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

Nick Mangwana says this man is taking Zimbabwe to the promised land. He says:

“He is our leader. He always leads from the front. He works harder than everyone else out there. He is a stickler for time. His Vision is taking this country to the promised land.”

DO YOU AGREE?

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says as the country heads for general elections at a date soon to be announced, peace and unity should prevail at all times.

He was speaking as he launched the Presidential Title Deeds and Settlement Regularisation programme in Epworth this Saturday.

This Saturday saw the dawn of a new era for ordinary homeowners in Epworth, who had no claim of ownership to the land they had built their properties on, following the launch of the Presidential Title Deeds and Settlement Regularisation Programme.

Thousands gathered at Epworth High School to witness the launch and President Mnangagwa used the platform to appeal to the electorate to preserve Zimbabwe’s legacy of independence through their votes.

“We have brought these title deeds because we have love for the people. We are now moving towards the general elections. I know the dates but I will announce when the time is right. When we go to the elections, we will be asking if you want to preserve our legacy. If the answer is yes, our legacy is known by those who vote for ZANU PF. No one sweats through voting,“ he said.

Violence should never be an option before, during and after elections, and President Mnangagwa called on churches and political parties to preach unity and peace in this election season.

“To leaders of all political parties, churches and all sections of society, let’s preach the gospel of peace, harmony, nonviolence. I also call upon the community to reject drugs. We can’t leave our legacy to drug addicts, let’s instill discipline among our children,” added the President.

The people of Epworth have made history by being the first to be handed over their title deeds by President Mnangagwa and the Head of State also called upon them to keep their environment clean.

265 families were handed over their title deeds at the launch, with more expected to receive their legal documents.- ZBC News

By Business Reporter | Zimbabwe risks being blacklisted on international banking after Finance And Economic Minister Mthuli Ncube threatened to wipe out the Al Jazeera news network’s evidence on the Zimbabwe state assisted #GOLDMAFIA gangs, featured in the latest documentary on financial crimes happening in Southern Africa.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube- file

Speaking to the financial news Bloomberg media house, Mthuli Ncube said the Zimbabwe government’s response is to deal with the allegations. He stated nothing about arresting or stopping the alleged crimes.

In the documentary, rival smuggling gangs were infiltrated by the news network’s undercover journalists and various gold and money leaks tracked down to source between several countries, Zimbabwe, UK, South Africa and the UAE.

Mthuli Ncube said, “we will deal with any money laundering allegations out there…” and further went on to charge saying the news network has no evidence at all, it’s just a documentary, despite paper trails independently verified by among others, the respected Ernst And Young auditing firm, and notable investigators from South Africa’s Zondo Commission.

“…I don’t think there is any evidence; there is a documentary out there but that’s not evidence,” he threatened.

This is the third time a senior official has threatened attack the audited evidence; last month, the nation’s central bank governor John Mangudya threatened the news network, though he later reversed his statement saying he would only go after individuals who were filmed boasting about their access to allegedly clean dirty money through him.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’ Spokesman George Charamba was more direct, saying journalists who cite the documentary will be arrested.

Since the documentary was revealed in February, state elements have been claiming the government was never consulted on the revelations which however, one of Al Jazeera’s researchers Simba Chikanza publicly and openly disclosed to both Mthuli Ncube, Reserve Bank Of Zimbabwe Governor, and the Central Intelligence Organisation far back as November 2018, on live video (watch below.)

ALSO READ – 2018: HOW USDs DISAPPEARED: RBZ Bought “Fake Gold” From Well Known Kenyan Criminal.

Meanwhile, Mthuli Ncube last week told Bloomberg of his motives after being asked –

There has been a lot of concern around corruption in the country especially with the recent documentary by Al Jazeera. What are you communicating that the govt is actually trying to do to rid the corruption that is happening ?

Mthuli Ncube responded saying: “Zimbabwe is intolerant to corruption; … corruption happens everywhere in the world, but it’s issues about the stance you take as a govt to deal with that corruption; we have an anti corruption commission; we have got a very active police, law enforcement, you know, departments and agencies, they are dealing with these things; we have a zero tolerance on corruption; but corruption does happen anywhere in the world; and in terms of some of the scandals and the issues that you are mentioning, Zimbabwe was on the grey list in terms of the FATF, we are off that list because we have been very tough in terms of anti money laundering stance. We have issued public statements condemning corruption and saying that we will deal with any money laundering allegations out there, we have been very clear about that, like most governments tend to be.

But there has been evidence that the government has been involved in some of this?, the Bloomberg presenter asked, to which Mthuli Ncube replied saying,

“I don’t know about that, we will investigate every avenue to see if any government official is involved, or something like that; I don’t think there is any evidence; there is a documentary out there but that’s not evidence,” he threatened.

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says as the country heads for general elections at a date soon to be announced, peace and unity should prevail at all times.

He was speaking as he launched the Presidential Title Deeds and Settlement Regularisation programme in Epworth this Saturday.

This Saturday saw the dawn of a new era for ordinary homeowners in Epworth, who had no claim of ownership to the land they had built their properties on, following the launch of the Presidential Title Deeds and Settlement Regularisation Programme.

Thousands gathered at Epworth High School to witness the launch and President Mnangagwa used the platform to appeal to the electorate to preserve Zimbabwe’s legacy of independence through their votes.

“We have brought these title deeds because we have love for the people. We are now moving towards the general elections. I know the dates but I will announce when the time is right. When we go to the elections, we will be asking if you want to preserve our legacy. If the answer is yes, our legacy is known by those who vote for ZANU PF. No one sweats through voting,“ he said.

Violence should never be an option before, during and after elections, and President Mnangagwa called on churches and political parties to preach unity and peace in this election season.

“To leaders of all political parties, churches and all sections of society, let’s preach the gospel of peace, harmony, nonviolence. I also call upon the community to reject drugs. We can’t leave our legacy to drug addicts, let’s instill discipline among our children,” added the President.

The people of Epworth have made history by being the first to be handed over their title deeds by President Mnangagwa and the Head of State also called upon them to keep their environment clean.

265 families were handed over their title deeds at the launch, with more expected to receive their legal documents.- ZBC News

MORE than 5 000 people have been arrested so far since the government launched an operation to reduce the scourge dubbed operation “No to dangerous drugs and illicit substances.”

With the drug and substance abuse scourge reaching alarming levels, wreaking havoc in families and threatening the core of societal norms and values, government in February this year launched an operation to fight the societal ill.

So far the crackdown has netted more than 5 000 people in connection with dealing in dangerous and illicit substances as alluded to by the latest figures released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

Amid revelations that more than 20 cases connected to possession or dealing with illicit drugs and substances are dealt with at the country’s courts on weekly basis, the legal fraternity is also concerned with the surge in such cases calling for holistic approach to protect the country’s future.

“It has become a worrisome trend, the rate at which our youths are coming at the courts on allegations of dealing with dangerous drugs. A starting point is to come up with strong rehabilitation institutions that teach them so that they can be reintegrated into the society when they finish there prison term,” said a legal practioner.

“I think as a nation there is a need for a holistic approach to deal with the menace. Also from a legal perspective i think there is a need to come up with a framework that protects whistle blowers because the real drug peddlers are getting away with it. Also i think there is a need to come up with strong rehabilitation centres that will allow offenders to learn something that will help them after the jail term,” noted another.

Government is rolling out several initiatives to curb the drug and substance abuse and this has seen the Second Republic availing ZWL500 million under the drug and substance abuse mitigation fund, setting up a national committee on the elimination of drug and substance abuse among other initiatives.- ZBC News

A jilted man from Morningside suburb in Bulawayo went berserk and brutally killed his wife by stabling her 19 times using a kitchen knife before crushing her head with a stone while their 13-year-old daughter watched helplessly.

The gruesome murder occurred last Saturday at their rented home and police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the murder, saying they are appealing to anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts to contact any nearest police station.

“We are investigating a case of murder where Pascal Dube (43) of Number 31 Greystoke Road in Morningside suburb allegedly killed his wife Acqualline Sadziwa (35) on Saturday while they were home with his step-daughter,” he said.

“From our investigations, we established that the deceased had made her plans without involving the suspect and there was tension. When the suspect quizzed her, the deceased told him that she was no longer interested in the marriage and had decided to leave their matrimonial home.”

Insp Ncube said the suspect ordered the deceased to leave everything behind including her cellphone, which he allegedly bought her.

“The deceased removed the simcard from the phone and gave it to the suspect who got infuriated. He pushed her out of the house before he stormed into the kitchen and took a knife, which he used to stab the woman 19 times and she died,” he said.

The suspect then took a boulder and crushed her skull. The step-daughter screamed for help and alerted neighbours who reported the matter to the police.

The suspect is still at large.

When the state media crew visited the house where the murder took place, there was a tenant who declined to be named.

“I just heard people quarrelling and minutes later, the deceased’s daughter came running and she was screaming. She told me that her stepfather had stabbed her mother and since I am heavily pregnant, I was scared to also go out and intervene,” she said.

“I took my son and the deceased’s daughter and locked them inside my room before I phoned the police. Minutes later the quarrelling stopped and I contacted the suspect’s uncle. When he came, he found the woman already dead and the suspect was nowhere to be seen.”

Last month, a man from Cowdray Park was found dead outside his place of residence with multiple stab wounds on his thighs in a suspected murder case.

The deceased, Fredrick Moyo (27), and his friend left their place of residence and went to Mahweba Sports Bar in Cowdray Park to drink beer. Later on, the deceased went home first leaving his friend behind.

On the same day at around 3.45AM, his friend left the bar and went home where upon arrival he saw the deceased lying on the ground inside the yard facing down.

A police report was then made and no arrests have been made. Two stab wounds were noted on the left thigh and also another one on the right thigh. -state media

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

The Swedish drug mule caught in possession of 3kg of heroin worth $3,4 million at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport was yesterday remanded in custody pending trial after he exercised his right for the court to provide him with a Swedish interpreter.
Harns Arne Ingemar Peterson (71), who is being charged with unlawful dealing in dangerous drugs was denied bail on his initial court appearance two weeks ago.

He appeared before regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje yesterday, who postponed his trial to May 15.

This was after Peterson told the court that he neither spoke nor understood English, hence needed an interpreter.

The State alleged that on April 8, detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics Harare, received information from a reliable source that Peterson was in possession of drugs which he intended to smuggle to Thailand.

The detectives waylaid Peterson at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in order to intercept him as he checked in.

While at the airport, they went to all airlines’ offices to check which one had been used by Peterson. They then found out that he had been rejected by Qatar Airways for an onward flight since he was not in possession of a visa to Thailand.

The court heard that the detectives also looked for Peterson in the departures hall and identified him through the clothes he was wearing and his passport.

He was with a trolley loaded with two bags; a pink and a black one.

Detectives approached him and requested to search his bags and they seized some brownish powder suspected to be dangerous drugs in a plastic bag stashed in a false compartment created on the pink bag.

Peterson was then taken to CID Drugs Harare offices where preliminary field tests were done on the seized brownish powder and it tested positive for heroin.

Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti appeared for the State.-state media

A Chitungwiza man has appeared in court for allegedly breaking into a house and stealing 13 gas tanks worth $1,2 million.
Greatmore Maurede (29) appeared before Mr Dennis Mangosi charged with unlawful entry and theft and was remanded on $100 000 bail to June 12.

Prosecuting, Mr Zororai Nkomo alleged that on February 7, Emmanuel Mukonoweshuro left his home to visit his mother Netty Kanengoni, who was not feeling well and took her to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

He left Anesu Matunhike, who is employed to sell gas, in charge at home.

During his absence, Maurede and his accomplice Benjamin Mukonza, who is already remanded for the same theft, used an unknown object to cut the chain and lock which were securing the wooden cabin door and gained entry.

They stole 2x60kg gas tanks and 11x48kg gas tanks and went away unnoticed.

On the February 8, Mukonoweshuro was informed by his uncle Desire that an unknown person had broken into his house and stolen the tanks.

The court heard that on February 21, he went to Magaba market in Mbare, Harare, looking for his stolen property and managed to identify 2x48kg gas tanks at the table belonging to Mukonza.

Mukonoweshuro informed the police who recovered the gas tanks.

Upon arrest, Mukonza told the police that he had bought them from Maurede and a trap was set for him to visit his colleague at the market place.

Upon arrival at the market stall in Magaba area, Maurede was arrested, but he managed to escape after having been involved in a fist fight with Mukonza and the police officer.

He was eventually caught last weekend.

The total value stolen is $1 244 880 and property worth only $148 200 was recovered.- Herald

MORE than 5 000 people have been arrested so far since the government launched an operation to reduce the scourge dubbed operation “No to dangerous drugs and illicit substances.”

With the drug and substance abuse scourge reaching alarming levels, wreaking havoc in families and threatening the core of societal norms and values, government in February this year launched an operation to fight the societal ill.

So far the crackdown has netted more than 5 000 people in connection with dealing in dangerous and illicit substances as alluded to by the latest figures released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

Amid revelations that more than 20 cases connected to possession or dealing with illicit drugs and substances are dealt with at the country’s courts on weekly basis, the legal fraternity is also concerned with the surge in such cases calling for holistic approach to protect the country’s future.

“It has become a worrisome trend, the rate at which our youths are coming at the courts on allegations of dealing with dangerous drugs. A starting point is to come up with strong rehabilitation institutions that teach them so that they can be reintegrated into the society when they finish there prison term,” said a legal practioner.

“I think as a nation there is a need for a holistic approach to deal with the menace. Also from a legal perspective i think there is a need to come up with a framework that protects whistle blowers because the real drug peddlers are getting away with it. Also i think there is a need to come up with strong rehabilitation centres that will allow offenders to learn something that will help them after the jail term,” noted another.

Government is rolling out several initiatives to curb the drug and substance abuse and this has seen the Second Republic availing ZWL500 million under the drug and substance abuse mitigation fund, setting up a national committee on the elimination of drug and substance abuse among other initiatives.- ZBC News

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