By A Correspondent- A homeless Bulawayo man who strangled an 81-year-old woman from Upper Rangemore on the outskirts of the city before ransacking her home and stealing money, a cellphone and groceries following a salary dispute, was sentenced to an effective 25 years in jail.
Iphithule Moyo (21) of no fixed aboard killed his former employer, Naomi Titsha in May last year.
His younger brother, Mjabulisi, who Titsha had employed at her plot in Rangemore found the body.
Iphithule got away with US$300, a cellphone and groceries that were packed in a suitcase which include mealie-meal, rice, washing powder and salt.
Iphithule was convicted of murder with actual intent by Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Maxwell Takuva.
In passing the sentence, the judge condemned the accused person’s actions, saying he deserved a lengthy prison for killing a helpless elderly woman.
Prosecuting, Mr Kudakwashe Jaravaza said on May 18 last year at about 9am, the deceased was sitting outside her house in Rangemore with Mjabulisi when Iphithule arrived at the plot.
An hour later, Mjabulisi left home to herd his employer’s cattle leaving the deceased at home with his brother.
The court heard that Iphithule confronted the deceased and a dispute ensued allegedly over $900 salary arrears. Titsha got inside her house and Iphithule followed her.
“The accused person got into the kitchen and grabbed the deceased before dragging her to the lounge where he strangled her and left the corpse lying on the carpet,” said Mr Jaravaza.
Moyo went to ransack the house and stole $300, a cellphone, four litres cooking oil, 2kg washing powder, 2kg rice, 10kg roller meal, 500 grammes salt and a suitcase.
He then locked the kitchen door from outside and took away the keys.
Titsha’s body was discovered by Mjabulisi upon his arrival from the pastures at around 5pm. He saw Iphithule roaming around the plot while he was milking cattle. When Iphithule realised that his brother had seen him, he ran away.
A report was made at Upper Rangemore Police Base, in Bulawayo leading to Iphithule’s arrest and recovery of the cellphone, keys, groceries and suitcase.
The body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) mortuary for a post-mortem
The post-mortem report established that the cause of death was asphyxia and strangulation by rope.
In his defence through his lawyer Mr Wish Ndongwe of Mashayamombe and Company, Iphithule said the deceased was his former employer with whom they a had long standing dispute over $900 which she owed him in salary arrears.
Iphithule said he committed the offence because the deceased did not want to pay him the outstanding money.
By A Correspondent- The saga of a missing Chinhoyi baby has taken a new twist after three people who claim to know the whereabouts of the baby approached its mother after the story was aired on ZBC TV.
The 2 month-old baby that went missing last month in Chinhoyi’s Ruvimbo area was allegedly stolen around 1am by unknown assailants when her mother had reportedly escorted a visitor.
According to Assistant Commissioner Nyathi, upon returning home, the baby’s mother was told by her two minor siblings that an unidentified man had forcibly entered the house and made off with the baby.
Reports suggest that the people who claim to know where the baby is, however, chickened out, probably afraid of being arrested. Said Ms Vicky Nyanhete, the mother of the missing baby:
“Pakabuda nyaya iya pa TV pane vanhu vakauya pano vachiti handei munotora mwana wenyu kana mune Simba rekufamba nekuti arikure. Mwana wacho aiva namai ava akabva atanga kuti amai hatizosungwa here. Pedzezvo vakabva vazoti mwana wenyu ari mutoilet pa mashops asi haana kuwanikwa.”
She said they have to date approached four witch doctors and 15 prophets in a bid to have the missing baby back.
Ms Nyanhete’s friend Ms Raidah Kashamba, said most of the consulted prophets and witch doctors say the baby was still alive but are not willing to help until they pay some money ranging from US$40 to US$70.
Three suspected robbers suspected to be Zimbabweans have been gunned down early morning today after being intercepted by Botswana Police Service while committing a robbery at a Gaborone home.
This is according to a Botswana Police Service media release issued today.
“Three suspected armed robbers were fatally shot in an exchange of fire with members of Botswana police Service early this morning (24/06/2021) in block 6 location in Gaborone.
“The deceased trio, aged about 30 and 40 were intercepted by the police whilst committing a robbery at one of the homesteads in block 6.
“A firearm suspected to have been used by the suspects, all suspected to be Zimbabwean citizen males was found at the scene,” Botswana Police Service said.
By A Correspondent| Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga has threatened to descend on informal traders saying they will not get vending stalls without COVID-19 vaccination.
Speaking at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital where he was receiving Lab equipment from Satewave Technology, Chiwenga urged vendors to protect their customers by getting vaccinated.
“We will also move into market places like Mbare in Harare and eRenkini in Bulawayo. No vaccination, no table. Protect your customers by getting vaccinated,” said Chiwenga.
Meanwhile, government is set to receive two million vaccines from China as it scales up the vaccination programme.
By A Correspondent- Former Bikita South legislator Jappy Jaboon has begged President Emmerson Mnangagwa for forgiveness and asked the Zanu PF Bikita District Coordinating Committee (DCC) to recommend his readmission.
Jaboon was fired from the ruling party in November 2017 for counter-revolutionary conduct as a member of the G40 cabal that was casting wrong influence on former President Robert Mugabe, taking advantage of his age.
Jaboon went on to develop close links with the MDC Alliance following his expulsion from Zanu PF.
In a letter addressed to Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chair Ezra Chadzamira, Bikita DCC chair Chamunoda Taruwona said his district had recommended Jaboon’s readmission, equating him to a prodigal son.
Taruwona further said they had recommended that Jaboon show his repentance by bringing back all former Zanu PF members he took with him to the opposition when he left the ruling party.
In his letter pleading for leniency and readmission, Jaboon blamed his counter-revolutionary sojourn on immaturity and excitement, saying he had always been “a son of the soil” and owed everything in his life to the ruling party.
Jaboon expressed readiness to start from the Zanu PF cells in Bikita if allowed back into the party, adding that he was prepared to attend Chitepo School of Ideology for reorientation.
By Nomusa Garikai- “An elephant in the room! means a very large issue that everyone is acutely aware of, but nobody wants to talk about. Perhaps a sore spot, perhaps politically incorrect, or perhaps a political hot potato, it’s something that no one wants to touch with a ten foot pole,” according to Urban Dictionary.
The root cause of Zimbabwe’s economic meltdown, political paralysis and the heartbreaking human suffering and deaths is 41 years and counting of corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF rule. As much as the people know that Zanu PF misrule is at the heart of all the nation’s economic, political and social problems and they cannot remove the regime from office because it rigs elections; very few Zimbabweans have had the guts to say so.
Zanu PF rigging elections is the elephant in the room for Zimbabwe.
“The second republic led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa needs to be proactive than being reactive and employing knee jerk policies,” wrote Leonard Koni in Zimeye.
“This cold winter have seen the government giving a thumb up to the demolition of people’s homes and livelihoods in Mbare Harare.
“A country run on partisan grounds and nepotism will struggle to stand on its feet. President Emmerson Mnangagwa must learn to embrace a diverse, dynamic and democratic youthful and streamlined cabinet with new ideas, skills and experience required to achieve our goals.”
After 41 years of dishing out all this advice, most of it is common sense really; it is clear Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies are not listening and/or learning nothing. Comrade Koni, it is us, the people of Zimbabwe, you should be asking why we have failed to learn the simple and obvious lesson that Zanu PF leaders are not listening and/or are refusing to learn?
We have not dared ask why Zanu PF is ignoring us because we fear the followup question: after 41 years of being ignored, what are we going to about about it? After 41 years of the regime rigging the elections to stay in power, what are we going to do to end this curse?
The right to free, fair and credible elections is at the very heart of good governance and that is why the right to a meaningful say in the governance of one’s country is included in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) along with the freedom of expression and the right to life.
By rigging elections Zanu PF has effectively denied the ordinary Zimbabweans their right to a meaningful vote and governance of the country. The party has turned the right into a privilege it can deny to some as the regime sees fit.
In September 2018, President Mnangagwa promised that the 3 million or so Zimbabweans in the diaspora will have their right to vote restored (proof the only reason they were denied the vote until then was the lack of political will on the part of the Zanu PF leaders). With two years to go to the 2023 elections it is too late to do anything to get the 3 million in the diaspora to register; they will, once again, be denied the vote.
The regime had the time to amend the constitution in no fewer than 30 different sections to consolidate President Mnangagwa’s dictatorial strangle hold on power but it failed to amend the electoral law to extend the postal vote to the Zimbabweans in the diaspora.
President Mnangagwa won the 2018 elections with 2.4 million votes or 50.8% of the cast votes. The 3 million diaspora votes are therefore 3 out of 8 potential voters or 38% – a very significant number indeed.
By denying the 3 million Zimbabweans in the diaspora the vote, Zanu PF has already rigged the 2023 elections long before the first ballot is cast. It is almost certain Zanu PF will push for the 2023 elections to go ahead with no democratic reforms in place.
The 2023 elections have been rigged in advance and therefore must be condemned in advance. Participating in an election process that has already been rigged in advance is an act of idiotic folly!
The people of Zimbabwe have ignored the elephant in the room, the curse of rigged elections, and the nation has paid for this folly in terms of the economic mess, political chaos and the tragic human misery and deaths. We must confront and confound the elephant in the room.
The people of Zimbabwe must demand the implementation of the democratic reforms to guarantee free, fair and credible elections. Just because Zanu PF and MDC have failed to deliver free, fair and credible elections these last 41 years does not mean no one else can do so.
A 19-year-old woman was found hanging from the roof trusses at her home in Mkoba, Gweru in a case of suspected suicide.
Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Mahoko confirmed the incident which occurred on June 14.
“We are investigating a case of sudden death where a 19-year-old female was found hanging from a roof truss in Mkoba in Gweru. It is alleged that Charlene Anesu Marobana a Form 4 student at Progress College in Mkoba 14, hanged herself from the roof trusses using an electrical cable,” said Insp Mahoko.
The body was discovered by her young sister who informed relatives. The relatives then made a report to the police.
The body was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital for postmortem.
Insp Mahoko said it was suspected that the teenager committed suicide.
“Let us learn to share problems and solicit help from others. It is said a problem shared is a problem half solved.
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old man died on the spot after a Honda Fit vehicle he was travelling in overturned along the Gweru-Shurugwi Road.
Insp Mahoko said the incident which occurred on 11 June around 0230AM, when the driver Mind Mutambwa was driving from Shurugwi towards Gweru.
“Mutambwa was driving alone and on approaching the 22,5kilometre peg, lost control of the vehicle which veered off the road before overturning. The driver was thrown out of the vehicle and died on the spot,” said Insp Mahoko.
By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) detective recently touched a raw nerve which led to his transfer after he recommended the trial of principal prosecutor, Chris Mutangadura, on criminal abuse of office charges.
The Zacc investigating officer, one Chief Inspector Murira, landed himself in trouble after he discovered that Mutangadura had allegedly smuggled a handwritten report from a private handwriting expert, LT Nhari, and ordered the prosecution of Bulawayo businessman Lovemore Kutamahufa for forging his business partner, Lungisani Ncube’s signature in an application for a bank loan with FBC Bank.
Kutamahufa reported Mutangadura for corruptly aiding Ncube to have a forensic examination of the alleged forged papers by Nhari after bypassing a government handwriting expert, Clara Beatrice Tendai Gombakomba, in a case the businessman is facing in court.
Mutangadura had allegedly lied that Gombakomba had no capacity to examine the samples, an assertion she refuted in her statement to Zacc investigators.
Murira, who was the investigating officer, was transferred after he reportedly discovered that Mutangadura had a case to answer during his recording of a statement from the complainant, Kutamahufa, in June last year.
Insiders say Murira had obtained a search and seizure warrant from the courts, which was served to the FBC Bank requesting the financial institution to furnish the investigation team with documents pertaining to the loan application by Kutamahufa and Ncube.
The photocopied documents included the disputed forensic report by the private analyst, running diaries, and a letter written by Mutangadura.
A statement from the investigating officer stationed at Commercial Crimes division in Bulawayo, who investigated Kutamahufa, was also recorded.
Reports also suggest Gombakomba had contacted the police and indicated that she needed further samples in order for her to do a conclusive analysis.
Martha Cheda, former provincial public prosecutor for Bulawayo province, was also contacted.
She indicated that she never sought legal opinion from Mutangadura.
Cheda said she was surprised that Mutangadura wrote a letter directing prosecution to consider a report obtained from a private forensic analyst, and at the same time indicating that the government forensic laboratory was incapacitated to do the forensic examination when, in actual fact, Gombakomba had requested for more legible handwriting samples for conclusive analysis.
It also emerged that Ncube reportedly used his money to pay for the services of the private handwriting expert.
However, sources close to the matter said after gathering the evidence, Murira prepared a Remand Form (Form 242), which was vetted by the legal department intending to take Mutangadura to court and place him on initial remand.
Thereafter, he reportedly received an instruction to do a full docket.
This resulted in Murira being transferred before completing the docket on Mutangadura.
He was reportedly posted to Hwange in Matabeleland North province, with the matter being assigned to another investigation officer.
“Everything had been set for his (Mutangadura) remand. The investigation officer briefed the commissioners about the progress and requested that Mutangadura be taken to court on a request for remand form, known as Form 242, after preliminary investigations indicated that he has a case to answer. However, he was stopped and ordered to do a full docket,” the source said.
“I also gathered that he might be moved to Sacu [Special Anti-Corruption Unit]. However, I am not sure whether he left Hwange now, but national police spokesperson (Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi) could give you more details,” the source said.
Nyathi confirmed the transfer of Murira, but said it was purely an administrative issue in order to deploy experienced officers in areas where they were needed most.
Matangadura was a month ago summoned by Zacc investigators with the view of detaining and taking him to court after his docket was completed, but Zacc chairperson Loice Matanda-Moyo allegedly intervened and stopped the proceedings.
By A Correspondent- Recently in Maputo, Mozambique SADC member states have resolved to deploy a force to help Mozambique contain insurgency in its northern provinces where terrorists have left a trail of destruction that also threatens regional peace.
The decision was adopted at the 16-member regional bloc Extraordinary Summit that was held in Maputo, Mozambique, yesterday.
More than 3 000 people are estimated to have been killed by the insurgents with 800 000 displaced from their homes in the gas-rich Cabo Delgado province since four years ago.
President Mnangagwa was part of the Heads of State and Government who resolved to deploy troops on Mozambican soil at the request of Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi.
At the end of the day-long summit, that was also attended by Botswana President Mokgweetsi Keabetswe Masisi, DRC President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Lesotho Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro, Malawi President Dr Lazarus Chakwera, Mozambican President Nyusi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the United Republic of Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan, SADC executive secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax said the region’s troops are ready.
“Summit endorsed the recommendations of the Report of the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and approved the Mandate for the SADC Standby Force Mission to the Republic of Mozambique, to be deployed in support of Mozambique to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism in Cabo Delgado,” she said.
Apart from deploying an army, SADC, Dr Tax said, will in collaboration with Humanitarian Agencies continue providing humanitarian support to those affected by the terrorist attacks in Cabo Delgado.
With the region walking hand in hand in securing peace and ensuring food and nutrition security, the summit took a moment to remember one of the founders of SADC, the late Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, who died last week.
Summit expressed deepest condolences to former President Dr Kaunda’s family, His Excellency Dr President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the government and the People of the Republic of Zambia following the passing on of HE Dr Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda, first President of the Republic of Zambia and the last surviving founding father of SADC and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the fore-runner of the African Union (AU); and paid tribute to late former President Dr Kaunda for the pivotal role he played in the liberation struggle, and for laying a solid foundation for regional integration of Southern Africa,” said Dr Tax.
In a recorded video to commemorate the region’s anniversary before his death, the late Dr Kaunda urged SADC leaders and citizens to be bound together forever in the pursuit of the lofty vision of the regional bloc founding fathers who wanted to nurture peace, eradicate poverty, and entrench the principles of democracy.
Founded in 1992, as a successor to the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a regional economic bloc comprising 16 member states namely Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia.
The organisation was established in 1992, with a thrust towards regional integration and poverty eradication within Southern Africa through economic development and ensuring peace and security.
The summit also discussed regional food and nutrition security, gender and development, and progress in the regional response to HIV and AIDS and Covid-19 pandemic.
It reviewed the progress made in the implementation of the theme of the 40th SADC Summit that says ”SADC: 40 Years Building Peace and Security, and Promoting Development and Resilience in the Face of Global Challenges”, which was endorsed by the SADC Summit in August, 2020.
President Mnangagwa returned home last night and was received by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and several Government ministers.
By A Correspondent- Authorities yesterday intensified the enforcement of Covid-19 control measures with police impounding buses that were operating illegally, while the Judicial Service Commission announced the closure of seven magistrates courts across the country as cases continue soaring.
In Mashonaland West Province, where several districts have been placed under localised lockdown after being declared Covid-19 hotspots, some pirate taxis and at least nine intercity buses including two Zupco buses, were impounded by police and parked at Chinhoyi Central Police Station for flouting lockdown regulations.
Drivers of the pirate taxis plying the Chinhoyi-Karoi, Chinhoyi-Mhangura, Chinhoyi-Harare and Chinhoyi-Chegutu routes were arrested.
Speaking at an emergency provincial Civil Protection Unit (CPU) meeting attended by representatives from key Government departments, police officer commanding Mashonaland West (Operations), Assistant Commissioner Martin Nyirenda said they had intensified enforcement of lockdown regulations along highways resulting in the arrest of many violators.
“As police, we are conducting patrols and as we speak, along the Harare-Chirundu highway, we have nine long-distance and intercity buses that have been impounded and are currently at Chinhoyi Central Police Station.
“Among these buses include two Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (Zupco) buses that were operating intercity routes against Covid-19 regulations.
We are not allowing intercity buses to cross these hotspot districts,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner Nyirenda said apart from enforcing lockdown regulations, police were also conducting joint awareness campaigns with various stakeholders and other uniformed forces to promote compliance with regulations.
Provincial development coordinator and CPU chairperson, Mr Josphat Jaji said: “We noticed that from the Covid-19 fatalities that the province recorded, all people were not vaccinated.
Provincial heads should lead by example by taking the jab to lessen the severity of the virus,” he said.
It was also revealed at the meeting that at least 15 deportees from Zambia were not tested at Chirundu border post because of the unavailability of kits, thereby exposing social welfare officers that transport them to repatriation and quarantine centres to Covid-19.
However, provincial health services administrator, Mr Godwin Tauya said the two border towns of Kariba and Chirundu had now been fully stocked.
JSC secretary Mr Walter Chikwana said Covid-19 positive cases had been confirmed at Chinhoyi, Karoi, Kariba Bindura, Mount Darwin and Mutare magistrates courts as well as the Mutare High Court.
“We are currently in the process of consulting with the Ministry of Health and Child Care on the way forward.
Meanwhile, we are closing these seven court houses for purposes of fumigation, testing of staff and contact tracing of all the people who may have come into contact with the cases.
“Litigants and legal practitioners who may want to file any papers at these courts may get in touch with the registrar, resident magistrate, additional sheriff or assistant master on duty.
Their numbers will be displayed at the respective court houses,” he said.
He added that the public would be advised when the concerned courts would re-open.
A lecturer at Kwekwe Polytechnic on Tuesday succumbed to Covid-19 while 45 students and two other lecturers at the institution tested positive for the deadly disease.
Kwekwe District Covid-19 taskforce chairperson, Mr Vitalis Kwashira confirmed the developments saying they have since recommended the suspension of lectures at the institution to allow close monitoring.
“Following the recorded death and a surge in positive cases at the institution, we have written to the relevant departments and we also recommended that the college be temporarily closed so that we can be able to conduct contact tracing.
“The idea is that if we close down the place, we are able to isolate those who tested positive at the institution.
It is almost impossible to manage the situation if lessons continue to be conducted,” said Mr Kwashira.
In Masvingo, the provincial Covid-19 taskforce started contact tracing and testing of Masvingo Polytechnic students after three students tested positive for the novel virus.
Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeous Shamu said plans were afoot to make the polytechnic an isolation facility for students who tested positive for the virus.
Dr Shamu pointed out that the three students who tested positive were non-resident learners but would be quarantined at the college.
“We are currently testing more students as we do contact tracing after three students tested positive for Covid-19 but I cannot disclose the exact number of students we are going to test,” said Dr Shamu.
“We are in the process of making Masvingo Polytechnic an isolation centre for both resident and non-resident students who test positive for Covid-19.
“Zimbabwe on Tuesday recorded six Covid-19 deaths and 519 new cases as the surge in new infections continues.
This brings the total number of deaths since March last year to 1 691 and a total of 3 735 active cases.
With the continued increase in new cases, Government has put 12 more hotspot areas under localised lockdown to try and contain the disease.
Most of the new cases were recorded in the areas classified as hotspots with Kariba recording 65 cases, Karoi (60), Chinhoyi and Kwekwe (51).
Other areas under lockdown like Mhondoro, Kazangare in Mashonaland West, Chiredzi, Nkulumane, Emakhandeni and Northern Suburbs in Bulawayo also reported more cases.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care Situation Report, as at June 22, the positivity rate went up 8 percent and the case fatality rate stood at 4 percent.
“As of June 21, 2021, at 1500hrs, there were 159 hospitalised cases: Asymptomatic 40, mild to moderate 75, severe 38 and 6 in Intensive Care Units,” the ministry said.
Zdravko Logarusic is expected to meet his technical team today to finalise his Warriors squad, for the COSAFA Cup, in South Africa.
The Warriors were this week given the greenlight, by the Sports Commission, to travel to South Africa, and compete at the regional tournament.
Team manager, Wellington Mpandare, yesterday said it was all systems go, for the Warriors, who are expected to hold a week-long training camp, starting next Monday.
“We are all excited and, at the same time, grateful to the authorities for making the Warriors’ participation, at this tournament, possible,” said Mpandare.
“This is an important tournament, which helps expose some of the talent that we have, as a country.“
Remember, there are the World Cup qualifiers coming up, later this year, and also the CHAN tournament qualifiers.
“So, the technical team is expected to meet tomorrow (today), to finalise issues related to the squad selection, and discuss the plans, for the preparations.
“I am sure we will be able to release the names of the players, after that meeting, we have to come with a squad of 20 travelling players, and then place five on standby, as per the COSAFA requirements.’’
Mpandare said coming up with the right players will be a tough exercise.
“This is not going to be an easy exercise because the coach was not able to watch, as many games as he would have liked, since football was disrupted by Covid-19, these past two years,’’ he said.
“We were happy, after Chibuku kicked off but, then Covid-19 struck the nation again, and the games had to stop.
“The coach would have loved to watch, as many games as possible, in this tournament.“
He had plans to go around the country, to see the players in action, but it’s not possible now.
“Registration for the COSAFA tournament closes this Sunday. If all goes well, we are supposed to begin camp on Monday, and then leave on July 5.”
The Warriors were hoping to use the COSAFA Cup, as part of the national team’s preparations, for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, in September.
However, things will not go according to plan for the coaches, in the absence of European-based stars. Some of Zimbabwe’s key foreign-based players, like Marshall Munetsi and Marvelous Nakamba, were expected to return to their bases yesterday.
Skipper Knowledge Nakamba left for his base, in Belgium, on Tuesday.
The Warriors, who are record winners of the regional tournament, were drawn in the same group with guests Senegal.
The other two teams in the group are Mozambique and Namibia.
Zimbabwe will open their quest for a seventh title with a game against Namibia.Hosts South Africa are in Group A, which also has Lesotho, Eswatini and Botswana.
Defending champions Zambia, who won the last edition in 2019, lead Group B and will face Malawi, Madagascar, and Comoros.
The 12-team tournament will run from July 7 to 18 at Nelson Mandela Bay.The top team, from each groups, will advance to the semi-finals.
They will be joined, in the last four, by the best second-placed team, from the three groups.
By A Correspondent| A local quarry miner has pledged to use several methods to suppress the emission of dust and minimise noise while conducting its mining activities following protests by residents of Arcadia suburb in Harare.
Through their lawyer Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, residents of Arcadia suburb in Harare had on 7 June 2021 written a letter to Harare Quarry, a subsidiary of City of Harare, giving the miner a seven-day ultimatum to stop dust and noise pollution at its Crusher Plant emanating from its blasting activities, which were putting residents at risk of inhaling dust, which is detrimental to their health and well-being.
The residents protested that the blasting activities carried out by Harare Quarry were causing earth tremors which are damaging their houses through the emergence of cracks on the walls. Elderly residents also protested that they were suffering shocks as a result of the tremors from the blasting.
This compelled Chinopfukutwa to ask Harare Quarry to publish a timetable of any intended blasting activity, clearly stating the day and time of each blast and for the quarry miner to adopt dust suppression methods in order to mitigate the level of dust pollution and to adopt the use of silent blasting technology to mitigate noise pollution.
The human rights lawyer also asked Harare Quarry to cordon off roads situated close to the quarry mine, which is located along Airport Road during blasting and to keep reasonably sufficient distance between the blasting site and residential houses.
In response, Elias Chizema, the Acting General Manager for Harare Quarry, whose company pledged to co-exist in harmony with residents of Arcadia suburb by not infringing on their right to a safe and healthy environment undertook to utilise various water suppression methods to suppress dust emissions that result in pollution and to resort to the use of shock tubes and auto stemming blasting to minimise noise and vibrations.
Harare Quarry also furnished the residents with a timetable showing the days and times when it would be undertaking blasting activities and these would be on Monday. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 3:PM to 4:PM.
By A Correspondent- A Chiredzi teacher was on Monday fined $4 000 after being caught smoking dagga at a bottle store at Checheche Growth Point.
Simbisai Sithole (46) of Mahlasera Village in Chief Gudo’s area, who is employed as a teacher at Zungudza Primary School in Chiredzi, appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Franklin Mkwananzi facing charges of unlawfully and intentionally smoking of dangerous drugs without a licence or permit.
He was convicted on his own guilty plea.
Prosecutor, Mr Thulani Zondwayo, told the court that on June19, police detectives who were on patrol spotted Sithole smoking dagga in Zineku Bar at Checheche Growth Point.
They approached and arrested him.
Asked why he smokes dagga, Sithole pleaded for lenience, claiming that he was not a chain smoker of the illicit drug.
“Your worship, I am appealing to the court to forgive me. I am not an addict of dagga. It is because I had a headache and I was advised to smoke dagga to cure it,” he said.
Sithole was fined $4 000 or face a five-day imprisonment.
By A Correspondent- A combined 60 cases of Covid-19 have been reported at Bindura and Mt Darwin prisons, with two prison officers among the positive cases.
Bindura Prison reported 41 cases and 19 at Mt Darwin Prison. This emerged at an emergency Covid-19 meeting held at Bindura Hospital, and the provincial taskforce team made arrangements to assess the situation at the two prisons.
Provincial medical director, Dr Clemence Tshuma, said Mt Darwin had been a Covid-19 hotspot in the last few weeks.
Staff and inmates at the prison are yet to be vaccinated but Dr Tshuma said they would be prioritised soon.
“About 15 percent of people in the province have been vaccinated during the second phase while 30 percent were vaccinated during the first phase,” said Dr Tshuma.
“Those vaccinated but testing positive to Covid-19 are showing mild or no symptoms of the disease, an indication that the vaccine works. “We need to encourage people to get vaccinated.”
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Monica Mavhunga, said complacency was the main driver of the surge in Covid-19 cases.
She said districts in border areas, including Kanyemba in Mbire, were vulnerable. Kanyemba shares a border with Zambia, which is presently battling Covid-19 a resurgence in cases.
Some communities in Kanyemba seek medical services and shopping in Luangwa district of Zambia.
Minister Mavhunga implored the provincial Covid-19 taskforce to go out of their way to raise awareness in communities close to borders.
“Extreme caution must be taken at Bindura and Mvurwi auction floors to protect our farmers. “Use traditional leaders and political structures to raise awareness and ensure people are on guard. Security forces must increase enforcement of regulations,” she said.
Assistant Inspector Ngonidzashe Hove told the meeting that police are intensifying surveillance, patrols and roadblocks.
“We are having patrols at Kitsiyatota and Jumbo mine to clear the places of scores of illegal miners. Soon we will patrol along Mazowe River up to Mukaradzi and Mt Darwin,” he said.
By A Correspondent- MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora’s dealings with the ruling ZANU PF party to undermine MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa date as far back as 2018, before the elections, leaked WhatsApp messages have revealed.
In the leaked messages, Mwonzora was begging for sponsorship from exiled former cabinet minister and G40 kingpin Jonathan Moyo to fight Chamisa.
Moyo also claimed that Mwonzora had been meeting ZANU PF bigwigs when he was still MDC Alliance secretary-general, scheming to destroy the main opposition party even before the 2018 elections.
Mwonzora was elected MDC-T president on 27 December 2020 and since then, he has reached out to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, saying he subscribed to politics of dialogue.
He has accused Chamisa of working with G40, a ZANU PF faction comprising of former ministers Saviour Kasukuwere, Moyo, Walter Mzembi, among others.
However, Mwonzora had been chatting with Moyo since February 2018 where he inquired whether the late former President Robert Mugabe was indeed behind Chamisa and the most revealing were the chats of April 12, 2018. He wrote to Moyo:I really want to fight this guy (Chamisa). I want to field my team for Parliament and local government. Further, I want to prepare for the 2019 congress. Can you help me find a sponsor? I will definitely win. I have the majority.
Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba yesterday described the alleged chats as fake.
However, MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson Clifford Hlatywayo said the chats confirm what has been happening since Mwonzora joined the MDC six years after the party’s formation. Said Hlatywayo:
The writing is on the wall. Everyone can see that Zanu PF has been working with Dougie (Mwonzora) since coming into the movement in 2005. He has been working with them to derail and delay change.
BY A CORRESPONDENT| High Court Sherrif, McDuff Madega is in the eye of a storm after he transferred 274 hectares of land belonging to the President of Zimbabwe to a company owned by controversial businessman Kenneth Raydon Sharpe without the Deed of Grant.
Madega is currently on the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) radar after he abused his position to fraudulently sell private properties attached by the courts.
According to state media reports, at least nine reports that involve improper sale of seized properties have been reported to ZACC.
Madega is accused of working with a cartel of people from his offices, auctioneers and officials at deeds office to target properties attached by the courts.
He is also reportedly pushing the transfer of stand number 654 Pomona Township measuring 274 hectares to Doorex Properties as payment for the construction of Airport road.
Doorex Properties is owned Sharpe who is currently evading justice in Zimbabwe after he connived with City of Harare officials to destroy a show house built by Harare businessman George Katsimberis at the corner of Teviotdale and Whitwell Road, Borrowdale.
In an almost similar style to the numerous cases before ZACC, Madega used his power to push through the transfer of land to Sharpe’s company without a Deed of Grant as is required by the law.
This followed the failure by Local Government, Public Works and National Housing minister July Moyo to avail a Deed of Grant to enable to the transfer to be done.
He then instructed the Registrar of Deeds to use copies of the Deed of Grant instead of the original document which was not available.
“I am the Sheriff for Zimbabwe granted the powers to transfer certain 273.2923 hectares of land called Stand 654 Pomona Township situated in the District of Salisbury: held under Deed of Grant No 2884/2010 dated 1st July 2010 to Doorex Properties Private Limited.
“I hereby certify that the Second Respondent Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing on behalf of The President of Zimbabwe as per case HC 4528/19 has failed to avail the said Deed of Grant No 2884/2010 dated 1st July 2010 to enable transfer to proceed.
“I hereby apply that the Registrar of Deeds proceeds with the transfer using a copy for judicial purposes only in terms of the abovementioned legislation,” wrote Madega in a Deed of Transfer document in the hands of ZimEye.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s top aide on Wednesday said the government will unleash security agencies and the Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission (ZACC) to probe some law firms that are allegedly being used as conduits to channel money to opposition parties as part of the West’s regime change agenda.
Posting on Twitter yesterday, presidential spokesperson George Charamba claimed some white-run law firms affiliated with the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) are working against the government. He said:
Why does this racially fastidious auditor of professional conduct of lawyers so wilfully blind to this yelling anomaly which has persisted for decades?
Shouldn’t ZACC move in to ask basic questions to both the society and the firm in question? Or higher bodies, now that State security is involved?
Here we go: There’s a prominent white law firm whose books have gone unchecked for donkey years, including by the falsely punctilious Law Society of Zimbabwe which busily harasses indigenous law firms ironically in the name of protecting them.
We have mechanisms for detecting such subterfuges. What I can’t suffer or countenance is a statutory body purporting to represent officers of the court turning the same members who make it up — or should — into vicarious subversives.
Charamba’s remarks come a few weeks after Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi accused some of the High Court judges of taking orders from hostile foreign nations to pass judgments against the government.
Asked by NewsDay to clarify his tweets, Charamba curtly said: “Wait, my friend. I have a serious assignment to do.”
LSZ spokesperson Richard Chidza declined to comment on Charamba’s latest allegations saying the statement issued on Saturday should suffice. The Saturday statement read in part:
Attacks have further been aimed at the Law Society’s disciplinary processes and regulatory functions which are also provided for by law.
There seems to be a clearly constructed narrative to create a schism or rift within the profession establishing opposing camps along racial or political lines.
This we believe is aimed at weakening the unity of the profession and tarnishing the Law Society’s reputation and public standing as an independent professional body.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba has sensationally claimed that some white-run law firms affiliated to the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) were being used as conduits to channel money to opposition parties as part of the West’s regime change agenda.
Charamba claimed on Twitter yesterday that government would unleash security agencies to probe the law firms in question and the lawyers’ body.
This came a few weeks after Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi accused some of the country’s judges of taking orders from hostile foreign nations to pass judgments against the government.
Charamba threatened to unleash the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) on LSZ financials and “white law firms” that are against the government.
“Why does this racially fastidious auditor of professional conduct of lawyers so wilfully blind to this yelling anomaly which has persisted for decades? Shouldn’t Zacc move in to ask basic questions to both the society and the firm in question? Or higher bodies, now that State security is involved?” he tweeted
“Here we go: There’s a prominent white law firm whose books have gone unchecked for donkey years, including by the falsely punctilious Law Society of Zimbabwe which busily harasses indigenous law firms ironically in the name of protecting them.”
Charamba went on to allege that the white law firms were a conduit for foreign monies which funded the activities of the opposition in Zimbabwe.
“We have mechanisms for detecting such subterfuges. What I can’t suffer or countenance is a statutory body purporting to represent officers of the court turning the same members who make it up — or should — into vicarious subversives,” he said.
Asked by NewsDay to clarify his tweets, Charamba curtly said: “Wait my friend. I have a serious assignment to do.”
LSZ spokesperson Richard Chidza declined to comment on Charamba’s latest allegations saying the statement issued on Saturday should suffice.
“A decision has been made that the statement issued on Saturday will suffice. We aren’t going to be involved in a public fight with anyone,” Chidza said.
In its statement last Saturday, the LSZ said it was being vilified for challenging Constitutional Amendments (No 1) and (No 2) Acts.
“It is clear from the provisions of the law that the Law Society has not veered from its objects amid inferences to the contrary by some characters that are aimed at soiling the image of the profession, the society and its membership. The decision to challenge the two amendments is within the remit of the Law Society’s objects of existence as provided for in section 53 of the Legal Practitioners Act,” the statement
read.
The two constitutional amendments were challenged by different lawyers as they were seen to be facilitating Mnangagwa’s consolidation of power.
By A correspondent- The government through the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has closed seven courthouses after an undisclosed number of court officials tested positive for Covid-19.
In a statement last night, JSC said Covid-19 positive cases were reported at Chinhoyi, Karoi, Kariba, Bindura, Mt Darwin, Mutare Magistrates’ Court and Mutare High Court.
“We are closing these seven (7) courthouses for purposes of fumigation, testing of staff and contact tracing of all the people who may have come into contact with the cases,” JSC said.
“Litigants and legal practitioners who may want to file any papers at these courts may get in touch with the Registrar, Resident Magistrate, Additional Sheriff or Assistant Master on duty.”
By A Correspondent- Former Bikita South legislator Jappy Jaboon has begged President Emmerson Mnangagwa for forgiveness and asked the Zanu PF Bikita District Coordinating Committee (DCC) to recommend his readmission.
Jaboon was fired from the ruling party in November 2017 for counter-revolutionary conduct as a member of the G40 cabal that was casting wrong influence on former President Robert Mugabe, taking advantage of his age.
Jaboon went on to develop close links with the MDC Alliance following his expulsion from Zanu PF.
In a letter addressed to Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chair Ezra Chadzamira, Bikita DCC chair Chamunoda Taruwona said his district had recommended Jaboon’s readmission, equating him to a prodigal son.
Taruwona further said they had recommended that Jaboon show his repentance by bringing back all former Zanu PF members he took with him to the opposition when he left the ruling party.
In his letter pleading for leniency and readmission, Jaboon blamed his counter-revolutionary sojourn on immaturity and excitement, saying he had always been “a son of the soil” and owed everything in his life to the ruling party.
Jaboon expressed readiness to start from the Zanu PF cells in Bikita if allowed back into the party, adding that he was prepared to attend Chitepo School of Ideology for reorientation.
By A Correspondent- Binga residents have accused police in Matabeleland North of demanding bribes from a local bar Mountain View owner, Constantino Mambowa whom they said was perpetually violating COVID-19 regulations by continuing to operate despite the ban.
The police have, however, said they have arrested Mambowa twice before for violating COVID-19 regulations.
Binga residents claimed that Mambowa had been operating since March last year despite a government ban in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda said it was not true that police were not doing anything to stop the bar owner from violating COVID-19 ban.
“It is not true that we are not doing anything. The bar’s owner in question has been arrested twice so far. On June 20 that person made payment of $500 admission of guilty fine reference number 0601026A in respect of his arrest,” Banda said.
“On February 17, 2021 the same person made payment of $2000 admission of guilty fine- reference number 0494131A in respect of his arrest on February 17. He is not the only one who has been arrested. There are other owners of beer outlets who have been arrested on similar charges that we cannot give their names off hand.”
Banda said those two arrests of the bar owner were made after a tip off by the public.
“We are saying if someone happens to see businesses violating COVID-19 regulations, they must feel free to report to the police and if one is at fault, he or she will be arrested. We work with the public and people must assist us to arrest the offenders,” Banda said.
Banda said police conduct patrols in the province and whoever is caught violating the COVID-19 restrictions is charged and fined.
Binga residents had complained about the bar, citing it as a potential COVID-19 super-spreader. The residents claimed police in the district knew about the bar’s activities but were reluctant to act on the owner because he is an “undercover police officer”.
By last weekend, Binga had recorded 36 new COVID-29 infections.
By A Correspondent- A combined 60 cases of Covid-19 have been reported at Bindura and Mt Darwin prisons, with two prison officers among the positive cases.
Bindura Prison reported 41 cases and 19 at Mt Darwin Prison. This emerged at an emergency Covid-19 meeting held at Bindura Hospital, and the provincial taskforce team made arrangements to assess the situation at the two prisons.
Provincial medical director, Dr Clemence Tshuma, said Mt Darwin had been a Covid-19 hotspot in the last few weeks.
Staff and inmates at the prison are yet to be vaccinated but Dr Tshuma said they would be prioritised soon.
“About 15 percent of people in the province have been vaccinated during the second phase while 30 percent were vaccinated during the first phase,” said Dr Tshuma.
“Those vaccinated but testing positive to Covid-19 are showing mild or no symptoms of the disease, an indication that the vaccine works. “We need to encourage people to get vaccinated.”
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Monica Mavhunga, said complacency was the main driver of the surge in Covid-19 cases.
She said districts in border areas, including Kanyemba in Mbire, were vulnerable. Kanyemba shares a border with Zambia, which is presently battling Covid-19 a resurgence in cases.
Some communities in Kanyemba seek medical services and shopping in Luangwa district of Zambia.
Minister Mavhunga implored the provincial Covid-19 taskforce to go out of their way to raise awareness in communities close to borders.
“Extreme caution must be taken at Bindura and Mvurwi auction floors to protect our farmers. “Use traditional leaders and political structures to raise awareness and ensure people are on guard. Security forces must increase enforcement of regulations,” she said.
Assistant Inspector Ngonidzashe Hove told the meeting that police are intensifying surveillance, patrols and roadblocks.
“We are having patrols at Kitsiyatota and Jumbo mine to clear the places of scores of illegal miners. Soon we will patrol along Mazowe River up to Mukaradzi and Mt Darwin,” he said.
SPAIN claimed the biggest win of the tournament with a 5-0
thrashing of Slovakia in their final European Championship Group E match on Wednesday to finish second in the group and set up a last-16 clash with Croatia in Copenhagen.
Goals from Aymeric Laporte, Pablo Sarabia, Ferran Torres and two own goals from Martin Dubravka and Juraj Kucka sealed Spain’s progress to the knockout stages.
Slovakia were eliminated as four other third-placed teams had either more points or a better goal difference.
Dubravka saved an early penalty from Alvaro Morata but gifted Spain the opener when he attempted to punch a rebound off Sarabia’s shot over the bar, only to palm it into his own net.
Aymeric Laporte doubled the lead before halftime. Sarabia was then rewarded with a goal when left back Jordi Alba swung a cross into the box and the Paris Saint-Germain winger found space to take a first-time shot that went in off the post.
Sarabia turned provider when he set up substitute Ferran Torres who scored within a minute of coming on, flicking a low cross past Dubravka for the fifth. Spain forced another own goal minutes later when Kucka failed to clear off the line.
Spain equalled the largest margin of victory in a game at the European Championships, becoming the fifth different side to win by five goals in the competition (after France and Denmark in 1984, the Netherlands in 2000 and Sweden in 2004).
This was Spain’s 50th win at a major tournament (World Cup & Euros), becoming the fourth European side to reach this milestone of victories, after Germany, Italy and France.
Štefan Tarkovic suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time since taking charge of Slovakia, with tonight being his 12th game at the helm.
Spain scored five goals in a single European Championship match for the very first time, with this being their 43rd game in the competition.
Since making his debut for the national side in October 2019, Gerard Moreno has been directly involved in 10 goals for Spain (five goals and five assists) – more than any other player for them in this period.
With what was his first touch in the game, Ferran Torres scored just 44 seconds after coming on as a substitute for Spain – the quickest goal scored by a substitute at the European Championships since fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Valerón in 2004 (39 seconds v Russia).
Slovakian pair Martin Dubravka and Juraj Kucka became the seventh and eighth different players to score an own goal at EURO 2020 – indeed, the eight own goals at this tournament is as many as was scored between the 2016 and 1980 editions combined (8).
Spain failed to score both of their penalties in the group stage at EURO 2020; the first team to fail to convert two penalties in a single tournament in the competition since the Netherlands in 2000.
This was the first time Spain have started two players aged under 21 (Pedri and Eric García) in a game at the European Championships, and first time in a major tournament game since the 2006 World Cup (Sergio Ramos and Cesc Fàbregas against France). — SuperSport
INTERCITY travel could be pushing up Covid-19 infections in Bulawayo which saw the Government imposing a lockdown on the province, an official said yesterday.
Following a spike in Covid-19 cases, Cabinet on Tuesday directed the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) and police to increase surveillance to enforce compliance with Covid-19 regulations for Zupco intercity and intra-urban services.
To date Bulawayo has recorded 6 237 Covid-19 cases including 262 deaths and 5 704 recoveries.
As of Tuesday, Zimbabwe had 42 714 confirmed cases, including 37 288 recoveries and 1 691 deaths.
Cabinet announced that Bulawayo’s Nkulumane, Emakhandeni and northern suburbs’ clinical districts have been placed under the localised lockdown.
Suburbs covered by the Nkulumane clinical district include Nkulumane, Pelandaba, Sizinda, Nketa, Emganwini and Barham Green.
Emakhandeni clinical district covers Cowdray Park, Njube, Luveve, Magwegwe suburbs, Pumula suburbs and Emakhandeni.
The northern suburbs district includes Mpopoma, Mzilikazi, Nguboyenja, Makokoba and the city centre. Complacency has been blamed for the latest surge in new infections and 95 percent of the cases are due to local transmissions.
In the past five days, the country recorded about 1 639 new Covid-19 cases with a total of 45 deaths up from 209 cases and 12 deaths recorded during the first week of this month.
In an interview, Bulawayo City Council director of health services Dr Edwin Sibanda called for a ban on intercity travel saying authorities were convinced that it was contributing to the increase in Covid-19 cases being recorded in the province.
He said authorities were waiting for communication from the Government to spell out how the localised lockdown will be enforced.
“It will be very difficult to implement a partial lockdown. The best would be to put the whole of Bulawayo on lockdown and reduce intercity travel as we think it is contributing to the upsurge of our cases,” he said.- Chronicle
Retired Army Major General Samson Sikhulile Nyathi Tuesday wept in court alleging that his life was in danger as his spouse was always abusing him.
Nyathi appeared before Harare magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure on a domestic violence matter, where he was accusing his wife, Noleen Nyathi, of always abusing him.
He begged magistrate Mashavakure not to throw away the domestic violence case, saying that he was living in a zoo.
Nyathi said at one time, his wife poured hot cooking oil on him and at one time, assaulted him with a shoe.
Despite the allegations, magistrate Mashavakure removed the wife from remand saying the docket was incomplete as it did not include a warned and cautioned statement for the accused. Nyathi said in court:
Your worship, I am a blind man. My life is in danger because of my spouse. I am living like in a zoo your worship. I have been to police on several occasions, but nothing materialises.
If you release her, my life will be in serious danger. I cannot live a peaceful life without her being restrained.
He said he had even approached different organisations for assistance to no avail.
Noleen’s lawyer Job Sikhala said the court had done well by removing her from remand, adding that constitutionally, a trial could not take place without a warned-and-cautioned statement from the accused.
Sikhala said a person could not be charged twice on the same facts.
The matter was then removed from remand and will proceed by way of summons.
Nyathi is not the first person with a military background to claim that they have been abused by their wives.
In 2012, then Army Commander, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga claimed that his then-wife Jocelyn Chiwenga had subjected him to ‘violent beatings’.
Chiwenga told the High Court that he had been trying to divorce Jocelyn whose violent actions had driven him away from their matrimonial home.
Jocelyn however, dismissed the reports saying her marriage involved periods of physical and emotional abuse by her husband who she says also threatened to shoot her.- NewsDay
Retired Army Major General Samson Sikhulile Nyathi Tuesday wept in court alleging that his life was in danger as his spouse was always abusing him.
Nyathi appeared before Harare magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure on a domestic violence matter, where he was accusing his wife, Noleen Nyathi, of always abusing him.
He begged magistrate Mashavakure not to throw away the domestic violence case, saying that he was living in a zoo.
Nyathi said at one time, his wife poured hot cooking oil on him and at one time, assaulted him with a shoe.
Despite the allegations, magistrate Mashavakure removed the wife from remand saying the docket was incomplete as it did not include a warned and cautioned statement for the accused. Nyathi said in court:
Your worship, I am a blind man. My life is in danger because of my spouse. I am living like in a zoo your worship. I have been to police on several occasions, but nothing materialises.
If you release her, my life will be in serious danger. I cannot live a peaceful life without her being restrained.
He said he had even approached different organisations for assistance to no avail.
Noleen’s lawyer Job Sikhala said the court had done well by removing her from remand, adding that constitutionally, a trial could not take place without a warned-and-cautioned statement from the accused.
Sikhala said a person could not be charged twice on the same facts.
The matter was then removed from remand and will proceed by way of summons.
Nyathi is not the first person with a military background to claim that they have been abused by their wives.
In 2012, then Army Commander, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga claimed that his then-wife Jocelyn Chiwenga had subjected him to ‘violent beatings’.
Chiwenga told the High Court that he had been trying to divorce Jocelyn whose violent actions had driven him away from their matrimonial home.
Jocelyn however, dismissed the reports saying her marriage involved periods of physical and emotional abuse by her husband who she says also threatened to shoot her.- NewsDay
A Kwekwe Polytechnic lecturer has succumbed to COVID-19 prompting the Kwekwe District Taskforce on Covid-19 to consider suspending lectures at the learning institution.
Cases at the institution, whose term was supposed to end on July 30 have risen to 48 with 18 new cases recorded on Tuesday.
Chairperson of the district task force, Mr Vitalis Kwashira confirmed the death of the lecturer adding that they had recommended that the institution be closed to allow proper management of the cases. He said:
We have written to the relevant departments and we also recommended that the college be temporarily closed so that we can be able to conduct contact tracing. The idea is that if we close down the place, we are able to isolate those who tested positive at the institution. It is almost impossible to manage the situation if lessons are being conducted.
As it is, it’s like we are seeding the virus if we let the institution open because most of the students go to their places of residence in the community whilst some learn from their homes. This is a recommendation we are still awaiting confirmation.
He said the results of the tests to determine which variant claimed the lecturer’s life were still being processed.
Kwekwe Polytechnic Principal, Mr Evans Musara said the situation is not that good at the institution adding “our lives are at risk and I think relevant authorities will guide us with the best way forward.”
He said the closure of the college was prudent as it will allow fumigation of the area and help curb the spread of the virus from and into the community.
Kwekwe has been under a localised lockdown since May after the detection of the Indian variant and the cabinet on Tuesday extended the lockdown by a further two weeks.
The town has 179 active cases and 21 deaths and a cumulative 487 positive cases.- State media
The Kwekwe District Taskforce on Covid-19 is contemplating suspensions of lectures at Kwekwe Polytechnic following the death of a lecturer and a surge in positive covid-19 cases recorded at the learning institution.
Cases at the institution, whose term was supposed to end on July 30 have risen to 48 with 18 new cases recorded on Tuesday.
Kwekwe city has been under a localised lockdown since May after the detection of the Indian variant in the mining town.
On Tuesday, cabinet approved the extension of the lockdown by a further two weeks as cases continue surging. The town has 179 active cases and 21 deaths and a cumulative 487 positive cases.
Chairperson of the district taskforce, Mr Vitalis Kwashira confirmed the death of the lecturer adding that they had recommended that the institution be closed to allow proper management of the cases.
“We have written to the relevant departments and we also recommended that the college be temporarily closed so that we can be able to conduct contact tracing. The idea is that if we close down the place, we are able to isolate those who tested positive at the institution. It is almost impossible to manage the situation if lessons are being conducted,” said Mr Kwashira.
Most of the students at the institution live in the neighboring suburbs of Msasa and Mbizo, further intensifying the risk of the spread of the virus.
“As it is, it’s like we are seeding the virus if we let the institution open because most of the students go to their places of residence in the community whilst some learn from their homes. This is a recommendation we are still awaiting confirmation,” he said.
He said results of the tests to determine which variant claimed the lecturer’s life were still being processed.
Kwekwe Polytechnic Principal, Mr Evans Musara said it was prudent to temporarily suspend lectures to allow the sanitization of the college premises.
“I cannot comment on the statistics but the situation is not that good at the institution. Our lives are at risk and I think relevant authorities will guide us with the best way forward. The closure of the college will however allow sanitization of the area and also to arrest the cases that are on the increase,” he said.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies in the town have intensified the lockdown as they have blocked access to the CBD and closed down non-essential businesses.
Officer Commanding Kwekwe Chief Superintended Denford Maingire said the decision comes amid a surge in cases and people seemingly disregarding the lockdown regulations.
“We are restricting unnecessary movement as we also try to enforce the lockdown. We are also targeting illegal commuter omnibus operators and illegal beer outlets which have been flouting the regulations. We have thus increased police patrols in both the CBD and the residential suburbs as we try to enforce the lockdown and hopefully reduce the cases,” said Chief Sup Maingire.
Minister in Charge of controlling covid-19 in Midlands Province, Owen Ncube, last week said the government was dismayed by non-compliance to the lockdown by Kwekwe residents and urged law enforcement agencies to be more vigilant. -Chronicle
The ZRP has taken note of posts circulating on social media alleging that some of the robbers involved in the Boundary Express Bus robbery in Masvingo have been arrested. The public should take note that the suspects have not yet been arrested.
The photo circulating is that of a suspect wanted by CID Zaka in connection with a case of robbery which occurred at Nyika Growth Point on 09/06/21 and the subsequent recovery of a stolen single cab Ford Ranger vehicle after a chase out with the Police and arrest of Abraham Muzamba who is now appearing before the Courts. His accomplices ran away and Police are pursuing them.
It is not clear if these suspects were involved in the Boundary Express Bus robbery. Once the suspects for the Boundary Express Bus robbery are arrested the public will certainly be advised.-ZRP
Antivirus software entrepreneur John McAfee was found dead in his prison cell in Spain. He was awaiting extradition to the US on charges of tax evasion. https://t.co/XR8bNeoWoq
Susan, I phoned you just now as a follow up to our Feb interview when you said you're carring @TembaMliswa's twins at 3 months back then. What happened to your other pregnancy with Walter Chikwana you got mid 2020? And why are you delaying posting your latest pics@mutami_susan ? pic.twitter.com/LbbZ1MqS3v
SADC is still to deploy soldiers to Mozambique a year after announcing so last year June.
Member states only yesterday theoretically resolved to deploy a force to help Mozambique contain insurgency in its northern provinces where terrorists have left a trail of destruction that also threatens regional peace.
The decision was adopted at the 16-member regional bloc Extraordinary Summit that was held in Maputo, Mozambique, yesterday.
More than 3 000 people are estimated to have been killed by the insurgents with 800 000 displaced from their homes in the gas-rich Cabo Delgado province since four years ago.
President Mnangagwa was part of the Heads of State and Government who resolved to deploy troops on Mozambican soil at the request of Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi.
At the end of the day-long summit, that was also attended by Botswana President Mokgweetsi Keabetswe Masisi, DRC President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Lesotho Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro, Malawi President Dr Lazarus Chakwera, Mozambican President Nyusi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the United Republic of Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan, SADC executive secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax said the region’s troops are ready.
“Summit endorsed the recommendations of the Report of the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and approved the Mandate for the SADC Standby Force Mission to the Republic of Mozambique, to be deployed in support of Mozambique to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism in Cabo Delgado,” she said.
Apart from deploying an army, SADC, Dr Tax said, will in collaboration with Humanitarian Agencies continue providing humanitarian support to those affected by the terrorist attacks in Cabo Delgado.
With the region walking hand in hand in securing peace and ensuring food and nutrition security, the summit took a moment to remember one of the founders of SADC, the late Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, who died last week
“Summit expressed deepest condolences to former President Dr Kaunda’s family, His Excellency Dr President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the government and the People of the Republic of Zambia following the passing on of HE Dr Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda, first President of the Republic of Zambia and the last surviving founding father of SADC and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the fore-runner of the African Union (AU); and paid tribute to late former President Dr Kaunda for the pivotal role he played in the liberation struggle, and for laying a solid foundation for regional integration of Southern Africa,” said Dr Tax.
In a recorded video to commemorate the region’s anniversary before his death, the late Dr Kaunda urged SADC leaders and citizens to be bound together forever in the pursuit of the lofty vision of the regional bloc founding fathers who wanted to nurture peace, eradicate poverty, and entrench the principles of democracy.
Founded in 1992, as a successor to the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a regional economic bloc comprising 16 member states namely Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia.
The organisation was established in 1992, with a thrust towards regional integration and poverty eradication within Southern Africa through economic development and ensuring peace and security.
The summit also discussed regional food and nutrition security, gender and development, and progress in the regional response to HIV and AIDS and Covid-19 pandemic.
It reviewed the progress made in the implementation of the theme of the 40th SADC Summit that says ‘‘SADC: 40 Years Building Peace and Security, and Promoting Development and Resilience in the Face of Global Challenges’’, which was endorsed by the SADC Summit in August, 2020.
President Mnangagwa returned home last night and was received by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and several Government ministers. -state media
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has dismissed Panganai Java’s assertion that hip-hop musician Holy Ten was assigned by President Nelson Chamisa to pen a song denigrating the controversial preacher-cum politician.
Java claimed President Chamisa hired upcoming hip-hop artist Holy Ten to denigrate him.
Java further claims that in his latest song Makuitaseyi (What are you up to now) – which also sounds like a diss to Enzo Ishal, Holy Ten is mocking the preacher.
Responding to Java’s remarks, MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma said :
“We respect artists’ rights to association as well as freedom of expression which they exhibit through their music at times. As for the allegations that our President, Nelson Chamisa funded Holy Ten to “diss” Passion Java, this is clearly another classic false prophecy by a false prophet.
We respect artists’ views on contemporary issues which they express through the beauty of music and art.”
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly leader Obey Sithole commented : “Holy Ten is actually holier than the so called prophet.”
Java’s utterances about Holy Ten born Mukudzei Chitsama have attracted criticism from Zimbabweans in general.
Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, according to WHO’s latest estimates, published today in “Suicide worldwide in 2019”. Every year, more people die as a result of suicide than HIV, malaria or breast cancer ̶ or war and homicide. In 2019, more than 700 000 people died by suicide: one in every 100 deaths, prompting WHO to produce new guidance to help countries improve suicide prevention and care.
“We cannot – and must not – ignore suicide,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “Each one is a tragedy. Our attention to suicide prevention is even more important now, after many months living with the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of the risk factors for suicide ̶ job loss, financial stress and social isolation – still very much present. The new guidance that WHO is releasing today provides a clear path for stepping up suicide prevention efforts.”
Among young people aged 15-29, suicide was the fourth leading cause of death after road injury, tuberculosis and interpersonal violence.
Rates vary, between countries, regions, and between males and females.
More than twice as many males die due to suicide as females (12.6 per 100 000 males compared with 5.4 per 100 000 females). Suicide rates among men are generally higher in high-income countries (16.5 per 100 000). For females, the highest suicide rates are found in lower-middle-income countries (7.1 per 100 000).
Suicide rates in the WHO African (11.2 per 100 000), European (10.5 per 100 000) and South-East Asia (10.2 per 100 000) regions were higher than the global average (9.0 per 100 000) in 2019. The lowest suicide rate was in the Eastern Mediterranean region (6.4 per 100 000).
Globally, the suicide rate is decreasing; in the Americas it is going up
Suicide rates fell in the 20 years between 2000 and 2019, with the global rate decreasing by 36%, with decreases ranging from 17% in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to 47% in the European Region and 49% in the Western Pacific.
But in the Americas Region, rates increased by 17% in the same time period.
Although some countries have placed suicide prevention high on their agendas, too many countries remain uncommitted. Currently only 38 countries are known to have a national suicide prevention strategy. A significant acceleration in the reduction of suicides is needed to meet the SDG target of a one-third reduction in the global suicide rate by 2030.
LIVE LIFE
To support countries in their efforts, WHO is today releasing comprehensive guidance for implementing its LIVE LIFE approach to suicide prevention. The four strategies of this approach are:
limiting access to the means of suicide, such as highly hazardous pesticides and firearms; educating the media on responsible reporting of suicide; fostering socio-emotional life skills in adolescents; and early identification, assessment, management and follow-up of anyone affected by suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Banning of the most dangerous pesticides: a high-impact intervention
Given that pesticide poisoning is estimated to cause 20% of all suicides, and national bans of acutely toxic, highly hazardous pesticides have shown to be cost-effective, such bans are recommended by WHO. Other measures include restricting access to firearms, reducing the size of medication packages, and installing barriers at jump sites.
Responsible reporting by the media
The guide highlights the role the media plays in relation to suicide. Media reports of suicide can lead to a rise in suicide due to imitation (or copycat suicides) – especially if the report is about a celebrity or describes the method of suicide.
The new guide advises monitoring of the reporting of suicide and suggests that media counteract reports of suicide with stories of successful recovery from mental health challenges or suicidal thoughts. It also recommends working with social media companies to increase their awareness and improve their protocols for identifying and removing harmful content.
Support for adolescents
Adolescence (10-19 years of age) is a critical period for acquiring socio-emotional skills, particularly since half of mental health conditions appear before 14 years of age. The LIVE LIFE guidance encourages actions including mental health promotion and anti-bullying programmes, links to support services and clear protocols for people working in schools and universities when suicide risk is identified.
Early identification and follow-up of people at risk
Early identification, assessment, management and follow-up applies to people who have attempted suicide or are perceived to be at risk. A previous suicide attempt is one of the most important risk factors for a future suicide.
Health-care workers should be trained in early identification, assessment, management and follow-up. Survivors’ groups of people bereaved by suicide can complement support provided by health services. Crisis services should also be available to provide immediate support to individuals in acute distress.
The new guidance, which includes examples of suicide prevention interventions that have been implemented across the world, in countries such as Australia, Ghana, Guyana, India, Iraq, the Republic of Korea, Sweden and the USA, can be used by anyone who is in interested in implementing suicide prevention activities, whether at national or local level, and in the governmental and nongovernmental sectors alike.
“While a comprehensive national suicide prevention strategy should be the ultimate goal for all governments,” said Dr Alexandra Fleischmann, suicide prevention expert at the World Health Organization, “starting suicide prevention with LIVE LIFE interventions can save lives and prevent the heartbreak that follows for those left behind.”
Source: World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Bulawayo has effectively been put under lockdown after Cabinet yesterday approved that three districts that are Covid-19 hotspots be placed under localised lockdown, with security details being deployed to enforce the regulations.
Cabinet also postponed the reopening of schools by two weeks following a spike in Covid-19 cases being recorded countrywide.
Schools were initially scheduled to reopen next Monday for the second term of the year before the latest surge in Covid-19 infections.
This is the second time Government has deferred the reopening of schools this year. In January, Government postponed the reopening after a spike in infections following the festive season where members of the public let down their guard.
Districts now under localised lockdown include Nkulumane, Emakhandeni and northern suburbs.
Suburbs covered by the Nkulumane clinical district include Nkulumane, Pelandaba, Sizinda, Nketa, Emganwini and Barham Green.
Emakhandeni clinical district covers Cowdray Park, Njube, Luveve, Magwegwe suburbs, Pumula suburbs and Emakhandeni. The northern suburbs include Mpopoma, Mzilikazi, Nguboyenja, Makokoba and the city centre. Complacency has been blamed for the latest surge in new infections and 95 percent of the cases are due to local transmissions.
Speaking during a post Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Government will determine whether it will be safe to reopen schools at the end of the two weeks.
“In view of the regional and local upsurge of cases, the nation is informed that Cabinet approved that the reopening of schools and other learning institutions be delayed by 14 days. Government will be monitoring the situation and a review would be made after two weeks,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.- Chronicle
By A Correspondent- Norton MP, Temba Mliswa has suggested that government should involve the army in investigating and dealing with cases of armed robberies which have of late become rampant.
Mliswa posted on his Twitter handle Wednesday urging the government to involve the army in the Monday Mvuma bus robbery case.
The Norton legislator said just like what the soldiers are involved in the Covid-19 lockdown regulations monitoring they should do the same and gun down armed robbers.
I have always said this issue of armed robbers should be declared a national problem. It requires the input of the army just they are involved in issues of Covid. It's a security issue which should be nipped in the bud before we degenerate to unpleasant levels of other states. pic.twitter.com/NRhFbWm0a8
— Sabhuku Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) June 23, 2021
By A Correspondent- The Zanu PF Bikita District Coordinating Committee (DCC) has directed the party’s former Bikita South legislator Jappy Jaboon to bring all MDC-Alliance supporters to Zanu PF if he wanted to be readmitted into the party.
Jaboon was fired from the ruling party in November 2017 for counter-revolutionary conduct as a member of the G40 cabal that was casting wrong influence on former President Robert Mugabe, taking advantage of his age.
Jaboon went on to develop close links with the MDC Alliance following his expulsion from Zanu PF.
In a letter addressed to Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chair Ezra Chadzamira, Bikita DCC chair Chamunoda Taruwona said his district had recommended Jaboon’s readmission, equating him to a prodigal son.
Taruwona further said they had recommended that Jaboon show his repentance by bringing back all former Zanu PF members he took with him to the opposition when he left the ruling party.
In his letter pleading for leniency and readmission, Jaboon blamed his counter-revolutionary sojourn on immaturity and excitement, saying he had always been “a son of the soil” and owed everything in his life to the ruling party.
Jaboon expressed readiness to start from the Zanu PF cells in Bikita if allowed back into the party, adding that he was prepared to attend Chitepo School of Ideology for reorientation.
By A Correspondent- The Zanu PF Bikita District Coordinating Committee (DCC) has recommended the readmission of former Bikita South legislator Jappy Jaboon into the revolutionary party.
Jaboon was fired from the ruling party in November 2017 for counter-revolutionary conduct as a member of the G40 cabal that was casting wrong influence on former President Robert Mugabe, taking advantage of his age.
Jaboon went on to develop close links with the MDC Alliance following his expulsion from Zanu PF.
In a letter addressed to Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chair Ezra Chadzamira, Bikita DCC chair Cde Chamunoda Taruwona said his district had recommended Jaboon’s readmission, equating him to a prodigal son.
Taruwona further said they had recommended that Jaboon show his repentance by bringing back all former Zanu PF members he took with him to the opposition when he left the ruling party.
In his letter pleading for leniency and readmission, Jaboon blamed his counter-revolutionary sojourn on immaturity and excitement, saying he had always been “a son of the soil” and owed everything in his life to the ruling party.
Jaboon expressed readiness to start from the Zanu PF cells in Bikita if allowed back into the party, adding that he was prepared to attend Chitepo School of Ideology for reorientation.
By A Correspondent- Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has laboured to defend rumours circulating on social media that the government has banned the use of the United States Dollar in Zimbabwe.
Writing last night, Ncube said:
The US dollars is legal tender in Zimbabwe for transaction purposes. The domestic currency (Zim$) is very stable, arising from prudent fiscal and monetary policies, and auction system, and positive current account position.
By A Correspondent- One of the 40 passengers who were robbed and were stabbed by five armed robbers aboard the Boundary Express coach at night between Mvuma and Mushagashe tollgate early Monday morning was left for dead because of being talkative.
The passengers lost more than US$15 980, R31 340 and $2 510 to the robbers.
The Boundary Express coach left Mbudzi roundabout in Harare around 9pm and two of the unidentified armed robbers carrying knives, pistols and machetes had boarded at the same time when it set out for Beitbridge. The other three climbed aboard when the bus stopped at a food court.
Some of the victims note that a small vehicle was following behind the bus and was used as a getaway vehicle after the robbery.
Besides sustaining deep cuts all over their bodies, some of the passengers were thoroughly beaten up by the suspects who got away with cash and other valuables after ordering the bus driver to move into the bush and switch-off the lights.
The passengers were also sprayed in the eyes with an unknown liquid before the robbers left in the small vehicle after deflating one of the bus tyres. The driver had to drive the bus to Masvingo with a deflated tyre so that those injured could get assistance.
Asst Comm Nyathi said once all five robbers in the gang were aboard, one robber produced a gun and ordered the driver to drive into a dusty side road where they robbed all the passengers, threatening and using knives to get all available cash.
“One of the passengers who was being talkative or resisting was dragged out of the bus and stabbed. He was left unconscious before the robbers disappeared,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
He urged transport operators to ensure the security of their passengers and to also obey the national lockdown regulations by avoiding moving during the night.
By A Correspondent- Three fake prophets have been battered by angry residents after they had thrown a rubber snake under one of their followers’ bed in Harare, caught it and said that it was sent by witches.
The three are nursing injuries from thorough beatings they received after the desperate followers discovered that the fake prophets wanted to dupe them.
By A Correspondent- Information Permanent Secretary, Nick Mangwana has been roasted by angry citizens for denouncing victims of the Mvuma bus armed robbery.
The sadistic robbers should be severely dealt with. Still, we have a curfew in place. The bus was traveling at night in breach of that curfew. There is even suspicion that the passengers were going to cross a border that is supposed to be closed. Let’s think Covid-19. pic.twitter.com/WP71oMw8c7
By A Correspondent-A former top army official Major General Samson Sikhulile Nyathi Wednesday wept in court alleging that his life was in danger as his spouse was always abusing him.
Nyathi appeared before Harare magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure on a domestic violence matter, where he was accusing his wife, Noleen Nyathi, of always abusing him.
He begged Mashavakure not to throw away the domestic violence case, saying that he was living in a zoo.
Nyathi said at one time, his wife poured hot cooking oil on him and at one time, assaulted him with a shoe.
Despite the allegations, magistrate Mashavakure removed the wife from remand saying the docket was incomplete as it did not include a warned-and-cautioned statement for the accused.
“Your worship, I am a blind man. My life is in danger because of my spouse. I am living like in a zoo your worship. I have been to police on several occasions, but nothing materialises,” Nyathi said in court. “If you release her, my life will be in serious danger. I cannot live a peaceful life without her being restrained.”
He said he had even approached different organisations for assistance to no avail.
Noleen’s lawyer Job Sikhala said the court had done well by removing her from remand, adding that constitutionally, a trial could not take place without a warned-and-cautioned statement from the accused.
Sikhala said a person could not be charged twice on the same facts. The matter was then removed from remand and will proceed by way of summons. — NewsDay
By A Correspondent- Several people who were robbed and were stabbed by five armed robbers aboard the Boundary Express coach at night between Mvuma and Mushagashe tollgate early Monday morning are said to be battling for life at Masvingo hospital.
The same passengers lost more than US$15 980, R31 340 and $2 510 to the robbers.
The Boundary Express coach left Mbudzi roundabout in Harare around 9pm and two of the unidentified armed robbers carrying knives, pistols and machetes had boarded at the same time when it set out for Beitbridge. The other three climbed aboard when the bus stopped at a food court.
Some of the victims note that a small vehicle was following behind the bus and was used as a getaway vehicle after the robbery.
Besides sustaining deep cuts all over their bodies, some of the passengers were thoroughly beaten up by the suspects who got away with cash and other valuables after ordering the bus driver to move into the bush and switch-off the lights.
The passengers were also sprayed in the eyes with an unknown liquid before the robbers left in the small vehicle after deflating one of the bus tyres. The driver had to drive the bus to Masvingo with a deflated tyre so that those injured could get assistance.
Asst Comm Nyathi said once all five robbers in the gang were aboard, one robber produced a gun and ordered the driver to drive into a dusty side road where they robbed all the passengers, threatening and using knives to get all available cash.
“One of the passengers who was being talkative or resisting was dragged out of the bus and stabbed. He was left unconscious before the robbers disappeared,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
He urged transport operators to ensure the security of their passengers and to also obey the national lockdown regulations by avoiding moving during the night.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police said it was going to arrest and prosecute the crew of the Boundary Express coach in which about 40 passengers were stabbed and robbed by five armed robbers at night between Mvuma and Mushagashe tollgate early Monday morning for contravening Covid-19 regulations.
Some of the people were hospitalised at Masvingo General Hospital after they were stabbed by the gang who commandeered the Beitbridge-bound bus and robbed passengers of more than US$15 980, R31 340 and $2 510.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told the state media that charges had been preferred on the crew, who for a start was driving at night in defiance of the lockdown, and warned transport operators against violating national lockdown regulations as they risk being arrested and prosecuted.
“The Beitbridge Border Post is still closed for the public and there is no need for people to board such buses.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said it was worrying to note that some of these operators were also assisting smugglers, among other criminal activities. The police had intensified measures to curb violations of national lockdown regulations.
The Boundary Express coach left Mbudzi roundabout in Harare around 9pm and two of the unidentified armed robbers carrying knives, pistols and machetes had boarded at the same time when it set out for Beitbridge. The other three climbed aboard when the bus stopped at a food court.
Some of the victims note that a small vehicle was following behind the bus and was used as a getaway vehicle after the robbery.
Besides sustaining deep cuts all over their bodies, some of the passengers were thoroughly beaten up by the suspects who got away with cash and other valuables after ordering the bus driver to move into the bush and switch-off the lights.
The passengers were also sprayed in the eyes with an unknown liquid before the robbers left in the small vehicle after deflating one of the bus tyres. The driver had to drive the bus to Masvingo with a deflated tyre so that those injured could get assistance.
Asst Comm Nyathi said once all five robbers in the gang were aboard, one robber produced a gun and ordered the driver to drive into a dusty side road where they robbed all the passengers, threatening and using knives to get all available cash.
“One of the passengers who was being talkative or resisting was dragged out of the bus and stabbed. He was left unconscious before the robbers disappeared,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
He urged transport operators to ensure the security of their passengers and to also obey the national lockdown regulations by avoiding moving during the night.
By A Correspondent- MDC-Alliance President Nelson Chamisa has profiled the late Zambian founding President, Kenneth Kaunda, and posted a picture of him and the late Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
Kaunda died last week and will be buried on the 7th of July.
Major League Soccer (MLS) side Houston Dynamo coach Tab Ramos has revealed that the process of luring Zimbabwean defender Teenage Hadebe to the club was not easy as they ‘scrambled a bit’ to beat other teams for the gangly defender’s signature.
Hadebe (25), will join the America top-flight side from Turkish Super Lig side Yeni Malatyaspor this week as soon as the paper-work for the application of a visa is complete.
Ramos, the Dynamo head coach, heaped praise on the Warriors defender, revealing that the club put a lot of effort in ensuring that the deal goes through, as evidenced by the Designated Player option they chose for him.
“What happened with Teenage, when we started to look at him, he was not going to be a DP (Designated Player) but by the time the season ended, he did so well in Turkey, he was on the best 11 of the league, I think three out of the last five weeks. And there were offers some other clubs. So by the time the operation happened, there were many other clubs interested in him,” explained Ramos, as cited by the Houston Chronicle.
“We scrambled a little bit because the timing had to work. And unfortunately, it wasn’t working. The Turkish league ended, and other teams came in for him. What I can tell you is that Teenage is very excited about coming. He wanted to choose here, although he had other opportunities that were the same or better.”
“And from speaking with him, he’s a very humble player who’s willing to come here and work as hard as he can and we’re excited about that,” he added.
The club’s General Manager Matt Jordan echoed Ramos’ words, saying Hadebe fits well into their type of play and will be a good addition.
“He fits very well into our system and our style of play. He has incredible recovery speed. He’s excellent in the air, he’s naturally left-footed. He has been competing in a league that is a very athletic league that is very similar to MLS,” explained Jordan.
“There’s a lot of transition. So I think really, what’s been important for us is to sit as a technical staff and with Tab and go through positional characteristics within our system,” he added.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|Recording label Chill Spot has described the death of popular comedian, Tomato, real name Lot Magarianzo, as a terrible blow to the arts industry.
Tomato succumbed to heart complications, according to family sources.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing on of Lot Magarianzo populary known as Tomato the comedian.
Tomato was born in August 1991 and today 23 June 2021 around 5 am. May Tomato’s Soul Rest in Peace.
To contact the family for condolences please use this number +263788774848 Patrick Kupara,” Chill Spot said in a statement.
Tinashe Sambiri|Recording label Chill Spot has described the death of popular comedian, Tomato, real name Lot Magarianzo, as a terrible blow to the arts industry.
Tomato succumbed to heart complications, according to family sources.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing on of Lot Magarianzo populary known as Tomato the comedian.
Tomato was born in August 1991 and today 23 June 2021 around 5 am. May Tomato’s Soul Rest in Peace.
To contact the family for condolences please use this number +263788774848 Patrick Kupara,” Chill Spot said in a statement.
Veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi has been included in the Warriors squad for next month’s Cosafa Cup, after a stellar season for DStv Premiership side TTM, which has now been renamed to Marumo Stars.
The 35 year old was instrumental in TTM surviving relegation by keeping 10 clean sheets in the league and his heroics in goal also propelled the Limpopo-based side to their first ever title, the Nedbank Cup, and was deservedly named Player of the tournament.
For his impressive form in the just-ended season, ‘Sekuru Gudo’ has been rewarded by a recall to the national team, having been last there in 2015.
A source close to proceedings in the Warriors technical department confided to Soccer24 last night that Arubi will be named in the squad, which is set to be announced this week.
“Yes, he will be named in the squad, but that is all I can say,” the source said.
Zimbabwe, record winners of Cosafa, are in Group C of the regional showpiece together with Senegal, Namibia and Mozambique and will kick-start their campaign against The Mambas on the 8th of July.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Major League Soccer (MLS) side Houston Dynamo coach Tab Ramos has revealed that the process of luring Zimbabwean defender Teenage Hadebe to the club was not easy as they ‘scrambled a bit’ to beat other teams for the gangly defender’s signature.
Hadebe (25), will join the America top-flight side from Turkish Super Lig side Yeni Malatyaspor this week as soon as the paper-work for the application of a visa is complete.
Ramos, the Dynamo head coach, heaped praise on the Warriors defender, revealing that the club put a lot of effort in ensuring that the deal goes through, as evidenced by the Designated Player option they chose for him.
“What happened with Teenage, when we started to look at him, he was not going to be a DP (Designated Player) but by the time the season ended, he did so well in Turkey, he was on the best 11 of the league, I think three out of the last five weeks. And there were offers some other clubs. So by the time the operation happened, there were many other clubs interested in him,” explained Ramos, as cited by the Houston Chronicle.
“We scrambled a little bit because the timing had to work. And unfortunately, it wasn’t working. The Turkish league ended, and other teams came in for him. What I can tell you is that Teenage is very excited about coming. He wanted to choose here, although he had other opportunities that were the same or better.”
“And from speaking with him, he’s a very humble player who’s willing to come here and work as hard as he can and we’re excited about that,” he added.
The club’s General Manager Matt Jordan echoed Ramos’ words, saying Hadebe fits well into their type of play and will be a good addition.
“He fits very well into our system and our style of play. He has incredible recovery speed. He’s excellent in the air, he’s naturally left-footed. He has been competing in a league that is a very athletic league that is very similar to MLS,” explained Jordan.
“There’s a lot of transition. So I think really, what’s been important for us is to sit as a technical staff and with Tab and go through positional characteristics within our system,” he added.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic is now set to announce the Warriors squad for the COSAFA Cup after the government gave the green light to resume football.
The game was suspended two weeks ago due to the ballooning coronavirus cases in the country and this delayed the release of the national team squad.
ZIFA then applied to Government to be allowed to restart the game and was granted an exemption to resume specific activities along with nine sport codes.
The squad announcement is now expected to be held before the end of this week and the selection will be made up of fringe players who were not part of the team in the Afcon qualifiers. The camp will commence afterwards with the players expected to start reporting for duty from Sunday.
The Warriors are in Group C along with African football heavyweights Senegal, Mozambique and Namibia.
The Teranga Lions are taking part in the tournament for the first time as a guest nation.
The regional tournament will happen in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa from July 7-18.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
As the world will be commemorating International Widow’s Day on the 23rd of June under the theme, Invisible woman, Invisible problems, MDC Alliance will join the rest of the world in commemorating this very important day in Manicaland.
The proceedings shall be led by the Assembly’s Chairperson, Hon Machirairwa Mughido. What is worrying the MDC Alliance s Women Assembly is the wanton neglect of millions of widows in Zimbabwe that has been orchestrated by the Zanu pf regime in Harare since 1980.
It is common cause that our independence came after many years of a protracted war of liberation struggle. Many women lost their husbands whose demise today we celebrate on both the independence and heroes days.
Since 1980, this government has only been talking about the demise of war veterans and war collaborators, forgetting the widows of the liberation struggle whilst these widows bore the brutal brunt of the war too. As if that is not enough, the Gukurahundi fiasco in the Midlands and Matabeleland provinces resulted in many widows as their husbands were killed during these disturbances.
The formation of the MDC in 1999 and it’s stunning performance in 2000 general elections resulted in the then Zimbabwean dictator, Robert Mugabe unleashing an orgy of violence against the MDC Alliance members.
The murdering of MDC Alliance males scaled up in 2005, 2008, 2013 and 2018 and 2019 and several MDC Alliance women have been left widowed by the state and no help is ever given to them by the government as it is all done along zanu pf partisan lines.
This International Widows Day we are commemorating was launched by the United Nations (UN) in 2010 to raise awareness of the violation of human rights that widows suffer in many countries, Zimbabwe included following the death of their spouses.
Traditionally, women find themselves left in poverty when their husbands die. In some instances these widows find themselves denied of inheritance and land rights, evicted from their homes, ostracised and abused.
The children of these widows also find themselves affected, withdrawn from school and more vulnerable to abuse, especially in the case of girls forced into early unprotected sex leading into either early unsustainable marriages, prostitution or hooked on survival crimes which include drug abuse, thefts, street living amongst others.
The Zimbabwe government has failed to take care of widows as the social welfare has totally collapsed. They are not prioritised as sterile partisan zanu pf politics frustrate any meaningful national rainbow poverty alleviation projects.
Some of the affected women have resorted to informal trading where they are further abused by the state security apparatus by the continuous confiscation of their hard earned meagre wares under the pretext of illegal vending, covid 19 restrictions among other evils which the MDC Alliance is totally against.
Recently and in fact last week, we saw the Government and its overzealous officials unashamedly taking pride in the wanton destruction of market stalls and wares of people in the poverty striken suburb of Mbare, Chitungwiza, etc.
Some of thess affected people are widows whose spouses died of preventable diseases, ailments, political violence and various state brutalities.
Zimbabwe has an unemployment rate of more than 80%, and this is unheard of but that’s the reality. People are surviving through vending on less than US1.00 per day.
By destroying and ignoring taking good care of millions of widows since 1980, the Zimbabwean Government has failed the women. It has no cojent policies in place to attend to plight of all our widows.
All it pleases is the use of scarce resources to destroy people such as widows which irks us very much. Yo our surprise the zanu pf widows are also suffering from ages of gross neglect by zanu pf.
These widows look forward to a reprieve which can only come through an administration ushered by an MDC Alliance Government led by non other than Adv. Nelson Chamisa as the President of a New Zimbabwe.
We believe empowering the widows and their children is one of the solution to their endless problems. Formalisation of informal economy, cheap funding and support is the way to go as opposed to the Zanu pf madness of demolishing their livelihoods in the form of these structures.
Only an MDC Alliance government is the one capable of putting sound policies in place as Zanu pf is moribund, clueless and bend on just destroying the livelihoods of the vulnerable which we have witnessed from Zanu pf for the past 41 years of its rule.
The MDC Alliance Agenda 2021 speaks to fighting for better livelihoods in order to improve people’s lives. All progressive forces must dump zanu pf and its scorched earth policies which are anti widows and their dependants.
We stand in solidarity with all the economic and political widows and our message to all is that, only a change in government in Zimbawe will lead to the end of their problems.
The world must fervently reject the zanu pf’s empty rethoric of blaming sanctions as there are no sanctions but just targeted measures being used as a smoke screen to conceal it’s endemic failure to cater for it’s widows.
Barbara Gwangwara Tanyanyiwa Spokesperson: MDC Alliance Assembly of Women
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has dismissed Panganai Java’s assertion that hip-hop musician Holy Ten was assigned by President Nelson Chamisa to pen a song denigrating the controversial preacher-cum politician.
Java claimed President Chamisa hired upcoming hip-hop artist Holy Ten to denigrate him.
Java further claims that in his latest song Makuitaseyi (What are you up to now) – which also sounds like a diss to Enzo Ishal, Holy Ten is mocking the preacher.
Responding to Java’s remarks, MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma said :
“We respect artists’ rights to association as well as freedom of expression which they exhibit through their music at times. As for the allegations that our President, Nelson Chamisa funded Holy Ten to “diss” Passion Java, this is clearly another classic false prophecy by a false prophet.
We respect artists’ views on contemporary issues which they express through the beauty of music and art.”
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly leader Obey Sithole commented : “Holy Ten is actually holier than the so called prophet.”
Java’s utterances about Holy Ten born Mukudzei Chitsama have attracted criticism from Zimbabweans in general.
Football has been given the green light to resume following its suspension two weeks ago due to the ballooning coronavirus cases in the country.
The Sport and Recreation Commission (SRC) confirmed the news while announcing the nine sport codes that have been granted an exemption to resume specific activities.
The Chibuku Super Cup campaign is now expected to restart this weekend. The games were suspended after Matchday 5.
The SRC also approved the camp for the national team.
The Warriors are set to take part in the COSAFA Cup which is scheduled for July 7-18 in Nelson Mandela Bay in South Africa.
They are in Group A along with Senegal, Mozambique and Namibia.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
By A Correspondent- Six gun-toting robbers recently pounced on a Mutasa family and made good their escape with a Nissan Caravan vehicle, cash and property.
The robbers, who were putting on balaclavas, robbed the family of US$600, R3 500, 400 Pula as well as two cellphones before driving off with the vehicle.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luxson Chananda, confirmed the robbery which happened in Newengo Village in Chief Mutasa’s area recently.
“Ngandu Jekiseni (43) was with his wife, Sharon when the robbery took place. They were confronted by six robbers who were armed with pistols and were wearing balaclavas. They were ordered to lie down.
“One of the suspects kicked Ngandu on the ribs before demanding money. They first grabbed US$500 before force-marching Sharon into another room. They stole another US$100, R3 500, 400 Pula as well as some clothing. They took away the car keys and drove off with the couple’s white Nissan Caravan,” said Insp Chananda.
They are still at large and police are appealing to members of the public with information leading to the arrest of the suspects to contact their nearest police station.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has dismissed Panganai Java’s assertion that hip-hop musician Holy Ten was assigned by President Nelson Chamisa to pen a song denigrating the controversial preacher-cum politician.
Java claimed President Chamisa hired upcoming hip-hop artist Holy Ten to denigrate him.
Java further claims that in his latest song Makuitaseyi (What are you up to now) – which also sounds like a diss to Enzo Ishal, Holy Ten is mocking the preacher.
Responding to Java’s remarks, MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma said :
“We respect artists’ rights to association as well as freedom of expression which they exhibit through their music at times. As for the allegations that our President, Nelson Chamisa funded Holy Ten to “diss” Passion Java, this is clearly another classic false prophecy by a false prophet.
We respect artists’ views on contemporary issues which they express through the beauty of music and art.”
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly leader Obey Sithole commented : “Holy Ten is actually holier than the so called prophet.”
Java’s utterances about Holy Ten born Mukudzei Chitsama have attracted criticism from Zimbabweans in general.
1. The Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission advises that we have had Covid-19 positive cases at the following courts: i.Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court ii.Karoi Magistrates’ Court; iii.Kariba Magistrates’ Court; iv.Bindura Magistrates’ Court;
— Judicial Service Commission of Zimbabwe (@JSCZim) June 23, 2021
2. https://t.co/4CHjF41RGb. Darwin Magistrates’ Court; vi.Mutare Magistrates’ Court; and vii.Mutare High Court. We are currently in the process of consulting with the Ministry of Health and Child Care on the way forward.
— Judicial Service Commission of Zimbabwe (@JSCZim) June 23, 2021
3. Meanwhile, we are closing these seven (7) courthouses for purposes of fumigation, testing of staff and contact tracing of all the people who may have come into contact with the cases.
— Judicial Service Commission of Zimbabwe (@JSCZim) June 23, 2021
4. Litigants and legal practitioners who may want to file any papers at these courts may get in touch with the Registrar, Resident Magistrate, Additional Sheriff or Assistant Master on duty.
— Judicial Service Commission of Zimbabwe (@JSCZim) June 23, 2021
Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, according to WHO’s latest estimates, published today in “Suicide worldwide in 2019”. Every year, more people die as a result of suicide than HIV, malaria or breast cancer ̶ or war and homicide. In 2019, more than 700 000 people died by suicide: one in every 100 deaths, prompting WHO to produce new guidance to help countries improve suicide prevention and care.
“We cannot – and must not – ignore suicide,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “Each one is a tragedy. Our attention to suicide prevention is even more important now, after many months living with the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of the risk factors for suicide ̶ job loss, financial stress and social isolation – still very much present. The new guidance that WHO is releasing today provides a clear path for stepping up suicide prevention efforts.”
Among young people aged 15-29, suicide was the fourth leading cause of death after road injury, tuberculosis and interpersonal violence.
Rates vary, between countries, regions, and between males and females.
More than twice as many males die due to suicide as females (12.6 per 100 000 males compared with 5.4 per 100 000 females). Suicide rates among men are generally higher in high-income countries (16.5 per 100 000). For females, the highest suicide rates are found in lower-middle-income countries (7.1 per 100 000).
Suicide rates in the WHO African (11.2 per 100 000), European (10.5 per 100 000) and South-East Asia (10.2 per 100 000) regions were higher than the global average (9.0 per 100 000) in 2019. The lowest suicide rate was in the Eastern Mediterranean region (6.4 per 100 000).
Globally, the suicide rate is decreasing; in the Americas it is going up
Suicide rates fell in the 20 years between 2000 and 2019, with the global rate decreasing by 36%, with decreases ranging from 17% in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to 47% in the European Region and 49% in the Western Pacific.
But in the Americas Region, rates increased by 17% in the same time period.
Although some countries have placed suicide prevention high on their agendas, too many countries remain uncommitted. Currently only 38 countries are known to have a national suicide prevention strategy. A significant acceleration in the reduction of suicides is needed to meet the SDG target of a one-third reduction in the global suicide rate by 2030.
LIVE LIFE
To support countries in their efforts, WHO is today releasing comprehensive guidance for implementing its LIVE LIFE approach to suicide prevention. The four strategies of this approach are:
limiting access to the means of suicide, such as highly hazardous pesticides and firearms; educating the media on responsible reporting of suicide; fostering socio-emotional life skills in adolescents; and early identification, assessment, management and follow-up of anyone affected by suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Banning of the most dangerous pesticides: a high-impact intervention
Given that pesticide poisoning is estimated to cause 20% of all suicides, and national bans of acutely toxic, highly hazardous pesticides have shown to be cost-effective, such bans are recommended by WHO. Other measures include restricting access to firearms, reducing the size of medication packages, and installing barriers at jump sites.
Responsible reporting by the media
The guide highlights the role the media plays in relation to suicide. Media reports of suicide can lead to a rise in suicide due to imitation (or copycat suicides) – especially if the report is about a celebrity or describes the method of suicide.
The new guide advises monitoring of the reporting of suicide and suggests that media counteract reports of suicide with stories of successful recovery from mental health challenges or suicidal thoughts. It also recommends working with social media companies to increase their awareness and improve their protocols for identifying and removing harmful content.
Support for adolescents
Adolescence (10-19 years of age) is a critical period for acquiring socio-emotional skills, particularly since half of mental health conditions appear before 14 years of age. The LIVE LIFE guidance encourages actions including mental health promotion and anti-bullying programmes, links to support services and clear protocols for people working in schools and universities when suicide risk is identified.
Early identification and follow-up of people at risk
Early identification, assessment, management and follow-up applies to people who have attempted suicide or are perceived to be at risk. A previous suicide attempt is one of the most important risk factors for a future suicide.
Health-care workers should be trained in early identification, assessment, management and follow-up. Survivors’ groups of people bereaved by suicide can complement support provided by health services. Crisis services should also be available to provide immediate support to individuals in acute distress.
The new guidance, which includes examples of suicide prevention interventions that have been implemented across the world, in countries such as Australia, Ghana, Guyana, India, Iraq, the Republic of Korea, Sweden and the USA, can be used by anyone who is in interested in implementing suicide prevention activities, whether at national or local level, and in the governmental and nongovernmental sectors alike.
“While a comprehensive national suicide prevention strategy should be the ultimate goal for all governments,” said Dr Alexandra Fleischmann, suicide prevention expert at the World Health Organization, “starting suicide prevention with LIVE LIFE interventions can save lives and prevent the heartbreak that follows for those left behind.”
Source: World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
By A Correspondent- The Zanu-PF Bikita District Coordinating Committee (DCC) has recommended the readmission of former Bikita South legislator Jappy Jaboon into the party.
Jaboon was fired from the ruling party in November 2017 for counter-revolutionary conduct as a member of the G40 cabal that was casting wrong influence on former President Robert Mugabe, taking advantage of his age.
Jaboon went on to develop close links with the MDC Alliance following his expulsion from Zanu-PF.
In a letter addressed to Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chair Ezra Chadzamira, Bikita DCC chair Chamunoda Taruwona said his district had recommended Jaboon’s readmission, equating him to a prodigal son.
Taruwona further said they had recommended that Jaboon show his repentance by bringing back all former Zanu-PF members he took with him to the opposition when he left the ruling party.
In his letter pleading for leniency and readmission, Jaboon blamed his counter-revolutionary sojourn on immaturity and excitement, saying he had always been “a son of the soil” and owed everything in his life to the ruling party.
Jaboon expressed readiness to start from the Zanu-PF cells in Bikita if allowed back into the party, adding that he was prepared to attend Chitepo School of Ideology for reorientation.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has dismissed Panganai Java’s assertion that hip-hop musician Holy Ten was assigned by President Nelson Chamisa to pen a song denigrating the controversial preacher-cum politician.
Java claimed President Chamisa hired upcoming hip-hop artist Holy Ten to denigrate him.
Java further claims that in his latest song Makuitaseyi (What are you up to now) – which also sounds like a diss to Enzo Ishal, Holy Ten is mocking the preacher.
Responding to Java’s remarks, MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma said :
“We respect artists’ rights to association as well as freedom of expression which they exhibit through their music at times. As for the allegations that our President, Nelson Chamisa funded Holy Ten to “diss” Passion Java, this is clearly another classic false prophecy by a false prophet.
We respect artists’ views on contemporary issues which they express through the beauty of music and art.”
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly leader Obey Sithole commented : “Holy Ten is actually holier than the so called prophet.”
Java’s utterances about Holy Ten born Mukudzei Chitsama have attracted criticism from Zimbabweans in general.
Tinashe Sambiri|Recording label Chill Spot has described the death of popular comedian, Tomato, real name Lot Magarianzo, as a terrible blow to the arts industry.
Tomato succumbed to heart complications, according to family sources.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing on of Lot Magarianzo populary known as Tomato the comedian.
Tomato was born in August 1991 and today 23 June 2021 around 5 am. May Tomato’s Soul Rest in Peace.
To contact the family for condolences please use this number +263788774848 Patrick Kupara,” Chill Spot said in a statement.
By A Correspondent- A 14 year old girl at Mutare Farm Prison committed suicide after her parents had reprimanded her and confiscated her cellphone recently.
Kupakwashe Wakatama allegedly took her own life after her parents barred her from using her cellphone.
“Kupakwashe got a phone at an early age and was so much excited about it that she would not do any domestic chores. We suspect that she killed herself because we had temporarily taken her phone in a bid to make her do some chores,” said her father, Mr Ignitious Wakatama.
Mr Wakatama added: “Kupakwashe woke up early last Saturday morning and went to play with her phone without doing any chores at home. At 8am, we could not locate her. She later came back.
“When she came back, her mother disciplined her and took away the cellphone. Everything appeared normal and she even escorted her mother on her way to Sakubva. However, she did not return home,” said Mr Wakatama.
Kupakwashe’s body was later found hanging from a tree at Mutare Farm Prison around midday.
By A Correspondent- Some villagers in Ntabazinduna, Umguza district, Matabeleland North province, face eviction to pave way for the installation of power lines by the country’s power utility.
The project is likely to affect about 10 families staying near Tenson Hlabangana High School.
The development comes amid reports of planned eviction of Ntabazinduna villagers to pave way for mining projects deemed to be of national interest.
Southern Eye heard that the affected villagers had been given notice of eviction, but were yet to be allocated alternative land.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs minister Richard Moyo said the villagers would be allocated land elsewhere to pave way for any national projects. He said:
_I am yet to be informed about that._
_However, such electrification projects are national and definitely, they will be given alternative accommodation elsewhere. As long as it is a government project, they will be accommodated elsewhere where beautiful homes will be built for them._
Of late, land disputes involving corporates and villagers have been commonplace in the region, resulting in Matabeleland South traditional leaders writing to President Emmerson Mnangagwa seeking his intervention.
Traditional leaders argue that they are not being consulted in the allocation of land to corporates in their areas of jurisdiction.
In a letter to Mnangagwa dated May 16, Chief Jahana said processes and procedures should only be bypassed when we are in a state of emergency.
He added:
_Failure to do so makes the whole native Matabeleland inhabitants feel or think that you have mortgaged their future for the economic gains of your family after your retirement from active political office as head of State._
He was expressing concerns over the issuance of an exclusive prospecting order (EPO) to Premier African Minerals for lithium mining in the Fort Rixon area, which falls under his jurisdiction, without his knowledge.
By Nomusa Garikai- “@nelsonchamisa comes straight from the Tsvangirai blast furnace of leadership.”
There is absolutely no doubt about his capability, dedication, hard work & loyalty to the cause & the people of Zimbabwe.
The struggle is in safe & solid hands,” tweeted Promise Mkwananzi, Tajamuka leader.
If this “Tsvangirai blast furnace of leadership” was worth the spit then why did Tsvangirai fail to implement even one reforms in the 2008 to 2013 GNU when MDC had the golden opportunity to do so!
The trouble with people like Promise Mkwananzi is they have a binary mentality. They divide their world into good or bad and pigeon-hole leaders in the same way. And so Mugabe was bad and Tsvangirai was good and today Mnangagwa bad and Chamisa is good. Having pigeon-holed anyone as good he or she is raised onto a pedestal of a demigod who will do no wrong, the binary mentality cannot handle such a contradiction.
Yet, it is a historic fact that Morgan Tsvangirai and his fellow MDC leaders failed to implement even one democratic reform in five years of the GNU.
Mugabe bribed them with the trappings of high office; the rose tinted glass ministerial limos, very generous salaries and allowances, a US$4 million Highlands mansion for Tsvangirai, a opportunity to globe trot and be treated like kings wherever they go, etc., etc. And whilst the MDC leaders had their snouts in the feeding trough, they forgot about implementing the reforms.
“MDC leaders were busy enjoying themselves during the GNU, they forgot why they were there!” remark one SADC diplomat, in sheer exasperation. Zanu PF had just blatantly rigged the 2013 election, as the regional leaders had predicted.
SADC leaders had time and time again throughout the GNU reminded MDC leaders to follow the 2008 Global Political Agreement and implement the raft of democratic reforms but, for reasons noted above, were ignored. At the SADC summit in June 2013 the regional leaders literally begged Morgan Tsvangirai not to participate in the elections without first implementing the reforms but once again their pleas fell on deaf ears.
Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends participated in the 2013 elections knowing fully well Zanu PF was rigging the elections for the same reason they had ignored the important task of implementing the reforms during the GNU – greed. MDC leaders knew Zanu PF was giving away a few gravy train seats to entice the opposition to participate; they found the bait irresistible.
Zanu PF needed MDC to participate in the flawed and illegal elections to give the process credibility and, by extension, give the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy. No wonder the SADC diplomat’s exasperation!
Morgan Tsvangirai and his fellow MDC leaders have proven beyond all reasonable doubt that they are corrupt and breathtakingly incompetent in failing to implement even one reform during the GNU and in giving legitimacy to the vote rigging Zanu PF.
Worse still, Chamisa and his MDC A friends are gearing to participate in the 2023 elections with no reforms in place and thus fully aware Zanu PF will rig the elections. They also know that by participating they are giving the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy.
In short, Chamisa and company have not only betrayed the struggle to implement democratic reforms, the pre-requisite for free, fair and credible, and to add insult to injury have given legitimacy to the vote rigging Zanu PF. But worst of all, Chamisa and company are hell bend on dragging the nations into yet another flawed elections with the same outcome of giving the tyrannical and vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy.
“The struggle is in safe & solid hands!” This is more than an illusion, it is insanity!
“Tajamuka” is supposed to mean “street wise” or “mental enlightened” and yet that is the one thing Promise Mkwananzi and his lot are not! Decades of mental inactivity has resulted in their brain ossifying into a lump of fat impermeable to reason and logic.
By A Correspondent- Qatar Airways has announced that it will fly into Zimbabwe starting August, the first time that the Doha-based airline flies into the Southern African country endowed with a rich and unique flora and fauna.
A new service connecting Lusaka and Harare will be operated on August 6, with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Qatar announced Monday.
With the addition of these two new routes, the carrier will operate over 100 weekly flights to 27 destinations in Africa.
The airline said the launch of Lusaka and Harare supports increased demand for trade between Zambia and Zimbabwe and destinations on the Qatar Airways network such as London, Frankfurt and New York and from multiple points in China.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker says Africa continues to be an area of strong growth for Qatar Airways and launching this service will support the development of the economy and tourism sector in both countries.
He said:
_Not only do we continue to rebuild our network after the pandemic, but we are actively expanding it with the addition of these two key destinations. These are the fifth and sixth new destinations in Africa added to our network since the start of the pandemic, taking our total new destinations added across the globe to 10._
Qatar Airways signalled its plans to open the Harare route last year, when the new Qatari ambassador to Zimbabwe, Salem Al-Jaber, told reporters the airline was assessing the route.
Last week, Qatar began advertising for jobs in Harare, including a Country Manager. Says the airline:
_With a total of 30 tonnes of cargo capacity on the aircraft per flight, Qatar Airways Cargo will play a key role in facilitating key exports from Zambia and Zimbabwe._
The development comes as Eurowings, a unit of Lufthansa, announced on June 16 that it will be adding Victoria Falls to its roster starting June next 2022.
Air traffic into Zimbabwe took a worse hit last year as global travel collapsed due to COVID-19.
According to the International Air Transport Association (Iata), global air travel is expected to make a comeback in 2023 as countries roll out Covid-19 vaccines and learn to manage the pandemic.
By A Correspondent- United States-based Zimbabwean preacher, Passion Java has said Nelson Chamisa who leads MDC Alliance had hired upcoming hip hop artist Holy Ten to denigrate him adding that the opposition leader has no plan.
One of the lines in Holy Ten’s latest song – Makuitaseyi (What are you up to now) – which also sounds like a diss to Enzo Ishal, suggest that Java was taking an unnamed girlfriend of another man just identified as Eddie.
Java’s remarks towards Holy Ten born Mukudzei Chitsama attracted criticism from Chamisa’s supporters with some urging him to stop it!
Some reminded Java that his late mother, Senator Rambanepasi-Java who succumbed to cancer early this year was a member of the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa with some suggesting that she was a ZANU PF mole which was planted in opposition by the ruling party.
By Investigative Reporter- One of the armed robbers whose picture is circulating on social media is a dangerous criminal who was born and bred in Kadoma, ZimEye has learnt.
A source who claimed he knows Wonder Mahuni told ZimEye that the man is his former schoolmate.
He said:
“This man (Wonder Mahuni) was my schoolmate atTafadzwa primary school. He was once in jail before he was released and he came back to Kadoma. As of now, i am not sure of his whereabouts but he is no longer staying in Kadoma. He is very dangerous. But what i can confirm is that he was born and bred in Rimuka, Kadoma.”
Mahuni is one of the five armed robbers who pounced on a Boundary Express Coach at night between Mvuma and Mushagashe tollgate early Monday morning. The robbers beat up an estimated 40 passengers aboard the bus before they stabbed some of the passengers leaving one of them seriously injured and battling for life.
Mahuni’s picture circulated online since Tuesday with netizens confirming that Mahuni is a well known robber who’s been handed ZRP uniform to commit crimes, before.
Wonder Mahuni at Chicken Slice, Mvuma
ZimEye can exclusively reveal that Mr Wonder Mahuni has several robbery cases dating back to 2015 and which involve decorating selves in police uniforms to commit robberies.
ZimEye reveals that Mahuni is supposed to be prison and yet picture footage show him allegedly roaming freely a few hours after the violent attack of about 40 travellers aboard a Beitbridge bound Boundary Bus on Sunday night. The development means he could have been released early through either political or other corrupt means.
Wonder Mahuni and gang at Harare Magistrates Court in 2019, lawyer (extreme right)
In Sept 2019 Wonder Mahuni was on remand, before being sentenced for 3 years for armed robberies committed in 2018.
He also has another case opened after in the company of police officers and others, they were caught in police uniforms and one of them holding an official service pistol to commit a robbery in Waterfalls, Harare, in October 2015.
In 2019, Mahuni and 5 others were charged with robbing a Bulawayo man at gunpoint of R170 000, US$12 000, RTGS$10 000 and other valuables, ZimEye reveals.
In November last year, Mahuni applied for bail at the High Court but Justice Erica Ndewere denied him.
ZimEye is investigating how Mahuni is suddenly on the streets when he is supposed to be serving his 3 year sentence, and Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi was still to comment at the time of writing.
Mahuni’s gang of accomplices is at total six, which figure matches that reported by a female traveler in an audio revealed by ZimEye on Monday.
The gang comprises: Pious Ncube (42) of Cowdray Park suburb, and five others Tendai Dzoma, Ronald Chigwida, Christopher Danda, Peter Mushipe and the man cited in the Mvuma picture, Wonder Mahuni.
ZimEye investigates.
Meanwhile, a source cited by ZimEye on Monday narrated her ordeal in the following lines:
Sunday Evening Attack
Good morning to you God’s people. I’ve encountered a problem: I came from Bindura last night, and got to Mbudzi at just after 8pm.
I boarded the bus called Boundary from Mbudzi traveling back to Beitbridge. This bus’ operators announced they are going for recess at Mvuma. When they got to Mvuma people got their foods and so forth.
After that, while we were inside the bus as we were approaching the tollgate, it emerged there were several armed robbers on the bus, numbering up to 6. They had guns and they had knives; and they redirected the bus into the nearby bush. They kept going, to the driver ordering him to turn this way and that way. They were ordering the driver to follow a certain soldier. The bus had traveled a bit into the forest when it was ordered to switch off its lights.
At that point, everyone was searched. We were beaten up. We got sprayed on, on our eyes. We got sprayed from around 1pm. Up to now it is after 2 and our eyes are still itching badly having been sprayed on. Up to now we are still feeling the pain, since others were stabbed.
The armed men were pointing a gun at anyone forcing them to release money.
After that they repeated their search. If you say you don’t have money you will be punished with beatings. It was so difficult today on the 21st June. And these men it seems they began began their plot back in Mbudzi in Harare, where they also got into this bus.
They were also being followed by a small car behind us. When we had turned into the bush, the car that was following us from behind then followed on, it parked outside and these people began searching us. After they began searching they punctured one of the tyres and quickly left.
We then traveled out of the bush. We got up to the tollgate. After leaving the tollgate, 5 km between there and Masvingo, that’s when the bus started moving on its rim; and the driver tried to control the bus. It was now traveling on its rim. Right now we are here where the breakdown happened. We rang the police station; they haven’t responded. There are people here who are bleeding who are still to be checked.
2019 cases.
The below is a summary of the group’s 2019 cases:
On the first count the state tried them over revelations that on August 8 2018 in Borrowdale around 6pm, a female complainant was in her kitchen when the accused people together with their accomplice Edmore Ronald Chigwada, Christopher Danda, Terrance Nyakudyara and Joseph Hazvinei, currently on remand, forced their entry into a house.
They manhandled the complainant and threatened to kill her if she raised alarm.
They demanded cash from the complainant and out of fear she surrendered RTGS$8, R200, US$300 and Samsung S9.
They took the accused to her bedroom and ordered her to cover her head with a blanket so that they can search for other valuables.
They took two television sets, suitcases and bed sheets and they escaped.
Count two states that on October 2 2018 in Vainona, Harare at around 6pm the complainant was in the kitchen doing her dishes when the accused people and their accomplices who are already on remand climbed over the wall and went straight into the kitchen.
They manhandled the accused and took two HP laptops, RTGS$85, ‘Pad, ‘Phone 6 and jewellery valued RTGS$5 919.
On count three allegations are that on March 14, 2019, in Hatfield around 8pm the complainant arrived at his residence driving his Toyota Prado and stopped at his gate.
When he was about to open the gate the accused people fired a shot and it hit him on his right hand middle finger and he fell down.
They manhandled the complainant and went on to knock at his door claiming to be police officers and ordered his wife to open the door.
While inside the house they demanded safe keys and forced the complainant’s wife to go and get the safe keys in the car.
When they got the safe keys they opened the safe and stole US$10 000, RTGS$3 500, R15 000, 9mm Star Pistol with a magazine of 8 rounds live ammunition, ‘Phone cell phone, Samsung S3 and Samsung 05.
The accused people ordered the complainant and his wife to lie on the floor and tie their hands and legs.
They took the complainant’s car which they later dumped in Chitungwiza.
Count four and five allegations are that on March 26 2019 in Tynwald South around 7pm, the complainant arrived at his house and he was confronted by the accused people and their accomplices who are on remand.
The complainant fired in the air to scare the accused but they responded by shooting the complainant on the right hand.
They manhandled the complainant, disarmed him and forced him to get into the house. Whilst in the house they fired three shots before they shot the house maid on her left thigh. They held hostage of everyone in the house and threatened to kill anyone who resisted. They took US$40 000, R13 000, 2 000 bond coins, Samsung Galaxy J6Pro, Samsung Galaxy Note 5, ‘Phone 6, two gate remote controls and two car keys.
They failed to drive complainant’s car and on exiting the compound they fired three shots in the air to scare the mob which was gathered around the scene and they escaped.
Allegations on count 6 are that on April 9 2019 at Eastlea around 7am the accused people and their accomplices who are on remand armed with knives entered the house through the complainant’s kitchen door.
While in the house they grabbed the house maid and threatened to stab her.
They tied her hands and took various jewellery, 32 inch television set, a suitcase with clothes.
Around 2pm the complainant came back home from work and upon entry into the house she was pointed with a knife and they threatened to kill her if she resisted their demands.
She surrendered the hand bag and they took US$300, RTGS$1 000, 38 Special revolver and car keys.
They took the complainant’s car and drove away.
On count 7 allegations, on March 3 in Waterfalls around 8pm the accused people together with their accomplices who are on remand armed with knives entered the complainant’s yard and fired a shot in the air to instill fear.
They went on to manhandle the complainant and physically assaulted him demanding cash.
In a state media report, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has however said it was going to arrest and prosecute the crew of the Boundary Express coach for contravening Covid-19 regulations.
Some of the people were hospitalised at Masvingo General Hospital after they were stabbed by the gang who commandeered the Beitbridge-bound bus and robbed passengers of more than US$15 980, R31 340 and $2 510.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told the state media that charges had been preferred on the crew, who for a start was driving at night in defiance of the lockdown, and warned transport operators against violating national lockdown regulations as they risk being arrested and prosecuted.
“The Beitbridge Border Post is still closed for the public and there is no need for people to board such buses.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said it was worrying to note that some of these operators were also assisting smugglers, among other criminal activities. The police had intensified measures to curb violations of national lockdown regulations.
The Boundary Express coach left Mbudzi roundabout in Harare around 9pm and two of the unidentified armed robbers carrying knives, pistols and machetes had boarded at the same time when it set out for Beitbridge. The other three climbed aboard when the bus stopped at a food court.
Some of the victims note that a small vehicle was following behind the bus and was used as a getaway vehicle after the robbery.
Besides sustaining deep cuts all over their bodies, some of the passengers were thoroughly beaten up by the suspects who got away with cash and other valuables after ordering the bus driver to move into the bush and switch-off the lights.
The passengers were also sprayed in the eyes with an unknown liquid before the robbers left in the small vehicle after deflating one of the bus tyres. The driver had to drive the bus to Masvingo with a deflated tyre so that those injured could get assistance.
Asst Comm Nyathi said once all five robbers in the gang were aboard, one robber produced a gun and ordered the driver to drive into a dusty side road where they robbed all the passengers, threatening and using knives to get all available cash.
“One of the passengers who was being talkative or resisting was dragged out of the bus and stabbed. He was left unconscious before the robbers disappeared,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
He urged transport operators to ensure the security of their passengers and to also obey the national lockdown regulations by avoiding moving during the night.
By A Correspondent- United States-based Zimbabwean preacher, Passion Java has said Nelson Chamisa who leads MDC Alliance had hired upcoming hip hop artist Holy Ten to denigrate him adding that the opposition leader has no plan.
One of the lines in Holy Ten’s latest song – Makuitaseyi (What are you up to now) – which also sounds like a diss to Enzo Ishal, suggest that Java was taking an unnamed girlfriend of another man just identified as Eddie.
Java’s remarks towards Holy Ten born Mukudzei Chitsama attracted criticism from Chamisa’s supporters with some urging him to stop it!
Some reminded Java that his late mother, Senator Rambanepasi-Java who succumbed to cancer early this year was a member of the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa with some suggesting that she was a ZANU PF mole which was planted in opposition by the ruling party.
HARARE – Zanu PF convert Obert Gutu, a member of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), was hauled over the coals on Tuesday after appearing to downplay the gravity of Gukurahundi, calling it “a small tiny fraction” of the issues his commission is dealing with.
A deployment of the North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade by the late former president Robert Mugabe in the predominantly Ndebele-speaking provinces of Matabeleland and Midlands killed thousands – mostly unarmed civilians – in the 1980s.
The massacres, characterized by some as genocide, remain an emotive, hot-button issue, with victims and activists demanding justice.
Fielding questions about the commission’s mandate during a news conference in Harare, Gutu, a former member of the opposition MDC, said Gukurahundi was but a tiny bit of the grievances that they were handling, sparking fury from members of the public who felt he was diminishing the killings.
“It’s a pity that normally people look at the commission as only dealing with one issue of Gukurahundi. I think Gukurahundi is just a small, tiny fraction of the various other disputes we are talking about,” Gutu said.
“We are talking of issues that happened in 2005; Murambatsvina, you are talking of various other issues, some dating back to pre-independence times.”
Still, Gutu, who chairs a sub-committee of the commission that handles public complaints, said the Chapter 12 institution was seized with the festering Gukurahundi question, adding that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had personally voiced a desire to see them bring it to closure.
“The issue of Gukurahundi as you know,” Gutu responded to a reporter, “is one of several other issues on the agenda of the commission. I know maybe you have raised the issue of Gukurahundi because it is the most, I believe, the most talked-about issue. When people talk about the NPRC, the number one issue is Gukurahundi.
“Yes, we are dealing with that, and I’m happy that we have come on board at a very exciting time. The Second Republic has set its goals very clear in terms of the National Development Strategy 1… if there are any wounds from the past we should try by all means to heal them. So the way we look at it, Gukurahundi, we look at it as an episode that we are already seized with.”
He also said his commission had deployed investigators to Matabeleland North and South, and Bulawayo provinces, to talk to “the grassroots people about this issue. We have already started the process.”
Gutu added: “We have been mandated by the Constitution and even when we were sworn in, President Mnangagwa was very clear to say ‘you should try to go out there and get closure to Gukurahundi,’ because I think it’s a subject that keeps popping up.
“Especially now that we are getting towards the next elections, it’s a subject that sometimes is misconstrued, its politicized and all that. So, the good thing about the commission is we are going out there to ensure as a nation we move forward, there is closure. It’s an impartial process, it’s a non-political process. It’s a process that’s going to deal with issues from the grassroots.”
The outrage over Gutu’s remarks was swift and deafening, with some demanding his immediate removed from the national healing commission.
Former cabinet minister Professor Jonathan Moyo said it was “criminal” of Gutu “to say Gukurahundi is ‘a very small, tiny fraction of the various other disputed we are talking about,’” adding that “Gukurahundi is not a dispute, it is a genocide whose penetrators have not been held to account through the law for the justice of victims and survivors.”
Lawyer and academic Alex Magaisa blasted: “What a horrible thing to say! Even Zanu PF diehards know not to utter such nonsense. They have willing tools in the form of political turncoats who are trying too hard to pay their dues for seats on the gravy train. It is these mafikizolo [johnny-come-lately] that tend to be the most incorrigible.”
And opposition MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said: “A whole genocide can never be a ‘tiny fraction’ of the issues that the supposed Peace and Reconciliation Commission is dealing with. It has to be a priority, the foremost issue otherwise they are not fit for purpose. We need new leaders.”
By Leonard Koni | The second republic led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa needs to be proactive than being reactive and employing knee jerk policies.
This cold winter have seen the gvernment giving a thump up to the demolition of people’s homes and livelihoods in Mbare Harare.
Instead of building them market stalls and house as per their promises in their last 2018 election manifesto they embark on destruction.
They should in fact spend their energy and power in eradicating and destroying corruption in the country which has eroded the moral fibre of the nation.
After being promised swimming pools and repainting of flats, the Mbare residents’ market stalls were razed using front end loaders and dozers. What crime did the Mbare residents commit to deserve such a treatment from this bogus government? The people have been lied to several times.
It is the duty of the government to collect a data base of these prospective market stalls and build them ssome habitable structures for them to use like what happens in our neighbouring South Africa and other countries.
If such malls are formalised it will also improve in the collection of the much needed revenue from these small business entrepreneurs because they also play a pivotal role in contributing to the monetary fiscal policy.
What is surprising is that the government is killing and destroying these people’s markets where a number of people eke out a living as there is no employment to talk about in Zimbabwe.
In fact this new republic has dismally failed to create employment for the young people but have the audacity of extending Luke Malaba’s tenure in office after reaching 70 years.
Our economic plans from the Minister of Finance Mthuli Ncube are not working at all and are rather punishing the already burdened poor Zimbabweans. We have expected too much from one who failed his own Barbican Bank.
The majority of Zimbabweans have faced many challenges ranging from political harassment, unemployment and mutilation of the constitution.
The government is not committed to create employment and ensure that the dignity of all traumatised Zimbabweans is restored.
Purchasing power has deteriorated. The transport system is worsening despite the command introduction of Zupco buses. Housing delivery is stlll a dream, no clean water and sanitation. The energy supply is so erratic.
A country run on partisan grounds and nepotism will struggle to stand on its feet. President Emmerson Mnangagwa must learn to embrace a diverse, dynamic and democratic youthful and streamlined cabinet with new ideas ,skills and experience required to achieve our goals.
THE Nelson Chamisa-led opposition MDC Alliance party has indicated that it might change its name to MDC Chamisa after Douglas Mwonzora’s MDC-T threatened to contest the 2023 elections as MDC Alliance.
MDC Alliance co-vice-president Tendai Biti told Alpha Media Holdings’Heart and Soul Television (HStv) that the party was likely to contest the 2023 elections under a different name to avoid Mwonzora’s machinations to confuse voters.
“My personal opinion is that we should never abandon the name MDC, it’s a personal opinion, and my personal opinion again is that if Mwonzora continues to do the stupid thing, then for the purposes of the next election or byelection let’s just call ourselves MDC Chamisa,” Biti said.
“After all, in 2008 we called ourselves MDC Tsvangirai to deal with challenges that were there. I have walked the length and breadth of this country, the name MDC is well invested in the people of Zimbabwe. How do we cast away a brand that was built for decades? It’s so difficult to build a brand.”
He said the party was not willing to completely abandon the name MDC as that would gift Zanu-PF an easy victory.
Political analyst Methuseli Moyo described Biti’s assertions as an admission that Chamisa had given up the fight for the MDC Alliance name.
“Time will tell, but the MDC has been suffixed with all sorts of additions like Tsvangirai or T, or MDC 2000, Alliance and now we might get another one,” he said.
The issue of the MDC Alliance name and logo has been topical since the Supreme Court ruled in March last year that the MDC-T then led by Thokozani Khupe was the original party founded by the late Morgan Tsvangirai.
By A Correspondent- Retired army Major General Samson Sikhulile Nyathi yesterday wept in court alleging that his life was in danger as his spouse was always abusing him.
Nyathi appeared before Harare magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure on a domestic violence matter, where he was accusing his wife, Noleen Nyathi, of always abusing him.
He begged Mashavakure not to throw away the domestic violence case, saying that he was living in a zoo.
Nyathi said at one time, his wife poured hot cooking oil on him and at one time, assaulted him with a shoe.
Despite the allegations, magistrate Mashavakure removed the wife from remand saying the docket was incomplete as it did not include a warned-and-cautioned statement for the accused.
“Your worship, I am a blind man. My life is in danger because of my spouse. I am living like in a zoo your worship. I have been to police on several occasions, but nothing materialises,” Nyathi said in court.
“If you release her, my life will be in serious danger. I cannot live a peaceful life without her being restrained.”
He said he had even approached different organisations for assistance to no avail.
Noleen’s lawyer Job Sikhala said the court had done well by removing her from remand, adding that constitutionally, a trial could not take place without a warned-and-cautioned statement from the accused.
Sikhala said a person could not be charged twice on the same facts.
The matter was then removed from remand and will proceed by way of summons.
By A Correspondent- Retired army Major General Samson Sikhulile Nyathi yesterday wept in court alleging that his life was in danger as his spouse was always abusing him.
Nyathi appeared before Harare magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure on a domestic violence matter, where he was accusing his wife, Noleen Nyathi, of always abusing him.
He begged Mashavakure not to throw away the domestic violence case, saying that he was living in a zoo.
Nyathi said at one time, his wife poured hot cooking oil on him and at one time, assaulted him with a shoe.
Despite the allegations, magistrate Mashavakure removed the wife from remand saying the docket was incomplete as it did not include a warned-and-cautioned statement for the accused.
“Your worship, I am a blind man. My life is in danger because of my spouse. I am living like in a zoo your worship. I have been to police on several occasions, but nothing materialises,” Nyathi said in court.
“If you release her, my life will be in serious danger. I cannot live a peaceful life without her being restrained.”
He said he had even approached different organisations for assistance to no avail.
Noleen’s lawyer Job Sikhala said the court had done well by removing her from remand, adding that constitutionally, a trial could not take place without a warned-and-cautioned statement from the accused.
Sikhala said a person could not be charged twice on the same facts.
The matter was then removed from remand and will proceed by way of summons.
The second republic led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa needs to be proactive than being reactive and employing knee jerk policies.
By Leonard Koni- This cold winter have seen the gvernment giving a thump up to the demolition of people’s homes and livelihoods in Mbare Harare.
Instead of building them market stalls and house as per their promises in their last 2018 election manifesto they embark on destruction.
They should in fact spend their energy and power in eradicating and destroying corruption in the country which has eroded the moral fibre of the nation.
After being promised swimming pools and repainting of flats, the Mbare residents’ market stalls were razed using front end loaders and dozers. What crime did the Mbare residents commit to deserve such a treatment from this bogus government? The people have been lied to several times.
It is the duty of the government to collect a data base of these prospective market stalls and build them ssome habitable structures for them to use like what happens in our neighbouring South Africa and other countries.
If such malls are formalised it will also improve in the collection of the much needed revenue from these small business entrepreneurs because they also play a pivotal role in contributing to the monetary fiscal policy.
What is surprising is that the government is killing and destroying these people’s markets where a number of people eke out a living as there is no employment to talk about in Zimbabwe.
In fact this new republic has dismally failed to create employment for the young people but have the audacity of extending Luke Malaba’s tenure in office after reaching 70 years.
Our economic plans from the Minister of Finance Mthuli Ncube are not working at all and are rather punishing the already burdened poor Zimbabweans. We have expected too much from one who failed his own Barbican Bank.
The majority of Zimbabweans have faced many challenges ranging from political harassment, unemployment and mutilation of the constitution.
The government is not committed to create employment and ensure that the dignity of all traumatised Zimbabweans is restored.
Purchasing power has deteriorated. The transport system is worsening despite the command introduction of Zupco buses. Housing delivery is is stlll a dream, no clean water and sanitation. The energy supply is so erratic.
A country run on partisan grounds and nepotism will struggle to stand on its feet. President Emmerson Mnangagwa must learn to embrace a diverse, dynamic and democratic youthful and streamlined cabinet with new ideas ,skills and experience required to achieve our goals.
By A Correspondent- Rushinga Village head has left his wife of 20 years for a preg_nant girlfriend.
The village head Godfrey Chagurika appeared before Chief Makuni’s Community Court to terminate his union with wife Tabeth Musina last Sunday.
Chagurika argued that he had never been blessed with a child in the last 20 years therefore the reason to take another wife.
The husband decided to have a secret affair with Miriam Chiwota who was in a union with another man based in Bindura.
“I did that as a way to prove my fertility.
“Then my idea was successful and today my wife is clueless except a rival demonstration due to envy and jealous,” he told the Chief’s court.
Tabeth said she was not comfortable being in polygamous marriage.
“So I don’t like to be involved in polygamy,” Tabeth told the court.
Eventually Chief Makuni played his role to bring a reconciliation to a marriage already reflecting symptoms of blowing ash and Kapurura was asked to give five strong reasons to support his divorce move.
He gave them a period of 21 days to share their property equally.
By A Correspondent- Hundreds of commercial truck drivers are stranded at the Beitbridge border post after the South African authority temporarily closed its side of the border due to a major fault on its water supply line.
The development has seen the border running without water in the last 36 hours and only skeleton staff is manning the border’s key points.
According to a notice sent to inter-border management committee members by South Africa Revenues Services (SARS) senior manager at Beitbridge Ms Florah Maluleke, efforts were underway to restore normal water supply services.
“Please note that we have no running water since yesterday, and PMC has resolved to close the Port due to the prevailing health hazards associated with this,” she said.
“The Port will close at 18h00, to allow the new pump to fill up the reservoir and reopen 06h00 tomorrow morning. The RAMP Contractor is continuing work on resolving the problem”.
This is the second time the border between Zimbabwe and South Africa has been temporarily closed in the last 12 months.
Last year the border was closed for 24 hours at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic when several SARS officials tested positive to the virus.
Health officials in the neighboring country had to close the port to carry out massive disinfections.
Currently, an average of 1200 commercial trucks cross the border daily.
By A Correspondent- Six South African soldiers were on Monday arrested by that country’s organised crime unit, the Hawks for running a massive syndicate that saw dozens of vehicles being smuggled into Zimbabwe via the Limpopo River.
The army men were arrested following intensive investigations which were carried out between 2017 and 2019 under a sting operation code named “Night Vigil.”
Hawks spokesperson for Limpopo Captain Matimba Maluleke said the sting operation was launched in response to the scourge of cross-border crimes in South Africa.
He said the Hawks also roped in the Crime Intelligence, National Intervention Unit and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) throughout the operation.
“The suspects are aged between 30 and 51 were arrested on Monday 21 June 2021 for the alleged corruption,” said Captain Maluleke. “They were deployed at Beitbridge Border Post to defend and protect the territorial integrity of the Republic of South Africa between 2017 and 2019. Instead of carrying out their constitutional mandate of ensuring national security at the borders, they allegedly connived with vehicle smuggling syndicates to smuggle stolen vehicles through the Limpopo River in exchange for money”.
He said the soldiers would demand R15 000 per vehicle from the smugglers and share the proceeds among themselves.
Captain Maluleke said the suspects were on the radar of the police until they were arrested by the team in North West, Northern Cape and Free State provinces.
He said the six will appear at the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
In the last 10 years South African and Zimbabwean security officials have intercepted over 100 stolen vehicles being smuggled across the Limpopo destined for Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Tanzania.
By A Correspondent- South Africa has temporarily closed its side of the border due to a major fault on its water supply line.
The development has seen the border running without water in the last 24 hours and only skeleton staff is manning the border’s key points.
According to a notice sent to inter-border management committee members by South Africa Revenues Services (SARS) senior manager at Beitbridge Ms Florah Maluleke, efforts were underway to restore normal water supply services.
“Please note that we have no running water since yesterday, and PMC has resolved to close the Port due to the prevailing health hazards associated with this,” she said.
“The Port will close at 18h00, to allow the new pump to fill up the reservoir and reopen 06h00 tomorrow morning. The RAMP Contractor is continuing work on resolving the problem”.
This is the second time the border between Zimbabwe and South Africa has been temporarily closed in the last 12 months.
Last year the border was closed for 24 hours at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic when several SARS officials tested positive to the virus.
Health officials in the neighboring country had to close the port to carry out massive disinfections.
Currently, an average of 1200 commercial trucks cross the border daily.
By A Correspondent- A thief snatched a bag containing US$19 000 from a vehicle belonging to a Non-Governmental Organisation in Bulawayo before speeding off in an unregistered vehicle.
According to the Chronicle, the incident occurred last Thursday at about 11 AM.
This was after the Organisation for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID) employee had parked the vehicle along Fort Street between 14th and 15th Avenue to attend to a punctured tyre.
The 33-year-old employee, whose name has not been released, had made a stop while on his way to Bulilima district clinics to deliver the money.
He was in the company of two employees from a car hire company from where he had hired a Toyota Hilux, they were travelling in.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the theft.
“We are investigating a theft case where an unknown person snatched a bag containing US$19 396, HP laptop, laptop charger and several documents all valued US$21 000 from a vehicle which was parked at a garage situated along Fort Street between 14th and 15th Avenue and sped off in a black Toyota Wish without number plates. Nothing was recovered,” said Insp Ncube.
He said the suspect pounced on the trio after one of them had briefly opened the rear passenger door to relieve himself.
Insp Ncube said the driver tried to chase after the speeding driver but he could not catch up due to congestion in the city centre.
“A report was made at Bulawayo Central Police Station who attended the scene. No arrest has been made so far. As police, we are appealing to members of the public who might have information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect to come forward,” said Insp Ncube.
Cases of thieves breaking into cars are on the rise in the city with the police discouraging members of the public from leaving valuables in cars. Insp Ncube also urged members of the public to be security conscious whenever they are carrying large sums of money in vehicles.
Last year, a gold mine employee lost nearly US$50 000 to thieves who broke into his car minutes after he had sold gold to a dealer in Bulawayo.
By Investigative Correspondent | A man whose picture circulated online since Tuesday is a well known robber who’s been handed ZRP uniform to commit crimes, before.
Wonder Mahuni at Chicken Slice, Mvuma
Mr Wonder Mahuni has several robbery cases dating back to 2015 and which involve decorating selves in police uniforms to commit robberies.
ZimEye reveals that Mahuni is supposed to be prison and yet picture footage show him allegedly roaming freely a few hours after the violent attack of scores of travelers in a Beitbridge bound Boundary Bus on Sunday night. The development means he could have been released early through either political or other corrupt means.
Wonder Mahuni and gang at Harare Magistrates Court in 2019, lawyer (extreme right)
In Sept 2019 Wonder Mahuni was on remand, before being sentenced for 3 years for armed robberies committed in 2018.
He also has another case opened after police he and others were caught in police uniforms and one of them holding an official service pistol to commit a robbery in Waterfalls, Harare, in October 2015.
In 2019, Mahuni and 5 others were charged with robbing a Bulawayo man at gunpoint of R170 000, US$12 000, RTGS$10 000 and other valuables, ZimEye reveals.
In November last year, Mahuni applied for bail at the High Court but Justice Erica Ndewere denied him.
ZimEye is investigating how Mahuni is suddenly on the streets when he is supposed to be serving his 3 year sentence, and Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi was still to comment at the time of writing.
Mahuni’s gang of accomplices is at total six, which figure matches that reported by a female traveler in an audio revealed by ZimEye on Monday.
The gang comprises: Pious Ncube (42) of Cowdray Park suburb, and five others Tendai Dzoma, Ronald Chigwida, Christopher Danda, Peter Mushipe and the man cited in the Mvuma picture, Wonder Mahuni.
ZimEye investigates.
Meanwhile, a source cited by ZimEye on Monday narrated her ordeal in the following lines:
Sunday Evening Attack
Good morning to you God’s people. I’ve encountered a problem: I came from Bindura last night, and got to Mbudzi at just after 8pm.
I boarded the bus called Boundary from Mbudzi traveling back to Beitbridge. This bus’ operators announced they are going for recess at Mvuma. When they got to Mvuma people got their foods and so forth. After that, while we were inside the bus as we were approaching the tollgate, it emerged there were several armed robbers on the bus, numbering up to 6. They had guns and they had knives; and they redirected the bus into the nearby bush. They kept going to the driver ordering him to turn this way and that way. They were ordering the driver to follow a certain soldier. The bus had traveled a bit into the forest when it was ordered to switch off its lights.
At that point, everyone was searched. We were beaten up. We got sprayed on, on our eyes. We got sprayed from around 1pm. Up to now it is after 2 and our eyes are still itching badly having been sprayed on. Up to now we are still feeling the pain, since others were stabbed.
The armed men were pointing a gun at anyone forcing them to release money.
After that they repeated their search. If you say you don’t have money you will be punished with beatings. It was so difficult today on the 21st June. And these men it seems they began began their plot back in Mbudzi in Harare, where they also got into this bus.
They were also being followed by a small car behind us. When we had turned into the bush, the car that was following us from behind then followed on, it parked outside and these people began searching us. After they began searching they punctured one of the tyres and quickly left.
We then traveled out of the bush. We got up to the tollgate. After leaving the tollgate, 5 km between there and Masvingo, that’s when the bus started moving on its rim; and the driver tried to control the bus. It was now traveling on its rim. Right now we are here where the breakdown happened. We rang the police station; they haven’t responded. There are people here who are bleeding who are still to be checked.
2019 cases.
The below is a summary of the group’s 2019 cases:
On the first count the state tried them over revelations that on August 8 2018 in Borrowdale around 6pm, a female complainant was in her kitchen when the accused people together with their accomplice Edmore Ronald Chigwada, Christopher Danda, Terrance Nyakudyara and Joseph Hazvinei, currently on remand, forced their entry into a house.
They manhandled the complainant and threatened to kill her if she raised alarm.
They demanded cash from the complainant and out of fear she surrendered RTGS$8, R200, US$300 and Samsung S9.
They took the accused to her bedroom and ordered her to cover her head with a blanket so that they can search for other valuables.
They took two television sets, suitcases and bed sheets and they escaped.
Count two states that on October 2 2018 in Vainona, Harare at around 6pm the complainant was in the kitchen doing her dishes when the accused people and their accomplices who are already on remand climbed over the wall and went straight into the kitchen.
They manhandled the accused and took two HP laptops, RTGS$85, ‘Pad, ‘Phone 6 and jewellery valued RTGS$5 919.
On count three allegations are that on March 14, 2019, in Hatfield around 8pm the complainant arrived at his residence driving his Toyota Prado and stopped at his gate.
When he was about to open the gate the accused people fired a shot and it hit him on his right hand middle finger and he fell down. They manhandled the complainant and went on to knock at his door claiming to be police officers and ordered his wife to open the door.
While inside the house they demanded safe keys and forced the complainant’s wife to go and get the safe keys in the car. When they got the safe keys they opened the safe and stole US$10 000, RTGS$3 500, R15 000, 9mm Star Pistol with a magazine of 8 rounds live ammunition, ‘Phone cell phone, Samsung S3 and Samsung 05. The accused people ordered the complainant and his wife to lie on the floor and tie their hands and legs. They took the complainant’s car which they later dumped in Chitungwiza.
Count four and five allegations are that on March 26 2019 in Tynwald South around 7pm, the complainant arrived at his house and he was confronted by the accused people and their accomplices who are on remand.
The complainant fired in the air to scare the accused but they responded by shooting the complainant on the right hand.
They manhandled the complainant, disarmed him and forced him to get into the house. Whilst in the house they fired three shots before they shot the house maid on her left thigh. They held hostage of everyone in the house and threatened to kill anyone who resisted. They took US$40 000, R13 000, 2 000 bond coins, Samsung Galaxy J6Pro, Samsung Galaxy Note 5, ‘Phone 6, two gate remote controls and two car keys. They failed to drive complainant’s car and on exiting the compound they fired three shots in the air to scare the mob which was gathered around the scene and they escaped.
Allegations on count 6 are that on April 9 2019 at Eastlea around 7am the accused people and their accomplices who are on remand armed with knives entered the house through the complainant’s kitchen door.
While in the house they grabbed the house maid and threatened to stab her.
They tied her hands and took various jewellery, 32 inch television set, a suitcase with clothes.
Around 2pm the complainant came back home from work and upon entry into the house she was pointed with a knife and threatened to kill her if she resisted their demands.
She surrendered the hand bag and they took US$300, RTGS$1 000, 38 Special revolver and car keys.
They took the complainant’s car and drove away. On count 7 allegations, on March 3 in Waterfalls around 8pm the accused people together with their accomplices who are on remand armed with knives entered the complainant’s yard and fired a shot in the air to instill fear.n
They went on to manhandle the complainant and physically assaulted him demanding cash.
