Govt efforts to increase gold deliveries through official channels are gathering momentum and yesterday 17 teams were deployed across the eight mining provinces to carry out a week-long monitoring and surveillance blitz.
The exercise began yesterday and will end on March 8.

The country produced 35 tonnes of the yellow metal last year and is targeting to produce at least 40 tonnes although Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said the sector could produce up to 50 tonnes.

The assessment teams were sent off by Minister Chitando during the 2023 First Gold Mobilisation Exercise deployment workshop.

In his remarks, Minister Chitando called on the gold sector to put all efforts in contributing its target of US$4 billion in the overall target of a mining industry worth at least US$12 billion by the end of the year.

“We really would want to put as much effort as we can in achieving our set target and I believe if we put our hands together we can achieve our target,” Minister Chitando said.

He commended the small-scale and artisanal miners for their contribution of 23 tonnes to last year’s production of 35 tonnes and said they had the potential to do more especially following the unveiling of a US$10 million loan facility by Government for them two weeks ago.

“We also want to ensure that we engage in responsible mining by observing the country’s laws be they labour, immigration and environmental laws among others,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Pfungwa Kunaka said it was through efforts such as the gold mobilisation that it could ensure compliance for the gold mining sector, ensure growth and reach set targets.

“The gold mobilisation blitz, remains an effective exercise that the Government of Zimbabwe has identified as a driving force to ensure we increase the deliveries of gold to Fidelity Gold Refinery hence the growth of the mining sector and the Zimbabwean economy at large.

“The monitoring and surveillance exercise is intended to raise the amount of gold delivered to Fidelity Gold Refinery and to ensure accountability by stakeholders.

“We must ensure that we conduct the exercise diligently and show innovativeness as we conduct inspections of the production plants as we go through the various stages of production. We would also want records on all hammer mills and mobile gold processing units be collected. That way we will identify leakages and illegal operations. We hope this will open room for gold to successfully find its way to FGR,” Mr Kunaka said.

FGR chief executive officer Mr Peter Magaramombe said his organisation would strive to pay miners on delivery and matching international prices.

“We will ensure competitive pricing which is benchmarked on the international standards and that payment would be made in cash at the gold mining centres,” he said.

Mr Magaramombe added that they would open more gold buying centres especially at the six gold services centres that will be opened this year.

Mr Willie Munhutu from the National Gold Mobilisation Technical Taskforce said there was need to improve security at airports and other entry and exit points to curb leakages.

“Lack of gold detectors at entry and exit points has resulted in smuggling,” he said and also called on Government to keep records of manufacturers of mining equipment and their customers to improve transparency and accountability in the sector.

Chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation, Mr Wellington Takavarasha said with increased Government support, small-scale and artisanal miners had the potential to produce 80 tonnes of gold annually.

“Government should provide geological data to artisanal and small-scale miners and ensure access to capital, grants and lines of credit,” Mr Takavarasha said.

He applauded Government for the US$10 million facility and called for more capacity building initiatives.

The surveillance exercise is set to be held quarterly to improve gold deliveries to FGR. -state media

6 armed men raided a Mukuru money transfer outlet in Silobela in Midlands Province and handcuffed a cashier and security guard manning the booth at gunpoint before they got away with US$1 800, R7 800 and cellphones.
After the raid, the suspects sped off in their getaway car, a Toyota Wish.

Midlands Police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident, which happened on Tuesday at around midday.

“The robbers masqueraded as genuine clients and joined the queue pretending to be waiting for their turn to be served. Three of them entered the booth and produced pistols before they ordered all clients in the booth to lie down,” he said.

Inspector Mahoko said the gang threatened to shoot the teller before ordering him to surrender all the money and out of fear, he complied.

The robbers then used the security guard’s handcuffs to jointly cuff both the guard and the teller.

“They then ransacked the booth and took the money and two cellphones before speeding off in a Toyota Wish towards Nkayi,” said the police spokesperson.

He said no arrests have been made and they are appealing to anyone with information that could lead to the suspects’ arrest to contact any nearest police station.

Meanwhile, police in Gweru have arrested an 18-year-old man who is part of a three-member gang that used a Honda Fit vehicle to rob passengers in and around the city.

Tatenda Munaka was part of a three-member gang that was driving a Honda Fit around the town and targeting travellers and robbing them of cash and other valuables.

Munaka ran out of luck when one of their victims identified them while refuelling at a local service station and he alerted police and members of the public leading to his arrest.

Two other accomplices managed to escape.

Insp Mahoko said Munaka and his two accomplices moved around Gweru city centre in a Honda Fit targeting unsuspecting people looking for transport.

“On the day in question at around 5.15AM, the gang offered transport to two men who were travelling to Kwekwe from Gweru. Upon reaching Northlea roundabout, they stopped the vehicle and demanded money from the victims,” he said.

“They stabbed one of them with a knife on the left shoulder and right leg before taking the victims cellphones and US$130 cash.”

After pushing the complainants out of the vehicle, the suspects sped off towards Gweru city centre.

“At around 5.40AM that same day, they picked up a man who was going to Woodlands from DST Gweru in town. Along the way, they turned towards Raylton Sports Club and stopped after driving for about 100 metres,” said Insp Mahoko.

“They shocked the victim using a taser (an electroshock weapon used to incapacitate people) and took two cellphones and US$25 cash before driving towards Gweru city centre.”

One of the complainants managed to identify the Honda Fit while it was refuelling at a local service station.

“The vehicle was blocked and two suspects bolted out and ran away while Munaka was arrested. The vehicle was searched and kitchen knives, eight cellphones were recovered,” said Insp Mahoko.

Police have launched a manhunt for the other suspects.-state media

Mazowe Dam is the latest large water body to spill after last doing so five years ago.

According to a tweet by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority this Tuesday, the dam last spilled in 2018.

Last week, Lake Mutirikwi in Masvingo, spilled for the first time since 2008.

The spilling of dams is set to boost government’s irrigation development agenda as the country targets food self-sufficiency.- ZBC News

ZANU PF National Political Commissar, Dr Mike Bimha says cell building and verification is progressing well with reports expected next week Monday after the end of the process.

The revolutionary ZANU PF party is almost through with the cell building and verification exercise as per its constitutional requirement.

This exercise is meant to come up with authentic cells, which will be transformed into the party’s voters’ roll during primary elections.

Updating journalists on the process, Dr Bimha said everything is going smoothly and the process will end this week.

‘‘Cell building and verification is very important, to comply with the constitutional mandate, we need authentic cells which we will use as voters roll in the primary elections. We have teams focusing on verification to make sure that the work being done is up to standard. Initially, we had scheduled from 19-25th of February, we extended to the 3rd of March owing to incessant rains and other reasons.’’

Dr Bimha also noted that dates for primary elections are not yet out.

‘‘We want to have primary elections early but dates will be decided by the party leadership in due course. We urge our supporters to continue registering to vote.’’

ZANU PF is targeting more than five million votes in the forthcoming harmonised elections.- ZBC News

Tinashe Sambiri|The Zanu PF leader Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa wants to push the country into anarchy.

This was said by CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa.

President Chamisa also challenged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ( ZEC) to avail the voters roll.

Read article below:

Credit : Citizens Coalition for Change ( CCC ) Facebook page

?️INTERVIEW: Our Change Champion in Chief, Advocate Nelson recently had a wide-ranging interview with NewZimbabwe.com where he talked about the continued persecution of our party members including Hon Job Sikhala, the growing list of banned rallies, ZEC to act constitutionally by availing the voters roll, vowing to end the tide of bad politics this year and his readiness to lead a New Great Zimbabwe.

“I know that Mr Mnangagwa wants to provoke us so that there is a justification to drive this country into anarchy. We have resisted the temptation because we are nation builders, because we want Zimbabwe to be the best country, the greatest country,” he said.

On the continued persecution of our members including Hon Job Sikhala and on accusations that he is not doing much to assist the persecuted activists, he said, “I am sure they are mistaking me for Mr Mnangagwa who is the one who is persecuting activists and who presides over the government. I am not the head of state yet.

“But would any sane person expect us to share my plans publicly and hope to see those plans being effective after the fact?

“A lot is being done, a lot has been done. We will continue to do that, but we can’t just come and say this is our strategy; this is our plan telling the opponent.

“The situation testifies how sick the nation is, how sick Zimbabwe is. Our politics is broken. Our politics is sick. There is no reason why on trumped-up charges anybody should be incarcerated and placed behind bars. It’s vindictive. It’s persecution.

“It’s rule by law not, the rule of law. It’s the weaponization of the law and the judiciary and that is wrong . That is wrong and we must end that this year.”

He added that there are many citizens who continue to face persecution across the country, particularly in rural areas underscoring that the scenario has been the story of the country’s struggle.

“That has been the story of this fight for democracy and freedom in Zimbabwe.

“You remember that the likes of Last Maengahama and Tungamirai Madzokere spent almost nine years behind bars over trumped-up charges when they had not committed a crime. You know the Nyatsime story; you know the Glen View story. You know the Budiriro story.

“Persecution is everywhere and all over. It’s a reminder that our politics is broken and something is rotten in Zimbabwe. We must fix the rot.”

Responding to fears that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) will be affected by the current tide of broken politics in handling the elections, the CCC leader insisted on accountability and shared responsibility.

“Look, elections are a public process. From the moment one registers as a voter it is public. To the moment that the polling booth is public and cast their ballot and the moment the ballot is counted and the result is announced all these are public.

“This whole thing of piling everything upon ZEC is less profitable. Yes. ZEC must show integrity and impartiality, independence and non -partisanship in their conduct.

“So the result will be known by everyone. So this whole thing of over-dramatizing ZEC is pointless. ZEC is just a referee but we are the players and we are all in the stadium watching the match.”

“Where a referee chooses to throw away the whistle and join the other team. We are duty-bound to draw a line in the sand.

“ZEC must simply avail the voters roll. They must not make it difficult for people to register to vote.”

He went on to challenge Zimbabweans to brace for change as he vowed to pull the curtains down on the ruling Zanu PF party’s 43 years rein.

“Change is coming. Citizens are winning big. The citizens’ victory is unstoppable. It is no longer a CCC or Zanu PF affair. It’s now about Zimbabwe and nation-building. We must join our hands together to win a new great Zimbabwe. When we win, Zimbabwe wins and everyone wins including those in Zanu PFf,” he said.

He insisted that it was about time to build a new republic under a citizen government. A government of all progressive citizens across the political divide.

“I repeat. Come let’s join hands. When we win Zimbabwe wins and the whole nation celebrates. This is a new national consensus, an inter-generational consensus that is anchored on the transformational mandate.

“Our forebears had a liberation mandate. Ours is a transformational mandate. Built on the need to democratise and achieve accelerated national transformation of the economy and politics. Transformation is the solution for the country.

“Now is the time. As I always say, God is in it and no man can stop an idea whose time has come.

“Continuing and perpetuating the past is simply continuing and perpetuating the suffering, rottenness, brokenness, disappointment and a plethora of unfulfilled and unmet commitments and promises,” he added.

Harare Mayor, Jacob Mafume, today launched the city’s “Chenesa Harare” campaign in a bid to transform and restore the city’s Sunshine status. The clean up campaign will run for weeks. It’s our collective responsibility to keep the streets clean and tidy. #PlayYourPart

The Harare City council has partnered with various local companies to achieve the “Operation Chenesa Harare” goal.

The following skip points have been adopted by several recyclers where they are going to practice separation of waste at source bringing sanity to the areas.

Market Square – Recycling Ladies
Copacabana – Recycling Today
Charge Office – National Waste Collection
4th Street – Zimbabwe Sunshine Group

Meanwhile, there will also be enforcement of the anti-litter by laws by Municipal Police and fining of shops without requisite number of bins.- CCC

Tinashe Sambiri|The Swaziland Liberation Movement has challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to release jailed CCC deputy chairperson Honourable Job Sikhala.

Hon Sikhala was arrested in June last year for denouncing the brutal murder of CCC activist Moreblessing Ali.

In a statement, the Swaziland Liberation Movement condemned the lengthy detention of Hon Sikhala.

“Swaziland Liberation Movement says Zimbabwean authorities should release Job Sikhala of the Citizens Coalition For Change , who has been in remand prison at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison for more than eight months.”

ZANU PF National Political Commissar, Dr Mike Bimha says cell building and verification is progressing well with reports expected next week Monday after the end of the process.

The revolutionary ZANU PF party is almost through with the cell building and verification exercise as per its constitutional requirement.

This exercise is meant to come up with authentic cells, which will be transformed into the party’s voters’ roll during primary elections.

Updating journalists on the process, Dr Bimha said everything is going smoothly and the process will end this week.

‘‘Cell building and verification is very important, to comply with the constitutional mandate, we need authentic cells which we will use as voters roll in the primary elections. We have teams focusing on verification to make sure that the work being done is up to standard. Initially, we had scheduled from 19-25th of February, we extended to the 3rd of March owing to incessant rains and other reasons.’’

Dr Bimha also noted that dates for primary elections are not yet out.

‘‘We want to have primary elections early but dates will be decided by the party leadership in due course. We urge our supporters to continue registering to vote.’’

ZANU PF is targeting more than five million votes in the forthcoming harmonised elections.- ZBC News

After battling drug abuse for almost two years, Dendera music sensation Tryson Chimbetu has fully recovered from an addiction which he describes as a journey into hell.- ZBC News

Tinashe Sambiri|The Swaziland Liberation Movement has challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to release jailed CCC deputy chairperson Honourable Job Sikhala.

Hon Sikhala was arrested in June last year for denouncing the brutal murder of CCC activist Moreblessing Ali.

The Swaziland Liberation Movement, quoted by VOA News, condemned the lengthy detention of Hon Sikhala.

“Swaziland Liberation Movement says Zimbabwean authorities should release Job Sikhala of the Citizens Coalition For Change , who has been in remand prison at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison for more than eight months.”

Tinashe Sambiri|The Swaziland Liberation Movement has challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to release jailed CCC deputy chairperson Honourable Job Sikhala.

Hon Sikhala was arrested in June last year for denouncing the brutal murder of CCC activist Moreblessing Ali.

The Swaziland Liberation Movement, quoted by VOA News , condemned the lengthy detention of Hon Sikhala.

“Swaziland Liberation Movement says Zimbabwean authorities should release Job Sikhala of the Citizens Coalition For Change , who has been in remand prison at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison for more than eight months.”

Tinashe Sambiri|The Zanu PF leader Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa wants to push the country into anarchy.

This was said by CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa.

President Chamisa also challenged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ( ZEC) to avail the voters roll.

Read article below:

Credit : Citizens Coalition for Change ( CCC ) Facebook page

?️INTERVIEW: Our Change Champion in Chief, Advocate Nelson recently had a wide-ranging interview with NewZimbabwe.com where he talked about the continued persecution of our party members including Hon Job Sikhala, the growing list of banned rallies, ZEC to act constitutionally by availing the voters roll, vowing to end the tide of bad politics this year and his readiness to lead a New Great Zimbabwe.

“I know that Mr Mnangagwa wants to provoke us so that there is a justification to drive this country into anarchy. We have resisted the temptation because we are nation builders, because we want Zimbabwe to be the best country, the greatest country,” he said.

On the continued persecution of our members including Hon Job Sikhala and on accusations that he is not doing much to assist the persecuted activists, he said, “I am sure they are mistaking me for Mr Mnangagwa who is the one who is persecuting activists and who presides over the government. I am not the head of state yet.

“But would any sane person expect us to share my plans publicly and hope to see those plans being effective after the fact?

“A lot is being done, a lot has been done. We will continue to do that, but we can’t just come and say this is our strategy; this is our plan telling the opponent.

“The situation testifies how sick the nation is, how sick Zimbabwe is. Our politics is broken. Our politics is sick. There is no reason why on trumped-up charges anybody should be incarcerated and placed behind bars. It’s vindictive. It’s persecution.

“It’s rule by law not, the rule of law. It’s the weaponization of the law and the judiciary and that is wrong . That is wrong and we must end that this year.”

He added that there are many citizens who continue to face persecution across the country, particularly in rural areas underscoring that the scenario has been the story of the country’s struggle.

“That has been the story of this fight for democracy and freedom in Zimbabwe.

“You remember that the likes of Last Maengahama and Tungamirai Madzokere spent almost nine years behind bars over trumped-up charges when they had not committed a crime. You know the Nyatsime story; you know the Glen View story. You know the Budiriro story.

“Persecution is everywhere and all over. It’s a reminder that our politics is broken and something is rotten in Zimbabwe. We must fix the rot.”

Responding to fears that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) will be affected by the current tide of broken politics in handling the elections, the CCC leader insisted on accountability and shared responsibility.

“Look, elections are a public process. From the moment one registers as a voter it is public. To the moment that the polling booth is public and cast their ballot and the moment the ballot is counted and the result is announced all these are public.

“This whole thing of piling everything upon ZEC is less profitable. Yes. ZEC must show integrity and impartiality, independence and non -partisanship in their conduct.

“So the result will be known by everyone. So this whole thing of over-dramatizing ZEC is pointless. ZEC is just a referee but we are the players and we are all in the stadium watching the match.”

“Where a referee chooses to throw away the whistle and join the other team. We are duty-bound to draw a line in the sand.

“ZEC must simply avail the voters roll. They must not make it difficult for people to register to vote.”

He went on to challenge Zimbabweans to brace for change as he vowed to pull the curtains down on the ruling Zanu PF party’s 43 years rein.

“Change is coming. Citizens are winning big. The citizens’ victory is unstoppable. It is no longer a CCC or Zanu PF affair. It’s now about Zimbabwe and nation-building. We must join our hands together to win a new great Zimbabwe. When we win, Zimbabwe wins and everyone wins including those in Zanu PFf,” he said.

He insisted that it was about time to build a new republic under a citizen government. A government of all progressive citizens across the political divide.

“I repeat. Come let’s join hands. When we win Zimbabwe wins and the whole nation celebrates. This is a new national consensus, an inter-generational consensus that is anchored on the transformational mandate.

“Our forebears had a liberation mandate. Ours is a transformational mandate. Built on the need to democratise and achieve accelerated national transformation of the economy and politics. Transformation is the solution for the country.

“Now is the time. As I always say, God is in it and no man can stop an idea whose time has come.

“Continuing and perpetuating the past is simply continuing and perpetuating the suffering, rottenness, brokenness, disappointment and a plethora of unfulfilled and unmet commitments and promises,” he added.

Credit :ZBC News

A world of the livid, filled with nightmares and hallucinations, a 23-year-old survivor of crystal meth has relived the horrors of being hooked to the toxic drug.

EDUCATION authorities are considering transforming single-sex Government schools in Bulawayo into mixed ones as part of measures to address gang-related violence in learning institutions.
Bulawayo is dealing with age long school-related turf wars pitting several schools in the city.

The problem reached a crescendo last month when 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.

Schools such as Gifford and Milton high now not only compete academically and in sporting disciplines, they engage in violent fights.

The situation is said to have been worsened by the disintegration of family and societal values.

Following Wayne’s killing, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education yesterday held a stakeholders’ meeting at Townsend High School in the hope of coming up with lasting solutions to the problem.

The meeting was covering schools from Bulawayo Central District which include Milton, Hamilton, Founders, Eveline, Gifford, Townsend and Montrose high schools.

Issues to do with drug abuse and pupils carrying dangerous weapons to school emerged as some of the topical issues.

Concerns were raised on modern parenting while Ubuntu values are no longer respected.

During the deliberations it was stated that pupils from gender-isolated schools were fighting over relationships.

For instance, it was stated that as part of the turf wars, boys from Milton High School are ordered not to set foot in Bulawayo’s City Centre which is perceived to be a territory for Gifford High School.

On the other hand, Gifford High School boys are not to be seen at City Hall, a territory those from Milton High School claim.

The history behind the construction of these schools is also said to contribute to the age-old violence pitting the pupils from those learning institutions.

Bulawayo Provincial Education director Mr Bernard Mazambane said following the stakeholders meeting it was proposed that single-sex schools be transformed to mixed ones.

He said consultations will be undertaken before the proposal is adopted.

“We are also considering issues of these single-sex schools. Although we are not in a hurry to make decisions, we are looking into them. We are making further research to make sure that what we are going to implement is holistic and everyone is happy about that,” said Mr Mazambane.

He said there is belief among pupils that boys from schools such as Milton High School are entitled to girls from Eveline High School.

Mr Mazambane said this was so because of the history associated with the schools as they were named after a couple: Sir William Milton and his wife Eveline Milton.

He said pupils from the two schools inherited the history associated with the learning institutions.

“So we really feel we had some ground work where we can start. If you heard from the teachers’ side, the issue of owning a school must end and for it to end we need pupils from Eveline having boys in the same school, Townsend having their own boy learners so that these learners have nothing to fight for. We are not saying that is the single cause,” he said.

Mr Mazambane said the ministry is not going to impose its decision on the community as stakeholder engagements will be conducted before the issue is finalised.

He said once it is adopted the implementation process will be gradual.

“If you are to introduce boys in a girls’ school, that may mean starting with lower classes so that the older girls are phased out with their attitudes. Then with the boys’ school you introduce starting with bigger girls who are able to say no when they are approached. That is our thinking. It is not in the implementation stage,” said Mr Mazambane.

He said parents need to be actively involved in monitoring children’s behaviour so that they do not burden schools.

Mr Mazambane said the ministry also took up concerns from parents and other stakeholders that schools have a responsibility in the socialisation of pupils.

“Learners need parental guidance and from the school level. We also heard from stakeholders that teachers need to play a very critical role in making sure that some of the areas are identified before they go out of hand. For example, the search for weapons that these learners carry and making sure these learners are not idle,” said Mr Mazambane.

He said police should also complement the education sector in dealing with children.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said the meeting was important as it enabled stakeholders to share views on critical issues. He said stakeholders agreed that school authorities remain responsible for learners who are in uniform before they arrive at home.

“When a child is enrolled in a particular school, they are an ambassador of that school and remain a responsibility of that school. So, the school teachers and authorities still have power over them,” he said.

Insp Ncube said police do not have the manpower to be conducting patrols in schools. Chronicle

Zanu-PF-aligned preacher Obadiah Musindo has been arrested and is detained at Harare Central police station on allegations he stole US$5,900 worth of cellphones.

According to NewZimbabwe, Musindo was arrested Monday 20 February.

The Destiny for Africa Network founder is alleged to have duped Munyaradzi Kereva who runs a mobile phones company in Harare of an iPhone 14 ProMax (256G) worth US$2,450, an iPhone 12 ProMax (256G) worth US$1,450, a Samsung S22 worth US$1,600 and a Samsung F12 worth US$300 last year October.

According to his docket, Musindo collected the phones and misrepresented to Kereva that he will be coming back with payment.

Musindo allegedly told Kereva he wanted to sell the phones to one of his clients at Sakunda Holdings offices.

He did not return as promised and evaded Kereva until his arrest.- Bulawayo 24

The Meteorological Services Department says Tropical Storm Freddy is expected to slowly drift back into the Mozambique Channel and clear off much of the Zimbabwean air-space by next Saturday.

The department says cloudy conditions with light showers that may be thundery in some places are expected in the eastern parts of the country, including Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Manicaland and Masvingo Provinces, from this Tuesday to Friday.

These cloudy conditions with light rains are expected to move into Matabeleland North on Thursday, while there rest of the country should be mostly sunny and warm.

Over the weekend, into Monday next week, much of the country is expected to experience sunny and warm weather, with brief cloudy periods and isolated showers in Mashonaland East, Manicaland, and Masvingo provinces due to remnant moisture.- ZBC News

The Meteorological Services Department says Tropical Storm Freddy is expected to slowly drift back into the Mozambique Channel and clear off much of the Zimbabwean air-space by next Saturday.

The department says cloudy conditions with light showers that may be thundery in some places are expected in the eastern parts of the country, including Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Manicaland and Masvingo Provinces, from this Tuesday to Friday.

These cloudy conditions with light rains are expected to move into Matabeleland North on Thursday, while there rest of the country should be mostly sunny and warm.

Over the weekend, into Monday next week, much of the country is expected to experience sunny and warm weather, with brief cloudy periods and isolated showers in Mashonaland East, Manicaland, and Masvingo provinces due to remnant moisture.- ZBC News

Tinashe Sambiri
CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has said the New Republic will do away with the persecution, victimisation and murder of citizens.

According to President Chamisa, the new government will promote tolerance and divergence of views.

“THE CITIZENS GOVERNMENT…

The NEW REPUBLIC will;
-not allow propaganda,lies & disinformation from gvt ministers or its functionaries.

-not imprison for politics.
-not promote hate speech,toxicity & insults.
-not spare the corrupt or bribing.

-not kill or harm citizens.#Godisinit,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Tinashe Sambiri

Zanu PF agents are forcing teachers in Masvingo Province to join a dodgy organisation called Civil Servants Trust for ED, it has emerged.

According to teachers who spoke on condition of anonymity, Zanu PF agents are causing havoc in schools across Masvingo Province.

A teacher at a high school in Gutu said:

“Tiriko but irikowo here organization new one inonzi Civil servants Trust forED, Inoda mari upto 14usd per teacher to join , get Zanu pf card and regalia?

Pano yasvika nhasi
Takatobhadhariswa zuro joining fee $1 imwe ndofunga tomirira pay kuti tigokwanisa nokuti tine matambudziko:

• Kutya
• Kuchona poor renumeration
• Decision making kuti toita zvipi, inyaya iri kupisa iyi Masvingo province yose civil servant woga woga how many are we?”

” … ndoimwe nyaya iyi kuno zita nenzvimbo musareva henyu asi kana muchida mazita evari kuzviita: umwe wacho anonzi Zviuchi,” another teacher said.

Credit :ZBC News

A world of the livid, filled with nightmares and hallucinations, a 23-year-old survivor of crystal meth has relived the horrors of being hooked to the toxic drug.

Tinashe Sambiri|The Citizens’ Coalition for Change ( CCC) will soon embark on a meticulous candidate selection exercise before the 2023 polls.

This was said by CCC spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi Mahere.

Below is part of Advocate Mahere’s statement:

CANDIDATE SELECTION: We can all be at ease because we thought very carefully about how the candidate selection process can be best used and not manipulated by any other political party or interest group but at the same time produces the citizens that will be best equipped to represent us.

Candidate selection will be done at ward & constituency levels by the citizens. What we’re after as CCC is not power for its own sake but to make sure that we actually bring about ethical, transformational & competent leadership.

And so we really want the best foot forward in each ward and constituency. We will be represented by candidates who would have been chosen by the local citizens. #CitizensCandidateSelection

Tinashe Sambiri

Zanu PF agents are forcing teachers in Masvingo Province to join a dodgy organisation called Civil Servants Trust for ED, it has emerged.

According to teachers who spoke on condition of anonymity, Zanu PF agents are causing havoc in schools across Masvingo Province.

A teacher at a high school in Gutu said:

“Tiriko but irikowo here organization new one inonzi Civil servants Trust forED, Inoda mari upto 14usd per teacher to join , get Zanu pf card and regalia?

Pano yasvika nhasi
Takatobhadhariswa zuro joining fee $1 imwe ndofunga tomirira pay kuti tigokwanisa nokuti tine matambudziko:

• Kutya
• Kuchona poor renumeration
• Decision making kuti toita zvipi, inyaya iri kupisa iyi Masvingo province yose civil servant woga woga how many are we?”

” … ndoimwe nyaya iyi kuno zita nenzvimbo musareva henyu asi kana muchida mazita evari kuzviita: umwe wacho anonzi Zviuchi,” another teacher said.

Tinashe Sambiri|The Citizens’ Coalition for Change ( CCC) will soon embark on a meticulous candidate selection exercise before the 2023 polls.

This was said by CCC spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi Mahere.

Below is part of Advocate Mahere’s statement:

CANDIDATE SELECTION: We can all be at ease because we thought very carefully about how the candidate selection process can be best used and not manipulated by any other political party or interest group but at the same time produces the citizens that will be best equipped to represent us.

Candidate selection will be done at ward & constituency levels by the citizens. What we’re after as CCC is not power for its own sake but to make sure that we actually bring about ethical, transformational & competent leadership.

And so we really want the best foot forward in each ward and constituency. We will be represented by candidates who would have been chosen by the local citizens. #CitizensCandidateSelection

Tinashe Sambiri
CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has said the New Republic will do away with the persecution, victimisation and murder of citizens.

According to President Chamisa, the new government will promote tolerance and divergence of views.

“THE CITIZENS GOVERNMENT…

The NEW REPUBLIC will;
-not allow propaganda,lies & disinformation from gvt ministers or its functionaries.

-not imprison for politics.
-not promote hate speech,toxicity & insults.
-not spare the corrupt or bribing.

-not kill or harm citizens.#Godisinit,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Zanu-PF-aligned preacher Obadiah Musindo has been arrested and is detained at Harare Central police station on allegations he stole US$5,900 worth of cellphones.

According to NewZimbabwe, Musindo was arrested Monday 20 February.

The Destiny for Africa Network founder is alleged to have duped Munyaradzi Kereva who runs a mobile phones company in Harare of an iPhone 14 ProMax (256G) worth US$2,450, an iPhone 12 ProMax (256G) worth US$1,450, a Samsung S22 worth US$1,600 and a Samsung F12 worth US$300 last year October.

According to his docket, Musindo collected the phones and misrepresented to Kereva that he will be coming back with payment.

Musindo allegedly told Kereva he wanted to sell the phones to one of his clients at Sakunda Holdings offices.

He did not return as promised and evaded Kereva until his arrest.- Bulawayo 24

HARARE – Businessman Ken Sharpe owned West Properties Private Limited has backed off and withdrawn a lawsuit it filed against Fairclot Investments Private Limited challenging the erection of a billboard which warned home-seekers against buying stands at one of its development sites in Pomona.

West Properties had sued Fairclot Investments and it’s directors, Alan Russell and Grant Russell for US$20 million citing damages for loss of business and profit.

Fairclot Investments erected a billboard along Borrowdale road to warn prospecting buyers and home seekers against acquiring residential stands at stand 654 Pomona Township.

Fairclot Investments and Sharpe previously entered into a contract with another company owned by Sharpe for the construction of Harare Airport Road before clashing over the latter’s failure to pay for work done.

Fairclot Investments took the matter to court demanding payment but were reportedly surprised when Sharpe took advantage of an earlier High Court ruling that declared the US dollar and Zimbabwe dollar 1:1.

After Sharpe failed to pay Fairclot, he gave away stand number 654 Pomona as security with the title deed for the land held in escrow by Coghlan, Welsh and Guest.

West Property has withdrew its lawsuit against Fairclot Investments with cost.

It’s all systems go as Kudakwashe Chiwandire challenges Yamileth Mercado for the WBC Super Bantamweight world title after the hugely anticipated bout was announced for the 18th of March in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Mercado has held the title since 2019, while Chiwandire won the interim title last year in Zambia after defeating Catherine Phiri before defending it against Zulina Munoz, earning herself the chance for the unification fight against Mercado.- ZBC News

Marry Mubaiwa allegedly diverted the entourage that accompanied Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to seek medical attention in South Africa to a hotel instead of going straight to hospital upon their arrival, as a court in Harare heard yesterday.

Did Marry Try To Kill VP In SA?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 28, 2023

Mubaiwa allegedly instructed the security team accompanying VP Chiwenga to South Africa that he wanted to rest before taking him to hospital.

It then took the security team to use force to take him out of the hotel on the night of the following day, a court heard.

Warrant Officer Warren Sibanda, a nurse at Presidential Guard headquarters hospital, made the revelations while testifying as a State witness in a matter Mubaiwa is charged with attempted murder.

Mubaiwa allegedly tried to kill VP Chiwenga at a time he was seeking medical treatment in South Africa.

She denied the charges when her trial opened before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Feresi Chakanyuka.

“When we got to the Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria, we entered through the basement. I thought I was at the hospital.

“I asked my superiors who told me that it was a directive from the accused who said the complainant wanted to rest. The rooms were already booked,” he said. Warrant Officer Sibanda told the court that Vice President Chiwenga asked him why they had taken him to a hotel instead of hospital, but he could not reply.

He told the court that he then went to inform the deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr John Mangwiro, about the Vice President’s concerns.

“After our arrival, the accused went to check on her child in another room and the complainant called me and asked me why we had taken him to the hotel instead of the hospital.

“I could not respond and I went to my superiors. Dr Mangwiro told me that the accused had indicated that the complainant wanted to rest.

“They said she was in control and there was nothing we could do. We spent the night and the following day at the hotel. Then at night we then went to hospital,” Warrant Officer Sibanda said.

He said Mubaiwa shouted at the security team on the evening they wanted to take the Vice President to hospital saying they were disturbing him.

Warrant Officer Sibanda said they had to use force to take him out of the hotel.

“Accused was shouting at everyone saying we were disturbing the complainant who wanted to rest. Force had to be used to take the complainant to hospital,” he said.

Warrant Officer Sibanda told the court that the Vice President did not resist when they wanted to take him to hospital.

He said Mubaiwa remained sleeping at the hotel while they took the Vice President to hospital.

Warrant Officer Sibanda said he provided basic nursing care for the two months the VP stayed in hospital.

He said he never slept at the hotel during the time of their stay in South Africa.

“Accused came to the hospital on June 24. I was doing basic nursing care.

“For the two months I was always by his bedside and never been to the hotel,” Warrant Officer Sibanda said.

He also told the court that Mubaiwa would only visit the Vice President during the night and was always accompanied by one Dr Bruce.

“They would seek privacy. We would then go out of the room,” Warrant officer Sibanda said.

He said one day he asked for permission to go and wash the Vice President’s clothes and only to return to be told that the security team had an altercation with Mubaiwa.

“When I returned, I saw the security team and Nyoni, who was part of security, said they had an altercation with the accused. I then noticed blood stains on the door and the complainant’s T-shirt.

“When I left him, he was in bed. I may not know what had happened,” Warrant officer Sibanda said.

He told the court that after the incident, they started refusing to give Mubaiwa and Dr Bruce exclusive privacy with the Vice President.

Warrant Officer Sibanda said Mubaiwa also delayed Vice President Chiwenga’s flight from South Africa to China where he wanted to seek further treatment.

The matter continues on March 13 when Warrant Officer Sibanda will be cross-examined by Mubaiwa’s lawyer.

Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti and Mrs Tinashe Makiya appeared for the State. -state media

A 28-YEAR-OLD Kezi man is on the run after fatally striking his 68-year-old grandmother with a log following a dispute over an undisclosed issue.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident which occurred in Gole Village.
She identified the suspect as Mpumelelo Dube.

Insp Mangena said Dube was sitting with his grandmother Bongiwe Ncube in her kitchen hut together with his siblings when the suspect struck her with a wooden log on the back of her head.

“I can confirm that we recorded a murder case that occurred in Gole Village in Kezi on Friday. Mpumelelo Dube was with his grandmother Bongiwe Ncube in her kitchen hut together with her grandchildren when a misunderstanding arose over an undisclosed issue,” she said.

“Dube picked up a wooden log and struck his grandmother three times on the back of her head and she died on the spot.”

After committing the offence, Dube fled from the scene. Ncube’s body was ferried to Maphisa District Hospital Mortuary.

Insp Mangena urged members of the public to desist from resorting to violence to resolve problems.

She said people should engage third parties and find ways to solve their problems amicably.

Insp Mangena appealed to members of the public with information on the whereabouts of the suspect to contact any nearest police station.- Chronicle

The weakened Tropical Storm Freddy has killed one person, damaged houses and sugarcane plantations in various parts of the country since Saturday.
Freddy arrived in the Mozambique channel, on February 22 and remained in the channel for two days, before making landfall on the Mozambique coast around Maxixe (about 400km from the south eastern border of Zimbabwe) last Friday.

Due to the distance, Freddy failed to make it to Zimbabwe as anticipated on February 24.

In a statement yesterday, the Department of Civil Protection in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works said in light of the anticipated cyclone, which later became a storm, civil protection organisations, provinces and development partners, were on high alert.

Provincial and district Command Centres in the districts likely to be affected were manned 24 hours.

The DCP said they continue to receive updates from provinces and districts that were most likely to be affected by Freddy.

In Mazowe District of Mashonaland Central Province, an eight classroom block had its roof blown off by strong winds at Musarara Primary School in Ward 9.

In Ward 11, five houses had their roofs blown off and furniture damaged.

In Shamva urban, a heavy wind storm was witnessed on Sunday around 2pm, and uprooted a Mukuyu tree at Cross junction along Chakonda Road, resulting in the death of a 24-year-old man.

Mashonaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe has identified the deceased as Roberto Mukanwa, of Mukanwa Village under Chief Bushu. Mukanwa, who was a tout along the Shamva-Chakonda Road, had taken shelter under a makeshift shade that was under the Mukuyu tree.

Insp Mundembe said the body was retrieved and taken to Shamva Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.

The DCP said in Manicaland Province, Chipinge District received heavy rains and strong winds on Sunday resulting in roofs of staff houses being blown off at Simudzai Primary School in Chipinge and Checheche Primary School in Chisumbanje.

In Masvingo Province’s Bikita District, one thatched hut was struck by lightning on Saturday in Kutsirai Village, while in Zaka District’s Marimira Village, Ward 13, “a house was completely destroyed by rainfall on February 26, 2023”.

In Chiredzi District’s Ward 19, Hippo Valley Estates, sugarcane plantations “were extensively damaged”, said the DCP.

Added the DCP: “The country is still in the cyclone season and is also prone to other extreme weather events, hence, it is imperative that all national and sub-national structures remain vigilant in the same spirit that was prevailing in preparation for Cyclone Freddy.

“Given the unpredictable nature of Tropical Storm Freddy in the ensuing days after the original forecast regarding its trajectory, the department in collaboration with MSD (Meteorological Services Department) and other stakeholders has scheduled for a mission to give feedback to the nation and particularly communities.

“This will build confidence in future early warning programmes, alerts amongst the citizens.”

Explaining the weakening of Freddy, the MSD said cyclones are weakened by two main factors which are; frictional surfaces due to mountains and other land objects that disturb the smooth flow of winds within the system, and lack of moisture especially when outside the ocean waters.

The delays by Freddy to make a landfall in Mozambique saw it weakening its magnitude and reducing its severity, hence the delays in reaching Zimbabwe on February 24 as initially projected.

In its update on Saturday, the MSD said the weakened Freddy was expected to last until today.-state media

A Harare-based engineering company and Lukhanyiso Primary School in Bulawayo are in a stand-off with the former refusing to release a 66-seater bus bought by the school.

Willovale Vehicle Body Engineering wants the school authorities to issue a public apology for having claimed that the company sold them a second-hand bus as a brand new vehicle.

The dispute resulted in the then headmaster Mr Thintitha Mpofu and School Development Committee Mr Phethengani Nyoni being arrested after they were reported to the police by parents.

Following the duo’s arrest, parents also set up an ad hoc committee chaired by Mzilikazi district schools inspector Ms Zanele Muyambo.

In both instances, Messrs Mpofu and Nyoni were cleared. However, Willovale Vehicle Body Engineering felt that their image was tarnished following the unsubstantiated allegations.

On Friday parents met school authorities and resolved that the school should take delivery of the bus which was returned to the company in 2019.

The company has however said it can only deliver the bus after the parents make a public apology.

Company managing director Mr Silvester Matambo said the bus had a 36 months guarantee just like all buses sold to other schools and institutions.

He said the bus will not leave their workshop until there is a written apology from the school.

“One thing to note is that the bus had a guarantee of 36 months. The problem with Lukhanyiso was that parents were misled by someone in the school management that some bus funds were embezzled leading to internal squabbles,” said Mr Matambo.

He said when the bus was delivered to the company in March 2019 for routine servicing, the company was later informed that the parents no longer wanted the bus.

“The bus has been parked at our workshop since that time. We need a written apology from the SDC for us to release the bus,” said Mr Matambo.

He said their reputation was at stake following the baseless allegations.

“The social media was abuzz with stories which tarnished our image following this dispute with the school authorities,” said Mr Matambo.

He said when the school bought the bus for $120 000, the company made it clear that it was a refurbished vehicle not a brand new one. -state media

Students at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) yesterday boycotted lectures in a protest that saw the institution rescinding last week’s decision to increase tuition fees by more than 100 percent.

The students started mobilising each other using social media platforms demanding that the university reverts to last semester’s fee structure.

Those who spoke to Chronicle said they were shocked last week to learn that the university was now demanding up to US$770 from around US$320 for under graduate programmes, and the money was said to be payable in local currency at the prevailing official exchange rate.

At about 8AM yesterday, students forcibly closed one of the entrances at Nust in a bid to stop anyone from accessing the university. The NUST Students’ Representative council (SRC) led the protest and sent around fliers detailing their grievances and why lectures should be aborted. When a Chronicle news crew arrived at the university, SRC members were standing by the pedestrian gate turning away students. The institution called the anti-riot police who quickly dispersed the students.

While some SRC members were urging students to boycott lectures, the other members were said to be involved in meeting with Nust administrators.

Later on, in a video addressed to students circulating on social media platforms, Nust SRC president Muziwenkosi Moyo said they had forced the university to drop the new fees structure.

“We have won. The draconian fees have been reduced. We would love to thank you all who stood in solidarity with us in the stay away,” he said.

In a press statement which was released later in the day, Moyo said the university had pegged the fees in US dollar to preserve its value.

He said students could however pay the fees using local currency.

“We want to update you on the recent developments concerning the call by the SRC for students to stay away from university premises. After a meeting with university management, we are pleased to announce that we have reached favourable resolutions that are pro-student,” he said.

“We are happy to inform you that the recently hiked fees of US$720 have been revoked and removed from your portals. Students will now continue to pay the preset ZWL fees structure adopted in September 2022.”

Moyo encouraged students to ensure that they are registered.

He said it is important for university fees to be affordable so that no one is deprived of the opportunity to learn.

Asked via written questions why the university had reversed the decision to increase fees, Nust director of communication and marketing Mr Thabani Mpofu did not provide any answers but said the matter had been resolved and students were back in lectures.

“The situation on campus is back to normal,” said Mr Mpofu.

He said students were sent notices to their portals indicating varying fee increases, depending on one’s faculty.

Students in the faculty of medicine were the hardest hit as the fee went from around US$320 to US$770.

In the faculty of sciences and engineering the fees was now pegged at US$720.

Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Permanent Secretary Professor Fanuel Tagwira said following morning disturbances at Nust, he engaged the university to understand the source of the problem.

He said the university told him that the fees had been increased through an error.

“The university told me no fees changes had been made. They said someone punched in the wrong numbers to students’ portals, however it has now been rectified,” said Prof Tagwira.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Insp Abednico Ncube said his office had not received the report regarding the incident that resulted in police being called to Nust to restore order.-state media

Tinashe Sambiri|The Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) has paid tribute to Mboneni Ncube.

Mboneni Ncube, a CCC activist, was murdered by Zanu PF hooligans on February 27, 2022.

In a statement, CCC youth taskforce spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma accused Zanu PF vice president Constantino Chiwenga of causing Mboneni Ncube’s death.

“In a democracy, no one must be killed for being politically different.

On this day last year, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s murderous & blood thirsty fascist regime claimed the life of Mboneni Ncube. It must be noted that this happened after “crush lice” vitriolic rants by C Chiwenga,” Chuma wrote on Twitter.

Countdown to the 2023 harmonised elections, what you need to know

A 28-YEAR-OLD Kezi man is on the run after fatally striking his 68-year-old grandmother with a log following a dispute over an undisclosed issue.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident which occurred in Gole Village.
She identified the suspect as Mpumelelo Dube.

Insp Mangena said Dube was sitting with his grandmother Bongiwe Ncube in her kitchen hut together with his siblings when the suspect struck her with a wooden log on the back of her head.

“I can confirm that we recorded a murder case that occurred in Gole Village in Kezi on Friday. Mpumelelo Dube was with his grandmother Bongiwe Ncube in her kitchen hut together with her grandchildren when a misunderstanding arose over an undisclosed issue,” she said.

“Dube picked up a wooden log and struck his grandmother three times on the back of her head and she died on the spot.”

After committing the offence, Dube fled from the scene. Ncube’s body was ferried to Maphisa District Hospital Mortuary.

Insp Mangena urged members of the public to desist from resorting to violence to resolve problems.

She said people should engage third parties and find ways to solve their problems amicably.

Insp Mangena appealed to members of the public with information on the whereabouts of the suspect to contact any nearest police station.- Chronicle

Zanu-PF-aligned preacher Obadiah Musindo has been arrested and is detained at Harare Central police station on allegations he stole US$5,900 worth of cellphones.

According to NewZimbabwe, Musindo was arrested Monday 20 February.

The Destiny for Africa Network founder is alleged to have duped Munyaradzi Kereva who runs a mobile phones company in Harare of an iPhone 14 ProMax (256G) worth US$2,450, an iPhone 12 ProMax (256G) worth US$1,450, a Samsung S22 worth US$1,600 and a Samsung F12 worth US$300 last year October.

According to his docket, Musindo collected the phones and misrepresented to Kereva that he will be coming back with payment.

Musindo allegedly told Kereva he wanted to sell the phones to one of his clients at Sakunda Holdings offices.

He did not return as promised and evaded Kereva until his arrest.- Bulawayo 24

Students at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) are protesting at the university premises over what they say is exorbitant fees hike.

According to one of the students, they have been asked to pay US$720 per semester, an amount they say is beyond the reach of their parents.

 Riot Police have since been deployed at the university.

Below are pictures of the protest at NUST