The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and the Zimbabwe National Army were subjected to a $6 million scam in fake tenders to supply mealie- meal to the military.

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has since said it stopped producing and selling mealie- meal hence members of the public must not fall prey to conmen who purport to be employees of the parastatal.

This follows reports that a man in Bulawayo who is masquerading as a soldier duped 12 companies of more than $6 million in a bogus deal to supply the army with mealie- meal from the GMB.

Purporting to be a sergeant Muriro from Lookout Masuku Barracks (formerly Llewellin Barracks) near Bulawayo, the man allegedly phoned the companies and expressed an interest in awarding them tenders to supply mealie- meal to the army.

He would claim that the companies were carefully picked from the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe register.

In a statement, the GMB’s chief executive officer Mr Rockie Mutenha said the company stopped producing mealie-meal.

The GMB used to produce mealie-meal as part of its Silo-products manufactured by its commercial unit.

“The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) would like to warn the public not to fall prey to conmen who purport to be employees of GMB that could facilitate the buying of its mealie- meal,” said Mr Mutenha.

He said GMB’s core business now is to store and manage the Strategic Grain Reserve and also sell grain to millers and stock feed manufacturers.

Mr Mutenha urged members of the public to report suspicious people claiming to be GMB employees to its risk department or the nearest police station.

“For further enquiries the public can contact GMB Corporate Communications Department through the hotline telephone line 0242 707898 or email at [email protected],” said Mr Mutenha.-

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance is confident of defeating Zanu PF in rural constituencies.

The popular movement is conducting vigorous voter registration and mobilization programmes across the country.

The party is determined to neutralize Zanu PF’s popularity in the rural areas.

See statement below:

Mobilisation and recruitment continues unabated in the marginalised rural Gokwe Chireya!

26 November 2021

Mdc Alliance Namibia remains inspired and energised by the revolutionary zeal in Gokwe Chireya, a purported Zanupf stronghold. Yesterday, the Mdc Alliance organic chairperson of Kahobo Pashairwa Branch Gwatadza Makaki led the branch during a mobilisation and recruitment drive in Gokwe Chireya. The meeting is part of the Citizens Convergence for Change where social democrats are expected to commit themselves towards the change that delivers. The branch chairperson pledged to remain dedicated to the national democratic revolution until President Advocate Nelson Chamisa goes to the State House.

The meeting was conducted and graced by the provincial leadership, Secretary General Chacha alongside the district Secretary General Masoso. What inspires Mdc Alliance Namibia is that Mdc Alliance Botswana District Chairperson John Pamire continues to give moral , material and financial support to the constituency as a way of partnering rural constituencies to the individuals, branches, districts and provinces in the diaspora to win Zimbabwe for complete change under our Political Dynamo President Advocate Nelson Chamisa. It is clear that the people of Gokwe Chireya are geared to vote for change in 2023.

The district and provincial leaders who attended the branch meeting in Kahobo Pashairwa made it point blank that it is possible to amass 6 million votes for change in 2023. People of Gokwe Chireya are clear that Advocate Nelson Chamisa Wamba Dia Wamba is the only hope in Zimbabwe. It was unanimously agreed kuti Ngaapinde Hake Mukomana in 2023 since he is the only one with the full potential to revamp the sunken Zimbabwe economy. The leadership was very clear that Zanupf corruption and gross misgovernance manifesting in arbitrary arrests of voices of dissent should be eradicated through voting.

Register to vote, vote in 2023 and defend the vote from Zanupf shenanigans was the message of the day. The members of the national democratic revolution in Gokwe Chireya pledged to remain resolute in supporting the genuine struggle for socio-economic transformation. They also laughed off the attempt by Zanupf to sabotage the voter registration blitz that was scheduled for the 6th of December 2021 which was meant to allow more voter registrants during the festive season. People are aware that Zanupf wants to create voter apathy after realising that the citizens are ready to register in their astronomical numbers. The citizenry shall never feel frustrated by ZEC’s futile attempt to break the fighting spirit in our people.

Welldone Gokwe Chireya for standing up to fulfil your fundamental right to vote and be heard. You are an inspiration to all who are ready to defend social liberation policies. Gokwe is now ready for change. Voting is part of independence! The world is run by those who show up on the voting day. Honourable John Pamire, remains a paragon of virtue exhibited by his extraordinary energy in supporting his rural constituency morally, materially and financially as mobilisation and recruitment intensify in the rural Zimbabwe.

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

The South Africa based, Primrose, was defaced by her husband in an acid attack. As @comfort_dondo seeks to get re-constructive surgery for her, Prim joins us during the #16DaysOfAction against Violence Against Women and Children. LIVE INTERVIEW ON ZIMEYE #PHUMULANI pic.twitter.com/EejR7fJtof

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 26, 2021

https://youtu.be/bXVC9I8huhI

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance is confident of defeating Zanu PF in rural constituencies.

The popular movement is conducting vigorous voter registration and mobilization programmes across the country.

The party is determined to neutralize Zanu PF’s popularity in the rural areas.

See statement below:

Mobilisation and recruitment continues unabated in the marginalised rural Gokwe Chireya!

26 November 2021

Mdc Alliance Namibia remains inspired and energised by the revolutionary zeal in Gokwe Chireya, a purported Zanupf stronghold. Yesterday, the Mdc Alliance organic chairperson of Kahobo Pashairwa Branch Gwatadza Makaki led the branch during a mobilisation and recruitment drive in Gokwe Chireya. The meeting is part of the Citizens Convergence for Change where social democrats are expected to commit themselves towards the change that delivers. The branch chairperson pledged to remain dedicated to the national democratic revolution until President Advocate Nelson Chamisa goes to the State House.

The meeting was conducted and graced by the provincial leadership, Secretary General Chacha alongside the district Secretary General Masoso. What inspires Mdc Alliance Namibia is that Mdc Alliance Botswana District Chairperson John Pamire continues to give moral , material and financial support to the constituency as a way of partnering rural constituencies to the individuals, branches, districts and provinces in the diaspora to win Zimbabwe for complete change under our Political Dynamo President Advocate Nelson Chamisa. It is clear that the people of Gokwe Chireya are geared to vote for change in 2023.

The district and provincial leaders who attended the branch meeting in Kahobo Pashairwa made it point blank that it is possible to amass 6 million votes for change in 2023. People of Gokwe Chireya are clear that Advocate Nelson Chamisa Wamba Dia Wamba is the only hope in Zimbabwe. It was unanimously agreed kuti Ngaapinde Hake Mukomana in 2023 since he is the only one with the full potential to revamp the sunken Zimbabwe economy. The leadership was very clear that Zanupf corruption and gross misgovernance manifesting in arbitrary arrests of voices of dissent should be eradicated through voting.

Register to vote, vote in 2023 and defend the vote from Zanupf shenanigans was the message of the day. The members of the national democratic revolution in Gokwe Chireya pledged to remain resolute in supporting the genuine struggle for socio-economic transformation. They also laughed off the attempt by Zanupf to sabotage the voter registration blitz that was scheduled for the 6th of December 2021 which was meant to allow more voter registrants during the festive season. People are aware that Zanupf wants to create voter apathy after realising that the citizens are ready to register in their astronomical numbers. The citizenry shall never feel frustrated by ZEC’s futile attempt to break the fighting spirit in our people.

Well done Gokwe Chireya for standing up to fulfil your fundamental right to vote and be heard. You are an inspiration to all who are ready to defend social liberation policies. Gokwe is now ready for change. Voting is part of independence! The world is run by those who show up on the voting day. Honourable John Pamire, remains a paragon of virtue exhibited by his extraordinary energy in supporting his rural constituency morally, materially and financially as mobilisation and recruitment intensify in the rural Zimbabwe.

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

Tinashe Sambiri| Outspoken former Zanu PF MP, Killer Zivhu has described Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube’s budget presentation as useless and insignificant.

Zivhu also mocked Mthuli Ncube over failing to arrest escalating inflation.

He argued:
“Ukaona Budget richingonzi every Ministry Billions , ibva waziva kuti njuga dzarema. Minister voita betting chaiyo , thousand richatadza kutenga mengo one very soon

Main roots of corruption in Zimbabwe is poverty and poor salaries. Vashoma ndivo vanoita looting because of their proximity to powerful people

A good lie is not intelligence only fools think that way, the sound of a train inozwika chero uri mugomo kuti chitima chava kuuya. Chero imbwa dze Zumuto dzikaukura hazvitadzisi chitima kusvika Masvingo. Lies are sweet for a short time , kuudzana chokwadi kwaiponesa muhondo.

By A Correspondent| A member of the MDC Alliance, who was brutally assaulted by known Zanu PF hooligans in October, has succumbed to internal injuries.

Nyasha Zhambe Mawere( Gutu Central Constituency) and MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Official, Arnold Batirai- Dube were assaulted by Zanu PF agents during President Nelson Chamisa’s community engagement meetings in Masvingo Province.

MDC Alliance deputy chairperson Hon Job Sikhala confirmed Mawere’s death.

“I am receiving sad news that our member Nyasha Zhambe Mawere frm Gutu hs just passed on.

He ws abducted & severely tortured by ZPF thugs when he attended our Pres
@nelsonchamisa
‘s tour of Gutu.

He came to my house & I assisted him to be attended.

He could not make it.
MHDSRIP,” Hon Sikhala wrote on Twitter.

Batirai- Dube, who is recuperating from injuries he sustained after being brutally assaulted with logs by the said Zanu PF hooligans has indicated that his life is in danger as he knows the hooligans who killed Mawere.

” Zanu PF hooligans pounced on us as we were accompanying President Chamisa during community engagement meetings in Masvingo Province.

We were brutally assaulted and Mawere was badly injured.

I was also injured but I am recovering well. I am receiving anonymous calls from government agents.

They know that I want to expose those who killed Mawere.

My life is in danger because I am being trailed by government agents.

I have the names of those who murdered Mawere,” said Batirai- Dube.

By A Correspondent| The opposition MDC-Alliance has spoken on the abuse of the wife of the Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Marry by the former Army Boss.

Below is the MDC-Alliance statement on gender-based violence against women:

The MDC Alliance Assembly of Women notes with concern the increased incidence of gender-based violence, which has become a hallmark of Mr Mnangagwa’s regime.
The most recent example of the regime’s toxic culture of abusing women and weaponizing the law against them is the harassment and torture of Marry Chiwenga, the estranged wife of Mr Constantine Chiwengwa.

The case of Marry Chiwenga and her persecution at the hands of law enforcement agents is a sad indictment on the law enforcement system and the state’s failure to respect women’s right to dignity and fair and equal treatment before the law.
There can be no doubt that the settling of political scores on behalf of powerful political elites is behind the continued abuse of this woman and her continued unlawful alienation from her children.
As we approach the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we call upon the authorities and indeed wider society to reflect carefully on what the case of Marry Chiwenga represents for the cause of women’s rights in our nation.
As her health condition deteriorates, no justifiable basis has been put forward to support the decision to allow her to seek adequate healthcare and treatment abroad.

The capricious and arbitrary decision by the Magistrates’ Court to detain her for a “medical examination” echoes the ill-treatment that was meted out against MDC Alliance MP, Hon Joana Mamombe, when she was unjustly incarcerated by the same court.
More recently, Vongai Tome was sexually harassed by a police officer when she was attending the court hearing for Makomborero Haruzivishe.
The perpetrators of the abduction, sexual assault and torture of the MDC Trio of Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova are still at large.
To date, there has been no accountability for these acts of sexual and gender-based violence against women which has become a hallmark of Mr Mnangagwa’s regime.

We demand an end to the weaponization of the law against women and call for Marry Chiwenga’s right to dignity and protection of the law to be upheld.
We further demand that there be accountability for previous cases of gender-based violence against women including the cases of the MDC Trio and Vongai Tome.
Under an MDC Alliance government, women of all tribes, colours, political persuasions and creeds will be treated with dignity and protected by the law.

Finance minister Mthuli Ncube yesterday presented a $927,3 billion budget with an ambitious gross domestic product growth projection of 5,5% for 2022, but former Finance minister Tendai Biti dismissed it as a “ritualistic formality bereft of substance”.

Biti said the budget had failed to address exchange rate distortions and structural challenges around the free-falling local currency.

In his budget presentation, Ncube said: “Higher than projected wage reviews during
the course of 2021 by government and some private sector employers has pushed a
number of taxpayers into higher income tax brackets, resulting in bracket creep and a
higher tax burden.

“In order to provide relief to taxpayers and also boost aggregate demand for goods and services, I propose to adjust the tax-free threshold from $10 000 to $25 000 and
also adjust the tax bands to end at $500 000, above which a marginal tax rate of 40%
will apply with effect from January 1, 2022.”

But Biti said the budget was detached from realities on the ground, particularly on
exchange rate distortions that have resulted in the ever-increasing costs of goods
and services.

“A brave approach was needed to deal with exchange rate distortions and multiple
pricing systems. Truth is de-dollarisation has failed dismally. The failure to address
the structural issues around currency, the auction rate, deficits, corruption and the to the structural challenges facing Zimbabwe.

“As we argued before, Zimbabwe faces humongous structural challenges which will not be resolved by imposing punitive taxes that punish working people.”

Ncube has repeatedly insisted that he would not dollarise despite pressure from
captains of industry and the citizenry.

Zimbabweans had expected the minister to increase the threshold to $50 000 when
he presented the mid-term budget review in July.

However, the cost of living has increased to much higher levels than the proposed
tax-free threshold.

The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) said the November cost of living
for a family of five stood at $37 780 per month.

In July, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers said based on the current levels of
prices, a tax-free threshold of $50 000 would alleviate poverty for many Zimbabweans.

But the cost of living has rocketed since then, with foreign currency shortages
triggering rampaging parallel market exchange rates.

Workers earning Zimbabwe dollar salaries have to buy foreign currency on the parallel market for their daily requirements, yet the rate has been shooting, while their
salaries have been stagnant.

Yesterday, ZimStats said the annual inflation rate increased to 58,4% this month,
from 54% in October, giving an indication of the hard times ahead.

“I further propose to review the tax-free threshold on income accruing in foreign
currency from US$70 to US$100, with effect from January 1, 2022. Other foreign
currency tax bands remain unchanged,” Ncube said.

According to the Apex Council of Zimbabwe, the largest civil servants’ union, workers
earn between $22 000 and $40 000 on average, while private sector employees earn
between $25 000 and $35 000 monthly.

“Our substantive position remains that salaries should be restored to 2018 levels,
where the lowest paid civil servant was earning US$475 or thereabout. That is the
substantive position,” Apex Council spokesperson David Dzatsunga said yesterday.

“Maybe that may not happen at once, but we prefer a commitment to the restoration
of salaries to that level from the start. As long as it (income tax-free threshold) is in
Zimbabwe dollars, it is just going to evaporate very quickly, actually so I don’t want to
classify it as a measure that can really be celebrated,” he said.

MPs who spoke to NewsDay said they were not convinced the 2022 budget would
solve Zimbabwe’s crisis.

Ruth Labode, chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health, said
the package for the health sector fell short of the national requirements.

“I’m not happy because if you remove COVID-19 funds, the remainder is too little,”
she said.

“So I’m urging the minister to look for funds.” MDC senator Morgen Komichi said
more efforts should be made to resolve the health delivery crisis.

The budget has supported some elements of recovery,” he said.

-Newsday

FORMER Cabinet minister Prisca Mupfumira was yesterday allowed to travel to
the United Kingdom to visit her ailing brother after the court granted her application for temporary release of her passport and relaxation of bail conditions.

Mupfumira, in her application done on her behalf by lawyer Mr Admire Rubaya, Mupfumira indicated that she intends to travel to the UK on December 1 and return on January 8 next year.

She also committed her sister’s Westgate house as surety for the release of her passport.

“She is prepared to add her sister Lillian Chimukumbete’s property as surety that she will return to court,” he said.

Mr Rubaya told the court that Mupfumira will not run away from her trials on corruption-related charges since she wants to clear her name.

The State led by Mr Whisper Mabhaudi and Mr Loveit Masuku opposed the application saying Mupfumira might not return to court since her trials are at an advanced stage.

Mr Mabhaudi told the court that the State had led five out of six witnesses in one of the cases, which might induce her not to return from the UK. He said there was need for additional surety to ensure that Mupfumira returns to court.

Harare regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje granted Mupfumira application saying the additional surety she pledged showed that they wanted to attend to the welfare of fellow family members.

Meanwhile, the wife of vice President Constantino Chiwenga has had several attempts to get her passport back in order to seek medication outside the country, turned down.

-NewsdzeZimbabwe

By A Correspondent- A Gutu MDC-Alliance staunch member has died of wounds sustained from torture by Zanu PF supporters.

MDC-Alliance deputy chairman Job Sikhala announced the sad development on his Twitter account early Friday.

“I am receiving sad news that our member Nyasha Zhambe Mawere frm Gutu hs just passed on. He ws abducted & severely tortured by ZPF thugs when he attended our Pres 

@nelsonchamisa

‘s tour of Gutu. He came to my house & I assisted him to be attended. He could not make it. MHDSRIP”, Sikhala posted.

I am receiving sad news that our member Nyasha Zhambe Mawere frm Gutu hs just passed on.

He ws abducted & severely tortured by ZPF thugs when he attended our Pres @nelsonchamisa's tour of Gutu.

He came to my house & I assisted him to be attended.

He could not make it.
MHDSRIP

— HON Job Wiwa Sikhala (@JobSikhala1) November 25, 2021

CIVIL servants yesterday said government’s decision to pay their bonuses in United States dollars was a vote of no confidence in the local currency which continues to lose value against major currencies.

Yesterday, sections of the public service started receiving their US dollar-denominated 13th cheques although the amount has been capped at US$700.

Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Union secretary-general David Dzatsunga told NewsDay that while the move was appreciated, civil servants had been vindicated for demanding payment of their salaries in the stable US dollar.

“We really appreciate the good sense that caused the government to come up with this measure given the chaos in the monetary system,” Dzatsunga said.

“This was also an admission of the ‘worthless’ local currency paid as salaries to civil servants.  Also in our view it is tacit admission on the part of government that the local currency is no longer really the best foot forward in terms of salaries.  We hope that it is a dry run for the introduction of the US dollar salaries and that the government will now accede to our standing demand to pay salaries in US dollar,” he added.

The civil servants have been fighting for a minimum of US$520 per month as per October 2018 salary levels.  In 2020, teachers and nurses spent the better part of the year on strike after they declared incapacitation.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC)  implored the government to ensure that salaries for civil servants were commensurate with the current cost of living.

“The move by the government to pay bonuses for civil servants in US dollars vindicates claims that authorities have largely been indifferent to the plight of government workers whose salaries (paid in local currency) have often been eroded by high inflationary levels yet government has not been adjusting the salaries to suit the cost of living,” CiZC spokesperson Marvellous Khumalo said.

“The latest move to pay bonuses for civil servants in US dollars reveals the government’s lack of confidence in the local currency which continues to fall against major currencies and consequently fails to cushion government workers.

“As Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, we view the move by the government as nothing but a campaign gimmick ahead of the 2023 polls. We reiterate our call for civil servants to continue fighting for a living wage in light of the inflationary environment in Zimbabwe.”

He urged government to negotiate with civil servants in good faith rather than employing gimmicks aimed at pacifying them like paying once-off bonuses in US dollars.

-Newsday

Donated Chinese-Parly Building Ready By March 2022 | IS IT NECESSARY?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 26, 2021

The New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden is expected to be complete in March next year, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday after a tour of the multi-million-dollar project.
High-ranking Government officials including Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi; Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo and the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development Clemence Chiduwa visited the project site for an assessment of the imposing building. 

 

Minister Ziyambi said the high-powered delegation toured the project to assess progress and to engage the contractor over the time frame within which the construction would be complete.

“The contractor assured us that by March next year, the building will be complete and once that is done we expect all parliament business to move to the more spacious building,” he said.

“Now that we have been informed when the construction is going to be complete, it will give us sufficient time to make preparations for the official opening of the New Parliament Building.”

Minister Ziyambi said the next Budget presentation would be done at the new Parliament which can accommodate far more legislators.

He added that project was in sync with the aspirations of the country’s economic blueprint, the National Development Strategy 1 which recognises infrastructure development as a key economic enabler.

Deputy Minister Chiduwa said the NDS1 thrust included infrastructure development and the project resonated with the State’s agenda of infrastructure as a key economic enabler.

The six storey Parliament building will house the upper Senate chamber and the Lower House of Assembly as well as a multi-purpose gallery and offices.

The project is being funded by the Chinese Government through China Aid in support of Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development thrust. -Herald

Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is the biggest perpetrator of gender- based violence, MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma has said.

Mr Mnangagwa’s administration is known for terrorising perceived government opponents – especially women.

See statement below:

16 Days Against GBV: Mnangagwa The Biggest Perpetrator

25-11-2021

Chimbiri, Mamombe and Marova’s nervous conditions.

It has been exactly 19 months, 577 days or 83 weeks of hell for our female youth leaders at the hands of the unrepentant Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime.

As we kick start the 16 days against gender based violence commemorations today, let’s spare a thought for Cecillia Chimbiri, Joana Mamombe and Netsai Marova who had to endure 577 days of defeminization and humiliation at the hands the state.

Our female youth leaders have been toyed around from one court to another, at times exchanging court for Chikurubi for the simple reason that they chose to speak up against abuse suffered at the hands of state .

Since their abduction from Harare Central Police Station, (yes from police custody) no one from Mnangagwa’s government has come upfront to answer the public question as to what happened to our girls.

As if the abduction, torture and sexual abuse was not enough, instead the regime unashamedly went on to press cooked up charges of faking abduction against the trio.

Since then our girls have been moving around the Rotten Row courts with a litany of unjustified charges hanging over their heads.

Even during this week when the government is expected to send correct messages about gender based violence, our girls have been hoping from one court to another expecting finality to a case that has dragged on for over one and half years now.

Clearly the idea of Mnangagwa’s regime is to exert emotional torture to our girls.

A Legacy Of Woman Abuse

Again the regime chose a few days before this year’s commemorations against 16 days against gender based violence before sending a frail and bed ridden Mary Chiwenga to Chikurubi.

The message from the government to public is clear- women rights are not important!

What of Kembo Mohadi’s (Mnangagwa’s VP) office sexual abuse of his subordinates?

The list of women abuse cases at the hands of state and high ranking government officials under Mnangagwa is endless.

Clearly, Mnangagwa’s regime is the biggest perpetrator of gender based violence.

Stop women abuse and gender based violence!

16DaysAgainstGBV

FreeMako

RegisterToVoteZw

NgaapingeHakeMukomana

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

In a suspected murder case, 2 Grade 5 pupils stumbled on a dumped half naked corpse.

The body, which was discovered by the two learners at around 7AM, had bruises and deep cuts raising suspicions that the deceased could have been killed and dumped in the school yard.

The deceased has been identified as Mr Musawakhe Nceku Mthunzi (21). When a Chronicle news crew arrived at the school, detectives from the CID homicide were already at the scene conducting investigations.

Stunned residents who wanted to catch a glimpse of the body, were milling in front of the school gate after they were blocked from entering the school yard.

Musawakhe’s father, Mr Japhet Mthunzi, who lives in the rural areas of Matobo in Matabeleland South, came and managed to positively identify his son before the body was ferried to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) mortuary.

Musawakhe was Mr Mthunzi’s last born from four children. Speaking at a local funeral parlour on Wednesday, Mr Mthunzi said his son was last seen drinking at the shops called koBasic.

“When I got home on Saturday, my wife told me that Musa had not come home since Friday. I had come to see her because she wasn’t feeling well. I went around asking his friends until Sunday.

I thought he had been arrested for not wearing a mask and was detained at the police station or he was caught drinking in public,” said Mr Mthunzi.

He said on Monday he decided to go to Tshabalala Police Station to see if he could pay the fine for his son.

“When I was on my way there, I don’t know what made me change direction towards the school, my heart just said divert this route.

When I got to the school, I saw people gathered there and, in my head, I’m thinking that there was a fight and then I enquired what was happening. I was then told that the body of a man was found in the school,” said Mr Mthunzi.

He said people were not allowed to enter the school premises but because he was looking for Musawakhe, he forced his way in.

“I asked inside and they said, the person had a black t-shirt. I then phoned my wife and asked what he was wearing when he was last seen and she said a black t-shirt. I then asked the people again, they said he was wearing a jean and I phoned my wife again and she said he was wearing a jean, but I didn’t tell her.

One of the employees at the school who knows me because my children learnt there said to me, ‘mdala ungabalomnyama’.” Mr Mthunzi said he was then given a chair while police did their investigations, thereafter he was asked by police to identify the body.

“He was facing up. When I looked at him, I immediately said this is my child. I was so pained and I did not know how to break the bad news to my wife. The police took me in their car to our house about 2KM from the school.

I was accompanied by a female and two male police officers who broke the news to my wife,” said Mr Mthunzi.

He said a post mortem report says he was hit several times on the head and that caused bleeding in the brain.

Mr Mthunzi believes his son was beaten up on Friday night and either tried to run away from the assailants by scaling the school’s wall or he was dumped there by the attackers.

Musawakhe was buried in Bulawayo yesterday.

Director of Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Taungana Ndoro said lessons at Intunta Primary School resumed on Tuesday, a day after the body was discovered and the pupils are being counselled.

“To provide learner support services in light of the traumatic experience they underwent, they are given psychological services by our department Learner Welfare, Special Needs and Psychological Services Department.

We have psychologists in the ministry who attend to those learners and provide learner support services,” he said.

“It was just a suspension of lessons for that day and they are now back to school. The same psychologists take time to address the learners at the school class by class. They must have gone there and counselled the learners by now.”

On Monday, a teacher who declined to be named said school authorities had to dismiss learners early.

“Our bosses from the provincial education offices came and directed us to cancel school lessons and dismiss the learners because there was no other way children would pay attention in class after witnessing such a horrific incident.

In fact, the two learners who discovered the body were traumatised,” said the teacher. “Everyone at school was shocked and even the security guard manning the yard was equally shocked as he didn’t witness any scuffle or see the body being dumped.

Acting Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident saying police were investigating the suspected murder case. Chronicle

MDC ALLIANCE ASSEMBLY OF WOMEN COMMEMORATES THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE – 25 NOVEMBER-10 DECEMBER 2021

The MDC A Assembly of Women joins the rest of the world in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence under the theme, Gender-based Violence: a barrier to gender equality, whilst the UN theme is Orange the World: End violence against Women Now.

The commemorations will be held in all the 10 Provinces where the National Leaders led by Chairperson, Machirairwa Mugidho will address the women. The main event, which is the launch will be held in Bulawayo on the 4th of November 2021 and every participant, will be dressed in orange.

According to UN Women, cases of GBV have continued to raise as seen during covid 19 pandemic and recent humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate disasters. While pervasive, gender based violence is not inevitable and can be prevented. Stopping GBV starts with believing survivors, adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches that tackle the root causes, transforming harmful social, cultural norms and empowering women and girls.

Therefore, the government needs to come up with survivor- centred essential services across policing, justice, health and social sectors and sufficient financing for the women’s rights agenda in order to end gender based violence.

The AOW will also be commemorating the following days that fall within the 16 Days of Activism;
25 Nov – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
1 Dec – World Aids Day
3 Dec – International Day of Persons with Disabilities
5 Dec – International Volunteer Day
10 Dec – Human Rights Day

The Assembly of Women will also be popularising the Gender Policy, formulated by the Smart Gender Drive Task Force which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls in the party and making sure that female candidates increase in the upcoming elections.

It is our belief as the Assembly of Women that gender equality will eliminate gender based violence as women and men will be having equal opportunities and treating each other equally.

365DaysOfActivism

WomenRightsAreHumanRights

StopGBV

OrangeTheWorld

NgaapindeHakeMukomana

Barbara Gwangwara Tanyanyiwa
Spokesperson – MDC Alliance Assembly of Women

Zimbabwe Election Advocacy Trust Information:

ZEC’s unilateral suspension of voter registration blitz which was scheduled to take place next month is very capricious and calamitous.Voter registration is very key as it affords citizens their fundamental rights and also determine delimitation outcomes.We are shocked by this unbecoming behavior ZEC is exhibiting. The reasons they are giving are frivolous and vexatious and only confirm that they are indeed not an honest election broker.Election management must be conducted professionally and cordially.In equal measure we take this opportunity to express our displeasure on the Ministry of Finance’s poor funding of important State institutions like ZEC and Registrar’s office.Such induced deficiency is shrinking democratic space and acts against the constitution.

ZEAT…. fostering democratic elections!

RegisterToVoteZW

Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is the biggest perpetrator of gender- based violence, MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma has said.

Mr Mnangagwa’s administration is known for terrorising perceived government opponents – especially women.

See statement below:

16 Days Against GBV: Mnangagwa The Biggest Perpetrator

25-11-2021

Chimbiri, Mamombe and Marova’s nervous conditions.

It has been exactly 19 months, 577 days or 83 weeks of hell for our female youth leaders at the hands of the unrepentant Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime.

As we kick start the 16 days against gender based violence commemorations today, let’s spare a thought for Cecillia Chimbiri, Joana Mamombe and Netsai Marova who had to endure 577 days of defeminization and humiliation at the hands the state.

Our female youth leaders have been toyed around from one court to another, at times exchanging court for Chikurubi for the simple reason that they chose to speak up against abuse suffered at the hands of state .

Since their abduction from Harare Central Police Station, (yes from police custody) no one from Mnangagwa’s government has come upfront to answer the public question as to what happened to our girls.

As if the abduction, torture and sexual abuse was not enough, instead the regime unashamedly went on to press cooked up charges of faking abduction against the trio.

Since then our girls have been moving around the Rotten Row courts with a litany of unjustified charges hanging over their heads.

Even during this week when the government is expected to send correct messages about gender based violence, our girls have been hoping from one court to another expecting finality to a case that has dragged on for over one and half years now.

Clearly the idea of Mnangagwa’s regime is to exert emotional torture to our girls.

A Legacy Of Woman Abuse

Again the regime chose a few days before this year’s commemorations against 16 days against gender based violence before sending a frail and bed ridden Mary Chiwenga to Chikurubi.

The message from the government to public is clear- women rights are not important!

What of Kembo Mohadi’s (Mnangagwa’s VP) office sexual abuse of his subordinates?

The list of women abuse cases at the hands of state and high ranking government officials under Mnangagwa is endless.

Clearly, Mnangagwa’s regime is the biggest perpetrator of gender based violence.

Stop women abuse and gender based violence!

16DaysAgainstGBV

FreeMako

RegisterToVoteZw

NgaapingeHakeMukomana

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is the biggest perpetrator of gender- based violence, MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma has said.

Mr Mnangagwa’s administration is known for terrorising perceived government opponents – especially women.

See statement below:

16 Days Against GBV: Mnangagwa The Biggest Perpetrator

25-11-2021

Chimbiri, Mamombe and Marova’s nervous conditions.

It has been exactly 19 months, 577 days or 83 weeks of hell for our female youth leaders at the hands of the unrepentant Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime.

As we kick-start the 16 days against gender based violence commemorations today, let’s spare a thought for Cecillia Chimbiri, Joana Mamombe and Netsai Marova who had to endure 577 days of defeminization and humiliation at the hands the state.

Our female youth leaders have been toyed around from one court to another, at times exchanging court for Chikurubi for the simple reason that they chose to speak up against abuse suffered at the hands of state .

Since their abduction from Harare Central Police Station, (yes from police custody) no one from Mnangagwa’s government has come upfront to answer the public question as to what happened to our girls.

As if the abduction, torture and sexual abuse was not enough, instead the regime unashamedly went on to press cooked up charges of faking abduction against the trio.

Since then our girls have been moving around the Rotten Row courts with a litany of unjustified charges hanging over their heads.

Even during this week when the government is expected to send correct messages about gender based violence, our girls have been hoping from one court to another expecting finality to a case that has dragged on for over one and half years now.

Clearly the idea of Mnangagwa’s regime is to exert emotional torture to our girls.

A Legacy Of Woman Abuse

Again the regime chose a few days before this year’s commemorations against 16 days against gender based violence before sending a frail and bed ridden Mary Chiwenga to Chikurubi.

The message from the government to public is clear- women rights are not important!

What of Kembo Mohadi’s (Mnangagwa’s VP) office sexual abuse of his subordinates?

The list of women abuse cases at the hands of state and high ranking government officials under Mnangagwa is endless.

Clearly, Mnangagwa’s regime is the biggest perpetrator of gender based violence.

Stop women abuse and gender based violence!

16DaysAgainstGBV

FreeMako

RegisterToVoteZw

NgaapingeHakeMukomana

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

MDC ALLIANCE ASSEMBLY OF WOMEN COMMEMORATES THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE – 25 NOVEMBER-10 DECEMBER 2021

The MDC A Assembly of Women joins the rest of the world in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence under the theme, Gender-based Violence: a barrier to gender equality, whilst the UN theme is Orange the World: End violence against Women Now.

The commemorations will be held in all the 10 Provinces where the National Leaders led by Chairperson, Machirairwa Mugidho will address the women. The main event, which is the launch will be held in Bulawayo on the 4th of November 2021 and every participant, will be dressed in orange.

According to UN Women, cases of GBV have continued to raise as seen during covid 19 pandemic and recent humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate disasters. While pervasive, gender based violence is not inevitable and can be prevented. Stopping GBV starts with believing survivors, adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches that tackle the root causes, transforming harmful social, cultural norms and empowering women and girls.

Therefore, the government needs to come up with survivor- centred essential services across policing, justice, health and social sectors and sufficient financing for the women’s rights agenda in order to end gender based violence.

The AOW will also be commemorating the following days that fall within the 16 Days of Activism;
25 Nov – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
1 Dec – World Aids Day
3 Dec – International Day of Persons with Disabilities
5 Dec – International Volunteer Day
10 Dec – Human Rights Day

The Assembly of Women will also be popularising the Gender Policy, formulated by the Smart Gender Drive Task Force which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls in the party and making sure that female candidates increase in the upcoming elections.

It is our belief as the Assembly of Women that gender equality will eliminate gender based violence as women and men will be having equal opportunities and treating each other equally.

365DaysOfActivism

WomenRightsAreHumanRights

StopGBV

OrangeTheWorld

NgaapindeHakeMukomana

Barbara Gwangwara Tanyanyiwa
Spokesperson – MDC Alliance Assembly of Women

By A Correspondent | UK trip returnee, and the Douglas Mwonzora Senator Yvonne Musarurwa has been arrested for assaulting party leader Thokozani Khupe’s Bodyguard, Kudzanai Mashumba a month ago.

The development comes a day after Emmerson Mnangagwa’s international engagement effort fell flat with the UK govt openly announcing criticism of human rights abuses.

It also comes on the same day Mwonzora was for the first time blocked from holding a rally in Harare’s Epworth surbub.

Musarurwa, who is an ex convict for murder, was pounced on by police at her house and taken to law and order Harare Central at around 4am, on Thursday.

Senator Musarurwa was one of the 126 strong govt delegation to the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow last month, and her arrest comes 6 days after flying back into Zimbabwe.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has confirmed the emergence of a new #COVID19 variant in South Africa.

More to follow….

Rio Ferdinand believes Mikel Arteta showed his naivety at the weekend when the Arsenal manager got involved in a heated spat with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on the Anfield touchline.

With the game goalless the two managers become enraged over seemingly very little, with Arteta furious in a rare show of emotion, remonstrating with Klopp.

Both were shown yellow cards for their actions but it was likely only Arteta who regretted the clash as the atmosphere at Anfield intensified and Liverpool stepped on the gas, eventually running out comfortable 4-0 winners.

Ferdinand believes sparking up a fiery atmosphere at Liverpool was an avoidable mistake from the Gunners boss and he showed his naivety by doing so.

‘I watched the game and Liverpool just turned the screw. They turned the screw after Arteta and Klopp’s spat on the touchline, that Arteta started,’ Ferdinand told Vibe with FIVE.

‘That was naive, for me. At Anfield you don’t want to be gassing up that crowd and whipping them up.

UK Mirror

Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ), a non-partisan national network of women’s rights organisations and activists striving for the rights of women and girls, commemorates 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.

It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership.

It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

Research evidence has shown that in Zimbabwe, 1 in 3 women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence and about 1 in 4 women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15 1 .

The situation has since worsened due to COVID-19 as socio-economic effects of the pandemic, coupled with living in the same space for a continued period of time increasing the number of GBV cases.

The mandatory lockdowns have seen many women and girls being trapped with their abusers and not knowing where to go or how to get help during the lockdown.

With COVID-19 still a reality and the threats of GBV on the lives of women and girls still ravaging, WCoZ continues to call for Government to prioritize the continuity of GBV services with GBV service providers continuously being recognised as essential workers, integration of GBV services as well as information vital in GBV and COVID-19 response to end violence against women.

Since its outbreak, the COVID-19 pandemic has been directing much-needed attention to gender- based violence (GBV) worldwide and is particularly shining a light on the hidden epidemic of intimate partner violence (IPV).

In fact, in recent months, there has been a plethora of high-profile statements calling for measures to address the GBV ‘shadow pandemic’.

25 November 2021, Harare – the Government of Zimbabwe, the European Union, and the United Nations together with local authorities in the Epworth district launched a Safe Market and One Stop Centre as part of ongoing joint efforts to end violence against women and girls.

The opening of the Safe Market Space and the One Stop Centre coincided with the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence that will take place under a localized theme “End Violence Against Women Now: No to child marriages!” Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Deputy Minister Honourable Jennifer Mhlanga said, “Economic empowerment of women is integral to any sustainable approach to eradicating violence against women as studies show that women who control their own resources are less vulnerable to being victimized because of their gender.”

High levels of sexual and gender-based violence in Zimbabwe have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and the protracted national lockdowns.

The COVID-19 crisis has also resulted in increased school dropouts, resulting in increased early marriages and a consequent alarming increase in teenage pregnancies.

The Safe Market Model facilitates women’s economic empowerment, leadership, and security within public spaces by advancing Zero Tolerance to all forms of sexual and gender- based violence (SGBV).

The safe market showcased in Epworth comprises 96 secure, well-lit stalls, children’s resting room and play area, separate female, and male ablution facilities, and clean water facilities.

Head of EU Development Cooperation Mr Frank Porte said, “The EU fully aligns and supports Zimbabwe’s theme this year: “End violence against women and girls Now: No to child Marriage”.

This constitutes a harmful practice that violates the rights of the child and robs children of their childhood and in most cases, results in increased poverty.”

The One Stop Centre addresses a number of challenges related to SGBV service access, by providing multi-sectoral services, including health, psychosocial, safety and security, and legal under one roof in a survivor cantered manner.

Noting that the two projects showcased and many other programmes across the country were supported by the joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls, UN Resident Coordinator ad interim, Dr. Alex Gasasira, thanked the Ministry of Women Affairs for their leadership, the European Union for the generous financial and technical commitment, and the civil society organisations and local authorities for their continued efforts and partnership.

Violence against women is not inevitable.

The right policies and programmes bring results.

That means comprehensive, long-term strategies that tackle the root causes of violence, protect the rights of women and girls, and promote strong and autonomous women’s rights movements.

These two projects opened today and many other programmes across the country, including the recently launched High Level Compact to end violence against women and girls are models that the United Nations has built through its partnership with the European Union, the Spotlight Initiative.

Since the launch of the Spotlight Initiative in 2019, some 3.8 million beneficiaries, including 2.3 million women and girls, in Zimbabwe received various services.

Addressing Gender Based Violence has collateral benefits.

Aside from improving women and girls’ general quality of life and access to social services, low levels of violence are also linked with increased economic opportunities and increased participation in the development of societies.

Africa should insist that archives and museum objects of its heroes should be originals, not digital copies, with Zimbabwe one of the countries with the facilities ready to receive and protect this heritage, President Mnangagwa has said.

Speaking yesterday at the opening of the International Conference of African cultures that drew traditional leaders from the continent, academics, African Union officials and others the President said it was critical to note that liberation movements over the continent did not solely fight for the realisation of political and economic independence but at the core of the struggle was socio-cultural emancipation and ownership of means of production.

The conference, running under the theme “Africa Speaks: Confronting Restitution and Repatriation of Artefacts, Human Remains, Objects and Archives from an African Perspective,” was meant to showcase African culture and rally the continent on the demand of repatriation of colonial artefacts so as to restore Africa’s integrity.
In common with most of the colonised world, Africa saw a great deal of looting of cultural objects and transfers of archives to European museums, and now wants them back. While near perfect copies can now be made with 3D printers and other technology, the unanimous feeling is that the originals should be in their home countries and copies in foreign museums.

The conference also saw the showcasing of Zimbabwean culture through traditional dance and that of Ghana through regalia, poetry and other displays led by the King of Akwamu Odeneho Kwafo III.
President Mnangagwa said Africa should reunite with that which belonged to it.

“The concerned museums and institutions in the West are urged to facilitate and cooperate with Africa in the ongoing repatriation and restitution efforts. The use of pseudo-measures and terms such as ‘Digital Repatriation’ and ‘Permanent Loans’ further infringes on the do no harm philosophy and sphere standards of development, thus delaying the closure of this sad chapter of our history,” said President Mnangagwa.
“I challenge the academia, heritage experts and professional institutions across the continent to resolutely pursue ‘Chimurenga Chepfungwa/the liberation of the mind’, informed by our strong African cultural belief systems and identity.”

-State Media

By A Correspondent- In an incident that has left villagers in Mutoko shell-shocked, the remains of a woman who had mental health problems, who went missing for almost 15 years, were recently recovered from a shallow grave along a riverbank with the skull missing.

The deceased, Elizabeth Chidamuwa, went missing in 2007. Her remains were allegedly discovered after a possessed 12-year-old boy led family members and villagers to the scene where she was murdered and buried.

Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachii yesterday confirmed the incident.

“The matter is being investigated,” Chazovachii said.

It is alleged that Chidamuwa, then aged 36, went missing on February 9, 2007 in Nemurinda village, under Chief Chimoyo, where she was living with her husband, Simbai Janjanja.

The family members searched for her in vain. The deceased’s brother, Sauro, then filed a missing person report with the police.

It is reported that on September 19 this year, the 12-year-old boy, who is Janjanja’s son, fell into a trance and revealed that Chidamuwa was killed by her husband and a villager identified as
Machivi.

The possessed boy also disclosed that the deceased’s head was given to a local businessman after the murder. They then buried her remains on the riverbank in the same village.

The family recovered the remains and reburied them in Nemurinda village without informing the police.

Janjanja died in 2019, while Machivi reportedly left the area.

The matter came to light after police were tipped off by villagers.

By A Correspondent- A Harare doctor, Tinovimba Mhlanga, has been acquitted of aggravated indecent assault charges following allegations that he fondled a female client during a medical examination at Invitro Fertilisation Zimbabwe fertility clinic.

Harare regional magistrate Gloria Takundwa yesterday found Mhlanga not guilty of sexually abusing Tinotenda Zowa who had visited his clinic to donate a fertilisation egg in March this year.

Through his lawyer Oliver Marwa, Mhlanga denied the charges, saying Zowa had concocted the accusations to soil his image.

In acquitting Mhlanga, Takundwa said the State had failed to establish evidence pointing out that Zowa was sexually abused during the time she intended to donate the egg.

The magistrate also noted inconsistencies in testimonies regarding how the alleged offence was committed.

Prosecuting, Cecilia Mashingaidze had alleged that Zowa went to Mhlanga’s surgery on 14 March at around 1 pm for a medical examination.

Mhlanga allegedly first conducted HIV tests first and instructed her to go to the examination room.

While in the examination room, Zowa removed her clothes and wore a hospital gown and then went to lie on the bed awaiting the examination.

Mhlanga allegedly instructed Zowa to open her legs in a butterfly position for him to conduct the examination before he inserted his fingers into her privates several times before fondling her breasts.

The following day (15 March), Zowa reportedly went to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital where she was examined and received counselling after narrating her ordeal to the counsellors.

Through lawyer Marwa, Mhlanga refuted the allegations asserting he professionally conducted his duties as a specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist. He said:

The procedure for human egg donation is a delicate one which under normal circumstances, can only be properly performed by a specialist doctor in a clinical setup.

The procedure naturally involves digital penetrative contact with the patient’s genitalia.

The complainant consented in writing to the procedure after it was meticulously explained to her in detail such that the allegation in the charge that she had not consented is as malicious as they are unfounded.

The accused acted within the scope of engagement of any professional specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist of his training and experience such that any allegations that he overstepped his boundaries are very unfortunate and unfounded.

Chiredzi – Two toddlers at a Chiredzi Creche are said to have died this afternoon after the owner of the school allegedly left them locked in a kombi when the maximum temperature in the town today was around 32 degrees Celcius.

The children were allegedly left in the kombi in the morning and found dead at around 1 pm. The incident happened at D970 Westwood Chiredzi where the Creche is located, said sources told The Mirror.

Masvingo Police spokesperson, Kudakwashe Dhewa said he is yet to get details of the story.

The Mirror could not establish the name of the crèche.

Zhuwakinah Javangwe who is said to be the owner of the crèche could not be reached for comment as her phone was not reachable.

However, her husband Kennedy Javangwe confirmed the tragedy.

“Yes, I can confirm that such an accident occurred but it involved my wife. I am not in a position to give details at the moment,” said Javangwe.

The sources said four toddlers who are all below the age of five were locked up in a kombi in the morning resulting in two of them succumbing to the searing heat. The owner is said to have only returned to the vehicle in the afternoon where he found two of the kids dead.

While the maximum temperature was at around 32 degrees, temperatures inside a locked kombi will be worse.

Some sources said Zhuwakinya forgot the toddlers in the vehicle while others alleged that they were locked inside the car for being troublesome. The Mirror could not establish whether the crèche is registered or not.

Masvingo Mirror

https://masvingomirror.com

Scores of households in Binga District, Matabeleland North Province, whose homesteads were destroyed by floods almost two years ago, are still waiting for the Government to provide them with shelter.

More than 215 homesteads located on the confluence of Sibwambwa, Sikande, Namapande and Manyenyengwa rivers were destroyed by floods on 10 February last year, displacing 967 people.

Civil Protection Unit (CPU) director Nathan Nkomo told VicFallsLive that 6 out of 37 homesteads in the Nsungwale area have been completed though not yet roofed. Said Nkomo:

We need something like $80 million to finish rebuilding those houses, but if you go through our national contingency plan in the 2021-2022 rainfall season, there is a figure of US$101 million which talks of a backlog infrastructure, which requires rehabilitation.

(Chininga Bridge) might be one of those because we came together and all the provinces presented the outstanding works of infrastructure being undertaken in their provinces, so I wouldn’t be surprised.

The Chininga bridge, which connected Nsungwale and Siabuwa and linked the centres with Karoi, Gokwe and Kariba, was destroyed by the floods.

The Government has been accused of abandoning the villagers as some of them have since deserted the camps that were set up by the CPU citing lack of amenities and food.

However, Nkomo denied the accusations saying they have provided the flood victims with “almost everything” including food. He said:

In those circumstances, people will always say something because they were used to their own ways of living, but as far as we know we have been giving them food when that calamity of flash floods happened.

We provided them with almost everything from grains and relish.

The reason why they keep going back to their destroyed homesteads is that where these rivers meet they deposit some soils, which are very good for agriculture and this is why even in Tsholotsho you see some going back to the confluence of Gwayi and Shangani rivers.- VicFallsLive

In the case set for the removal of Chief Justice Like Malaba, the matter in which three Supreme Court judges were meant to controversially hear their own appeal was yesterday removed from the roll.

Justices Lavender Makoni, Samuel Kudya and Elfias Chitakunye had appealed a High Court judgment in a case in which the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (The Forum), Young Lawyers Association of Zimbabwe (YLAZ) and Frederick Mutanda had challenged the extension of Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s term of office. The three judges were set to preside over the case.

However, parties to the appeal decided that all the appeals must be removed from the roll as the issues had already been dealt with in the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) case brought by Zanu PF activist Marx Mupungu.

The judgment was issued by consent.

Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi’s lawyer, Thembinkosi Magwaliba proposed that the appeal should be removed from the roll because it raised issues that had already been addressed in the Mupungu judgment by the ConCourt.

Addington Chinake and Andrea Dracos, who represented the judges and YLAZ concurred with Magwaliba.

In the ruling, Justice Makoni said the four appeals “are hereby removed from the roll with no order as to costs” because all issues raised in the appeals were dealt with in the Mupungu judgment.

The Forum did not attend the hearing, saying it had been overtaken by events.

In May this year, High Court judges Justices Happias Zhou, Edith Mushore and Jester Charewa ruled that the extension of Malaba’s term by five years after reaching the retirement age of 70 was unconstitutional after Kika, YLAZ and Mutanda filed separate applications at the High Court challenging the extension.

The applicants cited Ziyambi Ziyambi, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Attorney-General Prince Machaya and all the judges of the Constitutional and Supreme courts.

The JSC and the 17 Supreme Court and ConCourt judges, including Justices Makoni, Kudya and Chatukuta, appealed the judgment two weeks later.

But before the appeal was heard, Mupungu approached the ConCourt seeking to reverse the High Court ruling.

The ConCourt bench led by Deputy Chief Justice Gwaunza unanimously ruled that the extension of Malaba’s term limit was constitutional.

The apex court annulled Justice Zhou’s judgment, confirming that all medically fit judges of the three top courts’ terms of office could be extended until they reached the age of 75.

The three judges concurred that the constitutional rights applied only to sitting High Court judges and not to sitting Supreme Court or ConCourt judges.

Kika snubbed the hearing after the ConCourt dismissed his application to have the judges recuse themselves, saying they were conflicted.

He also snubbed the Mupungu hearing after judges cited in the matter refused to recuse themselves saying he strongly felt that it was irregular for the court to sit over its own matter.- Newsday

Finance and Economic Development Permanent Secretary Mr George Guvamatanga has been appointed to the board of the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group).

Mr Guvamatanga is an experienced banker with nearly 30 years experience in the sector, mainly with Barclays Bank..

In a statement last night Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said President Mnangagwa had approved the banker’s appointment to the international group.

“The appointment, which is for an initial period of three years, is with effect from 1st October 2021 and covers Botswana, Eritrea, Mauritius, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.”

“Established in 1985, the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB), formerly the Preferential Trade Area Bank (PTA) Bank, is a multilateral, treaty-based development financial institution, with assets of over US$5 billion,” said Minister Ncube.

“The bank’s mandate is to finance and foster trade, regional economic integration and sustainable development, through trade finance, project and infrastructure finance, asset management and business advisory services.

“In the past five years, TDB’s shareholder base has grown from 19 to 35 members, including 22 members from across COMESA, EAC and SADC, 2 Non-African member countries and 11 institutional investors.”

Minister Ncube said Mr Guvamatanga was an experienced banker and well-rounded professional with a demonstrated history of working at the highest level in the financial services industry.

“His new role as a non-executive director of the TDB Group will broaden his responsibilities and allow him to make a contribution to the socio-economic development of member states in Eastern and Southern Africa, particularly through trade development and supporting the implementation of projects designed to make African economies increasingly complementary to each other,” said Minister Ncube.-Herald