By A Correspondent- Two top Marondera detectives allegedly intercepted more than 100 stolen tobacco bales and connived with the armed robbers to sell the loot before sharing the proceeds.
Tapera Bvunzawabaya (36) and Phenias Bizabani (36) from CID Law and order appeared before Marondera magistrate Rumbidzai Munemo facing criminal abuse of office charges and were ordered to apply for bail at the High Court.
They will return to court on September 10 for trial.
According to court papers, on July 22, Albert Mhari, Kezias Chonde, Morestaff Kapeta, Darlington Mhari and their accomplices who are still at large, went to Karimazondo Farm in Marondera where they ambushed the security guard, Christopher Mukobvu.
One of the suspects produced a pistol and threatened to shoot the security guard before tying his hands and legs with shoe laces.
The robbers then proceeded to a parked truck in the farm yard, assaulted the truck driver Shepherd Dabvu with fists and stabbed him several times on his buttocks before throwing him out of the vehicle.
They allegedly took the truck and its trailer laden with 130 bales of tobacco and drove to Cotter Farm along Longlands in Marondera owned by Talent Kaseke where they offloaded the bales.
They dumped the truck near the farm.
A police report was made at Marondera Central where Bizabani and Bvunzawabaya are stationed as detectives.
The accused made their investigations and found the tobacco bales at Cotter Farm where they were being repackaged to conceal their initial identification.
The two suspects allegedly demanded bribes from Mhari and his accomplices to avoid being arrested.
The, robbers, however had no money with them resulting in the detectives joining them in disposing the stolen tobacco bales.
Bizabani allegedly called one Shingirayi Mutsinziri to transport the stolen tobacco bales to Harare for sale.
The detectives also approached Talent Kaseke’s wife and got permission to use her grower’s number to sell the tobacco.
Bizabani and Bvunzawabaya then used their power as police officers to escort the trucks in their black Mercedes Benz to Harare during Covid-19 curfew hours.
They facilitated safe passage for the two trucks at police checkpoints to Harare where the tobacco was sold before sharing the proceeds.
The matter came to light after the arrest of Kapeta following a parallel investigation that included officials from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and he implicated the detectives.
Detectives recovered torn bale tags and sacks printed with the complainant’s growers’ number.
Upon being quizzed, the farmer admitted that the detectives were at the repackaging site on the day.
The total value of the stolen tobacco was pegged at US$58 000 and nothing was recovered.
Kapeta and his team are also in remand over armed robbery charges.
By A Correspondent- A 24 year old man recently died in a head on collision accident at the 102 km peg along Bulawayo Kezi-Maphisa road.
The accident happened after his car collided with another vehicle resulting in his death while five other passengers were injured.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena said Musa Dube (24) died on the spot as a result of the accident.
“On August 7, Dube from Maphisa was driving a Ford Courier and at a 102 km peg along Bulawayo- Kezi Maphisa road and he was involved in a head on collision with another car driven by Katsande Chamnorwa (53) from North End.
Mangena said Dube’s car encroached into Chamnorwa’s lane resulting in his death due to the head-on collision.
She said Dube was alone in the car while Chamnorwa had five passengers on board who all got injured and were ferried to Maphisa hospital. She said Dube’s body was also taken to Maphisa hospital mortuary.
Mangena advised drivers to adhere to road rules in order to avoid unnecessary accidents.
By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance has queried the government’s swift disbursement of funds under the Political Parties Finance Act to the Douglas Mwonzora led-MDC-T, saying this never used to happen before the 2019 split.
Mwonzora’s party was on Friday given $59 940 000 by the government while Zanu-PF got a whopping $140 million, igniting fresh debate about the MDC-T and MDC Alliance battle over the control of funds meant for parties with a sizeable representation in Parliament.
MDC Alliance secretary for presidential affairs Jameson Timba said it was surprising that government continued to give the MDC-T money when there was a High Court ruling barring the release of the funds to either of the MDC factions before their dispute was resolved by the courts.
Timba said the release of the money showed Zanu-PF’s desperation to oil “its surrogates” to distabilise the party led by Nelson Chamisa.
“There is a High Court judgment that says the money must not be distributed to anyone until the legal dispute is resolved,” Timba said.
“But alas, both the Zanu-PF government and its surrogate do not respect the rule of law.”
Timba added: “Zanu-PF needs to keep its surrogate funded in the same way Renamo was funded by the Rhodesians to fight and tire Zanla forces before they crossed over to fight the Rhodesians.”
He said in 2018 and 2019, the MDC alliance was given its money without any problems, but trouble started in march last year when the government started giving the allocation to the MDC-T.
Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi yesterday defended the government’s position on the distribution of the money.
“They (MDC alliance) lost the case, there is no such ruling barring government from releasing money to the MDC-T. if they have the ruling, can they show you?” Ziyambi said.
“Mwonzora is what we know. if they have any claim, they should go and make the claim to him because he is the one we gave.
“We know the leader of the opposition is Mwonzora.”
Ziyambi said the MDC alliance should leave the government out of its fight against the MDC-T.
On allegations that government was propping Mwonzora, Ziyambi said: “That is a lie; just like saying government is not procuring vaccines.
“The disbursement was done in February and parties wrote asking for supplementary budgets, citing changed circumstances.
“(Patrick) Chinamasa (Zanu-PF) wrote and Paurina Mupariwa (MDC-T) also wrote and i attached a support letter to the minister of Finance. He approved it and released the funds.
“The mere reason that the MDC alliance did not write asking for the funds shows that they know that they are not entitled to it.”
Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba said the disbursement of the money by government was transparent.
“allocation of funds under the Political Parties Finance act is not something which is new,” Damba said.
“Political parties have always been benefiting from the act, including Chamisa.
“Why would they make a fuss now when Douglas Mwonzora is now the beneficiary? after all, the fund is being allocated in a transparent manner, in line with the dictates of the constitution.
“Chamisa and his allies should know that these are the consequences of failing to respect the court orders and the constitution of the MDC-T, which they disregarded and pursued politics of individualism.”
Meanwhile, leaders of opposition parties that formed the MDC alliance ahead of the 2018 elections yesterday denied claims that they were backing Mwonzora.
Mwonzora is claiming leadership of the alliance, an electoral pact entered into by the late opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and six other opposition parties in December 2017, which is now being led by Chamisa.
On Thursday, Mwonzora held a meeting at Richard Morgan Tsvangirai House party offices as the leader of the alliance, but only two of the signatories of the MDC alliance pact of 2017 attended the meeting.
Leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the welshman Ncube-led MDC accused Mwonzora of manipulating individuals into misrepresenting that they had attended the meeting on behalf of the parties.
Last month, Mathias Guchutu, leader of the multiracial Christian Democrats party who claimed to be the convener of the alliance, on July 12, wrote to Mwonzora informing him that the MDC-T had been expelled from the grouping for failing to abide by the principles of the alliance.
Guchutu, however, later withdrew the suspension, citing the need to pursue dialogue with Mwonzora.
He claimed that senior MDC-T party members called him for engagement following the suspension.
Guchutu attended Mwonzora’s meeting on Friday.
The MDC-T issued a statement after the meeting, but party spokesperson Nqobizitha Khumalo did not disclose the names of the principals of the alliance who were in attendance.
In the statement, Khumalo said the principals had acknowledged Mwonzora as the leader of the alliance and ordered Chamisa to stop using the alliance name.
He said several principals had endorsed Mwonzora, but The Standard is reliably informed that only the MDC, Zimbabwe People First and Zanu Ndonga had representatives at the meeting.
Stephen Manzana, spokesperson and representative of the Zimbabwe People First, who attended the meeting said the party was yet to decide whether to join Mwonzora’s alliance or not.
He said the party could join Mwonzora’s camp if he was willing to share the funds allocated to the alliance under the Political Parties Finance act with the other principals.
“We were invited to the meeting by MDC-T president Mwonzora, but we are still at the negotiating table with both Mwonzora and Chamisa,” Manzanza said.
“We are not members of any alliance as yet. we will join the grouping, which offers the best to advance the interests of the general Zimbabweans.”
PDP spokesperson Jacob Mafume said the party was not represented in Mwonzora’s meeting and disowned Lucia Matibenga, who was named as the representative of the party.
Matibenga, leader of a splinter PDP group, was part of the Joice Mujuru-led electoral pact in the 2018 general elections, not the alliance, which rival leader Tendai Biti was part of.
“Mwonzora is creating party leaders to advance selfish interests,” Mafume said.
“The so-called alliance is fictitious and bogus.
“The meeting was held out of desperation, dishonesty and craziness.
“He recalled members of Parliament from the MDC alliance because they were not members of the MDC-T, now they are claiming its ownership.”
The MDC alliance principals, who were not part of the meeting, said they never received any invitation from Mwonzora to join him.
They, however, said they could not have attended the Thursday meeting even if they had been invited because they did not recognise mwonzora as the leader of the alliance.
Welshman Ncube-led MDC vice-president Edwin Mushoriwa said the party had no intentions to join any other alliance other than the one led by Chamisa.
“Mwonzora did not even bother to invite us because he knew that we would not attend. we do not subscribe to his cheap political tricks,” Mushoriwa said.
“We know that the meeting was part of Mwonzora’s multiple sideshows to derail the agenda for change. but as the MDC-N, we continue rallying behind Chamisa to push for democracy and constitutionalism and respect the people’s will.”
MDC-T spokesperson witness Dube said all parties were represented at the meeting except for the Transform Zimbabwe led by Jacob Ngarivhume which had pulled out of the alliance.
He said principals of the alliance were bound by the agreement that set up the alliance.
By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance has endorsed MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora as leader of the opposition coalition, warning the faction led by Nelson Chamisa against using the group’s name and symbols, the state media reported.
Principals of the alliance, a coalition of opposition parties that contested the 2018 general elections, met in Harare last week and committed themselves to the coalition agreement.
The alliance was consummated in 2017 when the MDC-T formed an electoral pact with six other political parties.
On Friday, MDC-T leader Mwonzora chaired a meeting of coalition principals.
In a statement released after the meeting, MDC-Alliance secretary for information and publicity, Nqobizitha Dumakile Khumalo, said: “Today the MDC Alliance Principals Forum met under the strict Covid 19 regulations at Morgan Tsvangirai House in Harare.
“The meeting was chaired by MDC-T president, Douglas Mwonzora.
“The various political leaders acknowledged president Mwonzora as the leader of the MDC Alliance, in line with the constituting document of the pact.
“The meeting re-asserted full commitment to the alliance agreement.”
In apparent reference to Chamisa’s faction, he said the group was concerned with the continued abuse of the party’s name and symbols.
“The meeting, however, noted the continued abuse of the MDC Alliance name and symbols and urges those doing so to cease and desist forthwith.
“The meeting further agreed that it heartily welcomes and accepts any political players who subscribe to the MDC Alliance ethos.
“The meeting also deliberated and asserted its full commitment to inclusive, genuine and unconditional dialogue to end the problems currently afflicting Zimbabweans,” Khumalo said.
By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance supporters in Chimanimani have claimed that Zanu PF officials have threatened to deny them free agricultural inputs under the presidential input scheme if they don’t support President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s re-election bid.
Zanu PF is mobilising to raise five million voters for the 2023 general elections.
MDC Alliance Manicaland spokesperson David Panganai said, ahead of the 2023 polls, there were growing fears of human rights violations by ruling party supporters, with the opposition supporters being intimidated and sometimes beaten up.
“I have reports of intimidation around Manicaland and Chimanimani in particular,” Panganai said.
“They are being told at meetings that if they do not vote for Zanu PF, they are not going to receive presidential inputs or they will be beaten.
“We have reports that our supporters are being asked by Zanu PF supporters to surrender their registration details so that they will get land. Why do they need registration details? This is clear intimidation.”
Founder of Young Entrepreneurs Trust Zimbabwe, Fungai Nhaitai, said he was manhandled by unknown persons who claimed that he was mobilising youths in Mutare to vote against Zanu PF.
A member of a local non-governmental organisation, Rutendo Gwawu, who also attended a meeting organised by Nhaitai was caught up in the storm.
Gwawu said he was taken outside the meeting by some people impersonating the police and quizzed over his political affiliation.
Zimbabwe has a history of human rights abuses towards elections.
But Zanu PF Manicaland acting secretary for administration Misheck Mugadza said: “These are lies, we are a democratic party. We are focusing on mobilising five million votes ahead of the 2023 elections. New dispensation does not abuse people, MDC supporters should come and get presidential inputs and land.”- NewsDay
By A Correspondent- Former Local Government minister and Zanu-PF MP for Headlands Christopher Chingosho was arrested yesterday for allegedly calling first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa a prostitute for not inviting him to a function held in his constituency.
Last night, The Standard visited Rusape Police Station and was informed by police details that Chingosho was being questioned following the incident.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed Chingosho’s arrest but could not give details, saying police were still investigating the case.
Nyathi said:
I can confirm that a report has been made against the MP, but we are still investigating the nature of the report.
As of now, I cannot confirm whether it is an arrest or what.
All I can say is we are still investigating the nature of the report.
Zanu-PF sources told The Standard that Chingosho was arrested after he reacted angrily to the alleged snub by the first lady.
Said a senior Zanu-PF official in Rusape:
He arrived at the function and complained about the failure of the first lady to invite him.
He said the first lady was a whore because he did not invite him.
Some party members who attended the event immediately reported him to the police, leading to his arrest.
Several Zanu-PF officials from Manicaland confirmed the development, but refused to be named saying the “matter was too sensitive.”
Many people have since the days of the late former President Robert Mugabe been arrested for “insulting” the first family, especially the president.
By A Correspondent- A Gweru man has died from injuries sustained from a fierce fistfighting.
Thokozani Sibanda (25) died upon admission at Makepesi Clinic in Gweru after a fistfight one Andrew Muvhimi.
Muvhimi accused him of stealing his clothes.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police(ZRP) has since arrested Muvhimi and charged him with murder. ZRP posted via its Twitter handle:
Police in Gweru arrested Andrew Muvhimi (29) in connection with a murder case on 25/08/21 at Insukamini vegetable market. Thokozani Sibanda (25) died upon admission at Makepesi Clinic after a fistfight with the suspect.
In another case, Police in Esigodini are investigating a murder case in which the victim, Millias Ncube (70), died on 27 August this year upon admission at United Bulawayo Hospital. Police said the suspect, Chelesani Mpofu (42) assaulted Ncube on the 9th and 10th of August after an argument over the suspect’s girlfriend.
By A Correspondent- Police arrested two suspected robbers who allegedly pounced on a miner at Mazowe Mine and robbed him of US$130 after assaulting him with a beer bottle.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the two suspects were arrested at a police roadblock as they tried to escape.
Mashonaland Central acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Naison Dhliwayo confirmed the arrest of Vigilance Mukanganwi (31) and Patson Katsande (32) from Harare, who allegedly robbed Denis Ndlovu (25).
Dhliwayo said:
I can confirm a robbery case in Mazowe where Mukanganwi approached Ndlovu at his Amatola farm, Mazowe with an empty beer bottle and demanded beer, but Ndlovu told the suspect that he had no money.
The furious Mukanganwi struck Ndlovu with a broken bottle and assaulted him with clenched fists all over the body before robbing him of his money and fleeing to their gate-away car where Katsande was waiting for him.
In a different case, police have arrested two people for stealing a motorcycle.
In a statement posted via ZRP Twiter handle, the police said:
On 27/08/21 Police in Banket arrested Try Tayara (44) and Wonder Matope (38) for Theft of motorcycle and farming inputs which occurred along Jacaranda Crescent.
The arrest led to the recovery of the motorcycle and various tobacco farming inputs. Investigations are in progress.
Reports of robbery cases have been overwhelming and scores of suspects have been arrested.
By A Correspondent- The Indo-Paki community in Harare has allegedly written to ZANU PF Headquarters asking that the party replaces and disciplines Ward 5 council candidate Abdul Sapa who has been described as a domestic terrorist.
A member of the Indo-Paki community who spoke on condition of anonymity said Indians and Pakistanis living in Harare were not happy with the conduct of Abdul Sapa who is accused of having caused the death of respected community leader Ashraf Bhagoo.
Abdul Sapa is accused of using his close proximity to security sector bosses to terrorise the Indo-Paki community in the name of the party and security chiefs.
The source revealed that Abdul Sapa allegedly masterminded a robbery at Sarwar Shah’s residence in Milton Park which led to the death of Ashraf Bhagoo.
Sarwar Shah runs the Hello Paisa brand in Zimbabwe. It is reported that Shah received 2.5 million USD on the 11th of September through official channels which he was meant to divert and fund illegal gold buying deals.
Abdul Sapa has served as a henchman and gold smuggler for Shah. It is reported that Sapa uses state security agents in smuggling the gold.
Sapa was infuriated by Shah who did not renew his security services as he had released that Sapa was untrustworthy and unreliable.
Sapa allegedly then used his ex CID homicide colleagues to stage a robbery at Shah’s house. Ashraf Bhagoo a respectable elder and leader of the Indo-Pakistani community was shot during the Sapa masterminded robbery.
Sapa claims to be a ZANU PF loyalist and brags that he has ties to generals who protect him.
Sapa has allegedly terrorized the Indian moslem community he sends robbers , Zimra, ZACC, sacu , homicide , to raid Indian households and runs an extortion ring.
Members of the Indo-Pakistani community have vowed to continue supporting Zanu PF but they demand that the party replaces Abdul Sapa as his warlord tendencies which have left the community living in fear are going to cost the party in the 2023 elections.
The IndoPak community said they have a huge pool of talented , patriotic and politically clear individuals who can replace Abdul Sapa.
Members of the IndoPaki community are in the process of compiling a dossier on Abdul Sapa and his criminal activities.
By A Correspondent- Two detectives stationed in Marondera have been arrested for their role in the theft and selling of over 100 tobacco bales valued at US$58 000.
It is alleged that Tapera Bvunzawabaya (36) and Phenias Bizabani (36) from CID Law and Order intercepted the stolen tobacco but connived with the armed robbers to sell the loot before sharing the proceeds.
The duo had reportedly demanded bribes from the robbers Albert Mhari, Kezias Chonde, Morestaff Kapeta, Darlington Mhari and their accomplices who are still at large, but the robbers had no money.
It is alleged that on 22 July, the robbers who were armed with a pistol, went to Karimazondo Farm in Marondera where they ambushed the security guard, Christopher Mukobvu whom they threatened before tying his hands and legs with shoelaces.
They took a truck laden with 130 bales of tobacco from the farm after assaulting and stabbing the driver and then drove to Cotter Farm along Longlands in Marondera owned by Talent Kaseke where they offloaded the bales.
A police report was made at Marondera Central and Bizabani and Bvunzawabaya who are stationed as detectives made investigations and found the tobacco bales at Cotter Farm.
They found the robbers repackaging the tobacco to conceal their initial identification and demanded bribes from the robbers.
The robbers said they had no money and then it was proposed that the tobacco be sold and proceeds be shared between the cops and the robbers.
Bizabani allegedly called one Shingirayi Mutsinziri who transported the stolen tobacco bales to Harare for sale.
The cops also approached Talent Kaseke’s wife and got permission to use her grower’s number to sell the tobacco.
They also escorted the trucks in their black Mercedes Benz and facilitated safe passage for the two trucks at police checkpoints to Harare where the tobacco was sold before sharing the proceeds.
A parallel investigation involving the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC) led to the arrest of Kapeta who implicated the detectives.
The cops have since appeared before Marondera magistrate Rumbidzai Munemo facing criminal abuse of office charges and were ordered to apply for bail at the High Court.
Kapeta and his team are also in remand over armed robbery charges.
By A Correspondent- Former Local Government minister and Zanu PF MP for Headlands Christopher Chingosho has been arrested for allegedly calling first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa a prostitute for not inviting him to a function held in his constituency.
The Standard reported that Chingosho was arrested yesterday and is detained at Rusape Police Station.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed Chingosho’s arrest but could not give details, saying police were still investigating the case. Nyathi said:
I can confirm that a report has been made against the MP, but we are still investigating the nature of the report. As of now, I cannot confirm whether it is an arrest or what. All I can say is we are still investigating the nature of the report.
Zanu-PF sources told The Standard that Chingosho was arrested after he reacted angrily to the alleged snub by the first lady. Said a senior Zanu-PF official in Rusape: He arrived at the function and complained about the failure of the first lady to invite him. He said the first lady was a whore because he did not invite him. Some party members who attended the event immediately reported him to the police, leading to his arrest.
Several Zanu-PF officials from Manicaland confirmed the development but refused to be named, saying the “matter was too sensitive.”
By A Correspondent- Two people died near Murambinda Growth Point after Chief Chivese was involved in a road accident with his new Isuzu vehicle he got from the government.
The Mirror reported that the tragedy happened on Saturday evening when Chief Chivese drove to Mutare from Chikomba. Chief Chivese who was injured in the accident, was admitted to Murambinda Hospital.
“I am injured, my child. I am in pain, can’t talk right now,” Chief Chivese told the Mirror.
The two people who died were passengers in Chief Chivese’s Isuzu D Teck in which they were passengers was involved in an accident.
Chief Chivese’s Government vehicle was extensively damaged.
Chamisa responds to 'EDolf Mnangagwa''s vaccination programs amid announcement by Mnangagwa to wipe out opposition members using DDT biological weapons pic.twitter.com/uAlkfXTbqY
Chamisa responds to EDolf Hitler's vaccination program saying: we're in the era of biological warfare, we have no guarantee… | CRITICS ATTACK CHAMISA SAYING HE IS ANTI VAXX – IS CHAMISA WRONG ON THE 'DDT MERCENARY', ED WHO'S SWORN TO WIPE OUT THOUSANDS OF MDC MEMBERS?
By A Correspondent- Police in Banket have disrupted a violent Zanu PF meeting and ordered the organisers to refrain from violence.
This happened recently during the party’s restructuring exercise in the Mashonaland west farming town, after angry youths had asked for jobs from their local councillor, who failed to provide them with answers.
Zanu PF youth league chairperson for Banket Steven Zidana charged at the district chairman, Never Hutepasi, also Ward 22 councillor, accusing him of behaving like opposition MDC.
The youths accused Hutepasi of being a thief and traitor on a mission to see the ruling party losing in the 2023 national elections.
Zidana threatened to physically assault Hutepasi after the latter had indicated that he could not get jobs for the youths in a construction company carrying out the government’s emergency road rehabilitation programme in Banket.
Hutepasi told the meeting that the contractor had been engaged by the central government and not by the local council; therefore, he could not influence recruitment processes since he was a councillor. Added Hutepasi:
We cannot force a private player to employ anyone, but we can only make requests if they have vacancies. Zidana then charged towards Hutepasi and started insulting him. Charged Zidana:
You are foolish! How can you bring the MDC way of doing things to Zanu PF? Do you want the party to lose elections? I will not allow you to do it, and you are also a thief.
Police officers arrived at the meeting and dispersed the gathering.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF youths in Banket have disrupted their party meeting and threatened to beat up their leadership.
This happened recently during the party’s restructuring exercise after angry youths had asked for jobs from their local councillor.
Zanu PF youth league chairperson for Banket Steven Zidana charged at the district chairman, Never Hutepasi, also Ward 22 councillor, accusing him of behaving like opposition MDC.
The youths accused Hutepasi of being a thief and traitor on a mission to see the ruling party losing in the 2023 national elections.
Zidana threatened to physically assault Hutepasi after the latter had indicated that he could not get jobs for the youths in a construction company carrying out the government’s emergency road rehabilitation programme in Banket.
Hutepasi told the meeting that the contractor had been engaged by the central government and not by the local council; therefore, he could not influence recruitment processes since he was a councillor. Added Hutepasi:
We cannot force a private player to employ anyone, but we can only make requests if they have vacancies. Zidana then charged towards Hutepasi and started insulting him. Charged Zidana:
You are foolish! How can you bring the MDC way of doing things to Zanu PF? Do you want the party to lose elections? I will not allow you to do it, and you are also a thief.
Police officers arrived at the meeting and dispersed the gathering.
Now for Chris Mutsvangwa’s political debacle. He visited the late General Edzai Chimonyo& told him that they should remove VP Chiwenga and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri because they were not good. He, Mutsvangwa would get the VP position as the leader of the Zezuru.
He would later replace ED. Unfortunately he was recorded and the chat reported to the leaders. That is why the guy has been so silent& stupid when he speaks. The accusation against @mdczimbabwe over the arresting of War Vets is an example of him seeking to court favour with ED.
The man is dead in the water, politically, and has been since his shellacking in Norton where he got 4000 votes against my near 17, 000. This was despite his huge support from the Chinese community whom he has ties with since his Ambassadorial posting there years back.
He was given $1 million by the Chinese to campaign and 1000kgs of meat which he partisanly gave only to Zanu PF supporters. However we got @ZANUPF_Official T-shirts and gave to people so that they could get the meat. They ate the meat and still knew where to put the X.
Unfortunately even after the electorate rejected him @ZANUPF_Official put him in Politburo. It’s a no brainer because at the end of the day that structure is filled with an elite class that has no mass support& critically has a mentality at cross purposes with the electorate.
Today Mutsvangwa remains a Chinese ally& that makes him a security threat. Norton is littered with the Chinese because they thought he would win. Today he is into a pipeline deal with Eddie Cross benefitting himself whilst the War Veterans he represents are suffering.
It goes to show his abject incapacity as a leader. Am glad some of the War Veterans are waking up& standing up for their own issues. They should appoint their own leaders& not have them foisted on them. Even the Veterans League leadership should be of their own choosing.
The veterans have been used for over a long time by politicians. Today we are compensating whites whilst War Veterans are suffering; while Gukurahundi victims have not been paid anything. It’s unfortunate and shameful. Justice should prevail.
I remain the voice for the voiceless. This is not frustration but a search for justice. My tone might have changed but it’s for better governance. I’m able to review what I supported& what I supported is not where it should be.
People should not confuse my role as an MP with my personal relationship with the President. I’m just a messenger of what is being said. It’s better that I speak out and leaders know and take corrective measures instead of those who remain quiet wishing leaders to fail.
A hair-raising incident which forced President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidential helicopter to dramatically land over 60 kilometres south-west of Harare last weekend has left terrified the whole hierarchy who are now in quandary and without a reliable fleet.
The sources said Mnangagwa, who frequently flies out of Harare to his Precabe Farm in Sherwood, Kwekwe, was rattled and terrified by the incident which forced him into a scary emergency while on his way back to Harare.
Upon the incident, Mnangagwa’s security details, including an aide-de-camp, marksman from the Presidential Guard, a medic and intelligence officers, scrambled to cordon off the scene, as the team also worked out an emergency rescue plan to complete their 45-minute journey.
“The incident happened in Sandringham. A probe into what happened to the President’s chopper is currently underway. Whenever the President is not flying the chopper, the helicopter will be parked at Manyame Air Base in Harare and it’s usually flown when he visits his Sherwood farm or when he wants to travel to remote areas,” a source said.
“From Manyame, it usually picks him up from his state residence, but sometimes it lands at Morris Depot grounds where it would be under police guard. While many people think that he has bought a new chopper, it’s not true, the helicopter which was forced to make an emergency landing is an old one which was resprayed.
“Initially it had been agreed after the incident that he should be picked up to complete the journey by road, but while the motorcade was on its way, a second helicopter was sent to fly him back home.”
The Air Force, which maintains Mnangagwa’s helicopter and military choppers that escort the President when he flies within the borders of the country, has been blighted by aviation accidents in recent years due to bad weather, human error and use of ageing aircraft.
The AFZ’s capability was largely decimated during the DRC War from 1998-2002, in which Zimbabwe lost hundreds of millions of dollars, hundreds of soldiers and equipment worth multi-millions. In a bid to replace the dilapidated equipment, Mnangagwa in April reportedly brought a new helicopter despite Zimbabwe’s economic deterioration and growing poverty.
A Russian Antonov AN-124 — the world’s third heaviest gross weight production cargo aircraft — was said to have delivered the chopper to Harare on 15 April which Mnangagwa plans to use during his 2023 re-election bid.
The Volga Dnepr-operated Antonov flew out of Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport in south-eastern Poland, 10km from the city of Rzeszów, and landed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport carrying an Airbus Helicopters H215, an upgraded version of the ageing Eurocopter AS-532UL Cougar which Zimbabwe’s military has been using for VIP transportation.
However, security sources insisted that the helicopter Mnangagwa’s flying is an old repainted chopper.
Investigations underway on the incident, sources said, will involve the Air Force, intelligence services, Presidential Guard and aviation experts.
Mnangagwa, who has spoken several times about his passion for farming, including in his recently published biography, A Life of Sacrifice, often leaves his state residence in Harare on Sunday mornings for the farm where he grows several crops and rears livestock.
Earlier this month, he was forced to make a last-minute flight postponement to Mutare, where he was expected to officially open an industrial and medicinal oxygen plant — which he eventually did last week — due to bad weather.
“Strict protocols in maintaining the President’s chopper are expected to be enforced after the probe is concluded,” the source said.
Contacted for comment George Charamba, the country’s Presidential spokesman said he was not aware of the incident.
In April this year, three Air Force officers died when their helicopter crashed in Arcturus near Harare.
The horror crash of the Agusta Bell AB 412 killed two pilots, Wing Commander Thomas Tinashe Manyowa, Flight Lieutenant Anita Mapiye, as well as aircraft technician Flight Sergeant Tinodiwanashe Chikamhi.
The accident also claimed the life of 18-month-old Jade Pfenyere, who was on the ground. Flight Lieutenant Mapiye was the first female helicopter pilot in the AFZ and had become part of the VIP transport aircrew when she was killed in the accident.
Air Marshal Elson Moyo, commander of the Air Force, said a “dark cloud” had engulfed the military after the April crash.
In November 2020, an instructor and student pilot died after an Air Force plane crashed during a training session in the Midlands capital, Gweru.
Two minors aged five and six lost their lives in an old farmhouse in Kombwe Village in Hurungwe East that was razed down by a veld fire.
Three teachers who were sharing the house lost all their belongings in the inferno.
Zanorashe Musiiwa, Levison Chenjerai, and Joseph Mazarura lost all property including educational certificates.Munyaradzi Nhariswa, Environmental Management Agency’s Mashonaland West Province Spokesperson confirmed the incident and called on people to desist from starting open fires.
“We are in receipt of the unfortunate incident where we have lost precious lives of the two minors as a result of a veld fire. I would like to reiterate our urge to people to desist from starting open fires for any reason including land preparations as most people lose control of the fire that usually results in loss of property and like in this instance, human lives,” he said.
Investigations about the source of the fire are ongoing.Mr. Nhariswa said since the start of the 2021 fire season at least 100 000 hectares of land has been destroyed by veld fires.
Most small-scale farmers use fire for agricultural land preparations and young people also starts veld fires to hunt mice and rabbits. The fire incidents are usually high between the period of July and November.
Police are investigating a murder case in which a ten-year-old boy died after being assaulted by a thirteen-year-old boy while playing football in Glenview in Harare.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) posted on its Twitter handle saying the teenager died at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals a fortnight after the assault. Said ZRP:
Police in Harare are investigating circumstances surrounding a murder case in which a male juvenile (10) died upon admission at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on 25/08/21.
The victim was assaulted by the suspect (13) while playing football at a borehole in Glenview on 10/08/21.
The incident happened when football is banned under COVID-19 lockdown level four which has been in effect for months now.
The government recently extended the lockdown by a further two weeks despite a decline in new coronavirus infections and deaths in recent weeks.- Pindula News
A Gweru man died upon admission at a clinic following a fistfight with one Andrew Muvhimi who had accused him of stealing his clothes.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police(ZRP) has since arrested Muvhimi and charged him with murder.
ZRP posted via its Twitter handle:
Police in Gweru arrested Andrew Muvhimi (29) in connection with a murder case which occurred on 25/08/21 at Insukamini vegetable market. The victim, Thokozani Sibanda (25), died upon admission at Makepesi Clinic after a fistfight with the suspect.
The suspect had accused the victim of stealing his clothes.
In another case, Police in Esigodini are investigating a murder case in which the victim, Millias Ncube (70), died on 27 August this year upon admission at United Bulawayo Hospital.
Police said the suspect, Chelesani Mpofu (42) assaulted Ncube on the 9th and 10th of August after an argument over the suspect’s girlfriend.- Pindula News
MDC Alliance supporters in Chimanimani have claimed that Zanu PF officials have threatened to deny them free agricultural inputs under the presidential input scheme if they don’t support President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s re-election bid.
Zanu PF is mobilising to raise five million voters for the 2023 general elections.
MDC Alliance Manicaland spokesperson David Panganai said, ahead of the 2023 polls, there were growing fears of human rights violations by ruling party supporters, with the opposition supporters being intimidated and sometimes beaten up.
“I have reports of intimidation around Manicaland and Chimanimani in particular,” Panganai said.
“They are being told at meetings that if they do not vote for Zanu PF, they are not going to receive presidential inputs or they will be beaten.
“We have reports that our supporters are being asked by Zanu PF supporters to surrender their registration details so that they will get land. Why do they need registration details? This is clear intimidation.”
Founder of Young Entrepreneurs Trust Zimbabwe, Fungai Nhaitai, said he was manhandled by unknown persons who claimed that he was mobilising youths in Mutare to vote against Zanu PF.
A member of a local non-governmental organisation, Rutendo Gwawu, who also attended a meeting organised by Nhaitai was caught up in the storm.
Gwawu said he was taken outside the meeting by some people impersonating the police and quizzed over his political affiliation.
Zimbabwe has a history of human rights abuses towards elections.
But Zanu PF Manicaland acting secretary for administration Misheck Mugadza said: “These are lies, we are a democratic party. We are focusing on mobilising five million votes ahead of the 2023 elections. New dispensation does not abuse people, MDC supporters should come and get presidential inputs and land.”- NewsDay
THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has blamed President Emmerson Mnangagwa for continuously deferring by-elections by not exercising his Executive powers to proclaim election dates.
Zec has been under criticism for its continued suspension of by-elections citing COVID-19 restrictions after about 48 parliamentary seats and over 80 council seats fell vacant following recalls of MDC Alliance legislators and councillors by the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T party.
Zec commissioner Qhubani Moyo yesterday said the electoral management body last September announced dates for by-elections before Mnangagwa reversed the decision through promulgation of Statutory Instrument (SI) 10 of 2021, citing COVID-19 fears.
Speaking during a virtual meeting held under the theme, Zambia’s Historic Elections: Lessons for Zimbabwe which was hosted by the Centre for Information and Technology, Moyo said: “Zec once announced dates for the holding of elections, but the SI then came in.”
“Countries have responded differently to COVID-19, our response has almost been like that of South Africa. Zec will hold elections once the SI is out of the way. Zec manages elections, but the proclamation of dates is done by the President and because of the SI in place, proclamation has not been done.”
He added: “There is also a court challenge of the SI which also complicates the work of Zec. Zimbabwe has always held elections when due, but with COVID-19 elections had to be suspended. Currently, there is an SI in place which makes it impossible for Zec to hold elections even if it wanted.”
Moyo also said there was an overwhelming number of people who were willing to register to vote, but it would open more registration centres when the COVID-19 “scare” was over.
The meeting was attended by rights activists and election analysts from Zimbabwe and Zambia.
“Zec has noted the appetite people have to register to vote and will increase access to registration when the COVID-19 scare is out of the way,” Moyo said.
He dismissed accusations that the commission was biased towards Zanu-PF, saying opposition parties viewed the commission with suspicion because they wanted favours from it.
Zec has been accused of necessitating poll theft against MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa in favour of Mnangagwa, who won the election with 50,7% of the votes against Chamisa’s 44,3% in the 2018 presidential poll.
Moyo admitted that there was unfair coverage of political parties on State media, with the ruling Zanu-PF party dominating coverage.
“There is a provision in the law for parties contesting in elections to be allowed space to campaign in the media, but some parties have not been able to utilise it. In some cases, the incumbent has benefited as its candidates have also been covered as government officials,” he said.
“Zec shouldn’t be pressured to announce results and then blamed for errors. Zec should be left to announce within the five days provided for in the law unless it is changed. After all, the results would be announced and displayed outside polling stations soon after voting.”
Human rights activist and Zimbabwe Elections Support Network board member Rosewita Katsande said the Zambian elections had proved that it was possible for Zimbabwe to hold its own elections amid the pandemic, subject to adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
Zambia held its polls two weeks ago under the COVID-19 pandemic. Hakainde Hachilema, who was an opposition leader beat the incumbent Edgar Lungu and has since been inaugurated.
“There is a need to ensure the political consciousness of the youth in Zimbabwe so that they understand how participation in politics can change their conditions,” Katsande said.
“Messages should respond to youth concerns.”
Zambian election analyst Susan Mwape, who was a guest speaker at the meeting, said civil society groups, churches and artists played a key role in mobilising people to vote.- NewsDay
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson has described George ‘The Mastermind’ Shaya as a genuine national hero who transformed the game of football.
According to President Chamisa, heroism is determined by virtue of one’s outstanding achievements.
President Chamisa also slammed Zanu PF for monopolizing the selection of national heroes.
“Just back from Zambia to note that this week we lost a giant among us, an icon who transcended sport, George Shaya.
They called him Mastermind on account of his exceptional prowess on the football field.There’s no doubt that he was a national treasure, a national hero.
Heroes are not pronounced by a few. They are heroes because of their impact on a generation and the lives of others.
He entertained. He inspired. He taught. Heroes do not make noise.Their work announces itself to eternity. RIP Mastermind. You were a leader and you still lead,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson has described George ‘The Mastermind’ Shaya as a genuine national hero who transformed the game of football.
According to President Chamisa, heroism is determined by virtue of one’s outstanding achievements.
President Chamisa also slammed Zanu PF for monopolizing the selection of national heroes.
“Just back from Zambia to note that this week we lost a giant among us, an icon who transcended sport, George Shaya.
They called him Mastermind on account of his exceptional prowess on the football field.There’s no doubt that he was a national treasure, a national hero.
Heroes are not pronounced by a few. They are heroes because of their impact on a generation and the lives of others.
He entertained. He inspired. He taught. Heroes do not make noise.Their work announces itself to eternity. RIP Mastermind. You were a leader and you still lead,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance official Jeffryson Chitando has said Zimbabweans should exert pressure on Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign as the nation grapples with economic woes and deepening social unrest.
Chitando, a former MP for Masvingo Central Constituency, believes Zanu PF’s mismanagement of State resources has cascaded to football circles.
Below is Chitando’s argument:
Football fans should not demand the dismissal of Zimbabwe Soccer National team The Warriors Coach Logarusic. They should demand the resignation Mr Mnangagwa.
The Warriors’ problems are being brewed in Mnangagwa’s kitchen.
Lack proper and sound decisions by the ZanuPF government are backfiring…
The Warriors have been affected by Britian’s Covid policy.It is going to be difficult to replace the 7 to 10 players the Warriors Coach had called for duty who play in Europe.
Some Zimbabweans are blaming Britain…
ZanuPF supporters and politicians are blaming the political relationship between ZanuPF and the British government for the setback.
They are trying to justify Mnangagwa government’s failure to handle sporting affairs during the pandemic.
Mnangagwa’s government has closed and cruelly banned soccer leagues.
The closure or ban of local soccer is now backfiring. Zimbabweans must not blame English soccer clubs for government’s failure to reason.
ZanuPF party has never stopped holding meetings.
The SA coach has no problems in selecting a national team from the local soccer league.
The decision-making by ZanuPF government is affecting our pride ,our patriotic support , our sport and our Zimbabwean. It will be a great blow for Zimbabwe to be beaten at home by Bafana Bafana.
Those calling for National team The Warriors Coach Logo to resign are aiming at the wrong target….Mnangagwa and ZanuPF must resign.
Patriotic Papa JC speaks when things are not good !!!
By A Correspondent- Chiefs in Zimbabwe have been trained as Zanu PF commissars at the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology to mobilise votes for the ruling party ahead of the 2023 elections, it has emerged.
According to a letter leaked to the media directed to Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu,signed by the Chitepo School of Ideology Principal Munyaradzi Machacha, Chiefs, District Development Coordinators and Rural District Councils Chief Executive officers were last year invited to train at the school of ideology.
Machacha said in order to create a strong bond between the party and government, the DCC members were to be trained together with local government officials comprising the Party DCCs, Chairman of the RDCs, CEOs of RDCs, DDCs and local Chiefs.
He said by the end of the training programme they were to be able to carry out vigorous mobilization programmes within the districts to achieve the five million voter population for Zanu PF in 2023.
He said participants must be able to create a synergy and bonding between the party DCC structure and Local Government officials in pursuit of economic development goals “in line with Vision 2030, create a wider ward based training human resources in order to participate in the following ward based train the trainer programme.”
Machacha said this was necessary since the nation approaches the 2023 harmonized elections.
Human Rights Advocate Effie Ncube speaking during the Nkayi Community Parliament recently said it was sad that traditional leaders support the ruling party when they are expected to be non-partisan.
Ncube described it as illegal and a violation of the constitution.
“There are Chiefs who still do not adhere to the constitution because constitutions do not implement themselves. The constitution says Chiefs must not be partisan,” he said.
He said what makes this important is that the Chief is a judiciary officer presiding over criminal cases and it would affect his work if he is found to be partisan.
“Who will conclude that justice will be done or there will be a fair trial?,” Ncube said.
Ncube noted that when a partisan Chief calls for a meeting, opposition members will not attend because he has proven to be a party commissar.
“Chiefs can only cast their votes like other civil servants but must not work for a political party,” he said.
“The inclusion of chiefs at the school of ideology to train on party ideology is a sign that they are now commissars.”
Ncube said this was against the provisions of the constitution and the laws.
“The first job of those in power is to defend the constitution and human rights, but when the ruling party takes Chiefs to party ideological school it’s an ultimate form of lawlessness,” Ncube said.
Nkayi villagers expressed worries over the public stance portrayed by many chiefs which shows that they now all belong to the ruling party.
They noted that there is a need for the reforms in the chiefs if the country can move forward and have development.
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance official Jeffryson Chitando has said Zimbabweans should exert pressure on Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign as the nation grapples with economic woes and deepening social unrest.
Chitando, a former MP for Masvingo Central Constituency, believes Zanu PF’s mismanagement of State resources has cascaded to football circles.
Below is Chitando’s argument:
Football fans should not demand the dismissal of Zimbabwe Soccer National team The Warriors Coach Logarusic. They should demand the resignation Mr Mnangagwa.
The Warriors’ problems are being brewed in Mnangagwa’s kitchen.
Lack proper and sound decisions by the ZanuPF government are backfiring…
The Warriors have been affected by Britian’s Covid policy.It is going to be difficult to replace the 7 to 10 players the Warriors Coach had called for duty who play in Europe.
Some Zimbabweans are blaming Britain…
ZanuPF supporters and politicians are blaming the political relationship between ZanuPF and the British government for the setback.
They are trying to justify Mnangagwa government’s failure to handle sporting affairs during the pandemic.
Mnangagwa’s government has closed and cruelly banned soccer leagues.
The closure or ban of local soccer is now backfiring. Zimbabweans must not blame English soccer clubs for government’s failure to reason.
ZanuPF party has never stopped holding meetings.
The SA coach has no problems in selecting a national team from the local soccer league.
The decision-making by ZanuPF government is affecting our pride ,our patriotic support , our sport and our Zimbabwean. It will be a great blow for Zimbabwe to be beaten at home by Bafana Bafana.
Those calling for National team The Warriors Coach Logo to resign are aiming at the wrong target….Mnangagwa and ZanuPF must resign.
Patriotic Papa JC speaks when things are not good !!!
A Hwange man will rue the day he neglected to settle a $1 200 fine resulting in a six-month jail term after being convicted of criminal insult two years ago.
Obey Muyambo (28) of F22, Lwendulu Village in Hwange was convicted in 2019 for insulting Bekezela Mpofu.
He was fined $1 200 failure which would result in six months imprisonment and was given up to January 2020 to settle the fine. However, Muyambo failed resulting in a warrant of arrest being issued against him last year and was only arrested a few days ago.
He told Hwange provincial magistrate Mrs Barbra Phiri that he had forgotten about the fine.
“Your worship, forgive me. I forgot about the fine because there were a lot of things going on and I didn’t have the money. May the court be understanding,” pleaded Muyambo.
However, Mrs Phiri would have none of it and ordered the alternative sentence to be brought into effect.
“You simply saw it as not being important, the delay is without good reasoning. The amount ordered had been eroded by inflation making it easier for you to actually pay. Therefore, the warrant of arrest is cancelled but accused is to serve the alternative,” she said.
According to the State led by Miss Belinda Bure on 7 December 2019 and at Lwendulu Bus Terminus Muyambo and Mpofu had a misunderstanding over an issue of a refrigerator.
He went on to criminally insult Mpofu by shouting at her using Nyanja calling her a prostitute, witch and mad person. She reported the matter to the police leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction.
He was fined $1 200 or six month imprisonment. The fine was to be paid via the clerk of court by 18 January 2020.
In addition Muyambo was sentenced to nine months imprisonment that were wholly suspended for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence within that period. -Sunday News
Manchester City won 5-0 at the Etihad for the second time this season as a dismal Arsenal capitulated following the dismissal of Granit Xhaka.
As against Chelsea a week ago, Mikel Arteta’s side started brightly but fell to pieces once Ilkay Gundogan headed home Gabriel Jesus’ cross early on. They were 2-0 down after 12 minutes when some dreadful defending allowed Ferran Torres to poke home.
Xhaka was deservedly sent off ten minutes from half time for an idiotic challenge that saw both feet off the floor and Cancelo lucky to escape injury.
Jesus added a third on the stroke of half time following fine work from Jack Grealish before Rodri made it four early in the second half. Torres added his second and City’s fifth late on as Pep Guardiola’s side showed no mercy.
Three games, no points and no goals represents Arsenal’s worst start to a season since the war and things need to improve soon if Arteta is to remain in a job for much longer.
Guardiola faces the cameras: “We found the goals. After Xhaka was sent off it was easier for us.
“The game was good. We had problems with the process from Ederson.
“We are the same as we have done in the two or three years in the passed. Always a club has to try to improve and have a desire to get better … but with these players we are going to go.”
On Arteta: “He is beyond a good manager. We were sad when he left. Sometimes people expect results immediately. Today the team he played is missing six or seven of the players. I am a big fan of him, they trust him and he will do a good job at Arsenal.” Full time: City 5 Arsenal 0 A chastening afternoon in Manchester for the visitors. What next for Arteta? Arsenal simply have to put together some kind of run after no points and no goals from their first three games.
City weren’t even close to top gear. – The Athletic
The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation has described the late George Shaya as a hero whose death has robbed the country of its finest football talent.
Government is also worried about the alarming rate at which football legends are dying, with Shaya becoming the fourth prominent former footballer to die in the last three months. Shaya, who was accorded a State assisted funeral, passed away on Tuesday and was buried at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare yesterday.
His death came a fortnight after the demise of former Warriors and Highlanders manager Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda. Sibanda died two days after the country had lost another football luminary, Joe Mugabe, who passed away in Reading, England on August 8.
The first Soccer Star of the Year in independent Zimbabwe, David “Yogi” Mandigora, died on June 12 before two former Dynamos stars Misheck Chidzambwa and Simon Sachiti, died a month later.
The Director of Sport in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Eugenia Chidhakwa, who represented the Government at Shaya’s burial, expressed grief over the continued loss of football legends.
“As the ministry we are pained. About three months ago we buried David Mandigora, Joe Mugabe’s body is yet to arrive back home (from England) and today we are burying George Shaya,” said Chidhakwa.
Prominent football personalities including the legendary former Warriors coach Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa, 1973 Soccer Star of the Year Ernest Kamba and Dynamos board chairman Bernard Marriot attended the burial.
Ex-DeMbare forward David George, who was Shaya’s teammate at the Glamour Boys, was also among those at Warren Hills Cemetery.
The burial also brought together a host of former players who included Eric Aisam, Clayton Munemo, Stewart Murisa, Henry Chari, Eddie Mashiri, Desmond Maringwa and Kelvin Mushangazhike.
Former Caps United striker and 1990 Soccer Star of the Year, George Nechironga, former DeMbare coach Lloyd Chigowe, Ralph Kawondera, Hussein Amidu, Zifa technical director Wilson Mutekede and Warriors team manager Wellington Mpandare also joined the Shaya family and DeMbare supporters at the burial. -Sunday Mail
We are deeply saddened and affected by the misunderstanding that took place at Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube ‘s office yesterday.
This was as a result of the gallant sons and daughters of this land who are now senior citizens effort to enquire and raise their complaints for the government to increase their current monthly pension which is about zw$16000.
It is evident to any Zimbabwean that this paltry amount is insufficient to cater for a decent livelihood for any Zimbabwean under the prevailing economic environment.
Gagging war veterans is inconsiderate as they made a sacrifice for the free Zimbabwe that we now all dwell in and their grievances should be a serious point of concern of the Government of Zimbabwe.
One of the war veterans reported that they were not demonstrating but rather were adhering to Covid 19 regulations as they were waiting for the Minister to bring back a response to them.
There is no way a senior citizen above 60 would incite violence when they have serious bread and butter issues to attend to. These war veterans were sincerely seeking the Finance Ministers audience and it is their right to do so.
They were blocked from seeing him whilst waiting for their response. Ministers are public officials who should be accessible by all those with grievances pertaining to any issue of concern in the relevant ministry.
As LEAD we feel that there was a gross misunderstanding and overeaction to which the war veterans must be pardoned and at least be given a chance to be heard.
That is the democratic country that we know which should give citizens a chance to be heard and express themselves.
It is embarrassing that a while Police spokesperson denies that War Veterans were arrested yesterday yet there is picture evidence to the unlawful arrest of peaceful, law abiding citizens.
We implore the government of Zimbabwe to wear a human face and seriously consider the plight of war veterans and all pensioners in Zimbabwe who are getting peanuts every Monthend.
Pensioners in Zimbabwe are now living in abject poverty yet they contributed for their social security whilst they were still employed.
Pensioners deserve decent livelihoods and the Ministry of Public Service, NSSA and all Pension funds should seriously consider reviewing the pension payouts they are giving pensioners to decent amounts that can sustain livelihoods.
LEAD remains committed to ensuring that all senior citizens live a life free of fear, want, hunger and poverty.
Own Correspondent- The MDC-T is now a house of confusion as it’s leaders are reportedly relying with sangomas and prophets to seek spiritual powers to win the 2023 general elections.
Mwonzora’s top officials were reportedly spotted during night at the house of Masvingo preacher Isaac Makomichi.
Makomichi is known for distributing love and business charms .
Reports say Mwonzora and his followers are seeking secret powers to win elections.
“I don’t disclose the names of my clients, but as for Mwonzora I can’t pray for him because his bad luck is insurmountable. Of course I can make make everyone who approaches me rich but Mwonzora’s issue is too complicated. I don’t want to take his money for nothing that’s why I denied their seeding, they said they want secret powers for elections” Makomichi claimed.
One political analyst has pointed out that MDC-T is wasting time by seeking powers to win elections from Makomichi because the preacher himself also hates Mwonzora.
Mwonzora is being used by Zanu PF to destroy Nelson Chamisa.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has launched an investigation into the causes of his helicopter accident last Sunday.
Mnangagwa, who was coming from his Kwekwe farm last Sunday, had his chopper forced into an emergency landing near Norton over 60 kilometres southwest of Harare after developing a technical fault.
Security sources told The NewsHawks the crash landing incident happened on Sunday around 4 pm in the Sandringham area, Matsvaire village, in Chegutu district.
The sources said Mnangagwa was rattled and terrified by the incident, which forced him into a scary emergency while returning to Harare. Said a source:
The incident happened in Sandringham. A probe into what happened to the President’s chopper is currently underway. Whenever the President is not flying the helicopter, the helicopter will be parked at Manyame Air Base in Harare and it’s usually flown when he visits his Sherwood farm or when he wants to travel to remote areas.
From Manyame, it usually picks him up from his state residence, but sometimes it lands at Morris Depot grounds where it would be under police guard. While many people think that he has bought a new chopper, it’s not true, the helicopter which was forced to make an emergency landing is an old one which was resprayed.
Initially, it had been agreed after the incident that he should be picked up to complete the journey by road, but while the motorcade was on its way, a second helicopter was sent to fly him back home.
Sources said investigations underway on the incident would involve the Air Force, intelligence services, Presidential Guard and aviation experts. Earlier this month, he was forced to make a last-minute flight postponement to Mutare due to bad weather.
Sources said following the Sunday incident, strict protocols in maintaining the President’s chopper are expected to be enforced after the probe is concluded.
The presidential spokesman, George Charamba, said he was not aware of the incident.
In April this year, three Air Force officers died when their helicopter crashed in Arcturus near Harare.
By A Correspondent- Heads are rolling at Manyame Airbase following the emergency landing of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidential helicopter in Chegutu.
Mnangagwa’s chopper was forced into an emergency landing near Norton over 60 kilometres southwest of Harare last Sunday after developing a technical fault.
Security sources told The NewsHawks the crash landing incident happened on Sunday around 4 pm in the Sandringham area, Matsvaire village, in Chegutu district when Mnangagwa was coming from his Kwekwe farm.
The sources said Mnangagwa was rattled and terrified by the incident, which forced him into a scary emergency while returning to Harare. Said a source:
The incident happened in Sandringham. A probe into what happened to the President’s chopper is currently underway. Whenever the President is not flying the helicopter, the helicopter will be parked at Manyame Air Base in Harare and it’s usually flown when he visits his Sherwood farm or when he wants to travel to remote areas.
From Manyame, it usually picks him up from his state residence, but sometimes it lands at Morris Depot grounds where it would be under police guard. While many people think that he has bought a new chopper, it’s not true, the helicopter which was forced to make an emergency landing is an old one which was resprayed.
Initially, it had been agreed after the incident that he should be picked up to complete the journey by road, but while the motorcade was on its way, a second helicopter was sent to fly him back home.
Sources said investigations underway on the incident would involve the Air Force, intelligence services, Presidential Guard and aviation experts. Earlier this month, he was forced to make a last-minute flight postponement to Mutare due to bad weather.
Sources said following the Sunday incident, strict protocols in maintaining the President’s chopper are expected to be enforced after the probe is concluded.
The presidential spokesman, George Charamba, said he was not aware of the incident.
In April this year, three Air Force officers died when their helicopter crashed in Arcturus near Harare.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’ s Republic of China.
Statement by Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu on Release of US Intelligence Report on COVID-19 Origins (2021-8-28) The US intelligence community has recently compiled a so-called report on the origins of COVID-19. It is a mendacious report made up for political purposes. There is no scientific basis or credibility in it. The US has also released a statement slandering and attacking China. The Chinese side hereby expresses its firm objection. It has made strong representations with the US. We have stressed on multiple occasions that origins tracing of COVID-19 is a complex issue of science. It should and can only be undertaken by scientists around the world through joint research. The US, however, disregards science and facts. It is instead obsessed with political manipulation and origins tracing by the intelligence community. Without providing any evidence, the US has cooked up one story after another to defame and accuse China. The aim is to use origins tracing to shift blame onto China and spread the political virus. The deployment of the intelligence community in origins tracing is in itself a compelling evidence of the politicization of the issue. The US accuses China of not being transparent or cooperative on origins tracing. This is sheer nonsense. China attaches great importance to international scientific cooperation on origins tracing, and has taken an active part in such cooperation. Acting on the principles of science, openness and transparency, we have twice invited WHO experts to China for origins tracing research.
Early this year, a WHO-China joint study team of leading international and Chinese experts conducted a 28-day research in China and released a Joint Report containing authoritative, professional and science-based conclusions. This is a good foundation for international cooperation on origins tracing. We have been supporting science-based efforts on origins tracing, and will continue to stay actively engaged. That said, we firmly oppose attempts to politicize this issue.
It is actually the US that is not being transparent, responsible and cooperative on this issue. The US has been refusing to respond to the international community’s reasonable doubts on the Fort Detrick biolab and the over 200 overseas bases for biological experiments, trying to cover up the truth and avoid being held responsible. The onus is on the US to give the world an answer. The US attempts to politicize origins tracing have found no support and met widespread opposition from the international community: More than 80 countries have written to the WHO Director-General, issued statements, or sent diplomatic notes to voice their objection to the politicization attempts and call for the Joint Report by the WHO-China joint study team to be upheld; over 300 political parties, social organizations and think tanks from more than 100 countries and regions have submitted a joint statement to the WHO Secretariat on opposing the politicization of origins tracing; and over 25 million Chinese netizens have signed an open letter asking for an inquiry into the Fort Detrick base. These are people’s calls for justice. As a Chinese saying goes, a just cause attracts abundant support, while an unjust one finds little. We want to once again warn the US side that politicizing origins tracing will lead nowhere. We urge the US to immediately stop doing anything that poisons the atmosphere for international cooperation on origins tracing or undermines global solidarity against the pandemic, and return to the right track of science-based origins tracing and cooperation in the face of the pandemic.
By A Correspondent |MDC Alliance leader President Nelson has described George ‘The Mastermind’ Shaya as a genuine national hero who transformed the game of football.
According to President Chamisa, heroism is determined by virtue of one’s outstanding achievements.
President Chamisa also slammed Zanu PF for monopolizing the selection of national heroes.
“Just back from Zambia to note that this week we lost a giant among us, an icon who transcended sport, George Shaya.
They called him Mastermind on account of his exceptional prowess on the football field.There’s no doubt that he was a national treasure, a national hero.
Heroes are not pronounced by a few. They are heroes because of their impact on a generation and the lives of others.
He entertained. He inspired. He taught. Heroes do not make noise.Their work announces itself to eternity. RIP Mastermind. You were a leader and you still lead,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
By A Correspondent- A Gweru man died upon admission at a clinic following a fistfight with one Andrew Muvhimi who had accused him of stealing his clothes.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police(ZRP) has since arrested Muvhimi and charged him with murder. ZRP posted via its Twitter handle:
Police in Gweru arrested Andrew Muvhimi (29) in connection with a murder case which occurred on 25/08/21 at Insukamini vegetable market. The victim, Thokozani Sibanda (25), died upon admission at Makepesi Clinic after a fistfight with the suspect.
The suspect had accused the victim of stealing his clothes.
In another case, Police in Esigodini are investigating a murder case in which the victim, Millias Ncube (70), died on 27 August this year upon admission at United Bulawayo Hospital.
Police said the suspect, Chelesani Mpofu (42) assaulted Ncube on the 9th and 10th of August after an argument over the suspect’s girlfriend.
By A Correspondent- Karoi Town Council’s five-member finance committee on Tuesday deferred a meeting demanding transparency and accountability from management over use of funds.
The five councillors, all from Zanu-PF, requested financial transactions for the past five months before any meeting could take place.
“We have not been holding meetings for the past five months and when we came for our first meeting on Tuesday, finance director (Tongai Namusala) presented a summary of the council transactions when we wanted monthly transactions,” one councillor, who refused to be named, said.
The committee was not satisfied by how council has been running its business during the COVID-19 lockdown period, alleging gross irregularities in the tendering process.
Council chairman Abel Matsika confirmed that the meeting was deferred.
“Yes, I can confirm that the finance meeting was deferred to Thursday as the committee wanted all paperwork. All statements were not ready, but the policymakers want statements from the period council stopped regular meetings in April. The meeting will proceed tomorrow (Thursday),” said Matsika in a written response to NewsDay Weekender.
The meeting, however, failed to take place on Thursday.
According to documents seen by NewsDay Weekender, a memo by the buyer department requested mobile phones and Bluetooth printers on October 13, 2020.
The first request for a quotation was from a Harare based company, Gripp Investment P/L that had Samsung Galaxy A10 going for $25 200 instead of Itel P36 Pro as required by council. It offered USB external HDD Bluetooth at $10 520 while HP 290 G2 desktop 500 gig was pegged at $110 000, HP 15 Core ram at $120 000. Power cables for desktops were pegged at $1200 as well as Itel P36 Pro mobile phone price at $13 800 each.
A local company picked to supply the mobile phones is reportedly a stationary supplier around Karoi town and Hurungwe district. The company, Davvita Enterprises, pegged the Itel P36 Pro at $17 500 each with a difference of $3 700 from BusTech.
By A Correspondent- Two Redcliff brick molders who allegedly axed their neighbor to death in a grudge fight were arrested and appeared at Kwekwe magistrate today.
Zivanai Mpofu(21) and Nqobani Moyo (18) both from Lions farm , Redcliff appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Gumbo who remanded them in custody to September 15.
The state alleged on August 21 the duo met the now deceased Zwelani Ncube while coming from their brick molding site.
The suspects accused Ncube of breaking their brothers’ jaws in a previous fight and a scuffle arose.
Ncube pulled a knife and stabbed Mpofu once on the hand and the duo took turns to assault Ncube before fatally striking him with an axe on the occiput.
RSF visited Afghanistan from 21 to 31 July to propose an Urgent Actions Protocol for the protection of journalists threatened by the conflict’s intensification.
Its aim is to structure, concentrate and accelerate assistance to journalists and media outlets in an even-handed and generalised manner.
The prospect of the complete withdrawal of NATO/ISAF forces in September and the recent Taliban occupation of much of the country pose an unprecedented threat to independent journalists and media in Afghanistan.
More than 50 media outlets have already had to cease operations in Taliban-controlled areas. Around 100 journalists have lost their jobs, having been forced to flee areas seized by the rebels and seek refuge in the major cities.
During this visit, RSF saw that Afghan journalists are not only exposed to physical dangers but are also suffering from psychological attrition resulting from the “information warfare” waged by the belligerents, as well as by countries such as Pakistan, Iran, China and Russia.
Afghanistan is ranked 122nd out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2021 World Press Freedom Index.
We publish below a statement by RSF:
During a ten-day visit to Afghanistan at the end of July, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) proposed “urgent actions” to protect its journalists and enable them to keep working safely as the NATO/ISAF forces prepare to complete their withdrawal next month and the Taliban occupation of much of the country poses an unprecedented threat to independent journalists and media.
RSF’s proposals were favourably received by journalists’ associations and by the joint government/media committee for the safety of journalists.
More than 50 media outlets (mainly local radio and TV stations) have already had to cease operations in Taliban-controlled areas. Those still operating are now broadcasting only religious content – similar to that broadcast by “The Voice of the Sharia,” the official Taliban radio station – and content imposed by the Islamist rebels. Around 100 journalists have lost their jobs, having had to flee areas seized by the rebels and seek refuge in the major cities, especially the capital, Kabul.
Despite all the dangers and the climate of tension and terror, RSF visited Afghanistan from 21 to 31 July not only to show solidarity with Afghan journalists and media at this difficult time but also and above all to propose and promote – to journalists’ associations, media representatives and government officials – a plan for the protection of journalists adapted to the current environment.
The Urgent Actions Protocol for the Protection of Journalists in Afghanistan (UAP) proposed by RSF is above all a concrete mechanism that takes account of the reality on the ground. It is based on the experience that RSF has accumulated during three decades of crisis and war, which several generations of reporters have had to face, and takes account of the specificities of a country marked by constant violence since the Soviet occupation in December 1979.
Accelerate assistance to journalists and media
RSF submitted its UAP proposal to the joint government/media committee for the safety of journalists, a coordinating body that has existed since September 2016. Consisting of senior government officials, representatives from the ministries of interior, information and culture, and defence, and representatives from journalists’ and media federations, this committee is chaired by Vice-President Sarwar Danesh. In the past five years, it has obtained significant results for the right to information, including a reduction in threats to the media and progress in the fight against impunity.
During this visit to Afghanistan, RSF met above all with representatives of media outlets, the Federation of Afghan Journalists and various journalists’ associations. As well as meetings with Vice-President Sarwar Danesh, RSF envoy Reza Moini also met with information and culture minister Mohammad Qasim Vafai Zadeh, High Council for Social and Strategic Affairs representative Wahid Omar, and National Security Council member Heshmat Natiqet. All showed keen interest in the UAP and endorsed the proposed creation of a dedicated entity with executive powers (a “subcommittee”) headed by Natiqet in order to speed up its implementation.
Zia Bumia, a journalist who is a member of the Federation of Afghan Journalists, and RSF envoy Moini, who heads the Afghanistan and Iran desk at RSF, held a joint press conference about the UAP on 30 July.
“This protocol will be on the agenda of the joint government/media committee’s next meeting,” Bumia said, thanking RSF for its “presence alongside [Afghanistan’s] journalists and media at these historic moments.”
Moini said: “The aim of this Urgent Actions Protocol is to structure, concentrate and accelerate assistance to journalists and media outlets in an even-handed and generalised manner. The international community and democratic countries must protect Afghan journalists in their own country while avoiding the ‘Syria-isation’ of Afghanistan, that is to say, a situation of inextricable and deadly chaos.”
Psychological attrition, threats to physical integrity
During this visit, RSF’s representative saw that Afghan journalists are not only exposed to physical dangers but are also suffering from psychological attrition resulting from the “information warfare” waged by the belligerents, as well as by countries such as Pakistan, Iran, China and Russia.
Many journalists fear the prospect of differential treatment, that preference will be given to journalists working for foreign media with regard to visa applications, in particular. Rumours are exacerbating the fears, especially about the possibility of score-settling for past reporting. Several embassies in Kabul have been invaded by Afghan journalists seeking visas, while people-smugglers have begun inflating their prices. The concerns are particularly noticeable among women journalists.
RSF is continuing its international campaign for the protection of journalists and media in Afghanistan and will soon publish the accounts of some of its journalists, so that their voices and their fight for press freedom and a just country can be heard.
Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic has made some additions to the provisional squad set to duty against South Africa in a World Cup qualifier next Friday.
The Croat was forced to make replacements to the squad following United Kingdom clubs’ refusal to release players ahead of the upcoming international break, which begins on Monday.
Even though the additions have not been made public, a well-placed source at ZIFA told Soccer24 this morning that the South Africa-based duo of Knox Mutizwa and Ishmael Wadi, as well as Silas Songani of FC Platinum, have been drafted into the Warriors fold.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Manchester United have re-signed their former striker Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus.
A statement the club reads: “Manchester United is delighted to confirm that the club has reached agreement with Juventus for the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo, subject to agreement of personal terms, visa and medical.
“Cristiano, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has so far won over 30 major trophies during his career, including five UEFA Champions League titles, four FIFA Club World Cups, seven league titles in England, Spain and Italy, and the European Championship for his native Portugal. “In his first spell for Manchester United, he scored 118 goals in 292 games.
“Everyone at the club looks forward to welcoming Cristiano back to Manchester.”
The 36-year old had been pushing for an exit at the Old Lady and was initially linked with United’s rivals Manchester City.
His agent, Jorge Mendes, even held talks with the Citizens, and a deal looked certain at one point.
But he will now return to Old Trafford with the Red Devils set to pay a €28m ($33m) transfer fee.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
This married @ZACConline commissioner, Gabriel Chaibva who gave false witness at the Motlanthe Commission, has been caught on camera secretly marrying a 2nd wife. (pictures follow) pic.twitter.com/JFf5giEgn6
The married @ZACC commissioner Gabriel Chaibva (in specs) on camera secret marrying another woman, while still contracted to his first wife pic.twitter.com/azLHG1dYlG
Women kneel as the married @ZACC commissioner Gabriel Chaibva ) secretly marries another woman, while still contracted to his first wife pic.twitter.com/mh3EpLMXFi
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson has described George ‘The Mastermind’ Shaya as a genuine national hero who transformed the game of football.
According to President Chamisa, heroism is determined by virtue of one’s outstanding achievements.
President Chamisa also slammed Zanu PF for monopolizing the selection of national heroes.
“Just back from Zambia to note that this week we lost a giant among us, an icon who transcended sport, George Shaya.
They called him Mastermind on account of his exceptional prowess on the football field.There’s no doubt that he was a national treasure, a national hero.
Heroes are not pronounced by a few. They are heroes because of their impact on a generation and the lives of others.
He entertained. He inspired. He taught. Heroes do not make noise.Their work announces itself to eternity. RIP Mastermind. You were a leader and you still lead,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance official Jeffryson Chitando has said Zimbabweans should exert pressure on Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign as the nation grapples with economic woes and deepening social unrest.
Chitando, a former MP for Masvingo Central Constituency, believes Zanu PF’s mismanagement of State resources has cascaded to football circles.
Below is Chitando’s argument:
Football fans should not demand the dismissal of Zimbabwe Soccer National team The Warriors Coach Logarusic. They should demand the resignation Mr Mnangagwa.
The Warriors’ problems are being brewed in Mnangagwa’s kitchen.
Lack proper and sound decisions by the ZanuPF government are backfiring…
The Warriors have been affected by Britian’s Covid policy.It is going to be difficult to replace the 7 to 10 players the Warriors Coach had called for duty who play in Europe.
Some Zimbabweans are blaming Britain…
ZanuPF supporters and politicians are blaming the political relationship between ZanuPF and the British government for the setback.
They are trying to justify Mnangagwa government’s failure to handle sporting affairs during the pandemic.
Mnangagwa’s government has closed and cruelly banned soccer leagues.
The closure or ban of local soccer is now backfiring. Zimbabweans must not blame English soccer clubs for government’s failure to reason.
ZanuPF party has never stopped holding meetings.
The SA coach has no problems in selecting a national team from the local soccer league.
The decision-making by ZanuPF government is affecting our pride ,our patriotic support , our sport and our Zimbabwean. It will be a great blow for Zimbabwe to be beaten at home by Bafana Bafana.
Those calling for National team The Warriors Coach Logo to resign are aiming at the wrong target….Mnangagwa and ZanuPF must resign.
Patriotic Papa JC speaks when things are not good !!!
DidYouKnow that over half of Zimbabwe’s population lives in high-risk malaria areas?
Since 2011, through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), USAID and the U.S.
CDC have invested over $146.5 million to prevent malaria transmission and #EndMalaria in Zimbabwe.
PMI’s interventions have made a significant impact on combating malaria and saving lives.
From 2015 to 2021, through the Zimbabwe Assistance Program in Malaria (ZAPIM) activity, PMI distributed 1,593,592 long-lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets, and trained 1,464 village health workers and 1,700 healthcare facility workers
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance official Jeffryson Chitando has said Zimbabweans should exert pressure on Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign as the nation grapples with economic woes and deepening social unrest.
Chitando, a former MP for Masvingo Central Constituency, believes Zanu PF’s mismanagement of State resources has cascaded to football circles.
Below is Chitando’s argument:
Football fans should not demand the dismissal of Zimbabwe Soccer National team The Warriors Coach Logarusic. They should demand the resignation Mr Mnangagwa.
The Warriors’ problems are being brewed in Mnangagwa’s kitchen.
Lack proper and sound decisions by the ZanuPF government are backfiring…
The Warriors have been affected by Britian’s Covid policy.It is going to be difficult to replace the 7 to 10 players the Warriors Coach had called for duty who play in Europe.
Some Zimbabweans are blaming Britain…
ZanuPF supporters and politicians are blaming the political relationship between ZanuPF and the British government for the setback.
They are trying to justify Mnangagwa government’s failure to handle sporting affairs during the pandemic.
Mnangagwa’s government has closed and cruelly banned soccer leagues.
The closure or ban of local soccer is now backfiring. Zimbabweans must not blame English soccer clubs for government’s failure to reason.
ZanuPF party has never stopped holding meetings.
The SA coach has no problems in selecting a national team from the local soccer league.
The decision-making by ZanuPF government is affecting our pride ,our patriotic support , our sport and our Zimbabwean. It will be a great blow for Zimbabwe to be beaten at home by Bafana Bafana.
Those calling for National team The Warriors Coach Logo to resign are aiming at the wrong target….Mnangagwa and ZanuPF must resign.
Patriotic Papa JC speaks when things are not good !!!
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson has described George ‘The Mastermind’ Shaya as a genuine national hero who transformed the game of football.
According to President Chamisa, heroism is determined by virtue of one’s outstanding achievements.
President Chamisa also slammed Zanu PF for monopolizing the selection of national heroes.
“Just back from Zambia to note that this week we lost a giant among us, an icon who transcended sport, George Shaya.
They called him Mastermind on account of his exceptional prowess on the football field.There’s no doubt that he was a national treasure, a national hero.
Heroes are not pronounced by a few. They are heroes because of their impact on a generation and the lives of others.
He entertained. He inspired. He taught. Heroes do not make noise.Their work announces itself to eternity. RIP Mastermind. You were a leader and you still lead,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’ s Republic of China.
Statement by Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu on Release of US Intelligence Report on COVID-19 Origins (2021-8-28) The US intelligence community has recently compiled a so-called report on the origins of COVID-19. It is a mendacious report made up for political purposes. There is no scientific basis or credibility in it. The US has also released a statement slandering and attacking China. The Chinese side hereby expresses its firm objection. It has made strong representations with the US. We have stressed on multiple occasions that origins tracing of COVID-19 is a complex issue of science. It should and can only be undertaken by scientists around the world through joint research. The US, however, disregards science and facts. It is instead obsessed with political manipulation and origins tracing by the intelligence community. Without providing any evidence, the US has cooked up one story after another to defame and accuse China. The aim is to use origins tracing to shift blame onto China and spread the political virus. The deployment of the intelligence community in origins tracing is in itself a compelling evidence of the politicization of the issue. The US accuses China of not being transparent or cooperative on origins tracing. This is sheer nonsense. China attaches great importance to international scientific cooperation on origins tracing, and has taken an active part in such cooperation. Acting on the principles of science, openness and transparency, we have twice invited WHO experts to China for origins tracing research.
Early this year, a WHO-China joint study team of leading international and Chinese experts conducted a 28-day research in China and released a Joint Report containing authoritative, professional and science-based conclusions. This is a good foundation for international cooperation on origins tracing. We have been supporting science-based efforts on origins tracing, and will continue to stay actively engaged. That said, we firmly oppose attempts to politicize this issue.
It is actually the US that is not being transparent, responsible and cooperative on this issue. The US has been refusing to respond to the international community’s reasonable doubts on the Fort Detrick biolab and the over 200 overseas bases for biological experiments, trying to cover up the truth and avoid being held responsible. The onus is on the US to give the world an answer. The US attempts to politicize origins tracing have found no support and met widespread opposition from the international community: More than 80 countries have written to the WHO Director-General, issued statements, or sent diplomatic notes to voice their objection to the politicization attempts and call for the Joint Report by the WHO-China joint study team to be upheld; over 300 political parties, social organizations and think tanks from more than 100 countries and regions have submitted a joint statement to the WHO Secretariat on opposing the politicization of origins tracing; and over 25 million Chinese netizens have signed an open letter asking for an inquiry into the Fort Detrick base. These are people’s calls for justice. As a Chinese saying goes, a just cause attracts abundant support, while an unjust one finds little. We want to once again warn the US side that politicizing origins tracing will lead nowhere. We urge the US to immediately stop doing anything that poisons the atmosphere for international cooperation on origins tracing or undermines global solidarity against the pandemic, and return to the right track of science-based origins tracing and cooperation in the face of the pandemic.
Manchester City won 5-0 at the Etihad for the second time this season as a dismal Arsenal capitulated following the dismissal of Granit Xhaka.
As against Chelsea a week ago, Mikel Arteta’s side started brightly but fell to pieces once Ilkay Gundogan headed home Gabriel Jesus’ cross early on. They were 2-0 down after 12 minutes when some dreadful defending allowed Ferran Torres to poke home.
Xhaka was deservedly sent off ten minutes from half time for an idiotic challenge that saw both feet off the floor and Cancelo lucky to escape injury.
Jesus added a third on the stroke of half time following fine work from Jack Grealish before Rodri made it four early in the second half. Torres added his second and City’s fifth late on as Pep Guardiola’s side showed no mercy.
Three games, no points and no goals represents Arsenal’s worst start to a season since the war and things need to improve soon if Arteta is to remain in a job for much longer.
Guardiola faces the cameras: “We found the goals. After Xhaka was sent off it was easier for us.
“The game was good. We had problems with the process from Ederson.
“We are the same as we have done in the two or three years in the passed. Always a club has to try to improve and have a desire to get better … but with these players we are going to go.”
On Arteta: “He is beyond a good manager. We were sad when he left. Sometimes people expect results immediately. Today the team he played is missing six or seven of the players. I am a big fan of him, they trust him and he will do a good job at Arsenal.” Full time: City 5 Arsenal 0 A chastening afternoon in Manchester for the visitors. What next for Arteta? Arsenal simply have to put together some kind of run after no points and no goals from their first three games.
City weren’t even close to top gear. – The Athletic
We are deeply saddened and affected by the misunderstanding that took place at Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube ‘s office yesterday.
This was as a result of the gallant sons and daughters of this land who are now senior citizens effort to enquire and raise their complaints for the government to increase their current monthly pension which is about zw$16000.
It is evident to any Zimbabwean that this paltry amount is insufficient to cater for a decent livelihood for any Zimbabwean under the prevailing economic environment.
Gagging war veterans is inconsiderate as they made a sacrifice for the free Zimbabwe that we now all dwell in and their grievances should be a serious point of concern of the Government of Zimbabwe.
One of the war veterans reported that they were not demonstrating but rather were adhering to Covid 19 regulations as they were waiting for the Minister to bring back a response to them.
There is no way a senior citizen above 60 would incite violence when they have serious bread and butter issues to attend to. These war veterans were sincerely seeking the Finance Ministers audience and it is their right to do so.
They were blocked from seeing him whilst waiting for their response. Ministers are public officials who should be accessible by all those with grievances pertaining to any issue of concern in the relevant ministry.
As LEAD we feel that there was a gross misunderstanding and overeaction to which the war veterans must be pardoned and at least be given a chance to be heard.
That is the democratic country that we know which should give citizens a chance to be heard and express themselves.
It is embarrassing that a while Police spokesperson denies that War Veterans were arrested yesterday yet there is picture evidence to the unlawful arrest of peaceful, law abiding citizens.
We implore the government of Zimbabwe to wear a human face and seriously consider the plight of war veterans and all pensioners in Zimbabwe who are getting peanuts every Monthend.
Pensioners in Zimbabwe are now living in abject poverty yet they contributed for their social security whilst they were still employed.
Pensioners deserve decent livelihoods and the Ministry of Public Service, NSSA and all Pension funds should seriously consider reviewing the pension payouts they are giving pensioners to decent amounts that can sustain livelihoods.
LEAD remains committed to ensuring that all senior citizens live a life free of fear, want, hunger and poverty.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has blamed President Emmerson Mnangagwa for continuously deferring by-elections by not exercising his Executive powers to proclaim election dates.
Zec has been under criticism for its continued suspension of by-elections citing COVID-19 restrictions after about 48 parliamentary seats and over 80 council seats fell vacant following recalls of MDC Alliance legislators and councillors by the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T party.
Zec commissioner Qhubani Moyo yesterday said the electoral management body last September announced dates for by-elections before Mnangagwa reversed the decision through promulgation of Statutory Instrument (SI) 10 of 2021, citing COVID-19 fears.
Speaking during a virtual meeting held under the theme, Zambia’s Historic Elections: Lessons for Zimbabwe which was hosted by the Centre for Information and Technology, Moyo said: “Zec once announced dates for the holding of elections, but the SI then came in.”
“Countries have responded differently to COVID-19, our response has almost been like that of South Africa. Zec will hold elections once the SI is out of the way. Zec manages elections, but the proclamation of dates is done by the President and because of the SI in place, proclamation has not been done.”
He added: “There is also a court challenge of the SI which also complicates the work of Zec. Zimbabwe has always held elections when due, but with COVID-19 elections had to be suspended. Currently, there is an SI in place which makes it impossible for Zec to hold elections even if it wanted.”
Moyo also said there was an overwhelming number of people who were willing to register to vote, but it would open more registration centres when the COVID-19 “scare” was over.
The meeting was attended by rights activists and election analysts from Zimbabwe and Zambia.
“Zec has noted the appetite people have to register to vote and will increase access to registration when the COVID-19 scare is out of the way,” Moyo said.
He dismissed accusations that the commission was biased towards Zanu-PF, saying opposition parties viewed the commission with suspicion because they wanted favours from it.
Zec has been accused of necessitating poll theft against MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa in favour of Mnangagwa, who won the election with 50,7% of the votes against Chamisa’s 44,3% in the 2018 presidential poll.
Moyo admitted that there was unfair coverage of political parties on State media, with the ruling Zanu-PF party dominating coverage.
“There is a provision in the law for parties contesting in elections to be allowed space to campaign in the media, but some parties have not been able to utilise it. In some cases, the incumbent has benefited as its candidates have also been covered as government officials,” he said.
“Zec shouldn’t be pressured to announce results and then blamed for errors. Zec should be left to announce within the five days provided for in the law unless it is changed. After all, the results would be announced and displayed outside polling stations soon after voting.”
Human rights activist and Zimbabwe Elections Support Network board member Rosewita Katsande said the Zambian elections had proved that it was possible for Zimbabwe to hold its own elections amid the pandemic, subject to adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
Zambia held its polls two weeks ago under the COVID-19 pandemic. Hakainde Hachilema, who was an opposition leader beat the incumbent Edgar Lungu and has since been inaugurated.
“There is a need to ensure the political consciousness of the youth in Zimbabwe so that they understand how participation in politics can change their conditions,” Katsande said.
“Messages should respond to youth concerns.”
Zambian election analyst Susan Mwape, who was a guest speaker at the meeting, said civil society groups, churches and artists played a key role in mobilising people to vote.
DidYouKnow that over half of Zimbabwe’s population lives in high-risk malaria areas?
Since 2011, through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), USAID and the U.S.
CDC have invested over $146.5 million to prevent malaria transmission and #EndMalaria in Zimbabwe.
PMI’s interventions have made a significant impact on combating malaria and saving lives.
From 2015 to 2021, through the Zimbabwe Assistance Program in Malaria (ZAPIM) activity, PMI distributed 1,593,592 long-lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets, and trained 1,464 village health workers and 1,700 healthcare facility workers
By A Correspondent |MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has bemoaned the death of media freedom in Zimbabwe.
Speaking after the inauguration of the seventh President of the republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema on Tuesday, President Chamisa said he last appeared on national television when he was a Member of Parliament long back.
President Chamisa also accused the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa of using the COVID-19 pandemic to suppress the will of the people.
“In Zimbabwe we only have one television station, which is a bizarre scenario.
It is sad to note that as the leader of the alternative, I am being denied coverage.
They don’t even allow me to express my views on national television.
Despite the setbacks, we are unshakable and unbreakable,” said President Chamisa.
The MDC Alliance leader also scoffed at the “Twitter President” claims…
” They ( Zanu PF bigwigs) say I am a Twitter President…
I am happy they acknowledge that I am a President,” said President Chamisa.
By A Correspondent | Talk has sprung under allegations that MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa is an anti vaxxer. These thoughts emerged from a chopped clip of a Zambia media interview of the man in the neighbouring country during the week.
Nelson Chamisa was responding to a question on Emmerson Mnangagwa vaccinating a section of the population and Chamisa spoke against the foreign donations syndrome, of which safety concerns have been raised by scientists far and wide, including Zimbabwe’s own Dr Robert Mudyiramwa.
the controversial clip in circulation
Vaccine manufacturing is a protected national security portfolio of developed countries, and locally the donation dependency syndrome has resulted in massive looting in which the Finance Ministry has been implicated.
Even if president Mnangagwa’s govt has managed to have 1.5 million people vaccinated out of the 1 million people 60% of the population …. asked the reporter, to which Chamisa quipped in saying:
“Vaccination is not done by government….vaccination is done by individuals who opt to be vaccinated, but on this matter, it is actually all donated by other countries.
“In this day and age, we are not even talking about our own pharmaceutical capacities, having our own laboratories as an African continent, to develop our own vaccines.
“Why should we wait for donors to deal with our health? Why do we trust those who are coming from outside to then come and give our the appropriate dose, or medicine for that matter?
“We are in the era of things like biological warfare. We have no guarantee that what we have is the best for the people…”
A recent video shows Mnangagwa threatening to withhold public services from unvaccinated people. At the time, his counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa would be announcing that no one will be forced into vaccination.
In recent months however most businesses around the country, currently struggling due to the the heavy carnage of employee and general public deaths, have begun demanding proof of vaccination.
Chamisa’s comments appeared to follow those of COVID Taskforce Chairperson Oppah Muchinguri who in January said she does not trust vaccines donated by the Chinese govt.
As for me I don’t want your vaccine, why don’t we manufacture our own?, Muchinguri said at the time, though she would 3 months later get the same inoculation having changed her mind.
By A Correspondent | MDC Alliance Secretary General, Hon Charlton Hwende has pointed out that the penniless Zanu PF regime will use IMF funds to finance its political programmes.
According to Hon Hwende, the regime wants to use $ 500 million to boost campaign programmes.
See statement below:
MDC Secretary General Honourable Chalton Hwende : Kuwadzana East Constituency:
Running a Political Party as big as MDC requires resources. Our primary source of funding is our Membership.
I have noticed that everytime we appeal for donations ZANUPF trolls are the first to post and discourage because they know that without funds it’s difficult to mobilize and organize.
ZANUPF uses State resources and force business people to donate.
The $500Million that The Minister of Finance is reserving from the IMF Windfall lying that it’s for supporting the currency is money being reserved for their 2023 Campaign.
I appreciate and accept the criticism that you direct at me and we are implementing some of your suggestions but help our Treasurer to raise funds for us to use by encouraging people to join the MDC Alliance Today. Let’s share and encourage our friends
By A Correspondent- A Chiredzi man died two weeks ago after he was fatally attacked by an allegedly intoxicated villager for allegedly being boastful.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and urged members of the public who may be aware of Sibanda’s whereabouts to approach the police.
Said Dhewa:
I can confirm the incident which took place in Chikombedzi where a man was murdered and the accused is yet to be arrested.
It is alleged that Gumhani Dike, 36, and his 10-year-old son were on their way to Chomupani Business Center when he met Andsern Sibanda on August 11, 2021.
Dike greeted Sibanda who instead of greeting him back accused him of being boastful.
A misunderstanding ensued before Sibanda grabbed a stone and hit Dike repeatedly on the head.
It is further alleged that Dike sustained deep cuts.
Sources further say Sibanda fled the scene and the minor child who was watching helplessly while his father was being attacked rushed to report the matter to one of the villagers.
Dike was ferried to Chomupani Clinic where he was referred to Chikombedzi Mission Hospital the following day.
However, his condition continued to deteriorate and he died around 8 PM on the same day.
By A Correspondent- In a grim case of child se_xual abuse, a 16 year old boy in Bulawayo turned into a marauding se_xual predator when he allegedly engaged in anal se_x with a 10-year-old boy before preying on four other boys.
The boy, from Queens Park East suburb, performed the alleged dastardly acts on the boys aged between seven and ten.
Allegations are that sometime this year on an unknown date, when he was accompanying his uncle to a bus stop, he requested the first victim, a 10-year-old boy to accompany them and he agreed. When the alleged perpetrator’s uncle boarded a kombi, the two — suspect and the victim — returned home.
It is reported that while on their way back home, they reached a bushy area near ZRP Queens Park and the suspect requested to have anal se_x with the victim who turned down the request. The seemingly se_xually frustrated suspect forcibly removed the victim’s pair of shorts and sucked his penis and anus.
It is yet to be proven that the following day the boy asked the same victim to accompany him to one of the sports clubs in the suburb.
On their way and when they arrived at a bushy area near the sports club in question the teenage suspect again requested to have anal se_x with the victim and he refused.
Incensed by his denial, he forcibly undressed him before he ordered him to lie facing downwards and allegedly had anal se_x with him.
The matter was reported to the police and investigations later revealed that sometime last year the suspect had also abused another 10-year-old boy who is also his neighbour. He repeatedly f0ndled his manhood after he refused to have anal se_x with him.
As if that was not enough, it also emerged that on an unknown date but sometime last year the alleged se_x pest preyed on another victim, a nine-year-old boy, when he called him to their kitchen and solicited for anal se_x and he refused. As punishment supposedly for turning down his se_xual demands he allegedly f0ndled his manhood.
It is further reported that again on an unknown date, but sometime last year, the teenage suspect approached another victim, a seven-year-old boy, when he was outside the house playing with his friends and dragged him to their kitchen.
While inside he tied the victim’s hands with shoelaces before he unzipped his pair of trousers and took out his manhood and started sucking it.
After the dastardly act, the boy pushed the victim outside the house and threatened to assault him if he revealed the matter to anyone.
It is alleged that after the abuse, the alleged perpetrator would constantly prey on the victim, fondling and licking his manhood.
It is further reported that on 25 November 2020, the daring se_x pest approached another victim who is nine years old and asked him to have anal se_x with him and he refused.
In a fit of pique, the boy dragged the victim to a nearby playground where he tied his hands with shoelaces and started f0ndling his pen_is.
Investigations by the police later led to the arrest of the boy and his subsequent appearance in court before Bulawayo magistrate Stephen Ndhlovu charged with four counts of indecent assault and one of aggravated indecent assault.
The boy was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to 20 September 2021.
By A Correspondent- The new Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has started erasing former President Edgar Lungu’s footprints and setting up a cabinet.
HH said his first appointment would be with the finance minister.
Posting on his Twitter handle Friday, Hichilema, who was inaugurated Tuesday, said:
Good morning beloved citizens; we are doing things in a phased and coordinated manner that will yield positive results. My first Cabinet appointment is with the Minister of Finance this morning. I shall keep you updated as we progress.
Hichilema later tweeted announcing that Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane was the new Finance Minister. He said: Our Minister of Finance, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, has a wealth of experience from being an advisor to the IMF, an advisor to President Mwanawasa, Secretary to the Treasury, deputy Bank of Zambia governor, among other relevant functions that will be valuable for his role. Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane is a former Minister of Finance and Government Secretary to the Treasury under the Multi-party Democracy (MMD) government, also known as New Hope MMD.
While some hailed Hichilema for appointing an experienced person, some said the new leader must consider giving the youths an opportunity.
Mr Hichilema won a landslide victory in a 12 August election, defeating outgoing president Edgar Chagwa Lungu by more than a million votes. He has promised change for Zambians, saying the struggling economy will be revived.
“I met Olivia at our family village and proposed love to her since she would visit the village after a very long time.
“It was after I impreg_nated her when one of elders in the village disclosed it to me that she was my niece, Patrick’s daughter.
“We were in love and upon asking my cousin, Patrick, he denied and I went on to ask Olivia’s mother about it and she became angry.
“She became furious about it and told me to pay her a fine of a beast accusing me of labelling her a pr0stitute since she had been married to another man who is late now.
“Olivia did not know that the man she called her father was not her biological father as the family members kept it a secret up to this day.
“Iyezvino upenyu hwangu ini marwadzo, hapana chirikufamba ndirikungoita munyama wega wega uye mudzimai wangu ari kushungurudzwa mudzinhamo matinoenda.
“At one time I approached my mother-in-law with the intention to pay lobola but I was turned down although her husband was still alive.
“She is now a single mother and this is the time village people are beginning to unearth all these issues but already I have three children and the fourth one passed on.
“We raised issues of DNA tests but the alleged parents are failing to cooperate.
“I am appealing to traditional leaders to help me in addressing this matter because my life and that of my children born out of this marriage are not in good shape,” said Charles.
Olivia narrated her ordeal describing the matter as too sensitive and delicate since it involves her biological mother.
“I do not have much to say but my life is in danger as well as that of my baby I am expecting,” said Olivia.
“I was humiliated recently when we visited the village to attend a funeral.
“The issue was topical at the funeral wake as well as on the family WhatsApp group and I do not know more about this and my mother is in that position to explain.
“What I know is that my father died and upon his death some issues pointing me to another father became the talk at my mother’s family,” said Olivia.
Contacted for comment, Patrick denied the allegation saying he has no child by the name Olivia.
“Vanopenga avo ini handina mwana anonzi Olivia akaroorwa naCharles,” said Patrick.
Ella, the mother to Olivia refused to entertain H-Metro to give her side of the story.
Masvingo City’s first black mayor Alderman Phillip Debwe (76) has died.
Alderman Debwe succumbed to COVID-19 related complications at Rujeko isolation Centre on Monday where he had been admitted for quarantine for only a day.
Family spokesperson, Anthony Debwe, who is also his son, confirmed the death to Masvingo Mirror.
Funeral arrangements have not been finalised as the family has sent a letter to the government asking for the Alderman to be accorded a hero status. Said, Anthony:
He was a loving father and had so much interest in the development of the city. Senior officials in Masvingo are all agreed that he qualifies for hero status and we now await a response from the Government.
Alderman Debwe was born on 1 July 1945 in Masvingo. He was educated at Don Bosco Primary School and Gokomere Secondary School.
He was first elected as Ward 2 Councillor for Masvingo Municipal Council in November 1980.
In 1981 Debwe was elected deputy Mayor and served for three terms until 1984. In 1991 he became an alderman.
He sat on various committees including as chairman of the Health, Housing and Community Services Committee; Manpower Development Committee (member); Finance, Resources and General Purposes Committee (member).- Masvingo Mirror
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has launched an investigation into the causes of his helicopter accident last Sunday.
Mnangagwa, who was coming from his Kwekwe farm last Sunday, had his chopper forced into an emergency landing near Norton over 60 kilometres southwest of Harare after developing a technical fault.
Security sources told The NewsHawks the crash landing incident happened on Sunday around 4 pm in the Sandringham area, Matsvaire village, in Chegutu district.
The sources said Mnangagwa was rattled and terrified by the incident, which forced him into a scary emergency while returning to Harare. Said a source:
The incident happened in Sandringham. A probe into what happened to the President’s chopper is currently underway. Whenever the President is not flying the helicopter, the helicopter will be parked at Manyame Air Base in Harare and it’s usually flown when he visits his Sherwood farm or when he wants to travel to remote areas.
From Manyame, it usually picks him up from his state residence, but sometimes it lands at Morris Depot grounds where it would be under police guard. While many people think that he has bought a new chopper, it’s not true, the helicopter which was forced to make an emergency landing is an old one which was resprayed.
Initially, it had been agreed after the incident that he should be picked up to complete the journey by road, but while the motorcade was on its way, a second helicopter was sent to fly him back home.
Sources said investigations underway on the incident would involve the Air Force, intelligence services, Presidential Guard and aviation experts. Earlier this month, he was forced to make a last-minute flight postponement to Mutare due to bad weather.
Sources said following the Sunday incident, strict protocols in maintaining the President’s chopper are expected to be enforced after the probe is concluded.
The presidential spokesman, George Charamba, said he was not aware of the incident.
In April this year, three Air Force officers died when their helicopter crashed in Arcturus near Harare.
By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance Youth Assembly vice chairperson Cecilia Chimbiri has described the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa and Simon Khaya-Moyo as small-minded canoutes.
Chimbiri also described Khaya-Moyo as a hallucinating and hopeless Zanu PF functionary.
Khaya-Moyo is on record declaring that the opposition will never rule Zimbabwe.
See Chimbiri’s statement below:
With a bold face Ian Smith once said: “I don’t believe in majority rule ever in Rhodesia… not in a 1,000 years.”
He said white rule would last for a thousand years, but this prophecy was destined to be drowned in bloodshed. .
People like Simon Khaya Moyo and Emerson Mnangagwa will only be remembered as a small-minded Canutes ( For those of you who have come across the story of Danish king of England (Canute)
He is only remembered for standing in front of the sea in order to show people that he was not able to order the water that was moving in towards the land to turn back. The story is often changed to suggest that Canute really thought that he could turn back the sea.
It can’t and it won’t if these Canutes do not realize that a wave of change and its winds are sweeping across Africa . #RegisterToVote
Own Correspondent- The MDC-T is now a house of confusion as it’s leaders are reportedly relying with sangomas and prophets to seek spiritual powers to win the 2023 general elections.
Mwonzora’s top officials were reportedly spotted during night at the house of Masvingo preacher Isaac Makomichi.
Makomichi is known for distributing love and business charms .
Reports say Mwonzora and his followers are seeking secret powers to win elections.
“I don’t disclose the names of my clients, but as for Mwonzora I can’t pray for him because his bad luck is insurmountable. Of course I can make make everyone who approaches me rich but Mwonzora’s issue is too complicated. I don’t want to take his money for nothing that’s why I denied their seeding, they said they want secret powers for elections” Makomichi claimed.
One political analyst has pointed out that MDC-T is wasting time by seeking powers to win elections from Makomichi because the preacher himself also hates Mwonzora.
Mwonzora is being used by Zanu PF to destroy Nelson Chamisa.
Two Hindu temples in Harare, run by Hindu Society Harare (HSH), which have reportedly been closed for months due to COVID-19, have reopened; but entry is restricted for community members “who have had both doses of COVID 19 vaccination”.
Society’s notice issued on August 27 states: …The Anson Road Mandir is also open for all prayer and bhajan groups who wish to recommence their sessions…Please show the guard your vaccination card at the point of entry of the Anson Road Mandir…
Janmastami (which celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna) day ceremonies; which include bhajans, thaal arti, prasad; will be held at Anson Road Mandir on August 30 from 03:30 pm to 05:30 pm. But the evening Janmastami ceremonies, performed by priest and his family at Anson Road Mandir will be broadcast live on YouTube and Society’s Facebook.
Commending HSH for attempting necessary precautions and actions to combat deadly coronavirus and educating the community, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged Hindus to draw closer to God through prayer during COVID-19.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, suggested Hindus to pray at least twice daily in their home shrines with total devotion and pure heart. These prayers might include making offerings to ista-devata, chanting mantras, reading sacred texts, performing aarti and bhajans, doing puja, etc.
Hindus are God’s people, full of courage and generosity. Petition God for the common good of all the local and world communities during these times of confusion and suffering, Rajan Zed says.
Cameron Street Shree Omkar Mandir celebrated 90th anniversary in February 2019, while 25th anniversary of Ridgeview Shree Omkar Mandir was observed in 2017. HSH “intends to publish a written record” of the hundred years of “community’s existence in Zimbabwe”.
In the pre-COVID-19 times, HSH reportedly had been conducting various bhajan events, twice-weekly yoga classes, Hindi lessons, cultural/social activities; organized daily aarti at both the temples with Havan on Sundays; and offered funeral assistance for bereaved families; etc.; besides running Mahila Mandal, Shishu Mandal and Yuvak Mandal. HSH has also been running various schools—Westridge High School, Westridge Primary School, Gujarati School.
Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.2 billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal
By A Correspondent- Heads are rolling at Manyame Airbase following the emergency landing of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidential helicopter in Chegutu.
Mnangagwa’s chopper was forced into an emergency landing near Norton over 60 kilometres southwest of Harare last Sunday after developing a technical fault.
Security sources told The NewsHawks the crash landing incident happened on Sunday around 4 pm in the Sandringham area, Matsvaire village, in Chegutu district when Mnangagwa was coming from his Kwekwe farm.
The sources said Mnangagwa was rattled and terrified by the incident, which forced him into a scary emergency while returning to Harare. Said a source:
The incident happened in Sandringham. A probe into what happened to the President’s chopper is currently underway. Whenever the President is not flying the helicopter, the helicopter will be parked at Manyame Air Base in Harare and it’s usually flown when he visits his Sherwood farm or when he wants to travel to remote areas.
From Manyame, it usually picks him up from his state residence, but sometimes it lands at Morris Depot grounds where it would be under police guard. While many people think that he has bought a new chopper, it’s not true, the helicopter which was forced to make an emergency landing is an old one which was resprayed.
Initially, it had been agreed after the incident that he should be picked up to complete the journey by road, but while the motorcade was on its way, a second helicopter was sent to fly him back home.
Sources said investigations underway on the incident would involve the Air Force, intelligence services, Presidential Guard and aviation experts. Earlier this month, he was forced to make a last-minute flight postponement to Mutare due to bad weather.
Sources said following the Sunday incident, strict protocols in maintaining the President’s chopper are expected to be enforced after the probe is concluded.
The presidential spokesman, George Charamba, said he was not aware of the incident.
In April this year, three Air Force officers died when their helicopter crashed in Arcturus near Harare.
By A Correspondent- It’s a Friday night and a skimpily dressed se_x worker flags down vehicles and individuals on foot, soliciting for clients while on the lookout for law enforcement officers.
The presence of police on patrol to enforce lockdown doesn’t deter the woman, who is standing metres away from her colleagues, in a dimly lit street corner, going about her business.
A B-Metro investigation revealed that for se_x workers, breaking lockdown rules to sell se_x is something they have to do in order to survive.
Some se_x workers operate along Robert Mugabe Way and 10th Avenue, in an area with poor lighting caused by non-functional street lights, which in turn makes the place convenient to conduct their illegal “trade”
Ever suspicious of anyone who asks too many questions, getting an impromptu interview from se_x workers is no mean feat.
In the words of Sarah (not her real name) “time is money” and she only agreed to speak to the B-Metro crew on condition that we left her alone to conduct her business if she answered not more than three questions.
We took the “deal”.
Does she insist that her clients, who are mostly total strangers, wear masks when they engage in se_x seeing that coronavirus cases are on the rise?
“I’m more worried of being infected with se_xually transmitted diseases (STIs) than coronavirus and it will be totally weird to ask clients to wear masks during se_x. I’m not in relationships with these men. It’s quick se_x either in their vehicles or in an alley and we go our separate ways,” explained Sarah.
She refused to respond to the assertion that their se_x business is a potential Covid-19 superspreader.
Police enforce lockdown regulations such as compliance with curfew times by conducting regular patrols in the city centre, which covers the area that Sarah and her colleagues operate in.
“Most of my clients are motorists so it’s easy to move to a secluded spot for quick se_x in the car and they drop me off here. I don’t like drunk clients as they are very problematic when it’s time to pay,” she says.
Further down Robert Mugabe Way near the defunct Forty 40 nightclub, another group of se_x workers “roams” around a dimly lit area soliciting for clients.
One of the se_x workers emerges from an alley, wrapping cloth in hand, and soon after a gentleman appears from the shadows and walks off.
Preferred operating spaces are dark places.
Another commercial se_x worker who identified herself as Noma and operates at Corner Main Street and Connaught Avenue said as se_x workers, they were breaking lockdown rules in order to support themselves.
“It’s risky and frightening for lots of people but not for us who are into se_x work. Breaking lockdown rules to sell se_x is something we have to do in order to survive. When it comes to the police we hide and then re-appear as soon as they are out sight but in the event that they catch us, siyabadiza (we bribe them),” she said.
An official with the S_exual Rights Centre (SRC) who requested not to be named said lockdown was particularly damaging for se_x workers as many of them were struggling to survive.
“The nationwide lockdown implemented by the Government to contain the spread of the virus has affected many se_x workers. Although the lockdown is designed to curb the spread of the virus for commercial se_x workers their economic survival is of greater concern to them than contracting Covid-19,” said the official.
In 2016, the Bulawayo City Council accused se_x workers of vandalising street lights to create darkness that favoured their flesh-peddling trade.
A local councillor said he was disheartened when lights were vandalised by se_x workers shortly after being repaired.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s is said to had gone into panic mode when his presidential helicopter went into forced landing after developing a technical fault.
The chopper was forced into an emergency landing near Norton over 60 kilometres southwest of Harare last Sunday.
Security sources told The NewsHawks the crash landing incident happened on Sunday around 4 pm in the Sandringham area, Matsvaire village, in Chegutu district when Mnangagwa was coming from his Kwekwe farm.
The sources said Mnangagwa was rattled and terrified by the incident, which forced him into a scary emergency while returning to Harare. Said a source:
The incident happened in Sandringham. A probe into what happened to the President’s chopper is currently underway. Whenever the President is not flying the helicopter, the helicopter will be parked at Manyame Air Base in Harare and it’s usually flown when he visits his Sherwood farm or when he wants to travel to remote areas.
From Manyame, it usually picks him up from his state residence, but sometimes it lands at Morris Depot grounds where it would be under police guard. While many people think that he has bought a new chopper, it’s not true, the helicopter which was forced to make an emergency landing is an old one which was resprayed.
Initially, it had been agreed after the incident that he should be picked up to complete the journey by road, but while the motorcade was on its way, a second helicopter was sent to fly him back home.
Sources said investigations underway on the incident would involve the Air Force, intelligence services, Presidential Guard and aviation experts. Earlier this month, he was forced to make a last-minute flight postponement to Mutare due to bad weather.
Sources said following the Sunday incident, strict protocols in maintaining the President’s chopper are expected to be enforced after the probe is concluded.
The presidential spokesman, George Charamba, said he was not aware of the incident.
In April this year, three Air Force officers died when their helicopter crashed in Arcturus near Harare.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF Mashonaland Central, Provincial Chairman and Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe is under fire for bribing a party member with a Zanu PF vehicle.
Zanu PF insiders said Kazembe is under investigation for co-opting and bribing a member of his provincial structures, Shephard Kararira, with a party’s Ford Ranger truck to help him rig the pending Provincincial Chairmanship elections.
Kazembe’s unilateral decision to co-opt his friends into the party structures was nullified by the Zanu PF acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa, and Kararira was supposed to return the car to the party.
But on Friday, Kararira said he was using the car to mobilise support for the party’s national conference to be held in the province, which has since been called off.
“I am using that car to mobilise support for the conference which our province is hosting and as we speak, the chairman (Kazembe) also gave us his party car and we now have four cars,” he said. “So for one to demand that car, it is nonsensical. We need to campaign with those cars and above all, we took two more cars from the party head office to drum up support for the conference.”
Chinamasa dismissed the co-options after Mashonaland Central War Veterans Association chairperson Sam Parirenyatwa protested against the move, accusing Kazembe of manipulating party structures in order retain his provincial position.
Parirenyatwa was supported by other party members who demanded that Kararira should return the party vehicle to one Tsine, who had been illegally demoted as provincial political commissar.
Kazembe faces still contests from former Primary and Secondary Education minister Lazarus Dokora, businessman James Makamba, among others for the provincial chairmanship.
Jostling for positions in Mashonaland Central has threatened to tear apart the party ahead of its national conference, whose dates are yet to be announced.
By A Correspondent- The new Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has announced that he is starting to appoint his cabinet.
HH said his first appointment would be with the finance minister.
Posting on his Twitter handle Friday, Hichilema, who was inaugurated Tuesday, said:
Good morning beloved citizens; we are doing things in a phased and coordinated manner that will yield positive results. My first Cabinet appointment is with the Minister of Finance this morning. I shall keep you updated as we progress.
Hichilema later tweeted announcing that Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane was the new Finance Minister. He said: Our Minister of Finance, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, has a wealth of experience from being an advisor to the IMF, an advisor to President Mwanawasa, Secretary to the Treasury, deputy Bank of Zambia governor, among other relevant functions that will be valuable for his role. Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane is a former Minister of Finance and Government Secretary to the Treasury under the Multi-party Democracy (MMD) government, also known as New Hope MMD.
While some hailed Hichilema for appointing an experienced person, some said the new leader must consider giving the youths an opportunity.
Mr Hichilema won a landslide victory in a 12 August election, defeating outgoing president Edgar Chagwa Lungu by more than a million votes. He has promised change for Zambians, saying the struggling economy will be revived.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF Mashonaland Central provincial Chairman and Home Affairs Minister, Kazembe Kazembe has been emboiled in a car bribery scandal.
The party is investigating Kazembe for co-opting and bribing a member of his provincial structures, Shephard Kararira, with a party’s Ford Ranger truck to help him rig the pending Provincincial Chairmanship elections.
Kazembe’s unilateral decision to co-opt his friends into the party structures was nullified by the Zanu PF acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa, and Kararira was supposed to return the car to the party.
But on Friday, Kararira said he was using the car to mobilise support for the party’s national conference to be held in the province, which has since been called off.
“I am using that car to mobilise support for the conference which our province is hosting and as we speak, the chairman (Kazembe) also gave us his party car and we now have four cars,” he said. “So for one to demand that car, it is nonsensical. We need to campaign with those cars and above all, we took two more cars from the party head office to drum up support for the conference.”
Chinamasa dismissed the co-options after Mashonaland Central War Veterans Association chairperson Sam Parirenyatwa protested against the move, accusing Kazembe of manipulating party structures in order retain his provincial position.
Parirenyatwa was supported by other party members who demanded that Kararira should return the party vehicle to one Tsine, who had been illegally demoted as provincial political commissar.
Kazembe faces still contests from former Primary and Secondary Education minister Lazarus Dokora, businessman James Makamba, among others for the provincial chairmanship.
Jostling for positions in Mashonaland Central has threatened to tear apart the party ahead of its national conference, whose dates are yet to be announced.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has gaged its party officials from praising MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.
This comes after Chamisa’s popularity had grown with Zanu PF top wigs admiring the youthful opposition politician.
Chamisa’s popularity grew following his invitation to the inauguration of the new Zambian President, Hikainde Hichilema, by the man himself.
Posting on his Twitter account Friday, Zanu apologist and Gokwe Nembudziya MP, Justice Mayor Wadyajena, said any party member head praising Chamisa would be punished.
“Party colleagues, let’s focus on OUR Gvt & Party achievements! This Chamisa obsession has unintended consequences. Let him fade away. Why shout his name daily like we’re his publicists on the low? Voters aren’t fools, 2023 is a millennial+zoomer election! Use social media wisely!” said Wadyajena.
Party colleagues, let’s focus on OUR Gvt & Party achievements! This Chamisa obsession has unintended consequences. Let him fade away. Why shout his name daily like we’re his publicists on the low? Voters aren’t fools, 2023 is a millennial+zoomer election! Use social media wisely!
Former High Court judge Erica Ndewere has filed a fresh court application seeking to be reinstated as a judge, accusing the Justice Simbi Mubako-led tribunal of being extremely biased and grossly incompetent when it found her guilty of misconduct.She filed an application for review of the recommendations by the three-member tribunal to have her fired from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
She was fired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on June 17, 2021, but she claims that her dismissal was part of victimisation after she defied Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s “unlawful orders”.
In the application, Ndewere cited Mnangagwa and the three tribunal members, Justice Mubako, lawyer Charles Warara and Yvonne Masvora, who made recommendations for her removal from the bench, as respondents.Ndewere, who is being represented by lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, argued that the tribunal members failed to provide her with all the documents used to nail her, thus violating her right to a fair trial.
She also stated that all the tribunal members did not have jurisdiction to sit for her inquiry after May 18, 2021 when its term of office had expired, hence their recommendation to Mnangagwa after the date were null and void.
Ndewere said the respondents failed to apply their minds on issues before them.“Having claimed to have given the applicant all fair hearing rights in the report, that the second, third and fourth respondents’ conduct of denying the applicant the right to be heard on an appropriate penalty before sending a dismissal recommendation to the first respondent amounts to a gross irregularity that vitiates their recommendations and the first respondent’s subsequent decision.”
Ndewere argues that the conduct of the tribunal was irregular because it sought evidence outside the hearing which was supposed to be in public domain and it made recommendations to the President before she was given an opportunity to defend herself.
“Apart from the report being full of emotive and injudicious language, whenever reference was being made to me and my legal practitioners’ actions, the report shows an extremely biased analysis of the witnesses’ evidence where glaring deficiencies were glossed over or not mentioned at all,” she submitted.
The review of the tribunal’s recommendations by the High Court is yet to be set down.
By Effort Manono| Chisumbanje and Chinyamukwakwa villagers in Chipinge have bemoaned the disruption of livelihoods by Green Fuel, a company which brought so much hope to locals when it came in 2008 but has now worsened their plight.
After Green Fuel owner Billy Rautenbach grabbed the villagers land to expand his ethanol project, he offered locals 0.5 hectares of irrigated plots but villagers reported receiving contaminated water which has not only affected their crops but livestock too.
Mrs Mahanya from Chisumbanje, one of the famers experiencing this, had this to say; ”Green Fuel gave us small portions on dry land, we ululated thinking it was a way of ploughing back but we have challenges of water to irrigate our crops. We sometimes go for weeks without water to irrigate our crops and if we happen to get the water it will be dangerous to our plants and animals. The water is contaminated and is causing the death of our livestock.”
To us the company gave us the plots as a cover to the public. We are gaining nothing and we are at a loss as we are now using more inputs but realising nothing in return.”
”Villagers have also accused Green Fuel of lying to Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement, Anxious Masuka by taking him on a tour of well-developed areas while the dilapidated were ignored.
The Minister and team did injustice to themselves and their bosses by stage managing the situation. In other words Hon Masuka sacrificed the farmers’ in order to please a ruthless investor.A Mr Maposa from Chinyamukwakwa had this to say about Masuka’s trip to Chisumbanje, ”We are very much worried with the way we are being treated. The Minister came and was taken to places where there are no issues.
Our houses were destroyed, crops ploughed down but the minister did not bother to meet us.
”The Minister and the investor are acting against the constitution of Zimbabwe which states that land is a finite natural resource that forms part of Zimbabwe common heritage which every citizen has a right to acquire, hold, occupy, use, transfer, hypothecate lease or dispose of regardless of his or her race and colour.
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s own publicist, and authorised biographer, Eddie Cross has exposed him for falsifying that he was sentenced to death for bombing a Rhodesian Train.
Cross reveals with impecable evidence that Mnangagwa did not bomb any property, and he was spared the death penalty because his crime was not that serious, Oxford academic, Miles Tendi argues.
Mnangagwa as he authorised the biography that exposes him for lying
Cross’ biography corrects falsifications of significant episodes in Mnangagwa’s life story, writes Tendi.
He continues saying: One example will suffice. Mnangagwa, in The Sunday Mail of 22 February 2015, narrated that he was spared the death penalty in 1965 for using explosives to cause damage to a railway engine, as part of early liberation struggle sabotage campaigns. According to Mnangagwa in 2015: “the age of majority then was 21. I was below 21, so I escaped the noose. My colleagues were, however, hanged”.
Cross corrects this account by reproducing the High Court of Rhodesia’s 1965 sentence in the biography.
The High Court’s sentence reads: the court accepts “the fact that you are 18 years and seven months old. That being so, in terms of this section of the Law and Order (Maintenance) Act, the court has a discretion as to whether to impose upon you the death penalty or to send you to prison for a period up to a maximum of 20 years. Generally speaking, it seems to me that where the Court has a discretion in dealing with an offender under the age of 19, the death penalty is appropriate for the worst type of case where, for example, petrol bombs have been cold-bloodedly and deliberately thrown into residential buildings occupied by persons causing them misery and suffering. This is not such a case, although it is a serious crime according to law. I do not therefore propose to sentence you to death in this case”.
Thus, contrary to Mnangagwa’s longstanding claim he was spared death because he was underage, Mnangagwa was in fact not sentenced to death in 1965 because his crime was considered by the judge as not grave enough to warrant hanging. Cross deserves commendation for setting the historical record straight in this instance.
FULL TEXT:
This authorised biography tells the life history of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, from childhood to presidency. The biography is 153 pages long. It consists of a foreword, an editor’s note by Rachel Jambaya, 30 brief chapters, and a conclusion.
The biographer, Eddie Graham Cross, is an economist, a regular commentator on public affairs and former Secretary for Economic Affairs in the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), a party he left in 2018 after 19 years of serving in a range of executive positions at national level. Cross drew on personal interviews with Mnangagwa in order to complete the biography.
Cross has written a controversial biography of Mnangagwa.
The biography depicts vice president Constantino Chiwenga, the former general who helped bring Mnangagwa to power in a military coup in 2017, in an unfavourable light. It is also replete with conspicuous historical distortions and silences. Nonetheless, the biography does have some strengths, such as its presentation of the true version of certain important events in Mnangagwa’s life.
Cross’s corrections bring to light Mnangagwa’s mythomania. Mnangagwa penned the biography’s foreword, graced its official presentation on 5 August 2021, delightedly signed copies of the book at the launch and he did not publicly rebut any of the biography’s contents. Consequently, it is fair to conclude that Mnangagwa wholly endorses his biographer’s work.
‘Military figures’
Cross writes that following Mnangagwa’s inauguration as president of Zimbabwe on 24 November 2017, “he set about selecting a new cabinet and senior staff in the president’s office. This was complicated by the demands being made by the senior military officers who had carried out what became known as the military assisted transition (military coup). Chief among these was the commander of the armed forces, General Chiwenga”.
Cross adds that Mnangagwa’s first cabinet “received mixed reviews” partly because it contained “too many military figures”.
Elsewhere in the biography, Cross states Mnangagwa “replaced General Chiwenga with General Philip Sibanda” as commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and he avers that Sibanda is “possibly the best soldier in southern Africa and a man that was deeply respected in the army. Mnangagwa’s actions drew little attention but what the president was doing was closing the door on any possibility of the military assisted transition (military coup) being repeated. He needed to know that the security services were led by men in whom he had confidence as professionals”.
Additionally, Cross maintains that when violence and looting occurred in January 2019, the acting President Chiwenga “demanded that a state of emergency be declared and martial law be introduced. This would have effectively meant that the armed forces took over the administration of the state”. However, Cross continues, “General Sibanda refused. He said his orders from the President were clear. What had happened was that the President had stamped his personal authority on the state. He would not tolerate any challenge”.
‘Hardliners’
Cross makes reference to “hardliners” (Chiwenga ostensibly) who, before the July 2018 election, “argued that reforms to the electoral system and any relaxation of controls over the media and civil society would have serious impact on the ability of ZANU PF to win the election.
Moreover, Cross contends that a grenade thrown at Mnangagwa on 23 June 2018 during a ZANU PF rally at White City stadium in Bulawayo “was of Chinese origin and in use by the Zimbabwe National Army”.
Chiwenga was present at the White City rally and his wife Marry sustained injuries from the blast but Cross, curiously, does not mention this. Of the two vice presidents, only Kembo Mohadi is identified as present at the rally and as having sustained injuries along with 47 others.
From the foregoing, Cross appears to be casting aspersions on Chiwenga as a political operator. His biography suggests that Mnangagwa and Chiwenga are ill at ease with each other. Cross typecasts Chiwenga as obstructing political and economic reforms and as in favour of repressive and militarised state responses such as martial law. He intimates that Sibanda is a more “professional” soldier than Chiwenga who Mnangagwa trusts will not carry out a coup – a contentious assertion, given that Sibanda participated in the 2017 coup.
Corrections
Let me now turn to some of the ways in which the biography corrects falsifications of significant episodes in Mnangagwa’s life story. One example will suffice. Mnangagwa, in The Sunday Mail of 22 February 2015, narrated that he was spared the death penalty in 1965 for using explosives to cause damage to a railway engine, as part of early liberation struggle sabotage campaigns. According to Mnangagwa in 2015: “the age of majority then was 21. I was below 21, so I escaped the noose. My colleagues were, however, hanged”.
Cross corrects this account by reproducing the High Court of Rhodesia’s 1965 sentence in the biography.
The High Court’s sentence reads: the court accepts “the fact that you are 18 years and seven months old. That being so, in terms of this section of the Law and Order (Maintenance) Act, the court has a discretion as to whether to impose upon you the death penalty or to send you to prison for a period up to a maximum of 20 years. Generally speaking, it seems to me that where the Court has a discretion in dealing with an offender under the age of 19, the death penalty is appropriate for the worst type of case where, for example, petrol bombs have been cold-bloodedly and deliberately thrown into residential buildings occupied by persons causing them misery and suffering. This is not such a case, although it is a serious crime according to law. I do not therefore propose to sentence you to death in this case”.
Thus, contrary to Mnangagwa’s longstanding claim he was spared death because he was underage, Mnangagwa was in fact not sentenced to death in 1965 because his crime was considered by the judge as not grave enough to warrant hanging. Cross deserves commendation for setting the historical record straight in this instance.
Cross-checking
Although Cross debunks some of Mnangagwa’s mythomania, he too is a mythomaniac. For example, Cross writes that Mnangagwa “was designated as one of the leaders” of the crocodile gang in the 1960s and insinuates that Mnangagwa was involved in the killing of Pieter Oberholzer in Chimanimani in 1964. Mnangagwa was, of course, not a member of the crocodile gang and he was not implicated in Oberholzer’s killings, as scholarly works by Baxter Tavuyanago and Terence Ranger show.
Cross’s expertise as an economist encumbered his ability to generate a credible biography of Mnangagwa. Trained economists should probably stick to writing about economics, not liberation, military and political histories, which are beyond their knowledge.
For instance, Cross refers to the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) as the ‘Zimbabwe Independent People’s Revolutionary Army’.
In 1978, ZIPRA shot down two Rhodesian Viscount planes but Cross writes that the downing occurred in 1962 and, erroneously, uses it as an example of how the “guerrilla war was gaining momentum”.
Furthermore, according to Cross, in 1975 Herbert Chitepo was “assassinated in what is suspected as inter party violence and conflict”. This is a bizarre contention since the competing views on Chitepo’s assassination are that it was the result of an intra ZANU conflict or that the Rhodesian security forces carried out the hit. Is Cross suggesting, through the statement ‘inter party conflict’, that ZAPU assassinated Chitepo?
What is the evidence for this?
Zimbabwe entered the second Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) war to assist Laurent Kabila to fend off a rebel insurgency in 1998, but Cross, incorrectly, writes that Zimbabwe intervened “to support the campaign by Laurent Desire Kabila to take power from the long standing dictator Mobutu Sese Seko”.
What is more, the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) was created through the merger of three rival armies – the Rhodesian army, ZANLA and ZIPRA but Cross, speciously, writes that five armies merged to form the ZNA.
Silences
Then there are the biography’s historical silences.
Despite crediting Mnangagwa as having taken charge of operations during the late 1990s DRC war, Cross is silent about United Nations and non-governmental organisation reports about corruption during Zimbabwe’s involvement in the second DRC war.
Cross also seeks to downplay the role of Mnangagwa and the CIO in the 1980s Gukurahundi. Cross would have us believe that Mugabe’s instructions on Gukurahundi only went directly to "the 5th Brigade and to the Ministry Of Home Affairs and the Police on the ground" and excluded CIO, which fell under Mnangagwa’s Security Ministry.
Yet, as the CCJPZ report Breaking The Silence: Report On The Disturbances in Matabeleland and Midlands discloses, CIO was in fact central to Gukurahundi operations and it functioned from within Mugabe’s office. Cross is also silent about Mnangagwa’s role in the strong March to June 2008 political violence.
Cross’s writing radiates colonial overtones.
The scholar Kristen Harkness points out that “British martial race doctrine, developed first in colonial India, stipulated that some ethnic groups were naturally more suited to combat and military discipline than others. Once groups were classified as martial they were preferentially recruited into the British colonial forces”.
It is precisely this colonial martial race doctrine that underlies Cross’s unevidenced contention that Mnangagwa was recruited in ZAPU in 1962 partly because of “his potential from a military point of view given his Karanga tribal background and physique” – the implication being that Karangas are “naturally more suited to combat”.
Indeed, Cross largely understands the politics and history of Africans through colonial tropes like “tribes” and “tribalism”. Never mind that the notion of “tribe” is, today, bereft of analytical purchase because it lacks a sense of social scale and complexity and it presupposes savagery, primitiveness, irrational violence and ancient hatreds in Africans.
A final important silence concerns Mnangagwa’s personal dimension. Bar his early family history, we get no real sense of who Mnangagwa is today, his actual character away from political performance and the composition of his immediate family, making for a rather impersonal biography.
The wives of politicians matter. Who is Auxillia Mnangagwa and how has she impacted Mnangagwa’s personal and political trajectories? What are the ideas, thinkers or books that have shaped Mnangagwa’s political outlooks?
Perhaps Cross will care to address these crucial questions and the aforementioned shortcomings in a second edition of his biography of Mnangagwa.
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is set for a shock move to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.
English media was awash with reports on Thursday that the 36-year old’s agent Jorge Mendes was in talks with the player’s current club Juventus, to ensure a deal between the Old Lady and City.
According to Sky Sports, the two clubs have now agreed on a €30 million transfer fee for the five-time World Player of the Year, who joined Juve from Real Madrid in 2018.
It also being claimed in the same report that the move could be sealed in the next 24 hours.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
A Chinese mining company, Heijin, is pushing to evict hundreds of villagers in Murehwa, Mashonaland East province, after it was given a special mining grant to extract black granite on densely populated land covering 300 hectares, the Zimbabwe Independent can exclusively reveal.
This comes at a time Chinese companies are frenziedly descending on the province, which is rich in the rare but lucrative stone.
The latest incursion by Heijin comes in the wake of yet another bruising fight pitting villagers in Mutoko and Shanghai Haoying Mining Investments that was given claims to mine black granite.
Although Shanghai Haoying has offered compensation to the families, which will be displaced when implementation of the project commences, plans by the Chinese company to set up operations in the area have triggered stiff resistance from the villagers.
Relating to similar developments now unfolding in Murehwa, Heijin, which was only incorporated under Zimbabwe’s laws in June this year, has already engaged a consultant to undertake an environmental impact assessment (EIA).
According to documents seen by the Independent this week, Heijin wrote to Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (UMP) rural district council (RDC) chief executive officer Murandu Kanganga requesting to undertake the EIA.
The letter, dated July 2, 2021, reads: “Heijin Mining Company is a holder of two black granite mining blocks namely Kaseke (1256 BMT) and Chibvi (ME1253BM), which are situated within Uzumba Reserve in Kaseke village of Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District. Proposed is black granite mining, cutting and polishing on the two mining blocks.
“Our project being of national value and interest, we do understand the importance of working in harmony with relevant and key stakeholders, exchange of ideas as a guarantee to sustainable mining operations.”
Heijin intends to set up a cutting and polishing plant, storage facilities for finished products and an open cast mine. Heijin, as shown by the letter, is located at 304 Warwick, Josiah Chinamano Avenue, Harare.
Documents show that Edzai Ndemera, Emmanuel Ndemera, Alec Mutizwa, Dillia Chingwena and Libo Zhongjian Resources are the owners of Heijin. Libo Zhongjian Resources holds a 70% stake. A Heijin consultant did not respond to questions.
In a letter written by Murehwa councillor Zvondai Marowa to Mines minister Winston Chitando, the black granite mining operations will emit dust and other emissions “affecting nearby schools, households and water bodies”.
“This letter seeks to object to granite mining in Nenzou Village Uzumba Ward 14 under Chief Nyajina. Heijing is a holder of two mining blocks, namely Kaseke and Chibvi. The blocks cover an area of more than 300 hectares,” the letter reads.
“We object to the mining project because the covered area is our grazing land, more than 39 households are inside the blocks and are going to be affected and we have graves of our loved ones within the pegged area.”
The letter, which outlines reasons for objecting to the project, dated August 23, also highlights that villagers were opposed to the plan because it would desecrate the villagers’ religious sites.
It reads: “The area in question is also used for rainmaking rituals, so we believe tempering with it will affect us as a community.”
Headman Kaseke, in a letter addressed to Minister of State for Mashonaland East province Appolonia Munzverengwi and Chitando, emphasised that the community was opposed to the planned project.
“Reference is made to the movement in and out of our area by ‘potential investors’ whose mining claims will result in the displacement or relocation of people from the area,” the letter dated August 24 reads.
“Legally, it is prudent to note that government is under both a statutory and constitutional duty to engage the community before any adverse action is taken. In the case of Kaseke and Chibvi, relevant authorities did not do this as no one consulted the community as far as we know.”
Chitando could not be reached for comment. As in Mutoko, the Chinese investor has sought the buy-in of stakeholders by convening meetings with traditional leaders, villagers and officials from the UMP RDC.
A villager, who attended a meeting held last week on Saturday, told the Independent villagers complained about granite miners in the area.
“It is clear that the affected communities have not benefited in any way. What we have seen is the pillaging of our resources and catastrophic environmental degradation,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said this week.
With Mashonaland East now a battleground for various investors (mostly from China) scrambling to obtain black granite claims, Shanghai Haoying has engaged Prime Chart, a local company, to conduct an EIA.
A Prime Chart representative said affected villagers will be compensated by “generous agricultural inputs sufficient for three seasons, a home in principle that is better than what they had and a solar powered borehole for each homestead”.
According to the official, Shanghai Haoying will also offer a “once-off cash payment for land preparations”.
Shanghai Haoying general manager Shuoshuo Song last week said: “Exploration (will begin) once the environmental (impact) assessment, which is underway is finalised.
“There is more profit in value addition; it is our ultimate objective to polish the granite and do beneficiation.”
As reported a fortnight ago by this publication, Richbase — another Chinese firm — is setting up a processing plant in Mutoko, that will be part of the black granite mining and beneficiation value chain, which is controlled by investors from the Asian giant and Italy.
Natural Stone Export Company, Illford Services Mining Company, Quarrying Enterprises, CRG Quarries and New Obsidian Granite are some of the companies extracting the lucrative mineral in Mutoko that is shipped to Asia and Europe. -Zimbabwe Independently
Former High Court judge Erica Ndewere has filed a fresh court application seeking to be reinstated as a judge, accusing the Justice Simbi Mubako-led tribunal of being extremely biased and grossly incompetent when it found her guilty of misconduct.
She filed an application for review of the recommendations by the three-member tribunal to have her fired from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
She was fired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on June 17, 2021, but she claims that her dismissal was part of victimisation after she defied Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s “unlawful orders”.
In the application, Ndewere cited Mnangagwa and the three tribunal members, Justice Mubako, lawyer Charles Warara and Yvonne Masvora, who made recommendations for her removal from the bench, as respondents.
Ndewere, who is being represented by lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, argued that the tribunal members failed to provide her with all the documents used to nail her, thus violating her right to a fair trial.
She also stated that all the tribunal members did not have jurisdiction to sit for her inquiry after May 18, 2021 when its term of office had expired, hence their recommendation to Mnangagwa after the date were null and void.
Ndewere said the respondents failed to apply their minds on issues before them.
“Having claimed to have given the applicant all fair hearing rights in the report, that the second, third and fourth respondents’ conduct of denying the applicant the right to be heard on an appropriate penalty before sending a dismissal recommendation to the first respondent amounts to a gross irregularity that vitiates their recommendations and the first respondent’s subsequent decision.”
Ndewere argues that the conduct of the tribunal was irregular because it sought evidence outside the hearing which was supposed to be in public domain and it made recommendations to the President before she was given an opportunity to defend herself.
“Apart from the report being full of emotive and injudicious language, whenever reference was being made to me and my legal practitioners’ actions, the report shows an extremely biased analysis of the witnesses’ evidence where glaring deficiencies were glossed over or not mentioned at all,” she submitted.
The review of the tribunal’s recommendations by the High Court is yet to be set down.- Newsday
A 24-year-old man from Tasaranago Village in Mberengwa allegedly murdered his mother and tried to bury her in a nearby garden.
It is alleged, Timothy Zhou, who has been exhibiting signs of mental challenges since December 2019, who was sleeping in his bedroom woke up during the night and went to sleep at a nearby garden.
The following morning at around 6 am, his mother reportedly went to the garden where Timothy struck her with an unknown object.
Fellow villagers reportedly rushed to the scene as she cried for help, only to find her motionless, while the suspect was attempting to bury her in a pit.
Government is establishing provincial cemeteries for the military and consultations have been conducted with provincial leaders on how the programme will be implemented.
Military cemeteries are a common phenomenon across the world but this does not mean soldiers are exclusively buried in these cemeteries. Their immediate families are also buried in the same facilities.
Zimbabwe does not have such facilities and most cemeteries are administered by local authorities.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage is in charge of National Heroes Acre and Provincial Heroes Acre where mainly liberation war heroes are buried.
Defence and War Veterans Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Elson Moyo has tabled a report to Government that will guide the establishment of military cemeteries across the country.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said this while responding to Umzingwane National Assembly member Cde Levy Mayihlome who wanted to know Government’s position regarding the establishment of the military cemeteries during Wednesday’s Question and Answer session in Parliament.
“I am pleased to report that work on the establishment of provincial military cemeteries is underway,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She said the board that had initially been tasked to conduct consultation work on the programme was affected by the redeployment of the late national hero Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri from Air Force of Zimbabwe to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Resettlement in 2017.
“In this regard a new board was convened in 2020 under the chairmanship of the Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe, Air Marshal Moyo. The board had an arduous task of gathering views of all the 10 Provincial Ministers who are critical stakeholders in the programme to secure their views which will be captured in the implementation process,” she said.
“I am pleased to announce that the board recently submitted its report which we are currently studying with a view to implement its resolutions. Very soon we will be engaging the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Resettlement counterparts with a request for land for the cemeteries in all the country’s 10 provinces.” -Chronicle
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has bemoaned the dearth of media freedom in Zimbabwe.
Speaking after the inauguration of the seventh President of the republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema on Tuesday, President Chamisa said he last appeared on national television when he was a Member of Parliament long back.
President Chamisa also accused the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa of using the COVID-19 pandemic to suppress the will of the people.
“In Zimbabwe we only have one television station, which is a bizarre scenario.
It is sad to note that as the leader of the alternative, I am being denied coverage.
They don’t even allow me to express my views on national television.
Despite the setbacks, we are unshakable and unbreakable,” said President Chamisa.
The MDC Alliance leader also scoffed at the “Twitter President” claims…
” They ( Zanu PF bigwigs) say I am a Twitter President…
I am happy they acknowledge that I am a President,” said President Chamisa.
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance Youth Assembly vice chairperson Cecilia Chimbiri has described the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa and Simon Khaya-Moyo as small-minded canoutes.
Chimbiri also described Khaya-Moyo as a hallucinating and hopeless Zanu PF functionary.
Khaya-Moyo is on record declaring that the opposition will never rule Zimbabwe.
See Chimbiri’s statement below:
With a bold face Ian Smith once said: “I don’t believe in majority rule ever in Rhodesia… not in a 1,000 years.” He said white rule would last for a thousand years, but this prophecy was destined to be drowned in bloodshed. .
People like Simon Khaya Moyo and Emerson Mnangagwa will only be remembered as a small-minded Canutes ( For those of you who have come across the story of Danish king of England (Canute)
He is only remembered for standing in front of the sea in order to show people that he was not able to order the water that was moving in towards the land to turn back. The story is often changed to suggest that Canute really thought that he could turn back the sea.
It can’t and it won’t if these Canutes do not realize that a wave of change and its winds are sweeping across Africa . #RegisterToVote
The MDC-T is now a house of confusion as it’s leadersare reportedly relying with sangomas and prophets to seek spiritual powers to win the 2023 general elections.
Mwonzora’s top officials were reportedly spotted during night at the house of Masvingo preacher Isaac Makomichi.
Makomichi is known for distributing love and business charms .
Reports say Mwonzora and his followers are seeking secret powers to win elections.
“I don’t disclose the names of my clients, but as for Mwonzora I can’t pray for him because his bad luck is insurmountable. Of course I can make make everyone who approaches me rich but Mwonzora’s issue is too complicated. I don’t want to take his money for nothing that’s why I denied their seeding, they said they want secret powers for elections” Makomichi claimed.
One political analyst has pointed out that MDC-T is wasting time by seeking powers to win elections from Makomichi because the preacher himself also hates Mwonzora.
Mwonzora is being used by Zanu PF to destroy Nelson Chamisa.
DidYouKnow that over half of Zimbabwe’s population lives in high-risk malaria areas?
Since 2011, through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), USAID and the U.S.
CDC have invested over $146.5 million to prevent malaria transmission and #EndMalaria in Zimbabwe.
PMI’s interventions have made a significant impact on combating malaria and saving lives.
From 2015 to 2021, through the Zimbabwe Assistance Program in Malaria (ZAPIM) activity, PMI distributed 1,593,592 long-lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets, and trained 1,464 village health workers and 1,700 healthcare facility workers
Masvingo City’s first black mayor Alderman Phillip Debwe (76) has died.
Alderman Debwe succumbed to COVID-19 related complications at Rujeko isolation Centre on Monday where he had been admitted for quarantine for only a day.
Family spokesperson, Anthony Debwe, who is also his son, confirmed the death to Masvingo Mirror.
Funeral arrangements have not been finalised as the family has sent a letter to the government asking for the Alderman to be accorded a hero status. Said, Anthony:
He was a loving father and had so much interest in the development of the city. Senior officials in Masvingo are all agreed that he qualifies for hero status and we now await a response from the Government.
Alderman Debwe was born on 1 July 1945 in Masvingo. He was educated at Don Bosco Primary School and Gokomere Secondary School.
He was first elected as Ward 2 Councillor for Masvingo Municipal Council in November 1980.
In 1981 Debwe was elected deputy Mayor and served for three terms until 1984. In 1991 he became an alderman.
He sat on various committees including as chairman of the Health, Housing and Community Services Committee; Manpower Development Committee (member); Finance, Resources and General Purposes Committee (member).- Masvingo Mirror
The Gays and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe (GALZ) has exonerated the MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa from a fake story claiming that the opposition leader facilitated a US$300 000 funding grant the minority group got from the US Embassy.
GALZ said they never received such a grant from the United States embassy in Harare.
In the fake news post, purportedly published by NewZimbabwe.com, the authors claimed GALZ was grateful to the opposition political outfit, MDC Alliance, and its leader Nelson Chamisa for facilitating the release of the funds.
