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!

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean cleric and founder of Grace Ablaze Ministries Bishop Ancelimo Magaya has called on government to stop forcing church members to get vaccinated first in order to congregate adding that this “commandist and fist like” approach is discriminatory and a violation of people’s rights

His statements come following an announcement by the Zimbabwean government, Wednesday, that only fully-vaccinated people can now attend church services.

Zimbabwe is currently on level 4 Lockdown, and six weeks ago, government suspended church gatherings in a move aimed at curbing the spread of the covid-19 virus.

Announced Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa during a post cabinet press briefing:  

“Cabinet wishes to inform the public that churches can now allow sit-in congregants under the following conditions: Only congregants who have received two doses of the vaccine are allowed to attend, all Ministry of Health and Child Care and WHO (World Health Organization) protocols are adhered to and all those found in breach will be arrested, including leaders of the churches.”

However, Bishop Magaya who is also the Executive Director of Zimbabwe Divine Destiny Network urged government to engage and stop its commandist approach in the covid-19 vaccination exercise.

He said:

“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.

WCoZ Gweru Chapter Message on the untimely death of Vimbai Nhutsve.

WCoZ is saddenned by the untimely death of our provincial Coordinator, Vimbai Nhutsve Msengi who was a bold women’s rights defender.

Vimbai did not tire in demanding the women’s space in key institutions and decision making roles. She was keen on issues of accountability and transparency in the running of local authorities to ease the lives of women.

Her passion extended from the rights of urban women and encompassed rural women as well. She fought for the plight of women engaging local authorities on critical services such as water provision ,health provision and waste managememt.

We say go well our astute women’s rights defender.

As the women’s rights movement,we celebrate the milestone that Vimbai made and we will soldier on.

Vimbai’s footprints in the journey towards gender equality will live forever.

Locadia Mavhudzi WCoZ Gweru Chapter Chairperson.

Controversial Norton legislator, Temba Mliswa says the decision by Cabinet to allow only people who have been fully vaccinated to attend in-person church services will open the floodgates of corruption.

On Wednesday Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said churches can now allow sit-in congregants who have been fully vaccinated and those who violate the protocol will be arrested.

Mliswa, who represents Norton Constituency in the National Assembly, said the latest move by the government will promote corruption and the proliferation of fake COVID-19 vaccination certificates.

Said Mliswa:

“The challenge with this approach is it opens the opportunity for discrimination. We have a situation we need to address where people are receiving the first COVID-19 vaccination, but due to unavailability, can’t access the second.

“Blame here can’t be put on the people as many are willing to receive vaccinations but can’t. Once there’s a shortage of vaccinations like this and people are segregated along such lines, it has the propensity to foster corruption and the emergence of fake certificates.

“Mliswa urged the government to be consistent and make extensive consultations to avoid making “rushed” decisions that are “reactionary”.

He said:

“Some of the decisions made appear rather rushed, reactionary and lack consistency. Let’s have a clear position on this.

“If it’s a lockdown, then let it be a proper lockdown. If you decide to open up, then open up.

“I urge the government to invest in COVID-19 test kits and to allow pharmacies to sell WHO and government-approved test kits in the same way HIV was mitigated by the easy availability of HIV test kits.

“Early detection of the COVID-19 virus can make the difference between recovery and death,” said Mliswa.

-Pindula News

By A Correspondent| A High Court affidavit filed by Harare North legislator Norman Markham has exposed former local government minister Ignatius Chombo’s quickly executed grand plan to benefit and loot City of Harare land in the absence of elected councillors through the appointment of a caretaker commission headed by one Michael Mahachi.
The commission was appointed in May 2008 after the March general elections.

According to Markham, on the same day the caretaker commission was appointed, it entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Augur Investments for the construction of Airport road.
The airport road deal has caused a lot of problems for City of Harare with Augur Investments whose physical address was then Chombo’s private business premises, failing to fulfil the terms of the agreement though they went on to demand land as payment for the job.

Markham says the appointment of a caretaker commission to run the affairs of the City of Harare was deliberate plan to loot land.

“I restate my contention that the Minister appointed Mr Mahachi to loot. The respondents must explain why the councillors were not allowed to take oath of office,” said Markham.

“I have already attached the minutes of the caretaker council of the 29th May 2008 which confirms the formal appointment of that Commission by letter from the Minister of the 21st May 2008.

“On that very same day, the 6th Respondent’s (Minister of Local government and public works) appointee Michael Mahachi signed a Memorandum of Agreement with 1st Respondent for the construction of the Airport Road without council approval. The 6th Respondent witnessed the Memorandum of Understanding thereby endorsing it.

“The 6th Respondent thus appointed Michael Mahachi in order to enable Mahachi to sign the Memorandum of Understanding,” added Markham.
Chombo also used his proximity to Mahachi to purchase two properties from City of Harare.

Prior to Chombo purchasing the said properties, Markham said City of Harare had turned down countless applications for the same piece of land.

Markham further noted that City of Harare breached its own procurement regulations by selling the two properties without going to tender.

“In addition Minister Chombo actually acquired two properties through Harvest Net Enterprises (Pvt) Limited, at a time that Mahachi was the caretaker council.

In a letter dated 13th December 2006 addressed to the Town Clerk, Minister Chombo applied for Stand 61 Helensvale, Harare on behalf of a company called Harvest Net Enterprises (Pvt) Limited. In this letter, Minister Chombo indicated that he intended to use the land for cluster houses. Prior to Minister Chombo’s application, the City Council had turned down several similar applications over the years for the same piece of land,” said Markham.

By A Correspondent- Julius Malema, the leader of a South African opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has refused to support his countrymen who are opposed to the election of Jolidee Matongo as Johannesburg’s new executive mayor.

Matongo, whose father was an immigrant from Zimbabwe, was elected unopposed by Johannesburg councillors on Tuesday, replacing Geoff Makhubo who succumbed to COVID-19 last month.

“Xenophobes” immediately took to social media to denounce Matongo’s election, saying they will not recognise “a foreigner”.

Posting on Twitter on Thursday morning, Malema distanced himself from the calls, which he described as nonsensical. 

He wrote:

We grew up with Jodilee Matango in the YL, and today, we are canvassed to reject him because his father was Zimbabwean.

I’m sorry, don’t count me in your nonsense. Politically we disagree, but he remains a black brother of mine.

Meanwhile, outspoken critic Advocate Ike Khumalo who was recently arrested on six counts of inciting public violence declared they will not recognise Matongo.

Speaking on South African broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Khumalo said foreigners must go back to their countries.

Said Khumalo:

I blame officials, I blame foreign nationals, when they were free in their own countries in the 60s what were they doing not building.

They did not build roads, they come here and tell us we are lazy over things that we built during apartheid. Some of us lost our youth fighting in the streets.

When Oliver Tambo said make this country ungovernable in the 80s, we did not mean to liberate this country so that foreign nationals to come over and take this country. People must go back if they are not so lazy, go back and build their countries.

We should not be misled by the Geneva Convention, Israel is preaching liberalism but there are big borders protecting the country, Europe has Brexit and you have Donald Trump building walls.

Khumalo added that countries with people enjoying public services in South Africa should be made to pay.

In his acceptance speech, Matongo proudly announced his Zimbabwean roots stating:

I Jolidee Matongo, the son of the late Zimbabwean immigrant Edmond Matongo, do hereby accept the nomination for the position of executive mayor of our city.

By A Correspondent- A South African businessman was arrested last week on his arrival in Zimbabwe and now can’t leave the country because of a contractual dispute involving US$1 million and material for the construction of the Harava Solar Park.

The Harava Solar Park project located in Seke rural was given national status by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

George Beukes (47) of eXess Africa, told TimesLive that he was whisked away and bundled in a van by police detectives when he touched down at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo on 3 August.

He said:

I slept in a holding cell in Bulawayo. [The] next day a detective from Marondera collected me … when a case was opened against me.

Beukes’ alleged crime was defrauding Harava Solar Park, which is partly owned by Invest Solar Africa (58%), a holding company associated with businessmen George Manyere and Jayesh Shah with direct links to the president.

Old Mutual owns 28% and minority shareholdings are held by Ainos Ngadya and the Seke Community Trust.

It is alleged Beukes stole steel pipes, structures and fencing, which he insisted belonged to his company.

Beukes said he spent a night at a Bulawayo remand prison cells and thereafter driven 456km to Marondera, in Mashonaland East, where he spent another night. There, a case of fraud was opened.

The following day he was driven 64km in the opposite direction to Chitungwiza, where he appeared in court charged with fraud.

Beukes was granted ZWL$15 000 bail with stringent conditions. His passport was forfeited, and he can’t leave Zimbabwe.

-TimesLive

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean motivational speaker, Sinikiwe Kademaunga has revealed the identity of her man for the first time.

Kademaunga who revealed that she was expecting a baby a few months ago posted the following pictures on her instagram…

By A Correspondent- Zexie Manatsa has been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, the legendary musician revealed in a post on Facebook.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. It can cause damage to the bones, immune system and kidneys.

The musician who nurtured a lot of musicians including the late Oliver Mtukudzi and Alick Macheso made the announcement on Thursday morning.

Manatsa said he would be taking a break to be with family as he focuses on his health. He said:

My wonderful family, friends and fans, today I would like to let you all know that I have recently been diagnosed with cancer known as Multiple Myeloma.

With guidance from medical professionals and the support of my family, I am currently undergoing treatment to manage the condition.

While undergoing treatment, I have chosen to spend quality time with my family and hope to get some peace and quiet while doing so.

I love and thank you all for your never-ending love and support.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A man who had visited his friend with his wife caused a scene at his friend’s house as he ran berserk and beat his wife over an undisclosed issue and stabbed a man who tried to restrain him from further assaulting his wife.

The dramatic incident happened on Sunday at around 8 pm in Bulawayo’s Hillcrest suburb, lasting for about 15 minutes.

A source close to the case said when Arnold Chiturumani (31) was at the gate leaving for his home with his wife Shanaaz Chiketa (29), Akem Manyika (40) heard screams at the entrance and rushed to see what was happening.

He found Chiketa crying, and upon asking her, she told him that Chiturumani had bashed her over an undisclosed issue. Manyika intervened and calmed them down and returned to his bedroom, and retired to bed.

After a few minutes, Manyika heard loud cries from outside and rushed there and found Chiturumani punching his wife. He tried to restrain him, but he charged towards him and violently pushed him against the gate in the grip of intense emotion.

“He fumbled in his pocket and drew an Okapi knife and stabbed him in the left forefinger while he was trying to evade the knife. He warned him not to intervene in his marital issues and threatened to kill him,” said a privy source.

Manyika reported the matter at Hillside Police Station, leading to the arrest of Chiturumani.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident: “I can confirm that we have arrested a man who assaulted his wife over an undisclosed issue at his friend’s house and also stabbed his friend who was restraining him from further assaulting his wife. We would like to urge couples to solve their marital differences amicably rather than to take the law into their own hands. They should engage third parties such as pastors or elders in the community.” — BMetro

By A Correspondent-Zanu PF Member of Parliament for Tsholotsho South Zenzo Sibanda has died.

According to Zanu PF’s official Twitter account, Sibanda died Wednesday of Covid related illness.

“Cde Zenzo Sibanda, the Tsholotsho North MP has succumbed to Covid-19 complications. His death was confirmed by the Min of State for Matebeleland North Province Hon. Richard Moyo. Hon Sibanda died at a Bulawayo hospital where he had been on oxygen since the weekend,” posted Zanu PF.

A Correspondent- Four Welshman Ncube’s MDC members have been fired for allegedly wining and dining with the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T.

Ncube’s MDC is a partner in the broader MDC Alliance headed by Nelson Chamisa.

In a memo to the party, MDC National Disciplinary Committee chair advised Faruah Jele advised Christopher Monera of his immediate suspension as party Secretary for Publicity and Research.

“The MDC National Disciplinary Committee met on Monday 9th August 2021 to consider the allegations that you facilitated and attended a meeting at the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T Head office on or around 3rd August 2021 without the mandate from the Party,” the letter reads.
“Accordingly, you are hereby being notified that you have been suspended, with immediate effect from your position as Secretary for Publicity and Research and from your membership of the party pending an appearance before the National Disciplinary Committee on charges of breaching Clauses 4.4 (b)4.4 (c) and 4.4(c) and 4.10(s) of the party constitution.
“The allegation 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 meetings organised by the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T.”

The other suspended officials are Tarisai Mandaza (chairman), Munhangu Musevenzo (secretary for training and political education) and Gift Kurupati, a National Council member.

By A Correspondent- A Chipinge based member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has been arrested for possessing 50Kgs of Mbanje.

Constable Brian Dube (27) was last Thursday arrested while transporting 50kg of marijuana from Chipinge to Chiredzi.

The Gutu police station police detail is now facing charges of unlawful possession of dangerous drugs.

A  leaked internal police memo said on  4 August 2021 at around 0300 hours, sergeants Gwara, Mbiri, constables Runesu, Makuyana, Binde, and Mawire police officers from ZRP Ndali were manning a police roadblock along the Ngundu –Tanganda road.

The police officers on duty stopped a Honda Fit, which had two male occupants with the Dube driving.

Runesu stopped the driver and handed over the vehicle to Gwara for searches.

“Upon searching the accused identified himself as a police officer by producing his police identity card alleging that he is stationed at ZRP Beitbridge. After the search, Sgt Gwara permitted the driver to proceed,” reads part of the internal police memo.
“Sgt Gwara became suspicious that the motor vehicle could have carried dagga after sensing a strong smell of dagga during the searching process and he assigned Cst Runesu, Cst Mawire, and Cst Binde to follow accused persons vehicle using a well-wisher vehicle.” The assigned police officers followed behind the accused persons vehicle for about 3km and observed the vehicle in question parked by the roadside.

“As they drew closer they saw the occupants fleeing from the vehicle and the police searched the vehicle and found 50kg sack containing loose dagga inside the vehicle, ” read the memo.
The vehicle was impounded and taken to ZRP Ndali and the matter was referred to Criminal Investigations Department Chiredzi.
Investigations carried out at CID Chiredzi revealed that the accused person was a member of the police force stationed at ZRP Gutu.
He was contacted through his mobile number and advised to report at CID Chiredzi.

On 5 August 2021, Dube surrendered himself at CID Chiredzi in the company his lawyer Munyaradzi Vengesai of Mugiya and Muvhami law

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti vividly recalls how he was tortured by Zanu PF agents on August 9 2018…

Hon Biti was persecuted by Zanu PF agents for exposing electoral fraud in the 2018 Presidential Election.

His family was also harassed by Zanu PF agents in a bid to cow him into submission…

Read Hon Biti’s account below:

On 9 August 2018 Emmerson Mnangagwa unlawfully had me refouled from Zambia where I had sought asylum. This was despite the fact that I had a Zambian High Court Order protecting my stay in Zambia.

The treatment I suffered at the hands of the regime at Chirundu was torture cruel and degrading .

My crime was that “I had announced
@nelsonchamisa
winner of 2018 election. “For that they hounted me out , harassed my family particularly my mother, shot at my brother & his son ,assaulted my friend s 94 year old mother & on 2 occasions tried to assassinate me
The following media includes potentially sensitive content.

..9 August 2018 is a day I will never forget as I witnessed 1st hand brutality&insatiable cruelty of Mnangagwa.

I am grateful that I survived to tell my tale for 000 over the years never had that opportunity. Grateful to
@rose_hanzi

@ZLHRLawyers
& many friends for a huge fight…

By A Correspondent- A man who had visited his friend with his wife caused a scene at his friend’s house as he ran berserk and beat his wife over an undisclosed issue and stabbed a man who tried to restrain him from further assaulting his wife.

The dramatic incident happened on Sunday at around 8 pm in Bulawayo’s Hillcrest suburb, lasting for about 15 minutes.

A source close to the case said when Arnold Chiturumani (31) was at the gate leaving for his home with his wife Shanaaz Chiketa (29), Akem Manyika (40) heard screams at the entrance and rushed to see what was happening.

He found Chiketa crying, and upon asking her, she told him that Chiturumani had bashed her over an undisclosed issue. Manyika intervened and calmed them down and returned to his bedroom, and retired to bed.

After a few minutes, Manyika heard loud cries from outside and rushed there and found Chiturumani punching his wife. He tried to restrain him, but he charged towards him and violently pushed him against the gate in the grip of intense emotion.

“He fumbled in his pocket and drew an Okapi knife and stabbed him in the left forefinger while he was trying to evade the knife. He warned him not to intervene in his marital issues and threatened to kill him,” said a privy source.

Manyika reported the matter at Hillside Police Station, leading to the arrest of Chiturumani.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident: “I can confirm that we have arrested a man who assaulted his wife over an undisclosed issue at his friend’s house and also stabbed his friend who was restraining him from further assaulting his wife. We would like to urge couples to solve their marital differences amicably rather than to take the law into their own hands. They should engage third parties such as pastors or elders in the community.” — BMetro

By A Correspondent-Zanu PF Member of Parliament for Tsholotsho South Zenzo Sibanda has died.

According to Zanu PF’s official Twitter account, Sibanda died of Covid related illness.

“Cde Zenzo Sibanda, the Tsholotsho North MP has succumbed to Covid-19 complications. His death was confirmed by the Min of State for Matebeleland North Province Hon. Richard Moyo. Hon Sibanda died at a Bulawayo hospital where he had been on oxygen since the weekend,” posted Zanu PF.

By A Correspondent- Welshman Ncube has fired four party officials over their association with the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T.

Ncube’s MDC is a partner in the broader MDC Alliance headed by Nelson Chamisa.

In a memo to the party, MDC National Disciplinary Committee chair advised Faruah Jele advised Christopher Monera of his immediate suspension as party Secretary for Publicity and Research.

“The MDC National Disciplinary Committee met on Monday 9th August 2021 to consider the allegations that you facilitated and attended a meeting at the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T Head office on or around 3rd August 2021 without the mandate from the Party,” the letter reads.
“Accordingly, you are hereby being notified that you have been suspended, with immediate effect from your position as Secretary for Publicity and Research and from your membership of the party pending an appearance before the National Disciplinary Committee on charges of breaching Clauses 4.4 (b)4.4 (c) and 4.4(c) and 4.10(s) of the party constitution.
“The allegation 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 meetings organised by the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T.”

The other suspended officials are Tarisai Mandaza (chairman), Munhangu Musevenzo (secretary for training and political education) and Gift Kurupati, a National Council member.

By A Correspondent- The government has allowed churches to congregate and tasked their leaders to screen all unvaccinated followers and prevent them from worshipping.

On Wednesday, in a tweet, Nick Mangwana, the government spokesperson, said only vaccinated Christians will be allowed to assemble.

“Churches can now allow sit-in congregants who have been fully vaccinated(have taken 2 doses), subject to COVID-19 protocols adherences. Pastors and clergy who are found in breach will be arrested,” he tweeted.

By A Correspondent- Welshman Ncube has fired four party officials over their association with the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T.

Ncube’s MDC is a partner in the broader MDC Alliance headed by Nelson Chamisa.

In a memo to the party, MDC National Disciplinary Committee chair advised Faruah Jele advised Christopher Monera of his immediate suspension as party Secretary for Publicity and Research.

“The MDC National Disciplinary Committee met on Monday 9th August 2021 to consider the allegations that you facilitated and attended a meeting at the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T Head office on or around 3rd August 2021 without the mandate from the Party,” the letter reads.
“Accordingly, you are hereby being notified that you have been suspended, with immediate effect from your position as Secretary for Publicity and Research and from your membership of the party pending an appearance before the National Disciplinary Committee on charges of breaching Clauses 4.4 (b)4.4 (c) and 4.4(c) and 4.10(s) of the party constitution.
“The allegation 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 meetings organised by the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T.”

The other suspended officials are Tarisai Mandaza (chairman), Munhangu Musevenzo (secretary for training and political education) and Gift Kurupati, a National Council member.

By A Correspondent- Norton MP Temba Mliswa has threatened to sue the Grain Marketing Board for accusing him of selling his farm produce on the side market.

On Wednesday’s Tweeter handle, GMB said Mliswa was found selling maize on the parallel market.

The government, through the GMB has criminalized selling maize to any other entity other than GMB.

“This smacks of an agenda. I demand 

@GMBdura

 retracts the media release immediately. Failure to do so, I’ll be suing them. No maize has been seized, and it’s there at my farm. If it was seized, then it should be in their possession and I put this to the strictest proof thereof,” said Mliswa.

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti vividly recalls how he was tortured by Zanu PF agents on August 9 2018…

Hon Biti was persecuted by Zanu PF agents for exposing electoral fraud in the 2018 Presidential Election.

His family was also harassed by Zanu PF agents in a bid to cow him into submission…

Read Hon Biti’s account below:

On 9 August 2018 Emmerson Mnangagwa unlawfully had me refouled from Zambia where I had sought asylum. This was despite the fact that I had a Zambian High Court Order protecting my stay in Zambia.

The treatment I suffered at the hands of the regime at Chirundu was torture cruel and degrading .

My crime was that “I had announced
@nelsonchamisa
winner of 2018 election. “For that they hounted me out , harassed my family particularly my mother, shot at my brother & his son ,assaulted my friend s 94 year old mother & on 2 occasions tried to assassinate me
The following media includes potentially sensitive content.

..9 August 2018 is a day I will never forget as I witnessed 1st hand brutality&insatiable cruelty of Mnangagwa.

I am grateful that I survived to tell my tale for 000 over the years never had that opportunity. Grateful to
@rose_hanzi

@ZLHRLawyers
& many friends for a huge fight…

By A Correspondent| Popular free-to-air satellite TV provider OpenView which offers a range of channels like eTV, SABC, France 24 and more has announced plans to block its decoders currently being used outside South Africa saying it does not have license to do so.

In an interview with a local online media outlet, OpenView said it is not authorized to offer services to Zimbabwe and other countries.

“Currently Openview has a license to only operate in South Africa. Meaning, we are not authorized to extend our service outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa. We are hoping to expand to other African countries at a later stage, but at this point we are more focused on growing our South African Viewership.  For now we have taken a decision to block decoders being used outside our legal jurisdiction,” said OpenView.

South African opposition politician Mmusi Maimane yesterday said Zimbabwean heroes who sacrificed their lives during and after the liberation struggle, should be turning in their graves over the way the country was being destroyed by corrupt cartels linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.
Maimane’s tweet irked Mnangagwa’s aide who hit back, labelling him a sellout.

In his post, Maimane said: “The heroes who died for Zimbabwe are turning in their graves. Their spirits are restless.”

In another tweet, he said: “No one gave their life away hoping for an evil, corrupt regime of thieves led by Mnangagwa. They did not die for self-inflicted poverty. The heroes of Zimbabwe have been betrayed.”
The southern African country celebrated its Defence Forces Day yesterday.

Maimane, a former Democratic Alliance leader, who formed One South Africa Movement last year, is critical of the Harare administration.

He has been a critic of Mnangagwa’s administration, saying it is destroying the economy and perpetrating human rights abuses.

Last year, he led a social media campaign, #ZimbabweanLivesMatter, protesting against the deteriorating human rights situation in the country. This was after the arrest of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume.

Some leaders within the South African ruling party, African National Congress have also condemned Zanu PF for failing to handle Zimbabwe’s political and economic affairs professionally.

“The heroes are buried and the hyenas laugh as they feast on the carcass of a once great nation. My heart really bleeds when I think about how African leaders have destroyed their nations and walk around arrogantly using the names of those who died for it,” Maimane wrote.

“The wolves stole the nation and they have been feeding on the people for 41 years. We must not forget the various African leaders who helped the oppression to continue.

“Zanu PF did not do this alone. It was the silence and complicity of African leaders, here in South Africa and other African nations which gave them the confidence to continue crushing the people.” Maimane said he would not tire of speaking on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe whose freedom of expression is limited.

Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba immediately responded to Maimane on Twitter, curtly referring to him as a sellout.

“Listen to this sellout,” Charamba tweeted.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent| MISA Regional Secretariat has dispatched a delegation to observe the media and freedom of expression landscape during the Zambian elections in line with the lobby and advocacy body’s mission to strengthen regional solidarity and coordination as defined by its mission and vision statements.

Zambia will hold its elections on 12 August 2021.

The mission, led by the Chairperson of the MISA Regional Governing Council (RGC), Golden Maunganidze, comprises RGC members from Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Based on the findings of the observer mission, MISA will submit its report and recommendations to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat,  the African Union and United Nations.

In addition, this mission will also inform future observer missions and lobby and advocacy efforts ahead of elections in the region, starting with Lesotho which goes to the polls in 2022.

Furthermore, MISA will use this mission to meet with other like-minded organisations operating in Zambia to strengthen regional coordination and networking to entrench freedom of expression, media freedom, democratic internet governance and privacy in the region.

Meetings with Zambian government officials are also planned.

The mission to Zambia comes at a time when regional governments are seemingly heightening and tightening the noose on freedom of expression, particularly free expression online.

Recently, the Zambian government enacted the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, which has been described as having a “chilling effect on freedom of expression, media freedom and Zambians’ right to privacy”.

Similar laws are being enacted across the region. Furthermore, Zambia is one of the countries in the region that is yet to enact an access to information law.

This raises the need for organisations such as MISA, to continue engaging the Zambian government with the hope of improving the freedom of the media and information landscape in that country.

In that regard, MISA’s elections observer mission to Zambia will serve as a platform for evidence-based lobby and advocacy.

Tsholotsho South legislator Zenzo Sibanda has died from Covid-19, Matabeleland North minister Richard Moyo told a local online publication.

The MP had been on oxygen at a Bulawayo hospital since the weekend.

More to follow….

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa 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 promised to immediately address the welfare of soldiers whose welfare was seriously impacted by poor remuneration and working conditions over years.

He made the claims during the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day celebrations in Harare yesterday.

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,” Mnangagwa 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.

Observers say the rise in cases of unruly behaviour by members of the security forces was an indictment on Mnangagwa whose government is paying them slave wages.

Although soldiers and police offices are paid more than other civil servants, their salaries have been eroded by inflation, forcing some of them into crime to supplement their income.

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.

But 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 lost 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.-Newsday

ZUPCO kombi drivers reportedly staged a defiant demonstration over non-payment of salaries at ZUPCO Kelvin depot in Bulawayo on Wednesday.

According to online publication CITE, ZUPCO managers arrived at the depot and the District Operations Manager, Tinaye Rwasoka told the drivers that they will receive their two months-worth of salaries on Wednesday afternoon at 2 pm.

The drivers are said to have told the management that they will not leave their depot till they get their salaries.

“ZUPCO kombi drivers are currently holding a peaceful demo against salary issues, at ZUPCO Kelvin depot in Bulawayo,” reads a tweet from CITE.

Earlier this month, ZUPCO regional operational manager Tito Chirau said operators will start getting the payments on the 4th of August.

“We are receiving a payment from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development tomorrow and then we will make all the payments to private operators,” Chirau told the media. “We are encouraging our private operators to continue working as usual providing transport to our citizens.

“There have been delays but they will all receive their payments by the end of this week,” he said.

-CITE

By A Correspondent- A policeman was shot and killed on Monday night by suspected robbers in Luveve in Bulawayo, while an armed robber believed to be part of a syndicate operating from South Africa was shot and killed in the city centre in a separate shoot-out.

On Monday night, Constable Gibson Tafara Madzimure (35) was in the group of police officers reacting to a robbery in Luveve when he was shot and killed by armed robbers.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said a manhunt for the robbers has since been launched.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police sadly reports the death of Constable Gibson Tafara Madzimure who was shot by armed robbers after reacting to a robbery case in Luveve suburb, Bulawayo.

“The Commissioner General of Police, Tandabantu Godwin Matanga, expresses his heartfelt condolences to the Madzimure family on the untimely death of Constable Gibson Tafara Madzimure.

“Police will leave no stone unturned until all culprits involved in the death of Constable Madzimure are brought to book,” he said.

In the second shootout of the night, Asst Comm Nyathi said the suspected armed robber, whose name was still being withheld, died in a shootout with police while he was driving an unregistered VW Golf in Bulawayo.

“Police reacted to an attempted robbery where an illegal forex dealer was being tracked by an armed robbery syndicate which had travelled all the way from South Africa.

“Police intercepted the suspects at Unity Village, Corner Joshua Nkomo Street and Sixth Avenue, Bulawayo, and in the process a shootout ensued leading to the death of one of the suspects at the scene.

“The other suspects ran away and the police recovered a Star pistol with 9mm x six rounds of ammunition, CZ pistol with a magazine of 10 rounds and a VW Golf motor vehicle with no number plates,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said police have intensified the war on armed robbers in the country.

“There is no going back to the police’s efforts in getting rid of all armed robbery syndicates and ensure that the law takes its course,” he said.

On Saturday, six armed robbers were involved in a shootout with police in Bulawayo and believed to be part of a gang that raided Choppies Parklands Supermarket and Access Finance in the city, getting away with nearly US$300 000 and R1 million.

Police identified the six-armed robbers as Anorld Mpofu alias Tsano (39) and Thamsanqa Mpofu, who were killed on the scene, while Nomore Hove (39), Nkosilathi Ncube (42) were injured. Brian Nkomo (31) and Mthokozisi Moyo (37) make up the rest of those arrested.

The suspected armed robbers were killed during a shootout with police who had cornered them during an attempted robbery at a house in Four Winds suburb in Bulawayo.

Police said the armed robbers also came from South Africa.

The suspects are responsible for two highly organised armed robberies in Bulawayo in March and May this year.

The first one occurred on March 10 at Access Finance Bureau de Change where US$246 682, R947 169, P1 000, EURO 100 and $11 404 cash were stolen and the other case, which occurred on May 27, at Choppies Supermarket Parklands, Bulawayo in which $194 287, US$11 315, R35 595 and P250 cash was stolen.

During the robberies, the suspects disarmed private security guards at Access Finance and Choppies showing how organised they were.

Following an increase in armed robberies, police changed tactics and deployed specialised units to armed robbery hotspots across the country. They also engaged the business community and private security companies as a measure to reverse the increase in armed robberies.

-statemedia

By Effort Manono| National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) leader Professor Lovemore Madhuku has described the late RMG End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura as a loving and caring man with people at heart.

Addressing mourners during the burial of the late polygamist yesterday, Madhuku confessed that he got to know the real Gumbura who is different from the one portrayed in the media after he was approached to represent him in court.

”The Robert Gumbura i know is different from the Robert Gumbura we read from the newspapers. The media created their own Robert Gumbura who is totally different from the one we are mourning today,” said Madhuku.

“The real Gumbura had a good heart, he was loving. That is the Robert Gumbura I am here to pay my last respect to.

“I know after saying this, some will ask which Gumbura are you talking about because they have their own Robert Gumbura created in their minds,” added Madhuku.

He spoke about the Supreme Court appeal he was due to file on behalf of Gumbura saying it had bigger prospects of success as his rape allegations were fictitious.

“After reading his rape allegations, it was so touching because the allegations were nothing but a fiction. We then took the matter to the supreme court for the matter to be heard which is referred to as leave to appeal, and be reminded Leave to appeal is only given when they see the prospects of success.

“As Lovemore Madhuku, I have no doubt in my mind that Gumbura was going to be set free by the Supreme Court.

“I am here to say there were some wrongs done to this man. You must forget everything and mourn your father, your brother, your husband who was a nice person,” added Madhuku.

Gumbura succumbed to COVID-19 at Chikurubi Maximum Prison Hospital.

He was sentenced to an effective 40 years in jail but Madhuku fought for the sentence to be reduced to 20. He was due to be released in less that five years.

By A Correspondent- ZUPCO kombi drivers reportedly staged a defiant demonstration over non-payment of salaries at ZUPCO Kelvin depot in Bulawayo on Wednesday.

According to online publication CITE, ZUPCO managers arrived at the depot and the District Operations Manager, Tinaye Rwasoka told the drivers that they will receive their two months-worth of salaries on Wednesday afternoon at 2 pm.

Earlier this month, ZUPCO regional operational manager Tito Chirau said operators will start getting the payments on the 4th of August.

“We are receiving a payment from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development tomorrow and then we will make all the payments to private operators,” Chirau told the media. “We are encouraging our private operators to continue working as usual providing transport to our citizens.

“There have been delays but they will all receive their payments by the end of this week,” he said.

By A Correspondent- Former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Engineer Ringson Chitsiko has died.

Eng Chitsiko died this morning.

The cause of his death has not yet been established. Permanent Secretary Dr John Basera confirmed the death.

“In loving memory of our former PS, Eng. Ringson Chitsiko, we are saddened to announce his passing this morning. Colleagues I’m really shattered, to say the least. We have lost a fountain of wisdom and knowledge in Agric, Lands and Water related issues.

”He laid the solid foundations for Agriculture Transformation, together with the late Hon Minister, Air Chief Mashal Perrance Shiri,” he said.-statemedia