By A Correspondent- Police is investigating an armed case robbery near Chadcombe at Glenara and Chiremba Roads, Braeside, where a man lost US$45K.

Chadcombe is where Ex-CID official Joseph Nemaisa resides.

“The suspects stopped the victim who was driving a Discovery vehicle at the traffic lights, pointed a firearm before dragging him out of the vehicle, and snatched a box with the cash on the passenger seat,” ZRP posted on their Twitter handle Tuesday.

“1/2 The ZRP warns the public against keeping large sums of cash in their homes, business premises and on their person. On 27/12/21, a Harare businessman lost USD45 000 cash to robbers after he was attacked by unknown suspects who were armed with an unidentified pistol,” said ZRP.

By A Correspondent- Violence in parts of Mashonaland West and allegations of rigging across the country’s 10 provinces characterised Zanu-PF’s provincial elections held Tuesday, with some candidates being accused of fleeing with ballot papers.

Delayed delivery of ballot papers to polling stations was reported in most parts of the country with some members alleging the move was deliberately employed to frustrate rivals’ supporters.

Old women spent the greater part of the day under shades, where there was, waiting for a chance to choose their provincial chairperson, women’s league chairperson, and youth league leader.

In Masvingo voting, which was supposed to have been conducted between 7am and 5pm, only started around 4pm and was expected to proceed until late last night.

In Bulawayo, confusion on whether people were supposed to be given two or four ballots resulted in one polling agent suggesting the challenges will all be addressed by the Politburo, with a potential rerun if necessary.

“Let us accept that after the result, the final decision will come from the Politburo based on the difference, if it means a rerun so be it,” said the visibly irritated agent in comversation with Bulawayo Ward 15 chairperson and candidate Benard Nhata.

Some candidates further questioned why only 45 ballot papers had been delivered at their polling stations yet 120 people were supposed to vote.

In Highfield, Harare, some members of Zanu-PF could be head complaining about assisted voters and those who were assisting them, with more quiries on whether those assisting were doing as they had been asked to.

Mashonaland West had scenes of violence as names of some candidates could not be found on any ballot paper.

What ensured was chaotic, as members pushed, dragged and hit each other in anger and frustration.

Mashonaland Central had its usual cases of vote rigging allegations against incumbent Kazembe Kazembe, whose agents allegedly tried to flee with ballot papers in Muzarabani.

Preliminary results there indicate that his fierce rival Tafadzwa Musarara is leading.

Voting was also delayed for unexplained reasons.

The run up to D-Day had been riddled with numerous cases of violence and vote buying, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa forced to suspend campaign in November as the situation became too tense to bare.

Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga were being pitted against each other in Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central and Harare where Zanu-PF factional fights were playing out in the open.-newsday

By A Correspondent- A Croatian businessman has appealed for consular protection and diplomatic intervention claiming that he was facing prosecution disclosing that Chikomo Chemhute Cemetery, which is part of Glen Forest Memorial Park, was an illegal enterprise.

Joseph Richard Crnkovic addressed his letter dated November 15, 2021, to the European Union delegation to Zimbabwe, the Croatian consul in Pretoria, South Africa, and British ambassador Melanie Robinson.

In the letter, Crnkovic said he was deported from Zimbabwe on December 21, 2015, and declared a prohibited immigrant after the disclosure.

Crnkovic is a director of Fopuld Investments (Pvt) Ltd Zimbabwe which is said to hold 49% shareholding in Cadrina Investments (Pvt) Ltd, which also owns Chikomo Chemhute.

Chikomo Chemhute is an entity registered for purposes of holding the asset which houses the Glen Forest Memorial Park. Crnkovic wrote:

The farm (is not compliant with) section 35 of Zimbabwe Cemeteries Act.

Furthermore, it is in the catchment area of the Mazowe Dam with no Environmental Management Agency (Ema) approval to establish a cemetery in this area.

Crnkovic said he was seeking protection because he was being charged for a crime that he was not aware of. He alleged that he also received a summons on November 18, 2021, to appear in court for a criminal trial. Crnkovic wrote:

However, I have not been availed the State’s evidence. I am told that a warrant for my arrest has already been issued so I cannot go to Harare to prepare.

I seek your urgent consular protection and intervention in this matter as I have been arrested and detained once already and now cannot return to the country of my first nationality without being arrested again.

On October 12, he also wrote to the British ambassador seeking diplomatic intervention saying Chikomo Chemhute (Pvt) Limited is a farm that was fraudulently hidden from the books of Candrina Investments (Pvt) Limited, trading as Glen Forests Memorial Park. 

He added that an estimated 20 000 to 40 000 people have been buried on the “hidden and illegal cemetery, which is a farm, and there is no EMA approval to bury people on this farm.”

Crnkovic added that the farm is in the catchment area of the Mazowe Dam and right next to Mazowe River.

Fungai Mparadzi, the chairman of Cadrina Investments, through his company representative Marowa Meleki said Glen Forest Memorial Park had all the required documents from the relevant authorities, including Goromonzi Rural District Council and EMA.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Police are looking for a 39 year old Harare woman who allegedly rented out her husband’s guns to armed robbers without his knowledge.

Officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) recovered two pistols during a raid at Norest Kufa’s Greendale residence in Harare.

The raid followed the arrest of a suspected armed robber, Edwin Muchagwa (42).

Muchagwa appeared before Harare magistrate Barbra Mateko this Tuesday facing two counts of armed robbery and impersonating a police officer. He also faces three other charges of armed robbery.

Mateko remanded Muchagwa in custody to 28 January 2022.

Kufa is accused of breaking into her husband’s safe and stealing the guns which she allegedly rented out to Muchagwa and other criminals. In return, Kufa allegedly got first refusal on the stolen goods.

The Police recovered two stolen vehicles from Kufa, a Mercedes Benz and a Toyota Allion, which she allegedly bought at giveaway prices from Muchagwa.

Prosecutors told the court that Kufa is on the run after evading the police dragnet.

By A Correspondent- A Kwekwe City councillor, Sherly Mutirwara (MDC Alliance), has died. She died on Sunday at the Kwekwe General Hospital after a long battle with heart disease.

Kwekwe Mayor Councillor Future Titora confirmed Mutirwara’s death.

She said:

She died at Kwekwe General Hospital Sunday after a long battle with heart disease.

This is indeed a blow to Kwekwe residents, and to us at the MDC Alliance.

Mutirwara who was elected councillor in 2018 on an MDC Alliance ticket has been battling ill-health for a long time.

MDC Alliance Kwekwe Central official Judith Tobaiwa said the death of Mutirwara is a huge blow not only to the opposition party but also to Kwekwe residents.

Mutirwara is set to be buried at her rural home in Sanyati, Mashonaland West Province.

Kwekwe has 14 wards in total. In the 2018 general elections, the MDC Alliance won 13 wards with ZANU PF’s Maclean Nyamucherera winning the other ward.

However, the number has been reduced following the death of two councillors this year and the recall of three councillors including former mayor Angeline Kasipo her deputy Melody Chingarande and Washington Moyo by the MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have bemoaned the involvement of police officers in stock-theft cases in Midlands province, with reports suggesting they are being paid as little as US$10 in bribes to facilitate cattle rustling.

Officer commanding Midlands province, Commissioner Winston Muza said the law enforcement agency had seen a sharp increase in the number of officers involved in stock-theft cases.

“We deploy our officers to clear cattle being sold,” Muza said at a business against crime consultative meeting held last week.

“It’s unfortunate that members of the public give our officers money to clear cattle even when they (public) don’t have evidence of owning such cattle.

“We end up having a situation where cattle are cleared on the streets and in offices.”

Muza said police officers were being offered amounts as little as US$10 to be involved in such stock-theft scandals.

He, however, said the police would not tolerate corruption in its ranks, and urged the public to report corrupt cops.

“We have a zero tolerance to corruption and we urge members of the public to report such rogue elements,” he said.

The province has in recent years witnessed a spike in stock-theft cases amid reports of connivance between some police officers and rustlers.

Some daring thieves, particularly in the Lower Gweru area, steal cattle from pastures in daylight and sell them to butcheries in the city.

Stock theft carries a mandatory 9-year sentence for each beast stolen.

In 2011, a Murehwa man was sentenced to 189 years in jail for stock theft.

By A Correspondent- Police have launched a manhunt for a Beta bus driver who fled the accident scene where the lives of five passengers were lost along the Harare-Mutare Highway on Christmas eve.

In a statement yesterday, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Philip Chirongo had not been seen since.

Nyathi named some of the deceased as Delan Ndoro, Admire Mandeya and Rufu Zambezi. Zambezi was driving the fuel tanker which collided head-on with a Beta bus.

Two other victims, who were burnt beyond recognition, are awaiting (results of) forensic tests,” Nyathi said.

“Meanwhile the owner of Beta buses, a Mr Muganda has offered to assist police to locate his driver who disappeared from the scene after the accident. Police are still conducting investigations into the unfortunate fatal road accident.”

Nyathi said 41 accident victims had been discharged while 25 others were still hospitalised.

“The Beta bus was carrying 69 passengers while the Pathera Logistics fuel tanker had two people. Sixty-six people were injured while the death toll remains at five.”

By A Correspondent- A 10-month-old infant was fatally shot during an attempted robbery on a Macheke family in Mashonaland East Province earlier on Tuesday.

Reports claim that seven suspects armed with guns raided a family in Macheke around 1 AM today.

While attempting to rob the family, a scuffle started leading to the suspects shooting the 10-month-old baby and the mother.

The suspected robbers reportedly vanished from the scene.

A team from the police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) tracked the suspects and intercepted them resulting in a serious shootout.

The suspects reportedly abandoned their getaway vehicle and escaped on foot.

One of the suspects was injured during the shootout and was tracked down by the police dog section who then managed to arrest him.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the robbery incident.

He said:

Yes, we confirm that there was a robbery incident in Macheke. We will release more details later.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe currently has two specialist paediatric cardiologists, that is, doctors who diagnose, treat, and manage heart problems in children, including congenital heart disease.

This was revealed by the Brave Little Hearts in Zimbabwe (BHLZ), a local support network that advocates for better health care for children with heart diseases.

BHLZ founder and executive director Tendai Moyo told HealthTimes that there were only two specialist cardiologists for children with one in the public health service and another in the private health sector.

Said Moyo:

We only have about two specialist paediatric cardiologists in Zimbabwe. Only one is attached to a public hospital. The other one Dr Bannerman is in the private sector.

So, we need these specialists to actually work on these heart diseases because we are speaking of one in every 100 births is a child with heart disease leading to about 3000 births per year of these children.

So, with one specialist in a government hospital, it is quite a big strain.

As a result, people with the means are forced to seek and access services abroad mostly as last resort.

Added Moyo:

We are also looking at the right to surgery. Most of these surgeries are done overseas and most of these children’s guardians or parents cannot afford them.

So, we are trying to advocate for local solutions in Zimbabwe so that Hospitals like Parirenyatwa, Mpilo and Ekusileni are equipped for surgeries here locally instead of parents trying to raise money to go overseas.

-HealthTimes

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF has told Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa to ‘go to hell’ for dragging President Emmerson Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxillia in her fight for the custody of her children.

Marry lost custody of her three minor children over two years ago to Chiwenga, who also doubles up as Health and Child Care minister.

She has often taken to Twitter to describe her emotional pain and struggles. Mubaiwa has also publicly dragged Mnangagwa and the First Lady Auxilliain into the case, alleging that they appeared powerless to intervene in fear of the former army general.

That appears to have irked Zanu-PF, with the party’s director of information Tafadzwa Mugwadi telling her to ‘go to hell.’

“Listen Marry. Hazvishandi (It doesn’t work). Courts don’t administer issues on Twitter. Secondly, what has the President to do with your issues? Leave him out of your issues please,” Mugwadi responded.

“Thirdly do you still have a husband? You want love by ginya (force)? Anyway fambira nyaya dzako wega usiye mazita evasinei newe. (Deal with your issues. Leave out names of those who have nothing to do with you.”

In an interview, Mugwadi accused Mubaiwa of making heinous accusations on Twitter knowing that the people she name-drops could not respond in equal measure using the same platform.

“I don’t have anything to add to what l said on Twitter. Court issues are not discussed on Twitter. She is taking advantage of the fact that some leaders are not on Twitter,” Mugwadi said.

In her latest post, Mubaiwa pleaded with the international community not to allow Chiwenga to set foot on their soils over his behaviour where he has proved that “he is above the law” with Mnangagwa doing little to assist.

Chiwenga argues that Mubaiwa is not mentally fit to be a parent and in need of urgent psychiatric treatment.

Mubaiwa also faces charges of plotting to kill Chiwenga, money-laundering, fraud and assault and is out on bail.

She denies the charges as a fabrication and an attempt deny her access to her children.

“I am so heartbroken by the attitude that my husband Vice-President Chiwenga is presenting, the ‘I don’t care because I am above the law and even the President ED cannot do anything to me’. I want my children and no country in the world should accept him in their country,” Mubaiwa wrote on her Twitter diaries last Wednesday.

Mubaiwa is suffering from severe lymphoedema and spontaneous formation of abscesses whose origins have not been determined.

Her application to obtain a passport to travel abroad for treatment was quashed by the courts.

Harare magistrate Lazini Ncube has ruled that Mubaiwa is fit to stand trial.

Chiwenga recently testified in the case though in camera, a stunt described Mubaiwa’s lawyers as a “class justice”. Last week, pictures of Mubaiwa falling from stairs due to ill health and being assisted to stand up went viral.

The matter was postponed to January 17 for trial continuation.-newsday

President Douglas Mwonzora today presided over the launch of the National Youth Assembly Policy Handbook at MRT House. The handbook will guide the Youth Assembly activities as the party regenerates ©️ MDC-T2021 pic.twitter.com/zXs5L4EHGn

— Our MDC-T (@OurMDCT) December 28, 2021

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) on Tuesday secured the release of a deaf couple in Masvingo after spending the Christmas holiday in remand prison.

Sarah Ndandadzi and Richard Mugove, who are vendors, were arrested last week and charged with assaulting or resisting a peace officer when police officers raided them.

On Tuesday, Masvingo Magistrate Patience Madondo released Ndandadzi and Mugove on ZWL$5 000 bail each.

The magistrate also ordered the couple not to interfere with State witnesses and to continue residing at their given residential addresses.

They return to court in January 2022.

According to ZLHR, the two were remanded to this Tuesday as there was no sign language interpreter to assist them during their initial court appearance on Friday.

Ndandadzi and Mugove were charged with assaulting or resisting a peace officer after they were arrested Wednesday for allegedly assaulting police officers in plainclothes who were grabbing their wares and assaulting them.

There was a communication breakdown between police officers and Ndandadzi and Mugove, owing to their condition as they did not understand the attack on them by police officers and neither did they realise that they were under arrest.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF supporters in Mashonaland Central Province said Home Affairs Minister and the Party’s Provincial Chairman Kazembe Kazembe, is rigging the ongoing Provincial Coordinating Committee elections.

Kazembe is fighting to retain the Party’s Mashonaland Central Chairmanship position. He is competing against Tafadzwa Musarara, a Harare businessman.

Party supporters in the Province said Kazembe’s runners were interfering with the distribution of ballot papers.

Since this morning, when the elections started, they said the incumbent’s campaign team was starving Musarara’s strongholds with ballot papers so that he gets lower votes.

” His strongholds are being frustrated, and they are doing this by distributing very few ballot papers. This is not the first time this has happened. In 2018 Kazembe used the same tactic and got away with it,” said one supporter in Mount Darwin.

” If the authorities running the elections do not stop, this Musarara won’t win coz rigging has already started. He has ground in most of the rural settings except urban where he is 50/50 with Kazembe,” said another supporter monitoring the elections in Bindura.

An alert sent by Zanu PF security personnel monitoring the elections in Bindura to the Party’s headquarters confirming the alleged rigging and seen by ZimEye.com reads:
” Quick action required there pronto. Raise the issue with the relevant monitoring authorities”.

By A Correspondent- Military commanders at the Air Force Of Zimbabwe’s Josiah Tungamirai (former Thornhill) Air Base in Gweru are alleged to have refused to hand over a soldier who shot and killed a civilian. The commanders are reported to have prevented the police from arresting the soldier in question.

The soldier, Staff Sergeant Evidence Makuyana, was on patrol when he came across Ziyesa Tsvetera’s vehicle, which was parked near the perimeter of the Air Base. When Makuyana and his colleague approached the car to question the driver, Tsvetera panicked and raced away.

The staff sergeant fired three warning shots in the air, but Tsvetera did not stop. After the three warning shots, Makuyana fired two shots at the vehicle. The two soldiers then followed Tsvetera in another vehicle and discovered that he had been hit.

He was transported to Gweru General Hospital, where he was admitted. However, he later succumbed to his injuries. After ferrying the now deceased to Hospital, Makuyana filed a police report at Gweru Central Police Station.

According to a police memo, the military commanders at the airbase partially cooperated with the police as they refused to release Staff Seargent Makuyana into the custody of the law enforcement officers.

Below is part of the police memo:Background

Accused is a member of the Airforce of Zimbabwe Stationed at Josiah Tungamirai Airforce Base, Gweru and was on guard duties armed with a Service AK Rifle folding butt Serial Number ZA 37512 loaded with a magazine of 30 rounds.

Circumstances

On 25 December 2021 at around 0100 hours the accused in the company of his workmate Spencer Chihanga N.R [Redacted] aged 23, Rank: Private, Force number [Redacted] were doing perimeter checks. They spotted the now deceased who had parked his motor vehicle, a Toyota Hiace Omnibus registration number AFF 9797 silver in colour at Lingfield turn off along Gweru-Mvuma Road adjacent to the perimeter fence of Josiah Tungamirai Airbase.

The accused approached the vehicle intending to inquire as to who he was and his business at that site. Upon being approached the now deceased switched on the vehicle in an attempt to drive off.

At that moment accused fired three warning shots into the air ordering the now deceased to stop. The now-deceased ignored the orders and drove the vehicle onto the main road resulting in the accused firing two shots directed at the vehicle. The now-deceased did not stop and drove away from the scene towards Gweru C.B.D.

The accused and his colleague Spencer Chihanga sought the services of Stanley Muvhavhauri N.R [Redacted], male aged 36 of [Redacted], Athlone, Gweru who was driving his Nissan Navara registration number AES 2019 towards Gweru to chase and block the deceased’s vehicle.

They caught up with the deceased at Riverside Roundabout, Gweru and managed to block him. They then realised that the now deceased had been shot at the back and was bleeding from the wound.

They then took now deceased to Gweru Provincial Hospital and later on made a report at Gweru Central Police Station.

 

Investigations Carried Out
• Scene was attended by both CID and DUB members.
• Three spent cartridges were picked from the scene.
• The fire arm used was recovered with a Magazine of 25 rounds.
• Complainant was visited at Hospital and his condition is serious.
• It was noted that complainant’s vehicle had two gunshot holes near the driver’s door.
• Next of kin Vimbai Mutero who is complainant’s wife was advised.

 

New developments

• The accused made indications to police in the presence of his commanders who however have refused to release the accused to police.
• The complainant (now deceased) succumbed to the gun-shot wounds while admitted at Gweru General Hospital.
• No further clues were found at the scenes during indications.

Outstanding

• To send the fire arm and spent cartridges to Ballistics.
• To send the deceased to United Bulawayo Hospital for post mortem.
• To arrest the accused person and compile a court docket.

Matter is being investigated under ZRP Gweru Central CR 330/12/21 and CID Law and Order Gweru DR 01/01/22 refer.

By A Correspondent- Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube is seeking to get into ZANU PF Bulawayo provincial structures as the ruling party holds internal elections this Tuesday.

A total of 61 polling stations have been set up in Bulawayo where Politburo member, Kenneth Musanhi is overseeing the electoral process.

Musanhi is being assisted by Brigadier General (Retired) Walter Kanhanga who is also a Politburo member and four other Central Committee members from Masvingo province.

Among those contesting for the position of ZANU PF chairman in Bulawayo Province, are former Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) leader, Jabulani Sibanda, former Mpopoma-Pelandaba MP, Joseph Tshuma, Bulawayo war veterans’ chairman, Cephas Ncube and the interim provincial party chairperson, Obert Msindo, Douglas Mpofu and Mlungisi Moyo.

Positions in the women and youth wings are also up for grabs, with a total of 205 aspiring candidates in Bulawayo having submitted their CVs.

Addressing presiding officers during the party’s Bulawayo provincial election coordination meeting on Monday at Davis Hall,

Musanhi said:

We have dissolved all the provincial executives to pave way for new elections and this is the reason why we are here in Bulawayo. We are here to make sure that the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.

In line with the ZANU PF constitution, we are supposed to hold elections for new leadership in every province after five years. Bulawayo province has made tremendous progress in terms of mobilisation.

In 2019 we had only 34 districts and today we have 61, which is almost double and we applaud the leadership for doing well.

Musanhi also applauded the ZANU PF Bulawayo provincial leadership for mobilising supporters ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections.-chronicle

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has described the death of Councillor Mutirwara of ward 9, Kwekwe as a devastating blow to the movement.

Burial arrangements have not been announced.

In a brief media statement the MDC Alliance said:

Death Notice –
“The MDC Alliance mourns the loss of Cllr Mutirwara of Ward 9, Kwekwe Central.

We extend our deepest condolences to her family and loves ones during this tragic time.

May her dear soul Rest In Peace.”

Jacob Mafume wrote on Twitter:
“As the local government department and on behalf of all MDC-Alliance we mourn with the kwekwe residents and the nation at .As urban governance is becoming centre stage such a loss is heartfelt.

She was a pioneering woman at local governance.”

Tinashe Sambiri| Zanu PF sympathizers have accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa of shielding embattled Masvingo Province chairperson Ezra Chadzamira.

Chadzamira is also the Minister of State for Masvingo Province.

He is accused of looting resources and distributing land to his friends and relatives.

Zvobayana.

Rega zvifumurane !!! pic.twitter.com/F5UOkoL83F

— HON Job Wiwa Sikhala (@JobSikhala1) December 27, 2021

By A Correspondent-The year 2021 started badly for the country’s overstretched health sector as the country battled a deadly second wave of COVID-19.

COVID-19 cases and fatalities only climbed down in March 2021, a situation that saw President Emmerson Mnangagwa relaxing most lockdown restrictions.

A month earlier, the country had embarked on a vaccination drive after receiving 200 000 doses of the Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine donated by the Chinese government.

Winter saw the emergence of a COVID-19 third wave which was equally as devastating as the second, and lasted till September.

In November, a new COVID-19 Omicron variant was detected in South Africa and Botswana, a development that saw travel restrictions being imposed on southern Africa, Zimbabwe included. The variant has been detected in the country and is behind a rising fourth wave.

In spite of all this, the country soldiered on, registering significant progress, particularly on the vaccination front despite earlier hesitancy.

Below is the health sector in retrospect, with input from heads of various areas in the health sector.

Bernard Madzima, National Aids Council chief executive:

NAC’s mandate is to co-ordinate a multi-sectoral response to HIV and Aids programmes in Zimbabwe. NAC is also responsible for other prevention programmes especially in the sexual reproductive health and the non-communicable diseases areas with a special emphasis on cancers particularly cervical cancer and other reproductive health cancers.

NAC, just like everyone else, operating in an era of COVID-19, has tried to be innovative and to adjust to the new normal of COVID-19 restrictions. This calls for it to look at its programmes, especially co-ordinating meetings where we were used to gathering people in the communities having health awareness programmes and various other preventive models which required people to be gathered and NAC has had to observe COVID-19 rules and regulations.

Nonetheless, I think we have adapted, if you look at our 2021 activities, in terms of achievement, we have done well in the area of prevention, we have done well in the area of supportive treatment and care.

We have done well in the areas of advocacy and communication; we have done well in all areas in the aspect of implementing our projects. As we look at our resources against implementation, we have been on track in most programmes.

We think 2021 has been a success given the circumstances. We have also supported the ministry in the fight against COVID-19 by procuring PPE (personal protective equipment). As I speak  we have procured 200 oxygen concentrators for the Health and Child Care ministry for use in the clinics and hospitals as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic. NAC is there in the mix making sure that we fight both COVID-19 and HIV and also we want to fight inequalities and make sure that everyone has access to good health. This is the only way we can end these pandemics.

Zimbabwe needs to be commended for the good progress it has made with its COVID-19 national vaccination roll-out programme but there is urgent need to address the issues of vaccine equity, vaccine literacy, vaccine hesitancy so that we can increase vaccine uptake and accelerate towards achieving the required herd immunity.

The essential health services in Zimbabwe has experienced significant disruptions due to COVID-19 with  the health system still falling far short of  adequately addressing the high burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Suffice to say the pandemic has really exposed the human costs of fragile health systems and precarious safety nets. A case in point is the high levels of community and institutional deaths, indicating poor access to comprehensive health services and possibly also poor quality of services to those accessing both public and private health services.

It is very unfortunate and quite sad to see our experienced and highly qualified health professionals resigning in high numbers, packing their bags and leaving the country to benefit other nationals without any compensation to the country for the taxpayers money that was used for their training mainly because of our failure to value and appreciate our own healthcare workers by paying them decent salaries and according them good conditions of services.

We see the COVID-19 pandemic and the national response to it so far as both huge challenges but also opportunities for restoring an effective, efficient and resilient health system accessibility to all nationals as an essential part of primary healthcare and leading to universal health coverage and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals and the country’s Agenda 2030 development  goals.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected more members of the community suffering from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The ministry concentrated on bringing awareness to this challenge; hence awareness campaigns, were carried out through various platforms.

Commemoration days were held successfully, ie mental health day, diabetes day, breast cancer week, child cancer day.

The Honourable Vice-President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga has been on the forefront supporting most of these commemorations.

The World Health Organisation PEN supported project is going on very well in Mashonaland Central, two other Districts in Mashonaland East are yet to start, however, resources have been available.

ln Masvingo this project is going on very well being implemented by a donor, SolidarMed in one of the districts.

Also, First Lady Mai Auxillia Mnangagwa has done a lot as our ambassador to bring awareness on NCDs during her meet-the-community tours.

The department has finalised oncology treatment guidelines and we have started working on the NCD strategy and policy, eye strategy awaits printing.

Cervical cancer screening is continuing despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are pleased that the ministry of finance is setting aside funds to support NCDs from SIN taxes.

PAPWC-Zim is a national network of women living with HIV.

2021 was a challenging year for us as women living with HIV. In 2021 we responded to various needs for women living with HIV and our response was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic where we had to change our way of doing things, resorting to mostly virtual meetings and virtual discussions where we produced e-bulletins.

We managed to hold capacity-building workshops for women living with HIV.

As PAPWC-Zim, I would like to say this was a very good year for us in terms of visibility. We also got a lot of support from almost all the media houses in Zimbabwe.

They wrote articles amplifying voices of women living with HIV, the various challenges that we face and the work that we are doing on the ground.

However, when we look at the health sector, as an Aids service organisation, we do not operate in isolation we also operate in the national response, there were challenges, for example, there were members who were also affected by COVID-19 and it also affected our programming, we also got affected.

As we are looking towards the new year we hope we will carry on with our supporters and our funders in the new year to ensure that we strengthen our work.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Girls are still being viewed as a source of income in rural Matabeleland North province, resulting in many being married off before the age of consent.

In Ndebele culture, women are addressed as children regardless of age.  During hunger and drought periods parents would surrender their girl children to a wealthy man in exchange for food.A

Bulawayo-based non-governmental organisation, Wozalethemba said it discovered that the practice was still prevalent after hosting Christmas parties for orphans and widows in Gumtree in Umguza district and other parts of the province.

“As an organisation, we aim at providing sexual information to widows and orphans who reside in rural and remote areas. After having a few sessions of counselling with villagers in Gumtree on Sunday, we noticed that the majority of mothers were forcing their children to get married to old people who are rich so that they can get money,” Wozalethemba secretary Sipho Ndlovu said.

“Some children in Gumtree are forced to be sex workers so that they can supply their parents with money. I noticed that churches and hunger were contributing to increasing child marriages in that area.”

Ndlovu said many women in Matabeleland North were widows and were struggling to pay school fees leading to many school dropouts.

“The concerns of the villagers were that widows were struggling to pay school fees for their children, so they end up dropping out of school. Most girls end up going to the mines where they work as sex workers,” he said.

“Many villagers said gender-based violence was leading to married couples divorcing and leaving their kids with grandmothers who struggled to provide for the needs of the children.”

Wozalethamba promotes access to sexual reproductive health for orphans and widows.

A report presented in Parliament by Women’s Affairs minister Sithembiso Nyoni in March shows that an estimated 2 000 child marriages were recorded in the first two months of the year.-newsday

By A Corespondent- Transport mogul Leonard Mukumba has become the latest candidate to throw his hat in the ring to contest in Zanu PF Manicaland provincial elections set for today.

Mukumba, who owns Inter Africa buses, is eyeing the post of secretary for transport. Mukumba has previously refused to join politics insisting he wanted to focus on his transport empire.

In 2018, Zanu PF supporters pleaded with Mukumba to contest for the Makoni South Member of Parliament seat to no avail.

A Zanu PF central committee member in Manicaland, who refused to be named, confirmed Mukumba’s candidature.

Mukumba was not available for comment yesterday.

In an interview with NewsDay recently at Mapembe shrine in Odzi where thousands of African Apostolic church members were gathered to celebrate church leader Paul Mwazha’s 103rd birthday, Mukumba, who is a bishop in the church, claimed he was one of the biggest transport operators in Zimbabwe.

“I was blessed by Paul Mwazha to become one of the biggest transport operators in the country, I joined the African Apostolic Church in 1989 and I could accompany our leader Mwazha who prophesied that I was going to be a transport mogul,” he said. In addition to Inter Africa buses, Mukumba also owns Blue Horizon trucking company among other businesses.-newsday

By A Correspondent- A 37 year old Harare woman appeared at Harare Magistrates Court yesterday facing allegations of illegally dealing in drugs.

Revai Mangani was caught with crystal meth worth $150 000 on Christmas Day by detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit.

Mangani appeared before Magistrate Babra Mateko who remanded her out of custody to today.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent Zimbabweans should brace for a steep rise in school fees next year as learning institutions are pushing for increases of up to 300% to hedge against the depreciation of the local currency against major currencies on the parallel market.

The official exchange rate on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe auction market is at about $109 to the United States dollar. On the parallel market, however, the local currency trades at $230 to the greenback.

With the official market beset by foreign currency shortages, most firms rely on the parallel market to meet their hard currency needs.

The NewsDay gathered that schools, which have struggled to provide basic stationery and educational materials are seeking approval to increase fees by around 300% to keep up with the parallel market rate.

Some parents told NewsDay that they had received payment advices from schools that were only valid for a few days because of the fast movement of the exchange rate.

“My child has been accepted at a top private school in Gweru. The fees are US$900, but in Zimdollars the fees are pegged at $216 000. If I do not pay within a week, the local currency figure changes to reflect whatever exchange rate movement would have taken place,” said one parent who declined identification.

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions secretary-general Japhet Moyo predicted tough times ahead for parents and guardians.

“Most school development committees have already told parents that fees have more than doubled coming into the next year while salaries remain low. What it means is that there might be dropouts or children will have to be transferred to cheaper schools, come next year,” Moyo said.

“Those (workers), who went to their rural homes might not come back if they don’t have livestock to sell. The cost of living has just gone up and looking at all the other fundamentals, 2022 is not going to be a stroll in the park.”

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe expressed fear that civil servants will fail to send their children to school. He said this after having looked at proposed 2022 budgets for various schools.

“Teachers and civil servants won’t be able to send their children to school in 2022. Already we have noted that most private schools, which are owned by the politicians, are charging fees in US dollars. Those schools run by the government are looking to charge four to five times more than they did last term if they are to offer quality education,” he said.

Majongwe said without US dollar salaries, there was no joy for civil servants in 2022.

“Unless we are paid in US dollars, it is going to be the most torturous journey because the close to a trillion Zimdollar budget by (Finance minister Mthuli) Ncube means nothing when it is not supporting a better life for the down trodden,” Majongwe said.

Civil servants have been pushing for US dollar-denominated salaries, but the government has been pleading incapacitation.

Last month, the government paid its workers US dollar bonuses, a development that unions said was evidence that the government had the capacity to meet their demands.

Government has in the past resorted to freezing school fees increases in public schools and threatening to deregister private schools that demanded schools fees in foreign currency.

MDC Alliance vice-president and former Finance minister Tendai Biti said 2022 looked gloomy for the majority after the parallel market exchange rate shot to $230 for the greenback just before Christmas.

“In a few months, it will hit 500, the rising rate has dramatic inflationary consequences and with half of our people living in poverty and 95% unemployed. This only means the worst for our people and we have Ncube who is the quintessential definition of failure,” Biti said.

Ncube announced a $927,3 billion budget for 2022.

“This is one of the most dishonest budgets ever presented. It’s a technically unsound budget. It doesn’t meet the test for credibility and as I have said consistently this was a man just going through a ritualistic formality simply because section 302 of the Constitution demands that he has to go through the process,” Biti said.

–newsday

By A Correspondent- Government has authorised administering of COVID-19 booster shots beginning with frontline workers, Health and Child Care ministry secretary Jasper Chimedza has said.

Chimedza said frontline workers would be eligible to receive booster shots six months after receiving their second vaccine.

“The 3rd dose booster vaccination proceeds with the same vaccine type used for the 1st and 2nd doses for that individual,” Chimedza said in a statement dated December 24.

“For the avoidance of doubt there shall be no mixing of different vaccine types, there be at least six-month interval between the 2nd dose and the booster dose. The booster dose is recorded on the same vaccination card with the 1st and 2nd doses.”

Health experts said the booster shots could not be avoided in the face of the fourth wave.

“This is the fairest way to go as we are treading on the side of caution and also considering it has been six months after vaccination commenced,” Mashonaland faculty chairperson of the College of Primary Healthcare Physicians of Zimbabwe and director health services at the University of Zimbabwe, Enock Mayida said.

“It is a good way to make sure we boost the system at the same time taking precaution against adverse effects. They also indicated that frontline workers are at risk of contracting the Omicron variant, so it becomes imperative that a booster shot be given.”

Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association’s Johannes Marisa added: “The booster shot vaccination is very important considering that the protection of the vaccines wanes after 6 to 10  months and a booster shot will try to take us to the next level.

“It is a step in the right direction because we want to make sure our immunity is protected. Frontline workers are at high risk of the virus considering we get in contact with patients on a daily basis.”

Only three million people had received both doses as of December 26, according to a situation report from the Health ministry, under half of the 10 million government target at the beginning of the programme in February this year.

Government first announced plans to administer booster shots in early December after the detection of the Omicron variant.

But the programme had not started as there was no clarification on how they would be administered.

More- Newsday

By A Correspondent- A 38-year old man from Chipinge is on the run after he allegedly shot and injured his girlfriend in the early hours of this Monday.

The suspect, Freeman Sithole, shot 30-year old Shingai Magazi from Panganai Village under Chief Mutema, four times in both hands and in the chest.

Magazi was ferried to Birchenough Bridge Hospital where she is currently admitted.

Reports suggest that Sithole and Magazi had a misunderstanding over their relationship status, which resulted in the suspect assaulting the victim before shooting her as she tried to escape.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident saying investigations are underway.-statemedia

By ACorrespondent- Traditional leaders in Ntabazinduna, Matabeleland North province have warned people who bought communal land in the area in 2021 under unclear circumstances that they are in possession of illegal property.

This is one of the resolutions made by the traditional leaders after launching an investigation into illegal land sales and allocations in Ntabazinduna.

The traditional leaders, who include headmen, village heads and former Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni started investigating cases of illegal sale of communal land in 2019.

This is revealed in a statement released by Ndiweni.

“The traditional leaders and others of Ntabazinduna began their investigation in 2019 and managed to obtain the first evidence and records, with regard to this matter.

“This process is still continuing to date. In 2021 three separate groups of Ntabazinduna residents formed groups and obtained permission from the Chief (Ndiweni) to separately investigate and gather evidence,” Ndiweni who still has influence in Ntabazinduna, said.

“In 2020, the traditional leaders agreed that no new stands would be issued to outsiders until this matter had been addressed.

“At the beginning of this year in a recorded ZOOM Traditional leaders meeting, with “Chief” Ndiweni it was once again reaffirmed that no new stands were being given out to people from outside of Ntabazinduna.”

Ndiweni said they agreed that any stand sale made in 2021 to outsiders was null and void and would not be recognised by traditional leaders on behalf of the community.

“All stands issued from November 2019 to the end of 2020 are under investigation and strong action will be taken.

“Questionable structures will be demolished through the court system,” Ndiweni said.

“Ntabazinduna is a communal land, which means that the land belongs to the whole community of Ntabazinduna.

“As a result no one has a title deed for any bit of land in Ntabazinduna. The land is owned by the people of Ntabazinduna. Which means no one can buy a virgin piece of Land in Ntabazinduna.”

He added: “The only way one could purchase a stand in Ntabazinduna, is if there are dwellings on that piece of land, some form of development, for want of a better word.

“This would mean that the stand being sold would be old. Not new virgin land.

“One village head was removed because of inappropriate issuance of stands.

“There are a number of recurring adverts for stands being sold in Ntabazinduna.

“These have been traced, their locations visited.

“Some of the individuals having something to do with these activities have been identified.”

Ndiweni said fraudsters were going around claiming to be agents for the traditional leaders to dupe desperate land seekers.

Ndiweni said in Ntabazinduna they would not tolerate illegal settlers. A case in point was the land dispute pitting former commercial farmer, Brian Davies and Floyd Ambrose that sparked controversy in 2019.

Documents show that Ambrose occupied the piece of land in 2004 — a time when the now dethroned Chief Ndiweni was in the United Kingdom where he worked at a local authority as a clerk.

Ndiweni accused the government of attempting to evict Davies from Tabs Induna Farm which houses the Chiefs Lodge to pave way for Ambrose.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Harare councillors want residents who built houses on stands acquired illegally to pay as much as US$10 000 for the regularisation of their stands as a deterrence measure.

The amounts will, however, differ with those who built houses in low-density areas paying more than those in medium-density and high-density areas respectively.

Residents in low-density areas will fork out US$10 000, medium density US$6 000 and high density, US$2 000 to have their houses regularised.

The proposal was made by Councillors during a recent full council meeting.

The Acting Director of Works proposed the following regularisation fees; High Density per Unit ZWL$50 000, Medium Density per Unit ZWL$200 000 and Low Density per Unit ZWL$500 000.

The proposal was shot down by Councillors, who instead, proposed the fees to be US$2 000, US$6 000 and US$10 000 or their ZWL equivalent on the date of payment for high density, medium density and low density, respectively.

The Councillors asserted that houses built on institutional sites reserved for schools, clinics and libraries, as well as on wetlands will also not be regularised.-OpenParly

By A Correspondent- Several church leaders presumed to be sympathetic to ZANU PF on Sunday said that disputed elections are bad as they polarise the nation.

The clerics were speaking at an annual national thanksgiving and dedication service held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo.

The event was held under the theme “Pursuing Nation Building Initiatives in the Spirit of Godly Patriotism Ownership Unity and Inclusiveness”, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa was in attendance.

The leader of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Nehemiah Mutendi said there is a need for national unity as it was also the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo’s last wish. Said Mutendi:

Let us all work to achieve peace now, let us find peace with each other. Disputed elections divide our beloved nation.

They derail our development plans, they hinder our progress, there are no winners, we are all losers.

Let us teach the people, let us be one, let us unite. It was the last wish of Joshua Nkomo (late Vice-President).

Pentecostal Assemblies Church of Zimbabwe bishop, Trevor Manhanga, mocked the opposition MDC for several splits that have dogged the party since its formation in 1999.

Manhanga urged exiled G40 politicians to return home and help rebuild the country before criticising Mnangagwa’s move to donate cars to the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD). He said:

There are a lot of opposition parties. The MDC has finished all alphabetical names.

There is only one leader, sit down and follow. Your Excellency, you are making a mistake by giving the opposition parties cars.

Next election there will be no opposition party because they are all coming for cars.

Mnangagwa came under heavy criticism for handing out 19 Isuzu D-Max vehicles to POLAD principals in July.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF supporters in Mashonaland Central province have expressed concern over rigging attempts on the Provincial elections being orchestrated by incumbent Chairperson Kazembe Kazembe.

Kazembe who is battling to have grassroot support is relying on the disqualified candidate James Makamba who has since thrown his weight on him but voters in Mount Darwin have gone for Businessman Tafadzwa Musarara.

Having assessed the ground Kazembe’s lieutenant John Nhamburo who is a Central Committee member was seen trying to smuggle ballot boxes in a rigging attempt at Nzvimbo growth point.

The move prompted Politiburo members in making sure that the ballot boxes are kept in Bindura.

Efforts to contact Nhamburo were fruitless.

In Muzarabani Energy Minister Zhemu Soda who is also the District Co-ordinating Committee DCC chairperson for Muzarabani has lined up Kazembe’s supporters to be presiding officers.

The ground is not even for Kazembe and a rigging machine has been put in place since Musarara has proved to be more popular on this election,” said the source who declined to be named.

“It is now pay back time for Soda who was supported by Kazembe on his DCC campaign and he has put Kazembe’s supporters to be presiding officers of the election.”

Soda’s mobile phone went unanswered.

Another insider claimed that one director from the Commissariat was spotted yesterday in Kazembe’s car receiving a bribe to push for Kazembe’s victory.

The national party political Commissar Mike Bimha said polling will take place today and in one day.

Voting will commence at 7am and end at 5pm, there shall be no extension on polling time.

The collected results from Administration Districts will be sent to Provincial Command Centre then National for confirmation and announcement.

By A Correspondent- Police officers and soldiers reportedly teamed up and vandalised cars and other property at Mbalabala Shopping Centre near Mbalabala Barracks on Christmas eve after some local beer drinkers had mocked the soldiers.

According to The NewsHawks, the imbibers and soldiers exchanged taunts over beer, resulting in the latter mobilising the Police to attack residents randomly

Eyewitnesses told the publication that trouble started when local residents and soldiers going for a beer drink began taunting each other.

The soldiers reportedly insulted the residents who then responded in kind, saying the security forces members had no money since they were merely civil servants and nothing special about them.

The mockery did not go down well with the soldiers who reportedly mobilised police from Esigodini, 40km southeast of Bulawayo, to come and attack the residents over the taunts.

The group of police officers and soldiers vandalised cars and attacked people indiscriminately. Said a The NewsHawks source:

After the heated exchanges, on 25 December afternoon, a truckload of police officers from Esigodini descended on local residents and shoppers, many of the villagers from Filabusi, vandalising their cars at Mbalabala Shopping Centre, near Mbalabala Barracks.

The police were called in and deployed by the soldiers, and in the process of the attacks, they vandalised property and cars belonging to Innocent Ndlovu, Nhlalwenhle Ndlovu, Wellington Ncube, Lewis Nkomo and Steven Sibanda, among others.

During the heated exchanges soldiers had opined residents couldn’t afford to drink, but they reacted by saying: ‘Lina alila mali vele ngitsho le-cent ngoba lingama civil servants nje angela lutho’ (You don’t have any money at all because you are just mere civil servants).

The police were called by some soldiers who had been taunted by residents and shoppers who were drinking, shouting at them saying ‘alila vele ngitsho le-cent ngoba linga ma-civil servants. Kodwa thina namuhla sizabuhlaba utshwala’. (You have no money, but we are going to drink.

After being taunted soldiers said ‘horayithi manje sizabona ukuthi lizabuhlaba njani’. (Ok we will see how you will drink your beer).

After a little while, Esigodini police arrived and pounced on everyone, damaging cars and property. Ironically, the case was reported to the police.

Mbalabala is a small growth point in Matabeleland South Province on the main Beitbridge-Bulawayo highway situated approximately 67km from Bulawayo.

By A Correspondent- Self-exiled former ZANU PF Politburo member Professor Jonathan Moyo has sensationally claimed that following the November 2017 military coup, the G40 faction worked hard to ensure an MDC Alliance victory in the 2018 elections.

Moyo has been involved in a war of words with some MDC Alliance supporters on social media in recent days after he suggested that the party should convert the US$120 000 raised to buy party leader Nelson Chamisa an armoured car to equip polling agents ahead of the 2023 elections.

Moyo also revealed that he had withdrawn an offer to train 40 000 MDC Alliance polling agents after the party leadership failed to state its position following allegations that the offer had divided the opposition party.

Posting on Twitter, Moyo said the G40 campaigned for the MDC Alliance and later “exposed” vote-rigging not with the intention of joining the opposition party but to build a coalition. He said:

When President Mugabe announced he would vote for @nelsonchamisa, and not @edmnangagwa, on the eve of the 2018 elections; it was on the back of lots of groundwork that had been done by “G40” around the country, in some provinces more than in others, since the Nov 2017 coup!

The “G40” 2018 Chamisa campaign didn’t extend to MDC; as shown by the messaging & the results. Hence ZanuPF won 145 out of 210 parliamentary seats, outperforming @edmnangagwa who got 125. Chamisa won 85, outperforming MDC with 63; he won the poll but it was stolen from him!

In actively & openly campaigning for @nelsonchamisa in 2018; and exposing the stolen vote since then, in various fora including here; President Mugabe & “G40” never said they wanted to join the #MDC; never. IT WAS PURE COALITION POLITICS. Only dogmatic cultists don’t get it!

With President Mugabe no more & MDC-A cultists running amok with their intolerance and immaturity, surely things cannot be like they were in 2018. Just like ZanuPF can’t have a one-party state; a one-party opposition is untenable. No one will beg anyone for anything pre-2023!

By A Correspondent- Businessman James Makamba has reportedly been abandoned by his supporters after he endorsed aspiring Mashonaland Central provincial chairman Kazembe Kazembe ahead of tomorrow’s provincial election.

Makamba’s backers are said to be now rallying behind another businessman, Tafadzwa Musarara, who is believed to be Kazembe’s main challenger.

Last week, ZANU PF’s highest decision-making organ outside congress, the Politburo, disqualified Makamba after his candidature was dismissed by the country’s security chiefs.

His alleged previous romantic affair with former first lady Grace Mugabe was cited as one of the reasons behind the disqualification.

During his campaign, Makamba had drawn up ten points that he used to severely criticise Kazembe.

He characterised Kazembe as a highly divisive, weak, and uncharismatic leader whose chairmanship had divided the province.

Makamba’s supporters accused him of hypocrisy and double standards in their WhatsApp group on Monday following his volte-face. One supporter wrote:

I want to ask you, what has now changed that you are now backing the same man you have been severely criticising?

You are being sadistic in that you want the province to remain divided and despised.

You complained that Kazembe was vindictive and wanted to get you arrested on trumped-up charges.

You complained that your accounts were being closely monitored by Kazembe Kazembe. Tell us cde, were you telling us the truth or lying?

You painted a vivid picture of a bad cde Kazembe in our minds who is unsellable and unmarketable.

By endorsing Kazembe, you have pushed us to endorse Cde Musarara who is representing a new era and epoch in the history of Mashonaland Central.

We will walk with cde Musarara from seed level to flowering and then to fruit level have shared a piece of my mind with you.

Let’s usher in a new way of doing things in our province on December 28. Ichoooo!

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) recovered illicit drugs valued at ZWL$2 821 738.00 in just under three months, that is, from October to December 2021.

The seized drugs include crystal meth (mutoriro), cocaine, ecstasy, dagga (mbanje/ marijuana) and broncleer among others.

In terms of quantity and value, dagga topped the list, with 53.982 kilogrammes worth over ZWL$1.2 million having been recovered.

See the table below:

DRUG	QUANTITY RECOVERED	VALUE RECOVERED (ZWL$)
Crystal Meth	343 grammes	328 946.00
Cocaine	14.32 grammes	109 162.00
Ecstasy	36 tablets	37 323.00
Dagga	53.982 kilogrammes	1 248 467.00
Broncleer	1772 x 100mls Bottles	654 800.00
Adco-Saltarpyn	1394x 100mls Bottles	321 090.00
Benyln	14x 100mls Bottles	7200.00
Histalix	182 x 100mls Bottles	114 750.00

By A Correspondent- Musician Jah Prayzah has appreciated Sirizani Butau for his heroic act of saving lives.

Butau assisted accident victims along the Harare Mutare road where a Beta bus collided with a fuel tanker claiming 5 and injuring over 60 others.

He said:

“Let us take time to appreciate this hero of ours, Sirizani Butau. It is hard to find many like him world over, may God bless and heal him.

i hear people are donating for his medication I’m not sure of his numbers but if you have them please let’s contribute.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families that lost their loved ones in this tragic accident.

I also pray with the whole of Zimbabwe for a speedy recovery of those who were injured.

ZRP UPDATE ON THE FATAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AT 242 KM PEG ALONG HARARE- MUTARE ROAD

“With reference to the Zimbabwe Republic Police Press Statement issued on 25 December 2021, Police reports that, initial comprehensive investigations on the accident have revealed that the total number of people involved is 71 instead of the initially reported 65.

The Beta bus was carrying 69 passengers, while the Pathera Logistics Fuel Tanker had two people.

66 people were injured, while the death toll remains at five (5).

41 people were treated and discharged, while 25 are stil hospitalised.

Three (3) of the five (5) victims have been identified by their relatives as Delan Ndoro of Mapfunde Village, Chief Zimunya, Mutare; Admire Mandeya of Nyatate Village, Chief Mutasa, Nyanga; Rufu Zambezi (48) of Number 36 Glen Norah Drive, Harare.

He was the fuel tanker driver.

Two other victims who were burnt beyond recognition are awaiting forensic tests.

Meanwhile, the owner of Beta buses, Mr Muganda has offered to assist Police to locate his driver Philip Chiringo, who disappeared from the scene after the accident.

Police are still conducting investigations into the unfortunate fatal road traffic accident.- ZBC News

1/5 When President Mugabe announced he would vote for @nelsonchamisa, and not @edmnangagwa, on the eve of the 2018 elections; it was on the back of lots of ground work that had been done by "G40" around the country, in some provinces more than in others, since the Nov 2017 coup!

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) December 27, 2021

2/5 The "G40" 2018 Chamisa campaign didn't extend to MDC; as shown by the messaging & the results. Hence ZanuPF won 145 out of 210 parliamentary seats, out performing @edmnangagwa who got 125. Chamisa won 85, outperforming MDC with 63; he won the poll but it was stolen from him! pic.twitter.com/D2fHua6a4H

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) December 27, 2021

3/5 In actively & openly campaigning for @nelsonchamisa in 2018; and exposing the stolen vote since then, in various fora including here; President Mugabe & "G40" never said they wanted to join the #MDC; never. IT WAS PURE COALITION POLITICS. Only dogmatic cultists don't get it!

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) December 27, 2021

4/5 With President Mugabe no more & MDC-A cultists running amok with their intolerance and immaturity, surely things cannot be like they were in 2018. Just like ZanuPF can't have a one party state; a one party opposition is untenable. No one will beg anyone for anything pre-2023!

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) December 27, 2021

5/5 If there's anyone who still thinks "G40" is @Hon_Kasukuwere, @PatrickZhuwao, @waltermzembi and me; then that person knows nothing useful about real politics in Zimbabwe. Some of us, certainly I, have seen @nelsonchamisa as the best foot forward but maybe we are in fact wrong!

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) December 27, 2021

By A Correspondent- Citizens here are crying foul after losing their goods which suddenly “grew legs” inside a ZIMRA depot at Beitbridge border post.

According to sources privy to the development, the RMG Coaches bus, was one of the buses impounded on December 3 2021 before it was sealed and taken away by ZIMRA for “safekeeping”.

Said a source whose goods were stolen:

“We raised the required amount in the hope that we would get our goods, but we are shocked that impounded goods disappear and yet the bus never left ZIMRA depot at Beitbridge.”

Added another source only identified as MaMoyo:

“It looks like this was an inside job because the bus was being kept by ZIMRA. Most of the items that were stolen are Avon products. These products are very easy to sell.”

ZimEye is in possession of receipts paid to ZIMRA in order for the bus to be released.

“We paid money for empty boxes. The seal was broken and people’s goods were stolen inside the depot. We do not know how this happened when the bus was impounded by ZIMRA and sealed.”

The matter was reported to the police.

Efforts to get a comment from ZIMRA was work in progress by the time of writing.

More details follow.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is investigating an armed robbery that occurred in Karoi in which four armed robbers pounced on a Service Station and got away with over US$51 000.

Police said the robbery happened on Sunday morning.

We present the police statement on the case:

The ZRP is investigating an armed robbery case that occurred at a Service Station in Karoi at around 0300 hours this morning when four unidentified men attacked the manager, his family, security and took USD 51 500 cash and a VW Golf vehicle. More details to follow.

Cases of robbers targeting service stations have been on the rise in recent months.

By A Correspondent- The Police in Gwanda has arrested a businessman and butchery operator Irimai Muringa of Konongwe Farming area for stock theft.

The suspect was nabbed after his four employees were found in possession of three carcasses and two live beasts which were all identified by owners.

More details follow…………

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been dragged to the Constitutional Court for behaviour that is inconsistent with provisions of the constitution after the appointment of Zanu-PF politburo member Patrick Chinamsa as Air Zimbabwe director and board chairperson, while the parastatal is under judicial management.

Mnangagwa and his lawyer Edwin Manikai are being sued together by Tichaona Mupasiri. In his 16 December court application, Mupasiri is seeking an order to declare that Mnangagwa’s action constitutes conduct that is inconsistent with the constitution.

 “The First Respondent’s appointment of Chinamasa as Director and Chairman of Air Zimbabwe, a company whose control and management was divested from its directors and shareholders and vested in an Administrator appointed by the Minister of Justice pursuant to the operation of the Reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Act 2005, constitutes conduct that is inconsistent with the Constitution as follows: “By engaging in a self-help scheme, interposing himself as a shareholder of Air Zimbabwe, the First Respondent failed to fulfil his obligations in terms of s90 ( I ) and s90(2)(c) by clothing himself with right to amend the Reconstruction Act that specifically vests the control and direction of the company under the Administrator.”

“By knowingly and intentionally appointing Chinamasa to be a Chairman of Air Zimbabwe, a juristic entity in its own right, the First Respondent had no title to do and usurped the power and authority of shareholders of the company, to the extent that the then Companies Act could operate concurrently with the Reconstruction of State-indebted Insolvent Companies Act.”

Mupasiri said Mnangagwa knowingly and intentionally offended the fundamental rights and freedoms of shareholders and creditors involved in the affairs of the company by appointing a representative of the company who was not accountable to shareholders but to him.

“By failing to take cognisance of the fact that the right to appoint directors falls within the scope of the exercise of fundamental rights, the First Respondent’s conduct was inconsistent with the duties imposed upon him by s90(l) and s90(2)(c) of the Constitution rendering his conduct unconstitutional and invalid,” the draft order reads.

“By allowing and actively participating in the appointment of Chinamasa, whose effect was to create an absurdity of a company having two centres of control, the First Respondent acted ultra vires s6 of the Reconstruction of State Indebted Insolvent Companies Act and in so doing failed to uphold, defend, obey and respect the Constitution as set out in s90( I ) and to uphold the rule of law as per s(90)(2)(c) of the Constitution.”-newshawks

G40 members are safest under a Mnangagwa or a Chamisa Govt?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 27, 2021

By A Correspondent- Organised violence and torture in Zimbabwe affect women during protests more than any other civilian, hence they end up not participating in peaceful protests.

This came out during a Zoom meeting organised by the Research Advocacy and Unit (RAU) on the launch of a report on organised violence and torture in dealing with protests in Zimbabwe.

Senior Researcher at RAU Tony Reeler said women are the most affected gender when it comes to protests in Zimbabwe, where they are physically tortured, unlawfully detained and abducted together with their family members.

“From a report on OVT against women, they are abused through unlawful detention, abductions of self or family and they are physically tortured,” said Reeler.

He said that organised violence and torture (OVT) against women is allegedly perpetrated by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) who include Riot Squad, uniformed branch as well as Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

“The perpetrators who take the lead in the harassment of women during protests are police, the Army and politicians.

“It is sad to note that the police and the army are the ones on the forefront of torturing women when they are supposed to be protecting citizens by allowing them freedom to exercise their constitutional rights to protest and demonstrate.

“We focused on women because they join men in protests and their participation is a symbol that the protests or demonstrations will be peaceful since women are not violent in nature,” said Reeler.

He went on to say that the number of people who are willing to protest is decreasing with each year as a demonstration is a sign of hostility in Zimbabwe.

“The right to demonstrate is viewed as being hostile to a certain extent, to be an activist is to be a victim of violence and torture and you take risks of being unlawfully harmed,” said Reeler.

The report recommended that the right to demonstrate and protest must be honoured as well as the right to assembly and association. It also recommended that ZRP should provide protection for citizens during and after protests.-TellZim

By A Correspondent- | The MDC Alliance has paid tribute to iconic cleric Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

In a brief statement the MDC Alliance described Archbishop Tutu as a man who contributed immensely to freedom and faith.

“The MDC Alliance joins South Africa & the world in mourning the sad passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

His contribution to the ideals of freedom and faith are an inspiration to us all.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family & loved ones,” MDC Alliance said.

By A Correspondent- Businessman James Makamba, who was disqualified from running for the Zanu PF Mashonaland Central Provincial Chairman position in the Tuesday elections, has reportedly changed his mind and endorsed Kazembe Kazembe.

The Zanu PF Politburo threw out Makamba’s VC after the Party’s highest decision-making body raised security issues against the prominent businessman.

Makamba had entered the race with the incumbent, Kazembe Kazembe, who is also the Home Affairs Minister, and Tafadzwa Musarara, the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe Boss.

Since the beginning of this year, Kazembe has been using the police to frustrate Makamba’s campaign meetings.

Zanu PF supporters in Mashonaland Central have castigated Makamba’s sudden Kazembe endorsement, whose support (Kazembe) base has dwindled because of failing several times to mobilise for President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the Province.

Members of Makamba’s campaign team told ZimEye.com that the whole Province was saying, “Makamba is a sellout.

“He is taking Mt Darwin for fools. He is not after resurrecting the Party. He is after money and preserving his wealth. We agreed when the Party threw out his CV that we should all rally behind Musarara because he has the potential of reviving and uniting the Province. Kazembe was the Chairman since the death of G-40, and he failed three times to mobilise for President when he wanted to hold rallies here. He is not people-oriented, and you can only see him when there are big events for the Party. That is not politics. We need a person who resonates with the grassroots, and those characteristics are in Musarara. We are saying the Mukanya ( Makamba) Matengesa,” said the members.

In an act of defiance, Makamba supporters have changed all their campaign platforms on social media to Mash Central yati Musarara as they endorsed Musarara.

They said they had given Makamba their support in confidence that Makamba would work to remove Kazembe, who has been described as a sore thumb in the Province.

The supporters said they had worked with Makamba to remove Kazembe, and he turned his back on them to go to the very person they wanted to be removed.

Insiders from Kazembe’s camp revealed that Kazembe and Makamba had developed a working relationship during Kazembe’s days as Information Communication and Technology Minister and Telecel had brought them together.

They said that besides politics, the two had and still have business deals together, which is why it was in Makamba’s best interests to support Kazembe.

” Double standards displayed by vaMakamba on the background of which he was not only the mastermind and kingpin of denouncing Kazembe but he has been a senior teacher not of peace but of hatred.
Julius Malema quote “Hetrage is taught, ibis not an inborn thing”.
You taught people to hate and rise against Kazembe Kazembe.
Ko nhai Mukanya makadii kuzodzoka kuvamakadzidzisa kuti muvadzidzise rudo especially to Kazembe.
Your last minute desperate move was ill-advised Dr Makamba for it proved that you are a manipulator of people.
Having supporters of followers who subscribe to your candidacy does not mean that you own people.Hakuna munhu wevanhu kanakuti vanhu vemunhu,” these are the messages posted by Makamba supporters on thier social media platforms.

Makamba, Kazembe and Musarara’s phones were not reachable for comment as they were said to be deep in the rural areas for their last-minute campaign rallies.

The Zanu PF PPC elections are due Tuesday. The polls are critical to the Party as they would produce Zanu PF’s kingmakers for the Party’s 2023 presidential candidate at an elective congress due December 2022.

By A Correspondent- With barely three weeks before the curtain comes down on the year 2021, government race to achieve the intended herd immunity of vaccinating 60 percent of the total population falls behind schedule as only 39 percent of the population has received the jab.

A total number of 3 896 589 people have been vaccinated against Covid-19 in Zimbabwe since the programme was rolled out which makes it 38.9 percent herd immunity.

Specialists in the field are reported to have had doubts on the target set by government as over ambitious and unrealistic saying the time stipulated was too little.

Vaccination programme began in February 2021 and it was the target of government to have vaccinated 10 million people of the total population of an estimated 16 million.

From the national daily Covid-19 statistics, the number of people getting vaccinated is tremendously going down even though the new Omicron Covid19 variant has hit the country.

There is apparent complacency on the side of ordinary people and government, which is failing to enforce the regulations worse still convening meetings to conduct party business.
Chief Coordinator for the National response to Covid-19 pandemic in the office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Agnes Mahomva said they continue lobbying for people to get vaccinated by acquiring more vaccines and encouraging people to get vaccinated.

“Our job is to continue pushing so that people get vaccinated and making sure that we access more vaccines.

“Our ambitious target remains and whether we get there or not is not a problem, we continue encouraging people to get vaccinated. We acquired more vaccines recently that we expect to receive this Friday (December 10),” said Dr Mahomva.

She went on to dismiss questions to whether they will reach the target by saying that she is not eligible to talk about it but has to wait for the end result.

“Now it is not the right time for us to conclude whether we will reach herd immunity or not for we are still working and hoping that we will make it,” said Dr Mahomva.

Masvingo Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Dr Amadeus Shamhu said they continue to vaccinate people in the province but however they are having low turnouts.

“We want people to get vaccinated and continue vaccinating those who show up for vaccination but they are showing up in few numbers which is delaying us from reaching community herd immunity,” said Dr Shamhu.

Masvingo Covid-19 Taskforce spokesperson Rogers Irimayi said they are increasing awareness campaigns with the support of partners and that people are still getting vaccinated but the numbers have dropped, though there is a slight increase maybe because of the new variant.

“As taskforce we are intensifying awareness campaign programmes, our partners are supporting in terms of resources to ensure we reach out to the generality of our communities.

“People are still getting vaccinated although the numbers had fallen down in the previous months but an upsurge is being experienced maybe because of the Omicron variant,” said Irimayi.

He said they continue encourage people to observe World Health Organisation (WHO) measures against Covid-19 and encourage people to get vaccinated so as to curb the spread of the virus.

“We encourage people to be very cautious and follow the WHO and government Covid-19 guidelines of masking up, hand sanitizing and maintaining social distancing. However, vaccination is the best option in protecting ourselves and our loved ones,” said Irimayi.

Sometime at the end of November, community herd immunity for Masvingo province stood at 34.8 percent which has been subject to change obviously since some people are getting vaccinated.