By A Correspondent- Veteran radio DJ Mark Pilgrim has died.

His death, at the age of 53, was confirmed in a statement from HOT 102.7FM. It said he passed away at home with his family.

“DJ Mark Pilgrim lost his battle with cancer this morning. He fought valiantly to the very end. Mark passed peacefully with his fiancée Adrienne at home.”

The star was known for hosting several radio shows on 5FM, 94.7 Highveld Stereo, 94.5 Kfm, Hot919 and HOT 102.7FM. He was working for HOT 102.7FM at the time of his death. He also hosted reality TV shows Big Brother South Africa, Big Brother Africa and game show Power of 10.

Pilgrim was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, which he later revealed had spread to his femur, the base of his spine and lymph nodes.

He was first diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1988. After surgery and months-long chemotherapy he was declared in remission. At the start of 2022, Pilgrim confirmed his cancer had returned.

“I’m not Chuck Norris. Yes, I am scared. I am also strong. Both emotions run parallel with each other. I’m under the care of incredible doctors and surrounded by love. This is my story. And there’s more chapters to come,” he said at the time.

He documented his journey from that point on, including his battle with Covid-19, recoveries from surgery and time spent with family.

He was determined to make the most of his remaining time and proposed to his partner Adrianne Watkins at the start of the year. Watkins had not left his side since the start of his cancer battle.

Those close to the star warned of fake rumours about his death spread on social media last month, after viral reports of a man with a similar name and surname died

Pilgrim’s family thanked all his friends and followers for their support and love.

“His family thank you for being part of his journey, for loving him, celebrating him and supporting him always.”

His passing has led to a flood of emotional tributes on social media.

— TimesLIVE

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF elements invaded a Citizens Coalition for Change constituency rally venue in Raffingora North was Sunday and started playing social soccer.

According to NewZimbabwe, the event which was supposed to take place at Raffingora Grounds had earlier been authorised by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).

However, daring Zanu-PF youths led by the party’s District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairman, Bywell Mbiri, stormed the stadium and started playing football claiming they had booked the venue ahead of CCC.

ZRP reportedly told CCC its hands were tied and could not render any assistance to clear the Zanu-PF elements so the opposition meeting could go ahead.

CCC interim provincial chairman, Ralph Magunje confirmed the blockade to the rally venue.

“We had notified the regulating authority who had cleared our rally, but to our utter surprise Zanu-PF supporters invaded the venue where we found them playing soccer claiming they had booked first,” Magunje told NewZimbabwe.

[5th March 2023]

Open Committee Meetings : Monday 6th to Thursday 9th March

The National Assembly Portfolio Committee meetings listed below for Monday 6th [morning and afternoon], Tuesday 7th [morning] and Thursday [morning] will be open to members of the public as observers only.  Members of the public proposing to attend a meeting should use the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue entrance to Parliament near Third Street and remember that IDs will be required to gain entry. 

There are NO Senate Thematic Committee meetings scheduled for this week or next, because the Senate is in recess until Tuesday 21st March.

Monday 6th March at 10 am

Portfolio Committee: Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services

Oral Evidence from (1) Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, (2) Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Board and (3)  Ministry of Finance and Economic Development on the Progress made towards the Implementation of  Economic Empowerment Programmes for Veterans of the Liberation Struggle launched by His Excellency President E. D. Mnangagwa in 2022.

Venue: Committee Room No. 1

Monday 6th March at 2 pm

Portfolio Committee: Budget, Finance and Economic Development

Oral evidence from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development on a Petition from ZiscoSteel Pensioners.

Venue: Senate Chamber

Portfolio Committee: Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare

Oral evidence from the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions on a Petition regarding the Violation of Constitution Rights as enshrined in section 65 of the Constitution and Non-alignment of Statutory Instrument to the Public Service Act.

Venue: Committee Room No. 1

Note by Veritas: Section 65 of the Constitution protects Labour Rights.  SI 1 of 2000, as amended, contains the Public/Civil Service Regulations.  The Constitution is available on the Veritas website [link]. 

Tuesday 7th March at 10  am

Portfolio Committee: Health and Child Care

Oral evidence from the Ministry of Health and Child Care officials on the 2022 Fourth Quarter Budget Performance Report.

Venue: National Assembly Chamber.

Comment:  Perhaps this evidence will throw light on the perennial problem of lack of essentials in Government hospitals – and whether the Ministry of Health and Child Care has been making timeous requests to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development for disbursements of budgeted funds; also, whether the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development has been making the requested disbursements timeously. 

Thursday 8th March at 10 am

Portfolio Committee: Primary and Secondary Education

Oral evidence from Permanent Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education on the Utilisation of the US$ 10 million allocated to it under the Special Drawing Rights received by Zimbabwe from the International Monetary Fund [IMF].

Venue: Government Caucus Room

bY a Correspondent- A Chitungwiza man is on the run after allegedly rɑp!ng his l0ver’s minor child.

The man was reported to have repeatedly rɑpǝd the four-year-old whenever his l0ver left him at the house with her since December last year.

The man was cohabiting with the mother of the tot at Mayambara village in Seke.

Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, said the little girl was referred to Chitungwiza Central Hospital for medical examinations.

“Police are investigating a case involving a minor aged 4 who was rɑpǝd several times by her mother’s l0ver,” said Insp Chakanza.

“The accused person, who is on the run, was reported to have been rɑp!ng the minor whenever her mother was away.

“The case came to light after the victim relocated this month to Unit D in Chitungwiza to stay with her grandmother.

“The grandmother noticed some discharge and the minor disclosed the abuse,” said Insp Chakanza.

— HMetro

By A Correspondent- A woman appeared in court for attempted infanticide after burying her new-born baby alive.

Mellisa Matafi was found guilty of attempted infanticide when she appeared before Harare magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure.

She was remanded out of custody to May 9 as the State awaits a medical report from hospital.

Facts are that on February 9 at around 5am, Matafi, who was a maid in Mt Pleasant, dug a pit and buried the baby in the garden.

Last Mafuwa, a security guard at the same house, noticed blood stains on the pavement and suspected that Matafi was hiding something. He also saw Matafi coming from the garden holding a hoe.

Mafuwa then reported to their employer, Hildaberta Rwambiwa, to check with Matafi as he had noticed some weird behaviour from her.

When Matafi was asked what she was hiding in the garden, she told Rwambiwa that she was experiencing heavy flows and was disposing blood clots.

Rwambiwa asked Matafi to remove the sand with her hands and her new-born baby was found alive. Rwambiwa took the baby to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and then reported the matter to the police.

Grace Mugocheke appeared for the State.

— HMetro

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.

By A Correspondent- The husband of a Cranborne woman who was found dead with her n!pples and nails ripped off last month, has appeared in court facing a charge of murdering her.

Fradreck Chasara appeared in the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing allegations of murdering his wife Faith Musonza, 36, on February 13.

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

Faith’s body was found in a drain near her house by Hatfield police.

From his narration, Chasara said he waited for his wife the whole night and was sh0cked when he was called to identify her body which had some parts missing.

On the day in question, it is believed Faith left work at around 7pm heading home to Cranborne.

Chasara said he called his wife to check on her at around 8pm, but the phone rang unanswered continuously.

He claimed her number suddenly became unreachable and he went to the bus stop hoping to find her, he told H-Metro.

A neighbour said prior to Faith’s death, Chasara had suspected that she was chǝat!ng.

He has remained the key suspect because it is said he caught his wife with a b0yfriend kiss!ng around December and he brought them to the house where he thoroughly bashed them.

The boyfriend was left for dead and rumours are that he could have masterminded the death of his wife over the issue. Some are saying, he allegedly hired some people to kill her.”

— HMetro

Tinashe Sambiri
The Red Sea is crossable …

This was said by CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa on Friday.

The CCC leader urged citizens to remain optimistic as the nation braces for the coming polls.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:

RESTORATION IS ONE OF OUR 5 KEY DELIVERABLES…We will restore citizens dignity, opportunity,respect,rights, freedoms,choice, confidence,discipline, order, rule of law., security & integrity of state institutions. To govern is to provide and protect, produce &feed! Blessed Friday

I FEEL VERY NEW! I’m renewed, #Thistime we’ve a new door. #Godisinit Wishing Zimbabwe a New Republic,a New Citizens Government and New leaders. Against all the odds,a New Great Zimbabwe is loading.Great plans & great policies coming to you. Be part of this coming yellow crazy!

By A Correspondent- Two Dotito men are assisting police with investigations following the death of their mother whom they took turns to assault.

Aleck Chandoza (40) and  Edison Chandoza (39) allegedly bashed their mother to death with logs.

Mashonaland Central province police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the case.

Allegations are that the duo pounced on their mother Midrone Manuwere (84) on February 26 and the mother  had visited her daughter Tawanda Chandoza (36) at Tsayi village in Dotito.

Armed with logs they fatally struck their mother accusing her of bewitching them.

The suspects stopped assaulting their mother after fellow villagers came to the scene.

Villagers tried to render first aid to Manuwere but it could not help.

Police warned people to avoid violence and seek counselling when ever they have disputes.

By A Correspondent- Six arrests have been made as part of a Home Office investigation into illegal working in the care sector.

Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams executed six warrants at properties on Alma Road, Southampton in a pre-dawn visit last Wednesday.

Immigration officers arrested six men and women of Botswanan and Zimbabwean origin on suspicion of immigration offences.

None of the suspects had permission to work in the UK. Four of those arrested are believed to be working within the care industry.

The suspects, aged between 30 and 55, were questioned. Three suspects have since been detained pending removal from the UK, while one agreed to leave the UK under the Voluntary Return Service (VRS). The VRS supports people in the UK without status, or those claiming asylum, who would like to return home voluntarily.

One person was detained by Immigration Enforcement for document offences. Another person was detained but later released on immigration bail.

The visit took place under Operation Brycem, a Home Office led investigation into illegal working in the care sector.

South Central Immigration Enforcement Assistant Director, Matt Wilkinson said:

“These arrests have prevented those without employment rights in the UK from working with vulnerable people, and ensured that people abusing our immigration laws are brought to justice.

“The success of this operation shows that we will stop at nothing to protect the vulnerable within our communities and take firm action against those who are profiting from exploitation.”

All employers in the UK have a responsibility to prevent illegal working. Employers can be jailed for five years and pay an unlimited fine if they are found guilty of employing someone they knew or had ‘reasonable cause to believe’ did not have the right to work in the UK.

Medical professionals can apply for a Health and Care Worker visa to allow them to work in the UK legally with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care.

Our Nationality and Borders Act will ensure the system is fair to those in genuine need and firm on those who seek to abuse it.

By A Correspondent- Eight Sobukhazi High School learners in Bulawayo were on Friday raided by police at a hideout in Entumbane suburb, with some escaping through the window as law enforcement agents approached.

The eight — four girls and four boys — are alleged to have skipped school which is situated at Mzilikazi suburb, and camped at a house where one of them lives with his mother who was away at work.

It is not clear what they were doing in the house. Concerned residents, who saw the learners trooping into the house during school hours, tipped off police at Entumbane Police Station who attended the scene, but six of the learners escaped through a window when they saw the police officers, with the two remaining girls later exposing their counterparts.

“The pupils were in their school uniforms which then raised suspicion among neighbours who then reported the matter at Entumbane Police Station. When the police raided the house, six of them escaped through a window.

However, they were exposed by the two remaining pupils. On being interrogated the pupils denied having been engaging in a ƨǝx romp, with the girls claiming they had passed by the boy’s house so as to change attire to attend a sports event at White City Stadium.

However, when their bags were searched no clothes were found and investigations revealed that they had not even attended school on the said day,” said the source.

School officials are said to have been called to the scene and are handling the matter internally. Contacted for comment, Sobukhazi High School head, Mr Cain Ncube confirmed the issue but said they were still talking to the concerned pupils so as to get to the bottom of the issue.

Yes, we received that report but we are still trying to understand what really transpired. What concerns us is that these children were in school uniform. We are honestly getting a number of stories but the bottom line is that these pupils were not exactly caught in the act, therefore it becomes difficult to say they were in an orgy.

Another story is that the girls just wanted to change into their civilian clothes so that they can attend sports at White City Stadium. So, for now, we cannot really say what they were doing, being caught, yes, they were caught, but as to what they were doing, we cannot say for sure,” said Mr Ncube.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed that police attended the scene.

Police received a tip-off that something was taking place at a house in Entumbane but when they got there, they found nothing,” said Asst Insp Msebele.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will from tomorrow embark on a countrywide exercise, engaging schools and various stakeholders to find out what could be done to solve the issue of drug and substance abuse, violence, bullying, and teenage prǝgnɑncies within the schools. Director of communication and advocacy in the Ministry, Mr Taungana Ndoro said they have since noted the need to up their response to the number of ills that were taking place within schools.

Drug and substance abuse, gang violence and the holding of Vuzu parties have been a cause of concern among schools in Bulawayo. Last month, a Form Four Founders High School pupil, Wayne Ndlovu (16), was stabbed to death by a learner from Hamilton High School. The 17-year-old Hamilton High School pupil was locked up and his case is still before the courts.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Judith Ncube said it was embarrassing that Bulawayo schools have become known for the bad things, highlighting that only two schools made it to the top hundred schools in the country last year. The two are St Columbus and Maranatha High School.

— Sunday News

By A Correspondent- Parliament has summoned Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga to give a ministerial statement on the chaos at Premier Service Medical Aid Society (Psmas), as well as inform the nation why the public health system is crumbling given that major hospitals are operating without critical life-saving equipment.

Chiwenga doubles as Health and Child Care minister.

The matter was first raised on Wednesday by Bulawayo South MP Jane Nicola Watson who was supported by independent

Norton legislator Temba Mliswa and Nkayi South legislator Stars Mathe.

Earlier, Muchineripi Chinyangana, the MP for Kadoma Central, had decried lack of government’s commitment to providing cancer-treatment machines in major hospitals despite a public outcry over the years.

In raising the call for Chiwenga to be summoned to appear in Parliament with a ministerial statement, Watson said the move was long overdue given that the health system was in dire straits.

“It has been requested that the minister of Health comes with a comprehensive statement on the state of the health delivery service in the public sector and I think it is long overdue. These questions should be answered because I do not think it only applies to cancer machines but I think the public health service delivery is collapsing,” she said.

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda at that stage asked Chiwenga’s deputy, John Mangwiro, to comment.

“Honourable minister, are you acquiescing to the request?” Mudenda asked, upon which Mangwiro responded: “Yes honourable Speaker, we agree to the request but with your permission, I do not endorse the statement that the health system is collapsing. We have as we speak the lowest number of Covid-19 deaths and lowest figure of cholera deaths. That statement cannot be sustained by facts.”

Mliswa rose on a point of order and called for Chiwenga to include explanations on the dire situation at Psmas in his ministerial statement to be presented to the National Assembly.

Said the Norton MP: “With all due respect, I think the issues of health are very sensitive. We are paying Psmas as we speak but we cannot be treated. I think with, due respect, the health delivery system is not performing well. We are all paying Psmas and money is being deducted throughout the civil service but there is nowhere to go. All the Psmas hospitals are closed,” Mliswa said.

“I think I should add to what should be addressed in the ministerial statement. Can the minister also talk about why the Psmas hospitals are closed yet people are paying Psmas every month?

“What has government done to ensure that all of us who are sick can go to another hospital where we can be looked after because people are not getting the needed attention and they are dying?

“If he can include that, especially the Psmas issue which we are all beneficiaries of. I do not know why members of Parliament were clapping yet you know that when we are sick we cannot fly but he is a minister and he can fly out.

“We have to deal with hospitals here. So, I am actually ashamed that you [fellow MPs] are actually busy clapping when you know that you can die here without receiving treatment. The ministers will be flown outside.”

Mathe agreed that in his ministerial statement Chiwenga should include the aspect raised by Mliswa.

“Thank you, honourable Speaker. We will do that [bringing of Chiwenga ministerial statement],” promised Chiwenga’s deputy, Mangwiro.

Psmas medical aid holders have been failing to get healthcare services, with the company hitting hard times amid allegations by union leaders that senior government officials want to sink the medical services provider, so that it can be acquired cheaply by politically connected persons.

The entity runs a chain of hospitals, clinics and laboratories with 126 service centres across the country but its service delivery plunged to record low levels since mid-last year and the company has since closed some of its outlets.

The problems of cash crunch at the entity started when top officials looted its public funds. Psmas has over the years been looted by politically connected persons, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George
Charamba.

In 2015, it emerged that Charamba, a former Psmas board member, received US$228 278 between 2009 and 2013 in board fees and allowances, which was extraordinarily exorbitant.

According to an Ernst and Young forensic investigation on the use of Psmas funds draft report of 2015 addressed to Psmas interim manager Gibson Mhlanga at that time, a total of US$2 438 000 was spent on board directors’ remuneration.

In another scandal that also drained the entity, former chief executive officer Curthbert Dube pocketed a staggering US$460 000 monthly as a basic salary, among other unbelievable perks.

In September last year, five Psmas executives were arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) anti-corruption unit on various allegations that include theft, fraud and forgery involving millions of dollars.

The officials are medical services chief executive officer Farai Muchena, managing director Tafadzwa Gutu, Victor Chaipa, Cosmas Mukwesha and Shingai Mabuto. They appeared before regional magistrate Taurai Manuwere.

The financial constraints at the entity have now affected the welfare and working conditions of employees.

The Premier Service Medical Investments (PSMI) employees last month resorted to holding prayer vigils at PSMI’s Parkview Hospital in Harare, demanding their outstanding salaries and pleaded with President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene to resolve the impasse with their employer.

PSMI national workers’ council committee chairperson Munyaradzi Nharaunda told the media at that time that they had exhausted other channels of communication with the authorities, including writing to Psmas director Nixjoen Mapesa.

Last week a video went viral showing Psmas workers breaking into tears after being retrenched without receiving exit packages or outstanding salaries.

“We have been silent for a long time. Most of the time we could go to Christmas without salaries but we were quiet hoping our company would grow. Now they are neglecting us. They did not tell us when they will cover our salaries,” a lady’s voice is heard in the video.

-Newshawks

By A Correspondent- A syndicate of fake driver’s licence fraudsters claiming to be working for and with Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) officials are on the prowl and are using digital platforms to dupe people of money ranging from US$250 to US$350 for the production of a driver’s licence.

Police have warned citizens and would-be vehicle licence holders to be wary of the syndicate, saying people should follow the proper way of getting driver’s licences. The syndicate which is  operating on social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook advertises its services and provides contact details of the go-to person. The syndicate say they can facilitate the processing of a learner’s licence, vehicle licences from classes one to four, re-tests, medicals, and international drivers’ permits.

“Too busy working or you have failed over and over again, the provisional writing or road test and you have given up. Serious VID backdoor deals,” reads part of the advert.

The licences range from US$250 to US$350 depending on the class one needs. A Sunday News reporter posed as a potential customer for a Class Four driver’s licence and contacted a man who said he could process the document from Harare Eastlea Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) depot. The agent said he wanted US$200 for the metal licence disc and certificate of competence to be processed and delivered to Bulawayo.

The reporter asked about how she would do the standard procedure of being tested physically at the depot and going through all the required procedures, and the agent said it was not necessary as the licence would be delivered without undergoing any of the processes. As a way of inducing this reporter further, the agent went on to send a copy of a blank certificate of competence that he was going to fill in and send as soon as payment was made.

“If ready I need this (sic) details. Picture of ID, a passport-sized photo, picture of your signature,” he said in a WhatsApp message.

After the conversation, the agent who seemed desperate made a telephone call a day later asking when he would get paid and requested that it be sent so that ‘”processing” could start, which the reporter promised to send via a local mobile money platform.

Undeterred, on the fifth day following the commencement of the conversation, the agent requested a down payment of US$60 so that he could process the licence and requested the personal details of the reporter while awaiting the funds. The agent said the licence would be delivered after the total amount was sent to him and seemed annoyed that the reporter was taking time to send the processing fee.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the fraudsters were on the prowl and warned the public against engaging in illegal acquisition of such documents.

“These are fraudsters that need to be brought to book and we want people with information regarding these people to come forward and assist with any information so that they may face the law,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said the public must also be on high alert and not respond to social media adverts of this nature.

“The public should not respond to social media adverts of such nature, they must not partake in these illegal and criminal activities, instead they must assist the police to locate such criminals,” he said.

He submitted that people who acquire fake driver’s licences were among those causing carnage on the country’s roads.

“People who are buying fake licences from fraudsters like those operating on social media are the reasons why there are many accidents on the roads. These untrained drivers do not know road rules and they don’t respect them. They have no regard for the safety of other road users,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

=

By A Correspondent- Legislators say Energy minister Soda Zhemu is painting a misleading picture of Zimbabwe’s energy situation, which they say is worsening despite his numerous assurances.

In the final quarter of 2022, Zimbabweans experienced severe load-shedding after the live water storage at Lake Kariba fell below power generation levels, prompting a suspension of operations by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), after Zimbabwe had exhausted its allocation for the year.

Rolling power cuts lasting up to 18 hours have continued into 2023, affecting businesses and residents countrywide.

By contrast, Zimbabwe’s northern neighbour, Zambia, with whom it shares electricity generation at Kariba Dam last month announced an end to load shedding.

Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (Zesco) managing director announced at a Press conference that Zambian households and businesses would enjoy access to electricity 24 hours a day.

“We are proud to announce that Zambia will no longer experience load-shedding,” Mapani said.

“Thanks to our efforts in restoring and upgrading our power generation facilities, Zambian households and businesses can now expect a reliable source of 24-hour electricity.”

Mapani said improvements in power generation came as a result of several initiatives, including the revamping of the Victoria Falls Power Station and upgrades at the Kafue Gorge Upper and Lower power stations, which generated an additional 170 megawatts.

He also revealed that Zesco was intending to increase power generation at Lake Kariba from the current 250 megawatts to 350MW. This increase in power generation is expected to be realized due to the recent rise in water levels at the dam.

Responding to questions regarding load shedding in the National Assembly this week, Zhemu said that the country has good potential to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, which will help in ending load shedding.

Parliamentarians however dismissed his explanation, highlighting he had repeated the same statement several times.

“The government has a whole policy that was launched in 2019 – the National Renewable Energy Policy. It articulates how we will transition from the use of fossil fuels to renewable energy. We have very good potential for generation in Zimbabwe from solar; also wind is being ascertained as to what potential can be harnessed from wind. We also have the biogas that is also being articulated from the same Renewable Energy Policy,” said Zhemu.

“Mr Speaker, the same policy comes with some incentives especially to the private sector knowing that government alone cannot carry the load. The private sector has been invited to participate, especially in the area of power generation, which they can sell to the power utility as the off-taker or directly to consumers of their preference.

“So, we have a whole policy that speaks to how we shall transition to clean energy sources that are mostly renewable.”

He also said that the country is exploring gas-to-energy projects that can be undertaken within the country, especially with the prospects of getting gas from the Muzarabani area.

However, this did not convince some legislators who said Zhemu has been reading from the same script over the past years.

In response to measures outlined by Zhemu to counter load shedding, Binga North MP Prince Dubeko Sibanda said Zhemu was beating about the bush whilst failing to tackle the important question.

“With all respect, I am quite sure that if the honourable minister intended to give a ministerial statement, he should have done so. This is no longer answering a question, he is basically doing what he was supposed to do before the question was given.

“So I propose that if the honourable minister wants to give a statement, then let him do that, but for now let him attend to questions rather than giving a long, winding speech.”

Zhemu has also been asked to present a ministerial statement with regards to areas that have benefitted from the government’s rural electrification programme.

“I would like to request the minister to bring a ministerial statement stating the areas where they have supplied electricity because other areas have poles only.

“I heard the deputy minister saying the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) does not have money but every time when we do the budget, REA has cash that they take because it is self-funding.

“I would like to request the minister to bring a ministerial statement on the issue to do with REA because it helps with rural electrification but we cannot have electricity,” said Paurine Mpariwa, a proportional representation MP.

According to the ministry of Finance and Economic Development blue book, REA spent ZW$9.6 billion and is expected to spend ZW$61.9 billion this year.

Despite the presence of the policy on making a transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy, Zimbabwe has been struggling to implement due to a combination of policy failure and botched deals.

For instance, in 2015, Intratrek, a company Energy minister Soda Zhemu owned by Harare businessman Wicknell Chivayo, won a US$193 million tender to build a 100MW solar project, an ambitious plan aimed at easing pressure on the dilapidated Hwange and Kariba power stations, but the project has failed to take off, eight years later.

This year, Harare City Council penned a US$344 million waste-to-energy deal at Pomona dumpsite in Harare projected to add 22MW to the national grid through waste processing.

The scandal has however sparked a public outcry, with residents and stakeholders saying it provides evidence of corruption by the government in cahoots with MDC-T councillors.

By A Correspondent- After being arraigned before the courts over fraud and theft, Felistas “Mai Titi” Murata’s estranged husband Tinashe Maphosa resurfaced and has created a crowdfunding platform to rescue the popular comedienne.

Murata appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court on Thursday facing fraud and theft of trust property charges after she borrowed US$10 000 from a local businesswoman and surrendered a hired vehicle as collateral security.

Murata (36) appeared in separate courts and was granted free bail on both charges.

In the fraud case, she was remanded to April 20 while the theft of trust property matter was remanded to March 21.

On Friday her Diaspora-based husband surprised all and sundry when he posted a picture of Mai Titi on their wedding day posing with her in-laws.

Misunderstandings do happen,” posted Maphosa on social media platform Facebook.

“Life is not kind to all of us.

While you might be lucky enough to live a comfortable life, you won’t be able to help everyone in need, but your gesture, no matter how small, will definitely make a difference.”

“Always have a willing hand to help someone, you might be the only one that does.”

Maphosa also posted details of Murata’s banking details.

Mai Titi and Maphosa made headlines after they splashed over US$100 000 on a wedding held at Royal Gates in Chisipite in April last year.

However, after the wedding the marriɑge became shaky that at some point the comedienne regretted marrying Maphosa.

Mai Titi is said to have used money from her own coffers to fund the wedding.

— The Standard

By A Correspondent- A-five year old boy’s alleged ƨǝxuɑl misconduct has caused some misunderstanding between Harare neighbours who have taken the matter to the civil courts.

One of the parents of the affected child (names withheld to protect the minors) this week approached Harare magistrate Tamara Chibindi to seek a peace order against her neighbour who she accuses of insulting, assaulting and threatening to kill her. The offending neighbour was accused of refusing to entertain complaints by her neighbour over her five-year-old son’s misconduct.

“I have come to apply for a peace order against this woman because she is threatening my peace. She confronted me and I refused to entertain her and walked back to my house. She continued to follow me. I got into my bedr00m and locked myself inside, but she started shouting saying that she was going to kill me and nothing will happen to her because her husband is a police officer,” the parent told Chibindi.

In her defence, the mother of the five-year-old boy denied the allegations, saying her neighbour was the one provoking her after accusing her son of indulging in ƨǝxuɑl play with her minor daughter.

Your honour, I have never gone to her house with a knife or assaulted her. The problem she has with me is that I refused to discipline my son when she came to tell me that she had seen him the previous day doing ƨǝxuɑl stuff with her daughter. I told her that she should have reported the issue to me the day it happened because if I discipline the child now he will not understand the reasons why I am doing so,” the five-year-old’s mother said.

She added that the applicant had previously approached her along with other people in the community to accuse her son of ƨǝxuɑlly abusing their minor children.

“They came to my house and this other woman told me that her daughter had developed a rash on her privɑtǝ parts following the ƨǝxuɑl misconduct she had with my son. I told her that I did not believe her words, adding that if they see it fit they must go to the police to report a rɑpǝ case against my minor child,” she said.

Chibindi granted the peace order.

— NewsDay

By A Correspondent- A Hatfield couple had a verbal showdown in the civil court yesterday over ownership of a tuckshop.

Joanna Gasa claimed that she was the owner of the tuckshop and was seeking to bar her husband Calista Mushipe from running the business.

Gasa accused Mushipe of misusing funds from the business venture.

She told magistrate Tamara Chibindi: “I am the owner of the tuckshop, but he recently started insulting me and our customers. He forces me to close the tuckshop because he wants to give the money to his several prostitutes.

Mushipe also said he was the rightful owner of the tuckshop.

He accused his wife of forcefully taking profits and using them for selfish ends.

“I am the one who owns the tuckshop. Our son is the one who sells things in the tuckshop. She goes to him to demand the profits and hides the money from me,” he said.

Chibindi then asked the husband to explain why he was finding it difficult to let his wife run business.

“I don’t trust her ever since she started taking away the money,” he responded.

The court ruled in favour of the wife and ordered the husband to stop disturbing her from running the business.

— JewsDay

By A Correspondent- Businessman Shingi Munyeza has been arrested for allegedly defrauding a Harare woman of US$85 000.

According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Munyeza was arrested this Friday night on allegations that in January this year, defrauded a woman of some US$85 000 she had received as a severance package from her former employer.

Munyeza allegedly convinced the complainant to give him the money as an investment while promising to return US$100 000 by the end of January.

Munyeza however failed to pay back the money prompting the complainant to report the matter to the police who arrested him

By A Correspondent- You would expect women and school children to be the only ones who walk home in groups to protect themselves from a violent armed robber but in the Empandeni area in Mangwe District, men can also be seen merging to discourage the gun-toting assailant, who shattered the serenity of the rural community, from attacking them.

Rural life is usually a simple affair punctuated by the early morning acoustic chorales of livestock, young kids running to school and the friendly voices of neighbours greeting one another on the way to their fields.

But life in the small villages of Empandeni turned upside down when news spread around the community that two schoolgirls — one in Form Three and the other in Form Four at Empandeni Girls High School — had been shot by an unknown assailant.

The trigger-happy gunman had allegedly tried to rob the two teenagers of their cellphones, which they were using to take pictures of a spilling dam near their school. For a community that rarely bears witness to violent crime, news of a gun toting assailant gone berserk in their village shattered the tranquillity they are used to, sending shivers down the spines of villagers that the man might be back to attack them.

The closest many of the villagers have seen a gun, a dangerous weapon that can cut short the life of a person in the blink of an eye is in movies on television.

Less than a kilometre from the main gate of Empandeni Girls High School is an average-sized dam — a source of water for the villagers’ livestock and a fishing spot for the locals — that is easily accessible from all directions via interweaving dusty trails.

Indigenous trees, lush green grass and shrubs around the dam coupled with water lilies that grow on the water give the area a picture postcard ambience that draws learners of the school to the perfect setting for selfies and photos.

On the fateful day, the two girls were doing just that, taking selfies of the spilling dam whose capacity couldn’t hold more water due to the incessant rains that pounded the area. The teenagers would undoubtedly post the photos on social media for their friends and classmates to envy.

Suddenly from nowhere, a man unknown to the girls, pounced on them demanding that they hand over their smartphones.

According to Ephraim Mambo, a neighbourhood watch committee member who works closely with the local police and one of the first villagers to attend the scene of the shooting, the girls flatly refused to hand over their gadgets.

“The man was riding a bicycle when he approached the girls and demanded that they hand over their mobile phones and they refused. The man is said to have pinned down one of the children on the ground trying to wrestle the phone from her.

“The other girl started running in the direction of the main road, screaming for help and that’s when the attacker let go of the child who was on the ground. She also reacted quickly and ran away and that’s when she was shot in the leg,” said Mambo.

After shooting the learner, the assailant escaped on his bicycle. In no time news that two innocent kids had been attacked started making rounds in the community and a search party was immediately organised to try and apprehend the assailant.

“Four off-duty soldiers who are young men that grew up here quickly mobilised each other to catch the man but unfortunately it was getting dark and he had made good his escape because he knew the community would be baying for his blood.

“I’m a father myself and the sight of two terrified children shot in a senseless attack really broke my heart. They are just children who were minding their business and for them to be attacked like that is horrible.

“The villagers are living in fear, we don’t know whether the attacker will come back and people are suspicious of strangers because no one except the girls can identify the man. So, every stranger is a suspect in the eyes of the villagers. Even grown men are moving in groups, that’s how much people here are terrified after the shooting,” he added.

The girls were admitted to hospital, treated and discharged.

A team of detectives from Plumtree Town together with local police attended the scene and recovered one shell casing from the fired gun. The shell casing is an important piece of evidence that will tie the gunman to the incident when and if he is caught through ballistics analysis.

When the Saturday Chronicle news crew visited the school, tensions were visibly high at the educational institution’s grounds where six primary schools were taking part in an athletics competition.

Parents were in attendance to cheer their children on and also to accompany them back home as the shooting incident is still fresh in their minds.

Sibongile Ncube, a parent to two school-going, said they are now forced to walk their young kids to and from school.

“If the man can shoot a young girl for a cellphone, who knows what he will do to a grown woman or even kids in lower classes who won’t be able to outrun him from their way to school or back home.

“Parents are now accompanying kids to school and we also move in groups for a better fighting chance if he attacks again.

Since the day of the attack, I have not gone into the bush to collect firewood. It’s too scary. Our wish is that the police quickly arrest the man and maybe our lives can go back to normal,” said Ncube.

In a case of mistaken identity, a local villager tipped off the police that an injiva, who had just arrived from South Africa, was bragging at a local bar that he owned a gun.

I guess the police had no choice but to take every lead seriously so the injiva was taken for questioning in Plumtree but was released after the victims stated that he was not the man that attacked them. The shooting incident is now causing friction among villagers because no one trusts the other and total strangers are viewed as suspects,” said Mambo.

A short walk from the dam is the main dusty road used by buses, vehicles and scotch carts that leads to the shopping centre. One young man, who was drinking in the company of his friends, says that gone are the days when he would stagger home alone at night after drinking.

“We wait for each other and move in pairs or even groups. It’s no longer safe to walk home from the bar when there is a man moving around our villages with a gun,” he said after asking not to be named.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena said a manhunt for the gunman is underway but warned the community not to approach the suspect as he is considered armed and dangerous.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Zimdancehall chanter, Winky D, born Wallace Chirumiko, was Saturday night dragged off stage by police while performing in Chitungwiza.

The incident happened moments after he performed Ibotso, a song from his latest album, Eureka Eureka.

Police officers, some in plain clothes, surrounded Winky D before they dragged him off stage just after 10 PM, according to ZimLive.

Thousands of fans at Dam View Chikwanha Blue Roof Grill and Bar sang ‘Siyayi Gaffa’ in support of the Musarova Bigman hitmaker.

Winky D was sharing the stage with several other musicians including Saintflowmusic and Tocky Vibes.

The 40-year-old’s recent songs reflect Zimbabweans’ daily struggles including poverty, corruption and unemployment.

His songs have created enmity between himself and authorities in Harare who believe he is a mercenary sent to champion the regime change agenda through music.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he is excited by the return of skilled Zimbabweans who went abroad to seek economic refuge in other countries on different occasions since the turn of the millennium.

He said their exposure to more economically advanced countries will be significant to Zimbabwe which he said has embarked on a major construction drive evident in the construction boom across the country. 

President Mnangagwa made the remarks in this week’s article of his column in The Sunday Mail.

He also said the country’s economic growth had spurred heightened construction activity. Mnangagwa said:

Even factories — which the economic downturn had reduced to a tumble-down, derelict state — are now undergoing renovation or getting replaced by entirely new, modern structures which are second to none.

Even more pronounced has been private constructions, especially residential. Zimbabweans, including those in the diaspora, have been building homes of all sizes: from start-ups to family homes and even mansions.

This, he said, underlines the fact that the rural-urban nexus is now reciprocal and mutually reinforcing.

President Mnangagwa added that the return of skilled Zimbabweans is exciting since it coincides with the growth in the construction industry. He added:

Thankfully, our tertiary institutions now have the capacity to deliver these specialised skills to the construction industry, thus taking it to a higher level.

I am also happy that more such skills are repatriating themselves back home after years of invaluable exposure in more advanced jurisdictions.

The president said a number of initiatives are required if the economy is to profit from bigger multipliers. He said these measures include:
i). the need to control inflation,
ii). incorporate new technology,
iii). tame unofficial settlements,
iv). provide basic amenities,
v). densification of settlements and
vi). provision of social amenities for rural settlements.

He also emphasised the need to insure rural homes against risks and provide mortgages suitable for all.

Thousands of Zimbabweans are set to come back home in June from South Africa when their Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEPs) expire.

By A Correspondent- Police in Bulawayo have launched a manhunt for yet to be identified assailants from Happy Valley Mine area in Hope Fountain who allegedly killed a 30-year-old man last week leaving him with missing toes.

The incident was triggered by a mine shaft dispute. Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident saying they were looking for the 30 accused male adults who ambushed the now deceased Dumo Moyo while he was in the company of the 23-year-old complainant from Nkulumane 5 in Bulawayo. The complainant had a misunderstanding with the accused persons over a mine shaft where they were illegally mining.

Later on, during the night, the accused persons ambushed the unsuspecting complainant armed with machetes, axes, and knobkerries while he was in the company of the now deceased while on their way home. Police said one of the accused persons hit the complainant with a stone on the left knee and on the head with an unknown object while others attacked him with machetes. The complainant managed to escape from the scene leaving the now deceased Moyo at the mercy of the gang.

Efforts to run away were thwarted while they paid no attention to his cries as villagers who heard him pleading for help could not intervene in fear of being attacked as well. They attacked him with machetes and axes all over the body.

The complainant made a report to the police and was referred to Mpilo Central Hospital to receive treatment for the injuries that he had sustained. The body of the now deceased was found in the bush with deep cuts all over the body and some toes missing.

We appeal to members of the public with information that may lead to the arrest of the accused persons. The accused persons are wanted in connection with murder and attempted murder cases. Members of the public with information may contact any nearest police station. Cases of violence involving artisan and illegal miners are now a cause for concern and we are intensifying efforts to arrest such cases,” said Insp Ncube.

Meanwhile, Happy Valley Mine has been under attack from illegal miners and thieves, who have gotten away with unspecified amounts of gold ore. Some of the accused persons have cases pending in court.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Zimdancehall chanter, Winky D, born Wallace Chirumiko, was Saturday night dragged off stage by police while performing in Chitungwiza.

The incident happened moments after he performed Ibotso, a song from his latest album, Eureka Eureka.

Police officers, some in plain clothes, surrounded Winky D before they dragged him off stage just after 10 PM, according to ZimLive.

Thousands of fans at Dam View Chikwanha Blue Roof Grill and Bar sang ‘Siyayi Gaffa’ in support of the Musarova Bigman hitmaker.

Winky D was sharing the stage with several other musicians including Saintflowmusic and Tocky Vibes.

The 40-year-old’s recent songs reflect Zimbabweans’ daily struggles including poverty, corruption and unemployment.

His songs have created enmity between himself and authorities in Harare who believe he is a mercenary sent to champion the regime change agenda through music.

By A Correspondent- Teenagers of schoolgoing age take turns to go into a secret hide-out located in Hatfield, Harare, on a Saturday.

The girls are dressed in all sorts of skimpy tight fitting clothes, while their male counterparts are clad in hip-hop drip fashion wear.

At the gate, young boys take turns to vet young teens before they allow them into their secret party. In Bulawayo, they call such gatherings vuzu parties.

The occasion has strictly been planned through WhatsApp groups and it is one of the vuzu parties which have become popular with teenagers nowadays.

Vuzu parties are wild indoor gatherings organised by teenagers with activities that include beer drinking binges, drugs, and unprotected ƨǝx — at times with multiple partners.

The teenagers self-fund the party often without the knowledge of their parents. Usually, the wild parties happen at homes where the parents are overseas.

Investigations by NewsDay Weekender showed that the parties are responsible for introducing young people to the world of ƨǝx and drugs.

Zimbabwe’s health demographic indicates that nearly 40% of girls and 24% of boys are ƨǝxuɑlly active before they reach the age of 18.

“We do all kinds of games which often lead to drug abuse and ƨǝx,” one of the teens at the Hatfield party told the reporter who attended the party under cover.

Some of the competitions during the party according to several teenagers are ƨǝx master, twerking queen, drug king and booze master.

“The one who has managed to sleep with several girls on the day is crowned ƨǝx master, while the drug king is the one who has managed to take in a lot of skunk (marijuana),” the teen said.

“Once they get introduced to the world of drugs through these parties, they get hooked and it will be the start of an addiction,” psychologist Arnold Dzvova said.

Investigations by NewsDay Weekender showed that most of the house parties which degenerate into drug abuse and steamy ƨǝx sessions are either hosted on hired venues, or houses where parents are living in the diaspora.

A flat along Livingstone Avenue in Harare has become famous for hosting these illicit gatherings. Teenagers book a room for US$40 per night.

Sheila (19), who fled home when she was just 10 years old to live in Harare’s streets, said she would abuse drugs and ƨǝx as protection from gangsters.

“I had problems with my relatives when my parents died, and I decided to leave home in 2013. I was just 10. In the streets, there are gangsters and I had to join one for my protection. We usually took drugs as a coping mechanism and to fight the biting winter temperatures. I had to slǝǝp with the gang leader so that I get protection,” she said.

Sheila is part of six former drug addicts who have turned a leaf through the support of a local pentecostal church.

Regional Psychological Support Initiative Zimbabwe country director Sibusisiwe Marunda said most teenagers are introduced into such vices by friends.

Many young people are introduced to drug and substance abuse by friends and peers through negative peer pressure which can be direct and indirect. If one keeps the company of friends who have negative habits such as drug and substance abuse, the likelihood of being persuaded to indulge in negative habits is high,” Marunda wrote in an Op-Ed in NewsDay earlier this week.

Marunda urged teachers to be vigilant when dealing with the scourge of drug and underage ƨǝx.

“Schools in their loco parentis role need to realise they have a big role to ensure the learners wellbeing and prevent the onset of negative coping mechanisms. Urgent guidance and counselling sessions should, if this is not already happening, include dialogue about drug and other substance abuse.”

Nigel Hove, who is a teacher at a local boarding school said it was common for pupils to smuggle beer and drugs into school premises, and usually the students become violent.

“We have witnessed a lot of commotion caused by these youths when they get high; we had to call the police to intervene. The headmaster was left with no choice, but to expel them from school. Some have been caught having ƨǝx,” Hove said.

According to a recent study by Shamwari YemwanaSikana (SYS), a local community-based organisation that seeks to promote the rights and empowerment of the girl child in the home, school and community, most young girls below the legal age of consent to ƨǝx were falling prey to ƨǝx work owing to increased use of drugs.

“Alcohol abuse is a major driver of irresponsible ƨǝxuɑl behaviour among young people as both registered and unregistered bars/beer halls sell alcohol to young people, especially in high density areas like Mbare, Epworth, Chitungwiza, Tafara and other areas.

“These unemployed youths and destitutes who are idle and desperate in the streets suggest they have no option but to take these alcohols – sometimes illegal, in a bid to curb their desires. This consumption of alcohol leads to unacceptable behaviours that have repercussions.

There are illicit brews like kachasu and musombodiya that are made and are easily available to the youths who are unemployed. This has become the order of the day. The prices of kachasu and musombodiya substances range from $0,50 depending on how much one wants to consume.” Various containers are used from as small bottles of 330ml can to 1 litre bottles that are used to consume these illicit alcohols, the SYS study noted.

Father Maganga, the priest at St Canisius Catholic Church said: “Too many young lives are enslaved to substance abuse, and we hope that this event may help some people get on the road to piecing their lives back together. We also hope that other communities across the country will mirror our activities to help give people the strength to overcome their challenges.”

Social commentator Pardon Kadzere said many factors have caused the proliferation of young drinkers and alcoholism among youths. He said it is a sign of the breakdown in social fabric.

“Most of these youths have resorted to alcohol to siphon out their frustrations. Parents no longer have time to discuss problems faced by their children in today’s world. Children turn to drinking to run away momentarily to the problems they face. Other parents are too busy for their children and do not monitor them. Some children can start drinking and go on for years without parents noticing yet living under one roof,” he said.

Director of Ezer Zimbabwe Trust, Takunda Witness Mtetwa, told NewsDay Weekender that his organisation was dealing with numerous cases of children using drugs and juveniles involved in other nefarious activities like early ƨǝx.

“A lot needs to be done from home monitoring, community mobilisation to national consensus if we are to take a strong point in the fight against drugs and substance abuse. One of the most useful systems available in the fight against drugs and substance abuse is the legal system,” Mtetwa said.

In a bid to fight the scourge of drug abuse and underage ƨǝx, police said they were contemplating carrying out regular searches for drugs and dangerous weapons in schools.

“We are considering carrying out some searches (in schools), but we are also appealing to parents to also do the same process at home first,” Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said on Wednesday.

— NewsDay

By-Five National University of Science and Technology (Nust) students died Thursday in a horrific road traffic accident along the Zvishavane-Mbalabala highway.

The Government has given each family a State assisted funeral of $1 million to cover the funeral expenses. The accident which involved a Toyota Wish pirate taxi and a haulage truck occurred at the 197km peg near Amazon Shopping Centre, Insiza District. Civil Protection Unit (CPU) acting director Mr Nathan Nkomo said while they were awaiting for formal processes to go through, funds had been disbursed to relevant authorities who were tasked to forward them to affected families.
“The Government has announced that they have allocated $1 million each to the bereaved families to cater for funeral costs. We are doing this because this is a serious disaster and we are giving a State assisted funeral for the deceased. This has been done because of the nature of the accident. It was severe, even the state of the deceased people was such that it was not okay to continue holding them in the mortuary hence the need for expedition of the release and disbursement of funds. We realised that families may be in a hurry to give their relatives a decent send-off so there was an urgent need to get the process moving,” said Mr Nkomo.
Mr Nkomo, however, stressed the need for the public to use registered public service vehicles when travelling.
“We are shocked and disturbed by this accident, there were nine passengers in that Toyota Wish vehicle which should ordinarily be carrying way less than that. How can a driver do that? We also want to encourage the public to use registered public service vehicles when travelling. These pirate taxis are dangerous,” he said.
Mr Nkomo said despite the fact that the public favour pirate taxis as they are quicker than other modes of transport, they were putting their lives at risk.
“This is risky because now we understand that the driver encroached onto the lane of the UD truck killing people like that. Never use illegal transport operators when travelling,” he stressed.
Nust director of communication Mr Thabani Mpofu confirmed the death of the students and conveyed the institution’s condolences.
“We wish to notify the public of the passing on of five of our students, four girls and one boy. A dark cloud has fallen upon our horizon. We have been thrown into deep mourning. We are troubled, devastated, and left bereft of words,” said Mr Mpofu.
He said the students were on their way back from the burial of their classmate’s father.
“All of the students were first years while two are siblings. We convey our condolences to the families, the student body, and, the various departments. May the Lord bring peace and comfort to the families. We speak grace upon grace for the families to accept what has happened to them. Only God can touch the hearts of relatives. We pray for serenity to prevail,” said Mr Mpofu.
The five students have been identified as Rachel Mandiki from Bikita, Rutendo Nyangani from Mutare, and Masimba Mushanyikwa from Bulawayo. The other two who were siblings are Mary-Magdalene Nkala and Sambulelosenkosi Nkala from Masvingo. Sunday News visited the scene of the accident yesterday and found strewn pieces of what remains of the Toyota Wish wreckage. The scene was testimony to that the accident was horrific. Indications are that the Toyota Wish which was carrying the nine passengers was dragged for about 50 metres after colliding with the UD truck, killing all passengers on board. Sunday News

By-Police in Harare have arrested President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s former advisor and cleric, Shingi Muyeza, on allegations of fraud involving US$85 000.

Munyeza was arrested this Friday night on allegations that he defrauded a Harare woman of some US$85 000 she had received as a severance package from her former employer.
The state media said the incident happened in January this year.
Munyeza allegedly convinced the complainant to give him the money as an investment while promising to return US$100 000 by the end of January.
Munyeza, however, failed to pay back the money prompting the complainant to report the matter to the police who arrested him.
Munyeza currently runs several franchise outlets in Harare including Mugg n Bean, Ocean Basket and KFC.

By Farai D Hove | New political entrant David Chapman has described people who vote for the current MPs of ZANU PF and CCC as dunderheads.

Chapman who leads the recently formed Democratic Union of Zimbabwe, criticised the legislators over what he alleges is corruption by them. He cited as an example the long awaited allowances dished out invariably as loans of USD40,000 per person.

Swedish MPs are paid USD6000.00 salary per month, no perks.

Zambian MPs are paid USD3,000.00 salary per month, plus perks.

Malawian MPs are paid USD2,100.00 salary per month, plus perks.

Zimbabwean MPs are paid USD117.00 salary per month, plus perks.

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 1, 2022

Swedish MPs are paid USD6000.00 salary per month, no perks.

Zambian MPs are paid USD3,000.00 salary per month, plus perks.

Malawian MPs are paid USD2,100.00 salary per month, plus perks.

Zimbabwean MPs are paid USD117.00 salary per month, plus perks.

He wrote saying, “Don’t be a DUNDERHEAD & vote them back??‍♂️
#corruption”

Academic Chipo Dendere commented by asking: “I am really sorry you’ve been getting racially attacked and other mean things.

“Given how toxic our politics is how does it help you to call opposition supporters & presumably their MPs dunderheads?

“How does this stop the toxicity that’s about to rain on you?”

Another commentator, took the opposition entrant in the following discussion:

https://twitter.com/DrivenChapman/status/1631871172047511557?t=P0UjPDyV3YUgRHzB7xYCRg&s=19

Tinashe Sambiri
The Red Sea is crossable …

This was said by CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa on Friday.

The CCC leader urged citizens to remain optimistic as the nation braces for the coming polls.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:

RESTORATION IS ONE OF OUR 5 KEY DELIVERABLES…We will restore citizens dignity, opportunity,respect,rights, freedoms,choice, confidence,discipline, order, rule of law., security & integrity of state institutions. To govern is to provide and protect, produce &feed! Blessed Friday

I FEEL VERY NEW! I’m renewed, #Thistime we’ve a new door. #Godisinit Wishing Zimbabwe a New Republic,a New Citizens Government and New leaders. Against all the odds,a New Great Zimbabwe is loading.Great plans & great policies coming to you. Be part of this coming yellow crazy!

By-Controversial preacher Tapiwa Freddy also known as T Freddy, has surrendered his Mercedes Benz to ZBC presenter Rutendo Makuti, simultaneously withdrawing extortion charges against the female DJ.

As a result, Makuti, who was being charged together with Witness Bungu (Chief Chikwaka), Mutetepi Maushe and Gibson Jaji, was acquitted after Prophet Freddy tendered a withdrawal affidavit.

In the affidavit tendered to magistrate Yeukai Dzuda, Prophet Freddy said he has taken counsel from his lawyers and the parties have pursued an amicable settlement on the issue.

In the affidavit, Prophet Freddy said:

“I withdraw after plea the charges against all the accused persons freely, voluntarily, without any undue influence or duress having been exerted on me, without admission of any wrongdoing on my part and without prejudice to any defence the accused persons may have had on the merits.

“Without admission of liability or any form of wrongdoing, I agree that:

• I withdraw the present complaint with the consent of the State, after plea, and that I do not object to a verdict of ‘not guilty and acquitted’ being entered.
• I will cause the vehicle, forming the basis of the charges, namely a Mercedes Benz, black in colour, to be released into Rutendo Makuti’s custody to deal with the same as she pleases, I undertake to all such things and execute all such documents as are prescribed by law or custom to give effect to the foregoing.
• I undertake that I will maintain peace and civility towards the accused persons and will not speak ill, prejudicially or negatively about the accused persons regarding this matter on social media, mainstream print media or any of the platforms where it’s likely that the same will be published.”
  The State was alleging that Makuti and her uncle Bungu together with Maushe and Jaji who were police officers connived to extort him of his Mercedes Benz in order to conceal rape allegations against him.

Freddy was tried and acquitted of the rape allegations that had been raised by Makuti.
Source: B24

Tinashe Sambiri
The Red Sea is crossable …

This was said by CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa on Friday.

The CCC leader urged citizens to remain optimistic as the nation braces for the coming polls.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:

RESTORATION IS ONE OF OUR 5 KEY DELIVERABLES…We will restore citizens dignity, opportunity,respect,rights, freedoms,choice, confidence,discipline, order, rule of law., security & integrity of state institutions. To govern is to provide and protect, produce &feed! Blessed Friday

I FEEL VERY NEW! I’m renewed, #Thistime we’ve a new door. #Godisinit Wishing Zimbabwe a New Republic,a New Citizens Government and New leaders. Against all the odds,a New Great Zimbabwe is loading.Great plans & great policies coming to you. Be part of this coming yellow crazy!

By-Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa has come under fire from the European Union (EU) Mission in Zimbabwe for failing to take action against military officers involved in the August 2018 killings.

Mnangagwa, the commander in chief of the Army, directed soldiers to shoot citizens protesting against the delayed election results announcement in Harare.

The soldier killed six civilians.

The EU remarks as the southern African nation prepares for this year’s July harmonised elections. Said the delegation in a statement :

The EU also maintains its concerns that the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry have not been followed substantially and the perpetrators of violations which occurred in August 2018 and January 2019 are to date still enjoying impunity from prosecution.

It is important that international human rights obligations are adhered to and the constitutional rights of the people of Zimbabwe respected.

In view of all the above, in its 2023 revision of the restrictive measures, the EU has decided to extend by one year the two measures in place (i.e.: the arms embargo and targeted assets freeze against one company, Zimbabwe Defence Industries).

Zimbabwe extended yet another elections observation invitation to the Western bloc despite the persistent backlash.

The EU which is made up of 27 European countries said it will deploy an Observer Mission once constitutional processes have been finalised.

The delegation stressed that it is closely following the process leading up to the elections which are of great importance to the trajectory of the country and encouraged all electoral stakeholders to play their role in ensuring the organisation of a credible and peaceful electoral process.