By- A top Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) official John Mhlanga has died in a fatal road accident along the Bulawayo-Plumtree highway while on his way to Botswana.

He was the country’s Defence Attaché to Botswana.

He was 59 years old.

In a statement, Deputy Director Army Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Alex Zuva said Colonel Mhlanga was a patriotic cadre who will be missed. He said:
Zimbabwe’s Defence Attaché to Botswana, Colonel John Mhlanga has died. He was 59 years old. Colonel Mhlanga was involved in a fatal road traffic accident along the Bulawayo-Plumtree highway while on his way to Botswana on 19 April 2022.
Colonel Mhlanga was born on the 1 November 1962 at Chikore Mission commonly known as Craigmore. His family emanated from Manjehwe area, under Headman Siyakisa and Chief Musikavanhu in Chipinge District, Manicaland Province. The late Senior Officer started his primary education at Bangira Primary School in 1969 before proceeding to Chinaa Primary School and later on Big Tree Primary School where he completed his Grade Seven. He gave up his education to pursue the revolutionary cause in response to the growing consciousness about the freedom of his country.

He belonged to that crop of young men and women who quickly developed the political consciousness which gave youths of his day the spirit of confronting the white settler regime with its segregatory policies.
It was not long before the late Senior Officer found himself crossing the border to Mozambique on 25 July 1976. He first arrived at Espungabeira before moving to Posto-Machazi. The late Colonel Mhlanga stayed at Chibawawa Refugee Camp until August 1976 when he departed to Chimoio – ZANU Headquarters. He commenced initial military training at the end of 1976. After his initial training, the late Senior Officer went on to specialise in Anti-Aircraft Guns.

He was supposed to deploy to the front in May 1977 but was withdrawn to join an Instructors’ Course which had just commenced. Colonel Mhlanga was one of the cadres who survived the Chimoio attack in 1977. Thereafter, he was deployed to Tangwena Sector in Manicaland Province, Bonda Detachment. He remained in that Operational Area until the end of the war. Other living Comrades that he operated with during the war in that Zone were Group Captain Chikukwa, Retired Brigadier General Zabanyana, Lt Col Mango and Comrade Mike Ndekwere. Colonel Mhlanga was attested into the ZNA as a Private on 11 August 1980 and rose through the ranks Colonel in 2011. During his long and illustrious service, the late Senior Officer attended many courses.
During his illustrious career, the late Colonel Mhlanga held several appointments. He was appointed Defence Attaché to the Republic of Botswana from 2017 until his untimely death.
Besides military courses, the late Senior Officer was a holder of several professional credentials which include Masters in International Studies with the University of Zimbabwe and Masters in Developmental Studies with National University of Science and Technology.
For his continued dedication, selfless and exemplary service to the nation, the late Colonel Mhlanga was awarded the Liberation Medal, Independence Medal, Ten Years’ Service Medal, Long and Exemplary Service Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal, Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign Medal and Commander of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.

A funeral Parade will be held at the Zimbabwe Military Academy on Friday 22 April in his honour. He was a patriotic, loyal, humble, honest and enthusiastic Senior Officer whose leadership inspired both his peers and subordinates. He will therefore be greatly missed.
The late Colonel is survived by his wife Thandiwe and two children.

By- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is investigating a robbery case in which a motorist was robbed of his car along Chitungwiza road in broad daylight.
In a statement, ZRP said the motorist was relieving himself when the two robbers approached him and produced an unidentified pistol.
Reads the statement:
On 21/04/22 at around 1300 hours, a motorist driving a Honda Fit vehicle along Chitungwiza Road lost US$ 2 500 cash and other valuables all valued at US$3 000 after parking the vehicle near Zororo Cemetery to relieve himself.
Two unknown male suspects emerged from the tall grass and threatened the complainant with an unidentified pistol before handcuffing him. The suspects took control of the vehicle and later left the victim locked inside his car after undressing him and taking away the clothes.

By-The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has said that the media should report objectively on its operations.

The plea was made by the commission’s deputy chairperson, Mr Rodney Simukai Kiwa this Friday while addressing a Social Media Conference on Elections. 

Kiwa also said elections were a process and not an event hence the need to adequately prepare. 

His remarks come when critics and the opposition claim that ZEC has failed to run free, fair and credible elections. 

They accuse the commission of conniving with the ruling party to undermine the electoral process hence the need to disband the commission. 

Below is the rest of his speech:

I welcome you all to this workshop focussing on social media as one of ZEC’s critical partners and stakeholders in ensuring the delivery of an electoral process whose integrity is beyond reproach. The theme of this workshop is equally Instructive and appropriately demanding: Responsible Social Media Reporting for Free, Fair and Credible Elections.

In this regard, I would like all of us to think 2023 harmonized elections. And to be sure, let us be on the same page about concepts and processes. First, let us be agreed that elections are the means or mechanisms by which people make choices about who should represent and lead them, as well as express preference for given policies. Elections are instruments of legitimation for a body politic. They facilitate changes in leadership from one party to another in a way that is structured, competitive, transparent, and within a legal framework. Secondly, elections are not an event but a continuous process. A cycle if you will.

An ideal electoral cycle would have the following key elements: a legal framework; electoral planning and organized implementation; civic training and education; official voter registration; election campaigning; voting; certified verification of election results; and post-election processes. In this regard think and see ZEC. Our purpose is to insure and ensure electoral integrity. However, in this electoral process, tension is inevitable and perhaps desirable to the extent that it can bring out the best of the contending parties or individuals, but can also bring out the worst.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is now my honor and privilege to declare this Workshop officially open and to wish you fruitful deliberations.

Thank you

By- The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has released the names of its officials who died in a bus accident that happened on the 19th of this month.

The staffers are Mrs Anacoleta Dembure, Ms Mary Nherera, and Ms Joseline Makwanya.

In a statement ZIMRA said the trio was based at Region 1 Kurima House, Harare.

Reads the statement:
Remembering our colleagues who passed on in the tragic accident on 19 April 2022. May their departed souls rest in eternal peace
The ZIMRA bus that was involved in the accident was carrying members of staff coming from Beitbridge to Harare.
The accident happened near Corona Shops along Masvingo Road, approximately 90km from Harare at around 1800hrs.

By- Another Zimbabwean man has been murdered in South Africa.

Limukani Ndikinya Ndebele from Nkayi was last Tuesday killed by a mob in South Africa for allegedly attempting to hijack a car on Allandale Road near Chloorkop open field.

His other two accomplices managed to flee from the scene.

Ndikinya Ndebele is said to have got behind the wheel of the car they were trying to hijack but he failed to start the car and as a result other motorists, who had seen what was happening, pounced on him.
Seeing that Limukani was in trouble, his accomplices drove away, leaving him at the mercy of the mob.
Limukani is said to have tried to flee on foot but the mob caught him and severely beat him.
He was later found in an open space with an open wound in his head and a broken arm.
“The now deceased was trying to hijack a car with his two friends but they failed to do so because the mob started fighting them, his two friends used their car to escape from the scene while he tried taking the victim’s car to escape using it.
“He failed to start the engine and the mob chased him and he was found dead,” said Sergeant Dipelo Moremi of the Rabie Ridge South African Police Services.
He revealed that the police were hunting for the escaped accomplices.
The motorist, who survived the hijack, positively identified Limukani.
“I still don’t believe that my brother is gone just like that. It’s like a dream to me. We are yet to make arrangements for his burial. We were held up by the Easter holidays,” said his sister Nomazulu Ndebele.

• B Metro

By- MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has been fingered in the continued suspension of Harare Mayor, Jacob Mafume.

Mafume is a senior member of the Nelson Chamisa led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party.

CCC said Mwonzora was working with Zanu PF to stop Mafume from heading the Town House.

This was said by Mafume himself in Harare.

Flanked by CCC deputy spokesperson Ostallos Siziba at a presser this today, Mafume said the ruling Zanu PF was working in connivance with opposition MDC-T led by Senator Douglas Mwonzorar to promote corruption and fatten the pockets of some political elites.

He said CCC members were chosen to serve the people and they can do that when they are on committees, not by being “spectators.”

He said they will challenge the decree.

By- The Nelson Chamisa led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party has described as “illegal” and a” violation of the constitution”, the continued suspension of Harare Mayor.

Local Government Minister July Moyo issued a decree to the effect that local authorities’ leadership structures will remain unchanged even after the 26 March by-elections.

Suspended Harare Mayor, Advocate Jacob Mafume said the move is meant to promote corrupt activities.

Flanked by CCC deputy spokesperson Ostallos Siziba at a presser this today, Mafume said the ruling Zanu PF was working in connivance with opposition MDC-T led by Senator Douglas Mwonzorar to promote corruption and fatten the pockets of some political elites.

He said CCC members were chosen to serve the people and they can do that when they are on committees, not by being “spectators.”

He said they will challenge the decree.

By- Three Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) have died in a bus accident.

The accident happened on the 19th of this month.

The staffers are Mrs Anacoleta Dembure, Ms Mary Nherera, and Ms Joseline Makwanya.

In a statement ZIMRA said the trio was based at Region 1 Kurima House, Harare.

Reads the statement:
Remembering our colleagues who passed on in the tragic accident on 19 April 2022. May their departed souls rest in eternal peace
The ZIMRA bus that was involved in the accident was carrying members of staff coming from Beitbridge to Harare.
The accident happened near Corona Shops along Masvingo Road, approximately 90km from Harare at around 1800hrs.

Tinashe Sambiri|Overzealous police details on Thursday violently disrupted President Nelson Chamisa’s citizens engagement meeting in Chitungwiza.

The ZRP cops threatened to “bomb” CCC supporters at the venue.

“Our Harare Provincial Assembly meeting addressed by Change Champion-in-Chief President
@nelsonchamisa
in Chitungwiza today ended prematurely after the regime in Harare deployed armed police who disrupted the meeting and threatened to throw teargas into the venue,” CCC said in a statement on Twitter.

EFF leader Julius Malema has instructed the EFF KZN Provincial Chairperson Vusumuzi Khoza to attend to the plight of Zimbabwean truck drivers who have reached out to him seeking remedy which has removed cross border trucks forcing them to be shunting at the Durban port.

The SOS to Malema read:

Sorry boss to disturb you, how are you doing. We are truck drivers from Zimbabwe working on a south african company called MBS carriers. This is a crossborder company but now they took some other trucks to work local and they are forcing us Zimbabweans drivers to take that job again. They are forcing us to do shunting in durban and we are refusing saying employ local people to work on that job. Plz help us and they are forcing us to get to the durban port for shunting. We are not refusing to go to work but we are refusing to take local jobs. Thank you in advance for your favourable response.

Responding to the cry for help, Malema said, “The employer is the biggest problem, not our African brothers and sisters. Commissar @vusumuzikhoza, please attend to this nonsense. Africa we are one.”

By A Correspondent- A 37 year old Zvishavane woman was last Thursday allegedly murdered by her husband after buying herself a bag using money meant to purchase groceries.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko yesterday confirmed the incident, saying the victim was Mavis Wadzogwa of Tagwirei village under Chief Mazvihwa.

Mahoko said the victim was fatally assaulted by her husband following a misunderstanding over the bag.

“She (Wadzogwa) had a misunderstanding with her husband Nobert Mhlanga (36). The husband accused her of misusing money after she bought a bag using savings meant for groceries,” Mahoko said.

Allegations are that Mhlanga assaulted her using a hoe handle and bricks all over the body and left her lying unconscious. Villagers tried to rush Wadzogwa to hospital, but she died on the way.

The matter was reported to the police, resulting in Mhlanga’s arrest.

In another incident, the body of a naked 51-year-old Lower Gweru woman was found last Thursday with deep wounds on the forehead.

“On April 13, 2022, Kesiwe Maketo of Matembeka village under Chief Sogwala in Lower Gweru retired to bed at around 7pm. A neighbour said she last saw her in good condition. The following morning at around 4am, the neighbour went to Maketo’s house and found her lifeless body naked on the floor,” Mahoko said.

“The body had two deep wounds on the forehead and was ferried to Gweru Provincial Hospital, where it awaits post-mortem.”

By A Correspondent- One of Zimbabwe’s most wanted suspected armed robbers, Conwell Junior Kasambarare, who is facing a plethora of robbery and housebreaking charges, is believed to have recently escaped to Cape Town after CID crack teams were deployed countrywide to track down and arrest all criminals involved in such activities.

Kasambarare, who is alleged to have been part of Musa Taj Abdul’s criminal gang and now suspected of masterminding a spate of armed robberies and housebreaking cases in and around Harare, was released last year on bail.

Sources close to the investigations said after he heard that detectives from the CID Homicide which deals with violent crimes were still looking for him, he then fled to South Africa.

A suspected accomplice, Spicer Takawira, was recently arrested on charges of house housebreaking and theft.

Kasambarare, Takawira together with Leo Mandaza, Godwin Kusikwenyu (34), last known address 11222 Parkridge Kuwadzana, and another one only identified as Chamu, recently allegedly committed seven cases of housebreaking and theft in Harare.

Decide Rice had been operating from South Africa and committing a spate of armed robberies across borders.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said after committing his Zimbabwean robberies he would flee to South Africa. But then detectives recently received information that Rice was hiding at his girlfriend’s house in Glen View 1 and they reacted.

The detectives cordoned off the house and after being confronted, he attacked them resulting in warning shots being fired. He kept attacking and so was shot in both legs and right upper arm.

Rice was pronounced dead on admission to a city hospital.

Police searched his girlfriend’s house and discovered detonators that are believed to have been used to blast safes.

According to the police, Rice was responsible for more than 12 cases of armed robbery committed since 2017. Rice had escaped several shoot-outs with the police.

Recently, police declared war on armed robbers following an increase in violent crimes countrywide. The police are hunting them down and arresting them, but like Rice some want to try and escape in gunfights. Herald

By A Correspondent- A miner who had a fallout with his girlfriend, committed suicide by taking a chemical used in gold processing after he stumbled on a used cond0m under their bed.

A source close to the incident said the deceased, Mehluli Nkomo (age not supplied), worked as an artisanal miner at Mkizi 2 Mine in Hope Fountain on the outskirts of Bulawayo.

The source said Nkomo told him that on the previous day he had a fierce argument with his girlfriend after he stumbled on a used cond0m under their bed.

After sharing this heart-breaking news, he headed into the bush. He returned later complaining of dizziness and started vomiting. The source said after a few minutes he fell to the ground.

They conducted first aid on him and after a few minutes he was fine. He left for his place at around 7pm.

Later on during the night, his workmate, who preferred not to be named, said Nkomo cried for help and he rushed to his room and found him wriggling on the floor.

“The workmate found an empty bottle of the chemical and he had to quickly give him an antidote and after that his workmate phoned the mine owner (name supplied) but when he arrived Nkomo had already died,” the source further said.

The matter was reported at Waterford police base.

ZRP Hillside, CID Scenes of Crime and CID Homicide attended the scene. Detectives discovered a suicide note in his suitcase and it read in part: “May you kindly give my family money for the 94 days that I was yet to be paid for.”

By A Correspondent- Nine buses have been impounded by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption commission (ZACC) for smuggling goods and people across the country’s borders.

In a statement Thursday, the Zimbabwe anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) said smuggled goods, which included alcohol and bags of clothes were recovered.

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“Some of the smuggled goods found on the buses include an assortment of alcoholic drinks, blankets, bags containing new clothes, shoes, washing powder and energy drinks worth hundreds of thousands of US dollars,” ZACC said.

The bus crews and passengers failed to produce ZIMRA declaration forms,” the commission said.

“ZACC would like to thank whistleblowers for their continued support in exposing corruption and urge parliament and the ministry of justice to expedite the completion of the public interest disclosure (protection of whistleblowers) bill, 2022 whose principles were approved by cabinet recently.”

The buses were impounded under an ongoing anti-smuggling operation which kicked off on April 14.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has fire the embattled Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner Frank Muchengwa over gross misconduct and corruption.

Mnangagwa fired Muchengwa after a tribunal which was set to investigate him recommended such

The tribunal was tasked to investigate whether Commissioner Muchengwa interfered with the course of justice during the conduct of his duties; to investigate whether he interfered with investigations, received bribes and passed on confidential information concerning matters that he was investigating and to investigate whether or not he presided over matters that he had a conflict of interest.

Read the statement of his firing below:

The Tribunal which was inquiring into the question of removal from office of Frank Muchengwa as a member of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission in terms of section 237 as read with section 187 of the Constitution has completed its work.

The Tribunal has reported its findings to His Excellency, the President, Cde Dr E.D Mnangangwa, and has recommended that Commissioner Frank Muchengwa be removed from office for acts of gross misconduct.

Accordingly, His Excellency the President, acting in terms of Section 187 (8) of the Constitution, has removed Commissioner Frank Muchengwa from office with immediate effect.

By A Correspondent- Xenophobic persecution has scared many Zimbabweans, prompting them to repatriate their valuables, furniture and appliances.

Recent attacks in South Africa on immigrants by members of groups such as Operation Dudula, Dudula Movement and PutSouthAfricaFirst have resulted in the murder of a Zimbabwean national, Elvis Nyathi, who was beaten and set alight outside his home in Diepsloot.

Groundup.org.za reports that more than five bus companies that operate cross-border trips to Zimbabwe every week say they have seen a huge increase in luggage being sent home.

Samson Chanetsa, the owner of Red Lion Bus Company, said he had seen an increase in goods being sent to Zimbabwe.  He said:

We are carrying more luggage than passengers because people are afraid of falling victim to xenophobic violence. We used to travel with not more than 40 passengers per trip. We are now having a small number of travellers to Zimbabwe as people are spending more money on sending their luggage.

We are charging the same prices on luggage we charged last year. A double-door fridge remains at R1,500. This is the same price we have been charging in the festive season.

A driver, who did not want his employer to be named or to be named himself, said they were sometimes transporting less than 20 passengers while they were experiencing an unprecedented volume of luggage. He added, “That is where we are making our profit.”

Farisai Nyamadzawo, a domestic worker who has lived in Gqeberha for 15 years with her husband and their two children says they sent their household furniture and appliances to Zimbabwe by bus as they feared they could end up losing everything.

She added that they were not planning to relocate to Zimbabwe anytime soon because they are holders of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits.

Kuda Munyoro, a general worker at a smallholding in Sea View, and has been in South Africa for three years, joined hands with four Zimbabwean colleagues and paid R12 000 for their furniture and goods to be loaded on a bus from Gqeberha train station to Zimbabwe.

He said he was yet to decide on whether to go home for good or to remain in South Africa adding that he will apply for an asylum permit.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police in Budiriro has reported that it has arrested a 37 year old man for rape after he sexually assaulted his 19 year old friend.

According to the police, the suspect lured the victim to his office by asking her to collect some money to buy some shoes on the 11th of this month before raping her.

The woman reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the suspect.

In a related incident, the police have also reported that on the 20th of April 2020 at about 1500hours, a Dzivarasekwa woman (18) was raped by an unknown man at a secluded dumpsite near Dzivarasekwa High School, Harare.

The suspect is said to have  grabbed the complainant’s arm, tripped her down before raping her once.

Meanwhile, on the above date at about 0500 hours, a Harare woman (39) was dragged into a maize field and raped by an unknown suspect along Crowborough Road, Warren Park near Mereki Shops whilst looking for transport to the CBD.

The ZRP urges women to avoid going into private or secluded places for meetings or interactions with people who end up abusing them.

By A Correspondent- The day of reckoning is nigh for corrupt Government officials, Zanu-PF chairman for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province and former Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairman Jabulani Sibanda has warned.

Speaking during an interview on the sidelines of the historic 42nd main Independence Day celebrations held at Barbourfields Stadium on Monday, Sibanda said anyone who deviates from national interests and direction of the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa was a counter revolutionary and a reactionary.

“After 42 years of self-rule, you can see where our country is coming from and where it is going. I accept there are problems in our nation like any other nation. Some of our problems could have been avoided and can still be avoided now.

“I am asking all those responsible for our problems, be it in the opposition or in our party, Zanu-PF or in Government to just check yourself. Ask yourself what is it that you have done to improve the welfare of our people, to remove vices like tribalism, regionalism and other unnecessary differences,” said Sibanda.

He said corruption was a cancer that destroys the country while also delaying the development of the revolution.

“To those among us, especially those in Government, that are involved in corruption that destroys our country, that delays the development of our revolution, I am saying to you, one day you will stand before the people to answer for your deeds,” said Sibanda.

He said no one must take Independence Day for granted, as it came through the shedding of blood of the country’s gallant sons and daughters who took up arms to fight colonialists.

“I salute the heroic people of our country; I salute them today during our 42nd Independence Day. I salute the whole nation for accepting that the celebrations be held here in Bulawayo for the first time.

I salute the war veterans, dead and alive, including those who died before being vetted. I also salute the Cabinet and our President for bringing this day here. It has always been done in Harare because it is the capital, but any town or city can host this event and we thank the President for showing us that,” said Sibanda.–statemedia

By A Correspondent- Five armed robbers who robbed a gold buyer of his gold and a safe containing cash have been arrested while fleeing with their loot along Nyamapanda highway.

Wiramayi Willard Gatsi(34), Benjamin Matthew Gatsi(34), Jack Mupfawa(35), Beven Kaupfu(32) and Tendai Kambanje(42) were arrested and arraigned before Mutoko magistrate court to answer to a charge of armed robbery.

They were remanded in custody by magistrate  Elijah Sibanda to April 28.

The state led by prosecutor Nathan Mujuru alleges the suspects together with three others who are still at large pounced on a gold dealer in Mutoko armed with a  pistol and two machetes demanding cash and gold.

The dealer managed to escape and the suspects stole 22 grammes of gold and a safe containing over US$14 000.

The suspects who were using an Isuzu kb registration number  AAX 4293 were intercepted by Criminal Investigations  Department officers along Nyamapanda highway after a high-speed chase and they disembarked before fleeing in different directions.

Gatsi who is the owner of the vehicle was arrested on April 13 and he implicated the other suspects.

WhatsApp : +27610282354

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police says it is investigating the circumstances in which a foreign national and her 11 months old baby drowned along Limpopo River, Beitbridge on Thursday.

The incident is said to have happened  while the woman and the baby were being assisted to illegally cross the border into Zimbabwe by some men who were using a boat which then capsized.

The men disappeared soon after the incident. The nationality of the foreigner has not been revealed.

This is a developing story…

By- Police in Hatfield are investigating a murder case where a body of a yet to be identified male adult was found lying on the tarmac near Puma Service Station, Chadcombe.

The murdered person’s body was found Wednesday.
Police noted some bruises on the head, left thigh, lower limp and right shoulder.

By-Five armed robbers who robbed a gold buyer of his gold and a safe containing cash have been arrested while fleeing with their loot along Nyamapanda highway.

Wiramayi Willard Gatsi(34), Benjamin Matthew Gatsi(34), Jack Mupfawa(35), Beven Kaupfu(32) and Tendai Kambanje(42) were arrested and arraigned before Mutoko magistrate court to answer to a charge of armed robbery.

They were remanded in custody by magistrate  Elijah Sibanda to April 28.

The state led by prosecutor Nathan Mujuru alleges the suspects together with three others who are still at large pounced on a gold dealer in Mutoko armed with a  pistol and two machetes demanding cash and gold.

The dealer managed to escape and the suspects stole 22 grammes of gold and a safe containing over US$14 000.

The suspects who were using an Isuzu kb registration number  AAX 4293 were intercepted by Criminal Investigations  Department officers along Nyamapanda highway after a high-speed chase and they disembarked before fleeing in different directions.

Gatsi who is the owner of the vehicle was arrested on April 13 and he implicated the other suspects.

By- Two police officers and their accomplices have appeared in court allegedly extorting a senior Government official.

They accused her of passing through red traffic lights at State House.
The two police officers, Cleopas Mutamba and Pirate Mazarire, together with their accomplices Passmore Tsodzo and Sinikiwe Phiri, were not asked to plead.
They appeared before Harare magistrate, Yeukai Dzuda, who remanded them in custody to today for bail ruling.
The complainant is Beaulah Chirume, a director in the Ministry of ICT and Courier Services.
The court heard that on April 6, at around 9am, Chirume was driving from Sam Levy Village, Borrowdale, where she had withdrawn money from ZB Bank.
She was driving along Seventh Street, towards the city centre, in an Isuzu vehicle, registration number AFN 3490.
The four accused persons were trailing her in a Toyota Wish, which was being driven by Tsodzo.
It is alleged Chirume turned into Samora Machel Avenue and parked her vehicle at a parking bay. The gang then parked their car at the adjacent parking bay.
Mutamba is alleged to have approached Chirume and identified himself as a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation.
He told her he knew she was a Director in the Government but had come to arrest her for passing through traffic lights, at State House, when they were signalling red.
Chirume dismissed the claims and Phiri threatened to arrest her unless she gave them US$300.
The two then ordered her to get out of her car and discuss her issue with Tsodzo and Mazarire whom, they claimed, were their bosses.
However, Chirume failed to find a breakthrough and was ordered back to her car.
By now, the court heard, Matamba was now sitting on the front passenger seat while Phiri occupied the back left seat.
They kept demanding cash prompting her to hand over US$175.
One of them took her wallet and searched it and took US$17 and $200 and ordered her to drive west along Samora Machel Avenue.
They later disembarked and got into their getaway vehicle and drove off.
Chirume filed a police report leading to their arrest. H Metro

By- In a move seen to be pushed by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to see her wife Marry imprisoned the state has said that the police were ready with Marry Chiwenga’s docket on attempted murder charges.

The state also said it was now perusing it with the expectation of prosecuting her when she returns to court within the next month.

Prosecutor Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti said they were hoping that they will be ready to prosecute Marry when she returns to court on June 21 this year.
Mubaiwa is alleged to have attempted to take Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s life by removing a medical intravenous set and a catheter when he was hospitalised in South Africa.
“The docket on attempted murder is now complete and we are now in its possession for perusal.
“We are hoping to furnish her with a trial date on that day,” said Mr Mutsokoti.

Marry, through lawyer Mr Doug Coltart, who was standing in for Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, agreed to return to court on June 21.
She, however, placed the State on notice that she wishes to apply for refusal of further remand if she is not furnished with a trial date.
It is the State’s allegations that Marry entered into the hospital where VP Chiwenga was admitted.
The court heard that she then unlawfully removed the Vice President’s medical Intra Venous Giving Set as well as the Central Venous Catheter from him, resulting in him bleeding profusely. It is further alleged that she forced him off the bed, held his hand, and moved him out of the ward.
The State alleges that Marry was intercepted by the security personnel, she had initially locked out of the room prior to incident.
Security personnel are said to have called the hospital staff to reconnect the medical equipment she had allegedly unlawfully removed.
The Vice President was successfully resuscitated with Marry said to have disappeared from the hospital.
It is the State’s case that VP Chiwenga, prior to his admission to hospital, Marry detained him at a top hotel in Pretoria and denied him medical attention.
Her actions prompted the security team to force their way into the hotel and took him to the hospital.
Upon his re-admission Chiwenga had the two medical instruments inserted and was placed under 24-hour monitoring by the doctors and his security personnel as he was helpless, the court heard.
Marry is also charged with externalisation of US$1 million and money laundering of over US$900 000.
She was recently convicted and fined $60 000 for lying that VP Chiwenga had consented to solemnise their wedding.
Yesterday, Marry appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje.
-Herald

By- Police in Hatfield are investigating a murder case where a body of a yet to be identified male adult was found lying on the tarmac near Puma Service Station, Chadcombe.

The murdered person’s body was found on Wednesday.
Police noted some bruises on the head, left thigh, lower limp and right shoulder.

Tinashe Sambiri|Young people have a generational duty to rebuild the nation, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

Citing individuals like Joshua Nkomo, Josiah Magama Tongogara, among other fallen heroes of the liberation struggle, President Chamisa pointed out that every generation has an obligation to fight for transformation.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:
“These were men on a mission.

We have a generational duty to make this beautiful ZIMBABWE #1 great and prosperous.#OurZimbabwe.”

By- An Unidentified woman drowned together with her 11-month-old baby while she was allegedly trying to cross the Limpopo River to enter Zimbabwe at an illegal entry point.

In a statement, ZRP said the woman was being assisted by some men who immediately vanished when the woman drowned.
Reads the police statement on the case:
The ZRP is investigating the circumstances in which a foreign national and her 11 months old baby drowned along Limpopo River, Beitbridge on 21/04/22 while being assisted to illegally cross the border into Zimbabwe by some men who were using a boat which then capsized.

By-Five armed robbers who robbed a gold buyer of his gold and a safe containing cash have been arrested while fleeing with their loot along Nyamapanda highway.

Wiramayi Willard Gatsi(34), Benjamin Matthew Gatsi(34), Jack Mupfawa(35), Beven Kaupfu(32) and Tendai Kambanje(42) were arrested and arraigned before Mutoko magistrate court to answer to a charge of armed robbery.

They were remanded in custody by magistrate  Elijah Sibanda to April 28.

The state led by prosecutor Nathan Mujuru alleges the suspects together with three others who are still at large pounced on a gold dealer in Mutoko armed with a  pistol and two machetes demanding cash and gold.

The dealer managed to escape and the suspects stole 22 grammes of gold and a safe containing over US$14 000.

The suspects who were using an Isuzu kb registration number  AAX 4293 were intercepted by Criminal Investigations  Department officers along Nyamapanda highway after a high-speed chase and they disembarked before fleeing in different directions.

Gatsi who is the owner of the vehicle was arrested on April 13 and he implicated the other suspects.

By- The state has said that the police were ready with Marry Chiwenga’s docket on attempted murder charges and it was now perusing it with the expectation of prosecuting her when she returns to court within the next month.

Prosecutor Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti said they were hoping that they will be ready to prosecute Marry when she returns to court on June 21 this year.
Mubaiwa is alleged to have attempted to take Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s life by removing a medical intravenous set and a catheter when he was hospitalised in South Africa.
“The docket on attempted murder is now complete and we are now in its possession for perusal.
“We are hoping to furnish her with a trial date on that day,” said Mr Mutsokoti.

Marry, through lawyer Mr Doug Coltart, who was standing in for Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, agreed to return to court on June 21.
She, however, placed the State on notice that she wishes to apply for refusal of further remand if she is not furnished with a trial date.
It is the State’s allegations that Marry entered into the hospital where VP Chiwenga was admitted.
The court heard that she then unlawfully removed the Vice President’s medical Intra Venous Giving Set as well as the Central Venous Catheter from him, resulting in him bleeding profusely. It is further alleged that she forced him off the bed, held his hand, and moved him out of the ward.
The State alleges that Marry was intercepted by the security personnel, she had initially locked out of the room prior to incident.
Security personnel are said to have called the hospital staff to reconnect the medical equipment she had allegedly unlawfully removed.
The Vice President was successfully resuscitated with Marry said to have disappeared from the hospital.
It is the State’s case that VP Chiwenga, prior to his admission to hospital, Marry detained him at a top hotel in Pretoria and denied him medical attention.
Her actions prompted the security team to force their way into the hotel and took him to the hospital.
Upon his re-admission Chiwenga had the two medical instruments inserted and was placed under 24-hour monitoring by the doctors and his security personnel as he was helpless, the court heard.
Marry is also charged with externalisation of US$1 million and money laundering of over US$900 000.
She was recently convicted and fined $60 000 for lying that VP Chiwenga had consented to solemnise their wedding.
Yesterday, Marry appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje.
-Herald

By- Two police officers and their accomplices were dragged to court yesterday after they allegedly extorted a senior Government official.

They accused her of passing through red traffic lights at State House.
The two police officers, Cleopas Mutamba and Pirate Mazarire, together with their accomplices Passmore Tsodzo and Sinikiwe Phiri, were not asked to plead.
They appeared before Harare magistrate, Yeukai Dzuda, who remanded them in custody to today for bail ruling.
The complainant is Beaulah Chirume, a director in the Ministry of ICT and Courier Services.
The court heard that on April 6, at around 9am, Chirume was driving from Sam Levy Village, Borrowdale, where she had withdrawn money from ZB Bank.
She was driving along Seventh Street, towards the city centre, in an Isuzu vehicle, registration number AFN 3490.
The four accused persons were trailing her in a Toyota Wish, which was being driven by Tsodzo.
It is alleged Chirume turned into Samora Machel Avenue and parked her vehicle at a parking bay. The gang then parked their car at the adjacent parking bay.
Mutamba is alleged to have approached Chirume and identified himself as a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation.
He told her he knew she was a Director in the Government but had come to arrest her for passing through traffic lights, at State House, when they were signalling red.
Chirume dismissed the claims and Phiri threatened to arrest her unless she gave them US$300.
The two then ordered her to get out of her car and discuss her issue with Tsodzo and Mazarire whom, they claimed, were their bosses.
However, Chirume failed to find a breakthrough and was ordered back to her car.
By now, the court heard, Matamba was now sitting on the front passenger seat while Phiri occupied the back left seat.
They kept demanding cash prompting her to hand over US$175.
One of them took her wallet and searched it and took US$17 and $200 and ordered her to drive west along Samora Machel Avenue.
They later disembarked and got into their getaway vehicle and drove off.
Chirume filed a police report leading to their arrest. H Metro

By- Zanu-PF chairman for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province and former Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairman Jabulani Sibanda has admitted that Zanu PF was responsible for the problems Zimbabwe is facing.

Sibanda told the state media in an interview on the sidelines of the 42nd main Independence Day celebrations held at Barbourfields Stadium on Monday, Sibanda said Zanu PF continues to make the same mistakes that destroyed the country.

“After 42 years of self-rule, you can see where our country is coming from and where it is going. I accept there are problems in our nation like any other nation. Some of our problems could have been avoided and can still be avoided now.
“I am asking all those responsible for our problems, be it in the opposition or in our party, Zanu-PF or in Government to just check yourself. Ask yourself what is it that you have done to improve the welfare of our people, to remove vices like tribalism, regionalism and other unnecessary differences,” said Sibanda.
He said corruption was a cancer that destroys the country while also delaying the development of the revolution.
“To those among us, especially those in Government, that are involved in corruption that destroys our country, that delays the development of our revolution, I am saying to you, one day you will stand before the people to answer for your deeds,” said Sibanda.

By- The United States (US) embassy has urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to implement electoral reforms recommended in the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA).

The US imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2001 under ZIDERA following the chaotic land reform programme that was characterised by human rights abuses, economic mismanagement and electoral theft by the government led by the late former President Robert Mugabe.

In a series of tweets yesterday, the US embassy criticised ZEC over the manner the electoral body handled the March 26 by-elections.

It said there was intimidation and assault of voters, which if not addressed would jeopardise the credibility of polls expected next year. The US embassy said:

We commend all the volunteers, observers, party agents, polling agents, police officers and voters who made March 26 by-elections happen and took their time to invest in Zimbabwe’s democracy.

We appreciated the opportunity to observe by-elections, but remain very concerned about harsh rhetoric, intimidation and violent assaults in the lead-up to election day. Voters have the right to participate in political processes free from fear and violence. Zidera requires Zimbabwe to hold an election ‘widely accepted as free and fair by independent international monitors,’ and to sufficiently improve the pre-election environment to be consistent with international standards.

We urge Zec to publicly release an auditable electronic voters roll far in advance of 2023 elections so that citizens can help to strengthen the credibility of the voters roll and reduce the numbers of potential voters turned away from polling stations.

To achieve this, Zimbabwe’s government must commit to a level playing field, apply laws to all candidates and parties and guarantee public media gives nationwide, equal, non-partisan airtime for all candidates during the election period.

Independent electoral watchdogs and statisticians allege that the voters’ roll that was used in the 26 March 2022 by-elections had several discrepancies which include alleged movement of voters from their constituencies and wards and the creation of additional polling stations under unclear circumstances.

Government has, on several occasions, accused the US of working in cahoots with the opposition to push the regime change agenda.

More: NewsDay Zimbabwe

By- Zimbabweans have criticised South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, over his recent remarks on unregistered foreign immigrants resident in that country.

Addressing an African National Congress (ANC) regional conference in the Eastern Cape province this week, Motsoaledi said:
Why is the ANC keeping quiet and believing [this problem] will go away? It is not going to go away. I am in Home Affairs. I know what I am talking about. We are the only country that accepts rascals. That is not the meaning of democracy. We are not going to allow that. I am coming for them. When all of them are in jail, locked in and the keys have been thrown away, then I will step down — only then.
His remarks are being interpreted as an endorsement of violence perpetrated by vigilante groups such as operation Dudula and some say such utterances only have the effect of worsening tensions between local citizens and foreign nationals. Analyst Effie Ncube said:
He should be extremely careful because he is likely to be taken by the Operation Dudula gangsters to be giving an official recognition of their criminal activities.
He said there was no evidence supporting that foreigners in South Africa were engaging in criminal activities.
Political analyst Dumisani Nkomo said:
These are shocking statements apparently from an ignorant minister, who is not even aware that it was foreigners who helped South Africa to attain independence. It was Zambia that harboured Umkhonto Wesizwe, while Zimbabwe harboured the ANC.
Political analyst Vivid Gwede said urged the Zimbabwean government to engage South Africa to get unequivocal assurances and guarantees of protection of all Zimbabwean migrants.
Gwede’s remarks were echoed by academic Methuseli Moyo who said the government should push South Africa to condemn and act on the attacks.

Foreign Affairs ministry spokesperson Livit Mugejo said the government would continue engaging its South African counterparts to find solutions to the xenophobic attacks.
Recently, a Zimbabwean Elvis Nyathi was burnt to death in South Africa by a mob from Operation Dudula after he failed to produce a passport.

Tinashe Sambiri|Young people have a generational duty to rebuild the nation, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

Citing individuals like Joshua Nkomo, Josiah Magama Tongogara, among other fallen heroes of the liberation struggle, President Chamisa pointed out that every generation has an obligation to fight for transformation.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:
“These were men on a mission.

We have a generational duty to make this beautiful ZIMBABWE #1 great and prosperous.#OurZimbabwe.”

Tinashe Sambiri| Mrs Auxillia Mnangagwa on Thursday forced ZRP cops in Masvingo Province to abandon their daily duties to attend a health programme she facilitated.

Mrs Mnangagwa was at Masvingo Polytechnic on Thursday where she addressed a health forum.

Impeccable sources have pointed out that Mrs Mnangagwa is already campaigning for her husband, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, who faces a daunting task as he seeks to maintain a firm grip on power.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mrs Mnangagwa caused a rare traffic jam in the city of Masvingo as cops were forced to control the movement of vehicles to facilitate her passage.

A source at Benjamin Burombo Building said :
” You see this woman is not a government official but she is being escorted by State security agents.

She personally ordered police officers to abandon their duties to attend her event.

Mrs Mnangagwa is worse than Grace Mugabe. She is arrogant and emotional.”

The source added: ” So Mrs Mnangagwa forced police officers to attend her event because members of the public snubbed the event.”

By -Ex- Public Service minister Petronella Kagonye has appeared in court denying criminal abuse of office charges.

In her defence, she said the allegations were orchestrated by political rivals.

Kagonye is accused of stealing computers donated to her ministry by the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz).

In her testimony before Harare magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro, Kagonye, Tuesday, said in 2018, she received 10 computers from Potraz to hand out to the poor in her constituency.

This was after she had on June 19, 2018, met former Information Communication Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira in Cabinet and asked him to donate computers to her constituency.
Mandiwanzira then informed her that he had laptops, rice, blankets and cooking oil for her constituency, which were received by her brother Evans Kagonye, who then handed them to her secretary, one Catherine.
“When the computers were taken to the campaign team, I was not there as I had travelled to America, United Kingdom and France from May 28 to July 26, 2018.”
She said later people told her that they wanted to get her arrested for corruption and a docket was opened at the Special Anti-Corruption Unit.
“There was David Chivandire, who lied that he was from the President’s Office and he asked Potraz to get me arrested. They created 16 charges, but they were left with six which I signed for.”
She said some of the alleged charges were signed for by non-existent persons.
Under cross-examination by prosecutor Zivanai Macharaga, Kagonye said she did not record serial numbers for the laptops, which she donated to her constituency since she was not physically present. The matter was postponed to Friday for the continuation of trial.
-Newsday

By– President Emmerson Mnangagwa has frozen in front of Binga villagers.

ZimLive reports that the 79-year-old Zanu PF leader had been speaking for 50 minutes in Binga on April 13 when he was suddenly overcome by a brain freeze.
“Next weekend, Christians have Good Friday…,” Mnangagwa began. Then, as hundreds of people watched on, he leaned away from the microphone and turned to his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, with the most extraordinary question.
“What’s Good Friday for by the way, was it the birth or the death (of Jesus Christ)?”
As Chiwenga patiently gave him an impromptu sermon, Mnangagwa’s confusion only intensified. “So when was Jesus born?” he pressed his deputy.
The exchange went on for half-a-minute until a supporter in the audience shouted: “ED Pfee!”
“Yeah,” Mnangagwa said as he returned to the microphone – apparently unaware it was picking every word from his chat with Chiwenga.
“I was asking whether Good Friday marks the birth or death of Christ,” he admitted.
But just moments later, he asked again if the next weekend was Easter.
In the Christian faith, Jesus’ birthday is celebrated on December 15 – Christmas – and his death is observed on Good Friday while his resurrection is celebrated on Easter Monday – the third day of his crucifixion.
-ZimLive

By- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party said they attended this year’s Independence Day celebrations to shade off the “sellout” tag that was coined by Zanu PF to label all those in the opposition.

Binga North legislator Prince Dubeko Sibanda said opposition parties had been labelled “unpatriotic and puppets” hence the need to change the approach to national institutions and events.

“New party, new approach. We are solving something by attending. Remember the tag of being foreign-funded and unpatriotic,” Sibanda said.

But Zanu PF director for information Tafadzwa Mugwadi said CCC overtures would not stop the ruling party from seeing them as puppets of the West.
“They can’t undo it because sellouts and puppets have an indelible tag, a permanent tattoo on their forehead. They rejected the liberation struggle and continue to say we are not free, we are not independent and heaping praises to (Ian) Smith’s racist colonial establishment,” Mugwadi said.
“No one stops them from coming to national events because we fought for all, the puruvheyas, the auxiliaries, the back watchers, the sellouts, the puppets we fought for them all and gave them freedom.”
Political analyst Simiso Mlevu said CCC’s new approach appeared to be meant to court the military command.
“This type of politics might soften the deep State. The deep State is largely made of heroes of the liberation struggle and they are wary of the cozy relations between the opposition and the Western world. So, attending Independence Day celebrations and acknowledging land reform is embracing patriotism as defined by the deep State and it, therefore, neutralises the narrative that (CCC leader Nelson) Chamisa and his party are sellouts,” Mlevu said.
Another political analyst Gibson Nyikadzino said: “There is no elite consensus in the CCC camp as it is riddled with inconsistencies regarding the land issue. (Tendai) Biti in March said CCC will reverse the land reform and give land to whites disempowering the black beneficiaries. Chamisa on the other hand said the land reform will not be reversed. There are no common values within the party.”
In his independence speech, Chamisa said it was important for the nation to respect and honour those who contributed to the country’s liberation struggle and urged Zimbabweans to unite and develop the country as a unitary force despite political differences.
“It is not easy for us to have a liberated country where people worked hard and sacrificed their lives for us to enjoy this day. We have reclaimed our soil and as such, the soil remains ours,” Chamisa said.
On the issue of land he said: “The land that was given to the people through the land reform programme will remain ours. The programme is, therefore, irreversible. No one shall separate us from our land and we will remain united on the agreement we made as Zimbabweans to take back what is ours. Let us preserve the land and work hard to produce as a nation.” Newsday

By- South Africa’s home affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi has vowed to lock up all undocumented immigrants resident in that country.

His remarks come amid attacks on foreign nationals by vigilante groups under an operation code-named Dudula which claim to be targeting undocumented foreigners.



Motsoaledi was addressing an ANC regional conference in the Eastern Cape where the minister pledged that “unlike other coward ANC leaders”, his views on the scourge of undocumented foreign nationals running amok in the country will never be censored.

Motsoaledi said SA is the only sovereign country in the world where it is open season for “rascals” who have committed serious crimes in their countries of birth. He said:

One of the things that is contemporary in SA which is a big elephant in the room, and we are trying to run away from that elephant by keeping quiet, is the issue of immigration.

Why is the ANC keeping quiet and believing [this problem] will go away? It is not going to go away.

We must not be scared or embarrassed to mention the truth. I am in home affairs. I know what I am talking about.

Something is going wrong in our continent and SA is on the receiving end. When you talk, they take a big word and throw it at you and South Africans blink and run away. There is a word called xenophobia. Every time you try to show something is wrong, ‘xenophobia’.

We are the only country that accepts rascals. Even the UN is angry with us that SA has a tendency, because of something called democracy, to accept all the rascals of the world.

When people do wrong things in their countries, they run here. There is that guy from [Czech Republic] named Radovan Krejcir. He ran all the way to come and do nonsense here.

Motsoaledi said he was determined to see the undocumented foreigners thrown “in jail, locked in and the keys have been thrown away, then I will step down — only then.”

More: NewZimbabwe