By A Correspondent | A Zimbabwean CIOs Nurse Aide, Munashe Andrew Chigiya Kembo, has died just after arriving in UK from a holiday visit to Zimbabwe, Phillip Sibanda, reports.

Fuler details were not disclosed at the time of writing. MORE FOLLOWS

By- An Epworth man was at the weekend bashed by state security agents and beaten up after he tried to confront President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who delivered a speech in Epworth in the capital.

Mnangagwa was in Epworth, handing over 265 securitised title deeds to settlement residents.
As he was delivering a speech, a young man breached security. He raced to the stage to confront Mnangagwa, who is blamed by the opposition for the country’s socio-economic crisis but was stopped a few metres away.
He was taken behind a VVIP tent, where he was beaten up.
At the event, Mnangagwa pleaded with Epworth residents to vote for Zanu PF after they were given the title deeds.
“We are a government that delivers. Today I have returned to Epworth to deliver on that promise,” Mnangagwa who was launching the Presidential Title Deeds and Settlement Regularisation Programme said.
In the run up to the March by-elections last year, Zanu PF promised to dish out 80 000 title deeds to residents there to guarantee property ownership.
However, government later somersaulted and gave various excuses after failing to deliver the title deeds in one of the many false promises.
“This event demonstrated that we have the political will and technical skills to deliver while sufficient resources are available to support this exercise,” Mnangagwa said.
“So when we go to elections you should vote wisely in a way that keeps the legacy of black people which is known by those, who fought for it not those who came along the way.”
Thousands of Zanu PF supporters were bussed to the venue.
-Standard

By- President Constantino Chiwenga said Zanu PF would end opposition dominance in urban councils in the forthcoming elections.

Chiwenga said this at the weekend’s presidential Title Deeds and Settlement Regularisation Programme launch in Epworth.

“We are burying opposition-led councils here and building the Zimbabwe we want. You have seen it for yourselves. When you elect people without the brains to take the nation forward, we will be killing ourselves. We have learnt for 23 years, and nothing fruitful has come. Let’s come back home to Zanu PF,” Chiwenga said.
“For years local authorities have been grappling with illegal settlements as residents fell victim to land barons. They continued to face several challenges including inadequate access to clean water, sanitation and poor road infrastructure mainly due to maladministration by the opposition-led councils.”
Title deeds were issued to 265 families, and 11 200 houses were said to be ready to receive the document against a target of 38 000.
Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said there was no reason to reject Zanu PF since people were receiving title deeds for free, courtesy of the ruling party.
“What else would you like if you reject Mnangagwa?” Ziyambi asked rhetorically.
Zanu PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri added that the ruling party had people’s welfare at heart.
“You can now brag because Zanu PF has knocked on your doorsteps. Your President loves everyone irrespective of political party affiliation. Today he has challenged you. When you eat, be it mealie meal, meat or kapenta fish it’s because of the Zanu PF government’s policies. When you are boarding a Zupco bus or train, know that they are from Zanu (PF),” she said.
Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) secretary for local government and Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume, however, hit back saying the Zanu PF government’s failure to manage the economy was the root cause of all councils’ problems.
“If the national economy is performing badly no one can succeed. Individuals, private businesses and councils can’t succeed,” Mafume said. “What should come first is a well-managed national economy so that you have currency, jobs, people can afford rates and you can distribute and administer cities properly.” Newsday

By-Chief Malisa of Silobela has ordered villagers to vote for President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the upcoming general elections, saying he fought for the country’s liberation from colonial rule.

Speaking during Independence Day celebrations held at Mutimutema Secondary School in Silobela, Chief Malisa Mnangagwa said Mnangagwa initiated several developmental projects in his area, such as the construction of dams.

Chief Malisa was quoted by NewZimbabwe.com saying:
The President wants 6 million votes, and we have to mobilise. If you leave from here, each person must mobilise at least 10 of their own people, for the President.
The President wants us to give him a fresh mandate and we are going to give him that because he fought for the country and gave us land so that we will live peacefully and continue to develop.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe forbids traditional leaders from being members of any political party as this greatly compromises the discharge of their duties such as resolving disputes amongst people in their communities.
The Constitution clearly stipulates in Chapter 15 section 281 (2) that:
Traditional leaders must not–(a) be members of any political party or in any way participate in partisan politics; (b) act in a partisan manner; (c) further the interests of any political party or cause; or (d) violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person.

By- Armed robbers have blasted a Mukuru money transfer booth that was in a hardware shop at Maboleni Business Centre, in Lower Gweru and stole more than US$27 000 plus over R66 000.
.
Police confirmed the robbery incident on Saturday, 22 April, via a post on their Twitter page. Reads the post:
Police in Gweru are investigating circumstances surrounding a case of unlawful entry into premises and theft, which occurred on 22/04/23 at Maboleni Business Centre, Lower Gweru.
Three unknown suspects armed with unidentified weapons blasted a Mukuru money transfer booth located in a hardware shop, before going away with US$27 087.00 and ZAR 66 300.00.
Police recovered one unused Megamite EMEX 70 at the scene. Anyone with information to report at any nearest Police Station.
There has been a spike in robbery cases targeting Mukuru in the past few years.
In 2021, a Mukuru Money Transfer agency in Chegutu was robbed by four armed robbers who got away with US$17 609 and R3 500.
In another robbery incident in 2022, armed robbers raided a cash-in-transit vehicle at Mukuru Money Transfer Agency in Bulawayo before stealing US$100 000 and over R500 000.

Tinashe Sambiri

Two members of Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s escort team died on Saturday when the vehicle they were travelling in rammed into a stationary truck near Kwekwe.

Two members of the same team were also seriously injured.

See report below:

TWO members of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s escort team died on the spot, while two others were seriously injured on Saturday when the vehicle they were travelling in rammed into a stationary haulage truck near Kwekwe.

newseverywhere #znnNews

ED aides die in horror crash

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga proclaimed that the government would regularise illegal settlements nationwide. The former military boss made the remarks on Saturday while addressing Epworth residents.

He also promised to bury “the incompetent opposition-led councils” which he said were responsible for mushrooming illegal settlements across the country.

Chiwenga said the central government would regularise the illegal settlements to save home seekers from losses they have incurred if they were to be evicted.

Some background

In 2021, July Moyo, the Minister of Local Government and Public Works stated that illegal settlements in Zimbabwe would not be regularised or legalized, as they violate the country’s laws and regulations. He emphasized the need for residents to adhere to the country’s planning and development laws, and for local authorities to enforce these laws to prevent the spread of illegal settlements.

The issue of illegal settlements in Zimbabwe is a complex and longstanding problem, with many residents living in informal settlements without access to basic services and infrastructure. The government has implemented various policies and programs to address this issue, including the provision of housing and the regularisation of some informal settlements. However, the issue remains a significant challenge for the country.

Most of the illegal structures were demolished in the past. Owners would lose their homes and belongings as well as the money they used to buy the land.

Safety measures for home-seekers

Buying land in Zimbabwe can be a complex and risky process, especially when dealing with land barons who engage in illegal land sales. Here are some actions you can take to avoid buying illegal land from land barons in Zimbabwe:

1. Do your research: Before buying any land, conduct thorough research on the land title and ownership to ensure that the person selling the land is the legal owner. You can check the ownership details with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement.
2. Hire a reputable lawyer: A good lawyer can help you navigate the legal complexities of land transactions in Zimbabwe and ensure that all documents are legally binding and in order. It is essential to hire a reputable lawyer who has experience in dealing with land transactions.
3. Inspect the land: Take the time to visit and inspect the land to ensure that it is suitable for your needs and that the boundaries are clear and legally established. Do not rely solely on the seller’s representations and documentation.
4. Verify the authenticity of the documents: Verify the authenticity of the land documents, including title deeds and survey plans, with the relevant authorities.
5. Avoid cash transactions: Always pay for the land using a bank transfer or cheque, and ensure that the payment is made directly to the seller’s account. Avoid cash transactions as they are difficult to track, and you may not have any legal recourse in case of a dispute.
6. Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true: If the price of the land seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious of offers that appear too good to be true, as they may be illegal land sales.
7. Report illegal land sales: If you suspect that the land being sold is illegal, report it to the relevant authorities such as the police, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement or the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

By following these actions, you can minimize the risks associated with buying land in Zimbabwe and avoid falling prey to illegal land sales by land barons.

Two members of President Mnangagwa’s escort team were killed and two others were seriously injured on Saturday when the vehicle they were in collided with a stationary haulage truck near Kwekwe.

The National Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the accident yesterday. However, he did not provide any further information at this time. He told NewsDay:

There was a haulage truck and a Prado accident, but we will release more details in due course.

Sketchy details showed that the accident occurred around 2 pm about 15km from Kwekwe along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway. Reports suggest that the accident involved a Toyota Prado with registration number AFO 3100 and a haulage truck registration number JX 25 XC GP. The Toyota Prado had four people on board, who seemed to be part of the advance Presidential escort.

It is alleged that the driver of the Toyota Prado, Edmore Nyamadzawo Chingwaro (37) fell asleep behind the wheel and the vehicle veered off the road.

Chingwaro and Sorobhi Chirima (46) died in the accident, while Zvidzai Gava (43) and Tasiyana Makanganwa (40) sustained serious injuries. After receiving initial treatment at Kwekwe General Hospital, the two injured passengers were airlifted to Harare for further treatment. The haulage truck had stopped by the roadside to allow escort vehicles to pass.

Two years ago, a Zimbabwe Republic Police outrider riding a motorbike as part of the First Lady’s motorcade was killed in a head-on collision with a Toyota Altezza at a spot known as “PaJones” on the Chinhoyi-Chirundu Highway between Lion’s Den and Chinhoyi.  The First Lady, Auxillia, was returning from Mhangura, where she had made donations for her philanthropic organization. The driver of the Toyota Altezza is said to not have given way.

Khanna police on Tuesday evening arrested a Liberian student for allegedly raping a student from Zimbabwe at his rented accommodation.

The accused is a civil engineering student at a local college and lived in the same area in Khanna as the complainant.

The complainant submitted her complaint through in-charge of the International Cell of the University wherein she said that on April 17 night, she was sitting outside when the accused invited her in the room where his other brothers were consuming alcohol.

She added that they offered her the same but she refused.

The complainant told cops that she was feeling hungry and the accused told her that they can go to his room where she can cook.

She added that she didn’t see any problem in cooking at his place as she took him as a friend.

She alleged that when they reached his place, she started cooking chicken and she was insisting on standing in the kitchen but he requested her to come as he wanted to discuss something with her. She added that the accused told her that he loves her but she told him that she cannot reciprocate his feeling as she was in a relationship with someone.

The complainant told cops that the accused got mad and overpowered her. She added that the accused sexually assaulted her and as pot in the kitchen was burning he quickly rushed there and she ran from the place and reached her home.

The complainant said that the accused followed her and tried to enter her room but she immediately left and as he came outside she ran inside and closed the door after which he left. She later told her university authorities about the matter who informed the police.

Police later booked the accused under section 376 of IPC (rape) at Khanna city one police station.

SSP Khanna Amneet Koundal said that the matter was brought to their notice around evening and the accused was arrested within hours.

(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault).

By A Correspondent- A member of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s controversial Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) platform has approached the courts challenging the steep nomination fees set by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) ahead of this year’s elections.

Zec caused an uproar last year when it increased nomination fees to be paid by candidates that will contest local government, parliamentary and presidential elections by a staggering 1 900%.

Polad, a grouping of losing 2018 presidential election candidates, was set up by Mnangagwa soon after the disputed polls ostensibly to improve Zimbabwe’s electoral environment.

For the past five years, the group has gobbled millions in taxpayers’ money, but has nothing to show for it as government is yet to institute any tangible electoral reforms.

Citizens Coalition for Change leader Nelson Chamisa, who narrowly lost to Mnangagwa in the previous polls, refused to join Polad saying it was a waste of resources.

Zec’s astronomical nomination fees added to a layer of grievances by political actors in the country, who argue that the electoral field is titled in favour of the ruling Zanu-PF.

Last year, government gazetted Statutory Instrument (SI) 144 of 2022, which increased the nomination fees for presidential candidates from US$1 000 to US$20 000.

Nomination fees for the National Assembly and the Senate were increased from US$50 to US$1 000.

Nationalists Alliance Party leader and Polad member Divine Mhambi Hove filed a High Court challenge seeking to have the fees set aside.

Hove cited Parliament of Zimbabwe as the first respondent in the matter where he is represented by constitutional lawyer and Polad member Lovemore Madhuku.

In the application, Hove said Parliament failed in its legislative role to examine SI 144 of 2022 and consider whether it was not in contravention of the Constitution

“Parliament failed to fulfil this constitutional obligation in one of two ways,” part of the application reads.

“First, I am not aware of any report by the Legal Committee that records that Statutory Instrument 144 of 2022 went through the procedure in section 152(3)( c) of the Constitution.

“If it turns out that Statutory Instrument 144 of 2022 did not go through the procedure in section 152(3)( c) of the Constitution, that would be a textbook failure to fulfil a constitutional obligation.”

Hove said the legal instrument violated citizens’ rights as enshrined in the Constitution because high fees would restrict the majority of Zimbabwean citizens from contesting in the polls.

“Secondly and as an alternative, if Statutory Instrument 144 of 2022 went through the procedure in section 152(3)(c) of the Constitution, the fact that Parliament did not consider that it infringed the rights of the citizens provided for in and protected by section 67 of the Constitution is evidence of failure to ‘examine’ and ‘consider ‘within the contemplation of the Constitution.”

In his notice of opposition, Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda said the application was not properly before the court as the obligation to examine the SIs was that of the Parliamentary Legal Committee and not Parliament itself.

Mnangagwa last week said he would announce the dates of the harmonised elections at the end of next month.

A government official from Eswatini has described Gold Mafia, the Al Jazeera documentary that exposed syndicates that are behind massive gold smuggling and money laundering in Zimbabwe, as a personal fight against Uebert Angel.

In the documentary, Zimbabwe featured prominently after Uebert Angel, born Hubert Mudzanire, was secretly recorded offering to help undercover Al Jazeera journalists to launder US$1,2 billion in dirty money.

Al Jazeera journalists had introduced themselves to Angel as part of Chinese criminals that wanted to clean dirty money through gold smuggling.
The documentary also touched on the smuggling of Zimbabwean cigarettes into South Africa and money laundering.

In a video that has gone viral on social media, Eswatini government spokesperson Alphaeous Nxumalo described the exposé as a personal vendetta against Angel who is President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ambassador-at-large.

Nxumalo claimed there was a plot to smear Mnangagwa’s name and scuttle Zimbabwe’s investment deals. NewsDay quotes him as saying:

Of utmost interest and importance in the story that has been developing on Al Jazeera, the journalists behind this story are breaking all norms that govern journalistic ethics.

They lack understanding that diplomacy is a very difficult job to do, which is to navigate around the international system to ensure that the countries they represent get the best in the form of international investors.
When you look at the documentary it is personal to ambassador Uebert Angel.

The documentary is a damp squib, which focuses on someone who is not even a civil servant.
Ambassador Angel is allowed to do business and to partner with international observers as they are willingly engaging him within the interest of the people of Zimbabwe.

He accused the Al Jazeera journalists of trying to jeopardise the investment and engagement efforts since it failed to show Angel holding the gold.

Nxumalo defended Angel ahead of King Mswati III’s arrival in Zimbabwe where he is scheduled to officially open the 63rd edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo on Friday.

Zambia’s former Foreign Affairs minister Harry Kalaba also made another recording where he said there was nothing amiss with what Angel was doing as diplomats could do “anything” to woo investors.
Kalaba resigned as Foreign Affairs minister under former President Lungu, citing corruption in the Zambian government. He believes that diplomats have to use their ingenuity to attract investors to their country and there is nothing wrong with their behind-the-scenes actions. He also thinks that Zimbabwe’s situation should be understood from the perspective of the sanctions they are going through and President Mnangagwa should be encouraged instead of being criticized.

Local analysts, however, scoffed at Nxumalo and Kalaba’s attempts to dismiss the revelations by Al Jazeera. Centre for Natural Resource Governance executive director Farai Maguwu said the comments simply reveal the endemic corruption in Africa.
A political analyst named Rejoice Ngwenya said that African governments rely on diplomacy to maintain their current situation. Diplomats are not searched at airports, which allows them to engage in unethical behaviour without consequence. Ngwenya also criticized foreign diplomats for not considering how their actions affect local communities.

Angel, through his lawyer Lovemore Madhuku, claimed that he did nothing wrong as he was taking part in an intelligence operation.

LAWYERS based in neighbouring South Africa have condemned the recent conviction of Citizens Coalition for Change spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere, saying it stifles freedoms of expression and media in Zimbabwe.

On April 5, Mahere, a prominent political activist and lawyer, was found guilty of publishing falsehoods after she retweeted a video insinuating that a police officer had beaten and killed a child strapped to the back of her mother.

She was fined US$500 for undermining the authority of the police, with the court ruling that her conduct was reckless and detrimental to the State.

In a statement dated April 18, the Centre for Human Rights, housed under the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria said criminalisation of false news was a violation of freedom of expression protected under the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“Indeed, the experience of (journalist) Hopewell Chin’ono and the conviction of Mahere is a sad indictment of the state of freedom of expression and media freedom in Zimbabwe and may have a chilling effect on these rights ahead of the 2023 elections,” the lawyers said.

“It may also engender self-censorship, particularly in discussing issues of public interest such as the conduct of the police in maintaining law and order. It should be noted that the criminalisation of false news is a violation of freedom of expression protected under the Constitution of Zimbabwe, and international law instruments ratified by Zimbabwe including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”

According to the statement, Principle 22 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, which was adopted to promote freedom of expression under Article 9 of the African Charter, calls for the repeal of laws that criminalise false news.

The South African human rights lawyers urged Zimbabwe to uphold the provisions of the national Constitution, international laws and standards on freedom of expression.

Chin’ono was similarly charged in 2022, but the case was dismissed for lack of legal standing.

Three Zimbabweans and one South African aged between 30 and 36 years were arrested in the Moabvelden mine in Delmas on Saturday night while attempting to steal gallons of diesel at the mine in the Mpumalanga province.

A police spokesperson from Mpumalanga, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala confirmed the incident today.

He said the four were busted at around 8 pm.

“According to information, four light delivery vehicles entered the mine and found a hiding place between stockpiles,” said Brig Mohlahla.
“Upon receiving information, the assistant contractor standby manager, supervisor of Vlanggatfotein mine, and the reaction unit proceeded to the scene.

“On arrival, four vehicles resembling the mine mechanical vehicles with their loading bins converted to tanks were found”.

He said the four vehicles, two white Isuzu trucks, one white Ford Ranger, and one white Toyota Hilux pickup all fitted with Gauteng registration plates were found with the four suspects.

The official said the suspects were arrested for attempted theft of diesel after failing to provide a reasonable reason for their entry into the mine premises.

All vehicles were seized for further investigation and the Department of Home Affairs will also investigate the legality of the Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa.

A man from Harare was arrested at the Magistrates Court in Harare this morning on the basis of a pending arrest warrant for allegedly defrauding Nyasa Air Charter in a failed partnership deal worth US$1.5 million.

The man, James Landon, is also accused of threatening the Nyasa Air Charter representative Adam Woodington in violation of his bail conditions, leading to the issuance of a warrant of arrest.

NewsDay reports that police officers who had been searching for him to effect the court order found him hidden in a Honda Fit vehicle inside the court premises.

Nyasa Air Charter is a private air charter company based in Malawi that offers customized air travel services to individuals, corporations, and governments.

Details of the botched partnership deal between Nyasa Air Charter and James Landon are still sketchy.

This is a developing story. We will update this article as we get new information.

By A Correspondent- A traditional healer from Mbizi Village, under Chief Nyajina, Uzumba, appeared before the Murehwa regional court last week for allegedly raping his 13-year-old niece in the belief that this would enhance his healing powers.

Zivanai Mafanechiya (36) confessed to the court that on January 6, 2023, he went to consult a traditional healer in Mozambique, who gave him a “lucky charm”.

Presenting the State’s case, Prosecutor Mr Steven Malota said on April 6, 2023, around 3pm, the complainant’s grandmother left her in the custody of the accused, who is her biological son.

Mafanechiya called the juvenile into his bedroom and allegedly raped her once.

After the act, he told her not to disclose the matter to anyone and threatened to kill her.

When the complainant’s grandmother returned, the juvenile disclosed what had transpired.

The matter was reported to Mutawatawa police and a medical examination was conducted, leading to the accused’s arrest.

By A Correspondent- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has vowed to stop President Emmerson Mnangagwa from manipulating the forthcoming elections through unorthodox means as the two prepare for another poll showdown.

Mnangagwa (80) will seek re-election later this year for what must be his final term in office and is likely to face Chamisa (45) in a repeat of the 2018 contest where the Zanu-PF leader narrowly escaped defeat.

Chamisa said Mnangagwa was frustrating all efforts to have free and fair elections and compared him to Rhodesian leader Ian Smith.

Chamisa recently met the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) electoral advisor Likhwa Dlamini and the two discussed a number of electoral issues.

On Friday, the CCC leader met British ambassador to Zimbabwe, Melanie Robinson and also discussed various issues to promote the holding of credible actions.

CCC has raised complaints against various electoral malpractices including failure by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to avail the voters’ roll to opposition parties.

“The Smith spirit has possessed Mr Mnangagwa,” Chamisa said in an interview with The Standard.

“I do not know why the demon of Rhodesia has to come back unto our fellow African brothers and sisters.

“The one man one vote is the reason we attained liberation, so if you are now taking away with the left hand what you got with the right hand it is unacceptable, we will not allow it.

“Let the people vote freely. Let there be no coercion.”

Zec has been refusing to release the voters’ roll claiming that it is trying to protect voters’ personal details.

However, Mangagwa has been sending potential voters campaign messages via WhatsApp in what observers say is an indication that Zanu-PF has been secretly given the voters’ roll.

Data analysts have exposed a number of discrepancies in the voters’ roll.

“Let the voters’ roll be availed and let it be audited,” Chamisa said.

“Let the ballot paper be printed by an acceptable and agreed institution. We do not want double voting.

“We saw in the recent Zanu-PF primary election where even our people voted — they were forced to go and vote — they did not get over 1.2 million people.”

Last week, Mnangagwa said he would proclaim this years’ election date at the end of next month.

Chamisa said the call for a free and fair election in Zimbabwe was synonymous with all states across the globe.

“The story and clamour for free, fair and credible elections is global and universal,” Chamisa said.

“The call for legislative reforms that will promote   an uncontested, uncontaminated, undisputed election is a general expectation by citizens in the world and citizens  in the country.

“It is our hope that certain issues that we raised will be addressed to stop the abuse of key institutions and also the traditional leaders, who are being abused and forced to participate in elections.”

A European Union (EU) observer mission last year noted that Zimbabwe had failed to take steps to implement electoral reforms that would guarantee free and fair elections next year.

The EU mission made 23 recommendations after the hotly contested 2018 elections, including the alignment of the Electoral Act to the constitution and ensuring the independence of the Zec.

By A Correspondent- Reports of poor service delivery continue to haunt the Bulawayo registry offices with passport applicants expressing disappointment at the alleged arrogance of some officials, claiming corruption has become commonplace.

Residents who visited the offices recently claimed that officials at the office were dealing with touts that make unending trips in and out of the offices, raising suspicion that touts were facilitating corruption for speedy processing of passport applications. Some applicants have resorted to queueing as early at 4 AM so as to be served.

“I had a terrible experience at the Bulawayo Passport Office on Wednesday, 19 April 2023. I arrived there in the early hours before the gates were opened to the public. We sat on the benches. Papers with numbers were issued and at 10am we were told that we might not all be served because the balance of the numbers was reserved for those who were not served on Monday the 17th. I had reported at the passport office at 2 PM on Monday and I was told that I was late and to report back on 19 April.

“So on Wednesday, the man issuing out these numbers left us on the benches. I was now on the third bench close to being served. He walked towards the gate and brought in some people whom he ushered to the serving desk and he processed their forms while the other man who was already checking the forms continued to do so but serving the ones that were applying for US$220 passports. There was a man in a wheelchair who was ignored all this time. I don’t know what finally happened to this man but I left him unattended and no service was being offered at this juncture.

“After serving the first group that had been brought in from the gate, and was not in the queue, the man went back for the second group of people and he did a third trip. We watched him do all this until he finished. He was left with some sheets of paper with the numbers written on and he walked into the birth and death certificates office.

“Two people that were in the queue just in front of me stood up and followed him, they never came back to the queue. God knows what transpired in that office. All this was happening while we helplessly watched. Finally, the man returned to announce that the numbers for the day were finished and that we should go and try some other time,” said a disgruntled applicant.

However, in an interview, the Registrar-General, Mr Henry Machiri said there were some bad elements working from within who were trying to bring the office into disrepute. He said such officers were going to be brought to book.

“The system is uniform throughout the country when you want to apply for a passport. Your documents are verified, you make payments (US$120 or US$220), you do your biometrics and you submit your forms, it is that simple and there should be no other payment outside of the stipulated fees. If there are people demanding facilitation fees then that is corruption and criminal, they must be reported straight to the police if found out,” said Mr Machiri.

Residents also lamented the limited number of people who were assisted each day saying a number system was not serving any purpose than to crowd the offices. Furthermore, the Registrar-General said there was no cut-off time for accessing passports as reported.

“The system is open from morning till the end of the business, if you go any time of the day you are supposed to apply for your passport with no challenges. There is no one who must be turned away except when the banking system is down. The numbering system that is used is simply to control the crowds so that there is no cheating and people are served according to their numbers. However, we do not want to disadvantage those that will have been turned away the previous day following challenges in the banking system so we give them first preference and they resume their application process but this does not always happen,” said Mr Machiri.

The RG stressed that the e-passport system was designed to cater for everyone who wishes to access the document and there was no place for corruption.

“You mention a facilitation fee being paid in secret, which can only be possible if the touts at the passport offices are working with insiders from the passport office and we are saying that is criminal and anyone who is made to pay must report to the police station. We want to flush out those individuals who are taking people’s money. The only amount to be paid is for the passport and form, only US$120 or US$220 respectively,” he said.

By A Correspondent- Gweru City councillors have called on management to compile a report on the defunct Go Beer Breweries before the local authority entertains any plans of reclaiming the business.

The brewery was closed nine years ago due to mismanagement and looting by council officials.

This publication visited Go Beer Breweries only to be greeted with a serene atmosphere at the once bustling traditional beer manufacturing plant.

There are derelict buildings that point to years of neglect  and will require millions of United States dollars  for the brewer to resume operations.

At its closure, the beer establishment was reeling under a US$2.6 million debt, and was failing to honour its obligations at the Local Authorities Pension Fund.

Last Wednesday, councillors during an ordinary council meeting dismissed a proposal for the local authority  to reclaim the responsibility of revamping Go Beer.

“We can’t just rush to make a resolution that the council will take over the revamping of Go Beer,” mayor Hamutendi Kombayi said during the meeting.

 “There is need for a special council meeting on Go Beer and after that we should be furnished with a comprehensive report on the current status of Go Beer.

“If we don’t carry out due diligence in reclaiming Go Beer, we run the risk of yesteryear (mistakes) where we ended auctioning assets to offset debts.”

 The sad news of Go Beer’s closure reached residents in 2014 after years of plunder by management running the affairs at the beer entity.

 During that same year, municipal police and auditors immediately took over the business and locked beerhalls around the city to institute a probe on the company’s business activities.

To date, no culprits have been brought to book.

 Kombayi said management should urgently look into the operational history of Go Beer before trying to revive the derelict entity.

 “We recommend that council management work out modalities to take over Go Beer,” he said.

 Speaking during the same meeting, Ward 10 councillor Charles Chikozho said it was risky for the council to take a non-functioning business venture.

 “We can’t just rush to take over a dead donkey,” he said.

 Councillor Notal Dzika (Ward 8) suggested that the local authority should first make a resolution to take over Go Beer and then progressively resuscitate it.

 “Let us first take back our beer concern and as we move on, we work out plans to bring it to its former glory,” he said.

 Dzika’s proposal was, however, unanimously shot down by other councillors.

The local authority announced in July 2020 that it had partnered an unnamed giant opaque beer maker for the revival of the beer concern.

Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association Trust director David Chikore accused the council of shifting goal posts in reviving Go Beer.

 “At one point we are told a big investor is coming to partner council to revamp Go Beer,” Chikore said.

 “Now the council is proposing to take over the beer concern.

“You really wonder about the strategy that will eventually resurrect Go Beer from the dead.”

 In 2019 council said it was in the process of unbundling Go Beer into three business units — Go Beer Farming Private Limited, Progress Private Limited and Progress Manufacturing Private Limited.

 Since the country’s economy was dollarised in 2009, the cash-strapped local authority has to date bankrolled the beer concern to the tune of US$2 208 914.

Part of the money went towards payment of former Go-Beer creditors and employees, who had sued the council.

 The beer concern also lost cattle and equipment, which were attached to cover retrenchment costs.

By A Correspondent- Chief’s council president Fortune Charumbira has been urged to step down after his niece reported him to the police for allegedly sexually abusing her.

Charumbira, who is also the Pan-African Parliament president, was reported to the police in Masvingo a week ago for allegedly sexually abusing his married niece.

Commentators and observers said Charumbira should step down on moral and ethical grounds.

Speaking from his United Kingdom base, former Ntabazinduna Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni, who was dethroned by the government, said Charumbira’s case was a result of a broken governance system.

“The government of the day, the ruling Zanu-PF, has been playing around with the legislation for quite some time and they have been very slow, on purpose, to re-align laws with the 2013 constitution,” Ndiweni said.

“As a result of this, it has opened a huge gap within our laws whereby people do not get to know where they stand and some people took the view that if you are a card-carrying member of Zanu-PF, you are above the law.”

He said Charumbira should immediately step down.

“If he doesn’t step away, it tarnishes the whole institution of traditional leaders,” he said.

“Here we are not looking at whether he was guilty or innocent or what were the details, we are just looking at the allegations per se.”

He said even if the family drops the charges, Charumbira had tarnished the institution of traditional leaders.

“He has tarnished all chiefs of Zimbabwe because of these particular allegations and there is no way any Member of Parliament can see him in a different light,” he said.

“As long as the allegations came out, a docket has been compiled, it has been forwarded (to Harare), that alone shows that people are taking the case seriously.”

He said it would be unfortunate if government turned a blind eye to the allegations, and Chief Charumbira remains in his position.

“It is the darkest day the institution of traditional leaders has faced in a long, long time,” Ndiweni said.

“It means one single individual has now tarnished the whole institution.”

Chief Charumbira was once arraigned before the High Court where he was ordered to issue a public apology after he claimed that all traditional leaders belonged to Zanu-PF.

Charumbira defied the court order.

The constitution says chiefs must be apolitical.

“We are looking at a chief who has been in contempt of the High Court already and really on this occasion, he has to step down otherwise the traditional leaders would be a laughing stock and this has implications down the line,” Ndiweni said.

He said in the traditional context, the Charumbira clan should start taking steps to replace the chief whom they have also disowned.

The clan once petitioned government seeking Charumbira’s removal saying he was illegitimate according to their customs and practices.

Researcher and legal practitioner Sharon Hofisi said Charumbira was not above the law.

“According to the constitution of Zimbabwe, a chief who is accused of indecent assault is subject to the same laws and penalties as any other citizen,” Hofisi said.

“The constitution provides for the protection of every person’s right to bodily integrity and prohibits any form of violence, including sexual violence.”

Hofisi said the procedure to remove Charumbira is provided for in the Traditional Leaders Act, which is about the conduct of chiefs.

“Misconduct is defined broadly and includes any act or omission that is inconsistent with the chief’s responsibilities or that is prejudicial to the interests of the community,” he said.

“If a chief is found guilty of indecent assault, this would likely be considered misconduct and could result in the chief’s removal from office.

 “In the case of Chief Charumbira, who is accused of indecent assault, the minister may initiate an investigation into the alleged misconduct and make recommendations as to whether an inquiry should be held against him.

“If he is found guilty of the offence, the minister may recommend to the president that the chief be removed from office or impose other penalties, such as a reduction in salary and allowances or a caution and reprimand.

“Regarding the president’s power to dismiss a chief, Section 3 of the Traditional Leaders Act states that the president may remove a chief from office if he is of the opinion that the chief has committed misconduct, subject to Section 7.”

Hofisi added: “Therefore, if Chief Charumbira is found guilty of indecent assault, the minister’s recommendation to the President to remove him from office would need to follow the procedure set out in Section 7.”

Political and social commentator Ricky Mukonza said Chief Charumbira had failed the morality and ethical test.

“How will he speak authoritatively about these issues when he has been involved in this? What transpired compromises him in a big way,” Mukonza said.

“Others may argue that politics is not a cathedral of morality, but Charumbira is more than an ordinary politician, he is a leader.

“A traditional leader must carry moral authority in the community. His moral authority evaporated with the leaking of the audio.”

Charumbira, who is yet to be arrested over the matter, has denied the allegations.-standard

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…

Gold Mafia: face the nation, Chamisa tells Mnangagwa

 By A Correspondent- suspected jack hammer thief was bashed to death by an angry mob on Independence day at Tilas Mine in Bulawayo.

Denage Moyo (36) died upon admission at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).

Police said, “Police in Bulawayo are investigating a case of murder in which Denage Moyo (36) died on 18/04/23 whilst admitted at United Bulawayo Hospitals after being attacked by a mob on 17/04/23 at Tilas Mine for allegedly stealing a jack hammer.”

The police has since arrested five suspects in connection with the murder case.

“The police has since arrested Arnold Nkiwane (24), Patrick Sibanda (42),Welshman Ncube (22), Godfrey Zulu and Alick Zulu, in connection with the case.The other suspects Prince Sibanda, Romeo Ndlovu and Cobangani Ndlovu are on the run.”

By A Correspondent- United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) made history last week when it  became one of the few health institutions in the country to offer hip surgeries with more than 20 patients registering for the procedure.

The hip arthroplasty camp kicked off on Thursday and ends today.

Over the years, Zimbabweans have been travelling to India, South Africa, Malawi and Zambia, among other foreign destinations, for complex medical procedures like organ transplants, corrective orthopaedic hip replacements and knee replacements procedures.

This has been as a result of limited expertise in doing these procedures locally as well as exorbitant costs.

Hip replacements cost anything in the upwards of US$30 000, forcing many to abort surgeries and live with a hip disability.

In Zimbabwe, a few private hospitals in Harare do hip surgery.

Bhekinkosi Swele, an orthopedic surgeon who did one of the surgeries, said the purpose of the UBH camp was to help people that require hip replacement surgery.

“This is a skills transfer camp and we hope to keep the programme going even after the camp is done and the advantage is that these services are being offered in a public hospital, hence it will become more affordable,” Swele said.

Another orthopedic surgeon, Jabulile Mthethwa, said people should not accept hip disability.

“Africans tend to be stoic, sit on things and accept disability,” Mthethwa said.

“In this day and age there is no need to accept disability, there are options provided locally which are now affordable.

“There is now a difference since we are a public hospital and patients will now get affordable, but not compromised care within their own hospital setting.”

UBH chief medical officer William Busumani said patients with hip problems were being forced to travel to Harare or cross the borders for hip replacement.

“It was expensive, but we are offering this at a government institution which is a big plus for us,” Busumani said.-southerneye

By A Correspondent- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has vowed to stop President Emmerson Mnangagwa from manipulating the forthcoming elections through unorthodox means as the two prepare for another poll showdown.

Mnangagwa (80) will seek re-election later this year for what must be his final term in office and is likely to face Chamisa (45) in a repeat of the 2018 contest where the Zanu-PF leader narrowly escaped defeat.

Chamisa said Mnangagwa was frustrating all efforts to have free and fair elections and compared him to Rhodesian leader Ian Smith.

Chamisa recently met the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) electoral advisor Likhwa Dlamini and the two discussed a number of electoral issues.

On Friday, the CCC leader met British ambassador to Zimbabwe, Melanie Robinson and also discussed various issues to promote the holding of credible actions.

CCC has raised complaints against various electoral malpractices including failure by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to avail the voters’ roll to opposition parties.

“The Smith spirit has possessed Mr Mnangagwa,” Chamisa said in an interview with The Standard.

“I do not know why the demon of Rhodesia has to come back unto our fellow African brothers and sisters.

“The one man one vote is the reason we attained liberation, so if you are now taking away with the left hand what you got with the right hand it is unacceptable, we will not allow it.

“Let the people vote freely. Let there be no coercion.”

Zec has been refusing to release the voters’ roll claiming that it is trying to protect voters’ personal details.

However, Mangagwa has been sending potential voters campaign messages via WhatsApp in what observers say is an indication that Zanu-PF has been secretly given the voters’ roll.

Data analysts have exposed a number of discrepancies in the voters’ roll.

“Let the voters’ roll be availed and let it be audited,” Chamisa said.

“Let the ballot paper be printed by an acceptable and agreed institution. We do not want double voting.

“We saw in the recent Zanu-PF primary election where even our people voted — they were forced to go and vote — they did not get over 1.2 million people.”

Last week, Mnangagwa said he would proclaim this years’ election date at the end of next month.

Chamisa said the call for a free and fair election in Zimbabwe was synonymous with all states across the globe.

“The story and clamour for free, fair and credible elections is global and universal,” Chamisa said.

“The call for legislative reforms that will promote   an uncontested, uncontaminated, undisputed election is a general expectation by citizens in the world and citizens  in the country.

“It is our hope that certain issues that we raised will be addressed to stop the abuse of key institutions and also the traditional leaders, who are being abused and forced to participate in elections.”

A European Union (EU) observer mission last year noted that Zimbabwe had failed to take steps to implement electoral reforms that would guarantee free and fair elections next year.

The EU mission made 23 recommendations after the hotly contested 2018 elections, including the alignment of the Electoral Act to the constitution and ensuring the independence of the Zec.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said all households in Epworth, Harare will eventually get title deeds for their properties.

Epworth constituency is located in Harare Province comprising of Stopover, Zinyengere, Pentagon, Magada, Overspill, Maulana, Donhoro, Munyuki and Danastein. It is situated to the south east and 12 kilometres from Harare Central Business District area.

Being located at the fringes of Harare, most of the settlements of the constituency are largely informal with shacks and poorly built houses

Title deeds are legal documents that demonstrate ownership or title to a particular piece of property.

They are important for establishing a clear title to the property and can be used as evidence in disputes over ownership or boundaries.

The Sunday News reported that on Saturday, 22 April, more than 265 title deeds were handed over to property owners in Epworth, with 11 000 more already processed.

The title deeds were handed over to residents by Mnangagwa at the launch of the Presidential Title Deeds and Settlement Regularisation Programme at Epworth High School.

According to the. ZimStat Census Report of 2022, Epworth

Speaking at the event, Mnangagwa said the documents will provide security tenure for beneficiaries and protect them from land barons. He said:

The programme is one of the many responsive interventions by the Second Republic to improve the quality of life and livelihoods of our citizens.

The title deeds being issued today are an important empowerment tool and a legal document that gives beneficiaries several rights, which include ownership and security of tenure, and disposal and transfer of ownership from one person to another.

The title deeds also outline the land boundaries of the property and other related conditions.

I, therefore, call upon all the families being issued with title deeds to keep the documents in a safe and secure place.

The process of producing title deeds is very thorough and involves various ministries, agencies and departments working together under the Whole-of-Government approach.

This guarantees the security of the final title deeds and protects against counterfeit or fake documents.

The days when people would lose their hard-earned savings to unscrupulous merchants and land barons who sell land without any documentation are now behind us.

Mnangagwa said the programme was going to be rolled out in all the country’s 10 provinces. He said:

Following today’s historic milestone, the Presidential Title Deeds and Settlement Regularisation Programme is set to be rolled out to other provinces.

This event demonstrates that we have the political will and technical skills to deliver while sufficient resources are and available to support this exercise.

No one and no place or suburb or township will be left behind. Together, let us continue to build smart, sustainable and orderly human settlements.

He said a master plan which outlines the location of schools, clinics, hospitals, commercial and industrial sites has been developed for regularisation of suburb.

The President said the second phase will involve servicing of land, construction of roads, improvement of electricity and bulk water supply infrastructure, as well as modern sewer and waste management facilities.

 By A Correspondent- A Harare man was yesterday whisked away by state security agents and beaten up after he tried to confront President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was delivering a speech in Epworth in the capital.

Mnangagwa was in Epworth where he handed over 265 securitised title deeds to residents of the settlement.

As he was delivering a speech, a young man breached security and raced to the stage to confront Mnangagwa who is blamed by the opposition for the country’s socio-economic crisis, but was stopped a few metres away.

He was taken behind a VVIP tent where he was beaten up.

At the event, Mnangagwa pleaded with Epworth residents to vote for Zanu-PF after they were given the title deeds.

By A Correspondent- A Mutare man who was asking for his rentals was allegedly forced to desert his home after his machete-wielding nephew chased him for making the demands.

The matter was heard at the Mutare Civil Court where Ruka Zimunya had hauled his nephew, Julius Kamunda, for a peace order application.

Magistrate Mr Xavier Chipato granted the peace order in Zimunya’s favour.

The order is valid for a year.

Kamunda was instructed not to insult, harass or threaten Zimunya, and to keep peace at all the times.

Zimunya was also advised to apply for an eviction order if he no longer wants to stay with Kamunda.

Zimunya told the court that he grew up in the same village with Kamunda and knew his parents very well.

Following the death of Kamunda’s parents and noticing how he had fallen on hard times, Zimunya took him in.

They allegedly agreed that Kamunda would pay USD$10 as monthly rentals.

However, Kamunda only paid the agreed amount for two months.

He is my nephew, and we grew up together. After discovering that things were not good for him following the death of his parents, I decided to take him to my village so that he could stay at my house, look after my cattle and work in the fields.

“However, we agreed that he would pay monthly rentals of USD$10. Unfortunately, he only paid for two months. I started staying with him in 2021 and this is now 2023,” said Zimunya.

He said he tried to settle the issue amicably, but Kamunda failed to comply, until his uncle ended up reporting him to the rent board.

Still, Kamunda refused to pay the rentals.

“I went to the rent board after Kamunda had repeatedly refused to pay my rentals. I was advised to give him a notice, which I served him, but up until now he is still refusing to vacate the room,” said Zimunya.

“After I served him with the notice, he chased me away from my own house with a machete. All my neighbours were watching, and I fled to the fields for my own safety.

“I later approached Chief Zimunya. Kamunda was summoned to the court and was ordered to vacate my property but again he didn’t comply,” said Zimunya.

However, Kamunda told the court that he never agreed to pay rentals.

He said they only agreed that he would look after Zimunya’s cattle, homestead and fields.

He also denied chasing Zimunya with a machete.

He said Zimunya should openly tell him to go if he no longer wants him at his property.

He added that by making all the aforementioned allegations, Zimunya was avoiding to pay an undisclosed amount of money he owes his nephew for ploughing his fields.

“We never agreed on the said rentals. He told me that I was going to look after his homestead and do some farming chores. He was supposed to pay me for that.

“He is cooking up stories to avoid giving me my money. He is now accusing me of chasing him away from his own house. He should give me my money and I will go if he no longer wants me there,” said Kamunda.

However, Zimunya disputed all this and reiterated that no longer wants Kamunda at his property.

— Manica Post

By A Correspondent- Jailed property tycoon, Frank Buyanga’s woes continue to mount after the Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal.

Buyanga, who is currently locked up in a South African jail is facing a slew of criminal charges both in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

He had approached the Supreme Court in December last year appealing against a High Court ruling reinstating his warrant of arrest.

The noting of the appeal meant the arrest warrant which was cancelled by Harare magistrate Judith Taruvinga for being defective was to remain cancelled.

But the Supreme Court has declined jurisdiction to hear his appeal making an arrest warrant against him active again.

“Whereupon, after reading submissions filed of record and hearing counsel, it is ordered that the court declines jurisdiction in this matter,” reads a brief judgement by the Supreme Court bench chaired by Justice Susan Mavangira.

Buyanga was arrested in South Africa late last year after his ex-girlfriend, Chantelle Muteswa reported him over a slew of charges, including kidnapping their eight-year -old son.

The warrant issued against him was initially cancelled by Magistrate Taruvinga who found it was erroneously issued.

The National Prosecuting Authority appealed against the Magistrate’s ruling at the High Court.

However, the High Court set aside the magistrate’s ruling blocking Buyanga’s freedom.

Despite that Buyanga had sought the recusal of the presiding judges of appeal, Pisirayi Kwenda and Benjamin Chikowero from hearing an application for review by the State, which was unhappy with the magistrate’s ruling.

He had appealed at the Supreme Court after Kwenda refused to step down from hearing the case.

The Supreme Court then granted the hearing of Buyanga’s appeal but Kwenda went on to reinstate the warrant of arrest well aware that the Supreme Court had allowed the appeal against him to be heard.

This prompted the latest Supreme Court appeal which has been declined.

In the appeal, the businessman, through his lawyers, Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners said Kwenda erred in failing to entertain the State’s appeal that was before him while alleging he made a ruling based on what he had read in the newspapers.

“Take notice that the appellant hereby appeals against the whole judgement of the High Court of Zimbabwe handed down at Harare by Kwenda J on the 30th of November 2022 with whom Chikowero concurred…. Further take notice that leave to appeal against the judgment is unnecessarily as the judgement being appealed against was final,” reads part of his court application.

His grounds of appeal were that “the court aquo erred at law and grossly misdirected itself by holding that the learned magistrate Ms Taruvinga had no jurisdiction to cancel a warrant that she issued in terms of section 33 (1) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act when such power was expressly given to her in section 33 (3).

“The lower court erred in finding that magistrate Taruvinga had misconstrued the application before her to be a default enquiry by virtue of a heading of transcript of proceedings when the application before the magistrate and her judgement clearly showed that she was fully alive to the fact that what was before her was an application for cancellation of a warrant of arrest.”

Buyanga said the judge erred in finding that magistrate Taruvinga had no jurisdiction to cancel a warrant she issued.

The flamboyant businessman remains locked in  South Africa, where all his efforts to secure bail have flopped.

Last week a police officer was arrested by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation Unit as he tried to book out Buyanga from prison.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has been accused of colluding with Zanu-PF to conduct private voter registration campaigns targeting ruling party supporters only.

Zanu-PF says it is targeting five million votes to ensure an outright win in the upcoming elections where President Emmerson Mnangagwa is seeking re-election.

This publication established that the ruling party has been commandeering Zec to settlements where it is targetting potential new voters for private registration.

Zanu-PF has also been assisting so called stateless citizens, mainly of Mozambican and Malawian origin, to obtain Zimbabwean identity documents in order for them to be eligible to vote.

An estimated 300 000 people in Zimbabwe are considered stateless.

The group comprises descendants of migrant workers from southern African countries, including Malawi and Mozambique who were brought in by colonial authorities to work on farms before the country gained independence in 1980.

Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa confirmed to The Standard in an interview that the ruling party “coaxed” Zec and the Registrar General’s office to conduct private registration processes in various areas.

Mutsvangwa also admitted that the party has been facilitating registration of stateless citizens to obtain citizenship to register as voters.

“Through our cell verification programmes, we realised there were some pockets of areas where people were not registered,” he said.

“We then signalled or alerted Zec and the Registrar General’s office that these areas are not registered.

“We facilitate and enable those who identify with our party to go and get registered. It’s a way of getting their loyalty to our party.

“We hope they will pay their allegiance to the party.

“Where possible we coax or cajole the government to go and provide the facilities, which they should do anyway.”

Zec closed the registration blitz on March 26, and announced that voter registration would only happen at its 68 district registration centres and 10 provincial registration centres across the country.

On Wednesday in Mhondoro, however, Zanu-PF summoned Zec and the Registrar General’s office to register people, who were gathered for the official opening of a hospital.

“What we do is we point out where we know there are a few registered people, like what we did on Thursday in Mhondoro, Mubaira we were having the opening of a hospital by Zimplats, we called Zec and the Registrar General’s office to be present so that those who came and attended and did not have IDs got registered by Zec,” Mutsvangwa added.

“There is no bias there, if the MDC want, they can also go and ask Zec to have their people registered.”

The opposition has previously accused Zec of deliberately frustrating the registration of aspiring voters in cities and towns.

According to the opposition, voter registration in cities and towns is deliberately slow with officials at the electoral body accused of chasing away voter registrants.

Asked why Zec was setting up registration centres at Zanu-PF’s command, Zec deputy chairperson Rodney Kiwa said the matter was political.

“Why do you ask me about politics?” Kiwa asked.

“That is politics. You are a very young kid and you want to teach me politics. I will not fall for that.

“I will not respond to that. I do not talk politics (sic).

“Never! Zanu-PF is a party that can respond on its own. I am not its spokesperson.”

Kiwa said the voter registration process is still ongoing at all the 68 registration centres and the 10 provincial centres across the country.

“The registration blitz was facilitated for all eligible voters to register,” Kiwa said.

“It was in response to political parties, that had their supporters who wanted to register to vote.”

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere accused Zanu-PF of abusing state institutions, especially Zec.

“Their desperation is causing them to resort to illegal, embarrassing and brazen electoral malpractices,” Mahere said.

“The attempt by Zanu-PF to ensure that the vote is suppressed in areas where they know they’re weak while encouraging the vote to be facilitated where it perceives itself to be strong demonstrates beyond any doubt that they have lost popular support.

“They are bent on rigging because the data says that CCC and president (Nelson) Chamisa will win.”

Zimbabwe Election Advocacy Trust executive director Ignatius Sadziwa said Zec must be investigated.

“Voter mobilisation for registration by political parties is permissible at law and we applaud political parties for such efforts. However, it is criminal for Zec to enter into special arrangements with certain political formations to do a voter registration blitz outside stipulated dates for such exercises,” Sadziwa said.

“The matter needs to be investigated because it is a serious breach of the Electoral Act. Zec has to operate within the confines of the law.”

Mnangagwa said he would proclaim election dates at the end of next month.

 By A Correspondent- A Harare man was yesterday whisked away by state security agents and beaten up after he tried to confront President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was delivering a speech in Epworth in the capital.

Mnangagwa was in Epworth where he handed over 265 securitised title deeds to residents of the settlement.

As he was delivering a speech, a young man breached security and raced to the stage to confront Mnangagwa who is blamed by the opposition for the country’s socio-economic crisis, but was stopped a few metres away.

He was taken behind a VVIP tent where he was beaten up.

At the event, Mnangagwa pleaded with Epworth residents to vote for Zanu-PF after they were given the title deeds.

MBERENGWA-A married Mberengwa man died upon arrival at Mberengwa District Hospital after complaining of chest pains while at his girlfriend’s place.

Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the sudden death that happened on Monday to The Mirror.

He said Donald Mangeya (35) of C-Mine, Mberengwa died two hours after visiting his girlfriend Lillian Moyo-Mangena of Northwood in Mberengwa.

Mangeya (35) arrived at Lillian’s place around 4 am and he complained of chest pains two hours later. Around 6 am he was rushed to the hospital. He died upon arrival at the hospital.
Mahoko said investigations to establish the cause of death are underway.- Chipinge Times

By A Correspondent- The Zanu PF politburo has announced Robert Nyemudzo, as the winner of the party’s Chipinge South constituency, barely two weeks after disqualifying him and announcing sitting Member of Parliament (MP) Enock Porusingazi as the winner.

Nyemudzo got 4733 votes against Porusingazi’s 1585 votes but was disqualified on allegations of brewing illicit beer. The Politburo then announced Porusingazi as the winner.

Last night Zanu PF national political commissar Mike Bimha told journalists during a post-politburo briefing that the party had reinstated Nyemudzo after he was cleared of the charge.
Porusingazi is the sitting MP.

The politburo set down to finalise the party’s final list of primary election winners following five re-runs held over the weekend.- Masvingo Mirror

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe dollar (ZWL), the local currency of Zimbabwe, has kept losing ground against the U.S. dollar.

After hovering just below 1,000 to the U.S. dollar on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) foreign auction platform for several weeks, the Zimbabwe dollar finally succumbed to pressure and fell to 1,000.0227 Tuesday.

This means that a person with 1,000 U.S. dollars can easily translate it to 1 million ZWL, or even more on the parallel market which was on Friday trading at 1 U.S. dollar to 1,600 ZWL for those who were selling the U.S. dollar. Those who were buying had to part with at least 1,800 ZWL per U.S. dollar.

The new millionaire club does not have much to show for it though, with the depreciation of the local currency also leading to increases in the prices of basic commodities, as traders chase the parallel market rate.

While some retailers have been modest with the increases, pharmacies, hardware shops and informal traders have been unrelenting.

An analysis of the country’s operating environment posted by Stanbic Bank Friday showed that Zimbabwe’s food inflation remained the highest in the world in April.

Notwithstanding the decline in world food prices and according to the World Bank, Zimbabwe’s food inflation remains the highest in the world. High food inflation is mainly attributed to the rapid currency depreciation (high parallel market premium) and some supply bottlenecks,” the analysis said, claiming that Zimbabwe remained uncompetitive from a price stability viewpoint.

Inflation is high in the outlook driven by rapid exchange rate depreciation, high monetary growth and risk of potential fiscal slippages,” the analysis said.

Independent economist Paul Musodza warned that the continued dollarization of the economy was not good for the country in the long term.

He said the official exchange rate was being directed by the parallel market which had crossed the 1,000 mark way back.

“It is the real exchange rate. We are highly dollarized because output is now largely U.S. dollar priced. Dollarization will retard our economic growth rate,” he said in an interview with Xinhua.

The Monetary Policy Committee of the RBZ, the central bank, said at the end of March that there was a 70:30 currency mix of foreign and local currency, respectively, in the economy.

The government and the central bank have over the years been trying to make the local currency more attractive to the transacting public by introducing a raft of measures.

However, the specter of 2008 when the official inflation rate hit 231 million percent, the national budget’s figures were given in quintillions of dollars and the highest banknote denomination was 100 trillion Zimbabwe dollars continues to haunt many people.

At present, the highest banknote denomination is 100 Zimbabwe dollars — which is equivalent to about 10 U.S. cents at the prevailing official exchange rate. The smaller denominations of 2, 5 and 10 ZWL notes are no longer used by the public, even though they are officially still in circulation together with 20 and 50 ZWL denominations.-Xinhua

By A Correspondent- A 27 year old Mutorashanga-based man has been arrested after he allegedly attacked his wife to death over infidelity.

Lameck Tashira (27) is assisting police in Mashonaland West province with investigations following the death of Fungai Shereni (35) his wife.

According to Police Tarashira suspected his wife was having an extramarital affair with her ex-husband and he assaulted her to death with a log.

“Police in Mutorashanga have arrested Lameck Tarashira (27) in connection with a case of murder in which he attacked to death his wife, Fungai Shereni (35), with a log on 18/04/23 at Maplanka farm, after accusing her of cheating with her ex-husband.”

By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has engaged the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to help fight the practice of charging fees for extra lessons by teachers.

In an interview with the Sunday News, the Ministry’s Director of Communication and Advocacy Taungana Ndoro said teachers who charge fees for extra lessons will be arrested for corruption. He said:

With regard to extra lessons, the Ministry’s position remains clear. Paid extra lessons, particularly during the school term remain illegal and parents and guardians are advised not to continue feeding the beast by continuously paying for these extra lessons as they exacerbate the situation that we are currently facing.

This practise of paying for extra lessons is a chargeable offence and an act of misconduct.

It is criminal abuse of office and corruption basically which is why we are working together with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to curb this scourge.

Ndoro said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is working with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that teachers charging for extra lessons are penalised. He said:

We are also working with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other authorities to try and combat this.

Parents and teachers should both be held liable under the law for aiding and abetting this form of corruption.

The Ministry has put in place platforms on social media where people can report such practise so that action is immediately taken in conjunction with the relevant authorities.

Parents can send reports to our WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter or even to our websites. You can even call our toll-free line, directly to our offices so that we can together tackle this scourge and ensure that all our learners continue to receive quality education and no one, and no place is left behind.
He said parents who pay teachers for extra lessons are also at risk of facing corruption charges.

Said Ndoro:

The idea of feeding the beast means that parents are complicit in aiding teachers that are demanding illicit payments for extra lessons and in most cases, these teachers end up not doing the job for which they are already paid for, for which they are already on a government salary, for which they are already on a responsible authority’s salary.

Therefore, these paid-for extra lessons remain illegal and banned.

On 30 March, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education announced a ban on holiday lessons, saying learners needed time to rest.

The Ministry also argued that the 2023 school calendar was never interrupted by COVID-19 hence there was no need for schools and teachers to conduct extra lessons during this April holiday.

However, teachers across the country have defied the ban saying making learners pay for extra lessons is a way of supplementing their salaries.

Some high school boarding teachers are reportedly renting buildings in the central business district as well as churches to conduct extra lessons and charging US$10 per subject.

By A cORRESPONDENT- The gruesome discovery of a young mother and her 3-month old daughter who had been “slaughtered” has sent shock waves through the small settlement of Katanga, Thabong.

A neighbour discovered the two bodies on Sunday 16 April when he went outside to relieve himself. The throats of the woman and the baby had been slit.

The bodies were identified by next of kin. They are Zimbabwe national Ratiso Dhlengwayo (22) and her child Progress Mhofu (3 months old).

A case of double murder is been investigated. The husband of the deceased (a Mozambican national) who originates from Mozambique) is being sought by the Welkom SAPS to get information.

The Welkom SAPS are looking for this foreign national in connection with information on a double murder in Thabong.

By A Correspondent- A 24 year old man died after he was hit by a brick while witnessing a scuffle between an 18-year-old girl and her two boyfriends.

The incident occurred near Kuwadzana 2 Service Station where Leanda Mupfumira had a misunderstanding with her two lovers.

During the misunderstanding, Mupfumira picked a half brick intending to throw at one of her boyfriends but missed the target and hit a bystander, the deceased, Tawanda Nigel Ziumbe.

Ziumbe fell unconsciously in a nearby drain and was rushed to a local hospital where he later died.

Mupfumira is in police custody.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

“Police in Harare have arrested Leanda Mupfumira (18) in connection with a case of murder which occurred on 20/04/2023 at a service station in Kuwadzana 2.

The suspect allegedly picked a half brick intending to throw it at one of her two boyfriends she was fighting with.

“The brick hit a bystander, Tawanda Nigel Ziumbe (23) , resulting in him falling into a drain and becoming unconscious.

The victim died at a local hospital whilst on admission,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.

— HMetro

By A Correspondent- Female members of a Chimanimani family have for the past few years been deterred from being int!mate with their husbands by an avenging spirit that claims to have been ƨǝx-starved while still alive.

The development has left most of the Mahlupeko sisters in broken marriages.

The family appeared before Chief Ndima’s court on Sunday where it was revealed that the privɑtǝ parts of the Mahlupeko sisters and their daughters mysteriously get blocked each time they try to get int!mate with their husbands.

The traditional court heard that the late Dakarai Mahoso’s avenging spirit is behind this.

The late Mahoso’s avenging spirit is claiming that his wife, Gogo Nyeperai Mahlupeko (now 87), denied him his c0njugal rights when he was still alive and that he died a bitter ƨǝx-starved man.

In narrating the ordeal, John Mahlupeko said his married daughters and granddaughters have for the past few years been struggling with the issue of int!macy as a result of the avenging spirit.

“All this while, we did not know that my sister’s late husband was behind this. While some family members thought that it was a medical condition, others knew that it was spiritual. The ones that are not married yet are struggling to find husbands while the married ones are struggling with the issue of int!macy.

“As if that is not enough, the men in the family are struggling financially. We are failing to prosper.

“When we consulted prophets and traditional healers over the issue and heard that Mahoso’s spirit is haunting us, we thought that maybe my sister Tete Nyeperai killed her husband. We were then sh0cked to hear that he was haunting us because he was starved of ƨǝx while still alive,” said the Mahlupeko’s family patriarch.

In an interview, Gogo Nyeperai admitted that she starved her husband in the bedr00m. However, she said it was because they were both elderly, adding that she was no longer strong enough to take care of his ƨǝxuɑl needs.

“I had twelve children with this man and I ended up failing to meet his ƨǝxuɑl needs when we were in our old age. I was in my late 60s while he was in his 70s. I did not think it was still proper for us to engage in ƨǝxuɑl interc0urse.

“I was a l0ving wife and I am sh0cked that my late husband would torment my family this way. In fact, I believe this is all a lie. I think my family just wants to put the blame on me. When we consulted a traditional healer, it was said the spirit’s names are Bernard and Phineas; my husband’s name was Dakarai,” she said.

Gogo Nyeperai said while the spirit manifested on her niece, the spirit claimed to be her late husband, despite giving them the wrong name.

“The spirit said my husband was not resting peacefully due to his bitterness over the fact that I starved him ƨǝxuɑlly when he was still alive. It also revealed the reason being my nieces and grand-nieces’ mar!tal problems. The spirit demanded that I should appease it by brewing traditional beer and washing myself with it,” she said.

As a result, her late husband’s family has sent Gogo Nyeperai packing.

They have ordered her to brew some traditional beer and cleanse herself as per the spirit’s demands.

Gogo Nyeperai is currently staying with her brother, Mahlupeko, whose family is fuming at her for causing their mar!tal mishaps.

“I want to go back to my home. My relatives are angry with me because of this spirit and staying with them is not good for me. Meanwhile, the Mahoso family refuses to accept me at my home. They say I have to appease my late husband’s spirit first before going back. There is chaos everywhere,” said the elderly woman.

Chief Ndima ordered the Mahlupeko family to visit one more traditional healer to ascertain the real cause behind the family’s problems since Gogo Nyeperai insists that her late husband is not the cause.

— Manica Post

By A Correspondent- Civil servants have rejected the Government’s 100% salary increment offer, accusing their employer of unilateralism.

Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) president CecIlia Alexander on Friday said no agreement was signed when Government representatives and civil servants met under the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC).

She also accused the Public Service Commission (PSC) of insincerity. Said Alexander:

ZCPSTU refused to sign the NJNC agreement because the PSC pre-empted through a circular written by the secretary who ordinarily should not have according to Statutory Instruments (SI) 141 of 1997.

She also claimed that State employees (uniformed forces) got their increment in February while others only received an increment in April. a local publication quoted Alexander as saying::

The effective date where other sectors got a salary increase two months earlier and other civil servants have no inflation-adjusted salary components.

Early this month, the Government approved a 100% remuneration review for civil servants except for the health sector.

The adjustment included an increase of the COVID-19 allowance from US$200 to US$250 per month across all sectors, excluding the health sector.

Teachers were awarded an US$80 teaching allowance payable at the prevailing inter-bank rate with effect from April 1, 2023. The school fees payment facility for children of teachers was scrapped.

-newzimbabwe

 By A Correspondent- A Harare man was yesterday whisked away by state security agents and beaten up after he tried to confront President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was delivering a speech in Epworth in the capital.

Mnangagwa was in Epworth where he handed over 265 securitised title deeds to residents of the settlement.

As he was delivering a speech, a young man breached security and raced to the stage to confront Mnangagwa who is blamed by the opposition for the country’s socio-economic crisis, but was stopped a few metres away.

He was taken behind a VVIP tent where he was beaten up.

At the event, Mnangagwa pleaded with Epworth residents to vote for Zanu-PF after they were given the title deeds.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has been accused of colluding with Zanu-PF to conduct private voter registration campaigns targeting ruling party supporters only.

Zanu-PF says it is targeting five million votes to ensure an outright win in the upcoming elections where President Emmerson Mnangagwa is seeking re-election.

This publication established that the ruling party has been commandeering Zec to settlements where it is targetting potential new voters for private registration.

Zanu-PF has also been assisting so called stateless citizens, mainly of Mozambican and Malawian origin, to obtain Zimbabwean identity documents in order for them to be eligible to vote.

An estimated 300 000 people in Zimbabwe are considered stateless.

The group comprises descendants of migrant workers from southern African countries, including Malawi and Mozambique who were brought in by colonial authorities to work on farms before the country gained independence in 1980.

Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa confirmed to The Standard in an interview that the ruling party “coaxed” Zec and the Registrar General’s office to conduct private registration processes in various areas.

Mutsvangwa also admitted that the party has been facilitating registration of stateless citizens to obtain citizenship to register as voters.

“Through our cell verification programmes, we realised there were some pockets of areas where people were not registered,” he said.

“We then signalled or alerted Zec and the Registrar General’s office that these areas are not registered.

“We facilitate and enable those who identify with our party to go and get registered. It’s a way of getting their loyalty to our party.

“We hope they will pay their allegiance to the party.

“Where possible we coax or cajole the government to go and provide the facilities, which they should do anyway.”

Zec closed the registration blitz on March 26, and announced that voter registration would only happen at its 68 district registration centres and 10 provincial registration centres across the country.

On Wednesday in Mhondoro, however, Zanu-PF summoned Zec and the Registrar General’s office to register people, who were gathered for the official opening of a hospital.

“What we do is we point out where we know there are a few registered people, like what we did on Thursday in Mhondoro, Mubaira we were having the opening of a hospital by Zimplats, we called Zec and the Registrar General’s office to be present so that those who came and attended and did not have IDs got registered by Zec,” Mutsvangwa added.

“There is no bias there, if the MDC want, they can also go and ask Zec to have their people registered.”

The opposition has previously accused Zec of deliberately frustrating the registration of aspiring voters in cities and towns.

According to the opposition, voter registration in cities and towns is deliberately slow with officials at the electoral body accused of chasing away voter registrants.

Asked why Zec was setting up registration centres at Zanu-PF’s command, Zec deputy chairperson Rodney Kiwa said the matter was political.

“Why do you ask me about politics?” Kiwa asked.

“That is politics. You are a very young kid and you want to teach me politics. I will not fall for that.

“I will not respond to that. I do not talk politics (sic).

“Never! Zanu-PF is a party that can respond on its own. I am not its spokesperson.”

Kiwa said the voter registration process is still ongoing at all the 68 registration centres and the 10 provincial centres across the country.

“The registration blitz was facilitated for all eligible voters to register,” Kiwa said.

“It was in response to political parties, that had their supporters who wanted to register to vote.”

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere accused Zanu-PF of abusing state institutions, especially Zec.

“Their desperation is causing them to resort to illegal, embarrassing and brazen electoral malpractices,” Mahere said.

“The attempt by Zanu-PF to ensure that the vote is suppressed in areas where they know they’re weak while encouraging the vote to be facilitated where it perceives itself to be strong demonstrates beyond any doubt that they have lost popular support.

“They are bent on rigging because the data says that CCC and president (Nelson) Chamisa will win.”

Zimbabwe Election Advocacy Trust executive director Ignatius Sadziwa said Zec must be investigated.

“Voter mobilisation for registration by political parties is permissible at law and we applaud political parties for such efforts. However, it is criminal for Zec to enter into special arrangements with certain political formations to do a voter registration blitz outside stipulated dates for such exercises,” Sadziwa said.

“The matter needs to be investigated because it is a serious breach of the Electoral Act. Zec has to operate within the confines of the law.”

Mnangagwa said he would proclaim election dates at the end of next month.

By A Correspondent- Business came to a standstill in the Central Business District of Bulawayo yesterday as the public gathered to witness an early morning drama after a suspected thief was busted inside the ceiling of an accessories shop located along 10th Avenue.

When a Sunday News crew arrived at the scene shortly before 8 30am, the suspect had just been busted by the shop occupants and were awaiting the police. The suspect was frequently peeping and coughing through a hole which he is suspected to have mistakenly created while walking inside the ceiling.

Shortly after 9am, detectives from CID as well as the duty uniformed branch arrived at the scene and persuaded the suspect to come out of the ceiling.

The suspect remained quiet and chose to be a prisoner of his own scheme prompting the detectives to call the Canine Unit. As the canine unit prepared to get into the ceiling the suspect came out through an entry and exit point on the roof. Clad in a grey short and t-shirt as well as a cap, he was immediately arrested in front of a crowd which was baying for his blood.

Sources close to the investigations said the suspect identified himself as Khumbulani aged 18 from Nkulumane 11. According to a witness who spoke on condition of anonymity, they witnessed that the ceiling had been broken down before realising that there was someone inside the ceiling.

When we opened the shop, we realised that the ceiling was damaged. We checked on our various accessories which we sell and observed that nothing was stolen. After a few minutes, one of our female colleagues noticed that there was someone peeping through the ceiling. We immediately reported the issue to the police,” said the witness.

— Sunday News

Tinashe Sambiri|The British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Melanie Robinson held a crucial meeting with CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa on Thursday.

The UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the importance of peace during the 2023 polls.

“Good to meet with CCC leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday. We discussed how important it is that the forthcoming elections are peaceful, credible and inclusive.

The UK is committed to promoting and protecting democracy and human rights around the world,” Ambassador Robinson wrote on Twitter.

Tinashe Sambiri|The British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Melanie Robinson held a crucial meeting with CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa on Thursday.

The UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the importance of peace during the 2023 polls.

“Good to meet with CCC leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday. We discussed how important it is that the forthcoming elections are peaceful, credible and inclusive.

The UK is committed to promoting and protecting democracy and human rights around the world,” Ambassador Robinson wrote on Twitter.