Bulawayo ‘‘serial killer” Rodney Tongai Jindu who is on death row following a capital punishment for the callous murder of two of his friends in 2017, has approached the Supreme Court challenging the lower court’s verdict.

Jindu (27) of Glengarry suburb was in August 2018 convicted of murder with actual intent by Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo in connection with the deaths of Mboneli Joko Ncube and Cyprian Kudzurunga.

He shot dead Kudzurunga of Queens Park East on January 29, 2017, buried him in a shallow grave in Burnside suburb and sent a message to the deceased’s mother pretending to be her son who had suddenly decided to leave the country.

He also shot Ncube and dismembered his body and set the parts on fire before burying them in four shallow graves in Burnside.

The court had previously heard that Jindu was mentally ill but following a medical examination, he was declared fit to stand trial.

During trial Jindu told the court that he was sent by the devil to kill two of his victims and threatened to unleash the evil spirit on prosecutors.

He said when he committed the two murders, he was under the influence of heroin and methamphetamine (crystal meth) which created an urge for him to kill. Jindu also confessed that he ate the pair’s raw livers and cooked brains.

Justice Moyo ruled that under the circumstances, Jindu deserved nothing other than capital punishment.

Jindu, through his lawyer Mr Dixon Abraham of Tanaka Law Chamber filed an appeal at the Supreme Court citing the State as a respondent.

In his grounds of appeal, Jindu argued that lower court erred and misdirected itself by convicting him on two counts of murder when there was evidence that he was mentally incapacitated.

“There was cogent evidence that appellant was mentally incapacitated to appreciate the implications of his actions at the material time of committing the offence. Wherefore, appellants prays that the appeal be and is hereby allowed,” said Mr Abraham.

Jindu wants the judgment and sentence of the High Court to be set aside and be substituted with an acquittal. The State is yet to respond.

Jindu was arrested on February 3, 2017 for killing his childhood friend Kudzurunga on January 29. On the second charge, he shot Ncube, dismembered his body and set the pieces on fire before burying them in four shallow graves.

According to court papers, it was stated that on January 12, 2017, Jindu drove to a supermarket situated at corner Robert Mugabe Way and 11th Avenue and met Ncube. They proceeded to Burnside suburb, but the reason for the trip was not mentioned in court papers.

On arrival in Burnside, Jindu pulled out an Optima pistol serial number 13752 from his car and shot Ncube twice in the chest and he died on the spot.

He then chopped the body into pieces, set them on fire before burying them in four different shallow graves. Police investigations led to the arrest of Jindu and he confessed to the killing.

He made indications which led to the recovery of the body parts at four different sites where they were buried. The firearm used in committing the offence was recovered.- Chronicle

FATAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AT 19 KM PEG ALONG HARARE-BULAWAYO ROAD

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is saddened with the continued loss of lives on the country’s roads. Speeding, overtaking errors and overloading of vehicles are the major cause of most of these accidents.

On 27th June 2021, six (06) people died on the spot while three (03) others were injured at the 19km peg along Harare-Bulawayo Road, after Whitehouse before Somerby, after a motorist driving a Nissan Navara vehicle, towards Harare, with one passenger aboard, lost control of the vehicle and encroached onto the oncoming lane before colliding head-on with a Honda fit vehicle which was travelling towards Bulawayo, with seven occupants.

The victims were identified as follows:-

Victor Batanai BHOBHI a male adult aged 39 years of house number 5733 Nhowe Norton,
Stanley NYANGORE a male adult aged 47 years of Norton.
Aaron MIDIYA a male adult aged 27 of Norton.
Charles DZIKISA a male adult aged 50 years of 0325 Garikai Norton.
Memory MUTERO female adult aged 24 years of Norton. Next of kin is yet to be advised.
Beauty KANGAUVARI a female adult aged 20 years of Nhowe phase 2 Norton.
Meanwhile, the injured were taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital where they are receiving treatment while bodies of the deceased are at the same institution awaiting post mortem.

Drivers are urged to be safety conscious and exhibit exemplary driving conduct on the roads to safeguard lives.- ZRP

Chiredzi – A Chiredzi businesswoman, Muchaneta Josaya who was running a shop at Chibwedziva Business Centre was found hanging from a tree near the Commercial Sugarcane Farmers’ Association offices on Thursday morning.

Masvingo Provincial spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa said he was yet to receive the report.

However, the deceased’s aunt Ester Manyanye confirmed the suicide to The Mirror.

The hanging body of Josaya was discovered by a Chikombedzi veterinary officer who had disembarked from a bus.

On the fateful day, Josaya met her pastor Oriah Kufera of Zion Christian Church (ZCC) and he prayed for her.

“Josaya was not feeling well and at times she would act as if she was possessed. After conducting prayers, she left for home,” said Kufera.

He also said that he was astounded to receive a call from Josaya’s son around 0300 alerting him that his mother had left the house.

“I later on heard that Josaya had been found and we went there and found her lifeless body hanging on a tree,” said Kufera.

“Josaya was somebody who had suffered so much trauma, she lost her helper on May 7 and in that same month she lost her brother and her other brother is battling for his life at a local hospital,” said Kufera.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has assured the nation that Zanu PF agents cannot annihilate the people’s struggle.

President Chamisa made the remarks in Mabvuku on Sunday as he paid tribute to MDC Alliance deputy organising secretary Netsai Marova’s father.

According to President Chamisa, no form of criticism will dampen the people’s struggle for freedom.

“They are saying all of sorts of things about us.They are denigrating us because they know we are the real deal. My message to the MDC Alliance family and the nation at large is – do not panic we are in charge.We know what we are doing. Our opponents are trying to weaken us but we are even becoming intact with each passing day.

Those in Zanu PF know that we are a formidable force and they are using bully-boy tactics to cow us into submission but we are unmoved,” said President Chamisa.

He added:”So they think that inviting n’angas to Ziscosteel to perform rituals will revive the economy? That will not work. A n’anga cannot perform rituals that can revive the economy- there is nothing like that.

(Emmerson) Mnangagwa wants the nation to worship idols. We will never worship idols. We will never salute idols. Mr Mnangagwa thinks that idolatry will somehow transform the economy- he is lost and those who follow him are lost.”

Tinashe Sambiri|Cornered MDC- T leader Mr Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora is a dejected man after being embarrassed by Tungamirai Madzokere.

Mwonzora attempted to steal credit for Madzokere and Last Maengahama’s release from prison.

Madzokere has also pointed out that the visit by members of Mwonzora’s party has been used for nefarious reasons.

Madzokere argued:

“MDCT Leadership, led by Yvonne Musarurwa came to my house and told me that my release from prison was necessitated by Douglas Mwonzora as part of his negotiation with ZanuPF for supporting Const Amendment Bill number 2…

This exposes injustices in Zim as courts are influenced by the Executive & the Legislature, which shouldnt be the case. The Constitution we wrote clearly separates the Judiciary, Parliament, Executive and Cabinet. We shouldn’t be having one influencing judgements.

I cannot be happy for being released due to political intervention. I want to be released because I committed no crime. The scholarly judgement shows the intervention of God with Judges being Spokespersons of the heavenly intervention, because of my innocence.”

He added: “I wasn’t happy seeing my MDCT colleagues on social media insinuating that I’m joining them. That’s not what we agreed. I accepted them at my home because they are fellow friends. Yvonne Musarurwa was my co-accused & a friend for a long time…

“I have friends in MDCT but there’s a difference between being a friend and a political ally. As human being, we are political & social animals. I cannot cut social ties because of differing political opinions . I won’t chase away visitors..

“I cannot fail to socially get along with MDCT people when I get along with some ZANU PF members because we differ politically. Let it be clear that I believe in the Leadership of President Nelson Chamisa…

Even ZanuPF knows that the only person who can deliver Zimbabweans from the bondage caused by Zanu is the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa. Even President Mugabe during GNU called Chamisa a supersonic Minister.

After the new government led by Pres Nelson Chamisa comes into office soon, Mnangagwa who will be an Opposition Leader will call Pres Chamisa a super-sonic President. I’m done”

Tinashe Sambiri|The so called new dispensation under the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has been caught in a looting spree in Kwekwe.

Impeccable sources have revealed how Zanu PF bigwigs are plundering government and city council resources in Kwekwe at will.

See letter below:

THE GRAFT ROT RUNS UNPRECEDENTEDLY DEEPER IN PRESIDENT’, AND MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S’ HOME CITY COUNCIL OF KWEKWE, INSIDERS ALLEGES’.

June 26, 2021. Kwekwe.

Information doing serious rounds in and around the communities of Kwekwe, and within the corridors of Kwekwe Civic Centre, and other institutions are that of long standing serious corruption practices by Council bureaucracy, headed by Acting Town Clerk (ATC) Lucia Mkadhla, and through a network of other beneficiaries within the local public sector, private sector, professionals, some local politicians, and through local party factions. The later, allegedly being used by the corrupt management as a ‘buffer’ in the even that things come to head.

Areas allegedly used as conduits includes, tender/procurement, commercial and low density land/stands, Human Resource and grading system, Acting allowances and educational allowances for non existing school children, and many others.

This is said to be seriously compounded by serious incompetency on the part of the ATC who resorts to ‘farm type intimidating bossboy management approach’. Hence seriously exposing management incompetencies since positioned as ATC.

It is further alleged that this intimidatory, and systematic ‘grand graft oily approach’ has been keeping the rot under lid, as none among the HODs and employees would dare raise a finger.
On the other hand, taking advantage of the entirely new crop of opposition councillors who are kept suffocated of critical council information.

However, the wider and open talk around the alleged serious corruption and poor management of the city came as a result of the resolution by the full council meeting on 21 May 2021, to ‘commission forensic audit’ on the Central Administration Department.
This department houses : low density housing stands: Commercial land: industrial land: Human Resource department: Security section: and Fire Brigade, among others. And these Falls directly under the Acting Town Clerk, (ATC) Mrs Lucia Mkadhla’s command.

Insiders, and locals say that the levels of corruption are of long standing, but were closely guarded as it involves senior council bureaucratic: local politicians: security sector and local professional people. The council management is also allegedly fronting their relatives: friends and workers of their privately owned companies that are registered in relatives etc names. Further allegations are that even local Scribers and local Anti Graft advocators, are alleged to have benefited unprocedurally in land scandals as a way of being silenced’.

And indeed, unlike them in the past, the local scribers have ‘gone to sleep’ in the wake of the glaring scandals, and the obtaining bush management style of this public entity.

Kwekwe City Council has been without a substantive Town Clerk (TC,) since December 2018 when the then incumbent and long serving TC, Ngwena Musara reached retirement age. Thus the then newly voted in 13 MDCA councilors and 1 ZANU PF team appointed Chamber Secretary Lucia Mkandla as Acting Town Clerk (ATC) in January 2019.

That the Rot is unprecedentedly of shocking levels of corruption, spanning over length periods of time, but lately worsened by a combination of serious graft and poor/incompetent corporate management under the charge of Acting Town Clerk.

The Unprecedented deep corruption allegations: unprecedented poor corporate governance, run deep veins within the City of Kwekwe, and said to also have influenced its dormitory town of Redcliff, to follow suit’ well placed insiders revealed’ !

And to think that these are ‘Home towns to both the President, and the Minister responsible for municipalities?, and the minister for state security?

All along, Kwekwe has been tauted as ‘clean of corruption when compared with other cities’. This having been advanced by the same current management and the successive management. Kind of ‘self serving protective mantra’.

It is revealed that the rot has been closely guarded politically, as the corruption practice involves heavy weights management and local politicians.

Thus, over the years, People and officials had been talking in lower tones. Things came to strong talking following the ‘Bold decision taken by the City mothers and fathers at that special full council meeting held on May 21 this year, when they resolved to institutes forensic audit for the city’s central administration department. It is said the this department is the nucleus of the deep rot.

Kwekwe Council have had interviews for TC in the past, to replace Mr Musara. Mrs Mkandhla, the City’s Chamber Secretary, was also in the race but came a distant fourth. Although she is said to hold a PHD, ‘the later also shrouded in the way it is said to have been defended’ she is reportedly without a ‘first degree’, a crucial requirement for the post of TC. Her elevation to Chamber Secretary through interview some years ago was also controversial as regard qualifications. This latter post is usually for those with legal qualifications.

The results of the interview done in 2019 were not implemented, reportedly because the ministry did not have the Local Government Board in place until recently when the minister appointed the ‘Mr Chakaipa headed LG Board’.

At some stage, the councilors had recommended for appointment of Mrs Mkandhla as substantive TC, citing the length period it was taking without LGB.

However, the insiders alleges that the long period of acting have unfortunately exposed the weaknesses of the ATC regarding managerial competence, as well as the alleged serious corruption activities within the council administration and management.

Areas reported of the corruption activities includes, but not limited to:

Commercial and Residential land allocations, fronting friends and relatives; companies own indirectly fronted through relatives and friends; and business and professional acquaintances.

The lack of procedural land allocations, also includes favouring influential individuals, politicians, professionals, individuals, local scribers etc, Allegedly for purposes of ‘silencing and or protection’ in the event that ‘things come to head’.

Issues of grading system: educational allowances: etc are said to be another route of abusing council coffers.

It is reported that following the May 2021 Councilors resolution for forensic audit, the civic centre corridors became ‘awash’ with fearful anxiety amongst the bureaucracy. Kwekwe council had never been subjected to such audit ‘time memorially’. To subject it to this exercise will mean opening serious shocking skeletons!

Because of that, it is alleged that the ATC and management are running around trying all sorts of strategies to circumvent the consequences: such as trying to politicise this noble move by the councilors: trying to mislead the ministry of LG and the Office of President and Cabinet of the intention by the councilors, and faking allegations of victimization of ATC by opposition councilors. The ATC ran around misleading the local ZANU PF individual office holders, and a local party faction hoping for protection. To the extent of sending emissaries to the ministry, and minister of LG trying yo give wrong assumption as to why the forensic audit will be undertaken. These management guys are in total panic, and confusion. Kuvhunduka chati pwatara hunge uine chawaka turika, so said the Shonas!

Other insiders alleges that the ATC and management were even contemplating buying the auditors when they come for the forensic audit. However, the minister is said to plan to send government auditors for this exercise. Yet those in council think that the latter may work in the corner of the ATC and team. For in the past, in 2020 to early 2021 to be precise, the Minister instituted and send a team around the country to carryout state urban land Audit under all urban councils. When this team came to Kwekwe, it (the team) was harassed by ATC and subjected to meetings with officers from the local OPC, some form of proactive indirect tactical intimidation. The outcome of this audit could have been influenced, and was never known to council and councilors. Only to be reported verbally by management that all was well. Hence the wary that similar tactics could be in the offing for the auditors that the minister would assign for the forensic audit.

Lately, council management is suspected to have tried to divide the councilors by through use of money, give favours, and management aligning with party factions, all in a bid for political protection over issues of alleged serious corruption.

However, the news of this forensic audit resolution seems to have been received by the ‘stakeholders: ratepayers; local business; the community, with great interest, and hope for sanity against corruption and for better council management.

They say that the rot has become a cancer and of high concern. This coupled with the ‘Mafia/farm bossboy type of management’ by the ATC was destroying the municipal viability.

People hope that the attempt to politicise the issue to try sympathy luck would not succeed given the ‘stance of the new dispensation and President ED Mnangagwa stance against corruption. Also that this exercise should help to either clean, or clear the city of graft practice, as this dent the President, and Minister of LG and Devolution, who are both from Kwekwe. People hope that the President would stand by his pronounced vision not to spare the rod on anyone involved, regardless of their positions.

Meanwhile, people of Kwekwe were shocked when in mid June this year, the Ward 6 Councillor, McLean Nyamucherera (ZANU PF), who is said to be aligned to the Dhala faction in the race for MP for the ruling party, went around town organising and collected ‘thousands of US$’ from people allegedly for allocations of ‘flea markets stalls’. In doing so, the councilor was helped by a daughter of the incumbent Deputy Mayor among other persons, a sister to the aspiring opposition MP candidate. It is alleged that more than 300 people were made to pay about US$20 each, and the councilor went on to pay only about US$3000 to council and was issued with a receipt. Later on however, this episodic brought scenes at the council meeting when the ATC presented the receipt with intention to have the move endorsed by councilors. The councilors were ‘hot with the issue’, citing that it was not only an abuse of office by the involved councilor, but a serious criminal act. They further questioned as to why the council management would want to cordon such an act, that is unless if the management was behind such a move. Otherwise how do you have a policymaker doing such a thing and management accept the money. Some members of community suspected that this unprecedented move could be linked to management attempting to ‘pacify some party factions through councilors’ hoping for sympathetic against alleged serious graft in council. Otherwise where in the Urban Councils Act is such a role defined! It boggles any sane mind!

It is therefore left to be seen whether the authorities would enable transparency and justice taking course for the good credibility of the New Dispensation and for the city and its ratepayers.

Tinashe Sambiri|Cornered MDC- T leader Mr Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora is a dejected man after being embarrassed by Tungamirai Madzokere.

Mwonzora attempted to steal credit for Madzokere and Last Maengahama’s release from prison.

Madzokere has also pointed out that the visit by members of Mwonzora’s party has been used for nefarious reasons.

Madzokere argued:

“MDCT Leadership, led by Yvonne Musarurwa came to my house and told me that my release from prison was necessitated by Douglas Mwonzora as part of his negotiation with ZanuPF for supporting Const Amendment Bill number 2…

This exposes injustices in Zim as courts are influenced by the Executive & the Legislature, which shouldnt be the case. The Constitution we wrote clearly separates the Judiciary, Parliament, Executive and Cabinet. We shouldn’t be having one influencing judgements.

I cannot be happy for being released due to political intervention. I want to be released because I committed no crime. The scholarly judgement shows the intervention of God with Judges being Spokespersons of the heavenly intervention, because of my innocence.”

He added: “I wasn’t happy seeing my MDCT colleagues on social media insinuating that I’m joining them. That’s not what we agreed. I accepted them at my home because they are fellow friends. Yvonne Musarurwa was my co-accused & a friend for a long time…

“I have friends in MDCT but there’s a difference between being a friend and a political ally. As human being, we are political & social animals. I cannot cut social ties because of differing political opinions . I won’t chase away visitors..

“I cannot fail to socially get along with MDCT people when I get along with some ZANU PF members because we differ politically. Let it be clear that I believe in the Leadership of President Nelson Chamisa…

Even ZanuPF knows that the only person who can deliver Zimbabweans from the bondage caused by Zanu is the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa. Even President Mugabe during GNU called Chamisa a supersonic Minister.

After the new government led by Pres Nelson Chamisa comes into office soon, Mnangagwa who will be an Opposition Leader will call Pres Chamisa a super-sonic President. I’m done”

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has assured the nation that Zanu PF agents cannot annihilate the people’s struggle.

President Chamisa made the remarks in Mabvuku on Sunday as he paid tribute to MDC Alliance deputy organising secretary Netsai Marova’s father.

According to President Chamisa, no form of criticism will dampen the people’s struggle for freedom.

“They are saying all of sorts of things about us.They are denigrating us because they know we are the real deal. My message to the MDC Alliance family and the nation at large is – do not panic we are in charge.We know what we are doing. Our opponents are trying to weaken us but we are even becoming intact with each passing day.

Those in Zanu PF know that we are a formidable force and they are using bully-boy tactics to cow us into submission but we are unmoved,” said President Chamisa.

He added:”So they think that inviting n’angas to Ziscosteel to perform rituals will revive the economy? That will not work. A n’anga cannot perform rituals that can revive the economy- there is nothing like that.

(Emmerson) Mnangagwa wants the nation to worship idols. We will never worship idols. We will never salute idols. Mr Mnangagwa thinks that idolatry will somehow transform the economy- he is lost and those who follow him are lost.”

Tinashe Sambiri|Cornered MDC- T leader Mr Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora is a dejected man after being embarrassed by Tungamirai Madzokere.

Mwonzora attempted to steal credit for Madzokere and Last Maengahama’s release from prison.

Madzokere has also pointed out that the visit by members of Mwonzora’s party has been used for nefarious reasons.

Madzokere argued:

“MDCT Leadership, led by Yvonne Musarurwa came to my house and told me that my release from prison was necessitated by Douglas Mwonzora as part of his negotiation with ZanuPF for supporting Const Amendment Bill number 2…

This exposes injustices in Zim as courts are influenced by the Executive & the Legislature, which shouldnt be the case. The Constitution we wrote clearly separates the Judiciary, Parliament, Executive and Cabinet. We shouldn’t be having one influencing judgements.

I cannot be happy for being released due to political intervention. I want to be released because I committed no crime. The scholarly judgement shows the intervention of God with Judges being Spokespersons of the heavenly intervention, because of my innocence.”

He added: “I wasn’t happy seeing my MDCT colleagues on social media insinuating that I’m joining them. That’s not what we agreed. I accepted them at my home because they are fellow friends. Yvonne Musarurwa was my co-accused & a friend for a long time…

“I have friends in MDCT but there’s a difference between being a friend and a political ally. As human being, we are political & social animals. I cannot cut social ties because of differing political opinions . I won’t chase away visitors..

“I cannot fail to socially get along with MDCT people when I get along with some ZANU PF members because we differ politically. Let it be clear that I believe in the Leadership of President Nelson Chamisa…

Even ZanuPF knows that the only person who can deliver Zimbabweans from the bondage caused by Zanu is the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa. Even President Mugabe during GNU called Chamisa a supersonic Minister.

After the new government led by Pres Nelson Chamisa comes into office soon, Mnangagwa who will be an Opposition Leader will call Pres Chamisa a super-sonic President. I’m done”

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has assured the nation that Zanu PF agents cannot annihilate the people’s struggle.

President Chamisa made the remarks in Mabvuku on Sunday as he paid tribute to MDC Alliance deputy organising secretary Netsai Marova’s father.

According to President Chamisa, no form of criticism will dampen the people’s struggle for freedom.

“They are saying all of sorts of things about us.They are denigrating us because they know we are the real deal. My message to the MDC Alliance family and the nation at large is – do not panic we are in charge.We know what we are doing. Our opponents are trying to weaken us but we are even becoming intact with each passing day.

Those in Zanu PF know that we are a formidable force and they are using bully-boy tactics to cow us into submission but we are unmoved,” said President Chamisa.

He added:”So they think that inviting n’angas to Ziscosteel to perform rituals will revive the economy? That will not work. A n’anga cannot perform rituals that can revive the economy- there is nothing like that.

(Emmerson) Mnangagwa wants the nation to worship idols. We will never worship idols. We will never salute idols. Mr Mnangagwa thinks that idolatry will somehow transform the economy- he is lost and those who follow him are lost.”

Tinashe Sambiri|The so called new dispensation under the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has been caught in a looting spree in Kwekwe.

Impeccable sources have revealed how Zanu PF bigwigs are plundering government and city council resources in Kwekwe at will.

See letter below:

THE GRAFT ROT RUNS UNPRECEDENTEDLY DEEPER IN PRESIDENT’, AND MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S’ HOME CITY COUNCIL OF KWEKWE, INSIDERS ALLEGES’.

June 26, 2021. Kwekwe.

Information doing serious rounds in and around the communities of Kwekwe, and within the corridors of Kwekwe Civic Centre, and other institutions are that of long standing serious corruption practices by Council bureaucracy, headed by Acting Town Clerk (ATC) Lucia Mkadhla, and through a network of other beneficiaries within the local public sector, private sector, professionals, some local politicians, and through local party factions. The later, allegedly being used by the corrupt management as a ‘buffer’ in the even that things come to head.

Areas allegedly used as conduits includes, tender/procurement, commercial and low density land/stands, Human Resource and grading system, Acting allowances and educational allowances for non existing school children, and many others.

This is said to be seriously compounded by serious incompetency on the part of the ATC who resorts to ‘farm type intimidating bossboy management approach’. Hence seriously exposing management incompetencies since positioned as ATC.

It is further alleged that this intimidatory, and systematic ‘grand graft oily approach’ has been keeping the rot under lid, as none among the HODs and employees would dare raise a finger.
On the other hand, taking advantage of the entirely new crop of opposition councillors who are kept suffocated of critical council information.

However, the wider and open talk around the alleged serious corruption and poor management of the city came as a result of the resolution by the full council meeting on 21 May 2021, to ‘commission forensic audit’ on the Central Administration Department.
This department houses : low density housing stands: Commercial land: industrial land: Human Resource department: Security section: and Fire Brigade, among others. And these Falls directly under the Acting Town Clerk, (ATC) Mrs Lucia Mkadhla’s command.

Insiders, and locals say that the levels of corruption are of long standing, but were closely guarded as it involves senior council bureaucratic: local politicians: security sector and local professional people. The council management is also allegedly fronting their relatives: friends and workers of their privately owned companies that are registered in relatives etc names. Further allegations are that even local Scribers and local Anti Graft advocators, are alleged to have benefited unprocedurally in land scandals as a way of being silenced’.

And indeed, unlike them in the past, the local scribers have ‘gone to sleep’ in the wake of the glaring scandals, and the obtaining bush management style of this public entity.

Kwekwe City Council has been without a substantive Town Clerk (TC,) since December 2018 when the then incumbent and long serving TC, Ngwena Musara reached retirement age. Thus the then newly voted in 13 MDCA councilors and 1 ZANU PF team appointed Chamber Secretary Lucia Mkandla as Acting Town Clerk (ATC) in January 2019.

That the Rot is unprecedentedly of shocking levels of corruption, spanning over length periods of time, but lately worsened by a combination of serious graft and poor/incompetent corporate management under the charge of Acting Town Clerk.

The Unprecedented deep corruption allegations: unprecedented poor corporate governance, run deep veins within the City of Kwekwe, and said to also have influenced its dormitory town of Redcliff, to follow suit’ well placed insiders revealed’ !

And to think that these are ‘Home towns to both the President, and the Minister responsible for municipalities?, and the minister for state security?

All along, Kwekwe has been tauted as ‘clean of corruption when compared with other cities’. This having been advanced by the same current management and the successive management. Kind of ‘self serving protective mantra’.

It is revealed that the rot has been closely guarded politically, as the corruption practice involves heavy weights management and local politicians.

Thus, over the years, People and officials had been talking in lower tones. Things came to strong talking following the ‘Bold decision taken by the City mothers and fathers at that special full council meeting held on May 21 this year, when they resolved to institutes forensic audit for the city’s central administration department. It is said the this department is the nucleus of the deep rot.

Kwekwe Council have had interviews for TC in the past, to replace Mr Musara. Mrs Mkandhla, the City’s Chamber Secretary, was also in the race but came a distant fourth. Although she is said to hold a PHD, ‘the later also shrouded in the way it is said to have been defended’ she is reportedly without a ‘first degree’, a crucial requirement for the post of TC. Her elevation to Chamber Secretary through interview some years ago was also controversial as regard qualifications. This latter post is usually for those with legal qualifications.

The results of the interview done in 2019 were not implemented, reportedly because the ministry did not have the Local Government Board in place until recently when the minister appointed the ‘Mr Chakaipa headed LG Board’.

At some stage, the councilors had recommended for appointment of Mrs Mkandhla as substantive TC, citing the length period it was taking without LGB.

However, the insiders alleges that the long period of acting have unfortunately exposed the weaknesses of the ATC regarding managerial competence, as well as the alleged serious corruption activities within the council administration and management.

Areas reported of the corruption activities includes, but not limited to:

Commercial and Residential land allocations, fronting friends and relatives; companies own indirectly fronted through relatives and friends; and business and professional acquaintances.

The lack of procedural land allocations, also includes favouring influential individuals, politicians, professionals, individuals, local scribers etc, Allegedly for purposes of ‘silencing and or protection’ in the event that ‘things come to head’.

Issues of grading system: educational allowances: etc are said to be another route of abusing council coffers.

It is reported that following the May 2021 Councilors resolution for forensic audit, the civic centre corridors became ‘awash’ with fearful anxiety amongst the bureaucracy. Kwekwe council had never been subjected to such audit ‘time memorially’. To subject it to this exercise will mean opening serious shocking skeletons!

Because of that, it is alleged that the ATC and management are running around trying all sorts of strategies to circumvent the consequences: such as trying to politicise this noble move by the councilors: trying to mislead the ministry of LG and the Office of President and Cabinet of the intention by the councilors, and faking allegations of victimization of ATC by opposition councilors. The ATC ran around misleading the local ZANU PF individual office holders, and a local party faction hoping for protection. To the extent of sending emissaries to the ministry, and minister of LG trying yo give wrong assumption as to why the forensic audit will be undertaken. These management guys are in total panic, and confusion. Kuvhunduka chati pwatara hunge uine chawaka turika, so said the Shonas!

Other insiders alleges that the ATC and management were even contemplating buying the auditors when they come for the forensic audit. However, the minister is said to plan to send government auditors for this exercise. Yet those in council think that the latter may work in the corner of the ATC and team. For in the past, in 2020 to early 2021 to be precise, the Minister instituted and send a team around the country to carryout state urban land Audit under all urban councils. When this team came to Kwekwe, it (the team) was harassed by ATC and subjected to meetings with officers from the local OPC, some form of proactive indirect tactical intimidation. The outcome of this audit could have been influenced, and was never known to council and councilors. Only to be reported verbally by management that all was well. Hence the wary that similar tactics could be in the offing for the auditors that the minister would assign for the forensic audit.

Lately, council management is suspected to have tried to divide the councilors by through use of money, give favours, and management aligning with party factions, all in a bid for political protection over issues of alleged serious corruption.

However, the news of this forensic audit resolution seems to have been received by the ‘stakeholders: ratepayers; local business; the community, with great interest, and hope for sanity against corruption and for better council management.

They say that the rot has become a cancer and of high concern. This coupled with the ‘Mafia/farm bossboy type of management’ by the ATC was destroying the municipal viability.

People hope that the attempt to politicise the issue to try sympathy luck would not succeed given the ‘stance of the new dispensation and President ED Mnangagwa stance against corruption. Also that this exercise should help to either clean, or clear the city of graft practice, as this dent the President, and Minister of LG and Devolution, who are both from Kwekwe. People hope that the President would stand by his pronounced vision not to spare the rod on anyone involved, regardless of their positions.

Meanwhile, people of Kwekwe were shocked when in mid June this year, the Ward 6 Councillor, McLean Nyamucherera (ZANU PF), who is said to be aligned to the Dhala faction in the race for MP for the ruling party, went around town organising and collected ‘thousands of US$’ from people allegedly for allocations of ‘flea markets stalls’. In doing so, the councilor was helped by a daughter of the incumbent Deputy Mayor among other persons, a sister to the aspiring opposition MP candidate. It is alleged that more than 300 people were made to pay about US$20 each, and the councilor went on to pay only about US$3000 to council and was issued with a receipt. Later on however, this episodic brought scenes at the council meeting when the ATC presented the receipt with intention to have the move endorsed by councilors. The councilors were ‘hot with the issue’, citing that it was not only an abuse of office by the involved councilor, but a serious criminal act. They further questioned as to why the council management would want to cordon such an act, that is unless if the management was behind such a move. Otherwise how do you have a policymaker doing such a thing and management accept the money. Some members of community suspected that this unprecedented move could be linked to management attempting to ‘pacify some party factions through councilors’ hoping for sympathetic against alleged serious graft in council. Otherwise where in the Urban Councils Act is such a role defined! It boggles any sane mind!

It is therefore left to be seen whether the authorities would enable transparency and justice taking course for the good credibility of the New Dispensation and for the city and its ratepayers.

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is greatly disturbed by the continuing demolition and destruction of informal businesses which has affected a huge number of desperate Zimbabweans.

The demolition of the so called illegal structures continues unabated without any slight consideration of the consequences on the affected people, especially women and children.

By its mismanagement of the economy in pursuit of political ends, the Government has created mass unemployment. As formal sector unemployment has risen, more and more people had to move into the informal trading sector to earn some sort of livelihood.

The current destruction of the informal sector is reminiscent of the “Operation Restore order” of 2005/6 that left over 700 000 people stranded. Previously the Government encouraged the growth of the informal sector and allowed informal traders and vendors to carry out their activities.

The authorities largely turned a blind eye to vendors and traders operating in violation of by-laws. The destruction of structures that house thousands of vendors is being done without providing any alternative.

While covid-19 has caused great suffering among Zimbabweans, the government of Zimbabwe is rubbing salt on the wounds through destruction of their only means of survival. Why they do this in the midst of Covid-9 and winter is a mystery. It borders on sadistic mannerism.

The wrecking of the informal economy sector will have serious detrimental economic effects at a time the economy is already in a parlous state. Apart from drastically increasing unemployment, the campaign will have a detrimental knock-on effect upon the formal economy.

The City Councils, various Government Ministers, and Government officials have advanced a whole miscellany of reasons for this operation. In general, the official explanations have been confusing, and occasionally at variance with each other. The timing and magnitude of the ‘clean-up’ operation has led to much speculation as to whether there are in actuality other reasons than those officially proclaimed.

For instance, some have argued that the campaign is to punish urban people for voting for the opposition. Others say that it is a pre-emptive strike against the urban poor to prevent unrest in the towns by driving people away into the countryside. There are problems with each of these speculations The destructions violate a whole range of international human rights norms as well as fundamental rights provisions in the Constitution of Zimbabwe. That is the reason the ZCTU has always been calling for an all stakeholders approach in the formulation and implementation of policies.

Whatever the reasons for it, the cleanup exercise constitute a widespread and systematic attack on a poor and defenseless civilian population. It has laid to ruins businesses of thousands of people.

Not without justification, have people likened the devastation wreaked by the government to that of a tsunami.

However, unlike a tsunami, the targets have been selective and it is this selectivity which has led to the speculation that the true motives behind it are political.

The continuous heinous act of destroying people’s livelihoods should be condemned by all right minded citizens. Actually it is the government policies and corruption that have bred disorder and pushed people to this informality.

After the carnage we would obviously see the government turning a messiah’ pretending to be a caring government offering the same victims with shelter.

As labour we stand firm in solidarity with the displaced informal economy traders.

Japhet Moyo

SECRETARY-GENERAL

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa on Monday visited the Zambian Embassy in Harare to pay tribute to Dr Kenneth Kaunda.

The future of Africa should be based on visionary leadership, according to President Chamisa.

“Today I signed the Dr KK condolence book at the Zambian Embassy in Harare.

Liberation without transformation, development and democracy is hollow, unstable and unsustainable.

The future of Africa is to be built upon visionary leadership, partnership,entrepreneurship democracy and strong institutions.RIP African Giant,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.

Tinashe Sambiri|Cornered MDC- T leader Mr Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora is a dejected man after being embarrassed by Tungamirai Madzokere.

Mwonzora attempted to steal credit for Madzokere and Last Maengahama’s release from prison.

Madzokere has also pointed out that the visit by members of Mwonzora’s party has been used for nefarious reasons.

Madzokere argued:

“MDCT Leadership, led by Yvonne Musarurwa came to my house and told me that my release from prison was necessitated by Douglas Mwonzora as part of his negotiation with ZanuPF for supporting Const Amendment Bill number 2…

This exposes injustices in Zim as courts are influenced by the Executive & the Legislature, which shouldnt be the case. The Constitution we wrote clearly separates the Judiciary, Parliament, Executive and Cabinet. We shouldn’t be having one influencing judgements.

I cannot be happy for being released due to political intervention. I want to be released because I committed no crime. The scholarly judgement shows the intervention of God with Judges being Spokespersons of the heavenly intervention, because of my innocence.”

He added: “I wasn’t happy seeing my MDCT colleagues on social media insinuating that I’m joining them. That’s not what we agreed. I accepted them at my home because they are fellow friends. Yvonne Musarurwa was my co-accused & a friend for a long time…

“I have friends in MDCT but there’s a difference between being a friend and a political ally. As human being, we are political & social animals. I cannot cut social ties because of differing political opinions . I won’t chase away visitors..

“I cannot fail to socially get along with MDCT people when I get along with some ZANU PF members because we differ politically. Let it be clear that I believe in the Leadership of President Nelson Chamisa…

Even ZanuPF knows that the only person who can deliver Zimbabweans from the bondage caused by Zanu is the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa. Even President Mugabe during GNU called Chamisa a supersonic Minister.

After the new government led by Pres Nelson Chamisa comes into office soon, Mnangagwa who will be an Opposition Leader will call Pres Chamisa a super-sonic President. I’m done”

Tinashe Sambiri|Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has arrested MDC Alliance deputy organising secretary Netsai Marova at a time she is going through a grieving process following her father’s death.

Netsai was arrested at RGM International Airport as she was receiving her brother who had just landed for their father’s funeral, according to the MDC Alliance.

“Netsai Marova has been arrested at RGM airport whilst picking up her brother who had just landed for Dad’s funeral,” the MDC Alliance said in a statement.

MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma denounced the relentless persecution of Netsai Marova.

“Mnangagwa’s heartless regime has arrested our deputy organising secretary at a time she is going through a grieving process.This is a callous act by the Zanu PF regime,” fumed Chuma.

Government has approved the use of ivermectin to treat Covid-19 in a move that may go a long way in offsetting the current third wave.

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) said in a statement, “the secretary for health and child care has authorised the MCAZ to authorise the importation and use of ivermectin for Covid-19.

“MCAZ will issue bulk section 75 approvals for importation of human formulations of ivermectin manufactured by compliant facilities.”

Ivermectin has already been proved to be an effective treatment for Covid if administered early to victims.

However, its use has remained reduced and debatable.

Some sections have accused big pharmaceutical companies of underplaying its potency against Covid in a bid to advance the commercial interests of vaccines.

A significant body of peer-reviewed evidence has  emerged showing that Ivermectin may decrease the case counts and mortality rates when used as a prophylactic agent.

At least 747 000 people in the country have so far taken at least one dose of vaccine.

This has however, not been enough to stop the on-going third wave.

This has resulted in the current lockdown measures in large parts of Mashonaland West.

Last week the country received half a million more vaccines from China as part of the expected 2.5 million Sinopharm doses.

The government has set a target of achieving herd immunity by year-end with a target of at least 60% of the population vaccinated.

-Open Council

By Jane Mlambo| MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has signed the late former Zambian President Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s condolences book.

Posting on social media after visiting the Zambian embassy in Harare, Chamisa said;

“Today I signed the Dr KK condolence book at the Zambian embassy in Harare. Liberation without transformation, development and democracy is hollow, unstable and unsustainable. The future of Africa is to be build upon visionary leadership, partnership, entrepreneurship democracy and strong institutions. RIP African Giant!”

Below are Chamisa’s pictures at the Zambian embassy….

Health control measures have been tightened at ports of entry to minimise chances of a person infected with Covid-19 entering Zimbabwe without being tested or quarantined.

Tourists and business visitors are still barred, but drivers of heavy commercial trucks are allowed in and returning residents have a right to come home, but with precautions so they do not spread Covid-19.

The Government has put in teams at entry points to screen potential border crossings.

District medical officer for Victoria Falls Dr Fungayi Mvura gave some details.

“Like you have seen, we have teams at the border which check the validity of the required negative certificates,” she said.

“Those without the certificates will be screened at their own expense, but for those without money to pay for a test our rapid response team will test them at the team’s convenience; they visit the border periodically.

“The teams are a bit thorough, we want to avoid a situation where Covid-19 positive cases get into the country unknowingly and start infecting others.”

Zimbabwe has won international plaudits for the way it has handled the Covid-19 pandemic with a quick and effective response.

“Vaccines have minimised a spike in infections especially here in Victoria Falls, but in Hwange cases are on the rise,” said Dr Mvura.

“We urge people to get vaccinated, but whether you are vaccinated or not you have to continue adhering to the prescribed control measures.”

Mr Owen Mukombero the Victoria Falls, regional immigration officer, north western region, gave details of the minimised traffic at the port.

 “The monthly averages at Victoria Falls border, pre-Covid-19 for low season up to April entry, was 20 000 people, 19 000 for exit the usual total transiting public during that period is 39 000,” he said.

-State Media

By Nomusa Garikai- “When we make projections of 66 %, we know what we are talking about,” said MDC-T spokesperson Witness Dube.

“We have a strategy to turn around the fortunes of the party from what we were in 2018.

“I may not be at liberty to dissect and go all exactly on how that strategy is going to play out. We are still a distance from the elections, it’s unwise to do so.”

MDC has always gone into every election super confident that the party will win but has always fallen short. The party has always ignored the problem of Zanu PF rigging the elections before the elections only to complain about stolen elections thereafter! 

Ever since the disastrous betrayal of the people during the 2008 to 2013 GNU when MDC leaders failed to implement even one token reform in five years, MDC leaders have settled for the few gravy train seats Zanu PF gives away as bait to entice the opposition to continue participating in flawed and illegal elections. Mwonzora is projecting to win 66% of the 1/3 or so gravy train seat Zanu PF gives away so he will be the leader of the country’s main opposition. 

Of course, he does not care that the elections are rigged to give Zanu PF’s 2/3 majority and the presidency. Worst of all, Mwonzora does not care that the nation will still be stuck with the corrupt and tyrannical regime.

Mwonzora and Chamisa are going to participate in the 2023 election knowing Zanu PF will rig the elections. What they are fighting over is the bragging rights which one of them will be the leader of the opposition. 

The people of Zimbabwe have been fighting for democratic change leading to free, fair and credible elections, the prerequisite for good governance. We should not take our eyes off the ball by participating in these meaningless elections just to indulge Zanu PF and the sell-out MDC leaders!

SADC leaders wanted Zimbabwe’s 2013 elections postponed until reforms were implemented because they realised the sheer futility of participating in elections whose outcome is predetermined before the ballots are cast and therefore are not the people’s democratic wish. 

“In 2013 the Maputo Summit, in June 2013, before the elections, the Maputo Summit was all about having the elections postponed – the SADC summit. I went there,” Dr Ibbo Mandaza told Journalist Violet Gonda.

“I was there at the Summit and Mugabe pretended to agree to a postponement of the elections. If you recall, the postponement was based on the need to reform at least electoral laws.

“And after that Summit, Morgan Tsvangirai, Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube, all of them were called to a separate meeting by the Heads of State of SADC in the absence of Mugabe, that same evening. And they were told; I was sitting there outside the room with Mac Maharaj; they were told ‘if you go into elections next month, you are going to lose; the elections are done’.”

Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends paid no heed to the SADC leaders’ warning. The simple and concise message the ordinary Zimbabweans must send to the SADC leaders is that they totally agree that the 2023 elections must be postponed until the reforms and implemented. And to back their message, Zimbabweans must have nothing to do with the electoral farce Zanu PF and MDC leaders are staging.

The biggest mistake ordinary Zimbabweans have made so far was to allow the country’s political leaders on both sides of the political divide to do as they pleased without ever holding the leaders to democratic account. If the people are serious about end the country’s curse of rigged elections and bad governance then they must seize the initiative and be masters of their own destiny. And what better starting point than demanding democratic reforms and refusing to participate in the Zanu PF and MDC political circus! 

By A Correspondent- Vaccinations are being stepped up in identified Covid-19 hotspots, now that 500 000 more doses arrived on Saturday with another 2 million expected at the end of this week, to help break the chains of infection in the areas.

Zimbabwe has seen rising cases over the past two weeks, most concentrated in a few districts and a number of more isolated hotspots, with an indication of the rise in infection being the two weeks which has seen the total number of active cases going up to 6 532 by Saturday, that is the number of people who became infected and are still recovering.

Mashonaland West, which holds three of the four districts under intensified local lockdown, saw more than half of the total number of new Zimbabwean cases over the weekend, 411 of the 801 recorded. Besides the Kariba, Hurungwe and Makonde districts, Kwekwe district, where the first case of the Delta variant was reported by a resident returning from India, is under the intensified special lockdown and warnings have been given about hotspots in Chiredzi and three northern suburbs of Bulawayo.

So far since the first case last year, Zimbabwe has recorded 46 018 cases of  Covid-19, with 37 761 recoveries and 1 725 deaths.

On Saturday, an order of 500 000 Sinopharm doses bought from China arrived in Harare and an additional two million doses are expected by the end of the week.

Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro said the latest batch of doses, bought by Treasury, would go a long way to cover all the areas classified as hotspots. The 500 000 are enough for 250 000 people to get both doses.

“The vaccines will be distributed to all the border towns, the areas that have been classified as hotspots, tobacco auction floors, cotton sales floors, GMB markets and market places like Mbare Musika, Renkini in Bulawayo and others. The Ministry of Finance has said after the two million doses arrive next week, we will receive more the following month,” he said.

Finance and economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube on Saturday said more than seven million doses will have been procured by the end of next month.

“In terms of our vaccination programme, this is yet another addition to the roadmap for the acquisition of vaccines. We have received 500 000 today, by end of next week we will receive another two million, two weeks after that we want to bring another 1,5 million. We want to carry on so that by end of August we bring in another 3,5 million vaccines again from China,” said Prof Ncube.

With US$70 million still available in Government coffers for the purchase of more vaccines, authorities reckon the enhanced regular supplies with help accelerate progress towards the target of 10 million vaccinated people, which will require 20 million doses.

Government has so far bought 1,7 million doses of Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines and received donations of another 400 000 doses of Sinopharm from the Chinese government and an additional 35 000 doses of a similar Indian vaccine from the government of India.

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces received a special donation of 100 000 Sinopharm doses from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, while Diamond producer Alrosa, delivered a consignment of 25 000 doses of the Russian manufactured vaccine — Sputnik V — with additional doses of an equal amount set to be delivered soon.

The total amount of vaccine that has now landed in Zimbabwe is 2,26 million doses. As of Saturday, 747 330 people had received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccines, while 502 178 had been fully vaccinated.

-statemedia

Combine Harvestors arriving in Hre for Zim farmers @MoyoNjaja @ZimEye @Jamwanda2 @MoLAFWRR_Zim @nickmangwana pic.twitter.com/ORmFZ1A58i

— Emmanuel Machikwa (@EMachikwa) June 27, 2021

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said the issuing of national identity cards and the voter registration process should be conducted digitally to ensure efficient service to citizens.

President Chamisa was commenting on the sluggish pace at which government is carrying out both processes.

According to President Chamisa, queues are evidence of failure and inefficiency.

“ZIMBABWE MUST BE ONLINE NOT IN LINES…

Queues are evidence of inefficiency and failure.Zimbabwe needs a Great RESET.

Citizen Identity registration and voter registration must be online, digital, biometric, automatic and a right.

A digitized citizens database is key.#smartpolicies,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance Youth Assembly deputy organising secretary Netsai Marova’s father has died.

It is unfortunate to note that the death of Netsai’s father has come at a time she is being persecuted by the Zanu PF regime.

Below is the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly statement on the death of Netsai Marova’s father:

MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Commiserates With National Deputy Organizer Netsai Marova

27-06-2021

It is with shock and grief that we note the passing on of our youth Deputy National Organizer, Netsai Marova’s father yesterday.

We in the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly and the broader democratic movement we commiserate with one of our own in these trying times.

It is sad that the untimely death of our father comes at a time when our Deputy National Organizer is facing persecution by prosecution at the hands of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime.

Since May last year Netsai has been shoved from one court to another and in and out of prison as a punishment for exposing Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime following her abduction together with Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri.

We pray the Almighty will guide our Deputy National Organizer and the Marova family as we mourn our father.

Meanwhile we urge all our Youth Assembly members to attend the funeral in spirit of solidarity which is one of our pillars as a Movement.

FreeMako

DefyOrDie

RegisterToVote

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

By Concerned Citizen

THE GRAFT ROT RUNS UNPRECEDENTEDLY DEEPER IN PRESIDENT’, AND MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S’ HOME CITY COUNCIL OF KWEKWE, INSIDERS ALLEGE’.

June 26, 2021. Kwekwe.

Information doing serious rounds in and around the communities of Kwekwe, and within the corridors of Kwekwe Civic Centre, and other institutions are that of long standing serious corruption practices by Council bureaucracy, headed by Acting Town Clerk (ATC) Lucia Mkadhla, and through a network of other beneficiaries within the local public sector, private sector, professionals, some local politicians, and through local party factions. The later, allegedly being used by the corrupt management as a ‘buffer’ in the even that things come to head.

Areas allegedly used as conduits includes, tender/procurement, commercial and low density land/stands, Human Resource and grading system, Acting allowances and educational allowances for non existing school children, and many others.

This is said to be seriously compounded by serious incompetency on the part of the ATC who resorts to ‘farm type intimidating bossboy management approach’. Hence seriously exposing management incompetencies since positioned as ATC.

It is further alleged that this intimidatory, and systematic ‘grand graft oily approach’ has been keeping the rot under lid, as none among the HODs and employees would dare raise a finger.
On the other hand, taking advantage of the entirely new crop of opposition councillors who are kept suffocated of critical council information.

However, the wider and open talk around the alleged serious corruption and poor management of the city came as a result of the resolution by the full council meeting on 21 May 2021, to ‘commission forensic audit’ on the Central Administration Department.
This department houses : low density housing stands: Commercial land: industrial land: Human Resource department: Security section: and Fire Brigade, among others. And these Falls directly under the Acting Town Clerk, (ATC) Mrs Lucia Mkadhla’s command.

Insiders, and locals say that the levels of corruption are of long standing, but were closely guarded as it involves senior council bureaucratic: local politicians: security sector and local professional people. The council management is also allegedly fronting their relatives: friends and workers of their privately owned companies that are registered in relatives etc names. Further allegations are that even local Scribers and local Anti Graft advocators, are alleged to have benefited unprocedurally in land scandals as a way of being silenced’.

And indeed, unlike them in the past, the local scribers have ‘gone to sleep’ in the wake of the glaring scandals, and the obtaining bush management style of this public entity.

Kwekwe City Council has been without a substantive Town Clerk (TC,) since December 2018 when the then incumbent and long serving TC, Ngwena Musara reached retirement age. Thus the then newly voted in 13 MDCA councilors and 1 ZANU PF team appointed Chamber Secretary Lucia Mkandla as Acting Town Clerk (ATC) in January 2019.

That the Rot is unprecedentedly of shocking levels of corruption, spanning over length periods of time, but lately worsened by a combination of serious graft and poor/incompetent corporate management under the charge of Acting Town Clerk.

The Unprecedented deep corruption allegations: unprecedented poor corporate governance, run deep veins within the City of Kwekwe, and said to also have influenced its dormitory town of Redcliff, to follow suit’ well placed insiders revealed’ !

And to think that these are ‘Home towns to both the President, and the Minister responsible for municipalities?, and the minister for state security?

All along, Kwekwe has been tauted as ‘clean of corruption when compared with other cities’. This having been advanced by the same current management and the successive management. Kind of ‘self serving protective mantra’.

It is revealed that the rot has been closely guarded politically, as the corruption practice involves heavy weights management and local politicians.

Thus, over the years, People and officials had been talking in lower tones. Things came to strong talking following the ‘Bold decision taken by the City mothers and fathers at that special full council meeting held on May 21 this year, when they resolved to institutes forensic audit for the city’s central administration department. It is said the this department is the nucleus of the deep rot.

Kwekwe Council have had interviews for TC in the past, to replace Mr Musara. Mrs Mkandhla, the City’s Chamber Secretary, was also in the race but came a distant fourth. Although she is said to hold a PHD, ‘the later also shrouded in the way it is said to have been defended’ she is reportedly without a ‘first degree’, a crucial requirement for the post of TC. Her elevation to Chamber Secretary through interview some years ago was also controversial as regard qualifications. This latter post is usually for those with legal qualifications.

The results of the interview done in 2019 were not implemented, reportedly because the ministry did not have the Local Government Board in place until recently when the minister appointed the ‘Mr Chakaipa headed LG Board’.

At some stage, the councilors had recommended for appointment of Mrs Mkandhla as substantive TC, citing the length period it was taking without LGB.

However, the insiders alleges that the long period of acting have unfortunately exposed the weaknesses of the ATC regarding managerial competence, as well as the alleged serious corruption activities within the council administration and management.

Areas reported of the corruption activities includes, but not limited to:

Commercial and Residential land allocations, fronting friends and relatives; companies own indirectly fronted through relatives and friends; and business and professional acquaintances.

The lack of procedural land allocations, also includes favouring influential individuals, politicians, professionals, individuals, local scribers etc, Allegedly for purposes of ‘silencing and or protection’ in the event that ‘things come to head’.

Issues of grading system: educational allowances: etc are said to be another route of abusing council coffers.

It is reported that following the May 2021 Councilors resolution for forensic audit, the civic centre corridors became ‘awash’ with fearful anxiety amongst the bureaucracy. Kwekwe council had never been subjected to such audit ‘time memorially’. To subject it to this exercise will mean opening serious shocking skeletons!

Because of that, it is alleged that the ATC and management are running around trying all sorts of strategies to circumvent the consequences: such as trying to politicise this noble move by the councilors: trying to mislead the ministry of LG and the Office of President and Cabinet of the intention by the councilors, and faking allegations of victimization of ATC by opposition councilors. The ATC ran around misleading the local ZANU PF individual office holders, and a local party faction hoping for protection. To the extent of sending emissaries to the ministry, and minister of LG trying yo give wrong assumption as to why the forensic audit will be undertaken. These management guys are in total panic, and confusion. Kuvhunduka chati pwatara hunge uine chawaka turika, so said the Shonas!

Other insiders alleges that the ATC and management were even contemplating buying the auditors when they come for the forensic audit. However, the minister is said to plan to send government auditors for this exercise. Yet those in council think that the latter may work in the corner of the ATC and team. For in the past, in 2020 to early 2021 to be precise, the Minister instituted and send a team around the country to carryout state urban land Audit under all urban councils. When this team came to Kwekwe, it (the team) was harassed by ATC and subjected to meetings with officers from the local OPC, some form of proactive indirect tactical intimidation. The outcome of this audit could have been influenced, and was never known to council and councilors. Only to be reported verbally by management that all was well. Hence the wary that similar tactics could be in the offing for the auditors that the minister would assign for the forensic audit.

Lately, council management is suspected to have tried to divide the councilors by through use of money, give favours, and management aligning with party factions, all in a bid for political protection over issues of alleged serious corruption.

However, the news of this forensic audit resolution seems to have been received by the ‘stakeholders: ratepayers; local business; the community, with great interest, and hope for sanity against corruption and for better council management.

They say that the rot has become a cancer and of high concern. This coupled with the ‘Mafia/farm bossboy type of management’ by the ATC was destroying the municipal viability.

People hope that the attempt to politicise the issue to try sympathy luck would not succeed given the ‘stance of the new dispensation and President ED Mnangagwa stance against corruption. Also that this exercise should help to either clean, or clear the city of graft practice, as this dent the President, and Minister of LG and Devolution, who are both from Kwekwe. People hope that the President would stand by his pronounced vision not to spare the rod on anyone involved, regardless of their positions.

Meanwhile, people of Kwekwe were shocked when in mid June this year, the Ward 6 Councillor, McLean Nyamucherera (ZANU PF), who is said to be aligned to the Dhala faction in the race for MP for the ruling party, went around town organising and collected ‘thousands of US$’ from people allegedly for allocations of ‘flea markets stalls’. In doing so, the councilor was helped by a daughter of the incumbent Deputy Mayor among other persons, a sister to the aspiring opposition MP candidate. It is alleged that more than 300 people were made to pay about US$20 each, and the councilor went on to pay only about US$3000 to council and was issued with a receipt.

Later on however, this episodic brought scenes at the council meeting when the ATC presented the receipt with intention to have the move endorsed by councilors.

The councilors were ‘hot with the issue’, citing that it was not only an abuse of office by the involved councilor, but a serious criminal act. They further questioned as to why the council management would want to cordon such an act, that is unless if the management was behind such a move.

Otherwise how do you have a policymaker doing such a thing and management accept the money. Some members of community suspected that this unprecedented move could be linked to management attempting to ‘pacify some party factions through councilors’ hoping for sympathetic against alleged serious graft in council. Otherwise where in the Urban Councils Act is such a role defined! It boggles any sane mind!

It is therefore left to be seen whether the authorities would enable transparency and justice taking course for the good credibility of the New Dispensation and for the city and its ratepayers.

A 19-year-old man from Chirumanzu has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after he was convicted for sexually violating his stepsister and three stepbrothers.

The accused, name withheld to protect the four victims, will however, serve 25 years in prison after five years were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

The man appeared before Gweru Regional magistrate Mr Christopher Maturure facing four counts of aggravated indecent assault. He pleaded guilty to the charges.

Prosecutor Mr Talent Tadenyika said the man started abusing his four siblings since 2018 when his mother and father divorced which resulted in his mother moving away.

The court heard that in June last year and at Njiva village headman Manhovo Chief Chirumanzu, the accused person took his four-year-old stepsister from her mother at the garden.

He went with her to the river to fetch water.

The court heard that the stepbrother laid his sister on a rock, lifted her skirt and inserted his finger into her private parts once without her consent.

The accused person persuaded the complainant not to disclose the matter.

On another matter and on June 28, at around 1900 hours, the accused person sodomised the complainant’s brother (10) in the presence of another complainant’s brother.

In March 2018, the accused person and his other stepbrother (7) were sent to the grinding mill and along the way, the accused then took complainant to a dense bush and instructed him to remove his trousers to ankle level and lay facing downwards before sodomising him.

The accused threatened to kill the complainant if he disclosed the matter. Mr Tadenyika told the court that the accused also sexually abused his other stepbrother (8) several times.

The accused person took the advantage of the fact that his stepbrothers and sister had not disclosed the sexual abuse to anyone and continuously sexual assaulted them on different occasions between 2018 and June 2020.

On July 6 last year, the complainants’ mother reported the matter to the police leading to his arrest. -Chronicle

A HWANGE police impersonator, who had been allegedly terrorising residents and raping some of them, has been arrested.
Joas Tshuma (29) of Gamba Village in Hwange was arrested on Saturday after a month-long investigation and surveillance by police intelligence unit, working with members of the public.

He is expected to appear in court for impersonation and two counts of rape. Chronicle understands Tshuma could also be linked to six other rape cases. He allegedly pounced on women claiming to be a policeman and telling them they were under arrest.

Tshuma would then order them to accompany him to the police station and along the way allegedly rape them. Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed Tshuma’s arrest.

“Police arrested a man who raped a woman after impersonating a police officer on 25 May in Hwange,” said Insp Banda.

He said Tshuma was wearing a navy-blue anti-riot pair of trousers, police boots, a red T-shirt and black leather jacket when he allegedly raped a 19-year-old woman on Africa Day.

Tshuma allegedly introduced himself to the complainant as Constable Rupiswa before telling her that she was under arrest for not wearing a mask. He allegedly told the victim that he was taking her to the police station to pay a fine.

The woman complied and they used a small path that passes through Hwange Colliery Golf Course. Insp Banda said along the way Tshuma allegedly proposed love to the woman and she turned him down.

As they were passing by the golf clubhouse, Tshuma allegedly ordered the complainant to sit on a rock and he sat behind her. He allegedly started fondling her breasts before raping her twice.

After committing the crime, Tshuma allegedly accompanied the woman back to her place of residence and threatened to arrest her if she told anyone about what had happened.

The woman narrated her ordeal to her boyfriend who accompanied her to make a report to the police. Tshuma was arrested on Saturday following investigations. Insp Banda commended members of the public for assisting police in the arrest of Tshuma.

“Investigations are still ongoing and as police we want to thank members of the public for their co-operation through tip-offs. However, members of the public must be careful and not be swayed by anybody who looks suspicious. Where necessary people should ask to see police identification card, and especially women and children, have the right to refuse to use small paths or any route that goes through secluded places,” he said. -Chronicle

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Government has moved to control the work of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) focusing on youth programmes in Masvingo Province.

In a memorandum addressed to all District Development Coordinators in Masvingo Province, dated 21 June 2021, Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC) Jefter Sakupwanya said all NGOs in the province are required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.

The directive applies to all developmental partners and NGOs including those that already have a current MoU with the respective Rural District Councils.

Sakupwanya warned those that fail to comply with the directive that their authority to operate in the particular district will be cancelled. He wrote:

Please advise all Development Partners/Non-Governmental Organisations working on Youth Programs in your respective Districts that they are required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation even if they already have a current MoU with the respective Rural District Councils.

Failure to comply with this directive will result in the cancellation of the NGOs authority to operate in that particular District.

This comes as no surprise as Government would want to keep a close eye on NGOs as the next general elections draw close.

On Thursday, ZANU PF acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa attacked some unnamed NGOs he blamed for undermining the country’s political, economic, and judicial systems. He said:

I cannot conclude this press conference without denouncing the concerted and orchestrated destabilisation of the State or government via sponsored interventions which have become a menace.

Foreign funding by foreign intelligence services of opposition political parties, NGOs which are anything but civil is clearly calculated to undermine the orderly evolution of our political, economic and judicial systems and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.-Pindula News

Civil servants have for the past three years been pushing for salaries that tally with the poverty datum line, now pegged at ZW$40 000 (US$476) per month for a family of six.

Meanwhile, most public servants are earning around ZW$17 000, the equivalent to US$200.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Paul Mavima this week told the Zimbabwe Independent that raising civil servants’ salaries to the same level as PDL would be counterproductive. He said:

That is counterproductive. This is why we are talking about maintaining minimal changes for now because we want to maintain a balance where we can reserve resources for the construction of roads, schools, health facilities instead of paying public servants just to sit without service delivery or infrastructural delivery.

There has to be a painful and sometimes delicate balance between meeting the demand of our public service and maintain some resources for the country.

Mavima was speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing eighth edition of Continental Africa Public Service Day commemorations in Victoria Falls.

A series of wage talks between civil servants’ representatives and government officials have produced very little.

Mavima however, admitted that the government was seized with the issue and was cognisant of the fact it needed to restore value of the employees in real terms. He said:

There was quite some erosion that took place in employees’ salaries due to the necessary transformation of monetary policy that moved us away from the US dollar remuneration to where we introduced the Zimbabwean dollar.

Salaries remained at the same level even the value of the Zim dollar had reduced compared to the US dollar.

So we got to a situation where for example teachers when earning US$500 and got to point of earning an equivalent of US$30 or US$40 per month.

So we understand we have to balance that request with what the country can afford at this particular time.

I’m glad to say that we have moved from that US$40-50 equivalent salary to where we are now around US$200 if you use the official exchange rate.

So we have progressed significantly but we need to find means and ways of increasing salaries and wages of public service in real value. That will make them motivated.- Bulawayo 24

Police in Beatrice, Mashonaland East Province are investigating a case of robbery which occurred at former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s Rusambo farm in Beatrice on Thursday night.

Masvingo Mirror reported police details as saying the complainant, Freddy Chibanda (61), who works as a security officer at the farm was on guard duty, was approached by five unknown male adults.

One of the suspects reportedly pointed an unknown pistol at the complainant and ordered him to surrender his cell phone before he was blindfolded with a white scarf.

The complainant was tied with a rope and one of the suspects was left guarding him while others proceeded to dismantle irrigation equipment.

Among the equipment stolen were 5×4 horsepower electric motors, 102 sprinklers, 1 control panel box, 5 control boxes and 283 meters armoured cable which were removed from a centre pivot.

The suspects loaded the property in an unknown vehicle and fled from the scene.

The complainant later managed to remove the cloth from his face and shouted for help.

Stephen Musona (29) who is also a security guard at the farm rushed and untied him.

A report was made at Beatrice Police Station who attended the scene and investigations are ongoing.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told Masvingo Mirror that he was yet to receive the case.- Masvingo Mirror

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance Youth Assembly deputy organising secretary Netsai Marova’s father has died.

It is unfortunate to note that the death of Netsai’s father has come at a time she is being persecuted by the Zanu PF regime.

Below is the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly statement on the death of Netsai Marova’s father:

MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Commiserates With National Deputy Organizer Netsai Marova

27-06-2021

It is with shock and grief that we note the passing on of our youth Deputy National Organizer, Netsai Marova’s father yesterday.

We in the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly and the broader democratic movement we commiserate with one of our own in these trying times.

It is sad that the untimely death of our father comes at a time when our Deputy National Organizer is facing persecution by prosecution at the hands of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime.

Since May last year Netsai has been shoved from one court to another and in and out of prison as a punishment for exposing Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime following her abduction together with Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri.

We pray the Almighty will guide our Deputy National Organizer and the Marova family as we mourn our father.

Meanwhile we urge all our Youth Assembly members to attend the funeral in spirit of solidarity which is one of our pillars as a Movement.

FreeMako

DefyOrDie

RegisterToVote

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

By Concerned Citizen

THE GRAFT ROT RUNS UNPRECEDENTEDLY DEEPER IN PRESIDENT’, AND MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S’ HOME CITY COUNCIL OF KWEKWE, INSIDERS ALLEGE’.

June 26, 2021. Kwekwe.

Information doing serious rounds in and around the communities of Kwekwe, and within the corridors of Kwekwe Civic Centre, and other institutions are that of long standing serious corruption practices by Council bureaucracy, headed by Acting Town Clerk (ATC) Lucia Mkadhla, and through a network of other beneficiaries within the local public sector, private sector, professionals, some local politicians, and through local party factions. The later, allegedly being used by the corrupt management as a ‘buffer’ in the even that things come to head.

Areas allegedly used as conduits includes, tender/procurement, commercial and low density land/stands, Human Resource and grading system, Acting allowances and educational allowances for non existing school children, and many others.

This is said to be seriously compounded by serious incompetency on the part of the ATC who resorts to ‘farm type intimidating bossboy management approach’. Hence seriously exposing management incompetencies since positioned as ATC.

It is further alleged that this intimidatory, and systematic ‘grand graft oily approach’ has been keeping the rot under lid, as none among the HODs and employees would dare raise a finger.
On the other hand, taking advantage of the entirely new crop of opposition councillors who are kept suffocated of critical council information.

However, the wider and open talk around the alleged serious corruption and poor management of the city came as a result of the resolution by the full council meeting on 21 May 2021, to ‘commission forensic audit’ on the Central Administration Department.
This department houses : low density housing stands: Commercial land: industrial land: Human Resource department: Security section: and Fire Brigade, among others. And these Falls directly under the Acting Town Clerk, (ATC) Mrs Lucia Mkadhla’s command.

Insiders, and locals say that the levels of corruption are of long standing, but were closely guarded as it involves senior council bureaucratic: local politicians: security sector and local professional people. The council management is also allegedly fronting their relatives: friends and workers of their privately owned companies that are registered in relatives etc names. Further allegations are that even local Scribers and local Anti Graft advocators, are alleged to have benefited unprocedurally in land scandals as a way of being silenced’.

And indeed, unlike them in the past, the local scribers have ‘gone to sleep’ in the wake of the glaring scandals, and the obtaining bush management style of this public entity.

Kwekwe City Council has been without a substantive Town Clerk (TC,) since December 2018 when the then incumbent and long serving TC, Ngwena Musara reached retirement age. Thus the then newly voted in 13 MDCA councilors and 1 ZANU PF team appointed Chamber Secretary Lucia Mkandla as Acting Town Clerk (ATC) in January 2019.

That the Rot is unprecedentedly of shocking levels of corruption, spanning over length periods of time, but lately worsened by a combination of serious graft and poor/incompetent corporate management under the charge of Acting Town Clerk.

The Unprecedented deep corruption allegations: unprecedented poor corporate governance, run deep veins within the City of Kwekwe, and said to also have influenced its dormitory town of Redcliff, to follow suit’ well placed insiders revealed’ !

And to think that these are ‘Home towns to both the President, and the Minister responsible for municipalities?, and the minister for state security?

All along, Kwekwe has been tauted as ‘clean of corruption when compared with other cities’. This having been advanced by the same current management and the successive management. Kind of ‘self serving protective mantra’.

It is revealed that the rot has been closely guarded politically, as the corruption practice involves heavy weights management and local politicians.

Thus, over the years, People and officials had been talking in lower tones. Things came to strong talking following the ‘Bold decision taken by the City mothers and fathers at that special full council meeting held on May 21 this year, when they resolved to institutes forensic audit for the city’s central administration department. It is said the this department is the nucleus of the deep rot.

Kwekwe Council have had interviews for TC in the past, to replace Mr Musara. Mrs Mkandhla, the City’s Chamber Secretary, was also in the race but came a distant fourth. Although she is said to hold a PHD, ‘the later also shrouded in the way it is said to have been defended’ she is reportedly without a ‘first degree’, a crucial requirement for the post of TC. Her elevation to Chamber Secretary through interview some years ago was also controversial as regard qualifications. This latter post is usually for those with legal qualifications.

The results of the interview done in 2019 were not implemented, reportedly because the ministry did not have the Local Government Board in place until recently when the minister appointed the ‘Mr Chakaipa headed LG Board’.

At some stage, the councilors had recommended for appointment of Mrs Mkandhla as substantive TC, citing the length period it was taking without LGB.

However, the insiders alleges that the long period of acting have unfortunately exposed the weaknesses of the ATC regarding managerial competence, as well as the alleged serious corruption activities within the council administration and management.

Areas reported of the corruption activities includes, but not limited to:

Commercial and Residential land allocations, fronting friends and relatives; companies own indirectly fronted through relatives and friends; and business and professional acquaintances.

The lack of procedural land allocations, also includes favouring influential individuals, politicians, professionals, individuals, local scribers etc, Allegedly for purposes of ‘silencing and or protection’ in the event that ‘things come to head’.

Issues of grading system: educational allowances: etc are said to be another route of abusing council coffers.

It is reported that following the May 2021 Councilors resolution for forensic audit, the civic centre corridors became ‘awash’ with fearful anxiety amongst the bureaucracy. Kwekwe council had never been subjected to such audit ‘time memorially’. To subject it to this exercise will mean opening serious shocking skeletons!

Because of that, it is alleged that the ATC and management are running around trying all sorts of strategies to circumvent the consequences: such as trying to politicise this noble move by the councilors: trying to mislead the ministry of LG and the Office of President and Cabinet of the intention by the councilors, and faking allegations of victimization of ATC by opposition councilors. The ATC ran around misleading the local ZANU PF individual office holders, and a local party faction hoping for protection. To the extent of sending emissaries to the ministry, and minister of LG trying yo give wrong assumption as to why the forensic audit will be undertaken. These management guys are in total panic, and confusion. Kuvhunduka chati pwatara hunge uine chawaka turika, so said the Shonas!

Other insiders alleges that the ATC and management were even contemplating buying the auditors when they come for the forensic audit. However, the minister is said to plan to send government auditors for this exercise. Yet those in council think that the latter may work in the corner of the ATC and team. For in the past, in 2020 to early 2021 to be precise, the Minister instituted and send a team around the country to carryout state urban land Audit under all urban councils. When this team came to Kwekwe, it (the team) was harassed by ATC and subjected to meetings with officers from the local OPC, some form of proactive indirect tactical intimidation. The outcome of this audit could have been influenced, and was never known to council and councilors. Only to be reported verbally by management that all was well. Hence the wary that similar tactics could be in the offing for the auditors that the minister would assign for the forensic audit.

Lately, council management is suspected to have tried to divide the councilors by through use of money, give favours, and management aligning with party factions, all in a bid for political protection over issues of alleged serious corruption.

However, the news of this forensic audit resolution seems to have been received by the ‘stakeholders: ratepayers; local business; the community, with great interest, and hope for sanity against corruption and for better council management.

They say that the rot has become a cancer and of high concern. This coupled with the ‘Mafia/farm bossboy type of management’ by the ATC was destroying the municipal viability.

People hope that the attempt to politicise the issue to try sympathy luck would not succeed given the ‘stance of the new dispensation and President ED Mnangagwa stance against corruption. Also that this exercise should help to either clean, or clear the city of graft practice, as this dent the President, and Minister of LG and Devolution, who are both from Kwekwe. People hope that the President would stand by his pronounced vision not to spare the rod on anyone involved, regardless of their positions.

Meanwhile, people of Kwekwe were shocked when in mid June this year, the Ward 6 Councillor, McLean Nyamucherera (ZANU PF), who is said to be aligned to the Dhala faction in the race for MP for the ruling party, went around town organising and collected ‘thousands of US$’ from people allegedly for allocations of ‘flea markets stalls’. In doing so, the councilor was helped by a daughter of the incumbent Deputy Mayor among other persons, a sister to the aspiring opposition MP candidate. It is alleged that more than 300 people were made to pay about US$20 each, and the councilor went on to pay only about US$3000 to council and was issued with a receipt.

Later on however, this episodic brought scenes at the council meeting when the ATC presented the receipt with intention to have the move endorsed by councilors.

The councilors were ‘hot with the issue’, citing that it was not only an abuse of office by the involved councilor, but a serious criminal act. They further questioned as to why the council management would want to cordon such an act, that is unless if the management was behind such a move.

Otherwise how do you have a policymaker doing such a thing and management accept the money. Some members of community suspected that this unprecedented move could be linked to management attempting to ‘pacify some party factions through councilors’ hoping for sympathetic against alleged serious graft in council. Otherwise where in the Urban Councils Act is such a role defined! It boggles any sane mind!

It is therefore left to be seen whether the authorities would enable transparency and justice taking course for the good credibility of the New Dispensation and for the city and its ratepayers.

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance Youth Assembly deputy organising secretary Netsai Marova’s father has died.

It is unfortunate to note that the death of Netsai’s father has come at a time she is being persecuted by the Zanu PF regime.

Below is the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly statement on the death of Netsai Marova’s father:

MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Commiserates With National Deputy Organizer Netsai Marova

27-06-2021

It is with shock and grief that we note the passing on of our youth Deputy National Organizer, Netsai Marova’s father yesterday.

We in the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly and the broader democratic movement we commiserate with one of our own in these trying times.

It is sad that the untimely death of our father comes at a time when our Deputy National Organizer is facing persecution by prosecution at the hands of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime.

Since May last year Netsai has been shoved from one court to another and in and out of prison as a punishment for exposing Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime following her abduction together with Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri.

We pray the Almighty will guide our Deputy National Organizer and the Marova family as we mourn our father.

Meanwhile we urge all our Youth Assembly members to attend the funeral in spirit of solidarity which is one of our pillars as a Movement.

FreeMako

DefyOrDie

RegisterToVote

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson