By- Daring copper cable thieves recently cut electricity cables to State House in Bulawayo as the city witnesses a surge in vandalism cases.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the development this week.
“I can confirm that we are receiving an increase in the number of reports of copper cable theft.
“We are appealing to members of the public to assist police with information that might lead to the arrest of the suspects,” Ncube said.
“Theft of cables are affecting all operations in the city. “Some have affected police stations, including the State House.
“On January 20, we received a report of theft of 225m x 35mm copper cables in the Donnington area, and another one of 1 400m x25mm of overhead copper cable conductors in Sauerstown and Hillside on Sunday.”
Ncube said other areas affected were Njube and Pumula.
“We receive such reports on a daily basis,” Ncube said.
Zesa spokesperson George Manyaya recently said that the power utility required over US$6 million to replace stolen equipment.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage secretary Aaron Nhepera last year told Parliament that a Copper Control Amendment Bill would be crafted to impose a mandatory 10-year jail term for vandalism of cables. Newsday

Tinashe Sambiri| The leader of the Citizens Coalition For Change, President Nelson Chamisa has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa does not have the capacity to win the 2023 Presidential Election.

President Chamisa made the remarks at a media briefing in Harare on Monday.

President Chamisa’s political party has rebranded to Citizens Coalition For Change.

He said:
“Because we are building a new, we are also in the process of building a A TEAM, a team that cannot be defeated. 2023 is already a done deal, that’s why they are jumping from pillar to post, they know that the game is on, and the A TEAM is ready.

We need to restore the dignity of our people, which is restored by having an organized institution, away from the clutter & confusion that you’ve seen. Mr ED thank you, you’ve helped us clean our basket. All the bad apples you’ve taken, enjoy the meal.”

“We’ll not repeat the mistakes of what we did, where after winning, you abuse us. Mnangagwa didn’t win, but was saved by the courts. He has suffered from illegitimacy, that’s why he can’t solve problems in this country. ED has squandered every chance,” added President Chamisa.

By- A 55-year-old man from Avoca Farm in Bindura who drowned last Wednesday while crossing the flooded Mazowe River was found four days later without his neck, head and private parts.

Muzondiwa Jekemu reportedly crossed from Avoca to Matemba area to drink beer with his friends at around 6pm.

A witness, Mr Chapasura Mapepa, said Jekemu returned later that night but upon arrival at the river he found the canoe he had used before missing. He was also carrying a goat’s head that he had been given by friends.
“He met people who were panning for gold by the river and inquired about the canoe. He insisted that he was going home regardless and took off his overalls and gumboots,” said Mr Mapepa.

“He tied the goat’s head to his trouser and swam. The gold panners who were watching said he managed to cross to the river bank but dropped the goat head in the water.
“He returned into the water to get his meat and we saw him being swept away. The following day his family started looking for him and a search started.”
He was found on Sunday seven kilometres away from where he drowned.

“The search party could not reach where his body was and we travelled for 20 kilometres around the river to retrieve the body. I was among the people who retrieved the body and his neck, head and private parts were missing,” said Mapepa.
“One of his thighs was severed and we suspected that he was attacked by a crocodile. We are waiting for police investigations and burial.”
Mashonaland Central police was not available for comment.

By-The District Development Fund (DDF) in Mashonaland Central has said that Karanda Bridge was not collapsing.

DDF provincial coordinator Ms Molly Shonhiwa said the bridge was intact, adding that people were passing to access Karanda Hospital as usual.

The Bridge, which is on Ruya River provides a shorter route to the hospital by 44 kilometres compared to the other two routes of Mt-Darwin-Mudzengerere-Karanda which is 60 kilometres and Mt Darwin-Nhoro-Karanda which is 62 kilometres.

On Tuesday, social media was awash with pictures of a similar bridge collapsing, but DDF said the images could have been taken in Matabeleland South.

By A Correspondent- Six armed robbers Monday pounced on KFC premises in Msasa, Harare, and went away with US$50 000, ZAR 30 000 and ZWL$19 000.

Posting on their Twitter page, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said that they were investigating the matter.

The police also said the suspects reportedly attacked a security guard who was manning the premises and seized his cellphone before breaking into the offices.

“The ZRP is investigating a case of robbery which occurred on 24/01/22 at about 0001 hours in Msasa, Harare, where six unknown suspects who were armed with an unidentified pistol while covering their faces with balaclava masks, attacked a security guard who was manning KFC premises and took away his Itel cellphone before ransacking the offices.
The suspects broke into an office where they blasted a cash safe and stole cash amounting to US$50 000, ZAR 30 000 and ZWL$19 000. Investigations are currently in progress,” posted ZRP.

By- MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora has announced its intention to recall suspended vice president Thokozani Khupe.

 Khupe last week said that the troubled opposition had split.

Mwonzora suspended Khupe and said she had several allegations, subject to an investigation.

Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba on Monday confirmed to NewsDay the plans to recall Khupe from Parliament where she is a proportional representation MP. Said Damba:

There is nothing in the MDC-T called an official proclamation of a split.

That alone as she is accusing Mwonzora of having flouted the constitution, she herself has done the same by announcing an official proclamation of a split when there is no such clause in the MDC-T constitution.

Khupe is in Parliament because of the MDC Alliance brand. We are going to recall her, and she is going to court. We are going to smoke the enemy out.

However, Khupe’s spokesperson Ntando Ndlovu insisted that Mwonzora does not have the authority to recall his boss. He said:

Douglas Mwonzora dismissed himself from MDC-T after writing to Zec on the 3rd of January informing it that he has formed a new party called MDC Alliance.

It, therefore, follows that Mwonzora doesn’t have any legal authority to recall anyone from Parliament.

We implore Parliament and State institutions to exercise impartiality in discharging their duties by making sure that one faction cannot recall legislators who belong to another faction.

-NewsDay

By- Zanu PF councillor for Ward 10, Tapiwa Ndawana (45) of Shurugwi has been struck with an axe after being caught red-handed with ‘someone’s wife’.

Ndawana who was arrested last year and spent two months in remand for allegedly selling 100 bags of social welfare maize meant for villagers, sustained deep cuts in the head, arm and leg.

He also faced another case of fraud, according to Mirror reports.
The incident happened at Dandavari Village at around 1am on Saturday. Ndawana is from Ndawana Village under Chief Banga.
The Mirror attended the court case in which one of Ndawana’s attackers was remanded in custody to January 30, 2022 for the assault charge.
Budwell Pisirai (19) appeared before Shurugwi Magistrate Percy Mukumba on Wednesday facing assault charges. He pleaded not guilty blamed his colleagues Oliver Nhema, Nicol Tom and Innocent Gombingo who are still at large for the attack.
It is the State case that on Saturday at 1am Ndawana was sleeping with Farai Mutero who is said to be his girlfriend in the latter’s bedroom.
Oliver Nhema and his colleagues arrived and declared that Mutero was a wife of one of them. Pisirai allegedly broke a window and gained entry into the bedroom where Mutero and Ndawana were cuddled on the bed.
He used a log and an axe to attack the complainant causing serious injuries to him. Accused was remanded in custody to 30 January 2022.

– Masvingo Mirror

By- A Seke music teacher was on Wednesday attacked by villagers after he was caught in a compromising position with a married woman in his bedroom.

Shakespeare Chimbetete, a music teacher at Murape Primary School, was attacked and had his house doors and windowpanes destroyed .
The mob accused him of bedding a married woman, Chipo Dhliwayo (21) in his bedroom at Chakahwata Village.
Sources say Dhliwayo’s minor child was heard crying in the house, attracting her sister-in-law Kudzai Chipazura who caught the two in a compromising position.
Dhliwayo had been hired to weed Chimbetete’s field for payment. Chimbetete denied the allegations.
Dhliwayo, who is married to Norman Chipazura (36) said: “I am a victim of circumstances considering that my husband has been failing to feed the family,” said Dhliwayo.
“I have been working for this teacher for some time and receiving six dollars per day.
“On the day in question, Sir Chimbetete invited me to his bedroom to select potato seeds for planting, before I start weeding his field, as agreed.
“Tete Kudzai vakabva vapinda mumba imomo vakasvikopopotera Sir kuti murikurara nemuroora wangu.
“Ndakuwonai mavekupfeka uye dikita nderei?
“Sensing danger, I ran away and sought refuge at one of my friends’ home in a nearby village.
“Chimbetete never proposed love to me and we never had sex as alleged.
“He sometimes conducts extra lessons at the house although on the day in question no child came for lessons.
“My husband learnt that I was hiding at my friend’s house and came to make peace with me.

“I explained everything to him and he asked me to return home, dismissing aunt Kudzai’s claims.
“Murume akanditi dai ari iye akandiwanikidza angadai andiramba saka hama dzake ndidzo dziri kundishungurudza.
“My reason for escaping from the scene and home was to avoid my husband since he is a violent person.
“I look after my husband’s two children from his first marriage and I have one child with him,” said Dhliwayo.
Chimbetete told H-Metro his house was stoned.
“I am a teacher at Murape Primary School and I teach music and some children come for music lessons at my house,” said Chimbetete.
“There was no way I would bed that woman considering that some children come any time for music lessons.
“I separated with my wife last year and I stay alone.
“Some of the villagers thronged my house threatening to kill me, that is why I escaped and they broke into my house and stole US$315.
“Ndakakumbira Dhliwayo kuti andibatsire kusarudza maseeds emapotatoes tete vake vachibva vasvika tiri mumba.
“I never bedded Dhliwayo as alleged and I intend to lodge a police report against the people who broke into my house.
“I have been hiring Dhliwayo for part-time jobs at my house for some time and paying her dues.
“My fear is that the issue might be exaggerated, but the truth is that I never did anything wrong and her husband accepted his wife back,” said Chimbetete.

• H Metro

By- MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora has announced its intention to recall suspended vice president Thokozani Khupe.

 Khupe last week said that the troubled opposition had split.

Mwonzora suspended Khupe and said she had several allegations, subject to an investigation.

Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba on Monday confirmed to NewsDay the plans to recall Khupe from Parliament where she is a proportional representation MP. Said Damba:

There is nothing in the MDC-T called an official proclamation of a split.

That alone as she is accusing Mwonzora of having flouted the constitution, she herself has done the same by announcing an official proclamation of a split when there is no such clause in the MDC-T constitution.

Khupe is in Parliament because of the MDC Alliance brand. We are going to recall her, and she is going to court. We are going to smoke the enemy out.

However, Khupe’s spokesperson Ntando Ndlovu insisted that Mwonzora does not have the authority to recall his boss. He said:

Douglas Mwonzora dismissed himself from MDC-T after writing to Zec on the 3rd of January informing it that he has formed a new party called MDC Alliance.

It, therefore, follows that Mwonzora doesn’t have any legal authority to recall anyone from Parliament.

We implore Parliament and State institutions to exercise impartiality in discharging their duties by making sure that one faction cannot recall legislators who belong to another faction.

-NewsDay

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens Coalition For Change (CCC) leader, President Nelson Chamisa has declared that citizens know the face of change and hope in the country.

On Monday President Chamisa unveiled the name of his new party in the capital Harare.

“The citizens know who is the face & voice of hope. Those in Zanu know it, that’s why even after stripping us naked, they still come to us & we say go to those you’ve given borrowed robs. They don’t even believe in those robes. They still want us, even naked.

Said President Chamisa:
“We can’t be purchased. We’re convinced that our conviction to bring change to Zimbabwe is unshakeable & indomitable. Zimbabwean citizens know who their leaders are. They know who champions the struggle for better wages, students & women struggles.”

He added :
“We are not just having a new name. We are having a new entity and new organisation & a new people. We’ve left the vices and transgressions of yesteryear. We represent hope, happiness, joy, freedom, ideas, solutions. Hope is our new name.”

Also watch video below:

Tinashe Sambiri| The leader of the Citizens Coalition For Change, President Nelson Chamisa has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa does not have the capacity to win the 2023 Presidential Election.

President Chamisa made the remarks at a media briefing in Harare on Monday.

President Chamisa’s political party has rebranded to Citizens Coalition For Change.

He said:
“Because we are building a new, we are also in the process of building a A TEAM, a team that cannot be defeated. 2023 is already a done deal, that’s why they are jumping from pillar to post, they know that the game is on, and the A TEAM is ready.

We need to restore the dignity of our people, which is restored by having an organized institution, away from the clutter & confusion that you’ve seen. Mr ED thank you, you’ve helped us clean our basket. All the bad apples you’ve taken, enjoy the meal.”

“We’ll not repeat the mistakes of what we did, where after winning, you abuse us. Mnangagwa didn’t win, but was saved by the courts. He has suffered from illegitimacy, that’s why he can’t solve problems in this country. ED has squandered every chance,” added President Chamisa.

By A Correspondent- Five people die every day on average because of road accidents in Zimbabwe, says a review on road safety in the country.

But, the report says, this can be reversed.

Launching the Road Safety Performance Review report for Zimbabwe, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Vera Songwe, said the cost of road crashes is heavy on the African economies, especially at this time when the continent is struggling to relaunch its economy amidst the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis.

“Anything that takes away from Africa’s GDP growth becomes important because we need every bit of it to be able to move forward better. The request by the Zimbabwe authority to review their road transport and safety is encouraging given the dire road safety situation in the country but also the economic context that is very difficult,” Songwe said

The ECA executive secretary also noted that there is an increase in the importation of second-hand vehicles in Zimbabwe and other African countries.

“As a continent we need to take off importation of vehicles that are not up to standard that end up costing lives and are detrimental to economic development,” she said.

The review, conducted in partnership with United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety and the Zimbabwe government, is aimed at reducing the number of road accident deaths and injuries in the country.

It found that road traffic crash deaths in Zimbabwe rose by about 34% between 2011 and 2019. Fatalities rose from 1 836 in 2016 to an average of 2 000 deaths per year – over five deaths per day – from 2017 to 2019.

Songwe commended Jean Todt, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety for commissioning the report in collaboration with ECA and ensuring its successful completion.

She also lauded the government of Zimbabwe for seeing the need to conduct the road safety performance review, which shows the Government’s commitment to prioritizing road safety as a Sustainable Development issue. Vera Songwe urged more countries to recognize its importance to their growth and development.

Zimbabwe is the fourth African country after Cameroon, Ethiopia and Uganda to launch a road safety performance review report.

The purpose of the Road Safety Performance Review Report for Zimbabwe was to determine progress made in implementing the first United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 with the objective of stabilizing the rate of road crash fatalities and reduce them by 50% by 2020. It also makes recommendations to the Government to strengthen road safety management for the Second Decade of Action, 2021-2030.

Jean Todt, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety said Africa has the highest road fatalities in the world. Todt said that the figure, of about five people dying every day in Zimbabwe from road crashes, was likely to triple if no action was taken.

He said Zimbabwe could reverse the high number of accidents on its roads by implementing the recommendations of the review report.

“Reports indicate that 90% of the people and goods in Africa are moved by road. Transport and mobility can only be sustainable if it is safe. We need safer roads, better vehicles, quality data and safer infrastructure for a sustainable road transport in Africa,” said Todt.

Todt urged the Zimbabwe government to fully implement the seven core United Nations Conventions on road safety, the African Road Safety Charter, and the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Trans-African Highways.

He noted that worldwide, 1,3 million people are killed every year from road crashes and over 50 million are injured, with Africa recording the highest fatality rates per 100 000 inhabitants.

John Mangwiro, deputy minister of Health and Child Care pointed out that road accidents are a major cause of preventable deaths and injuries in the world including in Zimbabwe.

“We are committed in ensuring road safety through the implementation of actions mentioned in the report,” Mangwiro said.

The government, he said, has opened an accident and emergency reporting institution and plans to equip ambulances with personnel that can efficiently handle road accidents. The ambulances will be placed strategically along highways.

Training of health workers on road accident emergencies will also be done to provide intensive care services immediately which is critical in preventing deaths.

George Vera, National Consultant for the report said the Road Safety Performance Review identified four priority interventions agreed between UNECE/UNECA and confirmed by national stakeholders.

They include Road Safety Management strengthening; increasing capacity of the National Road Safety Lead Agency; a road Crash Database, improving statistical indicators and disaggregated data, and Post-Crash Care Response and Coordination System (establishment of a lead coordinating agency).

The report also recommends a 10-Year national road safety strategy and action plan to improve road safety in Zimbabwe between 2021 – 2030.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The road safety review, requested by the Government of Zimbabwe, was conducted in partnership with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, ECA, and the United Nations Economic Commissions for Europe (UNECE). The review provides a detailed assessment of the road safety and management capacity situation in the country, and pinpoints concrete measures to save lives.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Daring copper cable thieves recently cut electricity cables to State House in Bulawayo as the city witnesses a surge in vandalism cases.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the development yesterday.

“I can confirm that we are receiving an increase in the number of reports of copper cable theft.

“We are appealing to members of the public to assist police with information that might lead to the arrest of the suspects,” Ncube said.

“Theft of cables are affecting all operations in the city.

“Some have affected police stations, including the State House.

“On January 20, we received a report of theft of 225m x 35mm copper cables in the Donnington area, and another one of 1 400m x25mm of overhead copper cable conductors in Sauerstown and Hillside on Sunday.”

Ncube said other areas affected were Njube and Pumula.

“We receive such reports on a daily basis,” Ncube said.

Zesa spokesperson George Manyaya recently said that the power utility required over US$6 million to replace stolen equipment.

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage secretary Aaron Nhepera last year told Parliament that a Copper Control Amendment Bill would be crafted to impose a mandatory 10-year jail term for vandalism of cables.-newsday

By A Correspondent- The High Court trial of former Harare mayor Herbert Gomba and three council officials on graft charges failed to kick off yesterday and was deferred to March 14.

Gomba, who is being charged together with suspended town clerk Hosea Chisango, finance director Stanley Ndemera and Charles Kandemiri, was expected to stand trial before High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda.

The four are accused of criminal abuse of office after they allegedly illegally sold the Mt Pleasant Golf Course.

Their lawyer Harrison Nkomo has filed a notice for an application for exception to the charges, which will now be heard on March 14.

Allegations are that in August 2019, Gomba unlawfully used his position as the mayor to offer stand number 402 Vainona Township, Harare, for sale to Hardspec Investments (Pvt) Ltd, which was being represented by Mavis Madzivanzira and Pauline Gutsa.

Gomba allegedly unlawfully instructed council officials, including Ndemera, who was acting finance director, to go and meet Mandzivanzira and Gutsa so that they could be shown the portion of stand 402 Vainona, Harare, which they wanted to buy.

Gomba allegedly told Ndemera to prepare a report recommending the outright sale of the stand.

The sale was approved by the full council of September 5, 2019, yet the sale to Hardspec Investments Pvt Ltd had been concluded the previous day.

The stand was sold for $23 923 340 yet Mt Pleasant Sports Club was quoted US$2,3 million for the same stand.

It is alleged Chisango and Kandemiri played a part in the sale of this stand.

By A Correspondent- Some employees of Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO) staged a strike in Masvingo on Monday due to delays in being paid their salaries since last month.

Many commuters had to walk to and from town, braving heavy rains in the process, while some opted for illegal taxis and kombis which are not under the Zupco franchise and have been engaging in a cat and mouse relationship with the police, who are trying to curb mshika-shika.

 A few kombis and buses had to be dispatched but failed to meet the demand especially in the morning where there was high demand for transport.

Kombi drivers who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com revealed that the company has been playing hide and seek when it comes to their remuneration.

One of the kombi drivers who spoke on condition of anonymity in fear of victimization said they haven’t received their salaries since December last year and that the management is stammers when approached.

“Today we decided not to report for duty because the company is taking us for fools. We haven’t been paid since December 14 and when we try to engage the management, they don’t give us a satisfactory answer, they always beat around the bush,” the driver said.

Zupco Masvingo Area Manager, Rashy Mazarire wasn’t reachable for comment as his mobile number went straight to voicemail until the time of publishing.

The Zupco Acting Chief Executive Officer, Everisto Madangwa was also not available to comment on the matter as he didn’t pick up calls made to his mobile number.

The parastatal which is sole licensed public transport provider in the country and is failing to cope with transport demand in the country has seen workers striking across the country over delayed salaries.

Masvingo workers downed tools a couple of times last year while Bulawayo employees also went on strike over the same issue.

By A Correspondent- Two daughters. Long, painful labours. Several miscarriages.

For Soko, a hairdresser in her late 30s, the quest for a son and a safe, easy birth led her to seek professional help – from a herbalist.

Inside a private house in Chitungwiza, 25km south of central Harare, she paid US$15 for a consultation with Sikhonzani Shoko and a package of “kuvhura masuwo,” the Shona term for traditional childbirth medicine ranging from herbal tea to elephant dung.

“There were no stitches, no operation and no complications,” she says, after giving birth to a healthy boy.

While satisfied, Soko remains discreet about her experience – she asks to be identified by her totem “monkey,” her clan’s emblem – because she belongs to a Pentecostal church opposed to traditional healers.

Religious restrictions and the medical community’s increasingly vocal warnings that kuvhura masuwo is connected to the country’s high infant and maternal mortality rates have slowed Shoko’s sales in recent years. But, she says, she still gets plenty of customers.

An estimated 70% of women across Zimbabwe use kuvhura masuwo, according to research published in 2019 by Clinics in Mother and Child Health, an international academic journal.

In Harare, a survey of 248 women in public maternity clinics found that 52% had used some form of traditional medicine.

Medical providers say usage among urban, professional women is under-reported, however – making it difficult to combat a practice that endangers thousands of lives each year.

“Most of them get the herbs from elderly women in their family who sternly warn them not to divulge the information to health care workers,” says Emmanuel Mahlangu, a trained midwife for 14 years who previously led the Zimbabwe Confederation of Midwives.

Zimbabwean women may use more than a dozen kinds of kuvhura masuwo during pregnancy, including elephant dung soaked in water, cooking oil, moringa leaves, sand and water from spiritual shrines.

As their due date approaches, some also try squatting over burning herbs to ensure a shorter labour.

“Childbirth is natural, the body prepares itself and does most of the work, there is no need to use these herbs,” Mahlangu says but adds, “Beliefs are stubborn.”

They can also be fatal. According to World Bank data, Zimbabwe ranks 34th for infant mortality and 23rd for maternal mortality rates.

Nearly one-fourth of women give birth outside formal health care settings, increasing their risk of obstetric fistula, a serious injury that almost always results in stillbirth, according to a 2021 Amnesty International report.

One factor is the rise of Apostolic sects – many of which condemn modern medicine – that account for one-fourth of Zimbabwe’s population, according to a 2019 survey conducted by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency and the United Nations Children’s Fund, or Unicef. Kuvhura masuwo is another.

“Using these herbs often causes adverse pregnancy outcomes, as they stimulate the uterus in an unnatural way, causing precipitate labour,” says Maxwell Chimhina, an obstetrician and gynaecologist in Zimbabwe for more than 10 years.

Risks for the baby can include brain damage from restricted flow of oxygen. For the mother, they include excessive tears, haemorrhaging and permanent bladder damage.

Shoko, a healer for more than 40 years, says doctors, midwives and women who blame kuvhura masuwo for childbirth complications haven’t studied or used the techniques properly.

“How were women giving birth before modern science? These traditional herbs were always used, and their efficacy has been proven for several generations,” she says.

One small study, conducted in 2020 at the University of Zimbabwe, explored the effects on pregnant rats of elephant dung and the herb fadogia ancylantha, treatments commonly used as kuvhura masuwo.

Researchers reported that dung did induce labour, but the herb slowed contractions – a dangerous complication connected to most cases of excessive bleeding, according to a 2020 medical study by Mpilo Central Hospital in the City of Bulawayo, 439km from Harare, the capital.

More women have also begun publicly sharing disappointing experiences with kuvhura masuwo, although in doing so they risk stigma from both sides.

Esnath Manhende (24), from Gweru, a city 277km southwest of Harare, says she obediently drank a cup of warm water, two tablespoons of cooking oil and a special herbal tea every day of her pregnancy to ensure a smooth delivery. She still had a long, painful labour and required stitches.

“I did not see the use of using all the things I used,” she says, adding that she is grateful she and the baby survived and vows never to use kuvhura masuwo again.

“Our mothers taught us this. I don’t think it helps.”

White Ribbon Alliance, a global health organisation that works with hospitals and midwives, counsels Zimbabweans on healthy pregnancies.

Since 2012, the national chapter has worked with more than 5 000 women in Harare, Bulawayo and Kwekwe.

In WhatsApp groups with nursing and pregnant women, kuvhura masuwo dominates the conversations, says Geraldine Nyaku, the organisation’s national co-ordinator.

Even among urban, professional women seeking hospital births, she says, traditional customs persist due to family pressure from older generations of women. “We are taught to respect our elders.”

Traditional healers and medical providers do agree on two points: kuvhura masuwo is not going away, and more research should be done to determine which versions are more beneficial – or less harmful. “We should work together,” Shoko says. “It’s not a tug of war.”

– Vimbai Chinembiri is a Global Press Journal reporter based in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe

By A Correspondent- The branded Nelson Chamisa led Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) has received overwhelming support from all over the country.

Chamisa launched the new political outfit on Monday in Harare.

Chamisa dumped their traditional MDC brand after losing the party to Douglas Mwonzora through the courts.

Chamisa said they were happy to have a renewed political movement

CCC posted on their tweeter account Tuesday:
We thank Zimbabweans far & wide for their overwhelming response & endorsement of our great citizen project. It’s been a resounding YES to the Citizens Coalition for Change. Citizens everywhere are celebrating, including in Binga, Tsholotsho, Chipinge, Murewa, Mutare, Beitbridge!

By- At least 25 passengers escaped death after a Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO) bus they were in was involved in an accident in Masvingo.

The bus overturned near Mushagashe yesterday morning when its driver allegedly attempted to overtake a small vehicle.

 The small car was also trying to overtake an Inter-Africa bus.

The small vehicle was sandwiched between the two busses racing in road lanes meant for just two vehicles.

The busses were reportedly racing for passengers at Mushagashe. The small vehicle did not stop after the accident occurred.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Masvingo Province Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident to The Mirror.

The publication reported sources as saying there were no serious injuries following the incident.

Passengers who sustained minor injuries were rushed to Masvingo Provincial Hospital. Said the source:

The ZUPCO bus driver was speeding and he tried to overtake at the same time the small vehicle was also attempting to overtake the Inter Africa bus.

More: The Mirror

By A Correspondent- The newly formed Citizens’ Coalition for change political outfit has reacted to the overwhelming endorsement the party got barely 24 hours after its birth.

The rebranded Nelson Chamisa led opposition said it would bring the much-needed change to the Zimbabweans.

CCC posted on their tweeter account Tuesday:
We thank Zimbabweans far & wide for their overwhelming response & endorsement of our great citizen project. It’s been a resounding YES to the Citizens Coalition for Change. Citizens everywhere are celebrating, including in Binga, Tsholotsho, Chipinge, Murewa, Mutare, Beitbridge!

By- A Kwekwe man Marcus Sanyangore (36) died after drinking poison over his wife’s alleged infidelity.

Sanyangore of Amaveni went to his in-law’s place and gulped poison over his wife’s alleged infidelity.

Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident to The Mirror.
“Marcus Sanyangore went to his in-laws’ place of residence where he found his sister-in-law Olgar Sipunyu present and drank a liquid substance in front of her. He accused his wife of infidelity.
“Sanyangore fell down and died in the yard”, Mahoko said. The deceased’s body was taken to Kwekwe Hospital mortuary for a post mortem.
Mahoko appealed to members of the public to solve disputes amicably and value lives before engaging in dangerous actions that may result in loss of lives.
In a similar account, Dereck Njanji (31) of Mkoba 5 Gweru committed suicide by consuming a poisonous substance over unknown reasons. Masvingo Mirror

By A Correspondent- The Douglas Mwonzora’s MDC-T party said Nelson Chamisa’s new political outfit brand colours were influenced by the party’s spokesperson Fadzai Mahere, who used the same colours when she ran as an independent in the 2013 elections.

Posting on his tweeter account Monday evening Mwonzora’s party spokesperson, Witness Dube said Chamisa sarcastically said that Chamisa was not in-charge of the new political movement.

He posted:

“Don’t they say uniform yekudyiswa na amai kupfekeswa ma colors avanoda ivo nguva dzose? Whose yellow is this, and what’s its difference from all the other YELLOW parties? Just asking for a friend”.

Chamisa launched his Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Monday afternoon, abandoning the MDC brand, which Mwonzora claimed to own.

By- Fired former Chivi South legislator Killer Zivhu yesterday said he would not be contesting the March 26 by-elections as an independent candidate.
Zivhu was expelled from Zanu PF in June 2020 after he called for dialogue between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.
He told NewsDay yesterday that he was not contesting because he had promised Mnangagwa that he would not do so.
Zivhu claimed that he had been supporting Zanu PF for the past 22 years, hence it was difficult for him to renounce the ideologies of the ruling party even if he was expelled.
“I made a pledge to the President ED (Emmerson Mnangagwa) that I am not going to stand as an independent” he said.
“It is not true that I will contest as an independent. I am not even in Chivi, I am in Harare. I will not even go to Chivi. I will abide by my promise to ED and continue supporting him.
“I started working with Zanu PF and I have supported the party so much since 1995 through donations and pledges. I am a principled person. I have been preaching the Zanu PF ideology for over 22 years.”
Added Zivhu: “Now that I have a misunderstanding with my fellow comrades within the party, it does not mean that I should then renounce the same ideologies. I will continue supporting Zanu PF although I was fired. Take this as an example, there are some people who support Manchester United, but they have never been to England, nor do they have the cards from the team. Some support Dynamos, but have never been to Harare that is the nature of die-hard supporters. It’s in the blood.”
Zivhu served as a Zanu PF councillor from 2000 to 2017 before he won the Chivhu South parliamentary seat in the 2018 elections.

• Newsday

By- Zanu PF Chitungwiza Ward 20 Councillor Innocent Jenje has died.

In a statement expressing its condolence message, Chitungwiza Municipality said the town has lost “a young dedicated councillor keen to see an improvement in service delivery.”

Chitungwiza Deputy Mayor Kiven Mutimbanyoka said the deceased suffered a headache.

-Herald

By A Correspondent- The Douglas Mwonzora’s MDC-T party said Nelson Chamisa’s new political outfit brand colours were influenced by the party’s spokesperson Fadzai Mahere, who used the same colours when she ran as an independent in the 2013 elections.

Chamisa has adopted yellow as the party’s brand colour.

Posting on his tweeter account Monday evening Mwonzora’s party spokesperson, Witness Dube said Chamisa sarcastically said that Chamisa was not in-charge of the new political movement.

He posted:

“Don’t they say uniform yekudyiswa na amai kupfekeswa ma colors avanoda ivo nguva dzose? Whose yellow is this, and what’s its difference from all the other YELLOW parties? Just asking for a friend”.

Chamisa launched his Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Monday afternoon, abandoning the MDC brand, which Mwonzora claimed to own.

Don't they say uniform yekudyiswa na amai kupfekeswa ma colors avanoda ivo nguva dzose?
Whose yellow is this, and what's its difference from all the other YELLOW parties? Just asking for a friend. @zimlive @OpenParlyZw @OurMDCT @Mr_Okays @FungaiChiposi pic.twitter.com/cywB9pUh2S

— Witness DUBE (@witness_dube) January 24, 2022

Tinashe Sambiri| President Nelson Chamisa has challenged the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa to address teachers grievances urgently.

President Chamisa said teachers should earn at least 540 USD per month.

Last week Mr Mnangagwa’s administration arrested teachers for protesting at poor remuneration.

“ADDRESS TEACHERS’ GRIEVANCES & OPEN SCHOOLS NOW!

-Restore teachers’ salaries to pre October 2018 levels of at least USD 540.
-Improve teachers’ status & the conditions of service.

-Regularize the negotiating platforms.
-Open schools under COVID19 precautionary measures,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

By- A Kwekwe man Marcus Sanyangore (36) died after drinking poison over his wife’s alleged infidelity.

Sanyangore of Amaveni went to his in-law’s place and gulped poison over his wife’s alleged infidelity.

Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident to The Mirror.
“Marcus Sanyangore went to his in-laws’ place of residence where he found his sister-in-law Olgar Sipunyu present and drank a liquid substance in front of her. He accused his wife of infidelity.
“Sanyangore fell down and died in the yard”, Mahoko said. The deceased’s body was taken to Kwekwe Hospital mortuary for a post mortem.
Mahoko appealed to members of the public to solve disputes amicably and value lives before engaging in dangerous actions that may result in loss of lives.
In a similar account, Dereck Njanji (31) of Mkoba 5 Gweru committed suicide by consuming a poisonous substance over unknown reasons. Masvingo Mirror

By -A former senior police officer, Gibson Jaji, has told the court that Tapiwa Freddy’s alleged rape victim, ZBC Radio presenter Rutendo Makuti, had previously refused to report the case to the police.

Jaji was an inspector in the ZRP during the time he said Makuti refused to report the alleged rape case.

Jaji was testifying in the rape trial of the Goodness and Mercy Ministries founder and leader, Prophet T Freddy, as he is popularly known by his followers.
Jaji had previously been involved in the case having been part of a delegation that sat at Chief Chikwaka’s traditional court.
He said he did not see any reason for arrest arresting the cleric as the two had consensual sex. Said the former cop:
As a seasoned police officer and from my own assessment, I did not see any reason to arrest as there wasn’t a report.
I advised the complainant to report but she said she was not going to report.
Jaji said he advised Rutendo to report elsewhere if she was not comfortable to report at Juru Police Station where he was stationed but she still refused to report the alleged rape.
During cross-examination by T Freddy’s defence counsel, Everson Chatambudza and Jivas Mudimu, Jaji said he was not aware of any admission by the cleric to the rape claims as previously stated by Makuti.

-Newzimbabwe

By- Another Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO) bus has been involved in a horror accident in Masvingo.

The bus Toverturned near Mushagashe on Monday morning when its driver allegedly attempted to overtake a small vehicle that was also trying to overtake an Inter-Africa bus.

The small vehicle was sandwiched between the two busses racing in road lanes meant for just two vehicles.

The busses were reportedly racing for passengers at Mushagashe. The small vehicle did not stop after the accident occurred.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Masvingo Province Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident to The Mirror.

The publication reported sources as saying there were no serious injuries following the incident.

Passengers who sustained minor injuries were rushed to Masvingo Provincial Hospital. Said the source:

The ZUPCO bus driver was speeding and he tried to overtake at the same time the small vehicle was also attempting to overtake the Inter Africa bus.

More: The Mirror

By- A Seke woman is living with two husbands and has vowed to add TWO more.

Emma Nguwo, a nurse by profession, confirmed the story saying she was treating her two husbands well.

“A number of people have been talking behind my back that I have two husbands,” said Nguwo.
“I was not prepared for the story to go public but thank you for seeking my comment.
“It’s unfortunate that one of my husbands has left for Chitungwiza in Unit D where he has a house.
“This one is my second husband and his name is Robert Musakanda and we have one child aged seven.
“I have four children with my first husband.”
Emma said her first husband was living abroad when she got married to Musakanda.
“Musakanda is a loving husband,” she said.
“I narrated to Musakanda that my first husband was living in South Africa and he felt sorry for him.
“We agreed to ask him to return home since he had been away for 13 years.
“I could not continue living alone and I got married to Musakanda and that is how I ended living with the two in one house.
“Yes, people have been saying a lot about us and I have the intention of adding one or two other husbands, if time permits.
“Havashamiswe naizvozvo chete asi nekuti ndinonwa doro nemurume wangu uyu mubhawa zvisingaitwe nemadzimai mazhinji.
“Inini naMusakanda tisu tinonwa doro.”
Musakanda told H-Metro Nguwo was honest about her marital status and he has accepted her first husband at his house.
“Villagers have been keen to hear more about how we are living but I do not like that, this has nothing to do with them,” said Musakanda.
“Nguwo disclosed everything about her life when I met her and I liked that.
“She was honest.
“When she told me that her first husband was struggling out there I accepted him.
“He came and we have been living well only that he has gone to Chitungwiza to see his daughters.
“I am not comfortable for the story to go public since it would tarnish my image.”
Efforts to get first husband’s comment were in vain. H Metro

By- The newly formed Nelson Chamisa led the opposition, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party said it would not allow the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to steal the people’s will.

The party’s president Nelson Chamisa warned ZEC on Monday when he was launching the new opposition in Harare.

“We won’t allow ZEC to play and join the other team,” he said.

Monday, Chamisa showed maturity and courage, launched his new party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), and left the MDC confused to Douglas Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe.

The youthful and energetic opposition leader said this new political outfit would contest the 26 March by-elections.

On Saturday, the party’s National Council met and resolved to abandon the MDC Alliance name after Mwonzora appropriated the MDC brand and all its variants.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe opposition politics has entered a new down following the dumping by Nelson Chamisa of the old, redundant and contested MDC banner.

Monday, Chamisa showed maturity and courage, launched his new party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), and left the MDC brand to Douglas Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe.

The youthful and energetic opposition leader said this new political outfit would contest the 26 March by-elections.

On Saturday, the party’s National Council met and resolved to abandon the MDC Alliance name after Mwonzora appropriated the MDC brand and all its variants.

Tinashe Sambiri| President Nelson Chamisa has challenged the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa to address teachers grievances urgently.

President Chamisa said teachers should earn at least 540 USD per month.

Last week Mr Mnangagwa’s administration arrested teachers for protesting at poor remuneration.

“ADDRESS TEACHERS’ GRIEVANCES & OPEN SCHOOLS NOW!

-Restore teachers’ salaries to pre October 2018 levels of at least USD 540.
-Improve teachers’ status & the conditions of service.

-Regularize the negotiating platforms.
-Open schools under COVID19 precautionary measures,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Watch President Chamisa addresses the media…

Tinashe Sambiri| President Nelson Chamisa has challenged the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa to address teachers grievances urgently.

President Chamisa said teachers should earn at least 540 USD per month.

Last week Mr Mnangagwa’s administration arrested teachers for protesting at poor remuneration.

“ADDRESS TEACHERS’ GRIEVANCES & OPEN SCHOOLS NOW!

-Restore teachers’ salaries to pre October 2018 levels of at least USD 540.
-Improve teachers’ status & the conditions of service.

-Regularize the negotiating platforms.
-Open schools under COVID19 precautionary measures,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

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.”