By A Correspondent- Police have relaunched and intensified an operation code-named, ‘Nyama Yabvepi’ aimed at curbing stock theft activities which have during the past few weeks resulted in most farmers losing cattle and goats countrywide.

Last Friday alone, police managed to arrest about 318 suspects for stock theft and other stock theft-related offences.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests.

“The ZRP has intensified an operation code-named ‘Nyama Yabvepi’, targeting stock-theft and other related offences. On November 5, 2021, 318 arrests were made and of these, eight were for stock theft while 310 were for other offences,” he said.

The developments come after at least 23 cattle and 64 goats have been stolen from different farmers in Hwange, Mhangura and Bindura as stock theft cases increased countrywide.

Some of the stolen cattle have been recovered while others have not.

By A Correspondent- A nurse based at the Angel of Hope Clinic, which is owned by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has been arrested and charged with theft of three COVID-19 test kits worth US$5.

The nurse, Simbarashe Shayanewako (30), on Friday appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi.

The State, led by Anesu Chirenje opposed bail, saying the accused person was a flight risk and could interfere with State witnesses.

Shayanewako’s lawyer Denford Halimani said he was surprised that the State opposed bail on a US$5 case.

Mangosi initially remanded the accused in custody, but later granted him $1 000 bail.

Shayanewako will appear again in court on 30 November.

The complainant in the matter is Bernard Madzima, a medical doctor.

It is alleged that sometime in May 2021, Shayanewako was in charge of medical equipment at the clinic located at State House and stole three COVID-19 test kits.

A police report was filed, leading to Shayanewako’s arrest.

The State alleges that the stolen property was worth US$5 and nothing was recovered.

Zimbabwe is expected to start receiving heavy rainfall from Wednesday (tomorrow) starting with the southern parts of the country.

This was said by Meteorological Services Department (MSD) Senior Meteorologist James Ngoma in an interview with ZBC News on Monday.

Said Ngoma:

It has rather been dry right throughout the country, but on Wednesday we are expecting rains and further spread of the rainfall pattern from southern country covering the whole country, solid rain indeed. We advise people to keep indoors during thunderous periods.

Meanwhile, the country has been experiencing high temperatures over the past couple of weeks and this is expected to continue right into next week, according to MSD.

Health expert Professor Solwayo Ngwenya said members of the public should increase their intake of water and avoid being outdoors as such heat waves are associated with health risks.

He said:

Anyone can be affected by sweltering temperatures; anyone can suffer a heat stroke in such temperatures, although those members of the public suffering from non-communicable diseases can be affected more than others.
Everyone should take shelter and drink plenty of water, more than eight glasses per day.

The sweltering temperatures may also cause extreme dehydration and put many people at risk of deep vein thrombosis, which may result in a sudden and catastrophic collapse.

These temperatures may cause burst tyres, posing a danger to motorists. Motorists must take extreme measures to avoid overheating tyres which can cause road traffic accidents.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF Mashonaland Central WhatApp group has allegedly been invaded by suspected MdC Alliance supporters who are now posting their President Nelson Chamisa’s photos and pornography to disturb smooth flow of the ruling party’s texts.

The ruling party supporters are filled with awe and have been forced to close their once prominent group.

Speaking to a local publication, party supporters said Chamisa was wrecking havoc in the province following his visit.

“Soon after Chamisa visited our province we have been shaken and his supporters allegedly took over our party group and started posting Chamisa’s pictures in a bid to force the closure of group,” said the source.

Chamisa was in Masholand Central since Thursday and that has made the ruling party provincial chairperson Kazembe Kazembe suffer the most after President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s supporters accused him of giving Chamisa free passage in the ZANU PF’s strongest province.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has opened up over long standing allegations that it is hiding behind the State of Disaster Act to renege from implementing by-elections in a number of constituencies in Zimbabwe.

The country has lots of empty parliamentary seats caused by the recalling of MDC Alliance MPs by Thokozani Khupe and later Mwonzora.

In a statement the elections body said,

“ZEC periodically assesses its state of preparedness for all constitutionally mandated electoral process. The Commission works with provisional dates as the actual dates can only be proclaimed by the President.

“By-elections could be proclaimed earlier or later than the set provisional dates. The provisional dates are merely for planning and procurement of election material. The nation should be guided accordingly.”

Commenting on the statement political analyst Pedzisayi Ruhanya said,

“The President is the leader of a political party, a political contestant so using the power of incumbency and the vague nature of the law, he abuses that power to the advantage of ZANU PF. Usually when @ZECzim behaves like this, it would have been informed by discussions in ZANU PF.”

By A Correspondent- A nurse based at the Angel of Hope Clinic, which is owned by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has been arrested and charged with theft of three COVID-19 test kits worth US$5.

The nurse, Simbarashe Shayanewako (30), on Friday appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi.

The State, led by Anesu Chirenje opposed bail, saying the accused person was a flight risk and could interfere with State witnesses.

Shayanewako’s lawyer Denford Halimani said he was surprised that the State opposed bail on a US$5 case.

Mangosi initially remanded the accused in custody, but later granted him $1 000 bail.

Shayanewako will appear again in court on 30 November.

The complainant in the matter is Bernard Madzima, a medical doctor.

It is alleged that sometime in May 2021, Shayanewako was in charge of medical equipment at the clinic located at State House and stole three COVID-19 test kits.

A police report was filed, leading to Shayanewako’s arrest.

The State alleges that the stolen property was worth US$5 and nothing was recovered.

By A Correspondent- The Meteorological Services Department has issued a heatwave warning, saying temperatures are set to further soar today before the country gets rains, starting with isolated thunderstoms in the southern districts from tomorrow.
Members of the public have also been urged to stay indoors and hydrated all the time to avoid health complications.
A heat wave is a period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity, and can range from 28 degrees Celsius.

While definitions vary, a heat wave is usually measured relative to the usual weather in the area and relative to normal temperatures for the season.
In the past days, many areas in Zimbabwe have been recording high temperatures, with the highest being Beitbridge at 45 degrees Celsius.
Meteorological Services Department forecaster Mr James Ngoma said despite the heat, isolated thunderstorms were expected over Matabeleland provinces from tomorrow onwards.
“It was mostly sunny across the country with some isolated thunder showers being recorded in both Matabeleland provinces and Bulawayo Metropolitan where the highest fall was recorded in Kezi (4mm).

“Meanwhile the atmosphere continues to be relatively dry, although a cloud band over Botswana will start feeding in moisture through the western parts of the country which may lead to cooler temperatures on Wednesday,” he said.
Mr Ngoma said the high temperatures were normal for this time of the year, as heavy rains are expected to start falling at any time.
“People should stay indoors during this heat during the peak hours, which start at 10am to 3pm. Children should also be monitored and wear hats when playing.
“Persons in malaria prone areas should take necessary precautions, which include spraying insecticides, applying mosquito repellents and sleeping under mosquito nets,” Mr Ngoma said.
An online weather forecast service called ZIMCAST, predicted that Bulawayo temperatures may reach 40 degrees Celsius today.
“Maximum temperatures expected across Zimbabwe on Tuesday 9 November, 2021: Harare 37, Bulawayo 40, Masvingo 42, Victoria Falls 43, Gweru 42, Mutare 41, Kadoma 44, Kwekwe 43, Beitbridge 42, Kariba 43, Bindura 41, Chipinge 41 and Karoi 38.

“The current heatwave is expected to peak on Tuesday across Zimbabwe and showers are expected to return this week, with some showers expected in the south-west on Tuesday and spreading across the country from Wednesday into the weekend,” read the ZIMCAST forecast.
ZIMCAST added that in general, showers that follow such extreme heat are associated with hail and thunderstorms.
The expected rains will be heavy at times, mainly over the weekend, according to ZIMCAST and it is not advisable for anyone to be outdoors during such storms.
“Members of the public should drink plenty of water, stay out of direct sunlight and avoid alcohol, energy drinks, carbonated drinks with sugar and drinks with caffeine.
“They should consider eating light meals and avoid having large meals in one sitting.
“Although temperatures will remain high in Zimbabwe right into next week, showers are expected to return by Wednesday, with rains forecast for most of the country from Wednesday through next weekend.”
Health expert Professor Solwayo Ngwenya said members of the public should increase their intake of water and avoid being outdoors as such heat waves are associated with health risks.
“Anyone can be affected by sweltering temperatures; anyone can suffer a heat stroke in such temperatures, although those members of the public suffering from non-communicable diseases can be affected more than others. Everyone should take shelter and drink plenty of water, more than eight glasses per day,” he said.

“The sweltering temperatures may also cause extreme dehydration and put many people at risk of deep vein thrombosis, which may result in sudden and catastrophic collapse. These temperatures may cause burst tyres, posing a danger to motorists. Motorists must take extreme measures to avoid overheating tyres which can cause road traffic accidents.

By A Correspondent- There was an outcry in Masvingo on Monday after the Zimbabwe Republic Police arrested and detained 40 pupils from Gokomere High School.

The 40 pupils were released after Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights sent its attornies to challenge the arrest of the minors.

Reports indicate that the pupils allegedly went on a rampage destroying the Dining Hall (DH) window panes and the school head Acquanos Mazhunga’s vehicle.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) confirmed that the pupils were released from police detention. ZLHR said:

40 Gokomere College students who were taken from their school premises this morning have now been released following [ZLHR’s] intervention.

The [Officer-in-Charge] advised that if need be they will go after the “ring leaders”. The students were accused of staging a protest at school.

It is not yet clear what the students were protesting against but the incident comes barely a month after pupils at Mashoko Mission High School Bikita District, went berserk and destroyed property including the head, Trynos Mbwirire’s vehicle, prompting the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to deploy the Riot Unit to the school.

The irate pupils reportedly destroyed windowpanes at the classrooms and uprooted carrots from Mbwirire’s garden.

The pupils had several grievances, among them the school’s failure to supply electricity for the past seven days and the unavailability of running water for several weeks.

-Online

By A Correspondent- MDC-Alliance supporters have raised US$47 000 out of the US$120 000 needed to buy the opposition leader Nelson Chamisa an armour-plated vehicle.

This comes after a vehicle that was carrying Chamisa’s aides was badly damaged in an unprovoked attack by ZANU PF supporters in Masvingo Province a few weeks ago.

According to one T Basvi (Mudhara B), who is one of the organisers of the fundraising campaign, through the initiative, the diaspora community of Zimbabwe (and friends) intends to send a clear message of solidarity with Chamisa. He added:

Together as the diaspora community, we felt this is one way we can support the democracy agenda from afar.

… Nelson Chamisa has received countless merciless attacks from the ruling party, aided by the government security sector.

On 11th October 2021, his motor vehicle convoy was ambushed and attacked by a marauding group of the ruling party’s youths, an attack that left his vehicles damaged and many of his aides seriously injured and hospitalized.

The convoy was on its way to engaging the rural communities to understand their issues in the aftermath of the pandemic’s 3rd wave.

As we draw closer to 2023 we foresee a likelihood of increased attacks on him and other aides in the run-up to 2023.

As concerned global citizens, we have come up with this initiative to raise funds for the purchase of an amour plated vehicle as well as security apparel for his safety and security.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ignored the death of Zimbabwe’sZimbabwe’s former envoy to Yugoslavia and Namibia, Ambassador Kennedy Grant Dick Chivanda Manyika, who died last week.

Ambassador Manyika was one of former President Robert Mugabe’sMugabe’s teachers.

He died on November 5 at the age of 99.

He was also an author and a reverend.

Born on September 22, 1922, he graduated as a teacher from Hope Fountain in 1947 and later returned to the teacher training institute as a critic teacher to tutor future teachers, including national hero Dr Eddison Zvobgo.

After Hope Fountain, Ambassador Manyika would, assisted by his wife Rahab, go on to a three-decade award-winning teaching career (1947-1981) including winning the prestigious Secretary’sSecretary’s Bell twice.
He was a leading member of the Rhodesian African Teachers Association, which pressed for better working conditions for African teachers and lobbied for more educational opportunities for Africans before independence.

His political activism saw him banished from teaching in urban schools for organising protests against poor working and living conditions for African workers in the mining town of Selukwe, now Shurugwi, in 1964.
He built neglected and dying rural schools assigned by the Rhodesian government, including Chivizhe and Chakadini in Mashonaland East, Vungu Council School and Munyati in the Midlands, as punishment, into high performing institutions, but would be later expelled to neutralise his influence.
Ambassador Manyika was also a founding member of Zanu in 1963, assigned to canvass for support in the Gweru East area.
He established over 30 party branches in Gweru East, including in Nhema, Mazibiza, Sibolise and Shurugwi.
Ambassador Manyika served for over four decades in various leadership capacities in the Wesleyan Methodist Church established by the British Methodist Church in 1891.
He was among the top lay leaders that fought for and steered the local church to indigenous autonomy from the British Methodist Church in 1977.

The push for indigenisation of the church mirrored the countrywide desires of Africans to run their own affairs. On August 31, 1981, he was elected lay president of the autonomous church, but he was to forgo the appointment as he was invited on the same day by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to train as a diplomat.
He would be re-elected to the same position upon his retirement from diplomatic service in 1991, and again in 1996.
In 1982, he was appointed Zimbabwe’sZimbabwe’s first Ambassador to Yugoslavia, a country which had supported Zimbabwe’sZimbabwe’s liberation struggle and whose leaders had played a critical role in the shaping of European and world history in the 20th century.
During his term of office in Yugoslavia, Ambassador Manyika was involved in negotiations that led to the construction of the then Sheraton Hotel (now Rainbow Towers) by Energo-Project Company, construction of the Zanu PF headquarters, road construction in Manicaland and material for the Zimbabwean and Mozambican military campaign against South Africa sponsored Renamo insurgents in Mozambique.
He also served as Zimbabwe’sZimbabwe’s first ambassador to Namibia.
In 2000, Ambassador Manyika was appointed Special Envoy of the Allied Countries during the DRC conflict to coordinate communication between the governments and Presidents of the respective Allied countries with the Sadc Allied Forces headquarters in Kinshasa.
Ambassador Manyika will be buried on Saturday at Mtapa Cemetery in Gweru.

-State media

By A Correspondent-Doves Funeral Services has finally agreed to re-bury the remains of the late Maxwell Chimwamurombe following the alleged improper burial of the deceased.

According to reports, the late Maxwell Chimwamurombe was swept by the river in Nyanga before his body was retrieved downstream near Mutoko last March.

The body was collected by Doves from Parirenyatwa Hospital, but there was confusion which resulted in morticians putting an empty body bag in his coffin before it was carried to Nyanga for burial.

Maxwell’s body was reportedly mixed with that of a pauper, one Ngoni Rwizi whose body came from an old people’s home and was buried at Granville cemetery (Ku Mbudzi).

In a statement issued by Doves Funeral Services Private Limited and T. Chiturumani of Chiturumani Zvavanoda Law Chambers on behalf of Memory Chimwamurombe and her family on 6 November 2021, the two parties agreed to work together to establish the facts about what transpired. Pindula News is publishing the statement below:

Doves Funeral Services (Private) Limited (“Doves”) and the family of Ms Memory Chimwamurombe have been mutually engaging, in connection with the burial of the late Maxwell Chimwamurombe (“the deceased”) and now wish to jointly issue this public statement.

Following allegations of improper burial of the deceased, Doves and the Chimwamurombe family initiated a discussion, at the family’s rural home in Nyanga, and in Harare, aimed at establishing facts of what transpired in the burial of the deceased.

Both parties have realised that there is need to scientifically establish the truth, regarding the burial of the deceased, and correct any findings of impropriety arising out of the burial process.

The agreed process will entail:

(a) Exhumation of the graves concerned, in compliance with the requirements of the law;

(b) Identification of any remains recovered, either through DNA tests or other means; and,

(c) Re-burial of the deceased, if necessary.

The parties acknowledge that any allegations circulating in the public domain, remain largely unverified, hence the need to expeditiously engage in approved scientific processes, that will bring closure to the family.

Parties commit to mutual engagement in the spirit of oneness and co-operate with each other, to ensure that if the allegations are verified, the deceased will be given a decent and respectful burial, in accordance with the traditional norms and practices of the family/community.

The parties, particularly, the Chimwamurombe family, wish to inform the public that this is an extremely difficult moment for them, and would, therefore, sincerely request the media to afford the parties private space as they walk with Doves through the process of establishing the true facts of what transpired in the burial of the deceased.

The parties acknowledge that this matter is of public interest and, therefore, undertake to jointly inform the nation of any progress in the matter, if necessary, through a duly authorized spokesperson.

Both parties hereby retract all their previous correspondences to each other and published statements against the other.

For the avoidance of doubt and being specific, the Chimwamurombe family hereby retract, and withdraws from the public and reverses the allegations contained in the letter concerning the burial, authored by Chimwamurombe Legal Practice, dated 26 October 2021, and addressed to Doves Holdings.

Similarly, Doves Funeral Services (Pvt) Ltd hereby retract, withdraws and reverses the allegations contained in the letter authored by Mutamangira & Associates Legal Practitioners, dated 28 October 2021, and addressed to Messrs Chimwamurombe Legal Practice.

Wherefore no claims for damages shall arise from the retractions of the published statements from either party or any other party who may have relied on the statements of both or one of the parties.

Further, no party shall institute criminal proceedings or civil claims against the other, or neither shall any party pursue already instituted criminal or civil proceedings, if any, emanating from the engagement of the parties.

Parties are engaged in fact finding and establishing the truth in this matter.

-Online

A Zimbabwean court has ordered Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Hon. Kazembe Kazembe and Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to pay more than ZWL500 000 to two Beitbridge residents who were mauled by police dogs in 2020.

The two Beitbridge residents Edmund Zeyazeya and Benson Tavengwa sued Kazembe and Matanga for damages amounting to ZWL3 million and ZWL1 million after they severely bitten by a police dog on 1 August 2020 at a fuel station in the border town by law enforcement agents, who were enforcing national lockdown regulations.

ZRP officers arrested the duo to cover up for their negligence in handling the police dog and charged them with disorderly conduct in a public place as defined in Section 41 of the Criminal law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Zeyazeya and Tawengwa were offered the option to pay a fine of which they did and they were released on the same day of arrest. Through their lawyer Patrick Tererai of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, they later on challenged the conviction that was made based on the fine which they paid and sought an order for the refund of their money and the order was granted in September 2020.

Aggrieved by the police conduct, the two residents, who suffered severe injuries of varying degrees and had to be detained for a number of days in hospital, filed summons on 4 December 2020 at Beitbridge Magistrates Court demanding payment amounting to ZWL3 million for Zeyazeya and ZWL1 million for Tawengwa as compensation for violation
of their rights.

Lawyers representing ZRP recently agreed to pay ZWL$425 000 to Zeyazeya and ZWL85 000 to Tavengwa as damages arising from the unlawful conduct by ZRP officers.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ignored the death of Zimbabwe’s former envoy to Yugoslavia and Namibia, Ambassador Kennedy Grant Dick Chivanda Manyika, who died last week.

Ambassador Manyika was one of former President Robert Mugabe’s teachers.

He died on November 5 at the age of 99.

He was also an author and a reverend.

Born on September 22, 1922, he graduated as a teacher from Hope Fountain in 1947 and later returned to the teacher training institute as a critic teacher to tutor future teachers, including national hero Dr Eddison Zvobgo.

After Hope Fountain, Ambassador Manyika would, assisted by his wife Rahab, go on to a three-decade award-winning teaching career (1947-1981) including winning the prestigious Secretary’sSecretary’s Bell twice.
He was a leading member of the Rhodesian African Teachers Association, which pressed for better working conditions for African teachers and lobbied for more educational opportunities for Africans before independence.

His political activism saw him banished from teaching in urban schools for organising protests against poor working and living conditions for African workers in the mining town of Selukwe, now Shurugwi, in 1964.
He built neglected and dying rural schools assigned by the Rhodesian government, including Chivizhe and Chakadini in Mashonaland East, Vungu Council School and Munyati in the Midlands, as punishment, into high performing institutions, but would be later expelled to neutralise his influence.
Ambassador Manyika was also a founding member of Zanu in 1963, assigned to canvass for support in the Gweru East area.
He established over 30 party branches in Gweru East, including in Nhema, Mazibiza, Sibolise and Shurugwi.
Ambassador Manyika served for over four decades in various leadership capacities in the Wesleyan Methodist Church established by the British Methodist Church in 1891.
He was among the top lay leaders that fought for and steered the local church to indigenous autonomy from the British Methodist Church in 1977.

The push for indigenisation of the church mirrored the countrywide desires of Africans to run their own affairs. On August 31, 1981, he was elected lay president of the autonomous church, but he was to forgo the appointment as he was invited on the same day by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to train as a diplomat.
He would be re-elected to the same position upon his retirement from diplomatic service in 1991, and again in 1996.
In 1982, he was appointed Zimbabwe’sZimbabwe’s first Ambassador to Yugoslavia, a country which had supported Zimbabwe’sZimbabwe’s liberation struggle and whose leaders had played a critical role in the shaping of European and world history in the 20th century.
During his term of office in Yugoslavia, Ambassador Manyika was involved in negotiations that led to the construction of the then Sheraton Hotel (now Rainbow Towers) by Energo-Project Company, construction of the Zanu PF headquarters, road construction in Manicaland and material for the Zimbabwean and Mozambican military campaign against South Africa sponsored Renamo insurgents in Mozambique.
He also served as Zimbabwe’sZimbabwe’s first ambassador to Namibia.
In 2000, Ambassador Manyika was appointed Special Envoy of the Allied Countries during the DRC conflict to coordinate communication between the governments and Presidents of the respective Allied countries with the Sadc Allied Forces headquarters in Kinshasa.
Ambassador Manyika will be buried on Saturday at Mtapa Cemetery in Gweru.

-State media

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said betrayers’ plans will fall…

President Chamisa, a devout Christian and pastor in his own right, believes God will deliver Zimbabwe from the hands of oppressors.

According to the vibrant leader, change is unstoppable.

He wrote on Twitter:
ALL BETRAYERS’ PLOTS WILL TURN INTO FOOLISHNESS…

And one told David,saying,Ahithophel (David’s former adviser)is among the conspirators with Absalom.And David said,O LORD,I pray thee,turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.2 Sam 15:31 Ahithophel will fall.Blessed Sunday!

THE PEOPLE SHALL GOVERN! Great electricity at #CCC in Mpumalanga South Africa. Excellent leadership!Thank you. A New Great Zimbabwe is loading…

By A Correspondent-Three children, including a toddler, died after eating a packet of noodles on Sunday during a visit to relatives in New Brighton, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed the incident, saying police are investigating an inquest following the deaths of the three children, Sinothando Ngwendu (11), Olwam Ngwendu (7), and four-month-old Athenkosi Ngwendu.

Sinothando Ngwendu is a cousin to Olwam and Athenkosi Ngwendu. Said Naidu:

It is alleged that on Saturday, 6 November 2021, the three children accompanied their grandparents on a visit to relatives in New Brighton.

The children stayed over and on Sunday, the 11-year-old girl went to the shop and bought a packet of noodles.

It is believed the girl cooked the packet of noodles and the children ate it before leaving to go back to Motherwell.

Naidu said all three children allegedly ate from the same packet of noodles. She said:

When the children arrived home in Motherwell, Sinothando complained of feeling nauseous. Her grandmother gave her some water to drink.

Olwam also complained of stomach cramps and nausea. While being driven with private transport to the Motherwell clinic, they passed away.

She said the shortly after Sinothando and Olwam were taken to the hospital, the baby also passed away while en route to a hospital in another vehicle.

A post mortem will be conducted to establish the exact cause of their deaths.

More: The South African

By A Correspondent-Passengers escaped death yesterday when a bus caught fire near Harare’s Central Business District.
More than 70 passengers escaped through the door and windows leaving their belongings to burn to ashes. The bus belonging to Abisha Tours was reported to have developed a mechanical fault.
It was destined for Zimre Park. Affected passengers made sure the bus conductor returned their bus fares. The conductor had a torrid time with some passengers claiming to have left their tickets in the bus.
One of the passengers Nyasha Chiusilo told H-Metro that he escaped through the window leaving his borrowed keyboard burning.
“I lost a keyboard which I borrowed from one of my relatives in Shamva,” said Chiusilo.
“I escaped through the window and I am now worried about the keyboard,” he said.
The bus driver refused to entertain H-Metro saying he was yet to come to terms with what had transpired.

• H Metro

By A Correspondent-Doves Funeral Services has finally agreed to re-bury the remains of the late Maxwell Chimwamurombe following the alleged improper burial of the deceased.

According to reports, the late Maxwell Chimwamurombe was swept by the river in Nyanga before his body was retrieved downstream near Mutoko last March.

The body was collected by Doves from Parirenyatwa Hospital, but there was confusion which resulted in morticians putting an empty body bag in his coffin before it was carried to Nyanga for burial.

Maxwell’s body was reportedly mixed with that of a pauper, one Ngoni Rwizi whose body came from an old people’s home and was buried at Granville cemetery (Ku Mbudzi).

In a statement issued by Doves Funeral Services Private Limited and T. Chiturumani of Chiturumani Zvavanoda Law Chambers on behalf of Memory Chimwamurombe and her family on 6 November 2021, the two parties agreed to work together to establish the facts about what transpired. Pindula News is publishing the statement below:

Doves Funeral Services (Private) Limited (“Doves”) and the family of Ms Memory Chimwamurombe have been mutually engaging, in connection with the burial of the late Maxwell Chimwamurombe (“the deceased”) and now wish to jointly issue this public statement.

Following allegations of improper burial of the deceased, Doves and the Chimwamurombe family initiated a discussion, at the family’s rural home in Nyanga, and in Harare, aimed at establishing facts of what transpired in the burial of the deceased.

Both parties have realised that there is need to scientifically establish the truth, regarding the burial of the deceased, and correct any findings of impropriety arising out of the burial process.

The agreed process will entail:

(a) Exhumation of the graves concerned, in compliance with the requirements of the law;

(b) Identification of any remains recovered, either through DNA tests or other means; and,

(c) Re-burial of the deceased, if necessary.

The parties acknowledge that any allegations circulating in the public domain, remain largely unverified, hence the need to expeditiously engage in approved scientific processes, that will bring closure to the family.

Parties commit to mutual engagement in the spirit of oneness and co-operate with each other, to ensure that if the allegations are verified, the deceased will be given a decent and respectful burial, in accordance with the traditional norms and practices of the family/community.

The parties, particularly, the Chimwamurombe family, wish to inform the public that this is an extremely difficult moment for them, and would, therefore, sincerely request the media to afford the parties private space as they walk with Doves through the process of establishing the true facts of what transpired in the burial of the deceased.

The parties acknowledge that this matter is of public interest and, therefore, undertake to jointly inform the nation of any progress in the matter, if necessary, through a duly authorized spokesperson.

Both parties hereby retract all their previous correspondences to each other and published statements against the other.

For the avoidance of doubt and being specific, the Chimwamurombe family hereby retract, and withdraws from the public and reverses the allegations contained in the letter concerning the burial, authored by Chimwamurombe Legal Practice, dated 26 October 2021, and addressed to Doves Holdings.

Similarly, Doves Funeral Services (Pvt) Ltd hereby retract, withdraws and reverses the allegations contained in the letter authored by Mutamangira & Associates Legal Practitioners, dated 28 October 2021, and addressed to Messrs Chimwamurombe Legal Practice.

Wherefore no claims for damages shall arise from the retractions of the published statements from either party or any other party who may have relied on the statements of both or one of the parties.

Further, no party shall institute criminal proceedings or civil claims against the other, or neither shall any party pursue already instituted criminal or civil proceedings, if any, emanating from the engagement of the parties.

Parties are engaged in fact finding and establishing the truth in this matter.

-Online

By A Correspondent- Over 10 000 people who fell prey to fly-by-night pyramid schemes within the last year have filed police reports across the country after being swindled of over US$30 million by scammers, who snatched the cash and skipped the border.
Gullibility has seen families selling houses, vehicles and other properties to invest in pyramid schemes, an old trick used by scammers as far back as the 1920s.

Some marriages collapsed after the scammers vanished with the money, while others have ended up committing suicide since mid-last year.
In some cases, family ties broke down because people invested using funds that were sent from relatives in the Diaspora for other needs.
A pyramid scheme is an illegal and fraudulent investment based on a hierarchical set of network marketing.
New recruits make up the base of the pyramid and provide the funding for so-called returns to the earlier investors or recruits structured above them in the scheme.

A pyramid collapses once the entity running the scheme is unable to sustain itself by failing to attract enough new investors to pay off earlier investors.
In fact the collapse is automatic since the schemes require a growing number of new recruits at each level, usually a significant multiple of the number in the previous level.
While in theory the scheme can continue until the next level requires more people than live on the planet, all obviously collapse long before that point is reached.
Once a pyramid scheme becomes popular, they attract the attention of regulatory authorities such as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, which regulates deposit takers, and investigations are opened.
Since they are normally not registered under the laws of the country, the founders abruptly shut-down business and disappear to other countries with investors’ money.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police have since last year handled 892 cases across the country that involve pyramid schemes.

“At least 10 000 complainants reportedly lost over US$30 million between them. We have handled some 892 such cases involving thousands of complainants. The scammers quickly disappear after swindling the unsuspecting investors.
“Millions of dollars were lost, some lost houses while others committed suicide upon discovering they would have been duped. We have handled suicide cases related to Ponzi schemes,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
He warned people against such schemes.
“As police, urge people to desist from such dubious investments. Ponzi schemes start with lucrative interest rates but at the end the investors will lose. People must not be that gullible and they should shun such illegal schemes,” he said.
In some cases, Asst Comm Nyathi said, the scammers create WhatsApp groups where the administrators and other agents are paid handsomely to be able to entice and convince more investors.
According to statistics from the police, at least 2 000 people reported Beven Capital for fraud involving US$17 823 000 and the chief suspects are still on the run.
Some small fish were picked up by the police but a manhunt is still on to arrest the organisers, who are believed to be outside Zimbabwe.
Some 43 people were left counting their losses after Bitcoin Interchange Zimbabwe Private Limited, represented by someone calling himself Paradzai Muchenga, swindled them of US$765 935.

Delight Credit is also under investigation after 500 people lost US$100 000 in an illegal investment scheme recently.
Elamante Global, which is led by Benson Ngwerume, allegedly swindled about 2 163 people of US$80 000 plus R150 000.
Police also handled a case in which Manifest Global Marketing is accused of swindling 902 people of US$1 500 000.
Some 400 people filed criminal reports against Crypto Shares, run by Martin Mhlanga (aka Boss Martin) after losing almost US$1 million in a pyramid scheme.
Six hundred people who invested US$843 000 in a scheme run by Eaul Peter Capital, a scheme run by Silas Chimuka, also reported their cases to the police and investigations are still in progress.
Another scheme known as Mudzimai Akarongeka, run by Gladys Nemhara reportedly swindled 43 people of US$23 330.

KDW Investments which operated along Borrowdale Road in Harare is also under investigations for allegedly defrauding 1 590 people of US$192 000 while Cryptal Shares allegedly swindled five people of US$5 000.
Police are also handling a case in which May Investments, run by Kelvin Nashe and John Murangari, reportedly swindled two people of US$3 400.
Beyond Credit, another entity under investigation, allegedly defrauded 16 people of US$24 500.

-State media

By A Correspondent-Doves Funeral Services has finally agreed to re-bury the remains of the late Maxwell Chimwamurombe following the alleged improper burial of the deceased.

According to reports, the late Maxwell Chimwamurombe was swept by the river in Nyanga before his body was retrieved downstream near Mutoko last March.

The body was collected by Doves from Parirenyatwa Hospital, but there was confusion which resulted in morticians putting an empty body bag in his coffin before it was carried to Nyanga for burial.

Maxwell’s body was reportedly mixed with that of a pauper, one Ngoni Rwizi whose body came from an old people’s home and was buried at Granville cemetery (Ku Mbudzi).

In a statement issued by Doves Funeral Services Private Limited and T. Chiturumani of Chiturumani Zvavanoda Law Chambers on behalf of Memory Chimwamurombe and her family on 6 November 2021, the two parties agreed to work together to establish the facts about what transpired. Pindula News is publishing the statement below:

Doves Funeral Services (Private) Limited (“Doves”) and the family of Ms Memory Chimwamurombe have been mutually engaging, in connection with the burial of the late Maxwell Chimwamurombe (“the deceased”) and now wish to jointly issue this public statement.

Following allegations of improper burial of the deceased, Doves and the Chimwamurombe family initiated a discussion, at the family’s rural home in Nyanga, and in Harare, aimed at establishing facts of what transpired in the burial of the deceased.

Both parties have realised that there is need to scientifically establish the truth, regarding the burial of the deceased, and correct any findings of impropriety arising out of the burial process.

The agreed process will entail:

(a) Exhumation of the graves concerned, in compliance with the requirements of the law;

(b) Identification of any remains recovered, either through DNA tests or other means; and,

(c) Re-burial of the deceased, if necessary.

The parties acknowledge that any allegations circulating in the public domain, remain largely unverified, hence the need to expeditiously engage in approved scientific processes, that will bring closure to the family.

Parties commit to mutual engagement in the spirit of oneness and co-operate with each other, to ensure that if the allegations are verified, the deceased will be given a decent and respectful burial, in accordance with the traditional norms and practices of the family/community.

The parties, particularly, the Chimwamurombe family, wish to inform the public that this is an extremely difficult moment for them, and would, therefore, sincerely request the media to afford the parties private space as they walk with Doves through the process of establishing the true facts of what transpired in the burial of the deceased.

The parties acknowledge that this matter is of public interest and, therefore, undertake to jointly inform the nation of any progress in the matter, if necessary, through a duly authorized spokesperson.

Both parties hereby retract all their previous correspondences to each other and published statements against the other.

For the avoidance of doubt and being specific, the Chimwamurombe family hereby retract, and withdraws from the public and reverses the allegations contained in the letter concerning the burial, authored by Chimwamurombe Legal Practice, dated 26 October 2021, and addressed to Doves Holdings.

Similarly, Doves Funeral Services (Pvt) Ltd hereby retract, withdraws and reverses the allegations contained in the letter authored by Mutamangira & Associates Legal Practitioners, dated 28 October 2021, and addressed to Messrs Chimwamurombe Legal Practice.

Wherefore no claims for damages shall arise from the retractions of the published statements from either party or any other party who may have relied on the statements of both or one of the parties.

Further, no party shall institute criminal proceedings or civil claims against the other, or neither shall any party pursue already instituted criminal or civil proceedings, if any, emanating from the engagement of the parties.

Parties are engaged in fact finding and establishing the truth in this matter.

-Online

By A Correspondent | There was a very long funeral song during Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Galla function that went rambling for more than 10 minutes, non stop.

Fueling the mystery, there was no sight of the ZANU PF leader during the dirge (attended by Information Secretary Nick Mangwana’s wife, Priscilla). The do, had been organised as a party celebrating him.

A dirge is a mournful song composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person.

With no explanation, the small crowd of ZANU PF members continued singing:

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Hatina Musha Panyika
Hatifare kuva pano
Zvinofadza mweya yedu
Kutsvaga Musha unouya
Kutsvaga musha unouyaHatina musha panyika
Tinoda musha uri kure
Zita rawo iZion
Unopenya nguva dzose
Unopenya nguva dzoseMusha une runyarararo
Vafambi vachazorora
Daindine mapapiro
Ndaiuya ndizorore
Ndaiuya ndizororeNdaiuya ndizorore
Ndaiuya ndizorore x2Mweya wangu chinyarara
Mwari anoziva nguva
Ndichaita sekuda kwake
Iye wondipa zororo
Iye wondipa zororo.Iye wondipa zororo
Iye wondipa zororo.

All this happened during Mnangagwa’s Galla function at the Trades Hall Glasgow which his own 100 strong delegate group bunked. There were only 29 people inside, whose singing went on from loud, to complete discord.

During the 3 days running, Scottish Police were seen protecting protesters instead of the abusive Mnangagwa in a twist, and Film Director and activist Silvano’s Mudzvova told ZimEye, the building’s Trustees announced that Mnangagwa was no longer coming.

Commenting, government spokesperson Nick Mangwana described his trip as “a very successful trip.”

He ended his comment by saying in Shona, “Apa hapana chakaipa hapo!”

The Diaspora gave His Excellency resounding welcome. Tomorrow, welcome home Your Excellency from a very successful trip. Apa hapana chakaipa hapo! pic.twitter.com/5ItqVDrMSi

— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) November 3, 2021

Contacted for a comment, ZANU PF leadership claimed saying Mnangagwa was never meant to attend. Advert material however was clear that it was Mnangagwa’s Galla, and many of his own attendants told ZimEye, they were disappointed that the ZANU PF leader is no longer coming. WATCH THE UNFOLDING DRAMATIC EVENTS HERE.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said betrayers’ plans will fall…

President Chamisa, a devout Christian and pastor in his own right, believes God will deliver Zimbabwe from the hands of oppressors.

According to the vibrant leader, change is unstoppable.

He wrote on Twitter:
ALL BETRAYERS’ PLOTS WILL TURN INTO FOOLISHNESS…

And one told David,saying,Ahithophel (David’s former adviser)is among the conspirators with Absalom.And David said,O LORD,I pray thee,turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.2 Sam 15:31 Ahithophel will fall.Blessed Sunday!

THE PEOPLE SHALL GOVERN! Great electricity at #CCC in Mpumalanga South Africa. Excellent leadership!Thank you. A New Great Zimbabwe is loading…

Forty Gokomere High School students have been arrested for malicious damage to property after they allegedly destroyed dining hall window panes at the Roman Catholic-run institution.

The riotous students are also accused of attacking two police officers who had been called to investigate theft of food items from the high school dining hall.

According to sources the students also went on a rampage and damaged school head Mr
Aquanos Mazhunga’s vehicle.

More police re-enforcements were then called to bring the situation under control leading
to the arrest of the 40 students.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa referred all the
questions to national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who said he was attending a meeting and would comment later.

The arrest of the riotous students follows another riot by learners at Mashoko High School
in Bikita two weeks ago who also went on a rampage until police were called in to contain
the situation.

-State Media

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said betrayers’ plans will fall…

President Chamisa, a devout Christian and pastor in his own right, believes God will deliver Zimbabwe from the hands of oppressors.

According to the vibrant leader, change is unstoppable.

He wrote on Twitter:
ALL BETRAYERS’ PLOTS WILL TURN INTO FOOLISHNESS…

And one told David,saying,Ahithophel (David’s former adviser)is among the conspirators with Absalom.And David said,O LORD,I pray thee,turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.2 Sam 15:31 Ahithophel will fall.Blessed Sunday!

THE PEOPLE SHALL GOVERN! Great electricity at #CCC in Mpumalanga South Africa. Excellent leadership!Thank you. A New Great Zimbabwe is loading…

By A Correspondent- Binga villagers who face eviction in Lubimbi to pave way for the Gwayi-Shangani Dam have been assured that eviction will not take place this season as evaluation was still taking place.

This was revealed by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority spokesperson Marjorie Munyonga.

“Zinwa conducted a data capture exercise after marking the dam’s high flood level in 2018. The exercise identified the people and infrastructure such as powerlines and roads that were within the high flood level zone and needed to be relocated,” Munyonga said.

“The information was forwarded to the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and Local Government ministries, which are the relevant ministries for the relocation of affected people.”

She said the dam would not start impounding water this season.

“The two ministries have since deployed their teams, which are on the ground evaluating the number of homesteads, roads, powerlines, schools and other properties that fall within the high flood level in preparation for the relocation and the rerouting of roads and powerlines.

“The dam is, however, not expected to start impounding water this season and has two openings at the bottom, each measuring 5m widex8m high to let the floods pass through the dam, hence there is no risk of people being affected by floods should the rainy season start.”

The construction of the dam is set to displace around 2 000 villagers from Lubimbi in Binga.

Last week, Binga villagers said they had identified suitable land for their resettlement in the Nakanono area.

Government recently carried out an assessment of the value of the properties that are likely to be affected by the expansion of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam in Lubimbi with a view to compensate the villagers in United States dollars.

Commissioning of phase one of the project is supposed to take place in December, and thereafter the villagers will be relocated.

The Gwayi-Shangani project is expected to supply water to Bulawayo.-statemedia

As Madhuku says the President was given absolute immunity…

President Emmerson Mnangagwa can be sued as he is not immune to court proceedings and has to respond to any lawsuit challenging his legitimacy as the Zanu PF leader, law experts said yesterday.

Mnangagwa is trying to dodge being arraigned before the courts after a Zanu PF party member, Sybeth Musengezi, last month challenged his ascendancy to the top party post in November 2017 when he had been fired in government and in Zanu PF by the late former President and party leader Robert Mugabe.

In an opposing affidavit to Musengezi’s High Court application last week, Mnangagwa’s lawyers argued that he was not liable to judicial proceedings in terms of section 98 of the national charter.

Section 98(1) of the Constitution states: “While in office, the President is not liable to civil or criminal proceedings in any court for things done or omitted to be done in his or her personal capacity.

The Constitution further states in section 98(2) that, “Civil or criminal proceedings may be instituted against a former President for things done and omitted to be done before he or she became President or while he or she was President.”

Constitutional law expert and political analyst Alex Magaisa yesterday said Mnangagwa did not have such immunity as the institution of “Presidency” was different from the party Zanu PF as an institution.

He said the issues cited by Mnangagwa that he was immune from prosecution were a “sideshow” that did not affect the fundamentals of the case.

The law expert cited the 2018 High Court case of Elias Mashavira against the MDC-T, in which Nelson Chamisa was declared illegitimate leader of the opposition party, as having set precedence for Musengezi’s application.

“The case does not stand/fall on his (Mnangagwa’s) immunity. Musengezi sued Zanu PF, Mnangagwa and other party officers. Let’s assume for a moment that Mnangagwa’s immunity defence is valid, it doesn’t apply to Zanu PF and the other parties. They must answer the lawsuit and they must decide whether their conduct was lawful.

“The outcome will still be consequential upon Mnangagwa. Musengezi is relying on the (Elias) Mashavira case against the MDC-T. Just like Mashavira, Musengezi sued the party and its officers. The Mashavira court directed party officers to correct past irregularities of the party,” Magaisa tweeted yesterday.

He said Musengezi’s case should order Zanu PF as a party to correct the irregularities.

“Likewise, the decision that the courts make in the Musengezi case must primarily focus on the conduct of the party at the relevant time, and if it finds that there were irregularities, it should order the party’s officers to carry out their mandates to correct the irregularities. They will have a hard time distinguishing the Musengezi case from the Mashavira precedent without looking silly and partial.

“Mashavira waited years before making his challenge and the court allowed him, although he had not exhausted internal remedies in the MDC-T. It cannot now turn around and say Musengezi should have exhausted internal remedies in Zanu PF before approaching the courts without sounding stupid,” Magaisa said.

Another lawyer, Tawanda Mapuranga, said even though the Constitution had provisions of the President’s immunity, it did not change the nature of the application before the courts.

“Section 98(1) does not mean everything that it says. It has some exceptions. Immunity does not apply on election petitions, for instance, because he would be an election candidate. In this case, Musengezi’s case does not seek relief against Mnangagwa in his official capacity as the President of Zimbabwe,” he said.

“The court can render judgment on the case without Mnangagwa being sued. If he has immunity, he can be removed and the rest of the respondents can respond to the matter, and then it can be decided without him.”

But constitutional law expert Lovemore Madhuku said there was no chance for the court to rule that Mnangagwa was not immune.

“Section 98(1) states that while in office, a President is not liable to civil or criminal proceedings in any court for things done or omitted in his or her personal capacity. There is no chance for the court to give a different interpretation of section 98,” he said.

“The question, which may arise is, what is meant by his personal capacity. But then, according to the constitutional provision, let’s take for instance, if his wife wants to file for divorce, she cannot do so during the period he is in power. She will have to wait for the President to step down, and then file for proceedings. When the court upholds section 98(1), it will be the collapse of the case.”

Madhuku said, therefore, Musengezi has to wait until Mnangagwa is no longer President to file his application.

“This whole debate is arising because people have a tendency of forgetting about what they voted for. The Constitution was a result of a referendum, which got 94,5% votes. But it is one of the few Constitutions around the world which gives the President such absolute immunity.”

He said this would be a lesson for people that vote for a supreme law that they did not read or understand. -Newsday

By A Correspondent- Beitbridge police have arrested 32 year old Freeman Ndudzo, who is suspected to be part of a gang responsible for a series of armed robberies in the border town.

Ndudzo, of Dulivhadzimo, was found with four pistols believed to be imports from South Africa.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Ndudzo was also in possession of live ammunition.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Freeman Ndudzo (32) on November 5, 2021 by detectives who were pursuing a case of unlawful entry and theft,” Nyathi said.

“On approaching 552 Dulivhadzimo, Beitbridge, police officers found the suspect with a black satchel under the bed.”

He said the satchel contained three other pistols with live bullets. Ndudzo, who also had seven mobile phones and a hunter’s torch, allegedly told police that his firearms were from South Africa.

“The suspect is linked to several robbery cases that occurred in Beitbridge including the purported theft case of R1,2 million reported recently,” Nyathi said.

By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa on Friday evaded roadblocks mounted by suspected Zanu PF supporters and state security agents to meet his party’s supporters in ruling party’s stronghold of Mashonaland Central province.

At some point Chamisa is said to have used a motorbike to travel to Mbire to evade his adversaries.

According to MDC Alliance officials, state security agents and some Zanu PF supporters were trailing Chamisa’s convoy and the opposition leader was forced to abandon it.

Chamisa yesterday refused to comment on how he reached Mbire saying: “It’s a security issue, I cannot discuss that.”

He told MDC Alliance supporters to prepare for the 2023 elections.

“We are imploring you to vote for regime change,” Chamisa said.

“May the youth, churches, business community, village heads and everyone know that it is now time for regime change.

“Very soon we will make Zimbabwe work.”

He promised party supporters that the MDC Alliance would soon adopt a new name after the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T’s threats to use it in future elections.

Chamisa was accompanied by his deputy Tendai Biti and several senior party leaders.

The MDC Alliance leader has visited Masvingo, Mashonaland West and Manicaland where he was met by huge crowds during several stop-overs.

Zanu PF youths and suspected state security agents have tried to stop the opposition’s meetings on several occasions.

In Manicaland, the MDC Alliance said there was an attempt to kill Chamisa after a car he was travelling in was allegedly shot at by people that had been trailing him.

Chamisa, who narrowly lost the disputed 2018 presidential elections to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is expected to face the Zanu PF leader again in the highly-anticipated polls.

There are already fears that the polls would be marred by violence given the rising tension between Zanu PF and the MDC Alliance

Below is a press statement issued by Doves Holdings demanding privacy in the case they are accused of releasing a coffin without the body of the late Maxwell Chimwamurombe, and dumping the body into a pauper’s grave.

BURIAL OF MAXWELL CHIMWAMUROMBE
Doves Funeral Services (Private) Limited (“Doves.) and the family of Ms Memory Chimwamurombe have been mutually engaging, in connection with the burial of the late Maxwell Chimwamurombe (the deceased) and now wish to jointly issue this public staternent.

Following allegations of improper burial of the deceased, Doves and the Chimwamurombe family initiated a discussion, at the family’s rural home in Nyanga, and in Harare, aimed at establishing facts of what transpired in the burial of the deceased.

Both parties have realised that there is need to scientifically establish the truth, regarding the burial of the deceased, and correct any findings of impropriety arising out of the burial process.

The agreed process will entail: (a) Exhumation of the graves concerned, in compliance with the requirements of the law;
(b) Identification of any remains recovered, either through DNA tests or other means; and,
(c) Re-burial of the deceased, if necessary.

The parties acknowledge that any allegations circulating in the public domain, remain largely unverified hence the need to expeditiously engage in approved scientific processes, that will bring closure to the family.

Parties commit to mutual engagement in the spirit of oneness and co-operate with each other, to ensure that if the allegations are verified, the deceased will be given a decent and respectful burial, in accordance with the traditional norms and practices of the family/community.

The parties, particularly, the Chimwamurombe family, wish to inform the public that this is an extremely difficult moment for them, and would, therefore, sincerely request the media to afford the parties private space as they walk with Doves through the process of establishing the true facts of what transpired in the burial of the deceased.

The parties acknowledge that this matter is of public interest and, therefore, undertake to jointly inform the nation of any progress in the matter, if necessary, through a duly authorized spokesperson. Both parties hereby retract all their previous correspondences to each other and published statements against the other.

For the avoidance of doubt and being specific, the Chimwamurombe family hereby retract, and withdraws from the public and reverses the allegations contained in the letter concerning the burial, authored by Chimwamurombe Legal Practice, dated 26 October 2021. and addressed to Doves Holdings.

Similarly, Doves Funeral Services (Pvt) Ltd hereby retract, withdraws and reverses the allegations contained in the letter authored by Mutamangira and Associates Legal Practitioners dated 28 October 2021, and addressed to Messrs Chimwamurombe Legal Practice.

Wherefore no claims for damages shall arise from the retractions of the Published statements from either party or any other party who may have relied on the statements of both or one of the parties. Further, no party shall institute criminal proceedings or civil claims against the other, or neither shall any party pursue already instituted criminal or civil proceedings, if any, emanating from the engagement of the parties.

Parties are engaged in fact finding and establishing the truth in this matter.

Issued by Doves Funeral Services Private Limited and T. Chiturumani of Chiturumani Zvavanoda Law Chambers (infoki,lawchambers.com) on behalf of Memory Chimwamurombe and her family at Harare on this 6th day of November 2021.

By A Correspondent- A 19 year old boy from Pumula South in Bulawayo suffocated while his cousin was hospitalised after they went into a fuel tank to clean it in Kelvin North industrial site on Saturday.

Onesisa Ncube died on the spot while Alpha Mathe (21) was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where he was treated and discharged. Mr Mathe lost consciousness only to recover at the hospital.

Their uncle, Mr Feleki Mathema, a mechanic by profession, told Chronicle that he secured a part time job for the two to clean trucks.

Mr Mathema said as a family of Seventh Day Adventists, they were not working during the day on Saturday and the boys moved on site after 6PM.

He said he had told them not to go inside the fuel tank while cleaning the petrol tankers, but they both did not heed his advice.

Mr Mathema said he received a call at about 8PM to rush to the industrial site as there was an emergency.

“I sped to the scene and upon arriving I found fire brigade vehicles on site. Already my gut was telling me something was wrong. They told me that one of the boys had been rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital. I guess it was a way to get me settled before they then informed me that the other one who is 19 years of age had suffocated inside a fuel tank,” he said.

Mr Mathema said before they went to work, he had emphasised to them not to enter the tank.

He said the petrol tanker driver had initially called him asking if he was going to come and pick the boys up.

“I told him that the contract we had is that when the boys were on the job, the driver is the one who should bring them home. So, he said he asked the boys to come the following day to finish up the job. But they insisted that they wanted just 30 minutes to do the job. Within 45 minutes of receiving the call, my boy was gone,” he said.

Mr Mathema said when Mathe regained consciousness at the hospital he kept asking for Onesisa.

He said yesterday morning they quizzed him on what had really transpired.

“He told us that he was the first one to enter the petrol tanker. But he felt he was suffocating and exited. But Onesisa then laughed at him as weak, and he entered the tank as well and within a few minutes he was suffocating,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the older one was still to recover from the petrol that he had inhaled, he called for help but the person who came refused to go inside the tank. He (Mr Mathe) entered the tank but he was already too weak to lift the boy out. He then requested to be pulled out of the tank. And that is how he survived. He was rushed to the hospital unconscious and had to be put on oxygen on his way.”

Mr Mathema, who seemed to blame himself for the tragic loss of his nephew, kept on reiterating that he had emphasised to them never to go into the tank.

He said he even asked them to do the work yesterday but they insisted on going on Saturday.

“For instance, the person who used to go with Onesisa to clean the trucks on the day, declined to go saying they should postpone it to the following day but he insisted on going on the same day,” he said.

Acting Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Linos Phiri said his team attended the scene after receiving calls at about 8:30PM.

He said when his team arrived Onesisa had already died.

“His body was retrived by one of the firefighters who entered the tank with a full breathing apparatus and removed the body assisted by other crew members. The body was then handed to the police. His friend who was assisting him had already been taken to the hospital,” said Mr Phiri.

He said cleaning of petrol tankers should be done by experienced individuals to avert similar disasters.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A Mvurwi commercial se_x worker has been charged with attempted murder after she allegedly hit a client with a brick during a fight over a mobile phone.

Grace Tirinda allegedly hit Tundo Simwaka on the left ear after he went to her house to collect his mobile phone.

Simwaka became unconscious due to excessive bleeding.

Mashonaland Central deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Naison Dhliwayo said: “He was picked by a passerby who rushed him to Mvurwi hospital before filing a police report.”

Simwaka was referred to Parirenyatwa Hospital as he was now in a comma.

By A Correspondent- Police have impounded buses that were allegedly involved in smuggling at Beitbridge Border Post following a tip-off.

In a statement yesterday, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the buses that were involved in smuggling activities were handed over to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to ensure the appropriate customs and excise laws were applied.

“The listed buses were impounded for suspected smuggling of goods, groceries and passengers without passports who were charged for exit by evasion. Munhenzva bus registration number (F203BF GPV), Lexliner bus (HM 04GC GP), Blue Liner bus (HM 70DD GP), Sable Class bus personalised number plates (TRUE GOD), Charazim Travel bus ABQ 8745, Regional Boundary bus (HN 97FL GP), Nissan Caravan (AEP 4454), Toyota Hiace (AFK 9917), Nissan Caravan (AFD 8084), Nissan Caravan (AFD 7102),” Nyathi said.

He warned bus operators and crews to desist from smuggling activities as this negatively impacted the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nyathi said the police would not hesitate to arrest any members of the security services that were involved in the smuggling.

“We warn bus operators and crew against smuggling and also raising unsubstantiated allegations in order to get sympathy from the public. Bus operators are now posing a security risk with border jumpers, whom they are carrying into the country and with no COVID-19 protocols being followed at all. This militates against government’s quest to fight the pandemic,” he said.

“The police will ensure that the law takes its course without fear or favour. ZRP and other security services will ensure that action is taken on any security service members involved in
corruption.”

Last week, NewsDay reported that bus crews and passengers were stranded along the Beitbridge-Harare Highway after police ordered the buses to go back to the border to be searched by the Department of Customs and Excise.-Newsday

The MDC-T Chairman Morgen Komichi writes on Sunday saying his party has invented a new method to fix the economy.

Komichi said his outfit “has adopted a completely New Strategy to resolve Zimbabwe Economic and Political crises in order to improve the lives of our people.

“National Dialogue is the Strategy. People ‘s LIVES will definitely IMPROVE. No doubt about that!”

By A Correspondent- Three people died while two others were injured when a Fun Cargo vehicle, they were travelling in veered off the road.

Police on their twitter page confirmed the incident which occurred on November 6 at the 287km peg along Bulawayo – Victoria Falls Road.

“The ZRP reports the death of three people and injury of two others, following an accident which occurred at the 287km peg along Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road on 6 November. A Toyota Fun Cargo with five occupants veered off the road after the driver failed to negotiate a curve.

“Two people died on the spot and the other died upon admission at Hwange Colliery Hospital,” said the police.

A Zimbabwean court has ordered Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Hon. Kazembe Kazembe and Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to pay more than ZWL500 000 to two Beitbridge residents who were mauled by police dogs in 2020.

The two Beitbridge residents Edmund Zeyazeya and Benson Tavengwa sued Kazembe and Matanga for damages amounting to ZWL3 million and ZWL1 million after they severely bitten by a police dog on 1 August 2020 at a fuel station in the border town by law enforcement agents, who were enforcing national lockdown regulations.

ZRP officers arrested the duo to cover up for their negligence in handling the police dog and charged them with disorderly conduct in a public place as defined in Section 41 of the Criminal law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Zeyazeya and Tawengwa were offered the option to pay a fine of which they did and they were released on the same day of arrest. Through their lawyer Patrick Tererai of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, they later on challenged the conviction that was made based on the fine which they paid and sought an order for the refund of their money and the order was granted in September 2020.

Aggrieved by the police conduct, the two residents, who suffered severe injuries of varying degrees and had to be detained for a number of days in hospital, filed summons on 4 December 2020 at Beitbridge Magistrates Court demanding payment amounting to ZWL3 million for Zeyazeya and ZWL1 million for Tawengwa as compensation for violation
of their rights.

Lawyers representing ZRP recently agreed to pay ZWL$425 000 to Zeyazeya and ZWL85 000 to Tavengwa as damages arising from the unlawful conduct by ZRP officers.

By A Correspondent| Constitutional law experts Professor Lovemore Madhuku and Dr Alex Magaisa have once again clashed over the interpretation of the constitution.

This follows President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s claim in a High Court affidavit that he is immune to civil and criminal prosecution.

In different comments made to a local daily, Magaisa said Presidential immunity did not apply in the Sybeth Musengezi’s High Court challenge in which he is suing the ruling Zanu PF and its leader for breaching the party constitution when he assumed power post November 2017 coup.

Magaisa said the issues cited by Mnangagwa that he was immune from prosecution were a “sideshow” that did not affect the fundamentals of the case.

He cited the 2018 High Court case of Elias Mashavira against the MDC-T, in which Nelson Chamisa was declared illegitimate leader of the opposition party, as having set precedence for Musengezi’s application.

“The case does not stand/fall on his (Mnangagwa’s) immunity. Musengezi sued Zanu PF, Mnangagwa and other party officers. Let’s assume for a moment that Mnangagwa’s immunity defence is valid, it doesn’t apply to Zanu PF and the other parties. They must answer the lawsuit and they must decide whether their conduct was lawful.

“The outcome will still be consequential upon Mnangagwa. Musengezi is relying on the (Elias) Mashavira case against the MDC-T. Just like Mashavira, Musengezi sued the party and its officers. The Mashavira court directed party officers to correct past irregularities of the party,” said Magaisa.

Magaisa was supported by another law expert Tawanda Mapuranga who said even though the Constitution had provisions of the President’s immunity, it did not change the nature of the application before the courts.

But Madhuku said there was no chance that the High Court would rule that Mnangagwa is not immune.

“Section 98(1) states that while in office, a President is not liable to civil or criminal proceedings in any court for things done or omitted in his or her personal capacity. There is no chance for the court to give a different interpretation of section 98,” he said.

“The question, which may arise is, what is meant by his personal capacity. But then, according to the constitutional provision, let’s take for instance, if his wife wants to file for divorce, she cannot do so during the period he is in power. She will have to wait for the President to step down, and then file for proceedings. When the court upholds section 98(1), it will be the collapse of the case.” said Madhuku.

Madhuku and Magaisa have previously clashed over interpretation of the constitution following the resignation of vice President Kembo Mohadi.

Magaisa said Mnangagwa was supposed to inform Parliament of Mohadi’s resignation but Madhuku shot it down saying since he was a Presidential appointee just like cabinet ministers, there was no need for such.

Madhuku further noted that only when the running clause comes into effect is the President expected to notify Parliament Parliament the resignation of his deputy.

By A Correspondent- The Home Affairs ministry will embark on a countrywide exercise to register eligible voters in preparation for the 2023 general election, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe has said.

He said this while speaking at the official opening of Guruve District Registry, where he promised to open more such offices throughout the country to shorten the distances rural communities travel in order to access national documents.

“The department will soon be embarking on a countrywide exercise to ensure every eligible voter is registered and documented in preparation for the 2023 plebiscite,” Kazembe said.

“This will be done in consultation with the traditional and community leadership. Government attaches great importance to civil registration because it captures accurate data necessary for national development.

“It is a legal requirement that every child be registered within 42 days of birth. A birth certificate is, therefore, an essential legal document for securing recognition of individuals before the law and safeguards their human rights and access to basic social
services.”

Kazembe said some of the challenges faced in the acquisition of registration documents were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which created a backlog in civil registrations.

“The situation is, however, soon going to be corrected through the engagement of a partner, which is set to see the production of passports, identity cards and birth certificates en masse, beginning December 2021,” he said.

“Decentralisation of passport issuance services to districts has begun with Chitungwiza already operational.  Beitbridge and Zvishavane will soon be coming on stream.”

Kazembe said the Guruve registry offices was earmarked for passport issuance, adding that the Registrar-General’s Office had been on mobile registration exercises in disaster prone areas, and reaching out to the San community in Matabeleland South province, and other marginalised areas such as Binga.

“The ceremony today demonstrates government’s commitment to improve on service delivery, which will result in cost saving on transport and reduction on the distances citizens travel to access services,” he said. “Plans are afoot to establish more registry offices to further reduce the distance people travel to access our services.”-NewsdayZimbabwe

By A Correspondent- Former Zanu-PF finance secretary, Ignatius Chombo has ignored a High Court application filed by a Zanu-PF youth, Sybeth Musengezi seeking the nullification of Zanu-PF’s 19th November 2017 special session Central Committee meeting.

At the meeting, President Emmerson Mnangagwa was elected president, but in his court challenge, Musengezi was the process was null and void.

Chombo, Zanu-PF as a party, Mnangagwa, Zanu-PF administration secretary Obert Mpofu, acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa, and former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, are cited as respondents in the court challenge.

Chombo was expected to file his opposing papers before Friday while another respondent in the high profile, Mphoko is left with six days to file his opposing affidavit.

Mpofu and Chinamasa filed their affidavits last Friday.

However, Musengezi’s lawyer, Nqobani Sithole Sunday confirmed with NewZimbabwe.com Chombo had failed to beat the deadline while Mphoko still had a few more days to file his opposing papers.

What it, therefore, means is that those respondents who have failed to file opposing papers are in agreement with our application while those who have defended are not agreeable to the application,” Sithole said.

Following the November 17 2017 military coup which ousted longtime ruler Robert Mugabe from office, Chombo was arrested while Mphoko briefly sought political asylum in Botswana before he come back.

Mphoko was later arrested on charges of criminal abuse of office after he allegedly instructed some junior police officers to release arrested former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) acting chief executive, Moses Juma.

The matter is pending before the courts.

Last month, Chombo was acquitted by a Harare magistrate for several charges he was facing for abuse of public office while he was the Local Government Minister.

Musengezi is arguing the November 2017  Zanu-PF central committee meeting, which appointed Mnangagwa as the party’s president and the first secretary was in violation of the party’s Constitution and, therefore, unlawful and null and void.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa is said to be having sleepless nights over reports that former Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere is working with his senior party members to unseat him.

 This came out after Kasukuwere had been named in court papers as the person behind a recent push to dislodge President Emmerson Mnangagwa from power.

In an affidavit, ZANU PF’s Harare provincial chairperson Goodwills Masimirembwa claimed that Sybeth Musengezi, who challenged Mnangagwa’s ascendancy to power, was planted by Kasukuwere to cause chaos. Masimirembwa said: 

lt is believed, on investigation by the district coordinating committee security that reports to me as chairman of DCC 4 Harare and also acting chairman of the Harare Province, that Applicant was “planted” into the relevant district, without the relevant credentials for political and other reasons by the former secretary for the commissariat Saviour Kasukuwere, with whom he is allegedly related.

Kasukuwere, who was forced into exile during the 2017 coup, is now being touted in some ZANU PF circles as Mnangagwa’s potential replacement in light of intensifying factional wars in the ruling party. 

Mnangagwa wants the High Court to throw out Mausengezi’s application arguing that the challenge will reverse the gains he is making as Zimbabwe’s leader.

In an answering affidavit submitted on his behalf by ZANU PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu, Mnangagwa also wants the court to throw out the application because a sitting president cannot be tried. Mpofu’s affidavit reads in part: 

In this regard, it is common cause that the government led by His Excellency the President ED Mnangagwa has undertaken reforms to the economy through the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (2018-2020) and now the National Development Strategy, which have stabilised the economy, brought inflation down from 837% in June 2020 to 55% presently; it has brought economic growth estimated by the government to be approximately 7,80/0 for 2020-2021, the highest level of growth in Africa and supported by figures from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

It cannot be sensible or convenient for this Honourable court to be invited to upset these national programmes, at the whim of some unknown figure, whose background and credentials are suspect and boarder on factional political interests as alluded to in the supporting affidavits from (Masimirembwa). 

Musengezi, who is represented by lawyer Nqobani Sithole, wants the High Court to declare the November 19, 2017, Zanu PF central committee meeting that confirmed Mnangagwa as acting party president “unlawful and null and void”. 

More: The Standard

By A Correspondent- MORE than 20 armed robbers raided the construction site of businessman Dr Philip Chiyangwa’s multi-million dollar property development of Kirkman Mall in Westlea, Harare, early yesterday morning and got away with building materials worth over US$300 000, in what is believed to be an inside job.
The gang attacked and injured about eight of Dr Chiyangwa’s employees and security guards before loading the roofing sheets, sewer and water pipes, among other materials at the site, into a lorry.

The development is on 5,4 hectares and is nearing completion. It comprises a shopping mall and an industrial and commercial park with units for sale to small and medium enterprises.
The first phase of the development involves premises for TM Pick n Pay, Xmart and Choppies, and is now almost finished.
Dr Chiyangwa has since offered a reward for anyone with information that might lead to the arrest of the culprits involved, who he said were trying to derail development on one of his projects.
“The culprits must be arrested and face the music because what they did was inhumane. Imagine attacking my security guards and employees before tying both their hands with wires.

“As a result most of them were seriously injured and what they did was cruel. I am one of the largest domestic investors in the country and they are derailing me,” he said.
Yesterday, police were still on the ground.
Four of the armed robbers held hostage the employees for over four hours while others in the gang were loading the building materials into an unidentified truck.
One of the employees, Mr Phillimon Mandizvidza, said on Saturday at around 10pm, he heard someone knocking on the door to the room where he was sleeping.
“After the knock, the gang then forcibly opened the door and gained entry into the house before they started manhandling me. They then gagged me with a cloth while a wire was used to tie my hands,” he said.
“The robbers then went on to forcibly open another door to gain entry into a room where the other employees were sleeping. They were also attacked and had both hands tied before being forced to lie facing downwards while at the same time being interrogated.

“We were bundled inside one of these rooms and I could hear some activities taking place outside. I suspect that they had a truck which they used to load their loot before they later drove off,” said Mr Mandizvidza.
Dr Chiyangwa’s son, Brian, said he received a phone call around 2am from one of the builders who resides in Stoneridge Park informing him that all was not well at the mall.
He then alerted officers at Mabelreign Police Station who later rushed to the scene, but the gang had already disappeared into the night.

-State media

By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa last week evaded roadblocks mounted by Zanu PF thugs in Bindura and managed to meet his party’s supporters in the ruling party’s stronghold of Mashonaland Central province.

At some point, Chamisa is said to have used a motorbike to travel to Mbire to evade his adversaries. 

According to MDC Alliance officials, state security agents and some Zanu PF supporters were trailing Chamisa’s convoy and the opposition leader was forced to abandon it.

Chamisa Saturday refused to comment on how he reached Mbire saying: “It’s a security issue, I cannot discuss that.”

His entry into the province reportedly caused friction in the ruling party with the Home Affairs Minister, Kazembe Kazembe, accused of allowing Chamisa safe passage into the province.

Chamisa, a former ICT Minister, told MDC Alliance supporters to prepare for the 2023 elections.

We are imploring you to vote for regime change.

May the youth, churches, business community, village heads and everyone know that it is now time for regime change.

Very soon we will make Zimbabwe work.

He promised party supporters that the MDC Alliance would soon adopt a new name after the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T’s threats to use MDC Alliance in future elections.

Chamisa was accompanied by his deputy Tendai Biti and several senior party leaders.

The MDC Alliance leader has visited Masvingo, Mashonaland West and Manicaland where ZANU PF youths and suspected state security agents have tried to stop the meetings. 

More: The Standard

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s former envoy to Yugoslavia and Namibia, Ambassador Kennedy Grant Dick Chivanda Manyika has died.
He died on November 5 at the age of 99.

Ambassador Manyika was an author, reverend and teacher.
Born on September 22, 1922, he graduated as a teacher from Hope Fountain in 1947 and later returned to the teacher training institute as a critic teacher, to tutor future teachers including former President Robert Mugabe and national hero, Dr Eddison Zvobgo.
After Hope Fountain, Ambassador Manyika would, assisted by his wife Rahab, go on to a three-decade award-winning teaching career (1947-1981) including winning the prestigious Secretary’s Bell twice.
He was a leading member of the Rhodesian African Teachers Association, which pressed for better working conditions for African teachers and lobbied for more educational opportunities for Africans before independence.

His political activism saw him banished from teaching in urban schools for organising protests against poor working and living conditions for African workers in the mining town of Selukwe, now Shurugwi, in 1964.
He built neglected and dying rural schools assigned by the Rhodesian government, including Chivizhe and Chakadini in Mashonaland East, Vungu Council School and Munyati in the Midlands, as punishment, into high performing institutions, but would be later expelled to neutralise his influence.
Ambassador Manyika was also a founding member of Zanu in 1963, assigned to canvass for support in the Gweru East area.
He established over 30 party branches in Gweru East, including in Nhema, Mazibiza, Sibolise and Shurugwi.
Ambassador Manyika served for over four decades in various leadership capacities in the Wesleyan Methodist Church established by the British Methodist Church in 1891.
He was among the top lay leaders that fought for and steered the local church to indigenous autonomy from the British Methodist Church in 1977.

The push for indigenisation of the church mirrored the countrywide desires of Africans to run their own affairs. On August 31, 1981, he was elected lay president of the autonomous church, but he was to forgo the appointment as he was invited on the same day by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to train as a diplomat.
He would be re-elected to the same position upon his retirement from diplomatic service in 1991, and again in 1996.
In 1982, he was appointed Zimbabwe’s first Ambassador to Yugoslavia, a country which had supported Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and whose leaders had played a critical role in the shaping of European and world history in the 20th century.
During his term of office in Yugoslavia, Ambassador Manyika was involved in negotiations that led to the construction of the then Sheraton Hotel (now Rainbow Towers) by Energo-Project Company, construction of the Zanu PF headquarters, road construction in Manicaland and material for the Zimbabwean and Mozambican military campaign against South Africa sponsored Renamo insurgents in Mozambique.
He also served as Zimbabwe’s first ambassador to Namibia.
In 2000, Ambassador Manyika was appointed Special Envoy of the Allied Countries during the DRC conflict to coordinate communication between the governments and Presidents of the respective Allied countries with the Sadc Allied Forces headquarters in Kinshasa.
Ambassador Manyika will be buried on Saturday at Mtapa Cemetery in Gweru.

-State media

As Madhuku says the President was given absolute immunity…

President Emmerson Mnangagwa can be sued as he is not immune to court proceedings and has to respond to any lawsuit challenging his legitimacy as the Zanu PF leader, law experts said yesterday.

Mnangagwa is trying to dodge being arraigned before the courts after a Zanu PF party member, Sybeth Musengezi, last month challenged his ascendancy to the top party post in November 2017 when he had been fired in government and in Zanu PF by the late former President and party leader Robert Mugabe.

In an opposing affidavit to Musengezi’s High Court application last week, Mnangagwa’s lawyers argued that he was not liable to judicial proceedings in terms of section 98 of the national charter.

Section 98(1) of the Constitution states: “While in office, the President is not liable to civil or criminal proceedings in any court for things done or omitted to be done in his or her personal capacity.

The Constitution further states in section 98(2) that, “Civil or criminal proceedings may be instituted against a former President for things done and omitted to be done before he or she became President or while he or she was President.”

Constitutional law expert and political analyst Alex Magaisa yesterday said Mnangagwa did not have such immunity as the institution of “Presidency” was different from the party Zanu PF as an institution.

He said the issues cited by Mnangagwa that he was immune from prosecution were a “sideshow” that did not affect the fundamentals of the case.

The law expert cited the 2018 High Court case of Elias Mashavira against the MDC-T, in which Nelson Chamisa was declared illegitimate leader of the opposition party, as having set precedence for Musengezi’s application.

“The case does not stand/fall on his (Mnangagwa’s) immunity. Musengezi sued Zanu PF, Mnangagwa and other party officers. Let’s assume for a moment that Mnangagwa’s immunity defence is valid, it doesn’t apply to Zanu PF and the other parties. They must answer the lawsuit and they must decide whether their conduct was lawful.

“The outcome will still be consequential upon Mnangagwa. Musengezi is relying on the (Elias) Mashavira case against the MDC-T. Just like Mashavira, Musengezi sued the party and its officers. The Mashavira court directed party officers to correct past irregularities of the party,” Magaisa tweeted yesterday.

He said Musengezi’s case should order Zanu PF as a party to correct the irregularities.

“Likewise, the decision that the courts make in the Musengezi case must primarily focus on the conduct of the party at the relevant time, and if it finds that there were irregularities, it should order the party’s officers to carry out their mandates to correct the irregularities. They will have a hard time distinguishing the Musengezi case from the Mashavira precedent without looking silly and partial.

“Mashavira waited years before making his challenge and the court allowed him, although he had not exhausted internal remedies in the MDC-T. It cannot now turn around and say Musengezi should have exhausted internal remedies in Zanu PF before approaching the courts without sounding stupid,” Magaisa said.

Another lawyer, Tawanda Mapuranga, said even though the Constitution had provisions of the President’s immunity, it did not change the nature of the application before the courts.

“Section 98(1) does not mean everything that it says. It has some exceptions. Immunity does not apply on election petitions, for instance, because he would be an election candidate. In this case, Musengezi’s case does not seek relief against Mnangagwa in his official capacity as the President of Zimbabwe,” he said.

“The court can render judgment on the case without Mnangagwa being sued. If he has immunity, he can be removed and the rest of the respondents can respond to the matter, and then it can be decided without him.”

But constitutional law expert Lovemore Madhuku said there was no chance for the court to rule that Mnangagwa was not immune.

“Section 98(1) states that while in office, a President is not liable to civil or criminal proceedings in any court for things done or omitted in his or her personal capacity. There is no chance for the court to give a different interpretation of section 98,” he said.

“The question, which may arise is, what is meant by his personal capacity. But then, according to the constitutional provision, let’s take for instance, if his wife wants to file for divorce, she cannot do so during the period he is in power. She will have to wait for the President to step down, and then file for proceedings. When the court upholds section 98(1), it will be the collapse of the case.”

Madhuku said, therefore, Musengezi has to wait until Mnangagwa is no longer President to file his application.

“This whole debate is arising because people have a tendency of forgetting about what they voted for. The Constitution was a result of a referendum, which got 94,5% votes. But it is one of the few Constitutions around the world which gives the President such absolute immunity.”

He said this would be a lesson for people that vote for a supreme law that they did not read or understand. -Newsday

By A Correspondent- Three people died while two others were injured when a Fun Cargo vehicle they were travelling in veered off the road on Saturday.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the accident that happened along Bulawayo- Victoria Falls Road.

Read the statement:
The ZRP reports the death of three people and the injury of two others following a fatal RTA, which occurred at the 287km peg along Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Rd on 06/11/21. A Toyota Fun Cargo with five occupants veered off the road after the driver failed to negotiate a curve.
Two people died on the spot, and the other died upon admission at Hwange Colliery Hospital. The two injured victims are still admitted to Hospital.

Tinashe Sambiri| Fearless MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has fired a broadside at Emmerson Mnangagwa saying the Zanu PF leader cannot even charm his wife.

Hon Sikhala has dismissed claims by some sections of the media that Mnangagwa charmed world leaders at the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

The vocal politician described Mnangagwa as a dull leader.

“Some propaganda by ZANU PF tabloids make them appear foolish to everyone.

How would Mnangagwa be able to charm world leaders when he is not able to charm himself or his wife.

Zvimwe zvinhu zvacho so zvinotaridza kurwara kwehuropi chaiko.

Mnangagwa kuita charm the world manje,” Hon Sikhala wrote on Twitter.

ZANU PF’s plot to disrupt MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s ongoing rural outreach programme has been exposed after chats from a ruling party’s WhatsApp group went viral, with members accusing each other of giving the opposition leader unwarranted “free passage” into Mashonaland Central province on Wednesday.

Chamisa’s “meet-the-people” tours in Masvingo, Manicaland, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central provinces have been violently disrupted by Zanu PF supporters who accused him of inviting the West to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Although Zanu PF has distanced itself from the alleged attacks on the opposition leader, including attempts on his life, the latest exposệ seem to confirm its involvement.

In the leaked chats, disgruntled Zanu PF members accused provincial chairperson Kazembe Kazembe, who doubles as Home Affairs minister, of failing to stop Chamisa from addressing his supporters in Mashonaland Central province.

A WhatsApp group member using an Econet line registered under the name Douglas Bhedhemu, who was identified as Comrade Six, accused senior provincial party leaders of wilfully failing to stop Chamisa from entering the province.

This came after Chamisa avoided a roadblock set up for his entourage along the Harare-Rushinga Road and sneaked into the province where addressed opposition supporters in Mt Darwin East early this week.

“What surprises me is that Chamisa went to Rushinga where Comrade (Lazarus) Dokora is vying for provincial chairmanship and there is MP (Tendai) Nyabani… What should we say when we are seeing this, because Chamisa has gone to Rushinga… who summoned him? Cde Dokora, explain this to us. You are the one who called him,” Bhedhemu said.

Party activists suggested that the leadership should have organised musical or sports galas and clean-up campaigns as a way of distracting supporters from attending Chamisa’s rallies.

“What we know is, if MDC is supposed to come, galas and other sporting activities are organised. We know (former Zanu PF commissar Saviour) Kasukuwere would mobilise people to distract them from attending MDC rallies …. why didn’t Dokora take action?

“Even chairman Kazembe Kazembe, where were you when MDC came into your province and you failed to mobilise the youth, even to pick papers? You were outdone by Masvingo province which successfully blocked Chamisa from holding his meetings.”

A Zanu PF central committee report released at the party’s national annual conference last week revealed that the ruling party was worried about Chamisa’s penetration of rural areas.

Contacted for comment yesterday, Zanu PF acting spokesperson Michael Bimha said he was yet to be shown the WhatsApp messages and insisted that Zanu PF did not condone violence.

“We do not have a party position that condones violence against Chamisa or any other person,” Bimha said.

“That Chamisa is holding rallies is not important to Zanu PF. I haven’t yet seen the WhatsApp messages you are talking about.”

Nyabani could neither deny nor confirm the Whatsapp chats when NewsDay Weekender contacted him for comment.

“Why should I have blocked Chamisa?” he asked.

“This is a free country where everyone has the right to travel wherever he wishes to. Does he (Chamisa) need a passport to travel to Rushinga? Chamisa is none of my business. Mash Central is a Zanu PF stronghold and Chamisa has no chance of winning. That is why I do not care about his movements.”

Following the heated verbal exchange among Zanu PF supporters, violence broke out in the province yesterday as party activists barred opposition supporters from attending Chamisa’s rallies in Shamva, Mvurwi and Muzarabani.

The MDC Alliance claimed that several villagers in the three districts, who were suspected to be opposition supporters, were arrested and later released without charge.

Chamisa tweeted to confirm the intimidation of his supporters.

“Intense terror and intimidation. Great meetings in Shamva, Mvurwi and Muzarabani! These areas turned into a warzone as roads were barricaded. Village heads, villagers targeted and victimised just on mere suspicion that they had attended our community interface meetings. Zim must be free,” he tweeted

MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson Gift Siziba said violent attacks on party supporters escalated after Chamisa’s provincial
tour.

“We are adhering to all the COVID-19 protocols and we are not addressing more than 100 people,” Siziba said.

“But villagers are getting arrested by the police. Zanu PF is unleashing terror on our supporters who have remained restrained but they are being arrested instead. We have had deliberate delays at roadblocks. Some of our members were arrested and detained and released without charge which all amounts to human rights violations.”

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he had not yet received reports of the alleged arrest of opposition party members.- NewsDay