Tinashe Sambiri|Suspected Central Intelligence Organization agents bashed MDC Alliance member Tafadzwa Bright Kutya in Masvingo on Sunday.

Kutya is a member of the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly, ward 4, Masvingo Urban Constituency.

The suspected security agents pounced on Kutya as he arrived at his house around 8pm.

He was bashed and left for dead.The attackers smashed his mobile phone and vanished.

“We conducted a voter education through sport during the day. I arrived at Yeukai Shopping Centre and had a random human rights debates with several guys before going home.

Upon approaching our gate some men appeared from the dark saying “ndiye ndiye”.

They started to hit me fists.

Realising danger, I started fighting back in a bid to escape but I fell down and one of them repeatedly crushed my left hand using both legs. I screamed for help.

They crushed my saying “tione kuti uchataura sei nevarungu vamunoshandira”.

Just when neighbours were coming out they rushed into a vehicle and drove off. It was around 2030 kusina zesa,” said Kutya.

The top MDC Alliance official Gift Ostallos Siziba threw the public into wild guess on Monday when he spoke of divorce and while flighting the MDC Logo on Twitter.

Without elaborating, Siziba said

Divorce is a difficult process they say but we find comfort in that at a certain historic juncture we have to bury the past. If we don’t the past wil bury us. Bhekela okutsha!

By A Correspondent- Dozens of workers at Esidakeni Farm, located about 67km from Bulawayo, are said to have lost their jobs after Zanu-PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu defied a court order to vacate the farm.

Mpofu has allegedly deployed armed guards to block the owners from accessing the farm.

He has also allegedly locked out workers at the farm owned by scientist Zephaniah Dhlamini, miner Charles Moyo and human rights defender Siphosami Malunga, who is the executive director for the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa.

Over 150 workers, permanent and casual, have reportedly lost their jobs and have become homeless since Mpofu’s takeover.

“When he (Mpofu) moved onto the farm in early December, he found us actively farming. We were harvesting onion which we had grown on 4ha. We managed to harvest about 50 tonnes of saleable onions and 30 tonnes small onions that we intended to replant as sets on 2ha this January. About 1,5ha of onion could not be removed from the fields to the sheds. I am sure it’s all rotten from the heavy rains in the past weeks,” Dhlamini told NewsDay yesterday.

“We were also in the process of harvesting butternut. About 20 tonnes could not be harvested and have been stolen by people or damaged by wild pigs. We had also transplanted over 60 000 cabbages which we intended to sell in December and January when the prices are at their highest. As we speak, these cabbages are rotting in the fields.

“Obert found us with a workforce of 45 permanent workers.”

Mpofu has reportedly chased away the workers, including the foreman and women supervisors from the 554-hectare farm.

Yesterday, Mpofu refused to comment on the matter.

“Have you been sent? Don’t be silly. I’m not going to talk about that issue,” Mpofu said.

But Dhlamini insisted that Mpofu had evicted workers from their quarters, adding that the employees had lost their sources of income.

“We paid our casual workers US$5 per day. All these people are now unemployed. We have about 100 beef cattle on the farm and 20 goats, they have not been dipped or received scheduled vaccinations and dosing as we are denied access to the farm,” he said.

“We also had over 200 free range chickens, we don’t know their status. We left our belongings and 20 tonnes of maize in the main farm house. We had locked the farm house and its gates.”

In December, the Bulawayo High Court granted an application by farm owners for the eviction of Mpofu and Dumisani Madzivanyati, pending a decision of the same court on the main application in which they are challenging a government decision to list the farm for compulsory acquisition.

Madzivanyati is a lecturer at the National University of Science and Technology.

Mpofu then appealed against the ruling, but Malunga and his partners went back to the High Court to seek his eviction pending the outcome of his appeal.

The application is yet to be set down for hearing.

By A Correspondent- Bulawayo Labour Court judge Mercy Moya-Matshanga on Thursday reserved judgment for the second time in the case of Innscor Africa Limited and Innscor Africa Bread Company Zimbabwe former southern region sales and marketing manager Paul Chimboya, who is suing the company for US$308 000 damages following his dismissal in 2017.

The first time that the judge reserved judgment on the same case was on November 26 last year following submission by both parties in court.

Chimboya recently received notification to attend a hearing at the labour court on January 20.

“You are hereby notified that the matter concerning Chimboya vs Innscor Africa Ltd … to which you are party … shall be heard before the Labour Court … on January 20 at 9am. If as a party you fail to attend the hearing at the time and place notified, the hearing may proceed without you to the possible detriment of your interests,” the notice reads.

Chimboya’s lawyers from Chikwangwani Tapi Attorneys wrote a letter dated January 14 to the Registrar of the Labour Court contesting the notification.

“We refer specifically to the notice received … on January 13 for hearing on January 20. On the last hearing date … in November 26, 2021, … both parties presented their arguments and judgment was reserved on the basis that the respondents were to file a payslip showing that applicant was paid wages for the month of December 2017,” the letter reads.

“After the … payslip was served on us, we have been awaiting the judgment. We are hereby seeking clarification on whether or not the notice of set down … was made in error. If it was not made in error, we seek to clarify on what the court requires us to address on it.   It is our kind request that we receive a response by Tuesday January 18 to enable us to adequately prepare for the hearing.”

In response to Chimboya’s letter, the Deputy Registrar of the Labour Court, one C Kaneta said: “The notice of set down date was not sent erroneously. The judge seeks clarity on the points in limine (preliminary points) raised regarding the issue of applicant’s salary.”

After submission on Thursday, Moya-Matshanga then reserved judgment indefinitely.

The matter had been brought back to court after a year of deadlock on out-of-court settlement negotiations.

Chimboya was fired on December 27, 2017 on allegations of sabotaging the company following the circulation of a letter deemed offensive to the firm.

In 2020, the parties engaged in negotiations for out-of-court settlement after agreeing on the removal of the case from the court roll.

During the out-of-court settlement, the company offered to pay Chimbayo $972 000 as an out of court settlement against his claim of US$308 000.

The Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that Chimboya should be reinstated to his position with all benefits.

It also said that if reinstatement was not possible, the company should pay him damages.

By A Correspondent- The Government has activated emergency response mechanisms countrywide after the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) issued an alert for heavy rains and strong winds in parts of Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland West, starting today.

This morning the Emergency Service Sub-Committee will convene a meeting to deliberate on an effective response to avoid loss of lives and livelihoods witnessed during Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani and other parts of Manicaland.

The sub-committee is composed of the Air Force of Zimbabwe – who played a critical role in evacuating people last time, Police, the Department of Civil Protection (DCP), MSD and other partners.

As of yesterday, structures had been activated in Manicaland, Mashonaland Provinces and across Masvingo to be ready for the worst possible outcomes.

Those left homeless by the Cyclone Idai Storm have all been evacuated, DCP director Mr Nathan Nkomo gave details of the emergency response plan.

“We have activated structures in Manicaland, Masvingo and some districts in Mashonaland Central and other parts of the country.

“Our teams have petty cash for emergency response purposes, and we are also taking advantage of schools which are still closed for emergency evacuation centres,” said Mr Nkomo.

“I am happy to say all those who were living in tents after Cyclone Idai have been relocated to Runyararo formerly West-end farm, a new settlement built to accommodate the victims.

“Tomorrow (today) morning we are meeting as the emergency services sub-committee and we will be giving details of the response plan,” Mr Nkomo said.

The alert issued by MSD follows an overload depression crossing from Madagascar, entering into Mozambique with heavy rainfall.

The depression started yesterday and experts say it can strengthen to a tropical storm before striking Northern parts of Mozambique today.

Mozambique together with Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia are threatened by flooding rains this week.

But, speaking to the Herald yesterday MSD’s Mr James Ngoma warned of heavy rains but allayed fears of floods.

“Heavy rains are expected in Manicaland, Mashonaland East and parts of Mashonaland West, these areas will receive an estimated 30mm,” he said.

The alert issued by MSD yesterday warned of heavy rains anticipated up to Thursday occasioned by the tropical depression on the Mozambican channel.

People are being urged to secure all loose items including roof tops, stay indoors during thunderstorms and heavy rains.

“Only move to higher ground when advised by Civil Protection Units Stay informed through official Meteorological Services Department platforms,” reads part of the communique from MSD.

“The Tropical Depression is now evolving in the Mozambique Channel and has been gradually intensifying for the past few hours due to warm waters of the Channel.”

Southern African countries are also issuing warnings of the same. Malawi said.

“The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) would like to inform the Malawi nation that Tropical Depression which is an initial stage in the development of a Tropical Cyclone has developed in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar on Friday the 21st January 2022.”

Mauritius Meteorological Services also issued a warning to its citizenry.

“The tropical disturbance in the Mozambique channel may intensify further at night. It is moving in a West North Westerly direction at about 20 km/h.”-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Six Karoi men were left shocked when they discovered used condoms at the bottom of a sorghum beer container, popularly known as a ‘scud’, on Wednesday last week.

Garikayi Musakambeva, Sheppard Mahwande, Robson Nyamande, Josphat Nyamapfeni, Lazarus Venganayi and Alec Kamwaya were sharing a scud at Zingwe bottlestore near Chikangwe bus terminus when they discovered three condoms inside the scud.

They have since approached the Delta depot in Karoi over the incident and investigations are underway.

‘‘I was taking my last sip when I came across an open condom inside. We found out that there were actually two more condoms in the scud,” Musakambeva said.

“We went to report the matter to the police, who referred us to hospital.”

Their medical report dated January 19, 2022, read:

“Patient said he found a condom in beer container. Referred to responsible company via the police.”

The container was left at the Karoi Delta depot.

Mahwande said they all saw the condoms coming out of the scud.

“It is true that we found the condoms inside the scud. One of the condoms had been opened, while the other two were sealed,” he said.

Delta general manager for corporate affairs Patricia Murambinda confirmed that she received the report last Friday.

‘‘The said product sample was only left yesterday (Thursday) at our Karoi Delta distribution centre for further analysis in Harare by our quality control department,” she said in a written response to NewsDay.

Murambinda said the results would be out in a week.

‘‘We haven’t had such cases. For now, I can’t comment on anything until the full process of investigation has been done to ascertain the contents of the pack,” she said.

Bottlestore owner Pardon Zingwe distanced himself from the incident, saying the men could have bought the beer from a shebeen.

“I only order sealed beer,” he said curtly.

By A Correspondent- A Mutoko based Catholic priest, Raymond Tinei Kondo (38) of Mutemwa Mission has been summoned before a local magistrate Elijah Sibanda to answer to charges of allegedly assaulting the husband of his suspected lover.

Kondo has been ordered to appear in court on January 31 for trial together with the alleged lover, Angela Kanoyangwa (33), and her brother, Takaiwana Kanokangwa (39).

Nathan Majuru will be representing the State.

The complaint in the matter is Tawanda Gwete, who is married to Angela and is unemployed.

It is alleged that the assault happened on January 16, 2022.

“On the said date, the complainant (Gwete) arrived home at house number 244 Chinzanga around 9pm. He knocked on the door and there was no response. He forcibly opened the door and found his brother-in-law Takaiwana Kanokangwa seated. He then struck Kanokangwa with an empty bottle,” the court papers read.

“Kondo then came out of the bedroom wearing boxer shots and struck Gwete with a knife on the left hand. The complainant managed to escape and went to the police station to lodge an assault charge against the trio.”

By A Correspondent- The majority of civil servants have received their US$75 COVID-19 monthly risk allowance for January in cash while pensioners have received their US$30 allowances.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima confirmed the development, saying the Government was committed to improving the working conditions of its workers. Said Mavima:

Yes. I can confirm that all those that have been paid, and that is the majority, have received their US$75 allowance, paid into Nostro accounts and accessible as hard cash.

Civil servants’ representatives welcomed the move by the Government to pay their USD COVID-19 risk allowances in hard cash.

Apex Council deputy secretary-general Gibson Mushangu said civil servants expect the Government to also pay their salaries in foreign currency.

Said Mushangu:

Yes, our members have started receiving the allowances for January. We appreciate the Government for honouring its pledge and we are hopeful and looking forward to a great year where the employer will pay us salaries in foreign currency. That matter is still before NJNC.

The first National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) for 2022 was held on 14 January and the two parties – the Government and civil servants – agreed to meet “in the shortest time possible”.

By A Correspondent- Another Chinese mining company has clashed with villagers who are resisting eviction from their ancestral lands for the establishment of a coal mine in the area.

The firm, Monalof, recently gave the villagers a three months’ notice to vacate their homes to pave way for coal mining activities.

Local Ward 12 councillor Matthias Mwinde said villagers can only move after the company meets their compensation demands which include houses and bigger communal fields. Said Mwinde:

We discussed this with the company (on Tuesday) and the villagers laid down their demands and concerns. People demanded good shelter, roads and clean water.

The company has found a place where we are going to be placed and it’s in the East of Muchesu village, Binga East site.

This was in preparation for the resettlement and we assume that the company will meet the demands of the people because if they don’t, we are going to have problems with them.

People agreed that they will stay put until Monaf constructed the houses.

Mwinde added that Monalof promised 200 square metres of land per household but it’s simply not enough. He said:

Our biggest challenge is that the company said no one will be provided with the big fields.

We have big fields and we are used to farming, and the promised 200 square metres of land is not enough.

We do livestock farming and the company won’t provide any space for us to keep our livestock.

We are so worried about our future right now because the majority of people are too old to start looking for jobs.

The elders are used to farming. This will be a challenge for them to adapt to a new life at their ages.

Mwinde expressed scepticism over the company’s commitment to fulfilling the promises it made to villagers. He said:

But in the meantime, they will be providing transport for students. We are also not sure if this is true because schools will be more than five kilometres from where we are moving to. We don’t know if they will fulfil their promises

By A Correspondent- A 55 year old Harare woman has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a uniformed police officer who wanted to arrest her
son.

Spelile Jack, of Mabvuku, on Saturday appeared before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda charged with assault.

She was granted $10 000 bail and remanded to February 3.

According to the State, police officers went to her home on January 2 seeking to arrest her son, Masimba Jack, for allegedly assaulting his stepfather, Spelile’s husband.

Spelile allegedly became violent and started a scuffle with police officers, and prevented them from handcuffing her son.

The officers called for back-up, but Spelile allegedly assaulted Hearst Gotha, leading to her arrest.

Masimba was also arrested and appeared in the same court charged with assault.

He was remanded in custody to today for bail application.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s right hand man in Harare Tafadzwa Muguti is facing a three-year jail term for defying a High Court order barring him from demolishing people’s properties in Chitungwiza.

Muguti, secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in the capital, defied the order together with Chitungwiza town clerk Evangelista Machona.

The High Court prohibition order was granted last year.

Chitungwiza Residents Trust and it’s director Alice Kuveya on Friday made a chamber application for contempt of court under case number 393/22,, in which Machona and Muguti are third and fourth respondents, respectively.

The other respondents are Chitungwiza Municipality and the City of Harare.

On June 10 last year, High Court judge Justice Edith Mushore prohibited, under case HC2857/2021, the demolition of all informal traders’ structures in Harare and Chitungwiza.

The order stated that demolitions were not in compliance with the law, in particular section 32 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12), and section 3 of the Administrative Justice Act.

“The court ordered that all demolitions be stayed pending determinations of their legality. However, that order was completely disregarded by the respondents who have commenced demolitions of informal traders’ structures in Harare and Chitungwiza,” Kuveya stated in the application.

“I made enquiries with Chitungwiza Municipality as to why the demolitions were being carried out in defiance of a court order that I had obtained, and I was advised that there was no council resolution to proceed with these current demolitions, but Machona and Muguti were acting unilaterally.

“I attach hereto a January article by the NewsDay in which Machona confirmed her hand in the demolitions and warned that they would continue. After the interim order granted by this court, Muguti also made utterances in which he openly denigrated the order and also foretold that the demolitions would continue in the face of that order.”

The court ruling states that: “The third and fourth respondents shall serve alternate three-month jail terms for contempt of this honourable court until such time as they purge their contempt and comply with orders of this court under HC2857/21.

“The first and second respondents be, and are hereby barred from filing any papers before this honourable court until such time as they shall have purged their contempt of court. All court papers filed by the first and second respondents before this honourable court under HC2857/21, be, and are hereby struck out of the record.”

Machona and Muguti are yet to respond to the application.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Two people died while fifteen (15) others were seriously injured when a kombi hit a pothole before overturning in Gokwe last week.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson for Midlands Province Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the accident which occurred last Friday near Mutora Business Centre in Gokwe North. He said:

Slyvester Hunduza (36) of Mutora stands in Gokwe was driving a Nissan Caravan with 17 passengers on board heading towards Mhumha business centre.

Upon approaching the 700-metre peg from Mutora business centre, he lost control of the vehicle after hitting a pothole.

The vehicle veered off the road and overturned before landing on its side. One person died on the spot and 16 others sustained serious injuries.

He said one of the injured people was pronounced dead on admission at Gokwe North Hospital, raising the death toll from the accident to two.

Insp Mahoko added that three of the 13 victims who were admitted at Gokwe North Hospital were in critical condition and had to be transferred to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A Harare man has been arraigned before the courts on allegations of defrauding his victim of US$4 530 in a botched vehicle deal.

The suspect, Larry Makahamadze (34), on Friday appeared before magistrate Yeukai Dzuda, who granted him $10 000 bail.

The case was remanded to February 2 for routine remand.

The State alleges that sometime in March 2019, Makahamadze misrepresented to Enias Tanyongana that he was selling a Mercedes-Benz C180 for US$4 530.

Makahamadze alleged that he was selling the motor vehicle to raise capital for his business of supplying laptops.

It was, however, later discovered that the vehicle was non-existent after Tanyongana had already paid for it.

Only US$1 230 was recovered.

Prosecutor Lynette Gwarisa represented the State.-Newsday

By- Fifteen (15) leprosy cases were detected in Zimbabwe, most of them in Binga, Matabeleland North and the cases have been fuelled by delays in screening for one of the oldest diseases known to mankind.

Leprosy or the Hansen is a chronic infection caused by slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae.

Zimbabwe eliminated leprosy as a public health problem in 1992 but the country remains vulnerable due to socio-economic factors such as poverty, overcrowding, and poor nutrition which still favour transmission of leprosy infection.
Back then leprosy hotspots in Zimbabwe included Gwanda and Bulilima districts in Matabeleland South; Hwange and Binga in Matabeleland North; Gokwe in Midlands and Chiredzi South and Chikombedzi in Masvingo provinces.

Over the past five years, Zimbabwe has been recording between 5 and 10 new leprosy cases per year.
In 2020, 15 cases were recorded with Binga accounting for the majority of them raising concern among health officials.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care leprosy focal person Dr Nicholas Siziba said the ministry was working on reviving prevention, diagnosis and treatment programmes.
“Of the 15 recorded cases in 2020, nine cases were recorded in Binga and the diagnosed had Grade 2 disability which shows us that a lot of work still needs to be done to improve our case detection and early diagnosis. We are supposed to be diagnosing cases before they develop a disability or maybe stage 1.

This will also help address the stigma around leprosy in our communities which often associate leprosy with disability and poverty,” noted Dr Siziba.
The ministry has been conducting training in Binga and other affected areas with funding from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to strengthen leprosy prevention.
“Zimbabwe has recorded an increase in the number of leprosy cases, with nine cases having been recorded in Binga alone over the past years. In 2020, leprosy cases for Zimbabwe were 15 and although leprosy cases fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase through 2007-2020 period ending at 15 in 2020,” said Dr Mkhokheli Ngwenya, the WHO national professional officer for Tuberculosis and Leprosy.

-Chronicle

By- Former Zanu PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere’s has said that he was not afraid of being arrested by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime if he returns home.

The exiled former Zanu PF member said his arrest would confirm his popularity.

Last week, Kasukuwere announced that he was preparing a comeback to Zanu PF to “save Zanu PF” and stop all injustices against his colleagues in exile, which caused the party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa to e an angry statement.

In an interview with The Standard on Friday, Kasukuwere said Mutsvangwa’s angry statement exposed the panic among party leaders. He said:

Mutsvangwa’s response shows that the Politburo and those who claim to be leaders of the party are already engaged and feeling the heat.

An arrest is not a thing to be feared 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…

He said if he were to be arrested, it will be confirmation that Mnangagwa is afraid of losing power to him.

Last week, ex-members of the national youth service pledged loyalty to Kasukuwere but Zanu PF director for Information Tafadzwa Mugwadi said Kasukuwere and former NYS members were wasting their time.

Kasukuwere has been linked to a plot to challenge Mnangagwa in the 2023 general elections and 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.

More: The Standard

By- Suspended MDC-T deputy president Thokozani Khupe has revealed that her party received assistance from the state through judicial and parliamentary processes in their fight to destroy the Chamisa-led MDC Alliance.

This would seem to confirm the long-held belief that the state is sponsoring turbulences in the opposition party.

Khupe and her former ally, Douglas Mwonzora have crossed paths, with the former deputy prime minister and Makokoba legislator on Friday announcing she had taken over leadership of the party in an acting capacity.
She charged Mwonzora had expelled himself from the opposition party by writing to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on January 3, declaring that he was the leader of the MDC Alliance.
Khupe made the statements during a press conference held in Bulawayo on Friday. Mwonzora had the previous day pulled out and flagged a suspension letter that he said he had handed to Khupe over a week before. The letter states that Khupe had been suspended for transgressions including unholy alliances with perceived enemies and sabotaging party programmes.
In her visibly emotional address to the press on Friday, Khupe unwittingly disclosed that the MDC-T enjoyed the backing of government sponsored processes in the fight against Chamisa’s MDC Alliance. She was appealing to the state not to interfere in her current fight with Mwonzora.
“I would like to conclude by emphasising that today the 21st day of January 2022, the MDC-T has two formations,” Khupe said.
“I am therefore pleading with other political parties; as the MDC-T, I am calling on Parliament, a legislative organ of the state, to desist from taking sides as well as local government, it happened before, and it must not happen again.
“At the same time, I am calling on the ministry of Justice to be fair and just in dealing with our matter.”
Mwonzora and Khupe have long faced accusations of being strange bedfellows with Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF.
On June 11, 2021, Mwonzora met with Mnangagwa at State House where he reportedly sought to push for the scrapping of by-elections now scheduled for March 26. They met again under suspicious circumstances on January 6 soon after the President proclaimed the by-election date.
Mwonzora was given funds under the Political Parties Finance Act despite a court order barring the disbursement of such funds before the challenge by the MDC Alliance was concluded, a development that seemed to confirm MDC-T and Zanu PF had a special spot for each other.
Mwonzora has so far received millions of dollars under the fund. He has also enjoyed favourable publicity in the state media, something that has been unheard of for any opposition party.
Mwonzora has also declared his recognition of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership, with his official, Morgan Femai describing the President as the best. Mwonzora described Mnangagwa an illegitimate leader when he was still MDC Alliance secretary-general. MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa has refused to recognise Mnangagwa as a legitimate president.
Suspicion that the MDC-T was working with Zanu PF to influence judiciary processes swirled when Mwonzora and MDC-T chairman Morgen Komichi in March 2020 read a prepared speech soon after the Supreme Court ruled that Chamisa was not the bona fide leader of the MDC-T.
The development raised questions on the independence of the judiciary, with many asking how Mwonzora and Komichi knew that the ruling would be in their favour and brought a prepared speech to the court.
The courts later made several more rulings in favour of Khupe and Mwonzora, which the opposition complained about.
In another curious scenario, Mwonzora took over the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai party offices from the MDC Alliance with the help of the army and the police. Chamisa’s MDC Alliance has since been barred from accessing the party offices which have literally been guarded day and night by police and soldiers.
Last week too, a leaked audio went viral with Komichi disclosing that Mwonzora was working with Zanu PF. Komichi, also revealed in the audio that Mwonzora had treacherously ascended to power in the 2020 extraordinary congress, whose results were disputed by Khupe.
But yesterday, Khupe’s spokesperson Ntando Ndlovu denied the allegations that Khupe had let the cat out of the bag by claiming the MDC-T was getting favours from Mnangagwa.
He said Khupe was in fact a victim of a partial Parliament which favoured Chamisa at her expense.
“The Parliament and Justice ministry should not side with Mwonzora as they did with Chamisa against Dr Khupe in 2018 when she was recalled,” Ndlovu said.
“The Parliament has not been fair on how it dealt with the dispute between Dr Khupe and Chamisa. In 2018, Parliament dismissed her letter in which she had notified it to stop considering Chamisa’s intention to recall her, and she was subsequently recalled.
“The Justice ministry also went on to allocate funds under the Political Parties (Finance) Act to Chamisa after she had advised that the party did not qualify for the funds. That is the partiality that she was referring to and that it must not happen again in this case.”
He said Khupe was referring to Chamisa when she said other parties should not interfere in her dispute with Mwonzora, although suspicion was rife that she was referring to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Political analyst and the late Tsvangirai’s former advisor Alex Magaisa said the Mwonzora-Khupe dispute marked the collapse of a “judicially reconstructed party”.
“This circus is a new nadir for the small pseudo-opposition party which owes its existence to a controversial act of judicial reconstruction in March 2020,” Magaisa said.
In March 2020, the Supreme Court ruled Chamisa was not the legitimate leader of the MDC. Khupe had approached the High Court in the fight for the MDC and she won her case, leading to Chamisa’s appeal at the Supreme Court.
Khupe was voted in as MDC-T’s deputy president in 2014, but years later, Tsvangirai appointed Chamisa and Mudzuri as his additional deputies.
She argued that this was in contravention of the party’s constitution and that in fact she should have assumed leadership of the party when Tsvangirai died.
“The political partnership between Mwonzora and Khupe has long been a marriage of convenience fortified solely by a jointly held contempt toward Chamisa. For Chamisa and the MDC Alliance, the scene of their opponents bloodletting without provocation must be sweet news,” Magaisa wrote.
In a viral leaked telephone conversation between Komichi and a party youth, only identified as Nhira from Chegutu, Komichi trashed Mwonzora’s claim to legitimacy.
“Therefore, we boycotted the election (elective congress) after the second provinces had voted. So, it was not a congress at all. That was one of the bogus things that we did come across. Those results were just announced by one group of people who did all the counting and everything. So, they announced what they wanted as we had withdrawn from participation,” Komichi said.
-Standard

By- Armed police on Sunday disrupted the opposition, MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa’s community consultation process in Kuwadzana.

The party accused the police of double standards after the ruling Zanu PF was allowed the ruling ZANU PF to congregate. 

Below is a statement by the MDC Alliance:

Armed Riot Police have disrupted community consultation process for our candidate selection in Kuwadzana. Our leaders were made to sit on muddy grass. Incidentally, Zanu PF was allowed to carry out primaries and violent elections without interference. 

The party said more details on the matter will follow.

Recalled MDC Alliance legislator for Kuwadzana, Chalton Hwende who is also the party’s Secretary-General, said the disruptions will not dampen the opposition’s spirit. He said:

Police disrupted our candidate confirmation exercise in @MdcKuwadzanatoday. We are aware that the regime desperately want to win in Kuwadzana but takavamirira [we’re waiting for them].

Pedzisai Ruhanya said over 100 armed riot police officers stormed the Kuwadzana venue of a meeting that was intended to confirm the party’s candidate in the 26 March 2022 by-elections. 

In recent years, armed police officers have violently dispersed MDC Alliance gatherings while some of the intended meetings were blocked.

By- MDC Alliance national spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, has said the party deliberated extensively on the need to rebrand following a proclamation by rival MDC-T that “MDC Alliance” is one of its own names and must never be used by any other party. 

Below is the MDC Alliance’s communique following its national council’s meeting on Saturday:

COMMUNIQUE ON 22/01/2022 NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING

On the 22nd of January 2022, the National Council of the MDC Alliance met in accordance with the party’s constitution. The National Council received the reports of the President and the Secretary-General. The following matters were deliberated upon:

1. Governance and Human Rights Crisis

1. Economic and political environment – The people’s leadership noted the deteriorating state of the economy which has led to eroded purchasing power for citizens, rising cost of living, a remuneration crisis for civil servants especially teachers and doctors, the breakdown of national infrastructure, the load shedding crisis and the decrepit state of our buses which are leaking from their roofs. We call for the adoption of pro-people policies as set out in detail in our SMART Alternative Policy Framework. 

2. Education Crisis: We call for the immediate re-opening of schools with adequate COVID19 safeguards. The right to education must be respected. Education is the bedrock of any successful nation and we remain deeply concerned by the neglect of this critical sector by Mr Mnangagwa ‘s anti-people regime. We stand in firm solidarity with teachers who were arrested for demanding a living wage. Under a People’s Government, the respect of the teaching profession will be restored. 

3. Persecution of John Mupanduki: We demand an end to the continued persecution of John Mupanduki who was abducted on the 7′ of January 2022. Despite the fact that he made a police report, no investigations have been conducted by the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Instead, he has been brought before the courts on flimsy, baseless charges. We call for an Independent inquiry into his ordeal and for the criminal charges to be dropped. This pattern of conduct is similar to what we saw with the MDC Trio. There ought to be no space for the abuse of citizens in a constitutional democracy.

1. Zimbabwe Action For Change Agenda 2022

1. Citicens’Action for Change: In line with the tradition of the people’s movement which commenced in 2019, the party sets the agenda for the nation in January of every year. The people’s leadership formally tabled and adopted Agenda 2022 which shall be announced in due course by the People’s President, Adv Nelson Chamisa, in line with our annual tradition. We shall shortly communicate the date and time of this important address. 

2. Election Preparedness: The people’s Council received the report of the Election Directorate on voter registration, conditions for free and fair elections and candidate selection processes. The people’s leadership noted that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) continues to act contrary to its constitutional imperatives to conduct voter registration and to conduct transparent verifiable elections. While the movement has launched an intensive voter registration program in all provinces, we call upon ZEC to ensure more voter registration centres are available. We call for an urgent resolution of the national identity document crisis. The National Council further received a report from the Election Directorate on the progress of the community candidate selection process that is currently underway in all provinces for all wards and constituencies where by-elections shall take place. The people’s leadership emphasized the need to return the citizen to the centre of decision-making at all levels. 

3. Action on Reforms: We reiterate our demand for electoral reforms including entrenching the right to vote, particularly the diaspora vote for all citizens. We demand a credible voters’ roll, security of polling material, security of the vote and the voter, establishing transitional mechanisms so that there is a smooth transfer of power pursuant to free and fair elections, the introduction of a credible results management system and media reforms. As highlighted in our PRICE (Principles [or Reliable Inclusive and Credible Elections in Zimbabwe) document, we further call [or the alignment of the Electoral Act to the Constitution, the demilitarization of the ZEC secretariat and a transparent census and delimitation process. 

4. Behold the New: There was extensive deliberation on the need to give birth to the new in line with the expectations and clarion call from the citizens. The people’s leadership is charting a new course that will lead to transformation and ethical leadership for the nation.

Fadzayi Mahere National Spokesperson 

By- Former Zanu PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere’s last week imminent return announcement has shaken the party’s bigwigs.

Kasukuwere announced that he was preparing a comeback to Zanu PF to “save Zanu PF” and to stop all injustices against his colleagues in exile, caused the party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa to e an angry statement.

In an interview with The Standard on Friday, Kasukuwere said Mutsvangwa’s angry statement exposed the panic among party leaders. He said:

Mutsvangwa’s response shows that the Politburo and those who claim to be leaders of the party are already engaged and feeling the heat.

An arrest is not a thing to be feared 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…

He said if he were to be arrested, it will be confirmation that Mnangagwa is afraid of losing power to him.

Last week, ex-members of the national youth service pledged loyalty to Kasukuwere but ZANU PF director for Information Tafadzwa Mugwadi said Kasukuwere and former NYS members were wasting their time.

Kasukuwere has been linked to a plot to challenge Mnangagwa in the 2023 general elections and 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.

More: The Standard

Tinashe Sambiri| The MDC Alliance led by President Nelson Chamisa is ready to defeat Emmerson Mnangagwa and his cronies in the 2023 polls.

This was said by MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti.

According to Hon Biti, the 2023 Presidential Election will end decades of looting and corruption.

“Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and friends we are ready for 2023. #NgaapindeHakeMukomana,” Hon Biti wrote on Twitter.

“Corruption will be a big big issue in the 2023 election.All corrupt transactions and deals must be set aside by the people of ZimThe likes of Kuda Tagwireyi,Hamish Rudland,Billy Rottonbach ,Ken Sharpe Zed Kourinadis,the Old Mutual& others must account to the people of Zimbabwe,” added Hon Biti.

Tinashe Sambiri| The MDC Alliance led by President Nelson Chamisa is ready to defeat Emmerson Mnangagwa and his cronies in the 2023 polls.

This was said by MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti.

According to Hon Biti, the 2023 Presidential Election will end decades of looting and corruption.

“Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and friends we are ready for 2023. #NgaapindeHakeMukomana,” Hon Biti wrote on Twitter.

“Corruption will be a big big issue in the 2023 election.All corrupt transactions and deals must be set aside by the people of ZimThe likes of Kuda Tagwireyi,Hamish Rudland,Billy Rottonbach ,Ken Sharpe Zed Kourinadis,the Old Mutual& others must account to the people of Zimbabwe,” added Hon Biti.

Tinashe Sambiri|The People’s President Advocate Nelson Chamisa is ready to lead the nation to prosperity, MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson, Gift Ostallos Siziba has said.

Ostallos Siziba made the remarks after the MDC Alliance National Executive Committee on Friday.

According to the vibrant politician, President Chamisa is ” ready for the big task ahead.”

” National Council of the party meeting …know that we are there to make key and strategic decisions for the party and the Nation.

Fellow Africans the Democratic Alternative as led by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa is stronger and geared up to the task ahead. #CitizensAction,” said Ostallos Siziba in a statement.

MDC Alliance Youth Assembly leader Cecilia Chimbiri described the appointment of Joana Mamombe to the National Executive Committee as an indication of President Chamisa’s desire to elevate young people to key positions.

“Hearty Congratulations my dearest Honourable lil sis on your appointment to The main Wing Executive , Only the best is selected, and you are one of them.

Congratulations You’ve worked hard May this achievement takes you to a higher level of fulfilling your purpose to work for the betterment of our beloved country Zimbabwe .I’m proud to be family although I will miss your incredible unique perspective and mindset in the Youth Assembly . Young people continue to rise in the party of excellence,” said Chimbiri.

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

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.