By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s biggest mobile telecoms firm, Econet Wireless, says its operations have been rattled by rolling power cuts and extensive vandalism of its infrastructure.

In a trading update for the third quarter ended November 30, 2021, Econet company secretary Charles Banda said the firm was forced to use scarce foreign currency to import spares for replacing those vandalised.

“Persistent national grid power outages continued to adversely affect network availability,” Banda said on Friday.

“The business is accelerating installation of solar power solutions and saw increased usage of our already installed diesel-powered generators which are costlier to run and maintain,” Banda noted.

“This has put additional pressure on the business to import spare parts using scarce foreign currency to enable us to respond quickly to service outages,” Banda said.

He said the company had also suffered from increased cases of vandalism and theft at its telecom assets.

Vandalism has also been reported in power infrastructure, where firms have been pushing for stiffer penalties.

He said the company commissioned 80 long term evolution (LTE) (4G) new sites as part of its LTE densification programme, including extension of high-speed data coverage to rural areas.

“This bears testimony to our vision of creating a digitally connected future that leaves no Zimbabwean behind. During the period under review, we received additional spectrum from the regulator which will pave the way for us to introduce new services bringing more convenience to our customers,” Sibanda said.

He revealed that data and voice traffic grew by 43% and 6% respectively compared to the previous year.

During the quarter under review, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe approved increases in bundle tariffs for data, SMS and voice services in order to address the erosion of real tariffs due to inflation, he added.

On challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Sibanda said the company continued to innovate and adapt operations to best respond and deliver services through digital channels.

“An agile staff work plan and robust digital platforms have allowed the business to sustain productivity and service delivery in addition to being accommodative of employee wellness,” he said.

Companies have been hard hit by frequent power outages which have had a severe strain on its operations.

The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce estimated that the cost of doing business has increased by approximately 150% due to power cuts and other problems in the past year

1. The next stage in the Mwonzora/Khupe dogfight is parliamentary recalls. It’s called elimination by recall. Whoever the regime recognises as having the right of recall will get control of the pot of public funds they are both eyeing.

— Alex T Magaisa ?? (@Wamagaisa) January 23, 2022

By A Correspondent- A 17 year old Bulawayo boy, Liyanda Lionel Ncube from Atlantic Academy, has scored all As in the Cambridge November 2021 Ordinary Level exams.

Ncube is described by his teachers as an intelligent, hard-working and disciplined student who has modelled himself as a perfectionist who does not believe in failure, ably setting and attaining high standards for himself.

Liyanda’s father, Mr Linda Ncube, said his son’s good results were also attributed to the teachers who assisted Liyanda and the conducive environment of the school.

“The good results scored are also attributed to the excellent and selfless teachers at the Atlantic Academy who guided him through his studies. Also, the school provides a conducive learning environment that helps students to achieve their full potential,” said Mr Ncube.

s he proceeds to Advanced Level, Liyanda has set his sights on studying sciences and his preferred combination is Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science and is looking to pursue a career in Software Engineering to help speed the innovation process globally.

Liyanda gave advice to other students suggesting they must follow the right channels and have a positive attitude because no goal is too high to achieve.

“No goal is too high to achieve if the right steps and attitude are followed. Always put effort and focus on your studies, it pays off,” said Liyanda.

His As came in Computer Science, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, Geography and English Language.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A 38 year old Chitungwiza woman is in soup after she fatally assaulted her 11 year old son with a fan belt all over the body for reportedly joining Nyau dance group.

The matter came to light at Chitungwiza magistrates courts where Yeukai Mutero was applying for bail on Friday.

She was granted $10 000 bail by Chitungwiza magistrate Isheunesu Mutova.

Prosecutors alleged on January 20 the suspect heard that her now deceased son Kuzivakwashe Matsatsi had joined a Nyau dance group and that did not go well with her.

She took a fanbelt which she used to assault the deceased all over the body resulting in his death.

A police report was filed leading to her arrest and the fanbelt is being kept at the courts as exhibit.

A veteran South African actor, Patrick Shai, has died, his family announced through a statement today.

While details surrounding his death are still sketchy, Sunday World reported that he committed suicide.

An unidentified man who answered Shai’s phone refused to speak when asked about his death, only saying the family will be communicating through a media statement.

A short statement followed soon thereafter announcing that Shai passed away on Saturday morning. Stated the statement:

We sincerely ask you to give the family time to process this painful loss. More details will be shared in due course. Thank you.

Shai from Soweto has had a colourful television acting career that spans more than 30 years. Shai was in the spotlight last week after a video of him, challenging rapper Cassper Nyovest to a boxing match went viral.

The video started circulating on social media early last week. In it, Shai is seen sitting inside a vehicle and seemingly inviting the rapper into a boxing match saying he wants to “bliksem” him.

He goes on to say that when he dies he wants his tombstone to be engraved with words “this is the man who beat up Cassper”.

Patrick Molefe Shai was known for films such as Hearts & Minds (1995), Cry, the Beloved Country (1995) and 7de Laan (2000). He is one of the founding members of Free Film Makers – which is an alternative to then-mainstream television in South Africa.

More: The Sowetan Live

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission will begin conducting a nationwide voter registration blitz next week to beef up the number of registered voters ahead of the delimitation exercise later this year.

This will be conducted in two phases, with the first running from February 1-28, while the second phase will be rolled out from April 11-30.

In an interview broadcast on Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) on Thursday, ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba said the commission will announce its Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kit deployment plan soon.

She said the blitz will run concurrently with the issuing of Identity Documents to first time voters through the Register General’s office.

The RG plans to resume mass issuance of IDs this month.

“We are ready for the blitz, we have done all our procurements, there will be communication to stakeholders on the kit deployment plan,” she said.

“In the past when we did a voter registration blitz, when we created a new voters’ roll, we had synergies with the Registrar General’s office. When we availed our kit deployment plan, the RG would also deploy a team to support our exercise.

“Now the RG’s office has indicated to us that they are incapacitated.

“However, the RG ‘s office went to the Parliamentary Portfolio committee about their capacitation and will be able to start issuing IDs in January.

“That is why we moved the voter registration blitz to February because it is informing delimitation not by-elections.”

The mass voter registration campaign was postponed in December after Covid-19 outbreaks at three ZEC offices, coupled with the need for the RG’s office to adequately prepare for issuing civic documents concurrently.

Justice Chigumba said the voter registration was geared to assist with the delimitation exercise and not the forthcoming by-elections.

Rita Gondokondo Chikarakara Laid to Rest

22-01-22

Leader Rita Gondokondo Chikarakara who passed on on Monday 17 January 2022 was laid to rest today in Hurungwe East Village 5.She died a sudden death on Monday resulting in the family requesting for a postmotem and a forensic test there after;the family shall communicate the results of these tests in Due course.

Speaker after speaker spoke highly of the late MDC Alliance UK & Ireland stalwart.She was indeed an asset to the Chikarakara and Gondokondo families,MDC Alliance at home and abroad and Hurungwe East Constituency.

Rita Gondokondo was born on 20-04-67 and is survived by three Sons namely Evans, Emmanuel and Johnny Chikarakara.She lost her husband who was a police officer at the age of 23.

She was an active and vibrant member of the MDC Alliance family led by the Able and anointed President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.She was in the UK and Ireland Structures (The National Communication Department shall produce a comprehensive obituary soon)

As a Province we have not only lost an illustrious daughter but a hard working party cadre,loving sister and a pillar to lean on.

The void she left will be difficult to fill.

The party was represented by The Provincial Spokesperson Ldr Blessing Mandava,The Hurungwe East Structure led by the Hurungwe East Organising Secretary Ldr Rodger Zuze.

As a province we are indebted to all those who heeded our call to converge and give our heroine a befitting send off.God bless you.

May her Soul rest in power!

#NgaapindeHakeMukomana

TOGETHER WE ARE BIGGER,BETTER & STRONGER

By
Mandava Blessing
Provincial Spokesperson
0719891243

Facebook: MDC Mashonaland West Province

Twitter:@mdcmashwest

By Staff Reporter- Exiled former cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere last week declared himself a thorn in the flesh of Zanu-PF and dared President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his government to arrest him.

Kasukuwere told The Standard in an interview that Zanu-PF bigwigs were scared of his imminent return to the party and would not dare touch him.

When Kasukuwere made a statement last week to the effect that he was preparing a comeback to Zanu-PF and that he was ready to make “difficult” decisions to “save Zanu-PF” and to stop all injustices against his colleagues in exile, the party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa released an angry statement.

Kasukuwere and other members of  the  G40 faction led by former First Lady Grace Mugabe were forced to flee the country after the November 2017 military coup that toppled the late ex-president Robert Mugabe.

Some G40 members including former minister Ignatius Chombo have been dragged to court facing various charges.

Kasukuwere has been linked to a plot to challenge Mnangagwa in the 2023 general elections, a move that has heavily polarised ruling party structures, with some opposed to Mnangagwa’s rule seemingly warming up to this development.

Zanu-PF has also accused Kasukuwere of being the brains behind the High Court application by party activist Sybeth Musengezi challenging Mnangagwa’s 2017 ascendancy to power.

In an interview on Friday, Kasukuwere said Mutsvangwa’s angry statement exposed the panic among the rank and file of the party over his return to take control of Zanu-PF.

“Zanu-PF has a way of evolving since its formation in 1963. The party has survived worse challenges including armed rebellions such as the Nhari rebellion but the party managed to deliver independence regardless of its challenges,” Kasukuwere said.

“I believe Zanu-PF will do what Zanu-PF does to survive internal and external threat. Mutsvangwa’s response shows that the Politburo and those who claim to be leaders of the party are already engaged and feeling the heat.

“Arrest is not a thing to be feared of if you are a revolutionary who is standing for what you believe in and if you have the mandate from the people. Mnangagwa was arrested, Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo and the late Nelson Mandela and others…

“If anything, should Kasukuwere be arrested then it would confirm beyond doubt what we have been saying all along that Mnangagwa is afraid of losing power to the most effective Political Commissar the party has ever known after Border Gezi.”

Kasukuwere was the Zanu-PF political commissar during the 2017 coup. Zanu-PF is using mostly 2014 party structures that worked with Kasukuwere as the commissar. Reports have said party structures opposed to Mnangagwa and are currently backing his deputy Constantino Chiwenga to take over, are backing Kasukuwere.

Last week, ex-members of the notorious national youth service pledged loyalty to Kasukuwere.

“We know his (Mutsvangwa) full history, he must be aware that unlike him, Kasukuwere is by far a better leader who remains unmatched when it comes to issues of Zimbabwe development programmers and politics in general,” Zimbabwe National Youth Service (NYS) graduates association secretary general Kudakwashe Ndavara said on Wednesday.

“If Kasukuwere feels he can make things change for the betterment of Zimbabwe and its people, no one should stop him out. We should instead embrace his ideas. As an association speaking with one voice, we are ready to decisively defend our Saviour Kasukuwere.”

The NYS was launched by the late Youth minister Border Gezi in 2001. But Zanu-PF was later accused of turning the graduates into a paramilitary youth militia used to harass opposition political opponents.

Zanu-PF director for Information Tafadzwa Mugwadi  said Kasukuwere and former NYS members were wasting their time.

“These headless G40 elements need to be reminded that the last man to resurrect from the dead was Jesus Christ and they are not his brothers,” Mugwadi said.

“As such Zanu-PF and Mutsvangwa in particular have no time for desktop activists outside Zanu-PF.”

By- Two Chicken Inn managers at Chivhu have been fingered in an adulterous affair that saw the affected husband causing a scene at the fast-food outlet on Monday last week.

Naison Hove, a shop manager at Chicken Inn, allegedly had to run to a nearby Police station to seek refuge after being confronted by Marshal Kudakwashe Muroiwa.

Muroiwa, a teacher at Liebenberg High School in Chivhu told The Mirror that he was shocked to discover on January 15, 2022 that the nude pictures he took of his wife Cecilia Ncube were sent to Hove’s WhatsApp number.
The pictures were allegedly sent by Ncube.
Muroiwa also says he bumped into messages in his wife’s phone in which she sang praises of Hove’s large manhood and tiger performance in bed. Hove is said to have described Ncube as very sweet in the WhatsApp messages.
Ncube is a shift manager at Chicken Inn while Hove is a shop manager at the same company, said Muroiwa.
Hove vehemently refuted the allegations in an interview with The Mirror and said that the story is a fabrication.
Ncube however, confirmed the story but refuted allegations that she was in an adulterous relationship. She said that her husband overreacted and she has since packed her bags and gone back to her parents. She is also no longer working for Chicken Inn, she said.
The Mirror has audios of the two parties being counselled at Chivhu Police base where Hove had allegedly to run to seek refugee after being confronted by Muroiwa. Both Ncube and Hove are heard in the video accepting that the two indeed had a sexual relationship.
Ironically Muroiwa and Hove were friends and the sexual relationship had been running for seven months, according to sources.
Muroiwa told The Mirror that on Saturday he was helped to open his wife’s phone by the couple’s child.
“I discovered that my wife was having a sexual relationship with Naison on Saturday. I got the chance to have her cellphone but I did not know her password so I asked my first born to unlock it for me. I went straight to her whatsapp and discovered Naison’s number hidden under whatsapp lock.
“I managed to get to their chat. I got a heartbreak to see that her nude pictures which I took on December 24 last years were sent to Hove who is also my friend. There were messages about their sexual escapades, how sweet my wife was, Naison’s big organ and all that romantic stuff.
“The marriage is no more, she has since left in company of her parents. I am not going to sue. I will leave it to the Almighty to punish them,” said Muroiwa.
-Masvingo Mirror

By- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission will begin conducting a nationwide voter registration blitz next week to beef up the number of registered voters ahead of the delimitation exercise later this year.

This will be conducted in two phases, with the first running from February 1-28, while the second phase will be rolled out from April 11-30.
In an interview broadcast on Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) on Thursday, ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba said the commission will announce its Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kit deployment plan soon.
She said the blitz will run concurrently with the issuing of Identity Documents to first time voters through the Register General’s office.
The RG plans to resume mass issuance of IDs this month.
“We are ready for the blitz, we have done all our procurements, there will be communication to stakeholders on the kit deployment plan,” she said.
“In the past when we did a voter registration blitz, when we created a new voters’ roll, we had synergies with the Registrar General’s office. When we availed our kit deployment plan, the RG would also deploy a team to support our exercise.
“Now the RG’s office has indicated to us that they are incapacitated. However, the RG ‘s office went to the Parliamentary Portfolio committee about their capacitation and will be able to start issuing IDs in January.
“That is why we moved the voter registration blitz to February because it is informing delimitation not by-elections.”
The mass voter registration campaign was postponed in December after Covid-19 outbreaks at three ZEC offices, coupled with the need for the RG’s office to adequately prepare for issuing civic documents concurrently.
Justice Chigumba said the voter registration was geared to assist with the delimitation exercise and not the forthcoming by-elections.
-Sunday Mail

BY- Zanu PF has delayed the announcement of the by-elections, the party held on Friday.

The party said it was expecting to release provisional results of primary elections by Tuesday.
In an interview with the state-controlled weekly, The Sunday Mail, party director for information and publicity Tafadzwa Mugwadi said voting had concluded in all provinces on Friday save for Binga, where the polls ended yesterday after some delays.
He said collation of results had been finalised at provincial centres and results will be sent to the command centre which has been set up at the party headquarters in Harare.
“The voting concluded on Friday except for some parts of Binga where the process finished today (Saturday).
Collation of results was done and the results are at the provincial centres where they were overseen by Politburo members, Central Committee members and directors who were assigned to assist in administering the election process. The results will be announced by Tuesday at the latest,” said Mugwadi.
He said after the provisional results are out, the Politburo will convene to confirm and endorse the polls. On Friday, voting for candidates who will represent the ruling party, in both the local authority and national assembly polls was conducted peacefully with few glitches.
Lengthy queues were witnessed at a number of polling stations across the country, signalling a high voter turnout.
The massive voter turnout across all the provinces was a clear pointer of the party’s grassroots popularity and a precursor of what is to come in the by-elections.
In the Matabeleland region the party was choosing candidates to stand in 20 vacant council and four National Assembly seats.
Bulawayo has nine vacant council seats, Matabeleland North five and Matabeleland South six. A total of 117 council and 28 National Assembly seats are up for grabs countrywide.
Bulawayo’s seats fell vacant following the recall of eight councillors and the death of Ronnah Mudara all from the MDC-T while in Matabeleland North two councillors were recalled in Victoria Falls while three Zanu-PF councillors died. In Matabeleland South, the MDC-T recalled three councillors.
-Sunday Mail

By-Opposition MDC-T leader, Douglas Mwonzora has said the party was experiencing “very low turbulence which is caused by one person” in an apparent reference to ousted party vice president Thokozani Khupe.

Mwonzora was speaking during an Open Parly Zimbabwe’s Twitter space yesterday, Saturday

Mwonzora recently suspended Khupe pending investigation over a number of issues, including indiscipline, but Khupe immediately declared that she was the party’s new leader.
He said the party intends to proceed with its congress as scheduled but some leaders including Khupe want to postpone it.

Mwonzora also said five people from Matabeleland provinces had expressed interest in replacing Khupe as the party’s vice president. He added:
It appears to me that there was a lot of anger at vice president Khupe’s press conference. In terms of our party, MDC-T, there is no provision for one to declare a split.
The bases of her thinking that I joined another party is that most of our MPs are under the banner of a conglomerate of 7 political parties. I wrote to ZEC reminding them of our position of the name we used in 2018.

When Khupe took over as the president of the MDC-T, she became the president of MDC- Alliance just like what Nelson Chamisa did when he was the president now that I’m the president of MDC-T I’m now the leader of Alliance.
Speaking during Friday’s press conference, Khupe declared a split of the party into two formations. She said:
… It is in this vein that today, we, who are gathered here and many others scattered around the country, declare an official split.
There are now two MDC-T formations, one led by yours truly, Dr Thokozani Khupe, who is also the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and the other who I don’t know who their leader is.
Khupe said Mwonzora had expelled himself from the party after claiming that he was also the leader of the MDC Alliance.

By A Correspondent- The troubled opposition MDC-T’s South Africa branch has dumped the party’s President Douglas Mwonzora for his suspended deputy Thokozani Khupes faction.

Khupe formed a splinter MDC-T last week at a press conference in Bulawayo a few hours after Mwonzora suspended her.

Below is the statement by MDC-T South Africa supporting Khupe:

MDC – T SOUTH AFRICA PROVINCE STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH PRESIDENT DR. THOKOZANI KHUPE

The Democratically elected structure of MDC-T South Africa Province and its masses wishes to distance itself from the statement released by a non-existing structure which claims to be representing the province.

We want to indicate wholeheartedly that MDC-T South Africa Province welcomes the announcements made in the media briefing earlier today the 21st of January 2022 by Honorable President Dr. Thokozani Khupe and MDC-T leadership collective, we fully support and stand in solidarity with our President.

The party has been manifested with thuggery, hooliganism, tribalists and self endorsed leadership who have continued to breach our constitution and stole from the party.

We want to clearly state that Dr Khupe was never suspended from the party and remains the party’s democratically elected president. 

We further want to urge all members of the party to give support to our president, Honorable Dr. Thokozani Khupe to continue to defend our party and its constitution.

Aluta continua 

Thank you very much

Qhubekani Malaba

Secretariat for Information and Publicity

By A Correspondent- The fractured opposition MDC-T’s Matabeleland South and South said they were behind Thokozani Khupe’s decision to part with Douglas Mwonzora.

Khupe announced the split of the troubled opposition last week at a press conference in Bulawayo a few hours after Mwonzora suspended her.

Below is the statement by MDC-T’s Matabeleland South supporting Khupe:

RE: MDC T MAT SOUTH PROVINCE STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH PRESIDENT DR THOKOZANI KHUPE

As MDCT Mat South we stand solidly behind the Constitution and President Dr Thokozani Khupe on the decision she took today to save the party from Vulturous shenanigans by a few individuals bent of flouting the constitution. 

MDCT is a people’s movement guided by the founding principles as enshrined in our constitution. We will not fold our hands and watch as chaos, greed, power-mongering engulf our movement. 

It is time for the party to be returned to its rightful owners who are the members in the branches, wards, districts, and provinces and the general voting public.

We should stand reminded that we embarked on the long journey not to serve a few individuals but to fight the Zanu PF regime and dislodge it from power.

The party to its rightful owners I stand with Dr Khupe Tshisa MDCT Tshisa

Younger Moyo 

MDCT Mat South Provincial Secretary

Twenty-eight more private schools have been shut down in Harare, while 17 directors arrested for running the schools without proper documentation.

A report released by Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education showed that 28 more private schools have been closed for breaching the Education Act.

The operation to ensure all private schools regularise their operations has also netted 17 more directors of private schools and colleges who defied government’s altimatum.

Independent Colleges Liaison Officer, Doctor Tapera Chikandiwa appealed to private schools to comply with the Education Act and engage the relevant authorities where clarification is required.

“What government is doing is the way to go. I urge all our members to comply and when issues which require clarification I have spoken to government which expressed willingness to assist us. Such issue to do with land we can take them for negotiations with government,” said Tapera Chikandiwa, independent colleges liaison officer.

An educationist, Dr Samuel Mudavanhu concurred with government decision to weed out learning institutions operating illegally.

“The decision is good for all who complied with the education act and to all who were operating outside the law government should continue until sanity prevail.”

The number of schools shut down now stands at 66, while over 40 directors have arrested as government continues on a blitz to bring sanity in the education sector.

-State Media

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance led by President Nelson Chamisa says 2022 is a year of prioritizing citizens action for change.

The MDC Alliance held a crucial National Executive Committee meeting on Friday to map the way forward in 2022.

According to the party’s deputy spokesperson, Gift Ostallos Siziba, citizens action is the main point of concentration in the year 2022.

“We have just finished the National Executive Committee meeting to chat a strategic pathway for the party as we prepare for 2023. This year our strategic focus will be on Citizens Action. Join us as we wage a collective fight to win Zimbabwe for change. #CitizensAction,” Ostallos Siziba said in a statement on Friday.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:
“LEADERSHIP is a standard. And that standard is set at the top. Happy and blessed sabbath!”

In a statement the MDC Alliance said:

Today( Friday) the People’s National Executive Committee met to deliberate on issues of national importance and set out the plan for the year ahead. We will leave no stone unturned as we lead the citizens in the fight to win Zimbabwe for change! #NgaapindeHakeMukomana

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance led by President Nelson Chamisa says 2022 is a year of prioritizing citizens action for change.

The MDC Alliance held a crucial National Executive Committee meeting on Friday to map the way forward in 2022.

According to the party’s deputy spokesperson, Gift Ostallos Siziba, citizens action is the main point of concentration in the year 2022.

“We have just finished the National Executive Committee meeting to chat a strategic pathway for the party as we prepare for 2023. This year our strategic focus will be on Citizens Action. Join us as we wage a collective fight to win Zimbabwe for change. #CitizensAction,” Ostallos Siziba said in a statement on Friday.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:
“LEADERSHIP is a standard. And that standard is set at the top. Happy and blessed sabbath!”

In a statement the MDC Alliance said:

Today( Friday) the People’s National Executive Committee met to deliberate on issues of national importance and set out the plan for the year ahead. We will leave no stone unturned as we lead the citizens in the fight to win Zimbabwe for change! #NgaapindeHakeMukomana

By A Correspondent| PaperHole Investments (PHI), a white investor company who have been in partnership with former minister Ignatious Chombo expressed their fear of loosing everything after impending farm grab.

PHI a white owned company who have been in a joint venture with Chombo has registered their worst fear of the re occurrence of the chaotic land reform of the 2000s when many white farmers lost land and loved ones.

In a letter written by PHI, they indicated that their worst fears over the impending farm grab is to loose everything including lives, after more than 3 years of investment.

“Prior to any investment and fully cognisant of the legal requirements, PHI ensured that the joint venture was ratified by the ministry.

“The current events are unsettling,”reads the other part of the letter.Meanwhile, more questions are being raised about why Minister Masuka wants to cancel a 99 year lease yet his own Ministry agreed that it would not cancel the lease for a period of 18 years and that the Ministry approved and co signed the joint venture.

Sources at the Ministry have said, “the Masuku is well aware of the investment made there is a ploy to hold Chombo and the white investors to ransom by splitting up the farm despite the investment with the intention of engaging in rent seeking behaviour.

Names of personal friends and former workmates of the Minister have also been suggested to be beneficiaries.”

It has been also revealed that the investors are already discussing with other white farmers to abandon joint ventures or in some cases leave the country.

However this time the government of Zimbabwe is initially wooing investors to first invest then they are deprived of their investment.

However, it is still not clear whether minister Masuka actions have the approval and support of Cabinet or the party.

By A Correspondent- A South African Constitutional Court ruling late last year could provide some reprieve for Zimbabweans battling possible deportation after the expiry of their special exemption permits last month.

Nearly 200 000 Zimbabweans living in South Africa on a Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) have been given a 12-month grace period to regularise their papers or risk detention and deportation. This followed a cabinet resolution not to renew the permits when they expired last month.

The ConCourt ruling in a case of an Ethiopian national, Desta Abore, who was detained awaiting deportation, states that refugees and asylum seekers can apply for permits and stay in South Africa pending the outcome of their applications.

According to reports from South Africa, the ConCourt decision rescued Abore from unlawful detention and brought the much-needed clarity to the application of the new amendments to the Refugees Act in relation to asylum applications.

Various legal experts told the NewsDay Weekender that Zimbabweans in South Africa could take advantage of the ConCourt ruling to extend their stay in that country.

In an interview, a lawyer representing former special permit holders who are fighting for permanent residency in South Africa, Simba Chitando, hailed the ConCourt judgment.

“The judgment sets a good precedent in support of the rights of migrants generally, even though it does not specifically deal with the rights of ZEP holders. It speaks to the position of the courts, which appears positive for migrants in the republic,” he said

An attorney at Nonyane Inc in Pretoria, Thabang Nonyane, concurred, adding that the judgment gave some reprieve to Zimbabweans living in the neighbouring country.

“In simple terms, the implication of the judgment is that once a foreigner has declared his or her intention to apply for an asylum or refugee status, he or she must be given an opportunity to do so by means of being issued a temporary permit.

“The permit should be valid until the Department of Home Affairs has made a determination to the asylum or refugee application. Pending the determination by Department of Home Affairs, the foreigner may not be arrested,” Nonyane said.

Khulekani Moyo of Wits University Law School said: “Regulation 7 of the new regulations to the Refugees Act 130 of 1998 provides that a person must declare his or her intention to apply for asylum at a port of entry before entering the republic and must be issued with an asylum transit visa which is valid for five days.”

“An applicant for asylum must, in terms of Regulation 8, show good cause why he or she is not in possession of an asylum transit visa before he or she is allowed to make an application for asylum – good cause which is required to be shown refers to the reasons that must be given on why the applicant for asylum does not have an asylum transit visa,” he said.

Moyo, however, said Regulation 7 did not assist asylum seekers who did not declare such an intention at a port of entry and before entering South Africa.

“It also does not assist asylum seekers who do not enter the Republic through an official border post. Many do not, given their precarious position as illegal foreigners fleeing their home countries due to a well-founded fear of persecution,” he said.

Abore reportedly entered South Africa illegally through Zimbabwe in December 2019, telling the court that he escaped persecution in his home country given his involvement in opposition politics.

He was arrested in July 2020 in Eshowe, northern KwaZulu-Natal, and was convicted and sentenced by the local magistrate’s court to 50 days imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of R1 500 for entering the country unlawfully. Despite paying the fine, Abore served his prison sentence and his detention, which was supposed to end on August 25 2020, continued beyond that date staying in prison for more than a year.

In February last year, the Department of Home Affairs applied for a warrant extending Abore’s detention for purposes of deporting him. Aggrieved by this, Abore approached the High Court to stay his deportation.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Local Government minister July Moyo has been implicated in a massive land scandal in Masvingo after it emerged he is piling pressure on the ancient city’s local authority to cede vast tracts of land to an Indian investor in a murky deal.

The company, known as Simbi, retrenched some of its workers in 2019 due to financial challenges, yet is eyeing a multi-million-dollar project which requires huge tract of land.

Currently the company has almost 50 hectares, of which it land has managed to utilize just 15.

Even so, it is now demanding 200 hectares from the local authority.

Sources at the Masvingo Town House said some councilors and management staff are vouching for the deal trying to please July Moyo despite warnings the deal could spook other investors and residents.

“We have people who are supporting such kind of deal just to please the minister forgetting that the same company still has a lot of land which it hasn’t utilised. The situation is tricky because representation in council weighs in favour of Zanu-PF and management which also plays a key role and are appointed by the minister,” a source said.

Sources also suspect the company could be inducing government officials to push for the deal.

With growing pressure from top government officials, the deal is said to be close to certain and soon the company will have their request approved.

Other sources also say the company has rejected a 50-hectare lease offer from council, maintaining the 200-hectare request which they demanded should come with title deeds to the land.

Recently some council officials were invited by the company where they were notified of how the company would want to utilise the land.

The proposal comes at a time where the city has a ballooning housing waiting list and a very mediocre Industry which they hope to revive by selling Industrial stands that fall within the land identified by the steelmaking company.

Masvingo mayor Collen Maboke confirmed that a request has been put forward by the company, but nothing has been cemented in relation to the proposal.

“We are yet to make a resolution pertaining to that issue. The company has requested that council investigates a possible extension of their workspace but as of now we haven’t reached any decision. Council does not make rushed decisions and we do what is best for the city,” Maboke said.

Contacted for comment, July Moyo denied any involvement in the deal, but said he would support businesses with the potential to grow.

“I’m not privy to that issue and have never interfered in issues of land allocation in Masvingo or anywhere else. What I am privy to is the promotion of business. Allocation of land is done by the local authority,” Moyo told NewZimbabwe.com.

SIMBI Steelmakers Group of Companies Logistics Officer, Tabonga Gwerena declined to comment on the matter referring all questions to the general manager.

“I am not the right person to answer on that issue but you can come to the plant and see the general manager,” Gwerena said.

When asked to avail the Manager’s number, he said: “You can come and book an appointment to see him.”

Many communities across the country have been involved in nasty fights with foreign investors over land grabs.

Foreign investors usually come with lucrative multi-million-dollar deals which government find hard to reject.

By A Correspondent- Civil society organisations (CSOs) yesterday blasted the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) for claiming that rights groups were funding registered voters to re-register multiple times to discredit the ongoing voter registration exercise.

Zec chairperson Priscilla Chigumba told a local television station, ZTN, on Wednesday that the electoral management body’s system had picked up several multiple voter registrants sponsored by civic groups.

But Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiCZ) spokesperson Obert Masaraure told NewsDay Weekender that the Zec allegations were meant to frustrate potential voters and the voter registration awareness campaigns.

“The commission and government officials should not bad-mouth patriotic citizens who are working hard to strengthen our democracy. The coalition is moving in to co-ordinate voter mobilisation among its membership to avoid duplication of their great efforts,” Masaraure said.

“We salute all citizens who are working around the clock to mobilise citizens to register to vote. Our democracy is strengthened when the majority of our people are afforded the right to vote.”

Residents Associations Coalition for Electoral Reforms spokesperson Marvelous Khumalo described the allegations by Zec as “shocking”.

“As civil society, we are actually shocked that government is actually blaming CSOs and accusing them of assisting in terms of raising awareness on voting processes and doing some kind of voter education,” Khumalo said.

“As CSOs, we are non-partisan in terms of the scope of our work, so instead, government should be actually appreciating our efforts that we are going out of our hands in terms of making sure that we reach out to the communities

“I can only laugh at such an allegation because look, what is our incentive? Where will we be getting such kind of money to pay people to vote? … they should simply approach the police and register a complaint and then the law must take its course.”

Project Vote 263 chairperson Allan Chipoyi added: “Chigumba doesn’t even know or understand how the biometric voter registration (BVR) system works because it refuses to register a name that has been already registered. Secondly, she doesn’t understand how BVR works.”

He also said CSOs were only providing transport for people who wanted to register to vote, adding “people are never rewarded for registering to vote. No one pays them.”

Zec has said it would roll out a voter registration blitz in February and April to ensure all eligible voters register ahead of next year’s general election.

By A Correspondent- Alex T Magaisa, a former Chief of Staff in the office of a former Prime minister of Zimbabwe, the late Morgan Tsvangirai has said the fights in the opposition MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora adversely affect another MDC outfit, MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa.

He makes the remarks after Mwonzora announced that he had fired his deputy, Thokozani Khupe who in turn defied the expulsion and declared herself the new party leader. 

We present Magaisa’s statement:

The challenges and the split in the MDC-T are other reminders of the accumulating costs associated with the MDC brand. Splits are now almost synonymous with the brand, and this has a damaging effect on everyone who uses it, whether they are involved. In this context, the conflicts and controversies affecting the MDC-T also impact the MDC Alliance, even if it is not involved.

The political market simply looks and says the MDC parties have started again. It is even worse for the external market which is not familiar with the nuances of local politics. When they hear that the MDC has split, the reaction is likely to be one of exasperation. The reputation is toxic.

The MDC Alliance might feel a strong attachment to the label, but it should know that it carries the costs of whatever nonsense goes on where the label is used.

Magaisa made the remarks in his latest Big Saturday Read titled Things Fall Apart in The Judicially-Reconstructed Party.

By A Correspondent- Six people believed to be Zimbabweans were killed in a road accident early Friday morning near the South African border in Beitbridge when an overloaded Nissan Navara they were travelling in overturned along the N1 highway.

Fourteen other passengers aboard the same vehicle escaped with injuries and have been taken to Musina Hospital in Limpopo province.

The vehicle was travelling from the Beitbridge Border Post towards Musina town when tragedy struck.

In a statement yesterday, Limpopo’s Department of Transport and Community Safety blamed the accident on reckless driving.

Said the Department:

It is alleged that the driver of an overloaded Nissan Navara lost control of the vehicle and it overturned.

The driver and five passengers were confirmed dead on the scene and 14 other passengers were taken to Musina Hospital with serious injuries. Reckless driving has been cited as the possible cause of the accident.

In a related incident, two people were killed in a head-on collision on the same stretch of the road when a Nissan van collided head-on with an Audi sedan resulting in the death of the two drivers. Two passengers in the van escaped with injuries.

Limpopo Transport and Community Safety Member of Executive Committee (MEC), Ms Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya said indications were that speed, reckless and negligent driving were contributing to the surge in the road carnage.-Herald

By A Correspondent- Urban grooves sensation, Roki has apologised for the political connotation in his hit track, Patati Patati, which appeared to project President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a great leader.

The song featured Congolese rhumba superstar, Koffi Olomide, who is heard extolling Mnangagwa’s virtues, and Tanzania’s Rayvanny.

Olomide chanted ‘ED Mnangagwa Number 1′, appearing to spur Mnangagwa.

The lyrics riled many music fans whose curiosity had been raised by the pre-production hype, with some claiming he had dug his career’s grave after struggling to revive it.

Patati Patata was produced by socialite and Zanu-PF staunch supporter, Passion Java’s recording stable to which Roki is now signed to.

However in a Youtube comment under his new track, Next Time the ‘Chidzoka’ hitmaker said the shoutout to Mnangagwa was a way of thanking him for declaring late musicians, Soul Jah Love and Oliver Mtukudzi national heros.

He wrote:

“Apologies to all those who were offended by Patati Patata. The shout out to the President was a way of appreciating him for honoring Our Father, Our Legend Dr,Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi and Soul Jah Love Musaka.”

Roki added that he was not affiliated with any political party.

“As a brand and artist, Roki does not belong to any political party and the music is meant for everyone no matter which political party, race, country or tribe you belong to.”

By A Correspondent- Local Government minister July Moyo has expressed concern over the spike in the number of road traffic accidents involving buses operating under the Zupco franchise.

Moyo’s comments came after two Zupco buses were recently involved in separate fatal accidents in Bulawayo, killing two pedestrians and injuring several others.

Both accidents were attributed to brake failure.

“We don’t want accidents, especially by public transporters. The government is worried about accidents, but I would not know what is happening on the ground. That is the duty of the operations department,” Moyo said.

“We don’t have enough Zupco-owned buses, hence we have hired from private companies.”

Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Felix Mhona also said he would engage Moyo to find a lasting solution.

Bulawayo commuters pleaded with government to regularly check the roadworthiness of buses hired under the Zupco franchise.

“The issue of Zupco buses killing people never started yesterday. Zupco should issue roadworthy buses permits to operate,” said Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association chairperson, Ambrose Sibindi.

“It is high time government swallows its pride and allows other companies like Tshova Mubaiwa and others to operate.”

Government, however, insists that private commuter omnibus operators remain banned.

By A Correspondent- MDC-Alliance President Nelson Chamisa has expressed shock over the popularity of his party’s #Ngaapindehakemukoma regalia.

As part of its political marketing and branding, the party has adopted the hashtag, which it is now using as a label on T-shirts and hats.

Posting on his tweeter handle this week, Chamisa said he could not imagine the brand getting such a huge by-in.

Wow! This looks great!! https://t.co/0EIpsgYNGX

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) January 21, 2022

By A Correspondent- The MDC-T President Douglas Mwonzora said his suspended deputy Thokozani Khupe has several cases to answer.

Mwonzora suspended Khupe on 12 January 2022.

Below Mwonzora’s suspension letter, he wrote to Khupe, laying the charges she faces.

Dear Madam

Re: Notice of Suspension Pending

Investigations Being of the reasonable view that you have acted in breach of the party constitution, its rules and regulations and acting in terms of clause 9.1.2.3 of the party constitution, I hereby suspend you from the party pending investigations and possible disciplinary action. This suspension is with immediate effect.

I am of the view that you have breached key provisions of the Real Change Code of Ethics for All Office Bearers of the Party as well as the Disciplinary Code of Conduct and Regulations contained in the Party Constitution. The grounds thereof are that:

1. Sometime in December 2020 you instructed one Patson Murimoga to make a report to the Police to the effect that some ZWL$ 6 million of Party money had been stolen from the Party.

You knew very well that this was false as you were in possession of all information to the contrary.

Your intention was to secure the arrest of certain leaders of the party on these false accusations

2. Sometime in April 2021 you instructed your former personal aide Kudzanayi Mashumba to file a false report that his money had been stolen from the President’s office. 

Again you knew that this was false as you had

information to the contrary.

3. Sometime in August 2021 you instructed Amos Kaliati to file a High Court application challenging the Extraordinary Congress. You knew that the grounds that he cited were false.

4. You have undermined the National Council by publicly making false allegations against it.

At all times you have been in reasonable possession of correct information but you chose to publish false information.

5. You have from time to time contrary to the Party Constitution appointed “spokespersons” through which you have undermined the party leadership.

6. You have failed to discharge your duties as Deputy President contained in Clause 9.2 of the Constitution of the Party.

7. You have held meetings with some political parties hostile to the MDC-T with the intention to prejudice the MDC-T.

Some of these actions were calculated to bring the name of the Party into disrepute. The investigations into these allegations shall be done by the Arbiter General in terms of Clause 13.2.1 and Clause 13.2.2 of the constitution.

I have directed the Arbiter General to expedite the investigation to minimise possible prejudice to you, the party or any member of the Party.

I expect you to cooperate with the Arbiter General and his team as they carry out their mandate.

During the period of your suspension, you shall not do any party work, attend its functions, participate or initiate any of its activities.

You shall not, during your suspension do any activities including external activities emanating or deriving from your position as the Deputy President of the Party unless with the prior written notice from the President.

By-There was a very high demand for condoms and morning-after pills during the festive season in Bulawayo, with some pharmacies running out of the pill, B-Metro has learnt.

This should not come as a surprise as research suggests that people tend to get busier between the sheets in December, thanks to the Christmas and New Year’s Day festivities.

The morning after pill and condoms are over-the-counter contraceptives available at pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription.

The morning after pill falls into the category of emergency contraception; an unwanted pregnancy can be avoided with its use.

It works by temporarily stopping the ovary from releasing an egg. It’s kind of like pulling the emergency brake on ovulation.
Felecia Mlauzi a nurse at Mpilo Central Hospital said some pharmacies ran out of condoms and morning after pills during the festive season.
“In December condoms and morning after pills are consumed in large numbers to an extent of running out of stock, I think it is because during the Christmas season people tend to be more excited and they become sexually active,” said Mlauzi.
A pharmacist, Caroline Ndlovu, from Executive Pharmacy shared her observation on the uptake of condoms and morning after pills during the festive season.
“From my observation for years, I have noticed that in December the uptake of condoms and morning after pills is very high and I think that is caused by the parties and alcohol influence because it will happen that when people are drunk, they end up having unprotected sex and the next thing they will be in pharmacies to get the morning after pills.
“In January the uptake then becomes low because people will be getting back to normality and they are fewer party activities as people will be back to business,” she said.
Nothando Peace Ncube from QV Pharmacy said women buy morning after pills because they are not scared of sexual transmitted infections, but pregnancy.
“Morning after pills are the ones being bought mostly in the pharmacy so from my own perspective I have realised that women are afraid of getting pregnant more than getting STIs and HIV.
But it is possible that they get free condoms from clinics and hospitals,” she said.
“Looking at the rate of morning after pills in 2021, they were just moving fairly because from April to December the average of the moving rate of these was 52 percent,” said Ncube.

• B Metro

By A Correspondent- The MDC-T President Douglas Mwonzora said his suspended deputy Thokozani Khupe has several cases to answer.

Mwonzora suspended Khupe on 12 January 2022.

Below Mwonzora’s suspension letter, he wrote to Khupe, laying the charges she faces.

Dear Madam

Re: Notice of Suspension Pending

Investigations Being of the reasonable view that you have acted in breach of the party constitution, its rules and regulations and acting in terms of clause 9.1.2.3 of the party constitution, I hereby suspend you from the party pending investigations and possible disciplinary action. This suspension is with immediate effect.

I am of the view that you have breached key provisions of the Real Change Code of Ethics for All Office Bearers of the Party as well as the Disciplinary Code of Conduct and Regulations contained in the Party Constitution. The grounds thereof are that:

1. Sometime in December 2020 you instructed one Patson Murimoga to make a report to the Police to the effect that some ZWL$ 6 million of Party money had been stolen from the Party.

You knew very well that this was false as you were in possession of all information to the contrary.

Your intention was to secure the arrest of certain leaders of the party on these false accusations

2. Sometime in April 2021 you instructed your former personal aide Kudzanayi Mashumba to file a false report that his money had been stolen from the President’s office. 

Again you knew that this was false as you had

information to the contrary.

3. Sometime in August 2021 you instructed Amos Kaliati to file a High Court application challenging the Extraordinary Congress. You knew that the grounds that he cited were false.

4. You have undermined the National Council by publicly making false allegations against it.

At all times you have been in reasonable possession of correct information but you chose to publish false information.

5. You have from time to time contrary to the Party Constitution appointed “spokespersons” through which you have undermined the party leadership.

6. You have failed to discharge your duties as Deputy President contained in Clause 9.2 of the Constitution of the Party.

7. You have held meetings with some political parties hostile to the MDC-T with the intention to prejudice the MDC-T.

Some of these actions were calculated to bring the name of the Party into disrepute. The investigations into these allegations shall be done by the Arbiter General in terms of Clause 13.2.1 and Clause 13.2.2 of the constitution.

I have directed the Arbiter General to expedite the investigation to minimise possible prejudice to you, the party or any member of the Party.

I expect you to cooperate with the Arbiter General and his team as they carry out their mandate.

During the period of your suspension, you shall not do any party work, attend its functions, participate or initiate any of its activities.

You shall not, during your suspension do any activities including external activities emanating or deriving from your position as the Deputy President of the Party unless with the prior written notice from the President.

By A Correspondent- Confusion continues to rock the country’s political arena ahead of the 2023 national elections as more parties emerge using the name MDC.

This week another party approached the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission with the name MDC Zimbabwe.

The party leadership told ZEC that it would contest in the said it would be competing in the March 26 by-elections.

Below is the party’s letter to ZEC:

This serves to notify your office that MDC Zimbabwe will be participating in the forthcoming by eiections proclaimed for the March 26 2022. by H.E President ED Mnangagwa.

The following officers are the only authorized persons to sign for our candidates.

Thulani Ndebele (President)

Rumbidzai Chidaushe (Secretary-General) 

Nobuhle Mhodie (Chairperson) 

Yasini Chiwisa (Treasurer General)

Kindly note that we’re not a ‘derivative’ of any political party or grouping. We have never been subject to any “Alliance Agreement’ nor Court Challenges or Judgments.

Therefore, MDC Zimbabwe must not be conflated with those who seek to limit political participation only to those who agree with them via a supermarket of names and identities.

This comes as the opposition MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora also wrote to ZEC asking the commission not to allow any grouping using the names “MDC,” “MDC Alliance,” or any other MDC derivative saying the names belong to them.

By A Correspondent- MDC-Alliance President Nelson Chamisa has expressed shock over the popularity of his party’s #Ngaapindehakemukoma regalia.

As part of its political marketing and branding, the party has adopted the hashtag, which it is now using as a label on T-shirts and hats.

Posting on his tweeter handle this week, Chamisa said he could not imagine the brand getting such a huge by-in.

Wow! This looks great!! https://t.co/0EIpsgYNGX

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) January 21, 2022

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has described the late iconic singer Zexie Manatsa as a pioneering legend of music in Zimbabwe.

Manatsa’s death is a devastating loss to the entire nation.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:

“ZEXIE MANATSA-A pioneering legend! What a gifted musician;what a great life.

My condolences to the Manatsa family & indeed the nation of Zimbabwe for the loss of this bundle of talent.

May The Holy Spirit comfort the family & us all during this very sad moment. RIP Great legend.”

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has announced that from the 1st of February 2022, its agents will start capturing full truck details on the Bill Of Entry E- Cargo Manifest.

We present the notice:

CAPTURING OF FULL TRUCK DETAILS (HORSE AND TRAILER REGISTRATION NUMBERS) ON BILL OF ENTRY AND ELECTRONIC CARGO MANIFEST

Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Z1MRA) wishes to advise all declarants (Clearing Agents) that with effect from 1 February 2022, in addition to capturing the trailer registration number(s), it is now mandatory to also capture the horse registration number on the bill of entry.

The horse registration number shall be entered in box 18 and the trailer registration number (s) shall be captured in box 21.

Clients are encouraged to comply with this requirement as failure to capture full truck details, may result in issuance of Form 45 which will attract accounting fees.

All transporters are required to capture the horse registration number and trailer registration number(s) on registering the electronic cargo manifest.

By-There was a very high demand for condoms and morning-after pills during the festive season in Bulawayo, with some pharmacies running out of the pill, B-Metro has learnt.

This should not come as a surprise as research suggests that people tend to get busier between the sheets in December, thanks to the Christmas and New Year’s Day festivities.

The morning after pill and condoms are over-the-counter contraceptives available at pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription.

The morning after pill falls into the category of emergency contraception; an unwanted pregnancy can be avoided with its use.

It works by temporarily stopping the ovary from releasing an egg. It’s kind of like pulling the emergency brake on ovulation.
Felecia Mlauzi a nurse at Mpilo Central Hospital said some pharmacies ran out of condoms and morning after pills during the festive season.
“In December condoms and morning after pills are consumed in large numbers to an extent of running out of stock, I think it is because during the Christmas season people tend to be more excited and they become sexually active,” said Mlauzi.
A pharmacist, Caroline Ndlovu, from Executive Pharmacy shared her observation on the uptake of condoms and morning after pills during the festive season.
“From my observation for years, I have noticed that in December the uptake of condoms and morning after pills is very high and I think that is caused by the parties and alcohol influence because it will happen that when people are drunk, they end up having unprotected sex and the next thing they will be in pharmacies to get the morning after pills.
“In January the uptake then becomes low because people will be getting back to normality and they are fewer party activities as people will be back to business,” she said.
Nothando Peace Ncube from QV Pharmacy said women buy morning after pills because they are not scared of sexual transmitted infections, but pregnancy.
“Morning after pills are the ones being bought mostly in the pharmacy so from my own perspective I have realised that women are afraid of getting pregnant more than getting STIs and HIV.
But it is possible that they get free condoms from clinics and hospitals,” she said.
“Looking at the rate of morning after pills in 2021, they were just moving fairly because from April to December the average of the moving rate of these was 52 percent,” said Ncube.

• B Metro

By- In a propaganda move meant to cover up its election management incompetencies and rigging tendencies, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is now accusing NGOs of funding voters.

Below is ZEC’s propaganda piece done by the state-controlled Herald Newspaper.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has unearthed a scam in which some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) are providing incentives to hundreds of people to register to vote ahead of the March 26 by-elections and 2023 harmonised elections, resulting in the people making multiple registrations for them to access the money.This was exposed after ZEC’s ultra-modern biometric registration system, which among other things enables fingerprint mapping, picked that many people had registered many times.
The election management body’s system eventually flushed out those people as multiple applicants, but this was not before the NGOs and CSOs had made noise accusing ZEC of registering fewer people.
Those who participated in the scam did not disclose to the NGOs that they were already registered to vote but instead moved from one organisation to another getting incentives in return for making an application as a voter.
This was revealed by ZEC chairperson, Justice Priscilla Chigumba in an interview with Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) yesterday.
She was responding to issues raised by some NGOS on why ZEC had registered fewer people in 2021.
“I will say this without fear. There were a lot of people who were given incentives to register to vote and those people did not disclose to the NGOs and CSOs that they were already registered to vote in order to access the incentives.
“I am not implying, but saying this directly because they were then flagged by our system to say there is a person with one set of fingerprints who registered six times to vote, but they were already on the voters roll,” said Justice Chigumba.
“Our system, if you registered ten times it will only recognise one file. It will only say there is one registrant, you then come to me saying we registered 260 people to vote, were you aware that they are already registered, did you know whether their Identity documents were authentic, did you know whether they had different fingerprints, you cannot cheat the ZEC voter registration system.”
She said ZEC received reports that some people were moving from one NGO to another, making multiple applications to get more incentives.
“I am telling you emphatically that this is what transpired. It has been reported to us they would deliberately go to different voter registration centres and deliberately go to different organisations that were mobilising people to register to vote, and they would access incentives but when it comes now to being entered as a registered voter, the system would flag them as a multiple registrant.”
Turning to ZEC’s preparedness for both by-elections and 2023 harmonised elections, Justice Chigumba said everything was in place.
ZEc is going to launch a voter registration blitz in February ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections.
Justice Chigumba said ZEC already had the $2 billion needed to conduct the March 26 by-elections meant to fill vacancies caused by deaths of incumbent and recalls by their political parties.
She said they had deferred voter registration blitz that was set for December last year because of Covid-19 at three of their offices and upon realising that the Registrar General’s office was not adequately capacitated to issue identity documents, an integral factor on voter registration.
The voter registration blitz, she said, was never meant for the by-elections, but to assist in the forthcoming delimitation exercise.
Justice Chigumba said the deferment did not disadvantage any prospective applicant given that provincial and district offices were always open and were never inundated with applicants as what obtains with the RG’s office.
“Voter registration has always been held towards delimitation. It has always been meant to beef up numbers for the delimitation exercise. As a commission, we do not make arbitrary decisions. Voter registration is continuous.
“Our stakeholders should understand that we have 10 provincial offices open on a permanent basis, 63 district offices open everyday, the evidence in December is that our offices were not inundated with applicants, we did not see long winding queues of people expressing the need to register to vote. Our permanent offices were not inundated with numbers. Our offices were open for those who wanted to register, what we postponed were the roving kits,” she said.
Justice Chigumba said the delimitation exercise was expected to start in September after the population census final results that is expected in August this year.

-Herald

By- A Church of Christ pastor in Bulawayo recently appeared in court for robbing and raping a woman he had befriended in a bushy area near Entumbane suburb.

Samson Mudimba (37), appeared before magistrate Tancy Dube at Western Commonage Courts where he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Magistrate Dube remanded Mudimba in custody to 25 January. Dube advised the suspect to apply for bail at the High court.

It is alleged that Mudimba befriended a woman he had boarded a pirating commuter omnibus with.

The complainant intended to go to her home in the Cowdray Park suburb but the kombi broke down near a fuel station at Matshobane suburb and the driver refused to reimburse them.

It is further alleged that the complainant decided to spend the night at her relative’s place in Entumbane suburb.

Mudimba allegedly told the woman that he was a police officer stationed at Entumbane police station and persuaded her into walking with him.

However, along the way, Mudimba allegedly became violent and grabbed the woman by her hand while threatening to kill her if she screamed.

He reportedly raped the woman once in a bushy area and robbed her of US$54, ZW$40 and R20.

Mudimba also forced his victim to surrender her cellphone before walking off and leaving her stranded.

The woman reported the robbery and rape at Entumbane police station.

An investigation by the police led to the arrest of Mudimba.

More: B-Metro

By- The President Emmerson Mnangagwa administration’s human rights record will be examined by the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group for the third time next week Wednesday.
Zimbabwe is one of the States to be reviewed by the UPR Working Group during its upcoming session taking place from 24 January to 3 February, which marks the end of the UPR third cycle.
The UPR 40th session was originally scheduled to be held in November 2021, although was moved due to COVID-19 measures.
Zimbabwe’s first and second UPR reviews took place in October 2011 and November 2016, respectively.
The documents on which the reviews are based are
1) national report – information provided by the State under review;
2) information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the Special Procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities;

3) information provided by other stakeholders, including national human rights institutions, regional organizations and civil society groups.

The UPR is a unique process that involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States.
Since its first meeting was held in April 2008, all 193 UN member States have been reviewed twice within the first and second UPR cycles.

By A Correspondent- SA opposition Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has incited xenophobia against Zimbabweans.

Mckenzie told eNCA that Zimbabweans were taking over South African jobs and should be kicked out.

He said citizens of South Africa should visit every company employing Zimbabweans and chase Zimbabwe nationals out of their country.

He was, however, challenged by the eNCA presenter hosting him telling him that what he was saying was promoting lawlessness.

Mckenzie’s statements have resulted in some South Africans now forcing Zimbabwean migrants to move out of their rented houses in Gauteng Province while threatening to burn them.

By Suspended MDC-T vice president, Thokozani Khupe, said that she was now the president of the troubled opposition party.

This comes after Thursday MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora suspended Khupe and her close ally and former party spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni.

In announcing Khupe’s suspension on Thursday, the party’s spokesperson Witness Dube said she was being investigated on several allegations. 

But addressing journalists and party supporters at Macdonald Hall in Mzilikazi, Bulawayo, on Friday morning, Khupe said Mwonzora fired himself from the party when he announced they would contest the upcoming by-elections as MDC Alliance. Said Khupe:

Mwonzora has notified the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that he will contest the upcoming by-elections under the MDC Alliance party, in so doing Mwonzora has fired himself from the party because, in terms of the MDC-T constitution, membership of the party shall be terminated if a member joins or supports a political party other than the MDC-T, termination of membership in these circumstances is automatic.

With all these transgressions, Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora cannot continue at the helm of a democratic party such as MDC-T.

It is in this vein that today, we, who are gathered here and many others scattered around the country, declare an official split.

They are now two MDC-T formations, one led by yours truly, Dr Thokozani Khupe, who is also the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and the other who I don’t know who their leader is.

More: The Sunday News

By-Some South Africans are forcing Zimbabwean migrants to move out of their rented houses in Gauteng Province while threatening to burn them.
Members of the South Africa First are undertaking what they call Operation Dudula, moving from house to house and evicting “illegal” immigrants from their rented dwellings in the townships.
In videos circulating on social media platforms, South African nationals are seen harassing people identified as Zimbabweans and ordering them to leave.

The sad development is happening a few days after the Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has urged South Africans to chase away foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans.

By ZNA | Two soldiers, members of the Zimbabwe National Army, Lance Corporal Dzimbanhete Tatenda and Trooper Munesi Wilfred were on 19 January sentenced to 40 years imprisonment each by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Court Martial for armed robbery.

Five years each of their respective sentences were suspended on condition that they restitute the complainant, Simon Arnold of Surrey Farm near Marondera, cash amounting to US$ 16 830 and R600.

Both were reduced ranks to private and first year trooper, respectively and discharged from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces with ignominy. They both pleaded guilty to the charges of armed robbery which they committed on 15 November 2021 at Surrey Farm near Marondera. The Zimbabwe National Army does not condone cases of indiscipline and misconduct and will continue to pass deterrent sentences on any would be offenders.

Condolence Message by the Honourable Acting President, General (Retired) Dr CGDN Chiwenga, following the death of Zexie Manatsa, 21st January 2022

I learnt with profound shock and deep grief of the death yesterday of legendary musician and artist, Cde Zexie Manatsa, who passed on at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals after succumbing to cancer.

His untimely demise leaves a deep chasm that will be very difficult to fill, not only for the Manatsa family which birthed him but also for our Nation which has lost a great patriot-artist.

Zex remains an iconic figure in the music industry whose music career dates back to the colonial days and peaking at the height of our armed liberation struggle.

He contributed immensely to the struggle for our country’s Independence through satirical, poetic compositions. Songs such as “Baba Tipeiwo Ndege,” “Musango Mune Hangaiwa”, Ndarota Ndina Mai”, among others immediately come to mind.

Singing at a time when the Rhodesian settler regime was committing horrendous atrocities against our people in order to preserve and perpetuate its minority rule, Zex used his musical talent and composition skills to revolutionary effect as he deployed different music styles such as township music, JITI, Simanje Manje and gospel to articulate national issues of the day.

His songs were always pregnant with messages aimed at inspiring others to focus on the greater good for our society and our great country.

Similarly, he was averse to both political and religious prostitution and encouraged our people to be patriotic and morally upright.

It will be recalled that his contribution during the liberation struggle was recognized when he was picked as part of the group of our local musicians to play alongside the legendary Reggae artist, Bob Marley, at Rufaro Stadium, at Independence in 1980.

The name Zexie Manatsa occupies pride of space in the annals of our national music industry and will always be remembered for his generosity of heart and givenness to mentorship and support of aspiring young musicians, including many successful top Zimbabwean musicians we have today.

Together with his famed musical band, significantly named the Green Arrows, Zex released many songs which have proved to be all-time hits such as Chipo Chiroorwa, Vaparidzi Vawanda, Tiyi Hobvu, among others.

In the passing of Zexie Manatsa, our country has lost a humble, devout Christian and pastor who will be greatly missed by many of us who knew him from way back in the ’60s and 70s.

On behalf of His Excellency the President, Dr E D Mnangagwa, our Nation, the arts industry, and my own behalf, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the Manatsa family, especially to his wife and children who have lost a beloved husband, father and mentor.

May they derive comfort from the knowledge that the Nation shares deeply their great loss, which is our loss together.

May his dear soul rest in eternal peace.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Court Martial has sentenced two Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) members to 40 years imprisonment each for armed robbery.

The two soldiers, Lance Corporal Tatenda Dzimbanhete and Trooper Wilfred Munesi were sentenced on 19 January.

In a statement this Friday, Director Army Public Relations Colonel Alphios Makotore said five years each of their respective sentences were suspended on condition that they restitute their robbery victim, Simon Arnold of Surrey Farm, of cash amounting to US$16 830 and R600. Said Col. Mokotore:

Two soldiers, members of the Zimbabwe National Army, Lance Corporal Dzimbanhete Tatenda and Trooper Munesi Wilfred were on 19 January sentenced to 40 years imprisonment each by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Court Martial for armed robbery.

Five years each of their respective sentences were suspended on condition that they restitute the complainant, Simon Arnold of Surrey Farm near Marondera, cash amounting to US$ 16 830 and R600.

Both were reduced ranks of private and first-year trooper, respectively and discharged from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces with ignominy.

They both pleaded guilty to the charges of armed robbery which they committed on 15 November 2021 at Surrey Farm near Marondera.

The Zimbabwe National Army does not condone cases of indiscipline and misconduct and will continue to pass deterrent sentences on any would-be offenders.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has described the late iconic singer Zexie Manatsa as a pioneering legend of music in Zimbabwe.

Manatsa’s death is a devastating loss to the entire nation.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:

“ZEXIE MANATSA-A pioneering legend! What a gifted musician;what a great life.

My condolences to the Manatsa family & indeed the nation of Zimbabwe for the loss of this bundle of talent.

May The Holy Spirit comfort the family & us all during this very sad moment. RIP Great legend.”

MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora recently suspended party deputy president Thokozani Khupe on several allegations that he said are being investigated.

It has now emerged that Khupe is facing seven allegations according to the letter of suspension dated 12 January 2022 addressed to her by Mwonzora.

The letter read:

Dear Madam

Re: Notice of Suspension Pending

Investigations Being of the reasonable view that you have acted in breach of the party constitution, its rules and regulations and acting in terms of clause 9.1.2.3 of the party constitution, I hereby suspend you from the party pending investigations and possible disciplinary action. This suspension is with immediate effect.

I am of the view that you have breached key provisions of the Real Change Code of Ethics for All Office Bearers of the Party as well as the Disciplinary Code of Conduct and Regulations contained in the Party Constitution. The grounds thereof are that:

1. Sometime in December 2020 you instructed one Patson Murimoga to make a report to the Police to the effect that some ZWL$ 6 million of Party money had been stolen from the Party.

You knew very well that this was false as you were in possession of all information to the contrary.

Your intention was to secure the arrest of certain leaders of the party on these false accusations

2. Sometime in April 2021 you instructed your former personal aide Kudzanayi Mashumba to file a false report that his money had been stolen from the President’s office.
Again you knew that this was false as you had
information to the contrary.

3. Sometime in August 2021 you instructed Amos Kaliati to file a High Court application challenging the Extraordinary Congress. You knew that the grounds that he cited were false.

4. You have undermined the National Council by publicly making false allegations against it.

At all times you have been in reasonable possession of correct information but you chose to publish false information.

5. You have from time to time contrary to the Party Constitution appointed “spokespersons” through which you have undermined the party leadership.

6. You have failed to discharge your duties as Deputy President contained in Clause 9.2 of the Constitution of the Party.

7. You have held meetings with some political parties hostile to the MDC-T with the intention to prejudice the MDC-T.

Some of these actions were calculated to bring the name of the Party into disrepute. The investigations into these allegations shall be done by the Arbiter General in terms of Clause 13.2.1 and Clause 13.2.2 of the constitution.

I have directed the Arbiter General to expedite the investigation to minimise possible prejudice to you, the party or any member of the Party.

I expect you to cooperate with the Arbiter General and his team as they carry out their mandate.

During the period of your suspension, you shall not do any party work, attend its functions, participate or initiate any of its activities.

You shall not, during your suspension do any activities including external activities emanating or deriving from your position as the Deputy President of the Party unless with the prior written notice from the President.

By A Correspondent- Some South Africans are forcing Zimbabwean migrants to move out of their rented houses in Gauteng Province while threatening to burn them.

Members of the South Africa First are undertaking what they call Operation Dudula, moving from house to house and evicting “illegal” immigrants from their rented dwellings in the townships.

In videos circulating on social media platforms, South African nationals are seen harassing people identified as Zimbabweans and ordering them to leave.

Below is one such video posted on Twitter by Phakama Mthwakazi warning Zimbabweans living in Gauteng to be careful.

Foreign Africans who are staying in SA townships around Gauteng, be on the lookout. #OperationDudula is violently removing people and telling them to go home. Your life is important, I pray for the safety of all Africans in that country. #Notoxenophobia pic.twitter.com/I2RhKQ6SmF

— Phakama Mthwakazi ?? ?? ?? ?? (@PhakamaMthwaka1) January 21, 2022

By A Correspondent- Chief Musarurwa born Enos Masakwa wept in court as his attempted rape trial against a 14-year-old girl entered its second day on Friday last week.

Tears ran down the traditional leader’s cheeks and he rubbed them off using his hands as a young brother to the complainant, a little boy gave evidence in court.

Provincial Magistrate Batanai Madzingira postponed the case to 31 January 2022.

The boy told the court that he saw Chief’s Musarurwa official vehicle parked at a secluded place near his parents’ home on the day the alleged rape attempt took place.

During cross-examination, the chief’s lawyer, Norman Mugiya, argued that the statement the complainant gave to the Police was different from the one given to Probation Officer Darlington Chigweshe and the court respectively.

Chigweshe, however, said that such was normal with children and in particular when they give evidence in the presence of the accused due to intimidation and fear.

The complainant’s father told the court that Chief Musarurwa gave him US$10 as an apology for fondling his daughter but the evidence was dismissed by the court.

Chief Musarurwa is facing two counts of attempted rape. In the first incident which occurred in September 2020, the minor said she went to fetch water from a borehole near Musarurwa’s homestead when the chief lured her to his place.

The traditional leader allegedly took the girl into a corridor in his house where he fondled her breasts, caressed her v*gina and kissed her. He then allowed her to go.

In the second incident that allegedly took place on 9 August 2021, Chief Musarurwa visited the juvenile at her place of residence and found her in the company of her parents.

He reportedly managed to persuade the girl to get into his official car and then drove off.

Musarurwa allegedly parked his car and fondled the complainant’s breasts, caressed her v*gina and kissed her for about ten minutes before letting her go.

The girl reportedly went home crying and told her mother about the incident. The case was later reported at Chivhu ZRP on 25 August 2021.

Corence Chimbadzwa represented the State.-mirror