By A Correspondent- Three border jumpers believed to be Zimbabwean recently drowned in Limpopo River while attempting to cross into South Africa.

Zimbabwe and South African police have so far retrieved the body of a man believed to have drowned while illegally crossing into the neighbouring country through a crossing point near Maroy Farm some 40km west of Beitbridge town.

Efforts are underway to retrieve two more bodies that have been spotted on the South African side of the Limpopo River. It is reported that divers from the two countries failed to retrieve the two bodies on Tuesday due to the turbulent river current.

The police officer commanding Beitbridge district Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo said they were continuing with the efforts to retrieve the bodies today.

He said the search was initiated on Monday after two women reported that their husbands had drowned near a crossing point close to Nottingham Estate on Sunday.

“The divers came across the three bodies while searching for two men who were reported to have drowned on Sunday,” said Chief Supt Nyongo.

“However, the bodies we have spotted so far are not of those two men. As police, we are still treating them as missing persons.

“Searches are still on and during such searches and efforts are being made to retrieve two more bodies that were sighted at the same point at a deeper end”.

He said the police were suspecting there could be more cases of drowning along the Limpopo River, where the level of water has relatively risen.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons to fill the following posts that have arisen within the Authority.

Below are the adverts:

(1.) COMMISSIONER: DOMESTIC TAXES – LEVEL 2 (1 POST)

Main Function:

To provide leadership and policy guidance in the collection of revenue, advising government on fiscal and economic matters and to promote and enforce compliance with tax laws.

Responsibilities:

 Overall administration of Income Taxes, VAT, PAYE, Capital Gains Tax and other ancillary Tax Legislation.
 Negotiate international tax treaties.
 Give expert advice to Commissioner General on tax legislation, policy and administration.
 Give advice and guidance on research and development of all tax legislation.
 Determination of objections and dealing with appeals on tax matters.
 Responsible for the overall management and giving strategic direction to the Tax Division.
 Participate in policy formulation and implementation for the Authority.
 Any other duties as may be assigned and directed from time to time.

Qualifications and Experience:

 A degree in Accountancy, Business Administration, Economics or an equivalent accounting qualification.
 A relevant Master’s degree would be an added advantage.
 At least ten (10) years practical experience, five (5) of which were at senior management level.
 Strong leadership qualities and analytical skills required.
 Should have strong people management skills.
 Exposure on taxation of international businesses.
 Strong practical experience in working with revenue administration systems.
 Experience in a computerised environment is necessary.
 Clean Class 4 driver’s licence is a prerequisite.

Other Attributes:

 Drive for results.
 Ability to work under pressure.
 Ability to communicate at all levels.
 Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
 Unquestionable integrity.

Interested candidates should submit applications, accompanied by a detailed Curriculum Vitae and certified copies of academic and professional qualifications, by not later than 27 January 2022, in envelopes clearly indicating the position being applied for.

All applications should be emailed to [email protected] clearly indicating the position you are applying for as your E-mail Subject Reference and addressed to:

The Commissioner-General
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority
6th Floor ZB Centre
Corner First Street / Kwame Nkrumah Avenue
P. O. Box 4360
HARARE
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be responded to.

(2.) COMMISSIONER GENERAL

The ZIMRA Board invites qualified and experienced Zimbabwean citizens to fill the position of Commissioner General.

Reporting Structure

The position reports to the ZIMRA Board of Directors.

Key Responsibilities

The Commissioner General shall be responsible for the following;

 Provide strategic, proactive and effective leadership for the authority’s operations.
 Supervising and managing the Authority’s staff, activities, funds and property.
 Advising the Government of Zimbabwe on fiscal policy matters, laws and regulations including amendments.
 Overseeing the interpretation and implementation of Zimbabwe’s policies relating to taxation and customs duties.
 Building and leading a modern and efficient revenue administration that ensures all taxes and duties due to the Government of Zimbabwe are collected.
 Broadening the revenue base and automation of ZIMRA business processes.
 Put mechanisms in place to reduce revenue leakages.
 Analyzing performance trends, setting operational targets and reviewing revenue collection strategies.
 Preparing strategic and development plans for the Authority.

 Providing policy analysis and advice in revenue collection and trade facilitation.
 Establishing, developing and maintaining strategic relationships, knowledge sharing, partnerships and collaboration between ZIMRA and multi-lateral organizations such as AfDB, ATAF, IMF, WCO, World Bank and WTO, and with regional organizations such as SADC, COMESA, ESAMI and bi-lateral relations with major trading partners.
 Performing such other functions as may be assigned by the Board.

Job Specifications

 Applicant must have demonstrable leadership capabilities to lead a large, complex diversified institution.
 The applicant is required to have a comprehensive knowledge of Zimbabwe’s tax and customs systems and familiarity with the revenue laws, regulations, treaties and protocols administered by the Authority.
 Excellent planning and organizing skills required in managing assigned projects to accomplish work objectives in compliance with procedural, administrative and technical requirements prescribed by the various laws and regulations administered by ZIMRA.
 Provides the Authority with effective leadership anchored on high ethical standards.
 Good interpersonal skills.
 Good communication and engagement skills.
 Excellent stakeholder engagement and management skills.
 Ability to lead large scale change management projects.

Qualifications:

 Degree in Economics, Accounts, Business Studies, Fiscal Studies, Banking, Finance, Auditing or equivalent.
 A Masters’ degree or equivalent postgraduate commercial qualification in areas such as Taxation, Business Administration, Economics, Information Technology, Accounting, Fiscal Studies or Law.

Related Experience:

 A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in Tax and/or Customs.
 At least 5 years’ experience at the executive management level.
 Experience in organizational management or other aspects of public administration would be an added advantage.
 Regional or international exposure will be an added advantage.
Interested candidates should submit applications, accompanied by a detailed Curriculum Vitae and certified copies of academic and professional qualifications, by 27 January 2022. All applications should be emailed to [email protected] indicating your E-mail Subject Reference as Commissioner General Position and addressed to:

The Board Chairperson
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority
6th Floor ZB Centre
Corner First Street / Kwame Nkrumah Avenue
P. O. Box 4360
HARARE

By A Correspondent- Norton legislator Temba Mliswa (Independent) has mocked former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation chief executive Happison Muchechetere, who lost the Mashonaland West ZANU PF provincial chairmanship elections recently.

He also took a dig at other Zanu PF bigwigs and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s perceived right hand men State Security minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube and party spokesman Christopher Mutsvangwa.

Mliswa chastised Muchechetere and one Zunzanyika for claiming the independent MP was plotting to form an opposition party, with his sister, Mashonaland West Provincial minister, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka. Mliswa-Chikoka won the Zanu PF provincial elections which were endorsed yesterday.

In several leaked audio clips, Mliswa explained his deep-rooted links to Zanu PF and aligned himself with a faction of disgruntled war veterans within the ruling party, exposing his links to the ruling party.

Party insiders have described Mliswa’s attacks as a ploy to worm his way back into the ruling party ahead of the 2023 elections.

Mliswa, a former Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman, was expelled from Zanu PF in 2015 allegedly for undermining the party.  Then he was also the ruling party’s Hurungwe West legislator.
In the audio clips, he attacked Ncube , Mutsvangwa and Muchechetere for faking their support for Mnangagwa, before claiming that he was the President’s relative and close ally.

He accused Mutsvangwa of decampaigning Mnangagwa in Norton during the 2018 harmonised elections.
Mliswa claimed that he was responsible for mobilising voters for Mnangagwa in Norton.

He also accused Ncube of raising frivolous charges against him to settle personal scores over Susan Mutami, a woman who allegedly has links to both of them.

“I was arrested on baseless COVID-19 charges which were brought up by Mudha (Ncube), who said nothing at the helm of ED’s victimisation during the previous regime. What did they say in the Midlands province in defence of Ngwena (Mnangagwa) during his ? He used State apparatus to arrest me over the issue of Susan (Mutami) because he knows her.

Nobody should interfere between me and the President. I supplied confidential information to the President during the coup. You do not know what he did for me and what I did for him. If you don’t see me with the President it does not mean we are not in good books,” Mliswa said, claiming that in Parliament he defended Mnangagwa, including advocating for the removal of the late former President Robert Mugabe in 2017.

Mliswa also claimed that he had written to Mnangagwa informing him that the war veterans in Mashonaland West province were divisive.

Ncube refused to comment on the issue.

Muchechetere said: “I saw the messages from Temba attacking me, but I responded telling him I wondered why he was bothered when his sister had won in the polls.”

Said Mutsvangwa: “I don’t have time for fools. I have weighter responsibilities in the revolutionary party and have no time for vanity and self seekers. I will not build a personality by sparing with Mliswa. The President belongs to Zanu PF amd not to the independent.

As far as I am concerned, Mliswa doesn’t politically exist. If he can’t find a leader of his independent political party, he can’t appropriate my President.

“Someone for the past two decades has earned his daily keep by trolling Mutsvangwa, even all the way to Beijing during my ambassadorial posting. He strives to be my political alter ego with a “

By-The Zimbabwe Republic Police has announced that only three bodies have been so far recovered from the 11 people who drowned while crossing the Limpopo River on Sunday.

The police said one of the bodies was retrieved at a crossing point near Maroy Farm some 40km west of Beitbridge town.

Efforts were by end of the day yesterday underway to retrieve two more bodies spotted on the deeper end of the South African side of the Limpopo River.
It is reported that divers from the two countries failed to retrieve the two bodies on Tuesday due to the high-water current in the river.

The police officer commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo said they were continuing with the efforts to retrieve the bodies.
He said the search was initiated on Monday after two women reported that their husbands had drowned near a crossing point closer to Nottingham Estate on Sunday.
“The divers came across the three bodies on Tuesday while searching for two men who were reported to have drowned on Sunday,” said Chief Supt Nyongo.
“However, the bodies we have spotted so far are not of those two men. As police, we are still treating them as missing persons. Searches are still on and efforts are being made to retrieve two more bodies that were seen at the same point at a deeper end”.

He said police suspect there could be more cases of drowning along the Limpopo River, where the level of water has relatively risen.
Police warned people against using illegal crossing points as they risk prosecution or drowning in the Limpopo River.
The latest drowning incidents come a few days after Zimbabwean security rescued six people who got stranded at a crossing point near Dulivhadzimu Gorge, after a wooden makeshift boat they were using capsized.

The group was part of 15 people who were dumped in the middle of the river by some criminals who were assisting them to cross.
The men ran away upon spotting some security officials who were patrolling near the crossing point.

By -Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa Wednesday endorsed the party’s chaotic Provincial elections and ignored rigging claims by several officials who partook in the party’s internal polls.

A handful of Zanu members who contested in the 28 December Zanu PF provincial elections complained that the elections were rigged and demanded a re-run.

But Mnangagwa on Wednesday said everyone should accept the disputed outcome and work together for the good of the party.

Mnangagwa made the remarks while addressing a Zanu PF politburo session at the party headquarters in Harare on Wednesday. He said:
As we deliberate on the report of the elections, I urge all members of the Party to be mindful of the fact that, in our Party, there are no winners and losers. It is the people and ultimately the Party that wins.
Party cadres who did not make it in the recent elections must avail themselves, their experiences, skills and competencies to build and grow our mass Party.
Just as iron sharpens iron, the spirit of camaraderie and collegiality must be harnessed as we all serve this great Party, Zanu PF and the nation as a whole.
An election lost must never dampen the revolutionary spirit of any cadre, but inspire them to learn, develop and mature in their political career.
The Zanu PF elections were reportedly marred by violence and vote-rigging and the party is yet to announce the final results of the polls, more than a week after the votes were cast. Said Mnangagwa:

Irregularities and political chicanery across Party structures must be decisively dealt with and expunged from the Party.
I urge the Party leadership to always listen to the aspirations of the people at every level.

Mnangagwa urged party members to work towards securing “a resounding victory” in the 2023 general elections.

-ZBC

By-Zimbabwe and South Africa police are collaborating to search for people who are reported to have drowned while crossing the Limpopo River on Sunday.
So far one body has been retrieved at a crossing point near Maroy Farm some 40km west of Beitbridge town.
Efforts were by end of the day yesterday underway to retrieve two more bodies spotted on the deeper end of the South African side of the Limpopo River.
It is reported that divers from the two countries failed to retrieve the two bodies on Tuesday due to the high-water current in the river.

The police officer commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo said they were continuing with the efforts to retrieve the bodies.
He said the search was initiated on Monday after two women reported that their husbands had drowned near a crossing point closer to Nottingham Estate on Sunday.
“The divers came across the three bodies on Tuesday while searching for two men who were reported to have drowned on Sunday,” said Chief Supt Nyongo.
“However, the bodies we have spotted so far are not of those two men. As police, we are still treating them as missing persons. Searches are still on and efforts are being made to retrieve two more bodies that were seen at the same point at a deeper end”.

He said police suspect there could be more cases of drowning along the Limpopo River, where the level of water has relatively risen.
Police warned people against using illegal crossing points as they risk prosecution or drowning in the Limpopo River.
The latest drowning incidents come a few days after Zimbabwean security rescued six people who got stranded at a crossing point near Dulivhadzimu Gorge, after a wooden makeshift boat they were using capsized.

The group was part of 15 people who were dumped in the middle of the river by some criminals who were assisting them to cross.
The men ran away upon spotting some security officials who were patrolling near the crossing point.

By- Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa Wednesday rubbished an appeal by war veterans from Mashonaland Central Province who approached the party complaining about Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe’s re-election as the party’s provincial chairperson.

The war veterans and several senior party officials said Kazembe rigged the elections and vowed not to recognise him.

Kazembe defeated businessman Tafadzwa Musarara amid reports of violence and massive rigging.

Some party officials described the election as a sham after widespread reports of poll anomalies were noted in Mbire and Muzarabani, two of the constituencies that gave Kazembe victory.

Mnangagwa addressed his party’s politburo meeting Wednesday and said that everyone must accept the outcome of the December 28 provincial elections.

By- Zanu PF Politburo Wednesday posthumously declared the late former High Court Judge Advocate Siwanda Kennedy Mbuso Sibanda a national hero.

Adv Sibanda, a legal icon of the liberation struggle, died on December 22 at Morningside MediClinic in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the age of 89.
He was one of the few lawyers that dedicated their lives to defending political prisoners during the days of the liberation war.

Adv Sibanda participated in the formation of a special committee for the defence of political prisoners in Zimbabwe and in apartheid South Africa.
During that time, he was instrumental in tracing and finding arrested political “offenders” and guerrillas and providing them with legal services.
His hero status was announced yesterday by Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa after a Politburo meeting.
“We have a new national hero, Advocate Sibanda. He died in South where his family is based. He was a nationalist. He was part of the Lancaster House Agreement in United Kingdom in 1979,” said Ambassador Mutsvangwa.

The national hero, Ambassador Mutsvangwa said, was a legal advisor to the ZAPU delegation and was involved in nationalist politics with the late National Hero Cde Edson Sithole.
“His pedigree is sterling and the President knew him because he was part of the legal advisors of the Patriotic Front,” said Ambassador Mutsvangwa.
He was unanimously declared a national hero at the request of Bulawayo province.
At a time when the white minority regime was using the law as a tool to oppress African people, Adv Sibanda was instrumental in helping the people to access and relate to the prescripts of the law and at the same time translated the grievances of the people into the law, thus, using the law as a tool and a weapon against injustice and oppression.
He was instrumental in changing the post-independence legal landscape continuing to grow his legal practice while opening doors for many other lawyers who would go on to establish their own careers and firms
Adv Sibanda’s practice survives him and continues to be the mainstay of Bulawayo’s legal fraternity. He was one of the first black advocates of the High Court of Rhodesia in the early 1970s and went on to set up his own legal practice in Bulawayo.

Adv SKM Sibanda as he was affectionately known was a highly skilled legal practitioner with vast experience in the practice of law, having completed his studies at the University of Natal in the 1960s.
Widely regarded as an outstanding defence counsel, Adv Sibanda used his legal skills and acumen to actively contribute to the liberation of Zimbabwe, defending freedom fighters captured by the regime, saving many from the gallows.
Further, his commitment to liberation and specialised knowledge in constitutional law saw him contributing to the nation’s liberation as one of the drafters of the Lancaster House Constitution in 1979, paving the way to the country’s independence from white minority rule in 1980.
Post-independence, Adv Sibanda continued to build his legal practice, while continuing to dedicate his life and energy to the development of the country.
He did this through his involvement in politics, business, sport and various Government commissions.
In 1997, Adv Sibanda was called to the bench, serving as a judge of the High Court in Bulawayo where he significantly contributed to the shaping of the country’s laws.
Upon retirement in 2002, he returned to private practice where he continued to mentor young lawyers in his firm.
Born on 19 April 1932, he grew up in Somnene, Bulilima District in Matabeleland South. Adv Sibanda was the son of successful farmers, Jack Mbuso Sibanda and Volo Sibanda (nee Gumbo)

As the eldest of six children, he was raised to be responsible not just for himself but for his siblings as well.
Adv Sibanda attended Tshabanda School in the then Nata Territorial Tribal Lands, now Bulilima, in 1945.
In 1948 he went to study at Solusi Mission where he completed his Junior Certificate in 1955 and the following year, he went to South Africa intending to sit his Matric at Adam’s College.
In 1957 he entered Kilnerton Institute in Pretoria and matriculated in 1958 and that same year, he met friends that made him aim higher than Matric.
He enrolled for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Natal in 1958 but lost the whole year due to illness and was enrolled again in 1960 and finished his studies in 1962 after which he enrolled for a law degree.
His law studies were interrupted by a series of illnesses in 1963, 66 and 68.

Against the advice of his doctor, Adv Sibanda finished his studies. His determination paid off and when his health improved, he transferred his registration to Maritzburg where he finished his law studies in 1970.
In order to raise his university fees, he had to study during the day and work at night. After finishing his law degree in South Africa, he worked with a firm of attorneys to complete his articles.
He returned to then Rhodesia in March 1971 and was successful in Rhodesian examinations to be an advocate. Adv Sibanda abhorred injustice and inequality.
He joined the Pan African Congress of Azania and worked alongside Steve Biko and Griffiths Mxenge in the student movement that would resist the racist policies of the South African government.
His political involvement continued after his return home, fighting against the Rhodesian white minority government.
Adv Sibanda joined Zapu and rose to the position of being one of the legal advisers of the party. It was in this capacity that he served as one of the drafters of the Lancaster House Constitution, which paved the way to Zimbabwe’s independence from white minority rule in 1980.

-State media

By A Correspondent-The Zimbabwe Republic Police has announced that they had arrested over 89 000 people for committing a cross-border related crime.

The police said the arrests were made under the operation Code-named “No to Cross Border Crimes/Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni/Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe”.

They said some of the suspects were fined while others are expected to appear in court after being vetted.

“The ZRP reports that on January 2, 2022, 781 people were arrested on operation ‘No to Cross Border Crimes/ Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni Yamashango/Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/ Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe’.
“The cumulative number of arrests on the operation now stands at 89 277, since the inception of operation,” National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told the state media Wednesday.

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said the late Movement for Democratic Change founding father, Gibson Sibanda was a dedicated trade unionist and national leader.

Sibanda was the first MDC vice president at its inception in 1999.

Sibanda and the late MDC president Morgan Richard Tsvangirai led a formidable force that challenged Zanu PF hegemony.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:

THE PEOPLE’S STRUGGLE…

This week, in memory, we honour the founding leader of the People’s Movement, the late veteran trade unionist, Gibson Sibanda.

Was born on the 1st of January 1944.

This week he would have turned 78 yrs old. Rest in peace Qhawe, Lala ngokuthula Qhawe.

By A Correspondent | A War veteran commander, Dzingai Nevhunjere, who troubled commercial farmers in Mazowe district during the late President Robert Mugabe’s commandeered 2002 land reform program, has been slapped with a six-year jail term for stealing a herd of cattle.

Nevhunjere, 64, was caged after a full trial by Harare magistrate Victoria Mashamba.

He escaped the nine year mandatory sentence for stock theft after the magistrate considered that when be committed the offence, common law was still in place.

The war veteran will also serve five years effective after one year of his sentence was set aside on conditions of good behavior.

Nevhunjere was found guilty of stealing a herd of 16 cattle from farmer Thomas Charles Bayley back in 2002.

Bayley was the owner of Danburry Park Farm in Marlborough, Harare.

The National Prosecuting Authority proved that Nevhunjere and some youths invaded the farm on April 13, 2002 and prevented Bayley from entering it.

They barricaded the entrance using poles and drums, and then forced Baylely’s family out of the farm, which had 977 cattle and 210 calves. Nevhunjere took custody of all the cattle.

On April 5 and 7, 2002, Nevhunjere then drove 20 cattle to his Omeath Farm in Mvurwi.

Sixteen beasts were recovered from him on November 13, 2003 after the complainant identified them.

The court also heard that on several occasions, the war veteran would order his youths to slaughter cows for meat.

When Bayley was finally allowed to enter his farm on July 13, 2002, he collected 1 042 cattle, and discovered that 145 beasts were missing.

On February 5, 2005 police recovered six beasts from Nevhunjere.

In passing sentence the magistrate said she will also consider that Nevhunjere is now an old family man.

She also considered the circumstances circumstances around the commission of the offence.

She said the Nevhunjere was a first offender as such deserved liniency.

“When the accused committed the offence, it was because he wanted to implement what he fought for (as a war veteran). But this did not go well because you end up taking someone’s cattle, ” said the magistrate.

She added, Moral blameworthiness is high because he was a commander and took advantage of your authority by stealing and distorting the agrarian reform.”

“You planned to steal because you sent the cattle to your farm in Mvurwi. You did not assist in recovery of the cattle. You tried to fight against the offence. You are luck that at the time it was not 9 years mandatory as this time. The court shall not impose that 9 years mandatory but will use the common law,” Mashamba ruled.

By- Police officers yesterday intercepted 400 by 100mls bottles of BronCleer cough syrup with an estimated street value of ZAR40 000.
The contraband was being transported in a Honda Fit vehicle along the Limpopo River.

One person, Custom Savanhu (40) has since been arrested for unlawful possession of prohibited, controlled and restricted medicines.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed.

“On January 4, 2022 a team of police officers who were on patrol, along the Limpopo River enforcing operation ‘No to cross border crimes’, arrested Custom Savanhu aged 40 for unlawful possession of prohibited, controlled and restricted medicines.
“Police recovered 400 x 100ml of Broncleer cough syrup with a street value of ZAR 40 000 which was in a Honda Fit vehicle,” he said.
The arrest comes after three women were intercepted in Harare and Mutare in separate incidents after they were found in possession of 281kg of mbanje and 50 bottles of BronCleer cough syrup.

Another 75 people have been arrested countrywide for dealing in crystal methamphetamine drugs, commonly known as “Mutoriro.”
The three women are Patricia Munyengeri (38), Jennifer Mahachi (28) who were both arrested in the capital while Chenal Mukungatu (34) was arrested in Mutare.
Munyengeri was arrested in Epworth and found with 20kg x 13 bags mbanje weighing 260kg while Mahachi was found in possession of 50 x 100mls of BronCleer cough syrup.
In Mutare, Mukungatu was intercepted with 21kg mbanje along the Mutare–Chimanimani Road.
From December 27, 2021, to January 2, 2022, 75 people were arrested countrywide for dealing in crystal methamphetamine drug under the ongoing operation ‘No to Crystal Meth.’
Most of the suspects are still assisting police with investigations and will appear in court soon.

The arrests came reports that abuse of the dangerous drug called crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “mutoriro”, “dombo” or “guka”, by youths has reached alarming levels with at least 100 young men and women appearing at the Harare Magistrates Court.
The rise in cases where people are dealing in dangerous drugs is blamed for the surge in cases of drug-induced mental illnesses.

-Herald

A stray elephant has killed a mother and her six-month-old baby in Kushinga B village under Chief Musikavanhu, Chipinge.

The sad incident happened on New Year’s Day.

Shylet Muyambo (22) died on the spot with her female infant baby when a jumbo trampled them to death close to her matrimonial home.

Police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident on 1 January.

Circumstances indicate Muyambo was coming from her sister’s Charity Muyambo (25) homestead in the same village, at around 1800hrs when the elephant charged towards them.

Chinyoka said the deceased’s relatives were alerted by loud cries for help that a stray elephant was on the loose attacking the duo.

“Charity and her husband Simbarashe Kumbula heard Shylet’s cries for help, but only found her and the child lying lifeless on the ground when they approached the scene. After the matter was reported to Chisumbanje Police Station the two bodies were taken to St Peter’s Hospital where they were pronounced dead,” Chinyoka said.

Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo also confirmed the fateful incident.

He said the victims had travelled to a neighbouring community visiting relatives when they met a herd of elephants.

“It is unfortunate that a Chipinge woman and her three months old child were trampled to death by an elephant on New Year,” Farawo said.

“The woman had visited her relatives in the neighbouring community and she was on her way back when she met the herd of elephants and was attacked by one, which killed her on the spot together with her baby.”

Farawo said the marauding elephant had since been killed.

BY- Eleven (11) Zimbabwean border jumpers are feared to have drowned in separate incidents attempting to cross the Limpopo River into South Africa.

A boat carrying eight (8) Zimbabweans who were attempting to cross the crocodile-infested Limpopo River into South Africa reportedly capsized near Gate 7 east of the border post on Sunday.

The other three were reportedly swept away in different incidents also on Sunday.

Beitbridge Police District Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo confirmed to News24 that only one body had been recovered so far. Said Nyongo:

So far a body has been recovered, but has yet to be identified. Two more bodies are in the river, but on the SA side and to retrieve them, there’s [the] need [for the] services of a helicopter because the water current is strong.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)’s Aub-Aqua Unit had been trying to get the bodies since Sunday when they were reported to authorities, without success.

Superintendent Nyongo said they had informed the South African Police Services (SAPS) who were expected to dispatch a helicopter to the area.

News24 reported sources in Beitbridge as saying that the eight believed to have drowned were seen in an inflated boat near Dite Village, 40 kilometres east and downstream from the bridge.

However, Superintendent Nyongo said ZRP had not received the report about the boat.

More: News24

By- The fight between the MDC-T President Douglas Mwonzora and Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe (MDC Alliance) has turned nasty, with the former refusing to had recalled the latter.

Mwonzora and his party’s secretary-general Paurina Mpariwa, according to the Gweru Mayor lied to the police that they did not recall him from representing MDC in the local authority.

Through his lawyer Nqobani Sithole, Makombe alleged Mwonzora and Mpariwa jointly lied under oath in a case before the Bulawayo High Court where the two leaders claimed they had not recalled him from office.
Makombe, MDC-T vice-president Thokozani Khupe and Chitungwiza mayor Lovemore Maikorecently filed a joint urgent application at the Bulawayo High Court seeking an interdict to stop their impending recalls from Parliament and council by the MDC-T.

Responding to the report, MDC-T spokesperson Witness Dube insisted that the party’s leaders did not discuss the issue of recalling members during a meeting held on 26 November 2021. Wrote Dube:
We learnt with utter dismay from social media and some newspaper articles that President Douglas Mwonzora and some of our leaders committed perjury in case number CR27/01/22 with the police in Bulawayo.
We also have noted that perennial haters led by Professor Jonathan Moyo have been inciting the arrest of our leaders using social media posts that are devoid of truth.
We maintain that there is absolutely no perjury and our leaders never lied under oath.
Our President Douglas Mwonzora, Chairman Morgen Komichi and Secretary-General Paurina Mpariwa were called upon to answer specific accusations.
It was accused that they presided over a National Council meeting on 26 November 2021 in Harare and the meeting resolved to expel the applicants from the party.
It can be clearly seen that the allegations were specific to the date, venue and forum of the alleged violations.
Our leaders’ response was therefore that there was no resolution to recall any of the applicants, our leaders attached video evidence as well as official resolutions of the meeting in question.
We, therefore, maintain that what they said in their response was the absolute truth.
Our leaders were never asked whether or not there had been recall discussions BEFORE the meeting and therefore didn’t answer that question.
Our leaders never made an undertaking that there will be no recalls in the future.
It is the applicants themselves, and the sheer incompetence of whoever drafted their papers, that tied them to a specific date.
Our records show the decision to recall mayors was made in mid-2020 when Dr Thokozani Khupe was acting President.
Furthermore, our records show that the decision to proceed with recalls was made by relevant party organs.
The official recall letter was then written and signed on the 5th of November 2021 weeks before the National Council Meeting of 26 November 2021. The decision to press criminal charges is despicable and malicious.
We maintain the truth of what our leaders stated in court papers that there was no discussion to recall the applicants on 26 November 2021.
We, therefore, challenge people like Prof Moyo and others to openly share the letter of recall with the date clearly showing.
We insist that they deliberately withheld publishing the letter because it would disapprove of the perjury allegations.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF President Mnangagwa has read a riot act to his senior party members during a crunch politburo held this morning.

The riot act comes after his party chaotic provincial elections last week.

Mnangagwa was reading the riot act ahead of discussing the disputed outcome of the chaotic PCC elections.

Mnangagwa said the party would not hesitate to ‘expunge’ errant members.

“Let me further hasten to say that constitutionalism, unity, peace, harmony and development remain our absolute compass, now and going into the future.
“Irregularities and political chicanery across party structures must be decisively dealt with and expunged from the party.

I urge the party leadership to always listen to the aspirations of the people at every level. It is equally important that the party leadership and membership in general work concretely to achieve a better quality of life for our people. It is after all the people who have entrusted us with the mandate to govern over our great country,” he said.

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said the late Movement for Democratic Change founding father, Gibson Sibanda was a dedicated trade unionist and national leader.

Sibanda was the first MDC vice president at its inception in 1999.

Sibanda and the late MDC president Morgan Richard Tsvangirai led a formidable force that challenged Zanu PF hegemony.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:

THE PEOPLE’S STRUGGLE…

This week, in memory, we honour the founding leader of the People’s Movement, the late veteran trade unionist, Gibson Sibanda.

Was born on the 1st of January 1944.

This week he would have turned 78 yrs old. Rest in peace Qhawe, Lala ngokuthula Qhawe.

By A Correspondent- A Nust final year student committed suicide in his rural home of Masvingo, the university’s Students Representative Committee (SRC) has said.

It is still unclear what caused Tanaka Muzondo to kill himself.

“It is with a heavy heart that we notify you of the passing on of one of our own, a fellow NUST student, Tanaka Muzondo, a final year student (Part 4) from the Banking and Investment Management class. We have been informed that he committed suicide at his rural village in Masvingo. May we pray for the Muzondo family, that they may find solace during this time,” said the Nust SRC in a statement on Twitter.

On December 29, 2021, Muzondo posted a poem Because I could not stop for death, written by Emily Dickson, on his Facebook account.

SRC president Tapfuma Muganiwa said the Nust community had been plunged into mourning.

“Our year has commenced on a rather sad note. I am informed of the passing of our fellow student Mr Tanaka Muzondo. He is said to have committed suicide. Tanaka was studying Banking and Investment Management in his fourth and final year. We used to play social soccer matches from part two through to part four with him. We have been left with too many questions.

“May the dear Lord comfort the bereaved families. The loss of our brother in this manner has cut a deep wound to the NUST Community. We are left with much work to do. Go well, Tanaka. I have so many questions,” said Muganiwa.

Last year a Nust final year student reportedly committed suicide by throwing himself into a dam in Mvurwi.

In 2018 a second-year Finance student at the same university was found hanging in his hostel in a suspected case of suicide.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A traditional healer, supposedly aged 106, on Monday, appeared in court for extortion involving a late businesswoman he allegedly helped to amass wealth.

The traditional healer, Elias Godknows Zinyemba, appeared before Harare magistrate Shane Kubonera charged with extortion.

He had allegedly threatened the family of the late businesswoman, Precious Nyakujara, with death if they did not return the goblins he claimed to have given the now deceased.

Precious, who was well-known in Harare as a foreign currency dealer, died in August 2021.

Zinyemba appeared in court together with his daughter Pamela Zinyemba and his nephew Newlife Magona.

State prosecutor Marian Furidze told the court that in November last year, the trio, with Artwell Magona and Elton Dickson connived and wrote a letter which they addressed to the late businesswoman.

The letter was delivered to the late Nyakujara’s residence in Glen Lorne by Magona and was received by her husband John Mukorera.

Mukorera reportedly advised his mother-in-law Josephine Edith Nyakujara of the contents of the letter which purported to invite his late wife to Zinyemba’s shrine.

On 24 November last year, Mukorera and his mother-in-law and his cousin Brian Goto went to Zinyemba’s shrine in Musekiwa village in Bindura escorted by Magona.

Zinyemba allegedly informed them that he had given the late Precious some goblins, which had helped her succeed in her business.

He further told them that since Precious had died and no one was there to take care of the goblins, it was safe that he repossessed them because they wanted blood.

Zinyemba reportedly claimed that he had an agreement with Precious that whenever the goblins were to be returned, they were to be accompanied by a payment of 40 cattle, a house in Harare and a car.

After Josephine allegedly begged for leniency, Zinyemba reviewed the payment downwards to US$5 000 and a motor vehicle.

Zinyemba reportedly sent two representatives with Josephine to Precious’ house and performed some rituals to remove the goblins.

After the rituals were done, Josephine allegedly paid them US$7 000 in the presence of her son-in-law Mukorera and Goto.

Meanwhile, Josephine later informed her uncle Douglas Chiendambuya what had transpired and they agreed to meet at a local hotel.

At that meeting, Chiendambuya was accompanied by Justice Muzungu who revealed that he had been treated in the same way by Zinyemba after his father died but had refused to make the payment after noting “inconsistencies”.

Josephine then decided to make a police report for extortion, resulting in the arrest of Zinyemba and his alleged accomplices. They were remanded to 20 January.-BMetro

By A Correspondent- Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe (MDC-T) yesterday reported his party leader Douglas Mwonzora and secretary-general Paurina Mpariwa to the police for lying under oath.

Makombe, through his lawyer Nqobani Sithole, said Mwonzora and Mpariwa jointly lied under oath in a case before the Bulawayo High Court where the MDC-T leaders claimed they had not recalled him from office.

He alleged that Local Government minister July Moyo was in possession of a letter from the duo recalling him.

The matter was recorded at Bulawayo Central Police Station under case CR 27 /01/22.

“I can confirm that we filed a police report against Mwonzora and Mpariwa. Police said they are investigating the matter,” Sithole said.

Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba said: “The matter is still at the courts whose judgment we are still waiting for. Those who reported did so within their rights but how can they claim that they lied when the minister did not act on the alleged letter which he possesses?”

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube referred questions to national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who was not picking up calls yesterday.

The report comes after Makombe filed a joint urgent application at the Bulawayo High Court with party vice-president Thokozani Khupe and Chitungwiza mayor Lovemore Maiko seeking an interdict to stop their impending recalls from the opposition
party.

The trio claimed it was being targeted for allegedly sympathising with MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Police in Zvishavane have received 10 bicycles from Mimosa Mines to help combat crime in the Midlands mining town.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mimosa general manager Steven Ndiyamba said it was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to capacitate local police to enable them to fight crime.

District police commander Chief Superintendent Martin Makusha said their operations were being hampered by lack of transport.

“A number of police stations in the province were facing vehicle shortages, a development which made them to fail to attend to crime scenes on time,” he said.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Mashonaland Central’s self-styled war veterans commander Dzingai Nevhunjere,  who at the height of the land reform programme in 2002 allegedly terrorised commercial farmers in Mazowe district, was yesterday convicted of stealing 17 cattle from former farmer Thomas Charles Bayley.

Nevhunjere’s conviction came 20 years after the court challenge was lodged.

The matter was heard by Harare magistrate Victoria Mashamba yesterday.

In mitigation, Nevhunjere’s lawyers Tonderai Chikosha and Tsitsi Katherine pleaded for a lenient sentence saying their client committed the offence during the peak of the land reform programme.

They said after chasing away Bayley, Nevhunjere (64) thought that the beasts belonged to him.

“During the time of the alleged offence, he was 44 years. He is married with six children with the young one being 11 years old. He is a war veteran who fought for the liberation of this country. He has been going through this trial for the past 20 years and it had a negative impact on him,” Chikosha said.

Prosecutor Tafadzwa Shoko said Nevhunjere should be given a lengthy sentence to deter other would-be offenders.

“17 beasts were recovered, however, the recovery of the beasts were not by chance. The recovery was as a result of the skill by the police and information supplied by witnesses. He did not assist in the recovery of the beasts. The recovery is not part of remorse of the convict, because of not being remorseful the court must not be lenient,” Shoko said, describing stocktheft as a serious crime.

Mashamba postponed sentencing to today.

Bayley was the owner of Danburry Park Farm in Marlborough, Harare.

Allegations were that Nevhunjere and some youths invaded the farm on April 13, 2002 and prevented Bayley from entering it.

They barricaded the entrance using poles and drums, and then forced Baylely’s family out of the farm, which had 977 cattle and 210 calves. Nevhunjere took custody of all the cattle.

On April 5 and 7, 2002, Nevhunjere then drove 20 cattle to his Omeath Farm in Mvurwi.

Sixteen beasts were recovered from Nevhunjere on November 13, 2003 after the complainant identified them.

The court also heard that on several occasions, the war veteran would order his youths to slaughter cows for meat.

When Bayley was finally allowed to enter his farm on July 13, 2002, he collected 1 042 cattle, and discovered that 145 beasts were missing.

On February 5, 2005 police recovered six beasts from Nevhunjere.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Gilbert Nyambabvu has left his role as director of digital and TV services at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation after nearly three years with the public broadcaster.

Nyambabvu said it was his decision to leave, a year after he was unexpectedly shunted out his previous job as the ZBC’s head of news and current affairs.

“I always meant to do between two and three years at the national broadcaster and then move on because I take the view that public service is a shared responsibility and no single individual can have all the answers,” Nyambabvu told ZimLive.

Reflecting on his time at the ZBC, Nyambabvu called it a “teaching experience.”

“You can’t learn from four CEOs in just under three years; the corporation is unique like that,” he said.

“I’m proud of one small but in my view hugely impactive initiative – we launched Ndebele for beginners lessons on the ZBC YouTube channel; a contribution to address one of the mischiefs of our country’s history.”

Nyambabvu was critical of the ZBC’s funding model.

“For our policy-makers, they need to understand that while the 1950s British concept of Public Service Broadcasting might have universal applicability, its funding model doesn’t,” he said.

“The BBC gets billions of pounds annually from licence fee collections because its viewers and listeners like to be compliant; our people on the other hand are just not minded to pay.”

Part of the ZBC’s problem, he said, is that while it is allowed to source for advertising, “the public utility content requirements imposed on the corporation have no commercial value and, therefore, little prospect of attracting advertising.”

“What this means, in my view, is that the government must fully fund the public broadcaster,” he said.

Nyambabvu is expected to return to the United Kingdom and rejoin online publication New Zimbabwe.com, this time as CEO.

The 46-year-old’s time at the ZBC was not without incident. His removal as head of news and current affairs in August 2020 came after he was summoned by first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa who hectored him for half-an-hour after he had suspended her favourite cameraman.

Cameraman Stan Marodza was suspended after causing the broadcasting of a video clip showing President Emmerson Mnangagwa receiving a donation of Covid-19 masks and PPEs from Delish Nguwaya, the country representative of corruption-linked company – Drax International – which was irregularly awarded tenders worth over US$60 million for medical supplies.

ZBC’s senior editorial team had decided that the clip would not be used, believing they were shielding Mnangagwa from an already raging controversy over how Drax was awarded tenders. Nguwaya is a business associate of Mnangagwa’s twin sons, Sean and Collins.

Three days later, however, Marodza allegedly saw an opportunity when most senior editorial gatekeepers were absent and caused the clip to run on the main news.

Government spokesman Nick Mangwana originally backed Nyambabvu.

“I am informed that after the reporter shelved the story, the scammers got to the cameraman Stan Marodza who managed to get the clip played three days later and then gave the original to Nguwaya for leveraging officials,” he tweeted on June 20, 2020.

Ministry of information officials and ZBC chiefs were shocked however, on June 23, when Nyambabvu was summoned by the president’s wife who was critical of the original decision not to run the clip, and the subsequent decision to suspend the cameraman.

“Nyambabvu was fired five times in that meeting,” a colleague briefed on the discussions said. “The first lady was surrounded by 15 or so men, security types, and didn’t give him a chance to put a word in. She completely went bananas.”

Marodza later appeared before a ZBC internal disciplinary committee and was cleared of wrong-doing after the first lady’s dramatic intervention.

Given to sudden mood swings, Auxillia Mnangagwa’s relations are notoriously fluid.

“Marodza and the reporter Theophilus Chuma would also later fall out of favour and be banned from covering her because she doesn’t have permanent pleasures,” a ZBC insider said.

The ZBC is tightly controlled by the ruling Zanu-PF party and the security establishment. Nyambabvu’s time spent in the United Kingdom and previous criticism of the regime meant that he was always viewed with suspicion.

One of Nyambabvu’s colleagues said: “Well, with this lot you must always have an exit plan and be sure to trigger it at a time of your own choosing; otherwise you risk being escorted off site by security, followed by a lengthy spell in remand prison.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said high COVID-19 deaths and hospitalisations could end in 2022 but the coronavirus itself is very unlikely to go away completely.

In a recent statement, WHO chief of emergencies, Mike Ryan, urged governments to continue enforcing public health measures set to control the spread of the virus. Said, Ryan:

With regards to the pandemic, we have been saying this for a very long time. The acute phase of the pandemic, the pandemic that’s been associated with the tragedy of deaths and hospitalisations — can end in 2022.

The virus itself is very unlikely to go away completely and will probably settle down into a pattern of transmission, low level causing occasional outbreaks in under-vaccinated populations.

And we hope that is the end game, but we are not there yet. This is going to be a bumpy road on the way to low levels of COVID-19, but I think the most important thing at this moment is we need to be careful about changing tactics and strategies immediately on the basis of what we are seeing in early Omicron data.

The Zimbabwean Government last week extended the level two lockdown measures by a further two weeks and postponed the reopening of schools indefinitely as new coronavirus infections remain high.

Statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care show that on Tuesday, there were 1 591 new coronavirus cases recorded, while 31 people succumbed to the virus.

The test positivity rate had, however, declined to 22.14% while the national recovery rate stood at 86%.

After the outrageous report that only 2971 people were registered to vote in 2021, I decided to visit the ZEC offices to demand for answers. Citizens are clearly justified to call for the resignation of the ZEC chief elections officer Utoile Slygwana.

He is famous for announcing election results back in 2005. When I got to the ZEC offices around 10AM, I was greeted by a truck of armed riot police. We parked our two small cars outside the heavily fortified office.

Inside there was no parking space, the car park was fully packed with brand new 4X4 vehicles. You need not be a mathematician to estimate that the value of the vehicles runs into millions of US dollars!

At the gate were four armed police officers in uniform. They asked who we were and the TZ organizing secretary introduced our delegation. As he mentioned that I was Ngarivhume they pointed us to the offices and that we go in and see the police at the reception. I was alarmed, police at ZEC reception?

We went to the reception as directed, there were four police officers at the foyer reception. They asked for our details and questioned us the reason of our visit. Our organising secretary explained again. We asked to see the chief elections officer.

One police man lead us into the ZEC reception where there was no one. He gave us chairs to sit and asked us to wait. After fifteen minutes a gentleman came to speak to us and we explained ourself again. He went out to call the ZEC Director of public relations and they both sat for a meeting with us.

We obviously raised our great exception to the presence of police at ZEC offices and the various layers of police that we went wthrough to secure the meeting. They explained to us that it’s for security reasons. Zec had been attacked by hooligans before and so they were taking preventive measures.

We highlighted that as it stands ZEC is no longer an office for the people of Zimbabwe but a private security fortification. They noted our concern and promised to raise it to the higher authorities. The two ZEC officials informed us that we could not see the chief elections officer because he was not in the office neither was any of the ZEC commissioners.

We agreed to discuss with them. We shared our huge frustration of the 2900 people registered to vote in 2021. We informed them that citizens were angry and are calling for the resignation of the chief elections officer for gross incompetence.

We demanded to know the ZEC plan for 2022 as far as voter registration is concerned and the plan for by elections coming up in April. We also asked to know when a more massive and aggressive voter registration campaign is starting.

In response they said that they also are let down by lack of progress to issue National IDs from the Registrar General’s office. They assured us that a more aggressive program with over 900 registration centers was coming in February. Currently they said registration was only in 73 centres throughout the country.

They also informed us that they were launching various radio programs to promote voter registration which will culminate in a delimitation exercise. After a one hour meeting we left. We were led out by three police officers and one ZEC official.

When we got out, I got a harrowing narration of harassment of my team by officers claiming to be CIO and police intelligence. My team informed me that they were surrounded and asked endless questions by plain clothed men claiming to be CIOs.

They were demanding to know what they were doing at ZEC and what Ngarivhume really wanted. Several 4×4 vehicles came in and occupants were taking pictures of our two very small vehicles.

A dozen plain cloth men and women were involved in the harassment operation. My team took reg numbers of vehicles that had and pictures of some of the CIOs and plain clothed policemen. Some of them were armed.

I was informed that there was near confrontation with my team as they were very provocative and agitated. I was angry to hear this. I realized that this regime has upped the stakes of freeing this nation.

If we are to achieve change, that may not at all come cheap. Now they have militarized an office that is suppose to be for the citizens. It’s now a military facility. Police are harassing stakeholders at ZEC who are suppose to be partners in the roles and responsibilities of Zec. Where are we going as a nation?

The CIO identify themselves openly at a ZEC office and show their anger that an opposition official is at the ZEC office. So who is suppose to be there?

As I am writing this I realize that our task ahead is no small. We must be ready to risk ourselves as we seek justice and freedom in this country.

The regime and the captured systems are not ready for free and fairness no they aren’t! I could read that from the heavily condoned ZEC offices this morning.

But our resolve is unshackable.

Aluta continua.

#UtoiletSlygwanaMustFall!

Jacob NgarivhumeTZ President

By A Correspondent- Journalist and editor of a local publication was robbed in Harare Tuesday.

Revealed Chipo Gudhe on facebook:

“Glory be to God my protector. I was robbed yesterday morning together with my aunt and another woman after we boarded a gold Toyota hilux double cab at Harare drive and Lomagundi in Harare.

The driver just turned into Westminster and then Suffolk on the pretext that he was avoiding traffic. At that same time the other passenger produced a pistol and started demanding cash and other valuables.

The driver had a Colombiana knife. After they took the money, phones and laptop I was the first to be pushed out of the car and they sped off.

The car had no number plates at the back.

Made a police report at Mabelreign police and we were told there is a fortuner using the same modus operandi.

I just thank God for life.”

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) says it has so far recorded five million, six hundred and forty-seven thousand (5 647 000) registered voters countrywide for next year’s elections.

In a statement, ZEC Commissioner Joyce Kazembe said 22 000 dead people have been removed from the voters roll.

She also said that voter registration was voluntary and continuous according to the law. Said Kazembe:

By end of November 2021, we had recorded 5 647 000 registered voters for 2023 elections including the new ones and those that had registered in the previous elections.

The figure provided by the commission was of voters registered in 2021 and is not the cumulative figure in the country’s voter’s roll.

Please note that the figure is added to already registered voters in the voters roll.

The Commission implores all prospective registrants to visit our 63 districts and 10 provincial offices to get registered.

… Come 2023, the commission will be ready to hold the general elections without any hurdles.

ZEC has of late come under intense scrutiny over allegations that it was under-reporting registration statistics across the country.

Last week, the electoral body revised upwards the number of newly registered voters in 2021 after members of the public disputed its recent disclosure that only 2 000 people had registered to vote.

On Friday, ZEC released new statistics that showed that only 2 971 new voters were registered to vote countrywide, contrary to the 2 000 that the ZEC commissioner Jasper Mangwana announced last week Wednesday.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The Police in Gwanda is investigating a case in which villagers attacked a 72-year-old man with machetes accusing him of selling them out to the police.

In a statement, the police said the public violence case occurred at Manyunyu Village, Tshanyaugwe, Gwanda on Sunday at 2 AM.

“Several suspects from neighbhouring villages armed with axes, machetes, spears, iron bars and knobkerries attacked a man (72) and his three sons alleging that they were giving information to the Police on the suspects’ cattle rustling activities,” said the police.

By-Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe (MDC-T) yesterday reported his party leader Douglas Mwonzora and secretary-general Paurina Mpariwa to the police for lying under oath.

Makombe, through his lawyer Nqobani Sithole, said Mwonzora and Mpariwa jointly lied under oath in a case before the Bulawayo High Court where the MDC-T leaders claimed they had not recalled him from office.

He alleged that Local Government minister July Moyo was in possession of a letter from the duo recalling him.

The matter was recorded at Bulawayo Central Police Station under case CR 27 /01/22.
“I can confirm that we filed a police report against Mwonzora and Mpariwa. Police said they are investigating the matter,” Sithole said.

Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba said: “The matter is still at the courts whose judgment we are still waiting for. Those who reported did so within their rights but how can they claim that they lied when the minister did not act on the alleged letter which he possesses?”

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube referred questions to national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who was not picking up calls yesterday.

The report comes after Makombe filed a joint urgent application at the Bulawayo High Court with party vice-president Thokozani Khupe and Chitungwiza mayor Lovemore Maiko seeking an interdict to stop their impending recalls from the opposition
party.
The trio claimed it was being targeted for allegedly sympathising with MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.

-NewsDay

By- A Harare magistrate Victoria Mashamba has convicted a Mashonaland Central’s self-styled war veterans commander Dzingai Nevhunjere, of stealing 17 cattle belonging to a former white commercial farmer.

Nevhunjere, at the height of the land reform programme in 2002, allegedly terrorised commercial farmers in Mazowe district.

He was, was yesterday convicted of stealing 17 cattle from former farmer Thomas Charles Bayley.

His conviction came 20 years after the court challenge was lodged.

In mitigation, Nevhunjere’s lawyers Tonderai Chikosha and Tsitsi Katherine pleaded for a lenient sentence saying their client committed the offence during the peak of the land reform programme.

They said after chasing away Bayley, Nevhunjere (64) thought that the beasts belonged to him.

“During the time of the alleged offence, he was 44 years. He is married with six children with the young one being 11 years old. He is a war veteran who fought for the liberation of this country. He has been going through this trial for the past 20 years and it had a negative impact on him,” Chikosha said.

Prosecutor Tafadzwa Shoko said Nevhunjere should be given a lengthy sentence to deter other would-be offenders.

“17 beasts were recovered, however, the recovery of the beasts were not by chance. The recovery was as a result of the skill by the police and information supplied by witnesses. He did not assist in the recovery of the beasts. The recovery is not part of remorse of the convict, because of not being remorseful the court must not be lenient,” Shoko said, describing stocktheft as a serious crime.

Mashamba postponed sentencing to today.

Bayley was the owner of Danburry Park Farm in Marlborough, Harare.

Allegations were that Nevhunjere and some youths invaded the farm on April 13, 2002 and prevented Bayley from entering it.

They barricaded the entrance using poles and drums, and then forced Baylely’s family out of the farm, which had 977 cattle and 210 calves. Nevhunjere took custody of all the cattle.

On April 5 and 7, 2002, Nevhunjere then drove 20 cattle to his Omeath Farm in Mvurwi.

Sixteen beasts were recovered from Nevhunjere on November 13, 2003 after the complainant identified them.

The court also heard that on several occasions, the war veteran would order his youths to slaughter cows for meat.

When Bayley was finally allowed to enter his farm on July 13, 2002, he collected 1 042 cattle, and discovered that 145 beasts were missing.

On February 5, 2005 police recovered six beasts from Nevhunjere.

-NewsDay

By -THe Zimbabwe lawyers For Human Rights (ZLHR) has successfully blocked the Chitungwiza Municipality to stop destroying residents houses.

The municipality this week withdrew a demolition order which it issued on 31 December threatening to demolish “buildings and durawalls” at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre.

The development came after the Zimbabwe Lawyer for Human Rights (ZLHR) on 31 December 2021 wrote a letter to the local authority on behalf of Chitungwiza Residents Trust asking the local authority to withdraw the demolition order.

ZLHR said in a statement:
A significant victory in the New Year! [Chitungwiza Municipality] has withdrawn a Demolition Order which it issued on 30 December 2021 and advised us that “no demolitions shall be executed in compliance with it.”
In a letter written to [Zimbabwe Lawyer for Human Rights] on 3 January 2022, [Chitungwiza Municipality] said “demolition of illegal structures shall be executed subject to the provisions of the Constitution & the Regional, Town & Country Planning Act.”
This assurance came after our lawyer [Tinashe Chinox] on 31 December 2021 wrote a letter to the local authority on behalf of [Chitungwiza Residents Trust] asking [Chitungwiza Municipality] to withdraw the Demolition Order which it issued threatening to demolish “buildings and durawalls” at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre.
In a notice to residents last week, Acting Town Clerk Evangelist Machona said all those who are building or have already constructed any structures at the shopping centre have to avail council papers that prove that their structures are legal. Wrote Machona:

Notice is hereby given that it has come to the attention of Council that at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre, illegal structures (buildings and durawalls) are in the process of being put up or have already been put up without Council approval.
Therefore, take note that in terms of Section 35 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29: 12) you are ordered to: Demolish any structures erected and remove any rubble from the land and restore the land to its original state.
This order comes into operation within 48hrs and the demolitions and actions outlined herein should be completed by January the 2nd, 2022.
All those buildings without adequate council papers and inspections will risk having their structures demolished.

By- Three people believed to be Zimbabweans were killed when a bus they were travelling in was involved in a road accident a few kilometres before Polokwane on Monday evening.

It is understood that 40 other passengers were injured in the accident that occurred near Botlokwa in Limpopo province.
In a statement yesterday, Limpopo’s Department of Traffic and Community Safety said the matter was under investigation.
“It is alleged that the driver of the speeding Scania bus lost control of the coach, hit an electricity pole and overturned,” read part of the statement.

“Three people were certified dead on the scene and over 40 passengers were rushed to hospitals in Botlokwa and Polokwane.
“Reckless and negligent driving is cited as a possible cause of the accident.”
Limpopo Transport and Community Safety officer, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya yesterday sent messages of condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in the crash.
She also encouraged public transport operators to obey the speed limits since they had the responsibility to transport thousands of commuters on a daily basis.

Over 50 Zimbabweans have been killed in road traffic accidents along the N1 Highway in South Africa in the last 12 months.
The N1 Highway is the major commercial artery that links South Africa to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Angola and Mozambique.

-State media

Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu PF bigwigs, Chief Serima and members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organization have instructed the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to transfer a Gutu teacher for allegedly denouncing Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Zanu PF MP for Gutu West Constituency, John Paradza also claims the teacher, Batsiranai Ngugama of Serima High School, is mobilizing the local community to vote against him.

On December 30, CIO operatives drove to Ngungama’s house and spent five minutes on a surveillance mission.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on Tuesday Ngugama said:

“MP Paradza, Chief Serima, police and OPC have instructed the DSI to transfer me immediately.

I have been instructed to vacate Gutu West by chief Serima, MP Paradza, OPC and CIO.

MP John Paradza says if he loses the 2023 polls it will because of me.They ( Zanu PF and CIO agents) also wanted to invade my house,” said Ngugama.

One Harrison Manda is directing the operations.

Ngungama’s lawyer, Advocate Martin Mureri is working on the matter.

A 5-year-old boy from Zongororo Village under Chief Mukota in Nyamapanda was recently attacked and killed by a crocodile in Mazowe River.

The crocodile reportedly attacked Shadreck July, who was playing in the water while his mother Ndaizivei Rabu (39) and his sister Nyasha July were washing their clothes nearby.

Reports say Rabu saw her child drowning and shouted for help from some villagers who rushed to the scene and realised that a crocodile was attacking the child. It is reported that all efforts to save the child were in vain.

The matter was reported to Nyamapanda police station who called in the police Sub-Aqua Unit for assistance. The Unit is said to have gone to the scene to retrieve the body but failed as the it had drifted to a part of the river where the flow was turbulent.

Police spokesperson for Mashonaland East Province Inspector Simon Chazovachiyi confirmed the incident and urged parents to always look for their children and stop them from playing in water bodies.

By- International fast food chain, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has closed its Victoria Falls branch citing lack of business.
This is happening when President Emmerson Mnangagwa is saying that more investors are coming to invest in the country.

The state media reports that the closed branch was opened in December 2016 and created jobs for about 30 employees, who have now been left stranded following closure of the outlet on December 31.

KFC Victoria Falls was the international brand’s sixth outlet in Zimbabwe.

By -Chitungwiza Municipality has withdrawn a demolition order which it issued on 31 December threatening to demolish “buildings and durawalls” at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre.

The development came after the Zimbabwe Lawyer for Human Rights (ZLHR) on 31 December 2021 wrote a letter to the local authority on behalf of Chitungwiza Residents Trust asking the local authority to withdraw the demolition order.

ZLHR said in a statement:
A significant victory in the New Year! [Chitungwiza Municipality] has withdrawn a Demolition Order which it issued on 30 December 2021 and advised us that “no demolitions shall be executed in compliance with it.”
In a letter written to [Zimbabwe Lawyer for Human Rights] on 3 January 2022, [Chitungwiza Municipality] said “demolition of illegal structures shall be executed subject to the provisions of the Constitution & the Regional, Town & Country Planning Act.”
This assurance came after our lawyer [Tinashe Chinox] on 31 December 2021 wrote a letter to the local authority on behalf of [Chitungwiza Residents Trust] asking [Chitungwiza Municipality] to withdraw the Demolition Order which it issued threatening to demolish “buildings and durawalls” at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre.
In a notice to residents last week, Acting Town Clerk Evangelist Machona said all those who are building or have already constructed any structures at the shopping centre have to avail council papers that prove that their structures are legal. Wrote Machona:

Notice is hereby given that it has come to the attention of Council that at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre, illegal structures (buildings and durawalls) are in the process of being put up or have already been put up without Council approval.
Therefore, take note that in terms of Section 35 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29: 12) you are ordered to: Demolish any structures erected and remove any rubble from the land and restore the land to its original state.
This order comes into operation within 48hrs and the demolitions and actions outlined herein should be completed by January the 2nd, 2022.
All those buildings without adequate council papers and inspections will risk having their structures demolished.

By -Six men from Magedleni Village in Gwanda have been arrested for allegedly stoning and killing another at his homestead after they found him skinning a sheep that was reportedly stolen.

The victim, Richard Nyoni, was stoned by the six men of which four Mayibongwe Nsingo (38), Thulani Mdlongwa (33), Likhwa Nsingo (20), Thobekani Nsingo (20) and Stanford Nsingo (44) have since been arrested and are up for murder. The other two Khumbulani Nsingo and Moses Ndlovu are still at large.
Posting on their Twitter page, police said the alleged murder occurred on Monday.

“Police in Gwanda have arrested Mayibongwe Nsingo (38), Thulani Mdlongwa (33), Likhwa Nsingo (20), Thobekani Nsingo (20) and Stanford Nsingo (44) in connection with a case of murder which occurred on 03/01/2022 at Magedleni Village.
“The suspects as well as Khumbulani Nsingo and Moses Ndlovu who are still at large, hit the victim, Richard Nyoni with stones and logs after they found him at his homestead, skinning a sheep allegedly stolen from Unite Ndlovu (58),” posted police.

-State media

By- The ruling Zanu PF Sandton chairperson Simba Chitando faces expulsion from South Africa after he issued a statement condemning a South African cabinet minister and proposing sanctions against the neighbouring country’s entities.

Chitando said Zimbabwe should introduce a Dr Motsoaledi Aviation Bill which will see South African air traffic passing over Zimbabwe being levied.
He was referring to South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi whose ministry is responsible for immigration in that country.
In November last year, South Africa announced that it was discontinuing special permits for Zimbabweans, called the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) that benefited about 200 000 Zimbabwean nationals.

In a statement, Chitando accused Motsoaledi of promoting xenophobia, remarks that may end his stay in South Africa. Part of the statement read:
Dr Motsoledi emboldens xenophobic violence, through his support for xenophobic organisations, like “Put South Africa First”, which incite violence targeting Zimbabweans, which has led to the loss of life, severe injury, and destruction of property.

South Africa’s Head of Public Diplomacy in the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Clayson Monyela, confirmed that Chitando has been reported to authorities.
He was responding to a Twitter user, African Renaissance who had demanded that Chitando be reported to “Monyela’s bosses” to act.

“You guys are playing. Deport the boy with immediate effect. This back and forth won’t work. He insulted our Minister & inevitably our cabinet, and in any sane sovereign state, he should be sending such foolish letters outside the country. @ClaysonMonyela report to bosses to act,” read the tweet.

Without giving any details and what action the South African Government could take against Chitando, Monyela responded, “Reported. Done!”

-Online

By-A Beitbridge family has been left homeless after lightning struck their home Sunday morning.

The eight-member family comes from Siyoka area, Ward 12, some 100km west of Beitbridge town.

Property worth thousands of dollars, including clothes and food, went up in smoke early Sunday morning (at around 1 am) during a thunderstorm.
Beitbridge District’s Civil Protection Unit Chairperson (CPU), Mrs Sikhangazile Mafu who is also the District Development Coordinator (DDC), said they had sent a local disaster management team to assess the damages on the ground.

“We have a team led by Ward 12 councillor on the ground to assess the damage and the needs of the family and to also check if they are more homesteads that were affected by the same storm in Siyoka area,” she said.
“The information we are having so far is that eight family members, including four children and four adults, are now sharing one hut as a result of this unfortunate incident.”
Mrs Mafu said they had started mobilising food, nonfood items (blankets, clothes, sanitary wear, pots, and soap), and building material for the family to build another house.
At the moment, she said, they will use tents as temporary shelter for the eight family members.

-Herald

By- An unidentified man suspected to be an electricity transformer thief was found dead after he was electrocuted while trying to steal a Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution (ZETDC) transformer in Beatrice.

Local cattle herders stumbled upon the body on Monday morning at a transformer at Gowelands B, Beatrice.

A satchel with an empty wallet, spanners, a rope, a pair of trousers, a jacket and a t-shirt was found on the deceased.



The Mirror reported that their efforts to get a comment from Mashonaland East police spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachivi were futile as his mobile was unreachable.

The publication also reported sources as saying that a group of men was seen milling at the transformer place at around 1 AM.

The now-deceased is reported to have climbed up the transformer and was electrocuted after hooking a live wire.

Meanwhile, most of Gowelands B did not have electricity on Monday.

More: The Mirror

Tinashe Sambiri|
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe(ARTUZ) has denounced the harassment of Batsiranai Ngugama of Serima High School in Gutu District.

Ngugama is an English Language teacher at the Roman Catholic tun school.

Zanu PF bigwigs, Chief Serima, MP John Paradza and Central Intelligence bosses ordered the immediate transfer of Ngugama.

He is accused of denouncing the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa and “inciting” members of the local community to vote for President Nelson Chamisa.

State Security agents claim Ngugama is a security threat.

ARTUZ posted on Twitter:
While we are pushing for the revival of the classroom.State actors & ZANU PF cadres are escalating victimization of trs further suffocating the classroom.

MP Paradza in Gutu is deploying thugs & State agents to haunt a teacher at Serima High accusing him of not supporting ZANU PF.

Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu PF bigwigs, Chief Serima and members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organization have instructed the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to transfer a Gutu teacher for allegedly denouncing Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Zanu PF MP for Gutu West Constituency, John Paradza also claims the teacher, Batsiranai Ngugama of Serima High School, is mobilizing the local community to vote against him.

On December 30, CIO operatives drove to Ngungama’s house and spent five minutes on a surveillance mission.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on Tuesday Ngugama said:

“MP Paradza, Chief Serima, police and OPC have instructed the DSI to transfer me immediately.

I have been instructed to vacate Gutu West by chief Serima, MP Paradza, OPC and CIO.

MP John Paradza says if he loses the 2023 polls it will because of me.They ( Zanu PF and CIO agents) also wanted to invade my house,” said Ngugama.

One Harrison Manda is directing the operations.

Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu PF bigwigs, Chief Serima and members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organization have instructed the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to transfer a Gutu teacher for allegedly denouncing Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Zanu PF MP for Gutu West Constituency, John Paradza also claims the teacher, Batsiranai Ngugama of Serima High School, is mobilizing the local community to vote against him.

On December 30, CIO operatives drove to Ngungama’s house and spent five minutes on a surveillance mission.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on Tuesday Ngugama said:

“MP Paradza, Chief Serima, police and OPC have instructed the DSI to transfer me immediately.

I have been instructed to vacate Gutu West by chief Serima, MP Paradza, OPC and CIO.

MP John Paradza says if he loses the 2023 polls it will because of me.They ( Zanu PF and CIO agents) also wanted to invade my house,” said Ngugama.

One Harrison Manda is directing the operations.

Ngungama’s lawyer, Advocate Martin Mureri is working on the matter.

By A Correspondent- Police details in Gwanda have arrested Mayibongwe Nsingo (38), Thulani Mdlongwa (33), Likhwa Nsingo (20), Thobekani Nsingo (20) and Stanford Nsingo (44) in connection with a case of murder which occurred on Monday at Magedleni Village.

The suspects as well as Khumbulani Nsingo and Moses Ndlovu who are still at large, hit the victim, Richard Nyoni with stones and logs after they found him at his homestead, skinning a sheep allegedly stolen from Unite Ndlovu (58).

In an unrelated incident police are investigating a case of public violence which occurred at Manyunyu Village, Tshanyaugwe, Gwanda on Sunday at about 0200 hours.

According to police reports, several suspects from neighbhouring villages armed with axes, machetes, spears, iron bars and knobkerries attacked a man (72) and his three sons alleging that they were giving information to the Police on the suspects’ cattle rustling activities.

Meanwhile, Police are hunting for the suspects who include, Prince Makhalima, Mehluli Makhalima, Nhlanhla Makhalima, Precautious Makhalima, Mavha Gumbi, Nkomoza Gumbi, as well as other suspects only identified as Lawrence, Mbongeni and Evans among other unnamed suspects

By A Correspondent- The family of a 15 year old boy from Plumtree who was injured by an electric shock that killed two donkeys last week is appealing for financial assistance so that they can buy medication for the teenager.

The boy, Mthokozisi Ncube, was in the company of his 17-year-old brother, taking their sister-in-law to a hospital using a donkey-drawn scotch cart when he was electrocuted.

The scotch cart was being drawn by three donkeys and two of them died on the spot after being electrocuted.

Mthokozisi was seriously injured on his right hand and fingers and has been going to Plumtree District Hospital seeking medical attention.

His grandfather Emody Dube, told CITE that they were in need of financial help to get Mthokozisi to Mpilo Central Hospital for further medical assistance. He said:

Not much has been done for him in Plumtree. He needs at least some pills and injections for the wound to heal and for the pain as well. They (health workers) only put bandages on him. There was no other medication.

If we could get him to Mpilo Central Hospital it would be better. But still considering the current situation there would be a need to buy more medication. We are appealing to those who can be able to assist to kindly do so.

Those who are able to assist can contact Emody Dube on 078 322 5495.

If you are wondering whether the latest iPhone is suitable for livestreamers, continue reading to familiarise yourself with its various features and upgrades.

In September 2021, Apple unveiled the latest model in its ongoing iPhone franchise in the form of the iPhone 13. It introduced new-and-improved cameras, colours, notches, and chips and, in doing so, cemented Apple’s place as the unquestionable pioneer of the modern smartphone.

It is its live streaming capabilities, however, that has excited a growing number of gamers around the world as the smartphone gaming trend continues to gain traction and, perhaps most importantly, welcome a new age of gaming that is set to prevail in the coming years. If you are wondering why the latest iPhone is built for livestreamers, continue reading to find out everything you need to know.

Improved battery life

If you have owned an iPhone since they first burst onto the scene in 2007 or have only recently made the switch, you may be aware of how each latest and greatest model tends to come equipped with an improved battery life. It may, therefore, come as no surprise that the iPhone 13 is home to the longest battery life of any model to come before it. A longer battery life is beneficial for iPhone users for a number of reasons but is perhaps particularly beneficial for gamers that like to livestream from their smartphone.

It is no secret that livestreaming can drain a smartphone battery considerably faster than scrolling on social media. In addition to an improved battery life, the iPhone 13 also features updated low-power displays, a highly efficient A15 chip, and a number of brand-new power-efficient components so you can be reassured that your livestreaming session will never be interrupted by the all-too-common low battery warning.

Better display

If you have ever live streamed from your current smartphone, you will be familiar with how difficult it can be to replicate the one-of-a-kind experience of playing in live casinos from such a small or poor-quality screen. It may, therefore, benefit you to know that the iPhone 13 has a better display than that of former models and, as a result, is built for users that like to game on the go or livestream their online gaming escapades to a sizable audience. If you currently own an iPhone 12, for example, you may not necessarily notice too many differences between your current model and its successor but the minor changes that have been made have led to a much better display overall.

It is the notch on the screen that has probably undergone the biggest difference with a noticeably smaller appearance although only horizontally. In addition, it is also slightly heavier and bulkier than last year’s model, but this may be an advantage if you are planning to livestream with your smartphone.

Greater storage

If you are a self-confessed hoarder or just find yourself storing a great deal of images or videos as a livestreamer, you will be pleased to know that the iPhone 13 has been designed with greater storage capabilities than that of any former model. This comes as Apple continues to prioritise storage capabilities with each and every new update and, in doing so, recognise a growing need to cater to the various needs and wants of today’s digital consumer.

In previous years, for example, you may have been forced to pay for additional storage if the amount you required was not included with the purchase of the model. With the iPhone 13, however, the base level of storage has been upgraded from 64GB to a staggering 128GB. If this wasn’t enough, the iPhone 13 Pro also comes with the option to upgrade to 1TB of storage so you can be confident that splashing out for additional storage or connecting and reconnecting external hard drives on a regular basis is very much a thing of the past.

If you are contemplating investing in the latest iPhone model as a livestreamer, you may have a number of concerns regarding whether or not it is likely to suit your lifestyle. It may, however, benefit you to know that it comes equipped with an improved battery life compared to former models, a better display for replicating the land-based casino experience, and greater storage so you can continue to livestream your online gaming activities to your audience without compromising on quality or quantity.

It may sound like a considerable investment but by weighing up the various pros and cons, it is clear that the latest iPhone is built for livestreamers.

By A Correspondent- Chitungwiza Municipality has withdrawn a demolition order which it issued on 31 December threatening to demolish “buildings and durawalls” at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre.

The development came after the Zimbabwe Lawyer for Human Rights (ZLHR) on 31 December 2021 wrote a letter to the local authority on behalf of Chitungwiza Residents Trust asking the local authority to withdraw the demolition order.

ZLHR said in a statement:

A significant victory in the New Year! [Chitungwiza Municipality] has withdrawn a Demolition Order which it issued on 30 December 2021 and advised us that “no demolitions shall be executed in compliance with it.”

In a letter written to [Zimbabwe Lawyer for Human Rights] on 3 January 2022, [Chitungwiza Municipality] said “demolition of illegal structures shall be executed subject to the provisions of the Constitution & the Regional, Town & Country Planning Act.”

This assurance came after our lawyer [Tinashe Chinox] on 31 December 2021 wrote a letter to the local authority on behalf of [Chitungwiza Residents Trust] asking [Chitungwiza Municipality] to withdraw the Demolition Order which it issued threatening to demolish “buildings and durawalls” at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre.

In a notice to residents last week, Acting Town Clerk Evangelist Machona said all those who are building or have already constructed any structures at the shopping centre have to avail council papers that prove that their structures are legal.

Wrote Machona:

Notice is hereby given that it has come to the attention of Council that at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre, illegal structures (buildings and durawalls) are in the process of being put up or have already been put up without Council approval.

Therefore, take note that in terms of Section 35 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29: 12) you are ordered to: Demolish any structures erected and remove any rubble from the land and restore the land to its original state.

This order comes into operation within 48hrs and the demolitions and actions outlined herein should be completed by January the 2nd, 2022.

All those buildings without adequate council papers and inspections will risk having their structures demolished.

By A Correspondent- A “sweet-talking” fraudster is on the police’s wanted list after she allegedly duped Borrowdale residents of their money, after promising and failing to deliver various goods since January 2021.

The suspect, Chiyedza Blessing Tichareva, reportedly conned a number of families, including high-profile people, in the Borrowdale suburb.

Her pictures are circulating on the Borrowdale and Greystone Park WhatsApp groups, with one of the messages posted in the groups saying:

That lady has been staying with one of the gardeners without the knowledge of the house owner along Gaydon Road.

She has a sweet tongue and a number of her victims have even failed to report their cases, in a way to protect their names.

One of Tichareva’s alleged victims only identified as Patience told H-Metro that she lost US$100 to the alleged con artist. She said:It is now worrying that there are women targeting other women.

I lost US$100 after she promised to bring me blankets.

She has a sweet tongue, anyone can easily trust her and I fall victim.

I met her while I was looking for water, she told me that she had a boutique at Eastgate Mall and that she crosses to South Africa every week, to bring blankets.

She lied about owning a house and we later found out she was being accommodated by a gardener who never told his employer.

Muridzi weimba anogara kunze kwenyika saka gardener akamugarisapo achiti imba yemukoma wake achimubhadharisa mari ndokuwana kwaakaita nguva yekubira vanhu.

(The landlord stays in South Africa so the gardener accommodated her after telling her that the house belongs to his brother. He made her pay rent and that’s how she stayed at the house long enough to defraud residents).

Patience lodged a police report in June, under RRB 4742205, at Borrowdale Police Station.

It is believed many other cases are still to be reported.

Meanwhile, Tichareva is reported to have relocated to Marlborough.-BMetro

By A Correspondent- 2021 Ordinary and Advanced Level examination candidates resumed writing the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) exams on Monday after a two-week break.

O’ Level candidates sat for Biology as well as English Literature papers while A’ Level candidates sat for Physics, with the last exams set to be written on 31 January.

Last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa deferred schools opening from 10 January to a date yet to be announced and directed that pupils in non-examination classes should remain at home.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson, Taungana Ndoro said the absence of other classes has made it easier for the examinations classes to observe COVID-19 protocols. Said Ndoro:We are very lucky that the exams are being written in an environment where the other learners aren’t there.

So social distancing is very easy to implement. We can make use of more infrastructure than is necessary and we can have more spacing than the spacing that we normally have.

The exams around the country started off smoothly, especially in Bulawayo.

We have gone around schools with the City Health department making sure that all schools are adhering to the protocols of COVID-19.

We are making sure that the standard procedures are in place, such as having thermometers, hand washing bays and the like.

Biology Paper Two, English Literature for A-Level, Physics for A-Level and it all went smoothly and we are glad that even the invigilation process went well.

Our noble and responsive teachers came to the party and managed to invigilate very well so it’s all systems go and there are no challenges and we don’t anticipate challenges until the exams are over.

Ndoro said pupils who test positive for coronavirus will be isolated while they continue to write their exams.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Members of the public have been warned against getting complacent amid the fourth COVID-19 wave triggered by the Omnicron variant of the coronavirus.

This follows reports suggesting that Omicron is milder than the Delta variant that pushed up infections and deaths in mid-2021 during the COVID-19 third wave.

However, a 14-day analysis of the period starting from 20 December 2021 to 2 January this year showed that more cases are being recorded compared to the same period when the second wave hit the country.

From 20 December 2021 to 2 January, 245 COVID-19 deaths were recorded compared to 73 recorded during the same period in 2020.

The daily average of recorded cases is at 1 580 to give a total of 22 121 recorded cases in two weeks so far.

However, during the same period last year, the daily average of recorded cases was 167, which resulted in 2 346 cases over the same period during the 2020 festive season.

The Chief Coordinator of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Agnes Mahomva, implored the public to remain vigilant and to get vaccinated.

She said:

The view that the fourth wave where the Omicron variant is dominating most of our cases is not bad is not a true reflection of what is on the ground because indeed, we are seeing deaths.

Each time we record a death we are saddened and we just have to put out a message of warning.

We cannot relax or be complacent and we want to continue pushing the message so that our communities remain vigilant.

It is not over until it is over, there is always a danger of a sudden upsurge in deaths and new cases hence let’s not tire doing what we know is right especially getting vaccinated, we know that it saves lives.

She also revealed that by the end of 2021 Zimbabwe had 33 per cent of the targeted population fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

By A Correspondent- The Warriors’ friendly game against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon that was supposed to take place this Tuesday has been called off.

Zimbabwe had lined up two friendly matches against Sudan and Cameroon in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals that kick off on 9 January.

The Warriors played Sudan on Sunday and this could be their only preparatory match in Cameroon before the tournament starts.

Team manager Wellington Mpandare on Sunday confirmed to The Herald that the proposed match with the Indomitable Lions will no longer take place.

He said:

That game is no longer possible. Cameroon wanted to use the match venue for their opening game in the tournament but CAF advised that the venue is not available for use by any team five days before the start of the tournament, in line with the tournament rules.

So the Cameroonians wanted us to play on Monday (today) but we felt it was not ideal to play two games in successive days since we had another game lined up against Sudan (yesterday).

Cameroon wanted to use the Paul Biya Stadium as the venue for the friendly match with Zimbabwe.

The stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 33rd AFCON edition.

The opening ceremony will take place this Sunday and will be followed by the match between the hosts, Cameroon and Burkina Faso.