By A Correspondent- Over 400 newly-resettled farmers in the Maganga near Marondera, were last week evicted to pave way for the return of the farm’s original owner, Hunyani Estate.

The farmers were evicted by the Messenger of Court, who, armed with a court order, forcibly removed and dumped their property along the Harare-Mutare railway line.

One of the evicted farmers, Sphiwe Siyawamwaya, who spoke to NewsDay said they are now living in the open.

He said:

We woke up to realise that we were surrounded by riot police in the company of a Messenger of Court telling us to leave.

They ferried our goods including our crops and dumped us here. We do not have anywhere to go. We are told that this land belongs to Hunyani Estate.

In 2017, officials from the Lands ministry told us that they will allocate 200 hectares of land to us, but today it is another story.

Life is hard for us here, considering that we are living in the open.

ZANU PF Marondera district secretary for lands, Richmore Chikore said they were aware of the crisis.

NewsDay could not get a comment from Marondera district development co-coordinator Clement Masawi as his mobile phone went unanswered.

The Maganga area is in ward 23, about 20km east of Marondera town.

The area is located in the tourism-rich area where the Benard Mizeki shrine and Tsindi Ruins are located.

By A Correspondent- A 37 year old man was found hanging near Gain Shop in the Gaza Suburb of Chipinge at 8am yesterday, the Police has confirmed.

Tichaona Ganda of number 1929 Gaza O allegedly had a squabble with his wife Ropafadzo Chakona and brother-in-law only identified as Chakona last night. Ganda was found hanging from a tree branch in a maize field. Wearing a red trousers, a white shirt and a tie, he used a white and blue rope to tie around his neck.

Officer Commanding Chipinge District Chief Sup Kennedy Nyaumwe confirmed the case and said he was waiting for further details.

Ganda’s nephew Zacharia Mufuka told Chipinge Times that the deceased tried to stop Ropafadzo from working at a second hand flea market owned by the latter’s brother in town and they had a disagreement.

Ropafadzo left the husband and stayed with the brother for the last four days. Last night the deceased visited her at the brother-in-law’s house and failed to resolve the issue. Ganda was last seen in public at around 6pm yesterday and his relatives were looking for him until they heard this morning that there was a man found hanging nearby.

Police will do a postmortem.

The world is full of women but only few wives”. Many women don’t know that being a woman does not necessarily mean you can be a wife to a man.

There are certain qualities that qualifies a woman to be a good wife to the husband she’s married to. Some men break up their relationships or marriages because they later found out that the woman they are living with is not yet a wife.

The wedding will give you the title wife, but to your husband the things you do will determine whether he’s married to a woman or a wife.

This is why the bible says ” he that finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord”, meaning you can get a woman and still not find a wife.

Looking at the acronym of the word wife, we’ll discover certain characters that makes every woman a good wife for her husband.

WIFEW : WISE – Every wife is a wise woman like Abigail. She advices her husband about many things that will affect their future, family, children, finances and the like.

They look into the future and not the present. In fact, any woman who is always concerned about the present and doesn’t talk about the future is not yet a wife. Because if they are wise they give the due respect to their husbands knowing they are the head of the relationship and don’t compete with them.

I : INDUSTRIOUS – Every wife is a hardworking person. They are always willing to work and help their husbands. They don’t want their husbands to shoulder all the family load alone, but try as much as possible to give a helping hand.

In fact, they are not consumers but rather contributors. Their work starts from the home, they are not lazy and do not require the supervision of their husbands before cleaning, cooking, washing or attending to their responsibilities. The truth is they love work.

F : FAITHFUL – Every wife is a faithful partner, they love their husbands and only him. They love their husbands in both good and bad times. They are not like other women whose love grows when they see success and money and vanish when there is hardships. They will never share themselves secretly or privately with other men at workplaces or church behind their husbands.

E : ENDURE – Every good wife is a gift from God and what makes them stand out is their ability to stick to their husbands till the end. They come into the marriage to love you irrespective of what comes your way and are willing to stand with their husbands to face the odds of life. They don’t care about your beginning, they are only interested in the vision of the man and where he’s going in life. Because they know that right men have vision and know where they are going.

If you are a man and find such a woman never let her go.

AS A WOMAN CAN THESE CHARACTERISTICS BE SEEN IN YOU? CAN YOUR MAN SAY WITH CONFIDENCE, I HAVE FOUND A WIFE? IF NOT ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO START LEARNING AND BRANDING YOURSELF FOR A BETTER FUTURE. WOMEN ARE BORN BUT A WIFE IS A GIFT FROM GOD.

By A Correspondent- MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has admitted meeting with Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The two secretly met at the statehouse over an undisclosed agenda.

Some MDC-T leaders say Mwonzora kept them in the dark about the meeting held at State House in Harare.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga also attended the meeting that was curiously not covered by the state-controlled media, which usually follows Mnangagwa’s engagements with the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) religiously.

Polad is a platform where the president engages leaders of fringe political parties that took part in the 2018 presidential elections, including MDC-T.

Thokozani Khupe represented MDC-T in Polad before her ouster by Mwonzora in December last year.

The new MDC-T leader had said he would not take part in Polad meetings as he preferred broader dialogue to resolve Zimbabwe’s multiple political and economic problems.

Mwonzora at the weekend told The Standard that he had gone to State House to pay a courtesy call on Mnangagwa.

“There were two things,” he said. “The thing was that I went to pay a courtesy call as leader of the opposition in Parliament to the president and head of state.

“The second one was to deliver the MDC’s concrete proposals for dialogue as I was instructed by the congress.

“The meeting was cordial and respectful.

“The president, who was accompanied by the vice-president undertook to reply to our proposals after which we would have formal discussions on the matter.”

He, however, refused to disclose the MDC-T’s proposals, saying he was waiting for Mnangagwa’s response.

“Currently I am not at liberty to disclose the proposals because they are yet to be responded to, but they were procedural matters as well as substantive matters,” he added.

A senior MDC-T official accused Mwonzora of going to State House clandestinely as the matter was never discussed during the party’s recent meetings.

“We are all asking ourselves what was really so important about this meeting, which was kept away from everyone,” the official said.

“Something could really be fishy here.”

But Mwonzora defended himself, saying he was mandated by the MDC-T national council to pursue dialogue with Mnangagwa.

He said some of his party’s leaders were not available for the meeting on Friday.

“Well, leaders of my party were away on parliamentary business,” the opposition leader claimed.

“This is criticism coming from people who have failed to execute their mandate.

“I was directed by the MDC national council to pursue dialogue for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe and I did just that.”

Some Polad members are also unhappy that Mnangagwa is seemingly going back on his word not to hold any talks outside the controversial Polad platform.

“We did not have a meeting today and if what you are saying happened, it had nothing to do with Polad,” said a Polad member, who requested to remain anonymous.

“That then raises questions on why Mwonzora, if indeed he is keen to dialogue, would secretly meet Mnangagwa who is also a principal under Polad? What then is the role of Polad?

“We suspect there is an unholy alliance going on here and parallel arrangements are- coming up.

“We will wait and see, but this is not what we expected from the two. We expect people to be transparent and to do things in good faith.”

Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa referred questions about the meeting between Mnangagwa and Mwonzora to the president’s spokesperson George Charamba.

Charamba was not picking calls yesterday.

Mwonzora and MDC-T deny allegations that they are being used by Mnangagwa and Zanu PF to fight the mainstream MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa.

The MDC Alliance says Zanu PF is using state institutions such as the courts and the police to aid MDC-T in its bid to position itself as the main opposition party in Zimbabwe.

-The Standard

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora last Friday held a private meeting where the two are said to have discussed about forming a unity government.

Some MDC-T leaders say Mwonzora kept them in the dark about the meeting held at State House in Harare.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga also attended the meeting that was curiously not covered by the state-controlled media, which usually follows Mnangagwa’s engagements with the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) religiously.

Polad is a platform where the president engages leaders of fringe political parties that took part in the 2018 presidential elections, including MDC-T.

Thokozani Khupe represented MDC-T in Polad before her ouster by Mwonzora in December last year.

The new MDC-T leader had said he would not take part in Polad meetings as he preferred broader dialogue to resolve Zimbabwe’s multiple political and economic problems.

Mwonzora at the weekend told The Standard that he had gone to State House to pay a courtesy call on Mnangagwa.

“There were two things,” he said. “The thing was that I went to pay a courtesy call as leader of the opposition in Parliament to the president and head of state.

“The second one was to deliver the MDC’s concrete proposals for dialogue as I was instructed by the congress.

“The meeting was cordial and respectful.

“The president, who was accompanied by the vice-president undertook to reply to our proposals after which we would have formal discussions on the matter.”

He, however, refused to disclose the MDC-T’s proposals, saying he was waiting for Mnangagwa’s response.

“Currently I am not at liberty to disclose the proposals because they are yet to be responded to, but they were procedural matters as well as substantive matters,” he added.

A senior MDC-T official accused Mwonzora of going to State House clandestinely as the matter was never discussed during the party’s recent meetings.

“We are all asking ourselves what was really so important about this meeting, which was kept away from everyone,” the official said.

“Something could really be fishy here.”

But Mwonzora defended himself, saying he was mandated by the MDC-T national council to pursue dialogue with Mnangagwa.

He said some of his party’s leaders were not available for the meeting on Friday.

“Well, leaders of my party were away on parliamentary business,” the opposition leader claimed.

“This is criticism coming from people who have failed to execute their mandate.

“I was directed by the MDC national council to pursue dialogue for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe and I did just that.”

Some Polad members are also unhappy that Mnangagwa is seemingly going back on his word not to hold any talks outside the controversial Polad platform.

“We did not have a meeting today and if what you are saying happened, it had nothing to do with Polad,” said a Polad member, who requested to remain anonymous.

“That then raises questions on why Mwonzora, if indeed he is keen to dialogue, would secretly meet Mnangagwa who is also a principal under Polad? What then is the role of Polad?

“We suspect there is an unholy alliance going on here and parallel arrangements are- coming up.

“We will wait and see, but this is not what we expected from the two. We expect people to be transparent and to do things in good faith.”

Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa referred questions about the meeting between Mnangagwa and Mwonzora to the president’s spokesperson George Charamba.

Charamba was not picking calls yesterday.

Mwonzora and MDC-T deny allegations that they are being used by Mnangagwa and Zanu PF to fight the mainstream MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa.

The MDC Alliance says Zanu PF is using state institutions such as the courts and the police to aid MDC-T in its bid to position itself as the main opposition party in Zimbabwe.

-The Standard

By A Correspondent- Former information Minister, Johnathan Moyo has mocked President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s union with self-proclaimed prophet and socialite, Panganai Java.

MNANGAGWA & JAVA: political delinquency on steroids! pic.twitter.com/EcrrKs3QTw

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) June 13, 2021

By A Correspondent- At least 63 girls in Bulawayo dropped out of school after being impregnated, while about 40 pupils were also impregnated by gold panners in Ntabazinduza within a year.

Sunday News understands that although various campaigns have been carried out against child sexual abuse, the practice was still rampant and every year many girls are forced to drop out of school after falling pregnant.

According to Zimbabwean laws, sexual intercourse with anyone below the age of 16 is a criminal offence, yet the majority of schoolgirls who fell pregnant fall below the age of consent.

Bulawayo provincial education director Mrs Olicah Kaira told a meeting hosted by the Matabeleland Council for the Welfare of the Child last week that since March last year when the country went into Covid-19 induced lockdown, at least 63 girls dropped out of school in the city after falling pregnant. However, in 2020, the Government amended the Education Act to allow pregnant girls back in class but reports indicate that a few girls were returning to school, as they have to assume motherly roles.

According to Mrs Kaira, last term, Bulawayo saw three girls drop out of school due to pregnancies, while one 12-year-old pupil committed suicide during the term.

“As a ministry in Bulawayo we received three cases reported of unintended pregnancies this term alone and we think there could be more unreported cases. Since the onset of the lockdown the total number of cases now stands at 63.

We also received a report of a 12-year-old who committed suicide, investigations conducted by the ministry revealed that the situation at home where the child lived could have influenced the suicide,” she said.
She also said school authorities were battling with increased drug abuse.
“The ministry is also battling the issue of drugs and substance abuse. Some children are bringing the drugs to school and when they are questioned the pupils say that the drugs will be coming from parents who ask them to sell at school.”

In a related incident, more than 40 girls have also dropped out of school after they were impregnated by gold panners at Mbelesini in Ntabazinduna, Umguza District in Matabeleland North province. Sunday News visited the area last week where officials and parents told of chaos that has been brought by marauding gold panners.
“Not only have gold panners allegedly been having affairs with school girls, they have also invaded people’s farms and homes in search of the yellow metal. Ward Six councillor Alexander Mnkandla said most of the girls were below the age of 18 years.
“I can’t really say the exact number but I know at least 40 girls who have dropped out of school due to these pregnancies and it is sad because the responsible people are gold miners who disappear after getting the girls pregnant,” said Clr Mnkandla.
He said in some cases girls were as young as 12 years.
“Most of the girls are lured by money and they do not even know the dangers they are involving themselves in until they get pregnant and forced to drop out of school.”
Clr Mnkandla said the community has tried to find a solution but the major problem was that most of the panners were aggressive and were not locals.
“We have resorted to public meetings for girls at school to be educated about the right to education and information on the use of contraceptives. Early sexual engagement also increases the risk of girls suffering cervical cancer which is one of the leading killer diseases, especially among women hence our children must be educated first about abstinence. It is very difficult for us, as the village we have appealed to the police but nothing concrete has been done. At night it is very dangerous to go out as the panners will be carrying dangerous weapons and making noise while shouting insults. We are living in fear,” he said.
He said most of the panners were reportedly from Binga, Kwekwe and Harare.
“The illegal gold panners are also destroying the environment. They are digging everywhere they think there is gold. They are digging everywhere in our backyards, even graves and we fear they are going to leave this place seriously degraded,” said the councillor.
Meanwhile, six schools in Bulawayo received mobile science equipment donated by Laboratory Equipment and Consumables (LEO BIO-TEC) as part of its Save Our Souls family strengthening programme. Babambeni, Godlwayo, Ingwegwe, and Ntshamathe primary schools each received a mobile laboratory worth US$2 500 while Magwegwe and Amhlophe High Schools each received protective clothing to use when conducting science experiments.

Tinashe Sambiri|The so called new dispensation comprises witches and wizards, MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has declared.

Hon Sikhala also described the destruction of vendors and informal traders’ stalls in Harare and Chitungwiza as heartless and insensitive.

Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is destroying people’s lives and properties at will, according to Hon Sikhala.

“When you pontificate and call yourselves the 2nd Republic when you are clearly witches and wizards, you must know your end is nigh.

Zimbabwe deserves new leaders, leaders with people at heart.

People of Zimbabwe hv reached a breaking point. Everything they hv is being destroyed,” argued Hon Sikhala.

Tinashe Sambiri|The Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is under pressure to implement key constitutional reforms before the 2023 Presidential Election…

The European Union has expressed concern at the violation of human rights in Zimbabwe.

This was discussed at a meeting held in Harare on Thursday. Zimbabwe was represented by Foreign Affairs and International Trade minister Frederick Shava while EU head of delegation to Zimbabwe, Timo Olkkonen was joined by ambassadors of EU Member States, France, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, The Netherlands, Spain and Romania.

In a brief statement The European Union said:

The EU and its membership expressed concern over a curtailed democratic space in Zimbabwe over the last year and reports of continued violations of human rights such as reported cases of enforced disappearances and lengthy unjustified detentions, arrests of journalists and other limitations to the freedom of expression and the media…

Tinashe Sambiri|The so called new dispensation comprises witches and wizards, MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has declared.

Hon Sikhala also described the destruction of vendors and informal traders’ stalls in Harare and Chitungwiza as heartless and insensitive.

Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is destroying people’s lives and properties at will, according to Hon Sikhala.

“When you pontificate and call yourselves the 2nd Republic when you are clearly witches and wizards, you must know your end is nigh.

Zimbabwe deserves new leaders, leaders with people at heart.

People of Zimbabwe hv reached a breaking point. Everything they hv is being destroyed,” argued Hon Sikhala.

By A Correspondent- At least 63 girls in Bulawayo dropped out of school after being impregnated, while about 40 pupils were also impregnated by gold panners in Ntabazinduza within a year.

Sunday News understands that although various campaigns have been carried out against child sexual abuse, the practice was still rampant and every year many girls are forced to drop out of school after falling pregnant.

According to Zimbabwean laws, sexual intercourse with anyone below the age of 16 is a criminal offence, yet the majority of schoolgirls who fell pregnant fall below the age of consent.

Bulawayo provincial education director Mrs Olicah Kaira told a meeting hosted by the Matabeleland Council for the Welfare of the Child last week that since March last year when the country went into Covid-19 induced lockdown, at least 63 girls dropped out of school in the city after falling pregnant.

However, in 2020, the Government amended the Education Act to allow pregnant girls back in class but reports indicate that a few girls were returning to school, as they have to assume motherly roles.

According to Mrs Kaira, last term, Bulawayo saw three girls drop out of school due to pregnancies, while one 12-year-old pupil committed suicide during the term.

“As a ministry in Bulawayo we received three cases reported of unintended pregnancies this term alone and we think there could be more unreported cases. Since the onset of the lockdown the total number of cases now stands at 63.

We also received a report of a 12-year-old who committed suicide, investigations conducted by the ministry revealed that the situation at home where the child lived could have influenced the suicide,” she said.

She also said school authorities were battling with increased drug abuse.

“The ministry is also battling the issue of drugs and substance abuse. Some children are bringing the drugs to school and when they are questioned the pupils say that the drugs will be coming from parents who ask them to sell at school.”

In a related incident, more than 40 girls have also dropped out of school after they were impregnated by gold panners at Mbelesini in Ntabazinduna, Umguza District in Matabeleland North province. Sunday News visited the area last week where officials and parents told of chaos that has been brought by marauding gold panners.

“Not only have gold panners allegedly been having affairs with school girls, they have also invaded people’s farms and homes in search of the yellow metal. Ward Six councillor Alexander Mnkandla said most of the girls were below the age of 18 years.

“I can’t really say the exact number but I know at least 40 girls who have dropped out of school due to these pregnancies and it is sad because the responsible people are gold miners who disappear after getting the girls pregnant,” said Clr Mnkandla.

He said in some cases girls were as young as 12 years.

“Most of the girls are lured by money and they do not even know the dangers they are involving themselves in until they get pregnant and forced to drop out of school.”

Clr Mnkandla said the community has tried to find a solution but the major problem was that most of the panners were aggressive and were not locals.

“We have resorted to public meetings for girls at school to be educated about the right to education and information on the use of contraceptives. Early sexual engagement also increases the risk of girls suffering cervical cancer which is one of the leading killer diseases, especially among women hence our children must be educated first about abstinence.

It is very difficult for us, as the village we have appealed to the police but nothing concrete has been done. At night it is very dangerous to go out as the panners will be carrying dangerous weapons and making noise while shouting insults. We are living in fear,” he said.

He said most of the panners were reportedly from Binga, Kwekwe and Harare.

“The illegal gold panners are also destroying the environment. They are digging everywhere they think there is gold. They are digging everywhere in our backyards, even graves and we fear they are going to leave this place seriously degraded,” said the councillor.

Meanwhile, six schools in Bulawayo received mobile science equipment donated by Laboratory Equipment and Consumables (LEO BIO-TEC) as part of its Save Our Souls family strengthening programme. Babambeni, Godlwayo, Ingwegwe, and Ntshamathe primary schools each received a mobile laboratory worth US$2 500 while Magwegwe and Amhlophe High Schools each received protective clothing to use when conducting science experiments.

By A Correspondent- A heated argument over water bills payment between mother-in-law and daughter ended drastically yesterday.

Jacqueline Moyo the mother in law to Yvonne Ncube reived the news that her inlaw was no paying water bills which sparked an argument upon questioning her.

” When l confronted her she ran into the kitchen and picked a kitchen knife and jabbed my buttocks and my left arm,” said Moyo.

Speaking to a local publication, the daughter in law said her mother in law approached her basing on rumours which are lies because she has receipts showing that they were paying the bills”.

Bulawayo police spokesperson inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident.

He said, “We urge family members to solve their differences amicably and some assaults may appear minor but at times may result in the unnecessary loss of life”.

By A Correspondent- Relatives of a Beitbridge man, who was shot and killed by a member of the security forces on an operation in the border town, say he was not a robber as police claimed, but just a mere tout at a bus terminus.

Police claimed Abel Gumbo, who was killed in Lutumba, was on the wanted list for a spate of armed robberies and fled when they took him by surprise.

The relatives want the officer, who shot Gumbo, charged with murder and their family compensated.

They said he only took to his heels thinking they were on a mission to enforce Covid-19 regulations and he was not putting on a face mask as per regulations.

The relatives feel authorities did not explore several other methods to arrest Gumbo without the fatal use of maximum force, considering he was entering a building.

Gumbo was shot dead at dawn on May 27 soon after he had helped a woman offload her cabbages off a South Africa bound truck.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said relatives should take their case to head of Beitbridge police Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo.

“I am not aware of that version,” Nyathi said.

“Can the family approach the Dispol at Beitbridge and make an official complaint.

“If unsatisfied at Beitbridge the family must proceed to the province.”

Wellington Moyo (21), a family spokesman, said it would take long to recover from the shockthat followed Gumbo’s death.

“It was a cold morning when police arrived in a car in pursuit of some people while the deceased sat by the fire with two other guys,” Moyo said.

“Frightened from previous police encounters the deceased bolted on what became his last race.”

He was gunned down as he entered a room at Lutumba Beer Hall where his guardian lived.

“There was a woman at the place and a plain clothes man, who hit him asked whether Gumbo was Elvis, a suspected armed robber they were hunting down.

“Sadly this was Abel,” Moyo added.

He said soon after realising their mistake, the officers started arguing amongst themselves.

“One was heard asking the way forward since he had already made a mistake,” Moyo claimed.

“Dog handlers on the other side were heard complaining that their dogs had been disturbed by too much gunfire.”

The team then cordoned off the area and even barred the relatives of the deceased from viewing their loved one.

The relatives also disputed police claims that he was carrying a knife on the fateful day.

“We are sure they planted the weapon after realising their error.

“Why was everything done away from the relatives view?

“Even if he had a knife, could he have stabbed all those police and military officers,” asked Moyo.

Police reportedly sought Gumbo’s previous convictions at court where they discovered petty common assault

-standard

A consortium of local bus operators has partnered with car assemblers — AVM Africa and Quest Motors to start the assembling of local buses in a bid to solve the country’s transport woes.

This is part of the government’s efforts to promote the consumption of local products and create employment.

Speaking during the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between Amalgamated Bus Operators of Zimbabwe, bus assembler AVM Africa and Quest Motors, a vehicle manufacturing company based in the eastern city of Mutare, Transport deputy minister Mike Madiro said the move was aimed at supporting local industries by government and would boost the economy.

“We, as government, should support local industries in our vehicle sourcing and also in bus manufacturing. We will see more of this happening over time,” Madiro said.

In addition to creating employment, the assembling of buses locally is also expected to have ripple effects on the economy since a substantial amount of materials would be sourced locally.

It is envisaged that 500 buses will be assembled annually and the group says it will create opportunities for the regional market.

Since the Covid-19 induced lockdown, the government outlawed the use of privately-owned commuter omnibuses on urban routes in a bid to restore sanity in the public transport system and to provide affordable transport to the commuting public.

The state-owned Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) has monopoly to provide urban public transport.

However, the Zupco fleet cannot meet the high demand, and has been operating with buses sourced from the private sector players under its franchise.

Under the deal, the amalgamated bus operators will import bus kits from Belarus and China and AVM Africa along with Quest Motors assembling the vehicles.

Quest has over the years assembled Volvo, Leyland and Nissan buses, and currently holds the franchise to build Chinese-owned Yutong and Zhong Tong buses.

-standard

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF Mazowe District Coordinating Committee (DCC) came to the rescue of twenty-six land seekers in Mazowe who were duped cattle and money by two bogus soldiers last week.

Dzingai Chipara (47) and Nyembesi Tirivayi(59) were arraigned before Guruve magistrate  Rumbidzai Mugwagwa this Friday where they were remanded in custody to June 14

The state led by Albert Charehwa alleged that from November 2018, the duo swindled money and 26 beasts from desparate land seekers by parcelling out land illegally.

They misrepresented themselves to the land seekers that they were soldiers and would facilitate land through the ministry of agriculture.

The desparate land seekers approached DCC leadership after they were informed by lands officials that they had acquired the land illegally 

By Nomusa Garikai- The Greeks of the Golden Age of Greece gave humanity the Olympic Games, built the Acropolis, laid the foundation of human civilisation and, most important of all, gave mankind democracy – government of the people by the people and for the people. 

There are many reasons why democracy has all but failed to take root in Zimbabwe and one of the reasons is are a pig-head society and there is nothing like being elevated into a position of power and authority to bring out the pig in pig-headed!. 

“According to President Chamisa, leadership is a huge responsibility that requires humility and focus,” reported Zimeye and went on to quote Chamisa.

“THE POWER OF BUILDING NEW THINGS..SOMETHING FRESH!!

Every time I meet Zimbabweans I’m amazed at the love I see written all over their faces, the palpable joy and hope in their eyes.

Leadership is a huge responsibility.

Trust is a great burden. The hope, enthusiasm and expectation is a call to duty. Thank God, we’re equal to the task!”

Shocking!

The people of Zimbabwe have risked life and limb to elect Chamisa and his fellow MDC friends into power on the understanding the MDC, as the party name implied, would deliver the democratic changes the nation has been dying for, literally. After 21 years on the political stage, 5 of which in the GNU, MDC has failed to deliver not even one democratic change. Not one! 

It is therefore shocking that Chamisa should have arrogance and chic to  boast of his competence and accomplishments. “Thank God, we’re equal to the task!” 

He even claims to have the gifts of “humility and focus!” 

To be fair to Chamisa and his MDC friends they are not the only ones who are pig-headed. After 41 years of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption that has left the country in economic ruins, Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies still believe they are the only ones are competent to rule Zimbabwe and hence the reason they have rigged elections, just to be absolutely certain a free, fair and credible election did not deliver regime change.

Chamisa and his MDC friends and Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF thugs have one thing in common; they are pig-headed demagogues who believe they are God Almighty’s gift to the nation. Compared to everyone else, they are infallible, “equal to the task”; no task is too hard for them. They are the “Misstra know it all!” Stevie Wonder sang of.

Pig-headed demagogues can never ever be democrats because the lack the humility to acknowledge they are fallible mortals and there is absolutely nothing special about them. 

The very idea of giving the ordinary citizen a meaningful say in the governance of the country, in a free, fair and credible elections is simply unthinkable to the demagogue. Democracy, government of the people by the people for the people, is a curse as far as the demagogues are concerned because the people will elect someone not “equal to the task”! 

Make no mistake about it, no one has ever said democracy is perfect. Free, fair and credible elections have resulted in the election of people not equal to the task. The election of former US President Donald Trump is one. The real beauty of a healthy and functioning democracy is that the American voters were able to put things right four years later.  

Where there is no healthy and functioning democracy, such as Zimbabwe, you get a demagogue into power and you are well and truly stuck! 

We in Zimbabwe are well and truly stuck with not only the Zanu PF buffoons but now the MDC village idiots to boot! Both Zanu PF and MDC have failed to deliver democracy and free, fair and credible elections because they are demagogues and not democrats. 

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the death of five people in an accident that occurred along Chivhu-Gutu road.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Nyathi told the national broadcaster that the accident occurred when an Inter-Africa bus collided with a Honda Stream vehicle while trying to overtake another bus.

The head-on collision occurred near Matizha Business Centre in Gutu District on Saturday morning.

A motorist who arrived soon after the accident said he took one of the survivors to Matizha Clinic.

Eyewitnesses told Masvingo Mirror that an Inter-Africa bus was trying to overtake another bus when it encroached into the lane of the oncoming Honda Stream.

The Honda Stream swerved off the road but the bus did the same and they collided.

Last year the government banned private commuter omnibuses (kombis) resulting in little non-commercial vehicles (4 passengers) overloading passengers to fill in the void in the transport sector.

The transport sector is now dominated by Mushikashika vehicles which although they have capacities of 4 passengers are carrying as many as nine passengers.- Masvingo Mirror

By A Correspondent- Chitungwiza Town Council lavished police officers conducting a demolition exercise in the town with takeaway food at a time service delivery has plunged to unprecedented levels.

More than 100 officers, including police officers drawn from Chitungwiza’s three stations – St Mary’s, Chitungwiza (Makoni) and Zengeza, police support unit and Municipality police were reportedly treated to chicken and chips and food bought from another top-class eatery in town.

The local authority also bought fuel for vehicles that were used in the exercise including council, Zimbabwe Republic Police as well as Local Government ministry trucks that had been taken from the central government.

Councillors in Chitungwiza have since distanced themselves from the exercise, reminiscent of the 2005 Operation Murambatsvina.

The demolitions of illegal structures within Harare Metropolitan Province commenced on Monday following a directive from Tafadzwa Muguti, the provincial development coordinator.

Chitungwiza residents through Chitungwiza Residents Trust (Chitrest) on Thursday got an interim court relief interdicting the continuation of the demolitions. Chitrest director Alice Kuvheya said:

We heard that council used its money to do the demolitions. We heard that they bought the food for the officers and fueled the vehicles.

It’s surprising that council is able to fund such an exercise when they can’t provide residents with essential services.

We don’t have water, garbage is all over the town, no medication. Council workers are not being paid yet they decide to go demolish informal traders’ sources of income.

The traders pay the taxes and rent to the council and the council comes back to them using their money to demolish their structures. It’s so inhumane.

Kuvheya said they would make sure every cent is accounted for with regards to the demolitions.

The Standard could not get a comment from Chitungwiza mayor Lovemore Maiko on Saturday as did not pick his phone while acting town Evangelista Machona was not reachable.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora on Friday held their first formal meeting since the Manicaland senator became the government’s preferred leader of the opposition amid murmurs of disapproval from his party.

Some MDC-T leaders say Mwonzora kept them in the dark about the meeting held at State House in Harare.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga also attended the meeting that was curiously not covered by the state-controlled media, which usually follows Mnangagwa’s engagements with the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) religiously.

Polad is a platform where the president engages leaders of fringe political parties that took part in the 2018 presidential elections, including MDC-T.

Thokozani Khupe represented MDC-T in Polad before her ouster by Mwonzora in December last year.

The new MDC-T leader had said he would not take part in Polad meetings as he preferred broader dialogue to resolve Zimbabwe’s multiple political and economic problems.

Mwonzora at the weekend told The Standard that he had gone to State House to pay a courtesy call on Mnangagwa.

“There were two things,” he said. “The thing was that I went to pay a courtesy call as leader of the opposition in Parliament to the president and head of state.

“The second one was to deliver the MDC’s concrete proposals for dialogue as I was instructed by the congress.

“The meeting was cordial and respectful.

“The president, who was accompanied by the vice-president undertook to reply to our proposals after which we would have formal discussions on the matter.”

He, however, refused to disclose the MDC-T’s proposals, saying he was waiting for Mnangagwa’s response.

“Currently I am not at liberty to disclose the proposals because they are yet to be responded to, but they were procedural matters as well as substantive matters,” he added.

A senior MDC-T official accused Mwonzora of going to State House clandestinely as the matter was never discussed during the party’s recent meetings.

“We are all asking ourselves what was really so important about this meeting, which was kept away from everyone,” the official said.

“Something could really be fishy here.”

But Mwonzora defended himself, saying he was mandated by the MDC-T national council to pursue dialogue with Mnangagwa.

He said some of his party’s leaders were not available for the meeting on Friday.

“Well, leaders of my party were away on parliamentary business,” the opposition leader claimed.

“This is criticism coming from people who have failed to execute their mandate.

“I was directed by the MDC national council to pursue dialogue for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe and I did just that.”

Some Polad members are also unhappy that Mnangagwa is seemingly going back on his word not to hold any talks outside the controversial Polad platform.

“We did not have a meeting today and if what you are saying happened, it had nothing to do with Polad,” said a Polad member, who requested to remain anonymous.

“That then raises questions on why Mwonzora, if indeed he is keen to dialogue, would secretly meet Mnangagwa who is also a principal under Polad? What then is the role of Polad?

“We suspect there is an unholy alliance going on here and parallel arrangements are- coming up.

“We will wait and see, but this is not what we expected from the two. We expect people to be transparent and to do things in good faith.”

Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa referred questions about the meeting between Mnangagwa and Mwonzora to the president’s spokesperson George Charamba.

Charamba was not picking calls yesterday.

Mwonzora and MDC-T deny allegations that they are being used by Mnangagwa and Zanu PF to fight the mainstream MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa.

The MDC Alliance says Zanu PF is using state institutions such as the courts and the police to aid MDC-T in its bid to position itself as the main opposition party in Zimbabwe.

-The Standard

By A Correspondent- MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has admitted meeting with Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The two secretly met at the statehouse over an undisclosed agenda.

Some MDC-T leaders say Mwonzora kept them in the dark about the meeting held at State House in Harare.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga also attended the meeting that was curiously not covered by the state-controlled media, which usually follows Mnangagwa’s engagements with the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) religiously.

Polad is a platform where the president engages leaders of fringe political parties that took part in the 2018 presidential elections, including MDC-T.

Thokozani Khupe represented MDC-T in Polad before her ouster by Mwonzora in December last year.

The new MDC-T leader had said he would not take part in Polad meetings as he preferred broader dialogue to resolve Zimbabwe’s multiple political and economic problems.

Mwonzora at the weekend told The Standard that he had gone to State House to pay a courtesy call on Mnangagwa.

“There were two things,” he said. “The thing was that I went to pay a courtesy call as leader of the opposition in Parliament to the president and head of state.

“The second one was to deliver the MDC’s concrete proposals for dialogue as I was instructed by the congress.

“The meeting was cordial and respectful.

“The president, who was accompanied by the vice-president undertook to reply to our proposals after which we would have formal discussions on the matter.”

He, however, refused to disclose the MDC-T’s proposals, saying he was waiting for Mnangagwa’s response.

“Currently I am not at liberty to disclose the proposals because they are yet to be responded to, but they were procedural matters as well as substantive matters,” he added.

A senior MDC-T official accused Mwonzora of going to State House clandestinely as the matter was never discussed during the party’s recent meetings.

“We are all asking ourselves what was really so important about this meeting, which was kept away from everyone,” the official said.

“Something could really be fishy here.”

But Mwonzora defended himself, saying he was mandated by the MDC-T national council to pursue dialogue with Mnangagwa.

He said some of his party’s leaders were not available for the meeting on Friday.

“Well, leaders of my party were away on parliamentary business,” the opposition leader claimed.

“This is criticism coming from people who have failed to execute their mandate.

“I was directed by the MDC national council to pursue dialogue for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe and I did just that.”

Some Polad members are also unhappy that Mnangagwa is seemingly going back on his word not to hold any talks outside the controversial Polad platform.

“We did not have a meeting today and if what you are saying happened, it had nothing to do with Polad,” said a Polad member, who requested to remain anonymous.

“That then raises questions on why Mwonzora, if indeed he is keen to dialogue, would secretly meet Mnangagwa who is also a principal under Polad? What then is the role of Polad?

“We suspect there is an unholy alliance going on here and parallel arrangements are- coming up.

“We will wait and see, but this is not what we expected from the two. We expect people to be transparent and to do things in good faith.”

Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa referred questions about the meeting between Mnangagwa and Mwonzora to the president’s spokesperson George Charamba.

Charamba was not picking calls yesterday.

Mwonzora and MDC-T deny allegations that they are being used by Mnangagwa and Zanu PF to fight the mainstream MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa.

The MDC Alliance says Zanu PF is using state institutions such as the courts and the police to aid MDC-T in its bid to position itself as the main opposition party in Zimbabwe.

-The Standard

Picture of the Week!
Proverbs 18:16
"Your gift will make room for you ….and bring you before Kings"
"Ngenyi!" pic.twitter.com/KtS1FP31RU

— Dr Walter Mzembi (@waltermzembi) June 12, 2021

Amazing pic.twitter.com/KUmwfm9CTY

— Dr Walter Mzembi (@waltermzembi) June 12, 2021

By A Correspondent- At least 30 people have been killed by elephants in Zimbabwe this year alone, with the number expected to rise as the country approaches the dry season when animals move more in search of food and water.

The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) confirmed the deaths, saying the growing number of cases of human-wildlife conflict mostly involve elephants.

“We are experiencing a rise in deaths spawned by elephants. This year, so far we have recorded 30 cases of people who have been killed by elements. These animals are overcrowded, so as a result, they escape from the game parks and invade people’s territories in search of food or water where people get killed,” Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said.

“We are in June, the situation is expected to worsen in the dry months because, in the parks, there will be less food, less water, which means people need to be very careful as the elephants will be moving around and ravaging territories.”

He added that Zimparks was trying to come up with solutions to reduce cases of human-animal conflict in the country.

“We are still planning how best we can control the population of elephants and we have come up with several options such as translocating the animals into other areas, but the challenge is that it is too expensive, as we all know that elephants are also capable of destroying anything,” Farawo said.

“We are moving around the communities to do awareness campaigns that educate people on animal habits and how to protect themselves.”

At 100 000, Zimbabwe has the world’s second-largest population of elephants after neighbouring Botswana and is considering culling as a way of controlling the population.

-NewsDay

By A Correspondent-The government has with effect from tomorrow Monday, banned all gatherings, except funerals, in new Covid-19 containment measures aimed at curtailing a possible third wave of the pandemic.

Announcing the new regulations at a Press Conference in Harare yesterday, Vice President and Health and Child Care Minister, Constantino Chiwenga, said last week Zimbabwe recorded 596 new cases and 26 deaths, figure authorities believe as a consequence of complacency in communities and at workplaces.

“All gatherings except funerals are banned. These gatherings include, but not limited to weddings, church gatherings, music festivals and sports activities,” VP Chiwenga said, adding that funerals shall be limited to 30 people.

Companies have been directed to de-congest their premises by 50 percent, while workshops have been banned.

“All workshops and meetings are to be held virtually. In addition, all offices — both Government and private — are to de-congest by 50 percent (except for offices connected with essential services).”

Under the new measures, restaurants are no longer permitted to sell food to sit-in customers save for those appended to hotels and lodges.

“Beerhalls and night clubs will remain closed whilst bottle stores will operate from 10:00 hours to 16:00 hours. Operators should ensure that there is no drinking in and around their premises. Failure to adhere to these measures will result in withdrawal of business licenses,” said Chiwenga.

-State media

By A Correspondent- The late Nigerian preacher TB Joshua died before the Zimbabwean self-proclaimed prophet Walter Magaya failed had delivered an assignment he had given him.

According to Magaya, before his death, TB Joshua gave the Zimbabwean the task of buying two elephants, a zebra and a giraffe as he wanted to open a zoo.

TB Joshua died before Magaya could send him the animals.

Magaya said he bought the animals but could not get clearance from the Nigerian immigration department to travel to the Western African country.

By A Correspondent- Self-proclaimed prophet Walter Magayafailed to deliver an assignment he had been given by the late TB Joshua.

According to online news, before his death, TB Joshua reportedly gave Magaya the task of buying two elephants, a zebra and a giraffe as he wanted to open a zoo.

TB Joshua died before Magaya could send him the animals.

Magaya said he bought the animals but could not get clearance from the Nigerian immigration department to travel to the Western African country.

-Online

By A Correspondent- A Mutare man was reportedly shot at Legends Bar in Chikanga by a police officer trying to enforce lockdown regulations.

It is alleged that the man was shot and injured on the hip when the bullet penetrated a vehicle he was seated in and severely damaged his hip bone.

The accused, police constable Matthew Tichivanhu who is attached to the Support Unit Changadzi Sierra Troop is facing attempted murder charges.

Initially, Godfrey Mafukashe (37) of Chikanga 2 had been hauled before a provincial magistrate on charges of defeating the course of justice after the police had alleged that he had been shot while attacking cops who were enforcing Covid-19 lockdown regulations. However, the case has taken a new twist.

Mafukashe, who is out on bail, has since filed an attempted murder charge against Constable Tichivanhu for shooting him as he was seated in his friend’s car.

Mafukashe is arguing that he had nothing to do with the fracas that happened at the bar as he was seated in the vehicle when police raided the pub and arrested 27 patrons.

Through his lawyers, Mafukashe told the Officer Commanding Mutare District Police, Chief Superintendent Mutadza, that his arrest was wrong as he was the victim.

An attempted murder charge was subsequently opened at Chikanga Police Station under CR115/05/21 and the docket has since been referred to CID Mutare for further investigations.

In his complaint letter to Chief Superintendent Mutadza, Mafukashe said he was a victim of a police shooting.

The incident happened on May 29 at around 9:30pm The Manica Post reports.

-State media

By Farai D Hove | The ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa who has personally executed the worst state terrorism against a local population in Southern Africa, since the 1800s, has described the MDC Alliance as a terrorist organisation.

Mnangagwa was speaking at the launch of empowerment programmes for war veterans in Harare, when he claimed the MDC Alliance was anti-democratic and anti-developmental. He said:

“Let us all remain astute and vigilant, aware of the asymmetrical tactics of the opposition, in particular, the MDC Alliance whose character resembles that of a terrorist organisation.

“The MDC Alliance has nothing democratic about it. It is anti-constitution, anti-development and anti-people, but pro-violence and destruction.

“Let us remain vigilant and be wary of the MDC-A, which is anti-people and anti-democratic.”

His statements come barely a year after announcing that he will use the army against Harare residents when he suspects they are guilty of stopping the rain, and in the last 3 years he has unleashed rogue soldiers onto Harare’s streets leading to the murder of over 25 people, the raping and torture of over 50 women. On the 1st August, he used rogue soldiers to change the election results.

Mnangagwa Says: MDC Alliance Is A Terrorist Organisation

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 13, 2021

By A Correspondent-A photo of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Panganai Java in the President’s house has gone viral.

The question with many is that why is the President entertaining Java?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQAjTzXJm4A/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean postal expert, Sifundo Moyo is in line to become the next Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) secretary-general after his candidature for the top continental post was overwhelmingly endorsed by all Sadc member states.

Moyo will square-off with candidates from other countries during the PAPU Plenipotentiary Conference to be hosted by Zimbabwe from June 21-25.

The conference will be held in the resort city of victoria Falls.

ICT, Postal and Courier Services minister Jenfan Muswere said in addition to fielding Moyo as the candidate for the position, Zimbabwe is going to assume the chair of the PAPU Plenipotentiary Conference for the next four years.

A Zimbabwean woman was buried in South End On Sea during the week without her relatives, as the latter alleged that they were blocked from the funeral by the deceased’s female pastor…. BELOW WERE THE LIVE SCENES

https://youtu.be/1z8TG3iKJag

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has assured the long suffering citizens that he will not disappoint them…

According to President Chamisa, leadership is a huge responsibility that requires humility and focus.

“THE POWER OF BUILDING NEW THINGS..SOMETHING FRESH!!

Every time I meet Zimbabweans I’m amazed at the love I see written all over their faces, the palpable joy and hope in their eyes.

Leadership is a huge responsibility.

Trust is a great burden. The hope, enthusiasm and expectation is a call to duty.Thank God, we’re equal to the task!”

Thank you @ParisHilton & Carter for visiting #Zimbabwe?? #AWorldOfWonders! We trust you enjoyed the Gorge Swing & both the tandem & solo zip line in #VictoriaFalls, the #AdrenalineCapital! #VisitVictoriaFalls#VisitZimbabwe#AWorldOfWonders
Credit: @WildHorizons pic.twitter.com/hscs6Z8kMm

— #VisitZimbabwe (@tourismzimbabwe) June 11, 2021

By A Correspondent- Outspoken Norton legislator Temba Mliswa (independent) has sensationally accused Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi of using voodoo to eliminate him and his sister, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka.

Mliswa-Chikoka, who is Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs for minister, is reportedly embroiled in a fight for the control of the province with Ziyambi who was Zanu-PF provincial chairperson, until his elevation to the politburo recently.

Ziyambi yesterday refused to comment on the accusations, say-ing Mliswa should elaborate. In an audio message circulating on social media, Mliswa accused Ziyambi of consulting spiritualists in Domboshava.

“Why would you be so desperate to go to a prophet in Domboshava? When you got there, you gave him my name that I should die. You also included Mary’s name and I cannot fathom where that is emanating from,” Mliswa said.

“You hate me to the extent of wishing me dead because I asked questions in Parliament? This has shown me this is the way you get your posts, you will be visiting prophets, but you have been exposed and you have been exposed because the people who accompany you looked for me and informed me.

“You ran to the provincial executive council (Pec) and when you are there, people give you the platform to do whatever you want and to appoint whomever you want. I personally don’t want to be involved in Pec, but my query is why you want to eliminate me,” the former Zanu-PF provincial chairman fumed.

“I am worried for my life. I will be writing to the director general of the Central Intelligence Organisation with all this information so that he investigates and the truth comes out.”

CASE ALERT

Dr Musa Kika, Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, yesterday, 11 June 2021, filed an urgent court application seeking an order for leave to execute the High Court judgment barring former Chief Justice, Luke Makaba, from exercising duties as the Chief Justice of Zimbabwe. 

The urgent court application follows a judgment delivered by Justices Tsanga and Chirawu-Mugomba who ruled that Luke Malaba was not in contempt of court because the President and Minister of Justice had lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court.

The latest court application seeks an order that pending finalisation of the appeal , the former CJ should immediately cease and desist from exercising the functions of the Chief Justice of Zimbabwe either in a judicial or administrative capacity unless allowed to do so pursuant to the outcome of the appeal. 

A third European Union-Zimbabwe Political Dialogue Meeting took place in Harare on 10 June 2021.

The meeting allowed for the continuation of discussions on topics that are of common interest and are priorities in EU-Zimbabwe relations: human rights, democratisation, rule of law and good governance; economic developments and reforms, the investment climate and implementation of our free trade agreement, the Economic Partnership Agreement; development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and global and regional partnerships. The discussions also included exchanges on Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 response as well as the EU’s support and assistance.

The EU and its Member States expressed concern over a curtailed democratic space in Zimbabwe over the last year, and reports of continued violations of human rights such as reported cases of enforced disappearances and lengthy unjustified detentions, arrests of journalists and other limitations to the freedom of expression and the media. The EU urged the Government to conduct impartial investigations of human rights violations and bring perpetrators to justice.

The EU acknowledged Government’s efforts to stabilise the economy and highlighted that economic reforms and the fight against corruption are paramount for Zimbabwe, in particular, to mitigate the humanitarian crisis, and improve the socio-economic situation.

The European Union reaffirmed that it stands ready to continue to support the Zimbabwean people in the current challenges and that entering an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable growth path requires structural reforms by Government.

Today’s discussion was conducted in an open, cordial and constructive atmosphere. We look forward to continuing the exchanges within the framework of the formal Political dialogue.

The EU-Zimbabwe Political Dialogue was co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Ambassador Frederick Shava, and the EU Head of Delegation to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Timo Olkkonen, who was joined by the Heads of Mission, Ambassadors of France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal as well as the Chargés d’Affaires of Romania, Spain, and Sweden and the First Secretary of the Embassy of Belgium.

ACTUAL TRANSCRIPTS WERE NOT AVAILED

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) warned members of the public against illegal forex deals following reports that illegal foreign currency dealers have “invaded” supermarkets and wholesalers.

Forex dealers are reportedly offering higher rates to customers intending to use forex to pay for goods and services in supermarkets and wholesalers.

This comes after the government gazetted Statutory Instrument 127 of 2021 which, among other things, empowers the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to penalise traders that price their goods or services above the official exchange rate.

According to Manica Post, illegal forex dealers have been using their debit cards, mobile banking, internet banking and Zipit facilities to pay for goods and services on behalf of customers at higher rates.

Officially, US$1 is worth around $85, but black market dealers are offering anything between $120 and $130 for the same amount.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luxson Chananda, said more police officers have been deployed to bring the illegal forex dealers to book. He said:

We have seen an increase in the number of people doing illegal foreign currency transactions on the pavements and in the supermarkets.

We have deployed our officers, both in uniform and plainclothes, to arrest these people and bring them to book.

We urge members of the public to do their transactions in banks and registered bureau de changes.

Some of the people they are dealing with are criminals who will rob them of their hard-earned cash.

What the public must understand is that it takes two or more people to do a transaction and all the parties involved in any illegal money transfer deal will be arrested and charged accordingly.

-Manicapost

By A Correspondent- Police in Mutoko, Mashonaland East province, are currently investigating a case where a 19-year-old girl allegedly fatally assaulted a se_x-starved man after he attempted to rap_e her.

The teenager (name withheld), under Chief Chimukoko, reportedly overpowered the deceased, Shuwa Tsuro (43), who had accosted her several times demanding se_x.

The girl has since been arrested and charged with murder.

Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachii confirmed the incident yesterday.

According to police, on June 7, at around 10am, Tsuro went to the accused’s place of residence and proposed love but was turned down.

On the same day, at around 9pm, the teenager was preparing supper alone when Tsuro arrived and proposed love again, this time demanding se_x.

He was turned down again.

Enraged, Tsuro charged towards the girl with his manhood exposed. But the girl hit him with a piece of firewood until he fell unconscious.

The girl then informed a neighbour Patricia Makwanya of the incident, who rushed to the scene and found Tsuro lying on the ground half nak_ed and complaining of pain on his legs.

Tsuro died during the night.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The European Union (EU) has told President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration that the bloc cannot fully engage with Harare unless it institutes far reaching political and economic reforms.

The EU early this year extended by a further year sanctions it imposed on Harare, initially in 2002, arguing that they would remain in place until government stops rampant human rights abuses and vicious clampdown on dissent.

The bloc said in a statement following a closed-door meeting between government and representatives of the delegation of the European Union to Zimbabwe it made clear to government that respect for human rights was a key pretext to a full-fledged restoration of relations, which soured at the turn of the millennium when the Zanu PF government embarked on a chaotic land reform programme, which resulted farmers of European origin being driven from farms across the country.

The meeting, which was held in Harare on Thursday, allowed for the continuation of discussions on topics that are of common interest and are priorities in EU-Zimbabwe relations: human rights, democratisation, rule of law and good governance, economic development, investment climate, free trade, the economic partnership agreement, development co-operation, humanitarian assistance and regional and global partnerships, the bloc said in its statement.

“The EU and its membership expressed concern over a curtailed democratic space in Zimbabwe over the last year and reports of continued violations of human rights such as reported cases of enforced disappearances, and lengthy unjustified detentions, arrests of journalists and other limitations to the freedom of expression and the media. The EU urged government conduct impartial investigations of human rights violations and bring perpetrators to justice,” the EU said.

It added that although it acknowledged government’s efforts in stabilising the economy and improve the socio-economic situation in the country, it was worried by lack of commitment to structural reforms by the government.

Government was represented by Foreign Affairs and International Trade minister Frederick Shava while EU head of delegation to Zimbabwe, Timo Olkkonen was joined by ambassadors of EU member States, France, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, The Netherlands, Spain and Romania.

Political analyst Rashweat Mukundu said the EU had demonstrated its sincerity on dialoguing with Harare, but as long as the Zanu PF regime does not reform, there would be no smiles for Mnangagwa.

“The EU is setting a foundation for continued dialogue with Zimbabwe, but I don’t see the EU reneging on its position that government must respect human rights and adhere to constitutional provisions and reform some of its undemocratic policies. There is no change of the EU looking aside when government is committing abuses in the interest of promoting dialogue,” he said.

“It is only giving government an opportunity and showing they are sincere in their call for dialogue, but there has to be tangible action from the Zimbabwean authorities in terms of respecting human rights.

“It’s not only a matter of talking but acting on the part of the Zimbabwean government on concerns the EU has been raised. The issue is there a match on the ground in what the Zimbabwe government is saying and doing.”

-newsday

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) expresses concern over the new dates that have been set by the government for the conducting of the population census and delimitation exercise.

The new dates were announced in the latest post Cabinet press briefing, in which the government indicated that the country remains on course to conduct the Census within the prescribed time frame for the 2023 Elections.

The actual population census is commencing in April 2022, and the results expected in August 2022, paving way for the Constituencies Delimitation in October 2022 with 31 December 2022 being the last day allowed for delimitation.

This comes at a time when CSOs are pushing for electoral reforms before the next election, and delimitation being one of the key reforms in the electoral cycle with a bearing on the credibility of electoral outcomes. The Delimitation Exercise is prescribed under section 161 (1) of the Constitution on Delimitation of Electoral Boundaries; which provides that; “Once every ten years, on a date or within a period fixed by the Commission so as to fall as soon as possible after a population census, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission must conduct a delimitation of the electoral boundaries into which Zimbabwe is to be divided.”

The Network believes that the census provides a useful resultant dataset in the delimitation exercise which could help in improving the integrity of the delimitation exercise. However, mindful of the provisions of  section 161 (2) which postulates that: “If a delimitation of electoral boundaries is completed less than six months before polling day in a general election, the boundaries so delimited do not apply to that election, and instead the boundaries that existed immediately before the delimitation are applicable.”, ZESN is worried that the result of the delimitation may become academic if the exercise is completed six months before the elections, making it impossible for  ZEC to use the drawn boundaries for the harmonised elections scheduled in July 2023.  

Assuming that the next general election is held as provided for in the Constitution under section 143 on Duration and Dissolution of Parliament, the Network is concerned that the timelines proposed by Cabinet are likely to compromise the delimitation process in terms of the quality. (Parliament is elected for a five-year term which runs from the date on which the President elect is sworn in and assumes office in terms of Section 94 (1) (a), and parliament stands dissolved at midnight on the day before the first polling day in the next general election called in terms of Section 144.)

Taking into account that the current electoral boundaries are arguably no longer representative of the voters with the last delimitation exercise conducted in 2008, ZESN urges the government to give ZEC ample time to conduct a thorough and quality process so that new electoral boundaries can be used in the next election.  The Network therefore calls upon the government of Zimbabwe to bring forward the date of commencement of the Census so that the delimitation exercise is completed before December 2022.

Boundary delimitation must be open, transparent and inclusive. Citizens and electoral stakeholders must be consulted and involved. However, the three-month window from October to December 2022 during which delimitation will be taking place is too short and too tight and the opportunity to build confidence, trust and ownership of the process, through engagement of citizens and key electoral stakeholders will be lost. Compounding the situation is the absence of clarity on the process, what could be possibly be done simultaneously with the census, if any, and a predictable boundary delimitation calendar, making it difficult for stakeholders to plan accordingly and contribute meaningfully to the process.

ZESN therefore urges the Government and ZEC to take the impending delimitation exercise seriously in order to avoid contested election boundaries, which may yet again result in contested elections.

By A Correspondent- Police are hunting for a self-styled Harare prophet who allegedly rap_ed an Old Highfield woman after he claimed that she was possessed with an evil spirit and he had been sent by the Holy Spirit to cleanse her.

The prophet identified as Madzibaba Ray of Johane Masowe YeChishanu Nyeredzi-Nomwe went on to rap_e the 30-year-old woman.

Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident.

“He reportedly told the complaint that she was possessed with evil spirit which needed spiritual cleansing,” said Insp Mwanza.

“The suspect reportedly told the complainant that he had been sent by the Holy Spirit to cleanse her. In the process, the accused had unprotected se_xual intercourse once without the complainant’s consent. After the act, the suspect went away leaving the complainant alone.”

By A Correspondent- MDC-T vice president Elias Mudzuri faces arrest for murder, ZimLive reported.

The former Harare mayor was named by a dying man as the one of the people who brutally assaulted him at a bar in Harare on June 7.

Police are ready to swoop on Mudzuri over the murder of 23-year-old Ronald Mukumbira, of Epworth.

An internal police memo seen by ZimLive says Mukumbira was drinking beer at Duriro Pub & Grill in the Wokington industrial area when he was assaulted “with unknown weapons” by Mudzuri and others, including a Leonard Mudzuri thought to be related to the politician.

Mudzuri reportedly owns Duriro.

Left for dead, police say Mukumbira was rushed to Sally Mugabe Hospital at around 3.30AM with a deep cut on the head and injuries on the ribs and knees.

Mukumbira was treated and discharged, arriving home in Epworth at about 3PM the same day.

“Upon arrival at his place of residence, Mukumbira told his mother Netsai Mukumbira that he was assaulted by Elias Mudzuri, Leonard Mudzuri and other unknown accused persons at Duriro bar,” the police memo dated June 11, 2021, said.

Moments after recounting his ordeal, according to police, Mukumbira stopped talking and he died at 7PM on June 10.

The reasons for the assault are not stated in the police document.

Mukumbira’s body was taken to Tayedzwa Funeral Service but is expected to be ferried to a government hospital for a post-mortem.

A police source said on Saturday: “We’re very keen to question Elias Mudzuri. We should make an arrest this weekend.”

Mudzuri was not answering calls on Saturday. MDC-T spokesman Witness Dube said: “The matter is under investigation by the police and we won’t comment as a party.”

-ZimLive

By A Correspondent- South Africa has expelled diplomats from Lesotho and Malawi for their involvement in the sale of duty-free alcohol to bars and restaurants.

The diplomats were declared persona non grata (unwelcome person) for engaging in the illegal sale of illicit duty-free alcohol and were given 72 hours to leave the country, failing which will lead to arrests.

The government of Lesotho has expressed shock and disappointment in learning of the diplomats who have been thrown out of South Africa.

There are reports that short of cash Lesotho diplomats and their spouses have been bringing alcohol into the country without paying duty and then reselling it in bars and restaurants.

Lesotho foreign affairs minister Matsepo Ramakoae said they saw media reports that some diplomats were involved in this. She said:

This means that this has been going on for quite some time. We are going to take the report from South Africa, look at it and take action.

The Malawian government has also issued a statement promising to take appropriate action against the diplomats.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), spokesperson Clayson Monyela announced the development. He said:

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation wishes to confirm that it has, on behalf of South Africa, declared several diplomats persona non-grata following an intensive investigation into their flouting of diplomatic privileges. The said diplomats were found guilty of engaging in illicit trade in duty-free alcohol.

… The government of South Africa has given the affected diplomatic staff members and their families 72 hours within which they should leave South Africa.

They are also expected to relinquish their diplomatic status by returning all the necessary diplomatic tools to Dirco.

Monyela said investigations of similar transgressions by other missions accredited to South Africa are at an advanced stage and similar action will be taken should they be found guilty.

He urged diplomatic missions accredited to South Africa to respect, uphold and comply with all the laws of the land, including adherence with the prescripts of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961

By A Correspondent- Informal traders arrested in Chitungwiza breathed a sigh of relief after a Chitungwiza magistrate quashed their charges arguing that the charges were defective, embarassing and did not warrant that any offence was committed.

Said the vendors’ lawyer Job Sikhala:

“After an application to quash the charges, it is true that the above informal traders who were in police cells since Thursday were freed after the Court upheld our application that the charge is defective, embarrassing and does not disclose any offenses.

There is happiness galore by the informal traders who were in police cells since Thursday up to today.

The Court refused to put them on remand instead freeing them.”

The vendors were represented by Sikhala after the intervention of Dewa Mavhinga of Human Rights Watch, who pleaded with Sikhala to represent the poor vendors who were under siege.