By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has announced the arrest of a Dete man for cultivating 11 marijuana plants in his garden.

Said the ZRP in a statement:

On 27/01/22, Police in Hwange reacted to a tip-off and arrested Langton Masunda (57) for cultivating eleven plants of dagga at his garden at Halfway Hotel, Gwayi, Dete.

In 2020, Zimbabwe legalised the production of industrial hemp (marijuana) through Statutory Instrument 218 Agricultural Marketing Authority (Industrial Hemp) Regulations gazetted on Friday by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Anxious Masuka.

According to  Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust (ZIHT)’s Dr Zorodzai Maroveke, the first harvesting of industrial hemp happened in 2020.

Scores of people have been arrested nationwide for possession of marijuana.

When the government authorised the production of industrial hemp, some thought possession of marijuana was now legal.

Meanwhile, Police in Bulawayo arrested Sanele Sharon Ndlovu (27) for unlawful possession of three sachets of Crystal Methamphetamine weighing approximately 0.001 kgs with a value of ZWL$2 550.

Crystal Methamphetamine, known as Mutoriro in street lingo, also referred to as Dombo (Shona for Stone), is one of the most abused drugs in Zimbabwe.

It reportedly started appearing in Zimbabwe around 2016 and its use was on the increase since.

The Crystal Meth in Zimbabwe is in the form of brownish-cream grains that look like coarse salt or small hailstones.

In South Africa, Mutoriro is called Tik.

By- Zanu PF is celebrating winning the uncontested Ward 14 of Umguza Rural District Council in Matabeleland North.

Opposition parties did not nominate candidates to contest the council seat in the forthcoming by-elections set for March 26.

Zanu PF candidate, Delay Ncube, was the only successful candidate to lodge his nomination papers and was duly elected as the councillor for that ward, effective January 26, 2022.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) chief election officer Mr Utoile Silaigwana confirmed the development.
“All constituencies and wards, with the exception of ward 14 of Umguza Rural District Council are contested. Ward 3 of Bulawayo Municipality, which was initially advertised for the sitting of the nomination court did not sit after the Town Clerk notified Zec of the withdrawal,” he said.
The commission, he said, will publish the names of the candidates contesting in the by-elections.
In addition, he said the commission has also received two more vacancies for Ward 20 of Chitungwiza Municipality and Ward 3 of Gokwe North RDC.
The nomination court for the two, he said, will sit on February 22 2022 and polling will be conducted together with the rest if it becomes necessary.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has set March 26 of this year as the date for holding by-elections to fill vacant parliamentary and council seats.
Zimbabwe has a total of 133 elective vacancies, which comprise 28 parliamentary seats and 105 council seats emanating from recalls, deaths or dismissals. Subsequent nomination courts for these vacancies sat on January 26, and 28, 2022 respectively across the country.
Electoral activities were suspended in March 2020 due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

-Chronicle

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe is bracing for another devastating tropical cyclone, christened Batsirai expected to hit the country Tuesday February, barely a week after its precessor, Ana left a trail of destruction.

The warning, which has been communicated by the Southern Africa Development Committee’s (SADC) Climate Services Centre, indicates that Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi, Tanzania, the Comoros Islands, Mauritius, South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia and the DRC are set to receive abnormally heavy rainfall until February 3.

Homes, bridges, power lines and health facilities have been swept away by Cyclone Ana in affected Manicaland and Masvingo provinces

The impending tropical cyclone could mean further crisis for the affected, some of who fell victim to Cyclone Idai in 2019.

“The TC BATSIRAI is evolving in a favourable environment and is expected to intensify further into an Intense Tropical Cyclone and affect main island Mauritius between 01 and 02 February 2022. Additionally, active weather systems are influencing other parts of SADC.

“There is a possibility that Batsirai may also affect central parts of Madagascar, however, the level of uncertainty at present is relatively high.

“Other parts of the SADC region that will experience increased rainfall during the next couples of days include Comoros, Seychelles, northern Malawi, Namibia, whole United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, east Angola, and parts of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe,” the SADC Climate Services Centre said in a statement Monday.

By – The weekend storm has left a trail of destruction in Kariba.

The storm swept away a man crossing the flooded Nyaodza River, and his body was recovered several kilometres downstream last weekend.
At least six cars were also trapped after the Mutoranhanga River Bridge was badly damaged, while large boulders covered the Charara-Makande Road, cutting off Kariba and Gache Gache from the rest of the country.
Mangura Dam in Nyaminyami Ward 9 burst its wall.

Several schools including Mamvura Machena and Mola primary schools and Mola Youth Centre had their roofs blown off while Mola Bridge was damaged.
Kariba district assistant development coordinator Mrs Patience Mubango said efforts were underway to remove the boulders from the roads and repair Mola Bridge.
“One person was swept away while trying to cross Nyaodza River, but his body was retrieved,” said Ms Mubango.
“Mangura dam in Ward 9 burst and lost all the water while there was a rock fall on Jonga Mountain Gache Gache Road is closed.”

Tractors have failed to remove the boulders owing to their sizes and efforts are now being made to secure heavier equipment to remove the rocks.
The Charara-Makande Road links rural Nyaminyami and Kariba urban and also Hurungwe district.
It is used to transport patients and supplies to Kariba District Hospital from Siakobvu and Mola.
The storms also left houses flooded at Marongora and rockfalls along the Harare-Chirundu highway.

-Herald

By -A recently launched Go-fund to raise money for the newly-formed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa has, as of Monday at 10 pm, raised £3 993 out of the targeted £50 000.

One Estelle Adams-Stone, launched the initiative on 13 January 2022. Estelle Adams-Stone said the money would be used to support parliamentary and local government candidates who were recalled by MDC-T to retain their seats. Pindula News presents Estelle Adams-Stone’s description of the initiative:
26 March is the day of by-elections in Zimbabwe which will legally allow Advocate Nelson Chamisa’s MPs who were wrongly recalled from parliament by Douglas Mwonzora to get their parliamentary seats back.
They were recalled by Douglas Mwonzora removing the people’s right to have representation in parliament.
They need the financial assistance of ALL Zimbabweans home and abroad to win these constituencies back.
Could you PLEASE assist them by donating any amount you can spare in order to restore democracy in Zimbabwe.
Their fight for freedom is everyone’s right for human dignity and the fight against corruption and tyranny.
Their victory is a victory for every Zimbabwean who wants to see a better Zimbabwe with functioning hospitals, schools, water services, the emergence of jobs and decent roads for our country.
Could you please assist them by donating anything you can and by sharing the link for this Go-Fund.
What is at stake is the future of your children and grandchildren and the future and dignity of our country.
Women are dying everyday trying to give birth, students are being kicked out of school and in colleges they are sleeping outside in rain and cold weather, the youths have no jobs, there is no clean drinking water yet billions are being looted by ZANUPF and its surrogates.
To fix this it requires the restoration of democracy and that requires everyone’s assistance.
No donation is big or small!
We need to stop Douglas Mwonzora from handing the people’s struggle to ZANUPF and Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Every cent and penny donated will be publicly accounted for.
This Go-Fund has the endorsement of Advocate Nelson Chamisa who is the main opposition leader in Zimbabwe.
We thank you for your generosity and contribution towards a free, Democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe.

SayNoToMwonzora #March26

NgaapindeHakeMukomana

By- The newly-formed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) said it had started crowd-sourcing for its electoral campaigns.

This comes when the government last week disbursed ZW$150 million (about US$1.3 million at the official exchange rate) through the Political Parties Finance Act to ZANU PF and the MDC-T.

The CCC party led by Nelson Chamisa was formed last week after it dumped its previous name, MDC Alliance which it used in the 2018 elections after the rival MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora said it would use the name in the March 26 by-elections.

The Chamsa-led party says it is entitled to the money that was given to the MDC-T considering that the party won 88 National Assembly seats and 25 senate seats while MDC-T did not win a single seat.

The government is justifying the disbursement of the funds to MDC-T on a 2020 Supreme Court ruling on the MDC leadership crisis which ruled that Chamisa was not the MDC’s legitimate leader.

CCC treasurer-general David Coltart Sunday told NewsDay that the Chamisa-led party has no option but to raise funds through crowdsourcing “to defend the people’s vote“.

Coltart, however, declined to divulge the exact figure that has been raised so far, saying that it was confidential information. The former Primary and Secondary Education Minister said:

The money is to finance preparations for the elections as the money that was supposed to be given to us since 2018 through the Political Parties (Finance) Act was illegally given to MDC-T.

This also comes after a crowdsourcing initiative to replace Chamisa’s vehicle raised US$122 050, as of Monday 31 January 2022, out of the targetted US$120 000. 

More: NewsDay Zimbabwe

By- A Karoi General hospital nurse last week saved the lives of a young woman and her baby by the roadside.

Umali Jawadu (43) was escorting patients to the provincial referral Chinhoyi Hospital last Wednesday when he and his alert driver, Mr Owen Kapungu, noticed a woman believed to be in her mid-20s lying by the roadside some 10km from Karoi towards Chinhoyi.

The woman was in dire need of assistance, and saving her made Jawadu an instant hero.

The government has rewarded, Jawadu with sponsorship to study midwifery at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital School of Nursing.

Provincial nursing officer Mr Farai Marufu said Jawadu would start lessons this May.

“He has been enrolled for the May class to study midwifery at Chinhoyi Hospital.
We will continue to support him until he finishes his course. When we look at this young man, we see a health practitioner who is exceptionally different from some of our workers today.
“I receive various complaints from patients across the province about some uncaring officials and we are currently doing investigations.

“Jawadu is among a few officials that are patriotic enough and this is the thrust we want, workers should be patriotic enough,” he said.
Jawadu said he was happy to enrol for the course.

-Herald

By- Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA) has expressed concern over a spate of road accidents involving Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) buses. 

The association blames both ZUPCO and Bulawayo City Council (BCC).

This comes after two ZUPCO buses have been involved in road accidents in different parts of the city in just a week killing a combined four while injuring over 25 people.

BURA chairperson, Winos Dube said it was sad that the accidents were involving the main transport provider, ZUPCO whose mandate is said to save the people. Dube added:

It’s an issue of concern as residents as well as the leaders and representatives of residents that we have to go through such. This experience leaves us to ask ourselves what causes these accidents.

The state of the roads is very bad and needs serious attention.

And the buses themselves are they road worthy and are they the ones that should be providing these services.

Dube also suggested that the personnel tasked to ferry passengers may not be mentally sound to be delivering these services.

Dube urged the relevant authorities to fix the issue. 

The accidents involving ZUPCO buses have not been confined to Bulawayo, they have been happening nationwide.

More: Open Council Bulawayo

By- Two people escaped death by a whisker when a tree fell on top of the car they were travelling in Vainona, Harare, Monday.

The victims, Last Goba and Tinotenda Thomas, are all employees of Chestrock.
A witness, Tendai Marova, said he managed to rescue both victims but one of them was seriously injured.

“I heard a loud noise when the tree fell down. I rushed to the scene and rescued them.

The passenger who was seriously injured was taken to a nearby hospital,” said Mr Marova.

The driver of the vehicle, Goba, was said to be in a stable condition.
-Herald

By A Correspondent- A 27 year old Bulawayo man accused of aggravated indecent assault on a 14 year old girl fainted in court at the same time with his mother during his appearance last Wednesday prompting the court to adjourn to a further date.

Archbold Marimbe of Kingsdale in Bulawayo denied the charges when he appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Elisha Singano.

While defending himself in court, he fainted in the dock, and his mother who was seated at the court gallery also fainted at the same time.

Before she fainted, his mother went into a trance as if possessed by spirits.

This prompted the magistrate to then adjourn the court prematurely and to remand the matter to January 31.

Prosecutor Patience Sibanda told the court that on December 25 last year at 10pm, a 14- year-old girl had left home to buy goods at North End shops.

While at the shops, she met Marimbe driving his car.  He then lured her to accompany him to Smoke House situated in the Hillside area.

The girl refused but later gave in.  While in the car, she allegedly pleaded with Marimbe to teach her how to drive.

It is the state case that while at Northend shops, Marimbe parked his car and started fondling the girl’s breasts and private parts.  The girl was allegedly kept in the car until 3am the next morning.

The following day, the matter was reported to the police, which led to his arrest.

Tinashe Sambiri|The city of Kwekwe was turned into a sea of yellow at the weekend as members of President Nelson Chamisa’s Citizens Coalition For Change held a mobilization and recruitment programme.

Citizens Coalition For Change Youth Assembly leader Cecilia Chimbiri led the dynamic programme.

Judith Tobaiwa will represent Citizens Coalition For Change in the coming by-elections.

Watch videos below :

By -A recently launched Go-fund to raise money for the newly-formed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa has, as of Monday at 10 pm, raised £3 993 out of the targeted £50 000.

One Estelle Adams-Stone, launched the initiative on 13 January 2022. Estelle Adams-Stone said the money would be used to support parliamentary and local government candidates who were recalled by MDC-T to retain their seats. Pindula News presents Estelle Adams-Stone’s description of the initiative:
26 March is the day of by-elections in Zimbabwe which will legally allow Advocate Nelson Chamisa’s MPs who were wrongly recalled from parliament by Douglas Mwonzora to get their parliamentary seats back.
They were recalled by Douglas Mwonzora removing the people’s right to have representation in parliament.
They need the financial assistance of ALL Zimbabweans home and abroad to win these constituencies back.
Could you PLEASE assist them by donating any amount you can spare in order to restore democracy in Zimbabwe.
Their fight for freedom is everyone’s right for human dignity and the fight against corruption and tyranny.
Their victory is a victory for every Zimbabwean who wants to see a better Zimbabwe with functioning hospitals, schools, water services, the emergence of jobs and decent roads for our country.
Could you please assist them by donating anything you can and by sharing the link for this Go-Fund.
What is at stake is the future of your children and grandchildren and the future and dignity of our country.
Women are dying everyday trying to give birth, students are being kicked out of school and in colleges they are sleeping outside in rain and cold weather, the youths have no jobs, there is no clean drinking water yet billions are being looted by ZANUPF and its surrogates.
To fix this it requires the restoration of democracy and that requires everyone’s assistance.
No donation is big or small!
We need to stop Douglas Mwonzora from handing the people’s struggle to ZANUPF and Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Every cent and penny donated will be publicly accounted for.
This Go-Fund has the endorsement of Advocate Nelson Chamisa who is the main opposition leader in Zimbabwe.
We thank you for your generosity and contribution towards a free, Democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe.

SayNoToMwonzora #March26

NgaapindeHakeMukomana

By A Correspondent- Three minors died at Harare Hospital last week due to burn injuries sustained when a tuckshop they were sleeping in caught fire.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the kids had lit an empty crate of eggs and placed it on top of a cardboard box to repel mosquitoes before they went to sleep. 

Said police in a statement:

The ZRP reports that three juveniles aged 7, 11 and 14 died on admission at Sally Mugabe Hospital, Harare due to injuries sustained when the tuckshop they were sleeping in caught fire on 28/01/22 at Dragon Mine Shamva.

By- Zanu PF secretary for finance, Patrick Chinamasa, has fumed over the newly formed CCC led by Nelson Chamisa.

Chamisa last week dumped the MDC Alliance name and launched the CCC.

The CCC uses the colour yellow, departing from the MDC red.

Writing on his Twitter handle, Chinamasa recently warned Chamisa against forming the CCC party, saying he was “playing with fire”.
“Chamisa needs to be warned that he is playing with fire abusing the democratic space and the rights and freedoms that were won for the people of Zimbabwe on the battlefield. Those with eyes let them ‘eye’ and those with ears let them hear,” Chinamasa said.

-Newsday

By- A Karoi General hospital nurse last week saved the lives of a young woman and her baby by the roadside.

Umali Jawadu (43) was escorting patients to the provincial referral Chinhoyi Hospital last Wednesday when he and his alert driver, Mr Owen Kapungu, noticed a woman believed to be in her mid-20s lying by the roadside some 10km from Karoi towards Chinhoyi.

The woman was in dire need of assistance, and saving her made Jawadu an instant hero.

The government has rewarded, Jawadu with sponsorship to study midwifery at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital School of Nursing.

Provincial nursing officer Mr Farai Marufu said Jawadu would start lessons this May.

“He has been enrolled for the May class to study midwifery at Chinhoyi Hospital.
We will continue to support him until he finishes his course. When we look at this young man, we see a health practitioner who is exceptionally different from some of our workers today.
“I receive various complaints from patients across the province about some uncaring officials and we are currently doing investigations.

“Jawadu is among a few officials that are patriotic enough and this is the thrust we want, workers should be patriotic enough,” he said.
Jawadu said he was happy to enrol for the course.

-Herald

By-Zanu PF has been provoked by the yellow colours which Nelson Chamisa’s newly-formed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has adopted.

Chamisa last week dumped the MDC Alliance name, saying it had become toxic and unveiled CCC, which uses the colour yellow, departing from the MDC red.

Soon after the launch, party supporters and celebrities initiated a campaign to promote the brand and colour a development that has apparently angered the ruling party, which now wants the party barred from using the colour.

At the launch of the ZANU PF by-election campaign in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza, the party’s senior officials told dozens of party supporters that Chamisa’s party had nothing to offer. 

Acting youth league secretary Tendai Chirau, provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa, deputy national political commissar Omega Hungwe said yellow represents the wealth of the country.

They said ZANU PF has four colours, green, yellow, red, and black. Chirau added:

These colours will never change because of someone who wants to take them. They remain our colours, they symbolise the importance of the rich minerals that we have.

Masimirembwa said ZANU PF supporters should not be ashamed of wearing yellow as it belonged to the ruling party.

Hungwe also weighed in, describing Chamisa’s new outfit as “satanic”, adding thatt voting for MDC or CCC shows that you are lost. He added:

Do you know what CCC means? It’s an animal that was spoken about in the book of Revelations and it means being used by the devil or the beast.

In response to the ZANU PF claims, CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said: 

Yellow is a colour that symbolises hope, energy and a fresh start. The CCC citizen movement has thrown ZANU PF into panic mode so they are desperately trying to dampen the spirits of the people who are ready to win the nation for change. They won’t succeed. CCC is here to stay. CCC is here ready to lead. CCC is ready to secure victory.

Some observers say ZANU PF expected that Chamisa would fight with Douglas Mwonzora over the MDC Alliance name. 

More: NewsDay Zimbabwe

By- Zanu PF has accused the opposition of ruining towns and cities until they resemble rural areas.

Tendai Chirau, the party’s The remarks were made Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs gave this blame, during the party’s Harare Province by-election launch in Chitungwiza this week.

Most urban local authorities have been under the stewardship of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) since the turn of the millennium when the party took over from the ruling party.
Chirau said he was grateful that people were encouraged to unite against the opposition. He said:
Let’s unite. The opposition has turned our towns into rural areas. Let’s take back all seats.
Local authorities have for years failed to deliver public goods and services such as potable water, sewer reticulation, road maintenance and garbage collection.
They cite a lack of adequate resources saying ratepayers are not honouring their obligations whilst the central government is not consistently giving them the revenue from the national purse.

The opposition also accuses the central government of interfering with local government business.
ZANU PF which has had ministers heading the Local Government Ministry deny interference, it says the central government has an oversight role over local government authorities.
This is happening ahead of the March by-elections and 2023 harmonised elections.

By-A married overseer with Upperview Ministries International Church has been shamed for sending love messages to a woman who went on to post the messages on social media.

Glen View 7 Overseer Severino Machetu’s love messages to a single woman backfired after the latter shamed him on his church Facebook page.

The incident took place two days after he had finished his traditional 10 days of fasting.
Overseer Machetu confirmed he was in a mes, telling H-Metro he had stopped his ministerial duties because of the posts.
“Mufundisi taurirai vanhu vesangano renyu kuti muri kundiitei kuinbox?
“I will not tolerate nonsense in my inbox, especially when someone pretends to know God really well and then break one of the 10 commandments.
“Makadirei kuita mufundisi imi muri he? “Mukadzi wenyu akanaka kudarika ini plus ane hunhu ini HE repaFacebook munondidii.
“Handidyirwe muhomwe sesweet yemint inobuda mukanwa makunhuwa.
“Respect your wife and cherish her, you will never have peace if you mess up your first marriage. Munofa muri Rombe,” read some of the messages posted on his church Facebook page. H Metro

By- Two people escaped death by a whisker when a tree fell on top of the car they were travelling in Vainona, Harare, today.
The victims, Last Goba and Tinotenda Thomas, are all employees of Chestrock.
A witness, Tendai Marova, said he managed to rescue both victims but one of them was seriously injured.

“I heard a loud noise when the tree fell down. I rushed to the scene and rescued them. Thepassenger who was seriously injured was taken to a nearby hospital,” said Mr Marova.
The driver of the vehicle, Goba, was said to be in a stable condition.
-Herald

By-Zanu PF said the Nelson Chamisa’s newly-formed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) was using their colours.

Chamisa last week dumped the MDC Alliance name, saying it had become toxic and unveiled CCC, which uses the colour yellow, departing from the MDC red.

Soon after the launch, party supporters and celebrities initiated a campaign to promote the brand and colour a development that has apparently angered the ruling party, which now wants the party barred from using the colour.

At the launch of the ZANU PF by-election campaign in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza, the party’s senior officials told dozens of party supporters that Chamisa’s party had nothing to offer. 

Acting youth league secretary Tendai Chirau, provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa, deputy national political commissar Omega Hungwe said yellow represents the wealth of the country.

They said ZANU PF has four colours, green, yellow, red, and black. Chirau added:

These colours will never change because of someone who wants to take them. They remain our colours, they symbolise the importance of the rich minerals that we have.

Masimirembwa said ZANU PF supporters should not be ashamed of wearing yellow as it belonged to the ruling party.

Hungwe also weighed in, describing Chamisa’s new outfit as “satanic”, adding thatt voting for MDC or CCC shows that you are lost. He added:

Do you know what CCC means? It’s an animal that was spoken about in the book of Revelations and it means being used by the devil or the beast.

In response to the ZANU PF claims, CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said: 

Yellow is a colour that symbolises hope, energy and a fresh start. The CCC citizen movement has thrown ZANU PF into panic mode so they are desperately trying to dampen the spirits of the people who are ready to win the nation for change. They won’t succeed. CCC is here to stay. CCC is here ready to lead. CCC is ready to secure victory.

Some observers say ZANU PF expected that Chamisa would fight with Douglas Mwonzora over the MDC Alliance name. 

More: NewsDay Zimbabwe

Tinashe Sambiri|The city of Kwekwe was turned into a sea of yellow at the weekend as members of President Nelson Chamisa’s Citizens Coalition For Change held a mobilization and recruitment programme.

Citizens Coalition For Change Youth Assembly leader Cecilia Chimbiri led the dynamic programme.

Judith Tobaiwa will represent Citizens Coalition For Change in the coming by-elections.

Watch videos below :

Tinashe Sambiri|The city of Kwekwe was turned into a sea of yellow at the weekend as members of President Nelson Chamisa’s Citizens Coalition For Change held a mobilization and recruitment programme.

Citizens Coalition For Change Youth Assembly leader Cecilia Chimbiri led the dynamic programme.

Judith Tobaiwa will represent Citizens Coalition For Change in the coming by-elections.

Watch videos below :

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is appealing to members of the public who might have information with regards to a robbery case that happened at a Picnic Park in Waterfalls in which an armed robber got away with US$30 000 and other valuables.

In a statement on the case, the police urged members of the public who might have the information on the case to contact any nearest Police station.

We present the police statement:

Police in Harare are investigating a case of robbery which occurred on 30/01/22 at Picnic Park Waterfalls.

A suspect who was armed with an unidentified pistol pounced at the complainant’s house where he attempted to rape the maid before stealing US$30 000 cash, 2 laptops, 2 cellphones & a safe containing title deeds, educational certificates as well as Toyota Fortuner vehicle keys.

Armed robbery cases have been on the rise in recent years and in some cases, members of the security sector have been implicated.

The Parliament of Zimbabwe summoned army senior officers to explain the increase of armed robbery cases involving serving or retired members of the security sector.

By A Correspondent- The fight to access $149 million from the government between MDC-T leaders Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora has spilled into the courts with the former Deputy Prime Minister insisting that she was the rightful recipient of the money under the Political Parties (Finance) Act.

This was after Mwonzora declared himself the leader of the MDC Alliance, which resulted in Khupe claiming the MDC-T leadership.

Khupe has now approached the High Court claiming that she is the MDC-T president and on that basis must get $149 million from the government.

She is now seeking an interdict to prohibit the government from disbursing $149 850 000 due to Mwonzora’s faction in terms of the Political Parties (Finance) Act (Chapter 2:11) to any other political party or person.

According to an Extraordinary Government Gazette published last week, Zanu-PF received $350 million and the MDC-T got $149 million under the Act.

Mwonzora, Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and Finance minister Mthuli Ncube were cited as respondents.

“First respondent cannot lawfully receive the $149 850 000 it being the money due to the second applicant in terms of section 3(2) of the Political Parties (Finance) Act,” her application read.

“It would be a travesty of justice if first respondent, who is the leader and president of a different political party, would receive and superintend over finances of the MDC-T after opting out of it.

“It would be in the interest of justice that the disbursement of funds due to the MDC-T be channelled to the MDC-T and that Mwonzora be interdicted from receiving the same on behalf of MDC-T.”

Khupe wants Mwonzora to be stopped from spending or using such funds “for any purpose whatsoever”.

“… recipient be and is hereby ordered to keep such funds safe and intact,” Khupe said.

She said the MDC Alliance was not entitled to receive the $149 million as per the Political Parties (Finance) Act.

“It would be unlawful for the MDC Alliance to benefit from such funding as it did not garner 29% of the total votes cast in the 2018 general elections. Such unlawfulness needs to be urgently interdicted,” she said.

Mwonzora is yet to file his response.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has accused parastatals and state enterprises bosses of abusing public funds under the pretext of donations.

ZACC deputy chairperson Kuziva Murapa made the disclosures Saturday but did not divulge the extent of economic damage stemming from the plunder.

But an auditor-general (AG)’s report exposed how a state agency was forced to fund election campaigns for an influential ruling ZANU PF bigwig.

Murapa said ZACC was worried that the AG’s recommendations for State firms to make follow-ups on undelivered goods had been ignored.

Speaking during the inaugural accounting and financial reporting seminar for independent commissions in Nyanga, Murapa said:

(The) auditor-general’s reports are replete with cases of flagrant abuse of public funds under the pretext of donations where public entities made numerous payments towards activities that were totally out of sync with the institutions’ line of operations.

As ZACC, we have received cases of such shameless abuse of public funds some of which are before the courts. Little or no action had been taken by the concerned institutions to preempt repetition of such activities in line with the auditor-general’s recommendations. Zacc would like to call on Parliament to unreservedly stamp its authority and use its powers to cause sanction to those found not upholding the principles related to use of and accounting for public funds.

He added that poor or lack of controls in public institutions has been a recurrent issue in Auditor-General’s reports thereby creating a ready opportunity for public officials to engage in acts of corruption, fraud, theft, money-laundering and other offences. 

Parastatals used to contribute about 40% to the country’s gross domestic (GDP) during the 1990s but Finance Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube said their contribution to GDP had slowed to about 12% in 2020.

By A Correspondent- Lumpy skin disease is reportedly killing livestock, mainly cattle, in Binga, Matabeleland North province.

Lumpy skin is a virulent disease spread by mosquitoes, especially during the rainy season. The symptoms include fever, discharge from the eyes and nose, skin lesions, oedema of the limbs, and swollen lymph nodes.

Last year, about 60 cases were detected in Matabeleland North and 400 cattle were affected by the skin disease in the whole of Matabeleland.

Matabeleland North provincial veterinary service officer Pollex Moyo, however, said they were yet to receive such reports. Moyo told Southern Eye:

We haven’t received any reports concerning the outbreak of lumpy skin disease in Binga yet. Maybe the villagers are yet to report the issue to our department. 

But, several villagers in the Tyunga, Njobola, Aiakancele villages under Chief Siamupa told Southern Eye that the affected livestock is dying.

A villager, David Muleya, said the symptoms noted are swollen feet, sometimes from the feet to the knees, white stuff that is produced from the mouths of the beasts, and a rash all over their bodies. 

Lovemore Mudenda said farmers have also reported cases of the virus to the animal husbandry staff or Agritex extension officers who have been working with the farmers advising them to buy antibiotics such as procumbent, and penicillin.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- ZiFM Stereo have announced the departure of radio presenter, Patience Musa who has been with the radio for ten years.

In a statement this Monday, ZiFM thanked Musa for the time she spent a the radio station. Said ZiFM:

Today we bid farewell to one of our own, Patience Musa …You’ve made your mark here and now it’s on to the next!

Thank you for the memories. We know you’ll do great in your next adventure. Thank you for your time and contribution at ZiFM.

Good colleagues are those who believe in WE rather than ME. Thank you for appreciating US as your WE without which US is nothing. Happy Farewell! #10YearsOnRadio

In a video posted by the radio station, Musa said:

It has been an amazing 10 years, ten or so years. Thank you so much for being part of the #Xhale and thank you for all the memories that we made.

I’m so grateful we had this time together. But you know, my time with #Xhale has come to an end and I’m grateful,

I want you to always remember that the world is a stage, so go ahead and claim it, take it, own it, and rock it.

By A Correspondent- Human rights groups have urged the government to enable communities throughout the country to access national identity cards, as failure to do so will disenfranchise the youth in the elections expected next year.

This came out during a symposium on access to documentation held at the weekend in Gweru, which was organised by ZimRights.

The country is set to hold general elections in 2023 amid revelations that less than 3 000 new voters were registered to vote in 2021.

Vostile Creative Trust director Trust Malvern Daka told delegates at the symposium that there was need for young people to access national identity cards so that they are able to register to vote.

“There is need for community awareness by all stakeholders to ensure that people have access to national documents.  There is also need for the Registrar-General’s office to decentralise their offices to ensure that people in remote areas also access identity cards.

“First time voters, especially those born around 2000 need to exercise their right to take part in electoral processes,” he said.

Daka called for realignment of the country’s laws to ensure that people that were born in Zimbabwe by foreign parents labelled “aliens”can also enjoy the right to vote.

“There are still a lot of barriers in accessing IDs such as centralisation of offices, language barriers, and lack of technological advancements, thereby limiting access to documentation,” he said.

By A Correspondent- A village head from Denge in Tsholotsho was last week slapped with a 27 year prison sentence for raping a mentally challenged woman and her daughter who also has a disability.

Milton Ndoboyi Sibanda (64) denied the rape charges when he appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Elisha Singano.

At the close of the State case, Singano sentenced him to 27 years in jail, while seven years were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecutor Patience Sibanda told the court that sometime in September 2021 at night, the village head arrived at the homestead where the two victims aged 54 and 23 respectively stayed and found them preparing to sleep.

He proposed love to the daughter and promised to buy her soap and toothpaste, but he was turned down.

The village head then caressed the disabled girl before raping her. He went on to rape the mother who is mentally challenged.

He raped them several times until he left in the morning.

On September 22, the women narrated their ordeal to their neighbour who accompanied them to make a police report on September 28, leading to the rapist’s arrest.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Two brothers from Silobela allegedly ganged up and stabbed two imbibers to death in a major fight over a woman.

The tragic incident occurred at Crossroads Business Centre on Friday.

The deceased were identified as Blessed Sibanda (25) of Madhambi Village under Chief Malisa and Hillary Maphosa (21) Simangeta Village.

The two suspects are Talcott Mupasi (25) and Agape Munashe (21).

“The suspects are alleged to be brothers resident at the Business Centre,” Midlands police spokesperson Emmanuel Mahoko said.

Mahoko said a misunderstanding arose between Blessed Sibanda and Talcott Mupasi over a girlfriend.

“The argument degenerated into a fist fight. Agape Munashe Mupasi intervened and started beating Sibanda. Talcott produced a knife and stabbed Sibanda at the back and he fell down. Hillary Maphosa intervened trying to stop the melee but was also stabbed. The other one, Nqaba Ndlovu aged 26, tried as well to stop the fight but was stabbed again on the chest by Talcott. The two accused persons fled leaving the three lying down in pools of blood,” Mahoko said.

“The three injured men were rushed to Kwekwe District Hospital where Sibanda and Maphosa were pronounced dead while Ndlovu is still admitted and is receiving treatment. The two suspects were arrested and are in Police custody,” said Mahoko.

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF party yesterday demanded that opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s newly-formed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) be barred from using the colour yellow.

Chamisa last week dumped the MDC Alliance name, saying it had become toxic and unveiled CCC, which uses the colour yellow, departing from the MDC-A red.

Soon after the launch, party supporters and celebrities initiated a campaign to promote the brand and colour a development that has apparently angered the ruling party, which now wants to usurp the colour.

Yesterday, at the launch of the Zanu-PF by-election campaign in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza, ruling party’s politburo members insisted that Chamisa’s CCC party should desist from using the colour.

Zanu-PF’s  acting youth league secretary Tendai Chirau, provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa, deputy national political commissar Omega Hungwe told dozens of party supporters that Chamisa’s party must be ignored as it had nothing to offer, including the yellow colour.

The Zanu-PF party leaders described CCC’s pointed finger symbol as “satanic”.

“When the liberation struggle was fought, it was Zanu-PF that mobilised the masses and one of the key fundamentals was the fight for mineral resources, the fight for independence and that is why Zanu-PF chose yellow as (one of) its colours. The reason was because it was symbolising the national resources in terms of mineral wealth,” Chirau said.

“So these minerals we still have them up to this day and this explains why Zimbabwe has the largest number of artisanal miners and indigenous people who own minerals. Yellow, to us, represents wealth, it’s not just the colour that we took on ourselves, but most importantly, you should also take the fact that we have four colours, (that is) green and yellow, red and black. These colours will never change because of someone who wants to take them. They remain our colours, they symbolise the importance of the rich minerals that we have.”

Chirau said Zanu-PF was formed before the MDC was born and, therefore, would maintain its symbols, including colours.

Masimirembwa weighed in saying: “They want to shine with the yellow colour. Yellow has always been a Zanu-PF colour. It is our special colour as Zanu-PF because we brought independence. Yellow represents the wealth of the country. The wealth of this country was brought in the country from whites by Zanu-PF and not by CCC.”

He said Zanu-PF supporters should not be ashamed of wearing yellow as it belonged to the ruling party.

Hungwe also weighed in, describing Chamisa’s new outfit as “satanic”, adding that the Chitungwiza voters, who have consistently voted against Zanu-PF since 2000, should now be wiser.

“Voting for MDC or CCC shows that you are lost. Do you know what CCC means? It’s an animal that was spoken about in the book of Revelations and it means being used by the devil or the beast,” she claimed.

In line with the claims by Zanu-PF leaders, police last Thursday arrested five CCC activists and charged them with “public nuisance” for allegedly wearing yellow regalia.

Police claimed the five were arrested for blocking a pavement and disturbing the flow of human traffic in central Harare.

In response to the Zanu-PF claims, CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said: “Yellow is a colour that symbolises hope, energy and a fresh start. The CCC citizen movement has thrown Zanu-PF into panic mode so they are desperately trying to dampen the spirits of the people who are ready to win the nation for change. They won’t succeed. CCC is here to stay. CCC is here ready to lead. CCC is ready to secure victory.”

Observers say Zanu-PF is fretting over Chamisa’s newly-found mojo after he opted not to fight former MDC Alliance secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora over the MDC Alliance name.

Chamisa accuses Mwonzora of being used by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to decimate the biggest opposition party.

Recently, Zanu-PF secretary for finance, Patrick Chinamasa took to Twitter to warn Chamisa against forming the CCC party, saying he was “playing with fire”.

“Chamisa needs to be warned that he is playing with fire abusing the democratic space and the rights and freedoms that were won for the people of Zimbabwe on the battlefield. Those with eyes let them ‘eye’ and those with ears let them hear,” Chinamasa said.

By A Correspondent- The vice president of the Citizens Coalition For Change, Hon Tendai Biti has declared that the Zanu PF regime is wasting time trying to stop the people’s revolution.

According to Hon Biti, all citizens will fight for their freedom from Zanu PF oppression.

“The yellow revolution is unstoppable. Our people have suffered long enough . They deserve a break from tyranny . Only a Citizens Convergence can save them .#ANewGreatZimbabwe.”

CCC Diaspora Network for Change says in the new formation every citizen is a founding member…

“We are now all founding members of the new party Citizens’s Coalition for Change. We are all starting at ZERO, anyone can stand for any post.

Hello Founding Members of CCC!

Retweet if you are a founding member!”

A Chegutu man has been arrested on allegations of lying to the police that his son had a sudden death when, in fact, he had been shot and killed by a security guard at a mine.

The incident occurred last week at Swavera Mine.

When the victim was shot, his father then made a report at a police station alleging that he had died after falling into a mine shaft.

Investigations later revealed that the victim had a gunshot wound on the back.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the incident.

“Police in Chegutu are investigating a murder case in which a man aged 22 was shot dead by a security guard at Swavera Mine on January 25, 2022.

“The victim’s father, who had already taken the body to a local private mortuary, reported the case to the police as sudden death, alleging that the victim died after he fell into a mine shaft.

“It was later revealed that the circumstances were not correct after police discovered a gunshot wound on the deceased’s back. Police has since recovered the spent cartridge and a shotgun used in the commission of the crime,” he said.

And as murder cases emanating from petty issues continue to increase countrywide, a 40-year-old man has been arrested on allegations of killing a neighbour after accusing him of frequently visiting his homestead.

The 41-year-old victim died six days later after being admitted to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

Asst Comm Nyathi confirmed the incident.

“The ZRP is investigating a case of murder which occurred at Chirandure Village, Mukumbura on January 19, 2022, where Moses Mangezi aged 40 fatally assaulted his neighbour, a man aged 41 after a misunderstanding over frequent visits, by the victim, to the suspect’s residence.

“The victim sustained serious head injuries and died on January 25, 2022 at Parirenyatwa Hospital where he was admitted,” he said.

In Chikombedzi, police have arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection with a case of attempted murder in which the suspect poured hot water on the victim aged 33 after a misunderstanding over an unknown issue.

The victim sustained serious burns all over the body and is admitted at a local hospital.- Herald

By- MDC-T leader Senator Douglas Mwonzora has asked President Mnangagwa to announce when the national political parties’ dialogue (POLAD) process will commence.

The plea came after Mwonzora’s party recommended urgency for the process after its National Executive meeting held on Friday where the party resolved to expel its vice president Dr Thokozani Khupe. Mwonzora said:

We are not seeking endorsement for dialogue after the by-election, we are seeking for commencement of the dialogue.

The actual talking. As you know a lot of time has been spent in preparations for dialogue. Now we have finished the preparations and we now want to do the actual dialogue.

It must begin immediately after the by-elections. We also have said these discussions must be time-bound and we are confident of a deal that will be in the interests of Zimbabweans.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa set the POLAD platform after the 2018 elections to engage with all political parties that participated in the polls.

While the bulk of the parties joined POLAD, the Nelson Chamisa-led party snubbed the platform saying it was meant to endorse Mnangagwa’s “dubious” presidential election victory. 

The CCC, formerly MDC Alliance say Mnangagwa did not win the election but the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in connivance with the ruling ZANU PF manipulated results in Mnangagwa’s favour.

More: The Herald

By- Zanu PF has unveiled the names of its candidates for the house of assembly by-elections for all Harare constituencies.

The candidates were introduced by the party’s Politburo member Oliver Chidawu, at Macheka Square in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza, Sunday.

“Congratulations to you all the MPs and councillors for being elected (during primary elections), but you have a task of winning the elections.
“The President ( Mnangagwa) during a Politburo meeting told us that he wants all the seats. He said we want to win back Harare and bring it back to the party,” he said.
“For us to win Harare back to the party, we have to be united. Let us bury the past and unite.

“Go and solicit for votes around the province,” he said.

By- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), President Nelson Chamisa had secured strategies to protect the vote from being stolen from Zambia, where there was so much active civic participation until Edgar Lungu conceded defeat.

Chamisa said this also inspired him to rebrand his party and give the powers to the citizens who vote.

Lungu had earlier claimed the polls were rigged, but Zambians, who had camped on the streets sensing victory for Haikande Hichilema, then opposition leader and now president, were already celebrating.
Lungu had also deployed the military, but he eventually conceded defeat after statistics were produced and broadcast showing that Hichilema had won the majority vote with a landslide.
“Yes, we have a plan in place. We are unstoppable. The future looks very bright, and looks good. It’s a Good Morning effect. The sun is about to rise, and nobody can stop the sun from rising but only God. You can’t stop a sunrise; you may not be happy but the sun is rising, and the sun will shine in this great country,” Chamisa told The Standard last night.
On Friday Chamisa and his deputy, Tendai Biti said the recently formed CCC would not be “cheated” and revealed that “pro-active measures” were in place to prevent anyone from stealing the 2023 elections.
“We won the elections in 2018 and we will win the elections again in 2023. The only difference is that, when we won the election in 2018 we could not secure our victory because of subjective and objective reasons but we have since corrected those,” Chamisa told the SABC in an interview on Friday.
“Issues around what we need to do by ourselves and also the reforms that we still need to be implementing as a country, we are pushing for those.”
Chamisa filed a Constitutional Court application challenging the results in a bid to overturn Mnangagwa’s 50, 8% victory but lost the case. Chief Justice Luke Malaba, who delivered the verdict, said Chamisa failed to provide primary evidence to invalidate the poll result.
Chamisa, who dumped the MDC Alliance brand last week after continuously clashing with MDC- T leader Douglas Mwonzora, said the CCC was fully aware of what it had to do to protect the 2023 vote.
“But more fundamentally we have always won elections as a people’s movement. Mr Mnangagwa is so scared of us, they have tried every trick in the book but we have weathered the storm,” he added.
Critics have in the past accused Chamisa of making empty threats. In December 2019, he said his party was going to remove Mnangagwa from power in the first five months of the New Year. Needless to say, that did not happen.
Speaking on Twitter spaces debate on Friday, corroborated Chamisa’s declaration, saying it did not make sense to continue crying that elections were rigged without taking action to prevent vote fraud.
Biti said it was for that reason that the party had come up with a plan to “safeguard” the people’s vote copying from Zambia’s UPND.
Chamisa formed the CCC on Monday after Mwonzora claimed all MDC symbols.
Three days after the CCC launch, Mwonzora received over ZW$150 million from the government under the Political Parties Finances Act in what critics say was meant to spite Chamisa and oil Mwonzora’s campaign machinery for the upcoming by-elections.
Mwonzora on Friday said his MDC Alliance was now ready to cause an upset in next month’s by-elections.
“We received a report that our chances are bright in the by-elections and we want to say to our detractors that elections are not won on social media, or twitter on Facebook or WhatsApp, we are ready for the real battle, the battle for the hearts and minds of the people of Zimbabwe,” Mwonzora told journalists at a press conference in Harare.
Analyst and director of Research and Advocacy at Ukuthula Trust, Brian Raftopoulos said it was remarkable that Chamisa had survived government’s onslaught with Sadc casting a blind eye.
“It’s remarkable that they have still survived the continuous onslaught of the state because the state has really gone at them through the judiciary, through violence, through attack on their alliances and of course they have had, to date, the support of the region Sadc which has placed the question of sovereignty and liberation fellowship ahead of democratic demands,” Raftopoulos said.
-Standard

By-A Mental patient at one of the country’s biggest psychiatric hospitals, Ngomahuru Hospital in Masvingo, escaped from the holding centre but ran out of luck after being killed by a crocodile while trying to cross Tugwi River.
Masvingo provincial police spokesman Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said police were still searching for the remains of Courage Mutsaru of Chief Nemauzhe in Chivi who was reportedly killed by a crocodile.

When police attended the scene, he said they only recovered the hospital garb in the river.

He said on 22 January, Mutsauri and another inmate, Kudakwashe Gomwe escaped from the hospital.
They then reportedly attempted to cross the crocodile-infested Tugwi River and one of them was killed by a crocodile.
“On 22 January around 6pm, two mental patients escaped from Ngomahuru Psychiatric Centre.
After about 10 minutes, when it was time for their medication, the hospital staff noticed that the two were missing.

They reported the matter to the police. After about 30 minutes the institution received a call from villagers informing them that they had seen a person wearing the hospital uniform trying to cross Tugwi River.
According to the caller they saw the victim being attacked by a crocodile.
The crocodile dragged him into the deeper parts of the river,” he said.
“Police attended the scene and found the Ngomahuru uniform. Investigations are underway,” said Insp Dhewa. He said the other inmate is uncounted for but unconfirmed reports say he is in Harare at his home.

-State media

BY- Former St Mary’s Member of Parliament, Unganai Dickson Tarusenga, says he will retain the constituency in the 26 March by-elections.

The constituency fell vacant after Douglas Mwonzora recalled the then MP led MDC-T on allegations that he was serving the interests of the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance.

Tarusenga expressed confidence in winning the seat under the newly-formed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) banner.

I am confident because people follow the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) brand.

Recently, the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa rebranded to Citizens Coalition for Change after Mwonzora notified the Zimbabwe Elections Commission (ZEC) that MDC-T would contest future elections as the MDC Alliance.

Asked whether the electorate will understand the name change from MDC Alliance to CCC, Tarusenga said:

It is the idea whose time has come, so my brother, this wave is definitely moving with the people without any problems.

He added that what pushes him to contest in the upcoming by-elections is the desire to complete the outstanding projects that benefit the St Mary’s community.

Pressed to be specific on the outstanding projects, Tarusenga cited the rehabilitation of St Mary’s clinic which he kickstarted but eventually stalled when he was recalled. He added:

My brother, CCC is for ‘shanduko‘ (meaning change), watch the space. The rebranding is definitely not going to affect or haunt party campaigns because if you remember, it was the people who championed this name change to CCC.

Tarusenga will fight it out with Norbert Jinjika of ZANU PF, MDC Alliance’s Adam Puzo and Marcos Sanyanga, an independent candidate.

More: Pindula News

By- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said it would establish at least 2 700 mobile voter registration centres across the country during the first phase of the mobile Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) exercise ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The first phase of the mobile Biometric Voter Registration will run from 1 February to 28 February, while the second phase will be conducted between 10 April and 30 April.
ZEC is scheduled to draw up constituency boundaries in September.
About 271 voter registration centres will be set up in Harare, while 152 centres will be established in Bulawayo.
Manicaland will have 266 centres, Mashonaland Central 291 centres, Mashonaland East Province 303, Mashonaland West 325, Masvingo 287, and Midlands 354.
Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces will have 159 and 223 centres, respectively.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Permanent Secretary Aaron Nhepera said the issuing of civic documents by the Registrar-General Office at some of the voter registration centres will be done at the end of March. He said:
At the end of March, we are going to embark on an extensive exercise where the RG’s Office will issue IDs and this will coincide with the voter registration blitz (the second phase) in preparation for the delimitation exercise.
Currently, we still have challenges with consumables.
However, we are working with Garsu Pasaulis (GP) to ensure the RG’s Office begins to operate at an optimum level. We began with issuing passports and now we will be moving to IDs.
ZEC spokesperson Joyce Kazembe said they are well-prepared for the mobile Biometric Voter Registration exercise. She said:
We are prepared and ready for the registration blitz like we announced recently.
We are finalising training and we have completed voter education, so we are ready.

Former ZANU PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Temba Mliswa has demanded a paternity test for “twins” which his estranged girlfriend Susan Mutami claims were sired by him.

Mliswa and Mutami have, over the past several months, been involved in a war of words using social media platforms following their acrimonious separation.

Mutami, a businesswoman and socialite based in Australia, has accused Mliswa of neglecting his children and failing to cater for their financial needs.

Posting on Twitter, Mliswa expressed doubt over the existence of the alleged twins, asking why Mutami has never shared pictures of the children together. Wrote Mliswa:

Ko, Mai MaTwins (?), @susan_mutami balance me here. When all is said&done, I don’t want to act irresponsibly, so in the spirit of tidying up affairs, we all need closure and a positive way forward. I’m a bit confused though, do you really have twins?.

I’ve only ever received one birth registration form for one child, you had the same one sent at 2 different times on the same day, look at the reg #.

In your pics you only ever have one with you, in this picture [posted on Twitter by Mutami], there’s only one child seat. Saka (so) Susan, imwe Shumba iripi (where is my other son)?

Inga (by the way) the form clearly says what to do in the event of twins. Huuya tiite DNA, then kana vari(ari) wangu, Shumba ngadzipinde mudanga!(Let’s go for DNA tests are if I’m the one who sired the children, then I will support them). 

Asi are you claiming only one is mine and the other is someone else’s?….(no photoshop please) the ball is in your court to clear this up…

Oh, and the reason I’m using this platform is that it seems you’ve very publicly pulled the wool over many eyes and I’m sure they’d want to know too.

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader, President Nelson Chamisa has declared that victory is certain in the 2023 polls.

President Chamisa made the remarks in Tanzania on Saturday.

“People’s President, Adv
@nelsonchamisa
has been warmly received in Dar Es Salaam where he was the Guest of Honour at the launch of #ACTKiganjani at Mlimani City hall. Today, with other like-minded regional political leaders, he will attend the #ACT Congress,” Citizens Coalition For Change said in a statement.

Also watch videos below:

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader, President Nelson Chamisa has declared that victory is certain in the 2023 polls.

President Chamisa made the remarks in Tanzania on Saturday.

“People’s President, Adv
@nelsonchamisa
has been warmly received in Dar Es Salaam where he was the Guest of Honour at the launch of #ACTKiganjani at Mlimani City hall. Today, with other like-minded regional political leaders, he will attend the #ACT Congress,” Citizens Coalition For Change said in a statement.

Also watch videos below:

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader, President Nelson Chamisa has declared that victory is certain in the 2023 polls.

President Chamisa made the remarks in Tanzania on Saturday.

“People’s President, Adv
@nelsonchamisa
has been warmly received in Dar Es Salaam where he was the Guest of Honour at the launch of #ACTKiganjani at Mlimani City hall. Today, with other like-minded regional political leaders, he will attend the #ACT Congress,” Citizens Coalition For Change said in a statement.

Also watch videos below:

By A Correspondent- The Government has availed through Kuvimba Mining House, US$400 000 to the Deposit Protection Commission (DPC) to start the process of compensating small and vulnerable depositors who saw the value of money in their accounts depreciate when the rate moved from US$1: $1 to US$1: $2,5 in February 2019.

In November 2020, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the Government will compensate small and vulnerable depositors who had balances of US$1 000 and below as at 20 February 2019.

The initial tranche of US$400 000 has been allocated to eligible depositors who had funds in the Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions (DTMFIs), and they are to receive compensation to the full extent of their respective loss of value.

For example, a depositor who had US$1 000 in his or her account will get US$600.

In a statement, DPC chief executive officer Mr Vusi Vuma confirmed receipt of the initial batch of funds meant for distribution to depositors.

“Government has now availed through Kuvimba Mining House the sum of US$400 000 to the Deposit Protection Corporation as agent, for distribution to vulnerable depositors. Given the available resources, several scenarios were iteratively evaluated to identify a method that offers the best compensation to depositors.

The Deposit Protection Corporation wishes to advise the banking public that in the meantime, the initial tranche of US$400 000 will be allocated to eligible depositors who had balances of US$1 000 and below in the Deposit-Taking Microfinance Institutions, to pay for the loss of deposit value occasioned by exchange rate movement from USD1: 2,5, as at 20 February 2019,” he said.

Mr Vuma said those eligible are to submit their claims to DTMFIs, with their window period to do so set to expire on 7 November 2022.

“Accordingly, qualifying depositors are advised to submit their claims as at 20 February 2019 within a period of 12 months running from 8 November 2021 to 7 November 2022 to their respective registered Deposit-Taking Microfinance Institutions namely: African Century Limited; Getbucks Microfinance Bank; EmpowerBank Limited; Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank; Success Microfinance Bank Limited; and Lion Microfinance Limited.

“The Deposit-Taking Microfinance Institutions will periodically submit the schedule of claims to the Deposit Protection Corporation for verification, validation, and subsequent remittance of the requisite payment to the Deposit-Taking Microfinance Institutions for onward settlement to eligible depositors in USD without incurring transaction costs.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Deposit Protection Corporation, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, and the banking sector have reached an agreement in that regard,” he said.

Mr Vuma said the programme will also move to depositors in banks, building societies and other financial institutions.

“After compensating depositors of Deposit-Taking Microfinance Institutions, subsequent tranches for disbursement would be allocated to remaining deposit-taking institutions namely commercial banks, building societies, savings banks, and infrastructure banks, as and when additional funds are availed,” he said.

By A Correspondent- Teachers are headed for another showdown with the government following an announcement that schools will open on February 7, with unions representing the educators saying they will not report for duty until their welfare issues are addressed.

Acting Health and Child Care minister Amon Murwira said schools would now open as he announced new relaxed lockdown measures on behalf of acting president Constantino Chiwenga on Thursday.

But teacher unions have dug in insisting that until their demands for pre-October 2018 salaries are met, they will not return to class.

“As with regards to our proclamation of incapacitation, we encourage our employer to take us seriously on that issue and to focus on the restoration of pre-October 2018 salaries of US$540 before schools open,” the Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe said yesterday.

“Teachers being incapacitated to travel back to their stations will however prove to be a sticking point and beyond that, the union stands ready to escalate protests in line with our constitution provisions.”

Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary general Raymond Majongwe said teachers were not prepared to return to class without improved salaries.

“It would seem that the government is always spoiling for a fight with its long-suffering employees given the timing of the announcement and the prevailing circumstances,” Majongwe said.

“Our members cannot be expected to comply with the directive to open schools now before the government has not financially capacitated them and given the above scenario, we would be shocked if the government genuinely believes that teachers will report to work on 7 February. The ball is in the government’s court.”

Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro was not available for comment.

Teachers have been demanding US dollar salaries as the local currency keeps losing value amid rising inflation and an escalation in the prices of goods and services.

Government has said it does not have the capacity to pay US dollar salaries. Late last year, the government gave the teachers  and all other civil servantsUS$75 Covid-19 allowances. The deadlock over salaries is likely to dominate the election talk as Zimbabwe heads towards the March 26 by-elections.

Meanwhile, the catering industry has welcomed the reviewed lockdown measures as necessary to save the sector from collapse..

“The level 4 National Covid-19 lockdown had seriously impacted many small to medium scale enterprises to the extent that they had lost their viability and this had led to the layoffs of many employees and closure of businesses,” said Restaurant Operators Association of Zimbabwe president Bongai Zamchiya.

Under the new measures, businesses, bars and restaurants can now open till 10pm, while a curfew now kicks in at midnight till 5:30 am.