constantly visiting the doctor. He has a young family with the eldest biological daughter aged 13 followed by a boy aged 12 and his adopted daughter Sinikiwe Masiye.

“The accused has an immovable property which includes a house in Hillside suburb, Greydot communication company and five cars. When it comes to the rape charges your worship it will be unjust that the court looks at all three counts separately considering their proximity and that there are no specific dates. It is therefore our prayer that these counts be taken as one when it comes to sentencing,” he argued.

Tinashe Sambiri|The new CCC government will not dismiss soldiers and police officers.

This was said by the CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa in Harare on Monday.

The CCC leader also bemoaned the lack of political tolerance in the country.

“Citizens bear in mind that we build a country through love and unity.

Even those whom we do not agree with must be tolerated. Zimbabwe is one. Let’s learn to accompany each other with our ears even when we do not sink with our hearts. Tolerance must be practiced by all citizens.

When our new government comes into power. We will not dismiss our police, soldiers and members of the Central Intelligence Organisation and those who work for government,” said President Chamisa.

By- A Beitbridge couple is now pursuing divorce after the wife was caught pants down in a local lodge by her husband.

The couple, whose altercation has become one of the week’s biggest talking points, had a beautiful white wedding and a beautiful young family.

Tinashe Kandawasvika, a clearing agent in the border town, is the man whose video, savagely assaulting his wife after finding her in a lodge, has gone viral.
H-Metro has even nicknamed him the “Butcher of Beitbridge.”
As their drama continues to unfold, we have reliably been informed that the woman’s actions could have been driven by an act of ‘‘revenge cheating’’.
Tinashe and his wife, Primrose Kandawasvika, have been together for about 10 years.
A close source said an urgent family meeting was convened at the couple’s house in Limpopo View, Beitbridge, on Monday.
The estranged couple mutually decided to pursue their divorce.
The source said this was the second time Primrose was allegedly caught cheating after her other affair was discovered in December last year.
Tinashe went on to forgive Primrose only to be tipped off by her friends on Sunday that she was meeting her lover at a lodge.
The unidentified lover, who was also brutally assaulted by Tinashe and his friend, had travelled to Beitbridge to see Primrose.
The couple married in 2013 and have three children.
They were in the process of a separation, according to our sources, after Tinashe was also accused of allegedly having an extra-marital affair.
“The situation is tense right now, both Tinashe and Primrose’s relatives were called in on Monday and they had a long meeting that lasted deep into the night.
“The couple has decided to divorce each to avoid further emotional damage,” said the source.
In the video, Tinashe pounds his wife, using fists, like he was in a boxing match.
He keeps on expressing his anger and shock as to why his wife was in a lodge with another man.
He allegedly claims he sent his wife to school, got her a job as a cashier at a company in Beitbridge and even registered some of his assets in her name.
Reaction towards Tinashe’s actions has been swift with many Zimbabweans, irked by the violence, calling for his imprisonment.
Many have concluded he is a monster and he wasn’t supposed to treat another human being like that even despite the emotional circumstances.
They feel the couple should go separate ways and their wish appears to have been granted.
-H Metro

By -The son of the former Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko, Siqokoqela, has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for three counts of rape.

Siqokoqela was also slapped with a concurrent two months for contravening a court order.
Mphoko appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Elijah Singano, who ruled that many of the victim’s constitutional rights were violated.
“Rape remains an extremely serious offence and offenders must be punished. It violates and demoralises the victim. The criminal law and codification act stipulates that for an offence such as rape the courts should issue a sentence of life imprisonment or less,” Singano said while delivering his ruling.
He said that the age difference between Mphoko and the victim is three times hence showing the low morality of the former.
“The accused used threats of death on the victim if she ever disclosed the matter to anyone. The complainant stayed at the accused’s house and looked up to him as a father, and so he violated the trust of the complainant and the family at large.
“The court has to act in the best interest of the child. Many of the victim’s constitutional rights have been violated such as the right to privacy, good health, education, and dignity, I could go on and on. All these have long lasting effects on the minor,” he said.
Singano agreed with the defence mitigation that all three counts should be treated as one during sentencing.
“Lawfully, each count of rape is equal to 10 years in prison and sentencing the accused 30 years for each count will be on the harsh side considering that it is the same victim and in a short space of time. The court is inclined to impose 20 years of imprisonment for all three counts, and unfortunately, the court cannot further suspend this sentence as it will be taken for belittling this serious crime.
“The accused is therefore sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison for count one to three and two months for count four which will be served concurrently with the previous counts,” Singano ruled.
In mitigation, Mphoko’s lawyer Zibusiso Ncube had argued that his client should be given a lesser sentence as he has a medical condition.
“The accused is aged 44 years and lives with a medical condition that needs him to be constantly visiting the doctor. He has a young family with the eldest biological daughter, aged 13 followed by a boy aged 12 and his adopted daughter Sinikiwe Masiye.
“The accused has an immovable property which includes a house in Hillside suburb, Greydot communication company and five cars. When it comes to the rape charges your worship it will be unjust that the court looks at all three counts separately considering their proximity and that there are no specific dates. It is therefore our prayer that these counts be taken as one when it comes to sentencing,” he argued.
Prosecuting Concilia Ncube said the victim is likely to face psychological effects for all her life.
“The offence that the accused person is facing is very serious and has psychological consequences on the complainant. She will have to live with the trauma of what happened for the rest of her life. The accused also violated the complainants’ right to privacy as enshrined in the constitution,” she said.
-CITE

Tinashe Sambiri|The new CCC government will not dismiss soldiers and police officers.

This was said by the CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa in Harare on Monday.

The CCC leader also bemoaned the lack of political tolerance in the country.

“Citizens bear in mind that we build a country through love and unity.

Even those whom we do not agree with must be tolerated. Zimbabwe is one. Let’s learn to accompany each other with our ears even when we do not sink with our hearts. Tolerance must be practiced by all citizens.

When our new government comes into power. We will not dismiss our police, soldiers and members of the Central Intelligence Organisation and those who work for government,” said President Chamisa.

By A Correspondent- Gold miner Pedzisai “Scott” Sakupwanya’s Better Brands company reportedly ignored local traditional beliefs which led to several deaths of artisanal miners at his Redwing Mine in Manicaland province’s Penhalonga area, NewsDay has learnt.

Chief James Kurauone Mutasa who led a traditional cleansing ceremony at the mine on Sunday said they had to intervene to appease the spirits of artisanal miners who perished at the mine. He said they were worried over the recurrence of fatal accidents which they linked to the spirits of dead miners.

The ritual ceremony was attended by several Zanu-PF top officials, artisanal miners and Better Brands top officials led by its general manager, Cuthbert Chitima, among other stakeholders.

“It’s important (ritual ceremony) so that we cannot have similar incidences,” said Chief Mutasa, speaking on behalf of other traditional leaders.

“Redwing Mine has been running over the years for at least a century and there was business takeover, but I think those who previously operated at the mine did not remind the new owners of the traditional ceremonies we were used to doing and this is where the problem was.

When there was a takeover, we were overlooked as traditional leaders because there were some traditional ceremonies we carried at a certain time, but I think this has been addressed after our ceremony.”

Civic groups operating in Manicaland have raised concern over the number of deaths recorded at the mine.

Early this year, government halted operations at the mine after several deaths, but it was reopened recently.

During its closure, the company was accused of engaging in secret mining activities by civic groups

“It’s not an issue of Better Brands alone because there are some illegal miners who would come to the mine at midnight and do some mining. We also have some traditional wrangles, so it was also difficult,” said Chief Mutasa.

“Miners should also take their personal security seriously by wearing protective clothing.”

By A Correspondent- Two domestic workers at a farm in Headlands allegedly stole a cash stash of US$17 090 from their employer and vanished from their workstation.

The incident allegedly happened in January 2023 at Mutunhu Farm in Headlands.

The long arm of law finally caught up with Meeting Phiri, who was employed as a farm gardener.

Police are hunting for Martha Kasasa, an accomplice in the matter, who is now a fugitive from justice.

Phiri, who was a self-actor, did not waste the court’s time when he appeared before Rusape magistrate, Ms Annie Ndiraya, and pleaded guilty.

Ms Ndiraya slapped him with a six-year jail term.

She set aside 18 months on condition of good behaviour.

Another 24 months were further suspended on condition that he restitutes Mr John Winskill his money.

Prosecutor, Mr Marlon Makamba told the court that Phiri worked in cahoots with Kasasa and stole the money during Mr Winskill’s absence.

Phiri was employed by the complainant as a gardener, and on January 30, 2023 at around 6am, the complainant put US$17 090 in a plastic bag and placed it under his vehicle seat. He visited the fields, leaving the vehicle keys in a drawer in the lounge.

“The accused person and Kasasa, who was employed as a maid, reported for work as usual. Martha picked the keys from the drawer and unlocked the car. The two searched the vehicle and found the US$17 090 stashed under the vehicle seat.

“They wrapped the money with a java cloth and went away. They shared the money in Harare. Phiri took US$10 500 while Kasasa took the remainder,” said Mr Makamba.

Mr Winskill returned from the fields around 11am and found the accused persons gone.

After checking and failing to locate them, the complainant became suspicious and went to check for his money in the vehicle.

He discovered that the money had been stolen.

He then made a report to the police, leading to Phiri’s arrest.

— Manica Post