By- A local model Tumelo Nare has been remanded in custody after she was found with cocaine in her hotel room in Harare.

Nare jointly appeared with Precious Bango at the Harare Magistrates Court on allegations of unlawfully possessing 0.2 grammes of cocaine worth $16 000.

By-Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) senior official David Coltart says he fears for his life following an alleged assassination attempt.

According to Coltart, his motor mechanic discovered that his car’s front left wheel brake system had been tampered with by unknown suspects when the vehicle was taken for service on February 27, 2023.
Coltart said this was the fourth time that his vehicles have been tampered with.
“What is clear is that whoever did this is guilty of attempted murder by interfering with my brake system in this way. Whoever did this did it with the intention of causing my vehicle to have an accident, which could have killed me and whoever else was in the vehicle at the time of any accident,” Coltart told NewsDay.
Coltart said the incident was designed to instill fear in government critics ahead of this year’s elections.
“It sends a message to all who oppose Zanu PF that this is what they are capable of. If they can do this against a relatively high profile ex-Cabinet minister (Primary and Secondary Education) how much more easily can they do it to a young party campaigner or a person based in the rural areas?” Coltart said.
“It is thus designed to silence people into submission. Clearly my life has been placed in danger through this incident and I have now reviewed and enhanced my security procedures and protocols to protect myself and my family.”
Coltart told NewsDay that he did not make a police report because he lacks trust in the law enforcement agency.
“I have no confidence that any report will be properly and fully investigated. The last time I reported a threat against my life to the police I ended up being arrested myself on utterly spurious allegations.”
In 2001, Coltart’s aide and election manager Patrick Nabanyama was kidnapped and has never been seen ever since.
Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa accused Coltart of glory seeking.
“If he can’t get publicity from fake stories of gold smuggling, then he is going to say someone tampered with his brakes. Next time he is going to say someone tampered with his shoes.
“He is always looking at being a victim, he is a cry baby. Maybe he should remember the victims he targeted when he was with Selous Scouts or the Rhodesian Front,” said Mutsvangwa.

By-There was drama for four days as commercial sex workers took over the funeral of a nurse in Warren Park.

The ladies of the night demanded time to celebrate the life of Sophia Amanda Hungwa, who passed away at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospital last Thursday. She was 34.
The team performed seductive dances and even offered free sex services to mourners.

They claimed this was the best way to give Sophia the “perfect” send-off.

Health professionals, business people, kombi drivers, touts and socialites attended the funeral. They joined a convoy to Warren Hills Cemetery, where Sophia, a mother of two boys, was laid to rest.
“Sophia was one person who did not hold grudges with whoever wronged her,” said one of the mourners.
“She was ever smiling and had many friends, that is why more people came here to give her a befitting send-off. We are going to have an ‘after tears’ social soccer match dedicated to Sophia soon after burial.
“She used to play women social soccer and was the team captain. “Akanga asingade zvemakuhwa zvekuti madzimai mazhinji aimuziva nekuti John Cena nenyaya yekurova zvibhakera chaizvo,” he said.
A family spokesperson, only identified as Mr Hungwa, said: “We have nothing to say much about Sophia since we are mourning,” said Hungwa.
“We tried our best to mould her but she decided to be counted among women of loose morals and that is why sex workers are with us here.”
Sophia was a qualified nurse at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.H Metro

By-The late former President Robert Mugabe’s daughter, Bona, has broken the country’s maintenance claims record after she demanded US$8 100 per month in child upkeep from her estranged husband Simbarashe Mutsahuni Chikore (46).

The US$8 100 Bona wants for the maintenance of their three minor children.

Bona Nyapudzai Ouma Mugabe (32) is divorcing her husband of nine years on the grounds that their marriage has irretrievably broken down with no prospect of restoration.
She filed the papers at the High Court on Tuesday, 07 March 2023 under HC 1521/2023 seeking an order for a decree of divorce.
According to the court papers, Bona and Simba have lost all love and affection for each other and have been living apart for more than nine months.
The couple has three children aged seven, five and two.
Bona is claiming custody of the children and demanding US$2 700 per month for each child. She said:
In the event of the granting of the Divorce Decree by the honourable court it will be just and equitable that the Defendant be ordered to pay maintenance for the minor children in the sum of USD2, 700.00 per child monthly, until attaining of majority status or they become self-sustaining whichever occurs first.
Bona and Simba married in 2014 and the ceremony was attended by the political and business elite in Zimbabwe and outside the country.
The wedding was also broadcast live on the country’s only television channel, ZBC-TV.

By-A housing scam that left thousands of civil servants, among them teachers, is now haunting the former Information deputy minister, Energy Mutodi.

Mutodi was behind the company National Housing Delivery Trust (NHDT), which defrauded these civil servants.

He is also the Zanu PF Goromonzi West MP and aspiring Bikita South MP.

The civil servants, who paid subscriptions to buy stands from NHDT in 2012, are now desperate to get to the organisation’s offices after they did not get their residential stands.

The Mirror reported that NHDT directors allegedly disappeared with thousands of United States dollars of civil servants’ money.

The offices of the organisation disappeared, and the directors could no longer be located and stands were not delivered.

Mutodi, however, said he left the organisation and no longer has anything to do with it. Said Mutodi:

I left that company in 2011. I was the chairperson, but I no longer work for it. As you are aware I am a Member of Parliament and therefore am not allowed to partake in such. The director of that company is Tendai Hangadya. You can contact the person.

He referred the publication to Tendai Hangazha whom he said is now the owner of the organisation.

The Mirror reported that repeated efforts to get through to Hangazha’s number were futile as the number was either on voicemail or went unanswered.

The letter of allocation in the hands of The Mirror indicates the directors as Alma-Louise Gordon, B Chikono, B Chifamba, E. Mutodi, K Bhotsha and OZ Gumbo who are also listed as executives.

Tawonga Musina, a lawyer said that the clients can approach the registrar’s offices for verification of the company’s registration and thereafter file a Police report.

Some of the duped civil servants have reportedly given up after trying for many years to get their money back

According to civil servants who spoke to The Mirror on condition of anonymity, the stands sold by NDHT were mainly in Masvingo and Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) spokesperson Daisy Zambuko confirmed the “scam” but said most of those affected got their money back through the courts.

She, however, did not reveal the number of teachers from her organisation who were affected.

One of the affected teachers told The Mirror that he lost US$1 150 after paying US$100 monthly subscriptions from 2011 for a stand in Riverside.

He said the NHDT offices were at Masvingo Post Office along Emmerson D. Mnangagwa Street but the organisation left without giving any notice to clients in 2014.

By-The late President Robert Mugabe’s daughter Bona Mugabe has filed for divorce.

She claims her marriage to Simba Chikowore has broken down with no prospects for restoration.

Ms Mugabe has approached the High Court seeking a divorce decree against her husband, citing promiscuity.
The couple tied the knot on March 1, 2014, in a lavish ceremony at the family’s private home in Harare’s plush Borrowdale.
Thousands of people attended the no-expense-spared family event broadcast live by ZBC-TV.
The wedding also drew the attention of the world after it was attended by African heads of state and government and other high-level dignitaries.

 By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwean man, aged 39, and Mozambican woman, aged 37, were intercepted during an extensive stop and search operation, and arrested for illegal possession of counterfeit goods at the Lebombo port of entry.

The duo was travelling in a Freightliner truck loaded with the counterfeit goods, according to Hawks spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, when they were intercepted on Wednesday.

“While the team was engaged on the specialised stop and search operation, they stopped a truck with a male driver and a female passenger who were driving from Mozambique to the Republic of South Africa. Upon the search in the truck, they found counterfeit goods with estimated street value of R800 000,” said Sekgotodi.

Some of the listed goods seized by police include:

1. 510 pairs of Nike sneakers

2. 80 pairs of Adidas sandals

3. 118 Diesel jeans

4.88 pairs of Adidas sneakers

5. 200 pairs of All Star sneakers

6. 62 pairs of Chanel shoes

7. 21 pairs of Louis Vuitton shoes

8. 18 pairs of Versace shoes

9. 19 pairs of Polo shoes

10. 19 pairs of Gucci shoes

11. 18 bales of second-hand clothes

Sekgotodi said the Zimbabwean man and the Mozambican woman were arrested on charges of the Customs and Excise Act, Act 91 of 1964 and for contravening provisions of the Counterfeit Goods Act, Act 37 of 1997.

“The truck and trailers were confiscated and taken to the customs warehouse at Komatipoort for safe keeping due to the proceeds of a crime,” said Sekgotodi.

The Hawks in Mpumalanga said investigations are continuing.

A Zimbabwean man and a Mozambican woman were arrested at Lebombo border post while travelling in a heavy truck loaded with counterfeit clothes travelling from Mozambique. Photo: Hawks

— IOL

By A Correspondent- Two people who are allegedly associated with a network that is using fake money to con businesspeople around the nation have been arrested by police in Gweru.

Everson Kabura (38) of Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, and Chrispen Kutira (42) of Fourwinds, Bulawayo, were arrested while at an Apostolic shrine in Gweru’s Mtapa suburb. This resulted in the recovery of some fake money that was in their car.

Midlands Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said they were arrested after Kutira was involved in a scuffle with a female resident. The Chronicle quotes Inspector Mahoko as saying:

On March 1, Kutira unlawfully entered a house on the pretext that he wanted to see the woman’s husband and suddenly indecently fondled her breasts. This did not go down well and the female victim threatened to call neighbors resulting in the suspect speeding off in a grey Ford Ranger.

Police received information that the vehicle had been seen parked near an Apostolic shrine near Mutapa Roundabout. Acting on the information, the police swiftly reacted and raided and arrested the suspects.

Further investigations revealed that the two had defrauded a fuel attendant after they bought fuel using a fake US$100 note on 23 February in Gweru.

Police are calling upon members of the public who might have fallen victim to these suspects to report to ZRP Gweru Central Police Station so that all the cases may be cleared.

By A Correspondent- An ex-convict, who was out on bail pending appeal, allegedly robbed some shops in Harare and opened a shop in Gweru to sell the stolen merchandise.

He was arrested after being shot by police, during a shootout, as he tried to evade arrest.

Yesterday, Trustme Kauzani limped into court for his latest date with the justice machinery.

The court heard that on December 17 last year, Morelife Maworera, a sales representative at Classic Pose Boutique, knocked off and locked all doors and went home.

Two days later, Kauzani and his accomplice, only identified as Alvin, went to the shop and allegedly attacked a security guard, who was manning the next shop, with a blank rifle and a catapult.

The court heard that on December 17 last year, Morelife Maworera, a sales representative at Classic Pose Boutique, knocked off and locked all doors and went home.

Two days later, Kauzani and his accomplice, only identified as Alvin, went to the shop and allegedly attacked a security guard, who was manning the next shop, with a blank rifle and a catapult.

They broke into the shop and stole clothes worth US$23 000.

The two allegedly loaded the stolen property into their getaway vehicle and drove off.

Kauzani is believed to have broken into another shop, owned by Fungayi Muganhiri, at Galaxy Mall in Harare’s CBD.

He was in the company of his accomplice, Gainmore Gamunorwa, and they stole clothes worth US$11 317.

Kauzani was arrested in Gweru, after a shoot-out with police, and he confessed to breaking into two shops in Harare and opening his own shop in the Midlands capital.

He led police to the shop where some of the stolen clothes were recovered.

Kauzani, a convicted robber, was out on bail pending appeal in another robbery case.

— HMetro

By A Correspondent- Six robbers pounced on a Harare businessman, in broad daylight in the heart of the capital, and fled away with a satchel, which contained US$50 000.

Nazeer Adam, 36, had just closed his shop on Saturday when he was approached by the six unidentified men at the corner of Harare Street and Grand Street.

They attacked him, grabbed his satchel, which was stashed with the cash, and fled the scene.

Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, appealed for information that may lead to arrest of the suspects.

Police are investigating a case of robbery where a businessman lost cash to six robbers, who are still at large,” said Insp Chakanza.

On March 4 at around 4.30pm, the complainant closed his shop intending to go to their head office.

“While in the backyard of the complex, he was approached by six unknown men.

One of them grabbed the complainant by the neck, demanding all his belongings.

“They took a satchel, containing US$50 000, and dashed to an unregistered blue Toyota Wish and sped off.

Police continue to urge people to engage security in handling cash,” said Insp Chakanza.

— HMetro

By A Correspondent- A senior Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) official, David Coltart, alleges that unidentified people tampered with his car’s braking systems.

He also said in the past 23 years, the vehicles he has driven have been tempered with four times.

In a post on his Twitter page on Monday, Coltart, who was the Minister of Education in the Government of National Unity (GNU), said his mechanic informed him that there was no doubt the incident was an act of sabotage. Wrote Coltart:

Last week, I was advised by the mechanic who maintains that an attempt has been made to sabotage my vehicle.

As will appear from the attached affidavit statement made by him before local lawyer Brazhnev Mathonsi, the front left brake system of my vehicle has been interfered with since the vehicle was last serviced.

As is stated, my mechanic is adamant that this was sabotage. He says it is impossible for that particular valve to come loose of its own accord and he personally checked the braking system the last time it was serviced.

Had I travelled in the car approximately another 100 to 200 kms the brake system would have totally failed with potentially devastating consequences for me and my family, including my grandchildren who routinely are driven in that car.

I have sought to protect the identity of the mechanic so that he is not affected by this statement. I am grateful to him for his diligence and professionalism.

This is now the fourth time in the last 23 years that vehicles I use have been tampered with. The first occurred to a Nissan vehicle in the early 2000s when the brake lines were cut.

The second occurred to the same vehicle a year later when the right inside tyre was deliberately burnt in a small area with the intention of causing it to burst.

The worst was in 2012 when some of the front left wheel nuts were loosened in the same car affected by this incident, and the entire front left wheel came off when I was driving the car with my wife and youngest daughter in the vehicle with me.

I of course have a good idea who is behind all of these attempts to cause me and my family harm.

It is part and parcel of a modus which has been used effectively against many people over decades.

However, what I need to convey to you all is that my overwhelmingly dominant emotion isn’t fear but gratitude.

In the first two acts of sabotage to my vehicle, I was saved by fortuitous sequences which revealed the sabotage.

In the 3rd event in 2012 the wheel came off at a point where I was travelling slowly; literally, if the wheel had come off 500 meters before or after a serious accident would have happened.

In other words in all three I was saved by the good Lord’s providence.

Exactly the same has happened in the latest incident. My vehicle was not due for a service for about another 500 kms and so the brakes would have failed well before the next service.

However, a warning light came on 10 days ago that my timing belt needed attention (something completely unconnected to the brake system).

I took the car to my mechanic and I asked him to attend to the timing belt – and said he may as well service it early!

Because he is so diligent he checked the brake system and discovered that someone had loosened the valve which channels brake fluid into the brake calliper.

In other words, providentially a warning light came up which then revealed this sinister act before it could do harm.

… Whilst I have of course taken this attempt as a stark reminder that there are people in Zimbabwe who wish me harm, and will act with more caution going forward, this incident has been a profound reminder to me and my family that the Lord is trustworthy and I have nothing to fear so long as He is the stronghold of my life.

By A Correspondent- The entrance to Block 4 of Matapi Flats in Mbare is reminiscent of a scene from a Hollywood post-apocalyptic movie.

Among the mounds of uncollected garbage is a muddle of empty bottles of hard liquor and illicit cough syrups and cigarette stubs.

A handful of children go about playing football on a dusty patch, apparently oblivious of their surroundings.

Giant colourful murals brighten up the walls of dilapidated apartment blocks that house hundreds of people who live and work in this populous suburb.

Right at the entrance of Block 4, a group of young people sit almost resignedly as they pass about among themselves tubes of glue, which they take turns to sniff.

Some are exchanging what appears to be all manner of illicit drugs, with no hint of trepidation of whether law-enforcement agents will bust their well-knit racket.

They all have their reasons for being there, but one thing unites them: apparent security from interference from the outside world, including the police.

Block 4 in Matapi — a run-down hostel apartment, which was gutted by fire some time ago — has become a popular centre for young people binging on illicit drugs.

It has become the epicentre of a raging drug epidemic bedevilling Mbare.

 A video circulating on social media, showing an unidentified woman lamenting how drug cartels operating from this block “kidnapped” her daughter and got her hooked on drugs, laid bare the extent of the illicit narcotics menace in this part of the suburb.

“I live in Joburg Lines and my child went missing for weeks,” said the woman in the undated video.

“It was after spending a lot of time looking for her that we found her in a hostel near Matapi Clinic, where she was being kept by a gang of drug lords. She was wasted.

“We managed to take her out at night so that we would not be detected,” she said, claiming that no one is allowed to leave that building.

“What is happening inside that hostel is really sickening,” she lamented.

She said inside the building, drug gangs are staying with children, some as young as 13. An investigation by The Sunday Mail last week revealed that children of school-going age from as far as Epworth, Chitungwiza and Norton are reportedly residing in this block, where they freely indulge in drugs.

Inside this block, it is only on the second floor where there appears to be signs of life.

Looking in from the outside, the floors appear decrepit, grim and dark.

Efforts to gain access into the building were rebuffed by a group of menacing-looking men who said entrance was prohibited.

Ms Ruramai Njereni, who stays in the same block, said children from as far as Epworth and Chitungwiza are staying inside the flat.

She said parents of some of the children often come to collect their children, who would have “disappeared” for weeks.

She said some children who have been reported missing could be in the hostels.

“If they are not being ƨǝxually abused, then who knows what else these children are going through?

“We don’t know why police are not coming to rescue these children.

“We have reported this to the local police but nothing has been done,” said Ms Njereni.

Others who spoke to this publication said drug cartels operating from the hostel have become a law upon themselves.

“Most of them come here vending and end up experimenting with drugs, and later, they are told that they cannot leave,” said one woman who refused to be identified. No one knows what happens inside the building.”

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the authorities are aware of the video of the woman that is circulating on social media.

We are aware of the case and it is being investigated,” he said.

“That child was rescued with the assistance of police. We urge parents to monitor their children as we continue with the fight against drugs and substance abuse in the country. We want to assure the nation that the police will do whatever it takes to rescue and protect children from criminal elements.”

Tinevimbo Children’s Trust director Mr Enock Nyahukwa said children are a soft target for criminals.

“Crimes against children appear to be increasing in Zimbabwe judging by stories that we are reading in the press, and it is a worrying trend,” he said.

“Previously, cases of kidnappings of children by drug gangs were foreign to us.

“Parents should play a leading role in promoting the safety of their children.”

— Sunday Mail

By A Correspondent- Hundreds of civil servants, among them teachers, were left counting their losses after failing to get residential stands despite paying the National Housing Delivery Trust (NHDT) for the stands.

The civil servants, who paid subscriptions to buy stands from NHDT in 2012, are now desperate to get to the organisation’s offices after they did not get their residential stands.

The Mirror reported that NHDT directors allegedly disappeared with thousands of United States dollars of civil servants’ money.

The offices of the organisation disappeared and the directors can no longer be located and stands were not delivered.

The victims of the “scam” told The Mirror that one of the NHDT directors is Goromonzi West MP and aspiring Bikita South MP, Energy Mutodi (ZANU PF) who was the chairperson.

Mutodi, however, said he left the organisation and no longer has anything to do with it. Said Mutodi:

I left that company in 2011. I was the chairperson, but I no longer work for it. As you are aware I am a Member of Parliament and therefore am not allowed to partake in such. The director of that company is Tendai Hangadya. You can contact the person.

He referred the publication to Tendai Hangazha whom he said is now the owner of the organisation.

The Mirror reported that repeated efforts to get through to Hangazha’s number were futile as the number was either on voicemail or went unanswered.

The letter of allocation in the hands of The Mirror indicates the directors as Alma-Louise Gordon, B Chikono, B Chifamba, E. Mutodi, K Bhotsha and OZ Gumbo who are also listed as executives.

Tawonga Musina, a lawyer said that the clients can approach the registrar’s offices for verification of the company’s registration and thereafter file a Police report.

Some of the duped civil servants have reportedly given up after trying for many years to get their money back

According to civil servants who spoke to The Mirror on condition of anonymity, the stands sold by NDHT were mainly in Masvingo and Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) spokesperson Daisy Zambuko confirmed the “scam” but said most of those affected got their money back through the courts.

She, however, did not reveal the number of teachers from her organisation who were affected.

One of the affected teachers told The Mirror that he lost US$1 150 after paying US$100 monthly subscriptions from 2011 for a stand in Riverside.

He said the NHDT offices were at Masvingo Post Office along Emmerson D. Mnangagwa Street but the organisation left without giving any notice to clients in 2014.

By A Correspondent- Three Domboshava business people bought guns from police Inspector Kudakwashe Chatikobo of Support Unit at Fairbridge in Bulawayo and his accomplice, but then complained when the firearms certificates that came with them had the wrong addresses, which led to the arrest of the two illegal police dealers.

Chatikobo is alleged to be part of a team involving Tonderai Shenje, who has since appeared in court on similar allegations.

He was not asked to plead to the charges when he appeared before magistrate Mrs Evelyn Mashavakure charged with three counts of unlawful dealing in firearms. It is alleged that in 2020, Chatikobo and Shenje approached Kennedy Tapfumaneyi Warikandwa, a business person from Domboshava, and promised to help him with a firearm for his protection since he had been previously a victim of armed robbery.

Between April and May 2020, Shenje led Mr Warikandwa to Mkuhusi Camp Depot in Harare’s upper Avenues where they met Chatikobo and the two allegedly sold him a 615 CZ pistol serial number 8302541 for US$350.

Allegations are that Chatikobo and Shenje told Mr Warikandwa to collect the firearm after the registration process was complete.

In May 2020, the two allegedly

handed over the firearm and a certificate number 783358 A under CFR file number 140298Y in his name, but Mr Warikandwa later noted that the address written on the certificate was 24713 Unit B Seke, Chitungwiza, yet he stays in Domboshava.

He then approached the two, who promised to correct it when renewing the certificate.

The court heard that on September 21 last year Mr Warikandwa proceeded to the Central Firearms Registry with intention to correct the address on the firearms certificate and was told that his firearm was not properly registered.

It is also alleged that also in 2020 Shenje approached Ronald Butsu and Flavious Mavhunga, who are business partners operating as Jacana Begere in Domboshava and offered to help them get firearms for protection since their area had been hit by a spate of armed robberies targeting business people.

Between September and October 2020 Shenje took Mr Bhutsu and Mr Mavhunga to Mkuhusi Camp Depot where they met Chatikobo. The two sold a 6,35 Baby FN pistol serial number 97388 for US$230 to Mr Butsu and a 6,35 Raven pistol serial number 3223659 to Mr Mavhunga for the same price.

The two later noted that their address written on the certificate was 37 Leopold Takawira, Harare, yet they live in Domboshava.

They later went to correct their addresses and it was then established that they were not properly registered.

Under the law, people must buy a weapon from a licenced dealer, who will tell them how to apply to the police for the necessary firearms licence for the chosen firearm, or if they are buying a weapon from a private person with a valid firearms licence they will need to first approach the police for their own licence, with the seller’s valid licence so the police know which firearm is going to change hands and so long as the buyer is approved can then do all the mechanics of issuing the new licence and cancelling the old one.

The sale can only go through once the buyer is licenced.

By A Correspondent-Police in Mberengwa, Midlands Province have arrested a 19-year-old woman for allegedly poisoning her 7-month-old baby.

Felistus Mpofu of Village Shumba under Chief Mposi in Mberengwa was picked up by police details and is assisting them with investigations.

Midlands Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said the incident occurred on March 1 around 2 PM when the woman had traveled to Zvishavane.

“Mpofu left home together with the baby intending to go to Zvishavane to look for a job. While in Zvishavane around 8 PM, she became stranded at Mandava Bus Terminus. She then fed her baby with milk laced with an organ phosphate tablet,” said Inspector Mahoko.

Around 3 AM, Mpofu was offered accommodation by a woman in Mandava.

“Suddenly the baby started vomiting and her condition deteriorated. The woman who had offered her accommodation accompanied Mpofu to Zvishavane District Hospital where the baby was pronounced dead upon arrival,” said Inspector Mahoko.

A report was made to the police and upon searching her, police found her in possession of a feeding bottle contaminated with poisonous residue.

The body of the infant is being held at Zvishavane Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem, while Mpofu is detained at ZRP Zvishavane.

By A Correspondent- A Harare magistrate yesterday heard that Seed Co board chairperson Michael Ndoro may have divorced his former wife Precious Jemani Ndoro because of his alleged involvement with a sex worker.

While Ndoro is currently embroiled in a case he is accusing his ex-wife of stealing US$2,5 million from their jointly owned company, the court yesterday heard intricate details of how the couple divorced.

Ndoro has also been dragged before the courts by Precious, who is accusing him of allegedly forging company documents to illegally remove her from being a co-director.

Precious has denied the theft allegations and, instead, accused her ex-husband of concocting the charge to stop her from getting her equal share of their matrimonial property after divorce.

The court heard that the couple divorced after Ndoro was found with a sex worker at a Newlands joint in Harare.

Under cross-examination by Precious’ lawyer, Oliver Marwa, Ndoro denied that they separated over a sex worker.

I don’t know how that is relevant to the case. We are talking of the funds withdrawn from a company account and not personal issues. I decide on whom I choose to associate with,” Ndoro replied.

Marwa, however, kept asking him whether he was caught with a “slut”, and he refused to respond saying it was distracting him from the real issues.

Ndoro then sought withdrawal of the theft charge against Precious after cross-examination.

By A Correspondent- Government has reportedly stopped billing the Harare City Council (HCC) over the controversial Pomona waste to energy management deal.

Under the deal, council had been ordered to pay at least US$22 000 per day for waste, which translated to more than US$344 million for the 30 years that the Netherlands-based company planned to convert waste dumped at Pomona into energy.

The terms were that if the local authority cancelled the deal, it would pay Geogenix BV US$3,5 million for breach of contract.

Harare mayor Jacob Mafume yesterday told NewsDay that the Pomona waste to energy deal was now being handled by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube.

“We no longer think about the Pomona waste management deal. Government has stopped billing us. It is now Ncube’s headache and we don’t bother about it. I think they have surrendered it,” Mafume said.

‘’It has been finalised and it is now Ncube’s obligation after we indicated that we are not going to pay anything. Even if they decide to bill us today, we will just forward the bill to the Ministry of Finance.”

Local Government minister July Moyo was not reachable for comment on his mobile phone yesterday.

Meanwhile, Mafume accused the Environment Management Agency (Ema) of being over-excited after being given the mandate to collect waste in Harare.

Mafume said instead, government was supposed to capacitate council with the trucks to collect waste in the city.

On February 18 this year, government announced that it was crafting a statutory instrument to enable Ema to sub-contract private players to collect refuse.

In the notice, Local Government spokesperson Gabriel Masvora said: “Government has been forced to take drastic measures in Harare due to deterioration of services and plans have been put in place to ensure Ema collects refuse or contracts private companies; with the bill sent to HCC.”

By A Correspondent- The civil service workers umbrella body has called on Parliament to probe into just what is happening at Premier Service Medical Aid Society that has resulted in health facilities owned by its subsidiary, Premier Service Medical Investments shutting down, so prejudicing Government employees who form the majority of PSMAS members.

PSMAS is the largest medical aid society in Zimbabwe and provides medical cover for almost everyone in State service plus a range of members outside the civil service who pay a higher tariff as they do not get a Government subsidy.

PSMAS operated largely as a managed health scheme, owning through PSMI a network of clinics, pharmacies and hospitals and hiring its own doctors and other medical staff to keep costs down. It is this network of facilities that have closed, forcing members to move into the private sector and make co-payments even when their cards are accepted.

Representatives of the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (formerly Apex Council) yesterday appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare where they implored Parliament to look into the matter.

When it comes to PSMAS, most of the PSMI institutions are closed and the situation has become dire for civil servants who cannot afford the high tariffs charged by private doctors and institutions,” said Mr David Dzatsunga, the secretary general of ZICOPSTU.

Members and the Government as employer were paying their dues, with Government providing the equivalent of US$5 million a month as part of its contribution for Government workers on PSMAS schemes.

“As a committee you can engage with the regulator of medical aid societies (Ministry of Health and Child Care, Air Commodore Dr Jasper Chimedza), PSMAS and the Public Service Commission. These are the institutions you may want to engage and get to know what exactly is going on,” he added.

Apart from failing to provide services to its members, PSMAS and its subsidiaries have also gone for months without paying its workers while being accused of channelling the bulk of its resources to management welfare.

Government has since instituted a forensic audit into the organisation’s operations.

Last year, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care, said Government was committed to supporting PSMAS and PSMI as they played an important role in provision of health care to civil servants which was part of their non-monetary benefits

By A Correspondent- A Premier Service Medical Investments (PSMI) loss control supervisor, Bernard Chatindivara, who was stationed at Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo, committed suicide on Saturday after being overwhelmed by debts he accrued while doing company business.

PSMI national workers committee chairperson Munyaradzi Nharaunda confirmed the death, adding that the deceased would be buried at his rural area in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central province, tomorrow.

Chatindivara joined PSMI in June 2012.

“Yes a fellow employee who was a loss control region B supervisor committed suicide in Bulawayo. He had no fuel for his vehicle to move around, and as a result he borrowed money for that. The debts accumulated and the company failed to pay the debts yet he was doing its business,” Nharaunda said.

“He was also being threatened by the workers whom he caught doing wrong things. He received death threats. He once lodged a complaint over (the issue and requested) to be transferred. We even liaised with our management, but it resisted. We don’t know what happened, but eventually he committed suicide.”

Nharaunda said PSMI workers blamed their employer for failing to address their salary concerns. The company has for many months been at loggerheads with its employees over salary arrears.

Some of the workers are reportedly being evicted from their lodgings over rental arrears.

It is alleged that on February 6, Chatindivara wrote to the acting loss control manager Caesar Nyamajiwa telling him about the death threats he received for exposing theft at the company.

“On January 23, I submitted a report on the missing spare wheels, battery and the waste damaged properties vehicle NP200 with registration number AEN 0831, which I copied to Mr S Dhliwayo who forwarded the report to Sibonginkosi Ndlovu to respond. During the process, Ndlovu forwarded the report to Itai Mapasure who was not entitled to see it and after seeing it he started to hunt me and threatened to fight or kill me.

“Ndlovu had no right whatsoever in his capacity to release the confidential information to Itai. The case is still under investigation by investigation officer Constable Moyo from Bulawayo Central under reference number IR633/23,” he wrote.

He then sought urgent transfer to Harare saying he no longer felt safe working in the region but his request was shot down.

Meanwhile, PSMI workers have written to Health and Child Care minister Constantino Chiwenga requesting dissolution of the board for allegedly running down the company.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A 45 year old Chinese national appeared before Marondera magistrate, Esther Mabika, on Thursday last week facing charges of trying to smuggle 30 tonnes of lithium out of the country.

Lu Minghui of Msasa Harare was found in possession of fake documents to facilitate the transportation of the mineral from Bikita Minerals to Mozambique.

He was remanded to March 16 on $100 000 bail.

He was also ordered to surrender his passport and reside at his given Msasa address as part of the bail conditions.

According to court papers, on February 25, Minghui hired a haulage truck from Anter International Logistics to ferry petalite ore to Beira, Mozambique.

Lu then gave the transporting company some soft copy documents that showed that the mineral was being ferried from Bikita Minerals.

On February 28, upon reaching the 71-kilometre peg towards Marondera along the Harare-Mutare Highway, detectives intercepted the truck and discovered that it was ferrying petalite concentrate.

Bikita Minerals was then contacted and it disowned the documents, leading to Lu’s arrest.

Terrence Zenda represented the State.

By A Correspondent- A Harare man employed as finance manager at Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches in Zimbabwe was yesterday arraigned before magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure on a charge of stealing US$76 758 from the church coffers.

Taurai Simango (48) was remanded to May 4 after being granted $150 000 bail.

Allegations are that between January 30, 2020 and September 2021, Simango misrepresented to the church that he had paid cash to different suppliers, yet he had not paid anything.

To cover up his offence, Simango allegedly originated fake receipts purporting that he had obtained them from suppliers as proof of payment.

The money has not been recovered.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ally Pedzisai Scott Sakupwanya, who owns Better Brands, is reportedly engaged in secret mining at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, Manicaland province, despite closure of the mine by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) in January following reports of fatal accidents involving artisanal miners.

Since Friday last week, two deaths have been reported in Penhalonga, one of them at Redwing Mine.

Manicaland provincial  police spokesperson Inspector Nobert Muzondo confirmed the death of Eubret Pedro (37) and Kelvin Chapeta (36) in Penhalonga.

“On Friday at around 9pm, Eubret Pedro was in the company of his colleague Munashe Nyagura at Zaina Mine Shaft at Redwing Mine. Pedro went inside a 15-metre deep mine. His colleague became suspicious when Pedro took long to come out of the mine. Nyagura reported to the Redwing Mine security, who reported the matter to police in Penhalonga, who then retrieved the deceased’s body,” Muzondo said.

He had no visible marks. Maybe he suffocated or inhaled some gases. We have another sudden death which occurred on Sunday (March 5, 2023) of an illegal miner Kelvin Chapeta at Premier Central, Old Mutare in Penhalonga who was trapped in a mine shaft.”

However, Premier Central where Chapeta died is not in the Redwing Mine premises.

On reports of secret mining activities by Better Brands, Muzondo said: “We will make some investigations to find out whether it’s true or false, but ask them about it. We can’t comment on behalf of the company.”

EMA was forced to close the mine after pressure from civic society groups such as Centre for Research and Development (CRD), and Ziva Community Empowerment Trust who claimed that since 2020, over 100 deaths were recorded at the mine.

EMA Manicaland provincial boss Kingstone Chitotombe yesterday said the suspension was still in force.

The suspension of Better Brands mining in Penhalonga is still in full force. We suspended them on issues to do with mining safety and regulations and environmental degradation,” he said.

Former Mutasa South constituency legislator Regai Tsunga (Citizens Coalition for Change) confirmed that Better Brands was involved in secret mining at Redwing Mine.

EMA advised Better Brands to stop its mining operations over numerous deaths, but I have done my investigations and it seems they are mining unofficially. Just a few days ago, there were reported deaths, and there is an attempt by the company to suppress information on on-going mining operations. The safety of miners is not being considered,” Tsunga said.

Mutasa South MP Misheck Mugadza (Zanu-PF) confirmed the death of the miner at Redwing Mine.

“I know of the death of Eubret Pedro, and he is an ordinary miner. He does not mine for Better Brands. I bought a coffin for him. What I have gathered is that there are some illegal miners who are sneaking into the mine during the night and they start mining. EMA should allow mining activities to resume because the company is complying,” Mugadza said.

Redwing Mine manager Alexio Guyo yesterday refused to respond to questions from NewsDay.

“Let them write what they want and they will get tired. Currently, I have officials from the Ministry of Mines and EMA. My boss Scott Sakupwanya said write what you want,” he said.

Guyo alleged that reports that they were mining clandestinely were sponsored by unnamed politicians in connivance with some civic groups.

“It’s unfortunate that we have people who have been fighting us. This is politically motivated from the opposition,” Guyo said.

Better Brands was recently granted a licence by government to build Zimbabwe’s second gold refinery in Bulawayo.

Sakupwanya is a key Zanu-PF member and is expected to help finance the ruling party’s election campaign ahead of polls expected in August.

He has also been previously pictured with Mnangagwa at State House.

CRD director James Mupfumi said: “The culture of impunity orchestrated by greedy and political supremacy has replaced constitutionalism in Zimbabwe. Government is turning a blind eye to the continued deaths at Redwing because elements in the State security system and political elite are benefiting from gold plunder at Redwing Mine. To them, murder of desperate citizens by Better Brands’ dangerous mining pits doesn’t matter.”

-newsday

By A Correspondent- Suspended Gweru City Council (GCC) acting town clerk Mr Vakayi Douglas Chikwekwe is challenging his employer’s decision to suspend him, arguing that his suspension letter contradicts what is contained in the special council resolution.

Mr Chikwekwe was suspended last week following his arrest by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) for allegedly violating tender procedures resulting in companies Sheasham, Casas and Wackdrive winning tenders to service Mkoba 21 and Randolph Phase 1 suburb stands.

He appeared for initial remand before Gweru magistrate Ms Miriam Banda facing a charge of criminal abuse of office and was remanded out of custody to March 17 on $100 000 bail.

Soon after his arrest, GCC served Mr Chikwekwe with a suspension letter stating reasons, some of which include failure to coordinate, monitor and supervise all departments thereby resulting in employees working in silos and consequently affecting service delivery.

The council also stated that there was negligence of duty on Mr Chikwekwe’s part, which resulted in the council being prejudiced financially.

“There was gross incompetence on your part, and the council is greatly concerned about your continuous failure in discharging your duties diligently as expected resulting in the council failing to properly operate,” reads part of the suspension letter.

“You have flouted or violated Public Procurement and Debt Management Act, and there was a continuous exhibition of inconsistency in the discharge of your duties.”

The local authority has since appointed finance director Mr Livingstone Churu as the acting town clerk.

However, Mr Chikwekwe, through his lawyer Mr Admire Rubaya of Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners, has written

to the council seeking clarity and challenging the suspension.

Mr Rubaya said they are finding it difficult to explore legal options because of the contradictions in the two documents.

He argued that his client is just a council employee with no power to award any tender, adding that it was a collective decision by councillors during a special council meeting.

“Our client is concerned with clear selective amnesia on the part of the council members relating to the memorandum of agreements for the servicing of Mkoba 21 and Randolph Phase 1 by Sheasham, Casas and Wackdrive. It should be noted that our client is just a council official who does not make decisions during council meetings,” said Mr Rubaya.

He claimed that Mr Chikwekwe’s arrest is an abuse of the criminal justice system by political players for political expedience.

Mr Rubaya said Mr Chikwekwe had no role in the signing and awarding of the tenders as it was done by his predecessors.

He queried the decision to exonerate former Mayor Josiah Makombe who allegedly signed as the council representative.

“In the circumstances, where it is alleged that there was unlawfulness in the process of awarding the tender to Sheasham, Wackdrive and Casas, the million-dollar question is what about Cllr Makombe who signed the agreements as well?” quizzed Mr Rubaya.

“We will be approaching the High Court on an urgent basis if a special committee of inquiry set against him is not disbanded as it is made up of people who were part of the tender awarding process.”

Mr Rubaya said it is unjust and unfair for councillors to constitute the committee, arguing that his client would not have a fair disciplinary hearing.

“It is our client’s considered view that he did nothing wrong and neither did he act in any manner which can be adjudged to be criminal in terms of the laws of Zimbabwe. It seems as if the powers that be within the council are abusing the criminal justice system and Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission,” he said.

Mr Rubaya said Mr Chikwekwe said there are some councillors who are abusing their powers to protect themselves and have allegedly embarked on a frolic of their own to protect themselves.

“It is therefore clear that our client being a mere council employee has no vote in council or decision-making powers to pass council resolution. He did not make the decision to award the alleged tenders, but the council in its wisdom as constituted by 16 councillors made the ultimate decision to award the tenders to the specific companies,” said Mr Rubaya.

Council is yet to respond to the letter.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Hwange West Member of Parliament Mr Godfrey Dube has implored the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) to waiver entry fees into the Victoria Falls Rainforest for school children.

He was speaking after the National Association of Secondary Schools heads provincial athletics competitions that were held at Mosi-oa-Tunya High School in the resort city.

Mr Dube’s concerns came after hundreds of athletes from Matabeleland North’s seven districts unsuccessfully requested through the Nash leadership to be allowed free entry into the Rainforest.

He said learners should be allowed free entry so that they learn about the natural resources in the country, knowledge which is also critical in the new competency-based learning.

“While we celebrate Nash provincial athletics competitions were held here, I must say as the local MP I am so disappointed that all Matabeleland North athletes were gathered here but could not access the Rainforest.

“They asked through their teachers to be given free access to the Falls but were denied entry by Zimparks officials. I don’t think Zimparks would have made losses by allowing these kids free entry to view the national monument in their region,” he said.

Mr Dube said there is a need for stakeholders to consider the importance of children especially in school, learning about natural endowments in their areas.

He said he will escalate the issue to the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, and Parliament for a way forward.

“You tend to wonder where we are going as a nation If people are not allowed access to things that benefit them. It’s so disappointing and I will take the issue to the Minister (Environment),” he said.

Victoria Falls community has over the years expressed concern at various fora about the need to allow local school pupils free entry into the Falls especially when they are under the guidance of a school.

Mr Dube said this was the first-time hundreds of learners had gathered in Victoria Falls for a school event and could have been allowed free entry for their benefit.

He said Zimparks should closely look into the issue for the benefit of citizens who cannot afford to visit resorts on their own.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Government is in the process of recruiting 2 500 teachers and most of them will be deployed to rural areas where there is a critical shortage.

This was revealed by Primary and Secondary Education Ministry’s permanent secretary Mrs Tumisang Thabela during the presentation of the Secretary’s Bell to Kwekwe Primary School recently. Mrs Thabela said her ministry had given the green-light to recruit 2 500 teachers as it works to improve the teacher/pupil ratio.

“We are grateful to the Public Service Commission for allowing us to recruit more teachers. The recruitment process is underway and most of the new teachers will be deployed in rural areas where there is a critical shortage,” she said. Meanwhile, Mrs Thabela said the cycle of competence-based curriculum is under review to inform the next seven-year cycle.

“The ministry remains committed to promoting improved access to relevant and inclusive quality education for every learner regardless of gender, ethnicity or economic status. To this end, the ministry developed an updated curriculum which provides a comprehensive plan for a rapid and sustainable transformative system of education,” she said.

Mrs Thabela said climate change is now a reality and there is a need for pupils and teachers to come up with counter measures.

“One of the ministry’s priorities is to have schools implement the initiative of green and blue schools on issues around climate change. Due to incessant and ever changing climatic conditions, all staff and pupils are encouraged to be climate ready and come up with mitigatory measures that prevent the effects of climate-change,” said Mrs Thabela.

Government, she said, remains committed to ensuring schools have adequate water by drilling boreholes at schools.

She urged other schools to emulate Kwekwe Primary School which has a number of income generating projects that are being implemented by pupils and their teachers.

“The school has poultry, fish and mushroom farming projects that are not only imparting life skills to pupils but also generating income for the school. By being involved in such projects pupils acquire skills and competencies such as financial literacy which they can use to run their own business enterprises when they leave school,” said Mrs Thabela.

Kwekwe Primary was awarded the 2019 Secretary’s Bell for being the best primary school in the Midlands province and this is the second time that it has been presented with this prestigious award.

Mrs Thabela hailed parents for playing a role in the school’s development saying it was this good relationship between the school administration and the parents that was benefiting the pupils and the school.

Besides infrastructural development which includes a state-of-the-art ECD block, the well-equipped computer laboratory, paving and landscaping of the school as well as construction of fish ponds, fowl runs and pig sties, the school has been doing well academically as well. From 2017 to 2022, the school attained between 99 and 100 percent pass rate in Grade Seven results. School head, Mr Joseph Machingura said their aim is to continue winning the Secretary’s Bell.

‘I am happy to inform you that Kwekwe Primary School was presented with this Secretary’s Bell in 2013 and exactly five years later, it is back,” he said.

Mr Machingura said because of the good pass rates, more parents wanted their children to be enrolled at the school.

“We have 1 705  pupils and a staff complement of 43 teachers. There is a very high demand for places at this school because we offer quality education,” he said.

The school received computers, tablets and other ICT gadgets for winning the Secretary’s Bell.

Mr Machingura received a certificate in recognition of the good work he is doing. After presenting the Secretary’s Bell, Mrs Thabela commissioned a state-of-the-art ECD block recently built by parents.

-statemedia

By- Former MDC-T Harare Mayor Emmanuel Chiroto has declared that he will expose all strategies and inside information that binds the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) as the nation gears towards the harmonised 2023 elections.

Chiroto is now the President of the Urban Council Association in Zimbabwe, a Zanu PF appendage comprising failed opposition politicians.

The former Harare Mayor declared and vowed to help Zanu PF to a landslide victory while recently addressing Zanu PF party members in Mutare.
“It’s good to be home. We were welcomed with warm hands by our President Emmerson Mnangagwa. I will expose all the tricks that Chamisa (Nelson) plans to execute because l was once part of the opposition. Zanu PF will post a landslide victory this year,” said Chiroto.
He added that it’s pointless to continue opposing President Mnangagwa who is pushing for economic development and vision 2030 through National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
“I was also part of the gimmick’ Chinja Chinja’ but now l have changed from the yellow hand to the fist. I was once Mayor for Harare and l was also once a president for all mayors in Zimbabwe. It’s true we were part and parcel of the opposition but with the amount of work being done by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, why should one continue opposing?” he added.
Chiroto joins other disgruntled opposition figures like former Masvingo Urban legislator Tongai Matutu who has not rested on mission to destroy the opposition party (CCC) after defecting to Zanu PF.
Other members who have been roped in by the ruling party are Farai Nyandoro, Solomon Machingura, Simon Chidhakwa, Peter Matambo, Elison Samuriwo, Tiripai Chipondeni (formerly with NPF) and Gift Nyama.
Former MDC leader the late Morgan Tsvangirais blood brother Collins Tsvangirai was also among the latest returnees revealed during a party event held in Harare on February 10.
The event which laid on the “Kumusha/Home/Ekhaya” was graced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa who said that the ruling party was open for more returnees.
Other returnees who have been roped in are former Kwekwe Central MP Blessing Chebundo, Former ZINASU Spokesperson Tatenda Mandondo and Lilian Timveous who once held the Treasurer General post in MDC Alliance.
Chiroto’s and his family were once attacked and abducted by ZANU-PF supporters when he assumed the deputy mayor post in 2008. TellZimNews

By- The Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa has announced dates and venues for the registration of ZEP holders who need assistance to return to Zimbabwe. 

This comes as thousands of Zimbabweans are expected to return home on or before 30 June this year when the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits expire. 

In a notice seen by Pindula News, the Zimbabwean consulate in South Africa said those intending to return to Zimbabwe need to bring Birth Certificate registration, Passport application form processing, and Temporary Travel Document (TTD). Reads the notice:

The Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in South Africa wishes to recall its announcement on 2 February 2023 that the Government of Zimbabwe has taken a decision to assist and facilitate the repatriation of its nationals, holders of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEPs), who voluntarily wish to return home before the expiry of their permits on 30 June 2023. In that regard, an in-person/physical mapping exercise will be undertaken across all the nine provinces of South Africa from 12 to 31 March 2023, to identify and register ZEP holders and their dependants who may require assistance or facilitation to return to Zimbabwe.

The following consular services will also be provided during the exercise:

Birth Certificate registration, 

Passport application form processing, and 

Temporary Travel Document (TTD)

For ease of convenience, the schedule below indicates the centres for in-person registration:-

DATE …………… PROVINCE …… CITY …………… VENUE …………………………………………………… TIME ( 0900hrs-1500hrs)

14-17/3/23 …… Limpopo ………..Polokwane … Orpenview, 135 Orpen road. Polokwane 

20-22/3/23……North West …….Rustenburg … Hellenic Centre (Hellenic Community of Rustenburg) 128 Watsonia Avenue, Gelhout Park

25-27/3/23 … North West … Mahikeng ………. Mocoseng Sundown Resorts, 11542 Mocoseng Village, Mmabatho

29/3/23-1/4/23 …Gauteng … Johannesburg … Consulate of the Republic of Zimbabwe 13A Boeing Road, Bedfordview

13-15/3/23… Mpumalanga … Nelspruit …….. Oewesig Community Hall, Near Lowveld Show Grounds. Nelspruit 

16-8/3/23… Mpumalanga … Witbank…………. Gereformeerde IKerk Hoeveld Posbus 541, River Crescent Witbank 

By- The Meteorological Services Department has warned of severe storms from Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which they said was strengthening near the west coast of Madagascar.

In a weather report and forecast, MSD said winds are slowly strengthening over the south coast of Southern Africa. Reads the weather update:

ZIMBABWE EVENING WEATHER REPORT AND FORECAST ISSUED AT 1600 HRS SUNDAY 05 MARCH 2023 VALID UNTIL TUESDAY 07 MARCH 2023. 

The fringes of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone, now retreating northward towards Zambia, resulting in odd downpours in parts of Mashonaland Central Provinces, namely Shoni Village (100mm) in Madziwa [pronounced Madziva (near Bindura, Mashonaland Central)] and Mount Darwin (75mm). Bindura itself had 40mm. The rest of the atmosphere was generally sunny and hot today as the distant Tropical Storm Freddy (currently strengthening near the west coast of Madagascar, more than 1’000 km away) is drying out much of the atmosphere. Meanwhile, winds are slowly strengthening over the south coast of Southern Africa.

FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, MONDAY 06 MARCH 2023 

Besides the brief cloudy period in areas and odd showers in areas along the Zambezi Valley, much of the country should be mostly sunny and hot by day. Windy and mild conditions are anticipated towards evening; more felt over provinces such as Masvingo and Matabeleland South as well as southern parts of Manicaland.

IMPACTS

• Hot conditions increase dehydration and evapotranspiration

• Temperature fluctuations from very hot, to mild (seemingly cool) and warm, are to be anticipated. 

• Cloudy, Windy and mild day is to be expected on Tuesday over the southern areas. 

• Morning Drizzle might cause a minor disruption to outdoor activities on Tuesday morning.

ACTIONS TO TAKE

• Plan with the weather in mind in terms of dressing and activities to perform during the start of this week. 

• Keep hydrated and if there is a need to stay outdoors for a prolonged period, ensure to wear a sunhat or sunscreen. 

• Monitor plants and animals/pets for moisture and heat stress and act accordingly to reduce these impacts by watering or giving them adequate water to drink. 

• Insure crops against adverse weather such as hailstorms and flash flood damage that is common during this phase of the season.

WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR TUESDAY 07 MARCH 2023

Matabeleland South, southern areas of Midlands, Masvingo and Bulawayo Metropolitan! Provinces should be cloudy, windy and mild with light rain and drizzle in places. Brief cloudy periods and isolated thunderstorms are expected over Matabeleland North, northern parts of Midlands, Harare Metropolitan, all Mashonaland Provinces and Manicaland Provinces. It should be mild at first becoming warm by afternoon.