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

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police said they had arrested 77 396 people for cross border offences.

ZRP said 62 739 have also been arrested for illegal mining operations.

On their Twitter page police said on December 12 a total of 427 people were arrested for cross border offences while 130 were arrested for illegal mine operations.

Police in January launched operation “no to cross border crimes/mhosva pamiganhu ngadzipere/ amacala kawaphele emingceleni elizwe” in a bid to curb criminal activities occurring at the borders.

Police also launched operation “isitsheketsha kasiphele/chikorokoza ngachipere and no to machete gangs”.
“On 12 December 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.

“Meanwhile 130 people were arrested under the operation “chikorokoza ngachipere/isitsheketsha kasiphele and no to machete gangs” bringing the accumulative arrests to 62 739,” said the police.

By A Correspondent- The opposition MDC Alliance (MDC-A) has challenged the Government to transparency in the rollout of the electronic passport (e-passport).

In a statement Tuesday, MDC Alliance national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere accused the Government of introducing the e-passport in a manner that violates the principles of administrative justice.

Said Mahere:
The MDC Alliance is 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.
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.
According to Statutory Instrument 273 of 2021, the ordinary e-passport will cost US$100 while an emergency or express e-passport will cost US$200.

The SI also stated that a nominal fee of US$20 shall be charged for every passport application fee processed at any CBZ Bank Branch Countrywide.
Mahere criticised the monopolisation of the collection of passport application fees by the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe which she said is “associated with the regime”. She said:

We further take issue with the fact that a bank associated with the regime 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.
These contradictory messages are clumsy and unacceptable. The policy confusion betrayed in this regard is not only grossly unreasonable but erodes the already depleted trust the people have in the system.
Certainty, efficiency and rational decision-making are core tenets of good governance that the Constitution obliges public officials to adhere to.

Mahere reminded the Government that the law binds it to consult stakeholders before launching basic public services widely.

She added:
We urge the regime in Harare to conduct wide consultations with stakeholders as required by law before the rollout of basic public services and to ensure that corrupt practices are investigated and eradicated.
Under an MDC Alliance Govt, the welfare and best interests of the people will return to all administrative decision making.

By A Correspondent- Two people, including epileptic patients, died in two separate drowning incidents in Mutasa and Makoni districts over the weekend.

In the first incident in Musakwa Village in Chief Mutasa’s area on December 10, George Gutu, an epileptic patient, drowned in Nyagumbu River. His body was found floating hours after he had gone missing.

“George was at his father, Vincent Gutu’s homestead where they were preparing supper. George left to collect some firewood in a nearby bush and he did not return. Sensing danger, Vincent went outside to look for him,” said Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka.

Vincent, accompanied by his nephew, conducted a search for George for the whole night, but could not locate him.

His body was found floating in Nyagumbu River the following morning.
In another incident which happened last week on Saturday, Collen Cedrik (12) who was accompanied by his friend, a juvenile, went for swimming in Nyamangura River in Inyati, Chief Makoni’s area and drowned.
His friend went to Chinyudze Business Centre and alerted another 15-year-old juvenile who made a report to police.

-Manica Post

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

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa is a man of wisdom and integrity.

The popular Movement for Democratic Change leader has dismissed claims by his rivals that he does not have a comprehensive political plan.

“WIN BIG, WIN IN SILENCE AND IN STYLE. AND LET THEM THINK YOU HAVE NO PLAN. The future Is exciting!! Have a blessed day friends,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.

MDC Alliance spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi has also pointed out that the unlawful deprivation of the party’s funding by the regime is a futile attempt to decimate the people’s struggle.

“The unlawful deprivation of MDC Alliance funding by the regime is a futile attempt to decimate the main opposition. This won’t stand in the way of our 6 million vote target. We will leave no stone unturned in our quest to garner 6 million votes & win Zimbabwe for change,” Mahere said.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police said they had arrested 62 739 for illegal mining operations and over 70 000 for cross border-related crimes.

On their Twitter page, police said on December 12 a total of 427 people were arrested for cross border offences while 130 were arrested for illegal mine operations.

Police in January launched operation “no to cross border crimes/mhosva pamiganhu ngadzipere/ amacala kawaphele emingceleni elizwe” in a bid to curb criminal activities occurring at the borders.

Police also launched operation “isitsheketsha kasiphele/chikorokoza ngachipere and no to machete gangs”.
“On 12 December 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.

“Meanwhile 130 people were arrested under the operation “chikorokoza ngachipere/isitsheketsha kasiphele and no to machete gangs” bringing the accumulative arrests to 62 739,” said the police.

By A Correspondent- Former Warriors striker Tendai Ndoro yesterday 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

By A Correspondent- The United Kingdom (UK) has removed all 11 African countries from its red list, which severely restricted travel between those states and the UK.

Under the measures which were imposed last month, only British or Irish nationals or those with residency in the UK could re-enter the country.

The UK imposed the draconian measures to slow down the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant that was first detected in South Africa and Botswana.

The restrictions will be lifted at 6 AM (Central African Time) on Wednesday (tomorrow). Speaking in Parliament, UK Health Minster Sajid Javid said:

Now that there is community transmission of Omicron in the UK and Omicron has spread so widely across the country the travel red list is now less effective in slowing the incursion of Omicron from abroad.

Whilst we will maintain our temporary testing measures for international travel we will be removing all 11 countries from the travel red list effective from 4 AM (GMT) tomorrow morning.

The 11 countries are Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

More: BBC Africa

By A Correspondent- A Zanu PF councillor in Gutu has reportedly threatened to withhold food and other Government aid from people who attended the funeral of Nyasha Zhambe, an MDC activist killed by suspected ruling party members last month.

Gutu Ward 24 councillor Mathias Takamira Rashai summoned villagers to a meeting at Mawungwa Township a week after Zhambe was buried.

At the meeting, Rashai allegedly told villagers that he had a list of people who participated at the funeral.

He reportedly said all those who were singing at the funeral or chanting MDC slogans are banished from getting Government aid of any form.

Rashai and two other Zanu PF councillors were present at Zhambe’s burial but refused to give condolence messages although they were listed on the programme.

The Mirror reported sources as saying Rashai also told the gathering that the MDC was banned in the Ward.

Rashai confirmed holding a meeting at Mawungwa but denied allegations that he blacklisted MDC supporters from getting Government aid. Said Rashai:

I don’t know what you are talking about. Bring me the evidence or person who said that.

He is also alleged to have threatened the deceased’s brother Onisimo Zhambe with unspecified action for wearing an MDC T-shirt at the funeral.

But Onisimo told The Mirror that since they (Zanu PF activists) had killed his brother, he was not afraid anymore.

Nyasha Zhambe (48), was assaulted at an illegal roadblock mounted by Zanu PF activists at Mpandawana Growth Point on 14 October 2021.

He was severely injured and admitted to Parirenyatwa Hospital where he died on 24 November.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), is yet to make any arrests even though names of the suspects and the video footage are available.

The local chief, Chief Mawere condemned the callous murder during a speech at the funeral. The traditional leader urged the Government to bring to justice the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

More: The Mirror

By A Correspondent- Controversy ridden tycoon, Kuda Tagwirei, is set for a massive windfall after the government handpicked CBZ Bank, in which he has interests, to monopolistically receive payments for newly introduced electronic passports.

Tagwirei holds 30% stake in the bank which he acquired in 2019.

Under the statutory instrument 273 of 2021, every person shall pay a normal fee of $20 through CBZ bank.

“A normal fee of $20 shall be charged for the application fee through CBZ bank countrywide,” reads the instrument.

With all Zimbabwean passports set to expire in December 2023, the current arrangement will see CBZ harvesting millions of dollars in bank fees.

Zimbabwe has an estimated six million passport holders.

The United Kingdom and the United States last year slapped Tagwirei for his alleged involvement in corrupt deals.

Tagwirei uses his company, Sotic International, to invest in businesses nationally and internationally.

In July, the UK announced an asset freeze and travel ban against the scandal ridden money magnet under its Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime, accusing him of enriching himself through misappropriation and causing untold damages to the Zimbabwean economy.

This follows earlier sanctions by the United States in August 2020 and a July publication by The Sentry that accused him of using complex corporate structures and preferential state treatment to loot the economy.

Tagwirei has vast business empire cutting across numerous sectors, including mining, banking and agriculture .

-NewZimbabwe

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa is a man of wisdom and integrity.

The popular Movement for Democratic Change leader has dismissed claims by his rivals that he does not have a comprehensive political plan.

“WIN BIG, WIN IN SILENCE AND IN STYLE. AND LET THEM THINK YOU HAVE NO PLAN. The future Is exciting!! Have a blessed day friends,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.

MDC Alliance spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi has also pointed out that the unlawful deprivation of the party’s funding by the regime is a futile attempt to decimate the people’s struggle.

“The unlawful deprivation of MDC Alliance funding by the regime is a futile attempt to decimate the main opposition. This won’t stand in the way of our 6 million vote target. We will leave no stone unturned in our quest to garner 6 million votes & win Zimbabwe for change,” Mahere said.

The Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) was on Sunday forced to temporarily suspend toll fees collection after a haulage truck crashed Esigodini tollgate injuring two employees.

The incident plunged the tollgate into darkness as infrastructure was destroyed.

A haulage truck driver who was coming from Gwanda heading to Bulawayo is said to have crashed into the tollgate structure soon after making the payment.

A Chronicle news crew visited the toll plaza yesterday afternoon and observed that
the booth in the Gwanda-Bulawayo Lane had been destroyed.

Zinara employees were yesterday manually collecting the toll fees and putting the
cash in bags.

Computers which they normally use to detect vehicle registration numbers were also
damaged.

There was no electricity as cables were damaged as a result of the accident.

Zinara spokesperson, Mr Tendai Mugabe said the incident occurred just after 9PM.
“It (the haulage truck) arrived at the tollgate and stopped at the toll point where the
driver paid the toll fees.

When he was just about to leave the tollgate, we don’t know what happened he just
accelerated and hit the tolling booth injuring our two cashiers,” said Mr Mugabe.

He said the truck crashed the barriers that protect the booth and in the process
damaged the computers.

“It plunged the whole tolling site into darkness because the accident also affected
electricity cables. We temporarily suspended toll fees collection and resumed
manually later,” said Mr Mugabe.

He said Zinara technicians were on the ground to assess the damage and fix the
problem.

The tollgate is being expanded into a four-way to reduce traffic congestion.

-State Media

By Farai D Hove | It was a robbery but there was a lot of stage managing amid it all.

As the country experiences a spate of continuous armed robberies, legal academic Alex Magaisa has spoken over the sudden backfiring against the parly-looter, Thokozani Khupe who created her own MDC party and stole the political finance money allocated the country’s most popular party President Nelson Chamisa, last year May 2020.

Comementing Tuesday morning, Magaisa said: “The problem with some robberies comes not at the time of stealing but at the stage of managing and sharing the loot.”

The development comes as it was revealed Khupe is currently making overtures to rejoin Chamisa at a time when she is also suing her sudden-nemesis Douglas Mwonzora..

On this Magaisa continued saying: “Some of us said it would end in tears and it’s not surprising that they are now tearing each other apart.

” None of them is entitled to the loot & they’re fighting!”

By A Correspondent- Tempers flared at the Master of the High Court offices yesterday as relatives of the late RGM End Time Message church founder Robert Martin Gumbura haggled over the appointment of an executor for his estate.Gumbura succumbed to COVID-19 in August this year after serving less than five years of his 40-year prison term for raping several female congregants.
The late cleric was serving his jail sentence at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, where he died, leaving behind a vast empire.
The issue pertaining to distribution of his estate was heard by Assistant Master of the High Court only named as Hamandishe, who was told that Gumbura’s 17 widows who were represented by Lovemore Madhuku were in favour of their nephew Chivimbiso Thomas Nyathi as the executor of the estate, while other family members that include the cleric’s brothers and sisters were allegedly in favour of Gumbura’s young brother, Innocent.
Gumbura’s widows appeared in court all dressed in black outfits and dark sunglasses.
They remained calm during the proceedings, while their aunties and the late Gumbura’s brothers spoke in high-pitched voices during the hearing.
Some of Gumbura’s children also came in solidarity with their mothers, and they supported their mothers’ choice of Nyathi as the executor of the estate.
Madhuku said the issue of who would be the executor had caused the hearing to take long to conclude.
“All the wives chose Gumbura’s nephew Chivimbiso Thomas Nyathi, but other relatives were totally against it. They wanted Gumbura’s brother Innocent to be the executor, that’s why the hearing took so long. But the master was very clear that the court has to take into account the views of potential beneficiaries,” Madhuku said.
He added that the next step was for Gumbura’s nephew to be formally appointed as executor of the estate before an advert of the late cleric’s estate will be published to enable debtors and creditors to come forth.
Gumbura’s brother insisted that he was the rightful executor since he played the role of father to the late pastor’s children.
He said he was the one who represented the children during the time his brother was in custody, in marriage ceremonies, and in all processes that required someone to play the father figure.
But Hamandishe told Innocent that the appointment of another executor did not necessarily mean that he would be stripped of his fatherly role.
Madhuku also applauded Gumbura’s official widow for accommodating her co-widows despite the fact that she was the only one who formally wedded the late convict.
Apart from the 17 widows, Gumbura left behind 34 children, an estate comprising a compound that includes a central home, multiple surrounding cottages and a church building.
Gumbura also had 11 houses, a farm, mine and a fleet of 20 vehicles.
He also left behind 18 minor children, with the youngest one aged seven.
He was initially slapped with a 50-year jail term, but 10 years were set aside on condition of good behaviour.
Gumbura was also convicted for possession of pornographic material.
At the time of his death, he was facing another charge of trying to break out of Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.
Newsday

By A Correspondent- The South African government has withdrawn a circular sent to banks that prompted the banks to threaten to close the accounts of Zimbabweans who hold special permits known as Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEPs).

About 200 000 Zimbabweans hold special visas which had allowed them to stay in South Africa since 2009.

On 25 November, South Africa’s Cabinet issued a statement saying the special permits, which expire on 31 December 2021, will not be renewed.

It also announced a 12-month grace period for ZEP holders to apply for other permits that suit their circumstances and threatened to deport those who fail to do so.

However, in an interview on Monday, South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the circular sent to banks was withdrawn because it created confusion.

He said permit holders still have the right to stay in the country for another 12 months and should therefore have access to their accounts.

South Africa’s cabinet resolved to end the exemption program after the governing ANC suffered its worst-ever electoral performance in municipal and national elections.

In the elections held on 1 November, ActionSA, an anti-immigrant party formed by former Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba, won 16% of the votes in the city in its first contest and a large proportion of the ballots in the capital, Pretoria.

More: News24

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said no development act or project is too small or insignificant.

He made the remarks while defending the commissioning of Kudzanai Bus Terminus in Gweru Monday.

His remarks come at the backdrop of criticism from his critics who argue that some of the initiatives the president is commissioning could have been commissioned by his junior lieutenants.

They say he is desperate to be seen as championing development when there is little to show. He said:
We all have a responsibility to play towards building our great country. No act or project is too small or too insignificant; brick by brick, stone upon stone let us arise and build our motherland, in line with Vision 2030.
Bus companies & other transport operators must pick up passengers at designated pick-up &drop-off points, kwete zvekungomira kwese kwese [not waiting for transport from every corner]. A process is presently underway to support SMEs to construct modern bus stops which are safe & convenient for use by our people.
This development is part of efforts to modernise our transport infrastructure. It follows a resolution by my Government, instructing all local authorities to take advantage of the Covid-19 induced lockdown to decongest, renovate and refurbish marketplaces.

The refurbishment of the Kudzanayi Long Distance Bus Terminus in Gweru commenced last year.
The terminus was closed in 2020 for an upgrade after Gweru City Council partnered with a private contractor, Bentach Resources.
It was partially opened in August this year.
The refurbishment followed a 9th Cabinet Resolution for Local Authorities to take advantage of the lockdown to decongest, renovate and refurbish marketplaces.

By A Correspondent- MDC-T co-vice President Thokozani Khupe has approached the courts in a bid to stop party leader Douglas Mwonzora from recalling her from Parliament for demanding to see the party’s meeting minutes.

Khupe, through her lawyers, Monday filed an urgent chamber High Court application in Bulawayo.

Khupe had demanded minutes of the MDC-T National Council meeting held in Harare on 26 November 2021 during which she claims resolutions and recommendations were made to expel her and her allies.

Khupe alleges that some tribal remarks were made during the meeting.

In her court papers, she cites the Movement for Democratic Change, Mwonzora, Morhen Komichi (MDC-T chairperson), Purina Mupariwa (MDC-T Secretary-General), The Speaker of the National Assembly, The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, and the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, in that order, as 1st to 7th respondents.
Meanwhile, Mwonzora has so far denied the allegations that he plots to recall his deputy.

Some reports say Khupe has been having talks with Nelson Chamisa, leader of rival MDC Alliance during which she allegedly proposed that she would like to join the party.
Khupe, who is said has never been fine since her loss of the presidency to Mwonzora at last year’s chaotic congress, denies the allegations.
MDC-T spokesperson, Witness Dube said there were no plans to recall Khupe adding that the party reserves the right to recall individuals who would have joined other parties.

By A Correspondent- South Africa dumped a plan that would have forced about 200 000 Zimbabwean Exemption Permit holders to leave the country.

The Department of Home Affairs gave no reason for withdrawing the cabinet’s Nov. 25 decision to end the permits.

The decision had drawn a chorus of complaints from human rights groups that threatened to mount a court challenge.

They argued that Zimbabweans who have been living in South Africa for more than a decade were going to be sent back to a country with few economic opportunities and high levels of political repression.

The exemption only applied to Zimbabweans who entered South Africa before the arrangement was enacted in 2009.

Sharon Ekambaram, head of the Refugee and Migrant Rights Programme at Lawyers for Human Rights in Johannesburg, welcomed the reversal. Ekambaram said:

It does call for a debate on how we manage movement in the region without infringing on peoples’ human rights and their dignity.

The plan had been to end the permit on December 31 and allow permit-holders to apply for different visas or be deported after 12 months. There are a few other permits they can apply for.

Ekambaram said previously in a letter signed by 46 organizations, that had the plan gone through, the Zimbabwean permit holders’ lives would have been disrupted.

Children were being denied the opportunity to register for school, employers refusing to renew work contracts, and banks denying services or withholding access to accounts. 

More: Business Tech

By A Correspondent- Power struggles involving MDC-T President Douglas Mwonzora and his deputy, Thokozani Khupe have spilt into the courts.

Khupe filed an urgent court application Monday seeking to bar Mwonzora from recalling her from parliament.

Khupe also cited in the court challenge the party’s national chairman Morgen Komichi.

By A Correspondent- Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor John Mangudya said Zimbabwe has a single currency, the Zimbabwe dollar, and there is no currency called RGTS or Nostro.

Responding to Alpha Media Holdings chairman Trevor Ncube on the platform In Conversation with Trevor, Mangudya said the Zimbabwe dollar was the country’s sole currency.

Ncube had asked the central bank chief to shed light on the identity of the local currency since traders use various terms such as EcoCash, Nostro, Swipe, RTGS and bond, among others.

In response, Mangudya said:

Our local currency is called the Zimbabwe dollar. I always meet people who say RTGS, bond note, the local currency in Zimbabwe is called the Zimbabwe dollar

… The confusion comes from the fact that in 2019 when we separated the local currency from the foreign currency, and we had a Statutory Instrument 33 of 2019, we referred to the local currency as the RTGS, and subsequently changed to the local currency called the Zimbabwe dollar.

So there is Nostro, and such because people are perhaps too educated they use all kinds of acronyms.

Asked by Ncube if he was not worried about presiding over an economy where so many acronyms are used, Mangudya said:

It does not worry me, because there is diversity in Zimbabwe.

As long as we speak the same language, I know when they are referring to the RTGS, they are talking about the Zimbabwe dollar.

Maybe from this conversation, we need to change the narrative.

The narrative of our local currency is called the Zimbabwe dollar, and the foreign currency that we are using here, we normally use the US dollar, rand or British pounds, but predominantly in the market there is the US dollar, that is what is being used.

The other currencies can be accepted. There is nothing called Nostro.

Nostro, these are accounts for banks in foreign banks, these are foreign currency accounts.

So, in the foreign currency accounts, we have got foreign currency in those accounts, but we do not have Nostro.

So, people confuse again the term Nostro.

Nostro means our account with you in a foreign bank.

The opposite of Nostro is Vostro, which means their account in our box.

So, the term Nostro, what they are referring to because you still remember we had a virtual US dollar and money that was physical money in the Nostro accounts.

I empathise with the people of Zimbabwe, I empathise with them.

I know what they are referring to.

It does not bother me because I know exactly what they are saying, but for purposes of this conversation, it is local currency, foreign currency accounts and foreign currency.