By A Correspondent- Former Harare mayor Herbert Gomba has been found after reports that unknown men allegedly stormed into his house before seizing and driving off with him Saturday afternoon.

On Saturday CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere  tweeted that: #ALERT former Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba has gone missing. Unknown men stormed his home in Glen Norah C at around 14.30 hrs. They used three unregistered white Isuzu vehicles. His whereabouts are unknown.

However, on Monday CCC said:

“We are advised that Herbert Gomba has been found and is in the custody of his family. We are advised he is safe.”

Gomba is contesting for a municipal ward in Glen Norah.after he was recalled by the Douglas Mwonzora-led MC-T for siding with Chamisa in 2020

By A Correspondent- Former Harare mayor Herbert Gomba has been found after reports that unknown men allegedly stormed into his house before seizing and driving off with him Saturday afternoon.

On Saturday CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere  tweeted that: #ALERT former Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba has gone missing. Unknown men stormed his home in Glen Norah C at around 14.30 hrs. They used three unregistered white Isuzu vehicles. His whereabouts are unknown.

However, on Monday CCC said:

“We are advised that Herbert Gomba has been found and is in the custody of his family. We are advised he is safe.”

Gomba is contesting for a municipal ward in Glen Norah.after he was recalled by the Douglas Mwonzora-led MC-T for siding with Chamisa in 2020

By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) February report says police and ZANU PF top the list of human rights violators, mainly targeted at opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) supporters and ordinary citizens.

The report comes as Zimbabwe’s electoral environment is increasingly turning violent, with CCC supporters being attacked by suspected State security agents and Zanu PF members. Reads the report in part:

Zanu PF takes a lead in human rights violations recorded this month at 41%, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police contributes 37% of human rights violations recorded in February 2022,” the report read in part.

This month (February), ZPP recorded a significant increase in the profile and scope of the human rights violations recorded. In January, ZPP recorded a total of 55 cases of human rights violations, the majority of them were of discrimination during food aid processes.

In the February report, ZPP recorded a total of 70 cases, with the majority of them being of political violence that left people injured or dead.

The majority of the victims, about 89%, are ordinary Zimbabweans, with nine per cent being CCC supporters.

Some cases:

1). Police last month used dogs, water cannons and tear gas to disperse a CCC rally in Gokwe despite a High Court ruling for the event to go ahead.

2). On February 27 in Kwekwe, one CCC supporter Mbongeni Ncube was assaulted to death by suspected ZANU PF supporters who stormed the CCC rally armed with spears, machetes and other sharp weapons. 

3). Police also arrested 13 CCC members, accusing them of holding a car rally and failing to obey police officers directing traffic. The supporters were allegedly severely assaulted by suspected state security agents during detention.

4). Another 80 CCC supporters were arrested in Masvingo while campaigning door to door.

5). In January, five CCC activists were assaulted by police following their arrest on charges of public nuisance in Harare’s central business district (CBD). But one of the victims, Erasmus Nyandoro told NewsDay that they were arrested for wearing CCC’s yellow regalia.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he could not comment on claims by the ZPP that police topped the list of human rights violators saying he has not received the report.

By A Correspondent- Villagers at Magalani in Matopo have complained of several incidents of poisoned cattle, while some of them are reportedly being axed by illegal settlers occupying grazing land.

The illegal settlers are allegedly buying the land from “corrupt local leaders.”

Disgruntled villagers told Southern Eye that this started after the death of Chief Lenard Mathe seven years ago. One of the victims, Sibonokuhle Sibanda said her family lost several cattle after they were axed by the illegal settlers.

“Last year seven cows were poisoned. Others were axed a few months later by the invaders.

“This year again I found five cows bleeding in the bush after they were axed, and I suspect that they were attacked by the land invaders in the area.”

Sibanda said she reported the matter to the police last year who advised her to sit down with community members and leaders to resolve the issue.  She was told that people that committed the crime were minors who could not be charged.

“I applied for a peace order between me and the attackers but the court dismissed the application and insisted on a community peace meeting even though we told them that we do not have a chief in the area to facilitate and resolve such issues.

“The case then ended without resolution,” she said.

Ward 9 councillor Bekezela Moyo confirmed the matter.  Moyo blamed the criminal activities on corrupt traditional leaders.

“We have community leaders and members who sell grazing land to strangers. Now there is conflict between community members and the invaders, which has escalated making it hard for me as a councillor to solve it since we do not have a chief,” Moyo said.

“Many cows have been axed and killed. Homes have also been burnt by angry community members. Even though steps were taken to report these issues, no proper charges were laid on the criminals.”

He said several villagers lost cattle due to conflicts between illegally settlers and community members.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena said they had not received reports pertaining to livestock poisoning.

Mangena said anyone caught axing or poisoning other people’s livestock would be arrested.

“We urge the community to report such crimes to the police,” Mangena said.

By A Correspondent- In  yet another scandal the top management at Lupane State University is reportedly milking the higher learning institution through paying sick money in rentals for the properties they are using which range from ZWL$50 to ZWL$300 per month.

Indications by internal sources are that staff residing in the staff quarters are paying ZWL$75 per month, while those in the halls of residence are paying ZWL$50.

“The Vice-Chancellor ( Pardon Kuipa) who stays in a three-bedroomed air-conditioned house is paying ZWL$300 per month, including electricity and water. The Vice-Chancellor does the issuance of accommodation, and his close associates get issued ahead of more deserving individuals,” said an insider.

The Insiders concluded that proximity to the Vice-Chancellor or ceding to his demands is a weapon to unlock access to resources. They noted that procedures are applied to perceived enemies and those who deny the Vice-Chancellor, for example, women who refuse to entertain his sexual advances.

“Some staff members reside in University residences and have not paid any cent, nor electricity and water bills and they are protected by the Vice-chancellor. This is sad as the lowest-paid workers have to pay for rented accommodation almost equivalent to their salaries. It has emerged that when there were suggestions to have the rentals reviewed in 2020 through the Finance Committee, the Vice-Chancellor became furious and accused some committee members of insubordination and refused to have the rentals reviewed,” said insider.

“The meeting was adjourned as there was tension in the meeting since the Vice-Chancellor refused an upward review. He wanted to continue paying ZWL$300 in his allocated house, where some of his two lovers fought after a clash. Reliable sources revealed that after the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor wrote to the Chairman of Council and the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, citing that he wanted to set an example with the Finance member, who had tabled a paper on rental review. Disciplinary processes were set on 18 December 2020, which never yielded any results because it was procedural to review rentals.”

Insiders noted that one of the council member who was part of the hearing, was immediately removed from the LSU council unceremoniously as he was viewed as a threat by the Vice-Chancellor.

The insiders said this is after he had challenged the unprofessional behaviour of the Vice-Chancellor and brought the meeting to a halt.

“Some highlighted that this behaviour was not surprising as the Vice-Chancellor refused to have the sale price of his contractual reviewed and paid less than an equivalent of US$200 for an SUV, which the institution bought for over US$85 000. Since 2020 the rentals have not been reviewed in any committee as the issue resulted in the Finance member facing disciplinary for reviewing rentals and the removal of one member for setting the record straight,” said the insider.

“Insiders are concerned that institutional resources are being milked by external people who will leave the institution after the expiry of their contracts and leave the place ruined and desolate. Others noted the construction of sub-standard infrastructure like offices that were constructed from precast material whose costs were astronomical as a ploy to underdeveloped the region.

The insiders said since 2020, the Vice-Chancellor has snubbed recommendations to align rentals with the cost of services for deliberations by the Council. He will then remove all agenda items that expose him. Governance systems have since collapsed, and others lamented that he has no conscience.

“He even refused the audit report that was conducted concerning the nepotism of employing her daughter Florence as the sole candidate to be presented to the Council. Up-to-date, the report was never presented to Council. The University can not follow its own procedures, but corruption and scandals are swept under the carpet, and those who practice it are rewarded. Insiders commented that one staff member who once went into the University’s results system and changed his wife’s marks was promoted and now functions as a pseudo-Pro-Vice-Chancellor,” they said.  

Indications are that it has emerged that the Vice-Chancellor has power over the LSU Council as those that challenge him are removed from Council. Internal sources revealed that another Council member who was an Engineer was also removed from the Council as she demanded that the perpetual sexual harassment at LSU be investigated.

Workers Council has since written to the Chairman of Council requesting to know why senior management was paying rentals in ZWL$ yet staff members are paying rentals in US$ ranging from US$30 to US$50 where there is electricity while those that reside where there is no electricity are paying rentals ranging from US$15 to US$20.

“It’s shocking to note that top management, including the Vice-Chancellor’s Personal Assistant and the Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor who are given a housing allowance, which is a percentage of their basic salary which increases as and when there is a salary review, and they are graded under directly involved and are paying rentals ranging from ZWL$50 bond to ZWL$300,” the insider said.

 Insiders lamented how top management with housing allowances twice or thrice civil servants’ salaries would pay about a dollar per month while the least paid workers pay rentals equivalent to their monthly salaries. Some lamented that rentals that management pays cannot buy a sweet.

They said student accommodation is periodically adjusted while rentals of top management make no economic sense or logic. Others scoffed, saying such amounts cannot buy a loll pop sweet, that is syphoning potential income to the institution.

“This is of great concern to the staff welfare as no one cares about staff welfare. In some meetings with staff, the Vice-Chancellor was quoted saying he did not care where the staff stayed, even on a tree and under the bridge; all he wanted was to see staff at work. This has resulted in low staff morale, and some have questioned his leadership and professionalism,” said the insider.

 “One wonders who will be liable for paying penalties and interest towards rentals when ZIMRA get to know of such happenings at LSU.”

LSU spokesperson Zwelithini Dlamini said he was on the road to Lupane and promised to check with the registrar after the parliamentary portfolio on Higher and Tertiary meeting.

By A Correspondent- Acting President Constantino Chiwenga Sunday accused the police of blocking the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) rallies around the country.

Addressing a rally in Dangamvura, Mutare, to drum up support for ZANU PF candidates in the March 26 by-elections, Chiwenga sought to absolve the government from the bans being imposed on opposition rallies. He said:

The opposition should not blame Zanu PF about the ban of its rallies.

It’s not our problem, anyone is allowed to campaign. Please, deal with the police, and don’t blame anything on the government or Zanu PF because Zanu PF is also applying to the Zimbabwe Republic Police to get clearance for its rallies.

On Saturday, police blocked a CCC rally that was supposed to be held at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera despite High Court judge Justice Lucy Mungwari’s ruling that the rally should go ahead.

This was after police also blocked a CCC rally in Gokwe.

Acting President Constantino Chiwenga yesterday accused the police of blocking the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) rallies around the country.

Addressing a rally in Dangamvura, Mutare, to drum up support for Zanu-PF candidates in the March 26 by-elections, Chiwenga sought to absolve the government from the bans being imposed on opposition rallies.

“The opposition should not blame Zanu-PF about the ban of its rallies,” Chiwenga said.

“It’s not our problem, anyone is allowed to campaign. Please, deal with the police, and don’t blame anything on the government or Zanu-PF because Zanu-PF is also applying to the Zimbabwe Republic Police to get clearance for its rallies.”

On Friday, police did not sanction a CCC rally which was supposed to be held at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera on Saturday. This was despite that High Court judge Justice Lucy Mungwari’s ruling that the rally should go ahead as long as the CCC addressed the internal remedies that the police had cited.

On Saturday morning, police barricaded Rudhaka and turned away thousands of CCC supporters coming for the event. Heavily armed riot police formed a human wall at the stadium, blocking all entrances.

A CCC rally in Binga, which is scheduled for tomorrow, is in limbo after police did not approve it, saying that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was due to visit Hwange on March 17, and they would not have enough manpower to handle the rally.

In February, police barred CCC from using buses and lorries to transport its supporters to rallies, despite Zanu-PF bussing in its supporters to such events.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi curtly said:  “Currently, I have not been briefed about the issue by the Officer Commanding Manicaland province. I am driving on the highway and I would want to be briefed first on the situation in Manicaland before I comment.”

Meanwhile, in his address to Zanu-PF supporters, Chiwenga aasured them that no one will die of hunger because of the drought.

“We have realised that most crops are wilting and, as government, we are going to make sure that no one suffers from hunger. We have started preparations so that we address those challenges,” he said.

“The government led by Zanu-PF has done enough to win by-elections by carrying out various projects, including road rehabilitation,” he said.

Zimbabwe goes to polls on March 26 in by-elections necessitated by recalls, deaths or diplomatic postings.

Tinashe Sambiri|Addressing thousands of Citizens’ Coalition For Change supporters in Marondera on Saturday, President Chamisa condemned the abuse of the police force by the Zanu PF regime.

President Chamisa urged CCC supporters to remain calm as the struggle for freedom continues.

Said President Chamisa: “We know that there are people behind the police. Police officers are doing their job – we have nothing against them.

We are the next government and we will not effect changes in the police and the army.”

President Chamisa’s rally was blocked by police details.

Watch video below:

Responding to revelations that the MDC T party has dumped rally-hirelings who are now stranded on Sunday night, Senator Morgen Komichi told ZimEye, “Inhema dzega dzega (these are all lies) brother.” But a hungry Gweru Driver stuck at Harvest House who brought 21 people tells Stanley Gama in the below footage: “we were promised the money is at Harvest House but up to now no one has come to attend to us.”

Tinashe Sambiri|Addressing thousands of Citizens’ Coalition For Change supporters in Marondera on Saturday, President Chamisa condemned the abuse of the police force by the Zanu PF regime.

President Chamisa urged CCC supporters to remain calm as the struggle for freedom continues.

Said President Chamisa: “We know that there are people behind the police. Police officers are doing their job – we have nothing against them.

We are the next government and we will not effect changes in the police and the army.”

President Chamisa’s rally was blocked by police details.

Watch video below:

Tinashe Sambiri|Addressing thousands of Citizens’ Coalition For Change supporters in Marondera on Saturday, President Chamisa condemned the abuse of the police force by the Zanu PF regime.

President Chamisa urged CCC supporters to remain calm as the struggle for freedom continues.

Said President Chamisa: “We know that there are people behind the police. Police officers are doing their job – we have nothing against them.

We are the next government and we will not effect changes in the police and the army.”

President Chamisa’s rally was blocked by police details.

Watch video below:

ZRP cops in Masvingo, taking instructions from Zanu PF officials, arrested 13 Citizens’ Coalition For Change members in Masvingo on Sunday.

The CCC members were arrested while conducting a campaign programme in ward 3 and ward 4, Masvingo Urban Constituency.

They were arrested for “criminal nuisance”

“13 Citizens’ Coalition for Change supporters have been arrested by armed riot police in ward 3 Masvingo Urban.

Their offence is that they are doing door- to -door campaigns.

Police have also impounded CCC supporters’ cars,” a CCC official said.

Zanu PF and MDC T are carrying out their campaigns without police disruption.

Former Harare mayor and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) council candidate for Glen Norah, Herbert Gomba, has reportedly gone missing.

According to journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, a group of men went to his home looking for him and two of the man told his security team that they were from the Criminal Investigations Department. Chin’ono tweeted:

The former mayor of Harare and @CCCZimbabwe council candidate for Glen Norah, Herbert Gomba, has gone missing after a group of men went to his home and his parents’ residence looking for him.

Two of the men identified themselves as CID detectives to the mayor’s security team.

CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said Gomba was seized from his home on Saturday afternoon by unknown men who used three plateless white Isuzu vehicles. She said:

Former Harare Mayor, Herbert Gomba has gone missing. Unknown men stormed his home in Glen Norah C at around 14:30hrs. They used 3 unregistered white Isuzu vehicles. His whereabouts are unknown.

CCC Harare province also confirmed the development, saying Gomba’s whereabouts remain unknown. It said in a post on Twitter:

Former mayor of the City of Harare and CCC candidate for the Glen Norah Ward 27 by-election Herbert Gomba is missing after he was abducted by suspected state security agents in Glen Norah in Harare this afternoon. His whereabouts are unknown.

Gomba, and three City of Harare council officials are facing corruption charges and will be in court on 14 March for trial.

Gomba, suspended town clerk Hosea Chisango, finance director Stanley Ndemera and Charles Kandemiri, face criminal abuse of office charges for allegedly illegally selling a Golf Course in Mt Pleasant.

Pindula News

By A Correspondent- Khiama boys boss Nicholas Zacharia said youths must fear God because God is supreme.

Speaking on the sidelines of Mzansi bar show in Mvurwi yesterday the soft spokesperson Sungura musician said he was turning 66 years on April 9 and he is growing old through God’s grace.

“Youths should fear God because God is supreme, for them to grow old like me, l will be turnung 66 on April 9 and on that same date l will be launching my five track album titled usabvunde,” said Madzibaba Nicholas Zacharia.

Mzansi bar owner Prince Chipenda said he was grateful to host Madzibaba Nicholas Zacharia for the first time.

“As Mzansi we feel very hournered to host the senior lecturer, he started music when l was a toddler and that should be respected, l will continue supporting him,” Chipenda said.

A lot of fans gave Madzibaba Nicholas Zacharia money on stage chief among them Mvurwi businessman Max Mulembaz who wept on stage and gave Madzibaba US$50.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) has raised concern over the mushrooming of bogus institutions and agencies offering fake nurse aide and first aid certificates.

Lately, there has been a proliferation of agencies and institutions in the country purporting to offer nurse aide and first aid training due to the high demand of trained healthcare workers in Europe, Australia and the United States.

ZRCS is among a handful of organisations that have been offering internationally-recognised nurse aid and first aid certificates.

The organisation’s secretary general Elias Hwenga said there was need to tighten the noose on institutions and agencies that offer bogus nurse aide and first aid qualifications.

Hwenga said this while receiving a donation of 500 first aid kits from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Thursday.

“Lately, we have witnessed an increase in the number of bogus agencies offering nurse aide or first aid training in the country,” Hwenga said.

“We want to warn those who are doing so that the law will soon catch up with them and will be brought to book.”

He said there were so many organisations purporting to be working with the ZRCS in the training of nurse aides.

“As an organisation we are looking into the matter and we are doing investigations to get to the bottom of the story with regards to these bogus agencies,” Hwenga said.

He said the donated first aid kits take the Red Cross back to its ethos of alleviating human suffering.

ICRC head of delegation for South Africa Mamadou Sow said his organisation will continue supporting the ZRCS in various ways.

“The first aid kits are meant to respond to emergencies and going forward, ICRC will keep on supporting the national society,” he said.

Sow said he was impressed by the work being done by volunteers, whom he described as the “mainstay of the Red Cross movement”.-standard

By A Correspondent- A robbery suspect recently denied 21 counts of robbery when he appeared in court last week claiming the victims gave false evidence about him.

Handsome Ncube who has been in custody since May 2021 in connection to 21 robbery cases appeared before Bulawayo Regional magistrate Elisha Singano.

Prosecutor Patience Sibanda told the court that Ncube together with Joshua Honest Maseko and Innocent Ncube were driving along Intemba road Hyde Park in Pumula North, Bulawayo offering lifts to residents with the intention to rob them of their property.

The trio was in the company of their accomplice Sonnyboy Sibanda who is still at large.

It is the state case that after they offered the lifts to various people, they would produce Okapi knives before robbing them of their property and money.

Indications were that they continued to do the same to other passengers until they committed 21 counts of robbery and the reports made to the police led to their arrest.

By A Correspondent- Former Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) chairperson Phillip Bvumbe has warned that consumers will continue to be affected by price increases due to hikes in fuel prices triggered by conflict between Russia and Ukraine. 

Experts expect the decline in fuel output to continue until the war in Eastern Europe ends.

However, as reported by the central bank last month, the average income is below $50 000 per month.

Experts say apart from high rates of unemployment, even those formally employed continue to earn below the poverty line. Bvumbe told Standardbusiness:

If you look at the CCZ breadbasket for the end of January it stands $75 000, up from December 2021 which was $72 000.

Now, when you look at the majority of minimum wages, they are below $50 000 and yet the family basket now stands at $75 000. So, that nature would incline that most of these people are living below the consumer council basket, which means they cannot afford to access basic commodities, which are in the basket for a family of six.

The problem worsened when the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority last week raised the price of fuel per litre by 10% to US$1.67 and US$1.68 for petrol and diesel, respectively, within one week.

Bvumbe said workers in the top-notch sectors including the banking sector were also earning below the PDL (poverty datum line).

His remarks echoed reports first made by ZIMSTAT which in a recent report found that 80% of the employed persons from both formal and informal sectors were earning a monthly income of $20 000 in October 2021, against a cost of living of $42 708, for a family of six.-standard

By A Correspondent- ZAPU has rejected an offer by Nelson Chamisa, leader of opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) to join the newly-formed political outfit in a bid to dislodge the ruling ZANU PF from power.

ZANU PF which has been in power since 1980 when Zimbabwe got independence from Britain is accused of running down the Southern African country.

Addressing his supporters at White City Stadium in Bulawayo last weekend, Chamisa said his party was open for coalitions with any political outfit with the objective of removing the ruling party.

He specifically mentioned ZAPU.

ZAPU however, turned down the offer saying it believes the 2018 coalition with the MDC Alliance did not yield anything for the party. Mthulisi Hanana, the ZAPU secretary-general, said:

We are not joining Chamisa.

We never said we are joining CCC.

In the party we first get consciousness with grassroots before we take such decisions.

We have never done that and Chamisa has not approached us.

So we have not made any commitment with CCC and Chamisa cannot invite us at a rally.

This has caused a rift between the leadership and grassroots.

Remember in 2018 we had an alliance with Chamisa, but Zapu got nothing out of it.

In as much as we accept that Zapu cannot be as big as CCC at the moment, we want to occupy our democratic space and we are still gaining support.

We stand for an alternative voice in the country.

ZAPU spokesperson Msongelwa Ndlovu said Chamisa’s call is a confirmation that the work being undertaken by ZAPU after the elective congress which ushered in the leadership of Sibangilizwe Nkomo is bearing fruit. Nkomo is the son of the late former Vice President Joshua Nkomo.

Ndlovu reiterated that any forms of cooperation and unity of Zimbabweans against the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa is welcome and must be encouraged by all well-meaning countrymen.

By A Correspondent- Boreholes being sunk under the Presidential Borehole Scheme spearhead by Prevail International in partnership with the ruling ZANU PF party are expected to address perennial water challenges in Chitungwiza.

Residents of St Mary’s in Chitungwiza have been recycling and reusing water from dishwashing and laundry for a prolonged period of time. 

Beatrice Shenje, a young mother in St Mary’s suburb said the absence of running water exposed them to unhealthy living conditions. She said:

We don’t even have a tap here because running water is not available, so we fetch water a distance away and store it in buckets.

Mr Paul Tungwarara, Prevail International CEO, said solar-powered boreholes are being sunk under the Presidential Scheme to restore the provision of safe tap water in the suburb. He said:

The programme is progressing well so far we have sunk 15 holes and they should be 20 by Tuesday. From then, we expect to have tanked and solarised. From St Mary’s we are moving to Harare East and expect to sink 60.

ZANU PF St Mary’s aspiring Legislator Nobert Jinjika said his constituency has never seen tap water therefore borehole water is a relief.

He said they will finish installing the boreholes and President Emmerson Mnangagwa will launch them all at once. 

ZBC News reports that fifteen boreholes have been sunk during the past week in St Mary’s, with the programme targeting to complete 40 in Chitungwiza.

Most urban areas have struggled to access portable water regularly with local authorities citing the inadequacy of resources as the main challenge.

DON’T bother me with petty issues.”

This is the message of defiance from Prophet Passion Java in the wake of a petition by a Zimbabwean political activist to try and get him deported from the United States.

The flamboyant prophet, through his spokesperson Boss Lashan, said there was very little on the case to worry him.

Godfrey Kurauone, a political activist, has been leading the campaign with an online petition.

This is a petty issue that we would not want to dwell on. I would rather not comment about it,” said

Businessman Wicknell Chivayo was also reported to have signed the petition.

However, statements on social media, which have been widely distributed, appear to suggest Chivayo has distanced himself from the plot.

“The US will never deport a millionaire because random people signed a petition, I am a strong ZANU PF supporter and I side with all ED loyalists,” Chivayo is said to have clarified.

The petition, which was raised by Kurauone, has received mixed reactions on social media.

Wrote Faith Simango: I would like to name and shame TV Sales & Home in junction with @Unifur.We bought a leather sofa begining of december from TV sales Market Square branch.Exactly one week later we reported the sofa was peeling off .

It was collected and returned after a week with nothing improved .

They claimed we used a chemical that tarnished the leather but suprisingly its just one side of the 2 seater.

As if that was not enough they received 3 more complains of the same nature.Yet nothing has been cone to date ,(4 months later).

With the economic conditions in Zimbabwe u dont want to be dissapointed after parting with thousands of US dollars.@TV sales you are slowly loosing it .

Value for money yacho iripi.Is a customer not a king anymore in your context.# dissapointed customer.

Wrote Al Charangwa Mutangabende: Sofas from TV sales @ home are rubbish. I bought a “ very nice set” from them in mid 2018 and by end of 2019 they were already rubbish, they changed color from black to grey-brown. And mind you they were hardly used because I was staying alone and hardly hosted people.Utter rubbish!!

Said Precious Hamadziripi: TV Sales must be boycotted.My sister was paying for a fridge and when she finished the installments she was told that the fridge was no longer available in stock and the only option was to take a smaller one.

Posted Carol DuPlessis: I bought a suite from them and one day, about four months later when I sat on the two seater the whole backrest fell off!! They collected it a few days later and fixed it and returned it. It’s is however quite poor quality considering the cost….

Said GaynorZie Nyathi: Tv sales buys their furniture from.the guys outside or.thise.that have furniture shops ,for instance kuma “light industries” ,when they buy from them they then resell at exorbitant prices,,they then decorate the same tables with flowers and price tags and then you think you buying quality made stuff,,,SMH!!

Complained Rumbie Chiunda: Encountered the same problem, went to complain and was told exactly the same excuse. This is a clear rip off chaiyo.Its not the same TV sales yataiziva kare.

By A Correspondent- Mrs Fikile Patricia Faith Masunda, wife of former Harare Mayor Mr Muchadeyi Ashton Masunda, has died.

This was revealed by the City of Harare Sunday in a notice.

We publish below the notice by the city fathers:

Mrs Fikile Patricia Faith Masunda, wife of former Harare Mayor Mr Muchadeyi Ashton Masunda, has passed on.

She died at Milton Park Medical Centre.

Arrangements are underway for her burial on Tuesday, 15 March, at Warren Hills Cemetery.

MHSRIEP

By A Correspondent- Prominent preacher and director of Isaiah 61 Ministries International Church, Elizabeth Mabhugu Chademana died as she was praying at Mangwandi Hills on the outskirts of Masvingo at 12pm yesterday.

She was 62.

She was at the mountain with a Kenyan woman, Maureen Oboge, her spiritual daughter when she died. Oboge told The Mirror that Chademana died peacefully.

“She asked me to open the Bible and read her Psalms 124. As I opened the Bible ready to read, I realised that she was now sleeping on her back. I tried to wake her up but failed and I called people back home.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s special envoy to Europe and the Americas Uebert Angel Snr has two identity documents while his British passport has a different date of birth raising serious questions about his integrity.

Mnangagwa last year appointed Angel Snr, aka Uebert Mudzanire, to the new position of special envoy to the president and ambassador at large to the Americas and Europe “to promote investment for the country.”

An investigation by The Standard established that the man of the cloth has two different Zimbabwe national identity cards.

His first ID, with registration number 83-099297X83, was issued at the Zaka registry offices in Masvingo in 1996 while the second one, with the registration number 29-195587H83, was obtained in Gweru in the Midlands a year later.

The two identity documents show that Angel Snr was born on September 6, 1978, but the ID numbers are different.

1). A check at the registry showed that Angel Snr has more than one national identity registration.

2). He used the 1997 ID to secure a passport in Zimbabwe, passport no ZE 306043.

3). His British passport, number 464932598 issued on November 6, 2009, showed that he was born on March 4, 1972.

4). On March 9, 2021, Angel Snr appeared before a Harare lawyer, Tichavona Mutebere, where he made an application to change his name from Uebert Mudzanire to Uebert Angel Snr claiming he was born on September 6, 1978, a birth date inconsistent with his British one but consistent with his two Zimbabwean national IDs.

5). Angel Snr has a biological brother, Samson Mudzanire, ID number 83-066977R83, who was born on April 14, 1972, which means that if he sticks to the 1972 date, then his mother, Rose Mudzanire, gave birth to two sons in 1972 within 40 days of each other.

There are also questions around Angel Snr’s academic qualifications with evidence suggesting that some of his degrees are fake.

The United States Department of Justice through Operation Gold Seal flagged Angel Snr’s Bachelor of Business Administration degree obtained from Saint Regis University as fake.

Angel Snr denies buying a fake online business degree with a “diploma-mill scheme” that was eventually shut down by the US.

By A Correspondent- A 19-year old s_x starved Shamva man has been arrested after he was caught ra_ping a goat in a maize field.

The matter came to light at Bindura magistrates courts on Friday where Kelvin Bhobho was convicted of bestality by magistrate Samantha Dhlamini.

He was sentenced to four months in jail which were converted to four months of community service.

Prosecutors said on March 6 Aida Tauzeni heard the bleating of her goat in her maize field and rushed to check what was happening.

To her surprise she found Bhobho ra_ping her goat and quizzed on his actions he said he was __x starved.

A police report was filed leading to his arrest

By A Correspondent- A Form one pupil at Parkinson Secondary School has appeared at Shurugwi Magistrates Court facing assault charges after he allegedly stabbed a primary school pupil thrice with a knife over snooker.

The pupil who cannot be named because of age appeared before Magistrate Sithabile Zungula on March 1, 2022.

Prosecutor Tafadzwa Guzete said on January 28, 2022 at 1pm at Railway Block Shops the complainant who goes to Railway Block Primary was playing snooker with friends. The accused approached him and asked to play one game but did not have a token.

Complainant told the accused to buy a token and this did not go well with the accused that went home and brought back a knife. He stabbed the complainant thrice in the back and the latter was admitted at Shurugwi District Hospital.

Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is now a threat to rural communities, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

The Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader made the remarks during his Agenda 2022 address on Thursday.

The clueless regime is running ineffective currency cycles, according to President Chamisa.

Below is part of the CCC leader’s speech:

Gvt is running a “currency cycles”, hip hopping from ZW to USD
Savings, pensions & cash flows have been eroded
Education Institutions only producing additions to the battalion of the unemployed
The “Zim dream” is now to leave the country.

Gvt now a threat to rural communities, displacing citizens from their ancestral land (eg Dinde, Chiredzi, Mutoko, Uzumba) to the benefit of the politically connected, emptying the liberation essence

Gvt has perfected the “blame game”
Zim is loosing over US $1.8 billion annually, to elicit financial flows

Human rights situation continues to worsen- no perpetrator has ever been held to account and government hasn’t offered leadership.

Every citizen has the capacity to change. Let’s change our situation and form a Citizens Govt.

Allow the seed of change to germinate and grow in you- a commitment to make our country a better place

The 24 of Jan was a special day- now its Yellow everywhere .

Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is now a threat to rural communities, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

The Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader made the remarks during his Agenda 2022 address on Thursday.

The clueless regime is running ineffective currency cycles, according to President Chamisa.

Below is part of the CCC leader’s speech:

Gvt is running a “currency cycles”, hip hopping from ZW to USD
Savings, pensions & cash flows have been eroded
Education Institutions only producing additions to the battalion of the unemployed
The “Zim dream” is now to leave the country.

Gvt now a threat to rural communities, displacing citizens from their ancestral land (eg Dinde, Chiredzi, Mutoko, Uzumba) to the benefit of the politically connected, emptying the liberation essence

Gvt has perfected the “blame game”
Zim is loosing over US $1.8 billion annually, to elicit financial flows

Human rights situation continues to worsen- no perpetrators has ever been held to account and government hasn’t offered leadership.

Every citizen has the capacity to change. Let’s change our situation and form a Citizens Govt.

Allow the seed of change to germinate and grow in you- a commitment to make our country a better place

The 24 of Jan was a special day- now its Yellow everywhere .

Tinashe Sambiri|Suspected State security agents attacked Citizens’ Coalition For Change spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi Mahere as she was driving home from church on Friday night.

In a statement, CCC said the assailants took Advocate Mahere’s particulars.

“Our Spokesperson
@advocatemahere
has been attacked this evening by yet to be identified criminals & lost all her particulars.

This happened as she was coming from church.

Thuggish, brutal, violent behaviour, theft & damage to property have no place in the new Zimbabwe,” CCC said in a statement.

Mahere commented :
“Thankful to God for his protection – I know it could have been worse. I appreciate all your messages and calls of concern. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. Aluta.”

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens Citizens Coalition For Change member Munyaradzi Makwanya was brutally assaulted by known Zanu PF hooligans in Highfield, Harare.

Members of President Nelson Chamisa’s Citizens’ Coalition For Change were conducting a door to door campaign programme in Highfield when they were attacked by Zanu PF thugs.

Makwanya narrates how he was bashed by the Zanu PF hooligans …

By A Correspondent- Zaka Central Member of Parliament Davison Svuure left villagers shocked after he blocked food aid donations sourced by ward 13 councilor Manfred Mada meant to benefit villagers, claiming that he was the only one with the right to source such donations, a move some said is a bid to consolidate his position as the front runner for the 2023 harmonized elections.

Mada said Svuure went further to write a letter to the District Development Coordinator (DDC) Memory Dhliwayo dated February 22, 2022 instructing him to stop the donations.

“I however have reservations over the activities of one Tzuchi Foundation, an affiliate of Miriro Trust for which I apparently happen to be a Founding Board Member. I noted with concern as I have observed this organization being hijacked by Mr Manfred Mada, its local representative, and transformed into a campaign vehicle in pursuit of his political aspirations.

“Mr Mada happens to be the councilor for ward 13 in Zaka Central Constituency, a known political activist and an aspiring candidate for the forthcoming House of Assembly elections. Mr Mada coordinates the activities of Miriro Trust/Tzuchi Foundation and he has literally transformed this organization into a vehicle for his political expediency,” read part of the letter by Svuure.

The letter went on to stipulate that volunteers are being used as campaigners in different wards.

“I have seen the sprouting up of unsanctioned programmes across the constituency which initially started in wards 13 and 15 but now spreading to ward 19 and others. I have also noticed an establishment of campaign agents disguised as volunteers who have been set up in the above mentioned wards. Their real purpose has remained a guarded secret but they masquerade as community workers. This group of so called volunteers ironically now brooding discontent because of these recruits are of an antagonistic, vindictive and disloyal personality who are undoubtedly poised for a confrontation and have lately been causing problems especially on input distribution programmes, which have been characterized by looting, especially in ward 19,” the letter read.

However contacted for comment Davison Svuure said he had no comment over the issue.

“I have no comment on that. Besides, l have a way of addressing that and other issues that pertain people that vote for me like you say and I do not believe doing that through the press is the best,” said Svuure.

Mada said that Svuure was frustrated as villagers claimed that he has done nothing towards development of the constituency since he was elected MP.

“I have a donor named TzuChi Foundation from Taiwan, an organization which has a well signed MOU with the government that was giving the villagers rice and other things, so this frustrates MP Svuure as the villagers are complaining that he has done nothing towards development of the constituency as compared to me. This led him to write a letter to DDC blocking people from receiving food aid. When l tried to talk to the DDC she said she will not get involved because its politics,” said Mada.

Efforts to get a comment from Dhliwayo were fruitless until the time of publishing.

It is said that Mada is eying Zaka Central constituency come 2023 hence the clashes with Svuure.

This is not the first time the two have clashed as they once clashed in 2021 when councillors demanded accountability from Svuure for the 2020 Constituency Development Fund (CDF). It is reported that Svuure accused Mada of having no knowledge on how CDF works.- TellZim

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday read the riot act against foreign diplomats, accusing them of meddling in the country’s internal affairs and fuelling political tension ahead of next year’s general elections.

Addressing over 50 diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe during a virtual New Year reception for heads of diplomatic missions and international organisations, Mnangagwa said diplomats must stay in their lane and focus on issues that foster unity.

“As we begin yet another year in our relations, I challenge you, the diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe, to look through the lenses of possibilities and focus on those matters which unite us, as opposed to our areas of differences. It is most unfortunate, however, that as Zimbabwe prepares for the 2023 harmonised elections, some forces are already seeking to influence the national discourse and destabilise the peace and stability we are enjoying as a country,” Mnangagwa said without naming the alleged meddling diplomats.

He added: “Sadly, this is not new to us and is part of the decades-old regime change agenda. Those of you who may be inclined to perpetuating this blatant interference in the internal affairs of our country are urged to introspect and stop this unbecoming practice. Let the people of Zimbabwe enjoy their unfettered right to choose their leadership. It is our democratic rights, a right which we fought for, and a right which we will protect, respect and uphold to the letter.”

The Zanu-PF government has on several occasions accused Western powers, particularly the United States and Britain of funding opposition parties to pursue a regime change agenda.

Government has also threatened to deregister several non-governmental organisations and civic society organisations which it claims were being funded by the West to work with the opposition to destabilise the country.

Relations between Zimbabwe and the US have been frosty since Washington imposed sanctions on Harare in 2001 under the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act over gross human rights abuses and electoral theft.

Last month, the US and the European Union extended sanctions on Harare, saying the southern African country’s human rights situation had not changed.

The US also accused Mnangagwa of cracking down on human rights defenders and introducing more oppressive laws to stifle dissent.

On Wednesday, the UK Parliament urged Mnangagwa to end political violence ahead of the March 26 by-elections after an opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporter was killed by suspected Zanu-PF activists at a rally in Kwekwe on February 27.

In his address to diplomats, Mnangagwa said his government was now pinning hope for the lifting of the sanctions on a report to be submitted by United Nations special rapporteur Alena Douhan, which claims that the restrictive measures are hurting ordinary people.

“It is my government’s expectation that the independent, evidence- based report being compiled for submission to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2022 by the special rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights will trigger a rethink among those that are maintaining these punitive illegal sanctions against us,”  he said.

“Recently, Zimbabwe presented its reports to the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) working group for the third time. The feedback we receive from these periodic review sessions is invaluable and will undoubtedly enrich our quest to entrench a more democratic culture and realise an equitable society for the good of our people,” Mnangagwa said.

Local opposition parties have dismissed Douhan’s findings, saying they were pre-determined and biased.

By A Correspondent- Members of Parliament have called for 60-year mandatory sentences for rapists saying the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) Chapter 9:23 does not prescribe deterrent sentences.

This came out in a report tabled in the National Assembly on Thursday by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women Affairs, Community and Small-to-Medium Enterprises Development.

The committee recommended that rape of children and people with disabilities should attract life imprisonment.

“Raping or sodomising, especially children and persons living with disabilities, in particular where the rapist is aware that he is HIV positive should attract life imprisonment, while 60 years would be the minimum sentence for any convicted case of rape,” said committee chairperson Chido Madiwa (Zanu-PF).

The Ministry of Finance should urgently strengthen the ZRP and the whole criminal justice system, through adequate provisions of financial resources, manpower and transport facilities, in order to improve the process of receiving, investigations, and prosecution, convictions and sentencing of rape cases by end of June 2022.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs must improve the victim friendly system in the country as well as decentralise it to all provinces.

“In addition, the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs should introduce trials of rape cases in camera to protect the victims from stigma and humiliation as well as increase special jurisdiction for regional magistrates in respect of all sexual offences to address the challenge of backlogs of rape and other sexual offences cases,” Madiwa said.

“The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) Chapter 9:23 should be amended to ensure that it involves the victims in the sentencing process by making use of a victim impact statement in considering sentences as this would inform courts on the extent of harm suffered for purposes of imposing an appropriate sentence, in particular compensation of the victim.

“The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and SMEs Development in conjunction with Ministry of Home Affairs should intensify community engagement to disseminate on how to handle rape and issues of sexual violence, as well as help with change of attitude towards reporting of all rape cases.”-newsday

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has expressed gratitude for the messages of support she received after she was mugged on Friday night, saying “it could have been worse”.

Mahere was returning from a church meeting in Mount Pleasant at around 8.30 PM when an unknown assailant emerged from the dark and smashed her vehicle’s window and grabbed her bag.

The 36-year-old lawyer’s Jaguar SUV was between two vehicles at a traffic light-controlled intersection when her attacker appeared suddenly and smashed in the front left window.

The bag that was seized was on the seat and according to CCC, Mahere “lost all her particulars” including phones. In a tweet on Saturday morning, Mahere said:

Thankful to God for his protection – I know it could have been worse. I appreciate all your messages and calls of concern. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. Aluta!

By A Correspondent- A 24 year old domestic worker from Chitungwiza has been arrested on allegations of sexually abusing her employer’s 13-year-old son.

It is alleged that the accused offered the minor two United States dollars to persuade him to be intimate with her. The minor turned down the offer and the accused allegedly forced herself on him.

The minor revealed the matter to his mother who made a police report leading to the suspect’s arrest. Harare provincial police spokesperson,

Chief Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident. ‘

’We are investigating a case of aggravated indecent assault that happened in Chitungwiza and the suspect is now in police custody,” said Chief Inspector Mwanza.

According to police, the suspect was sleeping in the same room with the victim and offered to pay the suspect a US$2 bribe so they could become intimate but the boy turned down the offer.

“She offered him US$2-00 in cash for him to have sexual intercourse with her but he turned down the offer. T

he accused then forcibly removed the victim pant, and sexually abused the minor,” Chief Inspector Mwanza said. Chief Inspector Mwanza said guardians should always keep an eye on their children and not expose them to situations where they can be abused.

Continue reading at https://ztn.co.zw/maid-rapes-employers-son-offers-us2-bribe/ | ZTN

By A Correspondent- A Harare woman has been hauled to court facing attempted murder charges.

The court heard that on March 3 Melody Changa stabbed her husband with a kitchen knife.

She argued that her husband had impolitely told her to get their daughter ready for school. Changa is alleged to have picked up a kitchen knife and cut her husband once on the left side of his head and ear.

Harare Magistrate Yeukai Dzuda remanded Changa in custody and advised her to approach the High Court for bail.

By A Correspondent- Two men from Harare appeared in court today (Friday) facing charges of hacking into the converged billing system of one of the country’s mobile network providers.

The duo, Owen Maleta and Kuzivakwashe Nyamuchengwa aged 23 and 24 respectively reportedly moved data bundles and airtime worth nearly 2 million Zimbabwe dollars into their cellphones.

This happened between January and February this year. They were arrested on Tuesday and were found in possession of iPhones which were tracked to be the primary receivers of the proceeds of crime.

Maleta was denied bail as he once committed a similar offence and was sentenced to restitution and community service. He already has another pending case against the same complainant.

Harare Magistrate Yeukai Dzuda remanded the duo in custody to the 7th of March for bail application.

By-One person died while 40 others experienced severe stomach pains following suspected food poisoning at a funeral in Nyazura last week.

The deceased, William Mubvumbi, was among 50 villagers who were digging a grave for the late Emas Chiwanza.

They were served sadza and beef stew which had been stored in some plastic containers.

The food had been prepared in Odzi about 42km away from where Chiwanza was initially supposed to be buried.

It is believed that keeping the food in plastic containers for a long time may have resulted in the poisoning.

Acting Makoni District Medical Officer, Dr Hospea Maringe also confirmed the poisoning incident and Mubvumbi’s death. Said Maringe:

We attended to the body of William Mubvumbi who died on his way to Rusape General Hospital.

We collected samples which we will forward to pathologists who will determine the type of poison that claimed his life.

Food poison is broad and the specialists will determine whether it was chemical, bacterial or something else.

The other 12 affected people who came on Saturday were treated and discharged on Sunday. They were all stable.

Mubvumbi’s uncle, Bonus Chadereka, narrated to The Manica Post the events leading to his nephew’s death. He said:

Last Saturday morning, Mr Mubvumbi left for the Chiwanza funeral. He was among the grave diggers which comprised fellow community members and some Chiwanza relatives. They were served some food and he later started complaining of a stomach ache.

He came back home and did not sleep well due to stomach pains. His condition deteriorated last Sunday morning as he was no longer speaking.

We hired a vehicle to ferry him to Rusape General Hospital, but unfortunately, he died on the way.

We inquired what had really transpired and we learnt that more members of the community were complaining of stomach aches, vomiting and diarrhoea.

The villagers told us that they started experiencing this after eating food at the gravesite.

About 40 people needed urgent attention, 12 were rushed to Rusape General Hospital and the rest were treated at Nyazura Clinic.

Post mortem was done on Mr Mubvumbi and the doctor confirmed the cause of death as food poisoning. He was buried in Manica Bridge, Muchinguri Village.

The Chiwanza family spokesperson, Collin Chiwanza, suspect that the plastic containers may have contaminated the food. He said:

Food was prepared for the gravediggers, unfortunately, the beef stew was put in a plastic bucket and sealed to avoid spilling it on its way to Nyazura.

From what we have learnt, the food was not supposed to be in a plastic container, and delays in serving it rendered it poisonous. More than 50 people, including Emas’ son, consumed the food.

In fact, the person who was serving the food is among those affected. We mourn with the Mubvumbi family over the loss of their relative.

More: The Manica Post

By- Kenya’s Ministry of Health has lifted the mandatory wearing of masks that was imposed on 3 April 2020 at the height of COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations in the country.

Announcing the development on Friday, Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe, said Kenyans should, however, maintain social distancing to ensure the risk of spreading the coronavirus is limited. 

Said Kagwe:

All Kenyans to continue to adhere to social measures, ensure frequent hand washing, sanitising and exercise personal responsibility.

There has been a lot of debate on facemasks. Wearing of facemasks in open places is now lifted.

Kagwe called on his compatriots to continue observing other ministry of health protocols when in public spaces. He said:

If you are going to eat in a meat joint, the standards must be high. The sanitation, washing of hands must be top-notch.

You must also respect the people eating in your joint. You must respect your customers and make sure the restaurant is clean. There will be penalties if that does not happen.

Kenya has recorded 323 140 cases of COVID-19 and 5 644 deaths but vaccination rates remain low.

Only 28.5 per cent of the adult population was fully vaccinated as of March 10, 2022.

More: The Star

By-Journalist-cum-social rights activist Itai Dzamara was allegedly kidnapped by suspected state security agents on the 9th of March in 2015, his whereabouts are not known since then.

There have been calls from human rights defenders and the international community on the government to make sure that Dzamara is safely brought back since it is its sole responsibility to protect every Zimbabwean citizen.
In a message to mark the 7th anniversary since Dzamara disappeared, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said the government must ensure that assailants who kidnapped the journalist are brought to justice. They said:
Today marks the 7th anniversary of the disappearance of Itai Dzamara. We call on government to mobilise the full extent of its resources to investigate the circumstances surrounding Dzamara’s abduction and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Dzamara’s family and the generality of Zimbabweans deserve answers on where he is, what happened on 9 March 2015 and who is responsible for his disappearance. We remind government of its constitutional obligations to safeguard the right to life and personal liberty, the right to participate in peaceful political activities, the right to demonstrate and petition peacefully and the citizens’ right to express themselves freely and without repercussion.
Dzamara was a staunch government critic.

By- MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora, on Wednesday aborted his Chinhoyi planned rally over poor attendance.

Mwonzora then accused Zanu PF and CCC of planning to unleash violence against his supporters at the aborted rally Chinhoyi.

Mwonzora was speaking to journalists after MDC-T supporters, numbering less than 30, turned out for his rally ahead of the 26 March by-elections.

The supporters were told to go home around 3 pm by aspiring Chegutu West legislator, Gift Konjana following a brief address in an almost empty Chinhoyi Hall in Gadzema township.

Mwonzora and MDC Alliance candidates in the 26 March by-elections later held a meeting at former Chinhoyi deputy mayor and aspiring Ward 3 councillor, Willie Nyambe’s house.

The MDC-T leader downplayed the low attendance at the rally and told reporters that the meeting at the Chinhoyi Hall was in preparation for a star rally scheduled for Sunday at Zimbabwe Grounds in Harare. Said Mwonzora:

We couldn’t hold our public meeting due to security issues as ZANU PF and CCC members were milling around the venue.

We don’t want to be drawn into violence, blood, name-calling and hate politics, so we have had to cancel the meeting. We didn’t want our members victimised.

I want to publicly appeal to our political opponents to desist from provoking MDC. We are urging people to campaign peacefully.

Our strategy in these by-elections is to know the real voters, and we are not interested in crowds.

More: New Zimbabwe

By-Zanu PF supporters brought business to a standstill in Marondera as they moved in a car rally, with the ZRP seemingly unbothered.

This happened after ZRP Friday barred CCC from hosting a rally in the same city.

The police informed CCC representative in Marondera, Caston Matewu, that the rally cannot go ahead, saying the opposition part’s notification to hold the rally “does not fully comply with the requirements of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act Chapter 11:23.”

CCC had planned to stage its rally today at Rudhaka Open Grounds.

By- A spirit medium died after he was stung by a swarm of bees at a shrine in Tsholotsho last week.

Milton Tshuma (80) of Mpucuko Village, Tshayile Line under Chief Matupula, and rain-makers, known as ihosana, gathered at the shrine to perform rainmaking rituals (umtolo) when they were stung by the bees.

Tshuma was rushed to hospital after being stung by the bees and died at Tsholotsho district hospital the following day. He was buried on Monday.

His young brother, Morgan Masaka Tshuma, who is headman for Tshayile Line confirmed the incident. He said:

This is something new and shocking. Spirit mediums are set to meet on Sunday to deliberate on the issue and select people who will visit the main Njelele Shrine to consult because this could be a sign that something bad has happened.

They were supposed to have an umtolo (ceremony) at the shrine when he was stung by inyosi zelinda. The shrine is a sacred place and only ihosana are allowed to enter.

When he entered the shrine intending to appease the spirits, he was also attacked by the bees and the other elders ran away instead of rescuing him.

Tsholotsho Rural District ward 6 Councillor Mthetho Sikhosana Tshuma said the now deceased was later rescued by his family members who rushed to the shrine after being told of the incident.

The shrine, located a short distance from Chief Matupula’s homestead, is referred to as little Njelele because it is believed to have a link with the main Njelele Shrine in Matopo, Matabeleland South province.

The significance of “Little Njelele”

The shrine has a small hut located at the centre and is surrounded by big trees.

Swarms of bees called inyosi zelinda, have stayed for many years within cavities of two trees at the shrine.

No unauthorised people are allowed in as the shrine is used for traditional ceremonies and rituals.

More: Chronicle

By- The Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T has spoken out on its position on the oncoming by-elections where the party failed to field candidates in several constituencies.

In a statement, the party’s Secretary-General, Paurina Mpariwa, admitted failing to field candidates in a number of constituencies.

Below is the statement:

As all of you are aware, Zimbabwe will be having by-elections on March 26, 2022. I am very pleased that we have managed to field candidates in almost all vacant positions. Where we failed to, it was due to matters beyond our control and we took notes as we prepare for the 2023 General Elections. I am also delighted that we have managed to field more women candidates than our rivals for these elections. This is a fitting tribute to our female candidates during this Women’s Month, whose theme is “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.”

We deliberately chose a grassroots centred campaign strategy for these by-elections. Our leaders led by President Douglas Mwonzora have been traversing across the country engaging directly with our party faithful. We are a labour backed and people-centred party and it is very important that each and every member, and those wishing to join us, are free to engage with our leaders in an intimate manner. This strategy has also given our leaders an opportunity to dispel rumours and innuendos peddled by our rivals on social media and other fora.

The feedback from the grassroot engagement is unanimously clear. Our people want change they can trust. Our people want a Zimbabwe where their savings and pensions are secure. Our people want quality and accessible education and health care. Our people yearn for dignified jobs and those working want incomes that can sustain them and their families. Our people want a fair justice system in Zimbabwe. Our people want unconditional justice and compensation for all victims of atrocities committed from Gukurahundi, 2008 election violence, Operation Murambatsvina, victims’ of 2018 election violence and many other tragedies brought upon our people because of their beliefs and yearning for a fully free Zimbabwe. Our people want full and unconditional implementation of the Mothlante Commission. Our people yearn for a day when they can vole and fully trust the outcome of the vote because the institutions will be fully independent. We are the only party that can deliver what our people yearn for.

Our message of hope, dialogue and unity of purpose has been positively received. I want to take this opportunity to invite you all to our MDC Alliance Star Rally on 13 March 2022 at Zimbabwe Grounds in Harare. President Mwonzora will be the keynote speaker and will be accompanied by other Alliance principals. This is going to be a festive event and I urge you all to restrain yourselves when provoked by misguided elements. We are a peaceful party and our history speaks for itself.

Aluta Continua