A Mutare Farm Prison inmate who has been in jail for the past 17 years after being convicted of rape and is set to be released in June next year probably learnt nothing during his lengthy jail term as he molested an 11-year-old prison officer’s child on Independence Day.
Pangi Musira, aged 42, whose address was only given as Mutare Farm Prison, was now an A Class prison inmate at Mutare Farm Prison.

An A Class prison inmate, in local prisons and correctional terms, is one whose movement restrictions within the prison have been relaxed after serving the greater part of their jail term and is about to be released.

Manicaland police spokesperson, Inspector Nobert Muzondo confirmed that the case was reported at Hobhouse Police Station and investigations are underway.

“We received a report on the matter and investigations are underway before the matter is taken to court. Basically, the issue involves Pangi Musira of Mutare Farm Prison, aged 42, who is facing allegations of indecent assault after he forcibly kissed and fondled the breasts of an 11-year-old girl. The incident happened on April 18,” said Inspector Muzondo.

When The Manica Post visited Mutare Farm Prison late last week, the incident was the talk of the area.

One resident at the correctional facility, who could not be named due to issues of protocol, confided in this newspaper that the rape inmate invited the child to a secluded place behind the canteen and molested her thinking that no one was seeing him.

“What we have gathered is that the child came to the canteen. She wanted a pen. On her way back, the inmate invited her to the gazebo behind the canteen.

“When he thought no one was paying attention, he fondled her breasts and kissed her. I am sure even the child is narrating what happened to her,” said the source.

The matter is expected to appear in court soon. -Manica Post

MVUMA-Two people in Mvuma have succumbed to suspected cholera, Midlands Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Mary Muchekeza has said.
She said her ministry deployed a team to monitor the situation.

“We dispatched a team to monitor the situation after receiving reports of a suspected cholera outbreak in Mvuma district. A detailed report will be issued as the week progresses, “she said.

Sources told The Mirror that the two whose identities are yet to be released are members of an apostolic sect which congregates at Savanah.- Masvingo Mirror

A self-confessed sex worker who recently gave birth to triplets and claimed that she had reformed is now back on the streets for flesh peddling after failing to take care of the infants.

In an interview with The Manica Post in January soon after giving birth to the two boys and a girl, Melody Muponda (32) of Hauna Growth Point in Mutasa said she believed that the triplets had opened an avenue to an honest and happy life for her.

However, three months down the line, she has reverted to sex work.

Recounting her story, Muponda revealed that before she fell pregnant, she offered her services in Manicaland and neighbouring Mozambique.

As fate would have it, a condom burst during a night of passion with one of her clients and that is how Muponda conceived her triplets.

However, she has no idea who amongst her clients is the father of the three children.

The infants, now three months old, require a lot of milk since her breastmilk is inadequate to keep them full.

On the other hand, Muponda owes her landlord four months’ rentals and is struggling to fend for her triplets.

Muponda says her predicament has forced her to go back into the world’s oldest profession.

However, clients are reportedly shunning her as they view her as highly fertile.

“At the moment I am not the most preferred sex worker at Hauna because the clients know that I have three very young babies. They are afraid that I might end up falling pregnant again, which is why I am appealing for help once again. Please help me so that I start a vending business and be able take care of my children,” she said.

Muponda told The Manica Post that she engages a reliable baby-sitter when she goes out for ‘night duty’.

The baby-sitters charge an average of US$3 per night, an amount that is beyond Muponda’s reach.

The mother of three believes that some people have let her down as no one honoured their pledges to help her take care of the triplets.

“Things are difficult for me and my little children as they are very demanding financially. I had told my landlord that I would get back to work by March.

“I thought by then the people who had promised to help me with capital to start a vending business would have walked their talk. Unfortunately, no one has done that. Now my landlord wants his dues.

“I also asked my fellow sex workers to help me financially, but that didn’t help either. Instead they advised me to look for a baby-sitter who can take care of the babies at night so that I get back into sex work.

“While this is not the environment that I want my children to grow up in, it is better than living in the streets as the landlord is already threatening to chuck us out. I have to do this dangerous work to feed them,” she said.

Muponda and her friends stay at a place christened ‘PaGirls High’.

Her rentals are US$15 per month.

However, I do not take my clients home as I fear for my children’s safety,” she said.

“When the triplets were still a month old, I thought it would be easy but it is now becoming increasingly difficult for me. Clothing and feeding three babies is not a joke.

“Every day I need a whole bar of soap to wash their napkins and clothes. I also need to be well fed to breastfeed them,” she said, adding that she has had to eat rotten vegetables and fruits thrown away by vendors.

“The long and short of it is that I desperately need help. Please help me. I have nothing, and my thinking was to quit prostitution and start a vending business,” she said.

“So far no man has come up to claim paternity and I do not think anyone will ever do that.

“I was trying to earn a living and take care of my mother, but unfortunately the condom burst while l was with a client and I fell pregnant.

“I just need to know the father of my children so that we can help each other to take care of them. Unless the man comes forward, I am afraid I will never know him,” she said.

Muponda is appealing to well-wishers to help her with decent accommodation and capital to start an income generating project.

She is also appealing for clothes and food for the children.

Her mother, Mrs Alice Mangofa, said although she wants to assist her in taking care of the triplets, she cannot do so due to lack of accommodation.

Those willing to assist Muponda can contact her mother on 0783626755.

Well-wishers can also drop off donations at The Manica Post Building any day or call this reporter on 0719580643 for drop-off arrangements. —Manica Post

TALENTED young Zimbabwean musician, Andrea the Vocalist continues to attract regional attention after being invited to Eswatini for a collaboration with Sands and A to Z.

The young Vocalist rose to fame in 2021 after his vocal prowess charmed the likes of South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa and Aubrey Qwana.

Andrea who went on to collaborate with Aubrey Qwana on the song “Uhambo”, continues to charm artists from other African countries the latest being Eswatini’s music heavyweights; Sands and A to Z who are currently recording songs with the teenage star.

“Andrea is here in Mbabane, Eswatini. We are doing collaborations with top artists from this country who are Sands and A to Z. This was part of his prize when he won the Roil BAA last year,” said Tendai Joe, Andrea the Vocalist’s manager.

“We have already finished recording the song and now we are shooting the video today. The song features Sands who is Eswatini’s one of the biggest exports as far as music is concerned and A to Z an award-winning artiste.”

The 2022 National Arts Merit Awards nominee is also set to collaborate with several artists like South African gospel diva, Winnie Mashaba, on his forthcoming album. – ZBC News

Tinashe Sambiri| CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has ramped up pressure on the Zanu PF administration to implement reforms before polls.

According to President Chamisa, the Zanu PF leader Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has the freeway to play political games, something that must be addressed before polls.

Below is President Chamisa’s strong statement on reforms:

“WE MUST CHANGE THE LAW…

Proclamation, Nomination and Polling dates have a bearing on planning by citizens, voters, business, investors and political parties’ internal processes.

In Zimbabwe, the current law gives the incumbent ED too much power and scope for abuse.”

Tinashe Sambiri| CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has ramped up pressure on the Zanu PF administration to implement reforms before polls.

According to President Chamisa, the Zanu PF leader Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has the freeway to play political games, something that must be addressed before polls.

Below is President Chamisa’s strong statement on reforms:

“WE MUST CHANGE THE LAW…

Proclamation, Nomination and Polling dates have a bearing on planning by citizens, voters, business, investors and political parties’ internal processes.

In Zimbabwe, the current law gives the incumbent ED too much power and scope for abuse.”

We are happy to announce that our ongoing candidate selection process is on the right track. We’ve completed the vetting stage for aspiring Members of Parliament with more than 2000 nominations received

MASVINGO-Police is still investigating the cause of death of Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) general manager Tongai Muzenda (57) who died last night.

National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed his death and said investigations are underway.

Muzenda died after his vehicle allegedly hit an electricity pole and rammed into a perimeter wall around 9: 30 pm in Borrowdale.
“I can confirm the accident occurred in Harare last night. It’s sad. We are still conducting investigations.

“Some are saying he allegedly hit an electricity pole, lost control of the vehicle and rammed into a perimeter wall and died on the spot,” said Nyathi.
Muzenda is son to former vice President Simon Muzenda and served as Zanu PF Gutu West Member of Parliament (MP) from 2013-2018. He also served as Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare

Masvingo Mirror
www.masvingomirror.com

MVUMA-Two people in Mvuma have succumbed to suspected cholera, Midlands Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Mary Muchekeza has said.
She said her ministry deployed a team to monitor the situation.

“We dispatched a team to monitor the situation after receiving reports of a suspected cholera outbreak in Mvuma district. A detailed report will be issued as the week progresses, “she said.

Sources told The Mirror that the two whose identities are yet to be released are members of an apostolic sect which congregates at Savanah.- Masvingo Mirror

Sand poachers are wreaking havoc at a farm owned by the City of Gweru located just outside the central business district, amid fears that the destruction might get to the city’s aerodrome.

The sand poachers, who used to operate under the cover of darkness, have become so daring to the extent of performing their illegal activities in broad day light destroying thousands of acres of land adjacent to the Gweru aerodrome.

Farmers have not been spared as there are no clear land reclamation efforts to protect livestock.

“These people are doing whatever they want to the farm. Our greatest fear is that our cattle might fell in the ditches. We have experienced several such cases. We also fear that the pastures are being destroyed. We appeal to authorities to do enough in dealing with this menace,” noted an angry farmer.

“We have devised a new way of preserving our cattle through herding them every day to prevent them from falling in these pits. These guys are just but everywhere and nothing much is being done to deal with the problem. It is about time this practice is put to an end,” said another.

The situation has also degenerated into a cat and mouse game between sand poachers and law enforcement agents.

“Apart from the aerodrome we now fear that Ngamo dam is already having problems of siltation,” said Environmental Management Agency Midlands Provincial Spokesperson Mr Oswell Ndlovu.

“This a major source of worry to us as an authority. We are trying everything in our powers together with the law enforcement agents but the problem still continues. We will be increasing our visibility in problematic areas so that we nip the problem in the bug,” he added.

The sprouting of new suburbs like Tatenda Park and Hertfordshire seem to have triggered the upsurge of sand poaching in the City.- ZBC News

THE trial of Sybeth Musengezi, who is accused of using a fake address to join ZANU PF party structures before assuming a leadership position in the Youth League, commenced this Wednesday at the Harare Magistrate’s court.

The trial opened this Wednesday with the accused entering a plea of not guilty.

Through his lawyers, Musengezi told the court that the allegations do not constitute a crime and are frivolous.

The State opened its case by calling its first witness, ZANU PF Harare provincial chairperson, Cde Godwils Masimirembwa, who told the court that Musengezi misrepresented to the party that he was a resident of Hatcliffe Extension.

He told the court that the accused prejudiced the party by misrepresenting facts sometime in 2012 as he wanted to gain a position in the party’s youth league.

It is further alleged that in 2019, Musengezi allegedly connived with one, Taurai Mutimbanyoka to misrepresent that he was a ZANU PF party member at cell level for him to be eligible for election.

Musengezi was then elected vice chairperson of a ZANU PF District Youth Wing and went on to participate in other ZANU PF elections and programmes.- ZBC News

/

THE trial of Sybeth Musengezi, who is accused of using a fake address to join ZANU PF party structures before assuming a leadership position in the Youth League, commenced this Wednesday at the Harare Magistrate’s court.

The trial opened this Wednesday with the accused entering a plea of not guilty.

Through his lawyers, Musengezi told the court that the allegations do not constitute a crime and are frivolous.

The State opened its case by calling its first witness, ZANU PF Harare provincial chairperson, Cde Godwils Masimirembwa, who told the court that Musengezi misrepresented to the party that he was a resident of Hatcliffe Extension.

He told the court that the accused prejudiced the party by misrepresenting facts sometime in 2012 as he wanted to gain a position in the party’s youth league.

It is further alleged that in 2019, Musengezi allegedly connived with one, Taurai Mutimbanyoka to misrepresent that he was a ZANU PF party member at cell level for him to be eligible for election.

Musengezi was then elected vice chairperson of a ZANU PF District Youth Wing and went on to participate in other ZANU PF elections and programmes.- ZBC News

/

A Bulawayo woman fled to UK with her exhusband’s stolen USD20,000.

Her man feels hard done by the mother of his children and estranged wife after she allegedly stole money meant to buy a family house, fled to the United Kingdom and is reneging on an earlier promise to pay back the stolen cash.
Bowen Chikomba says he was customarily married to Pertunia Khanye and the two have teenage sons but their marriage hit turbulent times in recent years.

When the union hit rock bottom, he moved out of the house while they sought counselling from church elders in the hope of restoring their marriage, he said.

And it was during his absence from the matrimonial home that the alleged theft took place, Chikomba told B-Metro.

“When things started getting better in our marriage, I moved back into our house while our teenage sons attended boarding school. I got in touch with an estate agent who was selling a house that I liked so I asked my wife to give me the US$20 000 that we had been saving so that we could purchase the home.

“To my surprise she said she only had R10 000, which she wanted to use to buy a fridge from South Africa and that’s when our marital problems started again. She moved out of the house with my children to her family home in Pumula at the time we were still fighting over the missing money. I only learnt a few months later that she had relocated to the UK and left my kids in the care of a friend,” Chikomba narrated his ordeal.

A police report under case number CR71/ 01/ 23 was opened by Chikomba on a charge of theft. He has also slapped Khanye with a US$20 000 lawsuit.

His lawyers – Malinga and Mpofu Legal Practitioners – wrote to Khanye demanding payment of the alleged stolen money.

“We are lawyers representing the aforementioned Bowen Chikomba and we are advised that you were once customarily married to our client from whom you admitted stealing a sum of US$20 000 before moving back to your family.

“You then undertook to repay the said money but have since become evasive. In view of your conduct, we have advised our client to lay formal criminal charges against you through the police.

“On the other hand, we are instructed to demand, as we hereby do that, you pay a sum of US$20 000 directly to our offices within five (5) days of receiving this letter together with 10 percent thereof as collection commission.

“Should you fail to pay as above, we shall approach the courts to recover the money together with costs of a suit on a punitive scale,” wrote the lawyers.

When contacted for comment via WhatsApp, Khanye replied curtly: “I don’t respond to such nonsense.” —B Metro

Sand poachers are wreaking havoc at a farm owned by the City of Gweru located just outside the central business district, amid fears that the destruction might get to the city’s aerodrome.

The sand poachers, who used to operate under the cover of darkness, have become so daring to the extent of performing their illegal activities in broad day light destroying thousands of acres of land adjacent to the Gweru aerodrome.

Farmers have not been spared as there are no clear land reclamation efforts to protect livestock.

“These people are doing whatever they want to the farm. Our greatest fear is that our cattle might fell in the ditches. We have experienced several such cases. We also fear that the pastures are being destroyed. We appeal to authorities to do enough in dealing with this menace,” noted an angry farmer.

“We have devised a new way of preserving our cattle through herding them every day to prevent them from falling in these pits. These guys are just but everywhere and nothing much is being done to deal with the problem. It is about time this practice is put to an end,” said another.

The situation has also degenerated into a cat and mouse game between sand poachers and law enforcement agents.

“Apart from the aerodrome we now fear that Ngamo dam is already having problems of siltation,” said Environmental Management Agency Midlands Provincial Spokesperson Mr Oswell Ndlovu.

“This a major source of worry to us as an authority. We are trying everything in our powers together with the law enforcement agents but the problem still continues. We will be increasing our visibility in problematic areas so that we nip the problem in the bug,” he added.

The sprouting of new suburbs like Tatenda Park and Hertfordshire seem to have triggered the upsurge of sand poaching in the City.- ZBC News

Twelve Women in Governance and Peacebuilding women Human rights defenders arrested over demonstration.

12 female human rights defenders were arrested on 24 April 2023 and charged with section 37 of the Criminal Law Codification, participating in unlawful gatherings with the intent to promote public violence.

The twelve Women in Governance and Peacebuilding activists were arrested by police over a demonstration held at Rutenga Mwenezi, the women were fighting against land eviction and proper service delivery in Mwenezi. The arrested members are polite Mapengo,Memory Chikago,Precious K,Berlin kwangware,logic Makozvo,levinia mutero,moline M,Fadzai T and 6 others.The women human rights defenders are going to appear in court on 08/05/2023.

While the five Human rights defender’s admitted at hospital after brutary and assaulted by the police officers .The houses of Women in Governance and Peacebuilding staff members were raided and are on the run. Due to human rights work of human rights defenders has placed them to at risk .

As the country is heading for 2023 elections, any demonstration or demand for quality services is taken as political, henceforth that will be not the case.

Lives of HRDs is now under threat also as a result deliberate shrinking of civic space by the government and it’s state machinery

Demonstration waged after the meeting facilited by Women in Governance and Peacebuilding at Rutenga business Center noted that Villagers
say that their livestock will soon have no grazing lands as much of the
reserved land was being sold to the highest bidder.

Women in Governance and Peacebuilding members urge the local authorities to help and protect grazing lands . Here in Mwenezi we have a huge herd and if
we do not leave the grazing lands what will happen to that herd?

Women in Governance and Peacebuilding is worried with the dispute between home seekers,
who are encroaching grazing lands .If the local authorities fail to resolve the matter, the Women in Governance and Peacebuilding demand the release of the 12 Women rights defenders.

TWO daring thieves who allegedly stole a car from a police station have appeared in court facing charges of car theft.

The two, Tinevimbo Shumba(18)and her accomplice Fungai Yakobo(23) were denied bail when they appeared in court this Tuesday.

It is alleged the pair escaped arrest when they were caught stealing from a parked truck and stashing their loot in another car.

The court heard that the pair disappeared from the scene, leaving their car which was then confiscated by the police.

The pair reportedly went to the police station at around two in the morning and stole the car from police custody.

They were advised to apply for bail at the High Court.- ZBC News

Alcohol addiction has affected the ordinary and famous alike with devastating consequences for several entertainers worldwide.

Local celebrities are not immune to the scourge; with promising Sungura musician Paradzai Mesi admitting that the love of the beer bottle has turned his life upside down.

Paradzai Mesi might be known for being a talented sungura musician behind hits such as “Tiri Huruva” and “Masimba Towedzera”, but the musician has also risen to notoriety for alcohol abuse, a habit which has negatively affected his career.

Last week the “Pahukama” hitmaker hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons, after he was arrested and charged with theft for stealing groceries from a tuckshop in Glendale.

A visit by the ZBC News to his Kiaora Farm home in Glendale, opened a can of worms, with the man who seems to have exchanged his guitar and microphone for a beer bottle, attributing the recent unfortunate incident to drunkenness.

“I was very drunk and it was late. I met some guys who said they wanted to take me home. They took me to the complainant’s home and lied to me that we had arrived at my residence. I slept on the floor and the next morning I woke up surrounded by a lot of people. I was accused of stealing from the shop but I don’t know what really transpired since I was drunk. The shop owner has however withdrawn the charges,” he said.

Born in 1972 in Mazowe District, Mesi assumed the reigns at Njerama Boys in 2000, three years after the band was formed.

They released an album “Zviripachena” which propelled them to stardom.
Mesi became a household name, writing his own success story with several properties to his name.

However, in the late 2000s, Mesi fell from grace forcing him to relocate to a farm in Glendale.

Noone summed up his downfall better than his neighbours who have seen light turning into darkness right before their eyes.

“Mesi is gifted but it seems he continues to struggle with his drinking problem which is ruining his career. However, we will not give up on him until he rediscovers what made him the household name he is up to this day,” said a neighbour.

His son Willis, who is also part of Njerama Boys, also described his father as a drunken master whose penchant for illicit brews is impacting negatively his music career.

“He spends most of his time drunk with his favourite brew Ranger. My father is so talented that if it wasn’t first his love for beer, he could be a very successful musician,” he said,

His manager Andy Alfred is also a worried man.

“We are trying to rehabilitate him because beer is affecting his career. The man is super talented but his excess love for beer is destroying his career. However, we are doing our best to ensure that his career is revived. This weekend we are having a show in Chitungwiza and I encourage our fans to come and support the man,” said Alfred.

The musician has however not given up as he reckons his best days are yet to come if he gets the necessary support.

As ironic as it might sound, Mesi who is adamant the brown bottle isn’t doing his career any harm, urges young artists to desist from alcohol abuse.

“I would like to urge young artists to desist from alcohol abuse. It is not good for them.”

The musician who was part of the recently held Independence Gala, seems to be determined to revive his music career since he is set to release an album in June, which will be preceded by a single.

Mesi is also set to perform at Club Joy Centre in Chitungwiza this Friday.- ZBC News

The delimitation of electoral boundaries affected Zanu PF internal elections forcing the ruling party to postpone the polls and also ordering a rerun in some provinces due to a plethora of challenges.
In an internal communique dated 25 April 2023, the party’s political commissar Mike Bimha revealed that there were challenges in the local government primary elections in some areas.

Bimha said that due to the challenges they encountered fresh polls will be conducted on 6 May 2023.

The development comes after a week ago, the Zanu PF politburo endorsed the final list of candidates.

“The Department has carried out an analysis of the results and is satisfied that the election process went on well in most of the Wards. The Department is, however, alive to challenges encountered during the electoral process,” said Bimha.

He said in some cases, there was no absolute winner due to equal votes by candidates while in other cases, uncontested winners have pending court cases and hence the department in such cases recommends re-runs.

“In view of the above, all Provinces are instructed to prepare for these Primary elections or in some cases primary election re-runs to be conducted on 6 May 2023. Provinces will be furnished with information pertaining to wards where Primary elections or Primary Election re-runs should be conducted in due course,” he said.– CITE

As the Shona adage says, roasting is only for George Charamba, those in lower ranks will blow out the fires – Police this week picked up for questioning three Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) managers over allegations of fraud, corruption and criminal abuse of office.
The three, who are still assisting with investigations, are Polite Mugwagwa, Nhamo Marandu and Stanley Dehwe.

Police and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commissioner (ZACC) are jointly conducting the investigations.

The three were said to have been picked up on Monday by the police and yesterday they were still assisting with the investigations.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the investigations were in progress.

“We are conducting investigations and we can’t say much at the moment,” he said. “We have picked up some suspects for questioning over allegations of fraud, corruption and abuse of office. We will, however, release more details tomorrow.”

In an interview yesterday, ZACC spokesperson, Thandiwe Mlobane confirmed that they were conducting joint investigations with the police over the PSMAS case.

“What I can say is that ZACC and the ZRP are doing joint investigations over alleged corruption and abuse of office,” she said.

This is not the first time that some bosses at PSMAS have been arrested for various offences, including fraud.

In September last year, four executives of PSMAS were arrested on charges of fraud, forgery and theft over payment of US$486 000 and almost $14,5 million in board holiday allowances that should never have been paid, a fake audit report and allowing themselves 15 beneficiaries on one subscription.

The suspects were PSMAS Holdings CEO Farai Muchena, PSMAS group strategy and performance executive Victor Chaipa, PSMAS managing director and executive director corporate affairs Shingai Mabuto and PSMAS company secretary Cosmas Mukwesha.

There were three alleged crimes, each involving at least one of the four, that have seen Premier Service Medical Aid Society taking a serious hit.

The police arrests were initiated by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

Muchena, Chaipa and Mabuto were jointly appearing on four counts of theft after they allegedly awarded board members thousands of dollars in holiday allowances that they were not entitled to.

Mabuto was also appearing on a separate charge of fraud of $6 797 481 after he allegedly added five medical aid beneficiaries on top of the maximum of 10 stipulated by PSMAS.

Muchena and Mukwesha are also jointly charged with fraud and forgery after they allegedly tendered Premier Service Holdings company annual returns to the Registrar of Companies purporting that they had been audited by Grant Thornton, while knowing that no audit had been undertaken.

Circumstances leading to their arrest are that sometime in 2003, PSMAS formed PSMI, as its medical investment arm. PSMAS owned the entire shareholding.

The company was set up to own facilities such as clinics, pharmacies and hospitals that were needed by PSMAS members, most of whom are civil servants.

But then PSMI later formed other investment vehicles, Clay Dust Mining Company and Premier Service Microfinance that had little to do with treatment and medical aid.

In February 2019, a holding company called Premier Service Holding Company was formed to manage the activities of the society’s subsidiaries, which included PSMI.

Between January 2015 and January 2017, PSMI appointed Colonel Wellington Tutisa, Cecilia Alexander, Richard Gundani, Vimbikai Magnes Kusema, Loveness Dumwa, Miriam Chahuruwa, and Dr E Purazi as board members on contracts that extended to January 2018.

The terms and conditions of service for the board members were guided by 2015 PSMI board terms of reference and the board fee structure.

In December 2018, Muchemwa, Chaipa and Mabuto allegedly diverted PSMI funds by approving yearly payments of holiday allowances to board members, well knowing that they were not entitled to benefit from such allowances.

They allegedly paid US$45 902 to board chairman Col Tulisa, US$22 249 to vice chairman Cecilia Alexander and US$6 746 to each of the other board members for a total of US$243 000. PSMAS allegedly lost US$115 373.

In 2019, they also allegedly approved payment of $243 000 and $5 084 176 in 2020.

The court heard that in 2021 $9 372 522 was paid in holiday allowances.

Alcohol addiction has affected the ordinary and famous alike with devastating consequences for several entertainers worldwide.

Local celebrities are not immune to the scourge; with promising Sungura musician Paradzai Mesi admitting that the love of the beer bottle has turned his life upside down.

Paradzai Mesi might be known for being a talented sungura musician behind hits such as “Tiri Huruva” and “Masimba Towedzera”, but the musician has also risen to notoriety for alcohol abuse, a habit which has negatively affected his career.

Last week the “Pahukama” hitmaker hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons, after he was arrested and charged with theft for stealing groceries from a tuckshop in Glendale.

A visit by the ZBC News to his Kiaora Farm home in Glendale, opened a can of worms, with the man who seems to have exchanged his guitar and microphone for a beer bottle, attributing the recent unfortunate incident to drunkenness.

“I was very drunk and it was late. I met some guys who said they wanted to take me home. They took me to the complainant’s home and lied to me that we had arrived at my residence. I slept on the floor and the next morning I woke up surrounded by a lot of people. I was accused of stealing from the shop but I don’t know what really transpired since I was drunk. The shop owner has however withdrawn the charges,” he said.

Born in 1972 in Mazowe District, Mesi assumed the reigns at Njerama Boys in 2000, three years after the band was formed.

They released an album “Zviripachena” which propelled them to stardom.
Mesi became a household name, writing his own success story with several properties to his name.

However, in the late 2000s, Mesi fell from grace forcing him to relocate to a farm in Glendale.

Noone summed up his downfall better than his neighbours who have seen light turning into darkness right before their eyes.

“Mesi is gifted but it seems he continues to struggle with his drinking problem which is ruining his career. However, we will not give up on him until he rediscovers what made him the household name he is up to this day,” said a neighbour.

His son Willis, who is also part of Njerama Boys, also described his father as a drunken master whose penchant for illicit brews is impacting negatively his music career.

“He spends most of his time drunk with his favourite brew Ranger. My father is so talented that if it wasn’t first his love for beer, he could be a very successful musician,” he said,

His manager Andy Alfred is also a worried man.

“We are trying to rehabilitate him because beer is affecting his career. The man is super talented but his excess love for beer is destroying his career. However, we are doing our best to ensure that his career is revived. This weekend we are having a show in Chitungwiza and I encourage our fans to come and support the man,” said Alfred.

The musician has however not given up as he reckons his best days are yet to come if he gets the necessary support.

As ironic as it might sound, Mesi who is adamant the brown bottle isn’t doing his career any harm, urges young artists to desist from alcohol abuse.

“I would like to urge young artists to desist from alcohol abuse. It is not good for them.”

The musician who was part of the recently held Independence Gala, seems to be determined to revive his music career since he is set to release an album in June, which will be preceded by a single.

Mesi is also set to perform at Club Joy Centre in Chitungwiza this Friday.- ZBC News

TWO daring thieves who allegedly stole a car from a police station have appeared in court facing charges of car theft.

The two, Tinevimbo Shumba(18)and her accomplice Fungai Yakobo(23) were denied bail when they appeared in court this Tuesday.

It is alleged the pair escaped arrest when they were caught stealing from a parked truck and stashing their loot in another car.

The court heard that the pair disappeared from the scene, leaving their car which was then confiscated by the police.

The pair reportedly went to the police station at around two in the morning and stole the car from police custody.

They were advised to apply for bail at the High Court.- ZBC News

Former Minister of State for Masvingo, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti has this morning been acquitted of rape charges laid against him by a 12-year-old girl who stayed at an orphanage that the former runs in Mwenezi. Magistrate Zuyu sitting at Chiredzi said the evidence led by the complainant was inadequate and witnesses contradicted each other.

HARARE residents are living in fear after more than 100 cases of cholera were recorded in the country since the outbreak of the disease two months ago.

This comes at a time when most suburbs in the opposition-run Capital City have gone for years without clean running water.

The country has so far recorded 108 laboratory-confirmed cases and 536 suspected cases.

Some of the residents who spoke to this news crew in Harare‘s high-density suburb of Mbare expressed anger at the city fathers for failing to provide potable water, at a time when cholera cases are on the increase.

“We have not had running water for over two weeks and looking at our situation here in Mbare that’s unacceptable because we have a lot of children and now we fear that once we record a cholera case we will all die from the disease.

“The city council should act because we pay rates every month so they should also play their part. Our toilets are inside so this is a health hazard if there is no running water. We need water as soon as yesterday,” said the residents.

While Officials from the city council could not be reached for comment, the government has intervened by sinking boreholes.

It has, however, emerged that some unscrupulous individuals are locking the boreholes and charging a fee for each bucket of water.

“ The government drilled a borehole for us but now there are some people who are charging us to fetch water yet we heard that these boreholes are for us to access the water for free. We are calling on the government to intervene before we die of cholera,” said James Nehosho.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholera.

Three people have succumbed to the disease since the recent outbreak, while 12 suspected deaths have been recorded with the bulk in Mashonaland Central.- ZBC News

Source: Masvingo Mirror

HARARE – The leader of Zimbabwe’s biggest opposition party, Nelson Chamisa has told his opponent President Emmerson Mnangagwa to face the nation and explain allegations of gold smuggling levelled against him and his inner circle. The allegations are contained in a recent investigation carried out and published in a documentary by an international television station AL Jazeera.

Speaking in a wide ranging interview with Blessed Mhlanga of HStv yesterday (Thursday), Chamisa said Mnangagwa has a constitutional obligation to explain to the nation because as the President he is entrusted and presides over all national resources and the Reserve Bank.

“He should give answers on why our borders are porous, on why our airports are porous and why the corrupt deals. The whole world knows where Zimbabwe’s problem is; it is with the leadership and the bad governance,” said Chamisa.

He dismissed public sentiments that he is quiet and aloof as the country is gripped by its biggest scandal in history.
“I am not Emmerson, I am Nelson. It is Mnangagwa who is presiding over this country and must give answers to the nation,” said Chamisa…

By A Correspondent | Does Kenya have an intelligence department? How on earth does a whole President go on camera with someone under investigation for attempting to rape his own niece? Does William Ruto’s office not know there is a police case and impeccable recordings of the man trying to rape his own flesh and blood?

The Finance Ministry says it has unearthed fraudulent conduct in the public procurement system where the Government pays for the goods or services but suppliers do not deliver on their obligations, prejudicing the Government huge sums of money.
Last year, the Treasury introduced the value for money initiative to curtail financial prejudice to the State through excessive invoicing, negatively impacting on the efficient utilisation of public resources while harbouring corruption.

On account of the desire to implement an efficient Public Finance Management (PFM) system, the Government last year suspended payment of its suppliers after discovering that some contractors were charging for goods and services using grey market rates.

The suspension of payments to the Government service providers was part of efforts to curtail attacks on the local currency, which was fuelling inflation.

Speaking at an event to launch the Zimbabwe Financial Reporting Manual (ZRFM) and Public Sector Professional Accountancy of Zimbabwe (PSPAZ) Training Office in Harare by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube on Monday, the Secretary Mr George Guvamatanga said: “Through the value for money exercise, we also realised another very disturbing trend in the public procurement system which is really what is called in the streets ‘air supply’ where orders and invoices are generated and payments are made but nothing is delivered.

“So, we are currently further strengthening our procurement systems, but we have been looking very closely at this.

“We have got several cases currently under investigation of ‘air supply’ and the culprits will be dealt with across the whole of the system, whether it is from Government or suppliers, they will be dealt with the sternest measures that they deserve.”

ZFRM is an ongoing project that entails Zimbabwe’s migration from the rule-based approach to the accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) framework by December 2025.

The initiative forms part of the Government’s PFM reforms to enhance transparency and accountability.

The ZFRM is expected to guide the implementation of IPSAS by providing local interpretations and clarifying options thereby ensuring consistency of application of the various standards by reporting entities in central and local governments as well as parastatals.

ZFRM is a recommendation of the Implementation Strategy and Plan (IPSAS) launched in 2019.

Through the value for money exercise, Mr Guvamatanga said, there had been significant improvement in savings to the fiscus.

He noted that the Treasury had further engaged the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) to ensure processes and systems in the public procurement domain were enhanced.

A strong PFM function, he stressed, was critical to the achievement of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1) towards Vision 2030.

Under Vision 2030, the Second Republic aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.

“This is actually a very strong warning to all of those who have been engaged in this air supply that your time has come to an end, and the systems that we are putting in place will make sure that you are all plugged out wherever you are hiding.

“I guess for those who are smart enough, maybe in the next seven days, I would like to advise you to find the goods that you were supposed to deliver — deliver them because we are coming after you,” he said.

Since the launch of the value for money principle, he said, there is now a fully developed system of standardised pricing in Government called commonly-purchased goods through which authorities have been able to set maximum prices across the public procurement domain.

In an interview after the event, Mr Guvamatanga pointed out that: “In the process of managing this value for money, we actually discovered further challenges within our procurement system.

“I called it by its street name (air supply) but actually its fraudulent procurement whereby invoices are sent, payments are made but no goods are delivered.

“We are currently investigating several issues of such instances where the Government paid but no goods were actually delivered.

“This exercise is ongoing, the centralised internal audit unit has been working very closely where we have identified those anomalies.”

So far, he said, indications were that fraud within the public procurement system was rampant not only in Government ministries, departments and agencies but in local Government (rural and urban councils).

“We are now putting in place very strong systems working in conjunction with PRAZ to ensure that we plug this delinquency which again is costing the Government a lot of money.”

Mr Guvamatanga said the fraud cases will soon be reported to the police for the law to take its course adding that on the other hand, Treasury has its own internal disciplinary measures in terms of financial sanctions where those accounting officers found wanting would be asked for restitution.

“If we actually realise that you are negligent, the PFM Act does have provisions for individuals to be personally sanctioned and we are actually looking where individuals are proven to have been negligent, then they will have to pay personally from their own pockets.

“That might even mean that you might have to sell your house or car depending on the extent of the fraud or the negligence that would have been committed,” he advised. -state media

Gweru Magistrate Miriam Banda acquitted three Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members facing public violence charges.

The trio, John Kuka (38), the CCC Mkoba constituency coordinating committee chairperson, Raphael Chipunza (51) and Simbarashe Kupfurutsa (31), were falsely accused of storming losing the Zanu-PF Mkoba Constituency candidate in March 26, 2022, by-elections William Gondo’s house before allegedly harassing his wife.

Renowned human rights lawyer Advocate Bornwel Balamanja of Hlabano Law Chambers successfully represented the three CCC members.

According to the State papers, with the State represented by Helen Khosa, allegations were that on March 24, 2022, at around 4pm, the complainant Violet Gondo was at her home in Mkoba 2 in Gweru when the accused persons who were aboard an unmarked Ford Ranger vehicle in the company of a group of unknown people parked at her house.

Further allegations were that the trio playing political songs campaigning for CCC Mkoba legislator Amos Chibaya disembarked from the car and threw CCC fliers into Gondo’s yard.

The trio was thought to be part of unknown people who pulled down Gondo’s market table at the gate.

Further allegations were that an unknown person produced a whip and assaulted one Gloria Madhula on the legs before speeding off.

Dismissing the charges, Banda said the witnesses were inconsistent and unreliable.

“Evidence, in this case, was inconsistent, and all the witnesses were unreliable,” she said.

It is widely observed that Zanu-PF members have developed an art of lying that CCC members beat them. The courts have detected such lies.

Last year, Zanu-PF youths assaulted CCC members in Gutu. Cases of politically-motivated violence have escalated in the district. —Masvingo Mirror

24-04-2023

We as CCC youth change champions, we call upon for the resignation of Emmerson Mnangagwa because of his role in facilitating gold smuggling and money laundering as revealed in the Al Jazeera documentary, Gold Mafia.

The documentary uncovers gold smuggling and money laundering activities by cartels closely linked to the First Family and the President’s Office.

Mnangagwa’s niece Henrietta Rushwaya, a queen of the underworld gold dealings is cited as one of the protagonists in robbing the country billions of dollars in this scandal. She is not new to controversy having been court with 6kgs of gold at RGM International Airport but was never convicted.

Mnangagwa’s Ambassador at Large, whom the streets have christened “mbavhassador” is also at the centre of illicit financial flows and gold smuggling.

Mnangagwa himself is presented in the documentary as the archbishop of criminal activities around looting of the country’s mineral wealth.

We as CCC youths, we condemn Emmerson Mnangagwa’s criminal abuse of office and call for his immediate resignation as the Head of State and President of the Republic.

We also call upon the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to arrest all criminals implicated in this documentary starting by Emmerson Mnangagwa himself.

To the suffering masses of Zimbabwe, our message is that we have a patriotic duty to stop criminals from looting our natural resources.

The streets await!

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
CCC YOUTH TASKFORCE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

24-04-2023

We as CCC youth change champions, we call upon for the resignation of Emmerson Mnangagwa because of his role in facilitating gold smuggling and money laundering as revealed in the Al Jazeera documentary, Gold Mafia.

The documentary uncovers gold smuggling and money laundering activities by cartels closely linked to the First Family and the President’s Office.

Mnangagwa’s niece Henrietta Rushwaya, a queen of the underworld gold dealings is cited as one of the protagonists in robbing the country billions of dollars in this scandal. She is not new to controversy having been court with 6kgs of gold at RGM International Airport but was never convicted.

Mnangagwa’s Ambassador at Large, whom the streets have christened “mbavhassador” is also at the centre of illicit financial flows and gold smuggling.

Mnangagwa himself is presented in the documentary as the archbishop of criminal activities around looting of the country’s mineral wealth.

We as CCC youths, we condemn Emmerson Mnangagwa’s criminal abuse of office and call for his immediate resignation as the Head of State and President of the Republic.

We also call upon the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to arrest all criminals implicated in this documentary starting by Emmerson Mnangagwa himself.

To the suffering masses of Zimbabwe, our message is that we have a patriotic duty to stop criminals from looting our natural resources.

The streets await!

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
CCC YOUTH TASKFORCE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

HARARE residents are living in fear after more than 100 cases of cholera were recorded in the country since the outbreak of the disease two months ago.

This comes at a time when most suburbs in the opposition-run Capital City have gone for years without clean running water.

The country has so far recorded 108 laboratory-confirmed cases and 536 suspected cases.

Some of the residents who spoke to this news crew in Harare‘s high-density suburb of Mbare expressed anger at the city fathers for failing to provide potable water, at a time when cholera cases are on the increase.

“We have not had running water for over two weeks and looking at our situation here in Mbare that’s unacceptable because we have a lot of children and now we fear that once we record a cholera case we will all die from the disease.

“The city council should act because we pay rates every month so they should also play their part. Our toilets are inside so this is a health hazard if there is no running water. We need water as soon as yesterday,” said the residents.

While Officials from the city council could not be reached for comment, the government has intervened by sinking boreholes.

It has, however, emerged that some unscrupulous individuals are locking the boreholes and charging a fee for each bucket of water.

“ The government drilled a borehole for us but now there are some people who are charging us to fetch water yet we heard that these boreholes are for us to access the water for free. We are calling on the government to intervene before we die of cholera,” said James Nehosho.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholera.

Three people have succumbed to the disease since the recent outbreak, while 12 suspected deaths have been recorded with the bulk in Mashonaland Central.- ZBC News

Former Minister of State for Masvingo, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti has this morning been acquitted of rape charges laid against him by a 12-year-old girl who stayed at an orphanage that the former runs in Mwenezi. Magistrate Zuyu sitting at Chiredzi said the evidence led by the complainant was inadequate and witnesses contradicted each other.

MASVINGO- Magistrate Farai Gwitima has remanded a Masvingo man facing 21 counts of robbery, unlawful entry and thefts in custody to April 21, 2023.
George Mlambo (23) is facing 11 counts of robbery, five counts of unlawful entry and five counts of theft. He appeared in court on Wednesday.

Mlambo has been on Police’s wanted list for the 21 crimes committed between September and October 2021 in Masvingo.
He was arrested on Saturday at Mucheke Bus terminus following a tip-off.
His three accomplices, Bruce Ndlovu, Lampson Kufakunesu and Brian Talent Dube are currently serving nine year jail terms at Mutimurefu Prison.
A fifth accomplice only identified as shotgun is still at large.

Prosecutor Tinotenda Makoti told the court that the first crime was committed on September 5, 2021 around 3 am.
Mlambo and his accomplices went to Joseph Farai Mashava’s (24) house at 3345 Kushingirira Street, Rujeko A.

They opened a tape outside the house and when Mashava came out to close the tape, the gang grabbed him by the neck and stabbed him on the left hand and left side of the chest.

They then took him to his bedroom and demanded cash. The gang went away with US$120 and Mashava filed a Police report.- Masvingo Mirror