EASTER is all about Repentance,Revival and Readiness in Christ.

Easter represents the death and resurrection of Master Jesus.

We celebrate God’s provision of mercy and grace for us all.May this Easter bring you blessings, joy,revival and renewed hope! Blessed Easter to you beloved!

JESUS CHRIST IN THE CENTER…

Everything revolves around HIM!!“Where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.”John 19:18

Advocate Nelson Chamisa

Tinashe Sambiri| Another Zimbabwean man was shot dead in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday morning, it has emerged.

Former ZBC news anchor Evermore Sandati said her cousin Stephen Fenyengenye was shot in South Africa’s populous city.

Sandati posted on Facebook:
“My cousin brother Steven Fenyengenye shot dead in Joburg S A this morning Why Dear Lord?”

Last week Zimbabwean man
Elvis Nyathi was murdered in Diepsloot, Johannesburg.

Nyathi was stoned and burnt to death by a mob linked to Dudula.

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens’ Coalition For Change deputy chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has urged Zimbabweans travelling to their rural homes during Easter to spread the message of change.

The hard-hitting politician took a swipe at Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “clueless” administration for totally abandoning suffering citizens.

According to Hon Sikhala, the Zanu PF regime does not care about the welfare of citizens.

“The CCC gvt will make sure that our people will be admitted into hospitals with dignified facilities.

This is a bus accident victim admitted at Chipinge hospital covered by torn, old and degrading blankets.

ZANU PF must go !!!
They are dogs and reptiles,” Hon Sikhala wrote on Twitter.

“I wish all of u dear Zimbabweans a safe, peaceful and happy Easter holiday.

I know we are all on our way to our villages to see our beloved ones. Don’t forget to share with relatives our difficulties as a nation caused by ZPF.

Shoko ngarifambe. Vhuserere kuvanhu,” he added.

by A Correspondent- United Families International Church (UFIC) founder and leader Emmanuel Makandiwa said he will not stop praising President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the developmental projects his government is carrying out throughout the country.

Makandiwa made the remarks during UFIC’s international Easter Conference in Chitungwiza on Saturday.

Mnangagwa, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga attended the service.

The self-styled prophet claimed that Mnangagwa’s Government has managed to do a lot in a short space of time what is supposed to be achieved in 10 years. He said, as quoted by the ZANU PF Twitter page:

What is supposed to be achieved in 10 years, the government has managed to do a lot in a short space of time.

Even if you desist from campaigning let the work speak for you. I cannot look at such good roads and keep quiet.

My heart bleeds a lot when l look at the next generation drowning every single day in this situation on social media.

No one can convince your children sir that having access to a smartphone doesn’t mean you have smart thinking.

Sometimes we say things, having access to the internet does not mean you have the wisdom. I’m encouraging you to focus and look at what has been done.

If you tell me that 20 buses were coming l would feel like jumping. When you tell me that 5 000 are available for the transportation of people, that to me is a statement l don’t see prophetically. l have an eye that sees physically.

I’m already noticing changes. There is nothing that gives me hope than being in the dark and knowing that light is on my way.

Sooner or later this country will be able to see light whether the devil likes it or not.

Your ability your Excellency to be able to concentrate on your work and allow us to bark is God-given.

Not many can do that some of us will feel like pulling back but you keep focused.

I hear social media is not recognizing noticeable development you are making but we have eyes to see.

Makandiwa pledged to give his maximum support to Mnangagwa saying he delivered the country from the yoke of slavery. Said Makandiwa:

I see hope where we are going. We are going to give you maximum support. We are your children, when you fought the liberation struggle, for that period of time we thanked God.

In our slavery, you fought and God gave you something and that is the ability to speak.

You are quiet yet you fought for us and we can speak and we can’t fight. If l see a man like you, l can salute.

By A Correspondent- Former Zanu PF activist, Jim Kunaka, says the ruling party risks losing the 2023 elections if it does not reform and deploy a new candidate to replace President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Speaking to the NewsHawks recently, Kunaka said ZANU PF is failing to reform itself and if the youths do not speak up, the old guard will destroy the former liberation movement. Said Kunaka:

If ZANU PF wants to win the 2023 elections, they should bring everybody who is outside back to the party without any condition and allow everyone to contest for any position of interest.

I last heard the President (Mnangagwa) say let bygones be bygones, but why are they not allowing those who are in exile to come back to the country, allow them back in the party, and allow them to contest?

Several former ZANU PF officials who allegedly belonged to the G40 faction were expelled from the party soon after the 2017 military coup that ended the then president Robert Mugabe’s long reign.

Those who went into exile fearing arrest include former ministers Saviour Kasukuwere, Jonathan Moyo, Walter Mzembi, Patrick Zhuwao and Godfrey Gandawa.

Kunaka believes ZANU PF’s top hierarchy has lost direction and the party has to bring in young people into the politburo to have a chance of winning future elections. He said:

The ruling party has to be intact to allow them to win the 2023 elections. These old men are tired.

They no longer think the economy is shrinking on daily basis and people are tired in this country.

Just imagine, you print a ZW$100 note and it doesn’t buy half a loaf of bread. Where are we going as a country?

ZANU PF has lost direction now. They can’t even follow what they fought for.

Look at the ZANU PF hierarchy now. All of them are in their 70s and 80s in the politburo.

ZANU PF is not reforming itself. Why not bring in fresh minds and young people into the politburo?

Kunaka together with some senior ZANU PF officials was ousted from the party at the ZANU PF 6th National People’s Congress in 2014 for alleged links with the Gamatox faction that had allegedly coalesced around then Vice President Joyce Mujuru.

By A Correspondent- Parents and guardians under the Our Zimbabwe campaign have petitioned Parliament to have the new curriculum suspended, saying it is expensive and its implementation was rushed.

The new curriculum was introduced in 2015 by the then education minister Lazarus Dokora but was resisted by parents and teachers.

Parents have been opposed to the National Pledge, which has since been declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court, the Continuous Assessment Learning Activity (CALA), and projects.

Learners are asked to do many projects per term which are deemed too expensive. The petition, signed by over 10 000 parents, reads in part:

There was no adequate consultation with key stakeholders including teachers and parents.

The curriculum was rushed, it is important to consult key stakeholders before any policy is passed and for it to be meaningful and relevant.

The objectives of any curriculum cannot be achieved if it is not well planned and implemented.

While we agree with the fact that there is a need to modernise our education system in order to align it with global trends and modern technologies to enable our children to be fully participating members of the global community, this is not possible in our situation where we have obsolete education facilities and an unmotivated teaching fraternity.

Students, especially in rural communities, have no electricity, computers and internet access to meet most of the CALA requirements.

By A Correspondent- The remains of Zimbabwean man Mbodazwe Banajo “Elvis” Nyathi, who was brutally murdered in South Africa last week on Wednesday arrived in the country accompanied by relatives and friends on Friday morning via the Beitbridge Border Post.

Nyathi (43) will be laid to rest at Umvutcha cemetery on Saturday after a church service to be held at Brethren In Christ Church in the New Lobengula suburb.

The government granted him a state-assisted funeral while South Africa based funeral insurance company Zororo-Pumulani pledged to repatriate his body at no cost.

Nyathi worked in Fourways, a Johannesburg Metropolitan suburb as a gardener twice a week where he was making R200 a day.

He was stoned and burnt to death by vigilantes in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Nyathi originally hailed from Malaba, in Matobo District, Matabeleland South Province.

By A Correspondent- A Waterfalls man was dumped by his wife after he caught her with another man in his bedroom

Farai Munhongowarwa (37) of the Johanne Masowe yeChishanu Church pleaded with his wife Sophia Zanga (23) to stay, despite her shenanigans.

Sophia was caught between the sheets with a married builder, Farai Kaitano (29), who was assaulted while in his birthday suit.

He sustained head and leg injuries, but decided not to lodge a police report.

Munhongowarwa told H-Metro that it was his second time catching Sophia red-handed in their matrimonial bedroom.

Sophia confirmed the two incidents saying they were deliberate attempts to hurt her husband since she has lost affection for him.

“My wife has been seeing other men behind my back for some time,” said Munhongowarwa.

“I could not confront her, but decided to find better ways of catching her red-handed .

“Last month I caught her with another man and the lover ran away leaving his bicycle

“I took the bicycle to Waterfalls Police Station to avoid allegations of theft.

“I warned her over adultery since we go to church together and she showed remorse unaware that chakatobaya chikatyokera.”

He hatched a plan to expose her again.

“I am a security guard so I was on night duty and decided to return around 4am after informing my seniors about my intentions.

“That led me to finding my wife between the sheets with this man.

“My children are too young to be forced to live without both parents and for that reason, I felt it was better to forgive my wife and seek counselling.

“If I may find professional people to help my wife accept that I have forgiven her and urge her not to leave me. I will be happy.

“I love her. I love my children, I love my marriage.”

Sophia said she has already found alternative accommodation.

“Ini zvemurume uyu handichada saka kudanana nevamwe varume ndirikuzviitira kuti awore mwoyo asiyane neni,” said Sophia.

“I cannot explain the reasons, but the truth is that I no longer have affection for Farai and if he decides to take the children I do not mind as long they will be well looked after.

“Yes, I am still nursing one of the children, this will be a challenge for me to part ways with my children.

“The lover who left a bicycle is from Hatfield, but I have forgotten his name and this Kaitano is building for one of our neighbours and we both come from Murewa.

“I met him four days ago.”

Kaitano told H-Metro Sophia lied to him that she was single which is why he decided to spend a night with her at her house.

“I met Sophia four days ago and she gave in to my proposals and invited me to her house where I was caught by her husband,” said Kaitano.

“I was yet to have sex with Sophia when Farai and his brother arrived.

“They assaulted me all over my body and I sustained head and leg injuries.

“I did not lodge a police report against them, but if they continue visiting my workplace I will retaliate.” H Metro

By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo man who had gone missing has been found alive amid revelations that he had been kidnapped and shoved into the trunk of his car where he was trapped for two days and two nights.

The man, Paddington Mapako, was allegedly abducted by three unknown men who are believed to have been sent by his business rivals.

They also robbed him of US$3 800.

Mapako is involved in the forex exchange business and he believes that people who are jealous of his success were behind his kidnapping.

Mapako, who was found after the intervention of Prophet Emmanuel Mutumwa of Johane Masowe eChishanu Selborne Park suburb, said the man wanted to kill him, but later spared his life.

On Tuesday I was coming from home when I got to Richmond on Falls Road, I saw a Honda Fit and it blocked me and three guys with guns came out and they pointed guns at me and took my Honda CRV keys.

“Two got in the back seat and the other was on the driver’s seat.

They drove a short distance before they tied my hands and feet and muffled my mouth using tissues and a piece of cloth.

They then put me in the boot of my car.

“They drove some distance along Victoria Falls Road and then parked near some shops. One of them got out and bought beers which they drank in the car.

They were also smoking marijuana as they debated whether to kill me or to let me go.

“One of them won the argument and they drove to Trenance where they dumped the car with me still in the boot.

Opposition Leader Loses POLAD Vehicle After Raising Rigging Allegations

After they left, I was trapped in the boot for two days as I could not move or scream as my mouth was muffled.

But I got lucky when I heard someone passing by near the car.

I shook the car violently and the person who saw the car shaking went and came back with help.

“They opened the boot and I fell on the ground. Police were called to the scene and they took my statement.

I was then taken to a surgery for treatment.

They robbed me of US$3,800, but what is important is that I am alive and I thank Prophet Mutumwa who was praying for me together with my wife.

Their prayers of intercession saved me,” said the visibly fatigued Mapako who had a bandage on his arm.

The exhausted and sleepy Mapako said he was eating oranges and drinking lots of water to regain his strength.

His wife, who was sitting next to him at Prophet Mutumwa’s shrine, said her husband went missing on Tuesday and she got worried after he did not come home at night.

“We are just coming from the hospital where he was on a drip. He is tired.

I was worried that he had been killed or harmed, but thanks to Prophet Mutumwa, who prayed and fasted for him, he was found alive.

“We are here today praying and giving thanks to God for the good that he has done for my husband. We are giving a testimony of his miracle works,” she said.

A police spokesperson said they were yet to receive information on the case.

Prophet Mutumwa said when Mapako’s wife told him that her husband had gone missing he prayed for his safe return.

“I told Mai Mapako that her husband was in trouble, but God was going to rescue him and he did.

As you can see, the family is here praying and praising God for protecting him.

All praise should be directed to God, not to me,” said Prophet Mutumwa. B Metro

By A Correspondent- The speeding St Charles Lwanga High School driver, whose bus lost brakes, veered off the road and rolled several times before landing over 200 metres down the steep, killing 36 people on the spot on Thursday night, has blamed lack of adequate roadside signage for the calamity.

The accident, which occurred 5km from Jopa turn-off along Chimanimani-Chipinge Road, saw the bus landing on its side after throwing out most of the passengers aboard.

The school bus was hired by ZCC members from Chimanimani East, Tilbury Estate, travelling to Mbungo Shrine for the Easter gathering in Masvingo.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that 36 people died while 71 others sustained various injuries.

“Thirty-six people died on the spot when a St Charles Lwanga High School bus carrying Masvingo-bound ZCC church members was involved in an accident along Chipinge-Chimanimani road, 5km before Jopa turn-off.

Those who were seriously injured were taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital (in Mutare) and others were admitted at Chipinge District Hospital. “The deceased were ferried to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital mortuary,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

However, the driver, Mhlanganisi Khumalo, who is employed elsewhere and is on a part-time job at St Charles Lwanga High School, blamed lack of adequate signage along the road for the accident.

Khumalo, who was actually on his third trip with the bus, said he thought he would get to a different terrain after the steep gradient, only to helplessly watch as the bus veered off the road after losing brakes.

“I lost brakes along the curves to the extent that I tried to go past the curve thinking that I would find better terrain so that I could reduce speed only to find out that we were still on a steep gradient.

By-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has formally invited all political leaders in the country and former cabinet ministers to the Independence Day celebrations set to take place in Bulawayo.

Nelson Chamisa is the leader of the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) which won 19 out of 28 contested parliamentary seats in the 26 March by-elections.

He is also a former Cabinet Minister as he held the Information Communication Technology portfolio from 13 February 2009 to 31 July 2013 in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo, told reporters that all the political leaders in the country have been invited both for the State Reception that will take place on 17 April, at State House in Bulawayo and Independence Day celebrations to take place at Barboufields Stadium the following day. Said Moyo:

The leaders have been invited to come to the celebrations. The President’s emphasis has been that all the political leaders of this country should be invited both for the State Reception that will take place on April 17, at State House in Bulawayo and Independence Day celebrations.

Invitations have been sent to their offices and we started sending these yesterday (Thursday), we have ensured that our officials have contacted all the political leaders to tell them that their cards can either be picked up here in Bulawayo or at their offices.

The President has also invited all political leaders in this country to the VIP stands that have been prepared for these celebrations.

The leadership includes current Vice Presidents and former Vice Presidents and it also includes former deputy Prime Ministers of this country who are still alive.

We have also said former and current Ministers should be invited and we are looking at all that have served this Government in one capacity or another.

For the first time since the country’s independence from Great Britain in 1980, the main celebrations will be held outside Harare under the theme: “Zimbabwe at 42: Leaving no one behind.”

Zimbabwe’s two biggest football clubs, Highlanders FC and Dynamos FC will compete for the Independence trophy.

President Mnangagwa will present the trophy to the winners and the medals to the runners’ up.

More: Chronicle

By Four members of the Mugodhi Apostolic Church died on the spot while 14 others were injured in a kombi accident in Nyanga on Friday around 3 PM.

The driver of the Nissan Caravan kombi, which had an undisclosed number of passengers, lost control on curves along the Nyanga-Rwenya Road resulting in the crash.

National spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told The Herald on Friday evening that the congregants were coming from Murehwa.

 He said:

I can confirm that four congregants from the Mugodhi church died on the spot around 3 PM today on their way from Murehwa after a church service.

The driver lost control of the vehicle on the curves along the road near a black spot where the Regina Coeli bus disaster occurred.

It’s a bloody Easter considering that in two accidents, we have now lost 40 people.

Both accidents have happened in the same province (Manicaland) in a space of hours.

Asst Comm Nyathi was referring to the place where a bus accident claimed the lives of 89 Regina Coeli students on 3 August 1991.

It also came hours after another accident claimed the lives of 36 Masvingo-bound ZCC church members in Chimanimani about 5km before the Jopa turn-off.

The overloaded St Charles Lwanga High School bus experienced brake failure around 11 PM on Thursday before it veered off the road and rolled over 200 metres downslope.

More: The Herald

By- Elvis Nyathi’s remains arrived in Bulawayo Friday with his burial set for today.

 Nyathi was brutally murdered by a group of South African thugs last week on Wednesday.

 His remains Friday morning via the Beitbridge Border Post.

.Nyathi (43) will be laid to rest at Umvutcha cemetery on Saturday after a church service to be held at Brethren In Christ Church in the New Lobengula suburb.

The government granted him a state-assisted funeral while South Africa based funeral insurance company Zororo-Pumulani pledged to repatriate his body at no cost.

Nyathi worked in Fourways, a Johannesburg Metropolitan suburb as a gardener twice a week where he was making R200 a day.

He was stoned and burnt to death by vigilantes in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Nyathi originally hailed from Malaba, in Matobo District, Matabeleland South Province.

More: NewZimbabwe.com; CITE

By – Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa has formally invited
Nelson Chamisa and his Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) to attend the Independence Day celebrations.

This year’s Independence celebrations will be held in Bulawayo.

Chamisa’s CCC won 19 out of 28 contested parliamentary seats in the 26 March by-elections.

Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo, told reporters that all the political leaders in the country have been invited both for the State Reception that will take place on 17 April, at State House in Bulawayo and Independence Day celebrations to take place at Barboufields Stadium the following day. Said Moyo:
The leaders have been invited to come to the celebrations. The President’s emphasis has been that all the political leaders of this country should be invited both for the State Reception that will take place on April 17, at State House in Bulawayo and Independence Day celebrations.
Invitations have been sent to their offices and we started sending these yesterday (Thursday), we have ensured that our officials have contacted all the political leaders to tell them that their cards can either be picked up here in Bulawayo or at their offices.

The President has also invited all political leaders in this country to the VIP stands that have been prepared for these celebrations.
The leadership includes current Vice Presidents and former Vice Presidents and it also includes former deputy Prime Ministers of this country who are still alive.
We have also said former and current Ministers should be invited and we are looking at all that have served this Government in one capacity or another.
For the first time since the country’s independence from Great Britain in 1980, the main celebrations will be held outside Harare under the theme: “Zimbabwe at 42: Leaving no one behind.”
Zimbabwe’s two biggest football clubs, Highlanders FC and Dynamos FC will compete for the Independence trophy.
President Mnangagwa will present the trophy to the winners and the medals to the runners’ up.

-State media

By- The government has declared the Chipinge road accident a National Disaster.

The development means all costs related to the funerals and the injured will be met by the government.

A St Charles Lwanga bus that was carrying 106 ZCC members who were going to Mbungo for the Easter pilgrimage was involved in an accident Thursday night, killing 35.

29 passengers died on the spot while six others died upon admission at Chipinge District Hospital.
71 others were injured, with 13 reported to be critical.
And in his condolence message on Friday, President Mnangagwa said:
“I received with a deep sense of shock and horror tragic news of a bus disaster last night in Chimanimani in which 35 souls have perished so far, with several sustaining injuries, some of them life-threatening. That this bloody traffic accident took place on the eve of both our Easter and Independence Holidays when there is increased movement across the country, adds to my anxiety. The dead and injured were members of the Zion Christian Church, ZCC, who looked forward to an incident-free fellowship with their brethren in commemorating the Crucifixion of Christ. Today the Zion Christian Church, bereaved families and our Nation at large are in deep mourning. It is a very inauspicious beginning to what should have been both a solemn religious break and a joyous celebration of our National Day.

“On behalf of Government, our entire Nation and indeed on my behalf, I wish to express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost their beloved ones in this bus disaster, while praying for God’s healing and soothing hand over all those nursing various injuries from the accident. To Bishop Mutendi and ZCC congregants, I tender my heartfelt sympathies, urging them to remain strong and steadfast in faith and fellowship.
“In the wake of the tragic traffic mishap, I have since directed Government to declare this accident a National Disaster thus paving way for the mobilisation of resources and assistance in support of the affected families and communities. This action places all the costs related to funerals, and to the care of the injured on Government.
“As we mourn and pray for all those who have perished in this bus disaster, let us all exercise extreme care and caution as we travel to various destinations over this festive period. This bus disaster is bad enough for us already; we do not need to make the holiday any bloodier through sheer recklessness on our roads. The Zimbabwe Republic Police will be out in full force to act against anyone breaking traffic rules, in the process endangering themselves and innocent road users.”

By- The Economic Freedom Fighter said Operation Dudula was behind the murder of a Zimbabwean national Elvis Nyathi who was brutally murdered in South Africa last week.

Nyathi was murdered for not having a passport.

A memorial service for Nyathi was held at the Underground Hillbrow Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday.

Mourners condemned Operation Dudula leader Nhlanhla Lux for inciting his compatriots to turn against migrants claiming that they were taking their jobs and also involved in criminal activities.

A representative of the Julius Malema-led Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who was wearing the party’s regalia, said a black African is not a foreigner in South Africa. He said:

The real foreigners are the whites but the likes of Nhlanhla Lux are failing to confront them, instead, they run after a mere gardener.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mphathi Ndlovu, a cousin to the late Nyathi, said:

We are not a vengeful family but we are saddened, Elvis was a man of peace, a simple guy, leaving a simple life.

We do not believe that this was done by the generality of South Africans but it’s just an act of a single individual who must somehow be dealt with.

Nyathi (43) was dragged from his home last week on Wednesday night by a mob in Diesploot and viciously assaulted.

The group later necklaced him with an old tyre before setting it alight in the street, a few metres from his home.

Nyathi’s remains are expected to arrive in the country this Friday and will be buried at Mvutshwa Cemetery tomorrow.

A church service at Brethren in Christ Church in New Lobengula will be held before his burial.

More: Chronicle

Tinashe Sambiri| Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has said Zanu PF is not at all strong in rural areas.

President Chamisa, quoted by NewsDay, said CCC was determined to challenge Zanu PF dominance in rural areas.

“Now that the by-elections are over and we have made our political statement, over the next few months, we will be focusing on building our party structures across the country and building robust leadership machinery that will take us through to the 2023 elections.

We urge those who have been elected to carry out their mandates with the seriousness they deserve.

I know that while we performed well in urban areas, there are concerns over the rural areas,” President Chamisa told the publication.

He added:
“We are going to work hard over the next months to enhance our fortunes countrywide and our performance at the next elections. It is a myth that rural areas belong to ZANU PF.

We know it is a myth because we have won in various provinces with many rural constituencies before and we are going to win again.

We are committed to building a stronger and mutually enriching relationship with citizens in rural areas just as we have established a long-lasting relationship with the urban communities.”

By- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has dismissed as false reports that they were negotiating for a Government of National Unity negotiations with Zanu PF.

There are reports that Chamisa is in talks with President Emmerson Mnangagwa to form a GNU.

Posting on Twitter, CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said CCC was ready to dialogue with ZANU PF on political and electoral reforms to prevent another disputed election.

She posted:
These are outright lies… President [Nelson chamisa] is not in secret talks with [President Mnangagwa] about a GNU or anything else.
We’ve publicly said we’re ready to dialogue with Zanu PF about REFORMS to avoid another disputed election. Not this.

The CCC has no interest in a GNU. We’re focused on our mass mobilization program to ensure we win a landslide victory in 2023.
We plan to win the rural vote, the youth vote & the vote of every citizen desiring change so we take power and then deliver transformation for Zimbabweans.
The report claimed Mnangagwa and Chamisa are engaged in secret talks with the aim of forming a seven-year GNU.
It also quoted a source as saying ZANU PF is being represented in the talks by its secretary for finance, Patrick Chinamasa while CCC is being represented by Gorden Moyo. A source was quoted as saying:
Preliminary talks are indeed underway and both parties appear to be eager to have an arrangement that can work.
The groundwork was actually laid down last year. There was a time when Chamisa met with some senior government officials and confided with them that he was interested in an arrangement that can postpone elections for seven years and intelligence people took that in the form of a recording to ED (Mnangagwa), who was excited about it and went on to give Chinamasa the task to lead the talks.
So, I can tell you with certainty that there have been meetings between representatives of the two leaders, but they have been held in deep secrecy.
The report quoted another source as saying the results of the 26 March by-elections shocked both sides because they ate into each other’s territories. Said the source:
The March 26 by-elections were mainly used to showcase capabilities and to test the waters. The result was shocking to both sides because they ate into each other’s territories.
There were some people in ZANU PF who actually did not want the by-elections to happen but ED insisted he wanted them because they would be useful to gauge the atmosphere and decide whether or not to proceed with elections next year.
There is general consensus in the party that these polls were a rude awakening because they did not anticipate Chamisa would be so popular. Most of the top people in the party now want the GNU.
As for Chamisa, the idea was to showcase himself as a formidable optician and the good showing in the by-elections gave him the necessary pedestal for talks.
He dearly wanted those elections to show ED that he has people and can actually win the elections next year.
The report, however, admitted that Chamisa did not confirm the alleged talks when contacted for a comment. Chamisa said:
We know for sure Zanu PF does not want elections. They are terrified by-elections.

By- The distraught mother of a Zimbabwean national Elvis Nyathi who was brutally murdered in South Africa last week has cursed thugs who killed her son.

Nyathi was murdered for not having a passport.

Speaking to Chronicle on Thursday night in Nkulumane 12 where mourners are gathered for the funeral, the late Nyathi’s mother Sithembile Sibanda said:

I don’t know why they killed my son. Elvis just wanted to fend for his family and was doing so legally.

Now my son is no more and I won’t even be able to see his body yet he left Zimbabwe alive. He has left behind three little kids and a wife. What did I do to deserve this?

Sibanda thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa for according her son a State-assisted funeral. She said:

We are very grateful to the President for what he has done for us. It takes a huge load from our shoulders.

A memorial service for Nyathi was held at the Underground Hillbrow Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday.

Mourners condemned Operation Dudula leader Nhlanhla Lux for inciting his compatriots to turn against migrants claiming that they were taking their jobs and also involved in criminal activities.

A representative of the Julius Malema-led Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who was wearing the party’s regalia, said a black African is not a foreigner in South Africa. He said:

The real foreigners are the whites but the likes of Nhlanhla Lux are failing to confront them, instead, they run after a mere gardener.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mphathi Ndlovu, a cousin to the late Nyathi, said:

We are not a vengeful family but we are saddened, Elvis was a man of peace, a simple guy, leaving a simple life.

We do not believe that this was done by the generality of South Africans but it’s just an act of a single individual who must somehow be dealt with.

Nyathi (43) was dragged from his home last week on Wednesday night by a mob in Diesploot and viciously assaulted.

The group later necklaced him with an old tyre before setting it alight in the street, a few metres from his home.

Nyathi’s remains are expected to arrive in the country this Friday and will be buried at Mvutshwa Cemetery tomorrow.

A church service at Brethren in Christ Church in New Lobengula will be held before his burial.

More: Chronicle

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed chiefs in Binga to force villagers to vote for Zanu PF in the next year’s elections.

Mnangagwa issued the directive when he was handing-over fishing rings to 21 chiefs, in Binga on Thursday.

He returned to Binga after his Zanu PF party lost the constituency to Nelson Chamisa’s CCC in the March 26 by-elections.

“Last time when we came here we had elections and I want to thank you that the figures we got this time, after 22 years, show that although our candidate has not won, people have started seeing the light.
“If you unite and work closely with Zanu-PF and the Government, all your concerns will be dealt with by the leadership and your problems will be addressed.
“The MDC, CCC, or GGG, if you tell them your problems, they can’t do anything, they have no capacity.
“Today, if you have any problem and raise concern to the President, action can be taken there and there but the opposition cannot do anything,” said the President, drawing thunderous applause from the large gathering.

“As we prepare for the next general election, I appeal for your support to vote for Zanu-PF, to say ‘President, with the work you are doing here we will vote for you and support the ruling Zanu-PF party’,” said Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“We don’t want Binga to continue being the only one left behind when the rest of the country is progressing.”

Binga North, the constituency was won by Nelson Chamisa’s CCC candidate Prince Dubeko Sibanda.

By- The Zimbabwe Republic Police have attributed the Chimanimani bus disaster to overloading.

A bus carrying Zion Christian Church members crashed near Jopa market in Chipinge early Friday killing 32 people on the spot.

In a statement this Friday, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi revealed that the bus had 106 passengers on board. He said:
The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 5km peg along Jopa- Skyline Rd, Chimanimani last night at around 2200 hours, where a Charles Luwanga bus which had 106 ZCC church members went out of the road and fell into a gorge.
As a result of the accident, 35 people died while 71 others were injured. The bodies of the victims were taken to Chipinge Hospital for post-mortem while the injured were referred to the same institution for treatment, with 13 being critically injured.
Acting district development coordinator for Chipinge Chamunorwa Salani told state media that the accident occurred near the boundary of Chipinge and Chimanimani districts.
Preliminary investigations indicated that overloaded the bus experienced breaks failure in the sloppy Matariana area. Said Salani:
Yes, I can confirm that a St Charles Lwanga bus which was carrying ZCC members who were going to Mbungo for the Easter pilgrimage was involved in an accident around just after 12 midnight.
… Nyaradzo Funeral Services has pledged to assist to ferry the bodies to the mortuary.
29 passengers died on the spot while 6 others died upon admission at Chipinge District Hospital.
Meanwhile, the Manicaland civil protection committee directed that the bodies of the deceased be ferried to Victoria Chitepo Hospital.

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has issued a statement following the fatal accident of a bus in Chimanimani early Friday.

The accident killed 35 members of the Zion Christian Church.

Below is Mnangagwa’s full statement.

I received with a deep sense of shock and horror tragic news of a bus disaster last night in Chimanimani in which 35 souls have perished so far, with several sustaining injuries, some of them life-threatening.

That this bloody traffic accident took place on the eve of both our Easter and Independence Holidays when there is increased movement across the country, adds to my anxiety.

The dead and injured were members of the Zion Christian Church, ZCC, who looked forward to an incident-free fellowship with their brethren in commemorating the Crucifixion of Christ.

Today the Zion Christian Church, bereaved families and our Nation at large are in deep mourning. It is a very inauspicious beginning to what should have been both a solemn religious break and a joyous celebration of our National Day.

On behalf of the Government, our entire Nation and indeed on my behalf, I wish to express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost their beloved ones in this bus disaster, while praying for God’s healing and soothing hand over all those nursing various injuries from the accident.

To Bishop Mutendi and ZCC congregants, I tender my heartfelt sympathies, urging them to remain strong and steadfast in faith and fellowship.

In the wake of the tragic traffic mishap, I have since directed Government to declare this accident a National Disaster thus paving way for the mobilisation of resources and assistance in support of the affected families and communities.

This action places all the costs related to funerals, and to the care of the injured on the Government.

As we mourn and pray for all those who have perished in this bus disaster, let us all exercise extreme care and caution as we travel to various destinations over this festive period.

This bus disaster is bad enough for us already; we do not need to make the holiday any bloodier through sheer recklessness on our roads.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police will be out in full force to act against anyone breaking traffic rules, in the process endangering themselves and innocent road users.

ED Mnangagwa (Dr) 

PRESIDENT

By- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said her party leader, Nelson Chamisa, was not in Government of National Unity negotiations with Zanu Pf.

There are reports that Chamisa is in talks with President Emmerson Mnangagwa to form a GNU.

Posting on Twitter, Mahere said CCC was ready to dialogue with ZANU PF on political and electoral reforms to prevent another disputed election.

She posted:
These are outright lies… President [Nelson chamisa] is not in secret talks with [President Mnangagwa] about a GNU or anything else.
We’ve publicly said we’re ready to dialogue with Zanu PF about REFORMS to avoid another disputed election. Not this.

The CCC has no interest in a GNU. We’re focused on our mass mobilization program to ensure we win a landslide victory in 2023.
We plan to win the rural vote, the youth vote & the vote of every citizen desiring change so we take power and then deliver transformation for Zimbabweans.
The report claimed Mnangagwa and Chamisa are engaged in secret talks with the aim of forming a seven-year GNU.
It also quoted a source as saying ZANU PF is being represented in the talks by its secretary for finance, Patrick Chinamasa while CCC is being represented by Gorden Moyo. A source was quoted as saying:
Preliminary talks are indeed underway and both parties appear to be eager to have an arrangement that can work.
The groundwork was actually laid down last year. There was a time when Chamisa met with some senior government officials and confided with them that he was interested in an arrangement that can postpone elections for seven years and intelligence people took that in the form of a recording to ED (Mnangagwa), who was excited about it and went on to give Chinamasa the task to lead the talks.
So, I can tell you with certainty that there have been meetings between representatives of the two leaders, but they have been held in deep secrecy.
The report quoted another source as saying the results of the 26 March by-elections shocked both sides because they ate into each other’s territories. Said the source:
The March 26 by-elections were mainly used to showcase capabilities and to test the waters. The result was shocking to both sides because they ate into each other’s territories.
There were some people in ZANU PF who actually did not want the by-elections to happen but ED insisted he wanted them because they would be useful to gauge the atmosphere and decide whether or not to proceed with elections next year.
There is general consensus in the party that these polls were a rude awakening because they did not anticipate Chamisa would be so popular. Most of the top people in the party now want the GNU.
As for Chamisa, the idea was to showcase himself as a formidable optician and the good showing in the by-elections gave him the necessary pedestal for talks.
He dearly wanted those elections to show ED that he has people and can actually win the elections next year.
The report, however, admitted that Chamisa did not confirm the alleged talks when contacted for a comment. Chamisa said:
We know for sure Zanu PF does not want elections. They are terrified by-elections.

By A Correspondent- Nathan Banana, a son of the late former President Canaan Banana, has apologised to award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono for calling him a clown.

Banana had criticised Chin’ono for highlighting the dire state of cancer treatment in Zimbabwe when he gave a speech in Geneva, Switzerland recently. 

He tweeted:

Kanti vele why is a cancer machine now a priority need over all other medical resources? Is it because some clown decided to make it an international concern?

There are so many other priority areas like building clinics/hospitals, upscaling pay packages & supplying Ambulances.

Chin’ono reminded Banana about how he had supported him when people made reference to his father’s sexuality and when his mother was being “persecuted” by ZANU PF. Said Chin’ono

When you were insulted on account of your dad’s sexuality, I stood with you.

When your mum was being denied her pension and persecuted by ZANU-PF, I stood with you and your family.

Today you call me a clown because I am asking the Government to save lives by buying cancer machines?

Banana, however, accused Chin’ono of lying about having supported him in any way and told him to leave his parents out of their verbal spat. 

He said:

Please @daddyhope don’t make false claims about the support you never provided. You are simply making reference to those issues to try and belittle my person.

I challenge you to share references to the support you claim to have given. Leave my parents out of it they are RIP.

Responding to Twitter users who had defended Chin’ono for his remarks in Geneva, Banana said:

Why tell a story to the international community in the first place? Were there other citizens attending the same conference also telling similar stories of their countries? What is the overall aim of sharing the story?

… democracy is also allowing me to freely constructively challenge his action without having to be insulted by his worshipers.

I personally believe not every concern you have in your household should be shared with your neighbour.

Meanwhile, Banana has apologised for describing Chin’ono as a clown saying “it was out of character”. He said:

As a peace-loving patriotic citizen of Zimbabwe & advocate for African Unity, I would like to apologise for my reckless reference to ‘clown’ used in a post in response to @daddyhope.

It was out of character and does not represent who I am as someone brought up in a respectable family.

By A Correspondent- A total of 35 people died while 75 others were injured when a bus was involved in an accident between Chimanimani and Chipinge districts Thursday night.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the accident Friday morning, saying the victims were members of Zion Christian Church (ZCC) who were travelling to their Mbungo shrine in Bikita for Easter gatherings.

“The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 5km peg along Jopa-Skyline Rd, Chimanimani last night at around 2200hours, where a Charles Luwanga bus which had 106 ZCC church members went out of the road and fell into a gorge,” the ZRP press and public liaison office said in a Twitter post.

“As a result of the accident, 35 people died while 71 others were injured. The bodies of the victims were taken to Chipinge Hospital for post-mortem while the injured were referred to the same institution for treatment, with 13 being critically injured,” police said.

Local legislator Joshua Sacco also confirmed the tragic crash.

By A Correspondent- Police Commissioner Erasmus Makodza was acquitted on corruption charges on Thursday.

Makodza, who was suspended as officer commanding Matabeleland North province following his arrest, was accused of helping his ex-girlfriend secure a lease for a police farm and benefitting from the transaction.

He had pleaded not guilty to charges of concealing a transaction from a principal and criminal abuse of office.

Harare regional magistrate Noel Mupeiwa said prosecutors had failed to prove that he acted contrary to his duties. There was also no evidence that he pressured his juniors into signing the joint venture agreement between the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Maonei Chapfudza, with whom he has a child.

Prosecutors alleged the corrupt deal happened in 2019 when Makodza was the top cop in Mashonaland East province.

Makodza was accused of having approached Assistant Commissioner Stephen Zengeya, who was responsible for administration in the province, and advised him that there was a private investor who wanted to lease Lendy Farm, a police property.

It was alleged that Makodza then introduced Chapfudza to Zengeya who wanted to start piggery, poultry and horticulture projects.

It was alleged that Makodza neglected to tell Zengeya that he was in a relationship with Chapfudza, and they had a child together in 2017.

Police subsequently signed a joint venture agreement with Chapfudza.

Makodza’s lawyer Tapiwa Makanza told the court that Makodza did not take part in the meetings which led to Chapfudza being granted the lease.

Tinashe Sambiri| Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has said Zanu PF is not at all strong in rural areas.

President Chamisa, quoted by NewsDay, said CCC was determined to challenge Zanu PF dominance in rural areas.

“Now that the by-elections are over and we have made our political statement, over the next few months, we will be focusing on building our party structures across the country and building robust leadership machinery that will take us through to the 2023 elections.

We urge those who have been elected to carry out their mandates with the seriousness they deserve.

I know that while we performed well in urban areas, there are concerns over the rural areas,” President Chamisa told the publication.

He added:
“We are going to work hard over the next months to enhance our fortunes countrywide and our performance at the next elections. It is a myth that rural areas belong to ZANU PF.

We know it is a myth because we have won in various provinces with many rural constituencies before and we are going to win again.

We are committed to building a stronger and mutually enriching relationship with citizens in rural areas just as we have established a long-lasting relationship with the urban communities.”

By A Correspondent- A drunk man who allegedly slapped a woman’s bums before groping her breasts appeared before Western Commonage court resident magistrate Shepherd Mnjanja facing indecent assault charges.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

He was remanded out of custody to 19 April.

The court heard that an intoxicated Samson Dzepasi (35) caused a scene at a bus terminus at Pick n Pay Hyper when he slapped a woman on her buttocks.

When the woman turned to check who was tapping her bums, the man allegedly reached for her breasts and groped them.

The woman fumed. Not feeling ashamed, the man hit back and fired a salvo, branding her a prostitute.

The woman, the court heard, dashed to a police station and reported the matter.
Dzepasi was arrested.

To show the gravity of sexual abuse at bus ranks, recently a student activist from the University of Zimbabwe implored the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) authorities to protect women from being abused at bus ranks because many women were reportedly sexually abused in bus queues.

Activists who spoke to B-Metro bemoaned poor enforcement of laws which protect women at bus ranks.

Acknowledge Mawere, spokesperson for Observe Our Rights Group, said they had encountered a lot of women and girls who had been abused at Zupco buses pick-up points.

“From the interviews and research we have done so far, women and girls are telling us that since there is usually a lot of pressure and a lot of people trying to get into the buses at times some men touch their private parts and other sensitive parts of their bodies,” said Mawere.

He added: “There is also an issue of conductors, drivers and monitors demanding to date young school girls to secure them a seat.”

Mawere urged Zupco officials to create a women-friendly environment in the Zupco spaces.

“It would be best if the Government can bring in more buses so as to curb this scourge because it is at Zupco ranks where some ruthless, inhuman shameless and corrupt men are opportunistically abusing women and taking advantage of young girls who are desperate to travel timeously.

By A Correspondent- Suspected serial murderer and rapist, Bright Zhantali, is now facing 23 counts of murder. He appeared before a Harare magistrate on Thursday on three fresh murder charges.

He was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate, Yeukai Dzuda, who remanded him in custody.

Zhantali confirmed the statements he gave to the police, before the magistrate, about how he committed the three murders.

On the first count, prosecutors said on 17 July 2020, at around 7 pm, Zhantali approached the now-deceased Priscilla Chidhakwa (24) and lured her with an offer to pay US$10 for the night.

Zhintali told Chidhakwa that he wanted to go to his home in Mabvuku, but took her to Donnybrook Racecourse where he raped her and later killed her.

After killing his victim, Zhantali threw the body of the deceased into a trench.

The following day, an informant Marvelous Matondo, saw the deceased’s body and observed that she was tied on her neck and hands, with pieces of blankets. She reported the matter to the police.

On the second count, on 7 December 2021, at around 1 pm, Zhantali was approached by the now late Manyara Chisora (46) who was looking for a piece of land to rent.

The accused allegedly showed her the land.

As they went to her house to sign the lease documents, he raped her before he struck her three times, using the back of an axe, leading to her death.

Zhantali stole some groceries, a Huawei cellphone, blankets and some clothes and fled the scene.

At around 5 pm, Chisora’s 15-year-old daughter returned home and found her mother dead in her bedroom.

She told her aunt and they informed Cecilia Maphovire, who filed a police report.

On the third count, Zhantali allegedly raped Spiwe Nyamoto (50) before killing her and dumping her body in the Mabvuku Sewage ponds.

Anesu Chirenje prosecuted.-HMetro

By A Correspondent- What was supposed to be a special day for a Bulawayo woman ended in utter shame after her secret wedding with her lover was dramatically stopped at the Bulawayo Civil Court by a man who claimed to be her husband.

The embarrassing incident, which left onlookers, who were attending to their own court businesses shocked, happened on Friday last week.

Charles Ndlovu turned into a drama king when he stormed into the court moments before his estranged wife Sithembelenkosini Ncube (31) from Nketa 7 suburb exchanged vows with Dominion Mguni (35) from Barbourfields surburb.

It is reported that Ndlovu could not believe his eyes as he found his wife wearing a wedding dress while standing next to the groom.

According to a witness, Ndlovu said the wedding ceremony could not continue as Ncube was still his wife as the two were yet to divorce.

Ndlovu and Ncube got married on 25 September 2015 and are reportedly waiting for the finalisation of their divorce which is still pending at the Bulawayo High Court under case Number HC1921/ 16. Reverend Paul Bayethe Damasane, who was the presiding marriage officer on the day in question, was reportedly kept busy as guests inquired if he was aware of the outstanding issues.

Ndlovu got to know about his estranged wife’s wedding plans from one of his friends after which he rushed to court to stop the wedding.

“This woman is still my wife. We haven’t divorced.

This wedding can’t go on.

I was phoned by a friend telling me she was at the courts wedding another man, that is why I rushed here,” a visibly distraught Ndlovu reportedly said.

“He said he could not allow Sithembelenkosini to take on another man, as her husband because they were still legally married,” said a witness who chose to remain anonymous.

Ndlovu’s claim reportedly left the people who were attending the ceremony shocked.

The presiding marriage officer subsequently cancelled the wedding after Ndlovu proved that he was still married to Ncube.

The groom-to-be, who reportedly didn’t know that the bride was still married, was also left dumbfounded.

Mguni, whose wedding day turned into a nightmare, was tight-lipped when B-Metro contacted him.

“I don’t have a comment,” was all he said.

Although, Ncube could not be reached for comment, B-Metro established that the stopped wedding was supposed to be her third marriage.

Giving his side of the story Ndlovu said: “When I stopped the wedding, I didn’t act out of bitterness, but it was because Ncube was not being honest with her new partner after she lied to him that she was not married.

I got married to Ncube about six years ago and we stayed together for about two years before we went separate ways.”

He said his estranged wife was the one who was in possession of their marriage certificate.

“Before we separated, I busted her on three different occasions while cheating on me.

On the first occasion I found her talking to her lover who was complimenting her saying he was missing her ‘sweet’ kisses.

“On the second occasion she lied to me that she was going to her rural home before a friend of mine later bumped into her at a local fast-food outlet with a boyfriend and lastly, she lied to me that she was going to church while she was also going out with her boyfriend.

“I was also arrested on three separate occasions after we fought over this issue of boyfriends,” said Ndlovu as he showed a scar on his forehead which he claimed he sustained after one of Ncube’s alleged boyfriends hit him with an iron bar.

He said he later discovered that the boyfriend in question was indeed Ncube’s former husband, adding that he was now planning to sue his estranged wife for adultery.-HMetro

By A Correspondent- Higher and Tertiary Education minister Amon Murwira has justified the widely criticised university fee hikes as necessary to promote and finance quality education in the country.

He issued a ministerial statement in the National Assembly on Tuesday on the fee hikes that have sparked protests, and resulted in the arrest of some learners.

MPs demanded a ministerial statement after university fees rose astronomically from $19 000 to $51 000 per semester.

“Maintaining 2021 tuition fees per semester would threaten the achievement of sustainable development goal (SDG) 4,” Murwira said.

“In fact, it would result in education and training institutions cutting down on essential budget lines such as internet bandwidth, e-library subscriptions, workshop practice for engineering, practical sessions for life sciences, outdoor field trips and supervision of students on attachment would be totally removed. This would be the death of the credibility of our education system.”

He added: “With regard to tertiary institutions, the fees structure that was agreed in 2020 has never changed, except for catering and practical fees that are determined by market forces. However, the student fees and other income are generally inadequate to meet all other costs because we always have to moderate them.

“This is because the income source and student fees are generally inadequate. To ensure institutions operate on a balanced budget, universities and colleges should receive more support or charge higher fees, but normally we ask for more support.”-newsday

By A Correspondent- Presidential aspirant Peter Munyanduri has been kicked out of the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) for criticising President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s handling of the March 26 by-elections.

Mnangagwa created Polad soon after the 2018 elections, a vehicle through which he regularly interacts with the losing presidential hopefuls.

In 2021, Mnangagwa pampered Polad principals with hefty allowances and Isuzu D-Max double-cab vehicles to buy their loyalty to the new dispensation.

But Munyanduri, who is the leader of New Innovative Modernisation Front, said his vehicle had been seized by the State for criticising Mnangagwa.

My conscience won’t allow me to keep quiet when I see something is wrong. I raised the issues of unfair electoral playing ground. I questioned the issue of rigging. There is unfair coverage of political parties. I also raised the issue of funding. Small parties do not get any funding. I was expelled for that,” Munyanduri said.

“They took the car they gave me. I do not regret my decision to advocate for free and fair election.”

But Polad head of secretariat Virginia Mabiza said Munyanduri was expelled for not attending meetings.

“Engineer Munyanduri is being untruthful. He was not expelled for raising issues to do with the election. Those are baseless accusations. He was expelled for not attending meetings. The car was given to a member of his party,” she said.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi on Tuesday told Parliament that the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill is necessary in order to improve transparency of charities operating in the country, and to curb criminal activities by some of them that are funding political parties and candidates.

The PVO Amendment Bill is now at the Second Reading Stage in the National Assembly.

It has, however, been viewed by many including local non-governmental organisations as oppressive because its provisions will effectively eliminate civil society organisations (CSOs) involved in promoting and defending human rights in the country.

CSOs  have already red-flagged the proposed amendments saying they will render around 280 000 people jobless because the Bill gives the State powers to de-register CSOs, snoop on their operations, and also criminalise their work and proposes harsh penalties, including a closure of organisations and jail term of up to a year for breaches.

Ziyambi said although the work being done by CSOs in the country should be applauded, those who failed to abide by the law would be de-registered.

“The Bill is a very necessary measure to improve administration, accountability and transparency of charities in our country. Our country benefits very much from the work of those PVOs which operate within our borders,” Ziyambi said.

“PVOs provide support to communities in a wide range of areas and we as the government are very grateful for the work done by PVOs. They have access to resources, experience and expertise that is needed for development.  Therefore, from the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of the government, I would like to thank them for their good work.

“This Bill does not speak to those law-abiding PVOs,  but to the few  who may be tempted to use the disguise of charity to carry out undesirable, harmful and even criminal activities. For example, we  have received  communication from the  financial  national task force that some charitable trusts are being misused as a means of channelling  funds towards terrorism and other activities,” he said.

Noting that some charities have been politically partisan, and have directed money to their favoured political parties or political candidates Ziyambi said: “Partisan assistance using foreign money or money collected from the public under a charity must never be allowed to influence the outcome of national or local elections.”

The Justice minister said in many countries, such behaviour was deemed harmful.

“It is in this context that the Bill seeks to clean up the space within which the PVOs operate in.  For some time, the government has noticed that some charities have completely by-passed the PVOs Bill by forming trusts sanctioned by the High Court.

“It is still not our  intention to impose registration on this kind of private trust. However,  if it appears that any trust is using charity purposes to get foreign money not  generated by their own  activities and investments, or  is using money  collected from members of the public, then they must be investigated,” Ziyambi said.

He added that government’s wish was not to punish PVOs for assisting women and other vulnerable members of society, but was targeting those who abuse their resources, and act in a partisan manner by favouring communities on the basis of their support or expected political affiliation.-newsday

32 people have died, while several others were seriously injured after a bus carrying members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) was involved in an accident near Jopa market in Chipinge last night.

Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident, saying the ZCC congregants were on their way to an Easter church gathering when the bus veered off the road and plunged into a gorge, killing 29 people on the spot.

Three died when they were being taken to hospital and the injured are admitted at Chipinge District Hospital.

Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said police investigations indicate that the bus that belongs to Charles Lwanga Secondary School was overloaded.

Chimanimani East legislator, Honourable Joshua Sacco, who rushed to the accident scene last night, expressed sadness and urged drivers to exercise extreme caution on the road.- ZBC

By- Thirty-two (32) members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) died while several others were seriously injured after their bus crashed near Jopa market in Chipinge on Thursday night.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident to ZBC News.

Asst Comm Nyathi said the ZCC congregants were travelling to an Easter church gathering when the bus veered off the road and plunged into a gorge, killing 29 people on the spot.

Three of the deceased later passed away as they were being ferried to the hospital. The injured were admitted at Chipinge District Hospital.

Asst Comm Nyathi said police have established that the bus belongs to Charles Lwanga Secondary School and was overloaded.

Chimanimani East legislator, Joshua Sacco (ZANU PF), who rushed to the accident scene last night, expressed sadness over the loss of lives and urged drivers to exercise extreme caution on the road.

More: ZBC News

Over 25 people have been confirmed dead while over 40 are reported to be seriously injured after a bus carrying members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) was involved in an accident near Jopa market in Chipinge at around 11 pm.

The cause of the accident is not yet known but at the moment. District authorities are still verifying the exact number of the fatalities and the injured, who are currently admitted at Chipinge District Hospital.- ZBC

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed chiefs in Binga to force villagers to vote for Zanu PF in the next year’s elections.

.Mnangagwa issued the directive when he was handing-over fishing rings to 21 chiefs, in Binga on Thursday.

“Last time when we came here we had elections and I want to thank you that the figures we got this time, after 22 years, show that although our candidate has not won, people have started seeing the light.
“If you unite and work closely with Zanu-PF and the Government, all your concerns will be dealt with by the leadership and your problems will be addressed.
“The MDC, CCC, or GGG, if you tell them your problems, they can’t do anything, they have no capacity.
“Today, if you have any problem and raise concern to the President, action can be taken there and there but the opposition cannot do anything,” said the President, drawing thunderous applause from the large gathering.

“As we prepare for the next general election, I appeal for your support to vote for Zanu-PF, to say ‘President, with the work you are doing here we will vote for you and support the ruling Zanu-PF party’,” said President.
“We don’t want Binga to continue being the only one left behind when the rest of the country is progressing.”

Binga North, the constituency was won by Nelson Chamisa’s CCC candidate Prince Dubeko Sibanda.

By-The Nelson Chamisa led CCC said it was now focusing on building its structures ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections.

Speaking in an interview with Newsday on Wednesday, Chamisa called on the party’s newly-elected legislators and Councillors to do what they were elected for. 

Said Chamisa:

Now that the by-elections are over and we have made our political statement, over the next few months, we will be focusing on building our party structures across the country and building robust leadership machinery that will take us through to the 2023 elections.

We urge those who have been elected to carry out their mandates with the seriousness they deserve.

CCC won 19 out of the 28 contested National Assembly seats, with the rest going to ZANU PF.

Chamisa admitted that the opposition has performed poorly in rural areas in recent elections but said it’s “a myth” that rural areas are ZANU PF strongholds. He said:

I know that while we performed well in urban areas, there are concerns over the rural areas.

We are going to work hard over the next months to enhance our fortunes countrywide and our performance at the next elections. It is a myth that rural areas belong to ZANU PF.

We know it is a myth because we have won in various provinces with many rural constituencies before and we are going to win again.

We are committed to building a stronger and mutually enriching relationship with citizens in rural areas just as we have established a long-lasting relationship with the urban communities.

Chamisa said it is the responsibility of every CCC member and supporter to mobilise and build the party.

More: NewsDay

By- Zanu PF President Mnangagwa has bribed Binga traditional leaders with fishing rings.

Mnangagwa handed over the fishing rings to 21 chiefs, in Binga on Thursday.

Handing over the fishing rings Mnangagwa ordered the chiefs to mobilise support for his Zanu PF party in the 2023 elections.

“Last time when we came here we had elections and I want to thank you that the figures we got this time, after 22 years, show that although our candidate has not won, people have started seeing the light.
“If you unite and work closely with Zanu-PF and the Government, all your concerns will be dealt with by the leadership and your problems will be addressed.
“The MDC, CCC, or GGG, if you tell them your problems, they can’t do anything, they have no capacity.
“Today, if you have any problem and raise concern to the President, action can be taken there and there but the opposition cannot do anything,” said the President, drawing thunderous applause from the large gathering.

“As we prepare for the next general election, I appeal for your support to vote for Zanu-PF, to say ‘President, with the work you are doing here we will vote for you and support the ruling Zanu-PF party’,” said President.
“We don’t want Binga to continue being the only one left behind when the rest of the country is progressing.”

Binga North, constituency was won by Nelson Chamisa’s CCC candidate Prince Dubek