By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s associate, Alyaksandr (Alexander) Zingman is said to be the ultimate beneficiary of the deal in which Zimbabwe will be buying firetrucks from Belarus.

The fire engines will be acquired from a Belarusian company owned by Zingman  who was named by Mnangagwa as Zimbabwe’s honorary consul in Belarus in 2019.

The unclear arrangement, which Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo said was a “government-to-government” agreement, could cost the councils over US$32 million with each truck being sold at US$464 296. each, 

In a letter to town clerks, secretaries and CEOs dated June 20, Moyo’s local government ministry said each “rural local authority” would get one fire engine while “urban local authorities” would get two and “metropolitan local authorities” are in line to get three each.

Moyo, who is being accused of ordering the firetrucks without consultations with the municipalities, said the engines would “alleviate capital equipment shortages in local authorities.”

Government sources told ZimLive that the ultimate beneficiary of the tender contract is Zingman, a Belarusian mogul who has met Mnangagwa and members of his family more than a dozen times.

Zimbabwe has already bought 11 fire engines to fight forest fires from Zingman’s AFTRADE DMCC, a dealer selling Belarusian machines in Africa. Zingman personally delivered the equipment in June last year. The consignment also included five Toyota Hilux vehicles and 30 motorcycles.

Zingman previously linked to the arms trade has put together unclear deals which have seen Zimbabwe import agricultural equipment and buses worth tens of millions of dollars from Belarus.

This is happening when Harare residents have dragged Moyo to court after he pushed through a contract for a waste-to-energy project at the Pomona dumpsite at a cost of €304 000 000 (about US$320 million). The deal was signed with Netherlands-registered Geogenix BV, a company which has no prior experience in a similar project and has questionable financial capacity.

Geogenix BV is owned by Albanian Mirel Mertiri, who is under investigation in his own country for million-dollar corruption involving an incinerator project. Mertiri’s Zimbabwean partner is Dylesh Nguwaya, a controversial businessman with links to Mnangagwa’s twin sons Sean and Collins.

Local authorities argue that the concept of devolution adopted in a 2013 constitution was to allow them to plan their budgets at the local level, considering their most pressing projects.

-ZimLive

By A Correspondent- The Zanu-PF leadership in Mashonaland East province is considering to dissolve its cell structures ahead of next year’s elections claiming they were not representative enough.

Addressing a provincial co-ordinating committee meeting in Marondera on Sunday, provincial chairperson Daniel Garwe said the party will set up new structures.

“Here in Marondera, we all know that the cell structures do favour only two individuals — I won’t mention their names. The cell structures should benefit the party, Zanu-PF and President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa. We are going to come up with fresh cell structures in Marondera,” Garwe said.

A Zanu-PF candidate, Ignatius Mateveke, lost to Citizens Coalition for Change candidate Caston Matewu in the March 26 by-elections.

The defeat did not go down well with some party members who accused some leaders of failing to mobilise enough support for the party. There are reports that some of the cell members voted for the opposition.

Meanwhile, a party mobilising team led by politburo member David Parirenyatwa will begin moving around the province starting today to mobilise people to register to vote.

It would also assist them get national identification documents.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) lawmaker Job Sikhala Monday took the state to task over its continued use of leg irons and cuffs on him and co-accused Godfrey Sithole, while armed robbers went unchained.

The two, who are charged with inciting public violence had their case rolled over to Wednesday by deputy chief magistrate Gibson Mandaza.

Prosecutor Michael Reza was forced to apologise on behalf of prison officers after Sikhala shouted from the dock that what he and his colleague were being subject to was unheard of.

The officers claimed they had misplaced keys to the leg irons before they were found.

“This is not right. Why are we in leg irons while armed robbers are walking uncuffed,” he complained.

As bail hearing continued, the duo’s lawyer, Alec Muchadehama demanded the release of the video in which his clients allegedly incited violence.

“The accused persons as we speak did not even see the video, so should they be denied bail for something they do not even know?  

“The investigating officer even told the court that the video was later removed from social media while the accused were in police custody,” said Muchadehama.

Reza said the State will stick to the doctrine of common cause.

The magistrate said he will hand over his judgement on Wednesday.

Sikhala and Sithole face public violence charges after clashes rocked the funeral wake and memorial service of murdered CCC party activist Moreblessing Ali.

Ali’s body was found last week dismembered and thrown into a well at the home of claimed Zanu-PF supporter and murder suspect Pius Jamba

Prosecutors allege that Sikhala, who is also the Ali family lawyer, urged Zimbabweans to avenge the Ali’s murder in a video which went viral on social media.

For his part, Sithole, the CCC member of Parliament for Chitungwiza North, is charged with participating in inciting violence and arranging lorries which ferried party activists who attacked the homes of Zanu-PF supporters.

By A Correspondent- Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has lamented how the local government ministry procured fire tenders without any consultation with the local authority.

Said Mafume:

“Our councils were not consulted. The essence of devolutionis for local people to make their own decisions.

Some councils can’t even manage a fire brigade!

Thecost can build clinics & is astronomical.”

By A Correspondent- Eight commuter omnibus conductors who were arrested over the weekend for trying to bribe traffic police by paying them amounts ranging from US$2 to US$5 were sentenced to six months in prison by Harare magistrate Noticia Shenge.

The conductors, Hamphry Midzi (22), Godknows Nyawata (24), Abisha Kamwaya (28), Tinotenda Matuvha (23), Bothwell Jack (18), Tadiwa Webster Homotso (19), Tinotenda Bhudala (19) and Raphael Zinyama (33) had their 12-year sentences suspended to six months on condition that they do not commit the same offences in five years.

NewsDay’s Desmond Chingarande reports that the conductors will, therefore, serve effective six-month jail terms.

Magistrate Shenje said she took note that bribery offences were on the rise, adding that the court does not condone corruption. She said:

The court is of the view that a deterrent sentence in the form of a custodial sentence will send a clear message to would be offenders and that bribing police officers is a serious offence.

The conductors were arrested on June 16 this year at around 8 am when their buses were stopped at police roadblocks around Harare.

The convicts disembarked from their buses and approached police officers and gave them varying amounts of United States dollars from US$2 to US$5 as bribe money for free passage at roadblocks.

This led to their arrests. Some members of the public are expressing concern over the arrests of those who engage in petty corruption while individuals who are “stealing millions” from state coffers remain untouched.

To date, several political elites have been arrested over corruption and a huge fraction of them was released after the state failed to provide compelling evidence against them. 

Civil society organisations (CSOs) have decried the discrimination of diasporans who will not vote in the 2023 general elections because the country has not reformed its electoral laws.

There have been loud calls from different sections of society demanding amendments to the country’s Electoral Act to allow for the diaspora vote in next year’s general elections.

In its first electoral reform series titled Diaspora Vote in Zimbabwe: Feasibility versus Desirability, civic society group Tutuma Zimbabwe said people in the diaspora will not vote next year, because Zimbabwe has failed to effect constitutional and Electoral Act amendments.

“One way of granting Zimbabweans residing outside the country the right to vote is to amend the Constitution of Zimbabwe and ensure that there is an express provision to this effect. After this amendment, subsequent amendments to the Electoral Act have to be made, which will clearly lay down the procedures on how citizens residing outside the country will be registered and how they will vote on the polling day,” the Tutuma Zimbabwe study said.

“This includes putting in place all the logistical requirements needed to facilitate external voting and external voter registration. Alternatively, the legislature can amend the Electoral Act to allow registration and voting by Zimbabweans residing outside the country. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission can also make additional administrative regulations to this effect.”

Election Resource Centre programmes manager Solomon Bobosibunu told NewsDay that it was too late to call for the diaspora vote before next year’s elections.

“It’s not justifiable, but practically it’s no longer possible. The timeframe left between now up to the time Zimbabwe can promulgate laws that will be used in an election means that we might be behind time. If all the laws are not enacted by January 2023, then ultimately those laws will not see the light of the day.

“There is no longer sufficient time for amendments to the Electoral Act to be done; we lost a lot of time without even taking any action around the Diaspora vote. This should have been started around 2018-2019. Now we are only left with five months before 2023,”Bobosibunu said.

Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) chairperson Andrew Makoni said:  “The diaspora vote is one of the reforms being pushed alongside other reforms. Parliament has until the end of the year 2022 to agree to electoral reforms and pass the necessary law. There is still time for the electoral reforms to be made. However, it will be up to Parliament to consider the diaspora vote or not. As Zesn we have been pushing for a law allowing all citizens to exercise their right to vote despite their location.”

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Government run National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) is reportedly struggling to meet demand for drugs at public health institutions, resulting in acute shortages of critical medicines across the country.

Last year, government gave NatPharm a monopoly to procure drugs, banning public institutions from purchasing drugs from private pharmaceutical companies.

This resulted in Natpharm getting overburdened and failing to meet demand.

Health ministry secretary Air Commodore Jasper Chimedza declared NatPharm the sole supplier of drugs for public health institutions in a circular dated December 13, 2021.

“Solicitations of these products from suppliers in the private sector should only be done after NatPharm confirmed inability to supply the products within the required period,” Chimedza said.

Public health sector stakeholders yesterday told NewsDay that NatPharm had, however, not admitted that it had no capacity to supply drugs to health institutions, despite many waiting for months for replenishment of out-of-stock drugs.

This has resulted in some hospitals turning away patients, especially those suffering from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and psychiatric patients due to drug shortages.

A pharmacist at a local public health institution who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “We have a serious shortage of drugs such as insulin and oral drugs for diabetic patients and those related to hypertension.

This has been going on for some months and we don’t remember when we last adequately attended to patients suffering from diabetes, for instance.

We get funds from government, but when we want to buy the supplies from NatPharm, we fail to get them. Sometimes, we get a fraction of the full quantities we would have ordered.

The challenge is that NatPham is not admitting that it is failing to provide the drugs.  We cannot purchase them from private companies as prescribed by government.”

Another medical superintendent added:

“The other challenge is that we are getting drugs with a very close expiry date. Some drugs we get won’t last for more than two months. Just recently, we got a consignment of drugs from NatPharm that are expiring next month.

We have plenty of them and we won’t have disbursed all of them by next month. We are definitely going to dispose of them yet we would have used funds.”

Health ministry spokesperson Donald Mujiri refused to comment on the matter and referred questions to NatPharm spokesperson Munyaradzi Masiiwa, who rubbished the claims saying it was a tactic by public health institutions to be allowed to purchase drugs from private pharmaceutical companies.

“NatPharm receives annual procurement plans for public health institutions and operationalises them. It is inaccurate that we supply short-dated medicines to hospitals. Short-dated medicines are only given to public health institutions as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, and are supplied for free to willing facilities.

Whenever we do a donation, hospitals request what they want to consume. Some of the public health institutions have received medicines on credit and to date more than $140 million worth of drugs have been supplied to public health institutions on credit.

It is, therefore, inaccurate for the institutions to claim that they bring money upfront to NatPharm for procurement of medicines,” Musiiwa said.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A 21 year old man died due to neglect, after he was not given treatment for HIV while he was a prisoner at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Chelmsford, an inquest has determined. HIV is a “treatable” condition with the right care and no longer impacts the lifespan of suffers.

However, Thokozani Shiri, known as Thoko, died in April 2019 after pleading with prison staff to get him to hospital and after months of not receiving any medication for his condition. Thoko had been diagnosed with HIV in Zimbabwe in 2013 when he was a teenager before moving to the UK.

He spent two terms inside HMP Chelmsford the first between November and March 2018 where he received no medication or treatment for his condition until after his release.

He was then imprisoned again in March 2019 after stabbing a teenager during an altercation on a footpath in School Lane, Harlow, on October 8, 2018. Just two months later, on April 14, 2019, Thoko died.

An inquest into his death, before Her Majesty’s Assistant Coroner Michelle Brown, was held at Essex Coroners Court and concluded on June 8. The inquest heard that prison healthcare failed for months to provide anti-retroviral medication during those two periods of imprisonment that Shiri died from an HIV-related infection.

His treating consultant in the community gave evidence to the inquest saying that “Thoko was a young man”, that his HIV was “very treatable” and that his death “shouldn’t have happened”.

The jury was told that with his health deteriorating, on April 7, 2019, Thoko told a prison officer “I can’t breathe… I need to go to hospital”, but that an ambulance was not called until five days later.

A week after first making that request Thoko died at Broomfield Hospital. He was deemed vulnerable, having been treated for HIV before being imprisoned, and this was exacerbated by his dependency upon prison healthcare to provide him with life-saving medication.

In his first spell in prison, he received no medication for his HIV while in his second he only began to receive treatment in March 2019, just 19 days before his death. The prison healthcare provider, Essex Partnership University Trust (EPUT), said it had been aware during both imprisonments that Shiri had HIV.

When reaching their conclusions, the jury found that five separate failings had probably caused Thoko’s death. The failures identified by the jury included a failure to provide anti-retroviral medication to Thoko during both periods of imprisonment, a failure to refer him to an HIV clinic during both periods of imprisonment, and other systemic failings.

The jury also concluded that each of those five areas of failure amounted to neglect, with the jury identifying a gross failure to provide basic medical attention to Thoko, who was in a dependent position, and that this failure had caused his death.

The prison officer who Thoko pleaded with to go to hospital has not been identified, and despite his family asking for the prison to provide and keep hold of the CCTV footage of the incident, the tape was overwritten and was therefore unavailable to be used in evidence at the inquest.

Coroner Brown was so concerned over this, and the fact that a senior prison governor appeared not to understand the medical emergency policy during his evidence to the inquest, that a formal report on the prevention of future deaths addressing this point will be sent to the Secretary of State for Justice.

Prison governors admitted at the inquest hearings that a “Code Blue” (medical emergency) alert should have been triggered and an ambulance should have been called on April 7 and not five days later.

The inquest also heard that when Thoko’s mother Beauty Shiri’s arrived at the hospital on April 13, arrangements had not been put in place quick enough to allow her to see her son before his condition deteriorated. Thoko had already been put into an induced coma when his mother was finally able to see him, from which he tragically never regain consciousness before his death

The inquest heard that despite being comatose the prison continued to restrain him unnecessarily with handcuffs. When his mother was finally allowed to see him, he was chained to the bed and barely recognisable to her. She stayed at his side until he died 12 hours later.

The Prison and Probation Ombudsman concluded in a damning report that “this was a case in which a young man died a preventable death as a result of what I can only describe as neglect by healthcare staff, and whose mother was then treated with gross insensitivity by prison staff”.

In a statement, the Shiri family said: “Thoko was just like any young man– he loved life, his friends and family. He was exploring what the world had to offer him, but he ended up on the wrong side of the law, culminating in a short-term custodial sentence. As a family, we had great hopes that this would allow him to reflect and look to a brighter future.

“This was not to be, as a short-term prison sentence turned into a death sentence. Thoko was denied very basic care that would have enabled him to live his life despite his long-term condition. We are saddened as we know that people with his condition do not have a reduced life expectancy and that, with basic management, his condition was not fatal.”

Leigh Day solicitor Maya Grantham, who represents Beauty Shiri, said: “Thoko was a young man, who was dependent on EPUT to provide basic medical care that would have saved his life. However, despite knowing Thoko had HIV, that basic medical care was not provided by EPUT to Thoko during two separate periods of imprisonment.

“The circumstances of Thoko’s preventable death must never be repeated, and it is hoped that this inquest investigation has shone a light onto those circumstances to ensure that will be the case.” EPUT’s response

Paul Scott, chief executive officer for EPUT, said: “Our thoughts and condolences remain with Mr Shiri’s loved ones at this difficult time and we offer our sincere apologies that he didn’t receive the level of care expected.

“We no longer offer a prison service but are committed to learning lessons from this case and embedding them across our organisation to ensure that we provide the best possible care for all our patients.”

The trust ceased to provide its prison service in March 2019 following ‘a strategic review of its operations’.

-Essexlive.com

By- The State has said that it has lined up 20 witnesses to testify against Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators Job Sikhala (Zengeza West) and Godfrey Sithole (Chitungwiza North).

The two are accused of inciting members of the public to commit violence in Nyatsime, Chitungwiza.

Prosecutor Michael Reza told Harare magistrate Felix Mandaza yesterday that Sikhala and Sithole mobilised Nyatsime residents to commit violence during the funeral wake of murdered CCC activist Moreblessing Ali last week.
Several properties were destroyed during the melee.
The duo’s lawyer, Alec Muchadehama argued that the State failed to give justifiable reasons why the MPs were being denied bail, adding that investigating officer Gift Mutamba failed to submit evidence proving that Sikhala and Sithole committed an offence, for instance, that they distributed fliers mobilising people to commit public violence.
“One previous conviction and substantiated by facts cannot be said that Sikhala is likely to commit another offence. The reason of joining the second accused person (Sithole) is also not explained,” Muchadehama submitted.
He said it was also impossible for the two MPs to mobilise people in Nyatsime to perpetrate violence when they were not legislators of that area.
“They are not village heads that can influence villagers. Only the Seke headman can influence people in that area,” Muchadehama argued.
He further argued that the words uttered by Sikhala while in Nyatsime were not incitement of violence, adding that the legislator was not likely to flee as his passport has been with the clerk of court since 2019.
Muchadehama proposed that his clients be granted $20 000 bail each.
Mandaza postponed the matter to tomorrow for bail ruling. Newsday

By-A Harare magistrate Monday denied bail to Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Members of Parliament, Job Sikhala and Godfrey Karakadzai Sithole.

They are accused of inciting public violence in Nyatsime.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Mr Gibson Mandaza ordered the two to spend two more nights in remand prison.

Sikhala and Sithole, who represent Zengeza West and Chitungwiza North constituencies, respectively, completed mounting their bail application, where they exposed the State.
.
The duo is being charged with incitement to commit public violence.

They also denied posting a video on social media mobilising their supporters to cause violence following the death of their party member Moreblessing Ali.

Ali was killed by Pius Jamba, who has since appeared in court charged with murder.

The State opposed granting bail to Sikhala and Sithole, saying they were likely to commit more offences.

The State also said that Sikhala allegedly committed the offence whilst he was on bail on similar charges.

Mr Michael Reza appeared for the State while Mr Alec Muchadehama and Mr Jeremiah Bamu represented Sikhala and Sithole.

By-Zanu PF President Emerson Mnangagwa has honoured his party’s Matabeleland South Women’s League vice chair lady Evelyn Mpofu who died last week.

Mpofu collapsed on Friday evening near her home in Esigodini.
Posting on Twitter announcing the honour Mnangagwa has given to Mpofu Zanu PF said the late has been given a state-assisted funeral.

Posted Zanu PF:
Cde ED has conferred a State-assisted Funeral & Liberation Heroine status to the late Central Committee member Cde Evelyn Mpofu’ NaBorder .

Cde ED has conferred a State assisted Funeral & Liberation Heroine status to the late Central Committee member Cde Evelyn Mpofu 'NaBorder . pic.twitter.com/VNQTA5r2CQ

— ?? ZANU PF PATRIOTS ?? (@zanupf_patriots) June 20, 2022

By-Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has announced the arrest of three party members over the violence that erupted in Nyatsime during the memorial service of slain CCC activist Moreblessing Ali.

The party at the weekend reported that Marondera police’s Law and Order division had summoned four activists – Misheck Guzha, Audious Makoma, Precious Jeche and Felix Biri.
In an update on Monday evening, Mahere said:
3 CCC leaders from Nyatsime whose homes & shops were burnt by suspected Zanu PF thugs have now been arrested by @PoliceZimbabwe. They’re the victims of arson & political violence but they’re being persecuted. The 3 are Misheck Guzha, Audious Makoma & Precious Jeche.
This comes as bail ruling for two more CCC officials, Job Sikhala (Zengeza West MP) and Godfrey Sithole (Chitungwiza North MP) has been set for Wednesday 22 Jumye 2022. The duo was also arrested over the violence with authorities accusing them of inciting public violce.
They deny the allegations saying the charges were maufactured by the state.

By- Prison officials Monday brought CCC deputy chairman and his counterpart Godfrey Sithole to the courts in leg irons.

Leg irons are used on murder and robbery suspects.

CCC posted on social media complaining about this:

 Hon 

@JobSikhala1

 & Hon Godfrey Sithole have been brought to court in leg irons. There is no lawful basis for this cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. There’s also no basis for them to be held at Chikurubi instead of Remand Prison. This persecution must stop!

?Today, Hon @JobSikhala1 & Hon Godfrey Sithole have been brought to court in leg irons. There is no lawful basis for this cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. There’s also no basis for them to be held at Chikurubi instead of Remand Prison. This persecution must stop! pic.twitter.com/2rRJkzyaXC

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) June 20, 2022

By-President Emerson Mnangagwa is reportedly seeking an audience with CCC leader Nelson Chamisa to convince him to postpone national elections.

According to NewsHawks, Mnangagwa fears that if elections are held under the current economic crisis, he would be history,

Posted NewsHawks:

Zimbabwean government and ruling Zanu PF insiders tell The NewsHawks President Emmerson Mnangagwa fears next year’s 2023 general elections amid economic implosion and wants them avoided through inter-party negotiations with his main rival, opposition CCC leader Nelson Chamisa.

Zimbabwean government and ruling Zanu PF insiders tell The NewsHawks President Emmerson Mnangagwa fears next year's 2023 general elections amid economic implosion and wants them avoided through inter-party negotiations with his main rival, opposition CCC leader Nelson Chamisa. pic.twitter.com/HyE6lcDTRx

— TheNewsHawks (@NewsHawksLive) June 20, 2022

By A Correspondent- The opposition Zapu party has ordered the secessionist  Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) to let the late former Vice-President Joshua Nkomo’s spirit  rest in peace and stop soiling his name.

This follows MRP leader Mqondisi Moyo’s attacks on Nkomo accusing him of turning down a chance to restore the Mthwakazi nation before independence in 1980.

Addressing a rally in Khame, Plumtree recently, Moyo said Nkomo spurned an offer to split the nation at the Lancaster House conference in 1979 because he thought he would win the country’s first one-man, one-vote elections in 1980.

“If Nkomo had agreed to that option during the talks, there was not going to be a thing called Gukurahundi. I always wonder why Nkomo took his ZPRA troops for training in Russia, Cuba, Algeria and Egypt; only to later call for a ceasefire. This is very saddening because (the late former President Robert) Mugabe and his friends did their homework, it is like they were two steps ahead of Nkomo in terms of thinking because immediately after he called for the ceasefire, they knew his army no longer had weapons and they struck,” Moyo said.

He said Nkomo’s decision was partly to blame for the killings of more than 20 000 civilians in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces during the Gukurahundi genocide of the 1980s.

But Zapu spokesperson Mso Ndlovu shot back saying opposition political parties must avoid unnecessary hostilities.

“We will not let these unprovoked utterances by Mqondisi go unchallenged. It will be a disservice to our people to allow an unprovoked display of public political malnutrition or kwashiorkor,” Ndlovu said.

“Firstly, Nkomo’s generation understood their mission and political cause, which was to liberate Zimbabwe. After executing that task, Nkomo would be an opportunist and turncoat to then seek a two-State solution after thousands of young men and women perished for Zimbabwe.

“Moyo is better advised to identify his cause and execute his mission to write his own history instead of seeking pleasure by misrepresenting a history he doesn’t understand,” Ndlovu said.

The MRP is pushing for reconstitution of the Mthwakazi nation through cessation from greater Zimbabwe.

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has granted a State-assisted funeral to the late academic, Professor Claude Gumbucha Mararike.
Prof Mararike, who was a senior Sociology lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, died in the early hours of Thursday, aged 82.
In a post on Twitter, the Presidential Communications Department said the awarding of the honour to Mararike was announced by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda.

Below is the Statement by Misheck Sibanda:

The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet has announced that H.E. President @edmnangagwa has granted a State-assisted funeral to the late Professor Claude Mararike.
Mararike was known for his regular appearances on the ZBC talk show “Zvavanhu”, where he would discuss concepts of Africanism with fellow academics Dr Vimbai Chivaura, Professor Sheunesu Mupepereki and Dr Tafataona Mahoso.
He also appeared on “ChiKristu neTsika” on Radio Two, now Radio Zimbabwe, where he dissected Christian and African Traditional Religious beliefs with the late preacher Gift Mabhaudhi.

Mararike was once investigated for abuse of office for fraudulently awarding a PhD degree to former First Lady Grace Mugabe.
Grace graduated from UZ with a Doctor of Philosophy from the Faculty of Social Studies in September 2014. She was supervised by Mararike.
Her PhD sparked a storm of controversy as it was dismissed as fraudulently acquired.
The matter was investigated by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).

Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has announced the arrest of three party members over the violence that erupted in Nyatsime during the memorial service of slain CCC activist Moreblessing Ali.

The party at the weekend reported that Marondera police’s Law and Order division had summoned four activists – Misheck Guzha, Audious Makoma, Precious Jeche and Felix Biri.
In an update on Monday evening, Mahere said:
3 CCC leaders from Nyatsime whose homes & shops were burnt by suspected Zanu PF thugs have now been arrested by @PoliceZimbabwe. They’re the victims of arson & political violence but they’re being persecuted. The 3 are Misheck Guzha, Audious Makoma & Precious Jeche.
This comes as bail ruling for two more CCC officials, Job Sikhala (Zengeza West MP) and Godfrey Sithole (Chitungwiza North MP) has been set for Wednesday 22 Jumye 2022. The duo was also arrested over the violence with authorities accusing them of inciting public violce.
They deny the allegations saying the charges were maufactured by the state.

By-Zanu PF President Emerson Mnangagwa has threatened CCC members and officials from demanding that justice should prevail in the Moreblessing Ali murder case.

NewsHawks reports that Mnangagwa issued threats and said that the murder was stage-managed.

Posted NewHawks:

In a shocking remark on the gruesome murder of main opposition CCC member Moreblessing Ali by Zanu PF activist Pius Jamba, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described the gruesome killing as “staged violence” designed to tarnish the image of the country which mustn’t be repeated.

In a shocking remark on the grisly murder of main opposition CCC member Moreblessing Ali by Zanu PF activist Pius Jamba, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described the gruesome killing as "staged violence" designed to tarnish the image of the country which mustn't be repeated. pic.twitter.com/B0vwfv2jD4

— TheNewsHawks (@NewsHawksLive) June 20, 2022

By-A Harare magistrate has denied bail to Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Members of Parliament, Job Sikhala and Godfrey Karakadzai Sithole.

They are accused of inciting public violence in Nyatsime.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Mr Gibson Mandaza ordered the two to spend two more nights in remand prison.

Sikhala and Sithole, who represent Zengeza West and Chitungwiza North constituencies, respectively, completed mounting their bail application, where they exposed the State.
.
The duo is being charged with incitement to commit public violence.

They also denied posting a video on social media mobilising their supporters to cause violence following the death of their party member Moreblessing Ali.

Ali was killed by Pius Jamba, who has since appeared in court charged with murder.

The State opposed granting bail to Sikhala and Sithole, saying they were likely to commit more offences.

The State also said that Sikhala allegedly committed the offence whilst he was on bail on similar charges.

Mr Michael Reza appeared for the State while Mr Alec Muchadehama and Mr Jeremiah Bamu represented Sikhala and Sithole.

By-The government Monday unleashed armed police on striking nurses and junior doctors at Parirenyatwa hospital.

The government deployed armed police after fears that the strike could generate massive demonstrations.

A NewZimbabwe.com news crew observed nurses standing in small groups, conversing in hushed tones soon after they had delivered a petition to Health Services Board (HSB) offices, alongside junior doctors at the institution.
They held placards bemoaning their working conditions and salaries; sang and marched early morning before some left for Harare hospital, where similar action was expected.
Health workers, among many other civil servants, are demanding salaries in the United States (US) dollars and better working conditions. Their Zimbabwe dollar wages have been devalued by rising inflation.

Health APEX panel leader Tapiwanashe Kusotera said health minister Vice President Constantino Chiwenga had never addressed their concerns since taking over. Said Kusotera:
The reality is that health workers are underpaid. The workers are struggling to make ends meet.
The last time nurses and doctors went on strike, Chiwenga fired them.
Some were allegedly forced to ask Chiwenga for forgiveness and the incident was broadcast on the state broadcaster, ZBCtv.
Chiwenga reminded the doctors of their professional mandate adding that they must value the ultimate importance of life in whatever action they decide to take.

By-Zanu PF President Emerson Mnangagwa has threatened CCC members and officials from demanding that justice should prevail in the Moreblessing Ali murder case.

NewsHawks reports that Mnangagwa issued threats and said that the murder was stage-managed.

Posted NewHawks:

In a shocking remark on the gruesome murder of main opposition CCC member Moreblessing Ali by Zanu PF activist Pius Jamba, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described the gruesome killing as “staged violence” designed to tarnish the image of the country which mustn’t be repeated.

In a shocking remark on the grisly murder of main opposition CCC member Moreblessing Ali by Zanu PF activist Pius Jamba, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described the gruesome killing as "staged violence" designed to tarnish the image of the country which mustn't be repeated. pic.twitter.com/B0vwfv2jD4

— TheNewsHawks (@NewsHawksLive) June 20, 2022

By-Anti-riot police officers on Monday pounced on striking nurses and junior doctors at Parirenyatwa hospital.

The government deployed armed police after fears that the strike could generate massive demonstrations.

A NewZimbabwe.com news crew observed nurses standing in small groups, conversing in hushed tones soon after they had delivered a petition to Health Services Board (HSB) offices, alongside junior doctors at the institution.
They held placards bemoaning their working conditions and salaries; sang and marched early morning before some left for Harare hospital, where similar action was expected.
Health workers, among many other civil servants, are demanding salaries in the United States (US) dollars and better working conditions. Their Zimbabwe dollar wages have been devalued by rising inflation.

Health APEX panel leader Tapiwanashe Kusotera said health minister Vice President Constantino Chiwenga had never addressed their concerns since taking over. Said Kusotera:
The reality is that health workers are underpaid. The workers are struggling to make ends meet.
The last time nurses and doctors went on strike, Chiwenga fired them.
Some were allegedly forced to ask Chiwenga for forgiveness and the incident was broadcast on the state broadcaster, ZBCtv.
Chiwenga reminded the doctors of their professional mandate adding that they must value the ultimate importance of life in whatever action they decide to take.

By- Norton MP, Temba Mliswa has exposed the meagre salaries the lawmakers are getting.

Posting on Twitter Monday, Mliswa said MPs were performing community service.

He posted:

For all those thinking of becoming MPs this is the kind of money you will be getting after all the various deduction such as PSMAS& all. With the rate at 600 an MP gets the ZWL equivalent of US$125 before deductions. A Councilor is way better, at least he gets stands.

For all those thinking of becoming MPs this is the kind of money you will be getting after all the various deduction such as PSMAS& all. With the rate at 600 an MP gets the ZWL equivalent of US$125 before deductions. A Councilor is way better, at least he gets stands. pic.twitter.com/M1GbhuI4UT

— Sabhuku Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) June 20, 2022

By James Gwati-A popular erectile dysfunctional Kadoma Gold dealer, Calvin Obert (28), has deserted his wife and now stays with a local slay-queen.

Calvin deserted after his wife had complained that they should seek spiritual divine to save their three-year.

According to the disgruntled wife, Calvin has a severe erectile dysfunctional problem and uses s*x enhancement tablets for an erection.

She said she discovered Calvin’s problem the same week they got married.

The two got married in 2020 and have a one-and-a-half-year-old baby girl.

The wife said since 2020; she has been engaging her inlaws, but with no assistance.

“I discovered this the same week we got married and asked him why he did not tell me that he had such a problem. We stayed like that since 2020, and he never satisfied me in bed. Every time we wanted to make love, his manhood shrunk; for those years, I resorted to masturbating to relieve myself. He could get an erection only after taking some pills, but again, he could not ejaculate. We stayed like that for a year, with one knowing this, until I decided to go and tell his Mother. But surprisingly, she did not take any action. She only said that they would sort it out, and that was that,” she said.

” The problem worsened, and this time he started to have wet dreams and could only ejaculate in his sleep, and this made me believe that this was spiritual. I advised him that we should seek for prayers, but his Mother insisted on going ku N’anga, which also made the problem even worse,” she said.

Calvin’s wife said the situation deteriorated, and instead of paying attention to the problem, Calvin started cheating with a local girl named Lisa Chivende (pictured with Calvin).

” He used the same tricks of taking s*x enhancement pills and started seeing Lisa. I confronted him and his girlfriend, and they both apologised and promised they were ending their relationship. He stopped seeing Lisa for a week, and they re-engaged again. I told his Mother about this, and she said I had become too fat and too big for her son. This broke my heart, considering it was two years of staying without s*x with their son. I stood with him faithfully, hoping that one day it would work, but his family thanked me with these insults. I told them they should take me back to my parents if they no longer loved me, and they refused. I went back home for almost six months, and we slept in different rooms,” she narrated.

The betrayed young woman said she later decided to return to her parents after seeing that their relationship had become irreconcilable.

Contacted for comment, Calvin said he was busy to give an immediate response.

” Is that what she told you? Right now I am busy r as I am travelling to the mine. We clashed on several issues, and I will talk to you when I have time,” he said before terminating the call.

The two are still legally married.

By A Correspondent- The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has said late Vice President Joshua Nkomo’s decision to turn down an chance at splitting Zimbabwe into two, on tribal lines, is partly to blame for the murder of some 20 000 mainly Ndebele speaking people during the Gukurahundi genocide.

Late President Robert Mugabe’s North Korean trained 5th Brigade butchered civilians in the Midlands and Matabeleland provinces under the guise of searching for dissidents between 1983 and 1987.

Speaking at a rally in Khame, Plumtree, MRP president Mqondisi Moyo said the former Zapu president, Nkomo, refused an offer to split the nation, at the Lancaster House conference in 1979, as he thought he was going to win the country’s first one-man-one-vote election in 1980.

“I feel sad because we had the opportunity to separate ourselves from Zimbabwe during the Lancaster House talks of 1979 but the late Zapu leader Nkomo refused, he said he wanted the two countries combined because he thought he was going to win not knowing that Mugabe and his colleagues had finished with him,” said Moyo.

Three years down the line, Ndebele people started being brutally murdered in the hands of Mugabe. If Nkomo had agreed to that option during the talks, there was not going to be a thing called Gukurahundi.

“If only he had not called  for a cease fire in 1982, we were going to defeat Shonas once and for all. I always wonder why Nkomo took his ZPRA troops for training in Russia, Cuba, Algeria and Egypt only call for cease fire.

“This is very saddening because Mugabe and his friends did their homework, it is like they were two steps ahead of Nkomo in terms of thinking because immediately after he called for cease fire and they knew his army no longer had weapons, they stroke.”

MRP is a political party pushing for reconstitution of the Mthwakazi nation through cessation from the greater Zimbabwe.

Moyo’s rally, which was attended by hundreds, was themed, “Coming back for our land, political power, borders; restoration and prosperity for all.”

By A Correspondent- Government Spokesman Nick Mangwana has using a graphic red line strike on a piece of paper, apologised over his embarrassing comments alleging that the murdered CCC activist Moreblessing Ali was killed by a former boyfriend.

ZimEye revealed last month that the murder suspect Pius Jamba has never at anytime been her boyfriend and he is even younger than her own son, Innocence.

Writing after 3 weeks of posting falsehoods, Mangwana for the first time sounded out that he only commented based on information not his own, but that of government functionaries who made announcements based on word to lips witness allegations.

Moreblessing Ali (46) was killed and her body dismembered on the night of the 24th May 2022 in Nyatsime and the police for over 3 weeks, spent more time publishing political apologetics than performing any arrest.

Commenting, Mangwana, highlighted the erroneous allegation in red and then said,

“We work with available information from our institutions who also work with what they are informed by witnesses.”

Meanwhile at the weekend, Jamba’s brother Simba Chisango announced alleging that even his own mother is guilty.

He briefly spoke to ZimEye via phone as he communicated this.

By A Correspondent- The bail ruling for incarcerated CCC senior members Job Sikhala and Godfrey Sithole has been postponed to 22 June 2022.

Sikhala and Sithole spent the weekend behind bars following their arrest last week in connection with the violence that erupted in Nyatsime, Chitungwiza at a memorial service of slain CCC activist, Moreblessing Ali with authorities accusing the two of inciting the violence.

The duo were hauled to court in leg irons Monday morning.

Prosecutors Michael Reza, Chris Mutangadura and Lovemore Masuku allege that Sikhala, who is also the Ali family lawyer, urged Zimbabweans to avenge Ali’s murder.

Sithole is charged with participating in inciting violence and arranging lorries which allegedly transported CCC activists who attacked the homes of ZANU PF supporters.

Both denied the charges through defence lawyers Jeremiah Bamu and Alec Muchadehama who said the charges against their clients were a creation by the state.

Bamu last week said that Sikhala is not the one who posted the video in which he is alleged to have incited violence and that he did not utter any statements inciting violence.

Said the CCC in a tweet:

“They’re being persecuted for demanding justice for Moreblessing Ali.”

Party Spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere lamented the selective treatment of the duo by the state and said:

“Today, Hon @JobSikhala1 & Hon Godfrey Sithole have been brought to court in leg irons.

There is no lawful basis for this cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.

There’s also no basis for them to be held at Chikurubi instead of Remand Prison.

This persecution must stop!”

?Today, Hon @JobSikhala1 & Hon Godfrey Sithole have been brought to court in leg irons. There is no lawful basis for this cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. There’s also no basis for them to be held at Chikurubi instead of Remand Prison. This persecution must stop! pic.twitter.com/2rRJkzyaXC

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) June 20, 2022

More details follow ….

By A Correspondent- A 46 year old Chitungwiza woman is facing culpable homicide charges after she ran over a policeman last Tuesday who was manning a roadblock along the Kadoma-Patchway Road in Kadoma.

Sergeant Oscar Kanjute who sustained severe injuries after being hit by the speeding white Toyota Hiace (AFL 8048), died upon admission at Kadoma General Hospital.

Kanjute was one of the officers conducting traffic enforcement duties at the roadblock.

The Herald reports that the woman, Dadirai Sixpence (46) of Chitungwiza had six passengers on board when the incident occurred.

It is alleged that she was driving the commuter omnibus (kombi) when another vehicle in front of her car was waived to stop at the roadblock but Sixpence did not stop and swerved to the right, hitting the policeman who was stopping cars coming from the opposite direction.

The policeman was dragged for a few metres and sustained serious injuries. The vehicle has since been taken to Kadoma VID for investigations. 

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the incident on Tuesday saying investigations were underway. Read the ZRP update:

The ZRP reports a sad incident that occurred on 14/06/22 at around 1245 hours, where a police officer, Sergeant Kanjute Oscar, was run over by a motorist while on traffic enforcement duties at a roadblock along the Kadoma-Patchway Road, Kadoma. He sustained severe injuries and died upon admission at Kadoma General Hospital.

A number of cases where police officers manning roadblocks were run over by vehicles have been recorded since last year.

2/2 The other suspect, Nduna Ndlovu is on the run. Anyone with information to contact any nearest Police Station.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) June 20, 2022

1/2 On 17/06/22, Police in Gwanda received a tip to the effect that there was a group of robbery suspects from Gweru who intended to rob gold dealers in Gwanda. Detectives acted on the information and intercepted the suspects at Phakama Business centre. 11 suspects were arrested

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) June 20, 2022

2/2 for conspiracy to commit robbery and a Honda fit vehicle, 16-inch bolt cutter, two machetes, a knife, a pair of catapults, and 10 grammes of fake gold concentrate were recovered from the suspects. #notocrime

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) June 20, 2022

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) commissioner Gabriel Chaibva has denied ownership of a Twitter account in his name which recently carried an offensive tweet.

This came after the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) threatened to file a US1 million defamation lawsuit against him over the alleged tweet.

The tweet implied that the human rights body was organising civil unrest

“I regret to advise that this is one of the many social media platforms which purport to be me when, in fact, they are ghost accounts,” Chaibva said in a letter to the ZLHR.

“I am advised that they have been many more handles which have been opened in my name with old pictures of me. The picture appearing on the Twitter handle complained of was taken in 2008 and appeared in a news broadcast on ZBC TV when I was interviewed. It is on the internet.

“The other pictures which have appeared on the Twitter handle were taken in July 2019 at the State House swearing ceremony, while those pictures are of me; it is not my Twitter handle. Therefore, be informed that the Twitter handle you are complaining of is a ghost account and I am not in any way associated with it,” he added.

In the alleged offensive tweet, Chaibva is said to have claimed that civil society groups such as the Crisis Coalition Zimbabwe, Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe and ZLHR were planning engage politically motivated violence in the coming few days.

ZLHR, through lawyer Tinomuda Shoko, said: “The information you posted in your tweet is false in every respect and is calculated as it damages the reputation and standing of the ZLHR.

“While we appreciate that there is a constitutionally guaranteed right to petition peacefully, the organisation has never called or supported any protest, and the organisation’s communication portals are evident of such. There was no single incident where ZLHR has sent any information to any organisation or published any information calling for a stay away, and does not intend to do so.

“The information which you posted on your tweet is not only false, but highly defamatory in that it creates an impression in the minds of any reasonable person that the ZLHR are masterminds and instigators of political violence and civil unrest.”

ZLHR the demanded that Chaibva should retract the statement or face a US$1 million defamation lawsuit.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

FULL TEXT- "All members affiliated to FOZEU will not be able to report for duty": FOZEU issues strike notice. @FozeuT @ARTUZ_teachers @ProgressiveOf pic.twitter.com/ImpnTheeh3

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 20, 2022

By A Correspondent- Police on Wednesday last week opened a criminal docket against acting Prosecutor-General Nelson Mutsonziwa for reportedly destroying a court docket in 2014.

The docket was opened at the Harare Central Police Station under case number IR 061520 following a complaint by businessman Chemist Siziba.

In a statement issued to the police by the complainant and gleaned by NewsDay, Siziba said the allegations pertain to Mutsonziwa’s conduct as a public prosecutor in the then Attorney-General’s Office.

“The allegations made pertain to his conduct as a public prosecutor in the then Attorney-General’s Office. Sometime in 2014, I reported a criminal case to the police at Harare Central Police Station.

“The accused persons in that matter are Paul Rijk Peacy, Craig John William Danckwerts, Ray Kaukonde, Samson Edmare and Jeremy Brook to do with a forged CR14,” Siziba wrote.

He said police investigated the matter and arrested the suspects and brought them before a Harare magistrate who placed them on remand.

“Nelson Mutsonziwa, in his capacity as a public prosecutor stationed at the then Attorney-General’s Office, summoned the docket purportedly to review same. I am advised that he was entitled to do so. Mutsonziwa then summoned me to his office and instructed me to withdraw the complaint and threatened to send me to prison if I did not comply with his directive,” Siziba wrote.

“I filed a complaint against him in 2014. The docket has not been seen or returned to the Magistrates Court at Rotten Row Avenue since 2014. I have written to him asking him to account for the docket, but he has neglected/failed to account for the docket.”

Siziba further indicated that as a result of Mutsonziwa’s interference with the prosecution of the accused and non-availability of the docket, his complaint against Danckwerts has not been tried.

“I have since learnt that the accused under that docket were represented by one Mutsonziwa (now-deceased), who is the acting Prosecutor-General’s relative. I also learnt that Mutsonziwa has been in contact with the accused through proxies,” Siziba said, adding that his conduct was unlawful and inconsistent with his duties.

Allegations are that in December 1998, Siziba, through his firm Hawkhope Investments, purchased the entire share capital of Danckwerts’ two firms trading as Nyland Enterprises and Great-Insight Investments.

Both firms fell under Danckwerts’ holding company Danbro Holdings.

On August 25, 1999, Danckwerts, together with Peacey, resigned as directors of the two firms, leading to Siziba together with Margret Siziba and Bernadette Sekai Veteranwa assuming control of the two firms as the new directors.

However, sometime between 2011 and 2012, Danckwerts turned against Siziba and caused his arrest, accusing him of stealing his firms.

But police investigations revealed that Danckwerts had reportedly submitted a fraudulent form to the Registrar of Companies between February 2011 and May 2012 purporting to be still a director of the firms at the centre of the controversy.

Danckwerts allegedly later appointed former Mashonaland East Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Ray Kaukonde, Jeremy Brooke and one Samson as co-directors, but Kaukonde and Samson later resigned after noting Danckwerts’ arrest.

According to Siziba, Danckwerts was being represented by Mutsonziwa’s relative the late Arthur Mutsonziwa of Atherstone and Cook Legal Practitioners.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Ruling Zanu-PF party deputy youth secretary John Paradza yesterday threatened to unleash party youths against the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) as political tempers flare ahead of the 2023 elections.

Paradza was addressing scores of youths in the capital yesterday.

The defiant Paradza said the party would unleash violence in defending the revolutionary party, adding that as youth, they were going to defend the party.

“We have noted that CCC is unleashing violence against us, but starting from today, I am unleashing my dogs,” he said.

“As youths, our mandate is to defend the revolutionary party and we are going to make sure we defend our party. CCC burnt houses in Chitungwiza and we are not going to fold our hands watching them unleashing violence,” he said.

Zanu-PF supporters and CCC activists clashed in Nyatsime over the death of CCC activist Moreblessing Ali.

Tempers are rising ahead of the 2023 elections after a CCC rally was blocked in Chegutu over the weekend, with the opposition party blaming Zanu-PF for barricading Pfumojena Stadium where the rally was to be hosted.

Paradza added that President Emmerson Mnangagwa would unveil residential stands to the youth.

“I have met the President and he said he was going to unveil stands to the youths. It is the President’s vision to give youths stands and also to have employment,” he said.

Zanu-PF Harare central youth chairperson Emmanuel Mahachi also said they were going to defend the party.

“We are not going to fold our hands and we are going to defend our party through fighting because we rule this country,” Mahachi said

In his vote of thanks, youth secretary for administration Tendai Chiwetu said he was aware of ministers and legislators who were working against Mnangagwa.

“We have people who seem to like President Mnangagwa, but they don’t like him. We are going to make sure that they are not retained as central committee members as we approach the elections,” Chiwetu added.

CCC youth assembly spokesperson Stephen Chuma said: “We, as CCC, believe in non-violence approach to solving problems. It’s very unfortunate that in this modern era, we have a political party that believes in violence as a strategy.

“We are a peace-loving citizens’ movement, but that does not make us weak or cowards. No one has monopoly of violence and we want to send the message clear to Emmerson Mnangagwa, John Paradza and Zanu-PF thugs that any attempts to drive the nation into anarchy will be resisted.”

He added: “We know that Zanu-PF wants to use violence to drive this nation into anarchy so as to effect a state of emergency in order to postpone the upcoming general elections. They know they are going to lose elections so they are running scared and are now resorting to violence.”

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “I will have to get the information from Officer Commanding Harare Province and get back to you on the matter. I was not at work today (yesterday).”-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s health workers Monday downed tools protesting poor salaries and working conditions.

They gave the government notice to down tools last week.

In a notice of incapacitation and withdrawal of service seen by Pindula News, the workers who are currently paid in the local currency have repeated their call to be paid in United States Dollars (USD).

The Zimbabwe dollar has been losing value since its reintroduction in 2019. 

Watch the video below for more:

The protest comes as the government has offered a 100% salary increment. 

Analysts say the government needs to realise that something is fundamentally wrong with this society, its economy and politics to address the vicious cycle and crisis. 

Workers have been periodically embarking on industrial action since 2019 demanding restoration of their pre-October 2018 salaries which were in United States dollars.

The government says it is incapacitated to pay all its workers in foreign currency. Some analysts say Zimbabwe has enough resources to take care of its workforce, “but the government has other priorities.”

By A Correspondent- Bulawayo residents under the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA), have written to the Bulawayo city council expressing displeasure over the local authority’s recent decision to levy rates in US dollars.

Last week council announced that residents will now pay their service charges and levies in US dollars at the prevailing bank rate with effect from June 1, 2022.

In a notice to residents and other stakeholders, Bulawayo town clerk Christopher Dube said the move had been necessitated by the depreciation of the Zimbabwe dollar.

BPRA have however blasted council over the issue and urged the local authority to find other ways of raising revenue.

“The reality on the ground is that a lot of residents are actually falling behind in paying council bills and rentals in local currency and there is no way that charging in US dollars will turn this reality around.

“A return to US dollar payments will actually worsen the plight of residents who live on out of pocket transactions.

“While we understand the challenges, council is faced with in providing service delivery, our key question remains; whose reality really counts,?  

“Is it that of council or that ordinary rate payers, the majority of whom are living in poor conditions and abject poverty,” reads part of BPRA’s letter.

The residents association has also accused council management of unilaterally coming up with the new payment regime without the approval of councilors.

Council has however called for a stakeholders meeting Monday to discuss the issue.

Residents have vowed to boycott the meeting until the local authority produces evidence in the form of full council minutes to indicate that due procedure was followed and a full council resolution was passed to effect the re-alignment of the tariff charges.

-NewZimbabwe

 By A Correspondent- A 27 year old Bulawayo woman has been sentenced to 12 years in prison on two counts of aggravated indecent assault.

Moderate Tichavavamwe (27), who had challenges of conceiving, raped a 15-year-old boy twice in an effort to conceive.

She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges when she appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Dambudzo Malunga on Friday.

The magistrate, however, convicted and sentenced her to 12 years in prison at the close of the State case. But two years were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecutor Naison Chivayo said sometime in 2020, Tichavavamwe visited the 15-year-old boy’s mother in Kingsdale seeking assistance on ways to help her conceive and was charged US$25 for the services.

During the same month, Tichavavamwe summoned the 15-year-old boy to her home to repair the solar light and promised to pay him.

The boy repaired the solar light and was given eggs as payment for his services.

The court heard that sometime in March, the minor was again called by Tichavavamwe to her house where she invited him to her room and sexually abused him.

On another count during the same month while at Woodville, Bulawayo, the boy was sent by his father to Tichavavamwe’s home to collect his US$4 for the electric cable she had bought from him.

The woman invited the boy into her room and abused him again.

After the act, the woman gave the boy eggs, dried caterpillars and the US$4 he was sent to collect by his father.

The matter came to light after the boy was caught stealing sugarcane in Mahatshula garden and stated that he had been  sent by Tichavavamwe.

The teenager later opened up and told his father about the abuse.

The matter was reported at Queens Park Police Station, leading to her arrest.

-Newsday

By- Norton MP Temba Mliswa on Sunday displayed images of him and his children on social media and said that he was a responsible father.

Mliswa also dispels claims that he was not caring for his many children.

The Norton lawmaker has 18 Children.
https://twitter.com/TembaMliswa/status/1538765723056619520/photo/1

By A Correspondent- Norton legislator (Independent), Temba Mliswa has said Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo was stifling local government authorities through corruption.

He also said despite numeral calls, the government has not acted on reports of corruption against Moyo. He made the remarks in a series of Twitter messages in which he articulated issues overshadowing President Emmerson Mngagwagwa’s success stories.

He said:

Let’s face full-on the issues plaguing us on the ground. Councils are crying out against July Moyo who has a litany of corruption charges which haven’t been pursued. Local authorities are under siege from him and nothing is moving there.

How can we keep quiet in the face of such political profligacy? We have said Devolution is the way to go and yet the Minister is hoarding and abusing power. All these are issues which are detrimental to the positives and take off the glow of achievements elsewhere.

Failure to face and speak about these is actually a travesty that is dangerous to ED. There are a lot of social issues which Gvt has failed to respond to. As I have always argued any economic progress has to be felt in the day-to-day lives of the people!

Recently, Moyo was accused of super-imposing the Pomona Waste of Energy Project deal between the Harare City Council and Geoginix BV.

The deal, which was approved by Cabinet and reportedly forced on Harare City Council by Moyo, is racking up a daily bill of US$22 000 since being penned.

Critics say Moyo was violating the Constitution which states that local government authorities are semi-autonomous.

Most urban councils are run by the opposition and Moyo’s alleged interference is reportedly meant to cause local government authorities to fail to deliver expected public goods and services.  

By- Police in Marondera have summoned four members of the opposition CCC.

CCC posted on Twitter that the four were told to go to the police and answer questions on the violence that happened at Moreblessing Ali’s funeral.

Posted CCC:
CCC champions Misheck Guzha, Audious Makoma, Precious Jeche & Felix Biri have been summoned to attend at Law & Order Marondera. Zanu PF thugs burned their homes following the memorial prayer service for Moreblessing Ali who was murdered in cold blood by Zanu PF.

⛔️#ALERT CCC champions Misheck Guzha, Audious Makoma, Precious Jeche & Felix Biri have been summoned to attend at Law & Order Marondera. Their homes were burnt by Zanu PF thugs following the memorial prayer service for Moreblessing Ali who was murdered in cold blood by Zanu PF.

— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) June 19, 2022

By- Zanu PF at the weekend disrupted the CCC celebration meeting in Chegutu.

CCC posted on Twitter, saying that the sad development happened in Pfupajena stadium.

Posted CCC:

Yesterday (Saturday), we were barred from using Pfupajena Stadium in Chegutu for our victory celebrations. The police had cleared our event had paid the venue in full but ZANUPF&some local municipality officials cordoned off the area & barricaded it with sealing tape used at crime scenes.

?Yesterday we were barred from using Pfupajena Stadium in Chegutu for our victory celebrations.The police had cleared our event&we had paid the venue in full but ZANUPF&some local municipality officials cordoned off the area&barricaded it with sealing tape used at crime scenes. pic.twitter.com/E76e6VNQrW

— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) June 19, 2022

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa took the dynamic rural outreach programme to Gokwe.

President Chamisa has pointed out that hope is everywhere.

The whole nation is hoping for great days ahead, according to the CCC leader.

” HOPE EVERYWHERE…It’s not easy to carry the hopes of all generations and the entire nation. Our parents in the rural areas are pinning their hopes on us.

The task is huge. Friends, help me to pray for wisdom and strength to deliver a New Great Zimbabwe!WIN we shall! Happy Sabbath #fakapressure #Godisinit

GOKWE is an interesting place! #fakapressure,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa took the dynamic rural outreach programme to Gokwe.

President Chamisa has pointed out that hope is everywhere.

The whole nation is hoping for great days ahead, according to the CCC leader.

” HOPE EVERYWHERE…It’s not easy to carry the hopes of all generations and the entire nation. Our parents in the rural areas are pinning their hopes on us.

The task is huge. Friends, help me to pray for wisdom and strength to deliver a New Great Zimbabwe!WIN we shall! Happy Sabbath #fakapressure #Godisinit

GOKWE is an interesting place! #fakapressure,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

ZIMBABWE NEEDS A RESPONSIBLE & CARING FATHER..A father

loves,cares,unifies, provides,makes peace,reconciles and protects. Our Father, Who art in heaven,hallowed be Thy name;Thy kingdom come;Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..Let us strive to please our Heavenly Father at all material times. God bless Zimbabwe. Happy #FathersDay2022

By A Correspondent- The family of the slain activist Moreblessing Ali has been forced to flee their home following sustained threats by suspected state agents and Zanu-PF activists for demanding justice.

The family said that they have abandoned Ali’s residence in Nyatsime because of the victimisation by suspected Zanu-PF activists, who have been threatening them.

“We want Zanu-PF to stop meddling and threatening our family. They have beaten some of our family members,” Washington said.

“Any threats or abuse, no burial. We want to do the final service in Nyatsime, and we don’t want the people who caused the chaos to be present.”

Ali’s son Silence said the family was grateful for the support it was getting from CCC.

“There have also been well-wishers who have been donating, I would like to thank them.”

Ali’s family made several demands before they could bury her, including the release of Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala, who is also their lawyer.

Sikhala was denied bail on Friday on charges of inciting violence following the clashes between Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and Zanu-PF activists at Ali’s funeral in Nyatsime last week.

He is charged alongside MDC Alliance MP Godfrey Sithole.

They are spending the weekend behind bars awaiting the continuation of their bail application on Monday.

“We want our family lawyer to be released so that he can continue helping us on this murder case and also the release of our search party leader Sithole. No release, no burial,” said Moreblessing’s brother Washington.

The family also demanded to see the exact place where Moreblessing was murdered, and demanded a forensic investigation.

Ali’s stepmother Judith Chisiiwa told The Standard the family does not know where  her body was being kept.

“They just told us that we are supposed to collect forensic results on Tuesday,” Chisiiwa said.

“We don’t even know where the body of our relative is.”

Ali went missing on May 24 after she was allegedly attacked and abducted by suspected Zanu-PF thugs among them Pius Jamba who was arrested in Hurungwe last week.

Zanu-PF has denied that Jamba is one of its members.

Ali was found dead on June 11.

Police said her body was cut into pieces and stuffed in a sack.

Her death has fuelled tensions between Zanu-PF and CCC, who have clashed in Nyatsime.

By A Correspondent- -Four suspected robbers allegedly pounced on a couple at Gibson gold base in Mazowe and the husband managed to flee leaving his wife being attacked.

The matter came to light at Bindura magistrates courts on Thursday.

Courage Utshani (23), Blessing Dzingai (23), Craby Matavu (25) and Peacemaker Simon (21) appeared before Joyleen Mugedhe.

The quartet was remanded in custody to June 20 for trial.

The state led by  Paidamoyo Muchakata alleged on March 31 the four were on a robbing spree at the base armed with knifes and switches they stormed at Ellen Chiromo ((35)  who was sleeping with her husband in the cabin.

When the suspects broke into the room Chiromo’s husband managed to flee leaving his wife at the hands of the suspects.

The suspects demanded gold, money and  cell phones before assaulting  Chiromo.

She surrendered her mobile phone and money  before sneaking away.

Chiromo rushed to the police base and filed a police report.

The police managed to arrest Simon who was hiding in the bush and he implicated his accomplices

By A Correspondent- State-run Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara), which has been red-flagged in multiple reports by the Auditor General (AG) and parliament for unbridled levels of corruption, looting and nepotism says it has reformed.

In her previous reports, the AG Mildred Chiri raised issues of corporate mis-governance, making the organisation a hub for corrupt activities.

In 2019, Parliament’s public accounts committee chaired by opposition legislator Tendai Biti also unearthed the mismanagement of funds scandal at the parastatal.

Their report exposed how Zinara was paying two salaries for the suspended Nancy Masiyiwa-Chamisa and acting CEO Mathlene Mujokoro.

The road authority was said to be spending thousands of United States dollars on hairstyle, food hampers, and gym allowances for managers.

It was reported that Zinara also spent more than US$60 000 on hairstyle allowance with one boutique pocketing more than US$25 000 on having hair done for its female managers.

The legislators were also notified that Zinara simultaneously spent US$4 000 on each director in buying and installing gym equipment at their residences, while paying monthly subscriptions for their gym at upmarket clubs in Harare.

But presenting at the African Parliamentarians Network against Corruption event in Bulawayo on Friday, Zinara  chairperson George Manyaya said the parastatal had embarked on a transformative journey.

“A new qualified, experienced and ethical board for Zinara has been appointed.

We have appointed qualified, vibrant and hardworking new executives and managers rolling over to 2021,” Manyaya said.

“Necessary approvals are obtained before any payments.

“All positions being advertised with adherence to minimum person specifications.

“Allowances (hairdo allowance and gym) are no longer being paid and no Christmas hampers are still being issued.”

Previous reports had also revealed that appointments were done through nepotism and not merit as no single position was advertised.

Manyaya added: “New qualified, experienced and ethical board for Zinara has been appointed.

” Zinara has been realigned to its statutory mandate.

“There has also been an introduction of a consequences management system – various employees were dismissed after disciplinary hearings.

“Also established an integrity ethics committee in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

“A skills audit is underway. We have developed a performance measurement system.”-standard

By A Correspondent- People living with HIV/AIDS will soon have anti retroviral (ARV) medication delivered to their homes under a programme meant to reduce cases of defaulting and enhance uptake.

The programme, which will initially be rolled out in rural communities before being progressively expanded to urban centres, has already had  successful trials in Makoni District, Manicaland Province.

During the two-year-long trials in Makoni, incidents of default among those initiated on anti retroviral therapy (ART) have been reduced from around 10 percent to almost zero.

National AIDS Council (NAC) chief executive officer Dr Bernard Madzima said preparations for the roll-out were advanced.”Under the Community Antiretroviral Treatment Care Facilitator (CATCF) programme, a health worker collects ARVs for a household or community and goes around distributing them to our patients,” he said.

“The clinics ensure that the clients do not go to the clinics but the ARVs are brought to the homesteads.

“This means they can easily pick up on defaulters.”The programme, he said, ensures that data about a particular area is easily sent to the district, province and national data centres, meaning people can quickly take action if there are challenges.

NAC plans to spread the programme countrywide.

“It, however, requires financial and technical resources,” he added.

“There is need to train the community health workers, engage staff at the clinics, procure medication and ensure the system works.

“This is the way we want to move, especially in view of Covid-19, where we want minimum interaction and also decongest clinics.”An estimated 1,3 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe.

According to the 2020 Zimbabwe Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (ZIMPHIA) survey, 97 percent of HIV-positive people are on ART, while about 93 percent have a suppressed viral load.

NAC’s Makoni District AIDS coordinator Mr Spencer Banguza said the pilot was a huge success.

“We are covering seven facilities comprising six clinics and a hospital,” he said. “In terms of performance as a district, we have been doing quite well in terms of viral load suppression and ensuring that the clients take their ARVs every day and on time. “Our trained cadres assist clients with their refills, how to take their ARVs, the time and dates they should have their viral loads checked.”

He said the programme has assisted those who may not want to travel to a health facility for refills.

“The programme has seen a decrease in defaulters and suppressed viral load, hence it should be rolled out across the country.”-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The family of a man who was found hanging from a tree in Woodlands, Bulawayo on Wednesday has disputed the results of the post-mortem revealing that he had committed suicide and is demanding a fresh autopsy.

According to the post-mortem report that was issued on Thursday, Jack Nyathi (45) who had been missing for 18 days died of asphyxia and hanging even as the family insists that he may have been killed.

The report put the date and time of death as between 28 May and 14 June.

When Sunday News spoke to the deceased’s brother, Mr Emmanuel Nyathi, he disputed the findings and said his family felt that his brother may have been murdered.

Mr Nyathi said his brother would be buried today, but the family was preparing to petition the State to allow them to exhume the body as soon as possible for another post-mortem.

“The post-mortem report stated that my brother died as a result of suicide and no foul play was suspected. However, when we went to the site where his body was found today (yesterday), we found traces of blood and an iron bar which we think may have been used to assault or torture my brother.

“We have no choice but to bury him tomorrow (today), but we are exploring the possibility of having his body exhumed as soon as possible and seek a second opinion from another pathologist as to the cause of death,” Mr Nyathi said.

According to Mr Nyathi, his brother went missing on the night of 28 May after he had called his boss, telling him that he was tied up and people were threatening to kill him.

The employer then called the police on the same night before accompanying the deceased’s brother to Bulawayo Central Police Station to report the matter.

“I received a call from my brother’s boss on the night of May 28 and he said Jack had called him at around 10 or 11pm that same night and told him that some people had tied him and threatened to kill him.

“We made a formal report with the police the following day. We tried to look for him for 18 days and even went through the same bush a few times. At one point we asked the police to use sniffer dogs to try and find him but this was not done until some men who were poaching sand in the area saw his body hanging from a tree.

“These people reported the matter at Hillside Police Station and also called me because one of them had heard that we were looking for Jack who was missing. I went to the police station and then accompanied them to the bushy area where we found my brother hanging,” Mr Nyathi explained.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed that no foul play was suspected and the official cause of death was suicide.

“We received reports that a body had been discovered hanging from a tree in a bushy area near the Woodlands Shopping Centre. According to the post-mortem report by the pathologist at United Bulawayo Hospitals, the deceased, Jack Nyathi died of asphyxia and hanging and we suspect no foul play. The body was found in a state of decomposition,” Insp Ncube said.

Insp Ncube also urged the public to seek help from family members, counsellors and churches before electing to take their own lives.-statemedia