By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) has notified its customers that it will not be able to provide enough buses this evening because of fuel challenges.

In a public notice, ZUPCO said people should not panic over the development as it is working to procure fuel for its fleet. Read the notice:

The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO), wishes to advise the commuting public that, there will be transport challenges this evening. This has resulted from delays in fuel deliveries at ZUPCO.

However, the commuting public should not panic as illustrious efforts are underway to ensure that the challenge is resolved.

We remain committed and will continue to serve the nation with safe, reliable and affordable travel.

We regret and apologize to all our valued customers for any inconvenience caused.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Award-winning Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who was arrested in for obstructing justice and contempt of court, after being accused of breaching his bail conditions by tweeting about the court outcome of a gold smuggling scandal involving Henrietta Rushwaya despite a ban on him posting on Twitter, has had his bail reporting conditions removed by the Harare High Court.

Posting on Twitter Chin’ono said, “The High Court has removed my bail reporting conditions, but it refused to release my title deeds for my home. I am on remand for exposing corruption involving the President’s niece Henrietta Rushwaya who was caught trying to smuggle 6kgs of gold to Dubai. The idea is to FIX me!

“The Gold was worth US$370,000. 2500 Zimbabwean women are dying every year giving birth. Zimbabwe’s biggest hospital only has one working maternity theater built in 1977. A theater costs US$37,000. Henrietta’s Gold could have built 10 maternity theaters at Gomo.”

By A Correspondent- A 78 year old Bindura man  collapsed and died after offloading his baggage at a shop in Bindura yesterday. 

Arumando Mujiiwa of house  number  48 Home industry Bindura died after arriving with his load at Ndodahondo buildings bindura.

Mashonaland Central police spokespersons Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the case. 

Allegations  are that the now deceased had been hired to carry baggage by Georgina Gwizo (40) and after offloading it he died on the spot.

A Covid-19 test was carried out on him and it came out negative. His body is being kept at Bindura  hospital. 

Police urged people to seek medical attention when ever they feel unwell.

International Women’s Day 2022 : “Break The Bias: Realizing Women’s Rights”

By Mambokadzi Linda wekwaMasarira

8 March 2022

International Women’s Day is a day set aside every year on the 8th of March to celebrate women’s achievements in all spheres of life. This year’s theme is a clarion call to all women to ensure that they play a participatory role in advocating for gender equality and ensuring the protection of women’s rights.

There is nothing for women without women and every woman’s hands should be on the deck to ensure that all women worldwide are treated as equals. International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. On the 8th of March women all over the world celebrate the International Women’s Day. IWD has been celebrated for over a century now yet many people think of it purely as a feminist cause. Its roots, however, are found in the labour movement, wherein it was first organised in 1911 by the early 20th century Marxist from Germany Clara Zetkin.

Zetkin was born in 1857 in Wiederau, where she trained as a teacher and was associated with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) one of the two major political parties in Germany. She participated in both in the labour movement and women’s movement.

It is said that in the 1880s, anti-socialist laws were enforced by German leader Otto von Bismarck and Zetkin went into a ‘self-imposed exile’ in Switzerland and France. She wrote and distributed literature that was forbidden back then, and also met with leading socialists.

Zetkin also played a significant role in the formation of the Socialist International. When she returned to Germany, she became the editor of Die Gleichheit (‘Equality’) SPD’s newspaper for women from 1892 to 1917. In the SPD, Zetkin was closely associated with the far-left thinker and revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg.

In 1910 — three years after she became a co-founder of the International Socialist Women’s Congress — Zetkin proposed at a conference that Women’s Day be celebrated in every country on February 28. A conference comprising 100 women from 17 countries with unions, socialist parties, working women’s clubs and female legislators unanimously approving the suggestion, and Women’s Day was observed for the first time in the year 1911. In 1913, the date was changed to March 8, and it continues to be celebrated every year.

As we celebrate IWD this year under the campaign theme #BreakTheBias, we need to be sincere as Zimbabwean women to unite for a cause. What is our cause? Out cause is to achieve a gender equal world.

A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

It is sad that women in Zimbabwe have become the patriarchal gatekeepers and catalysts of bias towards fellow women. In Zimbabwe women continue to be marginalized by structural deformities in our cultural, social, religious and political stereotypes.

Women are still viewed as second class citizens which has stifled full realization of women’s rights on our country. Contrary to the assertion that we are making improvements in terms of gender equality in public elected offices, 2018 general elections showed a steep decline of women elected into public office compared to 2013 elections.

The decline in women participation in electoral processes continue to decline as only 15% of the duly nominated candidates for the 26 March By elections are women. We are still struggling to attain gender diversity at the workplace and we need to push for gender equality to become a reality.

Gender diversity produces real benefits. Several studies have shown that a gender-diverse workplace is good for financial returns, employee engagement, innovation and reducing turn over.

We can only achieve gender parity when women start taking an active role in pushing for constitutionalism and protection of all gender related statutes. Women in Zimbabwe continue to suffer from historical marginalization and structural inequalities that exist in the political, social and economic spheres.

Historically, the colonizers made sure that women stayed in the rural areas whilst the men were in towns or mines working and that strengthened the patriarchal system and gender inequalities prescribed by cultural, religious and traditional norms.

The structural deformities in our society have subjected women to societal discrimination whenever they want to participate in politics or challenge anyone masculine in particular in the political arena. In our culture, a proper Zimbabwean woman is expected to be married, submissive, dependant, enduring and hard working.

The moment a woman becomes aggressive, independent, ambitious, financially independent and empowered, a lot of tags are attached on her. Most women who have tried to venture into politics have suffered from negative stereotyping, name calling and had their images tarnished by men in politics who feel intimidated by powerful women.

The first question any woman seeking to run for public office in Zimbabwe faces is, “Is she married?” As if marriage is a qualification for leadership. In religious spheres, men continue to dominate whilst women are expected to submit to church leadership, obey every instruction and are expected to be passive and to serve the church.

Biblical verses have often been used as religious barriers to discourage women from plating active roles in politics. Women are accused of defying the natural order in religious teachings. Very few churches have managed to break the barrier of stereotyping women and have embraced women leadership in the church.

Women also face patriarchal barriers to enter into mainstream politics. In rural areas young girls are married off at a very tender age due to poverty or religious beliefs which automatically disenfranchises them of their right to education and freedom of conscience. Inadequate financial resources to run an election campaign is a major challenge most women.

Access to information is also a big challenge as well to grassroot organic women participation in politics as those in rural areas hardly have access to newspapers or radios. About 37% of women in Zimbabwe have no access to media. Young women living in rural areas are further marginalized because of lack of access to information. Greater family responsibilities poses as a big challenge for women to dedicate themselves to political careers.

Women spend more time doing unpaid social work. The formal male dominated economy has shrunk leaving a lot of women vulnerable to poverty pushing most women into the informal sector for survival.

Government has not done enough to ensure that there are policies in place which benefit the informal sector and communal sector were most women are located. Fiscal and monetary policies being implemented by the government of Zimbabwe continue to neglect the masses and as long as they fail to have pro-poor and inclusive strategies to deal with economic empowerment of women, feminization of poverty will be further entrenched. Women in the rural areas have remained economically disenfranchised.

Most of them survive on subsistence farming, they have no viable markets and hardly handle any money. Instead of nurturing grassroot and organic leadership for local governance political participation, the rich, well connected and perennial bootlickers always find themselves winning primaries and running as councillors in areas they don’t stay.

It is important to start empowering grassroot women to stand for themselves and occupy local governance public offices as they are the ones who know what they go through and the solutions thereof.

Having more women in local governance will help in tackling major issues that affect women from poor service delivery, under equipped clinics and council schools including accessibility to clinics in rural areas.

The burden of poverty has a heavier weight on a woman and it’s high time women start amplifying their own struggle so that they occupy governance positions at every level. Gender based barriers inhibit women from accessing socioeconomic resources. Access to information is limited in regards to economic opportunities especially to women living in rural areas.

Political violence is the major inhibitor of women participation in politics. Women living with disability had shown keenness to run for public office in 2018 but later withdrew their intentions because of the harassment and polarization.

People living with disability should be given preferential treatment and financial support when they aspire to lead and make a difference in the communities. Disability doesn’t mean inability and they deserve our support as individuals, political parties and government policies which are inclusive and supportive of their governance aspirations and empowerment.

Young women have raised various opinions on why they shy away from political participation in a number of platforms I have attended. Issues raised include sexual harassment in political parties, were they fail to ascend in the structures if they haven’t provided sexual favours, being elbowed out by the older women in the parties, patronage and lack of internal democracy in political parties rank and file.

Tenets of good governance are not being applied in Zimbabwe whether at political party level or national governance. Young women are not confident of the leadership in Zimbabwe, they feel marginalized by political leaders who are preoccupied with getting power at all cost or maintaining power without addressing the problems they face in tertiary institutions, political and economic challenges.

In student unions young women always have the vice president seat reserved for them and the secretary for gender which clearly shows how patriarchy is deeply entrenched. We are going to be working with young female students to empower them to run for those powerful positions and to lead at every level in our society.

It is important for all political parties to have a gender sensitive youth agenda. Instead of being apathetic, I urge young women to actively engage in politics and governance at all levels to influence the change they desire. The strong man syndrome is very evident in our political culture in Zimbabwe.

It is much harder for women to emerge as political leaders in our political terrain which is personality based and not value system based. We need a new culture of doing politics which is inclusive and political structures which will ensure recognition and realization of women’s right to participate fully and equally in politics. United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 5 is articulate on the importance of gender equality and inclusion of women.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe states that there should be equality of men and women at all levels of society. I have been told plenty of times that advocacy for gender equality is a feminist agenda, which is a false narrative. Gender equality is a constitutional provision which should be adhered to by every Zimbabwean.

Women in Zimbabwe constitute 54% yet their matters of importance are not taken seriously at national and local governance levels which is indeed worrisome. Men always argue that there aren’t enough qualified women yet most public office positions are taken by mediocre men.

Women’s priorities are different from men’s priorities that is why it is important to ensure that the constitution is adhered to so that women bring in their values and concepts into politics. Inclusion of women is key to ensure gender parity and diversity as the country is not made up entirely of men.

It is only folly to expect men to make decisions on behalf of women who are more than half of the population. Women’s issues are human rights issues and can only be dealt with by women or men who understand the quagmire women in Zimbabwe are facing. Government has failed to influence change in social, religious and cultural attitudes.

Women continue to suffer from discrimination yet we have a law in section 56 of the constitution which prohibits discrimination. It is imperative for the gender commission to put a recommendation to the Parliament to enact strict penalties on any individual, political party or institution that violates section 17, 56, 80 and 104 of the constitution of Zimbabwe.

The legislators should ensure that election related legislation does not indirectly disadvantage women and to consider legislation for political parties to adopt democratic procedures in compliance with the constitutional provisions in regard to equality.

Media should provide gender sensitive coverage of elections, avoiding negative stereotypes and it should also present positive images of women as leaders. Civic society organizations should support women willing to run for public office and provide capacity building and advocate for improved media coverage of women’s issues and women candidates.

All political parties should ensure that women and young women are fully represented in all party structures and policy committees. The academic curriculum needs an extensive review to incorporate gender mainstreaming, the harmful effects of discrimination against women and to deal with issues of defined gender roles which continue to suppress women in our society.

Charity begins at home, we can only change some of these gender perceptions if we start socializing our children in a gender balanced way. If we teach our children equality and to respect each other as equal human beings it will manifest into the next generation. No one is more Zimbabwean than the other.

We can only build a better Zimbabwe by appreciating each other in our diversity and imparting knowledge to the grassroots.

In conclusion its time that women from all walks of life, political parties and churches converge and start addressing issues of gender equality, discrimination, abuse, sexual harassment and women empowerment.

The ministry of women affairs should also consider allocating land to women so that they can generate their own income. Time and again we hear that Zimbabwe is not producing, how does it produce when women are being denied land and its still being allocated on partisan lines.

Every Zimbabwean has a right to land and women in Zimbabwe are hard workers and can do wonders with the vast hectares of land lying idle. The state has an obligation to champion social policies that free women from any form of injustice.

I envision a just Zimbabwe where women as individuals and communities enjoy their freedoms and rights through a thriving constitutional democracy. We all have an obligation to #BreakTheBias.

I am very committed to ensure that gender equality becomes a reality in Zimbabwe. It is time for women to unite in their diversity and emancipate themselves from the clutches of inequality, injustice and violence.

Together we can attain a womens revolution. Happy womens day to all the lovely women in Zimbabwe.

#Womandla Linda Tsungirirai Masarira

LEAD President

By A Correspondent- The Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial executive has suspended party official and educationist Cleopas Kundiona over a litany of allegations.

Kundiona was elected provincial deputy secretary for legal affairs last year.

In a letter dated March 4, Zanu PF provincial vice-chairperson Kudzai Majuru said Kundiona would remain suspended and barred from conducting party activities until he has been cleared.

“Whereas on March 4, 2022, the Mashonaland East provincial executive decided to invoke article 10 of section 74(1) of the 2014 amended Zanu PF constitution against your conduct. By way of this prohibition order you are thus barred from visiting party offices for the purpose of attending and or carrying out any activities for, and on behalf of the party.

“You are also prohibited from holding any party position or attending any party meeting until the finalisation of a disciplinary hearing pencilled for March 25, 2022,” the letter read.

Kundiona, who is the owner of UMAA Group of Colleges, lost the Zanu PF primary elections to Ignatius Mateveke for the Marondera Central constituency.

According to the letter, Kundiona is accused of boycotting campaigns organised by Mateveke.

“You were seen in the constituency moving and campaigning for the MDC candidates and you failed to avail yourself for the party programmes without real cause,” the letter added.

Zanu PF has also ordered Kundiona to return the party vehicle that was given to him in 2018.

Kundiona’s suspension is likely to split votes in the March 26 by-elections after his followers threatened a protest vote.

Efforts to get a comment from Kundiona were fruitless yesterday.-newsday

By A Correspondent- The trial date for former Cabinet minister Ignatius Chombo, who is facing a criminal abuse of office charge, was yesterday deferred to April 7 as he had another matter at the Constitutional Court.

Chombo was represented by Tungamirai Muganhiri when he appeared before Harare magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro.

Allegations are that between October 1, 2005 and January 12, 2006, Chombo misrepresented to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe that he wanted  to buy farm mechanisation equipment and he was granted a loan but used the money to buy two Toyota Hilux Vigo vehicles.

Other allegations were that between September 2, 2006 and March 25, 2008, while he was Local Government minister, Chombo unlawfully, corruptly acquired a City of Harare property, namely subdivision 61 Helensvale, Harare, with full knowledge that the local authority had applied for change of use from a public place to space for cluster houses and registered it under Harvest-Net Enterprises (Pvt) Limited, a company which he owned.

Chombo allegedly showed favour to Harvest-Net Enterprises and disfavour to City of Harare.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has further exposed its inefficiency after it accepted MDC Alliance candidate Gideon Mangena’s nomination papers for Nkulumane constituency in Bulawayo, but disqualified him from voting.

In a letter dated March 2, Zec notified Mangena that he would not vote, but would remain a candidate in the March 26 by-elections.

Please be advised that our records indicate that you are disqualified to vote in the forthcoming by-election to be held on March 26, 2022 for Nkulumane constituency,” the Zec letter read.

Mangena transferred to Nkulumane constituency on January 17 when the voters’ roll had closed on January 8, meaning that he is not a registered voter in Nkulumane.

“In terms of section 26A of the Electoral Act, the voters’ roll of the National Assembly concerned closed on January 8, 2022, but our records indicate that your transfer was effected on January 17, 2022. This, therefore, means that your transfer was effected after the voters’ roll was closed and renders you ineligible to vote in the election,” Zec said.

Election Resource Centre chairperson Trust Maanda said Mangena could not be a candidate in Nkulumane constituency since he was not a registered voter.

You can’t be a candidate in a constituency in which you are note registered, but you can be registered where you are not resident. It, therefore, means that his nomination was wrong and improper and, therefore, he can’t be a candidate in that constituency.

“On acceptance of nominations, Zec has to satisfy itself that the person applying to be a candidate must be a registered voter in the particular ward or constituency which he is a registered voter,” Maanda said.

Zec could not immediately give an explanation on the issue, with the commission spokesperson Joyce Kazembe said: 

“I have not seen that communication and can’t just comment on it, I have to talk to the secretariat and get the full facts.  Please call me tomorrow (today) at 9am,” Kazembe said.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Local Government deputy minister Marian Chombo has told Parliament that Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) buses could be hired by anyone, including political parties for their functions.

Chombo made the remarks in the National Assembly last Wednesday after she was grilled by MDC Alliance MP Anele Ndebele (Magwegwe) over the alleged commandeering of Zupco buses by Zanu PF to carry party supporters to its campaign rallies.

Zupco is a monopoly when it comes to provision of urban transport, which is clear that it cannot meet demand for commuters within the urban areas, but it goes on to hire out its limited buses to political parties so that they are able to ferry their supporters to political rallies across the country. Can the minister kindly spell out government’s policy position in respect of Zupco because commuters in urban areas are left stranded,” Ndebele said.

Last month, more than 50 Zupco buses were seen parked at a Zanu PF rally in Marondera which was addressed by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, at a time commuters in Harare were without public transport.

“Zupco is a parastatal and we provide transport services. We do not choose which political party to hire out to, and our first and foremost important customer is the commuter and that is when we can hire out our buses,” Chombo said.

“It is not correct to say that we hire out our buses to certain political parties — that is not correct. Anyone can come and hire Zupco buses. First and foremost, before we agree to hire out that bus, we first examine if there is adequate transport for commuters. If there is any area that is disadvantaged, it is regrettable but we hire out transport to any functions. So it is really not that we hire out to specific political parties.”

Chombo said commuters left stranded after Zupco buses have been hired out should approach her offices.

“Nobody reported that we have some commuters that were stranded after the buses were hired,” she said.-newsday

By A Correspondent- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has revealed the reserve money supply as of 25 February 2022. The central bank said in a statement:

Reserve money went up by ZW$957.06 million to ZW$27.21 billion during the week ending 25th February 2022, compared to the previous week’s position of ZW$26.25 billion.

The increase in reserve money largely reflected an increase of ZW$707.10 million in required reserves.

Currency issued and banks’ liquidity (RTGS balances) at the Reserve Bank also rose by ZW$123.59 million and ZW$63.37 million, respectively.

By A Correspondent- Citizens Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has bemoaned the lack of development in Matabeleland region.

The Zanu PF regime has neglected Bulawayo and Matabeleland region for years, according to President Chamisa.

He addressed more than 35 thousands CCC supporters at White City Stadium in Bulawayo at a campaign rally on Saturday.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1007821870152472&id=100044323395268

By A Correspondent- Former radio and TV presenter Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa is expecting her first baby with a sperm donor.

In a post on Instagram, the 33-year-old daughter of the former Health Minister David Parirenyatwa revealed that she took the unconventional route to have a baby after she discovered that she have fibroids and that she was getting older. She wrote:

I’ve wanted to be a mother since I was 21. My heart has been on some adventures between now and then. It has buried enough tears and I’m unable to trust easily, love freely or kiss any more frogs.

Like most of us, I’ve loved and lost and above all, I’ve learned. Last year, I convinced myself that while I wait for Mr Right, my body is not getting any younger, so why not start my journey to motherhood, even if it meant unconventionally?

… In all this, I discovered that I have fibroids, many of them. So this triggered me into action.

What if I keep waiting for the fairytale, what if I fail to have children, like ever? Fast forward past all the prayers, consultations and advice, I fell pregnant.

While she said she respects women who are in their 30s and believe they are still young, Ruvheneko said she had reached her “threshold”. She said:

Perhaps, but I worry that in our narratives as 21st century women, as feminists, as gender equity advocates, we are getting a little lost along the way.

I respect the 30 somethings who are convinced that we’re still young and that we’ve time.

Personally, I’ve reached my threshold. With my fibroids, genetics and personal goals, I’m ready to be called mum.

It was reported in April 2021 that Ruvheneko was divorcing her husband of seven years, Tendai Basil Mafara.

Ruvheneko filed for divorce through the High Court stating that she has not been living with Mafara since 2016.

She told the court that she and her estranged husband have lost love for each other and there were no prospects of reconciliation.

By A Correspondent- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo says she will not allow Thokozani Khupe to join the party unless she apologises for her role in destroying the MDC Alliance.

Khumalo told a local publication on Monday that she will never forgive Khupe for initiating her recall from parliament when the latter was interim MDC-T president. 

Khumalo, who has been forced to take a back seat on the party’s activities due to ill health, said:

Apologise and we forgive you, but we will not forget. I have not forgotten what she did to me and my other comrades.

My personal view is that we are in this mess today because of Khupe. If she was sincere that if we are united, we can remove ZANU PF, then what was the essence of those recalls? Why did she replace us with her own friends?

With medical aid, you apply now and pay the fees but it only functions after three months, so what is special about Khupe who just comes from nowhere and enjoys the fruits of others. We will not allow that.

Khumalo was recalled from National Assembly alongside Prosper Mutseyami, Chalton Hwende and Lilian Timveous when Khupe was acting MDC-T president following a controversial Supreme Court ruling in March 2020.

Khupe was eventually expelled from the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T, Timveous has since joined ZANU PF while Hwende and Mutseyami have remained loyal to Chamisa, who now leads CCC.

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa, through Chief Justice Luke Malaba, has appointed Eighteen judges of the High Court to constitute the Electoral Court that will operate from March 1 to August 30 this year.

According to the Electoral Act, the Electoral Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear appeals, applications and petitions in terms of the Electoral Act; to review any decision of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission or anyone else made under the Act; and shall have the power to give such judgments, orders and directions in those matters as might be given by the High Court. But the Electoral Court cannot try any criminal case.
“Judgments, orders and directions of the Electoral Court shall be enforceable in the same way as judgments, orders and directions of the High Court.”

Under the Electoral Act, the Chief Justice consults the Judicial Service Commission and the Judge President of the High Court and then appoints at least two judges of the High Court to be Judges of the Electoral Court for such a period as the Chief Justice specifies.
The Electoral Court’s jurisdiction may be exercised by a judge of the Electoral Court sitting alone or with one or more assessors.
So Chief Justice Malaba has after making these consultations appointed the following judges of the High Court to be judges of the Electoral Court Division of the High Court: Judge President Justice Maria Zimba-Dube, Justice Garainesu Mawadze, Justice Martin Makonese, Justice David Mangota, Justice Amy Tsanga, Justice Esther Muremba, Justice Moses Foroma, Justice Jester Helena Charewa, Justice Phildah Muzofa, Justice Isaac Muzenda, Justice Benjamin Chikowero, Justice Pisirai Kwenda, Justice Christopher Dube-Banda, Justice Sunsley Zisengwe, Justice Munamato Mutevedzi, Justice Never Katiyo, Justice Elijah Makomo and Justice Lucie-Anne Chipo Munewari.
In January, President Mnangagwa proclaimed March 26 as the date for by-elections to fill vacant National Assembly constituency seats and council wards as required by the Constitution.

Normally by-elections are held soon after the seat falls vacant, but proclamation of dates were postponed early last year when the first Covid-19 infections were found in Zimbabwe.
However, health authorities and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission now believe they can safely manage the assembly of voters at polling stations.
-Herald

By A Correspondent- Beverages manufacturer, Schweppes Zimbabwe, says 85 per cent of sales on the domestic market are being conducted in local currency while 15 per cent are done in foreign currency.

Schweppes Zimbabwe chief executive, Charles Msipa, said the company requires US$1.5 million to US$2 million every month to import key raw materials. Said Msipa:

We continue to sell most of our products in Zimbabwe dollars. Most of our major retail customers sell in Zimbabwe dollars and also pay in local currency.

ot Schweppes’ policy to demand payment exclusively in US dollars.

He said they export some of their products such as Mazoe Orange Crush, to regional countries that include South Africa, Zambia and Botswana, where they get some of their forex.

Meanwhile, Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CRZ) president Denford Mutashu claimed some retailers were entering into agreements with manufacturers for payments in forex.

Under the agreements, buyers (retailers) will pay significantly less when they pay using US dollars than they would pay when using Zimbabwe dollars. Said Mutashu:

The practice is rampant and is informed by the requirement to source foreign currency by corporates internally without having to increase traffic to the auction market.

Quite a number of companies have resorted to that and you may also have realised that a number of products are no longer available due to the limited availability of foreign currency.-statemedia

This is part of the latest report by the SIVIO Institute Citizens’ Perceptions and Expectations Report (CPE) to determine the levels of citizen satisfaction with the performance of the Government of Zimbabwe. This extract covers employment status and sectors of employment.

Out of the 1 319 respondents, 861 respondents making up 65% of the sample were employed and the remaining 458 respondents, making up 35% of the sample, were unemployed

We ran a cross-tabulation of Gender and Employment sector in SPSS and the data shows that among the 65% who are employed out of the overall sample, 71% of male respondents are employed and 60% of women are employed.

These percentages show a gendered dimension to the employment patterns in the country.

Across the sample, the Civil service had the most respondents: (16%) who identified it as the best match for their sector of employment, this was followed by Vending 13%), Other (12%), Retail (11%), Manufacturing and NGOs (9%).

On the bottom end, Stationary shop owner made up 1% of the sample, Tourism as well as Beads and weave making constituted 2% of the sample, and Cross border trading and Canteen Shop Owner services were respectively identified by 4% of the sample.

When looked at in conjunction with the figures for Hairdresser (7%) and Flea market/bale shop (8%), the findings point to the high levels of informal sector employment in Zimbabwe.

Respondents were asked to indicate their monthly income bracket based on their earnings from the previous three months and the majority (29%) earned between US$0-$50, while 24% fell in the US$101-$200 and US$201-$500 salary bracket.

Of the overall sample, 15% reported earning between US$51-$100 while 7% earned between US$501-$1000. Only 2% of the sample earned more than $1000.

We also ran a cross-tabulation for Gender and Income and according to the results, women (17%) dominate in the lowest income bracket of US$0-$50 with fewer men (11%) earning in this bracket.

Men and women are at par (12%) in the US$101-$200 bracket and in the More than $1000 (1% for women and men respectively).

Men (13%) are slightly more than women (13%) in the US$201-$500 bracket. There is little difference between women (3%) and men (4%) in the US$501-$1000 income bracket.

By-Unnamed government officials have reportedly ordered teachers in public schools not to wear anything yellow in colour during working hours.

Yellow is the colour adopted by the newly formed opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party led by Nelson Chamisa.

According to Progressive Teachers Association of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) officials, the directive not to wear anything yellow was communicated to teachers verbally.

Even schoolchildren have not been spared with reports suggesting that schools with yellow uniforms have been directed to abandon them and pick different colours. PTUZ National Coordinator, Harison Mudzuri, said:

It is shocking that the govt of Zimbabwe has ordered teachers NOT to wear anything yellow.

Schools with yellow uniforms have been directed to change them.

No explanation was given for these verbal directives.

PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou told Pindula News that some of their members have confirmed receiving the directive but as a union, they haven’t received anything concrete from education authorities. He said:

The decree is a nullity. It is not possible for a school to change the colour of its uniform considering that schools adopted the colour first before the formation of CCC.

Whoever made the decree may try to discourage schools from choosing the colour but that cannot be done for schools already using yellow since laws cannot be applied retrospectively.

A message has been circulating on social media platforms claiming the decree for teachers not to wear anything yellow was made during a recent meeting of school heads in Marondera, though it is not clear who gave the instruction.

By-Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has apologised for double candidacy in Bulawayo.

CCC mistakenly fielded two candidates for Bulawayo ward 26 council by-elections.

One of the spiring candidates for Bulawayo’s ward 26, Norman Hlabano, is refusing to step aside to allow Mpumelelo Moyo to be the party’s sole candidate in the 26 March by-elections.

Hlabano and Moyo both successfully filed their papers at the Nomination Court in February but some party officials have endorsed the latter as the sole candidate.

Hlabano was the councillor before he was recalled by the MDC-T together with seven other Bulawayo councillors in September 2020.

On Saturday, during the CCC rally at White City Stadium in Bulawayo, Hlabano was blocked from addressing party supporters when CCC leader Nelson Chamisa took the opportunity to officially unveil all party candidates.

Chamisa apologised for the double candidacy mistake and promised that it would not happen again.

However, speaking to CITE, Hlabano vowed not to step aside arguing that he has to finish his term. He said:

There is no stepping aside. How can I step aside before I complete my term?

The decision comes from the people and not certain individuals.

CCC had similar incidents of double candidacy in Ward 9 in Bulawayo and Ward 4 in Masvingo.

One of the candidates in Ward 9 stepped aside but the situation is still to be resolved in Masvingo and in Ward 26 in Bulawayo.

Observers say fielding double candidates could affect CCC’s prospects of winning the two council seats.

More: CITE

By-Unnamed government officials have reportedly ordered teachers in public schools not to wear anything yellow in colour during working hours.

Yellow is the colour adopted by the newly formed opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party led by Nelson Chamisa.

According to Progressive Teachers Association of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) officials, the directive not to wear anything yellow was communicated to teachers verbally.

Even schoolchildren have not been spared with reports suggesting that schools with yellow uniforms have been directed to abandon them and pick different colours. PTUZ National Coordinator, Harison Mudzuri, said:

It is shocking that the govt of Zimbabwe has ordered teachers NOT to wear anything yellow.

Schools with yellow uniforms have been directed to change them.

No explanation was given for these verbal directives.

PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou told Pindula News that some of their members have confirmed receiving the directive but as a union, they haven’t received anything concrete from education authorities. He said:

The decree is a nullity. It is not possible for a school to change the colour of its uniform considering that schools adopted the colour first before the formation of CCC.

Whoever made the decree may try to discourage schools from choosing the colour but that cannot be done for schools already using yellow since laws cannot be applied retrospectively.

A message has been circulating on social media platforms claiming the decree for teachers not to wear anything yellow was made during a recent meeting of school heads in Marondera, though it is not clear who gave the instruction.

By- On Monday, violent clashes broke out between South Africans under the Dudula Movement and some foreign nationals in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg.

The South Africans were demanding that foreign nationals leave the area.

They insisted that their call for foreigners to leave had nothing to do with xenophobia, but rather an attempt to reclaim the economy of locals.

Some vendors packed their goods preparing to leave Pan African Mall peacefully, but some foreign nationals were armed with stones and sticks ready to defend themselves.

Some shops were forced to shut their doors as protesters accused them of contributing to unemployment by hiring foreigners instead of locals.

The South African Police Services (SAPS) deployed police officers to the scene to separate the two groups to prevent further violence.

More: SABC News

Tinashe Sambiri| The Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is having sleepless nights as a result of President Nelson Chamisa’s rising popularity.

On Saturday and Sunday President Chamisa addressed rallies in Bulawayo and Gweru respectively.

Addressing thousands of Citizens’ Coalition For Change supporters at Mkoba Stadium, President Chamisa took a swipe at Zanu PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa for lying about the cause of violence in Kwekwe.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=950091002563036&id=100044323395268

By – The Citizens Coalition for Change Vice President Tendai Biti said his party will bring joy to all Zimbabweans if voted into power next year.

He made the remarks while addressing scores of CCC supporters who thronged to the White City Stadium, Bulawayo, for the party’s campaign for the 26 March by-elections and 2023 harmonised elections. The former Finance Minister said:
USA! The next president of Zimbabwe is Advocate Nelson Chamisa and under a Nelson Chamisa government, we’ll bring back the US dollar. The civil servants, the civil servants, the civil servants will be paid in US dollars, the doctor will be paid in US dollars, the teacher will be paid in US dollars, the war veteran will be paid in US dollars, the nurse will be paid in US dollars, the Kombi driver will be paid in US dollar. We will make Zimbabwe great again. Zikomo Kwambili.
Zimbabwe adopted a multicurrency system in 2009, shortly before the Government of National Unity, following the collapse of the local unit.

By-A prominent South African opposition leader, Mmusi Maimane, has predicted that Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU PF party will lose elections to the opposition in 2023.

Maimane, who now leads One SA Movement after ditching SA’s main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), said Zimbabwe “will be free” in 2023.

The outspoken One SA Movement recently described President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a “quarter Mugabe”, in reference to the late former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe.

Posting on Twitter on Sunday, Maimane said South Africa will pay if vote-rigging is allowed to happen in Zimbabwe in 2023. He wrote:

Next year Zimbabwe will be free… As SA we will not entertain any rigging, oppression of voters or denial of voter rights.

SA pays the price of the oppression in Zimbabwe and we are done. Allow people to vote including the diaspora. The time for corrupt regimes is over.

Maimane recently criticised Mnangagwa for the alleged crackdown on the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and its leader Nelson Chamisa.

Riot police, armed with batons, tear gas and water cannons violently dispersed CCC supporters who had gathered for a rally in Gokwe Centre, a town located in Zimbabwe’s cotton-growing belt over a week ago.

Maimane slammed Mnangagwa for his alleged thuggery. He tweeted:

Do not use the police to frustrate your political opponents Emmerson Mnangagwa.

You think you are [Russian President Vladimir] Putin but you are quarter [late former Zimbabwean President Robert] Mugabe.

The world is not going to tolerate thuggery anymore. SA is already paying the price for your brutality and corruption.

A CCC member, Mboneni Ncube, was stabbed to death by suspected ZANU PF activists on Sunday last week at a rally that was being addressed by Chamisa in Kwekwe, Midlands.

More: Sunday Times

A Shurugwi woman, Maria Mapfumo (48), spent a night in detention after allegedly calling President Mnangagwa and Zanu PF supporters; murderers following the suspension of her husband Jefter Chida, who is a geography teacher at Gamwa Secondary School.

Chida was suspended allegedly after Zanu PF chairman Bernard Dangi wrote a letter to the Ministry of Education offices accusing the former of joining the teachers’ strike and addressing CCC meetings at the school at night.

Mapfumo of Farm number 3 Gamwa Division, Shurugwi then went and confronted Dangi over the issue.
“Vanhu veZanu PF ndokuzivai kuti munouraya, iwe napresident wako Mnangagwa mogona kurangana kuuraya murume wangu. (Zanu PF members and your President Mnangagwa are notorious for killing. My fear is that you and your Mnangagwa can connive to kill my husband),” allegedly said Mapfumo to Dangi.
Mapfumo spent a night in the cells before she was granted RTGS $3 000 bail by Shurugwi Magistrate Sithabile Zungula last week.
Prosecutor Tafadzwa Guzete said on February 22, 2022 at 430pm at Farm 3 Gamwa the accused unlawfully and seriously impaired the dignity of Dangi who is of the same area and President Mnangagwa.
Hillary Garikai of Garikai Law Firm represented the accused.
-Masvingo Mirror

By- On Monday, violent clashes broke out between South Africans under the Dudula Movement and some foreign nationals in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg.

The South Africans were demanding that foreign nationals leave the area.

They insisted that their call for foreigners to leave had nothing to do with xenophobia, but rather an attempt to reclaim the economy of locals.

Some vendors packed their goods preparing to leave Pan African Mall peacefully, but some foreign nationals were armed with stones and sticks ready to defend themselves.

Some shops were forced to shut their doors as protesters accused them of contributing to unemployment by hiring foreigners instead of locals.

The South African Police Services (SAPS) deployed police officers to the scene to separate the two groups to prevent further violence.

More: SABC News

By- One of the two Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) aspiring candidates for Bulawayo’s ward 26, Norman Hlabano, has refused to step aside to allow Mpumelelo Moyo to be the party’s sole candidate in the 26 March by-elections.

Hlabano and Moyo both successfully filed their papers at the Nomination Court in February but some party officials have endorsed the latter as the sole candidate.

Hlabano was the councillor before he was recalled by the MDC-T together with seven other Bulawayo councillors in September 2020.

On Saturday, during the CCC rally at White City Stadium in Bulawayo, Hlabano was blocked from addressing party supporters when CCC leader Nelson Chamisa took the opportunity to officially unveil all party candidates.

Chamisa apologised for the double candidacy mistake and promised that it would not happen again.

However, speaking to CITE, Hlabano vowed not to step aside arguing that he has to finish his term. He said:

There is no stepping aside. How can I step aside before I complete my term?

The decision comes from the people and not certain individuals.

CCC had similar incidents of double candidacy in Ward 9 in Bulawayo and Ward 4 in Masvingo.

One of the candidates in Ward 9 stepped aside but the situation is still to be resolved in Masvingo and in Ward 26 in Bulawayo.

Observers say fielding double candidates could affect CCC’s prospects of winning the two council seats.

More: CITE

By- A notorious Bindura machete ring leader has been shot dead by the police.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Paul Nyathi confirmed the fatal shooting of Claudius Tavazera (21), who was on the police’s list of most wanted persons.
Asst Comm Nyathi said Tavazera and 30 other suspects, who are still at large, were armed with machetes and attacked and kidnapped two employees of Botha Mining Syndicate. He said:
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the death of Claudius Tavazera, who died in a shootout incident that occurred in Bindura on March 4, 2022, at about 1200hrs.
Police received reports of kidnapping and attempted murder where two complainants employed by Botha Mining Syndicate were attacked and kidnapped by a group of approximately 31 illegal gold miners who were armed with machetes, spears, knobkerries, catapults, logs, switches knives and axes.
The suspects attacked the complainants on allegations of planning to drive illegal gold miners out of the Kitsiyatota area.
Nyathi said police officers encountered the gang which attacked the law enforcement agents prompting them to call for reinforcements and to fire four warning shots.

The suspects allegedly ignored the warning shots and attacked the police until Tavazera was shot on the left knee, prompting the other gang members to flee.
The police rescued the Botha Mining Syndicate employees and ferried them to Bindura Hospital together with the suspect.
Nyathi said Tavazera died at Bindura Hospital while receiving treatment.
ZRP has launched a manhunt for other suspects including Kudakwashe Njenge and Behavior Gwaimai.
Tavazera and some of his accomplices were already on the police wanted list over robbery and rape cases that occurred in Chinhamhora.
-News Day

By- The Government has finally opened all borders for ordinary people travelling in and out of Zimbabwe.

On 15 February 2022, Information, Publicity, Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa announced that Cabinet had resolved to reopen the country’s borders for all vaccinated travellers.
According to General Notice 421 of 2022, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Kazembe Kazembe, notified the police and immigration officers of the operationalisation of the new cross-border travel regulations. Part of General Notice 421 of 2022 reads:
The Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage hereby notifies every police officer, customs officer and immigration officer that entry and exit of persons into and out of Zimbabwe at all ports of entry and exit of persons is permitted subject to the provisions of Statutory Instrument 18 of 2022, on Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (Amendment) Order, 2022 (No. 40).
Zimbabwe closed had all land borders to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus except for cargo transport, returning citizens and other authorised persons.

Announcing Cabinet’s decision to reopen the country’s land borders last month, Mutsvangwa said:
In view of the continued decline in new cases and deaths coupled with a declining testing positivity rate that is indicating that the community transmission has gone down, all ports of entry be reopened but ensuring that all the recommended COVID-19 prevention measures are adhered to.
All ports of entry have been opened. All persons entering Zimbabwe must have undergone a valid COVID-19 PCR [polymerase chain reaction] test not more than 48 hours from the time of their departure for Zimbabwe, and be fully vaccinated.
Those with booster shots have an entry advantage

Tinashe Sambiri| The Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is having sleepless nights as a result of President Nelson Chamisa’s rising popularity.

On Saturday and Sunday President Chamisa addressed rallies in Bulawayo and Gweru respectively.

Addressing thousands of Citizens’ Coalition For Change supporters at Mkoba Stadium, President Chamisa took a swipe at Zanu PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa for lying about the cause of violence in Kwekwe.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=950091002563036&id=100044323395268

By A Correspondent- A 19 year old Zimbabwean student who escaped the war in Ukraine says she “still wants to run” when she hears a siren.

Blessing Mushipe is a medical student at Karazin National University in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city close to the Russian border.

She was forced to flee Ukraine with her colleagues when Russia invaded its neighbour by land, sea and air on 24 February.https://zero.pindula.co.zw/market/featured/?limit=4

Speaking to The Sunday Mail in a telephone interview from the Polish capital of Warsaw on Friday, Mushipe narrated how they escaped from Ukraine and also revealed the hostility black people faced from Ukrainian soldiers. She said:

I still want to run whenever I hear a siren. When we were still in Ukraine, a siren meant we had to rush to the basement for safety.

When news of the war started filtering in, I left Kharkiv where our university is.

There was nothing happening there at the time, but we left hastily, there was no time to pack and I left a lot behind.

By the time we left, there had not been bombings where we were but we would hear distant sound blasts on occasions

Mushipe travelled to Lviv, a city in the western part of Ukraine, to pick a friend who would be her companion on the journey to the Medyka border with Poland. She said:

Soldiers would not allow black people on trains. We wanted to board a train to the border and on three occasions we were told that black people were not allowed.

Soldiers were saying only women and children can pass. However, if you were a black woman, they would ask you to disembark.

We were saved by the bus driver at one checkpoint when he lied that we had agreed to donate blood to the Ukrainian soldiers. That is how we were granted passage.

The bus driver left us at the first checkpoint towards the border and we had to finish the rest of the journey on foot.

Mushipe said they travelled on foot for the rest of the journey to the Polish border, a distance of 20 kilometres. She said:

We waited in the queue from 4 pm to around midnight. The queues were moving, but soldiers would come and pluck you out and send you to the back shouting the words ‘black’ ‘black’ in their language.

We were only allowed to cross at midnight, but our black counterparts who were male were denied entry.

After crossing the border into Poland, Mushipe and her female colleagues received some provisions from the Zimbabwean Government and a few Poland based well-wishers. Added Mushipe:

We have been well taken care of here in Poland… we got here and there was a boarding house which was booked.

We also have food and all the basic supplies we may need, which were organised by the Embassy.

Our tickets are being processed, and we will be travelling back home soon.

Russian tanks and armoured columns crossed the border into Ukraine on 24 February in what President Vladimir Putin called a special military operation.

Russia’s unprovoked attack on a sovereign country has created a humanitarian crisis, with more than 1.5 million refugees flooding Ukraine’s neighbours, with over 50 per cent moving to Poland.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A 55 year old man allegedly stole a Bulawayo City Council (BCC) vehicle last month and spray painted it to erase the logo.

The suspect was intercepted by the police in Esigodini on Friday while driving the stolen Mazda B1600 vehicle which had a car tracking system installed. Police said in a post on Twitter:

Police in Bulawayo arrested Ignatius Sounds Mudzudzu (55) for theft of a motor vehicle case that occurred in Bulawayo CBD on 04/03/22 at about 1000 hours.

The suspect was intercepted by the Police while driving the stolen Mazda B1600 vehicle, installed with a car tracking system, at the Crocodile area in Esigodini.

A container of Glue Devil spray paint which he used to deface the company’s vehicle logo was recovered in the vehicle.

Further investigations linked the suspect to two more cases which occurred in Bulawayo CBD on 07/02/22 and 20/02/22, in which he allegedly stole two vehicles and sold them in Mozambique.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Bulawayo Province, Inspector Abednico Ncube, confirmed that the vehicle stolen and now recovered belongs to the City of Bulawayo.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A former transport operator, Norman Muchineripi Mutsigwa (73), has built a house that resembles a bus at his farm in Mvurwi.

Mutsigwa, a member of AFM in Zimbabwe, told H-Metro that he left his transport business when it had a fleet of 14 buses to become a farmer.

The bus house is visible to travellers along the Harare-Centenary Road, and at first glance, it looks like a bus parked in the field.https://zero.pindula.co.zw/market/featured/?limit=4

Mutsigwa said he was a taxi driver in 1983 and eventually accumulated minibuses and buses. He said:

The struggles I faced, as a transporter, are the ones that led me to build a house resembling a bus.

It is for my family and grandchildren’s history since I have left the transport business and ventured into farming.

One of our local artists designed the bus for us.

My wife helped in making sure the structure came out the way we wanted and we are pleased with this.

Webster Mubairenyi, a member of the African Apostolic Church founded by Paul Mwazha designed the bus house for Mutsigwa.

By A Correspondent- Her family and community gathered for a funeral to mourn her after she was electrocuted by live power cables.

But, Vellah Misodzi, who was 14 then, was not dead. For seven hours, she battled for her life in the Intensive Care Unit, and her family lost all hope.

Vella, who stays in Juru (Bhora), was in 2016 electrocuted while on her way from school, when she stepped onto Zesa cables, which had fallen on the road.

She was unconscious for seven hours prompting her family to prepare a funeral. Mourners gathered and drums were playing along with sorrowful songs. However, at around midnight, she emerged out of her coma.

She wrote her Grade Seven examinations, while on her hospital bed, after sustaining serious injuries.

Vellah lost her leg, hand and toes. She is now in Form Two and is the oldest in her class.

“I stay with my mother in Bhora under Goromonzi District and I was told that my father died while I was still in the womb.

“I was born without any defect, unfortunately on September 22, in 2016 I was coming from school when I stepped onto live Zesa cables, which had fallen following a fire.

“We were approaching the Grade Seven final exams, when this incident occurred. A fire broke out in the area and burnt a Zesa pole, which fell onto the road, leaving the cables exposed.

“I stepped onto the cables and my left hand and leg stuck to the cables. My hair was burning and, at that moment, magetsi akabva adhinguka before I fell unconscious,” she said.

Her rescuers had to cut the uniforms she was wearing. “They had to use a knife to cut the uniform, and my flesh was peeling off and this happened around 6pm.

“I was then ferried to Musami Mission Provincial Hospital before being referred to Parirenyatwa due to the degree of the injuries. I later regained my consciousness around 12 midnight and I was asking where I was.

“I discovered that, next to me, was a man whose head was cracked and I was frightened due to his condition, not knowing that I had more serious injuries than him.”

She said at her home, people had gathered for a funeral wake.

“At home, my family members were already preparing for a funeral since they had lost hope and assumed I had died.

“They were playing drums as I remained in the ICU for hours. I was taken from the ICU by the doctors who took me to another ward.

“I was just 14 years and my left upper hand, left leg (below the knee) and three toes on the right leg, were amputated.

“I went into theatre four times, on my first day I entered around 9am and woke up around 7pm.

“I stayed in hospital for three months and I had to write my Grade Seven exams while on the hospital bed.”

She explained how she wrote her exams:

“There were some teachers, who were moving around hospitals helping pupils to write their exams.

“They came to me checking if I was able to write the exams and I said yes.

“But my relatives and some teachers from school, at first, declined since I was in great pain.

“I even cried to convince my relatives and, in the end, I sat for my exams, which began on November 4.

“I developed ulcers and I was then discharged from the hospital on December 24 and I was now being treated at home.

“I would go for review every week. The day I left the hospital I cried since I was shocked that I was now going to use a wheelchair.

“It was difficult for me to accept my new condition as I was now disabled yet I used to walk properly.

Vellah said her results came out separately.

“When the Grade Seven results came out, mine didn’t come. “There were some issues but they later came out in March 2017 and I had 19 units.

“I went to Jairosi Jiri, looking for enrolment, and they advised me to get examined first, as they claimed my brain was affected by the burns.

“We could not get access to the doctor and I had to stay at home but I kept my results slip hoping that one day I would go to school.

“I took poison so that I kill myself before my mother took it away from me.

“I felt I was giving her a burden since she was the one who was taking care of me, pushing my wheelchair.

“But, I later got counselling and I now have happiness. I asked myself kuti dai zvisina kuitirwa ini ndaida zviitirwe ani,” she said.

She said four years later she went back to school.

“I started going to secondary school after four years. I had always wanted to proceed with school.

“Many people laughed and mocked me over my age when they heard I was now going to school.

“Vaiti iyo chembere, zigogo chairo muchiri kuvavarirei kuchikoro. These words affected me the most but I comforted myself.

“It was not easy at school since no one would want to push me on the wheelchair.

“The situation made me not to eat or drink anything at school since no one would take me to the toilet.

“I am now in Form Two and I look forward to a better future. I wish to be a role model to many vulnerable people.

“People say a lot but I have developed a thick skin. Worse still, I am the oldest in class but I am not moved or deterred. I have discovered that suicide is not an option. Death is not an option and I see myself becoming a journalist or radio presenter.

“I want a job that can suit my condition.” H Metro

Police shot and killed an alleged leader of illegal gold miners during a shootout in Bindura on Friday.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Paul Nyathi confirmed the fatal shooting of Claudius Tavazera (21), who was on the police’s list of most wanted persons.

Asst Comm Nyathi said Tavazera and 30 other suspects, who are still at large, were armed with machetes and attacked and kidnapped two employees of Botha Mining Syndicate. He said:

The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the death of Claudius Tavazera, who died in a shootout incident that occurred in Bindura on March 4, 2022, at about 1200hrs.

Police received reports of kidnapping and attempted murder where two complainants employed by Botha Mining Syndicate were attacked and kidnapped by a group of approximately 31 illegal gold miners who were armed with machetes, spears, knobkerries, catapults, logs, switches knives and axes.

The suspects attacked the complainants on allegations of planning to drive illegal gold miners out of the Kitsiyatota area.

Nyathi said police officers encountered the gang which attacked the law enforcement agents prompting them to call for reinforcements and to fire four warning shots.

The suspects allegedly ignored the warning shots and attacked the police until Tavazera was shot on the left knee, prompting the other gang members to flee.

The police rescued the Botha Mining Syndicate employees and ferried them to Bindura Hospital together with the suspect.

Nyathi said Tavazera died at Bindura Hospital while receiving treatment.

ZRP has launched a manhunt for other suspects including Kudakwashe Njenge and Behavior Gwaimai.

Tavazera and some of his accomplices were already on the police wanted list over robbery and rape cases that occurred in Chinhamhora.-newsday

By A Correspondent- FORUS President Manyara Irene Muyenziwa has condemned political violence which is currently ensuing in different parts of the country as per various reports and called for peace and unity as the country prepares for the by-elections this month.

Commenting on the recent Kwekwe violence where two Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members were murdered and scores injured, President Muyenziwa described the incident as barbaric and unacceptable and urged Zimbabweans to be peaceful in all their undertakings.

“It’s barbaric and totally unacceptable to kill your own brother simply because you have political differences”, she said.

She added:

“Zimbabwe’s pre and post elections moments have been marred by ugly scenes of violence and violence has cost the nation on international relations front. I would like to appeal to all political players to embrace peace and unity”.

FORUS intends to create strong and Independent insitutions to curb violence. The party will ensure a citizen charter which enshrines the fundamental duties for the citizens will be ushered in such that the nation nurtures a responsible and progressive citizenry.

By A Correspondent- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday claimed that his party was  now alert to Zimbabwe Electoral Commission  (Zec) rigging machinations ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Addressing thousands of party supporters in Gweru, Chamisa claimed that he now had “eyes” inside the commission.

Chamisa has previously claimed that he was cheated by the electoral commission in the 2018 elections and refused to recognise President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s victory despite losing a Constitutional Court challenge.

“This time I assure you, there will be no rigging, I now have eyes in Zec, I am being briefed about their every move and even if they want to rig, we will know in advance and act to avert it,” Chamisa said.

The commission is under fire after watchdog Team Pachedu analysed the March 26 voters roll and unearthed gross irregularities, including changes to 156 polling stations and the moving of more than 177 000 voters to different constituencies.

In response, Zec chairperson Priscilla Chigumba last week threatened to sue Team Pachedu, adding that she was only answerable to Parliament.

Chamisa also spoke directly to securocrats, who he said should not fear for their jobs, but “corrupt” Zanu-PF officials had to go so that the country could enjoy economic growth.

“I know that the security forces are scared to lose their jobs in the event that CCC becomes government. But they should not be scared. It is corrupt Zanu-PF leaders who we want to remove and arrest in the new government.”

He promised his supporters that he will form a very lean Cabinet.

“Those in government who fear that they will lose their jobs, don’t worry, fear not because we are not after removing the head, but we want to change the haircut, we are after the politicians and not government workers.

“Government is not an industry, it is not supposed to be a space where you come for cars, money and jobs for the boys – no. Our government will be lean, 12 to 13 ministers only and no deputies,” he said amid applause.

On devolution, he said all ministers of State would be removed to allow decentralisation of power to take
effect.

“We will not have governors, our government will ensure that governance is put to the people, we can’t have everything being done in Harare, we want to make sure Gweru is our administrative capital, Harare our commercial capital and Bulawayo our industrial hub,” he said.

Chamisa also said his party was not interested in coalescing with MDCs.

“My brothers don’t unite with this person (Douglas Mwonzora the leader of the MDC Alliance). He does not help you, if you engage in a government of national unity (GNU) with a dead person, you are also dead.”

Recently, Mwonzora said he discussed the possibility of forming a GNU with Mnangagwa.

Chamisa urged Mnangagwa to retire, so that young people could take the country forward. He said politics was a game of ideas, not guns.

At the rally, all interim CCC leaders sat with the crowd, with no VIP tent or chairs for the top table.

Chamisa said this was now “the new normal” as the VIP tent created distance between party leadership and the electorate.

In Bulawayo on Saturday, Chamisa promised to restore the city to its former glory of being the country’s industrial hub.

He told thousands of supporters at White City Stadium that his government will set up a truth commission to resolve the emotive Gukurahundi issue.

“There will no longer be destruction of memorial plaques and we will make Bhalagwe a national monument,” the CCC leader said, also promising that the Bulawayo water problems would be a thing of the past.

“The water project (Gwayi-Shangani Dam) will no longer be an election issue whereby you are promised the completion of the project each time elections are close. I will complete the project in exactly three years,” Chamisa said.

CCC interim vice-president Tendai Biti also addressed the Gweru crowd, saying Zimbabwe needed to dollarise until the economy stabilised enough to introduce its own currency.-newsday

By A Correspondent- The South African All Truck Drivers Forum (ATDF) has called for abolition of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) in a bid to bar all foreign truck drivers from working in the neighbouring country.

The ATDF is now demanding that the ZEP grace period for renewal of permits, which expires on December 31, 2022 be abolished.

Zimbabwe Community in South Africa chairman, Nqabutho Mabhena yesterday said the ATDF must be guided by the South African government’s decision to offer a grace period to ZEP holders.

“The truckers have the right to raise the issues affecting them, but we remain guided by the position taken by the SA government on November 24, 2021 that ZEP holders will have a grace period of 12 months to stay in that country,” Mabhena said.

“The SA Labour minister Thulas Nxesi was clear that the rights of migrants must be protected and we expect the State to protect migrants who are in South Africa.”

Mabhena said foreign drivers were still allowed to work in neighbouring South Africa.

“If the South Africa government bans migrants from working in the trucking industry that would be a different issue, but currently those with permits are allowed to work in the trucking industry,” he said.

https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-1808990247913755&output=html&h=280&slotname=7632241627&adk=2580078309&adf=1513479931&pi=t.ma~as.7632241627&w=728&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1646644398&rafmt=1&psa=1&format=728×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbulawayo24.com%2Findex-id-news-sc-local-byo-216048.html&flash=0&fwr=0&fwrattr=true&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiOTguMC40NzU4LjEwMiIsW10sbnVsbCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siIE5vdCBBO0JyYW5kIiwiOTkuMC4wLjAiXSxbIkNocm9taXVtIiwiOTguMC40NzU4LjEwMiJdLFsiR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjk4LjAuNDc1OC4xMDIiXV1d&dt=1646644398435&bpp=2&bdt=223&idt=394&shv=r20220302&mjsv=m202202280101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D125c818f8ca4ee47-22a78e5086a70006%3AT%3D1618326493%3ART%3D1618326493%3AS%3DALNI_MZpsCGWD26RJWsDIj7vy8tsJB0zXA&prev_fmts=0x0%2C336x280%2C1083x280%2C160x600%2C728x280&nras=1&correlator=6271663666583&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1623260446.1618326493&ga_sid=1646640824&ga_hid=1502665671&ga_fc=1&u_tz=120&u_his=8&u_h=720&u_w=1280&u_ah=680&u_aw=1280&u_cd=24&u_sd=1.5&dmc=8&adx=165&ady=1900&biw=1263&bih=609&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=42531398%2C44750773%2C31065516%2C44758226&oid=2&pvsid=3565561128731216&pem=471&tmod=975534839&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fbulawayo24.com%2Findex-id-news-sc-local-byo-216045.html&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1280%2C0%2C1280%2C680%2C1280%2C609&vis=1&rsz=o%7Co%7CeEbr%7C&abl=NS&pfx=0&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=5&uci=a!5&btvi=3&fsb=1&xpc=G7DnfU2o4r&p=https%3A//bulawayo24.com&dtd=398Groups of truck drivers marched through the streets of Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg on Monday to hand over a memorandum of demands to the offices of the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry.

The ATDF said its demands for the ZEP grace period to be abolished were in line with its stance on foreign truck drivers.  It has been protesting through road shutdowns and highway blockades, calling for foreign truck drivers to be barred from the road freight industry, arguing that truck driving should be reserved for South Africans because it’s not a scarce skill.

ATDF general-secretary Sifiso Nyathi said the call to abolish the ZEP permits would be directed to Nxesi and the Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi.

“This is not a matter for the bargaining council but one that needs the urgent attention of [ministers] Nxesi and Motsoaledi,” Nyathi said.

In November 2021, the South African Cabinet decided not to renew the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits. About 182 000 Zimbabweans hold the permits and they were given 12 months to apply so that they can migrate to other visa regimes suitable to their individual circumstances.

The decision to cancel the permits sparked outrage among their holders and rights groups who unsuccessfully took the government to court over the matter.

Recently, Zimbabwean students in South Africa suffered a major blow after Pretoria withdrew a waiver allowing them to apply for permanent residence permits.

By A Correspondent- The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has retrenched 20 workers citing a sharp increase in operational costs amid allegations of victimisation, NewsDay Business has learnt.

Employees at the parastatal allege that executives from the five workers’ unions were targeted to be part of the 20 employees who were retrenched last week.

Fears remain that more will lose their jobs as the NRZ streamlines its operations.

The workers are demanding a salary hike of more than 200% and that half of the salaries be paid in hard currency.

The highest paid artisan is  reportedly earning below  the equivalent of US$200.

A crunch meeting held between management and workers unions over the retrenchments ended in a deadlock as the two parties failed to reach an agreement.

NRZ general manager  Respina  Zinyanduko  declined  to comment on the issue.

“This is not a personal matter, it’s about the company and you have to speak to the public relations manager,” she said.

Unionists, who spoke to this publication, said they were being targeted for their push for improved working conditions.

However, senior  management officials at NRZ dismissed the claims as baseless.

“The affected employees belonged to what is called the general managers pool which was created for employees that have nothing to do after the restructuring exercise which we just completed.

“Where is the victimisation here?

“These are people who have already been made redundant and as a management team we can’t justify paying people who have been idle.

“One locomotive will never be profitable if it is maintained by 300 artisans. Never,” a manager, who requested anonymity, said.

“At this rate, we were paying people who are not productive and eventually we would fail to pay those who are productive and the obvious would happen.

“People will leave the company or become unproductive. We need to be able to pay productive people and move on,” another manager with the State entity said.

Acting public relations manager Martin Banda said the laying off of the 20 workers was as a result of rising costs and not victimisation.

“Seeking better working conditions cannot be an excuse for victimising and retrenching people. It is a well-known fact that our economy is not doing well and as such everyone has a right to air their grievances at appointed platforms and collective bargain takes its course,” Banda said.

“We are retrenching at present 20 employees who are considered as excess staff and currently sitting in the general manager’s pool.

“This is unfortunate in that initially we had pledged that we were not going to retrench anyone except through natural attrition but due to major changes happening on the market including a rise in operational costs of business such as fuel and  foreign currency availability which has been  constrained.

“We, therefore, could not continue to have people on the payroll who are redundant.”

Banda said the NRZ board resolved to retrench the workers in its last meeting of February 25.

By A Correspondent- NMWUZ – National Mines Workers Union Of Zimbabwe has vehemently rejected the 46 percent wage increment recently awarded the already financially struggling mineworkers by  COMZ – Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe and AMWUZ – Associated Mine Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe.

In a heated interview, the President of NMWUZ Mr Kurebwa Javangwe Nomboka argued, “We reject this mockery of wage adjustment by COMZ and AMWUZ and when we know that; (1) our minerals are sold in foreign currency; (2) there are high risks associated with working in the mines, i.e. the contracting of diseases due to inhalation of dust and dangerous gasses and; (3) and the lower life expectancy caused by work related deaths either through sickness or unforeseen accidents”.

Consequently and in contradistinction to these observations raised by the NMWUZ President, the current salary rate for mine workers in Zimbabwe falls far short of addressing the worker’s needs in so far as remuneration and allowances are  concerned.

With special reference to the recent outcome on first quarter wages covering the period January 1 to 31st March – the awarded 46 percent insignificantly addressed the USD portion which only rose by USD6.00 or the minimum.

“Against this background, we want the entire wage package to be above the PDL – Poverty Datum Line which is above USD623.00 according to the CCZ – Consumer Council of Zimbabwe latest statistical analysis report” retorted Mr Nomboka.

Meanwhile, employees in the mining sector are not happy and they are asking questions as to why AMWUZ is the only Union currently sitting on the negotiating table with COMZ and why their employers are not interested in inviting other unions on board.

NMWUZ President is concerned and arguing the serious and urgent need to also review mine workers’ allowances which have not been reviewed for a very long time.

“Allowances being awarded mine workers are no longer realistic and one wonders what negotiators are thinking of as they continue to leave allowances unadjusted despite their knowledge of the volatility of the country’s economic environment which can no longer hold any water,” said Mr Nomboka.

The country’s collective bargaining Agreement (SI 165 of 1992) is now outdated in spite of recent and progressive developments that have taken place in labour laws especially the amendments to the Labour Act in Zimbabwe.

In that same wavelength, the Union has called for a complete overhaul of the statute in order to allign it with the current trends and best practices in international labor laws and the need for job evaluation considering the technological changes taking place in the mining sector.

“Sadly, most of our people are being undergraded when instead they should be seated on their correct positions and this is happening because the status quo in the mining sector favors employers at the expense of employees (for example we no longer use jack hammer but the jack hammer position is the current position being used to grade an employee who is now using a more mechanised equipment when employers pay employees in most mines”.

Miners are demading a more lucrative social security scheme which should be in position to handsomely award them in the event of death or termination of employment contract while affordable home ownership schemes should be introduced to the miner’s and with better rewards, such as duty free and the like.

Affordability of home ownership loan schemes are quintessential so that the lowest paid miner can now own a house.

“Mr Mthuli Ncube has admitted that the mining sector is one of the major revenue generators in Zimbabwe’s economy but sadly and in juxstaposition the wages for mine workers remain unattended and with their employers enjoying duty-free importations for their vehicles and equipment, but zero benefit-sharing for the mine workers”.

By A Correspondent- An MDC Alliance supporter has been arraigned before the court on a charge of violating the Electoral Act after he destroyed campaign posters belonging to a Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate in Epworth.

The suspect, Adam Kazembe (55), who is affiliated to Douglas Mwonzora’s party, on Saturday appeared before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda charged with destruction of political posters and was granted $5 000 bail.

The posters belonged to CCC aspiring candidate for Epworth Earthrage Kureva, who will represent the party in the March 26 by-elections.

Allegations were that on March 3 at around 3pm, the informant, who is a CCC activist, was near Domboramwari Primary School in the company of fellow party members.

He saw Kazembe, who was in the company of three others who are still at large, removing CCC campaign posters from a school precast wall.

When the informant approached Kazembe, his accomplices ran away, leaving him behind.

The informant established that Kazembe and his accomplices had unlawfully removed or destroyed 28 CCC campaign posters on the school precast wall.

The matter was reported to the police in Epworth on March 4, leading to Kazembe’s arrest.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Midlands Provincial Affairs minister Larry Mavima has said non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the country should not cry foul over the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill which threatens to shut down their operations, but should go and render their services to war-torn Ukraine.

Mavima said NGOs would be de-registered as the government no longer saw their relevance due to their “involvement in politics”.

The PVO Amendment Bill, which will amend the PVO Act, is currently being debated in Parliament and is viewed as oppressive as it will criminalise the work of NGOs and give the Public Service minister powers to regulate their operations. It will also require them to disclose their sources of funding.

Speaking during a devolution meeting in Gweru at the weekend, Mavima told local authorities to de-register non-compliant NGOs.

“How long should we continue relying on other people? The country is built by its own people. As much as possible we are now able to do a lot of things without NGOs. There was a time when NGOs were necessary. But we have to get out of this mentality. I was serious when I said if there are NGOs which feel that they have something; let them go to Ukraine where there are people in need of their services because there is war. Here we are a peaceful country. No one is bombing us,” Mavima said.

Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum director Musa Kika said the government could not function without NGOs.

“The government is being short-sighted and is choosing perceived political expediency over livelihoods, economic well-being, strengthened governance and all that civil society represents. We have no precedent anywhere in the world where the government operates successfully without civil society, bearing in mind that civil society are the people, citizens self-organising over issues of community and national importance. There is no sustainability in what the government is doing, so the comments attributed to the minister (Mavima) are unfortunate,” Kika said.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) spokesperson Obert Masaraure said: “I think Mavima is highly misguided. It’s unfortunate that Zimbabwe has such people as leaders who say a country doesn’t need NGOs; a country with more than 7,9 million people living in poverty doesn’t need NGOs? Even if you go to stable developed countries, they still have NGOs. He doesn’t appreciate the role of NGOs. What Mavima doesn’t pick is that there is a lot of humanitarian work that is being done by NGOs. They are feeding thousands of people who cannot afford to get a meal and are sending a lot of drop outs back to school.”-newsday

Police in Bulawayo are investigating a murder case where an infant (3) died in the custody of a stepmother (27) after eating sadza and sour milk on 03/02/22.

The victim started vomiting before being taken to hospital where she died on admission.

Bruises and fresh cuts were observed on the victim’s body and the suspect confessed that she assaulted her with a cooking stick and switches. Meanwhile, the body was conveyed to Mpilo Hospital for post-mortem.- ZRP

By- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) president Nelson Chamisa Sunday sat among his supporters during his rally at Mkoba Stadium, Gweru, following claims ZANU PF wants to kill him.

Chamisa and the CCC top brass sat among the crowd, flanked on either side by his two deputies, Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube.
Party chairperson Tabitha Khumalo, who has been ill for the past months and her deputy Job Sikhala also sat close to Chamisa.
The new setup came hours after Chamisa claimed state security agents were plotting to assassinate him at a rally in Bulawayo.
He repeated the same sentiments at Mkoba Said the former ICT minister:

This government had been trying to kill me. We have done away with this system of chefs. Chefs are the citizens, not the president.
The move, according to party deputy spokesperson Ostallos Siziba, is designed to show that the party is yet to elect its leaders. He told NewZimbabwe.com Siziba:
This is a citizens’ movement and this new setup indicates the structure of our new party which is yet to be elected.

By- Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change president Nelson Chamisa on Sunday addressed thousands of his supporters in Gweru.

At the oversubscribed rally, the youthful opposition leader said that he was endorsed by many founding leaders of Zimbabwe, the living and the departed to be the President of Zimbabwe.

He said:
Dabengwa endorsed me, Morgan Tsvangirai endorsed me, (former President Robert endorsed me. Until the anointed one is on the throne, Zimbabwe will not have peace, the economy won’t stabilise.

He said the CCC is the only hope and solution to the country’s economic, humanitarian and political crises.

By- Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change president Nelson Chamisa said he was endorsed by many founding leaders of Zimbabwe, the living and the departed to be the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

Chamisa, made the remarks while addressing CCC supporters at a rally held on Sunday at Mkoba, Gweru.
He said:
Dabengwa endorsed me, Morgan Tsvangirai endorsed me, (former President Robert endorsed me. Until the anointed one is on the throne, Zimbabwe will not have peace, the economy won’t stabilise.
He said the CCC is the only hope and solution to the country’s economic, humanitarian and political crises.

By- Opposition, CCC President Nelson Chamisa in Bulawayo on Saturday said that he would deal with the Gukurahundi issue once and for all if elected to rule the country in 2023.

The Bulawayo rally held at White City Stadium in Imenyela — the second biggest stadium in the city — was a sea of yellow.

Bouyed by the large White City crowd, Chamisa promised to solve long-standing grievances of marginalisation and economic deprivation in Matabeleland, if his party wins the elections.
“Matabeleland we have your answers and your answers are ready,” he told the crowd.
“The first thing that we have to do as your government is to make sure that we restore Matabeleland as the industrial capital of our land.
“I know there is the issue of Gukurahundi. I am the only leader who is going to deal with truth and reconciliation in this country.”
Gukurahundi, which refers to the massacres by the army in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces in the early years of independence, remains unresolved several decades on.
Chamisa said Zanu PF would never destroy him as he claimed there were plots to assassinate him by his rivals.
He asked: “Do you agree that (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa must rest?
“Do you know that in other countries the leader of the opposition is actually given security protection?
“But in this country the leader of the opposition is being plotted against, assassination plots, traps, arrests, and violations.
“They are trying every trick in the book, but they do not know one thing that I am like David, I am walking in the anointing that is with me. They will never destroy me,” Chamisa added.
Chamisa said he was ready to lead and drive Zimbabwe to prosperity.
“I’m ready. I am ready. In 2023 there is going to be a better government. In 2023 Matabeleland will never be Zanu PF again. I want you to be an ambassador for change,” the CCC leader said.
“Mnangagwa, your dear one Chiwenga was saying he is like Goliath. Goliath I am coming there. David is coming.”
In the Bible, Goliath was an enemy warrior who was defeated by a young shepherd David, with a sling.
“They are shocked and panicking because they thought they had buried us, but they didn’t know that they had planted a seed,’ Chamisa said.
“Everyone is saying we believe in this thing because it’s a citizens’ movement.”
The parliamentary and local government elections are being held to fill vacancies largely created by the recall of elected representatives by Mwonzora and the PDP led by Lucia Matibenga under controversial circumstances.

• Standard

By- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) president Nelson Chamisa Sunday sat among his supporters during his rally at Mkoba Stadium, Gweru, following claims ZANU PF wants to kill him.

Chamisa and the CCC top brass sat among the crowd, flanked on either side by his two deputies, Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube.
Party chairperson Tabitha Khumalo, who has been ill for the past months and her deputy Job Sikhala also sat close to Chamisa.
The new setup came hours after Chamisa claimed state security agents were plotting to assassinate him at a rally in Bulawayo.
He repeated the same sentiments at Mkoba Said the former ICT minister:

This government had been trying to kill me. We have done away with this system of chefs. Chefs are the citizens, not the president.
The move, according to party deputy spokesperson Ostallos Siziba, is designed to show that the party is yet to elect its leaders. He told NewZimbabwe.com Siziba:
This is a citizens’ movement and this new setup indicates the structure of our new party which is yet to be elected.

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has bemoaned the lack of development in Matabeleland region.

The Zanu PF regime has neglected Bulawayo and Matabeleland region for years, according to President Chamisa.

He addressed more than 35 thousands CCC supporters at White City Stadium in Bulawayo at a campaign rally on Saturday.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1007821870152472&id=100044323395268

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has bemoaned the lack of development in Matabeleland region.

The Zanu PF regime has neglected Bulawayo and Matabeleland region for years, according to President Chamisa.

He addressed more than 35 thousands CCC supporters at White City Stadium in Bulawayo at a campaign rally on Saturday.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1007821870152472&id=100044323395268

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has bemoaned the lack of development in Matabeleland region.

The Zanu PF regime has neglected Bulawayo and Matabeleland region for years, according to President Chamisa.

He addressed more than 35 thousands CCC supporters at White City Stadium in Bulawayo at a campaign rally on Saturday.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1007821870152472&id=100044323395268

By- Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change president Nelson Chamisa on Sunday addressed thousands of his supporters in Gweru.

At the oversubscribed rally, the youthful opposition leader said that he was endorsed by many founding leaders of Zimbabwe, the living and the departed to be the President of Zimbabwe.

He said:

Dabengwa endorsed me, Morgan Tsvangirai endorsed me, (former President Robert endorsed me. Until the anointed one is on the throne, Zimbabwe will not have peace, the economy won’t stabilise.

He said the CCC is the only hope and solution to the country’s economic, humanitarian and political crises.

Police in Bulawayo are investigating a murder case where an infant (3) died in the custody of a stepmother (27) after eating sadza and sour milk on 03/02/22.

The victim started vomiting before being taken to hospital where she died on admission.

Bruises and fresh cuts were observed on the victim’s body and the suspect confessed that she assaulted her with a cooking stick and switches. Meanwhile, the body was conveyed to Mpilo Hospital for post-mortem.- ZRP

By A Correspondent- A 25 year old hit and run suspect tried to evade arrest by faking an accident minutes after fleeing from the scene.

Ngqabutho Brian Sibanda of Nkulumane, Bulawayo was arrested by the police after he allegedly ran over Mr Mandlenkosi Sibanda (52) along Luveve road on 28 February.

The now deceased, Mandlenkosi Sibanda, was found lying beside the road along Luveve road opposite a private clinic in Luveve 4.

After fleeing the first scene, Brian Sibanda went on to try and conceal the hit and run by faking an accident, claiming he had veered off the road and fell into a trench.

Police officers who attended the scene were, however, quick to unearth the fake accident as the car had blood stains and other signs that were not  corresponding with the accident.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abedinico Ncube told Sunday News that Brian Sibanda was immediately arrested.

“Police arrested Ngqabutho Brian Sibanda in connection with a fatal accident that occurred on 27 February 2022 at around midnight.

He ran over Mandlenkosi Sibanda along Luveve road.

“The driver tried to fake an accident to conceal the hit and run, but police who attended the fake accident observed that the damages on the vehicle and blood stains were not corresponding with the accident.

Upon being questioned further the driver admitted to have been involved in an accident along Luveve road on 27 February 2022 at around 12 midnight.

“The same debris which were found at the scene matched with those found on the accused’s motor vehicle and he was arrested,” said Insp Ncube.

It also emerged that the suspect was not a holder of a driver’s licence.-statemedia