By A Correspondent- There was a child-kidnap scare at a Bulawayo private school, Petra Primary School, after reports that a stranger attempted to snatch a pupil at the institution last week, an incident which was confirmed by school authorities.

Several parents, that spoke to Southern Eye, said they feared for their children’s safety following the attempted kidnapping incident that happened on May 13.

“My child was almost kidnapped by a woman who was wearing a long coat and sunglasses. I had gone to collect my child and had parked outside the school gate when I saw children playing at the school playground waiting for their parents,” the mother of the child, who refused to be identified, said.

“I then saw a strange who approached my child, grabbed her by the hand and lied to her saying I had sent her to collect her. Luckily, my baby had seen me from a distance and she refused to go with the woman.”

Petra acting head Van Rheede on Friday confirmed that a child was almost kidnapped at the school during knock-off time.

“On May 13, the allegations of an incident were reported at the front office. May I make it clear that even though there was no eye witness, staff on duty were immediately activated to investigate the issue,” Rheede said.

“As a result of this, a reminder was posted to raise awareness and remind us to be vigilant and alert.”

Rheede said the school was now working on upgrading its security system to ensure the safety of the children.

Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele could neither confirm nor deny that the incident took place.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- A trailer that was abandoned in Dopota, Hwange along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway, 11 years ago has remained intact for all these years despite thieves trying their luck on it.

Though parts, like tyres from the trailer, have been removed by thieves, reports from villagers indicate that whatever is left of it cannot be touched as anyone who has tried to strip the trailer has been met by slaps from invisible hands, 

Villagers and traditional leaders have confirmed that the trailer has remained relatively intact because anyone who has attempted to temper with it has been heavily slapped by the invisible “guards”.

The villagers said the trailer was left in 2010, after it broke its chassis, by a truck driver who was ferrying coal from Hwange to Harare. Although the trailer load was later offloaded into another truck, the owner had not bothered to tow the trailer.

Samuel Mugande, a villager, said for some strange reason, the mystical creatures guarding the trailer only attack those who attempt to steal.

“The most interesting part about these incidences is that those that are mostly attacked are those individuals trying to steal from the trailer. People, especially truck drivers, are the culprits that are often attacked by these things when stop and try to steal wheels,” he said.

Dopota Village head, Tryness Ngwenya confirmed the strange incidents adding that villagers strongly believed that the trailer was haunted.

It is alleged that the incidents started happening a few months after a villager who was left in charge of the trailer when it broke down advised the owner of people who were trying to steal its tyres and boards.

The owner reportedly came to Dopota village and afterwards told her not to worry anymore. That was the time when the reports of people being assaulted by unknown beings began to surface.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Government has reportedly failed to pay nurses the US$10 daily allowances it promised them at the launch of the country’s COVID-19 vaccination programme four months ago.

Reports revealed that government only paid them allowances for one month.

The inoculation programme started in February and to date over 700 000 Zimbabweans have been vaccinated.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) president Enock Dongo told NewsDay that nurses felt hard done by government.

“Nurses are working day-in and dayout at several vaccination centres, but no one is being paid. Promises for the allowances were made, but no one was paid. That is why you see the rampant corruption by nurses who are now selling vaccination certificates everyday. It is unfair labour practice by our government, especially when it promised to do so. Government should honour its promise,” Dongo said.

He said health workers throughout the country were struggling to feed their families.

Health deputy minister John Mangwiro refused to comment on the issue.

“I think you have to check with the salaries department. They are responsible for that. At the moment, I am busy to look for that information for you,” Magwiro said.

Health experts said government should prioritise nurses.

Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike said: “We need to value and appreciate our frontline health workers who are playing an important role in the vaccine roll-out programme. They should be guaranteed of job security, be properly remunerated with high regard for their health and safety.

“The Finance minster Mthuli Ncube is always talking about a budget surplus why not use that money to pay COVID-19 allowances to nurses?”

Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association president Johannes Marisa said: “We need to make sure that we keep our staff motivated. I don’t think the government has no capacity to pay. It only needs a heart and goodwill to pay.”

-newsday

ByA Correspondent- A polygamous 81 year old man from Zvishavane who had been reported missing was found dead in a bushy area in a suspected murder case.

The body of Patrick Shoko that was burnt from the waist upwards and had a scar on the head was found by a passerby who reported it to the police.

Shoko, who had two wives had been reported missing since 16 May. He reportedly left his second wife’s home with a clay pot intending to seek spiritual deliverance from local prophets but never returned.

After long searches in vain, the family decided to make a missing person report. The body was discovered on 19 May.

Midlands Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident saying police officers had attended the scene. Mahoko said:

_Police are investigating a suspected murder case of an 81-year-old man who was found dead in a bushy area near Comoil Service Station in Zvishavane on 19 May around 7 am. The now-deceased had two wives who were staying separately in Mandava suburb._

_It is said on May 16, Shoko left the second wife’s homestead intending to seek spiritual deliverance from local prophets while holding a clay pot but he did not return home._

_Police attended the scene and observed that his body was burnt from the waist up to the head and had a scar at the back of the head. Murder is being suspected._

Mahoko appealed to anyone with information regarding the death of Shoko to contact any nearest police station.

By A Correspondent- A 42 year old Silobela man is battling for life at Kwekwe General Hospital after he was axed on the forehead by his alleged wife’s lover.

Mr Tawanda Denhere was attacked by Mthokozisi Moyo when he confronted him accusing him of having an extra marital affair with his wife.

The incident occurred at Musilahobe Business Centre last Monday.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Insp Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident.

“It is alleged that Moyo and Mabude Ncube of Nduku Village, Chief Malisa in Silobela were at Musilahobe Business Centre when they were approached by Mr Denhere who accused Moyo of having an extra marital affair with his wife,” said Inspector Mahoko.

A misunderstanding ensued, resulting in Moyo attacking Mr Denhere with an axe.

“Mabude Ncube also joined in and struck Mr Denhere with bricks all over the body before they fled,” said Insp Mahoko.

He said police have launched a manhunt for Moyo and Mabude who are facing attempted murder charges.

Police are appealing to anyone with information which may lead to the arrest of the suspects to report to any nearest police station.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Five men from Nkulumane suburb in Bulawayo have been arrested for allegedly beating a man to death after accusing him of breaking into a house in the suburb.

Melusi Ncube (31), Luckson Munsaka (23), Edwin Maphosa (22), Ayanda Ndlovu (26), Fungai Guduza (23), all of Nkulumane suburb, Bulawayo were arrested for allegedly killing a 29-year-old man who was reportedly drunk.

Bulawayo province police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident which occurred on Friday in the suburb.

He said the gang assaulted the yet to be identified victim with a tyre strip, sticks and a piece of hosepipe all over the body.

“I can confirm that we are investigating a case of murder in Nkulumane suburb involving five men who ganged up and beat up the now deceased from the same suburb accusing him of unlawful entry,” he said

Insp Ncube said preliminary investigations indicate the victim was drunk at the time he was assaulted.

“After assaulting him, the owner of the house in the company of one of the accused persons Fungai Guduza, later escorted the now deceased to ZRP Nkulumane and made a report of criminal trespassing and surrendered him to the police. The now deceased appeared drunk and had breathing difficulties,” he said.

Insp Ncube said an ambulance was summoned to ferry him to the hospital but he died on the way.

“The scene was attended to by the police. Upon examining the body of the now deceased, it was discovered that he had sustained some bruises on his chest and back,” said Insp Ncube.

Investigations were carried out leading to the arrest of the accused persons.

Meanwhile, police arrested Xolani Tshuma (19) and Magama Clifford, (29) both of Pelandaba suburb, Bulawayo for assaulting another man with fists and bricks on Friday until he was unconscious.

Insp Ncube said at around 7.00pm, the accused persons and the complainant had a misunderstanding which degenerated into a fight over an undisclosed issue in front of TM Egodini located on Lobengula Street between 6th Avenue and Leopold Takawira Street.

“Xolani Tshuma hit the complainant with fists on the face and the complainant fought back. Magama picked up a brick and hit the complainant on the head and the complainant fell down. The two accused persons assaulted the complainant all over the body using fists until he became unconscious and they ran away,” he said.

Insp Ncube said with the help of passersby, the police managed to arrest the accused persons who are helping the police with investigations.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Teachers have rejected government proposal to implement the continuous assessment learning areas (Cala) programme which they say has the potential to disturb pupils who are struggling to catch up after COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.

Under Cala, pupils were suppose to do projects and tasks in school, which would constitute 30% of their coursework for the final examination under the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council for each subject.

Training of teachers for the continuous assessment programme is underway.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe recently wrote to the Primary and Secondary Education minister Cain Mathema, urging government to withdraw the programme as it was overloading on underpaid workers.

In the letter dated May 20, 2021, Majongwe said the programme would not succeed as it was being implemented at a time when teachers were incapacitated and the syllabi coverage had been stalled by COVID-19 disruptions.

“We have observed that the past two weeks have been dominated by rumours and confirmation that teachers were being called upon to attend workshops on the implementation of continuous assessment,”Majongwe said.

“To us, this is literally a bolt out of the blue, notwithstanding the fact that you are empowered to make decisions on behalf of the ministry. We note, however, that the whole continuous assessment project is punctuated by problems.”

He castigated the government for failing to fund the programme since it was ordering “incapacitated” teachers to cater for their expenses to attend training workshops.

“The current Cala implementation exercise comes as a shock to learners and teachers who now have to create time for Calas, on top of having to strive to finish or at least cover a big part of the syllabuses that they have not done since the first lockdown.

“It would seem that your ministry is interested in ticking boxes for the gratification of government instead of doing a diligent job. Where and when was the pilot phase of the Calas done? The idea that the ministry comes up with such an important exercise and goes headlong into implementation is terrifying and an affront to the principles of curriculum formulation and implementation.”

Mathema refused to comment on the matter.

“Why do you want to write the story? I don’t need to confirm anything to you. Just write whatever you want,” Mathema said.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- A sex starved Shamva rapist who lured a 14 year old girl into the bush and raped her has been sentenced to 14 years in prison by a Bindura regional magistrate.

Reminage Gwamakange appeared before magistrate Amos Mbobo yesterday.

Mbobo suspended four years on condition of good behavior.

Prosecutor Ngoni Kaseke told the court that on April 7 last year Gwamakange called the girl purporting to seek for assistance in cutting grass at his homestead.

He told the girl that he wanted her to assist his wife and she agreed on their way to his home.

They walked through the bush and tripped her down to quench his sexual desires.

She cried for help but no one heard her.

After the act the convict threatened to kill his victim if she divulged the incident to anyone.

The matter came to light through a tip off from social welfare.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Anti Commission (Zacc) chairperson Justice Loice Matanda Moyo has been caught in the eye of a storm after she allegedly ordered the release of top National Prosecuting Agency (NPA) official, Chris Mutangadura, who had been arrested for criminal abuse of office involving a case before Bulawayo courts.

Mutangadura, the NPA’s chief public prosecutor in charge of the asset forfeiture unit, was reported to Zacc after he allegedly meddled in a case which involved local businessman Lovemore Kutamahufa.

Kutamahufa, who is the director of Aman Obrie Investment Private Limited, is facing criminal prosecution at the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court for alleged fraud involving a US$75 000 bank loan.

He was charged after his business partner Lungisani Ncube, a Zanu-PF politician, accused him of forging his signature to obtain a loan from FBC Bank.

Ncube accused him of using his title deeds as collateral in the loan application without his consent.

The trial, however, stalled after Kutamahufa challenged how a forensic handwriting expert only identified as LT Nhari was roped into the investigation without following proper procedure.

A fortnight ago, Mutangadura was investigated by Zacc with a view to detain and arraign him before the courts.

However, it is alleged that MatandaMoyo ordered his release and shelved the docket.

When contacted for comment, Justice Matanda-Moyo denied that she intervened in the matter to protect Mutangadura.

“That’s not true that I interfered to protect Mutangadura. It’s true that he was investigated and his docket completed. However, what I did in liaison with the Legal Services Department was to temporarily shelve the matter until the outcome of Kutamahufa’s case. We didn’t want to confuse the court by bringing the case to court when another case involving the same matter was on trial. That would jeopardise the case which is already before the courts,” Justice Matanda-Moyo said.

She said she could not have protected the NPA boss when she was the one who ordered the matter to be investigated in the first place.

“When the complainant (Kutamahufa) approached me, I discovered that there was some interference in his case in Bulawayo and that there was a lie that the government handwriting expert had no capacity to examine samples in order to allow the filing of papers from a private handwriting expert.

“So what I did was to make sure that due process takes its course. I know there are some people who are pushing for me to be returned to the bench, but I did everything above board and the matter will be taken into action as soon as possible,” she said.

Former NPA Bulawayo boss, Martha Cheda, in her statement to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), said she was not sure how Kutamahufa’s docket ended in Mutangadura’s hands.

“Before September 2018, I was based in Bulawayo and dealt with the matter of Lovemore Kutamahufa and ORS contravening section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 Bulawayo Central CR132/11/15. The docket was referred to my office and it had a letter dated October 24, 2017 written by Mr Mutangadura attached to it, directing that the matter be prosecuted. I don’t know how the docket got to Harare. I never directed that a private QDE (handwriting expert) be engaged,” Cheda said in documents seen by NewsDay.

Acting deputy Prosecutor-General Justin Uladi in his statement to Zacc said: “We have gone through the records at the head office and there is no evidence or record of the docket having been referred from Bulawayo to the head office for consideration. Therefore, we don’t know how Chris Mutangadura got involved in that matter,” Uladi told investigators.

The director of the Department of Forensic Sciences in the Home Affairs ministry, Bothwell Takura Mutandiro also told investigators that the final analyses on handwriting samples were not done because the department was waiting for additional samples from the police.

Clara Beatrice Tendai Gombakomba, a handwriting expert and deputy director in the Department of Forensic Sciences, told Zacc investigators that she had written a report to the officer-in-charge, CID Fraud in Bulawayo requesting additional samples so that an examination could be concluded.

Mutangadura allegedly ordered the prosecution of Kutamahufa, FBC bank manager Tizirai Mutandwa and lawyer Jonathan Taona Tsvangirai on the strength of a report made by Nhari that Ncube’s signatures was forged.

On October 24, 2017, Mutangadura used Nhari’s report to order Kutamahufa’s prosecution after claiming that Gombakomba was not available and the government forensic department had no capacity to examine handwriting.

But Mutangadura’s assertion was at variance with a report from the Zimbabwe Republic Police forensic department dated April 25, 2017 that indicated that the forged documents had not been examined by Gombakomba because they were not legible and the complainant, Ncube, refused to avail the original documents.

Mutangadura is now accused of colluding with Ncube and Nhari to use illegible copies of samples to produce the report, contrary to standard criminal procedure.

Kutamahufa lodged a complaint against Mutangadura with Zacc, which was recorded as case number HCR.21/05/2020.

According to the documents seen by NewsDay, Kutamahufa obtained a US$75 000 loan from FBC sometime in 2013, which was meant to finance his agricultural and mining activities in the country.

The mining business, however, faced viability challenges and he failed to service the bank loan, resulting in FBC instituting legal proceedings against him with the aim of attaching Ncube’s properties.

During a civil trial that ensued at the Harare High Court, Ncube turned against Kutamahufa, alleging that he had stolen his title deeds and fraudulently got the loan.

But in a judgment under HH459-17 on July 19, 2018, High Court judge Justice Moses Foroma dismissed Ncube’s allegation. Ncube then reported Kutamahufa to the police, accusing him of forging his signature.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Former cabinet minister Walter Mzembi has challenged the police to arrest Zanu PF National Executive Member Mike Chimombe and self-proclaimed prophet, Panganai Java for defying Covid-19 regulations in Chinhoyi at the weekend.

The overzealous Zanu PF apologists, in the name of forwarding the youth empowerment agenda on caused havoc in Chinhoyi and crowed people without observing Covid-19 regulations.

Java last month was warned by the police after he held similar events in Gweru, Kwekwe and Kadoma.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF National Executive Member Mike Chimombe and self-proclaimed prophet, Panganai Java at the weekend, in Chinhoyi defied Covid-19 regulations.

The overzealous Zanu PF apologists, in the name of forwarding the youth empowerment agenda on caused havoc in Chinhoyi and crowed people without observing Covid-19 regulations.

Java last month was warned by the police after he held similar events in Gweru, Kwekwe and Kadoma.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF National Executive Member for Mashonaland West and the president of the party’s-affiliated business group Affirmative Action Group (AAG) Mike Chimombe and self-proclaimed prophet, Panganai Java at the weekend, in Chinhoyi defied Covid-19 regulations.

The overzealous Zanu PF apologists, in the name of forwarding the youth empowerment agenda on caused havoc in Chinhoyi and crowed people without observing Covid-19 regulations.

By A Correspondent- Police in Manicaland province is investigating local businesspeople and traditional healers over an increasing number of ritual killings in which some of them have been named.

According to the state media, names of the suspects have been bandied around but police say they do not have incontrovertible evidence linking them to the crimes.

But panicky villagers insist the syndicate is behind the suspected ritual murders.

A viral audio, whose authenticity could not be established, implicates three individuals.

In the audio, an unidentified man, who is understood to have been cornered by villagers, is heard confessing that he had been recruited by the syndicate to commit the gory murders. He claims that the first person he and other members of his gang killed was Tinashe Rupapa from Honde Valley’s Pimai area.

“My duty was to befriend him so that I could brief other guys about his movements.
“We threw him in Pungwe River after killing him.”
The man went on to name members of the gang he allegedly worked with. Investigations by The Sunday Mail revealed that a woman, who is believed to be a leader of the syndicate, has been accused of ritual killings before, as she was investigated by the police in 2019.
In the audio, the unidentified man said they were paid anything between US$5 and US$15 to kill people and cut off their limbs.
“The woman walks around with some water and if she sprays you that water, you lose all the power . . . Most of these gang members that I have mentioned are living with human heads and various other limbs in their homes.”
His claims could not be independently verified.
Recently, a 57-year-old tractor driver, Grey Chirimo from Penhalonga, was murdered before his severed body was dumped in the Nyangani Dam along with the tractor. Chirimo was found with his eyes and lower lip missing.

In another case, two seven-year-old children — Dilan and Melissa Benza from Sambaza Village, Nyanga — were murdered and had their bodies dumped in a disused blair toilet. Munyaradzi Chigodora from Shamu area near Hauna Growth Point, Honde Valley, said the chilling incidences were worrying.
“These people are real murderers and ritualists, and the way in which they kill their victims shows they have no mercy and are the devils themselves.”

The Sunday Mail spoke to one of the suspected leaders of the syndicate, who said: “These are people accusing me of something I have not done. Sometime back, someone called Mai Nyakomba came to my house selling various staff. I loaned her some US dollars and when the time came for her to pay, she started making up stories to intimidate me but none of it is true, and I have been cleared by the police.”

Hysteria

Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said thorough investigations had been conducted and “we couldn’t link any one of the cases to the suspects”.

“In fact, these are only isolated incidences that have been blown out of proportion, and we discourage members of the public from spreading falsehoods. That similar trend was also starting to emerge here in Harare in Epworth, where people post false information of ritual killings on social media platforms.”

But Chief Mutasa, who presides over the area where some of the alleged murders have been committed, said he was concerned.

“I have heard of many cases and the community is not happy. Our inquiries are showing that some of the people doing this are coming from neighbouring countries.
“That is where the some of the evil traditional healers who request for people’s blood are also based.”

-State media

Presidential spokesman George Charamba last week published a thread responding to questions on why Zimbabwe refused to agree to UN General Assembly Resolution for the responsibility to protect against genocide, saying it ends up being a responsibility to invade.

Below was the full unedited thread:

Zimbabwe voted nyet (Russian term for “no”) against this omnibus General Assembly Resolution especially because of the part of it to do with the responsibility to protect, R2P.

Those with no sense of recent history or who mistakenly think western global imperial power is benign and benevolent, forget it was precisely this same clause – RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT – which was used to attack Gaddafi’s Libya, and which almost got invoked for use against Zimbabwe had it not been for the double veto by Russia and China!

And Libya tells the world how the West needs the clause to arrogate unto itself the RESPONSIBILITY TO INVADE FOR OIL, LAND, MINERALS and other INTERESTS using spurious grounds and securing a veneer of UN legality.

Today, Gaddafi is dead; Libya continues to die while the West retains the PREROGATIVE TO DO WAR WHILE STEALING LIBYAN OIL MIDST THAT WAR IT STARTED AND CONTINUES TO FUND AND FAN!

Often what is termed GENOCIDE is not that; rather, it neatly fits within Western extra-territorial goals. This is why what Israel does against the Palestinians falls neither under GENOCIDE or RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT, even though we all know it is GENOCIDAL DEFINITION ITSELF crying out for an American-led RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT!

Daily America, United Kingdom oppose even the mildest resolution in defence of the Palestinian people yet are keen to indict China on Chinese citizens of Moslem faith, and Venezuelans of Venezuela!

In the 19th Century, the mantra was encapsulated in the THREE Cs: CHRISTIANIZE, CIVILIZE and COLONIZE in that omnibus order.

We all know what happened before the Century of those laudable Cs ran out!! The RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT citizenry of ANY NATIONALITY is that of the NATION-STATE of that polity.

It is a moot point to ask the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA to accept a joint Russia-Chinese-led global intervention on its territory to exercise and enforce responsibility to protect BLACKS in AMERICA who are VICTIMS OF DAILY GENOCIDAL ATTACK.

Zimbabwe’s foreign policy options at United Nations are clear and grounded in its own history, experience, interests, principles and understanding of world affairs. Ndatenda!

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said youths should vote for the future of the country.

Said President Chamisa:
“THE YOUNG must be active in all national affairs including registering to vote.

The future is young, bright and exciting! God gave us our special Zimbabwe.

We have a beautiful country. Zimbabwe is a jewel. To whom much is given much is expected!

Luke 12:48. Blessed Sunday and Peace to you dear friends!”

This comes at a time Zanu PF is using wily tactics to discourage citizens from registering to vote.

Zanu PF, through Varakashi, is propagating the notion that elections will not change anything in the country.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said youths should vote for the future of the country.

Said President Chamisa:
“THE YOUNG must be active in all national affairs including registering to vote.

The future is young, bright and exciting! God gave us our special Zimbabwe.

We have a beautiful country. Zimbabwe is a jewel. To whom much is given much is expected!

Luke 12:48. Blessed Sunday and Peace to you dear friends!”

This comes at a time Zanu PF is using wily tactics to discourage citizens from registering to vote.

Zanu PF, through Varakashi, is propagating the notion that elections will not change anything in the country.

By A Correspondent- Government has warned schools against fleecing parents by demanding fees in foreign currency and payment of incentives to teachers saying this remains illegal and a chargeable offence.

This comes amid reports that some schools demand foreign currency payments only for school fees while others demand extra money to pay teachers’ incentives for them to teach. The “pay up or your child will be ignored” mentality is widespread at many schools across the country.

Some schools reportedly indirectly pay teachers’ incentives as if the money is coming from School Development Committee funds when it is charged on parents. Teachers at some schools are making a killing through incentives averaging US$5 per month for each pupil despite Government ban on the practice.

On top of the incentives, parents are also expected to pay for extra lessons which are sometimes conducted during school hours as some teachers knock off early to teach from home where they are paid between US$5 and US$10 per child.

In an interview at Chamabondo 2 Primary School which is under construction in Victoria Falls last week, Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo reiterated that incentives were illegal and schools should follow laid down procedures on school fees. He said the responsibility of paying teachers lies with Government while those schools that peg their fees in foreign currency should use the official rate.

“First of all schools know what procedures to follow when applying for schools fees and we want to implore them to do exactly that. There is also the issue of incentives, incentives are illegal and are an unnecessary burden on the already overburdened parents. Some circulars have been issued to the effect that no teacher or school should charge parents or students any incentives because the responsibility of paying teachers lies with Government and therefore we would like to encourage system to follow that,” said Dep Minister Moyo.

He said parents should be allowed to use mobile money, swipe or transfer as well as in local cash currency.
Schools close next week when the first term ends.

“When they use US$ as an anchor currency for the fees, they need to use the auction exchange rate and not the black market rates. We are not looking at our schools becoming some fuel for inflation in the economy.

“We have heard about those hiding behind SDCs to charge incentives and we are currently investigating, actually there are a lot of schools that are currently under investigation. You may be aware that the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Unit is also investigating that issue and we hope after the investigations we will be able to come up with a position as to what to do next,” said the Deputy Minister.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Moyo said Government is worried about overcrowding in some of the country’s schools in the wake of Covid-19. Prior to the global pandemic the country had a schools backlog of about 3 000 and this has risen to an estimated 4 500 schools needed for effective observance of social distancing.

Deputy Minister Moyo is on a countrywide tour of learning institutions to assess the state of affairs as well as monitor progress in the construction of some schools funded through Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) as Government strives to speed up the projects to be able to decongest.

Some of the projects had stalled because of lack of funding and Covid-19 disturbances and the visits are meant to re-energise construction and completion. Chamabondo 2 Primary School, whose construction started in 2005 and it is yet to be completed. The school is expected to ease congestion at Chamabondo Primary whose enrolment is more than 1 500 and Chinotimba Primary which has over 1 600 pupils, putting learners at the risk of spreading or contracting coronavirus.

“The purpose is to appreciate infrastructure deficit as we also look at issues to do with decongesting some of our schools in the face of Covid-19 restrictions regarding social distancing which is a real problem,” said Deputy Minister Moyo.

One of the key pillars of National Development Strategy (NDS1) is infrastructure development and it is in pursuit of that objective to achieve requisite infrastructure for schools that Government seeks to resuscitate and energize construction projects.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Thieves recently ransacked the house of MDC Alliance proportional representation MP Jasmine Toffa in Matsheumhlope suburb in Bulawayo and stole a laptop, decoder and groceries, among other things.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm that unknown people broke into a house at Matsheumhlope on May 13 and stole laptops, other items and groceries. Investigations are in progress,” said Ncube.

He appealed to members of the public to assist with information that might lead to the arrest of the criminals.

Toffa said this was not the first time that unknown people had broken into her house.

“It was a strange break-in, I am still confused. They gained entry using the back door of my house and damaged the key mechanism.

“Maybe they used a claw bar to open. My bedroom was ransacked, papers thrown everywhere and they stole my laptop, decoder and other items that include groceries, but I cannot link it to politics. I think these were thieves,” she said.

Toffa said on the day in question, there was no one in the main house except the maid and her husband who were sleeping in the cottage.

“This is the second break-in after another one that happened last time where they stole similar items. We went to pick the police on Thursday to come and investigate the case,” she said.

-standard

Dear Editor

CRIME ALERT.

Please whenever you photocopy your National identity card and the machine operator tells you that the copy was poorly copied, make sure you collect that bad copy.

These operators sell out these copies to thieves who use them to acquire sim cards and commit crimes that can incriminate you.

Please share this information to save an innocent person somewhere.

Safety First!

By A Correspondent- A case of theft of a vehicle at Plumtree Border Post could have exposed a vehicle smuggling racket after the car was recovered in Harare at the residence of a man once accused of importing cars under unclear circumstances.

Plumtree car dealer Sharmaine Mlambo (33) was recently arrested for allegedly stealing a Honda Fit vehicle belonging to Marita Mangani (36) from Bulawayo who had imported it from neighbouring South Africa.

Mlambo, using her links with clearing agents at the border post and at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), reportedly cleared the vehicle and paid all duty fees without the knowledge of Mangani.

The offence, which was committed between March 20 and 23, only came to light when Mangani went to Plumtree Border Post to collect her new wheels only to find the car had been cleared and taken away.

Police recovered the vehicle in Harare at Tafadzwa chidewe’s residence. In November 2019, Chidewe was cited in a Zimra public notice as among individuals who had imported a total of 433 cars under unclear circumstances.

Chidewe had reportedly imported a Toyota Hilux double cab (vehicle registration and chassis number AFE 3496 and AHTEZ39GX07034955 respectively).

“The commissioner-general of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority is hereby notifying the owners of vehicles listed below to visit Zimra Loss control Offices at ZB centre corner First Street and Kwame Nkrumah in Harare for vehicle registration verification. The vehicle owners are instructed to bring the vehicles together with all customs clearance documents pertaining to their vehicles on or before November 23, 2019,” the Zimra notice reads in part.

In the notice, a number of individuals were cited as having imported over five vehicles each under unclear circumstances.

In the latest case, Mlambo is accused of having obtained a proforma invoice pertaining to Mangani’s vehicle that she bought on March 1, at carMax Africa, a private company based in Durban, South Africa, to facilitate its clearance.

According to the state, Mlambo later fixed the imported pre-clearance of the vehicle at Zimra Plumtree Border Post and paid duty before driving away with it, prompting the matter to be reported to police leading to her arrest.

“On March 20, the accused obtained a proforma invoice in respect of the complainant’s stolen motor vehicle from the same company…and was issued with the proforma invoice number 1431, but this was not meant to be proof of payment of the motor vehicle,” the state outline reads.

“On March 23, the accused did import pre-clearance of the complainant’s motor vehicle at Zimra Plumtree Border Post and paid duty in that regard. On March 30, complainant’s motor vehicle arrived at Plumtree Border Post under the complainant’s name according to the customs and excise cargo manifest and was altered by the accused into her name. The accused went on to process the final clearance and took into her own possession, complaint’s motor vehicle without her consent.”

Mlambo, who is out on bail, appeared in court on Thursday before Plumtree magistrate Tayengwa Chibanda facing theft charges as defined in Section 113(1) of the criminal Law (codification and Reform) Act.

Chibanda set a date in June for the commencement of her trial. The regional magistrate also revealed that the State had dropped charges against Mlambo’s co-accused Blessing Rambanepasi, who is now the state witness in the matter.

Rambanepasi is a clearing agent at Plumtree Border Post and had faced charges of facilitating the theft of the vehicle worth US$1 400 which is now in the custody of the police as an exhibit.

Cases of vehicle smuggling are rampant with Zimbabwe seen as a transit route for vehicles stolen in South Africa for re-sale in countries such as Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and other regional countries.

-standard

By A Correspondent- A 15 year old boy from Plumtree drowned on Wednesday while swimming with his friends in a sewage pond…

The now deceased has been identified as Shaun Khuphe. His body was only retrieved from the pond on Thursday afternoon.

Matabeleland South acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thabani Mkhwananzi confirmed the incident. He said:

I confirm that we received the report of a 15-year-old boy who drowned on the 19th of May around 1300 hours.

He said the now deceased was among a group of five boys who went swimming in the sewage ponds in the afternoon.

When they arrived at the ponds, the now-deceased removed clothes and entered the ponds but he failed to swim and he drowned.

The other boys attempted to help their colleague but failed and that was when they alerted their parents.

A report was then made to the police who attended the scene.

Assistant Inspector Mkhwananzi called on parents and guardians to supervise their children. He said:

We urge parents and guardians to supervise where their children play. They should be aware of the whereabouts of their children.

We also urge the responsible authorities to see how best those sewage ponds can be secured to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.- CITE

By A Correspondent- Puma Cricket has pledged to sponsor Ryan Burl, a Zimbabwean cricketer following a heartfelt Twitter plea on Saturday.

The Zimbabwean cricketer posted his shoes on the microblogging site asking for sponsorship and Puma responded. Burl posted the photo, inserted a crying emoji and captioned it as follows:

_Any chance we can get a sponsor so we don’t have to glue our shoes back after every series @newbalance @NewBalance_SA @NBCricket @ICAssociation_

In response, Puma Cricket assured the Zimbabwean cricketer that he had found a sponsor. Said Puma:

_Time to put the glue away, I got you covered @ryanburl3_

Puma was applauded for the gesture with a legion of followers pledging to be ardent customers.

By A Correspondent- The son of a senior official in the ruling ZANU PF was Wednesday trampled to death by an angry elephant in Hwange during an inspection patrol in the area.

Ronald Mzamba, son of Ellias Mzamba of Dunu Village, Masue Resettlement area and three colleagues were conducting an inspection patrol exercise when they were attacked by an elephant.

RDC Councillor for Matetsi ward one, Cllr Vulindlela Mhlanga told the Chronicle news that the late Mr Mzamba was repairing a fence with three others when the accident occurred. Cllr Mhlanga said:

_There were two armed forest rangers and two community men who were repairing an electrical fence that encloses homesteads and fields. The wire was erected by the community to control wildlife conflict between the communities and animals like elephants and lions._

Hwange DCC Secretary for Administration Cde Nkosilathi Jiyani said an elephant and its calf that were inside the fence which the four men were repairing could have been attracted by the clothes Mazamba was wearing.

Jiyani said:

_Mr Mzamba was wearing a white cap and a blue shirt which drew more attention to the elephant. The elephant proceeded to chase Mr Mzamba who fell after running just a few metres. The elephant stamped on him._

Mzamba was buried on Friday in the Woodlands area.

Councillor Mhlanga added that a number of companies around Masue attended the funeral and bought a lot of things including the coffin and groceries for the funeral.

He added that Chief Mvutu, Headmen, Aldermen, Councillors from Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zambezi National Parks, Rural District Council (RDC) and Chief Executive Officer Mr Phindile Ncube and Hwange RDC contributed also supported the bereaving family.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A man from Gwanda allegedly stabbed and killed a drinking mate after a misunderstanding over a cap.

Matabeleland South acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thabani Mkhwananzi confirmed that the law enforcers were investigating a case in which Wellington Sithali (19) allegedly stabbed Nkosilathi Nare (21) on the buttocks after a misunderstanding arose over a cap that Nare had taken the previous day.

“On May 18, Sithali, Nare and others were drinking beer at Nhwali business centre where a misunderstanding arose between Nare and Sithali over a cap that was taken by Nare,” Mkhwananzi said.

He said Sithali left for home and came back armed with a knife, whip and stones and waited for Nare outside the business centre.

Mkhwananzi said Nare was informed by others that Sithali was waiting outside and went to check on him. Sithali allegedly stabbed Nare on the buttocks.

-standard

By A Correspondent- Former first lady Grace Mugabe has been taken to court over unfair labour practices after she allegedly summarily fired her head cook Tariro Takawira and refused to process his dues.

Takawira, who worked at Amai Mugabe Group of Schools, claims he was fired verbally and is owed $221 415 in outstanding benefits.

“Takawira, ex-chef, head of department at Grace Mugabe Foundation, Mazowe, was unfairly terminated on notice purportedly on mutual consent which he denies as frivolous and misleading,” lawyers from the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions argued in papers filed at the Labour Court.

“Further the claimant was being underpaid as a chef-cum-head of department, non-payment of overtime and allowances in the sum of $221 415.00.”

Grace Mugabe Foundation through its lawyers, however, argued that Takawira consented to the termination of his contract.

“It is not in dispute or challenged that on October 21, 2020, the respondent, in a letter to the claimant dated October 21, terminated the contract of employment for Takawira giving him one day’s notice to terminate on 22 October,” wrote Grace’s lawyers, Chimwamurombe Legal Practitioners, in a letter dated May 8.

They also denied that Takawira was employed as head chef.

The lawyers said Takawira was paid $72 624,42 on termination, which was calculated as: three months’ notice basic pay $24 496.00, leave days $16 487.71, relocation, severance pay $8 165,34; and two weeks’ pay for every year served of $8 165,32.

-standard

By A Correspondent- A female cashier of a Liquor Supplies at Ascot Centre in Bulawayo was last night shot dead during what is described as a robbery and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) attended the scene.

Sources said the robbers, whose number could not be ascertained, also got away with an undisclosed amount of money and police have since launched a manhunt. The cashier was shot in the head and died on the spot.

Reacting to the tragedy, Zimbabweans on social media called for action against the ever-increasing armed robbery cases. We present some of the responses below.

• Indebele lase Mlazi @_Boyabenyathi_

_Tag all mashonaland people to come and identify they’re relative. No ndebele should panic because we are all unemployed._

• @zanupfmustgo @Lungisa25628502

_The crime level is appalling, it’s unacceptable that police fail to deal with crime in a small county like Zim. The same police are readily available to arrest you for posting a tweet or a WhatsApp status. That’s a shame! The entire department needs a total overhaul._

• George @Gift88574510

_Under @edmnangagwa gun crime has escalated to unprecedented proportions, crime is a sign of high unemployment & perpetual inequality. ZRP are quick to arrest harmless women political activists whereas real criminals are Scott free. Zimbabwe like RSA is turning into a crime scene._

• #Vision2030 ED Pfee @MurozviMukaran1

_Kanti what is the Army doing all over the country?_

• Nfanomkhulu @mwwwn201

_Beating civillians._

• Dube T @DubeThulaniYes

_Bulawayo is becoming a Crime Scene Daily._

• Nigel @nigelforsyth4

_Police failing to deal with crime._

• wellingtons @MavhungaTW

_A very Sad development, Security must be a priority at all business premises, use Artificial Intelligence to detect any metals among any individual at your premises and act swiftly to disarm such violet robbers._ 

• Jonathan @jonijonathanp

_May they get caught and face harsh consequences. Such heinous crimes have no place in our lovely Zimbabwe._

• Referee @RefereeFly

_They should have already been closed according to Level1 guidelines. Employer must account for putting his staff in that situation! @PoliceZimbabwe your roadblocks have been conspicuous by their absence in Bulawayo lately these are the results!_

• Mloe @Mloe05264775

_So sad ,,, rest in eternal peace aunt Thando. Such a bubbly woman who was vibrant always. Will miss you dearly_

By A Correspondent- Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who doubles as the Minister of Health and Child Care imposed a lockdown on Kwekwe, a city in Midlands after a COVID-19 scare and now a protest has been launched.

The lockdown came after a coronavirus variant first detected in India was detected in the gold mining town and over a dozen people including the family of a returnee from India had contracted the variant.

Some who are opposed to the Kwekwe lockdown launched a protest saying the move was not warranted considering that the whole of the Midlands province has only 25 active cases.

They observe that Harare which has 384, Bulawayo 74 and Matebeleland North which has 58 were never put under lockdown.

There has been an increase of only seven cases in the Midlands over the past week though no new case was reported Saturday.

The lockdown in Kwekwe effective from 21 May entails:

• Curfew running from 7 pm to 6 am.
• No visitors to all boarding schools and all-day schools to observe strict Covid 19 school protocols.
• Opening of business hours run from 8 am to 5 pm.
• All bars, drinking places beer halls and bottle stores to be closed.
• All gatherings (weddings, church services and all other public and private groupings) are banned.
• All funerals must be supervised by health personnel and should not gather more than 30 people.
• Travellers through Kwekwe are strongly being advised to spend as little time as possible in Kwekwe during the next two weeks.

One commentator said:

_I’m puzzled, the intention is good but The so-called ‘source’ didn’t land in Kwekwe, they arrived in a plane load of people at the airport in Harare, where they were attended to by several people to facilitate their entry. Then there’s Inter city travel; we recess in Kwekwe._

Others complained that political elites were roaming around as if COVID-19 never existed.

Authorities argue that the lockdown is a precautionary measure since the variant has exhibited that it can spread rapidly, therefore, the protest might result in authorities reversing the decree.

Meanwhile, pictures that are circulating on social media suggest that it is business as usual in Kwekwe.

By A Correspondent- Local businesspeople and traditional healers have been implicated in the increasing cases of ritual killings in Manicaland province.

Names of the suspects have been bandied around but police say they do not have incontrovertible evidence linking them to the crimes. But panicky villagers insist the syndicate is behind the suspected ritual murders.
A viral audio, whose authenticity could not be established, implicates three individuals.

In the audio, an unidentified man, who is understood to have been cornered by villagers, is heard confessing that he had been recruited by the syndicate to commit the gory murders. He claims that the first person he and other members of his gang killed was Tinashe Rupapa from Honde Valley’s Pimai area.

“My duty was to befriend him so that I could brief other guys about his movements.
“We threw him in Pungwe River after killing him.”
The man went on to name members of the gang he allegedly worked with. Investigations by The Sunday Mail revealed that a woman, who is believed to be a leader of the syndicate, has been accused of ritual killings before, as she was investigated by the police in 2019.
In the audio, the unidentified man said they were paid anything between US$5 and US$15 to kill people and cut off their limbs.
“The woman walks around with some water and if she sprays you that water, you lose all the power . . . Most of these gang members that I have mentioned are living with human heads and various other limbs in their homes.”
His claims could not be independently verified.
Recently, a 57-year-old tractor driver, Grey Chirimo from Penhalonga, was murdered before his severed body was dumped in the Nyangani Dam along with the tractor. Chirimo was found with his eyes and lower lip missing.

In another case, two seven-year-old children — Dilan and Melissa Benza from Sambaza Village, Nyanga — were murdered and had their bodies dumped in a disused blair toilet. Munyaradzi Chigodora from Shamu area near Hauna Growth Point, Honde Valley, said the chilling incidence were worrying.
“These people are real murderers and ritualists, and the way in which they kill their victims shows they have no mercy and are the devils themselves.”

The Sunday Mail spoke to one of the suspected leaders of the syndicate, who said: “These are people accusing me of something I have not done. Sometime back, someone called Mai Nyakomba came to my house selling various staff. I loaned her some US dollars and when the time came for her to pay, she started making up stories to intimidate me but none of it is true, and I have been cleared by the police.”

Hysteria

Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said thorough investigations had been conducted and “we couldn’t link any one of the cases to the suspects”.

“In fact, these are only isolated incidences that have been blown out of proportion, and we discourage members of the public from spreading falsehoods. That similar trend was also starting to emerge here in Harare in Epworth, where people post false information of ritual killings on social media platforms.”

But Chief Mutasa, who presides over the area where some of the alleged murders have been committed, said he was concerned.

“I have heard of many cases and the community is not happy. Our inquiries are showing that some of the people doing this are coming from neighbouring countries.
“That is where the some of the evil traditional healers who request for people’s blood are also based.”

-State media

By A Correspondent- IN what could be compared to a macabre horror movie, people in some parts of Manicaland province are living in mortal fear of ritual killings by a suspected syndicate comprising businesspeople and faith healers.

Names of the suspects have been bandied around but police say they do not have incontrovertible evidence linking them to the crimes. But panicky villagers insist the syndicate is behind the suspected ritual murders.
A viral audio, whose authenticity could not be established, implicates three individuals.

In the audio, an unidentified man, who is understood to have been cornered by villagers, is heard confessing that he had been recruited by the syndicate to commit the gory murders. He claims that the first person he and other members of his gang killed was Tinashe Rupapa from Honde Valley’s Pimai area.

“My duty was to befriend him so that I could brief other guys about his movements.
“We threw him in Pungwe River after killing him.”
The man went on to name members of the gang he allegedly worked with. Investigations by The Sunday Mail revealed that a woman, who is believed to be a leader of the syndicate, has been accused of ritual killings before, as she was investigated by the police in 2019.
In the audio, the unidentified man said they were paid anything between US$5 and US$15 to kill people and cut off their limbs.
“The woman walks around with some water and if she sprays you that water, you lose all the power . . . Most of these gang members that I have mentioned are living with human heads and various other limbs in their homes.”
His claims could not be independently verified.
Recently, a 57-year-old tractor driver, Grey Chirimo from Penhalonga, was murdered before his severed body was dumped in the Nyangani Dam along with the tractor. Chirimo was found with his eyes and lower lip missing.

In another case, two seven-year-old children — Dilan and Melissa Benza from Sambaza Village, Nyanga — were murdered and had their bodies dumped in a disused blair toilet. Munyaradzi Chigodora from Shamu area near Hauna Growth Point, Honde Valley, said the chilling incidence were worrying.
“These people are real murderers and ritualists, and the way in which they kill their victims shows they have no mercy and are the devils themselves.”

The Sunday Mail spoke to one of the suspected leaders of the syndicate, who said: “These are people accusing me of something I have not done. Sometime back, someone called Mai Nyakomba came to my house selling various staff. I loaned her some US dollars and when the time came for her to pay, she started making up stories to intimidate me but none of it is true, and I have been cleared by the police.”

Hysteria

Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said thorough investigations had been conducted and “we couldn’t link any one of the cases to the suspects”.

“In fact, these are only isolated incidences that have been blown out of proportion, and we discourage members of the public from spreading falsehoods. That similar trend was also starting to emerge here in Harare in Epworth, where people post false information of ritual killings on social media platforms.”

But Chief Mutasa, who presides over the area where some of the alleged murders have been committed, said he was concerned.

“I have heard of many cases and the community is not happy. Our inquiries are showing that some of the people doing this are coming from neighbouring countries.
“That is where the some of the evil traditional healers who request for people’s blood are also based.”

-State media

By A Correspondent | Progressive Democrats Of Zimbabwe leader Barbara Nyagomo has joined ZANU PF, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s party has announced.

The chicken-logo’d party welcomed Nyagomo in a short video celebration circulated at the weekend.
Nyagomo is a UK based nursing professional who traveled to Zimbabwe before the 2018 polls to launch her blue flame party and became one of the opposition entities during the elections.

Briefly speaking to ZimEye, Nyagomo said Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance rejected her when she was told to go join the party at branch level. She also said the developments are a result of ZANU PF making better overtures.

She said: “Zanu Pf approached me and they said they will call me, somebody from the top is supposed to phone me to explain to me, maybe it’s coming from their information department. Since Dabengwa died I have not been politically active. “People have been trying to recruit me in their political parties. I was told vakuru chaivo vachakufonera. No one has contacted me so far, I was only sent the video.” She then went on to say MDC Alliance had told her to go join the party at branch level Mash West. “I did a lot for MDC Alliance including mediating with Dumiso Dabengwa before the 2018 elections but after the polls, they told me to go join the MDC A at branch level in Mash West.

“Any party that tells me to back to branch level, I will refuse,” she told ZimEye.

By A Correspondent- Barbara Nyagomo leader of Zanu PF President, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s small opposition, has joined the desperate ruling party.

The chicken-logo’d party welcomed Nyagomo in a short video celebration circulated at the weekend.

Nyagomo is a UK based nursing professional who traveled to Zimbabwe before the 2018 polls to launch her blue flame party and became one of the opposition entities during the elections.

Briefly speaking to ZimEye, Nyagomo said Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance rejected her when she was told to go join the party at branch level. She also said the developments are a result of ZANU PF making better overtures. She said:

“Zanu Pf approached me and they said they will call me, somebody from the top is supposed to phone me to explain to me, maybe it’s coming from their information department. Since Dabengwa died I have not been politically active.

“People have been trying to recruit me in their political parties. I was told vakuru chaivo vachakufonera. No one has contacted me so far, I was only sent the video.”

She then went on to say MDC Alliance had told her to go join the party at branch level Mash West.

“I did a lot for MDC Alliance including mediating with Dumiso Dabengwa before the 2018 elections but after the polls, they told me to go join the MDC A at branch level in Mash West.

“Any party that tells me to go back to branch level, I will refuse,” she told ZimEye.

By A Correspondent-A Harare family, last week mistakenly processed a burial order and organised funeral rites for an unidentified man whom they mistook for their presumed dead relative, Enock Foya.

They family only realised shortly before burial that they had collected the wrong body.

It later turned out that Enock whom they presumed dead, was recuperating at Sally Mugabe Hospital after being knocked down by a car at Mbare Musika three weeks ago.

According to Freddy Foya, his brother Enock went missing for about three weeks.

Freddy said he was later informed that a man only identified as Foya had been hit by a bus on April 30 along Seke Road and died on the spot.

The accident victim, NewsDay Weekender heard, had no identity documents on him. The bus driver later gathered from people at Mbare Musika that the deceased was only identified as Foya. He went to Mbare Police Station where he reported the accident.

Last week on Wednesday, Freddy then identified the wrong corpse at Harare Hospital mortuary, after being told that his younger brother was the one who was crushed by the bus.

“I am the one who mistakenly identified the man as my younger brother since there was too much light in the mortuary,” Freddy said.

“The man looked similar to my brother. On Friday last week when we were about to collect the body after we had done all the necessary arrangements, that is when we discovered that it was not Enoch’s.”

Enoch is still receiving treatment at the health facility after sustaining injuries on his left leg.

-NewsDay

By A Correspondent-The Law of Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has taken the Parliament of Zimbabwe to the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) seeking an order to set aside the promulgation of Constitutional Amendment No 1 and 2 Bills.

The lawyers said the two amendment were passed unconstitutionally.

Parliament passed Amendment (No 1) Bill in April, and it’s yet to be signed into law. But Constitutional Amendment (No 2) Bill which sailed through on May 4 was signed into by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on May 7.

The amendments seek to remove the presidential running mate clause and give Mnangagwa unfettered powers to appoint the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and judges without exposing them to public interviews and extending the retirement age of judges from 70 to 75.

Former Chief Justice Luke Malaba was set to benefit from the Amendment (No 2) Bill after his term was extended on Friday last week, but was overturned by the courts after Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum executive director Musa Kika and the Young Lawyers Association of Zimbabwe challenged the five-year extension.

The government has since appealed the judgment at the Supreme Court.
In the latest application filed by LSZ executive secretary Edward Mapara, Parliament is accused of acting unconstitutionally by passing a lapsed Constitutional Amendment (No 1) Bill which was brought to the House during the late former President Robert Mugabe’s era.

The organisation also accused the legislature of promulgating the Amendment (No 2) Bill without taking it to a referendum as stipulated by the Declaration of Rights.

“The Bill is invalid on the grounds that Parliament failed to fulfil constitutional obligations in that it passed a lapsed Constitutional Amendment (No 1) Bill 2017 (Constitutional Bill No 1) in violation of section 147 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” Mapara said.

He cited Mnangagwa, Parliament, Senate president Mable Chinomona, Speaker of National Assembly Jacob Mudenda, Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, and Attorney-General Prince Machaya as respondents.

Mapara said Parliament breached section 61(1) (a), 62(1) and (2) and 67 (2)(c) and (d) and 67(3)(a) of the Declaration of Rights.

-NewsDay

By A Correspondent- Former Cabinet Minister Prisca Mupfumira, has been slapped with a warrant of arrest after the court learnt that she was in South Africa on official Parliamentary business without seeking the court’s approval.

While she travelled to South Africa on Parliamentary business, Harare regional magistrate Mrs Esthere Chivasa agreed with the prosecution request that a warrant of arrest be issued after noting that Mapfumire skipped her trial date without the leave of court, although the court had ordered the release of her diplomatic passport until June 9.

The court dismissed the defence argument that since the bail conditions were modified with the consent of the State, the visit was permitted and that it was in any case on Parliamentary business, accepting that she still needed the court to approve her absence from a court hearing and that in any case the legislature and the courts were different and independent branches of the State.

Mupfumira, through her lawyer Mr Admire Rubaya, last week successfully applied for the release of the passport and relaxed her reporting conditions during the time she will be in South Africa.

When the accused passport was released the court did not give her a leave to be absent, said Mrs Chivasa when she issued the warrant of arrest against Mupfumira.

This was after the State led by Mr Tafara Chirambira applied for a warrant of arrest against Mupfumira. Mr Rubaya opposed to the State’s application saying the State had consented to the release of the passport with the court ordering for the release of her diplomatic passport from the Clerk of Court.

The accused is being tried by Chief Magistrate Mr Munamato Mutevedzi and on that account, there is no trial that is ongoing in this court.

It is critical to highlight the circumstances surrounding the non-availability of the accused.

The accused made an application for alteration of conditions.

The acting current deputy Prosecutor General Micheal Reza consented to the application in view of the Cabinet Authority letter.

By A Correspondent- ICT and Courier Services minister Jenfan Muswere yesterday said the government was putting up measures for people to apply for identification documents online.

Speaking at the launch of St Theresa-Bvekerwa communication information centre in Makoni, Muswere said: “Government is putting in place measures to make it possible for members of the public to apply for identification documents such as passports, national identity cards and birth certificates from the comfort of their homes.”

Most Zimbabweans have been struggling to secure identity documents during the COVID-19 national lockdown where most offices were closed. The minister did not explain how the system would work in rural areas where the majority are not techno savvy and digitally connected.

Muswere added: “This is also being coupled with efforts to turn our post offices into centres offering e-commerce, digital government and digital finance services as a way of making the services available within the proximity for those who do not have the necessary means for them to transact from homes.”

“I want to urge the local community of Bvekerwa and surrounding areas to make full use of the facilities we are commissioning today to uplift our lives.”

He said the government has identified ICTs as one of the pillars and cornerstones for the attainment of the objectives of the National Development Strategy blueprint which was launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last year.

Speaking at the same event, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe director-general Gift Machengete said community information centres could be used as marketing tools for rural tourism.

“Tourism operators in rural areas and remote areas have a difficult time marketing their destinations through traditional media due to production costs, so CIC can be used as marketing tools to promote rural tourism and market the products of downstream industries, including home-based industries,” he said.-newsday

By A Correspondent-Former Cabinet Minister Prisca Mupfumira’s corruption cases could be crumbling as she gets back her diplomatic passport.

Mupfumira got back her diplomatic passport last week and was allowed to travel to South Africa on Parliamentary business.

Harare regional magistrate Mrs Esthere Chivasa ordered the release of her diplomatic passport until June 9.

Mupfumira, through her lawyer Mr Admire Rubaya, last week successfully applied for the release of the passport and relaxed her reporting conditions during the time she will be in South Africa.

-State media