By- The Zimbabwe Republic Police said they are investigating a case in which six armed robbers masquerading as police officers raided a house in Kadoma on Tuesday and got away with US$20 000 cash, a car, a gun and various property.

The robbers were armed with two pistols when they raided the house in Eiffel Flats.
They also stole jewellery and a Samsung cellphone.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said no arrests have been made yet.

“The ZRP is investigating a case of robbery which occurred in Eiffel Flats, Kadoma on December 22, 2021, where six unknown male suspects masquerading as police officers, pounced on a family and robbed them of property valued at US$26 000.
“The suspects brandished two unknown pistols before demanding for valuables. They stole US$20 000, a 9mm pistol loaded with eight rounds, jewellery, a Sumsung cellphone and a blue Toyota Vits vehicle (ACV 9037),” he said.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspects.
Meanwhile, police have confirmed the arrest of Ruramai Chingoma (35), Joseph Zhuwawo (48), Jairos Muropa (38), Smart Machagi (36), Kudakwashe Bhibho (31) and Tinotenda Tavengwa (21) for illegal mining activities at Hotburn Mining Site in Shamva on Monday.

Police had to use teargas to disperse a violent mob that attempted to attack police officers in a bid to free the suspects.
The suspects are still assisting with investigations and will appear in court soon.

-Herald

By – A Masvingo man, Nickel Chikwanda, who was caught pants down with his brother’s 12-year-old daughter, has been sentenced to 16 years in jail.

Chikwanda, from village 15B Chamanhure, raped the girl on several occasions after he initially enticed her by promising her some zap nax.

Chikwada appeared before Magistrate Patience Madondo.

The court heard that the complainant’s mother used to entrust her daughter with the accused to the extent that she would send her to assist Chikwanda with household chores, including washing plates.

It is on one of these missions that the accused promised to buy the complainant some zap nax and had sex with her. He then had sex with the complainant on several other occasions before he was caught.
On the fateful day on March 12 this year, the accused was tasked to escort the complainant to her grandmother’s house because it was dark. The accused diverted the route and took the complainant to his house and had sexual intercourse with her. He then asked the complainant to spend the night with him.
At around 7pm a call was made to the grandmother to confirm if the complainant had arrived safely. The grandmother responded negatively and some relatives went and checked at the accused’s house.
One of the relatives knocked on Chikwanda’s bedroom and the accused took time to respond and the relatives peeped through the window only to see the two naked.
The matter was reported to Police after the girl narrated everything that was happening.
Liberty Hove prosecuted.
Three years were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence for the next five years.

-Mirror

By-A notorious top Zvishavane gold dealer who pelted his two wives with stones after they refused to shake their bums for him in public has been sentenced to nine months in prison or a fine of RTGS$50 000.
Five months were suspended from three years on condition he doesn’t commit such a crime.
Samson Gondwe (48) assaulted his wives on December 4, 2021 when the gold dealer who is popularly known as Sam Dread was drinking beer with wives Precious Mushaikwa and Popadopoules Droder Mollin.
Gondwe ordered his wives to shake their buttocks in front of men who were also drinking beer at the place but they refused. The accused then threw stones at the wives hitting their heads and legs.
In Mitigation the Gondwe said he has four wives including the complainants and 13 children under his care. Twelve of those are going to school and he pays their fees. A custodial sentence would therefore affect them negatively. He employs 60 workers at his mine and six at his farm who all depend on him for income.
In passing sentence Matura said Gondwe he is a first offender and he gave a guilty plea hence he did not waste the court’s time.
Five months were suspended for three years on condition he doesn’t commit such a crime.
Samson Gondwe (48) assaulted his wives on December 4, 2021 when the gold dealer who is popularly known as Sam Dread was drinking beer with wives Precious Mushaikwa and Popadopoules Droder Mollin.
Gondwe ordered his wives to shake their buttocks in front of men who were also drinking beer at the place but they refused. The accused then threw stones at the wives hitting their heads and legs.
In Mitigation the Gondwe said he has four wives including the complainants and 13 children under his care. Twelve of those are going to school and he pays their fees. A custodial sentence would therefore affect them negatively. He employs 60 workers at his mine and six at his farm who all depend on him for income.
In passing sentence Matura said Gondwe he is a first offender and he gave a guilty plea hence he did not waste the court’s time.

-Mirror

By A Correspondent-The Zimbabwe Republic Police has announced that they are investigating another case of an armed robbery involving a cross border bus coming from Harare to South Africa.

“1/2 On 23/12/21 at 0345 hours, ZRP Ngundu recorded an armed robbery case involving a MB Transport bus today at 0230 hours. Three suspects disguising as passengers, robbed all the bus occupants property valued at ZAR 566 245, US$11 520 and an Itel P37 cellphone, ” ZRP announced via their Twitter account.

By-President Emmerson Mnangagwa said he is committed to dealing with the aftermath of Gukurahundi so that present and future generations can move forward.
Gukurahundi refers to mass killings that Mnangagwa and Robert Mugabe initiated and executed in Matabeleland and Midlands in the 1980s.

The military attacks on unarmed civilians claimed more than 20 000 people, mainly from the Ndebele ethnic group.

In his 2021 Unity Day address at State House on Wednesday, Mnangagwa said he has met with interest groups and chiefs from the affected areas to establish what needs to be done to deal with the emotive issue.

He said:
We must boldly confront and tackle the aftermath of that era, heal wounds it left in its wake, and where possible, assuage persistent difficulties and challenges traceable to it.
This, I am resolved to do until we remove whatever bitter memories may still exist and are likely to linger.

We are the generation that must resolve issues of early independence conflict, so we release our children to move forward and ahead as a united people.
On countless occasions, I have met and interacted with interest groups, community, and traditional leaders from Matabeleland and parts of Midlands all with a view to establishing what needs to be done so the aftereffects of this regrettable era are put behind us.

He said chiefs have an important role to play in resolving the Gukurahundi issue and should lead in the process of reconciliation. Mnangagwa said:
Our traditional leaders led by our chiefs have a great role to play in this regard. They preside over communities affected by the conflict, those hurt by the conflict are their subjects.
They know the hurts, hear all the cries from the ear and have suggestions on what needs to be done.
As we give space to our traditional leaders to lead processes of reconciliation and repair, we should guard against those negative elements which aim to re-ignite frozen differences to throw us back into renewed conflict.
As always there are sinister forces that seek to profit from a divided and divisive past. They must not succeed.

Gukurahundi was carried out between 1982 and 1987 by the North Korean trained 5th Brigade which was an elite regiment of the Zimbabwe National Army.
Mnangagwa was the State Security Minister in the late Robert Mugabe’s government during the dark era. Mugabe was Prime Minister at the time.

By-The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority said that 71 people lost their lives due to human-wildlife conflict between January and December this year.

The organisation’s spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo, said crocodiles and elephants account for the bulk of the fatal attacks.

“Elephants and crocodiles account for most of the deaths although here and there we have incidences that involve other animals such as buffaloes and others. This year alone we recorded 71 deaths while 50 people were injured by wild animals compared to about 60 deaths and 40 injuries last year,” he said.
Mr Farawo said Zimparks is carrying out awareness campaigns in affected areas to reduce cases of human- wildlife conflict.

He urged people to report the presence of problem animals in their areas at the nearest police station or Zimparks offices.
“We should appreciate that the elephant herd for example continues to grow but the land remains the same. At the same time human population is also growing hence the increased cases of human- wildlife conflict,” said Mr Farawo.
Zimbabwe is home to more than 100 000 elephants against a carrying capacity of about 45 000.
Mr Farawo said the population of elephants keeps growing making it difficult to monitor and track them.

He said wild animals usually get into human communities in search of water.
“Naturally elephants will move into human territory in search of water and food. When they do so, their interaction with human beings increases and cases of people being killed by them increase,” he said.

By-Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has released inmates from Marondera and Connemara Open Prisons to go on Christmas holiday leave.
A total of 45 inmates were released for the holiday that starts today to December 28.
11 inmates from Marondera female open prison went home at 8am while 34 inmates were released from Connemara Open prison at 2pm.
Another batch of 29 males and 10 female inmates will be released on December 29 for New year’s holiday.

ZPCS officer in charge at Connemara, Superintendent Thandani Ndlovu said open prison was different from closed cells and inmates have some liberties.
“Open prison is meant for preparing ex-offenders to be reunited back with their families and communities where they have committed crime. We release them every year for Christmas holidays as part of the re-integration process,” he said.
One of the prisoners, who was convicted of abuse of office, Robert Tapfumaneyi told the NewsDay that Connemara Open Prison had shaped them to be the new members of society.
“Open prison has transformed us into new human beings”
“This is not the first time to go on holiday and maybe the first experience might have been difficult for some but now we are going again. We expect to be welcomed and be happy with our families this festive season,” Tapfumaneyi said.
Lovemore Chikwanda, director for Jedidiah Trust, a non-profit making organisation that was formed to empower inmates and their families during and after incarceration said the Christmas holiday for inmates would restore broken relations between children and their parents who were incarcerated.
“The holidays granted to male and female inmates in open prisons rekindles the dying flame between mother and child relationship as well as father and child relationship. With the festive mood, broken relationships are mended,” he said.

-NewsDay

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has threatened a shoot-to-kill policy to deal with the growing threat of armed robberies, amid reports that security officers were also involved in such crimes.

Recently, armed robbers have been targeting houses, companies and motorists on the highways with most of them being reportedly serving and former army and police officers.

Reports indicate that the criminals were taking advantage of porous borders to bring ammunition to Zimbabwe from neighbouring South Africa.

Other robbers are said to be using their service firearms to engage in violent crimes.

“Lately, we have witnessed an upsurge in gun-related crimes,” Mnangagwa said in his Unity Day message.

“There is a clear upsurge in the abuse of firearms, including violent armed robberies. The government now treats this as a grave threat to personal and national security.”

“Decisive measures have now become necessary to put an end to this growing menace that threatens our otherwise peaceful, law-abiding nation and citizenry. Those who dabble in arms will soon fall by the sword. Let them be warned.”

Top police and military brass have confirmed that some of their members and former officers were engaging in criminal activities.

Recently, a former police detective Joseph Nemaisa gunned down a soldier and former cop at his Chadcombe home in Harare after they attempted to rob his family.

Several cases of armed robberies in the recent past have implicated security services personnel.

-Newsday

Tinashe Sambiri| A documentary about President Nelson Chamisa’s 2018 campaign has been shortlisted for an Oscar award.

The documentary was done by iconic British Zimbabwean actress Thandiwe Newton.

The documentary mirrors the shooting of innocent citizens on August 1 2018.

Soldiers acting on Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s directive shot dead six civilians following protests at massive election- rigging.

The documentary was produced after filmmaker Camilla Nielsson and her crew followed Chamisa and his campaign team for four weeks leading up to the election.

Fifteen films were voted for by Members of the Documentary Branch and advanced in the Documentary Feature category. The films were picked out of the 138 films that were eligible.

President was shortlisted alongside 14 other documentary features; ‘Ascension’, ‘Attica’, ‘Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry’, ‘Faya Dayi’, ‘The First Wave’, ‘Flee’, ‘In The Same Breath’, ‘Julia’, ‘Procession’, ‘The Rescue’, ‘Simple As Water’, ‘Summer of Soul’, ‘The Velvet Underground’ and ‘Writing with Fire’.

The annual Academy Awards honor ‘outstanding artistic and scientific achievements in theatrically released feature length motion pictures.’

President Chamisa commented:
“We have made history. This is BIG. Awesome.”

By A Correspondent| Thursday morning, MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has posted a picture of himself holding three umbrellas colored orange, yellow and blue.

The picture had the following caption;

“Colour is a language! Colour lights up the environment and illuminates the atmosphere. The future is exciting. We must be different. But which colour is the future? Green, Red, Blue,Orange, White or Yellow??.”

Chamisa’s tweet ignited a debate that had died down on whether the MDC Alliance is going to adopt a new name or stick with the same old one currently under dispute with a rival faction headed by former party Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora.

By A Correspondent- A woman who claims to have paid her husband’s fees until he got a University degree was shocked on Friday when she found the latter wedding another woman at Chiredzi Magistrate Courts.

Albert Nhada is trying to desert his wife of 14 years and their two kids for Nobuhle Masuku. Diana Netsai Masendeke told The Mirror that she sold tomatoes and vegetables to raise money to send her husband to university.

The wedding was cancelled by Magistrate Judith Zuyu after it was opposed.

After completing his degree, Masendeke’s parents then allegedly invited their son-in-law who was staying in rural Chivi to Chiredzi where they got him a good paying job. Nhada then bought a car and from then on, he started seeing a lot of women, said Masendeke.

Nhada told The Mirror not to write about his private life without his consent, when a reporter called him for a comment.

However, there was drama at Chiredzi Magistrate Courts when Masendeke found her husband on the verge of exchanging vows with Masuku.

Magistrate Zuyu had to stop the wedding after calling for anyone opposed to the marriage, Masendeke, the two kids and her father stood up. Masendeke told Magistrate Zuyu that she was married to Nhada under the Customary Marriages Act.

The magistrate then stopped the wedding.

It is understood that Nhada had planned a white wedding at Mkwasine Country Club which was supposed to take place on Saturday (18 December) soon after the vows at the Court.

“I have been married to Nhada for the past 14 years and we have been together ever since. He like most men has been promiscuous but I never thought it would get to this,” said Masendeke.

“You are from The Mirror and why are you asking me about my private life, yes my ex disrupted my wedding but do you have consent from me to write the story,” said Nhada.

Masuku said she was going to pursue the matter and she did not mind that her fiancé is a married man.

“I don’t mind that Nhada had a wife and we will continue with the wedding no matter what,” said Masuku before she hung the phone.

“Nhada was a good man before we had money, I married him when he had nothing and we were living in the rural areas at Mseba in Chivi. We had nothing and I was selling fruit and vegetables to fend for the family.

“In 2010, he enrolled at university and I used money from vending to pay his fees until he finished. In 2015 my parents called us to Chiredzi and they got a job for him.

“I am heartbroken. I have been with him through thick and thin and this is his way of thanking me,” said Masendeke.-mirror

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described rising armed robbery cases across the country as a threat to personal and national security and has threatened a shoot-to-kill policy to deal with the criminals.

Of late, armed robbers have been targeting homes, businesses, mines, and motorists on highways, getting away with tens of thousands of United States dollars.

More worryingly is the fact that some of the suspected robbers are serving and former army and police officers who pounce on their victims armed with AK-47 rifles.

In his 2021 Unity Day message, Mnangagwa said armed robberies are becoming a menace, warning that “those who dabble in arms will soon fall by the sword”. He said:

Lately, we have witnessed an upsurge in gun-related crimes. There is a clear upsurge in the abuse of firearms, including violent armed robberies.

The government now treats this as a grave threat to personal and national security.

Decisive measures have now become necessary to put an end to this growing menace that threatens our otherwise peaceful, law-abiding nation and citizenry.

Those who dabble in arms will soon fall by the sword. Let them be warned.

Earlier this month, a retired detective, Joseph Nemaisa gunned down three armed robbers who were part of a five-man gang that had held his family hostage, demanding cash at his Chadcombe home.

It was later established that a soldier and a former police officer were among the dead while another serving soldier and former cop escaped and but were later arrested.

By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwean truck driver was arrested in Bluetown, Botswana on 3 December this year after being caught smuggling seven children from Zimbabwe to South Africa through that country.

Eric Mpofu (29) appeared before Botswana Magistrate Chandapiwa Molefi on Monday charged with the ill-treatment of children.

The children are aged between 9 and 12 and none of them had a passport.

Investigating officer Assistant Superintendent Meshack Mosika told the court that they were still trying to ascertain if Mpofu was not a trafficker.

Mpofu had told Botswana police that he had permission from the legal guardians and parents of the children to take them to South Africa. Said Mosika:

Since the accused was only arrested last week Friday, our investigations are at their initial stages.

Our investigations so far show that the accused was in transit from Zimbabwe to SA through Botswana.

He has no permanent place of residence in Botswana, he does not have any gainful employment in Botswana and he is facing a very serious offence.

We are yet to ascertain charges that could later be levelled against Mpofu since his current charge has an element of human trafficking.

We also fear that the accused is a flight risk. We also believe that the process of investigation will be protracted since it may involve authorities from Zimbabwe and SA.

Mosika opposed the granting of bail to Mpofu saying there is a high likelihood that he will abscond. He said:

There is also the likelihood of having to carry out DNA tests to confirm if the people who will come forward to claim that they are parents of the children are, indeed, their parents.

We are afraid that if the accused is granted bail, he is unlikely to fulfil his bail conditions.

The children are currently in the care of the police.

Mpofu was remanded in custody pending the finalisation of investigations by the police.-Newsday

By-A police crack team in Beitbridge has arrested five members of a gang of robbers that has been preying on motorists on major highways leading from Beitbridge to Bulawayo and Harare.
The team uses spikes and also pounces on motorists who would have had breakdowns. The gang allegedly patrols the highways in vehicles and attacks targets any time after 9pm.
It is understood that they are operating on a radius of between 50km and 80km on both roads from the border town.

The spikes are being used mostly on a stretch near the Bubi area where the road is being upgraded and there is a detour.
Along the Bulawayo Road, the criminals are pouncing on the victims between the Bishopstone turn-off and the Musane turn-off.
Three of the gang members, Believe Shumba alias Chipanga (32), John Bhunu (34) and David Ratsauka (29), were recently released from Khami Maximum Prison after serving five years on a similar offence.
They had robbed a Malawian traditional healer of R98 000 cash and an assortment of clothes and groceries all worth R160 000.

The other two suspects are Ntanganedzeni Muleya (28) and Nigel Pandukai (27) all of Beitbridge town.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the five will soon appear in court charged with robbery.
“We confirm the arrests of five suspects in Beitbridge on Tuesday after the police managed to trace one of the red Honda Fit vehicles they were using to pounce on motorists,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“Let me warn such criminals that we are alert and ready for them. In fact, their days are numbered since we have increased surveillance and patrols along all the highways countrywide.”
Further investigations are underway, said Asst Comm Nyathi.
Since the beginning of December, police have recorded five robberies along the roads leading from Beitbridge to Bulawayo and Harare, which are believed to have been orchestrated by the gang.

An assortment of stolen goods was recovered from the gang and some of the goods have been positively identified by the complainants.
However, Asst Comm Nyathi encouraged motorists to observe the obtaining curfew regulations and travel during the day.
“You will note that most of the complainants are lone motorists robbed during the curfew time. Where possible they must drive in convoys during the day,” he said.
The curfew, aimed at containing the spread of Covid-19, runs from 9pm to 6am daily.
Presently, there is a relative increase in motorists using the two major roads which connect Beitbridge and the rest of the country, as more Zimbabweans arrive from Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa for Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Figures from the Department of Immigration indicate that an average of 4 000 people are using the border daily since December 10.
Most of the travellers are using private vehicles, while a sizeable number is using buses.
Buses have also become targets for armed robbers, with a number of people having lost varying sums of money at night in the recent past.

-Herald

By- A Zimbabwean truck driver has been arrested in Bluetown, Botswana, after being caught smuggling seven children from Zimbabwe to South Africa through that country.

The incident happened on 3 December.

Eric Mpofu (29) appeared before Botswana Magistrate Chandapiwa Molefi on Monday, charged with the ill-treatment of children.

The children are aged between 9 and 12, and none of them had a passport.

Investigating officer Assistant Superintendent Meshack Mosika told the court that they were still trying to ascertain if Mpofu was not a trafficker.

Mpofu had told Botswana police that he had permission from the legal guardians and parents of the children to take them to South Africa. Said Mosika:

Since the accused was only arrested last week Friday, our investigations are at their initial stages.

Our investigations so far show that the accused was in transit from Zimbabwe to SA through Botswana.

He has no permanent place of residence in Botswana, he does not have any gainful employment in Botswana and he is facing a very serious offence.

We are yet to ascertain charges that could later be levelled against Mpofu since his current charge has an element of human trafficking.

We also fear that the accused is a flight risk. We also believe that the process of investigation will be protracted since it may involve authorities from Zimbabwe and SA.

Mosika opposed the granting of bail to Mpofu saying there is a high likelihood that he will abscond. He said:

There is also the likelihood of having to carry out DNA tests to confirm if the people who will come forward to claim that they are parents of the children are, indeed, their parents.

We are afraid that if the accused is granted bail, he is unlikely to fulfil his bail conditions.

The children are currently in the care of the police.

Mpofu was remanded in custody pending the finalisation of investigations by the police.

More: NewsDay

By- Police in Bulawayo besieged Stanley Hall in Makokoba and stopped a Gukurahundi memorial event from taking place.

Police cordoned off the venue as early as 8:30am where the event was expected to be held and graced by various human rights’ groups pushing for redress of the 1980s killings.

The event was meant to coincide with the signing of the Unity Accord between the late former President Robert Mugabe and Zapu leader Joshua Nkomo on December 22 1987, to mark the end of the Gukurahundi killings.
The commemorations were supposed to start with a march from the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo statue in the city centre, organisers of the event said.
“We had notified the police about the commemorations, but were surprised that the police could not allow the event to go ahead,” one of the organisers, Ibhetshu LikaZulu co-ordinator Mbuso Fuzwayo said.
“They (police) said the gathering cannot go ahead and this is contrary to what the President is saying that the emotive issue must be talked about freely.”
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube was not answering his phone when reached for comment.
-Newsday

By-About 1 400 Gutu villagers on Tuesday last week forced Ward 8 councillor Lazarus Hute to take back 400 bags of fertilizer which was not enough to go around all of them.

The incident happened at Vutsinda Business Center and five villagers were supposed to share one 50kg bag of fertilizer amongst them.
Hute confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with The Mirror adding that the matter was reported to the Minister of State for Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira.
The villagers loaded the bags back into the lorry after caucusing amongst themselves and their village heads, said Hute. The lorry had to go back to Mpandawana with its untouched contents.
The incident comes at a time when there are reports of rampant fraud involving Presidential inputs by both elected and unelected Zanu PF officials. So far there have been no arrests of such culprits.
Gutu North MP Yeukai Simbanegavi hang her phone when The Mirror called her for comment. Chadzamira’s phone went unanswered.
Provincial Agritex officer Aaron Muchazivepi said it was not proper for villagers to share Pfumvudza inputs in such a manner as each household is supposed to get 2 x 50kg bags of fertilizer, one D and another top dressing. The farmers are also supposed to get 10kg of maize seed under the same programme.
A village head who spoke to The Mirror on condition of anonymity accused Hute of trying to impose his will on the villagers. Hute allegedly threatened to take away the fertilizer if the villagers refused it and the supposed beneficiaries then unanimously agreed to disperse and leave him with the truck and the bags.
“Hute told us that we either shared the fertilizer or if we refused he was going to take it to the next distribution centre. It is a mockery to give a farmer 10kg of fertilizer, so we did the practical thing by ordering him to take back his inputs.
“The irony is that we have received zero inputs this year and we are almost getting halfway into the rainy season,” said the village head.
Hute said that the problem was not his as he was given 1 000 bags from GMB to share at three distribution centers.
“I was given 1 000 bags of fertilizers which were not enough to share at three centres. I suggested to the headman who were present that five villagers share a bag of fertilizer since there was not enough. I did not force anyone to share fertilizer.
“After the villagers refused the fertilizer, we communicated with Minister Chadzamira who instructed us to give the fertilizer to villagers who were gathered at Runyowa and they each got a bag and a bottle of pesticide. Some of them did not get anything because they were over a thousand,” said Hute.
Gutu GMB manager Onwards Zvataiona refused to comment when contacted for a comment.
Efforts to get a comment from Gutu District Agritex officer August Karedzera were fruitless.
“Hute told us that we were either to share the fertilizer and if we refused he was going to take it to the next distribution centre. Our people cannot get 10kg of fertilizers when they are supposed to get 50kg each,” said another village head.
Gutu RDC chairperson Nicholas Zambara said councillors are given inputs matching registered villagers for the Pfumvudza Programme, Masvingo.
-Mirror

By – A Masvingo man, Nickel Chikwanda, was caught pants down with his brother’s 12-year-old daughter.

Chikwanda, from village 15B Chamanhure, raped the girl on several occasions after he initially enticed her by promising her some zap nax.

Chikwada appeared before Magistrate Patience Madondo.

The court heard that the complainant’s mother used to entrust her daughter with the accused to the extent that she would send her to assist Chikwanda with household chores, including washing plates.

It is on one of these missions that the accused promised to buy the complainant some zap nax and had sex with her. He then had sex with the complainant on several other occasions before he was caught.
On the fateful day on March 12 this year, the accused was tasked to escort the complainant to her grandmother’s house because it was dark. The accused diverted the route and took the complainant to his house and had sexual intercourse with her. He then asked the complainant to spend the night with him.
At around 7pm a call was made to the grandmother to confirm if the complainant had arrived safely. The grandmother responded negatively and some relatives went and checked at the accused’s house.
One of the relatives knocked on Chikwanda’s bedroom and the accused took time to respond and the relatives peeped through the window only to see the two naked.
The matter was reported to Police after the girl narrated everything that was happening.
Liberty Hove prosecuted.
Three years were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence for the next five years.

-Mirror

By-Villagers in Binga District, Matabeleland North are illegally crossing the border through make-shift boats as Zimbabwe economy bites.

Binga District Development Coordinator (DDC) Mr Farai Marinyame told the state media that due to the length of Lake Kariba or Zambezi River, it is increasingly difficult for the Government to deploy law enforcement agents to prevent illegal crossing.

Mr Marinyame said the movement of people from Zambia to Zimbabwe using illegal points could easily lead to undetected transmission of Covid-19.

He said to address the problem of border jumping, Government should fast track the construction of Kasambabezi Border Post in Binga to service the district.

-State media

By-State security agents were sold a dummy by the MDC-Alliance President, Nelson Chamisa, Tuesday after they looked for him in the town for a party gathering that never was.

State security agents making up the Joint Operation Command, JOC, spent the better half of Tuesday searching for Chamisa in Chinhoyi after reports that he was having a meeting in the Mashonaland West provincial capital.

JOC comprise Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) agents, Zimbabwe Military Intelligence, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, and the Airforce of Zimbabwe.

In fact, the party’s national organising secretary, Amos Chibaya, visited Chinhoyi, where he planted a tree at Sunningdale Trust Old People’s Home around mid-morning.

Chibaya later donated grocery hampers at the MDC Alliance party offices in the Mzari suburb.

He, however, failed to make a scheduled donation at Good Shepherd Children’s Home after Zanu PF supporters sealed off the place for an alleged Pfumvudza inputs distribution exercise.

Speaking at the party offices, Chibaya said he encountered about 50 roadblocks from Harare to Chinhoyi as the “panicky” Government attempted to block Chamisa from donating foodstuffs to vulnerable members of society. 

Said Chibaya:

From Harare to Chinhoyi, we encountered something like 50 roadblocks. What’s the reason for this panic?

They heard that the people’s president, Chamisa, was coming to give you food. This is the reason they flooded the highway with roadblocks.

In the entire town of Chinhoyi there are CIOs, soldiers, police… what are you looking for?

Is it a crime for Chamisa to come and donate food? Why are you so scared of allowing Chamisa to move around freely?

He said Chamisa had sourced the grocery hampers to bring relief to vulnerable members of society as the prices of basic foodstuffs were now beyond the reach of many.

The beneficiaries included the elderly, orphans, disabled and victims of political violence.

Chibaya implored Zimbabweans to go and register to vote in the 2023 harmonised elections.

More: NewZimbabwe.com

By A Correspondent- The ZANU PF politburo has reportedly disqualified businessman James Makamba from contesting the party’s Mashonaland Central provincial chairman post after security chiefs raised concern over his candidature.

Makamba’s disqualification leaves businessman Tafadzwa Musarara taking on incumbent Kazembe Kazembe in the polls set for 28 December this year.

In his post-Politburo meeting press conference yesterday, ZANU PF national political commissar Mike Bimha confirmed the disqualification of some of the aspiring candidates for provincial posts but did not give any names. Said Bimha:

All aspiring candidates have been considered this afternoon (Tuesday). The majority have passed that stage.

We are not in a position to announce names because they are still subject to vetting by the security department.

The politburo went through the rules and regulations and the decision that has been made will also affect whether those who have aspired can actually appear on ballot papers.

NewZimbabwe.com reported politburo sources as saying Makamba was one of the big names who were blocked from contesting. Said the source:

There were several people who were disqualified for one or two reasons, the most notable one being James Makamba who was eyeing the Mashonaland Central provincial chairmanship. So he will not be able to stand.

His main problem was that he got an extremely adverse security report and there was no way he could have sailed through.

The Mashonaland Central provincial joint operations command (JOC) reportedly expressed its concerns over Makamba’s candidature in its meetings, particularly over his previous alleged romantic affair with former first lady Grace Mugabe which resulted in him fleeing the country. Said a source:

There is a strong belief among the security chiefs that he is daring, reckless and excitable. This is from a security point of view.

So basically, whether it’s true or not, they have concluded that he can do anything for power.

In one of the meetings, a contributor said he could have gone for any other woman, but chose her.

It means a lot, that is the first scenario given.

The source also said there are genuine fears that Makamba could be working for or with G40 since he hails from Mt Darwin. 

Other issues raised include Makamba’s desire to get his farm back which was taken by Presidential Guard commander Brigadier General Fidelis Mhonda.

The other matter is that of Telecel Zimbabwe where Makamba is still fighting to win back his shares in the company.

The consortium which won those shares is represented by the president’s son-in-law Gerald Mlotshwa.

By A Correspondent- Four United Nations officials have written a letter to the Zimbabwe Government warning Harare against enacting a law that bars NGOs from receiving external funding or involvement in partisan politics.

The four UN special rapporteurs wrote a letter to President Emmerson Mnangagwa dated 17 December 2021, raising concerns on the amendment bill.

The officials are Clément Nyaletsossi Voule Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Irene Khan Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Mary Lawlor Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, and Fionnuala Ní Aoláin Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

They raised concern over the existing definition of “private voluntary organization” in Section 2(1) of the PVO Act. The UN officials said:
We are concerned this might create uncertainty about the law’s scope and make it difficult for organizations to discern their legal obligations and act accordingly.
This could also lead to broad interpretations from relevant administrative and judicial bodies, giving them wide discretionary powers to apply the law and impose burdensome requirements on a diverse group of community and informal associations that are currently excluded from regulation.

Moreover, Clause 2 of the Amendment Bill also reforms exemptions for common law Universitas organizations and Trusts registered before the High Court, which are currently excluded from registering under the PVO Act.
The President Emmerson Mnangagwa administration is working on the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill, 2021, which according to activists, will interfere with the operations of NGOs if passed into law.
The Government says proposed amendments seek to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism in Zimbabwe through Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs).

Tinashe Sambiri|A senior MDC Alliance official died on Tuesday night after being run over by a motor vehicle.

According to the MDC Alliance, Chegutu West treasurer general, Gift Siyaduva died on the spot.

We have just received a message about the death of our Chegutu west Treasurer General Gift Siyaduva.He died on the spot .

The entire MDC Alliance family has been plunged into mourning,” said a senior party official.

By A Correspondent- Local government minister July Moyo has booted out Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume from Town House and replaced him with Stewart Mutizwa of the MDC-T.

Moyo said he suspended Mafume because he had pending criminal cases of corruption.

The state is also accusing Mafume of arranging the allocations of Westlea stands to his sister and secretary at his law firm as well as bribing a potential key witness in the matter.

By-About 1 400 Gutu villagers on Tuesday last week forced Ward 8 councillor Lazarus Hute to take back 400 bags of fertilizer which was not enough to go around all of them.

The incident happened at Vutsinda Business Center and five villagers were supposed to share one 50kg bag of fertilizer amongst them.
Hute confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with The Mirror adding that the matter was reported to the Minister of State for Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira.
The villagers loaded the bags back into the lorry after caucusing amongst themselves and their village heads, said Hute. The lorry had to go back to Mpandawana with its untouched contents.
The incident comes at a time when there are reports of rampant fraud involving Presidential inputs by both elected and unelected Zanu PF officials. So far there have been no arrests of such culprits.
Gutu North MP Yeukai Simbanegavi hang her phone when The Mirror called her for comment. Chadzamira’s phone went unanswered.
Provincial Agritex officer Aaron Muchazivepi said it was not proper for villagers to share Pfumvudza inputs in such a manner as each household is supposed to get 2 x 50kg bags of fertilizer, one D and another top dressing. The farmers are also supposed to get 10kg of maize seed under the same programme.
A village head who spoke to The Mirror on condition of anonymity accused Hute of trying to impose his will on the villagers. Hute allegedly threatened to take away the fertilizer if the villagers refused it and the supposed beneficiaries then unanimously agreed to disperse and leave him with the truck and the bags.
“Hute told us that we either shared the fertilizer or if we refused he was going to take it to the next distribution centre. It is a mockery to give a farmer 10kg of fertilizer, so we did the practical thing by ordering him to take back his inputs.
“The irony is that we have received zero inputs this year and we are almost getting halfway into the rainy season,” said the village head.
Hute said that the problem was not his as he was given 1 000 bags from GMB to share at three distribution centers.
“I was given 1 000 bags of fertilizers which were not enough to share at three centres. I suggested to the headman who were present that five villagers share a bag of fertilizer since there was not enough. I did not force anyone to share fertilizer.
“After the villagers refused the fertilizer, we communicated with Minister Chadzamira who instructed us to give the fertilizer to villagers who were gathered at Runyowa and they each got a bag and a bottle of pesticide. Some of them did not get anything because they were over a thousand,” said Hute.
Gutu GMB manager Onwards Zvataiona refused to comment when contacted for a comment.
Efforts to get a comment from Gutu District Agritex officer August Karedzera were fruitless.
“Hute told us that we were either to share the fertilizer and if we refused he was going to take it to the next distribution centre. Our people cannot get 10kg of fertilizers when they are supposed to get 50kg each,” said another village head.
Gutu RDC chairperson Nicholas Zambara said councillors are given inputs matching registered villagers for the Pfumvudza Programme, Masvingo.
-Mirror

By-A 33-year-old man from Nkayi District in Matabeleland North Province died after jumping off a moving vehicle and was hit by its trailer, police have confirmed.
Matabeleland North provincial spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda said the accident happened on Saturday.
He said the deceased is Ntandoyenkosi Dube of Mujena Village in Nkayi under chief Skhobokhobo.
Insp Banda identified the driver as Darlington Dube.
It could not be established if the driver was related to the passenger.
“The fatal road accident occurred along Lupane-Nkayi road around 0320 hours on 18 December 2021.
Circumstances are that Darlington Dube a male aged 36 of Mujena Village under chief Skhobokhobo was driving a white Toyota Hilux double cab towing a double axle trailer with nine passengers on board.
Upon reaching the 83km peg on the said road the now deceased who was seated in the load box fitted with a canopy, opened the canopy door and jumped out of the moving vehicle,” said Insp Banda.
He said the driver was alerted by one of the passengers who witnessed Dube jumping out of the vehicle.
Insp Banda said the driver only managed to stop the vehicle after 35 metres.
He said the trailer ran over Dube’s chest.

-Chronicle

By-A Correspondent-Zanu PF supporters in Chinhoyi, Tuesday, invaded a meeting venue that the MDC-Alliance had booked to donate Christmas goods to orphans.

The barbaric eventuality happened on Tuesday after the MDC-Alliance’s national organising secretary, Amos Chibaya, had visited the Mashonaland West’s provincial capital.

Chibaya was also on a tree planting mission in Chinhoyi at Sunningdale Trust Old People’s Home.

He failed to hand over the donation at Good Shepherd Children’s Home after Zanu PF supporters sealed off the place for an alleged Pfumvudza inputs distribution exercise.

Chibaya was forced to make the donation, which included grocery hampers at the MDC Alliance party offices in the Mzari suburb.

Speaking at the party offices, Chibaya said he encountered about 50 roadblocks from Harare to Chinhoyi as the “panicky” Government attempted to block Chamisa from donating foodstuffs to vulnerable members of society.

Said Chibaya:

From Harare to Chinhoyi, we encountered something like 50 roadblocks. What’s the reason for this panic?
They heard that the people’s president, Chamisa, was coming to give you food. This is the reason they flooded the highway with roadblocks.
In the entire town of Chinhoyi there are CIOs, soldiers, police… what are you looking for?
Is it a crime for Chamisa to come and donate food? Why are you so scared of allowing Chamisa to move around freely?

By-In an unprecedented move against Zanu PF, 1 400 Gutu villagers on Tuesday last week forced Ward 8 councillor Lazarus Hute to take back 400 bags of fertilizer which was not enough to go around all of them.

The incident happened at Vutsinda Business Center and five villagers were supposed to share one 50kg bag of fertilizer amongst them.
Hute confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with The Mirror adding that the matter was reported to the Minister of State for Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira.
The villagers loaded the bags back into the lorry after caucusing amongst themselves and their village heads, said Hute. The lorry had to go back to Mpandawana with its untouched contents.
The incident comes at a time when there are reports of rampant fraud involving Presidential inputs by both elected and unelected Zanu PF officials. So far there have been no arrests of such culprits.
Gutu North MP Yeukai Simbanegavi hang her phone when The Mirror called her for comment. Chadzamira’s phone went unanswered.
Provincial Agritex officer Aaron Muchazivepi said it was not proper for villagers to share Pfumvudza inputs in such a manner as each household is supposed to get 2 x 50kg bags of fertilizer, one D and another top dressing. The farmers are also supposed to get 10kg of maize seed under the same programme.
A village head who spoke to The Mirror on condition of anonymity accused Hute of trying to impose his will on the villagers. Hute allegedly threatened to take away the fertilizer if the villagers refused it and the supposed beneficiaries then unanimously agreed to disperse and leave him with the truck and the bags.
“Hute told us that we either shared the fertilizer or if we refused he was going to take it to the next distribution centre. It is a mockery to give a farmer 10kg of fertilizer, so we did the practical thing by ordering him to take back his inputs.
“The irony is that we have received zero inputs this year and we are almost getting halfway into the rainy season,” said the village head.
Hute said that the problem was not his as he was given 1 000 bags from GMB to share at three distribution centers.
“I was given 1 000 bags of fertilizers which were not enough to share at three centres. I suggested to the headman who were present that five villagers share a bag of fertilizer since there was not enough. I did not force anyone to share fertilizer.
“After the villagers refused the fertilizer, we communicated with Minister Chadzamira who instructed us to give the fertilizer to villagers who were gathered at Runyowa and they each got a bag and a bottle of pesticide. Some of them did not get anything because they were over a thousand,” said Hute.
Gutu GMB manager Onwards Zvataiona refused to comment when contacted for a comment.
Efforts to get a comment from Gutu District Agritex officer August Karedzera were fruitless.
“Hute told us that we were either to share the fertilizer and if we refused he was going to take it to the next distribution centre. Our people cannot get 10kg of fertilizers when they are supposed to get 50kg each,” said another village head.
Gutu RDC chairperson Nicholas Zambara said councillors are given inputs matching registered villagers for the Pfumvudza Programme, Masvingo.
-Mirror

By-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been dragged to the courts by a Harare man, this time for the illegal appointment of a public official.

Tichaona Mupasiri, filed a Constitutional Court (ConCourt) application against Mnangagwa’s appointment of Patrick Chinamasa as director and chairman of the embattled Air Zimbabwe, arguing that it was inconsistent with the Constitution.

Mnangagwa appointed Chinamasa to head the AirZimb board in June 2019.
Mnangagwa is cited as the first respondent, while prominent Harare lawyer Edwin Manikai is the second respondent, according to papers filed at the ConCourt on December 17.

In the application, Mupasiri, indicated in his founding affidavit that no relief was being sought from Manikai as he is cited to assist the court in determining the matter in the interest of justice.
He said at the core of the application was Mnangagwa’s actions concerning the affairs of SMM Holdings (Private) Limited (SMM), AirZim (Private) Limited and Hwange Colliery Company (HCCL).
“This application is concerned about holding public office bearers to account for their conduct and ensuring that the first respondent’s conduct is subject to public scrutiny and interrogation,” he said.
Mnangagwa and Manikai have not yet responded to the application.
In his application, Mupasiri said Mnangagwa appointed Chinamasa to head AirZim, a company whose control and management was divested from its directors and shareholders.
He said the control was vested in an administrator appointed by the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs minister pursuant to the operation of the Reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act 2005.
“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(1) and s90(2)(c) by clothing himself with the right to amend to the Reconstruction Act that specifically vests the control and direction of the company under the administrator,” the court papers read.
“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.
“By unilaterally and arbitrarily involving himself in the affairs of Air Zimbabwe (under reconstruction), the first respondent 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 him.”
Mupasiri argued that Mnangagwa failed to take cognisance of the fact that the right to appoint directors fell within the scope of the exercise of fundamental rights which was inconsistent with duties imposed on him under the Constitution rendering his conduct unconstitutional and invalid.
“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…”
He argued that Mnangagwa had constructive knowledge that in relation to SMM, at the time he assumed the office of President, that shares had already been issued to Nicdale Investment, a purported proxy for the State as contemplated in the Reconstruction Act.
“Notwithstanding this knowledge, (he) has failed, refused and neglected to ensure that no agency can exist between an administrator in respect of a reconstructed company as would have been the case prior to the issuance of any shares to the State as prescribed by the Act.
“In the premise, the failure to divest the administrator of the control and management of a reconstructed SMM constitutes a material violation of the Reconstruction Act and the Constitution in terms of s90(1) and s90(2)(c) of the Constitution as the role of the administrator in relation to SMM during the first respondent’s tenure has no legal authority to support it,” he said.
“This conduct has the effect of undermining the doctrines of separation of powers and equality on which the rule of law as set out in s90(2)(c) is premised. Accordingly, the first respondent failed to fulfil his obligations in terms of s90(1) as well.” Newsday

By A Correspondent-Rowdy Zanu PF supporters have blocked MDC-Alliance from handing over a Christmas donation to orphans in Chinhoyi.

The barbaric eventuality happened on Tuesday after the MDC-Alliance’s national organising secretary, Amos Chibaya, had visited the Mashonaland West’s provincial capital.

Chibaya was also on a tree planting mission in Chinhoyi at Sunningdale Trust Old People’s Home.

He failed to hand over the donation at Good Shepherd Children’s Home after Zanu PF supporters sealed off the place for an alleged Pfumvudza inputs distribution exercise.

Chibaya was forced to make the donation, which included grocery hampers at the MDC Alliance party offices in the Mzari suburb.

Speaking at the party offices, Chibaya said he encountered about 50 roadblocks from Harare to Chinhoyi as the “panicky” Government attempted to block Chamisa from donating foodstuffs to vulnerable members of society.

Said Chibaya:

From Harare to Chinhoyi, we encountered something like 50 roadblocks. What’s the reason for this panic?
They heard that the people’s president, Chamisa, was coming to give you food. This is the reason they flooded the highway with roadblocks.
In the entire town of Chinhoyi there are CIOs, soldiers, police… what are you looking for?
Is it a crime for Chamisa to come and donate food? Why are you so scared of allowing Chamisa to move around freely?

Tinashe Sambiri| Tough-talking MDC Alliance vice chairperson, Hon Job Sikhala, has declared that the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is wasting time by trying to arrest the People’s struggle.

According to Sikhala, Mnangagwa wants to use State security agents to ban the popular movement.

Hon Sikhala argued:
The ED regime’s attempt to ban us won’t work. We are the voice of the people.

We are in the hearts of the people. Whatever shenanigans won’t work.”

“With Odinga…He was telling me never to give up fighting.

He laughed when I told him that,it could have been him whom I was worried would give up.

Fighting for a cause should never make u surrender. Fighting should flow in the blood,” he added.

21 December 2022

YoungLEAD the youth wing off Labour Economists and Afrikan Democrats joins all Zimbabweans to celebrate Unity Day.

For us unity means being integrated into governance structures and having our voices heard. Unity Day, demonstrates the necessity of appreciating one another in a way that improves societal values.

This is the day that defines us as a unique people who value national development over selfish personal interests.

We are grateful to our President Mambokadzi Linda wekwaMasarira who continuously supports and advocates for the inclusion of young people in all governance positions. There is no democracy without young people.

When we speak of unity, we speak of generational convergence to cross pollinate ideas to build a transformative developmental state which can sustain human development and economic growth.

Let us embrace each other in our diversity and work for the common good of our country.

LEAD is leaving no youth behind.

Happy Unity Day Zimbabweans

Petty Mazenge YoungLEAD Secretary for Information and Publicity

By A Correspondent- Officers from various State security arms inundated Chinhoyi on Tuesday after gathering false intelligence that MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa was going to hold a rally in the town.

Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) agents, military intelligence operatives as well as members of the police intelligence reportedly spent the greater part of the day looking for Chamisa who did not set his foot in the town yesterday.

It was the MDC Alliance national organising secretary, Amos Chibaya, who visited Chinhoyi yesterday where he planted a tree at Sunningdale Trust Old People’s Home around mid-morning.

Later that day, Chibaya donated grocery hampers at the MDC Alliance party offices in Mzari suburb.

He, however, failed to make a scheduled donation at Good Shepherd Children’s Home after ZANU PF supporters sealed off the place for an alleged Pfumvudza inputs distribution exercise.

Speaking at the party offices, Chibaya said he encountered about 50 roadblocks from Harare to Chinhoyi as the “panicky” Government attempted to block Chamisa from donating foodstuffs to vulnerable members of society. Said Chibaya:

From Harare to Chinhoyi, we encountered something like 50 roadblocks. What’s the reason for this panic?

They heard that the people’s president, Chamisa, was coming to give you food. This is the reason they flooded the highway with roadblocks.

In the entire town of Chinhoyi there are CIOs, soldiers, police… what are you looking for?

Is it a crime for Chamisa to come and donate food? Why are you so scared of allowing Chamisa to move around freely?

He said Chamisa had sourced the grocery hampers to bring relief to vulnerable members of society as the prices of basic foodstuffs were now beyond the reach of many.

The beneficiaries included the elderly, orphans, disabled and victims of political violence.

Chibaya implored Zimbabweans to go and register to vote in the 2023 harmonised elections.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has banned its members from using cellphones during meetings in a move meant to prevent the leaking of confidential information.

In a confidential memorandum leaked to the media, ZANU PF national secretary for security Lovemore Matuke said the sharing of information from meetings by dissenting members is destructive to the party. Said Matuke:

The National Security Department has noted with concern, the abuse of cell phones by members during Provincial Coordinating Committee meetings in all Provinces resulting in leakages of meetings’ proceedings to the unauthorised public.

These leakages have resulted in dissenting among members and immature spreading of information which is destructive to the party.

The foregoing has caused the National Security Department to immediately stop the usage of mobile phones during such high-profile meetings as the PCCs.

It is prudent and preferable to ensure that no cell phones are allowed into the venue of the meeting.

By A Correspondent- In an unrelated incident, police in Karoi are investigating a murder case in which John Makore (42) died whilst admitted at Karoi District Hospital on Monday after he was struck with a wooden log on the head by the suspect, Brian Muripo at Buffallo Downs Business Centre around midnight the previous day.

According to a statement by the police, the victim, who was drinking beer with the suspect, intervened to stop a fight between Muripo’s wife and girlfriend and this did not go well with Muripo.

Muripo is now on the run and the ZRP is appealing for anyone with information that may lead to his arrest to contact any nearest Police Station

Full statement by President Emmerson Mnangagwa marking the 2021 National Unity Day.

This day, some 34 years ago, the founding fathers of our Nation, late Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo and Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe, appended their signatures to the iconic Document we know as the Unity Accord.

This momentous event of 22nd December 1987, extinguished fires of conflict which threatened our Nation, thus laying a strong foundation for the durable peace and unity we enjoy to this day.

It was a fine moment in the nation-building project, one whose priceless bequest has endured since, creating circumstances for stability, peace and national development.

On this day we thus stand back and reflect on the development which turned the fortunes of our Nation, indeed which spared our Nation the hurtful misunderstandings interposed, threatening peace and stability in those delicate, early years of our Independence.

We celebrate that reason eventually prevailed, giving us the glorious day we commemorate and celebrate today.

The key lesson from this preceding era of internal conflict should never be lost to us. Whatever differences and contradictions we face, or are likely to face in the future, these should always find resolution through peaceful dialogue in the interest of peace and national unity.

Nothing beats sitting down as one people to iron out any differences that exist or might arise. Peace in our Nation remains the foremost prize for which no price is too big to pay, no cause or ego too big to bend.

We are one, indivisible People, circumscribed by this our one Nation, built on this the only geopolitical space we can ever have as Zimbabweans.

As I address you, efforts continue to be deployed to build on that precious legacy of peace and national unity which the Unity Accord bequeathed us.

I have made it a personal mission to engage our citizens and our communities in the conflict zones of that unfortunate time of early Independence.

We have to boldly confront and tackle the aftermath of that era; heal wounds it left in its wake, and where possible, assuage persistent difficulties and challenges traceable to it.

This, I am resolved to do until we remove whatever bitter memories may still exist, and are likely to linger.

We are the generation that must resolve issues of early Independence conflict, so we release our children to move forward and ahead as a united people.

On countless occasions, I have met and interacted with interest groups, community and traditional leaders from Matabeleland and parts of Midlands, all with a view to establishing what needs to be done / so the after-effects of this regrettable era are put behind us.

Our traditional leaders, led by our Chiefs, have a great role to play in this regard. They preside over communities affected by the conflict; those hurt by the conflict are their subjects.

They know the hurts; hear all the cries from the era and have suggestions on what needs to be done.

As we give space to our traditional leaders to lead processes of reconciliation and repair, we should guard against those negative elements which aim to re-ignite frozen differences in order to throw us back into renewed conflict.

As always there are sinister forces that seek to profit from a divided and divisive past. They must not succeed.

We have built national institutions for conflict prevention, management and resolution. We have introduced in our daily workings, mechanisms to prevent conflicts, however minor or localised.

Above all, we continue to monitor and find answers to new, emerging situations of potential conflict so these are obviated before they occur. It is from such mechanisms, through such vigilance, that peace is forged and won, and that Nations get durably built.

A key area requiring and receiving serious attention is that of balanced, inclusive development which leaves no one and no community behind. Oftentimes, feelings of marginalisation or persistent inequities breed resentment and eventual conflict.

Examples abound on our continent, examples from which we must draw key lessons. Our cardinal policy on decentralised and devolved development is the answer.

That policy cedes decision-making and resources to communities who are empowered to draw up and implement plans for their own development and transformation.

That policy ensures broad-based, even development which ensures no person or community is left behind.

Through it, we address imbalances of history: both colonial and post-independent. Through it, we return Agency for development to individuals and communities.

Indeed through that far-reaching policy, we spread the benefits of growth and development evenly, thus avoiding the bane of a predatory State at the centre, vastly removed from the aspirations of individuals and communities.

We have started witnessing the benefits of Devolution. Across the length and breadth of our Nation, there is hardly any community in which some development activity is not taking place. Roads are being built; dams are being constructed and, lately, signature projects for rural industrialisation and development are being rolled out.

Fellow countrymen and women, we are well on the road to putting content to the Unity Accord whose interpretation must now go beyond conflict resolution, to encompass peace-building through even development.

The Unity Accord of 1987, today stands out as an Accord enabling spatially balanced, inclusive, community-driven development.

It is never an Accord or concept frozen in time or history. Rather, it is a dynamic that interacts with time and circumstances as our Nation evolves along its chosen trajectory.

Even though the signatories to the Unity Accord were two Sister Liberation movements, the threat and menace which that Accord cured and resolved was a national one.

Equally, the benefits accruing from it remain national in character. Those two considerations alone, make the Unity Accord larger than the two signatories, catapulting it into the coveted status of a National Gain, Resource and Heritage.

This, in effect, means the Unity Accord is our asset together as Zimbabweans. There should never be barriers of politics, colour, creed, language, region or tribe standing between us and its collective ownership.

Illustratively, all political formations in the country confirm it, one way or the other, through their structures and leadership choices.

That makes the Unity Accord a common possession, indeed a timeless guiding ethos. Our Nation stands by it or perishes for want of it.

Lately, we have witnessed an upsurge in gun-related crimes. There is a clear upsurge in the abuse of firearms, including violent armed robberies.

The government now treats this as a grave threat to personal and National Security. Decisive measures have now become necessary to put an end to this growing menace that threatens our otherwise peaceful, law-abiding Nation and citizenry. Those who dabble in arms will soon fall by the sword. Let them be warned.

As we celebrate this milestone Unity Accord, I want to remind us all that we still face the threat of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

We must act responsibly, always bearing in mind we are each other’s keepers. Only when we all heed those precautions – getting vaccinated; masking up; observing social distance; adhering to hygienic standards and getting tested regularly, and treated when affected – do we then ensure our collective safety as a Nation. This is especially important as we break for the festive period.

As I conclude, I once again pay tribute to the two great men and two Liberation Movements which gave us peace and national unity.

We all must validate these historic efforts by working for the same, indeed working to ensure National Unity is forever at the core of our National Ethos.

On behalf of you all, and of our entire Nation, I want to pay tribute to our two visionary leaders, and to all those they worked with in forging and making this glorious day.

Indeed so much work went into making this elusive development a reality. So many meetings; countless false starts; seemingly insurmountable points of differences, yet all getting resolved in the end, against the firm resolve to work for, and win the peace and national unity for our Nation. We are truly grateful to these two great men.

The two Liberation Movements, ZANU and PF-ZAPU, rose to the challenge of reuniting the very Nation they had wrestled from settler colonialism and were poised to jointly rebuild from the ashes of a bloody, protracted armed struggle. But the grave cycle of internal conflict has characterised post-Liberation Africa.

I wish you a pleasant Christmas break and a happy and promising New Year ahead. Above all, I urge you to enjoy yourselves responsibly; and to exercise due care as you drive to and from your rural homes and holidays.

Happy Unity Day, Dear Zimbabweans!

God Bless our Nation

By A Correspondent- Former Registrar General Tobaiwa Mudede has been hauled before a magistrate on allegations of assaulting his daughter-in-law when she had a quarrel with her husband, Mudede’s son, last month.

Mudede pleaded not guilty to the charges when he appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi, who remanded him out of custody to 12 January for trial.

Mudede’s son, Tawanda Mudede, is also separately appearing before the same court on allegations of assaulting his wife, Michelle Masawi.

Allegations are that on 22 November at around 6 pm, Tawanda and his wife visited Mudede at his house in Borrowdale.

Upon arrival, Tawanda called his wife into his room and closed the door from the inside, the court heard.

The wife asked Twanda why he had closed the door and he replied that she was not leaving his father’s place for Chitungwiza.

A misunderstanding arose between the two, whereupon Tawanda assaulted his wife with a broomstick.

It is alleged that Masawi managed to leave the room and ran to their car which was parked outside the gate.

Tawanda reportedly followed his wife and entered into the car where he also allegedly continued assaulting her.

Masawi then called and Mudede rushed to the scene.

But instead of restraining his son, Tobaiwa Mudede allegedly slapped his daughter-in-law in the face.

Masawi reported the matter to the police leading to the duo’s arrest.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa was on Tuesday likened to God during the unveiling of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Heritage site at the African Liberation Museum site in Harare.

Institute of African Knowledge (Instak) chief executive Kwame Muzawazi described Mnangagwa as a “Genesis Chapter One” leader in reference to the Biblical narrative of the creation of the universe where God spoke the Earth into existence. Said Muzawazi:

We would like to thank you for being a Genesis Chapter One, kind of a President. In Genesis, Chapter One says God said let there be light and there was light.

We thank you for following that path, where you say let there be a bridge and there will be a bridge, where you say let there be the rehabilitation of roads that have been killed by retrogressive municipalities and they will be there, we see it happening.

Where you say let there be a museum, there is a museum Your Excellency. This is the Genesis Chapter one of the Presidency.

Speaking at the event, Mnangagwa thanked South Africa after Pretoria pledged to facilitate the return of the country’s stolen artefacts. He said:

My administration welcomes the commitment by the President of South Africa … to facilitate the repatriation of artefacts that were removed from Zimbabwe by the (Ian) Smith regime. More artefacts are also expected from across Africa and beyond.

Mnangagwa laid the foundation stone at the African Liberation Museum and received artefacts of the late Vice President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo that will be displayed at the museum.-newsday

The story starts with a leaked video of Emmerson Mnangagwa instructing ZANU PF structures that all council programs by the MDC Alliance must be frustrated and never get government backing so that the public resent Nelson Chamisa’s party.

It ends with Mnangagwa practically crowning himself the ‘mayor of all towns’- the fixer of all council problems, and the one to issue title deeds.

The state media said the development is Mnangagwa releasing Christmas and New Year gifts to people.

State Media – Emmerson Mnangagwa has gifted urban dwellers Christmas and New Year gifts in the form of title deeds that will benefit residents who built houses on undesignated land under the watch of the incompetent and corruption-riddled MDC municipalities around the country.

Stepping in to alleviate the plight of urbanites who have been receiving a raw deal from successive MDC councils, the ruling party this year regularised the illegal structures and in some cases resettled them.

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1317123316268806144?t=bMogjwCvW2WiDYav54xnPw&s=19

Thus at yesterday’s Politburo meeting, the President told members of the vital ruling party organ that in the pursuit of development that leaves no one behind, urban dwellers are going to get the security of tenure.

The party’s Secretary for Information and Publicity Chris Mutsvangwa said the move by the President is yet another game-changer that will improve the lives of urbanites.

“The President announced a big bang financial system, issuing title deeds to urban dwellers to the existing crop of urban houses. We have many houses that were built and many have no title. These houses are going to get title deeds, this is the creation of a new financial bank, people are going to securitise existing houses. This is a big bang Christmas gift to urban dwellers by the President for their existing houses,” Mutsvangwa said.

This year the President launched the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy (ZNHSP), a programme that aims to spearhead the development of modern and affordable urban and rural human settlements and social amenities in a coordinated and sustainable manner.

Under ZNHSP, the country aims to build 225 000 housing units by 2025 with construction, which will have a ripple effect on other sectors of the economy such as the manufacturing industry, already underway.

Zanu PF Secretary for Transport and Welfare July Moyo, who is also the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, said the President emphasised the importance of development that leaves no one and no place behind including the abandoned urban areas.

“In urban areas, we had to intervene to make sure that we alleviate the plight of urbanites. The plight of dysfunctional settlements which were unplanned, we have regularised some of the houses and we are still working towards regularising them. That regulation means a lot of people who have been yearning for a title deed will now get them. We are at an advanced stage to ensure that all people get title deeds from the President, both in urban and rural areas. The land belongs to the President, we only administer it,” he said.

Moyo said if the country’s economy was to grow there was a need for security of tenure and that is what the Second Republic led by Mnangagwa will strive to ensure so that people have title deeds in most areas that sprouted up illegally as a result of poor service delivery from the MDC-run councils.

In addition, the ruling party has set eyes on improving the transport system and so far buses have been procured throughout 2021 with more on the way.

Mutsvangwa added that the opposition should not cry foul when they lose elections because Zanu PF has implemented programmes that resonate with the people.

“He (the President) has told the party that it should prepare itself for by-elections. We tell the MDC, we are advertising to them that if you make your bed you lie on it. You were running towns and you were running them down, you didn’t care for the urban people. Zanu PF has been forced to intervene and save the people, to restore the infrastructure that makes a city what it ought to be. You can’t have a city of potholes; you can’t have a city without running water, you can’t have a city without roads — this has been a hallmark of the MDC,” said Mutsvangwa.

By- The government is pushing for the arrest of a Chinese miner who married a 15-year-old girl.

The teenager from Sanyati district under Chief Neuso in Mashonaland West has since dropped out of school at Tomdrayer Secondary School where she was in Form Three.

Police have said they were investigating the case.
“The minor is under 18 years and it is unconstitutional. Those parents must be brought to book and the Chinese national must be arrested over the matter. This is unacceptable,” Small-to-Medium Enterprises minister Sithembiso Nyoni said yesterday in an interview with NewsDay.

Child rights groups yesterday launched an online petition calling for an urgent investigation into the case.
Karen Mukwasi, a human rights activist started the petition titled A call to action on Chinese nationals and child sexual exploitation.
Mukwasi said child sexual exploitation cases were on the rise in Zimbabwe and robbed the girl child of her fundamental rights.
“The police need to close in on the Chinese perpetrator. Locals have reported that the family is considering swapping the victim’s identity with that of an older sibling and police need to close in and prevent any cover up,” the petition read.
“The child is not safe in the custody of parents who voluntarily exploited her for financial gain and, therefore, police should work with relevant departments to remove the child to a safe environment until the case is concluded.”
The Chinese national is employed at Ringxin/Mambo Mine as an engineer. The parents of the girl were reportedly paid US$2 000 as bride price on November 26.
African Union goodwill ambassador on ending child marriages, Nyaradzayi Gumbodzvanda said this could be a tip of the iceberg.
“Such dangerous criminal behaviour must be nipped in the bud. Government must review the terms and conditions of some of these investors to ensure compliance with the laws of the country,’’ Gumbodzvanda said.
Panos Institute Southern Africa executive director Vusumusi Sifile said ending child marriages needed the involvement of all stakeholders including the media, police and civic society.
‘‘There must be zero tolerance to people who are causing child marriages in the communities,’’ said Sifile.
Pamuhacha HIV and Aids executive director Precious Nyamukondiwa said parents, who accepted lobola in child marriages should be arrested.
Child protection specialist Chingasiyeni Govhiati added: “When Parliament drags its feet in coming up with child protection laws that are foolproof and which are in harmony with the Constitution, then unscrupulous societal elements take advantage and violate the rights of girls.”
The government has introduced a Marriage Bill which contains provisions aimed at curbing child marriages by penalising perpetrators. The issue of child marriage was brought to the fore following the death of 14-year-old Memory Machaya at a Johanne Masowe shrine in Marange recently. Newsday

By-A syndicate of robbers has resurfaced on major highways leading from Beitbridge to Bulawayo and Harare, where they are using spikes and also pouncing on motorists who would have had breakdowns.
It is reported that the gang patrols the highways hitting on most motorists travelling after 9pm.
They are allegedly operating on a radius of between 50km and 80km on both roads from the border town.

The spikes are being used mostly on a stretch near the Bubi area where the road is being upgraded and there is a detour.
Along the Bulawayo road, the criminals are pouncing on the victims between Bishopstone turn-off and the Musane turn-off.
The police officer commanding Beitbridge district (Dispol), Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo said, so far, they had received five reports since the beginning of this month.
“We are worried about this new trend in robberies where criminals are patrolling the roads at night targeting those who would have had breakdowns or using spikes to immobilise vehicles,” he said.

“Two incidents were recorded along the Beitbridge to Bulawayo road between the Bishopstone turn-off and the Musane turn-off, while three occurred at the detour at Bubi (80km) along the road leading to Masvingo”.
Chief Supt Nyongo said all the matters were still under investigation and that they were yet to make any arrests.
He said it was important for motorists to travel during the day to avoid such incidents.
Where possible, he said, the motorists should drive in convoys to minimise the risk considering that most of the victims so far were lone motorists.
Of late there is an increase in motorists using the two major roads which connect Beitbridge and the rest of the country, as more Zimbabweans arrive from Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa for Christmas and New Year’s Holidays.
Figures from the Department of immigration indicate that an average of 4000 people are using the border daily since December 10.

Most of the travellers are using their private vehicles, while a sizeable number is using buses.

By A Correspondent-Zanu PF President, Emmerson Mnangagwa has set December 28 as the date for holding the party’s delayed and chaotic Provincial Coordinating Committees (PCC) elections.

Mnangagwa said the bloody elections would be presided by Politburo members before quickly warning candidates against any wayward behaviour.

He said elections were critical in the revolutionary party as they strive to entrench democracy and strengthen Zanu PF.

“Our party’s internal democratic elections and processes, by nature, must nurture political maturity and discipline as well as strengthen the spirit of comradeship within the rank and file of the party.

“All party cadres must understand that leadership positions in our revolutionary mass party entails going beyond steering the ship. Every member has the duty and obligation to work hard towards our country’s ongoing development agenda and party building exercise. Party leadership and cadreship must defend the party at all times.
“It is my expectation that provinces and prospective candidates will use the forthcoming provincial election processes to further win the hearts and minds of the general populace.
“We have now reached a membership of four million members. However, the grassroots mobilisation programme must be accelerated.
“Let us remain focused, internal elections come and go, but the party stays forever.

“Successful and unsuccessful candidates are urged to accept results and quickly avail themselves for deployment into serving the party, its members, and the nation as a whole,” the President said.

By- A five-year-old Nyanga girl recently disappeared for six days before her dismembered body was discovered on a mountain in a suspected ritual murder that has left the Messengers’ Camp community in shock.
Audrey Murira’s three limbs were discovered at three different locations on the mountain.
The upper part of the body, which was in an advanced state of decomposition, was found lying face-down, while bloodstains were seen at four different positions.

A suspect in the murder case, Philemon Chikata (38), is also a resident at Messengers’ Camp.
Chikata was initially arrested on kidnapping charges and appeared before Nyanga magistrate, Ms Notebulgah Muchineripi, on Monday.
He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to December 20.
Mr Tafara Chawatama prosecuted.

However, further investigations by the police saw Chitaka being implicated in Audrey’s murder.
He is now expected back in the dock today (Friday) to face murder charges.
Audrey was reported missing by her mother, Ms Lydia Ndarangwa, on December 4 after she had been last seen in the company of Chikata.
Ms Ndarangwa is still to come to terms with her daughter’s brutal murder and could hardly speak during a telephone interview with The Manica Post on Tuesday afternoon.
“I think you are a parent too, and you can imagine how it feels to lose a child in such a brutal manner. I am at a loss of words, and there is nothing much I can say. I am in pain. This is a harrowing experience, and I know God will deal with the killer.
“It is not easy for a parent to raise a child and then someone comes and chop her dead like a piece of wood. Mwari ngavamurange (God should punish the killer), and I know it will happen soon,” she said before emotions got the better of her.

Chikata’s arrest on Sunday had its equal share of drama as agitated residents were baying for his blood.
Witnesses said Chikata had to hide under the bed as the mob threatened to descend on him like a tornado.
He was flashed out of his hiding place by the police and taken to Nyanga Police Station.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said according to witnesses, the late Audrey was playing with her friends on December 4 when Chikata came along.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said Audrey told one of her friends, Evidence Nyawaburu (six), that she was going with her friend (Chikata) and left running.
It is alleged that Audrey and Chikata were last seen walking towards the latter’s house by Ms Margaret Mutambanashe around midday.
Later during the afternoon, Audrey’s mother, Ms Ndarangwa, started looking for her but could not locate her.

She informed other neighbours and they joined her in the search.
A missing person report was made at Nyanga Police Station.
“Searches were done in and around Messengers’ Court and Destiny residential areas by both the police and the public but it was all to no avail. Chikata was picked and interviewed by the police. He was charged with kidnapping and was remanded in custody pending further investigations.
“On December 10, police received information from a resident, Ms Sophia Murambwa of Destiny, that she had seen a pair of blue sandals along a pathway about 200 metres from area’s last house. Police officers proceeded to the scene and found the pair shoes,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said Ms Murambwa positively indentified Audrey’s shoes and the police combed the area in search of the young girl.
“Body remains of a child were found about 300 metres from the base of the mountain where the shoes had been found. Audrey’s father, Mr Benjamin Murira, managed to identify the remains as that of his missing child through the clothes she was last seen wearing as well as her hairstyle.

“The remains were taken to Nyanga District Hospital mortuary as authorities await for forensic experts from Harare,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
-Manica Post

By A Correspondent- Zimbabweans are going to experience a dark Christmas this year after prices of essential commodities have suddenly gone up.

The state media reports that that past week saw several shops, including big supermarkets, increasing prices of basic commodities such as mealie-meal, cooking oil, sugar, meat, rice, fish, and potatoes.

The Government paid civil servants their bonuses in United States dollars, and businesses have responded by increasing prices of basic commodities, thereby reducing the Government workers’ purchasing power.
What is surprising is that even foreign currency prices have been increased which means the price hikes have nothing to do with the exchange rates.

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) association has already raised the red flag warning consumers against panic buying.
Businesses are saying the price increases have been triggered by a combination of factors, including the firming of the United States dollar against the local currency especially on the parallel market but as already stated even prices in forex have increased.
The consumers are saying prices are now beyond the reach of the majority of people and prices of meat products which are usually in high demand during the festive season, are among the products that have been increased by very high percentages.
A snap survey of the prices in shops within the Bulawayo central business district revealed that a 2kg packet of chicken which used to sell for an average $1 000 now sells for between $1 200 and $1 300.

The price of bread which was $143 is now $170.
A kilogramme of fresh kapenta (sardine) shot up to an average of $500 for a kilogramme in most retail outlets. A two-litre bottle of cooking oil has risen from $500 to $700 while the price of Boom washing powder increased from $450 to $600. A crate of eggs has risen from about $700 to around $900. A two-litre Coke has increased to around $309 from $250 while the price of a 10kg bag of mealie-meal which was selling for $540 has increased to $659.
One shopper, Mrs Primrose Hadebe, a teacher who was buying ingredients to bake cakes said the price hikes were shocking.
“Prices of most commodities have gone up. We got paid our bonuses in forex but we have not enjoyed the cushioning because of the price hike madness we are witnessing. In some cases prices have more than doubled compared to last month,” said Mrs Hadebe.
Another shopper Mr Tafadzwa Dube said the price hikes had dampened the festive mood as most consumers can no longer afford the food items they usually buy at Christmas.
“We can only buy selected items because of the exorbitant prices being charged by retailers,

The merry-making we had planned for this year following the payment of bonuses in forex is no longer possible,” said Mr Dube from Hillside suburb in Bulawayo.
There were however other shoppers who were pushing trolleys full of goodies and looked unfazed by the price hikes.
“Well, I was part of a grocery club and we were paying US$30 per month and as such I have enough to spoil my family this Christmas. It wasn’t easy paying that amount but now we are among the few families that are going to enjoy themselves this Christmas,” said a woman who only identified herself as Buhle.
Many consumers have however called on the Government to intervene and stop the price hike madness which they say is eroding their buying power each day.
“I am a teacher and have just withdrawn my forex bonus but it can only buy very little because of the exorbitant prices in both local currency and forex. Only two weeks ago the bread price was $150 but now its $160. This is just one of the many food items whose price has been increased,” said Mrs Marie Ncube from Mkoba 9 suburb in Gweru.
Another consumer Miss Amanda Moyo said the increase in prices of basic commodities had spoiled this year’s Christmas festivities.
“These price increases are eroding salaries and something should be done to stop this,” she said.
The CZR association president Mr Denford Mutashu attributed the rise in commodity prices to the firming of the United States dollar against the local currency.

He said in some cases the increases could also be attributed to profiteering.
“The increases are directly related to the continued firming of the United States dollar against the local currency on the parallel market,” he said.
Mr Mutashu urged consumers to avoid panic buying saying there are enough commodities in the shops.
“Consumers should avoid panic buying but should instead take their time to compare prices so that they get the best bargains. Suppliers and manufacturers have assured us of sufficient stocks beyond the festive season,” he said.
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce president Dr Tinashe Manzungu said price increases will likely push up inflation and stifle consumer spending.
“The price increase is everywhere, at hardware shops they have also increased prices even for products pegged in United States dollars. The firming of the United States dollar against the local currency has nothing to do with price hikes,” he said.

The Minister for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Professor Paul Mavima said it was unfortunate that prices of basic commodities have increased at a time when people were preparing for the festive season.
He said there was a need to stabilise the exchange rate so that salaries are not eroded.
“Yes, there has been an increase in prices of basic commodities. As a nation we need to put in place fundamentals that stabilise the exchange rate,” he said.
Prof Mavima said in Zimbabwe dollar terms, no matter how much workers are paid the salaries would be eroded by exchange rate fluctuations.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) said the country has recently witnessed a steep increase in the prices of most commodities.
It said the prices of most basic goods have significantly increased since the start of the festive season as retailers take advantage of increased holiday spending.

The CCZ also said the country’s latest LPG gas price increase which took effect on December 7, from $270 a kg to $400 a kg, also had a ripple effect on prices.
“The energy price increase feeds directly into rising food and transport costs, both of which have an impact on consumers during the festive season. Consumers are paying a little bit more for just about everything than they did a month ago and significantly more than they did for the same goods and services last year. Covid-19 related bottlenecks in the supply chain have also contributed to the rise in prices,” said CCZ.
It said festive seasons are usually characterised by huge consumer spending and retailers often take advantage by increasing prices.
“The welfare of consumers continues to slide with most consumers living below the Poverty Datum Line in the face of relentless increases in the prices of basic goods and services,” said CCZ.

By A Correspondent- A 24 year old man appeared in court yesterday for attempting to disarm an AK47-wielding soldier guarding Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s Borrowdale residence in Harare.

Munyaradzi Sani was denied bail when he appeared before Harare magistrate Tafadzwa Miti and remanded in custody to January 7.

Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje opposed bail, arguing that Sani had acted intentionally and could attempt to storm Chiwenga’s residence again if
released.

Chirenje also asked the State to examine Sani mentally.

The court heard that on December 18, Tinashe Mandaza was on duty outside Chiwenga’s residence when he saw Sani walking along Hellensvale Drive towards the VP’s house.

Mandaza asked Sani to leave, but he refused and, instead, leaned on the precast security wall at the VP’s house and asked for a cigarette.

A scuffle ensued, with Sani trying to grab the gun, but Mandaza was assisted by colleagues to arrest him.