By A Correspondent- European Union Ambassador To Zimbabwe, Timo Olkkonen, is in Harare’s Epworth residential suburb observing by-elections.

The EU envoy posted on his Twitter account notifying his presence in Epworth.

“Mangwanani Epworth! We are here as part of the local diplomatic effort to observe the by-elections. Early start, busy day ahead! 

@euinzim“, he said.

Mangwanani Epworth! We are here as part of the local diplomatic effort to observe the by-elections. Early start, busy day ahead! @euinzim pic.twitter.com/FfOZcS5Yet

— Timo Olkkonen_EU ???? (@TimoOlkkonen) March 26, 2022

By A Correspondent| Zimbabweans in the vacant 28 parliamentary and 105 local government seats will today re-elect representatives in an election that has a lot at stake.

The ruling Zanu PF has set its sight on eating into previously opposition seats and is targeting Epworth, St Marys and Marondera Central on top of its own Chivi South and Marondera East among others.

On the other hand, the newly formed CCC is targeting to retain seats previously occupied by its members before they were recalled by Douglas Mwonzora of MDC-T.

MDC-T which is struggling to stamp its authority as the main opposition is out to prove a point though it is going to be a tall order.

The major contestation is between Zanu PF and CCC who sees these by-elections as a precursor to the do or die general elections which are due in 2023.

CCC has hit the ground running and judging by the numbers witnessed at their star rallies, it is ready to give Zanu PF a good run for their money.

Zanu PF on the other hand has also flexed its mobilisation capacity with well attended rallies albeit claims of bussing supporters from all over the country.

“The real fight tomorrow is for the title of, “Zimbabwe’s Official Opposition”. Otherwise the majority party will remain thus,” said Information Secretary Nick Mangwana.

CCC Spokesperson Fadzai Mahere said this election is their chance to test the country’s electoral systems and processes to enable them to push for necessary reforms that ensure the 2023 elections are free and fair.

Whoever wins big today will have an early lead ahead of the main battle on 31 July 2023.

By A Correspondent| The United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) yesterday approached the High Court to have the ballot papers for Mbizo parliamentary by-elections reprinted.

The party says it’s candidate Gladys Mutunami’s face is blotched and difficult for her supporters to see when voting.

“United Zimbabwe Alliance has taken the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to the High Court seeking a compelling order, to have ZEC directed to reprint the Ballot Papers for Mbizo Constituency where our UZA candidate Gladys Gamuchirai Mutunami is standing for the 26 March 2022 By- Elections.

“The candidate, upon inspecting ballot papers, has raised valid objections to her photo image presentation,” the party said.

“We firmly believe that the electorate will not be able to identify our candidate and this will disadvantage our candidate in the 26 March 2022 by elections,” added UZA.

The matter has not yet been decided despite the fact that voting is starting in almost an hour’s time.

By A Correspondent| Opposition MDC-T has alleged that its candidates in the by-elections slated for today were being bullied on social media.

In a statement on Friday, MDC-T Secretary General Paurina Mupariwa said their party was ready for the by-elections which she said is their opportunity to replace the recalled representatives with bona-fide party cadres who stand for the movement’s values.

“We faced many challenges, key among them being resource constraints and a well coordinated & funded misinformation campaign by our detractors. Our party, candidates and leaders also faced an unprecedented social media bullying,” said Mpariwa.

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa says he will never betray the people’s struggle in spite of relentless efforts by Zanu PF to arrest change.

President Chamisa has pointed out that despite the difficult terrain he will not compromise the struggle.

In a statement on Twitter yesterday, change champion Hon Job Sikhala said:

“The Champion In Chief telling me that, “this is the struggle we should never put brakes. We are with the people. We should never betray them.”

We will walk the difficult terrain together until our people are free.”

By- The President of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Nelson Chamisa said tomorrow’s by-elections were going to test the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s professionalism.

Chamisa made the demands while addressing party supporters Epworth where the party held its last campaign for the by-elections.
He said:
“ZEC, we are watching you, where we are going it is a test. We want to see if you are serious, if there is any rigging. We have a right as citizens to demand that ZEC must be disbanded. Players have a right to say this referee is not fair and can’t referee us, so ZEC if you continue playing like this, I warn you Justice (Priscilla) Chigumba, we will fire you.
ZEC does not mean Zanu PF electoral commission or Zanu PF electoral committee, ZEC means Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. Zanu PF is just a denominator just like CCC, the common denominator is Zimbabwe, be fair and allow people to be defeated. ZEC must not be an extension of Zanu PF because ZanuPF is an outgoing political party.

He speaks when ZEC is already being criticised for anomalies in the voters’ roll, ballot paper and establishment of polling stations.
CCC said it had since written to ZEC over the alleged discrepancies.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has set up a polling station at an alleged ruling ZANU PF torture base in Mbizo constituency, Kwekwe, ahead of the March 26 by-elections.

Over the years, there have been reports of the Black Wadada base being home to a terror group known as Al-Shabaab.

Opposition members and other people considered foes by the ruling party militia and the local political godfathers have been reportedly dragged to Black Wadada – located in Mbizo 9’s Ward 12 – where they have been tortured even in broad daylight, sometimes fatally.

The base is situated behind a shopping centre dominated by drinking outlets.

The electoral commission has set up three tents to be used as polling booths at Black Wadada.

Members of the opposition who spoke to Grazers News feared that there would be a low turnout at the Black Wadada polling station due to fear.

They predicted that polling agents and election monitors from the opposition may either be chased away or fail to turn up, increasing the chances of ballot stuffing.

Settlement Chikwinya, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) parliamentary candidate for Mbizo, confirmed the setting up of the Black Wadada station adding that he had complained to ZEC. He said:

Black Wadada, a known terror base for Zanu PF where the Al-Shabaab….has been turned into a polling station that houses three booths. We as CCC have raised concern over the security of the voter and the ballot at this station.

We would have favoured the transfer of the polling station to a secure place like the Classbell primary school which is nearby. We have picked information that the youths at the terror base actually want to bar voters from accessing the polling station.

Chikwinya added that ZEC promised to remove the polling station from Black Wadada but it had not acted on its promise by Thursday, two days away from the elections.

ZANU PF youths have been camping at the base and local drinking places for days, Grazers News was told, playing loud music that extols the ruling party while taunting passers-by using vulgarities.

The youths mainly comprise machete-wielding gangs that have in the past hacked people to death in broad daylight but escaped prosecution.

More: GrazersNews

By- Leader of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Nelson Chamisa has demanded neutrality and fairness from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in tomorrow’s by-elections.

Chamisa made the demands while addressing party supporters Epworth where the party held its last campaign for the by-elections.
He said:
“ZEC, we are watching you, where we are going it is a test. We want to see if you are serious, if there is any rigging. We have a right as citizens to demand that ZEC must be disbanded. Players have a right to say this referee is not fair and can‘t referee us, so ZEC if you continue playing like this, I warn you Justice (Priscilla) Chigumba, we will fire you.
ZEC does not mean Zanu PF electoral commission or Zanu PF electoral committee, ZEC means Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. Zanu PF is just a denominator just like CCC, the common denominator is Zimbabwe, be fair and allow people to be defeated. ZEC must not be an extension of Zanu PF because ZanuPF is an outgoing political party.

He speaks when ZEC is already being criticised for anomalies in the voters’ roll, ballot paper and establishment of polling stations.
CCC said it had since written to ZEC over the alleged discrepancies.

By- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has issued a statement on a video circulating on social media in which one of its presiding officers was “caught red-handed opening polling material” in the absence of polling agents. 

It is alleged that she administered them on her desk then put them back in the box in breach of s51 of the Electoral Act. 

In a statement, ZEC said the officer was lawfully conducting her duties. Read the statement:

ZEC STATEMENT: HARRASSMENT OF A ZEC ELECTORAL OFFICER 

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission would like to express its displeasure at the harassment of its electoral officer by MDC Alliance candidate and agents at Mhizha Primary School in Highfield East Constituency yesterday 24 March 2022 while she was lawfully conducting her duties. This incident is circulating on social media misleading the electorate implying that the electoral officer is contravening the law.

Administratively the presiding officer was checking received election materials to ascertain that all was in order before the conduct of the election. The actions of the MDC Alliance candidate and agents constitute an electoral offence as outlined in section 88 of the Electoral Act as read with paragraph 7(i)(c) of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates. The Commission has reported the matter to the police for investigation. 

The commission wishes to reiterate that there is a polling station opening procedure which is done before opening of the polling station, where all election material is checked and verified by the polling officers. 

The Commission urges all election candidates, agents and observers to adhere to the code of conduct for observers and election agents. Only accredited people are allowed to enter polling stations outside polling period.

By- Zanu PF is persuading the former President Robert Mugabe’s family to endorse Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa is now the leader of Zanu PF, a position he grabbed after toppling Mugabe through a military coup in 2017.

Posting on his Facebook page this week, Christopher Mutsvangwa, the Zanu PF spokesperson, said the Mugabe family had endorsed President Emerson Mnangagwa.

“Effusive joy and total gratitude as comrades Bona and Robert Mugabe express that abiding FAMILY loyalty to ZANU-PF, the Party of the Enduring Zimbabwe Revolution,” posted Mutsvangwa.

Mnangagwa toppled the late Zimbabwe founding leader through a military coup in November 2017.

Mugabe died a bitter man in 2019 after telling his family that he be buried at his Zvimba rural home.

By- South African Police have gunned down four Zimbabwe armed robbers after they tried to rob a shop at Stoneridge Mall in Johannesburg.

One of the armed robbers killed is 27-year-old Everjoy Ndlovu from Mlomwe, Plumtree. South African police wanted him for a series of armed robberies.

Ndlovu’s uncle, Thaba Nleya, confirmed the incident after going to see the body. Nleya said:
It’s true, we have seen the body, his death is the one that is shocking. As for him being an armed robber, we knew that our nephew was into that.
We warned him many times to leave it but he continued.
We are collecting money from family members and our friends to try and transport his body home since he didn’t have funeral cover.
According to the Gauteng Province police spokesperson, Major General Girly Mbele, the suspects met the police as they were exiting the mall.
The police approached the mall after hearing gunshots and upon arrival, the suspects fired at the police as they tried to flee. Mbele said:
The suspects were driving a white Nissan Almera and they robbed a shop that sells clothing and cellphones at Studio 88 at Stoneridge Mall.

B- Metro

By A Correspondent- A top police officer has been arrested for possession of a fake Leaner Professional Hunter licence (LPH).

This was revealed by ZimParks public relations officer Tinashe Farawo who said :

A top police officer has been arrested for possession of a fake Leaner Proffessional Hunter licence (LPH). The cop was arrested while trying to renew it. He has been handed to CID for further investigations. @Zimparks

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa says he will never betray the people’s struggle in spite of relentless efforts by Zanu PF to arrest change.

President Chamisa has pointed out that despite the difficult terrain he will not compromise the struggle.

In a statement on Twitter yesterday, change champion Hon Job Sikhala said:

“The Champion In Chief telling me that, “this is the struggle we should never put brakes. We are with the people. We should never betray them.”

We will walk the difficult terrain together until our people are free.”

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa posted on Facebook suggesting that Bona Mugabe and her husband are members of the ruling party.

Taking to Facebook, Chris Mutsvangwa wrote;

Effusive joy and total gratitude as comrades Bona and Robert Mugabe express that abiding FAMILY loyalty to ZANU-PF, the Party of the Enduring Zimbabwe Revolution.

Bona’s brother, Robert Mugabe Jr, got social media talking after he was spotted at a ZANU PF rally held in St Mary’s in Chitungwiza on Wednesday where he said he belonged to the party.

Robert Mugabe Junior met with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other ZANU PF high profile members.

Robert Jnr said it was only right for him to be a ZANU PF member since that was the family’s legacy. He said: 

They have been very accomodating. I thought I should come and support the party. Like it’s a family tradition. Since I was born the only thing I knew is ZANU PF. I am a ZANU PF child and I have a ZANU PF soul. It is only right that I continue the legacy.

While at the rally, Robert Mugabe Jnr chanted the ZANU PF slogan as he endorsed his support for the ruling party. Reports say he is set to contest for the Zvimba West National Assembly seat in the 2023 general elections.

Some observers thoughts the children of the late founding leader of Zimbabwe would not like to be associated with the party their father led for decades considering that he had sour relations with current party leaders during his last days in power.

Some also claim that the government is behind the push to have the veteran leader’s remains exhumed and reburied at the National Heroes Acre, a move the family is resisting, therefore, they predicted that Mugabe’s family will not endorse the ruling party.

THERE was drama when a daring man from Bulawayo allegedly kidnapped a police officer who was escorting him to the police station following his arrest for public violence intentionally swerved his vehicle and landed in a ditch, in a foiled bid to allegedly kill himself and the police officer.

Xolani Dube (32) from Bellevue suburb and Constable John Mudimba (35) based at ZRP Hillside sustained minor injuries after Dube who was speeding deliberately plunged his vehicle into a storm drain.

It is alleged that on 9 March 2022 and at around 10pm, Cst Mudimba was on duty at Hillside Police Station when he received a call to the effect that there was a public fight at Hillside Shopping Centre.

Cst Mudimba in the company of three other officers reacted to the call and quickly rushed to Hillside Shopping Centre.

Upon arrival they found Dube having a misunderstanding with Trust Manyika and Dube had a screwdriver in his hand.

Dube and Manyika were then ordered to drive their cars to ZRP Hillside each escorted by a police officer.

It is reported that Dube was ordered to drive his vehicle to the police station under the escort of Cst Mudimba.

On their way, Dube reportedly changed the route and sped off while threatening to kill Cst Mudimba through an accident.

In the process he was also shouting that they were going to die together.

While threatening to kill both of them he is alleged to have intentionally swerved his motor vehicle into a storm drain.

Cst Mudimba’s colleagues who were phoning him on his phone while making a follow-up quickly arrived at the scene and managed to rescue the two who reportedly sustained minor injuries as a result of the accident.

Dube, who was arrested at the scene, has since appeared in court where he is being charged with kidnapping as defined in Section 93 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to March 25.-BMetro

POLICE in South Africa are hunting for a Zimbabwean man from Tsholotsho for allegedly killing his girlfriend in Cosmo City after they had a misunderstanding.

The alleged murder of Loveness Ndlovu happened on 5 February 2022 and to this day Cain Ndlow Mlevu from Gariya in Tsholotsho is still on the run.

It is said that Loveness called her younger sister and told her that Ndlovu was threatening her.

After two days of not hearing from Loveness, the sister went to Lowness’ home and found her decomposing body.

The body had multiple stab wounds.

Johannesburg police spokesperson, Colonel Brenda Muridili was unreachable for a comment.

Zanu-PF Mazowe district co-ordinating committee (DCC) chairperson Tafadzwa Musarara has accused local village heads of stealing agricultural inputs sourced under the presidential inputs scheme, depriving targeted beneficiaries.

Speaking at a campaign rally for Zanu-PF aspiring councillor Bester Mhandu, Musarara claimed 10 bags of fertilizer meant for vulnerable families had gone missing in Jengamvura.

“As the DCC, we figured out that some of the village heads in this ward had stolen presidential inputs, thereby, putting the name of Zanu-PF in disrepute. I am told the stolen fertilizer was recovered and they will be distributed to those that did not get them,” Musarara said.

We are going to make sure that disciplinary action is taken to deal with the culprits.”

Mazowe DCC secretary for production Tichaona Chawana apologised to party supporters.

“I can confirm that the said fertilizer was stolen, but I would like to apologise on behalf of the village heads. We have since recovered the loot.  May we continue to vote for Zanu-PF because the CCC (Citizens Coalition for Change) has nothing to offer,” Chawana said.

Zanu-PF central committee member John Nhamburo also attended the rally.-Newsday

FORMER Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Augustine Chihuri has vehemently opposed a High Court order for his properties to be forfeited arguing it is unconstitutional.

He argued that he acquired his vast wealth legally and legitimately since he was gainfully employed.

He said it was naïve for the State to suggest he obtained the assets now targeted for forfeiture from corruption.

He also raised complaints against former Prosecutor General (PG) Kumbirai Hodzi, saying he was driven by hate.

The former police boss, currently exiled in Malawi following the 2017 coup that toppled the late former President Robert Mugabe, is accused of syphoning state funds amounting US$32 million.

The trial in the matter commenced before High Court judge, Pisirayi Kwenda and Chihuri is represented by Addington Chinake.

Chinake said affidavits before the court against his client were tendered by officers who were not in the service at the time the offence as allegedly committed.

“They actually have no personal knowledge,” he said.

“The current commissioner general Matanga himself is the one who dealt with the first applicant (Chihuri). He has not furnished the court with any allegations the court cannot go by hearsay,” submitted Chinake.

The lawyer added: “The court doesn’t balance the interests of the applicants in assets that they say were illegitimately acquired…they cannot be mass forfeiture which is essentially what this case is about.”

It’s about mass forfeiture, unconnected, unproven just following mere allegations. There has been no regards to the working history and businesses of the applicant. The applicant is seeking its discharge principally on the basis that it’s an unconstitutional order where there was no right to be heard right to the administrative of justice.”

Chinake said Chihuri has always been gainfully employed, having rose through the ranks in the police force before graduating into senior service following his contribution in the liberation struggle.

He said he is not a dubious character.

“He is not a dubious character who suddenly woke up to amass such wealth. It’s painful for example that the applicant being a beneficiary of the land reform programme was also a farmer producing maize which he sold to GMB.”

“However, after the November 2017 events his maize would not be accepted by the state so the applicant cannot be said to have obtained money or generated money through improper or elicit means when in fact he has chronicled before this court full details of how he was engaged in banana farming, maize farming which was sold for profit,” he said.

Chinake said Chihuri has shown good cause by showing defects of an unconstitutional nature.

He went on to attack Hodzi.

“I respectfully submit that the PG’s approach to this matter demonstrates the hazard that exists in allowing the public officials unfettered power to simply point at a person and ask you to explain. The conduct of the PG in my own submission is irrational and it is unconstitutional,” he said.

“The PG actually records that these vehicles were registered with the ZRP but they were now transferred to the applicant’s name and he is now being asked to explain. This points to the existence of some ulterior motive,” submitted Chinake.

“When you have such power, you have to exercise such power judiciously, fairly and you should give any such person due notice of what you intend to do and affording them opportunity to respond and an opportunity to be heard and where they see reason to take action they must give reasons for doing that. This case is a good example where the PG’s office did not satisfy these requirements and for that reason this unexplained wealth order was obtained improperly and in an unconstitutional manner and must be set aside.”

The hearing continues on March 29 with the state responding to Chihuri arguments.

-NewZim

QUESTIONS of beauty are uppermost in the minds of many women.

The tragedy of this very powerful and wealthy industry, however, is that too many women become its victims.

A woman from Hwange has become the talk of her area — DRC section in Empumalanga — after her husband of 10 years reportedly divorced her for bleaching her skin.

Ironically, Ellen Moyo bleached her skin to please her husband Norman Mabutho only for him to divorce her for that.

A source who spoke to B-Metro said Mabutho came back from South Africa where he works, a fortnight ago and found his wife looking different.

The source who claimed to have intimate details of the incident said Ellen decided to bleach her black skin after she once discovered that her husband was cheating on her with a light-skinned woman.

She reportedly thought bleaching her skin would make her more attractive to her husband and thus prevent him from having extra-marital affairs.

“The move, however, backfired when her husband who works in South Africa came back and found her looking different.

The bleaching seemed to have ruined her skin, something which didn’t go down well with her husband.

“When her husband saw her, he was shocked because she was really light in complexion.

Her husband was also complaining over the smell of her body which he said was no longer good,” said the source who declined to be named.

Mabutho who also suspected his wife of cheating claimed that was also the reason why she had decided to bleach her skin.

The source said efforts by relatives and friends to help the duo to solve their differences hit a brick wall.

“Relatives and friends tried to convince the husband to stick with their marriage but he refused.

The shamed wife is now going around telling people that she is the one who opted out of the marriage since her husband was cheating on her and is declaring that she will never ever get back with him,” the source said.

Spirited efforts to speak to Ellen were fruitless as her phone rang unanswered.

B-Metro also contacted Mabutho, who did not respond to text and WhatsApp messages sent to him on his South African number.

Meanwhile, an investigation by B-Metro revealed that skin lightening creams which are unlicensed and unregulated by the Government, have flooded the market in the country.

According to research the skin lightening creams contain a chemical called hydroquinone, which suppresses the production of skin colour.

They also contain mercury, a potentially dangerous substance which can interfere with kidney and nervous system function, and steroids, which can cause thinning of the skin.

Some of the popular creams sold on the streets include Movate, Carolite, Betasol, Diprozone, Epiderm, G’n’ G and Bio Claire and are not authorised by the Medicines Control Authority’s licensing and regulatory board, which tests products for banned substances.

Common side effects of the creams include uneven bleaching, intense irritation or even cancer.

Dermatologists are also on record warning that long-term, unsupervised use of skin lightening creams can cause a range of skin problems.-BMetro

A new breed of thieves that use juju to rob victims of their money and goods has emerged in Bulawayo.

According to two women whose chats have gone viral on WhatsApp, the juju made them blackout for a while as the thieves robbed them and by the time they regained their senses the robbers had already vanished.

One woman was robbed after she met a stranger in the city centre.

The stranger greeted her and the next thing she remembers was seeing herself at OK Mart on the outskirts of the city.

Her granddaughter says after she greeted the man, her grandmother took him to her car and surrendered everything.

The man then drove them to OK Mart.

After he left, she regained her senses but it was too late.

Another 50-year-old woman was robbed the same way in Emakhandeni suburb after trying to help a man who had asked her for directions.

She has no idea what happened next, but what she came to realise after she regained her senses was that her smartphone and wallet were gone.

She made a report at Luveve Police Station. Other robbers pretend to be asking for time.

“My cousin lost all the money she had collected from Mukuru after she responded to a man who requested time,” a source said.

Acting Bulawayo province police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said she was not aware of the incidents.-B Metro

Former Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption (ZACC) chairperson, Job Whabira, has died.

Whabira is understood to have died early this week.

ZACC chairperson, Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo, confirmed the death last night.

Yes I can confirm his death. He is a former ZACC chairperson. In fact, he is the one I replaced,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo last night.

It could not be immediately established what caused Whabira’s death

He was born on February 21,1939.

Whabira was sworn in as ZACC chairperson in February 2016 and left on January 31, 2019.

Before his appointment as chairperson of the anti-graft body, Whabira had previously served as Permanent Secretary in the ministries of Defence, and Home Affairs.

By A Correspondent- A 28 year old Bulawayo woman was left horrified and scared after her 26-year-old fellow tenant stormed into her room and sneaked into her blankets before he allegedly forced her to touch his “erect” sexual organ.

The woman from Mahatshula North suburb was left scared when Forgive Mugorogodi apparently in a desperate bid to seduce her sternly ordered her to touch his manhood which was hanging out of his pants.

Allegations are that on 17 March 2022 and at around 10pm Mugorogodi went to the victim’s room while she was asleep and asked her to accommodate him under the guise that he wanted to watch TV.

The seemingly suspicious victim refused but Mugorogodi insisted before he forced himself into the victim’s room and sat on the edge of the bed.

After some time, Mugorogodi sneaked into the complainant’s blankets, and sensing danger, the victim jumped off the bed and took a bed sheet to cover herself since she was only wearing underwear.

A daring Mugorogodi forcibly took the bed sheet off the victim and the helpless victim later took a skin tight from the wardrobe and wore it.

Mugorogodi reportedly pulled the victim to the bed and started caressing her.

The complainant tried to escape but failed to do so since Mugorogodi kept a tight grip on her.

The victim later managed to escape and Mugorogodi took out his penis and asked her to take it back if she wanted him to go out of her room and the frightened victim complied.

Mugorogodi further kissed the victim on the cheek and quickly went out heading to his room.

The traumatised victim went and reported the matter to the police leading to Mugorogodi’s arrest.

Following his arrest Mugorogodi was brought before the court charged with indecent assault as defined in Section (67) (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

Mugorogodi who pleaded not guilty was remanded out of custody to March 29 on $7 000 bail.-B Metro

By- Zanu PF on Wednesday forced school-going children to its political rally in Chitungwiza.

Teachers’ unions have since condemned the act.

Students from Chaminuka Primary School in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza, were part of the crowd at a rally addressed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) Obert Masaraure said political parties should desist from turning schools into campaign bases.
“We do not want politicians in our schools. Our schools should never be abused in terms of private political beings,” Masaraure said.
“In 2017, we reported the case of political interference to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission. We are glad that at some point we had this commission issuing a damning report on Zanu PF condemning the abuse of schools, condemning the abuse of properties, condemning the dragging of learners and teachers to political rallies.”
He said Artuz was preparing a court challenge, seeking an order barring political parties from accessing schools as well as initiating a citizen-led process of producing safe schools regulations.
Zimbabwe National Teachers Union president Manuel Nyawo also called for de-politicisation of learning institutions.
“It is not ideal for politicians to hold rallies in school premises because we have always called for depoliticisation of learning institutions,” Nyawo said.
“We are not politicians and schools are not political grounds for politicians and, therefore, we appeal to these politicians to stay away from using school premises as rallying points for politics.” Newsday

By- Residents of Epworth in Harare on Thursday pledged their support to the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa.

The pledges were made at a rally Chamisa’s final rally before the 26 March by-elections held at Olympic Stadium, Epworth.

Thousands of people attended the rally despite being staged at short notice after the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) had initially issued a prohibition order, blocking the rally.

Police later cleared the rally on Thursday mid-morning after CCC lawyers had challenged the ban in court.
Addressing his supporters, Chamisa described the by-elections as crucial and implored Epworth residents to vote for his party in their numbers.
Five candidates are vying for the Epworth National Assembly seat. These are Earthrage Kureva (CCC), Hazvineyi Makari (ZANU PF), Zivai Mhetu (MDC Alliance), Richard Musiyadzaanikwa (LEAD) and Innocent Hazvina (Independent).

By- The Harare hotel where a naked woman was recorded while being chased down the corridors by another woman has summoned parties involved in the drama for a hearing.

It has been revealed the hotel management invited the man, who is at the centre of the drama, and the other parties, to discuss the matter, whose video has gone viral on social media.
The incident has caught social media by storm. H Metro also got to know the details of how the drama unfolded.
The case has also seen NASH Paints marketing and communications manager, Tarisai Milner Makumbirofa, being mistakenly identified as the naked woman who was being chased in the video.
There was relief for her yesterday after cameras at the hotel proved she was nowhere near the premises on the day of the fracas.
“The cameras at the hotel have proved that it’s not me in the video,” she told H-Metro.
“So, I asked if they could give a statement to clear my name and they said they have to sit down and talk with the public relations manager. “But, they confirmed knowledge of the case.”
A Facebook page, owned by Queen Cronje, also apologised for posting Tarie’s pictures and claiming she was the one in the video.
“I deeply regret posting your pictures yesterday Tarie Milner Bolts hausiriwe mukadzi akamhanya asina kupfeka,” said the administrator of the page.
“I have taken it off but some people must have read it already. “I sincerely apologise for this, I know it’s hurtful to you and irresponsible on my part to do so.
“I am sorry.”
Initially the page had posted: “Ndivo vekumhanyiswa paCresta Lodge vasina kupfeka apa she is married, Tarie Bolts, and ndi marketing and communication manager kuNash Paints.”
H-Metro was also briefed about how the drama unfolded.
“It is reported that they followed the husband, who was with his girlfriend, to the hotel,” a source told H-Metro.
“The woman went with her friends to the premises and, upon arriving at the reception, they lied that they were with the man (name withheld) and they wanted some keys, which he had in his room.
“So, they were given the room number and, on arrival at the door, they pretended to be room service providers.
“The woman in the video opened the door, while she was wrapped in a towel.
“An altercation ensued and the ladies wanted to record a video of the woman, while she was still in the room.
“So, she noticed the move and quickly forced her way out before one of the friends took off her towel, prompting her to run naked.
“The one chasing and the one taking the video are friends to the wife, (name withheld).
The woman remained in the room where she was confronting her husband. “The woman in the video is alleged to have been invited by her lover to Zimbabwe from Zambia.”
Another source narrated how the woman got to know about her husband’s shenanigans.
“The wife’s little sister ndiyo yakafonera the wife kuti huya aona mota yabamukuru parked at the hotel.” H Metro

By- Zanu PF has announced that it will conduct its elective Congress in October this year ahead of presidential, parliamentary and local government elections set for 2023.

This was announced by Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is the party’s First Secretary while speaking at the 361st Politburo session on Thursday afternoon.
He said:
As we convene at this session, it is also important that we remain alive to the fact that, this is the year our party is holding our elective conferences of the Women and Youth Leagues as well as the party Congress scheduled for October 2022.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has threatened to expel Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from Zimbabwe saying they have lost their mandate.

Addressing delegates at a Zanu PF campaign rally at St Mary’s in Chitungwiza on Wednesday, Mnangagwa said NGOs that defy his government’s policies will be chased out of the country.

This comes at a time his administration is in the middle of enacting a highly contentious Private Voluntary Organisations which will regulate the operations of NGOs in the country.

“Non-governmental organisations in this country who do not follow our mandate, I will chase them away from this country,” Mnangagwa said.

He added:

They must just do what they profess, what they declared they want to do in this country, this country can do without them.”

The PVO bill has provisions that seek to criminalise the work of non-governmental organisations by proposing harsh penalties, including jail time of up to one year for perceived offenses.

The bill also gives the government and the minister responsible for CSOs and trusts, excessive powers which will enable them to interfere with the operations of these bodies giving it the potential to disrupt non-governmental organisations, NGOs activities and financing.

NGOs will be required to submit their plans and work to the government, a move critics said would limit their operations.

By- The Harare hotel where a naked woman was recorded while being chased down the corridors by another woman has summoned parties involved in the drama for a hearing.

It has been revealed the hotel management invited the man, who is at the centre of the drama, and the other parties, to discuss the matter, whose video has gone viral on social media.
The incident has caught social media by storm. H Metro also got to know the details of how the drama unfolded.
The case has also seen NASH Paints marketing and communications manager, Tarisai Milner Makumbirofa, being mistakenly identified as the naked woman who was being chased in the video.
There was relief for her yesterday after cameras at the hotel proved she was nowhere near the premises on the day of the fracas.
“The cameras at the hotel have proved that it’s not me in the video,” she told H-Metro.
“So, I asked if they could give a statement to clear my name and they said they have to sit down and talk with the public relations manager. “But, they confirmed knowledge of the case.”
A Facebook page, owned by Queen Cronje, also apologised for posting Tarie’s pictures and claiming she was the one in the video.
“I deeply regret posting your pictures yesterday Tarie Milner Bolts hausiriwe mukadzi akamhanya asina kupfeka,” said the administrator of the page.
“I have taken it off but some people must have read it already. “I sincerely apologise for this, I know it’s hurtful to you and irresponsible on my part to do so.
“I am sorry.”
Initially the page had posted: “Ndivo vekumhanyiswa paCresta Lodge vasina kupfeka apa she is married, Tarie Bolts, and ndi marketing and communication manager kuNash Paints.”
H-Metro was also briefed about how the drama unfolded.
“It is reported that they followed the husband, who was with his girlfriend, to the hotel,” a source told H-Metro.
“The woman went with her friends to the premises and, upon arriving at the reception, they lied that they were with the man (name withheld) and they wanted some keys, which he had in his room.
“So, they were given the room number and, on arrival at the door, they pretended to be room service providers.
“The woman in the video opened the door, while she was wrapped in a towel.
“An altercation ensued and the ladies wanted to record a video of the woman, while she was still in the room.
“So, she noticed the move and quickly forced her way out before one of the friends took off her towel, prompting her to run naked.
“The one chasing and the one taking the video are friends to the wife, (name withheld).
The woman remained in the room where she was confronting her husband. “The woman in the video is alleged to have been invited by her lover to Zimbabwe from Zambia.”
Another source narrated how the woman got to know about her husband’s shenanigans.
“The wife’s little sister ndiyo yakafonera the wife kuti huya aona mota yabamukuru parked at the hotel.” H Metro

By- The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has responded to the threats made by President Emmerson Mnangagwa against secessionist movements that are pushing for the creation of a Mthwakazi Republic in Zimbabwe.

Addressing Zanu PF supporters at a campaign rally in Chitungwiza on Wednesday, Mnangagwa warned those pushing for the creation of a breakaway state in southwestern Zimbabwe that their lives will be shortened.

He singled out the Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP), one of several other pressure groups in the region which share the secessionist agenda of the movement.
Responding to the threats, MRP described Mnangagwa as a criminal who should be hauled before the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN). The party said on its Twitter page:
The threat to Mthwakazi people’s restoration Movements by Emmerson Mnangagwa in his rally today at Chitungwiza is a travesty of Justice!
He, Mnangagwa is a criminal, not our people. Mthwakazi will be free at last.
The cries of the victims of Gukurahundi for Justice are confusing this president of Zimbabwe. His portion is at The Hague.
People in southwestern Zimbabwe complain of alleged marginalisation which they say include deliberate exclusion from the economic system and lack of equal opportunity in various areas as well unresolved issues around the Gukurahundi killings.

By- Zanu PF has announced that it will conduct its elective Congress in October this year ahead of presidential, parliamentary and local government elections set for 2023.

This was announced by Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is the party’s First Secretary while speaking at the 361st Politburo session on Thursday afternoon.
He said:
As we convene at this session, it is also important that we remain alive to the fact that, this is the year our party is holding our elective conferences of the Women and Youth Leagues as well as the party Congress scheduled for October 2022.

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has rubbished demands by Matabeleland people to have their own state.

Mnangagwa rubbished the Mthwakazi while addressing Zanu PF supporters at a campaign rally in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza Wednesday:

We liberated the country through war. Some men and women perished. We said we would work with chiefs and when you see a chief supporting the opposition, that chief should do a cleansing ceremony and ask his ancestors why they would have forsaken him.

According to Chapter 15 of the Constitution, chiefs are not allowed to engage in partisan politics. It says, “traditional leaders must not be members of any political party or in any way participate in partisan politics, act in a partisan manner, further the interests of any political party or cause or violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person”.

Mnangagwa also warned the electorate that the Central Government will ignore constituencies that vote for the opposition. He said:

If you want the government to listen to your concerns and address them, you will have to send them via channels that we recognise and not through the opposition.

Here is the opportunity to vote for people who submit your concerns to the leaders.

You hear the young boy (Chamisa) saying if I win, he will make this country ungovernable.

Let us make sure he won’t get into government.

He also reiterated that Zimbabwe will remain a unitary State and secessionists will not succeed. He said:

There are some Mthwakazi (members) who say they want Zimbabwe to be divided. They will speak, get old and die.

Zimbabwe will remain a unitary State. No leadership in this world encourages its country to be divided. No one will divide it. 

If you want to do that you will leave shortly. Walk in the right path. We want peace, we want development.

This country has its owners and it’s led by its owners. It can’t be led by people who get advice from whites.

More: NewsDay

By- The Zimbabwe Republic Police on Thursday revisited a ban on the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in Epworth.

Chamisa held the rally at Olympic Stadium, Epworth in Harare today and was attended by thousands of people.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) had initially issued a prohibition order, blocking the rally.

Police later cleared the rally on Thursday mid-morning after CCC lawyers had challenged the ban in court.

Addressing his supporters, Chamisa described the by-elections as crucial and implored Epworth residents to vote for his party in their numbers.
Five candidates are vying for the Epworth National Assembly seat. These are Earthrage Kureva (CCC), Hazvineyi Makari (ZANU PF), Zivai Mhetu (MDC Alliance), Richard Musiyadzaanikwa (LEAD) and Innocent Hazvina (Independent).

By- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa held his final rally before the 26 March by-elections at Olympic Stadium, Epworth in Harare this Thursday.

The rally was attended by thousands of people despite being staged at short notice after the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) had initially issued a prohibition order, blocking the rally.

Police later cleared the rally on Thursday mid-morning after CCC lawyers had challenged the ban in court.

Addressing his supporters, Chamisa described the by-elections as crucial and implored Epworth residents to vote for his party in their numbers.
Five candidates are vying for the Epworth National Assembly seat. These are Earthrage Kureva (CCC), Hazvineyi Makari (ZANU PF), Zivai Mhetu (MDC Alliance), Richard Musiyadzaanikwa (LEAD) and Innocent Hazvina (Independent).

By A Correspondent- CCC activist Joana Mamombe has revealed that the magistrate handling her case is yet to come at court despite the court sitting being set for 1415hrs.

Said Mamombe:

“Court was set for 1415hrs…We have been here since 2pm & Magistrate Faith Mushure is not here.”

Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabweans are ready to vote for change in the 2023 polls, Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has said.

Commenting on the day of fasting and prayer, President Chamisa said Zimbabweans should expect the coming of a New Great Zimbabwe.

“THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN YESTERDAY’S PRAYER & FASTING PROGRAM.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU! It’s a matter of time..In the spirit the NEW is a done deal.

It has happened.The shift has already happened.Can’t wait to see this NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE happen.2023 We’re WINNING!!

It’s a landslide, a whitewash…Ezra 8:21 #CCC,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa has unwittingly disclosed that the ongoing vetting exercise for war collaborators is a vote-buying gimmick.

Addressing a campaign rally in Glen Norah B on Tuesday, Masimirembwa said: “If over 200 000 war collaborators and cadres are getting vetted and soon will start earning their pensions and their children get their school fees paid, ask yourself how many votes would that be for Zanu-PF before we even go to vote we already have over 600 000 votes just from war collaborators going to (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa.”

“If you vote for Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) you would have voted for people who are not ruling and will never rule because Zanu-PF will rule until donkeys grow horns,” he said.

The country on Saturday will hold by-elections to fill 28 parliamentary and 105 local authority seats following the recall of MDC Alliance legislators and councillors.

“When you are walking you should walk with the winning team and not those that lose. Zanu-PF will never be removed from power. Look at how good (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa is, war veterans and ex-detainees for 42 years who had not been vetted will now be vetted,” Masimirembwa said.

Speaking at the same event, Destiny for Africa Network leader Obadiah Musindo said people who did not vote for Zanu-PF risked being left out of government-funded projects.

“If you do not vote for Zanu-PF,  you will be taken as people who do not like the government, so you will be excluded from all projects that have anything to do with Zanu-PF,” he said.

By A Correspondent- A 35-year-old Domboshava self-proclaimed prophet was on Sunday fined three beasts by a Community Court for parading eight people naked, in front of villagers.

Madzibaba Renjidai, born Lovemore Kasambarare, appeared before Chief Chanhamora’s court after he paraded nude people to villagers at Munondo Village.

Madzibaba Renjidai accused his victims of dabbling in witchcraft but the chief asserted that it was taboo in his area to expose naked people in public.

In his judgement, Chief Chinamhora warned Madzibaba Renjidai over his shenanigans saying his conduct divides families. Said the chief:

Zvawakaita zvekupfekenura vanhu mbatya ndiko kupfekenura dunhu, wakapfekenura mambo uye wakapfekenura sabhuku. (What you did, undressing people in public, is akin to undressing the land. You undressed the chief and you also undressed the village head).

We do not want people who operate without the knowledge of our traditional leaders as well as conduct prayers, or cleansing ceremonies, which seek to divide families.

From the evidence given by one of the minor victims, Madzibaba Renjidai forced his victims to undress at knifepoint, before locking their clothes in your room.

You went on to invite villagers to view all the eight naked people, for the better part of the day.

Such misconduct is taboo, according to our traditional values and culture and, this has never happened in this area within my jurisdiction.

By undressing the kraal head’s wife, you were undressing her husband who gave you a place to live with your family.

You exposed our land, Ndicho chinonzi chisiwonekwe kana kuti chipini ichocho. (taboo).

I do not confirm nor deny that there is witchcraft.

I do not know how your claimed spiritual powers operate but let me encourage you to learn to control your spirit so that it is not tempted to assault people as a punishment.

I want to believe that this was your first time to do such misconduct and you will not do the same thing again.

If I may take this opportunity to urge village heads to look out for people, who operate under the name of healing, to report them to police as well as bring them before our traditional court.

We want to promote unity and peace among villagers.

By A Correspondent-  Bogus Registrar-General’s Office employee appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court yesterday charged with defrauding a passport applicant of US$230.

Nyasha Chihombori (23) appeared before magistrate Yeukai Dzuda, who remanded him in custody to today for bail ruling.

By A Correspondent- A dangerous Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) dog is on the loose in Victoria Falls and police have appealed to residents to help them track it down.

A council official said the dog is a German Shepherd and residents should avoid playing with it or putting it on a leash.

The dog allegedly strayed out of its kennel on Saturday and police are frantically trying to locate it before it harms people. Said the council official:

ZRP has lost a German Shepherd that is black in colour and has a brown colour on its chest.

This dog is dangerous and risky, we are therefore appealing to you residents of Victoria Falls to report if you come across it, or if you know of someone who is keeping it, you should contact police on 0773 415 311.

You can also alert police officers at your nearest police station.

According to CITE, German Shepherds are preferred by the police because of their noble character, loyalty, curiosity, high intellect and obedience.