By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa is considering sacking local government minister July Moyo after receiving security and official briefings indicating he harbours presidential ambitions and was a key schemer in many of the woes the ruling party suffered during its chaotic recent provincial elections.

This comes as the party has called its second politburo meeting in as many weeks this Saturday.

Numerous sources, Thursday said that the axe has been hanging over Moyo’s head for some time and recent dramatic scenes from his Midlands home heightened tensions between the Mnangagwa and the local government minister.

Moyo, who is angling to be the province’s godfather, is reportedly behind former state security minister Owen Mudha Ncube’s weekend shenanigans which led to his dismissal fro cabinet.

Apart from his excursions in the province, Moyo is reported to have played a pivotal role in controversies that rocked other provinces during the recent elections, particularly in Mashonaland Central and Manicaland.

Sources said Mudha, at Moyo’s behest, deployed dozens of Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives to help certain candidates win despite having been unpopular with voters.

Sources further said following Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meetings held across the country on Saturday, Mnangagwa summoned some nine ministers and senior politburo members seconded to supervise proceedings in the provinces to two meetings on Monday, where Moyo’s name feature prominently “in very bad light”.

The Zanu-PF leader also met with some losing candidates he has a soft spot for and told them to calm down since he has plans for them in the not-so-distant future, according to government sources.

“They met him (Mnangagwa) in two batches. He met the first group which included five ministers at the party’s national headquarters in the morning. That meeting took about three hours and Mudha’s fate was sealed from it,” a highly placed source said.

“The second meeting, which included four minister, politburo members and some party officials from provinces, took place at State House. It started at around 11am and ended just after 2pm on Monday.

“Again, July Moyo’s name featured prominently in much of the disgruntlements regarding the provincial elections. The president, at the end of the meeting, said he knew everything that was going on and was waiting for the right time to take action. It was in that meeting that he broke the news that he had decided to fire Mudha,” the source said.

“So, from the look of things, it appears July Moyo’s days are numbered. Remember he is where he is courtesy of the president’s benevolence. The president handpicked him after he had lost the election for the Redcliff (National Assembly) seat, and he really has no roots of his own except in the presidency,” the source added.

“Someone reported in those meetings that during ahead of the provincial elections, Moyo was frequently being referred to as Prime Minister in their conferences,” the source said.

Another source said Moyo is not in good books on personal terms with the first family, particularly First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa.

He is also reported to have resorted to occultic practices to aide his presidential ambitions and, according to sources, believes he is hereditarily the right person to succeed Mnangagwa since he is of the Rozvi Dynasty, a powerful ancient monarch which ruled Zimbabwe between 1684-1850 before, as history says, being decimated by the emerging Ndebele State.

At one point, another source said, Moyo gathered some chiefs and spirit mediums at a traditional beer ceremony which was interpreted in the security sector as an attempt to get primeval coronation and since then, plans have been afoot to remove the traditional leaders portfolio from his ministry.

This is in addition to reports last year peddled by former cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo indicating his namesake he was using witchcraft in his efforts to topple the Zanu-PF leader.

“JULY MOYO IN A FIX WITH ED: In 2020 he saw a N’anga on how to succeed ED; was advised to buy shoes; he got them in TURKEY; N’anga put juju on shoes and asked July to give ED as B/Day gift. Plot leaked to ED’s N’anga. July delivered shoes in Kwekwe & all OCCULTIC HELL BROKE LOOSE,” he tweeted at the time.

“AS JULY delivered his birthday gift package to Mnangagwa at his Kwekwe farm, Auxillia intercepted it to see what was in it; when she saw a fancy pair of shoes, she screamed, ‘shangu dziya, shangu dziya’; Mnangagwa then asked July to leave immediately with the shoes, “buda, buda!,” Prof Moyo said.

Outspoken independent MP for Norton, Temba Mliswa, has also previously accused Mudha and July Moyo of plotting to destroy Mnangagwa’s political life. He also accused July Moyo of holding a meeting with traditional chiefs from the Midlands to plot his ambitions to be the country’s next president.

“He (July Moyo) loses a parliamentary election and is on the job at the mercy of the President. Why would you even think that I would even want to talk about July Moyo when I win elections, where I beat his party and he fails to win elections,” Mliswa said last year.

“July Moyo is well-known for being ambitious. The president knows he convened a meeting with Varozvi (traditional) chiefs so that he could be in power. It is well-known that July Moyo has failed dismally to run the Local Government ministry to the point that people regret where (Ignatius) Chombo went. July Moyo who we all know acts like a de-facto Prime Minister,” Mliswa said.

By A Correspondent- Government has failed to implement recommendations of the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Report, amid deteriorating human rights as well as closure of civic space in the country, rights groups have said.

In a report compiled by 68 civic groups coordinated by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, National Association of Non-governmental Organisations and the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe, the lobby groups noted with concern government’s penchant for disregarding the rule of law.

The report, titled Zimbabwe 3rd Cycle United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Civil Society Organisations, Stakeholders’ Report 14 July 2021, was submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council ahead of the council’s assessment of Zimbabwe’s human rights situation on January 26.

The UPR is the periodic review of the human rights records of the 193 UN Member States by the UPR Working Group in Geneva. Every country is assessed once every five years. Zimbabwe was last assessed in 2016.

The working group reviews reports from governments while civic organisations produce parallel reports which ordinarily comment on the government report.

An oversight report by the civic society organisations says Zimbabwe failed to implement most of the recommendations made during the second cycle of the UPR.

“The government of Zimbabwe continues to struggle with exercising governmental power within the bounds of rule of law,” part of the report read.

“It uses arbitrary arrests and prosecution as a weapon to silence or intimidate human rights defenders. In 2020 alone, the arbitrary arrest and lengthy pre-trial detention of persons who openly opposed oppressive methods of governance such as Hopewell Chin’ono, Jacob Ngarivhume, Godfrey Kurauone, Job Sikhala, Fadzayi Mahere, and students including Takudzwa Ngadziore, Tawanda Mucheyiwa and Allan Moyo highlight the continued groundless prosecution.”

The report also noted: “The fact that prosecution of these otherwise simple charges remains pending shows that their arrest and prosecution have been used as a weapon to silence and harass dissenting voices with no intention to genuinely prosecute.”

On Judiciary independence, the lobby groups said since 2016, the independence of the Judiciary and fair trial rights in politically-motivated cases had deteriorated with opposition party-affiliated suspects, independent journalists arbitrarily subjected to protracted pre-trial detention.

“Following the January 2019 protests dragnet arrests, suspects appeared before magistrates in split sessions despite being charged for the same offences, were arbitrarily denied bail, and subjected to summary trials.”

The civic groups also noted the extension of pre-trial detention periods by reserving judgments in bail applications and delaying the production of court records for appeals despite the legal position that bail hearings are urgent matters.

They said retrogression had been witnessed in judicial independence through constitutional amendments that placed the appointment of judges under the Executive arm of government.

The civic groups said there was need to affirm the independence of the Judiciary to allow judges to apply the law without favour and guarantee equal protection of the law for all and desist from further amending the Constitution.

“Since 2017, the government has pushed through Parliament two Bills introducing several amendments to the Constitution. The amendments have a devastating impact on the separation of powers, increasing Executive control over appointments within the Judiciary and of the Prosecutor-General.

The amendments also undermine the oversight role of Parliament over actions of the Executive.”

Civil society organisations also expressed concern over the Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Bill, which they said was a threat to the democratic space in the country.

“Civic space continues to shrink at an alarming rate. Proposed new laws such as amendments to the PVO Act and Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Criminal Code), and the Patriotic Bill, will undermine the work of human rights defenders and NGOs [non-governmental organisations], especially those working on governance issues,” the report added.

They also noted that government had politicised documentation of citizens by centralising registration centres.

Politicised food distribution and criminalisation of communication by private citizens with foreign governments were also cited as violations of human rights by the government.

By A Correspondent- MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora said Thursday that he was “pleased” after a chance encounter with two leading members of the rival Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance.

Mwonzora had a brief meeting with suspended Harare mayor Jacob Mafume and Makomborero Haruzivishe, the latter recently bailed by the High Court after nearly 9 months in remand prison over kidnapping and violence charges.

I was particularly happy to see Mako in good health. We can’t thank Professor (Lovemore) Madhuku enough for the great work he did.

Professor Madhuku was Haruzivishe’s attorney for the High Court bail appeal.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu has deployed armed men to evict a prominent human rights activist and his partners from a coveted farm in Nyamandlovu, thumbing his nose at a court order which said the occupation was illegal.

Butternuts and onions due for harvest “are rotting” at the farm after Mpofu’s thugs drove out farm workers, said scientist Zephaniah Dhlamini who owns the farm jointly with miner Charles Moyo and Siphosami Malunga, the executive director of the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA).

The trio’s employees had their property dumped at the gate of the 554-hectare farm in driving rain on Tuesday.

Malunga believes he has been targeted by Mpofu over his criticism of Zimbabwe’s government and his human rights work with OSISA, which funds pro-democracy groups in the country.

A ZimLive crew was stopped from entering the farm, 67km northwest of Bulawayo, by two armed men on Thursday.

“Mpofu just left and he gave firm instructions that no-one goes in,” a man brandishing a rifle said.

The two men, each armed with a rifle, scrambled for cover behind a wall when our photographer pulled out his camera.

Dhlamini, a scientist with the University of Science and Technology, said: “We have secured an eviction order against Mpofu and he appealed. We have applied for his ejectment pending his appeal and the matter is pending.

“His actions now to chase away our workers and prevent us, the legitimate owners, from entering the farm are completely without legal basis and unlawful.”

Dhlamini said they had 100 tonnes of onions in a warehouse at the farm, a herd of over 100 cattle, goats and chickens which were now at the mercy of the former mines minister.

“We have about 50 tonnes of onions and 20 tonnes of butternut that we can’t harvest. They’re rotting,” Dhlamini told ZimLive.

Mpofu, who controls vast tracts of land in Matabeleland North, says he has an offer letter for 145 hectares of Esidakeni in the name of his other property, Mswelangubo Farm.

In December, the Bulawayo High Court granted an application by Malunga and his partners for the eviction of Mpofu 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.

The High Court directed that Mpofu, his wife Sikhanyisiwe “and all those claiming occupation through them must vacate the farm within 24 hours failing which the Deputy Sheriff of the High Court with the assistance of the police must evict them.”

Mpofu appealed, in effect suspending that ruling. Malunga and his partners then went back to the High Court to seek his eviction pending the outcome of his appeal. That application is yet to be set down for hearing.

Esidakeni’s owners, who bought the farm in 2017, already won several court orders against a National University Science and Technology lecturer, Dumisani Madzivanyati, who was the first to occupy a section of the farm. The High Court ordered his eviction.

Lawyers for Esidakeni farm’s owners say the constitution prevents the government from taking over black-owned farms under laws crafted to reform land ownership, previously dominated by a few thousand white farmers.

Watchers of the farm wrangle say the court’s decision will send a statement on the respect of property rights, or lack of, under the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

A 2012 report by Partnership Africa Canada, a group of investigative journalists, said Mpofu controlled farm holdings of at least 65,000 hectares, placing him “in the top five landowners in Zimbabwe.”

The properties include a 10,000-hectare farm leased to him for a pittance by the Cold Storage Commission (CSC).-ZimLive

By A Correspondent- MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa said he is confident that his party will win the March by-elections.

He posted Friday on his tweeter account:

GET READY FOR VICTORY… We have heard you.We listened and it shall be done as per your command and demand.Timing &strategy is everything.THE NEW WAY.THE NEW WAVE. It’s time for CHANGE.Let’s teach them a lesson. You’re the game changers and we’re unstoppable.#ChoosetheNew

GET READY FOR VICTORY…
We have heard you.We listened and it shall be done as per your command and demand.Timing &strategy is everything.THE NEW WAY.THE NEW WAVE. It’s time for CHANGE.Let’s teach them a lesson. You’re the game changers and we’re unstoppable.#ChoosetheNew

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) January 14, 2022

By-The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) said only those that registered to vote on or before January 8 would be allowed to cast their votes in the March 26 by-elections.

In a media briefing following the electoral body’s 2022 strategic workshop in Victoria Falls yesterday, Zec chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba revealed that the commission has already crafted a comprehensive strategy to guide the handling of elections.

She said nomination courts for the by-elections will sit on January 26 for the 28 National Assembly and 122 council seats.

“The proclamation of National Assembly vacancies fixed the respective Provincial Magistrate Courts as the nomination court venues, while the commission fixed the nomination court venues for the ward vacancies at the respective council boardrooms.

Aspiring candidates can now collect their nomination forms at the commission offices in their provinces and districts,” said Justice Chigumba.

“The nomination forms are also available on the commission website on www.zec.org. Potential candidates are encouraged to pre-lodge their nomination papers to decongest the nomination courts. This can be done in the respective Zec provinces and districts. After the sitting of the nomination courts on January 26 2022, the commission will establish multi-party liaison committees to resolve electoral disputes and publish the nomination court results in the press.”

She said while voter registration has been closed for the March 26 polls, the exercise remains open for future elections.

Justice Chigumba said the polls will follow Covid-19 prevention measures.

Zec suspended holding of by-elections in 2020 following outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The pending elections will be conducted in line with Zec Covid-19 policy, which encourages adherence to internationally agreed Covid-19 protocols. Among other steps, the commission will ensure sanitisation, masking up, observing social distancing and Zec will also administer temperature checks at entry points,” Justice Chigumba said.

She said the commission will intensify voter education ahead of the by-elections and mobile voter registration.

“A comprehensive roadmap is already in place and will be shared with stakeholders in due course which provides a trajectory that the electoral processes will follow. The mobile voter registration exercise will be conducted in two phases. First phase (starting from) February 1 to February 28, 2022. Second phase (from) April 11-30, 2022.

“The public should note that deployments will be done per constituency with voter education preceding the programme to encourage prospective registrants to participate. The public is encouraged to keep track of the voter registration itineraries to be advertised in the mainstream media as well as online.

“Civil Society Organisations conducting voter education and political parties must encourage the public to visit the mobile registration centres nearer them as per advertised itineraries. The commission will make sure that the information regarding the roll out will be timeously churned out to the public to avoid inconveniences.”

Justice Chigumba called on the media to report objectively in the coming elections and shun divisive language.

“I would like to urge the media as a key stakeholder, to disseminate accurate and balanced information to allow citizens to make informed choices. Let’s shun hate speech, misinformation and falsehoods, and uphold journalistic principles based on truth, honesty, accuracy, balance and objectivity,” said Justice Chigumba.

-State media

By- In an unusual development that signals the deepening of factionalism in Zanu PF, the party will be holding a Politburo meeting in Harare tomorrow, Saturday.

The politburo meeting comes after the firing, Monday of State Security Minister Owen Ncube, by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In a statement last night, Zanu PF national spokesman Christopher Mutsvangwa said: “The Secretary for Administration Dr O.M. Mpofu wishes to advise all members that there shall be an ordinary session of the Politburo to be held on Saturday, 15 January 2022 at the home of the people’s revolution, Zanu PF headquarters commencing 1000hours.
“All members should be seated by 0945hours sharp.”

By- A self-styled Chegutu based allegedly drugged his 32-year-old female client before raping her.

The sad development happened in 2017 in Chegutu.

Police said the unnamed spiritualist put an intoxicating substance into a raspberry drink and made the woman drink it before raping her. Police said in a statement:
The ZRP urges members of the public to promptly report all cases of abuse to the Police. On 12/01/22, Police in Harare recorded a case of rape in which a woman (32) was raped by a self proclaimed prophet, on two separate occasions, in 2017 and May 2019 in Chegutu and Harare.
In the [first] incident the suspect put an intoxicating substance into a raspberry drink, made the victim to consume it and raped her.

In the [second] incident, the suspect took advantage of the absence of the victim’s husband and raped her once.
The victim disclosed the matter in December 2021. Investigations are in progress.

By-Zanu PF Secretary for Administration, Obert Mpofu, reportedly ignored a court order barring him from invading human rights lawyer Siphosami Malunga’s Esidakeni Farm Nyamadlovu, Matabeleland North Province.

Reports say Mpofu has started evicting the Malunga’s workers.

The farm is owned by Malunga and his business partners Zephaniah Dhlamini and Charles Moyo.

Mpofu has reportedly hired armed personnel to keep both the workers and the owners of the farm out.

Malunga, Dhlamini and Moyo bought Esidakeni in 2017 from white farmers through Kershelmar Farms (Private) Limited.

The trio has, however, been struggling to retain ownership as the State compulsorily acquired the farm in 2020 via a Notice of Acquisition General Notice 3042 that appeared in a government gazette.

Zimbabwe’s laws empower the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement to compulsorily acquire land without paying compensation except for improvements.

Mpofu and his wife, through their company, Mswelangubo Farm, were offered 145 hectares of Esidakeni Farm. The farm measures 553 hectares in total.

In December last year, High Court judge Justice Evangelista Kabasa gave Mpofu a 24-hour ultimatum to vacate the farm. Mpofu immediately filed a notice to appeal the ruling.

Malunga and partners argue Mpofu’s occupation of Esidakeni Farm is illegal considering he owns multiple farms.

Speaking during an interview with CITE, Dhlamini revealed that Mpofu had started evicting their workers using the armed guards to keep them out. Said: Dhlamini:

The eviction started on Tuesday. When they moved into the farm, we did a court order and applied to the High Court for them to go.

They applied to the Supreme Court and must have listened to the High Court order but they remained put there.

The procedure is the judgment must be executed pending an appeal, which they must launch from outside the farm.

They hired armed people with guns who are manning the place and are stopping people from moving in.

Even us owners are not allowed to go inside. We understand the armed people are from one security company.

Dhlamini added that their crops which had planted were dying as they are not being tended to. He said:

We have three compounds where our workers stay and they went to one of them and evicted our people.

There is no recourse, as we did try to go to the police, asking them to go put law and order there at the farm but the police said without a court order they cannot do anything.

More: CITE

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police is under pressure to arrest Passion Java for wearing a police uniform.

Social media is awash with images of Java wearing a female police hat.

Police have arrested several citizens for wearing military gear, including ZRP regalia.

On Thursday, ZRP reluctantly responded to tweets by the public asking them to arrest Java for putting on a police uniform.

“1/2 The Zimbabwe Republic Police has taken note of a photo circulating on social media in which a female Police officer is seen standing next to a man wearing a Police hat,” .

1/2 The Zimbabwe Republic Police has taken note of a photo circulating on social media in which a female Police officer is seen standing next to a man wearing a Police hat.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) January 13, 2022

Tinashe Sambiri|Enigmatic politician Killer Zivhu has said President Chamisa is being targeted by those in power because they know he commands a huge following.

Zivhu wrote on Twitter :
Guys Chamisa and his team vanoziva zvavanoita zita haritongi Nyika ,chinotonga Nyika vanhu kuti MDC-A hazvipi mavhotsi , ukaona vanhu vachigwa newe it means ndiwe uneyose , why are they not fighting Madhuku, Muteki and Egypt Dzinemunhenzwa.”

He added:
More sanctions are coming worse than before, vari kutamba na Mwonzora vachimupa mazano ekupenga awa, vari kuda kuti government iripo idonhe , Chamisa will stick to MDC-A , morambidza ma candidates ake muchiti Party ndeya Douglas wakaipiwa ne court, mirayi muone zvichatevera.

Ukaona ruling Party ichifarira nokukuza opposition Party, chiziva kuti opposition Party iyoyo ndeya mapenzi, vatengesi, madununu, marombe anosvaga mari and useless and clueless politicians.”

Zivhu also castigated fake prophets who are exploiting desperate congregants.

“Guys boys dzinozviti ma Prophets idzi ndinotengepi zvidhoma zvavo zvavanoshandisa, munhu iyeye anofanirwa kusungwa kana ari mu Zimbabwe. Ndiye wapa Nyika vurombo , even political Leaders vajoinira zvoku porofitwa, Nyika haitongwi ne chiporofita guys.”

1/2 On 13/01/22, Police in Chiadzwa, Manicaland arrested two female suspects aged 25 and 35, in connection with a case of illegally possessing dangerous drugs. The suspects who were passengers in a Harare bound bus travelling from Chipinge were intercepted at a

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) January 14, 2022

2/2 Police check point at Hotsprings, Mutare. The bus was searched leading to the recovery of 3x 20 litre containers full of dagga #notodangerousdrugs

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) January 14, 2022

By-Police In Manicaland province said they are investigating cases in
six armed robbers pounced on Rusape residents and stole US$15 000.

The Police said the unknown suspects who were armed with two unidentified pistols broke into a house and stole a 300AH solar battery, two cellphones and a toy gun.

Police said the suspects then proceeded to the next house, where they pounced at five complainants who were asleep in separate bedrooms and tied them with curtains while demanding cash.

“They stole US$15 000, ZAR 2 200, four cellphones and drove away in one of the complainants’ Honda Fit vehicle,” said the Police.
” unlawful entry into premises and theft occurred at Ridgemond Park, Rusape on Wednesday around 1 AM,” Police further posted.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating Passion Java in connection with a case in which images of him wearing a police uniform are circulating on social media.

Java’s image putting on a female police hat has gone viral on social media.

It is a criminal offence for a civilian to put on military gear.

Poting on their tweeter account Thursday, ZRP said they were looking for Java.

“1/2 The Zimbabwe Republic Police has taken note of a photo circulating on social media in which a female Police officer is seen standing next to a man wearing a Police hat,” .

1/2 The Zimbabwe Republic Police has taken note of a photo circulating on social media in which a female Police officer is seen standing next to a man wearing a Police hat.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) January 13, 2022

By-The opposition MDC-T is set to hold its ordinary congress on 5 March, amid reports alleging party leader Douglas Mwonzora’s supporters are plotting to dump his deputy, Thokozani Khupe.

Speaking at a press conference in Harare on Wednesday, Mwonzora said all positions will be contested. He said:

The national council (NC) directed that the party will hold its congress on March 5. This will be the ordinary congress.

The main congress will be preceded by congress and branch, ward, district and provincial level.

In the MDC-T, it is not an offence to contest, so those who are hopeful and qualify are allowed to contest.

NewsDay quoted a source as saying Khupe and her close allies, Khalipani Phugeni and Chief Ndlovu are likely to fall by the wayside at the congress. Said the source:

Congress is being pushed just a few days before what will be crucial by-elections, the target mainly is to deal with Khupe and her team of Khalipani Phugeni and Chief Ndlovu.

These people have been seen as enemies of Mwonzora and they will be fired by the electorate.

More: NewsDay

By- Mutare accident hero, Sizirani Butau, who risked his life and saved the victims of an accident that occurred near Mutare on Christman Eve says he is experiencing psychological trauma as he recovers at Queen Mary Hospital.

The Kadoma truck driver became an instant national hero after he rescued eight people from an inferno following a head-on collision involving a speeding bus and a truck a few kilometres outside Mutare on 24 December 2021.

He, however, sustained serious burns while retrieving people who were trapped in the bus which caught fire following the collision.

Speaking to ZBC News, Butau said he was grateful to the nation for donating funds towards his medical bills. He said:

I am still in shock, I still need time to heal. My body sometimes shakes and I sometimes see the visions. I am suffering more psychologically.

For the bills, I am grateful to the nation. I was accepted here at Queen Mary Hospital. When I went to Harare for assessment, Mars offered an ambulance I am thankful.

Doctors estimate that Butau might take up to three months to fully recover as he sustained 30 per cent burns.

More: ZBC News

By- Representatives from the Government and civil servants are set for another National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting on Friday with the issue of salaries high on the agenda.

The meeting was cut short Wednesday after internet connectivity let down parties.

The Permanent Secretary in the Minister of Public service, Labour and Social Welfare, Simon Masanga, said the Government tabled on offer to civil servants. The latter requested another feedback meeting that will be held tomorrow.
Said Masanga:
Yesterday we had a virtual meeting where we deliberated on the offer that the government was putting on the table.
Workers requested to go and consult their membership and come back with the feedback tomorrow on the cost of living adjustment and other non-monetary benefits that government workers are entitled to.
Chairperson of the Apex Council, the umbrella body of civil servants representatives, Cecilia Alexander, confirmed that they will be meeting with the Government on Friday.

By- Music promoter Patson Chimbodza, also known as Chipaz Promotions, has surrendered the late Zimdancehall artiste’s Soul Jah Love’s car, a BMW X5, to his relatives.

Chipaz released the car after the Master of High Court ordered him to do so.

Soul Jah Love left behind a nearly complete house, a residential stand in Stoneridge and four vehicles, including the one that was in Chimbodza’s possession as well as a Ford Explorer, Toyota Hiace and a Honda Illusion.

The late artiste’s friend, Batsirai Nyanungo, who was in possession of the Honda Illusion, has also surrendered the vehicle to Soul Jah Love’s family.

Soul Jah Love, born Soul Musaka, died in February 2021, leaving some of his assets and musical compositions in different hands.

His sister, Caroline Musaka, said after the intervention of the Master of High Court, the two vehicles have been handed over to the family. She said:

Finally, the cars are back, but unfortunately, we are still facing resistance from various producers who are profiteering from Soul’s music without our consent.

We have been making frantic efforts to bar them from doing that. Lawyers and the Master of High Court have even written letters to them, but they still disregard.

We do not have a choice now save to wait for the law to take its course.

-State media

By A Correspondent-Goodness and Mercy ministries founder, Tapiwa Freddy has produced before the court nudes, audios and Whatsapp messages sent to him by the alleged victim.

As tables turn, the complainant, a ZBC radio presenter, was heard begging for sex in the audio played in court.

“I am hungry l want sex. I am failing to control my sexual feelings,” she was heard saying.
The victim, however, denied that it was her voice, although the recording showed her mobile number.
Fighting for his freedom, Freddy, who is being represented by his attorney, Everson Chatambudza said the complainant is the one who seduced the cleric with her photos.
After that she started begging for sex and the two later started sleeping together with consent.
Freddy also brought nude pictures he allegedly received from his alleged victim.
But she insisted that he is the one who took the photos from her phone.
She said some photos were taken by late husband.
Freddy denies raping the presenter.-ZimEye

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police has announced that they are looking for Passion Java in connection with a case in which the controversial prophet’s image is seen on social media wearing a police uniform.

Java’s image wearing a female police hat has gone viral on social media, and it is a criminal offence for a civilian to put on military gear.

Posting on their tweeter account Thursday, ZRP said they were looking for Java.

“1/2 The Zimbabwe Republic Police has taken note of a photo circulating on social media in which a female Police officer is seen standing next to a man wearing a Police hat,” .

1/2 The Zimbabwe Republic Police has taken note of a photo circulating on social media in which a female Police officer is seen standing next to a man wearing a Police hat.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) January 13, 2022

Tinashe Sambiri|Enigmatic politician Killer Zivhu has said President Chamisa is being targeted by those in power because they know he commands a huge following.

Zivhu wrote on Twitter :
Guys Chamisa and his team vanoziva zvavanoita zita haritongi Nyika ,chinotonga Nyika vanhu kuti MDC-A hazvipi mavhotsi , ukaona vanhu vachigwa newe it means ndiwe uneyose , why are they not fighting Madhuku, Muteki and Egypt Dzinemunhenzwa.”

He added:
More sanctions are coming worse than before, vari kutamba na Mwonzora vachimupa mazano ekupenga awa, vari kuda kuti government iripo idonhe , Chamisa will stick to MDC-A , morambidza ma candidates ake muchiti Party ndeya Douglas wakaipiwa ne court, mirayi muone zvichatevera.

Ukaona ruling Party ichifarira nokukuza opposition Party, chiziva kuti opposition Party iyoyo ndeya mapenzi, vatengesi, madununu, marombe anosvaga mari and useless and clueless politicians.”

Zivhu also castigated fake prophets who are exploiting desperate congregants.

“Guys boys dzinozviti ma Prophets idzi ndinotengepi zvidhoma zvavo zvavanoshandisa, munhu iyeye anofanirwa kusungwa kana ari mu Zimbabwe. Ndiye wapa Nyika vurombo , even political Leaders vajoinira zvoku porofitwa, Nyika haitongwi ne chiporofita guys.”

By A Correspondent- Human Rights NGO Forum executive director Musa Kika says the independence of the judiciary and equality before the law, not over-emphasis on the use of information communication technology (ICT), are important in fostering a democratic society.

Kika was reacting to Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s State Of the Judiciary Address (SOJA) delivered on Monday to mark the opening of the 2022 legal year.

In his SOJA, Malaba said the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) was invaluable to enhance access to the justice system and buttress the rule of law.

However, Kika argued that by emphasizing the new e-filing system, Malaba ignored real issues affecting the country’s justice delivery system as ICT alone cannot be the anchor to the rule of law. Said Kika:

Thus, while the development of a culture of efficiency in the administration of justice is crucial, the enhancement, growth or enhancement, efficacy, and long-term survival of the rule of law in a constitutional democracy cannot be sustained by digitisation alone.

The importance of fostering public confidence in the sanctity and independence of the judiciary is what is more important.

The efficiency of the justice delivery system should also be guaranteed to safeguard the rights of a citizen through appointment and independence of the Judiciary.

Of the three branches of government, it is the Judiciary that carries the greatest burden to ensure that rule of law prevails.  The rule of law is the hallmark of any civilized and democratic society

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) presenter Rutendo Makuti used nude pictures, audios and suggestive text messages to seduce Harare-based pastor Tapiwa Freddy, the cleric’s lawyers argued before a Harare magistrate on Thursday.

During cross-examination, Freddy’s defence counsel said Makuti consented to intimacy and demanded sex from the preacher.

The nude pictures, audio and text messages were produced in court and the defence counsel said the mobile number used to send the audios belongs to Makuti.

However, Makuti said she was not the one in possession of the phone at the material time.

Freddy is being represented by Everson Chatambudza and Jivas Mudimu.

The lawyers asked Makuti why she was sending audios asking for a kiss and sex from Freddy.

Makuti denied the allegations saying she never sent nude pictures to Freddy but they were taken from her phone.

She said:

I know the picture and it was taken by my husband while I was bathing. As for the other pictures, I don’t know. [It] was taken when my husband was alive and we were in Nyanga.

By A Correspondent- State-owned mobile network operator, NetOne, has launched “Dzidzo”, a data bundle for University students accessible at a discounted cost.

The 5GB bundle costs only ZWL$1 000 and will be valid for a week. The bundle is cheaper than the 5GB monthly bundle which goes for ZWL$4 400. 

In a statement on Thursday, NetOne head of marketing and public relations, Roselyn Chisveto, said:

The Dzidzo bundle will only be valid for a week. It will be accessed via the *171# platform by numbers in the student class of service.

A separate Class of Service was created and Universities will be assisting in providing links to their Registry Database, where registered students with NetOne numbers will be able to access the bundle.

-statemedia

The Election Resource Centre (ERC) has called on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to proclaim local authority by-elections after President Emmerson Mnangagwa proclaimed 26 March 2022 as the day for by-elections to fill in vacant National Assembly seats.

We publish below a statement issued by the ERC on Wednesday on the proclamation of by-elections:

The Election Resource Centre (ERC) welcomes proclamation 26 March 2022 as the day for by-elections through Statutory Instrument 1 of 2022 by the President of Zimbabwe.

The SI 1 of 2022 orders election to fill vacant parliamentary seats as provided for in section 38 of the Electoral Act.

The ERC has long maintained that the Statutory Instrument 225A of 2020 which had suspended by-elections was illegal.

Essentially, this explains the President’s proclamation of by-elections, setting aside SI225A of 2020.

The ERC now calls on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to proclaim the outstanding local authority by-elections according to Electoral Act Section 121 (1) b) (ii).

ERC would like to urge the electoral commission to take the opportunity of the 26 of March 2022 by-elections to implement the administrative reforms that do not require the legislature or the executive to take effect.

Particularly all the elements that ensure that the electoral processes are more transparent and open i.e inclusion of stakeholders in the processes, availing the voters roll and other materials openly.

Conclusively, we urge the ZEC, Parliament of Zimbabwe, the Government of Zimbabwe, Civics and Political Parties to critically reflect and agree on a roadmap on electoral reforms especially issues raised by the 2018 harmonized local and international election observer missions.

The scheduled by-elections must be used as a measure to test the country’s preparedness for a free, fair and credible election in the upcoming 2023 Harmonized elections. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement electoral reforms.

By A Correspondent- The trial of MDC Alliance Makomborero Haruzivishe has been set for January 18.

Haruzivishe who was released from remand prison on Saturday after spending 10 months in prison appeared before magistrate Barbara Mateko today.

He faces several criminal charges including resisting arrest and incitement to commit public violence.

He was granted $20,000 bail on Friday by Justices Rodgers Manyangadze and Joseph Chilimbe sitting on appeal on the last of his pending criminal cases where he is charged for kidnapping with intent to promote public violence.

He was ordered to reside at his given address in Mt Pleasant and report twice weekly to the police.

He was arrested on allegations that they locked employees of Impala Car Rental inside their shop in central Harare while protesting the arrest of the then Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) president Takudzwa Ngadziore.

Ngadziore had been kidnapped and beaten days earlier by suspected state security agents outside another Impala facility in Harare.

The students were protesting the abduction of Midlands State University (MSU) student Tawanda Muchehiwa.

By A Correspondent- Battle lines have been drawn within the MDC-T ahead of the party’s congress, set for March 5, amid indications that party leader Douglas Mwonzora’s supporters are angling to dump his deputy, Thokozani Khupe.

Mwonzora yesterday announced that his party would hold its congress 21 days before the by-elections on March 26 this year.

“The national council (NC) directed that the party will hold its congress on March 5. This will be the ordinary congress. The main congress will be preceded by congress and branch, ward, district and provincial level,” Mwonzora said at a Press conference in Harare.

He said all positions would be up for grabs.

“In the MDC-T, it is not an offence to contest, so those who are hopeful and qualify are allowed to contest,” Mwonzora said.

Party insiders told NewsDay that the announcement by Mwonzora has set the stage for elections expected to ensure that Khupe and party chairperson Morgen Komichi, who have an uneasy relationship with Mwonzora are ousted.

“Congress is being pushed just a few days before what will be crucial by-elections, the target mainly is to deal with Khupe and her team of Khalipani Phugeni and Chief Ndlovu. These people have been seen as enemies of Mwonzora and they will be fired by the electorate,” said a highly placed source.

We will tell you why Zanu PF & Zanu PF Lite are so desperate for Chamisa to announce a new name. For now what you need to know is that Chamisa, as the antithesis of Zanu PF and its surrogate, must never do what those clueless formations will him to do. It’s that straightforward.

— Thabani Mpofu (@adv_fulcrum) January 13, 2022

At Harare Central Police Station, @PoliceZimbabwe is yet to advise @ARTUZ_teachers leaders & members of the charges they are preferring against them since they were arrested Wednesday. Our lawyers are currently attending to them at the police station.

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) January 13, 2022

By A Correspondent- Renovations at Manama Mission Hospital where infrastructure and buildings were extensively damaged by a violent storm late last year are nearing completion following the erection of a new roof.

Government allocated $28 million for repairs and upgrading of Manama Hospital after noting that all the institution’s infrastructure does not meet modern health care standards.

Roofs of several wards that include the maternity ward were blown off following heavy rains accompanied by strong winds.

The infrastructure damage is estimated at US$40 000.

Treasury initially released $8 million to repair the damaged infrastructure, but later availed more funds to upgrade the entire hospital infrastructure, which is in a poor state.

According to The Chronicle, the affected ward now has a new roof but the ceilings, plumbing, painting, flooring and electricals are yet to be completed.

Matabeleland South Provincial Public Works director Mr Sijabuliso Ncube said despite being on leave, he is aware that significant progress had been made towards completing repairs at the hospital.

“We have put up the roof on the affected ward and will soon be doing the finishing touches.

Now that the roof is done, we will be putting up the ceilings, electricals, painting and other repair work,” said Mr Ncube.

The strong winds and heavy rains, which hit Manama area, also left the hospital without electricity after solar panels were damaged, affecting water storage tanks and telecommunication cables, resulting in the suspension of critical services.

The suspended services include the expanded programme of immunisation (EPI), maternity delivery services, postnatal care services, isolation of Covid-19 positive mothers, antenatal care services and integrated management of neonatal, childhood illnesses and mortuary services.

Matabeleland South provincial medical director Dr Rudo Chikodzero said the hospital has had to make do with the current infrastructure to accommodate patients.

“The female patients are still having to share space with patients from other wards, as we await completion of the hospital repairs,” said Dr Chikodzero.

Four departments were extremely affected, leaving the hospital operating with just four wards, which accommodate all the admitted patients.

Media personality Dr Omphile Marupi, who was born at the hospital, co-ordinated a fundraising drive under the banner of Friends of Manama last year to help repair the health facility.

Friends of Manama brought together teachers, academics, businesspeople, politicians, service chiefs and ordinary people associated with the hospital in one way or the other.

Manama Mission Hospital was built in 1939 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ) using farm bricks and its roofing is a combination of corrugated iron and asbestos.

It is located 85km south of Gwanda town and has a catchment population of 82 500 based on the 1992 census.

The hospital mainly services the population of Gwanda South and Beitbridge West.

It also acts as a referral hospital for other parts of Beitbridge District, Maphisa, Kezi, parts of Mberengwa and Botswana.

Mrs Medeline Nare, a villager from the Manama area, said they were anxious to see the affected ward up and running again as the hospital has been a mainstay of their community.

“We’re happy that the hospital is being renovated and hope that the repairs will be completed soon.

It’s not good to have a hospital in such a state; the patients are not comfortable where they are now,” said Mrs Nare.

–statemedia

By A Correspondent- Two suspected poachers who were found in possession of 15 kilograms  of ivory were arrested  and dragged to court yesterday. 

James Ngocho (37) and Peacewell Muranganwa (26) pleaded not guilty to the charge before Guruve magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa.

Mugwagwa remanded them  in custody to January  19 for trial.

The state alleges on January 4 the Muranganwa approached an undercover officer from the international  Organisation  in Harare with the intention of selling ivory which was in Guruve.

The two travelled to Guruve the following  day and along the way they picked a Zimpark Wildlife Officer who was also under cover and the second accomplice Ngocho.

The suspects  led the officers into a tobacco barn were three pieces of ivory weighing a total of 15kilograms were kept.

The officers produced their identity  cards and arrested the duo.

The  ivory is  worth US$2 567.

By A Correspondent- At least 45 divorce cases have been filed at the High Court this month, and one of the disgruntled divorce applicants is the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) executive chairman Sydney Gata.

The High Court’s Family Court in Harare will this Thursday hear a total of 22 divorce cases.

According to official statistics, 1 351 couples filed for divorce last year, an increase from 1 117 cases handled in 2020.

Gata is one of the prominent figures who have filed for divorce. He is divorcing his wife, Ntombana R. Gata (nee) Mogomoza.

Details regarding the couple’s breakup were not readily available, but the matter is already before the High Court.

One Hansen Inkope, who is divorcing his wife Farirai, has already appeared in court and the divorce case became the second to be filed at the High Court this year.

Popular bus operator, Decent Rimbi of Rimbi Travel and Tours is also going through a nasty process of divorcing his wife, Everjoice Rimbi (nee) Sithole. However, Decent has been barred by the courts from disposing of the couple’s property before the finalisation of the matter at the High Court.

The court heard Rimbi had rushed to court soon after the couple’s fallout and filed for divorce. He filed for divorce after his wife hired thugs to assault his girlfriend.

The businessman also instructed his security guards to bar his estranged wife from accessing the company offices and property.

However, Everjoice filed an urgent chamber application in December last year, seeking an interdict against her husband. She is claiming she helped Decent to build the business empire from scratch.

The High Court ruled in favour of Everjoice and ordered that no assets should be disposed of until the divorce case is finalised.

“It is hereby declared that the applicant as co-owner, co-shareholder and co-director has the right to remuneration, profits, and use of the union and company assets pending determination of divorce proceedings…first respondent (Decent) to pay costs of this suit,” the provisional judgment reads.

“The first respondent and all those acting through him be and are hereby barred and interdicted from preventing applicant or her duly authorised representative from accessing company premises…and using the motor vehicle…the first respondent and all those acting through him are barred and interdicted from taking any money from the business’s revenue without the involvement and consent of the applicant.”

Everjoice wants equal entitlement to the couple’s houses in New Marimba, Marlborough, and Glen View 1 Extension all in Harare. She also wants unfettered ownership of the company’s 10 buses that are currently being shipped from China, 16 buses plying different routes in Zimbabwe, a road tanker, tractor, several trailers, and light vehicles.

Other couples are also divorcing for various reasons, but the majority of them are due to infidelity.

By- A make or break meeting between Government and civil servants’ union leaders failed to kick off yesterday as representatives could not connect on Zoom due to connectivity and power challenges and employees have since requested to meet on Friday.

The parties were yesterday expected to hold a National Joint Negotiating Committee (NJNC) meeting to deliberate on the welfare of Government workers.
They were supposed to meet for the first time this year during an indaba that was expected to lay the guiding framework of how public sector wages and living conditions will be made better throughout the year.
Government has since said it will be paying its employees Covid-19 allowances in foreign currency.

Civil servants will receive their US$75 monthly Covid-19 risk allowance in cash as well as pensioners their US$30 allowances. In 2021, Government paid bonuses in US dollars.
In an interview, Apex Council president Mrs Cecilia Alexander: “There were connectivity problems so we failed to communicate smoothly so given the importance of the meeting and the level of interaction, we the workers side have requested for a physical meeting on Friday.”
Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions secretary-general Mr David Dzatsunga said key speakers could not contribute.
“The meeting could not take off because of connectivity challenges that we experienced, especially by some of the key speakers who could not connect.

We then agreed that maybe we should have a special arrangement that we have an in-person meeting, if possible,” said Mr Dzatsunga.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) proposed to Government to pay workers in foreign currency, suggesting that the lowest paid worker should get US$671.
According to the Zimta position paper on salary review for the first quarter of 2022, this was necessitated by the “decimation of salaries and allowances for teachers in particular and civil servants in general”.
In its list of demands, Zimta said they could accept that half their salary be paid in US dollars and the other in local currency.
“The lowest grade civil servant is paid US$671, gross salary.
Or that, alternatively, that all workers at least be paid fifty percent (50%) of the improved salary in USD, with the balance paid in ZWL.

Or alternatively that all civil servants be paid their improved salary in USD every quarter,” read the position paper.
Last month, civil servants said they hoped Government would accede to their request for salaries to be paid in foreign currency as the country starts a new year saying this will improve their standards of living.
Government employees said at that time that payment of bonuses in foreign currency has given them hope for a better 2022.
Government paid workers bonuses in foreign currency as a way of cushioning them from an inflationary environment.

-State media

By-MDC-Alliance President has reached at least 1 million followers on his tweeter handle.

Chamisa said these would be converted into votes in the next year’s elections.
He posted on the same platform:

Wow!! We have done it. We have hit the mark and reached a milestone. We’re now 900 000. Almost getting to a million. Thank you, friends. Thank you family. God bless you!

Wow!! We have done it. We have hit the mark and reached a milestone. We’re now 900 000. Almost getting to a million. Thank you friends. Thank you family. God bless you! pic.twitter.com/1OlpDIfUOR

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) January 13, 2022

B-A Bulawayo man who has made his mother’s life a living hell by having noisy s*x has appeared in court.

The man’s mother, Loveness Makonye (58) of Entumbane suburb, revealed that she hardly sleeps as her son, Talent Makonye (29), frequently hires sex workers and has noisy s*x with them.

Makonye described her son as a s*x maniac who hardly lets a day pass by without disturbing her peace. Attempts to make him change his ways have been abortive as Talent turns violent and insults her.

He told her she has no right to reprimand him as the house belongs to his late father.

In her affidavit, she said: “I am applying for a protection order against my son Talent.
Whenever he is from drinking alcohol, he would bring a lady and they would start making noise during their s*x sessions thereby disturbing my peace. When I try to warn him against disturbing my peace he would shout at me.
At one point I knocked at his door, he then opened the door while hurling insults at me. He then assaulted me saying I’m disturbing him. I have engaged his uncle to talk to him, but he does not reform.”
The presiding magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube granted Makonye a protection order against her son. Talent was ordered to refrain from bringing his lovers home. He was also ordered not to physically and verbally abuse his mother.

By- A Kariba is receiving medication in Zambia after being attacked by three crocodiles on Lake Kariba shores last Thursday.

Alexander Chimedza has since been taken to Zambia for medication after suffering a broken hand, injured thighs and broken fingers in the fight that also claimed the life of one crocodile.

Alexander Chimedza before the mishap

Speaking to H-Metro, Chimedza’s wife Primrose Madufu, 23, said she had heard of the mishap after her husband had already been taken to the hospital.

“Chimedza was looking for worms to use in fishing around 8am on the banks of the dam when the crocodiles attacked him.

“He managed to put his hand in the mouth of one of the crocodiles and hit died,” said Madufu.

She said her husband was taken to Zambia on Monday where he is being treated as well as having skin grafted to other parts that were seriously injured.

“Chimedza was taken to Zambia where he is having skin grafting.

“He is responding well from the medication and procedure being taken by the medical staff where he is being treated,” said Madufu.

-State media 

By A Gokwe-bound CAG bus rammed into the back of a kombi that was travelling in the same direction along the Gokwe-Siyabuwa road, killing a female passenger on the spot while five others were injured.

Midlands Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the accident which occurred on Wednesday morning.

He said the driver of a kombi which was travelling to Gokwe reduced speed intending to turn right at an intersection when it was hit in the back by the bus which was also headed towards Gokwe town. Said Insp. Mahoko:

The bus which was being driven by one Rufaro Charangwa (42) rammed into the back of the kombi, killing a female passenger on the spot.

Five other people in the kombi were injured and were taken to Gokwe District Hospital.

More: The Herald

By- Seventeen (17) have been killed, while eight (8) others were injured in a horrific road traffic accident in South Africa’s Limpopo Province.

A 22-seater bus collided head-on collision with a Toyota SUV on the N1 near Mookgophong off-ramp in Limpopo on Tuesday night resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.

Limpopo Transport and Community Safety spokesperson Mike Maringa confirmed the incident, saying 17 occupants of the bus, including the driver, were burnt to death. Said Maringa:

The bus burst into flames and 17 occupants trapped inside, including the driver were burnt to death. The driver of the SUV was also killed on impact.

Eight people survived, six are seriously injured and two escaped with minor injuries.

It is alleged that the driver of the Toyota SUV lost control of the vehicle due to a burst tyre resulting in the collision.

Meanwhile, Limpopo Transport and Community Safety MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya consoled the affected families and wished speedy recovery to the survivors.

More: IOL

A Bulawayo man who has made his mother’s life a living hell by having noisy s*x has appeared in court.

The man’s mother, Loveness Makonye (58) of Entumbane suburb, revealed that she hardly sleeps as her son, Talent Makonye (29), frequently hires sex workers and has noisy s*x with them.

Makonye described her son as a s*x maniac who hardly lets a day pass by without disturbing her peace. Attempts to make him change his ways have been abortive as Talent turns violent and insults her.

He told her she has no right to reprimand him as the house belongs to his late father.

In her affidavit, she said: “I am applying for a protection order against my son Talent.
Whenever he is from drinking alcohol, he would bring a lady and they would start making noise during their s*x sessions thereby disturbing my peace. When I try to warn him against disturbing my peace he would shout at me.
At one point I knocked at his door, he then opened the door while hurling insults at me. He then assaulted me saying I’m disturbing him. I have engaged his uncle to talk to him, but he does not reform.”
The presiding magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube granted Makonye a protection order against her son. Talent was ordered to refrain from bringing his lovers home. He was also ordered not to physically and verbally abuse his mother.

By A Correspondent- Bulawayo comedian Zex Mdawini Sibanda was reportedly assaulted last week on a Zupco bus after he joked about lodgers in a manner which did not go down well with some of the passengers.

Sibanda throws jokes in public while recording them before circulating the audios or videos on social media platforms.

Most of his jokes have gone viral, but last Thursday it was a different story altogether when the comic tried to entertain passengers travelling to Old Pumula, his residential area.

In one of the audios, Sibanda could be heard saying: “Hallo, eh Gumede, NguMdawini ulandlord wakho. Bengisithi izolo laphana ngikunika ama articles of co-existing rules and regulations, ezokuhlala koMdawini residence, ngikhohlwe umthetho oyione, ngicela ukungezelela. Wena irent oyibhadalayo ngeyomduli, letoilet, lamanzi lamagetsi fullstop. Kumafruits awungeni. Ngithi ezihlahleni zami zamagwava lamamengo awungeni Gumede. Ngoba wabhadalela ukuzohlala awubhadalelanga ukuzokudla, ngilamanga?,” which could loosely be translated to say: “Hello Gumede, it’s Mdawini your landlord. I was saying yesterday when I gave you the articles of co-existing, rules and regulations for residing at Mdawini residence, I forgot one rule I want to add it. The rent that you are paying is for the walls, toilet, water and electricity. You must not touch my fruit trees. I mean my guava and mango trees, you must not touch, because you paid for residence, not to eat. Am I lying?)

Sibanda said as he did his antics, it so happened that there was a Gumede on the bus and he and his colleagues felt offended.

The angry Gumede and his friends accused Sibanda of influencing landlords to increase rentals.

“During the show, some three guys started an argument with me saying I influenced their landlords to increase rentals in Pumula,” Sibanda said.

“I thought it was all in the name of humour, but one guy who identified himself as Gumede stood up and assaulted me.”

Sibanda said he tried to defend himself but was overpowered by the trio and was rescued by other passengers.

However, the comedian said he did not report the matter to the police because the assault was an occupational hazard.

He said his skit was meant to entertain the public and was not personal

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa says he is ready to “crush the head of the snake.”

Zanu PF leader Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC-T’s Douglas Mwonzora are conspiring to pull down President Chamisa before the coming polls.

The two politicians are afraid of President Chamisa’s rising influence and they are working tirelessly to block him from participating in electoral processes.

However, President Chamisa has pointed out that he is aware of his political opponents’ tactics.

“I generally dislike snakes. Snakes are poisonous and venomous .

And I’m determined to crush the head of any snake absolutely and completely. Good morning friends,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.

Political observers argue Mr Mnangagwa and Mr Mwonzora have one thing in common- both men are quaking in their boots as they are afraid of being defeated by President Chamisa in the 2023 Presidential Election.

By A Gokwe-bound CAG bus rammed into the back of a kombi that was travelling in the same direction along the Gokwe-Siyabuwa road, killing a female passenger on the spot while five others were injured.

Midlands Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the accident which occurred on Wednesday morning.

He said the driver of a kombi which was travelling to Gokwe reduced speed intending to turn right at an intersection when it was hit in the back by the bus which was also headed towards Gokwe town. Said Insp. Mahoko:

The bus which was being driven by one Rufaro Charangwa (42) rammed into the back of the kombi, killing a female passenger on the spot.

Five other people in the kombi were injured and were taken to Gokwe District Hospital.

More: The Herald

By- Latest details on the Monday ouster from the cabinet of the State Security Minister, Owen Mudha Ncube, revealed that he was fired on the instigation of the newly installed Zanu PF Midlands provincial chairman Larry Mavhima.

According to NewZimbabwe.com, Mavhima held a three-hour-long meeting with Mnangagwa at his Pricabe Farm in Kwekwe last Sunday, where he complained about Mudha’s violent behaviour.

The news portal said Mavima sought an emergency meeting with Mnangagwa intending to resign from the chairmanship after an aborted Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting in Gweru the day before.

The meeting was abandoned after Ncube threatened to assault Public Service Minister Paul Mavima and Gokwe Nembudziya legislator Justice Mayor Wadyajena during the proceedings.

Ncube had also bussed machete-wielding thugs to surround the venue of the meeting to intimidate his opponents.

During the meeting with Mnangagwa, Mavima (Larry), reportedly said he could not work with Mudha because of his violent tendencies.

Mavima is reported to have told Mnangagwa that numerous provincial leaders were considering leaving the party because of Ncube’s conduct. Said a ZANU PF insider:

What happened is that after the Saturday fiasco at the PCC meeting, some senior ZANU PF members advised Mavhima to go straight to the president and give him a full report of what transpired.

And so on Sunday, he went to the president’s farm and they spent about three hours conversing about the issues.

The message he carried to the president was simple and clear: nobody was able to work with Mudha anymore.

So it was a question of either to retain Mudha and risk dismantling the province or sack him and save the situation. Any leader in that situation would decide the way that ED did.

You should visit the province and see how excited people are about this development.

In fact, this axe had been hanging over his head since last year when he started deploying some CIO (Central Intelligence Organisation) operatives and machete gangs to harass his rivals in a bid to win the provincial chairmanship position which he wanted.

So basically, the man had the rug proverbially pulled off his feet and when the province decided that Mavhima should be the unopposed chairman, he resorted to fighting for his proxies who were seeking other positions through violence and intimidation.

The situation had become very tricky and the President really faced the inevitable choice of having to fire him.

But he was not working alone. He was working in direct consultation with July Moyo, who leads a faction in the province that wants to dominate affairs here.

It will not, therefore, be surprising to see the axe falling on him because he is basically the master controller and these are his runners.

Ncube was fired from the Government on Monday for “conduct that was deemed inappropriate for a Minister of Government”.

More: NewZimbabwe.com

By-MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has pressed the MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa to drop his party name.

Mwonzora has done this by writing to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, advising them that no other party should use MDC-Alliance in any election. 

Mwonzora announced this ahead of the March 26 by-elections in which MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa intends to participate. 

Below is Mwonzora’s letter to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission blocking Chamisa from using the name MDC-Alliance:

Re: Signatories for Candidates For the Movement for Democratic Change

We advise that in the forthcoming by-elections we intend to field candidates in Parliament and Local Government. We are the owners of the Movement for Democratic Change name. Over the years there has had so many derivatives put on it. However, the leadership of this party was defined by the Supreme Court in the judgment in SC 56/20. Pursuant to this judgment the party held its Extraordinary Congress on the 27’h of December 2020 where I was elected the substantive President of the Party. By virtue of the Composite Political Agreement signed on the 5’h of August 2017 and the subsequent meetings of the MDC Alliance, I assumed the leadership of the MDC Alliance.

We, therefore, advise that our signatories for the candidates of the Movement for Democratic Change and its derivatives in the coming elections and by-elections are:

Douglas Togaraseyi Mwonzora — President 

Morgen Komichi — National Chairman 

Paurina Mpariwa — Secretary-General 

Ghandi Mudzingwa — Secretary for Elections

We advise that no one else is allowed to sign for and present candidates for and on behalf of the MDC, any of its derivatives and the MDC Alliance.

We attach hereto the relevant signature forms for your information. 1 also attach the constitution of the MDC, the Supreme Court judgment and the Alliance Agreement.

By- Chief Musarurwa, born Enos Musakwa (52), appeared in court on Tuesday facing two counts of attempted rape involving a 14-year-old girl.

The minor told the court that the traditional leader cornered and fondled her in an attempt to rape her.

Musarurwa, who is being represented by Norman Mugiya of Mugiya and Muvhimi Associates appeared before Chivhu Provincial Magistrate Batanai Madzinhira.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Musarurwa is denying the allegations, claiming that he spent the month of September 2020 in Harare.

The traditional leader also said he is a victim of a border dispute between himself and Chief Chivese.

In the second count, Musarurwa admitted to visiting the complainant’s place on 9 August 2021 but said he had gone to see Jacob Tsodzo (father of the complainant) who was not feeling well.

Musarurwa said he was asked to talk to the girl who had allegedly become a problem in the community.

Meanwhile, the case was reported six months ago and it took many complaints from the parents before Chivhu Police brought it to court.

Corence Chimbadzwa represented the State. The case was postponed to 14 January 2022 for the continuation of trial.

More: The Mirror

By- Harare Magistrate Mrs Gloria Takundwa has deferred the matter of MDC Alliance’s Harare West MP Joana Mamombe and activist Cecilia Chimbiri to February 10 for a possible trial date.

Mamombe and Chimbiri are facing allegations of staging an illegal demonstration in breach of Covid-19 regulations banning gatherings.
However, Mamombe and Chimbiri put the State on notice that if it fails to furnish them with a trial date on the next sitting they will apply for refusal of further remand.

The two activists were arrested after holding a news conference on the steps of the Harare Magistrates Court denouncing the arrest of pro-democracy campaigner Makomborero Haruzivishe.

-Herald

By- MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has written to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission advising them that no other party should use the name MDC-Alliance in any election. 

Mwonzora announced this ahead of the March 26 by-elections in which MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa intends to participate. 

Below is Mwonzora’s letter to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission blocking Chamisa from using the name MDC-Alliance:

Re: Signatories for Candidates For the Movement for Democratic Change

We advise that in the forthcoming by-elections we intend to field candidates in Parliament and Local Government. We are the owners of the Movement for Democratic Change name. Over the years there has had so many derivatives put on it. However, the leadership of this party was defined by the Supreme Court in the judgment in SC 56/20. Pursuant to this judgment the party held its Extraordinary Congress on the 27’h of December 2020 where I was elected the substantive President of the Party. By virtue of the Composite Political Agreement signed on the 5’h of August 2017 and the subsequent meetings of the MDC Alliance, I assumed the leadership of the MDC Alliance.

We, therefore, advise that our signatories for the candidates of the Movement for Democratic Change and its derivatives in the coming elections and by-elections are:

Douglas Togaraseyi Mwonzora — President 

Morgen Komichi — National Chairman 

Paurina Mpariwa — Secretary-General 

Ghandi Mudzingwa — Secretary for Elections

We advise that no one else is allowed to sign for and present candidates for and on behalf of the MDC, any of its derivatives and the MDC Alliance.

We attach hereto the relevant signature forms for your information. 1 also attach the constitution of the MDC, the Supreme Court judgment and the Alliance Agreement.