Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has urged citizens to remain positive because the “mighty Goliath will fall.”

Using the biblical illustration of David and Goliath, President Chamisa said:

“This Giant Goliath looks so ‘big and invincible’ but is so weak and vulnerable. It’s just a matter of time.

David’s stone is so powerful and precise!!Goliath will fall #ResistDictatorship #Godisinit”

Feeling the political temperature, Mr Mnangagwa is desperate to decimate the MDC Alliance using captured political formations.

By A Correspondent- A man has been arrested for fondling the private parts of three men he was detained with at Bulawayo Central Police Station.

A source said last week on Sunday at around 10pm, Xolisani Mabhena (29), Mthokozisi Ndlovu (30), Ernest Emmanuel (33) and Tapiwa Makuyana, were arrested for violating Covid-19 regulations and they were detained at Bulawayo Central Police Station cells.

While they were in the cells, at around 11.30pm Mthokozisi went to the toilet to relieve himself. Xolisani allegedly followed him and grabbed his manhood.

“He screamed for help and after that Mthokozisi reverted to the cell and got into his blankets,” said a source close to investigations.

At around 3.00am, Xolisani allegedly approached Emmanuel while he was asleep and opened his trousers’ zip and started to caress his manhood.

“He woke up and shouted at him. He then pushed him away and he shamelessly walked away and slept,” said the privy source.

After a few minutes it is alleged Xolisani woke up from where he was sleeping and went to Tapiwa, who was sleeping just a few metres away from him.

“He opened Tapiwa’s trousers’ zip and fondled his testicles. Tapiwa woke up and asked him why he was doing that, but he couldn’t respond and pretended as if he was sleeping,” said the source.

On the same day at midday, the three teamed up and reported Xolisani for indecent assault.

He was arrested.

Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident: “I can confirm that we arrested a man for indecent assault after he touched three men’s genitals. The suspect and the complainants had been arrested for violating Covid-19 regulations.”

By A Correspondent- A man wearing a police uniform has been arrested after he allegedly entered a shop and snatched two cellphones before taking to his heels.

The owner of the shop, Tonderayi Mureya, narrated how the whole incident happened.

“It was during lunchtime while I was just sitting at the shop. Robert Chareramambo who was putting on a Zimbabwe Republic Police uniform entered my shop. He asked to see a Huawei G8 cellphone. I gave it to him. He further requested to see a Huawei GR5 cellphone and indicated that he wanted to buy the two cellphones,” said Mureya.

Mureya said while he was serving another customer Robert bolted out of the shop with the two cellphones.

A source close to investigations said Mureya pursued him and good Samaritans joined forces in chasing after the fake police officer.

“Mureya and other people joined in chasing after the fake police officer who was running away with two stolen cellphones. They caught up with him near a bank which is situated along Leopold Takawira Avenue between Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Fort Street,” said the source.

People bashed the fake police officer and took him to Bulawayo Central Police Station.

After police officers questioned him he revealed that he was a not a police officer and apologised.

A docket of theft and unlawful wearing of police uniform was opened against him.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident: “I can confirm that we arrested a man who impersonated a police officer and stole two cellphones.”

Insp Ncube thanked members of the public for joining hands in apprehending the fake police officer.

“We would like to thank members of the public in helping to apprehend the suspect but I would like to urge them to refrain from the habit of taking the law into their hands after they effect a citizen’s arrest,” he said.

This case follows hard on the heels of a man who impersonated a police officer and robbed a banana vendor of his hard-earned cash.

Tariro Chigwedu (27) who impersonated a police officer bumped into Talent Mabanjira on 6 January this year while he was selling bananas at TM Hyper and demanded cash while claiming to be a police officer.

He gave him a US$1, on the second occasion he gave him $100. But when Taririo went back for the third time, Talent, with the help of members of the public, captured him and took him to a police station.

Tredgold magistrate Stephen Ndlovu convicted him and sentenced him for two counts of impersonation.

He was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison with eight months suspended on condition of good behaviour. He is serving 40 months behind bars.

By A Correspondent- Two Harare men who allegedly captured two pangolins and attempted to sell them to undercover detectives have been arrested and appeared in court on Thursday.

Gift Karisa and Passmore Katiza were charged with contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act.

Pangolins are protected by law and possessing or dealing in them illegally attracts a prison sentence of up to 12 years.

The duo had attempted to sell the animals for US$10 000 to the detectives who were acting on a tip-off.

Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti told the court that on 4 May this year, detectives from CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit Harare received information that Karisa was at corner Central Avenue and 6th Street, Avenues, Harare, looking for potential buyers of pangolins.

One member of the detectives’ team proceeded to the place, pretending to be a potential buyer and together with Karisa, they went to Vainona High School in Harare.

Meanwhile, the other detectives were following and closely monitoring events from a distance.

Karisa went into the school building where he then came back with Passmore Katiza who was holding a sack that had two live pangolins in it.

The duo asked for US$10 000 in exchange for the pangolins and was given the cash there and then by the detective.

The detectives then revealed their identities and asked the accused persons to produce a license or permit allowing them to trade in specially protected animals.

After failing to produce the permits, the two were arrested.

By A Correspondent- Harare magistrate Stanford Mambanje has relaxed bail conditions for former Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo, who is facing criminal abuse of office charges.

Moyo will now report once a week at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), instead of thrice.

In his application, Moyo pleaded with the court to make him report once a week at the ZACC offices, saying reporting thrice a week had become a burden on him.

Mambanje consented to Moyo’s request, saying the latter has demonstrated his willingness to stand trial by abiding by his reporting conditions despite the State failing to furnish him with a trial date up to now.

Moyo was arrested last year for his alleged involvement in the National Pharmaceutical Company’s (Natpharm) non-procedural engagement of the Delish Nguwaya fronted Drax International LLC, to supply medicines and surgical sundries, giving rise to the criminal abuse of office charges.

He is on $50 000 bail and has surrendered title deeds for his wife’s house in Eastlea pending trial.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A cheating married woman from Emakhandeni suburb in Bulawayo is facing a tough time because her jealous boyfriend beats her whenever he finds her talking to any man.

A neighbour to Faith Ndaba (29), who requested anonymity, said Faith’s husband was based in South Africa, and only comes to Zimbabwe once a year.

The source said Faith has been in love with Promise Dube of Luveve suburb for almost a year now. Faith takes care of her side bae and pampers him with money for booze.

“Faith loves her boyfriend, she gives him money whenever he asks. Faith is moneyed because her husband who is based in South Africa frequently sends her money,” said the source.

When asked about his relationship and the incident that landed him in court Promise could only say: “When I fell in love with her, I never knew that she was married.”

When B-Metro asked about the affair, Faith did not deny that she secretly “services” Promise, but begged this publication not to publish the story.

“Who told you about the issue? Please don’t write this story, because it has the potential of wrecking my marriage and I do not want to be on social media,” she grovelled.

After a few minutes, she warmed up to this reporter and said: “I have been in love with Promise for almost a year now, but the problem with him is that he is violent because whenever he finds me with a man, he beats me up,” she said.

She further said last week on Saturday she almost died at the hands of her abusive boyfriend.

“We were walking home from a party in Luveve. Along the way, he started to accuse me of talking to a man at the party. He then beat me several times. When we were about to reach my place, he violently kicked me, I fell to the ground and bled. After that I fainted and woke up drenched with water. I believe he poured water on me so as to resuscitate me,” she said.

She said after that she reported Promise at Luveve Police Station leading to his arrest.

Promise appeared before Western Commonage Court magistrate Tancy Dube facing an assault charge.

He was remanded out of custody to next week Tuesday for routine remand.-BMetro

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance activists Legwani Mavhunga and Munyaradzi Mafararikwa were on Friday granted $5 000 bail each by High Court judge Justice Webster Chinamhora.

Mavhunga and Mafararikwa were arrested for allegedly obstructing people and vehicles in Harare and were tortured while in police detention.

The two men, who have been in remand prison for more than two weeks, are being represented by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).

ZLHR posted on Twitter:

JUST IN: We have just got RTGS$5 000 bail for Mavhunga & Mafararikwa granted by Justice Chinhamora. Thank you @JitiWebster for rescuing these 2 victims of police torture.

Mavhunga & Mafararikwa were arrested for allegedly obstructing people & vehicles in Harare & tortured while in police detention.

Mavhunga and Mafararikwa were arrested for standing in solidarity with MDC Alliance vice-chairperson, Job Sikhala who was appearing in court for the commencement of his trial on inciting public violence in the aftermath of the foiled 31 July 2020 anti-corruption protests.

In a Twitter post on the day (16 April 2021) the duo was tortured by police, a human rights lawyer, Doug Coltart said:

Please spare a thought and a prayer this evening for Legwani Mavhunga who was tortured while in police custody, arrested for showing solidarity at court for Job Sikhala. He is now being admitted to hospital. This is not the Zimbabwe we want.

By A Correspondent- An MDC Alliance National Executive Committee (NEC) member Susan Matsunga was reportedly attacked by suspected State agents for declaring her allegiance to Nelson Chamisa.

Chamisa is the current president of the MDC Alliance, the largest opposition party in Zimbabwe.

Matsunga, who was recalled from Parliament by an MDC faction led by Douglas Mwonzora, was allegedly assaulted by unidentified men following her interview with OpenParly in which she vowed to continue supporting Chamisa.

The MDC Alliance secretary for Welfare Maureen Kademaunga posted on Twitter:

Our NEC Member and Recalled M.P for Mufakose Susan Matsunga was attacked by suspected regime agents for speaking truth to power.

The men said they wanted to kill her for declaring allegiance to President @nelsonchamisa in her interview with @OpenParlyZw.

Matsunga’s recall came after the MDC-T had notified Speaker Jacob Mudenda that she was no longer a member of Mwonzora’s faction.

Meanwhile, an MDC Alliance activist, Legwani Mavhunga who was arrested for standing in solidarity with the party’s vice chairman Job Sikhala, was hospitalised after he was allegedly tortured while in police custody.

By A Correspondent- RwandAir has announced the resumption of its route to and from Harare, among other southern African destinations.

In a notice to its clients, the airline said it will resume flights to Harare and Cape Town, South Africa on 14 May 2021 with two weekly flights on Fridays and Sundays.

It said:

We are pleased to announce the resumption of our services to Lusaka with two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Fridays effective 7th May 2021.

Our services to Harare and Cape Town will resume as well on 14th May 2021 with two weekly flights on Fridays and Sundays.

The Rwandan national carrier resumed flights to Johannesburg, South Africa and Lusaka, Zambia, this Friday, 7 May 2021.

The suspension happened in February following the detection of a new variant of COVID-19 in South Africa.

A certificate of a negative COVID-19 test is required for all travellers arriving, transiting, or departing from Rwanda.

The only accepted test is a SARS-Cov 2 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) performed within 72 hours of departure time, according to guidelines in place.

By A Correspondent- Bulawayo City Council is set to take over the privately-owned Umvutcha Cemetery with an estimated 45 000-grave capacity to ease a shortage of burial space.

The city has been battling burial space shortage following the decommissioning of West Park, Luveve, Athlone and Hyde Park cemeteries.

The only burials taking place at the decommissioned cemeteries are for reserved graves and in some instances, second interments.

At present, the local authority is operating three cemeteries, Athlone West, Luveve Extension and Lady Stanley.

Lady Stanley is reserved for senior prominent citizens.

To ease the shortage of burial space, council had granted authority to AP Glendanning to operate Umvutcha cemetery.

However, the cemetery has been deemed unattractive to residents because of its location, forcing its proprietors to approach council seeking to turn it into residential stands, a latest council report revealed.

Residents also complained that the cemetery did not offer grave refilling services which was another inconvenience for mourners.

“After realising that burial business was very low, AP Glendanning engaged council to exchange burial land for residential stands.

“The cemetery was fully developed with all requirements. This was of benefit to council,” read the latest council report of the health, housing and education committee in part.

“The offer by AP Glendanning to hand over Umvutcha Cemetery came in at a time when council was decommissioning West Park Cemetery.

“Council was in need of burial space. AP Glendanning had requested to exchange burial land for residential stands.

“Umvutcha Cemetery was fully developed with all the required infrastructure.

“The cemetery boasts a serene environment with a well-landscaped administration area.

“There is a functioning fountain. The cemetery also has a chapel that is ideal to conduct services. Umvutcha Cemetery under council would still maintain its upmarket class.”

Councillors have in the past suggested that residents bury their loved ones at their rural homes or cremate their remains among other alternatives to save burial space in the city.

Council is mulling introducing mandatory cremation for children under the age of 12 as the city is running out of burial space but some councillors feel all persons under 25 years should be incinerated.

The local authority has been trying to encourage residents to embrace cremation to save the available burial space but there have been few takers.-newsday

By A Correspondent- An investment vehicle fronted by former Zanu-PF youth leader Lewis Matutu is locked in a turf war with Gavin Bredenkamp after it was allocated a 450 hectares mining grant on the latter’s Thetford Estate farm in Mazowe, the Zimbabwe Independent reported.

Gavin, is the son of the late John Bredenkamp, who was one of Zimbabwe’s top businessmen with interests spanning mining, agriculture and arms.

Documents gleaned by the Independent this week show that Matutu was granted mining rights at the heart of Bredenkamp’s 1 500ha Thetford Estate in Mazowe in February 2020 through an investment vehicle called Nyamatsanga Mining.

Bredenkamp was allocated the expansive farm in 2020, at a time the government was downsizing farms.

This has subsequently triggered a fierce dispute between the parties, with Bredenkamp fighting to boot out Matutu.

With the special grant set to expire next year, Matutu’s outfit has desperately sought to exploit the lucrative claims.

But Bredenkamp has resisted Matutu’s moves, insisting that he has rights over the land.

Although mining takes precedence over farming under Zimbabwe’s current legislation, Bredenkamp is armed with protection under the heritage sites as his farm falls within The Upper Mazowe Heritage site and is home to some rare ancient rock art. The farm is also an animal sanctuary and private game reserve with protected species such as the rhino.

However, sources close to the land wrangle say Bredenkamp, could have corrupted or intimidated authorities because of the proximity of his family to the corridors of power.

But Bredenkamp, through his legal counsel, Titan Law, insists he is on the right side of the law, should the matter spill into the courts.

The farm in dispute was gazetted for redistribution under the land reform programme in 2000, but the Bredenkamps remain unaffected.

Bredenkamp applied for an offer letter over the farm, which was granted on December 30, 2020, about eight months after issuance of the special grant to Nyamatsanga Mining.
Sources close to the squabble say the warring parties have been trying to resolve their differences through dialogue.

Efforts to get a comment from Mines and Mining Development minister Winston Chitando were fruitless at the time of going to print. Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka refused to comment on the matter referring questions to his permanent secretary John Basera.

“These are operational (and) not policy issues, so talk to Basera,” Masuka said on Wednesday.

Basera could not be reached for comment.

Bredenkamp’s lawyers confirmed an offer letter was issued for Thetford Estate.

“There is no special grant issued for the immovable property known as Thetford Estate. If there was ever a special grant issued for Thetford Estate or any portion of Thetford Estate, that special grant cannot, in our view, have been procedurally issued having due regard to the relevant provisions of the Mines and Minerals Act, as well as general government policy in relation to the issuance of special grants in areas subject to wildlife and other conservation initiatives. Thetford is essentially a private wildlife game reserve and has been, for many years,” Titan Law said.

“Additionally, Thetford is a historic site conservancy and resource for tourism as it falls under the Upper Mazowe National Monument as it contains some of the pristine rock art within the national monument. This rock art has survived between 7 000 and 13 000 years.

“We can state with absolute certainty that our client did not corrupt any land officials in respect of the allocation of the offer letter to him (and) our client has not denied any person with bona fide mineral rights, lawfully and procedurally issued, to lawfully and procedurally execute the same in accordance with the laws of Zimbabwe.

“Our client has simply asked those persons claiming to exercise those rights to show that the Mines and Minerals Act as well as the Environmental Management Act have been strictly complied with before any such consent is granted to enter upon Thetford Estate. This has been made clear in writing,” the lawyers said.

Bredenkamp said Thetford is a vibrant and productive agricultural and wildlife conservation enterprise that cannot be unlawfully disturbed by persons.

Nyamatsanya’s lawyer Vengai Madzima said Matutu had a special grant.

“They (Bredenkamp’s camp) should comply with the law and allow my clients access to their special grant and then query, you don’t take the law into your own hands,” Madzima said in a telephone interview.

“They can just query whatever they feel is wrong with the relevant authorities.”

-Independent

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe is still facing an acute shortage of midwives and the situation has escalated due to the COVID-19-induced demand for nurses globally.

As the world celebrated International Day of the Midwife yesterday, it was revealed that the country is grappling with a severe shortage of these experts who are leaving the country in droves for greener pastures abroad.

Since the advent of COVID-19 globally, there has been a massive demand for nurses and sadly, due to poor remuneration and deplorable working conditions, many including midwives have joined the great trek to greener pastures.

Zimbabwe Confederation of Midwives president Emmanuel Mahlangu said midwives were not being recognised in the country for their critical role in delivering babies safely and keeping a lid on maternal deaths.

“The global need for nurses has depleted our staff. These experts for normal deliveries are sadly migrating to other countries where they will only be operating as general nurses. This is because here, we do not recognise their role and out of frustration, many answered to global calls for nursing vacancies and now we have a shortage,” he said.

Mahlangu said it was sad that Zimbabwe, still with unacceptably high maternal mortality rate, was now just a training ground for other countries.

“We call on the government, local authorities and corporate sector to invest in midwives through intensified training and adequately retaining them,” he said.

The 2021 State of World’s Midwifery report by UNFPA, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, World Health Organisation, International Confederation of Midwives ICM and partners noted the acute shortage of midwives as exerting a terrible global toll in the form of preventable deaths.

An analysis conducted for this report, published in the Lancet journal last December, showed that fully resourcing midwife-delivered care by 2035 could avert 67% of maternal deaths, 64% of new-born deaths and 65% of stillbirths.

It could save an estimated 4,3 million lives per year.

Commenting on the state of the world report, executive director for UNFPA Natalia Kanem said: “The State of the World’s Midwifery report sounds the alarm that currently the world urgently needs 1,1 million more essential health workers to deliver sexual, reproductive, maternal, new-born and adolescent healthcare, and 80% of these missing essential health workers are midwives.”

-newsday

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance activists Joanah Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova have filed an urgent chamber application with the High Court seeking to stop their trial.

The trio is accused of publishing falsehoods.

Their lawyer Alec Muchadehama is also seeking recusal of magistrate Bianca Makwande and prosecutor Michael Reza who they accuse of being personal.

They submitted that they will never see justice as long as Makwande and Reza were handling their case.

“We protested that we could not properly plead to the charges given our so many misgivings in the matter, but Makwande forced us to plead to the changes that had been put to us,” Mamombe said.

When we pleaded the time was around 18:37hrs. To say that I was shocked at what I witnessed on April 28 is an understatement. I became so afraid of Makwande and Reza that I concluded that the chances are like ice in hell that I would get justice before these two,” she further said.

“We all came to the conclusion that our matters had been predetermined by Makwande and that we were not going to get a fair hearing.”

The State alleges that the trio faked their abduction in May last year and blamed State agents for it. They are being charged with publishing falsehoods, apart from violating COVID-19 regulations.

Makwande is insisting on trial despite the trio’s application for review.

The urgent application is yet to be heard.

By A Correspondent- Former Cabinet Minister Tichaendepi Robert Masaya, has exonerated the former University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Livi Nyagura from corruptly awarding the former First Lady Grace Mugabe with a PhD.

Mr Masaya, who became the dean of the Faculty of Social Social Studies after Mugabe had already been accepted as a student, made the revelations during cross-examination from Advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara who is representing Nyagura on allegations of illegally awarding her the PhD degree.

During the cross-examination, Mr Masaya stated that he was appointed as the dean in the Faculty of Social Studies after Mugabe was accepted as a student by the University of Zimbabwe.

He said he had no evidence proving that Nyagura showed favour or disfavour to Mugabe to become a student at the university.

During cross-examination from prosecutor Mr Tapiwa Godzi, Mr Masaya told the court that he only came to know that Mugabe was graduating with a PhD degree after Nyagura had given him a list of students who were graduating that year, saying he should familiarise with her first name which he said was difficult to pronounce.

The ex-Minister also stated that he did not know of Mugabe’s documents up until the graduation period.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF lawmaker for Buhera South has challenged the government’s paymaster, Mthuli Ncube to pay government workers.

Chinotimba made the challenge in parliament when he was commenting on recent claims by the Finance Minister, that he had a surplus in his purse and at the same time failing to pay civil servants.

Buhera South legislator said it was ironic for Mthuli to claim that he had a surplus when government workers’ salaries were not sustainable.

“The salaries are inadequate, especially for those in rural areas. The current exchange rate is US$1 to ZW$130 and that is the rate that is being used by most shops, except shops such as OK who do not use the black-market rate. Such shops require that you pay what they charge. It is a ‘take it or leave it’ game,” he said.

“We expect immediate action to be taken on the matter, even if it means Minister Mthuli Ncube to be called into the House to answer questions and to address the matter. At one time, Honourable Mthuli Ncube said that the government has a surplus. How can you talk of surplus when the standard of living for the majority has not improved and they are earning peanuts?”, said Chinotimba.

By Farai D Hove | The MDC renegade, Douglas Mwonzora is preparing to expel his accusers over theft of party funds, Thokozani Khupe, Morgen Komichi and Patson Murimoga, among others.

The development was revealed yesterday morning as right handman, Murimoga told ZimEye he has been suspended from the party as punishment for reporting Mwonzora over the alleged missing funds.

Murimoga spoke over this as he was grilled in a wide ranging interview that lasted over an hour.

He said he is now appealing to the ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa so that he deals with Mwonzora. – WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW –

The development follows previous action by Murimoga as he engaged the Speaker Of Parliament.

…..

In his letter, Murimoga said Mwonzora should be expelled in the National Assembly for theft of party funds, money laundering and disregard of anti-corruption laws.

He said he is petitioning parliament to preserve the integrity of of the legislative body.

On my behalf and on behalf of the members of the Movement for Democratic Change T, hereby petition the Parliament of Zimbabwe through you Hon, Mr Speaker Sir to safeguard, promote and preserve the integrity of the country’s legislative body in keeping with its mandate “to make laws for peace, order and good governance of Zimbabwe” you have in the legislature one Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora who should not only be expelled from the August House but arrested for;

1. The theft of MDC Tfunds to the tune of $6 million
2. Money laundering in violation of Zimbabwe Foreign Currency Exchange Control Act,” said Murimoga.

By A Correspondent- The fourth witness in the trial of suspended University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Levi Nyagura, former Cabinet Minister Tichaendepi Robert Masaya, has told the court that no favour or disfavour was shown by the accused in the conferment of a PhD degree to former First Lady Ntombizodwa Grace Mugabe.

Mr Masaya, who became the dean of the Faculty of Social Social Studies after Mugabe had already been accepted as a student, made the revelations during cross-examination from Advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara who is representing Nyagura on allegations of illegally awarding her the PhD degree.

During the cross-examination, Mr Masaya stated that he was appointed as the dean in the Faculty of Social Studies after Mugabe was accepted as a student by the University of Zimbabwe.

He said he had no evidence proving that Nyagura showed favour or disfavour to Mugabe to become a student at the university.

During cross-examination from prosecutor Mr Tapiwa Godzi, Mr Masaya told the court that he only came to know that Mugabe was graduating with a PhD degree after Nyagura had given him a list of students who were graduating that year, saying he should familiarise with her first name which he said was difficult to pronounce.

The ex-Minister also stated that he did not know of Mugabe’s documents up until the graduation period.

-Herald

The Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa owes the nation an apology for being involved in the killing of innocent civilians during the Gukurahundi era.

This was said by MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti.

Hon Biti accused the Zanu PF regime of killing thousands of innocent civilians at the height of the Gukurahundi era.

“The regime, through its mouthpieces, is determined to bar leaders of the Democratic Struggle from the 2023 election.

Desperate unconstitutional measures by an illegal fascist cult led by a desperate genocidalist will not stop change and transformation in Zimbabwe
Gukurahundists now masquerading as national Leaders owe Zimbabwe a huge apology.

Fact of the matter is that this country will never move without transitional justice,without dealing with shame and tragedy of Gukurahundi.

Those with blood on their hands have no business to govern,” argued Hon Biti.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF lawmaker for Buhera South has challenged the government’s paymaster, Mthuli Ncube to pay government workers.

Chinotimba made the challenge in parliament when he was commenting on recent claims by the Finance Minister, that he had a surplus in his purse and at the same time failing to pay civil servants.

Buhera South legislator said it was ironic for Mthuli to claim that he had a surplus when government workers’ salaries were not sustainable.

“The salaries are inadequate, especially for those in rural areas. The current exchange rate is US$1 to ZW$130 and that is the rate that is being used by most shops, except shops such as OK who do not use the black-market rate. Such shops require that you pay what they charge. It is a ‘take it or leave it’ game,” he said.

“We expect immediate action to be taken on the matter, even if it means Minister Mthuli Ncube to be called into the House to answer questions and to address the matter. At one time, Honourable Mthuli Ncube said that the government has a surplus. How can you talk of surplus when the standard of living for the majority has not improved and they are earning peanuts?”, said Chinotimba.

By A Correspondent- Mthwakazi Republic Party said it will next week stage a mass protest against police brutality in Bulawayo.

The party said it had noted with concern the inhumane treatment of private transport operators, employees and clients by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

“We can’t allow police to brutalise the very people enabling residents to commute to and from work daily,” said the party.

MRP President Cde Mqondisi Moyo, last year wrote a letter to the Home Affairs Minister the Minister a letter, complaining about police misconduct in handling transport issues in Bulawayo. The letter was copied Police Commissioner General-Godwin Matanga, Zimbabwe President Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, Ministry of Transport, Police in Charge of Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Bulawayo Resident Minister – Judith Ncube, Joint Operations Command (JOC), Bulawayo Transport Operators, and Bulawayo residents.

” It is against this background that we are calling for a total shutdown of Bulawayo on the 10th and 11th this month.

“We hold ZRP accountable for the death of our people in accidents as Kombies run away from violent police,” he said.

“Why should we have the Zimbabwe Republic Police causing fatal road accidents, beating poor passengers, and damaging people’s vehicles? We know they are doing this because they want to boost the wealth of those who have captured the State like Mr Tagwirei who happens to be the main beneficiary of Zupco’s monopoly of the transport industry”, Mthwakazi demanded.

By James Gwati- Former Deputy Prime Minister has warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa of civil arrest following his party’s engineered constitutional amendments that recently sailed through Senate.

Senate on Tuesday passed the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No 2 with 65 voting in favour of the mutilation of the Constitution adopted in 2013 through a popular referendum vote while 10 voted against.

The Bill went through after three senators from the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T — Piniel Denga, Morgan Femai and Jane Chifamba — voted alongside Zanu PF, which needed only one vote to achieve a two-thirds majority.

The amendments include a provision for the scrapping of the running mate clause, which was supposed to come into effect in 2023 and another giving Mnangagwa unbridled power to appoint judges without subjecting them to public interviews, among others.

Mutambara yesterday took to microblogging site Twitter, accusing Zanu PF of “giving its detractors a big stick to whip its behind”.

“Zanu PF is begging for more economic sanctions,” he tweeted.

“Amendment No 2 gives its detractors reasons to maintain sanctions, constitutional violations, illegal judges, compromised Judiciary, corrupt imperial presidency. Zanu PF is giving its detractors a big stick to whip its behind. It is pure idiocy.”

He called for political action to stop the constitutional changes.

“Amendment No 2: the fightback (1) legal action against Amendment No 1, (2) legal action against Amendment No 2, (3) stop further constitutional changes and stop Patriotic Bill, (4) political mobilisation against the two amendments, (5) make the two amendments an election issue for 2023 (make Zanu PF pay politically), (6) devise strategy to stop Zanu PF 2/3 majority in 2023 — focus intensely on parliamentary seats, not just the presidency and (7) improve the quality of opposition (presidency and Parliament) candidates by putting a premium on (a) meritocracy, (b) technical competence, (c) proven capabilities, (d) ethical leadership, (e) strategic thinking, and (f) a track record of measurable achievements,” he

said.

By A Correspondent- Mthwakazi Republic Party youth wing is planning to shut down the entire Bulawayo City and force the government to end its ban on kombies.

The disgruntled MRP youth league said they plan to hold the mass demonstrations on the 10th and the 11th of May.

In a statement, MRP said it was touched by the pain the people are made to endure daily because of Zupco’s incapacity to meet public transport demands.

“We urge Omalayitsha not to allow Zupco operating in South Africa if the government continues to ban them from operating.

“The people’s revolutionary party is, therefore, demanding that government immediately allow private commuters and Omalayitsha back on the road. An article in the government-controlled Sunday News of the 2 May 2021, announcing a ban on private commuters has left us with no option but to demonstrate our disapproval of the move,”said MRP.

“All progressive residents, Kombi owners and their employees, and other stakeholders are kindly called upon to ensure that the shutdown is a success,” the party said.

The government recently announced an indefinite ban on kombis and said directed the police to impound private cars seen carrying passengers.

By James Gwati- Former Deputy, Priminister Professor, Arthur Mutambara has warned Zanu PF of more sanctions coming from the western country because of the ruling party’s unrepenting behaviour.

 Zanu PF this week engineered constitutional amendments that sailed through the Senate on Tuesday

Senate on Tuesday passed the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No 2 with 65 votes in favour of the mutilation of the Constitution adopted in 2013 through a popular referendum vote while 10 voted against it.

The Bill went through after three senators from the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T — Piniel Denga, Morgan Femai and Jane Chifamba — voted alongside Zanu PF, which needed only one vote to achieve a two-thirds majority.

The amendments include a provision for the scrapping of the running mate clause, which was supposed to come into effect in 2023 and another giving Mnangagwa unbridled power to appoint judges without subjecting them to public interviews, among others.

Mutambara yesterday took to microblogging site Twitter, accusing Zanu PF of “giving its detractors a big stick to whip its behind”.

“Zanu PF is begging for more economic sanctions,” he tweeted.

“Amendment No 2 gives its detractors reasons to maintain sanctions, constitutional violations, illegal judges, compromised Judiciary, the corrupt imperial presidency. Zanu PF is giving its detractors a big stick to whip its behind. It is pure idiocy.”

By A Correspondent – MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has been deserted by one of his top aides for endorsing the Zanu PF sponsored Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 2.

Noris Nyathi, the former Victoria falls deputy mayor said he could no longer associate with a sellout political grouping.

“I write this letter to inform you that I am no longer a member of this party. My resignation is inspired by numerous factors, i.e. failure to protect the citizens of Zimbabwe,” he said in his resignation letter directed to MDC-T secretary-general Paurina Mpariwa.

“I consider it gross misconduct by our MPs, Senators including the presidium to give Zanu PF the needed two-thirds majority to pass the repressive Amendment Bill Number 2.

“This is a direct provocation to the electorate who are the custodians of the Constitution which you have amended without going through a consultative process.”

By James Gwati-Three Douglas Mwonzora’s MDC-T senators who assisted Zanu PF to pass the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No 2 have been identified.

The three senators are Piniel Denga, Morgan Femai and Jane Chifamba.
These senators on Tuesday voted alongside Zanu PF, which needed only one vote to achieve a two-thirds majority.

The amendments include a provision for the scrapping of the running mate clause, which was supposed to come into effect in 2023 and another giving Mnangagwa unbridled power to appoint judges without subjecting them to public interviews, among others.

By Farai D Hove | One of Zimbabwe’s best barristers, Tendai Biti is preparing to slap Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime with legal action over amending the constitution.

Mnangagwa’s administration is tomorrow gazetting two bills that will grant him superpowers to among other things, handpick judges.

Announcing the development, Biti said: The fight for protection& defence of our constitution has become the defining fight of the present.Regime will gazette 2 Bills tomorrow, thereinafter there will be a floodgate of litigation which ought to be complimented by peaceful civic action.@adv_fulcrum &I will play our part.

By James Gwati- Former Deputy Prime Minister Professor, Arthur Mutambara has organised series of protests against the Zanu PF-engineered constitutional amendments that sailed through the Senate on Tuesday

Senate on Tuesday passed the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No 2 with 65 votes in favour of the mutilation of the Constitution adopted in 2013 through a popular referendum vote while 10 voted against it.

The Bill went through after three senators from the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T — Piniel Denga, Morgan Femai and Jane Chifamba — voted alongside Zanu PF, which needed only one vote to achieve a two-thirds majority.

The amendments include a provision for the scrapping of the running mate clause, which was supposed to come into effect in 2023 and another giving Mnangagwa unbridled power to appoint judges without subjecting them to public interviews, among others.

Mutambara yesterday took to microblogging site Twitter, accusing Zanu PF of “giving its detractors a big stick to whip its behind”.

“Zanu PF is begging for more economic sanctions,” he tweeted.

“Amendment No 2 gives its detractors reasons to maintain sanctions, constitutional violations, illegal judges, compromised Judiciary, the corrupt imperial presidency. Zanu PF is giving its detractors a big stick to whip its behind. It is pure idiocy.”

He called for political action to stop the constitutional changes.

“Amendment No 2: the fightback (1) legal action against Amendment No 1, (2) legal action against Amendment No 2, (3) stop further constitutional changes and stop Patriotic Bill, (4) political mobilisation against the two amendments, (5) make the two amendments an election issue for 2023 (make Zanu PF pay politically), (6) devise a strategy to stop Zanu PF 2/3 majority in 2023 — focus intensely on parliamentary seats, not just the presidency and (7) improve the quality of opposition (presidency and Parliament) candidates by putting a premium on (a) meritocracy, (b) technical competence, (c) proven capabilities, (d) ethical leadership, (e) strategic thinking, and (f) a track record of measurable achievements,” he

said.

By A Correspondent- Former Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara has bounced back challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa to respect the will of Zimbabweans.

Mutambara’s rebound comes after Senate on Tuesday passed the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No 2 with 65 votes in favour of the mutilation of the Constitution adopted in 2013 through a popular referendum vote while 10 voted against.

The Bill went through after three senators from the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T — Piniel Denga, Morgan Femai and Jane Chifamba — voted alongside Zanu PF, which needed only one vote to achieve a two-thirds majority.

The amendments include a provision for the scrapping of the running mate clause, which was supposed to come into effect in 2023 and another giving Mnangagwa unbridled power to appoint judges without subjecting them to public interviews, among others.

Mutambara yesterday took to microblogging site Twitter, accusing Zanu PF of “giving its detractors a big stick to whip its behind”.

“Zanu PF is begging for more economic sanctions,” he tweeted.

“Amendment No 2 gives its detractors reasons to maintain sanctions, constitutional violations, illegal judges, compromised Judiciary, the corrupt imperial presidency. Zanu PF is giving its detractors a big stick to whip its behind. It is pure idiocy.”

He called for political action to stop the constitutional changes.

“Amendment No 2: the fightback (1) legal action against Amendment No 1, (2) legal action against Amendment No 2, (3) stop further constitutional changes and stop Patriotic Bill, (4) political mobilisation against the two amendments, (5) make the two amendments an election issue for 2023 (make Zanu PF pay politically), (6) devise a strategy to stop Zanu PF 2/3 majority in 2023 — focus intensely on parliamentary seats, not just the presidency and (7) improve the quality of opposition (presidency and Parliament) candidates by putting a premium on (a) meritocracy, (b) technical competence, (c) proven capabilities, (d) ethical leadership, (e) strategic thinking, and (f) a track record of measurable achievements,” he

said.

I would like to name and shame @PAVILLION COACHES rekwaMUTURIKWA..These guys are not professional. They have a syndicate which harasses and forces people to get into their bus by using gangsters who beat you up and take away your child by force and tell you straight in the face that you cannot report anywhere, we control this space ..

Hama dzangu nhasi ndarohwa nezvigunduru zvavanohigher kuti varove vanhu meaning today i was beaten up by their hired thugs and street fathers. This woman in red on the picture below is also among the syndicate which was harrasing passengers.

We then called the police to come and rescue us after we had been forced to get into the bus because for you to get out of the bus, they were waiting for you at the door to beat you up.

So when the police came they helped us disembark but we could not recover our money. The driver of the bus drove off with out money. The police could not help us recover our money because we only realized that they were also part of the syndicate..

It is so disheatening how people are now so evil. I would not like this to happen to anyone else . This must be stopped. Let’s put these thieves back into their place.

Zimbabwe HumanrightscommissionKubatanaZimCelebs OfficialMvengeMvenge Zim Celebrities and Felebrities 1ZRP CORRUPTION WATCHDOG

watch the live video loading below……

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The Zanu PF Harare Province is expected to hold a cell restructuring exercise this weekend to accommodate new members joining the party.

This comes as the party’s progressive policies that resonate with the public and its open door policy have resulted in many people, including former MDC legislators joining the party.

New members, some of whom have never been members of any political party, are also flocking to Zanu PF, which they say has the future of the nation at heart. The party is targeting to mobilise 5 million votes for the 2023 harmonised elections to ensure a resounding victory.

The party’s provincial Secretary for Administration Ephraim Fundukwa said the province will embark on cell restructuring exercise as directed by the party leadership

“We have been tasked by the party leadership to set up structures of the party. The youth league led by Emmanuel Mahachi, the War veterans league and the Women’s League led by Betty Kaseke have already submitted their mobilisation strategy. We are rearing to go,” said Fundukwa. Fundukwa said the completion of restructuring would attract new membership and woo opposition supporters.

“We want to make sure that our cells are intact. Since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic some of our cell structures have been affected. We want to re-ignite the revolutionary train,”.

After the cell restructuring exercise, he said the province will set up the branch and then the district structures.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- Residents of Southlea Park in Harare yesterday stormed a local community school in protest over government’s threat to withdraw teachers from the institution after landowners secretly registered the school under private ownership.

The residents claimed they built Southlea Park Primary School using their own funds, hence it could not be registered as a private entity.

They accused former Odar Housing Development Consortium (OHDC) administrators of registering the school as a private institution without their knowledge, which prompted government to transfer the 40 teachers.

When NewsDay visited the school, more than 300 parents were at the school gate, singing and chanting slogans accusing the former OHDC administration chaired by Benny Matenga of fraudulently registering the school under private ownership.

The parents ordered their children to go back home saying they would resume schooling after the ownership wrangle has been resolved.

Acting head Memory Chivhima said she was not authorised to speak to the media.

But a teacher who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that they had been ordered by government to transfer from the school as the institution was now under private ownership.

“We were in the midst of conducting lessons when parents stormed into the school premises and ordered their children to go back home,” the teacher said.

“They were demanding to know why the teachers had been ordered to transfer. We received a directive from the district schools inspector since the school is now a private entity. We are yet to be advised the new schools we will be assigned to.”

Highglen district schools inspector Joseph Kabasa refused to comment on the matter and referred question to ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro.

Ndoro said: “If the parents do not have supporting documents that they are the rightful owners of the school such as a registration certificate, they cannot control it.”

“Those who registered the school are the responsible authority and the ministry cannot resolve that dispute. If there is a case, aggrieved parties can take the legal route.”

Matenga confirmed to NewsDay that the school had been registered as a private institution because the land was owned by the consortium.

“The land was initially State land until 2017 when the consortium acquired the deeds for private ownership of the land. Even if the school is registered as a private ownership, the residents still own the school,” he said.

Parents, who spoke to NewsDay, called on government to stop a few individuals from assuming ownership of the school as it disadvantaged pupils.

“We are against private ownership of the school. We want it to remain a public entity under government regulation,” Esther Musukuma, a member of Southlea Park Residents Association, said.

“We are demanding answers from government on why they would allow some few selfish community members to change the school into a private property.”

Southlea Park is the only primary school in the residential area. It has an enrolment of over 2 000 pupils.

-newsday

6 May 2021

The Zimbabwe Devolution Campaign, a coalition of Civic Society Organizations and Residents Associations in Zimbabwe, is deeply concerned with the Government’s reluctance to devolve power and functions to lower tiers of government as is stipulated in the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

While we acknowledge the prioritization of the devolution agenda by the 2^nd Republic, the trajectory and the nature of devolution in the proposed legislation to effect devolution and emerging practice within our local governance system fall short from the devolution enshrined in Chapter 14 of the Constitution as envisaged by citizens.

We are gravely concerned that the recent events that include the appointment of the local government board and the intention to impose an Inter-ministerial “Taskforce” to monitor urban local authorities are a clear violation of the principle of self-governance by local authorities as is provided for by the Constitution.

Citizens of Zimbabwe had pinned hopes on the Constitution as a foundation of establishing and retaining a democratic society. The path that has been taken by the Government to mutilate constitutional provisions that keep the executive powers checked is not healthy in any democratic society.

We note with deep sadness, that the same constitution is now a victim of politically motivated constitutional amendments 1 and 2 that serve to re-centralize power into the hands of the political elite contrary to the letter and spirit of devolution. Apart from being unpatriotic, the move is not good for the country and a betrayal of the people of Zimbabwe.

We assert that the rot and incapacitation within our local authorities (both urban and rural) is partly linked to interference by the central government in the management and running of these local authorities.

In addition to that, the stripping of revenue streams of local authorities by central government has further compromised the capacity of these local authorities to effectively deliver services. A clear example is the ZINARA takeover of vehicle licensing from local authorities, which left local authorities being burdened with an unfunded mandate to maintain local roads.

The Government of Zimbabwe cannot celebrate the paltry conditional funds it is disbursing to local authorities and claim that these are “devolution” funds. Once they are conditional, they become grants and not devolution funds. In any case they have fallen below the constitutional prescription of at least 5% since their disbursement from 2019 to date!

Devolution funds are a constitutional obligation in terms of section 301 of the Constitution and there is a need to develop a clear distribution framework that is transparent and gazetted for all stakeholders to exercise their right to hold government and local authorities to account on the use of such funds.

Furthermore, we strongly discourage politicization of service delivery and reaffirm that the funds disbursed by the government to local authorities is taxpayers’ money and those funds should not carry a political party tag.

We expect the central government to strengthen and capacitate local authorities than taking over their constitutional mandate. Section 276 (1) gives local authorities the right to govern on their own initiative the affairs of the people within their jurisdiction and they have “all the powers to do so.”

We stand guided by the supreme law of the land which states that local authorities are managed by councils composed by Councilors and any other arrangement outside these provisions is unconstitutional.

We believe that devolution is a catalyst to improved service delivery and therefore we call for meaningful devolution of governmental powers and functions to sub national and lower tiers of government.

We recommend the following;

·       The need for equal representation of women, young women, youth, people with disabilities and any other special needs groups in the composition of auxiliary structures of the provincial council and all elected and non-elected local authorities’ structures.

·       Legal and institutional frameworks that facilitate operationalization of devolution must conform to the principles of devolution envisaged in Chapter 14 of the constitution. Some provisions of the Provincial and Metropolitan Councils Administration Bill are not compatible with the constitution.

·       So early in the life of our constitution, the proposed amendments should be halted forthwith or subjected to a national referendum in the spirit of promoting democracy and self-governance reflective of the will of the majority of Zimbabweans as expressed in the extant Constitution.

·       The inter-ministerial cabinet committee which will oversee devolution is inaccessible to the public and central government cannot be an independent arbiter in a process of sharing power with other tiers where it is an interested party. We call for an independent body to preside over devolution implementation as this facilitates a more inclusive process which will gain greater public support.

·       Devolution is not only a domain of local government. It should be extended to all service delivery functions including environment, natural resources governance, health, water, roads and infrastructure and the attendant fiscal resources to mitigate against unfunded mandate.

·       Recruitment of senior officials of local authorities and provincial councils should be done at the local level and not through an appointed local government board.

·       There is need for government to promulgate a law for the “at least 5%” revenue sharing formula to allow for predictability of the funds that are to be disbursed to other ties of government.

·       The appointment of a Provincial Minister of State and Devolution in a governance and political space presided by a Provincial Council Chairperson is duplicitous with the potential to create a role conflict and is therefore undesirable apart from being an extra burden to the tax-payer. It is therefore recommended to dissolve the post of provincial Minister of State and Devolution.

By A Correspondent- A gang of 4 men were captured on camera at an internet cafe in Kuwadzana 5, Harare stealing computers, television sets and everything that they could lay their hands on.

The value of the stolen property could not be immediately established amid indications that a police report was made.

HELP CATCH THESE THIEVES by contacting your nearest police station.

More details follow….

By A Correspondent- The trial of former Labour minister Priscah Mupfumira on criminal abuse of office charges resumed yesterday where she claimed that her charge sheet did not specify the duties she allegedly abused.

Mupfumira, who is being charged together Ngoni Masoka, who was permanent secretary in the Labour ministry, appeared before magistrate Ngoni Nduna.

Represented by Admire Rubaya, Mupfumira said she did not instruct anyone at the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) to violate rules as she did not run the organisation on a daily basis.

“The first accused (Mupfumira) is at a loss as to how to defend herself without embarrassing herself in her defence in that the charge sheet read to her does not set out the specific duty or duties that she allegedly unlawfully and intentionally abused,” Rubaya said.

“It does not set out how the alleged duty or duties should have been carried out and it does not outline how she derogated from the lawful discharge of the undisclosed duty or duties as a minister in the government of the Republic of Zimbabwe.”

Mupfumira denied giving instructions to the NSSA management on the institution’s investment projects.

She said NSSA management was made up of many individuals, making the allegation by the State in the charge sheet inconceivable.

“Mupfumira denies ever giving Masoka any alleged instruction for him to allegedly enter into any offtake housing project contracts on behalf of NSSA without a NSSA board approval and/or without going through the tender process,” Rubaya submitted.

He said Mupfumira was just a government minister and not an executive official at NSSA.

The former minister said she was targeted because she was accused of financing a Zanu PF faction known as Lacoste, which was allegedly aligned to then Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

She said the allegations were raised by the late former President Robert Mugabe’s nephew, Patrick Zhuwao.

Zhuwao is currently in exile after fleeing the country following a November 2017 military coup which catapulted Mnangagwa to power.

The matter was postponed to May 26 for trial continuation.

Meanwhile, Mupfumira’s application to be tried separately from her co-accused, Masoka, was dismissed by Harare magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi.

Mupfumira is jointly charged for graft with Masoka, who is former permanent secretary of the Labour ministry.

She said since they were jointly charged, Masoka could not be compelled to give evidence on her behalf as an accused person yet he was her competent and compellable witness.

In his ruling, Mutevedzi said it would be difficult for the prosecution to prove their case against Mupfumira without linking them to the actions of the accused, hence it would jeopardise the State’s case.

-newsday

Dear Editor

We are concerned by Chivi south residents who call Berejena mission teachers and residents “mabvakure” meaning those who come from elsewhere or far away places. 

They are saying those words everyday when we interact at social gatherings. They threaten to beat us on daily basis.

May you please put this story in a newspaper so that the authorities can take action on this.

We are now leaving in fear of this gang.

Concerned citizen