The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has expressed concern over the refusal by Zimbabwe’s High Court to temporarily release Hopewell Chin’ono’s passport to allow him attend the Nat Nakasa Awards Gala where he was scheduled to deliver a keynote address tomorrow.
Chin’ono applied for the release of his passport on August 6 and the court acknowledged the urgency of the matter, but delayed making a ruling until his date and time of travel passed.

In a statement, (SANEF) urged the government to acknowledge and respect the constitutional rights of journalists, arguing that an independent press is at the heart of any democracy.

“It is regrettable that Chin’ono continues to be a victim of the Zimbabwean government’s political persecution. Journalism is not a crime, and journalists should not be treated like common criminals for practicing their craft.

“The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is disappointed by the failure of the Zimbabwean High Court to hand over the passport of renowned journalist Hopewell Chin’ono. Chin’ono was due to travel to Johannesburg where he was to deliver a keynote address at the Nat Nakasa Awards Gala dinner on Saturday 14 August 2021. Chin’ono was supposed to have travelled out of Harare today to attend the SANEF-organised awards,” SANEF said.

SANEF also urged regional block, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to pressure Zimbabwe’s government saying the persecution of journalists was unjust as they should be allowed to do their work freely.

“We continue to call on the regional body, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to exert pressure on Zimbabwe to allow journalists to do their work without any fear of intimidation and persecution. Fifty-six years later, there are still journalists on our continent who are being jailed, harassed, and even killed for reporting on the atrocities, the human rights abuses, and corruption in their countries,” SANEF said.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Angry Chitungwiza residents have mobbed and killed a local man for unlawfully entering a neighbour’s house.

Zimbabwe Republic Police Thursday confirmed the murder.

“Members of the public are urged to report criminal matters to the Police and shun meting instant justice on crime suspects. On 12/08/21 at around 0200hrs a man (34) was murdered on allegations of unlawful entry and theft at a certain house in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza,” posted ZRP on Twitter.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a hypocrite.

This follows the imposition of the vaccination programme on churches.

Mr Mnangagwa’s administration has announced that fully vaccinated congregants would be allowed to attend sit-in services.

“Whilst we support unreservedly the vaccination agenda , it is unconstitutional ,unlawful, discriminatory & hypocritical to require vaccination as a precondition to enjoyment of the right to worship.Only masking & social distancing should be a requirement,” argued Hon Biti.

He also accused the regime of stealing pension funds.

“A class action is required against the atrocities of pension funds, particularly
@OldMutualZW
&
@FirstMutualLife
.Secondly Parliament must enact a Bill actualizing the recommendations of the 2017 Justice Smith s Commission of Inquiry into Conversion of Pension & Insurance Funds.”

By A Correspondent- The founder of Tag a Life International (TaLI), a Women and girls’ rights organisation, Nyaradzo Mashayamombe has urged socialite and comedienne Madam Boss to upgrade her education to avoid making public blunders.

Mashamombe made the remarks after Madam Boss issued an apology over her remarks on planned protests that are meant to push the government to ensure justice for Memory Machaya, a 14-year-old married girl who died during childbirth in Marange, Manicaland.

Madam Boss, also known as Tyra Chikocho real name Tarisai Cleopatra Chikocho, said she would not join the protests thereby attracting criticism of her followers on social media. She later issued a statement saying she was sorry. Pindula News presents her statement.

*****Once Again Am Sorry to all my fans and all the corporates that I represent *****

I’m a very peaceful person who mostly likes to keep to myself and stick to what I know best, entertaining my fans even those that mock me, I’ve been accused of many things and called different names but I have never cared because I know myself, I’m a mother and also a women and my heart bleeds each time I see a women or a girl child suffer. That’s why I always post any issues concerning (the) abuse of a girl child.

I chose not (to) keep quiet on this occasion because the Marange shrine issue is one that has touched my heart and I’m pained that my live video a few days ago was taken out of context. However, I’m here today apologizing to each and everyone that was offended by that video and also to say I’m personally against child marriages and strongly hope the culprits of the Marange shrine be brought to book.
#JusticeForMemory

The “apology” attracted varying responses with some saying that was not an apology as she was not admitting that she was wrong.

TALI founder, Nyaradzo Mashayamombe suggested Madam Boss could have avoided the scandal if she was educated.

She said:

Madam Boss I love you. Have said it before will say it again. Enrol yourself in a diploma or degree, it will help you. You are underutilized in this space If you don’t challenge yourself to a degree of sorts, an education will improve you on many levels including how to not continue apologizing for same issues. You are a lovely soul who will keep repeating same mistakes if you keep uneducated. Enrol ku Women’s University in Africa on age basis you will be just fine. I listened to your Interview with Butterfly all the rough edges will polish a bit with education.

While some agreed with Mashayamombe, another social media user suggested that Madam Boss’ issue had to do more with lack of moral values and not education perse.

By A Correspondent- A senior Gweru Journalist has lost his wife and in-laws to Covid-19 in the space of few hours.

The journalist, Kudzai Musengi of Studio 7, lost his wife and her parents to COVID-19 on the same day.

According to Studio 7’s Thomas Chripasi, Musengi’s wife Vimbai Nhutsve Musengi and both her parents succumbed to COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Nhutsve family spokesperson Martin Nyadani told Studio 7 that the family has been devastated by the triple deaths. He said:

“We lost three family members at the same time. The first to pass away was Mrs Nhutsve, followed by Vimbai and then around 7 pm, Mr Nhutsve passed away. It has now been confirmed that the three succumbed to COVID-19.”

Nyadani added that Musengi’s in-laws were buried in Chirumanzi this Thursday and Vimbai will be buried in Mvuma on Friday.

Vimbai was well-known for fighting for the rights of women in Gweru and was also a journalist and author.

By A Correspondent-Government spokesperson, Nick Mangwana has blasted the Church for challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s directive of turning away unvaccinated followers from attending church gatherings.

Early this week government allowed churches to resume conducting gatherings and said that only covid-19 vaccinated congregates should be authorised to assemble.

In a joint statement, the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD), made up of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference, Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe and the Union for Development of Apostolic and Zionist Churches in Zimbabwe Africa, said government’s decree was impossible to implement.

“Theologically, the Church is an open and welcoming space for everyone with no restrictions. No one qualifies for church service as it is a place of God’s grace,” part of the statement read.

“The Church will find it very difficult to turn people home because they do not have a vaccination certificate. However, would it be responsible for meeting in an uncontrolled environment where possibilities of spreading the virus are high?”

Posting on his Twitter handle, Mangwana said the Church was misguided.

“When you are banned from having people in the pew, no problem. Then you are told, now you can have people in the pew subject to safety measures, you have a problem with it? God Help us!”, posted on his Twitter account Friday.

By A Correspondent-The Church has rubbished President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s directive that they should turn away unvaccinated followers from attending church gatherings.

Early this week government allowed churches to resume conducting gatherings and said that only covid-19 vaccinated congregates should be authorised to assemble.

In a joint statement, the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD), made up of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference, Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe and the Union for Development of Apostolic and Zionist Churches in Zimbabwe Africa, said government’s decree was impossible to implement.

“Theologically, the Church is an open and welcoming space for everyone with no restrictions. No one qualifies for church service as it is a place of God’s grace,” part of the statement read.

“The Church will find it very difficult to turn people home because they do not have a vaccination certificate. However, would it be responsible for meeting in an uncontrolled environment where possibilities of spreading the virus are high?”

By A Correspondent-The Church said it was not going to turn away unvaccinated followers from attending church gatherings.

Early this week government allowed churches to resume conducting gatherings and said that only covid-19 vaccinated congregates should be authorised to assemble.

In a joint statement, the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD), made up of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference, Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe and the Union for Development of Apostolic and Zionist Churches in Zimbabwe Africa, said government’s decree was impossible to implement

“Theologically, the church is an open and welcoming space for everyone with no restrictions. No one qualifies for church service as it is a place of God’s grace,” part of the statement read.

“The church will find it very difficult to turn people home because they do not have a vaccination certificate. However, would it be responsible for meeting in an uncontrolled environment where possibilities of spreading the virus are high?”

“Practically, less than 10% of the population has been vaccinated. A group of citizens does not get vaccinated due to age or because they have not yet had a chance to be vaccinated. It will be difficult for the church to deny people to receive the means of grace simply because they have not been vaccinated when access to this vaccination is restricted.

By A Correspondent- A Victoria Falls landlord, Gift Kazembe is facing attempted murder charges after he removed his tenant’s eye over US$3 rent arrears.

Kazembe appeared before a Victoria Falls magistrate for plugging out Brian Karemba’s eye in June when his monthly due was short by US$3.

The court heard that Karemba told his 44-year-old landlord that he did not have the money as he was struggling as he was no longer working, but the latter allegedly used a log to attack his tenant and injured his eye in the process.

Victoria Falls magistrate gave the case a more prolonged remand to next month due to Covid-19 regulations and allowed Karemba to heal after doctors removed the eye on June 17.

“It was around 11 PM when he got back from Shoestrings nightclub, and he came to my room where he asked for his outstanding rentals. I told him that l did not have enough money as I was short with US$3”.

Kazembe punched Karemba several times, causing him to sustain injuries on the face and head and a deep cut on the left eye.

Karemba was rushed to Victoria Falls Hospital and was transferred to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) where he was admitted until being operated on to remove the eye on June 17.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a hypocrite.

This follows the imposition of the vaccination programme on churches.

Mr Mnangagwa’s administration has announced that fully vaccinated congregants would be allowed to attend sit-in services.

“Whilst we support unreservedly the vaccination agenda , it is unconstitutional ,unlawful, discriminatory & hypocritical to require vaccination as a precondition to enjoyment of the right to worship.Only masking & social distancing should be a requirement,” argued Hon Biti.

He also accused the regime of stealing pension funds.

“A class action is required against the atrocities of pension funds, particularly
@OldMutualZW
&
@FirstMutualLife
.Secondly Parliament must enact a Bill actualizing the recommendations of the 2017 Justice Smith s Commission of Inquiry into Conversion of Pension & Insurance Funds.”

Tinashe Sambiri|Prominent Church leader, Bishop Ancelimo Magaya of Zimbabwe Divine Destiny has denounced the imposition of the vaccination programme on churches.

According to Bishop Magaya, violation of human rights is typical of Zanu PF DNA.

See statement below:

Whilst we acknowledge the fact that as Zimbabweans and in particular as churches we need to comply with WHO Guidelines to ensure we minimise the spread of this pandemic, we reject totally out of hand government’s approach this commandist iron fist like approach which has been in the ruling Zanu Pf party DNA to violate peoples rights, the rights to freedom of conscience, the rights to worship, the rights to assembly. It is discriminatory.

Yeah It is discriminatory and that should be rejected.

Why is it that government fails to use an approach where they campaign and persuade people, educate people and put in place measures that are not commandist to expedite the process of making sure that people get vaccinated?

Now it such an approach that promotes not only resistance but corruption as we hear that there are some vaccine cards that are being sold already.

Furthermore, we are aware that some Zanu Pf meetings under the guise of government business have never stopped.

Zanu Pf politburo meetings have been going on. Amai Auxilia’s Angel of Hope meetings have been going on. Have all these people been vaccinated?

We know that most if not all the Marange people where a 14yr old girl died whilst giving birth were not vaccinated. The government should stop diverting people’s attention from real issues such as their failure to prosecute blood suckers who force children into marriage.

We know that it is for political mileage that they cannot enforce this law to this vampire apostolic sect guising itself as church. This is hypocrisy of the highest order, it should be resisted.

We have already been responsible and we do not need this iron fist like commandist like approach.

It is bad when people begin to taste the sweetness of power even to this extent.

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF internal fights have marred preparations for the party’s Mashonaland East province elections.

A recent meeting at the provincial party offices in Marondera resulted in the provincial women’s league boss Lyn Gororo ordering committee members to issue prohibition orders against her deputy, Lucy Chitaka, provincial secretary for finance Petronella Kagonye and secretary for administration Sphiwe Mukunyaidze in a bid to bar them from contesting the elections.

The three were reportedly accused of being “too close” to Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister Aplonia Munzverengwi.

“There are threats to issue Mukunyaidze, Kagonye and Chitaka with prohibition orders, thereby barring them from participating in the process. They are being accused of supporting government programmes being spearheaded by Munzverengwi. We are saying Munzverengwi is moving around implementing Vision 2030 among other things,” the official, who preferred anonymity, said.

Munzverengwi is eyeing the provincial women’s league post held by Gororo.

Gororo became the chairlady after taking over from Nyarai Tsvuura last year.

Tsvuura was accused of gossiping against Senate president Mabel Chinomona, an allegation she denied.

“I heard that there is a prohibition order on me. I am yet to get the written order,” Mukunyaidze said.

NewsDay is reliably informed that the main wing of the provincial leadership is currently divided as the race to replace the late Joel Biggie Matiza intensifies.

It is reported that youth league boss Kelvin Mutsvairo is eyeing the provincial chairmanship.

Mutsvairo is likely to lock horns with acting provincial chairperson Michael Madanha.

By A Correspondent- In a tragic development, three members of the same family succumbed to COVID-19 within hours of each other.

Studio 7 Gweru-based correspondent Kudzanayi Musengi lost his wife and both her parents to COVID-19 on the same day.

According to Studio 7’s Thomas Chiripasi, Musengi’s wife Vimbai Nhutsve Musengi and both her parents succumbed to COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Nhutsve family spokesperson Martin Nyadani told Studio 7 that the family has been devastated by the triple deaths.

He said:

We lost three family members at the same time. The first to pass away was Mrs Nhutsve, followed by Vimbai and then around 7 pm, Mr Nhutsve passed away. It has now been confirmed that the three succumbed to COVID-19.

Nyadani added that Musengi’s in-laws were buried in Chirumanzi this Thursday and Vimbai will be buried in Mvuma on Friday.

Vimbai was well-known for fighting for the rights of women in Gweru and was also a journalist and author.

The MDC Alliance Commission of Inquiry set to probe the never-ending Bulawayo Assembly squabbles has absolved provincial chairperson James Sithole of any wrongdoing and accused national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo of fanning factionalism and creating parallel structures.

Leader of the commission, Lynnette Karenyi Kore, recently told the National Standing Committee (NSC) that Khumalo had become big headed as she and her faction members such as Swirthern Chiroodza and Helen Zivira were terrorizing anyone who opposes her using the provincial security department.

According to a contact, Kore told the NSC meeting that she invited Khumalo, together with other Bulawayo party leaders, representatives of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the informal sector to an inquiry session, but Khumalo flatly refused to appear before the commission and opted to send members of her faction.

The source added that Kore revealed to the meeting that Khumalo was positioning herself as the heavyweight of the Matebeleland region and has since drawn a list of her preferred local government and national assembly candidates ahead of 2023 elections.

According to Kore, Khumalo was dangling party positions and parliamentary seats to anyone who would support her bid to consolidate power within the region and was using the provincial security personnel to terrorize anyone who supports the rival Welshaman Ncube and James Sithole faction.

Contact said Kore further reported that Khumalo was using her proxies, particularly Zivira and Chiroodza, to push her agenda. She recommended that the duo should be relieved of their positions for sanity to prevail again in Bulawayo.

The contact added that Kore informed Chamisa that Sithole was a victim of smear campaign by the Khumalo faction and recommended that he should remain as the provincial chairperson as he was a hard working chairperson who has initiated visible programmes for the party in the province.

According to the same contact, Kore told the NSC that the CSOs in Bulawayo also accused Khumalo of lacking professionalism and using foul language against her perceived enemies. The CSOs has since blamed the squabbles within the Bulawayo structures for stifling party progress as leaders are now spending time fighting.

However, according to the contact, the MDC A national leaders have resolved not to dissolve the entire Bulawayo structure, but to find ways of mending the rift between Khumalo and Prof Ncube. The leaders also resolved to disband the provincial security team as it was heavily involved in the factional fights.

Khumalo and Ncube are fighting for the control of the Matebeleland region and the former has resorted to smear-campaign anyone who is seen to be supporting Ncube. The MDC Alliance is riddled with serious factionalism pitting Chamisa faction and the Maruva cabal and this is threatening the continued existence of the opposition movement ahead of the 2023 plebiscite.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Zambia’s opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has announced that his party is poised for victory in the 12 August presidential and parliamentary elections.

He posted on Twitter this Friday saying change had arrived in the copper-producing Southern African country. Hichilema said:

Good morning Zambia! Data coming in is very positive and the will of the people is clear. But be alert – when an outgoing regime panics, it can resort to desperate measures. So stay calm and focused. We will protect our vote with peace and love in our hearts. Change is HERE.

His remarks came shortly after President Edgar Chagwa Lungu had posted on the same platform saying the violence-rocked elections have not been free and fair in some parts of the country.

Lungu said:

I received with shock and great sadness the report about the killing in cold blood of Jackson Kungo, who was my party’s chairman for North-Western Province, and a brother of provincial Deputy Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Chihili.

I’m also appalled by the amount of mayhem witnessed in North-Western, some parts of Westen, and Southern provinces. Clearly, the elections in these places have not been free and fair.

When people say elections were not free and fair, they usually accuse the ruling party, but look at what is happening in these places! Who is causing this mayhem? It is the opposition at the center of it.

The election is expected to be the tightest contest yet between the 64-year-old Lungu and his longstanding rival, and sixth-time-runner Hakainde Hichilema who is 59 years old.

In the 2016 election, Lungu emerged victorious with 50.35 per cent of the presidential ballots, just enough to avoid a second-round run-off, and Hichilema came a close second on 47.63 per cent.

By A Correspondent- Opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has called on the ZICTA to immediately unblock the internet to enable citizens to follow the electoral process unhindered.

Zambians started voting on Thursday in an election showdown between President Edgar Lungu and main opposition rival Hakainde Hichilema that looks too tight to call and comes amid mounting debt and a flagging economy.

He tweeted:

“We call on ZICTA to immediately unblock the inetrnet so citizens can follow the electoral process and continue with their lives unhindered. Its a shame that even the PF who ordered the shutdown are issuing unbridled statements through VPN.”

By A Correspondent- The Welshman Ncube-led MDC-N has suspended four top executives and summoned them to a disciplinary hearing for attending a meeting convened by the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T on August 3, 2021.

According to Faruoh Jele, the national disciplinary committee chairperson, who authored the letters, the four officials violated the party’s constitution.

The four are Christopher Monera (secretary for policy and research), Shipikai Mandaza (vice-chairperson), Munhangu Musevenzo (secretary for training and political education) and Gift Kurupati (national council member).

Part of the letter seen by NewsDay dated August 9, 2021, addressed to Monera read: “Suspension from the membership of the MDC-N.

“The MDC national disciplinary committee met on August 9, 2021 to consider allegations that you facilitated and attended a meeting at the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T head office on or around August 3, 2021, without the mandate from the party.”

“Accordingly, you are hereby being notified that you have been suspended with immediate effect from your position as secretary for policy and research and from your membership of the party, pending appearance before the national disciplinary committee on charges of breaching clauses 4.4[a], 4.4[b], 4.4[c] and 4.10[a] of the party constitution.

“The allegations levelled against you include acting in defiance of standing national council resolutions, bringing the name of the party into disrepute, acting in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the party by inter alia purporting to be the principal of the party and attending as well as facilitating other party members to attend a meeting organised by the Mwonzoraled MDC-T. You will be advised in due course of the date and time of the hearing.”

Although Monera, who is being accused of facilitating the attendance of other party members, could not be reached for comment, Kurupati admitted frequenting Harvest House to visit Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba whom he said is a personal friend. He however, denied attending any MDC-T meeting.

“I usually visit Harvest House to see Damba who is my personal friend, but not on party business.

“In any case, I know MDC-N no longer exists and our leader is now the vicepresident of the MDC Alliance. So we would want to know who our leader is.

“We last had our congress in 2011 whose structures’ term of office ran for five years to 2016. We never had any congress since then. So according to the party constitution, the party no longer has any structures,” Kurupati said.

However, Jele was adamant that the party still exists.

“As you rightly know, the Supreme Court ruled that MDC Alliance is not a party, but a grouping of various parties. That shows that MDC-N still exists.

“These guys are going to appear before a disciplinary hearing committee on a date to be announced,” Jele said.

MDC-N national spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi could not be reached for comment.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Health experts have warned that COVID-19 survivors may experience long-term aftereffects of the virus.

In Zimbabwe, many coronavirus survivors are now battling to live with post-COVID-19 conditions which require more medical attention.

A teacher, who survived the virus, told NewsDay that she is still suffering from joint pains and severe headaches.

“I thought I had been infected again, but after a negative test, the nurse explained to me that I had long-COVID,” said the teacher who declined to be named.

Kuda Musasiwa, an entrepreneur, also revealed that last month he suffered from COVID-19, but is still battling with after-effects.

“I’m going mad with COVID-19. Most people who recover will tell you that it is the most horrible disease when it gets you properly. You ‘survive’ but you really don’t recover. It’s a daily battle,” Musasiwa said.

A report by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) states that post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning or on-going health problems which people can experience for four or more weeks after being infected with the virus.

It further states that even people who did not have COVID-19 symptoms in the days or weeks after they were infected can have post-COVID conditions.

Mpilo Central Hospital acting CEO Solwayo Ngwenya Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executive officer Solwayo Ngwenya confirmed that people can have different types and combinations of health problems post-COVID-19.

“COVID-19 is a fairly new disease and we are learning everyday, but the post effects will ravage survivors. Long COVID can affect one’s brain cells and causes one to suffer from what is called brain fog where one forgets things,”Ngwenya said.

He said it is yet to be ascertained if post-COVID symptoms would be temporary or last for life, adding that it might also affect work output for those in employment.

“You will start forgetting things and some have complained of persistent headaches,” he said.

He said people, who have been infected with coronavirus, have reported long-lasting effects like fatigue, coughs and chest pains.

“Some patients have reported suffering from severe fatigue. The virus affects the muscles. Some male patients have reported erective dysfunction as some of the post-COVID effects. We do not have statistics yet since this is a new disease,” Ngwenya said.

The CDC report also said some people were experiencing a range of new or on-going symptoms that could last weeks or months after infections with the virus that causes COVID-19.

“Multi-organ effects can affect most, if not all, body systems, including heart, lung, kidney, skin, and brain functions,” read the CDC report.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A Chitungwiza man was beaten to death while coming from his girlfriend’s place after being suspected for a thief.

Paul Masarakufa, 23, died around 6am in St Mary’s suburb of Chitungwiza after being beaten and had salty water poured on him while being handcuffed.

Masarakufa was going to Zengeza 3 after having a misunderstanding with his girlfriend Sheila Manyika, 28.

Police have since picked up one Pastor Werren Mupereki and his sister Mai Kuda who handed themselves to the police on realising that Masarakufa had died; two others are still at large.

An eye witness said Mupereki and his sister thought that Masarakufa was one of the thieves who had stolen a cellphone at their house earlier on in the night.

“He (Masarakufa) was beaten while handcuffed and tied to a tree.

“Salty water was poured on him while being beaten as he denied stealing until his last breath,” the eyewitness said.

He said the mob also contributed in beating him.

“Only Mupereki and his sister and the other two kept on attacking him till he died; the others stopped beating him when they realised that they were in the process of killing a person.”

Masarakufa’s girlfriend Manyika said:

“He came from a party and he was drunk.

“He started causing a lot of noise until my uncle asked what was the noise about. He then said he came to apologize to me for being adulter0us.

“I told him to bring his girlfriend and tell her in my face that he was now back to me,” said Manyika.

She said they had been dating for the past five years.

“This year was going to be the fifth together.

“He worked at the mine as mukorokoza and I know when he had money he would give me too.

“I asked him why he treated me that way only to come back apologising.

“But all I know is he is not a thief and never stole even a single dollar from me,” she said.

She said she did not know how Masarakufa left her place as she had left for her friend’s place as Masarakufa continued to cause chaos.

Young brother to the deceased Kudakwashe said his brother had left for his girlfriend’s place after partying in Zengeza.

“I was with him yesterday at a party in Zengeza.

“He was drunk and I separated with him when he was going to his girlfriend’s place.

“I’m so saddened and disheartened to hear about his passing on and how they treated him because my brother was not a thief.

“Never in a day even as we grew up that he stole anything from anyone,” he said.

-HMetro

By A Correspondent- Churches yesterday questioned government’s sincerity in al-lowing them to reopen for sit-in services at a time when only about 10% of the country’s population has been vaccinated against COVID-19.

They argued that the preconditions set by the government were difficult to implement and monitor, given that the health sector is short-staffed.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD), made up of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference, Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe and the Un-ion for Devel-opment of Apostolic and Zionist Churches in Zimbabwe Af-rica, said government’s decree had lots of grey areas which could plunge the country into a health catastrophe if not properly addressed.

Government on Wednesday allowed churches to reopen for sit-in services, but only for fully vaccinated congregants. It, however, did not disclose the number of congregants to be allowed for each gathering although it indicated that health personnel would be deployed to churches to ensure compliance with COVID-19 regulations.

It warned that church leaders who violated the regulations by allowing unvaccinated worshippers to attend would be arrested.

However, the proclamation has received mixed reactions with many Christians, lawyers and moralists, saying the decision was rushed.

“Theologically, the church is an open and welcoming space for everyone with no restrictions. No one qualifies for church service as it is a place of God’s grace,” part of the statement read.

“The church will find it very difficult to turn people home because they do not have a vaccination certificate. However, would it be responsible to meet in an uncontrolled environment where possibilities of spreading the virus are high?”

“Practically, less than 10% of the population has been vaccinated. There is a group of citizens that does not get vaccinated due to age or because they have not yet had a chance to be vaccinated. It will be difficult for the church to deny people to receive the means of grace simply because they have not been vaccinated when access to this vaccination is restricted.”

ZHOCD said the Health ministry should provide a detailed protocol for reopening churches and clarifying the grey areas such as how the COVID-19

vaccination clearance affects those below the age of 18 who are not being vaccinated.

It also proposed they should be included in the national COVID-19 taskforce, saying decisions concerning the church could not be made without them being consulted.

“We recommend that the government continue to follow the persuasive route to get the population vaccinated. The church promises to do its part,” ZHOCD added.

A leader of a Pentecostal church, who requested anonymity, described the decision as a tactic to divert attention on growing noise on condonation of the conduct of white garment churches, as well as forcing people to get vaccinated.

Zimbabwe is largely a Christian country and targeting churches would result in the government easily inoculating the 10 million people required to achieve herd immunity.

“The ZCC and Roman Catholic were making serious noise on the government’s appeasement on white garments,” the cleric said.

“White garments were holding conferences and vigils with thousands camping, thus breaking COVID-19 protocols and guidelines.”

He added: “Then again the issue of underage girls being abused and forced into marriage. Some sections of ZCC actually wrote to high offices accusing them of being accomplices citing Munyaradzi Kereke’s jail exit after raping 11and 15-year-olds. Kereke is also a member of Johane Marange.”

“In response, the government has thrown the no-jab-no church to distract the church from those issues and as well as coerce them into getting vaccinated en masse.”

Human rights lawyer Obey Shava said the Cabinet directive was not enforceable at law.

“It does not create any binding legal obligation upon the citizens,” Shava said.

“At the very best, it merely reflects what the government intends to introduce. It gives us a heads up that potentially, a new law is on the cards. No law penalises anyone for not taking heed of an announcement by Cabinet.”

Political analyst Rashweat Mukundu tweeted: “I support vaccination, but history shows that when the State involves itself in matters of conscience such as religion, then persecution follows. The State must not legislate issues of worship; unfortunately this is a first step the government has taken. Encourage, don’t legislate.”

Advocate Patony Musendo posting on his Twitter account said: “Six days a week, we interact in supermarkets, public transport vehicles and other public places. No vaccines here. Then for two hours a week, a full vaccine is mandatory?”

However, there were some who applauded the move and even suggested that the government should introduce vaccination and travel passes like what developed countries such as France are doing.

They suggested that Zimbabwe and Sadc should introduce a COVID-19 passport as has been done in Europe.

Mandatory vaccination is fast becoming a reality globally as nations grapple to halt further infections.

Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike said the measures outlined by the government were difficult to implement and monitor, given that the health sector was already short-staffed.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent| Nineteen Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leaders are suing Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Hon. Kazembe Kazembe for damages amounting to RTGS$38 million for unlawful arrest, detention and malicious prosecution after they allegedly staged an anti-government protest three years ago.

In summons filed at Mutare High Court, the 19 ZCTU leaders, who are represented by Passmore Nyakureba of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights told the court that they were unlawfully apprehended on 11 October 2018 at their eastern region offices in Mutare by a team of ZRP officers, who were under the direct command of and following instructions from Assistant Commissioner Florence Marume.

After their arrest, the 19 unionists said they were detained in some deplorable holding cells at Mutare Central Police Station for two nights and were charged with participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry as defined in Section 37(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act alternatively with obstructing the free passage of vehicles and pedestrians along Jameson Street while intending to stage a demonstration.

During trial, prosecutors claimed that the unionists had gathered to protest against the high cost of
living in Zimbabwe and the imposition of a 2% transactions tax by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

However, the 19 unionists, who spent two years while on trial, were acquitted on Friday 13 November 2020 at the close of the prosecution case by Mutare Magistrate Sekai Chiundura, who ruled that prosecutors had failed to present evidence during trial linking them to the commission of an offence.

Now the 19 unionists are demanding to be paid a total of RTGS$38 million as compensation from Matanga, Kazembe and Marume for intentionally and maliciously instigating their arrest and prosecution without probable cause.

The unionists argue that their arrest and detention was unlawful as they were not promptly informed of the reason for their arrest and were arrested in circumstances where there was no reasonable suspicion that an offence had been committed or was about to be committed while
their prosecution was instigated by Marume.

Out of the total of RTGS$38 million, each unionist wants to be paid RTGS$5 million as compensation for unlawful arrest, another RTGS$5 million each as compensation for unlawful detention while RTGS$1 million will be payment to each unionist for malicious prosecution.

By A Correspondent- There was drama on Heroes Day along Leopold Takawira when a married man clashed with a se_x worker over a burst cond0m.

Stanley Mutema’s neighbours at The Shelter Court where he resides witnessed the free drama when se_x worker Elizabeth Mutetwa dragged him demanding money.

Mutema had to convince Mutetwa to go to a nearby bar along Fife Avenue to resolve their issues.

Mutetwa claimed to have met medical expenses amounting to US$43 following the bursting of a cond0m during her se_x session with Mutema sometime in July this year.

Mutema said he paid for the services rendered but the latter was now extorting him whenever she has no money.

“I hooked up with this lady during the night and took her to my apartment like any other man to satisfy myself,” said Mutema.

“We realised during the discussion that we both come from the same rural area but I paid for the services rendered.

“It is true that the cond0m burst during the se_x session. I have not yet consulted my doctor following the incident.

“She demanded money for treatment and I gave her US$10 on that day and she later came asking for more claiming that she had paid US$43.

“I gave her another US$20 and she took one of my blankets to her flat and returned it the following day and I gave her the balance but she came today demanding a total of US$43.

“To me this lady is extorting me taking advantage that she knows where I stay and that I am married.

“One of my friends wanted to give her US$20 but I stopped him because she would visit me every time she fails to get money.

“She made noise at the flat drawing people’s attention,” said Mutema.

Mutetwa told H-Metro that Mutema was paying up for se_x session and that of medical treatment.

“Akanditora ndikamuitira zvaasina kuwana kumudzimai wake nekuti anogara Bulawayo,” said Mutetwa.

“I have been into se_x work for more than 20 years now and being mindful of my health but Mutema put my health at risk following the cond0m burst.

“My children survive from my busy body so Mutema must not play hide and seek with me when he knows the exact amount he paid me.

“He has to pay for the se_x session together with medical expenses I paid.

“He blocked my contact number that is why I made noise at his apartment because he has been avoiding me.

“If he fails to pay me today I will take the issue to police because he risked my life.

“He must not try to be clever by claiming extortion; he wanted to take me as his mistress because we come from the same village.

“Zvekumusha izvo ndezvekumusha; kuno kuHarare tinoita zvebasa saka ngaandipe mari yangu,” said Mutetwa.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Police in Manicaland province have reportedly arrested several members of the Johane Marange Apostolic sect in connection with a teenage mother who died while giving birth at the sect’s shrine in Bocha.

This was revealed yesterday by Women’s Affairs minister Sithembiso Nyoni during virtual commemorations of the World Population Day.

Nyoni, however, did not disclose more details.

“My ministry has been alerted of a disturbing report of a 14-year-old girl who died while giving birth at a shrine in Bocha, Marange, which is making rounds on social media. I would like to inform the nation that we are working with the relevant stakeholders,” Nyoni said.

“I am reliably informed that the culprits have been arrested. And the law is taking its course. The case of the Marange teenager reminds us all that child marriage is still rife in our communities.”

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they were yet to release more information on the progress of the investigations into the case.

It is alleged that the now-deceased Memory Machaya was denied medical assistance by leaders of the apostolic sect, who kept her at the shrine until she died due to pregnancy complications.

The incident reportedly occurred on July 15, 2021.

Nyoni also said the COVID-19 pandemic had made it difficult for women to access healthcare services.

She said the pandemic had further widened inequalities between men and women, and increased gender-based violence cases.

Health deputy minister John Mangwiro said government was working on improving access to health services for women amid the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and its partners yesterday launched a report which showed that half of women in 57 developing countries were denied bodily autonomy or lacked the power to make decisions over their bodies.

The report titled My Body is My Own shows that many women and girls are denied the right to decide to use contraception and to seek healthcare, among many other issues.

“World Population Day is very important for UNFPA — it is a flagship day meant to raise awareness of population dynamics centred on the sexual and reproductive health needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls,” UNFPA country representative Esther Muia said.

“It’s also an opportunity to showcase progress or challenges towards the realisation of universal access to sexual and reproductive health for women and young people even in humanitarian and emergency situations. It is, therefore, befitting that we launch the 2021 SWOP report as we commemorate World Population Day.”

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Guruve based Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officer Tsitsi Rushizha cheated death after three suspected poachers went riot and assaulted her colleagues with axe handles after they were arrested in position of ivory.

The matter came to light at Guruve magistrates courts yesterday where Lazarus Tizora appeared before magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa.

Prosecutor Albert Charewa alleged that on August 2 Ruzhizha and parks officials Jambawa Gutu, Veremu Warren and Evelyn Mumera received a tip off that Tizora and his two accomplices were selling ivory and the team approached the trio.

They purpoted to be buyers and the trio surrendered the ivory to them

When the team told the trio that they were arrested the trio took axe handles and started assiulting parks officials.

Attempts to assault Rushizha were fruitless as they claimed to be seeing strange things on her.

They managed to only steal her phone and belongings but parks officials were heavily assaulted and are currently admitted.

By A Correspondent- ZUPCO commuter omnibus drivers, who downed tools in Bulawayo on Wednesday, protesting over outstanding salaries have returned to work after the public transport company partpaid the arrears.

The drivers were owed two months salaries and over 400 of them staged a sit-in at the Kelvin depot in Bulawayo to pressure Zupco to pay their June and July salaries.

“We have decided to call off the strike after having started receiving our salaries from yesterday (Wednesday) evening,” one of the drivers, who refused to be named, said.

“It is a one month salary. This is not what we are expecting. We are giving them three days so that we all receive our salaries because it depends on one’s bank for salaries to reflect. After three days, we will then decide the way forward.”

The drivers on Wednesday complained over poor working conditions, claiming that they were forced to meet a target of $16 000, forcing them to start work at 3am until late on a fixed weekly salary of $6 700.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Officer commanding the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)’s vehicle theft squad, chief superintendent Kirisipen Mutsengi has landed himself in trouble with the law after he was involved in an accident while driving a vehicle which was being used as an exhibit in a criminal case.

The vehicle had been stolen from South Africa and was brought into Zimbabwe via Mozambique. It had also been placed on Interpol radar.

Mutsengi, 55, stationed at Southerton Police Station, appeared before Harare magistrate Stanford Mambanje Thursday facing criminal abuse of office charges.

He was granted $10 000 bail and will be back in court on September 30.

According to the state, on March 24 this year, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission received an anonymous report pertaining to abuse of recovered exhibit motor vehicles at CID Vehicle Theft Squad, Southerton, Harare.

It was further alleged that Mutsengi took from CID Vehicle Theft Squad Southerton exhibit yard a Mazda BT50 Club Cab for personal use.

The state alleges that on June 7 Zacc, launched an investigation into the allegations and the alleged exhibit motor vehicle was then recovered at a private garage at corner Main and Soutter road, New Ardebennie, Harare where it was being repaired under instructions of Mutsengi.

Subsequent investigations revealed that on January 14 last year detectives at CID Vehicle Theft Squad, Southerton in Harare, recovered at Nyamapanda Boarder Post the alleged stolen motor vehicle from a Mozambican national Promise Sabawu Waize who was crossing into Zimbabwe.

It was also established through Interpol that the vehicle belongs to a South African National named Domian-Lee Kockolt who was robbed at gun point in Durban, South Africa.

The vehicle was then driven to CID Vehicle Theft Squad, Southerton in Harare where it was secured in the exhibits under Exhibit number 11/20 and Enquiry Report number 04/20.

Further investigations established that on the February 24 last year at around 0530hrs and at corner Glenara and Samora Machel Avenue, Harare, Mutsengi was involved in an accident using the exhibit motor vehicle, resulting in it suffering extensive damages.

The accident was allegedly attended by the police and Mutsengi misrepresented to the Police Officer attending the accident that the vehicle belonged to the police and was recorded as such during scene attendance.

The state alleges that Mutsengi acted contrary to and inconsistent with duties for the purposes of showing favour to himself by using an exhibit motor vehicle for personal gain.

It is alleged that Mutsengi used the vehicle from January 14 to 24 February 2020.

The value of the car is US$15 000.

-statemedia

12 August 2021

The 12^th of August is International Youth Day, the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) joins hands with the rest of the world in commemorating this important and significant day running under the theme “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”.

We believe that in a country with a youthful population local governance is a strategic entry point and arena for youths to be part of the decision makers in the management of the environment and natural ecosystems that are catalysts for transformation in food and health.

Devolution of power further strengthens and accords our youthful population latitude to have a voice over the extraction natural resources and environment management.

While the Zimbabwe National Development Strategy recognize the importance of improving youth participation at all levels and devolution of power as pathways “Towards a Middle Income by 2030”, it is worrying the most significant number of our youthful population remain at the periphery of local governance.

It is critical to know that in as much as 53.6% of our population is below 20 years while 62.9% of the population is below 24 years, the composition of our Councils for both elected and non-elected positions is not reflective that Zimbabwe has a youthful population.

We believe that youths if accorded the opportunity have countless ICT based solutions in water, health and environmental management for our local authorities.

The perennial water crisis in Harare which has seen the City producing 370 megalitres of water per day against a demand of 1200 megalitres per day is mostly an environmental and governance challenge that calls on for a robust youths led community stewardship in the management of wetlands and catchment areas.

We therefore recommend the following;

·       Speedy implementation of devolution as provided in Chapter 14 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

·       Provision of a quota system to ensure equal representation of women, young women, and youth, in the composition of auxiliary structures of the provincial council and all elected and non-elected local authorities’ structures.

·       Access to information on the gazetted ecologically sensitive areas(wetlands) in Harare and allow youths led community stewardship in the management of wetlands and provide youth quota in the composition of Catchment Councils.

·       Intensification and robust use of ICTs in water, environmental and health management in the City of Harare.

CHRA will continue to advocate for quality municipal services and good local governance, and youths have a great role to play in enhancing our local governance system.

By A Correspondent- A yet to be identified man was bashed to death in St Marys Chitungwiza on allegations of unlawful entry.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police said in a statement:

By A Correspondent- In a bizarre incident, a se_xually-frustrated man from Mwenezi, Masvingo province reportedly dug his own grave ready to commit suicide after being denied se_x for over a year by his wife.

It was gathered that the se_x-starved man, Francis Maringe of Village 2 Bonora, Chief Chitanga, found no reason to continue living hence his decision to prepare his grave to end his life.

He complained to his relatives that his efforts to persuade his wife Pauline Munika to perform her wifely duties proved fruitless.

According to a source from the area, who claimed to have intimate details of the incident which is reportedly yet to reach Chief Chitanga’s attention, Maringe’s bizarre move elicited mixed reactions from the villagers who thought he needed a mental check-up.

The source said Maringe, who was later restrained by relatives from performing the cowardly act, was always lamenting that whenever he demanded se_x from his wife, she would deny him leaving him high and dry.

“He dug his grave saying that he was going to kill himself one of these days due to frustration. He was always narrating how unlucky he has been in love as his wife had refused him se_x for almost a year.

“He told his relatives that all the efforts he has made to make her sleep with him had failed hence he found no reason to continue living but to prepare his grave to end his life. From his ways of doing things now, it is clear that there is no more love existing between him and his wife,” said the source.

Meanwhile, the late Moses Qathe Moyo from Hlababomvu Village under Chief Bidi in Kezi, Matabeleland South province, left many people shell-shocked when he also dug his own grave 10 years ago — and his lone wish to be laid to rest at a place of his own choice was unanimously granted when his family buried him in it.

Moyo, who died on 06 September 2020 aged 60 and after a long illness, covered his grave with a heavy cement slab that reportedly took about 12 “muscular” men to remove it for his burial. Moyo reportedly spent a good part of his time looking after his grave.

-BMetro

By A Correspondent- A Chinhoyi woman who had gone to Chikuti on a business trip was bashed for allegedly having a relationship with a married man.

For that, the basher Noreen Kadakure, 23, of D-Troops Shopping Centre in Chikuti was arraigned before Chinhoyi Provincial Magistrate Melody Rwizi charged with assaulting Bernadette Nyoni, 28, of SQ S1 Alaska Mine, Chinhoyi.

Kadakure pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $15 000 or 30 days’ imprisonment.

The complainant is Nyoni.

Prosecuting, Nyasha Sibesha told the court that on July 26, 2021 at D-Troops Shopping Centre, Nyoni was selling some meat when Kadakure approached her with her four friends.

She then asked Nyoni why she was having a love affair with her husband and the latter remained silent and continued selling her meat.

This did not go down well with Kadakure, who in a fit of rage started assaulting Nyoni.

She sustained some injuries.

Nyoni made a police complaint leading to the arrest of Kadakure.

She was medically examined at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated case, Farai Chauke ,50, from Magogi, Chinhoyi, also appeared before the same magistrate charged with two counts of Contravening Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention Containment and Treatment (National Lockdown) “operating a sheeben without a valid liquor license”

Chauke was found guilty and fined $5 000 each for the two counts or 60 days in jail.

Prosecuting, Nyasha Sibesha told the court that on July 26, police officers were on patrol and arrived at Magogi Shopping Centre and entered into his sheeben and found him selling beer.

He was asked to produce a valid liquor licence and he failed.

Chauke was arrested leading to his subsequent appearance in court.

-HMetro

By A Correspondent- A woman from Mpopoma suburb has been plunged into a tough time because her ex-lover, who refuses to be dumped, uses her nudes to demand se_x from her while threatening to post them on social media platforms if she denies him se_x.

Siphephile Ngwenya (24) said she broke up with Hlalani Ncube (32) in May this year.

But her ex-lover does not want to accept that because he is using her nud_es to demand se_x from her and would send her a string of WhatsApp messages threatening to post them on WhatsApp groups and Facebook.

Siphephile said soon after they broke up, when he threatened to post her nud_es on Facebook, she gave in to his se_xual demands, but when he returned for the second time she refused.

Siphephile engaged his friend to talk to him but his efforts yielded no result.

After that Hlalani would send her a string of messages accusing her of involving his friends in their affair and would threaten to kill her.

Fearing for her life Siphephile rushed to Western Commonage courts and applied for a peace order against her abusive ex-lover.

In her founding affidavit she said: “I have been in love with Hlalani Ngwenya for three years, but we broke up because he was physically and emotionally abusing me. Sadly he does not want to accept that I no longer love him because he demands se_x from me and would threaten to post my nud_es on social media platforms.

At first when he threatened to post my nud_es on Facebook, I gave in and slept with him. Later on I engaged his friend to talk to him but he could not accept and accused me of telling his friends his love affairs and threatened to kill me. I pray that this court would grant me a peace order so that he would stop communicating with me via WhatsApp and also stop visiting me.”

Hlalani apologised saying he was doing that because he loved her and wanted to marry her.

The presiding magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube granted Siphephile an interim peace order which compels her ex-lover not to communicate with her via WhatsApp and not to visit her.

-BMetro

The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has successfully carried a community-based assistance programme that has helped locals.

In the initiative, the army has vaccinated 34 788 civilians against Covid-19 during its expanded vaccination programme, which coincided with the National Heroes Day Commemorations.

The programme, carried out by the ZNA’s health personnel and launched on 2 August, was dubbed Zimbabwe Defence Forces Community Assistance Week.

In a statement, ZNA said a total of 10 582 civilians were vaccinated at centres designated for the exercise in Matabeleland North, South and Bulawayo provinces.

Tsholotsho Centre and Bulawayo’s Emganwini had the highest numbers of vaccinated people in the three provinces, with 2 898 and 1 570 people being inoculated, respectively.

In Mashonaland East, 4 076 people were vaccinated while 3 102 received their jabs in Manicaland.
The army also inoculated 2 354 people in different centres designated for the exercise in Masvingo while 6 410 were jabbed in Midlands.
Under the programme, Harare saw 2 766 being vaccinated with 2 266 vaccinations carried out in Mashonaland West while 3 232 were inoculated in Mashonaland Central.
Zimbabwe is on an unprecedented, accelerated drive to inoculate at least 10 million citizens to achieve the much-desired herd immunity by the end of the year.
The country is keen to tame a raging Covid-19 menace that has seen deaths climb to an alarming 3 950 as of 10 August, up from 3 583 reported a week ago, according to Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa at a post-cabinet media briefing Wednesday.
Cumulative cases surged to 117 258, up from 109 546 reported last week.
In terms of vaccination, a total of 1 912 592 persons had received the first dose of the vaccine, 1 061 238 had received their second during the period under review.
This translates to national coverage of 22.3% and 12.3% for the first and second doses, respectively.

By A Correspondent- Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife Marry said the former top Army commander denies her access to see their underage children.

She said Chiwenga, for two years now, is not giving her a chance to meet and see her children.

Marry has several pending court cases and is on remand out of custody.

She said she never committed any of the alleged offences, which she is facing.

Writing on Twitter on the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day, Marry said Chiwenga had blocked her from withdrawing money from her CBZ bank account, which she desperately needed to pay her medical bills.

“If you care to read my message, please do so knowing that this is not a pity party, I want people around the world to know my current predicament,” she said.

“It is bad enough to be accused of a crime you didn’t know existed until the day it was read to me. You eat and drink with the very same squad that created this fabrication, but because they say you are daft. They laugh at you when they look at you and confirm that they feel sorry for you.”
“You know in your heart, I never did any of the things that you allege, but because you put pen to paper to append your signature to something that you didn’t believe.
“How can you go back now and tell the world you were made a fool of, pitted against a young one that did the very best to keep you alive, talking to God every step the way?”
Marry added: “You are not better than me, the power you think you have over everyone puts me and everyone I love in the negative including you, you just don’t know that. I wish you could wake up and smell the coffee, I wish for you to make right your wrong.”
“My children suffer because of your abuse, blocking them from me and blocking me from them. When you hate someone, you do it with everything in your blood. Give me my children and my worth and let’s move on, you are holding on to me with my worth that you are holding.

“They were done with you a long time ago, you only exist in the visible, they say the lights are on, but there is no one at home.”

Marry, who has been in and out of the court for the last two years, said she did not commit any of the crimes of the alleged crimes raised against her.
“My innocence is buried deep in your heart. If you search for it, you will find it. I thank the friends of ‘Marry and Family’, around the world, your prayers, and those that care for the truth has kept us going. Who knew that one day you would steal money from an account you claimed not to know 2 years ago, an account you also had me arrested for because of your fake claims, now you are taking money from it.”
Mubaiwa also accused the CBZ bank of allowing her husband to withdraw money from the same account they are refusing her access to.
“Maybe there is something that I am missing. They don’t even give me the amount that they gave you at the bank US$20k. I even struggle to pay my medical bills and yet they give you that much.
“CBZ has a case to answer to every fool and will have their day in court. You have the comfort of going to China for your condition and you block my every effort to get money from the bank to get treatment locally.
“Give me my children, my worth, and my freedom, when you look beside you, I won’t be there to help you build the future that we were going to have because you convinced yourself that you made it there alone and not together.”

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has commended the people of the Republic of Zambia for voting in numbers.

President Chamisa has also described the high turnout of voters in Zambia as a sign of the people’s revolution.

“It’s a revolution! The turnout is unprecedented.

Those given cheating and rigging had a list of schemes but young people in Zambia maintained vigils and are exposing everything.

Some young people are in their gowns as they queue to vote to simply send a message on their joblessness plight.

Zambians young and old have been in queues with blankets and even some with chairs. Family members are encouraging each other to vote wisely.

It’s a family effort, a community affair and a citizen’s duty. I love this…Young people are doing vote protection in the villages and countryside. It’s a very interesting time in Zambia!!

God bless Zambia. One Africa. One people,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba, has distanced himself from the controversial awarding of a National Heroes Day medal to the First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa on Monday at the Heroes Acre awarded his wife an Order Of The Great Zimbabwe Gold Award.

The move was condemned by NewsDay, which said it showed sed the national leader of brazen favouritism the following day.

In a statement Wednesday, Charamba laboured to explain how awards were being conferred on citizens, hinting that the honour shall, in future, be extended to non-citizens.

He said the decision on who to honour lied with Cabinet on the “recommendations of its Committee on Honours which is chaired by Vice President, Honourable Dr C.G.D.N Chiwenga”.

Added Charamba, “Cabinet has decided in its collective wisdom that among those deserving to be honoured at this year’s National Heroes Ceremony, be Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, who happens to be the spouse of the President.
“The focus was strictly on her philanthropic and cultural work and its impact on our society.
“As NewsDay will itself attest, the First Lady’s efforts have touched countless lives and communities in so short a space of time. Above all, her calling is humanitarian; it is not political.
“As NewsDay knows or should know, the First Lady renounced her political role as a Member of Parliament for Chirumhanzu/Zibagwe, at a public meeting held in Mvuma in 2018. Therefore, she has strictly trimmed her role and work to that of First Lady of our Nation.”
As we advance, said Charamba, “such honours and awards would be a permanent feature of our National Heroes Commemorations, the prime idea being to motivate and trigger a spirit of sacrifice, excellence and service to society”.
“In the same vein, these honours and awards will be open to all, regardless of epoch, colour, creed, station, gender, tribe, region or even nationality.”

By A Correspondent- Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife Marry has exposed the former top Army commander for influencing her downfall.

Marry said Chiwenga wanted to see her dead on top of denying her access to her children.

Chiwenga, for two years now, is not giving Marry a chance to meet and see her children.

Marry has several pending court cases and is on remand out of custody.

She said she never committed any of the alleged offences, which she facing.

Writing on Twitter on the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day, Marry said Chiwenga had blocked her from withdrawing money from her CBZ bank account, which she desperately needed to pay her medical bills.

“If you care to read my message, please do so knowing that this is not a pity party, I want people around the world to know my current predicament,” she said.

“It is bad enough to be accused of a crime you didn’t know existed until the day it was read to me. You eat and drink with the very same squad that created this fabrication, but because they say you are daft. They laugh at you when they look at you and confirm that they feel sorry for you.”
“You know in your heart, I never did any of the things that you allege, but because you put pen to paper to append your signature to something that you didn’t believe.
“How can you go back now and tell the world you were made a fool of, pitted against a young one that did the very best to keep you alive, talking to God every step the way?”
Marry added: “You are not better than me, the power you think you have over everyone puts me and everyone I love in the negative including you, you just don’t know that. I wish you could wake up and smell the coffee, I wish for you to make right your wrong.”
“My children suffer because of your abuse, blocking them from me and blocking me from them. When you hate someone, you do it with everything in your blood. Give me my children and my worth and let’s move on, you are holding on to me with my worth that you are holding.

“They were done with you a long time ago, you only exist in the visible, they say the lights are on, but there is no one at home.”

Marry, who has been in and out of the court for the last two years, said she did not commit any of the crimes of the alleged crimes raised against her.
“My innocence is buried deep in your heart. If you search for it, you will find it. I thank the friends of ‘Marry and Family’, around the world, your prayers, and those that care for the truth has kept us going. Who knew that one day you would steal money from an account you claimed not to know 2 years ago, an account you also had me arrested for because of your fake claims, now you are taking money from it.”
Mubaiwa also accused the CBZ bank of allowing her husband to withdraw money from the same account they are refusing her access to.
“Maybe there is something that I am missing. They don’t even give me the amount that they gave you at the bank US$20k. I even struggle to pay my medical bills and yet they give you that much.
“CBZ has a case to answer to every fool and will have their day in court. You have the comfort of going to China for your condition and you block my every effort to get money from the bank to get treatment locally.
“Give me my children, my worth, and my freedom, when you look beside you, I won’t be there to help you build the future that we were going to have because you convinced yourself that you made it there alone and not together.”

By A Correspondent- Marry Mubaiwa, the wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, has written an emotional letter to the former military junta leader appealing for a chance to meet and see her children after almost two years of separation.

Marry has several pending court cases and is on remand out of custody.
Writing on Twitter on the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day, Marry said Chiwenga had blocked her from withdrawing money from her CBZ bank account, which she desperately needed to pay her medical bills.

“If you care to read my message, please do so knowing that this is not a pity party, I want people around the world to know my current predicament,” she said.

“It is bad enough to be accused of a crime you didn’t know existed until the day it was read to me. You eat and drink with the very same squad that created this fabrication, but because they say you are daft. They laugh at you when they look at you and confirm that they feel sorry for you.”
“You know in your heart, I never did any of the things that you allege, but because you put pen to paper to append your signature to something that you didn’t believe.
“How can you go back now and tell the world you were made a fool of, pitted against a young one that did the very best to keep you alive, talking to God every step the way?”
Marry added: “You are not better than me, the power you think you have over everyone puts me and everyone I love in the negative including you, you just don’t know that. I wish you could wake up and smell the coffee, I wish for you to make right your wrong.”
“My children suffer because of your abuse, blocking them from me and blocking me from them. When you hate someone, you do it with everything in your blood. Give me my children and my worth and let’s move on, you are holding on to me with my worth that you are holding.

“They were done with you a long time ago, you only exist in the visible, they say the lights are on, but there is no one at home.”

Marry, who has been in and out of the court for the last two years, said she did not commit any of the crimes of the alleged crimes raised against her.
“My innocence is buried deep in your heart. If you search for it, you will find it. I thank the friends of ‘Marry and Family’, around the world, your prayers, and those that care for the truth has kept us going. Who knew that one day you would steal money from an account you claimed not to know 2 years ago, an account you also had me arrested for because of your fake claims, now you are taking money from it.”
Mubaiwa also accused the CBZ bank of allowing her husband to withdraw money from the same account they are refusing her access to.
“Maybe there is something that I am missing. They don’t even give me the amount that they gave you at the bank US$20k. I even struggle to pay my medical bills and yet they give you that much.
“CBZ has a case to answer to every fool and will have their day in court. You have the comfort of going to China for your condition and you block my every effort to get money from the bank to get treatment locally.
“Give me my children, my worth, and my freedom, when you look beside you, I won’t be there to help you build the future that we were going to have because you convinced yourself that you made it there alone and not together.”

By A Correspondent- Presidential spin doctor George Charamba, said was not part of the controversial awarding of a National Heroes Day medal to the First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa and a handful of Zanu PF cabal.

Mnangagwa on Heroes Day awarded his wife, an Order Of The Great Zimbabwe Gold Award.

The private daily, NewsDay blasted the event and accused the national leader of brazen favouritism the following day.

In a statement Wednesday, Charamba laboured to explain how awards were being conferred on citizens, hinting that the honour shall, in future, be extended to non-citizens.
He said the decision on who to honour lied with Cabinet on the “recommendations of its Committee on Honours which is chaired by Vice President, Honourable Dr C.G.D.N Chiwenga”.
Added Charamba, “Cabinet has decided in its collective wisdom that among those deserving to be honoured at this year’s National Heroes Ceremony, be Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, who happens to be the spouse of the President.
“The focus was strictly on her philanthropic and cultural work and its impact on our society.
“As NewsDay will itself attest, the First Lady’s efforts have touched countless lives and communities in so short a space of time. Above all, her calling is humanitarian; it is not political.
“As NewsDay knows or should know, the First Lady renounced her political role as a Member of Parliament for Chirumhanzu/Zibagwe, at a public meeting held in Mvuma in 2018. Therefore, she has strictly trimmed her role and work to that of First Lady of our Nation.”
As we advance, said Charamba, “such honours and awards would be a permanent feature of our National Heroes Commemorations, the prime idea being to motivate and trigger a spirit of sacrifice, excellence and service to society”.
“In the same vein, these honours and awards will be open to all, regardless of epoch, colour, creed, station, gender, tribe, region or even nationality.”

AUTHORITIES at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) have hauled five students to appear before a disciplinary committee answering to charges of misconduct after they allegedly organised an unsanctioned gathering at the campus.

The five namely Pension Maputeya, Calvin Muvheyi, Maurice Magodi, Blessing Bvunzawabaya and Rutendo Chirume will appear before the disciplinary committee on 17 August 2021 at Herbert Chitepo Law School in Masvingo province after they were accused of acting in a manner that was harmful to the university’s interests and allegedly violated
the university’s rules and regulations as well as some measures put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Initially, the mater had been scheduled to be heard on 2 August 2021, but the students’ lawyer Martin Mureri of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights argued that most of the students were not served with the requisite papers outlining their alleged offences as they were out of Masvingo province and proceedings could also not commence since intercity travel was banned by government through a Level 4 National Lockdown imposed in June and which has since been extended.

According to a charge sheet prepared by GZU authorities, Maputeya, Muvheyi, Magodi, Bvunzawabaya and Chirume allegedly convened an unsanctioned gathering on 29 June 2021 at GZU at Mashava campus and started singing causing disruption to the university activities.

Authorities charge that the students contravened Ordinance No. 2 of GZU and also contravened Section 3(3.1.4 of the Ordinance No. 2 of Great Zimbabwe University Student Conduct and Discipline 2004 and Section 27(1)(i) of Great Zimbabwe University (Act 11 of 2002), which prohibits students from engaging in any conduct whether on or off campus which is or is reasonably likely to be harmful to the interests of the university, members of the university staff or students.

UNIONISTS WHACK MATANGA AND KAZEMBE WITH RTGS$38 MILLION LAWSUIT

Nineteen Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leaders are suing Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Hon. Kazembe Kazembe for damages amounting to RTGS$38 million for unlawful arrest, detention and malicious prosecution after they allegedly staged an anti-government protest three years ago.

In summons filed at Mutare High Court, the 19 ZCTU leaders, who are represented by Passmore Nyakureba of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights told the court that they were unlawfully apprehended on 11 October 2018 at their eastern region offices in Mutare by a team of ZRP officers, who were under the direct command of and following instructions from Assistant Commissioner Florence Marume.

After their arrest, the 19 unionists said they were detained in some deplorable holding cells at Mutare Central Police Station for two nights and were charged with participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry as defined in
Section 37(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act alternatively with obstructing the free passage of vehicles and pedestrians along Jameson Street while intending to stage a demonstration.

During trial, prosecutors claimed that the unionists had gathered to protest against the high cost of living in Zimbabwe and the imposition of a 2% transactions tax by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

However, the 19 unionists, who spent two years while on trial, were acquitted on Friday 13 November 2020 at the close of the prosecution case by Mutare Magistrate Sekai Chiundura, who ruled that prosecutors had failed to present evidence during trial linking them to the commission of an offence.

Now the 19 unionists are demanding to be paid a total of RTGS$38 million as compensation from Matanga, Kazembe and Marume for intentionally and maliciously instigating their arrest and prosecution without probable cause.

The unionists argue that their arrest and detention was unlawful as they were not promptly informed of the reason for their arrest and were arrested in circumstances where there was no reasonable suspicion that an offence had been committed or was about to be committed while their prosecution was instigated by Marume.

Out of the total of RTGS$38 million, each unionist wants to be paid RTGS$5 million as compensation for unlawful arrest, another RTGS$5 million each as compensation for unlawful detention while RTGS$1 million will be payment to each unionist for malicious prosecution.

1/24 This is a trenchant observation @glenmpani, as it aptly & criticallly captures the current Zimbabwean political dilemma: a nation trapped between a rock & a hard place, in a Gramscian Interregnum, unable to move forward because the old is neither dying nor birthing the new!

2/24 Although your observation is based on the state of political parties, from a critical unpacking of the prevailing balance of forces in Zimbabwe and in the region; the writing is on the wall that political parties are withering away, and nascent coalitions are replacing them!

3/24 The dilemma of those who are finding it challenging to be ZanuPF or MDC or Independent, has a context; given that there is no political party in Zimbabwe today with a discernible and coherent ideology or policy programme that’s commensurate with the demands of the moment!

4/24 Witness how ZanuPF no longer operates as the ubiquitous political party it used to appear to be. Outside politburo or central committee meetings, there isn’t much of ZanuPF politics. Hence Mnangagwa does politics more with Passion Java than with Commissar, Patrick Chinamasa!

5/24 While ZanuPF is missing in action as a political party, the MDC in all its suffixes is not faring any better; as it too is missing in action; not taking advantage of ZanuPF’s manifest slumber, because it is too preoccupied with its self-destruction triggered by @DMwonzora!

6/24 Mnangagwa has used @DMwonzora as a willing tool to destroy the @mdczimbabwe by having him recall its MPs and Councillors; dispossess it of its head office, Richard Morgan Tsvangirai House; steal its Parliamentary funds earned at the 2018 polls and demobilize it, politically!

7/24 The public has been shocked, disappointed and dispirited by the MDC-A’s lack of any response to the recalls of its MPs and Councillors and the seizure of its headquarters and Parliamentary funds. All the MDC-A has been able to do is to keep turning the other cheek!

8/24 In addition to having its elected representatives recalled, property ceased & Parly funds stolen, the MDC-A has been the target of heavy infiltration ever since. To say the MDC-A is the most infiltrated party in Zimbabwe today would be the understastatement of the century!

9/24 Given the huge cross party support that @nelsonchamisa got in 2018, after getting historic votes from #ZanuPF strongholds in Mashonaland to win more constituencies than his party, it’s incomprehensible why the MDC-A has not kept and grown that support; but has let it shrink! https://t.co/tVaHI72rkh

10/24 An opposition political party that wants to be taken seriously, as a government in waiting, has a duty to itself; to show not just capacity but also some fighting spirit & spine, against all odds; so far the MDC-A has shown none. Where it has OPPOSED, it has not PROPOSED!

11/24 When researching and preparing its election manifesto and campaign strategy, #ZanuPF identifies & spotlights the MDC-A’s weak links, with emphasis on the weakest. #ZanuPF too has many weak links; the MDC-A can gain strategic mileage by spotlighting ZanuPF’s WEAKEST link!

12/24 A glaring weakness of the MDC-A is that it is Harare-centric; yet Zimbabwe is not Harare and Harare is not Zimbabwe. Conversely, #ZanuPF, as the military & the State in general, is strongest in Harare but is exposed and very vulnerable in the outskirts and around Zimbabwe!

13/24 Related to its Harare-centricity, the MDC-A often comes up with great ideas, like Citizens Convergence for Change & Cleanup Campaign; which end up only as bad photo ops, and fail like a bright but delinquent undergraduate who fails to graduate due to incomplete assignments!

14/24 From the outside looking in, the MDC-A seems to be thin on resources, after losing Parly funds. In the Tsvangirai days, he appeared to have benefactors with deep pockets. There will be no new benefactors or viable public contributions, without visible action on the ground!

15/24 Also & rather strangely for a young political party with a young leadership; too often for its own good, the MDC-A has exhibited tired and detested #ZanuPF tendencies of getting too preoccupied with PRINCIPALS over PRINCIPLES; to the detriment of good ideas & good policies!

16/24 Principals may get more media coverage than principles; but voters, prefer policies & programmes; and they not only want to HEAR promises from politicians but they also want to SEE outcomes of the promises on the ground. Words with nothing to show for them is bad politics!

17/24 LESS THAN 24 MONTHS before the next constitutionally due election; political parties in Zimbabwe, including ZanuPF, are at their weakest point in living memory. This stands to reason, given that Zimbabwe, once a de facto one party state, is now a de facto military state!

18/24 By definition, military states and political parties mix like oil and water. While the military has always been a pivotal factor in Zimbabwe; what is relevant and needs attention is that the Nov 2017 coup created a new situation which has DEPOLITICISED the public sphere!

19/24 So, @glenmpani, in your intervention to which this thread is a rejoinder, you say people who want change:

1. Want out/can’t join #ZanuPF
2. Find MDC-A unfit for purpose
3. Think it would be suicidal to be independent or to form a party.

Yes, and what a change-opportunity! https://t.co/MjfyW0ZS02

20/24 As noted here upfront, you have defined the dilemma that everyone can see and is experiencing well: the old in Zimbabwean national politics is neither dying nor birthing the new. Political parties have no hope on the horizon & no dealers of hope with a message for EVERYONE!

21/24 Since a well defined issue or well posed question is half the answer to a problem; your observation on the decay of political parties is a useful premise for looking beyond the parties, given that there is more to Zim, than political parties; there is the rest of SOCIETY!

22/24 The fact that there’s widespread disillusionment with political parties is not catastrophic. Political parties are no longer viable as mobilization tools for getting power; hence #ZDF intervened in Nov 2017 to save #ZanuPF, a ruling party. So, now, WHO will save SOCIETY?

23/24 SOCIETY does not wait for theorists to interpret it or politicians to lead it; it interprets and leads itself through praxis. This is key to understanding politics. Just like theory follows practice; good leaders follow society. In Zim, SOCIETY is way ahead of politicians!

24/24 While Zimbabwe is in a logjam apparent in the failure of political parties, to let the old die & the new to be born; SOCIETY is pregnant with a new diverse and inclusive formation; a coalition for change to break the #ZDF/#ZanuPF axis. A MIDWIFE is urgently needed for this!