Prosecutor General Mr Kumbirai Hodzi has directed the police to investigate possible violations of the exchange control and the tax laws in a transaction that saw two Zimbabweans claiming ownership of a 554 hectare farm bought in 2016 although the State had compulsorily acquired it under the land reform.
Government, under the land reform laws, compulsorily acquired subdivision A of subdivision B of Umguza block measuring 195,8095 hectares and subdivision C of Umguza block measuring 358,8095 hectares, the two blocks forming Kershelmar (Esidakeni) Farm in Nyamandlovu.
Kumbirai-Hodzi…
The farm was allocated to Mr Dumisani Madzivanyati and Mr Reason Mpofu.
However, Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) director Mr Siphosami Malunga and his two business partners, Mr Zephaniah Dhlamini and Mr Charles Moyo, are contesting in an urgent chamber application the compulsory acquisition arguing that they bought the farm at a public auction in 2016.
There is another procedure in place since last year for indigenous owners of land to query any compulsory acquisition, but this was not followed.
While the civil dispute is pending in the High Court, Mr Hodzi has directed a criminal investigation into exactly what happened to have the property put on sale in the first place.
“The Constitution empowers this office to direct the Commissioner-General of Police to investigate and report on anything, which in the Prosecutor-General’s opinion relates to an offence or alleged or suspected offence.
“Accordingly, I hereby notify the public that the Commissioner-General of Police is hereby being directed to investigate and report back to this office in respect of his findings on the allegations aforesaid.
“My Office undertakes to make public a summary of those findings once completed,” he said.
Mr Hodzi said the case generated public interest and the police should investigate whether or not there is criminal conduct.
During the course of the above litigation, it came to the attention of the National Prosecuting Authority that there could have been certain acts or omissions of a criminal nature related to the sale of the entire issued shares in Kershelmar.
These allegations are focused on non-compliance with the Capital Gains Tax and Exchange Control regulations of Zimbabwe, he said.
In a recent response filed by the Attorney General in the pending civil case, Government said Mr Malunga and his two business partners had no legal standing to approach the court claiming ownership of Kershelmar (Esidakeni) Farm.
Mr Malunga and his partners, through Webb, Low and Barry Legal Practitioners, recently filed an urgent chamber application at the Bulawayo High Court in which they accused Central Intelligence Organisation deputy director-general Dr Gatsha Mazithulela and the two beneficiaries, Mr Mpofu and Mr Madzivanyathi of illegally acquiring their farm.
In their application, Mr Malunga’s team cited Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Richard Moyo, the provincial chief lands officer, Registrar of Deeds, Mr Mpofu and Mr Madzivanyathi as respondents.
They are seeking an order declaring the State acquisition of the farm held under Dr Mazithulela null and void and in violation of provisions of Section 72 of the Constitution.
In his founding affidavit, one of the three claiming ownership, Mr Dhlamini, argued that prior to December 18 last year, Esidakeni Farm had not been acquired under land reform because it was a very productive dairy farm.
Mr Dhlamini said the three had bought the farm in 2016 through a public auction after the sale was published in the Government Gazette of June 26, 2015. They argue that they acquired the property from Mr Swindles in 2017.
In his notice of opposition through the Civil Division in the Attorney-General’s Office, Minister Masuka said the applicants have no legal standing to institute legal proceedings as they do not have an offer letter as stated in the Gazetted Lands (Consequential Provisions) Act.
“In addition to this, the applicants are not even at law the owners of the land in that the title deeds used for the acquisition is in the name of the former white farmer. It would make sense if he was the one making this application,” he said.
Minister Masuka said the relief sought by the three cannot be granted as the land in question belongs to the State.
“The acquisition process is governed and provided for by Section 72 of the Constitution, which makes it clear that once a piece of land is gazetted, it immediately becomes State land and this process can’t be challenged in court,” said Dr Masuka.
“Clearly, the applicants are way out of their depth in terms of appreciation of land laws and their application. The relief they seek is baseless both at law and on the facts.”
Dr Masuka said the applicants are abusing the court processes as they did not follow due procedure.
“This honourable court has no jurisdiction to hear this matter. There is no provision at law for the nullification of a proper and lawful acquisition of agricultural land whose acquisition is in terms of Section 72 of the Constitution,” he argued.
“If indeed, the applicants owned the land at the time of acquisition, for either restoration of title or compensation is the laid down procedure in terms of Statutory Instrument 62 of 2020, which was duly gazetted. The SI provides procedures to be done if one is an indigenous person whose land had been acquired.”
Dr Masuka said the applicants are not the rightful owners and holders of title deeds of Kershelmar Farm. He said the applicants did not attach proof of investment on the farm.
The minister dismissed claims by the applicants that Dr Mazithulela, Minister Moyo and Mr Mpofu and Mr Madzivanyathi were involved in the acquisition of the land as unfounded.
He said the applicants were unnecessarily dragging the names of these respondents into the disrepute as they had no influence in the acquisition of the farm.
Dr Masuka said his ministry is guided by Section 72 of the Constitution when acquiring land and Section 289 when it comes to land policy.
Other respondents, in their notices of opposition through their lawyers, disputed the issues raised in the application and sought its dismissal.
They argued that the application is riddled with several unsubstantiated allegations of corruption and relationships, which they denied.
They also argued that they were beneficiaries and holders of valid offer letters issued by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
The respondents further argued that the alleged previous owner of the disputed land did not sign the alleged sale of shares agreement. They queried why the applicants did not disclose what became of the deceased estate of the person who had a lease with the alleged previous owner with regard to the document.
Mr Mpofu denied allegations by the applicants that he had a corrupt relationship with Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu.LD
“Even if I were to be said to be related to him (Dr Mpofu) that does not justify a claim that I obtained an offer letter on the basis of that relationship,” he said in his opposing affidavit.- Herald
The Warriors were beaten 3-1 by the Black Stars of Ghana in a 2022 World Cup qualifier that was played at the Cape Coast Stadium in Ghana on Saturday evening.
The Ghanaians drew first blood in the 5th minute of the first half through Mohammed Kudus before Warriors captain Knowledge Musona equalised from the penalty spot in the 49th minute.
However, the Black Stars restored their lead in the 66th minute through a Tomas Partey strike, before Andrew Ayew confirmed the West Africans’ superiority with the third goal in the 87th minute.
In another Group G match played earlier on Saturday, South Africa extended their lead at the top of the Group with a 3-1 win over Ethiopia in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Bafana now lead the group on seven points at the halfway mark of the first round of the qualifying campaign for Qatar.
Ghana are second on 6 points after beating Ethiopia in their first match and losing 1-0 to South Africa, with Ethiopia on third spot with 3 points following a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe.
The Warriors are bottom of the group, with only 1 point from the 0-0 draw with Bafana Bafana in September.
On Tuesday, South Africa host Ethiopia at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg at 6 PM, while Zimbabwe host Ghana at the National Sports Stadium in Harare at 3 PM.
Ghana XI: J. Wollacott (GK) , D. Amartey, J. Mensah, A. Djiku, B. Rahman, T. Partey, A. Ayew (c) , M. Kudus, I. Fatawu, K. Sulemana, J. Ayew.
Warriors XI: W. Arubi (GK), T. Darikwa, O. Bhasera, K. Madzongwe, M. Nakamba, T. Kamusoko, M. Munetsi, J. Zemura, P. Chikwende, K. Musona (c), K. Mutizwa.- Pindula News
After the Government announcement that bars are open to fully vaccinated revellers last weekend, many merrymakers had joy and fun as they enjoyed their time.
Music promoters also took the chance to resume live shows.
It was a weekend filled with fun from gospel concerts to several events and festivals.
Some gospel lovers were treated to thrilling performances at the just-ended two-day gospel festival which was held at the Harare Gardens under the Covid-19 restrictions and regulations.
The event dubbed: “Invitational Worship Experience” saw the Chisipite Worship Team put up a scintillating performance.
The choir gave an energetic performance as they dished out some of their old and latest songs which included “If you believe”, “Huya mose”, “Makanaka Jesu”, “Musharukwa”, “Holy Spirit”, “Lord My God” and “Izwi” among others.
In an interview, group spokesperson Rondell Wine said everything went according to plan.
“The gospel festival was designed to celebrate the dichotomy of modern day music and African theme which was recorded live,” he said.
“For now, we are working on the Christmas programme as preparations are beginning this month end.
“We want to do the same . We are happy that everything went according to plan.”
The event was divided into two parts with Friday dedicated to contemporary gospel night, while the closing night (Saturday) was the “Africa night”.
At The Venue in Avondale a small crowd attended the fourth edition of the Jacaranda Music Festival.
Again, the festival also ran for two days from Friday to Saturday with performances by Jah Prayzah, Hope Masike, Bryan K, Mookomba and Mbeu.
It was held under the theme, “In Music We Trust”.
Meanwhile, in South Africa, sungura ace Alick Macheso had a good day in office at the Newton Music Factory, formerly Bassline, in Newton South Africa on Saturday night as he made a welcome return to probably one of his favourite music hunting grounds.
Macheso is a big hit in South Africa with the largely Zimbabwean music lovers domiciled there.
The sungura giant has also made some serious in-roads in the Limpopo province and his publicist Tich Makahamadze said they were happy with the turn of events during their two-week tour of South Africa.
“South Africa is our second home and I am really happy that we are having sold out shows,” he said.
“We missed our fans this side and you can tell the connection we have with them from the numbers coming.
“We will be having our last show in Capetown on October 17 at the Goodhope Civic Hall.”
South African based music critic Mannie Rungano said Macheso had proved his mettle with the South African shows.
“Macheso is just legendary and he literally packed Newtown Music Factory formerly Bassline,” he said.
“We are happy that our Zimbabwean artists are demonstrating the capacity to perform anywhere and Macheso is a good example.”
Macheso performed in Germiston last night and the band will stay a week longer in Johannesburg before proceeding to Cape Town. -Herald
THE announcement by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that it has recommended widespread use of malaria vaccines among children in sub-Saharan Africa and other high malaria-burden regions is a huge scientific breakthrough.
With more than 260 000 African children under the age of five succumbing to malaria annually, the disease has burdened many countries, Zimbabwe included.
Children are mostly at risk, as evidenced by empirical evidence — often sidelined — yet malaria remains a primary cause of childhood illness and death in sub-Saharan Africa.
In recent years, WHO and its partners have been reporting stagnation in progress against the deadly disease and the new announcement will give countries a chance to tone down the adverse effects of malaria and take control.
But Zimbabwe, experiencing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, will have a tough job ahead, that of creating awareness of the new development so that malaria vaccination cannot suffer the same fate.
The Health ministry and partners should immediately reach out to communities spreading the gospel in order to halt speculation and ultimately vaccine hesitancy.- NewsDay
By Dr Masimba Mavaza | Zimbabweans were left shocked by the totally irresponsible showing off attitude by the permanent secretary in the ministry of Finance Mr George Guvamatanga. People are constrained that the irresponsible comments coming out of the unguarded mouth of George Guvamatanga have only helped to spawn resentment to the government of the new dispensation. Guvamatanga’s comments came during a lavish birthday he held in his own honour.
While it is understandable that as a part of free speech everyone has the right to vent his or her feelings, what has been uttered by George Guvamatanga is regrettable and utterly reprehensible. And equally alarming is to see the senior civil servant boasting with funds and riches sponsored on the public fund. Populism may fetch a few votes for a candidate but carries within it seeds of his undoing. History tells us that all thieves were once popular boastful dunderheads masquerading as leaders.
George Guvamatanga
It appears that a bizarre game was being played out at this party where as a senior civil servant Guvamatanga shunned Zimbabwean singers and flew in foreign singers who he promised to pay 5 times more than they have charged him in a country struggling to make ends meet.
The Permanent Secretary made preposterous utterances and even added salt to the injury by saying that he is not ashamed of being rich. In the wake of his utterances Guvamatanga needs to take credible and irreversible steps against corruption rather than making hysterical statements to obfuscate the core issue that bedevils our economy, money. Besides his verbal running mouth Guvamatanga was given 50 thousand dollars as a present by Tagwirei who is known to be doing a lot of business with the govt. ‘Guvamatanga is the government paymaster and Tagwirei is the biggest beneficiary of some of the most shady and undue payments’ many people complained.
Is it lawful for Guvamatanga, the govt paymaster, to accept a USD50k present from a client of the government, Kuda Tagwirei?
This is clear corruption and it must be investigated. Treasury secretary, George Guvamatanga’s acceptance of lavish gifts from business tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei is legally questionable, borders on the lines of corruption and puts the whole government into disrepute.
Guvamatanga, a civil servant splashed millions of dollars by flying three top South African performers Mafikizolo, Makhadzi and Louis Mhlanga to entertain selected guests.
Tagwirei, the biggest beneficiary of govt contracts in the last five years, showered gifts on the government paymaster, pledging a private jet, US$50,000 in spending money, an executive box at the Emirates Stadium in London and a shirt signed by Arsenal captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
In a very irresponsible manner when president Mnangagwa is fighting corruption and Africa is standing with us on fighting sanctions Tagwirei showed a middle finger to those standing by us when he said “We’re on sanctions, but we make things happen over there (in the United Kingdom),Tagwirei boasted, referring to travel and financial sanctions imposed on him by the United Kingdom in July for “poisoning the well of democracy” through corruption. This behaviour by Tagwirei and Guvamatanga does not help us as a nation but destroy what we are fighting against.
How could this country cultivate a progressive support when there are people who step out to speak on parties without exercising good sense, sombre-minded consideration for the full welfare of society, and make a reasonably conscious effort to be objective, responsible, and professional in sharing their opinion with the nation? People who take on the role of public leadership, especially those positioning themselves as experts, need to be aware that their utterances on the national stage have multifaceted, far-reaching, and potentially damaging impact, that their words and choice of language could damage the public good and national progress.
A disturbing news story made the rounds in some sections of the national media and internationally on social media highlighting the strange, incomprehensible, outlandish remarks by the nation’s purse holder and nation’s richest man Tagwirei.The headlines in several daily newspapers and social media were screaming a tantrum, concerning the extravagancy exhibited by the Permanent secretary and the public acceptance of a bribe from Tagwirei. Guvamatanga Is serving this country as head of the finance and therefore his comments take on a decidedly expert tone, and as a member of the Civil Service he also speaks with a political overtone. Indeed, the nation touts him as the country’s leading financial advisor and Tagwirei is the presidential advisor.
Given such an elevated perch in the finance ministry how responsible and sensible is the utterance and behaviour of Guvamatanga and Tagwirei.
Zimbabwe is a small country now working its way out of decades of poverty and socioeconomic struggles, and found great favour with the region and good guidance of ED but now being plunged into confusion by these two spoiled brutes.
Legally speaking Tagwirei’s gift to Guvamatanga has corruption written all over its face.
“Nothing about that gift passes the corruption smell test. Given the allegations against the giver and how he benefits from certain decisions by the ministry of finance, the question ‘what is he paying for’ is a valid one,” Chinyoka a lawyer said.
“With enough digging, it might not be hard to conclude it’s also unlawful.”
If we look at the law the gift by Tagwirei was a bribe.“The evidently turpius gift shows that both the giver and the receiver have received an education in fraud. It is completely reprehensible and drags the department of finance into moral defilement.
“It is impossible to ignore the fact that the two are in an ongoing relationship over which serious questions have been and continue to be raised.”advocate Thabani Mpofu recognised.
The law as enshrined on section 170(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and Tagwirei’s actions could be penalised under the same anti-bribery law in section 170(1)(b).
The cited law says:
(1) Any
(a) agent who obtains or agrees to obtain or solicits or agrees to accept for himself or herself or any other person any gift or consideration as an inducement or reward
(i) for doing or omitting to do, or having done or omitted to do, any act in relation to his or her principal’s affairs or business; or
(ii) for showing or not showing, or having shown or not shown, any favour or disfavour to any person or thing in relation to his or her principal’s affairs or business;
knowing or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that such gift or consideration is not due to him or her in terms of any agreement or arrangement between himself or herself and his or her principal;
or
(b) person who, for himself or herself or any other person, gives or agrees to give or offers to an agent any gift or consideration as an inducement or reward
(i) for doing or omitting to do, or having done or omitted to do, any act in relation to his or her principal’s affairs or business; or
(ii) for showing or not showing, or having shown or not shown, any favour or disfavour to any person or thing in relation to his or her principal’s affairs or business;
knowing or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that such gift or consideration is not due to the agent in terms of any agreement or arrangement between the agent and his or her principal; shall be guilty of bribery.
The penalty for this kind of criminal misconduct is a period of up to 20 years in prison. Section 170(2) aids the prosecution with the presumption that a gift given under these circumstances is given as a bribe. The bribery can be in respect of a transaction that has already taken place or it may be in respect of future indeterminate transactions.
“Effectively, the onus is on the two to demonstrate the purity of their relationship. This is the kind of issue that any self-respecting Anti-Corruption Commission must become seized with.”
At the heart of the lawyers’ concerns is that Tagwirei, through his company Sakunda Holdings, managed an opaque US$3 billion programme called Command Agriculture which a parliamentary committee said was a scheme to fleece the public purse with zero accountability.
Sakunda Holdings redeemed government treasury bills at up to ten times their official value, accelerating the devaluation of the Zimbabwe dollar and increasing the price of essentials such as food, fuel and medicines.
Through his company, Fossil Group, Tagwirei is also receiving millions of dollars from treasury for road construction contracts, while another of his companies, Landela Investments, has reportedly received US$110 million from the government to import buses, a contract that was awarded without going to tender.
Our concerns stem from the likely serious and far reaching consequences such behaviour will have long after they have been done. Even if Guvamombe is not an elected officer his utterances and behaviour are bound to create a mindset among a segment of the West about Zimbabwe that may not be easy to erase.
We are happy to note that there have been across the board condemnation of the behaviour.
The people’s representatives just keep getting richer, and doing so faster than the people represented.
The secret deals and hidden assets of some of the country’s richest and most powerful people will be revealed very soon.
Mr Guvamatanga is supposed to declare his wealth especially now that the nation knows that he only got a payout 350 thousand dollars in 2017. We must not give idiots like Hopewell Chin’ono things to say. We must be responsible as people and as leaders.
On Sunday, Guvamatanga defended his extravagant party, and his pledge to pay five times more than he was charged by Mhlanga, the jazz musician. Guvamatanga said Mhlanga would find the money in his account in South Africa – raising potential breaches of exchange control regulations.
“I worked for a big international bank for 30 years and I was paid in offshore accounts. There are millions in that account,” Guvamatanga told The Standard.
“My package at Barclays, including my bonus was US$3 million. It is all above board. I have a known offshore account, and have interests across most sectors of the economy, from insurance to agriculture to distribution and others.
“I cannot pretend to be poor.”
However The Zimbabwe Independent newspaper reported at the time that he had been forced out as managing director with a US$354,000 exit package.
Guvamatanga’s civil service salary is RTGS$170,000, this is not enough to splash such lavish parties. It is more so out of courtesy that in a country were we are all groaning under hardships sacrificing for our country to be better government needs very serious focused permanent secretaries not the ones who divide the nation by their verbal diarrhoea.
It is also known that he harbours higher political ambitions. The sad saga of Zimbabwean politics is that any political statement that glorifies self is welcomed by many. It could be possible that Mr.Guvamatanga too, is playing the same card. However, for a responsible Civil Servant to make such wild parties and receive such dubious presents allegations completely uncalled for.
It may be pertinent to point out that Zimbabwe as a nation has never harboured ill intentions against its people and it is not our custom to show off.
Guvamatanga and Kuda Tagwirei must be arrested and it must be made clear that Guvamatanga is not ZANU PF he is a government officer. Tagwirei is not in ZANU PF structures but he is a businessman who is a Zimbabwean. So it is mischief for any one to associate the wayward behaviour of these two outlaws to ZANU PF.
WE ALL HAVE A DUTY TO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY FROM SUCH CHARACTERS. [email protected]
MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has threatened to boycott the 2023 election unless President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government implements electoral reforms.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Mwonzora said Mnangagwa last month responded to his plea for dialogue, describing it as a positive development for his push for electoral reforms before the 2023 elections.
Mwonzora indicated that he was confident that his dialogue with Mnangagwa would be fruitful, adding that his party would not participate in the 2023 elections without electoral reforms.
“MDC-T remains committed to dialogue. We are going to push for electoral reforms and we are going to get them,” he said.
“Our mentality is focused on getting these reforms. We know how to get them through dialogue and this dialogue will be inclusive, genuine and unconditional.
“Therefore, with regards to what will happen if certain things do not happen in 2023, we are not able to postulate. We can’t tell which reforms we would be able to get and those we would not have attained.”
Mwonzora’s threats come a week after his national chairman Morgen Komichi called for the suspension of both by-elections and the 2023 harmonised polls to negotiate with Mnangagwa for an inclusive government.
In July this year, Mwonzora met Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga under controversial circumstances to allegedly push for the suspension of by-elections as well as postponement of the 2023 polls.
Komichi on Sunday said dialogue with Mnangagwa was key to determining the party’s participation in the 2023 elections, arguing that holding elections without reforms was a waste of time.
Ironically, Mwonzora’s legislators are the majority of opposition representatives in Parliament after purging the MDC Alliance members, but his MPs have assisted Mnangagwa make controversial constitutional amendments to assist the ruling Zanu-PF party clamp down on the country’s democratic space.
“We want reforms and then elections. Unlike our colleagues in the opposition who are calling for an election whether or not there are reforms,” Mwonzora said.
“That government has not allowed reforms over some years is not a good enough reason to explain why we should not insist on them. We shall not give up until there are reforms which guarantee secrecy of the vote and security of both the vote and the voter.”
Yesterday, he refused to disclose details of Mnangagwa’s responses to his request for dialogue, saying it was a private matter.
“We will make the substantive matters available at the right time. Right now, we are consulting within the MDC-T structures then thereafter we will consult the people of Zimbabwe, based on what our structures would have said.”
The MDC-T has been under criticism for having a sinister agenda in the postponement of elections.
Observers say they are not prepared for a direct contest with the mainstream opposition MDC Alliance party led by Nelson Chamisa.- NewsDay
South Africa beat Ethiopia 3-1 in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Saturday to extend their lead at the top of Group G in front of a few hundred vaccinated fans in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Bafana now lead the group on seven points at the halfway mark of the first round of the qualifying campaign for Qatar.
South Africa started their campaign with a goalless draw against Zimbabwe in Harare, and a 1-0 win over Ghana in Johannesburg in their opening two qualifiers last month.
Against the Walia ibex, Bafana scored the first goal before the halftime break through midfielder Teboho Mokoena and second-half strikes by his central midfield partner Mothobi Mvala and substitute striker Evidence Makgopa put Bafana in pole position to finish as group winners.
Getaneh Kebede cancelled out Mokoena’s goal in the 67th minute but Mvala regained the lead for Bafana four minutes later.
Makgapa punished the Ethiopians on the stroke of full time to deflate the home side.
South Africa host Ethiopia at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg at 6 pm on Tuesday, where they will be cheered on by an expected more than 2 000 vaccinated supporters.-TimesLive
By A Correspondent- A 55 year old Beitridge man was on Saturday robbed of over one million rands and three thousand five hundred United States Dollars (US$3 500) by four unidentified suspects, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed.
The suspected robbers attacked the man at his Medium Density suburb home before robbing him of the cash as well as two cellphones and four wristwatches, among other valuables. ZRP posted on Twitter:
Police in Beitbridge are investigating a robbery case that occurred on 09/10/21 at Medium Density suburb, Beitbridge.
Four unidentified suspects attacked the complainant (55) at his home before stealing ZAR 1 200 000, US$3500, two cellphones and four wristwatches, among other valuables.
Police are appealing for anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact any nearest Police Station.
In an unrelated development, police in Bulawayo are investigating circumstances surrounding a case of theft of a motor vehicle which occurred on 1 October at New Parklands.
In a statement, the ZRP said suspects stole a Grey A class Mercedes Benz vehicle which the complainant (34) had parked in the yard at his home.
Various groceries were also stolen from the kitchen where the complainant had left the car keys.
The stolen vehicle was recovered parked near Njube Clinic the following day at around 12 PM.
Guvamatanga who turned 50 in Oct 2021 & says he worked for Barcl for 30years, has been perm Secretary of Finance 3 years ago, from age 47; he left Barclays 10 months before this, aged 46. He now says he worked for Barclays for 30 years. At what age did he join Barclays, at 16?
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) bomb disposal unit and the Bulawayo Fire Brigade had to be called in after a grenade exploded at a Bulawayo school during a routine burning of grass and rubbish.
The incident that occurred two months ago has been indicated as one of the “fires of interest” by the Bulawayo City Council, with councillors expressing concern over issues to do with safety and the need to investigate the origins of the grenade.
According to the latest council report, ground workers at Ntshamathe Primary School in Old Magwegwe were clearing the grounds and decided to burn the grass and rubbish after, when the bomb exploded.
“The school workers had cleared the school ground at Ntshamathe Primary School and in the process of burning the grass and rubbish, the fire went out of control and spread to the rest of the ground.
While the fire was burning a very loud explosion was heard from the grounds and a dark cloud was observed with trembling of nearby houses.
It was later discovered after the ZNA bomb disposal unit had attended that a grenade had exploded.
This is one of the risks that our fire-fighters face in the process of fighting bush fires,” reads the report.
Commenting on the incident, during a full council meeting last Wednesday, Ward Four Councillor, Silas Chigora said while the incident appeared to be isolated there was a need for council to take it more seriously and engage the army to check public places and assure the public of their safety.
“This happened in a school, which in itself is scary. The question is are we really safe in Bulawayo? Where did this grenade come from, how did it end up in the school grounds? Is it a grenade from the times of the liberation struggle? Something really has to be done to make sure that our public places are safe, if possible let us invite the army to generally go through all the schools and public places. We really have to assure the public’s safety,” said Clr Chigora.
Meanwhile, councillors have commended the local authority for coming up with the consolidated fire by-laws which among other things has made it a finable offence for property owners not to display their house numbers.
Last month, the local authority updated its Fire Brigade by-laws which among other provisions made it a Level Three offence for home owners not to display their house numbers at their premises.
The level offences are benchmarked to the Government levels where Level Three is attracting a fine of $5 000.
Debating during the full council meeting, councillors commended the local authority for coming up with the by-laws and further encouraged the putting up of street names so as to further improve property identification.
“Alderman Siboniso Khumalo applauded the Fire and Ambulance Department for coming up with a good move to fine residents who did not display their property numbers.
He urged the relevance development to also anchor street names as they would also make identification of a property/house easier in case of emergency.
He wanted to know if the system was in use and also reliable,” reads the report.
The Chamber Secretary, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou, revealed that the by-laws had been advertised for comments from stakeholders before finalisation and gazetting.
By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance on Saturday donated groceries to socially disadvantaged women in Makoni Central and surrounding areas.
MDC Alliance vice president Hon Lynette Karenyi- Kore led the process.
See statement below:
Multitudes of women gathered from Makoni Central and beyond to celebrate the important role widows play in our communities. The party donated groceries to the widows. Improving the lives of ordinary people is our central aim. The people come first
In line with our People’s Agenda which champions the cause of women, the MDC Alliance commemorated Widows’ Day in Makoni Central on Saturday. The event was attended by senior leaders of the party including Assembly of Women Chair, Hon Mugidho, VP Karenyi Kore & Hon Molokele.
By A Correspondent-The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has announced that it has recovered over $750 000 and US$8 million from tax evaders.
This was revealed during a workshop hosted by Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) to review the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which was attended by Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) steering committee members.
Zimra commissioner-in-charge of revenue assurance Regina Chinamasa said the authority had conducted an assessment of tax compliance of funds amounting to US$110 740 105 and prosecuted 34 cases since the beginning of the year.
“Given the high level of non-compliance, there is a lot of room for us to move in and deal with tax evasion,” Chinamasa said. “From the perspective of capacitation, Zimra then created a dedicated team that is working on tax evasion from the international taxation and local perspectives. We are partnering with other development partners so that we get the technical assistance to capacitate our officers and this is an ongoing process.
“We are partnering with other agencies to address the vice of tax evasion.” Stakeholders who attended the meeting bemoaned delays in dealing with asset recovery, jurisdiction and duplication of investigation among law enforcement agencies.
“The National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) defines the country’s priority and objectives to prevent and combat corruption for the next five years,” TIZ research and advocacy officer Nqobani Tshabangu said.
He added: “While many countries have adopted strategies aimed at co-ordinating government efforts in different sectors and institutions and at monitoring and evaluating progress, there are not so many successful examples when it comes to implementation.
“The COVID-19 restrictions were a bigger challenge on implementation of NACS as it deterred meetings and training of citizens on how to report corruption cases.
“There is need for a whistleblower protection law which is, however, determined by the political will to ensure that citizens are not afraid of reporting corruption cases happening in their areas or workplaces. Whistleblowers are not willing to report cases and to be witnesses to cases of corruption.”
Recent studies by TIZ on corruption show that the culture of impunity in dealing with high-profile corruption cases and misuse of public has weakened the capacity to ensure compliance with tax payments.
TIZ said poor tax compliance in the country had also resultantly been detrimental to the growth of Zimbabwe’s economy, which largely depends on tax money.
Last month, Zacc arrested Harare businessman Trust Chiro for allegedly evading import duty for his five commercial trucks, three of which were recovered by Zimra officials in Waterfalls, Harare, early this year. The businessman allegedly prejudiced the parastatal of US$388 003.
By A Correspondent-The other faction of the Tendai Biti led People’sPeople’s Democratic Party (PDP) has approached the courts challenging the former Finance Minister’sMinister’s return to Parliament.
The leader of that faction, Lucia Matibenga, has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.
Last month, Justice Joseph Mafusire ruled Biti and five other MPs, who are part of the other PDP faction and were recalled from Parliament should return as their recalls were unlawful.
The aggrieved MPs, who include, Kucaca Phulu, Settlement Chikwinya, Willias Madzimure, Regai Tsunga, Chelesile Mahlangu had filed a court application seeking execution of Justice Mafusire’sMafusire’s judgment.
They said their order for execution should be granted as the appeal before the Supreme Court did not have the power to suspend the lower court’scourt’s order.
However, according to court papers, Matibenga through her lawyer Simon Simango filed a Supreme Court appeal challenging the ruling and effectively suspending its execution.
But the affected lawmakers argue Matibenga’sMatibenga’s appeal is invalid.
“”The appeal has no merit. The appeal is an abuse of the rule of law and constitutionalism. More importantly, the appeal is an assault on democracy which is protected by the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“”Furthermore, the appeal does not have the effect of suspending the order because it is an appeal against a declarator. In the circumstances, I believe we have shown a good cause for the granting of the order we seek,”” reads their application.
The six MPs also argued the court should grant them an order of execution as Simango, Matibenga and Benjamin Rukanda were abusing the law and using the Supreme Court appeal to delay their reinstatement into Parliament.
They demanded the court orders Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda and Parliament to comply with Justice Mafusire’sMafusire’s judgment and reinstate them back into Parliament.
They are also asking that the court declare the High Court order in the present case should remain operative despite any leave to appeal being granted or the successful noting of an appeal at the Supreme Court.
By A Correspondent- MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has threatened to boycott the 2023 election unless President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government implements electoral reforms.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Mwonzora said Mnangagwa last month responded to his plea for dialogue, describing it as a positive development for his push for electoral reforms before the 2023 elections.
Mwonzora indicated that he was confident that his dialogue with Mnangagwa would be fruitful, adding that his party would not participate in the 2023 elections without electoral reforms.
“MDC-T remains committed to dialogue. We are going to push for electoral reforms and we are going to get them,” he said.
“Our mentality is focused on getting these reforms. We know how to get them through dialogue and this dialogue will be inclusive, genuine and unconditional.
“Therefore, with regards to what will happen if certain things do not happen in 2023, we are not able to postulate. We can’t tell which reforms we would be able to get and those we would not have attained.”
Mwonzora’s threats come a week after his national chairman Morgen Komichi called for the suspension of both by-elections and the 2023 harmonised polls to negotiate with Mnangagwa for an inclusive government.
In July this year, Mwonzora met Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga under controversial circumstances to allegedly push for the suspension of by-elections as well as postponement of the 2023 polls.
Komichi on Sunday said dialogue with Mnangagwa was key to determining the party’s participation in the 2023 elections, arguing that holding elections without reforms was a waste of time.
Ironically, Mwonzora’s legislators are the majority of opposition representatives in Parliament after purging the MDC Alliance members, but his MPs have assisted Mnangagwa make controversial constitutional amendments to assist the ruling Zanu-PF party clamp down on the country’s democratic space.
“We want reforms and then elections. Unlike our colleagues in the opposition who are calling for an election whether or not there are reforms,” Mwonzora said.
“That government has not allowed reforms over some years is not a good enough reason to explain why we should not insist on them. We shall not give up until there are reforms which guarantee secrecy of the vote and security of both the vote and the voter.”
Yesterday, he refused to disclose details of Mnangagwa’s responses to his request for dialogue, saying it was a private matter.
“We will make the substantive matters available at the right time. Right now, we are consulting within the MDC-T structures then thereafter we will consult the people of Zimbabwe, based on what our structures would have said.”
The MDC-T has been under criticism for having a sinister agenda in the postponement of elections.
Observers say they are not prepared for a direct contest with the mainstream opposition MDC Alliance party led by Nelson Chamisa.- NewsDay
By A Correspondent- Police have arrested Thubelithle Khoshow (26) in connection with cases of Murder and Rape which occurred on October 9 at around 0300 hours at Stone Clare, Redcliff, Kwekwe.
Thubelihle who is alleged to be mentally challenged went berserk and killed six congregants while injuring some at a shrine in Rutendo.
According to information shared by National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the man is believed to have stormed a night virgil at the shrine, brutally attacking some of the congregants. Reasons for the attack were yet to be established.
“The ZRP reports that a 26-year-old man stabbed six people to death and injured four others on 9/10/21 at around 0300 hrs at Stoneclere, Rutendo suburb in Redcliff, after a suspected mental illness while attending an all-night prayer at a local apostolic shrine,” Ass Comm Nyathi said.
On the said date, the suspect who is a member of the Johane Masowe sect became mentally disturbed and acted violently whilst at his residential place at Stone Clare, Redcliff, Kwekwe. As a result, he was ferried by his aunt to the church’s shrine for prayers.
Whilst at the shrine, the suspect became violent and began to uproot trees as well as pushing stationery vehicles. The church congregants managed to subdue him and tied him with some ropes.
In the morning, whilst other church members were still asleep, the suspect woke up and freed himself. He got into his vehicle and drove to his house where he did not find his wife.
The suspect armed himself with three spears, a kitchen knife as well as an axe, went to his uncle’s home where he smashed the front dining room door using an unknown object and gained entry into the house.
His uncle and other family members escaped through the bedroom window leaving four children and two cousins sleeping in the dining room.
They later returned to their house and found their children lying unconscious with multiple stab wounds. As a result, they sought refuge at a police officer’s house who live nearby.
The suspect followed them to the police officer’s house where he stabbed the police officer on the back with a spear.
He further seriously injured three other people and fatally stabbed a 33-year-old man.
The suspect returned to his residence and stabbed to death two female adults aged 56 and 85 before raping his uncle’s wife.
The injured were referred to Kwekwe General Hospital where three juveniles aged 7,3 and 7 months died on admission.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges members of the public to cautiously treat any violent person in their communities and urgently report any such violent people to their nearest police stations.
By Nomusa Garikai- ”We want reforms and then elections. Unlike our colleagues in the opposition who are calling for an election whether or not there are reforms,” said Douglas Mwonzora, leader of MDC – T.
“That government has not allowed reforms over some years is not a good enough reason to explain why we should not insist on them. We shall not give up until there are reforms which guarantee secrecy of the vote and security of both the vote and the voter.”
Participating in flawed and illegal elections to give vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy is insane, the more so after 41 years of rigged elections in this day and age.
So after decades of telling Douglas Mwonzora and his friends in Zimbabwe’s opposition camp of the sheer folly of participating in flawed and illegal elections; it was refreshing to hear the penny had finally dropped. The announcement was a bolt out of the clear sky – or was it!
The question one has to ask is; “Is this Mwonzora and company Damascus Christophany moment?” The doubting Thomas in me cannot resist the follow up question: “Why now?”
The people of Zimbabwe have risk life and limb to elect MDC leaders into power on the understanding the party would implementing the democratic changes to end the Zanu PF dictatorship. And yet after 22 years of MDC on the political centre stage, 5 of which in the 2008 to 2013 GNU, the party has failed to implement even one token democratic reform. Not even one!
During the 2008 to 2013 GNU, it was up to MDC leaders themselves to propose and implement the democratic reforms; they did not need to ask Zanu PF to do it. SADC leaders, who were the guarantor of the Global Political Agreement that gave birth to the GNU, nagged Morgan Tsvangirai and his friends to implement the reforms but all to no account.
SADC leaders literally begged MDC leaders not to participate in the elections with no reforms in place but once again Tsvangirai and company paid no heed.
By participating in these flawed and illegal elections MDC leaders were undermining the work of those demanding free, fair and credible elections; Zanu PF was able to point to the participating opposition as proof Zimbabwe had a healthy and functioning multi-party democracy. Why otherwise, would so many opposition parties participate in the elections if the process was flawed, Zanu PF argued.
What makes MDC leaders’ betrayal, first the failure to implement the reforms and then participating in flawed to give Zanu PF legitimacy, particularly obnoxious; is that they clearly knew exactly what they were doing.
“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the (2013) elections,” confessed David Coltart, MDC A Treasurer General, in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.
“The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility.”
Four of the main MDC factions plus three other opposition parties did come together to form the MDC Alliance (MDC A) just before the 2018 elections. They went on to participate in that year’s elections, there was no talk of boycotting the elections, for the same reason they all participated in 2013 – greed.
So the answer to why Mwonzora and company are finally talking of boycotting 2023 elections is clear – they are fearful their MDC -T faction will lose the fight for the few gravy train seats to the MDC A just as Thokozani Khupe, who led MDC -T did in the 2018 elections.
Greed had blinded Mwonzora and company to participate in the elections in the past. Now that there is a real possibility they would not win any of the few gravy train seats on offer, they finally see the folly of participating in the flawed and illegal 2023 elections.
Mwonzora and company are now demanding reforms before the 2023 elections not because of some epithany of enlightenment of the sheer insanity of participating in flawed elections to give vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy. When they realised they would not win any of the few gravy train seats on offer the scales born out of greed that had blinded them finally fall off and common sense prevailed.
In 2014 all the MDC leaders, including Nelson Chamisa, Tendai Biti, David Coltart, etc., endorse the “No reform, no elections!” MDC-T party resolution only to abandon it the following years. If Mwonzora and company’s chances of winning any seats in the 2023 elections were to improve, they will once again forget the demand for reforms and participate in the elections.
By A Correspondent -An elephant that killed the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU) operations director on Friday morning was tracked and later shot dead by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) rangers.
The stray elephant had charged at Clever Kapandura (51), attacked and trampled him to death, while he was conducting an anti-poaching patrol on Friday near Bonnaise Air bush owned by the Victoria Falls City Council.
Lovemore Ndlovu from Bonnaise Air confirmed to CITE that the elephant had been gunned down.
He said:
They killed it approximately five hours later at Aerodrome suburbs.
The search was not easy as it was equally dangerous, but it was spotted by a helicopter that was dispatched to join the search and it was immediately gunned down at the same spot.
The developments were also confirmed by VFAPU co- director Teddy Brightman.
However, Zimparks spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo said he was not aware of the development but commended what rangers had done.
By Danze Edwin | Sextortion is when someone employs non-physical forms of coercion to extort sexual favours or use sex a form of blackmail to get money from someone.
In this particular case, we’ll be referring to sextortion as a cybercrime. Someone gets access to your personal data i.e nudes, sextape or private chats. This is then used to threaten the victim with the aim to achieve a particular goal.
The End game of Sextortion is more often or not always money. Sextortion is not new, it’s been around since the dark ages, BUT it’s now on the rise and is easier than ever, to execute.
Why is there a rise? The ever-growing world wide web! In 2020 alone, there was a 60% increase in numbers of accounts created on social media. Internet is no-longer a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Meetings switched to zoom, people searched more about COVID19; they also went on YouTube to learn how to build new skills.
The internet of things: Almost everything is connected to the internet now. Your smart watch, baby monitor, CCTV, Smart phones, laptops, Gaming consoles, TVs etc.
Online data storage options: Cloud storage is big business now, there is a growing need for storage for those large email attachments, files being sent around due to remote working, and galleries in our phones.
Unemployment! The pandemic has created desperation.
Weak platform security In Reference to all the above, there is one common factor the need to have passwords and security on platforms. It’s common for people to have similar passwords across multiple platforms. This has allowed for effortless data / platform breaches.
panel – file
The rise of Encrypted social platforms.
Whereas it’s good to have end to end encryption, This protects your personal chat data, BUT also protects the hackers data. They will share links with noobs. It’s hard for authorities to infiltrate these chatrooms and investigate breaches
Key to note:
Very poor cyber security culture
There biggest cause of sextortion is weak platform or device security.
People use similar passwords across multiple platforms.
They don’t read through their email (Especially the fine print)
Poor organisation security
Over reliance on Public WIFI in offices
How will they obtain your data or private content?
The “complicated way” Spammers will deploy a collection of botnets (Compromised network of computers) from a remoter server/s.
These compromised/ infected devices will then send out over 1000 emails a day to other devices on compromised networks or with malware.
A hacker or “sextorter” will share a booby trap file that you’re enticed to open. Once you click on a link, usually spam mail, malware will be installed on your devices, devices. This will grant the hacker remote control of your devices.
They’ll get access to your webcam, search history, bank details, location, email calendar, cloud storage etc.
Be careful with screen recorders, this are now available on app stores and some are pre-installed on smartphones, IOS and Android.
Key insight:
Malware exists in over 20% of web spam, and this is more often or not in emails Malware is available online on the dark web or in chatrooms.
Catfish account direct messages (DMs): We are in the era trolls, parody accounts and online the Catfish.
These accounts will pretend to be a female/ male and what they will do is share only fans links, or links to their sensual content on other 3rd party platforms. People who are into that kind of content will click on these links and eventually get their data breached.
The other way that this is happening is through DMs that they send you, asking you to share a video of you pleasing yourself or image of you nude.
“If you don’t respond or send, I am going to please someone else”
What to do in the case of sextortion?
DON’T CREATE COMPROMISING CONTENT
Don’t send more photos in the scenario that you’re being blackmailed
When you’re being blackmailed in this way, never give them the money
Inform authority immediately
Reach out to someone with knowledge on how to deal with online data breaches
Change your password regardless
Who are the easy targets?
Online users with weak security
Public figures
Some examples: TV Presenters, Musicians, Actors, CEOs, MDs, News Anchors, socialites etc
Why are they easy targets?
Public figures have public lives. Their personal data is amost easy to find; Location, Phone number, Email address, these could have been leaked online. These compiled only the web servers.
There platforms and data is managed by relatives or Friends. These people usually don’t have the technical knowledge to foresee attacks or even know how to retrieve stolen accounts
What type of content will be used to target you?
Account Verification links
Advertisement links
Job offers
Emails that contain Malware; SOS mail and the famous Nigerian prince
WhatsApp links
Click bait
Stream links
Web meeting chats
Links shared on public streams
APK files shared on software sites
How to prevent some of these;
Two factor Authentication apps • Sequence your passwords them.
Avoid Public WIFIs unless you have good platform security
Pay attention to your email text, READ it DON’t Click it. Especially emails claiming to verify account, complete login
DON’T DOWNLOAD THINGS FROM PEOPLE YOU DON’T KNOW
Have an Extra layer of security; use backup codes, face login, finger print, voice activation.
Why are they easy targets? Public figures have public lives. Their personal data is almost easy to find; Location, Phone number, Email address, these could have been leaked online. These compiled only the web servers.
There platforms and data is managed by relatives or Friends. These people usually don’t have the technical knowledge to foresee attacks or even know how to retrieve stolen accounts.
What type of content will be used to target you? • Account Verification links • Advertisement links • Job offers • Emails that contain Malware; SOS mail and the famous Nigerian prince • WhatsApp links • Click bait • Stream links • Web meeting chats • Links shared on public streams • APK files shared on software sites How to prevent some of these; • Two factor Authentication apps • Sequence your passwords them. • Avoid Public WIFIs unless you have good platform security • Pay attention to your email text, READ it DON’t Click it. Especially emails claiming to verify account, complete login • DON’T DOWNLOAD THINGS FROM PEOPLE YOU DON’T KNOW • Have an Extra layer of security; use backup codes, face login, finger print, voice activation.
Avoid random WhatsApp groups; activate invite from non-contacts • Remove auto video or Image download • Consult as much as possible, build knowledge base on cyber crime • Avoid redeemable campaigns that are driven by link sharing mechanics • Be careful with Promo codes • Get into a culture of secure backups • Format your drive/ card whenever you sell or lose a device • Tape your webcam
What are some of the consequences of sextortion? • Jail time for attacker • Loss of money from victim or organisation • More cyber crime • Suicide for victim Article information: Research on subject has been something of interest to me since I joined media. Many friends reach out with similar complaints from these attacks. Collaborating data from a series of cases I have personally handled and consultation from security agencies like CID, Forensics organisations and data provided by security firms in Africa etc Past case studies of those who have faced such attacks: Samson Kasumba, Douglas Lwanga, Ndaula Stanley, MC Ollo, Catherine, Martha Kay, Anita Fabiola etc.
Food for thought The Internet was designed to be an open highway of information, for it to be secure seems contradictory to their nature.
Danze Edwin is currently the Head of Digital Marketing at Next Media Services. He is a radio show host and TV Host on NBS TV’s on Another Round Ug.He’s worked for various brands such as The Sylvia Owori, African Woman Magazine as a social media manager, Digital Manager at Fireworks Advertising, Brainchild Burson Marsteller in 2017 he joined NBS Television as the Head of Digital Marketing
Norman Mapeza’s Warriors side succumbed to a 1-3 defeat to Ghana in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
Here is how the players fared;
Washington Arubi – 6.6 The goalkeeper conceded three goals but made a couple of big saves which could have seen Ghana scoring more.
Tendayi Darikwa- 6.8 Despite giving away the ball in the second goal, the defender showed some flashes of brilliance and strived to keep the possession. He made a good run in the build-up to the penalty.
Onismor Bhasera – 7.1 The full-back had a decent outing and linked well with Jordan Zemura at the left wing. He played more defensively and was able to contain some threats from his flank.
Kelvin Madzongwe -7 Playing as one of the centre backs, Kelvin Madzongwe had good and closed the spaces in the goal area. He made a couple of clearances on set pieces.
Marshal Munetsi -7 The France-based utility player featured in central defense. He made a number of clearances in set pieces and had the freedom to carry the ball forward on some occassions and aided the team in numbers during the attacks. He was subbed off in the last quarter of the game.
Jordan Zemura – 8 One of the most outstanding Warriors players in the game. The midfielder could have scored but was denied by the post in the second half. He made some threatening runs on the left side and crossed the ball that led to a penalty.
Thabani Kamsoko – 5. 9 Playing on the right wing behind the front three, Thabani Kamsoko din’t create many balls from his flank but had flashes at some points of the game. Overal, his performance was just above the average. He wasted some chances by choosing to goal for goal instead of finding a better-positioned teammate.
Marvelous Nakamba -6 Had a very quiet game, didn’t impose himself on the game as was expected.
Perfect Chikwende – 5.7
Was barely involved in the game and his flank never created any threatening chance.
Knowledge Musona 7.8 The captain scored the only goal for Warriors from the spot. He had a decent performance, playing from deep areas and was creative on his flank where he stretch.
Knox Mutizwa – 6.2 Playing as lone striker, Knox Mutizwa did well to win a penalty but lost a number of duels in Ghana box. He didn’t create any threatening chance but could move around to stretch the opponent’s defense.
Overal team performance- great improvments in transition and ball possession. Better dispaly in attack as they created some big chances.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance on Saturday donated groceries to socially disadvantaged women in Makoni Central and surrounding areas.
MDC Alliance vice president Hon Lynette Karenyi- Kore led the process.
See statement below:
Multitudes of women gathered from Makoni Central and beyond to celebrate the important role widows play in our communities. The party donated groceries to the widows. Improving the lives of ordinary people is our central aim. The people come first
In line with our People’s Agenda which champions the cause of women, the MDC Alliance commemorated Widows’ Day in Makoni Central on Saturday. The event was attended by senior leaders of the party including Assembly of Women Chair, Hon Mugidho, VP Karenyi Kore & Hon Molokele.
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance national spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi Mahere has condemned the persecution of ZINASU leader Takudzwa Ngadziore.
Ngadziore and members of the ZINASU national executive committee were violently arrested in Masvingo on Saturday.
Advocate Mahere described the persecution of young people by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration as unacceptable.
“This is unacceptable. The persecution of student leaders and young people by the regime on flimsy charges shows that the regime has nothing to offer young people except persecution.”
We have formally sought permission to deliver a written petition to 10 Downing Street, On the 21st October at 14:00; This petition will cover;
1. Regarding the wholly inappropriate invitation extended by the British Embassy in Harare [Presumably with an OK from the FCO, and possibly the UN – regarding COP26], Zimbabwe, to invite E D Mnangagwa, [illegally elected] President of Zimbabwe and an entourage of 70 – including 50 “Security Personnel” to the COP26 Climate Conference being held in Glasgow 31st October to 12th November 2021.
2. On E D Mnangagwa’s Human Rights record, his political repression record and his non-existent Environmental record we wish to protest in writing this visitation of a despotic tyrant, guilty of Genocide, Murder, Rape and Torture, let alone the institutionalised corruption and looting of all resources to his name.
3. We also object to E D Mnangagwa and Zanu PF [Zimbabwe and UK] appalling record for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as promoted by the United Nations [UNSDGs]. Such as, Failed Drinking Water Supplies, Failed Sewage Systems, Failed Electricity supply, Failed Road, Rail and Transport infrastructure and ongoing maintenance, Biased Judiciary, Failed voting system and administration, etc etc.
3. Signatories and hand-over team: John C Burke, Tryness Ncube and Kingstone Jambawo – ZHRO; Edgar Makuni and Model Pamire – MDCA; Malvern Dengu, Nicolate Gwati and Panyika Anselm Karimanzira – ROHR Zimbabwe; Leo Ndlovu and Zakhele Maphosa – ZAPU and other free thinking Zimbabweans.
We need to know which other groups, Lords. MP’s or Individuals who are sympathetic to this petition and who are willing to lend their name(s) to this cause.
What steps should a school take to keep students and staff safe from COVID-19?
What about vaccination? How can families and communities keep themselves safe as schools reopen? Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains in Science in 5 this week
Tinashe Sambiri| The MDC Alliance on Saturday took the mobilization and voter registration campaign to President Chamisa’s home area, Chiwara, Gutu.
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma tweeted:
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma ?? (@chumasteve) Today(Saturday) the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly was in Chiwara, Gutu, Masvingo. We are mobilizing towards change. 2023 we are removing ED and his band of criminals! #NgaapindeHakeMukomana https://t.co/nPCqGHsYpp (https://twitter.com/chumasteve/status/1446915529931952137?s=20)
By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance on Saturday donated groceries to socially disadvantaged women in Makoni Central and surrounding areas.
MDC Alliance vice president Hon Lynette Karenyi- Kore led the process.
See statement below:
Multitudes of women gathered from Makoni Central and beyond to celebrate the important role widows play in our communities. The party donated groceries to the widows. Improving the lives of ordinary people is our central aim. The people come first
In line with our People’s Agenda which champions the cause of women, the MDC Alliance commemorated Widows’ Day in Makoni Central on Saturday. The event was attended by senior leaders of the party including Assembly of Women Chair, Hon Mugidho, VP Karenyi Kore & Hon Molokele.
MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has threatened to boycott the 2023 election unless President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government implements electoral reforms.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Mwonzora said Mnangagwa last month responded to his plea for dialogue, describing it as a positive development for his push for electoral reforms before the 2023 elections.
Mwonzora indicated that he was confident that his dialogue with Mnangagwa would be fruitful, adding that his party would not participate in the 2023 elections without electoral reforms.
“MDC-T remains committed to dialogue. We are going to push for electoral reforms and we are going to get them,” he said.
“Our mentality is focused on getting these reforms. We know how to get them through dialogue and this dialogue will be inclusive, genuine and unconditional.
“Therefore, with regards to what will happen if certain things do not happen in 2023, we are not able to postulate. We can’t tell which reforms we would be able to get and those we would not have attained.”
Mwonzora’s threats come a week after his national chairman Morgen Komichi called for the suspension of both by-elections and the 2023 harmonised polls to negotiate with Mnangagwa for an inclusive government.
In July this year, Mwonzora met Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga under controversial circumstances to allegedly push for the suspension of by-elections as well as postponement of the 2023 polls.
Komichi on Sunday said dialogue with Mnangagwa was key to determining the party’s participation in the 2023 elections, arguing that holding elections without reforms was a waste of time.
Ironically, Mwonzora’s legislators are the majority of opposition representatives in Parliament after purging the MDC Alliance members, but his MPs have assisted Mnangagwa make controversial constitutional amendments to assist the ruling Zanu-PF party clamp down on the country’s democratic space.
“We want reforms and then elections. Unlike our colleagues in the opposition who are calling for an election whether or not there are reforms,” Mwonzora said.
“That government has not allowed reforms over some years is not a good enough reason to explain why we should not insist on them. We shall not give up until there are reforms which guarantee secrecy of the vote and security of both the vote and the voter.”
Yesterday, he refused to disclose details of Mnangagwa’s responses to his request for dialogue, saying it was a private matter.
“We will make the substantive matters available at the right time. Right now, we are consulting within the MDC-T structures then thereafter we will consult the people of Zimbabwe, based on what our structures would have said.”
The MDC-T has been under criticism for having a sinister agenda in the postponement of elections.
Observers say they are not prepared for a direct contest with the mainstream opposition MDC Alliance party led by Nelson Chamisa.- NewsDay
By A Correspondent- A Muslim imam appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court facing charges of raping a Grade 3 pupil.
Majidu Adini (65) appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi charged with rape and was remanded in custody to 22 October. He was advised to approach the High Court for bail.
Allegations are that sometime this year, the minor went to the mosque with her grandmother. On arrival, her grandmother got into the mosque, leaving the minor outside.
The accused person was sitting on a bench outside the mosque. He allegedly called the complainant and instructed her to get into his bedroom.
The complainant complied with the instruction and he allegedly ordered her to undress before raping her. He gave the complainant $20 and ordered her not to tell anyone.
On 5 October, the child complained to her grandmother of pain on her private parts. The grandmother quizzed her and she disclosed what had happened.
The following day, the grandmother reported the matter at ZRP Marimba, leading to Adini’s arrest.
By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer stationed in Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central Province, is facing disciplinary action after he allegedly posted opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s picture on his WhatsApp status.
Constable Spenser Chiteera posted the picture last month and captioned it “Ngaapinde Hake Mukomana”, a statement being used by MDC Alliance supporters to endorse Chamisa’s candidature in the 2023 elections.
The Standard reported a top police officer from Guruve who is close to investigations as having said the cop had since been transferred to Bindura awaiting judgement. Said the police officer:
We are conducting disciplinary action against Chiteera since he violated the Police Act by endorsing an opposition party leader on his WhatsApp status.
Efforts to contact police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi were fruitless yesterday, The Standard Reported.
Recently, the police sent a strong warning to police officers who resorted to social media to express their disgruntlement against the government.
By A Correspondent- A three-year-old male toddler died after his stepfather allegedly attacked him with an axe in Hwange recently.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Nyathi confirmed the incident which occurred on October 5 in Dete area.
He said Nkatazo Penga (38), of Nekatambe Village, who has since been arrested, was left with the child in his custody by its mother who had gone to the fields.
Said Ast Comm Nyathi:
The minor was later found dead with bruises and assault marks all over the body. Police arrested the suspect who was found carrying an axe.
A 55 year old Beitridge man was on Saturday robbed of over one million rands and three thousand five hundred United States Dollars (US$3 500) by four unidentified suspects, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed.
The suspected robbers attacked the man at his Medium Density suburb home before robbing him of the cash as well as two cellphones and four wristwatches, among other valuables. ZRP posted on Twitter:
Police in Beitbridge are investigating a robbery case that occurred on 09/10/21 at Medium Density suburb, Beitbridge.
Four unidentified suspects attacked the complainant (55) at his home before stealing ZAR 1 200 000, US$3500, two cellphones and four wristwatches, among other valuables.
Police are appealing for anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact any nearest Police Station.
In an unrelated development, police in Bulawayo are investigating circumstances surrounding a case of theft of a motor vehicle which occurred on 1 October at New Parklands.
In a statement, the ZRP said suspects stole a Grey A class Mercedes Benz vehicle which the complainant (34) had parked in the yard at his home.
Various groceries were also stolen from the kitchen where the complainant had left the car keys.
The stolen vehicle was recovered parked near Njube Clinic the following day at around 12 PM.
By A Correspondent- Musician Progress Chipfumo and his Sounds of Motherland band thrilled music lovers in Mvurwi on Friday at Mzansi lounge.
Following the opening of bars by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week Chipfumo officially opened Mzansi lounge giving his supporters the much-awaited joy they missed for two years.
Although it was very difficult for music lovers to produce vaccination cards at the entrance a number told Bulawayo24.com that they were fully vaccinated.
“We are very happy to be back at our usual bars and meeting with our best artiste l am fully vaccinated and have no problem much in coming to music shows,” Claudious Gupo said.
“Proggie is just too good l am happy that the President finally uplifted the banning of bars we really enjoyed here and it is good to note that most of us are fully vaccinated,” Mavis Shoko said.
The music promoter and Mzansi Lounge proprietor Prince Chipenda showed gratitude to the government for the opening of their business.
“This is good news for us in the entertainment sector imagine we were closed for two years and now we are allowed to operate l would like to thank the government so much,” Chipenda said.
By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance on Saturday donated groceries to socially disadvantaged women in Makoni Central and surrounding areas.
MDC Alliance vice president Hon Lynette Karenyi- Kore led the process.
See statement below:
Multitudes of women gathered from Makoni Central and beyond to celebrate the important role widows play in our communities. The party donated groceries to the widows. Improving the lives of ordinary people is our central aim. The people come first
In line with our People’s Agenda which champions the cause of women, the MDC Alliance commemorated Widows’ Day in Makoni Central on Saturday. The event was attended by senior leaders of the party including Assembly of Women Chair, Hon Mugidho, VP Karenyi Kore & Hon Molokele.
By A Correspondent- Lovers in Bulawayo have now resorted to bush s_x as they fail to book lodges that have raised their charges.
A survey carried out by NewZimbabwe.com this week in the city revealed that most lodges where people book to engage in sex had increased their charges.
Scores of clients at a famous lodge in Khumalo, a low-density suburb in the city, were this week left stranded after the owner increased charges for its rooms from US$5 to US$10 for an occupation of three hours.
“I come here often with my partner with the intention of relaxing, but I have been told that the prices have gone up. Whenever, I come here I used to pay US$5 and now they are charging US$10 for the service,” a regular client, who asked not be named, said.
Another male client said he was also shocked to learn the prices at the lodge had gone up after going there with his girlfriend to “relax”.
“Just before the (Zimbabwe International) Trade Fair, the price at this place was still US$5 per three hours. I am told prices went during the trade fair period and since then they have not been reduced. Since I am a regular client, the owners of the lodge should have informed us in advance,” he said.
The trade fair was held in Bulawayo, two weeks ago with thousands of people from outside the city converging for the week-long event.
A NewZimbabwe.com survey at other lodges also revealed prices had gone up leaving most residents seeking their services stranded.
One lodge along the Harare road has also increased its charges from US$2 to US$3 per hour while another one situated along Josiah Tongogara is now charging US$2 up from US$1 per hour.
“These days I would now rather make love in the car than pay at these expensive lodges. Surely, what has necessitated these increases when the US dollar is actually gaining strength?” one frustrated man said.
Following the increases, most two-timing men and women have resorted in risking their lives by engaging in sexual activities secluded areas.
Last month, a David Livingstone High School headmaster in Ntabazinduna, Vusumuzi Nkiwane was stabbed and robbed of a truck and cash while romping with his lover in a vehicle in the bushy area the United College of Education (UCE).
A popular Bulawayo prophet was also recently robbed while having sex in his car in a bush.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police said it had intercepted 68 cross border buses and arrested 10 000 people for committing various cross border-related crimes since September.
The buses were intercepted on major highways from Beitbridge town leading to Bulawayo, Harare, and other urban centres.
The 10 000 arrested people were smugglers shipping goods through illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River, which they then load in buses heading to various towns and cities across the country.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not be reached for comment yesterday.
However, one border security official said the buses were being intercepted at the police checkpoints and the Beitbridge Border Post. The official said in the last three days three buses were intercepted along the road leading to Harare carrying an assortment of undeclared goods.
“We have taken the buses to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority for import duty calculations. One of the buses, Mulaudzi Transport, was intercepted at the Chicago checkpoint loaded with various goods we believe had been smuggled.
The bus was half-full with the goods, mainly bales of new clothes, and its trailer was also loaded to full capacity. The other two are Graca Luxury Coaches and Vuki,” said the official who refused to be named.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe leads on mental health cases among workers, with the majority suffering depression due to paltry salaries that cannot sustain them in an inflationary environment, research has established.
A year-long research conducted by Zimbabwe Industrial Psychology Consultants (IPC) showed that over 40% of organisations in the country have seen an increase in reported mental health problems due to anxiety and depression mainly caused by slave wages.
IPC made the claims during a three day conference held by the National Social Security Authority (Nssa) in Harare between Wednesday and Friday.
The research also concluded that men were the majority of those suffering from mental health.
“Mental ill health experienced by the Zimbabwean workforce is much higher than what has been observed in other countries,” IPC said.
“About 55% of the respondents indicated that their mental wellbeing problems were due to poor remuneration, 25% from pressure of work, 10% from nepotism, 5% from racism and the remaining 5% from Zimbabwe’s current economic situation.”
A volatile economic environment in the country since the turn of the century has been a major cause of concern among Zimbabwean workers.
The closure of companies over the past two decades has also increased anxiety among workers, who fear losing their sources of income.
Workers with mental health problems have often been known for performing below their ability.
“Some have failed to control their lives because of feelings of hopelessness and this makes them feel worthless,” IPC said.
“Out of the 77 participants in the study, the findings revealed that 47 men never bothered to seek assistance, while 10 men sometimes sought assistance. However, 16 women never bothered to seek assistance, while only four women sometimes sought assistance.”
The director of the department of labour, Langton Ngorima, said most mental health problems were related to violence and harassment in the workplace that took physical, psychological and sexual forms.
“There are three dynamics in workplaces that are causing violence and harassment in offices. Some happen horizontally and this is between co-workers, some happen vertically and this is between supervisors and lastly, some are occurring through third parties and these are clients, customers or patients,” Ngorima said.
He said the majority of the victims that were suffering from mental illness due to violence and harassment were interns.
Ngorima said students, mostly female, ended up being preyed on because companies did not pay them and they do not have transport money. They have nowhere to report to because they also fear their internship being terminated.
“Most of the students do not have money for transport, money for lunch or various luxuries and, therefore, they are suffering because of that,” he said.
Sacrifice Chirisa, deputy director in the Health and Child Care ministry, said mental health programmes were missing in most corporate wellness programmes, because they were costly to most companies.
“Healthy working environments are key to maintaining a healthy and safe employee,” he said.-standard
By A Correspondent- Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is expected in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) today, where he is leading a high-level Government delegation to the Global Business Forum Africa slated for Wednesday and Thursday this week.
The forum is being held on the sidelines of the ongoing Expo 2020 Dubai.
Zimbabwe is one of the 191 countries taking part at the six-months long global exhibition, which kicked off on October 1, 2021 and runs until March 31 next year.
The exhibition is being held under the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”.
More than 25 million visitors are expected to arrive for what is probably one of the biggest global showcases that explore trade, investment and business partnerships across sectors and economies.
Expo 2020 Dubai commissioner-general Ambassador Mary Mubi told The Sunday Mail Business that the Vice President was scheduled to arrive in Dubai today.
“The Vice President (Constantino Chiwenga) is coming for the Global Business Forum Africa, which is being organised within the context of Expo 2020 Dubai; it is a side event of the Expo.
“The Dubai Chamber of Commerce (which is organising the forum) is quite a critical partner of the host country (UAE), as it organises this expo. They are having a number of activities with various regional organisations and one of them is Africa, obviously,” said Ambassador Mubi.
“So, this event is about looking at opportunities, trade and investment and what the challenges are in Africa; to say what are the opportunities in this region to partner with African countries?
“We have the Vice President (Constantino Chiwenga) and a number of key (Government) ministers who are coming (to Dubai) and are going to attend this (Global Business) Forum Africa.”
The forum is envisaged to bring the trade and investment community back together to explore bilateral trade opportunities between Dubai and Sub-Saharan Africa.
It is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Ambassador Mubi said there had been huge interest in Zimbabwe from expo visitors and potential investors.
The country is exhibiting under the theme “Zimbabwe, A Land of Great Opportunities”, which has been developed from the many themes available for participating countries at the event.
Although it was initially pencilled in for 2020, the expo had to be delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Many businesspeople are reportedly making enquiries in mining, horticulture and tourism, among others.
Zimbabwe’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai has been divided into four zones: history and culture; opportunities; human capital; and the future, which looks at aspirations and Vision 2030.
It is believed that the country has devised a well thought-out strategy and programme to derive maximum benefits from its participation at this year’s event.
Zimbabwe, Ambassador Mubi added, would be sharing its rich and proud history with the world.
Other sections of the pavilion look at opportunities in mining, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure. During the six-months long Expo 2020 Dubai, Zimbabwe would organise events to highlight opportunities across various sectors.
According to Ambassador Mubi, while the country already had a pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, it would also arrange specific events for key sectors to highlight and promote trade and investment opportunities. Key sectors will, therefore, be mobilised to develop a calendar of events, where they will have any opportunity to pitch their investment opportunities.
By Nomusa Garikai- ”We want reforms and then elections. Unlike our colleagues in the opposition who are calling for an election whether or not there are reforms,” said Douglas Mwonzora, leader of MDC – T.
“That government has not allowed reforms over some years is not a good enough reason to explain why we should not insist on them. We shall not give up until there are reforms which guarantee secrecy of the vote and security of both the vote and the voter.”
Participating in flawed and illegal elections to give vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy is insane, the more so after 41 years of rigged elections in this day and age.
So after decades of telling Douglas Mwonzora and his friends in Zimbabwe’s opposition camp of the sheer folly of participating in flawed and illegal elections; it was refreshing to hear the penny had finally dropped. The announcement was a bolt out of the clear sky – or was it!
The question one has to ask is; “Is this Mwonzora and company Damascus Christophany moment?” The doubting Thomas in me cannot resist the follow up question: “Why now?”
The people of Zimbabwe have risk life and limb to elect MDC leaders into power on the understanding the party would implementing the democratic changes to end the Zanu PF dictatorship. And yet after 22 years of MDC on the political centre stage, 5 of which in the 2008 to 2013 GNU, the party has failed to implement even one token democratic reform. Not even one!
During the 2008 to 2013 GNU, it was up to MDC leaders themselves to propose and implement the democratic reforms; they did not need to ask Zanu PF to do it. SADC leaders, who were the guarantor of the Global Political Agreement that gave birth to the GNU, nagged Morgan Tsvangirai and his friends to implement the reforms but all to no account.
SADC leaders literally begged MDC leaders not to participate in the elections with no reforms in place but once again Tsvangirai and company paid no heed.
By participating in these flawed and illegal elections MDC leaders were undermining the work of those demanding free, fair and credible elections; Zanu PF was able to point to the participating opposition as proof Zimbabwe had a healthy and functioning multi-party democracy. Why otherwise, would so many opposition parties participate in the elections if the process was flawed, Zanu PF argued.
What makes MDC leaders’ betrayal, first the failure to implement the reforms and then participating in flawed to give Zanu PF legitimacy, particularly obnoxious; is that they clearly knew exactly what they were doing.
“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the (2013) elections,” confessed David Coltart, MDC A Treasurer General, in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.
“The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility.”
Four of the main MDC factions plus three other opposition parties did come together to form the MDC Alliance (MDC A) just before the 2018 elections. They went on to participate in that year’s elections, there was no talk of boycotting the elections, for the same reason they all participated in 2013 – greed.
So the answer to why Mwonzora and company are finally talking of boycotting 2023 elections is clear – they are fearful their MDC -T faction will lose the fight for the few gravy train seats to the MDC A just as Thokozani Khupe, who led MDC -T did in the 2018 elections.
Greed had blinded Mwonzora and company to participate in the elections in the past. Now that there is a real possibility they would not win any of the few gravy train seats on offer, they finally see the folly of participating in the flawed and illegal 2023 elections.
Mwonzora and company are now demanding reforms before the 2023 elections not because of some epithany of enlightenment of the sheer insanity of participating in flawed elections to give vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy. When they realised they would not win any of the few gravy train seats on offer the scales born out of greed that had blinded them finally fall off and common sense prevailed.
In 2014 all the MDC leaders, including Nelson Chamisa, Tendai Biti, David Coltart, etc., endorse the “No reform, no elections!” MDC-T party resolution only to abandon it the following years. If Mwonzora and company’s chances of winning any seats in the 2023 elections were to improve, they will once again forget the demand for reforms and participate in the elections.
By A Correspondent- Spokesperson of Zambia’s ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), Joseph Kalimbwe last week visited Harare briefly before returning to his homeland but not before he received multiple death threats on social media platforms.
Last week the 28-year-old announced on Twitter that he was in Harare, Zimbabwe, and this seemingly did not go down well with some Zimbabweans who threatened him with physical harm.
In a tweet this Sunday, Kalimbwe said:
I left Harare friends. The comments of life threats on social media from users after tweeting about briefly being in the city are severe.
We’re one Africa who must be free to visit in any land. Perhaps, we will visit friends after 2023, it’s just 50 Minutes away from Lusaka.
The UPND is seen as close to Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, the MDC Alliance after inviting its leaders, Nelson Chamisa and Tendai Biti and other opposition figures in the region to Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema’s inauguration.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba recently attacked Hichilema as a “sellout”.
By A Correspondent- Underfire Finance ministry permanent secretary George Guvamatanga has struck a defiant tone after fierce criticism over his 50th birthday bash in Harare where he invited top performers from South Africa.
The top civil servant slipped into the vortex of a big storm on Friday after video clips emerged of him showing off his fortune and pledging to multiply by five the money that had been agreed for Louis Mhlanga, the South African based superstar to perform at the decorated bash.
Zimbabweans, frustrated by high level corruption and plunder by politicians and their cronies, linked the decorated flamboyance by Guvamatanga to his powerful position as finance director of the country.
In a no holds barred interview with The Standard, Guvamatanga, a former managing director of Barclays Bank Zimbabwe before it was taken over by AMB Capital in 2017, reminded his adversaries that he spent 30 years with the international lender, earning millions.
Millions more were paid out as packages when he left the bank, now rebranded to Capital Bank, in 2017 after an attempt to take it over flopped.
Barclay Plc, which was divesting out of several African markets, settled for the Malawi headquartered AMB Capital, instead of a consortium of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange listed bank’s management, which was led by Guvamatanga.
He was then invited to join government following the coup that brought down strongman, Robert Mugabe in November 2017.
Guvamatanga’s huge fortune is in addition to a thriving cattle herd being reared over swathes of prime land at his farm, which he said generates not less than US$1,2 million a year.
Apparently, planning for the expensive birthday feast had begun last year, when the top civil servant was caught up in the Covid-19 rage.
He spent many days under artificial oxygen after contracting the disease during the first few months, as the pandemic tore through regions, threatening lives, destroying economies and leaving a trail of destruction.
“First of all, let me put things into context,” Guvamatanga said by phone from Victoria Falls yesterday.
“The issue of saying the artistes were paid more is not correct.
“The clip was quoted out of context.
“I was saying to Louis Mhlanga, one of Zimbabwe’s most decorated musicians that if I had the money, I would have paid five times more than we agreed.
“It was a tribute to Louis Mhlanga.
“You know that I cannot take foreign currency from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and spend it like this.
“I worked for a big international bank for 30 years and I was paid in offshore accounts.
“There are millions in that account.
“Others avoid paying taxes when they are paid through offshore accounts, but Barclays was strict.
“And if you ask Zimra (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority) they will tell you that I was one of the biggest taxpayers during my stint at Barclays Bank.
“I paid between US$2 million and US$3 million in taxes, the records are there.
“Now, if I paid US$3 million, ndakasara nemarii? (How much remained in my account?).
“My package at Barclays, including my bonus was US$3 million.
“It is all above board, I have a known offshore account, and have interests across most sectors of the economy, from insurance to agriculture to distribution and others.
“I will need to take you to my farm, I have 1 200 cattle.
“My business interest and wealth are known and everything has been declared.
“I cannot pretend to be poor.
“Most of my cattle fetch not less than US$2 500 (each), and I sell 500 cattle per annum.
“So why can’t I celebrate life?”
He added: “I planned for this party after my near-death experience with Covid-19.
“So, what I am doing is celebrating the life.
“I can’t stop my wife and children from organising the party because they said when you reach 50 years; we will need to celebrate because of what happened.
“I cannot pretend to be poor to make people happy.
“I am not poor.
“I am so surprised that people are judging me with the three years that I have been a civil servant, instead of the 30 years that I worked for Barclays.
“I am doing national service in government.
“I have a trust that is paying the bills for a cancer patient, an amount more than what was paid to the artists.
“And I have a maid who I have stayed with for many years, and I bought her a house,” Guvamatanga added.
He said before settling for Mhlanga, he had first hired superstar, Mukudzei (Jah Prayzah) Mukombe as the main act at the decorated event.
Reports said at the weekend, adversaries to the former G40 political clique forced Guvamatanga to draft the superstar, who last months courted controversy after performing at a Cape Town birthday bash organized by former strongman Robert Mugabe’s son in law, Adam Molai.
But Guvamatanga said a few hitches led him to drop Jah.
“Yes, I invited Jah Prayzah, he was supposed to be the main act.
“But there were complications on the management side. I had already paid him a deposit.”
South Africa’s pop stars Mafikizolo and Makhadzi played along Mhlanga at the bash.-standard
By A Correspondent- Police have arrested Thubelithle Khoshow (26) in connection with cases of Murder and Rape which occurred on October 9 at around 0300 hours at Stone Clare, Redcliff, Kwekwe.
Thubelihle who is alleged to be mentally challenged went berserk and killed six congregants while injuring some at a shrine in Rutendo.
According to information shared by National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the man is believed to have stormed a night virgil at the shrine, brutally attacking some of the congregants. Reasons for the attack were yet to be established.
“The ZRP reports that a 26-year-old man stabbed six people to death and injured four others on 9/10/21 at around 0300 hrs at Stoneclere, Rutendo suburb in Redcliff, after a suspected mental illness while attending an all-night prayer at a local apostolic shrine,” Ass Comm Nyathi said.
On the said date, the suspect who is a member of the Johane Masowe sect became mentally disturbed and acted violently whilst at his residential place at Stone Clare, Redcliff, Kwekwe. As a result, he was ferried by his aunt to the church’s shrine for prayers.
Whilst at the shrine, the suspect became violent and began to uproot trees as well as pushing stationery vehicles. The church congregants managed to subdue him and tied him with some ropes.
In the morning, whilst other church members were still asleep, the suspect woke up and freed himself. He got into his vehicle and drove to his house where he did not find his wife.
The suspect armed himself with three spears, a kitchen knife as well as an axe, went to his uncle’s home where he smashed the front dining room door using an unknown object and gained entry into the house.
His uncle and other family members escaped through the bedroom window leaving four children and two cousins sleeping in the dining room.
They later returned to their house and found their children lying unconscious with multiple stab wounds. As a result, they sought refuge at a police officer’s house who live nearby.
The suspect followed them to the police officer’s house where he stabbed the police officer on the back with a spear.
He further seriously injured three other people and fatally stabbed a 33-year-old man.
The suspect returned to his residence and stabbed to death two female adults aged 56 and 85 before raping his uncle’s wife.
The injured were referred to Kwekwe General Hospital where three juveniles aged 7,3 and 7 months died on admission.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges members of the public to cautiously treat any violent person in their communities and urgently report any such violent people to their nearest police stations.
By A Correspondent- A man from Redcliff in the Midlands province went berserk and fatally stabbed six people, including three babies aged between three and seven months old in a pre-dawn rampage that started during an Apostolic sect night prayer meeting.
The incident took place early yesterday morning at about 3am at Stone Clair, Rutendo suburb. The man, suspected to be mentally unstable, allegedly ran amok during the church all-night vigil, uprooting trees before going into the community where he was knocking at doors and when occupants opened, he then stabbed his victims with a spear. National police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said investigations were underway. He said the police have arrested Thubelihle Khoshow (26) who is a member of the Johane Masowe sect in connection with the incident. Asst Comm Nyathi said it is believed Khoshow became mentally disturbed and was taken to the church shrine for prayers.
“While at the shrine, the suspect became violent and began uprooting trees as well as pushing stationary vehicles. The church congregates managed to subdue him and tied him with some ropes,” he said. Asst Comm Nyathi said in the early hours of the morning while other church members were asleep, the man woke up and freed himself. He got into his vehicle and drove to the house where he did not find his wife. “The suspect armed himself with three spears, kitchen knife as well as an axe, went to his uncle’s home where he smashed the front door using unknown object and gained entry into the house.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said his uncle and family members escaped through the window leaving four children and two cousins sleeping in the dining room. “They later returned to their house and found their children lying unconscious with multiple stab wounds. As a result they sought refuge at a police officer’s house who lives nearby.” He said however, the suspect followed them and stabbed the police officer on the back with a spear and further seriously injured three other people and fatally stabbed a 33-year-old man. “The suspect returned to his residence and stabbed to death two female adults aged 56 and 85. He also raped one person during his rampage.” He said those injured were referred to Kwekwe General Hospital but three juveniles aged seven, three and seven months died on admission. Redcliff Mayor Councillor Clayton Masiyatsva said the community was still in shock over the incident. He said it all started during an all-night vigil. “During the prayer session, he ran amok and started uprooting trees and attacking everyone. As a community we are still shaken and we are trying to get to terms with what just happened,” said Clr Masiyatsva.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police said it had intercepted 68 cross border buses and arrested 10 000 people for committing various cross border-related crimes since September.
The buses were intercepted on major highways from Beitbridge town leading to Bulawayo, Harare, and other urban centres.
The 10 000 arrested people were smugglers shipping goods through illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River, which they then load in buses heading to various towns and cities across the country.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not be reached for comment yesterday. However, one border security official said the buses were being intercepted at the police checkpoints and the Beitbridge Border Post. The official said in the last three days three buses were intercepted along the road leading to Harare carrying an assortment of undeclared goods. “We have taken the buses to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority for import duty calculations. One of the buses, Mulaudzi Transport, was intercepted at the Chicago checkpoint loaded with various goods we believe had been smuggled. The bus was half-full with the goods, mainly bales of new clothes, and its trailer was also loaded to full capacity. The other two are Graca Luxury Coaches and Vuki,” said the official who refused to be named.
By A Correspondent- A man from Redcliff in the Midlands province went berserk and fatally stabbed six people, including three babies aged between three and seven months old in a pre-dawn rampage that started during an Apostolic sect night prayer meeting.
The incident took place early yesterday morning at about 3am at Stone Clair, Rutendo suburb. The man, suspected to be mentally unstable, allegedly ran amok during the church all-night vigil, uprooting trees before going into the community where he was knocking at doors and when occupants opened, he then stabbed his victims with a spear. National police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said investigations were underway. He said the police have arrested Thubelihle Khoshow (26) who is a member of the Johane Masowe sect in connection with the incident. Asst Comm Nyathi said it is believed Khoshow became mentally disturbed and was taken to the church shrine for prayers.
“While at the shrine, the suspect became violent and began uprooting trees as well as pushing stationary vehicles. The church congregates managed to subdue him and tied him with some ropes,” he said. Asst Comm Nyathi said in the early hours of the morning while other church members were asleep, the man woke up and freed himself. He got into his vehicle and drove to the house where he did not find his wife. “The suspect armed himself with three spears, kitchen knife as well as an axe, went to his uncle’s home where he smashed the front door using unknown object and gained entry into the house.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said his uncle and family members escaped through the window leaving four children and two cousins sleeping in the dining room. “They later returned to their house and found their children lying unconscious with multiple stab wounds. As a result they sought refuge at a police officer’s house who lives nearby.” He said however, the suspect followed them and stabbed the police officer on the back with a spear and further seriously injured three other people and fatally stabbed a 33-year-old man. “The suspect returned to his residence and stabbed to death two female adults aged 56 and 85. He also raped one person during his rampage.” He said those injured were referred to Kwekwe General Hospital but three juveniles aged seven, three and seven months died on admission. Redcliff Mayor Councillor Clayton Masiyatsva said the community was still in shock over the incident. He said it all started during an all-night vigil. “During the prayer session, he ran amok and started uprooting trees and attacking everyone. As a community we are still shaken and we are trying to get to terms with what just happened,” said Clr Masiyatsva.
By A Correspondent-The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has announced that it has recovered over $750 000 and US$8 million from tax evaders.
This was revealed during a workshop hosted by Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) to review the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which was attended by Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) steering committee members.
Zimra commissioner-in-charge of revenue assurance Regina Chinamasa said the authority had conducted an assessment of tax compliance of funds amounting to US$110 740 105 and prosecuted 34 cases since the beginning of the year.
“Given the high level of non-compliance, there is a lot of room for us to move in and deal with tax evasion,” Chinamasa said. “From the perspective of capacitation, Zimra then created a dedicated team that is working on tax evasion from the international taxation and local perspectives. We are partnering with other development partners so that we get the technical assistance to capacitate our officers and this is an ongoing process.
“We are partnering with other agencies to address the vice of tax evasion.” Stakeholders who attended the meeting bemoaned delays in dealing with asset recovery, jurisdiction and duplication of investigation among law enforcement agencies.
“The National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) defines the country’s priority and objectives to prevent and combat corruption for the next five years,” TIZ research and advocacy officer Nqobani Tshabangu said.
He added: “While many countries have adopted strategies aimed at co-ordinating government efforts in different sectors and institutions and at monitoring and evaluating progress, there are not so many successful examples when it comes to implementation.
“The COVID-19 restrictions were a bigger challenge on implementation of NACS as it deterred meetings and training of citizens on how to report corruption cases.
“There is need for a whistleblower protection law which is, however, determined by the political will to ensure that citizens are not afraid of reporting corruption cases happening in their areas or workplaces. Whistleblowers are not willing to report cases and to be witnesses to cases of corruption.”
Recent studies by TIZ on corruption show that the culture of impunity in dealing with high-profile corruption cases and misuse of public has weakened the capacity to ensure compliance with tax payments.
TIZ said poor tax compliance in the country had also resultantly been detrimental to the growth of Zimbabwe’s economy, which largely depends on tax money.
Last month, Zacc arrested Harare businessman Trust Chiro for allegedly evading import duty for his five commercial trucks, three of which were recovered by Zimra officials in Waterfalls, Harare, early this year. The businessman allegedly prejudiced the parastatal of US$388 003.
By A Correspondent -An elephant that killed the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU) operations director on Friday morning was tracked and later shot dead by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) rangers.
The stray elephant had charged at Clever Kapandura (51), attacked and trampled him to death, while he was conducting an anti-poaching patrol on Friday near Bonnaise Air bush owned by the Victoria Falls City Council.
Lovemore Ndlovu from Bonnaise Air confirmed to CITE that the elephant had been gunned down.
He said:
They killed it approximately five hours later at Aerodrome suburbs.
The search was not easy as it was equally dangerous, but it was spotted by a helicopter that was dispatched to join the search and it was immediately gunned down at the same spot.
The developments were also confirmed by VFAPU co- director Teddy Brightman.
However, Zimparks spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo said he was not aware of the development but commended what rangers had done.
By A Correspondent- Lovers in Bulawayo have now resorted to bush s_x as they fail to book lodges that have raised their charges.
A survey carried out by NewZimbabwe.com this week in the city revealed that most lodges where people book to engage in sex had increased their charges.
Scores of clients at a famous lodge in Khumalo, a low-density suburb in the city, were this week left stranded after the owner increased charges for its rooms from US$5 to US$10 for an occupation of three hours.
“I come here often with my partner with the intention of relaxing, but I have been told that the prices have gone up. Whenever, I come here I used to pay US$5 and now they are charging US$10 for the service,” a regular client, who asked not be named, said.
Another male client said he was also shocked to learn the prices at the lodge had gone up after going there with his girlfriend to “relax”.
“Just before the (Zimbabwe International) Trade Fair, the price at this place was still US$5 per three hours. I am told prices went during the trade fair period and since then they have not been reduced. Since I am a regular client, the owners of the lodge should have informed us in advance,” he said.
The trade fair was held in Bulawayo, two weeks ago with thousands of people from outside the city converging for the week-long event.
A NewZimbabwe.com survey at other lodges also revealed prices had gone up leaving most residents seeking their services stranded.
One lodge along the Harare road has also increased its charges from US$2 to US$3 per hour while another one situated along Josiah Tongogara is now charging US$2 up from US$1 per hour.
“These days I would now rather make love in the car than pay at these expensive lodges. Surely, what has necessitated these increases when the US dollar is actually gaining strength?” one frustrated man said.
Following the increases, most two-timing men and women have resorted in risking their lives by engaging in sexual activities secluded areas.
Last month, a David Livingstone High School headmaster in Ntabazinduna, Vusumuzi Nkiwane was stabbed and robbed of a truck and cash while romping with his lover in a vehicle in the bushy area the United College of Education (UCE).
A popular Bulawayo prophet was also recently robbed while having sex in his car in a bush.
By A Correspondent- Dumped former MDC Mayors have formed an alliance against the Nelson Chamisa led MDC.
Trading under the banner, the Former Mayors Association of Zimbabwe, the grouping comprises disgruntled former mayors and councillors who served under the late Morgan Tsvangirai.
The grouping, which now has more than 100 members, all of them former city fathers, said they are mobilising against Chamisa.
” We have seen that the new crop at MDC-Alliance is not accommodative. They want docile people who can not ask them where they would have gone wrong. The leadership wants bootlickers who ululate mediocrity. For that reason, they have dumped all the founding party members and go for the Mafikizolos they can control,” said one of the former mayors.
The AssociationAssociation said they want to see Chamisa sinking.
” We decided to move on with our political careers out of this clueless opposition which does not have new ideas of taking over power. They just oppose the government just for the sake of opposing without giving practical solutions. As experienced politicians who have a history of serving the people, we have seen it prudent to join the government,” said another former Mayor.
The Association’sAssociation’s spokesperson, the former Marondera Mayor, Farai Nyandoro, confirmed the existence of their coalition.
” We are mobilising all former mayors who served under the original MDC and they are all responding very well. The AssociationAssociation aims to help the government with our experience of running the affairs of the towns and cities. We started this initiative with 20 members (former mayors), and now the membership has ballooned to over 100,” said Nyandoro without commenting on the anti-Chamisa plot.
By Lifestyle Reporter | IS IT POSSIBLE TO COOK MEAT WITH AN IRON? An American chef in the below illustrates how easy it is to cook beef meat with 2 irons. The whole process takes 22 minutes to complete.
It starts off with hanging your meat, before you press it with two ions; you then simply watch throughout the process applying heat to every part of the meat. In no time at all and way less than 30 minutes you now have your roasted beef. VIDEO
By A Correspondent-The other faction of the Tendai Biti led People’sPeople’s Democratic Party (PDP) has approached the courts challenging the former Finance Minister’sMinister’s return to Parliament.
The leader of that faction, Lucia Matibenga, has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.
Last month, Justice Joseph Mafusire ruled Biti and five other MPs, who are part of the other PDP faction and were recalled from Parliament should return as their recalls were unlawful.
The aggrieved MPs, who include, Kucaca Phulu, Settlement Chikwinya, Willias Madzimure, Regai Tsunga, Chelesile Mahlangu had filed a court application seeking execution of Justice Mafusire’sMafusire’s judgment.
They said their order for execution should be granted as the appeal before the Supreme Court did not have the power to suspend the lower court’scourt’s order.
However, according to court papers, Matibenga through her lawyer Simon Simango filed a Supreme Court appeal challenging the ruling and effectively suspending its execution.
But the affected lawmakers argue Matibenga’sMatibenga’s appeal is invalid.
“”The appeal has no merit. The appeal is an abuse of the rule of law and constitutionalism. More importantly, the appeal is an assault on democracy which is protected by the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“”Furthermore, the appeal does not have the effect of suspending the order because it is an appeal against a declarator. In the circumstances, I believe we have shown a good cause for the granting of the order we seek,”” reads their application.
The six MPs also argued the court should grant them an order of execution as Simango, Matibenga and Benjamin Rukanda were abusing the law and using the Supreme Court appeal to delay their reinstatement into Parliament.
They demanded the court orders Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda and Parliament to comply with Justice Mafusire’sMafusire’s judgment and reinstate them back into Parliament.
They are also asking that the court declare the High Court order in the present case should remain operative despite any leave to appeal being granted or the successful noting of an appeal at the Supreme Court.
A man from Redcliff in the Midlands province went berserk and fatally stabbed six people including three babies aged between three and seven months old in a pre-dawn rampage that started during an Apostolic sect night prayer meeting.The incident took place early yesterday morning at about 3am at Stone Clair, Rutendo suburb.
The man, suspected to be mentally unstable, allegedly ran amok during the church all-night vigil, uprooting trees before going into the community where he was knocking at doors and when occupants opened, he then stabbed his victims with a spear.
National police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said investigations were underway.
He said the police have arrested Thubelihle Khoshow (26) who is a member of the Johane Masowe sect in connection with the incident.
Asst Comm Nyathi said it is believed Khoshow became mentally disturbed and was taken to the church shrine for prayers.
“While at the shrine, the suspect became violent and began uprooting trees as well as pushing stationary vehicles.The church congregates managed to subdue him and tied him with some ropes,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said in the early hours of the morning while other church members were asleep, the man woke up and freed himself. He got into his vehicle and drove to the house where he did not find his wife.
“The suspect armed himself with three spears, kitchen knife as well as an axe, went to his uncle’s home where he smashed the front door using unknown object and gained entry into the house.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said his uncle and family members escaped through the window leaving four children and two cousins sleeping in the dining room.
“They later returned to their house and found their children lying unconscious with multiple stab wounds. As a result they sought refuge at a police officer’s house who lives nearby.”
He said however, the suspect followed them and stabbed the police officer on the back with a spear and further seriously injured three other people and fatally stabbed a 33-year-old man.
“The suspect returned to his residence and stabbed to death two female adults aged 56 and 85. He also raped one person during his rampage.”
He said those injured were referred to Kwekwe General Hospital but three juveniles aged seven, three and seven months died on admission.
Redcliff Mayor Councillor Clayton Masiyatsva said the community was still in shock over the incident.
He said it all started during an all-night vigil.
“During the prayer session, he ran amok and started uprooting trees and attacking everyone. As a community we are still shaken and we are trying to get to terms with what just happened,” said Clr Masiyatsva.
Soon after getting into office in 2017, Mnangagwa has turned this dusty road into a carpet, says Chikomba man in a ZBC broadcast Sunday morning pic.twitter.com/P8Gae4AVZa
IN a movie-like incident, a woman from Tarusenga Village in Zaka, Masvingo is on the run after she allegedly kidnapped and disappeared with a four-month-old baby of a fellow villager.
The woman, Tariro Mahokorasa (30) allegedly has been an admirer of the baby and used to visit the mother of the child almost daily to play with the kid before the latest incident.
Masvingo provincial police spokesman Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said the incident happened on Monday last week and efforts were being made to locate the woman and the baby.
“Since the birth of the baby four months ago, Mahokorasa has been going to play with the baby at the mother’s homestead.
On 4 October around 9am she came and took the baby and said that she was going to a local bus stop and would be back quickly but she did not come back since then,” he said.
Insp Dhewa said at around 1pm on the same day, she was seen by another villager with the baby strapped on her back and walking with an unidentified man whom she introduced to the villager as her husband and the father of the baby whom she now claimed as hers.
The villager however, did not suspect anything as she was not yet abreast with the incident.
“After realising that Mahokorasa had taken long to come back, the mother tried calling her but she did not pick up the phone until the number was no longer reachable.
The mother reported that case to police in Zaka.
“Efforts are being made to reunite the baby with its mother and we are appealing to the members of the public who might have information that might assist to report to the nearest police station,” he said.
By Business Reporter | Belpw are the words of the Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga as he defended the Drax accused former Health Minister Obadiah Moyo. Guvatamga was at the time speaking to the state owned Z X
There’s no financial loss to Zimbabwe on that contract.
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) bomb disposal unit and the Bulawayo Fire Brigade had to be called in after a grenade exploded at a Bulawayo school during a routine burning of grass and rubbish.
The incident that occurred two months ago has been indicated as one of the “fires of interest” by the Bulawayo City Council, with councillors expressing concern over issues to do with safety and the need to investigate the origins of the grenade.
According to the latest council report, ground workers at Ntshamathe Primary School in Old Magwegwe were clearing the grounds and decided to burn the grass and rubbish after, when the bomb exploded.
“The school workers had cleared the school ground at Ntshamathe Primary School and in the process of burning the grass and rubbish, the fire went out of control and spread to the rest of the ground.
While the fire was burning a very loud explosion was heard from the grounds and a dark cloud was observed with trembling of nearby houses.
It was later discovered after the ZNA bomb disposal unit had attended that a grenade had exploded.
This is one of the risks that our fire-fighters face in the process of fighting bush fires,” reads the report.
Commenting on the incident, during a full council meeting last Wednesday, Ward Four Councillor, Silas Chigora said while the incident appeared to be isolated there was a need for council to take it more seriously and engage the army to check public places and assure the public of their safety.
“This happened in a school, which in itself is scary. The question is are we really safe in Bulawayo? Where did this grenade come from, how did it end up in the school grounds? Is it a grenade from the times of the liberation struggle? Something really has to be done to make sure that our public places are safe, if possible let us invite the army to generally go through all the schools and public places. We really have to assure the public’s safety,” said Clr Chigora.
Meanwhile, councillors have commended the local authority for coming up with the consolidated fire by-laws which among other things has made it a finable offence for property owners not to display their house numbers.
Last month, the local authority updated its Fire Brigade by-laws which among other provisions made it a Level Three offence for home owners not to display their house numbers at their premises.
The level offences are benchmarked to the Government levels where Level Three is attracting a fine of $5 000.
Debating during the full council meeting, councillors commended the local authority for coming up with the by-laws and further encouraged the putting up of street names so as to further improve property identification.
“Alderman Siboniso Khumalo applauded the Fire and Ambulance Department for coming up with a good move to fine residents who did not display their property numbers.
He urged the relevance development to also anchor street names as they would also make identification of a property/house easier in case of emergency.
He wanted to know if the system was in use and also reliable,” reads the report.
The Chamber Secretary, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou, revealed that the by-laws had been advertised for comments from stakeholders before finalisation and gazetting.
UNDERFIRE Finance ministry permanent secretary George Guvamatanga has struck a defiant tone after fierce criticism over his 50th birthday bash in Harare where he invited top performers from South Africa.
The top civil servant slipped into the vortex of a big storm on Friday after video clips emerged of him showing off his fortune and pledging to multiply by five the money that had been agreed for Louis Mhlanga, the South African based superstar to perform at the decorated bash.
Zimbabweans, frustrated by high level corruption and plunder by politicians and their cronies, linked the decorated flamboyance by Guvamatanga to his powerful position as finance director of the country.
In a no holds barred interview with The Standard, Guvamatanga, a former managing director of Barclays Bank Zimbabwe before it was taken over by AMB Capital in 2017, reminded his adversaries that he spent 30 years with the international lender, earning millions.
Millions more were paid out as packages when he left the bank, now rebranded to Capital Bank, in 2017 after an attempt to take it over flopped.
Barclay Plc, which was divesting out of several African markets, settled for the Malawi headquartered AMB Capital, instead of a consortium of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange listed bank’s management, which was led by Guvamatanga.
He was then invited to join government following the coup that brought down strongman, Robert Mugabe in November 2017.
Guvamatanga’s huge fortune is in addition to a thriving cattle herd being reared over swathes of prime land at his farm, which he said generates not less than US$1,2 million a year.
Apparently, planning for the expensive birthday feast had begun last year, when the top civil servant was caught up in the Covid-19 rage.
He spent many days under artificial oxygen after contracting the disease during the first few months, as the pandemic tore through regions, threatening lives, destroying economies and leaving a trail of destruction.
“First of all, let me put things into context,” Guvamatanga said by phone from Victoria Falls yesterday.
“The issue of saying the artistes were paid more is not correct.
“The clip was quoted out of context.
“I was saying to Louis Mhlanga, one of Zimbabwe’s most decorated musicians that if I had the money, I would have paid five times more than we agreed.
“It was a tribute to Louis Mhlanga.
“You know that I cannot take foreign currency from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and spend it like this.
“I worked for a big international bank for 30 years and I was paid in offshore accounts.
“There are millions in that account.“Others avoid paying taxes when they are paid through offshore accounts, but Barclays was strict.
“And if you ask Zimra (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority) they will tell you that I was one of the biggest taxpayers during my stint at Barclays Bank.“I paid between US$2 million and US$3 million in taxes, the records are there.
“Now, if I paid US$3 million, ndakasara nemarii? (How much remained in my account?).
“My package at Barclays, including my bonus was US$3 million.
“It is all above board, I have a known offshore account, and have interests across most sectors of the economy, from insurance to agriculture to distribution and others.
“I will need to take you to my farm, I have 1 200 cattle.
“My business interest and wealth are known and everything has been declared.
“I cannot pretend to be poor.
“Most of my cattle fetch not less than US$2 500 (each), and I sell 500 cattle per annum.
“So why can’t I celebrate life?”
He added:
“I planned for this party after my near-death experience with Covid-19.
“So, what I am doing is celebrating the life.
“I can’t stop my wife and children from organising the party because they said when you reach 50 years; we will need to celebrate because of what happened.
“I cannot pretend to be poor to make people happy.“I am not poor.
“I am so surprised that people are judging me with the three years that I have been a civil servant, instead of the 30 years that I worked for Barclays.“I am doing national service in government.
“I have a trust that is paying the bills for a cancer patient, an amount more than what was paid to the artists.“And I have a maid who I have stayed with for many years, and I bought her a house,” Guvamatanga added.
He said before settling for Mhlanga, he had first hired superstar, Mukudzei (Jah Prayzah) Mukombe as the main act at the decorated event.
Reports said at the weekend, adversaries to the former G40 political clique forced Guvamatanga to draft the superstar, who last months courted controversy after performing at a Cape Town birthday bash organized by former strongman Robert Mugabe’s son in law, Adam Molai.
But Guvamatanga said a few hitches led him to drop Jah.“Yes, I invited Jah Prayzah, he was supposed to be the main act.
“But there were complications on the management side. I had already paid him a deposit.”
South Africa’s pop stars Mafikizolo and Makhadzi played along Mhlanga at the bash.
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa says his vision will take the nation to greatness.
According to the vibrant leader, a new Zimbabwe is possible.
He also urged citizens to register to vote in numbers…
“We will definitely take Zimbabwe to GREATNESS & STARDOM! Together we will make Our Zimbabwe the best place for us all and generations to come. A New Great Zimbabwe is our collective duty. Happy & Blessed Sabbath Zimbabwe.
God bless you!#ImagineadifferentZimbabwe
RegisterNow
Godisinit,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.
The Warriors were beaten 3-1 by the Black Stars of Ghana in a 2022 World Cup qualifier that was played at the Cape Coast Stadium in Ghana on Saturday evening.
The Ghanaians drew first blood in the 5th minute of the first half through Mohammed Kudus before Warriors captain Knowledge Musona equalised from the penalty spot in the 49th minute.
However, the Black Stars restored their lead in the 66th minute through a Tomas Partey strike, before Andrew Ayew confirmed the West Africans’ superiority with the third goal in the 87th minute.
In another Group G match played earlier on Saturday, South Africa extended their lead at the top of the Group with a 3-1 win over Ethiopia in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Bafana now lead the group on seven points at the halfway mark of the first round of the qualifying campaign for Qatar.
Ghana are second on 6 points after beating Ethiopia in their first match and losing 1-0 to South Africa, with Ethiopia on third spot with 3 points following a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe.
The Warriors are bottom of the group, with only 1 point from the 0-0 draw with Bafana Bafana in September.
On Tuesday, South Africa host Ethiopia at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg at 6 PM, while Zimbabwe host Ghana at the National Sports Stadium in Harare at 3 PM.
Ghana XI: J. Wollacott (GK) , D. Amartey, J. Mensah, A. Djiku, B. Rahman, T. Partey, A. Ayew (c) , M. Kudus, I. Fatawu, K. Sulemana, J. Ayew.
Warriors XI: W. Arubi (GK), T. Darikwa, O. Bhasera, K. Madzongwe, M. Nakamba, T. Kamusoko, M. Munetsi, J. Zemura, P. Chikwende, K. Musona (c), K. Mutizwa.- Pindula News
A Harare man, Michael Mutsvunguma, who is facing allegations of swindling a ZB bank employee of US$18 000, has applied for discharge after arguing that there is no evidence to prove the case against him.
The main witness in the case, Russell Chiweza, who is a mechanic to the complainant, Colleta Mhishi, told the court that he had seen Mhishi handing over the money to Mutsvunguma, but did not know the actual amount.
In his application for discharge at the close of the State case at the Harare Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Mutsvunguma argued that the witness made up the statement to provide a back-up to the complainant’s evidence.
Mutsvunguma last week tendered his defence outline to Harare magistrate Mrs Chido Garwe denying that he received any money from Mhishi.
He told the court that on the day Mhishi is alleged to have given him the money, he was away facilitating the processing of a forensic post-mortem for his father-in-law while in the company of a police homicide team that included a Constable Cherai, one Sergeant Musakaruka and Earnest Arufaneti.
The complainant had alleged the money was for a Mercedes Benz that the accused was selling.
But the accused denied that, saying he had no vehicle that was on sale. Mutsvunguma further stated that the complainant had some deal with his sister, Victoria Dhlamini, who is said to be on the run.
Mutsvunguma said Mhishi wanted to illegally take away his vehicle through misrepresentation. 0Sunday Mail
By Simba Chikanza | The Ngaapinde song genius, Cucsman publishes in song how he says Chamisa can easily enter State House. The singer has also polished another song, which takes the State House fight to another gear as the musician this time instructs how Nelson Chamisa must do it. He says, all that Chamisa needs now is to, vhiringa vhiringa, until he is firmly in.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
The song lyrics are as follows:
Usaore mwoyo kwawabva ndokure, saka usacheuke kumashure, zvinongokunetesa. Asi Tsunga Moyo, shingirira, rugare haruuye nyore
State House, Harare
Dzimwe nguva zvinotora makore, Kure kweGava ndokusina Tsubvu Zvimwe zvacho zvinoda kushinga. You’ve got to keep up, wongovhiringa vhiringa kusvika waPinda. You should never let it go. Kusvikira zvinhu zvaita Bho. It ain’t easy, Zvinoda kushinga kuti urarame muJungle. Semuvhimi musango rineShumba. Hamudi mbwende munoda vakasimba. Wanguda usagumbuke, usavhunduke, keep pressing on.
Usaore mwoyo kwawabva ndokure, saka usacheuke kumashure, zvinongokunetesa. Asi Tsunga Moyo, shingirira, rugare haruuye nyore
The Ngaapinde hitmaker, @CucsmanM has polished another song, which takes the State House fight to another gear as the musician this time instructs how Nelson Chamisa must do it. He says, all that Chamisa needs now is to, vhiringa vhiringa, until he is firmly in.- pic.twitter.com/H3ecxFLCHL
Tinashe Sambiri| Ngaapinde hitmaker, Cucsman has dropped yet another song, which takes the State House fight to another gear up as the musician this time instructs how President Nelson Chamisa must do it.
He says, all that Chamisa needs now is to “vhiringa vhiringa” until he is firmly in…
ANOTHER NGAAPINDE SONG, BY CUCSMAN…
Usaore mwoyo kwawabva ndokure, saka usacheuke kumashure, zvinongokunetesa. Asi Tsunga Moyo, shingirira, rugare haruuye nyore
Dzimwe nguva zvinotora makore, Kure kweGava ndokusina Tsubvu Zvimwe zvavho zvinoda kushinga. You’ve got to keep up, wongovhiringa vhiringa kusvika waPinda. You should never let it go. Kusvikira zvinhu zvaita Bho. It ain’t easy, Zvinoda kushinga kuti urarame muJungle. Semuvhimi musango rineShumba. Hamudi mbwende munoda vakasimba. Wanguda usagumbuke, usavhunduke, keep pressing on.
When she was employed as a housemaid with pressing work commitments that did not afford her time to watch television and follow any of her favourite programmes, including sport, Precious Marange never dreamt she would trade the apron for cricket gear.
After all, she had only become familiar with the game through occasional glances at the television as she went about her household chores.
She, however, fell in love with the sport. The 38-year-old is now an all-rounder for Zimbabwe’s senior women’s cricket team.
Precious Marange
At first, she took time to understand the sport every time her employers were not around.
“Working as a maid does not come easy; the demands of the job will only allow you to rest when you are eating or sleeping, and rarely would you get time to watch television and, worst still, to watch your favourite channel,” said Marange.
“When I used to work as a maid, I would peep at the television while I was doing my duties. Coincidentally, the family I worked for used to love watching cricket, so from the peeps, I fell in love with the sport.
“I said to myself this is a sport that is meant for me and I would watch the sport in the absence of my employers, trying to get to know it better.”
Determined to see her dream of playing cricket come true, Marange travelled to Takashinga Cricket Club in Highfield, a place regarded as the home of cricket for most black Zimbabweans.
“I had heard that there was a cricket ground called Takashinga in Highfield, so one off-day I decided that I will walk around the suburb looking for the ground.”
In what could have been a perfect script already written by the gods, Marange fortuitously reached Takashinga at a time when Takashinga Queens were one player short.
“I remember when I got to Takashinga Sports Club on my first day to watch the game, Takashinga Queens were one player short and Yvonne Mangunda, who knew my love for the sport, asked me if I could join.
“It was an offer that I gladly accepted and I was to bat at number 11.”
She impressed with the bat, hitting half-century on her debut.
Very few people knew her name and every time she hit a boundary, the crowd would shout “Boys Dzangu”, a nickname she proudly answers to this day.
“I was a bit nervous when my time to bat came, but as someone who was determined to make a name in the sport, I hit 50 runs in five overs and the crowd, who did not know my name, would shout ‘Boys Dzangu’ every time I hit a boundary.
“Interestingly, I was not offended by the nickname and I still answer to it with pride,” she said.
“After playing my first game, I have never looked back. All I did was to continue adjusting my targets, and having broken the ground, my next target was to play for the national team.”
Marange made her debut for the national team in 2008 during the World Cup qualifiers.
After their failure to qualify for the World Cup, the Lady Chevrons would see themselves mostly playing T20I cricket.
It was not until Tuesday that the Lady Chevrons played their first One-Day International, an experience that Marange felt was surreal.
“I made my first international debut in 2008 but unfortunately we could not qualify and since then we have been playing the T20I.
“Tuesday was an important day in our lives, getting a cap and finally playing an ODI is something we have all waited for.
“The experience of being given a cap was surreal. We literally cried that day.
“Finally playing our ODI last Tuesday was great and everyone was excited about being counted among the ODI playing nations.”
Her international debut in the longer version of the limited overs was to be spiced up by getting the first wicket for Zimbabwe.
“Being capped for the ODI was an important thing in my cricket career, but what made the day more special apart from winning was that I will be remembered as the first Zimbabwean lady cricketer to take a wicket on our debut.
“It is always good to be part of the history books,” she said.
The all-rounder is targeting World Cup qualification with the Lady Chevrons.
“I am continuing to tick the boxes, now my next target is to help Zimbabwe to play at the World Cup.”
Marange, who now works in industry, still has to balance between motherhood, cricket, rugby and work.
“I have had to find a way of balancing my time, as I love all the responsibilities that I have on my plate.
“I work from 7.30am to around 4.30pm during weekdays, then my weekends are reserved for my cricket and rugby practice.
“My nights are reserved for my child, and interestingly she now understands that her mother has a busy schedule.”
Zimbabwe will be hosting the 2023 ODI World Cup qualifiers next month and Marange is now working hard to be part of the squad before she contemplates hanging up the bat.
“Since the day I made my debut, my wish is to play at the World Cup.
“To me, what I am concerned about is my fitness, and not my age. “I can only look back to the journey that I have travelled with a smile and I always tell upcoming players that no matter what the situation you are in, have self-belief, nothing is impossible,” said Marange. -Sunday Mail
A 16-year-old Bulawayo schoolgirl was shot on the cheek after a police officer discharged his firearm to stop a fistfight between two men in G-Square in Mzilikazi on Monday.
Ayanda Tshuma, a Form 3 pupil at Sobukhazi High School, is admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital .
She was just a bystander. The bullet went through one cheek and exited on the other. A witness said:
There was a fight between Thabani Goredema and Richard Magwenzi, who is a well-known drug dealer in the area. We suspect Goredema works with some police officers because they always come to his house but he is never arrested.
I don’t know why they were fighting, but when the police arrived they handcuffed Richard and started beating him. This incensed residents who asked the officers why they did not arrest Goredema as well.
Ayanda’s relative who requested to be anonymous told ZimLive that police began indiscriminately beating up people who had gathered to watch. Added the relative:
An officer we only know as Shumba fired his gun into the air and people started running all over. When he fired the first shot, one of his colleagues shouted ‘isa panyama’ (put it on the flesh) and the next thing I remember Ayanda was lying down with blood all over her face.
The relative said Ayanda’s mouth was swollen and doctors have recommended surgery after she complained of aching jaws and teeth.
The family said after the shooting, the police officers said they had called an ambulance but none arrived.
They called a friend in Nguboyenja who has a car after realising that the police were not treating the issue with urgency.
The family also made a report of the incident at Mzilikazi Police Station and they called homicide detectives to investigate.
The police officer named Shumba has allegedly offered to pay US$3 000 to Ayanda’s family so that they don’t speak on what transpired. The family says it rejected the money and only wants justice for Ayanda.
Thandekile Moyo, the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association official said it was unnecessary for the police to discharge a gun on defenceless residents.- credit: ZimLive
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance official Last Maengahama says he is ready to perform demanding tasks that are in line with his new appointment.
Maengahama was appointed secretary for policy and research by President Nelson Chamisa last week.
Below is Maengahama’s statement:
I am deeply humbled by the deployment to this very crucial and strategic portfolio of policy and research by President Nelson Chamisa and the MDC Alliance party.
This is indeed a huge and challenging task that demands participatory, inclusivity, grassroots and people driven approaches to policy formulation.
Our philosophy is that public policy formulation must be people driven and people centred.
The MDC is a social democratic party whose core values include participation, inclusivity, solidarity, democracy, freedom, equality and justice. The birth of the MDC came out of the struggles of the working people, the women, the urban and rural youth and the students whose future is now more precarious and uncertain.
Policy and research portfolio is the cornerstone of the party as it provides general party policy direction and the framework for the party manifesto and election message and we ready ourselves to govern.
We shall create platforms to dialogue with the working peoples in their communities, the women, the youth, the unemployed, the farmers and the peasants, the civil servants and the business community in urban and rural areas to facilitate their active participation in public policy formulation.
The MDC is the only party that will transform and transfigure Zimbabwe to Democracy and Real Development where every person is accorded an opportunity, without any form of prejudice or discrimination.
We will create an economy, state and society based on the enjoyment of civil, political, social and econimic rights are guaranteed for all, devoid of oppression, exploitation, violence – a free and fair society to humanity!
The MDC is domiciled in the base, the working people and their struggles.
Breaking: Police Violently Arrest ZINASU Leaders In Masvingo@Zinasuzim General Council meeting in Lee’s Inn hotel,Masvingo has been stopped by the @ZRP_Zim The @Zinasuzim President @ngadziore has been arrested.Civic space continues to shrink- Admire Wakurawarerwa pic.twitter.com/VYvVJxnx5L
Breaking: Police Violently Arrest ZINASU Leaders In Masvingo@Zinasuzim General Council meeting in Lee’s Inn hotel,Masvingo has been stopped by the @ZRP_Zim The @Zinasuzim President @ngadziore has been arrested.Civic space continues to shrink- Admire Wakurawarerwa pic.twitter.com/VYvVJxnx5L
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club will move to a different home venue for one year to allow redevelopment at Nou Camp.
The planned works will begin in 2022 and will involve expansion of the sitting capacity from 99,000 to 110,000 spectators and refurbishment of the club store and museum at the stadium.
The Nou Camp redevelopment will cost Barca €1.5bn ($1.74bn) and the club is in talks with investment bank Goldman Sachs to finance the project.
Speaking on Catalan radio Rac1, Laporta said they are considering using the Johan Cruyff Stadium. The venue is currently where Barcelona Women play their home matches.
“We are considering different possibilities, but the strongest candidate is the Johan Cruyff Stadium.”
The other option is Montjuic Stadium. The municipal facility hosted the opening ceremonies of the 1992 Summer Olympics and was home to Barcelona’s cross town rival Espanyol for several years.
“(The new Camp Nou) is fundamental for the viability of the club and its immediate future,” Laporta added. “The impact it will have for Barça is critical so that we can compete with our competitors who have already done what is needed.”
Real Madrid started redeveloping their Santiago Bernabéu last year, taking advantage of coronavirus lockdown, when no fans were not allowed to attend matches in Spain.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
By A Correspondent-MDC-Alliance deputy chairman, Job Sikhala has described as embarrassing, Zanu PF’s catch and release game of own party heavyweights nabbed for corruption allegations.
Sikhala expressed his annoyment this week after the courts’ acquittal of the former Health Minister, Obediah Moyo.
Moyo was facing corruption charges involving millions of United States dollars Covid-19 pharmaceutical tender.
Posting on his Twitter handle, Sikhala questioned who in Zanu PF would ever be convicted of corruption?
A police officer stationed at Mount Darwin police station Constable Spenser Chiteera is allegedly facing a disciplinary action after he posted opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s picture on his WhatsApp status.
Chiteera posted the picture last month and captioned it “Ngaapinde hake mukomana” a statement being used by MDC Alliance supporters to endorse Chamisa.
Sources close to investigations said the cop has since been transferred to Bindura awaiting judgement.
We are conducting a disciplinary action against Chiteera since he violated police act by endorsing an opposition party leader on his WhatsApp status,” said the source
Efforts to contact police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi were fruitless.
Recently the police sent a strong warning to police officers who were now resorting to social media to express their disgruntlement against the ruling party..
Shandaiwo so you can host similar birthday parties. Dai zvaitwa nemurungu nhai? I am sure Guvamatanga wouldn't flaunt it if he can't defend it. Happy birthday Madyira, #inspired
But Cde Editor, Kuda Tagwirei openly declared at the opulent party that George Guvamatanga "hana mari, so it's up to vane mari, to do something for him". And you are claiming here that Guvamatanga is a multimillionaire. Haikhona mhani!
So he stops living? Odyawo machunks just because someone can't afford sirloin steak even though he can afford caviar? He is in civil service to serve not suffer!
As people fall over each other to defend Guvamatanga, they miss the point that it’s not about his money, it’s the policies that he authors which obviously don’t affect him. The RTGS is not his plate, forex exchange does not bite him. So why does he author them. https://t.co/zNE60pebf8
By State Media-A Harare-based self-styled faith healer (prophet) says he is sick after he was reportedly forced to drink a client’s urine during a healing session.
Madzibaba Tanya is accusing Madzibaba Steven Muchanyu of using him before duping him of US$5 000 which they had agreed on as his payment.
Madzibaba Tanya told H-Metro that Madzibaba Steven “hired” him to help him heal a client suspected to have come from Zambia seeking help. He said:
Madzibaba Steven looked so desperate when he approached me seeking help. He said he had someone who was coming from Zambia or Botswana not sure who was having problems of pulse beating uncontrollably when driving.
He also said he was having dreams in which every time he dreams of his funeral and wakes up feeling very sick.
So he begged me to help him heal the person and I accepted his request to which we agreed that I would get USD$5000 from the USD$15 000 which the client was to pay.
After five days he told me that the person had arrived but I refused to perform the miracles at his church since he would get the credit.
Madzibaba Tanya added that during the healing session, he was possessed by a strange “foreign” spirit and it was while he was in a trance that he drank the patient’s urine. He said:
I got possessed during the healing process with a spirit that I don’t even understand.
I was told that the spirit wanted me to drink the client’s urine and it was the same spirit that wanted to kill the client.
So I drank the urine in which the client got healed, hana yake yakabva yangoti zii kurova fast kwayaiita and he (client) confirmed that he was healed and was grateful.
Madzibaba Tanya said he had been promised US$15 000 but was surprised to be given US$100 instead of the agreed fee.
He said he needed US$5 000 so that he could find faith healers to heal him as he is now sick and also to be delivered from the alien spirit.
Madzibaba Tanya said that each time “I visit other churches I am told they are seeing death ahead of me due to the spirit which came upon me.”
However, Madzibaba Steven disputed the allegations, accusing his erstwhile friend of unspecified action. He said:
I have issues with this man. We used to pray together before I left him over his conduct of getting drunk whilst at the shrine.
He would also sleep with married women in the bushes, so he is trying to tarnish my image so that my church collapses. He is lying.
By A Correspondent- An estimated 1,5 million Zimbabweans are reported to have abandoned life in the city as the country’s economic situation continues to deteriorate.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) said the deteriorating labour market conditions had forced 1,5 million working age citizens leave urban centres and resettle in rural areas where living conditions are cheap and flexible.
Speaking at the launch of the “Labour Market Diagnostic Analysis” report this week, ILO director in Zimbabwe and Namibia, Hopolang Phororo said labour conditions in the country had deteriorated over the past two years.
“Labour market conditions have continued to deteriorate over the last two years. In 2019, Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product contracted by over 6,5 % due to fiscal consolidation, Cyclone Idai and the devastating impact of a drought that severely affected agriculture and electricity production,” she said.
This is consistent with the net-out migration of 1,5 million people from urban to rural areas throughout the period.”
Phororo said 57% of the working population in Zimbabwe was outside the labor market with the unemployment rate reaching 17% and among those working, 80% were in informal employment.
However, according to the ILO latest report, the agricultural sector created vast employment opportunities for local citizens.
“Going forward, all the fiscal reforms currently underway require allocating resources to fund investment subsidies, active labour market programmes and redistribution arrangements within the social insurance system among other measures,” the report recommended.
Full statement by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi on the murder of six people and injury of five others in Redcliff, Kwekwe.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has arrested Thubelithle Khoshow (26) in connection with cases of Murder and Rape which occurred on 09th October 2021 at around 0300 hours at Stone Clare, Redcliff, Kwekwe.
On the said date, the suspect who is a member of the Johane Masowe sect became mentally disturbed and acted violently whilst at his residential place at Stone Clare, Redcliff, Kwekwe. As a result, he was ferried by his aunt to the church’s shrine for prayers.
Whilst at the shrine, the suspect became violent and began to uproot trees as well as pushing stationery vehicles. The church congregants managed to subdue him and tied him with some ropes.
In the morning, whilst other church members were still asleep, the suspect woke up and freed himself. He got into his vehicle and drove to his house where he did not find his wife.
The suspect armed himself with three spears, a kitchen knife as well as an axe, went to his uncle’s home where he smashed the front dining room door using an unknown object and gained entry into the house.
His uncle and other family members escaped through the bedroom window leaving four children and two cousins sleeping in the dining room.
They later returned to their house and found their children lying unconscious with multiple stab wounds. As a result, they sought refuge at a police officer’s house who live nearby.
The suspect followed them to the police officer’s house where he stabbed the police officer on the back with a spear.
He further seriously injured three other people and fatally stabbed a 33-year-old man.
The suspect returned to his residence and stabbed to death two female adults aged 56 and 85 before raping his uncle’s wife.
The injured were referred to Kwekwe General Hospital where three juveniles aged 7,3 and 7 months died on admission.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges members of the public to cautiously treat any violent person in their communities and urgently report any such violent people to their nearest police stations.
Breaking: Police Violently Arrest ZINASU Leaders In Masvingo@Zinasuzim General Council meeting in Lee’s Inn hotel,Masvingo has been stopped by the @ZRP_Zim The @Zinasuzim President @ngadziore has been arrested.Civic space continues to shrink- Admire Wakurawarerwa pic.twitter.com/VYvVJxnx5L
By A Correspondent- An elephant that killed the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU) operations director on Friday morning was tracked and later shot dead by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) rangers.
The stray elephant had charged at Clever Kapandura (51), attacked and trampled him to death, while he was conducting an anti-poaching patrol on Friday near Bonnaise Air bush owned by the Victoria Falls City Council.
Lovemore Ndlovu from Bonnaise Air confirmed to CITE that the elephant had been gunned down. He said:
They killed it approximately five hours later at Aerodrome suburbs.
The search was not easy as it was equally dangerous, but it was spotted by a helicopter that was dispatched to join the search and it was immediately gunned down at the same spot.
The developments were also confirmed by VFAPU co- director Teddy Brightman.
However, Zimparks spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo said he was not aware of the development but commended what rangers had done.CITE
Galvanizing communities towards Change. Our Organising Secretary @AmosChibaya in midlands today. The task at hand is to build a credible alternative, organize convergance of all social forces and wage a collective fight against dictatorship. #NgaapindeHakeMukomanapic.twitter.com/v3QBX9ZNZh
I am a principled man, born in one of the most forgotten villages – in Sesheke, Zambia – with a belief that Zambia will someday succeed & maybe just maybe – Africa too. I'll never sit on the same table to dine & joke with those who politically benefit from the poor masses !!!
Bulawayo Chiefs have appointed Portuguese national Nilton Terroso as their new coach.
Terroso, 42, arrived in Bulawayo on Thursday and was unveiled at a dinner held later in the day.
He will be assisted by Mark Mathe and another assistant from Portugal.
The gaffer worked with Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during their time at Cardiff City six years ago. He is a holder of the UEFA A coaching licence a BSc in Football Coaching and Performance from University of South Wales.
Terroso’s first assignment in charge of Chiefs will be against Chicken Inn in the final round of the Chibuku Super Cup Group 2.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
By Dr Masimba Mavaza | Ex-Health minister, Dr Obadiah Moyo was acquitted as a US$60 million trial collapsed, ‘God is faithful,’ were the words he could utter soon after his acquittal.
Dr Obadiah Moyo is a Zimbabwean politician and former hospital administrator. In 2018, he was appointed the country’s Minister of Health and Child Care. On the 19th of June 2020, he was falsely arrested and charged with three counts of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer, for his alleged participation in a scam that involves tens of millions of dollars.
Dr Masimba Mavaza
After spending the night in police cells, he posted $50 000.00 bail. Because of these false allegations which were motivated by Hopewell Chin’ono the president cde Emmerson Mnangagwa dismissed Moyo from the office of Cabinet Minister, removing him for “conduct inappropriate for a Government Minister.
Despite all this Dr Moyo remained a visionary and creative leader with a proven record of accomplishment in both medical and executive management. He is an experienced healthcare administrator who adopts a professional “hands on” approach. He is skilled in problem solving and obtaining achievements by using initiative and drive to gain results.
He is considered as a leading medical strategist in Zimbabwe. He won several international awards in recognition of his contribution to the international society in Nephrology and Pathology.
Through his achievements, he is rated as an eminent strategist in the medical industry in Zimbabwe and the region. Educated in Zimbabwe, United Kingdom and the West Indies, Dr. Moyo earned several academic qualifications and is a registered Renal Specialist, Consultant Chemical Pathologist.
His former experience includes being
• Deputy President of the Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe.
• President of Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe.
• Founder member of the World Council for Renal Care, and founder of the Zimbabwe Kidney Foundation Renal Services where he served as the Chairman and Executive Director.
• Chief Executive Officer of Chitungwiza Central Hospital in September 2005 a position he held until his appointment as Minister of Health and Child Care. During this time he received several honours, including in 2018 overall Zimbabwe Businessman of the year, and Zimbabwe Community leader of the year.
• Chairman of Council for the Chinhoyi University of Technology.
With all these achievements Dr Moyo saw his life being destroyed by a Twitter and overzealous ZACC incompetent officers who were interested in humiliating people and get arrests.
ZACC officers have caused more embarrassment to the war against corruption such that many have lost confidence in the ZACC system of operation. The term catch and release was coined because of what ZACC does to the accused without applying the law and due diligence.
Although each arrest has different circumstances, the reaction of family members and friends can be similar.
Arrest is usually the first stage of the criminal justice process it is when the Police carry out the initial questioning of someone suspected of a crime or an offence. In Zimbabwe ZACC has powers of arrest and unfortunately these powers are mostly abused.
The arrest of a loved one can be a very traumatic and difficult time.
Sometimes your loved one is arrested at the family home which can have a major impact on the family members, especially the children. If they witness the arrest, they may feel very anxious and distressed.
When dealing with allegations of criminal offences against persons of public interest there is a need to maintain clear public recognition of ZACC’s independence.
These cases have particular potential for attracting allegations of inconsistency, because the arrested is a high ranking public figure. But behind any public figure there a human being a father a husband a person. It is therefore important to maintain highest standards of decision making, to apply any casework standards at all stages and to ensure that case decisions are consistent with existing procedures. This idea of rushing to arrest because you can is satanic demonic and total inconsiderate.
Concern about cases of wrongful arrests has arisen in Zimbabwe and this is more prevalent in cases involving government officials or high profile persons. Some wrongly arrested individuals have spent many years in mental prisons before their charges are quashed, but little is known about the psychological effects of such miscarriages of justice on them. Substantial psychiatric morbidity and problems of psychological and social adjustment has not been considered in such cases. The difficulties of the wrongly arrested and their families are similar to those described in the clinical literature concerning other groups, such as war veterans, who have been exposed to chronic psychological trauma but the wrongly arrested or convicted do not receive such sympathy. Many people believe that once you are cleared you are fine and you should be happy about that. We always miss the most important and relevant point of the effects of long-term accusations are manifested after release from such charges by court.
Being arrested paraded in every newspaper and become a laughing stock can be an extraordinarily stressful psychological trauma.
False arrest and imprisonment can be an extraordinarily traumatic event.
It is very clearly that there is a serious psychological impairment which follows false arrest and imprisonment.
Although no clear pattern emerges, a common scenario begins with a Twitter purporting to be exposing corruption then a knock on the door and the totally unexpected confrontation with the police waving an arrest warrant for an alleged crime. The individual is summarily arrested, taken into custody, handcuffed and placed in the back of a police vehicle, sometimes in a full view of the international and national and local press.
Following booking and extreme embarrassment, the victim of a false arrest may be placed in jail, unless bail can be posted immediately and release obtained he will be placed in remand prison.
If immediate release is not obtained, the false arrest victim who is often utterly confused and terrified must face the dangers of jail, some of which can be lethal. For example, the risk of suicide within the first 24 hours of incarceration is well known.Fears of physical and sexual assault with the possibility of contracting the HIV virus are very real. If the false arrest victim is alone in a cell, fear and exhaustion may further heighten feelings of isolation, terror, and helplessness. Time sense is often lost a sudden change of environment loss of control of one’s life, even taking a
showers, delousing, being required to wear jailhouse clothes, and inedible food may produce a profound sense of humiliation and threat to one’s personal identity.
Being unexpectedly wrenched from one’s normal, expectable existence and plunged into the sheer terror of imprisonment without apparent reason is a highly traumatic, experience. This extreme, abrupt discontinuity in a person’s life experience is capable of producing psychiatric disorder, particularly dissociative disorder.
The former minister of Health became one of many people who have been falsely accused and arrested for crimes they did not commit. For weeks following the arrest, Dr Obadiah Moyo experiences flashbacks and nightmares of the arrest and incarceration and facing the social court. The flashbacks may occur when someone comes to the front door and knocks or rings the bell or when the news bulletin starts to flash on the Television. Dr Moyo have had a torrid time not wanting to be in the public. Some former friends and neighbors shun him and his family. Despite the fact that he was innocent from the beginning.
Dr Obadiah Moyo is totally exonerated, he feels that doubt has been cast upon his good character.
No one is putting a thought on Dr Moyo’s children who were taunted by some of their peers. Does anyone give a thought on his wife who continues to feel embarrassed and ashamed, avoiding her former friends in the community.
The actual circumstances of the arrest, the trauma to family members who cannot comprehend what has happened, personal embarrassment and humiliation (“treated like a criminal”), adverse publicity, and the incarceration experience itself are significant psychological stressors. The family itself may be so traumatized as to be emotionally unavailable to the arrest victim on his or her release. The problem we face is that To arrest you the police need reasonable grounds to suspect you’re involved in a crime for which your arrest is necessary.
The police have powers to arrest you anywhere and at any time, including on the street, at home or at work. But ZACC officer only need Twitter from Hopewell Chin’ono and a disgruntled permanent secretary to arrest the whole minister and embarrass him without applying the law at all.
After this protracted embarrassment Dr Obadiah Moyo was acquitted by the High Court.
At the start of Dr Moyo’s trial, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda sitting in Harare High Court tossed out the charges. This is what we have been saying all along when this writer said the charges were imprecise and did not disclose a criminal offence.
Dr Moyo was arrested for his alleged dealings with Drax International LLC, Papi Pharma and Drax Consult SAGL, companies, which ZACC claimed were illegally awarded contracts by the health ministry without a competitive tender process.
Another victim of such arrests without investigations Delish Nguwaya, a local representative of Drax International, was arrested as part of the same investigation, but his trial collapsed as well. The Advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara said the charges “could only be described as… inimical to the law, irregular in form and susceptible to impugnment”.
It has always been clear that the charges on “all three counts are not clear on what Dr Moyo did in the awarding of the contracts and which rules he had broken.”
From the beginning it showed that the contracts were done by the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, and as such Moyo could not be held accountable for their actions.
“The minister was not involved in the decisions,” said Zhuwarara, who asked Justice Kwenda to acquit Moyo.
In a professional manner and true judgeship the judge cornered prosecutor Garudzo Ziyadhuma to explain how Moyo influenced the awarding of the contracts. He also asked Ziyadhuma to explain what the word “influence” means leading to a concession by the prosecutor that the charges were imprecise and badly drafted. The question is why was the case allowed to even go up to the High Court.
Since his arrest, the former minister and former Chitungwiza General Hospital CEO had been frequenting the courts without a trial date being set.
The whole saga to Dr Moyo was
Profoundly terrifying. Deeply shocking. It shook him to the very core and the effects will be with him for a long time. The entire event had started assuming that feeling of unreality that tends to accompany truly bad things. “Was that real? Did that happen? That couldn’t have been real. That couldn’t have just happened to him. There’s no way. Is our country in a hallucinating mood.One of the single worst experiences of anybody’s life – not from an events standpoint or even a consequences standpoint considering that the subsequent court visits were very nearly as shocking, and left him financially devastated. This did not only leave Dr Moyo financially down but emotionally wounded.
Too much power can wreak havoc to an otherwise a better Commission like ZACC. The only way to stop abuse of power is to have checks and balances, there should be checks on how ZACC use their powers of arrest. There should be a section in the Prosecution department telling ZACC that they need a reality check, this is not tyrant ville.
A good organisation can abuse power if they are unaware of the negative effects of their decisions. This is why it is dangerous for any organization with an abuse of leadership to be surrounded only by people who agree with everything that is said and done, not to question logic reasoning from what is right from wrong.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission [ZACC] has been outing the government at the receiving end of insults and derision from the general public, which feel it is doing less than it should to contain corruption. In an attempt to strengthen ZACC by giving its officers more powers, on 28th June, the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs gazetted Statutory Instrument 143/2019, the Criminal Procedure and Evidence (Designation of Peace Officers) (Amendment) Notice, 2019 (No. 3) [link], which designates ZACC’s officers as “peace officers” for all purposes under the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.
SI 143 does not explain the legal consequence of making ZACC officers “peace officers”, and to understand it one must look at the Act under which it was made, the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.
Peace officers and their powers
The Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act gives law enforcement powers to what it calls “peace officers”, a broad class of officials including police officers, prison officers, immigration officers and traditional leaders. The Act allows the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to designate other persons as peace officers, and that is what he did for ZACC’s officers in SI 143.
Arrest must be for a proper purpose: Peace officers should not arrest people automatically even if they have reasonable grounds to believe they have committed a crime. Persons may be arrested to ensure they appear in court and stand trial, or to stop them committing a crime or interfering with the evidence. The power of arrest, in other words, must be exercised carefully and reasonably.
ZACC is a constitutional commission and its functions are laid down in the Constitution. It is possible to extend those functions through section 321 of the Constitution, which states that “An Act of Parliament may confer additional functions on a Commission”; but SI 143 is not an Act of Parliament even though it is made in terms of one.
SI 143 is yet another of the statutory instruments published recently to give effect to important government programmes ‒ in this case the anti-corruption drive whose legality is open to doubt. Ministers who need legislation to underpin their policies would be better advised to approach Parliament and persuade it to pass an appropriate Act of Parliament, rather than resorting to statutory instruments which are open to legal challenge.
The behaviour of ZACC has become very intimidatory and totally unreasonable. The ZACC officers must take courses in criminal law before they form a conclusion that a person needs to be arrested. The problem with ZACC is that it is the law unto itself, like any other commission it must not be allowed to be above the law.
Dr Obadiah Moyo was lucky his God was faithful. What about those who are not that lucky. The first step to fight corruption is to train those who will enforce the laws. Emotional arrests and playing to the gallery is satanic. In most cases the unprofessional overzealous ZACC officers descend into the arena and get blinded by the dust of the of the game.
The Premier League has confirmed that the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United has been completed.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will own 80 per cent, with the billionaire Reuben brothers and financier Amanda Staveley taking 10 per cent each.
The deal had dragged for long with several institutions protesting the takeover, citing PIF’s human rights violations.
In a statement, the Premier League said: “The Premier League, Newcastle United Football Club and St James Holdings Limited have today settled the dispute over the takeover of the club by the consortium of PIF, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media.
“Following the completion of the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test, the club has been sold to the consortium with immediate effect.
“The legal disputes concerned which entities would own and/or have the ability to control the club following the takeover.
“All parties have agreed the settlement is necessary to end the long uncertainty for fans over the club’s ownership.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa says his vision will take the nation to greatness.
According to the vibrant leader, a new Zimbabwe is possible.
He also urged citizens to register to vote in numbers…
“We will definitely take Zimbabwe to GREATNESS & STARDOM! Together we will make Our Zimbabwe the best place for us all and generations to come. A New Great Zimbabwe is our collective duty. Happy & Blessed Sabbath Zimbabwe.
God bless you!#ImagineadifferentZimbabwe
RegisterNow
Godisinit,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.
A 16-year-old Bulawayo schoolgirl was shot on the cheek after a police officer discharged his firearm to stop a fistfight between two men in G-Square in Mzilikazi on Monday.
Ayanda Tshuma, a Form 3 pupil at Sobukhazi High School, is admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital .
She was just a bystander. The bullet went through one cheek and exited on the other. A witness said:
There was a fight between Thabani Goredema and Richard Magwenzi, who is a well-known drug dealer in the area. We suspect Goredema works with some police officers because they always come to his house but he is never arrested.
I don’t know why they were fighting, but when the police arrived they handcuffed Richard and started beating him. This incensed residents who asked the officers why they did not arrest Goredema as well.
Ayanda’s relative who requested to be anonymous told ZimLive that police began indiscriminately beating up people who had gathered to watch. Added the relative:
An officer we only know as Shumba fired his gun into the air and people started running all over. When he fired the first shot, one of his colleagues shouted ‘isa panyama’ (put it on the flesh) and the next thing I remember Ayanda was lying down with blood all over her face.
The relative said Ayanda’s mouth was swollen and doctors have recommended surgery after she complained of aching jaws and teeth.
The family said after the shooting, the police officers said they had called an ambulance but none arrived.
They called a friend in Nguboyenja who has a car after realising that the police were not treating the issue with urgency.
The family also made a report of the incident at Mzilikazi Police Station and they called homicide detectives to investigate.
The police officer named Shumba has allegedly offered to pay US$3 000 to Ayanda’s family so that they don’t speak on what transpired. The family says it rejected the money and only wants justice for Ayanda.
Thandekile Moyo, the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association official said it was unnecessary for the police to discharge a gun on defenceless residents.- credit: ZimLive
What steps should a school take to keep students and staff safe from COVID-19?
What about vaccination? How can families and communities keep themselves safe as schools reopen? Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains in Science in 5 this week
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance official Last Maengahama says he is ready to perform demanding tasks that are in line with his new appointment.
Maengahama was appointed secretary for policy and research by President Nelson Chamisa last week.
Below is Maengahama’s statement:
I am deeply humbled by the deployment to this very crucial and strategic portfolio of policy and research by President Nelson Chamisa and the MDC Alliance party.
This is indeed a huge and challenging task that demands participatory, inclusivity, grassroots and people driven approaches to policy formulation.
Our philosophy is that public policy formulation must be people driven and people centred.
The MDC is a social democratic party whose core values include participation, inclusivity, solidarity, democracy, freedom, equality and justice. The birth of the MDC came out of the struggles of the working people, the women, the urban and rural youth and the students whose future is now more precarious and uncertain.
Policy and research portfolio is the cornerstone of the party as it provides general party policy direction and the framework for the party manifesto and election message and we ready ourselves to govern.
We shall create platforms to dialogue with the working peoples in their communities, the women, the youth, the unemployed, the farmers and the peasants, the civil servants and the business community in urban and rural areas to facilitate their active participation in public policy formulation.
The MDC is the only party that will transform and transfigure Zimbabwe to Democracy and Real Development where every person is accorded an opportunity, without any form of prejudice or discrimination.
We will create an economy, state and society based on the enjoyment of civil, political, social and econimic rights are guaranteed for all, devoid of oppression, exploitation, violence – a free and fair society to humanity!
The MDC is domiciled in the base, the working people and their struggles.
Tinashe Sambiri| Ngaapinde hitmaker, Cucsman has dropped yet another song, which takes the State House fight to another gear up as the musician this time instructs how President Nelson Chamisa must do it.
He says, all that Chamisa needs now is to “vhiringa vhiringa” until he is firmly in…
ANOTHER NGAAPINDE SONG, BY CUCSMAN…
Usaore mwoyo kwawabva ndokure, saka usacheuke kumashure, zvinongokunetesa. Asi Tsunga Moyo, shingirira, rugare haruuye nyore
Dzimwe nguva zvinotora makore, Kure kweGava ndokusina Tsubvu Zvimwe zvavho zvinoda kushinga. You’ve got to keep up, wongovhiringa vhiringa kusvika waPinda. You should never let it go. Kusvikira zvinhu zvaita Bho. It ain’t easy, Zvinoda kushinga kuti urarame muJungle. Semuvhimi musango rineShumba. Hamudi mbwende munoda vakasimba. Wanguda usagumbuke, usavhunduke, keep pressing on.
