By A Correspondent- An unlicenced driver in Chinhoyi’s Mzari low-density suburb has hit a 21-year-old male Chinhoyi University of Technology student.

The student died on the spot Wednesday afternoon while his female friend sustained serious injuries and is currently battling for life at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital.

Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Margaret Chitove confirmed the accident before referring questions to the national spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyati who could not give details this afternoon.

Details gathered from witnesses claim that an unlicensed driver of a speeding Mercedes Benz failed to negotiate around the potholed road that connects Mzari’s Mbogo shopping centre and Cottco Zimbabwe resulting in loss of control.

The vehicle hit the two students resulting in the death of the student identified as Lovejoy Mudzengi a First Year Geoinfotics student on the spot while his friend sustained serious head injuries.

-State media

By A Correspondent-President Emmerson Mnangagwa who toppled the late great Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe through a military coup in 2017, has lost three of his coup plotters within a space of one year.

The three are General Sibusiso Moyo, Major General Padzai Zimondi and Lieutenant General Edzai Chimonyo.

Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana paraded the three on his Twitter handle when he was mourning one of them, Chimonyo, who died this morning.

” Commander Lt General is a big loss to this country. In less than a year we have lost great men of valour. Three of the Commanders in this photograph have joined their ancestors, we pray for a reprieve from the grim reaper-death. May Lt General Chimonyo’s soul Rest in Peace”, said Mangwana.

By A Correspondent| Police investigators are yet to unmask two unidentified men from the President’s Office who threatened a Parirenyatwa General Hospital Doctor over a report she submitted before the Harare Magistrates Court confirming that the under fire Pokugara Properties Managing Director Michael John Van Blerk was fit to stand trial for malicious damage to property.

Investigations conducted by Detective Precious Temba from the ZRP Anti-Corruption Unit revealed that the two men visited Dr Ropafadzo Muzvidziwa at her workplace looking for her and met Gambiza Nondunduzo who was still at work.

They asked for Dr Muzvidziwa saying they wanted to warn her against involving herself in Van Blerk’s case as he was “munhu waPresident”.

Temba said he interviewed, Nondunduzo and Van Blerk’s wife but could not figure out who the men who threatened Dr Muzvidziwa were as both complainant and witnesses could not identify who the perpetrators were.

He said the next step would be to seek a warrant of search and seizure to establish if the perpetrators ever tried to call the complainant on the day in question.

“Nothing fruitful came up yet. Complainant and witnesses stated that they cannot identify the accused persons even if they meet them. Complainant did not receive any calls or had missed calls on the day in question.

“Outstanding is to make a warrant of search and seizure to establish if the perpetrators ever attempted to call the Complainant on the day in question,” said Temba.

By A Correspondent- The trial of former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko on criminal abuse of office charges has been further deferred to August 31 following indications that the presiding magistrate Mr Trynose Utahwashe was not available.

Prosecutor Mr Lovack Masuku told Harare magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje that he had agreed with Mr Utahwashe to postpone the trial.

It is the State’s case that Mphoko allegedly instructed junior officers at Avondale Police Station in Harare to release former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive Moses Juma and former board member Davison Norupiri, who was Zinara’s finance committee chairperson, from the cells.

According to the State’s papers, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission received a case in which Juma and Norupiri were being accused of fraud and criminal abuse of office on May 6, 2016.

Investigations resulted in the arrest of the two for criminal abuse of office and were detained at Avondale Police Station.

-statemedia

The Zimbabwe Olympics Committee has announced the Zimbabwe Delegation to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics which is comprised of 5 athletes and over 10 delegates.

This follows the confirmation of the three universality slots from the relevant International Federations. Athletes are:

1. Katai Donata Andra Sofia Swimming
2. Makusha Ngoni Methukhela Athletics
3. Purcell-Gilpin Peter Sean Richard Rowing
4. Vincent Scott Nicholas Golf
5. Wetzlar Peter Charles Swimming

COACHES AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL

1. Chivonivoni Mufaro Joy – Golf Coach/Team Leader
2. Lisimati Phakhamile Edward – Athletics Coach
3. Stephenson James Alexander – Rowing Coach
4. Tudor-Cole Lindsy – Swimming Coach
5. Vincent Kelsey Anne – Golf Caddy

OFFICIALS AND MEDICAL

1. Ndlovu Fredreck Chef De Mission-Head of Delegation
2. Mnikwa Abigail Physiotherapist & Covid Liaison Officer
3. Pakati Memory General Team Management & Deputy Covid Liaison Officer

COUNTRY DELEGATION

1. Mlotshwa Gerald N -Chairman Sports and Recreation Commission
2. Hon Mathias Tongofa -Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation
3. Kadzirange Tariro- PA to the Honourable Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation

NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE DELEGATION

1. Thabani Gonye- President Zimbabwe National Olympic Committee
2. Stephen Mudawarima — Secretary-General and CEO Zimbabwe Olympic Committee.

Previously, there was outrage after several government officials flew with the Gems to England for the Netball World Cup.

Commentators argued that it was not necessary and a waste of resources to have government officials who are not directly involved in the competitions on the ticket.

By A Correspondent- Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga yesterday blasted retail pharmacists saying they lacked knowledge of the Public Health Act after they sent a petition to Parliament demanding to be considered for government posts such as secretary in the Health ministry.

Chiwenga, who is also Health minister, said this during a virtual meeting with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health to discuss the petition by the Retail Pharmacists Association of Zimbabwe.

He said they lacked understanding of the framework that governed the appointment of secretaries of ministries.

“The ministry’s position is that the petitioners have misdirected themselves and further exposed their lack of understanding of the technical and legal framework that governs the appointment of posts of permanent secretary, and provincial and district health officers,” Chiwenga said.

“In this regard, we recommend that they be referred to the Ministry of Health and Child Care to be assisted in understanding the technical basis and legal framework that govern the said posts,” he said.

The Health Professions Act recognises all health professionals and categories for the posts.

“The Health Services Board (HSB) implements the provision of the Act as it is responsible for recruiting all posts of deputy directors to directors. The procedure is competitive to satisfy the constitutional requirements of appointment based on merit.

“The Public Health Act has recognised the technical nature of the functions to be performed by chief health officer, and the provincial and district health officers in relation to the ministry’s responsibility of public
health.”

He said the HSB also employed provincial and district health officials through a competitive process.

“The post of secretary of the ministry is a constitutional appointment, and none of the positions alluded to in the petition are appointed in terms of the Public Health Act,” he said.

Chiwenga said candidates with a public health background and holders of business administration degrees were more likely to land government posts.

“The petitioners cast a blind eye and ignored the fact that the three are technical posts responsible for treating patients as indicated by the Medical Services Act. The core function of medical practitioners — because of their basic training, certificate and licensing — is to treat patients, while pharmacists dispense medicines prescribed by medical practitioners.

“The public health qualification does not qualify to treat patients as it is only meant to equip health care professionals with preventive aspects of health services,” he said.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Heavily armed security guards from Greenfuel have invaded Chinyamukwakwa area, ZimEye has learnt.

The development was revealed by Platform for Youth Deevelopment (PCYD) Director Claris Madhuku.

He said:

“Greenfuel security guards armed with guns and security dogs have invaded Chinyamukwakwa area.

As i write, It is a war situation as the boundary clashes between the community and Greenfuel Pvt ltd are now defined!”

This is a developing story. More details follow….

By A Correspondent- A farm worker who was bathing along a stream in Mkwasine reportedly stumbled on a rotting corpse that was buried in a shallow grave with part of the hands and knees protruding out on Sunday.

The corpse was discovered by Peter Kumbirai at Farm 378, Phase 2 Chingeya.

Although a report was made to Police on Sunday, it is understood that cops only managed to come on Monday.

The Mirror reports that it was discovered that this was the body of a 15-year-old girl whose lips were cut off and there was a deep cut on one of the cheeks.

Masvingo Police Provincial Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa said he was yet to receive the report.

Sources told the publication that Kumbirai was alerted to the body by the strong stench.

“We exhumed the body which was at an advanced stage of decomposition. It had no lips and had a deep cut in one of the cheeks,” said a source.

There is suspicion that body was buried alive.

Meanwhile murder cases are on the increase in Chiredzi. Two months ago a man was found murdered near Marinda Court and another decomposing body was found near Nandi Railway Station during that same week.

Victor Moyo was arrested after he killed his landlord Prayer Banda (22) of Mbizo 18 in Kwekwe following a clash over rent.

Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the  tragic incident which happened at around 2 am on Monday.

According to the police report, the now-deceased arrived home in the early hours of the morning. He forced open a tenant’s bedroom door ordering him to vacate the room.

A misunderstanding ensued and the now-deceased produced a knife in an attempt to stab the tenant.

By A Correspondent- In a dramatic turn of events, a man from Masvingo found himself in police custody after he caught his wife having sex with a police officer.

Mangarai Mashindi (55) of Pangolin high-density suburb was arrested for disorderly conduct after he had a scuffle with Constable Sydney Chembonje (41) whom he found having sex with his wife Mavis Mashindi (35)  in their matrimonial bed.

According to a leaked police memo, on the night of 1 July at around 20:30 hours, Mashindi arrived home without notifying his wife that he was coming.

He entered the couple’s two-roomed house and opened the bedroom door where he discovered Chembonje and his wife having sex.

When Chembonje noticed the presence of Mashindi, he bolted from the room, naked, but Mashindi managed to manhandle him and the two started fighting.

The police officer overpowered Mashindi and he escaped still naked.

“Accused Number (1) (Mashindi) returned to his bedroom and recovered Accused Number [2]’s property thus his police identity card, driver’s licence, Samsung mobile phone, car keys, a grey jacket, khaki Chino trousers, grey long-sleeved T/Shirt, and one unused condom, ” read the leaked memo.

The following day, Mashindi made an assault report to the police but was shocked when the police informed him, he was under arrest for engaging in disorderly conduct.

The police brought the charges against Mashindi basing on a complaint filed by his wife who witnessed the incident.

Chembonje, who is stationed at the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Chikato Police Station reportedly sustained lacerated wounds on the head and on the arm as a result of the scuffle.

Chembonje is also facing separate charges of contravening the Police Act.

“Acting in an unbecoming or disorderly or in any manner prejudicial to good order or discipline or reasonably likely to bring discredit to the Police Force,” reads part of the leaked police memo.

By A Correspondent- A man who used to bash his live-in girlfriend whenever they argued at home will regret his unbecoming actions because his fed-up lover dumped him in court.

Regina Munyati of Mpopoma suburb said she could not bear the brunt of being bashed and insulted by her lover Danisa Mawindi and told presiding magistrate Prince Jeconia Ncube that she no longer loved him and was terminating the affair.

“He was treating me like a useless thing, would hit me with fists each time we had an argument. I had to desert our home and went to stay with my parents. Despite that he would come to my home begging me to forgive him. I turned down his demands, but he does not accept that I no longer love him and I do not want anything to do with him,” said Regina.

Danisa also confronts her at her workplace and embarrasses her.

He comes to my workplace. He would shout at me in front of my workmates and would demand the things he bought for me when we were staying together. When he encounters me with a man, he would insult him while claiming that I’m still his live-in girlfriend,” said Regina.

Regina had to approach the civil court to apply for a protection order against her stalker.

In her founding affidavit she said: “I’m applying for a protection order against Danisa Mawindi who was my live-in lover. Sometime in April I had to desert our home and stayed with my parents because he used to beat me and insult me whenever we had an argument. He comes to my workplace and shouts obscenities at me while demanding things he bought me while were staying together. He is in the habit of ambushing me at my workplace and would follow me wherever I go and would spew insults at any man that talks to me while claiming that I’m still his lover,” she said.

Danisa did not attend the court session forcing the magistrate to reserve her ruling on the case.

BMetro

By A Correspondent- Presidential spokesperson George Charamba has announced the passing on of the Commander Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant-General Edzai Absalom Chakanyuka Chimonyo.

Writing on his Twitter blog, Charamba said Lt Gen Chimonyo died after a long battle with cancer.

“Devastated to announce the passing on of General Chimonyo early this morning after a long fight against cancer. go well freedom fighter, Commander and Ambassador,” he wrote.

We publish below reactions to the news….

By A Correspondent- A 74 year old Guruve man allegedly drank a poisoned opaque beer and died on the spot while planning the lobola of his young brothers daughter on Sunday.

Job Mujeri of Chimanikire village died after he drank a super Chibuku which he got from his young brother Leon Mujeri (43).

Mashonaland Central deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Naison Dhliwayo confirmed the case.

“I can confirm a sudden death case in Guruve where Job Mujeri died after drinking a suspected poisoned super Chibuku from his brother Leon and we are currently investigating the matter,” Dhliwayo said.

Allegations are that Job went to his young brother’s homestead for a family discussion since Leon’s daughter was about to be married.

Leon gave his brother a bottle of Chibuku which he drank alone.

After drinking the Chibuku he started vomiting blood  and died in a toilet.

Police warned people to respect human life and avoid food poisoning.

By A Correspondent- The police have announced that they are yet to identify some of the bodies of the people who perished on the Masvingo-Zvishavane highway, Monday.

The road accident claimed a total number of 20 people after a Toyota Granvia heading west towards Zvishavane collided with a Toyota Wish which was going east towards Masvingo.

The police said they were failing to identify some of the bodies because the deceased did not have identity documents.

Police could only confirm that the Granvia was on its way to a funeral and while it was possible this was that for Ms Zvidzai, police had no confirmation of whose funeral the mourners were travelling to.

Police commanders from Masvingo led by Assistant Commissioners Florence Marume and Fredrick Mbemgwa were at the crash site yesterday as their teams continued recovering the remains and the wreckage.

The burial order for Loice Zvidzai of ZRP Old Camp in Gwanda
Villagers from Jodias and others in the area who spoke at the crash scene said the Toyota Wish was notorious for speeding along the Masvingo-Zvishavane road, and was a well-known presumed pirate taxi on the route.

Among the dead in the Wish was a police officer based at Buchwa Police Station, Lincoln Muungani (28), the only son in his family.

His father and sister were at the scene yesterday afternoon, struggling to come to terms with his sudden death.

Jeffrey Paringira (33) of Jodias Village in Madamombe, who was the first to arrive with his brother Simbarashe Kuzipa, said they started running to the highway when they heard two loud bangs.

“It was around 3.30pm when we heard two loud bangs and when we rushed to the road to investigate, we discovered there was an accident involving two vehicles: a Granvia, which had passengers who appeared to be elderly people said to be going to a funeral, and a Toyota Wish that was going towards Masvingo.

“We tried to rescue some of the passengers, but we failed to pull apart the vehicles and we had to rush back home to look for an iron bar that we used to rescue some of the people who were still breathing.”
Paringira said within a few minutes more vehicles had stopped and drivers started helping.

“We noticed that most people had already died in the two cars, but we managed to pull out a police officer (Lincoln Muungani) from the Toyota Wish and he was still breathing though faintly.”

Lincoln, unfortunately, died at Zvishavane District Hospital around 6pm on the same day.

Another villager among the first to arrive at the accident, William Matangamberi, said he had never seen anything like that in his life.

“We noticed that the Granvia had burst one of its tyres and the driver lost control of the vehicle and encroached to the opposite lane where the Toyota Wish was coming,” he said.

Lincoln’s father, Mr Xavier Muungani (64) of Bulawayo, came with one of Lincoln’s sisters, Ms Noreen Willie and other relatives.

“I received the message of my only son’s passing on around 8pm and by then it was already late so we decided to travel to Zvishavane mortuary today to collect his body. I checked his body. It was badly injured and covered in blood.

“It seemed the impact of the crash was too much because the body had deep cuts while some of the ribs were broken. My son surely died a very painful death and I am devastated,” said Mr Muungani.

Speaking after visiting the crash site with senior police commanders, provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said senior police also wanted to have a first-hand appreciation of the crash site as part of ongoing investigations.

“Police commanders decided to visit the crash site so that we can see for ourselves the situation on the ground and this is part of investigations which are ongoing. At the moment we only know that the Toyota Granvia burst one of its tyres but investigations are continuing,” said Inspector Dhewa.

By A Correspondent- The courts have freed a Harare man who allegedly swindled a local investor of US$53 000 and implicated President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, Collins.

Sean Chiriseri (33, has been granted $10 000 bail by magistrate Dennis Mangosi, and was ordered to report twice every week at Marlborough Police Station and not to interfere with witnesses.

According to the State papers, sometime in May this year, Chiriseri approached the complainant with a business proposal to do a joint venture in the fuel industry.

The proposals were that Chiriseri would provide the site and Hairwadzi would provide the fuel.

The joint venture would come up with start-up fees for the site to be Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority-compliant.

It is alleged Chiriseri then misrepresented to Hairwadzi that he had money in his nostro account, but could not use it since these transactions needed cash.

The State alleges Hairwadzi availed cash US$53 490 to Chiriseri, who, in turn, furnished him with documents where he purported to have effected the transfer of funds from his nostro account to Hairwadzi’s account.

Hairwadzi later realised that the proof of payment was fraudulent.

A follow-up on Chiriseri did not yield anything as he started to threaten the complainant saying he had been sent by Collins to take him out of
business.

The complainant filed a report with the police, leading to Chiriseri’s arrest.

By A Correspondent- The Zanu PF government has admitted that it has failed to provide adequate transport to the commuting public struggling to travel within cities and towns.

Nick Mangwana, the government spokesperson Wednesday said: “The buses we have are not enough, but there is a clear roadmap to ensure that the gap is closed. More buses on the way. Please bear with us”.

The Commander Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant-General Edzai Absalom Chakanyuka Chimonyo has died.

According to Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, Chimonyo died after a long battle with cancer.

More to follow….

Former South African President Jacob Zuma has handed himself in to police to begin serving a jail sentence for contempt of court, sentenced by the same judge whose Zimbabwe-electoral violence report he blocked in 2013.

His foundation said he had travelled to a prison near to his home in KwaZulu-Natal province late on Wednesday.

Police had warned that they were prepared to arrest Mr Zuma, 79, if he failed to hand himself in.

Last week, he was given a 15-month jail term for contempt of court after he failed to attend a corruption inquiry.

The sentencing sparked an unprecedented legal drama in South Africa, with a deadline imposed of midnight on Wednesday (22:00 GMT) for Mr Zuma’s arrest.

The deadline was imposed after Mr Zuma refused to hand himself in on Sunday.

South Africa has never seen a former president jailed before.

Mr Zuma, 79, was forced to resign in 2018 after nine years in power.

Though he was forced out of office by his own party, the African National Congress (ANC), he retains a loyal body of supporters, especially in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.

On Sunday, crowds formed what they called a human shield outside Mr Zuma’s palatial home. Similar crowds gathered before he handed himself in on Wednesday.

In February 2013, Jacob Zuma, then president was ordered to hand over the Zimbabwe electoral violence report to a newspaper, the M&G within 10 days. Zuma then quickly appealed against Justice Raulinga’s judgment.

The lengthy saga came to a head when Raulinga revealed that the Justice Sisi Khampepe report had gone “missing”, and disclosed that Rakoatsi had made several unsolicited and unsuccessful attempts to retrieve the report from his custody, in his absence.

In a letter to the appeal court, Rakoatsi rejected any insinuation that he had knowledge of where the report was, or that he had a hand in its disappearance.

Zuma later lost the case at the Supreme Court, in a case that now exposes ZANU PF for terrorism crimes during elections. – Additional Reporting, BBC

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has been haunted by transport woes which are being experienced by commuters after they banned kombies.

In a propagandistic response to the crisis Nick Mangwana, the government spokesperson Wednesday said:”The buses we have are not enough, but there is a clear roadmap to ensure that the gap is closed. More buses on the way. Please bear with us”.

By A Correspondent- The country’s hospitals are running out of beds due to the increased number of people testing positive for Covid-19, the government has said.

Zimbabwe is facing a surge in infections, with 1 949 new cases and 28 deaths as of Tuesday.

The government said most of the country’s hospitals, such as Nyanga and Chipinge require bulk oxygen tanks, while some like Zvimba in Mashonaland West, and Plumtree and Gwanda in Matabeleland South required functional isolation centres.

By A Correspondent- The country’s hospitals are running out of beds due to the increased number of people testing positive for Covid-19, the government has said.

Zimbabwe is facing a surge in infections, with 1 949 new cases and 28 deaths as of Tuesday.

The government said most of the country’s hospitals, such as Nyanga and Chipinge require bulk oxygen tanks, while some like Zvimba in Mashonaland West, and Plumtree and Gwanda in Matabeleland South required functional isolation centres.

By A Correspondent- There is an outcry from parents after the government yesterday announced plans to reopen schools at time cases of Covid-19 are increasing.

The government through the ministry of information said the start of the second term will see a combination of face-to-face teaching, remote home learning, community learning and the use of alternative platforms such as e-learning, radio and television.

They said all schools were being inspected to ensure they have finalised their Covid-19 preventative measures and have the basic equipment they need.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has thrown the former Zanu PF political commissar, Victor Matemadanda, under the bus by finally posting him to war-torn Mozambique.

Mnangagwa, Wednesday, sworn in Matemadanda, marking the beginning of the former Zanu PF political commissar’s Mozambique diplomatic journey.

Mozambique is embroiled in a conflict between rebels and government forces.

The conflict started in October 2017 and has left thousands homeless and hundreds dead.

SADC resolved to send a standing army to Mozambique to help fight the Islamist insurgency.

By A Correspondent- Vice-President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga has brewed another Gukurahundi storm after announcing that they were going to grab all clinics in Matabeleland from local authorities.

Chiwenga last week told Parliament that the government was in the process of taking overall health facilities run by councils.

Chiwenga said the move was part of a grand plan to ensure standardised service delivery as envisaged by the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

Campaigners for Devolution secretary-general Khumbulani Maphosa yesterday told Southern Eye that it was ironic that Chiwenga was pursuing the project at a time when government-run health institutions were struggling to provide quality services due to centralisation of power and inadequate funding.

“We are disturbed by recent reports that the central government intends to take over all council-run clinics in order to standardise health service delivery in Zimbabwe,” he said.

“The decision is ultra vires (against) the constitutional provisions on devolution of power as espoused in section 264 and 265 of the Constitution.”

Maphosa said centralisation in Zimbabwe had always led to pathetic and shambolic service delivery, adding that examples included the centralisation of bulk water provision by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, which he said had caused acute water shortages in urban centres.

“Another example is the recent centralisation of public transport under Zupco, which is causing serious transport challenges for ordinary citizens. Government must respect constitutionalism.”

Maphosa said instead of taking over council-run clinics, the government should expedite the issuance of grants to the council, and also build more clinics, especially in rural areas where people travel up to 20km to access healthcare services.

He said the government should devolve nurse training and the recruitment of healthcare professionals.

-NewsDay

By A Correspondent- The MDC-Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa has dismissed rumours that his party received some fuel coupons from Kudakwashe Tagwiri’s fuel company.

Chamisa told reporters in Harare this week that MDC-Alliance “is nowhere near” Tagwirei.

The youthful opposition leader said his party gets funding from its members.

Rumour is cirtculating that Tagwirei extended undiclosed litters of fuel coupons to Chamisa as way of trying to capture the opposition.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s business frontman, Kudakwashe Tagwirei is said to have attempted to bribe the MDC-Alliance President Nelson Chamisa’s party by offering them fuel coupons.

Sources close to the opposition capture attempt by Zanu PF’s Tagwirei said the businessman wanted to bribe the MDC-Alliance before capturing it.

His attempt is said to have hit the brick wall after top MDC-Alliance realised the plan.

Responding to the allegations this week, MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa distanced himself and the party from Tagwirei saying the corrupt businessman.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has reported a fatal accident that occurred this Wednesday at the 70km peg along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road.

Three people died on the spot while eighteen others were injured when a Toyota Granvia burst a tyre and veered off the road.

Police said more details pertaining to the accident will be released in due course.
In a related development, police confirmed that the death toll in the accident which occurred at 61km peg along Masvingo-Mbalabala Road on Monday has risen to 22.
According to an earlier police statement, the Toyota Granvia which was heading west towards Zvishavane burst a tyre resulting in the driver losing control of the vehicle.
The Gravia encroached onto an oncoming Toyota Wish’s lane which was going east towards Masvingo resulting in the head-on collision.

On Monday police said 20 people were killed in the crash but one of the survivors, a police officer based at Buchwa Police Station, Lincoln Muungani (28), passed away later, becoming the 21st victim.
He was pulled out of the wreckage alive but later succumbed to his injuries at Zvishavane District Hospital around 6 pm on the same day.

Watch the live video loading below …..please be patient as it uploads

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has released the names of 15 of the 21 people who perished in a fatal road traffic accident that occurred on the 5th July 2021 at the 61km peg along Masvingo- Mbalabala Road, at around 1530 hours.

On Monday police said 20 people were killed in the crash but one of the survivors, a police officer based at Buchwa Police Station, Lincoln Muungani (28), passed away later.

He was pulled out of the wreckage alive but later succumbed to his injuries at Zvishavane District Hospital around 6 pm on the same day.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said the deceased have been identified by their next of kin. The deceased are:

1. Samuel Dube (65), of Plot 90 Gwayi.
2. Shara Mazorodze (37) , of Village Nemasiyanwa Gutu.
3. Mudiwa Julius (39), of Village Munjikwa, Gutu.
4. Richard Muparadzi (42), of Village Musapasi,Makoni.
5. Romeo Ndlovu (24), of Zvishavane.
6. Felix Moyo(27) of Village Mamhute, Chivi.
7. Lincoln Kudakwashe Muungani (26), of Zimbabwe Republic Police Buchwa Support Unit.
8. Melania Mukaro of Village Mukaro, Gutu.
9. Magnesia Tsoka (34), of Village Nemasiyanwa, Gutu.
10. Jemitias Simpilisiwe Shara (72), of Village Masiyanwa, Gutu.
11. Alois Munyanyi Chitambira (66), of Village Masiyanwa, Gutu.
12. Mirirai Grace Rundare (42), of Munjanganja Primary School, Gutu.
13. Merita Esnath Machando (64), of Mujanganja Primary School, Gutu.
14. Faulstino Shara (61), of Village Nemasiyanwa, Gutu.
15. Mazorodze Shara (37), of Village Nemasiyanwa, Gutu.

Asst Comm Nyathi said police are still conducting investigations into the accident He urged members of the public to take heed of the Government’s call to stop boarding mushikashika or pirate taxis.

Asst Nyathi further implored people to observe and comply with COVID-19 protocols and measures to safeguard lives.

By A Correspondent- Some Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) kombi crews have reportedly slashed fares to US$1 for two people from $1 per person, while others are sticking to the new fares announced on 1 July.

ZUPCO buses and kombis increased fares by 100 per cent last week pegging bus fare at $60 and kombis $80 (almost US$1) at the official exchange rate.

A conductor who declined to be named told the Chronicle that they were informed to reduce fares by officials.

She said:

We just woke up today to be told that the omnibus fare was now $60 or US$1 for 2 or 10 rands. Communication came from the officials, we do not know much about the new changes.

However, another conductor said they were told that for Nkulumane 12 prices have not changed.

ZUPCO southern division operations manager Tineyi Rwasoka on Wednesday declined to comment on the issue of the fares and referred questions to acting chief executive officer Evaristo Madangwa.

Efforts by the publication to get a comment Madangwa were fruitless as his mobile phone was said to have been ringing without answer since yesterday.

While ZUPCO hiked fares, pirate kombis maintained their $50 fare and commuters started avoiding ZUPCO buses that would move between destinations with as little as four passengers.

ZUPCO has been the sole public transporter for over a year now while others are operating illegally.

However, commuters said they preferred the cheaper pirate taxis (Mushikashika), although they sometimes endangered their lives when they get involved in high-speed chases with police.

-Mirror

By A Correspondent- There is concern that a new and more lethal Covid-19 virus could have entered Masvingo after three different people collapsed and died in different places in the City this morning.

The Mirror reported earlier that two people, one in the CBD and another in the populous suburb of Mucheke D have both collapsed and died at around 9am today.

However, the newspaper has since established that there is a death of a woman aged 80 who also collapsed and died in Runyararo West at around 7am.

Health officials who spoke to The Mirror on condition of anonymity said they are on maximum alert for Covid-19 cases as they collect these bodies. The body from Runyararo West was collected by officials from the Ministry of Health and the body was collected at around 10am.

All three are elderly women and The Mirror is told that the Ministry of Health has started contact tracing.

President Mnangagwa recently warned that the virus in the third wave is more lethal although he continues to allow his ruling Zanu PF party to hold rallies, meetings and other gatherings.

The first woman collapsed and died while using a toilet at Landmark Bar at around 8:45am and her body was removed by the Police and Ministry of Health officials at around 10am. The woman (75) from Mucheke D was removed by a Nyaradzo Funeral Services ambulance at around 12pm.

-MasvingoMirror

By A Correspondent- An 18 year old woman from Rusike, Marondera, was arrested today after she allegedly stabbed her father twice while trying to rescue her mother from his attacks for failing to fulfill her c0njugal obligations.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 2:30am today in Rusike Phase 3 when Wadson Chatida (44) arrived home and demanded se_x from his wife Prisca Chatida (36).

Prisca reportedly informed Wadson that she could not fulfil his desires since she was on her men_strual cycle, a development which did not go down well with him and he started assaulting her.

Prisca started screaming and the noise attracted their two daughters who rushed to the bedroom in an attempt to rescue their mother.

It is alleged that Prisca managed to escape to the kitchen, but Wadson pursued her and continued to assault her while their two daughters were trying to restrain them.

It is alleged that after all efforts to rescue their mother had hit a snag, one of the daughters, Winnet, grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed her father in the abdomen and on the right shoulder.

She seriously injured him.

Wadson is now battling for his life while admitted at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare, while Winnet is in police custody.

-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- A serving soldier has been arrested for armed robbery and supplying ammunition to fellow robbers.

Zvidozvashe Dzuda (35), a Zimbabwe National Army ordinance directorate section member, yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi charged with armed robbery.

He was remanded in custody to July 15.

Dzuda was among the armed robbers who exchanged gunshots with police resulting in the death of two and the arrest of four of them at the weekend.

The gang is accused of attacking several people and institutions, stealing items valued at US$500 000, including robbing Gateway School where they got away with US$250 000.

Dzuda and his accomplices also face more than eight counts of armed robbery charges.

By A Correspondent- A truck driver, Aleck Chivanga, who is employed by Creadlyne Transport (Pvt) Ltd, has been slapped with a US$80 000 lawsuit after he allegedly caused a fire which engulfed RAM service station in Ruwa last year.

The fire also burnt to ashes a motor spares shop owned by Joyce Kanhukamwe, who is the complainant in the matter.

She is now demanding US$80 000 from Chivanga and his employer for the damage caused by the fire.

Kanhukamwe submitted that she had tried to engage the defendants to no avail, leaving her with no option than take the matter to court.

The fire incident is said to have occurred on November 5, 2020 when Chivanga was offloading fuel at RAM service station.

Kanhukamwe alleged that Chivanga failed to adhere to all safety protocols while offloading the fuel, resulting in the explosion.

The case is yet to be heard.

By A Correspondent- A Harare man, who allegedly swindled a local investor of US$53 000 and implicated President Emmerson Mnangangwa’s son, Collins, has been granted $10 000 bail.

Sean Chiriseri (33), who appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi, was ordered to report twice every week at Marlborough Police Station and not to interfere with witnesses.

According to the State papers, sometime in May this year, Chiriseri approached the complainant with a business proposal to do a joint venture in the fuel industry.

The proposals were that Chiriseri would provide the site and Hairwadzi would provide the fuel.

The joint venture would come up with start-up fees for the site to be Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority compliant.

It is alleged Chiriseri then misrepresented to Hairwadzi that he had money in his nostro account, but could not use it since these transactions needed cash.

The State alleges Hairwadzi availed cash US$53 490 to Chiriseri, who, in turn, furnished him with documents where he purported to have effected the transfer of funds from his nostro account to Hairwadzi’s account.

Hairwadzi later realised that the proof of payment was fraudulent.

A follow-up on Chiriseri did not yield anything as he started to threaten the complainant saying he had been sent by Collins to take him out of business.

The complainant filed a report with the police, leading to Chiriseri’s arrest.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- The majority of Zimbabweans are unhappy with the decline in their well-being under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration and are unlikely to retain him for a second term in the 2023 elections, a local non-governmental organisation has claimed in a report.

In its latest report on organised violence and torture (OVT) and elections in Zimbabwe, the Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU) also said the military should be confined to the barracks ahead of the elections while government officials should not fan hate speech to avoid a bloodbath.

Zimbabwe goes for elections in 2023 amid concerns of growing poverty, unemployment, cash shortages among other problems.

“Notwithstanding the COVID-19 crisis, the general populace has seen a significant decline in their well-being, a condition for which they may well hold the current government responsible, and likely to support it again in a poll,” RAU said.

“These are the conditions that increase the probability of the return of OVT, a probability reflected in the warlike rhetoric of Zanu-PF supporters. Hence, we make a number of recommendations.”

The report noted that Mnangagwa “scrapped through” a narrow victory in 2018, the ruling party would likely stop at nothing to win the 2023 elections, raising the possibility of violence.

“As we have pointed out, OVT can reach the threshold of crimes against humanity, and it is evident that OVT reaches this threshold when the probability of the ruling party losing political power is very high, especially over the hold on the presidency,”the report read.

“It is critical that the pre-election period before 2023 is characterised by a total absence of hate speech, especially by members of the government, and that all persons making such statements are charged under sections 37(1)(c) and 42(2) of the Criminal Code.

“There must be no deployment of members of the ZNA [Zimbabwe National Army] into the civilian space outside of conditions that approximate a state of public emergency, as indicated in section 113 of the Constitution, and, if deployed, the provisions of section 214 of the Constitution be strictly adhered to, with full public disclosure.”

The report said a recent study looking at violence in several Sadc countries governed by former liberation movements showed that Zimbabwe was the most violent.

The violence was significantly related to elections.

Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo, however, dismissed claims that his party was failing to address the plight of the people, saying anyone saying that was not following developments on the ground.

“I am not sure what they are talking about,” Khaya Moyo said.

“They are not following the implementation of our manifesto. There are lots of projects and programmes that have been implemented.

“We are not in 2023, we are only in 2021 and the assessment can only be done before the end of the next election. Why do they throw away the two years remaining? You can’t conclude when we have two more years to go.”

A report by the Mass Public Opinion Institute last week gave Mnangagwa a 33% lead in the 2023 polls ahead of the MDC Alliance’s 25%, but pointed out that Zimbabweans were not happy with the direction the country was taking under Mnangagwa.

-newsday