By A Correspondent- Outspoken Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to disregard parliament’s consent and take the United Nations (UN)’s advice not to sign the Private Voluntary Organizations (PVO) bill into law.

The bill now awaits Mnangagwa’s signature to become law after it was approved by both parliament and senate.

 The UN believes that if passed, the bill will shrink civic space in Zimbabwe and has since warned Mnangagwa against signing the bill.

Posting on Twitter Mliswa urged Mnangagwa to consider the advice saying by signing the bill he will dampens re-engagement efforts.

The President would do well to take the advice of the UN special rapporteur and not sign the PVO bill into law, it is better to serve the interests of the country not the party.

“The signing of the Bill also dampens the re-engagement drive. We have been paying American lobbyists to be admitted back yet here we have an opportunity to gain favour and support without paying money. Why trash our own efforts and foreign policy? It doesn’t make sense.

“There is no way in a democracy that everyone will believe and do the same things. We should cultivate ways to manage our differences without resorting to self-damaging actions,” Mliswa wrote.

He added that Mnangagwa should not always sign into law everything that is consented by parliament.

“The President has executive powers and shouldn’t be stampeded by parliament or his party to sign this Bill. By not signing it he would have scored a diplomatic score for the country. It will underscore our sincerity and preparedness for re-engagement as a country.”

By A Correspondent- The government will step in to stop schools from forcing parents to buy uniforms at exorbitant prices, primary and secondary education minister Evelyn Ndlovu told parliament on Wednesday.

Ndlovu said the ministry would issue a statutory instrument to deal with schools which are profiteering from the business of selling uniforms after barring parents from securing cheaper ones from retail shops.

Some schools now sell uniforms, and pupils who buy their uniforms from retail shops have sometimes been barred from classes.

Ndlovu said while the ministry has encouraged schools to produce their own uniforms by utilising students learning fashion and fabrics, the plan was never to force parents to buy these at astronomical prices.

She told MPs: “We have a policy on trying to make sure that schools become production centres. However, if schools are now overcharging our people, then we have to come up with a statutory instrument or a policy to control what is happening because it would seem that they are making money out of our people.

“So, we will come up with a statutory instrument or policy document that will control that.”

Ndlovu had earlier attempted to swerve MPs’ questions by saying they should give her ministry the names of the offending schools “and we will send our representatives so that they can go and talk to the school heads.”

Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu-PF) told Ndlovu that “the question that was posed was not talking about fashion and fabrics in schools.”

He added: “The question is, we have schools that are buying uniforms at OK Bazaars, Enbee or sourcing their own self-made uniforms. They are buying these uniforms and reselling them in schools. Some have a policy that says everyone should buy uniforms at the school.

“The school fees are exorbitant, school uniforms are expensive and parents are no longer affording to send children to school. What do we do about such an issue that schools are now selling uniforms at exorbitant prices?”

Earlier, Ndlovu came under fire from MPs over the country’s poor pass rate at Ordinary Level and Advanced Level, particularly in rural areas.

Binga North MP Prince Dubeko Sibanda (CCC) said: “In Binga district alone, 18 high schools came out with 0 percent pass rate in last year’s (O’ Level) examinations. What is the ministry doing to ensure that we reverse these kinds of pass rates that we are witnessing in the country?”

Sibanda drew the ire of the temporary Speaker William Mutomba (Buhera North, Zanu-PF) after he suggested that Ndlovu was “clueless on the extent of the problem” before adding: “In fact, in properly governed countries, one would not stand up and call themselves a minister of primary and secondary education with the level of pass rate that we are getting.”

Zanu-PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi protested that “using words like ‘clueless’ to a minister, I think it is not correct.”

And Mutomba took further issue with Sibanda’s statement that Zimbabwe is not a properly governed country.

Said Mutomba: “Hon. Sibanda, what you have just said is so much unparliamentary. Can you withdraw?”

Sibanda then told Mutomba that he was withdrawing the statement that Zimbabwe is not a properly governed country, rephrasing: “Let me say in other jurisdictions, the minister would not have the courage to stand up and call herself a minister of primary and secondary education, with the kind of pass rate that we have.

“Let her tell us what are the pragmatic measures that her ministry is taking to ensure that we reverse these downward trends of pass rate that we are experiencing in the country.”

Ndlovu blamed the poor pass rate in rural areas on lack of reading materials and a shortage of teachers. She said her ministry was delivering computers in rural schools to help students access the internet, an advantage enjoyed by city pupils.

She told MPs: “It is true that we have schools in our rural areas that do not have enough teachers. As a result, we appealed to the ministry of public service, labour and social welfare, through the Public Service Commission, to have more teachers recruited this year.”

In 2022, she said they requested 50,000 new teachers but the finance ministry was only able to approve 10,000 “because of budgetary constraints.”

She told MPs: “This year in our budget we have been allocated 7,000 teachers that are going to be recruited apart from those that we are replacing, for instance those who retired, what we call attrition.

“So we are working closely with the Public Service Commission to first recruit 2,500 to replace those teachers that were retired, those that have passed away or those that have resigned.

“The current position is that we are again working on the recruitment of the 7,000 teachers. We are working to make sure that we get Treasury concurrence for the recruitment of the 7,000. Otherwise the 2,500 we are recruiting because they are already in the budget but the 7,000, we need to clear with Treasury so that at least we pay them.”

-zimlive

By-The South African High Court has denied Operation Dudula’s attempt to intervene in a lawsuit brought by the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) challenging the non-extension of Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEPs).
Operation Dudula is a South African organisation regarded as xenophobic as it has been associated with aggressively intimidating and targeting migrants.
The group blames the presence of migrants for many of South Africa’s socioeconomic problems.
HSF is a human rights organisation that filed a case with the High Court Division in Gauteng, South Africa, last year to overturn the decision not to prolong ZEPs on the grounds that the decision was unlawful and unreasonable.
This case will be heard on April 11 to 14 this year.
Before the case hearing in April, the All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa (ATDFASA) with Operation Dudula applied to intervene in the matter to make their arguments when the case hearing starts (a normal procedure for people with an interest in the matter.)
The ZEPs cover around 178 000 Zimbabweans and will not be extended because the South African government provided ZEP holders a 12-month grace period to apply for another type of permit or leave the country by 2022.
South Africa temporarily extended ZEP holders’ stay until June of this year, after which Zimbabweans are expected to return home.
However, on February 10, 2023, the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa dismissed the application made by Operational Dudula for lacking merit and that it is based on speculation.
On the other hand, the application by ATDFASA -the truck drivers association, succeeded.
In its judgement, the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa said the “application by Operation Dudula to intervene in the main application is refused.”
“The application by All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa to intervene in the main application is granted and it is joined as the third respondent therein,” read the judgement.
“The aforementioned third respondent is directed to deliver any answering or supplementary affidavit that it may wish to deliver in the main application within 10 days from the date of this order. The costs of the third respondent’s application for intervention, shall be costs in the cause of the main application.”
The main application referred to here is the case launched by HSF in case no 32323/20233.
HSF has been joined by a second applicant the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CORMSA) as the second applicant in terms of an order of this court of September 16, 2022.
“The Minister (of Home Affairs) is the first respondent in the main application and the Director General (DG) of the Department of Home Affairs is the second respondent. The respondents oppose the main application but only the DG has deposed to an answering affidavit.
“The relief claimed by HSF and CORMSA is for the decision to terminate the ZEPs be declared unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid.
The applicants also want the Minister of Home Affairs decision be reviewed and set aside, while the matter is remitted back to the minister for reconsideration, following a fair process that complies with the requirements of Sections 3 and 4 of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000 (PAJA).
“Pending the conclusion of a fair process and the first respondent’s further decision, it is directed that: Existing ZEP’s shall be deemed to remain valid, ZEP holders will continue to enjoy the protections afforded by Immigration Directive 1 of 2021, No holder of exemption should be required to produce a valid exemption certificate or an authorisation letter to remain in SA contemplated in Section 32(2) of the Immigration Act when making an application for any category of the visas, including temporary residence visa.”
HSF and CORMSA also want the Minister of Home Affairs and any other parties “opposing this application to pay costs, jointly and severally, the other paying the other to be absolved.”
-CITE

By- MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora, the opposition leader has recalled his former deputy, Elias Mudzuri, from the Upper House, alleging that he has ceased to belong to his party.

In a vacancy notice to the Senate on Tuesday, deputy president of the senate Michael Nyambuya said the MDC-T informed him last week on Monday that Sen Mudzuri ceased to be a member of the party with effect from February 1. He said:

I have to inform the House that on the 6th of February, 2023, I was notified by the Movement for Democratic Change that with effect from the 1st of February, 2023, Hon. Sen. Eng. Elias Mudzuri ceased to be a member of the MDC party. Accordingly, Section 129 (1) (K) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe applies, it provides that: – ‘A seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the Member has ceased to belong to the political party of which he or she was a member when elected to Parliament and the political party concerned, by written notice to the Speaker or the President of the Senate, as the case may be, has declared that the member has ceased to belong to it.

He said the necessary administrative measures will be taken to inform President Mnangagwa, and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of the existence of the vacancy in line with the Electoral Act, [Chapter 2:13].

The recall comes days after Mudzuri allegedly fired Mwonzora from MDC-T for breaching the party’s Constitution.

According to Mudzuri, Mwonzora did not follow the laid down procedure of holding the Congress.

However, Mwonzora was displeased by Mudzuri ‘s actions leading to the recall.

Mudzuri, a former Harare Mayor, was reportedly eyeing contesting for the presidency at the Congress before he threw the towel due to alleged irregularities in the build-up.

He was recalled from Senate on 14 February when the party was celebrating the life of Morgan Tsvangirai, the late founding leader of the MDC who died in 2018.

By- A diamond-laden light plane owned by mining giant, Murowa (Private) Limited, crashed in Beatrice Monday.

The plane also had members of the police and private security officials, it has emerged.

The Piper 31 Navajo aircraft landed on a field about 16km from Beatrice at around 2.30 pm and had five people on board.
Police yesterday said no one was killed in the crash, but five people on-board were injured and taken to hospital for treatment.
They were identified as the pilot Zvikomborero Nyamakura of Borrowdale, Murowa Diamonds’ security officer Salfina Karimazondo, Constable Obey Mabvundwi of CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit and two security guards from Fawcett Security Company, Petros Chaguruka and Fredrick Maroyi.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are continuing, but there are preliminary indications that the plane could have developed an engine fault.
Police said the diamonds, which were being moved from Murowa’s mine in Zvishavane were secured before they were taken to Murowa Diamonds offices in Harare by security guards from Fawcetts.
“We are now working together with officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) to ascertain the cause of the accident. More details will be released in due course,” said national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
CAAZ could not comment on the incident yesterday.
In a terse statement, the group corporate affairs executive for Murowa’s parent company, RioZim Limited, Tafadzwa Gova said: A Piper 31 Navajo aircraft owned by RZM Murowa (Private Limited) force-landed in a farm field approximately 16 kilometres from Beatrice on the 13th of February 2023.
“The cause is yet to be ascertained. There were no casualties on board or on the ground. Damage was limited to the aircraft.
“There will be a full investigation by the company in conjunction with CAAZ, the regulator.”
The company could not comment on the diamonds consignment, or the condition of the injured.
Witnesses on the ground said the incident occurred at Muriwai Farm around2.30pm and the five were pulled out of the wreckage by locals with the help of the farm owner who rushed them to hospital.
The pilot sustained serious head injuries and is said to be in critical condition, while the other four are in a stable condition.
Mr Ishmael Gwaze, who saw the unfolding drama, said he saw the low flying aircraft which appeared to be preparing to land, but was producing a weird sound.
He said the plane’s engines appeared to be stalling and restarting intermittently and it eventually landed on a fire guard.
“The plane then sped along the fireguard and the front landing gear snapped and it overturned.
“A person who was nearest to the wreckage rushed to the scene and used a spanner to break the windows.
“More people then arrived to help in pulling out the people from the plane,” said Mr Gwaze.
It is understood that just before the plane came down, the pilot, Nyamakura informed the other people on board that the airplane had developed a mechanical fault on its left engine and that he wanted to land safely.
Nyamakura is reported to have decided to land on the farm and appeared to have done a remarkable job until the landing gear gave in, sending the plane spinning on the ground.
The farm owner identified as Mr Gerald Douglas Davison (68) rushed to the scene and took the five to Beatrice Hospital for treatment from where they were later transferred to a medical facility in Harare.

By- A South African Border Guard member has killed a Zimbabwean man at Beitbridge Border Post this morning.

The Zimbabwean man was reportedly shot for reprimanding the Border Guards from assaulting an old woman who was picking up empty cans and plastic containers for recycling.
The incident occured at around 4 am.
Although official comments could not be obtained from South African police, witnesses said the body was taken to Musina Mortuary at around 7 am.
“This is sad, the man was shot in the head at close range by one of the border guards for reprimanding them about assaulting an elderly woman,” said Washington Guruve.
-State media

Tinashe Sambiri|CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa’s political tactics are giving Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa sleepless nights.

Despite attempts by the State machinery to discredit the youthful CCC leader, in essence Zanu PF bigwigs are trembling.

According to President Chamisa, a huge surprise is on the cards.

“THERE IS A SURPRISE COMING..Nobody can ever ban or stop an idea or a moment whose time has come. Zimbabwe shall be free, just, peaceful and prosperous! #Fakapressure #Fakaprayer

Zimbabwe, I feel your love and solid support. It’s across the rural and urban divide. You always humble me. Your love is wholesome! It can only be God! #Godisinit,” said President Chamisa in a statement.

Zimbabwe, I feel your love and solid support. It’s across the rural and urban divide. You always humble me. Your love is wholesome! It can only be God! #Godisinit pic.twitter.com/8ozdluJ6wL

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) February 13, 2023

By- A Zimbabwean man has been shot dead by a South African Border Guard member.

The Zimbabwean man was shot at Beitbridge Border Post this morning.

The Zimbabwean man was reportedly shot for reprimanding the Border Guards from assaulting an old woman who was picking up empty cans and plastic containers for recycling.
The incident occured at around 4 am.
Although official comments could not be obtained from South African police, witnesses said the body was taken to Musina Mortuary at around 7 am.
“This is sad, the man was shot in the head at close range by one of the border guards for reprimanding them about assaulting an elderly woman,” said Washington Guruve.
-State media

By A Correspondent- Low wages and delays in payment of salaries are reportedly fuelling brown envelope journalism among media practitioners.

Media watchdogs say the lowest paid journalist should get at least US$600 per month.

Media Alliance of Zimbabwe chairperson and Zimbabwe Union of Journalists national secretary-general Perfect Hlongwane yesterday told NewsDay that journalists were becoming “extortionist” because they were poorly remunerated.

The development comes after Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation journalist Tendai Munengwa and Central Intelligence Organisation operative Henry Kachere were last week arrested for extorting US$25 000 from Pedzisayi “Scott” Sakupwanya, who is the chief executive officer of Better Brands Jewellery.

“Journalists are not sufficiently remunerated because of our economic problems.  It is affecting how journalists are remunerated at their work places. The least paid journalists should at least be paid US$600 per month. If they are under-paid, their professionalism is threatened and they might accept bribes,” Hlongwane said.

He said a national employment council for journalists should be urgently formed to deal with issues of their welfare.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Tuesday marked five years since former opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai died.

Tsvangirai succumbed to colon cancer in South Africa aged 65.

Touted as the doyen of democracy due to his huge influence in Zimbabwean politics, Tsvangirai’s fifth year anniversary was observed under a low key atmosphere with opposition figures taking to social media to celebrate his legacy.

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa paid a tribute to Tsvangirai for his resilience against the Zanu-PF regime.

“Five years on. We are still standing! The struggle continues! The pursuit of justice never ends.The five key lessons you taught me; never keep or carry a grudge. Do not pursue vengeance. Seek peace with all men. Ignore haters, cynics and doomsayers. Stay focused, stay the course Rest in peace (RIP) Save,” said Chamisa.

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union paid tribute to its former Secretary General saying his role in representing workers will never be forgotten.

“Today marks the 5th anniversary of the demise of our former Secretary General Morgan Richard Tsvangirai who led the ZCTU during one of the most turbulent periods for the labour movement and distinguished himself.”

The apparent party that Tsvangirayi once led, MDC was mum in observing his fifth year anniversary with leader Douglas Mwonzora choosing the former leader’s anniversary to expel his rival Elias Mudzuri from Senate.

Emerging from ZCTU, Tsvangirai was one of the founding fathers of a once formidable MDC in 1999 and gave the ruling party then under Robert Mugabe a run for its money, coming close in 2008 to topple the revolutionary party.

Tsvangirai served as PM in a Government of National Unity (GNU) from 2009 to 2013, in a period Zimbabwe experienced political and economic sanity.

However since his demise opposition has gone through turbulence resulting in splits with Thokozani Khupe claiming as the true heiress through a court victory over then MDC- Alliance leader Chamisa.

Khupe was then booted out of MDC by Mwonzora through an extraordinary congress in 2020.

Chamisa, who once claimed that he was anointed by Tsvangirai as his successor, formed his outfit last year dumping the MDC name and symbols.

According to political analyst Lazarus Sauti, opposition politics is now premised in the hands of CCC ahead of upcoming elections.

“To say the opposition is near to non-existent after Tsvangirai’s death is far-fetched. CCC is doing well considering its performance during the 26 March 2022 by-elections,” said Sauti.

-NewZim

By A Correspondent- A Cranborne woman was murdered by unknown assailants on Monday evening on her way home from work.

Faith Musonza’s body was found by Hatfield police with her n!pples and nails ripped off.

Her husband, Fradreck Chasara, waited for her the whole night and was sh0cked when he was called to identify her body which had some parts missing.

It is believed Faith left work at around 7pm, heading home in Cranborne.

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

“After trying several times, her number suddenly became unreachable.

“I went to our bus stop hoping to find her there, but there was no one,” he said.

The supervisor told me that she had left work at around 7pm.”

I waited, but my wife never turned up until I decided to report the case at Hatfield Police Station.”

He said after filling the police report, he was told that they had found a dead woman in the area and advised that he checks the body to see if it wasn’t Faith.

“When we got there, I was shattered seeing my wife dead, lying in a pool of blood.

“What sh0cked me the most was that some of Faith’s body parts were missing, and there was blood everywhere.

“The body was taken to Sally Mugabe Hospital for a post-mortem.”

Meanwhile, Spar Zimbabwe have paid condolences to their slain employee via a poster.

“The Spar Zimbabwe family are very saddened to learn of the sad loss of Faith Musonza from Hatfield Spar.

“We would like to extend our sincere condolences to her husband, children, relatives and colleagues.

“Faith was a valued member of the Spar Zimbabwe community and she will be greatly missed.

“May her soul rest in peace.”

— HMetro

By A Correspondent- The United Kingdom (UK) administration has availed £15 million to facilitate the recruitment of international health and social care workers, including Zimbabweans.

In February 2022 care workers were added to the Health and Care Worker visa shortage occupation list, enabling these roles to be recruited from overseas.

There were rumours, however, that the UK would this March terminate head-hunting for nurse aides to fill the gaps created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, through a recent communication, the British government said it had extended the recruitment of health and social care employees to 2024. Reads the letter seen by NewZimbabwe:

This guidance is for local authorities and adult social care providers.

Government can confirm that it is making £15 million available over 2023 to 2024 to help support international recruitment within the adult social care sector.

The aim of this fund is to promote collaborative arrangements which reduce administrative complexity and burden, particularly for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) providers.

Reports suggest that more than 4 000 Zimbabwean healthcare workers have left for the UK since February 2021.

Data from the British Home Office in 2022 reveals that Zimbabwe is now in the top five skilled worker visa recipient countries.

Many Zimbabweans have resorted to undertaking nurse aide courses to make them eligible for recruitment as adult social care workers in the UK and other European countries.

 By A Correspondent- A 52 year old polygamous Shamva man has been jailed 20 years for killing one of his wives, after accusing her of infidǝlity.

Joseph Chogugudza, who is a member of an apostolic church sect, has 11 wives and 45 children, 28 who are under the age of 18.

He appeared before High Court judge, Justice Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa, who slammed him for painting the deceased as a pr0miscu0us woman, without evidence, to substantiate his allegations.

The court heard that sometime in April 2021, at Mandimu Village under Chief Musana in Shamva, the woman left home to go and buy sugar, without telling anyone.

She returned late and had a misunderstanding with Chogugudza.

He claimed an altercation ensued and she grabbǝd him by his mɑnh00d.

He said he struck her with a computer cable several times.

Chogugudza ordered her to confess to the other wives and then to the congregants at the church shrine.

She, however, collapsed and died the following morning.

Armed with results of the post-mortem, the State proved that Chogugudza’s wife died from a head trauma, respiratory and cerebral contusion.

In his defence, Chogugudza claimed he did not constructively contribute to her death, saying she could have sustained injuries from her fall.

He said he’d even compensated her family with 10 beasts.

In her ruling, Justice Munangati-Manongwa said Chogugudza was remorseless throughout the trial, and instead justified his actions.

“In essence, the deceased had done nothing wrong apart from going to the shops to buy sugar, a normal chore which any housewife could do.

“It is apparent from his evidence that he meant to make the deceased an example to his other wives as per his own words.

“The wanton assault by the accused on the deceased, which was done indiscriminately using force and causing fatal injuries, cannot go unpunished. Further, society, and indeed the accused’s family, needs to be protected from a tyrant like the accused.

“He, therefore, needs to be incarcerated for a lengthy period of time as advocated by the State.

“This is unavoidable where the breadwinner lands at the deep end of crime.

“Given the aforementioned, the accused is sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.”

— HMetro

Tinashe Sambiri|CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has described the late former Prime Minister and MDC founding president, the Right Honourable Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai as a great mentor.

Dr Tsvangirai died on February 14, 2018 after a long battle with cancer.

Writing on Twitter, President Chamisa described the late veteran opposition leader as a ” doyen of democracy” and an icon of the people’s struggle.

“5 YEARS ON..We are still standing! The struggle continues! The pursuit of justice never ends.

The 5 key lessons you taught me; Never keep or carry a grudge.Don’t pursue vengeance. Seek peace with all men. Ignore haters, cynics and doomsayers.

Stay focused,stay the course! RIP SAVE.”

By- Fire has gutted Mpilo Central Hospital following an electrical fault.

Mpilo Central Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Narcisius Dzvanga said members of staff used fire extinguishers to put out the fire before the fire brigade arrived.
“We had a small fire incident around 7:45 am. It was dictated in the form of smoke and was then traced to the control box on the second floor. The fire was put out by members of staff using fire extinguishers on the floor. Patients are safe and staff are at work, there were no injuries and nothing was burnt except the control panel,” he said.
However, the fire left the Nutrition Unit and the University Office within the hospital without power.
The hospital has been affected by a series of fires that occurred in 2018, 2019, and in 2022.
In May 2021, a fire that gutted the doctors’ accommodation facilities left 39 healthcare workers homeless.
Following the series of fire incidents, Government built and completed the doctors’ quarters last year. Chronicle

By- Another former Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) leader has deserted the opposition for Zanu PF

Former spokesperson, Tatenda ‘Zuj’ Mandondo is the second ex-Zinasu leader to desert the opposition after Tafadzwa Mugwadi in recent years.

Mndondo described the CCC as a sinking ship which lacks seriousness.

He was part of scores of “deserters” unveiled and welcomed into the ruling party fold by President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the weekend. Mandondo spoke to NewZimbabwe:

We all have choices and decisions to make in life that are necessary for national development and unity of purpose and for them to scrutinise thoroughly their continued stay in a sinking ship.

My decision to join Zanu-PF was made of full body and mind inspired by the need to assist in the National framework and be part of a collaborative and unified political outfit that does not exhibit traits of chaos, confusion and despondency.

The opposition lacks seriousness in its approach and is the lone voice of a lone man or elite individuals, however, with ZANU PF you easily understand the command structure and still have your voice considered and your efforts acknowledged.

The issue with some pressure groups masquerading as political parties is regrettable as they lack proper substance to capacitate the masses they claim to lead, they do not provide opportunities, the democracy narrative being toyed around with has shifted dramatically and drastically from the days of the late former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and if they continue on their self-destructive path they will soon be a mere memory on the horizon.

Mandondo was unveiled as a new member alongside late MDC founding President Morgan Tsvangirai’s brother Collins, who was coming from the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC Alliance.

By- Members of the police are investigating a plane crash in the Featherstone area in Chivhu last night.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the crash and said two people were injured and were rushed to Beatrice Hospital, where they were stabilised.
“Two people on the plane survived the crash and were taken to Beatrice Hospital. They were transferred to another health facility for further treatment,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said the police were by late last night still working on establishing more details on the plane crash.

By- The police have announced a plane crash in the Featherstone area in Chivhu last night.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the crash and said two people were injured and were rushed to Beatrice Hospital, where they were stabilised.
“Two people on the plane survived the crash and were taken to Beatrice Hospital. They were transferred to another health facility for further treatment,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said the police were by late last night still working on establishing more details on the plane crash.

By- A form four Pupil at Founders High School in Bulawayo died after a 16-year-old pupil from Hamilton High School stabbed him in gang-related violence on Monday afternoon.
It is said that the deceased confronted his attacker, questioning him why he had beaten up his friend.
This resulted in a fight between pupils from Founders High School and those from Hamilton High School.
The deceased has been identified as Wayne Ndlovu aged 16.
Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the matter saying the victim was stabbed on the neck.
“He was pronounced dead upon admission at United Bulawayo Hospitals. The deceased and the attacker are both 16-years-old and are pupils from Hamilton High School and Founders High School,” said Asst Insp Msebele.
She said their scuffle started when the pupils had knocked off from school and were waiting for transport at a roadside near Founders High School.
Gang related violence among pupils from various schools in the city has become common.

Tinashe Sambiri|CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has described the late former Prime Minister and MDC founding president, the Right Honourable Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai as a great mentor.

Dr Tsvangirai died on February 14, 2018 after a long battle with cancer.

Writing on Twitter, President Chamisa described the late veteran opposition leader as a ” doyen of democracy” and an icon of the people’s struggle.

“5 YEARS ON..We are still standing! The struggle continues! The pursuit of justice never ends.

The 5 key lessons you taught me; Never keep or carry a grudge.Don’t pursue vengeance. Seek peace with all men. Ignore haters, cynics and doomsayers.

Stay focused,stay the course! RIP SAVE.”

By A Correspondent- A Harare man dragged his son-in-law to the Maintenance Court on Friday accusing him of neglecting and dumping his child.

Brighton Mbodza claimed US$60 from his son-in-law, Talent Mabhiza, for the upkeep of his 7-year-old child.

The child’s mother moved to South Africa to look for a job, and I want him to assist me to take care of his child, especially medical aid, clothes and extra lessons.”

Talent offered US$20 and told the court that he would ask the child’s mother to pay school fees.

“I am not employed and I have remɑrried and my wife is expecting. I can pay for the extra lessons.”

But his father-in-law turned down the offer.

“He dumped the child twice and I had to take in the child. I took her in and he should appreciate that and at least help me to raise his daughter,” he said.

Magistrate Ayanda Dhlamini ordered Talent to pay US$35, pay fees and buy clothes for his daughter three times a year.

— HMetro

By A Correspondent- A form four Pupil at Founders High School in Bulawayo died after a 16-year-old pupil from Hamilton High School stabbed him in gang related violence on Monday afternoon.

It is said that the deceased confronted his attacker questioning him why he had beat up his friend.

This resulted in a fight between pupils from Founders High School and those from Hamilton High School.

The deceased has been identified as Wayne Ndlovu aged 16.

Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the matter saying the victim was stabbed on the neck.

He was pronounced dead upon admission at United Bulawayo Hospitals. The deceased and the attacker are both 16-years-old and are pupils from Hamilton High School and Founders High School,” said Asst Insp Msebele.

She said their scuffle started when the pupils had knocked off from school and were waiting for transport at a roadside near Founders High School.

Gang related violence among pupils from various schools in the city has become common.

— Chronicle

By- Tendai Munengwa, a senior ZBC reporter and a Central Intelligence Organisation agent, Henry Kachere, are in trouble for allegedly demanding US$25 000 from gold dealer Scott Sakupwanya to destroy incriminating evidence against him.

Mnengwa (44), of Hillside in Harare and Kachere (40), of Seke, appeared before Harare Magistrates Court last Saturday charged with extortion and were remanded in custody to February 13 for their bail application.

What happened:

The court heard that the duo hatched a plan to extort Sakupwanya, the CEO of Better Brands Jewellery, ZimLive reported.

On February 8, Munengwa allegedly told Sakupwanya that the CIO had “sensitive classified information in respect of illegal gold dealings” by his company.

Munengwa is also alleged to have said the evidence could be destroyed by Kachere, who is attached to the CIO’s Counter Intelligence Unit, upon the payment of US$25 000.

The National Prosecuting Authority told the court:

As a result of the exerted pressure, Sakupwanya indicated that he could afford US$15 000.

After accepting Sakupwanya’s offer, Munengwa allegedly advised the gold dealer that they would meet at 6 PM on February 9, 2023, so that he could introduce him to the CIO officer dealing with the matter.

The court heard that Sakupwanya called in the police who obtained a trap authority.

At the appointed time, Sakupwanya gave the trap money to one of his security officers, Tozivepi Milward, to give it to Munengwa and his accomplice outside his office at 2 Elliot Drive, Greendale, Harare.

Munengwa showed Milward a file which he claimed contained the incriminating documents. 

Milward handed over the trap money to Munengwa before detectives closed in and took the two men into custody.

Police recovered US$15 000 in real and counterfeit notes which had been used in the trap.

By A Correspondent- The body of a woman who had been reported missing in November last year was found hanging from a tree at an advanced stage of decomposition.

Two herd boys discovered Rumbidzai Sibanda’s body.

“The now deceased, from Aka Business Centre under Chief Malisa in Silobela, was found hanging from a tree on 6 February 2023 by two boys who were herding cattle. They reported the case to the police who attended the scene and ferried the body to Kwekwe General Hospital for postmortem,” he said.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Twenty people were killed and 68 other injured when a tour bus and a cash-in-transit van collided on the N1 to Louis Trichardt in Limpopo on Monday night.

Ross Campbell, an ER24 spokesperson said the the bus then rolled from the freeway bridge into the river below, landing on its left side.

“ER24 paramedics were on the scene at 20:05 with the Fire Department, Provincial EMS and Rescue and several other private EMS services. The scene was still active at the time of this report (at midnight) , with several passengers still possibly unaccounted for,” Campbell said.

One patient, of the 69 passengers confirmed transported to hospital for various injuries, has since died. Three people were found deceased by the roadside and 16 down by the river – all were declared dead on arrival. Most of the fatalities down by the river had been trapped under the bus,” he said.

The exact details surrounding the collision were unknown but police were investigating.

The crash occurred during heavy rains in the area and it was unclear if that was a contributing factor to the crash.

It came just hours after the government announced another national state of disaster to deal with widespread flooding across the country.

In a statement on Monday night, the Presidency said the declaration would enable “an intensive, coordinated response” to the impact of floods in Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, the Northern Cape, and North West regions.

The South African Weather services is warning that persistent and heavy rain this week could cause localised flooding.

— IOL

By- A 34-year-old man from Filabusi was arrested after he pushed a lady of the night out of a moving vehicle following a misunderstanding on Friday last week.

The suspect, Ndodana Siwela approached the complainant (20) from Pumula South suburb who was at Palace Hotel in the Bulawayo city centre and requested her services.
Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube said the two got into the suspect’s car and drove to 15th Avenue, where they parked the vehicle and had sex.
“When they were done, the accused person ordered the complainant to disembark from the motor vehicle and find her way back to Palace Hotel but she refused. A misunderstanding arose between the two and the accused person later agreed to take the complainant back to the hotel. On their way back, the accused person pushed the complainant out of the moving vehicle and drove away,” said Insp Ncube.
He said the complainant fell on the tarred road but did not sustain visible injuries and was only complaining of pain and difficulties in walking.
Insp Ncube said she was assisted by two security guards who escorted her back to the hotel.
He urged members of the public to desist from violence in altercations and misunderstandings. Chronicle

By A Correspondent- Three small scale miners have died in Gwanda after a mine shaft collapsed. Police had retrieved two bodies in the afternoon while the search for the other continues.

Although government official confirmation could not be obtained yesterday, the Matabeleland South chairman of the small-scale miners, Philemon Mokuele, confirmed in a message to Matabeleland South miners.

We had a fatal accident: one of our small-scale miners in the Dubane area, Gwanda, Three miners have been trapped underground, two bodies were retrieved, unfortunately one body is still underground,” he said.

Mokuele said another miner, William Smith had provided an excavator to help retrieve the bodies.

“The excavator doesn’t have fuel, we are kindly appealing for diesel donations for the excavator as a matter of emergency. Those who are willing to donate can contact the following numbers 0785732825,” said Mokuele.

-Newsday

By- A Harare man who is having marital disputes with his wife told the court that their problems were being caused by a pastor from the church where her wife fellowships.

The matter came to light at the Harare Civil Court, during cross-examination when Magistrate Ms Tamara Chibindi asked Danger Wisikesi why he was assaulting his wife, Ruth Jack.
Jack had applied for a peace order against her husband whom she accused of assaulting and accusing her of being promiscuous.
“On December 6 last year, my husband assaulted me because he thought that I was dating a man from our church. Up to now, there is no peace at the house over that matter. I am praying that you grant me a peace order,” she said.
However, Wisikesi denied the allegations arguing that he never assaulted her but was angry as his wife was having an affair with a pastor from her church which is called Simbarashe Apostolic Church.
“On the day in question, I never assaulted her except to push her after I got angry when she asked me why I was accusing her of dating the pastor.
“This is after I had asked her where she was coming from after 10pm without even preparing any meal for the family,” he said.
He said Jack told him that she had walked out the pastor who had visited her at that hour.
He complained that the pastor was always at his house alone with his wife during the day when he was at work.
Wisikesi said ever since his wife became the personal assistant of the pastor, she no longer communicated with him during the day over the phone as before.
“She no longer chats with me during the day and goes on trips with the pastor. This has really affected me emotionally and has affected my performance at work.”
When asked about the affair, Jack said she was not in love with the pastor.
“Yes, I get along with the pastor but we are not having an affair. He only comes to pick me up so that we can go to the mountain for prayers together,” she said.
Magistrate Ms Chibindi advised Jack to stop allowing the pastor from visiting her at home but meet at church only, if it is really church business to avoid problems in her marriage.
She dismissed her application for lack of merit. Herald

By SA Correspondent- About 20 members of the Ziscosteel Pension Fund have petitioned Parliament to press for the payment of US$3 million in outstanding pensions, documents obtained by NewsDay Business yesterday showed.

This figure translates to about $2,5 billion at the prevailing official foreign currency exchange rate.

The petition says the firm’s ex-workers were ready to be paid in Zimbabwe dollars.

The seven-page petition, which was submitted to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Development about 10 days ago, showed that the 20-member group served the troubled steelmaker for a combined 600 years.

After leaving the firm at various stages, their attempts to be paid their pensions have been frustrated for a period spanning over half a decade, according to the Zimbabwe Pension and Insurance Rights Trust (ZimPIRT), which is representing the ex-Zisco staff.

Once southern Africa’s largest integrated steel operation, Zisco collapsed under the weight of unrestricted plunder and corruption by Zimbabwe’s elite over a decade ago.

Today, its Redcliffe operation — once a national pride — has been reduced to heaps of mangled steel and disintegrating furnaces.

Several global steel firms have attempted to take over the State-run firm, but many of the promising deals have faltered for various reasons.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The body of a Kwekwe man, identified as Isaac Kanhukamwe (27), who had been reported missing has been found floating in the Kwekwe River without arms and legs.

Midlands Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said Kanhukamwe of Grasslands in Redcliff, had left home intending to take a bath in the river, but did not return, only for his body to be discovered floating along the river.

“On 4 February 2023, Kanhukamwe left home to go and take a bath in Kwekwe River but did not return. This prompted the family to report him as a missing person,” said Inspector Mahoko.

He said on 6 February, a villager who was taking a bath in the river, was the first to discover the body and he reported the matter to the police.

Police retrieved the body, which was taken to Kwekwe General Hospital Mortuary for postmortem.