By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested a 53-year-old woman for smuggling her late husband’s Isuzu Double Cab from South Africa through an undesignated entry point.

The accused, Diana Simbisa Ruswaya, was arrested on Tuesday after the law enforcers had tracked the vehicle to Masvingo.

Below is the police statement on the case:

On 14/12/21, Police in Beitbridge arrested Diana Simbisa Rwauya (53) for a case of smuggling. The suspect smuggled an Isuzu Double Cab vehicle [JTK714MP] registered in the name of her late husband through an undesignated crossing point along the Limpopo River, Dite area.

A follow up was made through a tracking system leading to the recovery of the vehicle in Mucheke, Masvingo and the subsequent arrest of the suspect who tendered a forged temporary import permit and customs receipt to the police.

Some observers blamed the smuggling on high import duty charged at designated entry points.

Smuggling has been rampant in recent years and in some cases, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and or ZRP officials are accomplices.

Zimbabwe is losing an estimated US$1.5 billion every year through illicit trade, an issue that has remained difficult to solve since the country has porous borders and also because law enforcers are aiding those violating the laws.

By A Correspondent- Riverton Academy has sent electronic mails to parents and guardians of learners at the institution notifying them that there will be no Christmas holiday for learners with outstanding fees.

A copy of the email read:

Dear Parent/Guardian

We have observed that you still have not yet paid in full your fees for the June-August online lessons as well as the additional days fees since our last reminder on the 19th of November

Please note that ALL students with outstanding fees will remain at school over the Christmas holiday until their parents pay up.

Fees can be paid through Access Forex to Mr Elvas Mari +263 772 887 927.

If you wish to pay in cash you may do so at the School premises on closing day and also at our Masvingo town office address:

Tyre World, 695 Industrial Road, Masvingo.

If you have already made the payment may you please email us the proof of payment so that we may update your child’s account.

Please treat this communication with the seriousness it deserves

Thank you

A local publication got in touch with an official at the learning institution and got confirmation that Riverton Academy sent the email.

He said some parents and or guardians just ‘dumped’ their kids and never paid the fees. He said:Parents have to pay the money! Their kids were here for a prolonged period of time and the expenses incurred have to be recouped.

They have to pay, that’s what we are saying, unequivocally!

Learners are supposed to pay between US$600 and US$900.

By A Correspondent- LEAD President Linda Masarira has rejected a suggestion for Dr Thokozani Khupe to join her party.

The suggestion was made by one Brian Rupiya who said Dr Khupe must join Masarira considering that the two have worked together in the past.

Said Rupiya:

Dr Thokozani Khupe ngawanojoina LEAD sevanhu wakamboshanda wese na @lilomaticLinda Tsungirirai Masarira@lilomatic meaning Dr Thokozani Khupe should go and join LEAD considering that she has in the past worked with LEAD leader Linda Masarira.

But Masarira rejected the suggestion and said Dr Khupe was not welcome because she was always brewing trouble.

Said Masarira:

Kuno hativadi bodo Ngavagare kuMDC kwavo ikoko kwavanoswero bvongodza muto meaning we do not want her in our party. She must stay at her MDC where she is always brewing trouble and causing confusion and disharmony.

By A Correspondent- Zimdancehall artiste Energy Sylvester Chizanga, popularly known as Freeman, was on Tuesday questioned by police after a picture of himself and one of the three robbers gunned down during the Chadcombe shoot-out started circulating on social media.

The circulation of the picture and the shooting of the armed robbers came just a few days after Freeman released his album titled “Robbery”.

This prompted detectives from the CID Homicide Section to contact him so that he could clarify the association. Freeman was summoned at Harare Central Police Station on Tuesday morning where he was questioned and released after a few hours.

He said Chirara, who was shot dead by former CID detective Joseph Nemaisa, used to attend his shows as a fan.

Freeman said he was not aware that Chirara was an armed robber since he did not inquire much into his fans’ private lives.

The picture of Freeman and Chirara that has been circulating has a message which reads, “Freeman HKD Boss is seen with one of the robbers who was shot and killed last week at a house in Chadcombe.

“Is it by coincidence that he hangs around with robbers and his album is named Robbery.” The three armed robbers were shot and killed during a shoot-out after they had raided the Chadcombe home.

Police have since arrested three suspects so far in connection with the case. A number of firearms have also been recovered.

Nemaisa, doing business in Chisipite, sped home after getting a call from his son that the family was being attacked by robbers, climbed over his back wall, fired a couple of warning shots and then shot dead three of the armed robbers about to torture his wife with an electric iron and who had already assaulted his family.

More remarkably, two of the robbers were armed with rifles or assault rifles, but while severely out-gunned Nemaisa used his training and almost two decades of experience in the CID to win through.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- A 45 year old Bindura man died on Monday after consuming too much illicit beer called soldier whiskey.

Collen Madzima (45) of Ran Mine compound in Bindura was found dead by a neighbour in his bedroom.

“I can confirm a case of sudden death in Bindura where Madzima was found dead by his neighbour Marko Banda (54) who became worried after missing the now deceased at his yard,” Mundembe said.

“Banda got into his neighbour’s room and found the lifeless body of Madzima who had spent the whole day without eating while drinking the illicit beer. Police is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of the drug peddlers,” he said.

Last week, police arrested five suppliers of illicit beer at the Mukaradzi mining site in Mount Darwin.

Mashonaland Central police spokesperson, Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the case.- NewsDay

By A Correspondent- Former president Jacob Zuma’s legal team believes that his special right to personalised medical care provided by the national defence force because of his status would be violated should he again be incarcerated.

Zuma being returned to jail would also be tantamount to “the death sentence”, according to his legal team.
Attorneys for Zuma filed a notice on Wednesday to appeal the high court judgment that earlier on 15 December ordered the former president to return to prison to complete his 15-month sentence for contempt, on the grounds that his being granted medical parole by the then correctional services head and Zuma acolyte, Arthur Fraser, was unlawful. Both men were hit with cost orders.
The Department of Correctional Services said that it too would be appealing the decision, as it was “convinced that another court may arrive at a different conclusion”.
“DCS is of the view that the court sadly misinterpreted the Correctional Services Act and erred in declaring the decision of the National Commissioner to place Mr Zuma on Medical Parole to be unlawful and setting it aside. We will outline the grounds of appeal in the papers that we will be filing in court in due course,” said the department via a statement.
It is likely Zuma’s legal team anticipated Wednesday’s loss at the North Gauteng High Court, with the appeal being papers released within a matter of hours of the judgment being handed down.
Zuma’s leave to appeal suspends the order that he returns to prison. His legal team said there were “overwhelmingly good prospects of success” should the appeal be heard.
The lawyers contend that Judge Keoagile Matojane erred or committed “gross misdirections of fact or law” when he failed to acknowledge, among other things, the “overwhelming evidence that no correctional facility in South Africa is capable of accommodating the undisputed medical needs of [Zuma], who is entitled to 24-hour medical care from the South African Medical Health Services (SAMHS).”
“In this regard, the substitution order amounts to cruel and degrading punishment with no due regard to [Zuma’s] healthcare, dignity and other human rights. It is the antithesis of ubuntu….”
Judge Matojane said in his judgment that Fraser granting the former president medical parole on 5 September, despite the Medical Parole Advisory Board (MPAB) just days earlier not recommending such, was an “unlawful intervention” that undermined respect for the country’s courts, the constitution, and the rule of law.
Zuma was ordered back to prison, with the time he spent on medical parole not being counted as fulfilling part of his sentence.
The urgent applications had been brought by the Democratic Alliance, Helen Suzman Foundation and AfriForum.
The DA had sought that the parole decision be declared unlawful, reviewed and set aside and to substitute it with a decision refusing medical parole, and that Zuma be returned to prison.
The Helen Suzman Foundation had sought an order that Zuma’s time on medical parole not be counted towards completion of his sentence.
AfriForum had sought a declarator from the court that the MPAB is the statutory body to recommend the appropriateness of medical parole in terms of the Correctional Services Act, and that the national commissioner of correctional services could not make such a determination, and should refrain from doing so. This too was granted.
The lawyers for the applicants argued that Zuma did not satisfy the requirements for medical parole as per the Act, because he was not “suffering from a terminal disease or condition” and was not “rendered physically incapacitated as a result of injury, disease or illness so as to severely limit daily activity or inmate self-care”.
But in his application, Zuma’s legal team said that none of the three organisations had any business being involved in the court proceedings to challenge his release on medical parole as they were “pursuing a political rather than a legal agenda”.
Too, according to Zuma’s legal team, the judge had erred when he “second-guessed” and/or overruled “the expert and professional opinion of qualified medical experts”, given that the applicants did not present contrary medical evidence from experts. The court itself did not have any medical expertise that was sufficient to make any contrary finding, according to the legal team.
Fraser had said in his submission that he decided to grant medical parole to the “frail” 79-year-old, who has various comorbidities, on the strength of several medical reports from the military health service, and a report from Dr Mphatswe, a member of the Medical Parole Advisory Board.
And, said Fraser, the head of Estcourt Correctional Centre, where Zuma was incarcerated, had expressed concern that should Zuma need medical assistance, the facility would not be able to provide “the type” needed.
The newly refurbished Estcourt Correctional Centre has been hailed by correctional services as being “state of the art”, with an extensive medical wing, which is why Zuma was incarcerated there instead of at Westville prison, where he was initially meant to serve his sentence.
Nevertheless, Fraser had also said that he overruled the Medical Parole Advisory Board because of exceptional circumstances: A former head of state had never previously been incarcerated, and should Zuma have died in prison, there was a fear that the type of violence experienced during the July riots could reoccur.

-Daily Maverick

By A Correspondent | After nearly half a century serving her owners, a 42 year old Zimbabwean massey has called it quit.

The ‘slay tractor’ belongs to former Harare mayor Ben Manyenyeni who announces: Two months ago we bade farewell to a true legend, warrior and family member.

Our 42-year old Massey Ferguson MF135 tractor has seen at least 4 owners including Harare City Council, Paddy Lilford-Powyis (RIP), Glen Bruk-Jackson and our family.

She served our family homestead for 17 years.

There she was, doing her very last mission – sentimentally carting away the last of our maize harvest in valedictory grandeur – despite all gloss long gone.

What a warrior!

By A Correspondent- A group of suspected Zanu PF youths, Wednesday, stormed a Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiCZ) annual general meeting (AGM) that was being held at a Bulawayo hotel, assaulted participants, and vandalised property.When NewsDay arrived at the scene, the rowdy gang had already left, but several delegates who were at the meeting were visibly injured and in pain.
A participant said the youths pounced at the hotel, overpowered the security personnel at the entrance, and stormed into the main conference room where the meeting was taking place.
It is alleged that the sudden attack on CiCZ members happened soon after Obert Masaraure (Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president) was elected as spokesperson of the coalition, while Gamuchirai Mukura had been elected treasurer.
The meeting was disrupted before the election of chairperson and the vice-chairperson.
“They began attacking all the participants without explanation,” the witness said.
CiZC outgoing chairperson Rashid Mahiya said they were holding their elective AGM when the youth budged in and disrupted the proceedings.
“At exactly 3:30pm we were told that there were Zanu PF youths who wanted to gain entry into our meeting room. We asked for hotel security to keep them out, but they were overpowered by the youths.
“We continued doing business until the youth got into the room and started beating up people. They threw chairs and desks all over the place. Some of the participants were women and people with disabilities,” Mahiya said, adding that the meeting had to be adjourned as people scurried for cover.
He said the violence erupted in the presence of police officers, but not a single member of the gang was arrested.
“In fact, they (police) are coming after us as the Crisis Coalition Zimbabwe, yet our meeting is properly constituted and is observing all the regulations that are supposed to be observed. We have seen some interest in our meeting as we seek to elect new leadership to the coalition, a new leadership that will address the governance, political violence and corruption crisis that we have in our country,” Mahiya said, adding that the coalition would not be intimidated by rowdy elements.
CiCZ members said the violence signified what would characterise the 2023 elections. But Zanu PF Bulawayo chairperson Obert Msindo professed ignorance over the attack.
“I have not heard anything concerning this issue,” Msindo said. Bulawayo police provincial spokesperson InspectorObert Msindo also said he had not yet received the report concerning the matter.
“I am no longer at the office, but when I left, I had not heard of such a report,” he said.

• Newsday

 By Online/ Correspondent – Two soldiers died Wednesday after an army truck heading to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s launch of a “market gardening project” in Makorokoro, Matabeleland South, overturned.

The accident also left several other soldiers injured.

The truck was carrying 25 soldiers when it overturned and rolled over between Plumtree and Makorokoro, a village in Mangwe district close to the border with Botswana. A witness said: 

The truck was overloaded. It’s shocking that in this era of Covid-19 they could pack so many people in that truck, yet the government goes around preaching social distancing.

The injured were ferried to Maphisa District Hospital and Plumtree District Hospital.

Mnangagwa was in Makorokoro to launch what the state-run ZBC described as the “Matabeleland South market gardening project.”

Mnangagwa toured a vegetable garden and then addressed a rally of hundreds of Zanu PF supporters, many of them bussed in from neighbouring villages and some from as far as Plumtree and Maphisa. 

More: ZimLive

Opposition MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora has refused to release the minutes of its national council meeting held on November 26, 2021, where leaders reportedly resolved to recall their vice-president Thokozani Khupe from Parliament.

In a joint urgent application filed at the Bulawayo High Court on Monday, Khupe, Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe, and Chitungwiza mayor Lovemore Maiko claimed they were being targeted for allegedly sympathising with ZANU PF and MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa.

In her founding affidavit, Khupe argued that the MDC-T had withheld the national council and its resolutions from her, adding that the party intended to recall her from Parliament.

However, MDC-T secretary-general Paurina Mpariwa, in the letter dated December 13, 2021, said the party could not release the minutes. She said:

Unfortunately, we are unable to furnish you with minutes of the national council meeting of November 26, 2021. First, these minutes are not yet ready as the officer responsible for compiling them, the chief of staff, Mr Collen Gwiyo, is out of office due to circumstances beyond his control.

Second, the minutes will only be usable by anyone, including ourselves, after they have been formally passed as a true record by the national council itself.

Third, these minutes contain confidential information of the party which goes beyond the issues you have raised. Given our response on whether or not the meeting resolved to recall your client, the minutes are irrelevant to this issue.

Mpariwa dismissed Khupe’s claims that the national council meeting resolved to recall her from Parliament, claiming that Khupe was a participant in the meeting and could have challenged the recall if it was discussed during the meeting. 

More: NewsDay

By A Correspondent- The national broadcaster ZBC has launched six new channels as part of its mantra to grow the broadcasting sector, with three of them now operational.

The channels are Jive TV, Shasha, Dandaro, Sports 263, ZBC TV and ZBC News 24. Their focus ranges from entertainment, sport, current affairs, religion, lifestyle and documentaries.
ZBC head of public relations Rumbie Moyo said three of the channels have started to operate with others set to operate at a later stage as the broadcaster is still working on the technicalities.
“We recently launched six new channels of which three of them have started to air and these are ZBC TV, ZBC News and Jive TV. The channels are available on both Digital Terrestrial Transmission (DTT) and Direct to Home (DTH).
“On DTT, one requires either an indoor or outdoor antenna to receive the signal and a compatible set top box (STB)/Decoder.
With the advent of Digital Tvs (DTV) which are coming with inbuilt receivers, one only requires an indoor/outdoor antenna to scan for the channels.
On DTH, one requires a compatible decoder, satellite receiving set (dish, lnb etc) and point their antenna to Eutelsat 7B and scan for the channels,” she said.
Moyo said the channels cover a wide gap of what a fully-fledged broadcasting system of the country should be like.
“Jive TV has a programming that is 100% music and entertainment-based. Sixty percent of the music will be from local artistes and entertainers while 25% will be from other African countries. The remaining 15% will be international content.
“The aim of the channel will be to promote local artistes (even if they are based abroad). Programming will include lifestyle shows focused on entertainers. Major revenue streams for this channel are live shows as well as performances which will also bring in online streaming revenue,” said Moyo.
She said Shasha channel will cater for local audiences who wish to watch international and regional dramas, documentaries as well as shows from other countries with elite lifestyle shows such as call in reality game shows constituting the main programming.
“Dandaro is a channel that focuses on religion and traditional beliefs which constitute major lifestyle influencers.
This channel will include any programming deemed religious or belief-based. Its main source of revenue will be churches wishing to broadcast their content to wider audiences.
Religious music and motivational programming will also be classified as standard programming,” said Moyo.
“Sports 263 channel will see sporting disciplines being able to get a slot on this channel. Programming will be done in association with various sports disciplines and the ministry to ensure only sports which adhere to the legal guidelines are broadcast.
Horse racing and other betting sports will be broadcast in agreement with the relevant authorities.
“ZBC TV channel is the national broadcasting channel which has a responsibility to incorporate minor communities and special interest groups as well as ensure all national agenda items are given prime programming slots.
The programming is wide spectrum and is determined by current affairs in terms of topics for prime programming,” she said.
Moyo said ZBC News 24 channel will mainly focus on news and current affairs alongside tourism and business-related programming featuring Zimbabwe as its prime source of content.
“International news and updates as well as documentaries which are of major interest to Zimbabwean business and communities will be included in the programming.
As the channel grows, all breaking news and discussions which affect national policy will take prime spots,” said Moyo. Chronicle

By A Correspondent- An Evangelist at Zion Christian Church (ZCC) in Glen View, Harare, appeared in court yesterday on allegations of raping a female congregant who wanted spiritual help after encountering pregnancy complications.Itai Kufera (33) was not asked to plead to the charges when he appeared before magistrate Mrs Tafadzwa Miti charged with rape.
He was remanded in custody to December 28 and advised to approach the High Court for bail.
Mr Thomas Chanakira, appearing for the State, had it that sometime in April 2018, the woman and her husband visited Kufera at his place of residence seeking spiritual assistance after having a miscarriage. Kufera allegedly gave the woman coffee and warm water mixed with salt, saying it would clean the cervix.
In June of the same year, the woman discovered that she was pregnant and decided to visit Kufera for spiritual help to avoid another miscarriage.
It is said that after a few days, Kufera phoned the woman asking her to meet him at a service station located at Budiriro 1 Shops.
Kufera is said to have driven the woman to a lodge in the Willowvale industrial area where he allegedly raped her and threatened to tell her husband if she disclosed the matter to anyone.
In June last year, Kufera allegedly went to the woman’s place of residence where he asked her to come out. It is alleged that he asked her to get onto his car and raped her again. The matter came to light after she revealed the sexual attacks to her mother, leading to Kufera’s arrest.

-Herald

By A Correspondent- Chief Murinye stunned senior Government officials attending a funeral in Masvingo Rural Thursday when he warned President Mnangagwa to stop the looting in the country or lose the 2023 elections.

Chief Murinye, born Ephias Munodawafa told the funeral attended by permanent secretaries and commissioners of Government that he was fed-up with the corruption that he sees all around and it has become an embarrassment to be a Zimbabwean citizen.

He said he will continue to speak out against corruption and is not afraid to get stripped of his chieftainship.
He accused Mnangagwa of surrounding himself with crooks that are milking the country and impoverishing the people and said it was probably time ZDF commander, Philip Valerio plays another November 2017 act.
“I want the message to go straight to ED that he is not going to cross over in 2023 if he doesn’t stop his people from looting.
“We are fed-up with these criminals that surround the President. This is nonsense and it must stop; this country does not belong to anyone. You can kill me if you want but stop this,” said Chief Murinye.
He also accused Mnangagwa’s top men of laying claim to every mineral discovered in the country and stashing the wealth outside the country and expressed fear that the looters were going to do the same with the oil deposits discovered in Muzarabani.
In Masvingo for example it is the top Zanu PF gurus who are opening mines everywhere, in Mashava, in the Target Kopje Hills and in Chief Charumbira’s area.
Chief Murinye also called upon anyone who becomes President to reign in their errand children and said it was shocking to hear former President Mugabe’s children claiming in public that they are richer than telecoms tycoon Strive Masiiwa.
Chief Murinye described houses in the leafy suburbs of Borrowdale, Chisipite and Glen Lorne as a sign of obscene wealth and corruption and he wouldn’t want to be associated with such kind of money in the midst of poverty.
“I would rather be a poor chief than have such filthy wealth in the midst of poverty. There is no development in this country, Government officials saw it for themselves the bad state of roads here.
“You hide your Zimbabwean passport out of shame when you are outside the country because of our bad name,” said Chief Murinye.
The top civil servants were attending the burial of Elson Gonye, the head of the Pay and Benefits Development and Management Agency who died of Covid19 related complications in Victoria Falls In Thursday.
Gonye was buried at Gonye Village. Masvingo Mirror

By A Correspondent- Government has suspended all physical meetings within its departments, and has extended the COVID-19 lockdown measures by a further two weeks, attributing the extension to the continued surge in new infections.

Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa told a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday that all critical meetings would be held virtually.

She also said COVID-19 cases in schools were increasing, with 1 526 recorded in the past week compared to 1 086 recorded in the previous week.

But last week, government announced that schools would remain open until December 17, 2021.

“All government departments will stop face to face meetings.  All remaining end of year planning and other such critical meetings shall be held virtually. Communities at all levels are urged to remain vigilant and to continue adhering to COVID-19 prevention measures. COVID-19 lockdown measures have been extended by another two weeks,” Mutsvangwa said.

Harare province recorded the highest number of new infections in the past week with 8 363 cases, followed by Mashonaland East with 3 546, Mashonaland West with 2 992, and Bulawayo with 2 670 new cases.

Tinashe Sambiri| The MDC Alliance has said the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is known for his penchant for dodgy deals.

Mr Mnangagwa’s administration has been castigated for failing to deal with rampant corruption.

In a statement MDC Alliance described the issuance of the e- passport tender as fraudulent.

Read statement below:

By A Correspondent- Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has sent his aide to testify against his wife, Marry Chiwenga who is being accused of plotting to kill the army general.

Chiwenga’s aide, Colonel Gesham Muradzi, told the court that Marry ordered a jeweller to make US$15 000 worth of wedding rings during her preparation for a fake wedding she stage managed before attempting to kill her husband.

He said she lied that the Vice President had consented to the weding at a time he was hospitalised in India, when she faked the wedding.

Colonel Muradzi, who was employed as an administrator in the Vice President’s Office during that time, Marry called him while she was in India with VP Chiwenga and asked him to pay US$15 000 to a jeweller located at Newlands Shopping Centre in Harare for the rings.
He said this while testifying in a matter where Marry is alleged to have misrepresented that the VP had consented to a wedding with her.
“In 2019 they were in India when Honourable General CGD Chiwenga was not feeling well. She called me asking how much money I had in the office,” he said.
“I told her that I had US$23 000, which was left in my custody by Vice President Chiwenga. The money was for looking at affairs at his farm and his children during the time he would be away.
“She then asked me to take $15 000 and give brother Mike. She indicated that brother Mike from Alpha Jewellery will call me. I later phoned him to collect the money from the office.”
Col Muradzi said he had not spoken to VP Chiwenga as he was hospitalised.
He said after some days, he was then asked to go and collect “a parcel” from brother Mike, which he said was wrapped in an envelope.
“Whenever he leaves the country, he would give us instructions on how to use the money, but this time around, he had not. In this case, he was not feeling well and could not talk. I was then instructed to go and collect parcels from brother Mike. It was now in July and they were now in South Africa,” he said.
Col Muradzi said he was instructed by Mubaiwa to hand over the parcel to Carrington Kazingizi, their driver, who was travelling to South Africa.
A jeweller, who also testified in the matter, told the court that he was given an order to make wedding rings at his company sometime in June 2019.
Mr Devon Peter Stewart, said he was given an order to make diamond and white gold rings for Mubaiwa and VP Chiwenga.
Although he was not privy of details of who made the order for the rings, Mr Stewart said the order came through his in-law and workmate only identified as brother Mike.
“I was given a job order to make the diamond and white gold. I do not know about the money that was paid as Mike was handling that. I was just given an order to make rings,” he said.
Mr Stewart said he never spoke to VP Chiwenga or Mubaiwa during the time he was given the job.
Kazingizi, who was employed as a driver for the Vice President family, confirmed that he took the rings to South Africa where he gave them to Marry.
He said he was not aware of Marry’s wedding plans and never got the opportunity to talk to VP Chiwenga when he was seeking medication in South Africa.
“When the parcel got to me at the airport, I opened the envelope which contained two rings and took them to South Africa,” he said.
Victoria Falls magistrate Miss Linda Dzvene, who was the then personal assistant to former Chief Magistrate Justice Munamato Mutevedzi, also testified.
Ms Dzvene said she was given some national identification particulars of VP Chiwenga and those of Marry by Justice Mutevedzi for her to fill in the marriage licence book and marriage certificate application form.
She confirmed that she was the one who completed the marriage licence book upon instructions from her boss.
“I wrote the marriage licence. Sometime in June 2019. Mr Mutevedzi came with IDs of Marry and VP Chiwenga and I had instructions to record what was on the ID and filled the marriage licence book. What was left was signatures and their witnesses,” she said.
The matter is expected to continue today with four more State witnesses testifying. Magistrate Mr Lazini Ncube heard the testimonies while Mr Tafara Chirambira and Mrs Netsai Mushayabasa appeared for the State.
Ms Beatrice Mtetwa represented Marry.
-Herald

By A Correspondent- An unexpected roadblock in Mvurwi Monday caused the death of a passenger after the driver of a vehicle he was travelling in had panicked.

New24 reports that the now deceased passenger was thrown out of a speeding Isuzu single cab car after the driver panicked a roadblock.

The online portal further claimed that the accident happened when the driver was looking for his face mask upon seeing an unexpected roadblock.

” Witnesses said the now deceased Patrick Musa was thrown outside the vehicle through the window and died on the spot when the vehicle overturned,” reports the online portal.

“We were coming from Mvurwi going to Centenary so when approaching Forester Estate the driver panicked after seeing the police since we were not wearing face masks when he tried to find his face mask the car overturned,” explained a survivor.

Mashonaland Central police spokespersons Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the accident without giving more details.

By A Correspondent- The national broadcaster ZBC has launched six new channels as part of its mantra to grow the broadcasting sector, with three of them now operational.

The channels are Jive TV, Shasha, Dandaro, Sports 263, ZBC TV and ZBC News 24. Their focus ranges from entertainment, sport, current affairs, religion, lifestyle and documentaries.
ZBC head of public relations Rumbie Moyo said three of the channels have started to operate with others set to operate at a later stage as the broadcaster is still working on the technicalities.
“We recently launched six new channels of which three of them have started to air and these are ZBC TV, ZBC News and Jive TV. The channels are available on both Digital Terrestrial Transmission (DTT) and Direct to Home (DTH).
“On DTT, one requires either an indoor or outdoor antenna to receive the signal and a compatible set top box (STB)/Decoder.
With the advent of Digital Tvs (DTV) which are coming with inbuilt receivers, one only requires an indoor/outdoor antenna to scan for the channels.
On DTH, one requires a compatible decoder, satellite receiving set (dish, lnb etc) and point their antenna to Eutelsat 7B and scan for the channels,” she said.
Moyo said the channels cover a wide gap of what a fully-fledged broadcasting system of the country should be like.
“Jive TV has a programming that is 100% music and entertainment-based. Sixty percent of the music will be from local artistes and entertainers while 25% will be from other African countries. The remaining 15% will be international content.
“The aim of the channel will be to promote local artistes (even if they are based abroad). Programming will include lifestyle shows focused on entertainers. Major revenue streams for this channel are live shows as well as performances which will also bring in online streaming revenue,” said Moyo.
She said Shasha channel will cater for local audiences who wish to watch international and regional dramas, documentaries as well as shows from other countries with elite lifestyle shows such as call in reality game shows constituting the main programming.
“Dandaro is a channel that focuses on religion and traditional beliefs which constitute major lifestyle influencers.
This channel will include any programming deemed religious or belief-based. Its main source of revenue will be churches wishing to broadcast their content to wider audiences.
Religious music and motivational programming will also be classified as standard programming,” said Moyo.
“Sports 263 channel will see sporting disciplines being able to get a slot on this channel. Programming will be done in association with various sports disciplines and the ministry to ensure only sports which adhere to the legal guidelines are broadcast.
Horse racing and other betting sports will be broadcast in agreement with the relevant authorities.
“ZBC TV channel is the national broadcasting channel which has a responsibility to incorporate minor communities and special interest groups as well as ensure all national agenda items are given prime programming slots.
The programming is wide spectrum and is determined by current affairs in terms of topics for prime programming,” she said.
Moyo said ZBC News 24 channel will mainly focus on news and current affairs alongside tourism and business-related programming featuring Zimbabwe as its prime source of content.
“International news and updates as well as documentaries which are of major interest to Zimbabwean business and communities will be included in the programming.
As the channel grows, all breaking news and discussions which affect national policy will take prime spots,” said Moyo. Chronicle

By A Correspondent- Chief Murinye stunned senior Government officials attending a funeral in Masvingo Rural yesterday when he warned President Mnangagwa to stop the looting in the country or lose the 2023 elections.

Chief Murinye, born Ephias Munodawafa told the funeral attended by permanent secretaries and commissioners of Government that he was fed-up with the corruption that he sees all around and it has become an embarrassment to be a Zimbabwean citizen.

He said he will continue to speak out against corruption and is not afraid to get stripped of his chieftainship.
He accused Mnangagwa of surrounding himself with crooks that are milking the country and impoverishing the people and said it was probably time ZDF commander, Philip Valerio plays another November 2017 act.
“I want the message to go straight to ED that he is not going to cross over in 2023 if he doesn’t stop his people from looting.
“We are fed-up with these criminals that surround the President. This is nonsense and it must stop; this country does not belong to anyone. You can kill me if you want but stop this,” said Chief Murinye.
He also accused Mnangagwa’s top men of laying claim to every mineral discovered in the country and stashing the wealth outside the country and expressed fear that the looters were going to do the same with the oil deposits discovered in Muzarabani.
In Masvingo for example it is the top Zanu PF gurus who are opening mines everywhere, in Mashava, in the Target Kopje Hills and in Chief Charumbira’s area.
Chief Murinye also called upon anyone who becomes President to reign in their errand children and said it was shocking to hear former President Mugabe’s children claiming in public that they are richer than telecoms tycoon Strive Masiiwa.
Chief Murinye described houses in the leafy suburbs of Borrowdale, Chisipite and Glen Lorne as a sign of obscene wealth and corruption and he wouldn’t want to be associated with such kind of money in the midst of poverty.
“I would rather be a poor chief than have such filthy wealth in the midst of poverty. There is no development in this country, Government officials saw it for themselves the bad state of roads here.
“You hide your Zimbabwean passport out of shame when you are outside the country because of our bad name,” said Chief Murinye.
The top civil servants were attending the burial of Elson Gonye, the head of the Pay and Benefits Development and Management Agency who died of Covid19 related complications in Victoria Falls In Thursday.
Gonye was buried at Gonye Village. Masvingo Mirror

By A Correspondent- An Evangelist at Zion Christian Church (ZCC) in Glen View, Harare, appeared in court yesterday on allegations of raping a female congregant who wanted spiritual help after encountering pregnancy complications.Itai Kufera (33) was not asked to plead to the charges when he appeared before magistrate Mrs Tafadzwa Miti charged with rape.
He was remanded in custody to December 28 and advised to approach the High Court for bail.
Mr Thomas Chanakira, appearing for the State, had it that sometime in April 2018, the woman and her husband visited Kufera at his place of residence seeking spiritual assistance after having a miscarriage. Kufera allegedly gave the woman coffee and warm water mixed with salt, saying it would clean the cervix.
In June of the same year, the woman discovered that she was pregnant and decided to visit Kufera for spiritual help to avoid another miscarriage.
It is said that after a few days, Kufera phoned the woman asking her to meet him at a service station located at Budiriro 1 Shops.
Kufera is said to have driven the woman to a lodge in the Willowvale industrial area where he allegedly raped her and threatened to tell her husband if she disclosed the matter to anyone.
In June last year, Kufera allegedly went to the woman’s place of residence where he asked her to come out. It is alleged that he asked her to get onto his car and raped her again. The matter came to light after she revealed the sexual attacks to her mother, leading to Kufera’s arrest.

-Herald

By A Correspondent- An unexpected roadblock in Mvurwi Monday caused the death of a passenger after the driver of a vehicle he was travelling in had panicked.

New24 reports that the now deceased passenger was thrown out of a speeding Isuzu single cab car after the driver panicked a roadblock.

The online portal further claimed that the accident happened when the driver was looking for his face mask upon seeing an unexpected roadblock.

” Witnesses said the now deceased Patrick Musa was thrown outside the vehicle through the window and died on the spot when the vehicle overturned,” reports the online portal.

“We were coming from Mvurwi going to Centenary so when approaching Forester Estate the driver panicked after seeing the police since we were not wearing face masks when he tried to find his face mask the car overturned,” explained a survivor.

Mashonaland Central police spokespersons Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the accident without giving more details.

By A Correspondent- The opposition MDC Alliance has accused Zanu-PF of plotting to block its voter registration campaign in Bulawayo ahead of the 2022 by-elections.

MDC Alliance yesterday recently launched a voter registration campaign in Sizinda suburb, and is expected to spread to other areas amid revelations that the ruling party was mooting plans to block the exercise.

The party is targeting 500 000 voters in Bulawayo during the 21-day Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) registration window period.

MDC Alliance sources told Southern Eye that they were aware of Zanu-PF plans to block their activities.

“We are launching a voter registration campaign in Sizinda today (yesterday) but it looks like our counterparts Zanu-PF are not happy.

“They are mobilising each other to block all our activities in Bulawayo,” the source said.

A social media message, purportedly circulated by Zanu-PF members on Monday evening stated that they would not allow the MDC Alliance campaigns to continue.

“Good evening comrades. The idiotic and sanctions devil’s advocate (MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa) will attempt to do a door to door campaign in our province tomorrow (Tuesday) starting with Sizinda. May we mobilise to thwart that move as early as 8am in Sizinda in our regalia,” the message read.

“Also put everyone in our districts on alert in case he starts somewhere else in any of our districts.

“May our security secretariats be activated, don’t be found wanting in defending the revolution. KoBulawayo ayisiyo playground ka Chamisa. Phansi lo Chamisa (Bulawayo is not Chamisa’s playground, down with Chamisa).”

MDC Alliance secretary for labour and social security, Gideon Shoko confirmed receiving the threatening messages from Zanu-PF members.

“We just received the information that Zanu-PF was planning to block our campaign.

“We do not know whether it was intimidation or they are yet to come. But we are saying, using threats and blocking us from campaigning when they (Zanu-PF) go all over campaigning without being stopped is wrong and paints a bad picture about our country to the world.”

Zanu-PF Bulawayo chairman Obert Msindo yesterday said he was not aware of the alleged plot to disrupt opposition activities.

“I am not aware of that at the moment.

“I am away in Harare and I will find out about that,” Msindo said.

By A Correspondent- A-Harare man was today arraigned before the courts on allegations of raping a minor.

The accused (name withheld to protect the minor) appeared before Harare magistrate Tafadzwa Miti to answer to the charges of raping a nine year old juvenile.  He was remanded in custody until December 28.

The accused and the minor are cousins.

It is alleged that on December 12 around 10pm, the minor met the accused while on her way back from the toilet.

Prosecutor Thomas Chanakira narrated that the accused then grabbed the child by the hand and dragged her into his room where he forcibly removed her clothes and raped her after covering her mouth with his hands to stop her from screaming.

The accused then gave the child a $40 bribe, ordering her to keep quiet.

The case came to light when the mother of the minor interrogated the complainant, asking her where she was.  This resulted in her disclosing the matter.

The minor was medically examined, and the medical affidavit will be made available in court.

Miti advised the accused to approach the High Court for bail application.

By A Correspondent- Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga is set to testify tomorrow in a matter where he is accusing his estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa of attempting to fraudulently acquire a marriage certificate at a time when he was hospitalised at a South African hospital.

It is believed that Chiwenga will be the last witness to testify after the State said it was only left with five witnesses that were lined up to testify in the high profile case today.

Yesterday, four other witnesses testified, including Harare magistrate Linda Dzvene, who was then chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi’s secretary.

Dzvene told magistrate Lazini Ncube that she was the one that filed the marriage documents for Marry, including a document where she alleged that she was a divorcee.

Marry’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa then asked her to explain if she also filed her divorce certificate, of which Dzvene said she did not consult when she filled the pre-marriage forms.

Dzvene said she only used documents provided by Mutevedzi, adding that at that time, she was only a secretary who had no knowledge of the duties of a marriage officer.

She said she became a marriage officer and magistrate in February 2020 after completing her law degree in December 2019, adding that during filing of the documents, she never spoke to Marry.

Colonel Gesham Muradzi, who is Chiwenga’s aide, also testified before the courts, saying Marry gave him US$15 000 to purchase the wedding rings.

He said Marry asked him to hand over the money to one Bra Mike, a friend of Chiwenga, who is a jewellery dealer.

Muradzi said he then collected the rings from one Devon Peter Steward, adding that he did not know whether Chiwenga did ask for a wedding from Marry’s family.

Steward told the court that he gave the rings to Muradzi after he was told to prepare them for the wedding by his father-in-law, Bra Mike.

Another witness, Carrington Kazingizi, who was Marry’s driver and a presidential security agent, said wedding preparations were at an advanced stage.

The matter was postponed to today for continuation.

Marry is accused of fraudulently acquiring a marriage certificate without the Vice-President’s consent.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Nearly 63 000 people have been arrested under the ongoing operation “Chikorokoza ngachipere/ Isitsheketsha kasiphele and No to machete gangs.”

The operation is aimed at curbing violence and related violent crimes in the mining sector.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police said in a statement on Monday:

On 12/12/21, 130 people were arrested under operation “Chikorokoza Ngachipere/Isitsheketsha kasiphele and no to machete gangs” bringing the cumulative arrests to 62 739.

Gangs armed with machetes and knobkerries resurfaced countrywide recently, targeting mines and individuals keeping large amounts of cash, prompting police to relaunch the operation.

A few months ago, police restored order in mining areas after taking on the gangs, arresting large numbers of people and thwarting a wave of violence.

Police launched the “Operation Chikorokoza Ngachipere” following an outcry over machete-wielding robbers who were terrorising people in mining communities and beyond.

Criminal activities by the marauding gangs of machete attackers have seen an increase in reports of murder, rape, assault, housebreaking and stock theft.

Meanwhile, police reported that 427 people were arrested countrywide on Sunday under operation “No to Cross Border Crimes” bringing the cumulative arrests to 77 396.

In a related operation, police have arrested 11 334 motorists fitting vehicles with dangerous bar headlights countrywide while the arrests under operation, “No to touting”, now stands at 28 173 since its commencement in January.

Through Statutory Instrument 129 of 2015, the Government banned the mounting of additional headlights on vehicles.

By A Correspondent- United Kingdom based businesswoman and socialite, Olinda Chapel and musician, Njabulo ‘Tytan’ Nkomo will be renewing their marriage vows in July 2022 after a rocky divorce.

The couple separated in August last year, just after celebrating their first wedding anniversary.

In the divorce that was no short of scandal, the two had a social media tiff with Tytan accusing Olinda of abusing him and the latter claiming she was just his ‘meal ticket’.

However late last year the couple who share a daughter, Nandi reconciled, sharing pictures enjoying some quality time.

Olinda shared an invitation on her Instagram which reads: “On our wedding we vowed to love each other. These vows were tested, but our enduring love for one another has prevailed. So we come on this day to make a fresh start as we renew our vows to love and to honour each other and re-affirm our love for each other.

By A Correspondent- The National Railways of Zimbabwe has appointed Respina Zinyanduko as its substantive general manager.

She replaces Joseph Mashika, who died in January this year at a private clinic in Harare following an undisclosed illness. Ziyanduku has been acting general manager since then.

Her appointment was announced yesterday by NRZ board chairperson Martin Dinha.

“The board of directors of the NRZ wishes to announce the appointment of Zinyanduko as the substantive general manager (GM) of the bulky goods carrier effective 01 December 2021. She is the first woman to be appointed GM of the NRZ. Her appointment is in line with the approval of His Excellency, the President (Emmerson) Mnangangwa as provided for in terms of Section 17(2) of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act (Chapter 10:31) as read with the Railways Act (Chapter 13:09),” Dinha said.

“Zinyanduko is a seasoned lawyer with over 18 years technical and management experience across the entire corporate governance and public sector realm. She has distinguished herself as a professional and acute executive,” he said.

Dinha said Zinyanduko led the restructuring of the NRZ and aligned its structures to its business operations.

“NRZ has been struggling to reclaim its market share of the freight business due to aged antiquated infrastructure.

By Farai D Hove | The ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has been told he faces military action if he does not change his behaviour.

Mnangagwa has been told by his own uncle that he has to change otherwise he will not cross the 2023 election.

Speaking on video, and using mataphors, Chief Murinye went to the extent of suggesting even approaching the Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander Valerio Sibanda to help. He said:

“Mnangagwa is my nephew, and if he doesn’t listen: you will not cross 2023; we are fed up we are fed up”

He continued saying

“We don’t want this anymore, thieves in Zimbabwe should stop.

“We don’t who wake up to steal every penny from the public, leaving people struggling with hunger.

“ED has got a very good vision but he has thieves surrounding him, I don’t know if we should once again go to the military commander to ask him to repeat what he once did.”

By A Correspondent- Police on Sunday arrested 427 people for various cross border crime violations under the operation “no to cross-border crimes”.

In a statement, National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the suspects were arrested countrywide.

“On December 12, 2021, police arrested 427 people countrywide under the operation “no to cross border crimes”. So far, police have arrested 77 396 people throughout the country since the operation commenced in January 2021,” Nyathi said.

The police spokesperson also revealed that 11 334 motorists were arrested for fitting dangerous bar headlights while 28 173 people were arrested for touting.

Police also arrested 130 miners in the operation “chikorokoza ngachipere /isitsheketsha asiphele/no to machete gangs”.

Since January this year Nyathi said a total of 62 739 people have been arrested in this operation that aims to end violent skirmishes in mining communities.

Police also arrested 142 people countrywide under the Interpol/Afripol joint operation code name “Flash IPPA” (illicit pharmaceuticals and health products in Africa, being conducted by 54 African member countries.

This operation has led to the arrest of a total of 1413 people to date in the country.

By A Correspondent- A 57 year old man from Mpopoma suburb in Bulawayo was murdered by an unknown  suspect during a misunderstanding over a cigarette, which he was smoking and refused to share it with him.

Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the death of Manuel Masocha, saying a manhunt has now been launched for the suspect.

“On December 10 at 4pm Masocha (57) went out of the house with his nine year-old son intending to buy something at a nearby vending site. He was approached by the suspect at the gate.  He asked him to share the cigarette which he was smoking and he refused,” Ncube said.

“The suspect got annoyed and insulted Masocha.  A misunderstanding arose between the two and resulted in the suspect stabbing him once on the lower right-side of the stomach with an unknown sharp object.”

“The suspect ran away.  Masocha sustained a deep cut on the abdomen.  He bled until he fell down and was taken to Mpilo hospital where his condition deteriorated and he passed on.”

A report was then made to the police.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Police in Manicaland have recovered 21 stolen cattle from Buhera under Chief Nyashanu at a roadblock along the Dorowa and Hwedza route.

The stolen cattle were being driven to the capital, Harare.

Manicaland acting provincial police spokesperson assistant inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the issue today.

The complainants in the matter are Richard Kusisa (61) from Hanyire village under Chief Nyashanu, and Pwanyiwa Nzembe (age not given) from Mushaka village under chief Nyashanu in Buhera.

Chinyoka said the accused are Jani Mumanyi (37), and brothers Austin Nepai, Blessed Nepai and Joseph Nepai, all from Buhera.  The fifth accused is Gladmore Dzenzi (32) from Mutoko.

He said on December 10, 2021, the four accused persons went to Kusisa’s homestead and stole four cattle.  They also proceeded to Nzembe’s homestead and stole 17 cattle.

They drove the cattle to a forest where the accused persons met Dzenzi who had come from Harare with a truck.

They loaded 11 cattle in the trucks and left for Harare using the Dorowa and Hwedza route.  One of them was left guarding the other 10 cows in the forest.

As they passed through the Mukamba roadblock between Dorowa and Hwedza, they were stopped by the police.

During a search at the roadblock, the police noticed that the description of the cattle in the truck did not match with what was on the clearance form.

Accused number three then escaped from the scene, while three other accused persons were arrested.

 “We have since arrested all four accused persons, and we have launched a manhunt for the third accused person who escaped from the roadblock scene.  We have recovered all the 21 cattle and the accused persons are set to appear in court in Buhera,” he said.

By A Correspondent- The High Court has suspended the hearing of a case in which former Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) group chief executive officer, Cuthbert Dube, is accused of swindling the company of millions of dollars due to his ill health

Dube is critically ill and unable to stand trial, according to a judgement by Justice Joseph Mafusire.

His trial, which has been hanging before the courts since 2017, was supposed to proceed last month.

His lawyer says he is due to travel to India for treatment next month.

“Whereupon after reading documents filed of record and hearing of counsel it is ordered that Dube said to be seriously ill and unforto stand tri. The matter be and hereby removed from the roll,” the judge said.

Dube is accused of defrauding the medical aid company of US$23 million.

The allegations arose during his time at PSMAS between 2009 and 2014.

PSMAS approached the High Court claiming US$23 153 140 which Dube allegedly used enriched himself through payment of unlawful salaries, allowances and other benefits.

The medical aid society feels the money remains due and payable.

Allegations are that during the said period, Dube would award himself unapproved salaries, allowances, bonuses and increments which were outside his contract limits.

“From the period between January 2009 to December 2013, Dube unlawfully increased his salaries, allowances and bonuses and was unjustly enriched in the amount of US$21 868 796,” PSMAS said in court papers.

“The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority on March 4th, 2014 completed a Tax Review Investigation of PSMAS for the period running January 2009 to December 2013 which revealed that PSMAS was not including various allowances on the pay roll for income tax assessment, Dube had been wrongfully paid money that was not due to him.”

“As a result of such wrongful payment, among other anomalies, Dube owed ZIMRA a total of US$40 611 916 inclusive of penalties and interest,” the papers read.

“However, sometime in 2015, PSMAS then paid the due income tax arrears to ZIMRA for a problem that was allegedly created by Dube. In terms of Clause 12 (1) of the Thirteenth Schedule to the Income Tax Act (chapter 23:06), PSMAS is entitled to recover the amount from Dube as being income tax not withheld from his income at the relevant time,” said PSMAS.

Broken down,  PSMAS says from January  2009 to December  2013, Dube unlawfully caused himself to be paid remuneration which totals US$23 153 840 which included salary, house purchase and maintenance, board attendance fees, board retainers fees, board critical allowance,  long service awards, GCEO staff pay roll costs, unlimited  medical benefits, special  allowance, back pay, quarterly  benefits, travel subsistence,  Zambia Salary, fuel allowance, holiday allowance, clothing allowance, grocery allowance etc  DSTV allowance.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s passport prices will double from US$60 to US$120 after the government awarded a passport production contract to a corruption-linked Belgian firm.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday launched an e-passport as it was announced that all current Zimbabwean passports will cease to be accepted internationally by December 31, 2023.

Semlex, through its Lithuania-registered subsidiary Garsu Pasaulis, was handed the opaque contract by Zimbabwe’s home affairs ministry without going to tender.

Controversially, a statutory instrument published on Tuesday said CBZ bank had been picked to receive passport application fees of US$20. The ordinary e-passports, which the government says have enhanced security including biometric data, will cost US$100 and the fees double to US$200 for those requiring emergency e-passports.

A home affairs ministry circular issued on Monday said old passports would be allowed to run their course and only then would holders be issued with the e-passports upon application.

The statutory instrument, however, said old passports would be phased out by 2023, obligating up to five million Zimbabweans who hold the old passports, including some in foreign countries, to apply for the new e-passports within the next two years.

Critics of the government announcement said the rushed implementation could earn Semlex upwards of US$500,000 within two years.

The main opposition MDC Alliance has demanded a review of the contract award to Semlex through Garsu Pasaulis. The party also criticised the decision to rush Zimbabweans to change their passports at cost even when they are still valid.

“We’re extremely concerned at the latest move by Mr Mnangagwa’s regime to introduce a new e-passport in a manner that does not comply with the principles of administrative justice established in section 68 of the Constitution,” spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said.

“We have consistently challenged the regime’s penchant for dodgy deals and the failure to comply with due process and a transparent tender regime in the award of public contracts including this very passport production one. We further take issue with the fact that a bank associated with the regime (CBZ) has been awarded a statutory monopoly to collect passport application fees.

“We are further told that the old passport will be phased out in 2023 despite earlier undertakings that all passports would be allowed to run their course. We urge the regime to conduct wide consultations with stakeholders as required by law before they roll out of basic public services and to ensure that corrupt practices are investigated and eradicated.”

Mahere said under an MDC Alliance government, “the welfare and best interests of the people will return to all administrative decision making.”

A September 2020 investigation by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) found that Semlex “used bribes, kickbacks and insider dealing to secure contracts around the world, inflating the cost of vital documents for ordinary citizens while lining the pockets of wealthy elites.”

Its corrupt footprints can be found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, The Gambia, Comoros, Gabon, Chad and Congo-Brazzaville.

Semlex is owned by Syria-born Albert Karaziwan, a Belgian citizen.

In a 2017 investigation, the Reuters news agency reported that Semlex “has won business in Africa – on paper worth hundreds of millions of dollars – through political connections, sometimes without going through open tender processes and sometimes while making payments to intermediaries.”

In 2015, the DRC’s budget ministry approved a US$450 million contract with Semlex to supply biometric passports and ID cards for its 70 million citizens. The passport price went up from US$100 to US$185, making the DRC’s passport among the world’s most expensive, even though its people are on average among the poorest.

That deal arranged for US$60 from each passport to go to an obscure Gulf company owned by a close relative of the DRC’s then President Joseph Kabila.

In May last year, the new government of President Felix Tshisekedi said it would not renew the Semlex contract. Prosecutors have been investigating allegations of money laundering and corruption by Semlex.

In 2017, Mozambique terminated a 10-year Semlex contract, potentially worth several hundred million dollars, that had been awarded in 2009 by the country’s previous government. The deal was struck without an open tender. The current Mozambican government says Semlex invested a fraction of the US$100 million it had promised to spend on training, electronic scanners at borders and other infrastructure. It says citizens lost out from the deal.

Other documents illustrate how Semlex appears to benefit more than the state coffers of countries that agree to its deals. In 2013, Semlex extended an existing contract with Madagascar to supply passports and more than doubled the amount it charged. Under the new deal, citizens had to pay 36.25 euros (around US$47) for a passport; of that, the state received 2.5 euros and Semlex got 33.75 euros, a contract between the two sides showed. Previously, Semlex received 15.50 euros per passport.

Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe declined to discuss the financial deal with Semlex’s subsidiary, referring questions to the finance ministry.-ZimLive

By Farai D Hove | The ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has been told he faces military action if he does not change his behaviour.

Mnangagwa has been told by his own uncle that he has to change otherwise he will not cross the 2023 election.

Speaking on video, and using mataphors, Chief Murinye went to the extent of suggesting even approaching the Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander Valerio Sibanda to help. He said:

“Mnangagwa is my nephew, and if he doesn’t listen: you will not cross 2023; we are fed up we are fed up”

He continued saying

“We don’t want this anymore, thieves in Zimbabwe should stop.

“We don’t who wake up to steal every penny from the public, leaving people struggling with hunger.

“ED has got a very good vision but he has thieves surrounding him, I don’t know if we should once again go to the military commander to ask him to repeat what he once did.”

By A Correspondent- Police in Manicaland have recovered 21 stolen cattle from Buhera under Chief Nyashanu at a roadblock along the Dorowa and Hwedza route.

The stolen cattle were being driven to the capital, Harare.

Manicaland acting provincial police spokesperson assistant inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the issue today.

The complainants in the matter are Richard Kusisa (61) from Hanyire village under Chief Nyashanu, and Pwanyiwa Nzembe (age not given) from Mushaka village under chief Nyashanu in Buhera.

Chinyoka said the accused are Jani Mumanyi (37), and brothers Austin Nepai, Blessed Nepai and Joseph Nepai, all from Buhera.  The fifth accused is Gladmore Dzenzi (32) from Mutoko.

He said on December 10, 2021, the four accused persons went to Kusisa’s homestead and stole four cattle.  They also proceeded to Nzembe’s homestead and stole 17 cattle.

They drove the cattle to a forest where the accused persons met Dzenzi who had come from Harare with a truck.

They loaded 11 cattle in the trucks and left for Harare using the Dorowa and Hwedza route.  One of them was left guarding the other 10 cows in the forest.

As they passed through the Mukamba roadblock between Dorowa and Hwedza, they were stopped by the police.

During a search at the roadblock, the police noticed that the description of the cattle in the truck did not match with what was on the clearance form.

Accused number three then escaped from the scene, while three other accused persons were arrested.

 “We have since arrested all four accused persons, and we have launched a manhunt for the third accused person who escaped from the roadblock scene.  We have recovered all the 21 cattle and the accused persons are set to appear in court in Buhera,” he said.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF officials in Uzumba constituency have disowned party supporters who recently demonstrated against Chinese miner, Heijin’s granite mining operations in the district.

The supporters threatened not to vote for the ruling party in the elections expected in 2023 if government does not put a stop to the operations which they said would displace nearly 100 families.

Government has since ordered Heijin to stop the mining operations in the district.

However, Simbaneuta Mudarikwa (Uzumba MP Zanu-PF) yesterday said those who denounced the ruling party were hired hooligans.

“Those who appeared on those videos saying they would not vote for Zanu-PF are not part of us. They are people who were hired by some negative elements. Uzumba belongs to Zanu-PF, and our members are disciplined,” Mudarikwa said.

Mudarikwa said the Chinese project was welcome in the area as long as investors followed all the necessary procedures.

“As the people of Uzumba, we do welcome the development. In this case, the Chinese company disregarded some sections in the Mines and Minerals Act, but things have to be done properly,” Mudarikwa said.

Uzumba is traditionally known as a Zanu-PF stronghold.

At the weekend, President Emmerson Mnangagwa told Zanu-PF supporters in the district that no investor would be allowed to chase away villagers from their ancestral lands.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s electricity grid collapsed Tuesday plunging most parts of the country into a blackout and worsening the already dire supply situation.

THE Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) confirmed the grid collapse in a statement saying it was caused by refurbishments at the Kariba Dam which resulted in three units being taken out.

ZESA Holdings would like to advise its valued customers countrywide that there is an increase in load shedding outside the publicised schedules due to the refurbishment works on the Kariba Dam wall,” the power utility said.

“The refurbishment works have resulted in the taking out of 3 units at Kariba South Hydro Power Station today, 14th December2021. The power utility further advises that this has resulted in depressed generation, resulting in an increase in load shedding. Customers are advised to use the available power sparingly to minimise the effects of load shedding,” the statement read.

The decades-old electricity problem is a striking example of Zimbabwe’s deep-economic crisis, underlined by corruption, waste of public money, mismanagement and failure to reform.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is investigating a robbery case in which a motorist was robbed of his Honda CRV vehicle by two men he had offered a lift to Southlea Park. Pindula News presents a police statement on the case:

The ZRP is investigating a robbery case that occurred at Marirangwe turn off along Beatrice road, Harare on 13/12/21, where a 48-year-old man lost a Honda CRV vehicle reg number ACV 5783, two cellphones and a wallet containing US$50, after he offered a lift to two men and two women at Boka auction floors on the pretext that they were going to Southlea Park. Anyone with information to contact any nearest Police Station.

Just last week, Pindula News reported on a similar case in which a motorist was robbed of his Toyota Rav 4 by four passengers he picked at Harare Show Grounds on the pretext that they were destined for Kwekwe in the Midlands Province.

Reports of motorists who are being robbed of their vehicles by people they would have offered transport have been on the rise lately which means motorists have to be on high alert.

Full statement by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on the extension of the COVID-19 lockdown by another two weeks.

EXTENSION OF COVID-19 NATIONAL LOCKDOWN

Fellow Zimbabweans,

Over the last two weeks, the nation has experienced a 472% dramatic and exponential increase in new COVID-19 cases, with 28 904 new cases being recorded last week alone, compared to the 5 055 cases the week before.
The last genomic sequencing has linked all the cases to the highly transmissible new Omicron variant.

Though the majority of the positive cases have mild disease, the numbers are very high, and the proportion of the moderate to severe disease is likely to overwhelm our case management capacity, given our acute depletion of specialized human resources in our health institutions.

Consequently, Government extends the current lockdown for a further two weeks, with the following measures in place:

1. Scaling down all Government activities to 30%, except for essential services;

2. Commuters to wear face masks in both public and private transport settings, coupled with strict law enforcement of this critical public health measure;

3. Hotels and lodges are directed to provide room services to their clients, as opposed to gathering in restaurants and bars without face masks;

4. Businesses that are subject to annual shutdown are encouraged to close early for the festive season, at least by Unity Day 22 December 2021.

5. All those eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, including the booster shot, should be vaccinated.

Meanwhile, members of the public are encouraged to continue adhering to all the recommended public health preventive measures, such as wearing face masks properly, avoiding closed spaces, avoiding crowded gatherings, washing of hands with soap and running water, sanitizing, social distancing and getting vaccinated.

These measures are subject to review after two weeks.

God bless us all,

I thank you.

By A Correspondent- A bus travelling from Cape Town to Zimbabwe, with 101 passengers, was detained close to Polokwane, Limpopo, on Tuesday.

According to transport officials, the bus was overloaded by 40 passengers.

Mike Maringa, Limpopo’s transport and community safety department spokesperson, said traffic officers intercepted the bus just outside Polokwane and impounded it for overloading.

He said:

The bus was carrying over 100 passengers, which is 40 more than it is expected to carry.

The driver/bus owner must arrange alternative transport for the passengers. They will remain at the weighbridge until a relief is sorted.

A week ago, Limpopo’s transport and community safety MEC, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, launched the provincial road safety campaign ahead of the festive season. Said Lerule-Ramakhanya:

We will impound any public transport that does not conform to the rules and discontinue where necessary. Public transport operators must be preoccupied with the safety of their customers ahead of profits.

She said they were expecting national traffic police to descend to the province, to assist with compliance and visibility.

Lerule-Ramakhanya added that the teams from national are expected to be in the province from Tuesday next week until 10 January.

The intervention is premised on reducing fatal accidents on roads that usually go up during festive seasons.-news24

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF supporters in Uzumba constituency have denounced the party for protecting a Chinese company, Heijin’s interests at the expense of local villagers.

The supporters threatened not to vote for the ruling party in the elections expected in 2023 if the government did not stop the Chines company’s operations, which they said would displace nearly 100 families.

Uzumba is Zanu PF’s most robust support base.

The government has since ordered Heijin to stop the mining operations in the district.

However, Simbaneuta Mudarikwa (Uzumba MP Zanu PF) yesterday said those who denounced the ruling party were hired hooligans.
“Those who appeared on those videos saying they would not vote for Zanu PF are not part of us. They are people who were hired by some negative elements. Uzumba belongs to Zanu PF, and our members are disciplined,” Mudarikwa said.
Mudarikwa said the Chinese project was welcome in the area as long as investors followed all the necessary procedures.
“As the people of Uzumba, we do welcome the development. In this case, the Chinese company disregarded some sections in the Mines and Minerals Act, but things have to be done properly,” Mudarikwa said.
Uzumba is traditionally known as a Zanu PF stronghold.
At the weekend, President Emmerson Mnangagwa told Zanu PF supporters in the district that no investor would be allowed to chase away villagers from their ancestral lands.

Newsday

The High Court has pardoned six Zimbabwe National Army members, fired in 2019 for allegedly stealing State property.

The six include Collen Chiba, Charles Mhuri, Bothwell Gorekore, Hillary Mubariki, Democracy Murambadoro and Gibson Madzinga.
Chiba and others had approached the High Court on review after a suitability board had dismissed them even after they were cleared of all wrongdoing by a court martial.
Commander Defence Forces Philip Valerio Sibanda and Defence and War Veterans Minister Oppah Muchingura were cited as respondents.
The six had based their arguments on the view that the decision to discharge them was irregular and un-procedural.
They were charged with theft of State property in terms of the Defence Act [Chapter 11:02] and were brought before a court martial for trial.
A judge advocate (Squadron Leader Timothy Kambudzi) had presided over the six’s trial before clearing the crew claiming the State had failed to prove a prima facie case against them.
However, according to the application, the six claimed they were dismissed without due process.
“The soldiers said that they were neither afforded the opportunity to give evidence nor cross examine witnesses or interrogate documents relied on by the board.
Their case was that they were not heard before they were discharged.
“However, while this may be so, them having been found not guilty of theft, the ZDF Commander could not insist that he was relying on theft and past conduct for the discharge,” ruled Justice Chinamora.
The judge went on to set aside the decision to dismiss the six from duty.
“In the result, the decision of the ZDF Commander discharging the six from ZNA service communicated on February 7, 2019 be and is hereby set aside.
“The six be and hereby reinstated to their positions without loss of benefits.
“The respondents shall pay costs of suit, jointly and severally, the one paying the other to be absolved,” ruled the Judge.

– H Metro

By Farai D Hove | The ZANU PF leader Emerson Mnangagwa has been told by his own uncle that he has to change otherwise he will not cross the 2023 election.

Speaking on video, and using mataphors, Chief Murinye went to the extent of suggesting even approaching the Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander Valerio Sibanda to help. He said:

“Mnangagwa is my nephew, and if he doesn’t listen: you will not cross 2023; we are fed up we are fed up”

He continued saying

“We don’t want this anymore, thieves in Zimbabwe should stop.

“We don’t who wake up to steal every penny from the public, leaving people struggling with hunger.

“ED has got a very good vision but he has thieves surrounding him, I don’t know if we should once again go to the military commander to ask him to repeat what he once did.”

By A Correspondent- Former Warriors striker Tendai Ndoro has talked about his misery at the hands of his South African mistress.

Ndoro, continuing with his claim about regaining sight testimony, said his life was placed in an empty bottle by his ex-lover only identified as Pee.
He disclosed about the misery he underwent under Pee’s mercy during his testimony before Victorious Family Church International congregation at Amai Musodzi Hall in Mbare.
Ndoro was in the company of his expecting wife Rumbidzai Ndoro.
“God is good,” said Ndoro.
“I want to let you know that my twin brother based in Botswana sent a message to me some minutes after last Sunday church service.
“He shocked me about sad news that my ex-lover, known as Pee, collapsed and died.
“Death of a person is not good at all but the life I went through under Pee’s mercy was unbearable.
“Akaisa hupenyu hwangu mubhodhoro zvekuti handichadi zvangu kutaura zvakawanda nezvazvo.
“I have given my heart to God, I recovered my sight, I can now see people and continue to thank my cousin for leading me to Prophet Jose.
“Being a celebrity or not, I have come to understand that there is God in heaven with abundant love and full of mercy.
“I will not cease in praying, my life had been shattered but I am now alive,” said Ndoro.
Ndoro’s testimony attracted a number of his followers who graced the church service to witness what they have read about him, in the press.
One of the fans testified before the congregation that her visit at the place of worship was inspired by Ndoro’s story.
“I read about Tendai Ndoro’s story in H-Metro and have come to see if his utterances were true that he has given his life to God,” she said.
“I used to follow his footballer carrier and read about his losing of sight and was affected.
“Ndine kukereke kwandinoenda asi nhasi ndauya kuzowona munana wakaitwa pana Tendai Ndoro,” she said.
Ndoro claimed Prophet Kudakwashe Jose delivered him during a prayer in a mountain where he recovered his sight. H Metro