By News24 | Jolidee Matongo has been elected unopposed as new executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg, the metro announced on Tuesday.
The 269 councillors in the metro did not submit any other names and as per the Municipal Structures Act, in the case that there was only one nominee, that person automatically assumed the position.
A special council sitting was called on Tuesday by Speaker of the Johannesburg council, the ANC’s Nonceba Molwele.
The ANC has 124 seats in the council and needed 12 votes from other parties to install Matongo as their mayoral choice – he welcomed the uncontested nomination and promised to hit the ground running as new mayor.
He said first on his agenda as mayor was selecting a new mayoral committee, as the previous structure was dissolved due to Geoff Makhubo’s death.
According to Matongo, the new mayoral committee “will be announced at the next council sitting” – expected to be in two weeks time “after consultations” with the ANC’s alliance partners in the metro, the IFP, the UDM, Cope, the African Independent Congress and Al Jama-ah.
In adherence with Level three Covid-19 regulations, the 269 councillors were at different venues during the sitting, with some present at the council chambers, while other members took part in the proceedings from the Mandela Theatre.
Members of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) where present to facilitate the voting process, but given the uncontested nature, Matongo was announced as new mayor without any voting process.
The 46-year-old, Soweto-born former student activist takes over after Makhubo’s death last month.
Matongo served as the MMC for Finance under Makhubo. He had risen through the ranks, from serving as a member of the Soweto Student Congress and the Congress of South African Students (Cosas) before moving on to serve as the regional head of communications in the ANC for eight years.
Matongo holds various qualifications from different institutions, including a Diploma in Public Management, a post graduate degree in Public Management from Unisa, a post graduate Diploma in Management from Milpark Business School and was currently pursuing his masters degree in Public Management with Mancosa.
“As an experienced public servant, comrade Matongo has served the people of South Africa in various public sector spaces such as the position he held at Census project in 2001 as the national trainer, project manager for the Management Schools Training Programs (MSTP). He has worked as an operations manager at housing department at CoJ, head of youth development programmes for the City,” the City said in a statement.

By A Correspondent- Controversial South African socialite, Zodwa Wabantu has publicly announced having intimacy with fellow local entertainer Thabo Mabogwane of Black Motion.

She said the two were s*x partners.

Zodwa revealed that to Daily Sun, Monday after a video surfaced, where she told TV personality Lasizwe Dambuza that she had intimacy with Thabo.

In the video, Lasizwe is heard asking Zodwa about the person she recently went home with after “ebumnandini” (going out).
Zodwa replied: “The famous person that I had sx with I think three weeks ago was Thabo of Black Motion. Yes, we had sx. It’s not a secret. Apparently he has a girlfriend but that’s none of my business.”

Zodwa, whose real name is Zodwa Libram, said she is not in a relationship with Thabo, but they are just sex partners.

Dancer Zodwa Wabantu pictured with Black Motion’s Thabo ‘Smol’ Mabogwane. .

“Yes siyanyobana (we are having sex). Its not a secret. If it’s a secret, that would mean that I’m doing something dirty. Why would I make that a secret? I’m not having s*x with a married man like other girls do. Thabo is not married,” said Zodwa.

She said Thabo never told her about his girlfriend.

“That is why I’m saying ‘apparently’ in a video because Thabo did not tell me that he had a girlfriend. We never sat down and talked. We are just enjoying the moment and have s*x,” said Zodwa.

She further said that after she announced in public that she had s*x with Thabo, Thabo didn’t mention anything about it.

“What would he say? He didn’t say anything after he saw the video. As I said, it’s not a secret that I’m having sex with him,” said Zodwa.

Speaking about the trending incident, Thabo confirmed that he slept with Zodwa Wabantu. He posted a video to explain the whole thing.
“I was also not seeing anyone else at the time hence I did what I did, please respect the mother of my child, it is fine if you judge me, I don’t care,” he said.

Daily Sun also reached out to Black Motion’s booking manager Lerato Mothobi who said they are not commenting on the matter.

-Daily Sun

By A Correspondent- Chimurenga music guru Thomas Mapfumo said heroes celebrations had lost relevance because of President Emmerson Mnangagwa administration’s continued human rights abuse.

Posting on his Facebook page Tuesday, Mapfumo said there is no peace in Zimbabwe.

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMukanya/

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has accused the Zanu PF regime of stifling meaningful progress in local authorities.

Lazy Zanu PF bureaucrats are sitting on programmes to discredit the MDC Alliance controlled local authorities.

President Chamisa said radical reforms should be implemented to enable local authorities to execute their duties smoothly.

“Responsibility without authority is a dangerous trap.

Only radical reforms genuine devolution and real change in central government will change this undesirable state of affairs! It can and must be done,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

He was responding to seasoned journalist Hopewell Chin’ono’s presentation below:

Understanding how Councils work in Zimbabwe.

(1) Local Gov Minister
ZANUPF

(2) Chief executive Officer /Town cleck ZANUPF

(3)Central Admin
ZANUPF

(4) Finance Director
ZANUPF

(5) Health Director
ZANUPF

(6) Engineering Director
ZANUPF

(7) Mayor
MDCA

(8) Councilors
MDCA

By Farai D Hove | After ordering the Zimbabwe army to gun down 1 Aug and other victims, killing 25 people and raping 50 women, ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has advised soldiers not to commit gun crimes.

The shooting dead of 6 civilians on 1 Aug 2018, alone, cost the country USD16 Billion in losses, according to data at the Finance Ministry.

Mnangagwa is the one who masterminded the 1 August 2018, which was done for the purpose of changing the election result, as announced by his own office 8 months before, and personally confirmed in official communication to Parliament by him on the 8th March 2019.

A year later on the 3rd Jan 2020, Mnangagwa told the people of Kuwadzana that he will redeploy the army to punish them for ‘crime’ of stopping the rain.

This time Mnangagwa has announced he is fretting over a rise in the number of armed robberies involving soldiers and police officers, with observers saying it is tantamount to a mutiny.

Mnangagwa warned rogue elements in the security sector against being involved in criminal activities.

“Yours is a noble profession, you must, therefore, avoid association and acts that put to shame our security institutions,” he warned.

“You as officers, men and women of the ZDF (Zimbabwe Defence Forces) should never be entangled in criminal activities.”

The country has experienced a rise in cases of soldiers and police officers being involved in armed robberies and other criminal activities in the past months. Some of those implicated fall under the Presidential Guard, the core team who shot civilians on the 1st August 2018.

Most military men and women, who helped Mnangagwa to wrest power from the late former President Robert Mugabe in a November 2017 coup, are also struggling.

Mnangagwa yesterday promised to address their welfare. “On the welfare side, my government is committed to improve the conditions of service of the ZDF members,” Mnangagwa said.

“Meanwhile, I challenge the ZDF administration to accelerate the completion of accommodation projects underway at Imbizo, Dzivarasekwa and Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo barracks.”

Last year, Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri admitted that soldiers were engaging in criminal activities at the country’s ports of entry, attributing such behaviour to low morale due to the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

She also spoke of a shortage of necessities in barracks, including food and transport. Mnangagwa said his government would equip the ZDF with modern technologies to enable them to ward off domestic and international threats.

“My administration will thus continue to equip the defence forces with reliable means and technological capacities towards defending our dignity, sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as advancing our legitimate economic development interests at home and abroad,” he said.

The Airforce of Zimbabwe (AFZ) has been struggling with antiquated flying equipment owing to lack of investments into its hangar since independence.

Over the past two months, the AFZ los
t two of its old helicopters in separate crashes, one of them fatal. Mnangagwa said the army should be alive to any sinister moves.

“In this context, any sinister activities or clandestine machinations aimed at derailing and undermining national security will be exposed and perpetrators appropriately dealt with,” Mnangagwa said.

Although accused by most Western countries and in a number of United Nations reports of violating human rights and using the army to quash opposing voices in a shrinking Zimbabwean democracy, Mnangagwa said his regime respected peace.

“We are a peaceful nation and a God-fearing people who uphold the international peace, justice and the rule of law as anchors for a prosperous global world and shared future,” he said.- Additional Reporting / Newsday

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa says the nation should move from warfare discourse to welfare discourse.

President Chamisa also accused the Zanu PF regime of attempting to monopolize Heroes and Defence Forces celebrations.

Below is President Chamisa’s satemement on Heroes Day and Defence Forces celebrations:

1/We salute all our heroes and war veterans dead and living, who sacrificed to birth this great nation.We owe it to our heroes and posterity to preserve and crusade the ideals of social justice,an abiding culture of human rights and a gratifying social and economic order.

2/The deeper meaning of a heroes day is located in finding each other to solve and end all political hostilities,hate,harassment,human rights violations,rigged elections, conflict & violence.Heroes don’t beat,harass,maim and murder people for politics.Heroes don’t fail or fall!

3/OUR HEROES PLAN IN A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE. -We designate August a Heroes month with multiple festivities, memorial lectures and activities. Community and family heroes will be honoured.
-We will cater for war veterans welfare and support.

4/ -We will honour current Heroes fighting for freedom and justice
-We must move from the warfare discourse to the welfare discourse. -We will Introduce National Awards and merit for outstanding citizens in all works of life to be given to nominated GREAT Zimbabweans.

5/-We will launch a Liberation museum And Liberation struggle movie or film
-We will strengthen education on history, heritage, national pride and patriotism.
-Heroes acre &other monuments to be revamped through ICTs& modern infrastructure for domestic & international tourism

6/-Transform the process of declaring and conferring hero status in the country. No party is equal to or bigger than Zimbabwe.

-The heroes of Zimbabwe shall be determined by and through stakeholders,an independent body that confers hero status.

7/-We will have a template to determine hero status with input from citizens in its design.

-And why is it just for political heroes? What about social, economic, sports and community heroes?

8/Happy Heroes Day to all frontline workers, the workers and all heroes who continue to fight for freedom justice and prosperity including @MakomboreroH. History won’t and can’t ignore you.

God Bless Zimbabwe!

7/-We will have a template to determine hero status with input from citizens in its design. -And why is it just for political heroes? What about social, economic, sports and community heroes?

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) August 9, 2021

By A Correspondent- Chimurenga music guru Thomas Mapfumo has condemned this year’s heroes celebrations saying the holidays mean nothing until President Emmerson Mnangagwa respects human rights.

Posting on his Facebook page, Tuesday Mapfumo said there is no peace in Zimbabwe.

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMukanya/

By A Correspondent- Two Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers were part of a gang of four cops who allegedly participated in a foiled gold heist.

They shot and seriously injured a miner in Gwanda have been arrested.

The police officers shot Vumani Moyo once on the hip before fleeing and leaving the rifle behind.

A leaked police memo, report number 4742704 at Gwanda rural police, identified the cops as constables Mangena (25), Edmore Mausa (31), Sibanda and Admire Bangure.

However, Mausa and Sibanda are still at large.
The four who were not on duty attempted to rob miners processing gold ore at Cobra West Mine after an unsanctioned raid on August 6.

Bangure, armed with an AK 47, allegedly opened fire injuring Vumani Moyo, a miner.

The miners hit the intruding cops with stones until they sped off in a private car.

By A Correspondent-Police in South Africa have arrested dancer and entertainer Zodwa Wabantu for allegedly breaking lockdown regulations.

Taking to Instagram on Monday, 9 August, Zodwa shared a video of her
DARK! Confrontation with the police.

According to the post, she was coming from a gig when the cops approached her.
She alleged that one of them demanded a R5 000 bribe.
She wrote: “Look at the man who demanded R5 000 on the road when this officer asked about our permit. Since he is charging us on curfew time, we have a permit to work all-time in the media space, not the club. I have other projects on TV.
“I was almost eight minutes to my house.”
In the video, a group of police can be seen cornering Zodwa, while one of them is also taking a video.

One of the police officers then demands to see Zodwa’s work permit.
Zodwa took out her phone and showed the police her work permit while there was a heated exchange with the police. “Here is the permit. No, you didn’t listen to us because you wanted to do exactly what you are doing.

“You’re the one who told me I want to trend. This is the permit and yes I’m coming from work. Ngibuya ukuyodunusa bhuti,” she can be heard saying as she shows them her work permit. But the police said the permit reflected only one person and there were four of them. “We are all under that permit. Besides, that’s how a permit is written,” Zodwa said.

In another video, Zodwa can be seen being photographed at the police station. Another officer asked if she understands that she is being arrested, to which Zodwa responds and says yes.

At this stage, it’s not clear which gig Zodwa was coming from and it’s also not clear if she was in police custody or not.

-Daily Sun

By A Correspondent- Kariba Monday morning was hit by a 4.5 magnitude earthquake.
The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) said the earthquake was felt on Monday around 03:39 am in Binga, about 15km from the lake.

Preliminary reports from the MSD stated that staff at the department’s stations in Binga felt the vibrations, and several people they talked to over the phone confirmed.

No reports of damage had been received as more investigations are underway to determine its intensity and the exact areas where the tremor was felt.

Kariba and Manicaland province have in the past been periodically recording earthquakes of varying magnitudes.

-State media

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa says the nation should move from warfare discourse to welfare discourse.

President Chamisa also accused the Zanu PF regime of attempting to monopolize Heroes and Defence Forces celebrations.

Below is President Chamisa’s satemement on Heroes Day and Defence Forces celebrations:

1/We salute all our heroes and war veterans dead and living, who sacrificed to birth this great nation.We owe it to our heroes and posterity to preserve and crusade the ideals of social justice,an abiding culture of human rights and a gratifying social and economic order.

2/The deeper meaning of a heroes day is located in finding each other to solve and end all political hostilities,hate,harassment,human rights violations,rigged elections, conflict & violence.Heroes don’t beat,harass,maim and murder people for politics.Heroes don’t fail or fall!

3/OUR HEROES PLAN IN A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE. -We designate August a Heroes month with multiple festivities, memorial lectures and activities. Community and family heroes will be honoured.
-We will cater for war veterans welfare and support.

4/ -We will honour current Heroes fighting for freedom and justice
-We must move from the warfare discourse to the welfare discourse. -We will Introduce National Awards and merit for outstanding citizens in all works of life to be given to nominated GREAT Zimbabweans.

5/-We will launch a Liberation museum And Liberation struggle movie or film
-We will strengthen education on history, heritage, national pride and patriotism.
-Heroes acre &other monuments to be revamped through ICTs& modern infrastructure for domestic & international tourism

6/-Transform the process of declaring and conferring hero status in the country. No party is equal to or bigger than Zimbabwe.

-The heroes of Zimbabwe shall be determined by and through stakeholders,an independent body that confers hero status.

7/-We will have a template to determine hero status with input from citizens in its design.

-And why is it just for political heroes? What about social, economic, sports and community heroes?

8/Happy Heroes Day to all frontline workers, the workers and all heroes who continue to fight for freedom justice and prosperity including @MakomboreroH. History won’t and can’t ignore you.

God Bless Zimbabwe!

7/-We will have a template to determine hero status with input from citizens in its design. -And why is it just for political heroes? What about social, economic, sports and community heroes?

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) August 9, 2021

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has accused the Zanu PF regime of stifling meaningful progress in local authorities.

Lazy Zanu PF bureaucrats are sitting on programmes to discredit the MDC Alliance controlled local authorities.

President Chamisa said radical reforms should be implemented to enable local authorities to execute their duties smoothly.

“Responsibility without authority is a dangerous trap.

Only radical reforms genuine devolution and real change in central government will change this undesirable state of affairs! It can and must be done,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

He was responding to seasoned journalist Hopewell Chin’ono’s presentation below:

Understanding how Councils work in Zimbabwe.

(1) Local Gov Minister
ZANUPF

(2) Chief executive Officer /Town cleck ZANUPF

(3)Central Admin
ZANUPF

(4) Finance Director
ZANUPF

(5) Health Director
ZANUPF

(6) Engineering Director
ZANUPF

(7) Mayor
MDCA

(8) Councilors
MDCA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFKnLz7Xho0

By A Correspondent- In an exclusive interview with ZimEye, MDC Alliance youth leader Tererai Obey Sithole has accused Passion Java to stop abusing the pulpit for political mileage.

He said:

“I am not trying to be “violent” but I am just here to share my ordinary observations. So after calling for people to pay $210 so that they can fast, here is the supposed to be “Chief Faster” leading others in practically feasting during the same period of fasting.

Most probably the money being spent for the lunch has been drawn from what the unsuspecting victims paid to fast. A thief simply stealing through religion!”

A prominent Mutare church leader, who is in an eye of a storm after his alleged adulter0us relationships with married congregants was exposed.

The man of God, has been described as a “manipulative and deceitful character” in court papers.

It has also emerged that Royal Family International Ministries bishop Action Komani, who once faced rap_e charges, is having sleepless nights as his church is crumbling with congregants leaving as they accuse him of being a pervert.

Komani recently lost a court case where he was seeking to gag church members from going public with his alleged adulter0us relationships with married women.

Mutare magistrate Notebulgah Muchineripi dealt a major blow to Komani after ruling that Maxwell Kusasira and his wife Patience had the right to publicise any information about the clergyman.

Komani is alleged to have had an adulter0us relationship with Patience with whom he sired a child.

Kusasira and Patience had agreed to publicise the adulter0us affair before Komani sought to block them.

Komani also applied for a peace order against the couple, saying they were harassing him through text messages.

However, court papers in possession of this publication have opened a can of worms.

In his founding affidavit Kusasira narrated how his wife was manipulated and how she is suffering emotional trauma from the se_xual shenanigans.

“Sometime in December 2014, we had a minor misunderstanding and as a young couple we sought for counselling from the applicant (Komani), but later on the applicant started to make constant check-ups on my wife,” he wrote.

“On Sunday January 3, 2015 soon after the Sunday service at church, he invited my wife for counselling at his house in (Fairbridge) Park on the 6th of January 2015, she went there as per appointment.

“After counselling he prayed for her, but during the prayer session he poured anointing oil on her head and pronounced that ‘from now on you are my Esther’. She did not get the full meaning of the pronouncement.

“She stated that she was asked of her (HIV) status and the last time she got tested.

“When she was about to leave, she was told to hang around in the (central business district) area because he was going to look for her at the end of the day.”

He added: “When she was already at Sakubva rank in a kombi to go home the applicant called her to check where she was and he instructed her to come and meet him at Total service station.

She went there and was asked to get into a car and they drove off to Edus Lodge in Bishop Avenue in Yeovil.

“Whilst inside the car, he asked for se_xual favours and she refused. He manipulated her, coerced and misinformed her.

“He said that for her marriage to be saved she must give in to his se_xual demands as this would help to sustain her marriage. He se_xually exploited her on the day.

“He said whatever had happened was the solution to her marriage problems and also for his marriage since he was also having marital challenges with his wife.

“She was isolated from her friends, relatives and colleagues and was supposed to share her problems only with him.

“He continued with his se_xual exploitation on her and several times she told him to stop exploiting her for se_x.

“He se_xually exploited her several times and she attempted to commit suicide twice.”

Recently, Komani’s pastors, Abel Chamboko, Tinashe Nzou and Bella Mutandiri also appeared before Mutare magistrate Xavier Chipato seeking a peace order against Brenda Dheka and Loveness Chaita, who also alleged that bishop wanted to se_xually abuse them.

They accused the duo of tarnishing the image of the church.

The application was dismissed and it also opened a can of worms with Dheka telling the court that Komani promised to spoil her despite her being married.

– Standard

By A Correspondent- Police in Gokwe are investigating a suspected case of fraud involving a Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) Gokwe depot employee, Rosemary Manyiwa Muzenda, who secured employment with a fake Ordinary Level certificate.

Allegations are that Muzenda, a resident of Mapfungautsi suburb in Gokwe, used a fake O-Level certificate to secure a job at Cottco as an accounts clerk.

Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the case, adding that the accused would soon appear in court for trial.

“ZRP confirms the arrest of Rosemary Manyiwa Muzenda on allegations of fraud in connection with her employment by Cottco, Gokwe depot. Through misrepresentation, she secured employment with the company as an accounts clerk in 2018. The suspect will appear in court soon,” Mahoko said.

Allegations are that on July 29, the member-in-charge of CID Gokwe, who is only identified as Detective Assistant Inspector M Mumpande wrote to the Cottco manager at Gokwe depot, Praise Makombore, informing her about the investigation.

“This station is investigating a suspected case of fraud as defined in section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) involving the above-mentioned (Muzenda). An anonymous tip-off received by this station indicates that she got employed by your organisation using fake certificates,” the letter read.

— NewsDay

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance Youth Assembly commander Tererai Obey Sithole has challenged Panganai Java to stop using the pulpit to advance his political interests.

Java is Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s social media frontrunner.

“I am not trying to be violent but I am just here to share my ordinary observations.

So after calling for people to pay $210 so that they can fast, here is the supposed to be “Chief Faster” leading others in practically feasting during the same period of fasting.

Most probably the money being used for the lunch has been drawn from what the unsuspecting victims paid to fast.

A thief simply stealing through religion,” Obey Sithole argued.

Also watch video below:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nFKnLz7Xho0&feature=youtu.be

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance Youth Assembly commander Tererai Obey Sithole has challenged Panganai Java to stop using the pulpit to advance his political interests.

Java is Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s social media frontrunner.

“I am not trying to be violent but I am just here to share my ordinary observations.

So after calling for people to pay $210 so that they can fast, here is the supposed to be “Chief Faster” leading others in practically feasting during the same period of fasting.

Most probably the money being used for the lunch has been drawn from what the unsuspecting victims paid to fast.

A thief simply stealing through religion,” Obey Sithole argued.

Also watch video below:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nFKnLz7Xho0&feature=youtu.be

By A Correspondent- The European Union has donated EUR3 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to assist Zimbabweans facing starvation.

The funding will be used to support highly vulnerable people living in urban communities who are struggling to meet basic food needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The contribution, made through the EU’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Department (ECHO), will come in the form of cash assistance used to support beneficiaries of WFP’s Urban Social Assistance and Resilience Building Programme.

Recipients will receive USD12 per person, per month via either e-voucher or Western Union cash transfer – to help cover basic food needs such as maize meal, cooking oil and salt. said EU Ambassador Timo Olkkonen:

At the EU, we are committed to working with partners like WFP to bring life-saving assistance to vulnerable populations, most of whom are struggling to make ends meet in these challenging times. But our assistance can never cover all those in need, only sound public social policies and sustainable economic growth based on political and economic reforms can.

WFP Zimbabwe Country Director and Representative Francesca Erdelmann said the already dire food insecurity situation in urban and peri-urban areas has been further exacerbated by restrictive measures implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19. This has resulted in the loss of urban livelihoods and income. Said Francesca Erdelmann:

Urban populations face high living costs to obtain basic food needs, along with other critical items such as rent, water and electricity. We are seeing a 30% increase in the average price (in ZWL) of basic food items (maize meal, maize grain and sugar beans) in the first half of 2021 (Jan-Jul), when compared with the second half of 2020. Cash assistance can help to ease the burden for households, providing people with greater autonomy when planning monthly expenses.

According to the 2020 Urban Livelihoods Assessment, 2.4 million urban dwellers are estimated to be cereal insecure. The findings, released by the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) in March 2021, show increasing food insecurity of vulnerable households by 12% since 2019. This is due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown measures that have resulted in the widespread loss of urban livelihoods.

WFP is assisting 326 000 people, based on available resources. With the support of its partners, WFP aims to reach up to half a million people in urban areas by end of the year.

A total of USD88 million is needed to support growing humanitarian needs in urban locations.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is this year expecting a plentful harvest that will likely change the narrative following good rains in the 2020-21 farming season.

By A Correspondent- A Marondera couple, which secretly buried a year-old baby, has been nabbed.

Givemore Mapfumo (41) and his wife Senzeni Godzi (20) of Cherutombo suburb are currently assisting police with investigations following the death of their child who they privately buried on the Ruzawi River banks.

Police in Mashonaland East yesterday confirmed the arrest, but refused to disclose more details.

At the weekend, NewsDay visited the couple’s residence, where neighbours said the baby died after sustaining injuries during the couple’s scuffle over an undisclosed domestic issue. The police exhumed the minor’s body and took it to Marondera Provincial Hospital for post-mortem.

It is reported that on August 1, at around 8pm, the couple had a fight and the baby, which was strapped on its mother’s back, fell.

On August 2, the baby’s condition deteriorated, prompting the mother to seek treatment at a local clinic, but she returned home without being attended to. Godzi reportedly travelled to Macheke to consult a traditional healer.

However, on August 5, the baby’s condition worsened, resulting in Godzi seeking assistance from her grandmother Memory Gore (70).

But the baby died the same day. The couple allegedly took the baby to the river and secretly buried it.

The matter came to light after neighbours noticed that the baby was missing. They alerted the police, leading to the arrest of the couple and Gore.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

https://youtu.be/MzGhrYnGoAE

By A Correspondent- Nkayi residents have called for the abolition of the district development co-ordinator (DDC)’s office formerly known as district administrator (DA) amid concerns that the post was inherited from the colonial system to suppress people’s freedoms.

During a virtual debate on Sunday conducted by a group called Nkayi Parliament, the residents said the DDC post should be abolished as the persons occupying the office was being used by the ruling Zanu-PF party to stifle development.

Educationist and development advocate Slibele Mpofu, who was the debate facilitator, said DDCs were appointed based on trust by the appointing authority, as a result, development projects for districts were officially given the nod, or rejected by the DDC.

A participant Nkosilathi Ncube, who is based in South Africa, said DDCs were appointed by virtue of their understanding of ruling party politics.

“This means that DDCs are cadres, they are people that stand for a certain party, which means that when there is a donation from a non-governmental organisation or government departments, the person must respect the interests of the government of the day. It means this person must be a cardcarrying member of a political organisation in power, and he must be given instructions by the party,” Ncube said.

Nkayi resident Nhlanhla Moses Ncube said the DDC’s office was not relevant, adding that it should be scrapped.

“I think the DCC post is not even relevant. It is a political position, and even if people vote for their councillors, this person can still stifle their roles and hold back development. So, it is not a relevant post and is a waste of taxpayers’ money,” Ncube said.

Human rights activist Effie Ncube said the DDC’s offices were a colonial relic and did not represent the people.

“It is the most senior civil servant in council and it stands for national government, not the district. That is why in most cases the DDC do not come from the local area, because it’s an appointee coming to advance a political agenda which in some cases is not even developmental in nature,” Ncube said.

He said while other offices were provided for in the country’s Constitution, the DCC post was not catered for.

Nkayi villagers proposed that government should abolish the office.

Recently, Harare Provincial development co-ordinator Tafadzwa Muguti torched a storm when he ordered nongovernmental organisations to submit their profiles to him. Analysts said he was being used by government to initiate an onslaught on civic society organisations outspoken on human rights issues.

By A Correspondent- Resident Emmerson Mnangagwa is under fire and faces a potential lawsuit for alleged abuse of public funds after buying vehicles for the controversial Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) platform members.

Mnangagwa’s office used over US$1 million to purchase vehicles for at least 19 principals of different political parties who participated in the 2018 elections, but dismally lost.

The purchase angered different sections of Zimbabwean society who feel that it was wasteful and illegal for Mnangagwa to do so, especially when the government has been unable to fund the health sector or improve public service wages.

Polad principals have also been pampered with diplomatic passports and have been promised farms.

MDC deputy national chairperson, Job Sikhala yesterday told NewsDay that it was possible to sue Mnangagwa and the government for using unbudgeted public funds to procure the Polad vehicles.

“It is very much possible to take legal action on the grounds that the money used to buy the vehicles was not budgeted for through the Finance Bill to do with the budget, which is passed into law every year during the budget debate. This expenditure is not known where it is withdrawn from,” Sikhala said.

He also told a State media platform that it was possible to effect a citizen arrest on the beneficiaries of Polad vehicles.

But Zanu-PF legal affairs secretary Paul Mangwana yesterday dismissed Sikhala as ignorant of governance processes.

“He doesn’t know anything. He needs to go to a school of governance to understand how a government functions. He doesn’t even know how a national budget operates, and it is unfortunate that he is saying that in public instead of seeking understanding first,” Mangwana said.

“There is a lot of discretion that is given to the President to use resources allocated to him, and so I am sure that is what was utilised. Nothing illegal was done, but let him (Sikhala) try it (taking legal action).”

Recently, one of the beneficiaries of the Polad vehicles, and National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) leader Lovemore Madhuku (pictured) was taken to task to clarify the budget vote from which the money to purchase the Polad vehicles was drawn from.

Madhuku told journalists that the vehicles would be used by the 19 beneficiaries to campaign for the 2023 elections, and for Polad business.

By A Correspondent- A high-level military doctor has told prison and prosecuting authorities that Jacob Zuma suffered a “traumatic injury” late last year and now needs “extensive emergency treatment” and six months of care to restore his health.

But, in an as yet unsigned affidavit served on Zuma’s lawyers and the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Monday, prosecutor Billy Downer has made it clear that the State isn’t satisfied with the “vague generalities” contained in Brigadier General Dr Mcebisi Zukile Mdutywa’s submissions, which could have major implications for the future of the Zuma corruption trial.

The former president was hospitalised last week while serving a 15-month jail term for defying a Constitutional Court ruling that he should appear before the State Capture Inquiry. The apex court is expected to rule on Zuma’s application for a rescission of that judgment in the coming days.

By A Correspondent- Brian Karemba (40) says he will forever regret the day he rented a room at Gift Kazembe who turned villain and gouged out his eye over US$3 rent arrears.

This comes as some landlords are also reportedly evicting tenants who test positive for Covid-19.

Karemba was renting Kazembe’s house in Mkhosana and in May his monthly due was short by US$3.

He told his landlord that he did not have the money as he was struggling as he was no longer working.

Kazembe (44) allegedly used a log to attack his tenant and injured his eye in the process.

Kazembe has been charged with attempted murder following the June 5 incident.

Victoria Falls magistrate gave the case a longer remand to next month owing to Covid-19 regulations and to allow Karemba to heal after doctors removed the eye on June 17.

“It was around 11 PM when he got back from Shoestrings night club 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,” Karemba told the court.

He said this did not go down well with Kazembe who picked a log and started assaulting him. He also punched him several times.

Karemba was injured on the face and head and sustained 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.

Sithabile Daka prosecuted.

The case comes amid complaints in Victoria Falls about tenants who have been evicted by their landlords after testing positive for Covid-19.

Acting Hwange District Medical Officer Fungai Mvura said the Covid-19 taskforce had been flooded by reports of landlords willy-nilly evicting tenants who test positive.

“This puts pressure on health facilities because some people will be having mild symptoms and not requiring hospitalisation and to be put in isolation centres,” she said as she appealed to residents to stop victimising and discriminating against each other on the basis of Covid-19

By A Correspondent- MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora on Sunday doubled back on comments which appeared to attack the quality of education at the Harare Polytechnic.

Mwonzora lost his rug while responding to criticism by political analyst Pedzisai Ruhanya.

Writing on Twitter last Saturday, Ruhanya charged: “In Zimbabwe’s modern, contemporary history, there is no person and political party that beats Douglas Mwonzora and MDC-T in selling out and betraying the cause of the masses.”

Ruhanya also claimed Mwonzora had “close relations with Zanu PF” while also accusing him of “democratic subversion.”

Mwonzora did not take kindly to Ruhanya’s assessment of his political project. He equated the Harare Polytechnic where Ruhanya studied journalism before going on to university in Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom to Morogoro, a Tanzanian primary training camp for freedom for fighters during the war of independence.

“My brother that is why they say you have to directly go to university not via Morogoro. Poly ruined you my brother,” Mwonzora lashed out.

The comment drew criticism from Zimbabweans on Twitter, including from the former minister of higher education Jonathan Moyo who accused Mwonzora of having a “filthy mind”.

“Your views on education are so demented and corrupt that no parent or guardian would want to be your neighbour, let alone to have you as a leader in their political party,” Moyo charged.

The National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA), a group of political parties, said in a brief statement: “Such insensitive mockery of lived experiences of many people is uncalled for.”

Mwonzora later took back his words, tweeting: “I apologise unreservedly to the good Zimbabweans who may have found this tweet offensive. I was attacking the type of student politics at the Polytechnical college during Mr Ruhanya’s time and not the quality of education there. Once again sorry.”

By A Correspondent- Two police officers, who were part of a four-member gang of felonious cops, have been arrested after a foiled gold heist in Gwanda where they shot and seriously injured a miner.

The victim, Vumani Moyo, a small-scale miner has been admitted at Gwanda Provincial Hospital where he is said to be in a stable condition.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday confirmed the incident to NewsDay.

“We are currently investigating that case and we do not condone any act of criminality by members of the police force. We are conducting investigations,” Nyathi said.

The gang comprised constables Mangena (25), Edmore Mausa (31), an officer identified only as Sibanda and Admire Bangure. Constables Mausa and Sibanda are said to be still at large.

Mangena and Bangure are members of the Police Support Unit Romeo Troop of Fairbridge deployed on an operation codenamed Chikorokoza Chapera.

Mausa is based at Gwanda Police Station.

The officers were not on duty on August 6, at around 1am when they allegedly raided Cobra West Mine, where some small-scale miners were processing gold ore. They attempted to rob the miners, but failed.

Bangure, who was armed with an AK47 assault rifle, allegedly opened fire and injured Moyo.

The miners fought back with stones until the rogue cops fled to their getaway car. During the melee, Bangure allegedly dropped the AK47 rifle number ZRP2004 which he used to shoot Moyo.

Thandiwe Moyo of Phakama in Gwanda, who was among the miners, reported the matter to the police, which resulted in Mangena and Bangure’s arrest.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Human rights groups and opposition political parties yesterday blamed the current economic meltdown in the country on Zanu-PF, adding the regime has failed the aspirations of its fallen heroes.

The country yesterday commemorated Heroes Day in honour of freedom fighters’ contribution towards Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum said the country was still experiencing the same problems that the heroes fought against, which included a poor health system and gross human rights violations.

They said, while they appreciated the efforts by the fallen heroes and heroines, their sacrifice had been marred by continued corruption and looting of natural resources in the country while the masses reel in poverty.

“The forum acknowledges that the work of the heroes and heroines of the armed struggle will never be complete until all the people of Zimbabwe are truly free and their rights and freedoms are respected and protected.

“Regrettably, this day has lost meaning for the generality of the people owing to increasing insecurity for many vulnerable people due to the worsening economic situation, rising political tension and unending attacks by the State on vulnerable citizens,” the rights group said.

The Human Rights NGO Forum urged Zimbabweans to reflect on the long-forgotten ideals of the country’s heroes and heroines, including the respect of human rights and freedoms as stipulated in chapter 4 of the Constitution.

“The forum laments the cyclic human rights violations occurring at the hands of security forces who are the heirs of armed struggle. The Zimbabwe State has failed to capture human security ideals and transform itself in the service of human dignity.

“We call on the State to implement an inclusive human-centred approach to economic development that prioritises the welfare of the people. Regrettably, this day lost meaning for the generality of the people owing to the increasing insecurity for many vulnerable people due to the worsening economic situation, rising political tensions and the unending attack by the State on vulnerable citizens.”

Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) secretary-general Tapiwanashe Chiriga said: “We continue to demand freedom for Makomborero Haruziviishe and all political prisoners whose only crimes have been being heroes of our modern-day struggle. We salute the heroes of our time in these tumultuous times, the underappreciated frontline health workers who have risked their lives in fighting COVID-19 pandemic.”

The opposition MDC-T spokesperson Witness Dube in a statement said: “We call upon the authorities to use this holiday as a platform to honour colonial war heroes, together with democratic heroes of post-independent Zimbabwe. We make special mention of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in bringing about our independence from institutionalised colonial oppression.”

He said heroes of post-independent Zimbabwe included the late former Prime Minister and MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, activists Enna Chitsa, Isaac Matongo, Gertrude Mtombeni and Gibson Sibanda, among many others.

In a statement to commemorate Heroes’ Day, Zanu-PF said great strides had been made, including government’s efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Notwithstanding the challenges that the pandemic has brought to the world and Zimbabwe in particular, we are proud that our nation through the visionary leadership of our President Emmerson Mnangagwa is ranked as one of the leading countries on COVID-19 vaccination in Africa,” the ruling party said.

By A Correspondent- A third armed robber has died in hospital following a shootout with police on Saturday morning in Fourwinds Suburb in Bulawayo, it emerged in court yesterday.

Two of them were shot dead while attempting to rob Mr Mike Shawn Querl (45) at his house in Fourwinds while the third one died at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).

Another armed robber is still admitted to UBH after exchanging fire with police.

The armed robbers are part of the gang that recently raided Choppies Supermarket in Parklands and Access Finance in the city, getting away with nearly US$300 000 and R1 million.

The deceased are Arnold Mpofu (39) and Nomore Hove (39) both from Gweru and Thamsanqa Mpofu from Kezi.

Makhosi Brian Nkomo (31) of Mpopoma Suburb, Mthokozisi Moyo (37) of Plumtree appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Marygold Ndlovu.

The pair is jointly charged with Nkosilathi Ncube (42) of Gwanda who is admitted to UBH after he sustained injuries while exchanging fire with the police.

The trio is being represented by Mr Bob Siansole of Dube, Mguni and Dube legal practitioners.

The investigating officer, Wellington Masuku applied for further detention of the accused persons saying that police needed more time to carry out investigations.

He told the court that a report that was obtained from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) showed that the guns recovered from the crime scene had been used to commit similar offences in and outside Bulawayo.

“Your Worship, we are requesting that we be granted permission to remand the accused persons by a further 48 hours while we carry out more investigations. The report that we obtained from the CID Ballistics showed that the guns recovered from the crime scene had been used to commit similar offences in and outside the city,” he said.

“We want them to assist us with indications and we also want to recover other outstanding firearms and to record witness statements.”

Mr Siansole did not object to the application for further remand.

“Your Worship, the defence is not opposed to the application on condition that by August 11 the State will be done with investigations,” he said.

Ms Ndlovu granted the application and ordered that the accused persons be back in court tomorrow for initial remand.

— Chronicle

By A Correspondent- Prominent Bulawayo businessman, Mr Ashton “Ashy’s” Mpofu has succumbed to Covid-19 related complications.

He died early yesterday morning at Mater Dei hospital, his family confirmed. Mr Mpofu who owned a chain of businesses under his Ashy’s brand inclusive of a hardware shop and a garage, was admitted to the hospital last Tuesday after contracting the Covid-19. He was 49 and leaves behind a wife and four children. He will be buried tomorrow in Bulawayo.

His younger brother, Mr Adolf Mpofu confirmed the news saying that as a family they were still in shock.

“It is true my brother, we have lost Ashy’s, this a difficult time for us as a family,” said Mr Adolf Mpofu.

Mpofu owned Ashy’s supermarkets, commuter omnibuses, cross-border buses and a fuel station in Nkulumane 12. He also ran a number of tender projects in Zimbabwe and South Africa. He was also a lawyer by training having graduated at the University of Swaziland.

After law school he practised as a lawyer in Swaziland before moving to South Africa where he worked as a magistrate in the Empumalanga Province. Mpofu later left the bench in South Africa to get into business both in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Before enrolling at the University of Swaziland Mpofu had attended John Tallach High School in Ntabazinduna where he did his Form One to Four between 1986 and 1989. From John Tallach he did his A-levels at Mzingwane High School, which he completed in 1991.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo acting provincial medical director, Dr Welcome Mlilo has called on members of the public not to be complacent with the recent decline in Covid-19 cases that has been experienced in Bulawayo noting that already health facilities were operating close to full hence the figures still remained considerably high.

“The cases are indeed coming down of late but it may be a little premature to say that this Covid-19 wave has peaked. We certainly are hopeful that is the case. We are cautiously optimistic. But it’s certainly not the time to lower our guard down yet. The number of cases remains worryingly high, and so does the number of admissions and indeed Covid-19 related mortality.

“The hospitals have been operating at close to full capacity for much of the current Covid-19 wave. We have come across concerning reports of clients not being able to get admitted, but these have been difficult to verify. As of yesterday (Friday), Thorngrove Hospital had a total of 20 admissions, 15 available beds. UBH Arundel Hospital had 43 patients, with a capacity of 60 and Ekusileni Hospital with a current admissions capacity of 15 had 14 admitted patients. In total, these institutions yesterday (Friday) recorded seven deaths,” said Dr Mlilo.

According to figures from the Ministry of Health and Child Care as of Friday the country had 115 445 confirmed cases, including 86 526 recoveries and 3 805 deaths. To date, a total of 1 817 598 people have been vaccinated against Covid-19. A total of 956 new cases and 51 deaths were recorded countrywide on Friday.

By A Correspondent- Social media is awash with a touching late former Zimbabwe Army Commander Solomon Mujuru and the late Zapu President Dumiso Dabengwa’s photograph taken during the days of the liberation struggle.

On the picture posted on the Heroes Day holidays, the public said Mujuru and Dabengwa were the proper national heroes.

Below is the message accompanying the picture:

Happy Heroes Day!

We don’t stop celebrating our heroes because their friends betrayed the struggle!

We will never forget the sacrifices made by the REAL heroes!

We should never allow our history to be rewritten or to be captured by liars and the corrupt!

Happy Heroes Day!

In the picture General Solomon Mujuru with Dumiso Dabengwa.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has reversed the party’s Mashonaland Central Provincial Chairman Kazembe Kazembe’s decision to co-opt new members into the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC).

 Kazembe, who is also the Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, recently called for a PEC meeting which he chaired and co-opted four members, three of whom are his allies.

Kazembe was accused of demoting the provincial political commissar known as Tsine to the post of vice-chairperson, a less influential post.

He also co-opted one Kararira, who is his close ally, and his right-hand man, Mudzingwa, was made the vice secretary for security.

Mazowe Central member of parliament Sydney Chidamba was also co-opted to deputy secretary for finance.

However, ZANU PF Acting National Political Commissar Patrick Chinamasa confirmed that the co-options are illegal therefore null and void.

Kazembe is accused of making the co-options in a move to consolidate his power base ahead of provincial elections set to be held in line with the ZANU PF constitution.

He reportedly faces competition from James Makamba, Lazarus Dokora, Sam Parirenyatwa, and Monica Mavhunga, who are vying for the Provincial chairmanship.

Kazembe has been accused of using his position in Government to cause the arrest of his opponents on trumped-up charges.

 Bulawayo24 quoted a ZANU PF official as saying:

Nicholas Goche fell victim to Kazembe’s wrath after being arrested on livestock allegations at the behest of Kazembe, the Minister responsible for the police.

Lazarus Dokora, the chairman of the ZANU PF Mash Central working committee for the party’s National People’s conference, was demoted by Kazembe from chairman to coordinator.

Kazembe unilaterally demoted Dokora after reports that Dokora was a clear favourite to land the provincial chairmanship.

By A Correspondent- One of the suspected armed robbers who exchanged gunfire with police in Bulawayo on Saturday was found hiding in a deep freezer while trying to evade arrest.

Residents at Four Winds suburb said that they woke up to gunshots in the area that lasted for almost an hour.

A resident who witnessed the firefight said a gun-totting robber stumbled and fell when he was shot in her yard.

Residents watched in shock as the fleeing gunman shot at his pursuers until he ran out of ammunition.

“On Friday night, we had been told in the residents’ WhatsApp group by local police that suspicious cars are moving about, so we were on high alert. At about 6 am we started hearing gunshots, and the battle seemed to last for a long time. Later on, my dogs started barking, and I could tell there was a suspicious movement, so I went to peep outside.

” I was shocked to see a man with a gun right next to our house.
The resident said she watched in horror as the robber exchanged fire with his pursuers. He kept on firing until he ran out of bullets. Even when they had shot him, you could see gunfire in the air as he fired upwards.
He was very stubborn, and even when they had apprehended him, he kept resisting.
” By this time, the whole neighbourhood was up, and we went to the house where the robbery was to take place. The guys that were arrested kept saying that they had come from South Africa.

Another resident said one of the suspected robbers had been arrested in a neighbour’s house as he hid in a deep freezer.

“My neighbour is reconstructing his kitchen, so the kitchen has been partly demolished. So, the robber went through there and then hid in the fridge. That is where they found him.

One suspected armed robber was killed on the scene, with two others injured while trying to flee.

The gang of six armed men believed to have travelled all the way from South Africa were involved in a dramatic early morning shoot-out with the police at Four Winds suburb in Bulawayo.

By A Correspondent- MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora says he is proud of the late United African National Congress (UANC) president and former Zimbabwe-Rhodesia Prime Minister, Bishop Abel Muzorewa.

Speaking in an interview with TechMagTV, Mwonzora insisted that he rates Muzorewa highly compared to the former President, the late Robert Mugabe.

Historians have labelled Muzorewa a puppet of the racist settler regime who allegedly worked with the Rhodesians to scupper blacks’ struggle for independence.

By A correspondent- Three people have died after a Honda Fit they were travelling in burst its rear wheel.

The deceased are all family members.

Confirming the accident, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said it happened on Sunday along Harare Nyamapanda Highway through their Twitter account.

“The fatal accident occurred at 121 km peg along Harare-NyamapandaHighway on 08/08/21, where three family members died and four others injured after a silver Honda Fit vehicle they were travelling in burst its rear right tyre and overturned,” said ZRP.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa says the nation should move from warfare discourse to welfare discourse.

Below is President Chamisa’s satemement on Heroes Day and Defence Forces celebrations:

1/We salute all our heroes and war veterans dead and living, who sacrificed to birth this great nation.We owe it to our heroes and posterity to preserve and crusade the ideals of social justice,an abiding culture of human rights and a gratifying social and economic order.

2/The deeper meaning of a heroes day is located in finding each other to solve and end all political hostilities,hate,harassment,human rights violations,rigged elections, conflict & violence.Heroes don’t beat,harass,maim and murder people for politics.Heroes don’t fail or fall!

3/OUR HEROES PLAN IN A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE. -We designate August a Heroes month with multiple festivities, memorial lectures and activities. Community and family heroes will be honoured.
-We will cater for war veterans welfare and support.

4/ -We will honour current Heroes fighting for freedom and justice
-We must move from the warfare discourse to the welfare discourse. -We will Introduce National Awards and merit for outstanding citizens in all works of life to be given to nominated GREAT Zimbabweans.

5/-We will launch a Liberation museum And Liberation struggle movie or film
-We will strengthen education on history, heritage, national pride and patriotism.
-Heroes acre &other monuments to be revamped through ICTs& modern infrastructure for domestic & international tourism

6/-Transform the process of declaring and conferring hero status in the country. No party is equal to or bigger than Zimbabwe.

-The heroes of Zimbabwe shall be determined by and through stakeholders,an independent body that confers hero status.

7/-We will have a template to determine hero status with input from citizens in its design. -And why is it just for political heroes? What about social, economic, sports and community heroes?

8/Happy Heroes Day to all frontline workers, the workers and all heroes who continue to fight for freedom justice and prosperity including @MakomboreroH. History won’t and can’t ignore you.

God Bless Zimbabwe!

7/-We will have a template to determine hero status with input from citizens in its design. -And why is it just for political heroes? What about social, economic, sports and community heroes?

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) August 9, 2021

Barely a week after releasing convicted rapist Munyaradzi Kereke, government announces it is concerned about the plight of the late 14 year old Memory Machaya.

MINISTER WITH MNANGAGWA PORTRAIT ASIDE: Okay? JOURNALIST: Yes.
MINISTER: The ministry of Women Affairs.. is shocked and concerned about the painful death of a 14-year-old Memory Machaya during her childbirth in Bocha, Marange. This is a clear case of gender based violence… pic.twitter.com/qaIh0gjgYO

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 9, 2021

Women Affairs minister Sithembiso Nyoni yesterday said government was making strides towards ending sexual abuse of young girls and child marriages.

In a statement, Nyoni said progress has also been made to bring to book all those involved in the marrying off of a 14-year-old Marange girl, Memory Machaya, who was impregnated at a very tender age and died last month while giving birth at an Apostolic sect shrine in Manicaland province.

Nyoni’s statement follows a public outcry over the death of the pregnant minor, with civic society, women’s groups and the public calling for the arrest of the perpetrator for rape.

The Women Affairs minister described Machaya’s ordeal as rape and a situation which needed urgent action from the law enforcement agents.

She described the practice as “a bad vice which exposes the girl child and women as a whole, to social ills”.

“The case, however, serves to remind us the scourge of teenage pregnancies and early child marriages that continue to affect the lives of thousands of girls in the communities.

“Child marriage is a violation of multiple rights of the girl child that include denying her rights to education, health and well-being. It exposes the girl child to gender-based violence (GBV), HIV and other health-related conditions. It puts the young mother in a cycle of poverty,” she said.

Nyoni said marrying off young girls also denied them a chance to contribute to the development of their communities and the country at large.

She called for inclusive action against the bad practices, adding that religious institutions and cultures that permitted child marriages should know that they were outlawed by constitutional provisions which clearly stipulate the age of marriage as 18.

“I also wish to take this opportunity to encourage our communities to be vigilant and speak out on cases of GBV, and shun a culture of silence that continues to damage the very moral and social fabrics. It is this silence that will destroy our communities.

“With the current COVID-19 prevention and containment measures, we want to urge communities to be vigilant on GBV. We need to stand together and fight together and collectively declare zero tolerance to child marriages,” she said. Nyoni said a team had been dispatched from her ministry to Marange to assist the Home Affairs ministry to identify the culprits and bring them to book.

The country continues to experience GBV despite that each year around November and December, Zimbabwe commemorates 16 days of activism against GBV. A number of GBV cases have been recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown period. -Newsday/Additional Reporting

By A Correspondent- The Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance has distanced the party from alleged links to 14 Zimbabwean nationals who were deported from Britain last month.

 The party’s UK and Ireland Provincial Research and Public Policy Portfolio Secretary Danmore Sithole said they were not related to the thugs.

Sithole responded to articles written by one Masimba Mavaza and published by a local website claiming that the MDC Alliance UK and Ireland chapter is associated with criminals. Said, Sithole:

Dr Masimba Mavaza, between 20 July and 5 August 2021, penned seven articles shamelessly linking the deported criminals to MDC Alliance.

In his most recent article, he dared to call MDC Alliance supporters rogues.

He marks his crossing of the red line by the article entitled “Mass deportations exposes MDC’s double standards”, published in the Bulawayo 24 News on 20 July 2021. 

Besides attacking MDC Alliance specifically, he also makes offensive remarks about the general Zimbabwean community in the UK.

What motivates him to be such a dishonest busybody? Mandla Khumalo in his article entitled “The truth about Dr Masimba Mavaza” published in the Bulawayo 24 News on 23 February 2021, states boldly that Dr Mavaza is a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative planted in the UK to destabilise the opposition.

It boggles the mind how Masimba Mavaza, who is ZANU PF lock, stock and barrel, can associate MDC Alliance with criminals without providing any shred of evidence.

In any case, the crimes committed by these criminals seem to be from the Gukurahundi manual. He cannot get away with soiling the excellent name of MDC Alliance in the UK while he sings for his supper.

Sithole alleges that “Masimba Mavaza is a heartless conman” who duped him £1 400 in 2010 when he wanted to renew his visa, which was about to expire the following year.

By A Correspondent- MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora says he is proud of the late United African National Congress (UANC) president and former Zimbabwe-Rhodesia Prime Minister, Bishop Abel Muzorewa.

Speaking in an interview with TechMagTV, Mwonzora insisted that he rates Muzorewa highly compared to the former President, the late Robert Mugabe.

Historians have labelled Muzorewa a puppet of the racist settler regime who allegedly worked with the Rhodesians to scupper blacks’ struggle for independence.

By A correspondent- The police have released the names of three people who died after a Honda Fit they were travelling in burst its rear wheel.

The three are Cathrine Karidza (87) Tinashe Mhembere (24) and Mababa Chiwara (51) all of Chawasarira Village, Mutoko.

The accident happened on Sunday along Harare Nyamapanda Highway.

By A correspondent- Three people have died after a Honda Fit they were travelling in burst its rear wheel.

The deceased are all family members.

Confirming the accident, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said it happened on Sunday along Harare Nyamapanda Highway through their Twitter account.

“The fatal accident occurred at 121 km peg along Harare-NyamapandaHighway on 08/08/21, where three family members died and four others injured after a silver Honda Fit vehicle they were travelling in burst its rear right tyre and overturned,” said ZRP.

By A Correspondent- A Marondera couple has killed their baby during a domestic dispute.

The couple, according to the police, mistakenly killed their one-year-old baby while busy fighting.

“2/3 The duo fought whilst the child was strapped to the woman’s back 01/08/21 and the child became sick afterwards. The parents took her to a local clinic before going to a traditional healer and she died,” ZRP posted on their Twitter handle on Monday.

2/3 The duo fought whilst the child was strapped to the woman’s back 01/08/21 and the child became sick afterwards. The parents took her to a local clinic before going to a traditional healer and she died.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) August 9, 2021

By A Correspondent- A Marondera couple is under fire from the police for secretly burying their one-year-old baby, who died in unclear circumstances.

According to ZRP, the secrete burial happened in Cherutombo in Marondera last week.

“Police in Marondera are investigating a case of suspected murder, which occurred in Cherutombo, on 06/08/21, where a couple (20 & 41) secretly buried their daughter (one year) along Ruzawi River,” ZRP posted on their Twitter account Monday.

1/3 Police in Marondera are investigating a case of suspected murder, which occurred in Cherutombo, on 06/08/21, where a couple (20 & 41) secretly buried their daughter (one year) along Ruzawi River.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) August 9, 2021

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has reversed the party’s Mashonaland Central Provincial Chairman Kazembe Kazembe’s decision to co-opt new members into the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC).

 Kazembe, who is also the Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, recently called for a PEC meeting which he chaired and co-opted four members, three of whom are his allies.

Kazembe was accused of demoting the provincial political commissar known as Tsine to the post of vice-chairperson, a less influential post.

He also co-opted one Kararira, who is his close ally, and his right-hand man, Mudzingwa, was made the vice secretary for security.

Mazowe Central member of parliament Sydney Chidamba was also co-opted to deputy secretary for finance.

However, ZANU PF Acting National Political Commissar Patrick Chinamasa confirmed that the co-options are illegal therefore null and void.

Kazembe is accused of making the co-options in a move to consolidate his power base ahead of provincial elections set to be held in line with the ZANU PF constitution.

He reportedly faces competition from James Makamba, Lazarus Dokora, Sam Parirenyatwa, and Monica Mavhunga, who are vying for the Provincial chairmanship.

Kazembe has been accused of using his position in Government to cause the arrest of his opponents on trumped-up charges.

 Bulawayo24 quoted a ZANU PF official as saying:

Nicholas Goche fell victim to Kazembe’s wrath after being arrested on livestock allegations at the behest of Kazembe, the Minister responsible for the police.

Lazarus Dokora, the chairman of the ZANU PF Mash Central working committee for the party’s National People’s conference, was demoted by Kazembe from chairman to coordinator.

Kazembe unilaterally demoted Dokora after reports that Dokora was a clear favourite to land the provincial chairmanship.

MINISTER WITH MNANGAGWA PORTRAIT ASIDE: Okay? JOURNALIST: Yes.
MINISTER: The ministry of Women Affairs.. is shocked and concerned about the painful death of a 14-year-old Memory Machaya during her childbirth in Bocha, Marange. This is a clear case of gender based violence… pic.twitter.com/qaIh0gjgYO

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 9, 2021