By- Dear colleagues, fellow journalist Mary Taruvinga requires urgent surgery to remove some growth that has developed in her sinuses and drain some fluids that are building up in her left ear.

She has been battling unending headaches and earaches and has been in and out of hospital since last November.

Recently, scans showed that she has some fluids and swelling inside her head.

Doctors have recommended urgent surgery. Kindly find it in your heart to stretch the little you have.

It will go a long way to get her surgery done.

For USD contribution, get in touch with Vivian Mugarisi +263779215530
Ecocash send to ….. Mary Taruvinga +263773459043
@mariah Taruvinga

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

A Gutu family remained stuck with a devouring python for over 3 days last week as the National Parks And Wildlife failed to come remove the animal, Masvingo Mirror reports with video below…

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has described Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “hotchpotch” economic policies as desperate measures calculated to confuse citizens.

President Chamisa also exposed Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube’s policy naivety.

“This policy hotchpotch is a disaster! We advised them to dollarise but they didn’t listen.

Trying to reinforce dedollarization by allowing some taxes & fees to be paid in ZWL using threshold defined here whilst myopically & stubbornly holding on to the USD is policy naivety.

Civil servants must be paid in USD. If government has faith in ZWL it must allow all govt fees & taxes which include toll fees and passport fees and taxes to be in ZWL simple,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has described Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “hotchpotch” economic policies as desperate measures calculated to confuse citizens.

President Chamisa also exposed Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube’s policy naivety.

“This policy hotchpotch is a disaster! We advised them to dollarise but they didn’t listen.

Trying to reinforce dedollarization by allowing some taxes & fees to be paid in ZWL using threshold defined here whilst myopically & stubbornly holding on to the USD is policy naivety.

Civil servants must be paid in USD. If government has faith in ZWL it must allow all govt fees & taxes which include toll fees and passport fees and taxes to be in ZWL simple,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

By A Correspondent- A 23-year-old Harare woman, Esther Mugurapfuwa has been charged for her role in the rape of another woman.

It is alleged that Mugurapfuwa took the complainant to her house in Kuwadzana where her male friend was waiting for them, locked the complainant and her accomplice in a room where she was raped.

The accused was allegedly paid 10 United States dollars by her alleged accomplice after the act.

The complainant reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused but the suspected rapist is still at large.

More: ZBC News

By A Correspondent- CCCT Secretary-General Chalton Hwende has opened up on his alleged abduction.

There were reports that Hwende was on Saturday abducted by state agents in Chitungwiza.

Responding to the message, Hwende said it was a fake distress call.

“My daughter has just informed me that there is a message circulating alleging that I have been abducted. This is false l have been freely moving around constituencies in Harare monitoring voter registration. The focus is on getting 6 million votes for Nelson Chamisa,” he said.

By A Correspondent- A Harare man has appeared before the courts facing attempted murder charges after allegedly assaulting his seven-year-old son before melting plastic residue all over his body.

Austin Kapulula aged 30 was not asked to plead when he appeared in court and was remanded in custody to the 15th of this month.

The court heard that Kapulula locked his son in the house before he was forced to open the door by the police after neighbours called law enforcement agents.

The motivation behind the assault is not clear. 

The boy is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at Sally Mugabe Hospital in Harare.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Former Deputy Prime Minister, Thokozani Khupe, has announced a new slogan in which she urges members of the public not to vote for the ruling ZANU PF and opposition MDC-T led by Senator Douglas Mwonzora.

Announcing the slogan for the MDC-T faction she leads, Khupe said:

Our slogan going forward is going to be #Beat The Pot: Stop Discrimination Against Women Because Women Can’t Breathe; Don’t vote for ZANU PF, Don’t vote for Mwonzora.

By A Correspondent- A 32-year-old man from Ntabazinduna died after being assaulted after he had proposed love to a 12-year-old girl.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), which is already seized with the matter, said they have since arrested Busani Ncube (40) and Hloniphani Ndlovu (37) in connection with the murder case that occurred on the 2nd of February 2022 at Mavolontiya Village, Ntabazinduna.

The suspects tied the victim, Marvelous Nzima (32) with a rope, before taking turns to assault him with a sjambok after the victim had proposed love to Busani Ncube’s granddaughter (12).

The victim died whilst admitted at Ntabazinduna Clinic on 03/02/22.

In a different case, police in Gokwe are investigating circumstances surrounding a case of murder that occurred on 2 February 2022 at Nyandoro Village, Nembudziya.

It is reported that a 43-year-old man is suspected to have struck dead his daughter (14) and son (07) with an axe over an unknown reason.- ZRP/ Pindula News

When I passed by Bastian Mafio's place in Gutu on my way to the funeral of Nyasha Zhambe Mawere, he ran away. Nyasha was his murder victim.

I shouted at him that he will die nengozi. He thought it was a joke. Where is he nw. Dead.

U don't kill & expect pple to fold their arms.

— HON Job Wiwa Sikhala (@JobSikhala1) February 6, 2022

By A Correspondent- The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has condemned alleged politically motivated violence by ZANU PF activists targeting opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporters in Kwekwe on Friday.

Reports suggest that ZANU PF supporters assaulted the driver of the CCC candidate for Kwekwe Central, Judith Tobaiwa, and removed campaign posters from Tobaiwa’s vehicle. CiZC said in a statement:

As the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, we are concerned that this interparty violence, ahead of the March 26 by-elections, points to bloody elections in 2023.

We are disturbed that despite assurances of a new dispensation, ZANU PF has continued to use violence and coercion during elections.

CiZC has called for peace and tolerance among political parties to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

The civic organisation also urged ZANU PF to desist from terror and shock tactics during elections. It added:

We implore the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to work with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to investigate this case of political violence without fear or favour and bring the perpetrators to book.

It is disturbing that ZANU PF militia continues to act with impunity and this has been fuelling violence against opposition supporters over the years.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission ZHRC) must investigate all cases of politically motivated violence ahead of the March 26 by-elections and proffer recommendations that would lead to peace during election time.

CiZC said it is worried by ZANU PF’s penchant for violence, saying the former liberation movement is now behaving worse than the apartheid supremacist Rhodesian government.- Pindula News

President you won Presidential vote by 73.8% in 2008 but you chose to save peoples lives. You settled for National Dialogue to Confrontation and formed a GNU. Zimbabweans shall always remember YOU!!! pic.twitter.com/804usMTUPc

— Morgen Komichi-MDCt (@MKomichi) February 6, 2022

By A Correspondent- Retired army boss Lt. Gen Engelbert Rugeje sank into political oblivion following his dismissal from the position of national political commissar soon after the 2018 general elections regained clout following the taking over Masvingo province by a faction allegedly aligned to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga recently.

Rugeje has been passive and hardly given chance to address members of the party during Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meetings in Masvingo.

However, the recently held PCC at Victoria Junior School saw a rejuvenated Rugeje speaking authoritatively and stamping authority on various issues that were raised during the meeting.

The new provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa also publicly showed unwavering allegiance to Rugeje, addressing him as ‘Sir’ all the time.

Rugeje overshadowed even Lovemore Matuke, the most senior politburo member in the province, during the meeting.

“The politburo said they have endorsed Masvingo results. This means the new leadership is the one recognised now. I hear, see, receive phone calls and messages from other people suggesting there will be changes but that will never happen.

“Let us not waste time thinking the chairperson and his team will be removed and get another one. There is nothing like that,” said Rugeje, authoritatively.

The former army boss however, gave a hint that Mavhenyengwa should consider not seeking re-election after his term as he might also want to be the next chair.

“Chairman, I have congratulated you. You will lead us for the next four years. I am a very honest person so let me tell you: yours are only four years. If you want to continue then that’s another issue because I may also want to contest for the position,” Rugeje said.

“A person is given his time, have to work within the stipulated time and give others a chance. Let me reiterate that, no one is given a position for a lifetime like a Chief,” he emphasised.

Sources within Zanu PF said Rugeje had been a spent force politically but bounced back and is now powerful owing to his ties with Chiwenga.

“Rugeje is now powerful. He has been silent since he was dismissed but now has bounced back. The way Mavhenyengwa continuously addressed him as ‘Sir’ shows that he is now a power to reckon with,” said the source.

Chiwenga has lately been a regular visitor to Masvingo province. Last year he came for the national clean-up, a week before the provincial elections that were held on December 28, 2021 and on February 2, 2022 for the World Wetlands Day commemorations, a development which has been interpreted by many as a way of strengthening his grip on the province which has remained the ‘boiling pot’ of Zimbabwean politics.

Rugeje went on to warn former Provincial Political Commissar Jeppy Jaboon whom the PCC recommended for his welcome in the party against contesting for any post before the stipulated time (five years) lapsed.

“There are others who have been welcomed back into the party, we would want to follow the regulations and they cannot hold any post ahead of those who have been loyal to the party,” said Rugeje.

“The Chiwenga faction wants to consolidate its grip on the province through incorporating militant characters like Jaboon who would make the task easier. They also want to use him to fight Energy Mutodi who is eyeing Bikita South seat, threatening the incumbent Josiah Sithole,” said a party source. TellZimNews

Africa needs leaders who stand up for their people. Only when Africa stands united will our continent prosper.

Thank you Prime Minister @AbiyAhmedAli for todays discussion. Ethiopia has a true friend in Zimbabwe ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/35NkiNlUJr

— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) February 6, 2022

A 32-year-old man from Ntabazinduna died after being assaulted after he had proposed love to a 12-year-old girl.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), which is already seized with the matter, said they have since arrested Busani Ncube (40) and Hloniphani Ndlovu (37) in connection with the murder case that occurred on the 2nd of February 2022 at Mavolontiya Village, Ntabazinduna.

The suspects tied the victim, Marvelous Nzima (32) with a rope, before taking turns to assault him with a sjambok after the victim had proposed love to Busani Ncube’s granddaughter (12).

The victim died whilst admitted at Ntabazinduna Clinic on 03/02/22.

In a different case, police in Gokwe are investigating circumstances surrounding a case of murder that occurred on 2 February 2022 at Nyandoro Village, Nembudziya.

It is reported that a 43-year-old man is suspected to have struck dead his daughter (14) and son (07) with an axe over an unknown reason.- ZRP/ Pindula News

By A Correspondent- The High Court has granted a provisional order barring the holding of by-elections to election a substantive councillor for Ward 3 in Bulawayo after former Deputy Mayor, Tinashe Kambarami challenged his recall.

In June last year, Kambarami was in the eye of a storm when he turned up at a full council meeting demanding that he be recognised as the Deputy Mayor following his acquittal by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court had reinstated the former Ward 3 councillor as Deputy Mayor in May, but the ruling was of no effect as he was recalled by the MDC-T.

In the latest order issued last week, High Court Judge Justice Maxwell Takuva ordered that a by-election cannot be declared until the finalisation of the High Court application challenging his recall.

Mr Kambarami had cited the City of Bulawayo as the First Respondent, MDC-T (second respondent), Minister of Local Government and Public Works (third respondent), President Mnangagwa (fourth respondent), the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (fifth respondent) and Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube as the sixth respondent. Reads the order by Justice Takuva:

Pending the finalisation of the application for a declaratur in case number HC 989/21, 5th Respondent be and is hereby interdicted from proclaiming or announcing a date for holding by–election for Ward 3 in Bulawayo.

ZEC, last month, had already withdrawn the notice of a by-election at the ward after noting the urgent chamber application challenging the existence of the vacancy.

In his challenge against the recall, Kambarami who is being represented by Mr Maqhawe Mpofu of Samp Mlaudzi and Partners, argues that when he was recalled he was not a councillor so the move was not of any effect.

He said a letter he received on 11 September 2020, did not say that he was being recalled, “it merely said we were expelled.”

He further claimed he was not aware of his expulsion and has never been served with a letter informing him of his expulsion.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF bigwigs accused of rigging January provincial elections have embarked on a witch-hunt to silence dissent in lower structures as infighting in the ruling party boils over following the disputed polls.

But the targeted members are hitting back at the party bigwigs, threatening to expose a choreographed plan to seize the structures and topple President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the December elective congress in favour of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga.

In provinces such as Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Manicaland and Mashonaland  ast and Mashonaland Central, there are rumblings of anger following the disputed polls, with disgruntled members warning that Mnangagwa will be the biggest loser, if he fails to step in.

“The five million votes that the president wants here in Matabeleland North, he won’t get anything because of the provincial coordinator.

“He is killing the party,” said a Zanu-PF district official in an audio obtained by The Standard.

“We have done door to door campaigns recruiting people, but at the end you have those people removed from the register.

“The president is not aware that these people and top party officials in the province are removing people from the register to put their people to make it easy to remove him.”

In Binga, party members have expressed the desire to pass a vote of no confidence against provincial chairperson Richard Moyo on allegations that his “team” was involved in massive rigging in the polls.

Moyo is accused of working with Zanu-PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu to undermine the wishes of the people.

The Provincial Affairs minister defeated Believe Gaule Ncube in the provincial polls.

Ncube is said to be a loyalist of Mnangagwa and his supporters say the provincial elections were rigged as part of the alleged plot against the Zanu-PF leader.

In Bulawayo, chairperson Jabulani Sibanda is also under fire on charges of promoting “factionalism” since he was elected into the post weeks ago.

In 2019, Sibanda, a former war veterans’ leader was barred from contesting the Bulawayo chairperson’s post following opposition from some officials in the province, who said he was not in their structures.

In Manicaland, provincial chairperson Mike Madiro is allegedly going for the kill in his “witch-hunt” against perceived rivals, including his main challenger Albert Nyakuedzwa in the provincial polls.

Nyakuedzwa, a Makoni district coordinating committee (DCC) chairperson,  has now been summoned to appear before a disciplinary committee tomorrow charged with fuelling factionalism among other charges.

On January 29, Nyakuedzwa was slapped with prohibition orders alongside his suspected allies in the DCC.

The letter was signed by the secretary of the Zanu-PF provincial disciplinary committee Misheck Mugadza.

Nyakuedzwa lost narrowly to Madiro, but he has accused the latter of vote rigging.

Other party members, who will appear before the disciplinary hearing are Phillip Guyo from Buhera North and Ngonidzashe Mudekunye from Buhera South.

Mudekunye is accused of forming parallel structures in Buhera South, while Guyo is accused of challenging Willom Mutomba.

Sources in Zanu-PF told The Standard yesterday that Nyakuedzwa would be stripped of his powers as DCC chairperson, which will relegate him to an ordinary card-carrying member.

“Madiro is going for the kill, he is aware that if he silences Nyakuedzwa it will be a chilling warning to other perceived rivals in the province,” said the source

Another source said there is an attempt to throw Nyakuedzwa into the political “dustbin”.

Madiro is said to be grooming his loyalist Tawanda Mukodza whom he appointed as his deputy.

Mukodza is the former Manicaland youth leader.

Another source added that Madiro’s  attempts to silence critics will backfire against him.

“Remember Nyakuedzwa had good votes, he was defeated with few votes, so Madiro should lead a healing process instead of what he is doing.

“It will be difficult to reach the five million votes,” he added.

Madiro confirmed that the province has moved in to stop dissent, which he described as gangsterism.

“Should I simply watch when there is indiscipline in the party?

“We need to act on such indiscipline. As a party we don’t allow thuggerism and gangsterism,” Madiro said.

In Mashonaland East, provincial chairperson Daniel Garwe, who is also a minister of National Housing admitted the chaos in the cell structures in some districts.

“We have cell registers that are in bad shape and we need to correct that.

“In Murewa district there is a red flag, Marondera also has a red flag and part of Goromonzi has a red flag.

“We will correct that,” Garwe said during the provincial executive committee meeting held in Marondera.

The party held its restructuring exercise from cell to provincial level.

Vicious fights that erupted during the polls were linked to the alleged factions in Zanu-PF linked to Mnangagwa and Chiwenga ahead of the December congress that will elect new leadership for the ruling party.

The two Zanu-PF leaders have in the past dismissed reports that they were jostling for power.

Meanwhile, Zanu-PF has engaged members of the apostolic sect in Marondera to mobilise support ahead of the March 26 by-election for Marondera Central constituency.

A high-powered delegation visited an apostolic shrine in Marondera that is led by Lawrence Katsiru.

Zanu-PF boasts of support from apostolic sect members.

In his welcome address, sect leader Madzibaba Ecos Chiore told the gathering that Zanu-PF and the apostolic sect were inseparable.

Katsiru pleaded with the delegation to ensure that youths from his church benefit from government projects.

The delegation included National Housing minister and provincial chairperson Daniel Garwe, Youth deputy minister and provincial political commissar Tinoda Machakaire, provincial youth league chairperson Isaac Tasikani and Zanu-PF Marondera Central candidate Ignatius Mateveke.

Mateveke will be contesting against CCC’s candidate Caston Matewu, MDC Alliance’s Witness Muzavazi and independent candidate Carlos Pindire.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The Government will decentralise electronic passport (e-passport) application centres to all the country’s provinces by June this year.

The Bulawayo Registrar-General’s Office is already being equipped with systems capable of processing e-passport applications ahead of the roll-out over the next few weeks.

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Permanent Secretary Mr Aaron Nhepera said authorities will expeditiously decentralise the issuance of the travel documents.

“As you are aware, we engaged the Lithuanian company Garsu Pasaulis (GP) and we have been working with them on the issue of e-passports,” he said.

“Currently, work has started in Bulawayo at the Registrar-General’s Office and soon we will be moving to other provinces. We anticipate that by June we will have completed the exercise in all other provinces as well.”

After the successful roll-out of e-passports, Government’s focus has shifted to addressing challenges around the issuance of national identity cards.

“We are still having challenges with consumables for IDs,” added Mr Nhepera.

“Government decided to start with the passport issue and we will soon be moving on to identity cards.

“We have engaged GP; they will also be working with us on the IDs consumables.”

The RG will next month launch a nationwide campaign to issue civic documents.

Last year, Government and GP entered into a build, operate and transfer arrangement that will witness the Lithuanian company produce e-passports for the country.

The partnership will also see the company refurbishing provincial and district registry offices across the country as well as providing consumables for the production of IDs.

Resource constraints plaguing the RG’s Office have made it difficult for people to obtain key civic documents.

A study commissioned by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) in April 2020 focusing on access to civic documentation recommended the development of a national policy on access to documents and decentralisation of the RG’s Office.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- An American think tank on Friday added its voice to growing disquiet by Zimbabweans over resource exploitation claims by Chinese firms, following a week of deep accusations.

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) said while over US$11 billion in investment and contracts had been signed since 2005, scales were largely tipped in favour of the world power.

AEI, which spoke as Chinese firms controlling massive interests in Zimbabwe clashed with NGOs over resource plunder claims, said deals between Harare and Beijing reached US$11,64 billion last year.

This figure represented about 64,5% of Harare’s gross domestic product (GDP), estimated by the World Bank at US$18,05 billion in 2020.

AEI said of the US$11,64 billion, publicly disclosed investments and contracts worth US$1,37 billion were signed last year.

“The growing investments have not translated into any meaningful development that have benefited the citizens owing to myriad dynamics that perpetuate exploitation and extreme poverty, which include but not limited to rent-seeking, economies of affection corruption, poor negotiations by the government as well as Chinese economic and political muscle (geopolitics),” AEI said in the report titled; ‘China Global Investment Tracker’.

Chinese authorities were last week forced to wade into a standoff between Beijing’s companies operating in Zimbabwe and “superfluous” NGOs, with Beijing boasting that without the world power’s investments, Harare would be “candle lit” and struggling without internet.

China has emerged as the biggest source of investment into Zimbabwe since Harare’s diplomatic tiff with Western powers two decades ago, which led to a damaging embargo.

Despite investing the US$11,6 billion, Chinese multinationals have had a frustrating time in Zimbabwe, where they face accusations spanning from labour and human rights violations to environmental degradation, tax evasion and foreign currency externalisation.

Beijing has rebuffed the claims.

Confrontations hit tipping point last Friday after the rebuttal by 27 NGOs, who claimed, in a statement, that Chinese firms were displacing hundreds of villagers from chrome fields, gold claims and coal mines in their hunt for Zimbabwe’s mineral resources.

The Chinese embassy said the “dubious” NGOs’ combative claim “stinks of a hideous agenda from groups that make a living from political advocacy”.

“Were it not for China’s funding support and the work of Chinese companies in ICT and power generation, even the statement in question would perhaps have to be scribbled on a piece of paper, in a candle-lit room, and never find its way on a functioning internet,” Chinese diplomats said in a statement.

The embassy claimed that NGOs’ work pale into insignificance compared to 100 000 Zimbabweans employed by Chinese companies.

“Suffice to say that they are significantly outnumbered by the Zimbabwean employees working in companies established with Chinese investment and outnumbered by the ordinary Zimbabwean citizens who are benefiting from China-Zimbabwe cooperation…Chinese State-owned and private businesses have been making great contribution to the improvement of local people’s livelihoods. Dragging Chinese investors into political sideshows or making them victims of domestic political vendettas hurts the people of Zimbabwe and the development of the country as a whole. It is a way of extending sanctions by trying to force Chinese investment out of the country to make Zimbabwe more vulnerable,” added the embassy.

But as the standoff continued, the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (Zimcodd) separately argued that China was the beneficiary of the two countries’ economic ties.

“The only thing that has been tangible and affected the citizens is the growing external debt which is now hovering at US $13,2 billion,” Zimcodd said.

“It is against this background that citizens and various pressure groups have questioned the utility of mega-deals (between Zimbabwe and China) in bringing about societal transformation and development. In 2012, the government announced that China Railway was going to inject US$1,2 billion, to resuscitate the National Railways of Zimbabwe by developing a high-speed train which was to operate between Harare and Bulawayo. Ten years later, transport crisis has become the order of the day. There is no high-speed route to talk about between Harare and Bulawayo,” Zimcodd argued.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Public school headmasters have joined their subordinates in declaring incapacitation to resume duty as pupils across the country started trekking to their learning institutions across the country Sunday.

This comes after all teachers’ unions in Zimbabwe issued individual and collective statements indicating their members will be able to report to work due to government’s failure to address their concerns, particularly low salaries.

In a letter dated February 3, 2022, Zimbabwe National Union of School Heads (ZINUSH) secretary general, Munyaradzi Majoni informed government that they won’t be able to repeat for duty due to incapacitation.

“Reports coming from our members in the ten provinces clearly show that they headmasters) are largely incapacitated to go to work apart from the fact that they are failing to raise fees for their own children,” Majoni’s letter reads.

“We are convinced that our members can only be capacitated if our salaries are restored to previous levels and in actual United States dollar terms,” it reads.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson, Taungana Ndoro was not answering calls until the time of publishing.

By A Correspondent- The more things change, the more they remain the same!

In typical late former president Robert Mugabe’s administration fashion, roads from Masvingo City to Renco Mine via Nemanwa growth point, Morgenster Mission and Muchakata business centre received major touch ups to ensure a smooth ride for visiting Vice-President Constantine Chiwenga.

Chiwenga was in Masvingo last Wednesday where he was the guest of honour at the World Wetlands Day commemorations held at the Njovo wetland in ward 18 in Masvingo Central.

A day before the function, officials from the Ministry of Transport were seen busy sprucing up the route that he used from Masvingo city.

They did not go beyond the venue of the annual commemorations.

Even the dust road leading to the wetland, and a community garden was also serviced.

Such deception was common during Mugabe’s visit to Masvingo as roads will be serviced, electricity as well as water supplies would be guaranteed.

Residents said it was wrong for the government to mask its incompetence by servicing pot-holed roads only when the presidency or top government officials visit.

“We are disturbed that local authorities and the responsible government ministries respond to our concerns when top government officials come here,” said Masvingo Residents and Ratepayers Alliance spokesperson Godfrey Mtimba.

“These roads should always be maintained.

“So what it means is that local residents are not important. After all, we elected the top government officials into power.

“Every life matters, even that of the ordinary residents, who are taxpayers and ratepayers.”

Ministry of Transport’s Masvingo roads engineer, Engineer Mukome, was unavailable for comment to establish whether the pothole patching exercise was routine, or merely coincided with Chiwenga’s visit.

By A Correspondent- A Domboshava “fake” witch doctor was arraigned at Mutoko magistrates court on Friday after he allegedly stole a car from his client.

Tinashe Nyambuya (29) of Mungate village, Mutoko pleaded not guilty to the charge before magistrate Elijah Sibanda.

The state prosecutor Nathan Mujuru alleges on January 21 the accused went to Tropical Meats in Mutoko where he met the company director Amanda Anesu Cheke who is a widow.

Nyambuya gave a prophecy on how the complainant’s husband died and on how her one-year-old child was under attack from her husband’s relatives.

The two agreed to go to a mountain for a cleansing ceremony using Cheke’s white Toyota Belta registration number AEJ4166.

Upon arrival on top of the mountain, the accused covered the complainant with a cloth and told her to say all her wishes while covering her whole body.

The witch doctor took advantage of the incident and grabbed the car keys before driving to Murehwa to see his girlfriend.

The complainant later uncovered herself and discovered that the witch doctor was nowhere and her car had been stolen.

She filed a police report leading to the arrest of the accused

In his defence, the accused said he had gone to pick some herbs for the cleansing ceremony.

The shocked magistrate asked if he was to return while his client was still covering herself with the cloth on top of the mountain.

The matter continues on February 16.

By – Zanu PF faction aligned to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has stamped authority in Masvingo.

This came out last week at the party’s Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting, which was highjacked by Chiwenga faction leader, Retired army boss Lt. Gen Engelbert Rugeje.

Rugeje has been passive and hardly given chance to address members of the party during Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meetings in Masvingo.

However, the recently held PCC at Victoria Junior School saw a rejuvenated Rugeje speaking authoritatively and stamping authority on various issues that were raised during the meeting.

The new provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa also publicly showed unwavering allegiance to Rugeje, addressing him as ‘Sir’ all the time.

Rugeje overshadowed even Lovemore Matuke, the most senior politburo member in the province, during the meeting.

“The politburo said they have endorsed Masvingo results. This means the new leadership is the one recognised now. I hear, see, receive phone calls and messages from other people suggesting there will be changes but that will never happen.
“Let us not waste time thinking the chairperson and his team will be removed and get another one. There is nothing like that,” said Rugeje, authoritatively.
The former army boss however, gave a hint that Mavhenyengwa should consider not seeking re-election after his term as he might also want to be the next chair.
“Chairman, I have congratulated you. You will lead us for the next four years. I am a very honest person so let me tell you: yours are only four years. If you want to continue then that’s another issue because I may also want to contest for the position,” Rugeje said.
“A person is given his time, have to work within the stipulated time and give others a chance. Let me reiterate that, no one is given a position for a lifetime like a Chief,” he emphasised.

Sources within Zanu PF said Rugeje had been a spent force politically but bounced back and is now powerful owing to his ties with Chiwenga.

“Rugeje is now powerful. He has been silent since he was dismissed but now has bounced back. The way Mavhenyengwa continuously addressed him as ‘Sir’ shows that he is now a power to reckon with,” said the source.
Chiwenga has lately been a regular visitor to Masvingo province. Last year he came for the national clean-up, a week before the provincial elections that were held on December 28, 2021 and on February 2, 2022 for the World Wetlands Day commemorations, a development which has been interpreted by many as a way of strengthening his grip on the province which has remained the ‘boiling pot’ of Zimbabwean politics.
Rugeje went on to warn former Provincial Political Commissar Jeppy Jaboon whom the PCC recommended for his welcome in the party against contesting for any post before the stipulated time (five years) lapsed.
“There are others who have been welcomed back into the party, we would want to follow the regulations and they cannot hold any post ahead of those who have been loyal to the party,” said Rugeje.
“The Chiwenga faction wants to consolidate its grip on the province through incorporating militant characters like Jaboon who would make the task easier. They also want to use him to fight Energy Mutodi who is eyeing Bikita South seat, threatening the incumbent Josiah Sithole,” said a party source. TellZimNews

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

Greatman's wedding Live scenes right now pic.twitter.com/exJDhchOev

— Simba Chikanza (@schikanza) February 6, 2022

By-A Harare man has appeared before the courts facing attempted murder charges after allegedly assaulting his seven-year-old son before melting plastic residue all over his body.

Austin Kapulula aged 30 was not asked to plead when he appeared in court and was remanded in custody to the 15th of this month.

The court heard that Kapulula locked his son in the house before he was forced to open the door by the police after neighbours called law enforcement agents.

The motivation behind the assault is not clear. 

The boy is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at Sally Mugabe Hospital in Harare.

Meanwhile, a 23-year-old Harare woman, Esther Mugurapfuwa has been charged for her role in the rape of another woman.

It is alleged that Mugurapfuwa took the complainant to her house in Kuwadzana where her male friend was waiting for them, locked the complainant and her accomplice in a room where she was raped.

The accused was allegedly paid 10 United States dollars by her alleged accomplice after the act.

The complainant reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused but the suspected rapist is still at large.

More: ZBC News

By A Correspondent- Thokozani Khupe’s MDC-T has launched a new slogan that denounces the leader of the other MDC-T, Douglas Mwonzora.

Khupe was recently fired by Mwonzora and subsequently announced that she was leading another MDC-T faction.

Announcing the new slogan, this weekend, Khupe said Zimbabweans should shun Mwonzora and Zanu PF in the next year’s national elections.

“Our slogan going forward is going to be #Beat The Pot: Stop Discrimination Against Women Because Women Can’t Breathe; Don’t vote for Zanu PF, Don’t vote for Mwonzora”, she said.

By A Correspondent- The Police in Nyamapanda said they were investigating a murder case in which a woman’s headless body was found buried in a shallow grave.

ZRP said the deceased had been identified as 65-year-old Juliet Chapfuruka, whose jaw, teeth and hair were found near the body, which was in a state of decomposition.

Below is the statement by the police:
Police In Nyamapanda are investigating circumstances surrounding a murder case in which the body of the victim, Juliet Chapfuruka (65) was found buried in a shallow grave on 02/02/22 at Maruza Village, Mudzi.
The body was discovered in an advanced state of decomposition with no head and with burn injuries. A human jaw, teeth and grey hair were found at about 64 metres from the grave along stream banks.
Investigations are in progress and no arrests have been made in connection with the suspected ritual killing.

By – Former Zanu PF political commissar, Retired army boss Lt. Gen Engelbert Rugeje recently dominated a Masvingo Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting and gave orders to party leadership.

Rugeje has been passive and hardly given chance to address members of the party during Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meetings in Masvingo.

However, the recently held PCC at Victoria Junior School saw a rejuvenated Rugeje speaking authoritatively and stamping authority on various issues that were raised during the meeting.

The new provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa also publicly showed unwavering allegiance to Rugeje, addressing him as ‘Sir’ all the time.

Rugeje overshadowed even Lovemore Matuke, the most senior politburo member in the province, during the meeting.

“The politburo said they have endorsed Masvingo results. This means the new leadership is the one recognised now. I hear, see, receive phone calls and messages from other people suggesting there will be changes but that will never happen.
“Let us not waste time thinking the chairperson and his team will be removed and get another one. There is nothing like that,” said Rugeje, authoritatively.
The former army boss however, gave a hint that Mavhenyengwa should consider not seeking re-election after his term as he might also want to be the next chair.
“Chairman, I have congratulated you. You will lead us for the next four years. I am a very honest person so let me tell you: yours are only four years. If you want to continue then that’s another issue because I may also want to contest for the position,” Rugeje said.
“A person is given his time, have to work within the stipulated time and give others a chance. Let me reiterate that, no one is given a position for a lifetime like a Chief,” he emphasised.

Sources within Zanu PF said Rugeje had been a spent force politically but bounced back and is now powerful owing to his ties with Chiwenga.

“Rugeje is now powerful. He has been silent since he was dismissed but now has bounced back. The way Mavhenyengwa continuously addressed him as ‘Sir’ shows that he is now a power to reckon with,” said the source.
Chiwenga has lately been a regular visitor to Masvingo province. Last year he came for the national clean-up, a week before the provincial elections that were held on December 28, 2021 and on February 2, 2022 for the World Wetlands Day commemorations, a development which has been interpreted by many as a way of strengthening his grip on the province which has remained the ‘boiling pot’ of Zimbabwean politics.
Rugeje went on to warn former Provincial Political Commissar Jeppy Jaboon whom the PCC recommended for his welcome in the party against contesting for any post before the stipulated time (five years) lapsed.
“There are others who have been welcomed back into the party, we would want to follow the regulations and they cannot hold any post ahead of those who have been loyal to the party,” said Rugeje.
“The Chiwenga faction wants to consolidate its grip on the province through incorporating militant characters like Jaboon who would make the task easier. They also want to use him to fight Energy Mutodi who is eyeing Bikita South seat, threatening the incumbent Josiah Sithole,” said a party source. TellZimNews

By- Zanu PF members in Bulawayo, hired by the ruling party as polling officers for the recently held provincial elections, are demanding payment for coordinating the internal elections, which ushered in new executives in the 10 provinces.

The former liberation movement conducted provincial elections on December 28, 2021 in the 10 provinces which birthed new provincial chairpersons. Youth and women’s league provincial executive positions were also contested.
This week, some polling officers in Bulawayo who spoke to the Zimbabwe Independent said they were owed money.
Indications are that over 100 polling officers in Bulawayo have not been paid and have not been notified of how much they will be paid.
Zanu PF member Sam Dhliwayo said the ruling party has failed to fulfil its promise of paying in three weeks after the polls.
“We conducted the elections and were asked to submit our bank account details. They promised to pay us within two to three weeks but it’s now more than a month and we are yet to be paid,” Dhliwayo said.
“We have a feeling that the money might have been diverted by greedy top officials; this is unacceptable.”
He said the disgruntled officers were exposing the issue to attract the attention of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Another Zanu PF member who spoke on condition of anonymity said the party was not sincere.
“We cannot be treated like this by our political party which is supposed to serve our interests,” he said.
A Zanu PF insider in Bulawayo who also requested anonymity for fear of victimisation said the payment of polling officers for provincial elections was being done at the party headquarters.
“The payment of polling officers is the responsibility of the national office because those people were deployed outside their provinces. The money was supposed to come from the national office, but we hear that some are yet to be paid.
“It is possible that the national office might have sent money to provinces for onward payments,” said a Zanu PF official.
Zanu PF national spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa was not reachable on his mobile phone.
Party national commissar Mike Bimha referred the Zimbabwe Independent to the provincial leadership for comment.
“Please be advised that provincial elections are being directed from the provinces and it’s the provinces that can answer your questions,” Bimha said.
Bulawayo provincial chairman Jabulani Sibanda’s phone went unanswered. Provincial commissar Ruth Shelton declined to discuss the matter.
“I was a candidate during the provincial elections and whatever the arrangement was there, I have nothing to do with it. Maybe I will have to ask those who were the interim executive about this issue,” Shelton said. Zimbabwe Independent

By – Retired army boss Lt. Gen Engelbert Rugeje sank into political oblivion following his dismissal from the position of national political commissar soon after the 2018 general elections regained clout following the taking over Masvingo province by a faction allegedly aligned to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga recently.

Rugeje has been passive and hardly given chance to address members of the party during Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meetings in Masvingo.
However, the recently held PCC at Victoria Junior School saw a rejuvenated Rugeje speaking authoritatively and stamping authority on various issues that were raised during the meeting.

The new provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa also publicly showed unwavering allegiance to Rugeje, addressing him as ‘Sir’ all the time.

Rugeje overshadowed even Lovemore Matuke, the most senior politburo member in the province, during the meeting.

“The politburo said they have endorsed Masvingo results. This means the new leadership is the one recognised now. I hear, see, receive phone calls and messages from other people suggesting there will be changes but that will never happen.
“Let us not waste time thinking the chairperson and his team will be removed and get another one. There is nothing like that,” said Rugeje, authoritatively.
The former army boss however, gave a hint that Mavhenyengwa should consider not seeking re-election after his term as he might also want to be the next chair.
“Chairman, I have congratulated you. You will lead us for the next four years. I am a very honest person so let me tell you: yours are only four years. If you want to continue then that’s another issue because I may also want to contest for the position,” Rugeje said.
“A person is given his time, have to work within the stipulated time and give others a chance. Let me reiterate that, no one is given a position for a lifetime like a Chief,” he emphasised.

Sources within Zanu PF said Rugeje had been a spent force politically but bounced back and is now powerful owing to his ties with Chiwenga.

“Rugeje is now powerful. He has been silent since he was dismissed but now has bounced back. The way Mavhenyengwa continuously addressed him as ‘Sir’ shows that he is now a power to reckon with,” said the source.
Chiwenga has lately been a regular visitor to Masvingo province. Last year he came for the national clean-up, a week before the provincial elections that were held on December 28, 2021 and on February 2, 2022 for the World Wetlands Day commemorations, a development which has been interpreted by many as a way of strengthening his grip on the province which has remained the ‘boiling pot’ of Zimbabwean politics.
Rugeje went on to warn former Provincial Political Commissar Jeppy Jaboon whom the PCC recommended for his welcome in the party against contesting for any post before the stipulated time (five years) lapsed.
“There are others who have been welcomed back into the party, we would want to follow the regulations and they cannot hold any post ahead of those who have been loyal to the party,” said Rugeje.
“The Chiwenga faction wants to consolidate its grip on the province through incorporating militant characters like Jaboon who would make the task easier. They also want to use him to fight Energy Mutodi who is eyeing Bikita South seat, threatening the incumbent Josiah Sithole,” said a party source. TellZimNews

By A Correspondent- CCCT Secretary-General Chalton Hwende has opened up on his alleged abduction.

There were reports that Hwende was on Saturday abducted by state agents in Chitungwiza.

Responding to the message, Hwende said it was a fake distress call.

“My daughter has just informed me that there is a message circulating alleging that I have been abducted. This is false l have been freely moving around constituencies in Harare monitoring voter registration. The focus is on getting 6 million votes for Nelson Chamisa,” he said.

By A Correspondent- MDC-T faction led by Thokozani Khupe has launched a new slogan that denounces the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC.

Khupe was recently fired by Mwonzora and subsequently announced that she was leading another MDC-T faction.

Announcing the new slogan, this weekend, Khupe said Zimbabweans should shun Mwonzora and Zanu PF in the next year’s national elections.

“Our slogan going forward is going to be #Beat The Pot: Stop Discrimination Against Women Because Women Can’t Breathe; Don’t vote for Zanu PF, Don’t vote for Mwonzora”, she said.

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa foresees a bright future for the nation.

President Chamisa, a devout Christian, believes Zimbabwe is a blessed nation that has been ruined by years of corruption and looting of State resources by the Zanu PF regime.

The vibrant leader has also urged citizens to remain optimistic despite the current social and economic challenges tormenting the nation.

“THE LORD WILL DO GREAT THINGS FOR US…The future is exciting.

Other nations shall admire us. We shall be happy again.Although we sow in tears we shall surely reap in joy.

Psalms 126:2,5 Sabbath blessings beloved.#Godisinit,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa foresees a bright future for the nation.

President Chamisa, a devout Christian, believes Zimbabwe is a blessed nation that has been ruined by years of corruption and looting of State resources by the Zanu PF regime.

The vibrant leader has also urged citizens to remain optimistic despite the current social and economic challenges tormenting the nation.

“THE LORD WILL DO GREAT THINGS FOR US…The future is exciting.

Other nations shall admire us. We shall be happy again.Although we sow in tears we shall surely reap in joy.

Psalms 126:2,5 Sabbath blessings beloved.#Godisinit,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.

Tinashe Sambiri|The later former President Robert Mugabe’s son, Chatunga, has described MDC- T leader Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora as a mere comedian.

Chatunga mocked Mwonzora for wasting “acting talent” by portraying himself as a popular politician.

See Chatunga’s message on Twitter:
CHATUNGA
@bellagushaz
Mdara iwe are you a Comedian ? If you’re not you are wasting a talent.”

Chatunga was responding to Mwonzora’s comment below:

Thank you so much Gweru. Victory is Certain.

Mdara iwe qre you a Comedian ? If you're not you are wasting a talent https://t.co/T8qKXRS7lZ

— CHATUNGA (@bellagushaz) February 4, 2022

Tinashe Sambiri | The Zanu PF activist Buster Mafio, implicated in torturing opposition activist, Nyasha Zhambe, died in a horrific road accident on Friday.

Mafio and one Joseph Mudziwapasi, tortured Zhambe during President Nelson Chamisa’s community engagement programme in Gutu last year.

According to human rights defenders, Nyasha Zhambe was tortured to death by known Zanu PF activists.

The development was confirmed by the man’s local resident’s trust.

In a statement, Gutu Residents and Ratepayers Association said: “On a sad note, we have lost one of our town board member Mr Buster Mafio in a road accident as he was travelling from Masvingo.

“As Gutu Residents we have been robbed of our representative.Rest in Eternal Peace Cde Mafio makarwa kurwa kukuru.

-GURRA Secretary General
Mr T Mamombe”

The popular television whistle-blower and forensic scientist, Shepherd Yuda, commented saying:

Ngozi inopedza hama, not Zanu PF as a party.

Baster Mafio has died.The man who led the torture of NYASHA ZHAMBE in October 2021 died in a fatal accident Chihambakwe today( Friday).

Zimbabweans demanded justice for NYASHA but they did not give heed.

God in heaven will not remain silent in the face of injustice. Udzai mbiti dzeZanu PF kuti unofawo.

Now Why Zanu PF goons will only pay RTGS kumukadzi wako.

Vanobva vamunyenga futi. Apa Hama dzako dzichaita murakwatira.

By A Correspondent- A 32 year- old man from Ntabazinduna died after being assaulted after he had proposed love to a 12-year-old girl.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), which is already seized with the matter, said they have since arrested Busani Ncube (40) and Hloniphani Ndlovu (37) in connection with the murder case that occurred on the 2nd of February 2022 at Mavolontiya Village, Ntabazinduna.

We present a police statement on the case:

The suspects tied the victim, Marvelous Nzima (32) with a rope, before taking turns to assault him with a sjambok after the victim had proposed love to Busani Ncube’s granddaughter (12).

The victim died whilst admitted at Ntabazinduna Clinic on 03/02/22.

By A Correspondent- The later former President Robert Mugabe’s son, Chatunga, has scoffed at comedian MDC- T leader Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora adding that Mwonzora was wasting his talent .

Chatunga mocked Mwonzora for wasting “acting talent” by portraying himself as a popular politician.

See Chatunga’s message on Twitter:

Mdara iwe are you a Comedian ? If you’re not you are wasting a talent.”

Chatunga was responding to Mwonzora’s comment below:

Thank you so much Gweru. Victory is Certain.

Mdara iwe qre you a Comedian ? If you're not you are wasting a talent https://t.co/T8qKXRS7lZ

— CHATUNGA (@bellagushaz) February 4, 2022

By A Correspondent- Pressure is mounting on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to reshuffle his cabinet within the fractious ruling Zanu-PF ahead of upcoming 2023 harmonised elections.

The anticipated reshuffle, according to well-placed sources, is being fuelled by continued internal strife within the ruling party after a restructuring exercise that left it more divided than ever during the recent provincial elections.

The remnants of the divisive internal election has already claimed the head of Mnangagwa’s trusted lieutenant and former State Security minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube over allegations of fuelling divisions in the ruling party.

The sources said there was increasing pressure on Mnangagwa to dump Cabinet ministers who lost the recently held provincial elections.

According to the sources within the ruling party, the Zanu-PF Midlands provincial leadership is lobbying for the dismissal of Local Government minister July Moyo for his alleged “unholy alliance” with Mudha.

The sources revealed that the provincial leadership still viewed Moyo as a powerful figure in the Midlands province due to his ministerial position with some pushing for his dismissal while others want him to be demoted.

“Midlands warring factions still see July Moyo as a powerful figure in the province due to his ministerial position. The factions are linking Moyo to the recently sacked Mudha. The push is either to have him sacked or demoted to an inferior ministry,” said the source.

Independent legislator Temba Mliswa who is one of Moyo’s rabid critics through his Twitter handle, has always accused the Local Government minister of dividing the ruling party.

Contacted, presidential spokesperson George Charamba said he was not aware of the imminent Cabinet reshuffle.

“What you are asking for can only be revealed by the President and unless you have been with him at his farm, you would be in a better position to know what he is thinking,” Charamba said.

President Mnangagwa is currently on his annual leave and is reportedly resting at his Precabe Farm in Sherwood, Kwekwe.

However, observers told the Independent that the imminent reshuffle could be a litmus test for Mnangagwa who has always been the godfather of the Midlands province especially in dealing with his long-time trusted lieutenant Moyo.

Some also opined that the Mudha case has proved that the Zanu-PF leader is now prepared to dump his erstwhile allies for political capital.

Zanu-PF provincial chairman Larry Mavima refused to comment on the matter.

“Absolutely no comment on that matter as the province plays no role whatsoever in the appointment or dismissal of ministers by His Excellency. It is actually a very mischievous suggestion or point,” Mavima said.

Meanwhile, reports from the ruling party indicate that members of the Zanu-PF youth league leadership recently approached Mnangagwa registering their displeasure with Sports minister Kirsty Coventry.

The Independent is reliably informed that the youths are routing for the deputy minister Tinomuda Machakaire, who is a member of the league’s leadership to take over.

“The youth league leadership is not happy with Kirsty and there has been serious lobbying to have her re-assigned.

“The league is rooting for Machakaire to be elevated while considering that he may be a capable trump card for Zanu-PF in terms of winning the youth vote in the upcoming elections. The youths are also pushing for someone who is active in politics to take over that ministry,” a Zanu-PF source said.

Another source within the youth league added that Coventry is no longer popular considering her technocratic stature and that the ministry under her stewardship is usually used as a vehicle to mobilise the youth vote for Zanu-PF.

“It’s a mobilisation ministry but she has failed to achieve that considering that she is not a politician. That appointment was also expected to at least achieve a balance, politically, so that the country is accepted on the international arena especially with ED’s re-engagement efforts.

“This has actually failed because there are no tangible results to these efforts. Have we been readmitted into the Commonwealth? No! We are still a pariah state on the international scene,” the source said.

Contacted for comment, Zanu-PF acting youth leader Tendai Chirau said he was not aware of any meeting to lobby for the removal of the Sports minister adding that the youth league supported the President’s appointments.

“I don’t know about the meeting but what I know is that our first secretary is accommodating.  Therefore, I wouldn’t know the contents of the meeting but we are happy with the way the first secretary is executing his revolutionary mandate and we are also happy with his appointments,” Chirau said.

London-based political commentator, Professor Stephen Chan said a Cabinet reshuffle in Zimbabwe was pointless or insignificant contributing nothing to the solution of the current problems.

“To a large extent, Cabinet reshuffles are like moving the deck chairs on the Titanic. There are very few on the government front bench, or among candidates for the front bench, with the technocratic vision and skills – not to mention probity and honesty – required to take Zimbabwe forward.

“But Mudha and his allies obviously had to go, given the blatant nature of their undemocratic electioneering,” he said.

Professor Chan added that Coventry’s appointment was meant to propagate Zimbabwean sports development at home and internationally. There is nothing at all in her portfolio that says she should act for any single political party.

“Right, she is the only Minister of Sport in Sadc who has actually been an international sports-person. The image of Zimbabwe would suffer if another unfit person was appointed to this portfolio,” he said.

There is continued contestation within the ruling party and Mnangagwa is under pressure to unify the ruling party through instituting an effective tribal balance on Cabinet appointments.

Other analysts believe that for Zanu-PF to excel in the upcoming elections, it has to grow as a revolutionary party through robust debate that adds value on accountability and transparency.ZimbabweIndependent

By A Correspondent- Former MDC Kwekwe Central legislator Blessing Chebundo has vowed to help the ruling ZANU PF reclaim the seat.

Chebundo is famously known for defeating President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the 2000 parliamentary election pushing the latter to the Chirimhanzu-Zibagwe constituency which was created during the 2007 delimitation exercise. 

The ruling party, however, won the MDC Kwekwe Central seat back in 2013 when the late Masango Matambanadzo claimed it.

He was, however, kicked out of the party and went on to retain the seat in the 2018 general election under a party called National Patriotic Front, holding on to it until his death due to suspected poisoning in 2020.

Chebundo, a long-time opposition darling last year dumped the MDC Alliance and joined ZANU PF and says he is ready to fight for the ruling party to regain the seat. He declared:

We are going to take the seat back to ZANU PF.

I am declaring that Kwekwe Central is a ZANU PF seat and it is going to be won by ZANU PF in the upcoming by-elections. There is nothing in the opposition now. President Emmerson Mnangagwa is the only future for this country. Everyone can see that the president is rebuilding our country. Even Chamisa has ditched the MDC-Alliance because there is nothing. He has only made a mistake of not coming back home.

ZANU PF fielded John Mapurazi as its candidate

By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa left Harare this morning to attend the African Union (AU) 35th ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this weekend.

He was seen off at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, cabinet ministers, service chiefs and senior Government officials.

The summit is running under the theme “Building Resilience in Nutrition & Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthen Agriculture, Accelerate the Human Capital, Social Development”.

The President will join other African Heads of State for the summit which runs from tomorrow to Sunday. The summit is expected to deliberate on a variety of matters, including peace and security, response to the Covid-19 pandemic and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

At the summit, outgoing AU chair President Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC will hand over the chairmanship of the continental body to the incoming chair President Macky Sall of Senegal.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Florence Taruvinga has said the economy can afford US dollars salaries and workers should be paid salaries that match the poverty datum line (PDL) as the minimum wage as was agreed at the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) in 2018.

“In principle we agreed at the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) that the minimum wage should be based on the levels of the Poverty Datum Line. We also agreed that the principle of restoration of workers’ wages that prevailed in April 2018, should have been maintained. Then the PDL was USD$500, she told the Zimbabwe Independent in an interview this week.

“However, when it came to implementation of the recommendation, which was to promulgate a Statutory Instrument with the minimum wage being half in US dollar PDL which existed in 2018, the government decided to implement it as ZW$2 549, 74 as captured in SI 81/2020. This was a departure from the recommendation.”

The ZCTU, Taruvinga said, was committed to ensuring that employers and the government respect the rights of workers.

We are focused on ensuring that workers earn salaries which are above the Poverty Datum Line. It is of paramount importance that working should transform workers from being poor. We are concerned with the high levels of poor working people. The salaries have been too meagre over time to allow workers to have disposable incomes which can be transformative. The case of Zimbabwean workers has been that of living from hand to mouth and that should surely change,” she said.

“The Tripartite Negotiating Forum would have been the vital cog missing in our socio and economic landscape. Unfortunately the TNF Act provides that whatever issues or recommendations which are derived from the negotiations should be referred to Cabinet for discussion and ratification. However, at times this is where the wheels sometimes come off. The Cabinet is not answerable to the TNF and therefore can afford to make any decisions that they deem fit regardless of the position of TNF.”

Taruvinga said plans to establish a national health insurance to be run by the National Social Security Authority (Nssa) were likely to fail given that other such institutions owned by the State are in a mess.

“We have been very clear and consistent in our views towards the National Health Scheme. We have always indicated that the scheme was a noble idea but they need to deal with the fundamentals first. Health care being provided by State institutions are in shambles and need to be urgently worked on to revamp the quality of the facility.”

She went on: “The National Health Scheme should not be administered by Nssa. The authority has got its hands full with managing the fund. It would be counterproductive to then overload Nssa with the responsibilities to manage NHS funds. We are also of the view that broader consultations have to be done with workers on the scheme. Our view being that already workers are indicating that they feel that they are overtaxed, yet there are issues on how the funds from the fiscus are being utilised. The Auditor General’s Office reports have spoken to widespread fiscal indiscipline. All those factors weigh heavily on our decision as labour to either support or not support the intended policy initiative.”

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s former minister of Finance and Economic Development, Tendai Biti has said the government’s move to exempt importers of designated vehicles from paying duties and taxes in United States dollars (US$) is meant to benefit business mogul, Kuda Tagwirei and President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In an advisory on measures being taken by the government to enhance the domestic use of the Zimbabwe dollar, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said “all duties and taxes on the importation of designated motor vehicles are now payable in Zimbabwe dollars again up to a limit of 50% of duties and taxes payable.” Commenting on the development, Biti said:

The new measures announced by Mthuli Ncube reflect the multiple faults of this incompetent ephemeral regime. For starters laws can’t simply be changed in a statement Only a statutory instrument or Act of Parly can change existing tax laws. Mthuli s command is therefore a nullity

Furthermore laws & tax measures should never have selective application.The exemption on US$ royalties to the mining sector is indiscriminate and betrays State Capture of the regime. It is obvious that Kuda Tagwireyi&his knew humongous presence in the mining sector is the reason

The US$ exemption on vehicles is ultimately intended to benefit Tagwireyi &his scarfed up partner who have taken over public transport through #ZUPCO & the #ZUPCO monopoly. Surely this is the most corrupt& incompetent government in history of governments.

One Dennis said the advisory was issued to everyone not only to Tagwireyi and Mnangagwa. Added Dennis:

The law is there it says you pay tax with the currency you earned. Now treasury is saying it’s your choice to either pay half of it in local currency or still continue paying USD IN full.

Some observers suggested that a law was not necessary.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has announced the fuel prices for February 2022. The Authority marginally increased prices of both diesel and petrol.

Below is the ZERA statement:

PETROLEUM PRICES REVIEW – FEBRUARY 2022

Please be advised that the prescribed prices for diesel and blend for February 2022 are as follows:

	ZWL			US$
	Diesel 50 (ZWL/litre)	Blend – E0 (ZWL/litre)	Diesel 50 (US$/litre)	Blend E0 (US$/litre)
Maximum prices	168.17	167.91	1.44	1.44

The public and operators are advised that the blending ratio still remains at E0. Operators may sell the petroleum products below the prescribed prices depending on their trading advantages and should display prices in a prominent place as provided by the fuel pricing regulations.

Stakeholders are advised that the petroleum price releases by ZERA can be verified on the official ZERA website, Facebook or Twitter handle.

The price of Diesel 50 increases from ZWL$149.55 per litre in January to ZWL$168.17per litre. In United States dollars, the price rose from US$1.38 per litre to US$1.44.

Meanwhile, the price of Blend – E0 rose from ZWL$152.87 per litre to ZWL$167.91. In United States Dollars, the price rose from US$1.41 to US$1.44.

By A Correspondent- President Nelson Chamisa has predicted a bright future for Zimbabwe adding that other nations shall admire the nation

In a facebook post, President Chamisa said the Lord will do great things for Zimbabweans.

He said: .

THE LORD WILL DO GREAT THINGS FOR US…The future is exciting. Other nations shall admire us. We shall be happy again.Although we sow in tears we shall surely reap in joy. Making Zimbabwe New & Great! Psalms 126:2,5 Sabbath blessings beloved.#Godisinit

By A Correspondent- Harare regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje has set March 7 as the trial date for former Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo on charges of fraud and criminal abuse of duty.

The court heard that on a date unknown to the prosecutor, but during the period extending from October 1 2005 to January 12 2006, Chombo unlawfully and with the intent to defraud the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) misrepresented that he was applying for a Capital Expenditure Loan under the Other Crops and Livestock Support Facility for the purpose of acquiring farm equipment knowingly that he intended to use the money for other purposes. Acting on the misrepresentation, RBZ processed and issued Chombo a loan amounting to $14 billion for the purpose of acquiring the farm equipment, which Chombo then used to purchase two Toyota Hilux Vigo motor vehicles, thereby causing prejudice to the good administration of the Other Crops and Livestock Support facility.

On count two, the court heard that on a date unknown to the prosecutor, but during the period extending from September 2 2006 to March 25 2008 and at the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Chombo, who at the material time was the minister and as such a public officer who took oath to uphold the Constitution and all other laws of Zimbabwe for the good management of the public affairs of Zimbabwe and perform the duties of the office faithfully, unlawfully and intentionally acted contrary to or inconsistently with his duties.

He allegedly corruptly acquired from City of Harare a property, namely Subdivision 61 Helensvale, Harare, knowing that the council had applied for change of use from a public place to space for cluster houses and registered it under Harvest-Net Enterprises (Private) Limited, a company he owned, thereby showing favour to the company and disfavour to City of Harare.

?The regime continues to abuse state institutions after a riot police team was dispatched in Ruwa on Thursday were citizens' President Nelson Chamisa was scheduled to address by-elections candidates.

We need electoral reforms ahead of 26 March by-elections.#RegisterToVoteZW pic.twitter.com/Ab7YN2SEuE

— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) February 5, 2022

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF members in Bulawayo, hired by the ruling party as polling officers for the recently held provincial elections are demanding payment of money for coordinating the internal elections which ushered in new executives in the 10 provinces.

The former liberation movement conducted provincial elections on December 28, 2021 in the 10 provinces which birthed new provincial chairpersons. Youth and women’s league provincial executive positions were also contested.

This week, some polling officers in Bulawayo who spoke to the Zimbabwe Independent said they were owed money.

Indications are that over 100 polling officers in Bulawayo have not been paid and have not been notified of how much they will be paid.

Zanu-PF member Sam Dhliwayo said the ruling party has failed to fulfil its promise of paying in three weeks after the polls.

 “We conducted the elections and were asked to submit our bank account details. They promised to pay us within two to three weeks but it’s now more than a month and we are yet to be paid,” Dhliwayo said.

“We have a feeling that the money might have been diverted by greedy top officials; this is unacceptable.”

He said the disgruntled officers were exposing the issue to attract the attention of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Another Zanu-PF member who spoke on condition of anonymity said the party was not sincere.

“We cannot be treated like this by our political party which is supposed to serve our interests,” he said.

A Zanu-PF insider in Bulawayo who also requested anonymity for fear of victimisation said the payment of polling officers for provincial elections was being done at the party headquarters.

“The payment of polling officers is the responsibility of the national office because those people were deployed outside their provinces. The money was supposed to come from the national office, but we hear that some are yet to be paid.

“It is possible that the national office might have sent money to provinces for onward payments,” said a Zanu-PF official.

 Zanu-PF national spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa was not reachable on his mobile phone.

Party national commissar Mike Bimha referred the Zimbabwe Independent to the provincial leadership for comment.

“Please be advised that provincial elections are being directed from the provinces and it’s the provinces that can answer your questions,” Bimha said.

Bulawayo provincial chairman Jabulani Sibanda’s phone went unanswered. Provincial commissar Ruth Shelton declined to discuss the matter.

“I was a candidate during the provincial elections and whatever the arrangement was there, I have nothing to do with it. Maybe I will have to ask those who were the interim executive about this issue,” Shelton said.

By A Correspondent- A bid to help two women by a 32-year-old man from Bulawayo backfired after they defrauded him of nearly US$8 000 when they gave him only US$299 after he agreed that they exchange smaller denominations for bigger denominations.

The incident occurred on Tuesday in Thorngrove suburb and police have since launched a manhunt for the women.

One of them has been identified only as Mampo.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said the two women approached the man from Bellevue suburb offering him big denominations in exchange for smaller denominations.

“On the 1st of February 2022 at around 10AM, the accused persons came to the complainant’s premises asking for small denominations of hard cash.

Accused counted an amount of ‘80 X US $100 notes’ and gave it to the complainant who in return gave them an amount of US$8 000 in small amounts,” said Insp Ncube.

He said it was after the two had left that he realised that they had given him US$1 notes in between two US$100 notes.

“After the accused had left, the complainant then realised that he had been given 99 x US$1 notes covered by two US$100 notes. The complainant reported the matter to the police at around 1230 hours and no arrest was made.

The total value defrauded is US$7 701 and nothing was recovered. Investigations are in progress,” said Insp Ncube.

He encouraged members of the public to be cautious when undertaking business transactions.

“The police would like to encourage members of the public never to trust anyone and to make sure they verify any business transaction before involving themselves in any deal.

We also want to appeal to anyone with information which can lead to the arrest of the accused persons to report at any nearest police station,” said Insp Ncube. – Chronicle

By A Correspondent- The Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Martin Rushwaya on Wednesday risked overnight detention for contempt of court in the ongoing corruption trial of former Cabinet minister Prisca Mupfumira.

Rushwaya was summoned by the State to testify against Mupfumira, who is charged with fast-tracking a project to build low-income houses in Gweru through Drawcard Enterprises without seeking National Social Security Authority (NSSA) board approval and without going to tender.

NSSA falls under the purview of the Labour Ministry, which Mupfumira headed at the time the offence was allegedly committed.

Under cross-examination from Mupfumira’s lawyer Admire Rubaya, Rushwaya refused to explain what sections Mupfumira contravened in regards to the project.

Magistrate Ngoni Nduna then threatened to detain him for contempt of court. Warned the magistrate:

I am in charge here. We have remedy to that and I will hold you in contempt of court. I will detain you in custody and see you tomorrow when you have sobered up.

After the warning, Rushwaya confessed that he did not know of anything wrong that Mupfumira did which warranted her arrest on criminal charges.

Rushwaya told the court that he had no idea who reported Mupfumira to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to cause her arrest.

He also acknowledged that Mupfumira worked without a contract and had no written down duties and responsibilities.

Rushwaya said ministers were guided by a handbook, confirming Mupfumira’s testimony that she did not violate any specific duty.

By- Harare mayor Jacob Mafume has again bounced back at Town House following the expiry of his 45-day suspension.
Local Government minister July Moyo suspended Mafume in December accusing him of gross misconduct and incompetence.
This was Mafume’s fourth suspension on similar charges.
Mafume’s lawyer Tonderai Bhatasara on Thursday wrote to acting town clerk Phakamile Moyo informing him that Mafume was resuming his duties after the expiry of the 45-day suspension.
“We write to advise that our client’s suspension by the honourable minister through a letter dated December 17, 2021 has lapsed following the expiring of the statutory 45 days,” Bhatasara wrote.
“Accordingly, by operation of law, our client has reverted to the status before his suspension as mayor of the City of Harare. Our client has written this letter to advise that communication and notices of meetings be brought to his attention as required by law. This is a courtesy letter. Our client will be attending to his duties with effect Friday February 4, 2021.”
Mafume approached the High challenging his suspension. MDC-T councillor Steward Mutizwa was the acting mayor.
-Newsday

By- Harare regional magistrate Mr Lazini Ncube has dismissed Marry Mubaiwa’s application for discharge.

Ncube on Friday put Marry on defence case at the close of the State case.

In his judgment, Ncube said there are issues that the former model needs to explain, which arose from State witnesses’ testimonies.

Mubaiwa is charged with violation of the Marriages Act after she allegedly misrepresented that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga consented to solemnise their wedding when he was ill.
Mubaiwa, through her lawyer Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, chose not to take to the witness to testify and closed her defence case.

Ms Mtetwa told the court that there is no law that compels her to testify in her defence. She said:
We have nothing further to say in the defence case. I don’t know of any law that compels the accused to testify. You can choose to say nothing and not to testify. We are not aware of any law that compels an accused person to testify.
The State led by Mr Tafara Chirambira told the court that although Mubaiwa decided to remain silent in her defence case, she will still be subjected to questioning by the State. He said:
As a matter of procedure, we will proceed to put questions to her. If she decides not to answer, the questions will be placed on record.

In dismissing Marry’s application, Ncube said the State had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that Mubaiwa forged Chiwenga’s signature on a marriage certificate in a bid to upgrade their customary union.
Ncube said she would on February 10 rule on whether Mubaiwa had a right to remain silent.

By- The Government through the Primary and Secondary Education Ministery has said that parents could now pay school fees in United States Dollars.

Minister in charge of education,Evelyn Ndlovu, said while parents and guardians with foreign currency who can afford to pay fees in United States dollars are allowed to do so, no school is permitted to reject schools fees payments in Zimbabwe dollars.

This comes as schools in Manicaland Province have been pestering the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education seeking approval to charge for levies in foreign currency.

Some schools are reportedly asking parents to pay school fees in local currency but pegged to the US Dollar using the parallel market rate.

But speaking in an interview with The Manica Post at Mavhudzi High School on Thursday during a tour of Makoni schools to check their preparedness to reopen in light of the COOVID-19 pandemic, Ndlovu said pushing parents to source forex from the black market is unacceptable. She said: 

We will not accept a situation where schools will force parents to pay fees in foreign currency. It is unacceptable because we have a local currency.

In other words, they will be fighting and sabotaging the local currency. Every country has its own currency.

How are we going to protect our currency if we are continuously charging school fees in foreign currency?

Most parents have no source of foreign currency so you are pushing them to go to the black market. We do not accept that. Those who do not have forex also need to send their children to school.

Those with foreign currency who can afford to pay fees in USD are allowed to do so as we have a multi-currency system but then no school should prohibit parents from paying in local currency.

The 2022 first term is set to commence next Monday, with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education saying all systems go.

However, teachers’ unions such as the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) and the Progressive Teachers Union Zimbabwe (PTUZ) both recently said teachers are financially incapacitated and cannot resume their normal duties.

The unions want the Government to pay teachers salaries in US dollars, with the lowest-paid teacher taking home at least US$600.

More: The Manica Post