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.

Tinashe Sambiri|CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has bemoaned the pathetic state of the country’s roads.

The CCC leader had a torrid time as he travelled to Gokwe to attend change champion Tino Chiremba’s burial.

According to President Chamisa, the Kadoma- Gokwe road is a total disaster.

“KADOMA TO GOKWE VIA SANYATI ROAD A TOTAL DISASTER…

It took us more than 5 hours to cover a distance of about just 125 km to get to TINO’s homestead in Chikarimatsito, Gokwe.

The New Great Zimbabwe reconstruction agenda is our first task to rescue our national roads network,” the CCC leader observed.

By-Former Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Christopher Mushohwe has died.
He was 69.
Dr Mushohwe was the Executive Director of the Presidential and National Scholarships Programme.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Nick Mnangagwa confirmed the development.
“We have lost former Minister of Information Dr Chris Mushohwe. May His Soul Rest in Peace,” he wrote on Twitter.
Further details regarding his death have not been revealed.

By-A Bindura man urinated inside his father’s grave after being prevented from opening his father’s coffin at a gravesite.

 The situation also happened after violence had broken out at the same place.

The incident was triggered by actions of one of the deceased man’s sons, who opened the coffin at the gravesite, angering some relatives.

Reports said the deceased man’s son, only identified as Diva, opened his father’s coffin amid chants of Ngolo, Ngolo, by some mourners.

Ngolo is reportedly the son’s nickname.

In a video circulating on social media, Diva opened the coffin, but failed to remove the cloth covering his late father’s face.

DIVA is restrained by some of the mourners

Violence broke out immediately when some male relatives tried to stop him.

Others supported his move, while other relatives were against his move to open the coffin at the gravesite.

“Siyai aone baba vake. Ona baba vako shamwari, musiyei aone baba vake. Pfeka mask,” shouted some mourners.

Diva responds, “ndibaba vangu,” but he was stopped by a relative.

The violence lasted a few minutes before a relative closed the coffin.

Sources said, Diva and his other brother urinated inside the grave after the coffin was lowered.

By- Brother to the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, Collins, has joined Zanu PF.

Collins Tsvangirai was paraded by Zanu PF when President Emmerson Mnangagwa welcomed him to the ruling party on Saturday.

Mnangagwa received Collins and scores of other new members as part of ZANU PF’s “Huyai Kumusha Come Home Buyanini Ekhaya Muze Kumunzi” event held at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on Saturday.

Tsvangirai, former MDC MP for Masvingo Urban Tongai Matutu, former Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) spokesperson Tatenda Mandondo, former MDC MP for Kwekwe Central Blessing Chebundo, and former MDC Alliance Deputy Treasurer General Lillian Timveous were among them who were welcomed to ZANU PF.

Tsvangirai’s defection from the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC Alliance was confirmed last week while Chebundo and Timveous defected to ZANU PF a few years ago.

Addressing the gathering, Mnangagwa said ZANU PF structures should prepare themselves for an influx of former opposition supporters. NewZimbabwe.comquoted Mnangagwa as saying:

Go and tell people that the revolution is ongoing and unstoppable. ZANU PF chitima chakafanana nenzou inongopfuura pamusha ichingo famba ichingo famba.

Under ZANU PF there is no small idea that is excluded from helping to uplift our people.

No one is more important than the other. Iye waunoshora anofema mweya waunofema.

By-Hip hop artist Holy Ten has attacked Winky D, this time saying that he would prove to the public that the Gaffa President was not God.

Holy Ten has been on Winky D’s case ever since the two collaborated for the hit “Ibotso” off the latter’s latest album Eureka Eureka.

Responding to one fan questioning his stance towards Winky D on Twitter today, Holy Ten said he wants to prove that the Kambuzuma-raised chanter isn’t God. He said:

Wangu You people never defended even Jesus’ name like this. Now I’m going to prove to you that Wallace (Winky D) isn’t God.

Winky D has never responded to any of Holy Ten’s remarks. 

Tinashe Sambiri|CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has bemoaned the pathetic state of the country’s roads.

The CCC leader had a torrid time as he travelled to Gokwe to attend change champion Tino Chiremba’s burial.

According to President Chamisa, the Kadoma- Gokwe road is a total disaster.

“KADOMA TO GOKWE VIA SANYATI ROAD A TOTAL DISASTER…

It took us more than 5 hours to cover a distance of about just 125 km to get to TINO’s homestead in Chikarimatsito, Gokwe.

The New Great Zimbabwe reconstruction agenda is our first task to rescue our national roads network,” the CCC leader observed.

 By A Correspondent- A Kambuzuma welder died on Saturday morning after a sewage truck which was being fixed close to where he was working exploded.

The welder known as Bene operates at Kambuzuma shoping centre in Section 2. He reportedly died on his way to hospital. A source said he was just working close to the truck which was being fixed by another welder.

The incident occurred in Kambuzuma around 10am, where a sewage truck exploded when its tank was being repaired.

Pana welder anga achinama the truck along Kambuzuma Drive just close to the welders’ area irikuseri kwe mashops epa Section 2.

“So this welder abva abatanidzirwa ne exposion and died on his way to hospital,” said the source.

A witness said:

“Welder uyu ndaingomuziva nekuti Bene ayishandira paPakaz ndopaaitira welding yake and only one person was confirmed dead while two others were seriously injured and were all rushed to hospital.”

-HMetro

By- Zambia has ended power cuts at a time when its neighbour, Zimbabwe, is having countless hours of darkness.

Zambia’s power utility, the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO), announced at the weekend.
ZESCO Managing Director Victor Mapani told the state media that the country would no longer experience load-shedding.

He said households and companies countrywide will now enjoy 24 hours of power supply without disruptions.
Mapani said this comes after ZESCO restored and upgraded power generation at various power stations in the country.
Addressing a media briefing in Lusaka on Thursday, Mapani said ZESCO had revamped the Victoria Falls power station, which is currently feeding about 20 Megawatts into the National Grid.
He said ZESCO has also upgraded power generation at Kafue Gorge Upper and Lower Power Stations by over 150 megawatts.
He also disclosed that ZESCO would soon increase power generation at Lake Kariba from the current 250 megawatts to 350 due to the water levels in the Kariba Dam.
Zambia also plans to begin the importation of about 120 megawatts from Mozambique, Mapani further revealed.

By- Hip hop artist Holy Ten, real name Mukudzei Chitseme continues to lose fans on his social media platform following the explosive interview in which he dissed Winky D.

In an interview last week, the Kumba Kune Vanhu hitmaker shocked music fans when he described the Gaffa President as a Snake.

Before that interview, Holy Ten had 289 000 Instagram followers, which has rapidly dropped to the current 279 000.

The rapper has lost 10 000 followers within five days and has now even made his Instagram account private.

Tinashe Sambiri| CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has described the late change champion Tino Chiremba as a dedicated citizens’ hero.

Tino Chiremba was laid to rest in Gokwe on Saturday.

President Chamisa attended the citizens’ hero’s final send-off.

“I’M IN GOKWE…
Laying to rest a Change Champion and Citizens’ hero Tino Chiremba.

Tino touched many lives and dis a lot to develop his community. Rest In Power Tino,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

By A Correspondent- A ZESA cable thief was arrested when he went to hospital to get treatment for burns that he sustained during the theft.

Tinashe Tatenda Ndoreka (25) has since been sentenced a 20-year jail term for copper cable theft.

In a statement on twitter, the police said:

‘’The ZRP confirms the arrest and conviction of Tinashe Tatenda Ndoreka (25) for theft of copper cables which occurred in Chimhanda area, Rushinga, Mt Darwin between Jan and Feb, 2023. The matter came to light when the suspect was electrocuted and sought medical attention.

“A 16-metre squared 4-core armored cable was recovered from a local dam and some copper cables were recovered from the suspect’s disused toilet. The suspect has since been convicted and sentenced to an effective 20-year jail term.’’

By A Correspondent- Members of Parliament on Wednesday cornered the acting leader of government business in the National Assembly, Felix Mhona, and deputy Finance minister Clemence Chiduwa over an unfulfilled promise made to the military in 2020 for construction of garrison shops in barracks to serve soldiers with cheap basic food commodities.

In a post-cabinet briefing to journalists in Harare on 26 February 2020, Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube said the cantonment shops would enable military personnel to be “issued with a card or credit limit to buy what they want monthly”.

At that time, Zimbabweans, particularly civil servants, were enduring one of the worst economic crises characterised by acute shortages of fuel, electricity, foreign currency and basic goods like maize-meal as well as cooking oil. Ncube’s promise to introduce garrison shops was calculated at pacifying the soldiers who were increasingly becoming restive. Zimbabwe’s year-on-year inflation was as high as 525% at the time.

Two years before the promise, Ncube had introduced austerity measures he said were going to boost the economy, but his interventions turned out to be ruinous to public sector workers, and the military which had staged a coup to topple Robert Mugabe in 2017.

Junior and middle-ranked military personnel, who had hoped to be rewarded for staging the coup that ushered in President Emmerson Mnangagwa, were left grumbling as economic harships mounted.

However, three years later, the government has not opened rhe promised garrison shops, prompting MPs to raise questions on Wednesday in the National Assembly.

Opposition MDC-A proportional representation MP for Midlands Catherine Gozho kicked off the grilling of Mhona and Chiduwa. Mhona is also Transport minister.

“My question is directed to the minister of Defence and War Veterans. Since the honourable minister is not here, I will direct it to the leader of government business. In 2020, government promised to build garrison shops in barracks so that the military personnel can buy basic commodities at low prices. Have the garrison shops since been constructed like you promised?” she asked.

In his first response, Mhona, who was standing in for Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and leader of government business, said:

“The honourable member is so passionate about the welfare of the military and she asked whether the garrison shops have been built.”

“What I would want to explain to the august House is, the garrison shops may not have been constructed as expected, but government has ensured that the security forces are well looked after. I think the honourable minister for Defence and War Veterans will explain to the august House the important aspects concerning the welfare of the forces so that we understand what has been done.”

The Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) MP for Mbizo constituency, Settlement Chikwinya, followed up with another enquiry.

My understanding is that there are some barracks with existing garrison shops. The government’s promise at that time was to supply these garrison shops with subsidised commodities?” he queried, before Speaker Jacob Mudenda said: “Is it your understanding or knowledge?”

Chikwinya responded and turned the heat on deputy Finance minister Chiduwa.

“Knowledge. Understanding based on knowledge and I speak of 5.1 Battalion, that is Battlefields … So, they have garrison shops.”

“The undertaking by government was to supply these garrison shops with subsidised basic commodities so that soldiers could buy at subsidised prices.”

“That undertaking was made by the minister of Finance. I would want to know from the deputy minister of Finance here present whether the present garrison shops that are already there are supplied with subsidised basic commodities so that at least soldiers can buy at subsidised prices,” asked Chikwinya.

In response, Chiduwa shifted the blame to the Defence ministry led by Oppah Muchinguri, but was interjected by other MPs.

“On this issue, ministry of Finance provides the resources but in terms of implementation, it is done by the parent ministry. At the moment, Ministers cornered over false promise to military I am not sure if they have done it, otherwise. I would still need to check because the provisions were approved here in Parliament, so I would need to check if there was a budget for the garrison shops,” he said.

The matter was put to an end by Mudenda who held back more questions from MPs by saying Chiduwa needed more time to go and investigate the issue of the garrison shops in barracks before getting back to Parliament with a conclusive response.

“The answer by the honourable deputy minister is adequate. Let him go and find out what exactly the position is and come back to the august House,” said Mudenda.

Last year, independent Norton MP Temba Mliswa also cornered Muchinguri-Kashiri over the poor welfare of rank-and-file soldiers, saying they were supposed to get improved income from profits made in military companies like Rusununguko Inkululeko.

Mliswa told Parliament that junior soldiers were suffering in the barracks yet their seniors were enjoying comfortable lives from income raked in from military companies like Rusununguko Nkululeko (Private) Holdings.

The military company is the brainchild of the late Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo and has vast investments in various sectors of the economy, including in the media after getting a television licence to operate its NRTV station.

Mliswa took on Muchinguri-Kashiri over the business entity which symbolises the opaque commercialisation of the military whose financial owners have gone unscrutinised. The army also has other income-generating projects like the Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI), but the profits realised do not trickle down to rank-and file soldiers.

-Newshawks

By A Correspondent- Local Government minister July Moyo’s staggering US$155 million Chiredzi land deal — stinking to high heaven in the lowveld — for his cronies has now fully exploded as residents and Members of Parliament up the ante in the explosive issue which underlines rampant corruption in local authorities involving senior municipal and political bigwigs.

This comes after Chiredzi residents had initially made appeals to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his government to stop Moyo and his associates from parcelling out land for the town’s expansion and to investigate the corrupt land deal.

While the uproar intensifies, the entity Moyo gave the contentious land to, Full Life Open Arms Africa Investments, is now selling it unserviced residential stands at US$20.61 per square metre. Given the land size of 750 hectares and that 1 hectare is 10 000 square metres, this means sold in full the land cost US$155 million.

The development has infuriated Chiredzi residents, who in November 2022 petitioned Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda, urging Parliament to investigate the minister’s abuse of power as well as establish the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of the land.

Residents say officials from the two local authorities are afraid to challenge the minister over the murky parcelling out of the land.

Zanu-PF’s Chiredzi West legislator Farai Musikavanhu this week told The NewsHawks that the project lacks transparency.

Full Life Open Arms Africa Investments (FLOAAI) was in 2018 given the mandate to develop 750 hectares of land meant for Chiredzi town expansion. The allocation was done within a few days when Chiredzi Town Council and Chiredzi Rural District Council were being run by special commissions appointed by Moyo after the 2018 elections. At the time, Zimbabweans were anxiously awaiting the results of an electoral petition by opposition leader Nelson Chamisa at the Supreme Court.

The land in Buffalo Range Extension, north of Chiredzi town, was under the jurisdiction of Chiredzi RDC and the two local authorities signed a memorandum of agreement to jointly develop the area, which is meant to be Chiredzi’s new town.

Residents and stakeholders raised a red flag a few weeks ago after the developer, FLOAAI, started selling unserviced stands at US$20.61 per square metre.

According to a petition presented to Parliament and signed by four members of Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHRRA), FLOAAI was handpicked by Moyo without following public procurement procedures.

The petition further said the developer is a land baron who is set to prejudice the two Chiredzi local authorities of a substantial amount of money since he is now selling unserviced stands without paying a cent to the local councils.

Residents also say they were not consulted when the land was grabbed. They also complained that an environmental impact assessment was also not carried out.

“Your petitioners Jonathan Shonhiwa, Emmanuel Marimba, Lucky Mupungu and Lyold Sithole having consulted residents and other key stakeholders respectfully are worried about the high level of corruption on 750ha of land in Buffalo Range area allocated to both Chiredzi Town Council and Chiredzi Rural District Council for development on a joint venture based on percentage sharing,” the petition to Parliament reads.

“Now therefore, your petitioners beseech the Parliament of Zimbabwe to exercise its constitutional role and address the issues which are of public concern. It is alleged that Minister July Moyo handpicked a developer for the 750h in Buffalo Range area in Chiredzi without following proper legal tender procedure and allowing both councils to advertise.

The developer who does not have any history of works in other towns has not paid any cent to the two local authorities but is now selling unserviced stands prejudicing the two councils.

“. . . The minister of Local Government abused his powers, to back and award the developer, without the two local authorities, hence the local authorities are in fear to whistleblow the wrong doings.”

Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHRRA) chairperson Jonathan Shonhiwa told The NewsHawks that members of his association are deeply concerned about the level of corruption involved in the development of Chiredzi’s new town. He said it is a shame to note that high-level office bearers are involved in awarding a job of that magnitude to a developer without using a competitive tender procedure.

“As CHRRA we are worried about the selection procedure of unsolicited bidding instead of competitive tender procedure since it involves a lot of money to develop the 750 hectares. They did this with the influence of officials from the ministry of Local Government and Public Works, since the handpicked developer, Full Life Open Arms Africa Investment, had proved that he has no money and capacity to develop the area. He is now selling 1 700 undeveloped stands at US$20.61 per square metre against the agreement signed between the developer and councils,” said Shonhiwa.

FLOAAI chief executive officer Godfree Nelson Madanyaya was evasive when The NewsHawks reached him for comment.

“I am one of the happiest people in this world. How can l help you and what do you want to hear from me?” said Madanyaya, before he abruptly terminated the call.

Chiredzi Rural District Council chief executive officer Ailes Baloyi said there is an agreement between the joint venture and the developer for him to develop 350 hectares and the remainder will be developed at a later stage.

He said councils will benefit from the sale of stands as well as shortening their ballooning waiting lists.

Acting Chiredzi Town Council secretary Wesley Kauma told The NewsHawks the misunderstanding over the project was caused by former town secretary Charles Muchatukwa, who is now late, as he acted on behalf of council without consulting councillors and town management. He said the developer was selling unserviced stands to recoup his costs which he used for the feasibility studies and necessary surveys.

“Yes, there is confusion regarding this project and it is true that information about it is not public. The agreement is that the developer should recoup his costs through selling stands. Our councils are the ones which approached the minister and he gave us the idea of bringing in the developer of which all other developers were not willing to take up the job due to magnitude of the area and this developer took that risk,” said Kauma.

Chiredzi West legislator Farai Musikavanhu told The NewsHawks that the project lacks transparency.

He said the land should be recovered “from dirty dealers”, adding all stakeholders must be involved in the process.

-Newshawks

By A Correspondent- With the little life that was left inside her, one woman fought to christen her newly born baby before breathing her last a few decades ago.

On her bedside, she left a piece of paper on which she had written her child’s name – Mugove Chizutu.

The ill-fated circumstances that marked the start of Mugove’s life would continue to haunt him throughout his life.

His existence, it appeared, was mired in a web of hopping from one unfortunate life event to the next.

Having been dealt this devastating blow at birth, Mugove was raised at an orphanage where circumstance always seemed to conspire against giving him a fair shot at succeeding in life. Upon reaching 18 years of age, he was ejected from the orphanage as he had reached adulthood.

What awaited him outside was a difficult life, one of constantly moving from one thankless job to the next. Coupled with an addiction to hard drugs, this cocktail of wretched circumstances threatened to drive him to the brink of giving up.

Last week, Mugove tried to put an end to it all. He survived a suicide attempt after launching himself from the ninth floor of Tanganyika House in central Harare, marking a sad turn of events for the youthful Hatcliffe man, who seems to have never known rest since birth.

The incident, which was captured on video and circulated widely across social media platforms, captured nationwide attention.

It hinted to the rising cases of suicide in the country.

In the video, Mugove is seen leaping from the building before landing with a thud on the roof of an old garage below, amid loud screams of disbelief from the crowd that was watching.

He miraculously survived. However, he suffered a fractured left hand, a broken jaw and deep cuts on his head and legs. He was admitted to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, where his condition is currently said to be stable, but critical.

Little is known about what triggered the tragic chain of events that drove Mugove towards ending his life.

Known to his peers as “Blujoh Bantan”, Mugove, who is in his twenties, grew up at Ivordale Orphanage, which is run by a local church in Murehwa. At this institution, he enjoyed the comfort and care of foster parents.

After being expelled from the orphanage, he found life outside relentlessly unforgiving.

A Hatcliffe woman, who took Mugove into her home after his expulsion said he lived a troubled life.

“Mugove’s mother died in hospital and only left a note with his name and his father’s surname,” said the woman, who asked to remain anonymous.

“While we don’t know much of what happened next, all we know, according to what he told us, is that he was taken to Ivordale Orphanage in Murehwa. The orphanage is run by a local church and these are the people who took care of him in terms of upbringing and schooling until he turned 18.

“He was then asked to leave the orphanage and go and start his own life elsewhere since he was now an adult.”

She said she met him as he desperately searched for a place to stay.

“He came to me after being referred by a close relative of mine who used to work at the orphanage,” she added.

“The relative pleaded with me to take him in until he found his feet.

She said during the short period she stayed with him, she noticed that Mugove was exhibiting traits of drug abuse.

After he got a job at a hardware shop in town, he moved out to live with a friend.

They later went their separate ways after a feud with their landlord.”

She last heard from Mugove when he was committed to a drug rehabilitation centre, where he was recovering from drug addiction.

Upon release from the centre, he moved to Epworth.

Not much is known about the circumstances that led to his suicide attempt last Tuesday. A vendor who sells soft drinks adjacent to the scene of the attempted suicide told The Sunday Mail that before the incident, Mugove had asked her for water as he was making his way into Tanganyika House.

The witness, who also chose to remain anonymous, said Mugove was shouting and complaining about being tormented by “invisible people” whom he said wanted to kill him.

“I saw him that morning when he asked me for water,” said the witness, adding that he appeared intoxicated. He then said someone was trying to kill him, and he proceeded with his mission.”

Minutes later, Mugove would leap from the building in an apparent suicide attempt.

“I was sh0cked after coming across pictures of him on WhatsApp when he attempted suicide,” said the Hatcliffe woman who stayed with him earlier.

“I always noticed that he exhibited traits of mental health issues, but never thought he would attempt suicide.”

She added: “He is a good person; I never imagined it would come to this.”

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said the authorities were worried about rising cases of suicides in Zimbabwe.

“The cases are worryingly increasing,” he said.

“We are analysing the issue in order to come up with correct statistics of suicide cases and related data. Once these details become available, we will provide them to the public.”

The latest available World Health Organisation data, reported on in 2019, shows that 14 out of 100 000 deaths in Zimbabwe are a result of suicide.

— Sunday Mail

By A Correspondent- Police have arrested three suspects in connection with attempted murder and armed robbery cases that occurred in Harare and Chitungwiza between 30 October 2022 and 29 January 2023.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi identified the suspects as Brighton Bester Moyo (23), Brave Zhou alias Kudakwashe Moyo (37), and Tapiwa Mbirimi (35).

Asst Comm Nyathi said Zhou was injured during a shootout with detectives in Mbare, Magaba area on 04 February and later succumbed to gunshot wounds on admission at Sally Mugabe Hospital.

Police are looking for the other suspects only identified as, Ndex, Archford, Carrington, Ashey and Simon, who are still at large. Reads the statement:

ARREST OF BRIGHTON BESTER MOYO AND TWO OTHERS FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER AND ARMED ROBBERY CASES

The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Brighton Bester Moyo (23), Brave Zhou alias Kudakwashe Moyo (37) and Tapiwa Mbirimi (35) in connection with a spate of attempted murder and robbery cases which occurred in Harare and Chitungwiza between 30th October 2022 and 29th January 2023.

On 25th January 2023, detectives from CID Homicide, Harare, received information that linked Brighton Bester Moyo to attempted murder and robbery cases which occurred on 05th January 2023 in Zengeza 4, Chitungwiza where the complainants were attacked before US$16 030 and ZAR3 900 cash, several cellphones and a Beretta Pistol with 14 rounds were stolen.

It was established that the suspect is serving a 27-month jail sentence for a case of assault at Beitbridge prison.

Detectives interviewed the suspect at the prison and he implicated Brave Zhou alias Kudakwashe Moyo and three others.

On 25th January 2023, detectives from CID Homicide, Harare, received information that linked Brighton Bester Moyo to attempted murder and robbery cases which occurred on 05th January 2023 in Zengeza 4, Chitungwiza where the complainants were attacked before US$16 030 and ZAR3 900 cash, several cellphones and a Beretta Pistol with 14 rounds were stolen.

It was established that the suspect is serving a 27-month jail sentence for a case of assault at Beitbridge prison.

Detectives interviewed the suspect at the prison and he implicated Brave Zhou alias Kudakwashe Moyo and three others.

On 04th February 2023, detectives received information that Brave Zhou was travelling to Harare from Beitbridge.

The detectives went to Mbare, Magaba area where they spotted the suspect walking along Cripps Road.

When the detectives approached the suspect to arrest him, he withdrew a pistol and fired at them leading to a shootout.

Subsequently, the suspect was arrested and referred to Sally Mugabe Hospital where he died on admission.

The arrest led to the recovery of a Toyota Corolla vehicle, registration number ADS 6050 which was bought by the suspect using proceeds of crime, a 7.65mm Vizol pistol with a magazine of one round, a crowbar and a Samsung ES27 digital camera.

On 07th February 2023, detectives reacted to information that led to the arrest of Tapiwa Mbirimi alias Captain in Bulawayo.

An Itel cellphone, various clothes, various tools, a 6.35 Berretta pistol with an empty magazine, a Qbook laptop, Samsung 55-inch television, defy refrigerator, a TV stand, a speaker and a bed were recovered from the suspect.

The suspects are linked to thirteen cases of attempted murder and robbery cases which occurred in Chitungwiza and Harare.

These include a robbery case that occurred on 30th October 2022 at Ashdown Park, Harare where two complainants were attacked before three cellphones, a Bluetooth speaker and US$1 293 cash were stolen, and eleven cases of attempted murder and robbery which occurred on 29th January 2023 at Savanhu Village, Mayambara, Seke where the suspects ran amok attacking villagers with machetes and iron bars before stealing 14 cellphones, two pairs of shoes and US$928 cash. T

he suspects shot one of the complainants with a pistol on the back.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of the outstanding suspects only identified as, Ndex, Archford, Carrington, Ashey and Simon.

Anyone with information to contact National complaints Desk on (0242) 703631, WhatsApp 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station.

By A Correspondent- Members of Parliament have expressed concern with the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco)’s inability to pay farmers for their 2022 deliveries, reported ZimLive.

The legislators also bemoaned Cottco’s tendency to use groceries to pay farmers for their cotton.

Speaking in the National Assembly last week, Kambuzuma legislator Willias Madzimure (CCC), demanded that the government cotton merchant treats cotton farmers with dignity. Madzimure said:

The issue of giving farmers groceries and sometimes equipment to use in the fields does not augur well for farmers.

When farmers deliver produce, they are expecting to get their money in cash so that they will then decide on their own what they want to use the money for, instead of them being asked to go to a shop and pick up groceries or implements.

Gokwe-Kabuyuni legislator Spencer Tshuma (ZANU PF) noted that cotton farmers were now failing to pay school fees for their children.

Responding to the lawmakers, Acting Agriculture Minister Felix Mhona confirmed farmers have been paid using groceries.

He, however, added that farmers were never forced to accept groceries saying it was a voluntary arrangement between the parties. He said:

I think the time when that was happening was more of a voluntary programme where one would opt to get groceries. Of late, this is not happening.

Where people were actually getting groceries in terms of payment, going forward and as it is now, the government is going to pay farmers their hard-earned money and not in the form of goods.

Mhona also acknowledged that payments to cotton farmers had been delayed and said the government was looking into the issue to ensure that the farmers are paid.

Finance Deputy Minister Clemence Chiduwa said cotton farmers were owed more than US$28 million. Said Chiduwa:

Last week but one is when we agreed that in order for us to pay out that money, we are paying US$5 million per week.

So, I expect that in the following week, we will be able to pay all the outstanding money in tranches of US$5 million per week.

By A Correspondent- Citizens Coalition for Change Chitungwiza North legislator Godfrey Sithole has claimed that suspected state security agents have been trailing him as part of attempts to intimidate him.

The legislator was incarcerated in June last year alongside Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala after political violence erupted at the funeral of slain CCC activist Moreblessing Ali in Nyatsime, Chitungwiza.

They were detained alongside 14 other Nyatsime residents charged with inciting public violence.

Sithole and the Nyatsime 14 were granted bail in November last year while Sikhala remains behind bars.

Sikhala faces a separate charge of obstructing the course of justice and the state has been denying him bail arguing that he is an unrepentant repeat offender.

I have noticed that there are people who are monitoring and following me just like a hawk does its prey,” Sithole said.

“We have been receiving strange visitors at my residential place purporting to be lost and some asking funny questions, on a daily basis.

“It is not a coincidence, they are being sent.

“I have also noticed that cars without registration numbers are following me and others are parking nearby.”

Sithole spent more than five months in prison alongside 14 Nyatsime residents as they were constantly denied bail.

The legislator, who is serving a second term in office as an MP, said while jail time might have brutalised his flesh, he will soldier on.

“The devastating prison stay is like a hell hole, heart wrenching, but it has not killed my spirit. In fact it has re-energised me,” he said.

“The desperate regime is keen to cling to power at all cost, but democratic change is within sight.”

Opposition parties accuse the ruling party of converting security forces into an extension of the ruling party.

“In this country we have a situation whereby security agents and government institutions declare that they only take orders from seniors, not recognising the law, trashing their constitutional duties,” the MP said.

“Professionalism and respect was lost due to crass political opportunism.”

Zimbabwe goes to the polls this year and the Citizens Coalition for Change, the main opposition party, has raised a red flag over the banning of its gatherings and rallies.

— The Standard

By A Correspondent- A High Court judge has ordered the reinstatement of a prison officer after establishing that she was unfairly dismissed from service in 2019.

Rhoda Mawadze was the Rations officer-in-charge between August and December 2018 when some food items meant for prisoners went missing, reported ZimLive.

Mawadze was brought before a disciplinary committee chaired by Prisons Chief Superintendent Tawanda Chimika, which found her guilty of misappropriating inmates’ food stocks before recommending her dismissal.

She was unhappy with her dismissal and appealed through the High Court.

During the High Court hearing, it became clear that the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) accounting processes were in a bad state.

It was also established that responsibilities were haphazardly distributed among different members, making it wrong to blame a single individual for the mess.

Mawadze’s appeal was presided over by Justice Catherine Bachi-Muzawazi. The judge noted:

… there was a glaring revelation of shortfalls, loopholes and weaknesses in their bookkeeping, handover procedures, security, and unrestricted access to food stores were a clear illustration of maladministration or administration in-efficacy and inefficiency.

Justice Bachi-Muzawazi ruled that Mawadze was made a sacrificial lamb and ordered that she be reinstated without loss of salary from the time she was fired in 2019. Said the judge:

She (Mawadze) then became the target and victim of a report she had initiated.

Even the handover-takeover procedures were not observed from the time the applicant assumed the rations post to the time the offences were laid against her.

They should have taken the flaws that were highlighted in evidence as a learning curve and a chance to re-evaluate and improve the inefficiencies in the system instead of taking a defensive strategy of penalising the small fish who brought the whole inefficiencies and saga to light.

…The court found the administrative decision grossly irregular and accordingly, dismissed the point in limine and upheld the applicant’s claim in terms of the draft order sought.

Resultantly, it is ordered that the decision handed down by the first respondent on 12 May 2019 be and is hereby quashed and set aside.

The applicant be and is hereby immediately reinstated to her employment without loss of salary.

Prisons Chief Superintendent Tawanda Chimika, Commissioner General ZPCS Moses Chihobvu and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe were cited as respondents.

When you talk of reckless driving, you are bound to come across this recent picture of Zupco bus drivers who were heading different directions but couldn’t find time to pull over on a curve to greet each other but just stopped in the middle of the road and did their business while other commuters beg for safe passage.

The picture has sent social media abuzz this follows the recent Rimbi accident which saw bus drivers blocking each others way and ended in a horrific accident.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF secretly imported a fleet of over 200 top-of-the-range vehicles to traverse the country while seeking votes in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s re-election bid.

A senior Zanu PF official told The Standard that the party kept the importation of the fleet out of public attention to manage a possible public outrage which he said could cost it in the upcoming elections.

The ruling party has been accused of splashing funds on party cars and regalia at a time the majority of the citizens are wallowing in poverty.

The double cab vehicles are kept at a private residence in the leafy suburb of Mandara in Harare under guard by state security officers waiting for branding and distribution to party chefs.

“These are off-road vehicles, which are awaiting distribution to senior party members,” the official said.

The vehicles are for a rigorous rural campaign. Every place should be reached, hence the support.

“But obviously the party cannot parade the vehicles as it could stir anger among those whom it wants votes from.”

anu PF secretary for transport July Moyo curtly said he was not aware of the imported vehicles.

“The finance department is better placed to respond to your questions,” Moyo said.

“They are responsible for importing the vehicles and they will be handed over to me. I haven’t received any vehicle.”

Party secretary for finance Patrick Chinamasa was not picking calls.

Zanu PF political commissar Mike Bimha said he could not comment on importation of the vehicles, but defended the party spending on cars and other campaign resources.

“We really need the cars for rural mobilisation, in fact, many of them, because we are geared up for a massive campaign,” Bimha said.

“People should know that there is a difference between the government and the party.

“Zanu PF gets funds from well-wishers and also from membership subscription and other projects. It has no access to state coffers.

“Therefore, how it spends its money, it’s no one’s business. If there are complaints about public services, they must be directed to

the government and not to Zanu PF.”

Zanu PF had only 45 motor vehicles and three buses when Mnangagwa assumed power in 2017, according to the party’s central committee report released last year.

The ruling party acquired an additional 438 new motor vehicles in 2018 alone, bringing the fleet size to 486.

The party also bought more vehicles in 2020 while Mnangagwa also donated 30 double cab vehicles last year, bringing the fleet size to 531.

Political analyst Elded Masunungure said while Zanu PF was not answerable to citizens for its expenditure, it was obliged to be accountable to its supporters.

“We have seen a fusion of Zanu PF and the state, which makes it difficult to distinguish between the two,” Masunungure said.

“Under circumstances where there is dire need of assistance among the populace, Zanu PF as an institution has the duty to at least serve its supporters, if not the whole nation.

“It cannot be accountable to every citizen, but it has its supporters. It is buying vehicles for the top chefs, but what about its supporters?”

-Standard

By A Correspondent- Police are on the trail of 10 prominent drug kingpins in the capital who are understood to have been supplying large quantities of illicit narcotics to the public.

In the last two weeks, law enforcement agents have arrested over 1 500 drug dealers countrywide under an operation codenamed “No to dangerous drugs and illicit substances: See something, say something”.

The operation, which is a multi-agency effort, is designed to flush out criminal drug syndicates behind the current drug epidemic.

Secretary for Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mr Tafadzwa Muguti told The Sunday Mail that the authorities were doubling down on the ongoing operation.

“Once the police have reasonable suspicion that you are dealing in drugs, they have no choice but to call you in for questioning,” he said.

In Harare Province, I understand at least 10 well-known drug lords are on the run and police are looking for them.

“As Government, we will continue to pour resources into the operation to make sure all those responsible for selling drugs are brought to book.”

“No fish is too small or too big; as long as you play a role, you will face the music.”

Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said several high-profile suspects were wanted for questioning.

“We can neither deny nor confirm that specific individuals are wanted for questioning, but police have intensified investigations into several suspected drug kingpins,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

“Some have gone into hiding, but police will not leave any stone unturned as we continue with the operation across the country.

“To date, about 1 500 people have been arrested in connection with their involvement with drugs across the country.”

Some of the known drug dens in the capital had reportedly closed shop by last week after police rounded up hundreds of drug peddlers.

It is believed that police were keen to interview a prominent Mbare-based businessman and music promoter suspected of heading a drug cartel in the suburb.

Added Asst Comm Nyathi: “So far, police have recovered large quantities of mbanje, crystal methamphetamine — commonly referred to as mutoriro — and bottles of banned addictive cough syrups such as BronCleer, Benylin with Codeine and Adco-Salterpyn syrup, among other illicit substances in a recent raid in Mbare.

Some of the houses we raided were being used by people as waiting rooms, but are now being occupied by some families who were engaging in criminal activities such as brewing illicit and dangerous substances, which promote drug and substance abuse and related criminal activities.”

The public is being encouraged to assist law-enforcement agents during the crackdown.

— Sunday Mail

By- A female Zanu PF member of Parliament, Getrude Chibagu, has shocked Parliament after saying she wants to carry President Emmerson Mnangagwa on her back.

The proportional representation legislator said he wants to carry Mnangagwa “because he is doing a very good job”.

Speaking in the National Assembly recently during the debate of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) speech, Chibagu said Mnangagwa drilled boreholes for people in Mbire District, and this has transformed their lives. She said:

Mr. Speaker, as I am speaking, if it was possible to carry an old person like a baby, I would carry His Excellency President Mnangagwa on my back because he is doing a very good job, working very hard and supporting every Zimbabwean.

So, what would you want? You find young people taking mutoriro, they are destroying themselves, but we need to work very hard, we need to farm our land.

You hear people like Kanyemba-Bhonzo who broadcast at ZBC, he comes from our area Kanyemba and this is a very good thing. In this august House, there is a need for us to value development, emulating His Excellency.

I will not say much but my plea is that as Zimbabweans, let us work hard and develop our nation.

According to Open Parly, Chibagu once spent the entire term without saying anything in Parliament.

Chibagu is serving her 3rd term in Parliament. She was a Senator (2008-2013) and then elected to National Assembly (Women’s Quota) from 2023 to 2018 and then from 2018 to 2023.

By-The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) senior reporter and Zanu PF sympathiser Tendai Munengwa and a member of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Henry Kachere have been arrested for extorting US$25 000 from President Emerson Mnangagwa’s gold dealer Scott Sakupwanya.

Munengwa and Kachere appeared before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda at the weekend.

The court heard that the duo connived to extort money from Sakupwanya by threatening to expose some sensitive classified information of some illegal gold dealings they allegedly claimed were happening at his company.

Pursuant to their plan, Munengwa is said to have approached Sakupwanya and demanded US$25000 so that he could bring the documents and cause their destruction upon payment.

As a result of the undue pressure exerted on him, Sakupwanya indicated he could afford US$15000.

Munengwa allegedly accepted the money and indicated he was going to bring the CIO officers handling the matter to his offices on February 9.

Allegations are that, the same day, the police obtained a trap authority and Sakupwanya gave the money to Tozivepi Milward, his security officer, to give the money to the two.

It is alleged that Munengwa and Kachere went to Better Brands offices in Greendale where Kachere showed Milward the file, which they claimed contained incriminating information.
Milward then handed over the trap money to Munengwa who received it and took possession of the cash.

The police reacted promptly and arrested the two at the scene.

The trap money was recovered from Munengwa.

By A Correspondent- A community in Southview Park, Harare, is living in mortal fear of vicious dogs belonging to a family that recently moved into the neighbourhood. Some, if not most, properties in the suburb are not gated, which makes the residents vulnerable to potential harm.

“They (new family) have two big dogs and several puppies, which are making them even more aggressive. The dogs have attacked us on several occasions,” complained one of the residents.

“Talking to the owners is not helping, as they have only encouraged us to befriend the dogs to avoid being attacked. We now spend most of the day in the house, while getting home late at night is now risky. There is a real possibility of being mauled to death.”

The dogs were also reportedly messing their yards. The residents’ fear is shared by many other communities countrywide

Cases of dog attacks are worryingly on the rise. Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, told The Sunday Mail Society that dog attacks have become a “serious matter”.

Some of the dog owners have been charged with culpable homicide,” he said.

“This has become a serious matter. People are breeding dangerous dogs and instead of exercising maximum caution, they actually leave these dogs unattended, while others do not have the security needed for one to have dogs on their premises.”about:blank

Medical practitioners claim there has been an alarming increase in the number of patients being treated for dog bites.

“In the past, we would attend to an average of two or three cases per month, but in the last half of 2022, cases spiked to at least seven,” said Dr Regis Murwira, a general practitioner.

“To attend to dog attack cases, the patient should have a police report. We administer rabies injections before attending to the wounds. For a rabies jab, one should part with at least US$25, excluding the consultation fee.”

Dog breeding seems to have not only become a viable business venture, but a new hobby for many residents.

Actually, cross-breeding, which should ideally be done only by authorised officials, has become a common practice for dog owners curious to produce the most vicious dogs possible.

It is now common for households, even those in high-density suburbs, to own breeds such as the pitbull, boerboel, doberman, bullmastiff, rottweiler and German shepherd, even when their environs are not suitable to keep such varieties.

For some, owning such dogs is fashionable and a status symbol.

While the furry creatures can be adorable family pets that can conveniently provide security, they can potentially do a lot of harm.

It is not surprising that the authorities in South Africa have since proposed to ban pitbulls following a slew of attacks that were often fatal.

In Zimbabwe, a six-year-old girl was mauled to death by two vicious boerboel dogs while playing in Goromonzi last year.

Prior to that, a 70-year-old man died after being severely attacked by stray dogs in Ardbennie, Harare, on his way home.

Also, in 2021, a Grade Five learner died in Chegutu after she was brutally attacked by three dogs on her way to school.

People breed canines for different reasons — as guard dogs, pets or for sale.

In some instances, they are trained for combat and also used as scouts, messengers, mercy dogs and trackers.

Regulation

However, it is illegal to own an unlicensed, unvaccinated and unsterilised dog.

Local authorities are responsible for issuing licences for pets after an applicant produces a valid rabies vaccination certificate and payment of a stipulated fee, which is currently pegged between US$10 and US$15 annually.

The licence bears the year and licence number.

“If a licence badge is lost, defaced or destroyed, the owner of the dog in respect of which such licence badge was issued must, on payment of a sum equal to 50 percent of a fee fixed in terms of the by-laws, obtain a duplicate of such licence,” reads part of the City of Harare by-laws.

“A licence or licence badge issued in accordance with these by-laws shall not be transferable to any other person or from one dog to another.”

The regulations also emphasise that it is illegal for anyone to keep a dog which – through constant or excessive barking, howling, whining or straying – creates a disturbance or threatens the comfort of others. Repeated complaints can result in the council, through a health inspector or authorised officer, taking action against the owner. Likewise, owners of stray dogs can also be charged.

Local authorities, however, seem to have become lethargic in enforcing the law. But Harare City Council spokesperson Innocent Ruwende claims their officials are active on the ground.

“It is the owner’s duty to get their dog sterilised and to seek clearance in the event that they want to breed. However, breeding for commercial purposes is illegal,” said Ruwende.

Simbarashe, a backyard breeder in Houghton Park, Harare, and an owner of a beverage manufacturing company, presently has four dogs and two puppies at his residence.

Although they are licensed and vaccinated, the dogs have not been spared.

He says the dogs are for security, both at home and work.

“No one has ever come to my place for home checks. This means something is wrong with the authorities. They need to see if we are adhering to the stipulated numbers or not.

“The fact that all my dogs are licensed shows that they do not have a proper tracking system to ensure we do not exceed the maximum number allowed per household,” he said.

Only a maximum of two dogs are allowed per household as per the Harare Dog Licensing and Control By-laws (2015). However, they do not have restrictions on the type of breeds.

Responsibility

It is an owner’s responsibility to ensure the dogs are well-fed and do not escape.

In most instances, dogs wander in search of food, which later results in them attacking people. Should one face challenges in maintaining the pets or feel they no longer need them, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) recommends they be surrendered to them at no cost.

“Our kennels in Harare have a maximum carrying capacity of 100 dogs, but they currently have more than 170 canines. Some of them are given up by their owners, while, as part of our mandate, we also move around collecting strays and sheltering them,” SPCA animal welfare inspector and administration manager Mark Beru said.

He urged dog owners to consult them or other qualified specialists for proper understanding of the pets.

“If one needs a dog, they are also able to get it from our offices for free. The procedure, however, demands that SPCA first conducts home checks to ensure the potential owner has what it takes to keep a dog.

“However, a fee of US$100 (or equivalent) is supposed to be paid by the new owner to cater for full vaccination, sterilising and microchipping.”

Microchipping is a process whereby a chip is implanted between the dog’s shoulder blades under the skin to make easy tracking of the pet in case it is lost or stolen.

“When a dog or bitch is not sterilised, it is in its nature to procreate, and, in the process, becoming vicious. Dog owners are being irresponsible. Backyard breeding shows that a lot of dogs out there are unsterilised, and the offence attracts a jail term,” warned Beru.

Certified dog breeder Matthew Holmes notes that pet owners need to know the behaviour and temper of the breeds they have.

Veterinary surgeon Dr Tashinga Nyamutumbu believes breeding procedures must be thoroughly understood.

Harare Residents Trust director Precious Shumba says local authorities need to come up with measures that compel dog owners to comply with regulations.

— Sunday Mail

By A Correspondent- There was drama in Rushinga when two brothers allegedly dug up a grave to recover US$300 they believed was buried with the deceased.

Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe said Ranganai Magara (47) and Owen Magara (45) are facing charges of tampering with a grave.

On September 23, last year, the brothers buried Ranganai’s 19-year-old son who had committed suicide.

It is alleged that the son’s spirit possessed Owen revealing that he was buried together with US$300.

This motivated the two to seek permission to exhume the grave, but their headman Trust Kaimba (38) of Mukuyu Village refused saying he had no authority to grant such authority.

The two later mobilised some of their relatives and went on to exhume the grave without authority, but recovered no money.

— The Standard

By A Correspondent- An Apostolic Faith Mission Church of Zimbabwe (AFM) pastor, Tawanda Sakadzo has been dragged to court facing allegations of rɑp!ng a 12-year-girl on two different occasions.

The case was, however, postponed to a later date by Masvingo regional magistrate Bishard Chineka.

Sakadzo, who is represented by Omen Mafa of Mutendi, Mudisi and Shumba Legal Practitioners, is alleged to have rɑpǝd the minor in March 2021 at AFM Church in Village 25 under Chief Shumba in Masvingo District. Sakadzo is denying the charge alleging that he was in South Africa at the time the minor was rɑpǝd.

Prosecutor, Mr Liberty Hove, told the court that on the first count, Sakadzo offered a plate of rice to the minor and her sibling at his residence on their way from school. Sakadzo then allegedly started f0ndling the minor’s brǝɑƨts as they were eating and the sibling threatened to reveal the matter.

The accused released the girls and on their way home, the minor realised that she had left her face mask at the accused’s residence and went back to collect it.

Sakadzo then allegedly began f0ndling the girl’s brǝɑƨts and rɑpǝd her once. He then threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter to anyone.

On another date, Sakadzo met the minor when she was fetching water at a community well with two siblings. The State alleges that he started taking selfies with her and after that the two started watching videos on the phone. Sakadzo allegedly ordered the girl’s siblings to leave and he rɑpǝd her at the well.

The minor did not reveal the rɑpǝ to anyone and her mother noticed blood stains on her pantiǝs and bought her san!tary wear.

The mother then quizzed her daughter after noticing that she was not using the sanitary wear that she had bought. It was then that the minor revealed the rɑpǝ ordeal and the case was reported at Muchakata Police Station leading to the arrest of Sakadzo.

— Sunday News

Credit: Masvingo Mirror

Villagers in Ward 8 Gutu North are being asked to pay 50c each to thank MP Yeukai Simbanegavi for what she did for them in the last 5 years.

Village heads yesterday collected money in Guvamatanga, Mupuwi, Machinya, Chipenzi, Shamu, Mucheka & Hamandishe villages. Most villagers did not have the money as they struggle to get 2 meals a day and depend on social welfare for food. The money will be handed over to the organisers at Vutsinda Business Center today.

Villagers in Ward 8 Gutu North are being asked to pay 50c each to thank MP Yeukai Simbanegavi for what she did for them in the last 5 years. Village heads yesterday collected money in Guvamatanga, Mupuwi, Machinya, Chipenzi, Shamu, Mucheka & Hamandishe villages. pic.twitter.com/qML0xHbMrr

— The Mirror Masvingo (@TheMirrorMsv) February 9, 2023

By-The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) senior reporter and Zanu PF sympathiser Tendai Munengwa and a member of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Henry Kachere have been arrested for extorting US$25 000 from President Emerson Mnangagwa’s gold dealer Scott Sakupwanya.

Munengwa and Kachere appeared before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda at the weekend.

The court heard that the duo connived to extort money from Sakupwanya by threatening to expose some sensitive classified information of some illegal gold dealings they allegedly claimed were happening at his company.
Pursuant to their plan, Munengwa is said to have approached Sakupwanya and demanded US$25000 so that he could bring the documents and cause their destruction upon payment.
As a result of the undue pressure exerted on him, Sakupwanya indicated he could afford US$15000.

Munengwa allegedly accepted the money and indicated he was going to bring the CIO officers handling the matter to his offices on February 9.
Allegations are that, the same day, the police obtained a trap authority and Sakupwanya gave the money to Tozivepi Milward, his security officer, to give the money to the two.
It is alleged that Munengwa and Kachere went to Better Brands offices in Greendale where Kachere showed Milward the file, which they claimed contained incriminating information.
Milward then handed over the trap money to Munengwa who received it and took possession of the cash.
The police reacted promptly and arrested the two at the scene.
The trap money was recovered from Munengwa.

By- Limpopo health MEC Phophi Ramathuba has been reprimanded by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) for unprofessional conduct and unbecoming behaviour after she shouted at a Zimbabwean patient in a Limpopo provincial hospital in August 2022.

SowetanLive reported that though Ramathuba was at the hospital in her capacity as a health MEC (government official), and not a practising doctor, she is a medical doctor by profession.

The opposition EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi laid a complaint with the HPCSA against Ramathuba, accusing her of violating the dignity and human rights of the patient.

Ndlozi was acting in his capacity as the EFF’s Limpopo provincial convener. In his complaint to HPCSA, Ndlozi said:

This follows a disturbing video clip that is circulating on social media where she is seen belittling and abusing a Zimbabwean patient in Bela-Bela Hospital.

It is evident in the video that MEC Ramathuba has violated her core ethical values and standards for good practice as outlined by the Health Professionals Council of South Africa.

The standards say: “healthcare practitioners should respect patients as people, and acknowledge their intrinsic worth, dignity, and sense of value”.

Ndlozi pleaded with HPCSA to investigate Ramathuba’s conduct and take appropriate action against her.

The HPCSA’s first medical and dental committee resolved in January 2023 that there was evidence of unprofessional conduct on Ramathuba in terms of the regulations under the Health Professions Act.

In a report dated 9 February, HPCSA said it will impose a penalty, caution and reprimand Ramathuba “for unprofessional behaviour and unbecoming [conduct] of a medical professional to be shouting at a patient’s bedside as the patient was vulnerable at the time”.

In a video that was widely shared on social media, Ramathuba could be heard telling the patient that migrants were to blame for her department’s stretched budget.

Her words sparked a debate in both South Africa and Zimbabwe, with some in support while others felt she was unfair to the patient.

Ramathuba, however, defended her controversial statement arguing that foreign nationals are abusing South Africa’s health system. She said:

I did stand by its content because I need to share that understanding that they are not doing anything to our surgical backlog, people are abusing the system.

When they hear that the MEC is coming to this district with special care, they leave their country, enter SA illegally, and come to our hospitals but doctors who operate them for ethical reasons even though the Constitution will cover the doctors, but they don’t refuse to operate them.

The South African whom we did this budget for is unable to get operated because they’re still flooding even our initiatives. This is an initiative outside our daily work.

By- A female Zanu PF member of Parliament, Getrude Chibagu, has shocked Parliament after saying she wants to carry President Emmerson Mnangagwa on her back.

The proportional representation legislator said he wants to carry Mnangagwa “because he is doing a very good job”.

Speaking in the National Assembly recently during the debate of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) speech, Chibagu said Mnangagwa drilled boreholes for people in Mbire District, and this has transformed their lives. She said:

Mr. Speaker, as I am speaking, if it was possible to carry an old person like a baby, I would carry His Excellency President Mnangagwa on my back because he is doing a very good job, working very hard and supporting every Zimbabwean.

So, what would you want? You find young people taking mutoriro, they are destroying themselves, but we need to work very hard, we need to farm our land.

You hear people like Kanyemba-Bhonzo who broadcast at ZBC, he comes from our area Kanyemba and this is a very good thing. In this august House, there is a need for us to value development, emulating His Excellency.

I will not say much but my plea is that as Zimbabweans, let us work hard and develop our nation.

According to Open Parly, Chibagu once spent the entire term without saying anything in Parliament.

Chibagu is serving her 3rd term in Parliament. She was a Senator (2008-2013) and then elected to National Assembly (Women’s Quota) from 2023 to 2018 and then from 2018 to 2023.